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A29962 The history of Scotland written in Latin by George Buchanan ; faithfully rendered into English.; Rerum Scoticarum historia. English Buchanan, George, 1506-1582. 1690 (1690) Wing B5283; ESTC R466 930,865 774

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Peace with England it was no hard matter to make up such a Number of Men being only Voluntiers Iohn Earl of Buchan the Governours Son was made General of the Forces and many eminent Persons followed him but Archibald Earl of Wigton the Son of Archibald the Second Earl of Douglas was far more eminent than all the rest When they came into France they were sent by the Dolphin so they call the Eldest Son of the King of France into Turein a Country very plentiful in all sorts of Provision and near to the Enemy For the Duke of Clarence Brother to the King of England was then in France instead of the King himself and made great Havock of the Country of Anjou whose Inhabitants remained in their Obedience to the French King And it was thought he would have come as far as the Town of Beujeu This was done Two Days before Easter whereupon the Scots thinking that the General would cease from any Military Action those few days of that Feast as the custom is and apply himself to Ecclesiastical Duties or as others say presuming upon an Eight Days Truce which was made carried themselves more securely than otherwise they were wont to do The Duke of Clarence was informed thereof either by Andrew Fregose an Italian or else by some Scots Foragers whom his Horse had taken Prisoners and having gotten a fair opportunity for Action as he thought he rose up presently from Dinner and with his Horse only marched toward the Enemy he himself besides his other Gallant Furniture and Armour had a Royal Diadam on his Head beset with many Jewels Some few French who were quartered nearest the Enemy in a Village called Little Beaujou being terrified with his sudden coming fled into the Tower of a Church adjoyning whilst he was assaulting of these the Alarum was given to the rest of the Army and presently in great dismay they all cryed out To your Arms. The Earl of Buchan whilst the rest were sitting themselves sent out 30 Archers to take possession of a Bridge which was the only Passage over a Neighbour River There a Skirmish begun and Hugh Kennedy who quartered in a Church hard by came in to them with One hundred Men who in so sudden a Fright were but half-armed This Party with their Arrows hindred the Horse from passing over whereupon Clarence with the forwardest of his Men leapt from his Horse and maintained the Combat on foot so that in a Lusty Charge they repelled the Scots who were some unarmed and some but half-armed from the Bridge and this opened the Passage for his Men. In the mean time whilst Clarence was mounting his Horse and his Men were passing the narrow Bridge a few at a time the Earl of Buchan was at hand with 200 Horse who being very earnest to shew themselves on Both sides a sharp Fight began with equal courage and hatred For the Scots were glad that they had gotten an Opportunity to give the first Proof of their Valour and so to refute the Reproaches of the French who were wont to upbraid them as Men given more to Eating and Drinking than Fighting The like Reproach do the same French use to cast upon the Britains The Spaniards on the French and the Africans on the Spaniards On the other side the English took it in great disdain That they should be attack'd by such an implacable Enemy not only at home but even beyond the Seas and so they fought stoutly but none more fiercely than Clarence himself He was known by his Armour Iohn Swinton ran at him and with his Lance grievously wounded him in the Face and the Count of Buchan also smote him with a Truncheon and struck him from his Horse when he was fallen the English ran away and were slain in the pursuit even until night This Battel was fought the day before Easter when the days are short in cold Countries a little after the Vernal Equinox There fell of the English in the Fight above 2000 amongst which were 26 of eminent Rank Many Prisoners were taken of good Accompt in their own Country and especially some of the Dukes Allies Few of the Scots or French were lost and those of no great Note neither This is the most common report concerning the Death of Clarence but the Pluscarty Book says that he was slain by Alexander Maccasland a Knight of Lennox who took off the aforesaid Diadem from his Head and sold it to Iohn Stuart of Derneley for 1000 Angels of Gold and he again pawned it to Robert Huston to whom he owed 5000 Angels This he says was the Vulgar Opinion The chief Praise of this Victory was ascribed to the Scots neither could their greatest Detractors deny it Whereupon Charles the Dolphin created the Earl of Buchan Lord High Constable which is the highest Office in France next the King The rest of the Commanders had also Honours bestowed on them according to their Rank and Valour Whilst these Things were acted in France in the year 1420 Robert Governor of Scotland died the same year in the Third of the Nones of September and Fifteen years after the Death of King Robert the Third His Son Murdo succeeded in his place a Man of a sluggish disposition and scarce fit to govern his private Family much less the Common-wealth So that either by his Slothfulness or else his too much Indulgence he so spoiled his Children for he had Three that in a short time he brought both them and himself into great Calamity and at last Destruction This change of Domestick Affairs caused the Earls of Buchan and Wigton with many of their Kindred to return from France But Matters being soon setled at Home the Dolphin recalled the Earl of Buchan who with his Son in Law Archibald Iames his Son and the Flower of the Scotish Soldiers sailed into France leaving his other Son the Earl of Wigton behind him who being grievously sick could not follow him They landed with 5000 Soldiers at Rochel and so came to the Dolphin at Po●ctou where they were joyfully received and Douglas was made Duke of Turein When Henry of England heard of the Death of Clarence he substituted Iohn Earl of Bedford his other Brother in his place and sent him before into France with 4000 Horse and 10000 Foot He himself followed soon after and took with him Iames King of Scots in the Expedition thinking by that means either to insinuate himself with the Scots who fought against him in France or else to render them suspected to the French But he obtained neither of his Ends nor could he prevail with them at the desire of their own King so much as to return home and to be Newters and Spectators only of the War For addressing to all the Garisons held there by the Scots They made him one General Answer That they could not acknowledge him for their King who was under the Power of another Man
Triumphed over And so She herself and her Kingdom which was enlarged and increased by her Husband Odenatus was lost in a moment Neither may I pass over in silence what is principally to be regarded in the management of other Mens Affairs That the Chief Command is not to be intrusted to such sort of Persons who are not accountable for their Mal-Administration I do not at all distrust the Disposition Faithfulness nor Care of the Queen but if any thing be acted amiss as it often happens by the Fraud of others and Matters be carried otherwise than the Publick Good or the Dignity of Her Place doth Require What Mulct can we exact from the Kings Mother What Punishment can we require Who shall give an account for Miscarriages The Highest Matters will then be managed in the Meetings of Women in the Nursery or Dressing Room You must There either each Man in particular subscribe to Decrees or All in General Make them and She whom you scarce now restrain tho' She be without Arms and obnoxious to you by Laws and Customs when you have by your Authority put Power into Her hands you will certainly feel Her Womanish Wilfulness and Extravagance Neither do I speak this as if I did fear any such thing from our Queen who is the Choicest and Modestest of all Women but because I think it base and unseemly for us who have all things yet in our own Hands and Power to place the Hope of our Safety which we may owe to our Selves only in anothers Power especially since both Divine and Human Laws the Custom of our Ancestors yea and the Consent of all Nations throughout the whole World make for us 'T is true some Nations have endured Women to be their Chief Magistrates but they were not elected to that Dignity by their Judgment and Suffrage but were cast upon them by the Lot of their Birth and Nativity but never any People who had freedom of Vote when there was plenty of able Men to chuse did ever prefer Women before Them And therefore most Eminent Patriots I advise and earnestly intreat you That according to the Laws of our Country and the Customs of our Ancestors we chuse One or if you think fit More the Best out of the Noblest and Best who may undertake the Regency till the King arrive at that strength both of Body and Mind as to be able to manage the Government Himself And I pray God to Bless your Proceedings herein Kennedy spake thus with the Approbation of the undoubtedly major part of the Assembly and the rest perceiving that it was in vain to oppose passed over to their Opinion The Matter was thus composed That neither Party seemed to have the Better of the other Two of each Faction were chosen for the Guardianship for the King who were to manage all Publick Affairs with Fidelity to Collect and Expend the King's Revenue and to undertake the Charge of the Royal Family Of the Queens side William Graham and Robert Boyd then Chancellor Of the Other Robert Earl of the Orcades and Iohn Kennedy All on both sides the Chief of their Families To these were added the Two Bishops of Glasgo and Caledonia The Queen was allowed to be present at the King's Education but She was not to touch any part of the Publick Government As for the other Children which were Four viz. Alexander Duke of Albany and Iohn Earl of Mar and Two young Females She had the Charge of their Educations Herself Matters being thus composed at home Embassadors from England had their Audience who desired a Truce which was granted for Fifteen Years The next Year which was 1463. The King's Mother Died being not well spoken of in point of Chastity The same Year Alexander the King's Brother returning from his Grandfather by the Mothers-side out of France was taken Prisoner by the English but freed soon after in regard the Scots urged it as a Breach of the Truce and threatned a War thereupon Peace being obtained abroad it was not long before Intestine Commotions arose at home for when the Disputes and Controversies betwixt the Nobility concerning ordering the State of the Kingdom were bruited abroad and magnified by vulgar Rumors And Moreover the King's Minority together with the fresh Remembrance of the Licentiousness of the late Times were brought upon the Stage all these Temptations put together did easily let loose the Reins to Men who were turbulent enough in their own Nature Alan of Lorn a Seditious Person had a mind to enjoy the Estate of Iohn his Elder Brother and therefore kept him Prisoner intending there to detain him so long alive till the hatred of his cruel Practise did with time abate and so he yield to his Will and Pleasure when Calen Cambel Earl of Argyle heard of it he gather'd a Band of his Tenants together freed Iohn and cast Alan into Prison in his room resolving to carry him to Court that he might suffer Punishment for That as well as for his other noted Robberies but he prevented his Punishment by Death whether voluntary or fortuitous is not known In another part of the Country Donald the Islander as being a more powerful Person began to make a far greater Commotion for after the Kings Death as free from Fear and judging That turbulent state of things to be a fit Opportunity for him to injure his Inferiors and to increase his own power he came to Enverness with no great Train and was kindly invited into the Castle by the Governor thereof who had no Thoughts or so much as the least Fear of any Hostility from him when he was entred he turned out the Garison seized upon the Castle and gathering his Islanders about him proclaim'd himself King of the Islands He sent forth Edicts into the Neighbour Countries That the Inhabitants should pay Tribute to none but himself and that they should acknowledge no other Lord or Master denouncing a great Penalty to those that did otherwise The News hereof caus'd Debauch'd Persons to flock to him from all Parts so that having made up an Army great enough he entred Athole with such celerity that he took the Earl thereof who was the Kings Uncle and his Wife Prisoners before they suspected any such thing For the Earl hearing the sudden Tumult of a War distrusted the strength of his Castle of Blare and went into the Church of St. Brides near adjoining to defend himself there as in a Sanctuary by the Religion of the Place many also of his Vassals and Countrymen being surprized at the sudden danger carried and laid up their best Goods there That Church was venerated in those Parts with great Ceremony and it had remain'd inviolate to that very day by reason of the great Opinion of its Sanctity but the consideration of Gain was more prevalent with that Savage and Avaritious Person than any sense of Religion For he violently pull'd out the Earl and his
the 26th of August 1482. the Castle of Berwick should be surrendred up to the English and a Truce was made for a few Months till they could have more time to Treat of a Peace Thus Berwick was lost after it had been enjoy'd by the Scots 21 Years since they last recovered it Then the Duke of Glocester having made a prosperous Expedition return'd in Triumph Home Edward by the Advice of his Council judg'd it more for the advantage of England to nullifie the Marriage for he fear'd that the Intestine Discords of the Scots were so great that possibly the Issue of Iames might lose the Crown and if Alexander were made King be hoped to have a Constant and Faithful Ally of him in regard of the great Kindness he had receiv'd at his Hands Hereupon an Herauld was sent to Edinburgh to renounce the Affinity and to demand the Repayment of the Dowry when he had declar'd his Errand publickly on the Twenty Fifth of October the Scots obtained a Day for the Payment thereof and restor'd it to a Penny and withal they sent some to convoy the Herald as far as Berwick Alexander that he might extinguish the Remainders of the Old Hatred of his Brother against him and so obtain new Favour by a new Courtesie brought him out of the Castle and restor'd him to the free Possession of his Kingdom But the memory of old Offences prevail'd more with his Proud Huffing Spirit than This of his late Courtesie Moreover besides the Kings own Jealousies there were Those who did daily calumniate him and buzz into the Kings Ear his too great Popularity as if now 't was very Evident that he affected the Kingdom he being advis'd by his Friends that Mischief was hatching against him at Court fled privately into England and gave up the Castle of Dunbar to Edward In his absence he was Condemn'd The Crimes objected against him were First That he had often sent Messengers into England and then that he had retir'd thither himself without obtaining a Pass-port from the King and that there he joined in Counsel against his Country and his Kings Life All the other of his Partizans were pardon'd and amongst the rest William Creighton who was accus'd not only to have been an Abettor of his designs against his Country but also the chief Author and Instigator of him thereunto But after he had obtain'd Pardon for what was past he was again accus'd that he did incourage Alexander by his Advice and Counsel after he was Condemned frequent Letters passing between them by the means of Thomas Dickson a Priest and that he had caus'd his Castle of Creighton to be Fortified against the King and commanded the Garison Soldiers not to surrender it up to the King's Forces Hereupon he was summoned to appear the 13th Day of February in the Year 1484. but he not appearing was outlawed and his Goods Confiscate These were the Causes of his Punishment mentioned in our publick Records But 't is thought that the Hatred the King had conceiv'd against him upon a private Occasion did him the most Mischief of all It was this William had a very beautiful Wife of the Noble Family of the Dunbars when her Husband found that the King had had the use of her Body he undertook a Project which was rash enough in it self but yet not unproper for a Mind sick of Love and also provok'd by such an Injury as his was for he himself lay with the King 's young Sister a beautiful Woman but ill spoken of for her too great Familiarity with her Brother and on her he begot Margarite Creighton who died not long since In the interim Creighton's Wife died at his own House and the King's Sister whom as I said the King had vitiated was so much in Love with William that she seem'd sometimes to be out of her Wits for him The King partly by the Mediation of William's Friends and partly being mindful of the Wrong he himself had done him of the like sort and being willing also to cover the Infamy of his Sister under a pretext of Marriage permitted William to return Home again to Court upon Condition that he would Marry her William was persuaded by his Friends and for want of better Counsel especially since Richard of England was dead came to E●verness where he had Conference with the King not long before Both their Deaths and great Hopes were there given of his Return His Sepulchre is yet there to be seen These things were done at several times but I have put them together that so the Thread of my History might not be discontinued and broken off Let us now return to what was omitted before Edward of England died in the Month of April next after Dunbar was delivered to him in the Year 1483. leaving his Brother Richard Guardian to his Sons He was first content with the Name of Protector and under that Title Govern'd England for two Months but afterwards having by several Practises engaged a great part of the Nobility and Commonalty to his side he put his Brothers Two Sons in Prison the Queen and her Two Daughters being forced to retire into a Sanctuary near London but the next Iune he took upon him the Name and Ornaments of a King Alexander of Albany and Iames Douglas being willing to try how their Countrymen stood affected towards them came with 500 select Horse to Loch-Maban on Maudlins-day because a great Fair used that day to be there held There a Skirmish began between the Parties with inraged Minds on Both sides and the Success was various as Aid came in out of the Neighbouring District either to This or That Party They fought from Noon till Night and the issue was doubtful but at last the Victory inclined to the Scots though it were a Bloody one as having lost many of their Men Douglass was there taken Prisoner and sent away by the King to the Monastery of Lindors Alexander was set on a Horse and escap'd but staid not in England long after that In the mean time many Incursions were made to the greater Loss of the English than Benefit of the Scots Richard was uncertain of the Event of things at home and withal fear'd his Enemy abroad for many of the English did favour the Earl of Richmond who was then an Exile in France and had sent for him over to undertake the Kingdom so that Richard was mightily troubled neither was he less vext with the Guilt of his own Wickedness and because he saw he could not quell Domestick Seditions as soon as he hoped therefore he thought it best to Oblige Foreigners by any Conditions whatsoever that so by their Authority and Power he might be safer at home and more formidable to his Enemies For this cause he sent Embassadors into Scotland to make Peace or at least a Truce for some years there he found all things more facile than he could have hoped for For Iames
But at last when he perceived that he could not have Aid enough from her to recover his Kingdom being a Widow and old too he had solicited Neighbour-Kings and Nations desiring them to respect the common Chances of Man's Life and not to suffer Royal Blood to be oppressed by Tyrannical Violence and so himself to pine away with Grief Fear and Misery and that he though so the present afflicted with great Evils yet was not so dejected in his Mind but that he hoped the time would come that being restored to his Kingdom by the Aid of his Friends of whom he had many both in England and Scotland he should be able to consider every particular Man's Service and reward him accordingly especially if the Scots would join their Forces with His and if ever he was restored to his Kingdom by their Arms they should soon understand that they had won a fast Friend and that at such a time too when the trial of true Friendship is wont to be made for he and his Posterity would be so gratefully mindful of the Obligation that they would ever acknowledg that the accession of his better Fortune was due to them alone Besides he added many things in praise of the King part of them true and part accommodated to their present Condition Having thus said he held his Peace but the King called him up to him and bid him Take Heart for he would refer his Demands to the Council whose Advice in Grand Affairs he must needs have yet however they did determine he promised him faithfully That he should not repent that he made His Court his Sanctuary Upon this Peter quitted the Assembly and the Matter being put to a debate the wiser sort who had most experience in State-Affairs thought it best to reject the whole Business either because they judg'd he was a Counterfeit or else that they foresaw there would be more Danger by the War than Advantage by the Victory tho' they were sure of it But the major part either through unskilfulness in Affairs or inconstancy of Spirit or else to gratify the King argued that Peter's Cause was most just and that they greatly pittied the Man they added also That now Matters were in some confusion in England and Mens Minds were yet fluctuating after the Civil War and therefore it was good to lay hold of this Opportunity and that which the English were wont to do to them they themselves ought to try for once to make use of the Enemies Distractions for their own Advantage yea they foretold a Victory preconceived in their Minds before they had put on their Armour especially if great Forces of the English came in to join them nay if they should not come in in such Numbers as they hoped yet one of these two things must necessarily follow That either they should conquer Henry and so settle this new King on his Throne who in recompence for so great a Benefit must needs grant them all that they desired Or if they could end the Matter without Blows yet Henry upon the quelling Domestick Tumults not being yet fully settled in his Throne would submit to what Conditions they pleased But if he refused so to do when War was once begun many advantages might offer themselves which now were unforeseen This was the Opinion of the major part and the King himself inclined to them and his Vote drew in the rest And after this he treated Peter more honourably than before gave him the Title of Duke of York and as such shewed him to the People And not contented herewith he gave him Katharine Gordon Daughter to the Earl of Huntly to Wife a Woman of as great Beauty as Nobility of Stock by this Affinity erecting him to hopes of thriving and bettering his Condition And therefore by Advice of his Council he levied an Army and marched for England first of all carrying it warily and having his Troops ready to engage if any suddain Assault should be made upon him But afterwards when he understood by his Spies that the Enemy had no Army in the Field he sent out Parties to Plunder and in a short time wasted almost all Northumberland and the Countries thereabout He staid some days in those Parts and not an English-Man stirred in behalf of Peter And it being told him that an Army was levying against him in the adjacent Counties he thought it dangerous to venture his Souldiers who were loaden with Booty against the new and fresh Forces of the English and therefore he resolved to return into Scotland and there to leave their Booty and as soon as the time of the Year would permit to undertake a new Expedition Neither did he fear that the English would follow him in his retreat for he knew that new-raised Souldiers would not be long kept together neither would they make after him if they could through a Country so lately harassed and desolated by the Wars especially having no Provisions prepared before-hand And besides Peter was afraid that in regard none of the English came in to him as he hoped that if he staid any longer in his Enemies Country his Cheat would be discovered so that he himself seemed to approve of the King's Resolution came cunningly to him and composing his Speech and Countenance so as might best move Compassion he humbly besought him That he would not make such Havock in a Kingdom that was his own by Right and that he would not so cruelly shed so much Blood of his Subjects for no Kingdom in the World was of so much worth to him as for its sake to have his Peoples Blood so largely spilt and his Country so wasted with Fire and Sword to procure it The King began now to smell out and understand whither this unseasonable Clemency did tend and therefore told him That he feared he would preserve that Kingdom in which not a Man did own him as a Subject much less as a King not for himself but for his Capital Enemy and so by common consent they returned Home and the Army was disbanded Henry being made acquainted with the Invasion and also the Retreat of the Scots appointed an Expedition against them the Year after and in the mean time levied a great Army and that he might not be idle in the Winter-time he summons a Parliament who approved of his Design to make War on Scotland and granted a small Subsidy upon the People for that end That Tax raised up a greater flame of War upon him at Home than that which he designed to quench Abroad For the Commonalty complained that their Youth and Souldiery were exhausted by so many Wars and Impressments which had been made within these few Years that their Estates were impaired and ran very low But the Nobles and Counsellors to the King were so far from being moved with these Calamities that they sought to create new Wars in a time of Peace that so they might impose new Taxes on
Letters from the Queen of England had interrupted the course of his Victories She was persuaded by the Exiles That the Queen of Scots had receiv'd much Wrong That her ill-affected Subjects had laid unjust Imputations on her and That she would not suffer the Royal Name to grow so cheap or Majesty to be so contumeliously used as to be exposed to the Wills of seditious Persons That the Wrong of this great Wickedness redounded only to One but the Example to All and therefore she desired they would apply some speedy Remedy that the Contagion of dethroning Princes might not spread further Having made a great Harangue in her Letters to this purpose against the Avengers of the King's Murder she desired of the Regent That he would send Commissioners to her to inform her in the State of the whole Matter and to make Answer to those either Crimes or Reproaches which were cast upon and alleged against himself This Demand seemed very grievous and offensive That things already judg'd should be called again in Question to a new and hazardous Trial and that before foreign Princes who are oft-times emulous if not Enemies and their Minds already prepossess'd by Adversaries yea for a Man as it were to plead for his own Life before a foreign Judicature though the Case was dangerous and hard yet many Arguments induc'd him to accept of the Proposal though never so unequal Abroad the Cardinal of Lorrain the Queen's Uncle rul●d all in France and at home a great part of the Nobility conspired in behalf of the Queen and if the Queen of England were disobliged too then he should have no Force to withstand so great Difficulties Being thus resolved to send Embassadors he could not tell Whom to pitch upon The chief Nobles declining the Employment At last the Regent himself resolved to go and chuse Companions to accompany him amongst whom was William Maitland though much against his Will but the Regent knowing him to be a factious Man and inclinable to the Queen's Party did not think it safe to leave him behind whilst things were in such a doubtful Posture at home and therefore he persuaded him by great Promises and Rewards to accompany him not doubting but to overcome his avaritious Mind with Largesses and Gifts the rest went willingly along The chief were Iames Douglas and Patrick Lindsy of the Nobles of the Clergy the Bishop of the Orcades and the Abbat of Dumfermlin of Lawyers Iames Macgil and Henry Balnavey to whom he added a Ninth viz. George Buchanan Though these difficult Circumstances did attend him yet Two things relieved his Thoughts One was the Equity of his Cause the Other the last Letters he received from the Queen of England gave him Assurance that if the Crimes objected against the Queen of Scots were true she held her unworthy to hold that Scepter any longer The Regent was a little heartned by those Letters and with above a 100 Horse in his Company he began his Journy though he had certain Intelligence brought him that the Earl of Westmorland at the Command of the Duke of Norfolk watch'd to intercept him before he got to York yet October 4. he came to York the Place appointed for the Conference and the same Day and almost hour Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk entred the City also The reason why an Ambush was laid for the Regent was because the Duke by secret Correspondents was dealing with the Queen of Scots to marry her and therefore that the Suspicion of the King's Murder might be more easily taken away she resolved if the Regent were slain to return home and also to take and suppress the Letters she had wrote to Bothwel containing a manifest Discovery of the Plot but because the Duke was so near she could not so accomplish it as that he also might not be aspersed with the Infamy of so cruel a Murder and therefore the Plot was deferr'd till another time Besides Norfolk there were appointed Two other Commissioners by the Queen of England to determine the Controversies of the Scots the Earl of Sussex who inclined to Howard's Party as 't was commonly reported and Sir Ralph Sadler an indifferent and equal Person Within a few days there came Messengers from the Queen of Scots to complain of her disobedient Subjects and also to desire leave of the Queen of England to return home without Delay they had their Hearing apart from the Regent and his Attendants First they Protested that they came not before them as Judges that had a lawful Superiority over them then they made a long Harangue What Wrong the Queen had received from her Subjects and after desired of the Queen of England that either she would persuade her ungrateful Subjects to admit their Prince or if they refused then she would supply her with an Army to force them so to do After some few Hours the Regent was heard He stood upon the Equity of his Cause before indifferent Judges He pleaded that the Royalists had done nothing but according to the ancient Laws and Customs of their Nation and that in full Parliament ratified and approved and that he being a single Person with those few with him could not abrogate any thing which had been enacted by common Consent of all the Estates in Parliament But when the English Commissioners told them they could not be satisfied with those Statutes made at their Parliaments at home and now produced unless withal they produced the Reasons which moved the Nobles to such a severe Judgment against the Queen The Regent was unwilling as much avoiding to divulge the foul Offences of the Queen being his Sister also and that amongst Foreigners who were forward enough to hear them and therefore denied to do it unless upon these Terms That if he made good the Charge against the Queen that she killed her Husband then the Queen of England should stipulate and promise to defend the young King's Cause and take him as 't were into her Protection But when the English Embassadors told them that they had only a Commission to hear the Demands of both Sides and so to lay the whole Matter before the Queen The Regent again urg'd them to obtain such a Promise from their Queen or else that they themselves should get a Commission fully to decide the Controversy if they would do That he promised that unless he did evidently make it appear that the King was slain by his Wives Means he would not deprecate the Punishment due to the most heinous Offence The Commissioners wrote to the Queen to know her Mind herein who returned Answer That the Scots of the Royal Party should send one or more of their Number to her Court who might fully acquaint her with the Merits of their Cause and then she would consult what was fit for her to do Whereupon the Regent sent William Maitland on whom many sinister Opinions did daily arise and Iames Macgil not so much to be
Traffick by Sea ibid. He reduces the Train of his Nobles in Travelling ibid. His violent and untimely Death ibid. His Character ibid. Alexander Duke of Albany Brother of James III. taken by the English 407 But soon released ibid. Committed Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle 421 Whence he craftily made his Escape ibid. And coming to the King of England solicits him to take Arms 425 He is recalled by the Scots and hath the chief Government bestowed upon him 427 He restores his Brother James to the free Possession of the Kingdom ibid. He falls again into Disgrace and dies in France 430 Alexander the Son of Alexander of Albany ibid. Alexander Boyd abuses and wounds John Kennedy 410 His is tried for his Life 414 Beheaded ibid. Alexander Bruce surrenders himself to Baliol 287 Slain in a Fight with the English 290 Alexander Earl of Buchan base-born Son to Robert II. 307 Alexander Cambel a Dominican the Notoriety of his End 53 Alexander Cuningham slain with King James III. in his Army 433 Alexander Cuningham brings Aid to the Reformers 129 Being taken Prisoner he takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 Alexander Elphinston slain in Fight 26 Alexander Forbes marries Graecina Boyd 6 Alexander Forbes taken by Adam Gordon 284 Alexander Earl of Crawford deserts Douglas and submits to the King 388 Alexander Earl of Glencarn banished 175 A General in the King's Army 220 Alexander Gordon beats the Earl of Crawford 387 Alexander Hume marches into England 19 He brings his Squadron off safe from Flodden Field 25 His great Authority 28 Accused by Hepburn 33 Sides with the Queen 34 Goes for England is reconciled to the Regent and returns ibid. He raises an Insurrection 35 His Goods confiscate he is taken and beheaded 36 Alexander Hume as a Proxy takes the Coronation-Oath for James VI. yet a Child 214 He is General of the King's Army 220 Wounded 221 Revolts to the Queen's Party 243 His Castle taken and rifled by the English 256 He is chief in the Council of the Rebels 280 Taken Prisoner but by the coming in of his Friends released 281 Alexander Haliburton wounded and dies 141 Alexander Levingston made Supream Governour or Regent 357 He puts the Queen in Prison 364 Disagrees with Creighton the Chancellour 360 364 The King taken out of his Hands 365 Reconciled to the Chancellour 366 368 Lays down his Office 372 Is brought to his Trial and remanded to Prison 375 Alexander the Son of William Levingston taken Prisoner 265 Alexander the Islander gathers together a Band of Free-booters 341 But is forced to submit to the King 342 Alexander Lindsy overcomes Alexander Ogilby 273 274 Alexander Macrory Captain of Thieves executed 341 Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander 348 349 Alexander Ramsay a brave Souldier 299 His House the School of War ibid. He takes Roxburgh 300 Wounded and starved to Death by Douglas 301 Ramsay's chearful Forwardness in surprizing Dumbarton Castle 265 Alexander Seton sent to Berwick 287 Having no hopes of Relief he surrenders up the Town to the English 290 Alexander Stuart Arch-bishop of St. Andrews slain at Flodden-Fight 29 Stuart's Encounter with the King of Norway 242 Allectus a Roman slain 124 Alfrid King of Northumberland 161 Alnwick Castle taken 398 Alsa or Ailze Isle 24 Alpa for Alba 11 Alps whence so called ibid. Alpin King of Scots 166 Slain by the Picts ibid. Altissidorus i. e. Auxerre in France 68 Alured King of England makes Peace with the Scots 177 Amberkeleth King of Scots 162 Slain ibid. Ammianus Marcellinus quoted 88 89 Amiens the Bishop thereof in Scotland his Cruelty 148 St. Andrews 18 Its Vniversity when erected 333 Andreae Fanum and Fanum Reguli i. e. St. Andrews why so called 16 Andrews a great Astrologer 420 Andrew the Apostle Tutelary of Scotland 218 Andrew Briton or Breton his Story 18 Slain by Thomas Howard the English Admiral 19 Andrew Berclay beheaded for Treason 273 Andrew Car escapes out of Prison 36 He disagrees with Douglas 38 Andrew Car revenges his Father's Death 18 Andrew Car beaten by the Duke of Norfolk 120 Andrew Forman sent into England and France by James IV. 16 He hath a great many Church-Preferments 29 Sent again into England 26 He is accused by Hepburn 33 Mediates for Peace 35 Bruce's Sister's Son Regent 296 Taken by the English 288 Ransomed 294 His Faithfulness and Death 297 Andrew Earl of Rothes banished 175 Andrew Wood faithful to King James III. 1 Admiral of the Scots Navy 1 Reconciled to James IV. 2 Overcomes the English in one Sea-Fight ibid. And also in a second 4 Andrew Stuart Chancellour 413 His Freedom of Speech against a Popish King 173 He is wounded in Fight 222 Angus 18 Angus or Aeneas raised an Insurrection in Galway 230 Angusianus King of Scotland 126 Slain by the Picts ibid. Annandale so called from the River Annand 13 14 Anna Momorancy suspects the Power of the Guises in France not without Cause 121 Anselm the Norman Arch-bishop of Canterbury 219 Anti-Assemblies in Scotland two 276 280 Anthony Darcy slain by David Hume 38 Apparition to King Kenneth III. upon his Murder of Malcolm 195 Apparition to King James IV. dissuading him from a War with England 20 21 Apoceanitae Who 10 Apology of the Scots Nobles to the Queen of England 267 c. 272 c. Apostacy punished by God 159 Arran or Arren Island 24 Arborary or Tree Isle 25 Archibald Douglas created Regent 288 He is slain by the English 290 Archibald Earl of Douglas sirnamed the Austere his Feuds with Geo. Dunbar 325 He dies 326 Archibald his Son succeeds him who is taken Prisoner by the English 329 Released ibid. Made Duke of Turein by the Dolphin of France 336 Slain by the English there ibid. Archibald Douglas his great Power 359 His affronting Answer to the Chancellor 362 His Death 363 Archibald Douglas his Oration to the Nobles against the King's Evil Counsellors 423 With the Effects thereof 424 Archibald Douglas his Speech to King James IV. dissuading him to fight the English 22 At which the King is offended and Douglas retires in Discontent 23 He marries the Widow of James IV. 29 Accused by Hepburn 33 Takes Edinburgh but resigns up the Government thereof 38 Flies into England 34 Returns from France and England into Scotland 46 Opposed by his Wife 46 Chosen one of the Governours of King and Kingdom 47 Overthrows Lennox 50 Forbid to meddle with the Government 53 Outlawed and banished 56 Returns after fifteen Years Exile 75 Coming to compose Controversies he is detained by Hamilton 82 His memorable Speech and Fact 87 He persuades the Regent to break with the Cardinal and to side with the Nobles 88 He beats the English 89 Archbishop of St. Andrews with the Bishop of Aberdene imprisoned 46 Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as Accessory to the King and Regent's Murders 266 Ardan Rider or the High Isle of the Horseman 28 Ardiescar Isle 25 Aremorici or Armorici Who 7 8
Embassador into France 376 Croke the French Embassador dislikes the Queen's Marriage with Bothwel 199 He mediates a Peace 208 209 Crowling Isle 28 Cruelty an Example thereof 329 Culbrenin Isle 25 Culdees a kind of Monks 18 125 Worshippers of God 18 Culen King of Scots an incestuous Person 184 185 He is slain by a Strumpet 187 Cull 196 Culross whence so called 170 Cumbra Isles the greater and the lesser 25 Cumbri and Cumri 75 Cumins their Faction powerful 240 Cumins overthrows Gilespy 239 Cumins John overthrown by Bruce 264 Cumins William poisoned by his Wife 241 Cuningham 14 Cuningham's overcome by the Hamiltons 85 Cup of St. Magnus see Magnus Curia a Parish-Church 26 Curry a Mercha●t an Instrument in surprizing Edinburgh●●stle ●●stle 299 Cutberectus 161 D DAal what it signifies in Old Scotish 100 Dalkeith 13 Dalreudini why the Scots so called 100 Danes enter England 71 Invade Scotland 174 Fight a bloody Battel with the English 178 Turn Christians ibid. Land in Scotland 182 Are overthrown ibid. Danish Fleet lands again in Scotland 190 Stupified by an inebriating Drink and overcome by the Scots 209 Swear never to return to invade Scotland any more 210 Dangers make Men sagacious 26 Dardanus King of Scots 108 His cruel Reign and violent Death ibid. David I. King of Scots 212 Profuse towards Monasteries 223 Maintains the Cause of Maud his Kinswoman against Stephen of England 224 Accuses him of Perjury ibid. Makes two Accords with Stephen 225 226 Henry Heir of England made Knight by him 226 Loses his hopeful Son yet comforts himself and his Nobles in a Christian Discourse thereupon 226 He erects new Bishopricks 223 His extraordinary Character for Piety and Virtue 227 David King William's Brother accompanies Richard of England to the Holy War 235 He is shipwrack'd and taken Prisoner yet at last returns ibid. David II. anointed King of Scotland 282 Sent into France when he was a Child 286 Returns to Scotland 300 Taken Prisoner in a Fight by the English 302 Ransomed 304 His Death and Character 305 306 David Cumins appointed Ruler over Scotland by the English 293 He and Douglas disagree 294 Forced to take an Oath to Bruce ibid. Makes large Promises to Edward of Enggland 295 Follows the good Success of the English ibid. Left by the English King as Regent of Scotland where his Army is overthrown and he himself slain 296 David the Son of Robert III imprisoned and starved to Death by his Vncle who was his Governour 328 329 David Beton the Cardinal 73 Chosen Regent by a pretended Will but the Fraud being discovered he is displaced and imprisoned 75 He endeavours to avert the imminent Ruin of Popery 76 He chouzes Lennox with vain Hopes of marrying the Queen 80 He grieves to be deprived of a rich Morsel which he had swallowed in his Hopes 81 He is sharply reproved by Montgomery 91 His Cruelty against Protestants 93 He espouses his Daughter to the Earl of Craford's Son 97 He is slain in his Castle with the manner thereof 98 His foul Character 99 David Douglas with his Brother William beheaded 370 David Hamilton defends the Cause of the Gospel 93 David Panater or Painter Bishop of Ross made an Abbat by the King of France 113 David Rize a Musician his Story 171 He persuades the Queen to cut off the Scotish Nobility 177 His Court-Preferments Familiarity with the Queen of Scots violent Death and Burial 179 to 183 David Spence slain 282 David Straiton or Straton burnt for a Lutheran 63 Death better than a miserable Life 12 d ee a River in England 13 Three of that Name in Scotland 14 70 Deidonum i. e. Dundee 18 Deiri Who 159 Delators or Informers appointed by Evenus 13 Denmark the King thereof bargains with the Embassador of Scotland to quit his Right to the Islands about Scotland 413 Derivative Words shew the Affinity of a Language 6● Dessius General of the French Forces in Scotland 106 Called home by the King of France 110 Descants on the Law about Hereditary Succession of the Crown 205 Descants on over-severe Executions of Criminals 358 Deucaledonian Sea What 21 Diana's Oracle counterfeited by a Monk 44 45 Dicaledones rather to be read Duncaledones in Marcellinus 56 Dioclesian a supposed King of Syria 41 Dionethus gives himself forth to be King of the Brittons 136 Dion quoted concerning Britain 90 91 118 Dona River 20 Donachs or Duncans Bay 22 Donald I. King of Scots 117 He first received the Christian Religion ibid. Donald II. 122 Overthrown by Donald the Islander and dies ibid. Donald Brother of Malcolm III. yields up the Possession of the Islands to the King of Norwey 23 Donald III. 123 Reigns Tyrannically and is slain by Crathilinthus ibid. Donald IV. or Donebald sends Christian Doctors into England and interprets pious Sermons to the People himself 159 Donald V. Brother of Kenneth 172 Reigns licentiously and is put in Prison 173 Donald VI. Son of Constantine II. 178 Donald VII or Duncan 204 Donald Murderer of King Duffus taken and executed 185 Donald Bane calls himself King of the Aebudae 164 He is slain ibid. Donald VIII or Banus 220 He promises the Islands to Magnus King of Norwey ibid. Donald of Athol 154 Donald Baloc overthrows Alexander and Alan Stuarts 343 He is taken in Ireland and his Head is sent to the King 344 Donald Lord of the Aebudae rises in Arms 333 With the Earl of Ross and Douglas he fig●●s with the King's Forces ibid. He is left by his Wife 391 Sends Agents to make his Peace with the King 392 After the King's Death he plays Rex again 408 He takes the Earl of Athol Prisoner and burns St. Bride's Church ibid. He is shipwrack'd and fals distracted 409 Donald Monro commended 22 He travelled over the Islands of Scotland and described them 31 Dongal King of Scots 168 He is drowned ibid. Dongard King of Scots 144 Opposes the Pelagian Heresy 145 Dornadilla King of Scots 98 Dorstologus slain 166 Dorus flies for fear of Nathalocus 120 Dovallus kils King Nothatus 99 He himself is slain in Battel 100 Douglas River 14 Douglas Dale 140 Douglas made Duke of Turein 336 Douglas slain by the Moors 280 Douglas William takes Dundalk in Ireland 314 Douglas William pardoned 301 Douglas breaks in upon the English Army 278 Douglasses their Power intolerable 372 377 Their Power broken 53 Drinach Isle 25 Drix 60 Druides Who 56 Drumalbin 17 Drummilaw Sands 209 Drunkenness punished with Death 174 Druskins King of the Picts and all his Nobility slain 169 Drury intercedes for Peace between the Parties in Scotland 278 Duffa or Dow Isle 25 Duffus King of Scots 181 Witchcraft practised upon his Body 183 He is slain 184 Dukes when the Name first brought into Scotland 325 Duke of York overthrown and slain by the Queen of England 396 Dulcitius in Britain 89 Dunacus and Domnacus 68 Dunbar whence so called 13 14 Its Siege raised 297 Fortified by Alexander against the King but deserted by
