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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A32776	A second edition of Camden's description of Scotland containing a supplement of these peers, or Lords of Parliament, who were mentioned in the first edition, and an account of these since raised to, and further advanced in the degrees of peerage, until the year 1694.; Britannia. English. Selections	Camden, William, 1551-1623.; Dalrymple, James, Sir, fl. 1714.	1695 (1695)	Wing C376; ESTC R4896	99,150	213

Temporal is laid aside and the Lords are all of the Temporality and three principal Scribes or Clerks But by the 38 Act. 1st Sess Parl. K. Ja. 7. there is allowed two persons to be conjoyned in each of the three Offices of ordinary Clerks of Session and so now six Clerks and as many Advocats as the Senators shall think good These sit and minister Justice not according to the rigour of Law but with Reason and Equity every day save only on the Lords day and Monday from the first of November to the fifteenth of March and from Trinity Sunday unto the Calends of August But by Law and Custome the Session fitteth from the First of November to the last of February and from the First of June to the last of July inclusive In regard the Office of the Lords of Session are for Lifetime they are set down as follows JAMES Viscount of STAIR Lord President of the Session Sir John Baird of Newbyth Mr. Alexander Swinton of Mersingtoun Sir Colin Camphel of Aberuchil James Murray of Philiphaugh Robert Dundass of Arnistoun Mr. John Hamilton of Haleraig Mr. David Hume of Crossrig Sir John Lawder of Haltoun Sir John Lawder of Fountainhal William Enstruther of that llk Mr. Archibald Hope of Rankeilor Mr. James Falconer of Phesdo Robert Hamilton of Presmenuan Sir William Hamilton of Whitelaw Extraordinary LORDS William Duke of Queensberry William Earl of Annandale Patrick Lord Polwarth The fourth is vacant by the Death of William Duke of Hamilton The President of the Session by an Act of Parliament 1661. is declared to have Precedency of the Lord Register and Advocat and they to have Precedency of the Lord Thesaurer-Deput * Sir George Mckenzie in his Precedency doth relate That there was an Ordinance upon the 20. Feb. 1623 amongst his Majesties Officers and Counsellors where the lesser Officers of State are ranked and after them the Lords of Session according to their Admission and before Privy Counsellors being Barons Gentlemen Suitable to this precedency the Lords of Session have since their Institution enjoyed the Title of Lord both in Designation and Compellation albeit the Designation be proper to the Lords of Parliament The Lords of Session in the beginning being composed of Bishops and Abbots and dignified beneficed Persons Chief Barons and eminent Lawers This Designation is frequently given to them in the Acts of Parliament and particularly to President Provan in an unprinted Act anno 1581. intituled Act in favours of Mr. William Baillie Lord Provan frequently thereafter All the space between Sessions being the times of Sowing and Harvest is Vacation and Intermission of all Suites and Law matters They give Judgment according to the Parliament Statutes and Municipal Laws and where they are defective they have recourse to the Imperial Civil Law There are besides in every County or Shire in ferior civil Judicatories or Courts kept wherein the Sheriff of the Shire or his Depute decideth the Controversies of the Inhabitants about violent Ejections Instrusions Damages Debts c. From which Courts or Judges in regard of hard and unequal dealing or else of Alliance and Partiality they appeal sometime to the Session These Sheriffs are all for the most part Hereditary for the Kings of Scotland like as these of England also to oblige more surely unto them the better sort of Gentlemen by their Benefits and Favours made in old time these Sheriffs hereditary and and perpetual But the English Kings soon perceiving the inconveniencies thereby ensuing of purpose changed this Order appointed them from year to year There be Civil Courts also in every Regalitie holden by their Baillies to whom the Kings have graciously granted Royalities as also in Free-Burghs by the Magistrates thereof There are likewise Judicatories which they call Commissariats the highest whereof is k●pt at Edinburgh In which before four Judges or Commissars Actions are pleaded concerning Wills Testaments the Right of Ecclesiastical Benefices Tithes Divorces and such other Ecclesiastical Causes In every other several part almost throughout the Kingdom there sitteth but one Judge alone in a place about these matters In criminal Causes the Kings Chief Justice holdeth his Court for the most part at Edinburgh which Office the Earls of Argile executed for some time and he doth deput two or three Lawers who have the hearing and deciding of Capital Actions