that troublesome time so powerfull was the combination of parties But that which by the ordinary way of Justice could not as then be required we have since visibly punished in the fall and ruine of those Families for a lesson to all men to fly and abhorre the shedding of innocent blood The year preceding the King had directed as we shewed Sir Richard Cockborn of Clerkington his Secretary to England and amongst other instructions willed him to urge the payment of the moneys which the Lord Souch and Mr. Bowes the Queens Ambassadours had often promised Wherein finding nothing but delayes and his necessities dayly growing he resolved to look to his own estate at home and order his revenues to the best profit For this effect he made choice of eight persons to rule the affairs of the Exchequer These were Alexander Lord Urqhart President of the Colledge of Justice Walter Commendator of Blantry Lord Privie Seal Mr. David Carnegy of Colluthy Mr. Iohn Lindersey Parson of Menmure and Iames Elphingston of Ennernathie Mr. Thomas Hamilton of Dummany Mr. Iohn Sken Clerk of Register all Senators of the Colledge of Justice and Mr. Peter Young of Seaton his Elemosynar To these eight or any five of them was intrusted the full and free administration of the whole Rents and Duties pertaining to the Offices of Controllery and Collectory resigned and committed by the four Officers in his Majesties hands with power to deprive and discharge all inferiour Chamberlains Under-collectors Customers Secretaries Intrometters whatsoever with any of the said Rents all inferiour Clerks of the said Offices and to appoint new Clerks Receivers and Intrometters with the same excepting onely the Office of the Clerk of Register his fees priviledges and other commodities belonging to him or any of his Predecessours to hear and exact account of Steward Sheriffs Bayliffs Provosts of Burghs Customes Clerks of Cockquet Searchers Chamberlains Receivers Factours and Intrometters with the Farmes Males Profits and Duties Caves Customes Fishings Cole-houses Parks Steadings Orchards and other Rents of the propertie annexed of old and of new or unannexed and belonging any way to the Patrimony of the Crown as also to hear the unmade accounts of the Treasurer and his Deputies the Generall and Warden of the Coin and Taskmen and labourers of the Mines and Metalls the Collectours of the Taxation the Master of the Wardrobe Jewels and moveables the Master of the work the munition and plenishing of Castles the Monks portions the payment of the Guard and men of Warre the rents of Colledges Hospitalls Schools and Students the common good of Burghs the Dowry of whole moneys appertaining to the King as well within the Realm as coming from other parts and to allow or refuse allowance thereof as they should find meet with power likewise to appoint and set Fines and Penalties for offences to make and set down the prices of Wines Victualls and Corns yearly to put an order to his Majesties house and Esquiery and stable and make provision therefore to repair the decayed Customes appoint the Order of uplifting the same and to rowpe and set them to the best profit to consider the state of the present Coin and therein direct what they should think requisite to assist the Treasurer and the Compositors in the expeding of signators and that without advice nothing should passe to examine the diligence of Sheriffs and other inferiour Judges with their Officers and negligence to correct and punish the faults of Officers of Arms to compone transact or uplift the escheats of persons denounced to the horn and generally to do and perform all things proper to the Exchequer they enoying such places in Councell and Parliament as the Officers thereof had in former times with all the power priviledges honours and immunities that belonged thereto either by Acts of Parliament or by consuetude of the Realm The King did further promise in verbo principis not to joyn any more to the present Commission at any time hereafter and in case a place fell void by decease of any of the present Commissioners to receive and admit none but by advice and consent of those that remained alive as also not to signe any letter or signatour concerning the disposition of any of the rents of property collectory or new augmentations confirmatives or ratifications of any former gifts dispositions pensions or infestments or licenses for transporting of forbidden goods unlesse the same were first heard allowed and subscribed by the said Lords or any five of them sitting in Councell by way of Action Exception or Reply notwithstanding the Seals were appended thereto The keeper whereof were discharged to append any signet or seal except the letters or signatures were subscribed in manner above rehearsed under the pain of losing their offices Moreover it was declared that the said Lords should have power to direct letters of horning poynding and caption upon their own acts and decretes and that no suspension of any charges for ingathering any part of the Patrimony should pass except in Exchequer or Session three of the said Lords subscribing the same The Lords again made faith That the next unto God and good Conscience they should in all things respect his Majesties weal honour and advancement of his revenue and neither for tenderness of blood commodity to themselves awe or fear of any person consent to the disposition of any part of the patrimony whereby his Majesties profits might be diminished and that they should not give their consents severally but being assembled at least five of them in Exchequer under protestation that the accepting of the said Commission should not be a reason of declining them in Action that concerned his Majesty seeing they did neither receive fee nor were intrometters with any part of the rents but only directed the receivers and collectors of the same This Commission approved by the Lords of Councell was published at the market Cross of Edinburgh the 12 of Ianuary 1595. diverse excepting at the ampleness of it and saying That the King had left nothing to himself but the naked title of a King and put all his power and means in the hands of others so as subjects were to expect no benefit nor reward from him The Courtiers they especially of the bed-chamber did grudge exceedingly that all occasion to do good to themselves or their friends was this way cut off Nor was it long before these Commissioners became extremely disliked partly for their strict dealing with the subjects and partly for drawing all the offices into their own hands Beginning was made at M. David Magill Advocate whom they pressed to dimit and resigne his office by reason of his age and imbecillitie as they pretended and when by no perswasion he could be moved unto it they did associate with him in office M. Thomas Hamilton one of their own number which bred him such a grief as shortly after he ended his days Next they fell upon the
that it should be lawfull to Superiours and Lords of Regalities to refuse the entry of all such to their lands by precepts of Clarè constat or any other way Lastly that persons excommunicated for not conforming themselves to the Religion presently professed should neither in their own names nor covertly in name of any other enjoy their lands or rents but that the same should be intrometted with and uplifted to his Majesties use These were the Acts concluded touching Religion for the punishment of rapes which was grown as then too common his Majesty by a speciall letter did recommend to the Estates some overtures for restraining such violences As if any widow woman or maid should be forced and abused against her will the crime should be capital and not purged by the subsequent consent of the woman In like manner if any woman should be taken away albeit no further injury was done and she relieved either by her friends or by the Magistrate or by what so ever means the onely violence intended should be punished by death in regard the party had indevoured to do his worst And for those that did intice any woman to go away without their parents or tutors consent that they should be secluded from any part of the goods or lands belonging to the woman so inticed Some other Acts for the publick good of the kingdome were passed at the same time neither was it remembred that in any one convention so much good of a long time was done as in this In the beginning of February the Secretary was brought to Edinburgh and delivered to the Magistrates who received him at the neither port and conveyed him as a Prisoner to the lodging that was appointed A great gazing there was of people which troubled him not a little as he shewed by his countenance The next day he was delivered to the Lord Scone who with a guard of horse did convey him to the prison of Falkland there he remained to the 10 of March and was at that time taken to S. Andrews to abide his triall with the Justice there sate as Assessors the Earls of Dunbar Montross and Lothian the Lord Privy seal and Clerk Register His indictment was to this effect That in the year 1598 by the instigation of his Cousin Sir Edward Drummond a professed Papist he had stoln and surreptitiously purchased his Majesties hand to a letter written by the said Sir Edward and directed to Pope Clement the eighth in favour of the Bishop of Vaison for the said Bishops preferment to the dignity of a Cardinall And that notwithstanding the many denialls the King gave him in that busines he had treasonably conspired with the said Sir Edward to deceive and abuse his Majesty shuffling in a letter among others that were to be signed and filling it up after it was signed with the styles and titles usually given to the Pope and sealed the letter with his Majesties fignet the keeping whereof was intrusted to him by virtue of his office and in so doing had mostundutifully and treasonably behaved himself to the indangering of his Majesties Honour Life Crown and Estate and to the subversion of true Religion and the whole professors thereof Upon the reading of the indictment he was enquired if he would use any friends or advocates to speak in his defence as the order of the Court did allow him his answer was That he stood never in so great need of a Proloquutor the matter concerning his life estate and all that he possessed in this world yet he had choosed to keep silence and not employ either friends or advocates the offence he had committed being such as could admit no defence for howsoever he conceived that the keeping of intelligence with the Pope might advance his Majesties succession to the Crown of England yet knowing as he did his Majesties resolution never to use any crooked course but to rest upon Gods providence and his own right it did not become him to have medled in a matter of that importance Therefore did he intreat all gentlemen and others that were present to bear witness of his confession and the true remorse he had for the offence committed which he esteemed so great as neither his lands nor life may not twenty thousand lives such as his could repair onely two things he asked liberty to protest one was that he never intended to work an alteration of Religion or a toleration of the contrary the thing he had done being a meer worldly course whereby he judged some good might have been wrought at the time Next he protested that neither the love of gain nor hope of commodity had led him on that having never received nor expected benefit from any Prince living his Master the King onely excepted but an opinion he foolishly conceited that he might that way promote his Masters right In end he said that he would not make the Iudges any more business that he had confessed the truth and as he wished God to be mercifull to his soul in that great day his Majesty was most falsely and wrongfully charged with the writing of that letter to the Pope and that he never could move him to consent thereto The Jury was then called and the persons following sworn in face of Court David Earl of Crawford George Earl Marshall Iohn Earl Wigton Patrick Earl of Kingborne Iohn Earl of Tillibarden Alban L. Cathcart Iohn L. Salton David L. Scone Alexander L Garlies William Master of Tillibarden Sir Iames Douglas of Drâ—mlanrick Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar Sir William Levingston of Kilsith Sir Iohn Houston of the Ilke and Sir Patrick Home of Polwart These going apart returned after a short space into the Court and by the mouth of the Earl of Marshall pronounced Iames Lord Balmerinoch guilty of treasonable surreptitious fraudulent and false stealing of his Majesties hand to the letter specified in the indictment without his Majesties knowledge and contrary to his will declared As also of the treasonable affixing of his Majesties signet to the said letter and of assisting known and professed Papists in their treasonable courses to the danger of Religion the overthrow of the true professors thereof and drawing of his Majesties life estate and right of succession to the Crown of England in most extreme perill besides the bringing of most false and scandalous imputations upon his Majesty as well in Religion as honour and of art and part of the whole treasonable crimes contained in the said indictment The King being advertised of his conviction for he had commanded before any doom should be pronounced by a warrant directed to the Justice he was brought again to Edinburgh and in a Justice Court kept the first of Aprill decerned to be taken to the place of execution and there to have his head cut off his lands heritages Lordships Baronies taks steadings rooms possessions offices benefices cornes cattell c. forfeited and escheated to his
severe then of her own nature she was and led her into many errours of State neglecting the Natives and born Noblemen of the countrey and following the counsels of the French that attended her who making no conscience of their promises and minding nothing but the bringing of Scotland in subjection to France as they conceived things to serve unto their ends moved her to follow courses unsure and dishonourable Otherwise she was of a most milde disposition and was heard often to say That if her own counsel might take place she doubted nothing to compose all the dissensions within the Realm and settle the same upon good conditions in a perfect tranquillity The Author of the story ascrived to Iohn Knox in his whole discourse sheweth a bitter and hateful spite against her forging dishonest things which was never so much as suspected by any setting down his own conjectures as certain truths and misinterpreting all her words and actions yea the least syllable that did escape her in passion he maketh in an argument of her cruel and inhumane disposition but when he cometh to speak of her end he will have all her sickness and death though in none of the two there was any thing extraordinary to be the judgement of God inflicted upon her as if death and the ordinary visitations which bring death were not common to Princes as well as others Then for her burial because by direction of her friends and as some say at her own desire order was taken to carry her corps to the Abbey of Rhemes in Campaigne where her sister was Abbesse which of all necessity required a protraction of time he construed the delay to be the punishment of her inhumanity and the want of sepulchre in this Kingdom a prognostick of the short continuance of her race and the Guisian blood as he speaks in this Realm Pardon me good Reader for this digression To detract from the same of Princes and miscensure their words and actions favoureth of malice and no way becometh a Christian much lesse a Minister of Christ. Shortly after the death of Queen Regent truce was taken for hearing the Ambassadours sent from France and England who coming to Edinburgh entred into consultation first amongst themselves upon the best and easiest means to compose the present quarrels Then calling to them certain of the Scottish Nobility began to treat of the sending of the French souldiers forth of the Realm Wherein two difficulties occurred One was that the Commissioners of France did urge the retaining of a number of men of war in some sorts of the countrey for the King and Queen after peace was concluded The other that the companies that should be broken might depart unchallenged with all their baggage The Scottish Noblemen did oppose these desires esteeming it unreasonable that they should be suffered to depart before they gave satisfaction to those they had wronged And to place strangers in forts they thought it could not but breed trouble and occasion a new warre more dangerous then the present This contention held some dayes at last both parties wearying they were brought to agree upon the conditions following 1. That the French men of warre in the town of Leth should be sent home within the space of twenty dayes with bag and baggage and for their better transport should be furnished with ships of England they giving pledges for the safe return of the same 2. That Leth being rendered to the Lords of Scotland the walls thereof should be demolished as likewise the fortifications at Dumbar if so it should seem good to the Lords after they had viewed the same and that the King and Queen should make no new forts within the Realm nor augment these that were already made nor yet repair these that were demolished without counsel and consent of the Estates 3. That a Garison of threescore French men should be permitted to remain in the Castle of Dumbar and as many in the Isle of Inchkeeth untill the Estates should find means to maintain the said forts upon their own charges from all peril of forain invasion the said souldiers in the mean time living obedient to the lawes of the Realm and taking nothing from the subjects without paiment of ready money 4. That an Act of oblivion should be made for abolishing the memory of all injuries and wrongs attempted or committed against the lawes of the Realm since the sixth day of March 1558. untill the first of August 1560. which Act should be ratified in the next Parliament and confirmed by the Queen with consent of her husband 5. That a general peace and reconciliation should be made amongst the Lords and subjects of the Realm so as they who were called of the Congregation and they who were not of the same should bear no quarrel to others for any thing done since the sixth of March 1558. 6. That the King and Queen should not pursue revenge or suffer to be revenged any violence or injury that had been done since the said time nor should deprive or seek any colour to dispossess the subjects or any of them of the benefices houses and estates which they have enjoyed before they alwayes continuing in the due obedience of their Soveraigns And that it might be known that the King and Queen were not willing to keep any remembrance of the troubles past it was accorded the Duke of Chattellerault and all other Noblemen of Scotland should be repossessed in their livings and benefices within France after the manner that they did enjoy the same before the said sixth day of March and that all capitulations agreed upon in time past should be observed as well for the part of their Majesties as the part of the Nobility and people of Scotland 7. That where any Bishops Abbots or other Churchmen should alledge themselves to have received any injuries either in their persons or goods the same should be considered by the Estates of Parliament and redresse made according to reason and in the mean time that no man should stop them to enjoy their rents nor do any hurt or violence to their persons and if any should do contrary to this Article he should be pursued by the Lords as a perturber of the Commonwealth 8. That in time coming the King and Queen should depute no strangers in the administration of Civil and Common Justice nor bestow the offices of Chancellary Thesaurer Comptrollary and the like upon others then born subjects of the Realm as likewise that it should not be lawful to give the office of Thesaurary or Comptrollary to any Churchman or other person that is not able to administrate the same Further that the Thesaurer and Comptroller appointed by them and instructed with sufficient commission should do nothing in disposing of casualties without the consent of the Councel to the effect all things may be done for the profit of the King and Queen yet should it not be thought that this Article did either
Estates convened in Parliament should appoint About the midst of Iuly the dispensation of the marriage being brought from Rome the Queen was espoused to the Lord Darnelie after the Popish manner in the Chappel of Halirudhruse by the Dean of Restalrig and the next day was he by the sound of the Trumpet proclaimed King and declared to be associated with her in the Government The discontented Lords sent forth their complaints upon this alledging That the Kingdome was openly wronged the liberties thereof oppressed and a King imposed upon the people without advise and consent of the Estates a thing not practised before at any time and contrary to the Laws and received custom of the Countrey Desiring therefore all good subjects to take the matter to heart and joyn with them in resisting these beginnings of Tyranny But few or none were thereby won to shew themselves openly of their party so as when the Queen with her husband went against them they left the town of Striveling where the first convened and fled into Paislay The King to make himself more popular and take from the Lords the pretext of Religion wherewith they coloured their designes took purpose to go unto St. Giles Church in Edinburgh and hear Sermon Iohn Knox either doubting his sincerity or favouring the faction of the Noblemen fell upon him with a bitter reproof for which being cited before the Queen and Councell he not onely stood to that he had spoken but added That as the King for her pleasure had gone to Masse and dishonoured the Lord God so should he in his Iustice make her the instrument of his ruine The Queen incensed with this answer burst forth in tears whereupon he was inhibited preaching by the Councell and silenced for some moneths Mr. Iohn Craig who a little before was brought to Edinburgh because of the prohibition given to his Colleague refused to do any service there which put the people in a stur yet upon better advice he was moved to continue in his charge In the end of August the King and Queen accompanied with five thousand or thereabouts went to Glasgow to pursue the Lords They removing from Paisley to Hamilton an Herald was sent thither to summon the Castle which they denied to render giving out that they would try the matter in battell the next day But the manifold distractions amongst themselves did let this resolution and divers falling away from their side they went to Edinburgh where supposing to finde assistance the Captain of the Castle forced them by his continuall playing on the town to quit it After which they tooke their course to Dumfreis allured by the fair promises of Iohn Maxwell Lord Hereis A new expedition upon this was concluded and the Lieges warned to meet at Bigger the 9. of October in the mid time the King and Queen leaving the Earl of Lenox Lieutenant in the West parts made a Progress through Fife to punish those that had assisted the Lords The Lairds of Grainge Balcomie Pitmillie and Ramormie were fugitive some others of meaner sort taken prisoners and the towns of Perth Dundie and St. Andrewes fined in great summes This done they returned to Edinburgh and from thence went into Dumfrâ—is where the Lords had stayed all that while The Lord Hereis pretending to make their peace concluded his own advising them to fly into England as they did Thither went the Duke of Chattellerault the Earl of Murray Glencarne and Rothes the Lord Ochiltrie the Commendatory of Kilwinning and divers others of good note A few dayes they abode in Carlile with the Earle of Bedford Lieutenant at that time in the North. Then going to Newcastle they sent the Earl of Murray to the English Court to intreat the Queens intercession for them she incontinent dispatched a Gentleman of her Privie Chamber named Tamerorth with Letters to the Queen of Scots requesting that Murray and the rest might be received in favour The Gentleman not vouchsafing to give her husband the title of a King nor bringing any Commission to him was denied presence and had his answer delivered him in writing to this effect That Queen Elizabeth should do well to have no medling with the subjects of Scotland but leave them to their Princes discretion seeing neither she nor her husband did trouble themselves with the causes of her subjects The Duke perceiving that by these means their peace would not be hastily made and knowing his reconcilement to be more easie resolved to sever his cause from the rest and sent the Abbot of Kilwinning to entreat favour to himself and his friends which he easily obtained for he was known to be nothing so guilty as the others and to have been craftily drawn upon that faction so he returned into Scotland in December following In this moneth a generall Assembly of the Church convened again at Edinburgh where the answer made by the Queen to their last petitions was presented and replied unto by the same Assembly in this manner First they said That it was no small grief to the hearts of good and Christian subjects to hear that notwithstanding the Evangel of Christ had been so long preached in the Realm and his mercy so plainly offered her Majesty should yet continue unperswaded of the truth of that Religion which they preached and professed it being the same which Christ Iesus had revealed to the world which he commanded his Apostles to preach and ordained to be received of all the faithfull and firmly retained by them untill his second coming A religion that had God the Father his onely Son Christ Iesus and the Holy Spirit for the Authors thereof and was most clearly grounded upon the Doctrine and practice aswell of the Prophets as Apostles which no other religion upon the face of the earth could justifie alledge or prove For whatsoever assurance the Papist had or could alledge for his profession the same the Turk had for his Alcoran And the Jews more probably might alledge for their rites and traditions whether it be antiquity of time or consent of people or authority of Princes or multitudes and number of Professors or any the like cloakes they do pretend Wherefore in the Name of the eternall God with the reverence that became them they required her highness to use the means whereby she might be perswaded of the truth such as the preaching of the Word of God the ordinary mean that he hath appointed for working knowledge and begetting faith in the hearts of his chosen ones conference with learned men and disputation with the adversaries which they were ready to offer when and where her Grace should think expedient Next where she could not believe any impiety to be in the Mass they made offer to prove the whole Mass from the beginning to the ending to be nothing else but a mass of impietie and that the Priest his actions the opinion which the hearers or rather the gazers
tried to provide for afterwards against the like by a new edict it was made capital to disperse libels for defaming any person in that sort and to have keep or read any such that should happen to be affixed or cast into the streets The Earl of Lenox whilest these things were a doing ceased not to solicit the Queen by his letters for taking trial of the murther without delaying the same unto the time of Parliament as she had purposed Particularly he desired the Earl of Bothwell and others named in the libells and placard affixed on the door of the Senate-house to be apprehended and the Nobility assembled for their examination Bothwell perceiving that he was now openly attached did offer himself to triall for which the 12. of Aprill was assigned and the Earl of Lenox cited by the Justice to pursue according to the delation he had made In the mean time to fortifie himself he got the Castle of Edinburgh in his custody upon the Earl of Marre his resignation placing therein Sir Iames Balfour whom he especially trusted The Earl of Marre for his satisfaction had the Prince delivered in his keeping and caried unto Striveling where the Earl then lay heavily sick The Diet appointed for the triall being come and the Court fenced as use is Bothwell was empannelled The Earl of Lenox being called compeired Robert Cuningham one of his domesticks who presented in writing the Protestation following My Lords I am come hither sent by my master my Lord of Lenox to declare the cause of his absence this day and with his power as my Commission beareth The cause of his absence is the shortness of time and that he could not have his friends and servants to accompany him to his honour and for the security of life as was needfull in respect of the greatness of his partie Therefore his Lordship hath commanded me to desire a competent day such as he may keep and the weight of the cause requireth otherwise if your Lordships will proceed at this present I protest that I may use the charge committed to me by my Lord my master without the offence of any man This is that if the persons who pass upon the Assise and enquest of these that are entered on pannell this day shall cleanse the said persons of the murther of the King that it shall be wilfull errour and not ignorance by reason it is notoriously known that these persons did commit that odious murther as my Lord my master alledgeth And upon this my protestation I require an instrument The Justice by the advice of the Noblemen and Barons appointed to assist in that judgement did notwithstanding the said protestation grant process whereupon the Noblemen chosen for the Jury were called These were Andrew Earl of Rothes George Earl of Cathnes Gilbert Earl of Cassils Lord Iohn Hamilton Commendator of Aberbrothock Iames Lord Ross Robert Lord Semple Robert Lord Boyd Iohn Lord Hereis Laurence Lord Oliphant Iohn Master of Forbes with the Lairds of Lochinvar Langton Cambusnetham Barnbowgall and Boyne the Earl of Cassills excused himself offering the penalty which by the Law they pay that refuse to pass upon Assise but could not obtain himself freed the Queen threatning to commit him in prison and when he seemed nothing terrified therewith commanding him under pain of treason to enter and give his judgement with the rest Thus were they all sworn and admitted as the manner is After which Bothwell being charged with the inditement and the same denied by him they removed forth of the Court to consult together and after a little time returning by the mouth of the Earl of Cathnes their Chancellour declared him acquit of the murther of the King and of all the points contained in the inditement with a protestation That seeing neither her Majesties advocate had insisted in the pursuit nor did Robert Cuningham Commissioner for the Earl of Lenox bring any evidence of Bothwells guiltiness neither yet was the inditement sworn by any person and that they had pronounced according to their knowledge it should not be imputed to them as wilfull errour which they had delivered Mr. David Borthwiâ—â— and Mr. Edmund Hay who in the entry of the Court were admitted as his prolocutours askt instruments upon the Juries declaration so he went from that Court absolved yet the suspicions of the people were nothing diminished And some indeed were of opinion that the Judges could give no other deliverance nor find him guilty of the inditement as they had formed it seeing he was accused of a murther committed on the 9. day of February whereas the King was slain upon the 10. of that moneth But he for a further clearing of himself set up a paper in the most conspicuous place of the market bearing That albeit he had been acquited in a lawfull Justice court of that odious crime laid unto his charge yet to make his innocency the more manifest he was ready to give triall of the same in single combate with any man of honourable birth and quality that would accuse him of the murther of the King The next day in the same place by another writing answer was made that the combat should be accepted so as a place were designed wherein without danger the undertaker might professe his name The 13. of April a Parliament was kept for restoring the Earl of Huntley and others to their estates and honours which was not as yet done with the solemnity requisite In this Parliament the Commissioners of the Church made great instance for ratifying the Acts concluded in favour of the true Religion yet nothing was obtained The Queen answering that the Parliament was called for that onely business and that they should have satisfaction given them at some other time The Parliament being broke up Bothwell inviting the Noblemen to supper did liberally feast them and after many thanks for their kindness fell in some speeches for the Queens marriage shewing the hopes he had to compass it so as he might obtain their consents Some few to whom he had imparted the business before-hand made offer of their furtherance the rest fearing to refuse and suspecting one another set all their hands to a bond which he had ready formed to that purpose A few dayes after faigning an expedition into Liddisdale he gathered some forces and meeting the Queen on the way as he returned from Striveling whither she had gone to visit her son he took her by way of rape and led her to the Castle of Dumbar No men doubted but this was done by her own liking and consent yet a number of Noblemen convening at Striveling lest they should seem deficient in any sort of their duties sent to ask whether or not she was there willingly detained for if she was kept against her will they would come with an Army and set her at liberty She answered That it was against her will that she was
exemplary punished the Noblemen Barons and other Professors should imploy their whole forces strength and power for the just punishment of all and whatsoever persons that should be tried and found guilty of the same 8. Sith it hath pleased God to give a native Prince unto the Countrey who in all appearance shall become their King and Soveraign lest he should be murthered and wickedly taken away as his father was the Nobility Barons and others under subscriving should assist maintain and defend the Prince against all that should attempt to do him injury 9. That all Kings and Princes that in any time hereafter shall happen to reign and have the rule of the Realm should in their first entry and before they be either crowned or inaugurated give their oath and faithfully promise unto the true Church of God for maintaining and defending by all means the true Religion of Christ presently professed within the Kingdom 10. That the Prince should be committed to the education of some wise godly and grave man to be trained up in vertue and the fear of God that when he cometh to years he may discharge himself sufficiently of that place and honour whereunto he is called 11. That the Nobility Barons and others underscribing should faithfully promise to convene themselves in armes for the rooting out of idolatry especially the blasphemous Mass without exception of place or person And likewise should remove all idolaters and others not admitted to the preaching of the Word from the bearing of any function in the Church which may be a hinderance to the Ministery in any sort and in their places appoint Superintendents Ministers and other needfull members of the Church And further should faithfully binde themselves to reform all Schooles Colledges and Universities throughout the Realme by removing all such as be of contrary profession and beare any charge therein and planting faithfull teachers in their rooms lest the youth should be corrupted with poysonable doctrine in their lesser years which afterwards would not easily be removed These were the Articles agreed unto by a common consent ard subscribed in the presence of the Assembly by the Earls of Morton Glencarne and Marre the Lords Home Ruthven Sanqhuar Lindesay Grahame Innermaith and Ochiltrie and many Barons besides the Commissioners of Burgesses Upon the dissolving of this Assembly the Lords Ruthven and Lindesay were directed to Lochlevin to deal with the Queen for resignation of the Government in favours of the Prince her son and the appointing of some to be Regent who should have the administration of affairs during his minority At first she took the proposition grievously answering in passion that she could sooner renounce her life then her Crown yet after some rude speeches used by the Lord Lindesay she was induced to put her hand to the renunciation they presented by the perswasion chiefly of Robert Melvil who was sent from the Earl of Atholl and Lethington to advise her as she loved her life not to refuse any thing they did require He likewise brought a letter from Sir Nicholas Throgmorton the Ambassadour of England who was come a few dayes before to visit her but was denied access to the same effect declaring that no resignation made in the time of her captivity would be of force and in Law was null because done out of a just fear which having considered with her self a while without reading any one of the Writs presented she set her hand to the same the tears running down in abundance from her eyes One of the Writs contained a renunciation of the Crown and Royall dignity with a Commission to invest the Prince into the Kingdome by the solemnities accustomed And to that purpose a procuration was given to the Lords Ruthven and Lindesay for dimitting and resigning in presence of the three Estates the Rule and Government And to the Earls of Morton Atholl Marre Glencarne and Menteith and to the Lords Grahame and Home with the Bishop of Orkney and the Provosts of Dundie and Montross for inaugurating the Prince her son The other Writ did appoint the Earl of Murray Regent during the Prince his Minoritie if at his return he should accept of the Charge And in case of his refuse the Duke of Chattellerault the Earls of Lenox Argile Atholl Morton Glencarne and Marre who should joyntly govern and administrate the publick affairs Both the renunciation and Commission for government of the Realm were the next day published at the Market Cross of Edinburgh and the third day after the Publication which was the 29. of Iuly was the Prince crowned and anointed King in the Church of Striveling by the Bishop of Orkney assisted by two of the Superintendents The Sermon was made by Iohn Knox the Earl of Morton and the Lord Home took the Oath for the King that he should maintain the Religion received and minister justice equally to all the subjects The English Ambassadour though he was in town refused his presence to that solemnity lest he should seem to approve the abdication of the Queens Government Now how soon the news came to France and they came in great haste the Earl of Murray prepared to return whereof the Archbishop of Glasgow getting intelligence who lay there Ambassadour for the Queen he laboured earnestly to have him detained informing that he was the head of the faction raised against the Queen and that he was called home to be their leader But he had taken his leave some houres before of the Court and used such diligence as they who were sent to stay him found that he was loosed from Diepe before their coming Returning by England he came the 11. of August to Edinburgh where he was received with a wonderfull joy Great instance was used to have him accept the Regency at which they said no man would grudge he being named by the Queen and having given all good men experiments of his worth Some few dayes he desired to advise in which time he visited the Queen at Lochlevin and sent Letters to the Noblemen of the other faction especially to the Earl of Argile with whom he had kept an intire friendship of a long time shewing in what sort he was pressed by the Lords that maintained the Kings authority and intreating him by the bonds of kindred the familiarity they had long kept and by the love he bare to his native Countrey to appoint a place where he might confer with him and have his counsell in that business To the rest he wrote according to the acquaintance he had with them and as their place and dignity required Of them all in common he desired that they would be pleased to designe a place of meeting where they might by common advice provide for the safety of the Kingdome which in that troubled time could not long subsist without some one to rule and govern But finding them all to decline the meeting and being importuned on the other side by those
should prefer none thereto but such as was sound in Religion and for other qualities apt and worthy That during his Regencie he should grant no respits nor remissions for hainous crimes That he should not transport the King forth of the Castle of Striveling without the advice of the Councel That he should grant no favour to the murtherers of the Kings Father and Regents That he should neither enter into league with forainers nor denounce warre without the consent of the Estates And that he should be careful to entertain the amity contracted with the Queen of England The Estates on the other part did promise to assist him with all their power against the Kings enemies and to joyn with him in the reformation of whatsoever abuses crept in by occasion of the late troubles without offending at the execution of justice upon their nearest and dearest friend Order was also taken for the entertainment of his house the setling of a resident Councel and the advancing of the revenues of the Crown to the best profit And these were the things done in that meeting Soon after came Sir Henry Killigrew Ambassadour from England partly to declare the content which the Queen had received in the choice of the Earl of Morton to be Regent and partly to renew the Abstinence which was then near the expiring Herein he prevailed so farre with the Duke and Huntley as they were brought not only to prorogate the Abstinence but also to name certain Noblemen who should meet for them at Perth with such as the Regent by advice of the Councel should nominate for concluding a perfect peace The Laird of Grange and those that remained with him in the Castle refusing to be comprehended in that treaty went on in victualling and fortifying the house for impeding whereof the Regent did levie some companies of souldiers to inclose the Castle and because the time of Parliament was approaching he caused erect Bulwarks in divers places of the street to secure the people at their meetings to Sermon and the Judges that convened to the ministration of Justice Grange finding himself thus pent up did by a Proclamation from the Castle wall command all the Queens subjects to depart forth of the town within the space of 24. hours The time expired he made the Cannon thunder upon the town to the great terrour of the Inhabitants yet there was no great hurt done that way which when he perceived he hired one of his souldiers to set fire in the night time to some houses under the wall which destroyed a number of tenements for a strong Western wind blowing in the time the fire did so rage as from S. Magdalens Chappel Westward all was consumed none daring to put hand to quench the fire because of the Canon that played still on the part where they saw any concurse of people This made him extremely hated and even they that otherwise wished him well were greatly offended with this doing The Parliament notthelesse kept and thre in divers Acts were mode partly for maintaining the Kings authority partly for preservation of true Religion which causes were held in those days so conjoyned as the enemies of the one were likewise esteemed enemies to the other Therefore was it then enacted That none should be reputed loyal and faithful subjects to the King or his authority but be punished as rebels who made not profession of true Religion And that all such as made profession thereof and yet withstood the Kings authority should be admonished by their teachers to acknowledge their offence and return to his Majesties obedience and if they refused that they should be excommunicated and cut of from the society of the Church as putrid and corrupted members The Parliament breaking up the Regent by advice of the Councel directed to the meeting at Perth the Earl of Argile then created Chancellour the Earl of Montrosse the Abbot of Dunfermlin Secretary the Lords Ruthven Boyd and Sir Iohn Ballenden Justice Clerk There met with them the Earl of Huntley and Lord Iohn Hamilton Commendatory of Aberbrothock authorised by the rest that maintained the Queens authority The English Ambassadour assisting them after some days conference they were brought to agree upon these Articles 1. That all persons comprehended in the present pacification should acknowledge and professe the true Religion established and professed within the Realm and maintain the Preachers and professours thereof against all opposers specially against the confederates of the Councel of Trent 2. That the Earl of Huntley and Lord Iohn Hamilton with their friends and followers should submit themselves to the King and to the government of the Earl of Morton his Regent and his successours in the same acknowledging themselves the Kings subjects by their oaths and subscriptions 3. That they should confesse all things done by them under colour of any other authority since the time of his Majesties Coronation to have been unlawful and of no force nor effect 4. That an Act of Parliament should be made with all their consents ordaining that none of the subjects should assist fortify supply or shew any favour directly nor indirectly to those who should happen to practise against the religion presently professed the Kings person his authority or Regent And if they should be tried to do any thing to the contrary the remissions granted to them with all other benefits of the pacification should be null and they pursued for their offences past as if they had never obtained pardon for the same 5. That all persons professing his Highnesse obedience who had been dispossessed during the late troubles should be reponed to their houses lands livings benefices and whatsoever goods belonging to them if so the same were extant in the hands of the intrometters horses and armour only excepted 6. That the Master of Forbes Iames Glen of Barre and all other persons should be set at liberty as likewise the bonds given by the Lord Semple and others for entry of prisoners or for paiment of any ransomes be discharged 7. That the Earl or Huntley and Lord Iohn Hamilton should dimit and cause all souldiers hired or maintained by them or any of their party to be forthwith dimitted 8. That all processes of forfeiture which had been led especially the sentences given against the Earl of Huntley Lord Iohn Hamilton and Lord Claud his brother William Bishop of Aberdene Alexander Bishop of Galloway Adam Gordon of Awchindown and the rest of their friendship for any crimes or offences done in the common cause against the King and his authority since the 15th of Iune 1567. or for any other cause contained in the summons of forfeiture raised against them should be declared null and of no force without any other special declaration And that the foresaid persons should have liberty given them to reduce the said forfeitures as they should please 9. That all persons then returning or who should return to the Kings obedience and
