flie for 't ibid. Bothwel Adam Bishop of Orkny p. 84. Bothwel Earl is sent by the Queen to clear the Borders of Thieves upon the departure of those that attended the Prince's Baptism p. 77. He and Earl Huntly attempt the slaughter of the Earl of Murray but were prevented ibid. Is suspected of some enterprise against the King p. 78. The Earl of Orkny tells him it would cost him his life if he stayed at Edinburgh ibid. Lays a Train of Powder and blows up the King's Lodgings ibid. Upon a rumour of his murthering the King he calls an Assize of Lords and is acquitted ibid. He with a great company seizeth the Queen p. 80. A number of Noblemen meet at Edinburgh and declare it is the Queen's interest to marry him which he did having at that time the Lord Huntly's Sister to Wife ibid. Intends to kill Secretary Lidington in the Queen's Chamber which had been effected had not the Queen interposed being married he was very earnest to get the young Prince into his hands ibid. Flies from Edinburgh and takes the Queen with him wherever he goes p. 82. Convenes a great number of his Friends against the Lords resolving to fight them ibid. Challengeth to fight any one that would maintain he murthered the King but refuseth the Lord Grange and Tallibardine because but Barons p. 83. Then the Lord Lindsay offered the Combat but he coldly declin'd it ibid. Flies to the Castle of Dunbar and from thence to Sheatland p. 84. Is pursued by two Ships of the Lord Grange's and he saved himself in a little Boat p. 85. Flies to Denmark is kept there close Prisoner and dies mad and miserable ibid. Bothwel and others endeavour to take the King and keep him p. 175. but fail in their Enterprise ibid. Labour with the-King to send Sir John Seatoun to Spain ibid. Bothwel Francis accused of a design against his Majesty Wards himself in the Castle of Edinburgh p. 194. Desiring to be Tried for the same ibid. Escapes over the Castle-wall and retires to Caithnesse p. 195. Is sent for by some Male-contents who design'd to take the King and kill the Chancellour p. 196. With whom he joyn'd and headed them ibid. He with others enters into the King's Palace by night ibid. Their proceedings therein p. 197. Steals away quietly but kills John Shaw Master Stabler to his Majesty and his Brother ibid. He and his Party makes a second attempt on his Majesty in Falkland p. 202. but finding resistance he and his Company fled ibid. Bowes Mr. Ambassadour Resident at Edinburgh from Queen Elizabeth p. 142. Attends upon Walsingham when he first received Audience p. 147. A long time Resident in Scotland p. 150. Informs the English of the Bishop of St. Andrews Qualities when he was sent Ambassadour to Queen Elizabeth ibid. Broderade Monsieur and Monsieur Fulke sent Ambassadours to Scotland from the States of Holland and arrives there upon the birth of the Prince p. 203. Buchanan Master to King James p. 125. His Character ibid. Buccleugh Laird Wise True Stout and Modest p. 113. Burleigh Lord see Cecil C CAiro Mr. Queen Elizabeths Cousin P. 141. Calis promised to be restored to England after the loss of St. Quintins p. 22 and 23. Caraffe Cardinal sent Legat to France from the Pope p. 19. The ground of his Embassy ibid. Is strangled by Pope Pius the 4th p. 20. And why ibid. Cardanus an Italian Magician Cures the Bishop of St. Andrews of his Distemper p. 14. Caprintoun Laird the Earl of Arran's Uncle is sent by his Majesty to reprove the Earl p. 155. Carmichael James Minist of Hadingtoun writes the History of those Tricks the Devil play'd in Scotland p. 195. And the whole deposition of the Witnesses upon the account of the Earl of Bothwel ibid. Carmichael Laird laments to the Author the ingratitude of the Regent of Scotland Mortoun p. 124. Follows the Authors Counsel and becomes a great Courtier p. 125. But proves afterwards ingrateful to the Author who promoted him ibid. Is made Captain of the Guards to King James p. 199. Boasts that he would kill Sir Robert Melvil ibid. Casimire Duke Second Son to the Elector Palatine is about the Contracting a Marriage with the Duke of Lorrain's Eldest Sister p. 31. But prov'd ineffectual ibid. The reason thereof p. 32. Finding no probability of a Match with Queen Elizabeth he Marries the Elector of Saxonies Eldest Daughter p. 40. Cavatius the Learned Mathematical Tutor of the Bishop of Valence is imprisoned by the French King p. 13. The reason why ibid. Cecil Secretary promiseth rewards to Ruxby by Letter but it was discovered to the Queen p. 69. Pretends to be her friend is the first person that whispered to her the News of the Birth of the Prince ibid. Informes the Queen that the Duke of Norfolk was come to Court and that she should seize him which was done accordingly p. 99 and 100. Created afterward Lord Burleigh and causeth Dallison to be sent Agent into Scotland p. 157. Is discontented that Walsingham was too precise and would not confer with the Earl of Arran ibid. Charles the 9th of France succeeds Francis the Second p. 29. Chattellerault imprisoned in Edinbrugh Castle p. 101. Set at liberty through the mediation of the Lord Grange Clergy of Scotland use their utmost endeavours to prevent the interview of Henry the 8 and his Nephew King James the 5th of Scotland p. 2. Clark Alexander Povost of Edingbrugh p. 129. Cockburne Sir Richard Secretary to King James p. 198 Colvil John and Colonel Steward are sent to the Convention at St. Andrews and return p. 133. Disagree in their Commission ibid. Colvil and others imprisoned p. 137. Constable of France entertains the Author with design to promote him p. 15. Is sent with 16000 Men to keep the Spaniard from entring upon the Frontiers of France p. 20. His Discourse and Passion with an Enthusiast who Fore-told his Mis-fortune ibid. His Noble and Resolute Answer to the Master of his Horse who advised him to fly p. 21. He being overthrown by a Party of Spaniards and his Men all slain desired to be kill'd but was shot in the Thigh and taken Prisoner p. 22. Is Commanded by Francis the Second King of France to retire p. 28. Yet still offers to retain the Author in his Service which he accepts ibid. Is sent for to Court but delays coming and in the mean time the French King dies and then he Posts to Court like the Constable of France Commanding all the Guards p. 29. The Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his Brother are Commanded out of Town and the Constable is kindly received by the Queen-Mother p. 29 and 30. A Convention is appointed for ordering his Majesties Affairs after his return from Denmark p. 184. But few of the Nobility appear there being slighted at the Queens Coronation as they supposed ibid. Reformation is designed by this Convention but nothing performed ibid. Condingknows Laird is made Captain of
have appeared desirous of that marriage I should have offended both the Queens and lost their favour He intreated me to excuse him at her Majesties hands and to beg in his Name that she would not impute that matter to him but to the malice of his Enemies Being landed at London our Dinner was prepared by the Earl of Pembroke who being great Master yet humbled himself so far as to serve the said Table as Master of the Houshold himself He was a devout friend to my Queens Title of succeeding to the Crown of England After Dinner I took leave of the French Ambassadour and the Spanish having received divers advertisements from them My Lord of Leicester beside what he had spoke to me did write to my Lord of Murray to excuse him at the Queens hands The day appointed I received my dispatch from Secretary Cicil together with a Letter of Credit and a more ample Declaration of the Queens mind touching the same answers she had made me her self He gave me also a Letter to Secretary Lidingtoun For as is abovesaid Secretary Cicil and Leicester my Lord of Murray and Secretary Lidingtoun ruled both Queens and as yet kept good correspondence together When I took my leave Secretary Cicil conveyed me through the Close to the outer Gate of the Palace where he himself put a fair Chain about my Neck My Lady Lennox and Sir Nicholas Throgmorten sent many good advices to the Queen to be followed according as occasion offered My Lady Lennox sent also Tokens to the Queen a Ring with a fair Diamond she sent an Emerauld to my Lord her Husband who was yet in Scotland a Diamond to my Lord of Murray a Watch set with Diamonds and Rubies to the Secretary Lidingtoun a Ring with a Ruby to my Brother Sir Robert For she was still in good hope that her Son my Lord Darnly would come better speed concerning the marriage of our Queen then the Earl of Leicester She was a very wise and discreet Matron and had many favourers in England for the time At my return I found the Queens Majesty still at Edinbrugh To whom I declared at large my manner of proceeding with the Queen of England and gave her Majesty her answers to the special heads of my instructions in writing Her Majesty answered to the first that whereas the Queen thought the time very long since she received either word or writ from her whereby she might understand of her good estate and had sent me thither to visit her in her behalf that she thought the time as long albeit she had conceived some displeasure concerning the angry Letter Which was the greater in respect it appeared that she disdained the offer of the best good she had to give to wit the Man whom she esteemed as her Brother And whereas she had sent me to visit her she was more satisfied with my coming then she would have been with any other being formerly of her acquaintance with whom she could the more familiarly declare her inward mind to the Queen my Mistress seeing she could not meet with her self so soon as she desired As I might declare how familiarly she had conferred with me acquainting me with all her inward griefs and desires and how well she was satisfied and how willing to continue all good offices of amity and that she would for that effect send shortly down to the Border Commissioners who were named by her self to meet with my Lord of Murray and Lidingtoun As for the Parliament it was yet in doubt whether it held or not If it held the Queen should get no hurt in her Right neither directly nor indirectly but she should be forewarned in due time Then I shewed her Majesty at length of all other purposes that fell out occasionally betwixt that Queen and me together with the opinions and advertisements of divers of her friends in England as well Catholicks as Protestants I gave her at the desire of the Spanish Ambassadour the intimation of his Kings good will toward her Her Majesty was very glad that matters were brought again to this pass between her and the Queen of England having thereby occasion of getting intelligence from a great number of Noblemen and others her friends in England For she was also afraid that the blame of the discord would have been laid upon her if it had continued After that her Majesty had at great length understood all my management and proceedings in England she inquired whether I thought that Queen meant truly toward her inwardly in her heart as she appeared to do outwardly in her speech I answered freely that in my judgment there was neither plain dealing nor upright meaning but great dissimulation emulation and fear lest her Princely qualities should over soon chace her from the Kingdom as having already hindered her marriage with the Arch-duke Charles of Austria It appeared likewise to me by her offering unto her with great appearing earnestness my Lord of Leicester whom I knew at that time she could not want Shortly after my Lord of Murray and Bedford met near Berwick to treat concerning the marriage with Leicester with slenderer offers and less effectual dealing then was expected But the said Earl of Leicester had written such discreet and wise Letters unto my Lord of Murray for his excuses that the Queen appeared to have so good liking to him as the Queen of England began to suspect that the said marriage might take effect Her apprehensions of this occasioned the Lord Darnly his getting more readily license to come to Scotland in hope that he being a handsome lusty youth should rather prevail being present then Leicester who was absent Which license was procured by the means of the Secretary Cicil not that he was minded that any of the marriages should take effect but with such shifts to hold the Queen unmarried so long as he could For he perswaded himself that my Lord Darnly durst not proceed in the marriage without consent of the Queen of England first obtained to the said marriage his Land lying in England and his Mother remaining there So that he thought it lay in the Queen his Mistress her own hand to let that marriage go forward or to stay the same at her pleasure And in case my Lord Darnly should disobey the Queen of Englands command to return upon her call he intended to cause for fault him whereby he should lose all his Lands Rights and Titles that he had in England The Queens Majesty as I have said before after her returning out of France to Scotland behaved her self so Princely honourably and discreetly that her reputation spread it self in all Countries She was determined and of her self inclined to continue so unto the end of her life desiring to entertain none in her company but such as were of the best conversation abhorring all vice and vicious persons In this her resolution she desired me to assist her by affording her my good counsel what way was
the time and one called Mr. Lignish greatest in favour with the Duke of Norfolk and a good number of Knights and Gentlemen of York-shire with the most part of the Captains of Berwick Her Majesty was sufficiently informed by my Brother's writing to her and me what kind of language and entertainment was most proper for the Earl and each of them When all the rest of the Ambassadours were come they repined to see the English-men more friendly and familiarly used then themselves For then we had more to do with England then with France And the French Earl who was sent was no Courtier but a simple Man And Monsieur de Morat the Duke of Savoy his Ambassadour being far of came after the Baptism During their abode at Sterling there was daily Banqueting Dancing and Triumph And at the principal Banquet there fell out a great grudge among the English-men for a Frenchman called Bastien devised a number of Men formed like Satyrs with long Tails and whips in their hands running before the meat which was brought through the great Hall upon a Machine or Engine marching as appeared alone with Musicians clothed like Maids singing and playing upon all sorts of Instruments But the Satyrs were not content only to make way or room but put their hands behind them to their Tails which they wagged with their hands in such sort as the English-men supposed it had been devised and done in derision of them weakly apprehending that which they should not have appeared to understand for Mr. Hattoun Mr. Lignish and the most part of the Gentlemen desired to Supp before the Queen and great Banquet that they might see the better the Order and Ceremonies of the Triumph But so soon as they perceived the Satyrs wagging their Tails they all sate down upon the bare floor behind the back of the Table that they might not see themselves derided as they thought Mr. Hatton said unto me if it were not in the Queens presence he would put a Dagger to the heart of that French knave Bastien who he alledged had done it out of despight that the Queen made more of them then of the Frenchmen I excused the matter the best I could but the noise was so great behind the Queen's back where her Majesty and my Lord of Bedford did sit that they heard and turned about their faces to enquire what the matter meant I informed them that it was occasioned by the Satyrs so that the Queen and my Lord of Bedford had both enough to do to get them appeased It fell out unhappily at such a time and the English Gentlemen committed a great over sight to notice it as done against them But my Lord of Bedford was discreet and interpreted all things to the best My Lord of Bedford was rewarded with a rich Chain of Diamonds worth two thousand Crowns Mr. Cary with a Chain of Pearl and a Ring with a fair Diamond Mr. Hattoun had a Chain with her Majesties Picture and a Ring Mr. Lignish and five other of Quality had each of them Chains I was commanded with many others to attend them towards the Road. They parted all very well content and satisfied with the Queens Majesty but lamented that they perceived the King so much slighted My Lord of Bedford desired me to request her Majesty to entertain him as she had done at the beginning for her own honour and the advancement of her affairs which I forgot not to do at all occasions After the Baptism and parting of the Ambassadours her Majesty desirous to put good order upon the Borders sent the Earl of Bothwel before who in the pursuit of Thieves was hurt Her Majesty past afterward to Jedbrugh her self where the Earls of Bothwel and Huntly enterprised the slaughter of the Earl of Murray but the Lord Hume came there with forces and prevented that enterprise Her Majesty returned by the Merse and desired to see Berwick afar off where she was honoured with many shots of Artillery and Sir John Foster Warden upon the English Border came and conferred with her Majesty for keeping of good order And the mean time while he was speaking with her Majesty on Horse-back his Courser did rise up with his formost Legs to take the Queens Horse by the Neck with his Teeth but his Feet hurt her Majesties Thigh very ill Incontinent the Warden lighted off his Horse and sate down upon his knees craving her Majesties pardon For then all England did much reverence her her Majesty made him to rise and said that she was not hurt yet it compelled her Majesty to tarry two days at the Castle of Hoome untill she recovered again The King followed her about whithersoever she rode but got no good countenance So that finding himself flighted he went to Glascow where he fell sick it being alledged that he had got poison from some of his Servants In the mean time the Earl of Bothwel ruled all at Court having brought home the banished Lords and packed up a quiet friendship with the Earl of Mortoun After her Majesties return to Edinbrugh she reconciled the Earls of Huntly Bothwel Arguile and others From that her Majesty went to Sterling to see the Prince and returned again to Edinbrugh whither the King was afterward brought and lodged in the Kirk-field as a place of good Air where he might best recover his health But many suspected that the Earl of Bothwel had some enterprise against him few durst advertise him because he told all again to some of his own Servants who were not all honest Yet Lord Robert Earl of Orkny told him that if he retired not hastily out of that place it would cost him his life which he told again to the Queen and my Lord Robert denied that ever he spoke it This advertisement moved the Earl of Bothwel to haste forward his enterprize he had before laid a train of Powder under the House where the King did lodge and in the night did blow up the said House with the Powder but it was spoken that the King was taken forth and brought down to a Stable where a Napkin was stopped in his mouth and he therewith suffocated Every body suspected the Earl of Bothwel and those who durst speak freely to others said plainly that it was he Whereupon he drew together a number of Lords of his dependers to be an Assize which cleansed and acquitted him some for fear some for favour and the greatest part in expectation of advantage This way being assailed he remained still the greatest favourite at Court My Lord of Murray was retired from the Court several days before Her Majesty kept her Chamber for a while I came to the door the next morning after the murther and the Earl of Bothwel said that her Majesty was sorrowful and quiet which occasioned him to come forth He said the strangest accident had fallen out which ever was heard of for Thunder had come out of the sky and had burnt the King's House
for his greater security where there were divers new enterprises made whereof my Brother Sir Robert getting frequent advertisements sometimes to keep his Lodging such a night sometimes to be well accompanied such a night as being one who had done pleasures to many and was not hated nor would never have been in danger so that he could but save himself from the first fury of the attempters This hath been the hard estate of this good King occasioned by his laying the burthen of his Affairs upon a few hated and envied for their Ambition Covetousness and Partialities who so soon as they had attained so weighty a charge took only care how to make themselves soon rich most commonly by the wrack of others So blindly transported by ambition and greediness that they neglected both King and Common-Wealth satisfying the King with fair language though displeasing the Country with foul deeds caring only how to discredit and bear down so many honest men as they knew would discover their misbehaviour or who would oppose them in their pernicious designs which I may justly testifie for my part Not long after this a new enterprise was made to make a great alteration in Court by some Courtiers among themselves When as the Master of Glams was Treasurer Sir George Hume Master of the Wardrobe my Lord of Spinze Gentleman of the Chamber and young Logie also Sir John Maitland Lord Thirlstane Chancellour Sir Robert my Brother Treasurer depute had the principal handling of the Office by disbursing and receiving the Provost of Lincludin Collector and Seatoun of Parbroth Controller Sir Richard Cockburn of Clarkingtoun Secretary and I was one of the Privy Council and Gentleman of her Majesties Chamber my Lord Duke of Lennox my Lord Hume and my Lord of Mar were drawn upon this course to reform the abuses at Court as was alledged There was no good liking between the Master of Glams and my Lord of Spiny chiefly for the feud between the Houses of Crauford and Glams At that time my Lord Spiny was in great favour with his Majesty and sometime his Bed-fellow And upon that accompt he was envied And besides the foresaid feud he was accused to have been a dealer with the Earl of Bothwel and upon that was for a time decourted Young Logie was also thought to have had much dealing with the said Earl and was accused taken and warded for the same But he escaped out of a Window in Dalkieth by the help of a Danish Gentlewoman whom he afterward married There was great hatred betwixt my Lord Duke and the Chancellour For after the late enterprise in the Abby the Chancellour caused close up the passage with Stone and Lime that was betwixt their Lodgings whereby he gave the Duke to understand that he suspected him which was too rashly done by the said Chancellour For after that the new alteration was intended and called the enterprise made at Dalkieth my Lord Duke and my Lord Hume riding from Dalkieth to Edinburgh met the Chancellour well accompanied riding to Court where the said Lords made a mint to set upon him to slay him yet the matter was at that time taken up by Alexander Hoom of North-Berwick and my Brother Sir Robert who were in company with the Chancellour for the time But shortly after that the Chancellour left the Court retiring himself to his House and in his absence a great number of faults were charged upon him and among the rest how he had so long hindered the King's marriage whereby the Queens Majesty was made his great Enemy The Master of Glams also would fain have had my Brother out of his Office to brook the whole Office of Treasurer alone Therefore the Laird of Carmichall Captain of the Guard was easily perswaded to cause a number of the Guard who stood with Culverins at the Gates of the House of Dalkieth to boast to slay my said Brother divers times in his passing in and out of the same house supposing that my Brother should fear his Life and leave the Court as the Chancellour had done But my Brother made no accompt of their boasts for he knew the Duke was his friend and that he had but few enemies Therefore he frequented the Court more frequently then formerly but came always well accompanied for they could get nothing to lay to his charge but said to his Majesty that he was too lavish in his Office to be a Treasurer over easie in his Compositions and over gentle to such as were denounced to the horn The Queens Majesty according to her custom whenever she understands that his Majesty by wrong information is stirred up against any honest Servant or Subject she incontinently intercedes for them and useth great diligence to get sure knowledge of the verity that she may the boldlier speak in their savour Therefore so soon as her Majesty understood that they were dealing against Sir Robert my Brother it pleased her to speak far in his favour declaring how that at her first Landing in this Country his Majesty had presented him to her praising him as one who had been a true and faithful Servant to the Queen Regent his Grand-mother to the Queen his Mother and to himself willing her to look upon him as such and to follow his advice Also many of the Lords took my Brother's part in such sort as he still kept the Court and his Office When this alteration was made I was absent and at my coming again to Court his Majesty told me of the Chancellour's fearful retreat and that he was in no danger in his company I answered again that the Prince's presence should be a safeguard albeit it was not always so in Scotland It appeared that his Majesty was somewhat altered upon the Chancellour my Lord Spiny and my Brother For as the Master of Glams would have had his Office so others misliked him because he haunted the Chancellour's company and was lookt upon as his great friend who was generally hated So that his Majesty was moved to think and say that he was not meet for his Office I being present answered That it grieved me to the heart to hear and see so good a Prince always invironed with bad company causing him so oft without reason or offence to cast off his most faithful Servants and that it would be seen let men serve never so well if they were misrepresented by such as had his Ear it availed nothing To this His Majesty replied That he knew my Brother to be a true Servant but too gentle liberal and easie in his Compositions he declared that he would never alter upon him nor me so that he continued constant against the intentions of those who were about him Here it may be seen how necessary it is to have good friends about the Prince and how hurtful and dangerous it is for a Courtier when such as have the Prince's Ear are his Enemies For in that case whatsoever his good Service hath been he is in
