daughter to David Earl of Strathern For plotting mischief he began to rail speak in high terms associate himself with others of his own mind Notwithstanding that the King Anno 1428. in September had bestowed on â—is Nephew the Lands and Earldom of Monteeth in compensation of that of Strathern to which he pretended right it being an appenage of the Crown About this time Embassadors came into Scotland from Eriâ—us the King of Denmark requiring of King Iames the payment of a yearly Tribute which was due to him as King of Norway for the Western Isles according to the Covenant and Agreement made by Alexander the third King of Scotland and his Predecessor Magnus the son of Acho then King of Norway the Embassador was honorably received and Sir William Creighton Chancellor directed to go with him to Denmark who there renued the old League between the Realms setled questionable matters and confirmed a perfect amity and stedfast Peace Embassadors came also from Charles the French King not only to confirm the old Amity between Scotland and France but for a better assurance thereof to have Margaret eldest Daughter to King Iames already betrothed to Lewis the Daulphin who now was thirteen years of Age delivered to them and convoyed to France The English foreknowing this Alliance had before sent the Lord Scrope with other Associates to Him in Embassage to have the old League between the French and the Scots dissolved and to joyn the Kings Daughter in Marriage with Henry the sixth their King promising if the King would thereunto agree and joyn in League with them that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered to the Power of the Scots with all the Lands lyand between Tweed and the Redcross which when William the Conquerour granted Cumberland to the Scots marched England and Scotland and is now a fragment of a Cross in Richmond-Shire neer the Spittle on Staâ—moore about which is nothing but a wilde desert Having Audience the Lord Scrope spake before the Counsell to this purpose I am directed hither by my Master and his Council about a Business which concerneth the Honour and profit of the two Kingdoms above any other which can be projected and it is the establishing of a perpetual Peace and Concord between them and happily when it shall please the higher Providence their uniting in one Body under one Prince one day How vain the attempting of this heretofore by Arms hath proved the world can but too well bear witness the many proofs of eithers valour against themselves having been but a lavish effusion of humane Blood the fairest way easiest means to make enmities cease and these ancient Quarrels was begun Sir in your person by the happy Marriage of the Daughter of Iohn Duke of Sommerset brother to King Henry the fourth and Son to the Duke of Lancaster and prosperously hath continued these years past Now that Peace may be lasting and the affections and minds of the two Nations soldered together our Request is that this Alliance may be again renewed by the Marriage of your eldest Daughter with our young King a most fitting and equal match And in seeking of her we crave but our own She is descended of our Royal Stem and if again she be ingrafted in that stock out of which she sprang it is but natural And you my Lords where can ye find a Match more Honorable for both Nations Where can ye finde a better and more profitable Friendship then ours Are we not a people in habiting one Island have we not both one Language are we not of like Habit and Fashion of like quality and condition of life guarded and separated from the other World by the great depths of the Ocean What evil Customs have come into your Country by your last Allyance with us Nay what Civility Policy and laudable Fashions to the confusion of Barbarity have not followed hereupon By this the Glory of both Realms will encrease either being sufficient not only to furnish necessaries but even all lawfull and moderate contentments of life to support others Besides that an assurance of Defence Strength and Power to invade ease in undergoing publick Charges will hereby follow We are not ignorant that your Lady is designed for France but how long alas will ye continue prodigal of your blood for the French What have ye advantaged your selves by your Alliance with France save that they engage your bodies in their Wars and by conferring upon you unprofitable titles of honour take from you what is truly real ye are reserved a Postern-gate by which they may enter England diverting our Forces and transporting the Stage of the War upon our Borders Learn to forget your French or iâ— ye be so enamoured with France Love her after our manner Come take a share be partakers of our Victories Are not our Forces being joyned sufficient to overcome nay bring in chains hither that King of Bruges and make our selves Masters of his Continent France never did so much good to Scotland in twenty years as Scotland hath had loss by England for the love and cause of France in one Are not your wounds at Vernueil and Cravant yet bleeding and all for the French It hath been your valour and not the French which heretofore empeached our conquest and progress in France were it not for your swords we had made ere now the loftiest tops of the Alps or Pyrenees bear our Trophies Ye say ye reverence and cannot break your old league and confederation with that Kingdom happy Leagues but wo to the keepers of them unhappy Scotland and too too honest and the more unhappy for that thy honesty is the great cause of thy mishaps How long shall that old league counted amongst the Fables of the Ancient â—alladines make you waste your lives goods fortunes and lose your better Friends The Genius of this Isle seemeth to cry unto us her Nurselings to stay our cruel hands no longer to be her desolation and the wrack one of another not to pass over and neglect these fair occasions of mutual Alliances which will not only effectuate Truces and Leagues amongst our selves but at last bring a perpetual Peace and Union for by interchange of Marriages being united this Isle shall continue stronger by entertaining Peace and Amity then by all these Giant walls Rampiers of Mountains and that huge ditch of Seas by which Nature hath environed and fortified her Now that ye may know how dearly we esteem your Friendship and Alliance whereas others go to take from you we will give you Roxburgh Berwick and all the lands between Tweed and Redcross If shadows prevail and prove stronger with you then essential reason and that ye disesteem our offer losing this good occasion we as Neighbours and Friends entreat you that ye do not uphold the French now in the Sun-set of their Fortunes and at their weakest that ye would not shoulder this falling Wall but that ye would live quiet within
those thoughts being diversly tossed he retireth to his own Castles and after great resolves proclaimeth that none of his Vassals or Tenants especially within Annandale and Dowglass-Dale parts remote from the more Civill Towns of the Kingdom should acknowledg the present Government or obey any precepts licences or proclamations wherunto the Governours or Chancelours hands were set If any question of Law or contention arose amongst his Friends Vassals Tenants He knew none fitter to be their Judge sentence all their wrongs attone and take up their quarrels than himself To discover to the world the weakness of the two Rulers and how men never so well qualified small in means and silly of power were not for great places he giveth way for the the increasing of evil overseeing many disorders of which he was the secret cause especially the insolencies of vagabounding and ravaging Borderers Men of purpose sent forth to spoil and rifle the more quiet parts of the Countrey and to cut work to these strengthless States-men as he named them Thus as overcome with sloth and pleasure he passed some moneths amidst Countrey contentments expecting what effect time would bring forth of the equal authority of those two Governours for to fit minds equal in authority to so even a temper that they should not have some motions of dissenting he thought impossible Neither did this conjecture fail him the event being the only judge of opinions for after this the Governour began to jar with the Chancelour for ingrossing wholly to himself from his Partner the person of the King as an honour which could not altogether be separate from his place and which would give the greater authority to his proceedings urging the Chancelour in many other matters had usurped and taken upon him more than the Parliament granted The Chancelour was no better affected towards the Governour what the Governour commanded to be done he one way or other over-turned The buildings of the one was by the other demolished by common and continual brawlings thus living in turmoil neither of them was obeyed the Countrey usurped a licentious liberty every man doing what he thought best for his particular advantage and gain The remote Villages of the Kingdom are left a prey to the lawless multitude where their authority is scorned turn places of robbery where admitted places of faction The Queen all this time after her ordinary custom remained in the Castle of Sterling The divisions partialities jealousies of the Rulers she taketh in an evil part knowing usually they had a dangerous consequence She had ever found the Governour sincere and loyal in his proceedings against his counsel and will her Son was kept from her by the Chancellour whom the great ones hated for possessing the King for drawing to Offices of best trust and benefit his own creatures displacing such he suspected to favour his partner in Rule and the Commons loved him not as managing every thing after his pleasure to their damage and loss Transported by divers motions she at last resolveth to change the Game of State and by a womanish conceit befool masculine Policy To effectuate her purpose the came to Edenbrough and by many fair and passionate speeches obtained of the Chancelour to enter the Castle and delight her self some daies with the company of her Son Then to countenance her plot she giveth out a pilgrimage intended by her to the white Kirk in Buchan There will she make offerings for the health of the King and perform her other vows The honest States man who thought it disloyalty to distrust a Queen and a Mother whom years had made reverend and impiety to hinder such religioâ—s intentions giveth leave to her self with some Servants to remain in the Castle and to transport her houshold stuff and other necessaries after what manner she pleased In this time she perswardeth the King wantonly set and delighting to be obsequious to Her his Mother to be handsomely couched in a Trunk as if he had been some fardel of her apparel and convoyed by one of her trustiest Servants upon a Sumpter horse to Leith from whence he was put forward by water to Sterling there received by the Governor and wel-comed with great joy and laughter at the manner of their so quaintly deceiving the grave Man By this advantage the Reins of Ruâ—â—â— were now taken by the Governour The Queens Trick is approved his own proceedings are strengthned and confirmed Proclamations are made against the Chancellour and he charged to render the Castle of Edenbrough to the King which he refusing to do by a great power raised by the Governour of the Countrey and the Queens and his own followers he is beâ—ieged and blocked up within the Castle The Chancellour ready to fall in the danger considering he had to do with too strong a party imploreth the assistance of the Earl of Dowglass but the Earl as a matter he had long expected and earnestly wished might fall forth refuseth to assist any of them saying it belonged not to the antient Nobility to succor these Mushrooms whose ambition with no less could be â—atiate than the Government of the whole Realm This disdainful answer procured a meeting of the two Rulers which concluded in the rendering of the Castle to the Governour and a promise of true friendship between them that they might not prove a sport to the envious Nobility The Governour to shew the roundness of his intentions and his honesty continueth the Chancellour in his office and restoreth him to the keeping of the Castle of Edenbrough After this agreement the Earl of Dowglass left this world at Restalrigge the year 1439. leaving behind him a Son born of the Earl of Crawfords daughter named William who succeeded to his Fathers Honours and Ambition Malcolm Flamyne of Calmarnade and Allan Lawder upon this young Earls oath of Allegiance to the Crown of France obtain to him from the French King the Dutchy of Tourrain which his Father had enjoyed and given to Archembald his Grand-Father slain at Vernueil This forein dignity with histitles at home made the young Man very haughty and to forget moderation Discâ—etion in youth seldome attending great fortunes He surpassed far the King in his followers and Train being accustomed to have hundreds of Horse men attending him most of which were Robbers and men living upon unlawful spoils all under his protection But however thus he seemed to set forth his greatness this seemed much to bewray a distrust and that he rather travelled amongst a people which hated him than amongst his friends and men lovingly disposed Iames Stuart Son to the Lord of Lorne about this time married the Queen Dowager not so much out of love of her Person or Dowry as of ambition by her means intending to reach the Government of the State and get into his custody the person of the King And that it might rather seem the work of others out of conveniency than any appetite of his own he so insinuateth
the Governors Son a young man of great expectation with Robert Levingston Treasurer and David Levingston not so much by any crime proved against them as by the Divine Justice in punishing the severity of the Governor for the execution of the Earl of Dowglass in the Castle of Edinburgh had their heads cut off the people much deploring their misfortune By this blow the Earl of Dowglass thought he was more terribly avenged then if he had proved his power against the old man having thus as it were killed him twice Though by this strict Justice he pretended the publick weal his end was to govern all by his absolute Authority and make the world see what credit he had to help or harm when he pleased admire his pompous attendance his haughtie carrying of all business and his power in State The Chancellor having perfected his Embassie Mary daughter to Arnold Duke of Guilders born of the Duke of Borgundies Sister a Lady young beautifull and of a masculine constitution arriveth in Scotland and with great solemnity accompanied with many Strangers and the Nobility of the Kingdom is married to the King in the Abbey Church of Holy-rood-house As these Nuptial Rites were finished the Peace between Scotland and England expired and the Borders of both Kingdoms break and mutually invade others Amidst must robbery spoil and havock upon either side the Earl of Salisbury Lieutenant and Warden upon the West depopulateth the bordering Villages and burneth the Town of Dumfreis the Earl of Northumberland spoiling the east burneth the Town of Dumbar Iohn Dowglass Lord of Balvenny invadeth the English bounds and burneth the Town of Anwich the ravaging and depradations in a short time turning equal the two Kingdoms agree upon a suspension of Arms and place and day to treat about a general peace at the last by an assembly of the States 1449. A Truce is condescended unto for seven years At this time Alexander Seatoun Lord Gordon is created Earl of Huntley and George Leslie Earl of Rothes This Truâ—e was not long kept by any of the Nations but as it had been drawn and plaistered up for the fashion they conspire equally to break it New incursions are made slight skirmishes began to wound either side and banish peace just arms were constrained at last to be opposed to injurious oppressions The Scots having made desolate some parts of Cumberland an Army under the leading of the Earl of Northumberland is raised commanded by Magnus Red-beard whom the Scots by reason of the length of his beard named Magnus with the red Main A man trained from his youth in the Wars of France who is said to have required no more for his Service to the Crown of England then what he might by his own valour conquer of Scotland The English march from the West Borders pass the River of Soloway and Annand and encamp near the River of Sark the Earl of Dowglass declareth his brother George Earl of Ormond Lieutenant for the King against them who with the power of the South and West loseth no time to encounter the Earl of Northumberland the Lord Piercy his Son Magnus Red-bread Sir Iohn Pennington Sir Robert Harrington led the English Battalions The Earl of Ormond Lord Maxwell Lairds of Iohnston and Craiggy Wallace the Scottish Here occasion and place serving is it valiantly fought the fortune of the day long doubtfull till Magnus whose experience and direction in War in those days was deemed unparallâ—ld his courage here turning into temerity was beaten from his horse and slain After his fall many turning their backs the Earl of Northumberland himself with great danger eâ—caped more in the chase were lost then in the Battel such who assayed to pass the River by the confusion and weight of their Arms were plunged in the water other who could not finde the Foords being taken and brought to the Castle of Lochmaben amongst which were Sir Iohn Pennington Sir Robert Harrington the Lord Piercy who by saving his Father engaged himself Few renowned amongst the scots were here lost except Craiggy Wallace a principal actor who governing himself by honour and courage died of his wounds there received not many days thereafter The English to repair their loss raised an Army but by the daily supplies raised for France and their projected Civil Wars the Duke of York Earls of March Warwick and Salisbury beginning to toss the State it was kept at home for their own use and a truce was agreed upon the concluded with Scotland for the space of three years 1450. This Victory obtained chiefly by the valour of the Dowglasses advanced highly their credit with the young King and the Court sounded with nothing more then their praises But great Fortunes are as hard to bear as to acquire and ordinarily prosperity carryeth us into insolencies without pondering the consequence of our actions William Colvill Knight upon a private quarrel having slain Iames Auchinleck a follower of the Earl of Dowglass the Earl revenged his death not only with the slaughter of William but with the throwing down of his House and spoil of all his Lands which turned cold the affections of many about the Court towards him and made him terrible to all of a contrary faction to his After whether tyred with his working thoughts or to shun more hatred and envy or to try what time would produce amidst the inward grudges and rancours of Court or that he held his own Countrey too narrow Lists for his glory he leaveth the Kingdom substituting one of his Brothers Procurator for his affairs and in his absence to govern his estate accompanied with his Brother Mr. Iames a Man learned and brought up in Sorbon Divinity Expectant of the Bishoprick of Dunkel Iames Hamilton of Cadyow the Lords Grahame Seatoun Oliphant Saltoun and many Gentlemen he arriveth in Flanders cometh to France passeth the Alps and it being the year of Iubilee stayeth at Rome where he was honorably recevied and welcomed Envy never leaveth great actors he had not been long absent from his Prince when many are suborned to give up complaints against the oppressions riots wrongs of his Kindred Servants and Vassals The faults of his governing the King are pryed into every oversight and escape aggravated to the height The King at first was loth to lend an ear to misreports and calumnies of a man lately so well deserving and dearly of him beloved but overcome by importunity and urged by the numbers of Complainers he gave way that his Brother and Procurators should make answer for wrongs suffered by the Complainers after many citations his brother not appearing is at last by force presented to the Councel when he could not answer to such faults as were laid against the Earls Vassals and Followers nor acquit them of violent oppressions he was only enjoined to restore to the Complainers their loss and restore all damages Upon fair promises of Restitution the King bringeth him off the danger and obtaineth him liberty
a Feaver and his Feaver advanced to a Phrensie This sickness increasing that he might be more neer to the Court and his friends in the night he is traâ—sported to the Cannons Gate in Edenburgh the King compassionate of his disease sendeth his Physitians to attend him they to restore his understanding which was molested open some veins of his head and armes in which time whether bâ— his own disorder and misgovernment in his sickness the bands being loosed which tyed the lancing or that they took 〈◊〉 great a quantity of blood from him he fainted and after sowning dyed unawares amongst the hands of his best friends and servants These who hated the King gave out that he was taken away by his command and some writers have recorded the same but no such faith should be given unto them as to B. W. E. who was living in that time and whose records we have followed who for his place could not but know and for his profession would not but deliver the very truth certain Witches and Sorcerers being taken examined and convicted of Sorcery at this time and being suborned they confessed that the Earle of Marre had dealt with them in prejudice of the King and to have him taken away by incantation For the Kings Image being framed in wax and with many spels and incantations baptized and set unto a fire they perswaded themselves the Kings Person should fall away as that image consumed by the fire and by the death of the King the brothers should reach the Government of the State with such vanities was the common people amused Alexander Duke of Albany imputing the death of his brother to the favourits of the King and avouching them to have been the occasioners of his distraction stirred the Nobility and People to revenge so foul a deed but whilst he keeps private meetings with them of his Faction in the Night to facilitate their enterprise betrayed by some of his followers he is surprised and imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh Out of which about the appointed time of his tryal by the killing of his keeper he escaped and in a Ship which to that effects was hired sailing to the castle of Dumbar of which he had the keeping he passed to France After the escape of the Duke of Albany the Lord Evandale Chancellor of the Kingdome raising the power of the nearest Shires beleaguered the Castle of Dumbar the besieged unprovided of victuals as men expecting no such alterations betake themselves in small Boates to the Sea and came safe towards the Coasts of England The Castle having none to defend it is taken some Gentlemen in persuit of the flying souldiers by their own rashness perished The Kings of Scotland and England tossed along with civil troubles and affecting peace with all their neighbors by an equal and mutual consent of thoughts send at one time Ambassadors to one another who first conclude a peace between the two Nations and that the Posterity might be partakers of this accord contract afterwards an Alliance between the two Kings It was agreed that the Princess Cicilia youngest daughter to King Edward should marry with Iames Duke of Rothsay when they came to yeers of discretion A motion heard with great acceptance but it was thought by some familiar with King Edward and in his most inward Counsels that really he never intended this mariage and that this negotiation aimed onely to temporize with Scotland in case that Lovys of France should stir up an invasion of England by the King of Scotland King Louys at this time had sent one Doctor Ireland a Sorbonist to move King Iames to trouble the Kingdome of England and to give over the projected marriage which when King Edward understood knowing what a distance was between things promised and performed to oblige King Iames and try him more strongly to the bargain that this marriage might have more sway he caused for the present maintenance of the Prince and as it were a part of the Dowry of Lady Cicilia deliver certain sums of money to King Iames. Notwithstanding of which benevolence the the witty Louys wrought so with the Scottish Nobility that King Iames sent Ambassadors to the King of England entreating him not to assist the Duke of Burgundy his brother in Law against King Louys which if he refused to do the Nobility of Scotland who were now turned insolent would constrain him by reason of the ancient league between the French and the Scots to assist the French The Duke of Albany during his aboad in France had marryed a daughter of the Earle of Bullogine she was his second wife his first having been a daughter of the Earle of Orkenay a Lady of great parentage and many friends who incessantly importuned King Louys to aide the Duke for the recovery of his inheritance and places in the State of Scotland out of which he was kept by the evil Counsellors of his brother Louys minding to make good use of his brother and underhand increasing discords and jealousies between him and the King of England slighting his suites told him he could not justifie his taking of Armes to settle a Subject in his inheritance That Princes ought to be wrought upon by perswasion not violence and he should not trouble a King otherwayes then by Prayers and Petitions which he would be earnest to perform Upon this refusal the Duke of Albany having burryed his Dutchesse troubled with new thoughts came to England King Edward with accustomated courtesies receiving him giveth him hopes of assistance entring of in communication with him how to divert the Kingdome of Scotland from the invasion of his Dominions at the desire of the French the Agents and traffickers of Louys lying still in Scotland and daily bribing and soliciting the Scots Nobility to necessitate the English to stay at home The Duke freely and in the worst sense revealed the weakness of his Kingdom that his King was opinionative and had nothing of a Prince in him but the name His ungoverned Spirit disdained to listen to the temperate Counsell of sober men obeying only his own judgement Such who govern'd under him were mean persons and of no account great only by his favour and indued with little vertue who ruling as they listed and excluding all others made use of his Authority for their own profit and advantage The Nobility were male-contents and affected a change in the Government which might be easily brought to pass by the assistance of King Edward If he would help to raise some civill broyls and discention in the Nation it selfe he needed not to be in fear that they could or would trouble his Country by any invasion The King hearing the Duke manifest what he most affected approving his judgement promised him all necessaries and what he could desire to accomplish the design and he undertaketh by some fair way to traffick with the Nobility of Scotland for an alteration of the present form of Government After a dangerous
thighs and legs did appertain They had differing passions and diverse wills often chiding others for disorder in their behaviour and actions after much deliberation embracing that unto which they both consented By the Kings direction they were carefully brought up and instructed in Musick and Foreign Languages This Monster lived twenty and eight years and dyed when Iohn Duke of Albany Governed Claud Gruget maketh mention of the like Monster born in Paris before the marriage of Henry the fourth the French King with Margarite of Valois but the birth and death of it were neer together The King by his great Liberality unto Strangers abroad and his laviâ—h spending at home for religious Places were founded Castles repaired Ships builded three of an extraordinary greatness finding himself needy of Treasure to support the dayly expences at Court engaged to many and sunck deep in debt and that Subsidies he could not levy except by the Suffrages of his Parliament by whose power they were imposed and rated setteth the most learned Counsellors at Law and men experienced in foreign Policy to find out new means and waies to acquire and gather him monies by Laws already made and Ordained which was in effect to pole the people by executing the rigour of Justice the Fortunes of wise men arising often on the expences of Fools after the example of King Henry the seventh of England his Father-in law who taking the advantage of the breach of his penal Statues gave power to Sir Richard Empson and Edmond Dudley by Informers and Promoters to oppress and ruin the estates of many of his best Subjects whom King Henry the eight to satisfy his wronged people after his decease caused execute Old customes are by these men pryed into and forgotten absolet Statutes quickned Amongst the titles of possessing of Lands in Scotland there is one which in process of time of an ungodly custom grew strong and is kept for a Law being fetched by imitation from the Lawes of the neighbouring States That if the possessour of Lands dy and leave a Minor to succeed to him his Tutelage belongeth to the King and the profit of the Lands until the Minor be of the age of one and twenty years This is of those lands which are termed Wards The King causeth bring up his Wards but bestoweth no more of their Rents upon them than is useful to such of that age By another Law they have not any thing better than this which they call Recognition that if the evidences of any possessour of Ward-lands be not in all points formal and above exceptions of Law the lands the possessours put from them shall return to the Lord Superiour and like to this That if a Possessour of Ward Lands without the consent of the Superiour sell and put away the half or above the half of his land and Farm the whole land and Farm returneth to the Superiour or Lord Paramount They have lands held with clauses which they call irritant that if two terms of a few duty run unpaid into the third the Land falleth unto the Superiour When those lawes and other like them by reason of the Neighbourin cursions and troubles with England and the civil broyls at home had been long out of use amongst the Subjects and the execution of them as it were in a manner forgot these Projectors and new Tol-masters the king giving way to enrich his Exchequer awakned them Many of the Subjects by these inquirles were obnoxious to the king and smarted but most the most honest who were constrained either to buy their own lands and inheritance from the Exchequer or quit and freely give some portion of them to those Caterpillars of the State The King was so dearly beloved of his people that in the height of those Grievances which reached near the exorbitant avarice of his Father none refused or made difficultie to give all that the laws ordained The King seeing their willingness to perform and knowing their great disability thereunto out of his singular Grace and Goodness remitteth not onely the rigour but even the equity almost of his lawes insomuch that thereafter none of his Subjects were damnified in their persons or estates by his proceedings which gain'd him the hearts of all And to put away all suspitions and jealousies from their minds an Ordinary practice amongst Princes acts that fill Princes coffers ever being the ruin of their first Projectors of any wrong intended He suffered the Promoters and Projectors of this polling with others of the most active to be thrown into Prisons where some miserably ended their daies The year 1507. Iames Prince of Scotland and Isles was born at Holy-rood-House the 21. of Ianuary the Queen in her throwes of birth being brought neer the last agony of death the King overcome with affection and religious vows taketh a Pilgrimage for her recovery on foot to Saint Ninian in Galloway a place in those credulous times famous for the burial of St. Ninian the Apostle of the Britains and notorious by the many Processions and Visits of the neighbour Countreys of Ireland and England at his return he findeth his Queen recovered the child after dyed at Sterlin with the Bishop of Galloway who was appointed to attend him The year following the Queen brought forth another son named Arthur at Holy-rood-House but he died also in the Castle of Edenburgh and Henry the seventh his Grandfather accompanyed him to the other world King Iames to the Coronation of the young King his Brother-in-law sendeth Embassadours After the death of his two Sons and his Father-in-Law as if he had been warned from above to think upon his own mortality whether he had resolute intention so to do or that for reasons known to himself he would have it so appear he giveth out That out of remorse for bearing arms in the Field where his Father was slain he had a resolution to leave his kingdom and visit the holy Sepulchre Then to prepare his way Robert Blacka-Towre Abbot of Dumfermling is directed but the Abbot in his journey is arrested by death and the King findeth other hinderances to keep him at Home Amidst these deliberations his Queen is delivered in the Pallace of Linlithgow of her third Son in the Moneth of April 1512. who succeeded to the Crown and was named Iames. About this same time Bernard Stuart that famous Warrior under Charls the eight of France who commanded the French in Bosworth Field came to Scotland followed by Andrew Forman then Arch-Bishop of Burges and Bishop of Murray with Alexander Stuart the Kings natural son after promoted to be Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews The cause which was given out to the rumours of the people of their comming was That the French King having no male children crav'd the advice and counsel of the King of Scotland his Confederate concerning the marriage of his Eldest Daughter whether he should bestow her upon Francis of Valois the Daulphine and Duke of Augulesm or upon Charles King of
Streets out of Windows furnished him he invested a part of the Town and barricadoed some Lanes with Carts and other impediments which the time did afford The adverse party trusting go their number and the supply of the Citizens who calling to mind the slaughter of their Deacon shew them small favour disdaining the Earl should thus muster on the Streets in great fury invade him Whilst the bickering continued and the Town is in a Tumult William Dowglas brother to the Earl of Angus Sir David Hume of Wedderburn George Hume brother to the late Lord with many others by blood and Friendship tyed together enter by violence the East Gate of the Town the Citizens making small resistance force their passage through the throngs seek the Earls enemies find them scoure the streets of them The Master of Montgomery eldest Sonne to the Earl of Eglintoun Sir Patrick Hamiltun Brother to the Earl of Arran with almost fourscour more are left dead upon the place The Earl himself findeth an escape and place of retreat through a Marsh upon the North side of the Town The Chancelour and his retinue took Sanctuary in the Dominican Fryers the tumult by the slaughter of some and flight of others appeased the Earl of Angus now freed of danger licensed all who pleased without further pursuit peaceably to leave the Town of Edenburgh and return to their own Houses Some daies after the Humes well banded and backed with many Nobles and Gentlemen of their linage by the Earl of Angus consent took the Lord Humes and his brothers heads from the place where they had been fixt and with the funeral Rites of those times interr'd them in the Black-Fryers The Earl of Angus having angled the peoples hearts by his Magnificence Wisdom Courage and Liberality his Faction began to bear greatest sway in the Kingdom For the continuance of which the King of England dealt most earnestly with the French King to keep the Duke of Albany still in France with him But the French had contrary designs And when the Duke understood the great discords of the Nobility of Scotland persons of Faction being advanced to places dangerous immunities being granted to the Commons France and England beginning to be tyred of their Peace and preparing for a new war to curb the Scottish Factions keep the Nation in quietness in it self by giving the Subjects other work abroad whilst common danger should break of particular discords Notwithstanding of the English Ships which lay in wait to take him after he had been about five years in France in November he arrived on the west coasts of Scotland at a place named Garloch The Governour comming to Edenburgh set himself to amend the enormities committed in his absence the Magistrates of the Town are deposed because in the late uproar they had been evil seconds to the Lords of the west when they went to surprize the Earl of Angus A Parliament is called to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen are cited to make appearance in February to be tryed and to answer for offences committed by them in the Governours absence The appointed time being come these who appeared not were indicted and â—led into England Amongst which and the chief were the Humes and Cockburns men Authors and accessary to the death of Sir Anthony Darcey The tyde now turning and mens affections changed the Earl of Angus with his brother Sir George Dowglâ—s by the intercession of the Queen are constrained to seek a Pardon which was obtained for them but with the condition that they should leave the Countrey and stay in France one whole year which they obeyed Others have recorded they were surprized in the night and in French Ships conveyed privately away Mr. Gaven Dowglas Bishop of Dunkell in the absence of his Nephew finding the Governour violent in the chase of the Faction of the Dowglasses fled privately to the Court of England where he gave informations to King Henry against him He alone had taken to him the custody of the young King the sequel wâ—ereof he much feared he was an irreconciliable enemy to the whole Family of the Dowglasses The principal cause of his comming to Scotland was to engage the Nation in a War against England that the English Should not assist the Emperour against the French King and make his Nation slaves to France This Bishop shortly after dyed at London and was buryed in the savoy Church having been a man noble valiant learned and an excellent Poet as his works yet extant testifie The King of England upon such informations sent Clarencieux King of Arms to Scotland to require the Duke to avoid the Country according to the Articles agreed upon between the French King and him in their last truce It belonged said Clarencieux to his Master to tender the life wellfare honour fortunes of his Nephew of none of which he could be assured so long as the Duke ruled and stayed in Scotland It was against all reason and unbeseeming the man should be sole Guardian to a King who was the next heir to the Crown how easily might he be tempted by opportunity to commit the like unnatural cruelty which some have done in the like case both in England and other parts of Europe if he loved his Nation and Prince as he gave out he required him to leave the Country which if he yield not unto but obstinately continued in a re resolution to stay he denounced from his Master present war He farther complained Thâ—t the Earl of Anguss who was King Henries Brother-in Law was by him banisht and detained in France That during the banishment of the Earl which had been neer a whole year the Duke had impâ—tuned his Sister the Queen with dishonest love The Governour answered Clarencieux That what the Kings of France and England agreed upon in their Treaties of Peace was to him uncertain but of this he was most certain That neither the King of England nor France had power to banish him a Forainer over whom their authority did not reach his native country like over like having no jurisdiction As concerning the King of Scotland who was yet young in years he reverenced him as his soveraign Lord and would keep and defend both him and his Kingdome according to his Conscience honour and bound duty that there were ever more men in the world who desired to be Kings than there were Kingdomes to be bestowed upon them of which number he was none having ever preferred a mean estate justly enjoyed before a Kingdome evil acquired For the Earl of Angus he had used all Courtesies towards him notwithstanding of his evil demerits not for his own sake he did confess but for the Queens sake whom he honoured and respected as the Mother of his Prince and towards whom he should continue his observance That the King of England needed not misdoubt he would attempt any thing should derogate from the honour of his sister that complements of meer curtesie in France might