II. Son of Stephen King of England seeks occasion for a War against Scotland 224 Malcolm of Scotland acknowledges himself his Feudatary ibid. Henry IV. of England 326 His Death 333 Succeeded by Henry V. ibid. Henry V. takes James I. King of Scots with him into France 336 Henry VI. undervalues the Nobility and advances Vpstarts 392 A Conspiracy against him by the Nobles of England ibid. He is taken by the Duke of York and brought to London 396 He flies into Scotland 397 Ioins Battel with Edward IV. and is overcome 398 Returns privately to England and is taken ib. Henry VII succeeds Richard III. who was slain in Battel 429 He denounces War against France 16 Desires to make a perpetual League with the Scots 430 Marries his Daughter Margarite to James IV. 14 War denounced against him by James as he was besieging Tournay 20 His Magnanimous and Kingly Answer to the Heraulds ibid. He eases the Commonalty of some old Burdens 71 Henry VIII desires the exiled Douglasses may be restored 60 By the French Embassador he desires a Peace with the Scots ibid. He sends Controversal Books of Divinity to James V. 62 Complains the Scots had violated the Law of Nations wars upon them takes Leith and burns Edinburgh 82 83 His Forces are worsted 89 His General persuades the Scots to Peace 102 Gives the Scots a great Overthrow 104 Henry of France sends some German Foot into Scotland 106 He displaces the Regent by Subtilty 113 Henry Percy invades Scotland 306 His Horse affrightned with rattling Instruments 307 His Duel with James Douglas 317 Henry Percy the younger overthrows the Scots at Homeldon 327 Conspires against his own King 329 Henry Stuart comes out of England into Scotland 171 Made Duke of Rothsay and Earl of Ross by the Queen of Scots 174 At which many of the Nobles are disgusted 175 He marries the Queen ibid. Strangely disrespected at the Baptism of his own Son 186 He withdraws from Court ibid. Is poisoned but overcomes it by the strength of his Youth 186 187 A Design to destroy him 187 188 Is actually murdered 190 Heraulds slain against the Law of Arms 230 Hergustus King of the Picts 127 131 Hepburn John insinuates himself into the new Regent 32 Heris hanged by James Douglas 384 H●rmodra Isle 30 Herodian quoted 76 Heruli who 89 Hethland Isles see Schetland High Isle 25 Hirta Isle 30 Historians their flattering Dispositions 46 Hoia Promontory 21 Hollanders Fleet spoiled by Alexander Earl of Marr 349 Holland Horse sent for over into England 275 Holmes i. e. Plains full of Grass 35 Holy Isle or Lindisfarm 398 Honnega Isle 37 Horestia 18 Parted between two Brothers 170 Horses Isle or Naich 28 Hugh Kennedy his couragious Answer 51 Huilin Isle 30 Hulmena 31 Humber River 13 Humble Isle or Ishol 25 Hume Castle surprized by the Scots 107 Hungus the Pict fights prosperously against Athelstan 165 He prays to God and is encouraged by a Vision ibid. He offers Tithes to St. Andrew ibid. His Death 166 Hunting Laws made by King Dornadilla 89 And by King Ethodius 116 Huntly overthrown by James Earl of Murray taken and pardoned 235 237 Hypoconistical i. e. Diminutive 6 I JAmes I. Son of Robert III. sailing for France is taken by the English 330 Where he is educated and married 331 338 His Return to Scotland upon a Ransom 398 Crowned King ibid. Renews a League with France 340 352 Punishes the Captains of Thieves 341 343 Twins born to him 344 He rectifies Weights and Measures ibid. Reforms the Ecclesiastical Estate and erects publick Schools 345 Invites Tradesmen from beyond the Seas 347 Perfidiousness imputed to him answered 353 354 Is cruelly murdered 356 His Character 356 357 James II. King of Scots 359 Carried out of the Castle of Edinburgh in a Chest by his Mother 361 Taken again by the Chancellour and brought to Edinburgh 365 Enters on the Government 371 Marries Mary Daughter to the Duke of Guelderland 380 He kils William Douglas 386 Marches to assist the English Nobles 391 392 Deceived by a counterfeit Embassador from Rome suborned by the English 393 Takes Roxburgh Town ibid. His casual Death in his Camp 394 His Queen encourages the Souldiers and takes Roxburgh Castle ibid. His Character 395 James III. begins his Reign at seven Years old 396 Six Regents of the Kingdom in his Minority 407 His Mother's Death ibid. In his Time a Truce made with England for five Years 407 Marries Margarite the King of Denmark's Daughter 413 415 His Death foretold 420 He degenerates into Tyranny ibid. Addicts himself to Evil Counsellours 231 The Nobles arm against him 432 Is slain by them in Fight 433 His Character 434 James IV. 1 Chosen General by the Nobles against his Father 432 His first Parliament which justifies taking Arms against his Father 5 His Clemency and sorrowful Resentment for his Father's Death 6 He leads an Army into England 11 Marries Margarite Henry VII of Enggland's Daughter 14 Builds a vast Ship and is prof●se in other Buildings ibid. Resolves to go to Jerusalem but prevented 15 Sends Forman into England to pick a Quarrel 16 Denounces War against England 20 Resolute in his Opinion 22 Fights with the English at Flodden where he is overthrown and slain 24 25 Doubtful Reports concerning his Death 26 Some Aspersions cast upon him indeavoured to be wiped off 27 His Character 27 28 James V. 28 Enters upon the Government 46 He and his Mother in the Power of the Douglasses 47 He frees himself from them 53 He is an Enemy to their Faction 50 Inclinable to a French Alliance 65 Three Maries offered to him 62 Treats with the Emperour about a Match 61 Visits the Orcades 62 And other Isles of Scotland ibid. Receives Controversal Books of Divinity from Henry of England 63 Agrees to an Interview with Henry which is disappointed 64 Sails to France and marries Magdalen Daughter to their King Francis who soon dies 65 He accuses his Nobility as Dastards 70 He marries Mary of the House of Guise 66 67 His presaging Dream 69 He dies with Grief for the Loss of his Army 71 His Character 71 72 James VI. his Birth 183 His Mother endeavours to get him under the Power of Bothwel 205 Enters on the Government 214 215 James Abernethy a skilful Physician 186 James Earl of Arran Son to James returning from France sides with the Reformers 135 Goes to his Sister Mary the Queen 151 Hardly persuaded to allow the admission of the Mass in the Queen's Chappel 159 Made Earl of Marr and afterwards of Murray 161 James Balfure Governour of Edinburgh Castle for the Queen 206 207 He raises Insurrections 226 James Culen taken and executed for his Crimes 279 James the first Earl of Douglas 308 James Douglas joins with Bruce 263 He marches with great Forces into England 275 James sirnamed Crassus the Douglasses being dead succeeds to the Right of the Earldom 370 He dies ibid. James Douglas marries Eufemia Daughter to Robert
II. 306 His Duel with Henry Percy 316 Is slain fighting valiantly 318 His three last dying Requests ibid. James Douglas made Earl when William Douglas his Father was slain 386 He accuses the King and Nobles of Perfidiousness ibid. Proclaimed a publick Enemy 387 Marries Beatrix his Brother's Widow 388 Persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King which he refuses ibid. Being forsaken by his Friends he applies to England for Aid 389 And to Donald the Islander 390 Forsaken by his Wife ibid. James Douglas Earl of Morton and Alexander Hume take the Coronation-Oath for King James VI. in his Minority 214 He provides for the Common-wealth at his private Charge 215 Commands the King's Army against the Queen 220 Goes into England with the Regent 224 Sent Embassador into England 261 His Cheerfulness to encounter the Enemy 278 Taken Prisoner and then takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 James Haliburton taken Prisoner 281 James Hamilton Earl of Arran Admiral of a Navy under James IV. 16 He plunders Knockfergus in Ireland ibid. At last sails for France 17 Is chosen Regent 75 Opposes Archibald Douglas after his Return from France 39 Highly disgusted by King James V. 65 Compelled to change his Opinion concerning the Controverted Points of Religion 79 80 His shameful Flight Vanity and Inconstancy 84 86 Remiss in the Case of George Wiseheart 111 Corrupted by Avarice 112 Put from his Regency and made Duke of Chastle-herault 113 114 James Hamilton returns from France 229 Endeavours to engage Queen Elizabeth of England to make him Regent ibid. But without Success 232 He submits to the Regent 234 James Hamilton Son of the Archbishop of St. Andrews's Sister treacherously shoots Murray and kils him 245 246 James Hamilton a Bastard Brother to the Earl of Arran chosen Iudg against the Lutherans 68 He is tried condemned and executed 69 James Hepburn Earl of Bothwel committed to Prison 163 164 But escapes 167 Banished 66 A Rival to the Earl of Lennox 80 Called out of France by the Queen 171 172 Endeavours to supplant Murray 163 Divorced from his former Wife 198 Procures a Schedule from the Nobility about his Marriage with the Queen 196 Surprizes and marries the Queen 199 Outlawed 173 Accused of the King's Murder 194 His Mock-Trial 173 193 195 Wounded by an High-way Pad 184 Designs to destroy Murray 192 His Challenge answered 209 He flies 210 And dies distracted in Denmark 215 James Kennedy Archbishop an Adversary to the Douglasses 373 Retires from a corrupt Court 376 Disallows the Faction of the Queen-Mother 399 His Oration that Women ought not to govern 401 c. His Praise Death and Character 409 410 James Kennedy builds a vast Ship 420 James Levingston put to Death by the Douglassian Faction 375 376 Lindsy's Obstinacy in following his Enemies 319 James Macgil sent with others Embassador into England 224 261 James Macintosh unjustly put to Death 160 James the Son of Murdo burns Dumbarton 339 James Earl of Murray appointed Vicegerent 60 Settles the Borders 57 Sent into France 63 James Earl of Murray refuses to associate with the Queen and Bothwel 204 But chuses rather to leave the Land 205 He returns from Travel and is made Regent 213 His resolute Speech 217 He meets the Queen of England's Embassadors at York 224 Waylayed by his Enemies in his Iourny ibid. Goes to London 226 Where he manages the Accusation against the Queen 227 Whence honourably dismiss'd and his Transactions there approved in Scotland 233 He is deserted by his Friends 243 Too c●●eless of himself 245 Killed by one of the Hamiltons 246 His laudable Character 246 247 James Murray offers to encounter Bothwel hand to hand 209 James Sandiland Embassador from Scotland to France 150 James Sandiland sent against the Thieves 59 Carries Propositions from the Reformers to the Queen Regent 125 James Stuart marries Joan the Widow of James I. 364 Is banished 375 James Stuart the Queen's Brother puts the English to a Retreat 108 Hath threatning Letters sent him by the Queen 130 An Actor in reforming Religion 131 Made Earl of Marr and Murray 161 Iceni and Icium 10 Icolumbkil 26 Idleness the Source of Mischief 345 Idlers Isle or of the Otiosi 25 Ierna i. e. Ireland 69 Jews imitated by the Romanists 381 Issurt or Issert Isle 30 Igerne vitiated by Uter yet he afterwards marries her 149 Ignis Fatuus what 264 Ila Isle see Yla Ilan na Covihaslop 26 Images demolished at Perth 128 Immersi Isle 26 Impostors notorious ones 393 6 7 c. 58 Indigenae who 42 50 Indulfus King of Scots 181 Casually slain by the Danes 182 Indulgence over-much to Children punished 337 Informers though sometimes allowed yet dangerous Instruments in a State 148 Inhumanity to Prisoners 297 Innerlochy 20 Innerness 20 Interregnum in Scotland after Alexander the IIId's Death 245 Inundation of the River Tay at Perth 236 And great Ones in Lothian 305 John Annins writes the Original of the Brittons in Verse 42 Johannes Scotus sent for by Charles the Great 165 Johns or Jeans Isle 26 John Baliol his Genealogy 246 247 248 More solicitous for a Kingdom than a Good Name 250 Made King and surrenders himself and Kingdom to the King of England ibid. He confesses his Fault for so doing 251 Disgusts Edward of England 252 Overthrown by Edward made Prisoner and released 251 252 253 John King of England meditates a War against Scotland 235 Makes divers Leagues with the Scots 236 Enters Scotland 237 The Pope's Beneficiary ibid. Poisoned by a Monk 238 John Son of Alexander Brother to James III. Duke of Albany declared Regent when in France 31 He arrives in Scotland 32 Gets the Queen Mother into his Power 34 Goes into France appointing Governours in his Absence 37 Returns to Scotland 39 Raises an Army against England but makes a Truce 40 41 Goes again into France whence he returns with a great Navy 41 42 Marches into England and assaults Werk-Castle 45 Goes the third time into France and his Power is vacated in his Absence 46 John Erskin sent Embassador into France 63 Of the Queen's Faction 105 Made Governour of Edinburgh Castle 115 Sent Embassador into France 121 John Brother to King James III. put to death 421 John Erskin favours the Reformation 126 Afraid of the Queen Regent 128 Beats the Rebels out of Sterlin 282 Chosen Regent 283 Straitens Edinburgh 286 John Armstrong Captain of Thieves executed 57 John Earl of Athol marries Beatrix Douglas 301 He his Wife taken Prisoners by Donald 408 John Earl of Buchan aids the French King's Son 334 Made Lord High Constable of France 335 Slain there by the English 336 John Cumins marches into England and wasts Northumberland 253 His Treachery against Robert Bruce 2●0 Which cost him his Life ibid. John Earl of Carick base Son to Robert II. 307 John Cockburn of Ormiston wounded and taken by Bothwel 140 John Cuningham imployed in surprizing Dumbarton-Castle 263 John Earl Douglas's Brother made Baron of
to be Richard 332 Richard Duke of Gloucester marches with an Army against Scotland 426 Takes Berwick 427 Made Protector of England 428 Casts his Brother's two Sons into Prison and sets up himself King 428 Slain by Henry VII 429 Is very Tyrannical in his Government 434 Richard Duke of York brings King Edward Prisoner to London 396 Slain by the Queen ibid. Richard Colvil put to Death by Douglas 380 Richard Fox Bishop of Durham a very prudent Man mediates for Peace between the two Nations 12 13 An Instrument of James his Marriage with Margarite of England 14 Richard Grafton an English Writer blamed 252 Rins of Galway 14 Rinard Isle 26 Ridhead see Red Promontory Roadilla Monastery 31 Robbers punished 183 189 48 57 Robert Bruce his Genealogy 246 His magnanimous Answer to the King of England 250 Begins his Reign 261 Is overthrown and flies in disguise to save his Life ibid. His Wife imprisoned and his two Brothers put to Death by the English 261 262 He baffles Cumins ibid. Carried sick into his Army 264 Causes Edward of England to retreat ibid. Invades England takes Perth Edinburgh c. 265 Overthrows the English at Bannock near Sterlin 267 Robert the Son of Robert Bruce conspires with John Cumins against England 259 260 Is crowned King 261 Overcomes Edward II. in Battel 267 The Nobles conspire against him 271 Robert II. King of Scots 306 Marries Elizabeth More 307 The Dispute betwixt his Legitimate and his Natural Children occasions great Troubles 350 He invades England 311 His Death and Character 322 Robert III. before called John succeeds his Father 323 His Generals cause the Islanders to destroy one another 324 He makes the first Dukes in Scotland 325 He imprecates God's Iudgments on his Brother and the other Murderers of his Son David 330 He dies with Abstinence and Grief for the Captivity of his Son James in England 331 His Brother Robert made Regent after his Death 331 Robert Boyd kils James Stuart 374 Made Guardian to the King 409 Created Regent 412 Flies into England and dies there 414 Robert Boyd deserts the Reformed and revolts to the Queen 218 Robert Britain hath great Command at Court 56 Robert Cockerane of a Tradesman made a Courtier 420 Taken by Douglas and committed to Prison 424 425 Robert Cuningham of the Family of the Lennoxes opposes Bothwel 195 Robert Douglas desires that the Death of 〈◊〉 Brother Murray might be revenged 249 Robert Earl of Fife 315 Starves to Death David the King's Son 328 Robert Graham a great Enemy to King James 355 Conspires against him 357 Seizes him with his own Hands for which he is executed 358 Robert Maxwel 71 Coming to reconcile Differences is imprisoned by Hamilton 82 Robert the Son of Robert Maxwel taken Prisoner by the English 91 Robert Earl of the Orcades made one of the King's Guardians 407 Robert Petcarn sent Embassador into England 242 Queen Elizabeth's Answer to his Embassy 257 Robert Read sent Embassador into France 63 Poisoned there 122 Robert Semple kils Creighton 111 Bruce's Grand-son by his Daughter rises in Arms for Bruce 293 Made Regent 294 Taken by Baliol and swears Fealty to the King of England 286 Sought for to be slain 292 Roch Isle 26 Roffa for Raufchestria i. e. Rochester 8 Romachus King of Scots 125 Roman Generals in Britain 84 c. Roman Fraud 239 Roman Legates Pick-pockets 243 418 The Jews Apes 381 Romans their memorable Fact in Britain before their Departure 138 Rona Isle 32 Ronanus his Spade ibid. Rolland a Carpenter discovers a Treachery against Robert Bruce 268 Rolland's Valour he overcomes Gilcolumb 246 247 Rose white Badg of the York Faction 7 Ross and its Etymology 21 139 170 Rothsay Castle 25 Rotti Isle 37 Rous-oy 36 Round Isle 26 Roxburgh Town taken 393 Its Castle taken 394 Royalists overthrown in the North 283 Ruby a French Lawyer in Scotland his Character 147 Rudana Isle 27 Rum Isle 28 It abounds with Eggs of Sea-Fowl ibid. Ruven had the Mayoralty of Perth taken from him by the Cardinal 92 S SAcred or Cleirach Isle 31 Sacred Sanctuary 25 Saga Isles the Great and the Small 30 Saliar Verses not easy to be understood 44 Salii who 44 Salisbury Earl commands the English in Scotland 297 Taken Prisoner 300 Salmon Fishing Aberdene famous for it 19 Sanachies who 39 Sancterr Isle 37 Sanda Isle 25 Scandians who 200 Satrael King of Scots 117 Slain ibid. Saturnals old Feasts retained 239 Saxe or Rock Isle 26 Saxons kill the English Nobles by Treachery 70 Overcome by the Normans 71 Worsted by Picts Scots and Brittons 149 Cruel in Wars 146 Not faithful in Peace 148 Their Fight with three Kings 148 149 Scalpe Isle 28 30 Scarba Isle 25 Schan Castle 31 Schanny Isle 25 27 Schetland Isles 36 The Nature of their Inhabitants 37 The greatest of them called Pomona ibid. Sclata or Sleach Isle 25 Scoff sharp given to Bothwel by a Tradesman 194 Schools publick erected by James 345 Scorpions i. e. Cross-bows 311 Scotland how divided 13 Where narrowest 20 Had anciently learned Monks 169 Scots their fabulous Original 46 47 Scots and Picts unite against the Romans 134 Scots and Brittons overthrown by the Saxons 157 Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England 160 Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons 146 Scots Monks preach the Gospel in Germany 165 Scots have hard Terms of Peace imposed upon them by the English 173 Scots Bishops freed from the Iurisdiction of the English 234 411 Scots have an ancient Priviledg not to be cited to Rome 241 Scots excommunicated by their Ecclesiasticks 243 Excommunicated again but absolved 272 273 Scots join with the French against England 253 Scots receive a great Overthrow from Edward of England at Falkirk 256 Obtain a Truce from him ibid. Rise in Arms again and overthrow the English at Rosline 258 Scots make a League with the French 273 When their first Alliance with France began 165 Scots of Jerna and Scots of Albion 52 Scots overthrown by Maximus the Roman General and banished out of their Country 124 March into England but retreat again 91 Scots Nobles some rise against James IV. but are quelled 3 Scots Nobles anciently had Skill in Chirurgery 28 Scots complain of the French Breach of Faith by their Embassadors 60 Scots Prisoners released at London 74 Scotish Parliament demolishes all Monasteries 152 Scotish Crown ordered to be sent to the Dolphin of France 126 Scotish Kings anciently travelled over their Kingdoms themselves to administer Iustice 123 Scoto-Brigantes in Claudian to be read for Scuta-Brigantes 76 Scroop an English General in Scotland 256 Sea-Calves 29 Sea-Monks an ill boding Fish 175 Security dangerous in War 172 173 Seditions perillous 141 309 Secla or Seil Isle 25 Seneciones who 39 Seuna Isle 30 Severn River 13 Severus his Wall 8 148 His Expedition against the Brittons 117 118 Seuna or Suin Isle 25 30 Servanus 145 Shevi Isle 30 Sheep fair yet wild in Hirta Isle 30 Their Fat good
the Fifth to Scotland to s●i● them up to War against England Berwick Castle surprised by Ramsay but regain'd by Percy Iames the First Earl of Douglas enters England with an Army * In Cumberland A Pestilence in Scotland Talbet overthrown in Scotland A Truce between the Scots and English for three Years Quatuor nummos Ang●●co● A Rising of the Commons in England at the Instigation of Iohn Ba● a Priest Lancaster the English Embassador in Scotland denied entrance into Berwick Loch-Maban Castle taken by the Scots unbar surprizes the Governor of Roxburg Lancaster enters Scotland He favours the Edinburgers But is put to a Retreat Douglas prevails in Scotland he dyes and his Son William succeeds him A Truce made for a Year between French English and Scots which the French were to acquaint the Scots with The English enter Scotland before Notice is given them of a Truce made Some Scots Nobles also invade England before the Truce is Proclaimed Richard II. enter'd Scotland with an Army Whereupon the Scots enter England They both return home The French and Scots quarrel ●bout the Bears Skin before he was catcht French Soldiers more licentious than Scots or English which occasions a disgust betwixt them The French Army leaves Scotland but their General is retain'd to satisfy damages Nov. 1. Will. Douglas sails into Ireland And takes Dundalk * A Town on the North side of the Nith a Mile about Drumlanerick in Nithisdale * A Sea Town in the County of Louth and Province of Vlster in Ireland And returns from thence The Scots enter England 〈◊〉 Against the mind of Robert and his Son Aug. ● An English Spy in the Scots Army discovered The Scots Army divide themselves to attack England Douglas in Northumberland encountred by Percy A Duel between Earl Douglas and Earl Percy The Scots march to Otterborn A terrible Fight between the Scots and English under Percy and Douglas Hart slain And Douglas mortally Wounded His Three last dying Requests Ralfe P●rcy 〈…〉 The English overthrown Lindsay takes Redman Prisoner and releases him on his Parol Courtesy to Prisoners The ancient punishment of Prisoners not returning upon their Parol The Bishop of Durham comes too late to Assist Percy The Bishops Forces terrified with the Sound of Horns and Retreat Lindsay's Kindness to Redman requited by him Ralfe Percy released on his Parol Henry Percy Ransomed Douglas buried at Mulross Both the Scots Armies lament Doug●a● Iuly 21. Robert Earl of Fife made Governor of Scotland Earl Marshal vaunts over the Scots Whereupon Robert enters England and returns with a great Booty A Peace between France and England Robert assents thereto on his own Head * Lying on the River Irwin Apr. 19. Roberts Death and Character Alexander Earl of Buchan burns Elgin Church William Douglas slain at Dantzick by the procurement of Clifford of England * Or Prussias A noted Ma●t Town of great Trade on the Wesse● acknowledge the King of Poland for Protector August 1● Robert the Third his Name changed from Iohn Duncan Stuart rises in Arms but is suppressed A notable Policy to divide the Islanders and make them Instruments to destroy one another which takes effect accordingly Dukes First made in Scotland E. Douglas refuses that Title Richard the Second of England resigns his Crown and Hen. the Fourth succeeds him Difference in Scotland occasioned by the Marriage of the King's Son Dunbar joyns with Percy and infests Scotland Standing upon Tine 3 Miles below Hadington The Death of Archibald Douglas August 13. Henry of England Enters Scotland Carries it Moderately And Retreats * A Castle over against Holy-Isle in Northumberland The Scots overthrown by Percy and Dunbar at Homeldon May. 7. Co●●●aw-Castle besieged by the English but they raise the Siege themselves Arch Bishop Tra●●e an observer of Ancient Discipline David after his Mothers decease le ts loose the reins to Licentiousness David most cruelly starved to Death by his Uncle Robert Scituate at the North bottom of Loc●-Lomond near the Centre of Fife The Governor of Fa●k●and's cruelty to his own Daughter Douglas joyne with Percy against the K. of England Having Performed valiantly in a fight he is taken Prisoner and after ransomed Robert accused for Davids Death Undergoes a partial Tryal and is Acquitted King Robert imprecates God's judgment on the Murderers of his Son Iames the K. Son for security sent into France but Landing in England is detained There Dispute 〈◊〉 King 〈…〉 concerning the Detention o● Di●mission o● Iames. Iames well Educated in England yet his Captivity breaks his Fathers Heart April 1. Robert's Death and Character Robert his Brother made Regent Percy overthrown and flies to Scotland Henry of England invades Scotland Dunbar returns to Scotland Percy betrayed by Rokesby his pretended Friend and put to Death A Supposititious Prince Standing on a Rock above the Firth of Forth near St. Eb●s Head in the Merss A County lying on 〈◊〉 River St●a●-Bogy 40 〈…〉 A●●rdeen * In Murray A Cruel Fight between Donald and the Governour The Erection of St. Andrews University March 21. Henry the 4 th Dyes and Henry the 5 th●●●●ceeds ●●●●ceeds 〈◊〉 Percys Posterity restored to their Dignity Council of Constance send Ambassadors to Scotland so doth Peter Lune Anti-Pope The King of France distracted Divisions in France A County of France lying on the River Carus The French King craves Aid of the Scots which is sent him under the Command of the Earl of Buchan The Scots Auxiliaries Land in France Is overthrow● by them And slain Buchan made Lord High Constable of France September 3. Robert dies and his Son Murdo made Governor of Scotland Buchan returns to Scotland but is recalled to France Douglas made Duke of Turein Earl of Bedford sent by Henry into France who carries with him Iames I. King of Scotland A Chief Town of the County o● B●●e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A Chief Town of the County o● B●●e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A large Country about Orlean● on the 〈◊〉 The Sc●ts overthrown in F●ance 〈…〉 English and their Chief 〈…〉 Reflections on some English Writers Fond Indulgence to Children justly punished in a Father The Scots send for King Iames the First out of England Who returns upon a Ransom May 27. April 20. 〈…〉 Scotl●nd ●bout 〈…〉 The King remits one halfe of his Ransom-Tax Several Scots Nobles imprisoned Others 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Murdo brought to his Trial. The Ancient manner of Trying Nobles in Scotland Murdo c. found Guilty and Beheaded Embassadors from France to Scotland about Peace and a Marriage K. Iames the First his prosperous Beginnings Free 〈◊〉 punished by the King Alexander the Islander ●ise● in Arm● But is suppressed * Easter And submits to the Kings Mercy Donald B●l●ck makes an Insurrection But is quelled Tories fall out among themselves Mackdonald a Free-booter His Cruelty to a Woman Retaliated on himself and his Followers Donald's
Head sent to the K. from Ireland The King reforms Publick Manners He also rectifies Weights and Measures His Queen brings forth Twins Do●gla● and Kennedy released from Prison He reforms the Ecclesiastica● Estate Which was Wofully degenerated and corrupted He Erects Publick Schools and is present himself at their Disputations Parish Priests and Begging Friers the Causes of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline with the Manner how King Iames aims to prefer only Worthy Persons to Benefices and Church Preferments He invites Tradesmen out of Flanders Luxury and Prodigality the trust of Idleness Robert and Murdo affect the Throne Murdo and his Sons put to Death The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and his Exploits Exceptions taken against Iames. A Castle standing upon the T●ne 3 Miles below Hadington The Dispute between Robert's Legitimate and Natural Children occasion great Troubles The Earl of Athol's Ambition A Town of Normandy in France Plots against Iames. Upon the Account of Wardships c. Embassadors from France and England to Scotland The Scots joyn with the French against England Iames Marries his Daug●●●● 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 o● France and sends her thither A Stately City on the L●●r The English Writers imputing Perfidiousness to Iames are blamed by this Author and their Reflections upon him Wiped off In Champaign in France A Fight between the S●●ts and Eng●ish Iames enters England but retires upon notice of a Conspiracy formed against him by his own Kindred K. Iames Cruelly Assassinated His Death highly lamented with his Laudable Character Earl of 〈◊〉 and other of Iames's Murderers Tortured and Executed Descants upon such severe Executions March●7 ●7 Alexander Levingston made Regent William Creigton made Chancellor Douglas labours to imbroil things The R●gent and Chancellor dis●gree The Queen by Policie get the Kings Person out of the Chancellors Power * Situate below ●anton Bridge on the Ti ne in 〈◊〉 Lothian The Chancellor highly accused And besieged in Edinburgh Castle The Chancellor craves Aid of Douglas But receives an affronting Answer from him Whereupon he agrees with the Regent And s●rren●ers up Edinburgh Castle September 29. Lying on the River 〈◊〉 in Cuningham Iuly 9. Deadly ●ewds The 〈◊〉 of Archiba●d Doug●as With the Profuseness of his young Heir * Or L●ther a great and ancient Family in Lothian The Queen with her Husband Iames Stuart and others committed to Prison August 2. August 31. But she is Releast again The Aebudians ravage the Continent A Two years Pestilence in Scotland The R●gent and C●●●cellor again Disagree The Chancellor surpr●zes the Kings Person The Regent being out-Witted by the Chancellor inwardly frets And Meditates a Reconciliation with him His Condescending Ha●angue to the Chancellor A New Knot of Amity between the Regent and the Chancellor The Miseries of the Commons Occasioned Principally by the Earl of Douglas Where he and his Brother David were slain William Douglas Marries Beatrix his Uncles Daughter The high 〈◊〉 o● Thieves Dunbarton Castle twice surprized King Iames being of Age enters on the Government Douglas throws himself at the Kings Feet acknowledges his Offences is Pardoned and Received into Favour The Regent and Chancellor lay down their Offices Douglas by his Power at Court summons them to Appear They excusing themselves are declared publick Enemies * O● Forester In Mid-Lothian two 〈◊〉 West of Edinburgh A Town on the River 〈◊〉 West-Lothian A Castle standing on a Rock lying near the Firth of For●h above Abercorn Creighton late Chancelor defends himself by force Douglas incensed against Creighton's Friends The Clans of the Lindsys and Ogilbys Fight Ian. 24. The Lindsys prevail Iuly 15. Creighton received into Favour and is made Chancellor again Deadly Fewds betwixt particular Persons and Families An Abby in Lenn●x A Castle standing upon Tine near Hardington Douglas attempts the Levingstons of whom Iames is put to Death c. Creighton sent Embassador to France The Bishop of Glasco frightned by a Voice from Heaven for his wicked Life which does him to Death Iames Kennedy retires from a Corrupt Court Dunbar E. of Murray Dies and Archibald Douglas succeed● 〈◊〉 A Barony ●●ing on the 〈◊〉 Spey The immoderate Power of the Douglas's e●poses them to Envy The Miserable Estate of the Commons under Douglas Mutual Incursions betwixt the Scots and English Or Sa●s The English overthrown by the Scots A Truce between the Scots and English Iames Married to Mary of Gelderland Colvil put to Death by Douglas Douglas goes vain-gloriously in a year o● Iubilee to Rome In his absence his Enemies sue him and 〈◊〉 Damages for wrong● received Which are answered out of his Estate Douglas at his return from Rome received into Favour And made Regent Douglas gives Iames new occasion of Suspicion Douglas design against Creighton's Life 〈◊〉 de●ends himself 〈…〉 Douglas joyns with Craford and Ross. He provokes the King In the Case of Herris And Macklan Douglas on safe Conduct comes to Court Where the King Stabs him with his own Hand M●rch 27. Whereupon the rest of the 〈◊〉 rise in Arms. The Douglas●● proclaimed publick Enemies Iames Douglas Marries his Brothers Wife A Famine and Pestilence in Scotland Douglas persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King Which he refuses Craford forsakes Douglas and is pardoned by the King Douglas applys to England for Aid but in vain H●milton 〈◊〉 Douglas * Standing upon N●●th-Esk in Mid-L●thi●n 4 Miles above Da●keith Iune 5. Douglas joyns with the Enlish and then with Donald the Islander Douglas's Wife forsakes him and 〈◊〉 to the King Lying on the River Sp●● So doth Donald's Wi●e too In Mid-Lothian Thornton put to death for Murder The death of Will. Creighto● A Party of English wor●●ed in Scotland Donald the Islander submits to the King The English Nobles crave Aid of Iames against Henry their King He marches to their Assistance but is diverted by a Counte●feit Le●at from Rome Iames takes Roxborough Town And besieges the Castle Where he is casually slain The Queen shews Herself a virago immediately after her Husbands Death Roxburgh Castle Surrendred and Demolisht Iames II. his Character Iames III. begins his Reign about 7 years of Age. Henry of Enggland taken Prisoner by the Duke of York York overthrown by the Queen So is Warwick The Queen overthrown and flies wit● her Husband into Scotland Berwick surrendred to the Scots by King Henry Henry's Queen sues for Foreign Aid * Or Renny Which having obtained 〈◊〉 enters Scotland and England again Holy-Isle seven miles South-East of Berwick on the Coast of Northumberland Henry's Army overthrown at Hexham Alnwick Castle besieged and Douglas's gallantry in bringing off the Garison Henry of England taken Prisoner and his Queen 〈◊〉 Disputes in the Assembly of Estates about the Regency Which the Queen claim● But Kennedy and Douglas oppose A Truce for a Month betwixt the Parties The Commonalty dislike the Queens Regency The Queens Plea for the Regency Kennedys Grave and Prolix Oration in Answer thereunto Queen of Palmira a City in Syria now called Faid
The Parliament Gra●ity neither Party fully but chuse Regents of which the Queens Friends are an equal Number with the rest A Truce with England for 1● Years The Queen Mothers Death Intestine Commotions in Scotland By Alan of Lo●n And Donald the Islander * Or Redshanks Donald takes the Earl of Athol Prisoner pillages and burns St. Brides Church He is Shipwrack●d and the●eupon fal●s distr●cted Iames Kennedy his commendation The Boyds c●eep into Favour at Court Alexander Boyd abuses Kennedy The Boyds carry the King to Edinburgh Whereupon the Kennedies depart from the Court Boyd's Sarcasm to Iohn Kennedy Kennedy's Death and Character * Patrick Graham Elected Bishop of St. Andrews in the room of Iames Kennedy and Confirmed by the Pope But the Boyds obstruct his Admission Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of the Arch-Bishop of York by the Popes Decree The Boyds strengthen their Faction and procure Pardon for their Mis●a●iage● by Publick Instruments to which the King assents Robert Boyd made Regent Thomas Boyd Marries the Kings Eldest Sister The Greatness of the Boyds occasions their Ruin James by his Ambassadors desires Margarite Daughter of the King of Denmark for a Wife The King of Denmark resigns up the Orcades and Sche●land to the Scots as a Dowry Thomas Boyd sent Ambassador to bring the new Queen from Norwey The Boyds undermined in the absence of Thomas Robert Boyd flies into England Alexander Boyd Beheaded A Critical or Ambiguous Pardon Thomas Boyd declared a publick Enemy in his ●bsence Who thereupon retires into Burgundy King Iames Married to Margarite of Norwey * A Town on the River Irwyn in Cuningham Thomas Boyd's Wife divorced f●om him and Married to Iames Hamilton Boyd's Death Bishops anciently chosen by their Canons and Abbats by their Monks B●t King Iames assumes the naming of 〈◊〉 to himse●● Which Patrick Grah●m labo●rs to withstand But the Court-brokers ●ppose him The Story of William Sivez and his worming of Graham out of the Archbishop●ick of St. Andrews Patrick Graham Excommunicated and his Rents gathered into the Kings Exchequer Situate upon the Head of Monks-Moor Five Miles North of Falkland 〈…〉 of his B●shoprick imprisoned till 〈◊〉 Death and hi● Adversary Sivez succeeds him A Town four Miles above Queens-Ferry in Fife Iohn the Islander rises in Arms but quickly submits himself Iames Kennedy built a vast Ship which is rifled by the English but upon a Peace made by Embassadors he receives satisfaction Embassadors to Charles of Burgundy who soon after was slain at Nants by the Switzers One Andrews an Astrologer and Physician foretels K. Iames's Death K. Iames degenerates into Tyranny Iohn the Kings Brothe● put to Death And A●exander impri●oned But he make● his Escape to Dunbar and then to France Dunbar Castle deserted and taken by the Scots Peace between the Scots and English wherein it was agreed That Cecily Edwards Daughter should Marry Iames's Young Son But the Peace is soon broken and an Army Marches into England * In Lauderdale Douglasses Oration to the Nobles in the Camp against the King's Evil Counsellors Cockran and the Rest of the Evil Counsellors dragg'd out by an Incensed Army to their Deaths Their Crimes Objected were Brass-Money Coyned Their Ali●nating the King's Heart from the Nobility with 〈◊〉 Incouraging of him in Magical A●ts and Exciting him to Cruelty against his own Flesh and Blood The Scots Army disbanded An English Army under the Duke of Glocester and Alexander the Kings Brother enters Scotland The S●ots Nob●●●ty raise an Army Yet mediate a Peace by their Agents Reparties between both Armies * Near Hadington in 〈◊〉 Lothian Alexander is reconciled to the King returns into his own Country and is made Regent Be●wick Cast●e surrendered to the Eng●ish The intended Marriage be Iames's Son and Edward's Daughter Null'd and the Dowry repaid Alexander disgusted condemned and flees to England Creighton condemned with the Reasons why Edward of England dies and his Brother Richard made first Protector and then King A Scuffle in Scotland On the North-side of Fife upon the Rive● Tay. A Truce between Richard of England and the Scots Richard of England 〈◊〉 and Henry the 7 th 〈◊〉 him Dunbar-Castle surrendred to the Scots A Truce between the English and Scots for 7 Years The Death of the Queen of Scots and of Alexander the King's Brother who left Two Sons behind them The King again addicts himself to Evil Counsellors Iohn Ramsy c. The King labours to cajole some of the Nobles by Honors He discovers his Design against the Nobles to Douglas Who dissuades him from such Cruelty The Nobles Arm against the King and chuse the Kings Son for their General A Temporary Agreement The Nobles insist on the Kings resigning of the Crown The King sends Embassadors for Foreign Aid A Battel between the King and the Nobles where the King is slain The Character of james III And of the Foreign Princes his Contemporaries Wood's Constancy to King Iames the 3 d. On the North-side of Forth 2 Miles below Sterlin Andrew Wood reconciled to K. Iames the 4 th He fights the English Fleet overthrows them Some of the Scots Nobility combine against the new King's Party But are overthrown * Off the Point of Fife The manner of the Fight between Andr. Wood and the English Admiral Wood's second Victory over the English A strange Monster K. Iames the 4 th his first Parliament ‖ A Castle lying 4 miles South off F●r●ar in Angus * The Commendation of Iames the 4 th His Clemency His sorrowful Resentment for his Fathers Death Peter Warbeck some call him Perkin comes into Scotland His Story * A Town in Flanders standing on the Bank of the S●●●ld † A Gallo-Belgick People possessing 〈◊〉 Warbeck set up by Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy Warbeck's feigned Harangue of himself The Scots Council cajol'd by Warbeck K. Iames marries Katherine Gordon his Kinswoman to Warbeck and assists him with an Army against England K. Iames begins to smell out Warbeck's Cheat. Henry of England prepares an Army against Scotland An Insurrection in England prevents K. Henry's Design against Scotland at that time K. Iames invades England but to little purpose * In the Mers on the River Aye a mile above Aymouth An Embassador form Spain to England Who mediates a Peace between Scotland and England * The chief Town in Tividale standing on the West of the River Ied Warbeck dismist out of Scotland Taken and hanged in England A War like to arise on a small Occasion betwixt England Scotland but accommodated by Fox Bp. of Durham * Mulross in Tiviot-dale on a bare Promon●ory on Tweed side three Miles below its confluence with Gala. A Conference between King Iames and R. Fox Bp of Durham concerning the Marriage of King Henry's Daughter Margaret to Iames. Which took Effect A vast Ship built by King Iames. Wardship a Badg of Slavery Recognition what Wardship disused K. Iames's resolution 〈…〉 Ierusalem The execution of it
immediately after Congallus but there are More who insert Kinnatellus betwixt Them Aidanus The Forty Ninth King AIdanus being Nominated King by Kinnatellus and confirmed by the People received the Royal Habiliments from Columba For the Authority of that Man was so great in those days that neither Prince nor People would undertake any thing without his Advice And at that time after he had in a long Speech persuaded the King to rule Equitably over the People and the People to be Loyal to their King he earnestly pressed them Both to persist in the pure Worship of God for then Both of them would prosper but if they forsook it they must expect Destruction as the reward of their Offences Having perform'd this Service he returned into his own Country The first Expedition of Aidanus was against the Robbers who infested Galway coming thither he put their Commanders to Death and Fear restrain'd the rest but a greater Storm encountred him at at his Return For after he had had three Conventions of the Estates in Galway Abria or Loch-abyr and Caithness and thought all things were settled there there was a Tumult arose amongst them in Hunting that much Blood was spilt and the Kings Officers who came to punish the Offenders were repulsed and beaten The Authors for fear of Punishment fled into Lothian to Brudeus King of the Picts when Ambassadors were sent to him to deliver them up according to the League betwixt them they were refused whereupon a feirce War commenced betwixt the Scots and Picts but it was quickly ended by the means of Columba who was according to his Merit highly esteemed by both Nations In the mean time England was again divided into Seven Kingdoms and the Brittons were driven into the Peninsula of Wales but the Saxons not contented with such large Dominions stirred up a new War betwixt the Scots and Picts The Author and Kindler thereof was Ethelfrid King of Northumberland a Covetous Man and who was weary of Peace out of the desire he had to enlarge his Dominions He persuaded the Picts but with difficulty Brudeus hardly consenting thereto That they should drive away Preys out of the Scots Territories and so give an occasion to a War Aidanus understanding the Treachery of the Saxons that he might also strengthen himself with Foreign Aid renewed the ancient League with Malgo the Britton He sent his Son Grifinus and his Sisters Son Brendinus King of Eubonia now called Man a Military Man with Forces who joyning with the Brittons entred Northumberland and after Three days march came to the Enemy but the English refused to engage them because they expected new Succors which were reported to be neer at hand for indeed Ceulinus King of the East Saxons a very Warlike Man was coming to them with great Forces the Scots and Brittons fell upon him in his March and wholly destroyed the Front of his Army which was a long way before the rest together with his Son Cutha but they were afraid to engage the rest lest they should be circumvented by Ethelfrid who was not far distant The two Kings of the Saxons being joined together again renewed the Fight with much Slaughter on both sides wherein the Scots and Brittons were put to flight There were slain of the Scots Nobles Grifinus and Brendinus in the opposite Army Ethelfrid lost one of his Eyes and Brudeus was carried wounded out of the Field to the great Astonishment of his Party The next Summer after Ethelfrid uniting his Forces with the Picts marched into Gallway supposing he should find all things there in great Consternation by reason of their ill Success the last Year But Aidanus coming with his Forces thither sooner than his Enemies thought set upon the straggling Plunderers and drave them with great trepidation to their Camp Thus having chastized their Temerity supposing now they would be more quiet the Night after he passed by their Camp and joyned himself with the Brittons Both Armies having thus united their forces pitch'd their Tents in a narrow Valley of Annandale and their Enemies as now Cock-sure of their Destruction beset the passages entring into it But they having fortify'd their Camp as if they intended there to abide in the Night when the Tide was out marched thro' the Ford which was known to them amidst the quavering Sands into Cumberland and afterward into Northumberland making great Havock whithersoever they came The Enemie followed them at their Heels and when they came in fight of one another both Armies prepare themselves for the Fight The Scots and Britains added Four Commanders to those they had before who were noble Persons of great experience in Warlike affairs that so the rash-Headed Common Soldiers might be commanded by a greater Number of Captains of the Brittons there were added Constantine and Mencrinus of the Scots Calenus and Murdacus By their Conduct and Incouragement the Soldiers fell upon the Enemy with so great Violence that he was presently broken and put to flight There goes a Report that Columb being then in the Isle Icolumbkil told his Companions of this Victory the very same hour in which it was obtained Of the Saxon Nobles there were slain in this fight Cialinus and Vitellius both great Warriors and highly descended about Eleven years after this Victory the Saxons and Picts infested the adjacent Country whereupon a Day was appointed wherein the Brittons and Scots should meet and with their united Forces set upon the Saxons Aidanus tho' very old came to the place at the appointed time and staid for the Brittons but in vain for they came not yet he drove Preys out of his Enemies Country Ethelfrid having now gotten a fair Opportunity to act something in set upon the dispersed Scots and made a great slaughter amongst them Aidanus having lost many of his Men fled for his Life yet the Victory was not unbloody to the Saxons for they lost Ethelfrid's Brother and some of those Squadrons that followed him were almost wholly cut off Aidanus having received this overthrow and being also informed of the death of Columb that Holy Man whom he so highly honoured foreseeing to what Cruelty the Remainder of the Christians were likely to be exposed being worn out with Age and Grief did not long survive he Reigned 34 years and died in the Year of our Lord 604. In his Reign it was That a certain Monk Named Austin came into Britain being sent by Gregory Pope of Rome who by his Ambition in Preaching a New Religion mightily disturbed the Old for he did not so much Preach the Christian Religion as the Ceremonies of the Roman Church Yea the Brittons before his coming were Converted to and taught the Principles of the Christian Religion by the Disciples of Iohn the Evangelist and were instituted in the same by the Monks who were Learned and Pious in that Age. As for Austin He laboured to reduce all things to the