concerning Life and Death or of such as infer loss of Limbs or of all Goods And by the 16 Act 3d. Sess 2d Parl. K. Cha. 2d concerning the Justice Court it doth now consist of the Lord Justice-General the Lord Justice-Clerk who are both at the Kings Nomination and to them are added five of the Lords of Session who are supplied from time to time by the King and are called Lords of the Justiciary In this Court the Defendant is permitted yea in case of High-Treason to entertain a Counsellor or Advocat to plead his Cause Moreover in Criminal Matters there are sometimes by vertue of the Kings Commission and Authority Justices appointed for the deciding of this or that particular Cause Also the Sheriffs in their Territories and Magistrats in some Burghs may sit in Judgement of Man-slaughter in case the Man-slayer be taken within 24 hours after the Deed committed and being found guilty by a Jurie put him to death But if that time be once over-past the Cause is referred and put over to the Kings Justice or his Deputs The same priviledge also some of the Nobility and Gentry enjoy against Theives taken within their own Jurisdictions There be likewise that have such Royalities as that in Criminal Causes they may exercise a Jurisdiction within their own Limits and in some Cases recal those that dwell within their own Limits and Liberties from the Kings Justice howbeit with a Caution and Proviso interposed That they judge according to Law Thus much briefly the Author hath put down as one that had but slightly looked into these matters yet by the information of the judicious Knight Sir Alexander Hay Secretary to K. Ja. 6. for Scotland who had given the Author good light He being one of the three principal Clerks of Session was in the year 1608 appointed Secretary in place of the Lord Balmerinoch removed and admtted a Lord of Session the 3d of Feb. 1610. But as touching SCOTLAND what a Noble Countrey it is and what Men it breedeth as sometimes the Geographer wrote of Britain there will within a while more certain and more evident matter be delivered since that most high and mighty Prince K. Ja. 6. did set it open for us which had so long time been shut from us Mean time before we proceed to the Description of particular Places according to the Authors project we must give some short Account of the Privy Council Thesaury and Exchequer being Soveraign Courts and omitted by the Author The Privy Council is constitute by the King's Commission to decide in matters that concerns the Government and publick

Lodowick Earl of Crawford and by vertue of a former Entail the Honour Dignity and Precedency of the Earl of Crawford was declared in Parliament to belong to him and his Successors and since ratified in Parliament anno 1661 he was by King Charles the Second restored to be Thesaurer from which Office he had been removed in the year 1649 his Son William now Earl of Crawford was President of the Parliament 1689 and 1690 and one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury the secondary Title belonging to his eldest Son is Lord Lindsey Eden also runneth by Cowper a notable Burgh where the Sheriff sitteth to minister Justice Now where the shore turneth inward a Front northward hard by the Salt water of Tau there flourished in old time two goodly Abbeys Balmerinoch built by Queen Ermengard Wife to King William Daughter of Viscount Beaumont in France King James of Great Brittain advanced Sir James Elphingston of Barntoun to the honour of Baron Balmerinoch about the year 1604 being mentioned in that Parliament one of the Commissioners for the Union with England he is placed in the Decreet of Ranking after the L. Abercorn and before the L. Tullibardine he was a Lord of the Session Secretary thereafter succeeded to the L. Fyvie to be President of the Session anno 1605 whose Grand-child is John L. Balmerinoch The other Abbey is that of Lindoris Founded among the Woods by David E. of Huntingtoun is the Barony of Sir Patrick Lesly created L. Lindoris about the year 1604 and placed in the Decreet of Ranking immediatly after the Lord Roxburgh and before the Lord Lowdoun his Successor is Iohn Lord Lindoris Between which standeth Banbrich the Habitation of the Earl of Rothes strongly built Castle-wise Near to these places on the Confines toward Perth-shire is Balvaird which belongs to the Murrays ancient Cadets of the Lairds of Tullihardine their Successor was created L. Balvaird by K. Charles the 1st after the year 1641 his Grand-child hath succeeded to the Dignity of Lord Scoon and Viscount Stormonth by entail Sir David Murray the first Lord and Viscount being a younger Brother of the Laird of Balvaird The Governour of this Province like as of all the rest in this Kingdom was in times past a Thane that is in the old English tongue The Kings Minister as it is also at this day in the Danish Language but Malcolm Canmore