bear any Grain Commodities The Country every where affordeth plenty of Sheep Oxen Coneys and fallow Deer as also abundance of Geese Ducks Hens Turkies Pigeons Partridges Sea-Plover Herons Quailes and Larks c. with great plenty of Fish such as Salmonds Pikes Carps and Trouts also Herrings Oysters Cockles Mussels Turpots and Lobsters Fruits As Apples Pears Plums Cherries Peaches and Apricocks Corn Barly Rie Beans Pease and Oats Also it produceth a great quantity of Tin Lead Copper Allom Salt Hops with several Silver-Mines It is accounted Richer under ground than above by reason of their Mines which when tryed yeild much in their quantities of Ore SECT II. Of the Laws of Scotland THey are made of the Municipal and Civil Laws the Municipal consists either of Acts of Parliament or of the Customes and Practices of the Colledge of Justice and when neither of these contradict the Civil Law is of force All the Rights and Evidences of the Subject are committed to Registers by which means men are sure not to be cheated in buying or conveying Estates For first no man can have a right to an Estate but by his being seised of it which is done by delivering Earth and Stone upon which an Instrument is made called a Seising and this within sixty dayes after must be Registred else it is of no force by which means all secret Conveyances are cut off Next all Bonds have a Clause in them for inserting them in the publick Registers and they being Registred without any further Action upon a charge of six dayes the Debtor must make payment A Third Instance is that any Creditor may serve a Writ on his Debtor called Letters of Inhibitione by which he can make no disposition of his Goods or Estate till the Party be satisfied if these Letters be returned Registred within twenty-one days after they are served otherwise they have no force Many such Instances may be produced by which it appears how securely the Subject may enjoy that he hath or may purchase SECT III. Of the Cheif Officers of State of the Parliament of the Privy Council of the Colledge of Justice of the Justice Court and of the Exchequer THe King administers the Government of the Kingdom by his Officers of State who are Eight in number The first is the Lord Chancellour who is Keeper of the Great Seal and President of all Courts except the Exchequer This Office is in the Person of John Earl of Perth The second is the Lord Treasurer who manages the Revenue and presides in the Exchequer who is at present the Marquess of Queensbury The third is the Lord Privy Seal which Office the Marquess of Athole enjoyes The fourth is the Lord Secretary who is at present Alexander Earl of Murray The fifth Officer is the Lord Clerk of the Registers who has the charge of all the publick Records this Office is executed by Sir George Mikenzie of Tarbet The sixth is the Kings Advocate he is commonly a Judge except in cases where the King is concerned and then he pleads for the King The present Lord Advocate is Sir George Mikenzie of Rosehaugh The seventh Office is the Lord Treasurer Deputy which Office was Executed by Sir Charles Maitland of Hattoun now Earl of Lauderdale The eighth is the Lord Justice Clerk who assists the Lord Justice General in criminal Causes The present Justice Clerk is Richard Maitland Esquire Par. The Parliament is made up of three Estates The first is Ecclesiastical consisting of Arch-Bishops and Bishops The second Estate is The Nobility and Barons The third is The Burroughs Upon the first day of each Parliament there are such solemnities and magnificent Shews as is not observed in any Kingdom upon such occasions For all the members of Parliament according to their degree Riding as it were in Procession from the Kings Palace to the Parliament House The Commissioner Riding last The Crown the Sword and the Scepter with the rest of the Honours being carryed before him they return in the same order back again to the Palace Sometimes the King makes use of a Convention of Estates which can make no Laws only by this meeting impositions are laid upon the Subjects The Parliament being the supream Court it is not impertinent to give a List of the Nobility with their Precedency and Surnames which is as follows Dukes His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany   Surnames The Dukes of Hamilton Hamilton Buccleauch Scot. Lenox Lenox  Marquesses Surnames The Marquess of Huntley Gordone Douglas Douglas Montross Graham Athol Murray Queensbury Douglass  Earls Surnames The Earls of Crawford Lindsey Errol Hay Marishall Keith Southerland Southerland Marr Ereskine Airth Grahame Morton Douglass Buchan Ereskine Glencairn Cunninghame Eglinton Montgomery Casstles Kennedy Murray Stewart Caithness Sinclare Nithifdale Maxwell Wintoune Seatoune Linlithgow Livingstone Hume Hume Pearth Drummond Dumfermling Seatoune Wigtoun Fleming Strathmore Lyon Abercorn Hamilton Roxborough Ker. Kelly Ereiskine Haddingtoun Hamilton Galloway Stewart Seaforth Mac. Kenzy Lowthian Ker. Kinnoule Hay Loudon Campbell Dumfriess Creighton Sterling Alexander Elgine Bruce Southesk Carnaigy Traquair Stewart Ancram Ker. Weimes Weimes Dalhousy Ramsey Airly Ogilvy Callender Levingstone Carnwath Dalziel Finlator Ogilvy Levin Lesley Annandale Johnstone Dysert Murray Panmuire Mauld Tweddale Hay Northesk Carnaigy Kinkardin Bruce Forfar Douglass Balcarres Lindsay Middleton Middleton Aboyne Gordone Tarras Scot. Newburgh Levingstone Kilmarnock Boyd Dundonald Cochraine Dumbarton Douglass Kintore Keith Broad Albyne Campbell Aberdeen Gordone  Viscounts Surnames The Viscounts of Faulkland Carey Dumbarr Constable Stormont Murray Kenmure Gordone Arbuthnet Arbuthnet Frendaret Creightone Kingstone Seatoune Oxenford Macgill Kilsyth Levingstone Irwing Campbell Dumbiane Osborne Preston Grahame Newhaven Sheene  Lords Surnames The Lords of Forbes Forbes Saltone Frazier Gray Gray Ochiltry Stewart Cathcart Cathcart Sinclare Sinclare Mordington Douglass Semple Semple Elphingstone Elphingstone Oliphant Oliphant Lovat Frazier Borthwick Borthwick Rosse Rosse Torphighen Sandilands Spyne Lindsey Lindoris Lesley Balmerinoch Elphingstone Blantyre Stewart Cardrosse Ereskine Burghly Balfour Maderty Drummond Cranstone Cranstone Melvil Melvil Neaper Neaper Cameron Fairfax Cramond Richardson Rae Macky Forrester Bailzy Petslâ—go Kirkudbright Mac-cleland Frazier Frazier Bargany Hamilton Bamf Ogilvy Elibank Murray Dunkeld Galloway Halcarton Falconer Belhaven Hamilton Abercromby Sandilands Carmichael Carmichael Rollo Rollo Colvil Colvil Duffus Southerland Ruthven Ruthven Mack-Donald Mack-donald Rutherford Rutherford Balanden Balanden Newark Lesly Burntisland Weimes Strathard Nairne His Majesties Privy Council is chiefly imployed about Publick Affairs the Power of it hath been mostly raised since King James came to the Crown of England by reason of which being necessitated to be absent from Scotland himself he lodged much of his power in the Lords of His Privy Council we cannot by reason of the late alterations give an exact List of the present Lords of the Council Wherefore we shall forbear The Supream Court of Judicature about the property of the Subject is called the Colledge of Justice It consists of fourteen Judges who
his Brother to Court to know the Kings mind towards him The King promised upon his Submission to accept of him which he performed making him for his further Encouragement Lieutenant General of his Forces But he stood not long privately in his Prosperity for going to the Court of England upon some design the King was highly dissatisfied with him yet upon his humble Submission he is pardoned but divested of all publick imployment within the Kingdom Thus being degraded from his Honnour 's he gives himself wholly to study revenge and that he might the more successfully effect his Design he gets the Earls of Cranford Ross-Murray the Lord Balveny with many other Barons and Gentlemen to enter in a Confederacy both offensive and defensive with him after they broke out in unsufferable Insolences spoiling and plundering the Lands of such as were not of their Faction and killing and destroying such as offered to oppose them The King begins to be apprehensive of their Design therefore thinks it high time to look to himself and his Country Whereupon he sent for Douglass to come and speak with him at Sterling which he at first feared to do but upon second Thoughts he accompanied with many of the Confederates went to Court where the King very Graciously received him the day being far spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Council and the Guards the King takes the Earls apart very friendly and remembred him of Favours received and wrongs forgotten Taxing him with the exorbitant abuses of his followers then he told him of a Covenant which he heard was made betwixt him and some of the other Nobility and desired to know what he had to say Douglass answered in plain terms it was so but that the Covenant was made for his own safety the King further expostulated with him to break it which he refusing to do the King with his Dagger ended the Quarrel killing him in the place About the end of this Tragedy a pair of Spurs between two Platters is directed to Sir James Hamilton as a part of the Kings Banquet Whereupon he and the rest takes the Allarum and setting Fire to divers places of the Town they make their escape the King to vindicate himself emits Declarations shewing all his good Subjects the Reasons that moved him to take Douglass's Life that it was not a fit of Passion nor an Act of private revenge but meerly to save the State from utter Ruin Yet the Mobile were diversly affected some justifying the Fact as Noble and Just but others as the greater number as boldly Condemned it as Inhumane and Cruel these of the League missing no Opportunity that was for their Interest made it their work to sow Sedition and Discord and to encourage all Breaches and Contempt of the Laws which encreased their number so that the King was reduced to a very low condition till at last Cranford one of the Confederates being routed by the Earl of Huntly he recovered some strength and having called a Parliament at Edenburgh summoned the Confederate Lords to appear before which they scornfully refused to do Whereupon the King levying an Army forced them to retire yet the Country suffered sadly by their unbridled Fury At length after much loss on both sides the King daily prevailing the Earl of Cranford submitted himself to his mercy as several others did afterward Whereupon the Earl of Douglass fled to England there having gathered together several desperate Men he made several inroads upon the Border The King having with much difficulty recovered the Royal Authority of his Ancestors England in the mean time being at the point of utter ruine by the contest of Henry the sixth and the Duke of York was much solicited by both of them but he told the Ambassadors that he had more reason to look to his own concerns then to assist either of them which he intended to do thereupon raising a Powerful Army he passed the Tweed and besieged Roxburgh where having applyed