if a peace in this mean time were not concluded with England he would the next Summer bring such War-like Briggades of French and Germans that he should not stand much in need of his own Countreymen who had continued so refractory and backward to his designs He demanded from King Francis five thousand German Horsemen and ten thousand foot to be transported to Scotland which with the Scots who would accompany him he thought sufficient to continue a War with England The French could not spare so many men having Wars both with the Emperour and the English but they gave him three thousand Pikes and one thousand Launces The Governour intending to return to Scotland receiving intelligence that the Ports towards the coasts of France were watched by the English to intrap him in his passage bestowed his Ships so covertly here and there in small companies to avoid all suspition of any purpose he had to stir that year as that thereupon the English Fleet under the Conduct of Sir William Fitz-Williams which had attended and waited his comming forth untill the Midst of August brake up and bestowed themselves in convenient Ports against the next spring The Duke then watching opportunity and readily gathering together his dispersed Ships to the number of some fifty Sail imbarked his men at Brest in Bretaign the one and twenty of September and landed at Kirkowbry or the Isle of Arran in the West of Scotland In his company was Richard de la Pool who had been banished England and to his power faithfully assisted the Governour He arrived the same time that Ied-brough was burnt by the English for Thomas Earl of Surrey high Admiral of England the Marquess of Dorset and his Brother with a competent power entring Scotland had burnt many Towns and overthrown Castles aâ—â— Piles At his comming the Duke assembled the Lords at Edenburgh where they agreed that an Army should forth with be gathered and the 28. of October was appointed for their meeting at Dowglas-dale At the day prefixt the Army marched towards Coldstream upon the Tweed Out of this Army the Governoâ—r having selected a number of the hardiest Soldiers of Scots and French and convoying some Artillery over the water under the command of David Car of Farnehast on the last of October they besieged the Castle of Wark which was defended by Edward Lile or Lisle The Assailants upon the outmost Ward continuing their Battery entred by main force the second Ward but being there repulsed and beaten back a great Tempest arising and fearing the swelling of the River of Tweed might cut them off from their Army on the other side they turned back and repassed the Water the Report of the Earl of Surreys forces come to rescue the Castle and lying at Anwick and also perplexed them not a little the Earl of Surrey at his approach finding the Enemy retired to the other side of the River the Castle safe and having no Commission to pass the English marches of to invade Scotland made mo further pursuit In the mean time the Queen who had ever sought to make firm friendship with her Brother and break the amity of France sent to him to yield to a cessation of War hoping in that time to work some agreement between the two Nations Whereunto the King consenting the Governour finding the Scottish Lords averse to his intentions that he was this time served as he had been before they refusing still to enter upon England and that striving would but the more chafe them also condescended Thus a Truce was promised and faithful peace concluded till the last of November being the Feast of St. Andrews the Winâ—er past without any invasion of the English on Scotland or the Scots on England During the time of this Truce many serious consultations were amongst the Lords of Scotland whither it were more fit to continue this War of give it over Many of them held it unreasonable that for the onely pleasure of the French King the Realm of Scotland should suffer any more damage by the continuing of so needless a War and that the Duke of Albany was alwaies set to perform what the French desired not what was expedieut for the Scottish Nation nor what was in their possibility to accomplish Wherefore they wished that their young King now having attained some years of discretion and passing the age of a Child might bear some away in the Government of the Realm Some argued that a King sooner than the Sons of Noblemen went out of the bondage of Tutelage and enjoyed greater immunities his age often being reâ—koned from the time of his conception That the administration and charge of the Kingdom should early be given him that he might with his years grow in the art of Governing Since we find the same to be usual in the perfection of other arts and Sciences Others entertained other thoughts That to a child who could not by the weakness of his judgement discern Right from Wrong the Helm of State should not be trusted and that the Peers of the Kingdom might be challeng'd of dotage by their Neighbor Countreys for giving to a Child the Sword of Justice which he might thrust in their own entrails one day or wound therewith the bosom of the Common-wealth The Governour finding the Lords divided amongst themselves and their reasons averse to his intentions and that not onely the people but the Souldiery were weary of him and had bent their affections upon their young King foolishly preferring the ignorance and simplicity of a child to his prudency experience and long practice of State requested them to give him leave to return to France and to forgive him any errour he had committed which he protested was of ignorance not of malice Having from men distasted with him without any opposition obtained what he required far from any outward shew of inward discontentment or disquieting himself at the ingratitude of some whom he had advanced to Honors he came to Sterlin where after some days stay with the King when he had given him such instructions of State as he was able to understand for he was but then in the thirteenth year of his Age with many tokens of love and demonstrations of sincere affection he took his leave of him and his Ships attending his passage on the West with a great retinue of Scots and French he held his way towards them and recommended himself to the Sea in the Spring time now the third time for France after which he return'd not at all into Scotland He was a Prince adorned with many Virtues Active Couragious Resolute and knew how to use men as they are If he had not been opposed by the Queen and Nobility he was likely to have lost himself and the whole Kingdom or revenged the death of his Cousen His courteous nature went above his ambition he could as well lay down his Honours as he had modestly when they were laid upon him received them Before the Rumor
Guilielmus Drummond de Havthornden Hos Gloria Reddit Honores R Gaywood fecit 1654 THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND From the year 1423. until the year 1542. CONTAINING The LIVES and REIGNS OF JAMES The I. the II. the III. the IV. the V. With several Memorials of State During the Reigns of Iames VI. Charls I. By WILLIAM DRUMMOND of Hauthornden LONDON Printed by Henry Hills for Rich. Tomlins and himself and are to be sold at their houses near Py-Corner THE PREFACE TO THE READER TO Speak in Commendation of History in general were so many waies superfluous that we shall rather leave it to the experience of sober and inquisitive minds than injure the High Elogiums given of both the greatest and wisest Antients and Moderns by a disadvantagious Repetition of them And for to say any thing concerning the Countrey which was the Scene of the actions here represented we conceive it needless and improper in regard we are immured by one Sea breath one air speak one Tongue and now closed together by an happy Coalition under one Government The proper work therefore is to offer what can be said of the History and the Author and so dismiss the Reader to the Entertainment of the Book it self For his manner of Writing though he treat of things that are rather many than great and trouble some than glorious yet he hath brought so much of the main together as it may be modestly said none of that Nation hath done before him And for his way of handling it he hath sufficiently made it appear how conversant he was with the Writings of Venerable Antiquity and how generously he hath emulated them by an happy imitation for the purity of his Language is much above that Dialect he writ in his Descriptions lively and full his Narrations clear and pertinent his Orations Eloquent and fit for the persons that spâ—ak for that since Livys time was never accounted Crime in an Historian and his Reflections solid and mature so that it cannot be eâ—spected that these leaves can be turned over without aâ— much pleasure as profit especially frequently meeting with so many Glories and Trophies of our Ancestours yet because either of these may a little abate in respect the beginning seemâ— a little abrupt and precipitious the Author possibly dying before â—e could prepare an Apparatus or Introduction we have taken the pains out of other Records of that Nation to draw a brief Representation of some passages necessary to be foreknown The direct Royal Line of Scotland failing in Alexander III. Son of the II. of that name who when he a few years before had lost both his wife and all his hopeful and numerous issue nothing remaining of it saving a Girl to his Daughter brought to Hungonan King of Norway The Nobility hereupon meet at Scone and put the Kingdom into the hands of six Persons Edward of England sends to demand the Daughter Grandchild in marriage as next Heir of the Crown This was agreed unto Embassadours sent for her but the death of the Lady frustrated all that Negotiation The death of this Margarite so was she called was the firebrand that set England on fire and had almost destroyed Scotland For two Competitors declared themselves both powerful and of great Estates in Scotland and strongly supported with Forein Confederacies for Iohn Baliol had engaged the English Interest and Robert Bruce the French But to be a little clearer we must look back The line thus failing they were forced to run back to the line of David Earl of Huntington Brother to King William this David by his Wife Maud Daughter to the Earl of Chester had three Daughters Margâ—â—â—t married to Allan of Galloway the second to Robert Bruce sirnamed the Noble the third to Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington who made no claim Now thus it stood Dornagil the wife of Baliol claim'd it as grandchild by the Eldest Daughter and Bruce as great Grandchild by the second saying It was not fit that Daughters should inherit when there were Sons to represent the Ancestor Baliol he was neerer as being in the second degree and the other but in the third The Controversie growing high and boysterous and the Power and Interests of both parties at home being equally formidable and dangerous they resolved to refer it to King Edward who comming to Berwick and calling Lawyers to his Assistance pretends all Equity but rais'd up eight other petty Competitors the better to weakon the claim of the other two and so handled the business whilst the Lawyers were slowly consulting that Bruce having refused to accept the Crown in Homage and Tribute from England he declared upon his acceptance of those conditions IOHN BALIOL to be King who was Crowned at Stone But soon after an appeal being made against him to King Edward by Macduff Earl of Fife and he refusing to riâ—e from the Seat where he sate to answer but being inforced by the King so to do became so aliened in his affections from the English that a new quarrel breaking out between the French and the English and both by their Embassadours Courting the Scottish Amity it was resolved to adhere to the French and renounce the Homage to England as obtained by Fraâ—d and Force Edward enraged at this having obtained a Truce for some few Moneths with the French assails Berwick by Sea but with some loss which enflames him the more summons Baliol who refuses proâ—ers it to Bruce takes Berwick by Stratagem enters Scotland masters the Countrey takes Edinburgh and Sterlin and forces Baliol to a surrender at Forfar and sends him Prisoner to London whither himself returns having made most of the Nobility do Homage and left the Earl of Surrey his Deputy Baliol soon after is sent into France leaving his Son Edward as Hostage for his fidelity Edward sets â—ail for France the Scots rise and make some little Incursions into the Borders But about this time Siâ— William Wallas arose who to his Honour did so Heroically deâ—end his Countrey in her weakest condition as made it easily appear if he had had as happy a fortune to advance as he had a miserable to relieve he might have been remembred for as great a man as ever was in any age for having upon a quarrel slain a young English Gentleman and enforced to lurk in the Hills for the safety of his life he became inured 〈◊〉 â—uch hardness that awaking his natural Courage he 〈◊〉 the Head of all the Male-contents and filled both the Kingdoms with his Reputation and Terror and behaving himself according to expectation glean'd up to a tumultuary Army and the Nobility being either sloathful or cowardly commanded as Baliols Vice-Roy Thus after some little skirmishes he reduced all beyond the Forth took Dundee Aberdeen and other places when there arrived rumour of an English Army which he was not willing to dispute with but upon his own Terms Edward that had fortified all the Considerable places and kept the
the most powerful ascendent of the Genius of a Nation and that the Governing mind of the World when ever it determines any to glorious actions raises up such Leaders as by their wisdom and example may lead them to the performance of its own secret determinations And again How infectious the example of a bad or weak Prince which like an unhappy contagion perverts and infects the manners of a people and so much the more easily seduces them by how much the mind of man is inclinable to understand better things and pursue the worse and most people are more easily emasculated into Vice than tutured into Virtue This Prince being gone to his long home DAVID BRUCE His Son succeeding his Coronation was deferred till permission could be had from Rome to make the business more solemn 1331. The first thing memorable in his reign was the suppression of a sort of Thieves by Randolph who if you will believe the Scotish Story was soon after poisned by a Monk yet bore it so as he eluded another invasion though he dyed soon after in the year 1331. the Government devolving to the Earl of Mar in which he was scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Baliol was seen in the Fryth with a Formidable Fleet And it was upon this occasion Lawrence Twine a Fugitive Englishman that had planted himself in Scotland being for his lewd life excommunicated slew the Bishop of Final and used such inducements to Edward Son of Iohn Baliol formerly King by the minority of the King the raging discontents of the People and Exiles the want of the Regents Randolph and Dowglass that he knowing Edward prepared great Forces against Scotland perswaded him to imbarque in the Enterprize and he made so good a Party that he landed 〈◊〉 Kingkorn and defeated Alexander Seatoun who made some opposition and marching to Perth did by a secret passage over the River rout the Enemy slay the most considerable Commande◠and take the Town taking Prisoners also many of the best quality so that growing numerous by the accession of such as had a mind to share in his good and unexpected Fortune 1332. he in the year 1332. caused himself to be Crowned King at Scone by the name of EDVVARD BALIOL But the party of the Bruce not resting here send him to Philip of France with his wife and choose Andrew Murray his Cousen Regent and making a party after three Moneths siege recovered Perth Baliol in the mean time was at Annandale receiving the voluntary submission of the Countrey among whom so high was the Reputation of his Acquests that Alexander Bruce L. of Carid and Galloway forsook his Kinsman and submitted to the Conquerour who by this means became so besotted with a contempt of the Enemy and so neglected Discipline which being known to the Vice-Roy he sent a party of Horse under Archibald Dowglas and others who beat up his quarters and routed them himself escaping half naked 1332. and his most considerable Friends slain The Nobility hereupon flocking to the Party of the Bruces they consult and resolve that Baliol acts but the King of England's Designs fortifie Berwick and the Borders and standing in this posture of Defence fent to K. Philip and David to give them account of things Nor were the English unwilling to take the Advantage of the Discord he therefore protects Baliol and under pretence of demanding Berwick which was denyed brings an Army against Scotland besieges Berwick by Land Sea which to divert Archibald Dowglas newly appointed Vice-Roy makes an attempt upon the English but was routed with great loss 1333. in the year 1333. Which occasioned the Rendition of the Town Edward hereupon withdrawing into England leaves the reducement of Scotland to the care of Baliol and Edward Talbot who gained it all except some few Strengths Baliol though disturbed with a controversie about the Lands of Iohn Moubray surveys the Country fortifies the Castle of Rothsay narrowly pursues Robert Stuart after King who in a small bark escaped to the Garrison of Dumbarton and after laies siege to the Castle in the Lake Leven which he left to the Management of Sir Iohn Sterlin and others but Sterlin going to a Fair at Dunfermling the besieged let the Lake into his Trenches and raised the siege The English came in again with an Army swept all carryed Baliol home with them and left Cumin Earl of Athol Lieutenant of Scotland who wasted all the Lands of the Stuarts By this Robert Stuart unexpectedly breaks out and being followed by the Cambells takes the Castle of Botan and having access of many considerable persons is made Vice-Roy and forces Cumin to his party and dispersing the War called a Parliament at Perth where nothing could be done by reason of the dissention of Cumin and Dowglas But the English enter with a great Army and though their Auxiliary Guelders were routed take Perth but their Fleet being harrast at Sea were forced to retreat and the rather in design of a French War but some of the Nobles still standing out the English landing in Murray reduced all and leaving Baliol return Next year the English besieged Dunbar 1337. and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford which though they were both routed yet the siege continued but the English having received loss by the valour of Robert Stuart after six moneths stay being called into France raised their siege Murray in the mean time dying Stuart was created Vice-Roy till the Return of David and having the first year by the means of W. Dowglas gained some petty Victories 1339. did the next besiege Perth which after four Moneths stay was reduced and a little after Sterlin and by Stratagem the Castle of Edinburgh Alexander making a happy Expedition into Northumberland and taking Roxburgh and the Scots regaining all their ground except Berwick In the year 1342. David after 9. years stay returns and after quieting of some dissentions resolves an expedition into England though disswaded by his Council by reason of want of Victuals making Iohn Randolph General himself going incognito and for two Moneths together depopulated Northumberland but after declaring himself General made a second Expedition which met little opposition by reason of the diversion of the English strength in France a third to as little purpose A Peace for two years was treated of which David would not accept without the consent of Philip. of France who having a great defeat given him by Edward excited him by all means to an invasion which his friendship perswaded him to though things at home were not in Order and having Marcht so far as the County of Durham had his Army routed and was there taken Prisoner The English limits being enlarged as far as Cockburn and all Scotland in a manner depopulated by the Plague and deadly fewds yet by the encouragement of Iohn Son of Philip the French King some were still making Incursions and an unsuccessful
attempt on Berwick By this time Iohn of France was Prisoner to Edward whom the Scots courted as full of Honour and Victory for the delivery of their own who by the Mediation of the Pope for a great sum of Money was redeemed and set free after eleven years Captivity and at his Rerurn punished some of those who had deserted him at Durham and endeavoured to remove the succession of the Crown from Robert Stuart to whom he was some years after reconciled The last five years of his reign were spent in appeasing domestick fewds and are notable for a great inundation and plague but things quieting in the year 1363. he retired into a Monastery and declared in case of his decease Edward or his Son for their King This whether it was caused by some former Oath or from weariness of War or design of quiet to Both Nations which being universally disliked by the Estates it was like to breed a dissention which his wisdome closed up All was now quiet but the Highlanders whom he appeased by their mutual discords when Fate in the 47. year of his age the 39. of his Reign came to Eternal Rest 1370. in the Castle of Edinburgh in the year 1370. By this King and his competitor Baliol who went out in the snuff we may in part measure the interests and advantages of Princes the one by the assistance of a Potent Neighbour did unexpected things yet failed in Conduct and Management the other wanting neither spirit nor vigilancy became a Captive and ineffectuall Prince which may give us occasion to observe That though Travel do best inrich the mind with variety of observation yet it is not so successfull in Princes for their Minds not being exempted from humane weakness may draw in tinctures and prejudices not consisting with the humors of them they are to govern and by knowing abroad grow strangers at home neglecting to study the humor of the People they ore set over the disquisition of which is certainly the greatest Mystery and Chain of Government The People being an unruly Beast easily led impossible to be forc'd and the Magick that so powerfully forces them no other than a piercing discerning flattering or eluding their Humour This was Davids Fundamental fault which like Error in the first concoction multiplied it self through the rest of his Reign He was bred a Stranger knew not the disposition of his people met with troublesome Times and a Formidable Enemy and therefore he may very well be charged with three oversights First after three not unfortunate incursions into England then imployed by France not to rest there with his proportion of glory and prey But secondly By the allurement of the French King and that upon a score of Friendship whereas Friendships of Princes and Private Men are different the one being particular the other diffusive and concerning Millions besides that Princes are to consider the interest of their States not their private inclinations And for the third To make an invasion when he left so high discontents in a turbulent people behind besides those of his own that by force obligation or interest were devoted to a victorious Enemy and assured of his own Countrey was very imprudential both in going to find out an Enemy whose force he knew not and leaving behind him Subjects whose malice and force he understood not But no more to disturb his ashes Had he had another Countrey another Enemy another Education and other Circumstances of Time he might have been as glorious as any of his Predecessors it is the more probable though the Change of Time does often heighten and aggravate the Vices of Princes there is nothing either Cruel or Vicious recorded of him So that even in the severest sense we may dismiss him with this Character That he rather was unhappy than sloathful in his Government This mans eyes being for ever closed the Nobility appointed a meeting for the accepting of ROBERT STUART For their King as he was formerly designed who appeased the dissention of the Earl Dowglas by marrying his Daughter to the Earls Son His first two years were spent in making incursions upon the English the Kings wife dying in the next year he maries Elizabeth Moor his own Concubine the better to legitimate the children he had by her and them he honoured with Titles and declared his Successors two years after an attempt is made on Berwick but in vain and Talbots Expedition frustrated but a Truce for three years was concluded which being expired little quarrels awoke again and occasioned the Duke of Lancaster to be sent thither with a great Army and Navy though not with the same fortune at Sea as at Land which occasioned the return of the Duke who was pursued by some small depredations of William Dowglas though his Son of the same name and some others during a Treaty made an inroad as far as Newcastle Robert having assistance from France is forced to retire especially upon the news of Richards Grand-child and Successor to Edward the third marching with a great Army fac'd the Scots with an unbloody bravery The Scots designing to besiege Roxburgh but quarrelling with the French it came to nothing which occasioned so much dissention that it arrived at this pass That the French should pay for their plunder and be dismist their general remaining as hostage for their satisfaction whilst William Dowglas who had maried the Kings Daughter makes an expedition into Ireland plunders Kerlingford and knowing his Father to be imployed against the English hastens to his assistance The attempt was in affront of Richard then struggling with Domestick difficulties But they of Scotland being unable to live without War and Rapine they were resolved to make a business of it and because the King and his eldest Son were infirm came to choose privately the second for their Leader but this being discovered by the English they altered their Resolution and resolved to divide themselves one by the way of Berwick the other of Carlisle the former party led by Dowglas gave a defeat to the Lord Percy with the loss of his Life the other not having the like Success who impatiently fighting before the comming up of the Bishop of Durham's Forces lost his own and indangered the others This happened in the year 1388. at Otterbâ—rn in Northumberland The King being spent with age makes Robert his second Son his Vice-Roy his eldest being unactive who to affront Peircey that seemed to lessen the loss led in an Army but after facing returned with some little depredation Soon after a Peace was mediated between the French and English in which Robert without consent of a Parliament would not be comprized But his doubts were all resolved by death in the year 1390. when he had lived 74. years and reigned 19. being followed to the grave with such acts of Barbarisin as have been frequent in that place He is a Prince we find little said of as to his person and
possibly best to be considered in the Negative We find many things done by his Captains not by him which notwithstanding we may rather attribute to the stirring and violent humour of that age than either his age want of Genius or love of quiet yet herein appears somewhat of his Character that meeting with turbulent times and a martial people he met not with any Insurrections and was a gainer and though he did it by other hands we must suppose that their Motions were directed by his Brain that communicated Motion and Spirits unto them since the Minds of Kings like the first Mover turn all about yet are not perceived to move and it was no humane wit said their hearts were unscruitable The same year his Eldest Son Iohn was called to succeed who thinking that name ominous to Kings and there wanted not examples as of him of England and him of France and fancying somewhat of the felicity of the two former Roberts was crowned King by the name of ROBERT the III. This man being unactive the weight of the Government rested upon his Brother Robert The first seven years of his Reign past in a calm with England by reason of two Truces but not without some fierce fewds among his Subjects one whereof was very memorable between Thomas Dunbar Earl of Murray and Iames Lindsay Earl of Crawford and was most high insomuch that seeing the difficulty of reducing them he resolved to make this proposition to them That 300. of each side should try it by dint of Sword before the King the conquered to be pardoned and the Conquerour advanced This being agreed on a place was appointed on the Northside of St. Iohnstons but when they came to join battel there was one of one side missing whom when his party could not supply and none would relinguish the other a Tradesman stept out and for half a French Crown and promise of maintenance for his life filled up the company The fight was furious but none behaved himself more furiously than the Mercinary Champion who they say was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side there remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the shock of the other threw himself into the Tey and escaped By this means the fiercest of two Clanns being cut off the remainder being headless 1398. were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes a title then first brought into Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of whose reign though the Truce was not ended the seeds of War began to bloom out and upon this occasion George Earl of March had betroathed Elizabeth his Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Dowglas not brooking this gets a vote of Parliament for revocation of this mariage and by the power of Robert the Kings Brother made a mariage between Mary his Daughter and David and giving a greater sum got it confirmed in Parliament The Earl of March nettled at this demands redress but being not heard leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Peircey an utter Enemy of the Dowglasses wasts March and especially depradating the lands of the Dowglasses The Scots declare the Earl of March an enemy and send to demand him up of the English who deny to surrender him This made Hot-spur Peircey and March make several incursions into Scotland till at last they were repulsed at Linton-Bridge by the Dowglasses 1400. This was about the year four hundred at which time War was denounced and the English entered with a great Army took Haddington and Lieth and laid siege to Edenburgh Castle David the Kings Son being within it which the new Governour ambitiously delaying to relieve the English satisfyed with the terrour they brought retired again After which March did not cease his little incursions which to be revenged of Dowglas divided his forces into two Squadrons the first to Halyburton who returned from Barmborough with some prey the second and greater to Patrick Hepburn who unwarily roving with his prey was set on by the English and with all the youth of Lothian put to the Sword To revenge this Dowglas gets together 10000. men and passing beyond Newcastle met with young Peircey c. who at Homildon a little village in Northumberland in the year 1401 gave him and his Party such a considerable defeat as Scotland had not receiv'd the like for a long time This put Peircey in hopes to reduce all beyond the Fryth but the troubles at home withdrew him from that design By this Annabel the Queen dying David her Son who by her means had been restrained broke out into his natural disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and Luxury Complaint being brought to his Father he commits him to his Brother the Governor whose secret design being to root out the off-spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Falkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one woman thrusting in some thin Oaten Cakes at a chink another giving him milk out of her papps through a Trunck But both these being discovered the youth being forced to tear his own members dyed of a multiplied death which murder being whispered to the King and the King enquiring after it was so abused by the false representations of his Brother that grief and imprecations was all the Relief he had left him as being now retired sickly to Bote-Castle and unable to punish him The King being solicitous of Iames his younger Son is resolved by the example of the good usage of David to send him to Charls the sixt of France having taken Shipping at the Basse as he past by the Promontory of Flamborough whether forc'd by tempest or that he was Seasick he was forced to land taken by the English and detained notwithstanding the allegation of a Truce of eight years and his Fathers Letters And though it came to the Privy-Council to be debated yet his detention was carried in the Affirmative This advantage he had by his Captivity that he was well and carefully educated but the News so struck his Father that he had almost presently dyed but being carried into his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and sorrow he shortned his life three daies longer viz. to the first of April 1406. â—e was a man of a goodly and a comely personage one rather sit for the tranquillity of a private life than the agitations of Royalty and indeed such an one whose Reigns do little else but fill up Chronologies with the number of their years Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour a man of parts able enough for that employment but a man of such a violent and inveterate ambition as would sacrifise any thing to make it fuel to it self Soon
with a great many young Noblemen of the Kingdom to remain Hostages for the rest who after the English Writers were David son to the Earl of Athole Alexander Earl of Crawford the Lord Gordon Iohn de Lyndesay Patrick Son and Heir to Sir Iohn Lyon David de Ogleby Sir William de Ruthen Miles Graham David Mowbray and William Oliphant These were honorably received entertained and kept The Kings Father in Law the Earl of Somerset the Cardinal his Brother accompanied their Nâ—ece to the Borders and there taking their leave returned back The King with the rest of their Train received with many Troops of Nobles and Gentlemen who swarmed from all parts of the Kingdom to give him a dutifull welcome into his Native soyl and themselves the contentment of beholding one they had so long deâ—ired and expected with loud acclamations and applauses of the Commons as he held his Progress on the Passion Week in Lent came to Edinburgh During his abode there he assembled many of the Estates listened to their Petitions prepared for the approaching Parliament which had been summoned before his coming The Solemniâ—iâ—s of Easter finished the King came with his Queen to Perth and from thence in the beginning of the moneth of May to Scone where the year 1424. by Mordock the Governor Duke of Albany and Earl of Fife to whom that charge by custom of the Kingdom did appertain and Henry Bishop of S. Andrews self and his Queen being according to the computation of the old Scottish History the hundreth and one King of Scotland At which time Sigismond son to Charls the fourth was Emperour of the West An. Dom. 1424. Iohn the seventh the son of Andronicus of the East Amurach the second Great Turk Alphonsus the fifth King of Spain Charlâ— the seventh King of France Henry the sixth King of England and with Martine the fifth many claimed the Chair of St. Peter The ends in calling the Parliament were the Coronation of the King to make the People see a Princes authority was come where they had but lately a Governours the establishing a Peace amongst the Subjects and taking away all Factions the exacting a Subsidie for the relief of the Hostages in England To this last the Nobles held strong hand by reason many of their Sons were engaged Here a general Tax was condescended up on through the whole Realm as twelve pennies of the pound to be paid of all Lands as well Spiritual as Temporal and four pennies of every Cow Ox Horse for the space of two years together When the Commons had taken it grievously that the Subsidie granted by the States of the Kingdom in Parliament was exacted mostly of them after the first Collection the King pittying their poverty remitted what was unpayed and until the Marriage of his Daughter thereafter never exacted any Subsidie of his Subjects For he would gently strain milk and not wring blood from the breast of his Countrey rendring the disposure thereof chaste sincere and pure for expences necessary and profitable not for profusions which neither afford contentment nor reputation for money is both the nerves which give motion and veins which entertain life in a State Amongst others whom the King honoured Alexander second Son to Duke Mordock was dubbed Knight The Parliament dissolving the King came from Perth to Edinburgh where having assembled all the present Officers and such who had born Authority in the State during the time of Duke Robert and Duke Mordock especially those whose chargâ— concerned the Rents of the Crown he understood by their accounts that the most part of all the Rents Revenues and Landâ— pertaining to the Crown were wasted alienated and put away or then by the Governors bestowed on their friends and followers the Customs of Towns and Burroughs only excepted â—his a little incensed his indigâ—ation yet did 〈◊〉 â—mother and put a fair countenance on his passion sâ—eming to slight what he most car'd for occasion thereafter no sooner served when he began to countenance and give way to Promoters and Informers necessary though dangerous Instruments of State which many good Princes have been content to maintain and such who were not bad never denyed to hear but using them no longer then they were necessary for their ends to rip up secrâ—t and hidden câ—imes wrongs suffered or committed during the time of his detension in England He received the complaints of the Church-men Countrey Gentlemen Merchants against all those who had either wronged them or the State and would have the causes of all Accusers to be heard and examined Here many to obtain the favour of the Prince accused others Upon pregnant accusations Walter Stuart one of the Sons of Duke Mordock was Arrested and sent to the Bass to be close kept so was Malcolm Fleming of Cammernauld and Thomas Foyd of Kilmarnock committed to Ward in Dalkieth Not long after the Nobiliâ—y interceding Malcolm and Thomas goods being restored which they had taken wrongfully and Finâ—â— laid upon them for their Offence promising to satisfie all whom they had wrong'd were pardoned all faults and then set at Liberty The King by listening to Promoters came to the knowledge of many great insolencies committed by sundry of his Nobles which as it bred hatred in him so fear in them and both appeared to study a Novation They for their own safety He to vindicate Justice and his Authority The Duke had highly resented the committing of his Son as had his Father in Law the Earl of Lennox The Male-contents being many if they could have swayed in one body as they came to be of one mind threatned no small matter The King from the intelligence of close Meetings secret Leagues some Plots of his Nobles began to forecast an apparent storm in the State and danger to his own Peâ—son whereupon being both couragious and wise â—e proclaimeth again a Parliament at Perth where the three Estates being assembled in his Throne of Majesty he spoke in this manner I have learned from my tender years that Royalty consisteh not so much in a Chair of State as in such actions which do well become a Prince What mine have been since my coming Home and Government among you I take first God and then your sâ—lves for witnâ—sses Iâ— all of them be not agreeable to you all and if any rigorous dealing be used against some Let him who is touched lay aside his particular and look to the setling of Justice in the State and publick Good of the whole Kingdom and he shall find his sufferings tolerable perhaps necâ—ssary and according to the time deserved I have endeavoured to take away all Discords abolish Factions Suppress Oppression as no Forein Power hath attempted ought against you hitherto so that ye should not endeavour ought one against another nor any thing against the weal publick and Soveraignty Slow have I been in punishing injuries done to my self but can hardly pardon such as are done to the Common-wealth for this
out and set at liberty of purpose that they might be thrust forward into a greater danger Returning to their wilde countreys Duff nothing respecting the Kings clemency accompanied with many Theeves and Robbers driveth a great prey of cattel and other spoils from the Confines of Murrey and Caithness which to recover Angus Murrey that he might attempt something worthy of his life and liberty followeth with a great power of like Souldiers having now Authority to justifie his revenge on a guilty enemy he overtaketh Duff near unto Strath-Naverne There strongly is it fought neither of the parties being inferiour to other in number cruelty or despair This conflict continued so fierce and eagar that of both sides there remained scarce twelve persons alive and those so wounded that Justice had not whom to pursue An overthrow delightful and commodious for the peace and quiet of all the honest and vertuous Subjects of these Countreys These many executions nothing appalled one Mac-Donald born in Ross a Thief flesht in all murthers mischievous wiâ—hout mercy equally greedy of blood and spoil who by Robberies had acquired great riches Amongst other cruelties he is said to have naild horse shoes to the soles of a Widow because in her grief she had sworn in haste to report his wickedness to the King Being brought to Perth by men of his own qualities with twelve of his Associates the King caused them in like manner to be shod as they served the woman and when three days for a spectacle to the people they had been hurryed along the Town his Companions were Gibbeted and he made shorter by the head Gross enormities cut a way factions repressed the King maketh a Progress throughout all the parts of his Realm doing Justice upon all sorts of Malefactors neither did Pardons granted by the late Governour avail it being alledged that they expired by his death and though small faults might have been passed by such remissions yet horrible and crying crimes were not within the compass of such authority Whilest he thus continues in the administration of Justice the favorable eye of Providence looketh upon him and in the year 1430. in the moneth of October Queen Iane is delivered of two sons at Holy-Road-House Alexander and Iames the one deceased in his infancy the other succeeded to his Father and was King To highten the joy of his people and diffuse it universally many prisoners are set at liberty amongst which were Archibald Earl of Dowglass Sir Gilbert Kennedie the Kings Sister sons the Earl had been keeped in Locâ—leavin the other in Sterling They had been committed rather upon suspition of the times then men having spoken too freely against the present Government Alexander Earl of Ross was also set at liberty And that the King intended a real and sincere reconciliation the Earl of Dowglass was made Parent to his Children at the Font at this solemnity fifty Knights were Dubbed the first of which was William Dowglas son to the Earl who after succeâ—ded to his Father in the Earldom of Dowglas A sweet calm diffuâ—ing it self through every corner of the Realm the King imagining the rest of his Raign to be but the enjoying of a Crown sets his thoughts wholly to the works of Peace Many unreasonable Customs which were become to the vulgar Laws had many years continued in his Kingdom these he will either have abolished or amended To this effect he selecteth persons commended for wisdom gravity and uprightness of life through his Realm to pry into all abuses here and determine of all sorts of quarrels and suits if any were brought unto them where of the ordinary Judges either for fear dared not or power of stronger could not or for â—atred or favour would not give any perfect Judgment To them he gave full Authority to make Inquisition of the breach of poenal Statutes some hereby were punished by Fines others in their Lives he took away the deceit which had been occasioned by variety of measures for this end certain Iron measures were appointed to be made unto which the rest should be conform and like before his Reign not only in every Town and Shire but in every Mannor and House different measures were currant which abuse he abolished by Parliament The roughness of the times and perpetual wars and troubles of his Ancestors had near taken away the Arts and Handy-crafts and turned the Sciences contemptible especially since the Reign of Alexander third The Commons by the manifold changes and miseries of the Age affecting Barbarity the Nobles making Arms their whole study and care to the further advancement of the Commonwealth and that his Subjects might have occasion to avoid sloth and idleness the King from the Neighbor Continent and from England drew unto him the best Artizans and Manufactors whom either large priviledges or moneys could entice and oblige Of which such a fair number came and were so graciously received that they forgot their Native Countreys and here made their perpetual abode And what till this day Scotland enjoyeth of them owe all their beginning to these Times Schools of learning were sounded to which great Liberties and priviledges were granted the King well knowing that what ever is excellent in any Estate from them had beinning and feed and that there is no better means to sweeten and same the wilde nature of Men theâ— to busie their spirits with peacefull and sedentary Exercises rude and untrained minds being inclinable of themâ—elves to tumult and sedition To make a necessity of learning he made an Act that none of the Nobility should succeed to their Ancestors Heritage except they had some taste of the Civil Law or practice of the Country-Customs but this after was by them abolished Many famous men in all Sciences from the Noblest Universities of Christendom came hither as to the Sanctuary of the Mâ—ses where often the King himself in person graced their Lessons and when great matters did not withdraw him was Umpire to their harmless Conflicts Being himself religious he advanced Men learned and of good life to eminent places in the Church and that the best deservers might be discerned he distinguished the learned in degrees Making a Law that none should enjoy the room of a Cannon in any Cathedral Church unless he were Batchelour in Divinity or at the least of the Cannoâ— Law Though he challenged King David and named him a grievous Saint to the Crown for dilapidating so much Râ—nt in extraordinary Donations to the Church yet with great cost and magnificence â—he founded the Convent of Charters in Perth and bestowed fair Revenues upon it The excellent skill which he had in Musick and delight in Poesie made him affect Quiristers and he was the first that erected in his own Chappels and the Cathedral Churches of Scotland Organs being not much known before his Reign to the Nation Peace hath its own dangers no less than Wars yea often such estatâ—s as have increased their Dominions and become mighty
