going through France he spent it all and told his Holiness when he came to Rome that he had been robb'd by the way Whereupon presently another Legat was sent to Britain But the People hearing how they were cheated of their Money by the last procured an Order discharging this not to enter the Kingdom King Alexander dyed in Peace the thirty fifth year of his Reign and was buried at Melross 95. Alexander the third succeeded his Father A. D. 249. Being nine years of Age at his Coronation Ambassadors were sent to England demanding Margaret King Henry the third's Daughter in Marriage for King Alexander which was granted the next year the two Kings had a meeting at York where the Marriage was Solemnized During his Minority the Realm was well Governed by his Nobles taking the Government upon himself his first work was to summon the Earls of Monterth Athole and Buchan and the Lord Strabogy who were all of the Name of Cumings they not daring to appear were denounced Rebels They being now afraid thought nothing so much for their safety as the having the King in their Power which they got and confined him in the Castle of Sterling but the Earl of Athel who was the head of the Party dying their Hearts failed them and every one of them getting his Remission they set the King at Liberty soon after the Danes with a great Army invaded the Country the King with his Forces went against them and routed them killing twenty four Thousand of them the King returned to Norway with only four Ships which was all that was left of his whole Fleet. At this time Alexander Earl of Carrick passed to the Holy-Land having a Daughter who succeeded to his Estate she Married Robert Rance Lord of Annaudale and bare to him that noble and invincible Champion Robert Bruce King of Scotland King Alexander had two Sons by his Queen viz. Prince Alexander and David and one Daughter Margaret who was married to the King of Norway she bare to him Margaret called the Maiden of Norway The King and Queen going to London to the Coronation of King Edward the first David the second Son dyed in their absence within a few years after the Prince dyed at Lundores to the great Grief of the Nation and not long after the King dyed by a fall from over a Rock at Kinghorn the thirty seventh year of his Reign Leaving none of his own direct Line to succeed him The Nobility having met upon this so important occasion they put the Kingdom into the hands of six Regents for the South side Robert Arch-Bishop of Glasgow John Cumine and John the great Steward of Scotland For the North the Arch-Bishop of S. Andrews Macdiff Earl of Fife and Cumine Earl of Buchan Edward of England sends to demand the Daughter Grand-Child in marriage as next Heir to the Crown which was agreed too but the Death of the Lady frustrated all that Negotiation by which means great contention arose between Bourn and John Baliol. Baliol managing the English and Bruce the French interest Baliol being in the second degree of relation and Bruce in the third the one being David Earle of Huntingtons Grand Child the other his great Grand Child matters standing thus the whole was referred to King Edward who coming to Berwick and calling Lawyers to his assistance pretends all equity but raised up eight other Competitors the better to weaken the claim of the other two and so handled the business that Bruce having refused the Crown in Homage to England upon his aceptance of these conditions 96. John Balliol was declared King A. D. 1293. In the fourth year of his Reign an Appeal being made against him to King Edward by Mac-Duff and he refusing to rise from his Seat to answer it King Edward enters Scotland masters the Country takes Baliol and sends him Prisoner to London and afterward to France where he dyed long after in Exile About this time Sir William Walace arose who to his Honour did so Heroically defend his Country in its low condition as made it easily appear that if he had had as happy a fortune to advance as he had to relieve he might have been Commemorated for as great a man as ever was in any age for having upon a quarrel Slain a Young English Gentleman and enforced to lurk in the Hills for safety of his life he became inured to such hardness that awaking his natural Courage he be came the Head of all the Malecontents and filled both the Kingdomes with his terror so that having gleaned up to a tumultuary Army he became Baliols Viceroy thus after some little skirmishes he reduced all beyond the Forts after which he went to England and Ranged up and down for some time and returned without opposition after which the English enters Scotland with a great Army and finding the Scots disposed under three Leaders who disputed among themselves for Priority quite routed them but soon after they made a general insurrection to oppose which King Edward sent Ralph Conniers with a great army who a by tripple Victory were defeated at Kolkin All this while Robert Bruce continued with King Edward who weary of the Kings delays and offputs at last strikes in with John Cumin Baliols Cousin german they agreed that Bruce should have the Kingdom and Cumine all Bruces Lands Cumine notwithstanding communicates this agreement to King Edward Bruce hath notice and by shooing his Horse backward escapes to Lockambban there he finds Cumines Letters advising to cut him off upon which he hastens to Dumforess where he heard that Cumin was and after his exprobrating his infidelity Stabs him dead in the Franciscan Monastery About the same time Walace was traiterously Betrayed by Sir John Monteits at Glasgow and delivered to the English and being brought to London was Cruelly executed in Smithfield and his Limbs hung up in the most Eminent places 97. Robert Bruce was after he had stayed for the Popes absolution for defiling the Monastery with the murder of Cumine Crowned at Scone 1306. a Valiant and Heroick Prince he had many Enemies both at home and abroad which Edward taking advantage off with the assistance of the Cumines quite Routed him forcing him to the Hills where he endured great Misery to the great ruine and Slaughter both of his Family and Friends but making to gether some little force he took Carrick and Innerness by surprisal and by this means augmented his Train so that he was in case to withstand Edward having obtained a considerable Victory though sick and forced to be held on horse back this gave him time to take in the remaining strength but they were within a year retaken from him which incouraged Edward the second to enter with a great Army to Scotland but had a great defeat at Bannokburn which occasioned the loss of Berwick and Bruces confirmation in Parliament some few years after were spent in light Skirmishes and Incursions Robert having some rest
sent to bring home the Queen he was no sooner gone then his Interest at Court began to fall for a Parliament being called the Lord Boyd and his Brother Sir Alexander are summoned to appear thereupon he distrusting this Case fled to England but his Brother was taken and Arraigned the Earl of Arran also though absent is declared a Rebel The Queen arriving with her fleet arriving in the Ferth My Lady Arran went aboard in disguise and informed her Husband of the calamity of his House perswaded him to do for himself whereupon he hoisted Sails and returned with his Lady to Denmark The King sendeth Letters full of promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland which when she did she was constrained to be divorced from her Husband and to Marry James Lord Hamilton not long after the Earl of Arran dyed in great misery at Antwerp Queen Margaret the third year after her Marriage brought forth a Son who was named James the King of Denmark to Congratulate the happy delivery of his Daughter released all his claims to the Isles of Orkney and Sherland but in the midst of this calm a cloud begins to overcast the Kings Splendor for his Brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless spirits they set themselves altogether to study Novelties and to bring him into contempt with his Subjects to this end they had drawn away many of the young Nobility and Gentry to follow them The King was Naturally Superstitious giving much head to divinations which gave also his Brothers occasion to vilifie him and incense his people against him yea the Earl of Marre became so Insolent that in the Kings own presence he began to raile against the Government of the state and Court which the King highly resenting caused to Imprison him where he fell in a high Fever whereof he dyed The Duke of Albany imputed the death of his Brother to the Court party but while he was keeping his Cabals in order to an Insurrection he was surprised and Imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh out of which he soon after made his escape to France thence he came to England and began to tamper with King Edward revealing to him the weakness of the Kingdom of Scotland and how easily it might be subdued the Nobility not respecting the King but much affecting a change in the Government which by his assistance might easily be effected he promised also to settle a corespondence with the Nobles of Scotland which he did then that they might get their design wrought gives way for the breaking loose of the Borders fierce incursions are made by the English upon Scotland and by the Scots upon the English and the discontented Nobility blame the King for all thereupon pretending the necessity of the times and the danger the Kingdom was in they entered into a Bond of association after which they enter the Kings bed chamber where they seized some of his Servants in his presence and put them to death as incendiaries in the state About this time the Duke of Gloucester set forward toward Scotland with two and twenty thousand men finding Berwick two strong for him he marches directly to Edenburgh there by publick writings at the Market places he gave out high demands all which King James being shut up in Edenburgh Castle answered with silence the disatisfied Lords having obtained what they chiefly aimed at wished the English at home again therefore they desire a peace with them which the Duke of Gloucester granted upon condition that all his demands were satisfied one of which was to reinstall the Duke of Albany which after much debate was granted and he with his Army returned home The Duke of Albany having recovered his Estate and Honours his first work was to restore the King to his Prerogatives reconciling him to his discontented Lords but he himself stood not long in his favour for by the advice of some of his Enemies about the King a Plot is resolved upon to bring the Duke within compass of Law which he being aware of fled to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester his grievancies in his absence he is convinced of many points of Treason whereupon he and the Lord Crightton his Associate are both forfeited which when he heard he presently caused to give up the Castle of Dunbar whereof he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately put a Garison in it Not long after the said King Edward dyed and his Brother Richard Duke of Gloucester Succeeded The Duke of Albany obtains five hundred Horse from King Richard with which he came with the old Earl of Douglass to Lochmabban to surprise a Fair which was held there whereupon the Laird of Johnston who was warden dispatched Posts about for supply of men with which he Encountred the Duke here it is most Couragously fought on both sides but at last the English are quite routed the Duke hardly by swiftness of his Horse escaped but the Earl of Dowglass is taken and brought in Triumph to Edenburgh where the King adjudged him to perpetual confinement soon after followed a Truce with England for three years but before the time was expired Henry Earl of Richmond came with some Companies out of France of which that Famous warriour Bernard Stewart Lord Albany Brother to the Lord Darnly had the leading which by the resort of his Country men turned into an Army and Rencountred Richard at Bosworth where he was killed and Henry Proclaimed King of England King James taking advantage of this change besieged Dunbar which was soon surrendred upon Articles After this King Henry sent Embassadors to King James to agree if possible upon a lasting and firm Peace between the two Crowns at length after some difficulty they agree upon a Truce for seven years The King having settled a Peace with England betakes himself to the Exercise of Religion having founded a Colledge for divine Service in the Castle of Sterling he endeavoured to annex the Priory of Goldingham to it The Priors of this Convent having for many years been of the Name of Humealedged that they were wronged of their Right First they began to Petition but finding this uneffectual they began to associate with their Neighbours giving it out that the King was a meer Tyrant not to be trusted by which means many of the Hearts of the Subjects were alienated from the King The King understanding how things stood he made choice of a Guard to defend his Person resolving to live beyond the River Ferth of which when the Lords of the Insurrection were certified they surprize the Castle Dunbar and tumultuously over-run the Countries besouth the Ferth Thus coming to Lithgow they resolved to make the Duke of Rothesay the Kings own Son their Head whom having corrupted his Keepers with Bribes they constrained to go with them But the King loosing neither Courage nor Councel passeth the Ferth near Blackness with his Forces before his arrival at this place
