renew the former complaints of Bothwel his resset and entertainment in the borders of England and to crave his delivery according to the league But while he was pressing that businesse in England Bothwel surprised the King at home and for a while made all these purposes to sleep so as he returned without effecting any thing The occasion and manner of the surprise was this The Chancellour who had all that year been absent from Court upon a discontent the Queen conceived against him had sent to the King a Letter requesting his licence to depart forth of the Countrey since he could not with safety attend his service for that to remain at home and live deprived of his Majesties presence he said was to him a very hell which he could hardly indure promising to return at such time as his Majesty should find convenient to recall him to his service The King did shew the letter to the Queen because in the same he had protested much of his sincere affection towards her and being loath to quite him whom he had tried to be so able a servant moved her to forget all quarrels so as he would resigne the Lordship of Mussilbrugh which had bred this dissension The resignation made and the Chancellour being on the point to return to Court the Duke of Lennox by the advice of Atholl Ochiltrie and others of the name of Stewart resolved to prevent his coming by the inbringing of Bothwell The Parliament had broke up some two dayes before and the Noblemen resorting to the Palace to take their leave of the King the Gates were kept patent and lesse heed taken of those who entred Atholl with his Lady had lodged all that time in the house then pertaining to the Earl of Gowry at the back of the Palace and kept Bothwell private with Mr. Iohn Colvill one of his followers So early in the morning the Lady pretending to bid the King farewell and making her entry through the Postern Gate taketh Bothwell and his companion along with her and bringeth them unperceived of any into the Kings bedchamber The King was then private in a retiring room and when he came back and saw them stand with their swords in their hands cried aloud Treason treason They falling on their knees called for mercy Nay said the King you have dishonoured me and placing himself in his chair Strike Traitor saith he to Bothwell and make an end of thy work for I desire not to live any longer He protesting with many oaths that he came only to beg pardon and to put himself in his Majesties will the King replyed That mercy extorted by violence was not mercy and that it was not the form of supplicants to come with weapons in their hands Whilest the King was thus talking the Earl of Marre and Sir William Keith entred into the Chamber and presently after them a number of Bothwells faction who by this time had possessed the utter Court and assumed the charge of the Gates The report of this accident going to the City the people went to armes and conducted by Sir Alexander Home their Provost made towards the Palace to give the King relief but he was then become somewhat pacified and following the Earl of Marre his advice after he had shewed himself from a window to the people and given them thanks for their readiness he willed them to return to their houses attend his advertisement All that day matters were caried fairly in a sort 〈◊〉 using speeches and offering himself to trial for the consultation which began his trouble for his other misdemeanors he desired mercy excusing himself by the want and necessity whereunto he and his friends were driven But when he perceived the Kings countenance not to be towards him as he wished he changed his forms and letting some words fall that sounded not well gave divers to suspect that he should attempt some violence This did set the English Ambassador on work who being assisted by the Ministers of Edinburgh did after long travell and much perswasion induce the King to set his hand to the Articles following 1 That remission should be granted to Bothwell his friends and partakers for all attempts against his Majesties person and authority in any time past and promise made never to call or pursue him and his foresaids for any by-past fact as likewise to repossess them in their houses and lands notwithstanding whatsoever process laid against them 2 That a Parliament should be called in November next and such an Act past in his and their favours as was made at Linlithgow Anno 1585 for their greater security 3 That during that time the King should not receive in his Company the Chancellor the Lord Home the Master of Glammis and Sir George Home knight 4 That from henceforth the Earl Bothwell his friends and followers should be esteemed as good and lawful subjects and used with much favour as if they had never offended These Articles the King did in the word of a Prince promise to perform and for Bothwells greater satisfaction after he had signed the same with his own hand caused so many of the Councell as were present together with the Magistrates and Ministers of Edinburgh subscrive as Witnesses The subscribers were the Duke of Lennox the Earl of Atholl the Lords Forbes Ochiltry Spiny and Urquhart the Master of Gray M. Iames Elphinston Mircarny the Clerk of Register Nicoll Edward Iohn Morison George Fodrick and David Williamson Baylifes of Edinburgh M. David Lindesay M. Robert Bruce M. Robert Rollock M. Walter Balcanquell and M. Patrick Galloway Ministers For Bothwell it was promised that he should leave the Court and not come towards the King till he was called by his Majesty These things were done at Halirudhouse the 14 of August 1593. some twenty days after the surprise The next day the King went to Falkland attended by the Duke of Lennox the Lord Ochiltry and Chreichton of Clany a follower of Atholl who did promise to waite upon the the King unto November and debarre those others that by the Articles were not to be admitted The rest of the moneth the King stayed at Falkland and in that time Bothwell did obtain himself purged by an Assise of practising and consulting with Witches which had been the original of his mischief In the beginning of September the King went to Striveling where he had appointed a Convention to meet for taking order with the broken men of the Highlands and borders Thither came the Lord Hamilton the Earls of Marre Morton Glencarne and Montrose with the Lords Lindesay and Levingston of the Church estate the Bishops of Dunkeld and Aberdene the Prior of Blantyre and Abbot of Lundors and divers Commissioners of Burghes After some speeches concerning the borders and Highlands and the means to quiet them which was the errand pretended the King declared that he had called them to that meeting for business that touched him
that it should be lawfull to Superiours and Lords of Regalities to refuse the entry of all such to their lands by precepts of Clarè constat or any other way Lastly that persons excommunicated for not conforming themselves to the Religion presently professed should neither in their own names nor covertly in name of any other enjoy their lands or rents but that the same should be intrometted with and uplifted to his Majesties use These were the Acts concluded touching Religion for the punishment of rapes which was grown as then too common his Majesty by a speciall letter did recommend to the Estates some overtures for restraining such violences As if any widow woman or maid should be forced and abused against her will the crime should be capital and not purged by the subsequent consent of the woman In like manner if any woman should be taken away albeit no further injury was done and she relieved either by her friends or by the Magistrate or by what so ever means the onely violence intended should be punished by death in regard the party had indevoured to do his worst And for those that did intice any woman to go away without their parents or tutors consent that they should be secluded from any part of the goods or lands belonging to the woman so inticed Some other Acts for the publick good of the kingdome were passed at the same time neither was it remembred that in any one convention so much good of a long time was done as in this In the beginning of February the Secretary was brought to Edinburgh and delivered to the Magistrates who received him at the neither port and conveyed him as a Prisoner to the lodging that was appointed A great gazing there was of people which troubled him not a little as he shewed by his countenance The next day he was delivered to the Lord Scone who with a guard of horse did convey him to the prison of Falkland there he remained to the 10 of March and was at that time taken to S. Andrews to abide his triall with the Justice there sate as Assessors the Earls of Dunbar Montross and Lothian the Lord Privy seal and Clerk Register His indictment was to this effect That in the year 1598 by the instigation of his Cousin Sir Edward Drummond a professed Papist he had stoln and surreptitiously purchased his Majesties hand to a letter written by the said Sir Edward and directed to Pope Clement the eighth in favour of the Bishop of Vaison for the said Bishops preferment to the dignity of a Cardinall And that notwithstanding the many denialls the King gave him in that busines he had treasonably conspired with the said Sir Edward to deceive and abuse his Majesty shuffling in a letter among others that were to be signed and filling it up after it was signed with the styles and titles usually given to the Pope and sealed the letter with his Majesties fignet the keeping whereof was intrusted to him by virtue of his office and in so doing had mostundutifully and treasonably behaved himself to the indangering of his Majesties Honour Life Crown and Estate and to the subversion of true Religion and the whole professors thereof Upon the reading of the indictment he was enquired if he would use any friends or advocates to speak in his defence as the order of the Court did allow him his answer was That he stood never in so great need of a Proloquutor the matter concerning his life estate and all that he possessed in this world yet he had choosed to keep silence and not employ either friends or advocates the offence he had committed being such as could admit no defence for howsoever he conceived that the keeping of intelligence with the Pope might advance his Majesties succession to the Crown of England yet knowing as he did his Majesties resolution never to use any crooked course but to rest upon Gods providence and his own right it did not become him to have medled in a matter of that importance Therefore did he intreat all gentlemen and others that were present to bear witness of his confession and the true remorse he had for the offence committed which he esteemed so great as neither his lands nor life may not twenty thousand lives such as his could repair onely two things he asked liberty to protest one was that he never intended to work an alteration of Religion or a toleration of the contrary the thing he had done being a meer worldly course whereby he judged some good might have been wrought at the time Next he protested that neither the love of gain nor hope of commodity had led him on that having never received nor expected benefit from any Prince living his Master the King onely excepted but an opinion he foolishly conceited that he might that way promote his Masters right In end he said that he would not make the Iudges any more business that he had confessed the truth and as he wished God to be mercifull to his soul in that great day his Majesty was most falsely and wrongfully charged with the writing of that letter to the Pope and that he never could move him to consent thereto The Jury was then called and the persons following sworn in face of Court David Earl of Crawford George Earl Marshall Iohn Earl Wigton Patrick Earl of Kingborne Iohn Earl of Tillibarden Alban L. Cathcart Iohn L. Salton David L. Scone Alexander L Garlies William Master of Tillibarden Sir Iames Douglas of Drâ—mlanrick Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar Sir William Levingston of Kilsith Sir Iohn Houston of the Ilke and Sir Patrick Home of Polwart These going apart returned after a short space into the Court and by the mouth of the Earl of Marshall pronounced Iames Lord Balmerinoch guilty of treasonable surreptitious fraudulent and false stealing of his Majesties hand to the letter specified in the indictment without his Majesties knowledge and contrary to his will declared As also of the treasonable affixing of his Majesties signet to the said letter and of assisting known and professed Papists in their treasonable courses to the danger of Religion the overthrow of the true professors thereof and drawing of his Majesties life estate and right of succession to the Crown of England in most extreme perill besides the bringing of most false and scandalous imputations upon his Majesty as well in Religion as honour and of art and part of the whole treasonable crimes contained in the said indictment The King being advertised of his conviction for he had commanded before any doom should be pronounced by a warrant directed to the Justice he was brought again to Edinburgh and in a Justice Court kept the first of Aprill decerned to be taken to the place of execution and there to have his head cut off his lands heritages Lordships Baronies taks steadings rooms possessions offices benefices cornes cattell c. forfeited and escheated to his
tried to provide for afterwards against the like by a new edict it was made capital to disperse libels for defaming any person in that sort and to have keep or read any such that should happen to be affixed or cast into the streets The Earl of Lenox whilest these things were a doing ceased not to solicit the Queen by his letters for taking trial of the murther without delaying the same unto the time of Parliament as she had purposed Particularly he desired the Earl of Bothwell and others named in the libells and placard affixed on the door of the Senate-house to be apprehended and the Nobility assembled for their examination Bothwell perceiving that he was now openly attached did offer himself to triall for which the 12. of Aprill was assigned and the Earl of Lenox cited by the Justice to pursue according to the delation he had made In the mean time to fortifie himself he got the Castle of Edinburgh in his custody upon the Earl of Marre his resignation placing therein Sir Iames Balfour whom he especially trusted The Earl of Marre for his satisfaction had the Prince delivered in his keeping and caried unto Striveling where the Earl then lay heavily sick The Diet appointed for the triall being come and the Court fenced as use is Bothwell was empannelled The Earl of Lenox being called compeired Robert Cuningham one of his domesticks who presented in writing the Protestation following My Lords I am come hither sent by my master my Lord of Lenox to declare the cause of his absence this day and with his power as my Commission beareth The cause of his absence is the shortness of time and that he could not have his friends and servants to accompany him to his honour and for the security of life as was needfull in respect of the greatness of his partie Therefore his Lordship hath commanded me to desire a competent day such as he may keep and the weight of the cause requireth otherwise if your Lordships will proceed at this present I protest that I may use the charge committed to me by my Lord my master without the offence of any man This is that if the persons who pass upon the Assise and enquest of these that are entered on pannell this day shall cleanse the said persons of the murther of the King that it shall be wilfull errour and not ignorance by reason it is notoriously known that these persons did commit that odious murther as my Lord my master alledgeth And upon this my protestation I require an instrument The Justice by the advice of the Noblemen and Barons appointed to assist in that judgement did notwithstanding the said protestation grant process whereupon the Noblemen chosen for the Jury were called These were Andrew Earl of Rothes George Earl of Cathnes Gilbert Earl of Cassils Lord Iohn Hamilton Commendator of Aberbrothock Iames Lord Ross Robert Lord Semple Robert Lord Boyd Iohn Lord Hereis Laurence Lord Oliphant Iohn Master of Forbes with the Lairds of Lochinvar Langton Cambusnetham Barnbowgall and Boyne the Earl of Cassills excused himself offering the penalty which by the Law they pay that refuse to pass upon Assise but could not obtain himself freed the Queen threatning to commit him in prison and when he seemed nothing terrified therewith commanding him under pain of treason to enter and give his judgement with the rest Thus were they all sworn and admitted as the manner is After which Bothwell being charged with the inditement and the same denied by him they removed forth of the Court to consult together and after a little time returning by the mouth of the Earl of Cathnes their Chancellour declared him acquit of the murther of the King and of all the points contained in the inditement with a protestation That seeing neither her Majesties advocate had insisted in the pursuit nor did Robert Cuningham Commissioner for the Earl of Lenox bring any evidence of Bothwells guiltiness neither yet was the inditement sworn by any person and that they had pronounced according to their knowledge it should not be imputed to them as wilfull errour which they had delivered Mr. David Borthwiâ—â— and Mr. Edmund Hay who in the entry of the Court were admitted as his prolocutours askt instruments upon the Juries declaration so he went from that Court absolved yet the suspicions of the people were nothing diminished And some indeed were of opinion that the Judges could give no other deliverance nor find him guilty of the inditement as they had formed it seeing he was accused of a murther committed on the 9. day of February whereas the King was slain upon the 10. of that moneth But he for a further clearing of himself set up a paper in the most conspicuous place of the market bearing That albeit he had been acquited in a lawfull Justice court of that odious crime laid unto his charge yet to make his innocency the more manifest he was ready to give triall of the same in single combate with any man of honourable birth and quality that would accuse him of the murther of the King The next day in the same place by another writing answer was made that the combat should be accepted so as a place were designed wherein without danger the undertaker might professe his name The 13. of April a Parliament was kept for restoring the Earl of Huntley and others to their estates and honours which was not as yet done with the solemnity requisite In this Parliament the Commissioners of the Church made great instance for ratifying the Acts concluded in favour of the true Religion yet nothing was obtained The Queen answering that the Parliament was called for that onely business and that they should have satisfaction given them at some other time The Parliament being broke up Bothwell inviting the Noblemen to supper did liberally feast them and after many thanks for their kindness fell in some speeches for the Queens marriage shewing the hopes he had to compass it so as he might obtain their consents Some few to whom he had imparted the business before-hand made offer of their furtherance the rest fearing to refuse and suspecting one another set all their hands to a bond which he had ready formed to that purpose A few dayes after faigning an expedition into Liddisdale he gathered some forces and meeting the Queen on the way as he returned from Striveling whither she had gone to visit her son he took her by way of rape and led her to the Castle of Dumbar No men doubted but this was done by her own liking and consent yet a number of Noblemen convening at Striveling lest they should seem deficient in any sort of their duties sent to ask whether or not she was there willingly detained for if she was kept against her will they would come with an Army and set her at liberty She answered That it was against her will that she was
censures and excommunications This dissension betwixt the King and the Church brought with it many evils for upon the notice of it divers Jesuits and Priests did resort into the countrey and at home such as were Popishly affected began openly to avow their profession In S. Andrews Mr. Nicholl Burn professor of Philosophy in S. Leonards Colledge made open Apostasie from the truth as Mr. Archihald and Iohn Hamiltons Regents in the new Colledge had not long before done In Dumfreis Mr. Ninean Daliel Schoolmaster did read to his Scholars the Romane Catechisme and in Paisley a number of Papists assembling together did in derision sing a Soule Masse for the Ministers as if they and their religion had been utterly gone These things being complained of and not much hearkened to the Ministers in their Sermons fell to regrate the countenance given to Papists in the Court and the dangers wherein both the King and countrey were brought by the secret practises of the French The King to stay these declaimings which he knew to be made against the Earl of Lennox called the Ministers to Edinburgh and shewed them what travel he had taken to convert his Cousen and how he had obtained his consent for taking a Minister in his house which would be to good purpose and serve both to debarre Jesuits from accesse to the Nobleman and win him by conference to a greater liking of the truth desiring therefore that one of their number might be appointed for some short space to attend him Mr. David Lindesay then Minister at Leth being held the fittest as well for his skill in the French tongue as for his moderation otherwise was with the Kings approbation nominated to this service by whose labours the Nobleman was brought in a short space to joyn himself to the Church and openly in S. Giles to renounce the errours wherein he had been educated Yet did not this remove the jealousies of the people which were increased by the intercepting of certain dispensations sent from Rome whereby the Catholicks were permitted to promise swear subscribe and do what else should be required of them so as in mind they continued firm and did use their diligence to advance in secret the Romane Faith These dispensations being shewed to the King he caused his Minister Mr. Iohn Craig form a short confession of faith wherein all the corruptions of Rome as well in doctrine as outward rites were particularly abjured and a clause inserted because of these dispensations by which the subscribers did call God to witnesse that in their minds and hearts they did fully agree to the said Confession and did not fain or dissemble in any sort This confession the King for an Example to others did publickly swear and subscribe the like was done by the whole Councel Court and observers appointed to take notice of those that did not resort to Sermon or behaved themselves in any sort scandalously So careful was the King to have the Church satisfied and the rumours of the Courts defection from Religion repressed After this all things continued quiet for a while till by a bruit suddainly raised none knew by whom the Earl of Morton was taxed for keeping secret intelligence with the Queen of England and a purpose he had to put the King in her hands Morton complaineth of this in Councel and desireth a trial But the King not willing to make businesse for a tale whereof the Authour would hardly be found put it off saying that he knew it to be a lie and a malicious invention of enemies and thereupon sent forth a Proclamation against lies carriers of tales tending to breed discord betwixt him and his Nobility Yet as if some such thing had been feared a motion was made some days after in Councel for guarding the Kings person and electing of an high Chamberlain which office none had borne for many years in this Kingdome who should have twenty four to attend him all of them the sonnes of Barons or Noblemen and be ever at hand to accompany the King whither soever he went The motion was applauded of all and after some ten days deliberation the Earl of Lennox preferred to the place Alexander Areskin Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh was chosen to be his Deputy and a roll made of the Gentlemen that should give attendance These were the Masters of Marshall Rothes Cassils Lindesay Levingston Elphingston Hereis and Ogilvy the Lairds of Cowdinknowes Bargainy Bomby Kilsyth Minto Strathurd and Moncreeffe Mr. Mark Ker of Preston Grange George Douglas of Rumgawy Captain Iames Stewart son to the Lord Ochiltrie Alexander Ruthven the Commendator of Inchaffrey the Prior of Coldingham Alexander Home of North-Berwick and Iames Chisholme As extraordinaries the Lord Maxwel the Lairds of Cesford Alexander Home of Manderston and William Stewart of Caverston were added to the number All these took the oath of fidelity to the King and obedience to his Chamberlain in the things they should be directed for his Majesties service The Earl of Morton albeit he was much displeased with these courses did carry a fair countenance and concealing his discontents waited still on the King and was assisting in Councel and publick meetings Once he minded to have withdrawn himself from Court and to have lived privately but was detained by a dissension that fell out in the time betwixt the Lord Ruthven and Master of Oliphant who had married a daughter of Lochlevin whom whilest he laboured to protect he drew upon himself the hatred of the Lord Ruthven and thereby was laid more open to the malice of his enemies Sir Robert Bowes being sent at the same time Ambassadour from England to charge the Earl of Lennox with some practises against the peace of the two Realms the blame aswell of his employments as his suddain departing was laid upon him for the Ambassadours Commission and instructions being questioned and he desired to exhibit the same before the Councel he refused to shew them but to the King himself which not being admitted he went away complaining that the Queen had deserved better then thus to have her Ambassage misregarded His suddain departure amazed the Court not a little before wherefore to excuse the King and try what the accusations were wherewith Lennox should have been charged Alexander Home of North-Berwick was sent in Commission to England but the Queen denying him accesse he was remitted to the Lord Thesaurer who courteously told him That the Queen had refused him presence not for any dislike she had of himself whom she knew to be sound in Religion and one that loved his King and his Countrey but because the King had not used her well calling in question the credit of her Ambassadour and requiring him to shew his instructions which was strange he keeping himself within the bounds of his Commission But your King saith he is young and misled by new Counsellours whose fault the Queen
with a common consent This I thought likewise fittest but in the mean time I prepared to depart and would have been gone if contrary winds had not stayed me The same Gentleman came afterwards unto me and shewed that they were returned and would shortly be seen at Striveling This moved me to remain albeit doubting of a sufficient concurrence of Noblemen I was not resolved what course to take and lay in a carelesse security at Dundy more inclined to go then to stay I protest always before God that I never heard nor was in counsel of any plot against his Majesties Person Crown or Estate but only studied to keep my self from ruine by the assistance of others At our meeting together unto which time all was deferred it was thought that a course should be taken by common advice for securing our selves in his Majesties favour And whereas I am asked what Noblemen were privy to the enterprise and what was looked for from England I will truly declare all upon the firm assurance of his Majesties clemency At home it was expected that all those who subscribed the bond in that first alteration would joyn themselves with us and besides those divers others namely the Earl of Marshal and Bothwel with the Lord Lindesay and some of the West parts So it was affirmed to me but how truly I cannot say From England we expected a supply but no certain time was appointed and it was said that the Queen minded to intercede for restitution of the Hamiltons if she found the King tractable This is all I know and if there by any other particular tending to his Majesties well or hurt which I do not at the present remember I shall plainly reveal the same whosoever be offended therewith At his coming to Striveling he sent to the King a letter penned in this form Please your Majesty it is neither diffidence nor despair in your Highnesse favour and clemency towards me nor any desire I have to live in this world that moves me to require some short audience of your Majesty But there is a purpose of so weighty importance which I desire to impart unto your Highnesse which might have endangered the life and estate of your mother and your self if I had not stayed and impeded the same the revealing whereof may avail your Majesty more then the lives and livings of 500. such as my self most humbly therefore I beseech your Highnesse that my Petition may be granted I assure my self of your Majesties gracious answer Striveling the last of April 1584. In a Postscript this was added The matter I have to speak is not the concealing of treason but the revealing of a benefit This Petition was denied and the same made a part of his indictment for being brought to his trial the fourth of May Mr. Iohn Grahame sitting as Justice and assisted by Sir Iohn Gordon of Lochinvar Alexander Master of Levingston Alexander Bruce of Airth and Iames Edminston of Duntraith he was indicted of four points First that in the beginning of February Mr. David Home servant to the Earl of Marre came to him privately in the town of Perth under silence of night and communicated to him the treasonable device of surprizing the Burghs of Perth and Striveling at least of one or other of them and that he agreed to the taking and fortifying of the said towns whereby he had incurred the crime of Treason as well in concealing as consenting to that wicked purpose 2. That understanding Mr. Iames Areskin to be a trafficker betwixt Marre Angus and others he did belay the ways to the end he might speak with him and after meeting kept conference with him touching the surprise of the Castle of Striveling and the furnishing thereof with men and ammunition 3. That being charged in Dundy by his Majesties letters to render himself to the Lord Petten Weyme his Majesties Chancellor and Captain of his Highnesse guard he did enter into the house of William Drummond Burgesse of Dundy and with his Complices defended the same by the space of 6. houres making exclamations to the people that he was pursued for Religion and desiring them to aid and assist him 4. That he being obliged to maintain his Majesties person life honour and Crown and having intelligence of a most weighty purpose that concerned the life and estate of the King and the Queen his mother he had treasonably concealed the same and did as yet keep up the specialties thereof albeit he professed he knew it so perfectly that in his letter written to the King he saith that it had not failed to have taken effect if he had not stayed and impeded the same The indictment read he first excepted against Lochinvar that he could not be assessor to the Justice in his trial in regard of the deadly enmity betwixt Gartland who had married his Ladies sister and him This exception was repelled because the propinquity alledged was only affinitas affinitatis Then he complained that the Noblemen who were sent to examine him had not kept their word having promised that whatsoever he had confessed should not be laid to his charge It was answered that the Noblemens word could not warrant him Thirdly he said that being indicted for treason he ought to have been cited upon 40. days and a delation made by some accuser which was not observed The Advocate replied that in matters of Treason the King might arrest any person upon the space it pleased him Fourthly he alledged the license granted him to depart the countrey This was found nought except he did therewith produce a respit or permission To the last point of the indictment he said that what he offered to reveal tended to his benefit if he had vouchsafed him hearing and was no matter of treason It was answered that the concealing of that might tend to the hurt of the Kings life and mothers was treason So the indictment was found relevant and the persons of the Jury called These were Colin Earl of Argile David Earl of Crawford Iohn Earl of Montrosse Iames Earl of Glencarne Hugh Earl of Eglinton Iames Earl of Arran George Earl of Marshal Alexander Lord Seaton Hugh Lord Sommervil Iames Lord Down William Lord Levingston Patrick Lord Drummond Iames Lord Ogilvy Alexander Master of Oliphant and Iohn Murray of Tillibardin They retiring themselves as the custom is and returning within a short space pronounced him guilty whereupon sentence was given that he should be taken to the Market Crosse have his head cut off and be dismembred as a traitor The last part thereof was dispensed and he in the evening beheaded His servants were permitted to take the head with the body and bury it This was the end of that Nobleman who in his life was much honoured and imployed in the chief offices of Court a man wise but said to have been too curious and to have consulted with Wizards touching the state of things in future times yet was
