frequent in that place He is a Prince we find little said of as to his person and possibly best to be considered in the Negative We find many things done by his Captains not by him which notwithstanding we may rather attribute to the stirring and violent humour of that age than either his age want of Genius or love of quiet yet herein appears somewhat of his Character that meeting with turbulent times and a martial people he met not with any Insurrections and was a gainer and though he did it by other hands we must suppose that their Motions were directed by his Brain that communicated Motion and Spirits unto them since the Minds of Kings like the first Mover turn all about yet are not perceived to move and it was no humane wit said their hearts were unscrutable The same year his Eldest Son John was caled to succeed who thinking that name ominous to Kings there wanted not examples as of him of England and him of France and fancying somewhat of the felicity of those two former Roberts was crowned King by the name of ROBERT the III. This man being unactive the weight of the Government rested upon his Brother Robert The first seven years of his Reign past in a calm with England by reason of two Truces but not without some fierce fewds among his Subjects one whereof was very memorable between Thomas Dunbar Earl of Murray and and James Lindsay Earl of Crawford and was most high insomuch that seeing the difficulty of reducing them he resolved to make this proposition to them That 300. of each side should try it by dint of Sword before the King the Conquered to be pardoned and the Conquerour advanced This being agreed on a place was appointed on the Northside of St. Johnstons but when they came to joyn battel there was one of one side missing whom when his party could not supply and none would relinquish the other a Tradesman stept out and for half a French Crown and promise of maintenance for his life filled up the company The fight was furious but none behaved himself more furiously than the Mercenary Champion who they say was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side there remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the shock of the other threw himself into the Tey and escaped By this means the fiercest of two Clanns being cut off the remainder being headless were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes 1398 a title then first brought into Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of whose reign though the Truce was not ended the seeds of War began to bloom out and upon this occasion George Earl of March had betrothed Elizabeth his Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Dowglass not brooking this gets a vote of Parliament for revocation of this marriage and by the power of Robert the Kings Brother made a marriage between Mary his Daughter and David and giving a greater sum got it confirmed in Parliament The Earl of March nettled at this demands redress but being not heard leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Percy an utter Enemy of the Dowglasses wast 's March and especially depredating the lands of the Dowglasses The Scots declare the Earl of March an Enemy and send to demand him up of the English who deny to surrender him This made Hot-spur Percy and March make several incursions into Scotland till at last they were repulsed at Linton-Bridge by the Dowglasses 1400. This was about the year four hundred at which time War was denounced and the English entred with a great Army took Haddington and Lieth and laid siege to Edinburgh Castle David the Kings Son being within it which the new Governour ambitiously delaying to relieve the English satisfied with the terrour they brought retired again After which March did not cease his little incursions which to be revenged of Dowglass divided his Forces into two Squadrons the first to Halyburton who returned from Barmborough with some prey the second and greater to Patrick Hepburn who unwarily roving with his prey was set on by the English and with all the youth of Lothian put to the Sword To revenge this Dowglass gets together 10000. men and passing beyond Newcastle met with young Percy c. who at Homildon a little village in Northumberland in the year 1401. gave gave him and his Party such a considerable defeat as Scotland had not receiv'd the like for a long time This put Percy in hope to reduce all beyond the Fryth but the troubles at home withdrew him from that design By this Annibal the Queen dying David her Son who by her means had been restrained broke out into his natural disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and Luxury Complaint being brought to his Father he commits him to his Brother the Governour whose secret design being to root out the off-spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Falkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one woman thrusting in some thin Oaten Cakes at a chink and another giving him milk out of her paps through a Trunck But both these being discovered the youth being forced to tear his own members died of a multiplied death which murder being whispered to the King and the King inquiring after it was so abused by the false representations of his Brother that grief and imprecations was all the relief he had left him as being now retired sickly to Bote-Castle and unable to punish him The King being solicitous of James his younger Son is resolved by the example of the good usage of David to send him to Charles the Sixth of France and having taken Shipping at the Basse as he past by the Promontory of Flamborough whether forc'd by tempest or that he was Sea-sick he was forc'd to land taken by the English and detained notwithstanding the allegation of a Truce of eight years and his Fathers Letters And though it came to the Privy Council to be debated yet his detention was carried in the Affirmative This advantage he had by his Captivity that he was well and carefully educated but the News so struck his Father that he had almost presently died but being carried into his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and sorrow he shortned his life three days longer viz. to the first of April 1406. He was a man of a goodly and a comely personage one rather fit for the tranquillity of a private life than the agitations of Royalty and indeed such an one whose Reigns do little else but fill up Chronologies with the number of their years Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour a man of parts able enough for that employment but
weal publick and Soveraignty Slow have I been in punishing injuries done to my self but can hardly pardon such as are done to the Commonwealth for this have I called this Parliament let rapine and out-rage no more be heard of but every man recal himself to a civil and regular form of life especially you my Nobles think vertue and civility true Nobility that to be accounted noblest which is best and that a mans own worth begets true glory By these and the obedience to their Princes your ancestors acquired what ye now enjoy there is no stronger means to keep the goods acquired from a Prince than the same by which they were first purchased which is still obeying Though by leagues Factions and the confounding of all true Policy and Order of Government Man may imagine he can shun the Judicatories of Man let none how great soever conceive he can save his wrongs unpunished from the Almighty hand of God Ye must not hereafter count Authority honesty and virtue idle names nor reckon that right which ye may win or hold by dint of Sword For me I will behave my self in my proceedings as I must answer to God and for you my Subjects do so as ye shall answer to God first and after to your Prince whom God hath set over you No mans Greatness shall appale me in doing right nor the meanness of any make him so contemptible that I shall not give ear to his grievance for I will strive to do justice on Oppressors and support the innocent to my uttermost Here he easily found the power which the Presence of a Prince hath over Subjects for having confirmed the minds of the Parliament a mutual oath passed between him and his Subjects The King swore if any made war against Scotland or went about to overthrow the ancient Laws of the Kingdom to resist and invade him with all his power The Estates swore if any by open Rebellion should revolt or conspire against the King or be found to be the Authors of Factions and Novations they should assist and side the King with all their forces after what manner he should command A Solemn Act was made that none of the Subjects should bind up a league together The King the more to assure the Clergy unto him swore to defend the liberties of the Church making an Act that all Church lands unjustly detained from them during the time of his Captivity should be restored unto them The Body of the Estate holding good for the King Mordock Duke of Albany with his Sons Walter and Alexander were presently arrested and committed as were likewise Duncan Earl of Lennox and Robert Graham a Man that dared give attempt upon those things which no honest man ever could think they were sent to Faulkland but the Duke to Carlaverock Archembald Earl of Dowglass with William Earl of Anguss the Kings Sisters son George Earl of March Walter Oguilby were committed but after set at liberty Adam Hepburn of Haylles Thomas Hay of Yeaster with others were sent to the Castle of St. Andrews That same day the Duke was Committed the King seized on his Castles at Faulkland in Fyfe and Down in Monteeth out of which he removed the Dutchess to Tantallon in Lothian James the youngest Son of the Duke whom former carriage and harmless behaviour had exempted from all suspicion of Treachery after the committing of his Father and Friends whether of a youthful insolency or desperate rage resolving to do and suffer all extremities or that he was contemned accompanied with a number of out-laws and Mountainers on the Holy-rood-day called the Invention of the Cross came to the Town of Dumbartoun set it on fire surprised there John Stuart of Dondonald surnamed the Red Uncle to the King slew him with thirty others after which cruel advising with fear and despair he fled into Ireland where he died The Wife of Walter Stuart his Brother with her two sons Andrew and Alexander with Arthur a base born hasted with him where they remained till the reign of King James the third The barbarous fierceness of James highly incensed the King against his Father and race diverted the current of his Clemency for when he thought by gentle incarcerations to have restrained their malice now he finds that that deaf Tyrant the Law can only secure himself and bring rest to his Subjects Whereupon the year following he calleth a Parliament at Sterling where the estates assembling the Duke with his two sons and Father-in-law the Earl of Lennox accusations being engrossed and articles exhibited against them out of the acts of former times of what hath been done unjustly ctuelly or amiss during the Kings captivity were presented arraigned and condemned Walter Earl of Athol being Judge to whom were adjoyned many noble men and Barons That same day on which their fatal sentence was pronounced the two young men Walter Stuart and Alexander Sons to the Duke were taken forth to the Hill which ariseth against the Castle of Sterling and had their heads cut off The day following Mordock Duke of Albany late Governour with Duncan Lennox Earl of Lennox was beheaded The deaths of these Noblemen were so far from breeding any distaste in the common People that out of their depraved disposition and envy against their betters they flowted at their fall reproached their insolencies delighted in their execution and as much without reason railed on them when they were dead as they had flattered them being alive Whether by the wisdom of the King it hath fallen out who caused abolish the Indictment being against persons so near unto him in blood or bluntness of those times which thought such clear evidences needed no Records the particulars of the Attaindor of these great men are swallowed up in dark oblivion Moved at the Imprisonment of his Son did Mordock with Lennox hating him whom they had wronged attempt against the Kings person and that same very Treason which afterwards had success was it then between the plot and the execution surprised and in the very head cut off The Earl of Athol a man whose desires were both extremely wicked and unbounded was a great actor in this Trady Did the King standing in fear of their extraordinary greatness bend his eyes upon the disposition of the Offenders squaring their actions by the rule of their intentions and weighing what not how far they did offend for Princes quickly free themselves from their very shadows in matter of jealousie of State And tney have great reason to prevent such crimes which cannot be punished when they are committed nor should they expect to amend a mischief when the Criminals are become Masters of their Judges People believe not that any conjure against a Prince till they find the Treason to have taken effect and distrust the Plot till they see him dead But the Death of such who are suspected to be the Authors of disorders in a Commonwealth spareth an infinite number of lives and much civil
the Publick-weal of the Kingdom for his private Considerations That after this trouble of State he might be more esteemed and sought after by the King as it is ordinarily practised among Princes and great men who affect only that which is necessary unto them To these the Earl answered That they had went too far forwards to think of any cowardly retreat and coming back again that the only vertue under a Tyrant was to die constantly that other vertues did fight but constancy alone triumphed That for himself he would never trust his life to the mercy of those who under colour of friendship and banqueting had first made away his two Kinsmen and after his own Brother for if they being Innocents were thus handled what might he expect who had been the occasion of such distraction in the State He that once had broken his faith except by a surety is unable again in Law to contract and enter in Bond with any who will be surety between a King and his Subjects That Treaties Agreements Covenants Bargains of a Prince with rebellious Subjects engage him no farther no longer than the Term-time or day which pleaseth him to accept observe and keep them as they turn or may turn to his utility and advantage that as in Nature there is no regress found from privation to an habit so neither in State men once disgraced do return to their former Honours That Princes mortally hated all Subjects who had either attempted to over-rule them by power or had cast any terrour upon them and howsoever by constraint they bear sail for a time in the end they were sure pay-masters That there was nothing more contrary to a good Agreement then to appear to be too earnest and busie to seek to obtain it he would sue for none That all his days he had loved sincerity constancy and fidelity and could not unsay and recant what he had promised and practised nor do against his heart His friends and his own standing was by their Swords which should either advance their enterprizes and turn them Victor or they would die Honourably like themselves and Men and not ignobly be murdered like Beasts This free and dangerous resolution of the Earl moved many who heard to provide for their own safety and resolve not to suffer long misery for other mens folly finding this war was not like to have any end and that danger and death would be the only reward of their Rebellion Amongst others the Earl of Crawford after great adversity when he could not move the Earl of Dowglass to submit himself to the Kings clemency with many tears and protestations of his sincerity love and counsel to him left him and some weeks after as the King was in Progress in Anguss in a sad penitential manner accompanied with his best friends coming in his way with much humility and sorrow He acknowledged his fault pleading rather for pity to his house which had so long flourished than to his person The King knowing his example would be no small occasion to weaken the power of the Earl of Dowglass and that of all the Rebels he was the greatest object of his Clemency was content to receive him but he would have it done by the mediation of James Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews and the Lord Creightoun once his greatest Enemies which he refused not to embrace Thus freely remitted with those who accompanied him he returned to his own House of Phanheaven where within few moneths he died of a burning Ague The three Estates after assembled at Edenburgh where James Earl of Dowglass the Countess Beatrix whom he kept by way of a pretended Marriage Archembald Dowglass Earl of Murray George Earl of Ormond John Dowglass Lord of Balveny with others their adherents friends and followers are Attainted of High Treason and their Lands and Goods are Confiscate and discerned to be seized on to the Kings use The Earldom of Murray is given to James Creighton who had married the eldest Daughter of the Earl of Murray but he perceiving he could not possess it in peace turned it back again to the King At this time George Creightoun was created Earl of Caithness William Hay Constable Earl of Arrol Darly Halles Boyd Lyle and Lorn Lords of Parliament the King maketh a rode into Galloway reducing every strong hold and Castle of the Country to his Power Dowglass-dale he abandoned to the spoil of the Souldier Matters at home turning desperate the Earl of Dowglass being brought to that pass that he knew not what to wish or fear James Hamilton of Cadyow is sent to England to invite the ancient enemy of the kingdom to take a part of her spoil and help to trouble the King But the English had greater business amongst themselves than could permit them to Wed the Quarrels of the Earl After Sir James Hamilton was returned with an excuse and regret that some of the English Lords could not supply their confusion but only by their counsel he advised the Earl of Dowglass to trust to his own Power and Forces which were sufficient measuring their Courage and not counting their Heads to hold good against the King There was no human affairs where men were not necessitated to run some danger nor any business taken in hand with such a certainty which by unknown causes and even light ones might not run a hazard of some mishap That he should study to embrace and accept of what was most honourable and least dangerous it was better once to try the worst then ever to be in fear of it it was fit for him to commit something to fortune and wisdom could counsel nothing but to shun the greatest evil This lingring war would not only tire but over-come and vanquish them when one fair day of battel either by death or victory would crown their desires Others advised him not to hazard upon a Battel except upon seen and approved advantage and to time it out a while in this lingring War a Truce might be agreed upon which ere long might turn in a Peace in which every thing passed might be forgotten and pardoned That Wars were managed more by occasions and times than by arms That the King could not be now but tyred since he had learned that by essaying by arms to overcome them he had gained nothing but trained up his Subjects whom he called Rebels in all Warlike Discipline and had his Country spoiled and the Policy defaced Should they once enter in blood all hopes were gone of any conditions of peace At this time the King besieged the Castle of Abercorn to relieve the besieged hither marcheth with all his Forces the Earl of Dowglass being come within view of the Kings Army he observeth their march slow the countenance of his Souldiers altered much whispering and their spirits in a manner dejected Countrymen were to Fight against Countrymen friends against friends and all against their Prince Interpreting this rather to proceed from their weariedness than
a neighbour Prince were sufficient to keep him safe on his Throne which by this match was endangered They suggested that the Boyds builded their estimation in the air of popular applause and endeavoured to endear themselves in the opinion of the multitude A Prince is not a Lord of that people that loveth another beter than him Should the Boyds be accused of peculate and robbing the King and the common Treasure 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 part by spoils and the taxing of the Subjects unlawfully The height to which their riches was encreased should be feared the faults of all the disorders of the Commonwealth are laid upon the Boyds as the Authors of every breaking out and sedition that they might the more securely possess the places near 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 mind naturally inclined to fears and superstition being long tossed and perplexed began to turn away from the Boyds 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 encreasing in years and youthful perturbations is counselled for the continuing of the Race and Succession and the keeping his Person without the common disorders of the world to think upon some match profitable for his Country and honourable 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 neighbours but his mind was not to have her married at all during his life-time Andrew Stwart Lord Evandale then Chancellour of the Kingdom with the Bishops of Glasgow and Orknay being sent Embassadours to Christern King of Denmark for an accommodation and taking up some business concerning the Isles of Orkenay and Schythland One thousand four hundred sixty eight 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 only an honourable retinue and convoy to bring home the Lady To this Negotiation by the craft of some about the King and vanity of others who gloried to see their friend promoted to such great honour Thomas Earl of Arran as a man flourishing in fame and riches and able to maintain 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 accompanied 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 months 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 near unto the King his Father and Uncle by age sickness and their private affairs 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 idleness and vacancy from the publick affairs of the State by which the Boyds thought they had kept him sure move him now a little delighting in action to proceed to the consideration of such matters as might be objected against the Government of the Boyds 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 Judgment to such points as should be exhibited against them At the appointed day the Lord Boyd appeared but accompanied 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 and scatter of their own free wills At this insolency and malepartness yet to our own time an usual custom 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 Boyds should oppose his laws by convocation of the Lieges The Lord Boyd after private intelligence of the Minds of the Court to blow him up rather amazed than 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 than 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 July One thousand four hundred sixty six they laid hands upon the Kings Person and against his purpose brought him off 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 of 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 Favourites 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 Council placing such in their rooms as had dependency from them Thomas Earl of Arran employed in a Publick charge by the kingdom absent unheard is declared Rebel 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 rendred the Baltick Seas Navigable when the Danish Lady with her Fleet Anchored in the Forth The Earl of Arran who was the Paranymphe and her convoy in that general gladness by the persuasions 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 abroad disguised and giving him particular information of the calamity of his house the weakness of his friends at Court and the many snares envy and malice had laid to surprise him he hoysted Sails
Dunkell his Uncle to offer them what honourable satisfaction they could require All that he propounded being rejected by implacable men and finding the only way to be freed of violence to be violent and that danger could not be avoyded but by a greater danger with an hundred hardy resolute men armed with long Spears and Pikes which the Citizens as he traversed the Streats 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 affrad The adverse party trusting to 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 Streats in great fury invade him Whilst the bickering continued and the Town is in a Tumult William Dowglass brother to the Earl of Anguss 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 Son to the Earl of Eglintoun Sir Patrick Hamiltoun Brother to the Earl of Arran with almost fourscore 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 Chancellour and his retinue took Sanctuary in the Dominican Fryers the tumult by the slaughter of some and flight of others appeased the Earl of Anguss 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 Anguss 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 Anguss 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 designâ— 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 off 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 coming 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 surprise the Earl of Anguss 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 fled into England Amongst which and the chief were the Humes and Cockburns men Authors and accessory to the death of Sir Anthony Darcy The tyde now turning and mens affections changed the Earl of Anguss with his Brother Sir George Dowglass 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 Country 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. Gavin Dowglass 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 whereof he much feared he was an irreconcilable Enemy to the whole Family of the Dowglasses The principal cause of his coming 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 buried 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 resolution to stay he denounced from his Master present war He farther complained That 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 near a whole year the Duke had importuned 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 banisht him a Foreiner 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 Kingdom 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 Kingdoms to be bestowed upon them of which number he was none having ever preferred a mean estate justly enjoyed before a Kingdom evil acquired For the Earl of Anguss he had used all Courtesies towards him notwithstanding of
away by the current of grief and swallowed up in the gulf of despair All his faults are but some few Warts in a most pleasing and beautiful Face He was very much beholding to the excellent Poets of his time whose commendation shall serve him for an Epitaph Ariosto who knew him only by fame in the Person of Zerbino whom he nameth Prince of Scotland glaunceth at his worth Zerbin di Bellezza e di Valore Sopra tutti i Signori eminente Di virtu essempio e di Bellezza raro In another place but Romzard who with his Queen came to Scotland and was his Domestick Servant describeth him more to the life Ce Roy D' Escosse estoit en la fleur de ses ans Ses Cheveux non tondus commine fin or linsans Câ—â— donnez et crespez flotans dessus sa face Et sur son col de laist luy donnoit bonne grace Son Port estoit royal son reguard vigoureux De vertus et de honneur de guerre amoureux La douceur et la force illustroient son visage Si que Venus et Mars en avoient fait partage So happy is a Prince when he cherisheth and is entertain'd by the rare spirits of his time that even when his Treasures Pomp State Followers Diadems and all external Glory leave him the sweet incense of his Fame in the Temple of Honour persumeth his Altars A Princes name is surer preserved and more deeply ingraven in Paper than in all the rusting Medals blasted Arches entombed Tombs which may serve to any as well as to him raised with such loss of time vain labours of Artizans vast expence to be the sport of the Winds Rains Tempests Thunder Earthquakes or if they shun all these of superstition faction and civil Broyls After this Prince had some years rested in a Tomb not only it but the most part of the Church was made equal to the ground by the Armies of his Uncle King Henry the Eight whose malice left him not even when he was dead proving as horrible an Uncle as Nero was a Son A while after he was transported to another Vault by the piety of his matchless Grand-Child James King of Great-Britain where he was embalmed again enshrined and his Coffin adorned with the Arms of the Kingdom cognoscances and a Crown With which Honours I leave him till some famous pen encouraged by the favours of his Royal Successors raise his Fame from the dust of obscure Papers to Eternity THE END MEMORIALS OF STATE Considerations to the KING December 1632. THere is nothing more dangerous to a King than to suffer Majesty and that sacred respect which a Subject oweth him to be violated and his Fame and Reputation lessened by other mens boldness whose presumption may lead them forwards not only to dally with his Person but with his Crown But his Ears are so often guarded by these men that he never heareth virtues till he hath granted what he cannot well amend and his wounds be incurable If a Prince hold any thing dear it should be the Right and Title of his Crown which concerneth not only himself but his Posterity out of which a small Jewel 〈◊〉 away maketh it the less Radiant And to all Subjects that should be as Mount Sinai not to be approached In every case we should take greater heed to what in it is hurtful than to what is in it profitable for what profit and commodity any thing carrieth with it easily presenteth it self unto us but any one point which may hurt us unless it be observed and carefully taken away may overthrow and bring to nought all that hath been rightly intended The restoring of the Earl Monteeth in blood and allowing his descent and title to the Earldom of Strathern is thought to be disadvantageous to the King's Majesty and that a more dangerous blow could not be given to the Nobleman himself We may easily conjecture of things to come and imagine them by those of the like nature which have proceeded The Stage of the World is the same still though in times the Actors be changed and come about again For the Kings Majesty it would be considered if Henry the sixth King of England would if it had been in his power reclaimed the approbation restoring in bloud and allowing of the descent and title of Richard Duke of York who openly in Parliament thereafter made claim for the Crown as in his own right laying down thus his title The Son of Ann Mortimer who came of Philipe the Daughter and sole heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence third Son to King Edward the third is to be preferred by very good right in Succesion of the Kingdom before the children of John of Gaunt the fourth Son of the said Edward the third but Richard Duke of York is come of Philipe the Daughter and sole Heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence third Son to K Edward the third then to be preferred before the children of the fourth Son who was Henry The like reason may be alledged in the Title of the Earl of Strathern The children of a first marriage by the common Law are to be preferred in the Succession before the children of the second marriage for the marrying of Elizabeth Moor did but legitimate and make her children to succeed after the children of the first marriage As for the authority of a Parliament it would be considered whether or not the Authority of a Parliament may confer and entail a Crown from the lawful Heir thereof to the next apparent heirs Or if an Oath given unto a King by mans Law should be performed when it tendeth to the suppression of Truth and Right which stand by the Law of God Then if one Parliament hath power to entail a Crown whether may not another Parliament upon the like considerations restore the same to the righteous heirs But the Subject resigneth all his right to his King It would be considered whether a subject may safely capitulate with his Prince that is to say give over and quit-claim all right and title which he hath to his Soveraigns Crown his Right being sufficient and if by his capitulation his heirs be bound and if it be honourable for a Prince to accept his conditions The trouble which Edward Baliol raised in Scotland is yet recent to the Readers of Histories Notwithstanding that his Father John Baliol had resigned unto Robert King of Scotland all the right and title which he or any other of his had or thereafter might have to the Crown of Scotland concerning any interest or claim which might be avouched for any cause or consideration He anno 1355. gave to Edward the third King of England a full resignation of his pretended Right of the Crown of Scotland As before being assisted by the said King and the confederate Gentlemen of Scotland in a Parliament holden at Perth where he had been confirmed King of Scotland by the three Estates It would be considered if
it was not out of any evil intention he had done it but only to procreat a Monster with which having nothing to sustain his life he might win his bread going about the Countrey For the like cause it may be thought these men found out their new Poesie differing from the Matters Manners Rules of former ages either they did not see the way of Poesie or were afraid to enter it The Verses of Camillus Quernus as they are imitated by Strada seem very plausible and to admiration to some but how far they are off right Poesie Children may guess These mens new conceptions approach nearer his than to the Majesty and Stateliness of the great Poets The contempt and undervaluing of Verses hath made men spare their travel in adorning them but Poesie as it hath overcome ignorance at last will overcome envy and contempt This I have been bold to write unto you not to give you any instruction but to manifest mine obedience to your request W. DRUMMOND To the Right Honourable the Earl of Sterlin WHen the pittiful news came of so dear Funerals though I had an intention to have written to your Lordship I restrained my self both because your wound was flagrant and that I had not an argument of comfort which was not your own Nothing is now left me but to manifest that the sence of this loss could not but perplex him grievously who never made any difference between your fortunes and his own I hold my self Copartner of all your Griefs as I have been of your prosperities I know your Fatherly affection I know too your constancy which being seasoned with piety will not suffer you to repine at that which is the determinate will of God Your erudition and experience instruct you that such accidents should be taken in a good part and chearfully which are not incident to us alone and which by our sighs tears plaints we may not evite and put far from us ye must not attend till time mitigate your languor for this do the vulgar sort of men with sola dies poterit tantum lenire dolorem A wise man should prevent and anticipate time over-run new-born Grief which is an ungrateful Guest thrusting out and ransacking the Matters of their Inn. I who am conscious to your patience and wisdom am assured ye have performed all this already upon which confidence I will leave off to trouble you farther or lay a heavier burthen and needless task upon my self W. DRUMMOND To _____ SHould ye think to escape this Enemy of Virtue Fortune when she never spareth the most Worthy Who hath ever yet in many excellencies been eminent whom she hath not either after one fashion or other if not trampled yet tossed And make not a long search in the old ages of the World and through the Mists of Antiquity but look upon our own Times and our Fathers Ye have Sidney cropped in the vigour of his Youth by a muthering Bullet Rawleigh brought to a fatal Scaffold la Nove with the Marquess D' Urfee complaining in miserable Prisons Tasso famishing in the like Thraldom the two Counts of Mirandula Spectacles of Pitty and Cruelty the one by too soon a Death if death can be too soon the other by being assassinated by his nearest Kinsmen As if Excellencies were the only Object of Disasters and some secret influence laboured to make the bravest of men and the basest equal Or that the superior powers thought Glory to belong only to them and no praise-worthy Actions should befall poor Mortals Yet should they not envy silly men a dusty honour which in some small moments of time vanisheth and reacheth no farther than the narrow bounds of some few Climates of this small Globe of the Earth We may doubt whether Excellencies and Heroical Virtues were to be desired with so many dangers and miseries lackying them or a homebred untaught rude Plebeian life W. DRUMMOND To S. W. A. SIR MY silence this time past proceeded no waies of any forgetfulness of you but from my many new cares and sorrows The loss of so many friends this season hath estranged me from my self and turned my mirth into mourning what civil arms and discord have performed in other kingdoms of Europe a still mortality hath done in this So many Funerals these many years have not been seen as in this one There are few bands of kindred societies acquaintances friendship which by death are not broken here without respect of Age vigour rank quality and justly this mortality might claim the name of Pestilence if the Dead were deprived of customary burial Well have some Astrological Divines guessed that this year should be the great Judgment What is recorded of the years 100. and 120. that Church-yards were not ample enough to contain the dead bodies but that new ground was digged up is true in this and what of the year 1348. that the third of mankind was sweeped from the Earth we may say that though this Country hath not lost the third yet that the Almighty providence hath taken away the tenth part of the people This is perhaps a part of that Judgement which the late blazing lights of Heaven did signifie unto us the defects of the Sun besides the malignant influences of other Celestial Bodies This one year is enough to make men hereafter if not altogether believe yet fear Astrological Predictions which though they fail in particulars yet strangely hold true in some generals Heavens I hope shall preserve you ad molliora et meliora tempora to be a witness and Recorder of their Just Proceedings on this Globe of the Earth for the Good of your self your Friends and all that love you W. DRUMMOND 1623. The Oath of a KNIGHT I Shall fortifie and defend the true holy Catholique and Christian Religion presently professed at all my Power I shall be loyal and true to my Soveraign Lord the King his Majesty and do honour and reverence to all Orders of Chevalrie and to the noble office of Arms. I shall fortifie and defend Justice to the uttermost of my power but feed or favour I shall never flie from the Kings Majesty my Lord and Master or his Lieutenant in time of battel or medly with dishonour I shall defend my native Country from all aliens and strangers at all my power I shall maintain and defend the honest Adoes and Quarrels of all Ladies of Honour Widows Orphans and Maids of good Fame I shall do diligence wherever I hear tell there is any Traytours Murtherers Rovers and Masterfull Theeves and Outlaws that suppress the Poor to bring them to the Law at all my Power I shall maintain and defend the Noble and gallant State of Chevalrie with Horses Harnesses and other Knightly Apparel to my Power I shall be diligent to enquire and seek to have the knowledge of all Articles and points touching or concerning my duty contained in the Book of Chevalrie All and sundry the Premisses I oblige me to keep and fulfil so
a man of such a violent and inveterate ambition as would sacrifice any thing to make it fuel to it self Soon after March and Dowglass were reconciled In the year 1411. Donald the Islander Lord of the Budae enters Ross as his pretended inheritance with ten thousand men and easily reduced it and flushed by this goes to Murray which being strengthless he easily mastered and pass'd spoiling into Bogy and approached Aberdeen To stop this torrent Alexander Earl of Mar followed by most of the Nobility met him at Harley a Village beyond Tey where they joyned in so bloody a Battle and lost so many noble and considerable Persons that though Night parted them neither could pretend to the Victory To this year doth the Vniversity of Saint Andrews owe its rise The next ten years nothing was done between the Scotch and English Henry the V. succeeding his Father and being wholly intent for France there was little to do between the two Nations unless some small incursions In the year 1419. Auxiliaries were sent into France 1419 and employed in Turain but they making merry in the Easter-Holidays the Duke of Clarence being informed thereof marches with a party to them but notwithstanding finding a stout repulse was himself with many of his Souldiers slain Whilst this happens in France in the year 1420. Robert the Governour dies and Mordack his Son a Sot was put in his place which he was so fit for that he could not govern his three Sons which was the cause of the Fathers and their ruines This Domestick Change called home the Forces employed in France but things being setled others went in their places Henry of England hearing of the death of Clarence made John Duke of BEDFORD his Vice-Roy himself intending to follow and carry JAMES of Scotland along with him the better either to win or suspend the hearts of the Scots but it was in vain for they said they would not obey a man that had not his own liberty Much action past afterwards between them and the English but we hasten to close with the Author MORDACK as it hath been said being Governour having neglected all Discipline at home suffered his Sons to come to that petulancy that they were not only offensive to all the people but withal disobedient to their Father who having a brave Faulcon which his Son WALTER had often begged but in vain he snatch'd it out of his Fathers hand and wrung off her neck which his Father being angry at Well says he Since I cannot govern thee I will bring one shall govern us both And from that day he ceased not to further the Redemption of the KING which was after ordered at an Assembly at Perth and an honourable Embassy sent into England With which this Author begins his History and we conclude this petty Labour The succeeding part which is to continue where he leaves is expected to be worthily performed by Mr. Saunderson and the precedent by the ingenious and learned Mr. Christopher Irwin But because we have made a part of promise to say somewhat of the Anchor who hath left himself the memory of an ingenious man by the things we have of his and for that it is but too common ingratitude to leave us better acquainted with the thoughts of men than with their persons and qualities many excellent Spirits leaving only their Spiritual parts behind them and little of their Corporal but their names we shall set down in brief what we understand concerning him WILLIAM DRUMMOND was the Son of Sir JOHN DRUMMOND and was born in the year 1585. and was brought up in Edenburgh where having past through his course of Philosophy he took the Degree of Master of Arts and in the year 1606. went into FRANCE to study the Laws as a way to raise him to preferment at Court But his wit being of a greater delicacy could not engage on the toyls and difficulties of that study as being wholly inclined to ease and retirement and a prosecution of the easier and softer entertainment of the Muses In this humour for he was especially addicted to POETRY having for that purpose sufficiently mastered the GREEK LATINE FRENCH SPANISH and ITALIAN Tongues as may appear by all his things of that nature lived retiredly with his Brother-in-Law till he was five and forty years of age at which time he unexpectedly married MARGARETE LOGANE a younger Daughter of the House of RESTELRIG He was not more retired in his Person then careless of his Fame all his Poems being Printed in loose sheets and only addressed to his Friends Yet though he retreated from all the World yet he was still found out for all the Learned and men of Quality gave him his due respect As for his own Countrey-men the Earl of STERLIN LEOCHEM and Doctor JOHNSON Besides though he were little in ENGLAND yet DANIEL DRAYTON and JOHNSON visit him by their Letters and testifyed their esteem of him All that we have of him is this Book and his Poems of which when they are to be published you will have better information In this manner he continued a harmless and a virtuous life till in the year 1649. he was summoned to pay his great debt to Nature having left a little before his death a quantity of books to the Library of Edenburgh Having premised thus much to satisfie the Reader as worthy to be foreknown though I have had little encouragement for my pains I shall cease being ingenious in another mans book and attend the restitution of that without which my self cannot subsist From my Chamber Jan. 24. 1680. IAMES I. KING OF Scotes Anō 1424 R Gaywood Fecit THE HISTORY OF THE Reign of James the first KING of SCOTLAND THE Nobles of Scotland being wearied with the form of their present Government for tho they had a King they enjoyed not the happiness of his sway by his restraint afar off under the power of a Stranger some of them were possessed with hopes by the change of the Head to find a change in the Body of the State and a flow of their ebbing Fortunes the Church-men and the Gentry having ever continued loyal and well-affected to the Lawful Heir of the Crown the Commons men delighting in Novations and ordinarily preferring uncertainties things unseen and to come to what for the time they did hold and enjoy the Governor of the Kingdom also himself irritated by the misdemeanour of his Children and forecasting the danger he might be plunged into if the States should purchase the recovery of their King he not complying to their Design all unanimously and together determine without longer prolongings to work the delivery of their Native Prince JAMES forth of England where he had been detained eighteen years as a Prisoner They who were chosen and got Commission to negotiate his Liberty were Archembald Earl of Dowglass Son to Archembald Duke of Turrain William Hay Constable of the Realm Alexander Irwin of Drumm Knight Henry Lightoun Bishop of