His Royal Highness IAMES DUKE of Alban◠and Yorke only Brother to his sacred Mayesty Lord High Com̄issioner of Scotlan◠Medulla Historiae Scoticae Being a Comprehensive HISTORY OF THE Lives and Reigns OF THE KINGS OF SCOTLAND FROM FERGVS the First to our Gracious Sovereign CHARLES the Second CONTAINING The most Remarkable Transactions and Observable Passages Ecclesiastical Civil and Military with other Observations proper for a Chronicle faithfully Collected out of Authors Ancient and Modern To which is added A brief Account of the Present State of Scotland the Names of the Nobility and Principal Ministers of Church and State the Laws Criminal A Description of that Engine with which Malefactors are Tortured called the BOOT LONDON Printed for Randal Taylor near Stationers Hall 1685. To the Most Noble JAMES Earl of Perth Lord Drummond and Stobhall c. Lord Justice General of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND One of the Extraordinary Lords of the SESSION and one of the Lords of His MAJESTIES Most Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL in that KINGDOM THIS Compendious History of the KINGS of Scotland is Most Humbly Dedicated by Your Lordships Most Humble most Faithful and most Obedient Servant W. A. TO THE READER I Shall not detain the Generous Reader with Flourishes upon the Grandeur and Glory of the Scotish Crown nor tell you that it may Vie Antiquity with the Ancientist Monarchy of the Vniverse that I leave to your Vmpirage when you have compared the following sheets with the Histories of other Nations Only thus far I will assure you that Scotland will be found to be a Country Pregnant of Wonderfull Changes and Revolutions a Theatre whereon Divine Providence has I Exhibited divers remarkable Instances of it's Peculiar Care over Crowned Heads and where all Treason and Disloyalty has been persued with utter ruine and Destruction It can show a Race of Kings Vnparallel'd for their Bravery and Gallantry in the Defence of their Country and Protection of their Allies and for their Heroicism in Assisting and redresing the Miserable and Opprest But I leave their own Acts as represented in the following Mirrour to make good my assertion and shall proceed to offer something in my own Vindication for I am liable to some Reprehension for Cramming so Large so Bulky a History into so small a Volum but if it be considered that all the Curious have neither the leisure to peruse nor the means to provide a larger I hope I shall need no farther Apology upon that point nor need I advocate much for differing much from many Authors as to the Origin of our Nation since I have followed the most Authentick and have only vary'd from those whose writings are vanished with Monckery and savour more of the Legend than true History Besides the plain bomespun manner wherein all these matters are deliver'd will disgust several who only delight in what is Flaunting and Trick'd up with all the Ornaments and Gawdiness of Rhetorick and Elocution but be it known I fitted my stile for the Capacities of Vulgar Readers such as becomes a History not a Panegyrick and what squars best with the Tongue of both Kingdoms wherein there was never yet any Chronicle publish'd of the Realm of Scotland so as that those who were unacquainted with the Latin were excluded from the knowledge of the Primitive state of so Illustrious a Kingdom After having fitted this account for the Common use by divesting it of a Pompous Dress and a too Stately Dignity of stile my Chief Care was to avoid Partiality by a stedy and Cauterous stearing between Buchanan and Bishop Lesley Seylla and Charybdis where vast Funds of Wit and Learning might easily have wrought the shipwrack of an unwary Pilot so that tho' a great part hereof is a translation of Eminent Authors yet I left my Originalls when I found 'em bias'd and avoiding their Extreams boul'd directly to the Block THE Introduction HIstory has been reckon'd one of the most Generous amusements of the greatest Personages and the loftier the Subject the more agreeable the Entertainment Now for the Advantages and Dignity of a Scotish Chronicle I will not so much insist upon it's Novelty and the wonderful Vicissitudes it contains as the Preheminency of that Crown over all Common-wealths Empires and Monarchies which by stating their several Claims and Pretences will sufficiently be made appear The Emperor Challenges the first Rank as succeeding to the Roman Emperors who are supposed to have been universal Monarchs the French King pretends also to it upon the Account of his being Stiled the most Christian King with other such Pretences The King of Spain also pleads it as his Right being the most Catholick King and King of manyest Kingdoms In this Debate of theirs we are not a little concerned our business therefore shall be to prove First that the King of Great Britain hath an unquestionable Right of Precedency to all the above named Princes Secondly that he hath it it as King of Scotland First he founds his Precedency to them all 1. Upon his being a absolute Monarch of the Isle of Great Britain which was first Christian 2. Upon his being one of the Quatuor nucti which were before all other Kings 3. That having Conquered France he hath Right to all it's Titles by which he carries it clear from the Spaniard or any other Competitor and Lastly that it was granted him even as King of England by the Popes themselves in the General Councils so that had they not relinquished his Papacy it is like his Holiness had not as yet questioned their Title to it II. His Majesty as King of Scotland may justly claim the Precedency from all those Princes it being by Lawyers declared the uncontroverted use of Precedency That amongst those of equal Dignity he who first attained to that Dignity is to be preferred This being a Rule among others Dignities we see no reason but that it should hold here This being granted I subsume that the King of Scotland being equal in Dignity with the Kings of England France and Spain attained to that Dignity before either of them for the first King of Scotland Reigned about three hundred and thirty years before the birth of Christ Whereas the English Historians Confess that they cannot reckon higher than eight hundred years after Christ Nor can either the French or Spaniard come up to the English for the French take the Origine from Hugh Capi who Usurped that Crown Anno. 987. And the Spaniards from Rudolphus King of the Romans Elected 1273. But here it is objected by some that the Kings of Scotland were Vassals to the Kings of England and did them Homage for the Crown of Scotland and so can Claim no Precedency amongst any free Princes far less amongst such as are of the first magnitude This some English Historians do with great Confidence aver but that their Ignorance or Malice or both may appear we are Content to refer the matter not only to the Respect the General Councils
gave to the Representatives of the Kings of Scotland which was only due to free Princes together with the Judgment of Forreign Princes Lawyers and Historians about it but also to the acknowledgment of the Kings of England themselves 1. King Henry of England having intreated the Assistance of Alexander King of Scotland against Simeon Earl of Leicester did by Letters under his hand publickly declare that he did not crave this Assistance as Superior to which Superiority he had no pretence but to which is very Considerable the King and Parliament of England have treated with the Ambassadors of Scotland whereas no Superior can Treat with his own Vassal as a Forreigner We freely Grant that the Kings of Scotland did hold the Lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland in Capite of the Crown of England which yet was no Disparagment to them that being most ordinary amongst Sovereign Princes for thus Henry King of England and several others of their Kings did Homage to the Kings of France for the Provinces possest by them in France as the King of Spain also doth this day to the Pope for Naples and Sicily And yet the Homage done for those Countries have been the occasion of an Ignorant mistake in some and a malicious Pretence for others to Mis-represent it as done for the Kingdom of Scotland Advertisement By reason of the Authors absence from the Press several Faults have escaped which the Reader is desired to amend A List of the KINGS of SCOTLAND 1 FErgus 2 Ferithar 3 Main 4 Dornadill 5 Hothat 6 Râ—ther 7 Rutha 8 Thereus 9 Josine 10 Finnane 11 Durst 12 Euen 1 13 Gill 14 Euen 2. 15 Eder 16 Euen 3. 17 Metelan 18 Caratack 19 Corbred 1. 20 Dardan 21 Corbred 2. 22 Luctack 23 Mogald 24 Conar 25 Ethod 1. 26 Satrael 27 Donald 1. 28 Ethod 2. 29 Athirck 30 Nathalock 31 Findoch 32 Donald 2. 33 Donald 3. 34. Crathilinth 35 Fincormach 36 Romach 37 Angusian 38 Fethelmach 39 Ewen 1. 40 Fergus 2. 41 Ewen 2. 42 Dongard 43 Constantine 1. 44 Congall 1. 45 Goran 46 Ewen 3. 47 Congall 2. 48 Kinnatell 49 Aidan 50 Kenneth 51 Ewen 4. 52 Ferchard 1. 53 Donald 3. 54 Ferchard 2. 55 Maldwine 56 Ewen 5. 57 Ewen 6. 58 Amberkelleth 59 Ewen 8. 60 Mordach 61 Etfin 62 Ewen 7. 63 Fergus 3. 64 Solvat 65 Achaius 66 Congall 3. 67 Dongall 68 Alpine 69 Kenneth 2. 70 Donald 5. 71 Constantine 2. 72 Eth. 73 Gregory 74 Donald 6. 75 Constantine 3. 76 Malcolm 1. 77 Indulf 78 Duff 72 Culen 80 Kenneth 3. 81 Constantine 4. 82 Grim. 83 Malcolm 2. 84 Donald 7. 85 Macbeth 86 Malcolm 3. 87 Donald Bane 88 Duncan 89 Edgar 90 Alexander 1. 91 David 1. 92 Malcolm 4. 93 William 94 Alexander 2. 95 Alexander 3. 96 John Balliol 97 Robert Bruce 98 David 2. 99 Edward Balliol 100 Robert 2. 101 Robert 3. 102 James 1. 103 James 2. 104 James 3. 105 James 4. 106 James 5. 107 Henry Stewart and Mary Stewart 108 James 6. 109 Charles 1. 110 Charles 2. AN EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND THe Scots by the most judicious Writers and by those who have most carefully studied not only their own Antiquities but those of other Nations are acknowleged although they be not of the greatest to be undoubtedly among the most antient People in Europe But to speak more particularly of their antient Nation we must know that the whole Island 〈◊〉 it is a part was at first called Albion or Albium As Theophrastus Ptolomy Tacitus and Seneca tells us which Name the true race of the ancient Scots retain to this day calling the ancient Country Albin and themselves Albinich always keeping their primitive Name notwithstanding of the many different People that have since inhabited it The Etymology of this Name is disputed by many but it seems to be really derived from Alb or Alp signifying a Hill or high place The antient Inhabitants of the Northern parts of this Island were called Scots who were divided into two sorts the one who were the first Possessors and this Posterity doth inhabit it to this day were called the Scoto-Brigantes Some have taken upon them to be very accurat in giving an Account of their descent and the manner of their coming hither even from the far ends of the Earth but with so little appearance of Truth that I will not put my Reader nor my self to the trouble to refute it The most probable Conjecture and that which carrieth most Evidence with it is that these first Inhabitants came in Colonies from Spain to Ireland nor is it improbable that these Colonies were Originally from France who either for want of Accommodation to live at home or being thrust out by stronger hands came over to Ireland where they continued long for either themselves or their Children desirous of new Habitations transported themselves to the north Islands where they continued in an unsetled Course of Life for a long time the time of their entring Albion is said to have been from the Creation about 3530 years The first place they took Possession of was Argyle they being divided into sundry Tribes elected every Tribe their own Captain to govern them in Peace and War this very name they had in great Veneration Then after about 150 as some write a German or as Beda saith a Scythian Navy arrived upon the coast of Ireland being as is probable beat thither by a Tempest having neither Wives or Children with them the men were in want of every thing having by tedious Sailing consumed all their Provision They sent to the Inhabitants desiring they might have a residence among which they told them they could not afford in regard of the Barrenness of the place and the multitude of Inhabitants that possess it already but that there was a habitable Land called Albion not far from them whether they might go it being for the most part as yet un-inhabited and such as did inhabit it like to ruin one another by civil Discords Those men afterward called Picts following their Advice set Sail and came to that part of Albion that lyes toward Germany and having Landed soon beat out the Inhabitants and made them draw themselves within less bounds Possessing themselves of Caithness Ross Murray Merus Angus Fiffe and Lothian together with Orkney which some say was their first Habitation They were a civil People Ingenious and Crafty both in Peace and War Having fixed their residence they sent Messingers to the Scots desiring their Daughters in Marriage alledging that if they condescended it would highly conduce to the Welfare of both of them being thereby made strong for either an offensive or defensive War with any of their Neigbours This message the Scots at first rejected but upon mature Deliberation they condescended So having agreed upon the Terms which were that they should concur with all their Forces when they were invaded and as often as the Crown of Picts came to want an Heir
