seauen yeares after their returne out of Ireland in which time they had inlarged there kingdome South-ward vnto the Scottish sea now called the frith of Scotland About sixescore years after as may be gathered out of Beda the Northumbrian Saxons beeing at ciuile dissention amongst themselues and greatlie weakened by the often inuasion of the Danes the Scottes taking the aduantage entred further into the Land and inlarged their dominion ouer a great part of their Countrie which before was extended to the riuer of Cluide as by all antiquity is confessed Herevpon as Maister Camden well obserueth it commeth to passe that the Scottes who now inhabite the East coast called Low-land-men are descended from the English-Saxons and still speake the same language But the High-land-men Westward are naturall Scots and speake their ancient and peculiar Irish But for more manifest proofe that the Gothes which were sent hither by the foresaid Romaine Emperors were the very same people that were afterwards called Scottes it is not to bee omitted as Maister Camden also well obserueth that as the Lowe-land-men of Germanie call both Gothes and Scottes by one and the same name Scutten so the Britaine 's as appeareth out of their Histories called them both I-Scot King Alfread who translated Orosius aboue sixe hundred yeares agoe turned the Latine worde Scotos into Scittan And at this day our borderers call them Skitts and Sketts more often then Scots There are also certaine Islands beyond those of Orkney now called Scetlant which no doubt tooke that name of their inhabitants the Sketts Thus it appeareth plainely enough that the name Scott was first giuen them by the Pictes their next neighbours and confederates where-vpon the Saxons afterwards called their countrie Scotlandt in maner as they called the Isle from whence they came Gotlandt The Emperour Valentinian the younger being forced thorough want of oâ—her meanes to transport his bands from thence into Gaule for the defence thereof the wealth of this land was not only therby wasted but the strength also much abated by reason whereof the poore Britaines were left for a prey to their enemies the Pictes Scots against whom they were in the end compelled to call in the Saxons for their defence These strangers crossing the Easterne seas arriued here in great numbers and were friendly intertained of Vortigerne to whom the Brittaines had committed the soueraignty ouer them about the yeare of our Lord God 449. The enemy beeing repulsed and the Realme by their helpe reduced to a more quiet estate the Saxons became so farre in loue and liking with this Land that they had no good will to returne home againe Wherefore beeing growne to a mighty People for daylie they still flocked hither vnder some colourable pretence of quarrell they became friends for the time with the Pictes and Scots and bent all their force against the Brittaines Thus were they brought to a most miserable estate by them in whom they reposed greatest confidence not foreseeing how dangerous a thing it is for any nation to entertaine a forraine aide ouer-mighty to bee commanded at their pleasure For after some resistance made by those two Martiall British Princes Aurelius Ambrosius and King Arthur in the end they were expelled out off the more firtill parts into the Westerne corners of the Iland called thereupon by the Saxons Britwalsh and Cornwalsh now Wales and Cornwall where through the naturall strength by situation they might the better saue themselues from their enemies who neuer ceassed to pursue them The Saxon word Walsh signifieth Foraine accounting the Britaines aliens and strangers vnto theÌ„ Wales hath euen hitherto retained both the language and linage of the antient Brittaines but the Cornwalsh Brittaines being neither so many nor so well defended by the mountaines reliefe as the other were in short time forced to transport theÌ„selues to their Countrimen the Britaines on the other side of the Sea who not long before beeing caried ouer by Maximus the Vsurper as is aforesaid had by force planted themselues in that Prouince then called Armorica of the signification thereof as I haue already noted Of this transmigration of these first Brittaines Iulius Scaliger thus writeth Vicit Aremoricas animosa Britannia gentes Et dedit imposito nomina prisca iugo The Saxons being thus setled in this Iland deuided the same into seauen principalities or little Kingdomes which continued in that estate till Egbert the seuententh from Cerdicius the first King of the West Saxons subduing foure of the other Saxon Kings tooke vpon him the Soueraigntie ouer the whole ordaining that from thenceforth it shall be called Englandt about the yeare of our Lord God 810. After an hundred and fortye yeares from thence his successors brought vnder their subiection the two other Prouinces So that in the end the former Heptarchie was reduced to a Monarchie These Saxons were not all one people but consisted of three seuerall Nations viz. The Angles who as it appeareth by their possessions heere were the greatest number the Iutes the Saxons but they were all the Inhabitants of some part or other of Denmarke For proofe whereof besides the authoritie of Bede Maister Camden citeth an ancient Author Fabius Ethelwardus who writeth thus Anglia vetus sita est inter Saxones Giotos habens opidum capitale quod sermone Saxonico Sleswick secundum vero Danos Haithby that is The old England is situate between the Saxons and the Iutes whose chiefe Towne was cald by the Saxons Sleswick but by the Danes Hathbie And as Maister Camden well obserueth there is at this day a prouince in Denmarke thereabout called Angell from whence he supposeth that these Angells or Angles came hither These people were generally addicted to superstitious paganisme sacrificing humaine flesh to their Idolls among whom Wooden and Fria were of greatest account To him they dedicated the third day of the weeke to her the fift calling them after their names Woodensday Friday appropriated to the seruice of them through out the whole yeare Besides these they had an other Goddesse named Eoster in the honor of whoÌ„ they did yearely offer sacrifice in the month of Aprill wherupon the feast of the Pascall coÌ„ming alwaies in or nere that month was is still called Easter The word I take it commeth from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whoÌ„ the Latins called Aurora which is the first appearance of the Sun in the East which the Germaines call Oost whereupon I gather that their Eoster was the diuine worship which these Pagans gaue the Sun at his rising in that month reioysing at the approch of Sommer In imitation of whom the Christians haue since vsed in time of prayer to turne their faces towardes the East according to the manner of the standing of our Churches East West Hereby it appeareth that by the coÌ„ming of the Saxons the profession of Christ which before had taken some little roote was now exterpate plucked vp But after 150. years
all to the sword that made resistance where leauing a garrison for the defence thereof the army returned home And for the better restraint of further molestation on that side the King caused the City and Castell of Carleil which had beene ruinated by the Danes about 200. yeares before to be reedified and peopled againe granting many priuiledges to the inhabitants which they enioy to this day King Malcolme being not a little discontented with the losse of Anwicke shortly after gathered a new powre laide siege to the towne wherat both he himselfe and Prince Edward his eldest sonne by one misfortune or other for the writers agree not on that point lost their liues the whole army put to flight This came to passe in the 36. yeare of King Malcolme his raigne and in the sixt of King William Rufus 1093. Anno. 1093. Though this Malcome had in his time much disturbed the English nation by sundrie harmefull inuasions neuerthelesse by the meanes of his foresaid mariage with the sister of Edgar Atheling the realme of England became of an open and professed enemie an assured friend yea euen a very sanctuarie to his poore Orphaine children for their vncle Edgar a man of great sanctimonie and fidelitie wisely foreseeing and warily preuenting the danger wherein those babes stood vnder the vsurped gouernment of Donald their fathers brother sent presently for them into England The three sonnes Edgar Alexander and Dauid succeeded one the other in their Fathers kingdome Mawde the eldest Daughter surnamed the Good was afterwards maried to the first Henry King of England Mary the other daughter to Eustace Earle of Bulloine the base whose daughter named after her Mother was maried to Stephen King of England This happy progenie the more happy for the vertues of their deceased Mother and liuing Vncle were not onely educated at his charge and instructed in all good nurture beseeming their birth and linage but also when the young Prince Edgar was come to ripe age Edgar his Vncle obtained of king William Rufus a competent powre wherewith now the second time for once before hee had with the like helpe expulsed Donald and crowned Duncam king Malcomes base Sonne in his place hee vtterly expelled Donald and set Prince Edgar in full and peaceable possession of the Crowne of Scotland which hee enioyed during his life King William shortly after deceasing without issue his brother Henry the Conquerors yongest sonne was admitted king of England by the generall consent of the whole nation Anno 1100. King Edgar not onely renewed the league with him which before was continued with Rufus but for the more strengthning of the same he gaue the Lady Mawde his eldest sister vnto him in marriage as is aforesaid by whom he had issue that liued Mawde the Empresse Mother to Henry the second afterwards king of England The mutuall amitie that by this mariage was nourished betweene these two nations during the life of this Henry and the Queenes brothers Edgar and Alexander was confirmed by the mariage also of Dauid her yongest brother with an other Mawde the Daughter and heire of Waltheoff late Earle of Northumberland Huntingtō as before you haue heard by which mariage that Earldome with a great part of Northumberland and Westmerland were annexed to the Crowne of Scotland as afterwards shall better appeare Henry the first departing out of this life in the sixe and thirtith yeare of his raigne leaft to succeed him onely a Daughter for his sonnes were both drowned in their passage hither