for the proofe of this pretended Superioritie ouer the Kings of Scotland praeter to vse his owne words veteres fabulas recentes iniurias besides old farlies late iniuries I will not stand vpon the testimonies fetched from beyond the Danish and some of the Saxon Kings because happilie they may seeme not much to the purpose beeing without the compasse of the last conquerors title vnder which the succeeding kings of England must make their claime but let vs see what interest they can deriue from and vnder him It is granted that all the kings of Scotland from the conquest till that time haue done homage one after other to the kings of England but not for the Realme of Scotland say they for what then forsooth for those landes and signories which they held of the kings of England with in England I would then gladly know when in the sixt yeare or there-about of the Conquerors raigne vpon the conclusion of peace betweene him and king Malcolme of Scotland for the auoiding of further controuersie in time to come the two kingdomes were seuered and diuided by markes and bounds in so memorable manner as is before declared what landes and possessions did king Malcolme then hold pertaining to the Crowne of England Cumberland saith Buchanane that part of Northumberland saith an other that lyeth betweene the riuer of Tweed Cumberland and Staenmore well but whatsoeuer they were were they not included and contained within those limits and bounds then erected If not to what purpose serued that notorious diuision of the two kingdomes either then haue the Sootish writers erred in the approbation of that most solemne particion or else must king Malcome then doe homage to the Conqueror for his kingdome of Scotland which being granted then let it bee showed how and when his heires after him were discharged of that seruice Againe how came it to passe that in the said sixt yeare of the raigne of the Conquerour Michael the elect Bishop of Glascoe receaued consecration at the hands of Thomas then the Atchbishop of Yorke as of the primate of Scotland binding himselfe by oath to the obedience of that Sea Tothade the Bishop of Saint Androwes did the like at the commandement of Malcome the third king of Scotland If then a Bishop of England had right to this supremacie ouer the cleargie of Scotland why should then the like preheminence bee denied to the kings of England at that time ouer the seculer state of the same kingdome Further what moued King William of Scotland together with Earle Dauid his brother and the Scotish Lords then present both temporall and spirituall to acknowledge and sweare fealtie to King Henry the second forsooth because his subiects loued him so well that for his redemption they would haue yeelded to any conditions whatsoeuer As though king Henry was so vnreasonable that contrary to the custome of all nations he would not accept of any other submissioÌ„ but that he should be the first king of ScotlaÌ„d that became his vassaile when was it euer heard before that kings haue so dealt one with another as though an vsuall ransome yea a very small sum seeing he was taken with the losse of little bloud or none at all would haue bin refused for his liberty I doubt much whether the Lords of Scotland would euer haue yeelded to an exacted subiection for the loue onely of their king especially hauing then amongst them the Lord Dauid a man of so worthy parts as he was no way inferiour to his brother Lastly what mooued king Alexander the third and his Lords to acknowledge the like allegiance to King Henry the third the two kingdomes being seperated in manner as at the agreement betweene the Conqueror and Malcolm Cammoir Therefore these are friuolous shifts because they will not seeme altogether mute in a matter so much importing as they take it the glory of their Nation But howsoeuer some others amongst them haue beene ouer-come with ouer vehement an affection towards their natiue countrie whereby many times they haue suppressed the trueth when it sounded somewhat too harshe for their hearing yet I cannot but maruell at Buchanan a man well learned and iudicious how hee could be drawne into so peruerse a conceit of King Edwards demeanure in this action Where-vnto it is now time to returne hoping a time will come when as this difference shall not be offensiue any more The King of England about Easter next according to his appointment repaired inâ—o the North-parts and beeing come to Norham hee caused all the Prelates and Barons of Scotland to bee called before him to whom he declared his readinesse to vnder-take the deciding of this great controuersie concerning a title to a kingdome That in requiring his assistance and making offer to stand to his finall sentence therein they had done no more then by the duty of their allegiance they were bound vnto whereof if any amongst them doubted they might be thorowly satisfied by taking a view of such records and obseruations as hee caused faithfully to bee gathered out of the best Historiographers of both Nations which then were openly read amongst them which being so fresh in memory no man made further question thereof Wherevpon King Edâ—ard was acknowledged Superior Lord of Scotland of all the competitours and a writing was drawne subscribed and confirmed with their hands and feales testifying this their voluntarie recognition in these words A toux iceulx qui ceste presente lettre verrunt ou orrunt c. To all them that this present writing shall see or heare Florence Earle of Holland Robert le Bruce Lord of Auuandale Iohn Cumine Lord of Badenowe Patrike de Dunbarre Earle of Marche Iohn de Balliol Lord of Galloway Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergeuennie Iohn de Vescie insteed of his Father Nicholas de Sules and Walter Rosse send greeting in our Lord. Whereas all we pretend to haue right to the kingdome of Scotland and intend to declare chalenge and proue the fame before him that hath the best authoritie iurisdiction and reason to examine our right and that the noble Prince the Lord Edward by the grace of God King of England by good and sufficient reasons hath informed vs that the superior domination of Scotland belongeth to him and that hee ought to haue the knowledge hearing examining and defyning of our right we of our free-willes without all violence and constraint do will consent and grant to receiue our right before him as the superiour Lord of our land We will also and promise that we shall haue and hold his deed for firme and stable and that hee shall haue the kingdome vnto whom before him best right shall giue the same In witnesse whereof we haue to these letters put our seales Yeuen at Norham the Tuesday next after the feast of the Ascension of our Lord in the yeare 1291. for the more strong ratification hereof the King further demanded full possession and seisure of the realme of
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
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
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
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
Earles he gaue Earledomes to Barons Baronies and to others according to their degrees About the beginning of the next yeare he returned to London He was no sooner out off Scotland with his army but presently there was a new Viceroy set vp one of the Cumines who began to raise new stirs there amongst some other they tooke the Castle of Striueling But vnderstanding that king Edward was gathering new forces wherewith to enter into Scotland againe they began to consult what was best to be done not only for the preuēting of his presēt approch but especially for the recouery of the kingdome which was now in great danger by cōquest to be annexed to the Crowne of Engl In the end they resolued with all speed to procure an abstinence from war to the intent that in the meane season the might labor Pope Boniface to take vpon him the protection of the realme of Scotland thereby to auoid shake off al maner of subiection to the king of England for the Pope had lately before so far preuailed alreadie with king Edward as that at his intreaty Iohn Balliol was committed to the custodie of the Bishop of Cambray who vndertooke in the Popes behalfe that his liberty should not preiudice the quiet estate of either nation Engl or Scotland According to this their resolution the lords of Scotl procured Philip de Valois the French king to effect this their desired truce which was granted for eleuen months to Whitsontide following beeing the more easilie cōpassed by him by reasō king Edward had lately before married his sister Hereupon for this time the army was dissolued being euen ready to haue entred into Scotlād In the meane time the Scotish lords sent Ambassadors to Rome presēting to the Pope a grieuous complaint of the proceedings of king Edward That hee was fully bent to make a conquest of their country vnlesse it would please his Holines by the vertue of his prerogatiue in such cases to cōpound order all differences as wel amongst thēselues as also betweene the king of Engl and them at his will and pleasure wherunto they would willingly submit themselues The Pope gaue eare to their petition hoping to gaine somthing by the bargaine for with him no peny no Pater noster And first he began to quarrel with king Edward because he would not at his intreatie restore vnto Edward Balliol those landes in England which descended vpon him by the death of Iohn Balliol his father now latelie deceassed Then he forbad him from thence-forth to make war with the Scots because they had submitted themselues to the protection of the Sea Apostolicall in whose power it now only rested to dispose of their kingdome as seemed best to the same And by way of preuention he further declared that al such homage fealtie as the kings of Scotland in former times had done to the kings of England was onely for Tiuidale Penreth and such other Lands as they held within England and not for the realme of Scotland as hee would haue it Lastly whereas the kings of Scotland had some-times serued the kings of England in their warres both at home and abroade and had bin sondry times present at their coronations al this proceeded of their voluntary accord and especial fauor towards them by reason of their neerenesse in bloud and not as he tooke it of any duty binding them thereto King Edward in his answere herevnto proued by euident reasons that the right of Superiority and command ouer the realme of Scotland did iustlie belong vnto him and that the allegations made to the contrarie were vaine and frivolous Besides the kings letters the Nobility also of the realme being now assēbled in Parliament at Lincolne ioyned in the framing of an other letter answering in the name of the three estates vnto that poynt of the Popes pretended right to intermeddle in the cause betweene the king their maister and the Lords of Scotland that it was neuer before knowne that the kings of England had answered or of right ought to answere for any thing they clamed before any iudge ecclesiasticall or seculer yea though the king would therevnto yeald yet wold they neuer giue their consentes vnto it seeing it would so much preiudice his dignity royall and the ancient customes and priuileges of the realme This letter bare date the twelft of February in the yeare of grace 1301. and was signed vnder the hands and seales of these Noblemen whose names follow viz. Iohn Earle Warren Thomas Earle of Lancaster Ralfe de Monthermer Earle of Glocester Herford Humfrey de Bohum Earle of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England Roger Bigod Earle of Norfolke Marshall of England Guie Earle of Warwick Richard Earle of Arundel Audomar de valence lord of Monterney Henry de Lancaster Lord of Monmouth Iohn de Hastings Lord of Bergeuenny Henry de Percy Lord of Topeliffe Edmond de Mortimer Lord of Wigmor Robert fitzwater Lord of Woodham Iohn de Saint Iohn Lord of Hannake Hugh de veer Lord of Swanestampe William de Brewse Lord of Gower Robert de Mounthault Lord of Hewarden Robert de Tateshal Lord of Wokeham Reignald de Grey Lord of Ruthin Henry de Gray Lord of Codnore Hugh Bardalfe Lord of Wormegaie Robert de Clifforde Chatellaine of Appleby Peter de Malow Lord of Mulgreene Philip Lord of Kine Robert Fitz Roger Lord of Claueringes Ioh. de Mohun Lo. of Dunester Almerick de S. Amonde Lord of Widehay Williā de Ferrers Lo. of Groby Alaine de Zouche Lo. of Asby Theobalde de Vernon Lo. of Webbeley Tho. de Furniuall Lo. of Schefield Tho. de Moulton Lo. of Egremont William Latimer Lo. of Corbie Tho. Lord Berkeley Foulke Fitzwarren Lo. of Mitingham Iohn Lo. Seagraue Edmond de Enicourt Lo. of Thurgerton Peter Corbet Lord of Cans William de Cantelow Lord of Rauensthorpe Iohn de Beauchampe Lo. of Hacchie Roger de Mortimere Lo. of Penkethlin Iohn Fitz Reinald Lord of Blenleuenie Ralfe de Neuell Lord of Rabie Brian Fitz-Alaine Lo. of Bedale William Marshall Lord of Heugham Walter Lo. Huntercombe Williā Martin Lo. of Camies Henrie de Thies Lord of Chilton Roger de Ware Lo. of Isefield Iohn de Riuers Lo. of Augre Iohn de Lancaster Lo. of Grisedale Robert Fitz-Paine Lo of Lumnier Henry Tregoz Lord of Garings Robert Pipard Lo. of Lomford Walter Lord Faucomberg Roger le Strange Lord of Ellesmere Iohn le Strange Lo. of Cuokin Tho. de Chances Lo. of Norton Water de Beauchampe lor. of Alecester Rich. Talbot lor. of Eccleswell Iohn Butetourt lord of Mendesham Iohn Eugain lor. of Colum Hugh de Poynes lor. of Corneualet Adam lord of Welles Simond lord Montacute Iohn lord Sulle Iohn de Moells lord of Candeburie Edmond Baron Stafford Iohn Louell lord of Hackings Edmond lor. of Elchimhonocks Ralfe Fitz-William lo. of Grimthope Robert de Scales lor. of Neusells William Tuchet lo. of Lewenhales Iohn Abadan lor. of Deuerstone Iohn de Hatterings lor. of Graston Robert
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
thirteenth day of the same mōth wherein was slaine nowe and the night before besides the Regent himselfe Robert Bruse Earle of Carricke William Haie Constable and Robert Keithe Marshall of Scotland with diuerse other Lords and Leardes of good account in the whole to the number of aboue fiue thousand Hereupon diuerse of the Scottish Nobility submytting themselues to Balliol hee was forthwith proclamed and on the 25. day of this present month of August crowned King of Scotland in the yeare of our Lord GOD 1332. This his fortunate successe hauing within lesse then a month attayned a Kingdome greatlie daunted the aduerse partie who presently thereupon conuaied the young king together with his wife for their more safty into France hoping that by the helpe of Philip the French king his fathers especiall friend while he liued he should one day inioy his kingdome which for the present was thus vsurped by his aduersarie To which end his fauoreres in the meane time neuer ceased to oppose themselues against Balliol in so much as in December following they droue him out of Scotland forceing him to with-drawe himselfe into Westmerland where hee was honorablie entertayned of the Lord Clifford in requitall whereof hee promised that when hee was once established in his Kingdome hee would giue him Dowglasse-daile in as ample manner as his Ancestour had the same of the gift of King Edward the first which afterwardes hee performed accordinglie Balliol hauing renewed his forces in England about the beginning of the next yeare though King Edward would not openlie shewe himselfe a partie therein layed siedge to the towne of Berwike at which time the Brusian Scottes entred into Gelsland by the West Marches wasting the Countrie where they passed along The King of England being aduertised therof-thought himselfe sufficiently discharged there by of his promise passed aforetime to young Bruse but hee might better haue pleaded his nonage at the making thereof and therefore tooke it to bee nowe lawfull enough openlie to aide his Cousin Balliol in the recouerie of his pretended title to the Crowne of Scotland It is not to bee doubted but King Edward would not in this case haue preferred Balliol before Bruse who besides that hee had married his Sister was also in bloud nearer vnto him then the other had hee not hoped as it came to passe to take vp the controuersie betweene them to his owne aduantage Hauing therefore assembled a strong army hee came therewith to the siedge of Berwicke together with his brother Iohn of Eltham Earle of Cornewall and gaue assault to the same both by Land and sea The towne after it had beene besiedged about three monthes was not able longer to hold out which beeing well knowne to Archibald Dowglasse the new elected gouernour and head of the Brusian faction hee approched the assailants with all the power hee could make resoluing with himselfe against the aduice of the better experienced to try it out by dint of sword with out any more stay Being come within the view both of his friends and foes he imbattayled his army in three companies on a hill directly ouer against the English host which had the like aduantage of ground also After some pause the armies on both sides descended one towards the other At the first incounter the Englishmen of purpose giuing ground the Scottes pursued them so egarlie as that by recouering their former aduantage they did beate them downe-right before them so that what in fight and slight the slaughter was very great For besides their generall three valiant Gentlemen the Sonnes of Walter Steward Vncles to him that succeeded the Brusian linage in Scotland the Earles of Rosse Southerland and Carrike Andrewe Iames and Simon Frasier all well neere of the better sort to the number of aboue foure hundred were slaine in the battaile but of the common souldiers not so fewe as fourteene thousand This bloudie battaile was fought at Halidon hill besides Berwike on Mary Magdalines day in the yeare of our Lord 1333. Immediatly vpon this ouerthrowe Alexander Seaton and Patrike Dumbar despayring of any succour yeelded vp the towne and Castle to king Edward life and goods only reserued and binding themselues by oth thence-forth to become his true subiects Patrike Dūbar was further inioyned to re-edifie the Castell of Dumbar at his owne charge hauing latelie before throwne it downe because hee was vnable to defend it against the Englishmen readie to assault the same VVhat credit is here to be giuen to Hector Boetius charging King Edward to haue vniustlie executed two Sonnes of Sir Alexander Seatons the one a pleadge the other a prisonner because hee would not yeelde vp the towne at the approach of the gouernour I leaue it to the consideration of the indifferent reader For mine owne part I cannot but hold him much suspected his report alone carrying so little showe of truth for as it seemeth by the Scottish Cronicle Patrike Dumbar had as great a commaunde in Berwike as the other whose consent alone could not haue effected King Edwards desire so as hee might haue laied the fault vpon his companion and fellowe Comissioner in the gouernment of the towne and thereby haue iustly excused himselfe neither surely would hee haue brooked so great an iniurie at the kings hands much lesse euer haue acknowledged and continewed his sworne allegiance vnto him if hee had had the least sparke of that spirit wherewith Buchanan feyneth his wife to be possessed vpon that occasion The King of England after this his first and fortunate battaile in Scotland leauing sufficient forces behinde him with the Lord Richard Tailbote wherwith to aide Balliol in the pursute of this warre returned home-wards Balliol being thus strengthned passed at his pleasure thorough Scotland placing Englishmen and others his partakers in garrison in the greater number of the Castells fortresses of that Realme and in a Parliament called at Perthe in September following hee was further confirmed King of Scotland diuerse of the Scottish Nobility there assembled binding themselues by othes to continew his loyall and faithfull subiects Hereat hee repealed all such actes and graunts which Robert Bruse late King of Scotland had ratified for the disposing of the Lands and possessions of sundry Scottish Lords at his pleasure which were now restored to their former possessors acknowledging their allegiance and homages vnto him for the same After the purification of the Virgine Mary King Edward repayred to Yorke where Balliol by appoyntment should haue met him to haue don homage and fealty vnto him but because he feared to be surprised in his passage by his aduersaries hee sent his excuse by the Lord Henry Beumont and the Lord William de Montaigne The king therefore passing further Northwards held his VVhitsontide at Newcastell vpon Tine with great royaltie whether the Scottish king repayred and there did homage vnto king Edward for the Realme of Scotland and also sweare fealtie vnto him as to the superior Lord ouer the same