Parliamentary Authority can take away Iustice and the Law of God neither is an oath to be observed when as it tendeth to the Suppression of truth and right and though for a time such Acts and oaths have prevailed our designs having good Success we shall have a Parliament approving our right abolishing their pretensions and declaring them Vsurpers This one man and a child taken away if we can give the blow the Kingdome must obey the Lawfull Successor against whom what Subject will revolt or who dare take arms and here is more â—ear than danger But think there were the onely râ—medie of emminent dangers is new dangers It was simplicity in him to think by small benâ—fits that old injuries are abolished and forgot and that I should take patiently the title of Earl when I should have been King my self by his tyrannizing justice if he be not hated he is not beloved but become terrible to his people who now through their poverty and â—rievances affect a novation and obey him not out of any affection but through necessity and fear and now he also feareth that some do that to him which he hath deserved Let us resolve his doubts our ends are honour and revenge our wills against him all alike and one The Heavens seem to conspire with us having brought him to disband his Army and render himself in the wished place of our attempts and let us rather follow them and fortune which favours great actions than vertue that preacheth cowardly Patience Remembring how fair glosses of valour for the most part have been cast on the â—oulest deeds and the mightest Families have from them derived their honours shame seldom or never following Victory however it be atchieved and purchased That Soveraignty at the first was but a violent usurpation of the stronger over the weaker How great Enterprizes must begin with danger but end with rewards that death should rather be prevented than expected and that it is more honourable to dy than prolong a life in misery wandring in the scorn of other mens pride be resolute in our Plot put the enterprize in execution hast is the spirit of actions of danger the worst that can befall us is since we cannot subsist he being alive that he be taken away whilst we run a hazard of death which happeneth to all men alike with only the difference of Fame or Oblivion with the Posterity which ariseth of an evil action as well of a good if the action and attempt be great but let us not spend the time of execution in deliberation Not long after when they had ponderated and digested the Design Graham and Stuart with their accomplices guided by Resolution and guarded by the darkness of the Night came to the Black Fryers of Pearth and having the way made open unto them entered the Gallery before the Kings Chamber-door where they attended some of their confederates who should have stoln away the Barr by which means they might enter the Chamber but before their comming Fortune casteth the occasion in their hands For Walter Stratoun one of the Kings Cupbearers came forth of the Chamber and finding armed men rushing rudely to force their entrie terrifyed with the boldness of the fact with a high voice gave the Alarum of Treason to his Master While they are working his death a Maid of honour of the Name of Dowglass got to the door and esâ—aied to shut it but for that the Bar was now away which should have made it fast she thrust her arm in the place where it should have passed but that easily broken the Conspiratours rush in to the Chamber and slaying all such of the waiters as made defence amongst which was Patrick Dumbar Brother to George sometime Earl of March they at last stroke down the King whom whilst the Queen by interposing her body sought to save being hardly pulled from him she received two wounds and he with twenty eight most towards the heart was left dead Thus was King Iames the first who had so superabundantly deserved well of the Common-wealth Ann. Dom. 1436. murthered the 21. of February in the end of the year 1436 the 44. of his age when he had reigned 13. years This King was for the proportion and shape of his body of a middle stature thick and square rather somewhat mean than tall not such as is counted for dainty but for gracefulnesse and Majesty His hair was abourn a colour between white and red He was of so strong and vigorous a constitution that he was able to endure all extraordinary extremities both of travail and want and surpassed for agility and nimbleness in any exercise his companions He was of so sharp and pregnant a wit that there was nothing wherein the commendation of wit consisted or any shadow of the liberal arts did appear that he had not applied his mind unto seeming rather born to Letters than instructed He wrote Verses both Latine and English of which many yet are extant He exercised all Instruments of Musick and equalled the best Professours thereof He had studied all Philosophy but most that which concerns Government in which what a Master he was the order which he established in such a confusion as he found in the State doth witness and many old Laws commodiously renewed and amended others for the publick good established He was a great observer of religious forms easie for access fair in speech and countenance in behaviour kind using sleep and meat to live not for voluptuousness He had good command over his Passions his desires never being above his reason nor his hopes inferiour to his desires Though he was much obliged to the gifts of Nature yet was he more to his good education and training in England Scarce had he passed the nineth year of his age when he was committed to the Sea to shun the Treasons of his Uncle and was surprized at Flambrough-head in Holderness Windsor Castle kept him a Prisoner but by Commandment of King Henry he was so carefully instructed that no Prince could have been better bred in the Schools of Europe What his valour was the waâ—s of France bear witness for accompanying the King of England there he layed siege to the Town of Direx and with such violence and valour saith the English History assaulted it for the space of six weeks that with main strength he compelled it to be rendred to his hands and gave it to King Henry That commendation which was given him by that same King of England being recorded by their writers proved prophetically true of him For the King remembring him of his benefits received and promising him greater with free liberty to return to his own Countrey if he could cause the Scots who were adherent to the Daulphin of France to return to their native soyl and leave him To this he answered He was a Prisoner had no possession of his Realm that he was neither sworn to his Subjects nor they by any Oath of
Allegiance bound to him and though he were bound to them and they to follow his commandment he would foresee whether it were to him honourable and to his Realm honest to leave their Old Friend of France in his extrem necessity without aid or comfoâ—t With this answer though the King was not content when Iames went out of his presence he is recorded to have said Happy shall they be which shall be subjects to a King endued with such wisdome of so tender years of age His severity in Justice was traduced by some under terms of cruelty but considering the Disorders of his Countrey by the fierce nature of the People over whom he ruled who by often Rebellions did not only exasperate him to some severity but even constrain him to keep them in aw his rigour was rather an effect of necessity than of his natural disposition No Prince did more reverently entertain Peace at Home amongst his Subjects nor more wiâ—lingly conclude the same amongst Strangers There is no Prince more cruel than he who by a facility and evil measured pitty suffers Robberies Rapes Murthers and all sort of opprâ—ssion and abuses to overturn his Countrey by which a whole State is interessed when the strictest Justice toucheth but some particular persons By him abuses were reformed defects repaired sedition and discord was put from the Nobles equity and industry restored to the Countrey every man had a certainty of enjoying his own and security Into all Men was either infused a will to do well or a necessity of so doing imposed upon them virtuous actions being honoured crimes punished The mean man did respect the great not fear him the great man did precede the mean not contemn him favour was mastered by equity Ambition by Virtue for the excellent Prince by doing well himself had taught his subjects so to do He was one of the worthiest of all the Kings of Scotland till his time of the former Kings it might have been said The Nation made them Kings but this King made that People a Nation He left behinde him one Son and six Daughters King Iames the second Margarite wife to Lewis the eleventh King of France Elizabeth Dutchess of Bretaigne Iane first of Anguss and then Countess of Huntley Elenora married to Sigismond Arch-duke of Austria Mary wife to the Lord of Camphire and Annabella he was buried in the Charter-house of Perth which he had founded where the Doublet in which he was slain was kept almost to our Time as a Relict and with execrations seen of the People every man thinking himself interested in his wrong The rumour of his Murther blazed abroad it is incredible what weeping and sorrow was through all the Countrey for even by them to whom his Government was not pleasant he was deplored and the act thought execrable The Nobles of their own accord and motion from all parts of the Kingdome assembled and came to Edenbrough and ere they consulted together as if they had all one mind directed troups of armed men through all the quarters of the Kingdome to apprehend the Murtherers and produce them to Justice Such diligence was used grief and anger working in their minds that within the space of fourty daies all the Conspiratours were taken and put to shameful deaths The common sort as Christopher Clawn or Cahown and others that were of the Council in the Conspiracy having had art or part in the plot were hanged on Gibbets The chief Actors that the Common wealth might publickly receive satisfaction were made spectacles of Justice by exquisite torments the punishment of Athole was continued three daies on the first he was stript naked to his shirt and by a Crane fixed in a Cart often hoised aloft disjointed and hanging shown to the People and thus dragged along the great Street of the Town on the second day he was mounted on a Pillar in the Market place he was crowned with a Diadem of burning Iron with a Plaâ—hart bearing The King of all Traytors thus was his Oracle accomplished on the third he was laid naked along upon a Scaffold his Belly was ript up his heart and Bowels taken out and thrown in a fire flickering before his eyes Lastly his head was cut off and fixed in the most eminent place of the Town his body sent in quarters to the most populous Cities of the Kingdom to remain a Trophie of Justice His Nephew Robert Stuart was not altogether so rigorously handled for that he did but consent to others wickedness being only hang'd and quarter'd But for that it was notorious Robert Graham had embrued his hands in the Kings bloud a Gallows being raised in a Cart he had his right hand nailed to it and as he was dragged along the Street Executioners with burning Pincers tearing the most fleshy parts off his Carcass being nip'd torn and flâ—y'd his heart and entrails were thrown in a fire his head exalted and his Quarters sent amongst the Towns to satisfy the wrath and sorrow of the injured people being asked during his torture how he dared put hand in his Prince he made answer that having Heaven and Hell at his choice he dared leap out of Heaven and all the contentments thereof in the flaming bottomes of Hell an answer worthy such a Traytor Aâ—neas Sylvius then Legate in Scotland for Pope Eugenius the fourth after Pope himself having seen this sudden and terrible Revenge being a witness of the Execution said he could not tell whether he should give them greater commendations that revenged the Kings death or brand them with sharper condemnation that distain'd themselves with so hainous a Parricide Iames King of Scotes AnoÌ„ 1436 THE HISTORY OF THE Reign of Iames the second KING of SCOTLAND SCarce were the tears dryed for the loss of the Father when the three Estates of the Kingdom meet 1654. and at Holy-rood-House set the Crown upon the head of the Son then a child in the sixth year of his age The Government of the Realm is trusted to Sir Alexander Levingstoun of Calendar the custody of the Kings person with the Castle of Edenbrough are given to the Chancelor Sir William Creightoun Men for that they had been ever faithful to the Father without apparent vices of no capacity to succeed nor entertaining aspiring thoughts for a Diadem held worthy of these charges and dignities Good men may secure themselves from Crimes but not from envy and calumnies for men great in trust in publick affairs are ever assaulted by the ambition of those who apprehend they are less in imployment than they conceive they are in merit Archembald Earl of Dowglass grudging mightily that the State had bestowed those honours upon men far inferiour to him as though by this the many merits of his Ancestours had been forgotten and his own service neglected They being ever accustomed in times of Peace to be nearest the Helm of the State and when any danger of war blazed sent abroad to encounter it In a confusion of
Brothers and Cousins wrought by the two Rulers remained unrevenged and therefore since openly without troubling the common peace of the Countrey he could not by secret and umbragious wayes he laboureth to bring it to pass Procuring a far off a disobedience to their Decrees and contempt of their Authority by men in a great distance from him in place blood friendship and familiarity who after any fashion grudged repined complained of the present form of Government or aggravated imaginary wrongs are supported and protected by him his houses turned places of refuge to distressed Maleâ—contents One Iohn Gormack of Athole not without suspition that he wrought by the motion and order of the Earl and understood his Caball essayed with a great number of Out-lawes to hinder the execution of a Malefactor and take him by main force from the Sheriff of Pearth William Ruthen but he perished in the enterprize Patrick Gilbreath in the Castle of Dumbartoun for priority of command killeth Robert Simple and to save his person or justifie his homicide flyeth to the Earl of Dowglass by whom he is protected notwithstanding the many informations given in against him at Court and his citation to answer to Justice The King whose non-age was now near expired began to relish the Sweetness of Government in his own Person and became tyr'd of the long and awful tutelage of his jarring Rulers and the Flower of his youth seeming fram'd for great affairs promised the fruit of a wise and happy reign finding it difficult to put men near dayly unto him long experienced and greedy of Rule from high Places except by the entertaining a stronger and more powerful faction He setteth his thoughts upon the Earl of Dowglass small favours to him would be a great umbrage to the ambition of his Tutors bring them within the compass of answering to what might be objected to them concerning their Service in the State he would not sue to the Earl but as occasion served he gave many signs and open speeches that he had not altogether withdrawn his love and favour from the antient House of the Dowglasses their passed faults being by them acknowledged and recompenced with fidelity and obedience in times comming The Earl of Dowglass whose towardness and liberality had acquired him many Friends at Court upon assured advertisement of his Princes good-will towards him cometh to Sterling and is no sooner presented upon his knees before the King in the Church when with all demonstrations of benevolence he is received in grace pardoned and not manies dayes after admitted to be of the Privy Council The King imparting to him his greatest affairs sheweth he will follow them by his advice and counsel honoureth him with the plausible name of Cousiâ— and entertaineth such familiarity with him that all others give him the place The promotion and credit which the Earl of Dowglass in a short time acquired about the King his faction dayly increasing moved the two Rulers by their moderation seeking to avoid disgrace to leave the Court. After which they were both removed from their offices and their places and authority in Council with their whole Friends and Followers They are upbraided with disorders both in their private actions and the manner of their Government and at last are summoned to answer before the King to such things as they should be legally accused of The murmurs every where whispered amongst the people warned and certified them if they should appear and present themselves of some sad and tragick act Whereupon with protestations of their Innocency declining the time appealing to the King in his majority and when he should be of full years from these Judges their mortal enemies than abusing absolute power they suspend their appearing declaring withal their readiness in every thing to obey the King This availeth them nothing for at a Parlament holden in Sterling articles being forged and urged against them especially of Peculate as sale of Crown Lands waste of the Kings Treasure the laying of their hands upon the Kings jewels transporting Lands to themselves and their friends distributing Offices and places of the Crown and state which should have been by the Authority of the Councel as Hunters divide a Prey between themselves Dispensing with Riots and taking the force and vigour from the Laws of the Kingdom thus as betraying the administration of the Realm into the hands of worthless and corrupted men they are denounced Rebels their persons and estates proscrib'd Charge is given to Sir Iohn Foster of Corstorphane and others the Dowglasses adherents to bring all their moveables to the use of the Exchequer demolish their houses invade their friends with fire and sword and all that sided them Thus the uncertain vicissitude of humane accidents overturns often them who seem to be raised to the highest degree of honour The Castle of Barentoren is besieged taken thrown down with other houses upon the Governours and Chancellours Lands their Farms and small Villages are plundered and ransacked In revenge of which the Rulers waste the Earl of Dowglasses Territories the Villages of Straw-Brock Abercorn Blackness are burnt with Corstorphane The ravage begun continueth with dayly loss to both parties and the overthrow of the Common-wealth The Earl wondreth now having the Kings Authority to finde his enemies so strong and hold so long out against him He suspecteth they have secret support by some not well affected towards him The most powerfull and eminent of which he guesseth to be Iames Kennedie Bishop of St. Andrews and Cousin germane to the King He knew him jealous for his sudden favours at Court and that he had whispered amongst his Friends that he feared the ambition of the Earls unlimited heart was now exalted to such exorbitancy of height that becoming top-heavy it would fall by its own weight and turn up the Root The Earl will have this Prelate less powerfull to assist the Rulers or do harm unto him To this effect he instigateth the Earl of Crawford his Allie and Alexander Ogleby of Inuerwharety to invade the Bishops Lands and rifle his Vassals in Fife without order or declaration of wrongs done by him The Bishop after the burning and spoiling of sundry of his Farms being weak by power to resist their violence and repair his losses took him to his Spiritual Arms and excommunicated the Earl of Crawford Though he made small account of this verbal Thunder yet did not this injustice long escape the revenging hand of God who raiseâ—h up ordinarily one Oppressor to execute his justice against another Alexander Lyndesay Son to the Earl of Crawford pretended a title to the Baylerie of Arbrothe out of which he was kept by Alexander Ogleby whose title was equal to his if not better This enmity kindled to such a flame that upon eitherâ—side they assemble their friends in Arms The Ogleby calleth the Lord Huntley the Lindesay the Hamiltons to assist their Rights frequent meetings having been to calm matters and reconcile them and
nothing agreed upon nor concluded they resolve at last to decide the cause by their swords The Earl of Crawâ—ord then remaining at Dundee advertized of the present danger of his friends posteth in all haste to Arbroth and cometh at the very chock of the skirmish and when they were to enter the fight Here intending by his wisdom to take up the Quarrel and presuming upon the respect due to his place and person he rashly rusheth forwards before his Companies to demand a parly of Alxander Ogleby with his Son but ere he could be known or was heard he is encountred by a common Souldier who thrust him in the mouth with a Spear and prostrate him dead upon the ground This sudden accident joyned the Parties who fought with great courage and resolution The Victory after much blood inclined to the Master of Crawford Alexanderâ—Ogleby sore wounded was taken and brought to the Castle of Finelvin where he died the Lord Huntley escaped by the swiftness of his Horse Iohn Forbess of Pitsligow Alexander Barkley of Garteley Robert Maxwell of Tillen William Gordoun of Borrowfield Sir Iohn Oliphant of Aberdaguy with others fell on the Oglebies side 1445. they fought the 24. of Ianuary 1445. Now by attending opportunities to increase publick disorders turn the times dangerous and troublesome and confound the State the Earl of Dowglass kept himself in the absolute Government by umbragious ways he nourished discontentments in all parts of the Country amongst the Nobility Gentry Commons of the Realm Alexander Earl of Crawford put to death Iohn Lynton of Dundee Robert Boyd of Duchal and Alexander Lyle â—lew Iames Stuart of Auchenmintee Patrick Hepburn of Haills surprised the Castle of Dumbar Archembald Dumbar as if he would but change places with him taketh the Castle of Haills where he was besieged by the Earl of Dowglass and with conditions of safety rendred it Sir William Creighton all this time kept the Castle of Edenburgh and when by intreaties nor power he could not be induced to render it to the King his Castle of Creighton is plundered a garrison placed in it and the Castle of Edinburgh by the Earl of Dowglass is besieged and blocked up Nine moneths the Assailers lie about it but it proveth impregnable and without loss of many Subjects cannot be taken about the end of which time mens courages waxing colder conditions are offered and received which were that the Chancellor should be restored to grace place and whatsoever hâ—d been withheld from him by his enemies at Court an abolition and abrogation of all former discontentments should be granted the besieged should pass out bag and baggage free At a Parliament holden at Perth the Chancellor was purged by an Assise of his Peers of what was laid against him his lands and goods seized upon by the King or Dowglasses are decreed to be restored as well to his followers as himself he is established in his dignities and places of honour notwithstanding of all Edicts Proclamation Confiscation before which were declared null all matters past put in oblivion as not done This considering the credit of the Earl of Dowglass was thought very strange but Iames Kennedie Bishop of St. Andrews whose respect and authority was great with the Church-men perfected this Master-piece of State and the Earl of Dowglass knew though the Chancellor was unbound he had not yet escaped During these Garboyls in Scotland Margaret Sister to King Iames and wife to the Daulphin of France Lewis died at Chalones in Champaigne a vertuous and worthy Lady beloved of all France but most of Charles the seventh her Father in Law who for her respect matched her three Sisters who remained at his Court honourably Hâ—lenora with Sigismond Arch-duke of Austria Elizabeth to the Duke of Bretaigne Mary with the Earl of Camphire She was buried in the great Church of Chalones but after when the Daulphine came to be King he caused transport and bury her in the Abbey Church of Laon in Poittow Many Elegies were published upon her death which are yet extant Sir Iames Stuart the Black Knight husband to the Queen at this time died also He had turned a voluntary exile to shun the dangers and envy of the Factions of the Country which he incurr'd by his free speeches against the misgovernment and miseries of the time and as he was bound â—owards Flanders by the Flemings was taken upon the Seas The Queen out-lived not long her Daughter and Husband â—he was buried the fifteenth of Iuly in the Charter-house of Perth near her first husband Iames the year 1446. She brought forth to the black Knight of Lorn three sons Iohn Eâ—rl of Athole Iames Earl of Buchane Andrew Bishop of Mâ—rray The Chancellor having recovered his honours and State to the disadvantage of the Earl of Dowglass though of good years and tyred with the troubles of publike life yet findeth not any desired rest A Marriage being designed for the King with Mary daughter of the Duke of Guilders by the instructions of Charls the seventh the French Kings but secretly by the procurement of the Earl of Dowglass the Chancellor as a Man grave great in plâ—ce and experimented with the Bishop of Dunkel and Nicholas Otterburn is sent over the Seas in Embassie This troublesom and unprofitable honor abroad is laid upon him that he might be separate from the King and suspended from opposing to the private designs of the Earl at home This obstacle of his ambition removed which had neither moderation nor limits the Earl may excluded such Officers in State or Court who were not agreeable to him and substitute others of his Creation after his pleasure he hath now room and opportunity for his greatest designs His kindred are without pausing preferred to Offices of State his brothers to new honours Archembald is made Earl of Murray by the Marriage of a Lady of the house of Dumbar who was Heir of the Lands and the Kings Ward George is created Earl of Ormond Iohn made Lord of Balvenie and hath his Donation ratified in an Assembly of three Estates who were convented at Edinburgh for matters concerning the Marriage of the King but in effect that the Earl might pursue his old enemies The Commissioners are chosen after his pleasure are prepared and instructed by him prelimitated and to combine power with craft he entreth in an offensive and defensive League with many Noblemen Barons and Gentlemen of the Kingdom All the wheels and vices of his Clock being right set Alexander Levingston late Governor Alexander his eldest son Robert Levingston Treasurer David Levingston Iames Dundes Robert Bruce of Clackmannan Knights for Peculate and converting the Princes Treasure to their private use are forfeited taken and committed to sundry Prisons in December 1447. at which time they were brought to Edinburgh Alexander the Governor Iames Dundas and Robert Bruce after Fines laid upon them were permitted back to Dumbarton there to be kept Prisoners during the Kings pleasure Alexander
others Hereupon the Earls of Crawford Ross Murray Ormond the Lord Balvenny Knight of Cadyow many Barons Gentlemen with their Allies Vassals Servants to a great number subscribed and swore solemnly never to desert one another during life That injuries done to any one of them should be done to them all and be a common quarrel neither should they desist to their best abilities to revenge them That they should concur indifferently against whatsoever Persons within or without the Realm and spend their Lives Lands Goods Fortunes in defence of their Debates and Differences whatsoever This consederation and Covenant again â—enued turned the Earl imperious in his deportments presumptuous beyond all limits and his followers and adherents insupportable to their neighbours The Lands of such who were not of their party or refused to think all their thoughts and second them in their enterprizes were plundred and and goâ—dness was a cause to make men suffer most pillage and ransacking of their Goods and other miserable calamities At this time the Thieves and Robbers of Liddes-dale and Annandalâ— break into the Lands of Iohn Lord Herress a Noble Man who had continued constantly faithful to the King and drive with them a great booty of Cattel Complaints being given to the Earl of Douglass of the Depredations of his men and finding no redress the Lord Herress essayeth to drive the like prey â—nâ—â—compence of the damage but being unequal in power his fortune was to be taken by the Thieves and brought as a Pâ—isoner to the Earl who layed him fast in Irons and notwithstanding of the Kings Letters full of Intreaties and Threatnings without any formality of Law caused Hang him as a Felon The like mischief was practised in other places After this contempt of Soveraignty it was universally blazed that the Earl of Dowglass in respect of this new Covenant the power of his Kinsmen and Allies the entertaining of such who were discontent and discountenanced at Court the love and favor of the men of Arms in Scotland ever governed by some of his Name his riches the honor of his Ancestors had resolved to dissemble no longer but openly to play his game 〈◊〉 one day if he could set the Crown upon his own head being then able to raise an Army of Forty thousand warlike persons men ready to go with him whither or against whom they cared not attending onely the occasion and his Commandment The King who before but disdained the pride after this League became jealous of the Earl of Douglass a League giving a Law to a King breaking all Bonds of Soveraignty and inviting people to look for a new Master and though his modesty and patience served onely to turn the Earl more insolent and his boldness more active yet in a foul game he bare a fair countenance knowing the last thing which a Soveraign Prince should do is to show himself malecontent and offended with any of his Subjects for instead of chastising him he would give him fairer means and greater power to do him harm He would not shew a token of any prejudicial thought to the Earls proceedings till he had first heared himself Thus very calmly he desired him to come and speak with him at Sterlin whiles he conscious of his own misdemeanor except upon a publique assurance under the great Seal for his safe coming and return refused to do A safe conduct obtained about the Shrew-Tide in the year 1452. he came to the Court then remaining at Sterlin Castle 1452. accompanied with many of his Confederates and a powerful Retinue The King with a gracious countenance and all apparent respect received him endeavoring rather by kindness and humanity then by rigor to reclaim him to his former obedience The day near spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Councel and the Guards the King taking the Earl friendly apart remembred him of favors received wrongs forgotten the duties as a Subject he owed to his Prince his capitulation before he would come and speak with him he taxed him with the exorbitant abuses and out rages of his followers Then he told him what Informations he had of a Covenant of mutual defence adherence betwixt him and some of his Nobles Gentlemen which he would scarce believe He prayed him to consider the murmuring or rather begun sedition of his people his long patience in tolerating his proceedings his misbelief of evil reports towards him until he had heard what he had to say for himself and his innocency The Earl answered the Kings towardness in equal terms trusting much to his confederatiom for his favors he should strive with all obsequiousness to deserve them That as he had the honor to command others who obeyed him he knew very well how to be commanded and obey his Prince and in what disobedience consisted that as none of his Subjects enjoyed more Lands and Honors then himself there should not one be found who more willingly would engage all his Fortunes and person for the Honor of his Prince That they who layed snares for his life being so near his Majesty for the surety of his person he could not come to Court except upon a publique assurance and well accompanied For the wrongs committed by his Followers and Vassals he would give what satisfaction should be required Concerning the Band of mutual friendship betwixt him and some Noblemen they would have adhered together without any writing they were driven thereunto for their own safety not out of minde to offer but repel injuries That he was infinitely oblig'd to his goodness in not condemning him before he was heard and for that he had not lent a credulous ear to his enemies mischievous devices The King replyed effects and not words make the affection and submission of a subject known and could there be any greater surety for him then to rely on the Laws of the Commonwealth and Countrey especially continued he in a Countrey where Laws and not Faction rule and where a man 's own goodness is able to preserve him But such men as you are raise these Factions to the subvertion of all Laws and Authority and for Subjects to make an offensive and defensive League against all persons is to disclaim all Government and do what they please without controlment commit Treason in the highest degree and make your own Swords and Power justifie your proceedings which though ye first use against mean persons and conceal the progress of your actions for there are degrees in evil and wicked men begin at that which seemeth the least of evils or not an evil at all at the first your last aim is likely to be the robbing upon the Crown Consider my Lord ye are born under a Monarchy which admitteth no Soveraignty but it self and it is natural to Princes to hold it in highest esteem and in no case to suffer it to be shaken by their Subjects Take your Prince for your best protection and an
high and long continued title of a King which the best part of his Subjects yet reverenced he had sufficient Friends and Warlike men who appearing in a Field with him would raise a just fear in the hearts of those who so hainously dared disobey him That God would be present to revenge wronged Majesty and turn their hopes in despair That the Common People were ever changing and a little time would make them flow to these from whom they did ebb and all would return again except such as were guilty of other offences or such whose poverty made them fear a beggerly Peace as their greatest punishment That his chiefest and principall City stood good for him which example the other Towns would undoubtedly follow that Rebellion was like Thunder the noise of which if observed duely was often more terrible then the blow and dissolved ordinarily in tears of Repentance and fair Weather that here the prudence of Prince manifesteth it self when he cannot suppress and stop all the evils in his State to suffer and tolerate the least and with leasure and time abolish and extirpate the greater and make vertue of Rebellion The King by the Bishops Counsel and Assistance gathereth an Army but will not try the hazard of a Battel before those he had advertised and sent for should-joyn with these already about him and his Forces from all the Quarters of the Kingdom be united In the North the Earl of Huntley had raised a goodly Company to come to his aid but the Earl of Crawford a Confederate of the Earl of Dowglass with a power of the men of Anguss and all who would follow him guided by some French Commanders essayed to cut off his passage and rencountreth him at Brecheâ— the Battel is fought and the victory inclined where the Kings Standard was displayed by the Earl of Huntley The equity of the cause laid aside the occasion of this Victory was ascribed to Iohn Coloss of Bonnymoon who having one of the wings of the Army to guide which confisted of battel-axes great swords and long spears and the best invasive weapons in the hottest of the skirmish gave ground and left the middle Ward naked upon his side the reason of his revolt is reported that the night before the Battel when every man was resolving with his affairs of the world Bonnymoon requested the Earl of Crawford of whom he held his Lands Ward and relief since the next day he was resolved either to be victorious or die in the field to subscribe a Precept himself falling for entring his Son to his Lands This the Superiour refusing the Vassal out of a just indignation when he should have charged retired and his Company with him Such thoughts possessed not the Earl of Huntlies minde he dealt not so sparingly with his friends in hope of their good service To the Forbesses Oglebies Leslies Grants Irwines he freely gave many of his own lands which raised their courage to the height In requital of which the King after bestowed upon him the Lands of Badyeenoâ—h and Lochâ—ber In the conflict the Earl of Huntley lost two Brothers the Earl of Crawford and Sir Iohn Lindsay his brother being left on the Field fled to his house of Phanheaven where he was heard to say He would be content to remain seven years in Hell to have in so timely a season done the King his Master that Service the Earl of Huntley had performed and carry that applause and thanks he was to receive from him This conflict happened upon the Ascention day the 18 day of May 145â— The King by the confluence and resort of many worthy Subjects unto him having time to breathe and finding himself in a calm keepeth a Convention of the States at Edenburgh Ere the Earls of Douglass Crawford Ormond Murray the Lord Balvenye Sir Iames Hamilton and others are cited to answer according to Law They instead of appearing in the Night upon the Doors of the principal Churches and other places eminent fix many Placates and Libels signed with their hands which bear the Earl of Douglass nor his Followers will never obey command nor charge in time coming nor answer citation for that the King is not a just Master but a Blood-sucker a Murtherer a Transgressor of Hospitality a Surpriser of the Innocent and such who deserved no harm at his hands Not long after the King levied an Army which by the approaching Winter did little Service and the Earl of Douglass to save the Lands of Beatrice his Brothers Widow unseparated from the House sought by a Dispensation from the Pope to have her in Marriage alledging her untouched of his Brother which being refused him he kept her in place of his wife the effect of his Sorbon Divinity and found hereby more Bryers then Roses The Barl of Crawford placing two stricts of Seas betwixt him and the King spoileth the Lands of all those who forsook him at Brechen and Arckembald Earl of Murray burneth the Pile of Srath-Boggy pertaining to the Earl of Huntley In revenge of which the Earl of Huntley burnt and herried all the Lands of the Earl of Murray beyond the Spey The King too in this madness of Man-kinde defaceth his own Countrey pulling down the Houses of his Rebel-Subjects and wasting Annan-dale This ravage and mutual overturning of all having continued almost two whole years the Faction of the Earl far inferior to the Kings now weakned with such lasting Incursions sundry of the chief men and heads considering the least faults were the best that it was better to strike fail in time then make a full Shipwrack of their persons Honors and the well of the Kingdom and State counsel the Earl that Fervors growing colder since it could not be undone which was done he would not set greater work on foot but proceeding with conveniency submit himself friendly to the King who had as much goodness as generosity and sought and required nothing of his Subjects but obedience and having now prove how difficile it was to overcome them by Arms was perhaps as much tyred as they would pardon these faults which he could not otherways amend Necessity in Affairs of Princes constraining them to yield to many things in Government against their first Conclusions and resolve to grant that which they could not well hinder That there were many hours in the day and the hearts of Princes were subject to change in them that he should not â—orsake the publique weal of the Kingdom for his private Considerations That after this trouble of State he might be more esteemed and sought after by the King as it is ordinarily practised among Princes and great men who affect onely that which is necessary unto them To these the Earl answered That they had went too far forwards to think upon any cowardly reâ—reat and coming back again that the onely vertue under a Tyrant was to die constantly that other vertues did fight but constancy alone triumphed That for himself he would