reconciliation intended was brought to an end These Articles being signed by the King and subscrived by the principals of both parties the accord and heads thereof were published at Striveling and Falkirk the fourteenth of August upon which the Armies dissolved No stirre in our memory was more happily pacified for should it have come to the worst as it was not far off such was the heat and hate of both factions that the mischief could not but have been great which would have ensued The place and time of the Noblemens meeting for considering the grievances of both parties being left to the Kings appointing because delay might breed greater difficulties his Majesty did assign the 20. of September to meet at Striveling whereof he caused the Ambassadour give the Chancellour notice and to desire him to name the four Noblemen whose advice he and the rest would use in that treaty The Chancellour answered by letter That neither he nor Argile could agree to meet at Striveling nor could they design the four Noblemen whom they would use because death sickness and other accidents might hinder one or more of them to convene but if it should please the King to appoint the place of meeting at Edinburgh about the end of November they should keep the day and for the present nominate ten of which number hey should choose some four at that time as arbiters for their party The ten they named were the Earls of Montross and Cathnes the Lords Lindesay Maxwel Hereis Ogilvy and Innermeath the Abbot of Newbottle and the Lairds of Bargenny and Drumwhassil Herewith he desired three things to be granted One was that licence might be given to such an one as they would choose to pass into England next that they who were dispossessed of their places and offices since the tenth of July might be restored namely Mr. Mark Ker sonne to the Abbot of Newbottle Master of Requests and William Cunningham sonne to the Laird of Drumwhassil Gentleman of the Kings Bedchamber Thirdly that none should be called in question for their absence upon the late Proclamations seeing all they who came not to Striveling must be understood to have been their adherents This answer communicated to the King did highly offend him First that they should usurp the appointing of the time and place of meeting which was left in his power next that they would presume to send a message into England they being his subjects and neither acquaint him with the person nor the message For the other Petitions he judged them impertinent and more fit to be proponed at the meeting of the Noblemen wherefore in a letter sent by Mr. William Areskin to the Chancellour he shewed that since they had delayed to nominate the four Noblemen he himself would make choice of four of them whose names they had given to the Ambassadour to wit the Lords Lindesay Ogilvy Innermeath and Hereis to whom he would joyn the Earls of Rothes and Buchan with the Lords Ruthven and Boyd and by their advice proceed in the reconciliation by him intended which if they should refuse he would notifie to the Queen of England and other Christian Princes the care he had taken to perform all things as they had been lately accorded To this letter no answer was given but that they should advise with their friends and afterwards signify their minds wherewith the King being discontent he summoned the Noblemen to meet at Striveling the 20. of September warning all the subjects whom that businesse concerned to addresse themselves thither against the day At the day none of them appeared and the more careful the King was to have peace made the more they seemed to draw back protracting time upon frivolous excuses Wherefore the King for the last Diet appointed the 20. of October which most of them kept Being all assembled the King spake to them to this effect Ye do all understand what an earnest desire I have that you should joyn in friendship one with another which cannot be more contentment to me then it is benefit to your selves although I have many occasions given me to fall from that desire yet I abide in the same mind and shall wish you to lay aside your needless jealousies and suspicions For as to me I will sindy to be indifferent and bestow my favours unpartially and never repose my self upon any one so much as to deny others the regard which is due to them Ye that are Noblemen have a special interest in me and unlesse there be a correspondence of wills and mindes amongst you I shall never find that concurrence that ought to be for mine honour and the good of the Commonwealth It is not long since at your own desires I accepted the government of the Realm being perswaded by you that this was the only way to cease all grudges but now that I see them increased it repents me to have yielded to your desires and intangled my self in such businesse What should let you to be reconciled and become perfect friends I know not if there by any grief or offence that hath exasperated your minds will ye shew it I am here with the advice of my Lords to remove it and see satisfaction made by those that have done the wrong I hope you do not carry mindes irreconcilcable ye professed that ye laid down Arms for the love ye bare to your King by the same love I intreat you to lay aside jealousies and suspicâ—ons which ye will doubtlesse do except ye mind to expose your countrey and your selves to utter ruine The Lords moved with this speech professed themselves willing at his Majesties desire to bury all discords and that their agreement might be the more sound they were required to set down in writing the injuries and unkindness whereof they complained that satisfaction might be made at the sight of the King and Noblemen whom he had named Hereupon the Chancellour and Argile presented their grievances in some short Articles bearing the unkindnesse they had received from the Earl of Morton in the time of his Regiment Whereunto he answered first generally that what he did in that time was done by order of law and that they themselves had allowed his proceedings and were sureties for ratifying the same in Parliament Then replying more particularly to every Article he gave the King and other Noblemen full satisfaction and made it seen that on the part of the other Lords there was a great mistaking for what he did he could not leave undone without a manifest violation of justice Yet for himself he said although he had been ill rewarded by them for his pains taken in the publick service and received more unkindnesse at their hands then he had deserved he would freely remit all at the Kings desire After some days spent in such reckonings they were brought in end to joyn hands During these contentions in the State Mr. Andrew Melvil held the Church
Notwithstanding they all three were convicted and declared guilty of treason doom was only pronounced against Drumwhasill and Mains and they the same day hanged in the publick street of Edinburgh The Gentlemens case was much pitied Mains his case especially Hamilton who made the delation lived after this in a continual fear and abhorred of all men he kept still in the company of Arran unto the alteration of Court at Striveling at which time Iames Iohnston of Westraw pretending a vow that he had made to revenge Mains his death did kill him as he was flying through the Park on the South side of the Town These cruel and rigorous proceedings caused such a generall fear as all familiar society and intercourse of humanity was in a manner left no man knowing to whom he might safely speak or open his mind Arran in the mean time went on drawing into his own hands the whole managing of affairs for he would be sole and supreme over all The Earl of Argile having departed this life the year preceding he was created Chancellour The office of Secretary he gave to Mr. Iohn Metellan Lethingtons son having banished the Abbot of Dunfermlin who formerly possessed the same The Castles of Edinburgh and Striveling he had himself in custody then made himself be chosen Provost of the Town and as if all this had not been enough he was declared General Lieutenant over the whole Kingdom In a word whatsoever he was pleased was done and without him nothing could be done This stirred up great emulation against him in Court The Master of Gray a great favourite at that time did take it disdainfully that every thing should be governed by him Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice Clerk a man of brave spirit did also hardly endure it and Mr. Iohn Metellan though he had followed still from Mortons execution to that time began to fall away and work his own credit those things were cunningly dissembled as among Courtiers and all outward respect given him by those that were plotting his ruine To his felicity nothing as he thought was wanting but the friendship of England this he was advised by the Master of Gray to seek by the Lord Hunsdons means who lay then Governour of Berwick a meeting whereupon wrought betwixt them and at Foulden some three miles from Berwick whither Arran went matters so dressed as upon the assurance of his service to the Queen of England it was promised that the exiled Lords who lay near the borders waiting to raise some stirres should be called to London and upon verification of the conspiracy wherewith Mains and the rest were charged put forth of England In this hope the Master of Gray is sent into England and Commission given him for remanding the fugitive Rebels or if that could not be obtained for removing them further off from the Borders of Scotland more privately he was desired to use all means for winning the Queens favour to the Earl of Arran And for preparing the way to his Legation the Archbishop of S. Andrews was sent some weeks before to inform the Queen of the King his sinccerity in Religion because of the rumour which the Ministers who fled thither had dispersed to the contrary The Queen professing to have received great content by his information recommended to the King above all things constancy in his profession assuring him in that case of her unchangeable friendship The Master of Gray as his coming had favourable acceptance though he was known to be a Catholick Romane and for the point of remanding was answered that she did not think those Gentlemen whom the King called Rebels intended any harm to his person but if the contrary was made to appear they should be suffered to remain in her Kingdomes And for that the King required touching their further remove from the Borders the same was promised and the Lords accordingly called from thence and commanded to stay at Norwich This answer reported to the King by the Master of Gray at his return drew another Legation wherein Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice Clerk was imployed the thing committed to him was the accusation of the banished Lords and verifying against them the conspiracy for which Mains and Drumwhasill had suffered The Lords upon this were brought from Norwich to London and there challenged by the Ambassadour who as appeared insisted with great servour against them But the Master of Glammis answering for the rest made their innocency in that particular to be clearly seen which was heard no lesse willingly by the Judges then delivered by the Speaker Neither was the accuser any worse minded towards them for all the shew he made and at the same time were grounds laid both for their restitution and Arran his subversion the Queen and Councel of England being privy to all and secretly advancing their enterprise Arran in the mean time had assurance given him of the Queens friendship and supposing all things to be right went on in his accustomed manner not caring what enmity he drew upon himself The Earl of Athol the Lord Home and Master of Cassils were committed to prison The first because he refused to divorce from his wife a daughter of the Earl of Gowry and intaile his lands to him the next for that he denied him his part of the lands of Dirleton and the third for denying him a loan of some moneys which it was thought he might spare His last falling out in that kind was with the Lord Maxwel for an excambion of the Barony of Mernis and the lands of Maxwel heath with the Barony of Kinnel which he possessed by the forfeiture of the Hamiltons Maxwel not liking to change his old inheritance with such a new and uncertain purchase excused himselfe and would not hearken to the change but he thinking to force him thereto by some indirect means travelleth with the Lady Iohnston who gave attendance at Court to cause her husband to accept of the Provostry of Dumfreis and moveth the King to write unto the Town to elect Iohnston their Provost for that he being Warden of the West marches would thereby be made more able to keep good order in these parts Maxwel interpreting this to be done as it was to his disgrace at the time of Election convocated his friends and debarring Iohnston from entring the Town procured himself to be continued in the office Hereupon informations were made to the King that there could no quietnesse be expected in these parts unlesse Maxwel his power was curbed Charges were also directed to cause him present certain of the name of Armestrong for whom he was obliged which he not performing was denounced Rebel and Commission given to the Laird Iohnston to pursue him for whose better enabling he had two companies of hired souldiers allowed him under the charge of two Captains Lamby and Cranston Maxwel hearing of these preparations gathered his forces and with a part
Kinloss Lindors Blanire and Pettin Weyme representing the spiritual estate by the Earls of Arran March Athol Montrosse Marshall and Rothes the Lords Oliphant Thirlstane Gray Sinclare Down and Fleming for the Nobility and by the Commissioners of Burghs and all the Officers of Estate amongst the rest by the Master of Gray who though he did professe himâ— himself a Romane Catholick would in nothing that the King affected be thought refractary It was thought that the Ambassadour did rest well satisfied with the Kings forwardnesse towards the league and that he should have presently returned But he had some other businesse in trust which was carried more closely This was to make friends to the exiled Lords and labour their restitution as had been concluded in England To this effect he kept divers private meetings with the Master of Gray the Secretary and Justice Clerk giving the Lords intelligence from time to time of his proceedings among other means he thought expedient that they should reconcile their private quarrels with the Lord Hamilton and his brother Claud who were likewise exiled and lived then in England he wrought so as they were brought as it seemed to a perfect accord promising to take one course and joyn all in the same cause But Claud fearing either the event of the enterprise or not having buried his former grudges did afterwards separate and by discovering their purpose procured to himself liberty to return yet did he not find that acceptance which he expected being shortly after his coming confined in Aberdene and within a little while commanded to leave the countrey and goe into France There came this Summer from Denmark certain Ambassadours to redeem as they pretended the Isles of Orkney and Shetland alienated of old from that Crown yet the true errand was to propone that marriage unto the King which was some four years after happily perfected The King receiving them kindly and excusing himsel for the matter of Orkney because of the Pestilence which raged as then in Edinburgh Where the Registers of the Kingdom were kept promised how soon commodity served to give all reasonable satisfaction and to send some in Commission to treat of those matters How soon they were dimitted the King went into Striveling and from thence to Hamilton to recreate himself as he was accustomed where he received advertisement that the banished Lords were come down to the borders and that Maxwel was to joyn his forces with them Hereupon he returneth to Striveling and sending for Arran made Proclamations to go through the countrey commanding all the subjects to meet him at the Castle of Crawford the 22. of October for resisting the attempts of the Rebels But things were so prepared at Court by the English Ambassadour as the Lords did prevent the King in his expedition They had appointed their rendezvous at Linton in Tweddale and meeting there did solemnly swear not to separate nor give over the profecution of their enterprise till the King should be moved to accept them in favour and put Arran forth of his company Maxwel brough with him 300 souldiers that had served against Iohnston and about 700 horsemen all the others did scarce equall that number though Bothwel Home Yester Cesford and Drumlanrig had joyned with them To justify their proceedings they gave forth a Proclamation in all the places they came unto declaring the causes of their enterprise to be the defence of the truth the deliverance of the King from corrupt Counsellors and the preserving of amity with England In this Proclamation nothing was left unsaid that might make Arran odious and hateful amongst other things he was charged to have bragged of his descent from Duck Mordoch who was beheaded in the time of King Iames the first and to lay claim to the Crown by that title calling himself King Iames the seventh It is true that in the Parliament held the year preceding he took protestation in open Court that he renounced any title that he might pretend to the Crown that way which I suppose he did to purge himself of that aspersion but the protestation was laughed at in the time by the wiser sort and gave them to think that such a folly had once possessed his mind The Proclamation did often mention him and Col. Stewart as abusers of the King Of the rest of the Counsellours there was no speech which increased Arrans jealousy of them Now how soon the Ambassadour heard that the Lords were entred in the countrey fearing that some notice should be taken of his dealing he left Striveling and went in haste to Berwick without saluting any man They sent a Post after him with a letter desiring to know the cause of his suddain departure and whether he was directed by the Queen his Soveraign to go away in such sort Being overtaken at Anwick he answered that he had no such direction from the Queen when he was first imployed but that of late he had received a command to retire because she saw no hope of the delivery of that wretched Farnherst This he made the pretext of his departure yet in reason he could not alledge it Farnherst lying bedfast at the time in Aberdene where he was committed which was notified to him and he knew to be a truth In the conclusion of his letter he said that he could not grant that he had departed insalutato hospite seeing he performed that office both with his heart and hand and that he should by all possible means endevour that his departure should rather help to maintain then dissolve the amity betwixt his Soveraign and him That which he speaketh of his hand was a letter that he left to be given to the King the day after he was gone in which he laid the cause upon Arrans credit without whom he saw nothing could be obtained Arran seeing the letter that he left to be given to the King began to think that all was not sound and accused the Master of Gray as being privy to the Ambassadors departure which he denied yet all that time nothing was done that was sitting either for the Kings safety or reputation and not so much as the Castle furnished with victuals which might have easily been provided Neither were the Lords ignorant of this which made them use the greater speed marching directly to Falkirk and the next day which was the last of October to Striveling At the Church called Sanct Nineans a half mile or lesse from the Town they put themselves in order of battel and stood so till night fell at which time upon warning given them by their friends within the Town they advanced and knowing all the passages entred by a certain back way without any resistance Arran had taken upon him to watch that night and was keeping the Town gate when a cry was raised that the Town was taken The Earl of Crawford who watched with him fled to the Castle but he escaped by the
bridge of which he kept the keyes Some weak resistance was made by Colonel Stewart at the head of the Market street but he was soon put back with the slaughter of one or two of his company The borderers according to their custome fell upon the stables and made prey of all the Gentlemens horses whereof they found good store The spoile otherwise was not great as of a town not very rich in merchandise In the morning betimes the Castle was inclosed which they knew could not long hold out for it was unfurnished and scarce provided with victuals of one day in this extremity the King was advised to employ two of his Councel towards the Lords to ask what they intended Choice was made of the Secretary and Justice Clerk as men whom they would willingly hear At the first meeting the Secretary was rough enough with them saying That such violent formes were not to be approved and to deal in that manner with their King they would finde it unsure for what was extorted from him by force or fear he would soon finde means to undo and never want men to serve him in that whereunto his will was bent that humble Petitions became subjects and had been more fitting then to come in the manner they did The Lords answered that it grieved them fore to be reduced to that necessity nothing being more dear to them then the Kings honour and safety But what could they have done they were banished from their countrey put from their livings their friends used with cruelty the King not permitted to hear them in their just defence and alwayes shut up from presenting their Petitions That their coming in that manner was not to dishonour nor force the King to whom they would be most humble supplicants and upon their knees if they should find accesse beg mercy at his hands All they did was to save themselves from ruine and to be secured from their adversaries who had wronged them and the whole States of the Kingdom wherefore they besought them as their countreymen and friends to intercede with his Majesty that they might be accepted in favour and all things composed in the most quiet and honourable manner for the King and State that could be devised This reported to the King did mitigate his mind a little For my self said he I did never like that mans violence meaning Arran and howbeit I cannot but offend with their doings yet for the countreys sake and preservation of publick quietnesse I can pardon and overpasse all but one thing I desire you that have been in conference with them to look to that none in my company receive any harm I know there are quarrels betwixt the Earl of Crawford and the Master of Glammis That the Earl of Angus doth not like Montrosse and I believe that Colonel Stewart is not well beloved for things done in my service These I cannot see with mine honour hurt provide for that and that they may be in safety and I shall willingly admit them When this was shewed the Lords they said that they had not taken up Arms for any private quarrel nor would they mixe their particulars with the publick but it should be good for eschewing such inconveniences as might happen that the Noblemen whom the King had named were put in custody with some special persons and that the Colonel should be discharged from his office of the guard and the same conferred to another This being declared to the King he gave his consent to receive them Being brought unto his prefence they fell all upon their knees and the Lord Hamilton who had the precedency in regard of blood taking the speech said that they were come in most humble manner to beg mercy and his Majesties love and favour The King answered My Lord I did never see you before and must confesse that of all this company you have been most wronged you were a faithful servant to the Queen my mother in my minority and when I understood not as I do the estate of things hardly used The rest of you that have since that time been exiled and put from your livings cannot say but it was your own fault and that your misbehaviour procured the same But turning himself to Bothwel what should have moved thee Francis said he to take this course and come in Armes against me did I ever thee any wrong or what cause hadst thou to offend I wish thee a more quiet spirit and that thou mayest learn to live as a Subject otherwise thou wilt fall in trouble To you all who as I truly think have not meant any harm to any person I am pleased to give both my hand and my heart and will remember nothing that is past providing you carry your selves from henceforth as becomes men of your places and behave your selves as dutiful subjects So they arose one by one and kissed his Majesties hands It was observed that he received the Lord Hamilton with greatest kindnesse and gave him more respect then any others This was the day after their entering into Striveling Two days after in Councel the King renewing his promise did by publick Act confirm the pardon granted to them and their Assisters which was by sound of trumpet proclaimed The Earls of Crawford and Montross were commended to the Lord Hamilton who used them honourably and Colonel Stewart suffered quietly to depart Arran after his flight went unto Coile and lived private amongst his friends deprived of all his honours The charge of the guard was given to the Master of Glammis the Castle of Dumbritton put in the Lord Hamiltons custody Striveling restored to the Earl of Marre and the Castle of Edinburgh delivered to Sir Iames Home of Coldinknâ—ws In this manner did the banished Lords recover his Majesties favour and return to their places albeit Thuan deceived by some information hath otherwise related the same How soon the Noblemens peace was proclaimed Duntraith who had touched them in his deposition against Maius saying that he was told by one Iohn Home the Lords had hired every one of them two men to kill the King so comperired before the Councel undesired so the Act of Councel beareth and confessed that he was suborned by Captain Iames who is henceforth to be so named the title of Arran being returned to the right owner to make that deposition which in it self was false and untrue out of fear and to save his life For verifying whereof and to shew that he did not confesse this to please the Noblemen whom he had wronged by such a confession he declared that for the space of eight weeks before their return he had revealed the same to the Master of Gray and to the Provost of Linclouden both which upon oath testified no lesse to the King The Councel for clearing the Noblemen ordained his confession to be published which was not very needful for no man did beleive the
overthrow both with the one and the other party neither having cause to repose any confidence in him The Protestants because he had renounced the Religion wherein he was with great care brought up the Papists because they could not be assured in short space that he was truly turned to their faith Yea all men should have reason to forsake him who had thus dissembled and forsaken his God And where it was given out that divers do insinuate unto your Soveraign that his honour and reputation is so deeply interessed herein as it must necessarily turn to his perpetual ignominy and reproach if he give not some notable testimony to the world of the affection and dutiful love he bare to his mother your King being of that singular judgement that he is thought to have cannot be ignorant how farre true honour ought to possesse a Christian Prince that is not whither passion or fury useth to carry men but whether reason and wisdome have laid the bounds that is within the compasse of possibility decency and justice If the late Queen had been innocent revenge had been necessarily just and honourable but being culpable contrary in all reasonable mens judgements he hath sufficiently discharged the duty of a son in mediating for his mother so long as she was alive and so farre as he was able to prevail They which require more at his Highnesse hands may be presumed not to regard what beseemeth his place and dignity but to seek the satisfaction of their own particular passions and desires And whosoever perswadeth his Highnesse that the mediation used by him for his Mother contrary to the humble pursuit of the whole Parliament hath already given that offence to the Nobility and people of this land as it behoveth him of force to have recourse to forain supports doth greatly abuse both his Highnesse and this Realm for as they were not ignorant what nature might and ought to move his Highnesse unto so long as there was any hope of her life so they do not doubt but that reason will induce him to leave sorrowing and thinking of her in due time Thus have I troubled you with a long discourse whereunto the desire I have of the continuance of amity between the two Crowns hath carried me unawares further then I purposed all which I referre to your good consideration not doubting but you will afford most readily and willingly all good offices that shall lye in your power to the end that a happy conclusion may ensue hereof which shall tend to the common good of the whole Island and so I commit you to God From the Court at Greenwich the 4th of March 1586. Your Lordships assured Friend FRA. WALSINGHAM THis letter shewed to the King served much to allay his anger as afterwards appeared In the May after the Estates being assembled at Halirudhouse they shew a great forwardnesse all of them for assisting the revenge of his Mothers death every man offering to spend his goods and life in that quarrel yet the businesse was so timed out that summer by the private dealing of certain Counsellors as hopes were given to the Queen that matters should compose and a more peaceable course be taken It was at this time that Sir William Stewart brother to Captain Iames returned again to Court and gave his attendance upon the Master of Gray The Master then was plotting a change of Court and had conspired with the Lord Maxwel to kill the Lord Thirlstane Sir Iames Home of Coldingknowes and Mr. Robert Douglas Collector whose power with the King he greatly envied This he reveales to Sir William as one that he believed would take part in the businesse and to make him the more forward tells that it was Thirlstane the Iustice Clerk Blantyre and himself that brought in the Lords at Striveling and put his brother from Court which he repented and would help so farre as he could to recall him Sir William knowing the mans nature and that he was not to be trusted gave him some hopes of joyning with him but in the mean time related all to the King This coming to Thirlstanes knowledge he complaineth thereof in Councel and desireth a trial The Master denied that any such purpose had passed betwixt them whereupon Sir William was called and standing to that he had told the King they two fell a contesting after some bitter speeches Sir William taking him up roundly said that he deserved no credit as having abused his ambassage to England and treacherously consented to the death of the Kings Mother There had a rumour gone of a letter written by the Master to the Queen of England after his parting from that Court advising her to put the Queen of Scots out of the way and the words he had used Mortui non mordent Dead folks bite not were in every mans mouth and now the challenge being made publick the Councel moved the King to put the Master to trial and commit both the one and the other So were they both the same night sent to the Castle of Edinburgh The Lord Thirlstane and those others that were touched with the enterprise of Striveling made great instance to be cleared in that point but the King not liking to search too deeply in those businesses said That their own purgation with the Declaration of the Noblemen that came home at that time was sufficient There were present of that number the Lord Hamilton the Earls of Marre and Bothwel who upon oath declared that they had no assurance from any about the King at the time of their coming till they were received by his Majesty in favour The like purgation was made by the Lord Thirlstane the Justice Clerk and the rest and so that businesse ceased After some two or three days the Master of Gray and his accuser were brought again before the Councel where the same things that before we heard being repeated by Sir William Stewart he added further That he knew the Master to be a traffiquer against Religion and that he had written divers letters to the King of France and Duke of Guise declaring that the King was to seek their assistance in revenge of his mothers death but intreated them not to grant him any help unlesse he did grant toleration to the Catholicks for exercise of their Religion The Master being desired to answer and as he lookt for any favour to deal ingenuously and confesse the truth said That he could not deny his dealing for toleration of Catholicks and that he disliked some of the officers of State and could have wished an alteration but that â—e never had so much as a thought against his Majesties person beseeching to impute these things wherein he had offended to his youth and foolish ambition Being enquired touching the letter sent to the Queen of England he confessed That when he perceived her inclining to take the Queen of Scots life he advised her rather to take her away in some
Religion presently professed should be a just cause to infer the pain and crime of treason against Iesuites Mass Priests trafficking Papists and their ressetters with a provision That if the Iesuits and seminary Priests did satisfie the Prince and the Church the foresaid penalty should not strick upon the ressetters which in effect was no restraint neither was the trafficking against Religion declared to be a crime of Treason unless the same was proved a trafficking likewise against the King So in this point the Church received small satisfaction As to the complaint of blood the same was remitted to the ordinary course of Justice But the first Petition was longer debated the King being unwilling either to abrogate the Acts of the 84. or grant the ratification desired of the present discipline for he foresaw the inconvenients that would grow by the liberty that Ministers should assume to themselves yet Bothwels business and the many discontentments within the Realm moved him to give way lest he should be troubled likewise with their outcries So the Act passed but in the most wary tearms that could be devised As for the Statute confirming his Majesties royall power the abrogation whereof was chiefly sought it was onely declared That the said Statute should be no wayes prejudiciall nor derogatory to the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall office-bearer in the Church concerning heads of Religion matters of Heresie Excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such essentiall censures grounded and having warrant of the Word of God Upon the end of the Parliament the King went to Falkland where Bothwell made a new attempt encouraged thereunto by the Earls of Angus and Arroll the Master of Gray Colonell Stewart and the Lairds of Iohnston and Balwery who did all promise their concurrence in bringing him unto the Kings presence The Master of Gray and Balwery did meet him with a good number of horse Angus kept the Diet but with a small company Arroll remained with the King within the Palace and had taken upon him with the assistance of Colonel Stewart to open the Gates but either out of fear their hearts failing them or not having a number sufficient to make good their undertaking nothing was done yet upon suspicions they were apprehended and Arroll sent to the Castle of Edinburgh and the Colonel to Blackness the company that came with Bothwell was not great and did not exceed sixscore in all broken men for the most part whom he had taken up in the English and Scottish borders with these he had journied 2 dayes and nights without either meat or sleep came to Falkland a little before midnight where finding his expectation disappointed and those in the Palace provided to defend he stayed on the side of the hill till a little after Sun-rising some of his followers in the mean time breaking open the Queens stables took away the horses and what else they could lay hands upon The night was then at the shortest for it was the 26. of Iune and the Countrey gathering from all parts to relieve the King he was forced to flee But what way to take he was uncertain for to pass the Ferrie with his company he could not safely and to return by the bridge of Striveling was a long way which neither the horses nor their riders after so long watching could indure yet seeing no better then to be gone with the haste he could make about nine of the clock he caused sound the trumpets and retired The King after the Countrey people were come followed by the Queens Ferry thinking he had gone that way but finding that he had taken his course by Striveling and knowing that the company would separate how soon they had passed the bridge he directed most of his followers to apprehend such as they could overtake Divers were taken in the Moors of Calder and Carnwath but suffered to escape by their takers many horses were found straying in the fields the riders being overcome with sleep and fallen from them Amongst others Archibald Wachop of Nudry and some 7. or 8. with him whilest they lay sleeping in a meadow nigh to Cambusnetham were taken by the Lord Hamilton and sent to be kept in the Castle of Draffan but his Lady the day after out of a womanly commiseration whilest her Lord was absent suffered them to depart Bothwell himself fled unto the West borders and from thence into England The badness of this attempt put the borders in a great fear for many of them especially of the Iohnstons had followed him in that journey yet so great was the Kings clemency as being at Dumfreise whither he went in the beginning of Iuly a generall pardon was proclaimed to all that would submit themselves whereupon numbers did enter and were received in favour Bothwell thus forsaken almost of all did notwithstanding in the Court again find some that out of emulation and private rancour more then for any affection they carried unto him wrought the King new troubles Alexander Lindesay Lord Spinie a great favourite in that time out of the malice he bare to the Master of Glamis Thesaurer whom he knew Bothwell also hated did secretly practise to bring him into the Kings presence and make his reconciliation This coming to the knowledge of Colonel Stewart who was still detained in Blackness to procure his own liberty and recover the Kings favour he signified the same to the King by Sir Iames Sandelands who as then was keeper of the house and being brought before the Councell at Dalkeith stood to the declaration affirming that the Lord Spinie had resset Bothwell in his Ladies house at Aberdowre which he offered to prove by witnesses circumstances and other clear demonstrations These were his words Spinie denying all appealed the Colonell to combat which the King would not permit assigning the 12 of September for his triall before the Justice Spinie appearing at the day the Colonell excused himself by the shortnesse of the time and had a new diet assigned him at which his probation failing Spinie was restored to his honour dignity and service yet did he never recover his former credit with the King but was held still suspected and whether offending at this or that the first declaration was true in it self the year following he took open part with Bothwell and was therefore denounced Rebell At the same time Iohn Weymis younger of Logie Gentleman of his Majesties Chamber and in great favour both with the King and Queen was discovered to have the like dealing with Bothwell and being committed to the keeping of the Guard escaped by the policy of one of the Dutch Maids with whom he entertained a secret love The Gentlewoman named mistress Margaret Twinslace coming one night whilest the King and Queen were in bed to his keepers shewed that the King called for the prisoner to ask of him some question the keepers suspecting nothing for they
were suspected to have suffered her in those conceipts he shewed himself much displeased and chiding them bitterly followed the Queen to Striveling where he remained not long but returning to Falkland left to the Earl of Marre a Warrant written with his own hand and conceived in this form My Lord of Marre because in the surety of my son consisteth my surety and I have concredited unto you the charge of his keeping upon the trust I have of your honesty this I command you out of my own mouth being in the company of those I like otherwise for any charge or necessity that can come from me you shall not deliver him And in case God call me at any time see that neither for the Queen nor Estates their pleasure you deliver him till he be 18 years of age and that he command you himself Striveling the 24 of July 1595. This warrant as it shewed the Kings displeasure at those that had combined in the plots so it declared the great trust he put in the Nobleman Shortly after the Chancellor taking to heart the Kings offence contracted a hearty sickness at his house of Lawder and sending his Cousen the secretary to the King who remained then at Hamilton did by him excuse the dealing in that matter and with a solemn protestation of his fidelity in all his Majesties services seriously commend his Lady children and friends now that he was to end his life to his Majesties protection The King was much troubled with the news and wrote unto him with his own hand the letter following Chancellor how sorry I am of these newes I leave it to your self to judge I was never a dissembler of my affections And yet I trust that God will not spoil me of you so untimely Therefore will pray you so farre as you may with a valiant heart resist the assaults of your sickness hoping in the goodness of my fortune that God will reserve you yet to me as Hezekiah was to his people for the necessity between Prince and subject is reciproque nor can any sickness how heavy soever it be take away the life if God cut not the threads thereof As to your suits if God calls you I need no remembrance for since I made you a pattern of my constant favour during your life as your self hath oft time said I am much more bound of Princely duty to make your wife and posteritie that bears your image a vive representation of my thankfull memory And to comfort you in this remember what I have done to the Duke and my Lady Huntley for their fathers sake This may assure you that in case of the worst which God forbid your thoughts shall be prevented herein by my thankfull behaviour to them and for your cousin the Secretary he shall be the better at my hand in losing you But I green to hear better newes And if time and distance of place could have permitted me in any way I should not have spared to have carried my own message my self God send you your health and keep you to me and to your Native Countrey This shewed in what account the King held him and in truth he deserved nothing lesse for he was a man of rare parts and of a deep wit learned full of courage and most faithfull to his King and Master In that last businesse which the Queen went about of taking the Prince from the Earl of Marre he was consenting for the two Noble men had their private emulations but it was ever with a reservation of his Majesties pleasure No man did ever carry himself in his place more wisely nor sustain it more courageously against his enemies then he did Being visited in his sicknesse by Mr. Robert Bruce and the Ministers of Edinburgh he expressed a great contempt of the world and of the vanities of it lamenting that he had not done the good which he would and might have done in his place being impeded as he said by the malice of his adversaries who were ever plotting his death and ruine Two moneths he continued under that languishing sicknesse and ended his dayes most happily the 3. of October 1595. The King did greatly lament his death and honoured him with this Epitaph Thou passenger that spies with gazing eyes This Trophy sad of deaths triumphant dart Consider when this outward Tombe thou sees How rare a man leaves here his earthly part His wisedome and his uprightnesse of heart His pietie his practice of our State His quick Engine so verst in every Art As equally not all were in debate Thus justly hath his death brought forth of late An heavy grief in Prince and Subjects all That virtue love and vice do bear at hate Though vitious men rejoyces at his fall So for himself most happy doth he die Though for his Prince it most unhappy be Others for all this spared not to expresse their malice in Libells and Rythmes after his death some whereof were cast in the Kings Chamber at Linlithgow and other places but as the Authours were not known so were the Rythmes despised and contemned by all good men His body was some dayes after conveyed to Hadington and solemnly interred in the Sepulchre of his fathers This year was by the vulgar people reckoned among the ill years because of the dearth and scarcity of Corns which the aboundance of winds in the Harvest time had caused yet for the bloodshed and slaughters committed in all quarters of the Countrey was it more justly to be so accounted For in the South parts the Iohnstons and Maxwells had a bloody conflict wherein divers were killed the greatest losse falling upon the Maxwells that went from the West parts besides Glasgow to assist their friends in the South In the Isles and Highlands were likewise great troubles nor was the Incountrey more quiet bloods and slaughters dayly falling out in every place Among which none was more odious then the slaughter of David Forrester Citizen of Striveling killed as he was returning from Edinburgh by some that lay in wait for his life The Lairds of Arth and Dunnypearce were thought to have hounded out the committers upon a spleen conceived against the Gentleman for the credit he had with his Master the Earl of Marre for no other quarrell could be pretended The Nobleman taking this greatly to heart caused to bring the body of his servant to Linlithgow for he was killed nigh to Linlithgow with his whole friendship conveyed the same to Striveling there to be interred carying along the portraite of the dead with the wounds he had received in a white sheet to move the beholders to a great detestation of the fact The Corps buried the Earl following the course of Law the Lords Levingston and Elphingston did partie the Committers And though the King by his Proclamation did prohibit the assisting either of the pursuit or defenders commanding Justice to be done nothing could take effect in