Notwithstanding they all three were convicted and declared guilty of treason doom was only pronounced against Drumwhasill and Mains and they the same day hanged in the publick street of Edinburgh The Gentlemens case was much pitied Mains his case especially Hamilton who made the delation lived after this in a continual fear and abhorred of all men he kept still in the company of Arran unto the alteration of Court at Striveling at which time Iames Iohnston of Westraw pretending a vow that he had made to revenge Mains his death did kill him as he was flying through the Park on the South side of the Town These cruel and rigorous proceedings caused such a generall fear as all familiar society and intercourse of humanity was in a manner left no man knowing to whom he might safely speak or open his mind Arran in the mean time went on drawing into his own hands the whole managing of affairs for he would be sole and supreme over all The Earl of Argile having departed this life the year preceding he was created Chancellour The office of Secretary he gave to Mr. Iohn Metellan Lethingtons son having banished the Abbot of Dunfermlin who formerly possessed the same The Castles of Edinburgh and Striveling he had himself in custody then made himself be chosen Provost of the Town and as if all this had not been enough he was declared General Lieutenant over the whole Kingdom In a word whatsoever he was pleased was done and without him nothing could be done This stirred up great emulation against him in Court The Master of Gray a great favourite at that time did take it disdainfully that every thing should be governed by him Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice Clerk a man of brave spirit did also hardly endure it and Mr. Iohn Metellan though he had followed still from Mortons execution to that time began to fall away and work his own credit those things were cunningly dissembled as among Courtiers and all outward respect given him by those that were plotting his ruine To his felicity nothing as he thought was wanting but the friendship of England this he was advised by the Master of Gray to seek by the Lord Hunsdons means who lay then Governour of Berwick a meeting whereupon wrought betwixt them and at Foulden some three miles from Berwick whither Arran went matters so dressed as upon the assurance of his service to the Queen of England it was promised that the exiled Lords who lay near the borders waiting to raise some stirres should be called to London and upon verification of the conspiracy wherewith Mains and the rest were charged put forth of England In this hope the Master of Gray is sent into England and Commission given him for remanding the fugitive Rebels or if that could not be obtained for removing them further off from the Borders of Scotland more privately he was desired to use all means for winning the Queens favour to the Earl of Arran And for preparing the way to his Legation the Archbishop of S. Andrews was sent some weeks before to inform the Queen of the King his sinccerity in Religion because of the rumour which the Ministers who fled thither had dispersed to the contrary The Queen professing to have received great content by his information recommended to the King above all things constancy in his profession assuring him in that case of her unchangeable friendship The Master of Gray as his coming had favourable acceptance though he was known to be a Catholick Romane and for the point of remanding was answered that she did not think those Gentlemen whom the King called Rebels intended any harm to his person but if the contrary was made to appear they should be suffered to remain in her Kingdomes And for that the King required touching their further remove from the Borders the same was promised and the Lords accordingly called from thence and commanded to stay at Norwich This answer reported to the King by the Master of Gray at his return drew another Legation wherein Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice Clerk was imployed the thing committed to him was the accusation of the banished Lords and verifying against them the conspiracy for which Mains and Drumwhasill had suffered The Lords upon this were brought from Norwich to London and there challenged by the Ambassadour who as appeared insisted with great servour against them But the Master of Glammis answering for the rest made their innocency in that particular to be clearly seen which was heard no lesse willingly by the Judges then delivered by the Speaker Neither was the accuser any worse minded towards them for all the shew he made and at the same time were grounds laid both for their restitution and Arran his subversion the Queen and Councel of England being privy to all and secretly advancing their enterprise Arran in the mean time had assurance given him of the Queens friendship and supposing all things to be right went on in his accustomed manner not caring what enmity he drew upon himself The Earl of Athol the Lord Home and Master of Cassils were committed to prison The first because he refused to divorce from his wife a daughter of the Earl of Gowry and intaile his lands to him the next for that he denied him his part of the lands of Dirleton and the third for denying him a loan of some moneys which it was thought he might spare His last falling out in that kind was with the Lord Maxwel for an excambion of the Barony of Mernis and the lands of Maxwel heath with the Barony of Kinnel which he possessed by the forfeiture of the Hamiltons Maxwel not liking to change his old inheritance with such a new and uncertain purchase excused himselfe and would not hearken to the change but he thinking to force him thereto by some indirect means travelleth with the Lady Iohnston who gave attendance at Court to cause her husband to accept of the Provostry of Dumfreis and moveth the King to write unto the Town to elect Iohnston their Provost for that he being Warden of the West marches would thereby be made more able to keep good order in these parts Maxwel interpreting this to be done as it was to his disgrace at the time of Election convocated his friends and debarring Iohnston from entring the Town procured himself to be continued in the office Hereupon informations were made to the King that there could no quietnesse be expected in these parts unlesse Maxwel his power was curbed Charges were also directed to cause him present certain of the name of Armestrong for whom he was obliged which he not performing was denounced Rebel and Commission given to the Laird Iohnston to pursue him for whose better enabling he had two companies of hired souldiers allowed him under the charge of two Captains Lamby and Cranston Maxwel hearing of these preparations gathered his forces and with a part
bridge of which he kept the keyes Some weak resistance was made by Colonel Stewart at the head of the Market street but he was soon put back with the slaughter of one or two of his company The borderers according to their custome fell upon the stables and made prey of all the Gentlemens horses whereof they found good store The spoile otherwise was not great as of a town not very rich in merchandise In the morning betimes the Castle was inclosed which they knew could not long hold out for it was unfurnished and scarce provided with victuals of one day in this extremity the King was advised to employ two of his Councel towards the Lords to ask what they intended Choice was made of the Secretary and Justice Clerk as men whom they would willingly hear At the first meeting the Secretary was rough enough with them saying That such violent formes were not to be approved and to deal in that manner with their King they would finde it unsure for what was extorted from him by force or fear he would soon finde means to undo and never want men to serve him in that whereunto his will was bent that humble Petitions became subjects and had been more fitting then to come in the manner they did The Lords answered that it grieved them fore to be reduced to that necessity nothing being more dear to them then the Kings honour and safety But what could they have done they were banished from their countrey put from their livings their friends used with cruelty the King not permitted to hear them in their just defence and alwayes shut up from presenting their Petitions That their coming in that manner was not to dishonour nor force the King to whom they would be most humble supplicants and upon their knees if they should find accesse beg mercy at his hands All they did was to save themselves from ruine and to be secured from their adversaries who had wronged them and the whole States of the Kingdom wherefore they besought them as their countreymen and friends to intercede with his Majesty that they might be accepted in favour and all things composed in the most quiet and honourable manner for the King and State that could be devised This reported to the King did mitigate his mind a little For my self said he I did never like that mans violence meaning Arran and howbeit I cannot but offend with their doings yet for the countreys sake and preservation of publick quietnesse I can pardon and overpasse all but one thing I desire you that have been in conference with them to look to that none in my company receive any harm I know there are quarrels betwixt the Earl of Crawford and the Master of Glammis That the Earl of Angus doth not like Montrosse and I believe that Colonel Stewart is not well beloved for things done in my service These I cannot see with mine honour hurt provide for that and that they may be in safety and I shall willingly admit them When this was shewed the Lords they said that they had not taken up Arms for any private quarrel nor would they mixe their particulars with the publick but it should be good for eschewing such inconveniences as might happen that the Noblemen whom the King had named were put in custody with some special persons and that the Colonel should be discharged from his office of the guard and the same conferred to another This being declared to the King he gave his consent to receive them Being brought unto his prefence they fell all upon their knees and the Lord Hamilton who had the precedency in regard of blood taking the speech said that they were come in most humble manner to beg mercy and his Majesties love and favour The King answered My Lord I did never see you before and must confesse that of all this company you have been most wronged you were a faithful servant to the Queen my mother in my minority and when I understood not as I do the estate of things hardly used The rest of you that have since that time been exiled and put from your livings cannot say but it was your own fault and that your misbehaviour procured the same But turning himself to Bothwel what should have moved thee Francis said he to take this course and come in Armes against me did I ever thee any wrong or what cause hadst thou to offend I wish thee a more quiet spirit and that thou mayest learn to live as a Subject otherwise thou wilt fall in trouble To you all who as I truly think have not meant any harm to any person I am pleased to give both my hand and my heart and will remember nothing that is past providing you carry your selves from henceforth as becomes men of your places and behave your selves as dutiful subjects So they arose one by one and kissed his Majesties hands It was observed that he received the Lord Hamilton with greatest kindnesse and gave him more respect then any others This was the day after their entering into Striveling Two days after in Councel the King renewing his promise did by publick Act confirm the pardon granted to them and their Assisters which was by sound of trumpet proclaimed The Earls of Crawford and Montross were commended to the Lord Hamilton who used them honourably and Colonel Stewart suffered quietly to depart Arran after his flight went unto Coile and lived private amongst his friends deprived of all his honours The charge of the guard was given to the Master of Glammis the Castle of Dumbritton put in the Lord Hamiltons custody Striveling restored to the Earl of Marre and the Castle of Edinburgh delivered to Sir Iames Home of Coldinknâ—ws In this manner did the banished Lords recover his Majesties favour and return to their places albeit Thuan deceived by some information hath otherwise related the same How soon the Noblemens peace was proclaimed Duntraith who had touched them in his deposition against Maius saying that he was told by one Iohn Home the Lords had hired every one of them two men to kill the King so comperired before the Councel undesired so the Act of Councel beareth and confessed that he was suborned by Captain Iames who is henceforth to be so named the title of Arran being returned to the right owner to make that deposition which in it self was false and untrue out of fear and to save his life For verifying whereof and to shew that he did not confesse this to please the Noblemen whom he had wronged by such a confession he declared that for the space of eight weeks before their return he had revealed the same to the Master of Gray and to the Provost of Linclouden both which upon oath testified no lesse to the King The Councel for clearing the Noblemen ordained his confession to be published which was not very needful for no man did beleive the
upon the Gates take the keyes from the Porter and go after that to the Kings Chamber and make him sure Within the Palace were divers privy to the conspiracy especially Colonell William Stewart Iohn Neswith Chirurgeon to the King and Iames Dowglas of Spot who was brought to take part in that enterprise by this occasion Some days before it happened George Home of Spot his father in law to be killed by certain Mersemen of the surname of Home and Craw. Sir George Home Nephew to Spot and one of the masters of the Kings Esquiry did charge Iames Dowglas as author or accessary to the murther because of a fear he had conceived that his Father in law should by a new right possess his Nephew Sir George in some part of the lands to which he had right by his mariage upon this suspicion three of his servants were apprehended and detained prisoners within the Palace till they should be tryed by torture The Chancellor on whom Iames Dowglas depended laboured all he could to free his servants from that extraordinary form of trial but the presumptions being pregnant the King would have them to be tortured which when Spot understood and saw that the same would not be eschewed he thrust himself desperately in the action which but a few hours before was communicated to him by one of the Associates This fell out happily for the King and was it that marred the whole conspiracy for when Bothwell with his company had entred by the way named and was come to the inner Court of the Palace Iames Dowglas that minded nothing but the relief of his servants drew a number to break open the doors where they were detained and by the noise thereof all in the palace were put upon their guard The King was then at supper and being told that armed men were in the nether Court leaving the rooms wherein he lodged went up to the Tower as to a place of greater surety Bothwell having directed some to enclose the Chancellors lodgings lest he should escape made towards the Queens rooms where he expected to find entry and perceiving all shut upon him called to bring fire But ere they could find any Sir Iames Sandilands one of his Majesties chamber who had supped without the palace with a number of the people of Edinburgh entring by the Church of Halirud-house did beat him and his company from the doors and was in possibility to have taken them all if there had been any lights but those being all extinguished Bothwell with the principals of his company made shift in the dark and escaped returning by the same way that he entred in his out-going he was encountred by a Gentleman of the Esquiry named Iohn Shaw whom he killed with a Pistoll yet lost some nine of his followers men of small note who were executed the next morning The enterprise thus defeated Bothwell went into the North looking to be supplyed by the Earl of Murray his Cousen germane which the King suspecting Andrew Lord Ochiltry was sent to bring Murray unto the South of purpose to work a reconcilement betwixt him and Huntly But a rumour being raised in the mean while that the Earl of Murray was seen in the Palace with Bothwell on the night of the enterprise the same was entertained by Huntly who waited then at Court to make him suspected of the King and prevailed so far as he did purchase a Commission to apprehend and bring Murray to his triall The Nobleman not fearing that any such course should be used was come to Dunybirsill a house situated on the north side of Forth and belonging to his mother the Lady Downe Huntly being advertised of his coming and how he lay there secure accompanied onely with the Sheriffe of Murray and a few of his own retinue went thither and beset the house requiring him to render The Earl of Murray refusing to put himself in the hands of his enemy after some defence made wherein the Sheriffe was killed fire was set to the house and they within forced by the violence of the smoak and flame to come forth The Earl stayed a great space after the rest and the night falling down ventured among his Enemies and breaking through the midst of them did so farre out-run them all as they supposed he was escaped yet searching him among the rocks he was discovered by the tip of his head-peece which had taken fire before he left the house and unmercifully slain The report went that Huntlies friends fearing he should disclaim the fact for he desired rather to have taken him alive made him light from his horse and give some stroaks to the dead corps This done Gordon of Buckie was dispatched to advertise the King what had happened and Huntly himself took journey Northwards in such hast as he left Captain Gordon his Cousen that was lying on the ground wounded behinde him This Captain was brought the next day to Edinburgh and publickly executed The death of the Nobleman was universally lamented and the clamours of the people so great especially against the Chancellor upon whom all the blame was laid that the King not esteeming it safe to abide at Edinburgh removed with the Councell to Glasgow where he remained untill Huntly did enter himself in Ward in Blackness as he was charged But he stayed not there many dayes being dimitted upon Caution to answer before the Justice whensoever he should be called The corps of the Earl and Sheriffe of Murray were brought to the Church of Leth in two coffines and there lay diverse Moneths unburied their friends refusing to commit their bodies to the earth till the slaughter was punished Nor did any man think himself so much interessed in that fact as the Lord Ochiltry who had perswaded the Earl of Murray to come south whereupon he fell afterwards away to Bothwell and joyned with him for revenge of the Murther The Parliament which had been now twice prorogated did keep in the moneth of Iune In behalf of the Church it was there petitioned 1 That the Acts of Parliament made in the year 1584. against the Discipline of the Church and liberty thereof should be abrogated and annulled and a ratification granted of the discipline whereof they were then in practise 2. That the Act of annexation should be repealed and restitution made of the Churches Patrimony 3. That the Abbots Priors and other Prelates bearing the titles of Churchmen and giving voice for the Church without any power and Commission from the Church should not be admitted in time coming to give voice in Parliament or conveen in their name And 4. That a solid order might be taken for purging the Realm of idolatry and blood wherewith it was miserably polluted The second and third Petitions rejected consultation taken about the other two and satisfying the last it was condescended That saying of Masse receiving of Iesuits Seminary Priests and trafficking Papists against the Kings Majesty and
afterwards Earl of Kelly to follow him but Mr. Alexander turning at the door after the King was entered said that the King willed him to stay below whereupon Sir Thomas went back Thus the door was shut and Mr. Alexander guiding him to an inner room the King did perceive a man standing alone whereupon he asked if that was the man nay said Mr. Alexander there is another business in hand and with that word covering his head You remember said he how you used my father and now must you answer for it Your father answered the King I was not the cause of his death it was done in my minority by forme of Iustice. But is this your purpose and have you trained me hither to murther me Did you learn this lesson of Mr. Robert Rollock your Master or think you when you have done your will to goe unpunished Mr. Alexander stricken with the speeches and the man who was placed there to assist him trembled for fear desired the King to be quiet and make no noise for that he would go speak with his brother and pacify him this said he went down a back way as it seemed to the Court below Whether he did meet with his brother at that time or not is unknown but his stay was short and when he returned he said to the King There is no remedy you must die Then making as though he would tie the Kings hands they fell a wrestling and the King drawing him by force to a window in the corner that lookt toward the street as he espyed the Earl of Marre cryed Help Earl of Marre help The voice and words were discerned by all the Lords and Gentlemen who thereupon ran to seek the King by the way that went up but the doors being shut there was no entry that way till the same was broke by force which took up a large time Upon the first cry Sir Thomas Areskin suspecting treason did flee upon Gowrie and taking him by the gorge said Thou art the traitour but they were quickly sundered by his servants that stood by The first that came to the King was a Page called Iohn Ramsey who falling upon a back passage by which the Traitours after the deed committed had purposed to escape found the King and Mr. Alexander strugling the King calling to him and bidding him strike the Traitour he gave Mr. Alexander two or three wounds with his Dagger and so parted him from the King The man who was placed there to assist Mr. Alexander did steal away secretly and he himself perceiving that the treason was discovered made down the stairs where being encountred by Sir Thomas Areskin and askt how the King was because he gave no direct answer and only said that he took God to witness that he was not in the fault he thrust him through the body and killed him outright Sir Thomas was followed by Hugh Hereife Doctor of Medicine and a Foot-boy named Wilson who seeing the King safe were not a little joyed and placing him in a little room and shutting the door they prepared to defend the entry Gowry accompanied with three or four servants breaketh presently into the chamber and with his two swords one in each hand puts them all to their shift and had undoubtedly overthrown them but that one of the company crying You have killed the King our Master and will you also take our lives He became astonished and setting the points of his two swords to the earth as if he minded to cease from any more fight he was instantly stricken by the Page with a rapier which pierced the heart so as he fell down dead The servants seeing him fall made away only Master Thomas Cranston being sore wounded and not able to shift for himself was apprehended In this fight Sir Thomas Areskin and Doctor Hereife were both hurt but nothing dangerously By this time the doors of the other passage being made open the Lords and a number with them entred into the room who hearing what happened went all to their knees and the King himself conceiving a prayer gave thanks to God for his deliverance and that the device of those wicked brothers was turned upon their own heads The danger that ensued was not much lesse for the people of the Town taking up armes did inviron the house crying to give them out their Provost otherwise they should blow them all up with powder The rage of the multitude was great for they loved the Earl as being their Provost beyond all measure and with great difficulty were they kept back from using violence at last the Bayliffs and certain of the Citizens being admitted to enter and brought to the King when they were informed of the truth of things returned and pacified the people After which the King took horse and returned to Falkland where he was welcomed the rumour of the danger having prevented his coming with great acclamations of joy It was observed not without some wondering that after Gowrie was killed there issued no blood for a good space from his body till his girdle being loosed and taken from him the same gushed from him in abundance this was supposed to be the effect of some Characters that he did alway carry in a little bag at his girdle which being viewed were found to be certain spells of Necromancers and added much to the infamy of his death A diligent search was made the daies following for the man the King saw standing in the room and large rewards promised to those that should finde him out In this search one of the Earls servants called Henry Younger hiding himself out of an idle fear among some growing corns was killed and for some daies was supposed to have been the man till Andrew Henderson Chamberlain to Gowrie discovering himself to the Controller did offer upon promise of his life to enter and shew all that he knew in that business An other of Gowries servants surnamed Craigengelt was some 2 daies after apprehended and both he M. Tho Cranston executed at Perth though at their dying they declared that they knew nothing of the Earls purpose and had only followed him as being their Master unto that room where if they had known the King to have been they would have stood for him against their Master and all others Henderson at his examination declared That the night preceding the attempt the Earl had directed him to attend his brother Mr. Alexander and doe what he commanded That accordingly he accompanied him the next morning to Falkland and when they were returned being commanded by Mr. Alexander to dresse himself in armour and go wait til he came unto him in an upper room he obeyed But that he could not imagine any purpose against the King either in him or in the Earl nor would have believed it unlesse he had seen the same with his eyes Being demanded why he did not take the Kings part when
of Glasgow being then at Avignion was provided thereto by Pope Benedict the thirteenth There was at this time a fearful schisme in the Church of all that we do read the most scandalous and of longest continuance two and sometimes three Popes warning one against another and condemning each anothers Ordinances which did so divide the Christian world and made such partakings as were pitiful This schisme lasting 29. years and more was at last quenched in the Councel of Constance and Martin the first chosen Pope Scotland at that time living in the obedience of Benedict the Abbot of Pontiniac was directed to intimate the election of the Councel and had audience given him in a Convocation of the Clergy at Perth thither came also one Harding a Minorite Frier sent by Benedict to solicite the Churches adherence to him against the decree of the Councel who taking for his Theam these words My sonne do nothing without advicement so shall it not repent thee after the deed held a long discourse of the proceedings of the Councel and the informality thereof affirming that none was bound to obey and acknowledge the same Master Iohn Fogo a Monk of the Abbey of Melrosse replying to his Oration began his speech with that precept of the Apostle Withdraw your selves from every brother that walketh inordinately and refuting all the Minorites reasons brought against the Councel concluded that whosoever did procure for Peter de Luna this was Benedicts name before he was elected Pope was a very disturber of the Churches peace and not to be countenanced in any sort The Clergy in end disclaiming Benedict promised obedience to Pope Martin whom the Councel had elected By occasion of this schisme the mouths of many were opened against the corrupt doctrine and manners of Rome Iohn Wickliffe in England Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prague in Bohemia did openly preach against the Tyranny of the Pope and the abuses introduced in the Church and in this countrey one called Ioannes Resby an English man de Schola Wickliffi as the Story speaketh was brought in question for some points of doctrine which he taught and condemned to the fire He was charged by Master Laurence Lendors with forty heretical opinions whereof we have two only mentioned One that the Pope was noâ— Christs Vicar The other that he was not to be esteemed Pope if he was a man of wicked life For maintaining these two points he suffered in the year 1407. Some 24. years after Paul Craw a Bohemian came into Scotland and for venting certain opinions touching the Sacrament of the Supper the adoration of Saints and auricular Confession he was also condemned and burnt at S. Andrewes in the year 1432. The death of these two Martyrs lieth heavy upon the memory of this Bishop who otherwise deserved well of the countrey and Church for in his time he laboured much to have the riotous formes crept in among all sorts of men repressed and was a man most hospitable They report of him that the Masters of his house complaining of the great numbers that resorted unto him for entertainment and desiring that for the ease of the servants he would condescend to make a bill of household that they might know who were to be served he condescended and when his Secretary was called to set down the names of the houshold being asked whom he would first name he answered Fife and Angus these are two large countreys containing millions of people his servants hearing this gave over their purpose of retrenching his family for they saw he would have no man refused that came to his house The bridge at the mouth of Eden was his work And besides he was the first that opened the publick Schooles at S. Andrewes making Divinity Lawes Logick and all other parts of Philosophy to be there taught In the founding of this University he took his example from that of Paris and obtained the Popes confirmation thereof which in the year 1412. being brought from Rome by Alexander Ogilvy Master of Arts was received with solemn processions fires of joy sounding of bells and all the tokens of gladnesse that could be expressed Master Iohn Sheves Official Master VVilliam Stephen afterwards Bishop of Dumblane and Sir Iohn Lister a Chanon of the Abbey were appointed to read Divinity Master Laurence Lindors was ordained to read the Common law and Master Richard Cornwal the Civil Master Iohn Gaw Master VVilliam Fowlis and Master William Crosier were chosen for Philosophy men worthy to be remembred for being the first instruments that were imployed in that service and the attendance they gave upon it having no allowance at all for their labours King Iames the first at his return from England 12. years after did greatly advance this work by the encouragement he gave to studies for not onely did he countenance professors with his presence at their Lectures but also took order that none should be preferred to any Benefice unlesse it was testified by them that the person recommended had made a reasonable progresse in learning and for that effect kept a roll of the most qualified persons by him for the filling of places that happened to fall void This that good King esteemed to be the most sure and easie way for banishing ignorance forth of the Church and ceased not to admonish the Churchmen that were in places to live as they professed and not to shame the bountyfulnesse of Princes by abusing their Donations unto Riot and Luxury Further to allure them by good example he brought home the Carthusian Monks who were at that time greatly respected for their precisenesse of living and erected for them a beautiful Monastery at Perth bestowing large revenues upon the same The Bishop surviving the King some seven years for the King was treacherously murthered at Perth in the year 1437. departed this life in the Castle of S. Andrews the fixt day of April 1444. having governed that See 35. years and was buried in the wall betwixt the Chore and the Chappel called Our Ladies Chappel 33. Iames Kennedy Bishop of Dunkeld and Nephew to King Iames the first by his sister the Countesse of Angus was after Wardlaw his death elected Bishop by the Prior and Chanons he himself was then at Florence with Pope Eugenius the fourth and had gone thither out of a desire to have the disorders crept in among Churchmen redressed hoping to be strengthened with greater authority from thence But finding all things troubled in these parts Eugenius keeping a Councel at Florence whilest another was held at Bâ—sile and each of them condemning another as unlawful he returned with a resolution to do the best he could at home by his own credit Upon his translation to S. Andrewes he did put all things in such order as no man then living did remember to have seen the Church in so good an estate
