Hepburn came with fresh Men to the Scots Whereupon the English retreated leaving eighteen hundred of their Men dead in the place and a hundred and forty taken Prisoners among which were the two Peircies above mentioned But the Valiant Earl of Douglass dyed in this Battel being thrice run through the Body and Mortally wounded in his Head which was a greater loss and Grief to his Nation then the gain of this Victory could ballance The next year a Parliament was called at Perth wherein Robert Earl of Fife the Kings second Son was elected Governor the King himself by reason of his great Age not being able to Govern He was a Valiant Victorious and fortunate Prince in all his Wars for his Governours and Captains returned always with Victory He was very constant and a great Iustitiar hearing patiently the Complaints of the Poor causing all wrongs to be redressed He dyed peaceably in the Castle of Dun-Donald the seventy fifth year of his Age and the nineteenth year of his Reign The same year John his eldest Son was called to succeed who thinking that Name ominous to Kings and there wanted not Examples as of him of England and him of France and thinking something of the Felicity of the two former Roberts was Crowned by the Name of 101. Robert the third A. D. 1390. He was more remarkable for his Peaceableness and Modesty then for any other Vertue the first seven years of his Reign were past in Peace by reason of his Truce with England but not without some fierce Fiends among his Subjects especially the Clankays and Clanchattes the King seeing the Difficulty of reducing them made this Proposition to them that three hundred of each side should try it by Dint of Sword before the King the Conquered to be pardoned and the Conqueror advanced this being agreed to a place was appointed upon the North-side of Perth but when the Clans presented themselves there was one of one side missing whom then his party could not supply A Trades-man steps out and for half a French Crown and promise of Maintenance during his Life filled up the Company The first was furious but none behaved himself more furiously then the other Mercenary Champion who was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side their remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the stroak of the other threw himself in the Tay and escaped with his Life By this means the fiercest of the two Clans being cut off the remainder being Headless were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes which was the first time that Title was known in Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of his Reign tho' the Truce was not expired yet the Seeds of War began to bud upon this occasion George Earl of March betrothed his eldest Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Douglass incensed at this got a Vote of Parliament to revoke this Marriage and giving a greater sum of Money got a Marriage confirmed in Parliament betwixt David and Mary his Daughter The Earl of March nettled at this demands Redress but not being heard he leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Percy who with his Assistance did much hurt to the Lands of the Douglasses the Scots declare the Earl of March an Enemy and sends to demand him of the English which they refusing several Incursions happened upon both sides till at length Piercy was defeated by the Douglass's at Lynton-bridge At this time David Earl of Cravford and the Lord Welles in England ingaged to run certain Courses on Horse-back with sharp Spears for Life and Death upon London-bridge which they performed most gallantly The People Perceiving the Earl of Cravford to sit so stifly cryed the Scotch man was lock'd in his Saddle he hearing this leapt out of the Saddle upon the Ground and presently mounted again to the great wonder of the Beholders The second time they run without any hurt but the third time the Lord Welles was beat out of his Saddle and sorely hurt with the fall By this time the Queen dying her Son David who for his Extravagancies was by her means kept under restraint broke out into his former disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and wickedness complaint being brought to his Father he committed him to his brother Robert this Design was to root out all that Off-Spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Faulkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one Woman thrusting in some Oaten Cakes at a Chink and another giving him Milk out of her Breasts through a Trunk but both these being discovered the Youth being forced to tear his own Flesh dyed of a multiplyed Death which Murder being whispered to the King he was so abused by the false Representations of his Brother that Grief and Imprecations was all the relief that he had left him and being now retired sickly to Boot Castle and unable to punish him The King therefore Solicitous to preserve James his youngest Son is resolved to send him to Charles the sixth of France And having taking shipping at the Bassas he passed by the Promontory of Flambrough and whether he was forced by a Tempest or that he was Sea-sick he was forced to Land there he was taken by the English and detained Prisoner notwithstanding the eight years Truce and tho' it came to be debated at the Councel Table yet his Detention was carried in the Affirmative But the News so struck his aged Father that he had almost presently dyed but being carried to his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and Sorrow He dyed within three days the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Pasley Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour about four years after Donald of the Isles enters Ross as his pretended Inheritance with ten thousand Men which he easily subdued thence he went to Murray and Mastered it also and so went on to Aberdeen to stop this Torrent Alexander Earl of Marr followed by most of the Nobility met him at Harlaw where they joyned in so bloody a Battel and lost so many noble and considerable Persons that tho' Night parted them neither could pretend to the Victory to this year the University of S. Andrews owes it's Rise The English being taken up with a War with France nothing considerable was acted between them and the Scots for ten years after at which time Robert the Governour dyes and Murdoch his Son a very unfit Person was put in his place who suffered his Sons to come to that petulancy that they were not only offensive to the People but with all disobedient to their Father who having a brave Faulcon which his Son Walter had often begged but in vain he