made Macduff who before was Thane of Fife the first hereditary Earl of Fife and in consideration of his good desert and singular service done unto him granted that his Posterity should have the Honour to place the King when he is to be Crowned in his Chair and to lead the Vant-guard in his Army and if any of them should happen by casualty to kill either Gentleman or Commoner to buy it out with a piece of Money Not far from Lindoris there is to be seen a Cross of Stone which standing for a limit between Fife and Strathern had an Inscription of barbarous Verses and a certain priviledge of Sanctuary that any Manslayer Allied to Macduff Earl of Fife within the ninth Degree if he came unto this Cross and gave nine Kine with an Heifer should be quit of Manslaughter When his Posterity lost this Title and Priviledge is uncertain but it appeareth that King David the Second gave unto William Ramsey this Earldom with all and every the Immunities and Law which is called Clan-Mac-Duff and received it is for certain that the Linage of the Weymesses and Dowglasses yea and that great Kindred Clan-Hatan the Chief whereof is Mac-Intoshech descended from them And the most learned Sir John Skeen of Currie-hill Clerk of Register in his Treatise de verborum significatione informs that by an Indenture at Perth the penult day of March 1371 betwixt Robert Stuart Earl of Monteith and Dame Isabel Countess of Fife Daughter and Heir to Duncan Earl of Fife The Countess is obliged to resign her Earldom in the Kings hands in favours of the said Earl for new heretable Infestment thereof to be given to him which Earl being afterwards designed of Fife and Monteith was thereafter Duke of Albany and affecting the Kingdom with cruel Ambition caused David the Kings eldest Son to be most pitifully famished to death which is the highest extremity of all misery But his Son Murdac suffered due punishment for the Wickedness both of his Father and his own Sons being put to death by King James the First for their violent Oppressions and a Decree passed that the Earldom of Fife should be united unto the Crown for ever But the Authority of the Sheriff of Fife belongeth in right of Inheritance to the Earl of Rothes the Heir of which Family was Iohn Earl of Rothes who after he was High Commissioner for King Charles the Second to the Parliament and Conventions of Estates and enjoyed several other honourable and profitable Employments was made Chancellor anno 1668 in which Office he continued till his death in anno 1681 and was shortly before created Duke of Rothes which Dignity is extinct by default of Heirs male of his Body but his eldest Daughter Margaret Countess of Rothes being married to Charles Earl of Haddingtoun hath Iohn Lord Leslie who is to succeed in the Dignity of the Earl of Rothes and Thomas who hath succeeded his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Hadingtoun Since Printing of the former Edition several Lords were created in this Shire some whereof have already been mentioned and also others to be mentioned viz. Sir Michael Balfour of Balgarvie by K. James the 6th created L. Burghlie July 16 1607 whose Successor is John Lord Burghlie And by the same King Sir Robert Melvil first of Murdocairny and thereafter of Burntisland who had been Thesaurer Deput and Thesaurer before the year 1592 and an extraordinar Lord of Session anno 1594 was created Lord Melvil about the year 1617 to whom succeeded Robert his Son he is ranked in the Parliament 1633 after the Lord Deskford and before Carnegie and is amongst the Commissioners for holding that Parliament who had been admitted an extraordinar Lord of Session upon the dimission of his Father and then by entail the honour fell to the Laird of Raith descended of the eldest Brother and the only Male representative of the ancient Family of the Melvils George Lord Melvil his Son is the 4th Lord who was sole Secretar of State to and created by Their Majesties Earl of Melvil Lord High Commissioner to the second and third Sessions of this current Parliament 1690 and now Lord Privy Seal his Son Alexander Lord Raith was constitute Thesaurer Deput anno 1689. Mr. John Lindsey of Belcarras was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians of the Thesaury Secretary before K. Ja. his Succession to the Crown of England his Grand-child Alexander about the year 1633 was created Lord Belcarras by King