example the Countess of Ross abhorring the fierceness and cruelties as she gave out of her barbarous Husband but rather out of policy to be an Agent for him flyeth to the King and hath Revenues allowed her for the maintenance of her Estate Not long after the Earl of Ross himself the misadventure of his Confederates having taught him now some wisdom having seen the Kings clemency towards others equal to him to Treason and Rebellion by many humble supplications craved pardon and begged peace The King by his great prudence and the course of the affairs of his Kingdom knew that it was necessary sometimes to condiscend to the imperfections and faults of some Subjects and having compassion apply and accomodate himself to that which though according to the strictness of equity was not due yet for the present occasion and reason of State was convenient answered he would neither altogether pardon him nor 〈◊〉 eject him there being many signs of his wickendness few of his changed minde when honestly without fraud or guile he should erave a Pardon and give satisfaction to those whom by blood and pillage he had wronged and by some noble action deface the remembrance of his former crimes then should it be good time to receive him Notwithstanding this should not discourage him but he should know he had a desire to make him relish the effects of his bounty so he himself would finde the means and subject In this interim he wished him to keep the common peace of the Countrey and not oppress any of his Neighbours About this time the University of Glasgow waâ— founded by William Turnbul Bishop of that Sea William Hay Earl of Arole George Creighton Earl of Caithness William Lord Creighton died 1455. and the Bishop of St. Andrews is made Chancellor The King partly having loosed partly cut in pieces that Gordian knot of the League of his Nobility began to reobtain again the ancient Authority of the Kings his Predecessors giving and imposing Laws to his Subjects according to reason and greatest conveniencies Shortly progressing through the Quarters of the kingdom by the sound counsel and instructions of the Bishop of St. Andrews Iames Kennedy and William Saintclare Earl of Orknay used such clemency that in a short time he reclaimed all his turbâ—lent subjects In the year 1455. he held a Parliament where he ratifyed what was resolved upon to be done for the peace and weal of his People establishing many profitable Laws for the posterity after this time Ambassadors came from England and France unto him Henry the sixt King of England a soft facile Prince and more fit to obey then command having restored in blood and allowed the descent of Richard Plantagenet Duke of York the Duke under pretence and countenance of reforming the State and removing of bad Counsellors from the Court the umbrage of all Rebellions by one Iack Cade an Irish a bold man and who had a Spirit which did not correspond with his low condition who fâ—igned himself to be a Cousin of his of the House of Mortimer and other his Instruments raised a Rebellion which began amongst the Kentish men and was after continued by his confederacy with the Duke of Norfolk Earls of Warwick Salisbury Devon and others and notwithstanding he had sworn fealty to King Henry at Blackheath again openly took arms against him at St. Albans where in pitched field Edmond Duke of Somerset his greatest Competitor and who had been preferred to his place in the Regency of France was killed the King wounded taken and committed in the Tower of London At a Parliament after the Duke is made Protector of the kingdom at another Parliament he maketh claim for the Crown as in his own Right laying down thus his Title The Son of Anne Mortimer Daughter and Heir to Roger Mortimer Earl of March Son and Heir of Philip the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence the â—hird Son of King Edward the third and elder Brother to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster is to be preferred by very good right in Succession of the Crown before the Children of Iohn of Gaunt the fourth Son of the said Edward the third but Richard Plantaginet Duke of York is come of Philip the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel third Son to King Edward the third then to be preferred to the Children of the fourth Son who was Iohn of Gaunt and so to Henry the fourth the Usurper his Son to Henry stiling himself Henry the fifth his Son and Henry the sixth now wrongfull calling himself King of England This Parliament chosen to the Duke of Yorks own minde at first various at last unanimously enacted that Henry during his life should retain the name and honour of a King but that the Duke of York should be continued Protector of the Countrey and be declared Heir Apparent and Successor of the Crown after the death of Henry Margarite the Queen Daughter to Rheny King of Sicily more couragious then her Husband disclaimeth the Parliamentary Authority and this Agreement of her King with the Duke of York as a matter done to the prejudice of her Son and against the Laws of Nations which admit not a forced Contract and done by a Prisoner The Crown of England hanging at this point the Queen to her defence imploring the aid and assistance of her best greatest Friends and Allies sendeth Embassadors to King Iames. These remembring the duties one King oweth to another against Rebels and the Usurpers of their Crowns the correspondency and amity of King Henry with King Iames during his prosperity expostulating the cruelty of the Rebels against Edmond the late Duke of Somerset Uncle to King Iames slain by them in defence of his Prince promise in their Kings Name Queens and their Sons with the approbation of the Noblemen of their Party to restore to the Kings of Scotland the lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Bishoprick of Durham after the manner the Kings of Scotland in former times had held these Territories of the Kings of England so he would raise an Army and advance to their aid and supply The Duke of York sent hither also his Ambassadors giving in many complaints against King Henry he had oppressed the people with taxations and all kinds of exactations he had preferred to places of State and Government new men by whose Counsel and his Queen he governed only he despised the old Nobility he had lost Normandy and Gascony as France had been lost by him England was likely to run the same danger They could not longer suffer his dull sluggishness and his Wifes exorbitant pride he was courageless in War and base in peace For the Duke of York if Justice did not warrant his claim except his Descent were undisputable and his Title without all exception he would not desire the possession nor succession of the Crown King Iames should remember it was King Henry who entertained the late Dissentions and Civil Discords of Scotland
Northumberland and Westmerland the Lords Beaumont and Dacres Grey and Wells were slain and above Thirty six thousand English struck down The Dukes of Somerset and Excester flie to York to carry the News to the unfortunate King leaving the Victory to Edward who is again saluted King King Henry after this overthrow perceiving how desperate his hopes were in his own Countrey with his Queen his Son and the remainder of his dispersed friends secured himself by flight into Scotland Iames Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews to whose person the Authority of the State was then reduced received him with magnificence and honor and put him in hopes by the assistance of Scotland to restore his fortune King Henry as well to reserve some Refuge and Sanctuary for himself as to win the heart and insinuaâ—e himself in the favor of the people of Scotland caused render the Town of Berwick to them which the English had violently possessed since the days of Edw. 1. For which favor the Scottish Nobility vowed at all times to come to his supply and defend him to their uttermost and that the friendship begun might continue without all vacillation the Queens of Scotland and England both descended of the French Race began to treat of an Alliance promising Edward Prince of Wales should be marryed with the Lady Margaret the King of Scotlands Sister none of them then having attained the years of marriage The miseries of King Henry increasing suffered not these two Queens to stay long together Margaret with her Son Edward to implore the ayd of her friends maketh a Voyage towards France to her Father Rhene King of Sicily Naples and Ierusalem Duke of Anjou a Prince large of Titles short of Power These who had followed King Henry into Scotland whilest he is left onely intentive to devotion in the Cloyster of the Gray-Fryers at Edenburgh return back again to sollicite their friends in England for a second rencounter Upon the arrival of Queen Margaret in France the obtaineth of her cousin Lewis the eleventh that those who favored and assisted the Duke of York were prohibited Traffique and commanded to remove out of the Frenh Dominions and that Five hundred Soldiers should come to her ayd a number so small and so unworthy the name of an Army that it was but a competent retinue for so great a Princess with these she came to the coast of Scotland and from thence sailed to Tinmouth where being repulsed by the Inhabitants and forced again to put to Sea sâ—e was by a furious Tempest driven to Berwick Here leaving the Prince her Son Edward with the enâ—rease and supply of some Scots taking the King her husband with her she advanced into the Bishoprick of Duresm in her march through Northumberland her Army increased to a great number The Duke of Somerset Sir Ralph Percy and divers of King Henrys well-wishers having resorted unto her King Edward finding King Henry by the fresh air of the North to have acquired new Spirits prepareth to oppose him and having sent down the Lord Mountague brother to the Earl of Warwick he himself with greater Forces shortly followed Mountague having through the Shires where he went and the Bishoprick of Duresm gathered a convenient Army marched directly against King Henry In the mean time Henry â—eaufort Duke of Somerset the Lords Hungerford Ross Moulines Sir Ralph Percy present themselves to hinder his further progress They are overthrown and King Henry with great difficulty escapeth to Berwick At the news of this overthrow King Edward being in his March towards Durham finding the presence of his Person or Army needless turned towards York and gave the Earl of Warwick command to take in all the Castles and Fortresses which as yet held good for King Henry in the North. Amongst the Garrisons placed in Northumberland by the Queen there was a Garrison of the French in the Castle of Anwick under the Command of Peter Bruce otherwise named le Seigneur de la Varoune Seneschal of Normandy which held long good against the English This Peter Bruce was in great account with Charles the seventh father to Lewis but sent over with Queen Margaret to make wrack upon apparent dangers having escaped Tempests at Sea he took the Castles of Bambrough and Dunstanbrough which he demolished After he essayed to keep the Castle of Anwick but the Earl of Warwick King Edward lying near to Durham there beleagured him Whether this man came from the Race of the Bruces of Scotland or no is uncertain for the vulgar Writers in this detract him naming him Bryce and a Bretone or that the Scots would give a proof of their friendship to the Queen of England and of their valour to the French whilst he is everywhere beset and near past hope of relief the Earl of Anguss then Warden of the Marshes raised a Power of twenty three thousand horseâ—men remarkable for their Valour These about the midst of the day coming near the Castle of Anwick and by their colours and arms being known a far to Captain Bruce he taketh a resolution to sally out and meet them the strongest of the Scottish Horsemen rrceiving them convoy them safely to their Borders some of the Besiegers would have fought in the pursuit but the English General gave him fair passage King Edward having taken all the Castles and Forts which in the North held out against him placing Garrisons in them returned to London as King Henry void both of counsel and courage came back to Edinburgh Here he had not long stayed when tired with the tediousness of his exile the prolonging of a wretched Life being more grievous to him then death it self and allured by false hopes of his Friends he resolveth to hazard upon a return to his own Kingdom his Grown lost all his Favorers and wel-wishers almost slaughtered he cometh into England then disguised and by night journeys shifting from place to place at last betrayed by some of his Servants he is found out It is recorded a Son of Sir Edward Talbots apprehended him as he sate at Dinner at Wadding Town-hall and like a Common Malefactor with his legs under the horse belly guarded him up towards London By the way the Earl of Warwick met him who led him Prisoner to the Tower Margaret his desolate Queen with her Son is driven once again to flie to their Father Rhene into France King Edward his Competitors all dead or suppressed finding a Cessation of Arms expedient and a breathing time from War to settle and make sure his new Government as to other his neighbour Princes for peace sendeth Embassadors to Scotland to treat for a Truce for some years The Earl of Argile Bishop of Glasgow Abbot of Holyrood-house Sir Alexander Boyd Sir William Cranstoun being chosen to this effect Commissioners come to York and the English Commissioners there attending them a Truce for fifteen years is agreed upon and solemnly by both Kings after confirmed Mary Queen of Scotland daughter to
Arnold Duke of Gilders and mother to King Iames the projected Marriage of her Daughter with Edward Prince of Wales by the miseries of King Henry and Queen Margarite her kinswoman proving desperate her son Alexander either as he went to the Low-Countries to see his Grand-father or returned from him being by the English taken upon the Seas limited in credence of governing her children by the insolency of a proud Nobility her Reputation branded after a long languishing with inward discontentments turned as it were recluse and began to bid farewel to this world Her melancholy growing incureable amidst her last Trances when her Son had come to visit her the is said to have spoken to him almost to this sense That Providence which brought me upon the Earth and set a Crown on my head doth now recal and remove me to a better Kingdom and my happiness is not in this a little that I leave this life without change of that estate in which I peaceably lived Death now sheweth me as in a mirrour the frailty of all worldly Pomp and glory which before by the marble colours of false greatness was overshadowed and covered from me My Griefs have been many few my Contentments The most eminent of which was the hopes I conceived of you and my other children And now may greatest regret is that I leave you before I could see my wishes accomplished towards you My onely care was to have you brought up in all vertue and goodness But Heaven shall bestow that charge to more prudent Governors Always take these motherly directions from me who can leave you no better Legacy Be earnest to observe these Commandments which are prescribed unto you by Religion for this supporteth the Scepters of Princes and a Religious King cannot but have obedient Subjects What an unreasonable thing is it that a King will have a People to acknowledge him for their Soveraign Prince upon Earth and will not acknowledge God for his supream Lord in Heaven A King who rebelleth against God all subordinate Creatures will rebel against him Love my children and laying aside the Port and Stateliness of a King receive them with the affection of a Brother Endeavor to make your Subjects obey you more out of Love then Fear or make your self beloved and feared both together seeing love alone of it self is often cause of contempt and fear alone begets hatred Remember ye Govern not the soft effeminate People of the South but a sierce Warlike Nation of the North which oftner use to be intreated then commanded by their Princes Be sparing to lay Subsidies on them which maketh many Male-contents and live upon your own suffering others to enjoy what is theirs Beware of Flatterers and exalting undeserving Persons above your ancient Nobility Suffer not your Prerogatives to come in Question but foreseeing the danger rather give way to all that with reason is demanded of you Moderate your Passions He shall never Govern a Kingdom who cannot govern himself and bring his Affections within the Circle of Reason It fears me Envy and Malice arm themselves against you which to overcome endeavor to be Martial in your self for a Prince that is not Martial in himself shall never be freed of Rebell on amongst his subjects a strong arm should hold the Ballance of Iustice When dissention ariseth be not a Loyterer and Sluggard but with all celerity suppress it in the infancy Rebellion is like fire in a City which should be quenched though with the pulling down of the neighbour Houses Others will instruct you in the art of Governing with greater curiosity and wisdom but not with the like love and affection I wish this Counsel be ingraven in your heart and conscience after my death for a perpetual testimony of my sincerity in your education And if by the unjust counsel of others ye be brought to practise ought contrary to these instructions Remember ye cannot shun inevitable dangers both to your State and Person But now I am warned from above to deliver this griefâ—full Body to the rest of a desired Grave After she had thus counselled and blessed her Son not living many days she was buried with all Solmnities and Funeral-Rites at Edinburgh in the Colledge of the Trinity which she her self had Founded in the year 1466. 1466. The King as he increased in years increasing in strength and ability for exercises either of recreation or valour by the Regents is given to a Brother of the Lord Boyd to be bred in Knightly Prowess a man singular for his Education abroad and demeanor at home The Kennedies were now aged and become tyred to give such assiduous attendance at Court as they were wont and the times required The Lord Boyd by the weakness of his Co-partners governed the State alone as Sir Alexander his Brother did the young King To whose Natural inclination he did so comply and conform himself that he had the whole trust of his affairs and the King had no thoughts but his So soon as the King began to know himself he turned impatient of being subject to the Laws of Minority that he himself should be restrained by that Authority which did derive from him to loath the Superintendency and Government of others and to affect an unseasonable Priviledge to be at his own disposal and the governing himself Many things are done without the advice of the Governors and occasion is sought to be disburdened of their Authority The Lord Boyd and his Brother in a little time increasing in greatness and having an intention to transfer the Power of the State and Glory of the Court to their Family fail not to finde opportunity to free the King from the severity and rigour of the Governors Schooling and to frame him an escape Whilst the King remained at Linlithgow the Lord Hayls Lord Sommervail Sir Andrew Carre of Cesford Sir Alexander Boyd agree upon a match of Hunting and will have the King Umpire of the Game Early the morning following the Gentlemen who were upon the Plot failed not in their Attendance The King being a mile off the Town and holding the way towards Edinburgh the Lord Kennedy whose quarter then was to attend and who had leasurely followed suspecting this Hunting to be a Game of State the King continuing his Progress laying his hands upon the Reins of his Bridle requested him to turn again to Linlithgow for that he perceived the time was not convenient for him to go further neither was heat a convenient match in absence of his best deserving followers Sir Alexander Boyd impatient that the King should have been thus stayed after injurious words stroke the Reverend Governour with a Hunting-staff upon the head and took the King along with him to Edinburgh At a frequent meeting of the States the Kennedies urged to have the King continue under Minority the Boyds to take the Government in his own Person after long contestations wisdom being overcome by boldness the Authority of the better
party was forced to give place and yield to the will of the greater Thus the Faction of the Boyds prevailed After this the Kennedies full of indignation and breathing Revenge leave the Court cares grief and age about this time brought Iames Kennedie Bishop of St. Andrews to his Tomb which in great magnificence he had raised in a Church builded by himself in the City of St. Andrews where also he founded a Colledge of Philosophy and indued it with many Priviledges and sufficient Endowments to entertain Professors By the Death of this Prelate venerable for his Wisdom singular for his Justice and the tranquillity following his Government and magnificent in all his actions the Glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse For he taken away the Boyds laying Foundations for their power and greatness began to turn all to their own advantage The first mark of their envy was Patrick Graham the Brother of Bishop Iames Kennedie by the Mother who was Sister to ' King Iames the first after this man had been chosen Bishop of St. Andrews as the Custom then was by the Chapter appointed for that Election he was barred from his Place and violently repulsed by the Faction at Court To repair which indignity he made a journey to Rome where being a Man noble by birth above others for his Learning and many Virtues in a little time by Pope Sixtus the fourth he was re-established and confirmed in his Place During his abode at Rome the old Question concerning the liberty of the Church of Scotland began to be exagitated The Archbishop of York contested that he was Metropolitan of Scotland and that the twelve Bishops of that Kingdom were subject to his Jurisdiction Patrick Graham remonstrated how the Archbishop of York considering the usual Wars between the two Kingdoms was often unaccessable to the Church-men of Scotland especially in Causes of appellation The Pope after the hearing of both Parties erected the See ofs St. Andrews to the dignity of an Archbishops See and Patrick Graham not only was made Primate and Metropolitan of Scotland ordained to have the other Bishops under him but for the space of three years designed Legate for the Pope with full power to Correct and Restore the Ecclesiastical Discipline and examine the Manners and Conversation of the Clergy Notwithstanding these favors of the Bishop of Rome and the worth and excellencies of the man himself he dared not return home to his own Country before the declining of the Fortunes of the Boyds This Family seemed now in the Zenith and Vertical point of its greatness no imputation could be laid to the Boyds in the time of their Government except that they brought the young King by their private working without the consent and approbation of the other Regents to Edinburgh for the assuming the Government in his Minority In approbation of their innocency and to warrant them from this danger the King in a Parliament declareth publickly that the Boyds were not the Authors nor Projectors of that business but only the Assisters of him and his followers being not formal but instrumentary causes of his coming to the Helm of the State himself That they were so far from being obnoxious to any blame or reproach for this deed that they deserved immortal thanks and an honorable Guerdon in all time to come having obeyed him in that which was most just honest and expedient for the well of the Kingdom Upon this Declaration of the King the Lord Boyd required the present action might be registrated amongst the Acts of Parliament and he obtained what was desired but not with that success was hoped for In this Parliament the other Regents are rid of their charge the Lord Boyd being made only Governor of the Kingdom and the object of all mens respects having the whole power and authority to minister justice of all kinds to the Subjects during the Kings non-age and â—ill he had fully compleat one and twenty years the defence of the Kings Person of his brothers the keeping of the two Ladies his Sisters are trusted unto him He hath all the Towns Castles Fortresses Sea-ports Places of Importance at his Command These proceedings of the Parliament seemed to some very strange in advancing Men already great enough and bestowing upon them all offices of State and adding power to such who wanted only will to do mischief except that they knew well how to abase and pull them down again making their fall the more sudden Robert Lord Boyd having the Reins of Government in his hands and the custody of the Kings Sisters dazelld with the golden Sun of honour to lay more sure the foundation of his greatness joyneth in Marriage Thomas his eldest Son a youth of extraordinary endowments both of minde and body with Margaret the Kings eldest Sisteâ— Not long before designed by her Mother to have been given in Marriage to Edward Prince of Wales and he is created Earl of Arran The Father knowing how easily the conversation of young persons breedeth a liking had brought them up together which turning in a love and delight of others company concluded last in mariage This match though royal great and rich instead of supporting the Fortunes of the Boyds much weakened them turning them the objects of envy The Nobles repined at it and the common people lighter than the wind and more variable than the Rain-bow made it the subject of their foolish discourses Now said they the Boyds aspire to the Crown for the King with his Brothers removed it appertaineth to them a Kingdom being the Dowry often of a Wife of the blood Royal. The Kennedies and such who disliked the present Government take the occasion of the discontentment of the Nobility and the rumors of the people to shake the Kings minde towards the Governor and change the brawl of State To this end they give way to great and universal oppressions most of which were hatched and occasioned by themselves By these in a short time the Commons turn licentious and dissolute contemning all Government every man doing what seemed best in his own eyes and the Gentry divide in Factions Such who wont to live upon Rapine and Theft return to their wonted Trades honest men are spoiled of their goods the seditious and wicked are maintained and defended against all Laws and Justice by their Parties The State thus troubled and all order confounded by slie and crafty men who at first pretended great friendship and interest towards the Boyds the Kings affection towards them is assailed and resolutions tryed Many times having been plausibly listened unto at last pulling off their masks they lay imputations against them They remonstrate to him what great disparagement was between the King of Scotlands eldest Sister and the Son of the Lord Boyd that by this match he was robbed of one of the fairest jewels of his Crown the Boyds should not have appropriated that to themselves of wich they had only the keeping
she should have been reserved for some neighbor Prince by which Alliance the state of the Kingdom and the Person of the King might have been in great safety For if the King should chance to be infested by some insolent nobility the name and power of a neighbor Prince were sufficient to keep him safe on his Throne which by this match was endangered They suggested that the Boydes builded their estimation in the air of popular applause and endeavored to endear themselves in the opinion of the multitude A Prince is not a Lord of that people that loveth another better then him Should the Boydes be accused of peculate robbing the King and the commonTreasure the King might make a prey of their unlawful conquest and by their Attaindors reward the services of many of his necessitated friends it being acquired most height to which their riches was increased should be feared the faults of all the disorders of the Common wealth are laid upon the Boydes as the Authors of every breaking out sedition that they might the more securely possess the places neer the King At this time complaints from all parts of the Kingdom and by all sorts of persons incessantly being given unto him advance the intentions of their enemies and the Kings minde naturally inclined to fears and superstition being long tossed and perplexed began to turn away from the Boydes and with their power in some degrees brought lower and lessened Preambles of Ruine but he would go leasurely to produce this effect and make one change bring forth another The King increasing in yeers and youthful perturbations is councelled for the continuing of the Race and Succession and the keeping hiâ— Person without the common disorders of the world to think upon some match profitable for his country and honorable for himself He is courted by many and courteth others the Duke of Burgundy had offered him his daughter as to other Princes his friends and neighbors but his minde was not to have her married at all during his life-time Andrew Stewart Lord Evandale then Chancelour of the Kingdom with the Bishops of Glasgow and Orkenay being sent Embassadors to Christern King of Denmark for an accommodation and taking up some business concerning the Isles of Orkenay and Schythland 1468. the quarrel was taken away by a marriage to be celebrated between the King and Lady Margaret King Christerns daughter a Lady thought worthy of his bed in respect of the excellency of her beauty her royal descent and greatness of her birth All matters being agreed upon these Isles engaged for her Dowry there wanted onely an honorable retinue and convoy to bring home the Lady To this negotiation by the craft of some about the King and vanity of others who gloryed to see their friend promoted to such great honour Thomas Earle of Arran as a man flourishing in fame and riches and able to maintaine and discharge all magnificence is deputed as the fittest person Thus by the ambition and unattentiveness of his friends his worth was made the Scaffold of his ruine the lamentable condition of men of high desert In the beginning of the Harvest accompained with some young Noblemen and Gallants most of which were his select friends and well-wishers he ascendeth his ships Whilst as the King of Scotlands brother in law he is some moneths riotously entertained at the Danish Court the rigor of that Northern climate by the congealing of the Ocean moored up his ships and barred all return till the following Spring In this absence of a man so neer unto the King his Father and Uncle by age sickness and their private affaires not so frequently haunting the Court as they were accustomed the Kennedyes and they of the contrary faction having shaken the Kings affection and broken these bands his pleasures idlenese and vacancy from the publike affairs of the State by which the Boydes thought they had kept him sure move him now a litile delighting in action to proceed to the consideration of such matters as might be objected against the government of the Bodyes But that this might not appear to be an act of Faction but the universal consent of the Kingdom apart a Parliament was summoned to be holden in November at Edenburgh Here Robert Lord Boyd with his brother Sir Alexander are summoned to answer in Judgement to such points as should be exhibited against them At the appointed day the Lord Boyd appeared but accompanyed with such multitude of the common people and numbers of his friends vassals and followers all in arms with such ostentation and boasting that the King and Courtiers were well pleased to suffer them dissolve scatter of their own free wills At this insolency and malapertness yet to our own time an usual custome in Scotland the King conceived such indignation that he raised a strong guard to attend justice and his commandments and laid secretly Forces to assist these if the Boydes should oppose his laws by convocation of the Lieges The Lord Boyd after private intelligence of the Mines of the Court to blow him up rather amazed then in choler at the change of his Masters mind fled into England his brother Sir Alexander arested by sickness and relying upon his own integrity more then he ought to have done considering the malice of his enemies was brought before the Parliament his brother and he were challenged that upon the tenth of Iuly 1466. they laid hands upon the Kings Person and against his purpose brought him on the high way to the Castle of Calendar and that by their private power and consent contrary to the established order of the State and the other Regents advice they brought the King to Edenburgh when Sir Alexander sought to produce an act of Parliament for abolition or approbation of this deed as good service it was kept up and he being condemned had his head cut off Their other accusations contained the topical faults of Favourits that they had enriched themselves out of the Kings Treasure monopolized things belonging to the Crown diminished the Revenues thereof removed worthy men from the Counsel placing such in their rooms as had dependency from them Thomas Earle of Arran imployed in a publike charge by the kingdome absent unheard is declared Robel with his father and his moveables escheated to the King to his original faults was added that he dared marry the Kings sister without consent of the States the King being of non-age At the noise of this thunder clap Robert Lord Boyd left this world at Anwick No sooner had the Spring rendered the Baltick Seas Navigable when the Danish Lady with her Fleet Anchored in the Forth The Earle of Arran who was the Paranymphe and her convoy in that general gladness by the perswasions of some of his friends was preparing to come on shore and to submit himself to the Kings clemency but his Lady who had afar discerned his danger coming aboard disguised and giving him particular information of the
calamity of his house the weakness of his friends at Court and the many snares envy and malice had laid to surprise him he hoisted â—ails and with her who would be partaker of all his misfortunes returned to Denâ—mark from Denmark by Germany he came to King Lovys in France who interposed his requests to King Iames for his regress and restoring but the Letters in his favour producing no effects Charles Duke of Burgundy making war against his Rebel Subjects he was graciously received by him and entertained as his Ally his Lady remained at Antwerp where she bore him two children Iames and Gracile 1469. Lady Margaret the 10. of Iuly 1469. or after others 1470. maketh her entry into Edenburgh and scarce having attained the sixteen yeer of her age is married to King Iames in the Abby Church of Holy-rood house and in the moneth of November following by a convention of the three Estates was Crowned Queen The King in exorable in the behalf of the Earle of Arran and breathing his total Ruine sendeth Letters to Antwerp filled with promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland These at the first prevailed nothing with this Lady to make her forsake the husband of her youth many letters and from several friends and well-wishers in several fashions and stiles coming to her at last she was brought to believe her presence would mollifie the minde of her enemies and work her husband a re-establishment of his former favors with the King her brother and restore him to all his possessions and dignities Upon which hopes she comes to Scotland But these hopes proved all false for in stead of having access to her brother she is kept at Kilmarnock the chief house of the Boydes as in a free prison and her husband is summoned within threescore dayes to adhere to his wife under pain of Divorce the unfortunate Earle for fear of his head not appearing his marraige is declared null his wife is divorced from him and is constrained by her brother to marry Iames Lord Hamilton to whom also the Earledome of Arran was given for Dowry Not long after her two children to Earle Thomas Iames and Gracille are brought to Scotland who in the proceeding of time proved little more fortunate then their father for Iames was slain by Hugh Montgomry of Eglinton and Gracille though first marryed to the Earle of Cassiles and after to the Lord Forbess was barren Some have recorded that the Earle Thomas after this violent bereaving him of his wife dyed of displeasure at Antwerp and had a Tomb raâ—sed over him with an honorable Inscription by Charles Duke of Burgundy others who hate the Boydes tell he dyed not at Antwerp but at Florence and that he was killed by a Merchant of Florence out of jealousie of having abused his wife Queen Maragret the third yeer after her marriage in the month of March brought forth a son who was named Iames and Christern King of Denmark to congratulate the happy delivery of his daughter and of expectation of a continued succession to the Crown of Scotland of his Race released all the right title claim which he or his successors might have to the Isles of Orkenâ—y Scythland The King calleth after a Parliament at Edenburgh wherein though the Reformation of abuses as wearing of silk and other foraign triffles the building of Ships and enacting Laws for the present time were pretended a liberal Subside was the greatest aime His Exchequer being empty and many of his best friends turning necessitous and needy Iohn Lord of the Isles was attainted for his own and his Father misdemeanour the King raiseth forces to pursue him the Earle of Crawford being made Admiral the Earle of Athole the Kings Uncle Lieutenant of the Regiments by land such means in a short time was used by the Earle of Athole that the Lord of the Isles submitted himself to the Kings elemency and in a convention of the States at Edenburgh he resigned all the right he had to the Earledome of Ross the lands of Knap-den and Kintyre which the King annexed to the Crown Patrick Graham Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews having at Rome understood the fall of the Boydes returneth to his own countrey where first amongst his friends and the most peaceable sort of the Clergy he divulgateth the Bull of the Pope for his supremacy over the other Churchmen of the Kingdome and his power of their tryal and promoting to benefices and after caused proclaim it at all publike places The laudable Elections anciently used about the Places and Offices of Churchmen by the corruption of the times being taken away and that Power altogether assumed by the King The Courtiers who were accustomed to sell Benefices and the Churchmen who were wont to buy them reject the Bull and set themselves against him by their traffick he is discharged to take the Place or Ornaments of an Archbishop or carry any other Cross or Cap then what the former Bishops used to have But here they set not up their rest William Schevez a man in those times admired for his skil in Astrology and promoted to be Arch-Dean of Saint Andrews seconded by Iohn Lock the Rector of that University a better Grammarian then Christian excommunicates this Archbishop for his presumption and that he sought to bear rule over his Brethren Bishops When this censure had passed upon him he is degraded and shut up in Prison William Schevez is after promoted to his place and consecrated upon the Passion Sunday in Lent at Holy-rood house the King being present he likewise receiveth the title and faculty of Legate and is confirmed Primate of the Realm notwithstanding the impediments objected to Patrick Graham by the Church-men concerning that same dignity and preheminencie So various and deceitful are the wayes of Men. The King being slow to action and more inclined to a solitary form of life then to travel and business his brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless Spirits to whom publike like imployments were recreations and withall being ambitious prodigal desirous of Rule and to be Governors of the people themselves and Kings in fact how ever their elder brother was in title they set themselves altogether to study novations and bring the King in contempt with his subjects and divert their minds and love towards him To this effect they had drawn by their towardness and familiarity many of the young Nobles and Gentlemen to follow them The King was obnoxious to some publike scandals for by his too great frugality care to increase his Treasure and study of purchasing by taxations sale of Church Benefices and too exact taking up of fines supervaluation of Wards he had gotten the Name of covetous and was not small distast amongst the Commons Edward King of England that the Scots by the instigation of the French should not trouble his new and scarce settled government imploying all his counsels and diligence to divide them amongst themselves
