about these times a good and vertuous Lady died 1486. and was buried at Cambu-kennel the 29. of February The overthrow and death of Richrd being known abroad King Iâ—mes taking the advantage of the time besieged the Castle of â—umbar The garrison'd Souldiers finding no reliet nor assistance from their Countrey and ascertained of the change of their Master rendered up the Fort to the hands of the Scots it was of no great importance to the English and only served to be a fair bridge of Treason for Scottish Rebels and a Cittadel of Conspiracies Henry King of England after his victory and Coronation sent Richard Fox Bishop of Excester and Sir Richard Edgecomb Embassadours to King Iames for renewing the Truce and if it were possible to agree upon a stable and lasting Peace between the Realms King Iames taking a promise of the secrecy of the Embassâ—dours that what he imparted to them should not be laid open to his Nobility told He earnestly affected a Peace with all his Neighbours but above all others with their King as much for his own valour as for the honour and interests of the two Kingdoms But he knew his people so stubborn and opposite to all his designs that if they understood his mind and resolutions they would endeavour to cross his intentions wherefore publickly he could only condescend to seven years truce a long peace being hardly obtained from men brought up in the free licence of war who disdained to be restrained within the Narrow limits of Laws Notwithstanding they should undertake for him to King Henry in the word of a Prince that this Truce before the exspiring of it should be renewed and with all solemntyes again confirmed The Embassadours respecting his good will towards their King accepted the conditions Thus was there a Truce or Peace convenanted and confirmed for seven years to come between the two Realms After so many back-blows of fortune and such canvassing the King enjoying a Peace with all his Neighbours abroad became exceeding religious the miseries of life drawing the mind to the contemplations of what shall be after it During hisresidence at Edenburgh he was wont to come in Procession from the Abby of Holy-rood-house to the Churches in the High-Town every Wednesday and Fryday By which devotion he became beloved of his People Nothing more winning their hearts than the opinion they have of the Sanctity of a person And that he did not this for the fashion nor hypocrisy the application of his wit and power to the administration of strict justice did prove for he began to suppress the insolencies of strong oppressors defend and maintain the Rights of the poor against Tyrants and abusers of their Neighbors He sitteth himself in Council dayly and disposeth affairs of most weight in his own person In the Moneth of October following the Peace with England 1487. a Parlament was called in which many acts were made against Oppressours Justices were appointed to pass thorough the whole Kingdom and see malefactors deservedly punished Acts were made that no convention of friends should be suffered for the accompanying and defence of criminal Persons But that every one attainted should appear at the most with six Proctors that if found guilty they should not be reft from Justice by strong hand Such of the Nobility who feared and consequently hated him finding how he had acquired the love of his people by his piety in the observance of Religion and his severity in executing Justice were driven unto new meditations They began to suspect he would one day free himself from these turbulent Spirits who could not suffer him to enjoy a Peace nor raign He had advanced at this time to Offices of State and Places men whose Fortunes did wholly depend upon his safety and wel-fare at which some Noblemen whose Ambition was to be in publick charge and of the Counsell pretending to that out of right which was only due unto them by favour did highly storm and look upon those others with envious eyes The King thus falling againe into his old sickness they bethought them how to renew their old remedie They were also jealous of the remembrance of the dis-service they had done him and that he would never forget old quarrells They were prepared and ready to make a Revolution of the state but had not yet found their Center to begin motion nor a ground for Rebellion All this while there was not matter enought for an insurrection nor to dispose the Peoples Hearts to a Mutinie The King delighted with his Buildings of the Castle of Sterlin and the amenity of the Place for he had raised there a faire and spacious Hall and founded a College for divine service which he named the Chappel Royal and beginning to be possest and taken up with the Religion of these times endeavoured to endow this foundation with constant Rents and ample Revenues and make this Rock the choyse Sanctuary of his Devotions The Priory of Coldingham then vacant and fallen in his hands he annexed the same to his Chappel Royal and procured an Act of Parliament that none of the Lieges should attempt to doe contrary to this union and annexation or to make any Impetration thereof at the Court of Rome under the paine of Treason The Priors of this Convent having been many years of the Name of Hume it was by the Gentlemen of that Name surmi'sd that they should be interested and wronged in their Estates by reason of the Tithes and other Casualtyes appertaining to this Benefice if a Prior of any other Sirname were promoted to this Place The King being often petitioned and implored that he should not alter the accustom'd form of the Election of that Prior nor remove it from their Name nor suffer the Revenues to be otherways bestowed than they were wont to be of old and he continuing in his resolution of annexing them to his Chapel after long pawsing and deliberation amongst themselves as men stirred up by the male-contents and a proud faction fit for any the most dangerous entrprise they proceed upon stronger Grounds to over-turn his intentions and divert his purpose The Lord Hailles and others of the Sirname of Hepburn had been their constant friends Allies and Neighbours with them they enter in a combination that they should mutually stand to the defence of others and not suffer any Prior to be received for Coldingham if he were not of one of their two Sirnames This Convâ—nant is first privately by some mean Gentlemen sworn who after draw on their Chiefs to be of the Party Of how small beginnings doth a great mischief ariseâ— the male contended Lords knowing those two Sirnames to be numerous active and powerfull in those parts of the Countrey where they remayn'd lay hold upon this Overture and beginning from their particulars they make the cause to be general They spread Rumours abroad that the King was become terrible and not to be trusted notwithstanding all his Protestations and outward
were spent in light skirmishes and incursions and Thomas Randolph obtained the battel called the White and quieted the English Robert this time of Repose conven'd the Nobles intending to determine the rigâ—â— of inheritances which many men had unjustly usurped in the times of Rapine and Licence This brooded a Conspiracy which â—eing detected a meeting was appointed at Perth where by the Conviction of their own Papers many were executed some pardon'd but none drew more pitty from the Beholders than David Brechin the Kings Sisters Son whose acquaintance not concurrence with the Plot was only Criminal From whence we may consider That to be a Traytor is not actually to engage in Treason but to conceal it is to foment it for if in private Friendships it is infidelity not to reveal a danger to a friend it holds stronger as to the Magistrate who is not only our Common Friend but our Parent and Tutor since the seeds of all Treasons like them of Vegetables lurking quiâ—tly and arising fruitfully being cunningly manured do by the Co-operation of bad influâ—nces grow up into poisons and threaten destruction where as the Sovereign Power enlivening and peiroing all cherishes the more Noble things and only discovers the imperfection of the meaner In the mean time a Legate comming from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See whose force even that age had wit enough to discern to threaten them into a peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marcht as far as Stainmore The K. of England in revenge raises an Army so potent and powerful that it might be supposed they came for absolute victory not uncertain hazard Robert therefore like a wise Captain considering that it was Stratagem not force that must preserve him safe from so great a storm caused all the Cattel to be carryed into the avious retreats of the Hills lest they might be serviceable to the Enemy who confident of their strength peirced Scotland and endeavoured to draw him and his Forces out of their Holes But having wasted all about sparing only Churches and wanting Victuals were forced to retire Bruce knowing this disorderly retreat pursues them as far as York and by a great defeat was Master of their Baggage and some Considerable Prisoners the great occasion of which was imputed to Sir Andrew Barcley Earl of Carlisle who was therefore degraded This begat two Embassyes one to the Papacy for a Reconciliation to it and the other to France for a Renovation of the old League both which were obtained with equal easiness with this addition to the latter That the King of France should be Umpire in controversies concerning the Crown of Scotland About these times saies Excellent Buchanan the Family of the Hamiltons since so great in Scotland and pernicious to England took their rise one of them upon a Quarrel and murder of an English Gentleman flying to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day the Spensers upon whose account this quarrel arose were soon after discomposed and ruined and Edward himself dethroned and as is said murdered at Pontfract Castle by means of his wife and Edward his Son succeeded the III. of that name Bruce in the mean time composing himself to the cares of Peace by Act of Parliament settles the Inheritance of the Kingdom upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stuart his