death of that gallant Warriour though I could not conjecture for the time what could move him By frequent conference with him I suspected that he would be an Enemy to the marriage of his Brother with our Queen but to get some further tryal thereof I requested my companion Monsieur Zuliger to drink himself merry with some of his Secretaries and then to cast in the purpose of the marriage of our Queen with Duke Charles whether or no it was desired or relished by the Emperour The said Secretary shew'd him plainly that he was against any such preferment to his Brother whereby he might become King both of Scotland and England by reason of an Essay that the Emperour Charles the Fifth had made once to divide his Dominions among the three Sons of Ferdinand his Brother failing Heirs of King Philip his Son who then had but one Son Don Carlo sickly and of a tender weak complexion whom he afterwards himself killed secretly in Prison suspecting him to be of the Reformed Religion and to keep intelligence with the Princes of Flanders who professed the same And Maximilian hoped to succeed to the whole failing Heirs of the said King Philip as having married the said Philip's Sister and having by her many Children of his own whom he rather desired to be preferred then his own Brother For in case the Arch-duke Charles had been made King of Scotland and England he thought thereby he would have the fitter occasion of usurping the Low Countrys upon the pretext of some old right Having understood this I would wait no longer but pressed daily for my dispatch that I might return to my Lord Elector And the Emperour again used great intreaties to oblige me to stay with him promising to advance me if I would enter into his service but finding no inclination in me to comply with his desire therein he at length willed me to stay with him but half a year But I humbly excused my self pretending that I behoved to be shortly in Scotland which moved him the more earnesty to desire me to stay with him which because I would not grant to do I found he was discontent One night late after Supper he parted in a Boat towards the Town of Lintz and sent his Secretary unto me excusing himself that he did not meet with me before parting seeing an urgent occasion called for his speedy departure and seeing I was to return to Scotland he had written a Letter to the Queen in my favour which the Secretary delivered unto me I told the Secretary that I had not yet seen Italy and that I was purposed first to visit Rome Venice Florence and the most remarkable Cities there e're I returned to Scotland upon which account at first I refused the said Letter but he answered there was no danger how long it was undelivered seeing there was no thing therein contained but what concerned my self The Town of Ausbrugh being the nearest Port of Germany to Venice I agreed with Monsieur Euliger to return toward my Lord Elector and thence I took my Journey toward Venice and Rome And came back through all the fairest Cities of Italy and through Switzerland to Heidlberg where the Prince Elector kept his Court. I have above declared how that the Duke of Guise was slain by Poltrot at the Siege of Orleance It was after the battel of Drues in the which both the chieftains were taken The Prince of Conde for those of the Religion and the Constable for the King The Queen Mother incontinently made the Peace far against the mind of Madam de Guise who earnestly requested her not to make the Peace so suddenly left it should be thought that the Duke of Guise had only had hand in the Wars But nevertheless the Queen Mother went forward with the Peace changing the Prince of Conde for the Constable making them both good instruments of the agreement The Peace being made the Queen Mother began to think upon a Wife for her Son King Charles For that effect she sent unto the Prince Palatine a Secretary called Monsieur Wyllot shewing unto him that the King her Son was very desirous to marry Maximilian's Eldest Daughter intreating him as a trusty friend to propose the matter as of his own head as a steadable Alliance conducing for the weal of the Empire and to send her the picture of the Princess which she thought fit to be done upon some considerations before she would proceed more publickly Which affair he went about most diligently and he was pleased to send me with the answer and picture with a congratulation of the late made Peace At my coming to the Court of France which was at Paris for the time the Constable would needs be my convoy to the young King and Queen Mother who had a misliking of the said Constable for the time because he had brought in the Admiral to Paris against her will who was accused to have promised reward unto the foresaid Poltrot to kill the Duke of Guise The Admiral again desired to come before the Privy Council to purge himself offering to undergo his tryal But the Queen Mother desired not these animosities among the great Men to be removed but rather wished that their hatred might continue and their contentions increase as having laid her Plot to secure her own greatness by the means of their strife as was after manifestly seen For during their divisions the Duke of Guise King of Navarr Prince of Conde the Constable the Marshal de St. Andre with the most notable great Men of France were all slain and because the said Admiral escaped during the Wars the Peace was made for the third time and under the covert of marriage of the young King of Navarr who was afterward King of France the said Admiral was barbarously murdered with all that remained of the worthiest Noblemen and Captains of France But to return to the purpose the Constable and Admiral were at Court at that time against the Queen Mother's will where the Admiral was declared innocent of the Duke of Guise his slaughter And at that time the Constable determined to abide at Court and to maintain himself in his Office of great Master by the authority of his great Office of the Constablry assisted by the force of his friends For he sufficiently understood the Queen Mother's Italian tricks therefore to win credit he presented me to the young King and sate down upon a Stool by him and the Queen his Mother and held his Bonnet upon his Head taking upon him the full authority of his great Office to the Queen Mother's great discontent whereat she was so impatient that she turned away her face when I was declaring my Commission after the delivery of my Letters of Credence to the King and her which the King was very glad to hear being thereby put in hope that the marriage would take effect He was so desirous to see the picture of that young Princess that he cut the
her heart and mind in that affair to be directed by the Almighty God But this herein her Majesty considereth that to seek out such a Husband as is sought for by your friends in the Emperours Linage will certainly procure at last some misunderstanding and give apparent occasion of dissolving the Concord that is now betwixt the two Nations and an interruption of such a course as otherwise might be taken to further and advance such a Title as your Highness hath to succeed to her Majesty to the Crown of England if she should depart without issue of her Body Then he useth some unfit perswasions and menaces threat'ning that some in England were going about with practices to set forward their pretended right to her Majesties prejudice which she by her discreet behaviour and conformity to his Mistresses pleasure might prevent by moving her thereby not only to proceed in the inquisition after your Majesties right and with her power to further the same but also to hinder that which appears to be to the contrary And now if your Majesty would know what kind of marriage would best content her and her Realm such a one as would breed no jealousie nor trouble betwixt your Majesties and your Countries as did the the marriage with the French King But rather it is to be wished that there might be found out some Nobleman of great birth in England who might be agreeable to you with whom her Majesty would more readily and more easily declare that she inclines that failing of Children of her own Body you might succeed to her Crown otherwise I do plainly tell you that my Soveraign can promise nothing in that matter tending to your satisfaction These were Mr. Randolph's first instructions and propositions unto the Queen concerning her marriage with the Arch-duke Charles But he had a secret Commission to my Lord of Murray and Secretary Lidingtoun to propose my Lord Robert Dudley and he desired me also to set forward his marriage with the Queen as meetest of all other By this kind of procedure it was apparent that the Queen of England did not relish this proposal of marriage of the Arch-duke Charles to our Queen She gave a farther and more clear demonstration thereof a little after by sending the Earl of Sussex to the Emperour's Court as well to congratulate his Coronation as indirectly to draw on the marriage of the Arch-duke Charles with her self And she was put in hope that it would take effect Yet this design was not so secretly managed but our Queen was thereof advertised by some of her friends in England And from hence arose inward griefs and grudges between the two Queens which within a little time bursted forth occasion thereof being given by the Queen of England For in a familiar Letter to our Queen she appeared therein to give her as formerly a friendly advice which our Queen thought but double dealing remembring as well her late disswading answer from the marriage of the Arch-duke Charles as her late practises in the Emperours Court The Queen of England's Letter was written at the desire of some of the House of Hamiltoun For after that Mr. Randolph had spoken as is above mentioned against the marriage of the Queen with the Arch-duke Charles and had alledged that some Noblemen in England would be fitter matches for her he proceeded so far with my Lord of Murray and Secretary Lidingtoun as to say What would you think of my Lord Robert Dudly for your Queen But finding small account to be made of him he advertised the Queen his Mistress thereof Whereupon liberty was granted to Matthew Earl of Lennox who dwelt then in England to go to Scotland as desirous to see the Queen and take course in some of his own affairs Now his Eldest Son my Lord Darnly was a lusty young Prince and apparently was one of the two that the Queen of England had told me she had in her head to offer unto our Queen as born within the Realm of England But to return unto the Letter written by the Queen of England unto our Queen she would appear therein to be very careful for the Queen her Sisters quiet Estate and Government desiring her to take heed that in shewing pleasure to the Earl of Lennox she did not displease the House of Hamiltoun seeing thereby trouble and strife might arise in her Country Sundry other such purposes she had which at some time would not have been taken in ill part but now all advices given by the Queen of England were misconstructed partly because of her being instrumental in hindring the marriage with Prince Charles and partly because David Rixio lately admitted to be her French Secretary was not very skilful in inditing French Letters which she did write over again with her own hand The answer then that our Queen did write unto the said Letter declared some suspicions and anger to have been taken and these she manifested in some harsh expressions which were constructed by the Queen of England as a violation of their former familiarity and Sisterly correspondence which had been ever kept up since the Queens return out of France Whereupon ensued so great a coldness that they left of for a considerable time from writing each to other as they had formerly done weekly by Post. So that the Queen resolved to send me to England to renew their outward friendship for in their hearts from that time forth there was nothing but jealousies and suspicions The Queen my Mistress thought that if their discord continued it would cut off all correspondence between her and her friends in England and that Queen had no inclination for War but by all means possible desired to shun trouble or any occasion of expences the King of Spain and she being already entered into controversie For he judged her a foinenter of the troubles in Flanders and the Low Countries and not without reason For she thought her self abandoned by the King of Spain at the late Peace made at Cambray and her chief Councellers thought it convenient for the interest of England that Factions should be nourished in France Flanders Scotland and Spain At my home-coming to Scotland I found the Queen's Majesty at St Johnstoun in the Year of God 1564 the fifth day of May. I was very favourably received by the Queens Majesty and presented unto her Letters from the Emperour Maximilian the Elector Palatine the Duke of Lorrain and Cardinal of Lorrain and Duke of Aumale all in my favours After that I had at length informed her that I found Maximilian was against the marriage of his Brother Charles she likewise understanding the Queen of Englands part therein as is above specified she altogether laid aside any further thoughts of the marriage with the Arch-duke Charles And whereas she had once resolved to have sent me to Germany she takes another resolution intending that I should be sent to England Though I was not yet resolved in setling my self
to dine with her Dame of Honour my Lady Strafford an honourable and godly Lady who had been at Geneva banished during the Reign of Queen Mary that I might be always near her that she might confer with me I had formerly been acquainted with my Lady Strafford as she passed through France I had good intelligence from her and my Lady Throgmorton At divers meetings we had divers purposes The Queen my Mistress had instructed me to leave matters of gravity sometimes and cast in merry purposes lest otherwise I should be wearied she being well informed of that Queens natural temper Therefore in declaring my observations of the customs of Dutchland Poland and Italy the Buskins of the Women was not forgot and what Countrey Weed I thought best becoming Gentlewomen The Queen said she had Cloths of every sort which every day thereafter so long as I was there she changed One day she had the English Weed another the French and another the Italian and so forth She asked me which of them became her best I answered in my judgment the Italian dress which answer I found pleased her well for she delighted to shew her golden coloured hair wearing a Caul and Bonnet as they do in Italy Her hair was more reddish then yellow curled in appearance naturally She desired to know of me what colour of hair was reputed best and whether my Queens hair or hers was best and which of them two was fairest I answered the fairness of them both was not their worst faults But she was earnest with me to declare which of them I judged fairest I said she was the fairest Queen in England and mine the fairest Queen in Scotland Yet she appeared earnest I answered they were both the fairest Ladies in their Countries that her Majesty was whiter but my Queen was very lovely She inquired which of them was of highest stature I said my Queen Then saith she she is too high for I my self am neither too high nor too low Then she asked what kind of exercises she used I answered that when I received my dispatch the Queen was lately come from the High-land hunting That when her more serious affairs permitted she was taken up with reading of Histories That sometimes she recreated her self in playing upon the Lute and Virginals She asked if she played well I said reasonably for a Queen That same day after Dinner my Lord of Hunsdean drew me up to a quiet Gallery that I might hear some Musick but he said that he durst not avow it where I might hear the Queen play upon the Virginals After I had hearkned a while I took by the Tapistry that hung before the door of the Chamber and seeing her back was toward the door I entered within the Chamber and stood a pretty space hearing her play excellently well but she left off immediately so soon as she turned her about and saw me She appeared to be surprized to see me and came forward seeming to strike me with her hand alledging she used not to play before Men but when she was solitary to shun melancholly She asked how I came there I answered as I was walking with my Lord of Hunsdean as we past by the Chamber door I heard such melody as ravished me whereby I was drawn in e're I knew how excusing my fault of homeliness as being brought up in the Court of France where such freedom was allowed declaring my self willing to endure what kind of punishment her Majesty should be pleased to inflict upon me for so great an offence Then she sate down low upon a Cushion and I upon my knees by her but with her own hand she gave me a Cushion to lay under my knee which at first I refused but she compelled me to take it She then called for my Lady Strafford out of the next Chamber for the Queen was alone She inquired whether my Queen or she played best In that I found my self obliged to give her the praise She said my French was good and asked if I could speak Italian which she spoke reasonably well I told her Majesty I had no time to learn the Language perfectly not having been above two Months in Italy Then she spake to me in Dutch which was not good and would know what kind of Books I most delighted in whether Theology History or Love matters I said I liked well of all the sorts Here I took occasion to press earnestly my dispatch she said I was weary sooner of her company then she was of mine I told her Majesty that though I had no reason of being weary I knew my Mistress her affairs called me home yet I was stayed two days longer till I might see her Dance as I was afterward informed Which being over she inquired of me whether she or my Queen Danced best I answered the Queen Danced not so high and disposedly as she did Then again she wished that she might see the Queen at some convenient place of meeting I offered to convey her secretly to Scotland by Post clothed like a Page that under this disguise she might see the Queen as James the Fifth had gone in disguise to France with his own Ambassadour to see the Duke of Vendom's Sister who should have been his Wife Telling her that her Chamber might be kept in her absence as though she were sick that none needed to be privy thereto except my Lady Strafford and one of the Grooms of her Chamber She appeared to like that kind of Language only answered it with a sigh saying alas if I might do it thus She used all the means she could to oblige me to perswade the Queen of the great love she did bear unto her and that she was fully minded to put away all jealousies and suspicions and in times-coming to entertain a stricter friendship then formerly She promised that my dispatch should be delivered to me very shortly at London by Secretary Cicil For now she was at Hampton Court where she gave me my answer by mouth her self and her Secretary by writing The next day my Lord of Leicester desired me to go down the River in his Barge with him to London He had in his company Sir Henry Sidney Deputy of Ireland By the way my Lord entered familiarly into discourse with me alledging that he was well acquainted with my Lord of Murry Lidingtoun and my Brother Sir Robert and that he was by report so well acquainted with me that he durst upon the Character he had heard of me desire to know what the Queen my Mistress thought of him and the marriage that Mr. Randolph had proposed Whereunto I answered very coldly as I had been by my Queen commanded Then he began to purge himself of so proud a pretence as to marry so great a Queen declaring he did not esteem himself worthy to wipe her Shoes declaring that the invention of that proposition of marriage proceeded from Mr. Cicil his secret Enemy For if I says he should
they behoved to secure her and when that time came that she should be known to abandon and detest the Earl Bothwel it would be then time to reason upon the matter Grange was yet so angry that had it not been for the Letter he had instantly left them and for the next best he used all possible diligence to make her and them both quit of the said Earl causing to make ready two Ships to follow after him who had fled to the Castle of Dumbar and from thence to Sheatland In the mean time her Majesty sent a Letter to the Laird of Grange lamenting her hard usage and shewing him that promises had been broken to her Whereunto he answered that he had already reproached the Lords for the same who shewed unto him a Letter sent by her unto the Earl of Bothwel promising among many other fair and comfortable words never to abandon or forget him which had stopped his mouth marvelling that her Majesty considered not that the said Earl could never be her Lawful Husband being so lately before married with another whom he had deserted without any just ground although he had not been so hated for the murther of the King her Husband And therefore he requested her Majesty to put him clean out of mind seeing otherwise she could never get the love or respect of her Subjects nor have that obedience payed her which otherwise she might expect It contained many other loving and humble admonitions which made her bitterly to weep For she could not do that so hastily which process of time might have accomplished Now the Laird of Grange his two Ships being in readiness he made sail toward Orkney and no man was so frank to accompany him as the Laird of Tullibardin and Adam Bothwel Bishop of Orkny but the Earl was fled from Orkny to Sheatland whither also they followed him and came in sight of Bothwel's Ship which moved the Laird of Grange to cause the Skipper to hoise up all the Sails which they were loath to do because they knew the shallow water thereabout but Grange fearing to miss him compelled the Marriners so that for too great haste the Ship wherein Grange was did break upon a Bed of Sand without loss of a man but Bothwel had leasure in the mean time to save himself in a little Boat leaving his Ship behind him which Grange took and therein the Laird of Fallow Iohn Hepburn of Bautoun Dalgleesh and divers others of the Earl's Servants Himself fled to Denmark where he was taken and kept in wrait Prison wherein he became mad and dyed miserably But Grange came back again with Bothwel's Ship and Servants who were the first who gave information of the manner of the murther which the Lords thought fit to let the King of France understand and of their diligence according to the promise made by them My Lord of Murray had obtained liberty to pass unto France shortly after the murther of the King for he did foresee the great trouble like to ensue The rest of the Lords enterprisers after they had secured the Queen in Lochleven began to consult how to get her Majesty counselled to demit the Government to the Prince her Son and for that effect they dealt first with my Brother Sir Robert because he was sometimes allowed access to her Majesty And after that he had refused flatly to meddle in that matter they were minded to send the Lord Lindsay first to use fair perswasions and in case he could not speed that way they were resolved to enter in harder tearms The Earls of Athol Mar and Secretary Lidingtoun and the Laird of Grange who loved her Majesty advised my Brother to tell her the verity and how that any thing she did in Prison could not prejudge her being once again at liberty He answered he would give no such advice as coming from himself but he should tell it as the opinion of those he knew to be her true friends But she refused utterly to follow that advice till she heard that the Lord Lindsay was at the new House at the shore coming in and in a very boasting humour And then she yielded to the necessity of the time and told my Brother that she would not strive with them seeing it could do her no harm when she was at liberty So at my Lord Lindsay's coming she subscribed the signature of Renunciation and Demission of the Government to the Prince and certain Lords named in the said signature to be Regents to the Prince and Country her Majesty desiring my Lord Murray who was absent in France to be the first Regent This being past the Lords concluded to Crown the Prince and sent Letters to France to the Earl of Murray to come home In the mean time there were a number of Lords convened at Hamiltoun as my Lord Hamiltoun my Lord Pasby Iohn Hamiltoun Bishop of St. Andrews my Lord Fleeming Boid and divers others to whom the Lords who were to Crown the Prince would have sent me Commissioner Which Commission at the first I refused but afterwards I accepted thereof at the advice of Secretary Lidingtoun the Laird of Grange and other secret favourers of the Queen who judged it very fit that the whole Country should bejoined together in quietness fearing that in case Civil Wars entred among them it might endanger her Majesties life For it was judged that those who were at Hamiltoun appeared to lean to the Queen At my coming to Hamiltoun I told them my Commission in the name of the other Lords how that the King being murthered all neighbour Nations cryed out upon the whole Kingdom but especially the King of France and the Queen of England sollicited them to inquire after and punish the murtherers How that they had found that it was the Earl of Bothwel and some of them who had assisted him who were punished And what was past since thereupon was known to the whole Country That the Queens Majesty had demitted over the Government to the Prince her Son whom they were minded to Crown shortly whereof they thought fit to warn all the Nobility as being resolved to prejudge no Nobleman of his Rights Titles or Prerogatives requesting them who were there Convened to come to Sterling and be present at the said Coronation for retaining their own priviledges the peace and quiet of the whole Country Some of the younger Lords answered and said that they would not believe that the Queens Majesty had demitted the Government and if she had done it it would be found for to save her life But the Bishop who had more experience then they reproved them and said that those Noblemen had dealt very reasonably and discreetly with them so he drew the rest aside to advise and then returned and gave me this answer We are beholden to the Noblemen who have sent you with that friendly and discreet Commission and following their desire we are ready to concur with them if they give us sufficient security