intelligence the Lords of Scotland who under the shadow of the publick good but really out of their disdain and particular interests conspired against the King send the Duke word the golden Age could not be fram'd nor Arms taken for the good of the Common-wealth nor the State alter'd without the frequestring of those from the King who misgovern'd him And these could not be remov'd by that power which was amongst themselvs without great danger and trouble considering the Kings faction and the malignant Party If King Edward would agree to the raising of an Army in England in favour of the Duke of Albanie and for restoring him to his Places and inheritance out of which he was most unjustly ejected and other pretences of which they should afford the occasions which no way should do harm to the Kingdom of Scotland disorder'd already and laid waste more by the license of a Tyrant in peace then it could have been by war and at this time bestow upon them favours as they might one day hereafter challenge to receive the like The Nobility of Scotland should be ready with an other Army not to fight but to seize upon the Kings Favourits and Misgovernors of the State for which the English should have many thanks That this Enterprize could not but prove most successfull the hatred of the Commons considered against such violent oppressions The King was fallen into so low esteem that assaulted by the English he would be constrain'd by the submission of his Crown to intreat for safety The Kâ—ng of England understanding this was to touch the finest string of State and Dominion for it is a matter of much consequence and main importance to defend the subjects of an other Prince for under this Mask and pretence of protecting the Liberties of a People of assistance and aid an usurpation and oppression of all liberty might be hidden and many have established and settled themselves in those Kingdoms which they came to relieve from tyranny and the oppression of their Rulers keeping by force what was granted to them at first by way of trust and under the colour of helping usurped a Soveraignty agreeth easily to what was demanded and resolved upon The Lords of the Association to play more covertly their Game and mask their intentions the Commons ever suffering and paying for the faults and errors of the great ones give way for the breaking loose of the Borderers Fierce incursions by the English are made upon Scotland and by the Scots upon England some Villages on either side are burnt The secrecy to this business which was inviolably observed was of great importance which is the principal knot and try of great affairs Rumours are spread that the Dukes of Gloucester and Albany with Iames late Earl of Dowglass and Alexander Ierdan and Patrick Halyburton men proscrib'd and upon whose heads a price was set were at Anwick with a powerful Army and in their march towards Kelsoo The King wakened out of his Trances by the Alarms of his Nobility and clamours of the people made proclamations to all between sixty years and sixteen to meet him at Edenburgh and to be in readiness to oppose their old enemies of England now come upon the Borders After many delayes and much loytering an Army is assembled by the Nobility which consisted of and a number of Câ—rts charged with small Ordinance New incursions being blazed to have been made by the English the King amidst these Troops marched to Lawder The Army was encamped and all things Ordered the best way the occasion could suffer them little or nothing being left to Fortune if the English should invade whom the Lords knew were not at all yet gathered and though gathered and in a Body and upon the Bordâ—rs or nearer would never invade them The King at this time is mâ—rvellously perplexed and become suspitious of the intentions of his Nobility in this Army in this confusion of thoughts fell upon two extremes In his 〈…〉 conversation too familiar and inward with his 〈…〉 Servants and favourites which rendred them 〈◊〉 believing the bare name of King to be sufficient whilst weakness and simplicity had made him despised and them hated and too retired reserved and estranged from his Nobilitie which made them malicious This he did as his pensiveness conjectured that his Nobles should not attempt any thing to the prejudice of his royal Authority independent of any Council But what he most feared came to pass he resolved and dispatched all matters by his Cabinet Counsel where the Surveyor of his Buildings was better acquainted with the affairs of the State than the gravest of his Nobility This preposterous course of favour made the great men of the Kingdom to fall headlong upon their rest though long projected attempt After many private conferences in their Pavilions the Chiefs of the Insurrection as the Earls of Anguss Lennox Huntley the Lords Gray Lile and others about midnight come together in the Church of Lawder with many Barons and Gentlemen Here every of them urging the necessity of the times and the dangers the Common-wealth was like to fall into requireth speedy resolutions and having before premeditated deliberated and concluded what to follow they draw up a League and confederation of mutual adherence in this order Forasmuch as the King suffereth himself to be governed by mean persons and men of no account to the contempt of the Nobility and his best Subjects and to the great loss of the Commons The confederates considering the imminent dangers of the Kingdom shall endeavour to separate the Kings Majestie from these naughty upstarts who abuse his Name and Authority and despise of all good men and have a care that the Common-wealth receive no dammage And in this quarrel they shall all stand mutually every one to the defence of another The design agreed upon and the confederacy sworn the chiefs of them in Arms enter the Kings Pavilion where after they had challenged him of many misorders in his Government contrary to his honour the Laws and good of his Kingdom they took Sir William Roger a man from a Musitian promoted to be a Knight Iames Homill Robert Cochran who of a Surveyor of his works was made Earl of Mar or as some mittigate that title Intromittor and taker up of the Rents of that Earldom by whose devise some Authors have alleged copper moneys had been coyned by which a dearth was brought amongst the Commons which as others have recorded was an unjust imputation for that copper money was coined in the Minority of the King in the time of the Government of the Boyds with others All these being convicted by the elamours of the Army were immediately hanged upon the Lidder Iohn Ramsey a youth of eighteen years of age by the intreaties Prayers embraces of the King was preserved Thus they the late objects of envy were turn'd and become the objects of Pity and Compassion The body of the Commons and the Gentry of
the Kingdome by this notorious act at Lawder being engaged and being made Partakers of the Quarrel of the discontented Noblemen and for their own safety tyed to second and assist all their intentions and to advance their ends The King is conveyed to Edenburgh and shortly after he either enclosed himself in the Maiden Castle as his lodging or which is more probable was there by the contrary faction committed as his Prison the Earl of Athole and some other Lords being appointed to attend him During this time the general humour of the kingdom being ripe for mischief Alexander Duke of Albany every thing falling right as it was plotted prevailed so with King Edward that the Duke of Gloucester the King of Englands Brother with the title of Lieutenant general for him set forwards toward Scotland The Army consisted of two and twenty thousand and five hundred In his retinue went of the Nobility Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Lord Stanley with them was the Duke of Albany The Earl of Dowglass came not being reserved for an after game The Duke of Albany having been before Commander of Berwick and a Man who was still in his absence beloved of that Garâ—ison diverted the Duke of Gloucester from Anwick where he had incamped in lune to assail the Town of Berwick By his intelligence they enter the Town without great opposition and it is given up to their discretion The Castle by the Lord Haills the Captain was made good against their assaults The Duke of Gloucester fore-seeing that this Siege would spend much time considering the uncertainty of events and being invited to march forward by the Lords of the association of Scotland committing the charge of assailiâ—â— the Castle to the Lord Stanley Sir Iohn Elrington and Sir Wâ—lliam â—arr with the body of the Army marched directly to 〈◊〉 The Countrey lay open to their invasion no Army taking the Field to oppose them they came in Scotland the twentieth day of August 1482. the Army encamped at Restlerig 〈◊〉 Duke himself entred the Town of Edenburgh which at the intreaty of the Duke of Albany who was his Harbinger he spar'd receiving such presents as the Citizens offer'd unto him His entry seeming rather a Triumph than hostile invasion The Kiâ—g being shut up from him and immured in the Castle the Duke by a publick writing at the Market Places gave out high Demands That King Iames should perform what he had covenanted with his Brother King Edward That he should give satisfaction for the damage done the English during the last inroads of the Borders which if he refused to accomplish He as Lievtenant to his Brother was to exact of him and take satisfaction of his Countrey denouncing him open war and proclaiming him all Hostility King Iames for saken of his People and wrong'd by his Lords laying aside his Passions and taking to him more moderate and discreet thoughts as a Man in Prison answered nothing to his Demands The Lords who by their Kings misfortune had reckoned their felicity having obtain'd what they chiefly desir'd to obviate the common and last danger the thraldom of their kingdom by these strangers whom they had drawn into the Country for the recovery of their Liberties assemble themselves together at Hadington with some Companies not to fight but to supplicate They sent the Lord Darnley and the elected Bishop of Murray to intreat a suspension of Arms and require a firm and lasting Peace for time to come The beginning of the war and taking of Arms was for the safety of this the neighbour Countrey of England miserably thral'd by a licentious Prince there was nothing more unworthy of a King or Republick than not to keep their promis'd Faith The English could have no colour for executing their indignation further upon this Countrey which already by the rapine of their own Men was impoverish'd and unmanu'd Only now to be recover'd by entertaining Peace with their Neighbours and amongst themselvâ—s They require that the Marriage contracted between the Prince of Rothesay and Lady Cicily King Edwards Daughter might be accomplish'd when it should please the King of England and the age of the two Princes might suffer it For any spoyl taken in these last incursions the interest consider'd upon both sides satisfaction should be given out of the publick contributions The Duke of Glocester as forgetting and seeming not to know the grounds of their coming into the Country and looking to nothing more then his own fame and Glory Answer'd his coming into Scotland was to right the honour of his Country so often violated and to restore the Duke of Albanie unjustly commanded to exile to his own native soyl and the dignity of his Birth as concerning the Mariage of the Prince of Scotland with the Daughter of England He knew not how his Brothers resolution stood at the present whereupon he requir'd repayment of the monies lent to their King upon the first agreement and withall a delivery of the Castle of Barwick up into his hands or if they could not make the Castle to be render'd they should give their oaths upon the holy Evangelists that they should neither assist the besieged nor harm the Besiegers till the Castle were either by force taken or upon fair conditions rendred The Lords having received this answer yielded freely to all the Conditions except they found themselves perplexed in the rendring of Berwick it being a Town of old appertaining to the Crown of Scotland though by force and violence the English had a long time kept it that did not take away their right and title After much contesting agreeing to the surrender of Berwick they desired that the walls of the Town should be demolished that it might not be a place of Tyrannie and incursion over their bordering Countreys No arguments could prevail against the Duke of Gloucesters resolutions and being stronger in power he persever'd in his demans and in â—ll likelihood this was agreeed upon between the Duke of Albany and the confederate Lords and the English before their entring Scotland Thus the Castle and Town of Berwick returned to the English the 24. of August 1482. after it had been delivered by Queen Margarite to gain Sanctuary for her Husband King Henry when expelled England and remained in the possession of the Scots twenty and one years They likewise appointed a day for restitution of all the moneys lent by King Edward and promised upon a full discussion to make satisfaction for all dammages done the English by any in-road of the Scottish Borders For the Duke of Albanies provision whose safety was principally pretended in this expedition a general pardon was promised for him and all â—is followers Together with an abolition of all discontents Whereby he had given unto him the Castle of Dumbar with the Earldoms of Mar and March he should be reinvested in all his former Dignities and Places and by consent of the Nobility of Scotland he was proclaim'd Lieutenant of the Kingdom
and an aboliâ—ion for all was past and the Kings hand at it they doubted not to null and make it void All being done by a King constrained by a powerful Army and a close prisoner which writing could not oblige any private man far less a King what he then bargained was upon constraint and yielded unto upon hopes of saving his life and an act exacted by force The Duke of Albany finding by the malice and detraction of a malignant faction his brothers countenance altered towards him and danger the requital of his late setting him at liberty the established reconciliation being shaken by suspitions and fancy of revenge obeying necessity fled to his Castle of Dumbar out of which he came to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester the consideration of his grievances In his absence he is convinced of many points of treason besides the being accessarie to the taking of Berwick by the English As his dangerous and long intelligence with the King of England his sending of many Messengers at all occasions unto him That without any safe-conduct or pass from his Brother and not so much as acquainting him he had left the Countrey come into England to devise conspiracies against his King and native Kingdom The Lord Creighton as his friend associate and complice is forefeited with him against whom Informations were given that often and divers times under the pretence of hunting secretly with the Duke at Albany he road into England and there meeting with Commissioners sent by King Edward he deliberated of matters concerning novations and of the altring the state That there he kept appointments with Iames Earl of Dowglass the often quench'd fire-brand of his Country That in spight of the Kings forces sent there to lie in Garrison he kept the Castle of Creighton The greatest discontent the King conceived against him was love to one of his Sisters and some feminine jealousies When the Duke understood the proceedings against himself and the Lord Creighton and that for their contumacy and not appearing to answer and give in their answer they were convict of Treason and their lands to be seased upon He caused give up the Castle of Dumbar of which he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately placed by Sea a Garrison in it About this time Edward King of England left this world 1483. and his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester did first take the name of Protector and Governor of the Kingdom of England and after his brothers Sons put in the Tower and their Mother the Queen taking Sanctuary in the moneth of Iune possest himself of the Crown The Duke of Albany finding that Richard by his change of Fortune had not changed his affection towards him imploreth his aid in restoring him to his own and repairing not his wrongs alone but a wrong done in his sufferings to the King of England sith there was now an open breach of the Truce and Peace so solemnly by him set down and confirmed by his Brother If he could be furnished but with a few number of choice men of reputation and power to pass into Scotland and take a tryal of the Minds and good will of his fâ—iends and confederates he douted not at his entring the Countrey to finde numbers who by his presence would hazzard upon the most desperate dangers Richard finding the man his Supplicant with whom he endeavoured once an intire frindship and whose advancement in Authority he had most studied condescendeth that five hundred men and Horses should be chosen upon the borders with others who were ontlawes and necessitated sometime to make incursions and with Iames the old Earl of Dowglase a man well known and renowned in the West-borders should make an in-road into Scotland The two and twentie day of Iuly the banished Champion having chosen a good number of their borderers put forward towards Loch Maben to surprize a Fair spoil a publick Market seise upon all the Buyers and Sellers which here meet and traffick every St. Magdalens festival under pretence of Devotion and the liberty of trading many English had hither relsorted at the twelfth hour of the day when the Merchants and Countrey-people were in greatest security the burâ—e is invaded and not bloud but wares sought after the Lard of Iohnstoun who was warden and lard of Cock-pool with many stout borderers having surveyed and Ridden through the places where the people were met to prevent and hinder all disorders and dangers at the noise of an incursion of the English dispatch Poasts to the adjacent bounds for supply and in the mean time rencounter the plunderers of the Fair. Here is it fought with greater courage than force and in a long continued skirmish the danger of the loss stir'd up and incited the parties as much as fame and glory The day was neer spent leaving the advantage to either side disputable when the supply of fresh men come to defend their Countrey and friends turned the Fortune of the fight and put the English borders all to the rout The Duke of Albany by the swiftness of his Horse and the good attendance of his Servants winneth English ground but the Earl of Dowglass loaden and heavy with years and armes is taken by Robert Kirken-patrick who for that service got the lands of Kirk-michael and brought as in triumph to Edenburgh It is recorded that when the Earl was come in the Kings presence he turn'd his back refused to look him in the face considering the many outrages he had perpetrated against his Father and this late offence The King taken with the goodly personage gravity and great age of the man commiserating his long patience and cross fortune being in his young daies designed to be a Church-man confined him as in a free Prison in the Abacy of Lyndores Besides he considered that when occasion served he might bring him out of this solitariness and in these turbulent times by his counsel and presence play more advantageously his game of State being a man of long experience in the affairs of the world and the most learned of all his Nobility He was now become tyred of the Earl of Anguss the remembrance of his first offence remaining deeply ingraven in his heart and to counterpoise his greatness this was the only weight The Duke of Albany found little better entertainment in England the battel being lost some men taken and killed this being the first roade upon Scotland under the reign of Richard who had been formerly so fortunate in his own person his fame injur'd and reputation by this diminished the Duke began to be disliked and was not received with that kindness he was wont whereupon by the assistance and convoy of Iohn Liddale he secretly retired to France After the road of Lochmaben sundry incursions are made by the Scots upon the English borders and by the English upon the Scottish The Champian ground is scoured houses are burnt booties taken with great loss to
both and little advantage to any of the parties Richard having his reign in the infancy and not yet settled nor come to any growth and maturity being obnoxious to the scandal of his Brothers Sons and possessed with fears of Henry Earl of Richmond then remaining in France who by all honest and good men was earnestly invited to come home and hazard one day of battail for a whole Kingdom knowing it necessary for the advancement of his designs to have peace with all his neighbour Princes to render himself more secure and safe at home and terrible to his enemies abroad sendeth Embassadours to Scotland to treat a Peace or a suspension of Arms for som years King Iames no soflier rocked in the Cradle of State than Richard chearfully accepteth this Embassage for by a peace he may a little calm the stormy and wild minds of tumultuous Subjects reducing them to a more quiet fashion of living and seclude his Rebels and banisht from entertainment in England and all places of Refuge and Sanctuary The two Kings agreeing in substance Commissioners are appointed to meet at Nottingham the seventeenth day of September For the King of Scotland appear'd the Earl of Arguâ—l William Elphinstoun Bishop of Aberdeen the Lord Drummond of Stobhall the Lord Olyphant Archebald Whitelaw Secretary Doncan Dundass Lyon King of Arms. For Richard of England appeared the Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Northumberland the Lord Stanley the Lord Gray the Lord Fitshugh Iohn Gunthrope privy Seal Thomas Borrow Master of the Rolls Sir Thomas Bryan Chief Justice In the latter end of Septemb. these conclude a peace between both Realms for the space of 3 years The same to begin at the rising of the Sun Septem â—9 in the year 1484. and to continue unto the setting of the Sun on the 29. of Sept. in the year 1487. During which time it was aggreed that not only all hostility and war should cease between the two Realms but that also all aid and assistance against enemies should be afforded It was agreed the Town and Castle of Berwick should remain in the hands of the English for the space of the foresaid term with the same bounds the English possessed That all other Castles Holds Fortresses during the term of thrâ—e years should remain in the hands of those that held then at that present the Castle of Dumbar only excepted which the Duke of Albany delivered to the English when he left his Countrey Which Castle for the space of six moneths should be exposed to the invasion of the Scots if they could obtain it and during the assaulting of this Castle the Truce shâ—uld not be broken Neither should the English within the castle do any harm to the Scots dwelling thereabouts except to those who invade the Castle and at that time And that it should be lawful to any of the Parties to use all Statagems and extend their power either for winning or defending the said Castle It was agreed That no Traitor of either Realm should be received by any of the Princes of the other Realms and if any Traitor or Rebell chance to arrive in either Realm the Prince therof should deliver him upon demand made Scots abiding within the Realm of England and sworn there to the King may remain still so there names be made known to the King of Scotland within fourty daies If any Warden of either Realm shall invade the others Subjects he to whom such a Warden is subject shall within six daies proclaim him Traitor and certifie the other Prince thereof within twelve daies In every safe conduct this Clause shall be contained Providing alwaies that the Obtainer of the safe Conduct be no Traitor If any of the Subjects of either Prince do presume to aid and help maintain and serve any other Prince against any of the Contractors of this Truce Then it shall be lawful for him to whom he shewed himself enemy to apprehend and attach the said Subject comming or tarrying within any of their Dominions Collegues comprehended in the Truce if they would assent thereunto on the English part were the King of Castile the King of Arragon the King of Portugal the Arch-Duke of Austria and Burgundy the Duke of Bretaign Vpon the Scottish part Charles King of Denmvrk and Norway The Duke of Guilderland this treaty was appointed to be published the first of October in all the great and notable Towns of both Realms It was agreed that Commissioners should meet at Loch-maben the 18. of November as well for redress of wrongs done on the west Marcbes as for declaring and publishing the peace where the greatest difficultie was to have it observed Richard after this truce intreated a marriage between the Prince of Rothsay eldest Son to King Iames and Lady Anne dela Pool Daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolk of his Sister To this effect Embassadours meet at Nottingham others say at York and it is concluded Writings thereupon being drawn up ingrosled and seal'd And affiances made and taken up by Proctors and Deputies of both parts Lady Anne thereafter being stiled the Princess of Rothsay But by the death of her Uncle she injoyed not long that title After the league and intended marriage King Iames wrote friendly letters to Richard concerning the Castle of Dumbar Whether he could be content that the same should remain only six moneths in the power of the English or during the whole space of True That he was not minded to seek it by arms during the term of the whole Truce Notwithstanding he earnestly required out of the bond of Love and Frindship between them since it was given unto the English by Treason and neither surprised nor taken in lawful war it might be frindly rendred Richard dalâ—yd with him and pass'd away that purpose with complemental Letters all the time of his Government which was not long for the year 1486. Henry Earl of Richmond came with some companies out of France of which that famous Warriour Bernard Sâ—uart Lord Aubany Brother to the Lord Darnley in Scotland had the leading which by the resort of his Countrey men turned into an Army and rencountred Richard at Bosworth where he was killed and Henry proclaimed King of England To which victory it was uncertain whether virtue or fortune did more contribute Alexander Duke of Albany before this disaster of Richard at a Tilting with Lovys Duke of Orleance by the splint of a Spear in his head had received his death-wound 1483 He was a man of great courage an enemy to rest and peace delighting in constant changes and novations He left behind two Sons Iohn Duke of Albany begotten of his second marriage upon the Earl of Bulloignes Daughter who was Tutor to King Iames the fifth and Governour of Scotland and Alexandâ—r born of the Earl of Orkenays Daughter his first wife Bishâ—p of Murray and Abboâ— of Skroon Into which places he was intruded to make the Government of his other Brother more peaceable Margarite the Queen
about these times a good and vertuous Lady died 1486. and was buried at Cambu-kennel the 29. of February The overthrow and death of Richrd being known abroad King Iâ—mes taking the advantage of the time besieged the Castle of â—umbar The garrison'd Souldiers finding no reliet nor assistance from their Countrey and ascertained of the change of their Master rendered up the Fort to the hands of the Scots it was of no great importance to the English and only served to be a fair bridge of Treason for Scottish Rebels and a Cittadel of Conspiracies Henry King of England after his victory and Coronation sent Richard Fox Bishop of Excester and Sir Richard Edgecomb Embassadours to King Iames for renewing the Truce and if it were possible to agree upon a stable and lasting Peace between the Realms King Iames taking a promise of the secrecy of the Embassâ—dours that what he imparted to them should not be laid open to his Nobility told He earnestly affected a Peace with all his Neighbours but above all others with their King as much for his own valour as for the honour and interests of the two Kingdoms But he knew his people so stubborn and opposite to all his designs that if they understood his mind and resolutions they would endeavour to cross his intentions wherefore publickly he could only condescend to seven years truce a long peace being hardly obtained from men brought up in the free licence of war who disdained to be restrained within the Narrow limits of Laws Notwithstanding they should undertake for him to King Henry in the word of a Prince that this Truce before the exspiring of it should be renewed and with all solemntyes again confirmed The Embassadours respecting his good will towards their King accepted the conditions Thus was there a Truce or Peace convenanted and confirmed for seven years to come between the two Realms After so many back-blows of fortune and such canvassing the King enjoying a Peace with all his Neighbours abroad became exceeding religious the miseries of life drawing the mind to the contemplations of what shall be after it During hisresidence at Edenburgh he was wont to come in Procession from the Abby of Holy-rood-house to the Churches in the High-Town every Wednesday and Fryday By which devotion he became beloved of his People Nothing more winning their hearts than the opinion they have of the Sanctity of a person And that he did not this for the fashion nor hypocrisy the application of his wit and power to the administration of strict justice did prove for he began to suppress the insolencies of strong oppressors defend and maintain the Rights of the poor against Tyrants and abusers of their Neighbors He sitteth himself in Council dayly and disposeth affairs of most weight in his own person In the Moneth of October following the Peace with England 1487. a Parlament was called in which many acts were made against Oppressours Justices were appointed to pass thorough the whole Kingdom and see malefactors deservedly punished Acts were made that no convention of friends should be suffered for the accompanying and defence of criminal Persons But that every one attainted should appear at the most with six Proctors that if found guilty they should not be reft from Justice by strong hand Such of the Nobility who feared and consequently hated him finding how he had acquired the love of his people by his piety in the observance of Religion and his severity in executing Justice were driven unto new meditations They began to suspect he would one day free himself from these turbulent Spirits who could not suffer him to enjoy a Peace nor raign He had advanced at this time to Offices of State and Places men whose Fortunes did wholly depend upon his safety and wel-fare at which some Noblemen whose Ambition was to be in publick charge and of the Counsell pretending to that out of right which was only due unto them by favour did highly storm and look upon those others with envious eyes The King thus falling againe into his old sickness they bethought them how to renew their old remedie They were also jealous of the remembrance of the dis-service they had done him and that he would never forget old quarrells They were prepared and ready to make a Revolution of the state but had not yet found their Center to begin motion nor a ground for Rebellion All this while there was not matter enought for an insurrection nor to dispose the Peoples Hearts to a Mutinie The King delighted with his Buildings of the Castle of Sterlin and the amenity of the Place for he had raised there a faire and spacious Hall and founded a College for divine service which he named the Chappel Royal and beginning to be possest and taken up with the Religion of these times endeavoured to endow this foundation with constant Rents and ample Revenues and make this Rock the choyse Sanctuary of his Devotions The Priory of Coldingham then vacant and fallen in his hands he annexed the same to his Chappel Royal and procured an Act of Parliament that none of the Lieges should attempt to doe contrary to this union and annexation or to make any Impetration thereof at the Court of Rome under the paine of Treason The Priors of this Convent having been many years of the Name of Hume it was by the Gentlemen of that Name surmi'sd that they should be interested and wronged in their Estates by reason of the Tithes and other Casualtyes appertaining to this Benefice if a Prior of any other Sirname were promoted to this Place The King being often petitioned and implored that he should not alter the accustom'd form of the Election of that Prior nor remove it from their Name nor suffer the Revenues to be otherways bestowed than they were wont to be of old and he continuing in his resolution of annexing them to his Chapel after long pawsing and deliberation amongst themselves as men stirred up by the male-contents and a proud faction fit for any the most dangerous entrprise they proceed upon stronger Grounds to over-turn his intentions and divert his purpose The Lord Hailles and others of the Sirname of Hepburn had been their constant friends Allies and Neighbours with them they enter in a combination that they should mutually stand to the defence of others and not suffer any Prior to be received for Coldingham if he were not of one of their two Sirnames This Convâ—nant is first privately by some mean Gentlemen sworn who after draw on their Chiefs to be of the Party Of how small beginnings doth a great mischief ariseâ— the male contended Lords knowing those two Sirnames to be numerous active and powerfull in those parts of the Countrey where they remayn'd lay hold upon this Overture and beginning from their particulars they make the cause to be general They spread Rumours abroad that the King was become terrible and not to be trusted notwithstanding all his Protestations and outward
Castello an Italian Legate was comming and the Lords fearing the danger of it for in those times it might have drawn the most part of all the Towns and the Commons for fear of Ecclesiastical Censures to have adhered to the King or stood in an indifferency made all possible haste before it should have been delivered to make head against their Soveraign and decide their quarrel in a battel Vraban the fourth armed Henry the third King of England against all those that would not return to their due and old obedience to him and all his disloyal subjucts The King was in a strong Fort and if he had remained still there matters in a little time had faln forth more to his wishes and his Enemies might have been brought to a submission for his good Subjects of the North as the Forbesses Oguilbuyes the Graunts Frazeres Meldrums many of the Gordounes Keethes and others who adhered to him out of affection and duty were advancing towards him But whether misinformed or betrayed by some his own who made him believe that unless he could command the Countrey about Edenburgh the Castle was of no such importance as was the Castle of Sterlin for him in consideration of the passage over the River of Forth at a Bridge for those were coming to his aid The Lords of the association counterfeiting a Retreit and dispersing themselves in the Countrey that they might draw him from that bold he rashly and unadvisedly issued out of the Castle and left his beloved Town of Edenburgh The Earls of Montross Glencarn Lords Maxwell and Ruthen accompanyed him to the Blackness his Forces here encreasing he marched towards Sterlin the Rendevous and destinated Place of meeting for all his loyal Subjects there he displayed his Royal Standard Here the perfidious Constable an unparralleld example of ingratitude who had betrayed the Son in an hostile manner kept the Father out of his own Castle Cannons mounted Pistols cockt and leveld at him and exposed him a prey to his Robels In the amazement and deliberation what to go about being thus shut out of his Castle Tidings came to him that the Confederates were come neer to Falkirk a little Town six miles eastward from Sterlin that his Army should not be discouraged by this unexspected accident trusting to his right and present Power being more stout than prudent he resolveth to set all upon the hazard of a Battel The Confederates had passed the Carron a River under the Falkirk and were encamped above the Bridge neer the Torwood The King set forwards with his Army upon the other side of the Torwood neer a smal brook named Sawchy-Burn This field is a plain not far distant from that Bannoch-burn where King Robert the Bruce overthrew the great Army of Edward Carnarvan Here both Armies advance forward in Battail array The Lords rang'd their Host in three Squadrons the vantguard was led by the Lords Hume and Hailles and their friends consisting of east Lothian and Marss-men The middle ward was composed of the Liddesdale Annandale Ewesdale Tivotdale Twededale Galloway-Men the mayne battail was of west Lothian-men where most of the Lords were and amongst whom the Prince was kept In the Kings Army the Earle of Monteeth Lords Aresken Graham Ruthen Maxwell commanded the vanguard The left wing which consisted of Westland and Highland men was commited to the Earle of Glencarn The Lords Boyd Lyndesay the Earl of Crawfoord commanded in the Reer or great Battaill amongst whom was the King armd from head to foot upon a great Coursier easie to be known and discern'd from the rest The first charge is valiantly given and Launce meeting with Launce the vanguard of the Lords began to yield ground and was strongly repulsed But the next charge being given by Annandale Men and the ranck Riders of the Borders The middle ward of the Kings Army is beaten back to the mayn Battaill Notwithstanding of which it is fought a while with marvellous obstination and great hardiness and assurance untill the standard Royal was beaten downe and those who defended it were slain the violence of the bickering being mostly where it was planted The Kings army now beginning to bow nor being sufficient to resist the numbers of fresh assailers the Horsemen obeying no direction turned their backs In this rowt and confusion of horse and foot men the King seeking to retire towards the River of Forth where not far off som Boats and the Ships of Sir Andrew Wood attented the fortune of Battail by the fall of his Horse in leaping a Ditch being sore bruised was carryed by such who knew him not to a Mill at Bannoch-Burn The day was now the Confederates and wrong had prevailed against Right when the Prince of Rothsay amazed at the noise and clamours of the flying and following Souldiers and in suspition of the worst gave out express and strait Commandement with threatnings to the Disobeyers that none should presume to pursue his Father nor others in the chase Notwithstanding which he was followed and killed in a Mill in cold bloud These who followed him were the Lord Gray Robert Sterlin of Keer Sir Andrew Borthick a Priest whom fame reporteth after shiriving to have stobb'd him with a Dagger The Ensigns taken the Army dissipated and put to flight the Baggage rifled the Death of the King being rumoured through the Armies the Victors turned slow in the chase and gave field-room to all that would fly no severity being used against any found unarmd for the Lords of the association pursu'd the King not the people The discomfitted fled towards Sterlin the victorious retir'd to their Camp and the next morning to Linlithgow On the Kings side Alexander Cunningham Earl of Glencarn was slain and as some have recorded the Lords Aerskin Simple Ruthen Iohn Ramsay of Balmayn created Earl of Bothwell and his chief favourite with their friends and Vassals the Lard of Inneys Alexander Scot Director of the Chancery with some Noblemens Friends and Vassals many were hurt who recovered of their woundes and this Battail seem'd rather a brave encounter and meeting of Launces in some lists than a Field of great deeds of arms and the victory was obtained rather by disorder and the rashness of the vanquished than by the valour of the victorious This battel was fought the year 1488. the eleventh day of Iune which is the festival of St. Barnabas the 29. year of the Reign and thirty five of the age of this King He had issue Iames the fourth who succeeded Alexander Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and Iohn Earl of Marr The Conspirators with all funeral Rites and and Royal Pomp as in expiation of the wrongs they had done him living neer his Queen in the Abby Church of Cambuskynneht buryed his body This King concerning his personage was of a Stature somwhat higher than ordinary well proportioned his hair was black his visage was rather long then round approaching in colour more to those in the Southern than Northern