Grandchild by his Daughter and for preventing any pretences of Baliol being then old and miserable in France a full release of all his Claim 1320. but the active young Edward filling them with the terrour of a new Bruce repaired the defects of his age and travels by substituting Thomas Randolph his Vice-Roy whom with Iames Dowglas he sent with a flying Army of Horse into England the better to elude the prevailing force they were to expect and it happened accordingly for after tedious Marches and hardships on both sides they parted without a stroke saving onely that Dowglas with two hundred Horse beat up the Quarters of the English Camp and cut as is said two Ropes of the Kings Tent and made a good Retreat this begat a Truce for three years and afterwards 1328. a dishonorable Concession in a Parliament at Southampton of all the Scotish privileges and independencyes of that Crown for which some after smarted with the Concession of some Counties and Rendition of Monuments the Scots paying thirty thousand Marks Bruce finding himself wasted by age and toil left the Tuition of the Nonage of his Son to Randolph and Dowglas retiring himself to the Abby of Kilross confirming the Settlement of the Kingdom upon his Son David then 8 years old and Stuart as he had done before leaving these three Counsells behind him Illustrious Spirits that have long moved in great Orbs being best measured when they are falling below their Horizon 1. Not to let any man solely command the Aebneae 2. Never to put all their Strength at one hazard with the English 3. Never to make long Truces with them The first being to be feared by their power at Sea The second for the Fertility Power and Numbers of the English The third to prevent the Enervation of a long Peace Thus he dyed leaving Charge with Dowglas to convey his heart to the Holy Land whither himself had designed an Expedition but Dowglas assisting them of Arragon against the Saraâ—ens was there cut to pieces Thus ended the reign of Robert Bruce 1330. A Prince that mounting the Throne over the Carcasses of his neerest kindred encountring with the greatest difficulties and calamities of a Countrey opprest by powerful and martial Enemies bravely struggled with the disadvantages and left behind him the Character of a great Captain and a prudent Prince and such an one as whose Reputation relies upon his single virtue unlesse you will say he had the assistance of the heads and hands of his Counsellors and Captains yet even in the chusing of One and the obeying the Other it must be confest he was a man excellently squared out for Government and a man the most fit to arrest our Conquests in that Nation Yet by the way we shall take up one Remark How much the fortune and reputation of any people depends upon the Conduct of their Supreme Governour and we cannot have better instance than by reflecting upon the preceding History Edward I. worthily called Coeur de Lion brought them in their greatest power upon their knees His Son an effeminate and weak Prince enchanted with Flatteries and lost in Sofâ—ness could not preserve an acquired Dominion but lost it with ignomâ—ny His Son for a time which we must call his pupillage of War he did such wonders afterwards was unsuccessful and all this through the Opposition Courage and Conduct of one unfortunate person And indeed upon survay of all Histories we shall find that the ability and excellency of the Prince hath been
nothing agreed upon nor concluded they resolve at last to decide the cause by their swords The Earl of Crawâ—ord then remaining at Dundee advertized of the present danger of his friends posteth in all haste to Arbroth and cometh at the very chock of the skirmish and when they were to enter the fight Here intending by his wisdom to take up the Quarrel and presuming upon the respect due to his place and person he rashly rusheth forwards before his Companies to demand a parly of Alxander Ogleby with his Son but ere he could be known or was heard he is encountred by a common Souldier who thrust him in the mouth with a Spear and prostrate him dead upon the ground This sudden accident joyned the Parties who fought with great courage and resolution The Victory after much blood inclined to the Master of Crawford Alexanderâ—Ogleby sore wounded was taken and brought to the Castle of Finelvin where he died the Lord Huntley escaped by the swiftness of his Horse Iohn Forbess of Pitsligow Alexander Barkley of Garteley Robert Maxwell of Tillen William Gordoun of Borrowfield Sir Iohn Oliphant of Aberdaguy with others fell on the Oglebies side 1445. they fought the 24. of Ianuary 1445. Now by attending opportunities to increase publick disorders turn the times dangerous and troublesome and confound the State the Earl of Dowglass kept himself in the absolute Government by umbragious ways he nourished discontentments in all parts of the Country amongst the Nobility Gentry Commons of the Realm Alexander Earl of Crawford put to death Iohn Lynton of Dundee Robert Boyd of Duchal and Alexander Lyle â—lew Iames Stuart of Auchenmintee Patrick Hepburn of Haills surprised the Castle of Dumbar Archembald Dumbar as if he would but change places with him taketh the Castle of Haills where he was besieged by the Earl of Dowglass and with conditions of safety rendred it Sir William Creighton all this time kept the Castle of Edenburgh and when by intreaties nor power he could not be induced to render it to the King his Castle of Creighton is plundered a garrison placed in it and the Castle of Edinburgh by the Earl of Dowglass is besieged and blocked up Nine moneths the Assailers lie about it but it proveth impregnable and without loss of many Subjects cannot be taken about the end of which time mens courages waxing colder conditions are offered and received which were that the Chancellor should be restored to grace place and whatsoever hâ—d been withheld from him by his enemies at Court an abolition and abrogation of all former discontentments should be granted the besieged should pass out bag and baggage free At a Parliament holden at Perth the Chancellor was purged by an Assise of his Peers of what was laid against him his lands and goods seized upon by the King or Dowglasses are decreed to be restored as well to his followers as himself he is established in his dignities and places of honour notwithstanding of all Edicts Proclamation Confiscation before which were declared null all matters past put in oblivion as not done This considering the credit of the Earl of Dowglass was thought very strange but Iames Kennedie Bishop of St. Andrews whose respect and authority was great with the Church-men perfected this Master-piece of State and the Earl of Dowglass knew though the Chancellor was unbound he had not yet escaped During these Garboyls in Scotland Margaret Sister to King Iames and wife to the Daulphin of France Lewis died at Chalones in Champaigne a vertuous and worthy Lady beloved of all France but most of Charles the seventh her Father in Law who for her respect matched her three Sisters who remained at his Court honourably Hâ—lenora with Sigismond Arch-duke of Austria Elizabeth to the Duke of Bretaigne Mary with the Earl of Camphire She was buried in the great Church of Chalones but after when the Daulphine came to be King he caused transport and bury her in the Abbey Church of Laon in Poittow Many Elegies were published upon her death which are yet extant Sir Iames Stuart the Black Knight husband to the Queen at this time died also He had turned a voluntary exile to shun the dangers and envy of the Factions of the Country which he incurr'd by his free speeches against the misgovernment and miseries of the time and as he was bound â—owards Flanders by the Flemings was taken upon the Seas The Queen out-lived not long her Daughter and Husband â—he was buried the fifteenth of Iuly in the Charter-house of Perth near her first husband Iames the year 1446. She brought forth to the black Knight of Lorn three sons Iohn Eâ—rl of Athole Iames Earl of Buchane Andrew Bishop of Mâ—rray The Chancellor having recovered his honours and State to the disadvantage of the Earl of Dowglass though of good years and tyred with the troubles of publike life yet findeth not any desired rest A Marriage being designed for the King with Mary daughter of the Duke of Guilders by the instructions of Charls the seventh the French Kings but secretly by the procurement of the Earl of Dowglass the Chancellor as a Man grave great in plâ—ce and experimented with the Bishop of Dunkel and Nicholas Otterburn is sent over the Seas in Embassie This troublesom and unprofitable honor abroad is laid upon him that he might be separate from the King and suspended from opposing to the private designs of the Earl at home This obstacle of his ambition removed which had neither moderation nor limits the Earl may excluded such Officers in State or Court who were not agreeable to him and substitute others of his Creation after his pleasure he hath now room and opportunity for his greatest designs His kindred are without pausing preferred to Offices of State his brothers to new honours Archembald is made Earl of Murray by the Marriage of a Lady of the house of Dumbar who was Heir of the Lands and the Kings Ward George is created Earl of Ormond Iohn made Lord of Balvenie and hath his Donation ratified in an Assembly of three Estates who were convented at Edinburgh for matters concerning the Marriage of the King but in effect that the Earl might pursue his old enemies The Commissioners are chosen after his pleasure are prepared and instructed by him prelimitated and to combine power with craft he entreth in an offensive and defensive League with many Noblemen Barons and Gentlemen of the Kingdom All the wheels and vices of his Clock being right set Alexander Levingston late Governor Alexander his eldest son Robert Levingston Treasurer David Levingston Iames Dundes Robert Bruce of Clackmannan Knights for Peculate and converting the Princes Treasure to their private use are forfeited taken and committed to sundry Prisons in December 1447. at which time they were brought to Edinburgh Alexander the Governor Iames Dundas and Robert Bruce after Fines laid upon them were permitted back to Dumbarton there to be kept Prisoners during the Kings pleasure Alexander