his battery to the Castle he began to storm it but by the space of an over-charged Piece the King's thigh bone being broken was struck immediately Dead the twenty Fourth year of his Reign having left three sons James who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany and John Earl of Marre and was buried at Holy-Rood house After his death the Queen with her Son came to the siege and encouraged the Nobles who took and demolished the Castle and also the Castle of Warke 104. To him Succeeded his Son James the third A. D. 1460. A good Prince corrupted by wicked Courtiers who with advantage of his years being but seven years of age when he began to Reign his education is intrusted to his Mother the Government of the Kingdom to the Earls of Anaudale Castle Orkney and the Lords Boyd and Graham the Bishops of St. Andrews Glasgow and Dnubek In this Princes Nonage great confusions increased both at home and abroad at home by the Islanders who extreamly infested the country and came as far as the Blairth of Athole and burnt S. Brides Church where the Earl and his Lady took Sanctuary carrying them to the Island Ila from whence as these Savages were going further they were all miserably destroyed by a tempest Nor was it better abroad England being in a flame by the Civil Wars Henry being taken and released again by his Queen flees to Scotland desiring their assistance against his Enemies and that he might be the better heard caused the Town of Berwick to be delivered to the Scots thereupon the Queen who managed the War geting some supply marched taking the King with her into England but was soon overthrown at Durham A. D. 1466. the Queen of Scots dyed having left many sound and profitable instructions to the King her Son who now coming to fifteen years of age is by his Regents committed to the Lord Boyds Brother to be Educated in the Excercise of Chivalry by which means the Boyds became to darken all others in the State nothing being done without them the Kenedies who had been the Kings best Friends seeing things go thus left the Court after which the Glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse The Lord Boyde to be yet higher gets the sole Government setled upon himself which laid the Foundation of his ruine and not satisfied with this he obtains his Son to be Married to the Kings eldest Sister this highly displeased the rest of the Nobility that his ambition should be so boundless which gave matter to his former Enemies to work upon all oppression and violence is winked at on purpose at last they procure Complaints from all parts of the Kingdom against the Boyds which made the Kings affection begin to turn away from them A. D. 1468. A match being proposed and agreed upon between the King and Margaret Daughter to the King of Denmark the Boyds Enemies procures the Earl of Arran who had Married the Kings Sister to be
Lord Gordon usurping almost a Royal Authority over the Countries benorth the Ferth as the Lord Hume also did upon the South-side The Queen seeing her Authority contemned privately Marries the Earl of Angus looking upon him as one who could Protect her and hers in Extremity but this Match instead of heightning weakened her Interest the Nobility dividing in two Factions the one pleading for the Earl of Douglass and the other opposing him thinking him too high already made choice of the Earl of Arran but a third party steps in of whom the Lord Chamberlain was Chief who carried the choice from both pitching upon John Duke of Albany When King Henry heard that this Gentleman was like to carry the Day he writes to Scotland remonstrating to them how dangerous this choice might prove to their State Yet notwithstanding of all that could be said they adhered to their choice and sent to France to call home the Duke of Albany who furnished with all necessaries by the French King with eight well Rigg'd Ships takes the Seas and in the Month of May arrived upon the West-coasts of Scotland from whence with a great retinue of the Nobles and Barons of the Country by easie Journies the Queen meeting him he came to the Town of Edenburgh where he is restored in Parliament to his Fathers inheritance At the Presence of this new Governour the Face of the State turned more beautiful Oppression is restrained Justice sincerely executed the Governour not willing to listen to every mans Advice gave himself to follow the Councel of John Hepburn Prior of S. Andrews this man being of a subtle mind Malicious and Crafty represented to him things as he pleased representing the Factiousness of the Nobility naming several whom he said the Kingdom could not bear Among others he gave out the Lord Chamberlain to be a man unpolish'd Stubbornly Stout mighty in Riches and Power of a working Mind and vehement Spirit that he spoke against the Chamberlain c. The Governour did presently lay hold on this and changed in his affection toward him which the Chamberlain perceiving could not but reflect upon the Governours ingratitude wherefore he resolved to Face about and striking in with the Queen and her Husband became very intimate with them he represented to them what hazard the Prince was in the Governour being a man of such an unsatiable Spirit that nothing but the Crown could set bounds to his Ambition Advising the Queen to think of a way to prevent it they concluded at last that their only safety would be that the Queen would transport her Son to England But as privately as the business was managed it came to the Governours ears who presently sent a Troop of Horse who surprized the Castle of Sterling and in it the Queen with her two Sons The Prince and his Brother are sequestred from their Mother and committed to the keeping of four Noblemen Whereupon the Queen her Husband and the Chamberlain with many others mis-trust-ing the Governour fly to England their sudden departure perplexed the Court exceedingly which moved the Governour to write to King Henry representing to him how little reason they had from him to depart the Kingdom earnestly declaring his respects to the Queen and that if she and all that were with her should please to return she should be very welcom they hoping that they were sincere at last were moved to yield to his desires but when once he had got them within the Country he resolved to be revenged upon them this bred new Confusions for some of the Lords being imprisoned their Friends break very loose the Country is daily pestered and impoverished by Incursions and Inroads till at last after great loss on both sides they come to an Agreement which was followed with the renewing of the Truce with England for some Months All things being thus seemingly calmed both at home and abroad the forementioned Prior of S. Andrews begins to perswade the Governour that all his indeavours to settle the Realm would prove vain so long as the Earl of Hume was alive whom neither rewards could soften nor Honours and preferments make constant upon this the Governour begins to contrive how to get the Earl secured wherefore he came to Edenburgh and called a Convention of the states having intreated the Earl of Humes Friends that he would not fail to be there the matters to be determined concerned him dearly The Earl of Hume with his brother David came to Edenburgh the Night before the Day appointed who were received by the Governour with great Ceremonies and with more than ordinary Favours entertained and shortly after both imprisoned and a day appointed for their Tryal The first thing laid to their Charge was the death of the late King whom several Witnesses proved to have been seen coming to the Castle of Hume from Flondon this not being proved by pregnant Evidences he was accused of several other points of Treason of which he not being able to clear himself to their satisfaction the Judges prepared and directed by the Governour pronounce him and his Brother guilty and Condemn them to have their Heads chopt off which Sentence was the next day put in Execution and their Heads fixt upon the most Conspicuous places of the City This Calamity of the Family of the Humes bred Terrour and Astonishment in many of the Noblemen of the Kingdom and greatly estranged their Hearts from the Governour Ambassadors being sent from France to renew the Ancient League between the two Countries The Governour was chosen by the Nobility of Scotland to pass into France for accomplishing this solemn Action He was no sooner gone but the Queen after she had stayed a year in England Honourably dismissed by her Brother came to Scotland Sir Anthony Darcy being by the Governour made Warden of the Mers and Lothian was slain by Sir David Hume of Wedderburn coming to Dunce to hold a Justice Court Whereupon the Earl of Arran was declared Supream Warden of the Marches who soundly revenged Darcies Death upon the Humes The Kingdom now began to be sensible of the offence of the Governour Factions increasing daily the Nobility and Gentry deciding their Rights by their Swords insomuch that the Earl of Arran who was Provost of Edenburgh having been with the Prince at Dalkeith upon his return had the Gates shut upon him the Citizens pretending that he intended to invade their Priviledges Whereupon followed a Tumult in the City which continued all Night where a Deacon of the Crafts was killed by one of the Hamiltons which did quite alienate the Citizens affection from the Earl of Arran and made them incline to the Earl of Angus this made the Earls of Arran and Angus begin to cross each other Whereupon followed much Confusion in the Country and much Blood-shed between the Douglasses and the Hamiltons at last having encountred one another with their followers at Edenburgh they fight most desperately in the Street till at length
