Pembroke Ranulph Earle of Chester diuers other of the partakers of the deceassed King they beganne one after an other to reuolt from Lewis and to submit themselues to their yong King not aboue nine yeares old Whereupon after some fewe bickrings and incounters by land sea between the one partie and the other wherein the French came still by the worse Prince Lewis was willing to hearken to peace which being readilie concluded he bid farewell to all former his goodly hopes was honorablie conducted to his ships and transported into France about a yeare and a halfe from his first arriuall in England Thus in short time by the prouidence of God and the industry and loyaltie of some principall men of the Nobilitie this nation was deliuered from one of the greatest dangers that euer it was like to fall into The yong king hauing raigned vnder protection about foure yeares and euen then purposing with himselfe after hee should come to mans state whereunto his notable and rare towardnesse did hasten him on to recouer that which his Father had lost on the other side of the sea and withall knowing that the Scotish nation was of old too much affected to France that hee might therefore in time preuent all occasion of trouble on that side it was brought to passe at Yorke where the two kings met by appointment that king Alexander should take to wife the Ladie Ione sister to king Henrie and further that Margaret the Scotish kings sister should bee giuen in mariage to Hubert de Borowgh a man in exceeding great fauour for many worthy partes in him whereof both his Father and hee himselfe had good tryall and for those his deserts king Henrie afterwardes created him Earle of Kent The other sister returned againe into Scotland vnmaried these two Ladies as you haue heard before were committed by their Father to the custodie of king Iohn These mariages were solemnized at Yorke about Mid-summer Anno. 1219. Diuerse couenants were then signed and sealed by eyther partie for the more assurance of perfect amitie betweene the two Nations which continued accordingly during the liues of the two kings together though there were some that practised what they could for their owne aduantage to set debate betweene them amongst whom Dauid the pety king of Wales hauing receiued an ouerthrow of the English-men and there-vppon flying into Scotland did his best indeauor to moue king Alexander to rise in Armes against England and by such perswasions as hee vsed so much preuailed that forth-with hee made preparation to inuade the Realme This was the more easilie compassed by reason that king Alexander had then buried his wife the King of Englands sister and not hauing had any issue by her was againe married to the Lady Marie daughter to Iugelram Lord of Coucie a French-man so that his former loue and liking towardes England was now happilie abated and buried together with his late deceassed wife Queene Ione Yet had there then bin an other marriage concluded betweene the Lord Alexander the Scotish kings eldest Sonne and the Ladie Margeret daughter to king Henrie which tooke effect as after shall appeare The Scotish Writers report that king Henrie had then begunne to build a Castle ouer against Berwicke in the same place where his father had before laid the foundation But whatsoeuer was the true cause that mooued king Alexander to inuade the Realme although king Henrie was as ready to make resistance as the other was to offer iniury neuerthelesse by mediation of friendes of either part the quarrell was taken vp and the two kings reconciled one to the other and for testimonie thereof to all posteritie a publike writing was drawne signed and sealed by king Alexander and diuerse of the Nobility of Scotland acknowledging their allegiance to the King of England as their supeor Lord as followeth Alexander Dei gratia Rex Scotiae Omnibus Christi fidelibus hoc scriptum visuris vel audituris salutem Ad vestram volumus venire notitiam nos pro nobis haeredibus nostris concessisse fidelitèr promississe charissimo ligio Domino nostro Henrico tertio Dei gratia Regi Angliae illustri Domino Hiberniae Duci Normandiae Aquitaniae Comiti Andegauiae eius haeredibus quod in perpetuvm bonam fidem ei seruabimus paritèr amorem Et quod nuncquam aliquod faedus iniemus per nos vel per aliquos alios ex parte nostra cum inimicis Domini Regis Angliae vel Haeredum suorum ad bellum procurandum vel faciendum vnde damnum eis vel regnis suis Angliae Hiberniae aut caeteris terris suis eueniat vel possit alequatenùs euenire nisi no iniustè grauent Stantibus in suo robore conuentionibus inter nos dictum Dominum regem Angliae initis vltimò apud Eboracum in praesentia Domini Othonis tituli S. Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconi Cardinalis tunc Apostolicae sedis Legati in Anglia Et saluis conuectionibus super matrimonio contrahendo inter filium nostrum filiam dicti Domini regis Angliae Et vt haec nostra concessio promissio pro nobis haeredibus nostris perpetuae firmitatis robur obteniunt fecimus iurare in animum nostrum Alanum Ostiarum Henricum de Baliol Dauid de Lindesey Wilhelmum Gifford quod omnia predicta bona fide firmitèr fidelitèr obseruabimus Et similitèr iurari fecimus venerabiles patres Dauid Wilhelmum Galfridum Clementem sancti Andreae Glasconiensem Dūkeldensem Dublinensem Episcopos Et praeteria Malcolmum comitē de Fif fideles nostros Patricium comitem de Dunbar Malisium comitē de Strathern Walterum Cumin comitē de Monteth Wilhelmū comitē de Mar Alexandrū comitē de Buchquhā Dauid de Hastings comitē de Athol Robertum de Bruis Alanum Ostiariū Henricum de Bailiol Rogerum de Mounbray Larentiū de Abirnetha Richardum Cumin Dauid de Lindesey Richardū Siward Wilhelmū de Lindesey Walterum de Morauia Wilhelmum Gifford Nicholaū de Sully Wilhelmū de veteri ponte Wilhelmū de Brewer Anselmū de Mesue Dauid de Graham Stephanū de Suningham Quod si nos vel haeredes nostri contra concessionē promissionē praedictū quod absit venerimus ipsi haeredes eorū nobis haeredibus nostris nullū contrà concessionē promissionē praedictā auxilium vel cōsilium impendent aut ab alijs proposse suo impendi permittent Imò bona fide laborabunt erga nos haeredes nostros ipsi et haeredes eorū quòd omnia praedicta a nobis et haeredibus nostris nec non ab ipsis et eorū haeredibus firmitèr et fidelitèr obseruētur in perpetuū In cuius rei testimontū tu nos quam praedicti Prelati Comites Barones nostri praesens scriptum sigillorū suorum appositione roborauimus Testibus Praelatis Comitibus Baronibus superius nominatis Ann. regni nostri c. This
instrument being first signed and sealed by king Alexander himselfe and afterwards by his Nobilitie was sent to the King of England at Christmasse following by the Prior of Tinmouth who had trauelled diligently and faithfully in this businesse to the honor and good liking of both parties And for further confirmation thereof another writing was sent to Rome to the end that this agreement accord might receiue the more strength frō his Holines This solemne league was established in the yeare of our Lord 1244. Whereupon Berwick was restored to the king of Scotland Carliele which had bin taken by the Scots in the raigne of king Iohn was likewise restored to king Henry the antient limits of the two kingdomes were bounded out by the Kings crosse in Steanmore as before at the agreement made with the Conqueror The often intermariages of the one nation with the other which is the surest band of friendship caused this good agreement so long between them for when at any time occasion of vnkindnesse was offered by eyther of the two kings the Nobilitie of both sides were so lincked one with the other in such an indissoluble vnion that they would not suffer the same to breake out into any hostilitie But to consummate and perfect as it were this Gordian knot within two yeares after the death of king Alexander the father which happened in the yeare 1249. his sonne Alexander that succeeded about eight yeares old when his father deceased was within two yeares after brought to Yorke where King Henry on Christmas day honoured him with the order of Knighthood and the day following he gaue him in mariage his Daughter the Lady Margaret according to the former agreement At this meeting the young King did homage in maner as before his father had done and the League was renewed betweene the two Nations which continued without any tainte many yeares after In the meane time at sundry meetings of the two kings and their Queenes much kindnesse and friendly demeanour passed betweene them to the great reioycing of their subiects on both sides And as occasion required the one would ayde and assist the other For during the troubles betweene King Henry and his Barons king Alexander did send vnto his ayde fiue thousand Scots vnder the leading of Alexander Cumine and Robert Bruis of whom the greater number was slaine in the quarrell of the Father and Sonne against their rebellious subiects King Henrie deceasing in the seauen and fiftie yeare of his raigne Anno 1272. the Scotish king and Queene came into England to the Coronation of king Edward his brother in law where hauing passed the time in great iollitie and acknowledged his allegiance hee was honourably attended into Scotland Shortly after his returne thither Queene Margaret his wife deceased and not long after her death their two sonnes Dauid and Alexander dyed also the elder brother hauing lately maryed the daughter of the Earle of Flanders but left no issue behind them The heauie hand of the Lord ceassed not here but finally inflicted well nere an vtter ruine and desolation on that kingdome by taking out of this world about twelue yeares after the king himselfe and his whole progenie if it bee true that is reported in the History of Scotland this calamitie may seeme to be prefigured in a prodigious apparition at the second marriage of king Alexander for as he was leading the Queene his Bride in a dance according to the manner of such solemnities there appeared to the whole assembly the similitude of an humaine Anatomy following and closing vp the traine of the Lords Ladies that accompanied them The same yeare viz. Ann. 1285. king Alexander was throwne frō off his horse and in the fall brake his necke At his death none remained liuing of his line saue onely one infant the daughter of his daughter Margaret Queene of Norway King Edward vnderstanding what had hapned in Scotland began to thinke with himselfe how exceeding beneficial it would be to both nations if by any good meanes they might bee vnited and made one monarchie wherevpon forthwith hee dispatched Ambassadors thether to make offer of mariage betweene the yong Lady the heire of Scotland his sonne Prince Edward heire apparant to the Crowne of England This was no sooner moued to the lords but forth-with euery mā gaue free consent esteeming it so happy a thing for that kingdome as nothing could be wished more The mariage was therefore readily concluded vpon these conditions That the Scotishmen should be gouerned by their owne Lords and lawes vntill the issue proceeding of them should be of age to take the gouernment vpon them And if it hapned that no issue should thereof spring or should die before ripe age to gouerne then the kingdom of Scotlād should descend to the next in bloud to the King last deceased Herevpon certaine Noble-men of Scotland were presently sent into Norway for the safe conduct of the yong Lady but it pleased not God at that time to giue so great a blessing to this Islād for at their returne home they brought heauy newes of her death also The posteritie of king William of Scotland grand-father to the last King being now extinguished great dissention arose about the title claime to the crowne The realme by this occasion being diuided into sundry factions was in great danger of an vtter subuersion This controuersie hauing depended a long time it was thought fit sithence there was none amongst themselues of powre authority to decide a matter of so great importance to refer the same to the hearing and award of the king of England generally reputed of all the competitors a fit iudge to determine thereof according as law and equity should direct him K. Edward being willing to bestow his trauell to so good purpose and holding himselfe in a sort bound therevnto in regard of his right of superioritie ouer that nation easily consented to their petitions appointing time place for the performance of his best indeuore to effect their desire In the meane time to the end it might appeare to the world that he tooke not this office in hand vpon warrant onely of the competitors intreaty hee caused all the ancient Chronicles records that could be found either in England or Scotland to be perused that if any question therof should arise his pretended interest in this action might be sufficiently approued But although this was made so manifest out of Marianus the Scot William of Malmesbury Roger Houeden Henry Huntingtō Ralph de Diceto others as none then liuing could gainsay it neuerthelesse the Scotish writers haue since that time much depraued the credit thereof by their bare surmises And therefore it shall not be impertinent for the better cleering of this point before I proceed any further in declaratiō of the matter in hand to examine how truely one of the best learned amongst thē hath not long since peremptorilie affirmed that there is nothing to show
Scotland as also for the better strengthning of his estate to whome the same kingdome should be by him adiudged wherevnto they all agreed by writing also vnder their seuerall hands and seales as followeth A toux iceulx c. To all those which this present writing shall see or heare Florence Earle of Holland Robert de Bruce Lord of Annandale Iohn de Balliol Lord of Galloway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeuennie Iohn Cumin Lord of Badenawe Patricke de Dunbarre Earle of Marche Iohn de Vescie insteed of his Father Nicholas de Sules and William de Ros send greeting in our Lord. Because that of our owne willes and common consents without all constraint we doe consent and grant vnto the noble Prince the Lord Edward by the grace of God king of England that he as superior Lord of Scotland may heare examine define determine our claimes chalenges petitions which we intend to shew and proue for our right to be receiued before him as superior Lord of the land promising moreouer that we shall take his deed for firme and stable and that he shall inioy the kingdome of Scotland whose right by declaration shall best appeare before him whereas then the sayd king of England cannot in this maner take knowledge nor fulfill our meanings without iudgement nor iudgment ought to be without execution nor execution may in due forme bee done without possession and seisme of the said lands and castels of the same We do will consent and grant that he as Superior Lord to performe the premisses may haue the seisure of all the land and Castels of the same till they that pretend title to the crowne be satisfied in the sute so that before he be put into possession and seisure he find sufficient surety to vs that pretend title to the wardens and to all the cōmonaltie of the kingdome of Scotland that he shal restore the same kingdom with all the royaltie dignitie signorie liberties customes rights lawes vsages possessions and all and whatsoeuer the appurtinances in the same state wherein they were before the seisme to him deliuered vnto him to whom by right it is due according to the iudgemēt of his Maiesty sauing to him the homage of that person that shall bee king And this restitution to be made within two months after the day in which the right shall be discussed and established the issues of the same land in the meane time shall be receiued laid vp put in safe keeping in the hands of the Chamberlaine of Scotland that now is of him whom the King of England shall to him ioyne and assotiate and this vnder their seales reseruing and allowing the reasonable charges for the sustentatiō of the land the Castles and officers of the kingdome In witnesse of all the which premises wee haue vnto these set our seales giuen at Norham the wednesday next after the feast of the Ascensiō of our Lord in the yeare 1291. Besides these two former deeds from the competitors themselues he receiued the like assurance from all the principall officers and Magistrates of that realme So as by a free and generall consent he was acknowledged their supreame Lord and was accordingly intituled in sundry Proclamations and publique Edicts directed forth in his name King Edward hauing receiued at their hands these instruments of allegiance as their proper and voluntary deeds and also their seuerall homages either in his owne person or by his deputies according to the order giuen in that behalfe he was finally put in full possession of the realme of Scotland and hauing occasion to returne presently into England to solemnize the exequies of his Mother hee committed the gouernment and custodie of the realme in his absence to the Bishops of Saint Androwes and Glascoe and to the Lords Iohn Cumin and Iames Steward who before had giuen the King possession At his returne out of England at Midsomer following hee sent out sommons to all those that made claime to the Crowne of Scotland to repaire vnto him and hauing heard what each one could say for himselfe hee perceaued that the question rested onely betweene Iohn Balliol and Robert Bruce so as that all the rest were thenceforth vtterly excluded and barred from all further title or claime These two deriued their titles from Dauid Earle of Huntington brother to William late King of Scottes in this maner This Dauid had issue by Mawde his wife one of the daughters of Hugh Bohune Earle of Chester as is aforesaid three daughters Margaret the eldest was maried to Alaine Lord of Galloway who had issue together three daughters also of whom the eldest named Dernagil was maried to Iohn Balliol the parents of this Iohn Balliol one of the two competitors Isabell the second daughter of the foresaid Dauid was married to Robert Bruce betweene whom was begotten this Robert Bruce the other competitour He claimed the Crowne as next heire male the other made claime in the right of his mother who was the next heire in bloud and as wee say in England heire at the common-lawe Bruce alleadged that hee was to bee preferred before the Mother of Balliol because the heire male must carry away the inheritance of a kingdome from the heire female meeting in the selfe same degree of bloud as in this case it stood betweene him and Dernagill To this end he alleadged a late president in the like controuersie about the Duchie of Burgundie which the Earle of Neuers claimed in the right of his wife grand-child to the last Duke by his eldest sonne which notwithstanding the brothers inheritance was adiudged to the Dukes yonger sonne King Edward hauing heard the allegations and answeres of both parties caused then to be inrolled but because the matter was of the greatest importance life onely excepted and therefore required good deliberation hee referred the further proceeding therein till Michaelmasse following and returned into England In the meane time for his better instruction he acquainted the most learned Lawyers as well of France as of this nation with the whole state of the cause and receaued their generall resolution therein At the time prefixed he repaired againe into the North-parts and comming to Berwicke hee called thither the two competitours together with the greater number of the Lords of Scotland to receiue there a finall end of this controuersie Out of this great assembly of the most graue and best experienced personages of both Nations hee made choise of a certaine number as well English as Scottish to whom as to a Iurie royall sworne and admonished to deale vprightlie the King gaue full authoritie to name him that vnto them appeared vpon the examination of their seuerall titles and the resolution of the Lawyers therevpon which was deliuered vnto them to haue the better right vnto the crowne of Scotland These men being put a part by themselues and hauing examined considered and sufficiently debated the prooues allegations and whatsoeuer could be said on either