those fiue shippes were by some stratagē deceaued by the said Andrew for howsoeuer afterwards hee was drawne from that side it was not vnknowne to the Englishmen that the Scottish King while hee liued reposed such trust in him as that he was made Generall ouer his nauie and consequentlie a pertaker of their owne fortunes beeing all come thyther to assist the Scottish king But bee it as it may bee I must needes commend the young Prince of Scotland for returning home Bull and his companions without ransome or rebuke who in the latter conflict with Wood contended more for glory then vpon hope of gaine to be gotten therby For the tearme of 7. yeares from the death of Iames the third while the truce betweene the two Nations continewed peace was embraced on both sides In the meane time it was deuised by the Ladie Margaret Duchesse of Burgoigne who greatly enuied the prosperity of king Henry onely because he was descended of the Lancastrian family an ancient enemy to her line that one Peter Marbecke borne at Tornay of base parentage but by her trained vp and instructed for that purpose should take vpon him the person of Richard Duke of Yorke second Sonne to her brother king Edward the fourth who togither with his brother were murthered in the Towre as before I haue showed This ioylie youth hauing first assaied what entertainment hee might finde in Ireland and France which fell not out to his liking transported himselfe at length into Scotland hoping there by reason of the want of experience in the young king Iames the fourth and the too great forwardnesse of his people to quarrell with England to finde that Nation more pliable to his designments which came to passe accordingly For hauing first priuatlie to the king and after that in a publique assemblie made knowne what person he pretended to be and with all the skill he had allured both Prince and people to a commiseration of his misfortunes whether it were that they were mooued by an ouer-light beliefe in pitie or a counterfeit credulity in policie his complaint so much preuailed with the greater number that it was held a matter of great reproche not to ioyne with him in the attaining of the Crowne of England where-vnto hee pretended so iust a title Forth-with king Iames caused him to bee called the Duke of Yorke And for a further fauour to giue him the more courage and his cause the more credit hee gaue him in mariage the Lady Katherine Gordon Daughter to Alexander Earle of Huntley his nigh kinsman whose beauty better beseemed her birth then such a Bride-groome King Iames hauing prepared all things fit for the enterprice entred into Northumberland causing proclamation to be made that he would fauor all those that would submit themselues to this new created Duke but finding none that would follow or acknowledge any such mā the Scots committed all to the furie of fire and sword Hereby hauing well neere wasted the whole countrey they returned home inriched with many good booties before an armie could be made ready to incounter them King Henry being not a little moued purposed the next spring to be reuenged but euen as the army was marching towards Scotland vnder the conduct of the Lord Daubiney it was sodenly called backe againe by occasion of a commotion begun by the Cornish-men so as for that time the intended iourney was preuented King Iames hauing his Armie also in readinesse ouer-slipped not the opportunitie but while king Henry was busied about the suppressing of this rebellion in the West parts hee inuaded his dominions on the North. For deuiding his Armie he himselfe with a part thereof besiedged the Castell of Norham while the rest forrayed the countrie there-about Richard Fox Bishop of Durham to whome the Castle appertained aduertising king Henry hereof the Earle of Surrie that was then in readinesse vpon any occasion offered to be imployed was commanded with all speed to relieue the same His whole armie was little lesse then twentie thousand men besides the preparation at Sea whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall The Earle was accompanied with diuerse Lords and Gentlemen of the North amongst whom I finde these following appointed chiefe Leaders and Commanders namely Ralph earle of Westmerland Thomas Lord Dacres Ralph Lord Neuille George Lord Strange Richard Lord Latimer George Lord Lumley Iohn Lord Scroope Henry Lord Clifford George Lord Ogle William Lord Conniers Thomas Lord Darcie Thomas Baron of Hilton Sir William Percie Sir William Bulmere Sir William Gascoigne Sir Ralph Bigod Sir Ralph Bowes Sir Thomas Aparrie Sir Ralph Caldercarre Sir Iohn Constable Sir Iohn Ratcliffe Sir Iohn Sauille Sir Thom Stranguisse Thus was king Henry set on worke at home as well by his owne subiects on the one side as by the Scottes on the other But hee did so warily foresee all dangers that he easily preuented the malice of them both For the Cornishmen were defeited at the battaile of Black-heath-field and the Scottes at the approach of the Earle gaue ouer the siedge and returned home as lightly laden as when they came thence The Armie beeing come by this time within two dayes marche of the enimies made all the hast that could bee to haue ouer-taken them but seeing they would not abide the Englishmen made what spoile they could within Scotland where hauing taken their pleasures for the space of sixe or seauen dayes they returned to Berwicke with-out any shew of resistance although that at the taking of the Castell of Hayton it is said the Scottish Armie was within one mile of the Englishmen Thus was king Henrie sufficiently reuenged on the Scottes that were so ready to take part with Perkin the counterfeit Duke of Yorke who now had apparently enough shewed himselfe to the world as that which followed shortly after shewed For vpon a treatie of truce betweene the two Nations vndertaken and effected by Peter Hiolas an Ambassadour of Spaine king Iames was contented for the furtherance thereof to send the other Peter packing out of Scotland to seeke new intertainement some-where else where he was not so well knowne But this aduenturous Gallant once againe attempting to trie some maisteries here in England was vtterly forsaken of all his adherents where-vpon for his more safetie he committed his person first to Sanctuary and from thence submitted him-selfe to the Kings mercy who appointed a gard to attend him from whom escaping hee was recouered and committed to the Towre of London where practising an escape hee was finally for his seuerall offences executed at Tyburne as hee well deserued The poore Lady his vnfortunate wife being in the meane time taken and presented to the King his Maiestie tooke such compassion on her pitifull estate that hee gaue order shee should bee carefully conuayed to the Queene his wife of whome shee was courteouslie intertained and remained in the English Court a long time after in good estimation King Iames well foreseeing what benefit it would be
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
the Earle of Hertford Sir Iohn Dudley Lord Lisle high Admirall of England and the Earle of Shrewsbury accompanied with the Lord Cobham Clinton Coniers Sturton the Lord William Howard with many valiant Knights and Gentlemen The whole Nauy consisted of two hundred shippes and in them some ten thousand men of warre Loasing from New-Castell and entring the Scottish Sea betweene the two Ilands the Basse and the Maye The next day they passed vp the Firthe being the fourth of Maye landing the whole Armie at New-hauen two miles aboue Leith The Lord Admirall lead the fore-ward the Lord Lieutenant the maine battaile the Earle of Shrewesburie the rere-ward The Lord Gouernor being then at Edenbrough accompaned with the Cardinal the Earle of Huntley Arguile Bothwel and others with some sixe thousand horsemen and footemen purposed to inpeach their passage At the first they made showe to set vpoÌ„ the vantgard but being assayled by fiue hundred harquebutters and shroudly galled after a light skirmish they made a sodaine retraite but with such speed as they leaft their artillary behind them The Scottes returned to Edenbrugh and the Englishmen kept their course to Lieth entring the towne without any great resistance they lodged therein that night to their best aduantage The next day they landed their victuals and great artillary Hither the Lord Gouerner sent Adam Otterburne prouost of Edenbrugh with two of the baylifes to know of the Earle of Hertford the cause of his coming offering that what wrong soeuer the Engleshmen had receaued of them should be satisfied to their full contentment and that vpon those tearmes he would gladly receaue him into the towne The Earle answered that he had no commission to treat of peace but he was sent thither to take reuenge on those that had falsified their faith vnto the King his maister and therefore purposed to visit there towne in such manner as happily they would nor like of and soche bad him tel the Gouerner Vpon the returne of this answere the Gouernour taking order for the defence of the Castell departed immediately to Sterling The sixt of May the army marched towards Edenbrugh at the approch whereof the Prouost accompanied with one or two Burgesses and some officers of armes desired to speake with the lieutenant being brought to his presence he offered vnto him the keies of the towne on condition that the inhabitants might safely passe out with bag and bagage the buildings preserued from fire Answere was made that he was sent thither to take reueng as before and therfore vnlesse they would yeeld vp the towne simply without conditioÌ„ cause Men Women ChildreÌ„ to issue forth into the fields submit themselues to his will pleasure he would proceed against them with all extremity The Prouost replied that they would rather stand to their defence so departed The Englishmen comming to the Cow-gate beat it open with their great ordinance entred and slewe diuerse that made resistance forth-with the great ordinance was drawn vp the high street within reach of the shot from the Castell so as a culluering was dismounted and the English forced to retire not with out some losse of men night drawing on they departed to there camp at Leith for three dayes following they continewed firing the towne and consumed a great part there-of In the meane season foure thousand light horse-men were brought by land as was appointed from the Borders by the Lord Eeuers who ioyning with the armie at Leith did such exploits that well neere they left neither pile village nor house vnburned within seuen miles of Edenbrough besides the spoile pillage and droues of Cattell that was euery daye brought to the Campe. Hauing thus wrought their wills there-about they shipped their Artillarie and booties carried away such ships as they found in the Hauen of which the principall were the Salamander giuen by the French King at the mariage of his Daughter and the other called the Vnicorne made by the last king These two were ballanced with Cannon shot which was found in the towne to the number of foure-score thousand peeces the rest as well Scottish as English for the more part were loden with the spoile and booties belonging to the common souldiers and mariners On the fifteenth day of this month both the army by land and the fleet departed from Lieth in one houre leauing the towne on fire which was burned to the ground The armie returning home-wards encamped that night at Seaton seauen miles from Lieth where they burned the Castell and for more dispight destroyed the gardens and Orchards because the Lord Seaton owner of the same had beene the Cardinals best friend when hee was in prison The next night they incamped besides Dunbar where they had an alarme giuen them In the morning they burned the towne and marching forwards they were somewhat staied in the way by reason of a grose foggie mist and a report that the Lord Seaton and the Lord Hume had assembled a powre where-with to empeach their passage at a strait called the Pease But when the day cleared about two of the clocke in the after-noone the armie setting forward passed the straite without shew of enemie that would not abide their comming That night the armie lodged at Rantton 8. miles from the borders from whence the next day being the 28. of May they came to Berwick hauing lost in all this iorney not aboue forty persons for which happy successe they rendred thanks to almighty God the giuer of all victorie The names of the chiefe townes castels buildings burned and ouer-throwne in this voyage are as followeth Edenbrough the Abbay and the Kings housc Cragmiller and Castell Preston and the Castell Sengclers Castell Lawresson the Grange Markley Wester-grange Enderliegh Broughton Chester-field Craton-end Dudistone Skam house The Ficket Beuerton Tranent Shenstone Saint Minees Petinwames part Lieth the Hauen Pile New Bottle Abbay Musselbrough some part Hadington Frieries Dumbar Drilawe Trapren Kirkland hill Hatherwike Belton East Barnes Bowcland Butlerden Quickwood Blackburne Ranton Bildie All Knikorne The Queenes Ferrie The brent Iland The fiue lowest were burned by the fleet at sea for while the armie lay at Leethe the ships were not idle but scouring the riuer vp and downe on both sides well neere as high as Sterling aboue fiftie miles from the maine sea they made what spoile they could of what-so-euer fell in their way while the Earle lay at Leethe he made these knights whose names follow The Lord Clinton The Lord Coniers Sir William Wroughton Sir Thomas Holcroft Sir Edward Dorrell Sir Iohn Luttrell Sir Iohn Ienins Sir Thomas Waterton Sir Charles Howard Sir George Blant Sir Peter Mewtas Sir Edward Warner Sir Ralfe â—ulmer Sir Hugh Cholmeley Sir Thomas Lee. Sir Richard Leigh Sir Iohn Leigh Sir Lawrence Smith Sir William Vauasour Sir Richard Shirburne Sir Robert Stapleton Sir Thomas Holt. Sir William Dauenport Sir Ralphe Leycester Sir Humfrey Bradborne Sir Thomas Maliuerie Sir
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
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
successe of his interprices to the title and dignity of the viceroye of Scotland For hauing assembled a great number of his Countrimen of like qualitie vnto himselfe hee set vpon the English forces beating them to their holdes and recouering into his possession all the places of strength which they held on the further side of the frith of Edenborugh The report hereof being brought into England the Earle of Surrie was succored with newe supplie of Souldiours from thence with whome hee passed against the enemies then incamped on the further side of the frith The Earle together with the Lord Hugh Cressingham beeing come with their armie to Striueling bridge where they were to passe ouer vnto them after that the greater number conducted by the Lord Cressingham were on the further side the bridge beeing but of wood brake asonder so as the residue of the army could not follow their fellowes Walleis taking the aduantage set vpon the Englishmen on that side before they could bee brought into any good order of battaile by which meanes beeing ouerpressed also with multitude they were well-nere all to the number of sixe thousand men togeather with their Captaine slaine or drowned in the riuer This misfortune happened to the Englishmen about the middest of September in the yeare of our Lord God 1297. The Earle bestowing his companies there where was most need returned into England with all speed But Wallais following his good fortune left nothing vnattempted that might augment his glorie and renowne For immediatly there-vpon hee inuaded Northumberland from whence passing thorow the Forrest of Inglewood Cumberland and Alerdaile till hee came vnto Dewent at Cockermouth wasting and spoiling all in his walke but comming to New-castle the Towne was so well defended that giuing ouer the siege and hauing deuided the spoile amongst his peogle they returned home in the Calends of Februarie next following While the Scottes thus ranged at their pleasure in the East Marches the lord Clifford with the power of Carliele entred into Annandale committing all to the spoile of their foot-men The Horse-men being not aboue an hundred gaue a charge vpon the enimie neere to Annand Kirke droue them into a Marish wherein the English foot-men being not farre behinde assailing them slew about three hundred and tooke the rest prisoners with whome they returned home on Christmasse euen About the beginning of the next Spring the Earle of Surrey lord warden of Scotland desirous to bee reuenged on the rebellious Scots assembled his Armie at Yorke hauing first summoned the lords of Scotland to meete him there at an appointed day But they in the meane time ioyning with Wallais had besieged the Castell of Roxbrough The Earle hearing thereof hasted thither with all speede but Wallais with his adherents would not abide his approach Then hauing relieued that Castell with victuals and other necessaries he passed forth to Kelsay and from thence to Berwicke which the enimie had lately desolated the Castell onely excepted Hither came letters from the King shewing that he had taken truce with the French King and commanding the lord warden of Scotland to make no further attempt then to defend the frontiers of England vntill his comming ouer which should bee very shortly Here-vpon a great part of the armie was sent home such onely remained which might suffice for the re-manning of the towne and castell K. Edward at his returne home gaue summons to the lords of ScotlaÌ„d to attend him at Yorke where hee had appointed to hold a Parliament but because they made default of their appearaÌ„ce at the prefixed day he forthwith sent out his letters to warne all his subiects able to beare armor to be ready furnished at Roxburgh on Midsomer day following which being come thither repaired about 3000. men of Armes mounted on barbed horses besides 4000. light hors-men and a great number of footmen the better part Welchmen Irishmen The whole armie beeing come within Scotland to a place called Fonkerke about foure miles from Sterling where the Scots lay was deuided into three battailes The formost was leade by the Earles Marshall Hereford and Lincolne The second by the Bishop of Durham a martiall prelate The rereward was conducted by the king himself In like manner the Scotish army was deuided into three The first was lead by Iohn Cumine the second by Ioh. Steward And the third by the valiant Captaine William Wallais the whole consisted of some thirtie thousand men well and strongly apoynted At the first incounter the Scotish horsemen were put to flight some fewe only excepted that kept the footmen in order the second battaile being assailed by the Englishmen both before and behind after some small resistance was also wholy ouerâ—hrowne fewe or none escaping with life Wallais hauing manfully maintained the fight while hee was able to make resistance and now seeing himselfe ouercharged a front and Bruce at his backe who serued that day on the English part readie to intrap him hee thought it best to saue himselfe in as good sort as hee could and therefore retyring with those few that remayned to the further side of the riuer Carront he so escaped After this ouerthrowe hee neuer appeared any more in the field but greeuously complayning of the enuy and malice which the Scotish Nobility bare towards him hee renounced al the authority committed vnto him and withdrew himselfe to his accustomed solitarinesse About seauen years after this he was betraied by one of his most familier friendes sent into England arrained and condemned of treason and for the same executed his head was set on London bridge and his foure quarters bestowed vpon the gates of the chiefe Cities and townes of England and Scotland The Scotish writers do hieghly commend the notable courage and resolution of this man who alone would neuer be won by faire means or fowle to yeald him selfe to the enemies as he tooke it of his countries liberty but still to his power defended the same by all means that possibly hee could deuise This blouddy battaile was fought on Mary Magdelens day in the yeare of our redemption 1298. Whereat was slaine Iohn Steward brother to the Lord Steward Macduff Earle of fife the valiant knight Saint Iohn Graiham besids many other of good reckning in the whole to the number of 1500. at the least with very smal losse or none at all to speake of of the English party This victory thus atcheiued the English army marched forwards to the towne of S. Andrewes from thence thorow Selkerke forest to the Castel of Aire but no-where they found resistance then comming to the towne of Anuan they tooke the Castel of Lochmaben and so returned into England by the West marches In this iorney diuerse of the Scotish Nobilitie others vpon huÌ„ble submission were againe receiued into fauour While king Edward remained at Carliele he called a Parlament wherat he bestowed lands and possessions within Scotland on the Noblemen of England that attended on him vnto
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
sea to Berwicke Of the Nobilitie of England were slaine Gilbert Earle of Glocester Robert Lord Clifford the Lord Giles Argentine whose death Bruse much lamented for the great loue that was betweene thē afore-time in England the Lord Panie Tiptost the Lord William Marshall the Lord Reginold Damiecourt the Lord Edmond de Manley the kings Steward with other to the number of forty two Of knights threescore and seuen The Earle of Hereford the Lord Iohn Seagraue and others to the number of two and twentie men of name were taken prisoners Of the Scots were slaine about foure thousand amongst whom Sir William Weapont and Sir Walter Ros were the principall men of account This was the most notable victorie that euer the Scots had ouer the Englishmen which came to passe only by the misguiding and want of experience in their leaders and captaines presuming ouer much of their aduantage in number furniture of weapons neither were they so circumspect as it behoued them to be in the discouery of aduātage or disaduantage which the plot of ground where the battel was fought might afford to the one side more then to the other For they might haue coniectured euen by Bruse his abiding in the field with so small a power against so great a puissance being of Englishmē more then two to one Scot that he relied more vpon the successe of his hidden deceipts then of his owne strength This battell was fought on Midsummer day in the yeare 1314. Here-upon Striueling Castle was rendred vp Bruse his wife was vpon exchange sent home hauing beene in England about eight yeares After Bruse had thus fortunatlie recouered his kingdome he was by generall consent of his subiects confirmed and established in the same The Crowne was intailed vpon the heyres Males of his bodie lawfully begotten and for want of such issue to remaine to his brother Edward Bruse and the Heyres Males of his bodie and for default thereof the same should descend vpon the Ladie Margery the Kings eldest daughter whome onelie hee begat on his first wife sister to the Earle of Mar. Which Lady by the aduice of his Noblemen was bestowed in marriage on Walter high Steward of Scotland on whose posteritie the Crowne shortlie after descended and in the same familie continueth till this day taking that surname of the office which theyr Ancestors bare and was first bestowed on Walter the sonne of Fleance by King Malcolme Cammore for his notable seruice against the Rebelles of Galloway What thorough the losse of so many mens liues and the domage which our Nation susteyned at this last battell and the great dearth and death of man and beast that thorough the vnseasonable state of those times continued for the space of three yeares after small resistance or none at all was made against the Scots who taking the benefit of this aduantage ceassed not exceedinglie to annoye and trouble the Realme by their continuall incursions Hereof Pope Iohn the 22. taking compassion at the Kings sute sent ouer two Cardinalles Gancellino his Chancellor and Lucas de Frisco to mediate a peace betweene the two Nations But king Robert held it yet out of season to hearken thereunto hauing as he tooke it not sufficiently beene satisfied for his former losses and displeasures Whereupon these iollie Chaplaines proceeded against him with all extremitie denouncing him and all his fautors accursed and putting his kingdome whereof they accounted him but a vsurper vnder interdiction But all these bumbaced skarre-crowes nothing