Aberdeen Alexander Cornwall Arch-Dean of Lothian These coming to London were graciously received by the State and severally entertained by King James and so many friends as either his Alliance or Virtues had acquired After some few days stay desiring to have audience in Counsel they were admitted where Bishop Lightoun is said to have spoken to this effect The respect and reverence which the Nation of the Scots carryeth toward all Kings is all where known but most that love and loyalty which they have to the sacred Persons of their own native Princes for as Monarchy is the most ancient form of Government so have they ever esteemed it the best it being more easie to find one instructed and trained up in heroical virtues than to find many And how well soever Governours and Vice-Gerents rule the Commmon-wealth yet is that Government but as the light of the Moon or stars in absence of the Sun and but representations of shadows for real Bodies This hath moved the three estates of that Kingdom to direct us here unto you Our King these many years hath been kept from us upon just or unjust Grounds we will not argue that providence which hath appointed every thing to its own end hath done this for the best both to you and us and we are now to treat with you for his Delivery Beseeching you to remember that his Father of Sacred memory recommended him out of that general duty which one Prince oweth to another to your Kings Protection in hope of Sanctuary and in request of aid and comfort against secret and therefore the more dangerous Enemies And to confess the Truth hitherto he hath heen more assured amongst you than if he had remained in his own Countrey your favours being many ways extended towards him having in all liberal Sciences and vertues brought him up That his abode with you seemeth rather to have been a remaining in an Academy then in any Captivity and thus he had been lost if he had not been lost Besides tho we have the happiness to claim his Birth and Stem ye have the claim of his Succession and Education He being now matched with the Royal Blood of England in Marriage Thus his Liberty which we entreat for is a benefit to your selves and those Princes which shall claim the descent of his off-spring For if it should fall forth as what may not by the variable changes of Kingdomes come to pass that this Prince by Usurpers and Rebels were disgarnished of his own Crown they are your Swords which should brandish to set him on his Royal throne We expect that as ye have many ways rendred him yours ye will not refuse to engage Him yet more by his Liberty which he must acknowledge wholly and freely to receive from you and by benefits and love to overcome a King is more than by force of Arms. And since he was not your Prisoner by chance of War having never raised Arms against you but by way of Protection detained here and entertained so ye will respecting your ancient honour and Generosity send him freely back to his own yet if it be so that ye will have acknowledgment for what ye have bestowed on his education the distress of the present estate of his Subjects and Crown considered We will not stand upon trifles of Money for the Redemption of a Prince above all price The Lords of the Council were diverse ways inclined to this Embassie some thought it not fit to dismiss him For his remaining in England seemed the more to assure the kingdom of Scotland unto them having the King and his children in their custody what dared they not enterprise or not bring to pass Or if Scotland should plot any thing by way of Rebellion the King having his party within the Realm by the assistance of the English would keep under the other Factions and thus the Estate by both being made weak it would be a fair breach for a Conquest and the annexing that Kingdom to the Crown of England That he knew too much of the Estate and affairs of England to be sent away to a Nation ever their enemies That being at liberty and amongst his own he might resent the injury of his long restraint Others of the Council thought it best to dismiss him They had learned by experience that the keeping of the King of the Scots hindered no ways the Scots from assisting the French yea rather that it did exasperate their choler and make them in Revenge addict themselves wholly to the French the Governour no ways keeping to the English and siding the French upon whom to be revenged they could find no surer way than to set at liberty the King whose return of necessity must needs change the face of the State and trouble him As for the conquest of the Crown of Scotland it was not at that time of such moment for England they having the most part of France in their Subjection which was as much if not more as they could hold then it would prove a more harmless and sure purchase to make Scotland theirs by the Succession of Lady Jane of Somerset than by war the event whereof is ever doubtful and beyond any assurance of Man The Liberty of the King of Scots might prevent the encreasing strength of the Kings Enemies in France and secure the Peace and tranquillity of the Common-wealth at home King James being all English by education if he proved not of their Party yet he must prove neutral to both the Kingdoms Henry the sixth then King of England being of under-age was governed by his three Uncles of his Fathers side Humphrey Duke of Glocester who was made Protector of his Person and Realm John Duke of Bedford who was established Regent of France and Thomas Duke of Excester But Henry Beaufoord Cardinal Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England a man eminent in Blood and Riches Uncle to the Lady Jane in effect governed all These gave way rather then approved that the King of Scots should be set at liberty and sent home And though they would have dismissed him freely in respect of the Dowry of his Queen which was not delivered having use of present moneys for the maintenance of the Wars in France and the more to cover the injustice of his Captivity they thought it expedient to set a Ransom upon him The Commissioners having met it was declared that for a sufficient sum of moneys their King might return and enjoy his own Liberty the one half to be paid in hand able Hostages remaining in England till the other half was fully discharged The Ransom agreed upon was four hundred thousand Marks but by the power of the Cardinal the third was discharged for which he was long after accused before the King by the Duke of Glocester The Governour and Estate of Scotland having known the sum laid upon them for the Liberty of the King though the hasty acquiring of it was grievous unto them preferring Glory
sort they set Tribute others they compel to Minister to them sustenance and necessaries The God Prince Law which they obey are their barbarous Chieftains amongst which he is thought the best who doth most transcend in Villany The King seemed to give small faith to these relations entertaining kindly and feasting from all parts all such who daigned to see him mostly those who were the Chiefs and Principals of the Families in these bounds by whose means all whom innocency did guard came freely to Court and many guilty by fair promises and hopes of the Kings clemency presented themselves Others though most refractory and unwilling at first that they might not seem out of the fashion of their Companions and appear suspect resorted thither Thinking these Offices might be interpreted to proceed of good will and obedience which were done of emulation Fourty of these Leaders and Chiefs meeting at once and being together within the inclosure of the Castle Walls were surprized and committed to close Prisons Some days after two whose wickedness was throughly known Alexander Mack-Rore or Mackrarey and John Mackcarture were hanged James Cambel for the murther of John of the Isles renownd amongst his own was beheaded The rest upon hope of further Tryal were committed to Prisons of which for example and terror to others many were executed the remains in peaceful manner sent home the King having graciously exhorted them to a life according to the Law of God and Man Alexander of the Isles Earl of Ross being taken in this trap was brought by the King to Perth where he was accused of oppression and many barbarous cruelties were proved against him yet such was the Kings clemency he was only some few days committed and after lovely advice at the Council-Table rather to obey his Prince than render himself Chieftain of Thievish Troops he was freely dismist but benefits oblige not ignoble Minds and mercy shown to a fierce and obstinate nature disgraceth the beauty of the clemency of a Prince for no sooner was he returned to his own Territories where interpreting imprisonment a dishonour and shame to a Man of his Power and Qualities and telling that a promise made by one imprisoned by the Judgment of Lawyers themselves was nothing worth he gathered together a Rabble of Outlaws and Mountainers came towards the Town of Innerness which peaceably he entered and was courteously received having before dispersed his men among the Fens and Hills toward the West they so soon as Night had brought the inhabitants to rest spoiled them and set their houses on fire And because the Castle was the place in which he had been surprized he besieged it with a thousand lewd fellows practised in daily depredations and Robberies At the noise of this cruelty the Gentlemen of the Neighbouring Shires from all quarters assemble themselves for the defence of their Friends the King listeth speedy preparations at the approach of which the Clans Whattons and Camerons with other Thieving Troups dispersed themselves and fled into their lurking holes Alexander abandoned of their Forces with so many as he could keep together fled into Lochquhabar from thence passed to the Isles deliberating to go to Ireland but things answered not his expectation for by his Spy finding that he was way-laid and that numbers of people a prize being set upon his head in all places laboured to surprize him when he had long continued desolate and a vagabond at last he began to intercede with his Friends at Court for Mercy to him from the King Sundry tempt the Kings Clemency but he will not promise nor assure them of any favour before Alexander in person as Supplyant render himself and his estate to his disposure Thus finding no escape and destitute of all help he was emboldned to come privately to Edinbrough there on Easter day wrapped in a mourning Garment and concealed in the dragg of the multitude the King being in the Church of the Holy-rood at divine Service he fell prostrate at his knees beseeching him for grace which at the request of the Queen and other Assisters he obtained His life and private estate was granted him but that he should do no more harm and be reduced to a more modest behaviour William Dowglass earl of Anguss was appointed to take him in custody and that within the Castle of Tantallon his Mother Euphem Daughter to Walter Lesly sometime Earl of Ross a Mannish implacable woman who had solicited and raised her Son to all that mischief was committed to the Isle of S. Colm Donald Balloch Cousin-germain to Alexander Lord of the Isles a man of a haughty mind resenting the Kings proceedings against his Cousin raised a great number of Out-laws and Robbers and invaded Lochquhabar omitting no cruelty which enraged Savages use to commit Alexander Stuart Earl of Marre and Alane Earl of Caithness with such numbers of People as they could in hast raise came to defend the Country against the incursions of these Highland men and rencountred them at Innerlochty where by an over-weening opinion of Victory which easily deceiveth young Souldiers imagining they went to fight with untrained raw Theeves who would never abide their march and misregard of martial Discipline Allan was slain and Alexander Earl of Marre discomfited and Balloch insolent of his Victory with a great Booty returned to the Isles The King at the Rumour of this disaster in all celerity with a great Army came to Dunstaffage intending from that to pass to the Isles which when the Clans and other chief men understood turning their defence into submission they came in hast to Dunstaffage and humbly begg'd pardon laying the fault of the whole Rebellion on Balloch and some adventuring Thieves many of which Balloch had pressed to that mischief against their minds the King finding extream rigour at that time a cure unreasonable taking their oath of fidelity and that they should persue Balloch and his followers accepted them in his favor only transporting some of the most factious along with him They in few days to seem worthy of the Kings mercy surprized a great number of them three hundred of which died all on Gibbets and punishment had taken away a much greater number had he not considered that there is no man so miserable who is not a member of the State The King lest hope of impunity might cherish Rebellion resolves to find Balloch and hearing he lurked in Ireland in the bounds of one named Odo he sends to have him delivered Odo either out of fear of the Kings displeasure or hope of rewards seizeth on him and suspecting if he sent him alive he might by power or stratagem slight his Convoy chopping off his head and sent it to King James then remaining at Sterling The Clans Whattons and Camerons spairing the Magistrates sword yet executing Justice by mutual slaughters one of another had rendred the North very peaceable of that scum of Thieves some Chieftains were shut up in fast Prisons among which two
most eminent in all mischiefs hating mortally others and hated of all good men Angus Duff of Strath-Navern and Angus Murray these the King out of Policy of State let out and set at liberty of purpose that they might be thrust forward in a greater danger Returning to their wild countries Duff nothing respecting the Kings clemency accompanied with many Thieves and Robbers driveth a great prey of cattle and other spoils from the Confines of Murray and Caithness which to recover Angus Murray that he might attempt something worthy of his life and liberty followeth with a great power of like Souldiers having now Authority to justifie his revenge on a guilty enemy he overtaketh Duff near unto Strath-Navern There strongly is it fought neither of the parties being inferiour to other in number cruelty or despair This conflict continued so fierce and eager that of both sides there remained scarce twelve persons alive and those so wounded that Justice had not whom to pursue An overthrow delightful and commodious for the peace and quiet of all the honest and vertuous Subjects of these Countries These many executions nothing appalled one Mac-Donald born in Ross a Thief flesht in all murthers mischievous without mercy equally greedy of blood and spoil who by Robberies had acquired great riches Amongst other cruelties he is said to have naild horse-shoes to the soles of a Widow because in her grief she had sworn in hast to report his wickedness to the King Being brought to Perth by men of his own qualities with twelve of his Associates the King caused them in like manner to be shod as they had served the woman and when three days for a spectacle to the people they had been hurried along the Town his companions were Gibbeted and he made shorter by the head Gross enormities cut away factions repressed the King maketh a Progress throughout all the parts of his Realm doing Justice upon all sorts of Male-factors neither did Pardons granted by the late Governour avail it being alledged that they expired by his death and though small faults might have been passed by such remissions yet horrible and crying crimes were not within the compass of such Authority Whilest he thus continues in the administration of Justice the favourable eye of Providence looketh upon him and in the year 1430. in the moneth of October Queen Jane is delivered of two Sons at Holy-Rood-House Alexander and James the one deceased in his infancy the other succeeded to his Father and was King To heighten the joy of his people and diffuse it universally many prisoners are set at liberty amongst which were Archibald Earl of Dowglass Sir Gilbert Kennedy the Kings Sisters Sons the Earl had been kept in Lochleavin the other in Sterling They had been committed rather upon suspicion of the times than men having spoken too freely against the present Government Alexander Earl of Ross was also set at liberty And that the King intended a real and sincere reconciliation the Earl of Dowglass was made Parent to his Children at the Font at this solemnity fifty Knights were Dubbed the first of which was William Dowglass son to the Earl who after succeeded to his Father in the Earldom of Dowglass A sweet calm diffusing it self through every corner of the Realm the King imagining the rest of his Reign to be but the enjoyment of a Crown sets his thoughts wholly to the works of Peace Many unreasonable Customs which were become to the vulgar Laws had many years continued in his Kingdom these he will either have abolished or amended To this effect he selecteth persons commended for wisdom gravity and uprightness of life through his Realm to pry into all abuses hear and determine of all sorts of quarrels and suits if any were brought unto them whereof the ordinary Judges either for fear dared not or power of stronger could not or for hatred or favour would not give any perfect Judgment To them he gave full Authority to make inquisition of the breach of poenal Statutes some hereby were punished by Fines others in their Lives he took away the deceit which had been occasioned by variety of measures for this end certain Iron measures were appointed to be made unto which the rest should be conform and like before his Reign not only in every Town and Shire but in every Mannor and House different measures were currant which abuse he abolished by Parliament The roughness of the times and perpetual wars and troubles of his Ancestors had near taken away the Arts and Handycrafts and turned the Sciences contemptible especially since the Reign of Alexander the third The Commons by the manifold changes and miseries of the Age affecting Barbarity the Nobles making Arms their whole study and care to the further advancement of the Commonwealth and that his Subjects might have occasion to avoid sloth and idleness the King from the Neighbour Continent and from England drew unto him the best Artizans and Manufactors whom either large priviledges or moneys could entice and oblige Of which such a fair number came and were so graciously received that they forgot their Native Countreys and here made their perpetual abode And what till this day Scotland enjoyeth of them owe all their beginning to these Times Schools of learning were founded to which great Liberties and Priviledges were granted the King well knowing that what ever is excellent in any Estate from them had beginning and seed and that there is no better means to sweeten and tame the wild nature of Men then to busie their spirits with peaceful and sedentary Exercises rude and untrained minds being inclinable of themselves to tumult and sedition To make a necessity of learning he made an Act that none of the Nobility should succeed to their Ancestors Heritage except they had some taste of the Civil Law or practice of the Country-Customs but this after was by them abolished Many famous men in all Sciences from the Noblest Universities of Christendom came hither as to the Sanctuary of the Muses where often the King himself in person graced their Lessons and when great matters did not withdraw him was Umpire to their harmless Conflicts Being himself religious he advanced Men learned and of good life to eminent places in the Church and that the best deservers might be discerned he distinguished the learned in degrees Making a Law that none should enjoy the room of a Canon in any Cathedral Church unless he were Batchelour in Divinity or at the least of the Canon Law Though he challenged King David and named him a grievous Saint to the Crown for dilapidating so much Rent in extraordinary Donations to the Church yet with great cost and magnificence he founded the Convent of Charters in Perth and bestowed fair Revennues upon it The excellent skill which he had in Musick and delight in Poesie made him affect Quiristers and he was the first that erected in his own Chappels and the Cathedral Churches of Scotland Organs being
not much known before his Reign to the Nation Peace hath its own dangers no less than Wars yea often such estates as have encreased their Dominions and became mighty by Wars have found their ruin in a luxurious peace Men by a voluptuous life becoming less sensible of true honour The Court and by that example the Country was become too soft and delicate superfluous in all delights and pleasures Masques Banqueting gorgeous apparel revelling were not only licensed but studied and admired Nothing did please what was not strange and far brought Charity began to be restrained publique magnificence falling in private Riot What was wont to entertain whole Families and a train of goodly men was now spent in dressing of some little rooms and the womannish decking of the persons of some few Hermophradites To these the wise King had a while given way knowing that delicate soft times were more easie to be governed and a people given to mild arts and a sweet condition of life than rough and barbarous so they turned not altogether womanized and that it was an easie matter to bring them back again to their old posture At these abuses some of the severer sort of the Clergy began to carp yet could they not challenge the Prince who in the entertainment of his own person scarce exceeded the degree of any private Man yea was often under the Pomp and Majesty of a King But the blemish of all this excess was laid on the English who by the Queen their Country woman with new guises daily resorted hither and turned new-fangle the Court. The King not only listened to their plaints but called a Parliament to satisfie their humours Here Henry Wardlaw Bishop of S. Andrews highly aggravating the abuses and superfluities of Court and Country all disorders were pry'd into and Statutes made against them They abolished Riots of all sorts of Pearl many Rivers in Scotland affording them not only for use but for excess only women were permitted to wear a small Carkanet of them about their Necks costly Furs and Ermins were wholly forbidden together with the abuse of Gold and Silver lace Penalties were not only imposed upon the transgressours but on workmen which should make or sell them excessive expense in banqueting was restrained and dainties banished from the Tables of Epicures with Jeasters and Buffons In this year 1430. the first of June was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun at three of the clock afternoon the day turning black for the space of an half hour as though it had been Night therefore it was after called of the Commons The BLACK HOUR The last and greatest matter which busied the Kings thoughts was the encreasing of his Revenues and bringing back the Demesn of the Crown a work no less dangerous than deep and difficil and which at last procured him greatest hatred For till then smothered malice did never burst forth in open flames And though this diligence of the King concerned much the publick weal yet such as were interessed by rendring what they had long possessed though without all reason esteemed themselves highly wronged The Patrimony of the Crown had been wasted and given away by the two Governours to keep themselves popular and shun the envy of a factious Nobility Thus the King had neither in magnificence to maintain himself nor bestow upon his friends or strangers He had advisedly perused all evidences and charters belonging to the Crown hereupon he recalls all such Lands as had been either alienated from it or wrongfully usurped Together what was wont to be idly given away as forfeitures escheats and wards were restrained to the Crown and kept to the King himself There remained upon considerations of encreasing the Demesns of the Crown the Lands of the Earl of March whose Father had rebelled against the Kings Father Robert though faults be personal and not hereditary and the heirs of ancient houses hold little of their last possessours but of their Predecessours those the King seized on The Earl proved by good evidences and writings brought forth his Father had been pardoned for that fault by the Regents of the Kingdom he was answered again that it was not in the Regents power to pardon an offence against the State and that it was expresly provided by the Laws in crimes of Lese Majesty That children should undergo punishment for their Fathers transgressions to the end that being thus heirs to their Fathers rashness as they are to their Goods and Lands they should not at any time with vast ambition in the haughty Pride of their own Power plot or practise to shake and tear the Publick Peace of the Prince and Country Thus was the remission by the Parliament declared void and Earl George himself committed to the Castle at Edenbrough William Earl of Anguss Warden of the Middle March William Creightoun Chancellour Sir Adam Hepburn of Hailles immediately received the Castle of Dumbar the keeping of which was given to Sir Adam Hepburn The King not long after set Earl George at Liberty and to save him from the like dangers which were wont to befall his Predecessours to fly into England for every small cross and light displeasure at Court he bestowed on him as it were in exchange for these lands in the Marss the Earldom of Buchan in the North with a yearly pension to be paid out of the Earldom of March setting the Tay and the Forth betwixt him and his too kind friends of England Buchan had faln to the King by the decease of John who was Son to Robert the second and Earl of Buchan he was slain at Vernveill in France with the Marshal Duglass and left no lawful children after him to succeed The Earldom of Marre was incorporate also to the Demesn Royal by the decease of Alexander Stuart Earl of Marre who was natural Son to Alexander Stuart who was the Son of Robert the Second He was a Man of singular prowess and in his youth followed the Wars under Philip Duke of Burgundy he married Jane Daughter to the Earl of Holland and had greatly obliged his Country by transporting Stallions and Mares hither out of Hungary the Stood of which continued long after to his commendation and the commodity of the Kingdom The Earldom of Strathern was appropriated also to the Crown by the Decease of David Stuart Earl of Strathern Uncle to the King who having but one only Daughter who was married to Patrick Graham a younger brother of the Lord Grahams the Earldom being tailed to the Masculine Line was devolved again to the Crown Thus did King James succeed to three Brothers who were Sons to Robert the Second All good men with these proceedings of the King were well pleased for if Princes could keep their own and that which justly belongeth unto them they could not be urged to draw such extraordinary Subsidies from the blood sweat and tears of their people yet was this the Shelf on which this Prince perished for many who were accustomed
to be co-partners of such off-fallings began to storm and repine at his actions but none was so implacable as Robert Graham Uncle and Tutor to Miles Graham the Son of Euphem daughter to David Earl of Strathern For plotting mischief he began to rail speak in high terms associate himself with others of his own mind Notwithstanding that the King Anno 1428. in September had bestowed on his Nephew the Lands and Earldom of Monteeth in compensation of that of Strathern to which he pretended right it being an appenage of the Crown About this time Embassadors came into Scotland from Ericus the King of Denmark requiring of King James the payment of a yearly Tribute which was due to him as King of Norway for the Western Isles according to the Covenant and Agreement made by Alexander the third King of Scotland and his Predecessor Magnus the son of Acho then King of Norway the Embassador was honourably received and Sir William Creighton Chancellor directed to go with him to Denmark who there renewed the old League between the Realms setled questionable matters and confirmed a perfect amity and stedfast Peace Embassadors came also from Charles the French King not only to confirm the old Amity between Scotland and France but for a better assurance thereof to have Margaret eldest Daughter to King James already betrothed to Lewis the Daulphin who now was thirteen years of Age delivered to them and convoyed to France The English foreknowing this Alliance had before sent the Lord Scroop with other Associates to him in Embassage to have the old League between the French and the Scots dissolved and to joyn the Kings Daughter in marriage with Henry the sixth their King promising if the King would thereunto agree and joyn in League with them that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered to the Power of the Scots with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Redcross which when William the Conquerour granted Cumberland to the Scots marched England and Scotland and is now a fragment of a Cross in Richmond-shire neer the Spittle on Stanmoor about which is nothing but a wild desert Having Audience the Lord Scroop spake before the Council to this purpose I am directed hither by my Master and his Council about a business which concerneth the Honour and profit of the two Kingdoms above any other which can be projected and it is the establishing of a perpetual Peace and Concord between them and happily when it shall please the higher Providence their uniting in one Body under one Prince one day How vain the attempting of this heretofore by Arms hath proved the world can but too well bear witness the many proofs of eithers valour against themselves having been but a lavish effusion of humane Blood the fairest way the easiest means to make enmities cease and these ancient Quarrels was begun Sir in your Person by the happy Marriage of the Daughter of John Duke of Somerset brother to King Henry the fourth and Son to the Duke of Lancaster and prosperously hath continued these years past Now the Peace may be lasting and the affections and minds of the two Nations soldered together Our Request is that this Alliance may be again renewed by the Marriage of your eldest Daughter with our young King a most fitting and equal match And in seeking of her we crave but our own She is descended of our Royal Stem and if again she be ingrafted in that stock out of which she sprang it is but natural And you my Lords where can ye find a Match more Honourable for both Nations Where can ye find a better and more profitable friendship than Ours Are we not a people inhabiting one Island have we not both one Language are we not of like Habit and Fashion of like quality and condition of Life guarded and separated from the other World by the great depths of the Ocean What evil Customs have come into your Countrey by your last Allyance with us Nay what Civility Policy and laudable Fashions to the confusion of Barbarity have not followed hereupon By this the Glory of both Realms will encrease either being sufficient not only to furnish necessaries but even all lawful and moderate contentments of life to support others Besides that an assurance of Defence Strength and Power to invade ease in undergoing publick Charges will hereby follow We are not ignorant that your Lady is designed for France but how long alass will ye continue prodigal of your blood for the French What have ye advantaged your selves by your Alliance with France save that they engage your bodies in their Wars and by conferring upon you unprofitable titles of honour take from you what is truly real ye are reserved a Postern-gate by which they may enter England diverting our Forces and transporting the Stage of the War upon our Borders Learn to forget your French or if ye be so enamoured with France love her after our manner come take a share be partakers of our Victories Are not our Forces being joyned sufficient to overcome nay bring in chains hither that King of Bruges and make our selves Masters of his Continent France never did so much good to Scotland in twenty years as Scotland hath had loss by England for the love and cause of France in one Are not your wounds at Vernueil and Cravant yet bleeding and all for the French It hath been your valour and not the French which heretofore empeached our conquest and progress in France were it not for your swords we had made ere now the loftiest tops of the Alps or Pyrenees bear our Trophies Ye say ye reverence and cannot break your old League and confederation with that Kingdom happy Leagues but wo to the keepers of them unhappy Scotland and too too honest and the more unhappy for that thy honesty is the great cause of thy mishaps How long shall that old League counted amongst the Fables of the Ancient Falladines make you waste your lives goods fortunes and lose your better Friends The Genius of this Isle seemeth to cry unto us her Nurselings to stay our cruel hands no longer to be her desolation and the wrack one of another not to pass over and neglect these fair occasions of mutual Alliances which will not only effectuate Truces and Leagues amongst our selves but at last bring a perpetual Peace and Union for by interchange of Marriages being united this Isle shall continue stronger by entertaining Peace and Amity then by all these Giant walls Rampiers of Mountains and that huge ditch of Seas by which Nature hath environed and fortified her Now that he may know how dearly we esteem your friendship and Alliance whereas others go to take from you we will give you Roxburgh Berwick and all the Lands between Tweed and Redcross If shadows prevail and prove stronger with you than essential reason and that ye disesteem our offer losing this good occasion we as Neighbours and Friends entreat you that
ye do not uphold the French now in the Sun-set of their Fortunes and at their weakest that ye would not shoulder this falling wall but that ye would live quiet within your selves keeping your own in a Neutrality receiving both sides French and English in the way of Friendship neither side in the way of Faction The French Embassadour spoke to this purpose It seemeth strange to me that it should be questioned and fall within the Circle of deliberation whether old ever true and assured Friends or old never trusted and only Enemies should in an honourable suit be preferred whether ye should stand to a Nation which in your greatest calamities never abandoned you or embrace and be carried away with one which hath ever sought your overthrow The English sue for your alliance and friendship but it is to make you leave your old Confederates and turn the instruments of their ruine and at last bring the yoke of bondage upon your selves The French sue for your friendship and alliance both to support themselves and hold servitude from you were not your friendship with France their power policy and number had long ere these days over-turned your Realm or had France but shown her self an indifferent Arbitress of the blows between Scotland and England ye had scarce till now kept your Name less your Liberties can ye prove so ungrateful as not to supply them who supported you Can ye prove so unconstant after so many glorious wounds received in the defence of France as cowardly to turn your backs upon her in her greatest need defacing all the Traces of your former Fame and Glory with what countenances could ye look upon those Scots which at Vernueill and Cravant in the Bed of honour left their lives if unrevenged ye should adhere and joyn your selves to their Enemies and Killers Now though ye would forsake the French at this time intangled in many difficulties not regarding their well being nor be solicitous of their standing at least be careful of your own It cannot subsist with your well and safety to suffer a bordering Nation always at enmity with you to arise to that height and power by such an addition as is the Kingdom of France so soon as a State hath a Neighbour strong enough and able to subdue it it is no more to be esteemed a free Estate The English are already become so Potent that no less than united forces of neighbour Kingdoms will serve to stop the current of their fortune Neglect not the certain love of the French your often tryed and ancient friends for the uncertain friendship and within a little time forgotten Alliances of the English your late reconciled Enemies But it may be after mutual marriages have one day joyned your two Kingdoms in one they will seek no preheminency over your State nor make thrall your Kingdom but be knit up with you in a perfect union Do not small brooks lose their names when they commix their Streams with mighty Rivers and are not Rivers ingolfed when they mingle their waters with the Seas Ye enjoy now a kind of mixed Government my Lords not living under absolute Soveraignty your King proceedeth with you more by Prayers and Requests than by Precepts and Commandments and is rather your Head than Soveraign as ruling a Nation not conquered But when ye shall be joyned in a Body with that Kingdom which is absolutely Royal and purely Monarchical having long suffered the Laws of a Conquerour ye shall find a change and a terrible transformation The free managing of your own affairs shall be taken from you Laws Magistracies Honours shall depend on them the wealth of your Kingdom shall be transferred to theirs which to obey and prostrate your selves unto if ye be found stubborn ye shall suffer as a Nation Conquered be redacted in a Province have Deputies and Governours set over you Garrisons in your strongest holds and Castles and by a calm of Peace and Union receive more fearful blowes than ye could have suffered by any Tempest of War The miseries of a most lamentable Servitude What courtesie can ye expect at their hands who contrary to all divine and human Laws detained your King eighteen years prisoner and besides an exorbitant Ransom as if he had been taken in a lawful war did not without Hostages send him home We of France did never forsake you in your extremities and we expect ye will assist us with all your power They are in suit of your Daughter but it is long after she was assured unto us in claiming her we claim but our own this time past ye have only had the custody and education of her yet if they be so ambitious of your Alliance God hath blessed you with more than this But it is not that which they sue for it is to make you disclaim your Friends hate those which love you and love them which hate you and they are working upon you as a rude unpolisht people They offer to render you Berwick and Roxburgh these gifts of Enemies ought to be feared they know it is in their own power to re-obtain them when they please As for that point wherein they would have you indifferent spectators of the blowes and that it shall be profitable for you not to meddle with this War ye are too near engaged neither is there any thing can be more dammageable unto you for if ye be not of the party ye may assure your selves that your Country shall remain a Prey and reward to the Conquerour with content and applause of the vanquished who is not bound to succour those who refuse to assist and help him in his necessities Prove firm and constant to us your first Confederates combine your Forces with ours and by the assistance of that Supreme Providence who pittieth at last the oppressed we have fair certainties and true hopes to cut so much work abroad to the English that they shall do little or no harm to you at home The King and Nobles though it seemed more profitable for the present time to follow the English weighing their offers yet held it more advantageous and sure for coming times to follow the French for if the English should make conquest of France the Conquest of Scotland would scarce be one Months work to their power and for matter of Allyance God knows how little Princes regard it when occasion is offered to enlarge their power and Dominion Thereupon they declare they will not break the ancient League and Peace they have kept with France The English Embassadours denyed of their suit went from Prayers and Requests to threatnings and menacings and having friendship refused denounced War If the King gave his Daughter to the French that they if they could would hinder her passage by Sea having already a Fleet prepared to this effect and thus went away the English Embassadours The King was so far from being moved by these threatnings that immediately he made ready his Ships and knowing more