his first assault upon Birsay expulsing Bernard Stewart The Keeper and placing a Garrison therein of some thirty persons The Deputy hearing what was done went speedily thither charging them in his Majesties name to render but they despising the charge and he not able to force them he went from thence to Kirkwall the Rebels following at his heels compelled him in like sort to render the Castle of Kirkwall in which he had entred Upon report of this Rebellion Commission was given to the Earl of Cathnes as Lieutenant for the King in those bounds to recover the Castles and pacifie the Countrey which he carefully performed At his first landing a company of people to the number of five hundred who were brought together more out of fear of the Rebels then of any desire to withstand made a countenance to resist but how soon they perceived the Earls resolution to pursue they gave back their leaders flying to the Castle which they meant to defend This they made good some five weeks or more till the Canon having beaten down a great part of the walls they were forced to yeild themselves at discretion The persons taken in the Castle were Robert Stewart the Earl's base son Archibald Murray Andrew Martin Alexander Legat and Thomas King servants to the Earl These were all transported to Edinburgh and being convicted by a Jury were hanged on a gibbet at the Mercat-crosse In this siege the Lieutenant lost four men only namely William Irwin son to William Irwin of Saba Iames Richardson Andrew Adamson and William Robinson who were killed all by shots from the Castle many were wounded and hurt but thereof recovered Towards the end of the year Mr. David Lindesay Bishop of Rosse departed this life in a great age having attained to fourscore two or three years a man nobly descended and a Brother of the house of Edzell Soon after the Reformation returning from his travells abroad he applied himself to the function of the Ministery and entring the charge at Leth continued therein to his death of a peaceable nature and greatly favoured of the King to whom he performed divers good services especially in the troubles he had with the Church a man universally beloved and well esteemed of by all wise men His corps were interred at Leth by his own direction as desiring to rest with that people on whom he had taken great pains in his life The Earl of Orkney being brought the October preceding from Dumbarton to Edinburgh was in February next put to triall where together with the Justice there sate as Assessors the Earl of Dunfermlin Chancellor the Lord Bining Secretary the President Sir Iohn Preston Sir Gideon Murray Thesaurer Deputy Sir Richard Cockburne of Clackinton Lord privy Seal Sir Iohn Cockburne of Ormeston Justice Clerk Sir Alexander Hay Clerk Register Sir William Levingston of Kilsith and Sir Alexander Drummond of Medop Senators of the Colledge of Justice The substance of the Indictment was That he had caused his base son to surprise the Castle of Kirkwall with the steeple of the Church the place called the Yards and house of Birsay that he had incited the people to Rebellion and detained the said Castles and Houses treasonably after he was charged to deliver the same His Prolocutors were Mr. Alexander King Mr. Thomas Nicolson and Mr. Alexander Forbes Lawyers all of good esteem the chief defence they used was a deniall of the libell the Advocate producing the confession of his base son and those that were executed with him together with some missive Letters written by one Iohn Sharpe at his direction for the detaining of the Castle of Kirkwall and a Charter of certain lands gifted by him to Pat Halcro for assisting the Rebels the Justice remitted the verity of the Indictment to the Assise The persons chosen thereupon was Iames Earl of Glencarn George Earl of Winton Iohn Earl of Perth Robert Earl of Lothian William Earl of Tillibarden David Lord Scone William Lord Sanqhar Iohn Lord Harries Iames Lord Torphichen Hugh Lord Semple William Lord Killmaers Iohn Grant of Frenchâ—e Sir Patrick Hepburne of Waughton Robert Arnot of Farny and Sir Henry Lindesay of Kinfawnes who sworn and received according to the custome went apart by themselves for a certain space and returning unto the Court by the mouth of their Chancellor the Earl of Glencarne declared him guilty of the foresaid Rebellion and of the whole points contained in the Indictment The Justice thereupon gave sentence that he should be taken to the Mercat crosse and there beheaded and all his goods and lands confiscated The Earl taking the sentence impatiently some Preachers were desired to conferre with him and to dispose his minde towards death but they finding him irresolute intreated for a delay of the execution which was granted to the sixth of February at which time he was brought unto the scaffold guarded by the Magistrates of the City and in the sight of many people beheaded This was the end of Patrick Earl of Orkney son to Robert Stewart one of King Iames the fifth his base sons Robert was at first provided to the Abbacy of Halirâ—dhouse which he enjoyed divers years After the forfeiture of Hepburne Earl Bothwell and the obtaining of these Isles he exchanged the Abbacy with the Bishoprick of Orkney and so became sole Lord of the Countrey Patrick succeeding to an elder brother who died young by his too much resort to Court and profuse spending did involve himself in great debts and seeking to repair his estate by the indirect courses he touched fell into these incoveniencies which you have heard and may serve for a warning to all great personages not to oppresse nor play the Tyrants over the meaner sort of people About the end of the year Iohn Ogilvy a Jesuite was apprehended at Glasgow He was lately come from Grats where the Jesuits have a Colledge by the command as he said of his superiours to doe some service in these parts Theâ—e were found with him three little books containing certain directions for receiving confessions a warrant to dispense with them that possest any Church livings conceived in this form Quoad dispensationem de bonis Ecclesiasticis poter is dispensare ut rctimeant que possident dummodo in usus pios aliquid impendant pro judicio confessarii dispeâ—santis with some Reliques and a tuâ—t of S. Ignatius hair the founder of their Order which he seemed to have in great regard Upon advertisement given to his Majesty a Commission was sent to the Secretary the Lord Kilsith the Thesaurer Deputy and Advocate for his examination and triall Being presented before them and enquired when he came into Scotland what his business was and where he had resorted To the first he answered That he came in the June preccding to the second that his errand was to save souls but to the third he denied to give any answer at all saying
recover But neither this nor the other poisons that were continually put in his meats serving to dispatch him Mistresse Turner the preparer of all procured an Apothecaries boy to give him a poysoned glyster which brought him to his end Overbury thus dead was presently buried and because of the blanes and blisters that appeared in his body after his death a report was dispersed that he dyed of the French Pox which few believed and still the rumour went according to the truth that he was made away by poyson The greatness of the procurers kept all hidden for a time but God who never suffereth such vile acts to go unpunished did bring the same to light after a miraculous manner It happenned the Earl of Shrewsbury in conference with a Counsellour of Estate to recommend the Lieutenant of the Tower to his favour as a man of good parts and one that desired to be known to him The Counsellour answering that he took it for a favour from the Lieutenant that he should desire his friendship added withall that there lay upon him an heavy imputation of Overburies death whereof he wished the Gentleman to cleer himself This related to the Lieutenant he was stricken a little with it and said That to his knowledge some attempts were made against Overbury but that the same took no effect which being told to the King he willed the Counsellor to move the Lieutenâ—nt to set down in writing what he knew of that matter as he also did thereupon certain of the Councell were appointed to examine and finde out the truth From Weston somewhat was found whereupon he was made prisoner Turner and Franklin the preparers of the poyson being examined confessed every thing and then all breaking forth the Earl of Somerset with his Lady and the Lieutenant were Committed Weston at his first arraignment stood mute yet was induced afterwards to put himself to the triall of the Countrey and being found guilty was hanged at Tyburne Mistresse Turner and Iames Franklin were in like sort executed The Lieutenant who had winked at their doings was judged accessary to the crime and condemned to death which he suffered expressing a great penitency and assurance of mercy at the hands of God In the May following the Earl and his Lady were brought to their triall which by their friends they laboured earnestly to eschew but the King would not be intreated for the love he had to maintain justice The Judge by Commission was Thomas Lord Ellesmore Chancellour of England and Lord High Stewart for that time his assistants were Sir Edward Coke Lord Chief Justice of England Sir Henry Hubbart Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Sir Laurence Tanfield Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Judge Althared one of the Barons of the Exchequer Judge Crook Judge Dodderidge and Judge Haughton Judges of the Kings Bench and Judge Nicols one of the Judges of the Common Pleas. The Peers by whom they were tryed was the Earl of Worcester Lord Privy-seal the Earl of Pmebroke Chamberlain the Earls of Rutland Sussex Montgomery and Hartford the Viscount Lisle the Lord Souch Warden of the Cinque Ports the Lord Willowby of Eresby the Lord Dacres the Lord Monteagle the Lord Wtentworth the Lord Rich the Lord willowby of Parham the Lord Hansdon the Lord Russell the Lord Compton the Lord Norris the Lord Gerard the Lord Cavendish and the Lord Dormer With the Lady there was not much ado for she with many tears confessing the fact desired mercy The Earl who was the next day presented before the Judges made some defences but the confessions of those that were executed and a letter he had sent to his Majesty did so cleerly convincehim of being accessary to the crime at least that they were both sentenced to be taken to the Tower of London and from thence to the place of execution and hanged till they were dead It was a foul and hatefull fact on the Earles part especially who did betray his friend for satisfying the appetite of a revengefull woman yet by his Majesties clemency the lives of both were afterwards spared A new business was about the same time made by the Marquis of Huntly some eight years before he had been excommunicated and giving hopes from time to time of his reconcilement did not onely frustrate the same but breaking out in open insolencies had caused his officers discharge his Tenants from hearing the Sermons of some Ministers with whom he made shew to offend Being for this called before the high Commission he was committed in the Castle of Edinburgh and had not remained there two or three days when upon the Chancellors warrant he was put to liberty The Bishops that were in Town complaining to himself of that he had done were disdainfully answered That he might enlarge without their advice any that were imprisoned by the high Commission and when it was told that the Church would take this ill said that he cared not what their Church thought of him whereupon the Ministers made great exclamations in the pulpits as against one that abused his place and power Complaints hereupon were sent from all hands to the King The Bishops complained of the Chancellour his usurping upon the Commission and to this effect directed Alexander Bishop of Cathnes to Court The Chancellour complained of the turbulency of the Ministers and the liberty they took to censure the publick actions of Statesmen in their Sermons The Marquis upon a suit he made before his imprisonment had obtained licence to come unto Court and had taken his journey thither But the King upon the Clergies complaint sent Mr. Patrick Hamilton then waiting as Secretary deputy at Court to command the Marquis to return and enter himself in the Castle of Edinburgh for satisfying the high Commission withall he carried a letter to the Councell sharply rebuking them for releasing the Marquis he being warded by the Lords of the Commission The Gentleman meeting the Marquis at Huntingdon within a daies journey to London did use his message who intreated him to go back and shew the King that he was come to give his Majesty satisfaction in every thing he would enjoyn and to beseech his Majesty since he was so farre on his journey not to deny him his presence The offer of satisfaction pleased the King very well and permitting him to come forward to Court directed him to the Archbishop of Canterbury with whom he offered to communicate His excommunication standing in the way and it being contrary to the Canons that one excommunicated by the Church should without their consent who had so sentenced him be absolved in another it was a while doubted what course they should take The King on the one side was desirous to win him home and on the other loath to infringe the Order of the Church yet inclining to have the Marquis absolved it was thought that the Bishop of Cathnes his consent in
Kings resolution to visit the Kingdom which he said did proceed of a longing he had to see the place of his breeding a Salmon-like instinct as he was pleased to call it and because he knew that evill disposed persons would disperse rumours as if he came to make alterations in the civill and ecclesiasticall Estate he commanded Proclamation to be made for certifying the subjects of the contrary It was true he said that he desired to doe some good at his coming and to have abuses reformed both in the Church and Common-wealth yet foreseing the impediments that his good intentions would meet with and regarding the love of his people no less then their benefit he would be loath to give them any discontent and therefore willed all his good subjects to lay aside their jealousies and accommodate themselves in the best sort they could for his receiving and the entertainment of the Noblemen of England who were to accompany him in the journey The Earl of Marre was at that time made Thesaurer and Sir Gedeon Murray continued in his depuâ—ation A motion had been made a little before for appointing a Commissioner or Deputie in the Kingdome which was hearkened unto by the King as that which would ease him of many vexations and in his absence maintain a face of court and breed a great respect among the people and so farre was that purpose advanced as both the King had made offer of the place to the Earl of Marre and he yielded to accept the same but this breaking out and coming to the Chancellors knowledge whether that he desired not to have any in place above himself or as he pretended wishing the Noblemans good he diverted him from accepting that charge and brought him to embrace the office of Thesaurer as the most profitable and that which should bring with it a less envy Sir Gedeon had the intromission withall as when Somerset was in place and did provide things so carefully and with such foresight as when the King came he found nothing lacking that was required for a Royall and Princely entertainment Among other directions sent from the King one was for repairing of the Chappell and some English carpenters employed who brought with them the portraits of the Apostles to be set in the Pews or Stalls as they were proceeding in their work a foolish and idle rumour went that Images were to be set up in the Chappell and as people are given to speak the worst it was current among them that the Organs came first now the Images and ere long they should have the Masse The Bishop of Galloway then Dean of the Chappell moved with these speeches did pen a letter to the King entreating his Majesty for the offence that was taken to stay the affixing of these portraits To this letter he procured the subscriptions of the Archbishop of S. Andrews the Bishops of Aberdene and Berchin and divers of the Ministers of Edinburgh The answer returned by the King was full of anger objecting ignorance unto them that could not distinguish betwixt pictures intended for ornament and decoration and images erected for worship and adoration and resembling them to the Constable of Castile who being sent to swear the peace concluded with Spain when he understood the business was to be performed in the Chappell where some anthems were to be sung desired that whatsoever was sung Gods name might not be used in it and that being forborn he was content they should sing what they listed just so said the King you can endure Lyons Dragons and Devills to be figured in your Churches but will not allow the like place to the Patriarchs and Apostles His Majesty alwaies gave order for some other form and staying the erecting of these portraits which in the same letter he said was not done for ease of their hearts or confirming them in their errour but because the work could not be done so quickly in that kind as was first appointed This letter was of the date at Whitehall the 13 of March 1617. The King was much laboured to deferre his journey to the next year when as he should find things better prepared but he refusing to hearken to any such motion made the greater haste and in the beginning of May came to Berwick where he was met with divers of the Councell and by their advice the Parliament which had been indicted to the 17 of May prorogued to the 13 of Iune All this time intervened the King spent in a progress through the Countrey makingâ— his entry in the speciall Burghs after a most Royall manner and welcomed with all the expressions of joy that could be devised At the day appoynted the Estates were frequently assembled where his Majesty made a long speech for the establishing Religion and Iustice neither of which he said could be lookt for so long as a regard was not had to the Ministers of both For Religion he complained That notwithstanding of the long profession of the truth numbers of Churches remained unplanted and of those that were planted few or none had any competent maintenance for this he wished some course to be taken and certain Commissioners to be chosen for appointing to every Church a perpetuall locall stipend such as might suffice to entertain a Minister and make him able to attend on his charge of justice He discoursed long remembring the pains he had taken as well when he lived among them as since his going into England and how he had placed Iustices and Constables a most ladable kind of government for the preserving of peace and the keeping of the laws in due regard which he understood as he said to be much neglected partly in default of some that were named to those places and held it a scorne to be employed in such a charge and partly by the opposition which the Lords and great men of the Countrey made unto them and to their settling but he would have both the one and other to know that as it was a place of no small honour to be a Minister of the Kings Iustice in the service of the Common wealth so he did esteem none to deserve better at his hands then they who gave countenance thereto as on the other part whosoever should shew themselves hinderers thereof should be accounted with him enemies to his Crown and the quiet of the Kingdom In end he said that he had long striven to have the barbarities of the Countrey which they knew to be too many removed and extinct and in place thereof Civility and Iustice established and that he would still indevour to doe his best that way till he might say of Scotland as one of the Emperours said of Rome Inveni lateritiam relinquo marmoream The King having closed and the Lords gone apart to choose those that should be upon the Articles the humours of some discontented Lords begun to kithe for whosoever were by the
with the crown before his death But ere he returned the King was dead and his brother Kinnatellus crowned King This accident troubled Columba and made him doubtful what to do For if he should send Aidanus back he knew not how Kinnatellus would takeit and to go on not knowing how the King stood affected towards Aidanus he held it dangerous After a little debating with himselfe he resolved to hold forward and taking Aidanus in company did present him to the King who against the expectation of most men accepted him most lovingly bidding him be of good heart for he should in a short time inherit his fathers Crown mean while because of his own age and infirmity he committed to him the administration of affairs and designed him his successor After a few dayes Kinnatellus dying Aidanus was crowned King Columba performing the ceremonies at which time he is said to have made a most pithy and eloquent speech exhorting the King to the love of Iustice the Nobles to the observance of Peace the people to obedience and them all to constancy in the Christian profession wherewith the whole Assembly was so much affected as by holding up their hands they did solemnly swear to continue loyal subjects to the King and to be obedient to him as their spiritual Pastor The Coronation ended Columba retired to the Isle Iona for he loved to remain in that place and Aidanus applying himself to order the Estate went through the countries of Gallaway Cathnes and Loqhaber holding Justice-Courts in all these parts and reforming what he found amisse But as no prosperity is lasting it happened in a sport of hunting that some Noble-men falling at discord there was a great slaughter committed the Authours whereof fearing the severity of Law fled to Breudeus King of the Picts and being remanded according to the conditions of the league were after some delayes directly refused Aidanus taking this to heart whilest he sought to recover them by force had his son Arthur Buchannan calleth him Griffin a Prince of great hopes and Brenden his Nephew with divers of his Nobles killed Columba grieved with this accident came to the King and rebuked him bitterly for making warre with his neighbour upon so light an occasion wherewith he is said to be no lesse moved then with the losse he had received for Columba striving to be gone he caught him by the hand and confessing he had been too hasty entreated his best advice and counsel how to repair things But he replying that no advice could redresse the harm that was done the King burst forth into tears Columba fell also a weeping and after a little space said that he would counsell him to make peace which he was content to do at his sight The matter moved to Brudeus he likewise agreed to remit all to Columba who shortly after brought them to be friends But the heart-burning between the two people ceased not which Ethelfrid King of Northumberland a wicked and avaritious man craftily entertained stirring the Picts to make fresh incursions upon the Scots so as Aidanus was compelled to take Arms Columba being advertised of the necessity the King was put to gave order that private supplications should be made for his safety and the overthrow of his enemies which falling out according to their wishes was generally ascribed to Columba his devotion For as the report went in the same hour wherein the enemies were defeated he did call his Collegues together and willed them to turn their prayers into thanskgiving for that the King had obtained the victory yet was the place of the conflict distant from Iona where Columba lived 200. miles at least The year following which was the year of our Lord 603. Columba died being of a good age neither did the King Aidanus long survive him The Irish contend that Columba died in the City of Down and was buried in St. Patricks Tomb and for verifying the same alledge an old Distick which was they say engraven upon the Tomb and defaced only in the dayes of King Henry the eighth Hi tres in Duno tumulo tumulantur in uno Brigida Patricius atque Columba pius But it carrieth no likelihood that Columba being so farre in years would make a journey into Ireland or that Aidanus who loved him so dearly would suffer him to depart whilest he lived It may be that upon some occasion his bones were translated thither yet the pilgrimages made in superstitious times to the Isle Iona for visiting his grave do shew what the received opinion was of his death and burial Kentigern commonly called St. Mungo was famous also at this time and one most familiar with Columba he was the son of Thametes daughter to Loth King of Picts begotten as was supposed by Eugenius the third King of Scots his father not being certainly known posterity not being willing that his birth whom they so greatly esteemed should be in any sort stained gave out that he was born of a Virgin which was believed of simple and credulous people But the reproach which lay upon him that way he overcame by his singular vertues in his yonger yeares being trusted to the education of Servanus Bishop of Orkney he gave tokens of his rare piety for he was in prayer more frequent then yong ones are usually seen to be of a spare diet and so compassionate of the poor as all that came in his hands he distributed among them Servanus his Master loving him beyond others was ordinarily wont to call him Mongah which in the Norish tongue signifieth a deare friend and this way came he to be called Mungo After Servanus death he went to the countrey of Wales in England where living a solitary life he founded a Monastery betwixt the Rivers of Elwid and Edwy They write that in his Monastery there were daily entertained six hundred threescore and three persons of which number three hundred were kept at some manual work within the Monastery other three hundred did labour in the fields and practise husbandry and the rest being appointed for divine service had the day and night divided among them so as one company succeeding to another there were some alwayes in the Church praying and praising Almighty God Having stayed there a few years he resigned his place to Asaph a godly and vertuous man and returning to Scotland he made his abode at Glasgow where he layed the foundation of a stately Church and was therein at his death interred It is affirmed that after he came to years of understanding he did never eat flesh nor taste wine or any strong drink and when he went to rest slept on the cold ground having a stone for his pillow and that notwithstanding he lived thus hardly he did attain to the age of ninescore and five years Many lying miracles have been ascribed unto him but certainly he was a man of rare
Prince Gulielme his brother into France at the time of the league made with that people which to this day remaineth inviolate and by them it was that the University of Paris was first founded Scotus after he had stayed some years at Paris was imployed by the same Charles for founding an University at Pavia and was in great respect with all the Romane Church excepted who could nto away with the liberty he used in his reproofes of the errors then springing up his Treatise of the Eucharist a pious and learned work was by Pope Leo the ninth condemned in Synodo Vercellensi in the year 1030. long after his death Claudius Clemens was afterwards preferred to the Bishoprick of Auxew where he lived to his death in great esteem Alcuin commonly held to be Charles the Great his Master was made his Eleemosynar and lived in special credit with him The book that came forth under Charles his name against Images was thought to be penned by him for he was a man of great learning as the many books left by him to posterity do shew Ubique pius ubique doctus sayes Balaeus succinctus gravis ante multos alios praecipuè dignus qui in manibus hominum habeatur The English writers will have him born in their countrey not farre from the city of York To which I onely say that the English at that time being adversaries to the French and Scots speaking of them as common enemies to both people it is not probable if he had been of the English Nation that he would be so inward with Charles the Great Rabanus Maurus was his Auditor many years and under his hand grew to such perfection of learning that it is said Quòd nec Italia similem nec Germania aequalem peperit That neither did Italy breed his like nor Germany his equal Tantam viri eruditionem sayes Bruschius omnes Bibliothecae nobis commendant quantum ingenio valuerit edita ab eo valumina demonstrant Bibliothecam enim Fuldensem tanta librorum multitudine lacupletavit ut dinumerari vix queant All Bibliotheques do witnesse the rare erudition of that man and what a fertile ingenie he had the volumes published by him do shew The Library of Fulden he enriched with such multitudes of Books as can scarce be numbred And certainly who shall but read the catalogue of his works will wonder how any one man should in his life have penned so much and upon so divers subjects for besides that he did illustrate the whole Books of Scripture with his Expositions he left a number of profitable tractates in every Science to posterity After Clemens was gone from Paris he continued in the University some years and being made Abbot of Fulden upon a displeasure he conceived against the Monks he went to the Court of Ludovicus the Emperour where he had not long attended when upon the death of Otgarius Arch-bishop of Mentz he was elected to the government of that See Ten years he â—ate Bishop having no opposition made to him nor to his doctrine though he taught no other then what is with us in these times taught and professed as in his workâ— yet extant may be seen In this reckoning we must not forget our countreyman Maidulphus Scotus who was of great fame in these days for his skill in training up the youth in letters and kept a publick school at Caerbladon in Wiltshire there being as yet no University in England he also is said to have been a strong defender of the Bishop of Rome his authority and placed in that part by Eleutherius Bishop of the West Saxons for withstanding the British Doctors that opposed the Romane rites After some time bestowed that way embracing the Monastical life he erected an Abbey at Malmsbury which Aldelin his disciple and successour did much increase and from him it is thought that Malmsbury took the name being at first called Maidulphsbury or Maidulps city We are now at the 800. year or thereabout when as the warres were renewed betwixt the Scots and the Picts which brought in end the utter subversion of that people I mean the Picts Their Kingdom had continued near 1200. years under the Reign of 65. Kings and was fortunate enough till the days of King Feredeth who I know not by what ill counsel bare an heavy hand upon the Church and made spoil of her rents especially of the ornaments bestowed by his predecessour King Hungus upon the Church of St. Andrews the occasion of these troubles I shall briefly set down after I have remembred the magnificence of Prince Gulielme which ought never to be forgotten After the league contracted with France which he was sent to ratifie he followed Charles the Great in all his warres performing notable services especially in Italy where he was made Lieutenant for the King upon the end of the warres being grown in age he went to Germany resolving to bestow his means which were very great in founding religious houses which he did at Coleyn Franckford Vienna Herford Luneburg Wirtsburg Muleren and Ratisbone fifteen Abbeys and Hospitals they reckon founded by him some in Italy but the most part in Germany all which he indowed with a reasonable proportion of lands and rents but with this Proviso that none should be admitted therein but Scottish men born This for many years according to his appointment was observed and even at this time notwithstanding the manifold alterations that have happened there be some of these foundations that are no ways changed from their first institution They also may possibly decay yet the magnificence of that Noble Prince shall ever be recorded to his everlasting honour And now to the occasion of these troubles I mentioned There reigned in the time of King Achaius amongst the Picts Hungus a Prince well inclined and a great lover of Religion and Justice Athelstane King of the West Saxons having usurped upon divers of his neighbours and inlarged his Kingdome by subduing the Northumbers did likewise invade the Picts intending the conquest of that part of their Kingdom which lay next unto his Hungus hereupon did move King Achaius who had married Fergusiana his sister for some supply and he no lesse offended with Athelstans oppressions then was Hungus himself sent to his aid ten thousaud men under the leading of of Prince Alpin his son Hungus supplied with this power entered into Northumberland and having made great depredations returned home with a rich booty Athelstan following upon his heels overtook him at a little Village not farre from Hadington which put Hungus in a sore fright for a great part of his Army was dismissed and gone home yet not seeing a way to eschew the fight he gave order for the battel against the next day and in the mean time betook himself to prayer spending most part of the night in that exercise A litle before day falling into a slumber it seemed to him that the
stricken with great terrour in the morning early calling Moveanus he laid open to him the grief and vexation of his minde who giving the King his best counsel for the pacifying of his conscience did advise him to bestow almes upon the poor visit the graves of holy men have the Clergy in greater regard then he was accustomed and perform such other external satisfactions as were used in those times The King following his directions did carry himself most piously not thinking by these outward deeds of penance to make expiation for his sin for they were not become as yet so grossely ignorant as to believe that by such external works the justice of God is satisfied albeit some idle toyes such as the visiting the graves of the Saints kissing of Reliques hearing of Masses and others of that kinde which Avarice and Superstition had invented were then crept into the Church yet people were still taught that Christ is the only propitiation for sin and that by his blood the guilt thereof is only washed away This being still the doctrine of the Church to think that Kenneth was any other is scarce charitable Alwayes as he was visiting the grave of Palladius being invited to lodge in the Castle of Fettercarne he was there treacherously murthered But to return to our Bishops 10. Fothadus succeeded next after Tuthaldus a man greatly respected for the opinion conceived of his holinesse In the competition which Grimus had with Malcolme the second for the succession of the Crown by his wisdom and the trust they reposed in him they were brought to an agreement and a most perilous commotion stayed How long he sate Bishop is not recorded in his time lived Vigiamus a Monk an eloquent Preacher Coganus an Abbot and Onanus a Deacon men of especial accompt 11 After the death of Fothadus Gregorius was elected and consecrated Bishop he lived in a troublesome time for soon after his election the Danes did of new invade the countrey and landing in Murray had such successe at first as they did think to make conquest of the Realme But Malcolm the second having repulsed them at a battel fought at Pambride in Angus did pursue them unto Buchane where at a Village called Murthlack he gave them an utter overthrow and forced those that escaped to swear that during the reign of Malcolm and the life of Swane their King they should never return into Scotland To memorize this victory the King did Found an Episcopal See at Murthlack enduing the same with rents forth of the adjacent lands and calling the Clergy to an assembly in the Town of Bertha now Perth he enacted by the advice of Bishop Gregorius divers Canons for their better government At the same time in a convention kept at Scone to reward those that had done well in the late warres he gave away all the Crown lands reserving little or nothing to himself The Barons to requite his liberality did grant to him and his successours Kings of Scotland the Ward of all their lands with the benefit that might accrew by the marriage of the heir But this being casual and uncertain proved unsufficient for maintaining his Royal estate so that necessity the sure companion of immoderate largition did force him to make unlawful shifts whereby he came to be as much hated in end as he was loved at first and by some villains that thought themselves wronged by him was murthered in the Castle of Glammes after he had reigned 30. years Before his time the titles of Thane and Abthane were the only titles of honour and dignity in the Realme whereas he to give a greater splendor to the State did introduce all these offices which are now in use and are commonly called Offices of Estate Duncan the first his Nephew by Beatrix his daughter succeeded to the Crown whose weaknesse and simplicity made way to Mackbeth his Cousin-germans usurpation for he conspiring with Bancho a man of great place deprived the King both of his Crown and life in the seventh year of his reign The Kings two sons Malcolme surnamed Canmore and Donald Bane fearing the cruelty of the Tyrant withdrew themselves and fled Malcolme into Wales and Donald into the West Isles Thus none being to oppose Mackbeth did assume to himself the Crown and for the first ten years governed the Kingdom better with justice then he got it Afterward growing suspicious and seeking to rid himself of those that might prove his enemies he began his cruelty at Bancho who had an hand with him in the Kings murther and inviting him on a night to supper with his son Fleanche as they were returning to their lodgings made some lie in the way to murther them Bancho doubting no harm was killed but his son Fleanche through the darknesse of the night escaped The Nobles detesting this treachery and fearing it might turn to be their own case retired home to their dwellings Mackbeth finding himself to be forsaken of his Nobles and knowing that he was hated by the people fell then to practise open Tyranny and forging quarrels against the better sort did upon light causes put divers to death The Thane of Fife called Mackduffe a man of great power out of a suspicion he conceived fled into England where meeting with Malcolme the lawful heir of the Crown after he had exponed the misery whereunto the countrey was brought by the cruelties of Mackbeth and the reasons of his own flight did perswade him to return and repeat his Fathers Kingdom Malcolme who often before had been solicited to return by such as Mackbeth did suborn made answer That he understood all these things to be true which were related but if said he ye knew how unfit I am for government you would not be so earnest as you seem to call me home for not to dissemble with you whom I esteem my friend the vices which have overthrown many Kings Lust and Avarice do reign in me whilest I live obscure and in a private sort these faults are not espied but if I were in place of Rule the same would soon appear and break forth Mackduffe replying That these were no reasons to keep him back for that marriage and time would quench Lust and for avarice when he should have abundance and be out of fear of want it would cease That said he possible may be but I have an imperfection greater then these for I can trust no man and have found such falshood in the world as I am jealous of every one and upon the smallest suspicions for I measure every man by my self I break and alter all my courses Away then said Mackduffe I am unfortunate and thou unworthy to Reign and with this word he made to depart Then Malcolme taking him by the hand said I do now know thou art a man worthy of trust and will not refuse to undergoe any hazard
had valiantly defended themselves and their liberties against the Romanes Picts Britains Danes Norishes and all others who sought to usurp upon them and howbeit said he the present occasion hath bred some distraction of mindes all true hearted Scotch men will stand for the liberty of their countrey to the death for they esteem their liberty more precious then their lives and in that quarrel will neither separate nor divide wherefore as he had professed in way of friendship and as an Arbiter elected by themselves to cognosce and decide the present controversie they were all in most humble manner to intreat him that he would proceed to determine the question which they and their posterities should remember with their best affections and services King Edward although he was not well pleased with the Bishops free speech made no speech thereof at the time but continuing his purpose desired the competitors to be called They all being severally heard the right was found to lie chiefly betwixt Iohn Baliol and Robert Bruce and the rest ordained to cease from their claime Of Baliol and Bruce an oath was taken that they should abide by the sentence which King Edward should pronounce The like oath was taken by the Prelates Nobles and other Commissioners of the State who swear all to accept him for their King that should be tried to have the best right and for the greater assurance all their Seales were appended to the Compromise Then Edward proceeding made twelve of either kingdome men learned in the Law to be elected for examination of the right declaring that he would take the opinions also of the best Civilians in the Universities of France In this sort was the businesse carried in publick but privately and amongst some few the consultation was how to bring Scotland under his subjection Five years and some more were spent before the controversie was brought to an end at last every one longing to have it concluded the King returned to Berwick and calling the 24. who had been named at the first meeting he did enclose them within the Church commanding them to debate the matter and permitting none to have accesse unto them he himself went in now and then to feel their mindes and perceiving the most part inclining to Bruce his right he dealt first with him promising to invest him in the kingdom so as he would hold the same of the Crown of England Bruce answered that he was not so desirous of rule as he would therefore prejudice the liberties of the countrey The like offer he made to Baliol who being more greedy of a kingdome then careful of his honour did yield thereunto and so was Crowned King at Scone all the Nobility Bruce excepted doing him homage Some dayes after his Coronation he went to Newcastle to do the homage as he had promised to King Edward as unto his Soveraigne Lord. The Nobles that accompanied him thither fearing to withstand the two Kings so farre from home did likewise swear subjection to King Edward Which as soon as the rest of the Nobility and others of the State who were tender of their countreys liberty understood they grew highly displeased they that were in Baliols company were excused as not daring oppose the fact in that place but he himself having done it upon a secret paction which then began first to break out he became so universally hated as after that time could he never purchase their love nor was it long before he felt the smart of his own error For being cited to answer before the Parliament of England upon a complaint exhibited against him he appeared and having desired to answer by Procurator the same was denied him and he forced to descend to the ordinary place of pleading and stand as a subject This affront did so vexe his minde that from thenceforth he did meditate upon nothing but revenge whereof a good opportunity was offered him by the warre which then burst forth between France and England The Ambassadours of both these Kings coming at one time into Scotland the French to seek the renuing of the ancient League and the English to crave a supply of men to be sent unto King Edward by vertue of the late allegiance sworne by Baliol the desire of England was utterly rejected as unjust Because the allegiance sworne by their King was as they said forced and granting he had done it willingly it was not in his power without consent of the State to do any such act Therefore whatsoever was done by him that way both he and they did recall renouncing Edwards friendship both for that and other wrongs committed by him Thereupon it was concluded that two Ambassadours should be sent one to France for renuing the League and confirming it by new alliance of Edward Baliol the Kings son with the daughter of France another to England for defying King Edward and renouncing his allegiance Towards France William Bishop of S. Andrewes Matthew Bishop of Dunkeld Sir Iohn Sowlis and Sir Ingram Umphraville Knights were imployed The Ambassadour to England being declined by many Henry Abbot of Aberbrothock a man of great stomach undertook and performed Upon this defection of Baliol King Edward summoned him to appear at Newcastle and upon his refuse entered into Scotland with a mighty Army took Berwick with the slaughter of 7000. Scots and had delivered into his hands the Castles of Dumbar Roxburgh Edinburgh and Striveling Baliol thus overthrown was again by the perswasion of Iohn Cumin of Strathbogy brought to submit himself and swear fealty of new to King Edward After which the Parliament of Scotland was called to meet at Berwick there did all the Nobility that were present perform homage to the King of England William Douglas a man nobly born and of great courage onely refused and was therefore cast in prison where he died This done King Edward turned home leaving Iohn Warren Earl of Surrey and Sussex Governour of the kingdome Hugh Cressingham Treasurer and Ormsley chief Justice The Bishop of S. Andrewes who was lately come from France not enduring to see the countrey so thralled returned thither appointing Mr. William Knigorne and Peter de Campaigne his Chaplains to supply his absence in all spiritual affaires Robert Bishop of Glasgow and Maurice Bishop of Isles were taken and sent prisoers to London The rest of the Churchmen though permitted to attend their Cures were held under miserable bondage whereupon they secretly dispatched a message to the Pope with William Archdeacon of Lothian Baldred Bisset and William Egishame willing them to lament the oppressions of the Church and the usurpation made upon the countrey and so intreat him as the universal Father of Christendome to use his authority with the King of England ever whom he had power and take the matter to his own hearing unto whose judgement they would simply submit themselves Pope Boniface the eighth