out of Normandie This Lady was first maried to the Emperor Henry the 4. who dying without issue she was maried againe to Geffery Plantagenet Earle of Aniou by whom she had issue while her father liued Henry the 2. afterwards king of England Notwithstanding that Stephen Earle of Boloigne nephew to the last deceased king for Adela his mother was one of the daughters of William the Conqueror had together with the rest of the nobility sworne vnto King Henry to admit his daughter the Empresse to succeed him as lawfull heire to the Crowne of England hee nothing regarding his oath made no scruple to intrude himselfe into the royall throne Immediatly whervpon he sent an Ambassage vnto K. Dauid of Scotland demanding homage as wel for that realme as for all other the lands signories which he held of him within England where-vnto K. Dauid answered that both Stephen he himselfe with all the nobility of England were all seuerally bound by oath to the obedience of the Empresse his neece as the only lawfull and liniall heire to King Henry her father whereof he for his part made that conscience as that during her life he would neuer acknowledge any other true inheritor to the crowne of Englād King Stephen not a little displeased with this his resolute answer inuaded the territories of Scotland where-vpon much trouble arose to both nations But after the warre had continued 2. or 3. yeares with equall losse on both sides in the end thorough the mediatiō especially of the Queene of England who was also Neece to K. Dauid by his other Sister Mary Countesse of Boloigne as hath beene afore-said a peace was concluded on these conditions That the Counties of Northmuberland and Huntington should remaine in the possession of Prince Henrie of Scotland as heire vnto them in the right of his Mother but Cumberland should bee thence-forth held and reputed the lawefull inheritance of king Dauid that both Father and Sonne should acknowledge and yeelde to king Stephen and his successours for the time being for these signories the accustomed seruices due for the same King Stephen was the more willing to yeelde herevnto by reason of his infinite trobles which daylie more and more increased by the plottes and practises of the friends of the Empresse neuer ceasing to worke him all the displeasure that possibly they could deuise the victory falling sometimes on the one side and sometimes on the other Such was the estate of this Land during his whole raigne for the space of eightene years In the meane season though king Dauid preferred the iust title of the Empresse before the colourable pretext of Stephen yet hee so much regarded the worde of a king that although hee was no doubt greatly solicited by the Empresse to breake of with her aduersary yet would hee not bee drawne at any time therevnto although that troublesome season offred him fit oportunity for his owne aduantage which commendable and Christian resolution well appeared in him when as afterward hee intertayned Prince Henry Sonne to the Empresse at Carliele who being come thither accompained with the Earles of Chester and Hereford and diuerse other noblemen and gentlemen of good account both of England and Normandie of purpose as it seemed to draw the king to their part whose assistance only wanted to the expelling of the vsurper hee would by no means breake his faith with England but resting quiet at home nothing was at
markes which king Richard presently receiued towards the charge of his iourney King William to gratifie the king of Englands liberalitie furnished his brother Dauid on whome hee then bestowed the Earledome of Huntington with fiue hundred Scotishmen to attend and serue him in that enterprize against the Sarazines Thus parted these two Kings in most louing manner with so faithfull a farewell as that when Iohn the Kings brother hearing of his imprisonment in his returne would haue drawne the Scotish King to haue taken his part in the attaining of the Crowne in his brothers absence being set on worke by the French King he vtterly refused to ioyne therein with Iohn which was the break-neck of that vnnaturall attempt But when King William vnderstood of the King of England his returne home hee together with Earle Dauid his brother who a little before was returned into Scotland presentlie repayred to the English Court where being intertained with all kinde of courtesies in token of the ioye that hee had vnfainedly conceiued for the King of England his safe returne thorow so many great dangers hee presented him with two thousand markes towards the redeeming of his libertie To gratifie this his kindnesse King Richard granted to him by speciall Charter and to his heires kings of Scotland for euer that when-so-euer hee or any of them should by sommons repaire into England vnto the Court the Bishop of Durham and the shiriffe of Northumberland for the time beeing should receaue him at the water of Tweede and safely conduct him to the water of Theese where the Archbishop of Yorke and the Sheriffe of the Shire should receiue him of them and from thence to attend him to the border of the next shire and in this manner to be attended from shire to shire by Prelates and Sheriffes vntill hee came to the Court and an honourable allowance was made him wherewith to defray such expences as hee and his traine were put vnto during their abode in England While king William remained at the Court king Richard thereby to put away as it were the reproche of his late captiuitie caused himselfe to bee crowned againe whereat for the more honour of that solemnitie it pleased king William to carie one of the three Swords of estate before the King accompanied on his right hand with Hamling Earle of Warwicke and on the other with Ranulphe Earle of Chester in manner as his Brother Earle Dauid had done before at the Kings first Coronation saue that the first place was then giuen to Earle Iohn his Brother This feast was kept at Winchester on the seauenteenth day of Aprill Anno 1194. king William beeing now at the point to depart homewards offered the king fifteene thousand markes for the whole country of Northumberland in manner as Prince Henry his father who neuer came to the crowne held the same The king yeelded here vnto so as the Castles were excepted but still hee importuned him for them also The King answered that at his returne againe for now he was ready to passe into Normandie hee should finde him willing to satisfie him in any reasonable sort But it was king Richardes happe after many victories ouer the French Nation during his aboade on that side the Sea for the space of fowre yeares in the end to die of a wound which hee receiued at the siege of the Castle of Chalme by an inuenomed Dart as he was viewing where he might best vndermine the same Thus ended king Richard after hee had raigned nine yeares and as many months Where-vpon Iohn Earle of Mortaigne his Brother beeing then also on that side the Sea thorough the industrie of the Queene his Mother the Archbishop of Canterbury and other his fauourites in England was forth-with proclaimed king And to make all the more sure on their side for they were very iealous ouer his Nephew young Arthure Duke of Britaine whose right to the Crowne was by manie especially the Frenchmen preferred before the others they promised king William of Scotland to obtaine of king Iohn at his returne ouer whatsoeuer hee pretended title vnto within the English Dominions The Scotish king beeing thus put in hope to attaine vnto his desire in token of his good liking and allowance of their proceedings in the behalfe of king Iohn sent the Bishop of Saint Andrewes to his coronation with commission and instructions to moue and prosecute his demand of restitution of those Landes hee claymed promising withall to abstaine from all forcible inuasion for the space of fortie dayes so as within that tearme he might haue a resolute answer from the king concerning the same Here unto King Iohn made answer that if his cousin the king of Scots would come vnto him hee should haue at his handes whatsoeuer in reason hee could demand For the place of their meeting Notingham was first appoynted afterwardes Yorke but king William vpon some occasion fayling to come to eyther of these two places king Iohn passed ouer into Normandie where hauing appeased some broiles stirred vp by the French king in the behalfe of young Arthure at his returne hee sent an honourable Ambassage into Scotland to safe conduct king William into England The two kings mett at Lincolne on the one and twenteth daye of Nouember in the second yeare of the raigne of king Iohn to whome the Scotish king did there homage and fealtie which seruices beeing performed king William required restitution of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland which he claimed as his right and lawfull inheritance after much parlance there about king Iohn craued respite to consider further of the matter till the Feast of Penticost next following where-vnto the Scotish king consenting the Assemblie brak vp and king William was attended backe againe into Scotland by those that brought him thither But king Iohn eyther beeing not disposed or not at leisure to hold the appointed time sent Ambassadors into Scotland to intreat king William to giue him further daye to returne him answer touching his former demand Whervnto the other yeelding gaue him Michelmasse next according to his desire All this notwithstanding I doe not finde in the Historie of eyther Nation that king Iohn did at any time after inlarge his possessions within the Realme of England After this some vnkindnesse arose betweene them about the raising of a fortification which the king of England had built ouer against Berwicke vppon which occasion as also by reason that while the Realme stood in the damnable estate as the world then beleeued of the Popes terrible curse diuerse of the English Nobilitie and others forsooke their naturall king and for conscience sake fledd into Scotland such power had the Papacie ouer mens consciences in those dayes King Iohn not contented there-with hauing gathered an Armie and there-with approching the borders of Scotland hee was incountred at Norham with Ambassadors from King William who then being about the age of threescore ten yeares was vnfit to fight At this meeting by