assembled some fewe small forces where-with â—e approched the towne S. Iohns purposing there first to make trial of his fortunes but the Earle of Pembrooke by chance had first entred the towne with some 300. horse-men besides foote-men Bruse sent him word that he was come thither to fight with him and all his partakers if hee would come forth The Earle answered hee would rest that day being the Sabaoth but on the next morning he would accept of his chalenge Bruse herevpon with-drew his armie a mile backe againe from the towne meaning to be-take himselfe and his people that night to their rest but he was disquieted sooner then he looked for the Earle issuing out of the towne a little before night about the beginning of the Calends of August assailed them so sodenly as that he had slaine a great numbee before they could get armour and weapons for their defence so as after a little resistance the Scots with their new king were put to flight The Earle following the chase pursued them vnto Kenter and vnderstanding that Bruse was entred a Castle ther-about he besieged presently tooke the same wherin he found his wife his brother Nigell with some others but Bruse him-selfe was fled vnto the mountaines these he sent presently to Berwicke This Lady was the daughter of the Earle of Vlster in Ireland who had lately before sent ouer vnto K. Edward two of his sonnes to remaine in England for pledges of their fathers fidelity for whose sake she found great fauor Shortly after was the castle of Lachdore takeÌ„ by th' English-men in it Christopher Seton that had married the sister of Bruse by birth hee was an English-man and had before slaine a Knight of England in some bad manner for the which fact especially he was by the kings coÌ„mandement executed at Dunfries where the same was committed the like execution was also made at Berwicke vpon Nigell Bruse and the rest of his companions But the Earle of Atholl who was also taken about the same time was remoued to London where he was beheaded and his head set on a pole ouer London-bridge Though Bruse in the meane season was put to many hard shifts wandring in desert places like a forelorne man not-with-standing hee would not giue ouer so good a cause but after a little breathing began a fresh to bestur him so as what by entreaty threats he gathered some few troops of horsmen about him and whilest hee was thus occupied himselfe in one place he sent two of his brothers the one a Knight the other a priest into other parts of the country to procure what aide they could But as they were thus busied they were both taken condemned of treason and for the same executed These misfortunes stil following one in the necke of another little or nothing allaied the thirst of a kingdom for he knew his cause was iust and that howsoeuer his sinnes had deserued especially the murther he committed at the very entrance into this actioÌ„ yet should he die if it came to that in a good quarel Hauing therefore happily reconciled himselfe to God whom 〈◊〉 had therein greeuouslie offended with 〈…〉 courage hee fully resolued to pursue his 〈…〉 Beeing now some what better strengthned with the aide of the Ilanders hee incouâ—â—â—â— the Earle of Pembrooke and put him to 〈…〉 like hap shortly after hee had against the Earle of Glocester These small hartnings did incourage Bruse to attempt greater aduentures so as within short time he recouered diuers Castels but being not able to man them hee cast them downe to the ground King Edward hauing knowledge of these his proceedings in Scotland by his letters directed into certaine countries fittest for that seruice gaue commandement that as many as were able to vse a weapon should within three weekes after Midsomer attend him at Carliel But before the appointed time was come the king fell sicke there from whence being remoued to Brough on the sand he departed out of this life in the 35. yeare of his raigne An. 1307. By the death of King Edward the state of the affaires betweene these two Nations was much altered for his sonne and successour king Edward the second being now not about â—â—ree and twentie yeares olde was giuen after the manner of youth more to follow his plâ—â—sures then the cares and trauels of 〈…〉 And therefore neglecting his businesse 〈…〉 gaue fitte opportunitie to his 〈…〉 and little 〈◊〉 off the 〈…〉 which his father by his valiancie had brought them So as while this youthfull King sought nothing more then to spend his time in voluptuous pleasure riotous excesse making such his familiers and chiefe minions about him as best fitted his humor Bruse on the other side wholy indeuored by all possible meanes how to restore his country to her former liberty and quiet estate now wel nere brought to the brinke of an vnrecouerable downfal And by his good fore-sight and singuler manhood hee so much preuailed as that in the space of three or foure yeares he recouered his kingdom for hauing bin much inured with hardnesse trauel together with his long experience in managing the affaires of state as well in time of peace as of war he had no small aduantage thereby of the other The father dying not aboue a weeke before his intended iorney once againe into ScotlaÌ„d the king his sonne finding all things in so good readines was aduised to make triall with these forces that were then come to Carleil what intertainment hee should finde at the Scotishmens hands Being come to Dumfries hee summoned the Scotish Nobility to repaire thither vnto him where diuers of them acknowledged their allegiance homage But here he could not now tary being hasted homewards to make preparation for his iorney into France where shortly after he maried the Lady Isabell daughter to K. Philip surnamed the faire At his departure he committed the wardenship of Scotland to Iohn de Britaine whom withal he created Earle of Richmond Amongst all the Scotish Lordes that tooke part with England none was so great an enemy to Bruse as the Lord Iohn Cumin Earle of Buquhan for the murther committed vpon his Ancestor as before you haue heard now therefore to bee reuenged as also to show his forwardnesse to performe some acceptable seruice for the King of England hee gathered such forces English and Scotish as hee could make and there-with approched his enemie Bruse beeing yet barely recouered of a late sicknesse vpon a boun-courage incountred him at a straite and in the end discomfited his armie making great slaughter of his men This victorie did so reuiue Bruse his feeble and languishing spirits as that from thence forward hee still preuailed in all his interprises So as following his good fortune in short time he reduced the conntries of Anguile and Galloway vnder his obedience King Edward not well brooking these daily losses raised a mightie powre wherewith about the middest of August
atchieue any fortunate interprise against the Scots As though all that nation could not afford his fellowe That hee was the very Atlas and supporter of their happy estate True it is that the deceassed king had reason to commit more trust to him then to anie other of whose loyalty and sufficiencie he had not the like tryall But it followeth not thereof that if king Edward could dispatch him out off the waie there had beene none left to haue resisted his attempts against that nation But admit he was the man they make him it is well knowne that King Edward being then not much aboue eighteene yeares old was not only ouer yong to contriue such a practise but was then still directed by his Mother Queene Isabel so consequently by Mortimer Earle of March her chiefe Counsellor both so great fauourers and maintainers of the peace with Scotland as that hee lost his life shortlie after for the same It is further affirmed That this Monke stealing secretlie out off Scotland assured the King that the Gouernor could not possiblie liue beyond a prefixed day in which time the poyson was to worke his effect and that King Edward presuming thereof gathered a mightie and puissant armie wherewith comming to the borders hee purposed to inuade Scotland had he not knowne when he came thyther that the gouernour was not only lyuing but ready in armes to haue resisted his approach Now of all this preparation and iourney there is not one word to be found amongst all our Croniclers But to the contrarie it appeareth that besideÌ„s the coÌ„firmation of the former peace vpon the admittance of this Earle to the Regency the sommer next before his death was so vnseasonable as that it caused a great dearth in England all the yeare following so as it was impossible to make prouision for such an army neither could those more Northen partes afford it of their owne store For it is sayd that in some places of the realme especiallie North-wards by reason of the coldnesse of that climate wheate was not gathered into the barne till hallontide nor pease vntill the ende of Nouember Moreouer King Edward wâ—s in France well neere all the month of Aprill next before the gouernours death and after his returne thence hee had so little meaning to make preparation of warre as that hee held solemne iustes and turney at Dert-forde which exercises hee renewed againe at London in September following How can all this agree with the surmised preparation of warre with Scotland at that time Now to the last poynt touching the burning of this Monke whereof some of them for the vnlike-lihood-haue not spoken it is incredible that a religious man a deuout Monke as they were then accounted should bee either murthered or executed for not keeping promise in the performance of an vnlawfull and vnchristian act But where when on whome or by whome was this vnusuall execution made to no one of these interrogatories doth any man answere saue that hee was a Monke or begging Frier For they will not vouchsafe to giue him other name though hee had beene a long time verie familier in the gouernors house These bee therefore great slaunders farre vnbeseeming the reputation of him that not long sence hath made no conscience to report the most part of this fable for a truth This yeare Roger Mortimer Earle of March was attaynted of high treason and executed for the same on Saint Andrewes eauen Amongst other matters where-with hee was charged hee was found giltie of secrete practise with the Scottes at Stanhope-parke whereby they escaped as is aforesaid and that hee receiued there of the Lord Iames Dowglas a great summe of money for the good seruice done by him at that time and to bee still continewed towardes that Nation whilest his authoritie should stand them insteede Hereby also afterwardes hee brought to passe that vnaduised peace with the Scottes at Northampton as is before declared About this time Edward Balliol thorough the perswasion of Laurence Twine a Scotish fugitiue came ouer out off France where hee had alwayes liued before to intreat the King of England to assist him in the recouery of his right to the Crowne of Scotland which was giuen by a ward vnto Iohn Balliol by king Edward the first promising withall that if it were his good hap to attaine it he would acknowledge to hold the same in manner as his Grand-father held it of the others Grand-father But before this motion was made to the king of England Balliol sought the fauour of the Lord Henry Beumont a Frenchman borne that had maried the daughter and heyre of the Earle Buquhan and likewise of the Lord William Cumine the lord Dauid of Strabouee Earle of Atholl and the lord Geffrey de Mowbraie These and some others that were banished the Realme of Scotland by the late King Robert le Bruse now liued in England hauing in hope of preferment ioyned heartes handes with Balliol in this quarell obtained this fauour of king Edward that as many of his subiects as of themselues were willing to assist them in this enterprise should haue good leaue to follow them therein For though the young king of Scots had beene affianced vnto king Edwards sister who in respect of that alliance should not haue beene easilie drawne into this action neuerthelesse he held himselfe so mâ—ch disgraced and absued in his minority by the deceitful practise of Mortimer that nothing now pleased him that together with that mariage was then yeelded vnto at that dishonorable composition made with the Scottish king at Northampton as before you haue heard Neither was that contract of marriage so firme but if either partie misliked thereof when they should come to lawfull age of consent the same might safely bee dissolued Edward Balliol hauing now assembled by the helpe of the other two Scottish Lordes his confederates some foure hundred horse and about two thousand Archers and other footemen tooke shipping at Rauen-spurne in Holdernesse from thence directing his course North-ward hee entred into the Scottish fourth and arriued neere to the towne Kingorne on the first daie of August where being incountred by Alexander Seaton hee slew him in the field together with the greater number of his people and put the residewe to flight This good beeginning put such corage into these venterous companions in armes fighting for no lesse then a kingdome that with in some fewe daies after their forces beeing now increased to the number of about ten thousand one and other they attempted to assaile the Earle of Muerry then Regent of Scotland by night where hee laie incamped in the middest of his armie the same beeing ouer great otherwise to bee delt withall and tooke him on such a sodaine that they put him to flight making great slaughter vpon his people The next day the fight was renewed on both sides but in the ende the victory fell to Balliol This battaile was fought at Dueplin on the
effected was much to be doubted But the Eternall God in his wisedome reserued this notable worke to a more fit season for the good especially of his Church hauing now not onely vnited vs vnder the externall and ciuill gouernment of a terrestriall Monarchy but also in a sincere obedience and right seruice of himselfe vnder the spirituall raigne of his eternall Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ the Almighty Monarch ouer Heauen and Earth What Nation now in the whole world hath generally intertayned and submitted it selfe to the obedience of the written word deliuered of more auncient time by the Prophets of God and lasty by the Sonne of God him-selfe and his Apostles but this our happy Island These holy bookes we receiue for the only infallible Oracles of God what is more concerning our Saluation we reiect as Superstitious and Derogatory to the euerlasting word of God What is lesse wee hold ouer weake and Imperfect let Pope and Potentate the whole power of Antichrist doe their worst the Lord by this Vnion hath now established that peace to his Church within this Island that it shal be a sanctuary to all the true professors of his name euen I doubt not to the ende of the world To whom therefore bee giuen all honour and praise for euer and euer And let all true subiects to King Iames our dread Soueraigne say there-to Amen Cotham in Lincolnshiere 24. Martii 1606. Thy louing friend Edward Ayscu A BRIEFE DECLARAtion who were first Inhabitants of this Island and what seuerall Nations haue sithence setled themselues therein one after another TO let passe the Fables of Dioclesian his Daughters and of their successors the Troyans vnder the conduct of I know not what Brute coyned in some Munkish mint about foure hundred yeares agone and generally receaued for currant paiment during the time wherein ignorance preuailed ouer the face of the earth like vnto the palpable darknesse of Egipt I will begin this my History of our famous Island of Britaine with a short declaration of the first inhabitance of the same grounded vpon such proofes as by probable coniectures out of the best and most ancient Authors shall seeme to come neerest to the truth Moyses expreslie testifieth that the posâ—â—â—â—ty of â—apheth the first sonne of Noah inhabited the furthest parts of Europe Ab his seperate sunt postea regiones Gentium c. Genes 10. These men speaking of the Sonnes of Iapheth deuided amongst them the countries of the Gentils which were seperated from the Iewes by the Mediterranian Sea towards the North as the Prophet Ezechiel expoundeth these words Chap. 38. Gomerum cum omnibus agminibus suis domum Togarmi ad latera Aquilonis c Gomere and all his bands and the house of Togarmah of the North parts c. And againe in the same Chapter Postquam veniens è loco suo à lateribus Aquilonis tu populi tui tecum that is comming afterwards speaking of Gomer from his abiding place out of the North coasts thou and thy people with thee Thus then wee may assure our selues that all the nations of Europe tooke their beginning from the posterity of Iapheph But now if it be demanded what people of his progeny first setled themselues in this Island I answer brieflie euen they which inhabited that part of the continent that bordereth neerest vpon our coast where the distance is no greater then that it may be discouered by the eye For as water being slowly powred vpon an euen and round table will naturally from the center spred it selfe equally on euery way not leauing any part vntouched vntill by little and little the whole be couered therewith euen so it was in the propagation of man-kind For as people increased they dispersed them-selues towards all the quarters of heauen on euery side where they might haue