of the Enemies Numbers promised to devote the Village whither he was going to St. Andrew the Apostle the Tutelary Saint of Scotland if he returned Victor from that Expedition After a few Removes he came to the River Spey the violentest Current in all Scotland where he beheld a greater number of Soldiers than he thought could have been levied out of those Countries standing on the other side of the River to hinder his Passage Whereupon the Standard Bearer making an Halt and delaying to enter the River he snatch'd the Standard out of his Hand and gave it to one Alexander Carron a Knight of known Valour whose Posterity had ever afterwards the Honour of carrying the Kings Standard in the Wars and in stead of Carron the Name of Scrimger was given him because he being full of true Valour though ignorant of the Modes and Niceties of War had out-done One who was a Master in handling of Arms and who valued himself highly upon that Account As the King was entring the River the Mitred Priests with their Mitres on their Heads prevented him who by his Permission having passed over to the Enemy before had ended the War without Blood The Nobles surrendred themselves upon Quarter for Life Those who were the most Seditious and and the Authors of the Rising were Tryed had their Goods Confiscated and themselves Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment Peace being thus by his great Industry obtained both at home and abroad he converted his pains to amend the publick Manners for he lived Devoutly and Piously himself and provoked others by his Example to a Modest Just and Sober Life It is thought that he was assisted herein by the Counsel and Monitions of his Wife a choice Woman and eminently Pious She omitted no Office of Humanity towards the Poor or the Priests neither did Agatha the Mother or Christiana the Sister come behind the Queen in any Religious Duty For because a Nuns Life was then accounted the great Nourisher and Maintainer of Piety Both of them leaving the toilsome Cares of the World shut themselves up in a Monastery appointed for Virgins Then the King to the Four former Bishopricks of St. Andrews Gasgow Whithorn and Murthlack where the old Discipline by the Bishops Sloth and Default was either remitted or laid quite aside added That of Murray and Caithness procuring Men Pious and Learned according to the rate of those times to fill the Sees And whereas also Luxury began to abound in those days in regard many English came in and great Commerce was had with Foreign Nations and also many English Exiles were entertained and scatt'red almost all over the Kingdom he laboured though to little purpose to restrain it But he had the hardest Task of all with the Nobles whom he endeavoured to reclaim to the Practice of their ancient Parsimony for they having once swallowed the bait of Pleasure did not only grow worse and worse but even ran headlong into Debauchery yea they laboured to cover that foul Vice under the false Name of Neatness Bravery and Gallantry Malcolm forseeing that such courses would be the Ruin not only of Religion but also of Military Discipline did first of all Reform his own Family very exactly afterwards he made most severe Sumptuary Laws denouncing great Punishment against the Violators of them Yet by those Remedies he rather stopp'd than cured the Disease nevertheless as long as he lived he employed all his endeavours to work a thorough Reform therein It is also Reported That his Wife obtained of him That whereas the Nobles had gradually obtained a Priviledge to lye the first Night with any Married Bride by the Law of Eugenius That Custom should be altered and the Husband have Liberty to Redeem it by paying half a Mark of Silver which Payment is yet called Marcheta Mulierum Whilst Malcolm was thus busied in reforming the publick Manners William King of England dies His Son William Rufus succeeded him Peace could not long be continued between two Kings of such ●ifferent Dispositions For the King of Scots chose that Time to Build two Temples or Cathedrals in one at Durham in England the other at Dumferling in Scotland upon Both which Piles he bestowed great Cost so that he endeavoured to retrieve Church-Affairs which then began to flag and decay And withal he translated Turgot Abbat of the Monks at Durham to the Bishoprick of St. Andrews This he did whilst Rufus was plucking down Towns and Monasteries and making Forests that he might have the more room to hunt in And when Anselme the Norman then Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did with freedom rebuke him for the same he Banished him the Land He also sought for an Occasion of War against the Scots And thereupon he surprized the Castle of Alnwick in Northumberland having slain the Garison which was therein Malcolm having demanded Restitution but in vain Besieged the Castle with a great Army They within being reduced to great extremity and want talk'd of surrendring it and desired the King to come and receive the Keys with his own Hand which as he was a doing being tendred to him on the point of a Spear the Soldier run him into the Eye and killed him And his Son Edward also being forward to revenge his Fathers Death and thereupon more negligent of his own safety made an unwary assault upon the Enemy wherein he received a Wound of which he died soon after The Scots being afflicted and troubled at this double Slaughter of Two of their Kings broke up the Siege and returned home Margaret did not long survive her Husband and Son but died of Grief The Bodies of the Kings which at first were buried at Tinmouth a Monastery at the mouth of Tine were afterwards brought back to Dumferling Malcolm held the Kingdom Thirty and three years being noted for no Vice but famous to Posterity for his great and many Virtues he had six Sons by his Wife Margaret of whom Edward was slain by the English in the Siege of Alnwick Castle Edmond and Etheldred were Banished into England by their Uncle Donald where they died The other Three Edgar Atheldred and David succeeded in the Kingdom one after another He also had Two Daughters the Elder Maud Sirnamed the Good Married Henry King of England the younger named Mary had Eustace Earl of Bologn for her Husband Several Prodigies hapned in those days and in particular there was such a mighty and unusual an Inundation of the German Ocean that it did not only drown the Fields and Country and choked them up with Sand but also overthrew Villages Towns and Castles And besides there were great and terrible Thunders and more were killed with Thunderbolts than were ever Recorded to have perished by that Death in Britain before Donaldus VII Sirnamed Banus The Eighty Seventh King UPon the Death of Malcolm Donaldus Banus i. e. The White his Brother who for
there he turned into a Monastery for Monks Being once carried by Tempest into the Isle Aemona he was there reduced to great Want and Hunger for neither he nor his Companions could procure any Food for some Days but what they got from those that Lived Solitary Lives vulgarly called Hermits He built also a Church there in Memory of St. Columb supplying it with Canons as they call them and Lands to maintain them He also gave great Guifts and Largesses and settled Revenues on St. Andrews which was Rich enough before He finished the Church at Dumferling which his Father had begun and Endowed it with Revenues After these Transactions in Peace and War when he had Reigned Seventeen Years he departed this Life leaving no Children by Sibyl his Wife Daughter of William the Norman David I. The Ninety First King HIS Brother David succeeded him in the Kingdom in the Year of Christ 1124. He seeing that his Brothers Reigned successively one after another in Scotland stayed with his Sister Maud in England There he Married Maud his Niece a Woman of great Beauty Wealth and Nobility For Voldiosus of Northumberland was her Father and her Mother was Iudith Niece to William the Norman On her he begot a Son named Henry in whom both his Father's and Mother's Disposition did presently appear By this Marriage his Revenues were much encreased by the Accession of Northumberland and Huntington-shire thereto Thus with the Universal Gratulation of his Subjects he came into Scotland to possess the Kingdom 'T is true the Memory of his Parents was of great Force to procure him the Favour of the People yet his own Virtue was such that he stood in no need of any adventitious Help For as in other Virtues he equalled other good Kings so in his Condescention to hear the Causes of the Poor he was much superiour to them As for the Complaints of the Rich he heard them himself and if a false Judgment had been given he would not rescind it but compelled the Judge himself to pay the Damages awarded He restrained Luxury which then begun to spread according to the Example of his Father He banished Epicures and such as studied Arts to provoke the Appetite out of the Kingdom He far exceeded the Beneficence of his Parents and Allies which were worthy rather of Pardon than Praise in increasing the Revenues of the Church He repaired Monasteries whether decayed by Age or ruined by the Wars and He also built New Ones from the Ground To the Six Bishopricks before he added Four more Ross Brechin Dunkelden and Dunblain He almost impoverished the succeeding King to Endow them for he bestowed upon them a great part of the Royal Revenue Iohannes Major who when I was but a Youth was famous for his Theological Studies having highly praised this King for his other Actions yet he blames his profuse Lavishness in Endowing Monasteries in a solemn and I wish it had been an undeserved Oration And I the more wonder at this immoderate Profusion of the Publick Stock and Patrimony because in those very Times St. B●rnard sharply reproves the Priests and Monks in his Invective and Severe Sermons for their excessive Luxury and Expence which yet if compared with That of our Age seems but moderate And the Fruits which followed these Donations shew That the Design was not well grounded For as in Bodies too Corpulent the use of all the Members ceases so the Sparks of Wit oppressed by Luxury did thereby languish in Abbies The Study of Learning was extinct Piety degenerated into Superstition and the Seeds of all Vices sprung up in them as in an unplowed Field All the time of his Reign he had but one Commotion and that was rather a Tumult than a War And it was quickly ended in the Slaughter of Aeneas Earl of Murray with a great Number of his Followers Malcolm Mackbeth endeavouring to raise a new Sedition was committed Prisoner to the Castle of Roxburgh Other Matters succeeded according to his desire but yet a twofold Distress or rather Calamity seized him One from the untimely Death of his Wife The Other of his Son As for his Wife Maud she was a Woman of high Descent of exquisite Beauty and most accomplished Manners He loved her passionately whilst she lived and the loss of her in the Flower of her Age did so affect him That for Twenty Years after he lived a Widower neither did he touch any other Woman all that while And yet the Greatness of his Sorrow was no hindrance to him from managing the Publick Offices and Concerns both of Peace and War Concerning his Son I will speak in due place David thus addicted himself to the Arts of Peace but some troublesom Matters in England drew him unwillingly into a War The Occasion this All the Off-spring of King Henry of England besides his Daughter Maud were drowned in their passage out of France into England which Misfortune did so grieve him that it is reported he never laughed after Maud who only survived and escaped that Calamity Married the Emperor Henry the Fourth Her Husband dying without Children she returned into England to her Father He was willing to settle the Succession on her and in Order thereto because she was a Widow and Childless if he himself should die he caused all the Nobility to swear an Oath of Fealty to her and in hopes that she might have Children he Married her to Geoffry Plantagenet Earl of Anjou Five Years after that Marriage Robert Duke of Normandy and King Henry died and Geoffry of Anjou falling into a dangerous Disease lay Bedrid In the mean time Stephen Earl of Bologne in this want of Royal Issue took heart to attempt the Crown of England Neither did he look upon it as a Design of any great Difficulty both by reason of the Weakness of the adverse Party and also because he himself had some Royal Blood running in his Veins For he was born of a Daughter of William the Norman which had Married the Earl of Bloys He himself had also Married Maud Daughter of the former Earl of Bologne and Cousin-German to Maud the Empress and begotten upon Mary Sister to David King of Scotland Upon the Confidence of so great Alliances by reason of the absence of Maud the Queen and the Sickness of Geoffry he thought he might easily obtain the Crown of England And to make his Way clearer without any Conscience or Regard of his Oath which he and th' other kindred had taken to Queen Maud he drew in by great Promises the Bishops of England who had also taken the same Oath into his Unlawful design and especially William Arch-Bishop of York who was the first that Swore Allegiance to Queen Maud and Roger Bishop of Salisbury who had not only taken the Oath himself but had also read the Words of it to the other Nobles when they Swore Upon this Confidence even before his Uncle
Henry was buried he stept into the Throne and the Two First Years reigned peaceably enough Whereupon growing insolent he began to neglect his Agreement made with the English and also to deal harsly with strangers After he had compelled all the English partly by Fear partly by fair Promises to take an Oath of Allegiance to him he sent Embassadors to David King of Scots to put him in mind to take the same Oath for the Counties of Cumberland Northumberland and Huntingdon which he held of him David returned Answer That he together with Stephen himself and the other Nobles of England had not long since bound themselves by an Oath to obey Maud their Lawful Queen And that he ought not nor would acknowledge any other King as long as she was alive When this Answer was brought to Stephen presently a War began The English entred upon the adjacent Scots the Scots doing as much for them The next Year an Army of Scots under the Conduct of the Earls of Merch of Menteith and of Argus entred England and met the English at the Town of Allerton whose General was the Earl of Glocester A sharp Battel was there fought with equal slaughter on both sides as long as the Army stood to it at last the English being overthrown many perished in the flight and many of the Nobility were taken Prisoners amongst whom was the Earl of Glocester himself Stephen being much concerned at this Overthrow lest the Friends and Kindred of the Captive Nobles might be alienated from him refused no Conditions of Peace The Terms were These That the English Prisoners should be released without Ransom That Stephen should quit all the Claim which as chief Lord he pretended to have over Cumberland But Stephen observed those Conditions no better than he did the Oath formerly taken to Maud his Kinswoman For before the Armies were quite Disbanded and the Prisoners Released he privately surprized some Castles in Northumberland and by driving away Bootys from the Scots Countrys renewed the War The Scots gathering a sudden Army together out of the Neighbour Countrys and despising the English whom they had overthrown in Battel the self same Year did rashly run on to the Conflict at the River Tees where they paid for their Folly in undervaluing the Enemy by receiving a great Overthrow and were also enforced to quit Northumberland David to retrieve this Loss and Ignominy gathered as great an Army as ever he could together and came to Roxburgh Thither Turstan or as William of Newberry calls him Trustinus was sent by the English to Treat concerning a Pacification and there being some hope of Agreement a Truce was made for Three Months upon Condition That Northumberland should be presently restored to the Scots But this Promise which was made by Stephen only to have the Army Disbanded was not performed so that David drove away a great Booty out of that Part of Northumberland which obeyed Stephen and Stephen gathering a great Force together pierced as far as Roxborough But understanding That the Nobility were averse and complained That they were intangled in an Unjust and Unnecessary War without performing any Memorable Exploit he retired into the heart of his Kingdom And the next Year fearing some intestine Sedition he sent his Wife Maud to David her Uncle to treat of Peace Upon her Mediation it was accorded That David from Newcastle where he commonly aboad and Stephen from Durham should send Arbitrators for composing of Matters to the Town of Chester in the street scituate in the Midway equally distant from Both Places David sent the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews and Glasgoe Stephen the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York Both Parties were the more inclineable to Peace because Stephen feared War from abroad and Seditions at home and the Scots complained That they were forced to bear the shock of a War made in the behalf of another whereas Maud for whose sake it was commenced did nothing at all in it The Peace was made on These Conditions That Cumberland as by Ancient Right should be possessed by David and that Northumberland unto the River Tees as William of Newberry the Englishman writes and Huntingtonshire should be enjoyed by Henry Davids Son upon the account of his Mothers Inheritance and That he should do Homage to Stephen for the same When things were thus composed David retired into Cumberland and Stephen into Kent This Peace was made in the Year of our Lord 1139. In which Year Maud being returned into England sent her Son Henry afterward King of England to Carlisle to David his Great Uncle that he might be instructed in Feats of Arms and also be made Knight by him who without doubt was the excellentest Warrior in his time which Matter in those days was performed with a great deal of Ceremony At that time there was so great a Disturbance in England by reason of Domestique Discords That no Part of it was free from a Civil War but That which David the King of Scots held And that he alone might not plead Exemption from the publick Calamity within Three Years after his Son the only Heir in hope of so much Power and Felicity dyed in the flower of his Age leaving Three Sons and as many Daughters behind him He left so great a Love behind for him both from the Scots and English that besides the publick Loss every one lamented his own private Misfortune also at his death For so great a Sincerity and Moderation of Mind shined forth in him even in that Age wherein Youth is accustomed to wantonize That every body expected most rare and singular Fruits from his Disposition when it was ripened by Age. His Fathers Grief was also further increased by reason of the tender Age of his Nephew and the Ambition and restless Disposition of Stephen and if he dyed he was troubled at the Fierceness of Henry's Spirit then in the fervor of his Youth who being the Son of Maud was to succeed in the Kingdom When the Thoughts of so many foreseen Mischiefs did assault his diseased and feeble Mind insomuch that all Men imagined he would have sunk under them yet he bore up so stoutly that he invited some of the Prime Nobility who were solicitous for him lest he should be too much afflicted as well they might to Supper and there he entertained them with a Discourse rather like a Comforter than a Mourner He told them That no new thing had hapned to him or to his Son That he had long since Learned from the Sermons of Learned and Holy Men That the World was Governed by the Providence of Almighty God whom it was a foolish and impious thing to endeavour to resist That he was not ignorant his Son was born on no other Terms but that he must also dye and so pay that Debt to Nature which he owed even at his very Birth And when Men were always ready to pay that Debt 't was
he as I said before after his overthrow fled into Ireland and from that time forward exercised Pyracy upon the Coasts of Scotland but now judging that a great Part of the Military Men being slain in Battel he might either get a rich Booty from those who would shun the hazard of Fighting or else an easie Victory from them who would stand to it gathered a great Band of Roysters together and arriving at the Firth or Bay of the River Clyde there made a Descent and Fortune at first favouring his Design he penetrated as far as Renfreu But there whilst he was more intent on Plunder than on the Safety of his Men he was surprized by a far less Number than his own and lost all his Soldiers he himself being saved and brought alive to the King for further Scorn and Punishment though some say That both he and his Son too were slain in the Battel These things were acted about the Year of Christ 1165. The Kingdom being thus quieted from all Tumults an Assembly of all the Estates was Indicted at Scone where many things were Decreed for the Confirmation of the State of the Kingdom and amongst the rest the whole Assembly unanimously made it their Request to the King That he would think of Marriage in regard he was now fit for it as being above Twenty Two years of Age and by that means he might beget Children to succeed him They told him It was a publick Debt due to the Kingdom as well as a private One to his Family and that he ought to mind not only the present time but to have a prospect to the Tranquillity of future Ages too His Answer was That ever since he had been capable to Order and Direct his own Life he had Solemnly Vowed to God to live a Continent and a Batchelor's Life which Vow said he I think was the more acceptable to God both because he gave me the strength to perform it and also because he hath prepared Heirs already to succeed me so that I am not compelled to break my Vow neither by any Weakness of my own Spirit nor by any other publick Necessity Thus dismissing the Parliament having Peace abroad he applied his Mind to the Arts of his Forefathers i. e. Building of Churches and Donations on Monks wherein he would have exceeded his Ancestors if God had given him a longer Life For he died not long after on the Fifth of the Ides of December in the Twenty Fifth Year of his Age and a little more than the Twelfth Year of his Reign and in the Year of our Redemption 1165. William The Ninety Third King HIS Brother William Succeeded him who entred upon the Kingdom Fifteen Days after Malcolm's Death He would Transact no Publick or Private Business of any weight till he had craved of Henry of England the Restitution of Northumberland Henry commanded him to come to London to do him Homage for the Counties of Cumberland and Huntingdon according to custom which he did not unwillingly yet desisted not from pressing to have Northumberland restored Henry gave him an Ambiguous Answer saying That in regard Northumberland was taken away from Malcolm and given to him by the States of the Kingdom he could not part from it without their Consent but he should come to the next Parliament and there expect Iustice to be done William though he expected no Good from the Parliament yet to cut off all occasions of Calumny from his Adversary resolved to wait in England for the Convening and Opening of it and in the mean time he accompanied Henry though against his Will to the War in France There he profited nothing by his daily Solicitations and foreseeing that the King would not speedily return into England with much ado he obtained a Convoy and returned into Scotland After his Return the first thing he did was to repress the Insolencies of Thieves and Robbers by punishing and clearing the Country of the Offenders Then he erected Castles and placed Garisons in convenient Places to prevent suddain Invasions At last he sent Ambassadors into England to demand Northumberland denouncing War in case of Refusal Henry being intangled in the French War yielded up to him that Part of Northumberland which William's great Grandfather held William took It but on this Condition That he would not remit his Right in or Claim to the rest The English King took this very heinously and being sorry he had parted with any of Northumberland before the Controversie was decided he made Incursions into the Scots Borders and thus sowed the Seeds of a new War and by this means he hoped to have taken away also the other Lands which he would have brought into dispute When Right was claimed by the Wardens of the Marches according to Custom the English complained That their Borders were molested by Scotish Robbers so that the Ambassadors were sent away without obtaining the thing they came for yea almost without an Answer The Scots to obtain that by Force which they could not do by fair means levied an Army and entred upon and wasted the bordering Lands of the English with Fire and Sword This being about Harvest the English in the absence of their King were content only to stand upon the Defensive what they could but then levied no Army yet the Winter following some Action passed and many Incursions were made The next Summer William listed a great Army and marched into the Enemies Country the English having few or no Forces ready to withstand them send Ambassadors to their Camp proffering a great Sum of Money for a Truce which if they could obtain they gave Hopes that all things would be accorded to Content William being a plain-Hearted Man and willing to preserve Peace if obtainable upon reasonable Conditions before a War though a just one gave Credit to their Fallacious Promises The English spent all the time of the Cessation in Preparations for War but in the mean time they plied the Scots with Ambassadors who made large Promises though their true Errand was to discover their Enemies Camp and finding the Scots on Confidence of the Truce re-miss and negligent and the greatest Part of their Army scattered to get in Forage they returned and gave their Army notice that now was a fair opportunity for Action which they urged them not to omit whereupon placing the greatest Part of their Army in Ambush about Four Hundred nimble Horsemen in the Third Watch a few hours before Sun-rising marched directly to Alnwick where the Scots Camp was pitcht there finding all things in greater Security than they expected they set upon the King who was riding up and down with Sixty Horse only as if there had been a setled Peace and before they could well be discerned whether they were Friends or Enemies for they disguised themselves with Scots Arms and Ensigns that they might pass for Scots They took him Prisoner in the Nineth Year of
his Reign some few were rouzed up at the hubbub and pursued scatteringly divers of them rushed amongst their Enemies as not being willing to forsake their King and so were made Prisoners also William was carried to Henry then Warring in France The English being elated with this unexpected Success invaded Cumberland thinking to carry it without Blows But Gilchrist and Rolland Two Scot● Commanders did so entertain Them that being repuls'd they made a Truce and were content to enjoy Northumberland only as long as the Scots King was a Prisoner and to leave Cumberland and Huntingtonshire to the free Possession of the Scots In the mean time David the Brother of William Earl of Huntington in England and of Garioch in Scotland who then fought under the English Banners received a Convoy and returned into Scotland where having setled things for the present he sent Embassadors into England about the Redemption of his Brother who was then kept Prisoner at Falise a Town in Normandy The King gave Fifteen Hostages to the English and surrendred up Four Castles viz. the Castle of Roxburgh of Berwick of Edinburgh and of Sterling and then he was permitted to return home in the Calends of February But then he was called upon by the English to appear at York with his Nobles and Bishops on the 18th of the Calends of September Being arrived there he and all his Followers who were the Chief Nobility took an Oath of Obedience to King Henry and gave up the Kingdom of Scotland into his Guardianship and Patronage These Conditions thô very hard yet the Scots were willing to accept of That so they might have the best of Kings restored to them as the English Writers say Thomas Walsingham of England writes That this Surrender was not made at York but at Constance Yet some say That this Interview of Both Kings was not in order to the Surrender of the Kingdom but for the Payment of certain pecuniary Pensions and That the Castles were put into the hands of the English as Cautionaries only till the Money was paid This Opinion seems to me most probable as appears by the League renewed with Richard Henrys Son of which in its due place William at his Return in a few Months by Gilchrist his General quelled the Insurrections made in his absence in Galway On the Fourth of the Calends of February there was an Assembly Indicted at Norham by Tweed Thither William came where the English laboured extreamly That all the Scots Bishops should acknowledge the Bishop of York for their Metropolitan The Popes Legate also concurred with them in their Desire and earnestly pressed That it might be so Enacted After a long Dispute the Scots Answered That at present few of their Countrymen were there and that they could not bind the absent to obey their Decree if they should consent to any Hereupon the matter was deferred to another time and shortly after the Scots Bishops sent Agents to Rome to justify their Cause before Alexander the Third by whose Decree the Bishops of Scotland were freed from the Yoke of the English and so the Messengers returned joyfully home Not long after Gilchrist whom I have often mentioned before slew his Wife who was the King's Sister because she had Committed Adultery Whereupon he was summoned to appear on a certain day but not coming was Banished for ever His Houses were Demolished and his Goods Confiscate About the same time the Castle of Edinburgh was restored to the Scots one of the Pensions having been paid and to make the Concord between Both Kings more firm a Law was made That neither King should harbour the Enemy of each other Upon this Law Gilchrist who lived Banished in England was forced to return and shifting from place to place as a Stranger amongst Strangers and unknown he passed his Miserable Life in great Penury and Want In the interim William prepared for an Expedition into Murray to suppress the Thieves of the Aebudae whose Captain was Donald Bane i.e. the White who derived his Pedigree from the Kings and had also assumed the Name of King He made his Descent from his Ships in many places and spoiled not only the Maritime Parts but his Boldness increasing by reason of Impunity those Places also which were very remote from the Sea The King sent out Ships to sail about and burn his Fleet whilst he with a Land Army attacqued them and so doing he put them almost all to the Sword In his return as he was near Perth he found Three Countrymen which yet seemed to be more than so had not it been for their shabby and uncouth Habit who seemed to avoid meeting any Company but the King caused them to be brought to him and viewing them intently was very earnest to know What manner of Creatures they were Gilchrist being the Elder of them fell down at the King's Feet and making a Miserable Complaint of his Misfortunes tells Who he was upon which the Memory of his former Life which he had passed with so much Splendour did so passionately affect all that were present That they could not chuse but fall a Weeping Whereupon the King commanded him to rise from the Ground and restored him to his Former Dignity and the same Degree of Favour he had before These things fell out about the Year 1190 at which time Richard who the Year before had succeeded Henry his Father in the Realm of England prepared for an Expedition into Syria He restored the Castles to the King of Scots and sent back the Hostages freeing him and his Posterity from all Pacts either extorted by Force or obtained by Fraud made with the English and suffered him to enjoy the Realm of Scotland by the same Right and within the same Limits as Malcolm or any former Kings had held it Mathew Par●s makes mention of These Conditions William on the other side That he might not be ungrateful to Richard upon his going to War into a strange Country gave him 1000 Marks of Silver and commanded David his Brother who was Declared Earl of Huntington to follow him into Syria This David in his Return from thence had his Navy scattered by Tempest was taken prisoner by the Aegyptians redeem'd by the Venetians and at last being known at Constantinople by an English Merchant after Four years time he returned into Scotland and was received with the general Gratulation of all Men especially of his Brother Boetius thinks that the Town where this David was landed in Safety before-named Alectum was now called Deidonum but because the Name of Alectum is found in no Author but only in Hector Boetius I rather think it was called Taodunum a Word compounded of Tay and Dun i. e. Dundee Not long after Richard after many Hazards and Misfortunes returned also from the same Voyage William and his Brother came to congratulate him upon his Return and gave him 2000 Marks
of Silver as a Largess being moved thereunto either out of Remembrance of his former Bounty to him or on the Consideration of his present Want Neither were ever the Scots and English more Gracious than at that time as many judge There William fell very Sick and a Rumour of his Death being noised abroad caused new Combustions in Scotland Harald Earl of the Orcades and of Caithnes hated the Bishop of Caithnes because as he alledged he was the Obstacle that he could not obtain what he desired of the King and therefore he took him Prisoner cut out his Tongue and also put out his Eyes The King returning home overthrew Harald in several Skirmishes and destroyed most of his Forces Harald himself was taken in his Flight and brought back to the King who when his Eyes also were first put out by way of Retaliation was afterwards hanged his whole Male-Stock were Gelded the rest of his Kinn and Companions of his Wickedness were deeply Fined These things are thus related by Hector Boetius and common Report confirms them yea the Hill receiving its Name from Testicles gives credit to the Relation so that it seems truer than what others Write in this matter These things happened in the Year of our Salvation 1198. in which Year the King had a Son named Alexander Born to him and Richard of England dying his Brother Iohn succeeded him Whereupon the King of Scots went into England to take his Oath to him for the Lands which he held in England and in the beginning of Iohn's new Reign his Coming was not more acceptable than his Departure displeasing because he refused to follow Iohn in his Expedition into France against Philip his old Friend So that as soon as Iohn returned out of France he sought Occasion for a War with the Scots and began to build a Fort over against Berwick William having in vain complained of the Injurie by his Embassadors gathered a Company together and demolished what was built thereof Upon which Armies were Levied on both sides but when their Camps were near to one another Peace was made by the Intervention of the Nobles on these Terms That William's Two Daughters should be given in Matrimony to Iohn's Two Sons assoon as ever they were Marriageable A great Dowry was promised and Caution made That no Fort should be built and Hostages also were given in the case William at his return fell into an unexpected Danger The greatest Part of the Town of Berth was swept away in the Night by an Inundation of the River Tay Neither was the King's Palace exempted from the Calamity but his Son an Infant with his Nurse and 14 more were drowned the rest hardly escaping Many also of the Promiscuous Multitude lost their Lives The King perceiving that the Water had overwhelmed the greatest part of the Ground on which the City stood and that almost every House in the Town had suffered thereby caused a new City to be built a little below in a more commodious place on the same River and making some small variation of the Name called it Perth in Memory as some say of one Perth a Nobleman who gave the King the Land on which the City was built About the same time the King took Gothered Makul Captain of the Rebels in the North who was betrayed to him by his own Men. When he was Prisoner he constantly abstained from all Food to prevent as 't is thought a more heavy Punishment This was in a manner the last memorable Fact of William's which yet in regard of his unweildy Age was acted by his Captains For he Dyed soon after in the 74 th year of his Age and the 49 th year of his Reign A. D. 1643. Not long before his Death Leagues were renewed with Iohn King of England almost every Year for he being a Man desirous to enlarge his Dominions thô he had War with the French abroad with the Romanists at home and moreover was never on sure Terms of Peace with the Irish or Welsh yet did not break off his Inclination to invade Scotland which had then an old Man for their King and the next Heir to him a Child Frequent Conferences happened on this Occasion rather to try what might be obtained than in hopes of any good Issue at length the Matter broke out into open Suspicion And after many Leagues made between Them at last William was called to Newcastle upon Tine Whither he came but there falling into a dangerous Disease he returned without doing any thing In fine a little before his Death he was invited to Norham on the Tweed and when his Sickness would not permit him to go his Son was desired to come in his stead which yet by the Advice of the Council was refused the Leagues established in those Interviews I shall not particularly mention for they almost all contain the same things having in them nothing New save that in One of them it was Articled That the Scotish Kings should not Swear nor be Feudataries to the Kings of England Themselves for the English Lands they held but their Children only The Mention of these things is wholly omitted by the English Writers also I believe for this very Cause Alexander II. The Ninety Fourth King WIlliam was succeeded by Alexander his Son begot on Emergard who was Kinswoman to the King of England and Daughter to the Earl of Beaumont He was but Sixteen years of age when he began to Reign entring upon the Government in troublesom Times he composed and setled things more prudently than could be expected from one of his years First of all he Indicted a Publick Convention of the Estates and therein by a Decree he confirmed all the Acts of his Father that good and prudent Prince His first Expedition was into England not out of any private Ambition but to bridle the Tyranny of Iohn and it was then said that he was sent for in by the Ecclesiasticks of that Kingdom He left Norham upon certain Conditions when he had begun to besiege it and piercing further into the Kingdom he carried it very severely against all the Royalists Upon his Return home Iohn invaded Scotland quickly after He made a mighty Devastation in Dunbar Hadington and all the Neighbouring Parts of Lothian and to spread the War and Ruin further he determined to return another Way Alexander being very desirous to decide it by a Battel pitcht his Tents between the Pentland Hills and the River Eske which way as it was bruited he would return but Iohn to avoid fighting marched along by the Sea and burnt the Monastery of Coldingham he also took and burnt Berwick which was then but meanly fortified As he thus marched hastily back Alexander followed him as fast as he could and making great havock all over Northumberland came as far as Richmond But Iohn by speedy marches having retreated into the heart of England Alexander returned by Westmorland and
laid all waste to the very Gates of Carlisle The City it self he took by Force and Fortified it The next year Lewis the Son of Philip King of France was sent for by those who favoured the Ecclesiastical Faction to London that so he upon the Proscription of Iohn might possess the Kingdom and so was King Alexander of Scotland too who came to aid his Old Friend But Iohn being forsaken by his Subjects and assaulted also by Foreign Arms upon the Payment of a great Sum of Money at present and the Promise of a perpetual Pension and moreover transferring the Right of the Kingdom of England to the Pope so that the Kings of England for the future were to be His Feudataries was received into Favour So that he obtained Letters from Rome by Cardinal Galo a Man of known Avarice wherein the Scots and French were with great Threats forbid to meddle with a People which were Tributaries to the Holy See Upon this sudden Change of things Lewis returned into France and Alexander into Scotland but his return home was not so quiet as his entrance into England was For the English pressing upon the Rear of his retiring Army took many of the Stragglers Prisoners And besides Iohn had broken down all the Bridges on the Trent and had fastned sharp Pikes or Palisadoes in all its Fords removing away all Ships and Boats so that it seemed to be so great an Impediment unto him that he could not avoid it but must certainly be destroyed In the mean time Iohn was poysoned by an English Monk at Newark a Town seated on the Trent and being carried in a Litter died in two days That Casualty opened the way for Al●xander's March. Then blaming and punishing his Men for their former Carelessness he marched on more circumspectly but not without the great Damage of those through whose Countrys he passed For whatsoever could be driven away or carried he took with him and so returned home with a great Booty Galo the Popes Legat when he had setled Henry the Son of Iohn in the Throne mulct the Nobles of England in a great Sum of Money and then received them into Favour And to give them some Recompence for their Loss by the like Calamity of their Enemies he Excommunicates Lewis of France and Alexander of Scotland in hopes to obtain some Prey from them also The Scots were Interdicted all Divine Offices for he imagined that his Thundring Curses would prevail more amongst the simple Vulgar than with the Kings But at last Peace was made between the Two Kings the Scots were to restore Carlisle and the English Berwick and the Ancient Bounds at Kings-Cross were to be observed by them Both. Alexander and his Subjects were released from their Censures by the English Bishops who were Authorized thereunto Hereupon Galo was much enraged That so great a Prey should be taken out of his Hands so that he turned his Anger on the Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of Scotland as his own Peculiar with whom Kings had nothing to do He summoned them to appear at Alnwick Whither when they came the more fearful appeased his Wrath with Money the more resolute were Cited to Rome But they having also received many Letters from some of the English Bishops and Abbats directed to the Pope concerning the sordid Spirit of the Ambassador or Legat made grievous Complaints against him calling him the Firebrand of all mischief because he studied not the Publick Good but his own Avarice and did chaffer for and sell Peace and War amongst Princes at his own pleasure Galo not being able to acquit himself of the Crimes laid to his charge was Fined by the Pope in the Loss of the Money he had got which was to be divided amongst his Accusers Hereupon they returned home loaden with large Promises but with empty Purses A few years after Henry of England being now grown Ripe both in Years and Judgment came to York there he agreed with Alexander in the presence of Pandulphus the Popes Legat to take Henry's Sister to Wife by whom yet because of her untimely Death he had no Children From that time there was Peace between Both Kings as long as they lived There he also solemnly Promised and Swore before the same Pandulphus That he would bestow the Two Sisters of Alexander in Honourable Marriages according to their Dignity as his Father had promised before But one of them returned home unmarried one only being bestowed in Marriage The next Year viz. 1220 the Cardinal of St. Giles came into England to fish for Money for the Holy War and accordingly having scraped together a great Sum in both Kingdoms which by his Impostures he had gulled Persons 〈◊〉 credulous of he Luxuriously spent it in his Journy so that he came empty to Rome falsely alleging That he was robbed by Thieves in the way Another Legat presently succeeded him but Men having been twice cheated by Roman Fraud by a Publick Decree forbad him to set his foot on Land Alexander was busied to suppress Vices at home which sprung up by the Licentiousness of War and he travelled over the whole Kingdom with his Queen to do Justice whilest Gilespy a Rossian spoiled Ross and the Neighbour Counties for passing over the River Ness he took and burnt the Town of Enverness He cruelly slew all those that refused to obey him Iohn Cumin Earl of Buchan was sent against him who took him and his two Sons as they were shifting up and down and changing their Quarters to secure themselves and cut off their Heads and so sent them to the King About this time the Caithnesians entred by night into the Bedchamber of Adam their Bishop and there killed a Monk who was his usual Companion for he had been before Abbat of Mulross and one of his Bedchamber as for the Bishop himself they grievously wounded him and dragging him into the Kitchen there they burnt him and the House he was in The Cause of their great Cruelty was as 't is reported because the Bishop was more severe than in former times in exacting his Tithes The Offenders were diligently sought out and most severely punished The Earl of Caithnes though he were not present at the Fact yet was somewhat suspected but afterward being brought privately to the King in the Christmas Holy-days which the Scots call Saturnalia he humbly begg'd Pardon of the King and obtained it About this time Alane of Galway the powerfullest Man in Scotland departed this Life He left Three Daughters behind him of whom I shall speak hereafter Thomas his Bastard Son despising their Age and Sex sets up for himself as Lord of the Family and not contented herewith he gathers 10000 Men together kills all that oppose him and drives Booties far and near from all the Neighbouring-Countries At last the King sent an Army against him who slew 5000 of the