the Hamiltons were forced to retire having left above fourscore of their number dead upon the Street These broils coming to the Governours ears in France he made all the haste he could home coming to Edenburgh he set himself to amend the Enormities committed in his absence a Parliament is called to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen are cited to appear and answer but some fearing the Event appeared not Whereupon their Estates are forfeited several fled into England among which were the Humes and the Cockburns who were the Authors of Darcies death others submitted and were pardoned The King of England being informed of the Condition of Scotland sent thither an Embassador requiring the Duke to avoid the Country according to the Articles agreed upon between him and the King of France in their last Truce To which he answered that what the Kings of France and England agreed upon in their Treaties of Peace was to him uncertain but of this he was most certain that neither the King of England nor France had Power to Banish him a Foraigner over them where Authority did not reach his Native Country like over like having no Jurisdiction Whereupon King Henry gathered a great Army to Invade Scotland Now they draw to Arms on both sides the Governour marches with his Army to Carlile where he pitched his Camp upon the River Esk this struck great Terror to the Citizens of Carlile who offered him divers presents for their safety of the Town which were rejected but the Nobility refusing to go upon English ground suspecting that the Governour only played the Game of the French he was forced to come to a Truce However the Governour resolving to be revenged upon England went to France where he obtained from the King Three Thousand Pikes and One Thousand Lances with which he returned home and having raised an Army with them he Marches to England and Besieges Wark but is Repulsed whereupon much against his will a Truce for some Months is concluded on Soon after the Administration of the Government was put upon the Prince himself the Thirteenth Year of his age the Governour returning to France after which he never returned to Scotland A Parliament is called wherein a Peace is concluded with England and eight Lords appointed to have the Custody of the Kings Person quarterly Embassadors were sent to England to treat for a Marriage between the King and the King of Englands Daughter which came to nothing The State began of New to be tossed with the troublesom factions of the Queen and the Earl of Angus the Queens Faction accused Angus of High Treason for detaining the King against his will to which the Earl moved the King to give an answer shewing that he was not kept against his will But with all sent another Letter secretly desiring by any means he might be removed from the Earl upon this advertisment the Queen and they of her Faction Assemble what Forces they could raise and with great expedition marched from Sterling to Edenburgh The Earl of Angus with the Citizens of Edenburgh and the King though against his will Marched out against them when the Leaders of the Queens Forces understood that the King himself was in Person in the advers Army they would advance no farther but retired back again to Sterling where they Disbanded and returned every man to his own dwelling place presently after the Queen sues for a Divorce from the Earl of Angus which the Archbishop of S. Andrews granted with the Earls own consent The King wearied of his confinement in the Earl of Angus his custody consults with the Lord of Buccleugh and some Borderers how he might be set at Liberty they Essayed it by Arms at Melross but were put to the worst then the Earl of Lenox undertook it and raised some Forces for that end but the Earl of Angus having gotten the assistance of the Earl of Arran with several others quite routed him near Costerphin where he was killed in cold Blood Now the Earl of Angus thinks himself secure enough having put all things in as he thought to rights he takes a progress to Lothian leaving the King at Faulkland Now the King amidst his Solitary walks in his Park bethinks himself what a fair oportunity he had resolved to essay by stratagem what the Factions of his Nobles could not perform by Force thereupon he directeth the Forester of the Park to advertise such Gentlemen about as kept Hounds to attend him next Morning for he would have his Sport early he Suppeth sooner then he used Commanding all to their rest the waiters all shifted and the Court hush'd shutting his Camber door in the Apparel of one of his Grooms unperceived he passed the Guards to the stable where with two who attended him with ready Horses he posted to Sterline where many of the Nobility and Gentry flocking to him he discharged the Earl of Angus from all Publick Offices whereat he was so exasperated that he and his Friends followed very extravagant Courses but the King pursued them so that after much misery at home they were constrained to fly into England where they were Charitably received and Honourably entertained by King Henry The next year the King visited the Borders holding Justice Courts and executing Justice upon all Oppressors Thieves and Out-Laws there in Ewsdale He caused eight and twenty famous Robbers to be Hanged others he brought with him to Edenburgh for more publick Execution and Example yet the Borders were nothing the more Peaceable for by the means of the Earl of Angus the English make daily Incursions and Spoiles the Country the Scots likewise serving the English with the same Sauce till at last by the Mediation of the French King a Peace is concluded on during the Princes Lives and one Year after the Decease of him who should Dye first About this time the Pope's Power began to Totter in England King Henry having renounced all Subjection to him because he would not Grant him a Divorce from his Queen Katharine who had been before Married to his Brother Prince Arthur and then by a Dispensation from the Pope to him The Pope finding King Henry peremptory in his purpose did together with the Emperor deal with King James to make War with England and to this end sent an Ambassador privately to Scotland King Henry went on with his Affairs in England and Executed John Fisher Bishop of Rochester for asserting the Pope's Supremacy in England Upon this the whole Conclave stirr'd up the Pope against King Henry wherefore he sent another Ambassador to Scotland most invectively Exclaiming against the King of England's Cruelty and humbly desiring King James's assistance against him King James to try his Uncle's Mind send an Ambassador to England to acquaint him with the Emperors and Popes Embassage King Henry presently dispatched William Lord Howard to Scotland who made such hasty Journeys that he prevented the News of his coming he found the King at Sterline a part of
purpose for soon after she signed a Warrant for a Mandate fitted for the Great Seal for her Execution which was performed upon Wednesday the 8th of February 1586. Queen Elizabeth immediately after Writes a Letter full of Apologies and fair promises to King James yet notwithstanding in great discontent he calls home his Ambassadours from the Court of England The States of Scotland urge him to a revenge The King of Spain also and the Pope promise him great assistance if he would undertake it but he thought fit to delay for a time which made England the more suspitious of his Designs Wherefore an Ambassadour was sent to him earnestly desiring him to take off his adherence from Forreign Friendship assuring him that his Mothers fate would be no prejudice to his right of Succession which was a powerful Argument with him The next Year the Kings Marriage with the King of Denmarks Daughter was agreed upon In the mean time the Popish Lords such as Huntly Cranford and Aâ—rol make a Rebellion in the North to suppress which the King himself went in Person at his coming the Rebels disperse the Headers of them submitted to the Kings Mercy and are commited close Prisoners and not long after Tryed and found Guilty but the Sentence was delayed to an indefinite time which at last turned to a Pardon The King hearing that his Marriage was consumated at Denmark by Proxie and the Queen at Sea was soon after surprised with the News that her Navy was beat into Norway by a Storm He presently resolves to go thither and meet Her which he does very privately leaving the Government of the Kingdom to his Council Within five dayes he arrives at Norway where he was solemnly Marryed the next Sunday From thence he went with his Queen to Visit the Queen Mother of Denmark where they staid till April following Then having sent for Shipping to return they Landed at Leith the 20 th day of May Anno Dom. 1590. and a little after the Queen was solemnly Crowned at Holy-Rood-House Though the King made severe Laws against Feuds yet were they not quite suppressed for by reason of a quarrel between the Earles of Huntly and Murray the North broke very loose as did the Kers also in the South but they were soon suppressed till Bothwel afterward being Imprisoned for consulting with Witches to take away the Kings Life and having escaped made an attempt upon the Kings Lodgings and was repulsed being suspected to have been with Murray the Earl of Huntly procures a Warrant to take him and coming to Dunnibirsle where Murray was firing the House Murray attempting to make his Escape was Barbarously Murdered Bothwel having so often been disappointed of his designes at last having got some of the Lords on his side he came in by the Postern-gate under disguise of attending my Lady Athole with another of his Companions armed to the very Bed-Chamber where he forced the King to grant him a Pardon which was the next day repealed in Council and Bothwel and his Associates forced to fly Anno Dom. 1593. The Queen was delivered of her first Born in Sterliâ—g where he was Christned in the Chappel Roval by the Name of Henry Frederick Two Years after Princess Elizabeth was born at Edenburgh The King resolving to bring the Church of Scotland to a Conformity in Government and Ceremonies did occasion much confusion for the Ministers strong opposed having also a great part of the Nobility on their side The Popish Lords and others unable to stand out any longer submitted to the Censure of the Church The next Year a Parliament is called wherein the King will have some of the Ministers sit as representing the Church being Church Affairs as well as Affairs of State are handled there Anno Dom. 1599. John Earl of Goury and his Brother Alexander attempt to kill the King at Perth but both of them dyed in the attempt and had all their Lands seized for the Kings use In commemoration of which the 5th of August is annually celebrated The 26 th of February 1600. Prince Charles was born at Domfermling which afterward was King of Great Britain c. The Jesuits having no hope of Toleration in Scotland all their Politicks having failed them they went the old way to work One Moubray at the Court of Spaiâ— undertook to kill King James but as he was upon his way to London he was discovered by an Italian who accused him of his intended Murther whereupon they were both taken and sent to Scotland Moubray was committed to the Castle where having found a way to break the Iron Grates of the Prison window thought to have let himself down by a Rope which proving too short he fell from the precipice and dashed out his braines upon a Rock Queen Elizabeths health beginning to decay by reason of her age and the great troubles she had undergone removes from London to Richmond where she daily became weaker and weaker The Lord Admiral Lord Keeper and Secretary Cecil came from the Council to know her pleasure concerning her Successor She answered My Throne is for a King none othâ—â— shall Succeed me Cecil asked her What King She said What other King than my Kinsman the King of Scots Then after some time not stirring she leasurely turned her head about and dyed the Seventyeth year of her Age the 24th of March 1602. Her eyes being shut the same day the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Assembled proclaimed her death and declared King James her Successor Presently Posting Letters to him acquainting him with the Queens Death and being a Body without a Head humbly desiring his Majesty to hasten to them how soon and in what manner he pleaseth The King having communicated these Letters to his Privy-Council returns them his acknowledgment of their dutifull Affection The King sets out for England ordering the Queen to follow Twenty days after the Princes Henry Charles and Princess Elizabeth at further Pleasure He was most magnificently Entertained all the way having a Gallant train of Scottish Noblemen and other Gentlemen to convey him to Berwick where he was most magnificently received by the English and accompanied with Shouts and Acclamations of Joy by all ranks in his Journey through England till he came to London His first Reception was in the Charter-House where he stayed four days having confered the Honour of Knighthood upon 80 Gentlemen On St. Jameses's day the King and Queen were Crowned at Westminster in the Fatal Marble Chair Secretary Elphingston was within a few years after accused by the King for Writing Letters to the Pope in his Name which he confessed and was thereupon committed but soon after pardoned The King was not allowed to enjoy the pleasure of his new Title with Peace for soon after followed the Treason of the Lord Cobham and Gray with Sir Walter Rawley and others for which some of the number being condemned to dye and brought to the very Block obtained a Pardon His Majesty took