abated king Roberts corage who still following his good hap while the time best serued for it held on his former course so eagerlie as that in short time hee recouered the Castles and townes of Harbottle Warke Medford and Berwicke which last it is said was betrayed by Peter Spalding the Gouernor hauing remained English one and twenty yeares together Neither would king Robert limit his kingdome by the ancient boundes but inlarged the same euen vnto New-castle vpon Tine At this time also the Scots obtained diuers victories in Ireland thorough the manhood of Edward Bruse their kings brother who neuerthelesse in the end was slaine in battell and aboue fiue thousand Scots with him His head was brought ouer and presented to king Edward by Iohn Birmingha◠for the which good seruice now and at 〈◊〉 other times in Ireland the king gaue him the Earledome of Lowth to him his heyres Males and the Baronie of Athird to him and his heires generally of his body begotten The realme of England now being somewhat recouered of the hard estate it stood in the last three yeares King Edward was desirous to make triall if happily he might rubbe out the blemish of the late blowe receiued of his enemies in Scotland Hauing therefore assembled his Armie at Yorke who for the more patt were handy-crafts men and Artificers passing from thence he layde siege to Berwicke The Scottes in the meane time vnder the conduct of Thomas Randolph entring England on the other side put all to fire and sword little resistance being made against them for those countries lay well neere desolate since their inuasion the yeare before The Archbishop of Yorke could not indure the enimies approach so neere him being now come within two or three dayes marche of the Citie and therefore assembling such people as for the present hee could get men that were readiest at his command hee aduentured like a bold Champion to encounter the Scots of whom ouer-late he learned this lesson Ne sutor vltra crepidam For the greater number of these gallants some two thousand were knockt downe before they saw their enimies who by setting certaine Haystackes on fire and taking the winde of them were vpon them ere they knew what it meant The Archbishop and the Bishop of Elye Lord Chancellor with the Abbot of Selby escaped by flight but Nicholas Fleming the Maire of Yorke that stucke better to it was slaine This hapned on the 12 of October 1319. at a place called Mitton vpon Swaile And because this armie consisted most of Surplisse men it was in derision called the white battaile but most of them found it a black daie King Edward feareing least the Scotts intended some further mischiefe brake vp his siege and returned to Yorke where vnderstanding that the enemy was with-drawne home-ward he likewise tooke his way towards London The next yeare passed ouer without any stirring on either side the rather because the two Kings were disquieted at home by their owne subiects In the meane time at the procurement of King Edward the Pope sent hyther his leaden bulles which aduantaged him their weight in gold for hee is the best alchimist in Europe to the Archbishops of Canterburie and Yorke commanding them that vnlesse the Scottish king would fourth-with make satisfaction for the wronges done to the realme as well concerning the state ecclesiasticall as temporall they should proceede to the denouncing of sentence against him and all his adherentes But the Scottes made
no reckning of the holie Fathers threates wherevpon the Bishoppes published his terrible execrations against them so as King Robert Iames Dowglasse and Thomas Randolfe with all their partakers were at euerie masse thorough out England solemlie accursed three times Neuerthelesse the next yeare the Scottes inuaded the land againe a fresh so that all this cost and coniuration little or nothing auailed One companie vnder the conduct of the Earle of Murry assailed the Bishopricke of Durham An other was leade by Iames Dowglasse and the Lord Steward of Scotland who also deuiding themselues the one companie wasted the Country towardes Hartlepoole and Cleueland the other intended as much to Richmonde where the townes-men to redeeme their peace departed with a good round some of mony payed vnto them as they had done also latelie before While the Scottes tooke their pleasure in this manner in the North partes for the space of fiueteene daies the gentlemen there about repayred to Pomfret to the Earle of Lancaster offring to ioyne with him against the enemie but the Earle was not disposed to aduenture his life in the quarell of him who as he tooke it had done him much wrong But howe true soeuer that was most certaine it is that he both wronged himselfe and highlie offended his Soueraigne in taking armes against him shortly after which cost him no lesse price then the losse of his life as it bee fell to diuerse others his partakers at the battaile at Borowgh-bridge the sixteene daie of March 1321. This Earle was the greatest in title and possessions that euer yet was in England for hee was together inuested with the Earldomes of Lancaster Lincolne Leicester Derbie and Salisburie So as if hee had continued faithfull to his Prince hee might haue beene a great ayde vnto him and the realme but contrarywise as it hath beene often since seene in this land his greatnesse made him an enemie both to King and country as appeared by diuerse letters out of Scotland intercepted in their carriage hither to the Lords of his confederacie which were openly read and published afterwards in London During these troubles the Scots and French-men ceased not to molest the realme on both sides for King Robert about Midsomer following entred by the West Marches as farre as Kendall and from thence thorow Lancashire to Prestone in Andernesse burning and wasting all that stood in their way foure-score miles within the land and hauing taken their pleasure for the space of three weekes returned home without battaile The King of England being thus molested by their continuall incursions hauing also sent his Brother Edmond Earle of Kent ouer into Gâ—yenne for the defence thereof against the French-men passed yet once againe into Scotland King Robert vnderstanding what great preparation was made and in readinesse for to come against him thought it not fitte to hazard his estate being now brought to the height of his desires vpon the tickle successe of a battaile or two and therefore hee caused all the Cattle and Sheepe in the countrie to bee driuen vp to the Mountaines and what-so-euer else might serue the Englishmen to any good vse was either bestowed in some place of strength or else made vnfitte for any purpose Hee with his horse-men with-drew them-selues further into the land then that it should stand with the safetie of his enimies to approach them Hereby it came to passe that when King Edward was come to Edenborough hee was forced for want of victuals and other necessaries which bred many diseases amongst his people within fifteene dayes after his entrie into Scotland to returne home-wardes hauing onely by assault taken Norham Castell King Robert vnderstanding how much the English Armie was weakned by the great mortalitie of the common souldiours ouer-passed not so fitte an opportunitie but with all speed pursued the Englishmen wasting and spoiling the land euen as farre as Yorke and hauing gotten knowledge that king Edward was then at the Abbey of Beighland hee so couertly conducted his Armie thither as that setting on his enimies at vnawares he put them all to flight the king himselfe hardly escaping their hands In this conflict for some small resistance was made such as their short warning would afford The Lord Iohn Britaine Earle of Richmonde was taken prisoner besides diuers other of the inferiour sort The kings treasure and furniture with all the prouision and preparation pertayning to the host was either spoyled or caried away This hapned about the twelft of October anno 1322. After this defeature the Scottes passed further into the land comming to Beuerley the towns-men gaue them a summe of money wherewith they bought their peace hauing now remained in England a month foure daies they returned from thence home-wards King Edward now despairing of any better successe in time to come and withall foreseeing what trouble was likely to arise within his owne realme as afterwards came to passe sought meanes to obtayne peace with Scotland which in the end was yeelded vnto and the same to endure for thirteene years about the tenth of Iuly in the yeare following it was proclamed in the chiefe citties townes of both Nations The Scottes were also now content to be reconciled to the Pope hauing first recouered obtayned in England whatsoeuer they well-nere desired At the same time the league was renewed with Charles the French King lately then come to his Crowne with an addition to the former articles viz that if at any time after controuersie should arise about the succession and right to the Crowne of Scotland the same should be heard and determined by the Nobility and peeres of those two Nations onely King Edward hauing obtained peace with Scotland the French King beganne to quarell with him for default of his personall apearance being summoned therevnto to acknowledge his homage for the duchie of Aquitaine and the country of Poytou vpon which occasion the Queene his wife and the Prince of Walles were sent into France to treate with the king her brother of an agreement betweene him her husband which she effected Neuerthelesse whether she was staied their against her will vpon some complaint made of her husband or that she could not happily indure the two Spencers who were then in greatest estimation with him it seemed she had no great desire to returne into England which being perceiued or rather plotted by diuers of the Nobility and others fauoring her part more then the kings they daylie passed ouer vnto her by whom beeing brought into England the greater number forsooke the King and ioyned themselues with the Queene and her Sonne into whose handes he was thereby forced in the ende to resigne his Crowne and Scepter and shortlie after to yeeld his bodie to the violence of his cruell tormentors who beereaued him of life as the others did of lybertie hauing raigned neere twentie yeares Such was the ende of this vnfortunate King by whose misgouernment the Realme was greatlie impouerished and weakned
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
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
acknowleding to hold that Realme of him his heires and successors for euer At this meeting Balliol freelie gaue to king Edward the Castells and townes of Berwike Roxbrugh Peplies Dunfries Hadingtone and Gedworthe with the forestes of Silkerke and Etherike so as all the premises should bee thence-forth cleerelie seperated from the Crowne of Scotland and annexed to the Crowne of England all this was then firmely ratified and assured by oth writing and witnesse in the yeare 1334. King Edward being departed homewards Balliol was still set on worke by them of the Brusian faction in whose hands still remayned sundry strong Castells and fortifications as Dunbritanie Lochleuin Keldromie Vrquhart and the stronge pile of Lowdone so that as oportunitie serued one or other still reuolted from his obedience but at the approach of King Edward the next winter who was alwaies ready to relieue him in his extremities the country was well appeased and so committed to the keeping of Dauid Cumine Earle of Atholl while Balliol in the meane time accompanied the king into England This Earle was so egerly pursued shortly after their departure by the aduerse party that in the end hee was forced to reuolt from the English VVherevpon new sturres begā againe to arise especially thorough the prouocation of the Earle of Murrey and Robert Steward the principall men of the Brusian side For the suppressing hereof king Edward made his third voyage into Scotland the Summer following in the yeare 1335. His nauy at this time also for in his former iorneys thither hee was euer as well prouided by sea as by land consisted of some hundred and fifty saile well replenished with men munition and victualls By land he was accompanied with Balliol and his brother the Earle of Cornewall diuerse great Lords attending vpon them Being entred into Scotland they deuided themselues sometimes into two sometimes into three seuerall companies in which manner they passed at their pleasure without resistance aswell beyond the Scottish fourth as on this side the same In the meane time the Earle of Athol repaired to the king submitting himselfe againe to his obedience by whose example diuers other did the like but this Earle was shortly after slaine at the siedge of the Castell of Keldromie At the approach of winter king Edward with-drew himselfe to Newcastel where hee kept the feast of the Natiuity of our Lord. Immediatly after the Epiphany hee prepared to haue passed againe into Scotland especially to take reuenge for the death of the Earle of Atholl but in the meane time a truce was taken by mediation of the French king and the Pope which indured till the twenty seauenth of March 1336. In the meane season a Parliament was appointed to be held at London wherein a finall accord betweene the two nations should haue beene treated of and the kingdome of Scotland established Where the right which these two Scottish kings pretended should haue appeared most forcible VVhile this good course was intended and fully agreed vpon on all sides the Lord Maurice de Murrey slewe Sir Geffery de Ros a Scottish knight and Sheriffe of Aire and Leuarke one of Balliol his partakers because in time of warre hee had before slaine his brother By reason of this presumptious part and the frowardnesse of the Scottes on both sides still seeking reuenge one of the other this treatie tooke no effect The next Sommer about VVhitsontide the king sent an army into Scotland vnder the conduct of Balliol and diuers English Lords who finding the towne of Saint Iohns defaced by the enemies not able of themselues to hold it caused the same to be fortified at the charge of sixe of the next monasteries vnto it King Edward about this time was at a Parliament holden at Northamptone where leauing his Lordes and the rest to treate of such matters as were propounded amongst them hee posted into the North partes coming to Berwike from thence with a slender attendance hee arriued at Saint Iohns towne before any man there had heard of his intention Here hee found Balliol and the rest of his companie From hence the King passed forwards with some part of his army as farre as Elgen in Murrey-land thence to Inuernesse much further into Scotland then euer the King his grandfather had done before In the meane time the Earle of Cornewall with the power of Yorkeshire and Northumberland men and the Lord Anthony Lucie with those of Westmerland Comberland entred into Scotland wasted and spoyled the VVest partes as Carrick and others which obayed not Balliol The Lord Dowglasse by coasting the Englishmen did his best to hinder their course At length this armie hauing done what harme it could was sent home with great prey and bootie but the Earle of Cornewall with his owne people came thorow to Saint Iohns towne where he found the king returned from beyond the Mountaines Here some of the Scotish writers charge the King to haue slaine this Earle his brother for committing ouer great cruelty vpō the desolate Scottes in this his last iorney especially against the men of Religion it may be that the King was touched with a Christian compassion ouer the pore afflicted cōmonalty who cōmonly smart most for the obstinacy of the mightier mē But for any violence vsed by the king towards his brother it is so far from any colour of truth that euen the better sort of their own writers haue suppressed that report as a vaine and meere forgery For it wel appeareth by our own writers that this Earle died there of a natural disease his body was brought to England interred at Westminster with all solemnity therto belonging The king wholy spent these 2. last years in establishing of Balliol in the kingdō of Scotland because he was desirous to make all sure on that side whilest he followed his wars in France wheron now hee began to set al his thoughts At his departure out of Scotland some-what before the natiuity of our Lord Balliol withal his partakers bound themselues by an especial law that whensoeuer he his heires and successors kings of Eng. should make war either at home or abroad they their heires shold at their own charge for one whole yeare furnish him with 3. hundred horse-men one thousand foot-men wel apointed for seruice Shortly after the kings returne home war was proclaimed with France and all things forth-with were in preparing for that iorneye The next yeare the warre in Scotland proceeded with equall losse and disaduantage on both sides towards the end of the same yeare the king sent thyther an army of some twenty thousand men vnder the leading of the new created Earles of Salisbury Glocester and Derbie and of as many Barrones Percy Neuille and Stafford These besiedged the castell of Dumbar but to their small aduantage and lesse credit For hauing continewed the siedge about twenty weekes vnder the colour of a truce before it was distressed they gaue it ouer being more desirous to
an exceeding great number of them was slaine Of Noblemen the Earle of Murrey the Earle of Stratherne the Constable Marshall Chamberlaine and Chancellor of Scotland were the principall men Together with King Dauid who fighting most couragiouslie was sore wounded before he would yeeld himselfe were taken prisoners the Earles of Dowglas Fife Southerland Wigton and Menteith This battaile was fought neere Durham at a place called Neuils-crosse on the xvii day of October in the yeare 1346. The English armie following their good fortune forthwith passed into Scotland tooke the Castels of Roxbrough and Hermitage and without resistance ouer-ran the countries of Anuandale Galloway Mers Tiuidale and Ethrike forrest extending their Marches at that time to Cockburne Pethe and 〈◊〉 bâ—dge King Dauid was shortlie after 〈◊〉 to Calice and presented to the King of England then lying at the siedge thereof who bestowed on Maister Copland that tooke him prisoner with the losse of two of his teeth at a blowe that the King gaue him fiue hundred pounds land by the yeare of inheritance The yeare following Balliol with the Earle of Northumberland made a roade together into Lowthian and Clidsdaile carrying from thence into Galloway a great bootie where Balliol remained a long time after By reason of this great slaughter now of the Scottes as also thorow an out-ragious mortalitie that followed the same by a generall infection of the Pestilence amongst them they were not able of many yeares after to shew them-selues againe in the field Neuerthelesse they ceased not in the mâ—ane-time vpon priuate quarrels after their vnchristian manner to prosecute one another euen vnto death About this time King Iohn of France vpon the death of Philip his Father did inherite together with his Crowne those troubles which then accompanied the same who to the end hee might thereby keepe the King of England occupied at home for hee was his ouerthwart neighbour in France sent certaine hands of French-men into Scotland vnder the leading of an expert Captaine Sir Edgeny de Gâ—â—rntiers of whome the Scottish Nobilitie receiuâ—â— as a present from the King their Maister forty thousand Crownes of the Sunne to bee imployde about the leuying and furnishing of some preperation against England This Gentleman preuailed so much with his faire words and franke promises as that amongst other fauours hee obtained thus much at their hands that they would come to no agreement with England without the allowance of his Maister Immediatly here-vpon while the Englishmen were busily employed in France about the conquest thereof the Scottes together with the ayde of the French-men made some light incursions with-in the English Marches some-what to their aduantage The same yeare viz. 1355. on the sixt of Nouember in the night they priuilie approched the Towne of Berwicke and being come to the walles before they were discouered they raised vp Ladders in such silence as that before day they entred and tooke the Towne but not without the losse of diuerse principall men amongst them namely Thomas Vaus Andrew â—cotte Iohn Gordon William Sienelere Thomas Preston and Alexander Mowbraye Knights Of the English Armie were also slaine Alexander Ogle Captaine of the Towne Thomas â—â—rcie Brother to the Earle of Northumberland and Edward Graye But the Castell was so well defended by those with in it as that it did abide the 〈…〉 of â—ing Edward to the succour thâ—â—â—bt at whose approach the Scottes knowing themselues vnable to withstand his puissance 〈◊〉 the towne walles set the houses on fire and so bâ—ake vp the siege which had continued ten weekes making as much hast home as they could The King hauing taken order for the repaire of the towne passed on with his armie to Roubrugh whether Balliol repairing resigned ouer vnto him all his right title and interest vnto the crowne of Scotland for more assurance thereof an instrument was drawne in writing signed sealed and deliuered by him vnto king Edward hearing date the fiue and twentith day of Ianuary This businesse being dispatched the King marcheth forward with his Armie till hee came to Halington burning and spoiling the country as he passed while hee was thus busied by land daily expecting the arriuall of his Nauy such a cruell tempest arose out of the North that manie of his ships perished there-with and 〈…〉 were dispersed in such maner that they could not readily bee brought againe together By this occasion the King could not for want of victualls and other necessaries proceed any further â—â— this time in his intended iourney who had purposed how to haue quieted that countrie for many yeares after At his returne hee brought Balliol with him into England thinking that 〈…〉 â—â—uld haue beene better appeased thereby Hee was no sooner departed out of Scotland but immediatly some busie spirits began to raise vp new troubles chasing out such as king Edward had left behind him in Galloway and Annandale And yet more to despight him withall the two Dowglasses Earle William and the Lord Archibald carrying ouer with them some three thousand Scottes ioyned with the French King against the Englishmen on that side the sea but they had better haue tarryed at home for at the battaile of Poytiers the yeare following wherein the French King was taken prisoner by the most valiant champion Edward Prince of Wales Andrew Steward Robert Gordone Andrewe Haliburton and Andrew Vaus Knights with diuerse other their countrymen were slaine the Earle escaped but his cousine Archibald was taken prisoner The yeare next following viz. 1357. vpon the conclusion of peace betweene England and France at the earnest entreatie of the Scottish Queene King Edwards sister her husband was set at libertie and the kingdome of Scotland restored vnto him which now rested at the disposition of king Edward hauing good oportunitie vpon this aduantage to haue made himselfe if hee had listed absolute king ouer the whole Iland But I cannot tell what hee would haue done if the Queene his Sister had dyed during her husbands captiuity as she did within â— while after King Dauid gaue for his ransome an hundred thousand markes sterling and daies were appointed for the payment therof Also he couenanted to acomplish certaine Castells bordering vpon England that might proue bad Neighbours vnto it which was performed accordingly Moreouer it seemeth by that which followed that he had also promised King Edward to make him his heire to the Crowne of Scotland beeing now without hope of any issue of his body For about seauen years before his death he propounded such a questioÌ„ to his Nobility assembled for that purpose but the king found them so vnwilling to harkeÌ„ vnto it that he prosecuted the matter no further But I am perswaded if King Edward had not coÌ„ceiued some such hope he would not so lightly haue laied of his hands now hauing the prey as it were in his pawes Much kindnes passed betweene these two Kings while they liued togither for the space of twelue years after the remainder of King