was Poysoned as it is thought by his Wife an English Woman The Suspicion thereof was encreased on her because tho' she were Wooed by many Nobles yet she Married Iohn Russel her Gallant a Young English Spark She was accused of Witchcraft too and cast into Prison but she bought out her Liberty Russel and his Wife obtained Letters from the Pope permitting them to commence an Action of the Case against their Adversaries for the Wrong done them before the Popes Legate But it was to no purpose because the Scots urged an Ancient Privilege exempting them from going out of the Kingdom when they were to plead their Causes When the King was of Age upon the humble Petition of the Cumins's he Pardoned them as if all their offences had been expiated by the Death of Walter He was induced so to do as some say by reason of the Greatness of their Family and also because he feared Foreign Wars when Matters were so unsetled at home But that War began not so soon as Men thought it would In the Year of Christ 1263. in the Calends of August Acho King of Norwey with a Fleet of 160 Sail came to Air a Maritime Town of Coil where he Landed 20000 Men. The Cause of the War as he pretended was that some Islands which were promised to his Ancestors by Mackbeth were not yet put into his Hands viz. Bote Aran and both the Cumbras's which were never reckoned amongst the Aebudae But it was enough for him who sought a pretence for a War that they were called Islands Acho took two of the greatest of them and reduced their Castles before he could meet with any Opposition being lifted up by this success he makes a descent into Cuningham the next Continent over against Bote in that part of it which they call the Largs There he met with Two Misfortunes almost at one and the same First he was overcome in Fight by Alexander Stuart the Great Grandfather of him who first of that Name was King of Scotland and being almost taken by the Multitude of his Enemies he hardly escaped in great Fear to his Ships The other was That his Ships being tossed in a mighty Tempest hardly carried him with a few of his followers who escaped into the Orcades There were slain in that Battel Sixteen Thousand of the Norwegians and Five Thousand of the Scots some Writers say that King Alexander himself was in this Fight Yet they also make Honourable mention of the Name of this Alexander Stuart Acho died of Grief for the Loss of his Army and of his Kinsman too a Valiant Youth whose Name is not mentioned by Writers His Son Magnus who was lately come to him perceiving Things in a desperater Posture than he ever thought they would be brought to especially having no hopes of Recruit from home before the Spring and also finding the Minds of the Islanders alienated from him and that he was forsaken of the Scots too in Confidence of whose Aid his Father had undertaken that War these things considered he easily inclined to Terms of Peace The Spirit of the young Man was quailed both by the unlucky Fight and also by his Fear of the Islanders For Alexander had then recovered by sending about some Ships the Isle of Man situate almost in the midst between Scotland and Ireland upon these Conditions That the King thereof should send in Ten Gallies to the Scots as oft as there was occasion and that the Scots should defend him from a Foreign Enemy When Magnus saw That the rest of the Islands inclined to follow the Example of the Manks-Men he sent Ambassadors to treat of Peace which Alexander refused to make unless the Aebudae were restored at last by the diligence of the Commissioners it was agreed that the Scots should have the Aebudae for which at present they were to pay 1000 Marks of Silver and 100 Marks an Year And moreover That Margarite Alexanders Daughter being then but Four years old should Marry Hangonan the Son of Magnus assoon as she was fit for Marriage About this time the King of England being infested with Civil War had Five Thousand Scots sent him for his Assistance under the Command of R●bert Bruce and Alexander Cumins whom the English Writers call Iohn the greatest part of them were slain in Fight and Cumins with the Engl●sh King himself and his Son and a great part of the English Nobility of the Kings Party were taken Prisoners Moreover the Scots King was much troubled at the Arrogance of the Priests and Monks in his Kingdom who being enriched by former Kings began to grow wanton in a continued Peace Yea they endeavoured to be equal if not superior to the Nobility whom they excelled in Wealth The young Nobility repining at it and taking it in great disdain used them coursly whereupon complaints were made by them to the King who imagining either that their Wrongs were not so great as they represented them or else that they suffered them deservedly neglected their pretended Grievances whereupon they Excommunicated All but the King and in great Wrath determined to go to Rome But the King remembring what great Commotions Thomas Becket the prime promoter of Ecclesiastical Ambition had lately made in England called them back from their Journy and caused the Nobility to satisfie not only their Avarice but even their Arrogance too And indeed they were the more inclinable to an Accord with the King because he had lately undertaken the Patronage of the Ecclesiastical Orders against the Avarice of the Romanists For a little before Ottobon the Popes Legate was come into England to appease the Civil Discords but not being able to effect the thing he came for he omitted the publick Care and studied his own private Gain and Lucre he Indicted an Ecclesiastical Assembly of the English Procters from Scotland being also called thereunto in the mean time he endeavoured to exact Four Marks of Silver from every Parish in Scotland and Six from all Cathedrals for the Expence of Procurations This Contribution or Tax was scarce refused when News was brought That another Legate was arrived in England intending also for Scotland on pretence to gather up Money for the Holy War and besides that procurable by Indulgences and other Lime-Twigs to catch Money he endeavoured to wrest from all Bishops Abbats and Parish Priests as judging them to be immediately under Papal Jurisdiction the Tenth part of their yearly Revenues that so Edward and Edmond Sons to the King of England might go more Nobly and Numerously attended to the War in Syria The Scots judged this Tax to be very grievous and unjust especially because the English seemed to be so forward to have it granted as if Scotland were not sui Iuris or an absolute Kingdom but Dependent on England Moreover they were afraid lest the Legat should riotously mispend the Money designed for the War as was done some Years
the English and accepted by the Scots being now secure of the Kingdom came to Edward who was at New-Castle upon Tine and according to his Promise Swore Fealty to him so did the Nobles also who were of his Train as not daring to contradict Two Kings especially they being so far from home As soon as the rest of the Nobility heard of it they were grievously offended but being conscious of their want of Power they dissembled their Anger for the present But soon after an Occasion was offered them to shew it Mackduff Earl of Fife who in the Time of the Interregnum was One of the six Governors of the Land was slain by the Abernethians which was then a rich and potent Family in Scotland and the Earls Brother being accused by them and brought to his Answer before the Assembly of the States the King gave Sentence in Favour of the Abernethians So that Mackduff was dispossessed of the Land which was in Controversie betwixt them whereupon he conceived a double Displeasure against the King One on the Account of his own Wrong and Another because he had not severely punished the Murderers of his Brother So that he appealed to the King of England and desired that Baliol might answer the Matter before Him Hereupon the Cause was removed to London and as Baliol was casually sitting by Edward in the Parliament House and when he was called would have answered by a Proctor it was denied him so that he was enforced to arise from his Seat and to plead his Cause from a lower Place He bore the Affront silently for the present not daring to do otherwise but as soon as ever he was dispatched from thence such Flames of Anger burnt in his Breast that his Thoughts were wholly taken up how to reconcile his own Subjects and how to offend Edward As he was thus musing it happened commodiously for him That a new Discord arose betwixt the French and English which presently after broke out into a War Whereupon Embassadors were sent to the Assembly of Estates in Scotland from Both Kings The French's Errand was to renew the Old League with their New King And the English was upon the Account of their late Oath to Edward to receive Aid from them in the War he had undertaken Both Embassys were referred to the Council of the Estates where the Nobles prone to Rebellion were of Opinion That the Request of the French was Just of the English Unjust For the League made by universal Consent with the French more than 500 Years before had been kept Sacred and Inviolable to that very Day in regard of the Justness and Utility thereof but this late Subjection and surrendring themselves to the English was extorted from the King against his Will and thô as they proceeded to allege he had been willing yet it did oblige neither King nor Kingdom it being made by the King alone without the Consent of the Estates whereas the King might not act any Thing relating to the Publick state of the Kingdom without much less against the Advice of the States So a Decree was made that Embassadors should be sent into France to renew the Ancient League and that a Wife should be desired for Edward Baliol Son to Iohn out of the Kings Royal stem Another Embassy was also sent into England to signify that the King of Scots did revoke the Reddition of the Kingdom and Himself which he had forceably and unjustly made and renouncing his Friendship both for that Cause and also for the many and innumerable other Wrongs which he had done to Him and His he was resolved to assert his Ancient Liberty No man of any Eminencie would carry this Message to Edward because he was of a fierce Nature and was rendred more so by reason of the Indulgence of Fortune which made him even almost to forget himself At last a certain Monk or as some say the Abbat of Aberbrothoc carried Letters of that Import to him who was grievously affronted for his Pains and had much ado to escape home being protected more by his undervalued Tenuity than the Reverence of his Embassadorship In the mean time Edward had made a Truce with the French for some Months hoping That before they were ended he might subdue the Scots taking them unprovided and therefore he sent his Fleet designed for France against Scotland commanding them to stop all Provisions from being carried into Berwick wherein he heard there was a very strong Garison The Scots fought with this Fleet in the Mouth of the River they destroyed and took 18 of their Ships and put the rest to flight Edward out of Fierceness of Mind by this Loss was highly enraged to Revenge He Summons Baliol once and again to appear And he himself Levies a great Army and comes to New-Castle upon Tine There also he gave forth an Edict for Iohn to appear Legally to purge himself from the Crimes objected against him But neither He nor any for him appearing ar the day appointed he added Policy to Force and sent for Bruce and promises him the Kingdom if he would do his endeavour faithfully to Depose and drive out Baliol. To do which said he you need be at little Labour or Cost only write Letters to your Friends that either they would desert the Kings Party or not be hearty or forward if it came to a Battel He by great Marches came to Berwick but not being able to carry it by reason of the strength of the Garison he pretended to raise his Siege and caused a Rumour to be spread abroad by some Scots of Bruce his Party that he despaired of Taking it and that Baliol was coming with a great Army to raise the Siege and was now near at hand whereupon all the Chief Men of the Garison made haste out to receive him Honourably in promiscuous Multitudes Horse and Foot together so that Edward sent in some Horse amongst them some they trod down and killed others they divided from their Company and seizing on the nearest Gate they entred the Town Edward followed with his Foot and made a miserable Slaughter of all sorts of People Above 7000 of the Scots are reported to have been there slain amongst Them were the Flower of the Lothian and Fife Nobility Though I love not to interrupt the continued Series of my History as having resolved against it at first with any unnecessary Digression yet I cannot forbear to expose that unbridled Liberty of Evil speaking which Richard Grafton who lately compiled the History of England assumes to himself that so they who read what I here write may judge what Credit is to be given to him For he says that Hector Boetius writes in his 14th Book and ad Chapter That so much Blood was split there that Rivers of it running through the City might have driven a Water-Mill for two days To which I say First That Boetius never
Bounds and Borders of the English were inlarged to Coc●burns-Path as they call it and Soltra-Hill Baliol not contented to have recovered the Possessions of his Ancestors in Galway marched over Annandale and Liddisdale and all the Country lying near the Clyd and destroyed all by Fire and Sword He also by the Assistance of Percy of England made the like Havock in Lothian neither could there a sufficient Army be raised against them in Scotland for some Years As an Addition to this Misery there hapned also a grievous Plague which swept away almost the Third Part of the People And yet in such an afflicted State of Things Men did not abstain from Domestick Mischiefs David Berclay a Noble Knight who before had slain Bullock was at this time also present at the Murder of Iohn Douglas at Dalkeith William Douglas of Liddisdale who was taken Prisoner by the English at the Battel of Durham and was not yet released caused him to be slain by the Hands of his Tenants and after he himself was Released and returned into Scotland he did not long survive him For as he was a Hunting in the Wood of Attic he was killed by William Douglas the Son of Archibald newly returned from France in Revenge for his Murder of Alexander Ramsay Neither did the Clans of the Ancient Scots as impatient to be quiet abstain from injuring one another In the midst of these Calamities which pressed in on every side William Douglas gathered together a Band of his Vassals and Tenants and recovered Douglas the Patrimony of his Ancestors having driven the English out of it and afterwards upon this little Success Mens Minds being more inclined to him he reduced a great part of Teviotdale also In the mean time Iohn King of France Heir to his Father Philip both in his Kingdom and in his Wars fearing lest the Scots being broken by so many Misfortunes should quite succumb under so Puissant an Enemy sent Eugenius Garanter to them with Forty Gallant Cavaleers in his Train to desire of them To make no Peace with England without his Consent He brought with him Forty Thousand French Crowns to press Soldiers and besides by large Promises he wrought over the Nobility to his Side and Opinion They received the Money and divided it among themselves but levied no Soldiers only they carried on the War by light Incursions as they were wont to do Assoon as the English heard of this they almost wasted all Lothian which had been sorely harassed before To Revenge this wrong Patrick Dunbar and William Douglas gathered a good strength together as privately as they could and placed themselves in Ambush but sent out David Ramsay of Dalhouse a noted and Valiant Soldier with part of the Army to burn Norham a populous Town upon the Banks of Tweed When Ramsay had accomplished his design the English were trained on to the Ambush where some were surprized and slain at last being not able to resist so great a Multitude the English surrender themselves This success heartned the Scots and therefore the same Commanders uniting their Forces together Thomas Stuart Earl of Angus resolves to attack Berwick And to do it privately he hired Vessels Ladders and other Implements used in Scaling the Walls of Towns wherever he could procure them he acquaints Patrick with his coming he meets him at the Hour appointed and creeping to the Walls with as little noise as they could yet the Sentinels espied them whom after a sharp Conflict they repulsed and so became Masters of the Town but not without loss on their own side the Castle was still kept by the English which they assaulted but in vain When the King of England heard how Matters went in Scotland he gathered together a Puissant Army and in swift Marches hastned thither The Scots hearing of his coming and not being provided with Materials for a long Siege spoiled and burnt the City and so returned home Edward employed all kind of Workmen and Artificers to repair what the Flames had Consumed in the Interim he himself quartered at Roxburgh Thither Baliol comes and Surrenders up the Kingdom of Scotland to him desiring him earnestly not to forget the Injuries offered him by the Scots Edward as it were in Obsequiousness to his Desires invades Lothian by Land and Sea and makes a further Devastation of what was left after the former Ruin He determined in that Expedition so to quell all Scotland that they should never recover strength to Rebel again But his Purpose was disappointed by reason of a most grievous Tempest which so shattered and tore his Ships that carried his Provisions that very Few of them ever met in one Port so that he was enforced to return home for want of Provision only he vented his Spleen upon Edinburgh Hadington and other Towns of Lothian Edward and his Army being gone for England Douglas drove the English out of Galway Roger Kirk-Patrick out of Nithisdale and Iohn Stuart Son of the Regent out of Annandale so that those Three Countries were recovered by the Scots About the same time Iohn King of France was overthrown by the English in a great Battel in Poictou and he himself taken Prisoner Edward having Two Kings his Prisoners at once passed the Winter merrily amongst the Gratulations of his Friends so that the Scots thinking that his Mind being sated with Glory might be more inclined to Equity they sent Ambassadors to him to treat about the Release of their King Bruce that the Scots might have easie Access to him was sent to Berwick but in regard they could not agree about the Conditions he was carried back to London Not long after the Popes Legates were sent who took great Pains to make a Peace betwixt the English and French they also transacted the same for Scotland upon the Promise of the Payment of an Hundred as our Writers say or as Frossard of Five Hundred Thousand Marks of English Money to them Part of which was to be paid in Hand the rest by Parcels To make up that Sum the Pope gave the Tenths of all Benefices for Three Years in the mean time a Truce was made and many young Nobles given for Hostages who died almost all in England of the Plague Hereupon David returned the Eleventh Year after he was taken Prisoner The first thing he did was to punish those who had been the forwardest to fly in the Battel of Durham From Patrick Dunbar he took away a great part of his Lands he cut off all hope from Robert Stuart his Eldest Sisters Son of succeeding in the Kingdom and substituted Alexander Son of the Earl of Sutherland by his Youngest Sister and made the Nobles to swear Fealty to him This young Mans Father distributed large and fruitful Lands amongst the Nobles to engage them more firmly to his Son But Alexander dying soon after he was reconciled to Robert Stuart and in a full Assembly
unwilling to expose them to needless danger At this very time a Truce was made and Hopes of Peace between France and England by the Mediation of the Pope and the Neighbouring Princes on This Condition That the Allies of Both might be comprehended by Name viz The Portugals of the English side the Scots and Spanish Castilians of the French's King Robert against the Advice of his Counsel gave his single Assent thereunto but upon no solid ground for he was able to make neither Peace nor War but by the Publick Advice of the Estates neither could he promise any firm Truce without their Decree in the Case Neither could the Nobility conceal any longer that hidden Grief and Disgust which they had conceived against the French who had only done them this Courtesie the backward way that when they were to do Service against an Enemy they would strike the Weapons out of their Hands and so take away the Fruit of a former Victory and also the Hopes of a New At last after much dispute and quarrelling the French Ambassador gained this Point but with much ado That the Scots should send Ambassadors into France about the Matter that so the Hopes of a Peace so near at hand might not be hindred by their Obstinacy Robert the King lived not long after but departed this Life in his Castle called Dundonald in the Year of Christ 1390 the 13th of the Calends of May. He lived 74 Years and Reigned 19 Years and 24 Days This King managed Wars by his Deputies and usually with good Success he was present in few Battels himself which some impute to his Age others to his Cowardize but all say That he was a very Good Man and in the Arts of Peace easily comparable with the best of Kings He administred Justice diligently and impartially to all he severely punished Robberies In his Actions he was Constant in his Words Faithful He undertook the Kingdom in troublesome times yet he setled things at home appeased Discords and governed with great Equity and Justice and he got such Conquests over his Enemy that he reduced all the Castles they had but Three After his Death Tumults arose where they were least expected Alexander Earl of Buchan the youngest of the Kings Sons by Elizabeth More fell into a deadly fewd with the Bishop of Murray upon a light Occasion and when he could not come at him to kill him he wrecked his fury upon the Church of Elgin which was then one of the fairest in all Scotland and burnt it down to the Ground The same Year William Douglas Earl of Nithisdale who as I said before for his Valour was made the Kings Son in Law was slain at Dantzick on the Vistula by some Ruffians who were sent to perpetrate the Murder by Clifford of England For Douglas when Matters were quieted at home that he might not lye lazie and idle intended for the Holy War and in Borussia he gave such Proof of his Valour That he was made Admiral of the whole Fleet which was a Great and Magnificent One and withal well accommodated But a Quarrel arising between him and Clifford grounded upon Old Emulations because he gruded him that Honour he sent him a Challenge to Fight with him Hand to Hand But the Challenger perceiving into what an Hazardous Adventure he had run himself by that Challenge before the set time came caused him to be slain by hired Assassins The Tenth BOOK Robert III. The Hundred and First King ROBERT the Second was Succeeded by his Eldest Son Iohn in the Ides of August and Year of our Lord 1390. He was called Iohn till that time but then by the Decree of the Estates his Name was changed into Robert whether it were for the Misfortunes and Calamities of Two Kings called Iohns one of France the other of England Or for the Eminent Virtues and Felicity of Two Roberts both in Peace and War who lately Reigned in Scotland as Authors are silent in so I will not determine The Excellency of this Robert was That he rather wanted Vice than was Illustrious for any Virtue so that the Name of King was in him but the management of all publick Affairs rested on Robert his Brother In the Beginning of his Reign there was Peace abroad by reason of the Three Years Truce made with the English which a while after was enlarged for Four Years more But at home a Sedition was begun by Duncan or Dunach Stuart He was the Son of Alexander Earl of Buchan the Kings Brother and was every jot as feirce as his Father who upon the Death of his Grandfather imagining now that he had a fit opportunity for Rapine and Pillage got a Band of Roisters about him and descending into Angus spoiled all as if it had been an Enemies Country Walter Ogilby and Walter Lichton his Brother endeavouring to oppose him were slain with Sixty of their Followers They being lifted up with this Success did afflict the Country more grievously than ever but hearing of the approach of the Earl of Crawford whom the King had sent to restrain their Insolence the nimblest of them fled speedily to their lurking Holes of those who made not so much hast some were slain some taken and afterwards put to Death Thus the Wickedness of these Unquiet and Turbulent Men being hindred from breaking in upon the Plain and Champion Countries they fell out most grievously amongst Themselves at their own homes And especially Two Families of them did exercise great Rage and Cruelty one upon another They refused to end their Fewds by course of Law or to refer them to indifferent Arbitrators So that the King sent Two Earls to suppress them Thomas Earl of Dunbar and Iames Lindsay his Father being Dead now Earl of Crawford These Commanders considering they were to engage against a feirce and resolute People who valued not their Lives nor the Pleasure thereof so that they were not likely to subdue them by force without great Slaughter of their own Men they therefore resolved to try what they could do by Policy And thereupon they accosted the Clans of both Families a part and represented to them what danger would accru to Both by their mutual Slaughters one of another and if one Family should extirpate the other yet that was not likely to be effected without the Great Damage even of the Conquering Side and if either Party should prevail yet the Contest would not end so For then they were to engage the King's Forces tho' they were weakned before by their mutual Conflicts of whose Anger against them Both they might be justly sensible because he had sent them with Forces to destroy them Both even before they had severely and irrecoverably engaged against one another But in regard they were more desirous of their Preservation than their Ruin if they would hearken to them they would shew them a Way How they might be reconciled with
the King 's good Liking and that on no dishonourable Terms neither no nor unrevenged one upon another To this Motion they seemed inclinable so that the Condition was proposed That 300 of each side should Try it out in Fight before the King Armed only with their Swords They that were Conquered should have an Amnesty for all past Offences and the Conquerors should be Honoured with the King's Favour and the Nobles too Both sides were well pleased with the Terms so that a day was fixed for the Combate and at the time appointed the Heads of the Families with their Parties came to Court and part of a Field on the North side of the Town of Perth which was severed from the rest by a deep Trench was appointed for the place of Combate and Galleries built round for Spectators Hereupon an huge Multitude was Assembled together and sate ready to see the Dispute but the Fight was delayed awhile because one of the 300 of the One Party had hid himself for Fear and their Fellows were not willing to engage without having just an equal number with their Adversaries neither was any one found to supply the Place of him who was absent And of the other Party not a Man would be drawn out or exempted from the Fight lest he might seem less valued and not so couragious as the rest After a little pause an ordinary Tradesman comes forth and offers to supply the Place of him that was absent Provided That if his Side Conquered they would pay him halfe a Gold Dollar of France and also provide for him afterward as long as he lived Thus the Number being again equalled the Fight began and it was carried on with such great Contention both of Body and Mind as old Grudges inflamed by new Losses could raise up in Men of such fierce Dispositions as were accustomed to Blood and Cruelty especially seeing Honour and Estate was propounded to the Conqueror Death and Ignominy to the Conquered The Spectators were possessed with as much Horror as the Combatants were with Fury as detesting to behold the ugly and deformed Mutilations and Butcheries of one anothers Bodies the Detruncation of their Limbs and in a word the Rage of Wild Beasts under the shape of Men. But all took notice that none carried himself more valiantly than that Mercenary and Supposititious Hireling to whose Valour a great Part of the Victory was to be ascribed Of that Side that he was of there were Ten left alive besides himself but all of them grievously wounded Of the contrary Faction there remained only One who was not wounded at all but seeing there was so much odds that he alone must encounter with so many he cast himself into the River Tay which was near at hand and in regard his Adversaries were not able to follow him by reason of their Wounds he escaped to the other Side By this means the forwardest of Both Parties being slain the promiscuous Multitude being left without Leaders left off their Trade of Seditioning for many Years after and betook themselves to their Husbandry again This Fight or Combat happened in the Year 1396. About Two Years after in an Assembly of the States at Perth the King made David his Son being 18 Years before old of Rothes and Robert his Brother Earl of Menteith and Fife Dukes of Albany This vain Title of Honour then was first Celebrated in Scotland a great increase to Ambition but none at all to Virtue neither did it afterwards thrive with any who enjoyed it The King would have bestowed the same Title of Honour upon the Earl of Douglas also but he being a grave and solid Person absolutely refused that nominal Shadow of empty Honour and if any Man told thim that he should be a Duke he rebuked him sharply for it Some say That the Name of Governour which was given by his Father to Robert the Kings Brother was this Year confirmed by the King as also That the Family of the Lindsys had the Earldom of Crawford added to their former Honours But they do not fully clear Whether the Name of the First Earl of that Family were Thomas or David The next Year after Richard the Second King of England was enforced to resign the Crown and Henry the Fourth succeeded him In the Beginning of his Reign before the Truce was quite ended new Seeds of War with the Scots were sown George Dunbar Earl of Merch had betrothed his Daughter Elizabeth to David the King's Son and had already paid a good part of her Dowry Archibald Earl of Douglas storming That so powerful a Man and his Corrival should be preferred before him alleging That the Consent of the Estates was not obtained in the Case which no Man ever remembred but was asked in any of the King's Marriages before offered his Daughter Mary with a larger Dowry and by means of Robert the King's Brother who could do All at Court He brought it about that the Condition was accepted and the Marriage was Consummated by the Decree of the Estates George was much affected at this Injury as well as Reproach and made great complaint to the King but seeing what was once done could not be undone he desired at least the repayment of the Dowry This his just Demand being denied and perceiving that he was not like to obtain any Right in regard the Minds and Ears of all the Court were prepossessed by his Rival he departed upon very angry yea threatening Terms and so giving up the Castle of Dunbar to Robert Maitland his Sisters Son he went for England Robert presently yielded up the Castle to an Herald sent by the King to demand it and Douglas was admitted into it with a Garison so that when George returned home he was denied entrance Hereupon he took his Wife Children and some intimate Friends and returned into England Being there as he was a Man powerful at home and famous abroad he joyned Counsels with Percy a mortal Enemy to the name of the Douglas's and in regard he was well beloved by the bordering Scots of which many were either his Tenants Allies or otherwise obliged to him he made an Inroad into the whole Province of Merch and drove great Preys from the Country especially from the Lands of the Douglasses The King of Scots first proclaimed George a Publick Enemy and confiscated all his Estate next he sent an Herald to England to Demand That he might be given up as a Fugitive according to the League made betwixt them and also to complain of the violation of the Truce Henry of England gave a peremptory Answer to his Demands That he had given the Publick Faith to George for his Protection and that he would not break his Royal Word as if a private Pact with a Runagate were more Religiously to be observed than That which had been publickly confirmed by Embassadors and Heralds for the Days of the Truce made with Richard were not yet expired In
Lewd Persons yet Innocent of that Particular Fact for which they suffered In the interim the King advised with his Friends how he might preserve Iames his Youngest Son for whose safety he was very solicitous and whom he had left in the custody of Walter Wardiloe Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews an honest man and faithful to him They gave their Opinion in the case that he could not be safe in any part of Scotland and that therefore it was best to send him over to Charles the IV. King of France the old Ally and only Friend of the Scotish Nation for he could be Educated no where more safely and honourably than there The fresh Example of David Bruce stuck yet in their Minds who in dubious and troublesome times at home had there for some years an Honourable retreat and Entertainment Hereupon a Vessel was prepared and he put on bord at the Bas● a Rock rather than an Island Henry Sinclare Earl of the Oreades was sent with him as his Guide or Rector whilst they were compassing the shore he Landed at the Promontory of Flamburgh either driven in by Tempest or else to refresh himself on shore from his S●●-Vomit and Nauseation There he was detained by the English till they sent to their King who commanded that he should be brought up to Court So that neither the Law of the Truce which was made a little before for 8 years nor the supplicating Letters of his Father did prevail but he was kept as a Lawful Prisoner For his Father at his departure had sent Letters by him to the King of England if possibly he should be necessitated to land there wherein he made complaining and lamentable discourses both of his own and also of the common fortune of all Mankind But tho' the King of England were not ignorant of the Inconstancy of human affairs yet the old grudge against the Nation of the Scots more prevailed with him than either the respect of the Youth 's Innocent Age or the Tears of his grieved Father or the dignity of the Kingly Name or the Faith of the Pacification and Truce For having referred the matter to his Council how he should treat the Son of the King of Scots being arrived in his Dominions Those who had any regard to Equity and were weary of the present War inclined to the milder Opinion viz. That the Royal Youth who fled from the Cruelty of his own Countrymen and was now their Suppliant should be hospitably and Friendly Entertained That so a feirce Nation and unconquer'd by the War of so many Ages might be won and wrought over to a Reconciliation by Courtesie For this they thought was the most solid and firm victory not when Liberty was taken away by force but when Minds are united by the indissoluble bond of Amity Others were of contrary Opinion That he might be lawfully detained as a Prisoner either because many of the Scots Nobility had Personally assisted Percy in the Insurrection which he made against the King or because his Father had Entertained and Relieved Percy the Elder when he was Banished and Condemned as a Traitor in England This Opinion as commonly the worst things do prevailed th● they that were present at the Consult knew well enough that those Scots who fought against the English King in Percy 's Insurrection were not sent by any Publick Commission from the King but came out of their private Affection to Douglas who was then also in Percy 's Power They might also have remembred what Henry himself had answered to the Scots a few Years before when they demanded George Dunbar to be given up yet notwithstanding they stuck to this last Opinion as commonly in the Courts of Princes a false pre●ence of Advantage doth weigh down Honest and Righteous Counsels Yet in one thing Henry dealt Nobly and Royally with his Captive That he caused him to be Educated in Learning and Good Discipline This Calamity of the Son was brought to his Fathers Ears whilst he was at Supper and did so overwhelm him with Grief that he was almost ready to give up the Ghost in the Hands of his Servants that attended him but being carried to his Bed-chamber he abstained from all Food and in 3 Days dyed for Hunger and Grief at Rothesay which is a Town in the Island Bote in the 16th Year of his Reign in the Calends of April and Year of Christ 1406. He was Buried at the Abby of Pasley This Robert for tallness of Stature and for the Beauty and Composition of his whole Body was inferior to none of his Contemporaries His Life was very harmless and there was no Virtuous Accomplishment fit for a private Man wanting in him so that it may be truly said of him That he was a better Man than a King After the King's death the Government of the Kingdom was setled upon Robert his Brother by the Decree of all the Estates who had many things in him worthy of that Office and Dignity if out of a blind Ambition to Rule he had not used unjust Courses to hasten to the Throne He was Valiant in War Prudent in Counsel Just in Judgment Liberal to the Nobles and Tender in Levying Taxes on the Commons The same Year Percy the Elder again entred into a Conspiracy against the King to revenge upon him the deaths of his Brother and Two Sons who had been slain but his Design was discovered many of his Accomplices taken and put to death and he himself for fear fled into Scotland that from thence he might pals over into Flanders and France to procure Auxiliaries to renew the War In the mean time Henry the King of Englands Son made great Incursions into Scotland both by Land and Sea when he was returned home with a great Boo●y the Castle of Iedburgh which the Enemy had kept from the Fight in Darham to that day was taken by the Commons of Teviotdale Pillaged and then by the Governors Order wholly demolished And George Earl of Merch who had done much damage to his Countrymen in behalfe of the English being not able to procure from them Aid to recover his Own nor an honest Maintenance amongst them neither pacified the Governor by his Friends and so returned home yet he lost part of his Patrimony viz. his Castles in the Loch-Maban and Annandale which were given to Douglas for the Losses he had sustained and thus all Offences were forgiven on both sides and he passed the rest of his Life in great Concord with his Neighbours and faithful Subjection to his King The next Year Percy after he had made a vain and fruitless Peregrination over France and Flanders returned into Scotland to his old Friend the Earl of Merch by whom he was courteously Entertained and Accommodated according to his Estate There he Transacted by private Messengers about returning into his own Country and amongst the rest he wrot to Ralph Rokesby his Ancient
and Faithful Friend as he thought That he did not want Force both of Scots and English who were ready to assist him to recover his Ancient Patrimony provided that he would joyn in his assistance with them This Ralfe was at that time Sheriff of Yorkshire so they there call the Officer which presides in Chief over Juridical Assemblies He enticed Percy to him upon pretence of giving him Aid and then discovered the Conspiracy to the King Thus his Friend was betrayed by him his Head cut off and sent to the King at London There was also at that time a certain Englishman in Scotland who called himself Richard the Second but I judge falsly For when Percy the Elder did often and earnestly desire to speak with him he would not by any persuasion be induced thereunto fearing as may be guessed left his Imposture might be detected by a Man who so well knew his King Yet he was for some Yearss Treated as one of the Blood-Royal and that he might live more securely he feigned himself most averse from any desire of enjoying the Kingdom But at last he was Buried in the Church of the Franciscan-Fryers at Sterlin The Title of the King of England being inserted in his Epitaph ●ot long after Fastcastle a very Strong Castle as the Name intimates in Merch was taken from the English by Patrick Dunbar Son to George and therein Thomas Holden Governor thereof who had infested all the Neighboring Places of Lothian with his continual Thievery And moreover in Teviotdale William Douglas and Gawin Dunbar youngest Son to the Earl of Merch had broken down the Bridge of Roxburgh and burnt the Town but they attempted not the Castle because they were destitute and unprovided of all things necessary for a Siege But the next Year after which was 1411. Donald the Islander Lord of the Aebudae claiming Ross as the next Heir for so indeed he was as unjustly taken away from him by the Governor when he could get no Right he Levied 1000 Islanders and made a Descent on the Continent and so easily seized on Ross the whole Country being willing to return to the Subjection of their own just Master But this Facility of the Rossians in submitting to him gave him whose Mind was greedy of Prey Encouragement to attempt greater Matters For he passed over into Murray and there being no Force to defend it he reduced it to his Obedience and then passed further in his Depredations into Strath-Bogy and did threaten Aberdeen Against this suddain and unexpected Enemy The Governour gathered Forces but in regard the Greatness and Propinquity of the Danger did not admit the expectancy of slow-paced Aid Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander the Governours Brother and almost all the Nobility beyond the Tay at a Village called Harlaw set themselves and their Men in Battel-array against him The Fight was Cruel and Bloody for the Valour of many Nobles did then contend for Estate and Glory against the Savage Cruelty of the opposite Party At last the Night parted them and it may be rather said That they were Both weary with Fighting than that either Party had the better so that the event of the Fight was so uncertain that when Both sides had reckoned up how many they had lost each counted himself the Conqueror In this Fight there fell so many Eminent and Noble Personages as scarce ever perished in one Battel against a Foreign Enemy for many Years before And therefore the Village which was obscure before grew Famous therefrom even to Posterity This Year also Publick Schools began first to be opened at St. Andrews which was effected rather by the consent of Learned Men who made an overture at the Profession of Science than by the Occasion of any Private or Publick Assistance The next 10 Years there was hardly any Memorable thing acted betwixt the Scots and English either because there was a Truce made which yet Authors are silent in or because Henry the 4 th Dying on the 12 th of the Calends of April and his Son Henry the 5 th presently succeeding him being all the rest of his Life intent on the Affairs of France the English abstained from offering any Injury to the Scots And besides the Governour of Scotland did not dare to stir on his side for fear lest the English should bring back upon them the true Heir of the Crown whom he knew many of the Scots would close with out of the Commiseration of his Misfortunes Therefore what Inroads were made at that time were rather like Robberies than Wars For both Penrith in England was burnt by Archibald Douglas and Dunfrize in Scotland by the English And also there was an Exchange of Prisoners made Murdo the Governours Son taken at Homildon Fight was exchanged for Percy who when his Grandfather's Party was subdued in England was brought into Scotland and left with the Governor But upon the New King 's coming to the Crown he was restored to the Dignity of his Ancestors He though he were not properly a Prisoner by the Law of Arms yet the unjust detention of Iames Son to the King of Scots stopt the mouths of the English that they could not justly complain of any injury in the Case As for Percy himself he was so far from resenting it that as long as he lived he acknowledged the Civility and great Friendship of the Scots to him in all kind of mutual Service Moreover the same Year another Embassy came from the Council of Constance the Head whereof was the Abbat of Pontiniack and another from Peter Lune who had seized on the Papacy and as pertinaciously kept it He by Henry Harding an English Franciscan had wrought over the Governor to his Party but in vain for the whole Body of the Priesthood was against him for they having assented to the Council of Constance had subscribed to the Election of Martin the Fifth In the mean time the King of France by means of a violent Disease fell besides himself and his Distemper was encreased by the Monks who pretended to Cure him By which means France was divided into Two Factions The Head of the One was the Duke of Burgundy who having slain the Kings Brother drew him to the English Party The Head of the Other was the Kings Son who being disinherited by his distracted Father was called by his Enemies in a jeer the King of Berry because he usually kept himself at Burges in Berry a Town of the Bernois He being forsaken by a great part of his own Country Men and destitute also of Foreign Aid in the Year 1419. sent the Earl of Vendosme his Ambassador to the Scots to demand Aid of them according to the League made betwixt the Two Nations The Assembly of the Estates ordered him Seven Thousand Men and indeed at that time in regard the Soldiers were increased by reason of the long
Henry being offended at their Peremptoriness and Constancy having taken the Town of Meaux by Storm hanged up 20 Scots which he found there alleging That they bore Arms against their own King Soon after He and Charles the Sixth King of France died immediately one after another About Two years after the English prevailed in a Battel at Vernevil where there were slain of the Prime Scots the Earl of Buchan and Douglas one Duke of Turein the other Master of the Horse to the French King and also Iames Douglas his Son Alexander Lindsay Robert Stuart and Thomas Swinton and of Common Soldiers above 2000. And about three years after the Auxiliary Scots received another great Overthrow at Beaux when they were carrying Provisions to Orleans They set upon the English in the way in which Fight there were slain of Scots of note William Stuart with his Brother and two eminent Knights of the Family of the Douglas's whose Posterities do yet enjoy two Castles and large Possessions about them in Scotland viz. one of them the Castle of Drumlanerick and the other the Castle of Lough Levin in Fife Thus have I briefly touched at the Actions of the Scots performed in a few years in France as External and Foreign Occurences the farther Explication of them is to be had in the French Annals which though they be not quite alien from the Affairs of Scotland yet I had not stepped out of my way to mention them if the calumny of some English Writers had not compelled me so to do For they endeavour to undervalue and speak evil of what they do not deny if Histories did not mention their Atchievements yet the Munificence of the Kings the Decrees of the Cities and the Honourable Monument at Orleance and Turein do sufficiently declare them What I pray can they here object The Scots say they are too poor to maintain so great a Force in a Foreign Country I answer First That if they be Poor it is the fault of the Soil not of the Men neither would I have taken this for a Reproach if it did not appear by their Writings That the English intended it for Such and therefore I shall only answer them with this That these Poor and Indigent Scots as they call them have got many great and famous Victories over the Opulent and Wealthy English And if they do not believe me herein let them consult their own Histories and if they suspend their Belief of them also let them not require of us to receive them for True in other things But to return to the Affairs of Scotland Murdo being set up as I said but now in the place of his Father he maintained a very loose Discipline in his own House his Children whose Names were Walter Alexander and Iames did despise their Inferiors and consequently oppress them with many Injuries and they infected the Youth with those Vices to which they themselves were addicted and seeing their Father did not curb nor restrain them at last he was punished himself for giving them such bad Education The old Man did highly prize a certain Bird he had of that sort of Hawks which they call Falcons Walter had often begg'd him of his Father and was as often denied so that upon a time he catched it out of his Fathers Hand and wrung off his Neck To whom his Father replied Because thou can'st not find in thy Heart to obey me I will bring in another That both thou and I too shall be forced to obey And from that time forward he bent his Thoughts to restore his Kinsman Iames and there was an Eminent Man of Argile chief of the Country named Calen Cambel whom before Walter had affronted and wronged who approved of his Design herein so that he assembled the Estates at Perth and a Consultation being had concerning the Revocation of their King They all either out of Favour to the true Heir of the Kingdom or out of Weariness of the present posture of Affairs willingly agreed to send an Embassy about his Restitution Some Nobles were chosen Embassadors who coming into England found the English more inclinable to it than they expected For the Duke of Gloucester who in the Kings Minority governed the Affairs of England called the Council together and easily persuaded them That Iames Son to the King of Scotland should be sent back at the desire of his People into his own Country seeing he was not in his present posture of so great Authority amongst them as to be able to recal the Scots Auxiliaries out of France or to draw any Part of the Kingdom to an Alliance with England And besides he thought to make another advantage of him That he would not only be his sure and fast Friend but would always be under the power and influence of England for he had Married Ioan the Earl of Salisbury's Daughter the Beautifullest Woman of her Time which he then was mightily in Love with he persuaded himself that by her means the League with France might be easily undermined and if he were freed either he would be obliged by that Courtesy or else whilst he was busie in revenging the Wrongs his Kindred had done him he would intangle his Country in a grievous intestine War and by this means it would come to pass That either the English would be made stronger by the Accession of such a Friend or if their Scotish Enemies disagreed amongst themselves yet they should be more disingaged and readier for a Foreign War And indeed these were no imprudent Considerations if they themselves by the Narrowness of their Spirits had not marred their own Market For seeing they demanded a greater Sum of Money for his Redemption than the Scots in their present Circumstances either durst promise or were able to pay a Compremize was made That the Dowry of his Wife should be retained as for One half and that the Sons of some Noblemen should be given in Hostage for the payment of the Other Iames being set at Liberty upon these Terms returned home 18 years after he had been a Prisoner in the year of our Lord 1423. Amidst the great Concourse of People which flocked in to see him and to Congratulate his Return he was soon entertained with the Complaint of those who grievously lamented what Wrongs they had sustained since the last Kings Death partly by the Negligence and partly by the Injuries of the late Governors Walter the Son of Murdo Malcolm Fleming and Thomas Boyd were highly accused who to pacifie the Commons for the present were committed to several Prisons until the next Convention of the Estates which was appointed to be the Sixth of the Calends of Iune But Fleming and Boyd upon payment of Damages and some kind of Compensation and also upon laying down a round Sum which they were Fined at into the Kings Exchequer were set at Liberty James I. The Hundred and Second King IN the mean time