Dauids daies For such was the curtisie and friendly behauiour of Edward towaâ—ds the two captiue Kings of France and Scotland while they remained togither in England as that thereby hee won their loue and fauor foreuer after as appeared by their repaire hither to visit the King and Queene and to recreate and solace themselues in their company And thus it came to passe that their captiuitie here turned more to their owne aduantage and the peaciable enioying of their estats afâ—er the same then if it had neuer hapned vnto them King Dauid beeing dead without issue of his bodie Robert Steward his Sisters Sonne by the Generall consent of all the estates was crowned King of Scotland in the yeare of our Lord. 1370. Here ended the posterity of Malcolm Cammore in the Masculine line which had continewed two hundred threescore and eighteene yeares and was transferred to an other ancient house of the Scottish Nation which in the beginning of the raigne of this King Malcolm tooke the surname Steward on them vpon the office which their auncestour their bare as before I haue touched and this family hath euer since borne the Crowne of Scotland euen vnto this day The league which was before made with his Vncle the deceased King was now renewed for foureteene yeares But immediatly vpon the Coronation of King Richard the second Sonne to that valiant Prince surnamed Blacke both the Father and grand-father beeing dead in the yeare of our Lord 1377. King Robert was so earnestly labored by Ambassadours out of France to make warre vpon England thereby to purchase vnto King Charles their Maister the more quietnesse at home that forth-with preparation was made to put his 〈◊〉 in execution And first vnâ—â—â—â— colour ascending reuenge on the English borderers for the death of a seruant of George Earle of Dumbarâ—â— that by occasion of some drunken fraye the yeare before was slaine at Roxbrugh faire the said Earle together with his broâ—her the Earle of Murrey gathering a powre came secretly to the towne the next Fayre-day slew all the Englishmen they found thereat carried away their goods and set the towne on fire 〈◊〉 his outragious demeanour of these Scotts Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland entred into Scotland with ten thousand men and tooke sufficient reuenge on the Earle of Marche and others the chiefe authors of the former fact Amongst the rest Sir Iohn Gordon tooke himselfe much iniured by this inuasion who therefore making a road into England got together a great bootie In his returne home-ward he was set vpon by the Englishmen but after a long fight they were finally discomfited and their Captaine Sir Iohn Lylborne with his brother and diuers other were taken prisonâ—â—s and carried into Scotland Sir Iohn Gordon was so incouraged here-with as that shortly after he together with Sir Alexander Ramsey and fortie other chosen men fittest to enterprise such a difficultie aâ—out the latter end of Nouember in the deaâ—â—â—â—â—e of the night being come to Berwicke â—â—d â—auing mounted the walles slew the watchmen while they were sleeping and thereby became Maisters of the Castell Sir Robert Boyntone Constable thereof and such as were with him being ouer-few vpon that disaduantage to repulse the enemie were all slaine in their owne defence Not-with-standing they permitted his wife children and some fewe of their seruants to depart on condition that within three weekes after they should eyther send for their ransome three thousand Markes or else yeeld their bodies againe The next morning the Scottes issuing out of the Castell before it was knowne what was hapned brought with them into it a droue of Cattle which were pasturing there-about The Earle of Northumberland being aduertised hereof hasted thither with foure hundred men well appointed by whome the Castell was againe recouered by force within two houres nine dayes after the taking of the same The Scottes were all slaine by the assailiants either in the defence of the Castle or of their persons after they were entred Alexander Ramsey onely excepted whom they reserued by his libertie to redeeme the ransome promised before to the Scottes for the wife and childreÌ„ of Captaine Boyntone These things thus passed in the yeare 1378. The pestilence so afflicted the North parts of England all the summer following as that a great part of those countries lay well neere desolate not-with-standing the Scotts ceased not daily to make roades into the land catching vp and carrying away what-so-euer 〈◊〉 into their greedy clawes so as the very heards of swine where-with before they would neuer deale were now accounted a good booty Further the Earle Dowglasse with some twentie thousand Scots entred into Penner on the Faire day sacked the towne and then set it on fire but the people saued them-selues by running away The Scots paide very deare for those commodities For there-with all they carried home with them an infection of the plague whereof in the two years next following so great a number died being spred well nere ouer the whole land as the like was neuer before knowne in Scotland In further reuenge of this out-rage committed at Penner the Englishmen shortly after entred into Scotland ouer Sufway putting all to the sword that made resistance and hauing gotten a great booty together in tâ—eir returne they lodged in a strait valley neere to the confines of England which aduantage being espied by the Scots that pursued them they suddenly in the night fell vpon them slew a great number and put the rest to flight and so recouered their goods againe while in the meane season the warre continued very hotely by land and sea betweene England and France Iohn Duke of Lancaster the kings Vncle laboured a peace with the Scots which was concluded to indure three yeâ—â—es The truce replied Archibald Dowlasse together with the Earles Dowglasse and Dunbar vnderstanding that the Castell of Lochemaben was vnprouided of men and victuals necessary for the defence thereof so sharplie assailed the same as that the Captaine thereof Sir William Featherstone hauing in the meane â—â—â—e receiued no ayde out of England as hee expected vpon knowledge giuen to the wardens of the English Marches in what state it stood at the end of eight daies according to composition he surrendred the Castle into their possessioÌ„ which incontinently was cast downe flatt to the ground Herevpon the Baron of Graystock with a new supply of men and victuals was appointed to releeue the Castle of Roxbrough least it should be taken vnprouided as the former But the Earle of March hauing gotten knowledge thereof lay priuily in waite for the Englishmen tooke the Baron prisoner and caried him with his charge to Dunbar The Scots about this time tooke also the Castle of Warke and set it on fire King Richard being not a little discontented with this their fortunate proceedings sent the Duke of Lancaster with a great powre into ScotlaÌ„d hauing now appeased his troubles at home raised by the seditious rebels of Northfolke other
in Holdernesse about the latter end of March who thinking it neither fit nor conuenient to suffer the same to passe any further without making the King acquainted there-with the yong Prince with his traine were forth-with conuaied to the Court then at Windesoure The Child beeing brought to the Kings presence presented vnto him a letter which the King his Father had giuen him to the end that if by chance he should be either taken at sea or forced by tempest to take land on the coast of England hee might thereby finde the more fauour with the King The tenure of which letter I haue here inserted as I finde it in the history of Scotland written by Hollinshead Robert King of Scottes to Henry King of England greeting Thy great magnificence humility and iustice are right present with vs by the gouernance of thy last armie in Scotland howbeit sic things had beene vncertaine to vs afore for though thou seemed as an enemie with most awefull incursions in our Realme Yet we found manie humilities and pleasires than damages by thy comming to our subdittes Speciallie to yame that receyuit thy Noblie Father the Duke of Longcastell in the time of his exile in Scotland Wee may not ceys yairfore while wee are in life but aye luys and loif the as maist Noble and Worthie Prince to ioys thy Realme For yocht Realmes and Nations contend amang themselues for conquestes of glorie and lands Èit na occasion is amang vs to inuade athir Realmes or lieges with iniuries bot euer to contend amang our selues quhay sall persew other with maist humanitie and kindnesse As to vs wee will meis all occasion of battell quhare any occurres at thy pleasure Forther bycause wee haue na lesse sollicitude in preseruing our Children fra certaine deidlie enemies than had sometime thy Noble Father wee ar constreined to seeke support at vncouth Princes hands Howbeit the inuasion of enemies is sa great that small defence occurres against yame without they bee preserued by amitie of Nobill men For the warld is sa full of peruersit malice that na crueltie nor offence may bee deuisit in erd bot the same may bee wrocht be motion of gold and siluer Herefore bycause wee knawe thy hienesse full of mony nobill vertues with sic pyssaunce and riches that na Prince in our daies may bee compard thairto wee desire thy humanitie and support at this time VVee traist it is not vnknowne to thy Maiestie how our eldest Sonne Dauid is slaine miserably inprison by our brother the Duke of Albaine quhome wee chesit to bee Gouernour quhan wee were fallen in decrepit age to our subditts and Realme beseek and thy hyenesse thairfore to bee sa fauorable that this bearer Iames our second and allnerly Sonne may haue targe to life vndâ—r thy faith and iustie to bee some memorie of our posterity knaw and the vnstable condition of mans life sa sodainly altered now flurisâ—â—d and sodenlie falling to vtter consumption for thir beliefe well quhan Kings and Princes hes na other beild bot in thair awin folkes thair Empire is caduke and fragil For the minde of common pepill ar euer flowaund and mair inconstant than wind Èœit quhen Princes ar roborate be amity of othir vncouth Kings thair brethir and Nieghbours na aduersity may occurre to eiect thaim fra thair dignity royall Forthire gif thy hienesse thinke nocht expedient as God forbeid to obtemper to thir our desiers Èœit wee request ane thing quhilk was ratifiet in our last trewes and condition of peace that the supplication made be ony of the two kings of England Scotland sall stand in manner of safe conduct to the bearer And thus we desire to be obseruit to this our allnerly Son And the gratious