free passage wherein the prouidence of the Almightie Creator is worthy due obseruation hauing in such sort disposed and fashioned the Globe being deuided and seperated into land and sea as that no part of the earth is further distanced from some other but may bee discouered by interview But now it may be demanded how the people were called that first transported themselues hither Here-vnto Iosephus and Zonoras make answer Qui nunc sunt Galli Gomari Gomeraei Gomeritae a Gomero vocabantur The people now called Gaules say they were before that named Gomiries or Gomerites of Gomer These were afterwards by the Latines called Cimbri For Cicero called those Barbarians whom Marius repulsed Gaules whom all Historiographers haue since called Cimbri In like manner Appian witnesseth that they who vnder the leading of Brennus attempted the spoile of the Temple at Delphos in Greece whom all writers with one consent hold to be the Gaules were called Cimbri Also it appeareth by the Prophet Ezechiell in the place of Scripture before cited that the Cimbrians were the off-spring of Gomer and so consequently Gaules for their habitation agreeth with the words of the Prophet being scituated beyond Thrace about the Lake Meotides as appeareth by the Cimbrian straite and the Citie adioyning both which tooke their names of their inhabitance the Cimbrians whence being driuen by the Scithians towards the West as Herodotus witnesseth passing thorow the countries of Russia Lituania Liuonia and Borussia they attained at length vnto the Germaine Ocean wherevpon that part of Denmarke tooke likewise the name of Cimbrica Chersonesus And afterwards inlarging their dominion on both sides of the Rheene they setled themselues alongst the coast ouer-against vs from whence they passed by a short cut ouer into this Island And here vnto also Caesar and Tacitus agree both affirming that the Britaine 's tooke beginning from their next neighbours the Gaules Beda an ancient writer affirmeth as much in these words In primis haec insula Britones solum a quibus nomen accepit incolas habuit qui de tractu Armorâ—â—ano vt fertur Britanniam aduecti australes sibi partes illius vendicarunt This Island saith Bede was first inhabited by the Britaines of whome it tooke the name of Britaine who being transported hither from the coast Armorick whereby hee meaneth the coast of France did chalenge vnto themselues the South-parts thereof Thus we see in what manner the posteritie of Gomer the Gaules our next neighbours first entred and possessed this Island being the vttermost confines of Europe And herein the prouidence of God is also to be obserued who by the signification of the name of our first parent in this part of the world foreshewed his purpose therein For Gomer in the holy tongue is by translation into Latin Finiens that is termining and ending as Melancton noteth It may be further demanded what affinitie in pronunciation and sound haue these words Gomerites or Gomeries with the Brittish language I answer not a little For the Welch-men at this day who are the remnant of the Brittish bloud call them-selues Kumerie or Kumeroe the women Kumerues which differ very little
country where it paâ—â—â— most hostile manner For the suppressing 〈◊〉 these insolencies certaine of the kings friends assembled theÌ„selues to the number of 400. horsemen vnder the leading of Robert de Stouteuille Ralph Glanuille William Vescie Barnard Balliol and Odonette de Humfreuille who coÌ„ming to Anwick from the siege wherof king William was departed the same day tooke consultation what was best to be done Very early the next morning they followed the Scots who little looking for any resistance then in readines left their king but slenderly attended and dispersed themselues abroad to wast and forrage the country This beeing made known to the Englishmen they pursued the aduaÌ„tage with so good successe that with the losse of very little bloud on eyther side they tooke king William prisoner in the midest of his strength but yet not so neere as thereby hee could be rescued This happened on the seuenth of Iuly in the yeare 1174. king Henry at the same time was newely returned out off Normandie to whom the Scotish king was shortly after presented at North-Hampton and Dauid his Brother was licensed forth-with to repaire into Scotland to containe the same in their due obedience whilst the Kings pleasure should bee further knowne concerning the deliuery of the King his prisoner In the meane season the French king beeing wearied with the charge of this Warre in the behalfe of his sonne in lawe King Henrie the younger for hee had nowe married the Lady Margeret his Daughter offered himselfe to become a meane to make an accord betweene the two Henries where-vpon the warre ceassed and after a meeting or two for that purpose in the end this vnnaturall dissention betweene king Henry and his Sonnes which had continued well neere two yeares to the great discomfort of the Father and vexation of the whole Realme was well appeased Here-vpon the Scotish king who remained prisoner at Faleise in Normandie amongst other of the same faction to the number well neere of a thousand persons of especiall qualitie that at one time or other during these warres were also taken prisoners were by king Henrie according to the Articles of agreement set at libertie in manner as were all they that by the aduerse part had beene likewise taken prisoners in the King of Englands seruice Now againe was amitie and concorde imbraced and cherished on all sides For the Scotish King hauing left behinde him sufficient pledge for the performance of couenants was permitted to returne into Scotland where hauing spent some sixe or seauen months he together with Dauid his Brother and a great number of the Nobility and Clergie of that Realme repayred to Yorke about the twenteth of August where they did homage to the King of England in S. Peters Church and in token thereof King William offered vp his Saddle and hat on the Alter of S. Peter which remained there along time after Finally it was concluded that the Scotish king should become and acknowledge himselfe to be the king of Englands Liegman against all men for the Realme of Scotland and his other Lands within England and for them should doe fealtie to the King of England as to his soueraign Lord in manner as other his liedge people accustomed to doe And further that hee should also do fealty to the Lord Henry the King of Englands son sauing alwayes the faith which hee ought to the King his Father Also that all the Prelates of Scotland and their successors should acknowledg their accustomed subiection to the Church of England and do fealty to the king of England so many of them as he should appoint And likewise that the Earles and Barons of Scotland and their heires for their part should do homage and fealtie vnto the King of England and to the Lord Henry his Sonne so many of them as thereto should bee called as in the Charter following then openly read in Saint Peters Church more at large appeareth Wilhelmus Rex Scotiae deuenit homo ligius Domini regis Angliae contra omnes homines de Scotia de alijs terris suis fidelitatem ei fecit vt ligio domino suo sicut alij homines sui ipsi facere solent Similiter fecit homagium Henrico filio regis salua fide Domini regis Patris sui omnes vero Episcopi Abbates Clerus terrae Scotiae successores sui facient Domino regi sicut ligio Domino fidelitatem de quibus habere voluerit sicut alij Episcopi sui ipsi facere solent Henrico filio suo heredibus eorum Concessit autem rex Scotiae Dauid frater eius Barones alij homines sui Domino Regi Quod Ecclesia Scotiae talem subiectionem amodò faciet Ecclesiae Angliae qualem facere debet solebat tempore regum Angliae praedecessorum suorum Similiter Richardus Episcopus Sancti Andreae Richardus Episcopus Dunkelden Gaufridus Abbas de Dunfermlyn Herbertus Prior de Coldingham concesseriunt vt ecclesia Anglicana illud habeat ius in ecclesia Scotiae quod de iure debet habere quod ipsi non erint contra ius Anglicanae ecclesiae Et de hac concessione sicut quando ligiam fidelitateÌ„ domino regi domino Henrico filio suo fecerint ita eos indè assecurauerint Hoc idem facient alij episcopi clerus Scotiae per conuentionem inter Dominum regem Scotiae Dauid fratrem suum barones suos factam Comites Barones alij homines de terra regis Scotiae de quibus dominus rex habere voluerit facient ei homagium contra omnem hominem fidelitatem vt ligio domino suo sicut alij homines sui facere ei solent Et Henrico filio suo haeredibus suis salua fide domini regis patris sui Similiter Heredes regis Scotiae Baronum hominum suorum homagium ligiantiam facient haeredibus Domini regis contra omneÌ„ hominem Praeteria rex Scotiae homines sui nullum amodò fugitiuum de terra domini regis pro felonia receptabunt vel in alia terra sua nisi voluerit venire ad rectum in curia domini regis stare iuditio Curiae Sed rex Scotiae et homines sui quam citius poterunt eum capient domino regi reddent vel Iusticiarijs suis aut balliuis suis in Anglia Si autem de terra regis Scotiae aliquis fugitiuus fuerit pro felonia in Anglia nisi voluerit venire ad rectum in curià domini regis Scotiae stare iudicio curiae non receptabitur in terra regis sed liberabitur hominibus regis Scotiae per balliuos domini regis vbi inuentus fuerit Praetereà homines domini regis habebunt terras suas quas habebant habere debent de domino rege hominibus suis de rege Scotiae hominibus suis Et homines regis Scotiae habebunt terras suas quas habebant
was surrendred vpon the like condition The Castle of Striueling at the kings approach beeing left desolate and hauing the gates set wide open offered it selfe vnto his entrance King Edward following his good fortune passed from hence ouer the forth and about Midsomer came to the Towne S. Iohn While hee remained there king Iohn now dispayring to recouer by force his manifold losses sought by intreaty to be reconciled and receiued into grace which at length was granted so as king Iohn and his Nobilitie acknowledging their error resigned the kingdome of Scotland into the hands of king Edward in māner following Iehan per le grace de Dieu c. Iohn by the grace of God king of Scotland To all those that these present Letters shall see or heare sendeth greeting Because that wee through euill counsell and our owne simplicitie haue grieuously offended our Soueraigne Lord Edward by the Grace of God king of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine in many things that is to say In that whereas wee being and abiding vnder his faith and homage haue bound our selues vnto the king of France which then was his enemy yet is procuring a marriage with the Daughter of his Brother Charles de valois And that wee might vex our sayd Lord and aide the king of France withall our powre by warre and other meanes we haue at length by aduise of peruerse counsell defied our sayd Lord the King of England and haue put our selues out of his allegiance and homage and sent our people into England to burne houses to take spoiles to commit murther with many other damages and also in fortifying the kindome of Scotland which is of his fee putting armed men into townes Castells and other places to keepe the Land against him defraud him of his fee. For the which transgressions our sayd soueraigne Lord the king entring into the realme of Scotland with his powre hath conquered and taken the same notwithstanding all that we could do against him as by right hee might do and as appertained to a Lord ouer his fee because that wee did render vnto him our homage and yet neuerthelesse made the foresaid rebellion Wee therefore it being yet in our powre free-wil do surrēder vnto him the realme of Scotland and al the people of the same with the homages In witnesse whereof wee haue caused these our letters patentes to be drawne Giuen at Brechin the tenth day of Iuly in the fourth yeare of our raigne sealed with the cōmon seale of the kingdome of Scotland This done king Edward hauing receiued the Son of Balliol in pleadge of his fathers fidelity passed on further to see the moūtaine Countries the Bishop of Durham euer keeping a daies iornay before him after hee had passed thorowe the land of Murrey and was come to Elghin perceiuing al the Country quiet he returned to Berwicke whether he sommoned all the Noblemen of Scotland of whom he receiued their seuerall homages confirming the same vnder their hands and seales in forme following Atouz ceux qui cestes lettres verrent c. To all those that these present letters shall see or heare We Iohn Cumin of Badenaw c. Do hereby vowe and promise for vs and our heires vpon paine of body and goods and of all that we haue that wee shall serue the most Noble Prince and our dearest Lord Edward by the grace of God king of England c. well and truly against all men which may liue and die at all times when we shal be required or warned by our said Lord the king of England or his heires And that we shall not know of any hurt to be done vnto them but the same wee shall let and impeach with all our power and giue them warning thereof And these things to hold and keepe we bind vs our heires all our goods And further do receiue an oth thereof vpon the holie Euangelists And after all wee and euery one of vs haue done homage vnto our soueraigne Lord the king of England in these words I become your liedge man of life members earthly honour against all men which may liue and die And our sayd soueraigne Lord the king receiued this homage vnder this forme of words We receiue it for the land of the which you bee now seased the right of vs or others saued except the lands which Iohn Balliol sometime king of Scotland graunted vnto vs after that we did deliuer vnto him the kingdome of Scotland if happily he hath giuen vnto you any of those landes Moreouer al we and euery one of vs by himselfe haue done fealty to our sayd soueraigne Lord the king in these words I as a faithfull and leidge man shall keepe faith and loyaltie vnto Edward king of England and to his heires of life member and earthly honour against all men which may liue and die And shall neuer for any person beare armoure or shal be of counsell or aide any person against him or his heires in any case that may chaunce but shall faithfully acknowledge and do the seruice that belongeth to the tenements I clame to hold of him as God mee helpe In witnesse wherof these letters pattents are made and signed with our seales Giuen at Warke the 24. of March in the yeare of the raigne of our sayd Lord the king of England fiue and twentieth King Edward hauing appointed Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey warden of Scotland Hugh Cressingham Treasurer and William Drusbie chiefe Iustice and sent a conuenient companie to attend and safe conduct Iohn Balliol and some of the principall Lords of that realme into England he followed soone after him selfe Balliol had liberty to take recreation within the circuite of twenty miles about London the rest were charged on paine of death not to passe out of England till the king had made an end of his warre with France which now he was to vndertake and to that end after his returne home about the latter ende of summer hauing prepared all things fit for that iorney hee passed ouer into Flanders where hee remained vntill the next spring and then returned backe againe by reason of a rebellion allreadie begun in Scotland a little before his going ouer and now by his absence was growne more dangerous then it was at the first thought it could proue The chiefe Captaine hereof was one Wallais a Scotishman whose meane estate had well neere worne out the memorie of his ancestry yet neuerthelesse showed himselfe euen in his greatest penury of courage not incident to a vulgar and base spirit This gallant wearied with his obscure and abiect condition of life hauing nothing to loose besides it neither valewing the same at anie great price beganne to pluck vp his benummed spirites and to be-thinke him-self how to make way vnto the atchieuement of some famous and valorous exploite fortune was so fauorable vnto him that he was sodenly aduanced beyond al mens exspectation for the extraordinary