faithfully to use the oultmost of our endeavours by all reasonable means to procure her Majesties liberty and freedom upon such honest conditions as may stand with her Majesties honour the common weal of the whole Realm and security of the whole Nobility who at present have her Majesty in keeping Whereby this our native Realm may be governed ruled and guided by her Majesty and her Nobility for the common quietness the administration of Iustice and weal of the Country And in case the Noblemen who have her Majesty at present in their hands refuse to set her at Liberty upon such reasonable conditions as said is in that case we shall employ our selves our kindred friends servants and partakers our Bodies and Lives to set her Highness at liberty as said is and also to concur to the punishment of the murther of the King her Majesties Husband and for sure preservation of the person of the Prince as well shall answer to God and on our honours and credit And to that effect shall concur every one with other at our utmost power And if any shall set upon us or any of us for the doing as aforesaid in that case We promise faithfully to espouse one anothers interest under pain of Perjury and Infamy as we shall answer to God In witness whereof We have subscribed these presents with our hand at Dumbartoun the _____ day of _____ St. Andrews Arguile Huntly Arbroth Gallway Ross Fleeming Herris Skirling Killwonning Will. Hamiltoun of Sanchir Knight This small number were the first who banded themselves together and afterward all those who were Male-contents or had any particular questions claims or seuds with any of the King's Lords drew to these new Confederates hoping by time to win their intent against their adversaries in case their faction might prevail And some drew to both the factions who neither desired to see the Kirk nor Country in any stablished estate The Court of England on the other hand left nothing undone to kindle the fire and to furnish both the factions with hope of assistance in case of need For oft-times by their Ambassadours ordinary who were resident here they upon some new occasion would send in another openly to deal with the King's faction because it was strongest and greatest and under-hand to deal with the Queens faction and alledge that their quarrel was most just and right and that her Majesties Authority was only lawful No man can tell this better then I who was so long well acquainted with all the Ambassadours who were sent to Scotland during their banishment in France in Queen Mary's time as with Mr. Randolph Sir Nicholas Throgmortoun Mr. Dayson Mr. Killegrew and the Marshal of Berwick Among the which number Sir Nicholas Throgmortoun dealt most honestly and plainly for he shot at the union of the whole Isle in one Monarchy And thought that it consisted only in the persons of two for the time to wit the Queen and the King her Son And when he saw Mr. Randolph go about to sow discord he declared the same to my Brother and me and detested him for his divilish intent and dealing Yea he detested the whole Council of England for the time and told us friendly what reasoning they held among themselves for that effect to wit How that one of their greatest Counsellors proposed openly to the rest that it was needful for the well-fare of England to foster and nourish with some help the Civil Wars as well in France Flanders as Scotland whereby England might have many advantages and be sought after by all parties and in the mean time live at rest and gather great riches themselves This advice and proposition was well allowed of by most part of the Council yet one honest Councellor stood up and said That it was a very worldly advice and had little or nothing to do with a Christian Common-wealth nor yet would it be found profitable in all points First he said It is worldly and not godly for though I grant said he that France which is so potent a Kingdom if it knew its own strength might suppress all its neighbours and therefore would be so handled yet even there the fire would dye out incontinent except the Prince of Conde were better furnished and helped As for Flanders he said That the trouble was prejudicial to England because by the Wars in Flanders England's great traffick of merchandize is hindered whereby they have greatest gain As for Scotland he said it was against their weal to hold them in dissention so long as my Lord of Murray was Regent who was their friend and would be ready to assist them with his power in their necessity Another Councellor affirmed that to be true but if my Lord Murray were dead Scotland behoved likewise to be kept in hot Water Which conclusion was commonly followed afterward and was soon discovered by the wisest who were not factious but too late by the rest of the raging multitude who through process of time were so battered one against another e're the play was ended that they would have eaten one another with their Teeth Now my Lord of Murray having accepted the Government upon him pressed to have the strengths in his hands as the Castles of Edinbrugh Dumbar and Dumbartoun The Castle of Edinbrugh was still in the hands of Sir James Balfour who had assisted the Noblemen who had pursued the murther and now took plain part with them and likewise assisted the new made Regent Yet he desired to have the Castle out of his hands which he was content to deliver up upon condition that the Laird of Grange should be made Captain thereof upon the constancy of whose friendship he reposed most which was easily granted by the Regent and all the rest After this the other Strengths were also rendred to him Then he took great pains to steal secret Roads upon the Thieves on the Borders tending much to the quieting thereof He likewise held Justice Airs in the In-country But was not so diligent as he might have been in settling the differences among the Nobility and to draw them by a sweet and discreet equitable behaviour to the obedience of the King's Authority Which might have been easily done if they had gotten security for their persons and estates But such as were about him having their own ambitious and covetous ends counselled him otherwise thinking by the wrack of others to make up themselves They were so blinded by their affections and greedy appetites that they thought all would succeed prosperously according to their desires without any resistance Thus rushing forward the Regent's rough proceedings gave occasion to many to draw to the contrary faction And they to strengthen themselves under the name of Authority devised how to draw the Queens Majesty out of Lockleven to be their head before the time was ripe Whereof the Regent was oft and frequently warned even by divers who were upon the Council of her out-taking who desired that way
to win thanks at his hands But he would credit nothing but such things as came out of the mouths of those who had crept into his favour by flattery In the mean time the Queen was convoyed out of Lockleven by George Duglas the Lairds Brother and the Regents half Brother who was for the time in some evil tearms with them The old Lady his Mother was also thought to be upon the Councel My Lord Seatoun and some of the House of Hamiltoun and divers of their dependers received her Majesty at her landing out of the Logh and convoyed her to Hamiltoun The Regent being for the time at Glascow holding Justice Eyrs Proclamations and Missives were incontinently sent abroad by both sides to convene so many as would act for them in the Country One French Ambassadour was come to Edinbrugh ten days before called Monsieur de Beumont Knight of the Order of the Cockle whom I had convoyed to Glascow and had procured to him a sight of the Queen while Captive He said to me that he never did see so many men so suddenly convened for he rode to Hamiltoun to the Queen and dealt between the parties for Peace but was not heard Her Majesty was not minded to fight nor hazard battel but to go unto the Castle of Dumbartoun and endeavour by little and little to draw home again unto her obedience the whole Subjects But the Bishop of St. Andrews and the House of Hamiltoun and the rest of the Lords there convened finding themselves in number far beyond the other Party would needs hazard Battle thinking thereby to overcome the Regent their great Enemy and be also masters of the Queen to Command and Rule all at their pleasure Some alledged that the Bishop was minded to cause the Queen to marry my Lord Hamiltoun in case they had obtained the victory And I was since informed by some who were present that the Queen her self feared the same therefore she pressed them still to convoy her to Dumbartoun and had sent me word with the French Ambassadour the same morning before the battel to draw on a meeting for concord by the means of the Secretary Lidingtoun and the Laird of Grange And for her part she would send the Lord Herris and some other She had also caused my Brother Sir Robert to write a Letter to me that same morning for that same effect but the Queen's Army came on so fiercely that there was no stay The Regent went out on foot and all his Company except the Laird of Grange Alexander Hume of Manderstoun and some Borderers to the number of 200. The Laird of Grange had already viewed the ground and with all imaginable diligence caused every Horse-man to take behind him a Foot-man of the Regent's to guard behind them and rode with speed to the head of the Long'sid'-hill and set down the said Foot-men with their Culverings at the head of a straight Lane where there were some Cottage-houses and Yards of great advantage Which Soldiers with their continual shot killed divers of the Vaunt-guard led by the Hamiltouns who couragiously and fiercely ascending up the Hill were already out of breath when the Regents Vaunt-guard joined with them Where the worthy Lord Hume fought on foot with his Pike in his hand very manfully well assisted by the Laird of Cesfoord his Brother-in-law who helped him up again when he was strucken to the ground by many stroaks upon his face by the throwing Pistols at him after they had been discharged He was also wounded with Staves and had many stroaks of Spears through his Legs for he and Grange at the joining cried to let their adversaries first lay down their Spears to bear up theirs which Spears were so thick fixed in others Jacks that some of the Pistols and great Staves that were thrown by them which were behind might be seen lying upon the Spears Upon the Queens side the Earl of Arguile commanded the Battel and the Lord of Arbroth the Vaunt-guard On the other part the Regent led the Battle and the Earl of Mortoun the Vaunt-guard But the Regent committed to the Laird of Grange the special care as being an experimented Captain to oversee every danger and to ride to every Wing to incourage and make help where greatest need was He perceived at the first joining the right Wing of the Regent's Vaunt-guard put back and like to fly whereof the greatest part were Commons of the Barony of Ranthrow whereupon he rode to them and told them that their Enemy was already turning their backs requesting them to stay and debate till he should bring them fresh Men forth of the Battel Whither at full speed he did ride alone and told the Regent that the Enemy were shaken and flying away behind the little Village and desired a few number of fresh Men to go with him Where he found enough willing as the Lord Lindsay the Laird of Lockleven Sir James Balfour and all the Regents Servants who followed him with diligence and reinforced that Wing which was beginning to fly which fresh Men with their loose Weapons struck the Enemies in their flanks and faces which forced them incontinent to give place and turn back after long fighting and pushing others to and fro with their Spears There were not many Horse-men to pursue after them and the Regent cried to save and not to kill and Grange was never cruel so that there were but few slain and taken And the only slaughter was at the first rancounter by the shot of the Soldiers which Grange had planted at the Lane-head behind some Dikes After the loss of the Battel her Majesty lost all courage which she had never done before and took so great fear that she never rested till she was in England thinking her self sure of refuge there in respect of the fair promises formerly made to her by the Queen of England by word to her Ambassadours and by her own hand-writ both before and after she was Captive in Lockleven But God and the World knows how she was kept and used for not only she refused to see her of whom she appeared so oft so desirous of a sight and a meeting but also caused to keep her Prisoner and at length suffered her life to be taken away or else it was subtilly taken against her intention This puts me in remembrance of a tale that my Brother Sir Robert told me The time that he was busiest dealing betwixt the two Queens to entertain their friendship and draw on their meeting at a place near York One Bassintoun a Scots-man who had been a Traveller and was learned in high Sciences came to him and said Good Gentleman I hear so good a report of you that I love you heartily and therefore cannot forbear to shew you how that all your upright dealing and honest travel will be in vain For whereas you believe to obtain advantage for your Queen at the Queen of England's hands you do but lose your time and
your travel For first they will never meet together and next there will never be any thing else but dissembling and secret hatred for a while and at length Captivity and utter wrack to our Queen from England My Brother answered he liked not to hear of such devilish news nor yet would he in any sort credit them as being false ungodly and unlawful for Christians to meddle with Bassintoun answered good Mr. Melvil entertain not that harsh opinion of me I am a Christian of your own Religion and fear God and purposeth never to cast my self on any of the unlawful Arts that you mean but so far as Melancthon who was a godly Theologue hath declared lawful and written concerning the natural Sciences which are lawful and daily read in divers Christian Universities in the which as in all other Arts God gives to some less and to others clearer knowledge by the which knowledge I have attained to understand that at length the Kingdom of England shall of right fall to the Crown of Scotland and that at this instant there are some born who shall brook Lands and Heritages in England But alas it will cost many their Lives and many bloody Battels will be fought e're things be settled or take effect and by my knowledge says he the Spaniards will be helpers and will take a part to themselves for their labour which they will be loath to leave again After that the Queens Majesty had demitted the Government when she was Captive in Lockleven in such manner as is rehearsed my Lord of Murray being the first of the Regents of whom I have said something already I intend now to follow forth and shew a part of his proceedings and to begin where I left at her Majesties retreat to England After the Battel of Langside the Regent went through the Country and took up the Escheats and Houses of those who had assisted at the said Battel and caused to cast down divers of their houses distributing their Lands to his Servants and dependers The Council of England being crafty and in special the Secretary Cicil they knew what kind of Men had most credit about him for the time and thereupon took occasion to deal with the least honest most ambitious and covetous of that number and Society who had joined and banded themselves together to assist each other whereby to advance themselves and to disgrace all such true and honest men as had assisted and helped him in all his former troubles This sort of Men were soon perswaded and corrupted to move the Regent to pass unto England and accuse their native Queen before the Queen and Council of England to the great dishonour of their Country and Prince For the Queen of England who had no just cause to retain our Queen who had fled to England in hope of getting shelter and the assistance which had been so oft promised her both before and after her Captivity in Lockleven was very desirous to have some colour and pretext whereby she might make answer to the Ambassadours of sundry Princes who reproached her for her unkindly and unprincely proceedings therein Because the most part of those who had the Regent's Ear were gained to this opinion and the number few who were of a contrary mind he went forward to England accompanied with the Earl of Mortoun the Lord Lindsay the Laird of Lockleven the Bishop of Orkny the Abbot of Dumfarmling Mr. James Macgil Mr. Henry Balnears Mr. George Buchanan the Laird of Pittarrow George Duglas Bishop of Murray Mr. John Wood the Regent's Secretary a great Ring-leader Mr. Nicholas Elphinstoun Secretary Lidingtoun Alexander Hay Alexander Hume of North-Berwick the Laird of Cleesh with divers other Barons and Gentlemen who went there to see the fashion some to wait upon the Regent and Lords and some who could not get the Regent disswaded from this extream folly at home went with him to England to see if by any assistance of such as were friends there to the Union of the Isle and to the Title of Scotland he might be stayed from that accusation For those who were the Queens Lords who came there to defend the Queens part had no credit nor familiarity with the chief faction in England concerning the Title nor durst open their minds but to such as by long acquaintance they were well assured of their honesty and secrecy The names of the Queens Lords were the Lord Herreis the Lord Boid the Lord Fleeming the Lord Livingstoun the Bishop of Ross and some others with my Brother Sir Robert who attended to do all the good he could The Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Sussex and several other Councellors were sent down to York to hear the Regent's Accusation and to be as Judges between the King and Queen's Lords The first day of meeting the Duke of Norfolk required that the Regent should make Homage in the King's Name to the Crown of England thinking he had some ground to demand the same seeing the said Regent there to plead his Cause before the Councel of England Whereat the Regent grew red and knew not what to answer but Secretary Lidingtoun took up the Speech and said That in restoring again to Scotland the Lands of Huntingtuon Cumberland and Northumberland with such other Lands as Scotland did of old possess in England that Homage should gladly be made for the said Lands but as to the Crown and Kingdom of Scotland it was freer than England had been lately when it payed St. Peter ' s Penny to the Poor It appeared still that the Duke drave off time with us as having no inclination to enter upon the terrors of Accusation What was in his head appeared afterward but he was long in a suspence with whom to deal For he thought as he afterward said he neither did see honest men nor wise men At last he resolved to enter in Conference with Secretary Lidingtoun to whom he said That before that time he had ever esteem'd him a Wise man until that now he came before Strangers to accuse the Queen his Mistress as if England were Iudge over the Princes of Scotland How could we find in our hearts to dishonour our Kings Mother or how could we answer afterward for what we were doing seeing it tended to hazard the King her Sons Right to England intending to bring his Mothers honesty in question It had been rather the Duty of you his Subjects sayes he to cover her Imperfections if she had any remitting unto God and Time to punish and put Order thereto who is the Only Iudge over Princes Lidingtoun as he might well do purged himself and declared he came there to endeavour to stop the said Accusation which the Laird of Grange and divers others had endeavoured to do in vain before the Regent's coming out of Scotland And that now he would be glad of any help to hinder that shameful deliberation of the Regents pushed thereto by a company of greedy rash and careless