gentleman had travelled in Germany and falling in familiarity with Martin Luther Philip Melanchthon Francis Lamberd and other learned men was by them instructed in the knowledge of true Religion in the profession whereof he was so zealous as he was resolved to come back into his countrey and communicate the light he had received unto others At his return wheresoever he came he spared not to lay open the corruptions of the Romane Church and to shew the errours crept into Christian Religion whereunto many gave eare and a great following he had both for his learning and courteous behaviour to all sorts of people The Clergy grudging at this under colour of conference enticed him to the city of S. Andrews and when he came thither appointed Frier Alexander Campbel to keep company with him and to use the best perswasions he could to divert him from his opinions Sundry conferences they had wherein the Frier acknowledging that many things in the Church did need to be reformed and applauding his judgement in most of the points his minde was rather confirmed then in any sort weakened Thus having stayed some few dayes in the city whilest he suspected no violence to be used under night he was apprehended being in bed and carried prisoner to the Castle the next day he was presented before the Bishop accused for maintaining the Articles following 1. That the corruption of sin remains in children after their Baptism 2. That no man by the power of his free will can do any good 3. That no man is without sin so long as he liveth 4. That every true Christian may know himself to be in the state of grace 5. That a man is not justified by works but by faith onely 6. That good works make not a good man but that a good man doeth good works and that an ill man doeth ill works yet the same ill works truly repented make not an ill man 7. That Faith Hope and Charity are so linked together that he who hath one of them hath all and he that lacketh one lacketh all 8. That God is the cause of sin in this sense that he withdraweth his grace from man and grace withdrawn he cannot but sin 9. That it is a devillish Doctrine to teach that by any actuall penance remission of sin is purchased 10. That auricular Confession is not necessary to salvation 11. That there is no Purgatory 12. That the holy Patriarchs were in heaven before Christs Passion 13. That the Pope is Antichrist and that every Priest hath as much power as the Pope Being desired to expresse his minde touching these Articles he said That he held the first seven to be undoubtedly true whereunto he offered to set his hand the rest he said were disputable points but such as he could not condemne unlesse he saw better reasons then yet he had heard After some conference kept with him on each Article the whole were remitted to the judgement of the Theologues There met to this effect Master Hugh Spence Provost of S. Salvators Colledge Master Iames Waddall Parson of Flisk and Rector of the University Master Iames Simson Officiall of S. Andrews Master Thomas Ramsay professour of the holy Scriptures Master Iohn Grison Theologue and Provinciall of the Black Friers Iohn Tillidaff Warden of the Gray Friers Master Martine Balfoure and Master Iohn Spence Lawyers Sir Alexander Young Batchelar of Divinity Sir Iohn Annand Chanon of of S. Andrews Frier Alexander Campbell Prior of the Black Friers and Master Robert Bannerman Regent of the Pedagogy These men within a day or two presented their Censure of the Articles judging them all Hereticall and contrary to the faith of the Church This subscribed with all their hands and delivered to the Bishop in a solemne meeting kept in the Cathedrall Church the first of March 1527. sentence was pronounced against the young Gentleman declaring him an Heretick and giving him over in the hands of the secular power to suffer punishment due to Heresie There assisted the Bishop in that meeting Gawine Archbishop of Glasgow George Bishop of Dunkeld Iohn Bishop of Brichen and William Bishop of Dumblane Patrick Prior of S. Andrews David Abbot of Aberbrothock George Abbot of Dumfermling Alexander Abbot of Cambuskenneth Henry Abbot of Lundors and Iohn Prior of Pettenweem the Dean Subdean and Thesaurer of the Church of Glasgow with the Rectors of Stobo Areskin Carstares Goven and Glasgow All which set their hands to the sentence and to give it the greater authority whosoever were of any estimation in the University were made to subscrive the same amongst whom was the Earl of Cassels a child of thirteen years old The same day for the execution was hastened lest the King who was gone at that time in Pilgrimage to S. Duthak in Rosse should impede the proceeding he was condemned by the secular Judge and in the afternoon led to the place of his suffering which was appointed to be at the gate of S. Salvators Colledge Being come to the place he put off his Gown and gave it with his Bonnet Coat and other apparell to his servant saying This stuffe will not help in the fire yet will doe thee some good I have no more to leave thee but the ensample of my death which I pray thee keep in minde For albeit the same be bitter and painfull in mans judgement yet is it the entrance to everlasting life which none can inherit that denieth Christ before this congregation Then was he tied to the stake about it a great quantity of coal wood and other combustible matter was heaped whereof he seemed to have no fear but seriously commending his soul into the hands of God held his eyes fixed towards the heavens The Executioner firing the powder that was laid to kindle the wood his lest hand and the side of his face was a little scorched therewith yet the fire did not kindle Whereupon some were sent to the Castle to bring more powder whilest this was bringing he uttered divers comfortable speeches to them that stood by The Friers all that time molesting him with their cries bidding him convert pray to our Lady and say Salve Regina amongst them none was more troublesome then Frier Alexander Campbell who as we said kept company with him at his first coming to the City often he besought him to depart and not to vex him but when he would not cease his crying he said Wicked man thou knowest I am not an heretick and that it is the truth of God for which I now suffer so much thou diddest confesse unto me in private and thereupon I appeal thee to answer before the Iudgement seat of Christ. The powder by this time was brought and the fire kindled after which with a loud voice he was heard to say How long O Lord shall darknesse oppresse this Realm how long wilt thou suffer this tyranny of men and then closed his speeches with these words
unto them with an offer to dimit them freely so as they would promise to use their best means with the Governour and others of the Nobility of Scotland for obtaining their consents to the Match The Noblemen liking the motion and esteeming it a ready means to establish a lasting Peace gave their promise to deal faithfully in it and so were sent home with many liberal promises if the marriage should take effect In their company returned the Earl of Angus and his brother Sir George who had been exiled a long time in England with letters to the Governour from the King for their restitution The matter being moved to the Governour and Councel it was liked by all the Queen-mother and the Cardinal only excepted and for this a Parliament was called at Edinburgh the 13. of March following whither came Sir Ralph Sadler as Ambassadour from King Henry to attend the successe In the beginning a great stirre was made by the Cardinal and Clergy that adhered to him so as the Estates could come to no conclusion whereupon the Cardinal was committed in the Castle of Dalkeith The day following by an uniform consent the Match was agreed and the Earl of Glancarne Sir George Dowglas brother to the Earl of Angus Sir William Hamilton of Forne and Sir Iames Learmouth of Dersay imployed by the Estates to transact with King Henry upon all particulars In this Parliament upon a petition presented to the Estates for restraining the power of the Prelates in pursuing those they called hereticks and for liberty to read the Scripture in the English language Commission was granted to some selected persons for considering the petition and prescribing what was fit to be done therein The Commissioners meeting after the Parliament was broke up declared That it should be lawful for every one that could read to use the English Translation of the Bible untill the Prelates should publish one more correct Intimation of this liberty being sent through all the Kingdome by the Governours direction the Clergy did declaim against him as a favourer of hereticks taking exception at two Preachers he entertained in his house the one called Frier William the other Iohn Rough who did openly in their Sermons inveigh against the Popes authority the adoration of Images invocation of Saints and other superstitious inventions of Rome In the end of Iuly the Ambassadours directed towards England returned with satisfaction in all particulars concerning the marriage and so the contract betwixt the two Kingdomes was signed by the Governor and those whom the States had deputed for the part of Scotland and by Sir Ralph Sadler Ambassadour for the part of England and the Seals of the Kingdome interchanged as use is The Governour and English Ambassadour for the greater assurance did solemnly swear to observe the Contract in all Articles thereof dividing the holy Sacrament amongst them as the custome then was And now all matters lookt fair no man wishing them to go better for in the Governours Court was nothing seen that the severest eye could censure or reprove In the publick Government such a moderation was kept as no man was heard to complain The Governour was reverently obeyed and held in as great respect as any Kings of preceding times To be short every man did promise himself a blessed and happy time which on suddain all was overturned and the Realm cast in greater troubles then before Iohn Hamilton Abbot of Paisley base brother to the Governour and David Panter afterwards removed to the Bishoprick of Ross who had lived a long time in France returning about this time into the countrey and being devoted to the French dealt privately with the Governour who was of an easie nature and apt to be taken by those he trusted to break the contract with England But having small hope to prevaile so long as the Preachers and Gentlemen whose counsel he followed remained with him they used all means to be rid of them Frier Guilielm fearing to be called in question for his doctrine at which the Abbot was ever excepting withdrew himself and went into England Iohn Rough upon some colour was dimitted to preach in the parts of Kile and Carrick The Laird of Grainge Master Henry Balnaves Master Thomas Ballenden and Sir David Lindsay of the Mont who had attended the Governour ever since the time of his promoving to the Regency had such discontents given them as they were made too weary of their attendance and the meaner sort such as Mr. Michael Durham Mr. David Borthwick David Forres and David Bothwel men that had served him faithfully and of a long time were openly menaced and forced to quit their services Neither was the Cardinal in this time idle for being by the Queens intercession removed from Dalkeith to the place of Seaton he went from thence without warrant to S. Andrews none calling him therefore in question for the Governours brother who was then preferred to be Theasurer and ruled all things at Court made up a secret friendship with him Shortly after in a frequent meeting of the Clergy at S. Andrews the Cardinal laying before them the dangers wherewith the Clergy was threatned by the Match with England did earnestly incite them to oppose it and contribute moneys and imploy all their friendship to the contrary seeing it concerned them no lesse then their lives or estates were worth They making no difficulty and offering to contribute all their means to that effect appointed a present collection to be made which was trusted to his disposing The Friers were directed to inveigh in their Sermons against their alliance and the Priests set on to stirre up the popular against the Ambassadour who had many indignities offered him which he patiently digested lest he should be thought to minister any occasion of breach How soon the day appointed for delivering the pledges was come for that was a condition in the contract the Ambassadour went unto the Governour and put him in mind of the pledges that by the contract he was obliged to enter complaining withall of the disgraces that he and his Master the King of England received The Governour answering first his complaint of the insolencies committed said He should take trial and punish the committers in such sort as all might see what affection he bore to the King and Countrey of England But for the pledges he said I can neither move them to enter willingly nor force them if they be unwilling For you see what a mutiny is raised in the countrey by the Cardinal and how uncertain I am of mine own estate Till this be quieted I know not in that point what to answer The Ambassadour who understood that to be truth which he spoke forbare to urge the delivery of the pledges any more saying he would advertise his Master how the case stood and attend his directions Soon after the Ambassadour was recalled the
them to fear God and forsake the Leaven of Papistical abominations The woman desired earnestly to die with her husband but could not be permitted sentence being given against her that she should be drowned yet she followed him to the place of execution exhorting him by the way to patience and constancy for the cause of Christ. And as she parted from him said Husband be glad we have lived together many joyfull dayes and this day which we must die we ought to esteem the most joyfull of all because now we shall have joy for ever Therefore I will not bid you good night for we shall shortly meet in the Kingdome of heaven How soon the men were executed the woman was taken to a pool of water not farre of where having commended her children to the charity of her neighbours and giving a little babe who was sucking upon her breast unto a nurse she died with great courage and comfort Sir Henry Elder Iohn Elder Walter Piper and Laurence Puller with some other Burgesses were banished and the Lord Ruthven Provost of the Town discharged of his office because he was suspected to favour the hereticks his place was given to Iohn Charterhouse of Kilfawnes and the Citizens commanded to accept him for their Provost but they excused themselves saying they could make no election before the ordinary time yet the Governour out of his authority charged them to accept of Kinfawnes threatening to punish those that refused And for that it was thought after the Governour and Cardinal was gone that the Townesmen should withstand their Provost the Lord Gray and Normand Lesley son to the Earl of Rothese were desired to give their assistance In falling out as was expected Kinfawnes convened his friends to advise how the Townesmen might be forced to obey The Lord Gray undertaking to enter the Town by the Bridge Normand Lesley and his followers were appointed to enter at the South-gate and S. Magdalens day appointed for their meeting The Lord Gray came early in the morning but Normand who brought his company by water was hindred by the tide yet all being quiet in the Town and no appearance of stirre the Lord Gray resolved to enter esteeming his own forces sufficient but he was not farre advanced when in the street called Fishstreet the Master of Ruthven with his company that lay close in some houses near by issued forth upon him and compelled him to turn back The disorder in the fight was great every one hindering another so as many were trod to death and some threescore persons killed The Cardinal wished rather the losse had fallen on the Lord Ruthvens side yet he was not ill pleased with the affront that Gray had received for he loved none of them and so making no great account of the matter he went on with his work and in the countrey of Angus called many in question for reading the New Testament in English which as then was accounted an hainous crime And it is said The ignorance of these times was so great as even the Priests did think the New Testament to have been composed by Martin Luther and the old to be the only Scripture that men ought to read Iohn Roger a black Frier with certain others was brought to the Castle of Saint Andrews and within some few dayes found dead at the foot of the back wall whether he fell seeking to escape or that he was murthered as the report went in prison it is uncertain From Angus the Cardinal leading the Governour with him went to Mernis using the like inquisition and stayed there till near Christmas at which time they returned to S. Andrews and having past the holy time in feasting took journey to Edinburgh where a Convention of the Clergy was kept for censuring the lives of scandalous Priests Whilest they were thus busied advertisement was made to the Cardinal that Master George Wishart for whom he had searched a long time was in the house of Ormeston in Lothian This man being of all the witnesses that God raised in that time to advance his truth the most worthy the Reader will not mislike that I set down the story at large He was a brother of the house of Pittarrow in Mernis a man of great knowledge and pleasant utterance indued also with many rare vertues humble modest charitable and patient even to admiration some time he had spent in the University of Cambridge and out of a desire to promove the truth in his own countrey came home in the year 1544. making his chief resorts in the Towns of Dundy and Montross where he taught publickly with great profit and applause The Cardinal incensed with the following he had among the people discharged them of Dundy to receive him Whereupon Robert Mill a man of great authority in the Town either corrupted by the Cardinals gifts or because he feared some trouble might fall upon the Town for his occasion did one day as he had ended his Sermon openly prohibit him to come any more amongst them and not to trouble the Town with his Sermons He after a little silence turning himselfe to the speaker said God is my witnesse that I minde ever your comfort and not your trouble which to me is more grievous then to your selves But sure I am to reject the word of God and drive away his messengers is not the way to save you from trouble When I am gone God will send you messengers who will not be afraid either for burning or banishment I have with the hazard of my life remained amongst you preaching the word of salvation and now since your selves refuse me I must leave my innocency to be declared by God If it be long well with you I am not led with the spirit of truth and if trouble unexpected fall upon you remember this is the cause and turn to God by repentance for he is merciful The Earle Marshal and some other Noblemen who were present at the Sermon dealt earnestly with him to go with them into the North but he excusing himselfe took journey into the West parts He had not been long there when the Archbishop of Glasgow advertised of the great concourse of people unto his Sermons took purpose to apprehend him and for that effect made a journey unto the Town of Aire Alexander Earle of Glaincarne hearing what the Bishop intended hasted to the Town offering to place Master George Wishart in the Church where the Bishop was preparing to preach but he would not consent saying that the Bishops Sermon would not do much hurt and that he would teach if they pleased at the Market Crosse which he did divers of the hearers which were enemies to the truth being converted at the same time The Sunday following being desired to preach at the Church of Machlin he went thither but the Sheriffe of Aire had in the night time put in a Garison of souldiers in the
the Vicaridge pensionary of little Dunkeld afterwards dying the 27. day of Iune Anno 1338. he was buried in the Quire of Dunkeld in a marble Tombe by himselfe erected 17. The same year one Duncan an English man born was consecrated Bishop he set in few the lands of Fordel to Walter Fotheringham at the desire of Edward Baliol and died in the year 1364. after he had sate 26. years 18. To him succeeded Michael of Monimuske Chamberlain of Scotland he died the first of March 1376. and was buried in the Quire of Dunkeld 19. After him Mr. Iohn Peblis Chancellour to King David Bruce came to the place a man learned and of great authority he sate 20. years in the See 20. In the year 1396. Robert Carden son to Iohn Carden of that ilk was consecrated Bishop and governed the See the space of 40. years He did many good things in his time to his Church building and inlarging it at his own charge and acquired thereunto divers lands as the town of Crawmond with the lands adjoyning for which he gave in excambion the lands of Cambo in the same Parish and the lands of Muchler besides Dunkeld He died the 16. of Ianuary 1436. and was buried hononrably in S. Ninians Chappel of Dunkeld which himself had built 21. To him succeeded Donald Macknachtan Dean of Dunkeld Doctor of the Common law and Nephew to Bishop Robert his predecessour he was elected by the Chapter but King Iames the first misliking the choice opposed his entry whereupon he took journey to Rome to obtain his election confirmed and died by the way as he was travelling thither 22. Iames Kennedy Nephew to King Iames the first by his sister was then preferred to the See two years he sate Bishop in Dunkeld and was afterwards translated to S. Andrews as before we have shewed 23. Upon his translation Mr. Alexander Lawder Parson of Rothow and brother germane to the Bishop of Glasgow then Chancellour of the kingdome was elected Bishop but he died the same year which was the year 1440. at Edinburgh and was buried with his Ancestors in the Church of Lawder 24. Mr. Iames Bruce Parson of Killmeny was after him consecrated Bishop of Dunkeld at Dunfermlin the fourth of February in the year of Christ 1441. and sate Bishop the space of 6. years In the seventh year he was translated to the Bishoprick of Glasgow and made Chancellour of the kingdome 25. To him succeeded Mr. Iohn Ralston he was Secretary to King Iames the second and sate Bishop little above three years dying in Dunkeld in the year 1450. where he was buried 26. Master Thomas Lawder Preceptor or Master of Lowtrey who had been Tutour to Kings Iames the second in his youth at the age of 60. years was elected Bishop after Ralston by the Kings recommendation he took great paines in preaching and by his continual exhortations and exemplary life wonne that unruly people to the obedience of God and the King Having finished the building of the Church he dedicated the same in the year 1454. and adorned it in most magnificent manner He obtained of the King an erection of the Bishops lands on the North side of Forth into a Barony called the Barony of Dunkeld as likewise the lands in the South into another which was called the Barony of Aberlady built a Bridge upon the River of Tay nigh to his own Palace founded a number of Chaplanries and Prebends partly in Edinburgh partly in Dunkeld made purchase of two lodgings one in Edinburgh and another at Perth for the receipt of his succescessours and having done many good works resigned his Bishoprick because of his great age to Master Iames Levinston Dean of Dunkeld 27. This resignation was crossed a while by Thomas Spence Bishop of Aberdene whose credit in the Court was great at that time but upon transaction amongst themselves the Kings consent was obtained and he consecrated at Dunkeld by Iohn Hepburn Bishop of Dumblaine Iohn Balfour Bishop of Brichen and the said Thomas Spence in the year 1476. He sate seven years two moneths and five dayes and dying at Edinburgh was buried in the Isle of Inchcolme 28. The Chapter after Levingstones decease made choice of Alexander Inglis Dean of Dunkeld and Keeper of the Rolls in the time of King Iames the third but Pope Sextus the fourth cassing his election gave the Bishoprick to George Brown Chancellour of Aberdene who was then at Rome and consecrated him Bishop in Saint Iames Church Anno 1484. The King displeased with this promotion declared him rebel and complained thereof to the Pope and Cardinals but the Pope maintaining his own gift the King was afterwards reconciled to him and he peaceably possessed in the Bishopricks This Bishop was a strict observer of discipline and by his austere and rigorous formes wrought a great reformation in all the parts of his Dioces which he distributed in four Deanries placing one in the Borders of Atholl and Drumalbane another in Fife Fothrick and Strathern the third in Angus and the fourth in the parts besouth Forth The penalties of offenders he gave to the use of the Church where they resided saying commonly Oleum peccatorum non impinguet caput meum He was a man given much to hospitality and withall very careful of the Church for he recovered to the See the lands of Fordel and Muckarsie with the Forest of Birnan that had been alienated before his time founded divers Prebends and Chaplanries and gave many ornaments to the Cathedral Church Before his death he was tormented with the Felt gravel which he bare most patiently professing that he was glad to endure those pains as serving to wean his heart and affection from the love of this world and so departed this life most happily the twelfth of Ianuary 1514. 29. Andrew Stewart brother to Iohn Earl of Athol was upon his death postulated Bishop but it took no effect Master Gawan Douglas brother to the Earl of Angus and Provost of Saint Giles in Edinburgh being preferred thereto by Pope Leo the tenth This gift was quarrelled by the Duke of Albany Governour and the Bishop called in question for his traficking with Rome without licence whereupon he was committed and continued prisoner a whole year Afterwards compounding with Andrew Stewart to whom he gave the Churches of Alight and Cargill he got peaceable possession of the See yet the troubles that followed in the countrey made him forsake the same and undertake a journey to Rome In his way thither he died of the plague at London in Savoy house in the year 1522. A man learned wise and given to all vertue and goodnesse some monuments of his engenie he left in Scottish meeter which are greatly esteemed especially his translation of Virgil his books of AEneids 30. George Creighton succeeded a man nobly disposed and a great house-keeper but in matters of his calling not very skilled In the question of Religion which was in his time severely
of Arrane and Lord Iames taking some companies of horse with them made towards Creichton whither Bothwel as they were advertised was gone But finding that he was escap'd they seised upon the house and gave it in keeping to Captain Forbes The same day that this happened the Provost of Dundy with his Townesmen and a few mercenary souldiers went down towards Leth carrying with them some pieces of Artillery which he planted on a hill near unto the Town The French had warning that most of the horsemen were gone about other businesse and knowing the footmen to be few made a salley upon them with some companies The Townesmen of Dundy sustained the fight for a while trusting to be seconded by the souldiers but they turned backs in the very beginning of the conflict the townesmen were forced to retire keeping still their ranks till a cry was raised that the French were entring by Leth Winde to cut them off from the Town This caused such a perturbation as every man took the way he held best for his safety and in the flight as commonly it falleth one hindering another many were overthrown some ten souldiers were killed Captain Mowak taken prisoner and Mr. Charles Geddes servant to the Master of Maxwell The flight held to the middest of the Canon gate where the Earl of Argyle and Lord Robert Abbot of Halirudhouse turned the Chase and pursuing the French made them flie as fast as they followed This little advantage of the French made Bothwel so insolent as he simply refused to restore the moneys he had taken And thus all hopes of money failing and the souldiers refusing to serve some not of the meanest sort stole away secretly the few that remained were distracted in opinions among themselves and grew doubtful what to do The fifth of November upon advertisement that the French were issued forth of Leth to intercept the provision that was carrying to Edinburgh the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames with their domesticks went out to defend the Careers and were followed with divers of the Citizens these giving the onset upon the French with more courage then foresight advanced so farre as they were almost encompasâ—ed by the enemy and cut off from the Town For the French had divided their companies in two one part took the way directly from Leth to Halirudhouse the other marched somewhat more Eastward and nearer the Sea The Lords who were gone as farre as Restalrig beholding the French to march towards Edinburgh returned with expedition fearing the case of the Citizens and that they themselves should be cut off which in all appearance had been done if the Laird of Grange and Alexander Whitlaw with a few horsemen had not kept them in skirmish for a little time The other French companies that came by Restalrig beholding the Lords retire made after them and pursued so hotly as the Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames were forced to quit their horses for safety of the foot who were in great disorder Captain Alexander Halliberton a man of good spirit and forward in the cause of Religion staying behinde to hold off the French received divers wounds whereof the same night he died In this conflict there fell some 25. or 30. men The Master of Buchan with the Lairds of Pitmilly Fairnay and some others of smaller note were taken prisoners A little before this time William Maitland of Lethington Secretary to the Queen perceiving that he was hated of the French for the freedom he used in his counsel did secretly withdraw himself and joyned with the Lords He was earnest to have them abide together laying before them the dangers that might ensue upon their dissolving but few or none consenting conclusion was taken to leave the Town and after midnight to depart towards Striveling The day after the Lords departing the French went up to Edinburgh and took possession of the Town All that professed the Religion were compelled to flie and seek their refuge in other places Mr. Willock the Minister went unto England and immediately was the Romane service restored The Church of S. Giles as if infected with some contagion by the Sermons preached therein was of new hallowed by the Bishop of Amiens with a number of Ceremonies and such triumphing was amongst the Popish sort as they thought the game to be theirs The Queen sent advertisement to France requiring new forces with expedition to make the victory absolute Whereupon the Marquesse D'Elbeuf and Count Martiques a young Nobleman were directed with some companies both of foot and horse but they imbarking at Deep were dispersed by tempest 18. Ensignes cast away upon the coast of Holland and the rest driven back into France A while after the Marquesse putting to Sea arrived at Leth about the beginning of the spring with a thousand foot and some few horsemen The Lords at their coming to Striveling were in great heavinesse and doubtful what course to take till encouraged by a Sermon that Iohn Knox made unto them they gathered new spirits resolving to send unto England for supply and till answer should come to divide their companies The Duke and Earl of Glencarne with the Lords Boyde Ochiltry and their friends were appointed to remain at Glasgow the Earles of Arrane and Rothes Lord Iames the Master of Lindesay and their friendship to stay together in Fife and for making intelligence one to the other Mr. Henry Balnaves was ordained to attend the Noblemen at Glasgow and Iohn Knox these of Fife The Duke at his coming to Glasgow caused all the Images and Altars to be pulled down and took the Castle pertaining to the Bishop Upon the report of this the Bishop taking with him a number of French men and assisted by the Lords Semple Seaton and Rosse marched hastily thither recovered the Castle for the Lords advertised of their coming had left the Town and staying there one onely night returned to Edinburgh In Fife there was more quietnesse all things continuing peaceable till a little before Christmas at which time answer was returned from England and hopes given of support from thence William Maitland younger of Lethington and Robert Melvil brother of the Laird of Raith had been intrusted with that businesse They at their coming to the Court of England did inform the Queen of the troubles of the countrey the difficulties whereunto it was reduced and the danger that England should fall into if Scotland were once subdued by the French entreating her aid and assistance for their expulsion She remitting the matter to the Councel it was long debated whether or no any supply should be granted some maintaining that it was a thing of ill example to assist the subjects of another Prince in their Rebellion and that the same might draw upon themselves a dangerous warre Others holding that they were obliged in conscience to defend their neighbours from the oppression of strangers and that to suffer the French who