Lewarde lor. of Whitehall Nicholas de Seagraue lo. of Stowe Walter de Tey lor. of Stonegraue Iohn de Lisle lor. of Wodtō Eustace Lord Hacchie Gilbert de Peche Lord of Corby William Painell Lord Trachington Roger de Albo Monasterio Foulke le Strange Lord of Corsham Henrie de Pinckney Lord of Wedon Iohn de Hodelestone Lord of Aneys Iohn de Huntingfield Lord of Bradingham Hugh Fitz-Henry Lord of Rauēswath Iohn Daleton Lord of Sporle Nicholas de Carry Lord of Mulessord Thomas lord de la Roche Walter de Muncie Lord of Thorntone Iohn Fitz-Marmaduke lord of Horden Iohn lord of Kingston Robert Hastings the Father lord of Chebessey Raphe lord Grendon William lord Leiborne Iohn de Greslock lord of Morpeith Mathew fitz-Iohn lord of Stokenham Nic de Neuell lord of Wherlton and Iohn Paniell lord of Ateley foure score and foureteene Barons The truce expired the King passed with his armie into Scotland about Midsomer following where he remained all that summer and the next winter he kept his Christmasse at Lithcoe where he lost many of his great horses the season not seruing to make sufficient prouision for the keeping of them there The Scots in the meane time hauing laboured the French king to that end obteined another truce till Hallontide next whervpon the King returned into England Neither ceased they still to perswade the Pope to vndertake the defence of their country but hee vpon the receipt of the former letters out of England began to waxe colde in the matter and the rather because beeing now falne out with the French king he hoped to procure king Edward to make war vpon him offring to take his part in the quarel but neither his holines nor hipocrisie preuailed therein When this latter truce was come to an end the king sent the Lord Iohn Seagraue into Scotland accompanied with Ralfe Comfrey and a competent power to keepe the country quiet to recouer the Castle of Sterling The English Army entring into Lothian seuered it selfe into three companies foure miles distant one from the other to the end they might be the more plētifully serued of victualls The enemie taking the aduantage of this manner of marching sodenlie in the morning set vpon the foremost cōpanie lead by the Lord Seagraue and made such slaughter as fewe or none escaped with life When knowledge was brought backe to theyr fellowes that followed them next in order the Lord Neuell that had the leading thereof with certaine horse-men came vpon the spurres and rescued the Lord Seagraue who otherwise had bin taken or slaine Ralfe Comfrey after this misfortune not holding it conuenient to attempt any further interprise at that time beeing much ouermatched with number and strength returned with the residue into England This ouerthrow was giuen the Englishmen at Rosting within fiue miles of Edenborugh the 24. day of February in the yeare 1302. King Edward was not a little moued with the losse of these men and therefore hauing gathered a puissant armie about Midsomer following hee made his last iourney into Scotland purposing to bring the same wholy to his obedience At his approach the enemy being not able to make head against him gaue way on euery side flying to the Mountaines and other places vnaccessible so as the king in manner without any resistance passed thorow the land euen vnto Cathnesse the furthest part of Scotland Many of them perceiuing how farre vnable they were to with-stand his forces submitted them-selues on condition they might inioy againe their possessions which the King had giuen to his followers the Lords of England they redeeming the same of them at some reasonable rate where-vnto the King consented In his returne he caused the Castle of Sterling to be besiedged but he himselfe lay at Dumfermling the greater part of the next Winter whether the Queene his Wife hauing remained a long time at Tinmouthe came at length vnto him The siege hauing continued three moneths the Castell was surrendred the liues of them that kept it onely reserued Before his departure the King caused all the Scottish Nobilitie to repaire to Saint Andrewes Towne where they tooke a new oath of their allegiance vnto him Such as hee held suspected hee carried with him into England togeather with diuers monuments and antiquities amongst which the Marble Stone of Stone Abbay wherein the Kings of that realme accustomed to sitte at the time of their Coronation was of speciall account It remaineth at this day at Westminster not farre from the place where hee lyeth intombed This Stone hath such a fatall destinie following it as the Scottes then beleeued as that where-so-euer it should bee found ouer that Countrey should a Scotish man raigne in how short time this may come to passe no man knoweth The King at his departure committing the gouernment of Scotland to the Lord Iohn Sea-graue returned into England hoping that now hee had made an end of his warres there and brought the whole realme into a peaceable estate vnder his obedience but it did not so fall out For about this time dyed Robert Bruse Earle of Carrike who stood for the crowne of Scotland against Balliol the last King Wherevpon Robert Bruse his sonne began to cast about by what meanes hee might now attaine the fame But whether hee were set on worke by the Lord Cumin to the end hee might bee so much the neerer vnto it himselfe for hee was descended from Mary the other Daughter of Allaine Lord of Gallowaye and so after the extirpation of the two families of the Balliols and the Bruses was next to the Crowne or whether it proceeded from himselfe hauing so good title there-vnto without acquainting the other with his meaning he was no sooner entred into the plot but was discouered by the Lord Cumin which being made knowne vnto him he thought himselfe in no safety in England and therefore by secret flight passing into Scotland hee set vpon Cumin at vnawares who otherwise had beene ouer-strong for him and so dispatched him out of the way Then hee caused himselfe forthwith to bee crowned King of Scotland by the Countesse of Bougham in the absence of her brother the Earle of Fife then in England at his Mannor of Whitwicke in Leicestershire to whom that office by inheritance appertained This Lady was afterwardes for her punishment for this offence put into a Cage of wood which being placed on the walls of the Castell of Edenborough was for a while made a gazing stock to the passengers by it Immediatly vpon the newes of the coronation of Bruse the King sent an army into Scotland vnder the conduct of the Earle of Pembrooke his Lieutenant there the Lord Henry Percie and the Lord Robert Clifford here-with to resist the new attempts of the Scottes vnder their new King Bruse in the meane time knowing against whom hee was to contend sought by all meanes to make himselfe as strong as possibly he could therfore ranging the coasts vp downe he
hauing beene the destruction of so many noble personages and others of good account For besides those that were slaine in the warres will 〈…〉 with neere thirtie Noblemen and Knights at one time or other were by order of law beheaded and executed This king Edward being thus vnnaturally deposed his Son of the same name about the age of fourteene yeares began his raigne in Ianuarie in the yeare 1326. The night following the Scots purposing to haue giuen the yong King a cooling card now in the beginning of his iolity attempted by treason to haue taken the Castle of Norham But Robert Mannors the Captaine thereof beeing made aforehand acquainted with the practise by 〈◊〉 one of his owne souldiers so handled the matter that when some 16. of them had mounted the walles he sodainely fell vpon them slew nine or ten and tooke the rest prisoners The Scots deemed this vâ—fortunate beginning a presagement of the like successe thorough his whole raigne which came to passe accordinglie For he was the greatest scourge to that nation of any king of England either before or after him as in the processe of the historie shall appeare Notwithstanding this hard beginning king Robert thought it not good to let this land coÌ„tinue quiet but rather while the king was yong vnfit to manage the affaires of war in his own person to get what aduantage he could thereby so to be still afore-hand And if that â—ourse should happeÌ„ not to fall out according to his expectation hee hoped by the helpe of his faithful ally the French king so to work with the kings mother who gouerned and disposed of al things at her pleasure during his minority that at any time hee might obtaine peace with England at his owne liking About the beginning therfore of Iuly following king Robert committed his armie being now not wel able thorough the infirmities of age to vndertake that charge himselfe to three Captaines of especiall trust approued valiancy namelie Thomas Randolfe Earle of Murrey Iames Lord Dowglasse the Earle of Mar his brother in law consisting of aboue twenty thousand horsemen well furnished at all points King Edward beeing aduertised hereof prepared to make resistance hauing assembled his forces at Yorke hee stayed there the longer by reason of a treaty of peace solicited by the Scotish Ambassadors but when the king perceiued hee lost time there to no purpose departing thence hee approched his enemies that were lodged in the Woodes in Stanop Parke so as it was thought hee had them at a great aduantage But thorough the Treacherie as it was said of the Lord Roger Mortimer after they had been pend vp and well neere famished they did not onely finde a way out but some two hundred of them vnder the leading of the Lord Dowglasse in the night season desperatelie assayled that part of the English campe where the king him selfe was â—udged missing not much of either taking or slaying of him but fearing least they should haue beene inclosed beeing now in the myddest of their enemies they made the more hast to be gonne hauing done as much harme as the time would suffer them For as it was sayd they slewe two or three hundred of the common souldiours The Earle of Lancaster and the Lord Iohn Beumont of Heynault who with twelue hundred men of his country serued the King in this iorney would willingly haue pursued the Scottes ouer the water of Wier but that thorough the frowardnesse of Mortimer pretending a right to the leading of the fore-ward and giuing the first onset though happilie hee had no such meaning they could not bee suffered to proceede Wheresoeuer the fault was nothing was further attempted at this time wherewith the King was much displeased The Scottes beeing glad they had escaped that daunger made as much hast home as they could The next winter they besiedged the Castells of Norham and Anwicke but to their losse for at the assault of Anwicke diuerse of them were slaine amongst whome William de Mounthault Iohn Clappam and Malicius de Dumbarre were of best account The next Sommer aboue Pentecoste King Edward at a Parliament held at Northampton thorough the working of Mortimer the Queene agreed to a dishonorable peace with the Scottes whereby the King of Scotland receiued into his handes all those ancient writings whereby his predecessors the kings of Scotland and the Nobility had aforetime vnder their hands seales acknowledged homage and fealty to the Kings of England amongst the rest one of principall account called Ragman togither with a blacke Crosier or Roode besides diuerse other iewells somtime belonging to the kings of Scotland caried from thence into England Further King Edward hereat resigned al his right title to the crowne of Scotland and that no Englishmen should from thence-forth hold and inioye any landes or possessions their except such as would remaine their altogither and become subiectes to the Kings of Scotland Finallie it was agreed that Northumberland should thence-forth bee reputed the Marches of Scotland on the East-side and Cumberland on the West-side In consideration of the premises as also for the great damage done to this Realme by the Scottes during the raigne of the late King King Robert couenanted to giue to the King of England thirtie thousand markes sterling For the more assurance and full ratification of this finall agreement of peace betweene the two nations a marriage was then concluded and afterward solemnized betweene the Lady Iane King Edwards Sister and Prince Dauid of Scotland When King Robert had thus politikelie brought to passe a firme peace with England euen to his owne liking and hearts desire hee betooke himselfe to a priuate life and by reason of his great age he committed the gouernment of his kingdome as before in some sort hee had done to the Earle of Murrey and the Lord Dowglasse and then hauing worne out one yeare more hee dyed in the yeare of our saluation 1329. leauing his kingdome to his sonne a child about eight yeares old by reason whereof both the one and the other by generall consent was committed to the protection and direction of the Earle of Murrey Here it is requisite I should answer a notorious vntrueth wherewith the Scotish writers doe most vniustly charge the King of England viz That he should sâ—â—d a Munke into Scotland vnder the colour of ministring phisick to poyson the Gouernor and because he had not dispatched his businesse in so short time as hee promised therefore King Edward caused him to be burned aliue All this should bee done they write in the yeare 1331. two yeares after the death of King Robert in which the gouernor also deceased on the 20. day of Iuly I would first know what should mooue the King of England to seeke the destruction of him more then of any man else in that Realme because forsooth hee alone was the confounder of all the hope which the king conceiued to be sometimes able to
attend the king their maister into France where there was more good to be done Scotland then affording nothing but hunger and blowes beare them of as they could About the middest of Iune in the yeare of our Lord 1338. the king of England together with the Queene the Prince of Walles a great number of the Nobility that did attend them passed ouer into Flanders and were ioyfullie entertayned of the Duke of Brabant and others the Lords of the Empire his confederates towards the attayning of the crowne of France which he claimed as the next heire therevnto by Queene Isabel his mother Daughter to Philip surnamed the faire This quarrell happned well for Bruse for no doubte if king Edward had a while longer pursued the conquest of Scotland hee had now easilie brought the same vnder his soueraigntie France would haue offred him such conditions of peace by reason of his title therevnto as that if he had beene disposed he might quietly haue enioyed the Realme of Scotland both from Bruse and Balliol and withall greater possessions with in the French dominions then the kings of England after him should haue happely beene able to haue held long as the experience of the times following plainly showed in respect of which difficulty I esteeme the realme of Scotland a more conuenient and fit member of the Crowne of England then the one halfe of France how farre soeuer exceeding the other in wealth and magnificence The French king now perceauing it was not king Edwards meaning to accept of peace vpon any reasonable conditions and how much it stood him vpon to hinder his attemptes thought it would bee no small aduantage vnto him to keepe his enemy occupied nearer home and therefore as soone as the King was arriued in Flanders hee sent fiue tall shippes into Scotland furnished with men munition and armour and conducted by as many experienced Captaines ouer them These stood that nation in great steede For by such aide as was at this time and shortly afterwards sent thyther out of France in the behalfe of Bruse his party they so much preuailed as that within the space of three yeares after though not without some difficulty they not onely chased Balliol together with all the Englishmen out of Scotland but also put King Bruse into peacable possession thereof againe nine yeares after he had beene driuen out of his kingdome by Balliol and his partakers the Englishmen So as King Edward in the meane time got not so much on the other side of the sea as hee lost euen at his owne dores at home King Dauid Bruse hauing thus beyond all hope recouered his kingdome slacked no time while oportunity serued to take reuenge on the Englishmen for all the wrongs sustayned by them To which end within the first three yeares after his returne hee made three iourneyes into the land doing what harme he could to the coūtries bordering vpon Scotland but all was of no great reckning The French King in the meane season hauing receiued many shrowd blowes of the Englishmen and his strong towne of Callice beeing now besiedged thought with himselfe that there was no better way either happilie to remoue them or at the least to lessen their number then by procureing the Scottish King who rested wholie at his deuotion with some mighty power to inuade England whereof hee sent Ambassadours into Scotland who easiely obtained that fauour of King Dauid VVhen all things were prepared for so great an exploite hee entred the Realme with the whole power of Scotland hoping assuredly now in the Kings absence to atchiue some notable victorie as well to the inriching of himselfe as to the aduantage of his confederate the French King At his first entry hee made manie knights whereby to encorage them the more to showe their valiancie but amongst the rest for his former good seruice he created William Dowglas an Earle whose Father was slaine at Halidone hill as is aforesayd The number of Noble men and Gentlemen assembled at this time by the confession of their owne writers were verie neere two thousand in the whole as some write threescore thousand Within ten daies after their entrie they approached Durham committing whatsoeuer stood in their way to the fury of fire and sword in most hostile manner The Queene of England being then returned home to represse the insolency of the enemy gathered togither such forces as the Realme could then redily afford to the number of twelue hundred men of armes three thousand Archers and some seauen thousand other of whome a great part were Preestes and Prelates but good talle trencher-men such as were not afraide of a crackt crowne though they had no haire to hide those hurtes withall This army was ordered in this manner The first battaile was lead by the Bishoppe of Durham Gilbert de Vmfree ville earle of Anegos Henry Lord Percy and the Lord Scroope The second by the Archbishoppe of Yorke and the Lord Ralphe Neuille The third by the Bishop of Lincolne Iohn Lord Moubraie and the Lord Thomas de Rooksbie The fourth and last was lead by Edward Balliol nowe of a king of Scotland become gouernour of Berwike the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Ross Besides this the Lord Deain-court Robert de Ogle and some other attended vpon the Queenes person On the the other side the first battaile of the Scottes was gouerned by Robert Steward the Sonne of Margery King Dauids Sister that succeeded him and Patrike Dumbar Earle of March The second by Iohn Earle of Murrey and William Earle Dowglas In the third the King himselfe and his Nobility were placed Before the battaile the Queene of England sent an Harald of armes to King Dauid requiring him to stay from further anoying the Realme till some reasonable order might be taken for the conclusion of a finall peace betweene the two nations but hee made light reckning of her request In the morning earlie before the fight Dowglas issued fourth with certaine troopes of horse-men to discouer the behauiour of the Englishmen and vpon good occasion offred to skirmish with them But the Englishmen so behaued themselues as that the Earle hardly escaped by flight with the losse of fiue hundred of his company The two armies being come within sight one of the other Dauid Graham with a wing of fiue hundred horse gaue a full charge vpon the skert of the English Archers hoping thereby to haue distressed them But he was so sharply repulsed as that loosing many of his troopes hee had much adoe to recouer the maine battaile againe Not-with-standing these two foule foyles they presumed so much vpon their aduantage in number that forth-with they fiercely rushed vpon the Englishmen The fight begun about nine of the clocke and continued till noone at what time God gaue the victory to the Englishmen The Scotish writers attribute the losse of this battaile to the vnaduised retraite of the Earle of March and Robert Steward but where-so-euer the fault was