the Favours and Graces they formerly had and her Husband having joyned himself to the Douglassian Faction she was every day more and more slighted and despis'd by him so that she implor'd the Kings Assistance against his barbarous Cruelty There was no need of her making such an Apology in regard the King himself had been the Author of the Match so that she was nobly treated and had a large Revenue setled upon her for her Life About the same time Patrick Thornton who had followed the Court a great while yet was secretly of Douglas's Faction slew Iohn Sanderland of Caldar a Young man of about 20. years of Age ●nd Alan Stuart of Noble Families Both and of eminent Faithfulness to the King having got a convenient Opportunity so to do at Dunbarton and soon after he himself was taken by the Clans of the Adverse Party and Executed for the same This Year was remarkable for the Death of many Noble Personages but especially of William Creighton He tho' born of an Equestrian Family yet by reason of his great Prudence Fortitude and his Singular Loyalty to the King even to the last day of his Life left a great Loss behind him to all Good men The next Year the English being incouraged by their Impunity for former Injuries made great spoil in Merch under the command of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and Iames Douglas the Exile to hinder their devastations George Douglas Earl of Angus gathered a Party of his Countrymen together and made an Assault on the Plunderers and drave that Part of them which he assaulted in great Confusion back to their own Standards the English being mov'd at this Indignity marched on their Army before the rest had recover'd their Colours and the Scots were as ready to receive them The Fight was manag'd on both sides with greater Courage than Force a great while neither did any odds appear till the English who were scatter'd up and down the Country by the Noise and Temult perceiving that the Enemy was come for fear of losing the rich Booty they had gotten hasted directly home their departure gave an easier but yet not unbloody Victory to the Scots there being almost an equal number slain on Both Sides but many of the English taken in the pursuit The News of this Victory being brought to the King did something relieve his Mind which was opprest with Thoughtfulness between the Arms of his own Subjects and of the English afterwards Donald the Islander perceiving the ill success of his Affairs was inforc'd to send Agents to the King to intercede for a Peace They in an humble Oration commemorated the King's Clemency shew'd to Craford and the rest of his Partisans in the same Cause as for their own Crimes they laid them on the Fatality of the Times but for the future they made large Promises how Loyal and Obsequious Donald would be The King seem'd to be somewhat affected with their Speech yet gave them but a middle Answer neither quite pardoning Donald nor utterly excluding all hopes of his Pardon he told them That his many Crimes were very evident but he had discover'd no Specimen of a chang'd Mind in him if they would have the Penitence which they pretended in Words to be believ'd as really True and Hearty he should make Restitution for the Loss he had formerly caus'd and restore their Estates to such as he had outed of them and thus to cancel the Memory of his former Mischiefs by some Eminent and Loyal Service 'T is true said he no Virtue becomes a King more than Clemency but Care must be had lest the Reins of Government be not let loose by too much Lenity and so Evil Men rather made more insolent than Good Men excited to their Duty thereby that he would give Time to Donald and his Party to manifest by some Tokens that they repented of their Miscarriages and that they should always find him towards them such as their Actions and their Words did Declare them to be In the mean time they need not fear for Now it was put into their own Power whether they would every Man be Happy or Miserable for the future By this means intestine Discords were either compos'd or else laid asleep so that the King now bends all his Care against England whilst he was consulting concerning a War with them and concerning their frequent violations of Truces behold Embassadors came from the English Nobility to Desire Aid against Henry their King For Henry had slighted the Nobles and advanc'd Upstarts by whose Advice his Wife a Woman of a Manly Spirit and Courage Ruled the Roast And besides the King had incurr'd the Displeasure and Contempt of his Friends because things had not succeeded well in Aqui●ane and Normandy for they having lost so many Provinces and being now pent up within the Ancient Bounds of their own Island did mutter and grumble that the Kings Sluggishness and the Queens Pride were no longer to be endur'd The Heads of the Conspiracy were Richard Duke of York with the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick when the English Embassadors had discours'd much concerning the Justness of their Cause to begin a War and also concerning their own Power and the Cowardly Temper of their King they crav'd Aid against him as against a Common Enemy who was fearful in War fordid in Peace and who had nourish'd Civil Discords amongst the Scots and had assisted their Exiles withal they promis'd if they got the Victory to restore the Castles and Countries which were taken in former Wars from the Scots The King by Advice of his Council made Answer That he before knew the State of the English Affairs and that he was not ignorant of the Right or Demands of either side but that he would not intetpose Himself an Arbiter in another Mans Kingdom unless he were chosen by both Parties to that Office As to the War he had long since determin'd to revenge the Injuries of the former Times and ●f he could not otherwise obtain the Places he had lost on the Occasion of these Discords he would recover them by Force But if the Duke of York and his Party would promise to restore Them then he would assist him against Henry The Embassadors agreed to the Terms and so return'd home The King prepar'd his Forces and was about to enter England when behold an English Impostor sent by Henry met him he had been a long time at Rome and was well acquainted with the Speech and the Customs of the Italians his Habit and Train was all Outlandish and he had counterfeit Letters as from the Pope whereby he was easily believ'd by Men suspecting nothing but to be a Legate sent from him and to gain the greater Credit to his Impostures he had a Monk with him whose fained Sanctity made the Fraud less suspected they were brought to the King and in the Popes Name Commanded him to proceed no further
with his Army if he did they threatned to Excommunicate him with Bell Book and Candle For the Pope said they is wholly intent upon a War against the Common Enemy of Christendom and so would have the differences compos'd all over Europe that they might be free for that War and that they were sent before to give him Notice hereof but there was a more Solemn Embassy which would shortly arrive and which they believ'd was already come as far as France to decide the Civil Discords of England and to give satisfaction to the Scots for the Wrongs they had sustain'd The King did not imagine any Fraud in the Case and desiring nothing more than an Honourable Peace in regard things at home were not quite setled to his Mind Obey'd the Legate and Disbanded his Army He had scarce dismist it but he was advis'd from England that this suppos'd Embassador was a Cheat so that he gather'd again some Forces and because he could not joyn the Duke of York that he might keep off some of the King's Force from him and also revenge his own Wrongs he march'd directly to Roxborough the Town he took and destroy'd it at his first coming but whilst he was laying Siege to the Castle Embassadors came from York and his Associats informing him that their King was overcome and the War ended in England They gave him Thanks for his Good-Will and his Desire to assist them in the maintenance of their Lives and Honours and that they would in time be mindful to requite the Courtesie but at present they desir'd him to raise the Siege and draw off from the Castle and likewise to forbear any other Act of Hostility against England For otherwise they should be laden with great Envy amongst the People who could hardly be contain'd or satisfy'd but that an Army must presently march against the Scots Iames congratulated their Victory but ask'd the Embassadors Whether the Duke of York and his Allies had given them nothing in Command concerning restoring the Places promis'd He Answer'd Nothing Then said he before your last Embassy came to me I was determin'd to pull down that Castle which is built upon my Land neither since that time am I so much obliged by the Courtesies of that Faction as to give over an Enterprize which is begun and almost finisht As for the Threatnings made either by the People or by Them let them look to it goe you and tell them that I will not be remov'd hence by Words but Blows Thus the Embassadors were dismist without their Errand and whilst he did press upon the Besieg'd by all the hardships of War Donald the Islander came into his Camp with a great Band of his Country-men He to obtain the easier Pardon for his past Offences and fully to Atone and Reconcile the King promis'd him that if he would march forward into the Enemies Countries as long as he was there he would march a Mile before his Army and endure the sharpest and first of all Brunts and Hazards But he was Commanded to be near the King yet some of his Troops was sent out to prey upon the Country It happen'd also that at the same time Alexander Gordon Earl of Huntly brought in new Forces to the King This Accession of Strength made the King more resolute to continue the Siege tho' a strong Defence was made by Those within So that whereas before it was a Blockade only a well-laid and close Siege was now made when he had Soldiers enough some presently succeeded in the Places of others insomuch that the Garison Soldiers of whom many were Slain many Wounded and unfit for Service the rest tired out with continual Toil and Labour were not so eager to run into the Places of most Danger as before and to strike the more Terror into them the King gave Command to batter part of the Wall with Iron pieces of Ordnance which were then much us'd and were very terrible And whilst the King was busie about one of them to press on the work the Fire catcht within it and with its force drove out a wooden Wedg or Plug which immediately fell'd the King to the Earth and slew him without hurting any body else Those Courtiers who stood next him tho' they were terrify'd at this sudden Accident yet they cover'd his Body left if his Death were divulg'd the Common Soldiers should run away The Queen who that very Day came to the Camp did not give up her Mind to Womanish Lamentations bur call'd the Nobles together and exhorted them to be of good Courage and that so many valiant Men should not be so dismayed at the Loss of One as counting it dishonourable to desert a Business that was almost ended She told them She her Self would speedily bring them another King in the place of him that was slain in the mean time they should press with might and main upon the Enemy lest he might grow more resolute upon News of their Generals Death and so imagin that all the Courage of so many valiant Men was extinguisht in in the Fate of one Person only The Officers were asham'd to be exceeded in Courage by a Woman Whereupon they assaulted the Castle with such Violence that neither Party was sensible that the King was lost In the mean time Iames the King's Son being about 7 Years of Age was brought into the Camp and Saluted King And 't was not long after before the English being tired out with Watching and continued Service surrendred up the Castle to the new King upon Condition to march away with Bag and Baggage The Castle that it might be the Occasion of no new War was levell'd to the Ground This End had Iames the 2d in the Year of Christ 1460. a few Days before the Autumnal Equinox in the 29 th Year of his Age and the 23d of his Reign he had been exercis'd always even from his Youth with Domestick or Foreign Wars he bore Both Estates of Life the Prosperous and Adverse with great Moderation of Mind he shew'd such Valour against his Enemies and such Clemency to those that submitted themselves that All Estates were much afflicted for his Loss and his Death was the more lamented because 't was sudden and that in the Flower of of his Youth too after he had escap'd so many Dangers and when the Expectation of his Virtues was at the highest And he was the more miss'd because his Son was yet immature for the Government whilst Men consider'd what Miseries they had suffer'd for the last 20 Years the Ashes of which Fire were hardly yet rak'd up so that from a reflective Remembrance of what was Past they seemed to Divine the Estate of future Things The Twelfth BOOK James III. The Hundred and Fourth King JAMES II. as I have related being slain in his Camp to prevent all Controversy concerning the Right of Succession which had happen'd at other times his Son Iames a Child
who for his many and notable Crimes was grievously hated by his own People as well as Richard was by His willingly gave ear to his Ambassadors for he hoped That if once he had Peace with England that he could revenge his Wrongs at home at leisure when England could not be a Refuge to his Opposers For these Reasons especially Both Kings sent some of their Confidents to the Borders where after many and long Disputes concerning Compensation for Losses seeing Peace could not be made by Reason of the Multitudes of Complainants and the Weakness of their Proofs they made a Truce for Three Years And because Matters could not then be adjusted for the Difficulties above-mentioned and also the Straitness of Time Arbiters were appointed on Both sides who together with the Commanders of the Borders should see all things done according to Equity One Condition in the Truce was set down very intricately about the Castle of Dunbar to be restor'd to the Scots for the English interpreted it that they might keep it and the Scots that they might reduce it by Force notwithstanding the Truce For when the Scots after the Expiration of the Six●Months allotted sent Embassadors to Demand the Castle Richard by his Letters made them Promises of his Good Will but he delay'd the Reddition alleging sometimes This and sometimes Other things as an Obstacle in the way till his Death which follow'd not long after He was slain by his Countrymen and Henry the 7 th not yet fully setled in the Throne when ●ames laid Siege to the Castle in a very sharp Winter The Garison Soldiers seeing that they were not like to have Relief from England in regard of the present Distractions surrendred it up But Henry being troubled with many Cares that he might cut off the Occasion of Foreign Wars and extirpate the Seeds of old Hatred came to Newcastle upon Tine from thence he sent Embassadors to Scotland either to make a perpetual League or at least a long Truce with them for he being a Man of great Prudence and having experienc'd many Vicissitudes of things in his Life did judge it highly conducing to the Establishment of his Kingdom to make Peace with his Neighbors and especially with the Scots because that ordinarily those Two Kingdoms did lye at catch for Advantages against each other and did also nourish Rebels flying thither yea and entertain those which were exiled and maintain Sedition by giving their Authors hope of Refuge and Supply And as for Iames he desir'd nothing more than to be free from the fear of Strangers that so he might punish his own disobedient Subjects as he pleased And therefore he kindly receiv'd the Embassadors and told them that he desir'd nothing more than a Peace but his Opinion was that his Subjects would not yield to it that either there should be a perpetual Peace or any long Truce betwixt them partly because it was forbid by an Ancient Law lest when all Fear of an Enemy was removed their Minds might languish in Idleness and the Sinews of their Industry be remitted and partly because they could not so suddainly lay down that fierceness of Spirit which they had acquir'd by so long Use of Arms. But if they could be brought to This to yield to a Truce for 6 or 7 Years he would not have them refuse it But as for himself he was willing to maintain a firm and inviolate Peace with them as long as he liv'd and he would also take care that the Truce should be renewed before the Date of it was quite expired but he earnestly desired the Embassadors not to divulge abroad the Discourse which they had in secret with him lest his Nobilitie should be more backward to a Pacification if they saw him to be partial in the Case When this was told Henry who knew in what a tumultuous Case the Affairs of Scotland were and how convenient it was for that King to have a Peace imagining likewise that he spoke really and from his Heart he accepted of the Truce for 7 Years and so retir'd back to York In the mean time the Queen of Scots dyed a Woman of a singular Beauty and Probity too and by her good Graces she was thought sometimes to have moderated the unbridled Appetites and Efforts of her Husband Alexander also the King's Brother Dyed in France leaving Two Sons behind him Alexander by his First Wife the Daughter of the Earl of the Orcades and Iohn by his Second who was afterward the Regent King of Scotland for some Years Iames having thus setled Peace abroad and at home being freed from Two troublesome Interrupters of his Designs return'd to his own Nature he excluded almost all the Nobility and had none but Upstarts about him upon them he bestowed great Honors and Preferments the Care of all Publick Affairs and the Ways of getting Money were Both cast upon them whilst he himself did wholly immerge him●●●f in Voluptuousness The Chief of this Court Faction was Iohn Ramsy who was preserv'd at La●der by the King's Request and then escap'd Punishment He was grown so insolently proud that not content with the Stewardship of the Houshold which is a Place of prime Honor amongst the Scots which the King had given him and many rich Lordships besides he obtained an Edict That none but he and his Retinue should wear a Sword or other weapon in those places where the King Lodg'd that so by this means they might strengthen themselves and their Retinue against the Nobility who kept their distinct and frequent Meetings by themselves and walk'd up and down guarded by reason of the Terror of their Arms. But that Edict made People to hate Ramsy more than fear him for now nothing but the Image of perfect Slavery was represented to their Eye In the mean time the King meditated nothing more than how to satisfy himself with the Blood of those Men who were believ'd to be the Authors of Rebellion against them And seeing he could not do it by open Force he thought to effect it by Subtilty and therefore he fain'd himself to be reconcil'd to This and to the Other Man and entertain'd them so courteously that 't was even below the Dignity of a Prince so to do Others who were eminent in Power he gave Honors and Largesses to He made David Lindsy Earl of Craford Duke of Montross endeavouring to win him by that means being so powerful a Man in his Country As for George Earl of Angus he had him frequently about him and as if he had been wholly receiv'd into his Favour he acquainted him with his private Designs yet none of his Rewards and Flatteries could persuade Men that he was sincere For They that knew his Disposition did not at all doubt that his Simulation of Benevolence and Respect tended to no other end but that he might either apprehend the Nobility One by One apart or else might set them together
all the Pageantry of his former Life he ended his days in an Halter The Seminary of War between England and Scotland being almost extinguished and a great likelihood of Peace appearing behold there arose a great Ebullition of Spirit upon a very light occasion which had almost broken out into a fierce War Some Scottish Youths went over to the Town of Norham which was near to the Castle as they were oft wont to do in Times of Peace there to recreate themselves in Sports and Pastimes and to junket together with their Neighbours as if they had been at Home for there was but a small River which divided them The Garison in the Castle out of the Rancour yet lodging in their Breasts since the former War and being also provoked by some passionate words accused those Scots as Spies and so from Words they came to Blows many were wounded on both sides and the Scots being fewer in number were forced to return Home with the loss of some of their Company This Business was often canvassed in the Meetings between the Lords of the Marches and at last Iames was very angry and sent an Herald to Henry to complain of Breach of Truce and how unconstant the English were in keeping Covenant and unless Satisfaction were given according to the just Laws which were made by general Consent about restitution betwixt the Borderers he commanded him to denounce War against him Henry had been exercised by the Violence of Fortune even from his Cradle and therefore was more inclined to Peace his Answer was That whatever was done of that kind was against his Will and without his Knowledg and if the Garison-Souldiers had offended in the Case by their Temerity he would take order That Examination should be made and that the Leagues being kept inviolate the Guilty should be punished But this was slowly done and Iames looked upon the Answer as dilatory that so Punishment might be deferred and the Sentiment thereof worn out with Time and therefore it rather provoked than satisfied Iames. But Richard Fox Bishop of Durham who was owner of the Castle being much troubled that an occasion of breaking the League should be administred by any of his Tenants to prevent it sent several Letters to Iames full of great submission modesty and civility which so inclined the Mind of Iames that he wrote him word back that he would willingly speak with him not only about the late Wrongs done but also about other Matters which might be advantagious to both Kingdoms Fox acquainted his King herewith and by his Consent he waited upon Iames at Mulross where he then was There Iames made a grievous Complaint of the Injury acted at Norham yet by the prudent and grave discourse of Fox he was so pacified that for Peace-sake of which he shewed himself very desirous he remitted the Offence Other things were acted privately betwixt them but it appeared afterward that the Sum of them was this That Iames did not only desire a Peace but both before and also now an Affinity with Henry and a stricter Bond of Union And if Henry would bestow his Daughter Margaret upon him in Marriage he hoped that the thing would be for the benefit of both Kingdoms and if Fox whose Authority he knew to be great at home would but do his Endeavour to accomplish the Affinity he did not doubt but it would be soon effected He freely promised his Endeavour and coming to the Court of England acquainted the King with the Proposition and thereupon gave hopes to the Scots Embassadors that a Peace would easily be accorded betwixt the two Kings Thus at length three Years after which was An. 1500 even about one and the same time Henry's Eldest Daughter was betrothed to Iames the IVth and also Katharine Daughter to Ferdinand of Spain to Henry's Eldest Son and their Marriages were celebrated with great Pomp the next Year after After the Marriage all things were quiet and the Court turned from the Study of Arms to Sports and Pastimes so that there was nothing but Masks Shews Feastings Dancings and Balls it was as a continued Jubilee and upon that account every day was as an Holy-day There were also Horse-Tiltings frequently made mostly according to the French Mode betwixt which as Tragical Acts there intervened the Challenges of Moss-Troopers one of another who were wont to live upon Spoil which Sport the King was well pleased to behold because he judged that the killing of them was a Gain to him When the noise of these Tourneaments came to Foreign Nations many Strangers and especially from France came daily over to shew their Prowess who were all liberally entertained by the King and as bountifully d●smissed Neither did he rest in these ludicrous Exercises but he laid out a great deal of Mony upon Building at Sterlin Falkland and sundry other places and especially in building of Monasteries but his Cost about Ships was greatest of all for he built three stately ones of a great Bulk and many also of a middle Rate one of his great ones was to admiration the biggest that ever any Man had seen sail on the Ocean it being also furnished with all manner of costly Accommodations our Writers have given a Description of it which I pass over and the Measure of it is kept in some places but the Greatness of it appeared by this That the News thereof stirred up Francis King of France and Henry the 8 th King of England each of them to build a Ship in imitation thereof and each endeavouring to out-vie the other when their Ships were finished and fitted with all necessaries for sailing and brought to Sea they were so big that they stood there like unmoveable Rocks unfit for any use These Works being very expensive did exhaust Iames his Treasure so that he was forced to devise some new ways to get Mony and amongst the rest he pitched upon one by the Perswasion as it was thought of William Elphinstone Bishop of Aberdeen which was very displeasing to all the Nobility Amongst the Tenures of Land in Scotland this is one kind by which the Owner holds what he buys or else is given him on these Terms That if he dye and leave his Son and Heir under Age The Wardship of him should belong to the King or to some other Superior Lord yea and all the Revenue is to be received by him till the Heir come to the age of 21 Years There is also another Badg of Slavery annexed to this Hold that if an Owner do sell above half his Estate without the consent of the chief Lord then he is to forfeit the whole to him This Law was introduced by Court-Parasites to advance the King's Exchequer but being looked upon as unjust had lain dormant a long time but the King being informed that Money might be got out of the Violators of it commanded it to be put in Execution that Process they call Recognition
to obtain the King's Pass and safe Conduct for his Security he fell into an Ambush who brought him to the King as if he had been taken Prisoner by them so that he and most of his Followers were trussed up They who were the Causers of his Death gave forth That he had promised to bring that part of Scotland for some Miles under the Obedience of the English if he himself might be well considered for that Service But on the other side the English were glad of his Death for they were thereby freed of a dangerous Enemy Six of his surviving Companions the King kept as Hostages but in regard their Fellows were no way deterred thereby from committing the like Insolencies in a few Months they were hanged also And the King took new Hostages of those who staid at home for the Liddisdale Men left their homes and passed over in Troops to England making daily Incursions and great Spoil in the neighbouring Parts Not long after the King restor'd the noble Men to their Liberty having first taken Hostages from them Of these Walter Scot to gratify the King killed Robert Iohnston a noted Tory amongst the Thieves which bred a deadly Feud between the two Families to the great loss and prejudice of them both The next Year which was 1531 there happened a matter very memorable neither did the Obscurity of the Author nor the Curiosity of the Time which made a strict Enquiry thereinto abate any thing of Mens Admiration of the Novelty thereof One Iohn Scot a Man of no Learning nor of any great Experience in Business neither had he a subtil Wit of his own to impose Tricks upon Men being overthrown in a Law-suit and not having Ability to pay Damages hid himself some days in the Sanctuary of the Monastery of Holy-Rood-House without eating or drinking any thing at all When the thing was known and related to the King he commanded that his Apparel should be chang'd and diligently search'd and so caus'd him to be kept apart from all Company in the Castle of Edinburgh where every Day Bread and Water was set before him but he voluntarily abstained from all human Food for thirty two days After that time as if he had been sufficiently tried he was brought forth naked into publick view where the People flocking about him he made them a long but sorry Speech in which there was nothing memorable but that he affirm'd he was assisted by the Virgin Mary to fast as long as he himself pleased This Answer savouring of Simplicity rather than Craft he was released from his Imprisonment and went to Rome where he was also imprison'd by Pope Clement until he had fasted long enough to convince him of the Truth of the Miracle Then they clothed him with the Habit that Priests say Mass in and bestowed many Presents on him and gave him a Testimonial under the Leaden-Seal which is of great Authority amongst the Papists Whereupon he went to Venice where he also confirm'd their Belief by his miraculous Fasting and alleging That he was obliged by a Vow he had made to visit Ierusalem he receiv'd of them fifty Ducats of Gold for his Charges on the way At his Return he brought back some Leaves of Palm-trees and a Bag full of Stones which he said were taken out of the Pillar which Christ was tied to when he was scourg'd In his Return he past through London and mounted the Pulpit in Paul's Church-yard and in a great Audience of People preached much about the Divorce of King Henry from his Queen and of his Defection from the See of Rome his Words were bitter and if he had been looked upon of any Repute for Wisdom he must have eaten them again but being imprisoned for some time and having wholly abstained from Food for almost fifty days together he was dismiss'd When he came back to Scotland he would have joined himself to one Thomas Doughty who about that time came from Italy and had built a Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary out of the Alms the People had given him and had got great Gain by his feigned Miracles But the Life of this Thomas was sufficiently known to be very wicked and the Cheats of his pretended Miracles were discovered yet no Man durst openly gainsay him for fear of the Bishops who by this their new Atlas sought to prop up the Pile of their Purgatory then a tottering and he to requite them for their Courtesy when any of the richer sort of Priests came to the Place where he was to say Mass had still one Beggar or other ready at hand to counterfeit himself mad or diseased in Body that so forsooth by his Massing he might be recovered and healed But Thomas rejected Iohn Scot because he was not willing to admit any other into the Society of his Gain and thereupon he hired an obscure Cell in the Suburbs of Edinburgh and there having erected an Altar and furnished it according to his Ability he set up his own Daughter who was young but very beautiful with Wax-Tapers lighted about her to be adored instead of the Virgin Mary But that way of Gain not answering his Expectation he returned to his old course of Life having gain'd nothing by all his preposterous Dissimulation of Sanctity but to let all Men know that he wanted not a Will but Ability rather to become an errand Cheat. At the beginning of the following Year which was 1532 the Earl of Bothwel was committed Prisoner to Edinburgh-Castle Ianuary 16 because he had taken a private Journy into England and there had secret Conference with the Earl of Northumberland Iohn Sunderland a Knight by reason of the great Prudence Integrity and Authority which he had amongst all good Men even beyond his State and Degree was sent to Hermitage a Castle of Liddisdale to restrain the Incursions of Thieves and Robbers Of ancient time there had been no fix'd Days nor any set Place appointed for Matters of Nisi Prius to be handled by the Judges until Iohn Duke of Albany had obtained of the Pope that a yearly Sum of Mony as much as was sufficient to pay a Salary to a few Judges should be charged on the Ecclesiastical Order and 't was to be levied on every one according to the value of his Benefice Gawin Dunbar Bishop of Aberdene hereupon made his Appeal to the Pope in the behalf of himself and other Priests The Controversy held from the 11 th of March to the 24 th of April and then there was a College of Judges settled at Edinburgh At their first Sitting they devised many advantageous Projects for the equal distribution of Justice yet the hoped Event did not follow For seeing in Scotland there are almost no Laws but Decrees of the Estates and many of them too made not for perpetuity but temporary and the Judges hinder the enacting of Laws what they can The Estates of all the Subjects were committed to the Pleasure
of fifteen Men who were to have a perpetual Power and even a Tyrannical Government for their Wills were their Laws In favour of the Pope they were very severe against the Lutherans and the Pope on the contrary to gratify a King so well deserving at his Hands gave him the Tithes of all Parsonages for the next Year following This Year the English perceived that the State of Affairs in Scotland grew every day more quiet than other but yet that they were destitute of foreign Aid because they themselves had joined with the French against Charles the Emperor Hereupon they sought out an occasion for a War In April they made an Expedition out of Berwick and spoiled Coldingham Douglas and many other neighbouring Towns and drove away great Booty They had no apparent Provocation neither did they denounce War before-hand How eager they were upon War appears by that King's Proclamation soon after publish'd wherein 't was said that the Garison of Berwick was provoked by some licentious and contumelious Words which the Scots had let fall But the Words mentioned in the Proclamation carry no Contumely in them at all But this Cause not seeming just enough for a War they demanded Canabie a small Village in the Borders with a poor Monastery in it as if it belonged to them which they never pretended to before and likewise that the Douglasses might be restor'd For the King of England perceiving that his Aid was absolutely necessary to the French King so that he could by no means want it and also knowing that he had him fast in a League wherein the Interest of Scotland was not considered hereupon he thought it no hard Matter to bring the Scots to what Conditions he pleased Moreover because the Emperor was alienated from him by the Peace with France and the Divorce with his Aunt and the Pope of Rome did raise up Wars amongst all Christian Princes he thought he should omit a great opportunity at home for innovating of things if he neglected That The King of Scots that he might not be unprovided against this Storm by a publick Proclamation made all over the Kingdom appointed his Brother the Earl of Murray to be his Vicegerent and because the Borderers of themselves were not able to cope with the English who had also a great number of Auxiliaries with them he divided the Kingdom into four Parts and commanded each of them to send out the ablest Men amongst them with their Clans and Provision for fourty Days These Forces thus succeeding one another by turns made great Havock in the Towns and Castles in those Parts so that the King of England was frustrated in his Expectation seeing the War was likely to be drawn out in length and other Concerns were also to be cared for by him and therefore he was willing to hearken to a Peace but would have it fought for at his Hands for he thought it was not for his Honour either to offer it or to seek it of himself And therefore it seem'd most convenient to transact the Matter by the King of France the common Friend to both Nations Whereupon the French King sent his Embassador Stephen D'Aix into Scotland to enquire by whose Default such a War was commenced between the two Neighbour-Kings The King of Scots clearly acquitted himself from being any Cause of the War he also made a Complaint to him how long his Ambassadors had been detained in France without Hearing And at the Ambassador's Departure he sent Letters by him to his Master desiring him to observe the ancient League which was renewed by Iohn the Regent at Roan he also sent David Beton into France to answer the Calumnies of the English and besides to treat concerning the keeping of the old League and to contract a new Affinity between France and Scotland He also sent Letters by him to the Parliament of Paris very bitter and full of Complaints concerning those matters which had been transacted and agreed between Francis their King and Iohn Regent of Scotland how that ancient Friendships Pacts and Agreements were slighted in behalf of Those who were once their common Enemies His Ambassador Beton was commanded if he saw that the things he had in Command did not succeed well in France to deliver those Letters to the Council of the Judges and presently to withdraw himself into Flanders with an Intent as it might be conjectured to make a League Agreement and Affinity with the Emperor In the mean time War was waged in Britain and Disputes were manag'd at New-castle concerning the Lawfulness thereof when the Embassadors sent from both Nations could not agree on terms of Peace Monsieur Guy Flower was sent over by the King of France to compose matters The Scotish King told him that he would gratify his Master as far as ever he was able and also he had some Communication with him as much as was seasonable at that time concerning the conjugal Affinity about which he had sent Embassadors before which were then in France Flory or Flower being thus the Umpire for Peace the Garisons were withdrawn on both sides from the Borders and a Truce was made which was afterwards followed with a Peace When the Peace was settled the King having for some Years last past transacted Business with the King of France and with the Emperor by his Embassadors about a matrimonial Contract now being freed from other cares his Thoughts were more intent that way than ever For besides the common causes which might incline him to some potent Alliance he was thoughtful how to perpetuate his Family by Issue of his Body he himself being the last Male that was left alive insomuch that his next Heirs had already conceived a firm hope in their Minds of the Kingdom which did not a little trouble Him who was otherwise suspicious enough of himself And indeed things did very much concur to raise them up to that hope as for instance their own domestick Power the Kings being a Batchelor his Venturousness in slighting all Danger so that he would not only stoutly undergo all Hazards but often court and invite Them for with a small party he would march against the fiercest Thieves and tho they were superior in number yet he would either prevent them by his Speed or else fright them by the Reverence of his Name and so force them to a Surrender he would sit Night and Day on Horse-back in this Employment and if he did take any Refreshment or Food 't was that which he lighted on by chance and but little of that neither These Circumstances made the Hamiltons almost confident of the Succession yet it seem'd to them a long way about to stay for either fortuitous or natural Dangers and therefore they studied to hasten his Death by Treachery A fair Opportunity was offer'd them to effect it by his Night-Walkings to his Misses having but one or two in his Company But all these things not answering
their Expectation they resolved to cut off the hope of lawful Issue by hindring his Marriage what they could although Iohn Duke of Albany when he was Regent seemed to have made sufficient Provision against that Inconvenience for when he renewed the ancient League between the French and Scots at Roan he had inserted one Article that Iames should marry Francis's eldest Daughter But there were two Impediments in the way which almost broke off and cut this League asunder For Francis being freed out of the Hand of the Spaniard by the Industry and Diligence principally of Henry the 8 th had entred into so strict a League with the English that the Scotish League was much intrenched upon thereby and besides the eldest Daughter of Francis was deceas'd a while before and therefore Iames desired Magdalen his next Daughter to Wife and sent Embassadors over to that purpose but her Father excused the matter alleging that his Daughter was of so weak a Constitution of Body that there was little hopes of Children by her no nor hardly any Likelihood of her Life it self for any long time About the same time there was an Affinity treated of with Charles the Emperor by Embassadors and at length the 24 th day of April 1534. The Emperor sent Godscalk Ericus that the matter might be carry'd with greater Secrecy from Toledo in Spain through Ireland to Iames. After he had declared the Commands he had in charge from the Emperor concerning the Wrongs offer'd to his Aunt Catharine and her Daughter by King Henry concerning the calling a general Council concerning the rooting out the Sect of the Lutherans and concerning contracting an Affinity The Emperor by his Letters gave the King his choice of three Marys all of them of his Blood they were Mary Sister to Charles a Widow ever since the Death of her Husband Lewis of Hungary who was slain in Battel by the Turks Mary of Portugal the Daughter of his Sister Leonora and Mary of England his Niece by his Aunt Catharine And because Charles knew that King Iames was more inclinable to this last Match he also shewed a greater Propension thereunto that so he might take off Iames from his valuing of and adhering to the League with Francis and at the same time might set him at ods with Henry Iames made answer that the Marriage with England was indeed in many respects most advantageous if it could be obtained but 't was a Business of uncertain Hope but of great Danger and Toil and would be encumber'd with so many Delays that his single Life he being the last of his Family could hardly bear it and therefore of all Caesar's Neices he told Him that the Daughter of Christiern King of Denmark was most convenient for him who was begotten upon Isabel the Sister of Charles A while after Charles answered this his Demand from Madrid that she was already promised to another and though Caesar by offering Conditions seem'd rather to prolong the matter than really to bring it to pass yet the Treaty was not wholly laid aside Matters being quiet at home Iames resolved to go a Ship-board to take a View of all his Dominions round about and to curb the stubborn Spirits of the Islanders and make them more obedient First he sailed to the Orcades where he quieted all Disorders by apprehending and imprisoning a few of the Nobility he garison'd two Castles there his Own and the Bishops afterwards he visited the rest of the Islands and sent for the chief Men to come to him those that refus'd he seiz'd by force he laid a Tax on them took Hostages and carried away with him those who were most likely to be Incendiaries and clapping some of his own Train into their Castles he sent the leading Men of them some to Edinburgh and some to Dunbar Prisoners For about that time Iohn Duke of Albany had surrendred up Dunbar to the King which till then had been kept by a French Garison In the next Month of August great Severity was used against the Lutherans some were compelled to make a publick Recantation others refusing to appear upon Summons were banished Two were burnt of which one named David Straiton was free enough from Lutheranism but he was accused thereof because he was somewhat refractary in Payment of Tithes to the Collectors of them and so was put to Death only for a supposed Crime In an Assembly which the King caused to be convened at Iedburgh in order to the suppressing of the Robbers thereabouts Walter Scot was condemned of high Treason and sent Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle where he remained as long as the King lived The same Month of August when Francis as I said before had excused his Daughters Marriage on account of her Health but withal had offer'd him any other of the Blood Royal The King sent Embassadors into France Iames Earl of Murray Vice-roy of the Kingdom and William Stuart Bishop of Aberdene those Two went by Sea and Iohn Erskin by Land because he had some Commands to deliver to Henry of England by the way To them be added a Fourth i. e. Robert Reed a good Man and highly prudent There Mary of Bourbon the Daughter of Charles Duke of Vendosme a Lady of the Blood was offer'd to them as a fit Wife for their King Other points were accorded easily enough but the Embassadors fearing that this Marriage would not please their Master would make no Espousal till they had acquainted him therewith In the mean time Henry of England to trouble a matter which was upon the point of concluding in November sent the Bishop of St. Davids into Scotland who brought Iames some English Books containing the Theses's of the Christian Religion desiring Iames to read them and diligently to weigh what was written therein but he gave them to some of his Courtiers who were most addicted to the Sacerdotal Order to inspect They before ever they had scarce look'd on them condemn'd them as Heretical and moreover they highly gratulated the King that he had not polluted his Eye so they phrased it with reading such pestiferous Books This was the cause of their Embassy according to common Vogue yet some say that they brought some other secret Messages to Iames Afterward the same Bishop together with William Howard Brother to the Duke of Norfolk came so unexpectedly to Sterlin that they almost surprized the King before he heard any News of their coming their Errand was that Henry desir'd Iames to appoint a day of Interview wherein they might confer together for he had at that meeting things of high Concernment and of mighty Advantage to both Nations to propound to him In that Message he gave great hope if other matters could be well accorded that he would bestow his Daughter in Marriage upon him and leave him King of all Britain after his Decease and that he might give more credit to his Promises he would make him for the