overshadow and cover this mischief the horrour of this fact possest this Prince to his last hour and God out of his Justice executed the revenge of this cruelty upon the Nobles Commons and the Prince himself at the field of Flowden where some of the chief Actors of this paricide were in their own persons others in the persons of their Successors sacrificed to the Ghost of this King Iames IIII King of Scotts Anō 1488 THE HISTORY OF THE LIFE REIGN OF Iames the fourth King of Scotland THe Lords who had chosen rather to be reputed famous Rebells than contemn'd Subjects by their boldness of enterprizing skill of managing the publick affairs and continued purchases swelling to that greatness of power that they found none to counterpoise few to oppose to their Designs To make their Rebellion lawful and show the world they intended not the subversion of their Countrey but of their opinionative King nor that they did dislike Soveraignity so they might have a Prince who would be ruled by their directions take the name and leave to them the Majesty and Authority of his Place after the killing of the Father call a Parliament for the installing of the Son in the Royall Throne few of the three Estates here meeting except themselves and the Commissioners of Burroughs in the Moneth of Iune the year 1488. at Edenburgh the Prince is crowned then having not attained the sixteenth year of his age Though these men had assumed the Government yet in divers parts of the Countrey they had bur doubtful obedience nor was their Authority universally acknowledged the flames of dissention seeming yet neither to be extinquished nor altogether smothered with the life of the late King On the Sea Sir Andrew Wood who had attended the event of the last Battel maintained resolutely the Quarrel of his dead Master Five tall Ships sent by the King of England to his Confederates aid but which came too late pretending a Revenge upon his disloyal Subjects pillaged the maritime Towns and forraged the adjacent parts of the Countrey shut up the mouth of the River of Forth and interrupted the Commerce of Merchants To repel which violence the Ships gathered by the Lords struggled in vain being every way inferiour and weak to supprels their incursions and Algarads On the land the Forces of those who had stood out for the late King had rather been by the last conflict scatter'd than throughly broken and brought under The ablest and most convenient companies which were gatherd to his assistance having never assembled and joind in one body the fight being inconsideratly precipitated and the Dye thrown before they could descend from the far Mountains and cross the Foord-less Rivers And of those who were in the Fray not many being taken prisoners fewer killed falling under the weight of friendly arms The prime Men of those who had chosen rather justly to follow the King than profitably his Rebells finding themselves for their loyaltie and that good will which they had carryed to their Soveraign persecuted and proscrib'd in their Fortunes and Persons inflamed with indignation and shame resolve to oppose wisdom to Fortune courage to strength and hazard some one day more for the repairing the losses of former the Pillage begun upon the Seas by the English animating them And being desirous to make as many fellows of their danger as they could they send Letters thorough all the Quarters of the Kingdom to their Friends Familiars and Confederates encouraging them to ply the business generously opposing their valour and courage to the strength and power of the abusers of the Prince By publick writings they cast aspersions on the present Government After that battail of Sterlin and since the Coronation of the King they had not fallen in the power of a Monarch but under an Olygarchy the most depraved form of all Governments the name and Title of a King a young man searce sixteen years of age enjoyed but he governed not but was by the Killers of his Father misgoverned who under false pretences intended the ruin of the State What reproach and shame would it be not onely with all men now living but also with Posterity to suffer these who had hazarded what they had dearest for the honour and preservation of their Prince to be branded with the name of Traytors be banished and followed to death Whilst the Transgressors and Abusers of all Laws divine and humane sit Judges over them as Revengers of general wrongs usurping the Titles of Deliverers of the Countrey and Restaurers of the Common-wealth amongst whose pawes the present King could not be assured and safe They being the men who to justifie their injustice and make their fact meritorious brought him in Arms not knowing whither against his King and Father most wofully taken away besides the abusing of his Name and Authority in every civil matter The late King had lost the day and himself by his own errours not by their power and designs Now they should oppose to their proceedings though they might be esteemed inferiour in number to them yet if they met together they might be found equal to them in worth and courage being puft up by the last misfortune and only putting their confidence in that they mastered their Designs Much being projected and designed for their meeting in arms in the North Alexander Lord Forbes a Man born neither to rest himself nor suffer others in Aberdeen and other Towns on the point of a Launce displayed the shirt of the slaughtered King purpled with his bloud inviting the Countrey as by an Herauld to the revenge of his Murther In the West the Earl of Lennox a man eminent by his Birth and Fortunes hath the same resolution the Earl of Marshall Lords Gordon and Lyle with their confederates in other parts of the Kingdom where their power or eloquence could prevail move all their Engins to advance the enterprize and put every thing in readiness The Lords of the insurrection having the young King in their hands to countenance their proceedings joining discretion to their good succes determine except upon necessity not to spill more civil blood And to disperse the clouds of that appearing storm they encourage Sir Andrew Wood now received in favour and brought not onely to be no enemy but to be their friend and fellow-helper having obtained from them the Barony of Largow disposed to him hereditarily of which before he had only a lease of the late King for his first service with his Ships to clear the Forth and scoure the 〈◊〉 of the English And they launch out to his assistance the Vessels and Boats of the Havens neer adjacent At that same time Iohn Lord Drummond stuart of Strathern a Nobleman couragious and adventurous is directed to wait upon the Earl of Lennox stopt his ravaging and wasting the Countrey and kept him back from joining with his Confederates of the North and infesting the more civil parts being the greatest ablest and
Prince who had recourse unto him for aid and Supply and was now allyed with the antient blood of the Countrey Much being said at last they conclude upon a truce for some moneths following After this treaty of Peace the Counterfeit Duke of York with his Lady and such Followers as would not leave him sailed over into Ireland This Truce happily concluded and continued by a trifling and untoward accident went neer to have been given up and broken There were certain Scottish young men came into Norham Town and having little to do went sometimes forth and would stand looking upon the Castle Some of the Garrison of the Castle observing them and having not their Minds purged of the late ill-humour of Hostility either suspected them or quarrel'd with them as spyes whereupon they fell at ill words and from words to blows so that many were wounded of either side and the Scots being strangers in the Town had the worst Insomuch that some of them were slain and the rest made hast home The matter being complained on and often debated before the Wardens of the Marshes of both sides and no good order taken King Iames took it to himself and sent Marchmond Herauld to the King of England to make protestation That if reparation were not done according to the Conditions of the Truce his King did denounce war The King of England who had often tryed fortune and was enclined to Peace made answer That what had been done was utterly against his will and without his privity But if the Garrison Souldiers had been in fault he would see them punished and the Truce in all points to be preserved This answer pleased not King Iames. Bishop Fox understanding his discontent being troubled that the occasion of breaking the Truce should grow from his men sent many humble and deprecatory Letters to the King of Scotland to appease him Whereupon King Iames molified by the Bishops submiss and discreet Letters wrote back again unto him That though he were in part moved by his Letters yet he should not be fully satisfyed except he spake with himself as well about the compounding of the present difference as about other matters that might concern the good of both kingdoms The Bishop advising first with his Master took his journey to Scotland the meeting was at the Abby of Melrose where the King then abode The King first roundly uttered unto the Bishop his offence conceived for the breach of the Truce by his Men at Norham Castle after speaking with him a part he told him That these temporarie Truces and Peace were soon made and soon broken but that he desired a straiter Amity with the King of England discovering his Mind that if the King would give him in Marriage the Lady Margarite his eldest Daughter That indeed might be a knot indissolvable That he knew well what Place and Power the Bishop deservedly had with his Master therefore if he would take the business to heart and deal in it effectually he doubted not but it would well succeed The Bishop answered soberly That he thought himself rather happy than worthy to be an instrument in such a matter but would do his best endeavour Wherefore the Bishop of Durhâ—m returning from Scotland to his King at London and giving count what had pasâ—ed and finding his King more than well disposed in it gave the King first advice to proceed to a conclusion of Peace and then go on with the Treaty of Marriage by degrees hereupon a Peace was concluded to continue for both the Kings lives and to the overliver of them one year after In this Peace there was an Article contained That no English man should enter into Scotland nor no Scotch man into England without Letters Commendatory from the king of either Nations During this Treaty of the Marriage it is reported that the King of England referred this matter to his Council and that some of the Table in freedom of Counsellours the King being present had put the case That Issues Males and Females failing of the race of his two Sons that then the Kingdome of England would fall to the King of Scotland which might prejudice the Monarchy of England Whereunto the King himself replyed That if any such event should be Scotland would be but an accession to England and not England to Scotland for that the greater would draw the less and that it was a safer union for England than that of France Shortly after the espousals of Iames King of Scotland with Lady Margarite the King of Englands eldest Daughter followed which were done by Proxie in all solemn manner The Assurance and contract was published at Pauls Cross the 25. of Ianuary at London in applause of which Hymns were publickly sung in the Churches and Bonfires with great feasting and banqueting set throughout all the City Iulius the second in the beginning of this Treaty did gratifie King Iames with a Sword and Diadem wrought with flowers of Gold which the Popes on Christmass even used to consecrate a custome first brought in by Sixtus Quartus which were presented to him at Holy-Rood-House the marriage was in August following consummate at Edenbrough King Henry bringing his Daughter as far as Colliveston on the way where his Mother the Countess of Richmond aboade and then resigning her to the attendance of the Earl of Northumberland who with a great Train of Lords and Ladies of Honour brought her into Scotland to the King her Husband solemn daies were kept at Court for banquetting Masks and Revelling Barriers and Tilting proclaimed Challenges were given out in the Name of the Savage Knight who was the King himself Rewards designed to the Victors Old King Arthur with his Knights of the Round-Table were here brought upon the Lists The fame of this Mariage had drawn many Forreign Gentlemen to the Court. Amongst others came Monsieur Darcie naming himself Le Sieur de la Beautie who tryed Barriers with the Lord Hamilton after they had tilted with grinding Spears Some of the Savage Knights Company who were robust high-land men he giving way unto them smarted really in these feigned Conflicts with Targets and two-handed Swords to the Musick of their Bagpipes fighting as in a true battel to the admiration of the English and French who had never seen men so ambitious of wounds and prodigal of blood in sport All were magnificently entertain'd by the King and with honourable Largesses and Rewards of their Valour licensed to return Home During the Treaty of this Marriage with England a Monster of a new and strange shape was born in Scotland near the City of Glasgow the body of which under the waste or middle varied nothing from the common shape and proportion of the bodies of other men the members both for use and comliness being two their faces looking one way sitting they seemed two men to such who saw not the parts beneath and standing it could not be discerned to which of the two Bulks above the
and unto whom victory appertained Many brave Scots did here fall esteemed to above five thousand of the noblest and worthiest Families of the kingdom who choosed rather to dy than out-live their friends and Compatriots The Kings natural Son Alexander Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews the Bishop of the Isles the Abbots of Inchjefray and Kill Winny The Earls of Crawfoord Mortoun Arguyl Lennox Arrel Catâ—ness Bothwel Athol the Lords Elphinstoun Aerskin Forbes Ross Lovet Saintclare Maxwell with his three Brothers Simple Borthick Numbers of Gentlemen Balgowny Blacka-Towre Borchard Sir Alexander Seatoun Makenny with Macklean George Master of Anguss and Sir William Dowglass of Glenbervy with some two hundred Gentlemen of their name and Vassals were here slain The English left few less upon the place but most part of them being of the common sort of Souldiers and men of no great mark compared with so many Nobles killed and a King lost the number was not esteemed nor the loss thought any thing of The Companies of the Lord Hume had reserved themselvs all the time of the fight keeping their first order and when by the Earl of Huntley he was required to relieve the Battallion where the King fought he is said to have answered That that man did well that day who stood and saved himself After the retreat his Followers gathered a great bootie of the spoils of the slaughtered This fight began Sept. 9. about four of the clock after Noon and continued three houres the year 1513. About the dawning of the next Morning the Lord Daâ—res vvith his Horse-Troops taking a view of the Field and seeing the brazen Ordnance of the Scots not transported with most part of the faln bodies not rifled sendeth speedy advertisement to the Howards and the pensive Army inviting all to the setting up of Trophees Spoil and transporting of their great Ordnance to Berwick amongst which were seven Culverins of like size and making called the Seven Sisters Divers diversly report of the Fortune of the King We without affirming any thing for certain shall onely set down what Fame hath published a false Witness often of human accidents and which many times by malignant brains is forged and by more malignant ears received and believed The English hold that he was killed in this Battail the Scots that many in like Arms with the like Guards were killed every one of which was held for the King Amongst others Alexander Lord Elphinstoun his Favourite who had marryed Elizabeth Barley one of the Dames of Honour of Queen Margarite He was a man not unlike to the King in face and stature and representing him in arms in the field with the valiantest and most couragious of the Army fought it out and acting heroically his part as a King was killed heaps of slaughtered bodies environing his In the search where the fight was the number taleness furniture of the dead bodies being observed their faces and wounds viewed his body as if it breathed yet majesty was amidst the others selected acknowledged for his Maisters brought to Berwick and embalmed That it was not the body of the King the girdle of Iron which heever wore and then was not found about him gave some though not certain testimony Some have recorded that the fortune of the day inclining to the English four tall men mounted upon lusty Horses wearing upon the points of their Launces for coignoscances Streamers of Straw mounting the King on a Sorrel Hackney convoyed him far from the place of fight and that he was seen beyond the Tweed between Kâ—lso and Dunce After which what became of him was uncertain Many hold he was killed in the Castle of Hume either by the intelligence between the English and the Lord Humes kinred or out of fear for they were at the slaughter of the Kings Father and the most violent in that fight or of hopes of great fortunes which would follow innovations and the confusion of the State being men who liv'd best in a troubl'd Common wealth and upon the Borders One Carra follower of the Lord Humes that same night the Battail was fought thrust the Abbot of Kelso out of his Abbacy which he never durst attempt the King being alive Another David carbreath in the time of Iohn the Governour vaunted that however Iohn wronged the Humes he was one of fix who had abated the insolency of King Iames and brought him to know he was a Mortal To these is added that the Governour Iohn not long hereafter cut off the heads of the Lord Hume and his Brother without any known great cause The Common people ever more addicted to superstition than verity believed he was living and had passed over the Seas and according to his promise visited the holy Sepulchre in Palestine Therefor his other offences and the bearing of Arms against his Father in prayers and Pennance he spent the remainder of His tedious daies That he would return again when he found opportunity and the necessity of Europe requird him This report was of as great truth as that which the Burgundians have of the Return of their Duke Charles after the Battle of Nancy most of them believing he escaped from the conflict He was lost the twenty and five year of his Reign the thirty and ninth of his age the ninth of September 1513. This King was of a vigorous body his stature being neither too tall nor too low of a pleasant countenance of a pregnant wit but by the faults of the times in which he lived not polished with Letters He excelled in horse-manship fencing and shooting By much watching slender diet and use he was enabled to enduâ—e all extremities of weather scarcity or want of rest with good health of body He was just in giving judgement in punishing malefactors severe yet tractable and moderate With the peril of some few he restrained vices and rather shook the Sword than struck with it He knew there were some things though Princes might yet they ought not to do He was easie of access most courteous in speech and meek in answering every man He was so far from being over taken with anger or other violent perturbations that he was never observed to have given an evil or disobliging word to any or that the colour of his face changed by any offence offered him or informations given him relying without passion upon his own magnanimity He was of a free and liberal disposition far from any ostentation As he understood well the Art of giving so to acquire and purchase he was not sufficient of himself but made use of men who drew more hatred upon their own heads than moneys into their Princes coffers Though he delighted more in War than the Arts he was a great admirer and advancer of learned men William Elphinstoun Bishop of Aberdeen builded by his Liberality the College of Aberdeen and named it The Kings College by reason of those Privileges and Rents the King bestowed upon it His Generosity did shew it self in not
delivering of Perkin Warbeck he trusted much and had great confidence in his Nobility and governed by love not by fear his people It is no wonder amidst so much worth that some humane frailty and some according discord be found There is no day so bright and fair which one moment or other looketh not pale and remaineth not with some dampish shadow of discoloured Clouds He was somwhat wedded to his own humours opiniative and rash Actions of rashness and timerity even although they may have an happy event being never praise worthy in a Prince He was so infected with that illustrious crime which the Ambitious take for virtue desire of Fame that be preferred it to his own life and the peace of his Subjects He so affected popularity and endeavoured to purchase the love of his people by Largesses Banquetting and other Magnificence diving in debt that by those Subsidies and excâ—ssive exactiâ—ns which of necessity he should have been constrained to have levied and squeized from the people longer life had made him lose all that favor and love he had so painfully purchased that death seemed to have come to him wishedly and in good time The wedding of others Quarrels especially of the French seemeth in him inexcusable a wise Prince should be slow and loath to engage himself in a war although he hath suffered some wrong He should consider that of all humane actions and hazards there is not one of which the precipitation is so dangerous as that of beginning and undertaking a war Neither in humane affairs should there more depths be founded nor hidden passages searched and pryed into than in this He should remember that besides the sad necessity which is inseparable from the most innocent war the wasting and destroying of the goods and lives of much people there is nothing of which the Revolutions and Changes are more inconstant and the conclusions and ends more uncertain The Sea is not more treacherous false and deceiving nor changeth not more swiftly her calms into storms than wars and the fortune of arms do the event and success belying the beginning It is not enough that a Prince know a war which he undertaketh to be just but he should consider also if it be necessary and if it be profitable and conduce to the State which he governeth As men of strong and healthful bodies follow ordinarily delight in their youth he was amourously carryed away He confined the Earl of Anguss in the Isle of Arran for taking Iane Kennedy a Daughter of the Earl of Cassilles out of Galloway a fair and noble Lady of whom he became enamoured as he went in his pilgrimage to St. Ninians In his last expedition the Lady Foord was thought to have hindered the progress of his arms and hasten'd the success of the battel Though virtue be sometimes unfortunate yet is it ever in an high esteem in the memories of men such a desire remained of him in the hearts of his people after his loss that the like was not of any King before him Princes who are out of this life being onely the Delights and Darlings of a people Anne the French Queen not many dayes out-lived the rumour of his death He serves for an example of the frailty of great men on the Theatre of this world and of the inconstancy of all Sub-Lunary things He had children Iames and Arthur who dyed Infants Iames who succeeded him Alexander born after his death who dyed young Alexander a natural son Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews so much admired and courted by Erasmus Margarite of a Daughter of the Lord Drummonds maried to the Earl of Huntley whose mother had been contracted to the King and taken away to his great regret by those who governed the State that he should not follow the example of King Robert his Predecessour who maryed a Lady of that Family Iames earl of Murray Iams V King of Scotes Ano. 1514 THE HISTORY OF THE LIFE REIGN OF Iames the Fift King of Scotland THe fatal accident nd over throw of the King and Flower of the Nobility of Scotland at Flowden filled the remnant of the State with great sorrow but with greater amazement and perplexity for by this great change they expected no less than the progress and advancement of the Victors Arms and Fortune and feared the conquest seâ—virude and dâ—solation of the whole Kingdom The rigorous season of the year being spent in mourning and performing of last duties to the dead for their lost kinsmen and friends and the gatheing together the floating Ribbs and dispersed plancks of this Ship-wrack the Peers assembled at Sterlin where being applying themselves to set their confuons in order and determine on the Remedies of their present evils the lively pourtraict of their Calamities did represent it self to the full view The head and fairest parts which Majesty Authority Direction Wisdom had made eminâ—nt were cut away some turbulent Church-men Orphan Noblemen and timorous Citizens fill their vacant places and many who needed directions themselves were placed to direct and guide the Helm of State such miseries being alwaies incident to a people where the Father of the Countrey is taken away and the Successor is of under age In this Maze of perplexity to diâ—oblige themselves of their greatest duty and give satisfaction to the most and best the lawful Successour and Heir IAMES the Prince is set on the Throne and Crowned being at that time one year five moneths and ten daies of age and the hundreth and fifth King of Scotland The Last Will and Testament which the late King had left before his expedition being publickly seem and approved the Queen challenges the Protection of the Realm and Tutelage of her Son as disposed unto her so long as she continued a Widdow and followed the Counsel and advise of the Chancellour of the Realm and some other grave Counsellours and she obtained it as well out of a Religion they had to fulfill the will of their deceased Soveraign as to shun and be freed of the imminent arms and imminent danger of her Brother the King of England Being established in the Government and having from all that respect reverence and observance which belong to such a Princess she sent Letters to the King of England that having compassion upon the tears and prayers of a Widdow of his sister of an Orphan of his Nephew he would not only cease from following the Warre upon Scotland then at war with it self and many waies divided but ennobled by courage and goodness be a defence unto her the infant her Son against all injuries to be offered them by Forrainers abroad or any of the factious Nobility who would oppose themselves a gainst her at home To which King Henry answered That with the Peaceable he would entertain Peace and with the froward and turbulent war if the Scots would live in Peace they should have it for his part but if they would rather fight he was not to refuse
forces to quell the infolencies and shake the pride of the factious Nobles The heads of the factions which had a principal â—way in the Kingdom at that time would either be cuto off or kept under but with such cunning and dexterity that it should not be perceived nor found out that many were aimed at and interessed when some few did suffer and fall That for the present there were three heads to be looked unto as â—eared and like to bring Novations in the State being mâ—n able to change the present Government The Earl of Anguss a man in the prime of his youth of high flying thoughts by his Alliance with the King of England and that estimaion the people conceived of him by the demerits of his Ancesters and the singular love the Subjects bare him carryed a mind above the fortune of a private man and seemed not born to live a subjects life each action of his bearing in it majesty and magnificence he had power to hurt if he would hurt The Lord Chamberlain a man unpolisht stubbornly stout hazâ—rdous mighty in riches and power and consequently proud of a working mind and vehement Spirit whom time and experience had hardned by great exployts and most dangerous actions who had the malice to be a Spectator of the discomâ—iture of his Prince and Countrymen at Flowden was likely to attend the opportunity of traverses and changes The third was the Arch-Bishop Andrew Forman once Secretary to the Pope who though he was not of any Noble Steâ— nor descent of blood nor for his Followers Friends and Adherents much to be taken notice of or feared yet considering him as his Legateship pluralty of benefices many pensions from Princes had guilded him over and ballancing him by his present treasure he could make a weak party strong and add weight to what side soever he inclined He was therefore with piercing eyes to be lookt into and all his actions and waies to be observed The Governour gave not great attention to what the Priour had instructed against the Arch-Bishop having before had some inkling of the rancor grudge and enmitie between them And he was conscious the Arch-Bishops riches were above envy he having been even more solicitous magnificently to spend what he had acquired than hoord up Neither did he bestow so much upon any of his Countreymen as he did upon the French the Friends and Servants of the Governour He knew he was also so circumspect as not to adhere to any of the factions of the time in a neutrality indifferently and friendly enteâ—taining all his Compatriots Nor was he much moved at his information concerning the Earl of Angus finding him a man peaceable courteous to all and affâ—ble and though of aspiring thoughts carryed often away with his private delights and Courtly pleasures But what the Priour informed against the Lord Chamberlain he deeply ingraved in his memory and ever after his countenance bewrayed certain flaws of ill concealed discontent Neither did he thereafter shew him wounted favours which the Chamberlain observing and guessing at the change of the Governors mind towards him by more than ordinary evidences and signs He having been the onely man who wrought his advancement and comming to Scotland his deserts now either forgot or ungratefully remembred full of grief and disdain retired from the Court to his own Castles where when he had rested a while half astonished to see his hopes so frustrate he taketh new resolutions and determinations to play the Governour double or quite Hereafter he leaveth no meanes untryed to become entire with the Queen and her Husband and by observance and frequent meeting with them he wrought himself not onely to be imbraced as their Friend but their Counsellor and one in whom they had great confidence He many times with them deplored the publick calamity when his own particular only stong him accusing himself of his too much forwardness in calling home a man born an exile whose father dyed banish'd for his ambition and her essâ—yed to take the Crown form his eldest Brother Sith this man was the neerest of bloud to succeed who could not perceive his last work would be the making away the innocent child his Pupil to ascend the Royal Throne himself in the height of malice accomplishing what his Father out of a desire to rule did project By his tender years the King could not prevent his danger his Mother might anticipate it that new necessities requir'd new remedys only one postern gate remained yet open which was that the Queen would transport her Son to England When this plot wâ—s whisper'd to the Governor who wanted not his Emissaries among the Queens attendants it was no sooner reveal'd than believ'd and no sooner believ'd when being a man who used celerity in all his actions with as many men as hast could suffer him to gather forthwith marched from Edinburgh to Sterlin there unawares he surprized the Castle and in it the Queen with her two Sons A Council being assembled the King with his brother Alexander are sequestred from their Mother and trusted to the custody of four Lords who by turns interchangeably should attend the two Princes and have a care of their education That no violence should be offered them certain Gentlemen of the French and Scots are appointed still to wait on and guard them from this suspition the seeds of enmity began to be sown between the Qâ—een and the Governor which neither time nor wisdom thereafter could take away and root out Amidst this storm of Court the Lord Chamberlain brought to a new traverse of his thoughts with his Brother Mr. William Hume fly towards England the Queen with her Husband and Sir Gâ—orge Dowglas his Brother with an unexpected suddeness hast to Tantallon and from thence to Berwick from which they had a convoy to the Nunnery of Colstream Here they attended advertisment from the King of England what course to follow and know his pleasure He recommended them to the Protection and care of the Lord Dacres and assigned the Castle of Harbottle in Northumberland for his Sisters residence during her aboad in these Northern parts and the troubles of Scotland The Governor not a little perplexed at the flight and escape of those Conspiraâ—ours sendeth Embassadors to the Court of England to clear himself to the King of what might be surmised against him concerning these new strangers come to his Country He had done nothing which should have offended the Queen made her afraid or to entertain or harbour a sinister thought of his proceedings Neither did he intend any thing against these had followed and accompanyed her which should have moved them to leave their Country unto whom if they pleased to return they should be welcom enjoy their wonted freedom and keep peaceably what they had possâ—ssed If they were conscious to themselves of any misdemeanor he would not be too precise in the search of it He also trafficked by the friends of those who
accompanied the Governour to France used such diligence at the Court that he was imployed to be the first Messenger to the Countrey of the great promises and many Ceremonies of the French at the confirmation of the League with their protestations for the preserving and maintaining the Liberties of the Kingdom of Scotland against all who would essay to impair them Not long after arrived the Earl of Lennox and an Herauld with Letters from Kiug Francis and the Governour amplifying and putting a larger gloss on the same But when by other Letters the Queen and Nobles had received certain intelligence that King Francis and the King of England had composed their Quarrels entred in a new band of Amity a defensive League being pâ—ssed between them Tournay rendred to the French promises upon either sidesolemnly made for a Match to be between the Daulphine of France eldest son to King Francis and the eldest daughter of Henry King of England when age should enable them for marriage and that in the large Treaty of Peace not one word was set down for the quietness and help of those who for the quarrel of France hast lost their King and endangered their whole Kingdom no care had of their welfare and prosperity they stormed not a little and thought their lives and travels evil imployed Then with as great hast as such a matter required they dispatched Letters back again to the Governor blotted with complaints and expostulations The year following to excuse his oversight the French King sent a Reason why he had not made mention of the Scotish nation in his league with England He had studied to give satisfaction to some of the Scotish Nobility obliquely touching the Duke of Albany whole minds he knew to be altogether averse from any peace or Truce with the English nation whose undaunted Spirits and great courages were only bent to revenge ther deaths of their King Kinsmen and Compatriots This evasion not giving satisfaction to the best advised of the Council the French King interposed his endeavours with King Henry to have a cessation of arms for as short a time as he could devise V V herupon Clarencieux and onela Fiot comming to Scotland the one from the king of England the other from the French King a Truce was concluded between the two Kingdoms for one year and a whole day The reason of this Truce was thought mostly to be for that the Kings of England and France the next Summer were to have an interview and with all Princely courtesies entertain each other The Kingdom began to be sensible of the absence of the Governour factions increasing the Commons suffering dayly outrages the Nobility and Gentry deciding their Rights by their Swords The Earl of Rothsay and the Lord Lindsay contending which should be Sheriff of Fyfe with tumultuary arms invade each other and hardly by the Deputies were restrain'd till the one was committed to the Castle of Dumbar and the other to the Castle of Dumbartoun Robert Blackadour Priour of Coldingham with fix of his Domestick Servants is killed by the Laird of Wedderburn The King out of a suspition that the plague was in Edenburgh being transported to the Castle of Dalkieth by the Convoy of the Earl of Arran who was then Provost of the Town it being the season when the Townsmen make election of their Magistrates for the year following when the Earl was returned and sought to enter the Town he found the Gates shut upon him by the Citizens who alleged he came to invade their liberties in the free choise of their Magistrates the tumulâ— continueth the most part of the night and the next morning early the people dividing infactions and skirmishing in the streets a Deacon of the Crafts is killed by the faction of the Hamiltons which alienated the minds of the Townsmen altogether from the Earl of Arran and made them enâ—line to the Earl of Angus some of whose friends and followers had rescued some of the Citizens and taken part with others which made many after conceave this discord was plotted by some noblemen enemies to the Earl of Arran amongst which the Earl of Angus was the chief After this tumult the Earls of Angus and Arran sought likewise â—o cross each other in their proceedings the one maintaining the enemies of the other who had a quarrel against the Earl of Arran the Earl of Angus befriended him as the Earl of Arran supported and sided those who had any discontent against the Earl of Angus A suit falling between the Earl of Angus and David Car Laird of Farnehast about the Ballywick of Jedbrough Forrest the Lands appertained to the Earl the title and power to sit Judge belonged to the Lairds of Farnhast Sir James Hamilton the natural Son of the Earl of Arran assisted the Laird of Farnhast and besides those who out of good will friendship kinred vassalage did follow him he gathered fourty Souldiers such as were found upon the Borders men living upon Spoil and rapine to be of his party The Laird of Cesfoord then Warden of the Marches who with his Counsel and Force sided the Earl of Angus at the Rumour of the approach of Sir Iames to Iedbrough encountreth him and his fourty Hirelings abandoning him in his greatest danger Cesfoord killing some of his followers brought to make use of his spurs towards the Castle of Hume where after a long chase he got Sanctuary The day following the Laird of Farnehast held a Court in the Town of Iedbrough as Baily to the Earl of Augus and the Earl himself kept his Court three miles distant in Ied-ward Forrest In the moneth of May after certain Noblemen assembled at Edenburgh to accommodate all quarrels and make an atonement between the Dowglasses and Hamiltons Many Lords of the West here meet attending the Earl of Arran the Earls of Lennox Eglintoun Cassiles the Lords Ross Simple the Bishop of Galloway Abbot of Pasley The provost of the Town of Edenburgh Archembald Dowglas of Kilspyndie Uncle or Couses Germain to the Earl of Angus yielded up his place to Robert Logan Laird of Restlerig The Lords of the West by the advice of Iames Beatoun Chancelour in whose House they often assembled laid a plot to surprize the Earl of Angus then attended but by some few of his Friends and as it were solitary They thought him to great and insolent a Subject to whose power never one of theirs alone was equal in all points and they had many things to chalenge him upon when the Governor should return The Earl of Angus forewarned of their intention imployed the Bishop of Dunkell his Uncle to offer them what honourable satisfaction they could require All that he propounded being rejected by implacable men and finding the only way to be freed of violence to be violence and that danger could not be avoyded but by a greater danger with an hundred hardy resolute men armed with long Spears and Pikes which the Citizens as he traversed the
be surmised sometimes by English Ladies to be solicitations and suits of Love For the War with which in case of his Stay he threatned his nation he would use his best endeavours to set his in a posture of Defence When this answer was reported to King Henry he gathered a great Army to invade Scotland and essay if by their own dangers the Scots people could be moved to abandon and disclaim the Dukes authority Seven great Ships came to Inche-keeth and spoiled the adjacent Coasts all the Scots and French which did then inhabite London and other places of England were put to their fines and commanded to go off the Countrey In compensation and for equal amends the French King seized all English mens goods in Bourdeaux imprisoned the persons and retained the money to be paid for the restitution of Tournay The Earl of Shrewsbury making incursions on the Borders burned the one half of Kelso and plundered the other At this time the Emperor Charles the fifth came to England and stirred King Henry to take arms against the French Kings and the French had sent Embassadours to Scotland intreating and conjuring the Scots by their old and new League to arise in arms and invade England The Governour assembled the three Estates at Edinburgh which together condescended to the raising of an Army to resist the incursions of the English and defend the Kingdom to encourage every man for fighting the Wards of those which should fall in this expedition were freely remitted and discharged by Act of Parlament and pensions designed to the Widdows and Daughters of those who dyed in this service This Empyrick balm could the French apply to cure the wounds of the Scotish Common-wealth The Earl of Shrewsbury advancing as was reported towards the west Borders an Army was far gathered and encamped on Rosline-moor which after according to the orders given marched to Annandale and forwards came to the Esk a River running in the Irish Seas neer Carlile the Governour delighted with the Seat and standing of the place caused dig Trenches and by the advice of certain French Gunners placed some Field Pieces and small Ordinance for defence of them and spread there his Pavilions The Citizens of Carlile terrified at the sudden approach of so powerful an Army offer many presents for the safety of their Town whch he rejected The English Army not minding to invade the Scots so long as they kept themselves on their own ground and advanced not the Governour endeavoured to make the Scots spoil the Countrey by incursions but he findeth them slack and unwilling to obey and follow him most part refusing to go upon English Ground amongst whom Alexander Lord Gordon was the chief and first man The Governour finding his command neglected and some Noblemen dissenting from what he most intended commeth back to the place where they made their stand and desires a reason of their stay They told him they had determined to defend their own countrey not invade England That it neither consisted with the weal of the Common-wealth nor as matters went at that time had they sufficient forces to make invasive War That the Governour did not instigate them to invade England for the love he carryed to Scotland but for a benefit to the French by diverting the war prepared by the English against them That by invading they might make themselves a prey to their enemies they were Men and not Angels it was enough for them whilst their King was under age to defend his Kingdom from the violence of Foreigners Put the case they werein one battel victorious considering the slaughter and loss of their Nobles and Gentry in that purchase they might be overthrown in a second fight and then to what would the King the Country be reducedâ— their last King might serve them for a pattern the Revenge of whose death should be delayed till he himself were of years to undertake it The Governour brought to an exigent said they should have propounded these difficulties before they took Arms and on the place of Battel Temerity misbecame Noblemen in action but especially in matters of War in which a man cannot err twice At the convention of the three Estates when war was in deliberation they should have inquired for the causes of it he was not to bring them upon the danger of war without their own consent The English had made many incussions upon their Countrey burning and ravaging who stand only upon defence stand upon no defence a better defence of their own Countrey could not be found than by invading the Countrey of their Enemies They should not be dejected for that accident at Flowden since it was not the fault of the Souldier but the Treason of their Chamberlain who had suffered for it That the glory of the Nation should raise their courages and inflame their bosoms with a desire of revenge The Kings honour and their piety towards the Ghosts of their Compatriots crav'd no less from them That if they would not invade England at least for their Reputation and Fame with the World they would pitch there a short time their Tents and try if the English would hazard to assail them That it would be an everlasting branding their honour if timorously in a suddennesse they show their backs to their enemies and dared them not in the face by some daies stay The Queen though absent had thus perswaded the Noblemen and having understood the Governour to be turned now flexible she dispatched a Post to him requesting he would be pleased with a Truce for some Moneths and that he would commune with the Warden of the English Marches whom she should move to come to his Tent and treat with him The Governour finding he stood not well assured of some of his Army and knowing what a cumbersome task it was to withstand the violence of their desires determined to follow their own current seemed well pleased to hearken to their opinion Hereupon the Lord Dacres Warden of the West Marches came unto the Governours Camp the eleventh of September and as some have recorded the Queen also where a Cessation of Arms was agreed unto for some daies in which time the Queen and the Governour should send Embassadours to treat for a Peace with King Henry and shortly after Embassadours were directed to the Court of England but returned without any good don King Henry demanding extraordinary and harmful conditions to the Realm of Scotland The year 1522. Andrew Forman Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews dyed and Iames Beatoun Arch-Bishop of Glasgow and Chancellour of the Kingdom came in his place of St. Andrews the Arch-Bishop rick of Glasgow was conferred upon Gaven Dumbar whom the King after advanced to be Chancellor of the Kingdom The Governour resenting highly the slighting of the Embassadours by the King of England but more the contempt and scorn of the Scottish Nobility in refusing to follow him in October by the West Seas past over to France promising that