and his own services neglected They being ever accustomed in times of Peace to be nearest the Helm of the State and when any danger of war blazed sent abroad to encounter it In a confusion of those thoughts being diversly tossed he retireth to his own Castles and after great resolves proclaimeth that none of his Vassals or Tenants especially within Annandale and Dowglass-Dale parts remote from the more Civil Towns of the Kingdom should acknowledg thâ— present Government or obey any precepts licences or proclamations whereunto the Governours or Chancellours hands were set If any question of Law or contention arose amongst his Friends Vassals Tenants He knew none fitter to be their Judge sentence all their wrongs attone and take up their quarrels than himself To discover to the world the weakness of the two Rulers and how men never so well qualified small in means and silly of power were not for great places he giveth way for the increasing of evil overseeing many disorders of which he was the secret cause especially the insolencies of vagabonding and ravaging Borderers Men of purpose sent forth to spoil and rifle the more quiet parts of the Country and to cut work to these strengthless States-men as he named them Thus as overcome with sloth and pleasure he passed some moneths amidst Country contentments expecting what effect time would bring forth of the equal authority of those two Governours for to fit minds equal in authority to so even a temper that they should not have some motions of dissenting he thought impossible Neither did his conjecture fail him the event being the only judge of opinions for after this the Governour began to jarr with the Chancellour for ingrossing wholly to himself from his Partner the person of the King as an honour which could not altogether be separate from his place and which would give the greater authority to his proceedings urging the Chancellour in many other matters had usurped and taken upon him more than the Parliament granted The Chancellour was no better affected towards the Governour what the Governour commanded to be done he one way or other over-turned The buildings of the one was by the other demolish'd by common and continual brawlings thus living in turmoil neither of them was obeyed the Country usurped a licentious liberty every man doing what he thought best for his particular advantage and gain The remote Villages of the Kingdom are left a prey to the lawless multitude where their authority is scorned turn places of Robbery where admitted places of faction The Queen all this time after her ordinary custom remained in the Castle of Sterling The divisions partialities jealousies of the Rulers she taketh in an evil part knowing usually they had a dangerous consequence She had ever found the Governour sincere and loyal in his proceedings against his counsel and will her Son was kept from her by the Chancellour whom the great ones hated for possessing the King for drawing to Offices of best trust and benefit his own creatures displacing such he suspected to favour his partner in Rule and the Commons loved him not as managing every thing after his pleasure to their damage and loss Transported by divers motions she at last resolveth to change the Game of State and by a womanish conceit befool Masculine Policy To effectuate her purpose she came to Edenburgh and by many fair and passionate speeches obtained of the Chancellour to enter the Castle and delight her self some days with the company of her Son Then to countenance her Plot she giveth out a Pilgrimage intended by her to the white Kirk in Buchan There will she make offerings for the health of the King and perform her other vows The honest States-man who thought it disloyalty to distrust a Queen and a Mother whom years had made reverend and impiety to hinder such religious intentions giveth leave to her self with some Servants to remain in the Castle and to transport her houshold stuff and other necessaries after what manner she pleased In this time she persuadeth the King wantonly set and delighting to be obsequious to Her his Mother to be handsomly couched in a Trunk as if he had been some fardel of her apparel and conveyed by one of her trustiest Servants upon a Sumpter-horse to Leith from whence he was put forward by water to Sterling there received by the Governour and welcomed with great joy and laughter at the manner of their so quaintly deceiving the grave man By this advantage the Reins of Rule were now taken by the Governour The Queens trick is approved his own proceedings are strengthned and confirmed Proclamations are made against the Chancellour and he charged to render the Castle of Edenburgh to the King which he refused to do by a great Power raised by the Governour of the Countrey and the Queens and his own followers he is besieged and blocked up within the Castle The Chancellour ready to fall in the danger considering he had to do with too strong a party imploreth the assistance of the Earl of Dowglass but the Earl as a matter he had long expected and earnestly wished might fall forth refuseth to assist any of them saying It belonged not to the ancient Nobility to succour these Mushrooms whose ambition with no less could he satiate than the Government of the whole Realm This disdainful answer procured a meeting of the two Rulers which concluded in the rendring of the Castle to the Governour and a promise of true friendship between them that they might not prove a sport to the envious Nobility The Governour to shew the roundness of his intentions and his honesty continueth the Chancellour in his office and restoreth him to the keeping of the Castle of Edenburgh After this agreement the Earl of Dowglass left this world at Restalrigge the year One thousand four hundred thirty nine leaving behind him a Son born of the Earl of Crawfords daughter named William who succeeded to his Fathers Honours and Ambition Malcolm Flamin of Cammarnald and Allan Lawder upon this young Earls oath of Allegiance to the Crown of France obtain to him from the French King the Dutchy of Tourrain which his Father had enjoyed and given to Archibald his Grandfather slain at Vernueil This forein dignity with his titles at home made the young man very haughty and to forget moderation Discretion in youth seldom attending great fortunes He surpassed far the King in his followers and train being accustomed to have hundreds of Horse men attending him most of which were Robbers and men living upon unlawful spoils all under his Protection But however thus he seemed to set forth his greatness this seemed much to bewray a distrust and that he rather travelled amongst a people which hated him than amongst his friends and men lovingly disposed James Stuart Son to the Lord of Lorne about this time marryed the Queen Dowager not so much out of love of her Person as Dowry as of Ambition by her means intending
to reach the Government of the State and get into his custody the Person of the King And that it might rather seem the work of others out of conveniency than any appetite of his own he so insinuated himself with the Earl of Dowglass that the Earl essayed to lay the first ground-work of his aims The Governour who never wanted his own Spies near the Queen at the first inkling of this novation committed both him and his Brother William into the Castle of Sterlin The Queen whether she followed her Husband or was restrained uncertain staied with them and now began to repent her of the former courtesies done to the Governour wishing her Son had yet remained in the custody of the Chancellour who not so displeased at their imprisonment as he appeared in outward-show delighting in the errours of his Partner by Alexander Earl of Huntley trafficked and wrought their liberty Thus insinuating himself in the Queens favour he irritated her against the Governour whom yet outwardly he entertained with ceremonies of Friendship approving his Sagacity in preventing a storm in the State before it brake forth here the Governour found how that same Key which can open a Treasure can shut it up for after this the Queen prepared her Son for a change The Governour carefully ministring Justice at Perth the Chancellour one morning coming to the Park of Sterling where the King was hunting by the providence of his Mother more early raised for this sport she bewailed the present estate of his Court that he was thralled to the covetousness and pleasure of others living under the power of a man greedy of Rule that a King of France is declared to be of full years and Major the fourteenth of his age that a Prince should transfer his affection especially in tender years that by an escape he might enjoy a princely freedom better know himself and make his Rulers relish his Authority that three hours was sometimes of more importance than three days and one hour of more than all the three that he should take hold of the present occasion offered him Prepared with such informations he is no sooner accosted by the Chancellour when approving his motions he posted towards Edenburgh with him received all the way as he went with many companies of the Chancellours friends and attendants The Governour finding the face of the Court altered by a King young in years and judgment possessed by his Mother dissimulating his interest in a patient and calm manner cometh to Edenburgh there after long conference and mediation of friends in Saint Giles's Church he meeteth the Chancellour and by the Bishop of Murray's and Aberdeen's diligence an agreement is between them concluded which was That the King should remain in the custody of the Chancellour and the Governour should still enjoy his charge Amongst these divisions of the Rulers the Queen all this time handsomly kept some authority affecting and entertaining sometimes the one of them sometimes the other as by turns they governed the King and State The many and great disorders in the Country invited a Parliament the authority of Magistrates was despised no justice was administred in many places few could keep their Goods or be assured of their Lives but by taking themselves to the servitude of one Faction or other Troubles arose in the West by the slaughter of Sir Allan Stuart Lord Darnley killed by Sir Thomas Boyd and by the Revenge of his Death taken by Alexander Stewart of Bolmet his Brother upon the Boyd the Highland Islanders invade the Territories adjacent to them spoyl and burn the Lennox where John Calhowen of Luss is massacred These cruelties and insolencies against all justice and authority being avouched such to beware held fit to be remedied and courses laid down to obviate them but William Earl of Dowglass permitting wickedness and winking at mischief often approving them for lawful and good policy whilst he neither reformed them himself by his power nor suffered the Rulers to proceed against them by their authority purchased to himself the name and reputation of a lawless and strong oppressor The three Estates assembled complaints being given up against Oppressours most against him and his followers as the source from which the miseries of the Country sprang he appeareth not nor any to answer for him The Parliament determinateth to proceed by way of Rigour against him but to this the two Rulers oppose persuading them that fair speeches and entreaties was a safer and easier way to draw unto them a young Man mighty in riches and power arrogant by his many Followers and Vassals than to give out a Sentence against him before he were heard and by threatnings stir his turbulent and ambitious thoughts which instead of making him calm might turn his neutrality in a perfect Rebellion and his insolency in madness and despair Neither as the present estate of the Country stood could he without civil blood be commanded and brought in which by moderation might be effectuate that verity enjoyed not always that priviledge to be spoken in every place and time it was good to keep up in silence matters concerning him the speaking of which might produce any dangerous effecâ— Upon this Letters in their name are sent unto him remembring him of the splendor and glory of his Ancestors the place and dignity he possessed by them in Parliament that without his presence they neither would or could proceed in great matters If he apprehended any cause of let or stay by the offences and disorders committed by his Attendants and followers they would freely remit them as accidents following the injury of the times and his yet tender years his greatest fault being his giving way out of rashness and negligence to the faults of others That of himself they had conceived such singular hopes of great towardness and all venues if he would come and take a part with them giving in his complaints and grievances he should not only have full satisfaction but be honoured with what place or charge in the Government he liked best by honouring them with his Presence he should oblige not only his Country infinitely but particularly every one of them to stand for him to the utmost of their powers and wishes This Letter wrought powerfully upon the Mind of the Earl by nature and years desirous of glory and preferment and believing easily that which was plausible to his hopes His friends who now began to promise to themselves new Heavens think upon great matters and forecast to themselves by the change of their Lords Fortune a change of Offices in the State persuade him likewise to come to the Parliament and they divulged the certainty of his Progress The Chancellour when he understood he was upon his way rode forth of Edenburgh to meet him and by many obsequious complements and friendly blandishments allured and drew him to his Castle of Creighton which was in his way where some days he rested and was honourably entertained
This Earl ambitious factious popular subtile vindicative prompt in the execution of his enterprizes liberal and far from the dor-muse humour of his Father began to think neither himself nor his kindred in safety if the deaths of his Brothers and Cousins wrought by the two Rulers remained unrevenged and therefore since openly without troubling the common peace of the Country he could not by secret and umbragious ways he laboureth to bring it to pass procuring a far off a disobedience to their Decrees and contempt of their Authority by men in a great distance from him in place blood friendship and familiarity who after any fashion grudged repined complained of the present form of Government or aggravated imaginary wrongs are supported and protected by him his houses turned places of Refuge to distressed Male-contents One John Gormack of Athol not without suspicion that he wrought by the motion and order of the Earl and understood his Cabal essayed with a great number of Out-laws to hinder the execution of a Malefactor and take him by main force from the Sheriff of Perth William Ruthen but he perished in the enterprize Patrick Gilbreath in the Castle of Dumbartoun for priority of command killeth Robert Simple and to save his person or justifie his homicide flyeth to the Earl of Dowglass by whom he is protected notwithstanding the many informations given in against him at Court and his citation to answer to Justice The King whose non-age was now near expired began to relish the sweetness of Government in his own person and became tyr'd of the long and awful tutelage of his jarring Rulers and the flower of his Youth seeming fram'd for great affairs promised the fruit of a wise and happy Reign finding it difficult to put men near daily unto him long experienced and greedy of Rule from high places except by the entertaining a stronger and more powerful faction He setteth his thoughts upon the Earl of Dowglass small favours to him would be a great umbrage to the ambition of his Tutors bring them within the compass of answering to what might be objected to them concerning their service in the State he would not sue to the Earl but as occasion served he gave many signs and open speeches that he had not altogether withdrawn his love and favour from the ancient House of the Dowglasses their passed faults being by them acknowledged and recompenced with fidelity and obedience in times coming The Earl of Dowglass whose towardness and liberality had acquired him many friends at Court upon assured advertisement of his Princes good-will towards him cometh to Sterling and is no sooner presented upon his knees before the King in the Church when with all demonstrations of benevolence he is received in grace pardoned and not many days after admitted to be of the Privy Council The King imparting to him his greatest affairs sheweth he will follow them by his advice and counsel honoureth him with the plausible name of Cousin and entertaineth such familiarity with him that all others give him the place The promotion and credit which the Earl of Dowglass in a short time acquired about the King his faction daily encreasing moved the two Rulers by their moderation seeking to avoid disgrace to leave the Court. After which they were both removed from their offices and their places and authority in Council with their whole friends and followers They are upbraided with disorders both in their private actions and the manner of their Government and at last are summoned to answer before the King to such things as they should be legally accused of the murmurs every where whispered amongst the people warned and certified them if they should appear and present themselves of some sad and Tragick Act. Whereupon with protestations of their Innocency declining the time appealing to the King in his majority and when he should be of full years from these Judges their mortal enemies than abusing absolute Power they suspend their appearing declaring with all their readiness in every thing to obey the King This availeth them nothing for at a Parliament holden in Sterlin Articles being forged and urged against them especially of Peculate as sale of Crown-Lands waste of the Kings Treasure the laying of their hands upon the Kings Jewels transporting Lands to themselves and their friends distributing Offices and places of the Crown and State which should have been by the Authority of the Council as Hunters divide a Prey between themselves Dispensing with Riots and taking the force and vigour from the Laws of the Kingdom thus as betraying the administration of the Realm into the hands of worthless and corrupted men they are denounced Rebels their persons and Estates proscrib'd Charge is given to Sir John Foster of Corstorphane and others the Dowglasses adherents to bring all their moveables to the use of the Exchequer demolish their Houses invade their Friends with fire and sword and all that sided them Thus the uncertain vicissitude of Humane accidents overturns often them who seem to be raised to the highest degree of honour The Castle of Barentoren is besieged taken thrown down with other houses upon the Governours and Chancellours Lands their Farms and small Villages are plundered and ransacked In revenge of which the Rulers waste the Earl of Dowglasses Territories the Villages of Straw-brock Abercorn Blackness are burnt with Corstorphane The ravage begun continueth with daily loss to both parties and the overthrow of the Common-wealth The Earl wondreth now having the Kings Authority to find his enemies so strong and hold so long out against him he suspecteth they have secret support by some not well affected towards him The most powerful and eminent of which he guesseth to be James Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews and Cousin german to the King He knew him jealous for his sudden favours at Court and that he had whispered amongst his friends that he feared the ambition of the Earls unlimited heart was now exalted to such exorbitancy of height that becoming top-heavy it would fall by its own weight and turn up the Root The Earl will have this Prelate less powerful to assist the Rulers or do harm unto him To this effect he instigateth the Earl of Crawford his Allie and Alexander Ogleby of Innerwharely to invade the Bishops Lands and rifle his Vassals in Fife without order or declaration of wrongs done by him The Bishop after the burning and spoyling of sundry of his Farms being weak by power to resist their violence and repair his losses took him to his Spiritual Arms and excommunicated the Earl of Crawford Though he made small account of this verbal Thunder yet did not this injustice long escape the revenging hand of God who raiseth up ordinarily one oppressor to execute his justice against another Alexander Lyndesay Son to the Earl of Crawford pretended a title to the Baylerie of Arbroth out of which he was kept by Alexander Ogleby whose title was equal to his if not better This enmity
kindled to such a flame that upon either side they assemble their friends in Arms The Ogleby calleth the Lord Huntley the Lindesay the Hamiltons to assist their Rights frequent meetings having been to calm matters and reconcile them and nothing agreed upon nor concluded they resolve at last to decide the cause by their Swords The Earl of Crawford then remaining at Dundee advertised of the present danger of his friends posted in all haste to Arbroth and cometh at the very chock of the skirmish and when hey 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 party of Alexander 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 Alexander 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 John Forbess of Pitsligow Alexander Barkley of Garteley Robert Maxwell of Tillen William Gordoun of Borrowfield Sir John Oliphant of Aberdaguy with others fell on the Oglebies side they fought the Twenty fourth of January One thousand four hundred fourty five 1445 Now by attending opportunities to encrease 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 John Lynton of Dundee Robert Boyd of Duchal and Alexander Lyle slew James Stuart of Auchenmintee Patrick Hepburn of Hails surprised the Castle of Dumbar Archembald Dumbar as if he would but change places with him taketh the Castle of Hails 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 garison placed in it and the Castle of Edenburgh by the Earl of Dowglass is besieged and blocked up Nine months 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 had 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 Proclamations Confiscations 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 James Kennedy Bishop of Saint Andrews whose respect and Authority was great with the Churchmen 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 James and wife to the Daulphin of France Lewis died at Chalones in Champagne 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 Helenora 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 the King he caused transport and bury her in the Abbey Church of Loan in Poittow Many Elegies were published upon her death which are yet extant Sir James 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 towards Flanders by the Flemings was taken upon the Seas The Queen out-lived not long her Daughter and Husband she was buried the fifteenth of July in the Charter-house of Perth neer her first husband James the year One thousand four hundred forty six She brought forth to the black Knight of Lorn three sons John Earl of Athole James Earl of Buchan Andrew Bishop of Murray 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 a publick 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 Charles the seventh the French King but secretly by the procurement of the Earl of Dowglass the Chancellor as a Man grave great in place and experimented with the Bishop of Dunkel and Nicholas Otterburn is sent over the Seas in Embassie This troublesome and unprofitable honour 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 exclude 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 John made Lord of Balvenie and hath his Donation ratified in an Assembly of three Estates who were convented at Edenburgh 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 Governour Alexander his eldest Son Robert Levingston Treasurer David Levingston James Dundas 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 Four thousand four hundred forty seven at which time they were brought to Edenburgh 1447 Alexander the Governour James Dundas and Robert Bruce after Fines laid upon them were remitted back to Dumbarton there to be kept Prisoners during the Kings pleasure Alexander the Governours Son a young man of great expectation with Robert Levingston Treasurer and David Levingston not so much by any crime proved against them as by the Divine Justice in punishing the severity of the Governour for the execution of the Earl of Dowglass in the Castle of Edenburgh had their heads cut off the people much deploring their misfortune By this blow the Earl of Dowglass though he was more terribly avenged than if he had proved his power against the old Man having thus as it were killed him twice Though by this strict Justice he pretended the Publick weal his end was to govern all by his absolute Authority and make the world see what credit he had to help or harm when he pleased admire his pompous attendance his haughty carrying of all business and his power in State The Chancellor having perfected his Embassie Mary daughter to Arnold Duke of Guilders born of the Duke of Burgundies Sister a Lady young beautiful and of a masculine constitution arriveth in Scotland and with great solemnity accompanied with many strangers and the Nobility of the Kingdom is married to the King in the Abbey Church of Holy-rood-house As these Nuptial Rites were finished the Peace between Scotland and England expired and the Borders of both Kingdoms break and mutually invade others Amidst much robbery spoil and havock upon either side the Earl of Salisbury Lievtenant and Warden upon the West depopulateth the bordering Villages and burneth the Town of Dumfreis the Earl of Northumberland spoiling the East burneth the Town of Dumbar John Dowglass Lord of Balvenny invadeth the English bounds and burneth the Town of Anwich the ravaging and depredations in a short time turning equal the two Kingdoms agree upon a suspension of Arms and place and day to treat about a general Peace at the last by an Assembly of the States One thousand four hundred forty nine A Truce is condescended unto for seven years At this time Alexander Seatoun Lord Gordon is created Earl of Huntley and George Leslie Baron Earl of Rothes This Truce was not long kept by any of the Nations but as it had been drawn and plaistered up for the fashion they conspire equally to break it New incursions are made slight skirmishes began to wound either side and banish Peace just arms were constrained at last to be opposed to injurious oppressions The Scots having made desolate some parts of Cumberland an Army under the leading of the Earl of Northumberland is raised commanded by Magnus Red-beard whom the Scots by reason of the length of his beard named Magnus with a red Main A man trained from his youth in the Wars of France who is said to have required no more for his Service to the Crown of England than what he might by his own valour conquer of Scotland The English march from the West Borders pass the River of Soloway and Annand and encamp near the River of Sark The Earl of Dowglass declareth his Brother George Earl of Ormond Lieutenant for the King against them who with the power of the South and West loseth no time to encounter the Earl of Northumberland the Lord Piercy his Son Magnus Red-beard Sir John Pennington Sir Robert Harrington led the English Battalions The Earl of Ormond Lord Maxwell Lairds of Johnston and Craiggy Wallace the Scottish Here occasion and place serving it is valiantly fought the fortune of the day long doubtful till Magnus whose experience and direction in War in those days was deemed unparalleld his courage here turning into temerity was beaten from his horse and slain After his fall many turning their backs the Earl of Northumberland himself with great danger escaped more in the chase were lost than in the Battel such who essayed to pass the River by the confusion and the weight of their Arms were plunged in the water others who could not find the Fords being taken and brought to the Castle of Lochmaben amongst which were Sir John Pennington Sir Robert Harrington the Lord Piercy who by saving his Father engaged himself Few renowned amongst the Scots were here lost except Craiggy Wallace a principal actor who governing himself by honour and courage died of his wounds there received not many days thereafter The English to repair their loss raised an Army but by the daily supplies raised for France and their projected Civil Wars the Duke of York Earls of March Warwick and Salisbury beginning to toss the State it was kept at home for their own use and a truce was agreed upon and concluded with Scotland for the space of three years One thousand four hundred and fifty This Victory obtained chiefly by the valour of the Dowglasses advanced highly their credit with the young King and the Court sounded with nothing more than their praises But great fortunes are as hard to bear as to acquire and ordinarily prosperity carryeth us into insolencies without pondring the consequence of our actions William Colvill Knight upon a private quarrel having slain James Auchinleck a follower of the Earl of Dowglass the Earl avenged his death not only with the slaughter of William but with the throwing down of his House and spoil of all his Lands which turned cold the affections of many about the Court towards him and made him terrible to all of a contrary Faction to his After whether tyred with his working thoughts or to shun more hatred and envy or to try what time would produce amidst the inward grudges and rancours of Court or that he held his own Country too narrow Lists for his glory he leaveth the Kingdom substituting one of his Brothers Procurator for his affairs and in his absence to govern his estate accompanied with his Brother Mr. James a Man learned and brought up in Sorbon Divinity Expectant of the Bishoprick of Dunkel James Hamilton of Cadyow the Lords Grahame Seatoun Oliphant Saltoun and many Gentlemen he arriveth in Flanders cometh to France passeth the Alps and it being the year of Jubilee stayeth at Rome where he was honourably received and welcomed Envy never leaveth great Actors he had not been long absent from his Prince when many are suborned to give up complaints against the oppressions riots wrongs of his Kindred Servants and Vassals The faults of his Governing the King are pryed into every oversight and escape aggravated to the height The King at first was loth to lend an ear to misreports and calumnies of a man lately so well deserving and dearly of him beloved but overcome by importunity and urged by the numbers of Complainers he gave way that his Brother and Procurators should make answer for wrongs suffered by
Chancellor standing by his Princes favour and a long practice of the affairs and course of the World The Earl fearing the Authority of the King might sway the Ballance and make the party unequal if he should be brought to call to remembrance passed actions and attempts of his Predecessors findeth nothing more expedient to curb his enemies and strengthen his proceedings than to renew his old Confederation and combine with him many others Hereupon the Earls of Crawford Ross Murray Ormond the Lord Balvenny Knight of Cadyow many Barons Gentlemen with their Allies Vassals Servants to a great number subscribed and swore solemnly never to desert one another during life That injuries done to any one of them should be done to them all and be a common quarrel neither should they desist to their best abilities to revenge them That they should concur indifferently against whatsoever Persons within or without the Realm and spend their Lives Lands Goods Fortunes in defence of their Debates and Differences whatsoever This confederation and Covenant again renewed turned the Earl imperious in his deportments presumptuous beyond all limits and his followers and adherents insupportable to their neighbours The Lands of such who were not of their party or refused to think all their thoughts and second them in their enterprizes were plundered and goodness was a cause to make men suffer most pillage and ransacking of their Goods and other miserable calamities At this time the Thieves and Robbers of Liddes-dale and Annandale break into the Lands of John Lord Herress a Noble Man who had continued constantly faithful to the King and drive with them a great booty of Cattle Complaints being given to the Earl of Dowglass of the Depredations of his men and finding no redress the Lord Herress essayeth to drive the like prey in recompence of the damage but being unequal in power his fortune was to be taken by the Thieves and brought as a Prisoner to the Earl who layed him fast in Irons and notwithstanding of the Kings Letters full of Intreaties and Threatnings without any formality of Law caused Hang him as a Felon The like mischief was practised in other places After this contempt of Soveraignty it was universally blazed that the Earl of Dowglass in respect of his new Covenant the power of his Kinsmen and Allies the entertaining of such who were discontent and discountenanced at Court the love and favour of the men of Arms in Scotland ever governed by some of his Name his riches the honour of his Ancestors had resolved to dissemble no longer but openly to play his game essay one day if he could set the Crown upon his own head being then able to raise an Army of Forty thousand warlike persons men ready to go with him whither or against whom they cared not attending only the occasion and his Commandment The King who before but disdained the pride after this League became jealous of the Earl of Dowglass a League giving a Law to a King breaking all bonds of Soveraignty and inviting a people to look for a new Master and though his modesty and patience served only to turn the Earl more insolent and his boldness more active yet in a foul game he bare a fair countenance knowing the last thing which a Soveraign Prince should do is to shew himself Male-content and offended with any of his Subjects for instead of chastising him he would give him fairer means and greater power to do him harm He would not shew a token of any prejudicial thought to the Earls proceedings till he had first heard himself Thus very calmly he desired him to come and speak with him at Sterlin whiles he conscious of his own misdemeanor except upon a publick assurance under the great Seal for his safe coming and return refused to do A safe conduct obtained 1452 about the Shrew-tide in the year One thousand four hundred fifty two he came to the Court then remaining at Sterlin Castle accompanied with many of his Confederates and a powerful Retinue The King with a gracious countenance and all apparent respect received him endeavouring rather by kindness and humanity than by rigor to reclaim him to his former obedience The day near spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Council and the Guards the King taking the Earl friendly apart remembred him of favors received wrongs forgotten the duties as a Subject he owed to his Prince his capitulation before he would come and speak with him he taxed him with the exorbitant abuses and outrages of his followers then he told him what Informations he had of a Covenant of mutual defence and adherence betwixt him and some of his Nobles and Gentlemen which he would scarce believe He prayed him to consider the murmuring or rather begun sedition of his people his long patience in tolerating his proceedings his misbelief of evil reports towards him until he had heard what he had to say for himself and his innocency The Earl answered the Kings towardness in equal terms trusting much to his confederation for his favours he should strive with all obsequiousness to deserve them That as he had the honour to command others who obeyed him he knew very well how to be commanded and obey his Prince and in what disobedience consisted that as none of his Subjects enjoyed more Lands and Honours than himself there should not one be found who more willingly would engage all his fortunes and person for the Honour of his Prince That they who layed snares for his life being so near his Majesty for the surety of his person he could not come to Court except upon a publick assurance and well accompanied For the wrongs committed by his Followers and Vassals he would give what satisfaction should be required Concerning the Band of mutual friendship betwixt him and some Noblemen they would have adhered together without any writing they were driven thereunto for their own safety not out of mind to offer but repel injuries That he was infinitely oblig'd to his goodness in not condemning him before he was heard and for that he had not lent a credulous ear to his enemies mischievous devices The King replyed effects and not words make the affection and submission of a subject known and could there be any greater surety for him than to rely on the Laws of the Commonwealth and Country especially continued he in a Country where Laws and not Faction rule and where a man 's own goodness is able to preserve him But such men as you are raise these Factions to the subversion of all Laws and Authority and for Subjects to make an offensive and defensive League against all persons is to disclaim all Government and do what they please without controulment commit Treason in the highest degree and make your own Swords and Power justifie your proceedings which though ye first use against mean persons and conceal the progress of your actions for there are degrees in evil
and wicked men begin at that which seemeth the least of evils or not an evil at all at the first your last aim is likely to be the robbing upon the Crown Consider my Lord ye are born under a Monarchy which admitteth no Soveraignty but it self and it is natural to Princes to hold it in highest esteem and in no case to suffer it to be shaken by their Subjects Take your Prince for your best protection and an innocent life renounce that Union and League with your Peers which excepted or commanded or approved or remitted by your Prince subsisteth not in Law nor in Reason being forbidden under great pains and let it not be heard any longer that ever such an unjust Confederation way and so wonted clemency shall be preferred before deserved Justice The Earl replyed The League being drawn up by the common consent of many Lords Barons and Gentlemen and subscribed it could not be cancell'd nor renounc'd but by their common consent nor was it profitable for the King nor to him other ways to have it done That being together they might condescend to the renouncing and cancelling of it But says the King you to shew good example to the rest shall first begin Neither living shall any Traytor in my presence disavow and disclaim my Authority in what is within my possibility of accomplishing The Earl requests him to remember he came to Court upon a publick assurance A publick assurance cannot so warrant any man but that he may fall by his own private misdemeanor answered the King withal considering a mean courage in a King to be an imputation and that he did neither wrong towards God nor his Fame in revenging himself upon the enemies of the State The place a strong Castle his present power all within being his Councellors and Servants the danger if he should escape the easiness of suppressing the Rebellion the head taken away The Earl continuing hot and stubborn in debating his points of the League wrath banishing other Doubts and Interests his Dagger performed what armed Justice scarce dared attempt The Kings blow the noise arising was seconded by a number of his Servants who rushing in the Room left him dead upon Shrewd-Eve the Twenty second of February One thousand four hundred fifty two About the last Scene of this Tragedy a pair of Spurs between two Platters an Emblem of speedy flight as a part of the Kings Banquet is directed to Sir James Hamilton of Cadyow This he communicated to the Lords and Gentlemen of the Union in which time the News of the Earls death is spread abroad The Leaguers finding themselves weak to carry so strong a place as the Castle in hot blood set on fire divers quarters of the Town of Sterlin make Proclamation against the King and his Council for violating the assurance granted the Earl Infamous Libels are spread every where and the safe Conduct of the King and his Council bound to a wooden Truncheon at a Horses-tail is trailed along the streets In the Market-place by the mouth of a Cryer to the sound of all their hunting-horns they declare the King and those that abode with him Faith-breakers perjured persons enemies to all goodness and good men James the next brother of the house of Dowglass a Church-man being proclaimed Earl in rage and madness committing all sort of Hostility they over-run the Lands and Possessions of those whom they suspected would side the King and not prove of their party John Lord of Dalkeith their Kinsman and of the name of Dowglass they besiege in his Castle of Dalkeith for that he hated their proceedings the Tenants and Vassals of the Earl of Anguss are plundered for the same cause The strength of the place raised the Siege of Dalkieth and the Earl of Anguss by their many wrongs and insolencies remained more constant to the King In this time the King writeth to all the good Towns in the Realm and Church-men giving reasons for the taking away of the Earl imputing the fault to the Earl himself exhorting the people to make no stir for the just execution of a Man born for the ruine of the Kingdom and who voluntarily had precipitated himself in his own mis-hap offering all his power to keep the Country in quietness according to that Authority in which God hath placed him This blow as particular Interests made the hearts of men incline and as passions were various was variously and in several manners taken Some without inquiring of circumstances after what fashion or occasion soever done allowing it thought the King had more clear and evident inducements for his deed then could fall within the Labyrinths of reasoning The Majesty of a Prince hardly falleth from an height to a midst but easily is precipitated from any midst to the lowest degree and station The King said they hath obviated this fall hath set afoot again and raised his Authority threatned with ruine he hath vindicated his liberty almost thrall'd hath assured the Lives Honours Estates of many Loyal Subjects which were endangered by not adhering to the League of the Earl and keeping their Oath of Allegiance to the King he if he please now with Honor and Reputation may hold his Parliaments bring to pass his designs for the conservation of his Authority and the peace of his Subjects Others blamed this Deed every where and in every circumstance laying perjury and murder against him and the breaking of the publick Faith and Assurance the common Band of humane Society the common defence of all and the ground of Justice To which it was answered that the Earl was not taken away for his past demerits and misdeservings but for what he had recently committed in the Kings own presence having spoken to him with an insupportable irreverence They which have safe conduct being obliged to shun all kind of offence towards him who gives it them any enormity being sufficient to annul the benefit of it More for the breach of Faith the Earl and his confederates were the more perjured and he the murtherer of himself they having violated that Natural Oath to their King which all Subjects owe to their Soveraigns by drawing up a League among his People to the breaking of the tyes of Soveraignty giving by this occasion and just cause to the King to reward them after their demerits Most said the killing of the Earl was evil but that it was a necessary evil That as Nature suffereth not two Suns so reason of State suffereth not that in one Kingdom there be Two Kings but that of necessity the one must overthrow the other and matters going thus he who giveth the first blow hath the advantage Thus did Men judge diversly after their proper Interests of the deeds of others The Torrent of these disorders encreasing Laws are neglected Towns Villages Houses the High-ways are every where afflicted with Rapine Fire and Fury and save needy boldness nothing is safe and secure in any place The changing Multitude