God conserue the maist Noble Prince The Scottish writers reporte that when King Robert had knowledge of the staie of his Sonne in England in the nature of a prisoner he tooke the matter so greeuously that being an aged sicklie man and of long time oppressed with malancholie hee died within three daies after There is some difference amongst the writers concerning the time when these things chaunced Harding placeth these occurreÌ„ts in the yeare 1408. Buchanan chargeth king Henrie to haue dealt iniuriouslie in detayning the young Prince not onely without respect had to the King his Fathers request but also while the truce yet continewed betweene the two Nations which as hee saith was lately taken for eight yeares But I do not see how that can be proued foâ— in the English Chronicles I finde no truce agreed vpon since the battaile of Homildon but once and that but for one yeare in the seauenth yeare of King Henries raigne Whereas it is manifest enough that aboue a yeare before this the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolfe after they had bin in Wales Flaunders and France to haue purchased aide against King Henry were returned into Scotland and now not aboue sixe or seauen weekes before the arriuall of the yong Prince in England were entred into the Realme with a power of Scottes and comming into Yorkshire were incountred and ouerthrowne by Sir Thomas Rooksbie then Sheriffe of the Shire on the nineteenth day of Februarie in the yeare 1407. The Earle himselfe was slaine in the field and the Lord Bardolfe sore wounded as beeing taken he died thereof shortlie after Hereby it appeareth that either there was no truce at al at this time or else the Scottes made small account thereof taking part with the enemies of the land against their natural King within his owne kingdome Howsoeuer the Sonnes captiuity did for the present trouble the sickly olde King his Father The Scottes haue had no cause sinne to bee much offended thereat For as it is confessed by themselues king Henrie tooke so great care for his education in all manner of discipline fit for his calling as that Realme had neuer before a Prince furnished with more excellent qualities No doubt king Henrie hereby sought in kindnesse to binde him and that Nation to a perpetuall acknowledgment of his singuler loue and fauor towards the one and the other But as the sequell showed the same was little or nothing regarded afterwards The death of king Robert made no alteration in the state of gouernment in Scotland with him died onely the title of king for the other Robert his brother the Duke of Albaine in manner as before so still he inioyed the soueraigne command ouer that Nation About this time or not long before Sir Robert Vnfreuille high admirall of England burnt the towne of Peples on the market day causing his men to make so good penie-worthes of the cloathes they got there as that therevpon the Scottes called him Robin mend market In the meane season the Castell of Iedworth which the Englishmen had held euer since the battaile at Durham was taken by Tyuidale men and throwne downe to the ground Shortly after the Earle of March who before at a Parliament was recommended
which at the entreatie of the Scottish Duke he forbare to spoile contenting himselfe with those presents which the Marchants offered vnto him and his Captaines Here hee caused Garter King at armes by open proclamation to admonish King Iames who keeping himselfe within the Castell world not be spoken with-all to obserue and performe all such couenants promises and agreements as hee had formerly subscribed vnto and by his seale confirmed to the vse and behoofe of king Edward And also to make sufficient recompence to his subiects for all the domage they had sustained by the sundry inuasions of the Scottes whilest the league yet continued betweene the two nations and this to be done before the first day of August next following And further to restore his brother the Duke of Albanie to his former estate within the realme of Scotland not detracting or diminishing any part of his possessions offices and authoritie which at any time before hee held and inioyed within the same Otherwise if hee refused to satisfie the King of England in all and euery of those demands then hee the sayde Duke his Lieutenant generall would forth-with with fire and sworde pursue the destructioâ—â—â—â—d vtter spoile of him and his kingdome Here-vnto King Iames not knowing presently what answer to make was altogether silent But the nobilitie of Scotland who now were not in any great trust and fauour with their King hauing assembled their forces at Hadington and finding themselues vnable therewith to encounter the puissance of the English armie thought it best to offer a treatie of peace hopeing in the meane time by faire promises to allure the Duke of Albanie from his amitie with England Here-vpon by their Letters dated the second of August they signified to the Generall that it was all their desires that the former contract of mariage betweene the Prince of Scotland and the King of Englands Daughter should take place according to the couenants agreed vpon concerning the same And also that a firme peace betweene the two Nations might thence-forth bee duely obserued on both sides and that nothing had beene done by them tending to the breach thereof Here-vnto Duke Riâ—hâ—rd answered That for the matter of mariage hee was not acquainted with the King his â—â—others pleasure therein and therefore could say nothing to that point but hee had commission to demand such summes of money as their King had before receiued sithence hee no more respeâ—â—ed the obseruance of the couenants agreed vnto at the treatie of that marriage and that the bâ—each of one principall Article frustrated all the rest As for peace he answered flatly that hee would yeeld to none vnlesse the Castell of Berwike might immediatly be deliuered vp vnto him or at the least vnlesse they would binde them-selues by oath neither to remooue the siege nor to relieue the same till it were surrendred or taken by force The Scottish Lords vpon these demands sent vnto the Generall the Bishop of Murrey and the Lord Dernley with these instructions First as touching the repaiment of those summes of money which were by him demanded the same was not due the time being not yet come wherein it was to bee restored againe according to the agreement at the treatie of mariage for as yet both the parties were vnder age But if the Duke thought the former assurance insufficient they would do any thing as farre as reason required to satisfie him to his full contentment Secondlie as concerning the yeelding vp of Berwicke Castell the same was scituate within the antient confines of the realme of Scotland and properlie appertained there-vnto and therefore it could not with-out open wrong bee taken and kept from them The Duke not-with-standing this their plea would not harken to any motion of peace vnlesse that Castell were forth-with deliuered to the vse of the King his Brother The same daye beeing the third of August Coline Earle of Aâ—gile Andrewe Steward Lord Chancelor of Scotland and the two Bishoppes of Saint Andrewes and Dunkell sent to the Duke of Albaine vnto the English Campe then at Leuingtone besides Hadington an instrument in writing vnder their hands and seales contayning such offers of kindnesse towards the recouery of the king his brothers fauour and his former estate that hauing acquainted the Duke of Glocester therewithall and faithfullie assured him of his loyaltie in that behalfe he was presently withall kindnesse dismissed and so repayred to the Lords his countriemen who immediatlie assembling a Counsell he was by generall consent not onelie restored to his former dignities and possessions but withall was aduanced to the highest place of gouerment vnder the king and by open proclamation intituled Lord Leutenant of Scotland In this assemblie the question was propounded what was best to be done touching the dâ—â—â—nd of the Castell of Berwike It seemed good to the best aduised Lords and others amongst them in that dangerous time wherein the Realme was so greatlie preplexed by domâ—sticall dissentions rather to incline to peace though it were with some losse then otherwaies to prouoke so mightie an aduersarie as the king of England would bee vnto them That a good Neighbour according to the French prouerbe would bee a good moâ—â—oâ—â— It was therefoâ—e in the end resolued vpon without further delay to proceede to a conclusion of peace for the present time how deare soeuer they payed for it Herevpon a deed indented bearing date the foure and tweenteth day of the same month of August was presented vnto the Duke of Glocester contayning a contract betweene him Lieutenant generall for the king of England on the one part and the other Duke Lieutenant generall in like manner for the king of Scotland on the other part couenanting on the behalfe both of the one and other that an absteinance of warre should bee obserued by sea and land from the eight daie of September till the fourth of Nouember next following In which time the Scottish Duke did couenant to yeelde vp the towne and Castell of Berwike into the hands and possession of such as by the king of England or his deputie should bee therevnto appoynted According to which agreement the said Castell was deliuered to the custodie of Lord Standlie on the sixe and tweentith daie of the foresaid month hauing then beene in the possession of the Scottes neere one and tweentie yeares but hath euer since continewed English And it was further couenanted on the behalfe of the Scottish Duke that vpon knowledge giuen whether it was the king of England his pleasure to haue the intended marriage betweene his Daughter and the young Prince to take place or otherwise to be brokeâ— off that then he would proceede accordingly either to prepare the mony paiable vnto him or else to the present solemnization of the same But King Edward foreseeing what vnquietnesse was likely to arise in Scotland betweene the two brothers and happely fauoring the Duke more then the King resolued with himselfe to breake of the marriage in speech