bitter speeches said This is your hour and power of darknesse Now you sit as Iudges and we stand wrongfully condemned but the day cometh which will shew our innocencie and you shall see your own blindness to your everlasting confusion Go on and fulfill the measure of your iniquity At which words the Archbishop was greatly moved affirming that these rigorous executions did hurt the cause of the Church more then could well be thought of and therefore declared that in his opinion it should be best to save the lives of the men and take some other course with them but these others who were sent to assist told him expresly that if he followed any milder course then that which had been kept at Edinburgh they could not esteem him the Churches friend whereupon he was compelled to give way to their cruelty and thus these Innocents were condemned to be burnt alive All the time they were preparing the fire Hieronymus comforted mightily the young man using these speeches unto him Fear not brother for he is more mighty that is in us then he who is in the world The pain which we shall suffer is short and light but our joy and consolation shall never have an end death cannot destroy us for it is destroyed already by him for whose sake we suffer Therefore let us strive to enter in by the same straight way which our Saviour hath taken before us Many other comfortable speeches he uttered which moved the hearers wonderfully When they were brought to the place of their suffering they used not many words but commending their souls to God after they were tied to the stake endured the fire constantly without expressing any token of fear or amazement It was about the same time that Master George Buchannan who for his rare erudition was afterwards in great fame for some biting verses against the Franciscans was committed to prison but he escaping by a window of the chamber wherein he was detained prisoner whilest the Keepers were fast asleep fled into France Thus there passed few dayes wherein some one or other was not called in question for Religion But the more hot the persecution was the favourers of the truth did every day the more increase And now had the Archbishop Iames Beaton committed the charge of all Church-affairs to his Nephew the Cardinal who succeeded in his place for he was aged and sickly himself and not seen often abroad In his last dayes he began to erect the new Colledge in S. Andrews and set men awork to build the same but neither lived he to finish the work nor were the moneys he left in store to that use rightly bestowed Some contestings a few years before he and the Clergy had with the King because of the impositions laid upon the Prelates for the entertainment of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice So as the matter was drawn by an appeal to Rome and Gawine Dumbar Bishop of Aberdene appointed to prosecute the same But this ceased upon an accord made which was that the Senate should consist of fourteen Ordinaries with a President seven of the Spiritualty and as many of the Temporalty the President alwayes being of the spiritual estate and a Prelate constitute in dignity According to this appointment a ratification passed in Parliament anno 1537. and the Abbot of Cambuskennoth was elected President of the new Senate in the year 1539. The Bishop a little after he had assisted as witnesse at the Christening of the Kings first son who was born at S. Andrews departed this life having designed his successours in all the Benefices he enjoyed which were not a few for besides the Archbishoprick of S. Andrews he possessed the Abbacies of Aberbrothock Dunfermlin and Kilwining To his Nephew the Cardinal he left S. Andrews and Aberbrothock To George Dury his kinsman the Abbacie of Dunfermlin and to ... Hamilton of the house of Roplock the Abbacie of Kilwining All which the King for the esteem wherein he held this Bishop whilest he lived confirmed to them according to his Will he was buried in the Abbey Church before the high Altar In his time lived Master Iohn Maior Hector Boeth Gilbert Crab and William Gregory men of good learning and worthy to be remembred Master Iohn Maior was born at Hadington within the Province of Lothian and trained up from his youth in the study of letters A while at Cambridge he heard Philosophy taught but finding the place not so convenient he went to Paris and past his course in the Colledge of Montacute After that he gave himself to Theology commencing Doctor amongst the Sorbonists and in scholastick Divinity was not much behinde any of his time which his Decisiones sententiarum Sophisticalia Parisiensia and that other work intituled Placita Theologica do sufficiently witnesse Returning afterwards unto his countrey he professed Theologie in S. Salvators Colledge at S. Andrews whereof he was made Provost and died there being of a good age a man well inclined ingenious and according to these times not unlearned He wrote the story of his countrey howbeit in a Sorbonick and barbarous style yet very truly and with a great liberty ofspirit not sparing the usurpation of Rome and taxing in divers places the lazinesse and superfluity of the Clergy which could hardly be done in those times without danger Hector Boethius was Principal of the Colledge of Aberdene a great Philosopher and much commended by Erasmus for his eloquence and felicity of ingenie Buchannan who could well discern of learned men speaking in a certain place of him sayeth Quòd non solum artiùm liberalium cognitione suprà quà m illa ferebant tempora insignis crat sed etiam humanitate comitate singulari praeditus That he was not only notably learned in the liberal Sciences above the condition of those times but also of an exceeding courteous and humane inclination Yet is he traduced by some of the English Writers for a fabulous and partial Historian But they who like to peruse his History will perceive that this is spoken out of passion and malice and not upon any just cause Gilbert Crabbe lived in the countrey of France much esteemed for his dexterity and diligence in the education of youth he was sent to Paris by his friends being yet very young and having studied his course there was preferred to be Sub. dean of a Church near unto Burdeaux yet ceased not to advance the knowledge of letters at his uttermost and was so respected as the children of all the Noblemen in those parts were committed to his instruction He died young at Burdeaux not having attained to the fortieth year of his age much lamented of those that knew him William Gregory lived in Tholouse and was made General of the Carmelites in the Diocese of Meaulx and Tholouse which Order he is said to have greatly reformed Baleus writeth that he received
Majesty should stay made choice of the Castle of Edinburgh as the part most commodious and ordained the Earl of Arrane who was there kept prisoner to be removed to the Castle of Hamilton with a liberty to travel by the space of two miles about providing he should do nothing to the prejudice of his house and enter himself unto 20. days warning in the Castles of Edinburgh Dumbar and Dumbarton or any of them for observance whereof the Earls of Murray and Glencarn became sureties The Queen at her first entrie into the Castle did feast the Nobility and made them all friends Argyle Murray and Athol had lodgings assigned them within the Castle Huntley Bothwel and others of the Nobility remained in the Town The 19. of Iune betwixt nine and ten of the clock in the evening she was brought to bed of a son to the exceeding joy of the subjects for which the Nobles and whole people assembled the next day in the Church of S. Giles gave solemn thanks to God Presently was Sir Iames Melvil sent to carry the newes to the Queen of England who to congratulate her safe and happy delivery sent Sir Henry Killigrew to Scotland by Post. The Assembly of the Church convened the same time in Edinburgh sent the Superintendent of Lothian to testify their gladnesse for the Princes birth and to desire that he should be baptized according to the form used in the reformed Church To this last she gave no answer otherwise the Superintendent and his Commission were very graciously accepted The Queen calling to bring the Infant that the Superintendent might see him he took him in his Armes and falling upon his knees conceived a short and pithy prayer which was very attentively heard by her having closed his prayer he took the babe and willed him to say Amen for himself which she took in so good part as continually afterwards she called the Superintendent her Amen This story told to the Prince when he came to years of understanding he alwayes called him his Amen and whilest he lived did respect and reverence him as his Spiritual Father The Queen waxing strong went by water to Alloway a house pertaining to the Earl of Marre and kept private a few dayes In that place brake out first her displeasure against the King her husband for the following her thither was not suffered to stay but commanded to be gone and when at any time after he came to Court his company was so loathsome unto her as all men perceived she had no pleasure nor content in it such a deep indignation had possessed her mind because of the disgrace offered to her in the slaughter of her servant Davie the envy whereof was all laid upon the King as she could never digest it Secretary Lethington who by his subtle flatteries was crept again into favour did wickedly foster this passion by putting in her head a possibility to divorce from the King which he said was an easie work and a thing that might be done only by abstracting the Popes dispensation of their marriage And the Earl Bothwel a man sold to all wickednes did likewise by himself and by his instruments of whom Sir Iames Balfour was the chief take all occasions to incense her and by exaggerating the Kings ingratitude towards her wrought her mind to an hatred implacable In the beginning of October the Queen went to Iedburgh to keep some Justice Courts where she fell dangerously sick the King coming there to visit her had no countenance given him and was forced to depart At her return from the Borders being in Craigmillar Lethington renuing the purpose of divorce in the hearing of the Earls of Argyle and Huntley did perswade her to take some course for her separation from the King seeing they could not live together in Scotland with security The Queen asking him how that could be done without some blemish to her honour he replied that none would think ill of her part therein she being so ungratefully used by him but that all might know the murther of Davie to have been his fact her Majesty should do well to pardon the Lords that were fled to England and call them home Nay said the Queen I will rather have matters to continue as they are till God remedie them Yet within few days Morton and Lindesay were recalled at the intreaty of the Earls of Argyle and Huntley as was touched before Preparation was then making for the Baptisme of the Prince who about the end of August had been transported to Striveling To honour this solemnity the Counte de Briance was sent Ambassadour from the French King Monsieur de Croke from the Duke of Savey and the Earl of Bedford from the Queen of England who brought with him a Font of gold weighing two stone weight with a Bason and Ewer for the Baptisme At the day appointed for the solemnity which was the fifteenth of December they all convened in the Castle of Striveling The Prince was carried by the French Ambassadour walking betwixt two ranks of Barons and Gentlemen that stood in the way from the Chamber to the Chappel holding every one a proket of wax in their hands The Earl of Athol went next to the French Ambassador bearing the grear fierge of wax The Earl of Eglington carried the Salt the Lord Semple the Cude and the Lord Ross the Bason and Ewer all these were of the Romane profession In the entry of the Chappel the Prince was received by the Archbishop of S. Andrews whose Collaterals were the Bishops of Dunkeld Dumblane and Ross there followed them the Prior of Whithern sundry Deans and Archdeans with the Gentlemen of the Chappel in their several habits and Copes The Countesse of Argyle by Commission from the Queen of England did hold up the Prince at the Font where the Archbishop did administer the Baptisme with all ceremonies accustomed in the Romane Church the spittle excepted which the Queen did inhibit The Earl of Bedford entered not in the Chappel during the service and without the dores stood all the Noblemen professors of the reformed Religion The rites performed the Prince was proclaimed by his name and Titles Iames Prince and Stewart of Scotland Duke of Rothesay Earl of Carrick Lord of the Isles and Baron of Renfrew then did the Musick begin which having continued a good space the Prince was again conveighed to his chamber It was night before the solemnity took end for it was done in the afternoon The feasting and triumphal sports that followed were kept some days with exceeding cost and magnificence yet the content the people received thereby was nothing so great as their offence for the Kings neglect for neither was he admitted to be present at the Baptisme nor suffered to come unto the feast To some his ill disposition was given for an excuse others more scornfully were told that his fashioners had not used the diligence they ought
next day being the 12. of Iune the Lords gave out a Proclamation wherein they declared That the Earl of Bothwel having put violent hands in the Queens person warded her highnesse in the Castle of Dumbar and retaining her in his power had seduced her being destitute of all counsel to an unhonest and unlawful marriage with himself who was known to have been the principal authour deviser and actor in the cruel murther committed upon the late Kings person and that he was daily gathering forces and strengthening himself by all means of purpose as appeared to get in his hands the young Prince that he might murther him in the like sort as he had done his Father which the Nobility of the Realm had resolved to withstand and to deliver the Queen out of his bondage Therefore did they charge all and sundry the Lieges within the Kingdom to be in readiness upon three houres warning to assist the said Noblemen for delivering the Queen from captivity and bringing the said Earl and his Complices to underlie the trial and punishment of Law for the foresaid murther Commanding all such as will not joyn with the said Noblemen to depart forth of the Town of Edinburgh within four hours after the publication made under the pain to be reputed as enemies c. But the Queen having escaped as we shew there resorted to her from all quarters numbers of people so as within few houres she had an Army about her of 4000. men and above a force sufficient to oppose the enterprisers The Lords on the other side were cast into many difficulties for the heat of the common sort of people being quickly cooled as ordinarily it happeneth and the greater part of the Nobility being either enemies or behaving themselves as Neuters few of them came to offer their assistance yea had they been never so many lacking munition and other necessary provisions for the besieging of forts they saw no way to attain to their purpose whereupon they began to think upon dissolving their forces and quitting the enterprise at least for that time But the resolution which the Queen took altered their counsels and gave them the opportunity they wished for She partly considing in her power and numbers and partly animated by a sort of flatterers who made her believe that the Lords would flee upon the first bruit of her coming resolved to march with her Army to Leth whereas nothing had been so much to her advantage as a little protracting of time for had she remained three days longer at Dumbar the Lords without all peradventure had retired every one to his home But where mutations are destined the worst counsels seem ever the best and are most readily embraced Being advanced so farre as Glaidsmoore where she caused master her forces a Proclamation was made bearing That a number of Conspirators having discovered their latent malice borne to her and the Duke of Orkney her husband after they had failed in apprehending their persons at Borthwick had made a seditious Proclamation to make people believe that they did seek the revenge of the murther of the King her late husband and the relieving of her self out of bondage and captivity pretending that the Duke her husband was minded to invade the Prince her sonne all which were false and forged inventions none having better cause to revenge the Kings death then her self if she could know the authors thereof And for the Duke her present husband he had used all means to clear his innocency the ordinary Iustice had absolved him and the Estates of Parliament approved their proceedings which they themselves that made the present iâ—surrection had likewise allowed As also he had offered to maintain that quarrell against any Gentleman on earth undefamed then which nothing more could be required And as to her alledged captivity the contrary was known to the whole subjects her marriage with him being publickly contracted and solemnised with their own consents as their hand writs could testify Albeit to give their treason a fair shew they made now a buckler of the Prince her sonne being an infant and in their hands whereas their intention only was to overthrow her and her posterity that they might rule all things at their pleasure and without controlment Seeing therefore no wilfulnesse nor particularily but very necessity had forced her to take Armes for defence of her life as her hope was to have the assistance of all her faithful subjects against those unnatural rebels so she doubted not but such as were already assembled would with good hearts stand to her defence considering especially the goodness of her cause promising them in recompence of their valorous service the lands and possessions of the Rebels which should be distributed according to the merit of every man This proclaimed the Army did set forward the Queen lodging that night in Seaton a little before midnight word was brought to Edinburgh of the Queens approach who without long suspence made to their Armour And at Sun rising putting themselves in order they marched directly to Mussilburgh a Village two miles distant from Preston there they refreshed themselves with food and a little rest for the Queens Camp was not as yet stirring About the middest of the day the horsemen who were sent to observe when the Queens Army did advance brought word that they were marching The Lords thereupon made haste and drawing their companies forth of the Village ranged them in two battels The first was conducted by the Earl of Morton and the Lord Home the second by the Earls of Athel Marre and Glencarn the Lords Lindsay Ruthven Semple and Sanqâ—uar with the Lairds of Drumlanrig Tulibardin Selfourd Grange and divers others of good sort were assisting in number not much inferiour to the Queens Army and in this superiour that the most part of them were Gentlemen practised and of good experience in warre The Queen stood with her Army on the top of the hill called Carberry hill which the Lords because of the ascent wherewith it riseth could not come at in a direct course but to their disadvantage wherefore they inclined a little to the right hand both to find a more plain way and to get the Sun in their backs when they should come unto the fight This deceived the Queen who supposing they were flying towards Dalkeith a little Village pertaining to the Earl of Morton but when they were past the strait of the hill and that she saw them making directly to the place where she with her Army stood she perceived her errour The French Ambassadour seeing them ready to joyn interposed himself and coming to the Lords desired that matters might be composed without bloodshed for the good of both parties saying that he found the Queen peaceably inclined and disposed both to forgive the insurrection they had now made and to forget all by past oflences The Earl of Mâ—rten replyed That they had taken
the Queen his sister or others who had interest in the business that his consent was extorted and not willingly given To this effect he advised him to send the Laird of Lethington to England with speed as the wisest and most sufficient man he could chuse who would provide for him the rest that had assisted him substantially and assuredly His conscience he said some over precise objections might perhaps trouble him but if he could have espied any other thing then his overthrow in resisting he would not have written so peremptorily unto him Then concluded with these words No mans friendship will be more embraced then yours no mans estimation be greater if you shal conform your self concurwith your friends in thisâ— contrariwise if you withstand or become an adverse party you wil be so incumbred both from hence from thence all other places as no man can advise you what to do Therefore God send you to direct your course for the best This letter was accompanied with another from Sir Nicholas to Lethington wherein he shewed that according to his advice he had written to the Regent with a great zeal and care of his well doing these were the words he used and requested he should hasten his coming to Court for that businesse the same being as yet concealed from the Queen till he as the fittest Minister might propone the same in behalf of the Regent and Nobility of Scotland whereunto he held it assured the Queen would assent as preferring her own surety the tranquillity of her Kingdom and conservation of her people before any device that might proceed from the inconsiderate passions of whomsoever And that he might be the more incouraged he did inform him particularly of the Duke of Norfolks consent and the approbation of the Earls of Arundel Pembrook Leicester Bedford Shrewsbury and the rest of the wisest noblest ablest and mightiest of that Realm And it was truth that he wrote of their consenting howbeit with a condition so that the Queen of England was not against it yea beside these divers well affected both to Religion and State did wish the purpose a good successe for perceiving no inclination in the Queen of England her self to take a husband they feared the Queen of Scots who was her undoubted heir by matching with some forain Prince might endanger both Religion and State and therefore desired the marriage with the Duke might take effect he being a Nobleman of England beloved of the people and educated in the Protestant Religion for by this match as they made account if it should happen the young King to die the two Kingdomes might be united in a Prince of the English Nation or if he lived unto a ripe age he might be married with the Dukes youngest daughter who was near of the same age and that way the two Crowns be made one But these devices proved idle and vain as we shall hear The Regent for answering these letters did appoint a meeting of the Estates at Perth in Iuly thereafter At which time an Assembly of the Church was also kept in Edinburgh and from it Commissioners directed to the Convention to renew the Petitions made the year preceding that as yet had received no answer And further to desire that a portion of the tithes might be allotted for sustentation of the poor the labourers of the ground permitted to gather the tithes of their proper corns paying for the same a reasonable duty and that the thirds of Benefices being really separated from the two other parts the Collectors of the Church might peaceably intromet therewith for the more ready paiment of Ministers according to their assignations But these Petitions in regard of the more weighty businesse were deferred to another time And the Convention falling to consider the letters sent from England did hardly accord upon an answer Beginning with that of the Queen of England they judged the first condition so derogatory to the Kings authority as they did simply reject it The second of Association was held dangerous and third onely thought reasonable and meet to be accepted But when they came to speak of the Queen of Scots desires the contention was great they that stood for the Kings authority taking exception first of her imperious form of writing and that she did command them as though she were their absolute Queen then at the desire it self they excepted not holding it safe to condescend unto the same before the Queen of England should be acquainted therewith for they conceived some other thing to be lurking under that purpose of divorce then was openly pretended Such as affected the Queen and were privy to the marriage intended with Northfolk excusing the form of writing and laying the blame upon her Secretaries made offer to procure new letters in what tearms they pleased so as judges were named to proceed in the divorce and when they saw this not to be regarded in a chasing mood they said That it was strange to think how that they not many moneths passed seemed to desire nothing more then the Queenes separation from Bothwell should now when it was offered decline the same It was answered again in heat That if the Queen was so earnest in the Divorce she might write to the King of Denmark and desire him to doe justice upon Bothwell for the murther of the King her husband That done the divorce would not be needfull and she freed to marry where and when she pleased The Conventâ— on breaking up and neither the Queens faction obtaining what they desired nor Lethington the imployment which he affected new suspitions began to rise on all sides and as in the most secret practices somewhat alwayes is bursting forth a rumour went riâ—e amongst the common sort that some great interprise was in hand which would bring with it a wonderfull change in both Kingdomes Mr. Iohn Wood one of the Regents domesticks being sent with the answer of the convention did signifie to the Queen of England the business made about the divorce and what was done concerning it but she not seeming to regard the matter professed that she was not satisfied with the answer of the convention and desired they should think better of the conditions proposed The truth was that she held not the Gentleman of sufficient quality to deal in such business for otherwise she was not ignorant of the cause wherefore the divorce was sought and had warned Northfolk to take heed on what pillow he laid his head yea she took so ill the Queen of Scots carriage in that matter as shortly after she caused her to be removed to Coventry more within the Countrey and gave her in custody to George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and Edward Hastings Earl of Huntingdon The Regent upon his servants return convened the Nobility again at Striveling where in effect the same answer that of before was given to the Propositions made by the Queen of England and
and then rendered at discretion Cap. Cowts with 30. of his souldiers were executed because they had once served and made defection The rest were pardoned upon surety not to carry arms against the present authority This expedition ended the Regent returned to Edinburgh In the the Moneth of August by letters from Denmark it was advertised that Colonel Iohn Clerk who had served the King there in his warres with Sweden was imprisoned by the suggestion of some countreymen that laboured for Bothwels liberty Whereupon Mr. Thomas Buchannan brother to Mr. George Buchannan the Kings Tutor was sent in Ambassage to Denmark to require that Bothwel might be delivered and sent into Scotland to the effect justice might be done upon him or then that he might be judged there for the detestable murther committed upon the person of the Kings father and receive his due punishment This had before that time been often desired but was delayed by divers occasions and now the report of Bothwels greater liberty and that he had been permitted to accuse colonel Clerk a Gentleman well esteemed of good reputation for his service done both at home and in parts abroad the Regent and Councel took occasion to put that King in remembrance of their former requests and if any doubt was made in those parts of Bothwels guiltiness they offered to clear the same by evident probation thereupon intreated him by the communion of blood and nigh kindred betwixt him and the King of Scotland that he would not suffer such a nefarious person to escape In the same letters they requested that the Colonel might be set at liberty and restored to the Kings wonted favour or then be licenced to return into Scotland where there was present use for his service This Ambassage was not without fruit and put Bothwel out of all credit so as desperate of liberty he turned mad and ended his wicked life some years after as before was touched most miserably All things now went ill with the Queens saction neither saw they a way to subsist but by labouring an Abstinence which the Secretary earnestly went about and prevailed so farre with the two Liegers of France and Spain as they brought the Queen of England to a new Treaty with the Scots Queen and to hearken unto some overtures which she did make both for the Queens assurance and for the setling of a perfect peace betwixt her and her son and those that stood in his obedience This moved the Regent he did greatly oppose it yet the Queen of England would needs have him agree to the Abstinence for the space of two moneths in which it was thought the Treaty should take an end Great dispute there was about the tenour and form of the Abstinence which at last was accorded in these terms That the Regent should oblige himself and his partakers to cease from Arms and not to molest any that pretended obedience to the Kings mother during the space of two moneths which should be understood to begin the third day of September providing that no innovation should be made in the government and all things continue in the same estate wherein they were at the death of the late Regent As also that the ordinary administration of the Law and Justice in Parliament Session and other Courts with the punishment of thieves and trespassers might proceed in the mean time by law or force in the Kings name and under his authority without any opposition This granted by a second letter the Queen of England signified That she had appointed Sir William Cecill her principal Secretary and Sir Walter Mildmay Chancellour of the Exchequer to repair to the Queen of Scots and learn what offers she would make for her Majesties surety and the not disturbing the Realms if she should be put to liberty In which treaty she minded not to neglect the surety of the young King and the estate of the Nobility adhering to him whereof she would be no lesse careful then of what concerned her self most But in regard that treaty could take no good effect if the Regent and the Nobility on his side should do any thing to the prejudice of the Queen of Scots and her party she desired that no Parliament should be kept during the time of the treaty or if it had taken beginning before the receipt of the letter that nothing should passe therein which might give her cause to complain And for the Abstinence taken unto the third of November seeing there was no likelihood the treaty should take an end in so short a time he was further desired to prorogue the same for other two moneths The letter dated at Windsor the seventh of October was brought to the Regent the thirteenth some two days after the Parliament was begun This treaty did much perplex the Regent for albeit he was advertised before of the Queen of Englands condescending to hear what the Scottish Queen would say in her own cause yet he did not expect any such suddain dealing or that it should have begun without his knowledge But making the best construction of all things he answered That the Parliament had taken a beginning before her Majesties letters came to his hand and for the reverence he did carry to her he had abstained from all proceeding in any matters only his office of Regiment was confirmed and the Parliament adjourned unto the moneth of January before which time he hoped the fruit of that treaty would appear For the prorogation of the Abstinence he had declared at the first how hurtful the same was to the King his affairs and that there was no true meaning in the adverse party ad did manifestly appear by the arresting of the ships and goods of the Scottish Merchants professing the King his obedience in the Kingdome of France and other divers insolencies practised at home since the granting thereof That howsoever he was perswaded her Majesty had not a mind under colour of the Abstinence to ruine the young King and those that stood in defence of his authority yet they had received more hurt thereby then they could have done if open hostility had been professed Therefore he desired that before he was urged with a further cessation the ships and goods stayed in France might be set free the injuries committed at home repaired and all things innovated in the Government since the late Regents death disannulled by Proclamation which things performed he should willingly obey her Majesties desire Upon this last part of the letter many debates arose amongst the parties and divers particulars on either side were exhibited in writing to the Earl of Sussex for verifying a breach of the Abstinence against others That which I find most insisted upon was the denouncing of Secretary Lethington Rebell who being cited to appear at a certain day before the Regent and Councel was for his contumacy sentenced to lose his office and have his goods consiscated The Regent challenged of
opinions of divers famous Divines The Queen of England having considered their reasons was not a little displeased both with the bitter speeches and with the liberty they had used in depressing the authority of Princes and thereupon told them That she was in no sort satisfied with their reasons willing them to go unto the second head and devise what they thought meetest for the safety of their King and themselves But said they refusing that they had no Commission to speak of any thing that might derogate from the Kings authority and if such a Commission had been given them they would not have accepted it In these terms matters continued some days till the Commissioners for the King of Scots suting to be dimitted were sent for to Greenwich where the Queen had a long speech tending all to declare what a good will she had carried to the young King and to those that professed his obedience and wondering they should be so wilful and not to deliberate of such things as served to their own safety The Commissioners answering that they believed the reasons produced would have satisfied her Majesty touching their proceedings which as they esteemed were sufficient to prove that they had done nothing but according to justice Yet I saith the Queen am not satisfied neither with your reasons nor lawes nor examples nor am I ignorant of the lawes my self having spent divers years in the study thereof If ye your selves will not saith she propone any thing for your own sureties yet I would have you hear what my Councel is able to say in that matter and I hope it shall content you They answered that their respect to her Majesty was greater then to refuse any good advice which she and her good Councel should give them but that they had no power to consent to any thing that might inferre an alteration of the present state or diminish the Kings authority The next day the Articles following were given them and they desired to consider of the same and set down their Answer in writing 1. That in regard her son had been crowned King by vertue of her dimission and his Coronation ratified by the three Estates of Parliament and that since that time a great number of the subjects had professed obedience to him and his Regents which was to be interpreted in the best part as done out of duty and not out of any ill mind towards their Queen the obedience so yielded to the King and his Regents should be allowed from the time of the dimission of the Crown made by her unto the resumption of the same And all manner of Acts done since that time in the administration of justice and for government of the State should be reputed good and lawful or at least reviewed and confirmed in the next Parliament after consideration taken of the same by twelve Lords whereof six should be named by the Queen and her Commissioners and the other six by the Commissioners for the Kings part 2. That all Statutes and Ordinances made concerning matters of Religion and the Ministers thereof since the same time should be observed by all the subjects of Scotland and no pardon nor dispensation granted in time coming to any person not observing the same without consent of the said twelve Lords 3. That all Processes Sentences and Judgements given either in causes civil or criminal since the said time wherein the order of the laws of the Realm had been observed should remain in force and only such sentences as had been pronounced either in the name of the King or Queen against any person for not obeying or acknowledging either of their Titles be rescinded the sentences alwayes pronounced against the Earl of Bothwel or any others for the murther of the Queens husband standing good and valid 4. That all Ecclesiastical benefices and temporal offices which have usually continued in the person of any during term of life should remain with the same persons that held them at the time of the Queens dimission such excepted as may be proved to have consented to the murther of her husband or that have left them upon recompence and with their own consents In which cases the present possessors should enjoy the same unlesse they were uncapable and declared by the twelve Lords to be such 5. That all strengths Castles and houses appertaining to the Crown should be restored to the possession of those who held them at the time of the Queens dimission except they had parted therewith upon agreement In which case the Queen with consent of the said twelve Lords or the most part of the Councel should dispose thereof 6. That the Jewels Plate Moveables and implements of houses belonging to the Queen at the time of her dimission should be restored provided the moneys which any had laid out for the same were repayed And for such as had been put away by the direction of the Regents or Councel that recompence should be made by the Queen to the party according to the just value 7. That a law should be established in Parliament for oblivion and remission of all things done since that time after the same manner that was done in the year 1563. providing not the lesse that the Comptroller Thesaurer and other receivers of the Crown revenues should give an accompt to the Queen of all summes of money or other profits which had not been expended bona fide for the affairs of the Realm or by order and warrant from the Regent and others trusted with those affairs Neither should the remission be extended to any that had taken by force any houses Castles lands or heritages belonging to others but restitution should be made thereof to the party dispossessed or to his heirs till the same by order of law be justly determined In like manner concerning goods moveable taken away from the Owners against their wills and being yet in their own nature extant that restitution should be made thereof And because many doubts might arise upon this Article the same should be determined by the foresaid twelve Lords or otherwise as was devised for the execution of the Act made Anno 1563. 8. That for the more quiet government of the Realm there should be appointed a Privy Councel which should consist of twelve Lords spiritual and temporal besides the other ordinary officers that do usually attend And that the said Councel should be established with the like provisions that were made at the return of the Queen out of France Anno 1561. So many as were then Counsellors and yet alive being counted of that number and that the Earl of Lennox because he was most bound by nature to take care of the King should be one of the Councel and have place therein according to his degree 9. That for the greater safety of the Kings person he should be brought into the Realm of England and there governed by such Noblemen of Scotland as depend of him so as he may be ever
from the Regent at Corstorphin had the foot souldiers left with him to withstand the enemy if he should make any suddain attempt Nor did there many days passe when the Earl of Huntley and Lord Claud Hamilton with their forces enterprised the burning of Dalkeith Morton who remained there being forewarned of their coming took the fields and entertained a long fight with them though in number he was far inferiour divers on either side were killed 25. of the Earl of Mortons men taken prisoners and of the adverse party Captain Hackerston Neither had the conflict ended so soon if they had not been separated by an accident that happened in the time The Earl of Huntley and Lord Claud had carried with them a great quantity of powder wherewith the souldiers striving to furnish themselves and one of the matches falling amongst the powder it took fire and with a terrible noise overthrew all that stood by Captain Iames Melvil and number of his company were thereby killed in the place many died a few days after of the hurt they received at that time The Earl of Morton by this invasion being taught to look unto himself did hire a band of souldiers that was lately come from Denmark under the command of Captain Michael Weymes or as others write Captain David Weymes The Lords that remained at Edinburgh thinking to intercept him and his company as he crossed the river of Forth imployed Mr. Iames Kircaldy brother to the Lord of Grange who a few days before was come from France with a supply of money and Arms and Capt. Cullen a man well skilled in sea affairs to lie in wait for their landing But the purpose being detected to the Earl of Morton he came upon them at Leth as they were taking Boat so unexpected as 16. of the number were taken prisoners which served to redeem certain of Captain Weymes company that were the next day taken at sea for he himself with the greatest part arrived safely at Leth. The Regent having advertised the Queen of England of those troubles and by the common danger of both the Realms intreated that she should no longer remain a neuter she sent Sir William Drury Marshal of Berwick to try the estate of things the power that the Regent had and the means whereby the Castle of Edinburgh might be recovered and perceiving by the information returned that without her assistance neither could that strength be regained nor the waged souldiers be kept long together because as yet she held it not fit to declare her self for the King she began of new to treat with both parties for a surceasance of arms and that the town of Edinburgh might be freed of the souldiers left patent for the Court of Justice the Captain of the Castle having in the mean time a convenient revenue for guarding the house allowed unto him But this turned to no effect for the conditions for the surceasance required could not be agreed unto by either side for the Regent would have the town of Edinburgh put in the estate wherein it was at the going of the Commissioners to the Court of England in Ianuary preceding and Grange to content him self with such an ordinary garrison as other Keepers of the Castle were accustomed to entertain The other faction was content to leave the town patent but so that neither the Regent nor the Earl of Morton should come unto it And for the surety of the Castle they would have Grange to retain 150. souldiers besides the ordinary guard who should lodge in that part of the town which was nearest unto the same The conditions of either side rejected they of Edinburgh not to be wanting of the authority of a Parliament kept a publick meeting in the town-house the twelfth day of Iune to which day they had indicted a Parliament where a supplication was presented in name of the Queen bearing That it was not unknown how certain of her rebellious subjects having imprisoned her person in the Tower of Lochlevin did hereafter constrain her to make a dimission of the Crown in favours of her son which by the advice of Mr. Iohn Spence of Condy her Advocate she had lawfully revoked albeit otherwise the same could not subsist being done without the consent and advice of the Estates and upon a narrative of her inability and weakness which any of mean judgement may consider to be a meer forgery seeing her weaknesse to govern cannot be esteemed so great as is the weaknesse of an insant lying in the cradle neither can he who hath the present administration of affairs compare with her in any for aptness and ability to govern Therefore was it desired that the Nobility and Estates there convened after they had examined the grounds of the said dimission and found them in reason naught should discern the same to be null in all time coming The supplication once or twice read it was pronounced as followeth The Lords Spiritual and Temporal with the Commissioners of Burghs presently assembled being ripely advised with the supplication presented have by authority of Parliament ordained the said pretended dimission renunciation and overgiving of the Crown by the Queen consequently the Coronation of her son the usurped government of his Regents and all that hath followed thereupon to have been from the beginning null and of no force nor effect for the reasons contained in the said supplication and other considerations notour to the whole Estates And therefore commands all the subjects to acknowledge the Queen for their only Soveraign notwithstanding the said dimission and as it had never been in rerum naturâ Herewith to conciliate the favour of the Church and people by another statute they ordained That none should innovate alter or pervert the form of Religion and ministration of Sacraments presently professed and established within the Realm but that the same should have free course without any let or impediment to be made thereto And therewithall the Superintendents Ministers Exhorters and Readers in Churches were commanded in their publick service to pray for the Queen as their only Soveraign the Prince her son the Councel Nobility and whole body of the Commonwealth These statutes they caused to be proclaimed at the Market Crosse the day following which was the 13th of Iune Sir William Drury finding his labours unprofitable and preparing to depart the Lords of Edinburgh would needs of courtesie bring him on the way The Earl of Morton who lay then at Leth pained with a Cholick hearing that they were in the the fields and taking it to be done for ostentation of their power arose from his bed and putting his men in order marched to Restalrig which way they were to passe Sir William Drury perceiving the companies of Leth in the way and sorry that his Convoy should have given the occasion travelled between them and by his perswasions made them both to retire But then the question fell who should first retire