convened his Nobles intending to determine the right of Inheritances which some had unlawfully kept in these unsettled times this begat a Conspiracy which being detected a meeting was held at Perth there by their own Papers many were Convicted and Executed but some Pardoned In the mean time a Legat came from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See to threaten the Scots into a Peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marched as far as Stainmore Edward in revenge raiseth a most powerfull Army Robert therefore considering that his force would not be in case to resist so great a Power caused all the cattel to be carryed unto the Avious retreats of the Hills that they might not be serviceable to the Enemy whereupon the English for want of Victuals were forced to retire Bruce pursues them as far as Yorke there he obtained a great Victory About this time the family of the Hamiltons took their rise one of them killing an English Gentleman fled to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day Bruce now having subdued his enemies begins to compose himself to the cares of Peace and by Act of Parliament settles the Crown upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stewart his Grand-child by his Daughter soon after Thomas Randolph and James Dowglas were sent with a flying party of horse into England from whence they returned without any considerable action saving only that Dowglas with two hundred horse beat up the English quarters cutting two ropes of the Kings Tent with his Sword and made a good retreat Bruce finding himself wasted with Age retyred to the Abby of Kilross leaving these three Counsels behind him First not to let one man Solely command the Ebudae Secondly never to put all their strength at one Hazard with the English Thirdly never to make long Truces with them Thus he dyed leaving Charge with the Valiant Dowglas to go to Jerusalem whither himself designed an Expedition which the Dowglas performing he afterward Joyned with the Christian Princes against the Turks and Saracens where he obtained several great Victories He purposing to return home was driven by a Tempest upon the Coast of Spain where he joyned with the King of Aragon against the Saracens and obtained great Victories at last he was killed by an Ambushment that was laid for him of purpose thus ended the Noble and Valiant Dowglas one of the most renowned warriours that lived in his days It is said that he was thirteen times Victorious against the Turkes and Sarazens and fiftie seven times against the English In the preceeding age there was a Gate in Dansick called the Dowglas port in memory of this Dowglas King Robert dyed at Cardross the twenty fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 98 To him Succeeded his Son David Bruce A. D. 1330. Being seven years of age Thomas Randal who was continued Governour kept the country in entire peace and prosperity which King Edward hearing of hired a Monk to kill Randal by poyson the Monk giving out that he had great skill in curing the Stone where with the Government was sore troubled came to be in favour with him which gave him opportunity to perpetrate his Villany how ever the Poyson did not take effect at first but the Monk returned home and told King Edward that he had done his business who immediately raising a great Army came to the border of which the Governour being advertised presently marched against him himself not being able to ride nor go was carryed in a litter when King Edward heard that the Governour was there in person he sent an Herald under pretence of seeking peace whom the Governour received with a very austere countenance when Edward was by the Herald certified of the truth of his being alive he returned home and burnt the Monk alive The Governour returning home dyed at Musselbrough after his death the Earle of March and the Earle of Marr were chosen Governours in which they were scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Balliol was seen in the Fryth with a formidable Fleet his Army consisted of both English and Scotch the Earle of Stafford with divers other English men of note were with him the Governours raised two great Armies to oppose the Balliol he came near the water of Hone where he pitched his Tents the Earle of Marr also encamped within view of him but he slighting the smallness of their number took little care of himself the Balliol in the night time passed the water of Erne having intelligence of the Ford by a stake set up for that purpose and entering the Earle of Marrs Camp killed him in his Bed with many other Noble men and Gentlemen namely the Earle of Carrick Sir William Hay Constable of Scotland Alexander Frazier also Robert Keith Lord Marshal Balliol past immediately and beseiged Perth and soon overcame it The Earle of March being encamped at Ochterarder and hearing of the Earle of Marrs death and the taking the Town of Perth marched thither and beseiged it but after he had filled the Ditches and put himself in a case to make an assault he most shamefully left it thereupon 99. Balliol usurped the Crown at Scone A. D. 1332. coming from thence to Perth they that adhered to David Bruce beseiged him and his party upon the other hand his adherents wasted and destroyed the beseigers country Perth being well fortified was by the King committed to the Earle of Fiffe as Governour of it but the Sons of them who were killed with the Earle of Marr at Duplin beseiged and took it committing the Governour to the Castle of Killdrummie Andrew Murry of Tullibardin was Executed for fastning the stake in the Ford of the River Erne whereby Balliol and the Englishmen were directed the Night wherein they Surprised the Earle of Marre Therefore John Kandal Earle of Murry and the Earle of Galloway gathered a great Army and came against Balliol and quite routed him killing many of his Nobles and taking many Prisoners the Kingdom being thus divided the one part for Balliol the other for Bruce the King of England thinking it a fit time for him to make a full Conquest of Scotland raised a great Army and beseiged Berwick mean while Archibald Dowglass raised an Army and entring the Borders Burnt all before him to divert the King of England from the Seige King Edward advertised of this sent a Messenger to Sir Alexander Setonn who was Governour telling him that if he did not presently render he would hang his two Sons whom he had in his hands which he refusing to do the two Young Gentlemen were presently hanged then the Governour came with an Army to Northumberland where a most Bloody battel was fought on Halidown-hill and the Governour himself with many Nobles killed thereupon Berwick was rendered and Edward Balliol Established King who sought by
enough neither had they Ammunition enough to Engage with so strong an Enemy in his own Country that they thought it enough that upon their approaching they made the English retire if not fly for whether they did fly or retire they had suffered as much Wrong as they had done The King finding them thus obstinate returneth with his Army to Edenburgh where he immediately Disbanded them he begins most bitterly to reflect upon the Noble mens refusing to Invade England which was aggravated and abetted by Cardinal Beatâ—n Oliver Sinclave and others The Lord Maxnel seeing the King so highly Offended desired His Majesty to give him Ten Thousand men and he would ingage his Honour to effect something to the King's Satisfaction the King thanketh him for his Offer appointeth a Rendezvous upon the West Marches No Proclamations are divulged for the levies of Men but close Letters sent The Cardinal and the Earl of Arran March towards Haddingtoun and the East Borders and several Earls Lords and Barons accompanied with the King 's Domestick Servants ride to the West Borders The Night before they rode the King himself came to Lochmabban to attend the Event Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches much troubled at such a frequent Assembly of the Scottish Riders raising the Power of the Country placeth them by a Hill where he might take a view of the Forces The Scottish Lords beholding the English putting themselves in a Fighting posture desire to know the King's Lieutenant-General whereupon Oliver Sinclave is mounted upon crossed Pikes and the Commission read wherein he is designed to be Lieutenant and all Commanded in the King's Name to follow him No sooner began the Commission to be read but such a Tumult and confused Clamour arose in the Army that there was no Order kept every thing running in Confusion The English taking advantage of the Disorder brake in among them while they stand in Amaze doubting whether to Fly or Stand. Here is a general Surprize most part willingly rendering themselves to the English without any shew of Defence many of the Nobility and Gentry were taken and carried Prisoners to London where they remained till after the King's Death The certainty of this voluntary Defeat coming to the King at Lockmabban so Stupified and Astonished him that he had neither Council nor Resolution what to follow apprehending by this and their former Actions that the Nobility had Conspired his overthrow After which he came to Faulkland where he gave himself over to Sorrow Now are his Thoughts busied with Revenge as also with rage against his Nobility Long Watchings continual Cares and Passions abstinence from Food and Recreation had so extenuated his Body that pierced with Grief Anguish Impatience Despair he remained affixed to his Bed To Comfort him Letters came from Lithgow to him That his Queen was delivered of a Daughter when he heard it was a Daughter he turned his Face from them that read the Letter and Sighing a Farewel to the World It will end as it began sayes he the Crown came by a Woman and it will go with one The Cardinal put some blank Papers in his hand of which they Composed a Letter-Will which whether he Subscribed or not is uncertain After which he spoke not many Words that could be understood he Dyed the Thirteenth of December Anno Dom. 1542. in the Thirty-Third Year of his Age and Thirty-Second of his Reign not without Suspition of having got an Italian Posset by the Cardinal's means The King was no sooner Dead leaving his young Daughter who was afterward called Mary to Succeed then the Cardinal proclaimed his Last Will wherein were expressed four Protectors or Regents of whom himself was the First and Principal and with him were joyned the Earls of Huntly Argyle and Murry But within a Week after the Chase was turned For the Earl of Arran being advised by the Lord of Grange who was Treasurer and Master Henry Balneaves with some others caused to Assemble the Peers of the Realm representing to them his undoubted Title to the Government of the Kingdom during the Minority of her to whom by Line he should Succeed if she want Succession of her own body The Cardinal opposed himself and all his Interest against Arran but it was carried by many Voices whereupon Arran was declared Governor and with publick Proclamation invested in his Office A Parliament soon followed wherein the Clergy most violently pressed That severe Edicts might be Published against those they called Hereticks But others Propounding in Parliament whether such of the