His Royal Highness IAMES DUKE of Alban◠and Yorke only Brother to his sacred Mayesty Lord High Com̄issioner of Scotlan◠Medulla Historiae Scoticae Being a Comprehensive HISTORY OF THE Lives and Reigns OF THE KINGS OF SCOTLAND FROM FERGVS the First to our Gracious Sovereign CHARLES the Second CONTAINING The most Remarkable Transactions and Observable Passages Ecclesiastical Civil and Military with other Observations proper for a Chronicle faithfully Collected out of Authors Ancient and Modern To which is added A brief Account of the Present State of Scotland the Names of the Nobility and Principal Ministers of Church and State the Laws Criminal A Description of that Engine with which Malefactors are Tortured called the BOOT LONDON Printed for Randal Taylor near Stationers Hall 1685. To the Most Noble JAMES Earl of Perth Lord Drummond and Stobhall c. Lord Justice General of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND One of the Extraordinary Lords of the SESSION and one of the Lords of His MAJESTIES Most Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL in that KINGDOM THIS Compendious History of the KINGS of Scotland is Most Humbly Dedicated by Your Lordships Most Humble most Faithful and most Obedient Servant W. A. TO THE READER I Shall not detain the Generous Reader with Flourishes upon the Grandeur and Glory of the Scotish Crown nor tell you that it may Vie Antiquity with the Ancientist Monarchy of the Vniverse that I leave to your Vmpirage when you have compared the following sheets with the Histories of other Nations Only thus far I will assure you that Scotland will be found to be a Country Pregnant of Wonderfull Changes and Revolutions a Theatre whereon Divine Providence has I Exhibited divers remarkable Instances of it's Peculiar Care over Crowned Heads and where all Treason and Disloyalty has been persued with utter ruine and Destruction It can show a Race of Kings Vnparallel'd for their Bravery and Gallantry in the Defence of their Country and Protection of their Allies and for their Heroicism in Assisting and redresing the Miserable and Opprest But I leave their own Acts as represented in the following Mirrour to make good my assertion and shall proceed to offer something in my own Vindication for I am liable to some Reprehension for Cramming so Large so Bulky a History into so small a Volum but if it be considered that all the Curious have neither the leisure to peruse nor the means to provide a larger I hope I shall need no farther Apology upon that point nor need I advocate much for differing much from many Authors as to the Origin of our Nation since I have followed the most Authentick and have only vary'd from those whose writings are vanished with Monckery and savour more of the Legend than true History Besides the plain bomespun manner wherein all these matters are deliver'd will disgust several who only delight in what is Flaunting and Trick'd up with all the Ornaments and Gawdiness of Rhetorick and Elocution but be it known I fitted my stile for the Capacities of Vulgar Readers such as becomes a History not a Panegyrick and what squars best with the Tongue of both Kingdoms wherein there was never yet any Chronicle publish'd of the Realm of Scotland so as that those who were unacquainted with the Latin were excluded from the knowledge of the Primitive state of so Illustrious a Kingdom After having fitted this account for the Common use by divesting it of a Pompous Dress and a too Stately Dignity of stile my Chief Care was to avoid Partiality by a stedy and Cauterous stearing between Buchanan and Bishop Lesley Seylla and Charybdis where vast Funds of Wit and Learning might easily have wrought the shipwrack of an unwary Pilot so that tho' a great part hereof is a translation of Eminent Authors yet I left my Originalls when I found 'em bias'd and avoiding their Extreams boul'd directly to the Block THE Introduction HIstory has been reckon'd one of the most Generous amusements of the greatest Personages and the loftier the Subject the more agreeable the Entertainment Now for the Advantages and Dignity of a Scotish Chronicle I will not so much insist upon it's Novelty and the wonderful Vicissitudes it contains as the Preheminency of that Crown over all Common-wealths Empires and Monarchies which by stating their several Claims and Pretences will sufficiently be made appear The Emperor Challenges the first Rank as succeeding to the Roman Emperors who are supposed to have been universal Monarchs the French King pretends also to it upon the Account of his being Stiled the most Christian King with other such Pretences The King of Spain also pleads it as his Right being the most Catholick King and King of manyest Kingdoms In this Debate of theirs we are not a little concerned our business therefore shall be to prove First that the King of Great Britain hath an unquestionable Right of Precedency to all the above named Princes Secondly that he hath it it as King of Scotland First he founds his Precedency to them all 1. Upon his being a absolute Monarch of the Isle of Great Britain which was first Christian 2. Upon his being one of the Quatuor nucti which were before all other Kings 3. That having Conquered France he hath Right to all it's Titles by which he carries it clear from the Spaniard or any other Competitor and Lastly that it was granted him even as King of England by the Popes themselves in the General Councils so that had they not relinquished his Papacy it is like his Holiness had not as yet questioned their Title to it II. His Majesty as King of Scotland may justly claim the Precedency from all those Princes it being by Lawyers declared the uncontroverted use of Precedency That amongst those of equal Dignity he who first attained to that Dignity is to be preferred This being a Rule among others Dignities we see no reason but that it should hold here This being granted I subsume that the King of Scotland being equal in Dignity with the Kings of England France and Spain attained to that Dignity before either of them for the first King of Scotland Reigned about three hundred and thirty years before the birth of Christ Whereas the English Historians Confess that they cannot reckon higher than eight hundred years after Christ Nor can either the French or Spaniard come up to the English for the French take the Origine from Hugh Capi who Usurped that Crown Anno. 987. And the Spaniards from Rudolphus King of the Romans Elected 1273. But here it is objected by some that the Kings of Scotland were Vassals to the Kings of England and did them Homage for the Crown of Scotland and so can Claim no Precedency amongst any free Princes far less amongst such as are of the first magnitude This some English Historians do with great Confidence aver but that their Ignorance or Malice or both may appear we are Content to refer the matter not only to the Respect the General Councils
given to Pastimes especially Hunting he is said to have made several Laws about Hunting which the Ancient Scots observe to this day he dyed peaceably the 28. year of his Reign 5. Dornadilles eldest Son being yet a Child and not fit to Govern the People set Hothat his Brother upon the Throne in the year of the World 3738. before Christ 233 after the beginning of the Reign 98. He proved a monstrous Tyrant taking Pleasure in nothing more than in murthering his Nobility and destroying his People by all the means that he could devise till at last one Dowall a Gallaway man having gathered together a Company of disaffected Persons came boldly to the King telling him how grievous his Government was to the People because of his Oppression and therefore desired him to resign the Crown which he was unfit to wear to such as had a better Title to it the King tho' surprized by his Enemy yet no ways daunted told him that whatever was done by him during his Government was done by Royal Authority and if it was grievous to the Subjects they had their own obstinacy to blame for it hereupon Dowall presently fell upon and killed him after he had Reigned twenty years 6. Rewther the Son of Dornadilles was by Dowals Faction made King without the Peoples Consent in the year of the World 3758. before Christ 213. after the Reign 118. the Nobles took this very ill And as for Hothat tho' they knew that he deserved the worst kind of Death yet they did not approve of this Fact as being of bad Example they knew also that what Dowal did was for his own ends as afterward appeared Hothat's Relations taking the advantage of the Peoples dissatisfaction stirred them up by all means to make War upon Dowall at length they draw to Arms under the Command of Ferguhort Hothat's Son-in-Law and Captain of Kintire and Lorn Dowall came against them with great Power accompanied with the young King the King of Picts and many others of his Friends There followed a most cruel Battel where after two several Engagements in one day Dowall was utterly defeated himself the King of Picts together with all the chief of the Claws were killed upon the place Reuther the young King was pursued and taken at the Castle of Callender but very civilly used The consequences of this unhappy day were most fatal both to Scots and Picts not having Men enough left alive to inhabit the Realm or to withstand their Enemies upon which the Brittons took occasion to invade them but they no wise being in Case to resist them after several bloody Skirmishes were forced to betake them to the Mountains the King of Scots went into Ireland and the King of Picts to Orkney whereafter twelve years Misery they resolved once more to try their Fortune and returning home the one from Ireland the other from Orkney they joyned Battle with their old Enemies the conflict was so terrible that none of the parties could boast much of the Victory However the up-shot of the matter was a Peace was concluded