have not proceeded from himself Now when he hath assumed the government and ye left the place intrusted to you shall he not be governed by those that are about him whom you know to be your enemies But ye perhaps do promise ease and safety to your self in a private life as if you might descend without any danger from the place which ye have held Wise men have observed that between highest and nothing there is not a mean and it feares me you have wronged your self in imagining the rest you shall never find If you had kept your place they should have seen the faces of men and not carried things thus at their pleasure but having forsaken your self there is nothing left to your friends but to lament your misfortune and God grant that this be the worst of things This said he went aside and burst forth in tears The Regent whom we will no more call so excused his doing by the instance that the King made for his dimission saying that his refuse would have made a great commotion in the Realm yet did he perceive his errour and in his secret thoughts which he covered so well as he could blamed his own rash and precipitate yielding But there being no place left to resile the next best he thought was to secure himself and his friends by discharge of all things that might be laid to him or them during his administration and therein he employed the Earl of Angus and the Chancellour whom he did constitute his procurators to compeir before the King and make dimission of his office with such solemnities as by law were requisite This done the discharge was given him in most ample form Therein after a general approbation of his service he was declared not to be accusable of any manner of crime of whatsoever greatnesse or weight without exception that might be alledged to have been committed by him in times past which declaration was ordained to be as valid and sufficient in all respects as if the highest crime that could or might be imputed to any person had been specially expressed in the same He was also exonerated of all summes of money rents and profits as well of property as casualty intrometted with by him or his factours and servants since his acceptation of the Regiment the jewels of the Crown the furniture of his Majesties house Munition and Artillery onely excepted A provision was adjected That the present discharge should not prejudge the King and his successours in the revocation or reduction of whatsoever infeoffments given of the property during his Highness minorityâ— or of whatsoever lands Lordships offices or dignities fallen in his Majesties hands by forfeiture recognition bastardy or by any other right and priviledge of the Crown In all other points the discharge was ordained to stand firm and sure for him his heirs and successors and the same never to be revoked or any thing attempted to the contrary and for his greater assurance the same was promised to be confirmed by the Estates of Parliament in their first convention and meeting The Noblemen and others of the Estates then present with the King did likewise bind themselves their heirs and successours to see all the foresaid points truly fulfilled under the pain of five hundred thousand pound So as nothing was omitted which he could devise for his securing Yet in all this he found no assurance to teach men that it is not to be had in any worldly thing but to be sought of God alone All men are compelled to acknowledge so much in the end though often too late which was the case of this Nobleman as we shall hear But better late as the saying is then never THE HISTORY of the CHURCH OF SCOTLAND THE SIXTH BOOK The Contents The things that happened after his Majesties assuming of the Government in his own person unto his happy succession to the Crown of ENGLAND THE King was not yet twelve years compleat when in the manner ye have heard they moved him to assume the Government yet did he shew more judgement in his very beginning then could be expected from one of his years The Earl of Mortons enemies not satisfied with his displacing were still casting how to bring him into the Kings dislike And first shewing that there was a necessity of the Kings residing at Edinburgh where was the place of Justice they desired he should be charged to render the Castle Then informed that he had amassed a great treasure in the time of his Regiment they moved the King to require of him some moneys for supporting the charges whereunto he would be put at his first entry They did further talk of the Mint-house and the commodity he reaped thereby And to denude him of all power they desired the state of the borders to be looked unto and the office of Lieutenandry which the Earl of Angus his Nephew had in those parts discharged To one or other of these they conceived he should be unwilling and so they should find some matter against him But the King refusing to use him with charges took a more moderate course and sent the Chancellour and Thesaurer to feel his mind in those things He lay then at Dalkeith and having heard their propositions howbeit he knew those motions did proceed from his adversaries and was not ignorant what they intended he answered calmly That the jewels and moveables appertaining to the Crown being received of his hand and he and his deputies discharged the Castle should be rendered most willingly But for the advancing of moneys he excused himself saying that was not unknown how he had received his office in a time full of trouble and when the countrey was embroiled in a civil warre the burthen whereof he sustained upon his private Charge and that since the troubles ceased he had payed a great many debts repaired his Majesties houses and Castles and put them in a better case then for many years before they had been That the entertainment of his Majesties house and maintaining of his own as Regent was a matter of no small charge which the ordinary revenues of the Crown would hardly do yet when his Majesty should be of perfect age and his honourable occasions did require it he should not be wanting according to his ability and bestow all his means for his Majesties honour Concerning the Mint-house he said that he had kept it in the best order he could and having now no more charge of it he wished the King to do therewith as he thought best For the affairs of the border that he had moved the Earl of Angus to undertake that service for the quietnesse of the countrey but seeing he had no lands in those quarters and that the offices of Wardenrie might suffice to hold those parts in order he would advise the King to dispose them to the most sufficient that could be found The Noblemen returning with these answers the King did
should not usurp any criminal jurisdiction 3. That they should not vote in Parliament in name of the Church unlesse they had a Commission from the general Assembly 4. That they should not take up for maintaining their ambition the rents which might maintain many Pastors Schooles and poor but content themselves with a reasonable portion for discharging their office 5. That they should not claim the title of temporal Lords nor usurp any Civil jurisdiction whereby they might be withdrawn from their charge 6. That they should not empire over Presbyteries but be subject to the same 7. That they should not usurp the power of Presbyteries nor take upon them to visit any bounds that were not committed to them by the Church Lastly it was provided that if any more corruptions should afterwards be tried the Bishops should agree to have them reformed What troubles hereupon arose both in the Church and Countrey we shall afterwards hear In Glasgow the next spring there happened a little disturbance by this occasion The Magistrates of the City by the earnest dealing of Mr. Andrew Melvil and other Ministers had condescended to demolish the Cathedral and build with the materials thereof some little Churches in other parts for the ease of the Citizens Divers reasons were given for it such as the resort of superstitious people to do their devotion in that place the huge vastnesse of the Church and that the voice of a Preacher could not be heard by the multitudes that convened to Sermon the more commodious service of the people and the removing of that idolatrous monument so they called it which was of all the Cathedrals in the Countrey only left unruined and in a possibility to be repaired To do this work a number of Quarriers Masons and other workmen was conduced and the day assigned when it should take beginning Intimation being given thereof and the workmen by sound of a Drum warned to go unto their work the Crafts of the City in a tumult took Armes swearing with many oathes that he who did cast down the first stone should be buried under it Neither could they be pacified till the workmen were discharged by the Magistrates A complaint was hereupon made and the principals cited before the Councel for insurrection where the King not as then thirteen years of age taking the protection of the Crafts did allow the opposition they had made and inhibited the Ministers for they were the complainers to meddle any more in that businesse saying That too many Churches had been already destroyed and that he would not tolerate more abuses in that kind A little before this time the Abbot of Dunfermlin being returned from England related in Councel the effects of his negotiation and was approved by all For that which he had in Commission touching the Lady Lennox he remitted the answer to the Queens own letters delivered to the King Concerning the disorders fallen out in the Borders the Queen he said did accept the excuse he made in good part saying she was assured that both the King and Councel were offended therewith and that she was content the same should be redressed by the advice of the Wardens on both sides onely desired that in time coming the King would make choice of wise and experienced men inclined to peace and justice to command in those parts As to the League he declared that the Queen had a good inclination unto it holding the same a most sure means to represse the practises of enemies both at home and abroad But in regard he had no warrant to descend into particulars he had abstained from any dealing therein and could not but testify that he saw in her a great care of the King his good Estate and that both he and his message were most kindly accepted The King in this mean time to pacify the Borders which were broken loose chiefly in the West parts gave the Lord Ruthven a Commission of Lieutenandry which he discharged with great commendation and bringing with him the Lord Maxwel who was Warden of the bounds returned to Striveling the twentieth of Ianuary A frequent Councel was there kept for the time wherein the Lord Maxwel being challenged of negligence in his office did answer That he had only the title of a Warden and that the limitations of his charge and the exceptions granted to the Gentlemen of the Countrey made the office needlesse and contemptible But if the King should be pleased to discharge the exceptions and give him a free Commission such as his predecessors had wont to have he should strive to do his best service to his Majesty and the Countrey This answer was not well taken and the Lord Hereis as one known to have greatest experience in these matters being desired to give his opinion delivered the same in a long speech to this purpose Your Majesty said he hath in deliberation a businesse of great importance whereof it were more fitting any man should give his opinion then I by reason of the suspicion I stand in with the present Warden for what I say will be interpreted to proceed of spleen and of a desire to have the charge taken from him and not of any care I take of your Majesties service or the good and benefit of the Countrey yet seeing your Majesty commands me to speak I will rather hazard on such misinterpretings then keep back any thing which I know to be useful and necessary for the errand And what I speak I desire it to be understood of the West marches onely to which my experience chiefly reacheth But because the evils would first be known I will begin at them and then propone the fittest and most easie remedies to my conception Sir a little before the death of your Majesties Noble Grandfather King James the fifth some few disloyal subjects of this Realm fleeing into England did plant themselves in a parcel of waste ground that lies opposite to the West Borders of Scotland and being maintained by the English grew unto such numbers and became so insolent as they made daily incursions upon the Countrey Your Majesties Grandfather did hereupon imploy certain forces against them intending to sack and destroy their houses and make them unable from thenceforth to annoy his subjects But these forces not being rightly governed and lacking the provision that was required for such an enterprise were put to the worse and shamefully discomfited At that time what by ransoming prisoners what by the spoyl they got they gained above one hundred thousand Merks wherewith and by the depredations they have made since that time they are become wealthy have built eight or nine strong houses upon the frontiers of your Realm that no Wardens power is able to force They have joyned in alliance with divers of our own Borders as wickedly disposed as themselves and are so feared that every man is glad of their friendship without which none is thought to have any surety
And could they look for other dealing with the Bishopricks sure it was if the titulars themselves did not find the credit to enjoy them that others of the Laity would have invaded the same as afterwards also they did But to passe this the Earl of Lennox desiring by all means to win the favour of the Church sent to this Assembly Sir William Stewart a brother of Traquaire with a letter to this effect That it was not unknown to them how it had pleased God to bring him since his coming into the countrey to the knowledge of the truth which he esteemed more then all worldly happinesse and that he had made open profession thereof first in S. Giles Church at Edinburgh and afterwards subscribed the confession of faith at Striveling and was yet if any farther was thought needful ready to perform whatsoever should be required assuring them of his best advice in all things tending to God his glory and to the good of the Church requesting together with the assistance of their prayers that he might continue in their good favours But all this could not remove their suspicions of his counterfeiting still he was taxed in publick Sermons and made odious to the people Neither was it long after this assembly dissolved that Iohn Dury one of the Ministers of Edinburgh was called before the Councel and committed in the Castle for certain speeches of that kind uttered by him in Pulpit but upon the supplication of his fellow Ministers and promise of forbearing he was after a short stay in the Castle licenced to return to his charge In October following Mr. Iohn Row Minister of Perth departed this life who for his piety and singular moderation deserveth here to be mentioned In his younger years having applied his mind to letters and taking the degree of a Master in Arts he became a pleader in the Consistory of S. Andrews a Judicatory then much frequented and grew to be so skilled in the Canon law as he was chosen to negotiate the affairs of the Church in the Court of Rome Iulius the third did then govern that See of whom he was well accepted and in possibility to have attained unto some preferment if he would have stayed there for he gained the favour of all to whom he was known and was in special grace with Guido Ascanius Sfortia Cardinal of Sancta Flora who made such account of his skill and knowledge in the lawes that he would have him pass Doctor in the University whereof he was Chancellor After some eight or nine years abode in those parts coming home to visit his countrey and giving account of the affairs wherewith he had been trusted he found the state of the Church quite overturned and the countrey all in tumult by the reformation which was then in hand Thereupon doubting what course then to take and minding to return to Rome he was disswaded by the Prior of S. Andrewes who held him in good esteem and afterwards induced by the perswasion of Iohn Knox to betake himself to the Ministery which he exercised a certain space at ... in Fife till by the General Assembly he was translated to the Town of Perth there he continued unto his death which happened in the year of our Lord 1580. and of his age the 54. a man whilest he lived well respected and much lamented at his death by the people whom he served In Ianuary next Sir Thomas Randolph came Ambassadour from England his errand was to intercede with the King for the Earl of Morton his liberty to which purpose having called to mind the services done by the Nobleman in his Majesties minority and chiefly the diligence he had used in finding out and punishing the murtherers of his Father which by the malice of his adversaries was now laid to his charge he requested in the name of the Queen his Mistris that the Nobleman might be released from his Ward declaring that her Majesty would esteem it a singular kindnesse done unto her and otherwise would take it ill to be denied in so just and reasonable a matter The King after he had heard him patiently made answer That the many good offices he had received from his sister the Queen did tie him to a thankfull requital but in that particular which touched him so nigh the trial of his Fathers murther he knew she would excuse him alwayes because of her intercession he would be the more careful to have the trial rightly carried and as liberty had been given to his adversaries to accuse so the like and greater should be allowed him for his defence The Assembly of the Estates being called at the same time and the Ambassador pretending that his instructions concerned them in a part did in the hearing of them all charge the Earl of Lennox as one that had travelled to divert the Kings mind from keeping friendship with England and done besides many ill offices since his coming to Scotland both to the King and Kingdome For he hath put said he the Kings most faithful subjects and servants from their places brought in others nothing so trusty stirred up the King against the Ministers of Gods word making no other account of them then as of seditious rulers and turbulent persons he hath loosed the Borders said he and made Iustice there to cease and hath practised with forair Princes for the invading of England which he offered to manifest by letters intercepted and brought to the Queen his Mistris But this beyond all measure doth grieve her that a Prince of such hopes joyned in such neerness of blood and for whom she had taken so great care should be thus misled and abused by wicked devices If such a person ought to be tolerated to possess the King alone and rule all things at his pleasure your honours may judge This discourse moved few or none the wiser sort esteeming the letters he produced counterfeit as afterwards also was known This course not prevailing he dealt privately with the friends of Morton and those that he knew envied Lennox his credit to take Armes and procure both Mortons liberty and the banishment of the Earl of Lennox assuring them of aid both of men and monies from the Queen of England and by his perswasions brought the Earls of Argile Montrosse Angus Marre and Glencarn to enter into a confederation for performance both of the one and other But this combination held not long being quickly discovered and broken Of all the number Angus and Marre onely stood firm resolving to hazard all rather then Morton should perish The Queen of England to make good her Ambassadours promise sent down at the same time certain forces to the Borders which troubled the Court a little but was to no purpose only it gave occasion to hasten Mortons trial and execution The King not to be taken unprovided if invasion should be made by England sent forth Proclamations commanding all the subjects to be
his Majesty and the Lawes Secondly that he perceived the Church had obtained some victory For when he was last questioned for his Sermon the Councel did make themselves Iudges of Ministers doctrine Now that he saw the complaint remitted to the Assembly he was glad and willingly submitted his doctrine to their trial Onely that he should not give advantage to his enemies he desired the Apostolick Canon to be kept which prohibiteth an accusation to be received against an Elder but under two or three Witnesses Mr. Thomas Smeton and David Ferynson were upon this directed to shew the King that the Assembly was willing and ready to try the complaint but withall that the liberty craved by the person accused could not be denied he being a Presbyter So if it should please his Majesty to send an accuser assisted by two or three witnesses the accusation should be received and justice done The King not liking this answer for he knew the difficulties he should have to find out an accuser followed the businesse no more but the Minister not contenting that the cause should thus desert would needs have the judgement of the Assembly whether or not he had uttered in his Sermon any scandalous or offensive words for they had been all Auditors of that he spake This being put to voices the Assembly declared his doctrine to have been good and sound and that he had given no just offence thereby to any person When this was told the King he was much offended for not many dayes before when as the same Minister with his Colleague Iohn Dury was called to give accompt of some speeches they had uttered in Pulpit it was excepted that the King and Councel could not be Iudges of their doctrine and now his Majesty having complained to themselves and they being Auditors of the speeches when he expected some censure to be inflicted they had justified all that was spoken and so would force him to take other courses then he desired to follow But to return to Montgomery his cause the Ministers of Striveling as they were enjoyned made a visit of the Church to try what they could find against him All they got delated was that he had baptized some children begotten in fornication not calling the offendors before his Session Upon this declaration he was cited to appear and because he kept not the Diet suspended from his function he notthelesse preached still and exercised all the parts of his Ministery as in former times which they took to be an high contempt and therefore did summon him to the Assembly which was shortly to meet at S. Andrews to hear their sentence approved and to answer to such other things as in that meeting should be laid to his charge and because they understood that against the inhibition of the last Assembly he was still labouring to secure himself in the Bishoprick of Glasgow and had cited the Chaptor before the Councel for refusing to convene to his Election they likewise charged him to compeir before the Synod of Lothian to hear the sentence of excommunication pronounced against him The King being informed of this caused warn the Synod to appear the twelfth of April at Striveling discharging in the mean time all proceeding in the businesse Mr. Robert Pont and with him a few others compeiring at the day he in the name of the rest protested That albeit they had compeired to testify their obedience to his Majesty yet he did not acknowledge his Majesty and Councel Iudges in that matter the same being a cause Ecclesiastick and that nothing done at that time should prejudge the liberties of the Church and Lawes of the Realm This protestation the Councel rejected inhibiting the Ministers to use any proceeding against Montgomery which because of the General Assemblies approaching they yielded unto onely they caused charge him to appear before the Assembly When the Diet came he appeared and first protesting for remedy if they should use him wrongfully he said that the proces of Striveling could not be allowed for that he was never lawfully summoned to hear any sentence given against him The Presbytery of Striveling remitting themselves to the proces the Assembly declared the same to be rightly deduced and ratified the suspension pronounced As they were proceeding to his censure for contempt of the sentence Mr. Mark Ker then Master of the Requests presented a letter from his Majesty inhibiting them to trouble the Bishop for any thing that concerned the Bishoprick or whatsoever cause preceding for that the King would have those things heard and handled in his own presence The Assembly answered that because of his Majesties request they should look more carefully to the businesse and see all things carried rightly according to justice The Master of Requests replying that his Majesty had willed them by his letter to desist and treat no more of that businesse Mr. Andrew Melvil who presided for the time answered that they did not meddle with things belonging to the Civil power and for matters Ecclesiastick they were warranted to proceed in these specially with one of their own number He perceiving that notwithstanding of his Majesties letter they would proceed caused a messenger of Armes whom he had brought with him charge them under pain of Rebellion to desist Then was Montgomery called to see if he would abide by the charges used at his instance But he was retired to his lodging and could not be found and the night drawing on was appointed to be summoned to the next morning to receive his censure After the hour appointed one William Montgomery having procuration from him appeared and appealing from the Assembly to the King and Councel gave this for a reason amongst others that he who was his accuser in the last Assembly was turned to be his Iudge But the Assembly rejecting the Appellation fell presently a reading the enorm crimes so they called them whereof he was guilty nor was there any thing omitted that served to aggravate the same corruption in doctrine dissolutenesse of life contempt of the Churches sentence falshood and breach of promise lying perjury moving of sedition and stirring up certain of the Nobility against the Church Of all these he was declared culpable and ordained therefore to be deprived and cast forth of the Church How soon he heard that this conclusion was taken his courage which seemed before high and resolute began to cool whereupon presenting himself to the Assembly he renounced his appeal desiring conference of some godly and learned brethren which granted he was induced by them to confesse his offence in divers particulars submitting himself to the will of the Assembly and in end to promise solemnly in the presence of the whole number that he should meddle no further with the Bishoprick of Glasgow and neither accept of it nor of any other office in the Church without the advice and consent of the General Assembly Yet this
with a common consent This I thought likewise fittest but in the mean time I prepared to depart and would have been gone if contrary winds had not stayed me The same Gentleman came afterwards unto me and shewed that they were returned and would shortly be seen at Striveling This moved me to remain albeit doubting of a sufficient concurrence of Noblemen I was not resolved what course to take and lay in a carelesse security at Dundy more inclined to go then to stay I protest always before God that I never heard nor was in counsel of any plot against his Majesties Person Crown or Estate but only studied to keep my self from ruine by the assistance of others At our meeting together unto which time all was deferred it was thought that a course should be taken by common advice for securing our selves in his Majesties favour And whereas I am asked what Noblemen were privy to the enterprise and what was looked for from England I will truly declare all upon the firm assurance of his Majesties clemency At home it was expected that all those who subscribed the bond in that first alteration would joyn themselves with us and besides those divers others namely the Earl of Marshal and Bothwel with the Lord Lindesay and some of the West parts So it was affirmed to me but how truly I cannot say From England we expected a supply but no certain time was appointed and it was said that the Queen minded to intercede for restitution of the Hamiltons if she found the King tractable This is all I know and if there by any other particular tending to his Majesties well or hurt which I do not at the present remember I shall plainly reveal the same whosoever be offended therewith At his coming to Striveling he sent to the King a letter penned in this form Please your Majesty it is neither diffidence nor despair in your Highnesse favour and clemency towards me nor any desire I have to live in this world that moves me to require some short audience of your Majesty But there is a purpose of so weighty importance which I desire to impart unto your Highnesse which might have endangered the life and estate of your mother and your self if I had not stayed and impeded the same the revealing whereof may avail your Majesty more then the lives and livings of 500. such as my self most humbly therefore I beseech your Highnesse that my Petition may be granted I assure my self of your Majesties gracious answer Striveling the last of April 1584. In a Postscript this was added The matter I have to speak is not the concealing of treason but the revealing of a benefit This Petition was denied and the same made a part of his indictment for being brought to his trial the fourth of May Mr. Iohn Grahame sitting as Justice and assisted by Sir Iohn Gordon of Lochinvar Alexander Master of Levingston Alexander Bruce of Airth and Iames Edminston of Duntraith he was indicted of four points First that in the beginning of February Mr. David Home servant to the Earl of Marre came to him privately in the town of Perth under silence of night and communicated to him the treasonable device of surprizing the Burghs of Perth and Striveling at least of one or other of them and that he agreed to the taking and fortifying of the said towns whereby he had incurred the crime of Treason as well in concealing as consenting to that wicked purpose 2. That understanding Mr. Iames Areskin to be a trafficker betwixt Marre Angus and others he did belay the ways to the end he might speak with him and after meeting kept conference with him touching the surprise of the Castle of Striveling and the furnishing thereof with men and ammunition 3. That being charged in Dundy by his Majesties letters to render himself to the Lord Petten Weyme his Majesties Chancellor and Captain of his Highnesse guard he did enter into the house of William Drummond Burgesse of Dundy and with his Complices defended the same by the space of 6. houres making exclamations to the people that he was pursued for Religion and desiring them to aid and assist him 4. That he being obliged to maintain his Majesties person life honour and Crown and having intelligence of a most weighty purpose that concerned the life and estate of the King and the Queen his mother he had treasonably concealed the same and did as yet keep up the specialties thereof albeit he professed he knew it so perfectly that in his letter written to the King he saith that it had not failed to have taken effect if he had not stayed and impeded the same The indictment read he first excepted against Lochinvar that he could not be assessor to the Justice in his trial in regard of the deadly enmity betwixt Gartland who had married his Ladies sister and him This exception was repelled because the propinquity alledged was only affinitas affinitatis Then he complained that the Noblemen who were sent to examine him had not kept their word having promised that whatsoever he had confessed should not be laid to his charge It was answered that the Noblemens word could not warrant him Thirdly he said that being indicted for treason he ought to have been cited upon 40. days and a delation made by some accuser which was not observed The Advocate replied that in matters of Treason the King might arrest any person upon the space it pleased him Fourthly he alledged the license granted him to depart the countrey This was found nought except he did therewith produce a respit or permission To the last point of the indictment he said that what he offered to reveal tended to his benefit if he had vouchsafed him hearing and was no matter of treason It was answered that the concealing of that might tend to the hurt of the Kings life and mothers was treason So the indictment was found relevant and the persons of the Jury called These were Colin Earl of Argile David Earl of Crawford Iohn Earl of Montrosse Iames Earl of Glencarne Hugh Earl of Eglinton Iames Earl of Arran George Earl of Marshal Alexander Lord Seaton Hugh Lord Sommervil Iames Lord Down William Lord Levingston Patrick Lord Drummond Iames Lord Ogilvy Alexander Master of Oliphant and Iohn Murray of Tillibardin They retiring themselves as the custom is and returning within a short space pronounced him guilty whereupon sentence was given that he should be taken to the Market Crosse have his head cut off and be dismembred as a traitor The last part thereof was dispensed and he in the evening beheaded His servants were permitted to take the head with the body and bury it This was the end of that Nobleman who in his life was much honoured and imployed in the chief offices of Court a man wise but said to have been too curious and to have consulted with Wizards touching the state of things in future times yet was
Sea and after he had remained a while at Paris took journey to Rome where entering the society of the Iesuits he abode three years Thereafter coming home for some private businesse when he had setled the same he returned to Paris and kept still in that Society in the year 1571. Thomas Metellan travelling through France into Italy did request his company in that journey whereunto he yielded and went with him to Italy but the Gentleman contracting sicknesse by the way and dying he returned by Geneva and was there confirmed in the Religion to which a little before he was inclining when he went to Paris after he had revealed himself to some Principals of the Society he forsook their profession and was in danger to have been killed at the Massacre which fell out at the same time but by the favour of Sir Thomas Walsingham the English Ambassador he was saved and came in his company to England Five years he remained at Colchester in Essex teaching some youths of the countrey and in the year 1578. returned into Stotland In the year 1580. upon the remove of Mr. Andrew Melvil to the new Colledge of S. Andrewes he was chosen Principal of the Colledge of Glasgow and taught the controversies there some three yeares with great profit he was a man learned in the languages and well seen in ancient Fathers the reading of whose works he did ever seriously recommend to the youth The answer he penned in defence of this Church against Mr. Archibald Hamilton and other dictates which are yet in the hands of his disciples do shew his worth and the losse this Church received by his death he deceased at Glasgow the 6. of December 1583. in the 47. year of his age and was buried in the Cathedral Church These deaths falling so quick one after another were taken to be a presage of great troubles in the Church nor was it long before these sturres happened of which we have spoken All this Summer the same continued the Ministers being daily called before the Councel and a great businesse made of their subscription to certain Articles which concerned their obedience to the Bishops they who refused had their stipends sequestrated which caused a great outcrying amongst the people and made the Rebels to be more favoured The King to rid himself of these vexations did call the principal Ministers and having shewed that all his desire was to have the Church peaceably governed and a decent policy established he willed them to set down in writing the Reasons which moved them to refuse subscription that he might consider the same and satisfy their doubts They choosing rather to propound the same by word of mouth were after some conference induced to set their hands to the Articles this clause being added agreeing with the word of God Yet new occasions of trouble were still breaking forth upon information that Mr. Nicoll Dalgleish Minister at S. Cuthberts did in his publick prayers remember the exiled brethren he was called before the Councel and accused for praying for the Kings Rebels as also for keeping intelligence with them by letters The Minister confessed his praying for the brethren maintaining the same to be lawful but the intelligence he denied only granted that he had seen a letter written by Mr. Walter Balcanquel to his wife wherein he was kindly remembred The King offended with his answers commanded the Advocate to pursue him criminally which was done the next day At his appearing before the Justice when he heard the indictment he said That he ought not to be questioned for one and the same fact before two Iudicatories and that having answered these points before the Councel he should not be put again to it The Advocate replying that the Councels proceeding could not stay the criminal Judge he was commanded to answer and to do it advisedly seeing it concerned his life If I must answer said he I do not think that I have offended in praying for my brethren who are in trouble and for the letter I saw if the concealing thereof be a fault I submit my self to his Majesties will The Jury proceeding declared him guilty of treason yet the sentence was continued and he sent to the Tolbuith where he remained some moneths and in end upon his supplication was pardoned and put to liberty In the same Court David Home of Argathy with Patrick Home his brother were condemned to die for keeping intelligence with the Commendatory of Driburgh and in the afternoon executed Yet was it no matter of State but some private accounts that rested undischarged at his parting forth of the Countrey wherein they had interchanged one or two letters This severity was universally disliked but that which shortly after ensued was much more hateful To breed a terrour in people and cause them abstain from communicating in any sort with the exiled Lords a Proclamation was made That whosoever should discover any person offending in that kind should besides his own pardon receive a special reward Hereupon did one Robert Hamilton of Eglismachan delate Malcolm Douglas of Mains and Iohn Cunningham of Drumwhasill for having conspired to intercept the King at hunting and detain him in some strong hold till the Lords might come and receive him A meer forgery yet gladly hearkened unto by those that desired to be rid of them for they were both Gentlemen of good respect and mistrusted of the Court Mains especially because of his valour and manhood To make out the accusation it was devised that Sir Iames Edmonston of Duntraith who had lived in great familiarity with them should be charged with the said crime and upon his confession to be pardoned which by the policy of the accuser to his own perpetual discredit he was menaced to yield unto Matters thus dressed Colonel William Stewart was sent to apprehend them who finding them in their own houses did without any resistance bring them prisoners to Edinburgh The ninth of February they were presented before the Justice Mr. Iohn Ghrame sitting as Deputy and Mr. Edward Bicace as Assessor beginning made with Duntraith he was indicted for conspiring with Mains and Drumwhasill the accuser Hamilton and others for taking and detaining the King in the manner aforesaid which was said to be plotted by the Earl of Angus and imparted to him and the rest on pannel by Iohn Home commonly called black Iohn he without making any defence confessed all betaking him to the Kings mercy Drumwhasill accused of the same conspiracy and of consulting with Duntraith thereupon at the Churches of Strablen and Killern was further charged with the treasonable attempt of Ruâ—hven whereof he had been partaker What he answered I find not in the process but when Mains his indictment was read he denied all and so cleared himself by the unlikelyhood and their impossibility to compasse a businesse of that importance to all that were present as in their hearts they did pronounce him innocent
sayes the Queen I would be glad to understand If her right succession to England shall be made over in our Soveraigns person said he Papists will have no more hope and this I think the Queen his mother will dimit and resign to him But she hath no right said the Queen for she is declared incapable of succession And if she have no right said the Master the hope of Papists ceaseth and it is not to be feared that they will enterprise for her But the Papists said the Queen do not allow our Declaration Then let it fall said he in the Kings person by her resignation The Earl of Leicester obâ—ecting that she was a prisoner and could not dimit the Master answered That the dimission being made to her son with the advice of all the friends in Europe in case as God forbid the Queen by any attempt should be cut off she would have none to partake with her against her son all the princes her friends standing obliged for her resignation that it should be valid and effectual to her son The Queen making as though she did not understand him the Earl of Leicester said that the Ambassadours meaning was that the king should be in his Mothers place Is it so sayes the Queen then I put my self in worse case before By Gods passion this was her oath that were to cut mine own throat he shall never come in that place and be party to me The Master answered that he would be more party if he should come in his Mothers place through her death Well said the Queen tell your King what I have done for him to keep the Crown on his head since he was born and that for my part I mind to keep the league that stands betwixt us which if he break it shall be a double fault And with these words she made away Sir Robert Melvil following her requested for some eight days continuance of the execution whereunto she answered Not an hour The King advertised of this conference and that nothing but extremity was to be expected wrote with his own hand to the Master of Gray as followeth Reserve your self no longer in your dealing for my mother for you have done it too long and think not that any thing will do good if her life be lost for then adicu with further dealing with that State Therefore if you look for the continuance of my favour spare no pains nor plainnesse in this case but read my letter written to William Keith and conform your self wholly to the contents thereof and in this let me reap the fruits of your great credit there either now or never Farewell But before this letter came unto the Master he was drawn upon another course and made more cold in the businesse and as the fame went had taken upon him to pacify the King though the execution proceeded Mean while the Earl of Leicester wrote to the King a letter wherein not obscurely shewing what was resolved he advised him to deal more moderately in that matter of his mother her cause not being worth the losing of such a friend as the Queen his Soveraign was For albeit no man said he can blame your Majesty to speak for the safety of your mothers life yet under your favour your Majesty being a Prince and a King you ought to weigh without partiality the case of other Kings and Princes as if it might be your own Iustice should in the bosome of all Princes have such place that whatsoever affection may draw them if the thing which any of them doth for the preservation of their own life and estate be warranted it ought to be borne withall by others And proceeding in this manner he said Let the case of the Queen my Soveraign be made your Majesties and that any King or Prince being in your hands claiming title to your Crown would raise warre within your Realm against you or conspire with traitors within your Court or countrey to kill you in that case I would fain know what would be thought fit by any faithful or good subject of yours that you should do to such a one Nay give me leave I humbly beseech you to ask even of your self what you would think fit in such a case there is no other difference but that this offence is done to the Queen Majesty by your mother And after that a little for the letter is long If my plain speech may be without offence to your Majesty I would wish you to think well of this case remember how near it is to you and how much nearer it may be to you it is seen to all the world wherefore the life of our Mistris is sought whose death may be as farre out of your way as your mothers liberty hath heretofore been dangerous to your estate And if it be true which I have heard your Majesties self by her will had as well been dispossessed of the possession of that you have as defeated of any remainder you thought to have interest in And therefore as Kings be and ought to be jealous of their own estate so I doubt not but your Majesty will deeply consider of this case of your mothers wherein you may perform both the Office of a Son and of a King And as I have always advised you so do I still except for a just cause which I am perswaded you shall never have give not her Majesty any cause to conceive a breach of love and friendship on your part She is the person and Prince in the world that may do you most good or most harm let no perswasion or device make you think otherwise the world is full of practise and the worst heads most busy c. At the same time Secretary Walsingham writing to the Lord Thirlstan the Kings Secretary with whom he kept intelligence declared that it was wondred by all wise and religious men in England that the King should be so earnest in the cause of his mother seeing all the Papists in Europe that affected the change of Religion in both Realms did build their hopes altogether upon her and that she had shewed her self so passionate in point of Religion as she had transferred her pretended right to both the Crowns untothe King of Spain in case the King her son should persist in his profession It is true that such informations were given out amongst the Papists to divert the King from constancy in his profession but that any such tranflation was made by her it is not probable and a thing not to be believed her Declaration at the time of her death being far other as we shall hear Albeit a Popish Abbot descriving the life of Laurens the Cardinal who was at that time Protector of the Scottish Nation affirmeth the foresaid translation to have been in his hands and to have been delivered to him by Count Olivarez the Spanish Ambassadour at Rome But that doth merit little credit such forged titles would