when she came in publick and divers that had set their hands and seals to the marriage fell now openly to condemn it as that which ministred too just a suspicion that she was consenting to the death of the King her husband The Earl of Athol immediately after the murther of the King had forsaken the Court and lived at home waiting some occasion to be revenged of the doers and now esteeming it fit to shew himself he came to Striveling where in a meeting of Noblemen that were desired to come thither upon his motion a bond was made for the preservation of the young Prince lest Bothwell getting him in custody should make him away as no man doubted he would as well to advance his own succession as to cut off the innocent childe who in all probability would one day revenge his fathers death The principals of this combination were the Earls of Argile Atholl Morton Marre and Glencarne with the Lords Lindesay and Boyd But Argile out of a facility which was naturall unto him detected all their counsells to the Queen and the Lord Boyd with great promises was won to the adverse party Bothwell suspecting some insurrection advised the Queen for saving her reputation in forain parts to acquaint the French King and her kinsmen of the house of Guise with her marriage and the reasons thereof desiring them sith that which was done could not be again undone to favour her husband no less then they did her self And to this effect the Bishop of Dumblane was sent into France with letters to all her friends Neither did he admit to do at home what he thought might serve to fortifie himself for divers Noblemen and Barons were invited to Court and at their coming solicited to enter into bond for the defence of the Queen and Bothwell who should on the other part be obliged to protect them in all their affairs Some of these being wrought to the purpose did set their hands willingly to the bond the rest though they would gladly have shunned it yet because they held it dangerous to refuse subscribed in like sort Onely the Earl of Murray of all that were called denied to enter in any bond with the Queen it being neither lawfull for him as he said nor honourable for her whom in all things it was his duty to obey Concerning Bothwell he said that he was reconciled unto him by the Queens mediation and would faithfully keep all that he had promised but to enter in bond with him or any other he did not think it the part of a good subject Shortly after this he obtained leave howbeit not without some difficulty to go into France for he saw troubles breeding in which he loved not to have an hand How soon he was gone choice was made of a new Councell and the Archbishop of St. Andrewes with the Lords Oliphant and Beyd received into the number for their better and more easie attendance they had their times of waiting particularly assigned The Earls of Crawford Arroll and Cassils with the Bishop of Ross and the Lord Oliphant were appointed to begin and attend from the 1. of Iune to the 16. of Iuly The Earls of Morton and Rothes with the Bishop of Calloway and the Lord Fleming were to succeed and remain from the 16. of Iuly to the penult of August After them the Archbishop of St. Andrews the Earls of Argile and Cathnes with the Lord Hereis to the 15. of October And from that day to the 1. of December the Earl of Huntley who was then created Chancellour the Earls of Atholl Marshall and Lord Boyd were appointed to wait at which time Crawford and Arroll were again to begin and the rest to follow in their order for the same space So as during the whole year the Counsellours should be tied to the attendance of 3 moneths onely It was alwayes provided that so many of the forenamed persons as happened to be at Court should during their abode notwithstanding of their severall assignments be present with the others And that it should be lawfull for the Queen to adjoyn at any time such as she thought worthy of that honour The same day a Proclamation was given out Declaring all writings purchased from the Queen for permitting Papists to use the exercise of their Religion to make no faith her Majesty being no way minded to violate the Act made at her first arrivall and often since that time renued in favours of the true Religion But this did not repress the murmurs of the people for which it was specially intended Wherefore some few dayes after the Queen by Bothwels perswasion taking purpose to visit the borders and having charged the subjects to accompany her thither with a provision for 15. dayes according to the custome it was publickly rumored that these forces were gathering for some other business and that the intention was to have the Prince her son in her own custody and taken out of the Earl of Marre his hands So as a new Declaration came forth To certify the people of her good affection and that she never meaned to make any novations in the Kingdom by altering the lawes thereof nor do any thing in the publick affairs but by the advice of the Noblemen of her Councel And for her sonne as she had trusted him to such a Governour as other Princes in former times were custome to have so her motherly care for his safety and good education should be made apparent to all But no regard was had to these Declarations and the Noblemen who had combined themselves at Striveling taking Armes and being assisted by the Lord Home environed on the suddain the Castle of Borthwick wherein the Queen and Bothwel were then remaining yet their companies not sufficing to inclose the house for Athol did not keep the Diet Bothwel first escaped and after him the Queen disguised in mans apparel fled to Dumbar The Lords upon their escape retired to Edinburgh where they expected the rest of their forces would meet There lay in the Town at that by the Queens direction the Earl of Huntley the Archbishop of S. Andrews the Bishop of Ross the Abbot of Kilwining and the Lord Boyd How soon they heard of the Lords coming they went to the street offering themselves to conduct the people and to assist them in the defence of the Town but they found few or none willing to joyn with them and the peoples affections wholly inclining to the Lords The Magistrates gave order to shut the gates but no further resistance was made so as the Lords entering by the gate called S. Maryport which was easily brokeup they made themselves Master of the Town Huntley and the rest taking their refuge to the Castle were received by the Keeper Sir Iames Balfour a man much trusted by Bothwel though at the same time he was treating with the Lords for delivering the Castle into their hands The
with the Citizens of Glasgow the Harquebusiers were planted in the Village beneath and within the hedges upon the high-way Before the joyning both sides played with their Ordinance upon others but the advantage was on the Regents part the Queens Canoniers being forced to quit their munition His Cavalrie on the other side being much inferiour to the Queens was compelled to give ground but when they entered upon the foot thinking to put them in disorder the Archers from the Regents side rained such a shower of arrowes upon them as they could not hold up their faces and were forced to turn back The left wing of the Queens Army advancing it self in the mean while howbeit greatly annoyed by the Harquebusiers that beat them in the strait on both sides got into the plain and displayed it self Then did the Armies joyn and enter into a hot fight striving in thick ranks to maintain their places and by force of spears to break and bear down one another for the space of half an hour and more the fight continued doubtful and so eagerly they strove that they whose spears were broke stood throwing their poynards stones and what came readiest to their hands in the faces of their adversaries The Regents second battel perceiving that none came against them and fearing the other should be overlaid for they saw some in the last ranks recoiling went unto their aid whereupon the Queens Army gave back and so were put to rout The Regent and those on his side shewed great manhood all their hopes consisting in the victory nor were his enemies any lesse couragious but the advantage of the ground were to those of his part no small help There were not many slain on the place most of the slaughter being made in the chace and unlesse the Regent had with his presence wheresoever he came and by sending horse into all parts stayed the fury of those that pursued the victory had been much more bloody The Queen who stood a mile off from the battel on a litle height perceiving the field lost made towards the borders The rest that escaped fled the readiest way they could find every man to his own home The number of the slain was about 300. many were taken prisoners amongst whom the most eminent the Lords of Seaton and Ross the Masters of Cassils and Eglington Sir Iames Hamilton of Avendale and the Sheriffes of Aire and Linlithgow Of the Regents side one only was slain the Lords Home and Ochiltrie wounded All the rest a few excepted that followed the chace too farre returned with him to Glasgow where they went first to Church and gave thanks to God for the victory they had obtained almost without any effusion of blood This conflict happened upon the 13th of May. the eleventh day after her escape from Lochlevin The French Ambassadour who had conceived an assured hope of her prevailing perceiving things fall out otherwise took horse and made away to England not once saluting the Regent to whom as he pretended he was sent By the way he fell in the hands of some robbers that rifled all his baggage which the Laird of Drumlanrig for the respects he carried to the title of an Ambassadour caused to be restored The rest of that day the Regent bestowed in taking order with the prisoners some he freely dimitted others upon surety but the Principals were detained they especially of the Surname of Hamilton and committed to several prisons The next day taking with him 500. horse he rode unto Hamilton and had the Castle thereof with the house of Draffan another strong hold belonging to the Duke rendered in his hands Such a terrour this defeat wrought that the whole inhabitants of Cluid did relinquish and forsake their houses upon the like fear did the Queen against the counsel of her best friends take Sea at Kirkcadbright and sail into England landing at Wirkinton in Cumberland near to the mouth of the river Derwent from which place she sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth declaring that she was come into her Kingdome upon hope of aid and assistance from her requesting she might be conducted to her with all speed because of her present distresse Iohn Beaton one of her domesticks was some days before sent with the Diamond she had received from the Queen of England for a token of kindnesse to signify her purpose of coming into England if she should be further pursued by her subjects who did shortly return with large promises of love and kindnesse if she should happen to come But as soon as her coming was known the directions sent by Sir Francis Knowles were not so loving for by him she was desired to go unto Carlile as a place of more safety whither the Lieutenant of the countrey should conduct her and stay there till the Queen was informed of the equity of her cause This direction did much displease her and then began she to see her errour but seeming to take all in good part she sent the Lord Hereis to intreat the Queen for an hearing in her own presence where she might both clear her self and shew how injuriously she had been dealt with by those whom at her intercession she had recalled from exile or if that could not be obtained to crave that she might be permitted to depart forth of England and not detained as a prisoner seeing she came willingly thither in confidence of her kindnesse often promised and confirmed as well by letters as messages Queen Elizabeth moved with these speeches said that she would send to the Regent and desire him to stay all proceeding against the subjects that stood in her defence till matters were brought to an hearing For the Regent at the same time had called a Parliament to the 25. of Iune for proceeding against those that had accompanied the Queen in the fields by course of law They of the Queens faction were in the mean time preparing to hinder the meeting and when as the Diet drew near the Earl of Argile with his forces met Lord Claude Hamilton at Glasgow the Earl of Huntley brought from the North 1000. foot with as many horsemen almost and came as farre as Perth but was not permitted to crosse the river of â—ay the channels and passages being all guarded by the Lord Ruthven and such in those quarters as maintained the Kings authority So being forced to return home the Earl of Argile and other Lords not seeing how they could hinder the meeting of the Parliament dissolved their companies and returned to their own countrey At this time came the letters promised by the Queen of England whereby the Regent was desired to delay the Parliament and not to precipitate the giving of sentence in these matters till she was rightly informed of the whole cause But the Regent considering that the delay of the Parliament would be constructed to proceed of fear resolved to keep the Diet. At the meeting it was long disputed
the rest betook them to a little bush of wood where being environed on all sides they yielded at discretion the prisoners were many of whom some few were retained as pledges and the rest dimitted upon promise to enter themselves at a certain day The rest of the winter and all the next spring was spent in light skirmishes with small losse on either side for they of the Queens faction did seldom come to the open fields or if they shewed themselves at any time upon the first onset they took the flight and retired to the town Whilest matters did thus proceed in the Queen of Scots quarrel at home the Bishop of Ross in England renewed the purpose of marriage with the Duke of Norfolk and practised with divers for setting the Queen at liberty This being discovered the Duke was committed to the Tower of London and being arraigned at Westminster Hall the 16. of Ianuary was convicted of Treason and condemned to die yet was the execution delayed to the Iune after The Bishop of Ross called also in question defended himself by the priviledges of his Ambassage saying That he had done nothing but what his place and duty tied him unto for procuring the liberty of his Princess and that he came unto England with sufficient authority which he had shewed and was at the time accepted When it was replied that the priviledges of Ambassadours could not protect them who did offend against the Majesty of the Princes they were sent unto and that they were not to be reputed other then enemies who practised rebellion against the State He answered that he had neither raised nor practisâ—d rebellion but perceiving the adversaries of his Princess countenanced and her out of all hope of liberty he could not abandon his Soveraign in her affliction but do his best to procure her freedom And that it would never be found that the priviledges of Ambassadours were violated via juris by course of law but only via facti by way of fact which seldom had a good success After long altercation he was sent to the Isle of Ely and from thence brought and imprisoned in the Tower where he remained nigh two years Some ten days after Norfolks execution the Queen of England directed certain of her Councel to the Queen of Scots to expostulate with her for making suit to the Pope and King of Spain and for receiving letters from the Pope together with a sentence declaratory published against her self whereunto after protestation that she was a free Queen and subject to none she answered that she had indeed by letters solicited both the Pope and King of Spain for restoring her unto her Kingdom which was no prejudice to the Q. of England that she had received godly and consolatory letters from the Pope But for the sentence given by him she never knew thereof till a printed copy was brought unto her which after she had read she did cast into the fire These answers did not satisfy the Q. of Engl. who having understood that she had entered in a secret confederacy with the Spaniard kept her from that time in a more strict custody then before Yet at the request of the French King she sent of new Sir William Drury unto Scotland to treat for peace and if that could not be wrought to procure a cessation of Arms for a certain space But he prevailed nothing the warres being then very hot and the parties mightily incensed against others No quarters were given nor interchange of prisoners made but all that were taken on either side presently executed This device was held to proceed from the Earl of Morton who thought the troubles would not hastily cease if a greater severity were not used towards them who withstood the Kings authority But whose device soever it was it proved exceeding hateful The common sort taking it to have come of Morton called the warres of that time the Douglasses warres This form of doing continued from the 16. of April to the 8. of Iune at which time both parties wearied of execution daily made were content to cease from such rigour and use fair warres as in former times In the North Adam Gordon after the Forbesses were defeated found no resistance and following his fortune reduced all beyond the river of Dee to the Queens obedience To impede his proceedings for he had entered then into the countrey of Mernis and was besieging the house of William Douglass of Glenbervy The Regent directed the Earl of Crawford and Buchan with the Lord Glamis and Master of Marshell These Noblemen meeting at Brichen and waiting there till forces should assemble Adam Gordon came upon them in the night and killing the watches that were placed at the Bridge on the North side of the town had very nigh taken them all in bed but they wakened by the noise of the Trumpets espcaped many were taken prisoners and some 39. persons slain within the City This done he besieged the town of Montross and forced them to pay a great summe of mony which put the town of Dundy in such fear as they were driven to seek aid of their Neighbours in Fife At the same time the Castle of Blacknes a Fort on the South-side of the river of Forth was sold by the Keeper to the Hamiltons and thereby the Navigation betwixt Leth and Striveling barred at Edinburgh were divers skirmishes betwixt them and the companies that lay at Leth and which was greatly lamented of both parties the Lord Methven killed by a shot of Cannon from the Castle The Duke in the mean time having proclaimed a Justice Court at Hamilton and divers persons within the Sheriffdom of Ranfrew and Lennox to answer to certain crimes whereof they were delated The Regent prepared to keep the diet and leaving the Earl of Montross and the Lord Lindesay to follow the service at Leth took journey to Glasgow and from thence to Hamilton But neither the Duke nor any in his name appearing to hold the Court he appointed the Lord Semple Lieutenant in those West parts for the King and returned to Striveling He had intended an expedition in the North but upon advertisement that two Ambassadours were arrived at Leth he turned thither The one was Monsieur de Crock imployed by the French the other Mr. Randolph by England who professed both of them to be sent for negotiating a peace amongst the parties yet was it thought the French did not much affect the peace For even then the Lord Fleming came from France with moneys to pay the souldiers that served the Lords at Edinburgh This Nobleman some ten days after walking in the street was unhappily wounded in the knee by the shot of an Harquesk whereof he died the sixth of September As to the Queen of England howbeit she desired peace to be made yet she would have it in such manner as both factions might depend on her and so she had carried her self in
munition plate jewels and housholdstuffe pertaining to the King with the Registers and publick records of the Kingdom there reserved should be all delivered to the Regent within three days after the house was recovered and the rest of the spoil distributed amongst the souldiers 3. That so far as might be the persons within the Castle should be reserved to the trial of law wherein the Regent should proceed by the advice of the Queen of England 4. That the Regent should provide the English forces with victuals and all other things necessary during the siege as likewise assist them with a convenient power of horse and foot 5. That recompence should be given at the Generals sight to the wives and nearest friends of the English souldiers who should happen to be killed 6. That if any of the Ordinance should break or be otherwise spoiled the same should be changed with other pieces of the like quantity within the Castle 7. That the English General should not fortify within the ground of Scotland without the Regents advice and the service finished should immediately retire his forces 8. And lastly that for the safe return of the souldiers and munition the losse which fortune of war should make being excepted hostages of Noblemens sons should be delivered to the English and entertained in the parts most adjacent to Scotland These conditions made and the Masters of Ruthven and Semple Iohn Cunningham son to the Earl of Glencarn and Douglas of Kilspindie being entred in Berwick as pledges Sir William Drary marched with his forces into Scotland and came to Edinburgh the 25. of April The Regent giving out a Proclamation Wherein was shewed the care that the Queen of England had taken for the peace of the Realm in times past and the liberal succours she had granted at the present for the expugnation of the Castle treasonably detained and fortified by the Laird of Grange Did require and charge all good subjects to carry themselves as became them towards the English General and his company and not to injure them either by word or deed except they would be esteemed enemies to the peace and partakers to the Traitors in their rebellious attempts The next day the Castle was summoned and offer made of their lives if they should yield before the planting of the Canon but the Captain in stead of answer set upon the highest Tower his ensign for a token of defiance Then the Pioneers were put to work and begun to cast trenches and raise mounts for planting the Artillery The besieged made all the hinderance they could playing with their Ordinance upon the workmen and killing divers ere the mounts were brought to perfection How soon they were erected being five in all and entituled by the names of their several Commanders the Artillery was planted 31. pieces in number more and lesse All things prepared and the Parliament finished which the Regent had called to the last of April for ratifying the Articles of pacification the battery began the 17. of May on the 27. the Castle was made assaultable the Canon having made great breaches in the fore and back walls and the Tower called Davids Tower being also demolished The 26 early in the morning the assault was given in two places at the West part where the ascent was most difficult the assailers were repulsed after an obstinate sight that continued 3. hours and 24. persons killed on the East side the blockhouse called the Spurre was taken with less resistance which put the defendants in fear and made them demand a parle This granted a truce was taken for the space of two days in which time the English General used many perswasions to the Captain to make him render the house neither was he then unwilling so as the lives and honours of these within might be saved but the Regent would give no condition and have him simply to yield The Captain seeing nothing but extremity resolved to stand to his utmost defence yet when he came back to the house he found them all within divided and the greater part so discouraged as they refused to undergo the hazard of a second assault which forced him to other counsels and so following Lethingtons advice upon the 29. of May being let down by a rope over the wall he and Piltadrow his Constable did yield themselves and the house to the English General in the name of his Queen whose discretion misknowing the Regent they were willing to abide The General made them to be attended to his lodging whither all that were of any note in the Castle were brought Thereafter they were commitred to several places most of them transported to Leth and some detained in Edinburgh till the Queen of England should signify her will concerning them the Ladies and Gentlewomen were licenced to depart as likewise the private souldiers and others of meaner sort It was thought that the Queen in regard of the render made to her Lieutenant would take a favourable course with them and save their lives but she gave direction to put them all in the Regents hands to be used as he thought meet which when Lethington heard either despairing of life or not willing to injoy it by the mercy of an enemy he died at Leth so suddenly as he was thought to have made himself away by poison A man he was of deep wit great experience and one whose counsels were held in that time for Oracles but variable and unconstant turning and changing from one faction to another as he thought it to make for his standing This did greatly diminish his reputation and failed him at last which should warn all Counsellours to direct their courses by the lines of piety and true wisdom without which the most politick prudence will prove nothing but folly in the end His brother Mr. Iohn Maitelan who came afterwards to great honours had his life spared and was imprisoned in Tentallon George Creichton Bishop of Dunkeld was sent to Blackness and the Lord Home detained in the Castle which the Regent gave to his brother George Douglas in custody Grange himself with his brother Sir Iames Kirkaldy and two Goldsmiths Iames Mosman and Iames Cockey were publickly hanged in the Mercat street of Edinburgh Such was the end of Sir William Kirkaldy of Grange a man full of valour and courage who had sometimes done good service to his countrey against the French and purchased by that means great honour But seeking ambitiously to raise his fortunes and hearkening to perverse counsel he did break his faith to the Regent who had put him in trust and thereby lost all his former esteem and drew upon himself these troubles wherein he perished His part was foul in the death of the Cardinal and for it when he was in his best estate many did foredeem that he should not escape some misfortune Yet herein he was happy that at his death he expressed a great sorrow for his
rest well satisfied But a pitiful accident that fell out in the time gave an hinderance to these business The Chancellour going to the Castle to make his report to the King as he returned to his lodging did encounter the Earl of Crawford in the street called commonly the Schoolhouse wynd There had been an old grudge bewixt the two families whereupon the Noblemen passed by others without salutations the street being narrow and the companies of each side great when they were almost parted two base fellowes fell a strugling for the way and by thrusting one at another raised a tumult in the very beginning whereof the Chancellour was killed with the shot of a Pistol It was certainly known that the Noblemen did purpose no harm to others for Crawford did call to his followers to give way to the Chancellour as he on the other side called to give way to the Earl of Crawford yet by this unhappy accident were the old dissensions that had long slept revived and a fresh enmity raised which turned to the great hurt of both The death of the Chancellour was much lamented falling out in the time when the King and countrey stood in most need of his service He had carried himself with much commendation in his place and acquired a great authority most careful was he to have peace conserved both in the countrey and Church and laboured much to have the question of Church policy setled upon which subject he interchanged divers letters with Theodore Beze Some have blamed him of too great curiosity in that matter but his intention certainly was pious and commendable Upon his death the Earl of Athol was preferred to be Chancellour at which the Church did mightily offend as likewise of the admission of the Earls of Cathnes and Eglinton with the Lord Ogilvy upon the Councel who were all thought to be Popishly inclined This being meaned to the King was in some sort satisfied by their promises and subscriptions to the Articles of religion yet the suspicions of their unsoundness still continued And now began they who longed for the change of Mortons government to repent the alteration that was made for howsoever he did not favour the novations in Church policy urged by some Ministers he kept a severe hand over Papists permitting none to enjoy and publick office who was not sincerely affected to the truth The first of April the Castle of Edinburgh was delivered to the Lords Ruthven and Lindesay who were appointed by the King to receive the house and a discharge given to the Earl of Morton of the jewels munition and moveables within the same And the same day Iohn Seaton of Touch and Iohn Cunningham of Drumwhassil received the keys in name of Alexander Areskin Uncle to the Earl of Marre upon a warrant directed to them for that effect The Earl of Morton resolving to live private and to have no more medling in publick affairs retired to Lochlevin where he stayed not long being recalled to Court by this occasion The friends of the house of Marre of whom the principals were the Abbots of Driburgh and Cambuskenneth out of some jealousie they conceived of Alexander Areskin his courses and a fear that the young Nobleman who was then grown to some years might be prejudged of his right in keeping the Castle practised secretly to exclude him and entring one morning with a number of his followers seised upon the keeper of the gate took the keys from him by force and putting him and his men forth placed others in their rooms whom they caused swear fidelity to the Earl of Marre How soon the Councel which then remained at Edinburgh was advertised of this change they prepared to go to Striveling and for their greater security were furnished with some companies of men by the Town of Edinburgh but by letters from the King they were stayed In these letters the King shewed that it was a private dissension only that had happened betwixt the friends of the house of Marre which he would have peaceably composed and therefore desired them to come unto him after a day or two in quiet and sober manner and assist the reconcilement They obeyed and coming to Striveling in a frequent Councel kept the third of May the controversy was in these termes composed That the Earl of Marre being new come to a reasonable age he should attend the Kings person and have the custody of the Castle of Striveling and that the Master his Uncle should remain Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh and when he came to Court have his table kept as before and enjoy the place of a Gentleman of his Majesties chamber The conditions prescrived to the Earl of Marre were That he should guard the Castle attend the Kings person therein and not remove him to any place whatsoever without the knowledge and consent of the Councel That he should not receive any within the house whom he knew not to be well affected to the King admitting an Earl with two only in train a Lord with one and Gentleman single that Mr. George Buchannan and Mr. Peter Young should continue his instructers and no others be admitted without the Councels consent nor any religious exercise kept within the Castle but that which the Parliament had approved For the observing of these Articles the Earls of Athol Angus Argile and Montross with the Lords Ruthven and Lindesay became sureties For the Master his Uncle and his fidelity in keeping the Castle of Edinburgh with the jewels munition and other moveables the Earls of Athol Argile Montross and the Lord Ruthven gave their bond and obligation Some days after this broile the Captain his eldest son called Alexander a youth of great hopes departed this life as it was thought of a grief he conceived for the indignity done to his Father This agreement being made and the Lords being then to return to Edinburgh the King did signify unto them that because the Parliament was indicted to the tenth of Iuly he would before that time call a number of every estate together for the preparing of matters and that all emulations laid aside they might concurre and joyn their counsels for the publick good of the Realm The Diet for this meeting he appointed at Striveling the tenth of Iune the Convention at the time was frequent of the Clergy eight Bishops and as many Abbots were present of the Nobility nine Earls and eleven Lords and divers Commissioners of Burghs The Earl of Morton at the Kings earnest intreaty came also thither and at his coming was admitted upon the Councel having the precedency allowed him with the consent of the rest because of the Regency he had a long time sustained In the first meeting the King after he had given thanks to the whole number for the readinesse they had shewed to convene in that place proponed two things One was touching the Parliament and the place where it should