so banded together against the Secretary and Sir James Balfour That it consisted not in his power to preserve them from Prison seeing they were accused for the King's Murther against his will but Grange should know his honest part thereof at meeting praying him in the mean time to suspend his judgment Nevertheless the Regent and his Councel were determined to proceed to Process the two Prisoners upon their Lives till Grange sent again and desired the like Justice to be done upon the Earl of Mortoun and Mr. Archibald Douglas For he offered to fight with Mr. Archibald and the Lord Herries with the Earl of Mortoun upon that head That they were upon the Councel and consequently airt and pairt of the King's Murther This stayed their Process at that time And the Regent still alledged That the Lords had taken them against his will and that he should send Sir James Balfour to the Castle of St. Andrews and should bring Secretary Lidingtoun to Edinbrugh and deliver him unto the Laird of Grange to be kept So the Regent came to Edinbrugh and brought the Secretary with him intending as Grange was informed to make the Secretary an Instrument to draw Grange out of the Castle to the Town the next morning to receive the Secretary to be carried up to the Castle and then to retain Grange also till the Castle should be delivered unto the Laird of Drumwhasel to be Keeper thereof and to send Grange home to his house and reward him with the Priory of Pittenweem But the Earl of Mortoun had appointed four men to slay Grange at the entry of the Regent's Lodging without the Regent's knowledg But Grange was loath yet to believe the worst of the Regent and being of opinion that the Regent's gentle Nature was forced by the Lords as he had sent him word understanding that they intended to carry the Secretary to Tantalloun he came down out of the Castle with a Company and took the Secretary out of the hands of his Keepers and convoyed him up to the Castle For he thought if it were true that the Regent said That he was forced by the Lords against his will to let the Secretary be retained after that he was accused the Regent would be glad that he had revenged his quarrel upon the Lords by taking the Secretary out of their hands whereof he might justly pretend ignorance And if the Regent would be dissatisfied with his carriage therein it would be a certain token of his dissimulation In that case Grange thought he did a good deed to save his Friends Life and so he would have good ground to believe divers Intelligences which formerly he would not credit and therefore he would be upon his guard in Time coming The Regent and his Councellors when they understood that Grange had taken the Secretary to the Castle were in great perplexity supposing all their Counsels to be disclosed They knew not how to help the matter but they advised the Regent to cover his anger until a fit opportunity causing him to go up to the Castle the next morning For he durst trust Grange tho Grange would no more trust him At meeting the Regent gave him more fair words than he was wont to do which Grange took in evil part After this there were many devices how to intrap Grange sometime in his down-coming to the Regent but he was ever advertised and upon his guard so as the Regent lost dayly of his best Friends and the number of his Enemies increased For the Duke of Chattellerault who was agreed with him by the intercession of the Lord Herreis when the said Duke and the Lord Herreis came to Edinbrugh as was appointed at the agreement to concur with the Regent in Councel and otherwise for the quieting of the Country they were both warded in the Castle against promise Which when the Laird of Grange found fault with Mr. John Wood said I marvel at you that you will be offended at this for how shall we who are my Lords dependers get Rewards but by the wrack of such men Yea said Grange is thas your holiness I see nothing among you but Envy Greediness and Ambition whereby you will wrack a good Regent and ruine the Country This was long before the taking of the Secretary and increased the hatred of a wicked Society against Grange who upon all occasions evidenced his detesting their selfish Designs who were dependers upon the Regent which was one of the faults also they had against the Secretary as also because his Wit so far excelled theirs The Captivity of the Duke and my Lord Herreis made many Enemies to the Regent who took the greater boldness to conspire against him when they perceived him to lose and cast off his best Friends It was a grievous thing to see that good Regent of himself so well inclined to do good offices in Religion and Commonwealth so led after other mens vain pretences and affections to his own wrack to the wrack of many worthy Persons and to their ruine at length who led him in these wayes He grew to give great ear to Flatterers and would not suffer his true Friends to tell him the verity The observation hereof made many conjecture that his Ruin was at hand and I among others devised a present remedy for his preservation which was this I knew that the taking Lidingtoun to the Castle sunk deepest in the Regent's heart and that the false practises and wrackful fetches of such as had taught him to dissemble moved Grange who had been his greatest Friend to be jealous of him the noticing whereof gave ground to his Enemies to conspire against him First I requested the Regent to remember the false Practises that some about him had sundry times used formerly to his great displeasure and to consider that they occasioned all the jealousies and suspitions that were fallen out between him and his Friends which might encourage his Enemies to take some wicked enterprise in hand against his Person To remedy this I proposed it as fit That Lidingtoun should go unto France finding Caution not to return to Scotland under the penalty of Twenty thousand pounds and withal giving his Son in pledg for further Security and that he should practise nothing against the Quiet of the Country And that Sir James Balfour should be set at liberty or banished after that same manner For he had already won the Regent's Familiars with great Sums of Gold which had stanched their wrath against him which Lidingtoun would not do albeit Sir James had sent him his advice to do as he had done These two being freed and out of the way The Laird of Grange should deliver to him the Castle of Edinbrugh to make Captain thereof whom he pleased That so the whole Country might see that all was in his power and at his command This I thought the best way to reduce again the opinion of the People and to scare all his Enemies from their desperate
with these of my hands who he knew had no by-end then if they had proceeded from the most Learned Philosopher Therefore at his desire I promised to put them in writing to give him them to keep in his Pocket but he was Slain before I could meet with him After the Decease of the Regent England sent the Earl of Sussex to Berwick whither the Earl of Lennox came also at that same time as being sent for by the Lords of the King's Faction to be made Regent in place of the Earl of Murray The Earl of Sussex had with him the Forces of the North as if he had some enterprise to do and to take some advantage at this time when the Country wanted a Regent About that same time so many of the Lords as were banded and professed the Queens Authority caused to proclaim the same at Lithgow As yet they of the Castle at Edinbrugh professed the King's Authority albeit there were secret jealousies betwixt them and so many of the rest as had counselled the late Regent to apprehend the Secretary Lidingtoun and Sir James Balfour and who would also have ruined Grange because he appeared concerned in them two and also because his Vertues were envied and his Charge coveted by others They who were within the said Castle for the time were my Lord Duke of Chattellerault and my Lord Herris warded wrongfully as I have said therefore the Laird of Grange obtained a Warrant from the rest of the King's Lords to set them at liberty The Lord Hume was there to assist with those of the Castle with the Laird of Grange the Secretary Lidingtoun his Brother the Prior of Condingham three of my Brothers Sir Robert Captain David and Sir Andrew Melvil the Lairds of Drylow and Pittadrow Sir James Balfour the Lairds of Fernihast Buccleugh Wormistoun Parbroth and divers other Noblemen and Barons who came there at all occasions and were ready at a call when they had to do This Company directed me to Berwick toward the Earl of Sussex to know what he intended to do with his forces whether to assist any of the two Factions or to agree them I was friendly received by him well lodged and my expences by him defrayed wanting nothing He sent me his own night-Gown furred with rich furrings to make use of so long as I abode there Albeit I knew him to be a great Enemy to all Scots-men he appeared desirous to enter in great familiarity with me and as if he was desirous I should believe he had communicated to me his most secret thoughts alledging his plainness to me was upon the report he had heard by sundry of his Country-men to my advantage He said That his coming with his Forces was not to assist any faction nor to decide Questions and Titles that were among us but to serve the Queen his Mistress in obeying her Commands That if he did any enterprise at that time against any Scots-man it would be against his heart That of all Scots-men he liked best of of those who were within the Castle of Edinbrugh and their dependers especially because he knew them to have been friends to the Duke of Norfolk his near Cousin whose part he said he would plainly have taken if the said Duke had out of his own mouth communicated his enterprise to him as he had foolishly done by a Gentleman of his to whose credit he durst not commit the secrecy of that matter being of it self of so great concernment as stood him upon his life and heritage And that albeit he with his Forces came not to set out nor to fortifie any Faction in Scotland yet he durst be plain with me privately as with a true friend to declare that he did esteem the Queen of Scotland and the Prince her Son righteous Heirs to the Crown of England which his judgment he had shown to few of his own Country-men So I returned with no direct answer but with a firm opinion that he was sent to appear to set forward the Earl of Lennox to be Regent and to send word to the Lords of the King's side that he would assist them and send in Mr. Randolph thither with the Earl of Lennox and yet to deal with the Lords of the Queens Faction to encourage them to hold forward their factions course because the said Mr. Randolph had a great dealing with the House of Hamiltoun as he who convoyed the Earl of Arran now visited with the hand of God out of France through England home to Scotland to assist the Congregation He knew also what old and long hatred had been betwixt the Houses of Lennox and Hamiltoun and was deliberately directed secretly to kindle a fire of discord betwixt two strong Factions in Scotland which could not be easily quenched and to conform the Lord Hume who was not yet resolved to take part with the Queens Faction which England thought had not money enough yet to sustain long strife against the King's Faction The Earl of Sussex entred the Merse with his Forces and took the Castle of Hume and Falhastle full of riches and precious moveables that way moving the Lord Hume to take plain part with the Hamiltouns and the Queens Faction Whereby it may be seen that the conclusion was to hold Countries in discord by the craft of the Council of England for the time as I have before mentioned and which was now put in practice incontinent after the decease of the Earl of Murray For albeit the Earl of Lennox had his Lady Children and Estate in England they would not credit him supposing he would be a true Scots-man as he proved indeed afterwards I being in Berwick when the Earl of Lennox was so far toward Scotland to be Regent I thought it my duty to visit him For at his first in-coming before the marriage of his Son the Lord Darnly with the Queen he sent this present Colonel Stuart for my Brother Sir Robert and me and because my Brother was absent I went to him alone At which time he told me That his long absence out of the Country had made him as a stranger to the condition of the Country and that his Lady at his parting from her had desired him to take my Brother's counsel and mine in all his affairs as her Friends and Kinsmen So that being familiar enough with him formerly I visited him at this time and told him the state of the Country I disswaded him from taking upon him the Regiment fearing that it might cost him his life as matters were like to be handled as I should inform him more at length being once at home As for my self I promised to serve and assist him albeit I could not find that same resolution in those of the Castle of Endinbrugh He thanked me promising me to be my friend so far as lay in his power upon which he gave me his hand Then he inquired What was the Cause that those who were in the Castle would oppose him
instrumental in perswading the Laird of Grange to be upon a contrary Faction I would not be that instrument neither would I desert the King's interest though he should cause all the rest of my Lands to be taken from me Seeing that Grange could not be moved to join with the Queens Faction according to the desire of the Court of England for the rest of that Kingdom was sorry to see this kind of dealing the English Ambassadour perswaded the Regent to irritate and incense him by all manuer of slights done to himself and his dependers In the mean time my Lord Duke the Earls of Arguile and Huntly addressed themselves unto him making their moan That they being Noblemen of the Country of considerable Interest were refused to be admitted in the Society of the rest who sought their ruine under pretext of the King's Authority by the Regent the Earl of Mortoun and others not their friends requesting him to be their Protector and to assist them during the King's minority Telling him how that they at first would gladly have joined with the King's Lords for maintaining the King's Authority but could not get place nor be admitted Thus Grange finding himself neglected with the King's Lords and sought after by the Queens he was compelled to declare with that side at length having with him the Lord Hume male-content Also Secretary Lidingtoun and Sir James Balfour spurring him on to take that course he was resolved to take that side for his next refuge he having been among the rest summoned to be forfaulted Now the two furious Factions being in this manner framed their hatred and rage grew greater and greater For Mr. Randolph knew the animosities which were among the Nobility and the nature of every one in particular by his frequent coming and his long residence in Scotland And among the Ladies he had a Mother and a Mistress to whom he caused his Queen frequently to send Commendations and Tokens He also used his craft with the Ministers offering Gold to such of them as he thought could be prevailed with to accept of his offer but such as were honest refused his gifts He gave largely to all such as he knew were able to serve him in his design of kindling this fire and his endeavours were so successful that the two parties were not only stirred up to fight and shed one anothers blood but would revile each other with injurious and blasphemous words and at length fell to the down-casting of each others Houses to which England gave no small assistance having sent in a number of Men of War to throw down Hamiltoun This was occasioned by some probability that appeared of a Reconciliation of the two Factions by the endeavours of some of the most prudent Ministers who did all they could to prevent the ensuing troubles And they foresaw that this prejudice was done to the Hamiltouns to inrage them so as there might be no hope of agreement when they should see themselves so far injured Now as Nero stood upon a high part of Rome to see the Town burning which he had caused to be set on fire so Mr. Randolph delighted to see such a fire by his craft kindled in Scotland which was in all probability like to burn it up And in his Letters to some of the Court of England he gloried that he had kindled a fire in Scotland which could not be easily extinguished Which when it came to the knowledge of Sir Nicholas Throgmorton he wrote to my Brother Sir Robert and me advertising us how we were handled expressing his detestation both at Secretary Cicil directer and Mr. Randolph as executer All the honest Men in England were sorry at it of which number there are as many within that Country as in any other so much bounds in Europe My Brother and I did shew the Letters we had received from Sir Nicholas to the Laird of Grange and so many within the Castle as we knew to be secret which they easily believed as being Men of great understanding who had noticed Mr. Randolph's proceedings Whereupon there were some secret meetings drawn on between my Lord Hume and my Lord Ruthven as near kinsmen The Lord Ruthven was in greatest favour with the Regent for the time being also Treasurer he was desired to come and speak with my Lord Hume during the hottest of the Civil Wars At which time Secretary Lidingtoun and my Brother Sir Robert came into communing with the Lord Ruthven after that he and the Lord Hume had spoken a space together and did shew him how the Regent was used by England and how this Kingdom was abused by the tricks of a few for advancing their selfish ends and also how that the Earl of Mortoun had desired secretly to come at midnight accompanied with Mr. Archibald Douglas to the Castle of Edinbrugh and had entertained long conference with them desiring their assistance and he should chace the Earl of Lennox back to England if they would accept and acknowledge him for Regent in his stead which they of the Castle would not grant looking upon the Earl of Lennox as a true Scots-man And they declared that their denying to assist him at first was his being sent for and brought in by them That therefore they feared at the first that he would have been too much at the devotion of the Court of England as being an English-man and having yet his Lady Children and Lands in that Country and moreover that he should be so led by the Earl of Mortoun and their factious Enemies that he would seek their utter ruine both because that Captain Crauford who had accused the Secretary was for the time Servant to the Earl of Lennox and alledged that he had a Commission from the said Earl to give in the said Accusation And that which gave matter enough to my Lord Hume was the bringing in of the Earl of Lennox by the Earl of Sussex and the taking of his two Houses of Hoome and Falcastle all at one time which he supposed not to have been done without the Earl of Lennox his knowledge and consent But since they understood that the Earl of Lennox and the whole Country was abused by England Mr. Randolph the Agent and the Earl of Mortoun they were resolved both to agree themselves and to cause all Scotland agree with the Regent if he would grant them reasonable conditions My Lord Ruthven was very glad of this offer and said he hoped to bring them a good answer from the Regent and the rather because the Earl of Mortoun was absent being malecontent for denying to him the grant of the Bishoprick of St. Andrews which the King's house and the Regent's might ill spare So he returned with this offer to the Regent who much rellisht it and after twice or thrice passing betwixt the Regent with the Lord Ruthven had concluded a Peace quietly in their minds none being as yet made privy thereto But as Ambassadours are great Spies and
upon him to save him from his particular Enemies For they all had ingaged to him e're they went from Edinbrugh not to kill one man else he would not have left them Wormistoun was also killed against the Regent's will who cryed continually to save him who had done what he could for his preservation The Regent dyed not suddenly but some days after and made a very godly end They who had lost this fair enterprise for want of Granges conduct had enough to do to save themselves and had been all taken had not those in Stirling wanted horses to pursue after them For those who had taken the horses did ride forward with all possible speed leaving their Masters in danger to do for themselves When they were returned back to Edinbrugh they were very unwelcome guests to the Laird of Grange who greatly lamented the Regent's slaughter He said openly If he knew who had done that foul deed or had directed it to be done his own hand should have revenged it And whereas before he used to be meek and gentle he could not now command himself but bursted out in harsh language calling them disorderly Beasts For he knew the Regent was inclined to Peace and was only ignorantly driven on by the Earl of Mortoun and Mr. Randolph's practises to hold the said Parliament to the hinderance of concord and agreement therefore his intention was to bring all the Kings Lords to the Castle of Edenbrugh and to have made an agreement betwixt them and the other faction before they had parted But God in his providence would not permit this for further punishment of our wickedness For the Parliaments held forward and each one of them forefaulted others the Kings Lords came and lay at Lieth and the Queens within the Town and Castle of Edenbrugh Mr. Randolph would have had Mortoun made Regent instead of Lennox but the Lords liked better of the Earl of Marr and chose him For a little time there was hot skirmishing betwixt Lieth and Edinbrugh and extream hatred betwixt the two Factions and great cruelties exercised where they could be Masters of one another And frequently the Marshal of Berwick came to Lieth to assist Mr. Randolph privately tho publickly to find fault with him for his proceedings which my Lord of Marrs friends perceived and himself at last whereupon he began to grow colder in the quarrel and withdrew himself to Stirling advising with his friends what was meetest to be done Alledging that he could see nothing but the wrack of the Country under pretext of owning the King and Queens Authority while neither Kings nor Queens was in any of their minds but only put on by their own partialities of ambition greediness and vengeance England kindling up both the Parties and then laughing them all to scorn After this Conference Captain James Cunningham servant to my Lord of Marr a discreet Gentleman desired a secret meeting with my Brother Sir Robert In the mean time the most part of the Kings Lords went to Stirling where the Regent was living My Lord of Mortoun went to Dalkieth my Lord Lindsay lay in Lieth When the Wars grew colder and notice thereof taken by the Court of England a new Ambassador was hasted to Scotland to wit Mr. Henry Killegrew an old acquaintance of mine For Mr. Randolph was returned home because he had not such Credit with the Earl of Marr as to do service to these he served and had lost the favour of both the Factions For his double dealing was discovered he having no Credit but with the Earl of Mortoun This new Ambassador being Arrived at Lieth upon his way toward Stirling where the Regent remained for the time he sent up to the Castle of Edenbrugh to see if I was there For they had told him in Lieth that I was newly come from Fiffe He desired that I would come and speak with him which I did and convoyed him unto Cramond reasoning together all the way upon such matters as he said he had in Commission chiefly how he might be a good instrument to agree the differences that were between the two Parties albeit I knew there was nothing less in his mind at least in his Commission He said He had the Queen his Mistress commands to deal with both Parties forConcord but that he was most concerned in these of the Castle albeit that outwardly he behooved first to go to the Regent being in civility engaged to give him the prerogative yet in effect he said my friends in the Castle were these to them he was chiefly directed that they should be preferred both by his first salutation by me to them and by two familiar Letters the one from my Lord of Leicester to the Laird of Grange and the other from Secretary Cicil to Secretary Lidingtoun desiring me to intreat them to follow the good counsel given therein by the said Lords who loved them intirely for their vertue and old acquaintance Hewi led me to tell them that after he had declared his Commission to the Regent he would come back again to them and at length declare his Commission to them from Her Majesty It appeared to me that he had intelligence how that Mr. Randolph's double dealing had been discovered therefore he seemed to find fault with him in many things though in general he excused him as far as he could until I adjured him upon the long and great familiarity that had been betwixt us to deal plainlier with me I told him he might serve his Mistress truly enough without casting me and my friends upon a wrong side which might be afterwards our ruin who deserved better at his hands then to put us in such dangers as if we were untoward dishonest or uncounsellable as Mr. Randolph had done forgetting the fraternity of Religion so well grounded among us during his banishment in France for Religion There he was compelled to confess to me that his Commission and his mind went not one way and that he was imployed against his will tho as a Servant he durst not disobey his Princess he said he would give me his loving counsel and warning very freely He said that the Council of England neither built their course here upon the late Regent nor yet upon this but intirely upon the Earl of Mortoun as well of their own Plot laid down long since as by the Information of Mr. Randolph who hath confirmed them in that Opinion so that they will not alter for no contrary persuasion Willing my friends and me to joyn our course and band with the Earl of Mortoun or else to expect no friendship from the Court of England but hurt and ruin so far as they might For albeit he was not Regent they knew that he had a great Faction in the Country which they were resolved what they could to encrease so that whoever was Regent he should get little or nothing done without his consent In this I thought he dealt plainly my friends of the Castle were