being removed from that Office in the year 1681 was by Their Majesties restored to be President of the Session in the year 1689. And in anno 1690 was created Viscount of Stair whose eldest Son John Master of Stair also an eminent Lawyer after he had been honoured with several publick Employments was constitute one of the principal Secretaries of State anno 1691. In this Country are the Crawfords and Campbels of Cessnock and others of these Sirnames all Families of good Note The chief Messuage of the Stewartry of Kyle was Dundonald purchased by Sir William Cochran of Cowdoun who was by King Charles the First created Lord Cochran in the year 1648. And by King Charles the Second appointed one of the Commissioners to the Thesaury and by him created Earl of Dundonald about the year 1669. His great Grand-child is William Earl of Dundonald The Government of this Jurisdiction belonged anciently to the Lairds of Lowdoun as hereditary Sheriffs who had many Lands in Kyle albeit their chief Residence was on the other side of the River of Irwine at Lowdoun in Cunninghame from which they wer designed CHAP. XIV CUNNINGHAME CVnninghame adjoyning to Kyle on the east-side and on the north butteth upon the same Firth so close that it restraineth the breadth thereof which hitherto lay out and spread at large The Name if one interpret it is as much as the Kings Habitation by which a man may guess how commodious and pleasant it is This Territory is watered with Irwine that divideth it from Kyle at the Spring-head well near whereof standeth Lowdoun the ancient dwelling place of the Crawfords which by the Marriage of Sir Duncan Campbel of the Family of Lochaw in Argyle Shire with the Heiress the Campbels did enjoy that Estate with the Sheriff-ship of Air or Kings Kyle annexed to it as said is Sir Hugh Campbel of Lowdoun Sheriff of Air was by King James the Sixth about the year 1604 created Lord Lowdoun whose Grand-child Lady Margaret Campbel being married to Sir John Campbel of Lawers had the Title of Earl of Lowdoun from King Charles the First anno 1633. and was made Lord Chancellor anno 1641 in which Office he continued until the year 1651 Earl James his Son died in Holland and the Grand-child is Hugh now Earl of Lowdoun King Charles the First did redeem the Sheriff-ship from John Earl of Lowdoun which together with the Stuartry is conferred by Their Majesties on Sir George Campbel of Cessnock The Earls of Lowdoun carries the Arms of the Crawfords quartered with their own Below Lawdoun on the River Irwine lyeth Kilmarnock the Habitation of the Lord Boyds of whom in the Reign of K. James 3d Robert by a prosperous gale of Court-favour was advanced to the Authority of Regent or Vice-roy Thomas his Son to the Dignity of Earl of Arran and marriage with the Kings Sister But soon after when the said gale came about and blew contrary they were judged Enemies to the State Thomas also had his Wife taken from him and given unto James Lord Hamilton their Goods were confiscate Fortune made a game of them and when they had lost all they died in Exile This is the received History but the Family of Hamilton doth contravert many of the Circumstances thereof Howbeit the Posterity of the Lord Boyd recovered the ancient honour of Barons and honourably enjoy it at this day This Family was dignified with the Title of Earl of Kilmarnock by King Charles the Second about the year 1661 and William now Earl of Kilmarnock is the third Earl At the mouth of this River standeth Irwine with an Haven so barred up with Shelves of Sand and so shallow withall that it can bear none other Vessels but small Barks and Boats James Brother to the Earl of Argyle was created Lord Kintyre and then Earl of Irwine by King Charles the First The former Dignity being extinct Arthur Ingram an English man was created Viscount of Irwine by King Charles the Second about the year 1661. Ardrossan also a Pile belonging to the Montgomeries more above standeth higher over the Creek this is a very ancient and famous family as any other who have to shew for witness of their warlike prowesse Ioununy a Fort built with the ransome money of Sir Henry Percie sirnamed Hot-spur whom J. Montgomerie with his own hand took prisoner in the Battle at Otterburn and led away captive Not far from Ardrossan is Largis embrued with the Blood of the Norwegians by King Alexander the Third From whence as you follow the shore bending and giving in you meet with Eglington a fair Castle which was the Possession of certain Gentlemen highly descended of the same sirname from whom it came by Marriage unto the Montgomeries who thereby received the Title of Earls of Eglington Of this ancient Family of the Montgomeries is descended Alexander now Earl Eglington heretable Baillie of Cuninghame and Lord of the Regality of Kilwinning formerly an Abbacie But whence the said sirname should come a man can hardly tell this I know that out of Normandy it came into England and that divers Families there were of the same name but that in Essex from which Sir Thomas Montgomerie Knight of the Order of the Garter descended in the Reign of Edward the Fourth gave Arms a little different from these This noble Linage is fair and far spread and out of those of Gevan was that Gabriel de Lorges called Earl of Montgomerie Captain of the Guard of Scots which Charles the Fifth King of France instituted