and the Scots and Picts re-installed in their old Possessions This King dyed in the twenty six year of his Reign having left one Son begotten by Gethus the King of Picts his Daughter 7. But he being young and not fit to Reign being scarcely ten years of age Reutha his Fathers Brother succeeded in the year of the World 3784. before Christ 187. after the beginning of the Reign 144. he instituted divers Laws which are in Force among the old Inhabitants to this day and having Reigned seventeen years with great applause either for his want of Health or Love of Solitariness or for fear of Thereus Reuthers Son whom he knew to have an itching after the Crown he resigned 8. Thereus succeeded in the year of the World 3799. before Christ 171. after the Reign 158. The first six months he Governed pretty moderately but he suddenly brake loose giving reins to all kinds of of wickedness causing Slanders and Calumnies to be raised against his Nobles and under this pretence cruelly Murthering them but at last the people not able to endure his Tyranny degraded him of all his Honours Covan Captain of the Brigants was made Governor who Governed very wisely about the space of eleven years at which time being informed that Thereus had dyed at York he resigned the Government 9. Josina the Kings Brother succeeded to the Crown the year of the World 3818. before Christ 161. after the Reign 170. He was a peacable and good King it is observed of him that he highly esteemed Physitians being himself very expert in that Science whence it came to pass that for many Ages after the Heads of Families and Men of worth were for the most part excellent Physitians He dyed in a good Age after he had Reigned twenty four years 10. To him succeeded his Son Finnan in the year of the World 3834. before Christ 137. after the Reign 194. This Prince followed his Fathers Foot-steps he studied nothing more than to gain the Hearts of his Subjects and to maintain his Royal Dignity more with Clemency than Force That he might prove an effectual Enemy to Tyranny he made a Law that Kings should command nothing of great weight in the state without Advice of their Parliament he dyed the thirtieth year of his Reign 11. Durstius his Son succeeded Finnan A. M. 3864. before Christ 107. after the Reign 224. A Flagitious and wicked Tyrant he banished his Fathers Friends from the presence because they advised him to leave off his lewd Courses Having prostituted his Wife who was Daughter to the King of the Brittons to his Companions he repudeated her But soon after it was discovered that he was carrying on a Conspiracy against his Nobles and knowing that he could have no shelter either at home or abroad having been so cruel he feigned a sincere Repentance of his former wickedness calling home his Queen promising by Oath to his Nobles that he would no longer follow his Irregular Courses which they readily believing forgot all former Injuries but not long after having invited them to make them merry with him when he got them all together he caused a Company of Ruffians to fall upon them and Murther them The noise of this heinous Act going all abroad stirred all the People to revenge who killed him in Battle after that he had Reigned nine years 12. It was hotly debated among the Nobles whether the next in Blood to Durstius should succeed some were against it fearing lest the Successor if he were in kin to him might be tempted to revenge the Death Others were for keeping up his ancient Custom according to the Oath sworn to Fergus at length they Condesended upon Ewen Brother to Durstius him they Crowned A. M. 3873. before Christ 98. He is thought to have been the first who caused his Subjects to give him their Oath of fidelity He went with the Picts against the Brittons where
pressed mightily for Money alledging that his Revenues was not answerable to his Charges but his Nobles answered his demands in another manner then he expected for they presently degraded and imprisoned him Ardgad Captain of Argyle made Governor He dyed in Prison the fourteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 25. After him Ethod the first Sisters Son to Mogad began to Reign A. D. 163. He highly applauded Ardgad his Government keeping him still in great Trust with himself He sent him to the Isles to allay some Tumults that were beginning to stir which he did as he thought effectually but he was not long gone then they became worse than before wherefore the King sent him thither again where he was unfortunately killed this so inraged the King that he went thither himself in Person and made them soundly smoke for their Insolency Having composed his Affairs at home and abroad he began to give himself to ease but soon after he was killed in his Chamber by an Irish Harper whom he kept to make Musick to him the thirty third year of his Reign 26. Ethod having no Sons ripe for the Government his Brother Satrael succeeded him A. D. 199. He was so cruel that he made it his Work to cut off all the antient Nobility but was at length stabbed by one of his Courtiers the fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 27. His Brother Donald the first succeeded him A. D. 199. A Prince famous for Princely Endowments but especially in that he was the first King that imbraced Christianity in Scotland and gave it his Royal Sanction tho' for several years before his time the Gospel had it's Professors tho' not publickly owned he with the Concurrence of his Nobles made what Reformation he could yet could he not during his Life get the People weaned from their old Heathenish Superstitions In his time Sevesus the Emperor came into Brittain with a Prodigious Army intending no less than to Conquer the whole Island The Scots and Picts at his coming betake them to the Hills and draws him after them but his Army suffered grievously having as one Writes lost 50000. Men in that expedition at length they came to a Peace with him after which he built a great Wall reaching from Forth to Clyde Peace being concluded abroad Donald returned home and passed the rest of his days in Peace he dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 28. Ethodius the second Son to Ethodius the first succeeded Donald A. D. 216. A man of a foolish and cross Temper unfit to Govern that fierce People but his Nobles managed the Government prudently he at last was killed in a Tumult made by his Domesticks the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 29. His Son Athircus is made King A. D. 231. At first he gave great grounds of hope that he should prove an accomplished Prince but it proved quite contrary he turned extreamly profligate prostituting Noble mens Daughters to his Companions Upon which account one Hotholocus a Noble man conspired against him which he perceiving that there was no way to escape killed himself the twelfth year of his Reign 30. Athircus being Dead Hatholocus procured himself to be chosen King A. D. 242. A cruel and lascivious Tyrant being acquainted that Ethircus his Children were with the Picts he called the chief of the Nobility whom he knew to have been Athircus his Friends pretending he wanted their Advice in some matters of State whent he had got them convened in one place he caused them to be thrown in Prison and soon after executed Whereupon their Friends rebelled and the King going about to gather an Army to subdue them was killed by one of his Courtiers the eleventh year of his Reign 31. Hathalocus being thus dead Athircus his children are called home and Findochus the eldest of them set upon the Throne A. D. 253. a wise and valiant Prince his first Expedition was against Donald of the Isles who under pretence of revenging the late Kings death had raised an Army him he subdued forcing him to flee to his Ships where being hotly pursued he got into a small Boat which being over loaden immediately sunk and he perished yet his Son whose name was Donald keept up the quarrel against him Hindoch went with an Army entering the Islands wasted them so that they were left almost quite desolate Donald finding his weakness betakes him to treacherous courses and striking in with Carance the Kings brother they instigated two Ruffians to Murther him both which were tormented to death The 11 th year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 32. To him succeeded his youngest Brother Donald the 2 d A. D. 264. An excellent Prince while he was preparing to reveng his Brothers death he heard that Donald of the Isles had made an inroad upon Murray not in the quality of a Robber but of a King Where upon commanding the strength of the Kingdom to follow him he went against him with those forces he had in readiness which Donald hearing of took such tedious marches that he was close upon the Kings Camp before any was a ware which obliged the King to fight but the inequality of their number was such that the King was defeated most of his men killed himself being wounded with several of his Nobles were taken He dyed the third day after partly of his wounds and partly of Melancholy the first year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 33 Donald Lord of the Isles usurped the Crown A. D. 265. excercising much cruelty none dared to oppose him having so many of the Nobility his prisoners whom he threatned upon every provocation to kill At length Crathelinth Son to King Findochus who having lurked long with his Nurse and was believed to be dead having gathered a few subtil men together went directly to Donalds Court who dissembling both his name and quality became in a short time very intimate with him but when he found his opportunity he put an end to the Tyrants days the 12 th year of his Reign conveying himself and his followers away undiscovered There was all this time a sore Persecution of the Christians under the Emperor Decius 34. Crathelinth was set upon his Fathers Throne A. D. 277. A Valiant and religious King He first caused all the late Tyrants Race to be Razed to the foundation for preventing the mischief might follow he also purged the Land of Superstitions planting the true Christian Religion This King having peace on all sides he addicted himself much to hunting one day as he was at his sport one of the Picts stole away a Dog in which he greatly delighted but the keeper of the Kings dogs being informed where he was kept went to take him and striving to take him by force was killed in the place which was the beginning of a sad war that lasted a long time but at last by