that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered into the hands of the Scots with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Redcross in in Richmondshire the French Ambassadors also proffered great and tempting things withal puting the King in mind how true they have been to him for so many years since the first making of the League The King and his Council after mature deliberation declare they will not break the Ancient League with France whereupon the English Ambassadors turned from Prayers to Threatnings and being denied friendship denounced War But the King no wise moved hereat presently prepared his Ships and with a company of able and skilful Mariners set his Daughter to Sea and having escaped the English Fleet that waited for her safely arrived at the Rochel A. D. 1430. The English to revenge this supposed afront invades Scotland both by Sea and Land against their forces commanded by Henry Piercy of Northumberland went James Dowglass Earle of Angus with several Gentlemen their numbers were much about one the lists of their meeting was Popperden Adam Hepburn of Hales and Alexander Elphinston led the Vanguard of the Scots Sir Richard Piercy and Sir John Ogle of the English Sir Alexander Ramsey of Dalehouse and Henry Clidsdale kept the Rears no sooner came they within distance of Joyning but the sounds of Drums and Trumpets was out noised by the shouts of the Assailants Guns being about this time invented were here first practised between the Scots and English in an open field then the fight with equal order had been long maintained on both sides now the Scots then the English yielding ground many of the Commanders at length began to fall most of the English then was the Piercy at once constrained to be both Commander and Souldier but all would not do at last Victory declared her self altogether for the Scots two hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers of the Scots were slain here Of the English dyed Sir Henry Cliddsdale Sir John Ogle Sir Richard Piercy with fifteen hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers and four hundred taken prisoners of which forty were Knights King James resolving to prosecute this War raised an army and cometh to Roxburgh beseigeth the Castle defended by Sir Ralph Gray But when he came so near his designe that they within were driven to terms to Surrender The Queen in great hast cometh to the Camp representing to her Husband a Conspiracy which if not suddenly prevented would indanger his person and Crown this put the King in great astonishment not knowing what to do at last after many doubtful resolutions and conflicts in his thoughts raiseth the seige disbandeth the Army and accompanied with some chosen bands of his most assured friends Perplexed Pensive and Sad returned to Perth staied in the Convent of the Dominicans indeavouring so secretly as was possible to find out the Conspiracy but his close practising was not unknown to the Conspirators which made them hasten the mischief before tryal or remedy could be thought upon The Conspirators were Robert Graham Robert Stewart Nephew to Waller Earle of Athole and one of the Kings sworn Domesticks but he who gave motion to all was the Earle of Athole he himself the Kings Fatthers Brother this quarrel was no less then a pretended Title to the Crown and being animated by the Oracle of a Southsayer who assured him that he would be Crowned in a solemn Assembly before his death never doubted of success These having associated unto them the most audacious whom hope of preferment might intice Thus Graham and Stewart which were accomplices guided with resolution and guarded with the darkness of the Night came to the Black-fryers of Perth and having the way made open to them entred the Gallery before the Kings chamber door where they attended some of their Confederates who should have stole away the bar by which means they might enter the chamber but before their coming the occasion was put in their hands for Walter Streater one of the Kings Cup bearers came forth of the Chamber and finding armed men rushing rudely to force their entry with a loud voice gave the alarum of Treason while they were working his death a Maid of Honour got to the Door and essayed to shut it but the bar which should have made it fast was gone she thrust in her Arm in the place of it but that easily broken the conspirators rush into the Chamber and slaying all such of the waiters as made defence they at last stroke down the King whom while the Queen by interposing her body sought to save she received two wounds and he with twenty eight most toward the heart was left dead The report of this Murther being spread abroad wrought incredible Sorrow and Grief in the Hearts of his Subjects of all sorts the Nobles of their own accord and motion Assembled to Edenburgh and directed Troops of Armed men through all the quarters of the Kingdom to aprehend the Murtherers such diligence was used that within forty days all were taken and put to Ignominious Deaths the common sort of the Conspirators were hanged upon Gibbits the punishment of Athol was continued for three days the first day he was Stript naked to his shirt and by a Crane fixed in a Cart often hoisted aloft and thus dragged along the great street of the Town on the second day he was mounted