all means to have gotten Robert Stewart in his hands for he knew that next to King David his Title was best to the Crown Soon after King Edward prepared an Army both by Sea and Land to enter into Scotland but the most part of his Ships Perished in Forth The King returning with Balliol into England left Cumin Earle of Athol Governour who seized upon all the Lands pertaining to Robert Stewart and his Friends but Robert Stewart took the Castle of Dunne and killed all the Englishmen therein at this time the Earle of Murray came from France who together with Robert reduced much of the Country to the obedience of King David chasing the Governour and his Followers to the Mountains but the English entred with a great Army and though a great part of their Army was routed took Perth but their Fleet being harrast at Sea were forced to retreat and the rather in design of a French War but some of the Nobles still standing out the English landed in Murray and reduced all and leaving Balliol returned home the next year the English beseiged Dunbar and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford who were both routed yet the seige continued at last they were forced to raise the seige also having received great loss by the Valour of Robert Stewart Murray in the mean time dying Stewart was created Viceroy till Davids returne who having the first year gained some Victories did the next year take Perth Sterling and the Castle of Edenburgh the Scots gaining all their ground except Berwick In the year 1336. David resolves upon an expedition into England though much disswaded by his council Making John Randolph General himself going disguised Soon after a peace for two years was treated of which David would not accept without the consent of France whereupon marching as far as the County of Durham had his Army quite routed and himself taken Prisoner his Kingdom also in a manner Depopulated with the Plague by this time John of France was also made Prisoner in England the Scots after eleven years Captivity ransomed their King who at his returne punished some of those who had deserted him at Durham and endeavoured to remove the Succession of the Crown from Robert Stewart to whom he was some years after reconciled he spent the last five years of his Reign in composing Domestick feuds Queen Jane daughter to Edward the second of England dying he Marryed Margaret Logy Daughter to Sir John Logy then he purposed to have past to Jerusalem having provided all necessarys for his Voyage but he fell sick of a Feavour in the Castle of Edinburgh whereof he dyed in the fortyth year of his Reign without Succession and was buried in Holyrood-house 100. Robert Stewart the first King of that Name succeeded his mothers Brother A. D. 1378. A Valiant and worthy Prince he Married Eupham Daughter to the Earl of Ross who bare to him David Earl of Strathern Walter Earl of Athol Alexander Earl of Marr with several Daughters After her Death he marries Elizabeth Moor his own Concubine the better to Legitimate Children he had by her he honoured them with Titles and declared them his Successors two years after an Attempt is made upon Berwick and Sir John Lilbourn and 〈…〉 grave Captains of it taken 〈…〉 After this the Earl of Douglass came with twenty thousand Men to the Fair of Pennire within England spoiling all the Goods there but carried away the Pestilence with him whereof many dyed To revenge this the English came with a great Army over Solway destroying all before them mean while the Scots gathered together about five hundred Men. and lay in Ambush till the English returned back then with a sudden noise and Clamour as they passed by they set upon them forcing them back till many were drowned in Solway Not long after Edward King of England dyed whereupon the Duke of Lancaster came into Scotland intreating to have a Peace for three years which Peace being expired My Lord of Galloway laid siege to the Castle of Lochmaban and made himself Master of it defeating a strong party of English who were coming from Carlyle to it's relief King Richard fearing of it sent the Baron of Gray-stock with a Body of Men to fortifie Roxburgh who being within a mile of it he was taken by the Earl of March and carried to Dunbar the same year the strengths of Teviotdale were by the Earl of Douglas recovered out of the English hands soon after which he dyed His Son James succeeding to him went by the Kings Order with an Army into England whence he was presently after Counter-manded home where he found the Admiral of France with two hundred and forty Ships well Man'd come to their Assistance with them they passed into England and took the Castles of Warkford and Corwal And laying siege to Roxburgh and Carlyle the Scots and French could not agree in whose Names the strengths should be kept if they were won which brought the business to nothing Whereupon King Richard in revenge enters Scotland with a great Army and marching through the Mers and Louthian did much hurt But the Earls of Fife Douglas and Galloway followed him into England and secretly passing the Water of Solway came to Cokermouth where in three days time they spoiled the whole Country about