places and also taken truce with France But the army staid so long where they were incamped within 3. miles of Edenbrugh that when they came thither they found nothing but bare walls wherat the coÌ„mon soldiors not a little repined The Scots had caried their goods to the woods mountaines such places of security while the Englishmen in the meane time were greeuouslie afflicted with vehement cold weather and raine that extraordinarily chanced at that season being about the tenth of Aprill and the more because before their comming to Edenbrough they had incamped themselues for their better safetie in a lowe marish ground which killed aboue 500. of their horses for seruice and bred diseases amongst the souldiours Neither had the English Nauie any better successe at this time for the Marriners thorough want of good gouernment ouer-boldly aduenturing to goe on land for the desire of pillage and spoile were in the end encountred by the Scottes and so hotely pursued as that a great number of them were slaine and the rest hardly escaped to their shippes The English Armie was no sooner out of Scotland but that the Earle Dowglasse by his industrie and courage presently recouered all the places of strength in Tiuidale out of the possession of the Englishmen which till then they had hold euer since the battaile besides Dutham All this summer season was spent with continuall roades by the one nation and the other to the small aduantage of either In the meane time messengers were sent to aduertise the Scottes of an abstinence of warre for a season betweene the three nations France England and Scotland which was obserued on all sides The truce ended the Scots tooke by force the castell of Burwicke But the Earle of Northumberland to whom the keepeing therof was committed was thereby so much touched in credit that presently gathering the power of those partes he so egarly assailed the â—â—â—ttes within it as that they were constrained to come to composition with the Earle and so for two thousand markes the Castell was surâ—endred they departed The yeare next following viz. 1385. Monsieur de vian Earle of Valentinois admiral of the fleet was sent by the French King into Scotland with two hundred and fortie ships furnished with men munition all things necessary pertayning to warre theâ— were some two thousand footemen an hundred launces two hundred crosbowes and pay for them for sixe monthes Amongst other presentes which the French king sent to the Noblemen of Scotland he bestowed on king Robert forty compleate aâ—moures to bee disposed at his pleasure The Scottes being thus strengthned prepared forth-with to inuade England The whole army consisted of fiftie thousand men ouer whom the Earle of Fife Sonne to king Robert was made Generall beeing accompained with the Earles Dowglas and Marche and diuerse other of the Scottish Nobility At their first entrie they tooke the Castells of Warke Fourd and Cornâ—â—ll and ouer ran the Country lieing betweene Berwike and 〈…〉 In the meane time king Râ—chard had sent before him the Duke of Lancaster with a conuenient power to restraine them from doing further harme who hearing of the approach of the Englishmen withdrow themselues homeward The King in the meane time making all the hast that possiblie hee could after the Duke entred together into Scotland passing thorow the countries of Mers and Lothian they burned and spoyled all the townes villages and buildings that stood in their way as well religious as other At his comming to Edenbrugh finding the towne empty hee soothe houses on fier which together with the Church of Saint Gyles were consumed to ashes But at the ernest request of the Duke of Lanâ—â—ster Holi-roode house was preserued for the great fauour the Duke had found there during the late commotion in England King Richard hauing remayned about Edenbrugh fiue dayes returned without proffer of battaile or any encounter to speake of Monsieur de vian was very ernest with the Scottish Lords to haue aduentured a battaile but being carried to the toppe of â—o hill fâ—om whence he might discouer the order and puissance of the English armie he changed his mind Herevpon they resolued to inuade England on an other quarter while the Englishmen â—â—oke there pleasure in the â—â—paâ—tes passing â—â—â—â—â—fore ouer the mountayns they entred into Cumberâ—â—â—d assaulted the Citty of Carliel but finding them-selues vnable to preuaile there they turned home-wardes feareing least they should haue beene encountred with the English armie which had falne out accordingly if the King would haue beene aduised by the Duke his vncle But the Earle of Oxford who stood more in the Kings grace had put such a ielosie into his head of the Dukes meaning therein towards him as that he was drawne from liking of that course and soe tooke his way home-ward The Scottes hauing on the other side donne what harme they could returned likewise into Scotland but because the same was not answerable to the domage they receaued King Robert was so much offended with the Frenchmen at whose hands he exspected greater matters as that he sent them home lighter laden then they came by the wayght of all that was worth the takeing from them in part of recompence for the losses sustayned in this iorney which was vnderâ—aken at their earnest sute and entrety Thus they parted not in soe good tearmes as they were entertayned with all at there arriuall into Scotland The Scottish wryters attibute the cause of these iarres and discontentments amongst them to the lasciuious and imperious demeanour of the Frenchmen according to their vsuall manner where-so-euer they serue out of their owne country whereof the common people especially complayned more then of any iniurie offered them by their professed enemies the Englishmen The Scottes within two yeares after vnderstanding what troubles were arising in England thought it a fitt time wherein to bee reuenged for the damages lately sustained Wherfore about the beginning of August there assembled at Iedworth to the number of betweene thirtie and forty thousand Heere they vnderstood by an English espyall whom they tooke that the Earle of Northumberland intended to inuade Scotland on the one side as they did the like here on the other Therfore hauing a sufficient number to make two armies they deuided thâ—â—selues The two yonger brothers the Scottish Kings sonnes with the one part directed their course by the West marches into Cumberland â—â—â—â—ing as farre as Durham At length both these armies hauing in the meane time done what harme they could mette together about ten miles from New-castell and passing thither they besiedged that towne But the Earle of Northumberland who then commanded all those countries hauing had knowledge before of their purpose had sent thither his two sonnes the Lord Nâ—â—â—â— surnamed Hotespurre for his egar manner of riding and his brother Ralphe two 〈◊〉 â—orward Gentlemen These with the forces they carried with them 〈◊〉 those they found there so manfully defended the towne as
Dowglas that was the great enimie to the Earle of March his Country-man who deceased the yeare before being much mooued with this ouer-throw made great preparation against the next Summer to lead an armie into England there-with to take reuenge for the death of so many his good friends and countrey-men But his successe was no better then theirs For when his armie had done all the harme it could within the realme as farre as Newcastle was returning homewards with an exceeding great prey Henry surnamed Hotespurre that was taken prisoner at the battaile of Otterburne pursuing them with a power of the Northern men and hauing ouertaken them saluted there maine battaile with such a forcible flight of arrowes that the same being much beaten and broken there-with gaue waie to the Englishmen rushing in vpon it and thereby gaue them an ouerthrowe with verie little losse on their owne partie Amongst the Scottes that were slaine Sir Iohn Swintone Sir Alexander Gordon Sir Iohn Leuestone Sir Alexander Ramsey and some twentie knights more were of speciall note Besides the Earle Dowglas generall of this army who in fight lost one of his eyes there were taken prisoners the Earle of Fife the gouernours Sonne Thomas and George Earles of Murrcy and Angius and fiue hundred more of meaner degree This battaile was fought at Homildon hil in Northumberland on the seauenth of May in the yeare 1402. Whereat the Scottes receiued such a blowe as for many yeares before the like had not hapned For hereat were slaine one and other not so fewe as ten thousand of them as our Cronicles report The Lord Percie following his good fortune forth-with entred into Tyuidale wasting the Country on euery side and hauing layed siedge to the Castell of Cocklaâ—is Sir Iohn Grenley the keeper thereof couenanted with him to surrender it within three monthes if the siedge were not remooued but by reason his men were in the meane time sent for to followe the King into Wales they could not tarie out the prefixed time But this Noble race of the Percies who in the beginning of this Kings raigne were his best friends became now his greatest aduersaries especially for two causes First they tooke it in euill part that the King demanded such prisoners as were latelie before taken at Nesbet and Homildon For they had deliuered none into his hands saue onelie Mordake Earle of Fife the Duke of Albaines Sonne accounting all the rest their peculiar prisoners The other cause and the more offensiue was the imprisonment of Edward Mortimer Earle of the English Marches their nearest Cousin whome as they reported Owen Glendar of Wailes kept in filthie prison laden with manie irons onelie because hee continewed faithfull to King Richard his Maister While King Henrie was therefore preparing an armie where-with to passe againe into Wales for hee had beene latelie there beefore Thomas Percie Earle of Worcester gaue secret intelligence thereof to his brother the Earle of Northumberland who togither with his Sonne the Lord Henrie and the Earle Dowglas his prisoner with such aide as by his meanes they could get out of Scotland gathered a power of some foureteene thousand chosen men of whome the greater number were Cheshire men and Welshmen that were conducted by the Earle of Worcester and the Lord Henry the Scotishmen by Dowglas The Earle of Northumberland with his retinue stayed in the North while the rest marched towards Shrewsburie purposing to haue taken that towne But the king by the continuall calling on of the Scottish Earle of March who tooke his part made such speed as that approaching the rebels sooner then they looked that enterprise was preuented When the two armies were mette and euery man prepared to fight the King offered them pardon vpon any reasonable conditions But by the perswasion of the Earle of Worcester who from the beginning was the chiefe worker of all this mischiefe there was no way but to trye it out by dint of sword The Scottes as some write had the leading of the fore-ward on the Percies side and intending to bee reuenged on the Englishmen by the helpe of Englishmen they so fiercely assailed the Kings partie as that disordering their ranckes they made them giue backe But amongst the rest the Earle Dowglas shewed himselfe that daye a most valiant man of Armes for still aiming at the fayrest marke hee strooke downe three that were apparrelled like the King because hee would not bee knowne from the rest but whether hee light on him at all or not hee bestowed on Sir Walter Blunt one of that coate such a deadly blow that hee neuer arose againe After the fight had continued three long houres with doubtfull victorie on eyther side in the end the rebels were vanquished and put to flight The Earle Dowglas falling vpon the cragge of a steepe mountaine brake one of his genitalls and was taken whom the King freely forgaue and set at liberty for his valiancie and notable courage This battaile was fought on Mary Magdalines euening in the yeare 1403. whereat was slaine of the Kings partie sixteene hundred of his enimies aboue fiue thousand Though the Earle of Northumberland found such fauour as that hee was pardoned and restored to all his possessions neuer-the-lesse within a yeare after hee entred into a new conspiracie but when hee heard the fame was discouered and some of his confederates executed hee together with the Lord Bardolfe fledde into Scotland where they were entertained of Dauid Lord Flemming in requitall of whose kindnesse hee gaue vp the towne of Berwicke which was then in his custodie vnto the vse of the Scottish King But when the Scots vnderstood that King Henry approched with his armie they fired the towne and so left it while these English Lords remained in ScotlaÌ„d the king of England practised with some of the Scottish Nobilitie to apprehend them But the Lord Flemming giuing them notice hereof they both fledde into Wales to Owiâ— Glendouer a great enimie to king Henrie Such of the Lords of Scotland as had plotted the deliuerie of those fugitiue Lords hauing gotten knowledge that they escaped their hands by meanes of the Lord Flemming were there-with so much displeased as that it cost him his life This fact sowed great discention amongst them-selues in such sort as one knew not how to trust another Wherefore to auoide further mischiefe that was like to haue followed thereof it was thought good to sue for a truce betweene the two Nations which was effected and the same to indure for one whole yeare King Robert of Scotland being taught before by his brothers disloyaltie that there was small trust to bee reposed in his owne subiects the rather because they were so distrustfull one of another tooke order for the conuoye of his other sonne beeing a childe not aboue nine yeares olde vnto King Charles of France to receiue good education there But it fortuned that in his passage the Shippe was mette with-all by certaine Englishmen at Flâ—mbrough-head
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
the meane time there was nothing of any importance passed betweene the two nations what was gotten by either party at one time was lost againe at another after the manner of the mutabilitie of those aduentures happily there would haue beene more doings betweene them if the continuall troubles with their owne subiects had not giuen both the kings their hands full at home Besides that king Henry after the deaths of those two gallant warriers his Vncles was so busied with loosing that which his victorious father had lately gotten in France as that hee could not attend any dealings with Scotland though hee had beene more then he was therevnto prouoked But in the end king Iames taking the aduantange of time vnder colour to reuenge the death of Edmond Duke of Somerset his mothers brother who about fiue yeares before was slaine at Saint Albons by the faction of Yorke in the defence of the king was incouraged to vnder-take this his vnfortunate iourney against Roxbrugh Notwithstanding this mishap the Scotts would not giue ouer the siege but so manfully assailed the defendants that in the end they were forced vpon honorable conditions to yeeld vp the Castle vnto the yong king Iames the third then present being about the same age that his father was of when that Castle was besieged last before but dispairing to bee able to hold it long in their possession they cast it downe to the ground and returned home to solemnize the funerals of the father and the coronation of the Sonne in the yeare 1460. within sixe months after this the King of England was deposed and so together ended the raignes of these two kings the one by vntimely death the other by liuing longer then he knew how to raigne for hauing liued and raigned together about eight and thirtie yeares hee was then by his owne subiects deposed and depriued of all kinglie powre where-vpon both hee the Queene his wife and his sonne fled together into Scotland for succour from whence the Queene passed ouer into France and hauing gathered some ayde out of those countries they assayed the recouerie of their former estates but all in vaine for their aduersarie Edward Duke of Yorke the new elected King still defeated all their attempts tending there-vnto The desolate king hauing beene harbored in Scotland about three yeares aduentured to returne vnknowne into England I know not with what hope of good successe but being presently discouered he was apprehended and committed to the Towre of London from whence with-in seauen yeares after hee was deliuered King Edward being driuen out of the realme by the Earle of Warwike who before had been the chiefe meane of his aduancement to the Crowne But this was but a lightning before his last fall for within sixe months after king Edward returned againe into England where hee found such friends that forth-with without any resistance hee eâ—â—red into London tooke King Henrie who in the meane time was newly crowned and committed him to his former imprisonment where the same yeare hee ended his life not without suspition of violence By meanes of this ciuill dissention here in England Berwicke became Scottish for King Henry had bestowed the same on King Iames in requitall of the fauour hee had found in Scotland during his abode there Hereat King Edward for the present was not onely content to winke but also willing to accept of a truce with that nation for fifteene yeares King Iames hauing in the meane season through lewd counsell of certaine bad persons about him vniustly executed one of his brothers and imprisoned an other fell thereby into contempt and mislike with his subiects and therefore to make himselfe the stronger if happily they should rise in armes against him he sent into England the expiration of the former truce now approaching a solemne Ambassage to intreate that his Sonne Iames the young Prince of Scotland might haue to wife the Lady Cicelie second Daughter to King Edward This request was so well liked of by the King and his Counsell that the same was easilie yeelded vnto and for the better assurance thereof King Edward was also willing presently to disburse certaine summes of money with condition that iâ— afterwardes vpon any occasion the intended marriage should not hold that then the monie should within a certaine time limitted be repayed backe againe For the performance whereof the principall marchants of Edenbrough stood bound to the King of England This was thus concluded vpon in the yeare 1481. While King Iames now hoped that all was safe on his side by his alliance with England Alexander his second brother Duke of Albanie had the good hap to escape out of the Castell of Edenbrough where hee was imprisoned who hauing afterward spent some time in France and not preuailing so much with Lewis the eleuenth as that hee would bee intreated to ayde him towards the recouerie of his former estate in Scotland came ouer hither into England and earnestlie solicited king Edward to make warre vpon the king his brother thereby to take reuenge for the extreame iniuries done to him and his other brother Iohn Earle of Marre from whom he had taken his life as from him-selfe his lands and libertie The Duke was herein seconded by the Dowglas who long before had beene banished Scotland These two so much preuailed with King Edward and the rather because the Scottish King had euen then permitted his subiects at the perswasion of the French king to inuade the English marches to the great hurt and annoyance of the inhabitants that in the end king Edward caused preparation for to bee made for the inuasion of Scotland against the next spring The leading of this strong armie was committed to certaine Noble-men ouer whom Richard Duke of Glocester the Kings brother then newly come to mans estate was appointed Lieutenant Generall About the beginning of Iuly in the yeare following the English host incamped neere vnto Anwike and was marshalled after this manner The fore-ward was conducted by Henry Earle of Northumberland vnder whose Standard were the Lord Scroope of Bolton and diuers other to the number of sixe thousand and seauen hundred of all sorts In the middle battaile the Duke himâ—eâ—â—e was placed and with him the Duke of Albanie the Lord Louell the Lord Greystocke Sir Edward Wooduille and others to the number of fiue hundred and foure-score The Lord Neuill was appointed to follow with three hundred To the Lord Standley was committed the lâ—â—t wing and the other to the Lord Fitz-â—â—gh consisting betweene them of six thousand men One thousand moe attended the great Ordinance In this manner they marched towards â—erwicke at whose approach the Scottes abandoned the towne The two Dukes without further â—â—ay leauing behind them forty thouâ—â—d to besiege the Câ—â—â—le which was kept by thâ— Earle â—othwell departed thence with the Aâ—â—â—â—â—owardes Edenbrough burning and spoiling the country as they passed Being come thither the Duke of Glocester entred the towne without resistance