upon a Pillar in the Market-place and crowned with a Diadem of burning Iron with this Inscription the King of all Traytors thus was his Oracle accomplished the third day he was laid naked upon a Scaffold his belly ript his Heart and Bowels taken out and thrown in a Fire before his eyes lastly his Head was cut of and fixed in the most Eminent place of the Town his Body sent in quarters to the most populous Cities of the Kingdom to remain a Trophy of Justice His Nephew was not altogether so vigorously handled being only hanged and quartered But it being notorious that Graham had imbrewed his hands in the Kings Blood a Gallows being raised in a Cave he had his Right hand nailed to it and as he was dragged along the Streets Executioners with burning Pincers tearing the most Fleshy part of his Carcass being thus torn and flayed his Heart and Intrals were thrown into a Fire his Head set up and his Quarters sent among the Towns to satisfie the wrath and sorrow of the injured People Being asked during his Torture how he durst embrew his hand in his Princes blood he made answer that having Heaven and Hell before him he dared leap from Heaven into Hell an answer worthy for such a Villain Dueas Sylvius then Legat in Scoltand from the Pope having seen this sudden and Terrible revenge being a Witness of the Execution Said he could not tell whether he should give them greater Commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with a sharper Condemnation that distained themselves with so Hainous a parricide Thus dyed this
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
enough neither had they Ammunition enough to Engage with so strong an Enemy in his own Country that they thought it enough that upon their approaching they made the English retire if not fly for whether they did fly or retire they had suffered as much Wrong as they had done The King finding them thus obstinate returneth with his Army to Edenburgh where he immediately Disbanded them he begins most bitterly to reflect upon the Noble mens refusing to Invade England which was aggravated and abetted by Cardinal Beatâ—n Oliver Sinclave and others The Lord Maxnel seeing the King so highly Offended desired His Majesty to give him Ten Thousand men and he would ingage his Honour to effect something to the King's Satisfaction the King thanketh him for his Offer appointeth a Rendezvous upon the West Marches No Proclamations are divulged for the levies of Men but close Letters sent The Cardinal and the Earl of Arran March towards Haddingtoun and the East Borders and several Earls Lords and Barons accompanied with the King 's Domestick Servants ride to the West Borders The Night before they rode the King himself came to Lochmabban to attend the Event Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches much troubled at such a frequent Assembly of the Scottish Riders raising the Power of the Country placeth them by a Hill where he might take a view of the Forces The Scottish Lords beholding the English putting themselves in a Fighting posture desire to know the King's Lieutenant-General whereupon Oliver Sinclave is mounted upon crossed Pikes and the Commission read wherein he is designed to be Lieutenant and all Commanded in the King's Name to follow him No sooner began the Commission to be read but such a Tumult and confused Clamour arose in the Army that there was no Order kept every thing running in Confusion The English taking advantage of the Disorder brake in among them while they stand in Amaze doubting whether to Fly or Stand. Here is a general Surprize most part willingly rendering themselves to the English without any shew of Defence many of the Nobility and Gentry were taken and carried Prisoners to London where they remained till after the King's Death The certainty of this voluntary Defeat coming to the King at Lockmabban so Stupified and Astonished him that he had neither Council nor Resolution what to follow apprehending by this and their former Actions that the Nobility had Conspired his overthrow After which he came to Faulkland where he gave himself over to Sorrow Now are his Thoughts busied with Revenge as also with rage against his Nobility Long Watchings continual Cares and Passions abstinence from Food and Recreation had so extenuated his Body that pierced with Grief Anguish Impatience Despair he remained affixed to his Bed To Comfort him Letters came from Lithgow to him That his Queen was delivered of a Daughter when he heard it was a Daughter he turned his Face from them that read the Letter and Sighing a Farewel to the World It will end as it began sayes he the Crown came by a Woman and it will go with one The Cardinal put some blank Papers in his hand of which they Composed a Letter-Will which whether he Subscribed or not is uncertain After which he spoke not many Words that could be understood he Dyed the Thirteenth of December Anno Dom. 1542. in the Thirty-Third Year of his Age and Thirty-Second of his Reign not without Suspition of having got an Italian Posset by the Cardinal's means The King was no sooner Dead leaving his young Daughter who was afterward called Mary to Succeed then the Cardinal proclaimed his Last Will wherein were expressed four Protectors or Regents of whom himself was the First and Principal and with him were joyned the Earls of Huntly Argyle and Murry But within a Week after the Chase was turned For the Earl of Arran being advised by the Lord of Grange who was Treasurer and Master Henry Balneaves with some others caused to Assemble the Peers of the Realm representing to them his undoubted Title to the Government of the Kingdom during the Minority of her to whom by Line he should Succeed if she want Succession of her own body The Cardinal opposed himself and all his Interest against Arran but it was carried by many Voices whereupon Arran was declared Governor and with publick Proclamation invested in his Office A Parliament soon followed wherein the