and returned safely with great Booty In the year 1388. The King past again into England with an Army at which time the Irish taking their advantage entered Galloway destroying all before them Whereupon William the Lord of Galloways Son pursued them to Ireland and burnt the Town of Carlingfoord and finding sixty Ships in several Harbors loaded fifteen of them with the spoil of the Town and burnt the rest Returning home he spoiled the Isles of Man The next year the King of England sent an Army into Scotland which did much hurt in the Mers revenging this affront King Robert sent two Armies into England the one under the Command of the Earl of Fife entred Cumberland the other led by the Earls of Douglass and March entred Northumberland the two Armies met within two miles of Newcastle The Earl of Douglass chose out ten thousand Men to besiege Newcastle wherein was the Earl of Northumberland with his two Sons Henry Hotspur and Ralph Henry Challenged the Earl of Douglass to fight with him which Douglass accepted off so being mounted upon two starely Horses they assaulted one another desperately at last Douglass beat Peircy out of his Saddle but he was presently rescued and brought into the Town Immediately Douglass assaulted the Town but it was so well defended by the English that he was forced to retire and encamp at Otterburn whither Henry Peircy immediately followed there they fought a bloody Battel until the darkness of the Night parted them but when the Moon began to appear they joyned again with more Fierceness than before Victory inclining sometime to one side and sometimes to another till at last Patrick
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
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
convened his Nobles intending to determine the right of Inheritances which some had unlawfully kept in these unsettled times this begat a Conspiracy which being detected a meeting was held at Perth there by their own Papers many were Convicted and Executed but some Pardoned In the mean time a Legat came from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See to threaten the Scots into a Peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marched as far as Stainmore Edward in revenge raiseth a most powerfull Army Robert therefore considering that his force would not be in case to resist so great a Power caused all the cattel to be carryed unto the Avious retreats of the Hills that they might not be serviceable to the Enemy whereupon the English for want of Victuals were forced to retire Bruce pursues them as far as Yorke there he obtained a great Victory About this time the family of the Hamiltons took their rise one of them killing an English Gentleman fled to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day Bruce now having subdued his enemies begins to compose himself to the cares of Peace and by Act of Parliament settles the Crown upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stewart his Grand-child by his Daughter soon after Thomas Randolph and James Dowglas were sent with a flying party of horse into England from whence they returned without any considerable action saving only that Dowglas with two hundred horse beat up the English quarters cutting two ropes of the Kings Tent with his Sword and made a good retreat Bruce finding himself wasted with Age retyred to the Abby of Kilross leaving these three Counsels behind him First not to let one man Solely command the Ebudae Secondly never to put all their strength at one Hazard with the English Thirdly never to make long Truces with them Thus he dyed leaving Charge with the Valiant Dowglas to go to Jerusalem whither himself designed an Expedition which the Dowglas performing he afterward Joyned with the Christian Princes against the Turks and Saracens where he obtained several great Victories He purposing to return home was driven by a Tempest upon the Coast of Spain where he joyned with the King of Aragon against the Saracens and obtained great Victories at last he was killed by an Ambushment that was laid for him of purpose thus ended the Noble and Valiant Dowglas one of the most renowned warriours that lived in his days It is said that he was thirteen times Victorious against the Turkes and Sarazens and fiftie seven times against the English In the preceeding age there was a Gate in Dansick called the Dowglas port in memory of this Dowglas King Robert dyed at Cardross the twenty fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 98 To him Succeeded his Son David Bruce A. D. 1330. Being seven years of age Thomas Randal who was continued Governour kept the country in entire peace and prosperity which King Edward hearing of hired a Monk to kill Randal by poyson the Monk giving out that he had great skill in curing the Stone where with the Government was sore troubled came to be in favour with him which gave him opportunity to perpetrate his Villany how ever the Poyson did not take effect at first but the Monk returned home and told King Edward that he had done his business who immediately raising a great Army came to the border of which the Governour being advertised presently marched against him himself