gave not an end to the business for how soon he returned to the Court and perceived the King countenance cast down upon him for that he had done he undertook of new to settle himself at Glasgow and had letters from his Majesty to the Gentlemen of those parts to assist him At his coming to Glasgow with purpose to preach the Sunday following a number of the Students in the Colledge entered into the Church on Saturday at night and excluding him did keep the Chair for Mr. Thomas Smeton their Principal who taking for his Theam that saying in the Gospel He that enters not by the door but by the window is a thief and a robber inveighed against the Bishop for his simonaical entry and the levity he had shewed in all his proceedings The next Sunday the Bishop with a great convocation of Gentlemen came to the Church and displacing the ordinary Preacher Mr. David Weymes made the Sermon himself The Presbytery of Glasgow intending proces against him for molestation of the Church and usurping the place of the ordinary Preacher Matthew Stewart of Minto Provost of the City came and presented a Warrant from the King to stay all proceedings against the Bishop willing them to desist Mr. Iohn Howeson Minister of Cambustange moderating in his course as the custome then was and replying somewhat peremptorily that notwithstanding his Warrant they would proceed some words of offence passed whereupon the Provost pulling him from the Seat made him prisoner in the Tolbuith The rumour of this fact ran quickly through the Kingdom and a solemn fast being kept by the appointment of the former Assembly the causes whereof were made to be the abundance of sin the oppression of the Church the dilapidation of the rents and the danger wherein the King stood by the company of wicked persons who did seek to corrupt him in manners and Religion the insolency committed at Glasgow was likewise adjected and furnished matter of long discourse to the Preachers Amongst others Iohn Dury did exclaime mightily against the Duke of Lennox upon whom the blame of all things was laid and thereby did so irritate the King as he would needs have him removed forth of the Town Charges to that effect were directed commanding the Magistrates within the space of 24. houres to remove him who not daring disobey yet being unwilling to use their Minister in that sort travelled with him to depart quietly and leave the Town The Minister proponing the case to the General Assembly for upon advertisement given by the Ministers of Edinburgh they were there convened desired their advice for to leave his flock at the pleasure of the Court he said might work a prejudice to the Church and to depart privately as the Magistrates advised him might be imputed to fear or then make him to be thought guilty of some fault The brethren after a short consultation did advise him to stay till he should be commanded to depart and then obey Mean while Mr. Thomas Buchannan and David Ferguson were sent to the King who was then at Striveling to intreat his Majesties favour unto him and therewith to request a continuation of the Diet for the appearing of the Ministers of Glasgow at Perth The King desiring to have matters quieted answered the last proposition first saying That if the Assembly would delay the proces which they had against the Provest of Glasgow and his assisters he would likewise dispense with the appearing of the Ministers at the appointed time And as to Iohn Dury he said that upon his suppliâ—ation how soon the Duke returned to Court whose interesse was greatest in that business order should be taken with him and consideration had of the Assemblies request But they not satisfied herewith striving to make good what they had taken in hand went on with the proces of Glasgow and leading probation against Minto and the rest decerned them to be excommunicated and cast forth of the society of the Church onely the pronouncing of the sentence was delayed till they saw what course was kept with their brethren before the Councel Mr. Iohn Davidson then Minister at Liberton pretending a warrant from the Church had in his private Parish pronounced Bishop Montgomery excommunicate which albeit done against all form was allowed and intimated in all the Churches of the countrey The Duke of Lennox notwithstanding did still entertain him in his company and at some occasions had made him to preach publickly Thereupon Mr. Alexander Archbuthnet and Mr. Adam Iohnston were directed by the Assembly to intimate unto the Duke his excommunication and the Acts of the Church against such as kept excommunicate persons in their company The Duke taking them up somewhat hotly asked them Whether the King or the Church were superiours and thereafter answered them directly That he was commanded by the King and Councel to entertain him which he would not forbear to do for any fear he had of their censures This amongst other grievances of the Church was ordained to be represented to his Majesty by the Commissioners appointed to attend the Councel at Perth But touching this the King answered That the excommunication was null and declared such by the Councel as being pronounced against equity and all lawful form no citation being used nor any admonition preceding which all lawes and even their own discipline appointed to be observed To their other grievances they received general answers and for the brethren of Glasgow their trial was continued to the tenth of September next Before which time the surprise of the Kings person at Ruthven fell out which altered the state of all affairs some of the Nobility combining themselves for defence of Religion and the liberty of the Kingdom as they pretended upon notice of the Duke of Arrans absence from the Court placed themselves about the King and detained him some dayes at the house of Ruthven The principals in this attempt were Iohn Earl of Marre William Earl of Gowry Patrick Lord Lindesay Robert Lord Boyd the Masters of Glammis and Oliphant the Abbots of Dunfermlin Paisley Driburgh and Cambush keneth the Lairds of Lochlevin Easter Weemes Cleish and the Constable of Dundy The King at their first coming suspected there was some practise in hand yet dissembled the matter thinking to free himself the next day when he went abroad to his sport but as he was about to go the Master of Glammit stept to the dore of the Parlour and told him he must stay The King askt the reason he answered he should know it shortly When he saw it to be so and found his liberty restrained he grew into a passion and after some threatening speeches burst forth in tears The Master seeing him weep said It is no matter of his tears better that bairnes should weep then bearded men which words entered so deeply into the Kings heart as he did never forget them The newes went quickly of the
that time they had done good thankful and necessary service to the King and countrey Also that their taking of Armes making of Conventions entring in conflicts taking and detaining of prisoners contracting of leagues and bonds and all other deeds done by them which might appear to be against his Majesties authority in so farre as the same was done without his Highness warrant should be reputed and esteemed good service done to the King and State And that they and their partakers should be exonered of all action civil or criminal that might be intended against them or any of them in that respect Inhibiting therefore all the subjects to speak or utter any thing to the contrary under the pain to be esteemed calumniators and dispersers of false rumors and to be punished for the same accordingly The declaration passed it was ordained that the Earl of Arran should be detained in the Castle of Ruthven till the Duke was gone out of the Realm after which he should be confined on the North of the water of Iern and that four companies should be levied upon the publick charges two of horsemen and as many foot to guard the King and Noblemen who did attend him till the present troubles were quieted Then were some grievances proponed in name of the Church but these laid by till another time the Lords not willing to irritate the King for such matters having once secured themselves The Duke to keep the word which the King had given for his departing took shiping in the West parts about the midst of October and being hindred by contrary winds fell sick at Sea The King advertised of his ill disposition advised him to travel through England in regard of the winter season and to remain at Blackness till a safe conduct was procured from the Queen He had not stayed many dayes there when a rumour was raised as was thought by his enemies that he was to be brought again to Court and the Lords turned out or used with more violence This made a new stirre whereupon the Lord Hereis was sent to command him to begin his journey and to be in Berwick the 22. day of December he craved to see the King and be permitted only to salute him but this being denied he departed in great heavinesse In the beginning of Ianuary two Ambassadours arrived sent by the French King the one named Monsieur la Motte the other Monsieur Menevel La Motte came by England with whom came alongst Mr. Davidson Ambassadour from Queen Elizabeth the other by Sea both having the same instructions which were to work the Kings liberty in the best sort they could to confirm his mind in the love he bare to the French and to renue the purpose of Association This last businesse was set on foot the year before and almost concluded in this sort That the Queen of Scots should communicate the Crown with her sonne and both be joyned in the administration of affaires that so he might be acknowledged for a lawful King by all Christian Princes and all domestick factions suppressed But upon the Dukes sequestring from Court it was left off and not mentioned again till now The Assembly of the Church in the last meeting had made this one of their special grievances and complained of it as a most wicked practise And now the Ministers of Edinburgh hearing that purpose to be moved of new by the French Ambassadours declaimed bitterly against them in their Sermons especially against La Motte who being a Knight of the order of S. Esprit did wear the badge of a white Crosse upon his shoulder This they called the badge of Antichrist and him the Ambassadour of the bloudy murtherâ—r meaning the Duke of Guise who they said procured him to be sent hither It grieved the Ambassadours much to hear these out-cries which daily were brought unto them but perceiving the Kings authority not able to restrain the liberty which the Preachers had taken they did not complain but urged earnestly their dimission The King desirous to entertain the ancient amity betwixt the two nations and dimit them with some contentment desired the Magistrates of Edinburgh to give them the Feast before their parting To impede this Feast the Ministers did on the Sunday preceding proclaim a Fast to be kept the same day on which the Feast was appointed and to detain the people at Church the three ordinary Preachers did one after another make Sermon in S. Giles Church without any intermission of time thundering curses against the Magistrates and other Noblemen that waited on the Ambassadours by the Kings direction nor stayed their folly here but the Ambassadors being gone they pursued the Magistrates with the censures of the Church and were with difficulty enough stayed from proceeding with excommunication against them for not observing the Fast they proclaimed Of all this the King seemed to take no notice for he saw not a way to represse these disorders and much perplexed he was with the reports of the Duke of Lennox his death who partly of grief partly through the long and troublesome journey he made in that cold and rainy season contracted a fever at his coming to Paris whereof after a few days he died Some hours before his expiring there came to him a Priest or two to do their accustomed service whom he could not admit professing to die in the faith of the Church of Scotland and to keep the oath he had given to the King inviolate This the King made to be proclaimed at Edinburgh that the people might see what wrong the Duke had sustained during his abode in the Realm by the uncharitable suspicions both of Ministers and others But this belongs to the year following Meanwhile the King ceascth not to think of his own liberty using all means to put the Lords that attended him out of an opinion that he had any meaning to free himself And the Duke being gone whom they feared most they esteemed the danger the lesse for Arran was not well loved because of his violent courses and Morton who had the greatest following was put from his charge in the Borders and the same given to the Laird of Iohnston The King had likewise by their advice sent Colonel Stewart and Mr. Iohn Colvil in a joynt Commission to the Queen of England to move her for restoring the lands in that Kingdome which appertained to his Grandfather the Earl of Lennox and the Lady Margaret his Grandmother together with the by-run profits intrometted by the Thesaurer or Master of Wards as likewise to communicate unto her the course he had taken for quieting the Realm and to desire her aid and assistance therein Some instructions besides were given them to propone as touching the Kings marriage the matters of the Border and the contracting of a defensive league by all which they held themselves secured of his Majesties favour But for the negotiation it
King hereupon took purpose to confine some of the principals in several countreys and to commit others who were reckoned most turbulent The Earl of Angus was confined beyond Spey Iohn Levingston of Dunypace and Patrick Drummond of Carnock in the countrey of Galloway Lochlevin and Buchan in Innerness the Master of Glammis Abbot of Dunfermlin and Lord of Cleish were charged to enter themselves in the Castle of Dumbritton William Commendator of Paisley in Blackness and Mr. Iohn Colvil commanded to keep Ward in Edinburgh The whole Angus only excepted disobeying the charge were denounced rebels and Proclamations made commanding all the subjects to be in readinesse for resisting the practises of seditious subjects An oath also was taken of all the Kings domesticks that they should not keep intelligence with any of the rebels or others known to be in his Majesties mal-grace and at this time was Mr. Iohn Metellan who came afterwards to be Chancellour admitted Counsellour of Estate The Queen of England being advertised of this alteration in Court sent Sir Francis Walsingham her principal Secretary to the King to challenge him for breach of promise in readmitting the Earl of Arran and casting off the Noblemen who had maintained his authority and hazarded their lives and estates in defence of his Crown The King answered that he was a free Prince and in ruling his affaires might follow the course which he thought to be most convenient that the Queen would not take it well if he or any other should direct her in matters that concerned her subjects and for the promise alledged he said it was made in time of his restraint to the performance whereof he was not tied As to these subjects of whom the Queen seemed so careful he said that he had freely offered to pardon them upon the acknowledgement of their offence and promise of amendment which he would faithfully observe expecting of the Queen his sister that neighbourhood which became Princes living in amity and friendship and that she would not countenance his subjects in their rebellion The Ambassadour replying Sir the Queen my Mistris will never meddle with your affaires but to work your good and quietnesse Yet she taketh it unkindly that the promises made unto her are so lightly regarded One Holt an English Jesuit who is thought to have an hand in Throgmortons treason that was of late detected being in your prison at the request of the French Ambassadour was permitted to escape whereas the Queen my Soveraign looked daily to have been delivered in England as was promised Nay said the King it was not promised that he should be delivered but as the Queen answered my Ambassadours when I desired Mr. Archibald Douglas to be rendered who is known to be guilty of my Fathers murther I said that the man was charged with certain suspicious practises in my Kingdom which I believed first to try and if the Queen had been pleased to have delivered my subject to me whom I had more then reason to remand I would have made no delay in the rendering of Holt. But for his dimission or my connivence at his escape there is no such thing and if you know or can learn that any indirect means have been used for letting him go the trial and punishment of the doers shall clear my part This said the Ambassadour who was a most worthy and discreet Gentleman declaring that he was satisfied fell to speak of the preservation of peace betwixt the two Kingdomes and of a new league to be made with the Queen whereof the King did shew a good liking and in these termes they left for that time In October next the Church Assembly convened at Edinburgh where great regrates were made and presented in certain Articles to the King First they complained that the benefit of pacification was extended to Mr. David Chalmers a professed enemy to Religion and suspected of the murther of his Majesties Father Next that Papists were grown too familiar in Court and namely the Laird of Fintry who had made defection from the true Religion in which he was educated 3. That Holt a wicked Papist sent to the countrey to traffique against Religion and the State was suffered to escape and no trial taken of the workers thereof 4. That his Majesty seemed to favour too much the enemies of the truth both in France and at home 5. That he had received in his service men of dissolute life and who had never given any testimony of their good meaning either to Religion or the state of the countrey and put others from his service that were known to be zealous of Gods cause and faithful to his Majesties self from his very tender age 6. That since his acceptation of the government the Church had received many fair promises without any performance and that to the contrary the liberties and priviledges thereof were daily infringed 7. That the thirds were set in taks or leases in defraud of the Church 8. That Abbacies were disponed against the Acts of Parliament and no care taken for provision of the Ministers that served at the Churches annexed 9. That spiritual livings were conferred to children and erected in temporal Lordships 10. That there were no punishment for incest adultery witchcraft and the like abominations 11. That there was an universal murmur that no man could be assured of his lands and life the laws of the countrey being wholly perverted 12. That his Majesty did interpone his authority to stay the execution of the Churches Acts in matters properly Ecclesiastical Lastly they regrated the division of the Nobility one part seeking the ruine and overthrow of another for which they did intreat his Majesty to call unto himself the most wise and indifferent amongst them and by their advice to take some moderate course for uniting the hearts of all good subjects to the maintenance of Gods truth the preservation of his Highnesse person and estate and the comfort of all that were grieved at the present division The King desiring to give the Church satisfaction made answer the next day to all these particulars And first concerning Mr. David Chalmers he said that he was only forfeited for the common action for being at Landside field field for which pardon had been given to many so as it should not be thought strange to give him the like benefit especially at their request who had moved him therein and that he no ways intended to grant oversight to him or any others that should be found culpable of his fathers murther or yet professed themselves adversaries to the Religion Touching Fintry he said that he had not impeded the proceedings of the Church against him or any other Popishly affected nor had he been countenanced at Court if the Minister of Edinburgh had not testified that he was willing to conform That for Holts escape he had satisfied the English Ambassadour and that it was no uncouth thing to see
a prisoner deceive his keepers Concerning the intelligence he kept with forain Princes for the entertaining of civil peace that he did not think the Assembly would disallow it seeing diversity of Religion made not leagues of friendship unlawful And that they should meddle with the choice of his servants he held it strange This he hoped they would remit to himself and not to be too curious in examining the occasions of their placing or displacing And where they complained that since his accepting of the government the liberties of the Church had been refringed he said that since that time more good and profitable lawes had been made for the advancement of true Religion then ever before and if any thing lacked in the execution the fault was not his For that which concerned the Church rents he answered that those things must be helped in Parliament and that he should assist the reformation thereof at his power As for the punishment of the abominations mentioned that the fault could not be imputed to him sith he was willing to give Commission to such as the Ministers should judge most fit for the execution of lawes And for Ecclesiastical Acts which his authority was said to impede he knew none of late onely he had stayed the remove of Mr. Alexander Arbuthnet from the Colledge of Aberdene to be Minister of S. Andrews which being rightly considered would not be found prejudicial to the Church nor impertinent for him to deal in Lastly for the murmur of people perverting of lawes and difference amongst the Nobility his Majesty said that he was ready to hearken to any good advice for reformation of that which should be found amisse The answers all most reasonable and proceeding from the King ought to have been well taken but the discontent they had received for the late change in Court made every thing distasteful and still the displeasure betwixt the King and Church did grow as we shall hear In the beginning of November Lodowick eldest son to the late Duke of Lennox arrived at Leth and was conveyed by the Earls of Huntley Crawford and Montross to the King who lay then at Kinneill Soon after the advertisement of the Noblemans death the King had sent the Master of Gray into France to bring home all his children But Lodowick excepted who then was 13. years of age the rest were young and not able to indure so long a journey The King receiving him with great expressions of love did presently invest him in his Fathers lands and honours committing the trust of his affairs to the Earl of Montrosse till he should grow up to maturity for his education in letters Mr. Gilbert Moncreef the King his principal Physician was appointed to attend him a man wise and of good learning Some years after two of his sisters were brought into the countrey Henrietta the eldest was married to George Earl of Huntley Mary the younger of the two to Iohn Earl of Marre to the third the King had provided an honourable match but she having vowed her self to God would not be wonne from the Cloyster by any perswasion a younger son came to the King after he went into England and was by him advanced to great honours Thus the untimely losse of their Father did turn to the childrens benefit by the constant and unmatchable kindness of a loving King In the countrey matters grew daily more and more troubled Those that disobeyed the charges given them for entering in Ward pretended the time assigned for their entry to have been so short and the distance of the place so great as there was no possibility in them to obey yet under hand they were still seeking to strengthen themselves and associate others to be of their faction To take from them this pretext the first of December was allowed them for their entring in Ward and so many as should find surety to obey had favour promised them The Laird of Braid Colluthy Mr. David Lindesay and Mr. Andrew Hay were licenced also to conferre with them and with all that had any part in the attempt of Ruthven for informing them of his Majesties gracious inclination towards all of that number who should acknowledge their offence and live obedient and peaceably from thenceforth But little or nothing was wrought this way whereupon the King took purpose to convene the Estates this 17th of December and having exponed his whole proceeding in that business an Act was passed by an universal consent of this tenour Albeit the late surprise and restraint of our person perpetrated in August bygone a year was a crime of laesae Majestatis hainous in it self of dangerous sequel and most pernicious example meriting the more severe punishment because the committers thereof for the most part besides the allegiance and common duty of subjects were specially bound to us by particular favours and benefits bestowed on them yet out of our natural disposition to clemency we resolved to reduce them by all gentle means to their duties and not only forbare to use them with rigour but made offer of pardon and mercy to such as would acknowledge their offence and continue thereafter in a dutiful obedience satisfying our selves with that moderate declaration which tended not in any sort to their detriment and prorogating days and moneths to see what they could perform Hereof we gave our promise to the Queen of England which was certified to them by divers and of late by certain Ministers and well disposed Gentlemen whom we licenced to conferre with them for perswading them of our sincere meaning behaving our selves in all this as a kind Father that seeketh to recover his children and not as a Prince that respected his estate But our lenity not having produced the effects which were wished we took counsel to assemble our Estates and make them witnesses of our clemency whatsoever might happen to their persons hereafter and now by their advice we have determined to prosecute with all rigour such of that number as shall continue in their disobedience and shall not embrace the offers of pardon made unto them In the execution whereof our Nobility and Estates convened have solemnly promised their assistance and for the greater authority both We and our said Estates have subscribed this Act with our hands Further by their advice We have ordained and ordain the Act of Councel past in October 1582. touching the attempt at Ruthven to be delete forth of the Books inhibiting all and sundry of whatsoever estate quality and degree to allow by word writing or otherwise the foresaid fact which We being now at liberty and our Estates have so publickly condemned This Act made the Earl of Rothes protested that his subscription to the Act in October 1582. approving the attempt of Ruthven for good service should not be laid to his charge seeing he did the same unwillingly and by his Majesties special command and direction like as soon after the
committing of the fact he had satisfied his dislike thereof The King acknowledging the same to be of truth made his protestation to be admitted Then began all the faction to fall asunder every man suing his pardon which was granted upon condition they should depart forth of the Realm and not return without his Majesties licence The Earl of Marre the Master of Glammis with the Abbots of Driburgh and Cambuskenneth went into Ireland the Lord Boid Lochlevin and Easter Weymis unto France others of the meaner sort were confined within certain bounds The Earl of Gowry notwithstanding he was reconciled to Arran fearing to be troubled obtained licence to go into France but whilest he delayes to go and putteth off his journey from day to day he falleth into new practises which brought him unto his end The rest of the winter was quiet but now and then the Court was kept in exercises by the Sermons of some Preachers who were therefore called in question Iohn Dury Minister at Edinburgh had in one of his Sermons justified publickly the fact of Ruthven for which being cited before the Councel he stood to the defence of that he had spoken yet after advice taken with Mr. Iames Lawson his Colleague he was moved to submit himself to the King who continued the declaration of his pleasure till he had proof of his better behaviour The businesse with Mr. Andrew Melvil was greater for he being cited to answer for certain speeches uttered by him in a Sermon preached at S. Andrewes declined the judgement of the King and Councel affirming That what was spoken in Pulpit ought first to be tried and judged by the Presbytery and that neither the King nor Councel might in primâ instantiâ meddle therewith though the speeches were treasonable When by no perswasion he could be induced to submit himself and that the King and Councel finding themselves Judges did proceed to examine the witnesses he burst forth in undutiful speeches against the King saying he perverted the lawes both of God and man which unreverent words proceeding from a Divine in whom moderation and humility should chiefly have appeared did greatly offend the Councel Thereupon was he charged to enter his person in Blackness within the space of ten hours but in stead of obeying he turned his back and fled that night to Berwick Then did all the Pulpits sound and every day were the Ministers exclaiming that the light of the countrey for learning and he that was only most fit to resist the adversaries of religion was exiled and compelled for safety of his life to quit the Kingdom Pity it is to think how the King was then used for though he cleared himself by Proclamations shewing that the mans flight was voluntary and that he meant not to have used him with any rigour yet nothing was believed and every where people began to stirr Hereupon charges were directed commanding those who had obtained leave to depart out of the Realm to use the benefit of their licences and inhibiting all intelligence by letters or otherwise with those that are already gone This wrought not much only made those that travelled to and fro with advertisements the more wary and circumspect The Earl of Gowry to liberate himself of suspicion came to Dundy and conducing a ship gave out that he would forthwith depart yet still he lingred attending the return of the Earl of Marre and the Master of Glammis from Ireland at which time he and others of that faction were to joyn and take Arms for reformation of abuses the securing of Religion and preservation of the King his person and estate for that was made the pretext The King having notice given him of these practises sent Colonel Stewart Captain of the guard to apprehend the Earl of Gowry who was suspected because of his lingring The Colonel coming upon him unexpected as he lay in the house of William Drummond Burgesse of Dundy he made to defend the lodging and stood to it some space but the Town concurring with the Captain he was forced to yield and the next day conveyed to Edinburgh and committed to the custody of Arran A night or two after the Earls of Angus and Marre with some of their friends and followers surprised the Town and Castle of Striveling intending there to fortify themselves But the suddain expedition which the King made compelled them to fly into England and leave the Castle victualled for some days and in it a few Gentlemen whom they promised to relieve Such a readinesse the King found in his subjects at this time as upon a short warning a greater Army and better appointed was in no mans memory known to have been assembled The Town of Edinburgh shewed a great forwardnesse for both they advanced moneys to levy souldiers and put divers of their own inhabitants in Armes to attend the King It was the 19th of April when knowledge was given first of the taking of Striveling and before 24. all the Army was in readinesse to march The same day advertisement came of the Rebels flight whereupon the Wardens and Keepers of the Marches were directed to pursue them The King himself with the Army marching towards Striveling Alexander Master of Levingston was sent to inclose the Castle which yielded upon the hearing of his Majesties approach and was delivered in keeping to the Earl of Arran The Earl of Gowry after he had been kept some days in Kinneil was brought to Striveling Before his transporting from Edinburgh the Earl of Montrosse the Lord Down and Mr. Robert Melvil were directed to examine him and hopes given that he should find favour if he would discover the conspiracy and what the Rebels had intended to do he upon promise that what he declared should not be made an endictment against himself disclosed all the plot setting down the same with his own hand as followeth Perceiving his Majesties favour altered towards me by misreport of my unfriends and my life and my living aimed at I was of necessity forced to seek my relief by concurring with others of the Nobility who laboured to secure themselves and their estates And hearing that there was some trafficking betwixt the Noblemen in Ireland and others at home I used all means though I was suspected by them to know what their courses and hopes were after some diligence I made that way I met with Mr. Iames Areskin who travelled to and fro betwixt them And he at first obscured himself from me and would not be plain till I promised my assistance Then he shewed me that he had been with the Earl of Angus whom he found cold and in some hope to make addresse for himself and so lesse careful of their relief who were absent Yet he believed if the Nobleman saw any good concurrence of others he would give his assistance but refused to deal in these matters till they should return and things be determined