in Holdernesse about the latter end of March who thinking it neither fit nor conuenient to suffer the same to passe any further without making the King acquainted there-with the yong Prince with his traine were forth-with conuaied to the Court then at Windesoure The Child beeing brought to the Kings presence presented vnto him a letter which the King his Father had giuen him to the end that if by chance he should be either taken at sea or forced by tempest to take land on the coast of England hee might thereby finde the more fauour with the King The tenure of which letter I haue here inserted as I finde it in the history of Scotland written by Hollinshead Robert King of Scottes to Henry King of England greeting Thy great magnificence humility and iustice are right present with vs by the gouernance of thy last armie in Scotland howbeit sic things had beene vncertaine to vs afore for though thou seemed as an enemie with most awefull incursions in our Realme Yet we found manie humilities and pleasires than damages by thy comming to our subdittes Speciallie to yame that receyuit thy Noblie Father the Duke of Longcastell in the time of his exile in Scotland Wee may not ceys yairfore while wee are in life but aye luys and loif the as maist Noble and Worthie Prince to ioys thy Realme For yocht Realmes and Nations contend amang themselues for conquestes of glorie and lands Èit na occasion is amang vs to inuade athir Realmes or lieges with iniuries bot euer to contend amang our selues quhay sall persew other with maist humanitie and kindnesse As to vs wee will meis all occasion of battell quhare any occurres at thy pleasure Forther bycause wee haue na lesse sollicitude in preseruing our Children fra certaine deidlie enemies than had sometime thy Noble Father wee ar constreined to seeke support at vncouth Princes hands Howbeit the inuasion of enemies is sa great that small defence occurres against yame without they bee preserued by amitie of Nobill men For the warld is sa full of peruersit malice that na crueltie nor offence may bee deuisit in erd bot the same may bee wrocht be motion of gold and siluer Herefore bycause wee knawe thy hienesse full of mony nobill vertues with sic pyssaunce and riches that na Prince in our daies may bee compard thairto wee desire thy humanitie and support at this time VVee traist it is not vnknowne to thy Maiestie how our eldest Sonne Dauid is slaine miserably inprison by our brother the Duke of Albaine quhome wee chesit to bee Gouernour quhan wee were fallen in decrepit age to our subditts and Realme beseek and thy hyenesse thairfore to bee sa fauorable that this bearer Iames our second and allnerly Sonne may haue targe to life vndâ—r thy faith and iustie to bee some memorie of our posterity knaw and the vnstable condition of mans life sa sodainly altered now flurisâ—â—d and sodenlie falling to vtter consumption for thir beliefe well quhan Kings and Princes hes na other beild bot in thair awin folkes thair Empire is caduke and fragil For the minde of common pepill ar euer flowaund and mair inconstant than wind Èœit quhen Princes ar roborate be amity of othir vncouth Kings thair brethir and Nieghbours na aduersity may occurre to eiect thaim fra thair dignity royall Forthire gif thy hienesse thinke nocht expedient as God forbeid to obtemper to thir our desiers Èœit wee request ane thing quhilk was ratifiet in our last trewes and condition of peace that the supplication made be ony of the two kings of England Scotland sall stand in manner of safe conduct to the bearer And thus we desire to be obseruit to this our allnerly Son And the gratious God conserue the maist Noble Prince The Scottish writers reporte that when King Robert had knowledge of the staie of his Sonne in England in the nature of a prisoner he tooke the matter so greeuously that being an aged sicklie man and of long time oppressed with malancholie hee died within three daies after There is some difference amongst the writers concerning the time when these things chaunced Harding placeth these occurreÌ„ts in the yeare 1408. Buchanan chargeth king Henrie to haue dealt iniuriouslie in detayning the young Prince not onely without respect had to the King his Fathers request but also while the truce yet continewed betweene the two Nations which as hee saith was lately taken for eight yeares But I do not see how that can be proued foâ— in the English Chronicles I finde no truce agreed vpon since the battaile of Homildon but once and that but for one yeare in the seauenth yeare of King Henries raigne Whereas it is manifest enough that aboue a yeare before this the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolfe after they had bin in Wales Flaunders and France to haue purchased aide against King Henry were returned into Scotland and now not aboue sixe or seauen weekes before the arriuall of the yong Prince in England were entred into the Realme with a power of Scottes and comming into Yorkshire were incountred and ouerthrowne by Sir Thomas Rooksbie then Sheriffe of the Shire on the nineteenth day of Februarie in the yeare 1407. The Earle himselfe was slaine in the field and the Lord Bardolfe sore wounded as beeing taken he died thereof shortlie after Hereby it appeareth that either there was no truce at al at this time or else the Scottes made small account thereof taking part with the enemies of the land against their natural King within his owne kingdome Howsoeuer the Sonnes captiuity did for the present trouble the sickly olde King his Father The Scottes haue had no cause sinne to bee much offended thereat For as it is confessed by themselues king Henrie tooke so great care for his education in all manner of discipline fit for his calling as that Realme had neuer before a Prince furnished with more excellent qualities No doubt king Henrie hereby sought in kindnesse to binde him and that Nation to a perpetuall acknowledgment of his singuler loue and fauor towards the one and the other But as the sequell showed the same was little or nothing regarded afterwards The death of king Robert made no alteration in the state of gouernment in Scotland with him died onely the title of king for the other Robert his brother the Duke of Albaine in manner as before so still he inioyed the soueraigne command ouer that Nation About this time or not long before Sir Robert Vnfreuille high admirall of England burnt the towne of Peples on the market day causing his men to make so good penie-worthes of the cloathes they got there as that therevpon the Scottes called him Robin mend market In the meane season the Castell of Iedworth which the Englishmen had held euer since the battaile at Durham was taken by Tyuidale men and throwne downe to the ground Shortly after the Earle of March who before at a Parliament was recommended
by the commons of England to the kings gratious consideration ouer his due demerites for his good seruice done in the Realme returned into Scotland and was restored to his former dignitie and possessions there The Scottes thought themselues not sufficientlie reuenged for the markets that Sir Robert Vmfreuille lately made of their goods in England and therefore in the yeare following Patrike Dumbar second Sonne to the Earle of March with an hundred men well apoynted for the purpose came earelie one morning some-what before day to Fast Castell and entring into the same tooke the Captaine thereof prisoner who by daily out-roades greatlie indamaged the Countrie next adioyning About the same time Gawin Dumbar an other Sonne of the sayd Earle togither with William Dowglas brake downe the bridge of Roxbrughe and set the towne on fire but durst not attempt the taking of the Castell Sir Robert Vmfreuille hauing by this time vttered all his merchandice by the measure of his mens long-bowes for the worth of so manie yardes thought it now high time to make a new aduenture and therefore in the yeare 1410. Hee entred the Furth with tenne talle shippes of warre where lying for the space of a fort-night togither hee some-times landed on the one side and some-times on the other carying still with him manie good booties not-with-standing that the Gouernour and the Earle Dowglas were both readie to resist him Hee burned the Galliot of Scotland a Shippe of greatest account with manie other smaller vesselles lying then at the Blacknesse ouer against Leeth At his returne into England hee brought with him foureteene good shippes with many commodities as cloathes both wollen and linnen pitch tarre woad flowre meale wheate and rie making as good pennie-worthes thereof as hee did before as long as his store-house had anie thing leaft in it But not satisfied here-with hee togither with his Nephewe young Gilbert Vmfreuille Earle of Angius but more commonlie called Lord of Kinne entred the same yeare once againe into Scotland by land and spoiled the greater part of Tyuidale Thus it appeareth that at this time there was no peace betweene the two Nations or else it was little respected on both sides For manie yeares after there was little doeing beetweene them But now approached the ende of this Noble Prince who deceasing in the fourth-teenth yeare of his raigne in the yeare of our Lord 1412. leaft the Crowne vnto his Sonne Henry Prince of Wailles that was no lesse inheritour to his heroycall vertues then to the same In the second yeare of his raigne it was propounded in Parliament whether it were more meete to beginne with the conquest of France wherevnto hee pretended a iust title or first to reduce Scotland to their former obedience for it was resolued that the one or other should forth-with be taken in hand After long debate and consultation vpon this point it was concluded that the warre should be commenced against the mightier enimie for if France were once subdued the Scottes were easily tamed so that now they were at good leisure either to bee lookers on or actors on which side it pleased them Neuerthelesse whether it were that their Gouernour would not willingly incur King Henries displeasure fearing least if he had stirred hee would haue thrust him out of place by sending the young King home or whether that nation doubted that by that occasion the king would haue beene prouoked to set in foote for himselfe vnder colour of the defence of the your Prince his title or else whatsoeuer it was that moued them therevnto the Scottes made no great adoe during his raigne though they were yet once againe prouoked by Vmfreuille who being put in trust at the Kings passage ouer into France to gard the frontiers on that side fought with them at Gedering with three hundred Archers and seauen score men of armes where after long fight he slue aboue three score of them and tooke three hundred prisonere in chase which was continued twelue miles and then returned to Roxbrough Castle whereof hee was Captaine This conflict was on Mary Magdalines day in the yeare 1414. Three yeares after the Scottes made some show of a purpose they had to performe some great exploit but vpon the approach of the English armie they with-drew them-selues homeward without doing any great hurt But although they ceased from further annoyance here yet being entertained by the Dolphine in France they opposed themselues there against the Englishmen The Scottish writers report that seauen thousand of them passed ouer together vnder the conduct of Iohn Earle of Buchquhan sonne to their Gouernour accompanied with Archibald Dowglas and diuers other of good place Vnto these men they do attribute the victory ouer the Englishmen at the battaile of Baugie fought on Easter-euen in the yeare 1421. where the Duke of Clarence the Kings brother giuing too much credit to a Lumbard vnaduisedly set vpon the Frenchmen and Scottes and was slaine together with diuerse other Noblemen of England in the whole to the number of some two thousand Of the aduerse party were also slaine aboue twelue hundred the best men of warre amongst them So as they had no great cause to boast of the victorie how glorious so euer they make the same affirming that for their good seruice at this time the Dolphin bestowed great honours and offices vpon them The Scotts being thus animated against King Henry at his next iourney into France and the last he made he tooke with him the Prince of Scotland to trie if happily they would be therby wone either to his party or at least moued to returne home againe But they so little regarded the matter that being demanded why they would fight against their owne King they answered That they would not acknowledge any dutie to him who as yet liued vnder the obedience of an other Herewith saith Buchanan King Henry was so much displeased that at the taking of Meaux in Bury he caused 20. Scots to be executed whom hee found there because they had armed them-selues against their owne King But I see not how it can be so for the souldiours seeing themselues vnable to make resistance abandoned the towne and with-drawing their forces into the market place fortified the same which being afterwards surrendred vpon composition the liues of poore men onely were excepted namely bastard Vauren the Captaine of the towne the Baily two Burgesses all which vpon good consideration were immediatly executed and no other When this most victorious Prince had so wonderfully preuailed in his intended conquest of France as that within the terme of fiue or sixe yeares hee had brought the better part thereof vnder his obedience it pleased the almighty God the disposer of kingdoms to take him from those earthly honours to the fruition I hope of that endlesse and incomparable glory prepared for them that are his from the Prince to the Peasant He dyed in France in the 9. yeare of his raigne 1422. Hee
left to succeed him his onely child Prince Henry about as many months old as his father had raigned yeares Whose infancie was neuerthelesse mightily supported by the notable valiancie and policie of his two Vncles Humfrey Duke of Glocester and Iohn Duke of Bedford to the one was committed the protectioÌ„ of his person and kingdome to the other the managing of the warre continued in France The death of the two kings comming together within two months one after the other caused much alteration in the state wherein that nation presently stood For thervpon a great number of the French nobility who before had taken part with the EnglishmeÌ„ began to reuolt to Charles the Dolphine The Scotts also became now more ready to assist him then before thorow the hope they had of present aduancement which thing within two yeares after cost many of their liues first at the siege of Crauant in the County of Auxerre and in the yere following at the bloudy battaile of Vernoile fought on the 20. of August in the yeare 1424. At the former conflict besides 1800. Gentlemen of the French nation there were slaine of the Scots their partakers the Lord of Saint Iohns towne Sir Iohn of Bulgary S. Iohn Turnbull S. Iohn Haliburton Sir Robert Lisley S. William Coningham Sir William Dowglas Sir Alexander Hume S. William Lisly Sir Iohn Rotherford S. William Crayford S. Thomas Seaton S. WilliaÌ„ Hamilton his son Iohn Pillot the Earle Buchquhan maister of the French chiualry who in the sight lost his eie was takeÌ„ prisoner But at the battaile of Vernoile of the Scottes were slaine Archibald Earle Dowglas lately created by the Dolphine Duke of Turaine Iames Dowglas his Sonne Earle of Wigton Iohn Earle of Bowghen who as it seemeth had either escaped before out of the Englishmens hands or else had râ—â—â—eemed his liberty besides men of speciall note aboue two thousand In the meane time thorough dissention that arose betweene Mordo then the gouernour of Scotland after the decease of the Duke of Albaine his Father and his vnrulie Sonnes certaine Ambassadours were sent from thence into England to treate for the deliuery of Prince Iames of Scotland This young Gentleman was then greatlie inamored ouer a beautifull Ladie Sister to Iohn Duke of Somerset Neece to the Cardinall of Winchester and to the Duke of Excester and neere cousine to the yong King himselfe it was hoped that thorowe the alliance hee should haue in England by this marriage and the manifold fauours following the same the Prince should haue beene wonne to a perpetuall amity with this Realme which had beene now vnto him for the tearme of fifteene yeares a verie Sanctuarie for the safety of his person and an Academie for the instruction of his minde and vnderstanding The Lord protector and the Nobilitie of the Land were heereby mooued not onely vpon verie reasonable conditions to set him at liberty but also to yeeld him the fruition of her loue which happily the Prince preferred or at the least equally ballanced with the same Before his departure into Scotland hee did homage to the young king of England at Windsor Castell in the presence of three Dukes the two Archbishops twelue Earles ten Bishops twenty Barons and two hundred Knights and Gentlemen in these words viz. I Iames Steward King of Scots shall be true and faithfull to you Lord Henry by the grace of God King of England and to you I make my fidelity for the same kingdome of Scotland which I hold and claime of you And I shall beare you my faith and fidelitie of life and limme and worldly honour against all men And faithfully I shall doe to you seruice for the kingdome of Scotland So God me helpe c. This done King Iames with his Queene were honorably attended and accompanied into Scotland in the yeare of grace 1423. But not-with-standing this his solemne oath his princely education here and all the fauours hee had receiued both at his departure and during his captiuitie if it may be so tearmed whether it proceeded from a bad disposition in himselfe or as I rather take it from the malice of his Nobilitie who for the more part were French in affection this Prince of all other shewed least thankfulnesse for hauing forgotten the former courtesies hee entred into matrimoniall alliance with France then at defiance with that his late affinitie with England being euen then as it were most nearlie naturalized by his issue in bloud and kindred there-vnto Buchanan doth greatly labour his wittes there-with to wash out this blemish in the middest of the splendor and brightnesse of his manifold graces But sithence hee faileth as I take it in the very foundation of that his Apologie the frame which hee would thereon build must of necessitie fall to the ground For hee taketh it already granted that the king of England did both violate his owne faith and the lawes of all Nations by detaining the Prince as his lawfull prisoner vpon his arriuall here on the coast But it is apparant enough as before I haue shewed that either there was no truce at all betweene the two nations at that instant or if there were the same was notoriouslie broken by the Scottes in ioyning those their so great forces with the knowne enimies of this realme against their lawfull Soueraigne so farre within his owne kingdome Admit all that was done without the priuitie of the King him-selfe But how-so-euer the good aged man might iustly pleade his innocencie herein bearing as then the bare title of King how can the State bee excused against whose knowledge an enterprice of that importance could not possibly haue beene attempted if there were any hard measure offered herein by king Henrie neuerthelesse the same was so fully acquited by the inestimable benefit of his pretious education for as Buchanan himselfe reporteth thereof Tanta ingenij celeritas vigor in eo fuisse dicitur vt nullam homine ingenuo dignum artem ignorabat that truly such a captiuitie should neuer haue moued him to haue falne out with England vpon the mariage of the Lady Margaret the Scottish kings Daughter with Lewis the Dolphine some sturres arose betweene the Englishmen and the Scottes with equall losse on both sides but not of much reckoning King Iames neuer-the-lesse being there-with prouoked assembled a great powre and besieged the Castle of Roxbrough from whence he was remoued by the repaire of the Queene his wife thither that informed him of a very dangerous conspiracie against his owne person how-be-it shortly after his returne into Scotland hee was wickedly murthered by his subiects in the yeare 1436. leauing behind him a neuer dying memory of many royall vertues The young Prince his sonne Iames the second about seauen yeares olde at his fathers death hauing raigned aboue twentie yeares was slaine by misfortune at the siege of the same Castle where the King his Father had knowledge first giuen him of the plotte of his finall destruction In