People as could not speak Latine might not have the Word of their Salvation in the Language they understood as Lawfully as they that understood Latine must have it in that Language it was Voted Affirmative and at last after much debating it passed into an Act That it was free for all Men and Women to Read the Scripture in their own vulgar Tongue and all Acts made to the contrary were rescinded King Henry before the Parliament was ended sent an Ambassador to Scotland whose Embassage was to Contract a perpetual League and Amity between the Two Kingdoms and that all Occasions of Wars might be taken away a Match was proposed by the Ambassador between young Prince Edward and the Queen of Scotland which was by the Governour and Parliament Accepted whereupon they sent their Ambassadors to England where things came so far that both Partyes declared their Agreement in all Particulars except the time when the young Queen should be delivered to the English The Papists foreseeing what would probably follow if the Queen should be put in their Enemy the King of England's hand begin with all their might to Oppose it about this time the Governors base Brother John Hamilton came from France who was very helpful to his brethren the Papists in carrying on all their Affairs At last partly by few promises of great Things and partly by Threatning to declare him an Enemy to Holy-Church if he complied not they make him Condescend to break with England whereupon ensued great and bloody Wars between the Two Kingdoms for King Henry immediately sent a strong Army to Scotland who came as far as Edenburgh committing great Hostilities In compensation of which the Scots enter England Burning and Destroying all before them returning again with great Spoil Mr. George Wishart being by Cardinal Beaton burnt Alive for the Protestant Religion the said Cardinal was surprized by Norman Loslie Master of Rothes William Kirkaldie of Grange and John Loslie of Park-Hill in his Castle of St. Andrews and put to Death Possessing themselves of the Castle for their Security knowing that now they were to have many and powerful Enemies which accordingly fell out for the Papists procure an Army from France under the conduct of Monsieur Deosel who besieged the Castle and soon after took it King Henry being now Dead his Son King Edward sent an Army of Ten Thousand Men to Scotland The Popish Party there procures the
the next of the Womans blood should succeed the Scots gave their Daughters in Marriage to them But the Brittons who inhabited the South parts of the Island suspecting that this affinity between the Scots and the Picts might tend to their prejudice sent Ambassadors to the Picts perswading them to break with the Scots by this means the Scots suffered extreamly many of their People who dwelt among the Picts being surprized and cut off in Compensation of which they cut off as many of the Picts as they could catch thus they for a long time wasted one anothers Country with continual Incursions at last they resolved to put it to the hazard of a General Battle The Scots assembling in Argyle consulted what was fit to be done and considering that they had not only to do with the Picts but with the Brittons also therefore it was agreed to send Ambassadors to Ireland to have the Advice and Assistance of their old Friends and Progenitors in this Affair and finding that by having many supreme Captains Sedition and Division increased amongst them they resolve to elect one to have the supreem Government over the rest Their Ambassadors arriving in Ireland and representing their condition to Ferchard King of Scots he was much concerned at the wrongs done them therefore he sent his Son Fergus a wise and valiant Prince accompanied with many gallant Soldiers sending with him also the fatal Marble Chair for his incouragement Upon his arrival he called a Councel in Argyle where having made an elegant Oration he was by Unanimous Consent elected King of the Scots 1. Thus Fergus the first King of Scots was Crowned in the fatal Marble Chair which he brought with him from Ireland in the year from the Creation 3641. before the coming of Christ 330. about the beginning of the fourth Monarchy when Alexander the Great vanquished Darius the last Persian Monarch Soon after the Picts assisted by the Brittons invaded the Country against them the King most valiantly took the Field with his fierce Scots when the two Armies approached one another the Brittons stood off in Battle Array resolving that when the Scots and Picts had sufficiently weakened one another in Battle to break in upon them and destroy them both this by a Fugitive Britton was discovered to Fergus whereupon he desired an interview with the King of Picts wherein representing the eminent hazard that both of them were in by the Treachery of the Brittons after mature Deliberation it was determined that they both should convert their Arms against the Brittons this resolution was most pleasing no doubt to the Picts Wives to see their Husbands and their Fathers agreed The Brittons seeing this disappointment of their hopes break upon the Picts pillaging and spoiling at their Pleasure which when Fergus heard of he went against them and with the Assistance of the Picts he totally routed them killing their King his Name was Coil with many of his Nobles Upon this Victory the Nobles and Subjects agreed that Fergus and his Posterity should inherit the Crown of Scotland for ever whereupon Charters and Evidences were granted to them ratifying the same The Kingdom of Scotland being thus confirmed to Fergus and his Successors he with Advice and Consent of his Councel divided the whole Land then inhabited by the Scots among his Nobles and Captains making many Laws to repress Vice and Disorders Not long after he was chosen Arbitrator to determine some high Controversies amongst his Friends in Ireland whereupon he went thither accompanied with many of his Nobles and setled all their Debates But returning home he was by a tempestuous Storm driven upon a Rock in the Sea where he and all the Nobles in his Company perished this Rock is called after his Name Carrib-Fergus Thus dyed this brave and valiant Prince in the five and twentieth Year of his Raign to the unspeakable Grief and loss of his Subjects 2. Fergus being dead left two Sons behind him Ferlegus and Atainus neither of which were capable presently to manage the Government because of their tender years Whereupon a Convention was holden by the Nobles for electing of a King wherein some were for choosing one of the late Kings Children alledging that they were bound by Oath to continue the Crown in Fergus his Succession others aggravated the Danger both at home and abroad under the Government of a Child At length after a long Debate it was enacted that when it happened their King should dye the Heirs begotten of his Body being Children the nearest of the Royal Blood being the best qualified for doing of Justice should succeed and possess the Crown for his time and after his Death the former Kings Son to succeed without any impediment if he is found fit for Government This Law was in Force till the Reign of King Malcom the third Thus by this Law Feritharis Brother to Fergus the late King was chosen who begun his Reign in the Year of the World 3666. before the coming of Christ 305 Years from the beginning of the Reign of Scotland 26. Feritharis Reigned fifteen years with such Equity and Modesty that his Subjects found him an excellent King and his Nephews an excellent Tutor but at length Ferlegus having an itching after the Government and having got some loose young Men upon his side went to his Uncle and boldly demanded the Kingdom from him alledging that he enjoyed it only by way of trust during his Minority Feritharis upon this called a Convention of the Nobles where he willingly offered to resign the Kingdom in Favours of his Nephew but they being sensible how happy they had hitherto lived under his Government and knowing that the other was of a rude untractable disposition by no means would hear of it soon after there was a Conspiracy discovered against the Kings Person managed by Ferlegus and some others Whereupon he was presently arraigned and found Guilty but his Fathers memory his Uncles desire to the Parliament prevailed to have him pardoned and committed only to the keeping of some who were commanded to take special notice of all his Actions but he found a way to deceive his Keepers and make his escape he first fled to the Picts then to the Brittons where he spent the rest of his days in great Misery within a Month after Feritharis dyed not without Suspicion of being poysoned by some of his Nephews Accomplices which so inraged the Nation against him that his very Memory was hateful 3. Mainus Fergus his second Son succeeded in the Year of the World 3680. before Christ 291. After the beginning of the Reign forty one He was a noble Prince and a severe Justitiary he renewed the old League with Crinus King of Picts he dyed peaceably the 29th Year of his Reign 4. His Son Dornadill succeeded him in the Government in the Year of the World 3079. before Christ 262. after the beginning of the Reign seventy he followed his Fathers Foot-steps in Equity and Justice but was more
there was so cruel a Battle fought that Night drawing on both Parties retired but the Scots and Picts understanding that the Brittons had left the Field they returned to their Camp where they found great spoil which they divided by Law of Arms and returned home Victors where Ewenus spent the rest of his days in Peace he dyed the nineteenth of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 13. Durstius his two Sons who were the nearest of the Royal Line after Evenus his Death began to contend for the Crown in the mean time Gillus base Son to Evenus having got together some Villains for his purpose suppresseth them both and Murthers them then sets himself upon the Throne A. M. 3802. before Christ 79. after the Reign 252. But not thinking himself secure so long as any of Durstius his Posterity were extant resolved to take off his three Nephews who were in the Isle of Man the eldest two he caught in his Snare and killed but the third was conveyed away by his Nurse in the Night time and carryed to Argyle where she kept him for some years in a Cave for fear of the Tyrant who was at last killed in Battel in Ireland whether he had fled by Caldebus the Captain of the Brigrands the second year of his Reign 14. Evenus the second King Finnans Nephew succeeded in the Government A. M. 3894. before Christ 77. years a good Institutor he confirmed the Peace with the Picts having married Gethus the third King of Picts his Daughter he afterward overcame Belus King of Orkney in Battle who finding no way to escape killed himself He also built Innerlosher and Innerness he dyed in the seventeenth year of his Reign 15. Ederus Durstius his Brothers Son succeeded in the Year of the World 3911. before Christ 60. after the Reign 271. Bredus of the Isles Cousin to Gillus the Tyrant brake in upon the Country the King went presently against him and overthrew him and his followers and burnt their Ships he afterward assisted the Brittons against Julius Caesar in England where by his means a Glorious Victory was obtained he dyed in Peace the forty eight year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 16. To him succeeded Evenus the third his Son A. M. 3959. before Christ 12. This man came to such a height of Luxury that not being content that he took an hundred noble Women to be his Concubines he made an Act that every Man should keep as many Wives as he pleased so that he had an Estate to maintain them and another that the King should have the first Nights enjoyment of a Noble mans Lady allowing the Noble men the same priviledge from their Inferiors He was afterward taken in Battle and imprisoned where he was killed by a young Child the seventh year of his Reign 17. Mettallan's Nephew to Ederus succeedeed A. M. 3966. before Christ 4. after the Reign 326. A King universally beloved because that in his time there was universal Peace abroad and Tranquility at Home but yet he could not reduce his Nobles from the Riotous habit that they acquired in his Predecessors time he dyed Peaceably the thirty ninth year of his Reign 18. To him succeeded Garratacus his Sisters Son A. M. 4005. A. D. 35. He first composed some Tumults that were in the Isles upon the late Kings Death then assisted his Neighbours against the Romans Some report that in his time Orkney was conquered by Claudius the Emperor and the King and Queen of it sent in Triumph to Rome After many bloody Battles fought with the Romans he at last was desired by Vespasian to submit to them and he should be reputed a Friend to the Senate and enjoy great Honours to which