of James a Churchman proceeded rather from his own stubbornness than any male-talent the King had against him In all Nations it is observed that there are some Families fatal to the ruine of their Common-wealths and some persons fatal to the ruine of the Houses and Race of which they are descended Since in Kingdoms some have no compassion of their Prince nor the loss of his Honour a Prince should not much regret their loss nor the ruine of their persons and Estates His great clemency appeared in this That the heads taken away of that long Rebellion he followed no particular revenge upon their followers not only granting Pardons but forgetting the offences knowing it was better to heal and cure the faulty and sick members of a State than to abolish and cut them away and more valour for a Prince to overcome his own passions and just wrath than to vanquish and subdue his proudest enemies yet was not his clemency a soft weakness it being no less cruelty to forgive all than to spare none but an order and discretion in Justice temperate with severity towards some more than towards others according to their demerits He was very sensible of the afflictions of such as was distressed as witness the Countesses of Dowglass and Ross His life having set in the Orient of his Age and hopes he deserveth in the Records of Memory and Fame a place amongst the best but unfortunate Princes He had Issue of his Queen James who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany John Earl of Mar Margaret Countess of Arran by the Boyd and after Lady Hamilton-Cecily He was buried with all Funeral-pomp within the Monastery of Holyrood-house at Edenburgh THE HISTORY OF THE Reign of James the Third KING of SCOTLAND THE Queen having tidings of the disaster of her Husband full of griefs and cares with her Son came to the Army at Roxburgh and the publick loss being revealed for till then it was whispered with more than a masculine Courage caused give new and desperate assaults to the Castle many Turrets being shaken some Gates broken parcels of walls beaten down the Mines ready in diverse quarters to Spring the Besieged ignorant of the Assailers misfortune and by the dissention of their Country-men from all hopes of relief treat upon a surrender conditions being obtained peaceably to depart with their lives and goods the Fortress is given up and shortly after that it should not be a Residence of oppression in following times is demolished and equall'd with the ground Iames III. king of Scots Ano. 1460 R. G. fecit The milder parts of the Kingdom reduced to order Some turbulent Chiefs of the Mountainers taking the occasion of the Non-age of the King and of Rumors of Dissentions amongst the Governours essay to trouble the Peace of their far and wild Countries Allan Lord of Lorn throweth his eldest Brother in close Prison with intention to rob him of his Life and Estate but he after is surprized by the Earl of Argile Donald of the Isles taketh the Castle of Innerness and placing there a Garrison proclaimeth himself King of the Isles compelling the neighbour Towns and simpler sort of people to pay him Taxes At the Rumor of this insolency all wicked Out-laws resort unto him by whose power he Invadeth the Castle of Blair in Athol out of which the Earl the Kings Uncle with his Lady once Countess of Dowglass flie and take Sanctuary in the Church of Saint Bride where the Church about them set on fire they were irreligiously taken and transported to the Island Ila Whilst the Governours were raising an Army and advancing such Forces as were in readiness against the Actors of these mischiefs they were ascertained that as these Savages were lanching forth of that Island in their Wherries and small Vessels made of boards and wicker by a violent tempest from Heaven the most part of them were dashed against the Rocks and drowned and those who had escaped were strucken with Pannick fears and deprived of their right judgments and understandings an ordinary accident to men blinded with Superstition and guilty of Murther and Sacriledge amidst which distractions the Earl of Athol with his Lady was safely returned to his own Castle MARGARET Queen of England after the second overthrow and taking of her Husband at Northampton with the Prince her Son and the new Duke of Somerset having fled to the Bishoprick of Durham whilst Richard Duke of York was establishing his Title and Right to the Crown at London raised in the North of Scots and English a strong Army which marched towards York the Duke of York leaving the King in the Custody of the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Warwick though he knew himself inferiour in power and number to his enemies by the pride of his former Victories and over-weening of his Souldiers valor with Edmund Earl of Rutland his younger Son the Earl of Salsbury and others rencountreth her at Wakefield-green and here by his own rashness with his Son young Rutland he is killed The Earl of Salisbury is taken and with other Prisoners beheaded at Pomfret Castle their Heads were fixed upon Poles about the Walls of the City of York that of the Dukes was mocked with a Paper Crown and exposed to the barbarous mirth of the beholders The Queen encouraged by this Victory desiring to disannul all Acts made lately in prejudice of her Husband marcheth couragiously towards London In which time Edward Earl of March Son to the late Duke of York overthrew the Earls of Pembrook and Ormond both of the Queens Faction at Mortimer-Cross in her way to London the Queen meeting the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Norfolk at St. Albans who carryed King Henry her Husband along with them overthrew them and recovered the person of her King It is observed that Victory always fled from where this King was present The Citizens of London at the approach of the Queens Army fearing Hostility shut their Gates against her and armed for resistance At this time Edward Earl of March having joyned his Victorious Army with the remainder of the Earl of Warwick's entred in triumph the City of London and with great applause and acclamations of the people was Proclaimed King Queen Margaret and her Faction retiring to the North wan so the hearts of that people that they gathered an Army able to stand for her defence consisting of Threescore thousand fighting men Edward Earl of March choosing rather to provoke than to expect his Enemies advanced towards them the place of their meeting was between Caxton and Tweton In this Fight the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland the Lords Beaumont and Dacres Grey and Wells were slain and above Thirty six thousand English struck down the Dukes of Somerset and Excester flie to York to carry the News to the unfortunate King leaving the Victory to Edward who is again saluted King King Henry after this overthrow perceiving how desperate his hopes were in his own Country
with his Queen his Son and the remainder of his dispersed friends secured himself by flight into Scotland James Kennedy Bishop of Saint Andrews to whose person the Authority of the State was then reduced received him with Magnificence and Honour and put him in hopes by the Assistance of Scotland to restore his fortune King Henry as well to reserve some Refuge and Sanctuary for himself as to win the heart and insinuate himself in the favour of the People of Scotland caused render the Town of Berwick to them which the English had violently possessed since the days of Edward the First For which favour the Scottish Nobility vowed at all times to come to his supply and defend him to their uttermost and that the friendship begun might continue without all vacillation the Queens of Scotland and England both descended of the French Race began to treat of an Alliance promising Edward Prince of Wales should be married with the Lady Margaret the King of Scotlands Sister none of them then having attained the years of Marriage The miseries of King Henry encreasing suffered not these two Queens to stay long together Margaret with her Son Edward to implore the aid of her Friends maketh a Voyage towards France to her Father Rhene King of Sicily Naples and Jerusalem Duke of Anjou a Prince large of Titles short of Power These who had followed King Henry into Scotland whilest he is left only intentive to devotion in the Cloyster of the Gray-Fryers at Edenburgh return back again to solicite their Friends in England for a second rencounter Upon the arrival of Queen Margaret in France she obtaineth of her cousin Lewis the Eleventh that those who favoured and assisted the Duke of York were prohibited Traffique and commanded to remove out of the French Dominions and that Five hundred Soldiers should come to her aid a number so small and so unworthy the name of an Army that it was but a competent retinue for so great a Princess with these she came to the coast of Scotland and from thence sailed to Tinmouth where being impulsed by the Inhabitants and forced again to put to Sea she was by a furious Tempest driven to Berwick Here leaving the Prince her Son Edward with the encrease and supply of some Scots taking the King her Husband with her she advanced into the Bishoprick of Durham in her march through Northumberland her Army encreased to a great number The Duke of Somerset Sir Ralph Piercy and divers of King Henrys well-wishers having resorted unto her King Edward finding King Henry by the fresh air of the North to have acquired new Spirits prepareth to oppose him and having sent down the Lord Mountague Brother to the Earl of Warwick he himself with greater Forces shortly followed Mountague having through the Shires where he went and the Bishoprick of Durham gathered a convenient Army marched directly against King Henry In the mean time Henry Beaufort Duke of Somerset the Lords Hungerford Ross Moulines Sir Ralph Piercy present themselves to hinder his further progress They are overthrown and King Henry with great difficulty escapeth to Berwick At the news of this overthrow King Edward being in his March towards Durham finding the presence of his Person or Army needless turned towards York and gave the Earl of Warwick command to take in all the Castles and Fortresses which as yet held good for King Henry in the North. Amongst the Garrisons placed in Northumberland by the Queen there was a Garrison of the French in the Castle of Anwick under the Command of Peter Bruce otherwise named le Seigneur de la Varoune Seneschal of Normandy which held long good against the English This Peter Bruce was in great account with Charles the Seventh Father to Lewis the Eleventh and for this was not much liked of Lewis but sent over with Queen Margaret to make wrack upon apparent dangers having escaped Tempests at Sea he took the Castles of Bambrough and Dunstanbrough which he demolished After he essayed to keep the Castle of Anwick but the Earl of Warwick King Edward lying near to Durham there beleagured him Whether this man came from the Race of the Bruces of Scotland or no is uncertain for the vulgar Writers in this detract him naming him Bryce and a Breton or that the Scots would give a proof of their friendship to the Queen of England and of their valour to the French whilst he is every where beset and near past hope of relief the Earl of Anguss then Warden of the Marshes raised a Power of twenty three thousand horse-men remarkable for their Valour These about the midst of the day coming near the Castle of Anwick and by their colours and arms being known a far to Captain Bruce he taketh a resolution to sally out and meet them the strongest of the Scottish Horsemen receiving them convoy them safely to their Borders some of the Besiegers would have fought in the pursuit but the English General gave him fair passage King Edward having taken all the Castles and Forts which in the North held out against him placing Garrisons in them returned to London as King Henry void both of counsel and courage came back to Edenburgh Here he had not long stayed when tired with the tediousness of his exile the prolonging of a wretched life being more grievous to him than death it self and allured by false hopes of his Friends he resolveth to hazard upon a return to his own Kingdom his Crown lost all his Favorers and well-wishers almost slaughtered he cometh into England then disguised and by night journies shifting from place to place at last betrayed by some of his Servants he is found out It is recorded a Son of Sir Edward Talbots apprehended him as he sate at Dinner at Wadding Town-hall and like a Common Malefactor with his Legs under the horse belly guarded him up towards London By the way the Earl of Warwick met him who led him Prisoner to the Tower Margaret his desolate Queen with her Son is driven once again to flie to their Father Rhene into France King Edward his Competitors all dead or suppressed finding a Cessation of Arms expedient and a breathing time from War to settle and make sure his new Government as to other his neighbour Princes for Peace sendeth Embassadors to Scotland to treat for a Truce for some years The Earl of Argile Bishop of Glasgow Abbot of Holy-rood-house Sir Alexander Boyd Sir William Cranstoun being chosen to this effect Commissioners come to York and the English Commissioners there attending them a Truce for fifteen years is agreed upon and solemnly by both Kings after confirmed Mary Queen of Scotland daughter to Arnold Duke of Gilders and mother to King James the projected Marriage of her Daughter with Edward Prince of Wales by the miseries of King Henry and Queen Margaret her kinswoman proving desperate her Son Alexander either as he went to the Low-Countries to see his Grand-father or returned from him
of St. Andrews to his Tomb which in great magnificence he had raised in a Church builded by himself in the City of St. Andrews where also he Founded a Colledge of Philosophy and endowed it with many Priviledges and sufficient Endowments to entertain Professors By the death of this Prelate venerable for his Wisdom singular for his Justice and the tranquillity following his Government and magnificent in all his actions the glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse For he taken away the Boyds laying Foundations for their power and greatness began to turn all to their own advantage the first mark of their envy was Patrick Graham the Brother of Bishop James Kennedy by the Mother who was Sister to King James the First after this man had been chosen Bishop of St. Andrews as the Custom then was by the Chapter appointed for that Election he was barred from his Place and violently repulsed by the Faction at Court To repair which indignity he made a journey to Rome where being a Man noble by birth above others for his Learning and many Virtues in a little time by Pope Sixtus the Fourth he was re-established and confirmed in his Place During his abode at Rome the old Question concerning the liberty of the Church of Scotland began to be exagitated The Archbishop of York contested that he was Metropolitan of Scotland and that the Twelve Bishops of that Kingdom were subject to his Jurisdiction Patrick Graham remonstrated how the Archbishop of York considering the usual Wars between the two Kingdoms was often unacceptable to the Church-men of Scotland especially in Causes of appellation The Pope after the hearing of both Parties Erected the See of St. Andrews to the dignity of an Archbishops See and Patrick Graham not only was made Primate and Metropolitan of Scotland ordained to have the other Bishops under him but for the space of three years designed Legate for the Pope with full Power to Correct and Restore the Ecclesiastical Discipline and examine the Manners and Conversation of the Clergy Notwithstanding these favours of the Bishop of Rome and the worth and excellencies of the man himself he dared not return home to his own Country before the declining of the Fortunes of the Boyds This Family seemed now in the Zenith and Vertical point of its greatness no imputation could be laid to the Boyds in the time of their Government except that they brought the young King by their private working without the consent and approbation of the other Regents to Edenburgh for the assuming the Government in his Minority In approbation of their innocency and to warrant them from this danger the King in a Parliament declareth publickly that the Boyds were not the Authors and projectors of that business but only the Assisters of him and his followers being not formal but instrumentary causes of his coming to the Helm of the State himself That they were so far from being obnoxious to any blame or reproach for this deed that they deserved immortal thanks and an honourable Cuerdon in all time to come having obeyed him in that which was most just honest and expedient for the well of the Kingdom Upon this Declaration of the King the Lord Boyd required the present action might be registred amongst the Acts of Parliament and he obtained what was desired but not with that success was hoped for In this Parliament the other Regents are rid of their charge the Lord Boyd being made only Governor of the Kingdom and the object of all mens respects having the whole power and authority to minister justice of all kinds to the Subjects during the Kings non-age and till he had fully compleat one and twenty years the defence of the Kings Person of his Brothers the keeping of the two Ladies his Sisters are trusted unto him He hath all the Towns Castles Fortresses Sea-ports Places of Importance at his Command These proceedings of the Parliament seemed to some very strange in advancing Men already great enough and bestowing upon them all Offices of State and adding power to such who wanted only will to do mischief except that they knew well how to abase and pull them down again making their fall the more sudden Robert Lord Boyd having the Reins of Government in his hands and the custody of the Kings Sister dazelld with the Golden Sun of honour to lay more sure the foundation of his greatness joyneth in Marriage Thomas his eldest Son a youth of extraordinary endowments both of mind and body with Margaret the Kings eldest Sister Not long before designed by her Mother to have been given in Marriage to Edward Prince of Wales and he is created Earl of Arran The Father knowing how easily the conversation of young persons breedeth a liking had brought them up together which turning in a love and delight of others company concluded last in Marriage This match though royal great and rich instead of supporting the Fortunes of the Boyds much weakned them turning them the objects of envy The Nobles repined at it and the common people lighter than the wind and more variable than the Rain-bow made it the subject of their foolish discourses Now said they the Boyds aspire to the Crown for the King with his Brothers removed it appertaineth to them a Kingdom being the Dowry often of a Wife of the blood Royal. The Kennedies and such who disliked the present Government take the occasion of the discontentment of the Nobility and the Rumors of the people to shake the Kings mind towards the Governour and change the brawl of State To this end they give way to great and universal oppressions most of which were hatched and occasioned by themselves By these in a short time the Commons turn licentious and dissolute contemning all Government every man doing what seemed best in his own eyes and the Gentry divide in Factions Such who wont to live upon Rapine and Theft returned to their wonted Trades honest men are spoiled of their goods the seditious and wicked are maintained and defended against all Laws and Justice by their Parties The State thus troubled and all order confounded by slie and crafty men who at first pretended great friendship and interest towards the Boyds the Kings affection towards them is assailed and resolutions tryed Many times having been plausibly listened unto at last pulling off their masks they lay imputations against them They remonstrate to him what great disparagement was between the King of Scotlands eldest Sister and the Son of the Lord Boyd that by this match he was robbed of one of the fairest jewels of his Crown the Boyds should not have appropriated that to themselves of which they had only the keeping she should have been reserved for some Neighbour 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
and with great hopes sent home after which time King Edward and he kept always private Intelligence together The Duke being promoted to the keeping of the Castle of Dumbar and Town of Berwick the King of England to insinuate himself in his affection was wont to whisper unto such who loved him That if his Brother kept not fair with England he would one day set him in his Place upon his Royal Throne At this time the King was served by men whom his opinion of their worth and love towards him had advanced to places and whose Fortunes and Estates wholly depended upon his safety and who were less apt to do him harm His counsel was likewise of men approved for their affection to him and thus secluding great men from his familiarity and affairs he gave them cause of offence His brothers long masking their ambition under discontentment stir the Male-contents to complain against the Government which ordinarily falleth forth not because a people is not well governed but because great ones would govern themselves These upbraided the King with inglorious sloath and endeavour by his dishonour to encrease the credit of his Brothers These spared not to speak evil of him every where and what they pleased of his Ministers and Favourites they said he neither used rule nor moderation in his proceedings that his counsel was base and of men of no great account who consulted only to humour him That a Mason swayed a Kingdom this was Robert Cochranne a man couragious and bold first known to the King by his valour in a single Combat and after from an Architect or Surveyor of his buildings preferred to be of his counsel a silly wretch swayed the soul of a great King and curbed it as it were interdicted or charmed to his pleasure His contributions were the rewards of Parasites to whom fortune not merit gave growth and augmentation that honours wept over such base men who had not deserved them and the stately frames of ancient houses upbraided with reproaches the slender merits of those new-up-starts who enjoyed them that he began to look downwards into every sordid way of enriching himself That his Privadoes abused him in every thing but in nothing more than in making him believe what was plotting against them was against his Person and Authority and that it was not them his brothers and the Nobility sought to pull down but his Soveraignty His counsellors servants and such who loved him having long busied their wits to save their Masters reputation and that no shadow of weakness should appear to the common People understanding by whom these rumours were first spread abroad and observing many of the Nobility and Gentry to favour the proceedings of his brothers not daring disclose themselves to the King what their suspicions made them fear would come to pass knowing him naturally superstitious an admirer and believer of Divinations suborn an aged woman one morning as he went a hunting to approach him and tell she had by Divination that he should beware of his nearest kinsmen that from them his ruine was likely to come This was no sooner told when the Woman was shifted and some who were upon the Plot began to comment the Prophesie of his brothers A Professor of Physick for his skill in Divination brought from Germany and promoted to some Church-benefice about that same time told the King That in Scotland a Lyon should be devoured by his Whelps William Schevez then Archbishop of St. Andrews by way of Astrological predictions put him in a fear of imminent dangers from his kindred though truly he had his knowledge from Geomancy and good informations upon earth by the intelligence between the Nobility and Churchmen Many such like aspersions being laid upon the King the people cryed out that he had only for his fellow-companions Astrologers and Sooth-sayers whom as occasion served he preferred to the Church-benefices and Bishopricks Patrick Graham then Prisoner in Dumfermling a man desolate and forgotten as if there had not been such a man in the world taking the opportunity of the rumours of the time sent a Letter to the King which contained That the misery of his imprisonment was not so grievous unto him as the sad reports which he heard of his Majesties estate he was hardly brought to believe them but by his long detention and imprisonment he was assured his great enemy was in great credit with him That he had brought the King very low in making him jealous of his brothers by giving trust to his vain Divinations and no wonder these Arts bring forth dissentions which have their precepts from the father of lyes and discord to foment discord among brothers was reproachful to Religion and outragious to Policy to seek to know things to come by the Stars was great ignorance that Oracles leave a man in a wilderness of folly That there was no other difference betwixt Necromancy and Astrology saving that in one men run voluntarily to the Devil and in the other ignorantly Humanity attains not to the secrets above and if it did it is not wise enough to divert the wisdom of heaven which is not to be resisted but submitted unto that never any had recourse to these arts but they had fatal ends That almighty providence permitting that to befall them out of his justice of necessity which before the Oracle was sought was scarce contingent that he should rest upon the Almighties Providence and then all things would succeed well with him whose favors would wast him out of the surges of uncertainties After this free opening of his mind Patrick Graham was removed out of Dumfermling to the Castle of Loch-leven a place renowned long after by the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scotland where in a short time he left the miseries of this world The people now throughly deceived and incensed against their King the most audacious of the Nobility had brought his brothers on the way of taking the Government to themselves their power being able to perform what their ambition projected and the murmuring of the people seeming to applaud any Insurrections The Earl of Marr young and rash purblind in foreseeing the events of things is stirred up to begin the Tragedy some of the Nobility of his Faction being present with more liberty than wisdom he broke out in menacing and undecent speeches as that his brother did wrong to his Majesty in keeping near him and being so familiar with such contemptible fellows as these of his Bed-chamber and Officers withal railing against the Government of the State and Court The King passionately resenting his words caused remove him From his presence and he persevering in his railing was committed to the Castle of Craigmillar where surmising that he was in a Prison his anger turned into a rage his rage kindled a Feaver and his Feaver advanced to a Phrensie This sickness encreasing that he might be more neer to the Court and his friends in the Night he is transported
Duke word the golden Age could not be fram'd nor arms taken for the good of the Commonwealth nor the State alter'd without the sequestring of those from the King who misgovern'd him And these could not be remov'd by that power which was amongst themselves without great danger and trouble considering the Kings Faction and the Malignant Party If King Edward would agree to the raising of an Army in England in favour of the Duke of Albany and for restoring him to his Places and Inheritance out of which he was most unjustly ejected and other pretences of which they should afford the occasions which no way should do harm to the Kingdom of Scotland disorder'd already and laid waste more by the licence of a Tyrant in Peace than it could have been by War and at this time bestow upon them favours as they might one day hereafter challenge to receive the like the Nobility of Scotland should be ready with another Army not to fight but to seize upon the Kings Favourites and misgovernors of the State for which the English should have many thanks That this Enterprize could not but prove most successful the hatred of the Commons considered against such violent oppressions The King was fallen into so low esteem that assaulted by the English he would be constrain'd by the submission of his Crown to intreat for safety The King of England understanding this was to touch the finest string of State and Dominion for it is a matter of much consequence and main importance to defend the Subjects of another Prince for under this Mask and pretence of protecting the Liberties of a People of assistance and aid an Usurpation and oppression of all Liberty might be hidden and many have established and setled themselves in those Kingdoms which they came to relieve from Tyranny and the Oppression of their Rulers keeping by Force what was granted to them at first by way of trust and under the colour of helping usurped a Sovereignty agreeth easily to what was demanded and resolved upon The Lords of the Association to play more covertly their Game and mask their intentions the Commons ever suffering and paying for the faults and errors of the great ones give way for the breaking loose of the Borderers Fierce incursions by the English are made upon Scotland and by the Scots upon England some Villages on either side are burnt The secrecy to this business which was inviolably observed was of great importance which is the principal knot and tye of great affairs Rumours are spread that the Dukes of Gloucester and Albany with James late Earl of Dowglass and Alexander Jerdan and Patrick Halyburton men proscrib'd and upon whose heads a price was set were at Anwick with a powerful Army and in their march towards Kelso The King wakned out of his Trances by the Alarms of his Nobility and clamors of the People made Proclamations to all between sixty years and sixteen to meet him at Edenburgh and to be in readiness to oppose their old enemies of England now come upon the Borders After many delayes and much loytering an Army is assembled by the Nobility which consisted of Two and twenty thousand and five hundred and a number of Carts charged with small Ordinance New Incursions being blazed to have been made by the English the King amidst these Troops marched to Lawder The Army was encamped and all things Ordered the best way the occasion could suffer them little or nothing being left to Fortune if the English should Invade whom the Lords knew were not at all yet gathered and though gathered and in a Body and upon the Borders or nearer would never Invade them The King at this time is marvellously perplexed and become suspicious of the intentions of his Nobility in this Army in this confusion of thoughts fell upon two extreames In his demeanor and conversation too familiar and inward with his old Domestick Servants and Favourites which rendred them insolent believing the bare Name of King to be sufficient whilst weakness and simplicity had made him despised and them hated and too retired reserved and estranged from his Nobility which made them malicious This he did as his pensiveness conjectured that his Nobles should not attempt any thing to the prejudice of his royal Authority independant of any Council But what he most feared came to pass he resolved and dispatched all matters by his Cabinet Counsel where the Surveyor of his Buildings was better acquainted with the affairs of the State than the gravest of his Nobility This preposterous course of favour made the great men of the Kingdom to fall headlong upon their rash though long projected attempt After many private conferences in their Pavillions the Chiefs of the Insurrection as the Earls of Anguss Lennox Huntley the Lords Gray Lile and others about Midnight come together in the Church of Lawder with many Barons and Gentlemen Here every of them urging the necessity of the times and the dangers the Commonwealth was like to fall into requireth speedy resolutions and having before premeditated deliberated and concluded what to follow they draw up a League and confederation of mutual adherence in this order Forasmuch as the King suffereth himself to be governed by mean persons and men of no account to the contempt of the Nobility and his best Subjects and to the great loss of the Commons The Confederates considering the imminent dangers of the Kingdom shall endeavour to separate the Kings Majesty from these naughty upstarts who abuse his Name and Authority and despise of all good men and have a care that the Commonwealth receive no dammage And in this quarrel they shall all stand mutually every one to the defence of another The design agreed upon and the Confederacy sworn the Chiefs of them in Arms enter the Kings Pavillion where after they had challenged him of many misorders in his Government contrary to his Honour the Laws and good of his Kingdom they took Sir William Roger a man from a Musitian promoted to be a Knight James Homill Robert Cochran who of a Surveyor of his works was made Earl of Mar or as some mitigate that Title Intromittor and taker up of the Rents of that Earldom by whose device some Authors have alledged copper moneys had been coyned by which a dearth was brought amongst the Commons which as others have recorded was an unjust imputation for that copper money was coined in the Minority of the King in the time of the Government of the Boyds with others All these being convicted by the clamours of the Army were immediately hanged upon the Lidder John Ramsey a youth of eighteen years of age by the intreaties prayers embraces of the King was preserved Thus they the late objects of envy were turn'd and become the objects of pity and compassion The body of the Commons and the Gentry of the Kingdom by this notorious act at Lawder being engaged and being made partakers of the Quarrel of the discontented Noblemen
all solemnity of greatness returned towards London being welcomed by the King with many demonstrations of great joy He to show how much he approved the conditions of this Peace went solemnly in procession from St. Stephens Chappel now the Parliament House accompanied with the Queen his Sister and a mighty retinue of the greatest Lords into Westminster Hall Where in presence of the Earl of Anguss the Lord Gray and Sir James Liddale Embassadors extraordinary from Scotland the Peace was Ratified At the return of the Scots Embassadors to their Country King Edward sent an Herauld with them who in his Masters name gave over the Marriage contracted between the Lady Cicilia and the Prince of Rothsay and required the money which had been delivered upon hopes of consummation to his King The Citizens of Edenburgh had given their Bond for the redelivery and a day being granted to them for the Payment they at the appointed day entirely delivered the sum Some thought King Edward recalled this Marriage of a suspicion he conceived that the Ambition of the Duke of Albany and the hatred of the Subjects against their King amidst the manifold distractions of the Realm might hazard the Succession of the Prince of Rothsay to the Crown But King Edward having gained what he had endeavoured most to acquire a division amongst the Nobles of Scotland and by this a Security from their assisting the French rejected the Match Besides the Duke of Gloucester who after his coming in Scotland was laying the Foundations of the Usurping the Crown of England his Brother once dead thought the Alliance of his Brothers Daughter with a King of Scotland too strong a Support to that Race which he was to declare Bastard and a Rock upon which he was confident he should make a fearful shipwrack Neither his Brothers daughter being married to a King of such martial and turbulent Subjects as the people of Scotland durst he ever attempt the taking away of her Brothers and King Edward in neglect of this Match committed a greater error of State than he did in his marrying the Lady Elizabeth Gray and forsaking the Lady Bona Daughter to the Duke of Savoy According to the Records of some Authors whilst the King is kept nine Months in the Castle of Edenburgh the Duke of Albany the Lord Evandale Chancellour the Earl of Arguile the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews the Earl of Athol his Uncle who for the preservation of his person and honour of his Office accepted the charge to attend him in that Fortress govern'd the State The King say the honest Records had all honour which appertained to a Prince save that he could not come abroad and none was permitted to speak unto him except in the audience of some one of his Lords Keepers and that his Chamber doors were shut before the setting of the Sun and long after the rising opened Proclamations were Publisht in his Name and Authority and other publick Writings Such who only heard of him could not but take him to be a free and absolute Prince when near he was but a King in phantasie and his Throne but a Picture the Regal Authority being turned into a Cloak to cover the Passions of those who did govern The Duke of Albany daily importuned by the solicitations Prayers and tears of the Queen a calm and temperate Lady for her Husbands Liberty finding himself not so respected by the other Governours as his Birth and merits did deserve being a man who delighted in nothing more than in changes and novations of Court and State after so many scorns and rebukes offered to his Brother and King commiserating his long sufferance and believing that good turns would make past offences be forgotten and recent benefits were sufficient to blot away old injuries with all remembrance of former discontents whilst the other Governours at Sterling securely passed the time posted in the Night to Edenburgh Here a meeting being appointed of some of his Friends and Vassals who knew nothing of his intentions by the assistance of the Citizens of Edenburgh men entirely loving their King and devoted to him all the time of the Insurrection of his Nobles who gave the first assault yet was it rather their intelligence than Force the Castle is surprized the King and all his Servants set at liberty This unexpected and noble Act of the Duke of Albany having so fortunate a success brought a mighty change on the Court and State The King is now again reinstall'd and hath this Residence in his own Palace to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen have frequent concourse rejoycing to see such evident tokens of love pass between the two Brothers if their affection could have continued The Provost and Baylies of Edenburgh in recompence of their Service were made Sheriffs within all the bounds of their own Territories and rewarded with other Priviledges contained in that Patent which they call their Golden Charter One thousand four hundred eighty two The Lords of the contrary Faction who remained at Sterlin by this new accident betook themselves to new thoughts and considerations every man full of fears and repinings flying to his own dwelling place and conceiving a great hatred against the Duke of Albany They said he was inconstant rash mad in setting at liberty the man who would prove his Executioner and one who would never forget any profer'd injury that if he perished before them it was but his own just deserving and procurement The Duke contemning those reproaches and answering their calumnies and evil words with patience and good deeds by the mediation of the Earl of Anguss studied a reconciliation between the King and his discontented Lords And his endeavours had such good success that in a short time after this Atonement some of them turned so familiar and inward with the King that like the Ivy they began to sap the wall by which they had been supported They made the wound of the Kings old jealousies ranckle again and added poyson to former discontents remembring him of the unnaturalness of his Brothers first Rebellion and assuring him that his ancient Ambition had yet more power of him than his new fears of honesty and respect That howsoever he shewed outwardly the arguments of a reconciled Brother he loved yet to govern and aimed at the Crown That he had wrought his liberty to bring a greater confusion in the State than he had ever done before The King who ever had a watchful eye over his reconciled enemies and who desired to be freed and fairly quited of them all gave way to their calumnies And they after long deliberation resolve upon a Plot to bring the Duke within compass of Law and summoned him to answer upon Treason And this was the rendring of the Town of Berwick to the English which they undertook to prove was only by his Intelligence procuration and being in company with the Duke of Gloucester in that expedition Though the Duke had an absolute and general Pardon and an
abolition for all was past and the Kings hand at it they doubted not to null and make it void All being done by a King constrained by a powerful Army and a close Prisoner which writing could not oblige any private man far less a King what he then bargained was upon constraint and yielded unto upon hopes of saving his life and an Act exacted by force The Duke of Albany finding by the Malice and detraction of a malignant Faction his Brothers countenance altered towards him and danger the requital of his late setting him at liberty the established reconciliation being shaken by suspicions and fancy of revenge obeying necessity fled to his Castle of Dumbar out of which he came to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester the consideration of his grievances In his absence he is convinced of many points of Treason besides the being accessary to the taking of Berwick by the English As his dangerous and long intelligence with the King of England his sending of many Messengers at all occasions unto him That without any safe conduct or pass from his Brother and not so much as acquainting him he had left the Country come into England to devise Conspiracies against his King and native Kingdom The Lord Creighton as his friend associate and complice is forefeited with him against whom Informations were given That often and divers times under the pretence of hunting secretly with the Duke of Albany he rode into England and there meeting with Commissioners sent by King Edward he deliberated of matters concerning novations and of the altering the State That there he kept appointments with James Earl of Douglass the often quench'd fire-brand of his Country That in spight of the Kings Forces sent their to lie in Garrison he kept the Castle of Creighton The greatest discontent the King conceived against him was love to one of his Sisters and some feminine jealousies When the Duke understood the proceedings against himself and the Lord Creighton and that for their contumacy and not appearing to answer and give in their answer they were convict of Treason and their Lands to be seized upon He caused give up the Castle of Dumbar of which he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately placed by Sea a Garrison in it About this time Edward King of England left this World One thousand four hundred eighty three and his Brother Richard Duke of Gloucester did first take the name of Protector and Governour of the Kingdom of England and after his Brothers Sons put in the Tower and their Mother the Queen taking Sanctuary in the Month of June possest himself of the Crown The Duke of Albany finding that Richard by his change of Fortune had not changed his affection towards him imploreth his Aid in restoring him to his own and repairing not his wrongs alone but a wrong done in his sufferings to the King of England sith there was now an open breach of the Truce and Peace so solemnly by him set down and confirmed by his Brother If he could be furnished but with a few number of choice men of reputation and power to pass into Scotland and take a tryal of the Minds and good will of his Friends and Confederates he doubted not at his entring the Country to find numbers who by his presence would hazard upon the most desperate dangers Richard finding the man his Supplicant with whom he endeavoured once an entire friendship and whose advancement in Authority he had most studied condescendeth that five hundred men and Horses should be chosen upon the borders with others who were outlaws and necessitated sometime to make incursions and with James the old Earl of Douglass a man well known and renowned in the West-borders should make an in-road into Scotland The two and twentieth day of July the banished Champion having chosen a good number of their borderers put forward towards Loch-Maben to surprize a Fair spoil a publick Market seize upon all the Buyers and Sellers which here meet and Traffick every St. Magdalens Festival under pretence of Devotion and the liberty of Trading many English had hither resorted at the twelfth hour of the day when the Merchants and Country-people were in greatest security the Burse is Invaded and not Bloud but Wares sought after the Laird of Johnstoun who was Warden and Laird of Cockpool with many stout Borderers having Surveyed and Ridden through the places where the People were met to prevent and hinder all disorders and dangers at the noise of an Incursion of the English dispatch Posts to the adjacent bounds for supply and in the mean time rencounter the Plunderers of the Fair. Here is it Fought with greater courage than force and in a long continued Skirmish the danger of the loss stir'd up and incited the parties as much as Fame and Glory The day was near spent leaving the advantage to either side disputable when the supply of fresh men come to defend their Country and Friends turned the Fortune of the Fight and put the English borderers all to the rout The Duke of Albany by the swiftness of his Horse and the good attendance of his Servants winneth English ground but the Earl of Dowglass loaden and heavy with years and arms is taken by Robert Kirken-patrick who for that service got the lands of Kirk-michael and brought as in triumph to Edenburgh It is Recorded that when the Earl was come in the Kings presence he turn'd his back and refus'd to look him in the face considering the many outrages he had perpetrated against his Father and this late offence The King taken with the goodly personage gravity and great age of the man commiserating his long patience and cross fortune being in his young days designed to be a Church-man confin'd him as in a free Prison in the Abacy of Lyndores Besides he considered that when occasion served he might bring him out of this solitariness and in these turbulent times by his counsel and presence play more advantageously his game of State being a man of long experience in the affairs of the World and the most learned of all his Nobility He was now become tyred of the Earl of Anguss the remembrance of his first offence remaining deeply ingraven in his heart and to counterpoise his greatness this was the only weight The Duke of Albany found little better entertainment in England the Battel being lost some men taken and killed this being the first road upon Scotland under the Reign of Richard who had been formerly so fortunate in his own Person his Fame injur'd and reputation by this diminished the Duke began to be disliked and was not received with that kindness he was wont whereupon by the Assistance and Convoy of John Liddale he secretly retired to France After the Road of Lochmaben sundry incursions are made by the Scots upon the English borders and by the English upon the Scottish The Champian ground is scoured houses are burnt booties taken