the Warre he had intended These working privately with the Kings chief Counsellours and such of his chamber as he was known to affect dealt so as they kept off things from breaking forth unto open hostility which was every day expected Secretary Walsingham first by a long letter directed to the Lord Thirlstane who was then in most credit and had the chief administration of affairs proponed divers weighty and important considerations that should keep the King from taking any such resolution Because the letter contained the very true reasons that in end moved his Majesty to forhear violence and take a more calm course I thought meet to set it down word by word as it standeth in the Original SIr being absent from Court when the late execution of the Queen your Soveraigns mother happened I did forthwith upon my return impart to Mr. Douglas some things concerning the course was conceived here by your said Soveraigns best friends fit to be holden in this remedilesse accident for continuance of peace and amity between the two Crowns as a thing for the weal of both Nations to be desired But finding him unwilling to meddle therewith I have thought good to write to the same effect unto your self The rather for that I presently understand by some advertisements out of that countrey that the death of the Queen is likely to breed so strange an alienation of his Majesties mind towards this Realm tending as is reported wholly to violence and to revenge of that which hath been so necessarily done by the whole body of the same whereof as for mine own part I should be right sorry so it is generally hoped that his Majesty being of that singular judgement himself by the good help and advice of such as you are in credit and authority about him men of wisdom and experience whom he will hear this mischief will notwithstanding be carefully and prudently prevented considering how every way all things being rightly weighed this course will be found prejudicial as well to your said Soveraigns estate as to his reputation if he resolve to persist therein For first the enterprise will undoubtedly be condemned in the sight of all such as shall not be transported with some particular passion for that they shall see that he takes Armes for revenge of an Action besides the necessity wherein it is grounded full of so honourable and just proceedings as howsoever the effect was contrary to their liking the manner thereof by the late Queens great favourers could not but be approved and allowed And as on the one side the King your Soveraign oppugning the course of Justice of so unlawful unjust and desperate a quarrel cannot be expected any other thing then a most unhappy and miserable issue so we being assured that in the defence of Justice the assistance of his mighty arm will not fail us whose judgement this was need not to fear whatsoever man shall attempt to the contrary against this Realm But not to stand upon the justnesse of the quarrel which every man perhaps will not so much regard It would be considered what means your Soveraign shall have to go through with such an enterprise if he take it in hand For the forces of his own Realm being so farre inferiour to these in England no man is so simple but seeth it were no way safe for his Majesty trusting only thereto to make head against the power of this land neither is it thought that any man will be found so unadvised as to wish him so to do But as it may be that a great number for lack of understanding are carried away with such vain discourses as some without solid ground imagine of that might be done in this case by a King of Scotland backed and assisted as they conceive in the aire with the French and Spanish aid so it is likely enough there shall not want those that either satisfaction of their private passions or supply of their necessities or better affectionating some other their private designes would be content to serve themselves of this present publick occasion and opportunity who will propound and promise also more to his Majesty of such forain assistance then they know in their consciences can be performed if he would declare himself enemy to this Realm which that he should though to his own ruine the enemies of both Realms will do what they can to procure But men of wisdom and understanding laying before their eyes as well the accustomed delayes and after long solicitation and pursuit the simple supplies and support commonly found at these forain Potentates hands as also how doubtful and uncertain the successe of warre may prove England God be thanked being so prepared and in case to defend it self both otherwise and by the conjunction of Holland and Zelands forces by Sea in respect whereof this Realm need not fear what all the Potentates of Europe being bended against us can do for to annoy the same Due consideration I say being taken hereof you will easily judge and find how vain it were for your Soveraign upon so uncertain hopes to embark himself and estate in an unnecessary warre But much more if you shall consider what a sequell and train of dangers and hazards this warre draweth therewith the consequence whereof reacheth to whatsoever your Soveraign possesseth or hopeth for in this life For escaping to be slain in field if he should happen to be taken prisoner or be constrained to retire himself out of the Realm things that have fallen out oft in experience and then having incensed this whole Realm against him he should be disabled from any right in the succession of this Crown as authority is given to do it by the same Statute whereby they proceeded against the mother for attempting the invasion of this land what extremity should he be reduced unto And truly it could not otherwise be the ancient enmity between the two Nations now forgotten being by drawing blood one of another again likely to be in such sort revived as it would be impossible to make them like of a Prince of that Nation and specially him who had been upon so unjust a ground the authour of that unfortunate breach Besides that the greatest part of the ancient Nobility by whose judgement the late Queen was condemned and the rest of the principal Gentlemen of the Realm who confirmed the same in Parliament should have just cause to adventure any thing even to the marching over their bellies rather then to yeild to his government who carrying such a vindictive minde they might doubt would one day call their lives and honours in question And as for the remedy and relief which he might attend standing in these terms of forain Princes there are many examples of the former ages and within fresh memory As the King of Navarres Grandfather by the mothers side and Christiern King of Denmark both were allied to Francis the first and Charles the fist two of the
private way then to do it in form of Iustice and acknowledged the words Mortui non mordent to be his but not used by him to the sense they were detorted His confession did liberate his accuser who was presently set at liberty and he himself sent to the Tolbuith of Edinburgh to attend his arraignment which was made a few days after There having repeated the same things in effect he submitted himself to the Kings mercy who thereupon gave order to the Justice to banish him the Realm and in case he did return without licence to pronounce the sentence of death Mean while he was prohibited to go either into England or Ireland under the like pain A punishment too mild as many at that time judged for crimes so hateful and odious But the innated clemency of the King and his unwillingnesse to use rigour towards them whom he had once favoured did not suffer him to inflict the punishment which the offence had merited Captain Iames who since the enterprise of Striveling had lurked amongst his friends did now begin to shew himself and importune the King with delations of Thirlstan and some other Counsellors as being accessary to his mothers death and having a purpose to deliver him into England These informations he sent inclosed in a letter to the King by Henry Stewart of Craigihall The King communicating the same to the Councel direction was given to charge him to enter his person within the Palace of Linlithgow and remain there till the truth of these delations should be tried certifying him that if he failed to obey processe of forfeiture should be laid against him as a sower of discord betwixt the King and his Nobility When at the time prefixed he entered not the office of Chancellary whereof as yet he used the title was declared void and bestowed upon the Lord Thirlstane The King being now 21. years compleat a Parliament was indicted to be holden at Edinburgh the 29. of Iuly for a preparation thereto and that the King might find the better assistance the Noblemen were sent for they especially betwixt whom there were known to be any quarrels At their coming the King did presse them with a submission of all controversies and having obtained their consents made them all friends Only William Lord Yester refusing to reconcile with Traquaire was committed and sent to the Castle of Edinburgh where he was detained some moneths till that variance was also composed Such content the King conceived of their agreement that he did feast them all royally at Halirudhouse thereafter caused them walk in hands two and two in form of procession from the Palace to the Mercat Crosse of Edinburgh where they sealed their concord by drinking healths one to another to the exceeding great joy of all the beholders A general Assembly was then also called by his Majesties Proclamation to the 20. of Iune where the King did purpose to have all matters setled betwixt him and the Church but this meeting had not the like successe For the Chancellar and Justice Clerk being sent thither with certain Articles of which two specials were to desire satisfaction for the offences committed by Iames Gibson and Mr. Iohn Cowper Ministers and that Mr. Robert Montgomery might be received without any ceremonies into their fellowship answer was made That if the Petitions of the Church in the approaching Parliament should be granted they would labour to bring matters to such a middest as might best agree with the honour of the Ministery satisfy the offence of the godly and the conscience of their brethren against whom his Majesty had taken offence And for Mr. Robert Montgomery they should dispense with some ceremonies used in admitting excommunicants in case the King was willing to remit somewhat of the satisfaction craved of the other two brethren This answer did so displease the King as refusing to enter into any such capitulations he left off all further treating with them at that time But Montgomery being redacted to great necessity and not knowing what course to take for the Duke of Lennox his agents having possessed themselves in the Bishoprick he was no more acknowledged did resign his title in favour of Mr. William Areskin Parson of Campsie a friend and follower of the Earl of Marre This Gentleman being well beloved of the Ministery and otherwise of good parts obtained the consent of the Presbytery of Glasgow and was admitted thereto by them although he was a Laick and bare no charge in the Church They being called to an accompt of this their doing in the next Assembly excused themselves saying That since Churchmen were not permitted to enjoy the Bishoprick they esteemed it better he should in title of it then any other and that he had given his bonds to renounce the same in case the general Assembly did not allow of his admission The excuse for the time was accepted yet their doing was disallowed and they ordained to pursue him upon his bonds for disanulling the admission but he found means to retain the same till Bishop Iames Beaton who lived in France was restored Montgomery his resignation being then made publick he was shortly after as informally absolved as he was excommunicated and placed at a Church in Cunningham where he lived in a poor estate to his death The Parliament keeping at the time appointed Mr. David Lindesay Mr. Robert Pont and some others having Commission from the Church did present themselves in the Parliament house at the first sitting and in name of the Church desired the Prelates that were presented to be removed as having no authority from the Church and the most of them no function nor charge in it at all Mr. Edward Bruce Abbot of Kinlosse rising up and directing his speech to the King made a long discourse of the right they had to sit and give voice for the Church in these meetings complaining that the Ministers had most disorderly shut them forth of their places in the Church and now they thought to exclude them from their places in the Estate which they hoped his Majesty would not suffer and would punish as a presumptuous arrogancy on the part of the Petitioners Mr. Robert Pont replying some what bitterly the King willed them to be quiet and present their Petitions orderly to the Lords of the Articles where they should be answered according to reason When it came to the Articles this being in the front of their Petitions was simply rejected some other Petitions were passed as they had desired for ratifying all lawes made in the Kings minority in favours of the Church for trying and censuring the adversaries of true Religion and for the punishment of such as did menace or invade the Ministers of the Church It was in this Parliament that the temporality of Benefices was annexed to the Crown upon a pretext of bettering the Patrimony thereof and that the King might have means to
Ward and submit themselves to the punishment his Majesty should be pleased to impose The Chancellor made the like intercession for Bothwell but for Arroll none did speak After the King had thought a little of it he was content they should enter and present themselves to the Justice but would give no condition For this effect the 24. of May was assigned at the day Mr. Edward Bruce Mr. William Oliphant and Mr. Iames Wardlaw sitting Judges in the criminal Court by Commission the three Earls compiered Of Noblemen and others charged to passe upon their Assise there were present the Lord Hamilton the Earls of Angus Morton Atholl Marre and Marshall the Lords Seaton Somervill Dingwell and Cathcart the Lairds of Pittarrow Closburn Lagg and the Constable of Dundy These taking oath as the manner is the indictment was read which consisted of seven or eight points First they were charged with practising with Jesuits seminary Priests and other strangers against Religion receiving of Spanish gold and hiring souldiers therewith to disturb the quiet of the Realm 2. That they had entered in bond and confederacy with the Earls of Arroll Montrosse and others contrary to the Lawes kept Conventicles and treasonably surprised the Town of Perth of purpose to have fortified the same against his Majesty 3. That they had conspired to take the King prisoner at Halyrudhouse and kill his servants and Counsellours especially Sir Iohn Maitland of Thirlstane Chancellor 4. That they had besieged the house of Kirkhill put fire to the same and forced the Master of Glammis Thesaurer to render himself captive 5. That they had convocated the subjects by open Proclamation and given out that the King was detained prisoner against his will 6. That they came with displayed banners to the Bridge of Dee of mind to invade the King whom they knew to be upon an expedition to the North parts 7. That they had taken the Kings Herauld at Arms in the City of Aberdene spoyled him of his Coat and Letters when he was about to proclaim them The 8. and last concerned Bothwell particularly who besides the rest was charged to have hired souldiers as well strangers as men within the countrey entertaining them in Dalkeith and threatning to invade the town of Leth at his Majesties being in the North. Bothwell confessing that he had waged souldiers and entered in bonds with other Noblemen did therefore put himself in his Majesties will the rest of the points he denied remitting himself to the trial of his Peers Crawford confessed that he was in the fields at the taking of Kirkhill and with the Earl of Huntley in Aberdene but denied the other points Huntley come in will for the whole The Assise removing by themselves found Bothwell guilty of the enterprise at the quarrel holes besides that which he confessed They filed Crawford of surprising the Town of Perth and coming in Arms to the Bridge of Dee Huntley by his own confession was found guilty in all The sentence upon the Kings Warrant was suspended and they committed to divers places Bothwell in Tantallon Crawford in Blacknesse and Huntley in the Castle of Edinburgh In Iune following the Assembly of the Church convened at Edinburgh where the King giving his presence after he had spoken a little of his good affection towards the Church shewed that he was come to desire Mr. Patrick Galloway to be appointed one of his Ministers the Assembly by the mouth of their Moderator rendring his Majesty humble thanks for the beginnings he had made in suppressing the enemies of Religion did intreat him to prosecute the businesse and made offer of their humble service and assistance to the uttermost of their power As to that which he desired they acknowledged that his Majesty might command any Minister wheresoever he served to attend himself and his Court and so ordained Mr. Patrick Galloway to leave his charge at Perth and wait upon the King It was a good beginning and this gave no small content to all well disposed men But things continued not long in that case for before that meeting took an end a fresh offence was given The year preceding the King having contracted his Cousen the Duke of Lennox his sister to the Earl of Huntley had caused the Bishop of S. Andrews celebrate the marriage at which the Ministers of Edinburgh taking exception they complained of the same in a preceding Assembly and had obtained a Commission to the Presbytery for calling and censuring the Bishop according to the Acts of the Church Whether the Bishop would not ackowledge them for Judges or that he esteemed his Majesties command a Warrant sufficient for what he had done whilest as he neglected their proceedings they pronounce him deprived from all office and function in the Church and presenting the processe in this assembly the same was found formal the sentence ratified and ordained to be published in all the Churches of the Kingdome only to make the Bishop hateful and contemptible He complaineth to the King who shewed himself extremely displeased with their doings but what course he should take he was doubtful for every day he was expecting the arrival of his Queen and loved to have all things quiet and setled at her coming especially in the Church with whom it grieved him not a little to be still in question but espying no better way he resolved in end to dissemble his anger towards them and to take the imprisoned Lords in favour lest he should make himself too much businesse Thereupon he returneth to the Northâ— gives Arroll a pardon putteth Crawford to liberty and fully remits him Huntley and Bothwell he freeth from imprisonment but to hold them in awe he deferres the Declaration of his will concerning them The Lord Maxwel upon his bond not to practise against Religion under the pain of an hundred thousand pounds is likewise dimitted And in this case stood things when advertisement came that the marriage was accomplished and the Queen ready to take Sea All diligence was thereupon used to prepare for her reception and nothing left undone that was required for so great a solemnity But a second and unlookt for message cometh shortly after shewing that the Navy appointed for her conduct was driven by a tempest into Norway and that it was thought she should stay in those parts unto the spring The King taking this impatiently concludeth with himself to go thither in person and because he knew many impediments would be made if his purpose were known he giveth out that he would send the Chancellor and Justice Clerk to transport her in Scottish Vessels if the Danes would not adventure theirs in that season How soon the ships were prepared for their journey no man expecting any such matter he taketh Sea himself leaving direction to the Councel for the government of affaires during his absence with the following Declaration written all with his own hand but not seen to
peace and quietnesse observed then was before or since that time known to have been kept And notwithstanding our expectation is nothing lesse of the good behaviour of our subjects in this our absence we have taken order for the better government of the publick affairs that our privy Councell should reside at Edinburgh and ordained the Duke of Lennox our Nephew to be President thereof and to be assisted by our Cousen Francis Earl of Bothwel whom we appoint to attend him with the other officers of State namely the Thesaurer Comptroller Master of requests Privy Seal the Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh Advocate and Clerk of Register who shall ever be present five of them at least with our said Nephew We have likewise given order that some Noblemen in their courses shall attend at Edinburgh the space of 15. dayes the Earls of Angus and Athol with the Lords Fleming and Innermeth to begin and the next course to be kept by the Earls of Marre and Morton with the Lords Seaton and Yester The Barons of Lothian Fife Sriveling-shire and Strathern we appoint to attend as they shall be warned and directed by the Councel For the South parts we have made the Lord Hamilton our Lieutenant that is within the three Wardenries and Sheriffdom of Lanrick and to be assisted when need is by the Lords Boyd Hereis Maxwell Home Cesford and other chief Barons within the Marches his residence to be at Dumfreis or Jedburgh and his charges to be furnished out of the readiest of the Taxation by Mr. John Colvill Collector thereof And that peace and quietnesse may be the better observed we discharge all Conventions for any cause whatsoever unto our return Finally we require the Ministers and Preachers of the Word to exhort the people to peace and obedience and commend us and our journey in their prayers to the protection of Almighty God As this is our desire so we expect that all our good subjects will follow the same especially they who have tried our favour of late and that they will persist in the loyalty promised by them certifying those that do in the contrary that they shall incurre our high displeasure and be punished with all rigour as on the other part we shall remember the peaceable and obedient thankfully when occasion presents By another Missive presented at the same time to the Councel the Earl Bothwel was declared second to the Duke of Lennox Sir Robert Melvil Vicechancellor Alexander Hay Secretary for the Scottish language and Mr. Iames Elphinston for the Latin and French The King having thus provided for the publick affairs took with him in company Sir Iohn Maitland Chancellor Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice Clerk Mr. Robert Douglas Provost of Linclowden the Gentlemen of his Chamber and other ordinary officers of the house He took also with him Mr. David Lindesay Minister at Leth leaving Mr. Patrick Galloway his ordinary Preacher to attend the Councel and having a prosperous wind arrived safely in a Sound or Haven of Norway not farre from Upslo where the Queen remained the fourth or fifth day after his embarking The Sunday following he solemnized the Marriage in his own person Mr. David Lindesay performing the ceremony in the French language After which consultation being taken for his return unto Scotland because it was held dangerous to go to Sea in that season and that the Counsellors of Denmark did oppose the journey advising him rather to visit the Queens mother and her son Christiern elected King of Denmark he was easily induced to follow their advice and send back the Scottish ships with Mr. Iames Sir Krymgeour and Mr. Iohn Skein Whilest the King lay at Upslo the Earl Marshall in Councel made report of his proceedings in the Ambassage and how according to the contract past and interchangeably sealed and signed the Marriage was compleated and a form of Attestation taken touching the Isles of Orkney bearing that the King and Regents of Denmark should supersede all claim of right to the said Isles unto the Kings perfect age reserving to each Kingdome their own Right which by that treaty should not be prejudged as the Copy thereof subscrived by the four Governours presently exhibited did shew together with the attestation he produced the form of an oath given by him and his associats for his Majesties performing of all things promised on his part concerning the Marriage and was in all and every one of these found to have done good service and have carried himself honourably according to his Commission Soon after this came certain Ambassadors from Denmark to invite the King thither who parting from Upslo with his Queen the 22. of December came to Bahouse a Castle standing in the Borders of Norway and Sweden the first of Ianuary There he remained seven dayes attending a safe conduct from the King of Sweden which Captain William Murray was employed to bring from Stockholme where that King kept his residence The conduct brought he removed from Bahouse the eighth of Ianuary and was met by a Captain of Sweden upon the River then frozen with 400. horsemen and by the space of two Dutch miles conveyed unto the land of Denmark The next day he went to the Castle of wertbury where he remained five days and from thence journeying by Falkenburgh the Town of Holmestade and Castle of Cowholm he came to Elsingburgh where he was stayed some three days from crossing the Ferry by tempest of weather and on the 21. of Ianuary was received at Crownenburgh Castle by the Queen-Mother the young King the Duke of Holstat his brother and the four Regents of the Realm with all magnificence possible There he remained to the end of February royally entertained and because he was to stay upon the marriage of his Queens eldest sister with the Duke of Brunswick which was appointed in April next he directed home William Shaw Master of Worke to advertise the Councel of the reason of his stay and to cause some ships and expert Pilots be sent with all diligence for his more safe convoy The Councel upon this advertisement employed Collonel William Stewart with six well furnished ships together and with him Mr. Patrick Galloway the Kings Minister was sent to further his Majesties return They arriving at Elsingore about the middlest of April in the very time that Brunswicks marriage was solemnizing did signify to the King the longing that the subjects had for his return and the peace that had been observed since his going from Scotland For all that while which considering the feuds of the countrey was strange two riots only did happen one committed by Archibald Wachop of Nudry a wicked and insolent man another by the Clangregore in Bachudder It rejoyced the King to hear that the subjects had been so quiet as he did likewise accompt it a great happinesse that in his own company there had no quarrels fallen out either amongst themselves or with the strangers whereas
finding him to have failed in his duty did remit his censure to the King himself who as he was a Prince most tractable did passe it upon the Earl his submission In the moneth of Iune the Assembly of the Church convened at Edinburgh which the King did honour with his presence Mr. Patrick Galloway elected to preside in name of the Church did put up three Petitions to his Majesty One for establishing the Churches jurisdiction and the abolishing of all Acts made to the contrary Another for purging the country of Jesuits seminary Priests and excommunicate persons trafficking against Religion The third was for providing a competent maintenance to Ministers forth of the tithes of the Parishes where they served and applying what was above to the sustentation of Schooles maintaining of the poor repairing of the fabrick of Churches and other the like necessary uses To the first his Majesty answered That in all Parliaments the first Act that was concluded did concern the liberty of the Church which he should have care to see observed as in times passed For the second he said that it was known what pains he had taken therein before his journey to Denmark and that he would do what lawfully could be done for purging the countrey of Papists And touching the third because many were interessed therein he did advise them to make choice of the most discreet of their number to meet with such of the Councel as he should appoint for conferring upon the readiest means to effectuate that which they desired Thereafter his Majesty falling to speak of the barbarous feuds which were entertained in the Realm and the many odious murthers there through committed did seriously commend to them as those who should of all others most study to make peace the removing of such barbarities so farre as in them lay wishing them in their Sermons to strike on that point and make people understand how sinful it was and how shamefull to the whole Nation as likewise to employ the most wise amongst them for reconciling the variances that abounded in the countrey For my self said he I will employ all the power I have that way and if you shall apply your selves in your places to do the like my work shall be the more easie and have the better successe This was greatly applauded of all and indeed after that time he took such pains partly calling those that were at variance before the Councel and causing them submit their quarrels partly making strict lawes against the troublers of the common peace as he never ceased till he got the feuds wholly abolished Yet this was not wrought but after some time and with much difficulty new troubles daily arising in sundry parts of the countrey In the North a dissension brake out betwixt the Earls of Huntley and Murray that kept those parts a long time in trouble the occasion whereof was this Iohn Gordon son to Thomas Gordon of Cluny having married the widow of Grant of Ballendallagh it happeneth in a private quarrel one of Gordons servants to be killed by the Tutor of the house Gordon pursuing him before the Justice for not appearing he was denounced Rebel and Commission given to the Earl of Huntley as Sheriffe of the countrey to apprehend him The Earl making search for him cometh to the house of Ballendallagh and after some resistance taketh it by force but findeth not the Tutor This the family of the Grants interpreting to be done in their disgrace they betook themselves to the patrociny of the Earl of Murray and with them the Clanchatton and divers of the name of Dumbarre did joyn Huntley offending that any in those parts should make head against him and having understood that the Earls of Atholl and Murray were to meet these Glammis in Forres for making up a confederacy did assemble his friends and went thither to dissolve the meeting but before his coming they had severed and the Earl of Murray was returned to his house of Tarnway Huntley taking that way home and some of his company riding about the house in manner of a Bravado they within discharging some Musquets upon them it happened the same Gordon that married the widow to be killed To be revenged of this affront Huntley gathered forces to invade the Earl of Murray and he assisted by the Earl of Athol his Cousen prepareth to defend The convocations were great on either side whereof the King receiving advertisement charges were directed to command Atholl home and inhibit Huntley from coming by West the River of Spey and Murray not to come on the East of Findorne this course did restrain them for a time but gave not an end to thòse troubles A little after this fell out the slaughter of William Ker of Ancram a Gentleman of great sufficiency who was killed in Edinburgh under night by Sir Robert Ker apparant of Cesfourd There had been a long and old emulation betwixt the two families of Cesfourd and Farnherst for the Wardenry of the middle Marches and the Provostry of Iedburgh But Farnherst being then deceased and the heir left young this Gentleman as descended of the house did what he could to maintain the reputation of it which was an eyesore to the other It happened also some little time before this Gentleman in the trial of goods stolne from England to find out the committer of the theft and when the same was denied for the matter was brought before the Councel to verify the same by clear testimonies which was taken to be done out of spleen and to rubbe some infamy upon Cesfourd who was then Warden for the man accused was one of his followers This the Lady Cesfourd a woman of an haughty spirit did apprehend so deeply as she never ceased till she had moved her son being then very young to bereave the Gentleman of his life A hateful fact it was both for the manner in which it was done and for the losse the countrey received by the Gentlemans death for he was a man generally well given wise of great courage and expert beyond others in the Lawes and Customes of the Borders The King was highly offended and was resolved to use exemplary Justice upon the Actor But he eschewing and living a fugitive some moneths was pardoned upon satisfaction made to the Gentlemans children as was thought by the Chancellors intercession who afterwards married him to his Neece a daughter of Lethington Most of this Winter was spent in the discovery and examination of Witches and Sorcerers Amongst these Agnes Samson commonly called the wise wife of Keith was most remarkeable a woman not of the base and ignorant sort of Witches but Matron-like grave and setled in her answers which were all to some purpose In her examination she declared That she had a familiar spirit who upon her call did appear in a visible form and resolve her of any doubtful matter especially concerning the life or death of persons lying
sick And being askt what words she used when she called the spirit she said her words was Holla Master and that he had learned her so to do She further confessed That the Earl Bothwel had moved her to enquire what should become of the King how long he should reign and what should happen after his death and that the spirit having undertaken to make away the King after he had failed in performing and was challenged by her confessed it was not in his power speaking words she understood not but as she did take them the words were I l ' est homme de dieu Richard Graham another notorious Sorcerer being apprehended at the same time made the like confession of Bothwel which was the cause of his committing in April following for such curiosities are not thought to possesse the mindes of those that wish well to their Princes and hath proved the cause of many mens ruine In the end of the year died Iohn Ereskin of Dun Superintendent of Angus and Mernis a man famous for the services performed to his Prince and Countrey and worthy to be remembred for his travels in the Church which out of zeal to the truth he undertook preaching and advancing it by all means Before the Reformation his house was to those who in that time were called Hereticks a special place of refuge afterwards such was the scarcity of Ministers that he took upon him the charge and was chosen with the first to have the oversight of the Churches in these North parts which he governed to his death most wisely and with great authority giving no way to the Novations introduced nor suffering them to take place within the bounds of his charge whilest he lived A Baron he was of good rank wise learned liberal of singular courage who for divers resemblances may well be said to have been another Ambrose he died the 12. of March in the 82. year of his Age leaving behind him a numerous posterity and of himself and his vertues a memory that shall never be forgotten Bothwel had not stayed above a moneth in Ward when seducing his keeper he made an escape and thereby increased the suspicion of his guiltinesse whereupon the King gave order to pronounce the doom of forfeiture against him according to the conviction passed in May 1589. and causing denounce him Traitor did inhibit by Proclamation all the subjects to intercommune or keep intelligence with him And lest the proceeding should have been thought too rigorous it was declared in the Proclamation that he being tender in blood to his Majesty and advanced by him to sundry honours and offices had out of his ungodly and unnatural humour after divers slaughters committed by him and overseen taken Armes against the King and practised with strangers for subversion of Religion and endangering his Majesties Crown whereof being convicted in a Justice Court holden in Edinburgh the 24. of May 1589. the doom and sentence was superseded in hope of his amendment And that notwithstanding all these favours he continued in his wicked course and heaping treason upon treason had now at last consulted with Witches and Negromancers for bereaving his Majesty of his life as was manifest by the confession of some that had already suffered and others yet alive who were shortly to be executed and for the same being committed in the Castle of Edinburgh he had broken Ward and thereby taken the crime upon him whereupon the doom which at that time was delayed being now pronounced his Majesty did will all his subjects to acknowledge him for no other but a Rebel and Traitor Bothwell taking the course of all Rebels which is to turn their malice against some about the King laid the blame of all upon the Chancellor and drew together some companies of men as intending to be revenged to him With him the Lord Hume and divers others did joyn but to little purpose for Hume upon better advice forsook him and submitted himself to the King and others following his example used their best means to obtain pardon so as Bothwell was compelled to flee into England with some few that went with him In the Assembly of the Church that convened this summer at Edinburgh fell out a great contest betwixt them and the Lords of Session upon this occasion Mr. Iohn Graham one of the Senators had intended in right of his wife an Action of removing against certain fewars of Halyeards within the Parish of Kirkliston and to bear out the plea suborned a Notary in Striveling called Robert Ramsay to give him forth an instrument that made for his purpose The defendants having offered to improve the instrument did in the mean time upon a private Warrant obtained from his Majesty apprehend the Notary who confessed that the Instrument which he subscribed was brought formed to him by William Graham brother to Mr. Iohn and that he knew nothing of the businesse and being pursued criminally was upon his confession condemned of falshood and executed to the death The pursuer as he was a man bold and impudent to maintain the truth of the instrument did intend Action against Mr. Patrick Simpson Minister at Striveling who had dealt with the Notary to bring him to a confession alledging that he had seduced the man and made him deny the instrument The Minister complaineth to the Assembly and thereupon Mr. Iohn Graham was summoned to answer for the scandal raised upon one of their members He compeiring answered That he would prove what he had alledged before the Iudge competent The Assembly replied That he must qualifie it before them otherwise they would censure him as a slanderer Hereupon was the Lord Provant President with the Lords of Culros and Barnbarrogh two of the Senators sent to desire the Assembly not to meddle in causes proper to their cognition especially in the cause depending before them at the instance of the Lord Halyeards so they styled him against Mr. Patrick Simpson The Assembly answered That what they did was no way hurtfull to the priviledges of Session nor were they minded to meddle in any Civill matter but in the purging of one of their own members they might proceed without the prejudice of the Civill judicatory therefore wished them not to take ill the Churches dealing in the triall of one of their own number The Lords dimitted with this answer Mr. Iohn Graham was called who excepted against the Judgement affirming the cause to be Civil and that the judgement thereof belonged to the Lords of Session primariò in regard the same was depending before them The Assembly repelling the declinatour found themselves Iudges in the cause therefore willed him to say what he could in his own defence otherwise they would give processe and minister Iustice. But he taking documents of their Interloquutor and protesting for remedy of law departed The Lords esteeming this an encroaching upon their priviledges and that upon such grounds all actions that