which at the entreatie of the Scottish Duke he forbare to spoile contenting himselfe with those presents which the Marchants offered vnto him and his Captaines Here hee caused Garter King at armes by open proclamation to admonish King Iames who keeping himselfe within the Castell world not be spoken with-all to obserue and performe all such couenants promises and agreements as hee had formerly subscribed vnto and by his seale confirmed to the vse and behoofe of king Edward And also to make sufficient recompence to his subiects for all the domage they had sustained by the sundry inuasions of the Scottes whilest the league yet continued betweene the two nations and this to be done before the first day of August next following And further to restore his brother the Duke of Albanie to his former estate within the realme of Scotland not detracting or diminishing any part of his possessions offices and authoritie which at any time before hee held and inioyed within the same Otherwise if hee refused to satisfie the King of England in all and euery of those demands then hee the sayde Duke his Lieutenant generall would forth-with with fire and sworde pursue the destructioâ—â—â—â—d vtter spoile of him and his kingdome Here-vnto King Iames not knowing presently what answer to make was altogether silent But the nobilitie of Scotland who now were not in any great trust and fauour with their King hauing assembled their forces at Hadington and finding themselues vnable therewith to encounter the puissance of the English armie thought it best to offer a treatie of peace hopeing in the meane time by faire promises to allure the Duke of Albanie from his amitie with England Here-vpon by their Letters dated the second of August they signified to the Generall that it was all their desires that the former contract of mariage betweene the Prince of Scotland and the King of Englands Daughter should take place according to the couenants agreed vpon concerning the same And also that a firme peace betweene the two Nations might thence-forth bee duely obserued on both sides and that nothing had beene done by them tending to the breach thereof Here-vnto Duke Riâ—hâ—rd answered That for the matter of mariage hee was not acquainted with the King his â—â—others pleasure therein and therefore could say nothing to that point but hee had commission to demand such summes of money as their King had before receiued sithence hee no more respeâ—â—ed the obseruance of the couenants agreed vnto at the treatie of that marriage and that the bâ—each of one principall Article frustrated all the rest As for peace he answered flatly that hee would yeeld to none vnlesse the Castell of Berwike might immediatly be deliuered vp vnto him or at the least vnlesse they would binde them-selues by oath neither to remooue the siege nor to relieue the same till it were surrendred or taken by force The Scottish Lords vpon these demands sent vnto the Generall the Bishop of Murrey and the Lord Dernley with these instructions First as touching the repaiment of those summes of money which were by him demanded the same was not due the time being not yet come wherein it was to bee restored againe according to the agreement at the treatie of mariage for as yet both the parties were vnder age But if the Duke thought the former assurance insufficient they would do any thing as farre as reason required to satisfie him to his full contentment Secondlie as concerning the yeelding vp of Berwicke Castell the same was scituate within the antient confines of the realme of Scotland and properlie appertained there-vnto and therefore it could not with-out open wrong bee taken and kept from them The Duke not-with-standing this their plea would not harken to any motion of peace vnlesse that Castell were forth-with deliuered to the vse of the King his Brother The same daye beeing the third of August Coline Earle of Aâ—gile Andrewe Steward Lord Chancelor of Scotland and the two Bishoppes of Saint Andrewes and Dunkell sent to the Duke of Albaine vnto the English Campe then at Leuingtone besides Hadington an instrument in writing vnder their hands and seales contayning such offers of kindnesse towards the recouery of the king his brothers fauour and his former estate that hauing acquainted the Duke of Glocester therewithall and faithfullie assured him of his loyaltie in that behalfe he was presently withall kindnesse dismissed and so repayred to the Lords his countriemen who immediatlie assembling a Counsell he was by generall consent not onelie restored to his former dignities and possessions but withall was aduanced to the highest place of gouerment vnder the king and by open proclamation intituled Lord Leutenant of Scotland In this assemblie the question was propounded what was best to be done touching the dâ—â—â—nd of the Castell of Berwike It seemed good to the best aduised Lords and others amongst them in that dangerous time wherein the Realme was so greatlie preplexed by domâ—sticall dissentions rather to incline to peace though it were with some losse then otherwaies to prouoke so mightie an aduersarie as the king of England would bee vnto them That a good Neighbour according to the French prouerbe would bee a good moâ—â—oâ—â— It was therefoâ—e in the end resolued vpon without further delay to proceede to a conclusion of peace for the present time how deare soeuer they payed for it Herevpon a deed indented bearing date the foure and tweenteth day of the same month of August was presented vnto the Duke of Glocester contayning a contract betweene him Lieutenant generall for the king of England on the one part and the other Duke Lieutenant generall in like manner for the king of Scotland on the other part couenanting on the behalfe both of the one and other that an absteinance of warre should bee obserued by sea and land from the eight daie of September till the fourth of Nouember next following In which time the Scottish Duke did couenant to yeelde vp the towne and Castell of Berwike into the hands and possession of such as by the king of England or his deputie should bee therevnto appoynted According to which agreement the said Castell was deliuered to the custodie of Lord Standlie on the sixe and tweentith daie of the foresaid month hauing then beene in the possession of the Scottes neere one and tweentie yeares but hath euer since continewed English And it was further couenanted on the behalfe of the Scottish Duke that vpon knowledge giuen whether it was the king of England his pleasure to haue the intended marriage betweene his Daughter and the young Prince to take place or otherwise to be brokeâ— off that then he would proceede accordingly either to prepare the mony paiable vnto him or else to the present solemnization of the same But King Edward foreseeing what vnquietnesse was likely to arise in Scotland betweene the two brothers and happely fauoring the Duke more then the King resolued with himselfe to breake of the marriage in speech
〈◊〉 assemble a power â—f some six twenty thousand men and comming to Anwicke the third of September taried there all the next day till the whole aâ—â—y was gathered togither which by reason of the foulenesse of the waies could not make such speed as was exspected The day following his Son the Lord Admirall which such men of war as had bin with him at the sea repaired to his father to whom he was very welcome because he could neuer haue come to any seruice wherin his helpe was more needeful then at this very time After some parlaunce by officers at armes and others by which means the Scottes were politikely drawne to a more indifferent place for battaile then otherwise they would willingly haue yeelded vnto at length both armies prepared themselues to encouÌ„ter each one the other King Iames yet keeping the higher ground diuided his whole armie into fiue battailes or after the new phrase battalions to the intent the same wherein he himselfe was placed might bee inclosed with two winges on either side The two on his right hand were conducted by the Earles of Huntley Câ—â—ford and Montrosse the two on his leaft by thâ— Earles of Lenox and Argile the Lord Hume â—ord Chamberlaine of Scotland aâ—â—â—â—erse other were also appoynâ—â—d ouer seuerall companies amongst â—â—ome were certaine â—â—â—nchmen whom King Lewis had sent ouer to traiâ—e the â—cottes in the feites of armes There great Ordinance was placed most conueniently for the annoiance of the aduerse party but by reason of the hight of thâ— ground their shot did small hurt to the Englishmen marching vp towards them The Englishmen diuided themselues into as many battailes as were most answerable to their enemies forces Ouer the vantgard the Lord Howard was the commander Sir Edmond his brother with his charge garded him 〈◊〉 winge oâ—â—iâ— right hand The Earle himselfe leâ—d the middle-ward and Sir Edmond Sâ—anley the reare-ward The Lord Dacres with a woope of horse-â—â—n was seâ— aparâ— by himselfe 〈◊〉 sucâ— or where 〈…〉 Thâ— Ordinance was 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 â—nd in places 〈…〉 one and another 〈◊〉 â—hought most expedient Boâ—â— the 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—ng hâ—s marshallâ—d Sir Eâ—â—â—â—d Hâ—â—â—â—◠〈…〉 his people 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 by the Lord Hâ—â—â—â— who wit◠〈◊〉 spâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—led the other so violâ—ntly that had not bastard â—â—ron come readily to his succour Sir Edmund had not escaped death being well neere left alone of his companie Hereat the other wing of the Scottes that was lead by the Earles of Lennox and Argile tooke such incouragement that leauing their ensignes behind them and rushing vpon the Englishmen without order they were thereby well neere all of them together with the two Earles beaten downe by that time the other Scottes were returned from pursuing the Englishmen whom they had in chase These men also being set vpon a fresh both before and behind were likewise well neere all slaine King Iames who a little before had encountred the Earle of Surrey perceiuing that the wings of his battaile were thus defeited and that the Englishmen were now ready to encompasse him about was nothing abashed at the sight but with a cheerefull countenance encouraging those that were about him and withall desperatly rushing into the thickest prease on foote maintained the fight along time in-so-much that piersing the Earles battaile the Scottes entred so farre within the same that they were at point to haue ouerthrowne his Standard But at length the Englishmen pressed so sore vpon them that they ouerthrew Sir Adam Forman the Scottish kings Standard-bearer which the king perceiuing thought sâ—â—ely then there was no way for him to escape Wâ—erefore to deliuer him-selfe from such reproach as happily he thought would haue beene â—reathed out vpon him he cast himselfe the more carelesly into the greatest heate of his enimies fury and so ended his life in the middest of them Such was the end of this vnfortunate Prince in nothing more vnfortunate then in that hee contended with his owne good fortune For if he had continued constant to king Henry he might haue liued many yeares in as great felicity as euer any of his predecessors did before him Round about him died with the like obstinacie many of his chiefe Prelates namely the Archbishop of Saint Andrewes and two other Bishops besides foure Abbots and of Lords and men of speciall note aboue six and thirtie The whole number of Scots slaine at this battaile could in all likelyhood bee no lesse then ten thousand considering the losse of so many leaders amongst them and the small number of them that were taken prisoners amongst whom there were but two of name Sir William Scotte Chancelour to the king and Sir Iohn Forman his Sergiant Porter Amongst other peeces of great ordinance taken at this time there were seauen Culuerings of like sise and making called the Seauen Sisters This famous ouerthrow was giuen the Scottes in September in the yeare 1513. and that within the space of little more then three houres which happily would haue prooued more bloudie on both sides had not the night taken vp the quarrell Of Englishmen were slaine as Hall reporteth about some fifteene hundred diuers were taken prisoners by following the Scottes ouer-egerly in the chase after day-light was done It was not well knowne on which side the victorie was falne vntill the next morning for then the Lord Dacres with his troopes of horsemen being sent abroad to view the behauiour of the Scottes found they had forsaken their artillarie and left the field The Kings body being found many deepe and deadly wounds appeared on the same which the Earle of Surrey caused to be imbowelled and seared wherewith hauing set all things in good order he returned to the Queene of England In memory of this notable victorie ouer that nation his family hath hitherto borne in their Scutchions the armes of Scotland for an addition of Honor thervnto but with what right I know not Amongst other prodigious signes immediatly fore-going this bloud-shed BuchanaÌ„ recordeth one very memorable receiued from the report of him that was an eye witnesse thereof a man of speciall credit with him This it was King Iames going to his armie now ready to set forward entred into a Chappell that was in his way to heare euen-song as then it was called while hee was at his deuotion an ancient man came in bare-headed his golden coloured locks hanging downe vpoÌ„ his shoulders his fore-head high and inclining to baldnesse his garments of Azure coulour some-what long girded about him with a Towell or table Napkin of a comelie and reuerend countenance Hauing inquired for the king hee intruded himselfe into the prease passing thorow till hee came to him then leaning vpon the Kings seate he thus spake after a good plaine and familier maner Sir King I am sent to admonish thee to proceed no further in this thy intended iourney which aduise if thou doost refuse to follow it will be worsse for thee and them that attend thee therein I am
bring the next Sommer such a warlike crewe of Frenchmen and Germanes as that he should not stand in neede of such of his owne Country-men as were so backe-ward in his former enterprice vpon the borders In the meane season King Henry thought it no policy to ouerslip so fit oportunity because he well perceiued that whatsoeuer was outwardly pretended the Regent meant him no good So soone therefore as the truce was expired the warre was renewed to the exceeding great damage of that Nation For Thomas Earle of Surrey high Admirall of England the Marquesse Dorset and his brothers with a competent power entring into Scotland ouerthrewe the Castells of Wederburne West Nesgate and Black-acre burned neere fortie townes and villages in which manner wasting the Scottish Marches from one side to the other without any resistance they returned home with the losse of verie fewe or no men at all the Scottes onelie shewed them-selues in troopes a far of watching if they could haue espied any aduantage This seruice was thus performed the Sommer following in the yeare 1523. But the army was no sooner dissolued but the Scots waiting the opportunity made continewal roades into Northumberland to the great anoiance of the inhabitants Wherefore the Earle of Surrey was forth-with sent back againe who entring into Scotland with some six thousand men by the dry marches cast downe certaine Castells piles and small holdes til he came thorowe the dales to Iedworth wherein laie a great garrison of the Scottes who at the first entertained them with a hot skermish but in the end they were put to flight and the Town Castell and Abbaie were taken and spoiled After three daies abode there the Earle returned into England on the twentith day of September following About this time the Lord Dacres tooke also by force the Castell of Ferniherst The Duke of Albanie intending now to returne into Scotland had intelligence giuen him that all the portes on the Coast of France were watched by the Englishmen to intrappe him in his passage wherefore hee bestowed his shippes so couertly here and there in small companies to auoide all suspition of any purpose hee had to stirre that yeare as that therevpon the English fleete which had attended and waited his comming forth vntill the middest of August brake vp and bestowed themselues in conuenient portes against the next spring The Duke then watching the opportunity and readily gathering togither his dispersed shippes to the number of some fiftie saile imbarked his men of warre being three thousand pikes and an hundred launces and about the second equinoctiall arriued on the VVest part of Scotland about the same season that Iedworth was burned by the English as is a fore-sayd in whose companie was Richard de la Poole that had beene banished out of England Immediatlie after his returne hee assembled the Scottish Lordes at Edenbrugh declaring to them the great loue the French King bare to them and there Country that he esteemed their miseries his owne and would be alwaies readie to assist them against the Englishmen enemies to them both That for the present he had brought with him men money and munition to bee doing withall so as nothing now wanted but willing mindes and manly corages in themselues In the ende it was concluded that an army should forth-with be gathered and the eight and twentith day of October next was set downe for their meeting at Dowglas dale The Scottes being there assembled at the day prefixed the army marched frō thence to Caldestreame vpon Tweed where conuaying their artillary ouer the water on the last day of the same month they layed siedge to Warke Castell which was manfully defended by Sir William Lisle Captaine of the same The assayliants so well bestirred themselues that on the first daie they won the vttermost ward for two daies after they continewed the battery when hauing made the breach assaultable they entred by maine force the second ward The Captaine hauing already lost many of his men and perceauing it little auailed to defend the walles against the great ordinance vpon a present resolution issued out with his people that remained aliue and with such furie repulsed the enemy that beating them from the walles and pursuing them to the water he slewe a great number besides those that were drowned and died afterwards of their hurtes in the whole to the number of three hundred which for the most part were Frenchmen The Earle of Surrey comming with a great power to rescue this Castell found the enemie remooued to the further side of the riuer wherefore hauing no commission to passe the English marches he staied there In the meane time the Queene sent into England to entreat her brother the King to yeeld to an abstinence of warre hoping in that time to worke some good agreement betweene the two Nations wherevnto the King consenting the armie brake vp and the Earle returned to the Court. In the beginning of the next Sommer anno 1524. The Scottes beganne againe to bee busie both on the East and VVest marches so as for three monthes sundrie bickrings passed beetweene the one and other partie but still they came by the worse in so much that in the end they were willing enough to encline to peace wherevpon truce was taken againe till the feast of Saint Andrewes next In the meane season great cōsultation was had amongst the Lords of Scotland whether it were more fit to contineue the warre or to giue it ouer Many of them held it an vnreasonable thing that for the pleasure only of the French King the Realme should sustaine any more damage by contineuing so needlesse a warre and that the Duke was much to blame in yeelding so farre to the seditious humor of France Therefore they wished that the young King now growne past a Child might at the least beare some sway in the gouernment of the Realme The Duke perceiuing how the game went sawe it little auailed to striue against the streame and therefore in September following taking his leaue of the young King he passed ouer into France now the third time since he was made Regent It is sayd that at his departure hee did instantly intreate the Nobility to admit no peace with England till his returne againe which he promised should be not long after but in both his desire was vnsatisfied for he neuer came more into Scotland neither cōtinewed the war as he wished Shortly after the Earle Dowglas that had beene banished before by the Regent as I haue said and had hitherto remained in France obtained leaue of King Henrie to passe safely thorowe England into his owne Country This fauor was redily graunted being one that was alwaies opposite to the French faction Queene Margaret now bearing the greatest sway in Scotland sought by all meanes how to make firme friendship with her brother of England to breake the necke of the amity with France which had of late brought so many miseries vpon her Sonnes
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