he answered that the Kingdom of Scotland was as free to him as the Kingdom of the Romans was to Caesar he dyed Peaceably the twentieth year of his Reign 19. To him succeeded his Brother Corbred A. M. 4025. after Christ 55. after the Reign 385. The Islanders who almost in every Interregnum stirred up Sedition hoping for a Change therein divers expeditions quite subdued by him He suppressed Thieves going frequently from place to place doing Justice he dyed in the tenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 20. Corbred's Son being a Child the Parliament chused Dardan Nephew Metellan A. M. 4042. after Christ 72. there were great hopes had of him at first but within three years he degenerated and became an odious Tyrant murthering and destroying all the wisest and best of his Councellors and to compleat his Villainies hired a Ruffian to murther Corbred's two Sons who were in the Isle of Man but the Traitor being taken just ready to perpetrate the Villany was forced to discover the whole Plot Whereupon the Nobles Unanimously resolved to revenge the Treason but the King absconding himself and his Forces being defeated by the Nobles was at last taken and his Head struck off the fourth year of his Reign 21. Corbred the second Surnamed Galdus cometh next to the Throne after Christ 76. A Couragious and warlike Prince in his days the Romans had greatly inlarged their Borders for having quite routed the Brittons they went as far North as the River Tay and had probably gone further had not that Valiant warrier Agricola been called home by Domitian who envied his Success he was no sooner gone but Corbred came with an Army and made a great slaughter among the Romans pursuing them from one place to another till at length they were glad to beg their Peace which was granted upon very Honourable terms Corbred having spent the rest of his days in Peace dyed the thirty fifth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 22. Luctacus succeeded his Father Corbred Anno Dom. 110. A most Flagitious man given to all kinds of Lewdness and Cruelty which his Nobles perceiving at a Convention of the States began to reprove him for his Wickness and Tyranny He being inraged at this commanded some of them to be put to Death but instead of being obeyed they fell upon him and his Complices and killed them the third year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 23. To him succeeded Mogald Corbred the second Sisters Son A. D. 113. the beginning of his Reign was fortunate for he Governed most Prudently and Successfully He discharged the Romans from approaching the Confines of his Kingdom and defended the Picts from them he defeated Lucus with his Romans in Westmorland and obtained a great Victory In his time Adrian the Emperor came into Brittain where he built Adrians Wall from the mouth of Tyne to the Flood of Esk fourscore miles in length he was killed in the thirty third year of his Reign 24. Conar succeeded his Father Mogald A. D. 149. Who became a cruei Tyrant and was suspected to have had a hand in Conspiring his Fathers Death he did greatly dilapidate the Rents of the Crown by his Extravagancies being forced to call a Parliament he
D. 420. A Valiant and Victorious Prince he managed the Government by the help of the Valiant Grame whose father was banished out of Scotland with Ethod Brother to King Eugenius the first who married a Virgin of the Blood Royal of Denmark She brought forth a daughter to him which was married to Fergus the second Eugenius his Father this Grame being the Kings Grandfather was mighty helpful to him against the Romans for he pulled down the wall of Abercorn built by the Romans called afterward Grames Dick as also Adrians Wall over against the Irish Seas By his help the Kings of Scots and Picts past with Fire and Sword through all the bounds between Tyne and Humber here they fought a most bloody Battel in which there were 15000. Britains killed together with most of their Princes and Nobles but few of the Scots by which means they totally expelled the Romans out of Britain and brought the Britains under Contribution reserving also to themselves the whole Land lying between Tyne and Humber This Prince dyed the one and thirtyth year of his Reign having the seventh year delivered his Country from the Romish Yoke 496 years after that Julius Caesar brought them first under Tribute 42. To him his Brother Dongard Succeeded A. D. 451 A Prince fitted both for war and peace in his time the Pelagian Heresie infested the Church for curing of which Celestine Bishop of Rome sent one Paladius into Scotland he is said to have been the first who Instituted Bishops there for untill that time the Church was governed by Monks this King dyed the fifth year of his Reign 43. Constantine the first Succeeded to Dongard A. D. 457. A man full of bad qualities cruel to his Subjects but fearful of his Enemies given up also to all kind of Lasciviousness the Picts seeing his unworthiness broke with him his Subjects also were at the very nick of Rebellion He was slain in the two and twentyth year of his Reign by a Noble man of the Isles whose Daughter he had defloured 44. To him Succeeded Congall the first A. D. 479. His first work was to reduce his Subjects from the sottish and base customs to which his Father had inured them The Britains seeing him inclin'd to peace perswaded Aurelius Ambrosius to demand restitution of Westmorland from him which he denying to do they draw to Arms on both sides but being better advised they again agreed that things should stand as Constantine left them During the Reign of Congall he had Wars with the Saxons but no great action In his time lived those two famous Prophets Merlin and Gildas He dyed the two and twentyth year of his Reign 45. His Brother Govan Succeeded him A. D. 501. who governed the Kingdom with great discretion In his time arrived in Britain Occa and Passentius the Sons of Hengist with an Army of German Souldiers against whom came King Ambrose and fought and routed them but with small reason to boast of his Victory for he lost the prime of his Nobility in that ingagement he thereupon sent for the King of Scots and Picts to come to his assistance finding himself so much weakened Occa being advertised thereof sent his Brother Passentius to Germany for assistance who by contrary winds being driven upon the coast of Ireland gathered a considerable number of Souldiers of fortune and returned home In the mean time Ambrosius was Poysoned by Occaes means to him Succeeded the Valiant King Arthur who by assistance of the Scots and Picts obtained several great Victories against the Saxons Govan having made peace with all his Neighbours returned home He dyed the thirty fourth year of his Reign not without suspicion of Treacherie in which Donald Captain of Athlo had no small hand 46. Eugenius or Ewen the third Congallus the firsts Son Succeeded A. D. 535. a wise and prudent Prince he consulted with some of his Nobles about revenging the late Kings death but found by their Coldness and Unconcernedness in the matter ground of suspicion that they themselves were not Inocent of it which made him dread their designes against Himself Yet he managed the Government so wisely that he dyed in Peace the twenty third year of his Reign 47. To him Succeeded Congal the second his Brother A.D. 558. A Prince of a very strict Life contending even with the Monks themselves for Piety he made many excellent Laws relating to Churches and Churchmen In his time lived these two Famous Men S. Colm and S. Mungo He dyed in peace the eleventh year of his Reign 48. Kinnatill Succeeded his Brother Congall A. D. 569. At which time Aidan Govans Son come to Scotland who being ntroduced to the King by S. Colm was Graciously received with assurance that he should be the man who should Succeed to the Crown He dyed in peace the first year of his Reign 49. Aidan Accordingly Succeeds A. D. 570. Soon after a Conspiracy being discovered which some of his servants intended against his Person the Conspirators fled to the Picts who refusing to deliver them up to Justice when demanded he quite broke with them and Confederated with the Britains against them and the Saxons routing them in several Battels about this time his good Friend S. Colm dyed to his great grief Soon after Augustine the Monk came into Britain being sent by Pope Gregory who created much trouble by his innovations in matters of Religion This Prince dyed in peace the thirty fifth year of his Reign 50. Kenneth the first Congalls second Son Succeeded A. D. 605. We have nothing Recorded of him worth noting He dyed in peace the first year of his Reign 51. Ewen The fourth Aidans second Son Succeeded A. D 606. He was Educated by S. Colm but slighted his Injunctions in one thing for that he preferred War to peace his hand was heavy upon the Rebellious and Stubborn but yet a modest Conqueror he dyed in peace the fifteenth year of his Reign 52. To him Succeeded his Son Ferchard the first A. D. 621. A Vitious Tyrant which his Nobility not being able to endure called him to an account but he refusing to submit was compelled having laid before him how injurious he had been to his Country and what an Enemy to Religion abetting the Pelagian Heresie with many such things they degraded him and put him in Prison where soon after he killed himself 53. To him Succeeded his Son Donald the fourth A. D. 632. He studied nothing more then to preserve and advance the Christian Faith at home and among his Neighbours he sent some Learned Divines to Northumberland to restore the Christian Faith which was much decayed He perished as some write in Lochtay being there at fishing the fourteenth year of his Reign but others affirm he dyed in his Bed 54. His Brother Ferchard the second Succeeded A. D. 646. A wicked Tyrant Impious toward God and cruel towards Man having strangled his Wife and Deflowred his Daughters his Nobles resolved to call him
Lord Gordon usurping almost a Royal Authority over the Countries benorth the Ferth as the Lord Hume also did upon the South-side The Queen seeing her Authority contemned privately Marries the Earl of Angus looking upon him as one who could Protect her and hers in Extremity but this Match instead of heightning weakened her Interest the Nobility dividing in two Factions the one pleading for the Earl of Douglass and the other opposing him thinking him too high already made choice of the Earl of Arran but a third party steps in of whom the Lord Chamberlain was Chief who carried the choice from both pitching upon John Duke of Albany When King Henry heard that this Gentleman was like to carry the Day he writes to Scotland remonstrating to them how dangerous this choice might prove to their State Yet notwithstanding of all that could be said they adhered to their choice and sent to France to call home the Duke of Albany who furnished with all necessaries by the French King with eight well Rigg'd Ships takes the Seas and in the Month of May arrived upon the West-coasts of Scotland from whence with a great retinue of the Nobles and Barons of the Country by easie Journies the Queen meeting him he came to the Town of Edenburgh where he is restored in Parliament to his Fathers inheritance At the Presence of this new Governour the Face of the State turned more beautiful Oppression is restrained Justice sincerely executed the Governour not willing to listen to every mans Advice gave himself to follow the Councel of John Hepburn Prior of S. Andrews this man being of a subtle mind Malicious and Crafty represented to him things as he pleased representing the Factiousness of the Nobility naming several whom he said the Kingdom could not bear Among others he gave out the Lord Chamberlain to be a man unpolish'd Stubbornly Stout mighty in Riches and Power of a working Mind and vehement Spirit that he spoke against the Chamberlain c. The Governour did presently lay hold on this and changed in his affection toward him which the Chamberlain perceiving could not but reflect upon the Governours ingratitude wherefore he resolved to Face about and striking in with the Queen and her Husband became very intimate with them he represented to them what hazard the Prince was in the Governour being a man of such an unsatiable Spirit that nothing but the Crown could set bounds to his Ambition Advising the Queen to think of a way to prevent it they concluded at last that their only safety would be that the Queen would transport her Son to England But as privately as the business was managed it came to the Governours ears who presently sent a Troop of Horse who surprized the Castle of Sterling and in it the Queen with her two Sons The Prince and his Brother are sequestred from their Mother and committed to the keeping of four Noblemen Whereupon the Queen her Husband and