Clergy most violently pressed That severe Edicts might be Published against those they called Hereticks But others Propounding in Parliament whether such of the People as could not speak Latine might not have the Word of their Salvation in the Language they understood as Lawfully as they that understood Latine must have it in that Language it was Voted Affirmative and at last after much debating it passed into an Act That it was free for all Men and Women to Read the Scripture in their own vulgar Tongue and all Acts made to the contrary were rescinded King Henry before the Parliament was ended sent an Ambassador to Scotland whose Embassage was to Contract a perpetual League and Amity between the Two Kingdoms and that all Occasions of Wars might be taken away a Match was proposed by the Ambassador between young Prince Edward and the Queen of Scotland which was by the Governour and Parliament Accepted whereupon they sent their Ambassadors to England where things came so far that both Partyes declared their Agreement in all Particulars except the time when the young Queen should be delivered to the English The Papists foreseeing what would probably follow if the Queen should be put in their Enemy the King of England's hand begin with all their might to Oppose it about this time the Governors base Brother John Hamilton came from France who was very helpful to his brethren the Papists in carrying on all their Affairs At last partly by few promises of great Things and partly by Threatning to declare him an Enemy to Holy-Church if he complied not they make him Condescend to break with England whereupon ensued great and bloody Wars between the Two Kingdoms for King Henry immediately sent a strong Army to Scotland who came as far as Edenburgh committing great Hostilities In compensation of which the Scots enter England Burning and Destroying all before them returning again with great Spoil Mr. George Wishart being by Cardinal Beaton burnt Alive for the Protestant Religion the said Cardinal was surprized by Norman Loslie Master of Rothes William Kirkaldie of Grange and John Loslie of Park-Hill in his Castle of St. Andrews and put to Death Possessing themselves of the Castle for their Security knowing that now they were to have many and powerful Enemies which accordingly fell out for the Papists procure an Army from France under the conduct of Monsieur Deosel who besieged the Castle and soon after took it King Henry being now Dead his Son King Edward sent an Army of Ten Thousand Men to Scotland The Popish Party there procures the
means of one Caransius a Roman who was afterward King of Britain they made peace King Crathelinth passed the rest of his days in peace and dyed the 24 year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 35. To him succeeded his Cousin German Fincormach A. D. 301. A Prince both Pious and Valiant he Joyned with the Britains against the Romans and after a most Bloody battel routed them pursuing them as far as Yorke Having procured Peace abroad he wholly applyed himself to the utter extirpating of Idolatry In his days fell out the ninth Persecution under Aurelius and the tenth under Dioclesian which gave occasion to many Christians from divers parts of the Empire now a second time to flee to Scotland for refuge as they had done once before under Domitian Among those Fugitives who fled thither for shelter from the general Massacre were many excellent men in Piety and Learning whom the King not only did kindly receive but also imployed to assist him and his council in the further setling of Christianity in his Dominion and in the total Extirpation of Idolatry out of it which was so much the harder work because of the Druides the principal false Prophets and Idolatrous Priests of those days who not only by their subtil Hypocrisy and sence pleasing Divine service but also by a cunning forcast having drawn into their hands the hearing and determining of Civel affairs had so gained upon the spirits of the Poor and Simple people that they could not imagine how to be without them and live The resolute care and labour of this gracious King and his Council together with the help of these Pious and Learned men prevailed at last utterly to overthrow and abolish the Groves with the Alters under the Oaks and all Idol service and to Establish the pure worship of God in all places of his Dominions filling the Rooms of these false Prophets with Godly and Learned teachers among the people which was done in all places throughout the Kingdom but especially in the Islands which those Pious men took for their particular abode as being most fit for a retired life and namely in the Isle of Man the King caused a Church to be built to the honour of our Saviour these Holy men were for their labouring so much in Gods worship called Colidei or Culdees This good King dyed in peace the 47 year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 36. Romach brothers Son to Crathelinth after a hot debate by the assistance of the Picts possessed himself of the Throne A. D. 348. But proving a cruel Tyrant he was killed by his Nobles the 3 d year of his Reign in his time Christianity began in Ireland 37. Augustian Another of Crathelinth's Brothers sons succeeded A.D. 351. a Valiant and peaceable King The late Kings associates not thinking themselves secure fled to the Picts whom they instigated to make War upon the Scots in revenge of Romacks death Augustian hearing of their purpose sent to Hertanus the King of the Picts acquainting him how dangerous a War betwixt them at that time might prove The Romans and Britains being so apt to take advantage of them when they are low but all would not do whereupon he went against them with his Forces and quite Defeated them killing many of their Nobles Afterward they renewed their strength and came to the Wood of Camelon where the King of Scots with his Army lay where they fought a most bloody battel on both sides both the Kings were