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 maine battaile on the left side being both flanked with 4000. Archers Irishmen well garded also with field peeces Their armor for the most part was a good skul or Iack short sword very broad and sharpe dagger buckler and a kerchiefe wreathed and wrapped twice or thrice about their collers In this aray they stood closly together holding their pikes in both hāds and with-all their bucklers on the left the point brest high and the other end resting against the right foot the fore-ranck bending their knees to giue their fellows behind leaue to couer thē with their pikes crossing one another in such forcible maner as if they stood fast neither man nor horse could breake in amongst them neither any strength with-stand them On the other side the Earle of Warwicke Lord Lieutenant of the armie conducted the fore-ward of three thousand footmen The Lord Dacres the rere-ward of like number and qualitie The middle-ward of foure thousand footmen was conducted by the Generall him-selfe The men of armes who were six thousand lead by the lord Gray lord Marshal and the light horsmen to the number of two thousand by Sir Francis Brian together with the Ordinance 200. Harquebusiers on horseback were bestowed in places most conuenient either for offence or defence as present occasion required There was betweene the two armies a deepe ditch which the Englishmen were to passe before they could come to the enimie many that could not leape ouer stuck fast therein with no small danger to them-selues and impediment to their fellowes that followed Besides that their course lay vntowardly ouer-thwart plowed lands with deep furrows for a stones cast after they had passed the slough Not-with-standing these incombrances in their course and the eminent perill of their enimes Pikes at the incounter the valiant lord Gray with his troopes of men of armes accompanied with the lord Fitz-Waters afterward Earle of Sussex and 2. Knights Sir Ralph Vane and Sir Thomas Darcy of whom the former was lieutenant of all the men of armes demilances the other Captaine of the Pensioners with their seuerall bands to the number of 3400. men of armes issuing out from both sides of the army so resolutly gaue the charge a front downe the hill vpon their enemies pikes that with the verie terrour thereof they were much amased Neuerthelesse the Scottes kept their order and stand so firmely that at this sharpe incounter sixe and twenty Gentlemen besides nere two hundred others were slaine out right amongst whome Edward Shelley Lieutenant vnto the Lord Graie of his band of Bulleners as he was the first that passed the ditch so in likelihood the first also that lost his life Few of them that were placed in the formost rancks returned without hurt on himselfe or his horse The Lord Gray was dangerously wounded in the mouth with a pike The Englishmen had so small incoragement to maintaine this their hot beginning that in stead of an orderlie retreat the greater number put their horses to that speed as thereby they showed a better will to leaue the field then to fight it out Hereby the next ward was much disordered But that worthy Earle of Warwike so cherefully incorraged his souldiours to stand to it manfully that what by his owne industry and the diligence of the Captaines vnder him the ranckes were reduced into good order both horsemen and foote-men so as by the small losse at the former incounter the whole armie attained their desired aduantage In the meane season the Scottes aduanced their bands with good corrage though by shot both from land and sea they were shrowdly galled But when they perceiued that the Englishmen both on foote and horse-backe were now readie to assaile them againe from the higher ground in such order as they seemed to incompasse them the Scottish vantgard to auoide the danger of the Spanish shot who serued on horse-backe on the one side and of being inuironed by the aduersarie on the other declined on that hand from their former direct course vp the hill whereat the Englishmen giuing a great shoute cried they flie they flie the Scottes supposing their fellowes behind them had fled indeede turned themselues about The middle battaile seeing their vantgard out of their course with their faces towardes them imagined that they had fledde and forth-with casting downe their weapons and else whatsoeuer would hinder their speed they be-tooke themselues euerie man to his heeles In this sort God gaue the victory to the Englishmen onelie by the working of his diuine power and not by either power or pollicie of man The chase was continued out-right VVest-ward about fiue miles vnto Lieth and wel-nere to the gates of Edenbrough distanced in breadth neere foure miles from the sandes vp toward Daketh South-ward The slaughter was so great that the riuer of Eske was stained with bloud which lay East-ward from the place of battaile and runneth North-ward into the Firth Not so few as ten thousand Scottes lost their liues all within the space of fiue houres from one of the clocke till sixe Of this number besides the Lord Flemming about two thousād were men of good quality Aboue fifteene hundred were taken prisoners amongst whome the Earle of Huntley the Lord of Yester Hobby Hamilton Captaine of Dumbar the Maister of Saintpoll the Lord Weames and a brother of the Earle of Cassels were of best account For to one Gentleman their were twenty of the common soldiours taken prisoners by reason they were all so meanly apparelled as that the better sort could not bee knowne from the rest who otherwise might haue escaped with their liues This victory fell to the Englishmen neere Mussel-brugh on Saterday being the tenth day of September in the yeare of our Lord God 1547. Two of my Fathers men hauing lost him in the chase in their returne found one slaine so verie like him in all respectes and more especiallie by a circle about the finger whereon he vsed to weare a great ringe as that with much sorrowe and lamentation they buried him Hee was one of them that gaue the first on-set on the enemies pikes whereat his horse receiued his deathes wound but serued notwithstanding all that day after After this the Englishmen by sea entred the I le of Colme a place by scituation very stronge standing in the Firthe about foure miles from Lieth wherein was an Abbie but the Monkes had abandoned the same Here and at the Castell of Browghtie-Cragge which stood in the entrie into the Taie garisons of Englishmen were placed for the more anoyance of those that were to passe vp those riuers In the returne of the armie by land Hume Castell and Fast Castell after some resistance were surrendred and fortified by the English At their comming to Boxbrugh they also erected a fortification vpon the ruines of an olde Castell and placed a garison therein Here the Lord Protector receiued diuerse Scottish Leardes and Gentlemen of the best account thorow the
whole Countries of Mers and Tiuidale vnto the obedience of the King of England wherevnto they bound themselues by seuerall oth The lord Gouerner of Scotland and the Queene Mother made semblance also by message to be willing to haue come to a treaty with the English lords but whatsoeuer their meaning was all their faire showes turned to nothing And truely in the iudgement of man it was much to be admired considering the great good that was hoped might haue followed thereof to both Nations what should mooue the Scottish Nobility to bee so much bent against this marriage especially now that the Cardinall was dead who ouer-ruled the rest while he liued But he that seeth the state of all things and time at one instant knoweth what is fittest to bee admitted in euery season and disposeth of the successe of all that man purposeth to the best aduantage of such as serue him For if this marriage so much desired and inforced had then taken place who knoweth into what estate both this and that Realme also should haue beene therby brought after the death of King Edward the young Queene hauing togither with her title so many great friends both in France and Scotland and happily here also in England that would haue taken her part in that quarrell While the Duke of Sommerset was thus occupied on the East part of Scotland the Earle of Lennox and the Lord Wharton warden of the VVest Marches at his appointment entred into Scotland one that side also This army consisted of some eight hundred horse and fiue thousand foot-men First the Castell of Milke a fortresse of good strength was surrendred passing from thence further into the Country they ouerthrew the Church steeple at Annand fortified by the Scottes and then set the towne on fire Here-with that CouÌ„try was so affrighted that on the next day all the Kilpatrickes the 〈◊〉 the Leâ—rds of Kirke-michell Apple-garâ—â—â— â—â—sâ—â—â—â—â—râ—e â—â—â—â—endes Nubie and the Irâ—â—â—â—â—ngs the Bells the Rigges the Murreâ—s and all the â—laâ—nes and sur-names of the neiâ—â—â—â— pâ—â—â— of Annandâ—le came in and receiued an oâ—â— of obedience as subiects to the King of England giuing pledges for their assured loyaltie They that refused to follow their example had their houses spoiled and burned their goods cattell carried away by the English horse-men who were sent abroad into the Country for that purpose Thus was that Nation pitifully afflicted for their obstinacy which vndoubtedly proceeded from their blind zeale to popery which they sawe was then declining a pace in England fearing that by this marriage the same eâ—â—ectes would â—â—â—es fâ—llowed thereof amongst themselues Thus much was signified by an embleme borne at the last battaile in the banner of the Scottish Prelates which was a woman painted with her haire about her shoulders kneeling before a Crucifix with this word wrytten in golden letâ—ers Afflictâ— sponsae ne obliâ—iscaris The Lord Wharton with his company being returned with their prisoâ—â—râ— and spoiles to â—oxbrugh receiued there of â—he Duke many thankes and so were dismissed The Duke also hauing first taken order for â—ll things needfull for those gâ—â—â—sones hâ—◠〈◊〉 behind him in Scotland and committing the Liâ—utenancy ouer the borders 〈◊〉 the Lord Gray on Michelmasse day dissolued his army and returned into England In this iorney were made knights by the Duke and the Earle of Warwicke these whose names follow Sir Andrewe Dudley brother to the Earle of Warwicke Sir Ralfe Sadler of whome I haue spoken before Sir Francis Brian and Sir Raufe Vane were made Banneretes which is a degree aboue a knight bacheler beeing alwaies such before The Lord Gray of Wilton The Lord Edward Seymer Lord Thomas Howard Lord Wâ—ldike of Cleueland Sir Thomas Dacres Sir Edward Hastings Sir Thomas Bridges Sir Iohn Thin Sir Miles Partridge Sir Iohn Conway Sir Gyles Poole Sir Raufe Bagnell Sir Oliuer Lawrence Sir Henry Gates Sir Thomas Chaloner Sir Thomas Neuille Sir Iames Wilford Sir Raufe Coppinger Sir Thomas Wentworth Sir Iohn Meruin Sir Nicholas Strange Sir Charles Sturton Sir Francis Saluin Sir Hugh Ayscu of Comberland Sir Richard Towneley Sir Marmaduke Constable Sir George Audley Sir Iohn Holcroft Sir Iohn Southworthe Sir Thomas Danby Sir Iohn Talbote Sir â—â—â—â—â—is Flâ—â—â—â—â—g 〈◊〉 Iohn Gresâ—â—â—â— Sir William â—â—â—with Sir Iohn â—â—â—â—es Sir Gâ—â—â—ge â—lage â—ir William Francis Sâ—r Francis Knowles Sir WilliaÌ„ Thorowgood Sir George Howard Sir Andrew Corbet Sir Henry Hussie Sir Anthony Sterley Sir Walter Benham Sir Roland Clarke Sir Iohn Horsley Sir Iohn Foster Sir Christopher Dirs Sir Peter Negro Sir Alonso Deuille Sir Iames Granado These 3. strangers Sir Robert â—randling Sir Richard Verney Sir Arthure Manering Sir Iohn Bertiuille In December following the Earle of Lennox being incoraged therevnto by such as in show seemed to fauor him repaired into Scotland and comming to Dâ—â—frâ—â—â—â— hee there attended certaine fâ—â—â—es out of those partes which the Earle of Angus and his olde acquaintance the Earle of Glencorne had promised before to send vnto him But at the daie and place appointed of two thousand horse-men besides foot-men which he exspâ—â—â—ed he was barely furnished of three hundred and such as liued only vpon robery and spoile This manner of dealing but especialâ—â— the inconstancy of Iohn Maxwâ—ll made the Earle not without cause very iolious ouer 〈◊〉 VVherefore that hee might with the like â—â—â—ning deceiue them whâ— would haâ—e deceiued him keeping still in his companie the Earle of Glencorne Iohn Maxwell and some other of the principall Scottes who labored his reuolt to their faction hee secretlie gaue order that sixe hundred horsemen some-part English and some-part Scottish should at midnight set for-ward towards Drwm-lamrige Being come thither some foure hundred of them beganne in disordered manner to forrey the Countrie of purpose thereby to prouoke Iames Dowglas the Lord of that Castell to come forth and so to intrap him But he doubting the worst kept in till day-light Then seeing the coast cleere with some seauen hundred horse hee followed after them with speed hoping not onely to ouer throwe them but also to take the Earle of Lennox at Dunfrees Hauing with his hast entred the riuer of Nith hard at the Englishmens heeles Maister Henry Wharton second Sonne to the Lord Wharton Captaine ouer that Companie perceauing the behauiour of the Dowglas turned vpon him with some score horsemen for the Scottes their fellowes were latelie before departed home-wards with their booties and what thorough the aduantage of the ground and the difficultie of the enemies passage hee put them to flight Dowglasse escaped verie narowlie two Gentle men of his sur-name of especiall account with him were slaine euerie man had his prisoner amongst whom diuerse were of good regard â—â—â—se they carried with them to Dunfrees This ouerthrowâ— put them of Gallowaie into such feare that they did wholy submit themselues to the obedience of the King of England The Gouernor in the meane time hauing besiedged Broughty-Cragge with some eight thousand
men and 8. peeces of artilery the which was valiantly defended by Sir Andrewe Dudley when he had knowledge of the good successe the Earle of Lennox had after wel-nere three monthes siedge gaue it ouer leauing behind him Iames Haliburtone with an hundred horse to cut off such victualls as by land should bee sent thither and to a fort which the Englishmen had built on the toppe of an hill neere vnto the other The Earle of Lennox beeing desirous to bee better reuenged on his dissembling friendes his Father in Lawe and others obtayned leaue once againe togither with the Lord Wharton to enter into Scotland on the VVest-Marches Their forces were some seauen hundred horse-men and fiue hundred foot-men English besides some other Scottish horse-men About the latter end of this yeare they came to Loâ—h-maben and so to Dunfrees The Earle of Angus being then at the Castell of Drom-lanrigge solicited his Sonne in lawe by messaâ—e to repaire vnto him The Earle peâ—ceauing it was done vpon no good meaning towards him forth-with appointed certaine troopes of horse-men to foraye the Country whereby to draw him to the field About midnight Maister Henry Wharton set forwards with twelue hundred light horse-men The Maister of Maxwell afterwards Lord Herries whose aduice the Earle vsed in this plot and the residue of the assured Scottes amongst them kept the vantgard In the morning the Earle himselfe and the Lord Wharton marched forth with the foot-men till they came ten miles beyond Dunfrees Then they so disposed their companies that the Earle of Angus was wel-nere intrapped before he distrusted any such matter so as hee was forced to flie with fiue or sixe persones only in his companie The English horse-men being come to Dusdere set the towne on fire The Maister of Maxwell with the other Scottish Gentlemen and light horse-men of the borders to the number of foure hundred hauing now trained the Englishmen into the middest of their enemies for on euery hill toppe great numbers of Scottes were placed about them forth-with the Leard of Drom-lanrigge with certaine chosen horse-men aduanced forward in sight of the Englishmen wherevpon the assured Scottes sodenly rearing vp a blacke pensill vpon the point of a speare for a token ioyned themselues to their Countrie-men vnder Drom-lanrigge The Scottes being thus vnited and thrusting in betweene the English horsemen their foot-men not without great peril to the one and other they passed on towards the Earle of Lennox the Lord Wharton who by this time were approached neere the old Castell of Danswinton some-times the house of the Cumines bruting it abroad that the English horse-men were ouerthrowne The Earle of Lennox beholding the manner of his aduersaries approach alighted on foote from his horse willing the Lord Wharton to doe the like for this day sayd hee I will die a true Englishman By this time the English horse-men behinde the Scottes fetching a compasse in their retreat from Dusdere came fortunatly to the place where the Earle and his companie beeing ranked in order of battaile were readie to retire backe againe towardes Dunfrees thinking no lesse but that their horse-men had in deede as it was bruted beene ouerthrowne by the enemie But the horse-men now comming in and perceauing how the matter stood gaue a braue charge vpon the Scottes that stood facing the Earle and his people ready to take any aduantage that in their retreat should haue beene offred and ther-with disordered and put them to flight The Leard Drom-lanerigge was taken prisoner but by corrupting him that tooke him hee got away The Maister of Maxwell had many speares broken vpon him but escaped Besides those that were drowned in the riuer Nith foure hundred were taken prisoners amongst whom the Abbote of Newe-Abbey and Christie Errwing of Boushawe a brother of the Learde of Hempsfield were the chiefe At their returne the Earle to Dunfrees the towne was rifled from whence Maister Henry Wharton was sent withall speede to the Court to make relation of the good successe of this iorney into Scotland who both for his good seruice now and before as also for the counter-newes hee first brought to the false report that till his comming was intertained in England receiued the honor of Knight-hood as he well deserued Letters were returned from the Counsell to the Lord Wharton for the execution of certaine pledges one for the Maister of Maxwell of his nearest kindred the VVarden of the Graie-friers in Dunfrees the Vicare of Carlauerocke some others who were executed at Carliele accordingly In the end of Aprill the yeare following the Lord Graie Lieutenant of the North-partes with Sir Thomas Palmer and Sir Thomas Holcroft were sent into Scotland with competent forces for the fortifying of the towne of Hadington and some other places seruing best for the defence of those Countries against the enemie whome the Lord Protectour purposed thereby if it might be to bring to some reasonable conditions of peace During the Englishmens abode their at this time they tooke and burned diuerse Castells and Townes wasting that Country the most firtile soile in Scotland on euerie side Vpon the surrender of the Castell of Yester the Lord Gray was contented to pardon the defendantes only one excepted who during the siedge had vttered reproachfull words against the King of England A Scotte named Newton was charged here-with but he denying it accused one of the Hamiltons who likewise forswore it These two gentlemen one accusing the other without any pâ—â—ofe on either side required the combat which was granted vnto them At the appointed time they entred the listes at Hadington in the market place prepared for that purpose They were apparelled in doublets and hose and weaponned with sword buckler and dagger At the first entrie Hamilton kneeling downe made his feruent praier that it would please the Lord to giue victory to the truth with solemne protestation that he neuer vttered any such speech of the King of England as his aduersarie layed to his charge Newton being troubled as it seemed by his countenance with his false accusation argued vnto the beholders his gilty conscience The combat begunne Hamilton was so full of â—orage that he caused the other to giue backe wel-nere to the end of the listes But Newton perceauing the danger hee was in for if he had beene driuen to the end he should haue beene adiudged vanquished stept forwards and withal gaue Hamilton such a wound on the legge that there-with he fel downe to the ground and then falling vpon him slew him out-right with his dagger Diuerse Scottish Gentlemen present being fully perswaded that Newton was the offender notwithstanding this his purgation offred themselues to maintaine the vanquished mans quarrell but the victor chalenging the Lawes of armes my Lord Gray would not doe him that wronge but giuing him his gowne and chaine then about him hee so dismissed him This Newton was afterwards met withall vpon the borders and pittifully hewne and cut in peeces