she should have been reserved for some neighbor Prince by which Alliance the state of the Kingdom and the Person of the King might have been in great safety For if the King should chance to be infested by some insolent nobility the name and power of a neighbor Prince were sufficient to keep him safe on his Throne which by this match was endangered They suggested that the Boydes builded their estimation in the air of popular applause and endeavored to endear themselves in the opinion of the multitude A Prince is not a Lord of that people that loveth another better then him Should the Boydes be accused of peculate robbing the King and the commonTreasure the King might make a prey of their unlawful conquest and by their Attaindors reward the services of many of his necessitated friends it being acquired most height to which their riches was increased should be feared the faults of all the disorders of the Common wealth are laid upon the Boydes as the Authors of every breaking out sedition that they might the more securely possess the places neer the King At this time complaints from all parts of the Kingdom and by all sorts of persons incessantly being given unto him advance the intentions of their enemies and the Kings minde naturally inclined to fears and superstition being long tossed and perplexed began to turn away from the Boydes and with their power in some degrees brought lower and lessened Preambles of Ruine but he would go leasurely to produce this effect and make one change bring forth another The King increasing in yeers and youthful perturbations is councelled for the continuing of the Race and Succession and the keeping hiâ— Person without the common disorders of the world to think upon some match profitable for his country and honorable for himself He is courted by many and courteth others the Duke of Burgundy had offered him his daughter as to other Princes his friends and neighbors but his minde was not to have her married at all during his life-time Andrew Stewart Lord Evandale then Chancelour of the Kingdom with the Bishops of Glasgow and Orkenay being sent Embassadors to Christern King of Denmark for an accommodation and taking up some business concerning the Isles of Orkenay and Schythland 1468. the quarrel was taken away by a marriage to be celebrated between the King and Lady Margaret King Christerns daughter a Lady thought worthy of his bed in respect of the excellency of her beauty her royal descent and greatness of her birth All matters being agreed upon these Isles engaged for her Dowry there wanted onely an honorable retinue and convoy to bring home the Lady To this negotiation by the craft of some about the King and vanity of others who gloryed to see their friend promoted to such great honour Thomas Earle of Arran as a man flourishing in fame and riches and able to maintaine and discharge all magnificence is deputed as the fittest person Thus by the ambition and unattentiveness of his friends his worth was made the Scaffold of his ruine the lamentable condition of men of high desert In the beginning of the Harvest accompained with some young Noblemen and Gallants most of which were his select friends and well-wishers he ascendeth his ships Whilst as the King of Scotlands brother in law he is some moneths riotously entertained at the Danish Court the rigor of that Northern climate by the congealing of the Ocean moored up his ships and barred all return till the following Spring In this absence of a man so neer unto the King his Father and Uncle by age sickness and their private affaires not so frequently haunting the Court as they were accustomed the Kennedyes and they of the contrary faction having shaken the Kings affection and broken these bands his pleasures idlenese and vacancy from the publike affairs of the State by which the Boydes thought they had kept him sure move him now a litile delighting in action to proceed to the consideration of such matters as might be objected against the government of the Bodyes But that this might not appear to be an act of Faction but the universal consent of the Kingdom apart a Parliament was summoned to be holden in November at Edenburgh Here Robert Lord Boyd with his brother Sir Alexander are summoned to answer in Judgement to such points as should be exhibited against them At the appointed day the Lord Boyd appeared but accompanyed with such multitude of the common people and numbers of his friends vassals and followers all in arms with such ostentation and boasting that the King and Courtiers were well pleased to suffer them dissolve scatter of their own free wills At this insolency and malapertness yet to our own time an usual custome in Scotland the King conceived such indignation that he raised a strong guard to attend justice and his commandments and laid secretly Forces to assist these if the Boydes should oppose his laws by convocation of the Lieges The Lord Boyd after private intelligence of the Mines of the Court to blow him up rather amazed then in choler at the change of his Masters mind fled into England his brother Sir Alexander arested by sickness and relying upon his own integrity more then he ought to have done considering the malice of his enemies was brought before the Parliament his brother and he were challenged that upon the tenth of Iuly 1466. they laid hands upon the Kings Person and against his purpose brought him on the high way to the Castle of Calendar and that by their private power and consent contrary to the established order of the State and the other Regents advice they brought the King to Edenburgh when Sir Alexander sought to produce an act of Parliament for abolition or approbation of this deed as good service it was kept up and he being condemned had his head cut off Their other accusations contained the topical faults of Favourits that they had enriched themselves out of the Kings Treasure monopolized things belonging to the Crown diminished the Revenues thereof removed worthy men from the Counsel placing such in their rooms as had dependency from them Thomas Earle of Arran imployed in a publike charge by the kingdome absent unheard is declared Robel with his father and his moveables escheated to the King to his original faults was added that he dared marry the Kings sister without consent of the States the King being of non-age At the noise of this thunder clap Robert Lord Boyd left this world at Anwick No sooner had the Spring rendered the Baltick Seas Navigable when the Danish Lady with her Fleet Anchored in the Forth The Earle of Arran who was the Paranymphe and her convoy in that general gladness by the perswasions of some of his friends was preparing to come on shore and to submit himself to the Kings clemency but his Lady who had afar discerned his danger coming aboard disguised and giving him particular information of the
both and little advantage to any of the parties Richard having his reign in the infancy and not yet settled nor come to any growth and maturity being obnoxious to the scandal of his Brothers Sons and possessed with fears of Henry Earl of Richmond then remaining in France who by all honest and good men was earnestly invited to come home and hazard one day of battail for a whole Kingdom knowing it necessary for the advancement of his designs to have peace with all his neighbour Princes to render himself more secure and safe at home and terrible to his enemies abroad sendeth Embassadours to Scotland to treat a Peace or a suspension of Arms for som years King Iames no soflier rocked in the Cradle of State than Richard chearfully accepteth this Embassage for by a peace he may a little calm the stormy and wild minds of tumultuous Subjects reducing them to a more quiet fashion of living and seclude his Rebels and banisht from entertainment in England and all places of Refuge and Sanctuary The two Kings agreeing in substance Commissioners are appointed to meet at Nottingham the seventeenth day of September For the King of Scotland appear'd the Earl of Arguâ—l William Elphinstoun Bishop of Aberdeen the Lord Drummond of Stobhall the Lord Olyphant Archebald Whitelaw Secretary Doncan Dundass Lyon King of Arms. For Richard of England appeared the Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Northumberland the Lord Stanley the Lord Gray the Lord Fitshugh Iohn Gunthrope privy Seal Thomas Borrow Master of the Rolls Sir Thomas Bryan Chief Justice In the latter end of Septemb. these conclude a peace between both Realms for the space of 3 years The same to begin at the rising of the Sun Septem â—9 in the year 1484. and to continue unto the setting of the Sun on the 29. of Sept. in the year 1487. During which time it was aggreed that not only all hostility and war should cease between the two Realms but that also all aid and assistance against enemies should be afforded It was agreed the Town and Castle of Berwick should remain in the hands of the English for the space of the foresaid term with the same bounds the English possessed That all other Castles Holds Fortresses during the term of thrâ—e years should remain in the hands of those that held then at that present the Castle of Dumbar only excepted which the Duke of Albany delivered to the English when he left his Countrey Which Castle for the space of six moneths should be exposed to the invasion of the Scots if they could obtain it and during the assaulting of this Castle the Truce shâ—uld not be broken Neither should the English within the castle do any harm to the Scots dwelling thereabouts except to those who invade the Castle and at that time And that it should be lawful to any of the Parties to use all Statagems and extend their power either for winning or defending the said Castle It was agreed That no Traitor of either Realm should be received by any of the Princes of the other Realms and if any Traitor or Rebell chance to arrive in either Realm the Prince therof should deliver him upon demand made Scots abiding within the Realm of England and sworn there to the King may remain still so there names be made