with great loss to both and little advantage to any of the Parties Richard having his Reign in his 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 battel 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 some years King James no softlier 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 seventh day of September For the King of Scotland appear'd the Earl of Arguil William Elvingstoun Bishop of Aberdeen the Lord Drummond of Stobhall the Lord Olyphant Archibald Whitelaw Secretary Duncan 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 John Gunthrope Privy Seal Thomas Barrow Master of the Rolls Sir Thomas Bryan Chief Justice In the latter end of September these conclude a Peace between both Realms for the space of Three years The same to begin at the rising of the Sun September twenty nine in the year One thousand four hundred eighty four and to continue unto the setting of the Sun on the Twenty ninth of September in the year One thousand four hundred eighty seven During which time it was agreed 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 three years should remain in the hands of those that held them at that present the Castle of Dumbar only excepted which the Duke of Albany delivered to the English when he left his Country Which Castle for the space of six months should be exposed to the Invasion of the Scots if they could obtain it and during the assaulting of this Castle the Truce should 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 Stratagems 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 Rebel chance to arrive in either Realm the Prince thereof should deliver him upon demand made Scots abiding within the Realm of England and sworn there to the King may remain still so their names be made known to the King of Scotland within fourty days If any Warden of either Realm shall Invade the others Subjects he to whom such a Warden is subject shall within six days Proclaim him Traitor and certifie the other Prince thereof within twelve days In every safe conduct this Clause shall be contained Providing always that the Obtainer of the safe Conduct be no Traytor 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 coming 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 Upon the Scottish part Charles King of Denmark 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 eighteenth of November as well for Redress of Wrongs done on the West Marches as for declaring and Publishing the Peace where the greatest difficulty was to have it observed Richard after this Truce intreated a Marriage between the Prince of Rothsay eldest Son to King James and Lady Ann de la Pool Daughter to John Duke of Suffolk of his Sister To this effect Embassadours met at Nottingham others say at York and it is concluded Writings thereupon being drawn up ingrossed and sealed And Affiances made and taken up by Proctors and Deputies of both parts Lady Ann thereafter being stiled the Princes of Rothsay But by the death of her Uncle she enjoyed not long that Title After the League and intended Marriage King James wrote friendly Letters to Richard concerning the Castle of Dumbar Whether he could be content that the same should remain only six months in the power of the English or during the whole space of Truce 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 friendship between them since it was given unto the English by Treason and neither surprised nor taken in lawful War it might be friendly rendred Richard dall'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 One thousand four hundred eighty six Henry Earl of Richmond came with some Companies out of France of which that famous Warriour Bernard Stuart Lord Aubany Brother to the Lord Darnley in Scotland had the Leading which by the resort of his Country 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 Vertue or Fortune did more contribute Alexander Duke of Albany before this disaster of Richard at a Tilting with Louys Duke of Orleance by a splint of a Spear in his head had received his death-wound One thousand four hundred eighty three He was a man of great courage an enemy to Rest and Peace delighting in constant changes and novations He left behind two Sons John Duke of Albany begotten of his second Marriage upon the Earl of Bulloignes Daughter who was Tutor to King James the Fifth and Governour of Scotland and Alexander born of the Earl of Orkenays Daughter his
remain'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 demeanour that he yet meditated Revenge and had begun to invade and shake the ancient Priviledges of the Humes more out of spight and discontent against them for having assisted and follow'd the Lords of the Reformation of the State than any intention of the increasing the Rents of his new erected Chappel That ere long he would be avenged upon all whom he either knew were accessary or suspected to have been upon the Plot of Lawder Bridge or his Committing in the Castle of Edenburgh That it was sometime better to commit a fault unpardonable than venture under the Pardon That the King had taken a Resolution to live upon the Peoples contributions and give his own Revenues to particular Men. The faults of his Counsellours are highly exaggerated They are base Persons and he himself given to dissimulation misdevotion and revenge as occasion served he would remember old wrongs It was good to obey a King but not to lay the head upon a Block to him if a Man could save himself After long smother of discontent and hatred of the Nobility and People Rankor breaking daily forth into Seditions and alterations The Lord Hume and Haylles being the Ring-Leaders many Noblemen and Gentlemen under fained pretences especially the courses of swift Horses keep frequent meetings Where they renew their Covenant agreed upon at Lawder Church the necessity of the times and the danger of the Commonwealth requiring it and gave their Oaths that at what time soever the King should challenge them directly or indirectly or wrong them in their Rights Possessions Places Persons They should abide together as if they were all one Body marry each others quarrels and the wrongs done to any one of them should be done to them all When the King understood the Confederacy of the Lords to anticipate the danger he made choice of a Guard for the preservation of his Person and Servants Of which he made John Ramsay of Balmayne a Man whom he had preserved at Lawder and advanced to be Master of his Houshold at Court Captain giving him a Warrant not to suffer any Man in Arms approach the Court by some miles This in stead of cooling exasperated the Choler of the Male-contents and stirr'd them to assemble with numerous Retinues all in Arms. The King scarce believing the Minds of so many were corrupted and persuading himself the Authority of a King would supply the want of some Power summon'd certain of them upon fourty days to answer according to Law Of those some rent his Summons and beat shamefully his Heraulds and Messengers for discharging their Offices Others appeared but with numbers of their Adherents Friends Allies and Vassals And here he found that the faults of great Delinquents are not without great danger taken notice of and reprehended he used some Stratagems to surprise the Heads and Chiefs of their Faction But unadvisedly giving trust to the promises of those who lent their ears but not their hearts to his words his Designs were discovered before they produced any effects his secrets all laid open to his great hatred and disadvantage the Discoverers taking themselves to the factious Rebels and cherishing unkind thoughts in all whom they saw distasted with his Government Perceiving himself betrayed and his intentions divulged he remained in great doubt to whom he should give credit The nature and manner of all things changed by the League of the Confederates he thought it high time to remove a little further from that Torrent which might have overwhelmed him and made them Masters of his Person To temporize and win time caused furnish the Castles of Edenburgh and Sterling with provision of Victual Ammunition and Garrisons to defend them from the dangers of War he resolved to make his abode beyond the River of Forth and to leave the South Parts of the Kingdom After which deliberation he entred a Ship of Sir Andrew Wood a famous Navigator and stout Commander at Sea which pretended to make sail for the low-Countries and was lying at Anchor in the Forth These who saw him aboard spread a rumour that he was flying to Flanders The Lords of the Insurrection making use of this false report seized on his carriage in the Passages towards the North rifled his Coffers spoiled his Servants of their stuff and baggage And then after certainty that he was but Landed in Fyfe and from that was in Progress to the Northern parts preparing and directing his good Subjects to be in readiness to attend him at his return they surprized the Castle of Dumbar The monys found in his Coffers wage Soldiers against him and the Harness and Weapons of his Magazines arm them Having gathered some companies together tumultuously they overrun the Countries upon the South of the Forth rifling and plundering all men who went not with them or whom they suspected not to favour their desperate and seditious ends In his progress the King held Justice Courts at Aberdeen and Inneress where William Lord Creighton not long before impeacht with the Duke of Albany submitted himself to his Clemency and was received in favour and pardoned after which grace he shortly left this World Whilst the King in the North the Lords in the South are making their Preparations When they were assembled at Lithgow they find themselves many in number and strong in Power the success of their proceedings being above their hopes there only wanted a man eminently in esteem with the People and noble of Birth to give lustre to their Actions shadow their Rebellion and be the titular and painted head of their Arms. When they had long deliberated upon this great Man they assented all that there was none to be Parrallel'd to the Prince of Rothsay the Kings own Son So strongly Providence befools all human Wisdom and fore-sight his Keepers being corrupted by Gifts Pensions and promises of divers Rewards he is delivered into their hands and by Threats That they would otherwise give up the Kingdom to the King of England he is constrained to go with them To heighten the hatred against the King and the closlier to deceive the People for the love of Subjects is such towards their natural Kings that except they be first deceived by some pretences and notable sophism they will not arise altogether in Arms and Rebel they make Proclamations and by their Deputies by way of Remonstrances spread abroad Seditious Papers in what a Sea of blood would these men launch into that all true Subjects should come in defence of the Prince and take Arms because his Fathers jealousies and superstitious fears were risen to that height that nothing but his Sons Death or Imprisonment could temperate them That he was raising an Army to take his Son out of their hands that he might
do with him as he had done with his own Brothers That Force was the only means to work his safety and keep the Plotters of this mischief within bounds they also should take Arms to reduce the Government to a better form for that the Kingdom was oppressed with insupportable grievances the King being altogether given to follow the advice projects and counsels of base men to amass and gather great sums of mony from his People upon which he studied to maintain his Court and State and give away his own When the Engine was prepared for the People and spread abroad they sent to the Earl of Dowglass then closely as a Monk shut up in the Abby of Lyndores to come out be of the Party and assist them with his Counsel and Friends promising if their attempt had happy Success to restore him again to his ancient Possessions and Heritage former Dignities and the Places of Honour of his Ancestors The Earl whom time and long experience had made wary and circumspect having a suspicion the Earl of Anguss who possessed the greatest part of his estate had been the chief motioner of this liberty and that rather to try what he would do than that he minded really to set him free refused to come out of his Cloister And by his Letters dissuaded them from their bold enterprize against their Prince wishing they would set his house and himself for a pattern and President of Rebellion He sent to all such of his Friends whom his disasters had left unruined to take arms for the King as the Dowglasses of Kayvers and others The King neither losing courage nor councel for the greatness of the danger of the Rebellion trusting much to his good fortune with such Forces as came with him from the North in Captain Woods Ships and other Boats and Vessels prepared to that end passeth the Forth near the Blackness an old Fortress and Sea-port in West Lothian not far from the Castle of Abercorn and that place where the forces of the Earl of Dowglass left him and the King his Father obtained so harmless a Victory Before the arrival of the King at this Place the Earls of Montross Glencarn Lords Maxwel and Ruthven with others advertised by Letters of the Rendevouz hand come to the place had encamped and were attending him And he mustered a sufficient Army to rencounter the Lords of the association who from all quarters were assembled having with them the Prince to add Authority to their quarrel The two Armies being in readiness to decide their indifferences by a Battle the Earl of Athol the Kings Uncle so travailed between the Lords of either Party and the King that a suspension of Arms was agreed upon and reconcilement and the Earl of Athol rendred himself a pledge for the accomplishing of the Kings part of the reconcilement to the Lord Haylles and was sent to be kept in the Castle of Dumbar This was not a small fault of this Prince the Confederates Forces were not at this time equal to his neither had they essayed to hinder the Landing of his Army being but in gathering the Castle of Blackness was for his defence and his Ships traversing up and down the Forth in case of necessity for succour That if he had hazarded a Battle he had been near to have recovered all that reputation he had before lost Now upon either side some common Souldiers are disbanded some Gentlemen licensed to return to their own dwelling places The King in a peaceable manner retireth to the Castle of Edenburgh The Earl of Athol was now removed from him and many of the other Lords who loved him returned to their houses the Counsel of Man not being able to resist the determinations of God The Lords suspecting still the King to be implacable in their behalf and unacceptable in his Castle keeping the Prince always with them entring upon new Meditations hold sundry meetings how to have his Person in their Power and make him a Prey to their Ambitious designs The Town of Edenburgh is pestered with Troups of Armed Men the Villages about replenished with Souldiers The King warned of his danger fortifies of new the Castle of Edenburgh for his defence and is brought to such a tameness that resolving to do that with love of every Man which he feared in end he should be constrained unto with the universal hatred of all and his own damage and danger out of a passive Fortitude sent Commissioners indifferent Noblemen to the Lords and his Son to understand their intentions and what they meant Why his Son was kept from him and continued the head of their Faction Why his Uncle was so closely imprison'd and himself as it were blocked up by their tumultuous meetings in Arms He was content they should have an abolition of all that was past that their punishments should not be infinitely extended and that they should think upon a general agreement after the best and fittest manner they could devise and set it down They finding their offences flew higher than hope of Pardon could ascend unto Their suspitions and the conscience of their crime committed breeding such a distrust out of an apprehension of fear answered that they found no true meaning Open War was to be preferred to a peace full of deceit danger and fears that being assured he would weave out his begun projects against them they could not think of any safety nor have assurance of their lives nor fortunes unless he freely resigned the Title of his Crown and Realm in favour of his Son and voluntarily depose himself leaving the Government of the People and Kingdom to the Lords of his Parliament divesting himself wholly of his Royal dignity Neither would they come to any submission or capitulation until he consented to this main point and granted it submissively King James notwithstanding of this answer after a clear prospect of the inconveniences and mischiefs which were growing and the many injuries indignities and affronts put upon him yet really affecting a Peace sought unto Henry King of England as also to the Pope and King of France to make an attonement between him and his Subjects The Kings accordingly interposed their Mediation in a round and Princely manner not only by way of request and persuasion but also by way of Protestation and menace declaring that they thought it to be the common cause of all Kings if Subjects should be suffered to give Laws unto their Soveraign a Legitimate King though a Tyrant was not subordinate to the Authority of Subjects James was not a Tyrant his errours proceeding most part from youth and evil counsel That suppose the King had done them wrong it was not wisely done for a desire of revenge to endanger their particular Estates and the peace and standing of the whole Kingdom What State was there ever so pure but some corruption might creep into it That they should be very cautious how they shook the Frame of Monarchical Government too far
the danger of the example had power to divert the minds of men from such a cruel Design This was really to seeth the Kid in the Mothers milk and to make an innocent youth obnoxious to the most hainous Crime that could be committed Whatever courtains could be spread to overshadow and cover this mischief the horrour of this Fact possest this Prince to his last hour and God out of his Justice executed the revenge of his cruelty upon the Nobles Commons and the Prince himself at the field of Flowden where some of the chief Actors of this Paricide were in their own persons others in the persons of their Successors sacrificed to the Ghost of this King Iames. IIII. king of Scotts Anō 1488. THE HISTORY Of the LIFE and Reign of James the Fourth KING of SCOTLAND THe Lords who had chosen rather to be reputed famous Rebels than contemn'd Subjects by their boldness of enterprizing skill of managing the Publick affairs and continued purchases swelling to that greatness of Power that they found none to counterpoise few to oppose to their Designs to make their Rebellion lawful and show the World they intended not the Subversion of their Country but of their opinionative King nor that they did dislike Soveraignity so they might have a Prince who would be ruled by their directions take the name and leave to them the Majesty and Authority of his place after the killing of the Father call a Parliament for the installing of the Son in the Royal Throne few of the three Estates here meeting except themselves and the Commissioners of Burroughs in the Month of June the year One thousand four hundred eighty eight at Edenburgh the Prince is Crowned then having not attained the sixteenth year of his age Though these men had assumed the Government yet in divers parts of the Country they had but doubtful obedience nor was their Authority universally acknowledged the flames of dissention seeming yet neither to be extinguished nor altogether smothered with the Life of the late King On the Sea Sir Andrew Wood who had attended the event of the last Battle maintained resolutely the Quarrel of his dead Master Five tall Ships sent by the King of England to his Confederates aid but which came too late pretending a revenge upon his disloyal Subjects pillaged the Maritime Towns and forraged the adjacent parts of the Country shut up the mouth of the River of Forth and interrupted the Commerce of Merchants To repel which violence the Ships gathered by the Lords struggled in vain being every way inferiour and weak to suppress their incursions and Algarards On the Land the Forces of those who had stood out for the late King had rather been by the last conflict scatter'd than throughly broken and brought under The ablest and most convenient Companies which were gathered to his Assistance having never assembled and joyned in one body the Fight being inconsideratly precipitated and the Dye thrown before they could descend from the far Mountains and cross the Ford-less Rivers And of those who were in the Fray not many being taken Prisoners fewer killed falling under the weight of friendly Arms. The prime Men of those who had chosen rather justly to follow the King than profitably his Rebels finding themselves for their loyalty and that good will which they had carryed to their Soveraign persecuted and proscrib'd in their Fortunes and Persons inflamed with indignation and shame resolved to oppose Wisdom to Fortune Courage to Strength and hazard some one day more for the repairing the losses of former the Pillage begun upon the Seas by the English animating them And being desirous to make as many fellows of their danger as they could they send Letters throughout all the quarters of the Kingdom to their Friends Familiars and Confederates encouraging them to ply the business generously opposing their valour and courage to the strength and power of the abusers of the Prince By publick Writings they cast aspersions on the present Government After that Battel of Sterlin and since the Coronation of the King they had not fallen in the power of a Monarch but under an Oligarchy the most depraved from all Governments the name and Title of a King a young man scarce sixteen years of Age enjoyed but he Govern'd not but was by the Killers of his Father misgoverned who under false pretences intended the ruin of the State What reproach and shame would it be not only with all men now living but also with Posterity to suffer these who had hazarded what they had dearest for the honour and preservation of their Prince to be branded with the name of Traytors be banished and followed to death Whilst the Transgressors and abusers of all Laws Divine and Humane sit Judges over them as revengers of general Wrongs usurping the Titles of Deliverers of the Country and Restorers of the Commonwealth amongst whose Paws the present King could not be assured and safe They being the men who to justifie their injustice and make their Fact meritorious brought him in Arms not knowing whether against his King and Father most wofully taken away besides the abusing of his Name and Authority in every civil matter The late King had lost the day and himself by his own Errors not by their Power and Designs Now they should oppose to their proceedings and though they might be esteemed inferiour in number to them yet if they met together they might be found equal to them in worth and courage being puft up by the last misfortune and only putting their confidence in that they mastered their Designs Much being projected and designed for their meeting in Arms in the North Alexander Lord Forbess a Man born neither to rest himself nor suffer others in Aberdeen and other Towns on the point of a Launce displayed the Shirt of the slaughtered King purpled with his blood inviting the Country as by an Herald to the revenge of his Murther In the West the Earl of Lenox a man eminent by his Birth and Fortunes hath the same resolution the Earl of Marshal Lords Gordon and Lyle with their Confederates in other parts of the Kingdom where their power or eloquence could prevail move all their Engins to advance the enterprize and put every thing in readiness The Lords of the insurrection having the young King in their hands to countenance their proceedings joyning discretion to their good success determine except upon necessity not to spill more civil blood and to disperse the Clouds of that appearing Storm they encourage Sir Andrew Wood now received in favour and brought not only to be an enemy but to be their friend and fellow-helper having obtained from them the Barony of Largow disposed to him hereditarily of which before he had only a Lease of the late King for his first Service with his Ships to clear the Forth and scour the Seas of the English And they Launch out to his assistance the Vessels and Boats of the Havens near adjacent
for the faults of those who brought him to the Field against him he girded himself with a chain of Iron to which every third year of his Life thereafter he added some rings and weight Though this might have proved terrible to the Complices of the Crime yet either out of Conscience of his gentle disposition and mild nature and confidence in his generosity or of the trust they had in their own Power and Faction they bewrayed no signs of fear nor attempted ought against the common peace and tranquillity some Records bear that they forewarned him by the example of his Father not to take any violent course against them or which might irritate the people against him and every thing to embrace their counsels and that finding him repining and stubborn beyond mediocrity giving himself over to Sorrow and pensiveness they threatned him with a Coronation of one of his Brothers telling him it was in their power to make any of the Race of his Predecessors their King if he were head-strong and refractory to oppose to their wholsom directions and grave Counsels Amidst this grief of the King and overweaning of his supercilious Governours Andrew Forman Secretary to Alexander the Sixth Bishop of Rome arrived in Scotland with instructions for the Clergy and Letters from his Master to the King and the Nobles The King 's were full of ordinary consolations to asswage his Passions and reduce his mind to a more calm temper for the accident of his Fathers Death The most glorious victory a Prince could acquire was sometimes to overcome himself and triumph over his disordered passions In all perturbations to which we are subject we should endeavour to practise that precept No thing too much but chiefly in our passions of sorrow and wrath which not being restrained over-whelm the greatest and most generous Minds that by passion the fewest actions and by reason the most do prosper Though a King he must not imagine himself exempt from things casual to all mankind especially in Seditions and civil tumults from which no kingdom nor State hath been free There being no City which hath not sometimes wicked Citizens and always and ever an headstrong and mad multitude he should take what had befaln him from the hand of his Maker who chastiseth those he loveth What comes from heaven he should bear necessarily what proceedeth from Men couragiously there was no man so safe excellent and transcendent who by an insolent Nobility and ravaging Populacy might not be compell'd to perpetrate many things against his heart and intentions The will being both the beginning and subject of all sin and the consenting to and allowing the action being the only and main point to be considered and lookt into of which he was free the sin committed was not his nor could the punishment which by the Divine Justice might follow belong unto him Sith he had done nothing of himself but as a bound man had been carryed away by mutinous Subjects these that lead transgress not always they that follow To these men remorse and torture of conscience belong'd it was they should lament and mourn who under false pretences had abused the people maskt their ambition and Malice with a Reformation of errours in the State whose Rage could not be quench't but by the Bloud of their Soveraign It was these should bewail their injustice and cruelty the sin shame and judgment for so hainous a Fact followed these men He should not impute the wrongs and wickedness of others by which he had been a sufferer with his disastered Father to himself Revenge belonged to the Almighty to whose Tribunal he should submit his quarrel He should not decree the worst against his mutinous Subjects nor turn them desperate as if there were no place to Repent Great offences ordinarily were seldom punisht in a State that it was profitable for a Prince sometimes to put up voluntarily an injury the way to be invincible was never to contend and to stand out of danger was the benefit of Peace that he should apply soft Medicine where it was dangerous to use violent That following his Maker he should endeavour to draw good out of evil As he was for that disaster of his Father pittied by Men upon Earth so assuredly he would be pardon'd in Heaven If his Subjects returned to their crooked Byas and did revolt again he would make the danger his own use his Ecclesiastical Censures and Spiritual Power against them till they became obedient and submitted themselves to the sway of his Scepter In the Letters to the Nobles he exhorteth them to obedience Ambition was the cause of Sedition which had no limits and which was the bane and wrack of State and Kingdoms of which they should beware of Kingdoms subsisting upon the reputation of a Prince and that respect his Subjects carryed towards him He was the Eye and Sun of Justice the Prince weakned or taken away or his Authority contemned the Commonwealth would not only fall into a Decadence but suffer an Earthquake and perish Either after by Forrainers be invaded or by intestine dissentions rent asunder Confusions followed where obedience ceased and left Contempt deposed Kings as well as death and Kings are no longer Kings when their Subjects refuse to obey them That good people made good Kings which he requested them to endeavour to be as they would answer to God whose Lieutenants Princes were and by whose power they ruled After this time the Lord Evaindale being dead the Earl of Anguss was made Chancellour and the Lord Hume obtained the place of great Chamberlain of Scotland the Country enjoyed a great calm of Peace the grounds of Dissention seeming to be taken away The King in the strength and vigour of his Youth remembring that to live in Idleness was to live to be contemned by the World by change of Objects to expel his present sadness and to enable himself for Wars when they should burst forth gave himself to recreations by Games and with a decent Pomp entertained all Knightly exercises keeping an open and Magnificent Court When time and Exercise had enabled him and he thought he had attained to some perfection in Martial sports Tilting and Barriers proclaimed Rewards propounded and promised to the Victors Challenges are sent abroad unto Strangers either to be Umpires or Actors of Feats of Arms. Charles the Eight the French King having an Ambition to reannex the Dutchy of French Bretaign to the Crown of France either by Arms or the Marriage of Ann the apparent heir under the pretext and shadow of those painted Justings sendeth to Scotland some of the bravest Gentlemen of his Court desiring privily the assistance of King James against the English if it should fall forth that the King of England troubled his Designs Not long after well and honourably accompanied arriveth in Scotland a young man naming himself Richard Duke of York Son to Edward the Fourth true Inheritor of the Crown of England divers Neighbour
than their King whether he was so or not sith for a Prince he had hitherto defended him he could not leave him upon the Relation of his most terrible enemy and the present Possessour of his Crown That no Prince was bound to render a Subject to another who had come to him for Sanctuary less a Prince who had recourse unto him for Aid and Supply and was now allayed with the ancient blood of the Countrey Much being said at last they conclude upon a truce for some months following After this treaty of Peace the Counterfeit Duke of York with his Lady and such Followers as would not leave him sailed over into Ireland This Truce happily concluded and continued by a trifling and untoward accident went near to have been given up and broken There were certain Scottish young men came into Norham Town and having little to do went sometimes forth and would stand looking upon the Castle Some of the Garrison of the Castle observing them and having not their minds purged of the late ill-humour of Hostility either suspected them or quarrel'd with them as spes whereupon they fell at ill words and from words to blows so that many were wounded of either side and the Scots being strangers in the Town had the worst Insomuch that some of them were slain and the rest made haste home The matter being complained on and often debated before the Wardens of the Marshes of both sides and no good order taken King James took it to himself and sent Marchmond Herauld to the King of England to make protestation That if reparation were not done according to the Conditions of the Truce his King did denounce War The King of England who had often tryed fortune and was enclined to Peace made answer That what had been done was utterly against his will and without his privity But if the Garrison Souldiers had been in fault he would see them punished and the Truce in all points to be preserved This answer pleased not King James Bishop Fox understanding his discontent being troubled that the occasion of breaking the Truce should grow from his men sent many humble and deprecatory Letters to the King of Scotland to appease him Whereupon King James mollified by the Bishops submiss and discreet Letters wrote back again unto him That though he were in part moved by his Letters yet he should not be fully satisfied except he spake with himself as well about the compounding of the present differences as about other matters that might concern the good of both Kingdoms The Bishop advising with his Master took his journey to Scotland the meeting was at the Abby of Melrose where the King then abode The King first roundly uttered unto the Bishop his offence received for the breach of the Truce by his Men at Norham Castle after speaking with him apart he told him That these temporary Truces and Peace were soon made and soon broken but that he desired a straiter Amity with the King of England discovering his Mind that if the King would give him in Marriage the Lady Margaret his eldest Daughter That indeed might be a knot indissolvable That he knew well what Place and Power the Bishop deservedly had with his Master therefore if he would take the business to heart and deal in it effectually he doubted not but it would well succeed The Bishop answered soberly That he thought himself rather happy than worthy to be an instrument in such a matter but would do his best endeavour Wherefore the Bishop of Durham returning from Scotland to his King at London and giving account what had passed and finding his King more than well disposed in it gave the King first advice to proceed to a conclusion of Peace and then go on with the Treaty of Marriage by degrees hereupon a Peace was concluded to continue for both the Kings lives and to the overliver of them one year after In this Peace there was an Article contained That no English-man should enter into Scotland nor no Scotch-man into England without Letters Commendatory from the King of either Nations During this Treaty of the Marriage it is reported that the King of England referred this matter to his Council and that some of the Table in freedom of Councellours the King being present had put the case That Issues Males and Females falling of the Race of his two Sons that then the Kingdom of England would fall to the King of Scotland which might prejudice the Monarchy of England Whereunto the King replyed That if any such event should be Scotland would be but an accession to England and not England to Scotland for that the greater would draw the less and that it was a safer Union for England than that of France Shortly after the espousals of James King of Scotland with Lady Margarite the King of Englands eldest Daughter followed which were done by Proxie and in all solemn manner The Assurance and contract was Published at Pauls Cross the Twenty Fifth of January at London in applause of which Hymns were publickly sung in the Churches and Bonfires with great Feasting and Banqueting set throughout all the City Julius the Second in the beginning of this Treaty did gratifie King James with a Sword and Diadem wrought with flowers of Gold which the Popes on Christmas even used to Consecrate a custom first brought in by Sixtus Quartus which were presented to him at Holy-Rood-House the Marriage was in August following consummate at Edenburgh King Henry bringing his Daughter as far as Colliveston on the way where his Mother the Countess of Richmond abode and then resigning her to the attendance of the Earl of Northumberland who with a great Train of Lords and Ladies of Honour brought her into Scotland to the King her Husband Solemn days were kept at Court for Banqueting Masks and Revelling Barriers and Tilting Proclaimed Challenges were given out in the Name of the Savage Knight who was the King himself Rewards designed to the Victors Old King Arthur with his Knight of the Round-Table were here brought upon the Lists The Fame of this Marriage hath drawn many Forreign Gentlemen to the Court. Amongst others came Monsieur Darcie naming himself Le Sieur de la Beautle who tryed Barriers with the Lord Hamilton after they had Tilted with grinding Spears Some of the Savage Knights Company who were robust High-land men he giving way unto them smarted really in these feigned Conflicts with Targets and Two-handed Swords to the Musick of their Bagpipes fighting as in a true Battel to the admiration of the English and French who had never seen men so ambitious of Wounds and prodigal of Blood in sport All were magnificently entertained by the King and with honourable Largesses and Rewards of their Valour licensed to return Home During the Treaty of this Marriage with England a Monster of new and strange shape was born in Scotland near the City of Glasgow the body of which under the waste or middle varied