Kinloss Lindors Blanire and Pettin Weyme representing the spiritual estate by the Earls of Arran March Athol Montrosse Marshall and Rothes the Lords Oliphant Thirlstane Gray Sinclare Down and Fleming for the Nobility and by the Commissioners of Burghs and all the Officers of Estate amongst the rest by the Master of Gray who though he did professe himâ— himself a Romane Catholick would in nothing that the King affected be thought refractary It was thought that the Ambassadour did rest well satisfied with the Kings forwardnesse towards the league and that he should have presently returned But he had some other businesse in trust which was carried more closely This was to make friends to the exiled Lords and labour their restitution as had been concluded in England To this effect he kept divers private meetings with the Master of Gray the Secretary and Justice Clerk giving the Lords intelligence from time to time of his proceedings among other means he thought expedient that they should reconcile their private quarrels with the Lord Hamilton and his brother Claud who were likewise exiled and lived then in England he wrought so as they were brought as it seemed to a perfect accord promising to take one course and joyn all in the same cause But Claud fearing either the event of the enterprise or not having buried his former grudges did afterwards separate and by discovering their purpose procured to himself liberty to return yet did he not find that acceptance which he expected being shortly after his coming confined in Aberdene and within a little while commanded to leave the countrey and goe into France There came this Summer from Denmark certain Ambassadours to redeem as they pretended the Isles of Orkney and Shetland alienated of old from that Crown yet the true errand was to propone that marriage unto the King which was some four years after happily perfected The King receiving them kindly and excusing himsel for the matter of Orkney because of the Pestilence which raged as then in Edinburgh Where the Registers of the Kingdom were kept promised how soon commodity served to give all reasonable satisfaction and to send some in Commission to treat of those matters How soon they were dimitted the King went into Striveling and from thence to Hamilton to recreate himself as he was accustomed where he received advertisement that the banished Lords were come down to the borders and that Maxwel was to joyn his forces with them Hereupon he returneth to Striveling and sending for Arran made Proclamations to go through the countrey commanding all the subjects to meet him at the Castle of Crawford the 22. of October for resisting the attempts of the Rebels But things were so prepared at Court by the English Ambassadour as the Lords did prevent the King in his expedition They had appointed their rendezvous at Linton in Tweddale and meeting there did solemnly swear not to separate nor give over the profecution of their enterprise till the King should be moved to accept them in favour and put Arran forth of his company Maxwel brough with him 300 souldiers that had served against Iohnston and about 700 horsemen all the others did scarce equall that number though Bothwel Home Yester Cesford and Drumlanrig had joyned with them To justify their proceedings they gave forth a Proclamation in all the places they came unto declaring the causes of their enterprise to be the defence of the truth the deliverance of the King from corrupt Counsellors and the preserving of amity with England In this Proclamation nothing was left unsaid that might make Arran odious and hateful amongst other things he was charged to have bragged of his descent from Duck Mordoch who was beheaded in the time of King Iames the first and to lay claim to the Crown by that title calling himself King Iames the seventh It is true that in the Parliament held the year preceding he took protestation in open Court that he renounced any title that he might pretend to the Crown that way which I suppose he did to purge himself of that aspersion but the protestation was laughed at in the time by the wiser sort and gave them to think that such a folly had once possessed his mind The Proclamation did often mention him and Col. Stewart as abusers of the King Of the rest of the Counsellours there was no speech which increased Arrans jealousy of them Now how soon the Ambassadour heard that the Lords were entred in the countrey fearing that some notice should be taken of his dealing he left Striveling and went in haste to Berwick without saluting any man They sent a Post after him with a letter desiring to know the cause of his suddain departure and whether he was directed by the Queen his Soveraign to go away in such sort Being overtaken at Anwick he answered that he had no such direction from the Queen when he was first imployed but that of late he had received a command to retire because she saw no hope of the delivery of that wretched Farnherst This he made the pretext of his departure yet in reason he could not alledge it Farnherst lying bedfast at the time in Aberdene where he was committed which was notified to him and he knew to be a truth In the conclusion of his letter he said that he could not grant that he had departed insalutato hospite seeing he performed that office both with his heart and hand and that he should by all possible means endevour that his departure should rather help to maintain then dissolve the amity betwixt his Soveraign and him That which he speaketh of his hand was a letter that he left to be given to the King the day after he was gone in which he laid the cause upon Arrans credit without whom he saw nothing could be obtained Arran seeing the letter that he left to be given to the King began to think that all was not sound and accused the Master of Gray as being privy to the Ambassadors departure which he denied yet all that time nothing was done that was sitting either for the Kings safety or reputation and not so much as the Castle furnished with victuals which might have easily been provided Neither were the Lords ignorant of this which made them use the greater speed marching directly to Falkirk and the next day which was the last of October to Striveling At the Church called Sanct Nineans a half mile or lesse from the Town they put themselves in order of battel and stood so till night fell at which time upon warning given them by their friends within the Town they advanced and knowing all the passages entred by a certain back way without any resistance Arran had taken upon him to watch that night and was keeping the Town gate when a cry was raised that the Town was taken The Earl of Crawford who watched with him fled to the Castle but he escaped by the
crime This was done by the procurement of the Prior of Blantire who had intruded himself in the Parsonage of Glasgow whereof Mr. Archibald had been titular and otherwise then by his restoring could have no right in law to retain it Many were grieved to see Justice in that sort abused for maintaining a facrilegious possession but to have sent him back to England with a Commission to reside there as Ambassador for the King which likewise was done was an errour inexcusable and how he and the Master of Gray who was chiefe man in that led Assise carried themselves in the Queen of Scotlands businesse wherewith they were trusted we will hear in the end of this year In the Isles this Summer there arose great trouble betwixt Mackoneil and Macklain two principal men in those parts Macklain by his education in the continent had learned civility and good manners and living accordingly was in great respect both with his own people and all his neighbours about Mackoneil out of an emulation made many quarrels to the other and in end laid a plot to murther him though he had married his sister which he went about in this manner He sent a message to Macklain offering to visit him at his house and to stay some days providing he would come back and make merry with him in his countrey that the world might see all injuries were forgotten and that they loved one another as brethren and good neighbours ought to do Macklain answered that he should be welcome but for his going back with him they should talk at meeting Mackoneil receiving this answer came the next day and was received very kindly by Macklain Some four or five days he stayed using the fairest shewes of amity that could be wished and being to part homewards intreated Macklain to go with him saying that he would leave his eldest son and a brother-germane pledges for his safety Macklain upon his importunity yielded to go but refused the pledges left he should seem to distrust him and so went taking with him of the trustiest of his kindred and servants some 45. They arrived in Kyntire early in the morning and all that day were welcomed with liberal feasting according to that peoples custome At night when they were gone to rest Mackoneil beset the house wherein Macklain and his people lay with a number of men and called him to come forth and drink he answered that of drink they had too much and that it was then time to rest Yet it is my will said Mackoneil that ye arise and come forth Macklain hearing this began to suspect some bad dealing and dressing himself and his men did open the dore where perceiving a company in Armes and Mackoneil with his sword drawn he asked what the matter was and if he meant to break his faith No faith said he I gave none and must now have an account of you and your friends for the wrong I have received Macklain had taken that night his nephew a little child to bed with him and being put to his defence kept the childe upon his left shoulder in manner of a targe The childe cried for mercy to his Uncle wherewith Mackoneil moved did promise to spare his life providing he would render his weapons and become his prisoner Macklain seeing no better was content and thereupon was conveighed with some keepers to another house All the rest two excepted upon the like promise rendred themselves The two whom he refused to spare defended the dore so desperately as neither he nor his men durst enter whereupon fire was put to the house and they burnt within the same The others that rendered notwithstanding the promise given them were all beheaded in Macklains sight some of them the next morning and the rest the days following Macklain himself had gone the same way but that it happened Mackoneil by a fall from his horse to break his leg by which accident his execution was prolonged In the mean time upon notice given to the King of that barbarous fact an Herauld was sent with a charge to deliver Macklain to the Earl of Argile but this availed not but still he was detained and compelled to yeild vnto most unreasonable conditions before he got his liberty which was no sooner obtained then Macklain to revenge himself fell upon Mackoneils bounds burning and killing man wife and childe without mercy and so took a cruel revenge of the others treachery A little before this trouble in the Isles Hugh Montgomry Earl of Eglington a young Nobleman of good expectation was likewise treacherously killed by certain Cunninghams who envying the Noblemans worth otherwise they could pretend no just quarrel did conspire his death The chief Actors David Cunningham of Robert-land Alexander Cunningham of Aiket and Iohn Cunningham of Corsell who were set on work by the Earl of Glencarne upon promise that he should maintain them which afterwards he disclaimed This unhappy fact did cost much blood and was afterwards honourably revenged by Robert Master of Eglington the Noblemans brother In the moneth of Iune was the league with England concluded which the year preceding had been carefully laboured and by Commissioners sent from both Princes in a meeting at Berwick accorded in this form 1. That both their Majesties finding by the course of the present proceedings in forain parts that divers Princes terming themselves Catholicks and acknowledging the Popes authority were joyned in confederacy for extirpating true Religion not only within their own States and Dominions but also in other Kingdomes left they should seem to be lesse solicitous for the defence thereof then were their enemies who thought to overthrow the same have thought it necessary as well for the preservation of their own persons on whose safety doth the Well of their subjects depend as for the better maintenance of the true ancient Christian Religion which they now professe to joyn and unite themselves in a more strict league then hath been between any Princes their Progenitors 2. That they should labour and procure by their best endevours to draw the Princes professing the same Religion to joyn and concurre with them in the like defence thereof 3. That this league should be offensive and defensive against all that should attempt to disturb the exercise true Religion within their Kingdomes notwithstanding of any former leagues of friendship or amity contracted with the said attemptors 4. That if any Prince or State whatsoever should invade the Realms and Dominions of either of their Majesties or attempt any injury against their persons or subjects upon notice thereof given or received neither of them should yeild aid counsel advice or support directly or indirectly to the said inuader notwithstanding any consanguinity affinity league or treaty made or to be made That in case of invasion they should aid and assist each other in manner and form following That is to say if the Realm of England should be invaded by any forain
into her heart to do so if it should be he desired her to consider how much it touched him in honour that was both a King and a sonne to suffer his mother an absolute Prince to be put to an infamous death No answer being returned to this upon new advertisement that the Queen was like to be drawn by the importunity of her Estates to give way to the execution he wrote to William Keith more sharply requiring him to shew the Queen how unjust he held that proceeding against his mother and that it did neither agree with the will of God who prohibiteth to touch his anointed ones nor with the law of Nations That an absolute Prince should be sentenced and judged by subjects and if she would be the first to give that pernicious example of profaning her own and other Princes Diadems to remember her that both in respect of nature and honour it concerned him to be revenged of so great an indignity which if he should not do he should peril his credit both at home and abroad and therefore willed him for to labour for a delay untill he should send an Ambassadour with overtures that might content and satisfy her Majesty For by a letter sent from Mr. Archibald Douglas that stayed as Leiger in England he found him not well disposed in the businesse and thereupon resolved to employ a more honourable person and one of greater trust William Keith having intreated the Queen for a delay when as he could not obtain the same did shew her the direction he had received from the King at which she grew into such a passion that if Leicester and others of the Councel who stood by had not pacified her saying that the King did only request that his mother might be well used which was a thing natural and in him an honourable part and that some ill affected persons possibly had stirred him up to write so sharply she had simply refused him any more hearing But after she had calmed a little she said That she would give no answer in anger and would think of it to the next morning At which time calling him again she said That no precipitation should be used and if any did come from the King within a few days she would stay all proceeding to that time and be glad to hear such overtures as might save the Queen of Scots life and assure her own The King advertised of this and conceiving some hope that matters would draw to an agreement wrote of new to the Queen and shewed he was sorry to understand that his letter sent to William Keith had been construed as if he did threaten her and her Estates whereas his purpose was only to inform her of the rumours going in the countrey and how much his subjects were moved at these forms of proceeding with their Queen That for himself he knew well enough how hardly she was pressed by objecting unto her the perill of her own life and that he never blamed her directly for any thing that was done Therefore prayed her to accompt him her most honest and stedfast friend since he never had nor should deserve any other at her hand and that for his sake she would continue any proceeding against his mother till his overtures should be heard which the Master of Gray should bring with him who was to take journey on the Saterday following This letter was speedily carried to the Queen which gave her some content for thereby she perceived the rumours to be vain which were dispersed that he was minded to break the league and denounce warre The King in the mean time having convocated the Estates and imparted to them the case wherein his mother stood had very liberal promises given him and a present supply of money granted for dispatch of his Ambassadour And being advised by the Estates to joyn Sir Robert Melvil in Commission with the Master of Gray as one that had served his mother long and was truly affected unto her the Commission was given to them both and they put in equal trust So parting from Halirudhouse the 20th of December they came to London the penult of the moneth The next day Master Archtbald Douglas being sent to desire audience the same was refused upon information that they had been with Monsieur Bellieur the French Ambassadour who was imployed in the same errand and had parted from the Queen in wrath yet the contrary being shewed and that they refused to make any visit till they had prefence of her Majesty they had accesse granted the first of Ianuary At her first meeting she quarrelled the letter sent to William Keith asking if they were sent with the like threats They answering that his Majesties letter might receive a good construction and that he had interpreted himself by another directed since that time to her Majesties self she brake forth into these speeches I am unmeasurably sorry that there can be no means found to save the life of your Kings mother and assure mine own I have laboured to conserve the life of us both but now I see it cannot be done The Ambassadour replied that the case was nothing so desperate and that means would be found to put her Majesty in assurance yet because they perceived her to be somewhat commoved they did not think meet to enter at that time more deeply in the businesse At their second audience which was on the tenth day the Queen begun with them in this sort A thing long looked for should be good when it cometh I would now hear what are your Kings offers The Master as having the first place answered no man makes offer but for some cause If it like your Majesty we desire to know if the person be extant for whom we offer for the rumour went constantly that the execution was past As yet said the Queen I think she be but will not promise an hour Nay said the Master we come not to shift but to offer from our Soveraign whatsoever in reason can be required specially that he shall interpose his credit in behalf of his mother and give the chief of his Nobility for pledges that no plot nor practise should be contrived against your Majesty with her knowledge or privity or if that be not sufficient and that it shall please your Majesty to set her at liberty and send her into Scotland a course shall be taken for securing your Majesty from all such attempts by her occasion The Queen calling the Earl of Leicester with the Lords Admiral and Chamberlain who were nigh by repeated in their hearing these offers setting them all at nought whereupon the Master took occasion to ask What should move any man to attempt against her Majesty for the Queen of Scots Because said the Queen they think she shall succeed to me and that she is a Papist And if these means shall be taken away said the Master apparently the danger will cease This
sayes the Queen I would be glad to understand If her right succession to England shall be made over in our Soveraigns person said he Papists will have no more hope and this I think the Queen his mother will dimit and resign to him But she hath no right said the Queen for she is declared incapable of succession And if she have no right said the Master the hope of Papists ceaseth and it is not to be feared that they will enterprise for her But the Papists said the Queen do not allow our Declaration Then let it fall said he in the Kings person by her resignation The Earl of Leicester obâ—ecting that she was a prisoner and could not dimit the Master answered That the dimission being made to her son with the advice of all the friends in Europe in case as God forbid the Queen by any attempt should be cut off she would have none to partake with her against her son all the princes her friends standing obliged for her resignation that it should be valid and effectual to her son The Queen making as though she did not understand him the Earl of Leicester said that the Ambassadours meaning was that the king should be in his Mothers place Is it so sayes the Queen then I put my self in worse case before By Gods passion this was her oath that were to cut mine own throat he shall never come in that place and be party to me The Master answered that he would be more party if he should come in his Mothers place through her death Well said the Queen tell your King what I have done for him to keep the Crown on his head since he was born and that for my part I mind to keep the league that stands betwixt us which if he break it shall be a double fault And with these words she made away Sir Robert Melvil following her requested for some eight days continuance of the execution whereunto she answered Not an hour The King advertised of this conference and that nothing but extremity was to be expected wrote with his own hand to the Master of Gray as followeth Reserve your self no longer in your dealing for my mother for you have done it too long and think not that any thing will do good if her life be lost for then adicu with further dealing with that State Therefore if you look for the continuance of my favour spare no pains nor plainnesse in this case but read my letter written to William Keith and conform your self wholly to the contents thereof and in this let me reap the fruits of your great credit there either now or never Farewell But before this letter came unto the Master he was drawn upon another course and made more cold in the businesse and as the fame went had taken upon him to pacify the King though the execution proceeded Mean while the Earl of Leicester wrote to the King a letter wherein not obscurely shewing what was resolved he advised him to deal more moderately in that matter of his mother her cause not being worth the losing of such a friend as the Queen his Soveraign was For albeit no man said he can blame your Majesty to speak for the safety of your mothers life yet under your favour your Majesty being a Prince and a King you ought to weigh without partiality the case of other Kings and Princes as if it might be your own Iustice should in the bosome of all Princes have such place that whatsoever affection may draw them if the thing which any of them doth for the preservation of their own life and estate be warranted it ought to be borne withall by others And proceeding in this manner he said Let the case of the Queen my Soveraign be made your Majesties and that any King or Prince being in your hands claiming title to your Crown would raise warre within your Realm against you or conspire with traitors within your Court or countrey to kill you in that case I would fain know what would be thought fit by any faithful or good subject of yours that you should do to such a one Nay give me leave I humbly beseech you to ask even of your self what you would think fit in such a case there is no other difference but that this offence is done to the Queen Majesty by your mother And after that a little for the letter is long If my plain speech may be without offence to your Majesty I would wish you to think well of this case remember how near it is to you and how much nearer it may be to you it is seen to all the world wherefore the life of our Mistris is sought whose death may be as farre out of your way as your mothers liberty hath heretofore been dangerous to your estate And if it be true which I have heard your Majesties self by her will had as well been dispossessed of the possession of that you have as defeated of any remainder you thought to have interest in And therefore as Kings be and ought to be jealous of their own estate so I doubt not but your Majesty will deeply consider of this case of your mothers wherein you may perform both the Office of a Son and of a King And as I have always advised you so do I still except for a just cause which I am perswaded you shall never have give not her Majesty any cause to conceive a breach of love and friendship on your part She is the person and Prince in the world that may do you most good or most harm let no perswasion or device make you think otherwise the world is full of practise and the worst heads most busy c. At the same time Secretary Walsingham writing to the Lord Thirlstan the Kings Secretary with whom he kept intelligence declared that it was wondred by all wise and religious men in England that the King should be so earnest in the cause of his mother seeing all the Papists in Europe that affected the change of Religion in both Realms did build their hopes altogether upon her and that she had shewed her self so passionate in point of Religion as she had transferred her pretended right to both the Crowns untothe King of Spain in case the King her son should persist in his profession It is true that such informations were given out amongst the Papists to divert the King from constancy in his profession but that any such tranflation was made by her it is not probable and a thing not to be believed her Declaration at the time of her death being far other as we shall hear Albeit a Popish Abbot descriving the life of Laurens the Cardinal who was at that time Protector of the Scottish Nation affirmeth the foresaid translation to have been in his hands and to have been delivered to him by Count Olivarez the Spanish Ambassadour at Rome But that doth merit little credit such forged titles would
perhaps have served if the enterprise of the 88. had succeeded but they are now of little purpose The King perceiving by all these letters that the death of his mother was determined called back his Ambassadours and at home gave order to the Ministers to remember her in their publick prayers which they denied to do though the form prescrived was most Christian and lawful which was that it might please God to illuminate her with the light of his truth and save her from the apparent danger wherein she was cast Upon their denial charges were directed to command all Bishops Ministers and other office-bearers in the Church to make mention of her distresse in their publick prayers and commend her to God in the form appointed But of all the number Mr. David Lindesay at Leth and the Kings own Ministers gave obedience At Edinburgh where the disobedience was most publick the King purposing to have their fault amended did appoint the third of February for solemn prayers to be made in her behalf commanding the Bishop of S. Andrews to prepare himself for that day which when the Ministers understood they stirred up Mr. Iohn Cowper a young man not entered as yet in the function to take the Pulpit before the time and exclude the Bishop The King coming at the hour appointed and seeing him in the place called to him from his seat and said Mr. Iohn that place was destinate for another yet since you are there if you will obey the charge that is given and remember my mother in your prayers you shall go on he replying he would do as the spirit of God should direct him was commanded to leave the place and making as though he would stay the Captain of the Guard went to pull him out whereupon he burst forth in these speeches This day shall be a witnesse against the King in the great day of the Lord and then denouncing a woe to the inhabitants of Edinburgh he went down and the Bishop of S. Andrews entering the Pulpit did perform the duty required The noise was great for a while amongst the people but after they were quieted and had heard the Bishop as he was a most powerful Preacher out of that text to Timothy discourse of the duty of Christians in praying for all men they grieved fore to see their teachers so farre overtaken and condemned their obstinacy in that point In the afternoon Cowper was called before the Councel where Mr. Walter Balcanquel and Mr. William Watson Ministers accompanying him for some idle speeches that escaped them were both discharged from preaching in Edinburgh during his Majesties pleasure and Cowper sent prisoner to Blackness The Queen of Scots some moneths before having notice given her of the sentence pronounced against her and being willed to prepare her self for death was nothing thereby dejected but thanked God for that her sorrowful life was now to end intreated the Queen of England by her letters for three things First that her body might be carried by her servants into France to be buried besides her mother Next that she should not to be put to death secretly but in the presence of her servants and others who might bear witnesse of her dying in Christ against the false rumours which her adversaries might disperse of her Thirdly that her servants might have leave to go whither they would and enjoy the mean legacies she had bequeathed unto them in her Testament which things she requested in the name of Iesus Christ by the soul and memory of Henry the 7th Progenitor to them both and by the royal honour and title which she had carried In the same letters she complained of the indignity done unto her in the taking away of her royal furniture and that her keepers did use her without that respect which was due to her estate and birth But to none of these desires was any answer given the Queen of England dissembling that she had received any such letter Yet was she much perplexed and doubtful what to do whether to take her out of the way or not If she should be spared she doubted the Noblemen who had given sentence against her would take it ill and perhaps run other courses to free themselves from her malice and to take her away she knew it would be interpreted a great cruelty on her part as likewise that the King her son would be sore displeased for albeit that the Master of Gray at his parting from her had in private given hopes that the Kings title being reserved and no prejudice made thereto by the sentence given against his mother her death would be forgotten yet Sir Robert Melvil who was joyned in Commission with him had assured her if rigour were used that friendship would no longer be kept Debating thus with her self some days upon the most expedient she signed a warrant for the execution and gave it to Davison one of her Secretaries to be passed the great Seal which was no sooner done then repenting the direction she told him that she would take another way But having before communicated the Warrant with the Councel they presently sent Beal their Clerk with the Mandate and Letters to the Earls of Shrewsbury Kent Derby and Cumberland to see the same performed The Earls accompanied with the Sheriffe of the Shire and Justices of Peace came to Fotheringham on Tuesday the 7th of February and having signified the cause of their coming willed the Queen to prepare her self to die for that she was to suffer the next morning She was no way moved as it seemed and said I did not think that Queen Elizabeth my Sister would have consented to my death but since it is so death is to me most welcome That soul is not worthy of the heavens joyes whose body cannot endure one blow of the hangman only I will request said she that I may speak with my Confessor and Melvil my Steward It was answered that her Confessor would not be permitted to come unto her but she should have the Bishop or Dean of Peterborow who were nigh by to give her comfort She replied They are of another profession and cannot be sit comforters to me but since you will not allow my Confessor to come at me I will comfort my self in God Some other speeches passed amongst them touching Babington and her Secretaries No and Curle who had both confessed the enterchange of letters with Babington after which the Earls departed she calling for supper commanded her servants to make haste that she might have leisure to set things in order Having supped sparingly as her custome was she made an Inventory of her goods and moveables setting down the names of those for whom she appointed them unto some she gave money with her own hand This done she wrote unto her Confessor intreating him to pray unto God for her and a few lines to the French King and Duke of Guise in behalf of her