for defence of his own person and his Successors in testimony of their fidelity and his love toward them who in running at Tilt slew Henry the Second King of France by occasion that a broken splint of his Spear where the Helmet chanced to be open entred at his Eye and pierced into his Brain and afterwards in that Civil War wherein all France was in a broil whiles he took part with the Protestants he was apprehended and beheaded But the Cunninghames in this Tract were counted to be the greater and more numerous Family the Chief whereof enjoying the honour of Earl of Glencairn in Dumfreis-Shire Dwelt at Kilmaurs in Cunninghame and fetcheth his Descent out of England and from an English Gentleman who together with others killed Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury the chief of which Family was first created Lord Kilmaurs and afterward Earl of Glencairn John Son to William Earl of Glencairn late Chancellor of Scotland is now Earl How true this Descent is I know not but they ground it happily upon a probable Conjecture taken from an Arch-bishops Pall which the Cuninghames give in their Coat of Arms. CHAP. XV. ISLE GLOTTA OR ARRAN WIthin the sight of Cunninghame among sundry other Islands Glotta the Isle mentioned by Antonine the Emperour beareth up his head in the very Forth and Salt-water of the River Glotin or Cluyd called at this

With the great head King of Scotland entertained enriched him with the Castle of Dunbar and honoured with the Earldom of Merch Whose Posterity besides other goodly and fair Lands in Scotland held as appeareth plainly in an old Inquisition the Barony of Bengelly in Northumberland that they should be Inborow and Utborow between England and Scotland What the meaning should be of these Terms let others guess In the Reign of King James the first George de Dunbar Earl of Merch by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Rebellion lost the Property and Possession of the Earldom of Merch and the Seignorie of Dunbar And when as he proved by good Evidences and Writings brought forth that 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 on Offence against the State and that it was expresly provided by the Laws 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 in the haughty Pride of their own Power plot any Treason against Prince or Countrey This Title of Earl of Merch among other honourable Titles was given afterward to Alexander Duke of Albany and by him forfeited And this Title of Honour was revived again in Robert the third Brother of Matthew Earl of Lennox who being of a Bishop of Cathanes made Earl of Lennox resigned up that Title soon after unto his Nephew then created Duke of Lennox and he himself in lieu thereof received of the King the Name and Stile of the Earl of Merch Which Title was also brooked by Charles Uncle to King James and younger Brother to Henry Lord Darnley afterward King Collonel John Churchhil was created by King Charles the second Lord Churchhil of Eymouth near Berwick who is now Earl of Marleburrow in England And Sir Patrick Hume of Polwarth Baronet was by Their Majesties created Lord Polwarth in the year 1691. CHAP. VII LAUDEN or LOTHIEN LOTHIEN which is also called Lauden named in times past of the Picts Pictland shooteth out along from Merch unto the Scottish Sea or the Forth having many Hills in it and little Wood but for fruitful Corn-fields for Courtesie also and Civility of Manners commended above all other Countries of Scotland which is divided in three Shires Haddingtoun called East Lothian Edinburgh called Mid-Lothian and Linlithgow called West-Lothian About the year of our Salvation 873 Edgar King of England between whom and Keneth the third King of Scotland there was a great Knot of Alliance against the Danes common Enemies to them both resigned up his Right unto him in this Lothian as Matthew the Flour-gatherer witnesseth And to win his Heart the more unto him He gave unto him many Mansions in the way wherein both he and his Successors in their coming unto the Kings of England and in return homeward might be lodged Which unto the time of King Henry the second continued in the hands of the Kings of Scotland In this Lothian the first place that offereth it self to the view to these coming from the Mers is Dunbar a passing strong Castle in old time and the Seat of the Earls of Merch aforesaid who thereupon were called Earls of Dunbar A Piece many a time won by the English and as often recovered by the Scots But in the year 1567 by Authority of the States in Parliament it was demolished because it should not be a Hold and place of Refuge for Rebels But James King of Great-Britain conferred the Title and Honour of Earl of Dunbar upon Sir George Hume Thesaurer who is marked last Earl and after Dumfermling in the Decreet of Ranking March 5. 