Ambassadors were presently sent into France Cardinal David Beton and Robert Maxwel to bring over Mary of the House of Guise Widow to the Duke of Longoville for the King presaging the Loss of his Wife had cast his Eye upon her This same Year the Earl of Bothwel because he had past over secretly into England and also had held private Cabals with the English in Scotland was banish'd out of England Scotland and France Moreover about the same time many Persons were accused and condemned for high Treason Iohn Forbes an active young Man the Head of a great Family and Faction was brought to his end it was thought by the Emulation of the H●ntly's for there was one Straughan a Man fit for any flagitious Enterprize who was many Years very familiar with Forbes and was either privy to or else Partaker or Author of all his bad Actions He being not as much respected by him as he thought he deserv'd deserted him and apply'd himself to his Enemy Huntly and before him accused Forbes of Treason or as many think he there plotted the Accusation with Huntly himself against him viz. That Forbes many Years before had a Design to kill the King The Crime was not sufficiently prov'd against him nor by fit and unexceptionable Witnesses neither was the Plot of his Adversaries the Huntlys against his Life hid in the Process yet on the 14 th of Iuly the Judges who were most of Huntly's Faction condemn'd him and he had his Head struck off His Punishment was the less lamented because though Men believed him guiltless as to the Crime he suffered for yet they counted him worthy of Death for the Flagitiousness of his former Life Straughan the Discoverer because he had concealed so foul an Offence so long was banish'd Scotland and liv'd many Years after in France so deboistly and filthily that Men thought him a fit Instrument for any wicked Prank whatsoever The King not long after as if he had repented of his Severity against Forbes took another Brother of the Forbes's into his Family and another he advanced to a rich Match restoring to them their Estate which had been confiscate A few Days after there was another Trial which on the account of the Family of the accused Parties the Novelty of the Wickedness charged on them and the heinousness of the Punishment was very lamentable Ioan Douglas Sister to the Earl of Angus and Wife to Iohn Lyons Lord of Glames also her Son and later Husband Gilespy Cambel Iohn Lyons Kinsman to her former Husband and an old Priest were accused for endeavouring to poison the King All these tho they lived continually in the Country far from Court and their Friends and Servants could not be brought to witness any thing against them yet were put on the Rack to make them confess and so were condemn'd and shut up in Edinburgh-Castle The fifth day after Forbes was executed Ioan Douglas was burnt alive with the great Commiseration of all the Spectators The Nobleness both of her self and Husband did much affect the Beholders besides she was in the vigour of her Youth much commended for her rare Beauty and in her very Punishment she shewed a manlike Fortitude But that which People were most concern'd for was That they thought the Enmity against her Brother who was banish'd did her more prejudice than her own objected Crime Her Husband endeavoured to escape out of the Castle of Edinburgh but the Rope being too short to let him down to the Foot of the Rock he brake almost all the Bones of his Body in the Fall and so ended his Days Their Son a young Man and of greater innocent Simplicity than to have the Suspicion of such a Wickedness justly charged upon him was shut up Prisoner in the Castle and after the King's Death was released and recovered the Estate which had been taken away from his Parents Their Accuser was William Lyons he afterwards perceiving that so eminent a Family was like to be ruined by his false Information repented when it was too late and confess'd his Offence to the King and yet he could not prevail to prevent the Punishment of the Condemned or to hinder their Estates from being confiscate The next Year following on the 12 th of Iune Mary of the House of Guise arrived at Balcomy a Castle belonging to Iames Laird of Lermont from whence she was conveyed by Land to St. Andrews and there in a great Assembly of the Nobility she was married to the King In the beginning of the Year following which was 1539 many Persons were apprehended as suspected of Lutheranism And about the End of February five were burnt nine recanted but many more were banish'd amongst the Sufferers of this Class was George Buchanan who when his Keepers were asleep made his Escape out of the Window of the Prison to which he was committed This Year the Queen brought forth a Son at St. Andrews and the next Year another in the same Place Also this Year and the former Matters were rather somewhat hushed than fully composed some Men wanting rather a Leader than an Occasion to rebel For tho many desired it yet no Man durst openly avow himself Head of any Insurrection And now the King having Heirs to succeed him and thereby becoming more confident of his Settledness and Establishment began to slight the Nobility as a sluggish and unwarlike Generation and not likely to attempt any thing against him whose Family was now rivetted and confirmed by Issue-Male So that he applied his Mind to sumptuous and unnecessary Buildings he stood in need of Mony for that Work and in regard he was as Covetous as he was Indigent both Factions of Nobles and Priests were equally afraid and each of them indeavoured to avert the Tempest from falling upon them that it might light on the Other And therefore whenever the King complain'd of the Lowness of his Exchequer amongst his Friends One Party would extol the Riches of the Other as if it were a Prey ready for the Seisure and the King hearkned sometimes to the One and sometimes to the Other and so kept both in Suspence between hope and fear So that when Ambassadors came at that time out of England to Court to desire the King to give his Uncle a Meeting at York promising some mighty Advantages by that Interview and making a large Harangue concerning the Love and Good-will of their King towards him The Faction which was adverse to the Priests persuaded him by all means to meet at the Time and Place appointed When the Sacerdotal Party heard of this they thought their Order would be quite undone if they did not hinder the Meeting and so disturb the Concord by casting in Seeds of Discord betwixt the King and his Nobles And considering of all ways how to effect it no Remedy seemed more ready at hand for the present Malady than to attempt the King's Mind which
Parties Some abode at Glascow that they might command the Neighbouring Provinces and defend their Partners in the Reformation from Wrong Others were sent into Fife The French did what Mischief they could to their Enemies but being troubled to hear of the English Supplies they endeavoured to subdue the Relicks of the contrary Faction before their Coming and first they marched against that Party which was in Fife First in their March they plundered Linlithgo and the Estates of the Hamiltons from thence they march'd to Sterlin where they staid no longer but till they could pillage the Towns-men and then pass'd over the Bridg and led their Army along the Shore of the River which was full of Towns and Villages well inhabited They ransack'd all they met with and at last came to Kinghorn The Scots to stop their Career put a small Garison into a Town called Dysert Here the French made light Skirmishes for twenty Days together and because they could not wreek their Fury upon the Masters they did it upon the bare Walls of their Houses and raz'd a Village called Grange belonging to William Kircaldy from the very Foundation He knowing that the French were wont to make often Excursions from thence to plunder the Country-People a little before day plac'd himself in Ambush and observing Captain L'abast a Savoyard to march out with his Company he kept himself close so long till the French were above a Mile from their Garison and then his Horse started up and intercepted them from their Fellows The French had but one way for it in those Circumstances and that was to enter a Country-Village near at hand and so to endeavour to defend themselves behind Walls and Hedges The Scots being irritated by the former Cruelty of the French were utterly unmindful of their own Safety while they were intent to attend their Enemies though they had no Arms but Horsemens Lances yet broke down all which was in their way and rush'd in upon them the Captain who refused to take Quarter and fifty of his Men were slain the rest they sent Prisoners to Dundee They who were at Dysert as in a setled Post met at Cowper out of them and others that were at Glasgow there were some Persons chosen to be sent to Berwick to agree the Terms of the League with the English The chief Articles were these That if any Strangers should enter Brittain in a Warlike manner each of them should aid and assist one another That the Queen of England should pay the Scots in England and also the English Auxiliaries in Scotland That the Prey taken from the Enemy should belong to the English but the Towns and Castles should presently be restored to the right Owners That the Scots should give Hostages which were to remain in England during the Marriage of the French King with the Q. of Scots and if that Marriage were disanull'd one year after These Transactions past at Berwick February 27 1570. One thing the English gave strict warning of to the Scots which was that they should not join in a set Battel and so hazard all before the Aids of their Friends came for the English Nobles were much afraid that the over-eager Spirits of the Scots would precipitate the whole matter into an irrecoverable Mistake In the mean time the French having plundered Dysert and Weemes had a Debate among themselves Whether they should march directly towards the Enemy or else go all along the Shore to S. Andrews and so to Cowper This later opinion prevailed because by reason of the great Snow which had fallen all the High-ways were so clogged that the Horse without great Inconvenience could not march thrô the Mid-land Countries wherefore passing along a little by the Sea when they came to the Promontory called Kincraige i. e. the Head or end of a Rock some of them got thereupon where there was a large Prospect into the Sea and they came down in great Joy and told their Fellows that they discovered eight great Ships of the first Rate at Sea whereupon the French did certainly conclude that those Vessels had brought them over Aid which they had long before expected and therefore they saluted them as the Custom is with the Discharge of their great Guns and congratulated one another invited them on Shore resolving to pass that day in a great deal of Mirth and Jollity not long after one or two Boats landed from the contrary Shore of Lothian they haivng in their passage had some Discourse with the Passengers in those Foreign Ships made a Discovery that it was a Fleet of English and withal that the Report was that the Land-Forces of the English were not far from the Borders of Scotland Hereupon there was a sudden change of Spirit among them and their unseasonable Laughter was turned into Fear and Trembling so that presently they catch'd up their Colours and retreated part of them to Kinghorn others to Dumfermlin many of them leaving their Dinners behind them for very haste for they were afraid lest the Garison which they had left at Leith might be cut off and they themselves exposed to the Fury of the Enemy who lay about them in all Quarters before they could gather all their Strength into a Body During this whole March they plundered more of the Papists who came in thick to them than of their Enemies For of them the richer sort had withdrawn a great part of their Estates into remote places of Safeguard as for those who had not thus secured their Estates the French Commanders being lifted up with their present Success and also with the hopes of Aid from France which was every day expected in Confidence whereof they hoped to be perpetual Lords of those Countries hereupon they reserved the richest Farms and Villages which most abounded with all kind of Provisions unplundered as a peculiar Prey for themselves But the Papists were either exhausted by the frequent Invitations of the principal Commanders to feast at their Houses under a Pretence of Friendship or else were privately pillaged by the common Souldiers or at least in their Retreat were openly spoiled by the French who were in great want of Provisions and that not without bitter Exprobrations of their Cowardise in Fighting and their Avarice in not relieving their Friends which things said they we leave to you to judg how near a-kin they are to plain Perfidiousness This contumelious Pride joined with the Rapacity of the French Faction quite turned the Hearts of many from them and not long after the Fife Men being compell'd partly by Fear of their Enemies and partly by the Wrongs received by their own Partizans joined themselves to the Reformers and at last the remote Countries did universally revolt from the Outlandish and shewed themselves as eager in repressing the Tyranny of the French as the other Scots did in asserting their Religion The Spring was now at hand and both Parties hastened to draw their Forces together
that time he had retir'd to the House of his Brother the Earl of Arran which was near to the House where the King was slain Whereas before he always us'd to live in some Eminent part of the City where he might conveniently receive Visits and curry Favour with the People by Feasting them and besides Lights were seen in his House and a Watch all the Night from the upper part of the City and when the design'd Powder-Clap was then the Lights were put out and his Vassals many of whom watch'd in their Arms were forbidden to go out of Doors But the true Story of the matter of Fact which broke out after some Months gave occasion to People to look upon those things as certain Indications which before were but Suspicions only When the Murder was committed presently Messengers were sent into England who were to Report That the King of Scots was cruelly Murdered by his Subjects by the contrivance especially of Murray and Morton The News was presently brought to Court which so inflam'd all the English to the hatred of the whole Nation that for some days no Scots Man durst walk abroad without Danger of his Life and tho many Letters past to and fro discovering the secret Contrivances of the Design yet they could hardly be appeas'd The King's Body having been left a while as a Spectacle to be gaz'd upon and a great Concourse of People continually stockt thither the Queen order'd That it should be laid on a Form or Bier turn'd upside down and brought by Porters into the Palace There she her Self viewed the Body the fairest of that Age and yet her Countenance discover'd not the secrets of her Mind neither one way or other The Nobles there present Decreed that a Royal and Magnificent Funeral should be made for him But the Queen caus'd him to be carry'd forth by Bearers in the Night to be buried in no manner of State and that which increas'd the Indignity the more was that his Grave was made near David Rizes as if she design'd to Sacrifice the Life of her Husband to the Ghost of that filthy Varlet There were Two Prodigies hapning at that time which are worth the while to relate One of them a little preceded the Murder it was This One Iames Londin a Gentleman of Fife having been long Sick of a Feaver the day before the King was kill'd about Noon lifted up himself a little out of his Bed and as if he had been astonish'd cry'd out to those that stood by him with a loud Voice to go help the King for the Parricides was just now Murdering him and a while after he call'd out with a mournful Tone Now 't is too late to help he is already Slain and he himself lived not long after he had utter'd those Words The Other did accompany the Murder it self Three of the familiar Friends of the Earl of Athol's the King's Cousin Men of Reputation for Valour and Estate had their Lodgings not far from the King 's when they were asleep about Midnight there was a certain Man seem'd to come to Dugal Stuart who lay next the Wall and to draw his Hand gently over his Beard and Cheek so to awake him saying Arise they are off'ring Violence to us He presently awak'd and considering the Apparition within himself Another of them cries out presently in the same Bed Who kicks me Dugal answer'd perhaps 't is a Cat which us'd to walk about in the Night whereupon the 3 d which was not yet awake rose presently out of his Bed and was going to run away demanding Who it was that had given him a box on the Ear as soon as he had spoken it one seem'd to go out of the House by the Door not without some Noise Whilst they were descanting on what they had heard and seen The noise of the King's House that was blown up drove them all into a great Fright He that took the Murder most heinously was Iohn Stuart Earl of Athol as for other Reasons so because he was the chief Maker of the Match between the Queen and him The Night after the Murder arm'd Guards watch'd the Palace at Night as in such sudden Consternations is usual and they hearing the outside Wall of the Earl of Athols Lodging make a Noise or Crack as if some were gently digging at the Foundation they rais'd the Family which went no more to Bed that Night The day after the Earl went into the Town and a little after that went home for fear of his Life The Earl of Murray at his return to Court from St. Andrews was not without danger neither for arm'd Men walkt about his House at Night but he not being well and his Servants thereupon using to watch with him all Night the Villains could not attempt any thing privately against him and openly they durst not At length Bothwel who would willingly have been freed from such a trouble resolved to perform the wicked Fact with his own Hands And therefore about Midnight he askt his Domesticks how Murray did They told him he was grievously troubled with the Gout What said he if we should go see him and presently he rose up and was hastening to his House As he was going he was inform'd by his Domesticks that he was gone to his Brother Roberts to be at more Freedom and Ease out of the Noise of the Court whereupon he held his Peace stood still grieving that he had lost so fair an Opportunity and so return'd home The Queen mean while look'd very demurely and dissembling great Sorrow thought That way to reconcile the People to her but that speeded as ill with her as the rest of the Conspiracy For whereas it was the Custom time out of Mind for Queens after their Husbands Death to abstain several Days not only from the sight of Men but even from seeing the Light she indeed personated a fain'd Grief but her Joy did so exceed it that thô the Doors were shut yet the Windows were open and casting off her mourning Weeds in 4 days she could well enough bear the sight of the Sun and Air And before 12 days were over her Mind was harden'd against the talks of the People and she went to Seton about 7 Miles from the Town Bothwel never departing from her side there her Carriage was such that she seemed somewhat chang'd in the Apparel of her Body but nothing at all in the habit of her Mind The Place was full of the Nobility and she went daily abroad to the accustom'd Sports thô some of them were not so fit for the Female Sex But the coming of Mr. D'Crocke a French-Man who had often before been Embassador in Scotland did somewhat disturb their Measures for he telling them how infamous the Matter was amongst Strangers they returned to Edinburgh But Seton I perceive had so many Conveniencies that th● with the further hazard of her Credit she must needs return thither again There
his Assistant in publick Business as to observe what his Actions were The Causes which made Maitland suspected were These amongst many others Before his Journy into England though he mightily endeavoured to conceal his Designs yet by his Words and Actions and further by his great Familiarity with the Men of the adverse Party but more clearly yet by Letters he sent to the Queen which were intercepted they could not be hid In those Letters he endeavoured to persuade the Queen that his Service might yet be useful to her using the Example of the Lion as 't is in the Fable who being taken in a Net was freed by such mean Animals as Rats And after he came to York there was scarce a Night wherein he did not meet with the chief Embassadors of the adverse Party compared Notes with them and acquainted them with the Designs of the Regent The Regent did not forbid those Meetings knowing he should do no Good thereby only then they would meet more secretly Though these were manifest Evidences of his Treachery yet casually there happen'd an undeniable Demonstration thereof Norfolk and He went abroad pretendedly to hunt where they had much Discourse concerning the whole Affair and came to this Agreement amongst themselves to spin out the matter if 't was possible and so to delay it that at last nothing might be done and yet the Cause not seem wholly deserted neither For by this means the Regent must depart without effecting what he came for or else some Commotion at home would inforce him so to do and then other Remedies might emerge in time For Norfolk was then designing a Civil War how to take off the One Queen and to marry the Other Maitland inform'd Iohn Lesly Bishop of Ross herewith one intimately acquainted with all the Queen's Affairs who accordingly inform'd his Mistress by Letter how the Duke would have her write to Court what Course to steer for the future and tho her Cause went but slowly on yet that Delay should not hinder her from expecting a good Issue thereof The Queen having read those Letters laid them by as loose Papers so that they came to be read by diverse others and from hand to hand were at last brought to the Regent who by them discovered the main of his Adversaries Design against him as for Maitland he had experimented his Perfidiousness many times before When the Embassadors before-mentioned came to the Queen at London She and her Council thought it best that the Regent himself should come up and so dispute the Controversy by word of Mouth Whereupon he dismiss'd part of his Retinue and with the rest went to London but there he met with the same Difficulty as he had done at York for he refus'd to enter upon the Accusation of the Queen and his Sister too unless if he prov'd her Guilty the Queen of England would take the Scots King's Party into her Protection if she would do That he would begin the Accusation immediately upon the same Terms as he had propounded to the Delegates at York Whilst these things were acting in London the Queen of Scots by means of Iames Balfure endeavoured to raise Commotions in Scotland and that she might more easily accomplish her Designs she wrote Letters to all the Exiles and to Bothwel's Friends to contribute all their Endeavours to infest the contrary Faction by Force of Arms And besides she created Lieutenants through all the Kingdom to whom she gave even Kingly Power And moreover she caus'd Rumours to be spread abroad That the Regent and his Companions were committed Prisoners to the Tower of London and foreseeing that Lie could not be long believed she devis'd another i. e. That the Regent had promis'd to subject Scotland to the Crown of England and That he was to give up the King as a Pledg thereof 'T is thought her Design herein was That whereas she had promis'd the same things by her Commissioners and the English look'd upon it as a Vanity in her seeing She had no power to perform it yet she was willing to possess the Minds of the Vulgar with an Untruth and so to raise up Envy against the Regent and if she could not avert the whole Reproach from her self yet at least she would have her Adversaries bear a Part with her therein When the Regent saw himself in these Straits he resolv'd to end the Matter as well as he could and so to return home Whereupon at the earnest Sollicitation of the English who desir'd to know the Causes of the Proceedings in Scotland without which they could determine nothing he also being desirous to satisfy the Queen of England at that time whom he could nor offend without great prejudice to his Cause and being willing also to return home to extinguish the Civil War then appearing in its first Rise neither of which he could well do unless the Queen of England was his Friend or at least not his Adversary induc'd by these Motives He first protested before the Council of England That 't was not willingly but by the importunity of his Enemies that he was compell'd to accuse his Queen and she his Sister's Son too of so horrid a Crime that he did not do it out of a wanton humour to accuse but out of necessity to clear himself for he was very unwilling to discover those things which he wish'd if possible might be cover'd in perpetual Oblivion and therefore if any Reflection were made on what he did the Envy ought deservedly to light upon Those who would not suffer him to be like Himself that is to obey his Prince chearfully when Good and to reprove Him or Her against his Will when she was Evil only he desire one Thing That the Queen's Proxies who had inforced him to that Dispute might be present to hear the Crimes objected that so if they were false they might disprove them before the Council and that he himself in many weighty Matters might also make use of their Testimonies The Queen's Commissioners refus'd this as putting little Confidence in their own Cause and insisted only on this one thing That the Queen who was by Force of Arms ejected might be restor'd Whereupon a Day was appointed for the Regent to shew Cause why the Revengers of the King's Murder had taken up Arms for he himself was then in France and had ejected the Queen from her Government and acted other things as till that time they had done When the Time came he declar'd the Order of all Things as they had been acted and the Testimonies of the Partisans of the King's Murder made before their Deaths and also the Statute of Parliament to which many of the Regent's Accusers had subscribed And when the Silver Cabinet was produc'd which the Queen had given her from her former Husband Francis and had bestow'd on Bothwel in which were Letters to Bothwel writ in French with the Queen 's own Hand and also a French
Presumptuous Confidence in descending to debate her Cause after that Fashion and therefore say's the Queen seeing they are so averse from the Way of Concord which I propose I will detain you no longer but if she hereafter repent of her present Sentiment of which I have some hope and take the Course chalkt out by me I do not doubt but you for your part will perform your Duty Thus we were lovingly and kindly Dismist and the 8 th Day of April began our Journy towards our own Country This Account was given at Sterlin by the Embassadors before the Convention of the Estates Whereupon the Care and Diligence of the Embassadors were unanimously approv'd Other Matters they referr'd to the first of May a Parliament being summon'd against that time In the mean time both Parties bestir themselves one to promote the other to hinder the Assembling thereof The wisest Senators were of opinion That the Queen of England would never let the Scot's Queen depart as foreseeing how dangerous her Deliverance would be to all Britain In the interim Mention was made by some of demanding the Scot's King as an Hostage for his Mother rather in hopes to hinder a Concord than to establish it for she was well assur'd that the Scots would never yield to it but there were some potent Men in her Council who did secretly favour the Duke of Norfolk's Faction These were desirous that the Queen of Scots should be deliver'd and thereby the adverse Faction might in tract of time be broken and diminish'd that so they might obtain that Point from her by Necessity which they saw they could not otherwise do neither did they doubt but the Matter would come to that Pass if the R●bels were assisted with Mony and other Furniture for War from France and the Royalists had their Eye only on the Queen of England who had at the beginning largely promis'd them upon understanding the flagitious Act of the Queen that she would take a special care of the King and Kingdom of Scotland Neither could the French King well compass his Designs He was willing the Scot's Queen should be deliver'd but not that the King should be put into English Hands and hearing how strong the Norfolk Faction was which was all for Innovations he did not despair but that the Scot's Queen might in time escape out of Prison privately or be deliver'd by his Means Thus stood the State of Britain at that time Morton having given a laudable Account of his Embassy to the Convention at Sterlin return'd to his own House about 4 Miles from Edinburgh he had a Company of 100 Foot and a few Horse to guard his House and to defen● himself if the Townsmen should attempt to make any Excursion till more Forces might come in In the mean time the Queen's Faction were Masters of the Town and set Guards in all convenient Places and levell'd all their Designs to exclude the Regent and to hinder the Parliament which was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh Whereupon Morton was commanded by the Regent with 20 Horse and about 70 Foot for the rest had Passes to go abroad for Forage to march to Leith who was to make a publick Proclamation there for they had garison'd Edinburgh already That no Man should assist the Rebels by Land or Sea either with Provision Arms or any other warlike Furniture they that did so were to undergo the same Punishment with them They knowing themselves to be inferior to the Town-Souldiers sent their Foot another Way about which was cover'd by an Hill from the Sight of the City commonly call'd Arthur's Seat and the Horse past near the Walls and Gates of the City not a Man of the Enemy stiring out When they had done what they were commanded to do at Leith they had not the same Fortune at their Return for the Foot refus'd to march back the same Way that they came but return'd against the will of the Horse near the Gates of the City and so pass'd with them under the Walls with an intent to try what Metal themselves were made of and their Enemies too when lo on a sudden a Sally was made out against them from Two of the Gates At first they fought Manfully so that the Oppidans were driven back in disorder into the Town with no great loss 't is true yet it easily appear'd that they were Inferior in Valour though Superior in Number The Regent having nothing in readiness to assault the Town and having no time neither by reason of the sudden Sitting of the Parliament to bring any great Guns thither thought it better to desist from Force and to hold the Parliament without the Gate of Edinburgh For that City being stretch'd out mostly in Length they who first compassed it with a Wall left a great Part of it in the Suburbs yet so that the Inhabitants of that Part had the full priviledg of Citizens as well as those within the Walls There the Convention was held for the Lawyers gave their Opinions That 't was no great Matter in what Part soever of the City it met In this Parliament These were declar'd Traitors viz. The chief of Them who held out the Castle especially those who out of Consciousness of their guilt of the King 's and Regent's Murders had avoided Tryal The Rebels being thus condemn'd by an Act of Parliament The Judgment of which Court is of very great Authority lest the Commonalty which ordinarily is at the beck of the Nobility should be alienated from them They also of the Number which they had there made up a Convention such as it was Few appear'd there who had any lawful right to Vote and of them some came not into the Assembly at all some presented themselves but as Spectators only abstaining from all Judiciary Actings so that they having neither a just Number of Voices nor were they assembled either in due Time or according to ancient Custom yet that they might make shew of a lawful sufficient Number Two Bishops and some Others which were absent a thing never heard of before sent in their Votes in writing at hap-hazard as being doubtful of the Event of that Assembly At this time the Castle continually plaid with great Guns upon the Place where the Nobles were Assembled and though the Bullets often fell amongst crouds of People yet they neither hurt nor kill'd so much as one Man There were but few condemn'd in either Convention and both Parties appointed another Convention to be held in August one at Sterlin the other at Edinburgh When the Assembly was dismist neither Party issued out one upon other so that there was a kind of Truce between them Thereupon the greatest part of the Souldiers that were with Morton being press'd Men slipt away to their own homes They who kept the Town knew That Morton had but a small Party for his Guard and being willing also to cry quits for their former
Hamilton was killed Huntly's Kinsman a Commander of Foot hid himself in a poor Woman's Pantry but was discovered and brought to Leith The Common People when they saw him made such a Shout that it plainly appeared they would not be satisfied but by his Death for in the former Civil Wars he had been a cruel and avaritious Plunderer He was infamous in his Military Imployment in France and when the Kings of Denmark and Sweden were at odds he promised to serve them Both and accordingly had Mony to raise Souldiers from either but couzen'd them Both. And he being thus taken at length as I said to the great Joy of all was led forth to his Execution After a few Days Rest the Townsmen recruited their Forces and then shewed themselves again in Arms after that there were light Skirmishes past betwixt the Parties almost every Day with various Events The King's Party were more valorous but the Rebels had Places more convenient for Ambushes and besides they had an high Castle from whence they might see all the Motions of their Enemies neither would they ordinarily venture an Onset any further than their Ordnance out of the Castle could command The Regent kept himself at Leith watching all their Sallies and stopping all Provisions by Sea for he could not do it by Land by reason of the Largeness of the City and Inconvenience of the adjacent Places in the surrounding whereof many Opportunities of Service were lost Whilst these things were acting about the City a French Ship was taken that brought Gun-Powder Iron Bullets small Brass-Guns and some Mony to the Rebels The Mony went to pay the Souldiers but the Bullets Powder and Part of the Guns being sent with little or no Guard to Sterlin against the Tide the Rebels having Intelligence thereof procured some Vessels from other Havens and surprized them but not being able to carry their Booty to the Castle they sunk it in the River About the same time another Ship was also taken in which there was little else but Letters and large Promises of Assistance speedily to be sent from France For during the Two whole last past Years wherein at times there was War in Scotland The Queen of England on behalf of the Royalists the King of France and the English Papists on behalf of the Rebels did send in some small Dribblets of Mony but loaded them with more Promises as rather studying that their side might not be conquer'd rather than conquer respectively Both of them were willing Matters should be brought to that Pinch of Necessity The Queen of England's Design was That the Scots being worn out by their Divisions might be willing to send their King into England and so seem to depend wholly on her The French did it That the Rebels might surrender Dunbarton and Edinburgh to him and by those Two commanding Garisons from both Seas he would keep the Scots always in fear of his Arms. But despairing of the Queen's Delivery and Dunbarton Castle being lost he mov'd but slowly in the Cause of the Rebels his Aim only was That the Kingdom being exhausted with domestick Sedition he might not undertake a new and unnecessary War for the sake of one Castle only it was enough he thought at present if it did not fall into the Enemies Hands The Scots were fully resolved not to give up their King to the English upon the account of old Controversies and also because the English Papists were so strong who plac'd all their Hopes in his Death For if he were taken out of the way the Queen of England would not only seem weaker seeing it was the Life of one King only that delayed their Hopes but also the Queen of Scots was the undoubted Heir of the whole Kingdom who by he● Marriage might gratify whom she pleased with the Realm and so bear a great Figure in the Change of the State of Religion through all Europe And in the English Court there were some no mean Men who preferred the Hope of Novelty before ancient Courtesies yet if as long as the King of Scots was alive they should cut off Elizabeth many of those of the Queen's Privy-Council feared lest the known Wickedness of the Scots Queen might diminish her Authority and increase her Son's Power and so for fear of Tyranny endear him more to the English Whereupon the English Rebels were willing to destroy the Queen of England and King of Scots Both and not succeeding in doing it openly they resolved upon Poison Matters standing thus in Scotland Both Factions prepared themselves against the approaching Sitting of the Parliament The Rebels had only Three of the Lords voting with them of which Two were the Proctors or Commissioners to the Convention to be held in the Queen's Name The Third Alexander Hume was the only Man who had Right to vote And of the Ecclesiastical Order Two Bishops the One banish'd thither a few Months before by the Regent and the State of the City being chang'd not daring to depart without a Convoy he staid there against his Will The Other was a Bankrupt who having spent his Estate was driven thither by necessity By their Votes above 200 were condemned some of them being Children under Age. Moreover the malapert Souldiers as if they had already got the Victory divided other Mens Patrimonies among themselves and so put many quiet and innocent Persons and by that means more liable to Injuries into the Roll of the Confiscate The Regent went to Sterlin where he had a great Convention of the Nobles Therein about Thirty of the obstinatest of the Queen's Party were condemn'd the rest were put off in hopes of Pardon The Rebels thought this a fit Opportunity for them to attempt something in the absence of the Nobility and thereupon they drew all their Forces out of the City and to make a greater Show the Townsmen with them they set them in Battel-array that so as in former times by light Skirmishes they might draw the King's Forces out of Leith In the mean time while the Enemy were kept in play by them they resolved to send the rest privately to march about and when the Garison was drawn out to enter in at the opposite Gate and so burn the Town Patrick Lindsy was Governour of Leith a wise and valiant Person he drew forth his Forces having sufficiently provided against their Treachery and marched directly towards the Enemy they fought stoutly at first at last he gave the Rebels a round Salvo and so beat them back yet not without Loss to the Gates of the Town a great many Prisoners were brought off but the most part of them were Townsmen Alexander Hume was taken once but reliev'd again by his own side In the Evening as the King's Party were retreating joyous for the Victory Iames Haliburton a good Man and a skilful Souldier who commanded all the Foot being too far from his Body was taken by a Troop of
Argadius Regent 115 Being accused he repents and supplicates for Pardon ibid. Whereupon he is continued in his Government ibid. And prevails against the Islanders 116 Argyle Country 17 Argyle Earl joins with the Reformers 131 Arren see Arran Arrii painted their Bodies 53 Arrogance the usual Companion of Power 412 Uterson's begotten in Adultery King of the Britains 150 His Character 154 He overcomes the Saxons and takes London and York from them ibid. He is slain 151 152 Arthur the Son of Henry VIII of England marries Katherine the Infanta of Spain 11 14 Arthur Forbes slain 284 Arve●ni Who 46 Asclepiodotus a Roman Lieutenant-General kills Allectus in Britain 124 Askerme Isle 29 Assassination of King Henry odious to all Nations 192 Assassins of King Henry labour to impute the Parricide to Murray and Morton 191 Astrological Predictions Courtiers much addicted to them 418 Asyle Isle See Flavannae 30 Athelstan King of England fights the Picts 165 He is slain at a Place since called Athelstan's Ford 165 Athelstan base Son of Edward King of England overcomes the Danes and Scots in Battel 179 180 Recovers Dunbritton from the Scots ibid. Athircus or Athirco King of Scotland 119 He reigns vitiously and kills himself 120 Athol a fruitful Country 18 It abounds with Witches 357 Atrebates Who 56 Aven 15 Aven and Avon What they signify 70 Avon Laggan 26 Avona Isle its Etymology 25 Auresius Ambrosius his Original 146 147 Aureliacum i. e. Orilhach 60 Austin a Monk comes into England and calls himself Archbishop of all Britain 157 He promotes Superstition rather than true Religion ibid. Authority got by good Arts is lost by bad 208 Avus or Aw a Loch or River 17 Auxerre see Altissidorus B BACA Isle 27 Badenach County 19 Balta Isle 37 Baliol Edward lands in Scotland 285 Overthrows Seton and the Regent ibid. Declared King 286 Worsted in Scotland 287 Edward of England espouses his Cause 288 Bandying betwixt him the Nobles 291 292 Ball a Priest stirs up the Commons of England to an Insurrection 309 Bancho a Scots General 208 Overthrows the Danes 210 Slain by Mackbeth 211 Baptism celebrated but once a Year and sometimes by Parents themselves 30 Bards Who 39 57 They committed nothing to writing 35 Barnera Island 29 30 Barodunum or Dunbar whence so called 170 Baronia i. e. Renfrew 14 Barra Isle 29 Bas-Alpin the Place where Alpin was slain 167 Bassianus a Roman General in Britain 124 Slain there by Allectus ibid. Bassinets or Monk-Fishes ominous 175 Batavians or Hollanders their Fleet returning from Dantzick spoiled by Alexander Earl of Marr 349 Beath Island 25 Beatrix leaving her Husband James Douglas asks Pardon of the King 391 She marries John Earl of Athol the King 's Natural Brother ibid. Bedford the Earl thereof King Henry's General in France carries James of Scotland along with him thither 336 Bede quoted 91 92 93 Beds made of Heath 23 Bei what it signifies 22 Belhac Isles 25 Bellach Isles 25 Belus King of the Orcades kils himself 106 Bergh in German signifies High 12 Bergion the Name of a Giant 11 Berlings What 32 Bernera an Island 25 The Great and the Small 29 30 Berth a great Part of it destroyed by an Inundation 236 Berton for Breton 5 Berwick taken from the English by Robert Bruce 269 Besieged by Edward of England 370 Rendred to the English 397 Its Castle taken by Ramsay but regained by Percy 308 Bethic Isle 26 Betubium or Dungisby Head a Promontory 21 Bigga Isle 37 Bishops of England not true to Maud their Queen 224 Bishops in Scotland holy Monks 165 Chosen heretofore by their Canons 417 Anciently not Diocesans 171 Bishop of Dunblane sent into France to excuse the Queen's Marriage with Bothwel 200 c. He is chouzed in his Embassy 209 Bishopricks six in Scotland 218 Four others added to them and endowed 223 Bishop of Caithness had his Eyes and Tongue plucked out 235 Another burnt 236 Bishop of Caledonia or Dunkel commanded when the English Navy was worsted in the Forth 270 Whereupon called the King's Bishop ibid. Bishop of Dunkel commended 40 Bishop of Durham comes too late to assist Percy 317 319 His Army terrified with the Noise of Horses 320 Bishop of St. Davids sent by the English King to the Scots 63 Bishop of the Orcades prefers Court-Favour before Truth 199 Bizets a Family in Ireland anciently from Scotland 240 Blackmoney What 425 Blackness betrayed to the Hamiltons 286 Blandium an old Drink amongst the Scots 23 Blair of Athol 18 Blood rained for seven days over all Britain 261 Also Milk c. turned into Blood ibid. Bogia or Strabogy 140 Boadicea see Voadicea Bodotria i. e. the Scotish Sea 100 Boids creep into Favour at Court 409 Their Faction against the Kennedies 410 They carry the King to Edinburgh and strengthen themselves by getting the King's Pardon 411 Their Greatness occasions their Ruin 412 Boin Country 20 Bote or Boot Isle 24 Bracara or Braga 47 Braid Albin 17 Brasa Isle 37 Brecantia a Town 65 Bredius overthrown by Ederus 106 Brendinus slain in Battel 156 Brennus's Two 79 Brettish Isles 4 Bria Brica Briga signify a City with the Names of several Cities so ending 63 64 65 Bridi Isle 26 Brien-Loch 31 Brigantes and Brigiani 65 Brigantium ibid. Brigidan Isle 26 Brigids or Brides Church burnt 408 Britanny its Description 1 c. Several Islands anciently so called ibid. Mentioned by Aristotle and Lucretius 3 It hath divers Acceptations 8 It s Original and Description out of Caesar Tacitus c. 81 82 Inhabited by three Nations 70 71 Several Limits of it anciently 180 Britains their fabulous Original 41 They praised God in five Tongues 33 Britains and Gauls of one Religion 56 They painted their Bodies 76 Made no difference of Sex in Government 85 Vexed by the Scots and Picts 139 They ask Aid of the Romans 93 135 136 Make Peace with Scots and Picts 139 Enter Scotland 100 Foment Divisions betwixt Scots and Picts 95 Overthrown by Scots and Picts 142 Their woful Complaints to Aetius 93 143 Have hard Conditions of Peace imposed upon them 141 What sort of Weapons they used in War 50 They were five hundred Years under the Roman Government 70 Overthrown by Scots and Picts 156 Subdued by the Saxons 70 Revolt from the Romans and after twelve Years return to their Obedience 124 Britton and Britain all one 9 Their Origin 50 Britto with a double t 5 First mentioned by Martial 9 Brix a diminutive Word in Scotch Brixac 60 Bruce and Cumins formally agree 259 Like to suffer for Treason in England but escapes by shooing his Horse backward 260 Kils Cumins for betraying of him ibid. Bruce David sent for France 286 Bruce Edward drives the English out of Ulster in Ireland 270 He is afterwards overthrown there by the English ibid. Bruce Robert the Kingdom confirmed to him 269 He is desired to accept the Crown of Ireland also ibid. He calls for the Deeds of Mens Lands