appointed for seruice which not long before had beene prepared as was giuen out to transport the king into Siria against the infidelles This nauy should haue beene presented vnto the French Queene for a speciall fauor towâ—â—ds her onely â—ut the same â—â—d so bad successâ—ur the passage aâ— that neither shee or her husband had any benefit by them In the meane season complaint waâ— made to king Henry that two Scottish ships to whom king Iames had graunted letters of mart against the Portâ—â—galls had greatlie molested the English Marchants and other passingers along the Coast For redresse hereof Sir Edmond Howard Lord Admirall of England and the Lord Thomas Sonne and heire to the Earle of Surrey were presentlie sent forth with two shippes of warre who behaued themselues in â—uch sort that within a month after they â—â—ought them both to Black-wall Andrewe â—arton Captaine ouer them died of the hurtes 〈◊〉 receiued in fight they that remained aliue wâ—re all pardoned and sent home King Iames tooke this matter so heynouslie that wryting thereof to King Henrie he charged him with breach of the league wherevnto this answere was returned That the execution of Iustice vpon pirates such as his people at sea were waâ— neuer held violation of amitie that hee shoâ—â—â— fauour enough in pardoning those that esâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 danger of fight Yet for his better saâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 would presently send commâ—â—â—â—â—â—ts to the borâ—â—â— to treat of this and of othâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—ders in 〈◊〉 partes The Scotâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the meane season 〈◊〉 â—ot 〈◊〉 inâ—â—â—â—ng the English marches but still to their losse For aâ— one conflict two hundred of them were taken prisoners and many more slaine This blowe so much prouoked King Iames that refusing to commit the deciding of these quarrels to anie Commissioners he purposed with himselfe to take reuenge when oportunity better serued And therefore when King Henry was passed ouer into France and had besiedged the towne of Turwin King Iames sent ouer vnto him Lion king at armes his principall Herald with letters of defiance to this effect First hee complained that no restitution was yet made for the damages his subiects had lately sustayned both by land and sea Secondly that bastard Heron with his complices who in the raigne of the King his Father at a meeting for the execution of iustice had treacherously slaine Robert Car his warden were not punished according to their deserts That Andrewe Barton was slaine by his commandement That his wiues legacy was vniustlie detained And though hee could haue borne all these iniuries yet he might not indure the extreame wrongs offerd by him to his ancient allies and friends the French King and the Duke of Gelders into whose lands and territories he was now entred not-with-standing he had earnestlie intreated him to the contrarie and â—â—â—ll hostile manner prosecuted the destruction of them thâ—â—â— subiects and countries In consideration of which dealings towardes his owne person and those Pâ—â—nces so neerely conioyned with hâ—â— in amitie hee held himselfe bound by dutiâ—â— hiâ— alliance with them to reliâ—ue their estates by all the good meanes that lay in his powre And this hee would forth-with put in execution vnâ—â—sse he ceased further to molest them This letter was dated at Edenbrough the sixe and twentith day of Iuly and sealed with his owne Signet where-vnto king Henrie made answer as followeth Right excellent high and mightie Prince we haue receiued your writing by your Herald Lyon this bearer wherein after rehearsall and accumulation of many surmised iniuries greeues and damages done by vs and our subiects to you and yours the specialties whereof were superfluous to rehearse remembring that to them and euery of them reasonable answer founded vpon lawe and conscience hath here-to-fore bin made to you and your counsell Yee not onely require vs to desist from further inuasion and vtter destruction of your brother and cousin the French king but also certifie vs that you will take part in defence of the same king vnlesse wee presently yeeld to your request All which tendeth wholy to the bâ—each of the perpetuall peace passed concluded and sworne-vnto by vs both Howbeit if neither the loue and dread of God nighnesse of bloud honour of the world lawe nor reason could haue preuailed with you we suppose you would neuer 〈◊〉 so farre proceedâ—â— against vs especially in our absence Herein the Pope and al Princes Christened may well note in you dishonorable dealing in that you haue waited to take the aduantage of mine absence whereof we neede no other proofe and approbation then your owne letters heretofore sent vs while we were within our Realme wherin you neuer made mention of taking part with our enemy the French King but passed the time with vs till after our departure thence But now happily supposing that we bee destitute of defence against your inuasion beeing so farre from home you haue vpon that aduantage vttered the old rancoure of your stomake which you haue hitherto kept secret Neuerthelesse wee remembring the brittlenesse of your promise and suspecting though not wholie beleeuing so much vnstedfastnesse in you thought it expedient to put our Realme in redinesse against whatsoeuer your interprises trusting that by the fauour of God and the assistance of our confederates and allies we shal be able to maintaine our right against the malice of you and your adherentes And we hope in time conuenient to remember our friends and requite you 〈◊〉 our enemies which by such vnnaturall demeanour haue giuen sufficient cause to the disinheriting 〈◊〉 and your posterity for 〈…〉 â—â—ssibility that you haue to the 〈…〉 which you are now ready to inuade The 〈…〉 lately showed vâ—â—â— the King of Nauar 〈◊〉 for assisting the French king was set besides his â—â—ngdoâ—â— may be a warning vnto you Finallie as tâ—â—ching your request that I would desist from further attempting against our enemie the French King wee knowe you are no competent iudge nor of authoritie to inforce vs therevnto Wherefore wee purpose God willing with the aide and assistance of our confederates and allies to prosecute the warre we haue hitherto prosperouslie proceeded in Giuen vnder our signet in our Campe before Tirwin the twelft daie of August This letter was deliuered to the Scottish Herald who immediatlie departed there-with into Flanders there to haue taken shippe for Scotland But for want of readie passage hee arriued not there till the King his Maister was slaine in the field For King Iames with his army hauing paâ—â—ed ouer the water of Tweed the two and twenteth daie of the sayd month of August lodged thâ— fiâ—st night neere the riuer of Tinsell and the â—â—xt daie laied siedge to Norham Castell which was easilie gotten thorough want of loyaltie or discression in him that kept it King Iâ—â—es hauing taken his pleasure in those partes â—or the space of eighteene daies the Earle of Surrey Liâ—â—â—â—â—ant Generall in the Kings absence ouer the North-partes of the Realme had in the meane-time giuen order
holie daies where they were lodged feasted and entertained most louingly There as of themselues they motioned a mariage betweene Prince Edward the Kings Sonne now little more then fiue yeares olde and their young Queene that was borne some fiue or sixe daies before the death of the King her Father promising withall to do there best to bring the same to passe King Henrie gaue them great thankes for their forwardnesse therein and was not onelie contented to set them freelie at libertie but also bestowed large presentes on euery man according to his degree On New-yeares daie they departed from London home-wardes and dined at Enfield where they sawe the young Prince of whome they seemed greatlie to reioyce both in speach and countinance From thence they kept on their iorney till they came into the North-partes where the Duke of Suffolke the Kings Lieutenant staied for their comming with whome they remained till such pledges were come out of Scotland as was before couenanted they should leaue behind them VVith them went also the Earle of Angus who togither with his brother Sir George Dowglas had allowance for their maintenance of King Henrie while they remained in England after their exile the space of fifeteene yeares The Scottish King while hee liued had labored the deliuerance of the Earle who now vpon his returne home was made one of the priuie Counsell amongst other of the Lordes that had beene lately prisoners here by the Earle of Araine Gouernour of the young Queene and of the Realme and next heire to the Crowne according to the custome of that Countrie Shortly after Sir Robert Bowes and some other English prisoners were deliuered by their bandes after the manner of the Marches In March following Sir Ralfe Sadler who died a graue CouÌ„sellor in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth being sent Ambassadour into Scotland came thither some-what before the Parliament His errand was to perswade the Gouernor to giue his consent with the other Lords to the mariage propounded lately by them and that withall a firme peace might be concluded vpon betweene the two Nations These pointes were long debated but in conclusion after that Dauid Beaton Cardinall and Archbishop of â—â—â—nt Andrewes the French factor was remoâ—â—ed from the assemblie generallie yeelded â—nto and confirmed And further pleadges were promised to be sent into England for the better assurance thereof The Ambassador staying still behind to see euerie thing performed according to promise on the behalfe of the Scottish Lordes the Earle of Glencorne Sir George Dowglas Sir William Hamiltone Sir Iames Leirmonth and the Secretarie were sent into England as well to confirme as to report what had beene established by act of Parliament concerning the marriage intended with England These men remained here from the ende of March till the ende of Iulie following in which time the marriage betweene Prince Edward of England and the infant of Scotland was fullie confirmed by wrytings enterchangablie signed and sealed and a peace concluded for ten yeares These things thus passed in the yeare of Lord 1543. The Scottish Marchantes were not a little glad after their long restraint of their free libertie of trafique wherevpon they presently dispatched their shippes to the sea so as in short time neuer a port well-neere in England was without some of them to the exceeding great ioye of both Realmes But this calme lasted not long for now beganne France after their olde fashion to â—â—â—rre vp certaine seditious and dispightfull spâ—â—â—ts which like vnto the curssed