overthrow both with the one and the other party neither having cause to repose any confidence in him The Protestants because he had renounced the Religion wherein he was with great care brought up the Papists because they could not be assured in short space that he was truly turned to their faith Yea all men should have reason to forsake him who had thus dissembled and forsaken his God And where it was given out that divers do insinuate unto your Soveraign that his honour and reputation is so deeply interessed herein as it must necessarily turn to his perpetual ignominy and reproach if he give not some notable testimony to the world of the affection and dutiful love he bare to his mother your King being of that singular judgement that he is thought to have cannot be ignorant how farre true honour ought to possesse a Christian Prince that is not whither passion or fury useth to carry men but whether reason and wisdome have laid the bounds that is within the compasse of possibility decency and justice If the late Queen had been innocent revenge had been necessarily just and honourable but being culpable contrary in all reasonable mens judgements he hath sufficiently discharged the duty of a son in mediating for his mother so long as she was alive and so farre as he was able to prevail They which require more at his Highnesse hands may be presumed not to regard what beseemeth his place and dignity but to seek the satisfaction of their own particular passions and desires And whosoever perswadeth his Highnesse that the mediation used by him for his Mother contrary to the humble pursuit of the whole Parliament hath already given that offence to the Nobility and people of this land as it behoveth him of force to have recourse to forain supports doth greatly abuse both his Highnesse and this Realm for as they were not ignorant what nature might and ought to move his Highnesse unto so long as there was any hope of her life so they do not doubt but that reason will induce him to leave sorrowing and thinking of her in due time Thus have I troubled you with a long discourse whereunto the desire I have of the continuance of amity between the two Crowns hath carried me unawares further then I purposed all which I referre to your good consideration not doubting but you will afford most readily and willingly all good offices that shall lye in your power to the end that a happy conclusion may ensue hereof which shall tend to the common good of the whole Island and so I commit you to God From the Court at Greenwich the 4th of March 1586. Your Lordships assured Friend FRA. WALSINGHAM THis letter shewed to the King served much to allay his anger as afterwards appeared In the May after the Estates being assembled at Halirudhouse they shew a great forwardnesse all of them for assisting the revenge of his Mothers death every man offering to spend his goods and life in that quarrel yet the businesse was so timed out that summer by the private dealing of certain Counsellors as hopes were given to the Queen that matters should compose and a more peaceable course be taken It was at this time that Sir William Stewart brother to Captain Iames returned again to Court and gave his attendance upon the Master of Gray The Master then was plotting a change of Court and had conspired with the Lord Maxwel to kill the Lord Thirlstane Sir Iames Home of Coldingknowes and Mr. Robert Douglas Collector whose power with the King he greatly envied This he reveales to Sir William as one that he believed would take part in the businesse and to make him the more forward tells that it was Thirlstane the Iustice Clerk Blantyre and himself that brought in the Lords at Striveling and put his brother from Court which he repented and would help so farre as he could to recall him Sir William knowing the mans nature and that he was not to be trusted gave him some hopes of joyning with him but in the mean time related all to the King This coming to Thirlstanes knowledge he complaineth thereof in Councel and desireth a trial The Master denied that any such purpose had passed betwixt them whereupon Sir William was called and standing to that he had told the King they two fell a contesting after some bitter speeches Sir William taking him up roundly said that he deserved no credit as having abused his ambassage to England and treacherously consented to the death of the Kings Mother There had a rumour gone of a letter written by the Master to the Queen of England after his parting from that Court advising her to put the Queen of Scots out of the way and the words he had used Mortui non mordent Dead folks bite not were in every mans mouth and now the challenge being made publick the Councel moved the King to put the Master to trial and commit both the one and the other So were they both the same night sent to the Castle of Edinburgh The Lord Thirlstane and those others that were touched with the enterprise of Striveling made great instance to be cleared in that point but the King not liking to search too deeply in those businesses said That their own purgation with the Declaration of the Noblemen that came home at that time was sufficient There were present of that number the Lord Hamilton the Earls of Marre and Bothwel who upon oath declared that they had no assurance from any about the King at the time of their coming till they were received by his Majesty in favour The like purgation was made by the Lord Thirlstane the Justice Clerk and the rest and so that businesse ceased After some two or three days the Master of Gray and his accuser were brought again before the Councel where the same things that before we heard being repeated by Sir William Stewart he added further That he knew the Master to be a traffiquer against Religion and that he had written divers letters to the King of France and Duke of Guise declaring that the King was to seek their assistance in revenge of his mothers death but intreated them not to grant him any help unlesse he did grant toleration to the Catholicks for exercise of their Religion The Master being desired to answer and as he lookt for any favour to deal ingenuously and confesse the truth said That he could not deny his dealing for toleration of Catholicks and that he disliked some of the officers of State and could have wished an alteration but that â—e never had so much as a thought against his Majesties person beseeching to impute these things wherein he had offended to his youth and foolish ambition Being enquired touching the letter sent to the Queen of England he confessed That when he perceived her inclining to take the Queen of Scots life he advised her rather to take her away in some
peace and quietnesse observed then was before or since that time known to have been kept And notwithstanding our expectation is nothing lesse of the good behaviour of our subjects in this our absence we have taken order for the better government of the publick affairs that our privy Councell should reside at Edinburgh and ordained the Duke of Lennox our Nephew to be President thereof and to be assisted by our Cousen Francis Earl of Bothwel whom we appoint to attend him with the other officers of State namely the Thesaurer Comptroller Master of requests Privy Seal the Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh Advocate and Clerk of Register who shall ever be present five of them at least with our said Nephew We have likewise given order that some Noblemen in their courses shall attend at Edinburgh the space of 15. dayes the Earls of Angus and Athol with the Lords Fleming and Innermeth to begin and the next course to be kept by the Earls of Marre and Morton with the Lords Seaton and Yester The Barons of Lothian Fife Sriveling-shire and Strathern we appoint to attend as they shall be warned and directed by the Councel For the South parts we have made the Lord Hamilton our Lieutenant that is within the three Wardenries and Sheriffdom of Lanrick and to be assisted when need is by the Lords Boyd Hereis Maxwell Home Cesford and other chief Barons within the Marches his residence to be at Dumfreis or Jedburgh and his charges to be furnished out of the readiest of the Taxation by Mr. John Colvill Collector thereof And that peace and quietnesse may be the better observed we discharge all Conventions for any cause whatsoever unto our return Finally we require the Ministers and Preachers of the Word to exhort the people to peace and obedience and commend us and our journey in their prayers to the protection of Almighty God As this is our desire so we expect that all our good subjects will follow the same especially they who have tried our favour of late and that they will persist in the loyalty promised by them certifying those that do in the contrary that they shall incurre our high displeasure and be punished with all rigour as on the other part we shall remember the peaceable and obedient thankfully when occasion presents By another Missive presented at the same time to the Councel the Earl Bothwel was declared second to the Duke of Lennox Sir Robert Melvil Vicechancellor Alexander Hay Secretary for the Scottish language and Mr. Iames Elphinston for the Latin and French The King having thus provided for the publick affairs took with him in company Sir Iohn Maitland Chancellor Sir Lewis Ballenden Justice Clerk Mr. Robert Douglas Provost of Linclowden the Gentlemen of his Chamber and other ordinary officers of the house He took also with him Mr. David Lindesay Minister at Leth leaving Mr. Patrick Galloway his ordinary Preacher to attend the Councel and having a prosperous wind arrived safely in a Sound or Haven of Norway not farre from Upslo where the Queen remained the fourth or fifth day after his embarking The Sunday following he solemnized the Marriage in his own person Mr. David Lindesay performing the ceremony in the French language After which consultation being taken for his return unto Scotland because it was held dangerous to go to Sea in that season and that the Counsellors of Denmark did oppose the journey advising him rather to visit the Queens mother and her son Christiern elected King of Denmark he was easily induced to follow their advice and send back the Scottish ships with Mr. Iames Sir Krymgeour and Mr. Iohn Skein Whilest the King lay at Upslo the Earl Marshall in Councel made report of his proceedings in the Ambassage and how according to the contract past and interchangeably sealed and signed the Marriage was compleated and a form of Attestation taken touching the Isles of Orkney bearing that the King and Regents of Denmark should supersede all claim of right to the said Isles unto the Kings perfect age reserving to each Kingdome their own Right which by that treaty should not be prejudged as the Copy thereof subscrived by the four Governours presently exhibited did shew together with the attestation he produced the form of an oath given by him and his associats for his Majesties performing of all things promised on his part concerning the Marriage and was in all and every one of these found to have done good service and have carried himself honourably according to his Commission Soon after this came certain Ambassadors from Denmark to invite the King thither who parting from Upslo with his Queen the 22. of December came to Bahouse a Castle standing in the Borders of Norway and Sweden the first of Ianuary There he remained seven dayes attending a safe conduct from the King of Sweden which Captain William Murray was employed to bring from Stockholme where that King kept his residence The conduct brought he removed from Bahouse the eighth of Ianuary and was met by a Captain of Sweden upon the River then frozen with 400. horsemen and by the space of two Dutch miles conveyed unto the land of Denmark The next day he went to the Castle of wertbury where he remained five days and from thence journeying by Falkenburgh the Town of Holmestade and Castle of Cowholm he came to Elsingburgh where he was stayed some three days from crossing the Ferry by tempest of weather and on the 21. of Ianuary was received at Crownenburgh Castle by the Queen-Mother the young King the Duke of Holstat his brother and the four Regents of the Realm with all magnificence possible There he remained to the end of February royally entertained and because he was to stay upon the marriage of his Queens eldest sister with the Duke of Brunswick which was appointed in April next he directed home William Shaw Master of Worke to advertise the Councel of the reason of his stay and to cause some ships and expert Pilots be sent with all diligence for his more safe convoy The Councel upon this advertisement employed Collonel William Stewart with six well furnished ships together and with him Mr. Patrick Galloway the Kings Minister was sent to further his Majesties return They arriving at Elsingore about the middlest of April in the very time that Brunswicks marriage was solemnizing did signify to the King the longing that the subjects had for his return and the peace that had been observed since his going from Scotland For all that while which considering the feuds of the countrey was strange two riots only did happen one committed by Archibald Wachop of Nudry a wicked and insolent man another by the Clangregore in Bachudder It rejoyced the King to hear that the subjects had been so quiet as he did likewise accompt it a great happinesse that in his own company there had no quarrels fallen out either amongst themselves or with the strangers whereas
Religion presently professed should be a just cause to infer the pain and crime of treason against Iesuites Mass Priests trafficking Papists and their ressetters with a provision That if the Iesuits and seminary Priests did satisfie the Prince and the Church the foresaid penalty should not strick upon the ressetters which in effect was no restraint neither was the trafficking against Religion declared to be a crime of Treason unless the same was proved a trafficking likewise against the King So in this point the Church received small satisfaction As to the complaint of blood the same was remitted to the ordinary course of Justice But the first Petition was longer debated the King being unwilling either to abrogate the Acts of the 84. or grant the ratification desired of the present discipline for he foresaw the inconvenients that would grow by the liberty that Ministers should assume to themselves yet Bothwels business and the many discontentments within the Realm moved him to give way lest he should be troubled likewise with their outcries So the Act passed but in the most wary tearms that could be devised As for the Statute confirming his Majesties royall power the abrogation whereof was chiefly sought it was onely declared That the said Statute should be no wayes prejudiciall nor derogatory to the priviledge that God hath given to the spirituall office-bearer in the Church concerning heads of Religion matters of Heresie Excommunication collation or deprivation of Ministers or any such essentiall censures grounded and having warrant of the Word of God Upon the end of the Parliament the King went to Falkland where Bothwell made a new attempt encouraged thereunto by the Earls of Angus and Arroll the Master of Gray Colonell Stewart and the Lairds of Iohnston and Balwery who did all promise their concurrence in bringing him unto the Kings presence The Master of Gray and Balwery did meet him with a good number of horse Angus kept the Diet but with a small company Arroll remained with the King within the Palace and had taken upon him with the assistance of Colonel Stewart to open the Gates but either out of fear their hearts failing them or not having a number sufficient to make good their undertaking nothing was done yet upon suspicions they were apprehended and Arroll sent to the Castle of Edinburgh and the Colonel to Blackness the company that came with Bothwell was not great and did not exceed sixscore in all broken men for the most part whom he had taken up in the English and Scottish borders with these he had journied 2 dayes and nights without either meat or sleep came to Falkland a little before midnight where finding his expectation disappointed and those in the Palace provided to defend he stayed on the side of the hill till a little after Sun-rising some of his followers in the mean time breaking open the Queens stables took away the horses and what else they could lay hands upon The night was then at the shortest for it was the 26. of Iune and the Countrey gathering from all parts to relieve the King he was forced to flee But what way to take he was uncertain for to pass the Ferrie with his company he could not safely and to return by the bridge of Striveling was a long way which neither the horses nor their riders after so long watching could indure yet seeing no better then to be gone with the haste he could make about nine of the clock he caused sound the trumpets and retired The King after the Countrey people were come followed by the Queens Ferry thinking he had gone that way but finding that he had taken his course by Striveling and knowing that the company would separate how soon they had passed the bridge he directed most of his followers to apprehend such as they could overtake Divers were taken in the Moors of Calder and Carnwath but suffered to escape by their takers many horses were found straying in the fields the riders being overcome with sleep and fallen from them Amongst others Archibald Wachop of Nudry and some 7. or 8. with him whilest they lay sleeping in a meadow nigh to Cambusnetham were taken by the Lord Hamilton and sent to be kept in the Castle of Draffan but his Lady the day after out of a womanly commiseration whilest her Lord was absent suffered them to depart Bothwell himself fled unto the West borders and from thence into England The badness of this attempt put the borders in a great fear for many of them especially of the Iohnstons had followed him in that journey yet so great was the Kings clemency as being at Dumfreise whither he went in the beginning of Iuly a generall pardon was proclaimed to all that would submit themselves whereupon numbers did enter and were received in favour Bothwell thus forsaken almost of all did notwithstanding in the Court again find some that out of emulation and private rancour more then for any affection they carried unto him wrought the King new troubles Alexander Lindesay Lord Spinie a great favourite in that time out of the malice he bare to the Master of Glamis Thesaurer whom he knew Bothwell also hated did secretly practise to bring him into the Kings presence and make his reconciliation This coming to the knowledge of Colonel Stewart who was still detained in Blackness to procure his own liberty and recover the Kings favour he signified the same to the King by Sir Iames Sandelands who as then was keeper of the house and being brought before the Councell at Dalkeith stood to the declaration affirming that the Lord Spinie had resset Bothwell in his Ladies house at Aberdowre which he offered to prove by witnesses circumstances and other clear demonstrations These were his words Spinie denying all appealed the Colonell to combat which the King would not permit assigning the 12 of September for his triall before the Justice Spinie appearing at the day the Colonell excused himself by the shortnesse of the time and had a new diet assigned him at which his probation failing Spinie was restored to his honour dignity and service yet did he never recover his former credit with the King but was held still suspected and whether offending at this or that the first declaration was true in it self the year following he took open part with Bothwell and was therefore denounced Rebell At the same time Iohn Weymis younger of Logie Gentleman of his Majesties Chamber and in great favour both with the King and Queen was discovered to have the like dealing with Bothwell and being committed to the keeping of the Guard escaped by the policy of one of the Dutch Maids with whom he entertained a secret love The Gentlewoman named mistress Margaret Twinslace coming one night whilest the King and Queen were in bed to his keepers shewed that the King called for the prisoner to ask of him some question the keepers suspecting nothing for they
knew her to be the principall Maid in the Chamber conveighed him to the door of the Bed-chamber and making a stay without as they were commanded the Gentlewoman did let him down at a window by a cord that she had prepared The keepers waiting upon his return stayed there till the morning and then found themselves deceived This with the manner of the escape ministred great occasion of laughter and not many dayes after the King being pacified by the Queens means he was pardoned and took to wife the Gentlewoman who had in this sort hazarded her credit for his safety These dealings at Court increased not a little the boldness of others in the Countrey so as some of all ranks both Barons Gentlemen and Burgesses became followers of Bothwell and feared not to entertain him openly All Teviotdale ran after him whereupon the King made an expedition to Iedburgh 12. October and finding some of his ressetters tooke bonds of them for their better behaviour At his return he found new vexations by a faction made at Court against the Chancellour whereof the heads were the Duke of Lennox the Earls of Argile and Morton the master of Glamis and Lord Home with these the Earls of Angus and Arroll who were released from their wards by the Queens intercession did afterwards joyn That which gave the occasion was a claim made by the Queen of the Lordship of Mussylbrugh as being a part of Dumfermelin which she desired the Chancellour to resign for he had acquired an heritable right thereof at the making the act of Annexation The Chancellour excusing himself and in effect denying to satisfie her desire she grew offended and drew in these Noblemen to oppose him whereupon he withdrew himself from Court and remained in Nidisdale the rest of that year In the North there was likewise great unquietness for the Clanhattans conducted by Angus Williamston to revenge the Earl of Murrayes death made great spoil upon the Earl of Huntlies lands in Strathspey and Glemmuck killing divers and amongst others an honest aged man called Gordon of Barcklay against whom they could pretend no quarrell Huntly to be revenged of this wrong made an incursion upon the lands of Pettie which the Clanhattan did then possess exercing great crueltie and understanding that William Malcolmtoshe was at the same time spoyling the lands of Colerick encountred him at the head of Staplegate hill where after a short conflict some threescore of the Clanhattan were killed a few onely falling on his side Shortly after in another expedition upon the same lands having drawn together a number of High-landers from Lochabar Badenoch and Strathdawn he wasted burnt and spoyled all that Countrey killing a great many people The King to pacifie these troubles directed the Earl of Angus with a Commission of Lieutenandry unto the North where he wrought so much as the publick incursions of both sides did cease and in this time was Mr. George Ker brother to the Lord Newbotle intercepted as he lay at the Isle of Cumray intending a journey towards Spain with him were deprehended divers missive letters and blanks signed by the Earls of Angus Huntly and Arroll and by Sir Patrick Gordon of Aughendown Mr. Andrew Knox then Minister of Pasley who was afterwards made Bishop of the Isles upon some discovery made to him did interprise his taking and making him to be conveighed with a strong guard delivered him to the Provost of the City the King being then in Alloway at the Christmasse with the Earl of Marre who but a few payes before had married the Duke of Lennox his sister Advertisement made of his apprehension and of the letters deprehended with him the King made haste to return The night before his coming was the Earl of Angus returned from the North and not having heard any thing of Mr. George Kers taking went as he was accustomed to his lodging in Edinburgh but was presently arrested by the Provost and Baylifes and sent prisoner to the Castle The King esteeming this too great a presumption in them to have used a Nobleman and Counsellour lately returned from such a publick imployment without warrant in that manner was not a little offended yet because of the hainous accusations laid against him their forwardnesse was excused and his imprisonment allowed for good service by Act of Councell Mr. George Ker at his examination did ingenuously confesse all that he knew of the businesse the summe whereof was as followeth That upon a letter sent from Mr. William Creichton the Iesuit then residing in Spain and assurance given of the King of Spains aid for the alteration of Religion Mr. James Gordon and Mr. Robert Abercrombie Iesuits had devised to send one to Spain to certifie the King of the concurrence of the Scottish Catholicks in his service and that for the greater secrecy the three forenamed Earls should undertake for the rest and by their letters testifie the same That this being proponed to the Noblemen they did willingly consent and accordingly set their hands to eight blanks six whereof were to be filled as missives from them to the King of Spain and the two other with procurations one for the messengers credit the other for the Articles that should be drawn up in Spain That the filling of the blanks was trusted to Mr. William Chreichton and Mr. James Tyrie and that Sir James Chisholm one of the Kings Master housholds was first chosen to be carrier of the blanks but that he being impeded through some private businesse they were delivered to him subscribed in the moneth of October he being then in Edinburgh He further declared that by conference at the same time with the Earls of Angus and Arroll he understood that the King of Spain was to send an Army of thirty thousand men into Scotland whereof 15000. should remain in the Countrey and with the assistance of the Catholicks either alter the present Religion or procure liberty to their own profession and that the rest of the army should invade England being conveyed thither by the Catholick Lords who were to meet the Army at their landing which was appointed to be either at Kirkudbright in Galloway or in the mouth of Clâ—ydo This was the summe of his confession The Earl of Angus charged with these points denied affirming the blanks and subscriptions to be counterfeited But David Graham of Fintry who was apprehended upon suspicion at the same time declared that Mr. Robert Abercrombie had revealed the purpose to him and shewed that the blanks were trusted to Master George Ker. This so manifest a discovery of Popish plots tending not onely to the overthrow of Religion but also of the Realm which by this treasonable practise should have been reduced to a miserable slavery did animate the King much against the Jesuits whereupon he published his resolution to spare none that should try guilty of the Treason but make them an example to all postâ—rities requiring
when the Ambassadour understood that they had lost the benefit of that grant in their own default and that the King had proceeded so farre as to make publick Declaration thereof he was satisfied and insisted to have the sentence of forfeiture pronounced against them This not proceeding with such haste as he desired he fell to treat secretly with Bothwell who was making new stirrs and had drawn numbers of all sorts to follow him yea with some specialls of the Ministery he found such credit as both in their publick Sermons and otherwise by their private dealings they did incourage people to joyn with them and which did most offence the King sent one Mr. Andrew Hunter a Minister to be his Preacher and attend him as a Chaplain nor did their folly or madnesse rather subsist here but even the moneys which had been collected in the Churches for the supply of Geneva which was then in trouble and deposed in the hands of Mr. Iames Melvill Minister of Anstruther were given to Robert Melvill and George Strong two Captains for leavying Souldiers to assist him Bothwell was then gathering new forces and had appointed with the Earls of Argile and Atholl to meet at Leith for the banishing of the Popish Lords and revenge of the Earle of Murray his slaughter that was the pretext and with them did the English Ambassadour keep intelligence This being discovered to the King one of his servants who had been spied in Bothwells company was committed in the Castle of Edinburgh Being examined he confessed that by direction of his Master he had spoken with Bothwell and Mr. Iohn Colvill and that he believed they had some enterprise in hand but what it was he knew not The King perceiving by his Confession that the Ambassadour had a secret dealing with Bothwell was greatly offended yet because he would not seem to infringe the priviledges of Ambassadors after he had checkt him with some sharp words he dimitted his servant and the Ambassador departed the King not vouchsafing him a farewell Bothwell in the mean time with the forces that he had gathered in the Borders being about 400 horsemen or thereby advanced and came to Leith the 2. of April at 3 of the clock in the morning The King remained at the time in Edinburgh not well accompanied yet hearing that Bothwell was come so high he commanded the Citizens and those that were with him to arm He himself going to Church made a speech at the end of the Sermon to the people for the removing the suspicions conceived of his favouring the Popish Lords and recounting Bothwells treacherous attempts desired them to remember that he was their King to whom they owed all fidelity and to consider in what case they themselves should be if Bothwell with his Borderers men given to theft and robbery should get the upper hand The hearers moved with his speeches shewed great forwardnesse and went incontinent to armes The Lord Hume was commanded to take the fields and lead the horsemen that were in town The King stayed with the foot and before them marched the Canon which was brought forth of the Castle and making directly towards Leith How soon Bothwell understood that the Kings forces were marching considering he could not equall them in number he removed from Leith and dividing his men in three troops took the way by Restalrig towards Dalkeith The Lord Hume with the horsemen followed to observe what course he held and the King with the foot removing to the other side of the town made his stand in the field called the Borrow moore Hume with his company being advanced so far as Muddry edge Bothwell turned upon him and being far superiour in horsemen gave him the chase which they that stood by the King perceiving advised him to return into the town but he refusing to stir answered That he would never quit the fields to a Traytor yet the danger was great and in the opinion of many if Bothwell had taken his course directly to the King and not pursued the chase so hotly he might have carried the day but in following it happened his horse to stumble and fall to the ground and he bruised with the fall was forced to retire That night he went to Dalkeith and on the morrow dissolved all his troops which when Atholl heard he also went back into his Countrey The Fiffe Captains with their souldiers arriving at Leith about midnight when they understood how things had passed turned saile and went sundry wayes This purpose so defeated the King sent the Lord Colvill and M. Edward Bruce to the Queen of England to complain of the misdemeanor of her Ambassador and the resset that Bothwell found in her kingdome In his letter to the Queen using a round plainness he said That although it had pleased her to commend the Ambassador she had imployed for a wise religious and honest man yet he had in his opinion been fitter to carry the message of an Herauld then a friendly Commission betwixt two neighbour Princes That he had seen nothing in him but pride and wilfulness and that therefore denying to give him any answer he chused to send the same by his own messengers whom he desired her to credit as himself in all that they had in charge to deliver For Bothwell he said That he wondred how notwithstanding of the many solemn promises made as well by her Ambassadors as by letters of her own hand that he should have no harbor within her Countrey yet was he not only resset by her people but suffered to reside in some of her proper houses and had received a good summe of English monie wherewith he waged both Scots and English in this late treacherous attempt To think this was by her direction or privity he would not so farre it was against all princely honour on the other part that she being so wise and prudent a Prince and having so long and so happily governed her kingdoms should be so slighted and contemned by a number of her subjects as that such things should be done without her knowledge it could hardly be believed wherefore leaving it to her self to solve these doubts he would onely remember her of the promise made at the delivery of Ororick an Irish rebell and desire her not to put him in ballance with such a traiterous counterpoise lest he should be constrained to say with the Poet Flectere si nequeo superos c. This was the substance of the letter the credit committed to them was to assure the Queen That seeing the Popish Lords had not imbraced the conditions offered he should prosecute the Lawes against them proscribe their persons and confiscate their lands and to crave of her as one whom that cause equally touched a supply of moneys till either they were expulsed the Realm or their persons apprehended and presented to justice The Queen excusing the oversight given to Bothwell by the