esteemed so wise should have had seeing he might have obtained his intent without the help of England having all Scotland at his Devotion saving that few number without the Castle who would likewise have agreed upon any reasonable condition Thus the Castle of Edinbrugh was straitly besieged with an English Army under the Conduct of the Marshal of Berwick assisted by all Scotland These within seeing they could not be received upon any composition debated so long as they had victuals and water For their Draw-well dryed by the drouthy Summer and they had no other water but what they fetched letting men with Cords down o're the Walls and Rock of the Castle to a Well on the west side which was afterward poysoned whereby so many as escaped the Shot dyed and the rest fell deadly sick Yet the Laird of Grange undertook with Eight persons to keep the Castle untaken by force of the which number were the Lord Hume my two Brothers Sir Robert and Sir Andrew the Laird of Pittadrow and his Brother Patrick This resolution being taken the Laird of Chesh and Matthew Colvil his Brother were sent to the Castle under the pretext of making offers of agreement but their design was to get intelligence of the State of the House and to seduce the Soldiers who were yet alive which they did so that some fled out over the Walls and others were shut forth For the Captain thought the house in a better condition both for Victuals and otherwise when they were forth The Marshal of Berwick seeing no appearance to succeed entred into contention with the Ambassador alledging that the Queen his Mistress would be dishonoured and said he would wait no longer whereupon they without entred on a new Communing and sent up again the Laird of Cleesh to offer them good conditions to come forth with their Armour and Bag and Baggage which was agreed to and that they should be restored to their Lands and because for the time they were in other mens possession it was referred to themselves whether they would go to England with the Marshal of Berwick or remain in Scotland among their friends until the promise made them of restoring them to their Lands might be fulfilled The Englishmen desired that the Castle should be put in their hands but Grange sent secretly to Captain Hume and Captain Crauford desiring them to come and ly within the Bulwark betwixt the House and the English men and to those he delivered the Castle and his person to the Marshal to go with him to England until all promises might be kept to him and the rest by the Queen of Englands means In this manner they came forth after that George Duglas natural Brother to the Regent had received the House they had all their Swords and Weapons about them and were three dayes at liberty My Brother Sir Robert lay with me at his own Lodging the Laird of Grange and the Secretary Lidingtoun remained yet with the Marshal of Berwick at his Lodging for their greater security because that the people of the Town of Edinbrugh were greatly their Enemies For except a few that tarried within the Town during the Civil Troubles between the Parties that lay in Edinbrugh and Lieth the most part of the richest Men and Merchants left the Town and went to Lieth to take part with the Regent therefore their houses were spoiled upon which account they did bear great hatred to those in the Castle But at the end of three dayes they were all laid hands upon and taken as Prisoners For some of their most malitious enemies put it easily in the Regents head and the Ambassadors that it was well done to move the Queen of England to cause to deliver the whole Prisoners to the Regent to be disposed upon at his pleasure alledging they had no surety but a naked promise which they needed not to keep and because these of the Castle confided wholy on the Marshals promise the Ambassador was advised to prevent the Marshals Writing so that er'e he did write to the Queen thereabout her Letter came to him to deliver up the Prisoners who had been in the Castle to the Regent And he durst not disobey her Command the same being so peremptory tho he obeyed it with much regret and great reluctancy by reason of his promise and returned malecontent to Berwick And they in the Castle were Committed to strait ward and thereafter new Letters were purchased by the Regent from the Queen that he might execute them which she willingly permitted for she would gladly have been quit of my Lord Hume and Grange as being two true Scotsmen unwonable to England to do any thing prejudicial to their King or Country and of the Secretary Lidingtoun but he dyed at Lieth after the old Roman fashion as was said to prevent his coming to the Shambles with the rest As for the Lord Hume the Regent durst not meddle with him he standing in awe of Alexander Hume of Manderstoun Coildinknows and the Good man of North Berwick and the rest of that name who boasted with very proud Language He dyed shortly after being warded in the Castle of Edinbrugh Mr. Killegrew the English Ambassador desired no other reward for his labour but the preservation of my Brother Sir Robert's life for he was obliged formerly to him and me The Composition was kept to all the rest of the mean Gentlemen The Priour of Coldingham and Laird of Drylaw were afterwards set at liberty Sundry of the Captains of Berwick went up to the Castle by the breach beat down in the fore Wall by the Canons that they might say that they had won the Maiden Castle But this was after that the house was delivered over to the Regents Brother yet he would not suffer them to enter there with any number On this manner both England and the Regent were revenged upon that worth Champion whom they had sometimes in great estimation who had done such notable service in France being Captain of an hundred light Horsemen that he was extolled by the Duke of Vendome Prince of Conde and Duke of Aumale Governors and Colonels then in Picardy that I heard Henry the 2d point unto him and say yonder is one of the most Valiant Men of our Age. Also the King used him so familiarly that he chose him commonly upon his side in all pastimes he went to and because he shot far with a great Shaft at the Butts the King would have him to shoot two Arrows one for his pleasure The great Constable of France would never speak to him uncovered and that King gave him an honourable Pension whereof he never sought payment England had proof of his Valour frequently against them upon the Borders where he gave them divers ruffles In a single Combate he vanquished the Earl of Rivers's Brother between the two Armies of Scotland and England He afterward Debated manfully the liberty of his Country against the French men when they intended to
to his Majesty That I had already displeased all those who were upon the purpose of his detention Now matters being settled in appearance and this design successfully ended some of the King's Lords who had been slow in coming and when they were come finding the Lords of the contrary Faction strong and in Armour denyed that they knew any thing of his Majesties enterprise laying the whole burthen upon Colonel Stuart and me But when they saw appearance of a prosperous success they took the matter stoutly upon them and began in plain Council to tell how long they had been upon the counsel of that enterprise with his Majesty and how long waiting for his advertisement Of a truth his Majesty was of a merciful mind and gently inclined toward all the Nobility intending to win all their hearts by his own discreet behaviour and to that effect he went first to the House of Ruthven to let the Country see that he was entirely reconciled with the Earl of Gaury Where after he had Royally entertained his Majesty he fell down upon his knees lamenting that his Majesty should have been retained in that unhappy house at his last being there which he said fell out rather by accident then deliberation only for the safety of the Earl of Arran's life Alledging that he knew no other thing then that at his Majesty's being at Dumfarmling they were minded to present him an humble Supplication asking pardon for that accidental fault which his Majesty graciously promised never to impute to him knowing how blindly he was brought upon it by the practises of others In the mean time James Stuart Earl of Arran had obtained the favour to be warded in Kinneal his own house and sent and Congratulated his Majesties liberty begging that he might have access to come and kiss his hand which was plainly resused Then he sent daily his opinion and advices to his Majesty how to proceed against divers of the Nobility and others advising to bring back to Court the Earls of Huntly and Crauford which was too easily condescended to by the Earls of Arguile and Montross only the Earl of Gaury resisted alledging that the Earls of Bothwel and Angus were put in hopes to be brought in with them or as soon as they But the equality expected was soon forgot which moved the Earl of Marshal and others to retire to their houses The Abbot of Dumfarmling remained still at Court and to curry favour of Colonel Stuart then Captain of the Guard he gave him a Purse and thirty pieces of Gold at four pound the piece which pieces the Colonel distributed to so many of the Guard who bored them and set them like Targets upon their Knapsacks and the Purse was born upon a Spear point like an Ensign The Abbot shortly after was warded in Lockleven Mr. John Colvil the Laird of Clesh and Drumwhasel were also warded by the advice of the Earl of Arran and his Wife who continually solicited his Majesty that they might come to Court And at length I was requested by his Agent James Stuart to deal with his Majesty to permit the said Earl to come again to the Court For he said that his Majesty was favourable enough and that the Earls of Arguile Huntly Crauford and Montrose had not only given their consent but that the Earls of Arguile and Montrose had said unto his Majesty that they would ride themselves and fetch him only the Earl of Gaury resisted and that the King had shewn him that he would do nothing therein without my consent and advice I answered That his Majesty needed not my consent if himself and so many Noblemen were content He replied again That his Majesty reposed more upon me at that time then upon all his Council as his Majesty had shewn him and that he would not bring him without my consent Whereupon I went unto his Majesty and shew'd him what language the Earl of Arran's Servant had to me concerning his Master's coming to Court and that his Majesty laid too great a burthen upon me to say that he would do nothing therein without my consent Thereupon his Majesty took me to the Gallary of Falkland lamenting as he had been informed the loss of many of his best friends as the Earls of Lennox Athol and Duke of Lennox And now says he They will not permit the Earl of Arran who hazarded his life to relieve me to come and see me he desired me to acquaint him what might be the occasion they hated him so much My answer was That to tell the verity perilled my self to conceal the truth indangered his Majesty He would needs know my meaning therein I said The Earl of Arran is one of the worst instruments can come about you whereof your Majesty hath had too sure a proof his mis-behaviour being the only occasion of the late interprise and if he ever be again admitted about your Majesty the like or worse will follow Thereupon its dangerous to my self to acquaint your Majesty herewith seeing it will occasion him to be my deadly Enemy if he ever get notice thereof Then his Majesty desired only to let him come and kiss his hand promising he should not tarry intreating me to deal with my Lord of Gaury that he would also grant that he might but once come to Court and he should incontinently return to his house without any stay I said I should cause him to yield to his Majesties pleasure In the mean time I took occasion to declare unto his Majesty how that many great Princes are wracked by their Ambitious Counsellors who will rule all alone taking upon them a greater burthen then they can bear for remedy whereof his Majesty should spend every day but one hour to hear a chosen number of honest Councellors reason upon his affairs then himself to give his opinion what he thinks fittest to be done as the King of France used to do Which his Majesty granted very willingly and so long as he kept that order by the ordinary Council days his turns went rightly forward The whole Lords who assisted his Majesty were of his Council Sir Robert my Brother Colonel Stuart the Laird of Seigie and my self But as soon as the Earl of Arran got access to his Majesty he not only stayed at Court against promise but also within a short time altered all this way of procedour with a design to draw the management of all publick affairs to himself At his first entry he carried himself very humbly for after he had kissed his Majesties hand he embraced me and kissed my cheek giving me many thanks in his Majesties presence alledging That the whole name of Stuarts was obliged to me for the notable service he alledged I had done his Majesty As for him he said he should never take any thing in hand but be therein directed by my Brother and me But Colonel Stuart and he spoke not together until his Majesty desired me to agree them which after much
then about me perceiving my grief and miscontent offered even then to relieve me whensoever I would desire to be at greater liberty Whereupon I made you then that answer whereof you make mention in your Letter as I gave the like answer to the French Ambassadour Nevertheless I was ever resolved at a fit time to relieve my self for my honour as I have done lately following another saying of Isocrates willing Princes to hazard rather to dye honestly then to ring shamefully for how I did ring for the time you might know by your Cousin Mr. Cairo in whose ear I rounded my familiary inward grief because he said you desired him to require it at me apart promising that it should be secretly kept from all others albeit I used not such freedom with Mr. Bowes Indeed I subscribed such Writs and Letters as the said Lords presented to me for the time was unfit to dispute too precisely upon Circumstances that were determined by these who were Masters of me and the State This Answer I suppose will satisfie your own reasonable and equitable Judgment discreetly considering the same with your self apart I doubt if it will be so interpreted by others of your Councel who have particular designs of their own to whom because I impute the whole hard Language contained in your angry Letter and not to your self and gentle inclination I think it not needful now to write an Answer unto every part of the same So attending patiently upon your better intelligence and information in these matters I will rather retain in my memory your former fruitful friendship then now start at any wrong set Syllable or sowre sentence placed in your paper at the partial instance of others As concerning that which toucheth the Duke of Lennox his godly end hath declared his honest meaning Whose death I might justly lay upon such as forcibly removed him from my presence nevertheless I resolve to put all by-gones in Oblivion neither to compel any man to take a faultless Pardon Where you desire that I proceed no further until a trusty Messenger may come from you I intend to stay from doing any thing till then that you may justly be offended with Albeit Isocrates advises Princes speedily to execute such turns as good Councel thinks necessary to be done wishing that he who shall be sent may be as willing to work the effects of true love and friendship betwixt us as I am assured it is both our hearts desire and intention whereto I pray the Lord to grant increase continuance and happiness to his glory and to the well peace and quiet of both our Realms The Secretary Walsingham was he of whom mention is made in her Majesties Letter to be sent in here but he was long by the way by reason that he was sickly In the mean time Mr. Bowes who was Ambassador resident at Edinbrugh had received this Letter by the ordinary Post and returned the Answer He declared many Commendations from my Lord Burly and several of the Council of England to my Brother Sir Robert and me alledging that they were glad to hear that such men were about His Majesty that were of their Religion and with whom they were long acquainted wishing many such to be in Court About this time the Earl of Arran obtained the keeping of the Castle of Stirling and insinuated himself so far upon His Majesty that he took upon him the whole management of affairs and caused sundry Noblemen to be banished as the Earls of Mar Angus and the Master of Glains and divers others And by his insolency he drove the Earl of Gaurie from Court far against his Majesties intention who sent me for him to his house to bring him again to Court which was for the time at Coupar in Fyffe where His Majesty agreed him and the Earl of Arran But no conditions promised were kept to Gaurie so that he was so vexed that he resolved to leave the Country I have already declared how loath I was that either His Majesty should leave the Lords who were about him or that I should in any wise be a medler again in publick affairs considering the many alterations I had seen by long and hurtful experience yet the affection I had for His Majesty engaged me not to refuse his Commands being my native Prince and Master and I his humble Subject and sworn Servant first as his domestick as being one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber and a Member of his Privy-Council But after his Majesty being taken I was no more admitted by his Keepers who thought fit for their security to place such men about him as were intirely at their Devotion As for my part as I was sorry that His Majesty should be used any other way then at his own pleasure so I was much satisfied to be permitted to live quietly at home the rest of my days yet being called again by His Majesty I waited upon his Commands Now again perceiving His Majesties most acceptable Proclamations slyly and cunningly changed contrary to His Majesties merciful intentions by issuing out contrary Proclamations and intending violent persuits against these concerned in the Road of Ruthven whereby too great a number of Noblemen and Gentlemen despaired of their Safety and Lives in a lamenting manner I remembred his Majesty how he was abused and what great inconveniencies were like to ensue Thereupon His Majesty upon my relation appeared very sorrowful and assured me of his resolutions to amend these disorders but it was his misfortune to advise thereabouts with these who underhand were chief instruments therein Believing that because he loved them they also loved him and the well of his affairs They again making some appearance of intentions of satisfying his expectation indirectly by means of too many who depended upon the Earl of Arrans extraordinary Credit and Favour the contrary to his Majesties princely and upright meaning was brought about so that many Noblemen left the Country and all honest men left the Court to the great satisfaction of the Earl of Arran and his Wife who had the greater opportunity of guiding all And that they might the easier set forward this course they perswaded His Majesty to pass to Stirling whither they knew few or none durst repair who were not at his Devotion he being Captain of the said Castle and Provost of the Town after I had frequently warned His Majesty of the storm I did foresee coming I retired my self from Court. His Majesty being at Stirling asked frequently for me regretting that I was not continually with him Whereupon the Earl of Arran advised that I should be sent ambassador to the Queen of England upon some pretended affair as well to absent me from His Majesty who he perceived had some favour for me as to take occasion upon my return to bring me in disgrace as if I had been guilty of some mis-management because he knew that as matters stood I could do no good at that time And
done me service Julius Pollux Master to Caesar points out a true Prince to be of Divine Countenance Godly Merciful Just Equitable Careful of his Affairs Constant in his Deeds true in his Promises Subject unto reason Master over his Affections fatherly towards his Subjects of easie Access gentle to be spoken to ready to forgive slow to punish princely liberal subtil secret and sharp of ingeny Now because it appeareth your Majesty in youth hath been sufficiently versed in many of these vertuous precepts I wish from my heart that such impressions may be as well taken of them that are presently about you seeing that Princes are commonly deemed to be like those whom they make most their familiars Therefore Sir for eschewing all those evils and to put the nearest Remedy unto all the appearing inconveniencies it is fit so soon as it may please your Majesty to pass to Edinbrugh to convene the most ancient of your Nobility and Barons of best reputation by whose advice together with those that are already in Court your Country may be quieted and your Subjects satisfied For now as matters are handled to speak of Clemency by causing them to take remissions it will want Credit and be ill interpreted as not conform to your Majesties first Declaration The Emperor Adrian inquired after men of great age and experience and helped himself by their many perils Alexander Severus would perform no matter of importance but with advice of the most ancient and best experimented He never went out of Rome unaccompanied with four or five of the most honourable ancient and grave personages that none should need to fear that he would commit any Error He never suffered the Senate to conclude any weighty purpose unless Fifty of them had been present He caused all his Counsellors to put their Opinions in writing to see if any were possest with passions or partialities He changed oft his familiarity with sundry of the Senate lest he who had alwayes his ear might be overcome with importunate pursuits or partiality The urgent necessity of the time most Noble and Excellent Prince causeth me to be so tedious Humbly craving pardon and heartily kissing your Majesties hands I pray the Eternal God grant you long and happy life From Halhil this 15th of October 1583. Your Majesties most Humble And Obedient Servitour James Melvil When I came to Stirling and shewed his Majesty this Letter he not only liked well of it but ingaged to follow the advice therein contained He lamented to me the partial dealing of those about him Only he said that my Brother Sir Robert was upon a sound course for quieting of the Estate and that some Noblemen against whose partialities he had opposed himself had discorded with him in his Majesties presence It pleased his Majesty also to tell me that the cause why I was written for was to be sent to England to travel with the Queen there for entertainment of mutual Amity and encrease of her favour and good will concerning the Title and Succession to the Crown of England and assistance to help to establish his troubled Estate perturbed by the insolence and partialities of his Subjects bred and ingendred among them during his minority I answered that I judged it was a very unmeet time seeing I knew as matters stood in Scotland that England would make no account of him nor of any that would be sent from him until first he would let it be seen and heard that he could settle his own Estate and by his wise and prudent management render his own Subjects obedient to his Commands this being done they would honour and esteem him And that the best and readiest way to obtain also one day the Crown of England was to guide Scotland so well that they might find ground some day to wish to be under the Government of such a Prince By this kind of Language and his Majesty pondering what ground I had to use the same he was satisfied that my Voyage should be stayed till a more convenient time So I returned from Court to my own house It is mentioned here above in the Queen of Englands Letter how that she was minded to send a Trusty Servant unto his Majesty willing him to stay from any strict proceeding against the Lords who were pickt at for the Road of Ruthven until the Arriving of the said Ambassador who was the Secretary Walsingham a Counsellor of worthy qualities who had great Credit with the Queen of England But he was of a sickly Complexion and was not able to endure riding Post therefore he was long by the way being carried in a Charriot So that during his longsome Voyage the Earl of Arran went ay forward forgetting the tenour of the Queen of Englands Letter So soon as his Majesty was advertised of the Arrival of Sir Franers Walsingham I was sent for to come to Court and directed to ride and welcome him in his Majesties name to bear him company and Convoy him about by Stirling to St. Iohnstoun where his Majesty thought fit to give him Audience Desiring me also to say unto him that his Majesty was very glad of the coming of such a notable Personage who was known to be indued with Religion and Wisdom whom he had ever esteemed as his special friend being assured that his tedious travel in his long Voyage being diseased as he was tended to more substantial points for the confirmation of the amity between the Queen his Sister and him then had been performed at any time before The Secretary Walsingham answered me again that the great desire he had to establish an assured Amity betwixt the two Princes and Countries moved him to undertake the Embassage himself his Majesty being the Prince in the World that he loved next unto the Queen his Mistress and wished most to see and be acquainted with And that he hoped his Commission should succeed the better that he had met first with me his old friend and only acquaintance in Scotland For we had been Companions abroad upon our Travels and divers times when I was sent to or passed thorow England he would have me to lodge and lye with himself at London which occasioned that we had more familiar Conferences Whereupon I did write two several Letters that his Majesty might be the better provided to make answer to such heads as I knew he would propose Then we took our Journey thorow Lithgow to Stirling and from that to Pearth He had heard that my Lord Seatoun and Livingstoun were written unto to Convoy him but he requested me to stay them that he might have the more Conference by the way with me otherwise he would be compelled to entertain the Noblemen I judged it probable that his design in this was to let see his own Train For he was Sevenscore Horse in Company Being near the Court his Majesty sent out two of the Council to meet him to wit my Lord of Doun and my Brother Sir Robert The