the Chamberlain with many others mis-trust-ing the Governour fly to England their sudden departure perplexed the Court exceedingly which moved the Governour to write to King Henry representing to him how little reason they had from him to depart the Kingdom earnestly declaring his respects to the Queen and that if she and all that were with her should please to return she should be very welcom they hoping that they were sincere at last were moved to yield to his desires but when once he had got them within the Country he resolved to be revenged upon them this bred new Confusions for some of the Lords being imprisoned their Friends break very loose the Country is daily pestered and impoverished by Incursions and Inroads till at last after great loss on both sides they come to an Agreement which was followed with the renewing of the Truce with England for some Months All things being thus seemingly calmed both at home and abroad the forementioned Prior of S. Andrews begins to perswade the Governour that all his indeavours to settle the Realm would prove vain so long as the Earl of Hume was alive whom neither rewards could soften nor Honours and preferments make constant upon this the Governour begins to contrive how to get the Earl secured wherefore he came to Edenburgh and called a Convention of the states having intreated the Earl of Humes Friends that he would not fail to be there the matters to be determined concerned him dearly The Earl of Hume with his brother David came to Edenburgh the Night before the Day appointed who were received by the Governour with great Ceremonies and with more than ordinary Favours entertained and shortly after both imprisoned and a day appointed for their Tryal The first thing laid to their Charge was the death of the late King whom several Witnesses proved to have been seen coming to the Castle of Hume from Flondon this not being proved by pregnant Evidences he was accused of several other points of Treason of which he not being able to clear himself to their satisfaction the Judges prepared and directed by the Governour pronounce him and his Brother guilty and Condemn them to have their Heads chopt off which Sentence was the next day put in Execution and their Heads fixt upon the most Conspicuous places of the City This Calamity of the Family of the Humes bred Terrour and Astonishment in many of the Noblemen of the Kingdom and greatly estranged their Hearts from the Governour Ambassadors being sent from France to renew the Ancient League between the two Countries The Governour was chosen by the Nobility of Scotland to pass into France for accomplishing this solemn Action He was no sooner gone but the Queen after she had stayed a year in England Honourably dismissed by her Brother came to Scotland Sir Anthony Darcy being by the Governour made Warden of the Mers and Lothian was slain by Sir David Hume of Wedderburn coming to Dunce to hold a Justice Court Whereupon the Earl of Arran was declared Supream Warden of the Marches who soundly revenged Darcies Death upon the Humes The Kingdom now began to be sensible of the offence of the Governour Factions increasing daily the Nobility and Gentry deciding their Rights by their Swords insomuch that the Earl of Arran who was Provost of Edenburgh having been with the Prince at Dalkeith upon his return had the Gates shut upon him the Citizens pretending that he intended to invade their Priviledges Whereupon followed a Tumult in the City which continued all Night where a Deacon of the Crafts was killed by one of the Hamiltons which did quite alienate the Citizens affection from the Earl of Arran and made them incline to the Earl of Angus this made the Earls of Arran and Angus begin to cross each other Whereupon followed much Confusion in the Country and much Blood-shed between the Douglasses and the Hamiltons at last having encountred one another with their followers at Edenburgh they fight most desperately in the Street till at length
upon him the Title of Great Britain to take away every thing that might be occasion of discord amongst the Subjects of the two Kingdoms and to that effect were sundry of his Majesties Chief Officers of Estate sent for to England by Commission viz. The Earl of Moâ—â—rose Great Chancellour of Scotland Francis Earl of Errol Lord great Constable Alexander Lord Urquhart and Fyve President Sir Thomas Hamilton Advocate the Lords Lithgow and Roxburgh with sundry others of the Nobility with Sir John Sharp and Sir Thomas Craig Learned Lawyers These meeting with the Chancellour Treasurer Secretary had many Learned Orations Conferences and Speeches wherein the King assisted himself sometime in person This great meeting was dissolved without any great business done At this time came to England Don John de Velasco great Constable of Castile and Extraordinary Ambassador from the King of Spain to take Oath of the King for observation of the Articles of Peace concluded between these two Kings Like as Baron Howard of Essingham and Earl of Nottingham and High Admiral of England was sent into Spain to take the King of Spain's Oath for observation of Peace Like as Edward Baron of Beauchamp and Earl of Hartford were sent into the low Countries for the same purpose The Earl of Rutland was sent into Denmark and sundry Noblemen and Gentlemen to sundry Kings and Princes and Common-wealths his Confederates and Allyances Thomas Percie Robert Catesbee Thomas Winter by the instigation of some Jesuits having intended to Overthrow the King His Queen and Posterity at one blow intended that most inhumane and barbarous Treason called The Powder-Plot and to that effect associating themselves with Sir Edward Dickâ—ee Ambrose Rockwood John Grant the two Wrights with sundry others fell to digging of the Vault where after long travail hearing that the Cellers were to Let Hyring the Cellers which were under the Parliament House to the use of Mr. Thomas Piercie one of the Kings Gentlemen Pensioners and one of the chief Plotters where conveying in the said Cellers under the Parliament-House a great quantity of Gun-Powder with Billets and Faggots with sundry other combustible stuff the principle Plotters removed themselves to Warwickshire under pretence of a Match Hunting and at that time to surprise Lady Elizabeth then in the custody of the Lord Hadington whom they meant to proclaim Queen and in her Name to enter into Arms. But there is an eye in Heaven that seeth mens actions and lays them open to the view of the World by weak means and weak instruments All things succeeding thus happily as they thought and leaving Faukes alias Johnstoun to give Fire to the Train in the Night time by Torch The Lord Monteagle going along in his Coach an unknown Fellow presents him with a Letter The tenor whereof was to withdraw his Lordship from that session of parliament wherein there was something to be done against the Catholicks but there was a terrible blow to be given and no man should know who should be the giver of it and when the Letter was burnt the Peril was ended My Lord Monteagle in Religion Popish notwithstanding delivereth the Letter to Salisbury who acquainting my Lord Chamberlain and after my Lord Admiral and the Earls of Worster and Northampton who not finding out the meaning of the Letter and knowing that the KING was well seen in such hid misteries present it to his MAJESTY in the privy Gallery The King Reading it over and over again Salisbury told him that he thought some Mad Fellow had written it his Majesty asking the reason of Salisbury He replyed because he writ there was a terrible blow to be given and no man should know who should be the giver His Majestie answered that the last sentence made the other more clear That the Letter being burnt the Peril was ended which the burning of the Letter could make to no purpose to hinder the Peril The King assured him that is was some blowing up of powder and therefore desired that his houses might be surveyed After examination Whâ—ngard keeper of the Parliament House told that he had let the House to Mr. Thomas Perciâ— after some pains taken that same night by the Lord Chamberlain the Lord Knevet Mr. Doublede found the foresaid Faukes with a Dark Lanthorn ready to enter the House but he being apprehended the Blow was prevented where swift fame carrying it down to the Country the principal Plotters knew not where to flee to hide their heads They surprize Warwick Castle where being affrighted with drying of Gun-Powder and other strange Dreams seeing Castles and Towers blown up in the Air they were at last besieged in the Castle of Warwick where Percie and Catesbee were both Shot with one Musquet shot back to back the rest were apprehended and brought to London where after the Confession of all for the most part and penitence and contrition in some craving pardon of his Majestie and Countrie for such an horrible and inhumane Fact Catesbee Grant Winter and Bates were Executed at the West of Pauls as also Winter the two Wrights and Faukes and Ambrose Rockwood at Westminster So here we see the God of light brought the deed of Darkness to light and as they said by their Confession to cast the aspersion and Guilt of the Action upon the Puritanes so the God of Heaven would have it to fall upon the Plotters themselves After this followed the Nuptial of that Noble Lady Lady Elizabeth matched with the Prince Palatine of the Rhyne At which time that Noble Prince Prince Henry a prince so compleat of all Vertues that Europe could not shew his second a Prince so Mars-like and so beloved of all military men and so beloved of them that true Moecenas of Vertue and Learning as appeared by his Valiant his Active and his Princely prise wherein he intituled himself by the Name Moeliades Lord of the Isles challenging the Gentrie of Great Britain which was performed in the Hall of Whitehall by Torch Light the challengers were with him the Duke of Lennox the Earls of Arundal Southampton Pembrâ—ke Sir Thomas Somerset and Sir Richard Preston where before the King the Queen the Peers of the whole Island with the concurrence of all Forraign Ambassadors where he gave testimony of his Activeness Agility and Quickness which cannot be expressed to the Life how every thing was done in the Action and performed and the prises given to the defendants where the challengers and defendants were most Royally Feasted the next day as the prise and reward of their Vertue and Valour given by the Noblest Lady of Britain according to the Tennor of the challenge and was given by Lady Elizabeth his sister viz. 1. Philip Earl of Montgomerie 2. Thomas Dearsie son to the Lord Dearsie 3. Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar This Triumph being ended to his no small Honour Much more might be said of this great Prince who was taken away in the prime of his Years to the great grief
of all his Majesties most loving subjects to eternal happiness for our sun-set ensued no night by arising of the day star of our Britain CHARLES our hope who long may raign over us His Majesty being possest with a longing desire to see his Ancient native Kingdom made Progress in Anno 1617. and did so much by easie journey till he came to Berwick upon Tweed where he reposed himself two or three dayes From thence he came to the Bound-Rod The Earle Hume hereditary Sheriff of the Mers welcomed his Majesty with a gallant train of Gentlemen being three thousand well mounted His Majesty alighted at the Rod and received the Dukes of Lennox and Buckingham the Earls of Arundale Rutland Pembroke Southampton Montgomery and Carlile with many others of his Court very Royally making them welcome and mounted his Horse again He rode to Dunglasse the Earl of Hume his residence where he was bountifully entertained The next day he removed to Seaton the residence of the Earl Winton where he was most Royally entertained The next day he rode forward towards Edinburgh where compassing the Town riding the way of the Long-gate he entred the West Port where the Provost Bayliffs and Counsel attended him in their bounds where Mr. John Hay in name of the town made an eloquent Oration welcoming His Majesty and was delivered to him a fair Bason with a thousand Pieces of Gold Riding along to the high Church being conducted by the Trained Bands of the Town being clad in Velvet and Satin with Partizados in their hands and entring there he heard a Learned Sermon by the Right Reverend Father in God the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews where after Sermon he mounted his Horse and going toward the Abby where at St. Johns Cross the Provost taking leave of him his Majesty Knighted him And within few dayes his Majesty rode to his Parliament with his Peers Prelats Barons and Burgesses and thereafter was most sumptuously feasted by the Town of Edinburgh It is