spirits of thâ—â—yre breathed out tempestious and boisterous blastes where-with to darken and disturbe the former Sun-shine and quiet season For before the yeares ende thorough the practize of the Cardinall Iohn Hamiltone brother to the Gouernour and Dauid Paynter which two last men of most dissolute conuersation came lately out of France for that purpose the Scottes were so wonderfully wrought that both the Gouernour himselfe and all they that had so lately before vowed themselues and there seruice to King Henry were now againe become wholy French for these reasons First by this mariage it would come to passe as they obiectted that the Scottish Nobolity should grow into contempt being far inferiour in wealth and possessions to the Lords of England and further remoued by habitation from the Kings presence who no doubt would make the most firtill and commdious part of England Southwards the place of his residence ordinarily But that which more nearely touched them was the eminent daunger wherein to Religion would be thereby brought the preseruation whereof they were bound to prefer before either lands or liues that the state whereinto England was persently falne might be a sufficient warning vnto them who already were but ouer much inclined that way for about that time the Gouener had incoraged Frier Guillan openly to preach against Immages and foolish ceremonies giuing liberty that who would might reade the bible in English which about three yeares before was openly read in very Church in England and was the very bane and breake necke of Popery thorowe out the whole Iland As for their promisse made to King Henry they were persuaded ther was no cause why they should sticke at that seeing it was lately decreed in the Counsell of Constance that no couenant or promise how constantly soeuer made ought to bee kept with an heretike such as the Pope had already iudged him to bee The Earle of Casseles onely continued constant though he was attempted both by faire meanes and foule to the contrary for hee hauing two brothers his pleadges in England protested that he would neuer redeeme ether his liberty or life with the losse of them wherefore at his returne into England the King much commended the young gentlemans resolution and in acquitall therfore set both him his brothers at liberty King Henry could not brooke this manner of dealing but resoluing to be fully reuenged he first caused all the shippes of Scotland whereof there were good store to be presently staid till his pleasure was further knowne then proclaming open war he forthwith made preparation to inuade Scotland by land and sea The Queene Mother the regent and the Cardinall beeing all like affected solicited King Francis to minister aide against England But the monie that that was thereupon sent them and deliuered to the Earle of Lenox to bee imployed to that end was by him detayned by reason of some iarres then amongst them-selues which brought him out of fauour with the French King who before had vsed him as a speciall instrument on his side King Henry in the meane season hauing not beene slow in his businesse thought good neuer-the-lesse to make triall whether vpon better aduisements the Scottes would yeelde to some reasonable conditions wherefore he sent his letters to Edenbrough fraught with many iust complaints and bitter threats but all preuailed not wher-vpon proceeding in his former courfe and hauing furnished his Nauie with all things needfull he committed the charge therof to
no reckning of the holie Fathers threates wherevpon the Bishoppes published his terrible execrations against them so as King Robert Iames Dowglasse and Thomas Randolfe with all their partakers were at euerie masse thorough out England solemlie accursed three times Neuerthelesse the next yeare the Scottes inuaded the land againe a fresh so that all this cost and coniuration little or nothing auailed One companie vnder the conduct of the Earle of Murry assailed the Bishopricke of Durham An other was leade by Iames Dowglasse and the Lord Steward of Scotland who also deuiding themselues the one companie wasted the Country towardes Hartlepoole and Cleueland the other intended as much to Richmonde where the townes-men to redeeme their peace departed with a good round some of mony payed vnto them as they had done also latelie before While the Scottes tooke their pleasure in this manner in the North partes for the space of fiueteene daies the gentlemen there about repayred to Pomfret to the Earle of Lancaster offring to ioyne with him against the enemie but the Earle was not disposed to aduenture his life in the quarell of him who as he tooke it had done him much wrong But howe true soeuer that was most certaine it is that he both wronged himselfe and highlie offended his Soueraigne in taking armes against him shortly after which cost him no lesse price then the losse of his life as it bee fell to diuerse others his partakers at the battaile at Borowgh-bridge the sixteene daie of March 1321. This Earle was the greatest in title and possessions that euer yet was in England for hee was together inuested with the Earldomes of Lancaster Lincolne Leicester Derbie and Salisburie So as if hee had continued faithfull to his Prince hee might haue beene a great ayde vnto him and the realme but contrarywise as it hath beene often since seene in this land his greatnesse made him an enemie both to King and country as appeared by diuerse letters out of Scotland intercepted in their carriage hither to the Lords of his confederacie which were openly read and published afterwards in London During these troubles the Scots and French-men ceased not to molest the realme on both sides for King Robert about Midsomer following entred by the West Marches as farre as Kendall and from thence thorow Lancashire to Prestone in Andernesse burning and wasting all that stood in their way foure-score miles within the land and hauing taken their pleasure for the space of three weekes returned home without battaile The King of England being thus molested by their continuall incursions hauing also sent his Brother Edmond Earle of Kent ouer into Gâ—yenne for the defence thereof against the French-men passed yet once againe into Scotland King Robert vnderstanding what great preparation was made and in readinesse for to come against him thought it not fitte to hazard his estate being now brought to the height of his desires vpon the tickle successe of a battaile or two and therefore hee caused all the Cattle and Sheepe in the countrie to bee driuen vp to the Mountaines and what-so-euer else might serue the Englishmen to any good vse was either bestowed in some place of strength or else made vnfitte for any purpose Hee with his horse-men with-drew them-selues further into the land then that it should stand with the safetie of his enimies to approach them Hereby it came to passe that when King Edward was come to Edenborough hee was forced for want of victuals and other necessaries which bred many diseases amongst his people within fifteene dayes after his entrie into Scotland to returne home-wardes hauing onely by assault taken Norham Castell King Robert vnderstanding how much the English Armie was weakned by the great mortalitie of the common souldiours ouer-passed not so fitte an opportunitie but with all speed pursued the Englishmen wasting and spoiling the land euen as farre as Yorke and hauing gotten knowledge that king Edward was then at the Abbey of Beighland hee so couertly conducted his Armie thither as that setting on his enimies at vnawares he put them all to flight the king himselfe hardly escaping their hands In this conflict for some small resistance was made such as their short warning would afford The Lord Iohn Britaine Earle of Richmonde was taken prisoner besides diuers other of the inferiour sort The kings treasure and furniture with all the prouision and preparation pertayning to the host was either spoyled or caried away This hapned about the twelft of October anno 1322. After this defeature the Scottes passed further into the land comming to Beuerley the towns-men gaue them a summe of money wherewith they bought their peace hauing now remained in England a month foure daies they returned from thence home-wards King Edward now despairing of any better successe in time to come and withall foreseeing what trouble was likely to arise within his owne realme as afterwards came to passe sought meanes to obtayne peace with Scotland which in the end was yeelded vnto and the same to endure for thirteene years about the tenth of Iuly in the yeare following it was proclamed in the chiefe citties townes of both Nations The Scottes were also now content to be reconciled to the Pope hauing first recouered obtayned in England whatsoeuer they well-nere desired At the same time the league was renewed with Charles the French King lately then come to his Crowne with an addition to the former articles viz that if at any time after controuersie should arise about the succession and right to the Crowne of Scotland the same should be heard and determined by the Nobility and peeres of those two Nations onely King Edward hauing obtained peace with Scotland the French King beganne to quarell with him for default of his personall apearance being summoned therevnto to acknowledge his homage for the duchie of Aquitaine and the country of Poytou vpon which occasion the Queene his wife and the Prince of Walles were sent into France to treate with the king her brother of an agreement betweene him her husband which she effected Neuerthelesse whether she was staied their against her will vpon some complaint made of her husband or that she could not happily indure the two Spencers who were then in greatest estimation with him it seemed she had no great desire to returne into England which being perceiued or rather plotted by diuers of the Nobility and others fauoring her part more then the kings they daylie passed ouer vnto her by whom beeing brought into England the greater number forsooke the King and ioyned themselues with the Queene and her Sonne into whose handes he was thereby forced in the ende to resigne his Crowne and Scepter and shortlie after to yeeld his bodie to the violence of his cruell tormentors who beereaued him of life as the others did of lybertie hauing raigned neere twentie yeares Such was the ende of this vnfortunate King by whose misgouernment the Realme was greatlie impouerished and weakned