and great bruits of an alteration Whereupon a Letter was written to me by Colonel Stuart at His Majesty's Command ordaining me with all diligence to repair to Court or in case I was not recovered of my Ague whereof I had been long sick that I might write my Mind and Opinion to His Majesty in a Letter what was like to fall out concerning the great Rumour and Bruits of an apparent alteration And being by reason of my foresaid Distemper unable for Travel I sent my return in Writing shewing His Majesty that there was an universal miscontent with great bruits not without appearance of probability of a sudden change occasioned by the misbehaviour of such as were managers at Court and by the great straits and desperate Estate of those who were pursued being men of Quality Active and Experienced And a greater number then could be born down or mastered as I had frequently shewn His Majesty before without respect of feud or favour but simply for His Majesty's Service Intreating His Majesty again to set forward his former acceptable intentions which he had resolved to do when he went to St. Andrews Seeing there was no other course advisable for setling his troubled Estate This kind of language was the better liked because of so many Advertisments that came daily to His Majesty's Ears These bruits made His Majesty be upon his Guard and to use means to get intelligence The lingring of the Earl of Gaury in Dundie gave ground of suspicion His Majesty had also been advertised That he had laid aside his intentions of going abroad according to his former resolutions and that he was designing to wait upon the in-coming of the banished Lords His Majesty also dreamed a Dream that he saw the Earl of Gaury taken and brought in Prisoner before him by Colonel Stuart And he thought his Estate was thereby settled which indeed for that time came true because the Lords who had taken Sterling so soon as they understood of the taking of the Earl of Gaury fled incontinently out of Sterling and at last out of the Country Believing that the said Earl had been taken willingly supposing his affection to have been so great to His Majesty as being his near kinsman come of the House of Angus his Mother being a Natural Daughter of the said House that he would be thereby induced to discover the whole design He not having been upon the first design of any enterprise but drawn in afterwards by the craftiness of others Upon these considerations His Majesty had compassion upon him and had no intentions of taking his Life But the Earl of Arran was fully resolved to have his Lands and therefore to make a Party to assist him in that design he ingaged to divide them with several others upon condition that they would assist him in the design of ruining him Which afterwards he did having by this means procured their Consent and Votes At his death upon the Scaffold he shewed himself a devout Christian and a resolute Roman much regrated by all who heard his grave Harangue and did see his constant End After his death there was quietness for a while though without appearance of long continuance to such as took up matters right During this little while of fair Weather there was a Parliament held to forfault the banished Lords wherein these were chiefly instrumental who hoped to raise their particular Fortunes upon the ruine of their Neighbours Among others it pleased His Majesty to write for me I was by him graciously received and remembring some of my Speeches he took me into his Cabinet and inquired how I now relished his proceedings I answered That he had reason to thank God and no good management and that I was assured there would be yet more enterprises That they who took Sterling and had retired again would never cease to make enterprise upon enterprise till they might see themselves in a better security His Majesty replied That they had gained so little by their last in-coming that he believed they would never commit such a folly again I answered That had not the accidental taking of the Earl of Gaury fallen out their enterprise would have been more successful For they suspected he was taken by his own desire to bewray their enterprise That otherwise they had gained their intent seeing some who were then about His Majesty would have concurred with them to lay aside the Earl of Arran whom they assisted for aw and not for love they hating his insolency and seeing no Outgate how to stand by him And that there had for that effect been secret promises made to them by instruments who went betwixt them But seeing the Earl of Gaury in hands and the said Lords thereby so discouraged as to fly away such as had made the said secret promises took up a new deliberation shewing themselves their greatest Enemies While in the mean time they but waited an opportunity of advancing their intentions About this time the Lord Burleigh chief Ruler in England caused send in one Mr. Davison to be an Agent here to see what business he could brew who was afterward made Secretary For after the decease of Walsingham Secretary Cicil being advanced to be Lord Burleigh and great Treasurer of England two Secretaries were chosen one called Mr. Smith and this Davison whose Predecessor was a Scotsman Upon which consideration he was thought more able to conquer credit here He had been in Scotland before and was at my house in company with Sir Henry Killegrew my old friend when he was Resident in Scotland At which time he acknowledged to me that he was come of Scotsmen and was a Scotsman in his heart and a favourer of the King 's Right and Title to the Crown of England He desired me to keep all secret from Mr. Killegrew promising if he could find the means to be employed here that he would do good Offices His Majesty was for the time at Falkland and wrote for me to be directed to ride and meet the said Davison Whom I was commanded to Convoy to Coupar there to remain till his Majesty had time to give him Audience Afterward I Convoyed him to my own house and from that to Falkland where His Majesty found his Commission to small avail But because Walsingham had refused at his being here to speak with the Earl of Arran albeit the said Earl had offered by me to give satisfaction to him in all his desires so that he would confer with him Which Walsingham still refused but Mr. Davison was directed at this time to deal with the Earl of Arran to see what advantage might be had at his hand For my Lord Burleigh was not content that Walsingham was so precise therefore Davison entred into familiarity with him and was made his Gossip and heard his frank offers and liked well of them For after that the Lords were fled to England and forfaulted the Council of England thought they had some ground to build
diligence and another from the Earl of Arran intreating me to accompany him from Kinneal to the Court But I went to His Majesty strait whither also the said Earl came that same night For he had procured liberty to return again to Court and remain about His Majesty At my coming to Sterling I had intelligence from a very sure hand That the said Lords were already at the entry of the Borders assisted by my Lord Hamiltoun my Lord Maxwel my Lord Bothwel my Lord Hume and sundry others who had not formerly joined with them Also the Earl of Athol the Laird of Tillibardine Buccleugh Cesfoord Coudingknows Drumlanrick and others who were in greatest credit about His Majesty were to join with them at their in-coming Whereof I advertised His Majesty and Colonel Stuart who undertook to ride unto the Borders and overthrow them before they were wholly Convened together which might very probably have been effectuated if the design had not been craftily disappointed by such as were about His Majesty who appeared to set forward the Colonel's enterprise to please His Majesty and to conquer credit saying They would write to Coudinknows Buccleugh Cesfoord and such others to assist him Whom they knew to be upon the contrary Faction already so that the design of scattering them was rendered by that Craft ineffectual And because I perceived the crasty intention and that they feared I would therewith acquaint His Majesty they caused His Majesty to send me a forged Errand to Dunkel that they might the better bring their purpose to pass without any contradiction The pretext of my Commission was to cause the Earl of Athol to stay at home and not to join with the Lords who were to come shortly to Sterling And by the way I was to deliver a Letter to the Baylies of St. Johnstoun to be upon their Guards and not to suffer any of the King's Enemies to come within their Town The Bayliffs inquired of me what if the Earl of Athol and Master of Gray would desire to come within their Town I said They might let themselves enter with Ten in Company but no more They alledged That their Letter specified not that I told them That was committed to me by mouth the Conclusion of my Letter willing them to credit me When I came to Dunkel I knew that the Earl of Athol would not stay for me who had a Thousand Men in readiness to take the Town of St. Johnstoun and to come thence to Sterling with the Master of Gray who was yet with him But however I told him that the Collonel Stuart was gone with Forces to defeat the Lords at their entry into the Country before they might be joined together And that therefore he would do well to lye at home till he might understand the issue of the said enterprise If that took effect it would be folly to him to march forward and if it did not succeed he might do as his heart served him He thought this Counsel good desiring me to write unto His Majesty for a License to him and his to remain at home which I did In the mean time the Master of Gray was sent for to Court the Ports of the Town of Pearth being refused to his Men who were come out of Angus to assist him At his returning to Court he was as great with His Majesty as ever he was remaining with him within the Castle of Sterling Where there were two Factions who discovered themselves so soon as they saw the Malecontents and banished Lords draw near unto the Town of Sterling Whither they came to the number of Three Thousand and entred unto the Town without stop His Majesty inclined most to the Faction who brought in the said Lords who advised His Majesty to send some down to the Town to Commune and Compound matters Which was at length Agreed upon and Concluded That His Majesty should remain in their hands that no rigour should be used to those who were about him So that those who were mediators appeared to be good Instruments and stayers of Blood-shed For Arran was escaped and fled at their first entry But Colonel Stuart only with Ten or Twelve gave them such a charge in the midst of the narrow part of the Town that a little more help might have put them in great disorder For the most part of their South-land Men were busie spoiling Horse and Goods The Lords when they came into His Majesty's presence fell down upon their knees humbly begging pardon Adding That the hard handling by Arran and other partial Persons about His Majesty had compelled them upon plain necessity and for their last refuge to take the boldness to come in Arms for the surety of their Lives and Lands being ever humbly minded to serve His Majesty and obey him The King again like a Prince full of Courage and Magnanimity spoke unto them pertly and boastingly as though he had been Victorious over them calling them Traitours and their enterprise plain Treason Yet said he in respect of your necessity and in hope of your good behaviour in time-coming he should remit their faults And the rather because they had used no vengeance nor cruelty at their in-coming In the mean time His Majesty committed and recommended the keeping of the Earls of Montrose and Crauford unto my Lord Hamiltoun And the keeping of Colonel Stuart unto my Lord Maxwel These three were for a time in some danger because they had too violently espoused Arran's interest The rest of His Majesty's Servants were over-lookt Sir Robert my Brother and his Son were both courteously used This moderate behaviour of the Lords conquered daily more and more favour from His Majesty They pressing him in nothing but by humble Intercession of such as formerly had his Ear. A Parliament was proclaimed at Lithgow for their restitution whither His Majesty was convoyed to pass his time at Hunting thereby to Recreat his Spirits Many Noblemen and others were written for to come unto the said Parliament Among the rest the Earl of Athol to whom I had been sent and with whom I was at the Lords coming to Sterling Where I was waiting upon an answer from His Majesty of the Letter which the Earl of Athol had desired me to write as said is When I came to kiss His Majesty's hand I was gladly made welcome His Majesty alledging That I was Corbie's Messenger I answered That my absence with the Earl of Athol had saved all my own Horse and the Town of St. Iohnstoun untaken and had kept the said Earl from assisting with the rest So that if those who had remained at Sterling with him had kept the South as well as I had done the North their Horse had been safe as well as mine was His Majesty said That God had turned all to the best For he had been before made believe that he would be in danger of his life in case these Noblemen had ever any more power about him And yet though
He therefore desired us to sit down and advise how he might best put remedy to things by-past and prevent such inconveniencies in time coming seeing he had determined hereafter to repose most upon our Council Our answer to His Majesty was That we had great reason to render His Majesty most humble thanks for the favourable opinion he entertained of us which we should endeavour to deserve and were very sorry for the displeasure His Majesty had taken praying His Majesty to take patience seeing that as he had always reposed upon God and not Man that the same God would mend his Estate as he had oft-times done before That our care should be presently how to receive the Queen honourably who was upon the Sea we daily looking for her landing and next how to treat and reward the Noblemen of Denmark Her Majesties Convey That being done and they returned back to their Country it would be best time to take order with the Affairs of the Kingdom conform to His Majesty's desire with the concurrence of so many of the Council as His Majesty had found most faithful and least factious But we did not think fit to take upon us the whole burthen in respect that hath been always the chief cause of the wrack of Scots Kings especially of all His Majesty's own troubles in laying the whole burthen of his Affairs upon any one or two who most commonly for greediness and ambition abuse good Princes and few or none dare controul them for fear of their great Authority and Credit The Chancellour being advertised of His Majesty's discontent and displeasure as said is made preparation to go off the Country and caused it come to His Majesty's Ears that he would Sail himself and bring home the Queen with him And that they were all but Triflers who were with her He forgot not to Anoint the hands of some who were most familiar with His Majesty to interpret this his design so favourably that it made the King forget all by-gones and by little and little he informed him so well of the said Voyage and the great charges he had bestowed upon a fair and swift sailing Ship that His Majesty was moved to take the Voyage himself and to sail in the same Ship with the Chancellour with great secrecy and short preparation making no Man privy thereto but such as the Chancellour pleased and such as formerly had all been upon his Faction He had also heard an incling of a word That His Majesty in the time of his high displeasure had said That he would lay the burthen of his Affairs upon my Brother and me whereat he had a great envy and despight and was the cause why His Majesty made me not privy to his Voyage He was very discontent when His Majesty had appointed my said Brother Robert to be left Vice-Chancellour and Convene the Council in His Majesty's absence to hold hand with the Duke of Lennox my Lord Hamiltoun Bothwel and other Noblemen with the Officers of the Crown and to Rule the Country in His Majesty's absence Three other Ships sailed with His Majesty wherein was the Justice Clerk Carmichal the Provost of Lincludin Sir William Kieth George Hume Iames Sandiland with all His Majesty's Ordinary Servants The weather was rough enough for it was in the beginning of Winter But the last day was so extream stormy that they were all in great hazard but His Majesty landed that same night at in Norway where the Queen was abiding the turning of the Wind and where he accomplished his marriage in person But he could not be perswaded to return to Scotland that Wiuter by reason of the raging Seas and storm he had sustained a little before The Queen and Council of Denmark being advertised that His Majesty was resolved to abide all that Winter sent and requested him to come to Denmark Whither he went by Land with the Queen his new bride and behaved himself honourably and liberally by the way and at the Court of Denmark where he tarried during his abode there But the Company who were with His Majesty put him to great trouble to agree their continual janglings strife pride and partialities The Earl of Marshal by reason that he was an ancient Earl and had been employed in this honourable Commission thought to have the first place next unto His Majesty so long as he was there The Chancellour by reason of his Office would needs have the preheminence There were also contentions betwixt him and the Justice Clark The Constable of Dundie and my Lord Dingwal could not agree about place George Hume did quietly shoot out William Kieth from his Office of Master of the Wardrobe At length they were all divided into two Factions The one for the Earl of Marshal the other for the Chancellour who was the stronger because the King took his part So that the Chancellour triumphed and being yet in Denmark devised many Reformations to be made and new Forms and Customs to be set forward at His Majesty's return As to have no Privy Council but the Exchequer and the Nobility to be debarred from it Sundry of the Lords of the Session to be put out who he judged had no dependence upon him and others his Creatures put in their room He caused a Proclamation to be pen'd which was sent home to be proclaim'd before His Majesty's return That none of the Nobility should come to Court not being sent for and then to bring with them six persons and no more Likewise every Baron to bring but four Likewise he resolved to cause Ward such as had been unruly and disobedient during His Majesty's absence as the Earl Bothwel the Lord Hume and divers Borderers and Highland Men. The next Spring His Majesty came home and Landed at Lieth well accompanied with the Admiral of Denmark and divers of the Council and many other Gentlemen All whom His Majesty treated honourably and after the Queens Coronation they were magnificently rewarded with more then twelve Golden Chains and many Medals of Gold with His Majesties Picture His Majesty at his landing was pleased to send to me to bear them company which I did until their parting to His Majesty's great contentment In the mean time the Earl of Worcester was sent Ambassadour from England to Welcome and Congratulate both their Majesties with some Presents unto the Queens Majesty Upon whom I was commanded by His Majesty to attend diligently all the time of his being here and at his parting he was presented with a Ring of seven great Diamonds He parted well satisfied and so did all his Company His Majesty was pleased at leasure to declare unto me his whole Voyage and proceedings during his absence He said that he wished that I had been sent alone Ambassadour to Denmark in place of the Earl of Marshal and the two who were joined with him he was so ill informed of the said Earl I answered That I understood that the Earl for his part had behaved himself
rounded in my Ear to declare her answer to the Ambassadour of the States of Holland Then every one of them by order gave their Presents The Jewels of Perecious Stones the Queen received in her own hand and then delivered them unto me to put them again in their Cases and lay them upon a Table which was prepared in the mids of the Chamber to set them upon The Queen of England's had a great show being a fair Cupboard of Silver overguilt cunningly wrought and some Cups of massy Gold The Ambassadour of the States presented a Golden Box wherein was written in Parchment in Letters of Gold A gift of a yearly Pension to the Prince of five thousand _____ by year with great Cups of massy Gold two especially which were so weighty that it was all that I could lift them and set them down upon the said Table I leave it to others to set down the weight and value But I say these which were of Gold which should have been kept in store to posterity were soon melted and disposed But if they had been preserved as they ought to have been those who advised to break them would have wanted their part All these Ambassadours being dispatched and well rewarded those of Denmark were advised by John Lindsay of Monmuire to cause with all diligence send new Ambassadours to require the Contract of marriage made in Denmark to be fulfilled Alledging that the Chancellour who had made it had left out the Rents of the Abby of Dumfarmling fraudfully and had taken in fee to himself all the Lordship of Mussilburgh For this end two Ambassadours were sent from Denmark upon whom I was appointed to attend to see them well entertained As they were well instructed so they happened upon a meet time for the Chancellour was for the time decourted and my Brother was Ambassadour for his Majesty in England So the Chancellour was caused to renounce his part And because my Brother Sir Robert was absent young Sir Robert his Son and I obliged us that his part which was 13 Chalders of Victual should be also renounced at his return which was accordingly done His Majesty promised to him as much heritage in an other part in respect that his gift was obtained long before the Contract of marriage Divers others who had portions of these Lands were likewise compelled to renounce either voluntarily or by a new Law made for that effect FINIS AN Alphabetical Table OF THE Principal MATTER contained in this BOOK A ABot of Dumfarmling is sent by the King's Lords to meet the Earl of Lennox in his passage to England p. 106. His Message to the Queen and her Answer thereunto ibid. Hastens to the King at St. Andrews where he behaves himself with great dissimulation 135. Endeavours by Gold to curry favour with Colonel Stuart 137. Is after Imprisoned in Lockleven ibid. Admiral of France his death conspired by Captain Charry p. 38. but being discovered is killed by Monsieur Chattelier ibid. Ambassadors sent from Denmark three joined together in Commission to King James arrive in Scotland p. 162. Their Commission and Demands ill usage and delays visited by Mr. Wotton who was very kind to them ibid. Upon his instigation they inform his Majesty of Reflections upon their Master by his Subjects and of their rudeness p. 163. The Ambassadours slight the Earl of Arran having known him in Denmark but a private Soldier ibid. Are Banquetted in his Majesties name 165. Take leave of his Majesty 166. Part well satisfied after they had received their Presents on Ship-board from the hands of the Author James Melvil p. 167. Promising to be good instruments of Amity ibid. Ambassadours arrive in Scotland from several parts upon the birth of Prince Henry p. 202. Their several rich Presents to the Queen at that time p. 204. Are all dispatcht and well rewarded ibid. Areskine Alexander the Governour of King James during his Minority p. 125. Is made Master of Mar. p. 126. Arran Earl see James Stuart Athol Earl made Chancellour p. 126. Hath 1000 men ready to take St. Johnstoun but being dissuaded from it by the Author desires him to write to his Majesty for a License for him and his to remain at home p. 169. Which he did and procur'd for him ibid. Is written unto to come to the Parliament at Lithgow p. 170. Atry Lord Uncle to the Earl of Marshal nominated by the King's Council to go Ambassadour to Denmark with the Author to Treat about the King's Marriage p. 177. Comes to Court but finds the Council not so earnest as his Majesty p. 177 and 178. Returns home excusing himself as sickly and Aged p. 178. Aubonie Lord returns from France p. 127. Being the King's Favourite ibid. is made Lord Dalkieth and after Duke of Lennox 128. A short Character of him ibid. led by evil Counsel to dangerous courses p. 131. Understanding that his Majesty was in the hands of the other Lords he retires to Dumbartoun p. 132. Passeth through England to France p. 133. And dies shortly after ibid. B BAlfour Sir James Captain of Edinburgh Castle p. 81. delivers the Castle of Edinburgh to the Laird of Grange p. 90. Is taken out of his own House and committed by the Regent's order p. 100. Wins the Regent's familiars with Gold p. 102. Balnears Henry turns from the Protestant to the Popish Religion p. 7. And by the perswasion of Abbot Pally breaks the intended Match between Prince Edward and Mary Queen of Scots ibid. Barnbarrow Laird sent Ambassadour to Denmark upon the Author's refusal p. 176. Returns with his Fellow-Commissioner their Power being insufficient having no Commission to conclude ibid. Bassingtoun a Learned Scots-man and Travellour his Story concerning the Affairs of England and Scotland p. 92. Bastien a French-man at the Banquet after the Baptism of King James devised a Machine that gave great distate and disturbance p. 76 and 77. Beaton David Cardinal makes King James the Fifth's Will when dying which he dictated which was therefore annulled p. 6. is slain in his Castle at St. Andrews p. 7. by the complotting of Sir George Douglas c. ibid. Bedford Earl one of Queen Mary's surest Friends in England p. 76. Arrives in Scotland with several other Persons of Quality ibid. departs and they are all rewarded 77. desires the Author to beseech the Queen to entertain the King as formerly and not to slight him ibid. Bettancourt Master of the Houshold to the Queen Regent of Scotland brings instructions to destroy Hereticks p. 24. which she observes being menaced ibid. Bishop of St. Andrews designed Ambassadour for England p. 194. Disdained and dishonoured in England p. 150. The reason ibid. Is nominated to be sent Ambassadour to Denmark p. 176. Bishop Thomas a Scotsman sends a Letter from England to the Authour about the report of the Queen's marriage with her Husband's Murtherer together with his Character disswading her from it p. 79. Which he shew'd the Queen and was forced to