1606 for his approved Fidelity whom he had created before Baron Hume of Berwick to him his Heirs and Assigneys Afterward the same King did confer the Dignity of Viscount of Dunbar upon an English Gentleman of the Name of Constable whose Heirs in England doth presently enjoy that Dignity this Viscount is marked in the Rolls of Parliament 1621. Hard by Tine a little River after it hath run a short Course falleth into the Sea near unto the Spring-head whereof standeth Yester which hath his Baron out of the Family of the Hays Earls of Erroll John Lord Yester was by King Charles the first created Earl of Tweddale about the year 1646 John now Earl of Tweddale his Son after he had enjoyed several honourable publick Employments was by Their Majesties constitute Lord High Chancellor of Scotland The Lord Hay of Yester is descended of the antient Family of the Hays of Locherward near Borthwick which raise to greatness by the Marriage of three Heiresses viz. of Frazer of Oliver-Castle in Tweddale and the Heiress of Gifford of Yester the Heiress of Cunninghame of Belton both in East Lothian his chief Residence is Yester which he hath extraordinarly improven beautifyed by Planting Inclosing By the same Riveret some few miles higher is seated Hadingtoun or Hadina in a wide and broad Plain which Town the English fortifyed with a deep and large Ditch with a Mure or Rampire also without four-square and with four Bullworks at the Corners and with as many other at the Inner-wall and Sir James Wilford an Englishman valiantly defended it against Dessie the Frenchman who with Ten thousand French and Dutch together fiercely assaulted it until that by reason of the Plague which grew hot among the Garrison Soldiers Henry Earl of Rutland coming with a royal Army raised the Siege removed the French having laid the Munitions level conducted the English home And King James the sixth about the year 1606 ranged Sir John Ramsey among the Nobles of Scotland with Title and Honour of Viscount Haddingtoun for his faithful Valour as whose Right hand was the Defender of Prince and Countrey in that most wicked Conspiracy of the Gowries against the Kings Person I shall choise this place to speak of Sir Thomas Hamilton whose last Designation was Earl of Haddingtoun and the more particularly in respect he did pass through very many Degrees in the Session and enjoyed many publick Offices and attained to great Honour and Riches the first of November 1587 in the Books of Sederunt of the Lords of Session Mr. Thomas Hamilton appear and Heir of Priestfield was admitted an ordinar Advocat he was Son to Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield afterward a Lord of the Session descended of the Hamiltons of Inner weick one of the most antient and great Cadets of the Family of Hamilton he was admitted Lord of the Session 1592 under the Designation of Lord Drumcairn he is appointed one of the Commissioners for the Thesaurey and Exchequer commonly called Octavians in the year 1595 and is admitted in February thereafter Kings Advocat the fifteen of May 1612 under the Designation

Son to Alexander the first Earl of Linlithgow who by King Charles the First was created Lord Almond and then Earl of Callender in the year 1641 he was Lieutenant General to the Parliaments Army his Successor by entail is James Brother Son to George now Earl of Linlithgow mention hath been made of the Earl of Linlithgow in Lithgow Shire The Family of the Barons F●●●ing dwelling hard by at Cumbernald which they received at the hands of King Robert Bruce for their Service valiantly and faithfully performed in defence of their Country whereby also they attained unto the hereditary Honour to be Chamberlanes of Scotland and the favour of King James the Sixth honoured this House with the Title of Earl of Wigtoun About the year 1606 his Predecessor had that Title with the Lordship of Galloway in the Reign of King David Bruce which they resigned to the Earl of Dowglass who and his Successors amongst other Titles were designed Earls of Wigtoun till the Forefaulture in the Reign of King James the Second and the Dignity was vacant till conferred by King James the Sixth as said is the Heir of this Family is Iohn Earl of Wigtoun In a place near adjoyning standeth Elphingstoun which likewise hath his Barons advanced to that Dignity by King James the 4th of whom is descended Iohn now Lord Elphingstoun And where Forth full of his windings crooked Cranks runneth down with a rolling pace and hath a Bridge over him standeth Stirling commonly called Striviling and Stirling Burgh where on the very brow of a steep Rock there is mounted on high a passing strong Castle of the Kings which King James the Sixth beautified with new Buildings and where of a long time the Lords of Areskine Earls of Marr have been Captains unto whom the Charge and Tuition of the Princes of Scotland during their Minority have been at other times committed Whereas