needless to set down in particulars what was done because I intend Brevity His Majesty removed to Linlithgow and so to Striviling where he was feasted by the Earl of Marre Thereafter he went to Dunfermling Faulkland Scone c. Where by the way he was feasted at Dearcie the Arch-Bishops residence It were tedious to rehearse the Learned Orations Poetical Poems which were presented to His Majesty and are extant in a Book called The Muses Welcome His Majesty crossing Tay to Angus had every where most Royal Entertainment and returning the same way to Sterling and so to Glasgow where he was received by the Town Thereafter he went to Lochlowmount where he hunted and slew many Deer and crossing the River of Clyde to Pasiey where he was Entertained three dayes together by the Earl of Abercorne From thence to Hamilton Pallace where he was Honourably Entertained by the Marquess From thence to Sanquihair and so to Dumfries Thereafter crossing the River of Eske he went to Carlile where he kept his fifth Day of August And so taking along the West Sea Bank through the Countries of Cumber Westmerland Lancashire and Cheshire and so crossing through the middle of England he returned to London in health with great joy and content of His Majesties loving Subjects where he lived a long time after in great Tranquillity and Peace with the Christian Princes his Neighbours ballancing the affaires of Europe and labouring the peace and quiet of all Christendom His Piety Religion Learning Bounty and Mercy would of it self take a Volume but every one of these lives after him and speaks for him as may appear by many excellent Poems he writ as some part of Davids Psalmes some part of Du Bartus Divine weeks Lepanto his Basilicon doron his Book of Demonology his premonition to Christian Princes his Book against Conradus Vorstius c. are all sufficient of themselves to testify of him and need no other blazing He went to England the 36. of his Age and brought with him his Queen with a Goodly and Royal Progeny bringing with him Kingdoms Unity Peace and Plenty and ending his Pilgrimage being full of dayes at his House in Theobalds the 59th Year of his Raigne upon the Sabbath to the everlasting Sabbath where he rests He was buried at Westminster This Illustrious Monarch having dyed in a good old Age left the Diadem of Three Kingdoms in Succession to his Son Charles the first of that Name who was immediately Proclaimed being on a Sunday morning when Doctor Laud then Bishop of St. Davids was in the Pulpit at White-Hall and broke off his Sermon upon the first Notion of the Fathers Death He was set upon the Throne A. M. 5682. Anno Dom. 1624. He Married Henrietta-Maria Daughter to the French King Henry the Fourth and Sister to Lewes the Thirteenth of the Family of the Bâ—urbones whom he had formerly seen as he passed through France into Spain Having gone to meet her at Dover his first Complement to her was That he desired to be no longer Master of himself than he was Servant to her which he made good to the full He called his first Parliament at Westminster which Assembled the Fifteenth of June following Anno Dom. 1624 wherein the King declared his want of Money and the great Charge he was like to be put to upon several Accounts both at Home and Abroad especially to maintain the Army which was listed for recovering the Palatinate The Parliament having several Petitions which were presented to King James a little before his Death un-answered Petitioned his Majesty to Redress those Grievances which concerned Religion and Priviledge without which they could come to no Conclusions for raising of Money whereupon the King gave them full Assurance of all their Demands so they immediately Granted two Subsidies from Protestants four from Papists and three from the Clergy After this the Parliament did not Sit long for the last Subsidies not being enough to defray the King's necessary Charges he urges the Parliament for more but they instead of answering his Just Demands fall foul upon his Servants who managed his Revenues especially the great Duke of Buckingham This came to such a Height in the Houses that they came to the Canvasing his Commings in his great Revenues of Crown Demeans which they would Revoke and Resume to supply the King's Wants which made the King in great Regret resolve to give an end to their Sitting and accordingly the next day Dissolved them The City of London was at this time much wasted with a long Plague which was the occasion of removing Michaelmas Term to Redding There was another Parliament called soon after but they began where the former left present Grievances and impeach Buckingham Upon May the Nineteenth 1630. The Queen was Delivered of a Son at Saint James's who was Christened Charles and Preserved by Providence to Succeed his Father to the Royal Scepters of Three Kingdoms the King of France and the Prince Elector Palatine represented
by the Duke of Lennox and the Marquess of Hamilton were his God-Fathers and the Queen-Mother of France represented by the Dutchess of Richmond his God-Mother The King in the Year 1633. made a Journey to Scotland attended with a splendâ—d Train of the Nobility of both Kingdoms and upon June the Eighteenth was solemnly Crowned King at Edinburgh which Solemnity being over his Majesty called a Parliament and in which he passed an Act for Ratification of the old Acts some suspecting that the Confirmation of Episcopacy was by it intended with all their Strength opposed it but in vain Not long before his Majesty went to Scotland being desirous if possible to have it prevented he Writ to a Lord who had the Trust of the Crown to bring it to England that he might be Crowned there But the Lord answered That he durst not for his Life do it but if his Majesty would be pleased to accept of it in its proper place he should find his People there ready to yield him the highest Honour but if he should put it off much longer it might tend to his Majesties and their great Loss neither could they be long without some to Govern them In the Year 1633. October the Thirteenth the Queen brought forth her second Son who was Baptized James and entituled Duke of York Much about this time the Discontents in Scotland began to increase some of the Nobility siding with the Male-contents of which the Lord Balmirreno the chief Secretary of State was one who was thereupon Arraigned by his Peers and found Guilty but obtained the King's Pardon December the Twenty-Eighth 1635. the Lady Elizabeth was Born and now great Differences arose about Church-matters chiefly occasioned by Arch-Bishop Laud's zealous injoyning of Ceremonies as placing the Communion-Table at the East end of the Church upon an Ascent with Rails Altar-wayes with many other things not formerly insisted on by the Church but now obstinately opposed by many which brought things into great confusion His Majesty earnestly desiring an Uniformity in Religion in Scotland a thing attempted before by King James enjoyned the Scots the use of the Liturgy and Surplice with all the English Ceremonies and began first in his own Chappel Proclamation being made That the same Order should be kept in all Churches The Bishops were satisfied with it but the Ministers and People was so discontented that when the Dean of Edinburgh began to read the Common-Prayer the Women began to grumble upon which the Bishop of Edinburgh steps up into the Pulpit to command Silence but this did but augment their Fury to such a height that they Assaulted him some with Cudgels others with Stones and others for want of better Weapons were forced to pelt him with the Stools upon which they sat to the great hazard of his Life The Arch-Bishop of of St. Andrews being then Lord Chancellor interposing was like to have been served with the same sawce The like Disturbance happened in several other places whereupon the Council emitted Proclamations to prevent Tumults which was so little regarded by the multitude that the Bishop of Galloway going the next day to the Council was by them pursued to the Council Chamber They Seized also the City Magistrates that they might not joyn with the Council to curb them The Lords of the Council having at length with fair words in some measure pacified them they presently emit Proclamations to keep the Peace but produced no such Effect for they stifly petitioned against the service-book which incensed the King extreamly Thus matters went in the Year 1637. The next Year the Scots hearing That the King was making preparations in England to reduce them by force they entred into a Covenant to defend the Religion they profest whereupon they sent for General Lesly and other Officers from beyond Sea putting themselves in a posture of Defence But the Duke of Hamilton obtained a Declaration from the King discharging the use of the service-book the five Articles of Perth for a time consenting also that Church-matters may be ordered by general Assemblies This Declaration being published and a general Assembly convened at Glasgow the Bishops are summoned to appear there as Guilty persons but in answer to the Summons the Bishops sent in a Protestation against their Assembly which the Covenanters for a while would not vouchsafe to Read until they had dispatched what business they pleased The King having notice of their Proceedings against the Bishops ordered their Assembly to be dissolved which accordingly was done but the Covenanters presently emit a Protestation against it In this Assembly they quite abolished Episcopacy Whereupon the King raises an Army in England with which he marched in Person against the Scots but while his Majesty stayed at York by the mediation of some persons a Treaty of Peace was agreed upon wherein it was agreed That the King should publish a Declaration ratifying what his Commissioners had promised in his name That a general Assembly and a Parliament be held at Edinburgh within a short time And lastly That upon disbanding their Forces and restoring the King to his Forts and Castles the King was to recall his Fleet and Forces and make Restitution of their Goods since the Breach The King not finding the Scots punctual to their Articles returned to England and Nullified the agreement resolving now to try other courses Whereupon the Scots apprehending their danger prepared for their own defence The King resolves upon a War and with some difficulty compleateth his Army whereof himself was Generalissimo He began his march to the North July the Twentieth 1640. by which time the Scottish Army was upon the Border Wherefore the King sent the Lord Conway with Twelve Hundred Horse and Three Thousand Foot to secure the Passes upon the River Tyne General Lesly being advanced thither desired Leave to pass to the King with their Grievances which was denied whereupon he commands his Horse to take the Water the Foot to their no small hazard following and force their Passage which they did and put the Lord Conway to a disorderly Retreat Soon after they took New-Castle and then Durham At last His Majesty condescends to Treat with them and to that end receives a Petition from them containing their Grievances for redressing of which it was agreed That sixteen English Lords should meet with as many Scots Rippon was a place appointed for the Treaty here they appointed another Treaty to be held at London for composing all differences Much about this time Montross fell off from the Covenanters having by several private Letters tendered his service to the King which came all to be discovered by the means of some that were about His Majesty However the Treaty went on at London and at last was concluded Whereupon the Scots after five months abode in England returned home By this time a Parliament was called at Westminster wherein the breach was so far from being healed that it was made wider Divers of the