appointed for seruice which not long before had beene prepared as was giuen out to transport the king into Siria against the infidelles This nauy should haue beene presented vnto the French Queene for a speciall fauor towâ—â—ds her onely â—ut the same â—â—d so bad successâ—ur the passage aâ— that neither shee or her husband had any benefit by them In the meane season complaint waâ— made to king Henry that two Scottish ships to whom king Iames had graunted letters of mart against the Portâ—â—galls had greatlie molested the English Marchants and other passingers along the Coast For redresse hereof Sir Edmond Howard Lord Admirall of England and the Lord Thomas Sonne and heire to the Earle of Surrey were presentlie sent forth with two shippes of warre who behaued themselues in â—uch sort that within a month after they â—â—ought them both to Black-wall Andrewe â—arton Captaine ouer them died of the hurtes 〈◊〉 receiued in fight they that remained aliue wâ—re all pardoned and sent home King Iames tooke this matter so heynouslie that wryting thereof to King Henrie he charged him with breach of the league wherevnto this answere was returned That the execution of Iustice vpon pirates such as his people at sea were waâ— neuer held violation of amitie that hee shoâ—â—â— fauour enough in pardoning those that esâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 danger of fight Yet for his better saâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 would presently send commâ—â—â—â—â—â—ts to the borâ—â—â— to treat of this and of othâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—ders in 〈◊〉 partes The Scotâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the meane season 〈◊〉 â—ot 〈◊〉 inâ—â—â—â—ng the English marches but still to their losse For aâ— one conflict two hundred of them were taken prisoners and many more slaine This blowe so much prouoked King Iames that refusing to commit the deciding of these quarrels to anie Commissioners he purposed with himselfe to take reuenge when oportunity better serued And therefore when King Henry was passed ouer into France and had besiedged the towne of Turwin King Iames sent ouer vnto him Lion king at armes his principall Herald with letters of defiance to this effect First hee complained that no restitution was yet made for the damages his subiects had lately sustayned both by land and sea Secondly that bastard Heron with his complices who in the raigne of the King his Father at a meeting for the execution of iustice had treacherously slaine Robert Car his warden were not punished according to their deserts That Andrewe Barton was slaine by his commandement That his wiues legacy was vniustlie detained And though hee could haue borne all these iniuries yet he might not indure the extreame wrongs offerd by him to his ancient allies and friends the French King and the Duke of Gelders into whose lands and territories he was now entred not-with-standing he had earnestlie intreated him to the contrarie and â—â—â—ll hostile manner prosecuted the destruction of them thâ—â—â— subiects and countries In consideration of which dealings towardes his owne person and those Pâ—â—nces so neerely conioyned with hâ—â— in amitie hee held himselfe bound by dutiâ—â— hiâ— alliance with them to reliâ—ue their estates by all the good meanes that lay in his powre And this hee would forth-with put in execution vnâ—â—sse he ceased further to molest them This letter was dated at Edenbrough the sixe and twentith day of Iuly and sealed with his owne Signet where-vnto king Henrie made answer as followeth Right excellent high and mightie Prince we haue receiued your writing by your Herald Lyon this bearer wherein after rehearsall and accumulation of many surmised iniuries greeues and damages done by vs and our subiects to you and yours the specialties whereof were superfluous to rehearse remembring that to them and euery of them reasonable answer founded vpon lawe and conscience hath here-to-fore bin made to you and your counsell Yee not onely require vs to desist from further inuasion and vtter destruction of your brother and cousin the French king but also certifie vs that you will take part in defence of the same king vnlesse wee presently yeeld to your request All which tendeth wholy to the bâ—each of the perpetuall peace passed concluded and sworne-vnto by vs both Howbeit if neither the loue and dread of God nighnesse of bloud honour of the world lawe nor reason could haue preuailed with you we suppose you would neuer 〈◊〉 so farre proceedâ—â— against vs especially in our absence Herein the Pope and al Princes Christened may well note in you dishonorable dealing in that you haue waited to take the aduantage of mine absence whereof we neede no other proofe and approbation then your owne letters heretofore sent vs while we were within our Realme wherin you neuer made mention of taking part with our enemy the French King but passed the time with vs till after our departure thence But now happily supposing that we bee destitute of defence against your inuasion beeing so farre from home you haue vpon that aduantage vttered the old rancoure of your stomake which you haue hitherto kept secret Neuerthelesse wee remembring the brittlenesse of your promise and suspecting though not wholie beleeuing so much vnstedfastnesse in you thought it expedient to put our Realme in redinesse against whatsoeuer your interprises trusting that by the fauour of God and the assistance of our confederates and allies we shal be able to maintaine our right against the malice of you and your adherentes And we hope in time conuenient to remember our friends and requite you 〈◊〉 our enemies which by such vnnaturall demeanour haue giuen sufficient cause to the disinheriting 〈◊〉 and your posterity for 〈…〉 â—â—ssibility that you haue to the 〈…〉 which you are now ready to inuade The 〈…〉 lately showed vâ—â—â— the King of Nauar 〈◊〉 for assisting the French king was set besides his â—â—ngdoâ—â— may be a warning vnto you Finallie as tâ—â—ching your request that I would desist from further attempting against our enemie the French King wee knowe you are no competent iudge nor of authoritie to inforce vs therevnto Wherefore wee purpose God willing with the aide and assistance of our confederates and allies to prosecute the warre we haue hitherto prosperouslie proceeded in Giuen vnder our signet in our Campe before Tirwin the twelft daie of August This letter was deliuered to the Scottish Herald who immediatlie departed there-with into Flanders there to haue taken shippe for Scotland But for want of readie passage hee arriued not there till the King his Maister was slaine in the field For King Iames with his army hauing paâ—â—ed ouer the water of Tweed the two and twenteth daie of the sayd month of August lodged thâ— fiâ—st night neere the riuer of Tinsell and the â—â—xt daie laied siedge to Norham Castell which was easilie gotten thorough want of loyaltie or discression in him that kept it King Iâ—â—es hauing taken his pleasure in those partes â—or the space of eighteene daies the Earle of Surrey Liâ—â—â—â—â—ant Generall in the Kings absence ouer the North-partes of the Realme had in the meane-time giuen order
further charged to warne thee not to vse the acquaintance companie or counsell of women for if thou doe otherwise it will turne to thy losse and dishonour This being said hee with-drew him-selfe backe againe into the prease When seruice was ended the king inquired earnestly for him but hee could no where bee found neither could any of the standers by of whom diuerse did narowlie obserue him meaning afterwards to haue questioned further with him feele or perceiue how or when hee passed from them Queene Margaret after the death of her husband challenged the protection of the realme as the king by his last Will and Testament disposed the same so long as shee continued a widow Being therein established first of all she wrote to king Henry her brother intreating him not onely to cease from pursuing warre further vpon Scotland beeing euen then at warre with it selfe but also to bee a defence vnto her and the infant her sonne not much aboue a yeare old against all such as happily would oppose thēselues against her Here-vnto King Henry answered that with the peaceable hee would haue peace but to the froward seditious he would be an enemy Not long after Queene Margaret hauing maried Archibald Dowglas the prime and choise man amongst all the Scotish nobility the realme began to be deuided into two mighty factions They of the Dowglassian party would haue the gouernmēt continued in the Queene because thereby the realme should still haue peace with England which at that season was a point very necessarily to be respected The aduerse party of whom the Lord Hume was the principall man pretending an ancient custome in that case importuned the election of Iohn Duke of Albanie sonne to the former Duke Alexander This gentleman for the most part had liued before in France and was wholy deuoted to the seruice of King Francis who to bind him the faster vnto him had dealt very honorably with him at his departure into Scotland Immediatly vpon his arriuall great dissention arose betwixt him and others of the Scottish Nobility but especially the Lord Hume who as before I haue touched was the chiefe meane of his preferment to that place Queene Margaret much fearing the issue hereof together with her husband and some other of that faction for her more safely repaired into England During her abode there she was deliuered at Herbottle of a Daughter the Lady Margaret Dowglas grand-mother to King Iames the sixt now king by his father as her brother King Iames the fift was his grand-father by his mother So as his Father and Mother were the children of brother and sister namely of Iames the fift and this Lady Margret his halfe sister But the new Regent the Duke of Albanie so excused himselfe by Ambassage to the king of England in that point that within a yeare after the Queene returned into Scotland honorably attended and richly appointed of all things fit for her estate The Earle Dowglas her husband who in the meane season had obtained the Regents fauour receiued her at Berwicke and from thence did accompanie her home All quarrels in the meane time being well appeased in Scotland the Regent passed ouer into France committing the yong Prince together with the gouernment of the realme in his absence to certaine of the Nobilitie but aboue all the rest hee reposed most trust in a Frenchman named Anthonie Darcie Captaine of the Castell of Dunbarre whom he ioyned in commission with the Scottish Lords to the end he might giue him intelligence of all their proceedings in his absence It was this mans hap soone after to be slaine by the Scots for more despite to haue his head stroken off and set vpon Hume Castell to the view of all that passed by This outrage was cōmitted the twelfe of September in the yeare 1517. which gaue beginning to some new broiles amongst them During the absence of the Duke the Dowglassian faction bare greatest sway for the continuance whereof king Henry laboured the French King to keepe the Duke still with him neuer-the-lesse by reason of some trouble likely to arise betweene France England the Regent returned into Scotland about fiue yeares after his departure thence with a purpose to abate the ouer-great powre of the Dowglas Immediatly herevpō Gawen Dowglas Bishop of Dunkell a very reuerend man came into England informed the king how great an aduersary the Regent was to his whole family and that he alone had taken on him the custody of the yong king the sequell whereof hee much feared This Bishop died shortly after at London was buried in the Sauoy church King Henry vpon this complaint sent Clarentius king at Armes into Scotland to admonish the Duke to auoide the country according to the Articles agreed vpon the summer before in the last truce takē with the French king for the king held it very vnreasonable and inconuenient to admit him sole Gardian ouer the yong Prince that was next heire after him to the Crowne least happily by such opportunity he might be tempted to cōmit the like vnnatural cruelty which some haue done in the like case both in England Scotlād That therfore the king his maister said Clarentius had great reason to prouide for the safty of his nephew wherof hee could no way bee better assured then by keeping him from that place and authority in Scotland But of all these threats the Regent seemed to make light account Now began the French king to quarrell againe with king Henry before the truce was fully expired where-vpon all the Frenchmen and Scots that then inhabited in London and other places of the realme were put to their fines and a strong Nauie was forth-with sent to the Sea vnder the conduct of Sir William Fitz-Williams Vice-admirall and seauen other were at the same time sent also against Scotland the which entring into the Furth set fire on diuerse Scottish ships and so returned with their prisoners into England The same yeare the Lord Rosse and the Lord Dacres of the North who were appointed to keepe the borders entred also with their forces into Scotland and burnt the towne of Kelsoe besides many other villages ouer-threw sundry holdes and piles of stone and then returned home with their booties The Regent being here-with prouoked to reuenge raised a great powre where-with approaching the Marches he fully purposed to inuade England But whether it were that hee thought himselfe ouer-weake to incounter the English armie that was comming on apace vnder the conduct of the Earle of Shrewsburie or that hee stood not well assured of some of his owne company which was more likely he was well contented to harken vnto peace so that a truce was taken for some few monthes and then with no little staine to his reputation he turned back-againe In October following the Duke passed ouer againe into France promising his fauorites that if a peace were not in the meane time concluded with England hee would
that hee had no reason to yeeld there-vnto till such time as recompence was made for the harme his subiects had sustained on the borders In the meane season he had also prepared an army of some twenty thousand men and committed the same to the conduct of the Duke of Norfolke accoÌ„panied with the Earles of Shrewsbery Darby Cumberland Surrey Hertford Angus Rutland and diuerse other Lords and Gentlemen of the North. King Iames hauing knowledge of this preparation entreated to haue all differences and complaints on both sides put to order and so taken vp VVherevpon the King caused his army to stay about Yorke appointing the Duke the Lord priuy seale and others to enter into conference with the Scottish Ambassodours and if possiblie they could to end all controuersies wherby to auoide the effusion of much bloud But when the Commissioners for England perceiued that the Scottes sought onely to detract time whereby to put of the warre for that yeare winter now approaching they breake of the treaty and hauing assembled the whole armie there-with entred into Scotland the twentith day of October in the yeare 1542. During there abode there diuerse townes and villages were burned and spoiled and hauing continued that course as long as their victualls held out the armie returned to Berwicke the nine and twentith daie of the same month without resistance or show of enemie although King Iames had then in readinesse as it is sayd an armie of thirtie thousand men incamped at Fallamure but foureteene miles within Scotland But whether it was that they waited some aduantage or that the Scottish Nobility were not so forward which is pretended as their King would haue had them nothing was attempted against England vntill the foure and twentith day of Nouember following by which time the Duke was well on his way towards London For then king Iames went him selfe vnto the VVest marches of Scotland where he appointed the Lord Maxwell his warden togither with the Earles of Cassels and Glencorne and certaine other Lords there with him to inuade England on that side This army consisting of fifteene thousand men passed ouer the water of Eske and burnt certaine houses of the Greues on the verie border Herevpon Thomas bastard Dacres and Iacke of Musgraue with an hundred light horses made towards the enemie hauing a while before sent to Sir Thomas Wharton Lord warden of those Marches to make all the hast hee could after them By that time these two valiant Captaines had begun the skirmish the Lord Wharton with some three hundred horse more were come within viewe of the Scottish host who supposing that the Duke or some other of the English Lords was turned backe againe with the whole armie otherwise they imagined those few would neuer haue aduentured so desperatly to set vpon them were with the suddenesse of this vnexpected flight put into such a Panick feare that forth-with committing themselues to flight as fast as their legges could carrie them or their horses vnder them they were pursued and taken without any resistance Amongst whom these following were the principal men The Earles of Cassels and Glencorne the Lord Maxwel the Lord Flemming the Lo. Sommerwel the Lord Oliphant the Lord Gray Sir Oliuer Sinclere the kings minion Iohn Rosse of Gragie Robert Aesken Sonne to the Lord Aesken the Lord Maxwells two brothers and aboue two hundred men of name more Of the common souliers not so few as eight hundred so as some one Englishman had three or foure prisoners to his share The Scottes lost at this blowe without anie bloud-shed on either partie twentie peeces of Ordinance foure Cart-loades of speares and tenne pauilions Thus wee see that the King of Heauen and Earth can and will daunt the corrage of man when it seemeth good vnto him to the end we should acknowledge him to be the only giuer of all victory The Scottish writers attribute the bad successe of their armie at this meeting to the vnaduised