killed with many of their Nobles in the third year of his Reign He was buried in Dunstaffage without Succession 38. Fethelmack The youngest of Crathelinths Brothers Sons Succeeded A. D. 354. A Valiant Prince he scarcely Reigned two years when having raised an Army he went against the Picts and gave them a most fatal overthrow killing their King in Battel he was afterward Trayterously murthered in his bed by two perfidious Picts who insinuated themselves into his favour with the assistance of an Harper the groans of the dying King being over heard by his Servants they came rushing into the Room where they took the Villains in the very Act of their cruelty who were afterward tormented to death At this time St Andrews Church was built by the King of the Picts at the request of St Rewell he dyed the third year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 39. To him Succeeded Ewin the first Son to Fincormach A. D. 357. A Valiant Just and good King In his time the Romans resolving to be Masters of the whole Island and to destroy both Scots and Picts first Communicate to the Picts their purpose to Eradicat the Scots and that if they would be assistant therein they should enjoy all their Lands holding it of the Romans They as a base ungratefull people accepted the proffer So that the Scots had now to do with Romans Britains and Picts In the first Battel the Romans and the others were worsted but soon after the Romans renewing their strength with all their Adherents Eugen or Ewen upon the other hand convened all that could bear arms in his Dominions knowing they were to fight for no less then their Country and Liberty They engaged at the River Dun the Battel was most bloody with doubtful success for a while but at last the Scots being over powered with fresh supplies from the Romans were forced to fly leaving the King and his Brother with fifty thousand of their men dead in the Field They fled some to the Isles some to Ireland and Scandia they attempted several times to recover their Countrey but in Vain till at length the King of Picts dying the Roman Legat charged them that they should choose no other King but live under the Roman Government and by Roman laws when they saw this they became some what sensible of their folly and treachery to their best neighbours resolving at length to call them home and Joyne forces them that the one might recover their Country the other their Liberty 40. Echadius the Kings Brother upon the late fatal defeat finding there was no shelter for him in his Country departed with his Son Hutha and his Grandson Fergus to Scandia there they were kindly entertained In process of time Echadius and Hutha dying Fergus became a most Valiant man gained great fame in France and Pannonia To him the Picts sent Embassadors inviting him home promised there assistance toward the recovering of his Country which he readily accepted of and having arrived with a few Danes and Goths in his company the Scots likewise gathering to him he soon regained his Kingdom being Victorious against the Romans in many Battels at last he was killed in Battel by the Romans the sixteenth year of his Raigne and was buried in Icolmkill which was the burial place for the Kings till King Malhiscom Kanmors days having left the Kingdom almost in as bad case as he found it 41. To him Succeeded his son Eugenius the second A.
to the servilest of his Work which they being not able to endure Macduff Earl of Fife Posts to England where he found Malcolm the late Kings Son at King Edwards Court whom he invited home to revenge his Fathers Death and possess the Crown which was his own by right Malcolm suspecting Treachery pretended several excuses to try Macduffs sincerity but when he found him Cordial he declared his Willingness Whereupon getting assistance of Men from King Edward he entred Scotland Macbeth hearing of his arrival went about to oppose him but Macduff surprizing him in his Castle of Dunfinnan killed him with his own hand the seventeenth year of his Reign 86. Malcolm Surnamed Kanmor Son to Duncan the first succeeded A. D. 1057. He was a worthy Prince and in Compensation of their Service and Loyalty in his Restauration created many Earls Lords Barons and Baronets commanding that their Lands should be called after their Names He made also his Thanes Earls many new Surnames began at this time as Calder Lochbart Gordoun Seytown Lander Kennethe Meldrome Schau Liberton Livermond Cargill Strachan Ratray Dundass Meazeis Mertine Cockbourn Lesly Abercromby At this time also William Duke of Normandy conquered England which was the occasion that these Surnames being expelled their Country came to Scotland viz. Ramsay Vans Lindsay Lownal Towres Preston Bissat Foules Wandlaw Maxwell from France came the Names of Frazer Sintcare Boswel Montray Montgomry Boyes Campbel Beaton At this time Walter Son to Fleance came to Scotland who shortly after was created high Steward of the Kingdom King Malcolm was killed at the siege of Anwick by one Robert Moubray who came from the Castle upon a light horse holding in his hand a Lance with the Keys of the Castle upon the point of it King Malcolm looking stedfastly to the Lance the other run him through the Eye with it escaping to the next Wood Whereupon King William changed this Moubrey's Name to Percy King Malcolm dyed the thirty sixth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunfermling 87. Donald the seventh Sirnamed Bane being Malcolm Kanmores Brother usurped the Crown A. D. 1093. But within a year he was expelled by Duncan base Son to the foresaid Malcolm 88. Duncan the second usurped the Crown but did not enjoy it long being killed by Macpendar Earl of Mearnes at Taich by procurement of Donald the seventh who after was Crowned King He gave the North and West Isles to the King of Norway for his assistance to recover the Crown He was taken Captive by Edgar his Successor and put in Prison where after some years he dyed miserably 