known to the King of Scotland within fourty daies If any Warden of either Realm shall invade the others Subjects he to whom such a Warden is subject shall within six daies proclaim him Traitor and certifie the other Prince thereof within twelve daies In every safe conduct this Clause shall be contained Providing alwaies that the Obtainer of the safe Conduct be no Traitor If any of the Subjects of either Prince do presume to aid and help maintain and serve any other Prince against any of the Contractors of this Truce Then it shall be lawful for him to whom he shewed himself enemy to apprehend and attach the said Subject comming or tarrying within any of their Dominions Collegues comprehended in the Truce if they would assent thereunto on the English part were the King of Castile the King of Arragon the King of Portugal the Arch-Duke of Austria and Burgundy the Duke of Bretaign Vpon the Scottish part Charles King of Denmvrk and Norway The Duke of Guilderland this treaty was appointed to be published the first of October in all the great and notable Towns of both Realms It was agreed that Commissioners should meet at Loch-maben the 18. of November as well for redress of wrongs done on the west Marcbes as for declaring and publishing the peace where the greatest difficultie was to have it observed Richard after this truce intreated a marriage between the Prince of Rothsay eldest Son to King Iames and Lady Anne dela Pool Daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolk of his Sister To this effect Embassadours meet at Nottingham others say at York and it is concluded Writings thereupon being drawn up ingrosled and seal'd And affiances made and taken up by Proctors and Deputies of both parts Lady Anne thereafter being stiled the Princess of Rothsay But by the death of her Uncle she injoyed not long that title After the league and intended marriage King Iames wrote friendly letters to Richard concerning the Castle of Dumbar Whether he could be content that the same should remain only six moneths in the power of the English or during the whole space of True That he was not minded to seek it by arms during the term of the whole Truce Notwithstanding he earnestly required out of the bond of Love and Frindship between them since it was given unto the English by Treason and neither surprised nor taken in lawful war it might be frindly rendred Richard dalâ—yd with him and pass'd away that purpose with complemental Letters all the time of his Government which was not long for the year 1486. Henry Earl of Richmond came with some companies out of France of which that famous Warriour Bernard Sâ—uart Lord Aubany Brother to the Lord Darnley in Scotland had the leading which by the resort of his Countrey men turned into an Army and rencountred Richard at Bosworth where he was killed and Henry proclaimed King of England To which victory it was uncertain whether virtue or fortune did more contribute Alexander Duke of Albany before this disaster of Richard at a Tilting with Lovys Duke of Orleance by the splint of a Spear in his head had received his death-wound 1483 He was a man of great courage an enemy to rest and peace delighting in constant changes and novations He left behind two Sons Iohn Duke of Albany begotten of his second marriage upon the Earl of Bulloignes Daughter who was Tutor to King Iames the fifth and Governour of Scotland and Alexandâ—r born of the Earl of Orkenays Daughter his first wife Bishâ—p of Murray and Abboâ— of Skroon Into which places he was intruded to make the Government of his other Brother more peaceable Margarite the Queen
and unto whom victory appertained Many brave Scots did here fall esteemed to above five thousand of the noblest and worthiest Families of the kingdom who choosed rather to dy than out-live their friends and Compatriots The Kings natural Son Alexander Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews the Bishop of the Isles the Abbots of Inchjefray and Kill Winny The Earls of Crawfoord Mortoun Arguyl Lennox Arrel Catâ—ness Bothwel Athol the Lords Elphinstoun Aerskin Forbes Ross Lovet Saintclare Maxwell with his three Brothers Simple Borthick Numbers of Gentlemen Balgowny Blacka-Towre Borchard Sir Alexander Seatoun Makenny with Macklean George Master of Anguss and Sir William Dowglass of Glenbervy with some two hundred Gentlemen of their name and Vassals were here slain The English left few less upon the place but most part of them being of the common sort of Souldiers and men of no great mark compared with so many Nobles killed and a King lost the number was not esteemed nor the loss thought any thing of The Companies of the Lord Hume had reserved themselvs all the time of the fight keeping their first order and when by the Earl of Huntley he was required to relieve the Battallion where the King fought he is said to have answered That that man did well that day who stood and saved himself After the retreat his Followers gathered a great bootie of the spoils of the slaughtered This fight began Sept. 9. about four of the clock after Noon and continued three houres the year 1513. About the dawning of the next Morning the Lord Daâ—res vvith his Horse-Troops taking a view of the Field and seeing the brazen Ordnance of the Scots not transported with most part of the faln bodies not rifled sendeth speedy advertisement to the Howards and the pensive Army inviting all to the setting up of Trophees Spoil and transporting of their great Ordnance to Berwick amongst which were seven Culverins of like size and making called the Seven Sisters Divers diversly report of the Fortune of the King We without affirming any thing for certain shall onely set down what Fame hath published a false Witness often of human accidents and which many times by malignant brains is forged and by more malignant ears received and believed The English hold that he was killed in this Battail the Scots that many in like Arms with the like Guards were killed every one of which was held for the King Amongst others Alexander Lord Elphinstoun his Favourite who had marryed Elizabeth Barley one of the Dames of Honour of Queen Margarite He was a man not unlike to the King in face and stature and representing him in arms in the field with the valiantest and most couragious of the Army fought it out and acting heroically his part as a King was killed heaps of slaughtered bodies environing his In the search where the fight was the number taleness furniture of the dead bodies being observed their faces and wounds viewed his body as if it breathed yet majesty was amidst the others selected acknowledged for his Maisters brought to Berwick and embalmed That it was not the body of the King the girdle of Iron which heever wore and then was not found about him gave some though not certain testimony Some have recorded that the fortune of the day inclining to the English four tall men mounted upon lusty Horses wearing upon the points of their Launces for coignoscances Streamers of Straw mounting the King on a Sorrel Hackney convoyed him far from the place of fight and that he was seen beyond the Tweed between Kâ—lso and Dunce After which what became of him was uncertain Many hold he was killed in the Castle of Hume either by the intelligence between the English and the Lord Humes kinred or out of fear for they were at the slaughter of the Kings Father and the most violent in that fight or of hopes of great fortunes which would follow innovations and the confusion of the State being men who liv'd best in a troubl'd Common wealth and upon the Borders One Carra follower of the Lord Humes that same night the Battail was fought thrust the Abbot of Kelso out of his Abbacy which he never durst attempt the King being alive Another David carbreath in the time of Iohn the Governour vaunted that however Iohn wronged the Humes he was one of fix who had abated the insolency of King Iames and brought him to know he was a Mortal To these is added that the Governour Iohn not long hereafter cut off the heads of the Lord Hume and his Brother without any known great cause The Common people ever more addicted to superstition than verity believed he was living and had passed over the Seas and according to his promise visited the holy Sepulchre in Palestine Therefor his other offences and the bearing of Arms against his Father in prayers and Pennance he spent the remainder of His tedious daies That he would return again when he found opportunity and the necessity of Europe requird him This report was of as great truth as that which the Burgundians have of the Return of their Duke Charles after the Battle of Nancy most of them believing he escaped from the conflict He was lost the twenty and five year of his Reign the thirty and ninth of his age the ninth of September 1513. This King was of a vigorous body his stature being neither too tall nor too low of a pleasant countenance of a pregnant wit but by the faults of the times in which he lived not polished with Letters He excelled in horse-manship fencing and shooting By much watching slender diet and use he was enabled to enduâ—e all extremities of weather scarcity or want of rest with good health of body He was just in giving judgement in punishing malefactors severe yet tractable and moderate With the peril of some few he restrained vices and rather shook the Sword than struck with it He knew there were some things though Princes might yet they ought not to do He was easie of access most courteous in speech and meek in answering every man He was so far from being over taken with anger or other violent perturbations that he was never observed to have given an evil or disobliging word to any or that the colour of his face changed by any offence offered him or informations given him relying without passion upon his own magnanimity He was of a free and liberal disposition far from any ostentation As he understood well the Art of giving so to acquire and purchase he was not sufficient of himself but made use of men who drew more hatred upon their own heads than moneys into their Princes coffers Though he delighted more in War than the Arts he was a great admirer and advancer of learned men William Elphinstoun Bishop of Aberdeen builded by his Liberality the College of Aberdeen and named it The Kings College by reason of those Privileges and Rents the King bestowed upon it His Generosity did shew it self in not