an exceeding great number of them was slaine Of Noblemen the Earle of Murrey the Earle of Stratherne the Constable Marshall Chamberlaine and Chancellor of Scotland were the principall men Together with King Dauid who fighting most couragiouslie was sore wounded before he would yeeld himselfe were taken prisoners the Earles of Dowglas Fife Southerland Wigton and Menteith This battaile was fought neere Durham at a place called Neuils-crosse on the xvii day of October in the yeare 1346. The English armie following their good fortune forthwith passed into Scotland tooke the Castels of Roxbrough and Hermitage and without resistance ouer-ran the countries of Anuandale Galloway Mers Tiuidale and Ethrike forrest extending their Marches at that time to Cockburne Pethe and 〈◊〉 bâ—dge King Dauid was shortlie after 〈◊〉 to Calice and presented to the King of England then lying at the siedge thereof who bestowed on Maister Copland that tooke him prisoner with the losse of two of his teeth at a blowe that the King gaue him fiue hundred pounds land by the yeare of inheritance The yeare following Balliol with the Earle of Northumberland made a roade together into Lowthian and Clidsdaile carrying from thence into Galloway a great bootie where Balliol remained a long time after By reason of this great slaughter now of the Scottes as also thorow an out-ragious mortalitie that followed the same by a generall infection of the Pestilence amongst them they were not able of many yeares after to shew them-selues againe in the field Neuerthelesse they ceased not in the mâ—ane-time vpon priuate quarrels after their vnchristian manner to prosecute one another euen vnto death About this time King Iohn of France vpon the death of Philip his Father did inherite together with his Crowne those troubles which then accompanied the same who to the end hee might thereby keepe the King of England occupied at home for hee was his ouerthwart neighbour in France sent certaine hands of French-men into Scotland vnder the leading of an expert Captaine Sir Edgeny de Gâ—â—rntiers of whome the Scottish Nobilitie receiuâ—â— as a present from the King their Maister forty thousand Crownes of the Sunne to bee imployde about the leuying and furnishing of some preperation against England This Gentleman preuailed so much with his faire words and franke promises as that amongst other fauours hee obtained thus much at their hands that they would come to no agreement with England without the allowance of his Maister Immediatly here-vpon while the Englishmen were busily employed in France about the conquest thereof the Scottes together with the ayde of the French-men made some light incursions with-in the English Marches some-what to their aduantage The same yeare viz. 1355. on the sixt of Nouember in the night they priuilie approched the Towne of Berwicke and being come to the walles before they were discouered they raised vp Ladders in such silence as that before day they entred and tooke the Towne but not without the losse of diuerse principall men amongst them namely Thomas Vaus Andrew â—cotte Iohn Gordon William Sienelere Thomas Preston and Alexander Mowbraye Knights Of the English Armie were also slaine Alexander Ogle Captaine of the Towne Thomas â—â—rcie Brother to the Earle of Northumberland and Edward Graye But the Castell was so well defended by those with in it as that it did abide the 〈…〉 of â—ing Edward to the succour thâ—â—â—bt at whose approach the Scottes knowing themselues vnable to withstand his puissance 〈◊〉 the towne walles set the houses on fire and so bâ—ake vp the siege which had continued ten weekes making as much hast home as they could The King hauing taken order for the repaire of the towne passed on with his armie to Roubrugh whether Balliol repairing resigned ouer vnto him all his right title and interest vnto the crowne of Scotland for more assurance thereof an instrument was drawne in writing signed sealed and deliuered by him vnto king Edward hearing date the fiue and twentith day of Ianuary This businesse being dispatched the King marcheth forward with his Armie till hee came to Halington burning and spoiling the country as he passed while hee was thus busied by land daily expecting the arriuall of his Nauy such a cruell tempest arose out of the North that manie of his ships perished there-with and 〈…〉 were dispersed in such maner that they could not readily bee brought againe together By this occasion the King could not for want of victualls and other necessaries proceed any further â—â— this time in his intended iourney who had purposed how to haue quieted that countrie for many yeares after At his returne hee brought Balliol with him into England thinking that 〈…〉 â—â—uld haue beene better appeased thereby Hee was no sooner departed out of Scotland but immediatly some busie spirits began to raise vp new troubles chasing out such as king Edward had left behind him in Galloway and Annandale And yet more to despight him withall the two Dowglasses Earle William and the Lord Archibald carrying ouer with them some three thousand Scottes ioyned with the French King against the Englishmen on that side the sea but they had better haue tarryed at home for at the battaile of Poytiers the yeare following wherein the French King was taken prisoner by the most valiant champion Edward Prince of Wales Andrew Steward Robert Gordone Andrewe Haliburton and Andrew Vaus Knights with diuerse other their countrymen were slaine the Earle escaped but his cousine Archibald was taken prisoner The yeare next following viz. 1357. vpon the conclusion of peace betweene England and France at the earnest entreatie of the Scottish Queene King Edwards sister her husband was set at libertie and the kingdome of Scotland restored vnto him which now rested at the disposition of king Edward hauing good oportunitie vpon this aduantage to haue made himselfe if hee had listed absolute king ouer the whole Iland But I cannot tell what hee would haue done if the Queene his Sister had dyed during her husbands captiuity as she did within â— while after King Dauid gaue for his ransome an hundred thousand markes sterling and daies were appointed for the payment therof Also he couenanted to acomplish certaine Castells bordering vpon England that might proue bad Neighbours vnto it which was performed accordingly Moreouer it seemeth by that which followed that he had also promised King Edward to make him his heire to the Crowne of Scotland beeing now without hope of any issue of his body For about seauen years before his death he propounded such a questioÌ„ to his Nobility assembled for that purpose but the king found them so vnwilling to harkeÌ„ vnto it that he prosecuted the matter no further But I am perswaded if King Edward had not coÌ„ceiued some such hope he would not so lightly haue laied of his hands now hauing the prey as it were in his pawes Much kindnes passed betweene these two Kings while they liued togither for the space of twelue years after the remainder of King
continewed till king Ricâ—â—â—d was deposed by his vnkinde cousine Henrie Plantagenet Sonne to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster in the yeare of our Lord 1399. But immediatlie after the coronation of king Henrie the fourth while Sir Thomas Gray Captaine of Warke Castell was at the Parliament certaine Scottes assaulted and tooke it by force but either dispayring to keepe it or not dareing to auowe what they had done the truce still continewing they leaft it defaced and ruinated Howsoeuer they excused this their rough beginning it seemed by that which followed that they had no great respect to the obseruance of peace which had hitherto continewed vnuiolated for the tearme of ten yeares but was shortlie after broken by them againe vpon this occasion George of Dumbar Earle of the Marches of Scotland had betrothed his Daughter to the King his Maisters Sonne and heire the Father not only consenting therevnto but also receauing a good part of the marriage monie This King was named Iohn but because the former two kings of England and France so called had such bad successe hee tooke vpon him the name of Robert The Earle Dowglas taking indignation that any other of that Nation should bee herein preferred before him and complayning that the consent of the States was to much neglected in not beeing made acquainted with a matter of that importance as appertayned therevnto offred a Daughter of his owne with a greater portion Hereof king Robert accepted and forth-with made vp the marriage Dumbar complayning of this wronge demaunded the monie his king had receiued but hee could not receiue so much as a kinde answere of him This double iniury done him by the Dowglas both the losse of his monie and which hee esteemed farre more of the kinges fauour did not a little trouble him Therefore hauing no other meanes to bee hereof reuenged hee leaft both Court and Country and repayring into England complayned himselfe vnto Henrie the Earle of Northumberland of whome he hoped to be relieued In the meane time the Earle Dowglas seized on the Castell of Dunbar in the King his Maisters name which was committed to the custodie of Robert Matland at the Earle of March his departure into England Northumberland aduised him to returne into Scotland and to make tryall if happily some other course might preuaile with his King for the saluing of these his discontentments But comming to Dunbar the Earle Dowglas hauing fortified the Castell would not admit him entrance answering that hee kept it to the vse of the King who had sent him thither to that end The other Earle seeing his greatest enemie so much to triumph ouer him could not brooke it but without making further meanes to the King at whose hands he ought especially to haue fought for remedy hee together with his wife children and allies returned againe into England informing the Earle of Northumberland of all the displeasures done vnto him by his aduersary the Dowglas and withall desired him seeing he could not otherwise preuaile to aide him in the recouerie of his possessions by force sithence by force they were kept against him Herevpon followed some stirres by the rising of the borderers on both sides who ioyning then forces together did the Dowglas all the mischiefe they could King Robert not a little moued here-with did write to king Henry that vnlesse he would deliuer into his hands the fugitiue Earle he would take it for a breach of the truce and proceed against