nothing from the common shape and proportion of the bodies of other men the members both for use and comliness being two their faces looking one way sitting they seemed two men to such who saw not the parts beneath and standing it could not be discerned to which of the two Bulks above the thighs and legs did appertain They had differing Passions and divers wills often chiding others for disorder in their behaviour and actions after much deliberation embracing that unto which they both consented By the Kings Direction they were carefully brought up and instructed in Musick and Forreign Languages This monster lived Twenty eight years and dyed when John Duke of Albany Govern'd Claud Gruget maketh mention of the like Monster born in Paris before the Marriage of Henry the Fourth the French King with Margarite of Valois but the birth and death of it were near together The King by his great Liberality unto Strangers abroad and his lavish spending at home for religious Places were founded Castles repaired Ships builded three of an extraordinary greatness finding himself needy of Treasure to support the daily expences at Court engaged to many and sunk deep in debt and that Subsidies he could not Levy except by the Suffrages of his Parliament by whose Power they were imposed and rated setteth the most learned Counsellors at Law and men experienced in Foreign Policy to find out new means and ways to acquire and gather him moneys by Laws already made and Ordained which was in effect to Pole the People by executing the rigour of Justice the Fortunes of wise men arising often on the expences of Fools after the example of King Henry the seventh of England his Father-in-law who taking the advantage of the breach of his penal Statutes gave power to Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley by Informers and Promoters to oppress and ruine the Estates of many of his best Subjects whom King Henry the Eight to satisfy his wronged people after his decease caused Execute Old Customs are by these men pryed into and forgotten absolet Statutes quickned Amongst the Titles of possessing of Lands in Scotland there is one which in process of time of an ungodly custom grew strong and is kept for a Law being fetched by imitation from the Laws of the neighbouring States That if the possessour of Lands die and leave a Minor to succeed to him his Tutelage belongeth to the King and the profit of the Lands until the Minor be of the age of One and twenty years This is of those Lands which are termed Wards The King causeth bring up his Wards but bestoweth no more of their Rents upon them than is useful to such of that age By another Law they have not any thing better than this which they call Recognition that if the evidences of any Possessour of Ward-lands be not in all points formal and above exceptions of Law the Lands the possessours put from them shall return to the Lords Superiour and like to this That if a Possessour of Ward-Lands without the consent of the Superiour sell and put away the half or above the half of his Land and Farm the whole Land and Farm returneth to the Superiour or Lord Paramount They have Lands held with Clauses which they call Irritant that if two terms of a few-duty run unpaid into the Third the Land falleth unto the Superiour When those Laws and other like them by reason of the Neighbour Incursions and troubles with England and the civil broyls at home had been long out of use amongst the Subjects and the execution of them as it were in a manner forgot these Projectors and new Tol-masters the King giving way to enrich his Exchequer awakned them Many of the Subjects by these enquiries were obnoxious to the King and smarted but most the most honest who were constrained either to buy their own Lands and Inheritance from the Exchequer or quit and freely give some portion of them to those Caterpillars of the State The King was so dearly beloved of his People that in the height of those Grievances which reached near the exorbitant Avarice of his Father none refused or made difficulty to give all that the Laws ordained The King seeing their willingness to perform and knowing their great disability thereunto out of his singular Grace and Goodness remitteth not only the rigour but even the equity almost of his Laws insomuch that thereafter none of his Subjects were damnified in their Persons or Estates by his proceedings which gain'd him the hearts of all And to put away all suspicions and jealousies from their minds an ordinary Practice amongst Princes acts that fill Princes Coffers ever being the ruine of their first Projectors of any wrong intended He suffered the Promoters and Projectors of this Poling with others of the most active to be thrown into Prisons where some miserably ended their days The year One thousand five hundred and seven James Prince of Scotland and Isles was born at Holy-rood-House the Twenty first of January the Queen in her throws of birth being brought near the last Agony of Death the King overcome with affection and religious vows taketh a Pilgrimage for her recovery on foot to Saint Ninians in Galloway a place in those credulous times famous for the burial of St. Ninian the Apostle of the Britains and notorious by the many Processions and visits of the Neighbour Countries of Ireland and England at his return he findeth his Queen recovered the Child after dyed at Sterlin with the Bishop of Galloway who was appointed to attend him The year following the Queen brought forth another Son named Arthur at Holy-rood-House but he dyed also in the Castle of Edenburgh and Henry the Seventh his Grandfather accompanied him to the other World King James to the Coronation of the young King his Brother-in-law sendeth Embassadours After the death of his two Sons and his Father-in-Law as if he had been warned from above to think upon his own mortality whether he had a resolute intention so to do or that for reasons known to himself he would have it so appear he giveth out That out of remorse for bearing Arms in the Field where his Father was slain he had a resolution to leave his Kingdom and visit the holy Sepulchre Then to prepare his way Robert Blacka-Towre Abbot of Dumfermling is directed but the Abbot in his journey is Arrested by Death and the King findeth other hinderances to keep him at Home Amidst these deliberations his Queen is delivered in the Pallace of Linlithgow of her third Son in the Month of April One thousand five hundred and Twelve who succeeded to the Crown and was named James About this same time Bernard Stuart that famous Warriour under Charles the eighth of France who commanded the French in Bosworth Field came to Scotland followed by Andrew Foreman then Arch-Bishop of Burges and Bishop of Murray with Alexander Stuart the Kings Natural Son after promoted to be Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews
The cause which was given out to the rumours of the People of their coming was That the French King having no Male Children crav'd the advice and counsel of the King of Scotland his Confederate concerning the Marriage of his Eldest Daughter whether he should bestow her upon Francis of Valois the Daulphine and Duke of Augulesm or upon Charles King of Castile who had presented her with many tokens of affection and by his Embassadours earnestly sought her from her Brother But their great Errand was to divide the King from his Brother-in-law King Henry and make him assist Lovys these two Potentates intending a War against other Ann Daughter of Francis Duke of Bretaign after the death of her Sister Isabella remained sole heir of that Dutchy her Wardship falling to the French King Charles the Eighth He terrified so her Subjects guided her Kindred and the principal Persons about her that making void the pretended marriage of Maximilian King of the Romans which was by Proxie she was married unto him Notwithstanding he had the Daughter of Maximilian at his Court with great expectation of a Marriage to be celebrate with her After the death of King Charles Lovys the twelfth having married Jane the Sister of Charles and Daughter to Lovys the Eleventh by his many favours bestowed upon Pope Alexander the Sixth and his Son Cesar Borgia obtaineth a Brief of Divorce against her by the power of which her weakness for the bearing of Children the necessary upholders of a Crown by his Physitians being proved he had Married Ann of Bretaign for he would not lose so fair a Dowry for the blustering rumour of Male-contents which in a little time would grow stale and vanish Pope Alexander dead Julius the Second a turbulent unquiet but magnificent Prelate and a stout defender of Church-Patrimony suspicious of the Power of the French in Italy and that they would not rest content with the Kingdom of Naples and Dutchy of Milan but one day hazard for all fearing also they would because they might put him out of his Chair and substitute in his Room their Cardinal of Amboise or some other of their own began to study novations and means to send the French back to their own Country his ordinary discourse being that he would one day make Italy free from Barbarians He requireth King Lovys to give over the Protection of the Duke of Ferrara and of Annibal Bentivoglio whom he had thrust out of Bulloign The King refusing to forsake Confederates the Pope betaketh him to his spiritual Arms and threatneth with Excommunication the Duke and all who came to his aid and support especially the French they decline his Sentence and appeal to a true and lawful General Council with which they threaten him Henry the Eighth then in the fervour of his youth amidst a great Treasure left by his Father and by more than ordinary bands of love and friendship tyed to the Pope as having dispensed with the marrying of his Brothers Widow interposeth himself as an indifferent Mediatour and Intercessor for Peace between the two parties but in effect was the chief maintainer of the Quarrel effecting nothing because he would not Conditions being refused by King Henry he essayeth to draw the French arms from the Popes Territories by cutting them work nearer home and bringing a necessity upon them to defend their own Upon this determination he desireth King Lovys to restore and render to him his Dutchies Guyenne and Normandy with his ancient Inheritance of Anjow and Mayne and the other old Possessions of the English in France which wrongfully had been detained and kept from him and his Ancestours The War of Italy by these threatnings was not left of for the Pope coming to Bollogn with intention to Invade Ferrara is besieged with his Cardinals and he sendeth Declarations to the Christian Princes protesting the French not only thirsted after the Patrimony and Inheritance of St. Peter but even after Christian Blood Mean while he absolveth the Subjects of King Lovys from their Oath of Allegiance abandoneth his Kingdom to any can possess it at a Council at Lateran he dispatched a Bull wherein the Title of most Christian King is transferred upon Henry King of England who to his former Titles of France having now the approbation of the Pope and the Kingdom interdicted prepareth an expedition in person After which with five thousand barded Horses fourty thousand Foot coming in Picardy he encampeth before Therovenne a Town upon the Marches of Picardy Here the Emperour Maximilian resenting yet his old injury entreth into the King of England's Pay and weareth the Cross of St. George But so long as he stayed in the Army it was governed according to his counsel and direction King James before his meeting with Bernard Stewart and Bishop Forman was fully purposed to prove an indifferent beholder of this War but Bernard having corrupted the Courtiers and the Bishop the chief Church-man of the Kingdom after their long and earnest intercession he was drawn altogether to affect and adhere to the French To throw the apple of Dissention Bishop Forman is sent to King Henry to demand certain Jewels by their Fathers will or her Brothers Prince Arthurs appertaining to Queen Margarite his Sister King Henry mistrusting that Embassy offereth all and more than they demand from him Shortly after the English beginning to interrupt the traffick of the French by Sea King James will send his Ships lately well mann'd and equipped for Fight which not long before had been prepared as was given out to transport the King into Syria to his Cosin Queen Ann supposing this Gift would rather seem a Pledge of friendship and Alliance to the English than any Supply of War But James Earl of Arran having got the command of them instead of Sailing towards France arriveth in Ireland whether by tempest of Weather or that he would disturb the King's Proceedings in Assisting the French instigated and corrupted by King Henry it is uncertain and after he had spoil'd Knock-Fergus a Maritime Village returneth with them to the Town of Ayre The King taking in an evil part the Invasion of Ireland but more the lingring of the Earl for he had received Letters from Queen Ann and Bishop Forman regretting the long and vain expectation of his Ships giveth the Earl of Anguss and Sir Andrew Wood a Commission for both him and them The Earl of Arran by his Friends at Court understanding his Masters displeasure ere they could find him hoisted up Sails and committeth himself rather to the uncertain fortune of the Seas than the just Wrath of a King After great Tempest arriving in French Bretaign these Ships built at such extraordinary Charges Sayls and Cordage being taken from them rotted and consumed by weather in the Haven of Brest Now matters grew more exasperate between the Brother Kings Robert Car Warden of the Borders is killed by three English Hieron Lilburn Struthers Andrew Barton who upon an old quarrel begun
in the Reign of King James the Third had purchased Letters of Reprisal against the Portugals by Thomas Howard the English Admiral is slain and his Ships taken To this last grievance when it was expostulated King Henry is said to have answered That Truce amongst Princes was never broken for taking or Killing of Pyrates Alexander Lord Hume Warden of the East Marches in Revenge of accumulated injuries with three thousand men Invadeth the English Borders burneth some Villages and Forrageth the Fields about But having divided his Forces and sent a part of them loaden with spoils towards Scotland he falleth in an Ambush of the English where Sir William Bulmure with a thousand Archers put him to flight and took his Brother George During these Border Incursions the Lord Dacres and Doctor West came as in an Embassie from England not so much for the Establishing a Peace and setling those Tumults begun by the meeting of Commissioners who Assembled and concluded nothing as to give their Master certain and true Intelligence of the Proceedings of the Scots with the French and what they attempted Monsieur de la Motte was come with Letters from the French to stir King James to take Arms against the English and had in his Voyage drowned three English Ships bringing seven with him as Prizes to the Harbour of Leyth Robert Bartoun in revenge of Andrew Bartouns death at that same time returned with thirteen Vessels all Prizes King Lovys had sent a great Ship loaden with Artillery Powder and Wines in which Mr. James Oguylbuy Abbot of Drybrough arrived with earnest request for the renewing of the ancient League between France and Scotland and Letters from Queen Ann for the Invasion of England In which she regretted he had not one Friend nor maintainer of his Honour at the Court of France after the late delay of the sending his Ships except her self and her Ladies that her request was He would for her sake whom he had honoured with the name of his Mistriss in his Martial sports in time of Peace March but one mile upon the English bounds now in time of an appearing War against her Lord and Country The King thinking himself already engaged and interested in his Fame drawn away by the Promises Eloquence and other persuasions of the French assembleth the three Estates of his Kingdom to deliberate about a War with England Many oppose it but in vain for at last for fear of the King's displeasure it is concluded uncertain whether by a worse Counsel or event But before any hostility against the English they determine and Decree That King Henry shall by an Herauld be fairly advertised and desired to desist from any further Invasion of the Territories of the French King or Duke of Guilders who was General of the French Army the King of Scotland's Confederates and Kinsmen which not being yielded unto the War as lawful and just shall be denounced Henry the Eight then Besieging Therovenne answered the Herauld who delivered his Commission That he heard nothing from him but what he had expected from a King a Despiser of God's and Man's Law for himself he would not give over a War so happily begun for any threats Neither did he care much for that Man's friendship of whose unconstancy he had so often had experience nor for the power of his Kingdom and ambitious Poverty After this answer of the King of England A Declaration by the King of Scotland was published almost to this sense Though Princes should direct their Actions more to conscience than Fame and are not bound to give an account of them to any but to God alone and when Armies are prepared for Battel they look not so much to what may be said as to what ought to be done the Victors being ever thought to have had Reason upon their side and the justest Cause yet to manifest our sincerity and the uprightness of our proceedings as well to these present times as to posterity who may hereafter enquire after our deportments that all may take a full view of our intentions and courses we have been mov'd to lay down the justness and equity of our Arms before the Tribunal of the World The Laws of Nations and of Nature which are grounded upon the Reason by which Man is distinguished from other Creatures oblige every one to defend himself and to seek means for ones own preservation is a thing unblamable but the Laws of Soveraignty lay greater obligations upon us and above all men Monarchs and they to whom God hath given the Governments of States and Kingdoms are not only bound to maintain and defend their own Kingdoms Estates and Persons but to relieve from unjust Oppression so far as is in their power being required their Friends Neighbours and Confederates and not to suffer the weak to be overthrown by the stronger The many Innovations and troubles raised upon all sides about us the wrongs our Subjects have suffered by the Insolencies and Arrogancy of the Counsellors of Henry King of England our Brother-in-Law are not only known to our Neighbour but blazed amongst remotest Countries Roads and Incursions have been made upon our Borders Sundry of our Lieges have been taken and as in a just War turned Prisoners the Warden of our Marches under Assurance hath been miserably killed our Merchants at Sea Invaded spoiled of their Goods Liberties Lives above others the chief Captain of our Ships put to death and all by the King 's own Commission upon which breaches between the two Kingdoms disorders and manifest wrongs committed upon our Subjects when by our Embassadours we had divers times required satisfaction and reparation we received no Justice or answer worthy of him or us our Complaints being rejected and we disdainfully contemned that longer to suffer such insolencies and not by just Force to resist unjust violence and by dangers to seek a remedy against greater or more imminent dangers Not to stand to the defence of our Lieges and take upon us their Protection were to invite others to offer the like affronts and injuries to us hereafter Besides these Breaches of Duty Outrages Wrongs done unto us his Brother Henry King of England without any just cause or violence offered to him or any of his by the King of France hath Levyed a mighty Army against him Invaded his Territories using all Hostility Continuing to assault and force his Towns make his Subjects Prisoners Kill and Ransom them impose Subsidies and lift moneys from the quiet sort which wrongs dammage and injustice we cannot but repute done unto us in respect of our earnest intercessions unto him and many requests rejected and that ancient League between the two Kingdoms of France and Scotland in which these two Nations are obliged respectively and mutually bound to assist others against all Invaders whatsoever that the Enemy of the one shall be the Enemy of the other and the Friends of the one the Friends of the other As all Motions tend unto rest
the end of a just War being Peace that our Brother who hath no such Enemy as the too great Riches and abundance in which he swimmeth may entertain Peace with his Brother Princes and moderate that boundless Ambition which maketh him Usurp Domination over his equals we have been Compelled to take us to defensive Arms for our Brother hath now declared himself and vaunteth that he is sole Judge and Umpire of the Peace of Europe and that from his will the differences of Successions and Titles of Principalities wrongs and other interests depend as that all should be obsequious to his Authority and what particular Authority can be more intolerable than that he should hinder so great and just a Prince as the King of France to claim his own and defend his Subjects If our Brother the King of England by the supply and assistance of many Neighbour Countrys now by the Provocation of the Bishop of Rome arising upon all sides against the French should extend his Power and Victory over France under what colour and pretence of Justice soever to what an extremity shall the Kingdom of Scotland be reduced having so powerful and ambitious a Neighbour Fear of any Neighbour Princes Greatness when it extendeth it self over adjacent Territories is a good cause of Defence and taking of Arms which cannot be but just sith most necessary We are not ignorant that here will be objected against us the breach of a League contracted between our Brother and Us We have not broken that League but for great Causes and Reasons separate our selves from it our Brother having taken away the means occasions reasons were had to observe it In all Leagues Confederations Alliances and Promises amongst Princes the last Confederation is ever understood to be contracted without prejudice to the Rights of any former Alliances and when our Embassadours made that League with our Brother it was to be understood that it should hold no longer nor we longer be bound unto it than he should keep to our first Allies and ancient Confederates not breaking their Peace nor troubling the Government and Estates of their Countries A National League is ever to be preferred before any personal an ancient to a new the Leagues between the Kingdoms of France and Scotland having continued many ages should justly be preferr'd to that which we as a new Ally of the House of England did contract which yet we are most willing to keep but the love of our Country passing all private respects hath moved us to separate our selves for a time from it All Leagues Confederations Alliances Promises amongst Princes are respectively and mutually understood with this condition and Law providing both keep upon either side the one party breaking or departing from the League Alliance or promise the other is no longer bound to keep or adhere unto it So long as the King of England kept unto us we kept unto him He now having many ways broken to us we are no longer obliged to keep to him That same Oath which obliged and tyed us after his breach absolving and making us free and of this we divers times advertised him giving him assurance except we would betray that Trust and confidence our Subjects and Confederates had in us for the maintenance of their Peace and safety we could not but assist them in their just cause howsoever the justest actions have not ever the most profitable events and be constrained to have a recourse to Arms for a remedy of their present misery And now notwithstanding of our advanced expedition and preparations for War that the world may judge rightly of our intentions We declare and manifest that if our Brother shall leave off the Invasion of our Confederates use no more Hostility against them and give satisfaction for the wrongs done unto our Subjects that we shall disband our Forces and are content that all matters of difference aswel between the King of France and our Brother as our Brother and us be amicably judged decided and taken away As that not only a Truce and Cessation of their misery for a time but a perfect and lasting Peace be concluded and established to the full contentment and lasting happiness of the three Kingdoms and our Posterity Whilest the King stayed at Linlithgow attending the gathering of his Army now ready to set forward and full of cares and perplexity in the Church of St. Michael heard Evensong as then it was called while he was at his Devotion an ancient Man came in his Amber coloured locks hanging down upon his shoulders his forehead high and enclining to baldness his Garment of Azure colour somewhat long girded about him with a Towel or Table Napkin of a comely and reverent Aspect Having enquired for the King he intruded himself into the Prease passing thorow till he came to him with a clownish simplicity leaning over the Canons Seat where the King sate Sir said he I am sent hither to intreat you for this time to delay your expedition and to proceed no farther in your intended journey for if you do ye shall not prosper in your enterprize nor any of your followers I am farther charged to warn you if ye be so refractory as to go forward not to use the acquaintance company or counsel of Women as ye tender your Honour Life and Estate After this warning he withdrew himself back again into the Prease when Service was ended the King enquired earnestly for him but he could no where be found neither could any of the standers by of whom diverse did narrowly observe him meaning afterwards to have discoursed further with him feel or perceive how when or where he passed from them having as it were vanished in their hands After this Army had mustered in the Borrow-moor of Edenburgh a field then spacious and delightful by the shades of many stately and aged Oaks about the midst of the Night there is a Proclamation heard at the Market Cross of the Town summoning a great many Burgesses Gentlemen Barons Noblemen to appear within fourty days before the Tribunal of one Plot-Cock the Provost of the Town in his Timber Gallery having heard his own Name cited cried out that he declined that Judicatory and appeal'd to the mercy of God Almighty Nothing was the King moved with those advertisements thinking them Scenick pieces acted by those who hated the French and favoured the English Faction being so boldly and to the Life personated that they appalled and stroke with fear ordinary and vulgar judgments as Trage-Comedies of Spirits The Earl of Anguss dissuaded him from that expedition and many of the most reverend Church-men but the Angel which most conjured him was Margarite his Queen who at that time was with child her tears and prayers shook the strongest beams of his Resolutions She had acquainted him with the Visions and affrightments of her sleep that her Chains and Armelets appeared to be turned into Pearls She had seen him fall from a great Precipice She
Ordnance should be fortified the water of Till running deep and ford-less upon the right hand and but passable at the Bridge the first Companies of the Enemy being passed before they could be relieved and succoured by their followers the Bridge by the Artillery should be beaten down and the Enemy charged when they began to pass the Water The King impatient of Counsel answered though their number encreased to as many more as they were he with that remainder of his Army would Fight them That advantages were to be embraced according to the occasion of the Fight without tedious deliberation if any man was afraid he might if he pleased return Home A strange Resolution in a Prince who imagined every man in his Army to have the same strength courage boldness and resolution with himself This answer astonished the Mobility and since they could not persuade him to a fair retreat but that he will fight and that without the advantage of the Bridge being inferiour in number to the English for they were reckoned by the Scouts Six and twenty thousand they fortifie themselves according to the commodity of the Hill where they lay Encamped with a Resolution not to suffer the King to hazard his Person in the Battle If Victory should incline to them their Gains were but small and Glory less extending but over some few of the Nobility and a small parcel of the Body of the State of England a number of Yeomen and pressed Horsemen the flower of the Kingdom being in France But if they were overthrown their loss would prove uncomparable yea unspeakable a Martial young King either kill'd taken or put to flight wherefore they think it fitting not necessary the King be pleased with so many as either chance or election might separate with him to be a spectator of the Fortune of the Day To this the King replyed He neither wanted ability to discharge the part of a Souldier nor wisdom to Command as a General and to out-live so many valiant Country-man would be more terrible to him than Death it self When forced to give way for his personal presence in the Field they appoint some to be arrayed in like furniture of Arms and a like Guard as the King Shadows to personate him in sundry quarters of the Field that the Enemy should not set one man as their chief mark to invade from whose death the victory and conclusion of the War might depend and if the King should fall the Army should not lose courage nor be brought to believe he were lost so long as they saw a General with his Cognoscance and Guard present and near them to be a witness of their Valour and Atchievments as not long before at the Battle of Fornou in Italy had been practised by the French to their King Charles the eighth By this time the Earl of Surrey with the power of the North of England was come within three miles of the Place where the Scottish Army was encamped and perceiving he could not but with great disadvantage fight them he sendeth an Herauld requiring the King to come forth of his Strength to some indifferent ground where he would be ready to encounter him The King being forward to condescend to this request the Lords cryed out it was madness to accept of opportunity of fighting from his Enemies and to set all at a main chance according to their appointment it being their advantage to prolong time and trifle with him in whose Camp there was already scarcity of Victuals which ere long might put him to such a stand that he should not know well what to do Neither was it likely he could be furnished from the inner parts of the Country by reason of the cumbersom waies for carriage to pass after the falling of so great and continued rains and the softning of the Ground that by sitting still and committing nothing to Fortune he might have his enemy at his pleasure if they dared assail him at their perils be it He lacked nothing but patience to be Victorious The Scots keeping their Trenches the Earl essayeth to draw them out and the ninth of September removing his Camp marcheth towards the same Hill of Flowden where they lay encamped his Vanguard with the Cannon passed the Water of Till at Twysel Bridge the Reer-ward going over at Mylnford King James seeing them pass the water imagineth they meant to win a Hill between his Camp and them To prevent which setting fire to the Cabanes raised of boughs of Trees and Reeds he removeth to another Hill before the English could observe his Motion the smoak darkning the air between the two Armies Whilst the Scottish Army was removing the English advance to the Foot of Flowden Hill by which they have double advantage the Scottish Ordnance could not much annoy them they marching upwards and under the level thereof again by their Shot they might easily gall their enemies as they came downwards upon them The fatal hour of the Battle approaching the English draw up in good order six and twenty thousand men some write thirty in two Battails any of which was equal in number to the whole Scottish Army Thomas Lord Howard Admiral had the Vanguard of which Sir Edmond Howard his Brother led one of the Wings and Sir Marmaduke Constable the other The Lords Dacres and Clifford with Sir Edward Stanley kept the Rear the Earl of Surrey with Latymer Scroop Sir Stephen Bull kept the main Battail The Scots by their fewness of Number not being able to order many Battalions marshal themselves in four three of which should enter in Fight and the fourth attend for supply The King kept the middle or main Alexander Gordoun Earl of Huntley had the right wing of the Van the Earls of Crawford and Montross led the other and some have Recorded the Lord Hume The third Army was guided by Matthew Earl of Lennox and the Earl of Arguyl where was Mackenney and Mackclean with the fierceness of the High-landers Adam Hepburn Earl of Bothwell with his friends and the flower of the Gentry of Lothian kept off for suddain dispatches and chances of the Battle The Earl of Huntley making down the Hill where they encamped near the foot of Branx Town encountreth that Wing of the English Host which was led by Sir Edmond Howard which after a furious and long Fight he put to flight and so eagerly pursued the advantage that Sir Edmond had either been killed or taken if he had not been rescued by Bastard Hieron and the Lord Dacres the Battalion which the Earls Lennox and Arguyl led being Highland men encouraged with this first glance of Victory loosing their Ranks abandoning all order for ought that the French Ambassadour La Motte by signs threatnings clamours could do to them brake furiously upon the Enemy and Invade him in the Face of whom they are not only valiantly received but by Sir Edward Stanleys traversing the Hill enclosed cut down at their backs and prostrate The
middle Ward which the King led with which now the Earl of Bothwel with the power of Lothian was joyned fought it out couragiously body against body and Sword to Sword Numbers upon either side falling till darkness and the black shadows of the Night forced as it were by consent of both a Retreat Neither of them understanding the fortune of the day 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 die than out-live their friends and Compatriots The King 's Natural Son Alexander Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews the Bishop of the Isles the Abbots of Inchjefray and Kill-winny the Earls of Crawford Mortoun Arguyl Lennox Arrel Cathness Bothwel Athol the Lords Elphinstoun Areskin Forbess Ross Lovet Saintclare Maxwell with his three Brothers Simple Borthwick Numbers of Gentlemen Balgowny Blacka-Towre Borchard Sir Alexander Seatoun Mackenny 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 themselves all the time of the Fight keeping their first Order and when by the Earl of Huntley he was required to relieve the Battalions 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 booty of the spoils of the slaughtered This Fight began September the Ninth about four of the clock after Noon and continued three hours the year One thousand five hundred and thirteen About the dawning of the next Morning the Lord Dacres with 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 Trophies 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 only 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 Battle 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 married 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 Masters brought to Berwick and embalmed That it was not the body of the King the girdle of Iron which he ever 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 cognoscances 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 Kelso 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 kindred 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 Commonwealth and upon the Borders One Carr a follower of the Lord Humes that same night the Battle was fought thrust the Abbot of Kelso out of his Abbacy which he never durst attempt the King being alive Another David Carbreth in the time of John the Governour vaunted that however John wronged the Humes he was one of six who had abated the insolency of King James and brought him to know he was a Mortal To these is added that the Governour John not long hereafter cut of 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 There for his other offences and the bearing of Arms against his Father in Prayers and Pennance he spent the remainder of his tedious days That he would return again when he found opportunity and the necessity of Europe requir'd 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 One thousand five hundred and thirteen 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 endure all extremities of Weather Scarcity or want of rest with good health of body He was just in giving judgment 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 overtaken 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
labour from returning into Scotland again Eight Lords were chosen to have the custody of the Kings person quarterly every one his Moneths successively and the whole to stand for the Government of the State yet with this Limitation That the King by their Counsel should not determine nor ordain any thing in great affairs to which the Queen as Princess and Dowager gave not her free consent and approbation The Lords were the Arch-bishops of St. Andrews and Glasgow the Bishops of Aberdeen and Dunkell the Earls of Anguss Arran Lennox Arguyl Time urging resolution the Lords of Parliament direct the Earl of Cassiles again to the Court of England to declare their resolution concerning the marriage of the King and the establishing a Peace between the Kingdoms The news of the overthrow of the French Army and the taking of their King at Pavia by the Imperialists being come to the Court of England before the Arrival of the Earl of Cassiles King Henry told the Scottish Embassadours in plain terms He could not determine any thing concerning the Marriage of his Daughter without acquainting the Emperour her neerest Kinsman and his Confederate with his proceedings which could not be done in hast and so soon as they required considering the troubles of Italy Hereupon the Embassadours their hopes of this Alliance delayed having obtained a Truce between the two Nations for the space of three years and three moneths faithfully to be kept returned to their own Country The State began of new to be tossed by the troublesom Factions of the Queen and Earl of Anguss the Original of which sprang from matters of the Church the Abbacy of Holy-rood-House falling vacant by the promotion of George Creightoun Abbot to the Bishoprick of Dunkell the Earl of Anguss to whom the custody of the King was entrusted either by lot or consent moved him to confer this Abbacy upon his Brother Mr. William Prior of Coldinham without acquainting the Queen with the Gift or seeking the consent of the other Rulers at this the Queen turned so displeased that abandoning the King to the pleasure of the Earl of Anguss She with her Followers retired to Sterlin By this inconsiderate retreat the Earl administred all alone leaning to the greatness of his own power that some might have thought the Queen set her Game to make up his All favours and punishments pass by him All Offices and Places of importance are distributed to his favourites He made Archembald Dowglass his Uncle Treasurer Sir George his Brother Great Chamberlain the Abbacies of Coldingham and Holy-rood-House were in his Brothers hands neither temporal nor ecclesiastical Dignity escapt him his greatness instantly procureth him envy The Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews the Earls of Arran Arguyl Murray who were of the Queens faction lay a plot to accuse Anguss of high Treason They challenge him That he kept the King against his will insolently restrained his Liberty and that contrary to the order established by the Estates which was that the custody of his person should every four Moneths by turns be allotted to the Governours of the Country in a Circle That he could not dispose of any thing of moment alone the contrary of all which he had usurped whereupon they charge him to dismiss the King and restore him to them and the other Counsellours equall in Government with him under the pain he should be reputed a Traytor and no loyal Subject for this invassalling his Prince to his attendance The Earl of Anguss himself to this answered not but Sir George his Brother moved the King to give the answer himself His Mother and those other Rulers should not be thus solicitous for him for with none more cheerfully willingly and contentedly could he live and spend his time than with the Earl of Anguss neither could he leave the company of one so highly favoured of his Uncle and so well meriting of himself For all this answer he had secretly sent Letters to his Mother and those of the adverse party intreating They would remove him from the Earl and not suffer him any longer to remain under his imperious Government and if it could not be otherways done to accomplish it by main force of arms if they had any pitty or if any Sparks of duty remained unquenched in them towards him if they dared Enterprize ought for a Royal though now thrâ—lled Supplyant or obey the Command of a King in Prison that the answer which he sent before unto them and his Mother was by constraint and compulsion drawn from him and far from his Mind Upon this advertisment the Queen and they of her Faction assemble what power they could raise in such a suddenness at Sterlin and with great expedition marched towards Edenburgh to separate the King from the Earl his Guardian Who resolved to repel force by force with the Townsmen of Edenburgh many friends and adherents and the King though against his will marched out of Edenburgh to encounter the fight of these Rebels When the Leaders of the Queens forces understood the King in person was in the adverse Army either dazled with the splendour of the presence of a King or fearing if they joyned in battel the person of their Prince might be endangered or that they found themselves not strong enough in number and arms for a Conflict they retired back again to Sterlin where they disbanded and returned every man to his own dwelling place The Queen with the Earl of Murray went to Murray-land the Earl of Arran and Arguyl to the West the Archbishop of St. Andrews to Dumfermling This Faction dissipated the Earl of Anguss remained more stable and assured of his Guardianship and now he findeth no Competitour The want of the great Seal being a hinderance to many of his projects and he disdaining to be a suiter to his enemy for dispatch of publick affairs caused the King send a Letter for it and the Archbishop with all respect sent it immediately to the Earl with whom to be equal he took himself to new Meditations The Queen many waies provokt by her Husband the Earl of Anguss and lastly by detaining her Son against his will and contrary to the publick course agreed upon the Archbishop persuaded her To intend a process of Divorcement against him and dissolve her marriage this might produce some great effect at least it could not but diminish the Earls reputation among the people The Queen and the Earl many times in private between themselves agreed upon a separation disliking each others conditions for it was fatal to her as to her Brother King Henry to delight in change of Wedlock and be jealous of her Matches The Earl is therefore cited before the Archbishop of St. Andrews to hear the sentence pronounced according to the Laws of the Church in those times at the day appointed he appeareth The Queen alledged He had been betroathed given his faith and promise of marriage to a noble woman of the Kingdom a daughter of