claim made by Alexander Stuart the elder brother of the Governour who was begotten on a Daughter of the Earl of Orkenay to whom the Duke of Albany their Father had been lawfully joined in marriage before his coming to France and thus before the marrying of the Earl of Bulloignes daughter the Mother of Iohâ— the Governour upon which ground Alexander had grea reason to make his claim and protestation as heir to his Father Notwithstanding of his challenge and bravado Alexander being more fit for a Cowl than a Crown in open Parlament gave over all title he had to the Crown in his brothers favour Whereupon to deprive him ever hereafter of lawfull Succession they turned him Priest being made Bishop of Murray and Abbot of Skoon A truce being sincerely kept with England tumults within the Countrey appeased particular deadly fewds and jarres of private persons eithâ—r curbed or smothered up the Governour giveth himself soâ—e weeks to his Courtly recreations at Faulk-land with what pastime soever he be delighted or beguile the hours all the day long in the might he is often haunted by his old familiar the Priour of St. Andrews whom ambition spight malice never suffered to take any rest This man put in the Governours head and made him beliâ—ve that his endeavours and pains heretofore would prove but vain in settling the Government and that the peace of the Kingdom should never be lasting firm and permanent if so dangerous a Subject as the Lord Chamberlain remained alive whom neither rewards could soften nor honours and preferment oblige and make constant How many times had he been pardoned How often and without a cause had he returned again to his foâ—mer Conspiracies Should the Governour of his own free-will or of necessity be moved to return to France what would not the boldness of this man attmept in his absence which his authority and presence could never curb and keep within compass the life of this man would be the death and total ruin of the Peace of the concord and harmony of the State bring forth nothing 〈◊〉 dangerous and wicked effects the violence of ambition having pulled him from his own judgement Should he be challenged and put to a tryal of hiâ— Peers He could not shun the blow of Justice the cry of his oppression and wrongs having reached heaven A member so often in vain cured and still gangrened should be cut off The Governour whose Brains the Priour had now embrued with jealousies thought it no great matter upon the inâ—ormations he had received to put the Chamberlain to a Tryal for if he proved not guilty it would be but to leave him in that state and case he was found in and calumnies though they do not burn yet black Being come to Edinburgh he appointed a convention of the Nobility all which time he earnestly trâ—fficked with the Friends of the Lord Chamberlain that he should not be absent the matters to be determined in Counsel concerniâ—g him nearly and he had need of his advice and counsel The Court and City being full of whisperings and expectation of some sudden change many disswadeth the Chamberlain from appearing if he appeared that he would leave his Brother Master William a man equal in judgement and courage to himself behind He trained into false hopes by the blâ—â—dishments of the Governour towards his friends and inveigled by presumption with his Brother and Sir Andrew called by the Countrey Lord David Car of Farnehast commeth to Court where they were with many ceremonies welcomed by the Governour with more than ordinary favours enâ—ertained and shortly after all three imprisoned produced in judgment to answer to such things as should be objected against them according to the Lawes of the Kingdom and submitted to the Sentence of a Jury No new criâ—e was laid to their charge Iames Earl of Murray the natural Son of the late King accused the Chamberlain of the death of his Father who by many witnesses was proved alive and seen to come from the Battel of Flowden This by pregnant evidences not being proved he was indicted of divers other points of Treason and his private faults are found out and laid against him they renew the memory of the late stirs of State and these disorders of which he was eithâ—r the Author or accessary to them He had favoured and maintained the Factions Thefts and Robberies of wicked Malâ—fâ—ctours on the Borders he had not honourably nor honestly carryed himself at the Battel of Flowden performing neither the duty of a Souldier nor Commander He had suffered the English to repair and of new fortifie the Castle of Norham which without either trouble to himself or danger of his Friends he might have hindred Of every of which points and particularities he not clearly justifying himself the Judges prepared and directed by the Governor whom they record to have given information of a hainous crime comitted by the Chamberlain and his brother for the odiousness of it not to be revealed to the people pronounce him and his Brother guilty and condemn them to have their Heads cut off The day following the sentence was put in execution and their heads fixt on the most eminent part of the Town of Edenburgh David Car of Farnhast either by the Jury being declared not guilty as some have recorded or by the Corrupting of his Keepers as others or by the permission of the Governor escap'd this danger which brought the People to believe the Chamberlain was by his means entrapped To sinck whom he put himself in hazzard of drowning This Calamity of the Family of the Humes being so antient potent and couragious brâ—d terrour and astonishment in many of the other Noblemen of the Kingdom and estranged their Hearts from the Governour his ears began to be after attentive to every rumour and his eyes pryed into each accident at lâ—st as if he were wearyed with wrastling with the many disorders and cumbersome Factions of the Countrey he sought how by some fair way he might for a while return to France Embassadours being sent from King Francis to Scotland to renew the antient League between the two Nations when the Nobles assembled to make choice of the man on whom they should transfer the honour of the accomplishment of so solem an action and pass to France the Governour carryed the matter so by means of the French that it was conferred on himself but with his condition to entertain them with hopes of his Return that he should not stay above six Moneths out of the Countrey Having obtained this privileged absence of them his next care was to preserve the State from any alterations till his Return and to find the Government as he left it Hereupon to preserve the Person of the King he is conveyed from Sterlin to the Castle of Edinburgh and trusted to the custody of the Earl of Marshall the Lords Ruthen and Borthick two of which should be alwaies resident with him and accompany and assist
Streets out of Windows furnished him he invested a part of the Town and barricadoed some Lanes with Carts and other impediments which the time did afford The adverse party trusting go their number and the supply of the Citizens who calling to mind the slaughter of their Deacon shew them small favour disdaining the Earl should thus muster on the Streets in great fury invade him Whilst the bickering continued and the Town is in a Tumult William Dowglas brother to the Earl of Angus Sir David Hume of Wedderburn George Hume brother to the late Lord with many others by blood and Friendship tyed together enter by violence the East Gate of the Town the Citizens making small resistance force their passage through the throngs seek the Earls enemies find them scoure the streets of them The Master of Montgomery eldest Sonne to the Earl of Eglintoun Sir Patrick Hamiltun Brother to the Earl of Arran with almost fourscour more are left dead upon the place The Earl himself findeth an escape and place of retreat through a Marsh upon the North side of the Town The Chancelour and his retinue took Sanctuary in the Dominican Fryers the tumult by the slaughter of some and flight of others appeased the Earl of Angus now freed of danger licensed all who pleased without further pursuit peaceably to leave the Town of Edenburgh and return to their own Houses Some daies after the Humes well banded and backed with many Nobles and Gentlemen of their linage by the Earl of Angus consent took the Lord Humes and his brothers heads from the place where they had been fixt and with the funeral Rites of those times interr'd them in the Black-Fryers The Earl of Angus having angled the peoples hearts by his Magnificence Wisdom Courage and Liberality his Faction began to bear greatest sway in the Kingdom For the continuance of which the King of England dealt most earnestly with the French King to keep the Duke of Albany still in France with him But the French had contrary designs And when the Duke understood the great discords of the Nobility of Scotland persons of Faction being advanced to places dangerous immunities being granted to the Commons France and England beginning to be tyred of their Peace and preparing for a new war to curb the Scottish Factions keep the Nation in quietness in it self by giving the Subjects other work abroad whilst common danger should break of particular discords Notwithstanding of the English Ships which lay in wait to take him after he had been about five years in France in November he arrived on the west coasts of Scotland at a place named Garloch The Governour comming to Edenburgh set himself to amend the enormities committed in his absence the Magistrates of the Town are deposed because in the late uproar they had been evil seconds to the Lords of the west when they went to surprize the Earl of Angus A Parliament is called to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen are cited to make appearance in February to be tryed and to answer for offences committed by them in the Governours absence The appointed time being come these who appeared not were indicted and â—led into England Amongst which and the chief were