of the Duke of Albanies taking the Seas was spread abroad the King of England by secret Letters had required the Earl of Angus who then an Exile staid in France to come to him after the receit of which with a short-leave taking he left France where he had staid almost three years commeth to England King Henry had brought him to believe That the Duke had determined to extirpate his whole Linnage To prevent which he made him offer of Men and Ammunition to preserve his own and by his faction at home and his assistance to send the Duke over Seas which if he had staied the Earl was esteemed powerful enough to have accomplished The Duke of Albany being in France the Queen with the Government of the State assumeth the person of her Sonneâ— whom she moved to leave Sterlin and come to Edinburgh the third day after he had made his entry in the Town she lodg'd with him in the Maiden Castle and it seized on armed with authority she doubted not to make the Countrey yeild her all obedience That the Supream Magistrate of the Town should not oppose her Designs he is put from his Office and the Lord Maxwell a man to her obsequioâ—s is substituted in his place To give the fairer lustre to her Actions a Parlament is called at Edenburgh that what she did might consist with Law When King Henry understood the Duke had left Scotland to exclude and bar him all regress he sent one Magnus a great Oratour but greater by the renown of his skill in the Laws with Roger Ratcliff his Embassadours to try how the Scots amidst unnecessary turmoils would rellish a Truce and Cesâ—ation of Arms and these lay the blame of all the disorders and discords between the two Nations upon the Duke The Nobles tyred with their tedious Wars beginning to espy a Heaven of rest cheerfully accept of this Embassie and agree unto a Truce for one whole year To confirm which they condescend Commissioners shall be dispatched 〈◊〉 who shall treat not only for a Truce but for a firm and lasting Peace between the two Nations and unite the two Crowns in bands of Amity as well as they were united in degrees of blood The Earl of Angus his enemy abandoning the Kingdom after honourable entertainment of the King of England many promises to befriend him and blandishments at his departing commeth to Scotland and his return began to change the Game of State The Queens and Earl of Arrans Faction carryed all matters of importance the Earls of Lennox Arguyl and the Humes had been sequestred from publick imployments the first faction by his presence find their power diminisht the other by his counterpoise and assistance have new hopes of arising both factions disliked that Angus should arise to the first place and suspected he would not be content with the second they loved to have him an equal not Supreme Private jarrs smothered and interests delayed matters concerning England requiring a hasty and present discharge Gilbert Earl of Cassiles Robert Cockburn Bishop of Dunkell David Mill Abboâ— of Cambus kenneth are sent Commissioners to the Court of England At Greenwich they are honorably and kindly received by King Henry whose countenance promised them a refusal of no reasonable thing they would require The Bishop had a speech the Sum of which was That dissention and hatred taken away between the two Nations a faithful Peace might be agreed unto and confirmed their Discords turned into Vnion their Rancour into Love which to bring to pass and make durable the only apparent and probable means was to bestow the Lady Mary the Kings daughter upon James the young King of Scotland The English with great joy applauded to what was said And King Henry appointed certain Commissioners to treat about that purpose in private These when they had met to advance the Union of the Kingdomes desired these Conditions First That the Scotish Nation giving over and fairly forsaking the League they had with France should enter in a new League with them upon the same conditions and terms which were contained in their League with France Next That the young King of Scotland till by age he was able for marriage should be brought up at the Court of England When the Embassadours of Scotland had answered That these conditions were above their Commission to which they could not well answer and desired a time to acquaint the Council of Scotland with them it was condescended unto Thus two of them remaining at London the Earl of Cassiles returned to Scotland to bring back an answer When the day in which the Parlament should have been held was come the Queen and they who were of her faction as the Earls of Arran Murray Eglintoun fearing the Earl of Angus might turn the wavering peoples affection and move them to some Revolt which might hinder their Determinations or terrify the Commissioners by the frequent convention of his Friends and Followers constraining their voices and restraining their freedom of speech Or that they had a plot to surprize some of the contrary Faction and by authority of Parlament commit them in that place caused a Proclamation to be made That none of the three Estates should sit or assemble themselves in the Town of Edinburgh but that they should keep their meeting in the castle and there give their presence The Earls of Angus Lennox Arguyl Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews Bishop of Aberdeen and Dumblane with their adherents and others who joined with them rather out of fear than good will refuse to enter the Castle and require That the Parlament be kept in the accustomed Place the King may in Triumph be shewn to his own people conveyed along the High-Street All which bâ—ing denyed them giving out That Iustice was violated the King kept against his will as a Prisoner the Government and custody of his person seised on without consent of the three Estates they surround the Castle with two thousand men in Arms stop all furniture of food and victuals which should been afforded by the Town In this distress they in the Castle turn the great Ordinance against the Town and threaten the innocent Citizens with the overthrow of their buildings Some powder and time spent in terrifying the people at last Church-men interposing themselves and interceding perswading with the parties an accomodation and atonement is wrought their fury quenched all rancour supprest injuries forgotten the King in magnificence and pomp is convoyed from the Castle to his Palace at Holy-rood-house and the Estates assemble in the wonted place of the Town of Edenburgh In this Parliament the Authority of the Governour is abrogated by which means they saved him a labour from returning into Scotland again Eight Lords were chosen to have the custody of the Kings person quarterly every one his Moneths successively and the whole to stand for tke Government of the State yet with this Limitation That the King by their Counsel should not determine nor ordain
in the way to put from all title to the Crown the report going already that the King would intail it to him out of his own favour and had designed him Heir to the Earl of Arran he having no children of his own That the King had a magnetical affection towards him which if Fortune favoured him with a Victory would increase now meritting which before was but meer favour The custody of a young King was not for a man of so short experience The Hamiltouns finding that man their Suppliant who late was their Competitor delighting to live in a trouble State and be Copartners of the Government and mannaging the affairs of the Kingdom which was promised them in their new band of Friendship laying aside all former discontent and grudge accept the Quarrel and assemble their Forces at Lynlithgow To this Town the Earl of Lennox was advancing and he being the Sisters Son of the Earl of Arran by Gentlemen well affected towards him and of his kinred they intreat him to turn back and not to try the hazard of a battel for a conquest he could not long enjoy the Government of a young Prince whom a little more time would make Governour of himself and who perhaps would reaward his service with disgrace It being ordinarily seen that great obligations to Princes procure rather their hatred than love whilst it is more easie to pay men by contempt than benefits that if he came forwards no interest of blood would save him from their just and lawfull stopping of his passage and enterprize The Earl of Lennox answered it was no time then in the eye of the world to abandon so just a quarrel that shame wounded deeper than death which he would rather imbrace than not see his Prince at Edenburgh And finding the Bridge over the Avan possest by the enemy passed his Companies over the River Et near the antient Monastery Immanuel the Maister of Kill-mayers guideth the Vantguard consisting of Westland men the Earl of Cassiles and himself the main Battel many of which were high-land men being of all as some write ten thousand The Earl of Angus having essayed in vain to bring the King to the Field with the power of Edenburgh leaving that Charge to his Brother Sir George and Archembald Dowglas Provost of the Town accompanied with the Humes and Carres being of all two thousand marketh a speedy march towards Lynlithgow But the Earl of Arran spurr'd by the ambition and youthful heat of his Son Sir Iames Hamiltoun had begun the fight before be could appear for a long time it is valiantly fought victory inclining to neither side till a great clamour arose seconded by the appearance of fresh Troops of enemies the Dowglasses and their Friends at which alarum many of the High-land and West-land men turned their backs the rest by the advantage of the place sustain the Fight The King after much loytering and many delaies having heard the Armies were near joining and much solicitation of Sir George Dowglas issueth out of Edenburgh at a slow march But when at Corstorphine Hills he was awaken'd with the noyse of the great Ordinance he urgeth his Followers to make all haste to come to the fight It was reported Sir George Dowglas drove his Horse in a great rage gave him injurious words which he never after forgot Being half way he is advertised that the Earl of Lennox highland-men were fled and by all appearance the Earl of Arran was Master of the Field This news perplexed him not a little but making the best of that worst he dispatch'd all his domestick Servants with Andrew Wood of Largo to save so many as they could in the Chase especially the Earl of Lennox whose life he now tendereth as his Crown But this Earl after he had been taken by the Laird of Pardowye in cold blood was unnaturally slain by Sir Iames Hamiltoun who either killed or wounded on the face all that came under the dint of his Sword in the Rout. They found the Earl of Arran mourning over his Corps over which he spred his cloak the Laird of Howstoun lay dead by him the Master of Killmayers sore wounded at their comming maintained the fight and was by them with difficulty saved with so many others as either the Kings authority or their power could reskew This Conflict hapened in September After the victorious Earls had rested their wounded Souldiers and refreshed them selves in Lithgow they accompany the King to Sterlin and immediately march through Fyffe in quest of those who had been the cause of taking arms against them of which number the Queen was but the Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews was the most eminent who as before he had seconded Arran to surprize Angus so now he had stirred Lennox to the overthrow of them both Because Arch-bishop was not to be found for he as some record was turned a true Pastour and in Shepheards weeds kept sheep on some Hill they spoiled the Abbacy of Dumfermling and Castle of St. Andrews defacing all the Ornaments and carryed away the Moveables and stuff in them The Queen with her husband Henry Stuart and Iames his brother betook them to the Castle of Edenburgh which the Lords at their return besieged The Mother hearing her Son was amongst the Besiegers in person obtaining favour for her husband and his Brother caused the Gates to be cast open But for their safety such who loved them advised the King to commit them to that place during his pleasure Now the Earl of Angus and Arran summoned all who had born Arms against the King to appear in judgement and answer according to the Law as Traytors Some compounded for Sums of money others became Dependers of the Houses of Angus and Arran Gilbert Earl of Cassiles being summoned and compearing Hugh Kennedy his Kinsman answer'd the indictment that he came not against the King but to assist the King for proof of which he offered to produce the Kings own Letter Though the Earl of Cassiles escaped the danger of the Law he did not the fury of the Revenge was taken about some disparaging words for as he was returning home he was surprized in the way and killed Some write by the Sheriff of Aire but by the direction of Sir Iames Hamiltoun About this time the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and other Church-men in revenge of the spoiling of his Houses and persuing himself for questions of Religion burn the Earl of Arrans brothers Son Mr. Patrick Hamilton and banish Mr. Patricks brother Iames Sheriff of Lithgow Not long after mens wrath by time diminishing and their bloud growing colder the Arch-bishop having bestowed on the Earl of Angus Sir George his Brother and other their Friends some Church benefices and many Leases of Tyths was reconciled unto them and with appearance of great friendship they mutually entertained and feasted each others at the Christ-Mass in the City of S. Andrews But small confidence could be long among reconciled enemies Now went
every thing as the earl of Angus could have wished he was not only entire and familiar with the Kings person but with his Office some of his enemies were dead others overthrown in open Field with the rest he was reconciled No faction for power or richess was equal to his Nor remained there any Castle Fortress not ceised on by him and garrisoned with his Friends and Followers except the Castle of Sterlin a part of the Queens Dowry which being desolate by her Miseries and only haunted by some of her poorest and meanest Servants was neglected by the Earl which in him was a great errour the fitness of the place for a revolution and change of Court considered Many daies the Earl had not seen his own dwelling Places nor thought upon his private affairs being carryed away by the storms of Court now he thinketh he may securely pass to Lothian whilst at Faulkland the King shall be safely entertained by his Brother Sir George Archembald his Uncle and Iames of the Parkhead Captain of the Guards having earnestly entreated their attendance on the King he crosseth the Forth with resolution soon to return His departing was not so concealed but the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews had knowledge of it and he inviteth Sir George to see him in his City of St. Andrews to receive the Leases of the Tyths promised all now perfected valid and according to Law sufficient Whilst Sir George is here detained Archembald the Treasurer by other Letters for matters of love is inticed to Dundee But nothing could make the Captain of the Guards leave his Charge The King amidst his solitary Walks in his Park of Faulkland considering of what a tedious Train he was relieved and how suddenly occasion might turn her bald scalp if presently he took not hold of her resolveth to accomplish by Stratagem what the Factions of his Nobles could not perform by force It is delightful to understand every particular circumstance in the progress of the actions of Princes Upon this resolution he directeth the Forrester of the Park to give advertisement to such Gentlemen about who kept Hounds the next morning to attend him for he would early have his Game He suppeth sooner than his custom was entertaining the Captain of the Guards with more than usual ceremonies and representations of the next mornings sport withall inviting him to go to his rest the Night being short about the Summer solstice The Waiters all shifted and the Court husht shutting his Chamber door in the apparel of one of his Grooms unperceiv'd he passed the Guard to the Stable where with two who attended him with spair Horses he posted to Sterlin where by the Queens intelligence he was expected in the Castle When the certainty of this escape was noised abroad many Noblemen repair to Sterlin some by Letters sent unto them others at the rumour of his evasion that in a litle time he found him safe and far from any danger again to be surprized the Earls of Arguyl Atholl Glencarn Monteeth Huntley The Lords Graham Drummond Levingstoun Sainclaire Lindsay Evandale Ruthen Maxwell Simple the Earl of â—glintoun Rothess Iames Beatoun Arch-bishop of St. Andrews the Deviser of his escape The Earl of Angus full of miss-giving thoughts with many of his Friends was also on his way to Sterlin but Proclamations being made against him Discharging him from all Offices and publick functions and being by an Herauld forbidden with his friends and followers to come near the Court by some Miles under pain of Treason either moved by inward terrours or love of the Peace of his Countrey turned back to â—inlithgow where two days he attended News of the Kings pleasure which at last was declared That neither he nor none of his should presume by some Myles to approach his residence The more particular favours were That the Earl should confine himself beyond the River of Spay in the North whilst his Brother Sir George Dowglass should render himself Prisoner in the Castle of Edenburgh and there remain during the Kings pleasure When the Dowglasses had refused these offers they are cited to answer according to Law in a Parlament to be holden in September at Edinburgh Before the day of appearing the Earl of Angus accompanied with an able Train of his Friends and Followers essayeth to enter the Town of Edenburgh and there attend the comming of the King but by the Lord Maxwell and the L. of â—ochinvarre who in the Kings name had invested the Town he is kept out and the King with an unexspected suddenness with two thousand men comming from Sterlin he removed The Earl not appearing at the appointed day is by Decree of Parlament attainted and forfeited with his brother Sir George Dowglas Archembald Dowglas his uncle Alexander Drummonâ— of Carnock and others The points of which they were to be accused were The assembling of the Kings Lieges with intention to have assailed his person The detaining of the King against his will and pleasure and contrary to the Articles agreed upon the space of two years and more all which time the King was in â—ear and danger of his liâ—e At this Parlament some write the King made a solem oath never to give a Remission to any of the Dowglasses there forfeited as the Lords did never to intercede nor request for any of them and in disgrace of the Earl of Angus Henry Stuart who had married the Queen his wife was created Lord Meffan The Dowglasses having all favour denyed them being openly declarâ—d Enemys to the King and Countrey commit all hostility the last refuge of desperate men on their enemies bounds Caust-land and Cranstoun are burned they ravage even to the Gates of Edenburgh the harmless people suffering for the faults of the great under shadow of their followers all robberies and opprâ—ssions brack forth and by whomsoever committed are laid to their charge The King will not hear of them in any other terms than Oppresâ—ours and common Robbers In their defence they fortifie their Castle of Tantallon with the readiest provision taken from the nearest adjacent bounds In October the King raiseth a great company of Souldiours with great Ordinance and other Engins of War brought from the Castle of Dumbar Tantallon is beâ—ieged but provâ—th impregnable and David Faulconer the General of the Ordinance at their removing is slain A Commission is sent to the Earl of Bothwell as the Kings Lieutenant to invade with Fire and Sword in all places the Dowglasses which he either out of human compassion or that he knew wise States-men should extenuate the faults of others rather than aggravate them refused to accept But the Earl of Arguyl and Lord Hume accepted that charge prosecute them where they might be apprehended till after much misery and night-wandring at home they were constrained with Alexander Dummond of Câ—rnock who had been partaker of their misfortunes by his consanguinity with the Earls Mother who was Daughter to the Lord Drummond to fly into England
where they were charitably received and honourably entertained by King Henry the eight Now are the Offices and Lands of the Dowglasses disposed upon the Arch-Bishop of Glasgow Gaven Dumbar is made Chancelour Robert Bartoun who was in especial favor with the King Treasurer great Customer General of the Artillery and Mines and other their Charges are given unto others The King of England intending a War against the Emperour Charles the fifth sendeth Embassadours to Scotland for a certain time to treat a peace and if it were possible to reconcile the Dowglasses with the King Five yerrs truce was resolved upon but for the Dowglasses the King would hearken to no offers onely Alexander Drummond by the intercession of Robert Bartoun and the Embassadours had liberty to return home When the Earl of Northumberland and the Earl of Murrey who had full power to conclude a Truce had met the other Commissioners upon the Borders the factious great men and ranck Ryders there put all in such a confusion by urging difficulties that they parted without agreeing unto any articles or certain conclusions which the King took in so evil a part that divining from what head this interruption sprung he committed sundry Noblemen to the Castle of Edenburgh till they gave hostages and secured the borders from invasion or being invaded In the Moneth of Iune following with a great power he visited these bounds executing Justice upon all Oppressours Theeves and Out-Laws In Ewsdale eight and fourty notorious Riders are hung on growing Trees the most famous of which was Iohn Arm-strong others be brought with him to Edenburgh for more publick execution and example as William Cockburn of Henderland Adam Scot of Tushelaw named King of Theeves The year 1530. the King instituted the College of Justice before it was ambulatory removing from place to place by Circuits Suits of Law were peremptorly decided by Baylies Sheriffs and other Judges when any great and notable cause offered it self it was adjudged Soveraignly by the Kings Council which gave free audience to all the Subjects The power and privileges of this College was immediately conâ—irmed by Pope Clement the seventh In this Court are fifteen Judges ordinary eight of them being spiritual persons of the which the most antient is President and seven Temporal men The Chancellour of the Realm when he is present is above the President There are also four Counsellours extraordinary removable at the Princes pleasure This institution is after that Order of Justice which is administred in Paris first instituted by Philip the fourth the French King the year 1286. The King about this time storeth his Arsenals with all sort of Arms the Castles of Edenburgh Sterlin Dumbartoun and Blackness are repaired and furnisht with Ordnance and Ammunition Whilst no certain Truce is concluded between the Realms of England and Scotland the Earl of Angus worketh in this interim so with the King of England that Sir Eâ—ward Darcey is sent to the Borders who when his solicitation for restoring the Earl at the Scothish Court had taken no effect yea had been scorned after he had staied at Berwick with the Garrisoned Souldiers and some selected companies out of Northumberland and Westmerland maketh a Road into Scotland Coldingham Dunglas and adjacent Villages they burn ravage the Countrey towards Dunce Some Scottish Ships and Vessels were also at this time taken by Sea When a reason was sought of this invasion in a cessation of Arms and calm of Truce They require the Dowglasses may be restored totheir antient inheritances and whatsoever had been withheld from them and that Cannabiem a poor Abbacy be rendred to the English as appertaining of old to the Crown of England The Earl of Murray being declared Lieutenant maketh head against them but the English dayly increasing in number and his companies not being suffcient to make good against so many and large in cursions the power of Scotland is divided into four Quarters every one of which for the durance of fourty daies by turns taketh the defence of the Countrey The English finding by this intercourse of new Souldiers the War to be prolonged would have gladly accepted of Peace but they disdained to sue for it to the Scots it was thought expedient that the French a Friend then to both should be a Mediatour to reconcile them whereupon after an Ambassador had come from France Commissioners first meet at Newcastle and after at London Iames Colvil of Easter Weyms Adam Otterburn of Redhall William Stuart Bishop of Aberdeen the Abbot of Kinloss These conclude a Peace To continue between the two Realms during the two Princes lives and one year after the decease of him who should first depart this life About this time the secrets of the Ecclesiastical Doctrine and Authority beginning to be laid open to the view of the World the politick Government of Kingdomes began to suffer in the alteration and discovery The Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinando and Isabella King and Queen of Spain and Sister to the Mother of Charles the fifth Emperour had been married to Arthur Prince of Wales eldest Sonne to Henry the seventh King of England he dying by the dispensation of Pope Iulius the Second her Father in Law gave her again in Marriage to Henry his other Son the Brother of Arthur This Queen though fruitful of children and often a Mother brought none forth that long enjoyed life and came to any perfection of growth except one onely Daughter Mary Her Husband either out of spleen against the Emperrour Charles or desire of male children or other Causes known to himself pretended great scruples in his conscience would make himself and the world believe that his marriage was not lawfull After deliberation with his Churchmen whom he constrained to be of his mind he kept not longer company with his Queen his Churchmen used all their eloquence to make the Queen accept of a Divorce which she altogether refusâ—d and had recourse to the Pope who recals the cause to himself At Rome whilst in the conâ—istory the case is made difficult and the matter prolonged King Henry impatient of delâ—iâ—s and amorous divorceth from his own Queen and marrieth Anne Bullen 1533. Then the Pope with his whole Cardinals gave out their Sentence That it was not lawful for him by his own authority to seperate himself from his wife that his marriage with Katharine was most lawful not to be questioned and that under pain of Excommunication he should adhere unto her King Henry well experienced in the great affairs of the World considering how the threatnings and thunders of the Bishops of Rome even in these antient and innocent times when they were believed and reverenced in his Kingdom produced never great effects thought them to no purpose in a time when Doctrine was publisht to the World embraced and believed of numbers by which they were contemned and scorned upon this and other grounds he refuseth to obey and the Pope continneth his menacing This
of moderation he threatneth still to let fâ—ll the blow in the mean time holding his hand Thus to give satisfaction to his Court he formed a Process against King Henry and a most severe sentence but abstained from the publication of it during his pleasure Secretly sending many copies of it to those Princes he thought could be useful to his Designs when occassion should serve and he proceed with a constant rumor of the Bull shortly to be put in execution and publisht Amongst many interested in wrongs by the King of England considering there was none comparable to the Nation and King of Scotland he directeth hither Iohn Antonio Come peggio This Legate findeth King Iames at Faulkland 22. February 1535. and here with many Ceremonies and Apostolical Benedictions delivereth him a Cap and a Sword consecrated the Night of Nativity of our Saviour which the fame of his valour and many Christian virtues had moved his Master to remunerate him with Also saith the Original that it might breed a terror in the heart of a wicked neighboring Prince against whom the Sword was sharpned The Popes Letter in most submissive stile contained A Complaint for the death of John Bishop and Cardinal of Rochester miserably taken away by the hand of an Hangeman The Calamities of England occasioned by the Kings Divorce from Katharine of Spain and his Marriage with Anne Bullen That since the Roman Church had received great disgrace and a deadly wound and by patience procured more and more wrongs from the King of England She was constrained to use a sâ—aring Iron For the application of which she had recourse to his Majesty a Prince â—or his Ancestâ—urs Piety and his own renowned His aid maintenance protection she implored Since King Henry was a Despiser a Scorner One who set at naught the censures of the Church an Heretick Shismatick a shameful and Shameless Adulterer a publick and profest homicide Murtherer a Sacrilegious Person a Church-Robber a Rebel guilty of â—ese-Majesty divine outragious many and in â—â—merable waies a Fellon a Criminal By all Laws herefore 〈◊〉 to be turned out of his Throne The King of Scotland for the Defence of the Church would undertake something worthy a Christiâ—n King and himself he would endeavour to suppress Heresie defend the Catholick faith against those whom the justice of almighty God and judgments were now prepared and already ready to be denounced The King kindly entertaining the Legate answered the Pope with much regret for the estate and stubbornness of the King of England Who would not be struck with Pitty that a King who late amongst Christian Princes was honoured with the title of Defender of the Faith should be obnoxious to so many crimes that now amongst Princes he could scarce be reputed a Christian This compassion was common to him with others but he by a necessity of Nature and neerness of blood felt a more piercing sorrow he should leave no means untryed to recal his Uncle to the obedience of the Church and though by his Embassadours he had once or twice went about the same but in vain he would study a way how face to face he might give him his best counsel and remonstrate how much good he would do the Christian World and himself by returning again to the Chruch Mean while he requested him not to be heaady forward nor rash in executing the Sentence against his Uncle which would but obdure him in his seperation King Iames not having lost all hopes of Uncle directeth the Lord Arskin to England to acquaint him with the Emperours and Popes Embassages and to take his Counsel about a marriage with the Duke of Vandosms Daughter whom the Freâ—ch King had offered to him his own Daughter being weak and sickly In this Embasâ—age there was a complaint against the Londoners who in their passage to the Island fishing spoyled the Coasts of Orknay and the adjacent Islands with a Request that King Henry would not succour the Lubeckers against the Duke of Hulstein The King of England not to prove inferiour to the Emperour the Pope in conferring honours upon his Nephew admitteth him to the Fraternity of the Garter which he delivered to the Lord Areskin his Embassadour And thereafter dispatched William Lord Howard brother to the Earl of Norfolk as if that name were a sufficient Scar-crow to the Popes Sword and the Emperours Golden-â—leece to Scotland who made such hasty journeys that he prevented the News of his comming and at unawares found the King at Sterlin The Substance of his embassage was That the Kings of England and Scotland might have an interview at York at which meeting the King of Scotland should be declared Duke of York and General Lieutenant of the Kingdom of England That his Master having instructions of the Alliances offered him by neighbour Princes did offer to his own and his Counsels judgement if they could find a more fit than to contract a marriage with his Daughter which might be easily perfected if his Master and King Iames could condescend upon some few points When the King had taken these Propositions into deliberation the Church-men suspecting if this meeting and match had way the King would embrace the opinions of the new Reformers set all their wirs to overthrow it The neerest Successors to the Crown covering their claim and interest argued That to marry the Lady Mary of England who for many years would not be mariagable was not a right way to continue his race by procreation of children and that his impatience of living alone would not be much abated by marying a Child That King Henry projected this mariage to no other end than to hinder him from better Allyances or to facilitate an entry to the kingdom That when a Prince would take advantage of any neighbor Prince it was more safely done by alliance than open force That it was more safely King Henry being a wary Prince never meant to mary his Daughter at all as long as himself lived but to keep her at Home with him bearing many Princes in hand to save him from Dangers both at home and abroad which counsel was practised lately by the Duke of Burgundy Most oppose neither to the meeting of the two Kings nor to the Alliance but to the place of their meeting which seemed unto them of no small importance being in the heart of England and amidst the most martial people of that Nation They require the two Kings might have their interview at Newcastle this place when they meet being most commodious for furnishing all necessaries by Ships That the number of their Trayn should be agreed upon as one thousand which none of th two Kings should exceed That the time should be at the Feast of Saint Michael the Arch-Angel between the Harvest and the Winter which would hast the consummation of the Ceremonies and not suffer the Kings to prolong time but invite their return to their own chief and principal Cities When it was declared to
the Lord Howard that the consent of the Nobles of the Kingdom obtained the enterview at the Feast of Michaelmas at Newcastle might be condescended unto he would neither accept of the place nor time His Master having already as matter he had never put in question made great preparations for this interview at York that he would think his offers slighted and an affront put upon him if any excuses were alleged to the contrary Thus with some bravadoes to the Council he departed The King to give satisfaction to his Uncle of his Councils proceedings with the Lord Howard sendeth after him Sir Adam Otterburn of Red-hall who laieth the fault of his not appearing upon the Lord Howard complaining That he menaced the Counsellours and would have forced their votes that he was a great Friend to Sir George Dowglasse and other Rebels who convoyed him to Scotland and accompanyed him back again It was against the credit and honour of free born Princes to be threatned what was friendly begun should friendly continue and end Princes should not be constrained especially in matters which were not of Debt but benevolence Amidst these importunities and solicitations King Iames with five well manned Ships taketh the Seas giving out a Voyage for France and the French record it was his first adventure to come to them but it is more likely this proceeded from Policy of State to try the affections and demeanour of the great ones of his kingdome in his absence rather than any intended voyage towards Forainers For with this Fleet he arriveth at Orkenay there in some Forts placeth garrisons sails about the Islands of Sky and Lewes surprizeth the chief of thâ— Clannes of those Highland Islanders whom he sent for Hostages to the Castles of Dumbartoun and Edenburgh And when by the skill of one Alexander Lyndsay his Pilote he had sounded the remotest Rocks of his Kingdom he was driven by storms to take Land at Saint Ninians neer Whitehorn in Galloway This Voyage bread great fear in those Islanders and Savages and brought long Peace and quietness to those Countreys thereafter At his Return to Edenburgh for Disorders committed or surmised in his absence most part of the great Men neer the Borders are charged to enter their persons in Ward during the Kings pleasure Walter Scot of Balclough is committed to the Castle of Edenburgh the Lord Hume to the Castle of Down Farnchast to Faulkland the Laird of Iohnstoun and Mark Car to Dundee and others elsewhere He knew the common Riders never made incursions without either the command or tollerance of these Superiours The remote High-lands and Borderers made peaceable by the incarcerations of the Chiefs of the Clannes and Families there commanding he may when occasion is offered in person visite any neighbour Prince or State To second his former Embassadours in their suit in France he had sent the Earl of Murray William Stuart Bishop of Aberdeen with others and King Francis in regard of the indisposition of his Daughter Magdalen had made an offer to them of his nearest kins-woman The Kings mind having been long troubled with youthful thoughts by the many matches offered him and thinking marriages contracted and trusted to the eyes of others one way or other deficient resolveth to go in person and woe for himself Upon this resolution he imbarked at Leith concealing the intention of his Voyage many suppose he maketh for England to pacify his Uncle for many wished the same Whilst he is on the Ocean the Winds contrarying his course a violent Tempest separating his Ships the Pilote asketh him to what Coast he should direct his Course To any thou best likest answered the King except towards England the storm encreasing and sleep shutâ—ing up the Kings eyes these who accompanyed him command the Pilote to turn sails again for Scotland and not struggle with the pittiless Element for matters which might be delayed and a little time could not turn worse so when the King awoke he found himself neer his own Harbours upon the Forth and was so highly displeased with the Authors of his return that he never pardoned them the fault was laid on Sir Iames Hamiltoun and to stir him more against this Man there wanted not who said His obedience to his Prince was dissembled that he accompanyed his Master to no other end in his voyage than to cross his intentions so far as was in his power The season thereafter being more fit for Navigation he ascendeth again his Ships at Kirkcaldie and with a prosperous wind the tenth day after arrived at Deep in Normandy The Earls of Arran Arguyl Rothess Arroll Lords Flamin Boyd attended him with many Barons and Knights the Earl of Murray young Lennox and Cassiles the Lord Areskin and Abbot of Arbroth expected him at Paris but he preventing the fame of his comming with a small Trayn holdeth his way to Vandosm to see the Lady Mary of Burbon all which way one Iohn Tennant personating the Lord of the Company he passed undescryed But come to Vaâ—dosm whether the Lady had a Letter for the same from David Beatoun or that by matching the faces of one of those Strangers with a Pourtraict she had of King Iames in likeness as she said he was found out and challenged by the Lady of that fault which was easily confess'd and pardoned He found her very beautiful and eminent in all Princely excellencies but bethinking how he having choice of three Princesses all Daughters of Kings if he should fix his affection on this Lady at the first interview he should be obnoxious to the indignation of the other he returned as he came towards Rouen where his Nobles attended him and having understood King Francis was to give the Emperour Battel in Provence quitting his Retinue he posted towards him The Daulphine meeteth him at the Chappel between Tarray and St. Sophoâ—in in the Countrey of Lions King Francis receiveth him with as much honour as could be desired and convoyeth him to Paris the Peers of the kingdom haste from all quarters hither to entertain this Stranger Prince and the Court is changed into an Academy of Knightly exercise where King Iames proveth inferiour our to none in â—eats of Arms. Magdalen the Kings eldest Daughter is his Mistress a Lady fair young of a lovely countenance and comely behaviour above all others of the kingdom The Lady Margarite her younger Sister who after was marryed to the Duke of Savoy is offered to him by reason of the tender and weak disposition of her Sister but Magdalen by the glaunces of her Princely Woer reobtaining her health her body as it were following the Temperature of her Spirit or that it appeared to her self and her Father so King Iames continuing in his first resolution the marriage is contracted between them an hundred thousand Crowns of the Sun being promiâ—ed in Dowry besides thirty thousand Franks of yearly pension during the life of King Iames the jointuâ—e assured to her by the King of