not being able to ride nor go was carryed in a litter when King Edward heard that the Governour was there in person he sent an Herald under pretence of seeking peace whom the Governour received with a very austere countenance when Edward was by the Herald certified of the truth of his being alive he returned home and burnt the Monk alive The Governour returning home dyed at Musselbrough after his death the Earle of March and the Earle of Marr were chosen Governours in which they were scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Balliol was seen in the Fryth with a formidable Fleet his Army consisted of both English and Scotch the Earle of Stafford with divers other English men of note were with him the Governours raised two great Armies to oppose the Balliol he came near the water of Hone where he pitched his Tents the Earle of Marr also encamped within view of him but he slighting the smallness of their number took little care of himself the Balliol in the night time passed the water of Erne having intelligence of the Ford by a stake set up for that purpose and entering the Earle of Marrs Camp killed him in his Bed with many other Noble men and Gentlemen namely the Earle of Carrick Sir William Hay Constable of Scotland Alexander Frazier also Robert Keith Lord Marshal Balliol past immediately and beseiged Perth and soon overcame it The Earle of March being encamped at Ochterarder and hearing of the Earle of Marrs death and the taking the Town of Perth marched thither and beseiged it but after he had filled the Ditches and put himself in a case to make an assault he most shamefully left it thereupon 99. Balliol usurped the Crown at Scone A. D. 1332. coming from thence to Perth they that adhered to David Bruce beseiged him and his party upon the other hand his adherents wasted and destroyed the beseigers country Perth being well fortified was by the King committed to the Earle of Fiffe as Governour of it but the Sons of them who were killed with the Earle of Marr at Duplin beseiged and took it committing the Governour to the Castle of Killdrummie Andrew Murry of Tullibardin was Executed for fastning the stake in the Ford of the River Erne whereby Balliol and the Englishmen were directed the Night wherein they Surprised the Earle of Marre Therefore John Kandal Earle of Murry and the Earle of Galloway gathered a great Army and came against Balliol and quite routed him killing many of his Nobles and taking many Prisoners the Kingdom being thus divided the one part for Balliol the other for Bruce the King of England thinking it a fit time for him to make a full Conquest of Scotland raised a great Army and beseiged Berwick mean while Archibald Dowglass raised an Army and entring the Borders Burnt all before him to divert the King of England from the Seige King Edward advertised of this sent a Messenger to Sir Alexander Setonn who was Governour telling him that if he did not presently render he would hang his two Sons whom he had in his hands which he refusing to do the two Young Gentlemen were presently hanged then the Governour came with an Army to Northumberland where a most Bloody battel was fought on Halidown-hill and the Governour himself with many Nobles killed thereupon Berwick was rendered and Edward Balliol Established King who sought by
snatched it out of his Fathers hand and wrung off her Neck for which his Father being angry Well says he Since I cannot Govern thee I will bring one shall Govern us both And from that day he ceased not to further the Redemption of the King he Governed four years 102. But the Nobles weary under this form of Government the Governour being also irritated by the Misdemeanor of his Children all Unanimously determine without longer delays to work the deliverance of their Native Prince James fourth of England which at length was effected Anno. Dom. 1424. Having Ransomed him for the sum of forty hundred thousand Marks He married Jane Daughter to the Duke of Somerset Son to John of Gaunt who bare to him two Sons Alexander who dyed shortly after and James the second who succeeded to him The King having passed the Solemnities of Hasterat Edenburgh He with his Queen came to Perth and from thence to Scone where he was Crowned in the twenty seventh year of his Age after he held a Parliament at Perth where the Tax was laid on to pay the sum promised to England for his Ransome from thence he went back to Edenburgh where he called such as were Concerned with the Crown Rents together he understood by their Accounts that the most and best part of the Crown Lands were alienated and wasted by the late Governour and his Sons whereat he was exceedingly incensed yet that time he smothered and put a fair Countenance upon his Passion But soon after pregnant Accusations were brought in against some of the Nobility especially the Governours Friends upon which some of them were made Prisoners which occasioned much discontent and Jealousie on both sides yet the King securing the Body of this Estate on his side resolved to go on and having Arrested the Governour with two of his Sons and several others his Friends they were all committed to several Prisons Whereupon James