him 421 Again possessed by him and delivered to the English 427 Retaken by the Scots 429 Dunbritton 17 The Castle surrendred to Robert Bruce 268 Twice surprized 371 Taken by the Queen 164 Retaken by the Regent by Surprize with the Manner how 260 It s Scituation and why so called 262 263 Duncan King of Scots 229 He is slain ibid. Duncan Earl of Marr Regent 284 Slain in Battel 285 Duncan Stuart rising in Arms is suppressed 323 Duncaledon rather than Deucaledon to be read in Ptolemy 56 Dunchonel Isle 25 Dundee 18 Dundeans Enemies to the Gordons 286 Dunedin by the ancient Scots now Edinburgh 171 Dungisby Head 22 See Betubium Duni pacis what 15 119 Dunkelden 18 Duno or Dunum Words so beginning or ending are the Names of Places 65 66 67 Dunoter 19 Dunsinnan Hill and Castle 212 Dunstafnage 20 Duodecemvirate in Scotland 253 Dur the Names of some Places derived therefrom 68 Durstus King of Scots 102 He invites the Nobility to a Supper and there treacherously kils them ibid. He is slain 103 Durstus made King of the Picts 132 Slain in Battel 137 E EAnfrid 159 Easdale Isle 25 Easter-Day a Dispute about it raised by Austin the Monk 157 Eboracum i. e. York whence derived 60 Ecclesiasticks their Power over Kings 237 Their Avarice 238 243 They are reformed by Constantine II. are superstit●ous 195 Eder preserved by his Nurse 104 Educated by Cadvallus 105 Created King of Scots 106 Edgar then in Scotland demanded by William the Norman 216 Returns to England 217 Made King of the S●ots 221 Builds Coldingham Abby ibid. Edifice a strange one 15 Edinburgh or Edinum whence so called 171 Its several Names 175 How seated 276 A Convention held at one End when the Enemy had the Castle at the other ibid. Edinburghers would not admit the English Exiles nor Hamilton to enter their City 252 Edmund King of England his Story 215 He gives Cumberland and Westmoreland to Malcolm King of Scots 181 Edward I. King of England takes away all Scotish Monuments 119 Endeavours to bring Scotland under his Dominion 249 Enters Scotland with a great Army 264 265 Overcomes the Scots and forces them to swear ●ealty to him 259 Appoints Magistrates all over Scotland ibid. Desires Margarite of Norwey Heiress of Scotland a Wife for his Son but she dies before her Marriage 245 Edward II. succeeding his Father in the Kingdom of England 263 Besieges Berwick makes a Truce with the Scots and retreats 270 271 Worsted in Scotland 272 Is cast into Prison by his Wife and his Son and there put to a cruel Death 274 Edward III. King of England makes Peace with the Scots 300 Baliol tak●● into his Protection 288 H●s Cruelty to Seton's Children 289 〈◊〉 Berwick 288 Hath three Kings his Prisoners at once 304 He overthrows the Scots 290 Takes Berwick 290 Enters Scotland once or twice but retreats again 293 296 His Death 308 Edward Duke of York cals himself King of England 396 Edward IV. of England makes Peace with the Scots 416 He dies 428 He laid the Foundation of Tyranny 434 Edward VI. of England an hopeful Prince his Death 114 Edward Bruce called to be King in Ireland 269 Assists his Brother Robert 265 Edward Baliol with a numerous Fleet in the Bay of Forth 284 He overcomes the Scots 285 Enters on the Kingdom 286 Swears Fealty to the King of England 288 His supposititious Son 7 Education at Court what 160 Egfrid King of Northumberland slain by the Picts 161 Edwyn of Northumberland 159 Eels taken in abundance 14 Egg Isle See Rum 28 Eglish or Church Isle 25 Eglisa or Eglish-oy Isle 36 Elbeouf Marquess of it stays with the Queen in Scotland 154 Elgin a Town 20 Eliot's Authority disallowed 4 Elizabeth Queen of England sends Aid to the Reformers of Religion in Scotland 141 144 Her grave Oration to the Embassador of the Queen of Scots 155 156 c. She in part adopts the Cause of the Queen of Scots 222 Her Letters to the Regent to defer the Convention of the Estates ibid. Her other Letters to him which break off the Course of his Victories 223 She is informed by the Regent that the Cause of their Queen's deposing was the Murder of her Husband 227 228 She sends Letters to the Nobles of Scotland to receive their Queen again 239 c. Their Answer to her Letters 241 Howard's Conspiracy against her detected 244 She demands the English Fugitives to be given up to her by the Scots 284 She is made Arbiter between the Parties in Scotland 260 Some of her Council would have King James sent into England 275 Which the Scots refuse to do 280 She favours the King's Cause most yet is politickly slow in her Aid 279 286 Ella an English King 172 Embassadors from France desire the Scots to make War upon England 119 Embassadors from France and England to Scotland 352 England divided by four Rivers 13 The King thereof the Pope's Feudatary 237 Its King makes Peace or Truce with the Scots 249 250 Enecus General of the Danes 200 Slain by the Scots 201 Enemies not to be undervalued 174 291 Their sudden Liberality to be suspected 43 English how said to rule over all Britain 180 Incommoded in their March in Scotland 276 Their Army worsted 270 Quit their Claim to any Part of Scotland 234 Regain a great Part of Scotland 303 Drawn into an Ambush 304 Their Army of 60000 Men 274 Driven out of all Scotland except Berwick 300 English Souldiers less rapacious than the French 313 Worsted in Scotland 391 Overthrown by the Scots at Sea 379 Ask Aid of the Scots against their own King 392 English their Horses frightned in Scotland 42 Make War on Scotland 59 Enter Scotland again 86 Are worsted 89 Again enter 100 And give the Regent a great Overthrow 104 Enter Scotland again 105 And prevail against James Douglas 106 English Fleet attempts the Orcades 123 English called Deliverers of Scotland 152 Send Aid to the Reformers in Scotland 143 Assist the Vindicators of King and Regent's Murderers against the Queen's Faction 253 c. 256 257 Their Queen Elizabeth designed to be destroyed and the King of Scots too 280 Enner what it signifies 106 Ennerlute or Ennerlochy a Mart-Town 20 Ennerness a Mart-Town 106 Eorsa Isle 27 Eoy Isle 29 Ericaean or Heath Isle 26 Erisbach Isle see Abridic Eriscaia or Erisay Isle 30 Erin Isle ibid. Erra Isle 26 Esk River 13 South and North 19 Thence the Country called Eskdale 13 Etfin King of Scots 163 Ethelfrid King of Northumberland 156 Routs the Scots 157 Marches into Galway ibid. Ethodius I. King of Scots makes Laws about Hunting 112 Overcomes the Islanders ibid. Slain by Night in his Bedchamber by his Harper ibid. Ethodius II. rules by his Deputies 119 Is slain ibid. Ethus King of Scots 171 Eu Island 31 Eubonia or Man Isle 24 Evenus I. King of Scots 103 Aids the Picts against the Brittons ibid. The first that required an Oath of
Allegiance of his Subjects ibid. First settles Itinerary Iudges in Scotland ibid. Evenus II. 105 Overthrows the Orkney Men 106 Evenus III. noted for Obscenity 107 He makes a Law for Polygamy ibid. Is slain ibid. Eugenius I. or Evenus King of Scots 127 Slain by the Romans 128 Evenus an Islander put to Death 174 Eugenius II. 138 His Character 144 In his time the Romans leave Britain ibid. Eugenius III. Brother of Congal King of Scots 154 Assists against the Saxons ibid. Eugenius IV. Brother of Aidanus 158 Brought up under Columb ibid. He harbours the fugitive Saxons ibid. Eugenius V. 161 Eugenius VI. ibid. Learned in Theology ibid. In his Time it rained Blood ibid. Eugenius VII causes the memorable Facts of Kings to be recorded 162 He is suspected for the Murder of his Queen but causlesly ibid. Eugenius VIII slain in an Assembly of the Nobles 163 Evonia Castle 20 Eusdale County so called from the River Ewes 13 140 Examples of Princes more influential on Subjects than their Laws 155 Exchequer Officers defend sometimes most unjust Laws 113 Exchequer Profits sometimes Disprofits 35 Excommunication unjustly pronounced affects not the Excommunicated 272 Exile more tolerable than Servitude 132 F FAbilla or Fable Isle 30 Fair or Fara Isle 36 Faith or Fidelity towards wicked Persons unsteadfast 105 107 Sacred among Souldiers 319 330 Not to be kept with Hereticks as Papists say 130 Falamgal Isle see Finlagan Falcons in the Isle of Muick 28 Famine breaks stout Spirits 140 Famine and Pestilence in Scotland 388 Fara Isle 29 Farrow-head 21 Faunus's Oracle 43 Fenella commands Kenneth to be slain 169 Feraia Isle 29 Ferchard I. King of Scots 158 Endeavours to introduce Tyranny ibid. Maliciously nourisheth Factions amongst his Nobles and is guilty of the Pelagian Heresy 159 He kils himself ibid. Ferchard II. wickedly kils his Wife and abuseth his Daughters 160 He is excommunicated reproved by Coleman and repouts at his Death ibid. Feredeth King of the Picts 166 Ferelay Island 30 Fergus I. King of Scots sent for out of Ireland 95 The Kingdom settled on him by Common Consent 96 Drowned at Carickfergus in Ireland 97 Came first into Albium when Alexander the Great took Babylon ibid. Fergus II. whilst a Child flies by Sea with his Parents into Scandia is recalled from thence and made King 133 134 He is slain in Fight 137 His Praise with a Comparison between him and Fergus I. ibid. He is deservedly called The second Founder of the Scotish Kingdom ibid. Fergus III. poisoned by his Wife for his Adulteries 163 She owns the Fact and kils her self 164 Fergus of Galway's Children disagree after his Death 246 Feritharis King of Scots 97 An old Law concerning Succession to the Crown made in his Time ibid. Ferlegus Son of Fergus conspires against his Vncle for which he is condemned 97 98 Fethelmach King of Scots 127 Fidler or Harper One kils King Ethodius I. 116 Another assists to destroy Fethelmach 127 Fifteen Iudges appointed in Scotland but soon disused 59 Fife County 18 So called from Fifus 170 Fights memorable between Scots and English 355 At Bannock 267 At Otterborn 317 318 319 Fish shapeless 29 A strange sort ibid. Fincormachus King of Scots 125 Findochus King of Scots 121 Overcomes Donald ibid. Is slain by means of his Brother Caransius 122 Finelaw or Finlaw Bishop Author of ill Counsels 339 Finlagan Isle 26 Finnanus King of Scots 102 Fiole Isle 25 Flada Isle 24 28 29 30 Flanders Artificers sent for from thence into Scotland 347 Flata Island 36 Flattery the Pest of great Families 363 380 Flavanae Isles 30 Fordun 19 Forestia ibid. Forth or Scotish Sea 13 Fortune an Example of its Inconstancy 375 Fotlar Isle 37 Francs Who 46 Francis I. King of France by the help of the King of England restored to liberty out of the Hands of the Spaniards 62 He sends the Earl of Lennox into Scotland 78 Is alienated from Lennox 83 Sends Montgomery into Scotland 91 Francis II. of France sends La'bross into Scotland 136 He is influenced by and is under the Power of the Guises 150 His Death ibid. Francis Duke of Guise Curator of the Kingdom of Scotland 114 Appointed General of the Popish Faction 153 174 Franciscans or begging Friars their Wealth 128 France its miserable State 151 It s King Francis promises to aid the Scots of the Queen's Faction 254 And the Scots Rebels 279 280 Vpon what Grounds he did it ibid. Frazer's Family almost extinct 89 Frederethu● slain 166 Friend betrays Friend 332 Their Injuries the most grievous 314 Our Father's Friends not to be neglected 101 Friendship with Princes far off sometimes safer than with Those nearer home 44 French Gauls Fran●s their Original 46 They receive Characters of Letters from the Massilian Greeks 38 Their Communion with the Brittons 61 When French and Scots Alliance first began 165 They send Aid to the Scots 90 106 Their Souldiers very licentious 313 Their Army leaves Scotland 314 Their unjust Demand 312 What Good the Scots got by their Alliance 322 Their King distracted 334 They ask Aid of the Scots ibid. They renew their League with the Scots 240 251 273 French and Scots Souldiers mutiny 109 Their Auxiliaries in Scotland cannot forbear their wonted Plundering 314 They hinder an Alliance with England by Bribes as much as they can 43 44 Assault Werk Castle 45 Their Souldiers kill the Governour of Edinburgh with some of the Citizens 209 They design to surprize Hadington ibid. They are disgusted by the Scots 110 French and English in Scotland agree 111 French transported into their own Country 112 French King sends Auxiliaries to strengthen the Queen Regent 135 143 French Embassadors Demands from the Reformed 136 152 French their contumelious Pride against some of the Scots 143 144 Their Design to establish Tyranny ibid. French Embassador busy between the Queen and the Royalists 218 219 Vpon the Queen's Overthrow he sculks away 221 French to leave Scotland by Consent 149 French Ship sent with Provision and Ammunition into Scotland taken by the Royalists 279 French Tongue heretofore not much different from the British 58 Friars Mendicants Mercenaries to Parish-Priests and Curats 345 346 Their Opinions and why Manducants rather than Mendicants 129 Fuda Isle 29 G GA Letter commonly used by the French for V 60 61 Gaga Isle 25 Gald Gael Galle 62 Galdus the Sir-name of Corbred what it signifies 109 Galeatius Sforza slain by his Vncle 231 Gallovid in Old Scotish signifies a Gaul 14 Galo Cardinal the Pope's Legat in England 237 He excommunicates the Scots 238 A wicked and avaritious Man ibid. Galvinus Son of Lothus 151 Galway why so called 14 61 139 Garalinga Isle 29 Garaard King of the Picts 162 Garvae Isles three 25 Garvillan Isles 30 Gavin Isle 25 Gauls sent Colonies into Spain 48 Into Italy 49 Into Germany ibid. Into Britain 50 Into Ireland 51 Gathelus a Prince feigned by some to be the Founder of the Scots Nation 46 Gawin Dunbar
the King's Tutor made Chancellour 54 Gawin Douglas called Archbishop of St. Andrews 29 Committed to Prison 164 Genrach Isle 26 Geoffry of Monmouth a Writer of British Affairs 8 Geldrians come to help the English against the Scots 295 Geloni painted their Bodies 53 Genistery or Broom Isle 25 George Buchanan imprisoned for Religion escapes out of his Chamber-Window whilst his Keepers were asleep 67 He is sent in Embassy with others into England 224 His ingenuous Speech concerning Himself 71 George Brother to the Earl of Douglas made Earl of Ormond 377 Commands the Forces against England 378 Extolled for his Victory over them 380 Declared a publick Enemy 387 Beheaded 390 George Douglas Earl of Angus 377 His memorable Fact 398 He is against the Queen Mother 399 His bold and unworthy Speech to the King 50 George Douglas the Regent's youngest Brother 217 Delivers the Queen out of Prison 218 George Dunbar Earl of Merch espouses his Daughter to David King Robert's Son 325 Which Marriage not taking effect he joins with Percy of England against the Scots 326 Proclaimed a publick Enemy ibid. Percy and he overthrow the Scots 307 Takes Douglas Prisoner in Fight 327 Ioins with Percy against the King of England is wounded and taken Prisoner 329 Being reconciled to the Regent returns into Scotland 332 George Gordon sent with an Army against England 70 The King's Hatred against him 71 Accused and imprisoned 115 Released 116 Studies to raise Commotions 154 Privy to the Conspiracy against Murray 168 Condemned for Treason 170 Restored by the Queen to his former Dignity 173 Chief of the Queen's Faction 209 George Lesly Earl of Rothes sent Embassador into France 121 There poisoned as 't was believed 122 George Ruven slain 282 George Wiseheart Preacher of the Gospel 93 Persecuted by Cardinal Beton against the Regent's Mind 94 Foretels the Death of Cardinal Beton 97 His pious and Christian Deportment before and at his Martyrdom 95 96 97 Gerlock Isle 28 Gerlock Bay See Loch-ger 17 Gersa or Gress-oy Isle 37 Gernich or Gaxnico 22 Germany whence so called 42 Germ●n● their fabulous Original 45 Ingenious in relating the Origin of their Nation 38 39 German Navy lands on the Coast of Scotland 94 Gessoriaci i. e. People living about Calais 10 Getes painted their Bodies 53 Gethus King of the Picts 97 Slain 100 Getini and Getae whence 49 Geurasdil Isle 25 Gigaia or Gega Isle ibid. Gigamena Isle ibid. Giles Tutelary God of Edinburgh his Show affronted 124 Gilbert Kennedy slain by the Command of James Douglas 57 A Man of a great Spirit ibid. Kennedy's Constancy in keeping his Word ●77 Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils sent Embassador into France 121 He dies there not without the suspicion of Poison 127 Gilbert his Son chosen Iudg in Bothwel●s ●s Case but excuses himself 195 Gilchrist kils his Wife the King's Sister for her Adultery 234 King William's General 230 Banished but received again into Favour 234 Gilcolumb slain 164 Gildas quoted concerning Britain 93 He wrote 400 Years after Tacitus 38 Favoured by Aurelius Ambrosius 148 A good Man and died at Glastenbury in Somersetshire the Prophecies that go under his Name not genuine ibid. Gildominick and the Murray Men suppressed 230 Gilespy Cambel an Actor in the Reformation 129 Recalled by threatning Letters by the Queen Regent 130 Gilespy Earl of Argyle banished 175 His Levity 206 Privy to the Queen's Wickedness 216 General of her Army 220 Refuses to own himself a Subject to the King 234 The Regent receives him into Favour and he is in great Authority 235 251 Gillan Isle 30 Gillo Commander of the exiled Scots 129 Gillus the Bastard King of Scots 104 Flies into Ireland 105 Slain by Cadvallus 106 Glascow 14 The Bishop thereof frightned by a Voice from Heaven 376 Glass Isle 28 Glenluce 14 Glotta River i. e. Clyde 14 Glottiana see Clydsdale Goat Isle 25 God's Favour attends the Good 213 Gom●dra Isle 27 Goran King of Scots 148 Persuades the Kings of the Picts and Brittons to join with the Scots against the Saxons 148 He is treacherously slain by his Subjects 154 His Wife and Children fly into Ireland ibid. But are recalled by Congal II. 155 Gordons at Feud with the Forbes's 284 Gordon an Enemy to Murray 162 He labours to destroy him 164 166 His Design against him at one time wonderfully prevented 168 169 Gordon's bold Attempt against the Queen her self 167 Gorlois wickedly slain by Uter 149 Goropius reproved 10 Goths Who 33 Gothunni and Gothini who 49 Grafton censured 252 Graham or Grame 135 Appointed Tutor to Eugenius 137 Recals Christian Pastors into Scotland 140 Graham's Dike 138 Grampian Hills or Mountains 17 Gramry Isle 25 Granisa Isle 36 Gray hath the chief Command in Scotland against the French 146 Gregory King of Scots his famous Atchievements against the Picts Danes and Brittons 175 176 He takes several Cities in Ireland 177 Green Isle 25 28 Grevan River 14 Gria Isle 30 Griffin slain in Fight 156 Grime King of Scotland 198 Makes an Agreement with Malcolm ibid. Which he afterwards breaks is overthrown and made Prisoner 199 And dies 200 Groom in a Stable his bold Attempt on James Hamilton in revenge of his Master's Death 52 For which he is put to Death ibid. Gruinorta Isle 31 Guidi 15 92 Guises their Desire to hasten the Marriage of Mary with the Dolphin 221 Their over-great Power suspected 122 They design Scotland as a Peculiar for their Family 151 They seek to destroy James Earl of Murray as an Enemy to Popery 165 Gun Isle 27 Guns i. e. Great Ordnance of Iron when first began to be used in Scotland 394 H HAdington 13 Deserted by the English 111 Hago a Danish Admiral 181 Haie or Hea Isle 30 Hakerset Isle 29 Hamiltons the Original of their Family 273 Hamilton leaves the Party of the Douglasses 390 Hamiltonians willing to free the Queen out of Prison 216 Overthrown in Battel and some of them taken Prisoners 221 222 They meet at Edinburgh in behalf of Queen Mary 252 Hara Isle 37 Harald Earl of Caithness punished for his Cruelty 235 Haraya or Harray Isle 31 Harpers of old used to lie in the Bedchamber of the King and of the Nobles in Scotland 116 Harrick Isle 30 31 Havatere or Havere Isle 30 Havelschire Isle 29 Haura Isles the great and the less 31 Hay and his two Sons fight for their Country 191 Hath a Coat of Arms assigned to his Family 192 The Name almost extinguished 286 Heath Isle 21 Heath its Nature 23 Good to make Beds to lie on ibid. Hebrides Isles see Aebudae Hector Boetius blamed 13 Mistaken 76 Compared with Lud 80 Helena Mother of Constantine 124 Hellisay Isle 29 Helscher vetularum Isle ibid. Helricus a Danish Admiral 181 Hengist Captain of Pirates hath Lands given to him in Britain by Vo●tigern 144 Henry I. of England never laughed after the dr●wning of most of his Children 224 He settles the Succession on his Daughter Maud ibid. Henry
to revenge the Cardinal's Death 101 Lewis Isle 30 Many Whales taken there 32 Lewis XI espouses Margarite the King of Scots's Daughter 340 He lays the Foundation of Tyranny 434 Lewis de Galais Embassador from France to the Queen's Party 254 Liddisdale so called from the River Lidal 13 140 Liguria 11 Lilborn worsted by the Scots 306 Linga Isle 30 37 Lingaia Isle 39 Lindil Isle 29 Linlithgo 30 Lindsay's and Ogilby's Fight 373 The Lindsays prevail 374 Lismore Isle 25 Loch-Abyr 19 20 Loch-Aw 17 Loch-Brien 31 Loch-Earn ibid. Loch-Fin 17 Loch-Ger ibid. Loch-Long ibid. Loch-Lomund ibid. Loch-Loubrun 21 Loch-Louch 20 Loch-Maban 300 The Castle in it taken by the Scots 309 Loch-Ness 20 Whose Water never freezeth ibid. Loch-Ryan 14 Loch-Spey 140 Loch-Tee 20 Lochindores Castle 296 Locrine Son of Brute 42 Loegria an old Name for England ibid. Lollius Urbicus in Britain 113 London anciently called Augusta 89 Longay Isle 25 Lords of the Articles who 305 Lorn County 17 Lothian so called from Lothus King of the Picts 13 Lothus King of the Picts 13 He joins with the Scots against the Saxons 148 Complains that his Sons were deprived of the Kingdom of Britain ibid. He is commended ibid. Lox or Lossy River 20 Luctacus King of Scots a flagitious Person 111 He is slain ibid. Lud or Lloyd allows that by Prudania is meant Britain 2 He is refuted 71 72 73 77 78 79 80 Luing Isle 25 Lunga Isle 25 27 Luparia or Wolf Isle 25 Lupicianus in Britain 88 89 Luss River 14 Lusitania why Portugal so called as some say 47 Lust a Punishment to it self 186 Lutherans persecuted 63 67 91 Mackbeth's Son slain by Malcolm 215 Luxury accompanies Peace 143 M MAalmori Isle 26 Macalpine Laws 70 Macdonald rises in Arms but is overthrown and kils himself 207 208 Mackbeth King of Scots his Character 208 His Dream 210 211 He flies 214 Macdonald his cruel Fact to a Woman retaliated on himself 343 344 Macduff ill resents Mackbeth 212 He stirs up Malcolm against him ibid. Three Priviledges granted him by Malcolm 215 The first Earl of Fife 214 He complains against Baliol to Edward of England 250 Macklan executed by Douglas 384 Maenavia Isle 24 See Man Magistrates have Power over Mens Bodies but not over their Consciences 127 Magna or Megala Isle 29 Magnus his carousing Goblet ●4 Magnus King of Norwey seizes on the Islands 221 Makes Peace with the Scots 242 Magus Towns so ending 68 69 Maiatae who 26 Mainland see Pomona Main an English Commander against the Scots slain in Fight 3●9 Main Son of Fergus 97 King of Scots 98 Makul a Criminal abstains from Food 236 Maldon not in Scotland 16 Maldwin King of Scots 160 A Plague in his Time over Europe ibid. He is strangled by his Wife 1●● Malgo a Britain ibid. Malcolm Fleming executed by the Douglasses 37● Malcolm I. 18● Sits in Courts of Iudgment himself ibid. He is slain ibid. Malcolm II. Competitor with Constantino for the Crown 197 Confirms the Law for Succession 2●● Overthrown by the Danes 2●1 Afterwards overthrows them in several Battels 202 His Murderers drowned 2●4 Malcolm III. brings in foreign Titles of Honour into Scotland 214 He recovers the Kingdom from Mackbeth ib. Qu●ls Conspiracies made against him 215 217 His Vow to St. Andrew 218 He erects new Bishopricks and makes wholesome su●p●uary Laws ibid. Builds the Cathedrals of Durham and Dunfermling 219 Is slain by the English with his Son Edward ibid. His Queen and other Female Relations very pious 218 Malcolm IV. takes a Fe●datary Oath to Henry of England 227 He accompanies him into France 229 Is despoiled by him of Part of his Patrimony in Engl●nd ibid. Is persuaded by the Scots to marry but gives them a negative Answer 231 Man Isle its several Names 24 Marcel●in●● quoted and corrected 56 Marble Stone on which the Scots Kings were crowned 171 Ma●ble white Mountains of it in Sutherland 21 Marchet● Mulierum what the Scots call so 219 Margarit●● or St. Margarite's Port 35 Margarite Creighton who 428 Margarite Queen of England delivers her Husband Edward by Force of Arms 397 She flies into Scotland and thence into France ibid. Margarite Sister to Edward of England Wife to Charles of Burgundy endeavours to raise Commotions in England 6 Margarite Daughter of Henry VII marries James IV. 14 The first Female Regent in Scotland 29 After her Husband's Death she marries Archibald Doug●as ibid. She flies with her Husband into England 34 But returns 37 Displeased with her Husband ibid. Persuades the Scots to break with the French 42 But opposed therein by the French Faction 43 Marianus Scotus 180 Mariners to offend them dangerous to Passengers 286 Marr and M●arn Counties whence so called 19 170 Martha Countess of Carick falls in Love with Robert Bruce and marries him 247 Martiq●●● the Earl of it comes ●●to Scotland with his 〈◊〉 148 Mary Wife of 〈◊〉 II. her manly Spirit 394 Mary of Guise Widow of the Duke of Longuevil marries James IV. 67 By degrees she dispossesseth the Regent 112 113 Takes upon her the Ensigns of the Government 113 114 Imposes new Taxes 117 Changes ancient Affability into Arrogance 127 Persecutes the Reformed and is perfidious 130 1●1 Mak●s a Truce with the Reformed 134 The Administration of the Government taken from her by Proclamation 139 She dies in the Castle of Edinburgh 146 Her Disposition and Character 147 Mary Queen of Scots born 71 Begins her Reign ibid. Henry of England desires her for his Son's Wife 75 She is sent into France 107 From whence that King● sends Letters desiring her a Wife for his Son 120 Embassadors sent thither for that purpose of which some die there 121 122 She marries the Dolphin 121 When Mary of England died she carried her self as the next Heir and assumed the Royal Arms of that Kingdom 127 When her Husband died she resolves to return into Scotland 151 Her subtil Answer to a cunning Cardinal 153 She lays the Foundation of Tyranny 196 Designs a Guard for her Body ibid. Her unbecoming Familiarity with David Rize 172 She marries Henry Stuart 175 She punishes David's Homicides 183 Her strange Proclamation about Rize's Death ibid. She brings forth James VI. ibid. She is willing by all means to be rid of her Husband 183 184 185 A joculary Process against her Husband's Murderers 193 She marries Bothwel 199 The French Embassador and the Scotish Nobles dislike her Marriage ibid. She frames an Association against the Nobles 204 And they Another against her 205 Earl of Murray leaves Scotland in Discontent ibid. Besieged with Bothwel at Borthwick and escapes in Man's Apparel 206 Surrenders her self Prisoner 209 210 Proved guilty of her Husband's Death by Letters 211 Hamilton designs her Deliverance 216 She escapes 218 Is overthrown by the Nobles and 〈◊〉 for England 221 She endeavours by Balfure to raise Tumults in Scotland 226 Designs to marry Howard of England 233 23● Continued in the Lord Scroop's House 239
Her Faction garison Edinburgh from whence they sally out 〈◊〉 Morton ●●● Massacre designed in France by the Gu●●es 750 Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox marries Margarite Hamilton ● Sent for out of France into Scotland 78 Returns 171 Circumvented by the Cardinal 's Cunning about his marrying the Queen 80 Vpon which he rises in Arms but is forced to agree with the Regent 82 He justifies himself to the French King 83 Is worsted and flies into England where he is kindly received and marries Margarite Douglas 83 85 86 Created Regent 258 259 Takes Brechin from Huntly 260 Hurt by a Fall 261 Maximianus Commander of a Roman Legion in Britain 136 He overthrows the Scots and Picts 137 M●xim grave in Policy 176 Another 208 Others 239 Maximus in Britain 127 He overcomes the Scots 128 Takes the chief Government upon him 129 Banishes all the Scots out of Britain ibid. Measures and Weights amended and rectified 334 Mechanical Engine of Brass a strange one 192 Mecla Isle 37 Meliss Graham deprived of Strathearn by the King 351 Men fight like wild Beasts one with another 324 Mendi●ant Friars called Manducant 129 Mentei●h 17 140 Menthe●'s Treachery against Robert Bruce 268 He is rewarded 269 Merch 13 Merchants forbid to traffick by Sea for a time 244 Merchants or Ch●nnards Is●e 26 Mercenary Souldiers change with Fortune 236 Fit to establish Tyranny 117 177 Merlin the Prophet or Impostor rather when he lived 147 A wicked Man 149 A Comparison between Gildas and him à dissimili ibid. Mern whence so called 170 Mernoch Isle 25 Merta●k Isle 31 Metellan or Maitland King of Scots 107 Michael Weems helps the Royalists 277 Milesian Fables what 77 Minturnae 78 Modred Son of Lothus General of the Picts Forces 151 Competitor with Constantine 153 Slain ibid. Moesici who 89 Mogald King of Scots 112 Makes an unjust Law 113 He is slain ibid. Molas Isle 24 Mologhascar Isle 25 Mon Isle put falsly for Man 24 Monfort slain by Preston 297 Mongomery comes into Scotland 91 Monk poisons King John of England 238 Another poisons Thomas Randolph 283 Their Impudence in devising Fables 42 Their Luxury 143 Their Monasteries overthrown by Order of the Lords 152 Monster like an Hermaphrodite born in Scotland 4 5 Monk-Fishes never seen but they predict Mischief 175 Mordac King of Scots 162 Mordac Earl of Fife Son of Robert taken Prisoner 327 Returns to Scotland 333 Succeeds his Father in the Government 336 Takes Care to recal King James from England 337 Imprisoned 339 Executed 340 More Isle 25 More in old Gaulish signifies Mare the Sea 10 More marusa 7 10 77 Morini who 10 Morton's large Account of his Negotiation in England to the Regent 267 Mother cruel to her own Children 231 Mourning Garments when first used in Scotland 66 Muick Isle 28 Mull of Galway 14 Mull Isle 26 Mulmore Isle ibid. Mungo or St. Mungo see Kentigern Murderer discovered sometimes by touching the Murdered Body 184 Murdo and his Sons put to Death 348 Murray a fruitful Country 20 Its Inhabitants seditious 230 Murray made Regent 226 His Death 298 Musa Isle 37 Musadil Isle 25 Musicians or wandring Minstrels restrained 282 283 N NAick Isle 28 Nagunner Isle ibid. Names new by ambitious Men given to Places 170 171 Names of Towns new shew the Affinity of a Language 62 Naomph Isles 26 Naosg Isles 26 Narn 140 Nathalocus King of Scots 120 Murders the Nobility and consults So●●hsayers ibid. Nathalocus a Noble Man conspires against Athirco 119 Is himself slain 121 Navern Province so called from the River Navern 21 140 Nectamus King of Scots 126 Ness Town i. e. Innerness and River whose Water is always warm 20 Nightshade its Description and Properties 209 Ninian 145 Nithisdale from the River Nith 13 140 Nobility their Tyranny over the Commons restrained 182 Nobles how anciently tried in Scotland 340 Normans overcome the Saxons and Danes in Britain 71 Norman Lesly his Valour against the English 89 He surprizes St. Andrews and kils Cardinal Beton 98 Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms viz. the Deiri and the Bernici 159 Nostvade Isle 37 Nothatus King of Scots 98 First sets up Arbitrary Government ibid. He is slain 99 Noviogagus many Cities so called 68 Nuns Isle or Monades 27 O OCCA General of the Saxons overthrown by three Kings and wounded 151 152 Occidental or Western Isles 22 Ocel-Mountains 17 Olavus General of the Scandians 200 Old Castle Isle 31 Oracle feigned by a Monk 44 Oransa Isle 28 29 Oration of Archbishop Kennedy that the Administration of the chief Government is not to be committed to Queen-Mothers 401 c. Orcades Isles 33 Their Description ibid. Writers not agreed about their Number 35 Orca Promontory 21 Ordovices who 109 Original of Letters 38 Orkny the Bishop thereof marries the Queen to Bothwel 199 Orma Isle 37 Orvansa or Oversa Isle 26 Osbreth aids Picts against Scots 172 Overthrown at first but afterwards beats the Scots ibid. Osellius a French Man desirous of Glory 120 Differs with the Scots Nobles but afterwards yields to Them ibid. Osrim Isle 26 Oswald King of Northumberland promotes the Christian Religion 159 Otterborn Fight wherein the English are worsted 318 Oversa Isle 26 Ovia Isle ibid. Otiosi Isle 25 Oxon for Oxonford 8 P PABA Isle noted for Robbery or Piracy 28 29 Pabaia Isle 30 Palladius sent by Pope Celestine into Scotland first sets up Bishops there 145 Pandulphus the Pope's Legat 238 Papa Isles great and small 36 37 Parish Priests and Friars Mendicants the Cause of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline 243 Parricide God suffers not to be unrevenged 184 185 Parsimony the Mother of Health 33 Parsonages Church-Preferments sold 419 Bestowing of them causes Strife 57 Pasly Book or the Black Book of Pasly what 134 Patrick Graham chosen Bishop of St. Andrews by his Canons in the room of Jame● Kennedy 411 Made Primate of Scotland by the Pope but obstructed by the Courtiers ibid. He labours to maintain Church-Priviledges 417 Is excommunicated and forced to resign his Bishoprick 418 419 And dies in Prison ibid. Patrick Grey one of those who slew King James III. 433 Patrick Grey committed to Custody 92 Patrick an holy Man sent into Scotland 145 Patrick Blackater flies from the Douglasses 47 He is treacherously slain by John Hume 48 Patrick Hamilton put to death for Religion by the Conspiracy of the Priests 53 Patrick Lindsy sides with the Reformers 132 Goes with the Regent into England 222 Ruven's Magnanimity 181 182 He kils David Rize ibid. He acquaints Murray with the Conspiracy against him 173 Paul Mefane or Meffen Preacher of the Gospel troubled for Religion 123 Harboured by the Inhabitants of Dundee 124 Paulus Orosius quoted 86 Corrected 87 Paul Termes sent with Aid from France to Scotland 110 Peace-downs see Duni Pacis Peace sometimes more dangerous than War 140 112 347 Peace confirmed with an intended Affinity betwixt Scots and English 422 But soon broken ibid. Mediated for by
the Scotish Nobility 426 Made between French and English 111 Between the Reformers and the Court 149 Peachti 53 Pentland Firth 35 53 Pentland Hills 13 53 People of the Commonalty their Heat soon over 207 Percy Henry taken Prisoner and ransomed 320 Percy the Elder conspires against the King of England 329 Overthrown and flies to Scotland 332 Betrayed by his Friend ibid. His Posterity restored to their Dignity 334 Perth 18 A great part of it destroyed by Water 236 Its Walls demolished 287 Taken by Edward of England 295 Retaken by the Scots 298 Pestilence in Scotland 227 303 305 381 Peter Cerealis in Britain 86 109 Peter Maufet a Robber executed 32 Peter Hiale the King of Spain's Embassador in England 11 His Errand to solicite a Match between Katharine of Spain and Henry's Son ibid. He mediates a Peace between Scots and English 12 Petronius Turpilianus in Britain 85 Peter Warbeck a notable Impostor 6 Set up by the Dutchess of Burgundy to vex Henry 7 Sails out of England into Scotland ibid. Marries Katherine the Earl of Huntly's Daughter 9 Engages James IV. against Henry 9 Dismiss'd out of Scotland 12 Taken and hanged in England 13 Pheodor-oy 37 Phylarchae who 101 Physicians why so much esteemed in Scotland 101 102 Picts whether derived from the Saxons 33 Whence so called 53 Foretold by the Oracle that the Scots should extirpate them 95 132 Repent joining with the Romans against the Scots 131 132 Their Origin from Germany 55 95 Overcome the Scots 167 Overcome by the Scots 168 169 Their Kingdom abolished in Scotland 169 Solicite Aid from Osbreth and Ella 172 Beaten quite out of Britain 173 Pliny a Place in him corrected 12 Pluscartin Book i. e. a Book or Chronicle of Scotland written by the Religious of Pluscarty an Abby in Murrayland 344 Pollack Fish where found 17 Polygamy a Law made for it by Evenus 107 Pomona the greatest Isle of the Orcades 35 Pope of Rome his Emissaries in Britain 157 The Right of the Kingdom of England conferred upon him by King John 237 His Embassadors excommunicate the Scots 272 David II. King of Scots anointed by his Permission 282 His Legat denied entrance into Scotland 243 Porcaria Isle 26 Port or Na Port Isle 25 Portugal why so called 47 Possessions confounded by often Wars 271 Praenestin Lots what 43 Priests or Clergy Isle 31 Priests corrupted by Luxury reformed by Constantine 174 Richer than the Nobility 243 Gain by the Losses of the Nobility 25 29 Not subject to Kings 245 Impostors 58 Priests so ignorant as to think the New Testament was written by Martin Luther 9 Priests One the Author of a Sedition 309 Another treacherous 374 Betrays Queen Joan 375 Another forges a Will 73 Preys retaken and restored to their Owners 106 Prince of Scotland the King 's Eldest Son so called 194 Princes not Slaves to their Words 130 Priviledg of the Scots not to be summoned to appear out of their own Country 241 Prodigies on divers occasions 184 204 191 Process ridiculous against the King's Murderers 193 Proclamation about the same ibid. Proclamation or Schedule of James II. drawn in contempt about the Streets 386 Prosperity dangerous 179 Prudania 2 Prytania ibid. Prophecies of Witches how fulfilled 357 Ptolemy hath Deucaledon for Duncaledon 56 Punishments too exquisite enrage Spectators 358 Punishment of old to Prisoners not returning on their Parole 319 Pygmee Isle 30 Q QUadrantary Faith what 126 Quindecemvirate in Scotland 59 Queens their Marriage to be ordered by the Estates of the Realm and why 269 Anciently Kings Wives not allowed to be so called 402 403 Queen Mother of James III. sues for the Regency with her Reasons 400 The Scots not willing to be governed by her ibid. Queen Dowager sails into France 112 Where she labours to out the Regent of his Government 113 Hath the Regency conferred upon her 115 The First Female Regent in Scotland ibid. Levies new Taxes 117 But because of an Insurrection desists from collecting them 118 Refuses the Propositions sent her by the Reformed 127 Prepares Forces against them 129 Makes a Temporary Agreement with them 130 Which she endeavours to elude ibid. Makes another Truce with them 134 Repartees betwixt Her and the Reformed 136 137 138 Her Death and Character 146 147 Queen of Scots not ●o use the English Arms during Queen Elizabeth's Life 159 Queen of Scots one of their Deaths 430 Queen's Party divide from the King 's 255 They send Embassadors to France and England for Aid 254 Queen Elizabeth rejects them 254 Question debated Whether a Chief Magigistrate may be compelled by force to do his Duty 159 c. R RAarsa Isle 28 Rachlinda Isle 25 Ralph Evers his vain Boast 87 Ralph Rokesby betrays Percy his Friend 332 Ralph Sadler Embassador from England about the Marriage of Mary with King Henry's Son 75 He hears the Scots Differences and endeavours to compose them 224 Ramsay Isle 25 Ranalds-oy 35 Ranalsa a Southern Isle 36 Randolf Thomas invades England 270 Made Regent 282 Executes a Murderer though he had the Pope's Pardon 282 His Law against Thievery ibid. He punishes the Cheat of a Country-man 283 Poisoned by a Monk ibid. Ratra River hath no Salmons in it 19 20 Rebels after Murray the Regent was dead had several Meetings 247 They send Embassadors to the Queen of England to desire a Truce but in vain 253 254 They solicite the French and Spaniards for Aid 260 Assault Leith 281 Surprize Sterlin but beaten out again 281 282 Attempt Jedburgh but repulsed and routed 285 286 Recognition what 15 Red or Ridhead Promontory 19 Redshanks who 106 Reformation the best Method thereof for Princes to begin at home 188 Reformed Religion the Nobles swear to maintain it in behalf of James VI. whilst a Child 214 Reformed Congregation in Scotland the first so called 124 Reformers abrogate the Queen Regent's Power 139 They meet with Difficulties in their Work 140 Are assisted by the English 141 142 Their last Letter to the Regent 144 Regent slain at Sterlin 282 Religion Language Names of Places c. shew the Sameness of a People 56 Religion the Nobles arm for it in Scotland 129 The Vindicators of it make a Truce with the Regent 134 Abrogate her Power 139 Desire Aid from England 140 Which they receive 142 Reign the Desire of it occasions much Mischief in the World 231 232 Renfrew 14 See Baronia Repartees between Scotish and English Armies 277 Rerigonian Bay 14 Reringa Isle 27 Reutha King of Scots 101 Revenge the importune Desire of it dangerous 124 131 132 Reuther King of Scots 99 Called Reuda by Bede 100 Rhingrave sent with Aid by the French King into Scotland 106 Rian Lake or Loch 14 Richard of England very angry with the Scots for bringing in foreign Aid 311 He invades Scotland with a great Army ibid. His Expedition to the Holy War 234 Richard II. of England enforced to resign the Kingdom to Henry IV. 325 One in Scotland pretends himself
to eat ibid. Ships of great Bigness built by James IV. 14 Siapins-oy an Isle 36 Sicambri who 79 Sigrama Isles Great and Small 30 Silva or Yew Isle 25 Silures who 61 109 Simon Breccus 171 Similitudes for Illustration 187 188 Similitude of Events do assimilate Mens Manners 213 Sinclare's Valour against the English 270 Siuna Isle 25 Skenny or Skerry Isles 37 Skirmish between English and French in Scotland 145 Sky Isle 28 Skyanna Isle ibid. Slata Isle 25 Slavery worse than Banishment 132 Slegana Isle 30 Soa Isle 27 30 Soabre●il Isle 28 Sodora Town 24 Solan or Sea Geese ibid. Solanum the Herb Nightshade soporiferous 209 Solinus quoted about Britain 87 Solvathius King of Scots 164 Solwey River 13 Sorbonists sent into Scotland 136 Spain hath several Names 41 Spaniards a Colony of them come into Ireland 94 Inhabited the West Part of Britain 51 Subject to the Injuries of Foreigners 94 Spey River 20 Spring that carries down shapeless Fish 29 Stacbad Isle 26 Stafa Isle 27 Stanmore whence so called 217 The Cross there ibid. Stags fright the English 276 Stephano-Dunum or Dunstaffnage 20 Stephen Bull overthrown by Andrew Wood 3 4 Stephen Earl of Bologn seizes on the Kingdom of England 224 Notwithstanding he had taken an Oath to Queen Maud ibid. Sterlin County 15 Sterlin Mony 173 Stinsiar River 14 Strathnavern 21 140 Strath-bogy 140 Strat and Strathern 17 140 Stratagems in War 154 179 Stromoy Isle 35 Stronza Isle 36 Stuart the Name of an Office 217 Stuarts their Original ibid. Who was the Rise of their Family ibid. Stuart Regent 298 Succession to the Crown of Scotland an old Law made for it 97 The Administration of the Government to whom to be committed when the King is a Minor 230 231 Suffrages incroached upon 179 Suilkir Isle 32 Sumereld Thane of Argyle in hopes of the Kingdom but is overthrown and slain 228 231 Suin Isle 25 Suna Isle 36 Sussex the Earl of it commands an English Army in Scotland 255 Sutherland 21 Swain gets the Kingdom of England 71 He comes into Scotland 200 He distributes three Kingdoms to his three Sons 208 He comes again into Scotland ibid. He is overthrown 209 T TAichy i. e. Menteith 17 Talbot overthrown by Keith 297 Again overthrown 308 Thames River 13 Thane who 187 Thanat Isle 88 Tanasta Isle 26 Taodunum i. e. Dundee 18 Taransa Isle 30 Tarscheir Isle 26 Tarvedrum Promontory 21 Tay the greatest River in Scotland 18 Temple of Terminus 15 119 Terris Isle 27 Teviotdale 13 Texa Isle 26 Textors Isle ibid. Theodosius his memorable Speech 268 Thereus King of Scots flies to the Brittons 101 Thiana Isle 25 Thomas Eliot his Opinion refuted 4 Thomas Becket promotes Ecclesiastical Ambition in England 243 Thomas Boyd marries the Eldest Sister of James III. 412 He is sent Embassador into Norwey 413 Declared a publick Enemy 415 Assists the Burgundians ibid. His Wife divorced from him and married to James Hamilton ibid. He dies at Antwerp 416 Thomas Car wasts England 247 Thomas Duchty or Doughty an Impostor 58 Thomas Howard Admiral of the English Navy 24 General at Flodden Fight 24 Afterwards fals into Disgrace 27 Sent into Scotland and takes Jedburgh 41 42 Treats of a Marriage with the Queen of Scots 224 Meditates a Civil War against the Queen of England 226 239 The Conspiracy detected 242 Thomas Petcarn sent Embassador to Queen Elizabeth 255 Thomas Randolph designed the King's Tutor 269 Marches with an Army into England 275 Thomas Randolph the English Embassador in Scotland demands the English Exiles 248 Thomas Earl of Sussex the English General in Scotland inclinable to the Queen's Faction 256 Thomas Wolsy a Cardinal self-ended and ambitious 44 Thornton Patric put to death for Murder 391 Tintallon Castle besieged by the King 55 Surrendred to him 56 Tine River 14 Titles of Honour 203 Tithes for Ecclesiasticks 140 Tiren or Tirriss Isle 27 Toncetus an unjust Iudg slain 154 Toray Isle 30 Trajan's remarkable Speech 268 Trajectus Passage or Na Port Isle 25 Trayl Archbishop his Commendation 328 His Death ibid. Triaracha Isle 25 Trebellius Maximus in Britain 86 Tree Isle 25 Tributes or Impositions part of them nibbled away by the Collectors who are usually malapert 339 Imposed but remitted 355 The Cause of War and their Exactors slain 10 11 Designed but not paid 117 Trimarchia 77 Trojans Greeks by Descent 45 Many pretend themselves derived from Them 46 Trons Isle 37 Tronta Isle 28 Truce betwixt Scots and English 309 380 Betwixt the French English and Scots 310 311 Between Scots and English for seven Years 430 Truces violated 325 332 378 392 Truce between the Queen Regent and the Reformers 133 And on what Terms ibid. Twedale 13 Twede River ibid. Tueman Isles 30 37 Turff Isle 27 Turdetani who 38 Twine Laurence his Story 284 He stirs up Baliol to invade Scotland ibid. Twentieth Part taxed in Scotland 339 Tyana Isle 25 Tyranny its Root cut by Finnanus and how 102 Tyrants Avarice bring the richer Sort to their Ends 107 V VAlay Isle 30 Valerius Asiaticus his bold Speech 271 Valla and Vallis Isle 36 Vannota King Arthur's Wife not true to him 153 Vallia 60 Varro Plato c. too inquisitive about Words 3 Vatersa Isle 29 Vectius Bolanus in Britain 86 Vecturiones who 18 Vemendra Isle 37 Venta Belgarum 10 Vera Isle see Wyer-oy Vervedrum Promontory 21 Vestra Isle see Wester-oy Vexa Isle 30 Via Isle 37 Viccoil Isle 31 Victorinus sent into Britain from Rome 131 Vidam in France who 150 Vidogara See Loch-Ryan 14 Vien a French General i● Scotland 311 Vigils or Watches necessary in Camps and Armies 285 308 Vikeran Isle or Na-whoker 25 Virid or Green Isles viz. Charn More and Charn Beg the greater and the less 27 Vitellius a Saxon Commander slain by the Scots 157 Vituline or Gawin Isle 25 Uist or Yyists Isle 29 30 37 Ulva Isle 27 Voadicea Commandress of the Brittons See Boadicea 85 Vonnedra Isle 37 Vortigern of a Monk made King of England 143 Afterwards deposed 145 Sends to Hengist the Saxon 144 Overthrows the Scots and is slain 144 145 Vortimer King of the Brittons renews a League with the Scots and Picts 145 Ure River 114 Ure Isle 37 Uridick Isle 25 Usabrast Isle 26 Uter succeeds his Brother in Britain 148 His Story and flagitious Fact 149 Utility sometimes preferred before Honesty in Princes Courts 331 Uxellum in Caesar perhaps for Ocellum 70 Uust see Uyist Island W W A Letter hard to be pronounced but by such as Germanize 6 60 61 Waes Isle 36 Wales how anciently divided 13 60 Wall a memorable one built by the Romans 138 By Adrian 8 16 By Severus 8 Wallace or Wallis his Story 253 Made Regent and takes many Places from the English in Scotland 254 Overthrows Cressingham the English General 255 Edward of England afraid to fight him 255 256 Envied by the Scots Nobles 256 Hath a Conference in the Field with Bruce ibid. Dismisses his Army