89. Edgar Malcolm Kanmores Son succeeded A. D. 1098. He was the first anointed King Governing with great Wisdom and Sobriety He dyed the nineteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 90. To him succeeded Alexander the first Sirnamed Fierce A. D. 1107. Soon after his coming to the Throne certain Traitors were by his Chamberlains means let in to his Chamber intending to have killed him in Bed but he being surprised at their noise got out of Bed and caught a Sword in his hand wherewith he killed the Chamberlain and six of the other Traitors the rest hasted away but being pursued and some of them overtaken Confessed that divers of the Nobles were in the Conspiracy them the King pursued killing some and taking others He dyed in Peace the seventeenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 91. To him succeeded his Brother David the first A. D. 1124. He possessed Northumberland and Cumberland Huntington and Westmorland He married Maud Daughter to the Earl of Northumberland who dyed in the flower of her Age for which the King took such Grief that he resolved never to Marry again but gave himself wholly to works of Charity He purged his Court from all Vices so that his whole Family were given to Vertuous Exercises no Rioting nor Drunkeness nor Lascivious or wanton Songs were suffered This Victorious and Religious King dyed in Carlyle the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Dumfermling where King James the first visiting his Tomb called him a Sore Saint to the Crown 92. Malcolm the fourth Sirnamed the Maiden next Heir after King David began his Reign A. D. 1153. A just and mild Prince in the beginning of his Reign there was a great Famine in Scotland whereof many dyed Sumerled Thane of Argyle taking advantage of the present Calamity raised a Rebellion purposing to make himself King but he was soon crush't his Friends killed and himself forced to fly to Ireland soon after being invited to London by King Henry of England under pretence of confirming him in his Title to Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland he carried him with him into France where he had Wars for that time he no sooner was returned home then he made War with England to the great loss of both Kingdoms He dyed at Jedburgh the twelfth year of his Reign 93. To him succeeded William his Brother Sirnamed the Lyon A. D. 1165. He demanded Northumberland which by Right belonged to his Crown to be re-delivered to him which the King of England being taken up with Wars in France durst not altogether refuse but condescended to let him have such parts of it as his Grand-father possest but soon after he was by a Stratagem taken Prisoner at Alunick and sent to France where the King of England was whence not long after he was Ransomed with a sum of Money being returned home he expelled all the Murrays out of Murray-Land for that they were Seditious and Tumultuous in his absence About this time the Pope sent to King William a Sword with the Sheath and Hilts all of Gold set about with precious Stones with a Hat or Diadem giving him the Title of the Defender of the Church After this he retired to Bertha where he stayed not long when by a sudden Inundation of two Rivers Tay and Almond the Towns Walls were beat down the Castle demolished the young Prince and his Nurse with several others drowned the King himself narrowly escaping He founded and built the City of Perth granting to it several great and ample Priviledges He dyed the forty ninth year of his Reign and was buried in Aberbrothick 94. His Son Alexander the second succeeded to him A. D. 1214. Having pacified all Rebellions at home he led his Army into England where having made Peace with King John he married his Sister Afterward he went into France and renewed the old League with this Addition that neither of them should receive or protect the Enemies of the others Kingdom nor Marry with any Stranger without making one another privy thereto In the mean time his Queen dyed without any Succession within a year after he married Mary Daughter to Ingelram Earl of Coucy in France who bare to him Alexander the third in his time came Cardinal Egadius into Britain to beg Money for the Holy War of which he got a great deal but
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
Kings Favourites were impeached amongst which Arch-Bishop Laud was one and soon after him the Earl of Strafford This Year 1641. His Majesty went towards Scotland where he was entertained with great Demonstrations of Affection and confirmed the Treaty between the two Nations by an Act of Parliament which he summoned himself during his abode there In the mean time the horrid Rebellion in Ireland broke out wherein those cruel Butchers did most barbarously murther about 200000. Protestants Men Women and Children The King being then in Scotland moved the Parliament to send thither Sir George Monroe with 2500. men to reduce the Rebels The King being returned from Scotland the Parliament then sitting at Westminster the breach daily grew wider wherefore the Scotish Commissioners interposed between the King and Parliament for composing their differences which were now grown to such a height that the King not long after left London and returned to York Now began the Calamity of a sad War for which they began Vigorously to make preparations on both sides The Scots finding as they pretended that the King was refractory to an Agreement with his Parliament and giving ear to those vile Libels that were spread abroad which accused His Majesty of conniving at the Papists both in England and Ireland being called by the Parliament to their assistance entred England Jan. 16. 