Master of Glamys Treasurer and his deputy Sir Robert Melvill and by examining their accompts found them liable in such sums to the King as to obtain a Quietus est they were glad to resigne the Treasurer which was bestowed on the Prior of Blantyre Then did they labour the Secretary Sir Richard Cockborne to resigne his place and exchange it with the office of Privie Seal which Blantyre had dimitted in favour of Mr. Iohn Lindesey This was easily effected the gentlemen not liking to contend or fall in question with them The office of the Collectorie resigned by the Provost of Linclowden was given to Mr. Iames Elphinston The President they intended to make Chancellor but to this the King would not condescend knowing how he stood affected in Religion and that his preferment to that chief place would open the mouths of the Ministers and raise a clamour in the Countrey These proceedings did work them much hatred and as is the lot of those that rule in Estates whatsoever was amisse they carried the blame albeit in many things they were innocent The next year begun with a trouble in the borders which was like to have destroyed the peace betwixt the two Realms and arose upon this occasion The Lord Scroope being then Warden of the West-Marches of England and the Laird of Baclugh having the charge of Liddisdale they sent their Deputies to keep a day of Truce for redresse of some ordinary matters The place of meeting was at the Dayholme of Kershop where a small Brook divideth England from Scotland and Liddisdale from Bewcastle There met as Deputie for the Laird of Baclugh Robert Scott of Hayninge and for the Lord Scroope a Gentleman within the West Wardenrie called Mr. Salkeld These two after truce taken and proclaimed as the custome was by sound of Trumpet met friendly and upon mutuall redresse of such wrongs as were then complained of parted in good tearms each of them taking his way homewards Mean while it happened one William Armstrong commonly called Will of Kinmouth to be in company with the Scottish Deputie against whom the English had a quarrell for many wrongs he had committed as he was indeed a notorious thief This man having taken his leave of the Scots Deputie and riding down the River of Liddell on the Scotish side towards his own house was pursued by the English that espied him from the other side of the River and after a chase of three or four miles taken prisoner and brought back to the English Deputie who carried him away to the Castle of Carlile The Laird of Baclugh complaining of the breach of truce which was alwaies taken from the time of meeting unto the next day at sun rising wrote to Mr. Salkeld and craved redresse he excused himself by the absence of the Lord Scroope whereupon Baclugh sent to the Lord Scroope and desired the prisoner might be set at liberty without any bond or condition seeing he was unlawfully taken Scroope answered that he could doe nothing in the matter it having so happened without a direction from the Queen and Councell of England considering the man was such a Malefactor Baclugh loath to inform the King of what was done lest it might have bred some misliking betwixt the Princes dealt with Mr. Bowes the Resident Ambassadour of England for the Prisoners liberty who wrote very seriously to the Lord Scroope in that business advising him to set the man free and not to bring the matter to a further hearing but no answer was returned the matter thereupon was imparted to the King and the Queen of England solicited by Letters to give direction for his liberty yet nothing was obtained which Baclugh perceiving and apprehending both the King and himself as the Kings officer to be touched in honour he resolved to work the Prisoners relief by the best means he could And upon intelligence that the Castle of Carlile wherein the Prisoner was kept was surprisable he imployed some trusty persons to take a view of the Postern-gate and measure the height of the wall which he meant to scale by ladders and if those failed to break through the wall with some iron instruments and force the gates This done so closely as he could he drew together some 200 horse assigning the place of meeting at the Tower of Morton some ten miles from Carlile an hour before sun-set With this company passing the water of Esk about the falling two howers before day he crossed Eden beneath Carlile bridge the water through the rain that had fallen being thick and came to the Sacery a plain under the Castle There making a little halt at the side of a small Bourn which they call Cadage he caused 80 of the company to light from their horses and take the ladders and other instruments which he had prepared with them he himself accompanying them to the foot of the wall caused the ladders to be set to it which proving too short he gave order to use the other instruments for opening the wall nigh the Postern and finding the business like to succeed retired to the rest whom he had left on horse-back for assuring those that entred upon the Castle against any eruption from the Town With some little labour a breach was made for single men to enter and they who first went in brake open the Postern for the rest the watchmen and some few the noise awaked made a little restraint but they were quickly repressed and taken captive after which they passed to the Chamber wherein the Prisoner was kept and having brought him forth sounded a trumpet which was a signall to them without that the enterprise was performed My Lord Scroope and Mr Salkeld were both within the house and to them the Prisoner cried a good night The captives taken in the first encounter were brought to Baclugh who presently returned them to their Master and would not suffer any spoil or booty as they tearm it to be carried away he had straitly forbidden to break open any door but that where the Prisoner was kept though he might have made prey of all the goods within the Castle and taken the Warden himself captive for he would have it seen that he did intend nothing but the reparation of his Majesties honour By this time the Prisoner was brought forth the Town had taken the Alarum the drums were beating the bells ringing and a beacon put on the top of the Castle to give warning to the Countrey Whereupon Baclugh commanded those that entred the Castle and the Prisoner to horse and march again by the Sacery made to the River at the stony bank on the other side whereof certain were assembled to stop his passage but he causing sound the Trumpet took the River day being then broken and they chusing to give him way he retired in order through the Grahams of Esk men at that time of great power and his unfriends and came back into Scotish ground two
the Duke did follow him and was entertained with hunting and the like sports unto the Queens delivery which fell out the 17 of September Going then unto the Countrey to salute his mother Madam D' Aubigney and other his friends whilest he was about these offices of kindness the King went by post to Callais upon some intelligence as it was said from England that the Queen was fallen sick he himself gave out that the affairs of Flanders did occasion his journey for as then the Archduke was besieging Ostend But whatsoever the businesse was no man doubted but that he had an eye upon the succession of England and if he could have found a faction would have foisted in another Bastard of Normandy which oftentimes in a merriment and gallantry he spared not to utter The Duke after his return to Paris made no long stay but taking his leave of the French King who was then come back from Callais took journey towards England and came to London in the beginning of November A Parliament was then sitting at VVestminster the last that Queen Elizabeth held which with his coming upon that instant gave many to think that he was come to urge a Declaration of the Kings right of succession and not a few they were nor of small note that offered to assist if he should move any such business but he told them that neither had he any such Commission nor would the King ever agree to any thing that might breed a jealousie in the Queen And his Commission indeed was no other but to salute the Queen in the Kings name and let her know the kinde and filiall affection he carried unto her whereof he should be willing to give proof at all occasions And for that he was given to understand that the Irish Rebells had drawn in some Spanish forces into Ireland to fortifie themselves in their Rebellion he would if his ayde should be thought necessary employ the same for their expulsion The Queen giving the King many thanks said That if those troubles continued she would take his help and hire some of his High-landers and Isles men but she trusted to hear other news shortly and not be vexed long with those strangers As also it came to passe for the very next moneth the Lord Montjoy her Deputy did in a battell fought neer Kinsale defeat the Irish utterly and afterwards forced the Spaniards that had taken the Town to render upon condition of their lives saved and that they might be transported again into their Countrey The Duke after three weeks stay being feasted by the Queen and entertained with all complements of amity returned home and came to Edinburgh in the end of December where having related his proceedings in Councell they were all approved The Lord Elphingston had in his absence resigned the office of Treasury upon an offence as was thought he conceived for adjoyning some others unto him in the componing of Signators and now was Sir George Hume one of the Masters of the Quirie preferred to the office which he discharged by his Deputy Sir Iohn Arnot both to his Majesty and the Countreys content The next sommer the King having resolved to plant Lowland-men in the Isles and transport the inhabitants into the main land where they might learn civility made a beginning at the Isle of Lewis The undertakers were Patrick Abbot of Lendors Colonell William Stewart Captain William Murray Mr. Iohn Lermouth of Balcolmy Mr. Iames Spence of wormeston Sir Iames Anstruther of that ilke and Iames Forret of Fingaske These Gentlemen furnishing themselves with armes and shipping and having conduced a number of souldiers took sea and in the third or fourth day arrived in the Lake of Sternoway within the same Isle Murdoch Macklond base son to old Macklond who carried himself as Lord of the Isle made at the first some resistance but after a little conflict distrusting the people for he had used them with great tyranny he fled and forsook the Isle leaving the Indwellers to the discretion of the Invaders they how soon he was gone did all submit themselves and accept such conditions as were offered by the undertakers Being thus peaceably possessed the Laird of Balcolmy either sent by the rest to signifie their good successe and to make preparation against the Winter or for some private business of his own took purpose to return home and being lanched alittle from the coast and by reason of the calm forced to cast anchor was suddenly invaded by the said Murdach Macklowd with a number of Birlings so they call the little vessels those Isles men use the ship boarded the mariners killed and himself made prisoner The Gentleman being detained some daies and hourly threatned with death was afterwards ransomed by one of his friends and conveyed to Orkeney where contracting a feaver he died The rest of the Gentlemen to repair this injury conduced Neill Macklowd brother to the said Murdach to betray and deliver him in their hands which he performed shortly after having by an ambush laid for his brother apprehended him and some twelve more that were in his company The twelve he presently beheaded Murdach he delivered to the Gentlemen as he had promised who was afterwards transported to S. Andrews and there executed The undertakers thinking themselves now secured began to build and made a partition of lands letting the same to the Countrey people who did all swear fidelity to them but whilest they expected no trouble Norman Macklowd son to old Macklowd did on the suddain beset them put fire to their lodgings and force them to the Conditions following First that they should purchase to them remission from the King of all crimes and offences past Next that they should resigne to Norman all the right that they had acquired of the Isle of Lewis And thirdly that Sir Iames Spence with his son in law Thomas Monypenny of Kinkell should remain as pledges untill the remission was brought unto him and such a surety given of the Isle as he could devise This condescended unto Sir Iames Anstruther departed with the whole company that was left for many were killed before their yeilding and for relief of the pledges obtained of the King both the remission and security of the Isle that was desired which was sent to Norman by Iames Lermouth son to the Laird of Darcie By this mean were the pledges freed and for that time the whole enterprise defeated some three years after the same was of new attempted with what successe we shall hear in the own place Master Robert Bruce who as we shewed before was exiled in France obtained licence to return in the beginning of this Summer by the intercession of the Earl of Marre whom he had intreated to mediate his peace upon promise at his return to satisfie the King and declare his resolution in that matter of Gowries The King who never shewed himself difficile especially to Ministers
answer Captain Iames Stewart his reply Morton is commited 2Ì„â— Ianuarii 18. Ianuar. An Assembly of the Church with their proceedings against the Bishops The iniquity of their proceedings A letter from the Earl of Lennox to the Assembly Iohn Dury committed to the Castle The death of Mr. Iohn Row An Ambassadour from England His Majesties answer to the Ambassadour An Assembly of the Estates The Ambassadour laboureth with Noblemen to take Arms for Mortons liberty Forces sent by the Queen of England to the Borders An. 1581. The proceeding against Mortons friends at Court The Ambassador departeth secretly to Berwick Sir Iohn Seaton denied passage into England Morton brought from Dumbritton to Edinburgh Morton his indictment Sentence pronounced The Ministers conference with the Earl of Morton The sentence mitigated Arran desireth Morton to subscribe his confession Morton his Answer Morton his behaviour at his death Mortons qualities and good parts Arrans proceeding against Morton and his servants approved Arran his marriage with the Countesse of Marche Montgomery his Simoniacal bargain for the Bishoprick of Glasgow Inquisition made of Montgomehy his life and doctrine The Articles against Montgomery communicated to the King Mr. Walter Balcanquel questioned for speeches in Pulpit Balcanquels answer The King ceaseth from pursuing the complaint Balcanquels Sermon approved by the Assembly An. 1582. Montgomery suspended by the Presbytery of Striveling He is cited to appear before the Synod of Lothian The Synod inhibited to proceed An Assembly at S. Andrews Mr. Mark Ker sent to discharge the Assemblies proceeding The Assembly discharged under pain of Rebellion to desist The Assembly proceedeth and findeth him culpable of divers crimes Montgomery falling from his resolution submits himself to the Assembly Montgomery changeth and returneth to his first course Mr. Thomas Smeton his Sermon at Glasgow Montgomery processed for preaching at Glasgow The Moderâ—tor of the Presbytery imprisoned in the Tolbuith A solemn Fast kept Iohn Dury Minister at Edinburgh was removed from his charge Ministers directed to the King Mr. Iohn Davidson excommunicated Montgomrie The surprise of the King at Ruthven 23. Aug. 1582. The King stayed from his sport by the Master of Glammit Arran withholden from the the King The Duke of Lennox sendeth to enquire of the Kings Estate The Duke of Lennox willed to retire to France A Proclamation declaring the Kings contentment with his stay at Perth The Duke is advised to go unto Dumbritton An Ambassador from England September 12. The Earl of Angus received in favour October 12. The Lords bring the King to Halirudhouse Octob. 8. An Assembly of the Church at Edinburgh The Lords â—end to obtain the Assemblies approbation The Assemblies ratificacation of the attempt at Ruthven A Convention of the Estates at Edinburgh The Kings speech to the Estates The attempt of Ruthven declared to be good service The Earl of Arran ordained to be detained till the Duke was gone The Duke falling sick at Seat taketh journey by land The Duke dering to see the King before he went away is denied Two Ambassador from France La Mott and Menevil The purpose of association renued The Ministers declared in their Sermons against the Ambassadors The Magistrates of Edinburgh desired to feast the Ambassadors The Ministers proclaim a fast Febr. 16. The Duke of Lennox dieth at Paris 26. May 1583. The King directeâ—h Amâ—assadours to England An. 1583. The negotiation took no effect The life and death of Mr. George Buchannan The King freeth himself of his attenders Ianuar. 28. The Earl of Gowry confesseth his fault and is pardoned An Act following the service of Colonel Stewart The Earl of Arran called again to Court His Majesties Declaration touching the attempt of Ruthven The discontented Lords confined All of them Angus except for their disobedience were denounced Rebels Ambassage from England the beginning of September His Majesties answer to the Ambassador The Ambassador complains of a Jesuits escape His Majesties answer An Assembly of the Church Grievances presented to his Majesty by the Church The King his answer to the grievances The answer did not satisfy the Church Lodowick son and heir to the late deceased Duke of Lennox cometh into Scotland Novemb. 13. The King his kindnesse to the Duke his children A Convention of Estates Prorogation granted to those that were charged to enter in Ward An offer of pardon to those who will acknowledge their offence at Ruthven The Earl of Rothes his protestation Iohn Dury questioned for allowing the attempt of Ruthven An. 1584. Mr. Andrew Melvil fleeth into England The King his Proclamations misregarded The Earl of 〈…〉 Being at Dundy he is apprehended by Colonel Stewart April 16. The Castle of Striveling surâ—â—â—ed April 18. The King 〈◊〉 to go towards Striveling The Rebels flee into England The Castle rendred April 27. Gowry examined touching the conspiracy His confession set down by himself in writing A letter from Gowry to his Majesty He is denied audience and put to the trial of a Jury The points of his endictment His exceptions repelled The names of the Assisers Gowry found guilty and sentence pronounced His execution and manner of death Archibald Douglas and another executed The houses of the Rebels charged Ministers called in question for the conspiracy Mr. David Lindesay Minister at Leth committed The Ministers at Edinburgh flee to England Mr. Robert Pont protesseth against the Acts. Libells and pamphlets against the Rulers of the Court. A letter from the Ministers of Edinburgh to the Session of the Church and Councel of the Town By the Kings direction an answer is returned in this form The letter grieveth the Ministers exceedingly Mr. Iames Lawson died at London Mr. Alexander Arbuthnet his death Mr. Thomas Smeton his death The Ministers charged with the subscription of certain Articles Mr. Nicol Dalgleish condemned David Home and his brother executed Robert Hamilton of Eglismachan delateth the Lairds of Dâ—uwwhasil and Mains Drumwhasil and Mains put to a trial They are found guilty and executed The unhappy end of Hamilton the delator Arran his power and credit at Court Arran laboureth to gain the Queen of England 12. Augusti An. 1585. The Master of Gray sent into England the beginning of October The Archbishop of S. Andrews sent into England The Queens answer to the Master of Gray The Justice Clerk directed into England April 1585. The banished Lords challenged by the Justice Clerk Arran draweth much envy upon himself His falling out with the Lord Maxwel Troubles betwixt the Maxwels and Iohnstons Johnston taken prisoner and shortly after dieth Sir Francis Russel sonne to the Earl of Bedford killed at a meeting in the Borders Arran and Farnherst confined Farnherst dieth at Aberdene Sir Edward Wotton Ambassador to Scotland about the beginning of Iune 1585. A convention of the Estates at S. Andrews A league continued with the Queen of England Lord Claud after his agreement with the banished Lords taketh a course by himself Ambassadors from Denmark Iuly 12. The King
advertised of the enterprise of the banished Lords A Proclamation to meet the King at the Castle of Crawford A Proclamation given out by the banished Lords The Ambassadour went not saluting the King A Post is sent after him and his excuse The Lords make haste to Striveling The town of Striveling taken Two of the Councel directed to the Lords The Lords Answer The Kings care of those that attented him The King is pleased to admit the Lords in his presence The Lord Hamilton in name of the rest supplicates mercy The Kings Answer The Kings speech to Bothwel The King his pardon proclaimed The Master of Glammis made Captain of the Guard Thuan. hist. 1. 43. Duntraith confesseth the deposition he made against the Lords to be false A Parliament at Linlithgow The Ministers offend with the reconciled Lords Mr. William Watson Minister committed Iames Gibson committed for the like insolence The Superintendent of Lothian his death with a short description of his life An Assembly of the Church at Edinburgh The Lord Maxwel goâ—th to Masse and is committed An. 1586. A Synod at S. Andrews called against the Bishop April 1586. The Bishop being cited compeireth and protesteth against the Judicatory His accusation He appealeth to the King and Estates The Bishop excommunicated by the Synod Mr. Andrew and Mr. Iames Melvil excommunicated by a servant and Cousen of the Bishop The Appellation with the reasons sent to the King A transaction betwixt the Bishop and the Assembly The reasons moving the King to give way to this transaction The Ministers exhorâ—ed to judge charitably one of another Acts concluded in the Assembly His Majesties answer to the advice given him by the Chancellor A trouble in the Isles betwixt Mackoâ—â—il and Macklain The Earl of Eglington treacherously murthered A league with England concluded The Articles of the league The names of the Commissioners of both Kingdomes A new breach between the King and Queen of England The proceedings against the Queen of Scots Sentence of death pronounced against her William Keith sent into England about the midst of November A letter to William Keith from the King The Queen in passion at the sight of the letter The King excuseth the sharpnesse of his letter The Master of Gray and Sir Robert Melvil sent into England The first audience The second audience and effect thereof A letter from the King to the Master of Gray The Master of Gray drawne upon another course Secretary Walsingham writeth to the Lord Thirlstan The King commandeth the Ministers to remember his mother in their prayers The third of February appointed for solemn prayers in her behalf The Bishop of S. Andrews appointed to preach Mr. Iohn Cowper usurpeth the place The Ministers at Edinburgh discharged The Queen of Scots her request to the Queen of England The Queen of England is doubtful which way to take The Queen of Scots willed to prepare her self for death Her behaviour and preparation She biddeth her servants farewell Her directions to Andrew Melvil her Steward She is brought to the place of execution The Dean of Peterburâ—ow offereth to comfort her She prayeth by her self The manner of the execution A brief description of her fortune The inscription secretly affixed on her Sepulchre The same Englished The Queen of England writeth to the King by Mr. Robert Cary. The King denieth him accesse Mr. caâ—ies Declaration in writing The Declaration giveth no content to the King The Queen laboureâ—h to divert the King from Warre A letter of Walsâ—gham to the Lord Thâ—lsâ—an A Convention of the Estates The King is informed of certain speeches uttered by the Master of Gray 20. Apr. The Master of Gray and Sir William Stewart committed Sir William Stewart insists in the challenge of the Master of Gray Sir William Stewart liberated and the Master of Gray imprisoned Captain Iame information against the Lord Thirlstane An. 1587. Thirlstane created Chancellor A Parliament indicted at Edinburgh The Noblemen reconciled A general Assembly of the Church The Kings propositions to the Assembly by his Commissioners Montgomery resigneth the Bishoprick of Glasgow to Mr. William Ereskin The Churches petition to the Parliament against the Prelates The temporalty of Benefices annexed to the Crown The King forthinketh the passing of the annexation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. pag. 43. The small Barons admitted to give voice in Parliament The Lord Hunsdon hath presence of the King A Proclamation against incursions in England The Ambassadors sent into Denmark return 15. May. Latter end of August A Proclamation against Jesuits and Priests The Jesuits find caution to depart A general Assembly of the Church A Proposition made for the dangers threatened to Religion The advice of the Noblemen and Barons The King refuseth accesse to the multitude A conference betwixt certain of the Councel and the Assembly The grievances of the Church presented to the King The Minister Iames Gibson censured for his speeches against the King An. 1588. Gibson suspended from his ministery The Lord Hereis cleared of the accusation made against him The Borders begin to stirre upon the Lord Maxwels return The Kings expedition to Dumfreis Lochmaben rendred and the Keeper executed The Lord Maxwel taken prisoner at sea by Sir William Stewart and brought prisoner to Edinburgh Sir William Stewart killed by Bothwel Penult Iulii A meeting of the Estates upon the rumour of the Spanish Navy beginning of August His Majesties speech to the Estates The Chancellor his speech seconding the King Bothwel perswadeth the invasion of England Colonel Semple his arrive at Leth. The Colonel apprehended and relieved by the Earl of Huntley * 21. Iuly Huntley offers to present the Colonel to the Councel Sir Robert Sidney sent from England to the King 29. August The History of the Spanish Navy Captain Drakes stratagem The Navy returneth to Spain The death of Archibald Earl of Angus An. 1589. His disposition in his sickness A message from the Prince of Parma to the Catholick Lords Huntley reconciled to the Church Huntley excuseth his reconcilement by a letter A letter from the Earl of Arroll to the Prince of Parma Letters sent to the King of Spain from the Catholick Lords The Jesuits stirre up the Lords to enterprise somewhat by themselves A plot for taking the King A practise against the Chancellor Huntley cometh to the King Huntley committed in the Castle of Edinburgh Huntley set at liberty A letter from the Queen of England to the King The Lords make open insurrection The Subjects warned to accompany the King His Majesties speech to the Noblemen in his Army A question for leading the Vant-guard The Lords dissolve their forces The King goeth to Aberdene He returneth to Edinburgh about the beninning of May. The Earl Marshall goeth to Denmark to accomplish the marriage 10. Iune The Rebels offer to submit themselves Huntley Crawford and Bothwel impanelled The points of their indictment The Lords found guilty and committed to several Wards An Assembly of
A Councell appointed for the University The Doctors Professors and Regents exempted for the Church-meetings A discovery of Witches A discharge of proceedings against Witches except in case of voluntary confession Troubles in the Borders A Parliament at Edinburgh Articles presented in the name of the Church Voice in Parliament granted to such Ministers as shâ—uâ—d be provided to the places as Bishops Abbots or other Prelates The office for the spirituall government remitted to the Assembly An. 1598. A General Assembly at Dundie Ministers might give voice in Parliament The number to be aâ—se many as of old in the Papisticall Church The election of those that should give voice to be made by the King and Church Commission for discussing the rest of the points Ministers of Edinburgh permitted to preach upon condition Four others named to be joyned with the Edinburgh Minâ—sters Exception taken at two of the number The providing of the Commissioners in the planting of Edinburgh allowed Anact desining the number of Commissioners from Presbyteries to Assemblies His Majesty pleaseth to remit all offences past of the Ministers Mr. Iohn Dividson protesteth against the conclusions of the Assembly Question moved for Mr. Robert Bruce who refused the imposition of hands A declaration made for his satisfaction A tumult in the Church as his admission Mr. Robert Bruce cited before the Commissioners purgeth himself of the tumult He is admitted and receives imposition of hands Commissioners directed to Synod of Fife A meeting at Falkland for determining the vote of Parliament Caveats for eschewing of corruption His Majesties purpose in giving way to these conclusions Ambassadors directed to the Princes of Germany The success of that Ambassage The Queen brought to bed of a daughter Hamilton and Huntley created Marquesses Mr. Iohn Lindesay Secretary dieth The Lord of Colluthy his death Mr. Thomas Buchannan his death David Ferguson his death The death of Mr. Robert Rollock most lamented His behaviour in the time of his sicknâ—ss and at his dying An. 1599. Alteration of some officers of State The Earl of Cassills made Treasurer Lord Elphingston succeeded Treasurer Sr. William Bowes Ambassadour from England One Ashfield conveighed privately to Berwick by two of the Ambassadours servants A visitation of the University of S. Andrewes Discourse of his Majesties Title to the Crown of England The King publisheth his Basilicon Doron by occasion of a libell Mr. Iohn Dikes fugitive for the libell The book well received in England A trouble for receiving some English Comedians A generall Assembly of the Church The voice in Parliament determined Two Cavears more added The state of Bishopricks at that time Bishops appointed for Rosse and Cathnes An. 1600. Iohn Dury Minister at Montrosse his death with a short description of his life The conspiracy of the Earl of Gowry The Kings kindness to his brethren and sister The plot contrived for entrapping the King The King goeth to Perth Gowry meeting the King was much troubled Mr. Alexander did move the King to goe with him Mr. Alexander professeth what he was about The Kings voice heard and is discerned Sir Thomas Areskin challengeth Gowrie Iohn Ramsey doth first relieve the King The Kings servants prepare to defend Gowrie entereth and after a little space is killed The Lords come to the King The danger by the people of the Town The Caracters found at the Earls girdle Some servants of Gowrie executed Andrew Henderson his confession The Ministers of Edinburgh required by the Councell to give thanks for his Majesties deliverance Their excuse and refusing to obey The Bishop of Rosse giveth thanks at the Market-cross The King cometh to Edinburgh Master Patrick Galloway his preaching at the Crosse. 1000 l mortified to the poor at Scone A solemne thanksgiving appointed for the Kings deliverance The Ministers of Edinburgh removed from their places Three of the number acknowledging their fault are pardoned Mr. Iames Balfoure remitted Master Robert Bruce banished A Parliament wherein Gowrie and his brother are forfeited The fifth of August to be kept yearly in remembrance of his Majesties delivery Acts concluded in this Parliament The King goeth to Dunfermlin to visit the Queen Prince Charles born at Dunfermlin The death of M. Iohn Craig with a description of his life Accidents that befell M. Craig in his flight A strange accident and singular testimony of Gods care over him He preacheth to Maximilian the Emperour but is forced to leave those parts He cometh to Scotland and is appointed Minister at Halirudhouse An. 1601. A trouble in the Court of England The Earl of Marre sent Ambassadour to England Pope Clement sends his Breves to England for excluding the King A Proclamation against some Jesuits An Assembly at Brunt-island Mr. Iohn Hall elected Modederator The defection in Religion complained of and the causes searched The remedy of the evils Mr. Iohn Davidson his letter to the Assembly The letter offended greatly the wiser sort A combustion touching the Ministers of Edinburgh A Proposition was made for a new Translation of the Bible and correcting the Psalmes The liberty of Application restrained The Ministers of Edinburgâ— received in favour New troubles by the Lord Maâ—well The Duke of Leâ—nox directed Ambassador to France The Queen of France lying of her first born The Duke returneth to Edinburgh An. 1602. Certain undertakers conqueâ— the Isles The Laird of Balcomy taken prisoner and dieth in Oikeney Neill betrayeth his brother Murdach The Lewis lost by the undertakers security Mr. Robâ— Bruce licenced to return upon promise of satisfaction Mr. Rob Bruce his inconstancy A Generall Assembly in the Chappell of Halirudhouse Petitions to his Majesty in name of the Church Overtures for provision of the Ministers The overtures deferred to another time Grievances of the Synod of Fife An answer to the grievances Acts concluded in the Assembly The businesse of Jesuits in England The story of Francis Mowbray and an Italian The Queen of England groweth sick A Conference betwixt the French Ambassadour Secretariâ— Cicill The King advertised of this conference His Majesties letter to the Secretary A letter from the King to the Earle of Northumberland An. 1603. The Queen of England her death The King advised of the Queens death A letter from the Councell and Nobility of England to the King The contents of the letter published The Borders make incursions upon the report of the Queens death The King giveth order for his journey The persons chused to attend the King in his journey He goeth to S. Giles to hear sermon The King makes a speech to the People which is followed with a great lamentation of the hearers The King cometh to Berwick The Councellors meet him at York The death of Mr. Iames Beaton Archbishop of Glasgow The Queen falleth sick at Striveling The Prince delivered to the Queen The King and Queen inaugurated at Westminster A conspiracy detected a-against the King George Brook and two Priests executed The Noble-men and others spared Ann. 1604. The