some there be that would have the good and lawful money of England which is called Sterling money to take the name from hence they are much deceived for that Denomination came from the Germans of their easterly Dwelling termed by English men Easterlings whom King John of England first sent for to reduce the silver to the due fineness and purity and such Monies in ancient writing are ever more found by the name of Easterling About two Miles hence the Banock-burn runneth between exceeding high Banks on both sides and with a very swift Stream in Winter toward the Forth a Burn most famous for as glorious a Victory as ever the Scots had what time as Edward the Second King of England was put to flight who was fain to make hard shift and in great haste and fear to take a Boat and save his life yea and the most puissant Army which England had before sent out was discomfited through the valiant prowess of King Robert Bruce insomuch as for two years after the English came not into the Field against the Scots About Stirling Ptolomy seemeth to place Alauna which is either near the little River Alon that here entreth into the Forth or else by Alloway an house and ordinar Residence of the Areskins who by Inheritance are the Sheriffs of all this Territory without the Burgh but have been of a long time Earls of Marr from a country in Aberdeen Shire to be described after The Sheriffship of this Shire belongs to the Earls of Callender Sir William Alexander was the Kings Lieutenant in Nova Scotia and had Precedency of all those Baronets he succeeded Sir Archibald Aitchison as Secretary of State to King Charles the First and is so designed in the Kings Letter anent the Baronets November 17. 1629. Amongst the Commissioners for continuing the Parliament August 4. 1631 is William Viscount of Stirling principal Secretary he was created Earl of Stirling anno 1633 his Heir doth reside in England To conclude this Chapter take here a Description of the principal Seal of the Burgh of Stirling which carries on the one side a Bridge of seven Arches with a Cross mounted on the the middle and armed men on each side of the Cross with this Inscription Hic armis Bruti Scoti stant hic Cruce tuti And on the other side a large strong Castle in a Wood with this Motto Continet hoc in se Nemus Castrum Strivlingnense Which two Inscriptions they give us in English thus The Brittains stand by force of Arms The Scots are by this Cross preserv'd from Harms The Castle and the Wood of Stirling town Are in the compass of this Seal set down Which agreeth well with what Buchanan said that the River Carron was the Boundary of the Roman Conquests and Stirling the Limits of the Brittains and Scots However it be the Seal and Inscription must be very old when special notice is taken of a Wood at Stirling whereof there is but small Remains and at this place doth the River Forth admit of a Bridge which is the secure Passage betwixt the South and North of Scotland CHAP. XIX CALEDONIA WHatsoever part of Brittain lyeth northward beyond Grahams Dyke or the Wall of Antoninus Pius before named and beareth out on both Seas is called by Tacitus Caledonia likeas the people thereof Brittains inhabiting Caledonia Ptolemy divideth them into many Nations as Caledonii Epidii Vacomagi c. who were all of them afterward for continuing their ancient manner and custom of painting their Bodies named by the Romans and provincial people Picts divided by Ammianus Marcellinus into two Nations the Dicalidones and Vecturiones howbeit in the approved and best Writers they go all under the name of Caledonians whom I would think to have been so called of Kaled a Brittish word that signifieth Hard and in the plural Number maketh Kaledion whence the word Caledonii may be derived that is to say hard rough uncivil and a wilder kind of people such as the northern Nations for the most part are who by reason of the rigorous cold of the Air are more rough and fierce and for their abundance of Blood more bold and adventurous Moreover beside the position of the Climat this is furthered by the nature and condition of the Soil which riseth up all throughout with rough and rugged Mountains and Mountainers verily all men know and confess to be hardy stout and strong But whereas Varro alledgeth out of Pacuvius that Caledonia breedeth and nourisheth men of exceeding big Bodies I would understand the place rather of Caledonia the Region of Epirus than this of our although ours may also justly challenge unto it self this commendation Among this was the Wood Caledonia termed by Lucius Florus Saltus Caledonius that is the Forrest of Caledonia spreading out a mighty way and impassible by reason of tall Trees standing so thick divided also by Gramp Hill now called Granizbain that is the crooked bending Mountain That Vlysses arrived in Caledonia saith Solinus appeareth plainly by a votive Altar with