upon the Gates take the keyes from the Porter and go after that to the Kings Chamber and make him sure Within the Palace were divers privy to the conspiracy especially Colonell William Stewart Iohn Neswith Chirurgeon to the King and Iames Dowglas of Spot who was brought to take part in that enterprise by this occasion Some days before it happened George Home of Spot his father in law to be killed by certain Mersemen of the surname of Home and Craw. Sir George Home Nephew to Spot and one of the masters of the Kings Esquiry did charge Iames Dowglas as author or accessary to the murther because of a fear he had conceived that his Father in law should by a new right possess his Nephew Sir George in some part of the lands to which he had right by his mariage upon this suspicion three of his servants were apprehended and detained prisoners within the Palace till they should be tryed by torture The Chancellor on whom Iames Dowglas depended laboured all he could to free his servants from that extraordinary form of trial but the presumptions being pregnant the King would have them to be tortured which when Spot understood and saw that the same would not be eschewed he thrust himself desperately in the action which but a few hours before was communicated to him by one of the Associates This fell out happily for the King and was it that marred the whole conspiracy for when Bothwell with his company had entred by the way named and was come to the inner Court of the Palace Iames Dowglas that minded nothing but the relief of his servants drew a number to break open the doors where they were detained and by the noise thereof all in the palace were put upon their guard The King was then at supper and being told that armed men were in the nether Court leaving the rooms wherein he lodged went up to the Tower as to a place of greater surety Bothwell having directed some to enclose the Chancellors lodgings lest he should escape made towards the Queens rooms where he expected to find entry and perceiving all shut upon him called to bring fire But ere they could find any Sir Iames Sandilands one of his Majesties chamber who had supped without the palace with a number of the people of Edinburgh entring by the Church of Halirud-house did beat him and his company from the doors and was in possibility to have taken them all if there had been any lights but those being all extinguished Bothwell with the principals of his company made shift in the dark and escaped returning by the same way that he entred in his out-going he was encountred by a Gentleman of the Esquiry named Iohn Shaw whom he killed with a Pistoll yet lost some nine of his followers men of small note who were executed the next morning The enterprise thus defeated Bothwell went into the North looking to be supplyed by the Earl of Murray his Cousen germane which the King suspecting Andrew Lord Ochiltry was sent to bring Murray unto the South of purpose to work a reconcilement betwixt him and Huntly But a rumour being raised in the mean while that the Earl of Murray was seen in the Palace with Bothwell on the night of the enterprise the same was entertained by Huntly who waited then at Court to make him suspected of the King and prevailed so far as he did purchase a Commission to apprehend and bring Murray to his triall The Nobleman not fearing that any such course should be used was come to Dunybirsill a house situated on the north side of Forth and belonging to his mother the Lady Downe Huntly being advertised of his coming and how he lay there secure accompanied onely with the Sheriffe of Murray and a few of his own retinue went thither and beset the house requiring him to render The Earl of Murray refusing to put himself in the hands of his enemy after some defence made wherein the Sheriffe was killed fire was set to the house and they within forced by the violence of the smoak and flame to come forth The Earl stayed a great space after the rest and the night falling down ventured among his Enemies and breaking through the midst of them did so farre out-run them all as they supposed he was escaped yet searching him among the rocks he was discovered by the tip of his head-peece which had taken fire before he left the house and unmercifully slain The report went that Huntlies friends fearing he should disclaim the fact for he desired rather to have taken him alive made him light from his horse and give some stroaks to the dead corps This done Gordon of Buckie was dispatched to advertise the King what had happened and Huntly himself took journey Northwards in such hast as he left Captain Gordon his Cousen that was lying on the ground wounded behinde him This Captain was brought the next day to Edinburgh and publickly executed The death of the Nobleman was universally lamented and the clamours of the people so great especially against the Chancellor upon whom all the blame was laid that the King not esteeming it safe to abide at Edinburgh removed with the Councell to Glasgow where he remained untill Huntly did enter himself in Ward in Blackness as he was charged But he stayed not there many dayes being dimitted upon Caution to answer before the Justice whensoever he should be called The corps of the Earl and Sheriffe of Murray were brought to the Church of Leth in two coffines and there lay diverse Moneths unburied their friends refusing to commit their bodies to the earth till the slaughter was punished Nor did any man think himself so much interessed in that fact as the Lord Ochiltry who had perswaded the Earl of Murray to come south whereupon he fell afterwards away to Bothwell and joyned with him for revenge of the Murther The Parliament which had been now twice prorogated did keep in the moneth of Iune In behalf of the Church it was there petitioned 1 That the Acts of Parliament made in the year 1584. against the Discipline of the Church and liberty thereof should be abrogated and annulled and a ratification granted of the discipline whereof they were then in practise 2. That the Act of annexation should be repealed and restitution made of the Churches Patrimony 3. That the Abbots Priors and other Prelates bearing the titles of Churchmen and giving voice for the Church without any power and Commission from the Church should not be admitted in time coming to give voice in Parliament or conveen in their name And 4. That a solid order might be taken for purging the Realm of idolatry and blood wherewith it was miserably polluted The second and third Petitions rejected consultation taken about the other two and satisfying the last it was condescended That saying of Masse receiving of Iesuits Seminary Priests and trafficking Papists against the Kings Majesty and
in most serious manner all his good subjects to beware of these Iesuits traitors to their native Countrey and in their prayers to implore the mercy of God for preservation of themselves their wives and children from the conspiracy intended The Ministers of Edinburgh esteeming it their duty to make the Churches of the Countrey foreseen of the conspiracy that was detected gave notice thereof by their letters to such as were most nigh at hand desiring them to meet at Edinburgh the 8. of Ianuary for giving their advice touching these dangers and how the same might best be prevented The meeting was frequent for the report of the discovery drew many thither Mr. Robert Bruce in a short speech having related the perill wherein the Countrey and Church were brought by these practises it was thought meet by some Commissioners to entreat of his Majesty the execution of the lawes against Jesuits and their ressetters with the punishment of such as should be found guilty of the present conspiracy The King accepting graciously those that were sent unto him and giving the whole Assembly thanks for the readinesse they shewed to assist him in the prosecution of that triall wished them to consider of what importance the businesse was and not onely to give their advice for the course that should be taken but also to let him know what help they would contribute for strengthening him in his proceeding against the unnaturall Subjects His Majesties desire being reported to the Meeting their advice was that a Parliament should be indicted and the subscrivers of the blanks cited thereto and because it was not expected that they would appear so as his Majesty should be compelled to pursue them by force of Armes they did humbly offer their attendance upon his Majesties person till they should be apprehended or expulsed the Countrey as likewise to entertain a guard to his Majesty of three hundreth horsemen and an hundreth foot so long as any necessity was and till the laws of the Countrey had taken effect against the rebells providing it should not be drawn into a custome nor prejudge the liberty of the Realm in time coming The offer was thankfully accepted and a Proclamation made to meet the King at Aberdene the 20 of February for settling the North parts and for a beginning of Justice David Graham of Fintrie was arraigned and being found guilty beheaded in the publick street of Edinburgh the 16. of February Some two dayes before his execution Mr. Iohn Graham one of the Senators of the Colledge of Justice being charged because of the businesse he made in behalf of Fintrie to depart forth of the Town and keep ward in Strathern was killed as he was going to the tide at Leith There had been a question long depending betwixt Sir Iames Sanderlands and him for the lands of Halyards and by reason thereof a professed enmity amongst them and it falling out at the same time when he was going to Leith that the Duke of Lennox accompanied with Sir Iames and divers others was making towards their sport in the sands Mr. Iohn Graham apprehending that they did pursue him made a turn upon that ascent which is without the gate of the town as if he would stand there to his defence which S. Iames taking for a sort of provocation he made towards him and entering in conflict Sir Alexander Stewart a grave Gentleman servant to the Duke of Lennox was killed by the shot of a pistoll presently after M. Iohn Graham by another shot was stricken in the breast and fell to the ground they who did give him the convoy seeing him fall did all flie and the companies separating he was led to a poor Cottage near unto the place and as he lay in bed killed by the said Sir Alexander his Page in revenge of his Masters death A man he was but meanly born and descended of that unhappy race which had an hand in the murther of King Iames the first a long time he served as Deputy to the Earl of Argile in the Justice Courts and after his death waited on Captain Iames Stewart by whose means he was preferred to be one of the Senatours of the Colledge of Justice in the place of Mr. Robert Pont of a quick wit and a good and ready utterance but was excessively proud covetous and unhonest in his dealings as appeared in suborning of the Notary of whom we spake and the fraud which he used to Mr. Andrew Polwart subdean of Glasgow a man of great learning who being forced to fly into England in the year 1584. with the other Ministers that took their refuge thither had intrusted him with his living and rent upon assurance to be repossessed when the time should change yet being returned and having obtained his peace could he never bring him to fulfill his promise whereupon after a long plea at law not finding an outgate the honest man conceived a displeasure and died The Earl of Angus the same day that he was killed made an escape out of the Castle of Edinburgh by the connivence of the keepers and flying to the North joyned with Huntley and Arroll They upon the report of the Kings coming to Aberdene left their houses and betook themselves to the mountains sending their Ladies to intercede for them and make offer of the keyes of their houses which they had been charged to render The King receiving the Ladies courteously told them that if their husbands would enter and abide triall they should receive no wrong otherwise the crime laid to their charge did so highly touch the Estate as he could not stay the course of Justice In the mean time for preserving the Countrey in peace the Earl of Atholl was made Lieutenant within the bounds of Elgin Forres Narne Innernesse and Cromartie and the like Commission given to the Earl of Marshall of the Sherifdoms of Kincardin Bamffe and Aberdene This done the King returned to Edinburgh where the Lord Burgh did meet him He was sent from the Queen of England to congratulate the discoveries of these treacherous practices and make offer of her assistance in pursuing and punishing those that should trie culpable wherein she wished him to doe as a King ought in such a case and if he could not apprehend their persons to confiscate their lands and rents whereby he should undoe them and better the Estate of his Crown And seeing the cause was common and touched all Princes professing the same Religion she desired to be certified what his resolution was that she might assure other Princes her confederates of the course taken in both their dominions for resisting the attempts of Spain The King thanking the Queen for her friendly offer and advice said That he knew Sir Robert Bowes her resident Ambassadour had advertised her of the whole particulars and of the blanks and letters intercepted that he had made a beginning and was fully resolved to prosecute the
State considering their continuance in the same disposition to work mischief as before of these things they were desired to inform their flocks and both in publick doctrine and private conference to stirre up the Countrey-people to apprehend the danger and to be in readiness to resist the same so farre as lawfully they might It was further thought meet that publick humiliation should be indicted through the whole Countrey the first Sunday of December and the cause thereof declared to be the return of the excommunicated Lords and dangers thereby threatned to Religion which the Ministers should enlarge according to their discretions as also that the Presbyteries should call before them their Entertainers Reffetters and such as kept company with them and proceed summarily with the Censures of the Church una citatione quia periclitatur salus Ecclesiae Reipublicae Lastly they concluded that a number of Commissioners selected out of all the Quarters of the Countrey should reside at Edinburgh and convene every day with some of the Presbyterie of Edinburgh to receive Advertisements as should be sent from other places and take counsell upon the most expedient in every case The Brethren nominated to this purpose were Mr. Alexander Douglas M. Peter Blaickborure M. George Gladstaves and M. Iames Nicholson for the North parts Mr. Iames Melvill Mr. Thomas Buchannan Mr. Alexander Lindesey and Mr. William Striveling for the middle part of the Countrey Mr. Iohn Clapperton Mr. Iohn Knox Mr. George Ramsey and Mr. Iames Carmichaell for the South and for the West Mr. Iohn Howson Mr. Andrew Knox Iohn Porterfield and Mr. Robert Wilkie Their attendance was ordained to be monethly and to begin in November At which time Mr. Iames Nicholson Mr. Iames Melvill Mr. Andrew Knox Mr. Iohn Howson and Mr. George Ramsey were appointed to wait Mr. Robert Bruce Mr. Robert Pont Mr. David Lindesey Mr. Iames Balfour Mr. Patrick Gallaway and Mr. Walter Balcanquell observing ordinarily all the meeting These Conventions were by a new name called the Councell of the Church and appointed to be kept once every day at least for taking advice in every business that occurred by direction of this Councell Lord Alexander Seaton President of the Session was called before the Synod of Lothian for keeping intelligence with the Earl of Huntley and by them remitted back to that Councell before whom with many attestations he purged himself of any dealing with Huntley or any of the Papist Lords and upon promise not imploy his credit that way was dimitted The King suspecting their beginnings should end in some trouble but not like to fall in contrary terms with the Church if by any means the same could be eschewed commanded the President Secretary Advocate and Laird of Colluthle to conferre with the most moderate of the Ministery and use their best means for satisfying them touching the return of the forfeited Lords Mr. David Lindesey Mr. Patrick Gallaway Mr. Iames Nicholson and Mr. Iames Melvill being sent for to this Conference were desired to give their opinions Whether or not due satisfaction being made to the Church by the Lords for otherwise the King did not mean to shew them any favour they might be pardoned and restored to their estates The Ministers answered They came only to hear what was proponed and in a matter of that importance could say nothing unacquainting their brethren The Conference was delayed till afternoon At which time returning they said That the brethren were glad of the respect carried by his Majesty to the Church and that his resolution was to give no favour to those Rebels till the Church was first satisfied But in their judgments they having by Gods law deserved death and being by the most soveraign Court of the Kingdome sentenced to have lost their estates they could not be lawfully pardoned nor restored And if the King and his Councell would take on them to doe it they had God and the Countrey to answer unto but for them they would give no assent but protest to the contrary that they were free thereof before God and man This answer seeming rather to proceed of passion then any good zeal it was next urged Whether upon their humble and submisse suite to be reconciled the Church could not deny to receive them it being commonly held thâ—t the bosome of the Church should ever be patent to repenting sinners They answered That the Church indeed could not refuse their satisfaction if it were truly offered neverthelesse the King stood obliged to doe justice When by no reasoning they could be wrought from these extremities the Conference brake off and the effects thereof being reported to the King he was greatly commoved inveighing against Ministers at his table in Councell and every where The wiser sort that foresaw the ill effects this rancour would breed advised the Ministers to send some of their number to understand what it was that did offend the King and offer all satisfaction on their parts withall to lay open their grievances and in humble manner entreat a redress of the things which they esteemed hurtfull Herein the same Brethren being employed they found the Kings answers more biting and peremptory then they expected for being desired to shew what it was that made his majesty so offended wth the Church and professing to amend it so farre as lay in them he said There could be no agreement so long as the marches of the two Iurisdictions were not distinguished that in their preachings they did censure the affaires â—f the Estate and Councell convocate Generall Assemblies without his license conclude what they thought good not once desiring his allowance and approbation and is their Synods Presbyteries and particular Sessions meddle with every thing upon colour of scandall besides divers other disorders which at another time he would propound and have reformed otheâ—wise it was vain to think of any agreement or that the same being made could stand and continue any while The Ministers not willing to dip in these matters after they had in sober manner replied to each of these points fell to speak of their own grievances as first the favour granted to the Popish Lords in the late Conventions at Falkland and Dunfermlin the countenance given to the Lady Huntley and her invitation to the Baptisme of the Princesse the putting her in the hands of the Lady Levingston an avowed and obstinate Papist and which grieved them more then any thing else the alienation of his Majesties heart from the Ministers as appeared by all his speeches publick and private To this last the King did first reply saying That they had given him too just cause by their railing against him and his proceedings in their Sermons for the Popish Lords he had granted nothing to them but what the Estate had found needfull for the peace and quiet of the Realm As to the Lady Huntley he esteemed her a good discreet Lady and worthy of his
the Sermon was delivered And then repeating his former declinator presented a new one in substance the same with the first For the last point he made offer to submit himself to the triall of the King and Councell Being removed and the Declinatour put to voices it was found That the crimes and accusations contained in the summons were seditious and treasonable and that his Majesty his Councell and other Judges substitute by his authority were competent Judges in all matters either criminall or civill as well to Ministers as to other subjects This pronounced the witnesses were called and admitted but their examination was delayed to the next day After the Councell dissolved the Prior of Blantyre Treasurer and Alexander Hume Provost of Edinburgh were sent from the King to the Ministers that notwithstanding of that his proceeding against Mr. Blake hee did not mean to use him with rigour but if they should move him to come and resolve his Majestie touching the truth of the points libelled he would rest upon his own declaration and send him back to his charge so carefull was the King of peace and so desirous to be in good termes with the Church Night was then fallen and the Commissioners gone to their lodgings yet finding Mr. Robert Bruce Mr. Robert Rollock Mr. Iames Nicolson and Mr. Iames Melvill together they declared what they had in Commission to have declared to the whole number Mr. Robert Bruce answering in the name of the rest said That if the matter did touch Mr. Blake alone the offer might be accepted but the libertie of Christs kingdome had received such a wound by the Proclamations published the Saterday preceding and that Day by the usurpation of the spirituall Iudicatorie as if Mr. Blakes life and the lives of twentie others had been taken it would not have grieved the hearts of good brethren so much as these injurious proceedings had done and that either these things behooved to bee retreated or they would oppose so long as they had breath This answere reported the King the next morning called some two or three of the Ministers unto him did confer with them a long space shewing that he was so farre from impairing the Spirituall Jurisdiction or abridging any of the Church Liberties as he would not only maintain them in what they enjoyed but would enlarge and amplisie the same when he saw it to be for their good But this licencious Discoursing said he of affaires of state in Pulpit can not be tolerated My claime is only to Iudge in matters of sedition and other civill and criminall causes and of speeches that may import such crimes wheresoever they be uttered for that the Pulpit should be a place priviledged and under colour of Doctrine People stirred to sedition no good man I thinke will allow If treason and sedition be crimes punishable when they are committed much more if they be committed in the Pulpit where the word of truth should only be taught and heard One of the Ministers answering that they did not plead for the priviledge of the place but to the respect that was due to the message and Commission they carried which having received from God the same ought not to be controlled in any civill Judicature Would you keep you to your message said the King there would be no strife but I trust your message be not to rule estates and when courses dislike you to stirre the people to sedition and make your King and those that rule under him odious by your railings and outcries If any doe so said the Minister and be tried to have passed the bounds it is reason he be punished with all extremitie but this must bee cognosced by the Church And shall not I said the King have power to call and punish a Minister that breaketh out in treasonable speeches but must come to your presbyterie and be a complainer I have good proof in the processe with Gibson and Rosse what justice you will doe me and were it in a doubtfull and ambiguous case where by any colour the speeches might be justified it were some way favourable to say that the Minister should be called and convict by his brethren but as in the present action with M. Blake who hath said The treachery of the Kings heart is discovered all Kings are the Devils Barns c. who sees not the man hath passed his bounds and not kept him to his message I am not ignorant what agitations France of late and England in former times hath suffered by the violence of such spirits and I have been in my time reasonably exercised with them and ye must not think that I will tolerate such licentiousness As for any lawfull power or liberty ye or your Assemblies have granted either by the word of God or by the laws of the kingdom I mean not to diminish the same and if ye think meet I will publish so much by a Declaration for satisfying you and all other my subjects With this the Ministers were dimitted who having related the conference they had with his Majesty to the rest of their brethren it was agreed in regard of the many inconveniencies which might ensue upon these distractions betwixt his Majesty and the Church that if they could obtain a Declaration in Councell that by the Acts and Proclamations published his Majesty did not intend to discharge any Church Assembly nor to annull any conclusion thereof but that the same should stand in force as they had been in use by the warrant of the word and approbation of his Highness laws and that the discharge of Barons and Gentlemen to convene with the Ministers was not extended to any Ecclesiasticall conventions but onely meant of their convening in Arms matters should be passed over for the present the interloquutor in M. Blakes business not being used against him nor any other Minister unto a lawfull generall Assembly wherein the question concerning the limits of the Civill and the Spirituall Jurisdiction might be reasoned and defined This being propounded the King assented to the Declaration craved offering further to delete the Acts whereupon the Proclamations were founded And for M. Blake he was content that he should be brought to his presence and declaring upon his conscience the truth of the points libelled in the hearing of M. David Lindesay M. Iames Nicolson and M. Thomas Buchannan they three should have power to determine what they thought meet The business was now thought to be at an end but in the afternoon by the suggestion as it was supposed of the President the King would have M. Blake to come before the Councell and acknowledge his offence to the Queen which done he should be pardoned of all This M. Blake refused saying he would neither condemn himself nor approve the proceedings of the Councell who have taken upon them to judge of his Sermons had admitted a sort of ignorant and partially affected people to be witnesses
Spain this year returning to make good what he had undertaken with some few assisters he entered into the Isle a huge rock it is four miles in compass wherein an old ruinous Tower built on the ascent of the rock of difficult access meaning to have victualled the same Mr. Iohn Knox the same who took Mr. George Ker with the blanks some five years before getting intelligence of the purpose came upon him unlooked and landing in the Isle did encounter him in the very shore for the most of his company being gone to seek their sport he had stayed to see who those were that he espied coming to the Isle not thinking that his purpose was known or that any would pursue him but when he perceived them to be unfriends and to be set for his apprehension he ran into the Sea and drowned himself The King did esteem this as it was indeed a peece of good service and the newes thereof going to the Popish Lords made them more willing to fulfill that which they had promised So that on the 26. of Iune the Earls of Huntly and Arroll upon their solemn repentance oaths and subscriptions to the Articles of faith were absolved in the Church of Aberdene The Earl of Angus in the same manner was received by the Ministers of Mernis and Angus This businesse ended the King for repressing the barbarous fewds which abounded at that time in the North parts sent a Commission to the Bishop of Aberdene with concurrence of Sir Patrick Murray and some Ministers for taking up their quarrels and with charges to cause the parties give assurance one to another which should endure to the first of April 1598. The fewds mentioned in the instructions sent to Sir Patrick Murray were the fewds betwixt the Earl of Huntley and Lord Forbes the Earl of Arroll and the Laird of Ladwherne the Laird of Drum and young Frendraucht with a number more but the most deadly and dangerous betwixt the families of Huntley and Murray the King reserved to be his own work and ceased not till the same was removed and a friendship made up by marriage which should in all reason be most lasting Those others were by the diligence of the Bishop and Ministers setled and so the North parts reduced unto quietness In the end of Iune the King called the Commissioners of the Assembly to a meeting at Falkland where amongst other business a complaint was preferred by Mr. Iohn Lindesay of Balcarres Secretary against Mr. Robert Wallace Minister at S. Andrews for certain injurious speeches uttered in his Sermons having called him a briber and said That albeit he had made conquest of fifty Chalders victuall in Fife and built a house to the skyes yet his posterity should beg their bread which some of his Auditors should see and that it was doubtfull if ever God should grant him repentance The Secretary had complained of this to the Presbyterie but they refused to admit his accusation unlesse the same was assisted by two witnesses who could affirm that the accuser had just cause to pursue the complaint which they alledged to be the Apostles Canon in the 1 of Timothy ch 5. v. 19. and shewed themselves so partially affected as he was forced to pursue the complaint before his Majesty and Commissioners Mr. Wallace being summoned to that Diet and desired to answer to the complaint refused to acknowledge the judgment alledging That the general Assembly had given them no Commission in that particular and that the accusation once before the Presbyterie of S. Andrews ought to have been orderly taken out of their hands which was not done This Declinatour being proponed compeired Mr. Nicoll Dalgleish Moderator of the Presbyterie and in their name protested against the proceedings of the Commissioners in that cause as being once intended before them seeing by that form of doing all the Presbyteries of Scotland should be prejudged and that the Generall Assembly of whom they had their Commission would not take unto them the triall of any cause with a neglect of the inferiour judicatories Then said the King I will likewise protest that seeing one of the principall motives which induced me to crave and the Generall Assembly to yeild unto this Commission was to have the like of these offences when they did arise removed and justice done by the Ministers themselves rather then to be brought before the Councell ye either proceed in examining the complaint and doe that which is right or hold me excused if I take order with it by another form that will not please you so well The Commissioners having advised the Reasons of the Declinatour and Protestation did finde them all invalid and of no force and that they had warrant sufficient to proceed and minister justice in that action as well in respect of the generall power contained in their Commission as of the particular commended to their care in the planting of the Church of S. Andrews So the complaint was admitted and the 5 of Iuly appointed at S. Andrews for trying the same At the day the Secretary compeiring accompanied with Master Robert Mauld Commissar of Saint Andrews and Iohn Arnot Clerk to the Commissar whom he produced as assisting Witnesses to take away the Presbyteries exception did insist in his complaint Mr. Wallace being askt if he had any thing to oppose against the Witnesses refused to answer in respect of his Declinatour whereupon they were admitted and upon oath declared that they knew the accusation to be just and that the Secretary had not intended the same of any purpose to calumniate or slander the said Mr. Robert but only to be repaired to his credit and honour as one who had been greatly wronged by him The Witnesses for probation being then called and Mr. Wallace inquired if he had any exception against them refused as before to answer So they likewise were received and being sworn deponed that they heard the said Mr. Wallace utter the words complained of in his Sermon Notthelesse the Commissioners for their better information did think it meet to call to his Auditors of the University who were of better judgment and could truly relate what they heard The Masters of the new Colledge refusing to give any testimony in respect of the Presbyteries Protestation at Falkland all the rest affirmed what the Witnesses had deponed After which Mr. Wallace being again called and desired to shew what reason or warrant he had for uttering such speeches refused still to make answer nor could any perswasion break his obstinacy though he was earnestly laboured by Mr. Robert Rollock and Mr. Iames Melvill apart who did offer upon the confession of the fault that the processe should cease The Commissioners seeing no way to eschew the pronouncing of sentence in regard of his obstinacy did yet take counsell to visit the Church and inquire both of his and Mr. Blakes behaviour in that Ministery before they went
Forbes Mr. Nathaniel English Mr. Charles Farum Mr. Iames Irwyn Mr. Iohn Sharp Mr. Robert Dury Mr. Iohn Rosse and Mr. Robert Youngson The last of these was one that had acknowledged his offence and craved pardon yet at this Diet compeired with these others professing That he was troubled in conscience for the confession he had made and that he would now take part with the brethren who stood to the defence of the good cause as he termed it The Councell repelling the Declinatour declared the Assembly to have been unlawfull and those that met in the same contrary to his Majesties command punishable But because they had added to their former fault the crime of Treason it was thought meet to deferre the Censure till the King should be acquainted therewith and his pleasure known No sooner was his Majesty advertised of the Declinatour then direction was sent to the Councell for proceeding against them according to the laws whereupon the six that were imprisoned in Blacknesse that is to say Mr. Iohn Forbes Mr. Iohn Welch Mr. Andrew Duncan Mr. Iohn Sharp Mr. Robert Dury and Mr. Alexander Straghan were upon the tenth of Ianuary thereafter brought to the Town of Linlithgow and presented upon Pannell before the Justice who was assisted by a number of Noblemen and others of the Privie Councell The Indictment made which was grounded upon the Statute of Parliament holden in May 1584. touching his Majesties Royall Power over all Estates and the presumptuous fact committed by them in declining the judgment of the Councel Certain of their brethren did supplicate the Justice for licence to conferre with them apart that they might perswade them to an humble submission and acknowledgment of their offence This obtained they were most earnestly dealt with as well by their Brethren as by the Advocates that came to plead for them to relinquish their wilfulness and not to exasperate the King by standing to the defence of their Declinatour but no perswasions could avail So returning to the Barre they were desired to answer and shew a reason if any they had why the matter should not passe the triall of a Jury The Advocates that stayed with them for the two principalls refused to plead because of their obstinacy excepting against the Indictment said that the Statute 1592. Whereby it was declared That the Act made against declining of the Councells judgment should not derogate any thing from the priviledges which God had given to the spirituall office-bearers in the Church concerning heads of Religion in matters of heresie collation and deprivation of Ministers or any such essentiall censures having warrant of the word of God and that thereupon inferred that their meeting at the time libelled in Aberdene being an essentiall censure warranted by Gods word they might lawfully have declined the Councells judgment from taking cognition therein It was answered by his Majesties Advocate That the exception was naught because the keeping of an Assembly at a certain time and place and the appointing of another contrary to his Majesties direction and the charge of the Councell was neither a head of Religion nor matter of heresie nor excommunication nor an essentiall censure and so being no waies comprehended under that limitation their declining of the Councell when as they were called to answer for the keeping of that Conventicle in the Town of Aberdene must of necessity come under the generality of the Statâ—te 1584 and bring them under the punishment of Treason The matter after some dispute being put to triall of an Assise all the six were found guilty of Treason and returned to their severall prisons till his Majesties pleasure concerning their punishment should be certified what this was in the story of the next year shall be declared Mean while a Proclamation went out discharging all the subjects of what rank place calling function or condition soever either in publick or private to call in question his Majesties authority Royall or the lawfulness of the proceeding against the said Ministers or to make any other construction of the Statute concerning the declining of his Majesties and the Councells judgment then made in that decision of the Justice with certification of those that contravened that they should be called and severely punished as seditious persons and wilfull contemners of his Majesties most just and lawfull government Before these stirres in the Church a Convention of the Estates was kept the sixth of Iune at Edinburgh where a Letter was presented by his Majesty to the Estates full of affection The Letter was to this effect That his Majesties love being nothing diminished through his absence towards that his native and antient Kingdome he did wish them to contend in a laudable emulation who should live most vertuously and be most obedient to the laws That the Nobility should give assistance to the execution of justice and be in all things a good ensample to their inferiours The Barons should set themselves to procure the good of the Kingdome And the Burgesses apply their mindes to the increase of trade especially the trade of fishing which had been long neglected and to the working of cloth that had made their neighbour Countrey so famous To them all be recommended the rooting forth of barbarity the planting of Colonies in the Isles and peopling the same with civil and industrious persons assuring them that they so behaving themselves their liberty should be as dear to him as either his life or estate This was the substance of the Letter which the Chancellour having resumed and thereunto added many perswasions for the following of those wholsome and profitable counsells the Estates did expresse a great forwardness that way and after a long deliberation condescended upon divers good Acts which if they had been all carefully put in practise as they were wisely devised the Kingdome had long before this time tried the benefit thereof Amongst other directions the removing of the barbarous fewds was recommended to the Councell whereof they were desired to make a Roll and urge the parties to reconcile and if they refused then to assure them to the peace and commit them to ward till the same was secured And whereas the custome had been to cause parties assure one another the King did prohibit the same as a thing dishonourable and arguing too great presumption in the subject seeing the Law should be to every man a sufficient assurance The Councell reverencing his Majesties direction did ordain that course from thenceforth to be observed and all assurances to be taken for the peace thereafter and not of one party to another Beginning being made with the Lord Maxwell and the Lord of Iohnston they were moved to joyn hands and reconcile in presence of the Councell This Summer the enterprise of the Lewes was again set on foot by Robert Lummisdale of Ardrie and Sir George Hay of Netherliffe to whom some of the first undertakers had made over
the intended tragedy to be performed when as that which was so secretly hatched came to be discovered after a wonderfull manner The Lord Monteagle son heir to the Lord Morley being in his lodging at seven of the clock at night had a Letter given him by one of his footmen who received the same upon the street from a person unknown with a charge to put it in his Masters hand The tenor whereof was as followeth My Lord OUt of the love I bear to some of your friends I have a care of your preservation therefore would I advise you as you tender your life to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this Parliament for God and man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time Think not slightly of this advertisement but retire your self into your Countrey where you may expect the event in safety for though there be no appearance of any stirre yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow in this Parliament and shall not see who hurteth them This counsell is not to be contemned because it may doe you good and can doe you no harm for the danger is passed as soon as you have burnt the Letter and I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it in whose holy protection I commit you It was some ten daies only before the Parliament that Monteagle received this Letter and but twelve hours before the meeting of the Estates that the Plot was found out Where it is a sort of wonder to think that so many being made privie to the conspiracy the same should not have burst out one way or other in so long a time For it was the eleventh of December 1604 when they began to work at the myne and so the space of a year and more the conspiracy went concealed Some advertisements were sent to the King and diverse of his Majesties Councell from beyond sea That the Papists were preparing to present a Petition for toleration of Religion at the meeting of the Parliament which should be so well backed as the King would be loath to refuse it But these advertisements were contemned and thought to be invented for putting the King in fear Yea and the Nobleman when he received the Letter not knowing what construction to make of it doubted much that it had been a device to scare him from attending the Parliament notthelesse out of his care of the Kings preservation he resolved to communicate the same with the Earl of Salisbury his Majesties principall Secretary and going the same night to Whitehall delivered the Letter to him The Secretary acquainting the Chamberlain Admirall and some others of the Councell therewith and examining every line thereof resolved to shew the same to the King at his return for he was then at hunting at Royston and not to search further in the matter till they should hear what was his judgment The King returning to London the Thursday after which was Alhallowes evening the Letter was shewed him the next day in the afternoon who having read the same once or twice said That it was not to be contemned and that the style seemed more quick and pithy then is used in libells pasquills and the like The Secretary perceiving the King to apprehend the matter more deeply then he expected told him that the letter seemed to be written by a fool or mad man and pointing at the passage the danger is past as soon as you have burnt the letter said that the warning was to little purpose if the burning of the letter might make the danger eschewed But the King willing him to consider the former sentence wherein it was said that they should receive a terrible blow at the Parliament and not see who did hurt them and when he should joyn that with the other he should finde it to be suddain danger as by blowing up by Powder that was thereby meant Therefore willed all the rooms in the Parliament house to be searched both above and below to prevent the danger if any there was This belonging to the Chamberlain his office he was desired to make the search and for staying the idle rumours to delay his going to Monday in the afternoon the day before the first Session of Parliament At which time the Chamberlain taking with him the Lord Mounteagle who was carefull to see what the warning given would prove went and viewed all the rooms where he perceived in the vault under the upper house great store of fagots billets and coals and asking the keeper of the guardrobe named Whinyard to what use he had put those low Cellars for they appertained to him he answered that Thomas Percy had hired the house and Cellar and the billets and the coals were the Gentlemans provision for winter The Chamberlain casting his eye aside and espying a fellow in the corner of the vault asked who he was and received answer that he was Percies man who kept the house for his Master Thus having lookt upon all things in a careless manner as it appeared he returned to the King and made report of that he had seen which encreased his Majesties first apprehension and thereupon was order given for turning up those billets and coals even to the bottome if nothing should be found it was devised that Whinyard should pretend the stealing of some of the Kings stuffe which he had in his keeping and that made the colour of search Sir Thomas Knevet Gentleman of his Majesties privie Chamber and Justice of Peace within Westminster being appointed for this business went thither with some few in company about midnight and finding a man standing without doors in his cloathes and boots caused him to be apprehended This was Guido Faulks whose hand should have fired the train and gave himself out for Percies man Thereafter entring into the house he made the coals and billets to be turned up under which they found 36 barrells of Powder more and less Then turning to the fellow they had apprehended and questioning him touching the Powder he did instantly confess swearing That if he had been within the house when they took him he should have blown them up with the house and all Sir Thomas taking the man a long went immediately to the place and shewed the Chamberlain and Secretary how he had sped they making themselves ready and warning the Counsellors that lay within the Palace went all together to his Majesties Bed chamber The King awake the Chamberlain not able to conceal his joy cried aloud that the Treason was discovered and the traitor in hands The command was given to command the Councell to examine the Prisoner touching his partakers he nothing dejected nor moved a whit with so honorable a presence did boldly avow the fact repenting onely that he had failed in the execution and saying The devill envying the success of so good a work had discovered the same All that day nothing could be drawn from him