the Governours youngest Son in a desperate rage accompanied with a number of Out-laws came to Dumbarton and set on Fire and killed John Stewart the Kings Uncle with thirty others This Insolency of the Son quite diverted the Kings Clemency from his Father and Brethren Whereupon he calleth a Parliament at Sterling where the Governour with his two Sons and his Father-in-Law the Duke of Lenox were Arraigned and Condemned and soon after Executed this highly perplexed some other Lords and Gentlemen who were Prisoners at the same time fearing that they should also meet with the same measures yet the King like a wise Physitian being not willing to take away more Blood than he thought would take away the Disease of the Body in a short time set them all at Liberty The Wars continuing between France and England the French sent an Ambassador to renew the ancient League with Scotland But his main business was to carry on a match between Lewis the Daulphine tho' then very young and Margaret Daughter to King James this match the English neglected but afterward most earnestly sued for it The South parts of the Kingdom being brought under Obedience the King resolved to have the North follow their Example for which end he went thither himself in Person to keep his Courts When he came there he found things in a strange Condition all going by strength of hand the stronger overthrowing the weaker The King not knowing well how to go about the taming of these rude Villains seemed to give small Faith to what he heard of them allowing such of them as seemed to come and see him a great deal of seeming Favour till at length he got forty of their Chiefs all at once within the Castle of Innerness whom he presently surprized making them close Prisoners Within a few days after the King was convinced of this wickedness Alexander Macrory and John Macherter were hanged John Campbel for murthering John of the Isles was beheaded The Earl of Ross being taken in this Trap was brought by the King to Perth where he was accused of Oppression and other things yet the King pardoned him and freely dismist him taking his Oath of Fidelity But as soon as he went home he gathered together a Rabble of Out-laws who came towards Innerness burnt both Town and Castle to the Ground Whereupon the King himself went with his Forces against him at whose approach all the Rebels fled Alexander thus abandoned of his Forces fled to the Isles but finding that he was way-laid on all hands and had no way left him to escape he came disguised to Edenburgh Whereupon Yesterday the King being at Church he came wrapped in a mourning Garment and fell down at his Feet beging his Life which at the Queens request was granted but to keep him from any more mischief the Earl of August was appointed to take him into Custody within Tanutallon Castle Donald Balloth Cousin-german to the Earle of Ross raised a great number of outlaws and invaded Lochaber and in a Bloody Battel overthrew the Earles of Marr and Caithness at Innerlochy the news coming to the King he came with a great Army to Dunstaffage which when the Clans heard of they tendred their Submission to the King promising to break Balloth and his party which the King accepted of Balloth fled to Ireland where he was taken and his head chopt off and sent to King James Notwithstanding of the many Acts of Justice that were done upon these disorderly outlaws yet nothing frighted one Macdonald who was Famous for all sorts of Villanies among other Cruelties he is said to have nailed Horseshoes to the Soles of a Widdow because that she swore to delate him to the King being taken with twelve of his associates and brought to Perth the King caused them to be shooed in the same manner as he had served the woman draging him about for a Spectacle to the people for three days then all of them were put to death In this year A. D. 1430. the first of June was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun at three of the clock in the afternoon the day turning black for the space of half an hour as though it had been night which was afterward called by the common people The black Hour The King having setled the Country begins to look to his own affairs and having advisedly perused all evidences and Charters belonging to the Crown he recalls all such Lands as had been either alienated from it or wrongfully usurped about this time there came Ambassadors from the King of Denmark requiring of King James a Yearly Tribute due to him as King of Norway for the western Isles the Ambassador was honourably entertained and the old League renewed with Denmark soon after the French Kings Ambassadors came to have Margaret already betrothed to Lewis the Dauphin delivered to them and conveyed to France where they found the Lord Scroop earnestly dealing with the King that he must bestow his daughter upon King Henry the sixth of England promising that if he would agree thereto
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
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
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
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
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