Traquare before the marrying of her and so by reason of that Precontract he could not be her lawful husband The Earl confesseth the Archbishop pronounceth the sentence of Divorcement but with this Reservation and Restraint That the Child come of the Queen and the Earl the time of their marriage by the ignorance of the Mother the Queen should not suffer any loss dammage or disadvantage The King of England resented highly this Divorcement endeavour'd by his Letters to hinder it for he thought some things tolerable in men which were incompetent and shameful in women and after never carried such respect to his Sister as he had done before Of these she made little reckoning for after the sentence given she married Henry Stuart Son to the Lord Evendale whom K. James to do honour to his Mother promoted to be Lord Meffan and General of his Artillery Whilst the King remained a shadow to the Earls Government amidst so many distractions discords and jars of the Grandees the Court turned solitary and unfrequented by any Noblemen save these of the Dowglasses own faction amongst which the Earl of Lennox shewed himself most indifferent For he for his own ends attending the Court in a short time so framed himself to the Kings humours that he delighted alone in his conversation and often had none of his inward thoughts and secret intentions from him Among others he many times importuned him to give him a sound advice how he might be delivered from the Earl of Anguss of whose bondage they had been long weary whose rule over him was now turned into tyranny his ambition having mounted to that height that he was not content to command the Kingdom but to thrall and keep under his Soveraign Lord the King himself that the effects of his Governing were the dispersing of his Nobles and banishing of his mother from him The Earl of Lennox who by his familiarity with the King was become suspicious of Anguss and had an intention to tumble out a man hated of his Prince establish himself in his place and rule the young King alone aggravating his and the Countries miseries told him after much intreaty The Lord of Balclough was the only person to be imployed in such a service a man of unlimited desires displeased strong in power mightily hated and who had inveterate hatred against the Earl of Anguss who wanted nothing but opportunity to execute his rancour If this conceived exploit had not a desired success then he himself would by main force either win his Prince or lose his life in the Enterprise The Laird of Balclough secretly advertised of the Kings intention giveth way to much oppression and many insolencies on the borders the redress of which re-acquired the presence of the Prince Complaints are given against them and the King to do justice companied with the Earls of Anguss Lennox Lords Hume Flamin Areskin Cesfoord Farnehast and others cometh to Jedbrough But when they had staied there some daies small redress was of wrongs no justice executed the chief men of the Borders not producing the Delinquents of their Names to answer according to law as was the ancient custom Thus as they came they were returning when at Melross as they hoverd at the passage of a Bridge over the Tweed certain companies of men in arms appeared on the descents of Hellidon Hill which being come within distance of discerning were known to be commanded by the Laird of Balclough and number'd a thousand all borderers and broken men The Earl of Anguss not a little mov'd at so sudden an apparition by an Herauld craveth to understand their intentions and how in such a hostile manner they dared come so near the Kings person withal charging them under pain of high Treason to retire The Laird of Balcloughs answer was he came to do the King service invite him to his house show him what forces he was able to raise upon the Borders when necessity should require his service and assistance That he would not obey a charge contrary to the Kings mind of which he was conscious and herewith he marched forwards Presently the Earl alighting on foot leaving the Earl of Lennox Lords Areskin Maxwell Sir George Dowglas Ninian Creightoun with the King as Spectators of the Game with the Lord Flammin and other his Friends marshall'd his Men for the Charge which was given with a great shout and clamor of these Borderers The Lord Hume Lairds of Farnehast and Cesfoord had taken their leave of the King who gladly dismist them but upon advertisement of the sudden fray being not far of they return in hast with an hundred Launces in good time for the Earl of Anguss and falling upon one of the Wings of Balcloughs troups force them to yield ground and some to turn their backs upon which suddenly followeth the Chase Cesfoord and Farnehast eagerly persewing Here at the descent of a little Hill by the blow of a Launce which a Domestick of Balcloughs threw from his Army the Laird of Cesfoord is slain and by his death the Chase left off to be follow'd and a long deadly fewd between the Scots and Cars was begun fourscore Borderers were kill'd in this bickering assisting Balclough himself was wounded with many of his friends the Earl of Anguss lost not a few besides the Laird of Cesfoord The Earl of Anguss after this road of Melross perceiving his enemies to increase and the affections of some of the Nobility turned from him composing the old difference between him and the Earl of Arran entered into condition of a strict friendship with him and was content he should be his partner and fellow governour in distribution of Casualities and ruling the Country When the King had considered how twice his intentions had been broken and unhappily without success he began to essay the third by the Earl of Lennox whom challenging of his promise he desired to gather an Army and joining his Forces with the Queens to restore him to his Liberty The Earl of Lennox before suspected after the League and friendship of the Earl of Anguss with the Earl of Arran became a declared enemy to Anguss withdrew himself from Court and some few Moneths being passed at Sterlin he maketh a Declaration to all the Lieges of his intentions inviting them to 〈◊〉 and side with his cause One thousand men came from the High-lands to him the Earl of Cassole and Master of Kilmayers come from the West with two thousand the Queen and Archbishop James Deutoun direct many of their Vassils from Fyffe to him Thus with three strong Briggades he marched towards Linlithgow The Earl of Anguss understanding these preparations to be against him imploreth the assistance of his best Friends to withstand them especially the Cars and Humes to whose valour he had lately been so far obliged He sendeth Letters to the Earl of Arran and the Gentlemen of the name of Hamiltoun regretting the estate of the Commonwealth requiring their speedy aid That in
so perilous time setting aside all particular Respects and Quarrels they would have a care of the Common good of the Country If the Earl of Lennox should carry the King from him and remained Victor of the Field he would not stay there his next mark would be the Hamiltouns whom he was in the way to put from all title to the Crown the report going already that the King would intail it to him out of his own favour and had designed him Heir to the Earl of Arran he having no children of his own That the King had a magnetical affection towards him which if Fortune favoured with a Victory would increase now meriting which before was but meer favour The custody of a young King was not for a man of so short experience The Hamiltouns finding that man their Suppliant who late was their Competitor delighting to live in a troubled State and be Copartners of the Government and managing the affairs of the Kingdom which was promised them in their new band of Friendship laying aside all former discontent and grudge accept the Quarrel and assemble their Forces at Linlithgow To this Town the Earl of Lennox was advancing and he being the Sisters Son of the Earl of Arran by Gentlemen well affected towards him and of his kindred they intreat him to turn back and not to try the hazard of a battel for a conquest he could not long enjoy the Government of a young Prince whom a little more time would make Governour of himself and who perhaps would reward his service with disgrace It being ordinarily seen that great obligations to Princes procure rather their hatred than love whilst it is more easie to pay men by contempt than benefits that if he came forwards no interest of blood would save him from their just and lawful stopping of his passage and enterprize The Earl of Lennox answered it was no time then in the eye of the World to abandon so just a quarrel that shame wounded deeper than death which he would rather imbrace than not see his Prince at Edenburgh And finding the Bridge over the Avan possest by the Enemy passed his Companies over the River Et near the antient Monastery Immanuel the Master of Killmayers guideth the Vanguard consisting of West-land men the Earl of Cassiles and himself the main Battel many of which were High-land men being of all as some write ten thousand The Earl of Anguss having essayed in vain to bring the King to the Field with the power of Edenburgh leaving that Charge to his Brother Sir George and Archembald Dowglass Provost of the Town accompanied with the Humes and Cars being of all two thousand maketh a speedy march towards Lynlithgow But the Earl of Arran spurr'd by the ambition and youthful heat of his Son Sir James Hamiltoun had begun the fight before he could appear for a long time it is valiantly fought victory inclining to neither side till a great clamour arose seconded by the appearance of fresh Troops of Enemies the Dowglasses and their Friends at which alarum many of the High-land and West-land men turned their backs the rest by the advantage of the place sustain the Fight The King after much loytering and many delays having heard the Armies were near joyning and much solicitations of Sir George Dowglas issueth out of Edenburgh at a slow march But when at Corstorphine Hills he was awaken'd with the noise of the great Ordnance he urged his Followers to make all haste to come to the fight It was reported Sir George Dowglass drove his Horse in a great rage gave him injurious words which he never after forgot Being half way he is advertised that the Earl of Lennox Highland-men were fled and by all appearance the Earl of Arran was Master of the Field This news perplexed him not a little but making the best of that worst he dispatch'd all his domestick Servants with Andrew Wood of Largo to save so many as they could in the Chase especially the Earl of Lennox whose life he now tendereth as his Crown But this Earl after he had been taken by the Laird of Pardowye in cold blood was unnaturally slain by Sir James Hamiltoun who either killed or wounded on the face all that came under the dint of his Sword in the Rout. They found the Earl of Arran mourning over his Corps over which he spread his Cloak the Laird of Howstoun lay dead by him the Master of Killmayers sore wounded at their coming maintained the fight and was by them with difficulty saved with so many others as either the Kings authority or their power could rescue This Conflict happened in September After the victorious Earls had restored their wounded Soldiers and refreshed themselves in Lithgow they accompany the King to Sterlin and immediately march through Fyffe in quest of those who had been the cause of taking Arms against them of which number the Queen was but the Archbishop of Saint Andrews was the most eminent who as before he had seconded Arran to surprize Anguss so now he had stirred Lennox to the overthrow of them both Because the Archbishop was not to be found for he as some record was turned a true Pastour and in Shepherds weeds kept Sheep on some Hill they spoiled the Abbacy of Dumfermling and Castle of St. Andrews defacing all the Ornaments and carryed away the Moveables and Stuff in them The Queen with her Husband Henry Stuart and James his Brother betook them to the Castle of Edenburgh which the Lords at their return besieged The Mother hearing her Son was amongst the Besiegers in Person obtaing favour for her Husband and his Brother caused the Gates to be cast open But for their safety such who loved them advised the King to commit them to that place during his pleasure Now the Earl of Angus and Arran summoned all who had born Arms against the King to appear in Judgment and answer according to the Law as Traytors Some compounded for Sums of Money others became Dependers of the Houses of Anguss and Arran Gilbert Earl of Cassiles being summoned and compearing Hugh Kennedy his Kinsman answer'd the Indictment that he came not against the King but to assist the King for proof of which he offered to produce the Kings own Letter Though the Earl of Cassiles escaped the danger of the Law he did not the fury of the Revenge was taken about some disparaging words for as he was returning home he was surprized in the way and killed Some write by the Sheriff of Aire but by the direction of Sir James Hamiltoun About this time the Archbishop of St. Andrews and other Church-men in revenge of the spoiling of this Houses and persuing himself for questions of Religion burn the Earl of Arrans Brothers Son Mr. Patrick Hamiltoun and banish Mr. Patricks Brother James Sheriff of Lithgow Not long after mens wrath by time diminishing and their blood growing colder the Archbishop having bestowed on the Earl of Angus Sir George
his Brother and other their Friends some Church Benefices and many Leases of Tythes was reconciled unto them and with appearance of great friendship they mutually entertained and feasted each others at the Christ-Mass in the City of St. Andrews But small confidence could be long among reconciled Enemies Now went every thing as the Earl of Anguss could have wished he was not only entire and familiar with the Kings Person but with his Office some of his Enemies were dead others overthrown in open Field with the rest he was reconciled No Faction for power or riches was equal to his Nor remained there any Castle or Fortress not seised on by him and garrisoned with his Friends and Followers except the Castle of Sterlin a part of the Queens Dowry which being desolate by her Miseries and only haunted by some of her poorest and meanest Servants was neglected by the Earl which in him was a great Error the fitness of the place for a revolution and change of Court considered Many days the Earl had not seen his own dwelling Places nor thought upon his private Affairs being carried away by the storms of Court now he thinketh he may securely pass to Lothian whilst at Faulkland the King shall be safely entertained by his Brother Sir George Archembald his Uncle and James of the Parkhead Captain of the Guards having earnesty entreated their attendance on the King he crosseth the Forth with resolution soon to return His departing was not so concealed but the Archbishop of St. Andrews had knowledge of it and he inviteth Sir George to see him in his City of St. Andrews to receive the Leases of the Tithes promised all now perfected valid and according to Law sufficient Whilst Sir George is here detained Archembald the Treasurer by other Letters for matters of love is inticed to Dundee But nothing could make the Captain of the Guards leave his Charge The King amidst his solitary Walks in his Park of Faulkland considering of what a tedious Train he was relieved and how suddenly occasion might turn her bald scalp if presently he took not hold of her resolveth to accomplish by Stratagem what the Factions of his Nobles could not perform by force It is delightful to understand every particular circumstance in the progress of the actions of Princes Upon this resolution he directeth the Forrester of the Park to give advertisement to such Gentlemen about who kept Hounds the next morning to attend him for he would early have his Game He suppeth sooner than his custom was entertaining the Captain of the Guards with more than usual ceremonies and representations of the next mornings sport withall inviting him to go to his rest the Night being short about the Summer solstice The Waiters all shifted and the Court husht shutting his Chamber Door in the Apparel of one of his Grooms unperceiv'd he passed the Guard to the Stable where with two who attended him with spair Horses he posted to Sterlin where by the Queens intelligence he was expected in the Castle When the certainty of this escape was noised abroad many Noblemen repair to Sterlin some by Letters sent unto them others at the rumour of his evasion that in a little time he found him safe and far from any danger again to be surprized the Earls of Arguyl Atholl Glancarn Monteeth Huntley The Lords Graham Drummond Levingstoun Sainclaire Lindsay Evandale Ruthen Maxwell Simple the Earl of Eglintoun Rothess James Beatoun Archbishop of St. Andrews the Deviser of his escape The Earl of Angus full of miss-giving thoughts with many of his Friends was also on his way to Sterlin but Proclamation being made against him Discharging him from all Offices and publick Functions and being by an Herauld forbidden with his Friends and Followers to come near the Court by some Miles under pain of Treason either moved by inward terrours or love of the Peace of his Countrey turned back to Linlithgow where two days he attended News of the Kings pleasure which at last was declared That neither he nor none of his should presume by some miles to approach his Residence The more particular favours were That the Earl should confine himself beyond the River of Spay in the North whilst his Brother Sir George Dowglass should render himself Prisoner in the Castle of Edenburgh and there remain during the Kings pleasure When the Dowglasses had refused these offers they are cited to answer according to Law in a Parliament to be holden in September at Edenburgh before the day of appearing the Earl of Angus accompanied with an able Train of his Friends and Followers essayeth to enter the Town of Edenburgh and there attend the coming of the King but by the Lord of Maxwell and the Lord of Lochinvarre who in the Kings Name had invested the Town he is kept out and the King with an unexpected suddenness with two thousand men coming from Sterlin he removed The Earl not appearing at the appointed day is by Decree of Parliament attainted and forfeited with his Brother Sir George Dowglass Archembald Dowglass his Uncle Alexander Drummond of Carnock and others The points of which they were to be accused were The assembling of the Kings Lieges with intention to have assailed his Person The detaining of the King against his will and pleasure and contrary to the Articles agreed upon the space of two years and more all which time the King was in fear and danger of his life At this Parliament some write the King made a solemn Oath never to give a Remission to any of the Dowglasses there forfeited as the Lords did never to interceed nor request for any of them and in disgrace of the Earl of Angus Henry Stuart who had married the Queen his Wife was created Lord Meffan The Dowglasses having all favour denied them being openly declared Enemies to the King and Countrey commit all Hostility the last refuge of desperate men on their Enemies bounds Caust-land and Cranstoun are burned they ravage even to the Gates of Edenburgh the harmless people suffering for the faults of the great under shadow of their Followers all Robberies and Oppressions brake forth and by whomsoever committed are laid to their charge The King will not hear of them in any other terms than Oppressours and common Robbers In their defence they fortifie their Castle of Tantallon with the readiest Provision taken from the nearest adjacent bounds In October the King raiseth a great company of Soldiers with great Ordnance and other Engines of War brought from the Castle of Dumbar Tantallon is besieged but proveth impregnable and David Faulconer the General of the Ordnance at their removing is slain A Commission is sent to the Earl of Bothwell as the Kings Lieutenant to invade with Fire and Sword in all places the Dowglasses which he either out of human compassion or that he knew wise States-men should extenuate the faults of others rather than aggravate them refused to accept But the Earl of Arguyl and Lord
Hume accepted that charge prosecute them where they might be apprehended till after much misery and night-wandring at home they were constrained with Alexander Drummond of Carnock who had been partaker of their misfortunes by his consanguinity with the Earls Mother who was Daughter to the Lord Drummond to fly into England where they were charitably received and honourably entertained by King Henry the Eight Now are the Offices and Lands of the Dowglasses disposed upon the Archbishop of Glasgow Gavin Dumbar is made Chancellor Robert Bartoun who was in especial favour with the King Treasurer great Customer General of the Artillery and Mines and other Charges are given unto others The King of England intended a War against the Emperor Charles the Fifth sendeth Embassadors to Scotland for a certain time to treat a Peace and if it were possible to reconcile the Dowglasses with the King Five years truce was resolved upon but for the Dowglasses the King would hearken to no offers only Alexander Drummond by the intercession of Robert Bartoun and the Embassadors had liberty to return home When the Earl of Northumberland and the Earl of Murray who had full power to conclude a Truce had met the other Commissioners upon the Borders the Factious great men and rank Ryders there put all in such a confusion by urging difficulties that they parted without agreeing unto any Articles or certain Conclusions which the King took in so evil a part that divining from what head this interruption sprung he committed sundry Noblemen to the Castle of Edenburgh till they gave Hostages and secured the Borders from invasion or being invaded In the month of June following with a great power he visited these bounds executing Justice upon all Oppressours Thieves and Out-Laws In Ewsdale eight and fourty notorious Riders are hung on growing Trees the most famous of which was John Arm-strong others he brought with him to Edenburgh for more publick Execution and Example as William Cockburn of Henderland Adam Scot of Tushelaw named King of Thieves The year 1530. the King instituted the Colledge of Justice before it was ambulatory removing from place to place by Circuits Suits of Law were peremptorily decided by Bayliffs Sheriffs and other Judges when any great and notable cause offered it self it was adjudged Soveraignly by the Kings Council which gave free audience to all the Subjects The power and priviledges of this Colledge was immediately confirmed by Pope Clement the Seventh In this Court are fifteen Judges ordinary eight of them being Spiritual Persons of the which the most antient is President and seven Temporal men The Chancellor of the Realm when he is present is above the President There are also four Councellors extraordinary removeable at the Princes pleasure This Institution is after that Order of Justice which is administred in Paris first instituted by Philip the Fourth the French King the year 1286. The King about this time storeth his Arsenals with all sort of Arms the Castles of Edenburgh Sterlin Dumbartoun and Blackness are repaired and furnisht with Ordnance and Ammunition Whilst no certain Truce is concluded between the Realms of England and Scotland the Earl of Angus worketh in this interim so with the King of England that Sir Edward Darcey is sent to the Borders who when his solicitation for restoring the Earl at the Scottish Court had taken no effect yea had been scorned after he had staied at Berwick with the Garrisoned Soldiers and some selected companies out of Northumberland and Westmerland maketh a Road into Scotland Coldingham Dunglas and adjacent Villages they burn ravage the Countrey towards Dunce Some Scottish Ships and Vessels were also at this time taken by Sea When a reason was sought of this Invasion in a Cessation of Arms and calm of Truce They require the Dowglasses may be restored to their ancient Inheritances and whatsoever had been with-held from them and that Cannabie a poor Abbacy be rendred to the English as appertaining of old to the Crown of England The Earl of Murray being declared Lieutenant maketh head against them but the English daily increasing in number and his Companies not being sufficient to make good against so many and large Incursions the power of Scotland is divided into four Quarters every one of which for the durance of fourty days by turns taketh the defence of the Countrey The English finding by this intercourse of new Soldiers the War to be prolonged would have gladly accepted of Peace but they disdained to sue for it to the Scots it was thought expedient that the French a Friend then to both should be a Mediatour to reconcile them wherupon after an Ambassador had come from France Commissioners first meet at Newcastle and after at London James Colvil of Easter Weyms Adam Otterburn of Redhall William Stuart Bishop of Aberdeen the Abbot of Kinloss These conclude a Peace To continue between the two Realms during the two Princes lives and one year after the decease of him who should first depart this life About this time the secrets of the Ecclesiastical Doctrine and Authority beginning to be laid open to the view of the World the politick Government of Kingdomes began to suffer in the alteration and discovery The Lady Katherine Daughter to Ferdinando and Isabella King and Queen of Spain and Sister to the Mother of Charles the Fifth Emperor had been Married to Arthur Prince of Wales Eldest Son to Henry the Seventh King of England he dying by the dispensation of Pope Julius the Second her Father in Law gave her again in Marriage to Henry his other Son the Brother of Arthur This Queen though fruitful of Children and often a Mother brought none forth that long enjoyed life and came to any perfection of growth except one only Daughter Mary Her Husband either out of spleen against the Emperor Charles or desire of Male Children or other Causes known to himself pretended great scruples in his Conscience would make himself and the World believe that his Marriage was not lawful After deliberation with his Church-men whom he constrained to be of his mind he kept not longer company with his Queen his Church-men used all their eloquence to make the Queen accept of a Divorce which she altogether refused and had her recourse to the Pope who recals the cause to himself At Rome whilst in the consistory the case is made difficult and the matter prolonged King Henry impatient of delays and amorous divorceth from his own Queen and Marrieth Anne Bullen 1533. Then the Pope with his whole Cardinals gave out their Sentence That it was not lawful for him by his own authority to separate himself from his Wife that his Marriage with Katharine was most lawful not to be questioned and that under pain of Excommunication he should adhere unto her King Henry well experienced in the great Affairs of the World considering how the threatnings and thunders of the Bishops of Rome even in these ancient and innocent times when they were
believed and reverenced in his Kingdom produced never great Effects thought them to no purpose in a time when a Doctrine was publisht to the World embraced and believed of numbers by which they were contemned and scorned upon this and other grounds he refuseth to obey and the Pope continueth his menacing This disorder and boldness of the King of England moved the Emperor and the Pope to try if they could win the King of Scotland to arise in Arms against his Uncle King Henry The Emperour essayeth it under pretence of other business of great importance For having given way to new Opinions in Religion amongst his Countrey-men in Germany and finding them mounted to that height as to have produced the Effects he desired by this Division laying a foundation to turn the Imperial Crown Hereditary to his own House which Germany being all of one mind and undistracted he could never have brought to pass he compelleth the Bishop of Rome to condescend to a general Council or Assembly of the Clergy of Europe the onely and soveraign Remedy to cure diseased minds and accord different Opinions but he knew well that by the Church of Rome men would be delegated to this meeting turbulent and so far from pacifying tumults begun that instead of Water they would apply Oyl and Wood to these flames turn Opinions before disputable irreconcileable and leave matters worse than they found them Having implored the aid and assistance of the Potentates about him to the setting forward of so Pious and Holy a Work he sendeth Goddescallo Errico a Sicilian for greater secrecy by Ireland to the King of Scotland This Embassador for a token of that affection the Emperour his Master carried to the Person and Virtues of King James presenteth him with the Order of the Golden-fleece 1534. with solemn Protestations for the observing of these ancient Leagues and Confederacies contracted between the Princes his Masters Predecessors and the Kings of Scotland to continue ever amongst themselves His other Instructions were Plains of the wrongs done to his Aunt Katharine most unjustly repudiate and forsaken by a King forsaken of God and abhorred of men The Marriage of Anne Bullen should wound deeply King James it being likely by her Succession he should be barred of his Right to the Crown of England The Emperour by his Embassador expostulating the wrongs of his Aunt had gained nothing but that for his sake She was the worse entertained To make more strong and lasting the Emperours friendship with King James he if he pleased would make him an offer and give him the choice of three Ladies three Maries all of the Imperial Stem Mary of Austria the Emperours Sister the Widow of Lovis King of Hungary Mary of Portugal the Daughter of his Sister Eleonara of Austria Mary of England the Daughter of Katherine and King Henry And would undertake the performance of this last either by consent of her Father or by main force The greatest but last of his Instructions was that to suppress the Heresies of the time he would concur with the Emperour for the convocating a general Council and obviate the Calamities then threatning the Christian Religion The King with great cheerfulness and many thanks that the Emperour entertained him with such respect and held him worthy so fair and Royal Alliance and the participation of Affairs of such importance and moment received this Embassage For the Council providing it were a general Council lawfully convocated by the Emperour and Christian Kings as the first Councils were wont free and holy as nothing is more holy than a general Convocation of Christians the most charitable and quiet of the Clergy and such who would pacifie matters not the most zealous and fiery Spirits or men corrupted by rewards being delegated unto it being premonisht of the time and place he would apply his will unto his assist him thither send his best Orators and most convenient Church-men That if a true Council could not be obtained every Prince should reform the Errors of Doctrine and faults of the Clergy within his own Dominions The proceedings of his Uncle were grievous unto him being a man altogether thralled to his own Opinions For the good of the Christian Religion and Peace of Europe it were expedient that all her Princes were united together in amity and love and their Arms directed against the common Enemy the Turk For himself he would be Mediatour to reconcile the Emperour and his Uncle endeavour to recall him to the love of his Wife nor by any persuasions to be induced to condescend to ought prejudicial to Queen Katherine The three Ladies were every one in the superlative worthy especially Mary of England for that great reason of uniting the Isle of Great-Britain but she was not in her own power nor in the power of the Emperour that he could bestow her upon whom he pleased That to ravish her out of the hands of her Father would be beside the danger of the Enterprize a breach of Divine and Human Laws It was not safe for Paris that he preferred one of the three Goddesses to the other two for prizing those three that the Emperour might know how dearly he respected and earnestly affected his affinity there remained a fourth Lady near in blood to the Emperour Isabella Daughter of Christian King of Denmark and Isabella the Emperours own Sister whom besides her matchless virtues for the vicinity of the Nation to his and the conformity of their harmless humors he made choice to be Queen of his affections and Dominions Goddescallo answered this last That a match with Lady Isabella of Denmark could not with the Emperours credit be brought to pass because she was promised already to another Frederick Count Palatine and the Marriage might be accomplished before news came to the Emperour of the Kings Election This choice of the Kings was but on evasion for Sir Thomas Areskin of Brichen Secretary and David Beatoun Abbot of Arbroth under pretence of renewing the League between France and Scotland long before had been directed to France about a Marriage with the eldest Daughter of King Francis which John Duke of Albany projected when the League between the two Kingdoms was renewed at Rochel Henry King of England had now renounced all obedience from the Bishop of Rome and through his whole Dominions abrogated his Authority and Paul the third after his assuming the Papacy set forwards by the Emperour and his Cardinals who thought either to recover England or burn it up 〈◊〉 a Foreign or Civil War never left thundring against him But after John Fisher Bishop of Rochester was beheaded a man imprisoned for adhering to the Pope then for his persecution and that the King might carry him the greater respect made Cardinal the whole Conclave stir the Pope against King Henry And full of Grief and rage remonstrate what danger would follow their Order if this Example unpunisht should have way They maintained the Papal power against all Princes
maintain Opinions condemned by the ancient Councils Let their Religion be compared and parallel'd with the Religion of the first Age of the Church Shall we hold this People worse than the Jews which yet have their Synagogues at Rome it self Let them receive instructions from a free and lawful Council and forsake their Errors when they shall be clearly and fairly demonstrated unto them Heresie is an error in the fundamental grounds of Religion Schism intendeth a resolution tn Separation Let a good Council be convocated and see if they be ready or not to re-unite themselves to us That which they believe is not evil but to some it will appear they believe not enough and that there is in them rather a defect of good than any habit of evil Other points when they shall be consider'd shall be found to consist in external ceremonies of the Church rather than in substance of Doctrine or what is essential to Christianity These men should be judg'd before condemn'd and they should be heard before they be judg'd which being holily and uprightly done we shall find it is not our Religions but our private Intrests and Passions which troubleth us and the State The King followed not this opinion but gave himself over to the Counsel and Government of the Prelates They remonstrate to him that he should not rashly alter approv'd and long receiv'd Customs that there was nothing more dangerous in Government than to abase the authority of ancient Laws Let him well consider and set before his eyes the malice of man who ever when he is drawn off one course of evil precipitateth himself in a worse It was less evil in State to tolerate disorders known unto which usual and accustomed remedies might be applyed than by altering and changing foundations to give way to new to find out Remedies to which would take and consume a whole age That this would be a way not only to take away the abuses but even the good uses of every thing and put in hazard all matters and main points concerning Religion They desired him to consider how there were two sorts of persons affecting these new Opinions and studying Novations The multitude or common people and some of the Nobility and Gentry It was likely the common people might be deceived and to give them satisfaction and appease them by granting them a Reformation or change in Religion would not be a means to illuminate and instruct them but to bring in a popular licence If he should suffer them to misbelieve distrust call in question points of Religion or search or find out more light they would immediately thereafter presume to make Laws and limit the Government by degrees restraining the Soveraign Authority and after they had examined sifted narrowly and discust Ecclesiastical authority they would essay to correct and find the difficulties of the Temporal That it was more easie to oppose and resist the first demands of the multitude than pleasing them in a part after bound and limit their desires and petitions As to the great Men of his Nobility and Gentry he might be assured they had not Religion and Piety for their Ends but to impatronize and lay hold on the Church Rents and Ecclesiastical Goods To turn absolute and free men acknowledging neither Church nor King To this end many reserved themselves and kept close their opinions attending the change which once appearing their faces would turn all one way Which imminent evils if the King would prevent there was no other means than to use his Authority and Power whilst the most and greatest part of his Kingdom yet obey'd him That celerity in this was most necessary before their number increas'd and ere they discover'd that universal commodity which would follow the imbracing of these new Opinions It was safer to compose these Tumults by his absolute command and authority and if this produced not the wished effect to perform it by Arms than to give reins to a popular Licence and the ambition of great Men. After this Counsel had prevailed most rigorous Inquisitions are Established and punishments denounced against all who professed Opinions differing to the Church of Rome Whereupon some out of a muffled zeal of Religion others to revenge their particular quarrels most to possess Moveables and Lands pursue many to judgment Of which some are executed by fire others banished many imprisoned amongst which was that famous Poet and Historian George Buchanan who whilst his Keepers slept escaped by a Window of the Prison the Muses holding the Cable the more frequent the publick executions were and banishments the greater number embraced the opinions of them which suffered The King of England having understood that the Pope giving out the confirming of a Peace between the Emperour and the French King had a meeting with them at Nice a maritime Town upon the confines of Provence and assuring himself that matters there would be both consulted upon and determined to his prejudice sendeth again to his Nephew the King of Scotland that he would come and see him at York for now he had more vehemently irritated the Pope having condemned as Rebels and confiscated the Goods of all who maintained Papal Authority and raised from their Tomb the Bones of Thomas Becket commonly named St. Thomas of Canterbury canoniz'd by Pope Alexander the third for being kill'd for the maintenance of the liberties of the Church 1171. to whom there was yearly a Festival Day kept by the Roman Church and by the hands of a common Executioner caused burn in ashes and throw them in the River The revealing of which to the World was a secret more derogatory to the Pontifical State than any stumbled upon heretofore or opened up Upon this the Sentence of Excommunication some years deferred was pronounced against him By which he was deprived of his Kingdom and those who adhered to him declared uncapable of what they possessed His Subjects were dispensed from their Oath of Allegiance and discharged to obey him Strangers were inhibited traffick with his Kingdom All Christians charged to arise in Arms against him The Estates Goods and Persons of such Subjects as followed him given over to be a prey and spoil to any would invade them It was time for him to look to himself Such of the Nobility as loved peace and the Weal of the the two Kingdoms stirr'd King James to this interview especially they who favour'd the reformed Religion assuring him King Henry was disposed with all demonstrations of good will that his Person would be far from any danger And if by this conference they should join in bands of Amity a great benefit to themselves Country and Posterity would redound Why would King Henry in the face of the World and Neighbour Princes brand so his Reputation as to break the Laws of Hospitality wrong a Prince whom he had invited to come and see him Why would he violate those of consanguinity attempting against his own Nephew The Emperour Charles the
Fifth had been his Guest and after Royal entertainment was friendly dismissed He met with Francis the French King at Bullen which meeting seemed rather of Brothers come to countenance some marriage Pomp than contending Neighbours If King Henry had born any discontent against his Nephew he might long ere now have satisfied his ambition 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 Uncle upon which might follow some unnatural War Upon the other part the Church-men set all their Power to hinder this interview persuading 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 persuade 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 James 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 quarrels That it was grosly to err to be 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 satisfie 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 cometh 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 Errors corrupting it with false opinions grounded upon a liberty to live to sensuality and Epicurean pleasure If upon the slighting of this Interview King Henry should denounce War against King James 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 fifty 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 publickly made profession of the opinions 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 Uncle but adhere to the first offer propounded to his Embassadour concerning this Interview The meeting to be at Newcastle 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 he might have some point yielded 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 there with large incursions kill and forrage This during the Treaty falling miserably forth so much irritated King James that accepting the offers of his Clergy he gave over inwardly all intentions of any interview 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 sown amongst them To lighten 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 James 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 judgments in their choice admitteth him Sir James chearfully accepteth this new honour For now his ambition will find many guilty and miserable supplicants Yet was this change his ruine For whilst he persecuteth all who were informed against to be suspected of the Reform'd Religion having many in Jayls and numbers in his Scrolls to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process the supream Providence arresteth himself James Hamiltoun Sheriff of Linlithgow Brother to Mr. Patrick Hamiltoun Abbot of Ferm who had suffered for Religion and was Cousen to Sir James Hamiltoun 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 years wander as a banisht man abroad But by his Friends at Court having purchased a Licence or Protection for some months to see his desolate Family and put his private Affairs in order cometh home Where finding the censorian Power to be in his Cousens hands for where should he have Sanctuary if he were challenged by so near a Kinsman for matters of Religion imagining to himself an over-sight and preterition out-dateth by his stay his Protection Sir James to curry the favour of the Church-men and testifie how dearly the cause of the Catholick Faith touched him resolveth to begin with his Cousen For if he were so burnt up with zeal that he spar'd not his own blood in the quarrel of the Roman Faith