him accordingly What answer soeuer king Henrie made here-vnto it deserued not so bitter a reprehension as wher-with Buchanan doth check him Impudency is a foule fault in a priuate man much more in a Prince I hold him of a very froward temper that in his writings cannot afford a King his good words although they show sometimes dislike of their actions King Robert vpon the returne of his messenger caused open warre to be proclaimed and Sir William Logon a Scottish Knight was forth-with sent to the Sea of purpose to sett on the English fleete that was then fishing on the coast of Scotland about Aberden But hee was incountred with certaine ships of Lin and by them taken prisoner The Fisher-men vnderstanding what was intended against them entring into some of the Iles of Orkney carried away with them whatsoeuer was worth their labour and set the rest on fire King Henry perceiuing what was to be looked for out of Scotland thought it good in the beginning either to draw the Scots to peace or to resist their malice before further mischiefe should insue therof And therfore hauing a great armie hee there-with entred into Scotland about the middest of August being the eleuenth month from his coronation From Hadington he passed to Leeth vsing much clemencie in all places where he came especially to the houses of religion Where-vpon diuers Castels Houlds willingly submitted themselues vnto him Comming to Edenbrough he besiedged the Castle Hither Robert Duke of Albanie gouernour of Scotland vnder the King his brother who by reason of his impotencie could not trauell in his person sent an Harald of Armes vnto king Henry promising to giue him battaile within sixe dayes at the furthest if hee would stay so long The King accepting the offer gaue the messenger for his good newes a chaine of gold and a Sattin gowne at his departure But neither at the end of sixe or sixteene dayes heard he any more of the Gouernours comming The Scottish writers attribute this dishonorable dealing to the Dukes ambition whom it would not haue troubled though the Castle had beene taken together with the young Prince of Scotland in the same that thereby hee might haue beene in so much the more hope of the crowne him-selfe after which it was thought he greatly thirsted But on the other side they highly extoll the singular moderation of King Henry who by this his gentle inuasion seemed rather desirous to allure them to peace then to afflict them with the calamities alwayes accompaning warre Winter approaching the King brake vp the siedge and returned home without any shew of resistance greatly to the Gouernours reproach neither shewing him-selfe desirous of warre nor willing to offer conditions of peace how apparent tokens soeuer was showed by king Henry of his readinesse to haue accepted thereof After some little harme done the next Summer by the borderers on both sides Patrike Hepburne with some greater powre entred further into England and hauing gotten a good bootie and therwithall returning home-wards hee was ouer-taken by the Englishmen at Nesbet in the Meirs where their Captaine together with the greater number of his people well neere the very flowre of all the Lothian youth were beaten downe and slaine in fight Amongst those that were taken prisoners Iohn and William Cockburne Robert Lawder Iohn and Thomas Haliburton were the men of best account This ouer-throw was giuen the Scottes on the xxii day of Iune in the yeare 1401. The Earle Archibald Dowglas sonne to the other
that hee had no reason to yeeld there-vnto till such time as recompence was made for the harme his subiects had sustained on the borders In the meane season he had also prepared an army of some twenty thousand men and committed the same to the conduct of the Duke of Norfolke accoÌ„panied with the Earles of Shrewsbery Darby Cumberland Surrey Hertford Angus Rutland and diuerse other Lords and Gentlemen of the North. King Iames hauing knowledge of this preparation entreated to haue all differences and complaints on both sides put to order and so taken vp VVherevpon the King caused his army to stay about Yorke appointing the Duke the Lord priuy seale and others to enter into conference with the Scottish Ambassodours and if possiblie they could to end all controuersies wherby to auoide the effusion of much bloud But when the Commissioners for England perceiued that the Scottes sought onely to detract time whereby to put of the warre for that yeare winter now approaching they breake of the treaty and hauing assembled the whole armie there-with entred into Scotland the twentith day of October in the yeare 1542. During there abode there diuerse townes and villages were burned and spoiled and hauing continued that course as long as their victualls held out the armie returned to Berwicke the nine and twentith daie of the same month without resistance or show of enemie although King Iames had then in readinesse as it is sayd an armie of thirtie thousand men incamped at Fallamure but foureteene miles within Scotland But whether it was that they waited some aduantage or that the Scottish Nobility were not so forward which is pretended as their King would haue had them nothing was attempted against England vntill the foure and twentith day of Nouember following by which time the Duke was well on his way towards London For then king Iames went him selfe vnto the VVest marches of Scotland where he appointed the Lord Maxwell his warden togither with the Earles of Cassels and Glencorne and certaine other Lords there with him to inuade England on that side This army consisting of fifteene thousand men passed ouer the water of Eske and burnt certaine houses of the Greues on the verie border Herevpon Thomas bastard Dacres and Iacke of Musgraue with an hundred light horses made towards the enemie hauing a while before sent to Sir Thomas Wharton Lord warden of those Marches to make all the hast hee could after them By that time these two valiant Captaines had begun the skirmish the Lord Wharton with some three hundred horse more were come within viewe of the Scottish host who supposing that the Duke or some other of the English Lords was turned backe againe with the whole armie otherwise they imagined those few would neuer haue aduentured so desperatly to set vpon them were with the suddenesse of this vnexpected flight put into such a Panick feare that forth-with committing themselues to flight as fast as their legges could carrie them or their horses vnder them they were pursued and taken without any resistance Amongst whom these following were the principal men The Earles of Cassels and Glencorne the Lord Maxwel the Lord Flemming the Lo. Sommerwel the Lord Oliphant the Lord Gray Sir Oliuer Sinclere the kings minion Iohn Rosse of Gragie Robert Aesken Sonne to the Lord Aesken the Lord Maxwells two brothers and aboue two hundred men of name more Of the common souliers not so few as eight hundred so as some one Englishman had three or foure prisoners to his share The Scottes lost at this blowe without anie bloud-shed on either partie twentie peeces of Ordinance foure Cart-loades of speares and tenne pauilions Thus wee see that the King of Heauen and Earth can and will daunt the corrage of man when it seemeth good vnto him to the end we should acknowledge him to be the only giuer of all victory The Scottish writers attribute the bad successe of their armie at this meeting to the vnaduised course which King Iames tooke in appointing a meane Gentleman Sir Oliuer Sinclere his Lieutenant grnerall ouer the same For vpon the hearing of the Kings Commission openlie reade the whole armie was so â—â—ch ofâ—ended â—â—d â—roâ—led thereat that it â—â—â—oght 〈…〉 confusion amongst them which beeing obserued of the Englishmen though they were but a handfull in comparison of the enemies power yet they were there-with so much incoraged that they aduentured manfully vpon them and put them al thereby to flight This discomfeiture chaunced vnto the Scottes at Solloway Mosse in the latter end of Noueâ—ber following and was the most admirable â—ictory that euer was had ouer them to bee wholy referred to the immediat hand of God howsoeuer they would excuse it King Iames being now at Garlanâ—rocke vpon the borders was â—â—ruelously perplexed aâ— tâ—â—â—ewes herof in so much as being ouer-come with an extreame malâ—ncholy passion he neuer after held vp his head but still languished till death had fully seized vpon him on the twentith day of December following In the meane season one and twenty of the chiefe prisoners were conuaied to London committed to the Towre the 19. day of the same month where hauing â—omâ—ined two daies they were carried thorow the streets to Westminster two and two togither in a â—anck Eight of them being Noblemen were apparelled at the Kings charge with new gownes of black damask furd with black â—â—â—ie â—oâ—tes of black â—elâ—eâ— and dublets of satteâ— else whatsoâ—uer belonged therto Then they wâ—re brought before the Counsel sitting at the Star-chamber where the Lord Chancellour rebuked them openly for their misdemeanour towards the King and Realme declaring that his Maiesty had good cause to make warre vpon them First for their dissimulation in all their treaties of peace Then for keeping his subiects in durance without redemption contrary to the ancient lawes of the Marches And lastly for inuading his dominions without open defiance or iust cause giuen on his Maiesties part Neuerthelesse that his Maiestie more regarding his honour then his Royall power was contented to render good for euill and curtisie for vnkindnesse For whereas hee might by lawe of armes as they knewe well enough shut them vp in close prison hee was contented that they should bee committed to the custodie of the Nobles of his land that were thought meet to take that charge vpon them according to their owne seuerall estates and degrees Then beeing dismissed thence they were forth-with bestowed with one Noble man or other accordingly of whom they had such curtious intertainment as that they themselues confessed they neuer liued more pleasantly at any time before On the twentith of December newes was brought to the Court of the Scottish Kings death King Henry and his Counsell conceiuing herevpon that a good meane was offred whereby without warre the two Realmes might be vnited intimated their meaning to the Scottish Lords who seeming very willing therein to gratifie the King were brought to the Court in Christ-masse