Noble and Wise Prince in the thirteenth year of his Reign He was buried in the Charter-house of Perth which he himself had founded 103. The three Estates of the Kingdom set the Crown upon the Head of James the second at Holy-rood-house while yet a Child in the sixth year of his Age A. D. 1437. The Government is intrusted to Alexander Levingston of Calander and the Custody of the Kings Person to Sir William Crichtoun Whereupon Archibald Earl of Douglass grudging that these Honours had been conferred upon Men far below himself retired home and gave Orders that none of his Vassals should acknowledge the present Government also he used all means to weaken the hands of the Chancellor and Governour sowing by his Instruments the Seeds of Division between them which accordingly answered Expectation they begin to cross and Counter-act one another which made them at length that neither of them was obeyed the Country having usurped a Licencious Liberty doing what he thought best The Queen seeing things thus mis-managed betwixt them and finding that the Chancellor was mostly to blame she at last resolves to change the Game of State To effect her design she came to Edenburgh and with fair Speeches prevailed with the Chancellor to let her enter the Castle and delight her self some days in the Company of her Son after some days staying where having fixed every thing for her purpose she puts the King into a Trunck as if he had been some Fardel of her Apparel and conveys him by water to Sterling presently after Proclamations are made against the Chancellor and he Commanded to render the Castle which he refusing to do he is presently besieged But the two Rulers being better advised considering that Douglass waited to see them undo one another come to an agreement Much about this time the Queen Dowager married James Stewart's Son to the Lord of Lorn the Governour fearing what might follow upon the Novation committed them both to the Castle of Sterling then the Queen began to repent her of her former Courtesies to the Governour resolving once more to Face about which the Chancellor observing lays hold upon the Opportunity and strikes in with her presently they contrived how to take the Prince out of the Governours hands which they after effected thus the King being one Morning hunting in the Park the Governour being at Perth the Chancellor coming to him by the Queens assistance prevails with him to go to Edenburgh and take the Government upon himself which when the Governour hears of he very calmly came to Edenburgh where the Chancellor and he becometh Friends The great Confusions that were in the Country did necessitate the the calling of a Parliament where many grievous Complaints were brought against several Oppressors and among the rest William Earl of Douglass Son to Archibald was represented as the Source whence the Miseries of the Country sprang The Parliament resolve to proceed against him by way of Rigour but the Governor and the Chancellor advise them rather to write a fair Letter to him and invite him by fair means to come in and submit which was accordingly done and wrought so effectually upon him that he resolves presently to obey hoping thereby to get himself set up He upon his arrival was together with his Brother David and Sir Malcolm Flyming of Cummerald with great Ceremony conducted by the Governour to the Castle of Edenburgh where the King was at this Table he was set to Dine this so elevated his Heart that he Blessed himself with the Expectation of other Favours But amidst these Entertainments behold the Instability of Fortune near the end of the Banquet the Head of a Bull which was the sign of present Death in those days is set down before him At which sudden Spectacle he leapt from the Table all agast but he is presently seized upon by armed Men who led him to the outer Court of the Castle and notwithstanding the Tears and Crys of the young King that they might spare his Life he together with his Brother and Flyming had their Heads cut off This Act left Grief and Terror in the Hearts of the People who ever after hated the Actors of the Tragedy The Kings Nonage being now near expired he takes the Government upon himself and finding the two Rulers being so long settled in the Government not to be Ambitious and Head-strong he resolves to entertain another Faction more powerful than they So setting his thoughts upon William Earl of Douglass Son to the Baron of Abercon him he received into Favour This sudden change of Court moved the two Rulers to withdraw after which they were both removed from their Offices and at last summoned before the King to answer such things as they should be Legally accused of They finding that there was a design upon them did not appear Whereupon they were both forfeited This produced great Confusion in the State all being divided into Factions and Parties Whereupon followed much Effusion of Blood especially between the Layndsays and the Ogletives Douglass to keep himself high did much abett these Broils making his own use of them yet not long after the Chancellor notwithstanding Douglass's power and Policy is restored to his Fortune and Dignity The King being setled upon the Throne married Mary Daughter to the Duke of Gnilders soon after the Peace with England expired and the Borders of both Kingdoms break and mutually invade each other which issued in a Truce for seven yeers But this Truce stood not long both Nations being equally inclined to break it Whereupon after several Incursions on both sides at last they came to a Battel The Scots were Commanded by the Earl of Ormond the English by the Earl of Northumberland Magnus Red-beard a man trained from his Youth in the Wars of France who is said to have required no more for his Service to the Crown of England then that by his own Valour he must Conquer of Scotland Here it is valiantly fought for a long time with doubtful Victory till at length Magnus being killed it inclined to the Scots the loss of the English was great many brave Men being killed and taken Prisoners upon their side but the Scots lost few of any Note except Cragy Wallace This Battel brought on a Truce for three years This Victory no sooner was obtained and thereby Peace abroad but presently they fall out at home this Douglass being always the first mover of strife But now finding himself over-powered by Adversaries both at Court and in the Country he leaveth the Kingdom and goeth to Rome he was not long gone but by the means of his Enemies he is cited to appear before the Council upon several days together with his Brother and Vassals to answer such things as should be objected against them and upon not appearing are all denounced Rebels the Earl of Douglass hearing of this unexpected News at Rome takes a Journey and comes to the Borders of Scotland whence he sent
sent to bring home the Queen he was no sooner gone then his Interest at Court began to fall for a Parliament being called the Lord Boyd and his Brother Sir Alexander are summoned to appear thereupon he distrusting this Case fled to England but his Brother was taken and Arraigned the Earl of Arran also though absent is declared a Rebel The Queen arriving with her fleet arriving in the Ferth My Lady Arran went aboard in disguise and informed her Husband of the calamity of his House perswaded him to do for himself whereupon he hoisted Sails and returned with his Lady to Denmark The King sendeth Letters full of promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland which when she did she was constrained to be divorced from her Husband and to Marry James Lord Hamilton not long after the Earl of Arran dyed in great misery at Antwerp Queen Margaret the third year after her Marriage brought forth a Son who was named James the King of Denmark to Congratulate the happy delivery of his Daughter released all his claims to the Isles of Orkney and Sherland but in the midst of this calm a cloud begins to overcast the Kings Splendor for his Brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless spirits they set themselves altogether to study Novelties and to bring him into contempt with his Subjects to this end they had drawn away many of the young Nobility and Gentry to follow them The King was Naturally Superstitious giving much head to divinations which gave also his Brothers occasion to vilifie him and incense his people against him yea the Earl of Marre became so Insolent that in the Kings own presence he began to raile against the Government of the state and Court which the King highly resenting caused to Imprison him where he fell in a high Fever whereof he dyed The Duke of Albany imputed the death of his Brother to the Court party but while he was keeping his Cabals in order to an Insurrection he was surprised and Imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh out of which he soon after made his escape to France thence he came to England and began to tamper with King Edward revealing to him the weakness of the Kingdom of Scotland and how easily it might be subdued the Nobility not respecting the King but much affecting a change in the Government which by his assistance might easily be effected he promised also to settle a corespondence with the Nobles of Scotland which he did then that they might get their design wrought gives way for the breaking loose of the Borders fierce incursions are made by the English upon Scotland and by the Scots upon the English and the discontented Nobility blame the King for all thereupon pretending the necessity of the times and the danger the Kingdom was in they entered into a Bond of association after which they enter the Kings bed chamber where they seized some of his Servants in his presence and put them to death as incendiaries in the state About this time the Duke of Gloucester set forward toward Scotland with two and twenty thousand men finding Berwick two strong for him he marches directly to Edenburgh there by publick writings at the Market places he gave out high demands all which King James being shut up in Edenburgh Castle answered with silence the disatisfied Lords having obtained what they chiefly aimed at wished the English at home again therefore they desire a peace with them which the Duke of Gloucester granted upon condition that all his demands were satisfied one of which was to reinstall the Duke of Albany which after much debate was granted and he with his Army returned home The Duke of Albany having recovered his Estate and Honours his first work was to restore the King to his Prerogatives reconciling him to his discontented Lords but he himself stood not long in his favour for by the advice of some of his Enemies about the King a Plot is resolved upon to bring the Duke within compass of Law which he being aware of fled to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester his grievancies in his absence he is convinced of many points of Treason whereupon he and the Lord Crightton his Associate are both forfeited which when he heard he presently caused to give up the Castle of Dunbar whereof he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately put a Garison in it Not long after the said King Edward dyed and his Brother Richard Duke of Gloucester Succeeded The Duke of Albany obtains five hundred Horse from King Richard with which he came with the old Earl of Douglass to Lochmabban to surprise a Fair which was held there whereupon the Laird of Johnston who was warden dispatched Posts about for supply of men with which he Encountred the Duke here it is most Couragously fought on both sides but at last the English are quite routed the Duke hardly by swiftness of his Horse escaped but the Earl of Dowglass is taken and