are called Senators of the Colledge of Justice and a President This Court sits from the first of November till the last of March. The Justice Court being the next Supream Court where Criminals are tryed consists of a Lord Justice General and a Lord Justice Clerk who is his Assistant All Tryals for Life are in this Court where every Subject as well Peers as Commoners are tryed Peers by a Jury or Assize of Peers and Commoners by a Jury of Commoners The next Supream Court is the Exchequer which consists of the Lord Treasurer the Lord Treasurers Deputy and some Assistants called the Lords of the Exchequer Here all the Kings Grants Pensions Gifts of Wards and such like are passed SECT IV. Of Sheriff-Courts also an account of the Shires of Scotland with their Sheriffs who are most of them so by Inheritance THere are beside the Supream Courts of the Nation other inferior Courts the most considerable of which is the Sheriffs Courts where Thefts and all lesser Crimes are Judged as also Murthers if the Murtherer be taken in hot blood The Sheriffs in this Nation are most of them so by Inheritance wherefore it may not be impertinent here to give a List of the Shires of Scotland with their Sheriffs Shires of Scotland with their bounds and Sheriffs Shires Sheriffs The Shire of Edinburgh containeth Middle Lothian The Earl of Lauâ—erdale The shire of Berwick containeth Mers Earl of Home The shire of Peeblis containeth Tweddail Earl of Tweddail The shire of Shelkirk containeth the Forrest of Etterick Murray The shire of Roxburgh containeth Tiviotdale Lidisdale Eshdail Eusdail Duke of Buckleugh The shire of Dumfreis containeth Nithisdail and Anandail Marquess of Queensbury The shire of Wigton containeth the West parts of Galloway Sir Patrick Agnew of Lochnaw The shire of Aire containeth Kyle Carrict and Cunninghame Earl of Dumfreis The shire of Renfrew containeth the Barony of Renfrew Earl of Eglington The shire of Lanerick containeth Clidsdail Duke Hamilton The shire of Dumbritton containeth Lenox Duke of Lenox The shire of Bute containeth the Isles of Bute and Arran Sir James Stewart of Bute The shire of Innerara containeth Argile Lorn Kintyre with the most part of the West Isles The shire of Pearth containeth Athol Goury Glenshee Strath-Ardell Broad-Albine Ramach Balhider Glenurqhuay Stormont Menteith and Strath-Yern Marquess of Atholl The shire of Striveling lyeth on both sides the River Forth Earl of Marr. The shire of Linlighgow West Lothian Hope of Hoptoun The shire of Clackmanan containeth a part of Fife lying upon the River Forth towards Striveling Bruce of Clackmanan The shire of Kinross containeth so much of Fife as lyeth between Lochleiven and the Ochell Hills Earl of Morton The shire of Couper containeth the rest of Fife Earl of Rothes The shire of Forfar containeth Angus with its pertinents Earl of Southesk The shire of Kinkardin containeth Mernis Earl of Kincardin The shire of Aberdeen containeth Mar with its pertinents also the most part of Buchan Forumarten and Strathbogie Sir Campbel of Caddel The shire of Bamf containeth a small part of Buchan Strath-Dovern Boyn Enzy Strath-Awin and Balveny Sir James Baird of Auchmedden The shire of Elgine containeth the Eastern part of Murray Robert Dumbar of The shire of Nairn containeth the West part of Murray The shire of Innerness containeth Badenoch Lochabyr and the South part of Ross Earl of Murray The shire of Cromarty containeth a small part of Ross lying on the South side of Cromarty Firth The shire of Tayne containeth the rest of Ross with the Isles of Sky Lemes and Harrigh Earl of Seaforth The shire of Dornoch containeth Southerland Strath-Naver Earl of Southerland The shire of Weik containeth Cathness Earl of Cathness The shire of Orkney containeth all the Isles of Orkney and Schetland The Constabulary of Haddington containeth East Lothian and Lauderdale Earl of Lauderdale Stewartries Stewards The Stewartry of Strathern Earl of Pearth The Stewartry of Monteith Earl of Monteith The Stewartry of Annandate Earl of Annandale The Stewartry of Kirkudbright containeth the East parts of Galloway Earl of Nithisdale Baileries Bailiffs Kyle Carrict E. of Cassiles Cunninghame E. Eglington We should in the next place have spoken somewhat of the Ecclesiastical Government of the Kingdom but it being done already by so many Learned Pens especially Arch-Bishop Spotswood to which we refer the Reader We shall now pass to SECT V. Of the Vniversities of Scotland In Scotland there are four Universities St. Andrews Glasgow Aberdeen Edenburgh Of the Vniversity of St. Andrews This University was founded by Bishop Heawardlaw A. D. 1412 the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews are perpetually Chancellors thereof the Rector is chosen yearly and hath the same Power with the Vice-chancellor of Oxford and Cambridge There are in this University three Colledges viz. St. Salvator St. Leonards and St. Maryes St. Salvators Colledg was founded by Bishop Kennedy who endued it with very sumptuous and costly Ornaments and provided sufficient maintenance for the masters and professors St. Leonards Colledg was founded by Prior John Hepburn A. D. 1525. Persons endowed are Principal four Professors of Philosophy Eight Poor Schollars St. Maries Colledge was founded by Arch-Bishop Beaton no Science is here taught but Theologie which is done gratis the Schools being open to receive any to be instructed Of the Vniversity of Glasgow This University was founded by King James the second and augmented with ample Priviledges by King James the Sixth King Charles the First did ratify all the old Priviledges and bestowed mony for repairing the Fabrick also King Charles the second by consent of Parliament bestowed a considerable sum of mony uppon it Of the Vniversity of Aberdeen There were in this place an associated company of Students of Divinity and the Canon and City Laws in the times of King Alexander the second but it was by King James the Fourth made an University in A. D. 1494 it was founded with as ample Priviledges as any University in Christendom In it both Philosophy Divinity Physick and Law are very accurately taught The Vniversity of Edenburgh King James the Sixth Anno. Dom. 1580. founded this University upon the supplication of the Magistrates of the City granting them under the great Seal an University with all the priviledges and immunities that any University within the Kingdom could pretend to Persons endowed were a Principal a Professor of Divinity a Professor of Philosophy a Professor of Humanity to which is since added a Professor of Hebrew A Postscript Of the Laws of Scotland for Torturing Criminals and of that Torture in particular called the Boot THe Laws of Scotland according to a late Learned Writer Sir G. Maceâ—zy in his Criminals allow not Tortures but in case of Obstinacy in the criminal where there is great presumption of guilt and therefore it is not allowed to any but to the Councel or Justices to use torture in any case It is a ruled case in Law that Torture being adduced purges all
means of one Caransius a Roman who was afterward King of Britain they made peace King Crathelinth passed the rest of his days in peace and dyed the 24 year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 35. To him succeeded his Cousin German Fincormach A. D. 301. A Prince both Pious and Valiant he Joyned with the Britains against the Romans and after a most Bloody battel routed them pursuing them as far as Yorke Having procured Peace abroad he wholly applyed himself to the utter extirpating of Idolatry In his days fell out the ninth Persecution under Aurelius and the tenth under Dioclesian which gave occasion to many Christians from divers parts of the Empire now a second time to flee to Scotland for refuge as they had done once before under Domitian Among those Fugitives who fled thither for shelter from the general Massacre were many excellent men in Piety and Learning whom the King not only did kindly receive but also imployed to assist him and his council in the further setling of Christianity in his Dominion and in the total Extirpation of Idolatry out of it which was so much the harder work because of the Druides the principal false Prophets and Idolatrous Priests of those days who not only by their subtil Hypocrisy and sence pleasing Divine service but also by a cunning forcast having drawn into their hands the hearing and determining of Civel affairs had so gained upon the spirits of the Poor and Simple people that they could not imagine how to be without them and live The resolute care and labour of this gracious King and his Council together with the help of these Pious and Learned men prevailed at last utterly to overthrow and abolish the Groves with the Alters under the Oaks and all Idol service and to Establish the pure worship of God in all places of his Dominions filling the Rooms of these false Prophets with Godly and Learned teachers among the people which was done in all places throughout the Kingdom but especially in the Islands which those Pious men took for their particular abode as being most fit for a retired life and namely in the Isle of Man the King caused a Church to be built to the honour of our Saviour these Holy men were for their labouring so much in Gods worship called Colidei or Culdees This good King dyed in peace the 47 year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 36. Romach brothers Son to Crathelinth after a hot debate by the assistance of the Picts possessed himself of the Throne A. D. 348. But proving a cruel Tyrant he was killed by his Nobles the 3 d year of his Reign in his time Christianity began in Ireland 37. Augustian Another of Crathelinth's Brothers sons succeeded A.D. 351. a Valiant and peaceable King The late Kings associates not thinking themselves secure fled to the Picts whom they instigated to make War upon the Scots in revenge of Romacks death Augustian hearing of their purpose sent to Hertanus the King of the Picts acquainting him how dangerous a War betwixt them at that time might prove The Romans and Britains being so apt to take advantage of them when they are low but all would not do whereupon he went against them with his Forces and quite Defeated them killing many of their Nobles Afterward they renewed their strength and came to the Wood of Camelon where the King of Scots with his Army lay where they fought a most bloody battel on both sides both the Kings were killed with many of their Nobles in the third year of his Reign He was buried in Dunstaffage without Succession 38. Fethelmack The youngest of Crathelinths Brothers Sons Succeeded A. D. 354. A Valiant Prince he scarcely Reigned two years when having raised an Army he went against the Picts and gave them a most fatal overthrow killing their King in Battel he was afterward Trayterously murthered in his bed by two perfidious Picts who insinuated themselves into his favour with the assistance of an Harper the groans of the dying King being over heard by his Servants they came rushing into the Room where they took the Villains in the very Act of their cruelty who were afterward tormented to death At this time St Andrews Church was built by the King of the Picts at the request of St Rewell he dyed the third year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 39. To him Succeeded Ewin the first Son to Fincormach A. D. 357. A Valiant Just and good King In his time the Romans resolving to be Masters of the whole Island and to destroy both Scots and Picts first Communicate to the Picts their purpose to Eradicat the Scots and that if they would be assistant therein they should enjoy all their Lands holding it of the Romans They as a base ungratefull people accepted the proffer So that the Scots had now to do with Romans Britains and Picts In the first Battel the Romans and the others were worsted but soon after the Romans renewing their strength with all their Adherents Eugen or Ewen upon the other hand convened all that could bear arms in his Dominions knowing they were to fight for no less then their Country and Liberty They engaged at the River Dun the Battel was most bloody with doubtful success for a while but at last the Scots being over powered with fresh supplies from the Romans were forced to fly leaving the King and his Brother with fifty thousand of their men dead in the Field They fled some to the Isles some to Ireland and Scandia they attempted several times to recover their Countrey but in Vain till at length the King of Picts dying the Roman Legat charged them that they should choose no other King but live under the Roman Government and by Roman laws when they saw this they became some what sensible of their folly and treachery to their best neighbours resolving at length to call them home and Joyne forces them that the one might recover their Country the other their Liberty 40. Echadius the Kings Brother upon the late fatal defeat finding there was no shelter for him in his Country departed with his Son Hutha and his Grandson Fergus to Scandia there they were kindly entertained In process of time Echadius and Hutha dying Fergus became a most Valiant man gained great fame in France and Pannonia To him the Picts sent Embassadors inviting him home promised there assistance toward the recovering of his Country which he readily accepted of and having arrived with a few Danes and Goths in his company the Scots likewise gathering to him he soon regained his Kingdom being Victorious against the Romans in many Battels at last he was killed in Battel by the Romans the sixteenth year of his Raigne and was buried in Icolmkill which was the burial place for the Kings till King Malhiscom Kanmors days having left the Kingdom almost in as bad case as he found it 41. To him Succeeded his son Eugenius the second A.