what Heretick could pass unpunisht Besides the investing himself in the Sheriffs Office and Lands which he never minded to restore he had a Pick against him for that whilst he sat 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 Cousens 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 James had known his by-paths his secret Plots and airy brags had not escaped his observation some alike in Kindred to them both were emissaries suborned to mark not only his actions but words and behaviour by which one way or other he might be intrapt He knew Sir James 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 Cousen 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 James Hamiltoun had secret Intelligence and Plots with the Earl of Anguss and Dowglasses and that he attended only the occasion when he might surprize him either alone or with a mean Retinue and then or openly he would invade him or breaking up his Chamber-doors assassinate 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 Cousen 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 token of power and secrecy to assemble so many of the Counsel as were resident Sir Thomas Areskin Secretary Sir James Lermound Master of the Houshold William Kircaldie Treasurer and others meet fear consult upon the Treason labour how to prevent it come to Sir James his Lodging make sure his Person in the Castle of Edenburgh and at that same time proceed according to the Kings direction to instruct his Process Sir James passionately resenting his imprisonment by his Friends imploreth the aid 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 King 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 James 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 terms that was to acquire some more credit with the Commons that he might do better service to his Prince They who committed Sir James 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 ruine 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 whom 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 had never given informations against him That he was a man perfectly hated of the People and a more acceptable sacrifice could not be offer'd unto their fury it 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 pannal being found guilty of such points of the Indictment as was laid against him was condemned to die and thereafter accordingly beheaded his Quarters being set aloft on the Town gates his Lands annexed 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 Anguss 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 devolving the title of the Crown or at least Government of the Kingdom to his kindred Being directed to have repaired 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 desperate 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 battel of Lithgow after he was Prisoner to Purdowye he had way-laid Gilbert Earl of Cassiles who was killed by his direction and Councel 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 for which they are scarce guilty Sundry of the Nobility appall'd at this sudden fall of Sir James Hamiltoun for though they loved not the Man they hated the examples 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 Uncle 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 to create as many out of the Gentry in whom being his own Creatures he might have greater confidence than any made by his Predecessours After this he turned so retired sullen and melancholy that every thing displeased him and he became even insupportable to himself not suffering his Domestick Servants to use their ordinary disport and recreations near him And as all day he projected and figured to himself new cares to perplex himself some of which might fall forth others could never come to pass So in the night time the objects of his dayly projects of working upon his fantasie limmed their dark shadows of displeasures which gave him terrible affright in his sleep Amongst many of which two are recorded as notable one in the History of the Church the other common both seem to have been forged by the Men of those times who thought fictions as powerful to breed an opinion in discontented minds as verities and they may challenge a place in the poetical part of History As he lay in the Pallace of Lithgow about the midst of the night he leaped out of his Bed called for Lights commandeth his Servants to search Thomas Scot his Justice Clark who he said stood by his Bed-side accompanied with hideous weights cursing the time that ever he had served him for by too great obedience to him he was by the justice of God condemned to everlasting torments Whilst they about him laboured to cure his wounded Imagination news came that Thomas Scot about the same hour of the Night was departed to the other World at Edenburgh and with no better Devotion than he was represented to the King After Sir James Hamiltoun had ended his part of this Tragicomedy of life he seemed to the King to have returned on the Stage and in a ghastly manner with a naked Sword in his hands he thought he parted both his arms from him advertising him he would come again shortly and be more fully revenged till which occasion he should suffer these wounds The next day after this vision which is recorded to have been the seventh of August word came that both his Sons were deceased and that almost in one hour James the Prince then one year old at St. Andrews Arthur one moneth old at Sterlin The King of England finding himself disappointed by his Nephew of their meeting and understanding it to have been occasioned by the Rhetorick and liberality of the Churchmen having many of the Nobility of Scotland of his faction whose innocency interpreted his Religion to be the reformed though indeed it was of his own stamp for he abolished the Pope but not Papacy by making prizes of Scottish Ships upon the Seas with his Fleet and incursions of his garrison'd Souldiers upon land beginneth the prologue of an unnecessary war King James to stop the English incursions placeth George Gordoun Earl of Huntley with his full power and authority at the Borders and directeth James Lermound of Darcey towards his Uncle to give sufficient reasons of his not meeting him at Newcastle withal to seek restitution of his Ships sith taken before any lawful War was proclaimed and to expostulate the hostility of the Borderers King Henry not only refuseth to render the Ships or give a reason for the breaking forth of the Garrisons on the Borders but delaying the answer of the Scottish Embassadour upon advantage of time sendeth Sir Robert Bowes seconded with the Earl of Anguss and Sir George Dowglass in hostile manner to invade Scotland These to the number of three thousand burn spoil small villages and ravage the Country near the debatable bounds The Earl of Huntley omitteth no occasion to resist them places garrisons in Kelso and Jedburgh assembling all the hardy Borderers and invadeth the English and Scottish forces at a Place named Hall-dan rig here it is soundly skirmished till the Lord Hume by the advancing of four hundred fresh Launces turned the fortune of the Day for the English were put to flight the Warden Sir Robert Bowes Captain of Norham Sir William Mowbray James Dowglass of Parkhead with the natural Son of the Earl of Anguss were taken Prisoners the Earl by the advantage of his horse escaping with others to the number of six hundred The Warden staied in Scotland till the Kings death This Road happened prosperously to the Scots the 24 of August 1541. being a Dise-mall St. Bartholomew to the English The War continuing till Midsumer King Henry sent the Earl of Norfolk whom he named the Rod of the Scots with great power towards Scotland with him the Earls of Shrewsbury Derby Camberland Surrey Hereford Anguss Rutland and the Lords of the North parts of England with an Army of fourty thousand men as they were esteemed With them he directeth James Lermound of Darcey the Scottish Embassadour to keep an equal march till they came to Berwick and there to stay that he should not give advertisement to his Master of any of his proceedings the Earl of Huntley upon advantages of places resisting the adventuring Routs who essayed to cross the Tweed But King James hearing the old Duke of Norfork was their Leader raiseth from all the parts of his Kingdom Companies and assembling them upon Sawtery-edge mustered thirty thousand men They encamped on Falla-Moor the King having advertisement that the Duke would march towards Edenburgh Ten thousand strong the Lords Hume Seatoun Areskin to make up the Earl of Huntleys forces are sent towards the borders The King himself expecting the Artillery and other furniture of War staieth with the body of the Army in the Camp During this time it is reported the Lords plotted a Reformation of the Court according to the example practised at Lawder-Bridge especially against such who were named Pensioners of the Priests but because they could not agree among themselves about those who should stretch the ropes every one striving to save his kinsman or friend they escaped all the danger That this attempt being revealed to the King he dismist some of his favourites in great fear to Edenburgh So malitious is faction armed with power Thomas Duke of Norfolk by such in the Scottish Camp who favoured King Henry having understood the preparation and mind of King James to meet him in an open field well knowing that Fortune had that much of a woman to favour young men more than old and that honourable retreats are no waies inferiour to brave Charges retireth off the Scottish ground and keeps his Forces on their own Marches For the valour and resolution of this young Prince might perhaps spoil and divest him of his former purchased Lawrels and Palms to the applause of King Henry who some thought being weary of his service to
this effect sent him to Scotland A great number of the Lancastrians and North-Humbrians who upon hopes of spoil had followed him pretending want of Victuals and the rigorous season of the year with Arms and Baggage leave this Army Having done little harm to the Scots and suffered much hunger and cold at Berwick he prepareth a retreat towards London When King James understood the Duke had repassed the Tweed he encouraged his Army to follow him The Common Souldier was indifferent the Noblemen refuse to fight except upon Scottish ground The King urgeth them with the commodity and advantage of a Revenge of the old wrong of the Duke commanding an Army neither of the Gentry nor many Nobles of England but of Hirelings and pressed Artizans whose number would prove hurtful to themselves and turn them in a disordered confusion They had many days suffered famine and all necessities of War their vigour and courage was spent that the English fought far off and they at home There wanted not matter to answer but a man to deliver the King an answer generally they refuse to fight To defend the Person of their Prince the State and Countrey they would hazard their lives and if they had any thing more dear If the Enemy would stay on Scottish ground they would do their uttermost to make him retire or by main force expel him But to invade England and tempt an Army who not only was retired but returned to their own bounds they neither had so just a quarrel as they wisht nor were they sufficient at that time to pursue them Their provisions for War were spent the Winter approached Victuals consumed that despair often turned it self into true fortitude and men in good Order retiring would not be too near followed that even flying Enemies should have Bridges of Gold Now if they were to charge the Enemy they would not have the Kings presence a man young rash valorous upon whose life not only the glory of the Battel but the life of the Common-wealth depended his two Sons being lately departed For if the fortune of War brought a period to his life the Crown would remain at the mercy of the Victor that the Kings glory was not little that he had in so short a time with so small Forces and these suddenly gathered stopt the progress of so mighty an Army which was so long in gathering and boasted of such great matters yet which durst not advance one mile in Scottish ground Whether the English fly or retire they had suffered as much wrong as they had done and now to fight them and that perhaps with disadvantage was to put in hazard what was already acquired The Duke of Norfolk returning to London the King with his Army cometh to Edenburgh which immediately he disbanded but he forgot not the secret Plot against his Favourites nor the open refusal of his Nobles to fight on English ground as if the Earth were not all one piece and Matter and men the destinade inhabitants of it every where the Cardinal David Beatoun Oliver Saintclair Craggy Ross and others add fewel to these flames Falla-Moor Plot mightily instigating them The King avouched publickly That the Nobility neither loved his honour nor desired his continuance amongst them To cool these smoaking humors and breed in the King fairer hopes of his Nobles the Lord Maxwel offereth giving him ten thousand men to command if the State thought it expedient to invade England at Salloway affirming the State and fortune of those who assail to be better than theirs who are still put to their defence The English Forces being divided he doubted not to stay longer on English ground than the Duke had done on the Scottish and to effectuate something to the Kings content The King thanking him for his offer appointeth a Rendezvous to be at the West Marches No Proclamations are divulged for the Levies of men but close Letters sent The Cardinal and the Earl of Arran the one a Church-man of a mind above many Nobles the other a Nobleman of an humility under any Church-man to give false perspective to those proceedings by sound of Trumpets and beating of Drums raise men openly march toward Hadingtoun and the East-Borders Whilst the Earls of Cassiles Glencaris Lords Flammin Sommervail Areskin Barons Aytoun Langtoun Ormestoun Waughtoun and many others accompanied with the Kings domestick Servants ride to the West Borders The night before the Road the King himself came to Loch-Maban attending the event of the incursion Companies comming from all quarters of the Countreys about none knowing of another with the power of the Scottish Borderers pass the Water of Esk burn certain Hamlets of the Grahams on the very limits Sir Thomas Whartoun Warden of these Marches not a little troubled at such a frequent assembly of the Scottish Riders raising the power of the Countrey placeth them by a hill where he might take a view of their Forces in good order with him were Bastard Dacres and Jack Musgrave two valiant Captains The Scottish Lords beholding the English range themselves in a Battalion desire to know the Kings Lieutenant-General for now it was to Marshal their Companies and every man to take him to his Charge Presently Oliver Saintclair upon crossed Pikes is mounted the Kings Banner displayed and the Commission read in which he is designed Lieutenant and all commanded in the Kings name to obey and follow him It hath been reported by those who were acquainted with Oliver that the Commission was not read but that at his very sight such a tumult confused clamour and enter shouldering of Male contents arose their Ranks were broken the Military order turned into a confusion none so repining as the Lord Maxwel and the Borderers Who if he had patience to have heard the Commission as Oliver protested was Lieutenant and not he whose charge was only to present it The English who now were ready for the Fight observing this disorder take the advantage upon the occasion and brake forwards with a military shout whilst the others are in doubt whether to flee or stand and the Guidiats and Scullons are pesle mesle thronging with the foot Soldiers and they with the Horsemen Here is a general surprize most part willingly rendring themselves to the English without any shew of defence or the slaughter of any person of any side This overthrow proveth that neither arms nor the multitude and numbers of Souldiers without their love and hearts availeth any thing in a Field yea rather they are hurtful the more in number they be if their affection be alienated from their Commanders It is recorded that at this road which was named Solloway-Moss every English had three or four Scots for Prisoners and when their wanted men to take them the women of the neighbouring Hamelet and Boys had Prisoners the Earls of Cassiles and Glencarn the Lords Maxwel Flamin Sommervail Olivant Gray Robert Areskin Son to the Lord Areskin Oliver Saintclair The Lairds of Craggy
Aytoun Langtoun Ormestoun Waughtoun many of the Kings Domestick Servants were taken Prisoners brought to London and remained there till after the Kings death The certainty of this voluntary defeat coming to the King at Loch-Maban or Carlawfroke as others so astonished all the powers of 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 abandoned 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 Cardinal and Earl of Arran coming 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 says he the Crown came by a Woman and it will with one go many miseries approach this poor Kingdom King Henry will either make it his by Arms or Marriage The Cardinal put in his hands some blank 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 and that the Cardinal was conscious to it but upon far conjectures for the event proved that his death was not only the ruine of the Cardinal 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 Arguyl Rothess Marshal accompanying it and in January buried in the Abby Church of Holy-rood-House near the Body of Magdalen his first Queen He left behind him many natural Children of his Marriages only one Daughter five days 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 practise all feats af Arms as his attending on Malefactors proved for he was ordinary thought the first of his Troops who pursued 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 Soveraignty more familiarly being of easie access to the meaner sort as to the great He was studious of all good Arts naturally given to Poesie as many of his Verses yet extant testifie He was of as great sobriety 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 herds 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 Neighbour 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 pursuit of the Dowglasses seems to 〈◊〉 had a strange humor 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 restored 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 Kindred and Followers animated him thereunto having Married 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 James 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 humor of revenge made many believe if he had not been prevented by death many Scaffolds had been embrued for Falla-Moor Plot and Sollowny-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 ancient Nobility not considering that the Titles of Crown in Hereditary Kingdoms belong only to Kings for that they are the most Ancient Noblemen and also first of the Primitive Blood 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 only 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 whilst he swayed the ballance His death proveth his mind to have been raised to the highest strain and above mediocrity for he could dye but could not disgest a disaster He seemeth to have too much confidence in himself and that he forgot the conditions of Mortality Whilst he suffered himself to be carried
amongst so many Taxes and Taillages so much pilling and polling So that substance is daily plucked and pilled from honest men to be lashed out amongst unthrifts that as Thucydides writes of the great Plague in his time at Athens Men seeing no hopes of safety spent all they had in one night So the uncertainty of enjoying and holding what they have for the present draws the thrifty and unthrifty to one end for no man being sure of Lands less of Moneys every man is turned in a desperate carelesness of his Estate As to tell him also about this Subject who is the subject of this Letter the People say Kings seeking Treason shall find Land and seeking Land shall find Treason The denial of a Princes desire was the destruction of an innocent Naboth the voice of the People should not be kept up from the Ears a Prince As to unfold to a King if Usury be not lawful at all for it is against Nature that Money should beget Money and not tolerate by the Mosaical Law and in Ezekiel cap. 18. v. 13. it is reckoned amongst the roaring sins such as are Adultery and bloudshed it being a sin in the persons of subjects it is a greater sin in the person of a Prince for any sin is greater in the person of a Prince than in the persons of subjects As sin was worse and greater in Angels than men Nothing is profitable to a Prince which is not joined with honour and the State of Kings unless it stand in pureness and fidelity it cannot subsist in power As to tell King Charles what a strange thing it is to swaer a man for the true value of his own Substance Since the valuing of Subjects Lands and Rents Rents were never less nor the Lands worse a secret scourge of God having followed it the Country scarce affording bread to the Labourers of it Remember Davids numbring the people In the times of King Henry the eight Regnante Cardin. Volseio this was held uncouth strange and terrible and no wonder if men scare and start at it now under a Prince of so meek a Spirit so innocently good who preferreth peace before war rest before business honesty before profit None of all his kingdom no not one being more holy more chaste nor a better man in whom reigneth shamefastness and modesty and patience taking all worldly crosses in good part never gaping for glory nor thirsting after riches but only studying the health of his soul peace of his Kingdoms and how to advance the holy Church and restore her to her first Rents and integrity But God knoweth what he hath predestinated and ordained for the Scourge of this Country against whose Ordinance prevaileth no counsel A Prince should be advertised that the hatred and distast of mens present estates and fortunes setteth them on work and maketh them exceeding earnest to seek novations for finding themselves plunged in the beggary of a miserable estate as many do believe it turneth not them base nor keepeth them under but raiseth in them a mad desire to change their fortune and this hath been the ensign of Malecontents to attempt and enterprize dangerous matters for it hath often been found that nothing hath sooner armed a people than poverty and poverty hath never so often been brought upon a Nation by the unfruitfulness of the Earth by disasters of Seas and other human accidents as by the Avarice of the Officers and Favourites of Princes who are brought foolishly to believe that by tearing of the skins of the flock they shall turne the Shepherd rich It is no property of a good Shepherd to shear often his flock and ever to milk them Nor is it of a Prince to gall and perpetually afflict a people by a terrible Exchequer Brutorum se Regem facit qui premit suos Now in such Theams it were not evil for a Prince to read Jan Marianai and George Buchanans piece de jure Regni apud Scotos for his own private and the publick good Princes have in their actions this disadvantage that in matters of wrong and injuries concerning their Subjects though they sometimes suffer by reason of their power being thought stronger they are ever esteemed to do the wrong which should move them to abstain from all violent courses and think really their Subjects losses are their own Ye will then say the case of Princes is pittiful if Writers of infamous Libels be not rigorously punished without all question the Law is just and necessary against them But in some cases good Princes never follow the rigour and extremity of punishment set down by their Laws no not against the naughtiest Subjects and especially when the case concerneth their own particulars There is much to be considered in the convoy of such Libels If they contain Truths there is small wrong in such papers as to call Mary Magdalen a Sinner Matthew a Publican Thomas a Misbeliever Paul a Persecutor Peter a Denyer of his Master and the rest fugitives from him and these are to be slighted and past over If they contain mixed truths and apparences they may be neglected If they admit no interpretation but true and flat railing then is a Princes patience to be tryed and the Libel to be scorned If they propound novelty and causes of sedition upon apparent grounds they are to be answered and by good reason to be overthrown If they be presented by way of Supplication for redressing of errors in the State it is a question whether they be Libels or not That Supplication of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester to King Henry the sixt of England against the Cardinal of Winchester Archbishop of York may have place amongst Libels for the King is taxed there of notable dotage As that by the counsel of the Cardinal he had set at Liberty the King of Scots suffered his Jewels and houshold-stuff to be sold granted the Cardinal a Charter of Pardon for taking up his Rents which were sufficient to have maintained the wars in France many years The setting of the Duke of Orleance at liberty against the Duke of Burgundy the great friend of the English and many other points Yet this being done by way of Supplication for redress of wrongs in the State he was not threatened for perhaps verity but remitted to the Council and what for fear and what for favor saith the English History the whole matter was winked at touching the Duke and nothing said against the Cardinal Miseria summa ubi de injuria conqueri pro delicto habetur These who set their Prince on work to follow and persue such an idle piece of Paper if they had fair Judges and powerful Enemies near the Court may themselves be brought within compass of that same punishment which they would have laid upon others as Pâ—rillus was brought to take an Essay of his own brazen Bull for no better are they which relate divulgate and are occasioners to have infamous Libels published than they which
write them And these men have done what in them lay to make that Paper publick and have recorded in the Annals of this Kingdom to all ages what should have been smothered in the darkest pits of Oblivion They have often assembled the Kings Majesties Subjects to the great charges and vain attendance of many Noblemen and Barons to see their passions put forward They have busied the Prince to condemn others by power a Minister of their attempts and not purge himself to posterity for such a Paper should have been answered by a Pen not by an Ax. There is no Prince living no nor dead but Subjects have and do both write and speak of after their fantasies Augustus in a Letter to Tiberius Noli in hac re indagare minium indignari queniquam esse qui de me loquatur male satis est enim fi hoc habemus ne quis malefacere possit And Tiberius in the beginning of his Reign though after he killed Cremutius Codrus for words was wont to say in Civitate libera linguam quoque liberam esse debere Wise Princes have never troubled themselves much about talkers weak spirits cannot suffer the liberty of Judgments nor the indiscretion of Tongues To strive to restrain them is the work of busie Bodies who would fain have somewhat to do but know not what nor how to help Domitian to kill gnats with his Dagger having won points and conclusions heretofore in the State beyond their hopes they begin to foster great and shameful hopes beyond the reach of all obtaining A Prince should be such towards his Subjects as he should have God eternal towards him who full of mercy spareth peopled Cities and darteth his Thunders amongst the vast and wild Mountains To ARABELLA Countess of Lothian Madam AS those Ancients who when they had given over with credit any faculty wherein they excelled were wont to offer the Tools and Instruments of their Art to the Shrine of some Deity My Musical recreations giving place to more laborious serious my Lute these many days like my mind lying out of tune keeping no harmony in perfect discord I offer these airs and tabulature to your Ladiships harmonious Virtues and to whom could they more deservedly appertain than unto her whose goodness of nature and eminent known virtues of mind may justly intitle the only Grace and Muse of our Northern Climate Though the Gift be not much worth I hope your Ladiship will daign to accept it as if it were a greater and more precious from a Giver brought already in admiration of your Ladiships worth and who desireth nothing more than to remain Your Ladiships to Command W. DRUMMOND To ISABELLA Countess of Perth Madam YOur Courtesie hath prevented me it being mine to offer you thanks both for esteeming me worthy so honourable a Task and for measuring those lines according to affection and not their worth for if they had any it was all as the Moon hath her light borrowed from the Rays of your Ladiships own invention But this quality becometh well your sweet disposition and the generosity of that Noble Stem of which you have your Birth as doth the erecting of that notable Monument to your all-worthy Lord by the which ye have not only obliged all his Kindred now living but in ages to come the unborn posterity to render you immortal Thanks Your Desert and good opinion of me have by a gracious violence if I can be so happy as to do you service won me to remain your Ladiships Ever to Command W. DRUMMOND To the Right Honourable JOHN Earl of Perth My Noble Lord THough as Glaucus says to Diomed in Homer Like the Race of Leaves the Race of Man is That deserves no Question nor receives his being any other breath the Wind in Autumn strows the Earth with old Leaves then the Spring the Woods with new indews yet I have ever thought the knowledge of Kindred and the Genealogies of the ancient Families of a Countrey a matter so far from contempt that it deserveth highest praise Herein consisteth a part of the knowledge of a mans own self It is a great spur to virtue to look back on the worth of our Line In this is the memory of the dead preserved with the living being more firm and honourable than any Epitaph The living know that band which tieth them to others By this man is distinguished from the reasonless and the noble of Men from the baser sort For it often falleth out though we cannot tell how for the most part that generosity followeth good Birth and Parentage This moved me to essay this Table of your Lordships House which is not inferior to the best in this Isle and greatest It is but roughly I confess hewen nakedly limmed and after better informations to be amended In Pieces of this kind who doth according to such light as he receiveth is beyond reprehension Your Lordships humble Servant and Kinsman W. DRUMMOND To the Right Honourable J. Earl of T. My Lord THe Ocean though great Rivers with many Currents pay him Tribute disdains not to receive also the lesser loyal though ignoble Brooks which by one only Urn powre themselves into his bosom no more will your Lordship after the many congratulations of your Countrey of the State of your great Friends reject the applause of the Muses fair though contemned Mistress who by me offer this Posie of Flowers to your Lordship who is the flower of Nobleness in acknowledgment of your Lordships constant zeal towards them and their many obligations towards you congratulating your prosperous Fortunes which they wish to encrease and praying the heavens at last may turn so propitious to virtue and true worth that though they do not reward them upon Earth yet the World may see that they do not suffer them ever to lie oppressed They have fair hopes that the advancement of your Lordship is the advancement of them for the body preceding the shadow must follow Your Lordship being near the Helm of the State they expect a new Saturnian World Knowledge must flourish ignorance decay as Mists before the Sun Innocency live guarded oppression trampled and they shall no longer hereafter have occasion to wish ask or complain Your Lordships Servant W. DRUMMOND To the truely Noble S. R. C. Gentleman of the Kings Majesties Bed-Chamber SIR HOw joyful were all here who either love worth in others or are conscious of any part of it in themselves to hear the happy event of your late danger but yet the apprehension of what might have fallen forth if Providence had not otherwise disposed doth still with a pensive fear possess their minds It was too much hazarded in a point of Honour why should true Valour have answered fierce Barbarity Nobleness Arrogancy Religion Impiety Innocency Malice The disparagement being so vast Was it for knowing this when ye left us that ye graved with your Diamond in a Window Frail Glass thou bearest this name as well as I And none
affairs to be brought to a good end and finished by the opportunity occasions than force and power with an able Company of Mariners and Souldiers setteth his Daughter to Sea The English Fleet had waited upon her but Providence so appointed she escaped them and they encountred a fleet of Spaniards keeping their course towards the Netherlands Them they beset with fourscore Vessels commanding the Ladies and all of their Company to be delivered unto them when they would not accept of friendly answers they fall to handy blows till in end by loss of men and some Ships they understood their errour The Lady Margaret thus without danger by the Western Seas arrived at Rochel having for their Convoy a whole Colony of Gentle-women the Histories say an hundred and forty went with her all of noble parentage of which train were her five Sisters from Rochel she held her progress to Tours there with an extraordinary Pomp and Magnificence the Twenty fourth of June Anno 1436. was she married to the Daulphin Lewis The King to defray the charges raised by transporting and marriage of his Daughter the French seeking with her small or no Dowry these times preferring Parentage and Beauty before Gold or Riches all that was craved being a supply of Men of Arms for their support against the English laid a Subsidie on his Subjects the one half of which being levied and the People grudging and repining at the exacting of the other half it being taken from men who lived hardly in a barren soyl He caused render a part of it again and discharged the remainder At this time by Sea and Land the English in revenge of the refusal of the offers of their Ambassadours began to use all Hostility against the Scots Henry Piercy of Northumberland invadeth the Country with four thousand men whether of his own bravery abhorring ease and idlenes or that he had a Commission so to do is uncertain with him came Sir Henry Cliddesdale Sir John Ogle Richard Piercy and many men of choice and worth the frontier Garrisons invade all places near unto them To resist these incursions William Dowglass Earl of Anguss getteth charge a man resembling his Ancestors in all vertues either of War or Peace and the most eminent of his time with him went Adam Hepburn of Hailes Alexander Elphinstoun of Elphinstoun in Lothian and Alexander Ramsey of Dalhowsie of all being Four thousand strong These covetous of glory besides the ancient quarrel of the two Nations having the particular emulations of the Names and Valour of their Ancestors to be spurs unto them make speedy journeys to have a proof of their vertue and courage The Lists of their meeting was Popperden a place not far from Bramstoun Rhodam Roseden Eglingham all cheared with the stream of a small Brook named Crammish which arising out of the Cheviot loseth its name in the Till as the Till after many windings disgorgeth it self in the Tweed Adam Hepburn and Alexander Elphinstoun led the Van-guard of the Scots Sir Richard Piercy Sir John Ogle of the English Alexander Ramsey and Henry Cliddisdail kept the Rears the two Generals rode about the Armies remembring them of their ancient valour the wrongs received the justness of the Quarrel the glory of the Victory the shame of the overthrow No sooner were they come within distance of joyning when the sound of the Drums and Trumpets was out-noised by the shouts of the Assailants who furiously ren-countred The Guns being about this time found out were here first practised between the Scots and the English in an open field When the Fight with equal order had been long maintained on both sides now the Scots then the English yielding ground many of the Commanders at length began to fall most of the English Then was the Piercy constrained to be at once Commander and Souldier but ere he could be heard some Companies had turned their backs among the thickest throngs of which breaking in he found so great disorder that neither by Authority Intreaty or Force he was able to stay their flying Thus distracted between the two courses of honour and shame he is hurried far from the place of Fight And Victory declared her self altogether for the Scots which was not so great in the execution as in the death and captivity of some brave men Of the Scots Two hundred Gentlemen and common Souldiers were slain amongst which was Alexander Elphinstoun maintaining the Battel with his sword voice and wounds and two other Knights Of the English died Sir Henry Cliddisdail Sir John Ogle Sir Richard Piercy with fifteen hundred Gentlemen and common Souldiers of which fourty were Knights four hundred were taken Prisoners The King irritated by the way-laying of his Daughter the Invading of his Borders and encouraged not a little by this little smile of Fortune at Popperden it being more sure to prevent than repel dangers and with the same Policies to defend by which the Enemies offend resolveth by open Wars to Invade England He was also stirred unto this by his intelligence from his friends in France who had brought greater matters to pass then in so short a time could have been expected for concealed envy and old malice bursting out between Richard Duke of York and Edmund Duke of Sommerset Philip Duke of Burgundy being entred in friendship with King Charles the English began to be daily losers and were put out of Paris and many Towns of France To this effect King James having raised an Army cometh to Roxburgh a place fatal to his and there besiegeth the Castle of Marchmond which is Roxburgh it was valiantly defended by Sir Ralph Gray but when he was come so near the end of his labours that they within the Castle were driven to terms of Agreement and conditions for giving up the Fort the Queen in great haste cometh to the Camp representing to her Husband a Conspiracy the greatness of the peril of which if it were not speedily prevented should endanger his Estate Person and Race Whether she had any inckling of the Conspiracy indeed or contrived this to divert his Forces from the Assault and further harm of the English her Friends and Countreymen it is uncertain The King who found his imagination wounded upon this point after many doubtful resolutions and conflicts in his thoughts raiseth the Siege disbandeth the Army and accompanied with some chosen Bands of his most assured Friends returned back to provide for his own safety A strange resolution to disband an Army for a tale of Treason where could there be greater safety for a King than in an Army Yet have Conspiracies been often in Camps and in his own time Richard Earl of Cambridge brother to Edward Duke of York Henry Lord Scroope with Sir Thomas Gray at the instigation of the Daulphin of France for a great sum of money conspired to Murder Henry the Fifth King of England in the midst of his Armies if they had not been surprised The King feared all because he
to the Cannons Gate in Edenburgh the King compassionate of his disease sendeth his Physitians to attend him they to restore his understanding which was molested open some veins of his head and arms in which time whether by his own disorder or misgovernment in his sickness the bands being loosed which tyed the lancing or that they took too great a quantity of blood from him he fainted and after sowning died unawares amongst the hands of his best friends and servants These who hated the King gave out that he was taken away by his command and some Writers have recorded the same but no such faith should be given unto them as to B. W. E. who was living in that time and whose Records we have followed who for his place could not but know and for his possession would not but deliver the very Truth certain Witches and Sorcerers being taken and examined and convicted of Sorcery at this time and being suborned they confessed that the Earl of Marr had dealt with them in prejudice of the King and to have him taken away by incantation For the Kings Image being framed in Wax and with many spels and incantations baptized and set unto a fire they perswaded themselves the Kings person should fall away as that Image consumed by the fire and by the death of the King the brothers should reach the Government of the State with such vanities was the common people amused Alexander Duke of Albany imputing the death of his brother to the favourites of the King and a vouching them to have been the occasioners of his distraction stirred the Nobility and People to revenge so foul a deed but whilst he keeps private meetings with them of his Faction in the Night to facilitate their enterprise betrayed by some of his followers he is surprised and imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh Out of which about the appointed time of his tryal by the killing of his keeper he escaped and in a Ship which to that effect was hired sailing to the Castle of Dumbar of which he had the keeping he passed to France After the escape of the Duke of Albany the Lord Evandale Chancellour of the Kingdom raising the power of the nearest Shires beleagured the Castle of Dumbar the besieged unprovided of Victuals as men expecting no such alterations betake themselves in small Boats to the Sea and came safe towards the Coasts of England The Castle having none to defend it is taken some Gentlemen in pursuit of the flying souldiers by their own rashness perished The Kings of Scotland and England tossed along with civil troubles and affecting peace with all their neighbours by an equal and mutual consent of thoughts send at one time Ambassadors to one another who first conclude a Peace between the two Nations and that the Posterity might be partakers of this accord contract afterwards an Alliance between the two Kings It was agreed that the Princess Cicilia youngest daughter to King Edward should marry with James Duke of Rothsay when they came to years of discretion A motion heard with great acceptance but it was thought by some familiar with King Edward and in his most inward Counsels that really he never intended this marriage and that this negotiation aimed only to temporize with Scotland in case that Louys of France should stir up an Invasion of England by the King of Scotland King Louys at this time had sent one Doctor Ireland a Sorbonist to move King James to trouble the Kingdom of England and to give over the projected marriage which when King Edward understood knowing what a distance was between things promised and performed to oblige King James and tye him more strongly to the bargain that this marriage might have more sway he caused for the present maintenance of the Prince and as it were a part of the Dowry of Lady Cicilia deliver certain sums of money to King James Notwithstanding of which benevolence the witty Louys wrought so with the Scottish Nobility that King James sent Embassadors to the King of England entreating him not to assist the Duke of Burgundy his brother in Law against King Lovys which if he refused to do the Nobility of Scotland who were now turned insolent would constrain him by reason of the ancient League between the French and the Scots to assist the French The Duke of Albany during his abode in France had married a Daughter of the Earl of Bulloigne she was his second Wife his first having been a Daughter of the Earl of Orkenay a Lady of great Parentage and many Friends who incessantly importuned King Lovys to aid the Duke for the recovery of his Inheritance and places in the State of Scotland out of which he was kept by the evil Counsellors of his brother Louys minding to make good use of his brother and underhand increasing discords and jealousies between him and the King of England slighting his suits told him he could not justifie his taking of Arms to settle a Subject in his Inheritance That Princes ought to be wrought upon by persuasion not violence and he should not trouble a King otherways then by Prayers and Petitions which he would be earnest to perform Upon this refusal the Duke of Albany having buried his Dutchess troubled with new thoughts came to England King Edward with accustomated courtesies receiving him giveth him hopes of assistance entring of in communication with him how to divert the Kingdom of Scotland from the invasion of his Dominions at the desire of the French the Agents and traffickers of Louys lying still in Scotland and daily bribing and soliciting the Scots Nobility to necessitate the English to stay at home The Duke freely and in the worst sense revealed the weakness of his Kingdom that his King was opinionative and had nothing of a Prince in him but the Name His ungoverned Spirit disdained to listen to the temperate Counsel of sober men obeying only his own judgment Such who govern'd under him were mean persons and of no account great only by his favour and indued with little virtue who ruling as they listed and excluding all others made use of his Authority for their own profit and advantage The Nobility were male-contents and affected a change in the Government which might easily be brought to pass by the assistance of King Edward If he would help to raise some civil broyls and dissention in the Nation it self he needed not to be in fear that they could or would trouble his country by any Invasion The King hearing the Duke manifest what he most affected approving his judgment promised him all necessaries and what he could desire to accomplish the design and he undertaketh by some fair way to traffick with the Nobility of Scotland for an alteration of the present form of Government After a dangerous intelligence the Lords of Scotland who under the shadow of the Publick good but really out of their disdain and particular interests conspired against the King send the