brought in Triumph to Edenburgh where the King adjudged him to perpetual confinement soon after followed a Truce with England for three years but before the time was expired Henry Earl of Richmond came with some Companies out of France of which that Famous warriour Bernard Stewart Lord Albany Brother to the Lord Darnly had the leading which by the resort of his Country men turned into an Army and Rencountred Richard at Bosworth where he was killed and Henry Proclaimed King of England King James taking advantage of this change besieged Dunbar which was soon surrendred upon Articles After this King Henry sent Embassadors to King James to agree if possible upon a lasting and firm Peace between the two Crowns at length after some difficulty they agree upon a Truce for seven years The King having settled a Peace with England betakes himself to the Exercise of Religion having founded a Colledge for divine Service in the Castle of Sterling he endeavoured to annex the Priory of Goldingham to it The Priors of this Convent having for many years been of the Name of Humealedged that they were wronged of their Right First they began to Petition but finding this uneffectual they began to associate with their Neighbours giving it out that the King was a meer Tyrant not to be trusted by which means many of the Hearts of the Subjects were alienated from the King The King understanding how things stood he made choice of a Guard to defend his Person resolving to live beyond the River Ferth of which when the Lords of the Insurrection were certified they surprize the Castle Dunbar and tumultuously over-run the Countries besouth the Ferth Thus coming to Lithgow they resolved to make the Duke of Rothesay the Kings own Son their Head whom having corrupted his Keepers with Bribes they constrained to go with them But the King loosing neither Courage nor Councel passeth the Ferth near Blackness with his Forces before his arrival at this place
to set forward as he was at his Devotion an Ancient man came in in a very strange and Majestick manner and of a comly and reverent aspect who having enquired for the King he intruded himself Prease passing through till he eame to him with a Clounish Simplicity leaning over the Canons Seat where the King Sat Sir said he I am sent hither to intreat you for this time to delay your expedition and to proceed no farther in your intended Journey For if you do you shall not prosper in your Enterprize nor any of your Followers I am further Charged to warn you if you be so Refractory as to go forward not to use the Acquaintance Company or Councel of Women as you tender your Honour Life and Estate Having delivered his Commission he withdrew himself among the croud but could never be seen again the Queen also did greatly shake his resolutions with her Tears and Prayers acquainting him with the Visions and affrightments of her sleep but he laughed at all these fancies thinking them to be only the contrivance of such as hated the French and loved the English faction so he gave present Orders to his Army to March over the Tweed not staying till his whole Forces came to him though they were upon their March yet for all his hast when once he had passed the River he trifled away his time so idly that many of his Souldiers wanting necessarie provision returned home which the Nobility seeing advised the King to returne also having spoiled that Country sufficiently already but he would hear no such advice though at last his Army was brought so low that he had none almost left but the Nobility and their Attendants The English Army Commanded by the Earl of Surrey consisting of twenty eight thousand men were come by this time within three miles of the place where the Scotish army was incamped which made them draw to their arms The Earl of Surreys Vanguard passed the water of Till at Twysel Bridge King James seeing them pass the water imagineth that they intended to gain a hill between his Camp and them To prevent which he removed to another Hill whilst the Scotish Army was removing the English advance to the foot of Flondon Hill The fatal hour of the two armies approaching one another the English draw up in good order in two Battels one of which was equal in number to the whole Scotish army the Scots by their fewness of number not being able to Order many Battalions Marshal themselves in four three of which to enter the Fight and the fourth to attend for supply the King commanded the middle or main Battel the Earl of Huntly the Right wing and the Earls of Cranford and Montross the left the third Battalion was commanded by the Earl of Lennox and the Earl of Argyle and the reserved by the Earl of Bothwel The Earl of Huntly making down the Hill where they incamped encountred a wing of the English Van led by Sir Edmund Howard which after a furious and long Fight he put to flight the Battalion led by the Earls of Lennox Argyle being High-Land Men incouraged with this glance of Victory loosing their Ranks brake furiously upon the Enemy invading them in the Face of them they were not only valiantly received but Hedged in on all hands and miserably destroyed The main Battel which the King led being joyned by the Earl of Bothwel fought it out couragiously Body against Body and Sword to Sword great numbers falling upon both sides till the darkness of the Night as it were by mutual Consent forced a Retreat neither of them knowing unto whom Victory pertained Many brave Scots did here fall esteemed to be above five thousand of the Noblest and worthiest Families of the Kingdom neither was the loss of the English less in number but most part of them being common Soldiers was thought little of About the dawning of the next Morning the Lord Dacres with his Troops taking a view of the Field and seeing the Brazen Ordnance of the Scots not carried off sendeth speedy Advertisement to the pensive Army inviting all to the setting up of Trophies What the Kings fate was is uncertain the English hold that he was killed in this Battel the Scots that many in like Arms with the like Guards were killed every one of which was taken for the King Among others Alexander Lord Elphingston one of his Favourites being not unlike the King in Face and Stature and representing him in his Armour in the Field with the Valiantest and most Couragious of the Army fought it out and Acting heroically his part as a King was killed heaps of dead Bodies invironing his In the search where the fight was the number Tallness and the Furniture of the dead Bodies being observed their Faces and Wounds viewed His Body as if it yet breathed Majesty was amidst the others selected thought to be his Master brought to Berwick and imbalmed That it was not the Kings Body his Iron Chain which he always wore and was not there found about him gave Testimony Others have recorded that the Fortune of the day inclining to the English four Tall men mounted upon lusty Horses wearing upon the tops of their Lances for Cognizance Streamers of Straw mounting the King upon a Sorrel Hackney conveyed him far from the place of fight and after that he was seen beyond the Tweed between Kelso and Dunce after which what became of him was uncertain Many think that he was killed in the Castle of Hume either by Intelligence between the English and the Humes or in hopes of great Fortunes which would follow Innovations and Confusions in the State To this is added that one Carbreth in the time of John Duke of Albanies Government vaunted that however the Governour wronged the Humes yet he was one of those who had abated the Insolency of King James and made him know that he was a Mortal all which increased the Suspicion of many The Governour not long after cut off the Heads of the Earl of Hume and his Brother without any known cause This noble Prince was lost the twenty fifth year of his Reign 106. The fatal overthrow of the King and Nobility filled the remnant of the State with great sorrow and perplexity the Heads and fairest parts which Majesty Authority and Wisdom had made eminent were cut off and nothing but some turbulent Church-men Orphan-Noblemen and timerous Citizens left to fill their Room In this maze of perplexity James the Prince is set upon the Throne A. D. 1514. And is committed to the Tutelage of his Mother together with the Government of the Realm But the Government of a Woman and a Child over a Head-strong People could not stand long firm A hot Contest arose among the Clergy for the Archbishop-Prick of S. Andrews three being put in at one time one by the Pope another by the Queen and a third by the Chapter the State was in as bad Case Alexander
like number from France these two Armies grievously infested the Country The next Year the Queen was at Six years of Age Transported by the West Seas into France escaping the English Fleet that watched for her about Calice and soon after Married to the Daulphine However the Reformation goes on notwithstanding the Queen-Mother who is now stiled Queen-Regent her opposition She was Assisted in her Designs by the French as the Reformers were also by the English but her Death put a stop to the Persecution which gave the Protestants opportunity of putting things in order relating to the Worship of God Great Preparations were making in France for invading of Scotland and root out the Reformed Religion This terrified the Reformers mightily but while they were in a Consternation not knowing what to do the King of France Dyed and their Queen remained a Widdow this was a great Deliverance to them for by his Death the intended Invasion came to nothing Soon after the Queen comes Home and sets up Mass in her Chappel which the Reformers opposed This bred much confusion in the State but the Queen finding that the Body of the People with most part of the Nobility were against her Way she became a little more calm condescending that some Maintenance might be settled upon the Ministers About this time the Earl of Huntly breaks out in a Rebellion in the North to oppose which the Queen went her self in Person and Routed him near Aberdeen his Sons and many of his Friends being Slain himself also Dying in the place without any Wound The Easter following Mass began to be very publick at Edinburgh which so incensed the Lords and others That they Imprisoned several Priests The Queen began to Storm at this but they told her That what they did was according to Law and they would Justify it in Parliament In July 1564. The Earl of Lenox with his Son Henry Stewart Lord Darly return from England and were very graciously received by the Queen who took such Affection to Darly that she Posts away Lethington to Queen Elizabeth shewing her That she meant to Marry him Queen Elizabeth pretending her disliking of such Contracts of Princes with Subjects labours to diswade her from it but under-hand promotes it for her own ends The Queen with some difficulty gets her intended Marriage ratified in Parliament which was afterward Proclaimed by name Henry and Mary King and Queen of Scotland and Solemnized the Twenty-Seventh of July 1565. This procures great Alterations in the State