the Humes and Cockburns men Authors and accessary to the death of Sir Anthony Darcey The tyde now turning and mens affections changed the Earl of Angus with his brother Sir George Dowglâ—s by the intercession of the Queen are constrained to seek a Pardon which was obtained for them but with the condition that they should leave the Countrey and stay in France one whole year which they obeyed Others have recorded they were surprized in the night and in French Ships conveyed privately away Mr. Gaven Dowglas Bishop of Dunkell in the absence of his Nephew finding the Governour violent in the chase of the Faction of the Dowglasses fled privately to the Court of England where he gave informations to King Henry against him He alone had taken to him the custody of the young King the sequel wâ—ereof he much feared he was an irreconciliable enemy to the whole Family of the Dowglasses The principal cause of his comming to Scotland was to engage the Nation in a War against England that the English Should not assist the Emperour against the French King and make his Nation slaves to France This Bishop shortly after dyed at London and was buryed in the savoy Church having been a man noble valiant learned and an excellent Poet as his works yet extant testifie The King of England upon such informations sent Clarencieux King of Arms to Scotland to require the Duke to avoid the Country according to the Articles agreed upon between the French King and him in their last truce It belonged said Clarencieux to his Master to tender the life wellfare honour fortunes of his Nephew of none of which he could be assured so long as the Duke ruled and stayed in Scotland It was against all reason and unbeseeming the man should be sole Guardian to a King who was the next heir to the Crown how easily might he be tempted by opportunity to commit the like unnatural cruelty which some have done in the like case both in England and other parts of Europe if he loved his Nation and Prince as he gave out he required him to leave the Country which if he yield not unto but obstinately continued in a re resolution to stay he denounced from his Master present war He farther complained Thâ—t the Earl of Anguss who was King Henries Brother-in Law was by him banisht and detained in France That during the banishment of the Earl which had been neer a whole year the Duke had impâ—tuned his Sister the Queen with dishonest love The Governour answered Clarencieux That what the Kings of France and England agreed upon in their Treaties of Peace was to him uncertain but of this he was most certain That neither the King of England nor France had power to banish him a Forainer over whom their authority did not reach his native country like over like having no jurisdiction As concerning the King of Scotland who was yet young in years he reverenced him as his soveraign Lord and would keep and defend both him and his Kingdome according to his Conscience honour and bound duty that there were ever more men in the world who desired to be Kings than there were Kingdomes to be bestowed upon them of which number he was none having ever preferred a mean estate justly enjoyed before a Kingdome evil acquired For the Earl of Angus he had used all Courtesies towards him notwithstanding of his evil demerits not for his own sake he did confess but for the Queens sake whom he honoured and respected as the Mother of his Prince and towards whom he should continue his observance That the King of England needed not misdoubt he would attempt any thing should derogate from the honour of his sister that complements of meer curtesie in France might
long ere now have satisfyed his ambiâ—ion and at more easie rate when the King his father with most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland receiv'd that fatal overthrow by the Hills of Flowden and Banks of Till the refusing of an interview might divide the King and his Vncle upon which might follow some unnatural War Upon the other part the Church-men set all their Power to hinder this interview perswading themselves it would give a terrible blow to their Estates or Religion The principal cause say they why the King of England is so passionately earnest to have this meeting is to perswade his Nephew to conform Church-matters in Scotland to those already begun in England to abolish the Popes authority to drive Religious persons from their Lands Rents Houses invest the jewels and ornaments of the Churches Which counsel and example if King Iames should follow he would hazard or lose the friendship he had with the Pope Emperour and French King his best confederates abandoned of which he and his Kingdom would be left a Prey to the tyranny of his Uncle if Henry kept no faith to God Men had no reason to trust unto him That this Interview was to intrap his person He being the man whom the Pope and Emperour had designed to set upon his Throne and revenge their quarels That it was grosly to err to he carried away with a shadow and appearance and leave a Substance to trust at once his Crown person and liberty to an Enemy And sith examples move more than precepts let him think upon the hazard of King James the first eighteen years Prisoner and after sold to his Subjects Malcolm and William Kings of Scotland He should remember if yet he were therein to be instructed that Princes serve themselves with occasions over their Neighbours that they have greater care to satisfy their ambition than fear of shame for doing of wrongs with the present times or posterity That their Oaths were no longer kept than they observed their advantages That after he falleth in his hands he ought to follow his manners Religion forsaking and giving over his own natural disposition manners and freedom have no other affections nor motions than his For who commeth under the roof of a Tyrant turneth slave though he was a free man ere he did enter That this meeting with the body would endanger the Soul and infect it with his errours corrupting it with false opinions grounded upon a liberty to live to â—ensuality and Epicurean pleasure If upon the slighting of this Interview King Henry should denounce war against King Iames and invade his Countrey they in his just defence should furnish moneys to entertain an Army and overturn his proceedings For the present necessity they offer to pay to him fyfty thousand Crowns yearly and in any hazard of the Estate voluntarily to contribute all their rents and revenues providing it would please his Majesty to suffer justice to proceed against those who scandalously had sequestred themselves from the holy Church and to the contempt of his Laws publiquely made profession of the opinioâ—s of Luther That the goods of all who should be convict of Heresie which they esteemed to no less than an hundred thousand Crowns of yearly Rent should be brought to the Exchequer and their lands annext to the Crown To this effect they intreat his Majesty to give them sufficient Judges truly Catholick and full of zeal and severity After long reasoning upon both sides it was agreed the King should not altogether refuse to meet his Vncle but adhere to the first to offer propunded to this Embâ—ssador concerning this Inter-view The meeting to be at New castle one thousand at the most in train with either King the time to be the Feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel These Conditions not being embraced by King Henry would if not abolish totally at the least prolong the time of this meeting the King of England thinketh his Nephew too imperious to assume the Injunction of the whole circumstances of their meeting but rather than his suit should take no effect accepteth both of the Place and number of the Train and that the might have some point yeelded unto him requireth the time may be the first of August These Conditions being almost agreed upon three or four hundreth Riddesdale and Tinedale men with other Borderers break upon Liddesdale and therewith large incursions kill and forrage This during the Treaty falling miserably forth so much irritated King Iames that accepting the offers of his Clergy he gave over inwardly all intentions of any inter-view By prolonging time labouring to winde himself out of the Maze Hereupon he sendeth Letters full of excuses for his stay representing his many grievances and wrongs suffer'd and the seeds of discord began now to be sowen amongst them To lightâ—n and recreate his cloudy thoughts the Queen is delivered at Sterlin of another Son who with great solemnity is baptized in the Chappel of the Castle and named Arthur The Prelates after mature deliberation present Sir Iames Hamiltoun natural Son to the Earl of Arran to be supream Judge of the Inquisition against all suspect of Heresie and new opinions differing from the Faith of the Roman Church The King approving their judgements in their choice admitteth him Sir Iawes chearfully accepteth this new honour For now his ambition will find many guilty miserable supplicants Yet was this charge his ruin For whilst he persecuteth all who were informed against to be suspect of the Reform'd Religion having many in Jayls and numbers in his Scrâ—les to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process the supream Providence arresteth himself Iames Hamiltoun Sherif of Linlythgow Brother to Master Patrick Hamiltoun Abbot of Ferme who had suffered for Religion and was cousin to Sir Iames Hammiltoun of Fennard Lord Inquisitor for embracing his Brothers opinions had been persued so by the Church-men that he was constrain'd to forsake his own Countrey and some yeers wander as a banisht man abroad But by his friends at Court having purchased a License or Protection for some moneths to see his desolate Family and put his private Affairs in order cometh home Where finding the censorian Power to be in his cousins hands for where should he have Sanctuary if he were challenged by so neer a Kinsman for matters of Religion imagining to himself an over-sight and preterition out-dateth by his stay his Protection Sir Iames to curry the favour of the Church-men and testifie how dearly the cause of the Catholike Faith touched him resolveth to begin with his Cousin For if he were so burnt up with zeal that he spar'd not his own blood in the quarrell of the Roman Faith what Heretick could pass unpunisht Besides the investing himself in the Sherifs Office and Lands which he never minded to restore he had a Picque against him for that whilst he sate Judge in Lithgow he pronounced a sentence by which he was interested in some petty gain The