the Castle of Edinburgh p. 174. Desires a Commission to go Ambassador for England but is denied ibid. The Council of England conclude to take away the life of Mary Queen of Scotland Prisoner in England p. 171. Falsly alledging that She practiced against the State p. 172. Think fit to secure his Majesty in Scotland in the hands of the Banished Lords that so they might seek his life or keep him a perpetual Prisoner but herein prove defeated ibid. Fall down upon their knees with many of the Nobility Alledging that her life as well as their lives and fortunes was in hazard by reason of the practises of Queen Mary ibid. Received the Summons from Secretary Davison and give her warning to prepare for Death the Night before ibid. A Council Conven'd about the dissention of several Lords p. 200. De Crook Monsieur is sent Ambassador to the French King from Scotland with a Letter about the foulness of the Murther of their King p. 82. Receives an Answer from the Lords with a resolution to use all diligence to detect the Murtherers ibid. Crauford Captain Accuseth Secretary Lidington of the Murther of the late King of Scots p. 100. He being at that time Servant to the Earl of Lennox Alledging his Commission for so doing from the said Earl his Master p. 110. Crauford Lord is Committed to the Custody of the Lord Hamiltoun p. 170. Cunningham James Captain a discreet Man Servant to the Lord of Marr then Regent in Scotland p. 115. D DArnly Son to the Earl of Lennox a Handsom Beardless Lady-fac'd Man p. 48. Procures a License from the Queen of England to go to Scotland p. 53. His intention therein ibid. Proposeth a Marriage to Queen Mary who refuseth a Ring he presented to her p. 56. Which the Queen seems to disrelish ibid. Becomes acquainted with Rixio who was his great Friend to the Queen of Scots ibid. Finds the Queen cold in her favours after her confinement upon the murther of Rixio p. 66. Follows the Queen though slighted whithersoever she went p. 77. Goes to Glascow falls sick being suspected to have poison given him by a Servant of his own ibid. Is brought from thence to Edinburgh to recover his health p. 78. Dies and how ibid. Davison is sent Agent into Scotland and afterward made Secretary to Queen Elizabeth p. 157. Professeth himself a Scot ibid. Remains at Coupar till he had Audience which he had at Falkland ibid. But proves deceitful p. 158. Returns to England ibid. Receives the written Summons for the Execution of Queen Mary with a strict charge not to deliver it without her express Command p. 172. But being deceived by the Council of England delivers it ibid. For which he is Committed to the Tower by Queen Elizabeth for disobeying her orders upon that account p. 175. Dingual Lord is sent to King James for a License to return or a Commission to conclude the Match with Denmark p. 179. Finds his Majesty at Aberdeen the Chancellour and most part of the Council being absent p. 180. So that he obtained a full power to conclude the said Match ibid. Dosel Monsieur Lieutenant in Scotland for the French King p. 24. a passionate Man p. 25. Douglas Archibald is cleansed of the late King's murther in Scotland p. 174. Frequents the Court familiarly ibid. returns to England to remain Ambassadour there ibid. Hath great reputation with Mary Queen of Scotland yet injureth her Cause in England and is discharged of his Embassy upon the Arrival of Sir Robert Melvil in England ibid. Douglas George the Natural Son of the Lord Angus enters the King's Closet with the Lord Ruthven the Queen being present and with the King's Dagger struck him p. 64. And afterwards drew him into the outer Hall and kill'd him p. 65. Conveys the Queen to Lockleven as a Captive to the King's Lords p. 90. Hath the House of the Castle delivered to him p. 121. Douglas Sir George desires to have the Commission for Ambassadour to Spain p. 175. But is denied ibid. Douglas James the Natural Son of the Earl of Mortoun p. 127. Kills the Earl of Arran in Revenge of his Uncle's death the Earl of Mortoun 200. Drake Sir Francis by a stratagem of a Ship full of Powder with a burning Link fires the Spanish Navy and discomfits them p. 176. Drumhafel Laird Master of King James his Houshold when young p. 125. Draws the Earl of Arguile and Athol to Sterling p. 126. Is discharged out of Court ibid. Assures the Earl of Grange that the Duke of Lennox designed to kill him p. 131. though it prov'd false p. 133. Is imprison'd by the procurement of the Earl of Arran and his Lady p. 137. Du Bartas Monsieur famous for his French Poesie arrives in Scotland p. 176. Proposeth a marriage with the King of Scots and the Princess of Navarre ibid. Resides at Falkland with the King p. 177. Dundee Earl is sent one of the Ambassadours to Denmark about the King's marriage p. 179. Dudly Lord Robert afterward made Earl of Leicester is proposed by Mr. Randolph as a fit Match for Mary Queen of Scotland p. 40. E EAster Weems Laird goes with a Commission to England and France p. 203. Is a Pensioner to the French King ibid. Elizabeth Queen of England sends Instructions to Mr. Randolph her Ambassadour in Scotland to propose the Lord Robert Dudly as a fit Match for Mary Queen of Scotland p. 40. Disrelisheth the proposal of a Match between Queen Mary and Charles the Arch-Duke of Austria p. 41. Which appears by her sending the Earl of Sussex to the Emperor's Court to draw on the marriage of the Arch-Duke with her self ibid. This occasion'd grudges between the Two Queens of England and Scotland p. 42. She designs Darnly for Queen Mary's Husband ibid. Creates the Lord Robert Dudly Earl of Leicester and Baron of Denbigh p. 47. Is distemper'd with a Fever insomuch that her life is question'd p. 67. Disturbed at the Birth of the Prince Queen Mary's Son p. 69. Yet promiseth to be Gossip to him by proxy of Lords and Ladies p. 70. Upon her fair promises Queen Mary flies to England but she would not see her though she often desired it p. 92. Causeth her to be kept Prisoner till she lost her life after a tedious confinement ibid. Is Reproached by the Ambassadours of Foreign Princes for her unprincely dealing with Queen Mary p. 93. Having obtained her desires upon the Accusation of Queen Mary received great content having now matter sufficient to shew Foreign Ambassadours why she detained the Queen p. 97. Is glad of the Queen's dishonour yet sends privately to comfort her upon her false Accusation ibid. Her Answer to the Abbot of Dumfarmling upon his Propositions p. 106. Sends an Ambassadour to the King of Scots when confin'd offering him her Assistance p. 132. Sends a sharp Letter to King James p. 139. The Contents thereof p. 140. Receives intelligence of a Magnificent Embassy from Denmark to
Scotland p. 161. by Three Ambassadours with a splendid Train ibid. Upon which she sends Wotton to land to disturb the Affairs of that Kingdom ibid. Is intreated by the Council and Nobility to take away the life of Queen Mary p. 172. Which at first she refuseth but afterwards condescends to ibid. Purgeth her self of the Death of Queen Mary as being deceived by her Council and Mr. Secretary Davison p. 175. Is sent to for consent to the Marriage of King James with the Daughter of the King of Denmark and returns her Answer p. 179. Saying She would employ her Credit with the King and Princess of Navarre to bring his Marriage with that Princess to pass ibid. Sends the Earl of Sussex Ambassador to Scotland and upon what account p. 203. Elphingstoun Nicholas adviseth the Regent Mortoun that he was in disfavour with the King and ought by Gold to purchase friends p. 125. Emanuel Duke of Savoy leads the Spanish Army that Invades France p. 201. Emperor of Germany retires to a Monastery of Monks in Spain p. 18. Endeavours to get his Son Philip Elected Emperor but is denyed ibid. Gives him all the Dominions he had in Spain Italy and the Low-Countries p. 19. Labours for a Treaty with France for 5 years which was agreed and sworn to but broken by the Popes persuasion ibid. Enig the Dutch word admits of Two divers interpretations which was disputed by the Emperor c. p. 12. F FErdinand King of Bohemia Brother to the Emperor Philip and Arch-Duke of Austria Elected Emperor by the Princes p. 19. Fernthast Laird Warden of the Borders on the Scots side p. 166. Marries to the Earl of Arran's Brothers Daughter ibid. Foster Sir John Warden a strange trick of his Steed that mounted and hurt Mary Queen of Scots when discoursing with him p. 77. Francis the 2d Dauphin of France Married to Queen Mary of Scotland p. 8. Succeeds his Father Henry the 2d p. 28. Is wholly guided by the Duke of Guise and Cardinal Lorrain ibid. Raiseth Men to send into Scotland p. 29. Dies at Orleans in France ibid. Frederick King of Denmark his Genealogie related by the Author to King James when he had Three Ambassadors joyned in one Commission in Scotland p. 165. Hath several fair Daughters p. 167. G GAury Earl Treasurer of Edinburgh p. 129. Intercedes for the life of the Duke of Lennox p. 132. Keeps the Earl of Arran in Custody p. 133. Repents his being drawn in by Drumhasel to joyn with the Lords that were against the King ibid. But at St. Andrews he turns to the Lords of the Kings Party p. 136. Treats his Majesty Royally at the House of Ruthven p. 137. Begs his Majesties Pardon and obtains it ibid. Is driven from Court by the Earl of Arran but reconciled to him p. 142. Yet conditions being unperform'd he resolves to leave the Country ibid. Obtains his Majesties consent to depart the said Earl of Arran proving his mortal Enemy p. 155. Before he goes takes part with the Earl of Angus and others in their design to take Sterling in despight of the said Earl ibid. Is taken Prisoner in that enterprize p. 156. Is near of Kin to his Majesty hath his Lands seized and is Executed on the Scaffold dying a devout Christian ibid. Gordoun a Gentleman of that name is kill'd by the Earl of Murray p. 200. Graham Richard hath a familiar Spirit p. 195. Is brought to Edinburgh and examined before his Majesty about the Earl of Bothwel and burnt with other Malefactors ibid. Grange Laird is Lord Treasurer and Favourite to King James upon the Kings Command alledgeth reasons against the Prelates Propositions p. 2 3 and 4. A stout bold Man p. 4. Pursues with two Ships Bothwell p. 184. But he escapes and his Servants were taken and the first discoverers of the King's Murther p. 185. Is made Chief of a Company of Horsemen who came to fight against Bothwel which the Queen understanding sends for him under surety p. 83. Was like to be kill'd by a Souldier appointed by Bothwel for that purpose but was saved by the Queens crying out ibid. Offers to Combat Bothwel upon his Challenge but is coldly refused ibid. Promiseth upon his honour to protect Sir James Balfour upon his delivery of Edinburgh Castle to him p. 100. Offers to fight with Mr. Archibald Douglas being guiltless of the Kings Murther ibid. Takes Secretary Lidington into the Castle of Edinburgh p. 101. His vertues are envied by some and his Charge coveted by others p. 104. Obtains a Warrant from the King's Lords to set the Duke of Chattellerault and the Lord Herreis at liberty p. 105. Sticks close to the Kings Authority p. 108. Sides at last with the Queens Lords ibid. Sends for the Laird of Fernihast and Buccleugh who resolved to seize on the Lords at Sterling p. 113. Which they attempted but failed p. 114. Laments the slaughter of the Earl of Lennox Regent of Scotland ibid. Was ever esteemed honest p. 119. Is taken Prisoner after the delivery of Edinburgh Castle with Sir Robert Melvil and Lidington p. 121. Is wracked to death p. 123. His Character ibid. Guise Duke goes with a great Army into Italy after the breach of the Truce between the Emperor and French by the Popes persuasion p. 19. He and the Lieutenant of Picardy unexpectedly enters on the King of Spain's Dominions p. 19 and 20. Is killed by Poltrot at the Siege of Orleans p 35. For which the Admiral of France is Accused p. 36. But cleared ibid. H HAmiltoun Laird is advanced to be Governour of Scotland p. 7. Induced to resign the Government to the Queen p. 2. Shoots the Regent Murray in his passage to Lithgow p. 203. And Escapes ibid. Henry the 8th King of England is discontented at the Popes denial of his Divorce from Queen Katherine and thereupon proclaims himself Head of the Kirk discharging St. Peter's Pennies here and the Popes Authority p. 1. Declares his Daughter Mary a Bastard ibid. Obtains a Divorce from his own Clergy and seeks amity with his Nephew James the 5th King of Scotland desiring an interview with him at York ibid. A short Character of him p. 3. Is highly offended at the disappointment and affront put upon him by King James his not meeting him at York that he sent an Army to Scotland to destroy it p. 5. Is much afflicted at the death of the King of Scotland and lays down the reasons of his Warring with that Nation p. 6. His wrath against the Pope is great ibid. He demolisheth Abbeys and compells the Nobility to exchange their Lands for them that might never return to the Kirk ibid. Endeavours a Match between Edward the Sixth his Son and Mary of Scotland though it brake off and caused War between the Two Kingdoms p. 7. But it was at last agreed ibid. Henry the Second of France had hot Wars with the Emperour the occasion and management thereof from p. 15 to p. 18. Is hurt
the Queen's Lords are Routed p. 91. The King's Lords send for the Earl of Lennox to make him Regent in the room of Murray p. 104. They hold a Parliament at Sterling and the Queen 's at Edinburgh p. 113. Lords all written and unwritten for arrive at St. Andrew's to attend the Convention intended there by the King p. 136. Design to have the King in custody ibid. Lords met at Edinburgh pass a Vote unanimously being preoccupied by the Earl of Arran p. 153. Those Lords who designed the attempt on Sterling fly to England p. 157. Are forefaulted p. 158. They return and come to the Borders with Assistance p. 168. 3000 of the banished Lords enter Sterling fall on their knees and beg his Majesty's pardon p. 169. Which is granted ibid. The Lords gain great credit by their moderate behaviour p. 170. Lorrain Cardinal designs to promote Queen Mary to the Crown of England by alledging Queen Elizabeth to be Illegitimate p. 23. Causeth all Queen Mary's Silver Vessels to be engraven with the Arms of England ibid. After the conclusion of Peace is sent Ambassadour to Spain to take that King's Oath and to swear for his Master 's observing the same ibid. Proposeth two Matches to the Emperour of Germany p. 33. M MAcclean and others chief of the Highlands is subtilly brought to Court by the Chancellour p. 192. Are imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle accused of foul murther but get off ibid. Maitland Secretary is confin'd to his house with others p. 166. Opposeth the Author in Council p. 171. Mar Earl keeps the young Prince and will not deliver him to Bothwel p. 80. Is made Regent in the room of Lennox p. 111. Goes to Edinburgh to Convene the Lords in order to an Accommodation p. 118. In the mean time goes to Dalkieth and shortly after dies at Sterling ibid. Margil David one of the Duke of Lennox his Councellors p. 128. Marshal of Berwick besiegeth Edinburgh assisted by an English Army and all Scotland p. 120. Contends with the Ambassadour p. 121. Is forced to deliver up the Prisoners in Edinburgh Castle to the Regent being commanded by the Queen of England to do it ibid. Which he doth with much regret and returns to Berwick discontented ibid. The Laird of Cleesh having before offered them good Conditions to quit the Castle ibid. Takes the death of the Laird of Grange very much to heart by reason of the breach of his promise and thereupon quits his Employment of Marshal whose loss is much lamented being a worthy Captain ibid. Marshal Earl and others lodge within the Castle with his Majesty of Scotland p. 136. He and others retire to their Houses p. 137. Desires to supply the place of the Lord Atry as Ambassadour to Denmark p. 178. Which is granted ibid. But his Commission is so slender that he sends the Lord Dingual for a License to return or a power to conclude the Match with Denmark ibid. Which he receives and is presently dispatcht for Scotland by the Regent and Council and the Queen sent home with him well attended p. 180. But are driven by Tempest upon the Coast of Norway the winds being raised by the Witches of Denmark and the reason why ibid. Is not well thought of by the King upon the account of his Embasby to Denmark occasioned by the Chancellour's misrepresentation of him to his Majesty p. 182. Martland is made Chancellour in Scotland p. 175. Threatned to be kill'd p. 179. Hears of his Majesties discontent at the Queens delay of coming from Denmark and adviseth him to sail thither in person to fetch her home p. 181. Who goes with him privately ibid. Being at Denmark he deviseth many Reformations to be made at his Majesties return p. 182. Causeth the Lord Hume Earl Bothwel and divers others to be imprisoned for their disobedience during the absence of the King ibid. Misrepresents Sir Robert Melvil and envies him though a great friend to his promotion ibid. Emulation between the Council and him who design to turn him out p. 183. But prevents it being discovered ibid. Great hatred between him and the Duke of Lennox p. 198. He retires to his own House and is accused of several Crimes ibid. Procures again his Majesties favour and is re-introduced at Court p. 200. And at length reconciled to the Queen ibid. Mary Queen of Scotland the only Child left of King James the 5th p. 7. Born when he lay on his death-bed p. 7. After her Arrival in France great disputes arise about her Marriage between the two Factions in France but is at last wedded to the Dauphin p. 8. Proves a sorrowful Widdow after the death of her Husband p. 30. By degrees leaves the Court upon dislike ibid. Occasion'd by the Queen-Mother's rigorous dealing with her p. 31. Is advised to return to Scotland and behave her self moderately ibid. At length arrives in her own Country p. 32. Seems to approve of the Match proposed by Cardinal Lorrain between her and the Arch-Duke of Austria ibid. Advertiseth the Queen of England of this proposal desiring her advice p. 40. Which she Answers by Mr. Randolph ibid. and p. 41. Lays aside the thoughts of that Match p. 43. And the Reasons why ibid. Behaves her self very discreetly and gains great reputation in all Countries p. 53. Her Character p. 54. Is much taken with the Lord Darnly p. 56. Determines to marry him tho opposed by several Lords ibid. And is married to him accordingly p. 57. Is kept Prisoner by Douglas and his Party upon the murther of Rixio p. 65. Causeth the King to advise them to withdraw the Guards they had upon her ibid. So they went all to their home but the Queen King and some in their Retinue went at midnight to Dunbar p. 66. Subscribes Remissions for the Lord Murray and his Dependers lamenting the young King's folly ibid. Goes to Sterling to Ly In her time approaching p. 67. She mislikes the King who grows melancholick thereupon ibid. She is much troubled at that foul fact committed in her presence by killing her Servant Rixio to the endangering of her self and the Child in her Womb p. 74. Keeps her Chamber some time after the murther of her Husband Darnly p. 78. She wonders at the reports of her marriage with Bothwel but denies it ibid. Is forced to marry him the Nobility approving it and he having first Ravished her p. 80. Is married by Adam Bothwel after the Reformed Religion ibid. Resigns her self to the Lord of Grange and conveyed to Edinburgh p. 83. where she is respected by the Nobles but reviled by the vulgar ibid. Writes a Letter wherein she calls Bothwel her dear heart promising never to forsake him p. 84. Which being brought to the Lords by the Treachery of one of her Keepers they sent her to be secured in Lockleven ibid. Upon the Lord Lindsay's coming she subscribed to the Demission of the Government to the Prince and certain Lords named as Regents p. 85. Is conveyed from Lockleven
p. 198. Is threatned with death by the Captain of the Guards p. 199. But the Queen stood his Friend ibid. Sends his Servant to acquaint the King with Bothwel's Conspiracy against him in Falkland for which he is derided p. 202. Sir Robert is sent Ambassadour to England from King James p. 204. Mortoun Earl is challenged to fight by Lord Herreis upon the account of the King's death p. 100. Appoints 4 men to kill Grange at the entrance of the Regent's Lodgings without the Regent's privity p. 101. Has a great Faction in the Country though disappointed of the Regency p. 116. But is made Regent after the decease of the Earl of Mar by the assistance of England p. 118. Promiseth to the Agreement with the Lords of the Castle of Edinburgh but steers another course p. 120. Anticipates the Marshal of Berwick and gets an Answer from the Queen of England to have the Prisoners taken at Edinburgh Castle and a Commission for their Execution before he could send p. 121. Triumphs a while being with great Assistance from England p. 123. His whole study is to gain riches from England and Scotland p. 123. Of which England too late repented ibid. Holds the Country in a more setled Estate then it had been in for many years p. 124. Grows proud despiseth the Nobility commits several wrongs and prosecutes several Lords ibid. exposeth the Earl of Orkny to great hardship p. 126. Yields easily to his deposition from the Regency retiring to Lockleven ibid. But by his designs gets in again to be Master of the Court ibid. Is Accused by James Stuart of the late King's Murther p. 127. Is condemned at the Assize for it 128. And dies resolutely ibid. Murray Earl takes part with Bothwel p. 201. And is kill'd at his own House Murray Lord and Bedford meet at Berwick about the marriage of Queen Mary with Leicester p. 53. With slenderer offers then expected from him ibid. Murray being one of the banished Lords is sent for from Newcastle and re-entertain'd by the Queen p. 65. Retires from Court p. 78. Obtains leave to go to France before the Queen married Bothwel p. 80. Is appointed by the Queen first Regent of the young Prince p. 85. Whereupon he is sent for from France by the Lords ibid. Accepts the Regency of the Prince after a Refusal p. 87. Enters at first sight upon such injurious Reproaches of her Majesty as were like to break her heart ibid. Takes the Forts and Castles into his hands p. 90. Clears the Borders of Thieves and holds Iustice in Evre ibid. Goes to England accompanied with many Lords to accuse Queen Mary p. 93. Is privately dissuaded from it by the Duke of Norfolk p. 94 and 95. 'T is agreed that he shall by no means proceed in that Accusation p. 95. Breaks his word with the Duke and comes from the Council-House with Tears in his Eyes p. 97. Is despised by the Queen of England for his intention to Accuse her detested by the Duke reproached by his Friends living at Kingston penyless and unregarded p. 97. Is reconciled to the Duke p. 98. Has 2000 l. of the Queen for which the Duke becomes surety and afterward paid it 99. Takes leave of the Queen but discovers again all that ever past between the Duke and himself p. 99. Promising to send the Queen those Letters he should receive in Scotland from him ibid. Sends for Secretary Lidingtoun as being of Council with the Duke of Norfolk resolving to accuse him and writes for him to come to make a dispatch for England p. 100. Being come is Accused before the Privy Council of the late King's Murder and Imprisoned ib. Is misled though well inclined by vain pretences to his own and the ruine of others p. 102. Gives ear to flatterers ibid. Dissembles with Grange and Lidingtoun ibid. His Character p. 103. Is shot by Hamiltoun and dies the same night ibid. N NOrfolk Duke sent with an Army out of England to help the Congregationists p. 29. He and several other Councellors sent down to York to hear the Regent's Accusation of his Queen and be Iudges thereof p. 94. Privately dissuades the Regent from Accusing the Queen for the King her Son's sake p. 95. Is the greatest Subject in Europe not being a free-born Prince p. 96. Ruling the Queen and all ibid. His purposes discovered to the Queen whereby the Regent lost the Duke's favour yet speaks boldly to her Majesty p. 98. Is prevailed with to enter into friendship again with the Regent upon promise of his future secresie ibid. Acquaints the Regent with his resolution to marry the Queen of Scots and that he had a Daughter fitter for the King then any other p. 98 and 99. Becomes Security for 2000 l. which Murray the Regent of Scotland received from the Queen of England which he after paid p. 99. Is sent for by the Queen to come to Court being again deceived by the Regent then in Scotland applies himself to Secretary Cecil who told him there was no danger so that he rode with his Train only ibid. Is seized by the Treachery of Cecil and after a tedious Captivity dies of the Reformed Religion p. 100. Normand Lesly gains great honour in the Wars between Henry the Second of France and the Emperour p. 17. O OChiltrie Lord and divers others in revenge of the death of the Earl of Murray takes part with Earl Bothwel p. 201. Adviseth him to Seize on his Majesty in his Palace at Falkland ibid. Octavians in Scotland who and why so called p. 191. Octavio Duke Son-in-law to the Emperour Charles the Fifth is left to the Pope's discretion and why p. 11. P PArliament Proclaimed at Lithgow for the restitution of the banished Lords p. 170. Parma Duke Governour of Flanders wins the hearts of his Soldiers and Enemies by his prudent behaviour p. 166. Is suspected by the Spanish King to have a design on Flanders which caused him to deny the Spaniard Victuals Ships and landing in his Territories ibid. Paul the Fourth Pope breaks off the five years Truce between the French King and the Emperour p. 19. Peace concluded between Scotland and England and upon what Terms p. 30. Pool Cardinal appointed to be Mediator between the Two Princes p. 16. Prelates of Scotland endeavour to win King James by large proffers and perswasions to their Opinion p. 4. They exasperate his Majesty against the Treasurer by their insinuations p. 5. But he gets well off ibid. Prior of St. Andrews the Lord James Natural Son to James the Fifth King of Scotland p. 25. Afterwards Earl of Murray p. 32. Prior of Pittenweem a great debaucher of Women and Maidens p. 5. Protestants grown very numerous in Scotland p. 24. Q QUeen Mother of France is glad at the death of Francis the Second her Son he being wholly ruled by the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his Brother p. 29. Whereupon she dischargeth the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde who had