1643. their Army being in number 18000. Foot and 2000. Horse In the mean time matters are fitting in Scotland by James Earl afterward Marquess of Montross who having received the Kings Commission by Sir Robert Spotswood to be General Governour of Scotland passed into the heart of the Kingdom where he raised what men he could for the Kings Service resolving with them to divert the Covenanters They upon the other side raised an Army to oppose him Their first Rencounter was near Perth where the Covenanters under the Command of the Lords Elcho Tullibardine and Drumond were quite routed here the Atholmen and Irishmen of which he had 1500. did him good service From thence he marcht Northward to Aberdeen where at the Bridge of Dee he defeated another Body of the Covenanters under the Lord Burleighs command After this Victory he went about most of the Northern Countries and brought a great many of them under Subjection though himself and his Army were reduced to great straits by reason of the coldness of the weather and scarceness of Victuals yet he would not give over his enterprise From thence he marched into Argileshire where he burnt destroyed all before him and returned back again to Lochabor He stayed not long there when hearing that Argile was coming against him and was already the length of Innerlochy He resolves finding his men bent for 't to fight him which accordingly he did and quite worsted him Not long after he had an absolute Victory over General Major Hurry at a place in the Highlands called Aldearn which did very much weaken the Covenanters And Baily resolving revenge at Alford was served with the same sauce himself The next Victory that this Valiant Champion obtained was at Kilsyth a fatal day it was to the Covenanters for here they lost a great many Gentlemen of Quality besides a vast number of common Souldiers yea such of their Leaders as escaped this bout finding as they thought their strength quite gone fled some to England others to Ireland and some also came in and Submitted to Montross upon Mercy Thus things being in humane probability brought to great order Montross receives Orders from the King at Oxford to march Southward with his Army Where His Majesty promised to send him some recruit of Horse to fight Sir David Lesly who was coming from England against Montross But Lâ—sly preventing the Kings recruits surprises Montross at Philiphaugh where he quite routed him Thus the wheele of Fortune turnes now upon this gallant Nobleman who was Conqueror hitherto and forces him with a very few followers to shift for himself leaving many of his Friends dead in this fatal place Montross by this loss being brought very low he marched toward the North with the few men he had and after many endeavours to make up his Army again he is surprised by a Message from His Majesty Commanding him to lay down his Armes and go into France where he should stay till further Orders which accordingly he did though with great reluctancy in the Year 1646. But to return to the Scots Army in England They after they had served the Parliament upon several occasions and particularly at Marston-Moor where they helpt them to obtain a Victory against Prince Rupert retired to New-Castle The King being brought so low that he was hardly able to keep any thing of an Army in the Field came thither in disguise acquainting the Scotish-General That he would now commit himself to him looking upon him as a man of Honour that would do nothing but what is Just and Loyal in a matter of such weight The General answered His Majesty He would with all his heart serve him and that the most effectual service that he thought he could do him was to mediate a Peace between His Majesty and His Parliament The Parliament being Advertised that the King was in the Scotish Army sent their Messengers thither to know upon what account they detained the King of England in their Camp who were only called in to assist the Parliament but not to Act by themselves Telling them further That if the King were in Scotland as he was then in England they would not presume to keep him up from his Subjects there as the Scots did in England the Committee of the Army answered That they knew very well the People of Englands Right to the King to be as good as theirs neither did they detain His Majesty from them but that he was with them as their King in no wise under restraint but at full Liberty as became his Majesty to be And further that it was their earnest desires to see a well-setled Peace between His Majesty and his two Houses Presently after they had another message desiring them to return home for that the Parliament had no further service for them thanking them withal for the Service they had done The Committee replyed that they came not to England without the Parliaments call and that the Terms upon which they were invited thither were not fulfilled by the Parliament their Army wanting almost 500000 l. of their Arrears That upon payment of it they would go home At last it was agreed that the Scots should have 200000 pound of their Arrears in hand and the rest should afterward be sent after them So that within weeks after they would draw the Army out of England As for the Kings Person it was agreed That he should be kept by the English in Honour and Splendor suitable to his Royal Dignity and that nothing should be transacted in England concerning His Majesty without the Advice and Consent of the Scots Thus were they