Sheriff falling so far short of his expectation that he findeth himself the first subject of his Cousins justice and highly resenting his Kinsmans cruelty whom he knew under pretext of Piety ready to execute his own Revenges resolveth to prevent his mischief He had sometime been familiar with Sir Iames had known his by-paths his secret Plots and ayrie brags had not escaped his observation some alike in kindred to them both were emissaries suborned to mark not onely his actions but words and behaviour by which one way or other he might be intrapt He knew Sir Iames stood in some umbrage with the King and that some suspitions by no Innocency could be taken away When at last he had found his hot-spur Cousin who threatned him with Death and Fire within the circle of his conjurations he directeth his Son to the King who at that time was ready to pass the Forth in his Barge this bashful Messenger giveth advertisement from his Father that the King should make his person sure from his foes at home for Sir Iames Hamiltoun had secret intelligence and Plots with the Earl of Angus and Dowglasses and that he attended onely the occasion when he might surprise him either alone or with a mean retinue and the or openly he would invade him or breaking up his Chamber-doors assâ—ssinate him The King giving attentive ear to a business which concerned him no less than the safety of his Person the accusation being given by a Cousin of the suspect against a family which a little disorder in the State might turn Successors to the Crown directeth the young man to Edenburgh and beyond his private instructions giveth him a Ring well known by the chief Officers to be a taken of power and seâ—recie to assemble so many of the Counsel as were resident Sir Thomas Arseken Secretary Sir Iames Lermound Master of the Houshold William Kirkcaldie Treasurer and others meet fear consult upon the Treason labour how to prevent it come to Sir Iames his Lodgeing make sure his Person in the Castle of Edenbrough and at that same time proceed according to the Kings direction to instruct his Process Sir Iames passionately resenting his imprisonment by his friends imploreth the ayd of the Church-men upon his innocency They apprehending his accusation to be a stratagem of State forg'd by these of the Reformed Religion for the stopping any further progress of the Inquisition already so furiously begun interpose their credit with the King for his Liberty to the discharging of his Commission against Hereticks If the Kiâ—g should hearken to every Informer against a man in State and Office he should never have an end for thus no man is so innocent who may not be detracted and calumniated Sir Iames was known to be a man rash and insolent in words his brains having been a little giddy like one looking from a great height by his advancement in honours and place in Court but sincere in the service of his Prince and loyal If he was arrogant in boldness of termes that was to acquire some more credit with the Commons that he might doe better service to his Prince They who committed Sir Iames Hamiltoun knowing the King facile and easie to be wrought upon by the Clergy some of them too professing or giving way to the reform'd Religion resolve if he should escape free of this accusation that an imminent ruin hung over their persons and estates Necessity and fear combining the distracted powers of their minds they come prostrate before the King beseech him not so much to look to the quality and circumstances of the crime as to the evil inclination of the man who powerful factious and naturally vindicative would never forgive nor forget the danger he was driven unto that His Majesty would consider his pass'd life terrible and cruel against all whome he could over-reach That to give him liberty and relieve him of his imprisonment before the crimes of which he was accus'd were clearly proved or not would be their and the accusers overthrow whom they esteemed loyal Subjects and except upon evident probabilities and never given informations against him That he was a man perfectly hated of the People and a more acceptable sacrifice could not be â—ffer'd unto their fury if he prov'd guilty At their Supplications the King gave the Judges full power to proceed against him and administer justice according to their consciences and the Laws of the Kingdom The pannall being found guilty of such points of the Inditement as was laid against him was condemned to die and thereafter accordingly beheaded his Quarters being set aloft on the Town gates his Lands annex'd to the Crown The Crimes of which he was found guilty as from those who lived near that time have by tradition been received were he had intelligence with the Earl of Angus and Dowglasses whom he laboured to have restored though with the Kings death he had a plot to have broken up the Kings Chamber-doors and killed him divolving the title of the Crown or at least Government of the Kingdom to his kinred Being ditected to have repared a Castle in Bute and to this effect receiving three thousand Crowns in April he went not thither attending some change in the State which was to be accomplished by treason against the Kings person He kept still with him men of disperate minds and fortunes who at his direction durst enterprize any mischief Where he had repaired some of the Kings houses he had placed a Statue resembling himself or which to some he had named his Statue what Mole-hills are turned into Mountains when a Prince will pry into the actions of a disgraced Subject above the Kings arms He had detracted from his Master naming him the king of Clowns and Priests and Scourge of the antient Nobility He had laboured to hinder the Kings marriage at his being in France To these points the people who rejoiced in his ruin added he had slain cruelly the Earl of Lennox at the battell of Lithgow after he was Prisoner to Purdowye he had wayâ—laid Gilbert Earl of Cassiles who was killed by his direction and Counsel This back-blow of Fortune proveth that it is dangerous once highly to offend a Prince and after remain in his service for Princes put old offences up as neglected and when the occasion serveth them surprize long after the Delinquents for some faults of which they are scarce guilty Sundry of the Nobility appall'd at this sudden fall of Sir Iames Hamiltoun for though they loved not the Man they hated the example of such strict Justice left the Court retiring to their own dwelling Houses which made the King suspitious of them and believe they favoured the reformed Religion and preferred the friendship of King Henry his Vncle to his Neither was he herein far Mistaken for some feared not to send him word that they had learned the Church-men had set him on work to extirpate his antient Nobility as if it were an easie matter
his mind that he neither had counsel nor resolution what to follow neither remembring his own valour nor the number of his Subjects yet flourishing he remained as one distracted and abandonned of all hopes The Plot of the Nobles at Falla Moor against his Servants the refusing to give battel on English ground made him apprehend that the whole body of his Nobility had conspired his overthrow The Cardinall and Earl of Arran comming to Edenburgh he also returned all so cast down that they were ashamed to come within sight of each other some daies After which in a retired manner he passed to Fyffe and from Hall-yards to Faulkland where he gave himself over to Sorrow No man had access unto him no not his own Domesticks Now are his thoughts busied with revenge now with rage against his scornful Nobility long watchings continuall cares and passions abstinence from food and recreation had so extenuated his body that pierced with grief anguish impatience despair he remained fixt to his bed In these Trances Letters come from Lithgow to him That the Queen was delivered of a Daughter the eight of December When he heard it was a Daughter was born he is said to have turned his face from them that read the Letters and sighing a farewell to the World it will end as it began saies he the Crown came by a woman and it will with one go many miseries approach this poor Kingdome King Henry will either make it his by Armes or Marriage The Cardinall put in his hands some blanck Papers of which they composed a Letter Will which whether he subscribed or not is uncertain After which he said not many words which could be understood but mused on the discomfiture of his Servants at the Solloway-Moss In which fits he left this world the thirteenth of December 1542. the three and thirtieth year of his age and two and thirty of his Reign Some record he was troubled by an unkindly medicine aud that the Cardinal was conscious to it but upon far conjectures for the event proved that his death was not onely the ruine of the Cardinall but of the whole Church-men of the Kingdom and frame of the Roman Religion His body was conveyed from Faulkland to Edenburgh the Cardinal Earls of Arran Arguil Rothess Marshal accompanying it and in Ianuary buried in the Abby Church of Holy-rood-housâ— near the body of Magdalen his first Queen He left behind him many natural children of his Marriages only one daughter five daies old at his death the Heir of his Kingdom and misfortunes This King was of a well made body and excellent mind if it had been carefully polisht he was of a middle stature Nature had given him strength and ability equal to any but by exercise he had so confirmed it that he was able to endure any travel and practice all feats of Arms as his attending on Malefactors proved for he was ordinary thought the first of his Troups who persued them and the last that left the chase being daring and forward In his private affairs he was attentive and liberal yet spared his Treasure that he should not want and when occasion