the Process did depend it being a safer way in Judgement to absolve the guilty than condemn the innocent But the most part gave her over to the Assizers the better part of which being in voices fewer the greater who neither respecting conscience within them nor shame with the present age and posterity nor the supreme justice of Heaven find this poor Lady guilty and she is condemned to be burnt alive Her sentence was executed the fifth day after the beheading of the Master of Forbess on the Castle hill of Edenburgh in sight of her Husband who either out of Revenge or Fear after this tragical end of his Lady seeking to save himself by escape out of the Prison whilst he came over the Wall by the shortness of the Cable was dashed against the Rock and found dead Though the tender years of the Lord Glammes her son proved his innocency he remained prisoner in the Castle till after the Kings death The old Priest when after torture nothing could be proved against was set at liberty William Lyon the author of this calumny was banished the Countrey which justifyed the Ladies integrity and verifyed than however Princes love to find out Treason they hate the Informers except upon cleer grounds Upon the like suspitions Droomlenrigge and Hemps-Field antient Barons having challenged others had leave to try the verity by Combate the lists were designed by the King who was a Spectator and Umpire of their Valour at the Court of of the Pallace of Holy-rood-house They appeared upon the day armed from head to foot like antient Palladines and after many enterchanged blows to the disadvantage of their Casks Corslets and Vantbraces when the one was become breathless by the weight of his arms and thunder of his blowes and the other who was short sighted had broken his ponderous Sword the King by Heraulds caused separate them with disadvantage to neither of these Champions and the verity which was found was that they dared both fight in close Arms. The Abbot of Arbroth and the Lord Maxwell by many enterchanged letters full of Princely love had assured the King and the Lady Mary of Lorrain and articles being agreed upon to the great content of the French they were espoused by Proctors as is the costome amongst Princes with great triumph in the City of Paris in the presence of the French King and many Peers after which solemnity Monsieur d' Annabault Admiral of France accompanied herto New-haven in the beginning of the Moneth of Iune1538 where she embarqued and with many French Ships when she had been tost on the Seas came to Fysses-ness where at Cayrel she was attended by the Noblemen and the King who consumated the mariage in the Cathedral Church of St. Andrews in Iuly Nothing more linketh the affections of the marryed than children the first year the Queen answereth her husbands hopes and in S. Andrews was delivered of a Son who was named Iames the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and Earl of Arran being his God-Fathers and the Queen the Kingâ— Mother his Godmother 1539. in Febr. thereafter she was crowned Queen of Scotland in the Abby Church of Holy-rood-house by the Abbot of Arbroth at which time Margarite the old Queen falling sick at Methven in few daies departed and was buryed in the Chaâ—terhouse of St. Iohnstoun near the Tomb of King Iames the first The King her Son with all the Nobility and Gentry being present at her funerals which were celebrated in most solemn and pompous manner Not long after Iames Beatoun Arch-bishop a man of great age followed this Lady to the other World he had provided Successors to his Benefices and his Arch-bishops See to David Beatoun afterwards Cardinal whom the King accepted and admitted without contestation The kingdom now began to be divided in opinions of Religion they which held the helm of State labouring in vain â—o reconcile them the King was sore perplexed and uncertain what course to follow suppress them he could not to give way to them without shaking the strongest beams of the policy of his Kingdom seem'd unto him impossible his privy Counsellours being more of his antient Servants than Nobles or Church men of which many were piping through these flecked clouds of ignorance as they favored gave their opinions some one way some another and a freedome of speech being given one of them as they were in his chamber together spake to him to this purpose Sir amongst the many blessings your Subjects enjoy under this your Government this is not the least that for the Weal of your Majesty and the publick good of the Kingdome the meanest of your Subjects may freely open his mind and declare his opinion unto you his Soveraign And if ever there was a time in which grave good and sound couâ—sel should be delivered to your Majesty it is this and the difficulties of the Common-wealth do now require it Nor ever in matters of advice and consultation can we embrace and follow what is most reasonable and what according to Laws Iustice and Equity should be but what necessity driveth us unto and what is most convenient for the present time to be and what we may well and fairly accomplish and bring to pass The Estate of your Kingdome is troubled with diversity of opinions concerning Religion It is to be wished that the one onely true Religion were in the hearts of all your Subjects since diversity of opinions of Religion and heresâ—es are the very punishment of God Almighty upon men for their horrible vices and roaring sins And when Men forsake his fear and true obedience God abandoneth them to their own opinions and fantasies in Religion out of which arise Partialities Factions Divisions Strife intestine Discords which burst forth into civil war and in short time bring Kingdoms and Common-wealths to their last periods But matters arising to such a height and disorder as by all appearance they are like to advance in this Kingdom the number of the Sectaries dayly increasing without dissembling my thoughts to your Majesty The preservation of the People being the Supream and principal law which God Almighty hath enjoyned to all Princes I hold it more expedient to give place to the exercise of both religions than under pretence and shadow of them to suffer the common Peace of your Subjects to be torn in pieces What can wisdom Sir advise you to do with these Separatists Either they must be tolerated for a time or they must altogether be removed and that by death or banishment So soon as a Prince beginneth to spoil banâ—sh kill burn his people for matters abstract from sense and altogether spiritual he becometh as it were a Plague unto them It is an Errour of State in a Prince for an opinion of Piety to condemn to death the adherers to new doctrine For the constancy and patience of those who voluntarily suffer all temporall miseries and death it self for matters of faith stirr up and invite numbers who at
long ere now have satisfyed his ambiâ—ion and at more easie rate when the King his father with most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland receiv'd that fatal overthrow by the Hills of Flowden and Banks of Till the refusing of an interview might divide the King and his Vncle upon which might follow some unnatural War Upon the other part the Church-men set all their Power to hinder this interview perswading themselves it would give a terrible blow to their Estates or Religion The principal cause say they why the King of England is so passionately earnest to have this meeting is to perswade his Nephew to conform Church-matters in Scotland to those already begun in England to abolish the Popes authority to drive Religious persons from their Lands Rents Houses invest the jewels and ornaments of the Churches Which counsel and example if King Iames should follow he would hazard or lose the friendship he had with the Pope Emperour and French King his best confederates abandoned of which he and his Kingdom would be left a Prey to the tyranny of his Uncle if Henry kept no faith to God Men had no reason to trust unto him That this Interview was to intrap his person He being the man whom the Pope and Emperour had designed to set upon his Throne and revenge their quarels That it was grosly to err to he carried away with a shadow and appearance and leave a Substance to trust at once his Crown person and liberty to an Enemy And sith examples move more than precepts let him think upon the hazard of King James the first eighteen years Prisoner and after sold to his Subjects Malcolm and William Kings of Scotland He should remember if yet he were therein to be instructed that Princes serve themselves with occasions over their Neighbours that they have greater care to satisfy their ambition than fear of shame for doing of wrongs with the present times or posterity That their Oaths were no longer kept than they observed their advantages That after he falleth in his hands he ought to follow his manners Religion forsaking and giving over his own natural disposition manners and freedom have no other affections nor motions than his For who commeth under the roof of a Tyrant turneth slave though he was a free man ere he did enter That this meeting with the body would endanger the Soul and infect it with his errours corrupting it with false opinions grounded upon a liberty to live to â—ensuality and Epicurean pleasure If upon the slighting of this Interview King Henry should denounce war against King Iames and invade his Countrey they in his just defence should furnish moneys to entertain an Army and overturn his proceedings For the present necessity they offer to pay to him fyfty thousand Crowns yearly and in any hazard of the Estate voluntarily to contribute all their rents and revenues providing it would please his Majesty to suffer justice to proceed against those who scandalously had sequestred themselves from the holy Church and to the contempt of his Laws publiquely made profession of the opinioâ—s of Luther That the goods of all who should be convict of Heresie which they esteemed to no less than an hundred thousand Crowns of yearly Rent should be brought to the Exchequer and their lands annext to the Crown To this effect they intreat his Majesty to give them sufficient Judges truly Catholick and full of zeal and severity After long reasoning upon both sides it was agreed the King should not altogether refuse to meet his Vncle but adhere to the first to offer propunded to this Embâ—ssador concerning this Inter-view The meeting to be at New castle one thousand at the most in train with either King the time to be the Feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel These Conditions not being embraced by King Henry would if not abolish totally at the least prolong the time of this meeting the King of England thinketh his Nephew too imperious to assume the Injunction of the whole circumstances of their meeting but rather than his suit should take no effect accepteth both of the Place and number of the Train and that the might have some point yeelded unto him requireth the time may be the first of August These Conditions being almost agreed upon three or four hundreth Riddesdale and Tinedale men with other Borderers break upon Liddesdale and therewith large incursions kill and forrage This during the Treaty falling miserably forth so much irritated King Iames that accepting the offers of his Clergy he gave over inwardly all intentions of any inter-view By prolonging time labouring to winde himself out of the Maze Hereupon he sendeth Letters full of excuses for his stay representing his many grievances and wrongs suffer'd and the seeds of discord began now to be sowen amongst them To lightâ—n and recreate his cloudy thoughts the Queen is delivered at Sterlin of another Son who with great solemnity is baptized in the Chappel of the Castle and named Arthur The Prelates after mature deliberation present Sir Iames Hamiltoun natural Son to the Earl of Arran to be supream Judge of the Inquisition against all suspect of Heresie and new opinions differing from the Faith of the Roman Church The King approving their judgements in their choice admitteth him Sir Iawes chearfully accepteth this new honour For now his ambition will find many guilty miserable supplicants Yet was this charge his ruin For whilst he persecuteth all who were informed against to be suspect of the Reform'd Religion having many in Jayls and numbers in his Scrâ—les to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process the supream Providence arresteth himself Iames Hamiltoun Sherif of Linlythgow Brother to Master Patrick Hamiltoun Abbot of Ferme who had suffered for Religion and was cousin to Sir Iames Hammiltoun of Fennard Lord Inquisitor for embracing his Brothers opinions had been persued so by the Church-men that he was constrain'd to forsake his own Countrey and some yeers wander as a banisht man abroad But by his friends at Court having purchased a License or Protection for some moneths to see his desolate Family and put his private Affairs in order cometh home Where finding the censorian Power to be in his cousins hands for where should he have Sanctuary if he were challenged by so neer a Kinsman for matters of Religion imagining to himself an over-sight and preterition out-dateth by his stay his Protection Sir Iames to curry the favour of the Church-men and testifie how dearly the cause of the Catholike Faith touched him resolveth to begin with his Cousin For if he were so burnt up with zeal that he spar'd not his own blood in the quarrell of the Roman Faith what Heretick could pass unpunisht Besides the investing himself in the Sherifs Office and Lands which he never minded to restore he had a Picque against him for that whilst he sate Judge in Lithgow he pronounced a sentence by which he was interested in some petty gain The
to create as many out of the Gentry in whom being his own Creatures he might have great confidence than any made by his Predecessours After this he turned so retired sullen and melancholly that every thing displeased him and he became even insupportable to himself not suffering his Domestick Servants to use their ordinary disport and recreations neer him And as all day he projâ—cted and figured to himself new cares to perplex himself some of which might fall forth others could never come to pass So in the night time the objects of his dayly projects working upon his fantasie limmed their dark shadows of displeasures which gave him terribâ—e affright in his sleep Amongst many of which two are recorded as notable one in the History of the Church the other common both seem to have been forged by the Men of those times who thought fictions as powerful to breed an opinion in discontented minds as verities and they may challenge a place in the poetical part of History As he lay in the Pallace of Lithgow about the midst of the night he leaped out of his Bed calleth for Lights commandeth his Servants to search Thomas Scot his Justice Clark who he said stood by his Bed-side accompanied with hideous weights cursing the time that ever he had served him for by too great obedience to him he was by the justice of God condemned to everlasting torments Whilst they about him labour to cure his wounded Imagination news came that Thomas Scot about that same hour of the Night was departed to the other World at Edenburgh and with no better Devotion than he was represented to the King After Sir Iames Hamiltoun had ended his part of this Trage-comedy of life he seemed to the King to have returned on the Stage and in a ghastly manner with a naked Sword in his hands he thought he parted both his arms from him advertising him he would come again shortly and be more fully revenged till which occasion he should suffer these wounds The next day after this vision which is recorded to have been the seaventh of August word came that both his Sonns were deceased and that almost in one hour Iames the Prince then one year old at St. Andrews Arthur one moneth old at Sterlin The King of England finding himself disappointed by his Nephew of their meeting and understanding it to have been occasiond by the Rhetorick and liberality of the Churchmen having many of the Nobility of Scotland of his faction whose innocency interpreted his Religion to be the reformed though indeed it was of his own stamp for he abolished the Pope but not Popacy by making prizes of Scottish Ships upon the Seas with his Fleet and incursions of his garrison'd Souldiers upon land beginneth the prologue of an unnecessary war King Iames to stop the English incursions placeth George Gordoun Earl of Huntley with his full power and authority at the Borders and directeth Iames Lermound of Darcey towards his Uncle to give sufficient reasons of his not meeting him at Newcastle withall to seek restitution of his Ships sith taken before any lawful War was proclaimed and to expostulate the hostility of the Borderers King Henry not only refuseth render the Ships or give a reason for the breaking forth of the Garrisons on the Borders but delaying the answer of the Scottish Embassadour upon advantage of time sâ—ndeth Sir Robert Bowes seconded with the Earl of Angus and Sir George Dowglas in hostile manner to invade Scotland These to the number of three thousand burn spoil small villages and ravage the Countrey neer the debatable bounds The Earl of Huntley omitteth no occasion to resist them places garrisons in Kelsoo and Iedburgh assembling all the hardy Bordrers and invadeth the English and Scottish forces at a Place named Hall-den rig here it is soundly skirmished till the Lord Hume by the advancing of four hundred fresh Launces turned the fortune of the Day for the English were put to flight the Warden Sir Robert Bowes Captain of Norham Sir William Mowbray Iames Dowglas of Parkhead with a natural Son of the Earl of Angus were taken Prisoners the Earâ— by the advantage of his horse escaping with others to the number of six hundred The Warden staied in Scotland till the Kings death This Road happened prosperously to the Scots the 24. of August 1541. being a Dise-mall St. Bartholomew to the English The War continuing till Midsommer King Henry sent the Earl of Norfolk whom he named the Rod of the Scots with great power towards Scotland with him the Earls of Shrewsbury Derby Cumberland Surrey Hereford Angus Rutland and the Lords of the North parts of England with an Army of fourty thousand men as they were esteemed With them he directeth Iames Lermound of Darcey the Scotish Embassadour to keep an equal march till they came to Bâ—rwick and there to stay that he should not give advertisement to his Master of any of his proceedings the Earl of Huntley upon advantages of places resisting the adventuring Routs who essayed to cross the Tweed But King Iames hearing the old Duke of Norfolk was their Leader raiseth from all the parts of his Kingdom Companies and assembling them upon Sâ—wteryâ— edge mustered thirty thousand men They encamped on Fallow-Moor the King having advertisement that the Duke would march towards Edenburgh Ten thousand strong the Lords Hume Seatoun Areskin to make up the Earl of Huntleys forces are sent towards the borders The King himself expecting the Artillery and other furniture of War staieth with the body of the Army in the Camp Durin this time it is reported the Lords plotteth a Reformation of the Court according to the example practised at Lawder-Bridge especially against such who were named Pensioners of the Priests but because they could not agree among themselves about those who should stretch the ropes every one striving to save his kinsman or friend they escaped all the danger That this attempt being revealed to the King he dismist some of his favourites in great fear to Edenburgh So malitious is faction armed with power Thomas Duke of Norfolk by such in the Scotish Camp who favoured King Henry having understood the preparation and mind of King Iames to meet him in an open field well knowing that Fortune had that much of a woman to favour young men more than old and that honourable â—etreits are no waies inferiour to brave Charges retireth off the Scottish ground and keeps his forces on their own marches For the valour and resolution of this young Prince might perhaps spoil and divest him of his former purchased Lawrels and Palms to the applause of King Henry who some thought being wearie of his service to this effect sent him to Scotland A great number of the Lancastrianâ— and North-Humbrians who upon hopes of spoil had followed him pretending want of Victuals and the rigorous season of the year with arms and baggage leave this Army Having done little harm to the Scots and suffered much
for an Epitaph Ariosto who knew him onely by fame in the person of Zerbino whom he nameth Prince of Scotland glaunceth at his worth Zerbin di Bellezza e di Valore Sopra tutti i Signori eminente Di virtu essempio e di Bellezza raro In another place but Ronzard who with his Queen came to Scotland and was his Domestick Servant deseribeth him more to the life Ce Roy D' Escosse estoit en la fleur de ses ans Ses Cheveux non tondus commine fin or luisans Cordonnez et crespez flotans dessus sa face Et sur son col de laict luy donnoit bonne grace Son Port estoit royal son reguard vigoureux De vertus et de honner de guerre amoureux La douceur et la force illustroienâ—â— son visage Si que Venus et Mars en avoient fait partage So happie is a Prince when he cherisheth and is intertain'd by the rare spirits of his time that even when his Treasures Pompe State Followers Diadems and all externall Glory leave him the sweet incense of his Fame in the Temple of Honour persumeth his Altars A Prince's name is surer preserved and more deeply ingraven in Paper than in all the rusting Medalles blasted arches entombed Tombes which may serve to any as well as to him raised with such loss of time vaine labours of Artizans vast expence to be the sport of the Windes Raines Tempests Thunder Earthquakes or if they shunne all these of superstition faction and civil Broyles After this Prince had some years rested in a Tombe not only it but the most part of the Church was made equal â—o the ground by the Armies of his Uncle King Henry the eight whose malice left him not even when he was dead proing as horrible an Vncle as Nero was a son A while after he was transported to another Vault by the piety of his matchless Grand-child Iames King of Great Britain where he was embalmed again enshrined and his Coffin adorned with the Arms of the Kingdom cognoscances and a Crown With which Honours I leave him till some famous pen encouraged by the favours of his Royal Successours raise his Fame from the dust of obscure Papers to Eternity THE END MEMORIALLS OF STATE Considerations to the KING December 1632. THere is nothing more dangerous to a King than to suffer Majesty and that sacred respect which a Subject oweth him to be violated and his Fame and Reputation lessened by other mens boldness whose presumption may lead them forwards not onely to dally with his Person but with his Crown But his ears are so often guarded by these men that he never heareth verities till he hath granted what he cannot well amend and his wounds be incurable If a Prince hold any thing dear it should be the Right and Title of his Crown which concerneth not onely himself but his Posterity out of which a small Jewel taken away maketh it the less Radiant And to all Subjects that should be as Mount Sinai not to be approached In every case we should take greater heed to what in it is hurtful than to what is in it profitable for what profit and commoditie any thing carrieth with it easily presenteth it self unto us but any one point which may hurt us unless it be observed and carefully taken away may overthrow and bring to nought all that hath been rightly intended The restoring of the Earl of Monteeth in blood and allowing his descent and title to the Earldome of Strathern is thought to be disadvantageous to the King's Majesty and that a more dangerous blow could not be given to the Nobleman himself We may easily conjecture of things to come and imagine them by those of the like nature which have proceeded The Stage of the World is the same still though in times the Actors be changed and come about again For the Kings Majesty it would be considered if Henry the sixth King of England would if it had been in his power reclaimed the approbation restoring in bloud and allowing of the descent and title of Richard Duke of York who openly in Parlament thereafter made claim for the Crown as in his own â—ight laying down thus his title The son of Ann Mortimer who came of Philipe the Daughter and sole heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence third Son to King Edward the third is to be preferred by very good right in Succession of the Kingdom before the children of Iohn of Gaunt the fourth Son of the said Edward the third but Richard Duke of York is come of Philipe the Daughter and sole Heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence third Son to K. Edward the third then to be preferred before the children of the fourth Son who was Henry The like reason may be alleged in the Title of the Earl of Strathern The children of a first marriage by the common Law are to be preferred in the Succession before the children of the second marriage for the marrying of Elizabeth Moor did but legitimate and make her children to succeed after the children of the first marriage As for the authority of a Parliament it would be considered whether or not the Authority of a Parlament may confer and entail a Crown from the lawful Heir thereof to the next apparent heirs Or if an Oath given unto a King by mans Law should be performed when it tendeth to the suppression of Truth and Right which stand by the Law of God Then if one Parlament hath power to entail a Crown whither may not another Parliament upon the like conside rations restore the same to the righteoâ—s heirs But the Subject resigneth all his right to his King It would be considered whether a Subject may safely capitulate with his Prince that is to say give over and quit-claim all right and title which he hath to his Soveraigns Crown his Right being sufficient and if by his capitulation his heirs be bound and if it be honourable for a Prince to accept his conditions The trouble which Edward Baliol raised in Scotland is yet recent to the Readers of Histories Notwithstanding that his Father Iohn Baliol had resigned unto Robert King of Scotland all the right and title which he or any other of his had or thereafter might have to the Crown of Scotland concerning any interest or claim which might be avouched for any cause or consideration He anno 1355. gave to Edward the third King of England a full resignation of his pretended Right of the Crown of Scotland As before being assisted by the said King and the confederate Gentlemen of Scotland in a Parlament holden at Perth where he had been confirmed King of Scotland by the three Estates It would be considered if the Pope the Kings of Spain or France after some revolutions of years seeking to trouble the Estate and peace of this Isle should entertain and maintain one of the Heirs of the Earls of Strathern as Queen Elizabeth did Don Antonio the
Prior of Crato who claimed the Crown of Portugal to reclaim whose Kingdome She sent the Earl of Essex and Drake or should marry one of them to their neerest Kinswomen and send him armed with power to claim his Title to the Crown of Scotland as King Iames the fourth of Scotland practised upon Perkin Warbeck naming himself Richard Duke of York to whom he gave in marriage Lady Katharine Gordoun Daughter to the Earl of Huntley and thereafter with all his forces to estable his said Ally in his Title invaded England It would be considered whether they had a fair bridge to come over to this Isle It would likewife be considered if the Earl of Strathern though a mean Subject these two hundred years having been debarred from all title to the Crown and now by the indulgency and exceeding favour of the Prince being restored to his descent in bloud and served Heir to his great Progenitors and indirectly as by appendices to the Crown if either out of displeasure or for want of means to mainâ—tain their estates he or his should sell and dispose their Rights and Titles of the Kingdom of Scotland to some mighty and Foreign Prince such as is perhaps this day the King of Sweden who wanteth nothing but a title to invade a Kingdom not knowing whither to discharge his victorions forces It would be considered if that title disposed to that Priuce were sufficient to make him King of Scotland Or if establiâ—hing his right upon fair conditions such as is liberty of conscience absolution and freedom from all taxes and subsidies the transferring of Ward lands into fewd the people of Scotland might give him their Oath of Alleagiance or if he might redact the King of Scotland to give him satisfaction and compound for his right of the Crown of Scotland It would to these be considered If times should turn away the minds of Subjects from their Prince by superstition sedition and absolute Rebellion as what may not befall an inconstant ever wavering Nation to an Aristocratie Oligarchy Democratie or absolute Anarchy If the Rebellious subjects and abused Populace might not make advantage of such Men who draw their titles from Evanders mother to trouble the present times That nothing could be more dangerous to the Nobleman himself than this service may be understood by the like examples Clouis King of France having understood that a Nobleman of Artois named Canacare blown up by Power had vaunted that he was come and lineally descended from Clodion le Chevelu and by that same Succession was heir of the Crown of â—rance closed not his ears to it saies the History but caused extirpate that Sower of impostures and all his Race Henry the fourth King of England after the deposure of King Richard the second kept Edmond Mortimer Earl of March who had a just title to the Crown under such Keepers that he could never do nor attempt any thing till he dyed But Henry the seventh King of England took away Edward Plantaginet Duke of Warwick Heir to George Duke of Clarence by reason of his jealousie of Succession to his Uncle Edward the fourth Margarite Plantaginet his sole Daughter married to Sir Richard Pole knight by Henry the eight restored to the Earldom of Salisbury was attainted threescore and two years after her Father had suffered and was in the Tower of London beheaded in whose person dyed the surname of Plantaginet Anne Plantaginet Daughter to Edward the fourth being marryed to Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norâ—olk was the ground and chief cause wherefore King Henry the eight cut off the head of Henry Earl of Snrrey though the pretended cause whereon he was arraigned was the bearing certain arms of the house of York which only belonged to the King Mary Queen of England cut off the head of Lady Iâ—â—e Gray and the Lord Guilford her Husband for their title to the Crown and that same reason was the overthrow and finall destruction of Mary Queen of Scotland by Queen Elizabeth The Duke of Guise by a Genealogy deduced from Charles the Great in the raign of Henry the third the French King was thought to aspire to the Crown of France and suffered at last for this and his other presumptions It is notoriously known that these two hundred years the Race of Euphane Ross in her children David Earl of Strathern and Walter Earl of Athole and all their Succâ—ssion by all the Kings of Scotland sithence have been ever suppressd and kept under and for reason of State should still be kept low and under unless a Prince would for greater reason of State aduance them to give them a more horrible blow and by suborning mercinary men make them aim above their reach to their last extirpation Dum nesciunt distinguere inter flamma praecipitia Princeps quem persequitur honorat extollit in altum An intended Speech at the West Gate of Edenburgh to King JAMES SIR IF Nature could suffer Rocks to move and abandon their natural places this Town founded on the strength of Rocks now by the chearing Rayes of your Majesties presence taking not only motion but life had with her Castle Temples and Houses moved towards you and besought you to acknowledge her yours and her indwellers your most humble and affectionate Subjects And to believe how many souls are within her circuits so many lives are devoted to your sacred person and Crown And here Sir She offers by me to the Altar of your glory whole Hecatombs of most happy desires praying all things may prove prosperous unto you that every Virtue and Heroick Grace which make a Prince eminent may with a long and blessed Goverment attend you Your Kingdomes flourishing abroad with Bays at home with Olives presenting you Sir who art the strong Key of this little World of Great Britain with those keys which cast up the Gates of her affection and design you power to open all the springs of the hearts of those her most Loyal Citizens Yet this almost not necessary For as the Rose at the fair appearing of the morning Sun displayeth and spreadeth her purpleâ— So at the very noise of your happy return to this your native Countrey their hearts if they could have shined through their brests were with joy and fair hopes made spatious Nor did they ever in all parts feel a more comfortable heat than the glory of your prefence at this time darteth upon them The old forget their age and look fresh and young at the appearance of so gracious a Prince the young bear a part in your Welcom desiring many years of life that they may serve you long all have more joies than tongues For as the words of other nations far go beyond and surpass the affection of their hearts So in this nation the affection of their hearts is far above all they can express by words Daign then Sir from the highest of Majesty to look down on their lowness and embrace it accept
hunger and cold at Bâ—rwick he prepareth a retreit towards London When King Iames understood the Duke had repassed the â—weed he encouâ—aged his Army to follow him The Common Souldier was indifferent the Noblemen refuse to fight except upon Scotish ground The King urgeth them with the commodity and advantage of a Revenge of the old wrong of the Duke commanding an Army neither of the Gentry nor many Nobles of England but of Hirelings and presâ—ed Artizans whose number would prove hurtful to themselves and turn them in a disordered confusion They had many daies suffered famine and all necessities of War their vigour and courage was spent that the English fought far off and they at home There wanted not matter to answer but a man to deliver the King an answer generally they refuse to fight To defend the person of their Prince the State and Countrey they would hazard their their lives and if they had any thing more dear If the enemy would stay on Scotish ground they would do their uttermost to make him retire or by main force expel him But to invade England and tempt an Army who not only was retired but returned to their own bounds they neither had so justâ—a quarrel as they wisht nor were they sufficient at that time to pursue them Their proyisions for war were spent the winter approached victuals consumed that despare often turned it self into true fortitude and men in good Order retiring would not be too neer followed that even flying enemies should have Bridges of Gold Now if they were to charge the Enemy they would not have the Kings presence a man young rash valorous upon whose life not onely the glory of the Battel but the life of the Common-wealth depended his two Sons being Lately departed For if the fortune of War brought a period to his life the Crown would remain at the mercy of the Victor that the Kings glory was not little that he had in so short a time with so small forces and these suddenly gathered stop the progress of so mighty an Army which was so long in gathering and boasted of such great matters yet which 〈◊〉 not advance one mile in Scottish ground Whether the English flye or retire they had suffered as much wrong as they had done and now to fight them and that perhaps with disadvantage was to put in hazard what was already acquired The Duke of Norfolk returning to London the King with his Army commeth to Edenburgh which immediatehe disbanded but he forgot not the secret Plot against his Favourites nor the open refusal of his Nobles to fight on English ground as if the Earth were not all one piece and matter and men the destinade inhabitants of it every where the Cardinall David Beatoun Oliver Saintclair Craggyâ— Ross and others adde fewel to these flames Falla-Moor plot mightily inâ—tigating them The King avouched publickly That the Nobility neither loved his honour nor desired his continuance amongst them To cooll these smooking humours and breed in the King fairer hopes of his Nobles the Lord Maxwel offereth giving him ten thousand men to command if the State thought it expedient to invade England at Salloway affirming the State and fortune of those who assail to be better than theirs who are still put to their defence The English forces being divided he doubted not to stay longer on English ground than the Duke had done on the Sootish and to effectuate somthing to the Kings content The King thanking him for his offer appolnteth a Rendezvous to be at the West Marches No proclamations are divulged for the Levies of men but close Letters sent The Cardinal and the Earl of Arran the one a Church-man of a mind above many Nobles the other a Noble-man of an humilitie under any Church-man to give false perspective to those proceedings by sound of Trumpets and beating of Drumms raise men openly march toward Hadingtoun and the East Borders Whilst the Earls of Cassiles Glencarn Lords Flammin Sommervail Arsekin Barons Aytoun Langtoun Ormestoun Waughtoun and many others accompanied with the Kings domestick Servants ride to the West Borders The night before the Road the King himself came to Loch-Maban attending the event of the inâ—ursion Companies comming from all quarters of the Countreys about none knowing of another with the power of the Scotish Borderers pass the Water of Esk burn certain Hamlets of the Grahams on the very limits Sir Thomas Whartoun Warden of these Marches not a little troubled at such a frequent assembly of the Scotish Riders raising the power of the Countrey placeth them by a little hill where he might take a view of their forces in good order with him were Bastard Dacres and Iack Musgrave two valiant Captains The Scotish Lords beholding the English range themselves in a Battallion desire to know the Kings Lieutenant General for now it was to marshall their Companyes and every man to take him to his Charge Presently Oliver Saintclair upon crossed Pikes is mounted the Kings Banner displayed and the Commission read in which he is designed Lieutenant and all commanded in the Kings name to obey and follow him It hath been reported by those who were acquainted with Oliver that the Commission was not read but that at his very sight such a tumult confused clamour and enter shouldering of Male contents arose their rancks were broken the military order turned into a confusion none so repining as the Lord Maxwel and the Borderers Who if he had had patience to have heard the Commission as Oliver protested was Lieutenant and not he whose charge was only to present it The English who now were ready for the Fight observing this disorder take the advantage upon the occasion and brake forwards with a military shout whilst the others are in doubt whether to flee or stand and the Guidiats and Scullons are pesle mesle thronging with the foot Soldiers and they with the Horsemen Here is a general surprize most part willingly rendering themselves to the English without any shew of defence or the slaughter of any person of any side This overthrow proveth that neither arms nor thâ— multitude and numbers of Souldiers without their love and hearts availeth any thing in a Field yea rather they are hurtful the more in number they be if their affection be alienated from their Commanders It is recorded that at this road which was named Solloway-Moss every English had three or four Scots for Prisoners and when their wanted men to take them the women of the neighbouring Hamelet and Boys had Prisoners the Earls of Cassiles and Glencarn the Lords Maxwel Flammin Sommervail Olivant Gray Robert Areskin Son to the Lord Areskin Oliver Saintclain The Lairds of Craggy Aytoun Langtoun Ormestoun Waughtoun many of the Kings Domestick Servants were taken Prisoners brought to London and remained there till after the Kings death The certainty of this voluntary defeat comming to the King at Loch-Maban or Carlawfroke as others so astonished all the powers of