gave to the Representatives of the Kings of Scotland which was only due to free Princes together with the Judgment of Forreign Princes Lawyers and Historians about it but also to the acknowledgment of the Kings of England themselves 1. King Henry of England having intreated the Assistance of Alexander King of Scotland against Simeon Earl of Leicester did by Letters under his hand publickly declare that he did not crave this Assistance as Superior to which Superiority he had no pretence but to which is very Considerable the King and Parliament of England have treated with the Ambassadors of Scotland whereas no Superior can Treat with his own Vassal as a Forreigner We freely Grant that the Kings of Scotland did hold the Lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland in Capite of the Crown of England which yet was no Disparagment to them that being most ordinary amongst Sovereign Princes for thus Henry King of England and several others of their Kings did Homage to the Kings of France for the Provinces possest by them in France as the King of Spain also doth this day to the Pope for Naples and Sicily And yet the Homage done for those Countries have been the occasion of an Ignorant mistake in some and a malicious Pretence for others to Mis-represent it as done for the Kingdom of Scotland Advertisement By reason of the Authors absence from the Press several Faults have escaped which the Reader is desired to amend A List of the KINGS of SCOTLAND 1 FErgus 2 Ferithar 3 Main 4 Dornadill 5 Hothat 6 Râ—ther 7 Rutha 8 Thereus 9 Josine 10 Finnane 11 Durst 12 Euen 1 13 Gill 14 Euen 2. 15 Eder 16 Euen 3. 17 Metelan 18 Caratack 19 Corbred 1. 20 Dardan 21 Corbred 2. 22 Luctack 23 Mogald 24 Conar 25 Ethod 1. 26 Satrael 27 Donald 1. 28 Ethod 2. 29 Athirck 30 Nathalock 31 Findoch 32 Donald 2. 33 Donald 3. 34. Crathilinth 35 Fincormach 36 Romach 37 Angusian 38 Fethelmach 39 Ewen 1. 40 Fergus 2. 41 Ewen 2. 42 Dongard 43 Constantine 1. 44 Congall 1. 45 Goran 46 Ewen 3. 47 Congall 2. 48 Kinnatell 49 Aidan 50 Kenneth 51 Ewen 4. 52 Ferchard 1. 53 Donald 3. 54 Ferchard 2. 55 Maldwine 56 Ewen 5. 57 Ewen 6. 58 Amberkelleth 59 Ewen 8. 60 Mordach 61 Etfin 62 Ewen 7. 63 Fergus 3. 64 Solvat 65 Achaius 66 Congall 3. 67 Dongall 68 Alpine 69 Kenneth 2. 70 Donald 5. 71 Constantine 2. 72 Eth. 73 Gregory 74 Donald 6. 75 Constantine 3. 76 Malcolm 1. 77 Indulf 78 Duff 72 Culen 80 Kenneth 3. 81 Constantine 4. 82 Grim. 83 Malcolm 2. 84 Donald 7. 85 Macbeth 86 Malcolm 3. 87 Donald Bane 88 Duncan 89 Edgar 90 Alexander 1. 91 David 1. 92 Malcolm 4. 93 William 94 Alexander 2. 95 Alexander 3. 96 John Balliol 97 Robert Bruce 98 David 2. 99 Edward Balliol 100 Robert 2. 101 Robert 3. 102 James 1. 103 James 2. 104 James 3. 105 James 4. 106 James 5. 107 Henry Stewart and Mary Stewart 108 James 6. 109 Charles 1. 110 Charles 2. AN EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND THe Scots by the most judicious Writers and by those who have most carefully studied not only their own Antiquities but those of other Nations are acknowleged although they be not of the greatest to be undoubtedly among the most antient People in Europe But to speak more particularly of their antient Nation we must know that the whole Island 〈◊〉 it is a part was at first called Albion or Albium As Theophrastus Ptolomy Tacitus and Seneca tells us which Name the true race of the ancient Scots retain to this day calling the ancient Country Albin and themselves Albinich always keeping their primitive Name notwithstanding of the many different People that have since inhabited it The Etymology of this Name is disputed by many but it seems to be really derived from Alb or Alp signifying a Hill or high place The antient Inhabitants of the Northern parts of this Island were called Scots who were divided into two sorts the one who were the first Possessors and this Posterity doth inhabit it to this day were called the Scoto-Brigantes Some have taken upon them to be very accurat in giving an Account of their descent and the manner of their coming hither even from the far ends of the Earth but with so little appearance of Truth that I will not put my Reader nor my self to the trouble to refute it The most probable Conjecture and that which carrieth most Evidence with it is that these first Inhabitants came in Colonies from Spain to Ireland nor is it improbable that these Colonies were Originally from France who either for want of Accommodation to live at home or being thrust out by stronger hands came over to Ireland where they continued long for either themselves or their Children desirous of new Habitations transported themselves to the north Islands where they continued in an unsetled Course of Life for a long time the time of their entring Albion is said to have been from the Creation about 3530 years The first place they took Possession of was Argyle they being divided into sundry Tribes elected every Tribe their own Captain to govern them in Peace and War this very name they had in great Veneration Then after about 150 as some write a German or as Beda saith a Scythian Navy arrived upon the coast of Ireland being as is probable beat thither by a Tempest having neither Wives or Children with them the men were in want of every thing having by tedious Sailing consumed all their Provision They sent to the Inhabitants desiring they might have a residence among which they told them they could not afford in regard of the Barrenness of the place and the multitude of Inhabitants that possess it already but that there was a habitable Land called Albion not far from them whether they might go it being for the most part as yet un-inhabited and such as did inhabit it like to ruin one another by civil Discords Those men afterward called Picts following their Advice set Sail and came to that part of Albion that lyes toward Germany and having Landed soon beat out the Inhabitants and made them draw themselves within less bounds Possessing themselves of Caithness Ross Murray Merus Angus Fiffe and Lothian together with Orkney which some say was their first Habitation They were a civil People Ingenious and Crafty both in Peace and War Having fixed their residence they sent Messingers to the Scots desiring their Daughters in Marriage alledging that if they condescended it would highly conduce to the Welfare of both of them being thereby made strong for either an offensive or defensive War with any of their Neigbours This message the Scots at first rejected but upon mature Deliberation they condescended So having agreed upon the Terms which were that they should concur with all their Forces when they were invaded and as often as the Crown of Picts came to want an Heir
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