course which King Iames tooke in appointing a meane Gentleman Sir Oliuer Sinclere his Lieutenant grnerall ouer the same For vpon the hearing of the Kings Commission openlie reade the whole armie was so â—â—ch ofâ—ended â—â—d â—roâ—led thereat that it â—â—â—oght 〈…〉 confusion amongst them which beeing obserued of the Englishmen though they were but a handfull in comparison of the enemies power yet they were there-with so much incoraged that they aduentured manfully vpon them and put them al thereby to flight This discomfeiture chaunced vnto the Scottes at Solloway Mosse in the latter end of Noueâ—ber following and was the most admirable â—ictory that euer was had ouer them to bee wholy referred to the immediat hand of God howsoeuer they would excuse it King Iames being now at Garlanâ—rocke vpon the borders was â—â—ruelously perplexed aâ— tâ—â—â—ewes herof in so much as being ouer-come with an extreame malâ—ncholy passion he neuer after held vp his head but still languished till death had fully seized vpon him on the twentith day of December following In the meane season one and twenty of the chiefe prisoners were conuaied to London committed to the Towre the 19. day of the same month where hauing â—omâ—ined two daies they were carried thorow the streets to Westminster two and two togither in a â—anck Eight of them being Noblemen were apparelled at the Kings charge with new gownes of black damask furd with black â—â—â—ie â—oâ—tes of black â—elâ—eâ— and dublets of satteâ— else whatsoâ—uer belonged therto Then they wâ—re brought before the Counsel sitting at the Star-chamber where the Lord Chancellour rebuked them openly for their misdemeanour towards the King and Realme declaring that his Maiesty had good cause to make warre vpon them First for their dissimulation in all their treaties of peace Then for keeping his subiects in durance without redemption contrary to the ancient lawes of the Marches And lastly for inuading his dominions without open defiance or iust cause giuen on his Maiesties part Neuerthelesse that his Maiestie more regarding his honour then his Royall power was contented to render good for euill and curtisie for vnkindnesse For whereas hee might by lawe of armes as they knewe well enough shut them vp in close prison hee was contented that they should bee committed to the custodie of the Nobles of his land that were thought meet to take that charge vpon them according to their owne seuerall estates and degrees Then beeing dismissed thence they were forth-with bestowed with one Noble man or other accordingly of whom they had such curtious intertainment as that they themselues confessed they neuer liued more pleasantly at any time before On the twentith of December newes was brought to the Court of the Scottish Kings death King Henry and his Counsell conceiuing herevpon that a good meane was offred whereby without warre the two Realmes might be vnited intimated their meaning to the Scottish Lords who seeming very willing therein to gratifie the King were brought to the Court in Christ-masse
attempt any further inuasion at that time they teturned home into Scotland The next summer was spent with continuall light incursions of the borderers on both sides with variable successe on either party The taking of Robert Maxwell a gallant young Gentleman eldest sonne to the Lord Maxwell was of greatest note At the approach of winter Montgomery hauing first by commission from the king his Maister inuested the gouernor and the Earles of Angus Huntley Arguile with the honorable order of the Michell wherof he was himselfe a companion returned into France Though these two nations sought to molest one the other yet in one thing in persecuting the true seruants of God they agreed ouer-well For albeit K. Henry had lately banished the vsurped Supremacie of the bishop of Rome also had published the New Testament in English a good preparatiue to the reformation that followed in his sonnes daies yet it pleased not the Lord to enlighten his vnderstanding so farr as by his Ministery to giue the Gospell free passage in all the principall points of the true Religion Hereof it came to passe that as well in the one as other nation the professors of the gospel were cruelly persecuted especially for denying the reall and carnall presence of our Sauiour Iesus Christ whom the father hath placed farre aboue the earth at his right hand in heauen to be in the holy Sacrament of his last supper For about this time George Wishart a Scottish Minister a man of speciall account for the purity of his life doctrine was conuented before the Câ—rdinall and by him conuicted of herisie as the truth was then called finally burned at S. Andrews ouer-against the Castel where he was imprisoned within ten weekes after on the 16. of Iuly 1546. Anne Ayscu one of the two daughters of Sir William Ayscu of Lincolnshire being not aboue 25. yeares old for the defence of the same truth was first most barbarously tormented on the rack then not preuailing thâ—t way burned with others in Smithfield at London These saints of God the two first of speciall marke he for the reputatioÌ„ of his life and learning and she for the respect of her birth and education that in this Iland gaue their liues for the truth left behind them a more notorious remeÌ„brance of their christian ends by the strang predictions that accompanied the same For wheÌ„ this man of God the flame now ready to incompasse him was comforted by the Captaine of the Castell his keeper and put in minde to call vpon GOD answered againe that though these fierie flames are greeuous to flesh bloud yet my spirit is nothing there-with dismaid but he that so proudly sitteth yonder ouer-against vs meaning the Cardinal that was placed in a window of the Castell to behold this spectacle shall within few dayes lye on the ground no lesse reprochfully then now he doth aduance himselfe arrogantly which within foure monthes after came to passe when as the Cardinall was murthered by certaine of his owne clientes and followers in the same place and his dead carcas showed out at the same windowe where lately before he was placed in great pompe at the martirdome of George Wishart Mine aunt Anne after many threats and great search made for her by the prelates her persecutors was by casual intercepting of her owne letter discouered and so vnwillingly deliuered into ther bloody hands by him that both loued her and the religion which she professed but was neuer the lesse ouer come with feare for hee had much to lose least happily by concealing what was knowne he knew he might so haue brought himself into trouble thus much flesh and blood preuailed with him which often hath such powre euen ouer the most regenerat that the Apostle Paule saith of himselfe what I would that I doe not but what I hate euen that I doe from the time he had leaft her with them till the houre wherein she suffered a flame of fier presented it selfe in the day time to vewe such as according to his owne comparison appeareth in a glasse windowe ouer against a great fier in the same roome doutlesse this signe was giuen him to some end and I doubt not but he made good vse thereof For the sequell thus much I haue since obferued that his Sonne and haire in few yeares wasted the better part of his patrimonie not to be redeemed at this day with 20. thousaÌ„d pounds by yeelding ouer-much to the vnbridled vanities of another Anne Aiscu his wife Thus it pleased the Lord in his wisdome to giue honour to our family by such a meane as the world then held reprochfull and contrariwise to impaire the state and reputation of the same by such a match as in the iudgment of maÌ„ for she was honorably descended should rather haue giuen more estimation vnto it But now to returne to the contention temporall The Earle of Hertford with a new armie of some twelue thousand horsmen footmen entring Scotland burned a great part of the Mers Tiuidale amongst the rest the towne and Abbay of Kelso and Melrosse Abbay the former was a while defended by 300. Scots but in the end the most of them were either slaine or taken prisoners The army hauing in this maner passed along the further side of Tweed but not far within the country returned home without incounter In Ianuary following this renowned Prince not inferiour to any other liuing in those dayes yet that age brought forth more excellent then for many yeares before Christendome had inioyed together departed out of this life who had so great desire to haue vnited these two nigh kingdoms as that it is said he gaue especiall charge to the lords of his couÌ„sell at his death to indeuor the effecting of the promised mariage with the yong Princesse of Scotland 5. years yonger then Prince Edward his onely sonne now about nine yeares old at the death of the king his father wherfore the Duke of Somerset the yong kings Vncle by his mother lately before Earle of Hertford but now with the accesse of that title made also lord Protector of the Realme togeather with other Lords of the Councell held it expedient no longer to detract time but once againe to assay if happily after so many victories ouer the Scots in the pursute of this cause they would yeeld now at length to that against which they too wilfully opposed themselues To which end the lord Protector being wel prouided both by land sea passed into Scotland the next yeare about the beginning of September causing proclamation to be made in 3. seueral quarters of his campe signifying that the cause of his comming was to make knowne to all that nation that his intent was onely to renue the treaty of the long intended mariage betweene the King of England and their Princesse offering all maner of courtesies to as many amongst them as would shew themselues fauorers therof The armie marching along by
the sea coast was still attended by the fleet so as vpon euery occasion the one might relieue the others want Such Castles houlds as were in their walke some were rendred others taken by force and ruinated As the armie passed the Scotish light-horsemen prouoked the Englishmen to skirmish but commandement was giuen that none should stir against them The 9. of SepteÌ„ber the Nauie lodged at Preston within view of the Scottes who were incamped at the mouth of the riuer of Eske within little more then a mile one froÌ„ the other The Scotish prickers were now more busie then before shewing themselues on the top of an hill in their greatest brauery The Englishmen could not indure to be so bearded therfore the Lord Gray of Wilton Captaine ouer the horsemen obtained leaue at length to set on them with a band of light horsemen and certaine demilances to back them withall These hauing mounted the hill the Scots at first made shew to giue the charge but had no such meaning for some 500. of them comming forward vpon the spurs with a great shout after their maner within their staues length of the formost troope and then purposing to haue wheeled about be gon the Englishmen at an instant vnlooked for receiued them so roughly as that at the first incouÌ„ter and afterwards in the chase within three houres space aboue 800. of the Scots were slaine within sight of their own army The Lord Hume by a fall from his horse in the flight receiued such an hurt that he died thereof shortly after His sonne and heire six Gentlemen and two Priests were taken prisoners On the English party but one was hurt yet diuerse were taken prisoners by aduenturing ouer-farre in pursuite of the enemy amongst whom were Sir Ralphe Bulmere Thomas Gower Marshall of Barwicke and Captaine Crouch all three hauing charge ouer certaine compâ—â—ies of horsemen After this blow the Scottish horsemen performed no more seruice worth the remembrance The Protector knowing that the Scottes were not a little discouraged by this ouer-throw giuen the horsmen perceiuing no disposition in them to giue battaile vnlesse it were vpoÌ„ great aduantage thought it now a fit time to make trial whether yet they would harken vnto his reasonable demands which he signified to the Gouernor in writing to this effect as Buchanan reporteth First he earnestly intreated the Scots to remeÌ„ber that on both sides they were all Christians to whom if they would follow their profession nothing could be more acceptable then peace amity nor any thing more hatefull then war and bloud-shed That the warre now betweene them proceeded not of ambition malice or enuie but from an harty desire of an assured fiâ—â—â—e league and amity between the two nations which by no meanes else could be effected then by that mariage which by their free consents had bin already faithfully promised by publike writing generally approued ratified vpon such conditions as were more fauorable on their side theÌ„ of their owne such as brought them into no manner of bondage but into a friendly society of life and community of either fortune good or bad That this maâ—â—age would be much more aduantagable to theÌ„ then to the English by how much both the hope of good the feare of harme to the nation of lesse powre should be the greater That they could not deny but it was necessary their Queene should marry consequently that their greatest care would bee how to bestow her That if they would make choise of a husband fittest for her in regard both of his owne worth the good that should redound to their common-weale whom could they preferre before the King their next neighbor borne and bred vp in the same Iland of her own bloud trained vp after one maner of discipline vsing the same language and not onely in powre and riches but well nere in all things tending either to profit or pleasure farre before her and which shall bring with it a neuer fading amitie and an vtter burning in obliuion the memory of all former malice and dissention where-as if the Scots shall entertaine a stranger differing froÌ„ them in lawes language and maner of life what a number of inconueniences will follow thereof The mischiefe that by such occasion hath falne vpon other nations may be a sufficient warning better it were to be wise by other mens harms then by experience to buy witt at so deare a reckoning That for his part if he found them inclinable to the mariage he would remit some part of the former agreement and bee contented that their Queene should bee brought vp amongst them at home till shee were of age to make her choice that in the meane season peace should be kept betweene the two nations but with this condition that their Queene should not in the meane time bee transported out of Scotland and that no compact of marriage should bee made either with the French king or any other forraine Prince If they would faithfully promise thus much he would then in peaceable manner immediatly depart with his armie and what-so-euer damage they had sustained since his comming into their realme it should bee satisfied by the iudgement of indifferent Arbitrators chosen on both sides The Gouerner hauing receiued this letter imparted the same to very few about him fearing that if it had passed many mens hands the greater number would haue inclined to the offred conditions of peace being so reasonable which made him the rather conceaue that vnlesse the Duke had distrusted his strength hee would not haue made so faire wether with him And therefore purposing to giue him battaile he caused a rumor to be spred abroad that the EnglishmeÌ„ were come to cary away the Queene by force of armes which being receaued for truth great numbers out of all parts flocked vnto him The Duke perceiuing their meaning about 8. of the clock in the fore-noone caused the army to dislodge for their more aduantage to march directly towards an hill neere thereto called Pinck hill nigh to Vndrâ—â—â—'â— Church The Gouerner to preuent thâ— Eng 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of their purpose coÌ„manded euery man to attend his Captaine to the incounter who made so good speed that they were well nere come to it before the other were gone halfe the way Thus both contending who should first possesse this hill together with the aduantage of the winde Sunne the Englishmen were forced by the forwardnes of the enimy to aduenture vpon a very desperate peece of seruice The Scottish armie was marshalled in this maner The Earle of Angus lead the vant-gard consisting of 8000. footmen garded with fiue peeces of great Ordinance on the right hand about 400. horsmeÌ„ on the left The Gouernor was placed behind him with ten thousand Inland-men as they call them accounted the choisest soldiers the whole country affordeth The Earle of Huntley had the leading of the rere-ward of 8000. men well nigh euen with