for several Lords and Gentlemen of the Reformation being Summoned to Appear before the King and Queen and upon Non-appearance were declared Rebels Whereupon the King and Queen presently take Armes the Lords with their Intention fled into England where they stayed a while under Queen Elizabeth's Protection who afterward dismissed them writing to the King and Queen in their Favours at length they came to an Agreement which yet continued not long For the King beginning to be jealous of the daily resort of French-men to Court and of their great Favor with the Queen caused one of them called Rizio who from a Musitian was advanced to be the Queen's Secretary for French to be seized in her Chamber and presently put to Death and finding that this Action brought him under the odium of the Papists he made a shew of turning Protestant calling home several of the Banished Lords and others But however from that day he began to be despised by the Queen and Bothwel is advanced The Nineteenth of June 1566. The Queen at Edinburg was Delivered of a Son to the great Joy of all the Kingdom he was Baptized at Sterlin December the Seventeenth and called James the Witnesses were the Earl of Bedford for Queen Elizabeth who in her Name presented a Font of pure Gold valued at Three Thousand Crowns the Count de Briance for the French King and an Ambassador for the Duke of Savoy The King finding himself daily slighted by the Queen repaired to his Father at Glasgow where by the way he was taken very Ill with a Pain in his Stomack when he came to Glasgow his Body breaks out in blewish Blisters which when the Physitians saw they knew him to have been Poisoned but with their Antidotes and his own vigorous Youth he Recovered Not long after the Queen Visited him at Glasgow and prevailed with him to come to Edinburg he Lodged in the Kirk-Field for his Health as was pretended But many suspected that the Earl of Bothwel had a Design upon him but few durst adventure to tell him of it Yet the Earl of Orkney told him That if he retired not hastily out of that Place it would cost him his Life this Advertisement moved the Earl of Bothwel to hasten forward his Enterprize laying a Train of Powder under the House where the King lay which in the Night time did Blow it up but it was said That the King was taken forth and brought Alive to a Stable where a Napkin was stopped in his Mouth and he therewith Suffocated Presently after Bothwel obtains a Divorce from the Pope to free him of his Wife and was Married to the Queen May the Fifteenth 1567. Whereupon the Lords take Armes the Queen and Bothwel being at Dumbar resolving to call him to an Account for what was past the Queen also and he sent to their Friends to come to their Defence the two Armies Faces each other at Seaton Then Bothwel steps out upon Horse-back between the Armies offering to Fight with any that durst Charge him with that foul Aspersion of Murdering the King James Murray offers the Combat but he is refused as not equal in Honour then his Brother the Laird of Tully-Bardine Accepts the Challenge him he refuseth because he was not a Noble-man then the Lord Lyndsay presents himself telling him That he was his Equal every way but the Queen recalled Bothwel and would not suffer them to Fight In fine the Queen finding the Confederates resolute and their Number exceeding her own she desires Bothwel to shift for himself for that she would put her self in their Hands which accordingly she did and was by them conveyed to Edinburgh and after to the Castle of Lochlevine The Queen of England sends her Ambassador to the Lords desiring That the Queen might have her full Liberty and that the Prince might be sent to England to be Educated At length Matters were wrought to that point that she must of necessity resign the Crown to her Son 108. This young Prince was Crowned at Sterline the Twenty-fourth of July Anno Dom. 1567. at thirteen Months and eight days old The Earls of Morteun and Hume taking the Coronation Oath for him Master Knox also Preached the Coronation Sermon The Earl of Murray is within a Month after created Regent he presently Summons a Parliament wherein divers are Executed as having Accession to the late Kings Murder which occasioned many Factions in the State and much hatred to the Regent In
befooled by perfidious men which brought a great reproach upon Them and their Posterity Though it be false that they Sold him yet it is a sad truth that His Majesty told them that the English would no longer stand to their Agreement than they thought it for their Interest His Majesty being now in the English's hands they at first carried themselves somewhat respectfully to him but they began soon after to appear like themselves having purged the House of Commons of all such as they thought would oppose them they began to keep His Majesty almost a close prisoner in the Isle of Wight The Scots hearing how the King was thus contrary to the promise and engagement abused by the English sent their Commissioners to London to put the Parliament in mind of the agreement at New-Castle but before they came the Game was altered the Parliament being purged by the Army the barbarous Juncto prove unexorable wherefore the Commissioners return home and acquainted the Nobility how matters stood Whereupon an Army is presently listed under the Duke of Hamilton with which he marches to England but is unfortunately overthrown at Preston most of the Souldiers being killed and himself taken prisoner and brought up to London where not long after he together with the Earl of Holland and Lord Capel were Executed on Tower-hill Within a few days his Majesty is brought from the Isle of Wight to Windsor during his abode there the Officers of the Army and the Members they left in the House proceeded to that height of Insolence as to bring the King to a Tryal Which when it was Voted and passed in the pretended House of Commons they proceeded to make an Act for the Tryal of his Sacred Majesty which they intituled An Act of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament for Erecting of an High Court of Justice for Trying and Judging Charles Stewart King of England This Terrible form of proceeding against his Majesty struck great terrour to the hearts of all sober and good men yea the Presbyterian Ministers who before were against him now declare themselves both in their Pulpits and by earnest Petitions to the Parliament to be zealous abhorrers of the Kings Death and every where make publick Protestations against the Tryal yet nevertheless the Juncto goes on And upon Fryday January the 19 th 1648. his Majesty was brought by a strong Guard of Horse from Windsor to St. James's and from thence to Westminster where he was Tryed and found Guilty contrary to the Laws of God and Man And upon January the 30 th about two a Clock in the Afternoon he submitted his Royal Neck to the Fatal stroak upon a Scaffold Erected between White-Hall Gate and the Gate leading to the Gallery to St. Jameses The 24 th year of his Reign he was Interr'd in St. Georges Chappel at Windsor His sacred Majesty that now Reigns being at this time in France with the Queen Mother is by Unanimous consent of all his Subjects in Scotland proclaimed at Edenburg Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Scotland England France and Ireland c. and presently after they sent their Commissioners to treat with His Majesty who was then in the Isle of Jerzey After much debating on both sides at last Breda in Holland is agreed upon as a fit place for a solemn Treaty Here the Commissioners from the Church and State met the King and delivered the Propositions During the Treaty the above-mentioned Marquess of Montross was seized in Scotland and Executed which troubled his Majesty so much that it went nigh to break the Treaty but at length through the urgency of Affairs it was concluded And being brought to Edenburgh it was agreed that another Message should be sent to invite the King over to take Possession of the Crown which was his own by an unquestionable Title but the English Parliament replyed If they could hinder it it should not be so Wherefore they prepare an Army to invade Scotland under the command of their General Oliver Cromwell However the Scots no wise daunted at the Storms threatned from England resolved to adhere to his Majesty though upon their own terms The King arriving at the mouth of Spey in the North several Lords were sent to accompany him to Edenburgh but in the mean time Cromwell was advanced as far as Haddington against him Sir David Lâ—sly sent Sir John Brown with a Party of Horse which continued skirmishing for some while but produced no great Effect The next Rencounter was at Dumbar where the Scots had a Bloody Overthrow from Cromwel which did exceedingly strengthen his Interest in Scotland The first work that the Scots went about after this disaster was the Coronation of the King which was done at Scone with as great Solemnity as the state of Affairs could allow The Ceremony being over His Majesty removed to Sterling resolving to debate his right to Cromwell where people of all ranks flocked to him insomuch as in a short time he had an Army of 22000 Men but they dividing amongst themselves gave Cromwel opportunity to pass over forthwith defeating a part of the Kings Army at Innerkething possest himself of the whole Country His Majesty seeing after the defeat that Cromwel was like to Conquer all Scotland makes choyce of his most faithful Friends to venture with him into England where he might with more safety and advantage hazard three Kingdoms than in a Field wherefore with 16000 men he privately marched to England by the way of Carlyle and without any considerable opposition came to Lancashire where at Warrington Bridge some considerable Forces of the Parliament were ready to cut down the Bridg but the Scots were with them so suddenly that they prevented the breaking down of the Bridg forced their way over the Planks Hence his Majesty marched to Worcester in very good order Cromwel hearing of his motions sends Lambâ—rt with a select Party of Horse after him the Parliament also raised numerous Forces in most Countryes in England all which marched to Worcester against the King In the mean time Lambert gained a most Advantagious Pass at Hopâ—on by a desperate attempt having caused some of his Troopers to swim the River on Horseback carrying their Houlsters and Pistols in their hands to save them from wet whereby they put Major General Massey and his men to the retreat So that the Parliamentarians had a fair opportunity to make a Bridge over the River over which Cromwel passed and joyned the rest of the Army which put the King upon a necessity of Fighting the City being attacked on all sides Whereupon his Majesty marched out of the City with horse and foot against them Where followed a most desperate engagement insomuch that his Majesties Horse was twice shot under him every man resolving to dye in the Bed of Honour rather than to have their Prince and Country thus trod upon by the base Usurpers But the Enemy still advancing with