with â—igâ—t thoâ—sand Sâ—ottes layed siedge to Hadington and in â—â—ort time â—o battered the walles with their great ordâ—â—ance that in diuerse places it was assâ—â—table Neuertheles the towne was so wâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—ded by Sir Iames Wilforâ— the Captaine thereof his people that the enemy had smal hope to take iâ— by force wherfore they indeuored to cut of al accesse whereby to famish the defendants keepe from them other necessaries which they wanted neuertheles by the policy of certaine English Captaines that found a way in the night with 200. horse-men thorowe the Scottish watch the towne was releeued in good time wherevpon within 4. daies after the Scots leaft the siedge fiue or sixe hundred light hors-men only excepted went euery man to his owne dwelling This made the Frenchmen more vigilant wary afterwards so as they that made the like interprice next had not so good successe for of thirty hundred hors-men wherof 700. were lances coÌ„mitted to the charge of Sir Robert Bowes Sir Thomas Palmer fewe or none escaped but was either slaine or taken prisoner This ouerthrow was imputed to the rashnes of Sir Thomas because that after his lances had before repulsed the enemies two seueral charges he would not be there-with satisfied but presuming vpoÌ„ his former fortune adueÌ„tured againe so far within their danger that being incoÌ„passed by them the English could find no way out to escape The Lord Protector in the meane time hauing prouided an army of 15000. men of whoÌ„ 3000. were Almains coÌ„mitted the conduct therof to the Earle of Shrewsbury accompanied with the L. Gray lieutenaÌ„t of the North-parts More-ouer the lord Clinton high admiral of EnglaÌ„d after created Earle of Lincoln by Q. Elizabeth with a 〈◊〉 â—â—sed kept 〈◊〉 with the â—â—â—y by land 〈◊〉 â—hey were 〈◊〉 fâ—â— a sonder but the ships that had brought the Frenchâ—â—n into Scotland which they hoped to haue met withal were before thiâ— time sent home-wards back againe At thâ—â—pproach of the English Monsieur â—essie raised the field retiring his army towards Edenbrugh incaÌ„ped beyond Musskelbrough in a plaâ— of grouÌ„d chosen for his best aduantage the English horse-mâ—â— coasting them al the way as they passed for the space of 7. or 8. miles The towne of Hadingâ—on being victualed and furnished of al necessary prouision the Englishmen showed themselues to the enemy who there-vpon offred skirmish but they seeming as the vnprouided to accept therof drâ—w backe themselues vntill the other were â—ome forward within danger of an ambushment laied purposely to intrap them The Englishmen 〈◊〉 â—â—king the exspected aduantage wheeling about gaue the enemy a charge inforcing him to make his cariere back with more speed then appertained thereto so as hauing him in chase diuers were slaine take prisoners namely Pierre Longâ—â— Luciuâ—â— two French Captains By this time 14. or 15. thousand Scots Irish were come to the enemies câ—mpe These new forces were â—â—â—â—ly lodged whâ— sodenly the Englishmen presented themselues in good order of battaile exspecting some profer of skirmish for the space of an houre but perceauing they had no list to leaue their strength they returned back to their owne Campe. The Nauie being now entred into the Firth was not idle for comming to the brent Iland the Englishmen set fire on foure ships and passing thence by Leeth they saluted that Towne with Cannon shot Monsieur de Villegaignon not long before this was departed from thence with foure Gallies where-with compassing all the Northerne Ilands of Scotland he arriued at Dunbritton where by appointment hee receiued into his charge the young Queene betwixt fiue and sixe yeares of age attended by the Prior of Saint Andrewes her bastard brother Iohn Aesken and William Leuistone with whom at length with much difficultie hee landed at Brest the Queene from thence was conueyed to the French Court The Lord Admirall after this attempting to burne Saint Minets was there repulsed by the Laird of Dune where-vpon the Nauie returned to attend the Armie hauing sustained some losse at that their last bickering The Earle hauing proceeded as farre as his Commission extended dissolued his armie and returned into England But the Lord Gray staying some time in the Northe parts according to the charge giuen him entred againe into Scotland with the Almaigne footmen and certaine English horsemen burning and wasting the countries of Tiuidale and Lidsdale twenty miles within the land and then returned without incounter The reason hereof was as it seemeth 〈◊〉 quarrell at that tâ—me in Edenbrâ—â—â—â— â—hen betweene the Scots the Frenchmen whâ—â— in Sir Iames Hamilton Larde of Sâ—enâ—â—house Captaine of the Castell and Prouost of the towne togâ—â—â—er with his sonâ—â— and diuerse townesmen â—â—aâ— tooke his part were slaine by the French that with-out leaue would haue entered the towne This broile no doubt bred great vnkindnesse no small iealousie in the one nation ouer the other so as some inconuenience had followed there-vpon had not the matter in time beene taken vp betweene them Monsieur Dessie to bring himselfe into credit againe with the Scots aduentured with his companies of Frenchmen Almaignes to giue a Camisadoe to Hadington for comming thither in the night about the middest of October some pretty while before day hee dispatched the watch before they were aware of any enemy and was entred into the base court ready to breake downe the towne gate before â—he alarme was raised crying out victory victory The Englishmen with the suddennesse hereof were much amased not knowing which way to turne them In this perplexitie a soldier amongst them vsing a desperate remedie for a present cure gaue 〈◊〉 with his match to a double CanoÌ„ that by good chance lay ready charged against the gate â—he which with his thunder-bolts made such a passage thorow the Frenchmen that were â—ow thronging thereat aâ— the terrour thereof made the residue to giue back The Englishmen in the meane time issuing out at a posterne gate vpon their backs â—o bestirred their Halberts and black-bils that many of their enimies were knocked downe and the residue driuen away as fast as their legges could carry them Notwithstanding Desse gathering them againe together gaue three assaults that morning to the towne but was still repelled to his great losse for they caryed away with them sixteen Carts and wagons laden with maimed soldiers and dead carcases besides nere two hundred that were found in the base court whom they left behind them Shortly after this blowe the enimie had the like successe at Dundie Forte being already possessed of the towne for the Frenchmen hauing also recouered the pile there and purposing to finish a peece of worke which the Englishmen had begun to their hands the Riengraue with his Almaignes and Monsieur De Etanges were forth-with sent thither to that end while they were about this businesse the Englishmen and their Almaignes issuing out of Broughtie-Cragge two miles distant from it came so sodenly vpon them
that they had no other way to saue them-selues but by running away And eyther at this time or at some other shortly after Monsieur de Etanges who with his company of Horsemen laye in garrison at Dundie was by them of Broughtie-Cragge taken prisoner in a skirmish that was betweene them this Gentleman was no small losse to the enemy being oâ— that approued valiancie as not many amongst them were marchable with him But ere it was long the want of him was requited by the taking of that worthy Knight Sir Iames Wilford the Gouernour of Hadington by the French garrison at Dumbarre as he passed by the towne in a conuoy his place was supplied by Sir Iames a Crofts The enemie perceiuing how vnlikelie it was to preuaile against the English at Hadington and Browghtie which were the places of greatest importance that they held so farre within Scotland brought his forces vnto the borders at least to defend those countries then shrewdly incombred by the continuall incursions of the Englishmen During the Frenchmens abode at Iedworth they tooke some strengths in those parts in the keeping of the English namely the Castels at Ferneherst Cornewall Fourd and also entring the English Marches burned diuerse villages carrying away many good booties not a little to the losse and annoyance of the inhabitants of those partes The English borderers here vpon assembled them-selues at Rox-brough purposing to haue assailed the Frenchmen in thâ—it Campe at Iedworth but they hauing knowledge thereof and finding them-selues ouer-weake to maâ—e resistance 〈◊〉 by this time many of them were dead through want of victuals and other necessaries which that hard country especially in winter could not affoord them would not abide the hazard of battaile but with all speed with-drew them-selues further into the countrie neither from this time forward did they performe any seruice worthy the remembrance The Scots in the meane time recouered Hume Castell out of the Englishmens hands by night through the treacherie of certaine of the assured Scots who at all times had free accesse there-vnto About the beginning of the next yeare viz. 1549. some fiue and twenâ—ie saile of men of warre were sent out of England who arriuing in the Firthe continuing their course vp the riuer seized vpon foure shippes which they found there Comming vp ouer-against Leith and saluting the Towne with their shott they laye at Anchor thirteene or twelue dayes in which time hauing landed their men on the Iland of Iuskith and begun to fortifie the Fleete they returned to the Sea in hope to encounter a new supply of Frenchmen dayly exspected in Scotland but before the worke could be brought to any perfection Le Desse taking vpon him this peece of seruice whereby to giue a plausible farewell to his former crosse-fortunes in these Scottish warres recouered the Iland after it had beene in the Englishmens possession sixeteene dayes All the Captaines well-neere were slaine and the residue taken prisoners The number left to attend the finishing of this Forte were foure Ensignes English and one of Italians This Monsieur hauing atchieued the glory of this enterprice gaue vp his charge to Monsieur de Thermes lately arriued at Dun-britaine and forth-with returned into France in the same galleys which brought the other into Scotland The generall conduct of all the French forces being now committed to de Thermes which with these he brought with him was well increased hee forth-with incamped at Aberladie where he began a foundatioÌ„ of a Fort therby to impeach the landing of any victuals for the reliefe of Hadington Though the Councell of England were now very busily occupied aswell about the suppression of a most dangerous commotion within the realme as also in making preparation against the French king that now inuaded Boullognoies neuer-the-lesse they neglected not as farre as the state of things at home and abroad would permit to releeue this their slippery foot-hold in Scotland For the Earle of Rutland Lord President then of the North and Generall of this armie accompanied with Sir Richard Manors Sir Francis Leake Sir Iohn Saunge Sir Thomas Helcroft Sir Oswald Wolstropp and others furnished with competent forces both forraigne and Natiue entred there with into Scotland and did not onely giue releefe to Hadington and the other garrisons but with all so distressed the Frenchmen by setting vpon them in their Trenches that if the aduantage had beene foreseene in time the enemie had been in great danger of an vtter ouer-throw The Almaignes that at this seruice tooke part with the Englishmen hauing in the meane time committed the custodie of their baggage to their women boies were disburthened by the Scottish prickers of so much as was worth the cariage But Iulian Romero with his band of Spaniards sped much worse For the enemies sodenly setting vpon them where they lay incamped neere the towne of Coldingham slew both their Captaine and well-neere the whole number of them About this time Fast Castell was recouered by stratagem out of the Englishmens hands For the gate being set open and their bridge let downe to receiue victuals brought thether by the assured Scottes at the Captaines appointment while the same was vnlading certaine other Scottes that were priuilie placed to attend the oportunitie sodenly entring the Castell surprised it The Earle of Rutland being called home more speedily then was purposed to the suppressing of a new commotion in Yorkeshire that brake out in his absence the state of the Scottish affaires began thence-forth to decline not onely by the tumults raised by the comminaltie in diuerse parts of this realme but also by the disagreement betweene the Lord Protector and the rest of the Nobilitie especially the Earle of Warwick Lord great Chamberlaine and afterwards created Duke of Northumberland By reason of which vnhappy iarres it was thought necessary to giue ouer the keeping of Hadington being a matter in deed of more charge then profit seeing it could not bee victualed but by the conuoy of an armie The Earle of Rutland was therefore sent thither againe to see the fortification rased and to conduct the men and munition safely into England which was performed accordinglye Monsieur Thermes and his associates being herewith not a little incouraged in February following besiedged Browghtie-Cragge which together with an other fortification neere vnto it were in short time recouered out of the Englishmens hands wanting meanes to make resistance against so strong an enimie neuer-the-lesse they would not yeeld so long as any man well-neere was able to stand in the defende of the charge they had vnder-taken While these things were in doing a treatie of peace was set on foote betweene England and France but the Commissioners proceeding slowly therein the Scottes and Frenchmen ceased not in the meane time to pursue the accomplishment of their ioynt desires which was vtterly to driue the Englishmen out of Scotland Therefore immediatly after the recouerie of the former houldes they besiedged Lowder where after some
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
number the Queene of England should furnish them there-with leauing behinde them pleadges for their safe returne That Lieth should bee deliuered vp to the Scottes the walles and fortifications about it raised and throwne downe That the fortification erected by the Frenchmen before the Castell of Dumbar should be also cast downe Thus much beeing performed on the French partie the Englishmen should forth-with breake vp the siedge and depart That Mary Queene of Scottes with the consent of her husband should by an act made to that end bury in obliuion all attempts and actions done or interprised by the Scottish Lordes against their authoritie from the tenth day of Marche in the yeare 1558 to the first of August this present yeare 1560. which acte should bee ratified in Parliament then immediatlie to bee holden by the estates of Scotland with the approbation and allowance of the said King and Queene of France and Scotland That three-score French-men should still abide in the I le of Iuskeith and as many in the Castell of Dunbarre least otherwise the Queene might seeme to bee dispossessed of the whole Kingdome Lastlie that the King and Queene of France and Scotland should not from thenceforth vsurpe the title or beare the Armes of England sithence the same onely belonged of right to the Queene of England Whilest these Ambassadours were passing into Scotland the Queene Regent deceased at Edenbrough which happily gaue readier dispatch to this businesse Thus was that Nation disburthened of this seruitude to the Frenchmen amongst whome Monsieur la Brosse one of the chiefe Commanders vnder the Queene Regent aduised his maister the French King as by intercepting of his Letters was discouered to haue brought the Nobilitie of Scotland to vtter destruction and of their liuings and yearely reuenewes to maintaine a thousand men of Armes to keepe the commons in perpetuall bondage At the Parliament holden in August following the Acte of Obliuion according to the former articles was ratified and the question of Religion debated and there-vpon a confession of the faith established and published Shortly after the Earle of Morton the Earle of Glencarne and the young Leird of Ledington repayred to the English Court in the behalfe of the other Lords to render thankes to the Queene of England for the great fauour her Maiestie had done them in reducing their distressed countrie to a peaceable estate for the which they acknowledged them-selues bound vnto her for euer In December next Francis the French King deceased where-vpon Queene Mary returned into Scotland the twentith of August the Summer following in the yeare 1561. Presentlie after William Metlaine was sent into England to make knowne her safe arriuall and to recommend vnto her Maiestie most kinde salutations from the Queene his Mistresse and her great desire to continue amitie and concorde betweene their kingdomes Then hee presented to her letters from the Lords wherein after a due remembrance of thankefulnesse for the late receiued fauours they humbly intreated her Maiestie not onely to carry her selfe in such sort towards their Queene that shee might there-by bee mooued to continue amitie with her but that it would please her by as straight bands as possiblie might bee still to binde her more and more vnto her promising that for their parts they would let slippe no occasion as farre as it rested in their powers where-by to perpetuate the late league betweene the two nations Further that the most assured meane where-by to bury in perpetuall obliuion the memorie of all former dissention and clearlie to take away all occasion of future quarrell rested herein that it would please her by acte of Parliament to establish the succession of the crowne of England for want of issue of her owne body vpon the Queene their Mistresse who in bloud was next vnto it Hauing prooued by sundry arguments and examples that this their request was both iust and agreeable to the practise of the Kings ouer both these nations in former times hee concluded that their Queene expected that fauour at her hands Here-vnto the Queene of England answered I looked for another kinde of Ambassage from your Queene I maruell shee hath forgotten what at length shee promised before her departure out of France which was to ratifie the peace made at Leeth and that immediatly after her returne into Scotland I should bee certified thereof I haue now long enough said her Maiestie beene fed with faire words it is high time if your Queene regard her credit with vs that her deeds be answerable ther-vnto The Ambassador in her excuse answered that he was sent out of Scotland within few dayes after their Queenes returne that she had not then entred into the handling of any matter of State but was wholie busied in giuing intertainement to the Noblemen for the more part vnknowne vnto her neither were they all come at his departure whose aduice it was fitte shee should vse in a matter of that importance especially touching the establishing of Religion which how difficult a point it was shee her selfe knew by experience and without whose consents shee neither could nor ought to conclude of any thing The Queene of England beeing heere-with more mooued replyed What needeth I pray you any further consultation to effect that where-vnto your Queene hath already bound her selfe by her hand and seale what answere I should make here-vnto sayd hee for the present I know not hauing receiued no warrant here-in from our Queene who looked not that this point should haue beene so farre vrged now This is all I can say vnto it Your Maiestie may easilye see what iust occasion shee now hath to deferre that businesse vntill a more conuenient time when as I doubt not but you shall bee better satisfied After some further speech her Maiestie comming to the most materiall point of this ambassage I well remember saith shee what you haue deliuered vnto vs in your Oration from the Nobilitie of Scotland in the behalfe of your Queene First that shee is the next vnto vs in bloud and therefore I should shew greatest affection and loue towards her which wee neither will nor can denie For the whole world can witnesse with vs that in all our actions we neuer attempted any thing against the good and safetie of her selfe or of her kingdome that when she claimed and chalenged our kingdome and vsurped the armes of the same yet neuer-the-lesse wee could not bee perswaded but that it proceeded rather from some bad counsell about her then from her selfe But how-so-euer it was wee hope shee shall not bee able to take our Crowne from vs or from my issue if I leaue any such to succeed vs. If I dye with-out children shee shall not finde any thing done by vs that may preiudice her right to the Crowne of England What that is wee neuer yet thought it needfull to examine neither purpose wee heere-after to trouble our selfe there-with-all but wee leaue it to them to whom it pertaineth to looke vnto it
If your Queenes title bee good wee will no way impaire the same And I call GOD to witnesse that for our part wee knowe none next my selfe whome I preferre therein before her or if the matter should come in question can exclude her Who bee the competitours you knowe sayd shee well enough But what are they poore soules to attempt a thing so farre aboue their strength After some speach more of the meane estate of those Ladies all being the issue of the Lady Mary second Daughter to King Henry the seauenth at length she concluded that this their request was a matter of a very great weight and that she had neuer yet entred into any due consideration thereof and therefore it was requisite shee should haue longer time to thinke better of it After some few dayes shee called the Ambassadour againe vnto her and told him shee could not finde out what the meaning of the Lords was to make this petition so presently after their Queenes returne home especially knowing that the occasion of the former greeuances was not yet taken away what other thing is it said she they require but that not-with-standing the manifest wrong offered vs we should without further satisfaction gratifie their Queene in yeelding to a point of that importance if they take this course said she let them know that we haue as good meanes as they both at home and abroad whereby to hold our right The Ambassadour answered that their desire herein proceeded from a care they had not onely to further the aduancement of their Queene but that which touched them nearer ouer their own estates which by any trouble arising hereafter there-about might happily fall into danger of an vtter ruine That the Lords were imboldned the more freely and plainly to impart their mindes vnto her by the experience they haue had of her Maiesties good affection towards them and of the care shee had alwayes shewed ouer the continuance of their present estates and therefore hee hoped shee would make the best constructions of their meanings towards her in this their petition proceeding vpon so necessary considerations If wee had said she attempted any thing hurtfull to your Queenes title then had they had good cause to haue mooued vs to take some other more moderate reuenge But to perswade me to haue as it were my winding sheete layde before me while I liue is such a petition as was neuer yet made to any Prince Neuer-the-lesse wee doe not mislike their honest meaning herein eyther in respect of the good towards their Queene or themselues For wee must confesse it would cost many men on both sides their liues if happily any aduerse partie amongst those competitours should oppose her selfe against your Queene But who should shee bee or what meanes can shee make Well letting this doubt passe wherein there is no doubt to bee made admit wee were inclinable vnto that they desire would wee thinke you be drawne vnto it thereby to gratifie those Noblemen rather then your Queene her selfe surely no. But there bee many moe reasons then yet I haue made to keepe vs from yeelding there-vnto After shee had in a long discourse declared what shee had obserued both particulerlie in the disposition of her owne subiects and more generally in the corrupt nature of man-kind and with-all had alledged sundrie examples in other Christian kings how iealous they haue beene euen ouer their owne children who by the lawes of God and Nature were to succeed them shee concluded that by them she was taught how dangerous a point it was to make their Queene her knowne heire to the Crowne of England the more in that she was alreadie a mighty Princesse of her selfe and therefore she should with the more difficultie vpon such a grounded hope containe her selfe with-in the due bondes of lawe and equitie Vpon further conference with her Maiestie at another time the Ambassadour at length obtained that the former treatie of Peace and the articles then set downe should bee retracted and inlarged in this maner That the Queene of Scots should no longer beare the armes of England nor vsurpe the title of Queene ouer the same during the life of the Queene of England or of her issue after her On the other-side that the Queene of England should promise and couenant for her selfe and her issue after her that neither shee nor they should make or do any act that might preiudice the claime and right of succession which the Queene of Scots hath to the Crowne of England In like maner when as after the broiles in Scotland which followed the detestable murthers of King Henry the Queene of Scottes her second husband Father to the King that now raigneth and of the Earle of Murrey their Regent they of her faction shee being then fled into England for her more safetie and remaining there in a fauourable kinde of captiuitie practised her deliuerance by stirring vp a dangerous rebellion in the North parts of England and that the principall conspirators the two Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland were fled into Scotland and harbored there the Queene of England being moued there-vnto as well in respect of her owne safety as of the tender and motherly care she had ouer the Infant King her neere kinsman whose life was brought thereby into no lesse danger then her owne her Maiestie was easilie drawne by the intreatie of the Scottish Nobilitie of that faction to take vpon her the defence and protection of them and that kingdome against the common enimies and disturbers of the peaceable and quiet estate of the one and other Nation who besides their priuie practises had also by open hostilitie and inuasion prouoked her Maiestie to take armes against them For euen the next night after the Regent was slaine Walter Scotte and Thomas Carre â—â— â—â—â—miherste at the instigation especially of the Archbishop of Saint Andrewes entred the English borders and in outragious manner with fire and sword wasted and spoyled the countrie adioyning Neither were the aduersaries satisfied with this and the like displeasures sundry times afterwards but they were not ashamed with most despightfull tearmes to reproach her Maiestie Of this faction the Hamiltons were the principall heads and leaders not so much as it was thought for any good meaning towards the Scottish Queene whose party they would seeme to take but rather by bringing her againe into Scotland they hoped to worke the destruction both of the Mother and Sonne and there-by to set the Crowne of Scotland vpon some of their owne heads pretending to bee next in bloud after them to the same The Queene of England being thus prouoked to reuenge by her aduersaries on the one side and on the other side intreated by her well-willers to ioyne with them against those who were enimies both to her and their owne King commanded the Earle of Sussex Lord Lieutenant then of the North parts to gather such forces there as he thought conuenient where-with-all to enter into