skirmishes passed betweene the one party and the other that Forte also was so strictly besâ—â— on all sides that if the peace had not beene the sooner concluded Sir Hugh Willoughby the Captaine thereof must of necessitie haue yeelded thorough the lacke of shot and other necessaries seruing for defence Amongst other articles comprised in this agreement one was that all such Castels Fortifications and strengths held by the Englishmen in any part of the Scottish dominions should be restored to the Scots and that the Forts of Dowglasse Roxbrough Aymoth which the Englishmen had erected in the time of these warres should forth-with be razed and throwne downe to auoide all occasion of new controuersie Mounsier de Mourret was sent into Scotland from the French King to publish this accord betweene the three Nations France England and Scotland which in the beginning of Aprill in the yeare that followed 1550. was in euery point executed accordingly The next month al the strangers made returne homewards two yeares well neere after their first arriuall into Scotland And thus ended for this time the whote war betweene these two neighbor nations which had continued now for the space of 7. yeares together to the exceeding great impouerishment of that kingdom effusion of bloud on both sides For aboue fiftie yeares after there was not any like hostility betweene them For all that passed betwixt the one and the other realme vntill the beginning of the 5. yeare of the raigne of Queene Mary of England who succeeded that pearelesse Prince of most famous memorie King Edward the 6. on the sixt day of Iuly in the yeare 1553 the same was rather to be accouÌ„ted a light breach of the peace then open warre on either side Neither were the broiles betweene them in those two last yeares of her raigne of any great reckoning which grew by occasion of the warre made by King Philip her husband of the French King for he therevpon solicited the Queene Regent of Scotland who about two yeares before obtained that dignity while the CoÌ„missioners of both these nations were busie at Carliel about the renuing of the league to inuade this realme She being willing to gratifie her confederate when the Commissioners had broken vp the treatie of Peace without any conclusion assembled a great Armie where-with comming to Kellsoe in the moneth of October 1557. shee together with Monsieur Doisell and other Frenchmen began to perswade the Scottes to inuade the realme The Scottish Nobility to the end they would seeme some-what to yeeld to her request passing with the army ouer the riuer of Tweed besieged Warke Castell whereat lying for the space of 2. or 3. daies and then hearing of the approach of the Earle of Westmerland Lieutenant of the North after some consultation vpon this point the Scottish lords concluded that for so much as the Englishmen had giuen them no iust cause of quarrell especially in so high a degree and measure of reuenge that the Queene Regent had drawne them thither for the pleasure onely of the French King and the reputation of Monsieur Doisell his agent who in the managing of this affaire had carryed himselfe very loftily therefore I say they concluded to breake vp the siedge and to returne homewards and so this much adoe produced nothing The Queene and her Monsieur tooke the matter very greeuouslie accounting themselues much disgraced here-with but because there was no remedy for the present time they resolued to beare it as paciently as they could hoping a time would come that should make them of more authority amongst them To this end they laboured to hasten the mariage of the yong Queene now come to ripe age for there-by all things should then passe without controulment at the will and appointment of France The Queene Regent returning home-wards left Monsieur Doisell with the French forces at Haymouth where lately before hee had raised a Fortification to counter-garrison the Englishmen in Berwicke Diuerse foot-bands also of Scottishmen were waged by the French King to lye at Kelso Roxbrough and other such places on the Scottish Marches for the defence of the country and the annoyance of the Englishmen as occasion serued Amongst many other roades and aduentures which passed this winter between the one nation the other with variable successe on both sides that between the Earle of Northumberland and Sir Andrew Carre was of most reckoning wherein after doubtfull victory a long time at length the English preuailed the Scottish Captaine and diuerse other being taken prisoners Sir Iohn Foster at this seruice bare himselfe very valiantly for besides that his horse was slaine vnder him hee receiued two dangerous wounds the one thorough his neck the other on his thigh On the foure and twentith day of Aprill the yeare next following viz. 1558. the mariage of Francis the Dolphine with Queene Mary of Scotland was solemnized at Paris with great triumphe and reioycing which afterward brought that flourishing kingdome into danger of an vtter subuersion for her Vncles especially Francis Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorraigne his brother by reason of this marriage bare them-selues so loftily and so egerlie stroue thereby to aduance their house that they turned France vp downe ruling all things at their owne wils and pleasure The summer following sundry out-roads passed betweene the borderers on both sides but with more losse to the Scots then to EnglaÌ„d for besides 2. chiefe leaders of their footmen the Lord Keith sonne to the Earle Marshall and Patricke L. Gray were in those broiles taken prisoners but on the English party Captaine Edrington only Some seruice by sea also was performed by the EnglishmeÌ„ for Sir Iohn Clere being sent with certaine ships of warre to the coast of Scotland comming to the Iles of Orkney and hauing landed some part of his company such a tempest did sodenlie arise that perforce hee was driuen backe to the maine sea where striuing a long time in vaine to recouer the Iland againe hee was forced to leaue them behind him who were thereby all slaine and taken prisoners by the Ilanders But the Earle of Sussex ioyning with Sir Thomas Cotton and Sowthwick his Vice-admirall had better successe in Kniter the Iles of Arraigne and Cumber where they made great spoile and had done much more there-about if by out-ragious stormes and tempests they had not beene hindered Of all the English Gentlemen that serued these last two yeares with charge I know but one liuing at this day namely Thomas Marckham commonly called Blacke-Marckham who lead the band of foot-men of Sir Iohn Marckham his Father As for the warre maintained in Scotland since the happy raigne of our late Soueraigne Lady and Queene the most renowmed and famous Elizabeth who to the exceeding great comfort of all the true Christians of this whole Iland succeeded her deceased Sister on the seauenteenth day of Nouember in the yeare before named the same was from time to time alwayes vnder-taken
by her at the earnest petition and request of the Nobilitie of Scotland to the common good and well-â—are of both nations For when that realme in the beginning of her raigne became ouer-burthened by the dayly repaire of the French forces sent thither to the aide of the Queene Regent and her pertakers in the defence of the Romish religion the better sort of the Scottish Nobility as the Duke of Chateaule reault who attained that dignity of thâ— French King for yeelding vp the gouernâ—◠〈◊〉 the Queene Mother the Lord Iames Prior of Saint Androwes the Earles of Arraine Arguile Glencarne Rothowse Southerland Monteith Huntley Catnesse Erolle Marshall Cassels Eglenton Montrosse the Lords Ruithen Boide Ogletree Ayskin Drommond Hume Rosse Chrieghton Leuenstone â—â—mmerwell the Maister of Lindesey and the Maister of Maxwell did all ioyne in request vnto the Queene of England that it would please her Maiestie to assist them against the iniurious demeanure of the Frenchmen who sought not onely to extirpate the profession of the Gospell which they had lately imbraced but also practised the vtter abolishment and ruine of their ancient lawes and liberties Their sute was the more willingly yeelded vnto because it was doubted that if the Frenchmen had once set good foot-hold in Scotland somâ— trouble might haue come thereof to this realme thorow the ambition of the Queenes vncles the Guises who abusing their authority vnder Francis the second the yong King had all things at their command in France The suspition hereof did first arise when immediatly after the death of Queene Mary the Scottish Mary pretending a title to the Crowne vsurped the armes and stile of England Herevpon in the latter end of February the Earle of Arguile the Prior of Saint Andrewes the Maister of Maxwell and the yong Lord of Ledingtone the Secretarie mette the Duke of Northfolke at Berwick who was sent thither for that purpose Here it was concluded that whatsoeuer stranger should inuade either England or Scotland that then the one nation should minister ayde to the other that what Scottishmen should serue her Maiestie in her owne realme or what Englishmen should serue in Scotland all should receiue pay onely of the Queene of England that what bootie or prey should bee gotten by the English seruing in Scotland the same should become their owne the Townes Castles excepted which should forth-with bee restored to whom by right they did appertaine For the better assurance hereof fiue young Gentlemen were shortly after sent into England as pledges in the behalfe of the Lords of Scotland namely the Lord Claudie Hamilton fourth sonne to the Duke Robert Dowglas halfe brother to the Lord Iames Steward Archibauld Cambell Lord of Lowghennell George Grayme second sonne to the Earle of Monteith and Iames Canningham sonne to the Earle of Glencarne All these were to remaine in England during the liues of the Scottish Queene and of the French King her husband together and one yeare more next after his decease if it first happened While this businesse was in hand the Frenchmen being then at the mouth of the water of Leuin in Fife making head to the Scottish Lords descryed eight ships ready to arriue which at the first sight they tooke to bee sent out of France to their succors But when they perceiued that they were English with all possible speed they posted to Leethe forth-with beginning to fortifie the towne The Englishmen hauing cast Ancre in the roade there the Queene Regent sent to Maister Winter the Vice-admirall to know for what cause hee was come thither who dissembling with her for the present answered that hauing beene at the Sea to pursue certaine Pirates and not finding them abroade hoped to haue heard of them there With-in fewe dayes after this the whole Nauie repaired thether vnto him where-with becomming commander ouer the Furthe the Frenchmen were penned vp both at Leethe and in the Iland of Iuskeith so as no victuals could bee brought them by Sea About the beginning of the yeare next following viz. 1560. The English armie consisting of two thousand horsmen and six hundred footmen ouer which the Lord Gray of Wilton was Generall comming to Hadington within Scotland was at the first saluted by the Earle of Arraine the Lord Iames Prior the Maister of Maxwell Sir William Kircawdie Leard of Graunge and diuerse other of the Scottish Nobility attended with three hundred horse After mutuall congratulations the Scottish Lords departed for that night The next day beeing the first of Aprill the Lord Lieutenant accompanied with Sir Iames Croft an assistant vnto him in that charge the Lord Scroope Lord Marshall Sir George Howard generall ouer the men of armes and demie-lances with diuerse Captaines rode to Muskelbrugh Church where the Scottish Duke after some stay intertained them beeing accompanied with his Sonne the Earle of Arraine the Earles of Arguile Glencorne Southerland Montieth and Rothes the Prior of Saint Andrewes the Lord Ruithuen the Lord Ogletree the Lord Boied the Maister of Maxwell the Leard of Ormestone the Master of Lindsey the Bishop of Galloway the Abbot of Saint Colmes-inch the Abbot of Culrose the Leards of Pettierowe Cunningham-head Grange and diuerse other to the number of two huÌ„dred horse After many curteous embracings and kinde salutations they spent two houres togither in Counsell then brake vp and parted for that night The army lay still at Preston from Munday till Satterday beeing the sixt of Aprill to the end that in the meane season the Scottish Lords might make triall once againe whether the Queene Regent who now for her more saftie remained in Edenbrugh Castell would bee drawne to any reasonable conditions of peace to which ende they did write vnto her in manner following VVe haue often heretofore earnestly intreated you both by worde and wryting that it would please you to remoue the French forces which now for the tearme of one yeare more haue many waies intollerablie oppressed the poore and put the whole Nation in feare of a most miserable bondage and thrawldome But when we perceiued that these our iust petitions did preuaile nothing with you wee were then inforced by way of complaint to lay open our pitiful estate vnto our next Neighbour Prince the Queene of England and with teares to craue aide of her to repulse by force of armes if otherwise it cannot bee those strangers that seeke to bring vs vnder their subiection But although shee being mooued with compassion ouer our calamities will vndertake the defence of our cause notwithstanding to the end wee may performe our duties towardes the Mother of our Queene and as much as wee may refraine from the effusion of Christian bloud and then onely to arme our selues when otherwise wee cannot obtaine our right wee held it our partes to beseech you againe and againe that forth-with you will command all the French forces to depart hence For whose more speedie passage the Queene of England will not onelie graunt them safe
holie daies where they were lodged feasted and entertained most louingly There as of themselues they motioned a mariage betweene Prince Edward the Kings Sonne now little more then fiue yeares olde and their young Queene that was borne some fiue or sixe daies before the death of the King her Father promising withall to do there best to bring the same to passe King Henrie gaue them great thankes for their forwardnesse therein and was not onelie contented to set them freelie at libertie but also bestowed large presentes on euery man according to his degree On New-yeares daie they departed from London home-wardes and dined at Enfield where they sawe the young Prince of whome they seemed greatlie to reioyce both in speach and countinance From thence they kept on their iorney till they came into the North-partes where the Duke of Suffolke the Kings Lieutenant staied for their comming with whome they remained till such pledges were come out of Scotland as was before couenanted they should leaue behind them VVith them went also the Earle of Angus who togither with his brother Sir George Dowglas had allowance for their maintenance of King Henrie while they remained in England after their exile the space of fifeteene yeares The Scottish King while hee liued had labored the deliuerance of the Earle who now vpon his returne home was made one of the priuie Counsell amongst other of the Lordes that had beene lately prisoners here by the Earle of Araine Gouernour of the young Queene and of the Realme and next heire to the Crowne according to the custome of that Countrie Shortly after Sir Robert Bowes and some other English prisoners were deliuered by their bandes after the manner of the Marches In March following Sir Ralfe Sadler who died a graue CouÌ„sellor in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth being sent Ambassadour into Scotland came thither some-what before the Parliament His errand was to perswade the Gouernor to giue his consent with the other Lords to the mariage propounded lately by them and that withall a firme peace might be concluded vpon betweene the two Nations These pointes were long debated but in conclusion after that Dauid Beaton Cardinall and Archbishop of â—â—â—nt Andrewes the French factor was remoâ—â—ed from the assemblie generallie yeelded â—nto and confirmed And further pleadges were promised to be sent into England for the better assurance thereof The Ambassador staying still behind to see euerie thing performed according to promise on the behalfe of the Scottish Lordes the Earle of Glencorne Sir George Dowglas Sir William Hamiltone Sir Iames Leirmonth and the Secretarie were sent into England as well to confirme as to report what had beene established by act of Parliament concerning the marriage intended with England These men remained here from the ende of March till the ende of Iulie following in which time the marriage betweene Prince Edward of England and the infant of Scotland was fullie confirmed by wrytings enterchangablie signed and sealed and a peace concluded for ten yeares These things thus passed in the yeare of Lord 1543. The Scottish Marchantes were not a little glad after their long restraint of their free libertie of trafique wherevpon they presently dispatched their shippes to the sea so as in short time neuer a port well-neere in England was without some of them to the exceeding great ioye of both Realmes But this calme lasted not long for now beganne France after their olde fashion to â—â—â—rre vp certaine seditious and dispightfull spâ—â—â—ts which like vnto the curssed spirits of thâ—â—yre breathed out tempestious and boisterous blastes where-with to darken and disturbe the former Sun-shine and quiet season For before the yeares ende thorough the practize of the Cardinall Iohn Hamiltone brother to the Gouernour and Dauid Paynter which two last men of most dissolute conuersation came lately out of France for that purpose the Scottes were so wonderfully wrought that both the Gouernour himselfe and all they that had so lately before vowed themselues and there seruice to King Henry were now againe become wholy French for these reasons First by this mariage it would come to passe as they obiectted that the Scottish Nobolity should grow into contempt being far inferiour in wealth and possessions to the Lords of England and further remoued by habitation from the Kings presence who no doubt would make the most firtill and commdious part of England Southwards the place of his residence ordinarily But that which more nearely touched them was the eminent daunger wherein to Religion would be thereby brought the preseruation whereof they were bound to prefer before either lands or liues that the state whereinto England was persently falne might be a sufficient warning vnto them who already were but ouer much inclined that way for about that time the Gouener had incoraged Frier Guillan openly to preach against Immages and foolish ceremonies giuing liberty that who would might reade the bible in English which about three yeares before was openly read in very Church in England and was the very bane and breake necke of Popery thorowe out the whole Iland As for their promisse made to King Henry they were persuaded ther was no cause why they should sticke at that seeing it was lately decreed in the Counsell of Constance that no couenant or promise how constantly soeuer made ought to bee kept with an heretike such as the Pope had already iudged him to bee The Earle of Casseles onely continued constant though he was attempted both by faire meanes and foule to the contrary for hee hauing two brothers his pleadges in England protested that he would neuer redeeme ether his liberty or life with the losse of them wherefore at his returne into England the King much commended the young gentlemans resolution and in acquitall therfore set both him his brothers at liberty King Henry could not brooke this manner of dealing but resoluing to be fully reuenged he first caused all the shippes of Scotland whereof there were good store to be presently staid till his pleasure was further knowne then proclaming open war he forthwith made preparation to inuade Scotland by land and sea The Queene Mother the regent and the Cardinall beeing all like affected solicited King Francis to minister aide against England But the monie that that was thereupon sent them and deliuered to the Earle of Lenox to bee imployed to that end was by him detayned by reason of some iarres then amongst them-selues which brought him out of fauour with the French King who before had vsed him as a speciall instrument on his side King Henry in the meane season hauing not beene slow in his businesse thought good neuer-the-lesse to make triall whether vpon better aduisements the Scottes would yeelde to some reasonable conditions wherefore he sent his letters to Edenbrough fraught with many iust complaints and bitter threats but all preuailed not wher-vpon proceeding in his former courfe and hauing furnished his Nauie with all things needfull he committed the charge therof to