required caring for no charges Never man did entertain Soveraignity more familiarly being of easie access to the meaner sort as to the great He was studious of all good arts natuâ—ally given to Poesie as many of his verses yet extant testifie He was of as great sorbriety as of little continency he was a great favourer of learned men The poor men loved him the great feared him he made the rushy bushes keep the heards of Cattel he was thankful towards his Friends dangerous towards his Enemies He infinitely obliged his people by establishing a Justice Court among them and bringing all sorts of Manufactours from neighbor nations home By the Germans he found the Gold Mines of Crawfoord Moor being unknown to this part of the world before him out of which he extracted treasure He left his Arsenals furnisht with all sorts of arms and furniture for War Now as in pictures not only the light but the shadow is observable let us look upon him in all his umbrages This Prince in his long persuit of the Dowglasses seems to have had a strange humour that he could never forgive And most of his miseries may be traced to this Source these he would have extirpate and the King of England could not forsake a man who was his brother-in-law and had been ever obsequious to him Seeking only that he might be restord to his own out of which he was cast not by any treason or aspiring to the Crown but of an ambition he had to be near the King and equal to any Subject his own worth kinred and followers animating him thereunto having maried the Kings Mother and one of the greatest Kings Sister of those times The burning alive of the Lady Glames beheading of the Master of Forbess and after him Sir Iames Hamiltoun turned many of his Nobles from him and made the Commons detract him For though they delight sometimes to have great men made equal to them when they find not evident proofs and sound grounds of their sufferings and executions they abhor the Actors Princes should remember that as the people are their Subjects so are they the Subjects of time and providence This humour of revenge made many believe if he had not been prevented by death many Scaffolds had been embrued for Falla-moor Plot and Solloway-Moss The Lord Maxwel who had studied the Character of the King at that Road vowed when he might have escaped among his known Borderers he would rather be the KING of Englands Prisoner and see him at London than return home and be shamefully hanged at the Cross of Edenburgh He studied very much the overthrow of his antient Nobility not considering that the titles of Crowns in Hereditary Kingdomes belong only to Kings for that they are the most Antient Noblemen and also first of the Primitive Bloud In his last years he was altogether governed by Romish Prelates dangerous Pilots in the Ocean of a troubled State that Body in which one humour signorizeth cannot last long and a Prince perisheth when he is governed by onely one sort of men Neither was he ruled so much by them out of great zeal to Religion being a Prince altogether given to his own pleasures as that he found them counterpoise the Nobility whilest he swayed the ballanc His death proveth his Mind to have been raised to the highest strain and above mediocrity for he could die but could not disgest a disaster He seemeth to have had too much confidence in himself and that he forgot the conditions of Mortality Whilest he suffered himself to be carryed away by the current of grief and swallowed up in the gulf of despair All his faults are but as some few Warts in a most pleasing and beautifull Face He was very much beholding to the excellent Poets of his time whose commendation shall serve him
the Game which shews us that on the preservation or overthrow of our King the overthrow or preservation of our State dependeth The recompence of the Pawns is not be forgotten When they can win and ascend the furthest part of the Chesse-bord on the Sunney side as the first which mount a breach in this case they are surrogated in those void Rooms of the pieces of honour which because they suffered themselves to be taken were removed off the Boord which in effect is to represent the punishment and guerdon due in a Common-wealth to good or evil actions The Game ended Kings Queens Bishops Knights Pawns peslemelled are confusedly thrown in the box the conclusion of all earthly actions and greatness If Hieronymus Vida can be found with Baptista Marini his Adone we shall not spare some houres of the night and day at their Chesse for I affect that above the other and here have we plaied without a Chess-boord on paper for a preamble to our meeting W. Drummond To his worthy Friend Master Benjamin Johnson SIR THe uncertainty of your abode was a cause of my silence this time past I have adventured this packet upon hopes that a man so famous cannot be in any place either of the City or Court where he shall not be found out In my last I sent you a description of Lough Lomond with a map of Inch-merinoch which may be your Book be made most famous with the form of the Government of Edenburgh and the Method of the Colleges of Scotland for all inscriptions I have been curious to find out for you the Impressaees and Emblemes on a Bed of State wrought and embroidered all with gold and silk by the late Queen Mary mother to our sacred Soveraign which will embbellish greatly some pages of your Book and is worthy your remembrance the first is the Load stone turning towards the pole the word her Majesties name turned in an Anagram Maria stuart saverturn attire which is not much inferiour to Veritas armats This hath reference to a Crucifix before which with all her Royall Ornaments she is humbled on her knees most lively with the word undique an Impressa of Mary of Lorrain her Mother a Phoenix in flames the word en ma fin git mon commencement The Impressa of an Apple Tree growing in a Thorn the word Pervincula crescit The Impressa of Henry the second the Frâ—nch King a Cressant the word Donec totum â—impleat orbem The Impressâ— of King Francis the first a Salamander crowned in the midst of Flames the word Nutrisco et extingo The Impressa of Godâ—rey of Bullogne an row paffing throw three Birds the word Dederit ne viam Casusve Densve That of Mercurius charming Argos with his hundred eyes expressed by his Caduceus two Flutes and a Peacock the word Eloquium tot lamina clausit Two Women upon the Wheels of Fortune the one holding a Lance the other a Cornucopia which Impressa seemeth to glaunce at Queen Elizabeth and her self the word Fortunae Comites The Impressa of the Cardinal of Lorrain her Uncle a Pyramide overgrown with Ivy the vulgar word Te stante virebo a Ship with her Mast broken and fallen in the Sea the word Nunquam nisi rectum This is for her self and her Son a Big Lyon and a young Whelp beside her the word unum quidem sed Leonem An embleme of a Lyon taken in a Net and Hares wantonly passing over him the word Et lepores dâ—victo insultant Leone Gammomel in a garden the word Fructus calcata dat amplos A Palm Tree the word Ponderibus virtus innaâ—a resistit A Bird in a Cage and a Hawk flying above with the word il mal me preme et me spavent a Peggio A Triangle with a Sun in the middle of a Circle the word Trino non convenit orbis A Porcupine amongst Sea Rocks the word ne volutetur The Impressa of King Henry the eight a Portâ—ulles the word altera secuâ—itas The Impressa of the Duke of Savoy the annunciation of the Viâ—gin Mary the word Fortitudo ejus Râ—odum tenuit He had kept the Isâ— of Rhodâ—s Flourishes of Arms as Helms Launces Coâ—slâ—ts Pikeâ— Mâ—skets Canons and the word Dabâ—t Deus his quoque finem A Tree planted iu a Church-yard environed with dead mens bones the word Piet as revocabit ab orco Ecclipses of the Sun and the Moon the word Ipsa sibi lumen quod invidet anfert glauncing as may appear at Queen Elizabeth Brennos Ballances a sword cast in to weigh Gold the word Quid nisi Victis dolor A Vine tree watred with Wine which instead to mâ—ke it spring and grow makâ—th it fade the word Mea sic mihi prosunt A wheel rolled from a Mountain in the Sea Pienâ— di dolor voda de Sperenzâ— Which appeareth to be her own and it should be Precipitio senzâ— speranza A heap of Wings and Feathers dispersed the word Magnatum Vicinitas A Trophie upon a Tree with Mytres Crowns Hats Masks Swords Books and a Woman with a Vail about her eyes or muffled pointing to some about her with this word Vt casus dederit Three Crowns two opposite and another above in the Sea the word Aliamque moratur The Sun in an Ecclipse the word Medio occidet Die I omit the Arms of Scotland England and France severally by themselves and all quartered in many places of this Bed The work manship is curiously done and above all value and truely it may be of this Piece said Materiam superabat opus I have sent you as you desired the Oath which the old valiant Knights of Scotland gave when they received the Order of Knighthood which was done with greater solemnity and magnificence W. Drummond Iuly 1. 1619. To his Worthy Friend M. A. G. I Never found any greater folly in the actions of Men than to see some busie themselves to understand the accidents to come of their lives This knowledge of things to come not revealed to us is no ways needful for us Wheresoever this superstition is once received Men are driven and as it were haunted with Furies and are deprived of all calmness quietness and rest I never knew any who had recourse to those unlawful curiosities who liv'd the ordinary age of man God omnipotent removing his Grace from them giveth them over to fall under the Fate of their own fears By the credulity and violent desire of him who inquireth to know these things Astrological Predictions come to pass not by the nature of the things themselves which are fortuital events and have no natural causes being voluntary The mistakings and uncertainties of these Predictions should make us contemn them Astrologi fingunt non docent The truth of Astrological Predictions is not to be refer'd to the constellations of heaven the Genethliaticks have other observations than the Stars they conjecture by the disposition temper complection of the person by the physiognomy age parents