Scotland so as on the eighteenth day of Aprill in the yeare 1570. that realme was together inuaded from all the three English Marches The principall Armie was conducted by the Lord Lieutenant himself accompanied with the Lord Hunsden Gouernor of Barwick and Sir William Drewrie Marshall there The next was lead by Sir Iohn Foster warden of the middle Marches the third by the Lord Scroope warden of the West Marches The two former entring into Tiuidale wasted and destroyed what-so-euer stood in their way vntill they met at Crawling where they also rased the Castell FroÌ„ thence passing to Iedworth they were so well intertained that in requitall thereof they forbare to doe any harme there Departing thence the Armie sundry times deuided it selfe the more to afflict the countries where they passed Vpon the two and twentith of the same moneth they returned together to Barwick The Lord Scroope in the meane time with his people hauing ranged the enimies Countries as farre well neere as Domfries gaue them sundrie ouer-throwes tooke many prisoners burned diuers Townes and returned also in safetie In these iourneyes aboue fiftie Castells and places of strength and not so few as three hundred Townes Villages and dwellings were rased burned and spoiled so as none well neere in all those parts who had either receiued the English rebels or had by inuasion indamaged the borders of EnglaÌ„d had left vnto them dwellings for them-selues or their followers besides the great losse of their goods wasted consumed or caryed away by the Englishmen During these exploits the Marches of England were on euery side so garded by the Lord Euers Sir George Bowes and the Bishoprick-men as the enimie durst not once offer to carry so much as a Cowe out of England The Lord Generall hauing staied three dayes at Berwicke for the refreshing of his armie and making preparation for the siedge of Hume Castell hee then assailed the same so egerlie that within three dayes more it was surrendred This Castell was committed to the custodie of Captaine Wood and Captaine Pickman with whom leauing a garrison of two hundred souldiers hee returned againe to Berwicke At this siedge but foure were slaine on both sides two English and two Scottishmen The fourth of May the Lord Generall lying sicke at Berwicke sent Maister Drewrie with some two thousand men to take Fast Castell which vpon the first summons yeelded it selfe it was kept by halfe a score Scottes and committed to the custody of as many Englishmen who were thought able enough to hold it against all the powre of Scotland the same by scituation was naturally so strong The Generall at his returne made him Knight together with Sir Thomas Manners brother to the Earle of Rutland Sir George Cary now Lord Hunsdon and Sir Robert Constable While these things were in doing the Earle of Lennox being ther-vnto ernestly labored by the Lords of the Kings party his country-men obtained leaue of the Queene of England where hee then remained to ioyne with them in the King his grand-childs quarrell But because the aduerse partie had gotten such head whilest that Realme was without a head that with his safety he could not passe alone vnto theÌ„ it pleased her Maiesty such desire she had to aduance the good estate of that Nation not only to safe-conduct him thâ—ther but also to giue him such aide as hee should not stand in feare of the malice of his enemies For Sir William Drewrie Generall with the other three new made knights and certaine companies of horse and foote-men to the number of sixteene hundred in the whole setting forth of Berwicke togither with the Earle and his Scottish retinewe on the twelfth day of May made so good speede the foote-men beeing a daies iorney before them that on the next day they came to Edenbrough where they found there confederates the Scottish Lords amongst whom the Earles of Morton Mar and Glencarne were the principall In the meane while for the better assurance of such couenants as were agreed vnto by those Lords at whose intreaty also this aide was granted certaine hostages were sent into England The Duke of Chateau his adherents of the aduerse partie hearing of the approach of the Englishmen was latelie departed thence and had dismissed his armie hauing first attempted and failed of the taking of the Castell of Glascoe with some losse of his men but more of his honour The matter of greatest importaÌ„ce atcheeued by the Englishmen and Scots there associates at this iorney was the taking of Hamilton Castell which was preseÌ„tly raised The towne of Lithquo which had bin a great enemy to the Kings party at the ernest intreaty of the Earle of Morton was neuerthelesse spared the Dukes house only excepted Here was the Earle of Murrey late Regent of Scotland despightfully murthered by Iames Hamilton of Bedwell for the which it deserued the lesse fauor But such was the compassion of this worthy Gentleman ouer the penitent offenders both now and before that a Scottish writer hath brought him into some suspition of ouer much partiality towards the aduersaries although the same Author coÌ„fesseth that the Englishmen in all this iorney spared neither the goods lands nor houses of any of the Hamiltons or other that were either suspected of confederacy with the murtherer of the Regent or had receiued into their protection any of the English rebells especially all along the tract of the riuer of Cloid where for the most part their possessioÌ„s lay The beginning of the next month the Englishmen returned to Berwicke the Scots their confederates each man to his owne house Shortly after the Queene of England recoÌ„mending vnto the Scottish Nobility the fidelity and trust they might safely repose in the Earle of Lennox therevpon by generall consent where before hee was intituled Lord Gouernour or Lieutenant of Scotland they made him their Regent the rather as it seemeth because the Earle of Huntley had a little before taken vpon him the Lieutenantship of that Realme in the name and behalfe of the Scottish Queene had also summoned a Parliament to be holden at Lithquoe in September following In the meane time the Earle of Sussex the Lo. Scroope were sent again into Scotland with certaine bands of horsmen footmen to pursue the English rebells where hauing as before made great spoile at Dumfrees other places as far as the Castell of Carlauerock which they blew vp after sixe daies they returned to Carliele on the eight and twentith day of August where the Earle made these knights for their good seruice at this iorney Sir Edward Hastings brother to the Earle of Huntington Sir Francis Russell Sonne to the Earle of Bedford Sir Valentine Browne Sir William Halton Sir Robert Stapleton Sir Henrie Curwin and Sir Symond Musgraue For aboue two yeares after this no further aide was sent out of England by reason I take it her Maiesty and the counsell were wholie busied in the discouerie of the secret and
dangerous practice of Thomas Lord Howard Duke of Norfolke in contriuing marriage with the Scottish Queene for the which hee was now againe the second time hauing before beene deliuered thence coÌ„mitted to the Towre of London where he remained prisoner from the seuenth of September till the thirteenth of Ianuary following on which day he was arraigned in VVestminster-hal before George Lord Talbote Earle of Shrewsbury high Steward of England for that day and there by his Peeres found gilty of high treason and according to the iudgment passed vpon him was beheaded on the Tower-hill betweene seauen and eight of the clock in the morning the secoÌ„d day of Iune in the yeare 1572. It was great pittie this good Duke was so bewitched by the Babilonian Circe that man of Rome and his agentes as that he could not foresee the danger whereinto he was falne by vndertaking that vnhappy enterprice who if hee had beene better aduised might long haue continewed a principall piller of our common weale On the 22. of August following Thomas Lord Percy Earle of Northumberland hauing before beene attainted of high treason by Parliament as being one of the principal conspirators in the late rebellion and now brought out of Scotland whether he was fled was likewise beheaded at Yorke about two of the clock in the after noone But Charles Neuil Earle of Westmerland his associate in the said rebellion finding no safety for him-selfe in Scotland got ouer into the low-countries where he liued a long time after While these things thus passed in England the aduerse faction of Scotland who were the fewell of this fire ceased not in their accustomed maner still to crosse the proceedings of the Lords of the Kings party for the Earle of Lennox enioyed not the Regencie hardly one yeare before he and the rest of his adherents were sodenly set vpon by their aduersaries at Striueling where before the Earle could bee rescued out of their hands he was so wounded by the shot of a Pistolet that hee died thereof the same night After whose death the Lords made choise of the earle of Marre to succeed him in that dignitie The Queene of England still laboured by all good meanes to accord these iarres in Scotland but it would not preuaile by reason the French king neuer ceased to animate and incourage the Scottish Queenes partie to stand out who from the death of the earle of Murrey was possessed of the Towne and Castell of Edenbrough the strongest hold and chiefe towne of that realme For the recouery hereof the Queene of England was entreated by the other party to assist them with some competent forces Here-vpon Sir William Drewry was once againe sent into ScotlaÌ„d accompanied with Sir Francis Russell Captaine Read Captaine Erington maister of the Ordinance and Prouost Marshall Captaine Pikeman Captaine Gamme Captaine Wood Captaine Case Captain Stâ—rrey and Thomas Bâ—rton to whose charge was committed one thousand Souldiers three hundred Pioners and certaine peeces of batterie viz sixe double Canons foureteene whole Culuerings two Sacres two mortuis peeces and two Bombards Certaine other Gentlemen accompanied the Generall as voluntary followers namely Sir George Carie Sir Henry Ley Maister Thomas Cecill now Lord Burghleigh Maister Michell Carie Henrie Carie William Knowles Thomas Sutton Cotton Kelloway Dyer Tilney William Killigrew William Selbie and others The Englishmen beeing come to Edenbrough some foure or fiue bands of the Scottishmen ioyned with them and brought three or foure peeces 〈◊〉 of Artillarie The footmen haâ—ing without râ—sistance entred the Towne the Canon from the Castell was sundry times discharged vpon them but did no harme saueing by beating vp the Stones in the streete 〈…〉 Brickman was thereby hurt in the face The same day the Castell was summoned by a Messenger of Armes in maner following Sir William Kerâ—andie some times of Grange Knight For as much as the Queenes Maiestie my Soueraigne Lady â—â— the earnest request of her deere Cousin the King of Scottes your Soueraigne Lord made to her Highnesse by his Râ—â—â—â— Nobilitie and 〈◊〉 of the realme after all good meanes vsed by â—reaty to haue reduced you to dutiful obedience of his authority which hitherto you haue not duly harkned vnto to the onely hinderance of the vniuersall peace in this realme by with-holding this his Highnesse Castell meaning as it seemeth to reserue the same for a receptacle of forraine forces to the manifest danger of this realme of my Soueraigne and therefore necessarily to be in time remoued for which consideration her Maiestie hath sent her aide and succours of Men Ordinance Munition vnder my charge and leading for the expugnation and recouerie of the said Castell to the said Kings vse and behoofe And therefore according to her Maiestes commandement and commission this shall be in due maner to warne require and summon you that you render deliuer the said Castell with all the Ordinance Artillary Munition Iewels houshold stuffe such other implements within the same to me to the vse and behoofe of the King your Soueraigne his Regent in his name immediatly after this my letter of SoÌ„mons or knowledge of the same shal come vnto you which if you obey as of dutie you ought then will I in her Maiesties name enterpose my selfe to trauell with the Regent Counsel Nobility here for the safety of your liues But otherwise if you continue in your former obstinacie abiding the Canon theÌ„ looke for no further grace But you the rest within that Castel shal be pursued to the vttermost holdeÌ„ as enimies to his maiesty your owne soueraigne and Country General Edâ—â—â—â—â—â—gh by me Williâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—y Knight General of her Maiesties forces now in Scotland this 25. day of April in the yeare 1573. Notwithstanding this Sommons the Captaine vtterly refused to yeeld vp the Castell wherevpon as well the defendants within as the assailants without prepared all things where-with on the one side to repulse on the other to expulse one the other But the Cannon was so well applied by the Englishmen that the enemy was forced to a parley wher-vpoÌ„ on the third day following being the 28. of May the Castell was surrendred into the hands of the Generall and his Ensigne was erected in sundry places thereof vntill he deliuered the same ouer againe to the vse of the King of Scottes togither with the prisoners taken therein namelie Sir William Kerkandy the Captaine the Lord 〈◊〉 the Lord of Ledington Secretary the 〈◊〉 of Peterro Constable of the Castell the Countesse of Arguile the Lady of Ledington and the Lady of Grange The priuate souldiers other their seruants were licenced to depart with bagge and baggage This Castell was neuer before taken by force the same beeing alwaies thought of such impregnable strength thorow the naturall scituation thereof as by no engine and deuice it could possible bee atchieued But what can now withstand the force of the Cannon if the same be subiect to battery Since that
in the beginning of the fift yeare of his raigne hee intered into Scotland accompanied with the greater number of his Nobilitie amongst whom Peter Gauestonne whom he now created Earle of Cornewall was in greatest fauour with him on whom also hee bestowed the signorie of the I le of Man which within three yeares after Bruse recouered from him King Edward raunging his people in battell aray passed thorough the country as farre as Reufren and then returned againe with little or no resistance For Bruse beeing not yet of sufficient power to incounter his huge Armie kept himselfe out of his walke knowing king Edward could not tary long there because he had taken such order before that nothing remained wherwith to relieue so great a number He was no sooner turned home-ward but the Scots were ready to follow him at his heeles so as entring into Lothian they did great hurt to the inhabitants and returned at their pleasure before they could be ouertaken by the Englishmen King Edward comming to Berwicke stayed there all the next winter and fortified the Towne with a strong wall and ditch somewhat hee caused to be done likewise at Roxbrugh and Norham which two Castells he committed to the custodie of the Earles of Cornewall and Glocester and so the next spring returned into England and ceassing any further at this time to prosecute his affayres in Scotland he turned all his malice and fury against his own subiects amonst whome the Earles of Lancaster Glocester and Warwicke being not able any longer to indure the outragious pride and insolencie of Gauestone supported against them by the vnmeasurable and doting affection of the king towards him sought meanes to haue him apprehended and once againe banished or if they fayled therof then to bee reuenged some other way The king hauing knowledge of their intent conueied him to the Castle of Scarbrugh not so closely but that it was made knowne to the Lordes his aduersaries who pursuing him presentlie thither they forced him to yeelde himselfe into their handes and in conclusion without further aduisement Guye Earle of Warwick caused his head to bee stroken off The King not without cause tooke this their vnlawfull act in such scorne as that euer after though for the present he dissembled his displeasure hee fought occasion how to bee reuenged By reason of this priuie hart-burne betweene the king and his Nobles the Scotish affayres were neglected on all parts so as in the meane season Bruse had brought vnder his obedience the better part of that kingdome Wherefore it was now high time to do somewhat if the king made any reckoning to hold that nation in such state as it was left by the late deceassed king his Father Heerevpon hee once againe assembled a puissant and gallant armie such as for multitude gorgious aray was neuer seene before in Scotland purposing not onlie to make a full conquest thereof but to leaue behind him such store of English people as should be sufficient to inhabite those Countries which thorough the long continuance of warre were left well neere desolate Bruse vnderstanding of this great preparation forslaked no time to make what resistance hee could And by how much hee was ouer weake in power to resist his aduersarie it behooued him to bee so much the more circumspect by art and policie to get what aduantage hee could against him Hauing therefore brought his armie which consisted of some thirty fiue thousand such men as reposed theyr whole confidence for life landes and else whatsoeuer onely in the force and courage of their handes and hearts to the further banke of the Riuer Bannock there hee stayed the comming of the Conqueror This Riuer runneth into the Furth hauing very high and steepe bankes on both sides and here and there certaine straite and narrow passages ouer it some-what also beneath the cliftes before his fall it lieth flat but the passage ouer there was hindered thorough certaine suncken marrish grounds and quagmires neuerthelesse at that time of the yeare passable enough in many places In these plots he caused deepe ditches to bee cast and sharpe pointed stakes of wood to bee strucken downe in them in such manner as hauing their toppes couered with light turues they might easilie deceiue those that fore-cast no such perill And where the passage was more firme hee caused Caltroppes to bee scattered for the annoyance of the horsemen When euery thing was thus disposed and framed to his best aduantage the King of England approching with his royall Armie set his people in battaile araye on this side the riuer ouer-against the Scots The first day was spent with certaine light skirmishes betweene the horse-men not much to the losse or gaine of either partie Though the night at that time of the yeare was there very short or none at all being the xxiii day of Iune yet such was the earnest desire on eyther side to ioyne in fight as that vnto them both it seemed ouer-long Bruse lead the middle battaile hauing his brother on his right hand and Randolph on the left The English Armie was marshalled in the same manner thoroughly interlined with good store of Archers The men of Armes gaue the first onset and rushing together vpon the hidden points of those stakes that were set for that purpose they were all ouer-throwne before they could come neere the Scots who watching the expected aduantage and falling vpon them readily made an exceeding bloudy slaughter of them They that escaped made so confused a retraite as the maine battaile of foot-men that followed them was not a little thereby disordered The Scottes therewith ioyned with them hand to hand and maintained the fight very valiantly but the English Archers fot a time were very troublesome vnto them vntill certaine light horse-men assailing them at their backes ouer-threw a great number and dispersed the rest But yet the enemies force preuailed not so much as did his ftaud here againe for the rascall sort men women and boyes that attended their cariages mounting vpon their Cart-iades and other Draught-cattle with their sherts aboue their other garments and banners and flagges made of their sheetes and aprons and such like stuffe fastned to the tops of long poles shewed themselues a farre off descending from the top of an high hill as if it had beene a new Armie hasting to the ayde of their fellowes This sight stroke such a terror in those of the English Army that were neerest vnto it as that forth-with they betooke them to their heeles The rest supposing the danger greater then it was and beeing therwith much disordered fled all for feare they knew not whereof their Captaine 's not beeing able by any meanes to keepe them in Exceeding great slaughter was made of the common souldiers in the chase King Edward with some fifteene Earles in his companie with much difficultie escaped by flight being receiued by the Earle of Marche into his Castle of Dunbar from whence they were conueied by