the Convention ibid. Retires discontented to the Castles of Edinburgh and Sterling p. 155. His unworthy Carriage with many other particulars ibid. Seizeth on Gaury's Lands and divideth them among several others upon condition they would assist him in the ruin of the said Gaury p. 156. Confers with the Earl of Hunsdon on the Borders and Plots with him secretly p. 158. Grants all that is desired at the Conference with the Earl of Hunsdon to procure Queen Elizabeth's friendship p. 161. Is not courted by the Danish Ambassadors p. 163. Whereupon he becomes their Enemy ibid. Is in disfavour at Court p. 166. Imprisoned in St. Andrews Castle ibid. Sends his Brother to the Master of Gray promising a reward to procure his liberty p. 166. Which he soon did ibid. Is ordered to retire to his House ibid. Obtains liberty to return to Court p. 168. Flies p. 169. Comes again to Court p. 200. Is shortly after kill'd by James Douglas ibid. Stuart Sir William is Captain of Dumbartoun p. 129. Sussex Earl is sent from England to Berwick p. 104. Enters the Merse with his Forces and takes the Castle of Hume and 〈◊〉 p. 106. Is sent to Scotland upon the Birth of Prince Henry from Queen Elizabeth p. 203. T TAggot a Scientifical Man who prognosticated the year of his own Death by Palmestry p. 13. And dies at Geneva accordingly p. 14. Throgmorton Sir Nicholas Ambassador from England to France complains to the King and Council of the Queen of Scotland's new Usurped Style and Arms p. 23. But without success ibid. Acquaints Queen Elizabeth with it p. 29. Is sent Ambassador to Scotland to disswade Queen Mary from the Marriage with Darnly p. 56. Owns when return'd the promises he had made to those who would stop those proceedings without fear of Queen or Council p. 60. And comes off well ibid. Is incensed that he was an instrument to deceive the Banished Lords therefore adviseth them to beg their Queens Pardon and penn's a perswasive Letter to her Majesty of Scotland p. 60 61 62 and 63. A man of a deep reach and great prudence studying the Union of both Kingdoms p. 98. Reconcileth the Duke and the Regent ibid. Tulke Monsieur see Broderode U VIllamonte a French Gentleman sent to Mary Queen of Scotland to shew no favour to the Protestant Banished Lords p. 63. A De vice of Cardinal Lorrains larely return'd from the Council of Trent ibid. W WAchop Patriarch of Ireland p. 9. Went several times to Rome by Post tho blind ibid. Walsingham Sir Francis is sent to Scotland p. 147. His Character ibid. Is conveyed by the Author to St. Johnstoun ibid. Refuseth to discourse with any person about his Embassy but his Majesty p. 148. Is much troubled at the Earl of Arran's Court favour ibid. Returns to England and dies ibid. William Bishop of Ely and Dr. Wotton sent Commissioners for Queen Mary in the Treaty of Peace at Cambray between France and Spain p. 22. Wood John Secretary to Murray the Regent of Scotland p. 95. Is desired to press forward the Accusation of the Queen of Scotland p. 96. Produceth the Accusation of Queen Mary upon the desire of Cecil who delivered it upon conditions p. 96 and 97. Which was snatcht from him by the bishop of Orkny who gave it in to the Council p. 97. Procures all the Letters sent from the Duke of Norfolk to his Master which might tend to his ruin p. 99. Is well rewarded for his pains ibid. Worcester Earl is sent Ambassador from England to congratulate both their Majesties of Scotland p. 182. Norminstoun kill'd at the seisure of the Lords at Sterling p. 114. Witches taken in Lauthian who depose against the Earl Bothwel p. 194. They discourse with the Devil his form and shape described and are burnt ibid. Wotton Mr. sent by Queen Elizabeth to King James as Ambassador p 158. His parts and qualifications p. 159. His carriage in France when very young p. 159 160 and 161. Brothers Son to Dr. Wotton Ambassador from England to Spain p. 161. Fifty years old when he came into Scotland ibid. Becomes one of his Majesties Favourites tho he did more prejudice to his Majesty as to his affairs then any Englishman that arrived there before him ibid. Is sent thither to use all his wiles to disturb the two Kings namely of Denmark and Scotland and their Countries p. 161 and 162. Visits the Danish Ambassadors making large profers to lend them Gold and Silver p. 162. But secretly incenseth them with the Kings mean Opinion of their Master ibid. Acquaints them that King James designed to affront them with delays p. 163. Notwithstanding his double dealing with the King he gains his Majesties Ear p. 164. Makes a complaint to the King of the killing of Sir Francis Russel on the Borders p. 166. Which occasioned the Earl of Arran's Imprisonment ibid. Obtains with the assistance of his Scotch friends the chief management of King James's Affairs p. 167. His designs against the King defeated ibid. Flies to England without taking leave of his Majesty p. 168. Perswades the Noblemen of that Nation who were banished into England to return to their Native Country ibid. His dangerous and circumventing Practices p. 171. Wotton Doctor Ambassador from Mary the Queen of England who was Resident there when she was married to Philip King of Spain p. 159. Y YOung Peter King James's Almoner sent Ambassadour to Denmark p. 167. His Commission ibid. Returns with a friendly Answer p. 171. Being very well contented mith all Transactions there and as well rewarded p. 176. Is sent again to Denmark with the Laird of Barnbarrow in Commission ibid. Returns his Commission being lookt upon by the King of Denmark as insufficient 177. Sent a third time with an Embassy to the Danish King and the Dukes of Mecklenburgh and Brunswick upon the birth of Prince Henry p. 203. Returns with the reward of three fair Chains ibid. Yungland Laird the Author's Brother undertakes the Embassie to the King and Princess of Navarre 177. Is well treated and rewarded ibid. A Scholar and Linguist p. 178. A N Alphabetical Interpretation OF ALL THE Scotish WORDS and PHRASES Contained in this HISTORY A Aback to hold or keep back Accession Condescention Alwise although Anent about concerning as thereanent concerning the same Assize a Suit or Trial. Ay still or ever B Banded joyned together combining Best as the next best way or course Bond of Alliance a League or Truce Brangled Turmoiled Involv'd in Trouble Burroughs Burghers or Burgesses By-gones all that is past C Caution or Cautioner Bail or Surety Clan a Tribe or Family Compear Appear Comported Patiently bore Patiently Compts Accompts Conform Agreeable or Suitable to Conquer Credit to gain Credit Convoyance Conveyance Counselable one that is or will be Advised D Decourted discharged from the Court. Demission laying down or transferring to another Devilry Devilishness or Devilish Tricks Devotious addicted to very favourable to Ditty Doom or Damage Down-casting pulling down or demolishing Houses Dunting the stunning of Hammers c. E Effectuate effected or done Emit send forth Evangel the Gospel Evite Avoid F Factioners People of a Faction Fashion as done for the fashion that is done as usual and customary Forefault to find guilty in the absence of a person Forth-setting Advancement Promotion Fraudful Fraudulent Deceitful G Gain-stand Withstand H Hand-writ hand-writing Home-going returning home Hostlaries Inns. I Indwellers Inhabitants Insestments Inheritance Estate or Tenure Ingeny Ingenuity or Wit Justice Eyrs Iustice Itinerant L Leave-taking bidding farewel Leesings Lyes or Lying Tricks Liberate free at liberty Logh a watry sloughy place Longsom Tedious M Manyest the major part the most Miscontent Discontent Misconstructed Mis-interpreted Misgave miscarried Missives Letters Mostly for the most part Moyen Means or Course N Noticed Manifested O Octavians Eight Lords appointed to govern Scotland Onwaiter an Attendant Oultmost last or utmost Outgate a Way or Means Out-taking freeing from Prison P Practised dealt or laboured with to be brought over to a Party Perilled Endangered Perturbed disturbed Prejudged Forejudged Procedure Proceedings To Process to Sue Proponed Proposed R Refuse as he caused refuse i. e. he made them deny it Regrated regretted inwardly lamented or grieved for Righteous Heir True Heir S Salutary wholesom healthful healing Skittering skittish sinical silly Signatures written Instruments to be signed Steadable firm that will stand one in stead available Stormsted driven by Tempest into a Port or Harbour To Suit to beg or request T Time-coming for the future or time to come Timously in good or due time Tolerance Toleration Permission V Vengeable Revengeful Volt as a merry volt a merry pleasant countenance Unfriends Enemies Unwonable not to be won or courted to side with a Party Uptaking composing or taking up a business or difference W Ward or Warding Imprisonment Wel of Affairs the Good or Promotion of business While by-gone a long or considerable time since or past Whingar a Scottish Sword commonly called Whinyard Wrongously injuriously or wrongfully A Catalogue of some Books Printed for and to be Sold by Robert Boulter at the Turk's-Head in Corn-hill 1683. Folio BIshop Reynolds's Works Calderwood's History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland from 1560 to 1625. Rushworth's Collections First Vol. His Second Volume Pharmacopoea Londinensis Sturmy's Magazine Curia Politiae Rea's Flora. Quarto Durham on the Revelations Baxter's Saints Rest. Owen of Justification Origen contra Marchionet Charles the Eighth A Play Lesley Historia Scotorum Man of Sin Lightfoot on Lucan Dr. Charleton's Anatom Lectures Flavel's Husbandry Boys's Sermons Pryun's Power of Parliaments Burnet's Thesaurus Behin's Remains Manley of Usury Brown against Quakers Seamans Calendar Mariners Calendar Seamans Practise Norwood's Trigonometria Large Octavo Pool's Nullity Wilson's Scriptures Durham of Scandal Dr. Trapham's Treatise of Jamaica Cloud of Witnesses Rutherford's Examen Sclater of Grace Bayfield De Capitis Danvers of Baptism Flavel's Two Treatises His Preparation for Sufferings Small Octavo Wars of Hungary History of Jewels Moral Gallantry Flavel's Saint Indeed Token for Mourners Roma Restituta Curious Distillatory History of Japan and Siam Looking-Glass for Children Hugh's Disputations Religio Stoici Petton on the Covenant Queens Wells Moreland of Interest Miltoni Logica Grey of Faith Sydenham's Works Rushworth's Solomons Remembrance Gale's Idea Binning's Miscellanies Kirkwood's Grammatica Norwood's Epitomy Gellibrand's Epitomy FINIS
rest of the Regents Lords and Councellors had concluded among them That so soon as the Duke of Norfolk as chief of the Councel would inquire for the Accusation they should all with one voice cry and persuade the Regent to go forward with it Secretary Lidingtoun and I minded the Regent how far he had obliged himself to the Duke of Norfolk He said He would do well enough and that it would not come to that length So soon as he with his Counsel were within the Councel-House the Duke of Norfolk asked for the Accusation the Regent desired again the assurance of Conviction by Writing and Seal as is said It was answered again That the Queens Majesties Word being a true Princess was sufficient Then all the Councel cryed out Would he mistrust the Queen who had given such proof of her Friendship to Scotland The Regent's Councel cryed out also in that same manner Then Secretary Cicil asked if they had the Accusation there Yes sayes Mr. John Wood and with that he plucks it out of his Bosom but I will not deliver it sayes he till her Majesties Hand-Writing and Seal be delivered to my Lord Regent for what he demands Then the Bishop of Orkny snatcheth the Writing out of his hand Let me have it sayes he I shall present it Mr. John Wood run after him as if he would have taken it again Forward goes the Bishop to the Council-Table and gives in the Accusation Then cryes out the Chamberlain of England Well done Bishop thou art the frankest Fellow among them all none of them will make thy leap good scorning his leaping out of the Laird of Grange's Ship Mr. Henry Balneavs only had made resistance and called for Secretary Lidingtoun who waited without the Councel House But so soon as Mr. Henry Balneavs had called for him he came in and whispered in the Regent's Ear That he had shamed himself and put his Life in danger by the loss of so good a Friend as the Duke of Norfolk and that he had lost his Reputation for ever The Regent who by his facility had been brought to break with the Duke of Norfolk repented himself thereof so soon as Lidingtoun acquainted him with the danger and desired the Accusation to be rendred up to him again alledging he had some more to add thereto They answered They would hold what they had and were ready to receive any addition when he should please to give it in The Duke of Norfolk had much ado to keep his Countenance Mr. John Wood winked upon Secretary Cicil who smiled again upon him The rest of the Regent's Company were laughing one upon another only Secretary Lidingtoun had a sad heart The Regent came forth of the Council-House with Tears in his eyes and went to his Lodging at Kingstoun where his factious friends had much ado to comfort him The Queen of England having obtained her intent received thereby great contentment through the advantage she thereby received First she thought she had matter for her to shew wherefore she detained the Queen when she was challenged by the forreign Ambassadours upon that accompt Then she was glad of the Queens dishonour but in her mind she detested the Regent and all his Company and would notice him no more She sent also incontinent to the Queen to comfort her praying her to look on her self in a better case albeit for a while restrained of her liberty then to be in Scotland among so unworthy Subjects who had accused her falsly and wrongfully as she was assured and that neither should they be the better nor she the worse for any thing they had done For she would neither be Judge nor give out any Sentence thereupon nor should any part of the said false Accusation be made known by her or her Council to any praying her to take patience in her gentle Ward where she was nearer to get the Crown of England set upon her head in case of her decease who was but the eldest Sister Thus the Regent won no other thing for his labour but to be despised by the Queen and Council of England detested by the Duke of Norfolk and reproached by his best and truest friends suffered to lye a long time at Kingstoun in great displeasure and fear without Mony to spend and without hope to get any from the Queen In the mean time the agreement betwixt him and the Duke of Norfolk was told the Queen For the Earl of Mortoun caused a Minister called John Willock to declare what had past betwixt the Regent and the Duke of Norfolk to the Earl of Huntingtoun who caused my Lord of Leicester to tell it to the Queen The Duke of Norfolk finding himself disappointed by the Regent and his purposes discovered to the Queen began to boast and speak plain language That he would serve and honour the Queen his Mistress so long as she lived but after her decease he would set the Crown of England upon the Queen of Scotland ' s head as lawful Heir And this he avowed to Secretary Cicil desiring him to go and prattle that language again to the Queen The Secretary Cicil answered That he would be no Tale-teller to the Queen of him but would concur with him in any course and serve him in any thing wherein he would imploy him He threatned also Sir Nicholas Throgmorton who he supposed would be a true and devoted Servant to the Queen So that Sir Nicholas was necessitated to seek after his favour by the means of the Earls of Pembroke and Leicester who was also his friend albeit he durst not conceal from the Queen that whereof the Earl of Huntingtoun had advertised him seeing he had desired him to declare the same to her Majesty The Duke of Norfolk understanding that his whole purposes were discovered stood not to acknowledge to the Queen That during her life-time he would never offend her but serve and honour her and after her the Queen of Scotland as in his opinion truest Heir and the only means for eschewing of Civil Wars and great blood-shed that might otherwise fall out Now albeit the Queen of England liked not that language yet she would not appear to find fault with it for the time Now matters being cast loose in this manner between the Regent and the Duke and the Regent in great distress Sir Nicholas Throgmorton being a Man of a deep reach and great prudence and discretion who had ever travelled for the Union of this Isle after that he was agreed with the Duke and perceived that the Earls of Leicester Pembroke Secretary Cicil and the rest of the Court and Commons were all for the Duke and that the Queen durst not find fault with him he devised and effectuated a new friendship betwixt the Regent and the Duke who was unwilling again to enter with the Regent yet at length he suffered himself to be perswaded The Lord Regent on the other hand being destitute of all friendship in England for the
time and indigent of mony thought he would be very fortunate if again he could obtain the Dukes friendship and pardon so he was brought easily and secretly unto the Duke by Sir Nicholas At which time he granted his offence excusing himself the best he could by the craft and importunity of some of his Company The Duke helped him to frame his excuse alledging That he knew how his gentle nature was abused by the craft and concurrence of some of the Council of England who had joined with some about him That if he would for the future keep touch and be secret they should take a course with all those who had drawn on that draught The Regent promised as far as could be devised so that a greater friendship was packed up between them then ever The Duke had before told him That he was resolved to marry the Queen our Mistress and that he should never permit her to come to Scotland nor yet that he should ever Rebell against the Queen of England during her time Also that he had a Daughter who would be meeter for the King then any other for many Reasons Now the Duke took in hand to cause the Queen his Mistress to give unto my Lord Regent Two thousand pound sterling for the which Sum he became Cautioner and was afterward compelled to pay it After that the Regent had got this mony and had taken his leave of the Queen he was advised by such as had great credit about him to tell the Queen all things that had past again betwixt the Duke and him And to do it the more covertly it was devised That the Queen of England should send for him pretending to give him some admonition about some order to be observed upon the Border This being done and all things discovered to the Queen with a promise so soon as he came to Scotland and had received any Letters from the Duke by Cyphers or otherwise he should send them to England by an Express In the mean time the Duke wrote unto our Queen advertising her again of the new friendship between him and the Regent who was become very penitent and had been formerly deceived by craftier men then himself desiring her to let him pass by without any harm done to him or any in his company by the way At that time the Duke commanded over all the North parts of England where the Queen our Mistress was kept and so might have taken her out when he pleased And when he was angry at the Regent he had appointed the Earl of Westmerland to lye in his way and cut off himself and so many of his company as were most bent upon the Queens Accusation But after the last agreement the Duke sent and discharged the said Earl from doing us any harm yet upon our return the Earl came in our way with a great Company of Horse to signifie to us that we were at his mercy After the Regents safe return to Scotland Mr. John Wood his Secretary peocured upon the first occasion to be sent to England with all the Letters that had been sent from the Duke of Norfolk which could tend to undo him He desired Mr. Henry Balneavs to cause the Regent to give him the Bishoprick of Murray void for the time though he pretended it was neither for ambition nor covetousness of the Rents but that he might have an honourable Style to set out the better his Ambassage The said Mr. Henry being indeed such a man as Mr. John would appeared to have been was very angry and never liked him ester that my Lord Lindsay vented himself That he was one of the number who gave the Regent counsel so to do alledging that such promises as were made to the Duke of Norfolk for fear of life ought not to be kept A little after that Mr. John was come back to Scotland well rewarded for his pains the Duke was sent for by the Queen to come to Court Whereupon first he posted in haste to Secretary Cicil to demand his counsel for he reposed much upon him they being joined in one course The other made answer That there was no danger he might come and go at his pleasure no man would or durst offend him Which made the Duke ride up quietly only with his own train whereas otherwise he would have been well accompanied In the mean time Secretary Cicil informed the Queen That the necessity of the time obliged her not to omit this occasion but to take the matter stoutly upon her self and incontinent command her Guard to lay hands upon the Duke or else no other durst do it which if she did not at this time her Crown would be in peril The Queen following this counsel the Duke was taken and secured when he thought all England was at his Devotion who after long Captivity was Executed ending his Life devoutly in the Reformed Religion Shortly after Mr. John Wood's returning out of England there was a great Convention held at Pearth where the Regent was resolved to accuse Secretary Lidingtoun as being of Councel with the Duke of Norfolk but he had so many friends for the time that they durst not lay hands on him albeit from that hour forth he retired from the Court and remained with the Earl of Athol where the Regent entertained him with friendly Letters And upon a time being at Sterling he wrote for him to come and make a dispatch for England whither being come Captain Crauford was directed to accuse him before the Privy Council of the late King's murther and being accused of so odious a Crime he was committed to Ward Sir James Balfour was also taken out of his own House when he expected no such thing Then my Lord of Doun wrote to the Laird of Grange to be upon his guard for the Regent was resolved to take the Castle of Edenbrugh from him and make the Laird of Drumwhasel Captain thereof Which advertisement he had formerly given to Grange as also of the design to take the Secretary and Sir James Balfour But at the first he would not give credit thereto but now when he did see the Advertisement take effect he began to think that the Regent was strangely missed he would have been satisfied to have wanted the Castle and to have left the Court were it not for the desire he had to save the Lives of Secretary Lidingtoun and Sir James Balfour having upon his Honour engaged to protect the said Sir James upon his rendring up the Castle to him He knew they were wrongfully pursued only by the Malice and Envy of their Enemies for their Offices Sir James Balfour being taken sent unto the Laird of Grange minding him how he had joyned with the Lords and Regent upon the Trust he reposed on his Fidelity more than on all their Seals and Hand-writings which he had to produce Whereupon the Laird of Grange sent a Gentleman to the Regent but the Regent purged himself and alledged the Councel were