Majesties use as being convicted of the foresaid treasonable crimes His life upon the Queens intercession was spared and he returned to his prison in Falkland where he abode some moneths being thereafter licensed to go unto his house in Balmerinoch he dyed as was thought of grief and sorrow A man of abilities sufficient for the places he injoyed in Session and Councell but one that made small conscience of his doings and measured all things according to the gain he made by them The possessions he acquired of the Church kept him still an enemy unto it for he feared a restitution should be made of those livings if ever the Clergy did attain unto credit Not long before he fell in his trouble the King had imployed him to deal with the Lords of Session among whom he carried a great sway for restoring the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction to the Bishops but he taking ways that he thought should not have been perceived to disappoint the errand drew upon himself the Kings displeasure and fared nothing the better because of his miscarriage in that business when this occasion was offered It is not for those that serve Princes and are trusted by them in the greatest affairs to deal deceitfully with their Masters for seldome have any taken that course and have not in the end found the smart thereof A Parliament was this year kept at Edinburgh the 24 of Iune the Earl Marshall being Commissioner for the King wherein the Acts concluded in the preceding convention were ratified the jurisdiction of Commissaries restored to the Church the Justices of peace commanded to be setled in every shire and a Statute made for the Apparell of Iudges Magistrates and Churchmen which were all remitted to his Majesties appointment Patterns accordingly were sent from London not long after for the apparell of the Lords of Sessions the Justice other inferiour Judges for Advocates Lawyers Commissars and all that lived by practise of law and command given to every one whom the Statutes concerned to provide themselves of the habits prescribed within a certain space under the pain of Rebellion Such was the Kings care to have those who were in publick charge held in due respect and dignosced whither soever they came The King by his Letters was now daily urging the Bishops to take upon them the administration of all Church affairs and they unwilling to make any change without the knowledge and approbation of the Ministers an assembly to this effect was appointed to hold at Glasgow the 6 of Iune The Earl of Dunbar Sir Iohn Preston President of the Session and Sir Alexander Hay Secretary which two had succeeded to Balmerinoch his places being Commissioners for the King the Archbishop of Glasgow was elected to preside There a Proposition was made by the Commissioners of certain point of Discipline which his Majesty craved to be determined That all things might be done thereafter orderly in the Church and with that consent and harmony which was fitting among preachers Some three daies being spent in reasoning at last the conclusions following were enacted 1 The Assembly did acknowledge the indiction of all such generall Assemblies of the Church to belong to his Majesty by the prerogative of his Crown and all convocations in that kind without his licence to be meerly unlawfull condemning the conventicle of Aberdene made in the year 1605 as having no warrant from his Majesty and contrary to the prohibition he had given 2 That Synods should be kept in every Dioces twice in the year viz. in Aprill and October and be moderated by the Archbishop or Bishop of the Dioces or where the Dioceses are so large as all the Ministers cannot conveniently assemble at one place that there be one or moe had and in the Bishops absence the place of Moderation supplied by the most worthy Minister having charge in the bounds such as the Archbishop or Bishop shall appoint 3 That no sentence of excommunication or absolution from the same be pronounced against or in favour of any person without the knowledge and approbation of the Bishop of the Dioces who must be answerable unto God and his Majesty for the formall and unpartiall proceeding thereof And the process being found formall that the sentence be pronounced at the Bishops direction by the Minister of the Parish where the offender hath his dwelling and the process did first begin 4 That all presentations in time coming be directed to the Archbishop or Bishop of the Dioces within which the Benefice that is void lieth with power to the Archbishop or Bishop to dispone or conferre the Benefices that are void within the Dioces after the lapse Iure devoluto 5 That in the deposition of Ministers upon any occasion the Bishop do associate to himself some of the Ministers within the bounds where the delinquent serveth and after just triall of the fact and merit of it pronounce the sentence of deprivation The like order to be observed in the suspension of Ministers from the exercise of their function 6 That every Minister at his admission swear obedience to his Majesty and to his Ordinary according to the form agreed upon Anno 1571. 7 The visitations of the Dioces be made by the Bishop himself and if the bounds be greater then he can well undertake by such a worthy man of the Minsterie within the Diocese as he shall choose to visit in his place And whatsoever Minister without just cause or lawfull excuse shall absent himself from the visitation or Diocesan assembly be suspended from his Office and Benefice and if he doe not amend deprived 8 That the convention of Ministers for exercise be moderated by the Bishop being present and in his absence by any Minister that he shall nominate in his Synod 9 And last it was ordained that no Minister should speak against any of the foresaid conclusions in publick nor dispute the question of equality or inequality of Ministery as tending only to the intertainment of Schisme in the Church and violation of the peace thereof These conclusions taken it was complained in behalf of the Moderators of Presbyteries who had served since the yeare 1606. That notwithstanding of their promise made at their accepting of the Charge they had received no payment at all of the stipend allowed Which the Earl of Dunbarre excused by his absence forth of the Countrey affirming That unto that time there was never any motion made thereof to him and that before the dissolving of that Assembly he should cause satisfaction to be given to them for the time past declaring withall That seeing order was taken for the moderation of Presbyteries in time coming his Majesties Thesaurer should not be any further burthened with that paiment The Ministers therein remiting themselves to his Majesties good pleasure gave his Lordship thanks for that he had offered which he did also see performed som five thousand pounds Scots being distributed by the Thesaurers servants among those that
that he would not utter any thing that might work prejudice to others nor could he be induced either by perswasion or threatning to detect the persons with whom he had resorted The Commissioners offending at his obstinacy and meaning to extort a confession from him advised to keep him some nights from sleep and this indeed wrought somewhat with him so as he began to discover certain particulars but how soon he was permitted to take any rest he denied all and was as obstinate in denying as at first His Majesty being certified that without torture nothing would be drawn from him made answer That he would not have those forms used with men of his profession and if nothing could be found but that he was a Iesuit and had said Mass they should banish him the Countrey and inhibâ—t him to return without licence under pain of death Bâ—t if it should appear that he had been a practiser for the stirring up of subjects to Rebellion or did maintain the Popes transcendent power over Kings and refusâ—d to take the Oath of Allegeance they should leave him to the course of law and justice mean while his pleasure was that the questions following should be moved unto him and his answers there to required 1 Whether the Pope be Judge and hath power in spiritualibus in over his Majesty and whether that power will reach over his Majesty in tempor alibus if it be in ordine ad spiritualia as Bellarmine affirmeth 2 Whether the Pope hath power to excommunicate Kings especially such as are not of his Church as his Majesty 3 Whether the Pope hath power to depose Kings by him excommunicated and in particular whether he hath power to depose the Kings Majesty 4 Whether it be no murther to slay his Majesty being so excommunicated and deposed by the Pope 5 Whether the Pope hath power to assoile subjects from the oath of their born and native allegeance to his Majesty These Questions were sent inclosed in a Letter to the Archbishop of Glasgow who assuming to himself the Provost of the City the Principall of the Colledge and one of the Ministers as Witnesses did in their hearing read the Questions and receive his Answer which he gave under his hand as followeth I acknowledge the Pope of Rome to be Iudge unto his Majesty and to have power over him in spiritualibus and over all Christian Kings But where it is askt whether that power will reach over him in temporalibus I am not obliged to declare my opinion therein except to him that is Iudge in Controversies of Religion to wit the Pope or one having authority from him For the second point I think that the Pope hath power to excommunicate the King and where it is said that the King is not of the Popes Church I answer that all who are baptized are under the Popes power To the third where it is askt if the Pope hath power to depose the King being excommunicate I say that I am not tied to declare my minde except to him that is Iudge in controversies of Religion To the fourth and fifth I answer ut supra Being reasoned with a long time and the danger exponed wherein he did cast himself by maintaining such treasonable opinions he answered That he would not change his minde for any danger that could befall him and speaking of the Oath of Allegeance that it was a damnable Oath and treason against God to swear it Some daies being allowed him to bethink himself better of these points When as no advice could prevail and answers were sent to his Majesty subscribed by himself and therewith a testification of such as were present at the giving thereof Hereupon the Councell was commanded to passe a Commission to the Provost and Bayliffs of Glasgow for putting him to a triall there were assisting Iames Marquis of Hamilton Robert Earl of Lothian William Lord Sanqhar Iohn Lord Fleming and Robert Lord Boyd Some daies before he was brought to the Barre it was told him That he was not to be charged with saying of Masse nor anything that concerned his profession but only with the Answers made to the Questions proponed which if he should recall there being yet place to repentance the triall should be suspended till his Majesty were of new advertised His reply was That he did so little minde to recall any thing he had spoken as when he should be brought to his answer he should put a bonnet on it And this indeed he performed for when he was placed on pannell and the Indictment read which was grounded all upon the Acts of Parliament made against those that declined his Majesties authority or maintained any other Jurisdiction within the Realm and upon answer made to the above-written demands subscribed with his hand he brake forth in these speeches Under protestation that I doe no way acknowledge this judgment nor receive you that are named in that Commission for my Judges I deny any point laid against me to be treason for if it were treason it would be such in all places and all Kingdomes which you know not to be so As to your Acts of Parliament they were made by a number of partiall men and of matters not subject to their forum or judicatory for which I will not give a rotten figge And where I am said to be an enemy to the Kings authority I know not what authority he hath but what he received from his predecessors who acknowledged the Pope of Rome his jurisdiction If the King will be to me as his predecessors were to mine I will obey and acknowledge him for my King but if he doe otherwise and play the runnagate from God as he and you all doe I will not acknowledge him more then this old hat At these words being interrupted and commanded to speak more reverently of his Majesty he said That he should take the advertisement and not offend but the judgment he would not acknowledge And for the reverence I doe you to stand uncovered I let you know it is ad redemptionem vexationis not ad agnitionem Iudicii The persons cited upon the Jury being then called and he desired to shew if he would except against them said That he had but one exception against them all which was that either they were enemies to his cause or friends if enemies they could not sit upon his triall and if friends they ought to assist him at the Bar. Only he should wish the Gentlemen to consider well what they did and that he could not be judged by them That whatsoever he suffered was by way of injury and not of judgement and that he was accused of treason but had not committed any offence nor could he beg mercy And proceeding in this strain I am said he a subject as free as the King is a King I came by commandement of my Superior into this kingdome and if I were even now forth of it
conceived by his death This following penned by a learned Divine in our vulgar language did affect me so as I thought good to subjoin it ALL who have eyes awake and weep For he whose waking wrought our sleep Is fallen asleep himself and never Shall wake again till wak'd for ever Deaths iron handhath clos'd those Eyes Which were at once three Kingdoms spies Both to foresee and to prevent Dangers as soon as they were meant That Head whose working brain alone VVrought all mens quiet but its own Now lies at rest O let him have The peace he lent us in his grave If that no Naboth all his Reign Was for his fruitfull vineyard slain If no Vriah lost his life Because he had too fair a wife Then let no Shimei's curses wound His honour or profane his ground Let no black-mouth'd no rank-breath'd cur Peacefull JAMES his Ashes stir Princes are Gods ô doe not then Rake in their graves to prove them men For two and twenty years long care For providing such an Heir VVho to the peace we had before May adde twice two and twenty more For his daies travels and nights watches For his craz'd sleep stoln by snatches For two fair Kingdoms joyn'd in one For all he did or meant t' have done Doe this for him write on his dust IAMES the Peacefull and the Iust. The End A brief Table directing to the Principall Matter of this HISTORY A St. Andrews made an University by the Bishop of the place procuring it Page 57 Made an Archiepiscopal See 58 Aidanus in Northumberland within seven dayes after his first arrival converteth and baptizeth 15000 14 Augustine The King of Northumberland with an army by instigation as was supposed of Augustine the Monk slayeth 1200 Monks that refused to receive the Rites of Rome 12 Alcuinus born in Scotland 22 B BIshop The ancient manner of a Bishop in Scotland 4 Anciently in Scotland all the moveable goods of any Bishop belonged to the King and were seized for his use 55 An English Army put to flight by a Bishop 99 A Bishop went on foot through the whole Kingdome preaching the Gospel wheresoever he came 108 The ancient variance between the Scots and Holland reconciled by a Bishop 105 The difference between Iames III. of Scotland and Lewis XI of France reconciled principally by the prudence of a Bishop ibid. A Bishop barbarously maimed by an Earl in the Kings absence and the Justice done upon him for it 40 110 A very pious Bishop lived to the age of 185 years 112 Iohn Dury a reformed Minister at his death giveth advice to the Assembly of the Church to restore the Episcopal government 457 Bishops restored in the Church and to their temporalities in Scotland 496 Cautions whereby the Episcopal power was moderated in Scotland 501 Scottish Bishops came to England for consecration 514 Colman a Scottish Bishop disswadeth by his great authority the Nobility of Scotland from deposing their King 19 Buchannan by his verses he incenseth the Franciscans 67 His death 525 Benefices the temporality of them annexed to the Crown 365 Bothwell in open Rebellion is encouraged by the English Ambassadors 402 The King would have it inserted into the Acts of the Church that Ministers shall make publick declaration in the Church the Sunday following after they have baptized any privately first refused 529 After passed by the Church 539 C CArdinals by the Popes Law the placeâ—s are to be ruinated where Cardinals are slain 88 Charles after King of Great Britain born 461 His Journey to Spain 544 His return 545 A Letter to him from Gregory XV. then being Suitor in the Spanish Court 544 Church A form of Church-policy presented to the Convention of Estates at Edinburgh drawn up by Knox 152 The Church and Regent cross one the others proceedings 271 A model of Church-policy presented to the Parliament at Striveling 289 The Church appointeth a Fast on the same day that the King appointeth a Feast for the entertainment of the French Ambassador with a design to cross the King 322 The Assembly of the Church protest against the Kings judging in Causes Ecclesiastical the Councel of State reject the Protestation 318 Contentions between the King and Church 319 They allow not the Councel authority to judge of Treason spoken by them in the Pulpit 330 The Ministers yield more to the desires of the basest people then to reasonable Propositions of the King 394 They provide a Chaplain of their own interest for Bothwell endevouring Rebellion 402 They refuse to submit their doctrine to the triall of the King and Councel 420 They style the Queen of England Elizabeth an Atheist in their Sermons 419 422 One of them affiâ—med in his Sermon that it is lawful for subjects to take arms against their King 430 They sollicite the Lord Hamilton and people to take arms 431 Articles proposed in the form of Question by the King concerning affairs of the Church 435 The bosome of the Church ought alwaies to be open to Penitents 437 The Assembly vote that it is lawfull for Ministers to sit in Parliament 449 Some of them refuse to give thanks in their Churches for the Kings deliverance from the attempts of Gowrie 460 Catholikes are dispensed from Rome to profess or swear against their religion so as in minde they continued firme 308 Covenant is taken by the Ministers obliging them to a better discharge of their duty 416 A Scottish prisoner rescued out of the Castle of Carlisle by a strange attempt 414 A strange event at a Councel held in Wiltsh 27 The Charity of a certain man saved his life 462 Conference at Hampton Court 478 Another Conference there between Scottish Bishops and Ministers of the Presbytery 497 D DRuids what they were 3 Are expelled by Cratilinth 3 The Diocese of Dunkeld divided into two Bishopricks 98 The Synod of Dort in Holland 540 Did not ratifie the Acts of Perth ibid. E A Controversie between six Competitors for the Crown of Scotland referred to the arbitration of Edward I of England 48 England the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland united upon the intended marriage of Edward VI. being about five years old and Mary daughter of Scotland being about one year old 72 That Contract broken by Scotland 73 The King of Scots with many of his Nobles swear subjection to Edward I. of England at Newcastle 49 The King of Scots and the Parliament of Scotland convened at Berwick do homage to the King of England ibid. The King of England refuseth to stand to the Popes judgement 50 The Earls and Barons of Scotland in a Parliament at S. Andrewes swear obedience the third time to the King of England ib. The Scottish Lords of the Congregation have aid from England 140 The Articles of Contract between England and Scotland 142 Scottish Bishops come to England to be consecrated 514 Easter The ancient manner of observing it in Scotland not the same with that of the Roman 15
ant Boeth l. 11. Buchan l. 6. King Kenneth murthered in the Castle of Fettercarne An. 1004. Buchan l. â— Scon. li. in Catalog Episc. S. Andrews Buchan l. 6. Boeth l. 11. The Danes defeat at Muâ—tâ—lack in Angus by Malcolm An Episcopal See at Murthlack Boeth l. 11. Past. l. 4. c. 44. Buchan l. 6. An. 1034. Buchan l. 7. Boeth l. 12. An. 1057. A discourse between Mackduffe and Malcolme Boeth l. 12. Pasâ— l. 5. c. 3 4. Scotichron l 7. Buchan l. 7. Dioces appointed by the Bishops Cathnes and Murray erected by King Malcolme the third The History of Queen Margaret and her marriage with King Malcolâ— King Malcolm and the Conquerour at Warre Peace concluded amongst them The contrary disposition of King Malcolm and William Rufus Bishop Gregorius dieth Turgot elected in his place Buchan l. 7. An. 1117. The vertues of King Malcolm the third The praise of Queen Margaret Her issue by King Malcolm Buchan l. 7. Sa. Daniel in his Collection Scon. lib. in Catalog Episâ— S. Andrews An. 1098. Marianus King Edgar erected the Abbey of Cauldingham in a Priory King Alexander the Fierce seeketh advice of the Archbishop of canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury and York at difference Archbishop of Canterbury his letter to king Alexander Eadmerus hist. l. 5. 6. King Alexander offended that Eadmerus would not be consecrated in Scotland He is invested in the Bishoprick by the intercession of the Noblemen Thurstan the Archbishop of York opposes the consecration of Eadmerus An. 1124. Eadmerus departeth into England upon the Kings dislike He purgeth himself to the Archbishop Robert Prior of Scone elected Bishop of Saint Andrews and consecrated at York The Abbey of Scone and Saint Columbe founded Cursus Apri given to Saint Andrews King David succeeded to Alexander and his beneficence to the Church King David taxed of profusion His magnificence vindicate from these â—spersions An. 1159. Buch. l. 7. The faults of person ought not to be cast on things abused Whence the superflous enriching of Abbeys proceed Buch. l. 7. Bishop Robert dieth Richardus de sancto Victore with David a Presbyter He citeth the Scottish Clergy to Norham The Clergy by some Delegates appeal to Rome to the Pope Pope Alexander the third giveth sentence for Scotland Angelramus elected Bishop of Glasgow King Malcolm the fourth his death A Bishop placed at Carlile by the Archbishop of York Buch. l. 7. An. 1165. Boeth l. 13. Buch. l. 7. King William secketh to have Northumberland restored King William surprised at Anwick Boeth l. 13. Hollinshed History of Scotland An. 1175. Buch. l. 16. 7. Sa. Daniel A meeting of the Scotish Clergy at Northampton Gilbertus Canonicus his reply to the Legate Boeth ibidem Scon. l. 8. c. 16. Boeth l. 13. An. 1178. Scon. l. 8. The Archdeacon of S. Andrews elected Bishop The King displeased maketh his Chaplain to be choosed of new The Archdeacon appealeth to Rome His journey thither Pope Lucius his Letter to the King The Pope purposeth to interdict the Realm is stayed by the entreaty of the Archdeacon The Bishop of Dunkeld dieth and the Bishoprick offered by the King to the Archdeacon An. 1188. The Archbishop accepted Dunkeld Bishop Hugo dieth The Kings of England and France prepare to recover the Holy land Sa. Daniel Buchan l. 7. Sa. Daniel Lesl. l. 6. King of Scots his kindnesse to the King of England Boeth l. 13. The Abbey of lundors founded King william goeth to England to congratulate King Richard his return The Bishop of Cathnes cruelly used by the Earl of the countrey The King punished it severely Buchan l. 7. Pope Innocent the third his thanks to the King for the justice of execution A Convocation of the Clergy at Perth Boeth l. 13. Lesl. l. 8. Saturday from 12. of the clock to be kept as holy An. 1189. Bishop Roger succeedeth to Hugo after his death Roger consecrated in the year 1198. dieth in Iuly 1202. William Malvoisin translated from Glasgow to S. Andrewes Scon. l. 8. Pasl l. 6. c. 27. King William dieth his pious devotion Boeth l. 13. Buchan l. 7. An. 1214. King Alexander the second Crowned at Scone Boeth l. 7. Buchan l. 13. The Kingdom interdicted by the Popes Legate Scon. l. c. 33. The priviledge of the white monks suspended Peace concluded betwixt the King and Henry the third of England The Kingdom of Scotland absolved from the interdiction Boeth l. 13. Buchan l. 7. The course taken with the inferiour Churchmen Scon. l. 9. c. 32. The Scots Clergy complain of the Legates extortions An. 1219. Buchan l. 7. Scon. ibideâ— The King offended with the contributions of Rome The Popes Legate discharged from entering into Scotland Orders of S. Dominick and Francis brought into Scotland Scon. l. 10. c. â— Foundation of religious houses Gilbert Earl of Stratherne his donations to the Church Scon. l. 8. c. 73. An. 1238. David the Kings Chamberlain elected Bishop upon Malvoisin his death King Alexander the second buried at Melrosse His Epitaph King Alexander the third crowned Sa Daniel in the life of Henry the third Scon l. 10. c. 8. Abell Archdeacon of S. Andrews elected Bishop after David Abell his rigour exercised upon the Chanons An. 1255. Gamelinus elected Bishop upon Abels death Pasl l. 6. Boeth l. 13. Buch. l. 7. The Court displeased with the Bishop A Legate sent from Rome Scon. l. 2. c. 24. Boeth l. 13. Buch. l. 7. Boeth l. 13. The Carmelite Friers received in Scotland Crosse-Church at Peblis erected Boeth l. 13. Scon. l. 30. An. 1271. William Wishart elected Bishop upon Gamelinus his death Scon. l. 10. c. 30. Pasl l. 6. Bishops attending a Rome for Consecration A Councel at Lyons Scon. l. 10. c. 34. A supply for the holy Warre The Acts of the Councel All the Acts overturned by dispensations Scon. l. 10. c. 35. An. 1279. Bishop Wishart dieth Scon. l. 10. c. 31. Michael Scot and Tho. Lermouth Buchan l. 13. Lesl. l. 6. Boeth l. 13. William Fraser elected Bishop after Wishart Buchan l. 7. The death of of King Alexander the third and his children Two Knights of Fife directed to the maid of Norway whom they found dead Boeth l. 14. Buchan l. 8. Competitors for the Crown Scon. l. 11. c. 2. King Edward his speech at the meeting in Norham Robert Bishop of Glasgow his reply Scon. l. 11. c. 10. The right of the Crown found to lie betwixt Baliol and Bruce Buchan l. 8. A meeting at Berwick for determinating the right Sa. Daniel Boeth l. 14. Bruce refuseth the offer which Baliol embraceth Baliol hated for swearing subjection to the King of England Buchan l. 8. Baliol breaketh with England Ambassadors from France and England Boeth l. 14. Scon. l. 11. c. 18. Baliol cited to Newcastle Scotland invaded by King Edward Buchan l. 8. Boeth l. 14. The Bishops of Glasgow and Isles sent prisoners to London A message sent to the Pope from the Clergy Scon. l. 11. c. 36. The Popes
letters to King Edward and the Archbishop of Canterbury An. 1300. King Edward his answer William Wallace S. Daniel Boeth l. 14. Buch. l. 8. A Parliament S. Andrews King Edward his course for â—â—tirpating the Scots Scon. Catal. Episc. S. Andreâ— Pasl l. â— William Lamberton preferred to S. Andrewes upon the death of Fraser Pasl l. 6. c. 2. The Culdees and Chanons strife The dissolution of the Templars Paulus Emilius Plessis B. Lamberton loseth K. Edwards favour Buchan l. 8. Lesl. l. 7. Boâ—th l. 14. The Bishop committed to Prison Robert Bruce crowned King Boeth l. 14. Buchan l. 8. The Popes Legate sent to disswade the King from troubling England Boeth l. 14. The King his answer to the Legate The Kingdom interdicted Buch. l. 8. A Letter sent by the Nobles and Barons of Scotland to the Pope Scon. l. 13. c. 1. The Interdiction released The English sue for peace The conditions of the peace An. 1328. King Robert Bruce dieth B. Lamberton his death and vertues Scon. l. in Catalogo episc S. Andreae Io. Duns Bal. cent 14. Lesl. l. 7. Camd. Brit. Duns proved to be a Scottish man born An. 1341. Sir Iames Bane elected in Lambertons place Scon. l. in catal episc S. Andr. The Bishop dieth at Bruges in Flanders The See of S. Andrews void nine years William Landels chosen Bishop The Bishops obtained liberty to dispose of their goods by Testament Stephen chosen Bishop of S. Andrews he dieth at Anwick Walter Traill elected in his stead Scon. l. in Catal. episc S. Andr. An. 1401. His vertues and qualities Thomas Stewart son to Robert the second elected Bishop Scon. li. in Catalogo Episc S. Andreae Henry Wardlaw provided by Pope Benedict the 13. to the Bishoprick A Schisme in the Church Martin the 5. chosen Pope by the Councel of Constance The Abbot of Pontiniac directed to intimate the election Harding a Minorite perswadeth the Scots to continue in the obedience of Benedict Iohn Fogo a Monk of Melross refuseth Hardings Oration The schisme made way to the reformation Iohn Wickliffi Hus and Ierome of Prague Iames Resby Martyr Paul Craw Martyr The Bishop his qualities An. 1412. The University of S. Andrews founded in the year 1412. Boeth 1. 16. King Iames the first a great favourer of the University Bucban l. 10. The King his admonicion to the Church-men Buchan l. 10. Boeth l. 17. Bishop Wardlaw dieth Aâ—â—â— 1444. Bishop Iames Kennedy translated from Dunkeld to S. Andrews Buchan l. 12. Kennedy his just praises An. 1466. Bishop Kennedy his death the year 1466. Patrick Grahame chosen to succeed The See of S. Andrewes erected in an Archbishoprick The Bulls of Legaâ—ion and Primacie published Buchan l. 12. The King inhibiteth the exercise of his Legation An. 1444. William Shevez recommended to the Archdeaconry of S. Andrews The Bishop rejecteth him as insufâ—â—cient Shevez conspireth with the Rector The Bishop contemning the censure hath his goods confiscated The â—â—hop taken in favour Buchan l. 12. The Bishop of new troubled by the bankers of Rome The Bishop falling in some distraction is committed to Shevez Buchâ— n. l. 12. The Bishop condemned to lose his dignity Shevez provided to the Archbishoprick Patrick Grahame dieth at Lochleven An. 1478. The Church altogether in disorder Shevez receiveth the Pall and is invested Anno 1478. Lese l. 8. Archbishop of S. Andrew and Glasgow at diffension The History of the Church of Scotland An. 1513. The dispersers of these Articles cited before the Councell Iames Stewart brother to King Iames the fourth elected Bishop Anno 1503. B. Alexander Stewart succeedeth A Competition for the Archbishop Buchan l. 3. Lest. l. 3. The Bishop of Dunkeld quiteth his interest An. 1522. The Duke of Albany pacifieth the Competitors Lesl. l. 9. Iames Beaton translated from Glasgow to S. Andrews Lesl. l. 9. Buchan l. 14. Mr. Patrick Hamilton Abbot of Ferm Martyr Buchan l. 14. History of the Church p. 21. An. 1527. Articles wherewith the Abbot was charged Manuscript processe which is extant under the hands of the Theologues The subscrivers of the sentence The manner of his execution and speech at his dying History of the Church His appealing of Frier Campbell Frier Campbell dieth of a Phrensie History of the Church p. 23. Numbers brought to the knowledge of the truth by his suffering Buchan l. 14. Frier Seaton suspected of Heresie History of the Church Frier Seaton called before the Bishop The Frier flyeth to Berwick and from thence writeth to the King He becometh Chaplain to the Duke of Suffolk Acts of Martyrs Henry Forrest Martyr Divers cited to appear at Halirudhouse An. 1534. Normand Gourlay and David Straiton Martyrs Acts of Martyrs History of the Church Alexander Alesse and others fly to England Bal. cent 14. Divers accused of heresie in a meeting at Edinburgh An. 1538. The Vicar of Dolour his conference with the Bishop of Dunkeld History of the Church Vetimo Febr. 1538. Frier Russel and one Kennedy martyred at Glasgow History of the Church The Archbishop disswadeth the execution The courage of Russel at his dying Master George Buchannan eseapeth out of prison Buchan l. 14. The History of the Church The Archbishop committeth the charge of all affairs to his Nephew the Cardinal An. 1539. A contest for the imposition laid upon the Clergy for the Lords of Session Buchar l. 14. Lesl. l. 9. Bishop Beaton dieth The learned men that lived in this time M. Iohn Maior Bal cent 14. Lest. l. 9. Hector Boeth Bal. Cent. 14. Gilbert Crab. Bal. cent 15. William Gregory Bal. ibidem Iohn Scot his memorable fasting Buchan l. 14. Lesl. l. 9. He taketh his journey to the holy Sepulcher He is imprisoned in London Thomas Doughty suffered to abuse the people Scots emulaâ—ion of Doughty and his cousenage The history of Cardinal Beaton An. 1540. Sir Iohn Borthwick cited for heresie The heads of his accusation Sir Iohn Borthwick denounced heretick Acts of Mart. The King invited to meet his Uncle King Henry at York Buchan l. 14. Lesl. l. 9. Holinshed history of Scotland The Cardinal and Clergy seek to impede the meeting An. 1541. The King excuseth himself to King Henry Sir Iames Hamilton executed The King troubled with visions History of the Church The Justice Clerk his fearful death The King died at Falkland An. 1542 the eighth of December The Cardinal forgeth the Kings Testament Buchan l. 15. The Earl of Arran elected Governour An. 1542. The King of England seeketh to unite the Kingdomes by marriage Buchan l. 15. A Parliament at Edinburgh Lesl. l. 10. The Cardinal committed Ambassadors sent into England for concluding the match Buchan l. 15. The history of the Church The Governours Preachers suspected by the Clergy The Ambassadors return from England History of the Church The estate of the Governors Court The Bishop of Ross and Abbot of Paisley seek to divert the Governour from the Contract with England The Governours Preachers and servants part from him History
a Parliament at Edinburgh A supplication presented in name of the Queen The Queens resignation of the Crown discerned null A conflict betwixt the Earl of Morton and the Lords at Edinburgh The Lord Home taken prisoner The Regent returneth to Leth. The combat offered by Grange is accepted and thereafter by himself declined The Queen of England insisteth for peace The Regent excuseth his refuse of the Abstinence A Parliament kept at Edinburgh by the Lords The Regent kept a Parliament at Striveling Persons forfeited in the Parliament An enterprise of the Lord claud Hamilton The number of the slain on both sides An ominous speech of the King being yet a child The Regâ—nts speech to the Nobility An Assembly of the Church at Striveling Iohn Knox his letter to the Assembly A consultation for setling the policy of the Church The power of the Superintendents Commissioners named to deal with he Regent and Estate The Earl of Marre elected Regent Adam Gordon deputy for Huntley in the North. A conflict betwixt Adam Gordon and the Forbesses A supply granted by the Regent to the Lord Forbes Another conflict betwixt the Gordons and Foâ—besses An Assembly of the Church at Leth. An. 1572. Commissioners named for the Councel and Church Articles agreed unto by the Councel and Church An Assembly of the Church at Perth The Lord Ruthven sent to assist the town of Iedburgh The Bishop of Ross called inquestion for the Queens marriage with Norfolk The Bishop of Ross imprisoned at Ely The Duke of Norfolk executed Certain of the Councel directed to the Queen of Scots The Queen of Englandâ— reateth for peace among the parties The Earls of â—tawford and Buchan directed against Adam Gordan The Castle of Blacknes betrayed by the Keeper Ambassadours from France and England The Lord Fleming unhappâ—y killed A cessâ—tion from warre concluded The Anicles of Abâ—â—â—ence The Regent and Councel do answer to the Articles The Regent dieth at Striveling He commendeth the care of the Kings pâ—rson to his Lady and Brother The description of Ioâ—n Knox his life and death Mr. Iames Lawson admitted Minister at Edinburgh Iohn Knox his speech to the Earl of Morton His last speech to the Ministers and Elders of the Church The Ministers carry a Commission to the Laird of Gâ—ange from Iohn Knox. He giveth order for making his Coffin The History given forth in his name was not of his inditing The Earl of Morton elected Regent Rules given to the Regent for his government Sir Henry Killigrew sent from England A treaty of peace The Laird of Grange refuseth to be comprehended in the treaty He molesteth the town of Edinburgh and fireth the houses A Parliament kept at Edinburgh The pacification concluded at Perth A time given to those of the Castle to accept the pacification Sir Iames Kirkaldy returneth from France He takes land 〈…〉 Captain to the Regent The English Ambassadour travelleth to make Grange accept peace which he refuseth The Regent inâ—reateth the Queen of Englands help for â—pugnation of the Castle Articles agreed betwixt the Regent and the English An. 1573. A Proclamation given out by the Regent The Castle summoned The Captain answereth by a token of defiance The Castle made assaultable A truce taken and the Captain willing to yield upon conditions The Castle rendered to the English Generall Lethington dieth at Leth. Grange and his brother executed The Queens faction quite deâ—â—ated The Regents expedition to the borders His care for the Kings houses and rents He falleth out with the Church Two three or four Churches appointed to one Minister The Superintendents denied paiment of their means The Church desired to be restored to the thirds but is denied An. 1574. The Countrey vexed with Justice Courts A motion for compiling a body of our Law Black Oâ—meston executed for the Kings murther An. 1575. Adam Heriot Minister at Aberdene his death and qualities A conflict betwixt the Scots and English A meeting in the Borders betwixt the Regent and the Earl of Huntington Duke Hamilton dieth Lord Aberbrothock pursued by Lochlevin He is saved in the house of Darsey Innovations in the Church of Mr. Andrew Melvil The Episcopal function called in question Some brethren selected to conferre upon the question The Bishops present in the Assembly Another Assembly of the Church The Regents motion to the Assembly The Archbishop of Glasgow urged with a particular flock answereth the Assembly Mr. Patrick Adamson provided to S. Andrews An. 1576. The Church off 〈◊〉 with the Bishopâ— answer A form of policy presented to the Regent The discontents great in the countrey Iohn Semple and Adam Whitford accused for conspiring the Regents death An. 1577. The Earl of Argile and Athol at variance A great insolence committed by Argile Alexander Aâ—â—skin practiseth a change Argile and Athol agreed Argile complaineth of the Regent to the King Athol his advice to the King for trying Argiles complaint The Regent sendeth to inform the King of Argiles contempt His offer to dimit the Regâ—ncy The King is advised to accept â—he Regents dimission A Commission from the King to the Regent The Kings acceptation of the Government The Lord Boyd chideth the Regent for his dimission The Chancellour and Earl of Angus imployed in the Regents dimission to the King The Regents discharge of his administration Mortons enemies are still practising against him The King his calm proceedings with Morton An. 1578. A pitiful Accident The Chancellour killed in a tumult The Earl of Athol created Chancellour The Castle of Edinburgh delivered to the Earl of Marre The Castle of Striveling surprised by the Earl of Marre his friends The Councel goeth to Striveling and composeth the controversy Conditions prescrived to the Earl of Marre A Convention at Striveling The Earl of Morton cometh to Striveling The Kings motion to the Lords and the rest of the Estates The Counsellours disswade the change of the place of Parliament An Ambassage to the Queen of England Jealousies among the Noblemen A Proclamation against the false rumors dispersed The Lords remaining at Edinburgh protest against the holding of the Parliament Mantross and Lindesay charged to keep their lodgings for using the protestation A Declaration of the Lords remaining at Edinburgh Proclamations to follow the King or his Lieutenant The Lords charged to depart out of Edinburgh The Provost of Edinburgh committed A Proclamation for dissolving the forces convened at Edinburgh The Lords march towards Striveling The English Ambassadour laboureth to to compose matters Conditions agreed upon The Articles signed The twentieth of September appointed for a meeting of Noblemen at Striveling The Noblemen decline the meeting The petitions of thâ— Chanceâ—â—â—â—r and the Lords and Gentlemen adhering to him The King offended with the petition The Noblemen cited to appear at Striveling His Majestics speech at the meeting The Lords are desireâ— to set down their complaints in writing The Lords reconciled A form of Church-policy presented to the Parliament and remitted to certain Commissionres 1.
conference at Hampton Court His Majesties proposition at the meeting An. 1603. Doctor Reynolds speech in behalf of the Petitioners The particulars complained of The meeting continued to 18 of Ianuary The effect of the meeting and his Majesties exhortation to the Clergy The Chancellor of England his judgement of the King The number deposed for disconformity An. 1604. A Parliament in England for the union The English Commissioners The power given them by the Parliament A Parliament in Scotland to that purpose The Scottish Commissioners The power granted hâ—em Westminster appointed for the place of meetting Articles of the union Hostile lawes extinguished The name of Borders abolished Order for sentences not satisfied Participation of Commâ—dito be mutuall Inequality of priviledges to be be tried Importation to be free to both people Exportation of Goods prohibited made unlawfull to both Order for Native Commodities Order for Customes Scots may be associated in English Companies Order for transportation Punishment of such as shall transgress Caution to be given by the owners and Masters of Ships Indifferency of fraighting Poâ—â—nati declared free Exception for Offices of the Crown Reservation of his Majesties Prerogative Remanding of malefactors A scroll of the Articles presented to the King The Kings speech to the Commissioners The title of great Britain assumed Peeces of gold and silver coyned The Earl of Montrosse made Commissioner of the kingdom The Lord Fiâ—â— received Chancellor An. 1605. The generall Assembly continued A number convene notwithstanding the discharge The names of them convened The Kings Commissioner dischargeth the meeting The Ministers denounced and cited by the councell for their disobedience Some confess their fault and are pardoned Oâ—hers maintain their meeting and are Committed The proceeding of the Councell condemned by the Ministery His Majesties Declaration touching some rumours dispersed The King his resolution in making no sudden change in the Church policy The form of their Declinatour The Assembly declared unlawfull Some of the Ministers pursued criminally The Indictment Exception proponed by the Advocates The Reply to the Exception The Ministers found guilty of Treason A Proclamation that none should oppose the decision of the Justice A Convention of Estates His Majesties Letter directed to the Estates The Acts passed in the Convention The history of the Powder Treason The Jesuits approve of the enterprise The Conspirers swear secrecy A Cellar hired for the myne A deliberation for the Kings children Contribution for the enterprise Catholicks to be stopped from coming to the Parliament No forain Princes to be acquainted therewith Intention to proclaim Lady Elizabeth Queen The Conspiracy detected The Letter sent to the L d Mounteagle The secrecy of so many very strange An. 1606. Mr. Iames Melvills answer in name of the rest His Majesty proponeth three questions to them A time is desired by them and granted The second audience The Bishops judgement of the meeting at Aberdene Mr. Addrew Melvills answer touching the same Mr. Iames Balfour his answer Mr. Melvill his answer Mr. William Scot his answer interrupted by Mr. Andrew Melvill The Ministers called before the Scottish Councell They are discharged to return into Scotland The Kings pleasure touching the warded Ministers The letter to the Justice prescriving the forme of the sentence A Letter from his Majesty to the Councell The sentence pronounced by the Justice A Proclamation against Jesuits Mr. Andrew Melvill committed to the Tower The Observation of the Writer An Assembly indicted at Linlithgow His Majesties letter to the Assembly An overture sent from his Majesty to the Assembly Some brethren deputed undergoe to consider the overture The overture embraced with some cautions Cautions for the constant Moderators The cautions and overture approved A complaint of the Papists and their ininsolencie Petition from the Assembly to his Majesty His Majesties answer An. 1607. His Majesties pleasure touching the Popish Noblemen Direction to the Councell for constant Moderators The Synod of Perth discharged The Synod of Fife discharged A Provest placed in the new Colledge of S. Andrews The Ministers permitted to return from London Alexander Lord Spynie killed Trouble betwixt the Earl of Morton and Lord Maxwell Maxwell committed maketh an escape The Laird of Iohnston most treacherously killed by Maxwell An. 1608. The Earl of Argile made Lieutenant of the Isles A Parliament in Scotland for the union Provisions for the union An Assembly in Linlithgow for restraining Papists The Marquis of Huntley excommunicated The causes of the defection partly in the Church The remedies of the same The cause of the defection proceeding from others Supplication to his Majesty for redresse of these evils Petitions to his Majesty for repressing Popery The Secretaries journey to Court He is charged for writing a letter to the Pope and stealing his Majesties hand thereto The Secretary charged with the fault before the Councell His answer tothe Lords of the Councell Chancellor Egerton pronounceth sentence against him Sprot his execution The Commissioners of the Assembly have audience His Majesties answer A convention at Edinburgh An. 1609. The Chancellor admitted Counsellor of England Acts made for Religion Acts made against ravishing of women The Secretaries tryall at S. Andrews His indictment The Secretary his speech and answer to the indictment His protestation of two things The Jury sworn The doom pronounced against Balmerinoch A Parliament at Edingburgh An. 1610. An Assembly at Glasgow The moderators paid of the stipend promised A supplication in name of the Popish Lords Huntly freed of his confining The Earl of Arroll troubled for his simulation The Earl of Angus goeth to Paris The Archbishop of Glasgow called to Court The business proponed by his Majesty The Archbishop his answer The consecration questioned The High Commissioners appointed Directions for the High Commissioners and other matters Ecclesiasticall An. 1601. Directions for matters Ecclesiasticall The Clergy doth approve the directions Orders for the Councell An. 1611. A Proclamation against bearing of quarrell The troubles of Orkney The Earl of Orkney committed and his Acts of Court discharged The Clangregore to be rooted out The deuh of the Earl of Dunbarre Somerset his rising Advocate made first Clerk Register afterwards Secretary Sir Iohn Skeen dyeth of grief An. 1612 The Lord Samqhar executed in England Excommunication of persons for criminall and capitall cases if they become fugitive The Clergy agree to reform this point The death of the earl of Eglington and the disposition of his living to his Cousin A Parliament in Scotland A subsidy granted The L d Burleigh removed from Councell An. 1613. The death of Prince Henry The marriage of the Lady Elizabeth with the Palgrave The King acquireth the lands of Orkney Rebellion in Orkney The Earl of Cathnes imployed to suppresse the Rebels Persons executed for the Rebellion The death of the Bishop of Rosse The Earl of Orkney put to triall An. 1614 The Earl of Orkney his indictment The persons named for the Jury The sentence pronounced The execution of