the Picts w Wherein Angusianus was slain But 〈◊〉 Murderd afterwards by two Picts inborn●d by 〈◊〉 * Maximus a Roman General in Britain z Roman● 〈◊〉 Picts 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 by Maximus and Eugenius slain b Maximus at first using his Victory moderately yet afterwards at the instigation of the Picts c He banisht the Scots out of all Britain upon pain of Death and give away their Lands a The E●iled Scots endeavouring to recover their Country are worsted by their Enemies b And forced to make Peace with the R●mans b And forced to make Peace with the R●mans Which they obtain from Maximus on moderate Conditions d Victorinus sent from Rome to Govern Britain e Who incensed the Picts by his Tyrannick Government over them f The Picts repent of their Conjunction with the Romans to Root out the Scots and also of the Persecution of the Monks being of the same Re●●gion with themselves g They send to recal Fergus a Scottish Exile from Scandia to take the Regal Government upon him h The Scots and Picts unite against the Romans then brought low by their own Civil Dissensions * A Parchment Chronicle of Scotish Affairs written by the Monks of the Abby of Pasley a Town and Abby situate not far from Glascom in the Ba●ony of Renfrew called from its Cover The Black Book * Fergus prepares for War * The Brittons send for Aid to the Romans and receive one Legion * Who repulsed their Enemies and return * The Brittons receive another Auxiliary Legion of the Romans under Maximianus * Dionethus a Britton * Maximianus overcomes Fergus King of Scots 〈◊〉 King of Picts and Dionethus * The Two Fergus's compared * The Roman Legion leaves Britanny to maintain their Empire at home * Graham's Dike a The 〈…〉 by the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 of the R●mans b A Peace made betwixt the Scots and Picts of the one part and the Brittons on the other * Tithes for Ecclesiasticks * Peace sometimes more dangerous than War * Famine the forest of Evils c New occasions of Dissention between the Scots and Brittons d Whereupon the Brittons Arm. Tho d●ssuaded theref●om by Conan●s their Countrym●n f Who is 〈…〉 g A terrible Fight between the Scots and the Picts and the Brittons h Wherein the Brittons are overthrown i And have 〈◊〉 Conditions of Peace imposed on them k The Brittons make Constantine King who was soon after sl●in by V●rtigern * Luxury the usual Companion of Peace l Vortigern having slain Constantine's Heir makes himself King of the Brittons m He sends for Aid to Hengist the Saxon by whose help he repels the Scots Picts * The Character of King Eugenius * Dongard an opposer of the Pelagian Heresy n Pope Celestine sends Pa●ladius and other Learned Monks into Scotland * Or St. Mungo o Palladius first institutes Bishops in Scotland which before was governed by Monks with less splendor but more Piety * Vortigern deposed and Vortimer made King of the Brittons who concludes a Peace with the Scot● Picts p Constantine● wicked Reign q And violent Death r Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons * Aurelius Ambrosius in Britain s Merlin and Gilda● When they lived with a Comparison between Them the Former● counte● an Impostor the La●er a 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 * Gildas his Prophecies not Genuine * Gildas his Death at Glastonbury in England * Informers found dangerous by Experience a Goranus persuades Lothus King of the Picts and Vter King of the Brittons to join with the Scots and break with the Saxons b By the joint Confederacy of those three Kings the Saxons are worked c The Story of Vter and of Arthur his Son Kings of the Brittons c Arthur takes London and York from the Saxons d The Licentious rather than Religious Observation of the Day of Christ's supposed Nativity called Iuletide The Scots Picts and Brittons overthrow the Saxons g And at last drive them out of a great part of Britain h Competitorship between Modredus and Constantine for the Kingdom after 〈◊〉 Death i Arthur's Character k The People by the Instigation of Donald of Athol Murder Toncetus and after that the King Goranus himself l A Prince's example hath a greater influence on his Subject● than his Laws m Columbas's great Authority * War betwixt Scots and Picts * A Fight between the Saxons Scots and Brittons wherein the Britt●ns are overthrown a The Scots and Britons overthrow the Saxons * Columb's wonderful Narration of a Victory at a very great distance from him * Ethelfrid routs the Scots being shatter'd afore * Columb's Death b Austin the Monk comes into Britain rather to promote the Ceremonies and Domination of Pope Gregory than to Preach the true Doctrine of the Gospel * A dispute raised about the Observation of Easter-day c Eugenius harbors the fugitive Saxons d Ferchard endeavours to turn limited Monarchy into Tyranny for which he is imprisoned and there lays violent hands on himself e Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms i. e. the Deiri Inhabiting on this side Tine and the B●rnici Inhabiting beyond Tine to Tweed f Apostacy justly punish'd g King Donald repeats and interprets Pious Sermons to his Subjects himself Ferchard's wicked Life and Repentance at his death * Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England * Maldvinus Strangled by his Wife for which Fact she is Burnt ●li●e a Egfrid King of Northumberland overthrown by the Scots and Picts b Two Kings very great Theologist● c Blood rained down from Heaven for 7 days c. d Amberkelethus slain e Eugenius like to suffer for the supposed Murther of his Queen f He first appoints the Acts of Kings to be Registred in Monasteries * A Town in the East part of Strachern near Fife g An Abby not far from Wigton in Galway * Donald a great Plunderer * Donaldus slain by Bug●nsus * Eugenius slain by his Nobles for his vitious Life h Fergus for his Adulteries slain by his Wife who to avoid punishment ●ill● her Self * One Donald calls himself King of the Aebudae * Donald slain * War between the Scots and Irish. * Which is soon composed i Achaius the first of the Scots Kings that enters into a Friendship with France k Learned Men sent for out of Scotland by Char●es the Great as Iohannes Scotus c. * Who Preach the Doctrine of Christi●nity in Germany l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots * Hungus his Visi●n upon his Praye● to God * Athelstan overthrown and slain * 〈…〉 Andrew * Hungus's Death * Dongal drowned * Wars between the Scots and Picts * King Alpin overthrown in Battel by the Picts and slain * Kenneteus by a witty Invention engages his Nobles to make War upon the Picts * The
against Donald * Or R●dshanks Mackbeth his Character M●cduald is overthrown by Mackbeth and B●n●ho Swain and his three Sons Swain King of Norway●ands ●ands in Scotland * A Town standing on the Forth in Pert●shi●e * The Sc●t● by an ineb●●ating D●ink made of Night-shade stupifie the Danes * The Herb Night-shade its Description and Properties Danes overthrown * Dru●i●a●-Sands 〈…〉 North-side of the 〈…〉 * A Burgh-Ro●a● on the North 〈…〉 Another Fleet of the Danes overthrown by Bancho * Or Inch-Colm * The Danes swore neve● to invade Scotland any more * Mackbeth's Dream encouraging him to aspire to the Kingdom * He thereupon sl●ys King Donald or Duncan as some call him and is declared King Donald's Children fly for their Lives Mackbeth severe against Thieves He makes Wholesom Laws But afterward degenerates causes Bancho to be treacherously slain * Lying Southwest 3 miles from Cowper in Angus Mackduff ill resents Mackbeth He flies into England And stirs up Duncan's Son against him * Malcolm by the assistance of Edward K. of England recovers the Kingdom from Mackbeth * See Note a p. 77. * Malcolm First brought in Foreign Titles of Honour into Scotland * Mackduff the first Earl in Scotland * Three Grand Privileges of the Mackduff● * Called Stra● or S●rath-Bo●y Forty Miles North of Aberdeen * Mackbeth's Son slain by Malcolm * Or Icolumb●●l an Isle 2 Miles from the South end of Mul. * Malcolm assaulted by private Conspiracies which he overcomes * The Story of Edmond K. of England and Canutus * William the Norman demands Edgar then in Scotland * Whom Malcolm refuses to Surrender * Whereupon a War 〈…〉 Roger Richard Odo and Robert Generals for William of England wor●●ed in Scotland Newcastle repaired A Peace concluded between the Scots and English * Or Re-Cros● on the North-side it had the Port●aicture of the Scots King and of the English King on the South * Home-bred Seditions against Ma●colm que●l'd The Original of the Family of the Stuarts afterwards Kings of Scotland * Lying on the South-side of the River Dan● in Marr * Malcolm's Vow to St. Andrew Alexander Carron preferred and Sirnamed Scrimger The Seditious quell'd The Piety of Malcolm's Queen c. * Or Mortlich * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks * Sumptuary Laws made by Malcolm * Mar●heta Mulierum What * Malcolm builds the Cathedrals of Durham and Dumferling * King William Rufus Wars against Malcolm * Malcolm and his Son Edward slain by the English * On the River Lian on the British Sea We●t of Calice * Prodigies viz. The Inundation of the German-Sea and Men-killing Thunder-bolts * Donald promises the Islands to Magnus King of Norway * Donald flies * Duncan slain by the procurement of Donald * Edgar's Pious Reign He builds the Monastery of Coldingham * Lying within two Miles of Aymouth in Mers● near the Scotish Sea Alexanders Valour * He doth Justice to a Poor Woman * Lying on the East-side of the Carss or Plain of Gowry within two Miles of Dundee * Lying in the Braes or Risings of the Carss of Gowry five Miles above Dundee * Inch-Colm or St. Columb's Isle in the Firth of Forth in Fife near Aberdeen David's just Reign * He creates new Bishopricks He is censured for his Profuseness towards Monasteries * In Teviotdale Henry of England never Laughed after the Drowning of his Children * K. Henry setles the Succession on his Daughter Maud the Empress by causing the Nobility to Swear Fealty to her in his Life time * Stephen notwithstanding his Oath seizes on the Crown of England * His Pretensions for so doing The Bishops of England not True to Maud according to their Oaths David of Scotland maintains the Cause of Maud his Kinswoman He lays Perjury to Stephens's Charge North Allerton lying near the River Swale in the North-Riding of Yorkshire He Fights the English and Overthrows them An Agreement between David and Stephen not observed Which hath its Source near Black-Laws in Teesdale The Scots overthrown by Stephen Another Agreement between the Scots and Stephen King of England Henry Heir of England sent to David his Uncle to be made Knight by him * King David loses his hopeful Son and Heir * But ●ears his Affliction Piously and Patiently * May 24. Lying on the North-west of Aberdeneshire K. David's extraordinary Character for Piety and Virtue A great Pestilen●e 〈◊〉 Scotland Somerled rises in Arms but is overthrown Henry of England designs against Malcolm And makes him take a Feodatary Oath to him He carries Malcolm into France And at his return despoils him of his Ancient Patrimony in England * The Scots make War upon England Peace concluded between the English and Scots wherein Malcolm quits Northumberland A Rebellion in Galway quell'd The Murray-Men under Gildominick rise in Arms. But are suppressed * S●merled stirs agai●● but is overthrown and slain The Estates persuade Malcolm to Marry His Negative Answer to their Request * December 9th * William solicits Henry of England for the restitution of Northumberland He accompanies Henry into France * Part of N●rthumberland restored to the Scots * William enters England with an Army But is overthrown taken Prisoner by the English and sent to Henry then in France * August 1●th February 1st * K. William Ransomed and takes an Oath to K. Henry * Not That Constance in Germany but That in Normandy now called Contances * Ianuary 〈…〉 Gilchrist King Williams General The Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of English Bishops Gilchrist Kills his Wife for Adultery and flys into England But is Forced to return into his own Country Donald Bane rises in Arms but is quelled Distressed Gilchrist Pardon'd and Restored * To the Holy War for Recovery of Ierus●lem from the Turks * The English quit their Claim to any part of 〈◊〉 * William sends David his Brother to accompany Richard to the Holy Land David returns from S●●ia * So doth Richard Lex Ta●●on●● executed upon one Harald Earl of the Orcades * K. Iohn of England meditates a War against Scotland * But Matters are accommodated upon Terms between both Kingdoms * Berth destroyed and new Built Makul a Criminal abstains from all manner of Food * Several Leagues between Iohn of England and William of Scotland * A Maritime Town in Normandy 〈◊〉 France * Alexander enters England with an Army * Iohn enters Scotland Alexander takes Carlisle * King Iohn agrees with the Pope and becomes his Feudatary Cardinal Galo Ava●iti●●● * King Iohn Poysoned * Others say at 〈◊〉 Abby near Bost●n in Lincolnshire * The Scots Excommunicated * A Stone-Cross erected in S●anmo●e in Cumberl●nd as a Boundary between the Two Kingdoms of England and S●otland * Cardinal 〈◊〉 ill Character * Pandulphus the Popes Legat a Witness of the Peace between the Two Kings * Roman Fraud * C●min
overthrow● Gilesp● a Free-●oo●er The 〈◊〉 of the ●a●thnessmen against their Bishop punished Saturnalia * Thomas the Natural Son of Alan of Galway overthrown * Alexander and his Queen Visit King Henry His Queen dies at London He marries to a French Lady Biz●● offers to clear himself by a Duel He flys to Ireland Sumerled overthrown in Argyle The Cumins's 〈◊〉 the Roast in 〈◊〉 which disgusts the opposite Faction An Embassy to England An Interview between the Two Kings November 24. * Alexander of Scotland made Knight by the K. of England A Contract of Marriage between Him Henry's Daughter The Chancel●o● of Scotland 〈◊〉 * Work Castle standing 〈…〉 above 〈…〉 side A Sedition of the Nobles against Alexander An Ancient Privilege of the Scots not to be cite● to R●me August 1. * Acho King of Norwey lands with an Army in Scotland * A Town in Cuningham standing on the Clyde But is overthrown by Alexander Stuart And dies of Grief Isle of Man recovered by the Scots * Acho's Son makes Peace with Alexander * * * Ottobon the Popes Leg●●e Another Legate 〈◊〉 Rome * A Town in France * A Borough over against Leith in Lothian * March the 19th Alexanders Death and Commendable Character Idle Persons punished Edward of England desires Margarite of Norway Heiress of Scotland as a Wife for his Son which is yielded to But She dyes before their Marriage Contests for the Crown of Scotland * The Original of the Controversie between the Baliols and the Bruces in Scotland The Story of the Discords between Fergus of Galway his Children after his Decease Rolland's Valou● and Genealogy October 1. * Com● Stabu●● Martha Countess of Carrick falls in Love with Robert Bruce The several Pretensions of the Competitors to the Crown Which difference could not be decided by the Scots But was referred to the Umpirage of Edward of England * The 〈◊〉 Case as p●opounded to Lawyers by K. Edward The Lawyers differ in their Opinions about it Edward decides for Baliol. * Baliol swears Fealty to Edward * At which many of the Scots Nobles are offended * An Interrognum in Scotland before Baliol was made King Young Mackduff complains to K. Edward against Baliol. Baliol disgusts Edward He sides with the French And withdraws his Subjection from England Whereupon Edward War● against Scotland He sides with Bruce Overthrows the Scots and takes Berwick Grafton Censured by This Author * Edinburgh and Sterlin But is released by Mediation of the Pope A Duodece●● virat in Scotland Iohn Cumins marches into England The Story of Wallis Wallas or Wallace and his famous Exploits against the English He is made Regent The chief Town of Clydsdale And takes many Places from the English * Or Logan He overthrows Cressingham the English General at Sterlin Bridge September 15. He enters with an Army into England 1 November 1 February Edward returns from France to subdue Wallace But retreats from the North without Fighting The Scots Nobles envy Wallace for his Success * Or Wallace Edward gives the Scots a great overthrow at Falkirk A Conference betwixt Bruce and Wallace in the Field Iuly 22. Wallace dismisses the remainder of his Army The Scots by the mediation of the King of France obtain a Truce from Edward The Scots 〈◊〉 in Arm● again And overthrow the English at Roslin in Mid-lothian Feb. 24. Edward in revenge enters into Scotland with a vast Army and subdues all the Country Wallace courted by King Edward to come over to his Party with his stout Answer in the Negative Three Miles E●st of El●in All the 〈◊〉 S●e●r Al●e●●ance to 〈…〉 Wallace Edward appoints Magistrates all over Scotland Edwards Severity Cens●red He carries the Marble Stone into England on which the Scots King● u●ed to be Crowned Seeds of new Troubles in Scotland A formal Agreement between Cumins and Bruce Which Cumins discovers to K. Edward B●uce like to suffer for Treason but is informed of his danger by a Wi●e and flies by Night into Scotland Bruce's Horses shod backward to secure his Flight Bruce kills Cumins for betraying him * Febr. 10. Wallis unworthily betrayed by his Friend is Hang'd and Quartered by Edward His Cha●act●r Lying upon the River A●mon near Perth * Iuly the 2● * Bruce overthrown and retires in a disguise to save his Life Bruce thought to be Dead starts out from his Retirement and takes some Castles * In the Braes of ●●gus on the Head of the North-Water Esk. Cumins of B●chan 〈◊〉 again●t Bru●e But dares not fight him Iames Douglas joyns with Bruce Bruce causes himself to be carried sick into his Army and overthrows Iohn Cumins * A Town in Garioch * Iune 30th Bruce conquers all Galway Edward enters Scotland against B●uce but retreats again Bruce invades England He takes Perth Dumfreiz c. with E●inbur●h and the Isle of Man from the English Sterlin-Castle capitulates with Edward Bruce Edward of England enters Scotland with a vast Army Bruce his Policy in a Fight * Small Engins ordinarily round with sharp Iron Spikes standing out on each side of Them so that throw them which way soever you will upon the Ground one Spike or other turns upward and wounds or pierces the Horses Foot that treads upon it and thus makes him Lame and unfit for Service * Iune●3 ●3 The English receive a great overthrow at Banno●k near Sterling * Or Menteith * Or Calhound in the Country of Lennox The Treachery of Menteith who before betrayed Wallace against the King discovered Menthet Rewarded for his Valour in Bannock Fight Berwick take● by Bruce The Kingdom confirmed to Bruce Bruce desired to accept the Crown of Ireland He drives the English out of Vlster Edward Bruce overthrown in Ireland by the English October 5. An English Army worsted in Scotland Bishop Sinclar's Valour against the English Edward besieges Berwick Randolfe invades England and overthrows the Arch-Bishop of York The W●it● Battel 〈◊〉 Edward retreats upon a Truce with the Scots Robert calls for the Deeds of Mens Lands Whereupon he receives an Affront A Conspiracy against Bruce discovered and the Acto●● put to dea●● The Scots Excommunicated Bruce invades England Edward enter● Scotland but soon retreats In Teviotdale Bruce follows him and had almost taken him in a Skirmish * Not ●ar from Malto● in Yorkshire And●ew B●r●ly put to Death The Scots absolved by the Pope And make a League with the French The Rise of the Family of the Hamiltons with the Occasion thereof Edw●rd of England slain by a strange kind of Death not without the P●ivity of his Relations Bruce settles the Succession in hi● Family And agrees with Baliol then in France who consents the●eto B●uce's Army 〈…〉 Edward makes Head against them The Scots flying Army of Horse weary the Eng●ish to follow them Stags suddenly rouzed affright the English * The English Army highly incommoded in their march Reparties between both Armies Douglas breaks in upon the
English Camp and does Execution The English Army Retreats Cruelty to Prisoners Iune 24. A Peace concluded between the Scots and English with the Conditions thereof B●●ce's last Will and Testament His Three Advices to his Successors w●th the Reasons upon which they were grounded 〈◊〉 Bruce's Vow to assist in the Holy War recommended to Douglas to perform Bruce would have his Heart buried at Ierusalem Douglas in his Voyage to Ierusalem assists the Spaniards against the Moors and was there slain Bruce his high Encomi●ms Iuly 9 th Randolf made Regent or Guardian November 24. * Situate near the Irish Sea He executes a Murderer though he had the Popes Pardon A notable Law made by the Regent to prevent Theiving The Collusive Cheat of a Country Man punished St●ict Laws made by the Regent * In T●v●otda●● A Monk Poysons Randolf with a slow-working-dose Edward marches for Scotland Edward punishes the Monk because his Poyson did not kill Randolf as soon as he said it would Edward retreats Iuly 20. Randolf's death and Character Duncan Earl of Marr made Guardian in Randolfs Place August 2. Iuly 31. Edward Baliol appears on the Scots Coast. * The Story of Twine or Tuenam Lores●n He stirs up Edward Baliol then in France to invade Scotland Edward Baliol Lands in Scotland * A Burgh on the North side of Firth●n ●n Fife over against L●●th in ●oth●an August 〈◊〉 He overthrows Alexander Seaton In Strathern● And afterwards beats the Regent Himself making great slaughter of his men and himself being also slain Edward Baliol Declared King Aug. 25. K. David Bruce in his Minority to secure him sent to France Murray made Regent by K. David's Party A Castle standing on the North Bank of the River Ear in Strathern Built on the side of the River Don. Perth Walls demolished A County in the South of Scotland not far from Northumberland A Town in the head of Annandale near the source of the River Annan Baliol like to be surprized by Archibald Douglas Dec. 25. The Brucian● prevail against the Baliolans and Declare War against England The Brucian Nobles divide the Provinces they were to Govern And Declare War against Fran●● The King of England espouses Baliol's Cause and invaded Scotland His Pretensions for the War He claims Berwick The Scots Answer to the 〈◊〉 The English besieges Berwick * Ap●i● 13. A Capitulation with the English about the surrender of B●rwick Iuly the 30. Archibald Do●●las made Regent by 〈◊〉 Party He makes inroads into England And com●● near the E●●lish Army 〈◊〉 Berwi●● Alexander Seatons Sons threatned to be put to Death unless he surrendred Berwick His Wife incourages him to part with his Children rather than the Town Alexanders Children put to Death by a S●mmum jus as some think The Scots overthrown near Berwick B●●wick Surrendred to the English Edward pufft up with hi● Success refuses to hear foreign Ambassadors who were sent to mediate ● Peace Dissensions between the English in Scotland occasion a War * Now demolished The Nobles Bandy against Baliol. And Baliol against them Iohn Sterlin besieges the Castle at Loch-Leven * A Veteri po●●e But the Governor beats him off and raises the Siege Edward enters Scotland again but retreat● and 〈…〉 with him to 〈…〉 General in Scotland Robert Stuart and Calen Cambel rise in Arms for Bruce and make Prosperous Beginnings Robert Stuart and Iohn Randolf made Regents in behalf of David Bruce In Teviotdale April 1. A Fewd between Douglas and Cumins Edward invades Scotland * 〈…〉 of the 〈◊〉 Provinces The Gueldrians Auxiliaries to the English overthrown by Randolfe Randolf taken Prisoner Cumin's large Promises to Edward Perth taken by Edward Edward 〈◊〉 to England Cumins left Regent by him in Scotland In Marr. * On the side of the River Don in Marr. Cumin's Army overthrown and himself slain Murray made Regent The English again enter Scotland Standing on a Rock in the Sea And upon their Retreat leave Ed● Ba●iol their General A strong Castle in Buchan M●rray's prosperous Succe●s●s 〈◊〉 Cruelty Salisbury and Aru●del Command some English in Scotland Monfort slain by Preston A piece of Savage Inhumanity Talbot overthrown by Ke●th Dunbar res●ved and the Siege raised Murray the Regent dyes Stuart made Regent His prosperous Beginnings He Sa●l● over to David then in France At his return he Levies an Army Bullock turns to the Scots Perth taken by the Scots so is Sterlin And Edinburgh Castle by Stratagem A●ex Ramsays House the School of War His Expedition into England He harasses Northumberland And takes Roxburgh * The Earl of Salisbury taken Prisoner by the Scots as some say * It is 3 Miles in Compass Three Governors of the Borders The English driven out of all Scotland except Berwick * Iuly 2. K. David returns to Scotland Edward enters Scotland with a great Army Embassadors from Scotland obtain a Pacification Iune 1. The Scots Nobles stock in to David A Town in Teviotdale Ramsay taken and starved to Death by Douglas Bullock put to Death Douglas pardoned David makes several Expeditions into England A Truce for two Years betwixt the Scots and English Calais besieged by the English See p. 4. Note i. David at the solicitation of the French enters England with an Army Where he receives a great overthrow and is taken Prisoner by Iohn Capland Upon which the English regain a great part of Scotland A strong Pass on the Sea shore in that Bourn which divides East-Lothian from the Me●●s A Plague in Scotland Bloody Feude Douglas prevails against the English Iohn of France persuades the Scots to make no Peace with the English but by his Consent The English waste Lothian Norham burnt by the Scots The English drawn into an Ambush Berwick Town taken by the Scots but not the Castle Edward enters Scotland Baliol Surrenders the Kingdom to him Edward retreats upon which the Scots recover some of their Losses Edward overthrows ●ohn of France in Aquita●n and hath two Kings his Prisoners at one time 〈◊〉 Bruce ●●eased upon p●ying a great Ransom wherein the Pope assists the S●●ts David settles the Succession first on Alexander and then on Robert Stuart Great Inundations of Water endammage Lothian A Grievous Pestilence Eight Prudent Persons chosen out of all the Orders to prepare Matters for that High Court Davids unacceptable Propositions to the Scots Davids Policy to subvert the Islanders His Death and Character William's Son Marries Eufemia the Kings Daughter August 11. New Discord● betwixt the Scots and English Lilburn overthrown A Town in the Merss six Miles Northwest from Berwick Iohn Scotus born at Duns Percy enters Scotland They run from the Scots Sea to 〈◊〉 and divide 〈◊〉 from Lothian Perc●'s Horse are affrighted with rattling Instruments and 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 Robert upon his Queens decease Marries Elizabeth More by whom he had Children before whom he prefers to great 〈◊〉 Edward the Third dies and his Grandchild Richard the Second succeeds him Ambassadors from Charles
Children Sfor●a's Murder with its Consequents The Queen of England declares against Hamiltons design for the Regency A Marriage designed between the Queens of Scots and Howard Buds of discontent between the Queens of England and Scotland The Regent honourably dismis● from England and arrives in Scotland The Transactions of the Regent with the Queen of England confirmed by the Nobility of Scotland Hamilton forced to submit to the Regent So is Argyle Hamilton's Tergiversation For which he is imprisoned Various Disputes about admitting Huntly to a Reconciliation with Arguments Pro and Con. Sententious Maximes in Policy Yet at last the Regent pardons him upon Terms Letters from England declaring the Intrigues between the Q. of Scots and Howard Queen of Scots confined to the Lord Scroop's House in the North of England Letters from both Queens to the Scots Nobles read and debated The Scots answer Q. Elizabeth's Letter Petcarn sent Embassador into England to satisfy Q. Elizabeth The Regent's Lenity his own Overthrow The Regent deserted by his intimate Friends Howard imprisoned The Regent receives an encouraging Message from the Queen of England The Regent too negligent of his fore warned Danger The Regent shot out of a Balcony at the Instigation of the Hamiltons Of which Wound he died The Pious and Laudable Character of the Regent Bandyings in Scotland upon the Regent's Murder Randolph's Queen Elizabeth's Embassador sober Speech to the Scots The Douglasses Petition against the Murderers of the Regent which occasions several Debates * Or Commissioners * A Barony on the East-side of Clyde A Convention of the Nobles with various Opinions about choosing a Regent But is dissolved re infecta The Hamiltons and others of the Queen's Party meet at Edinburgh The Edinburghers much courted to side with them but in vain An English Army coming into Scotland puts the Queen's Faction to a stand The Queen's Party send Embassadors into England St. Lewis de Galais Ld. of Lansach in France An Embassador from France to the Queen's Party Q. Elizabeth rejects the Embassy of the Queen's Party in Scotland The Queen's Party at Linlithgo the King 's at Edinburgh Petcarn an Embassador from the Royalists in Scotland to Q Elizabeth The English Army under Sussex ravage over a great Part of Scotland Lord Scroop enters Scotland with another English Army The Hamiltonians depart from Glasgow Hamilton-Castle taken Petcarn's Answer from the Q of England Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox created Vice-Roy and then Regent Huntly garison● Brechin Which is taken by the Regent Queen Elizabeth made Arbiter betwixt both Parties in Scotland The Regent sends Embassadors into England The Regent hurt by a Fall from his Horse A notable Design of the Reg●nts to surprize Dunbarton Castle with the occasion of it and the manner of carrying it on The Scituation of the Castle and Town of Dunbarton described punctually by our Author who was born there Dumbritton why so called Iohn Fleming Governor of Dunbarton * In Lennox Ignis Fatuus Country People call it Iack with a Lanthorn or Will with a Wisp Dumbarton-Castle taken by Surprize The Regent's Clemency to Flemming the Governor's Wife The Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as guilty of the King 's and Regent's Murders with Evidences proving the same 〈…〉 an Actor in the King's Murder in trou●le o● Conscience accuses himself and the Ar●h-bishop of St. And●ews o● that horrid Crime The Regent's Embassadors Morton c. return from England with an ample account of their Negotiations there and the grounds alledged by them to justify the late Actions in Scotland against their Queen The Original of Kingly Government in Scotland Kingly Government What Trajan and Theodosius their memorable Speeches Christiern of Denmark deposed Valerius Asiaticus his bold and confident Speech He is said to have slain his own Sons Who would have brought back Kingly Government into Rome Some of Q. Elizabeth's Counsellors desire the Scots King to be sent into England The Queen's Faction garisoned Edinburgh Morton comes to Leith and publishes a Proclamation against Them The Garison of Edinburgh sallies out upon him in his retreat Edinburgh How seated A Convention of the Estates held at one end of the City of Edinburgh because the Enemy possessed the Castle The Castle plays upon the Conventioners with Cannon but does them no hurt Two Anti-Assemblies Indicted A Sally out of Edinburgh against Morton at Dalkeith Near two 〈◊〉 from Edinburgh wherein both Parties ●●ceive some Checks A Scotch Troop from Denmark comes to help the Royalists Morton falls sick at Leith Drury intercedes in vain between the Parties The Rebels sally out against Morton at Leith But are repulsed with ●oss Iames Culen a cruel Am●odexter justly punished A Ship from France taken by the Regent The Queen of England and King of France censured for their slow Supplies to their several Parties in Scotland The Scots refuse to send their young King into England with their Reasons why The Rebels Convention at Edinburgh The Regent's Convention at Sterlin The Rebels assault Leith but are repulsed Iames Haliburton taken Prisoner by the Rebels by a Mistake The bold Attempt of the Rebels to surprize Sterlin and the Nobles of the Convention there assembled Which in part took Effect The Rebels beaten again out of Sterlin by the Valour of Iohn Erskin Governour of the Castle The Regent slain in this Scuffle with Capt. Spence who endeavoured to save him * For killing him after he had Quarter given him Three Competitors for the Regency Iohn Erskin Earl of Marr chosen Regent He assaults Edinburgh but without effect The Royalists receive a loss in the North with the manner of it Deadly fewds between the Gordons and the Forbes's The Cruelty of the Gordons against the Forbes's The King's Party overthrown The chief Town of Teviotdale standing on the River Ied near where it falleth into the River Teviot The Rebels attempt Iedburgh * An Abby in Teviotdale But are driven back to Hawick where they are Routed * A Town in Teviotdale A Barony upon the Water of Bervy in Angus The Dundeans Enemies to the Gordons * A Castle on a Rock lying in the Firth of Forth above Abercorn The Regent straitens Edinburgh Archibald Douglas apprehended upon Suspicion of his Tampering with the Enemy
those Nations which do not challenge that Word or Termination for their own only here is the difference That the old Gauls did end their Compound Words with Dunum but the Scots ordinarily place it in the beginning of Words of this sort there are found In France Augustodunum of the Aedui or Burgundians Castellodunum of the Carnotensian Province i. e. of Chartres Melodunum by the River Sequana or Sein Lugdunum at the Confluence of the Rivers Arar and Rhosne Augustodunum another Autun of the Arverni or Anvergneois and Clermontians Ptolemy Lugdunum of the Conveni or Comingeois near the River Garon Ptolemy Novidunum in the Tribocci's Country Ptolemy Vxellodunum in Caesar. Iuliodunum in the Pictons Country i. e. Poictiers Isodunum and Regiodunum of the Bituriges i. e. Inhabitants of Berry Laodunum or Laudunum in the County of Rhemes Caesarodunum Ptolomy of the Turones i. e. Tourenois Segodunum of the Ruthenians Ptolemy Velannodunum or St. Flour in Caesar. In Spain Caladunum Ptolomy of the Bracari or Braganzians Sebendunum Ptolemy In Britain Camulodunum of the Brigantes Country Ptolemy Camulodunum a Roman Colony Tacitus Dunum a Town of the Durotriges or Dorsetshire Men. Ptolemy Maridunum i. e. Carmarthen of the Demetae Ptolemy and the Itinerary of Antoninus Rigodunum of the Brigantes Ptolemy i. e. Ribchester in Lancashire Cambodunum in the Itinerary of Antoninus i. e. R●ines near Almonbury in Yorkshire Margidunum in the same Itinerary i. e. Marg●doverton in Leicestershire near Belvoir Castle or as some Leic●st●r it self Sorviodunum or Sorbiodunum in the same Itinerary i. e. Old Sarum in Wiltshire Segodunum i. e. Seton in Northumberland and Axelodunum i. e. Hexam in Northumberland also in the Book of the Notitia Roman● Imperii or Knowledge of the Roman Empire c. Later Towns in England Venantodunum i. e. Huntingdon Dunelmum i. e. Durham In Scotland Duncaledon called also Caledonia i. e. Dunkelden Deidunum i. e. Dundee or rather Taodunum by the River Tay. Edinodunum which Word the Ancient Scots do yet retain but they who Germanize had rather call it Edinburgh Dunum a Town in Ireland called Down Noviodunum or New Down i. e. Dunmoore Castle in Coval Brittannodunum i. e. Dumbritton or Dumbarton at the Confluence of the Clyde and Levin And at this day there are abundance of Names of Castles Villages and Hills derived therefrom In Germany these Names are read in Ptolemy Lugdunum i. e. Leyden Segodunum i. e. Nurinburgh Tarodunum i. e. Friburgh Robodunum i. e. Brin Carrodunum i. e. Crainburgh In the Alps Country Ebrodunum and Sedunum In the Vindelici or Bavarians Country in Rhaetia the Grisons Country and Noricum Cambodunum Corrodunum Gesodunum Idunum and Noviodunum and in the Book of knowledge of the Roman Empire Parrodunum In Sarmatia and Dacia according to Ptolemy Corrodunum Singindunum by the Danow Noviodunum at the Mouth of the Danow also another Noviodunum And there are in the same Provinces not a few words declined from Dur which among the old Gauls and Brittons signifies Water and as yet retains the same signification amongst some as there are In France Durocotti in the Rhemish Circuit Ptolemy we read them also called Durocorti Moreover Caesar makes mention of Divodurum of the Mediomatrices Tacitus Divodurum near Paris in the Itinerary of Antoninus Batavodurum amongst the Batavi Ptolemy Tacitus Breviodurum in the Itinerary of the Emperor Antoninus Gannodurum in Ptolemy near the Rhine Gannodurum in the Helvetians Country Ptolemy Octodurum or Octodorus amongst the Veragri Caesar. In Rhaetia the Vindelicis's Country and Noricum Bragodurum Carrodurum Ebodurum Gannodurum and Octodurum Ptolemy Venaxamodurum and Bododurum in the Book of the Knowledge of the Provinces In Spain Octodurum and Ocellodurum Ptolemy The River Durius flowing into the Ocean and Duria into the Mediterranean Sea and in Ireland the River Dur Ptolemy In Britain Durocobrivae Duroprovae Durolenum Durovernum Durolipont Durotriges Durocornovium Durolitum Duronovaria Lactodurum Perhaps the two Alpine Rivers Doria the Greater and the Less the one running into the Po by the Salassians Country the other by the Piemonteis do belong to the same Original And also Issidorus and Altissidorus Cities of France so called as I judge from their situation near Rivers To which Dureta may be referred which word in Spanish signifies a Wooden Throne as Suetonius writes in the Life of Augustus The like may be said of Domnacus the proper Name of a Man in Caesar which seems to be corrupted from Dunacus For Dunach may signifie Dunan and Dunensis both as Romach doth Romanus Dunacus or rather Dunachus is yet used for the proper Name of a Man which those who are ignorant of both Tongues the Latin and the British do render but amiss sometimes Duncan sometimes Donat. The word Magus also in all the Provinces in which the Publick use of the Gallick Tongue obtained is very frequent in expressing the Names of Cities which shews that it was of a Gallick Original But of the Derivatives from it we may rather guess than affirm for certain that they were wont to signifie a House City or such like Building We read in the Book of Knowledge of the Empire of the People of Rome the Prefect of the Pacensian Levies in Garison at Magi and also in the same Book the Tribune of the second Cohort placed at Magni We read also of Magni in the Itinerary of Antoninus I dare not positively assert whether it be one Town or many But I incline of the Two rather to think that they were sundry Towns Towns ending in Magus are These Noviomagus in Ptolemy amongst the Santons Noviomagus of the Lexovi Noviomagus of the Vadecassii Noviomagus of the Nemetes Noviomagus of the Tricassini Noviomagus of the Bituriges Iuliomagus of the Andegavi Rotomagus of the Venclocassi Caesaromagus of the Bellovaci Rotomagus of the Nervii Borbetomagus of the Vangiones in High Germany Vindomagus of the Volci Arecomici Also in the Itinerary of Antoninus Argentomagus and in High Germany Noviomagus In the Book of the Knowledge of the Roman Empire Noviomagus of Belgica Secunda in Rhaetia Drusomagus Ptolemy In Britain in the Itinerary of Antoninus Caesa●omagus Sitomagus Noviomagus of the Regni Vacomagi Magiovinium Vicomagi part of the Picts Country Ptolemy There are also other Names of Places common to many of these Nations but not so frequently used nor so much dispersed as the former such as are Hibernia i. e. Ireland amongst the Romans the Name
of an Island called by Pomponius Mela Ptolemy and Iuvenal Iuverna by Strabo Claudian and the Inhabitants thereof Ierna That which some call the Nerian Promontory Strabo calls Ierne Iernus or Iern a River of Gallaecia Mela calls it Ierna Iernus is also a River of Ireland In Ptolemy 't is reckoned a River of Scotland falling into Tay. Another of the same Name glides through Murray the Country adjacent to both is called Ierna We read of the City Mediolanum in Ptolemy as one Insubrum of the Santones another of the Aulerci Eburaici another by the Loir i. e. Menu a fourth by Sequana or the Sein now as I think named Meulan or Melun another in High Germany called Alciburgum another by the Danow another in Britain of which mention is made in the Itinerary of Antoninus Also Marcolica a Town in Spain Macolica in Ireland Vaga a River in Portugal and another of Wales in England Avo in Mela Avus in Ptolemy a River of Galaecia as yet retains its Name In Argyle there is also a River of the same Name flowing out of the Lough Awe The Promontorium Sacrum one is in Spain another in Ireland Ocellum is a Promontory in Britain Ocellum is also in Gallaecia in the Luce●sian District Ocelli are Mountains in Scotland Ocellum is the last Town of Gallia Togata Caesar mentions Vxellum a Town in Britain perhaps for Ocellum for Martianus in explaining the Ancient Names of the Cities of Gallia says that the Word is variously writ Ocellum Oscela and Oscellium hence perhaps comes Vxellodunum which is also sometimes writ Vxellodurum So there is Tamar a River of Gallaecia Ptolemy Tamaris in Mela Tamarici a People of Gallaecia the River Tamarus Pliny and Tamara a Town in Britain Sars a River of Gallaecia Ptolemy Sarcus in Scotland Mela. Ebora a Town of Portugal called L●b●ralitas Iulia in Pliny and Ptolemy Ebura that which is Cerealis in Boetica in Pliny is Ebora Ptolemy mentions Aulerci Eburaici in Gallia Celtica and also Eboracum i. e. York of the British Brigantes Deva now d ee a River of England and three in Scotland so called one in Galway another in Angus the third divides Merne from Marr. The Cornavii in England are in the farthest part of the West in Scotland they are the farthest North. Both of them are now called Kernici there seems also to have been a third sort of Kernici in Scotland at the Mouth of the River Avennus or Even which is the boundary between the Coasts of Lothian and Sterling For Bede makes the Monastery of Abercorn to be at the end of Severus his Wall where now the Ruins of the Castle of Abercorn do appear Aven is often read a River both of England and Scotland Aven in Scotish and Avon in Welsh signifies a River Of the Three Nations which first inhabited this Island after the coming of Caesar the Britains were Subject to the Emperors of Rome successively little less than Five Hundred years but the Scots and Picts were under the subjection of their own Kings At length when all the Neighbouring Nations did conspire for the Destruction of the Romans they recalled their Armies from their most remote Provinces to maintain their Empire at home And by this means the Britains being destitute of Foreign Aid were miserably vexed by the Scots and Picts insomuch that they craved Aid of the Saxons which then infested the Seas with a Pyratical Navy But that project cost them dear For the Saxons having repelled the Picts and Scots being tempted by the fertility of the Country and the weakness of the Inhabitants aspired to make themselves Masters of the Island But after various Successes in War seeing they could not arrive at what they aimed at by Force they resolved to accost the Britains by Fraud Their Stratagem was this There being a Conference or Treaty agreed upon at a set Day and Place between the Nobles of both Parties The Saxons having a sign given them by Hengist their Captain slew all the British Nobility and drove the common People into Rugged and Mountainous Places so that they themselves possessed all the Champain and divided the fruitfulest part of the Island between them into Seven Kingdoms This was the State of Affairs in Britain about the year of Christ 464. And whereas three German Nations did originally undertake Expeditions into Britain the other two by degrees passed into the Name of English-Men But the Peace made with the Brittons nor with the English amongst themselves was never faithfully observed About the year of our Lord 317 the Danes being powerful at Sea did first molest England with pyratical Incursions but being Valiantly repulsed about Thirty three years after they came with greater Forces and made a descent into the Country with a Land Army At the first conflict they were Victors but afterwards they contended with the English with various Successes till in the year 1012. Swain having wholly subdued the Britains by their publick Consent obtained the Kingdom which yet remain'd but a few years in his Family For the Saxons having again Created Kings of their own Nation about Twenty four years after were overcome by William the Norman most of their Nobility being Slain and their Lands divided among the Normans by which means the common People were kept in a miserable Slavery till Henry the Sevenths time who easing part of their burden made the condition of the Commonalty a little more Tolerable But those which are in favour with the King or would seem to be truly Illustrious and Noble derive their whole Sept from the Normans These are the discoveries which I have been able to make out of ancient Writings and other no obscure Indications concerning the Original Customs and Language of the Three Ancientest Nations in Britain all which do induce me to believe that the old Britains and the other Inhabitants of Britain were derived from the Gauls and did originally use the Gallick Speech of which many Footsteps do manifestly appear both in France and Britain Neither ought it to seem strange if in a Language which admits of a change each moment of our Life many things receive different Names in divers places especially in a such a Longinquity of time ye● we may rather admire that the same Foundations of a Language that I may so speak and the same manner of Declension and Derivation doth yet continue amongst a People so far remote one from another and so seldom agreeing together in converse of Life yea oft being at mortal fewds one with another Concerning the other Three Nations the Angles Danes and Normans we need make no solicitous Inquiry seeing the Times and Causes of their coming are known almost to all But I have entred upon this task that
Iuletide substituting the Name of Iulius Caesar for that of Saturn The Vulgar are yet persuaded that the Nativity of Christ is then celebrated but mistakingly for 't is plain that they imitate the Lasciviousness of the Bacchanalia rather than the Memory of Christ then as they say born In the mean time the Saxons were reported to have pitched their Tents by the River Humber and Whether it were so or no Arthur marched towards them But in regard the Brittons were enfeebled by Pleasures by that means they were less fit for Military Services in so much that they did not seem the same Men who had overthrown the Saxons in so many Battels heretofore for by their Luxurious Idleness they had added so much to their Rashness as they had lost of their ancient Severity of Discipline Hereupon Advice was given by the wiser sort to send for Aid from the Scots and Picts Whereupon Ambassadors were sent and Aid easily obtained so that those whom Ambition had almost disjoined yet the mutual Care of Religion and Emulation too did so piece together That Forces were sent from either King sooner than could well have been imagined Lothus also that he might give a Publick Testimony of his Reconcilement brought his Sons Modredus and Galvinus with him into the Camp Galvinus he gave to Arthur as his Companion whom he received with so great Courtesie that from that Day forward they lived and died together The Army of the Three Kings being thus ready and their Camps joyned it was unanimously agreed between them That as the Danger was common to them all and the Cause thereof was also the same so they would drive out the Saxons and restore the Christian Rites and Religion which were profaned by them The Armies drawing near the one to the other Occa Son of a former Occa who was then General of the Saxons made haste to joyn Battel In the Confederate Army the Two Wings were allotted to the Scots and Picts the main Battel to Arthur The Scots at the first onset wounded Childerick Commander of that Wing of the Enemy which fought against them he falling by reason of his Wounds so terrified the rest that the whole Wing was broken In the other Wing Colgernus the Saxon after great Complaints made of the Perfidiousness of the Picts made an assault upon Lothus with great Violence who was easily known by his Habit and his Arms he dismounted him but he himself being environed in the midst of his Enemies was run through by Two Picts with Spears on both sides of his Body The main Battel where there was the sharpest Fight having lost both Wings did at length give Ground Occa being wounded was carried to the Sea-side with as many as could get on Shipboard with him and Transported into Germany of the rest of the Saxons Those who were most obstinate in their Errour were put to Death The rest pretending to turn to the Christian Religion were saved There were great Forces of the Saxons yet remaining in the Eastern part of England and in Kent The Summer after Arthur marched against them having 10000 Scots and Picts for his Assistance Congallus the Son of Eugenius commanded the Scots and Modredus the Son of Lothus the Picts both young Men of great Hope and who had often given good Testimonies of their Valour and Conduct This Army of Three Kings being about Five Mile from the Enemy and their Camps being distant one from another The Saxons being inform'd by their Spies that the Picts who were farthest distant from the other Forces were very careless and secure they made a suddain and unexpected Assault on them in the Night Modredus made a gallant Resistance for a time at last when things were almost desperate on his side he mounted on an Horse with Gallanus his Father-in-Law and so fled to King Arthur Arthur was nothing dismayed at the loss of the Picts but spent that Day in setling things which were discomposed after that his Army being commanded to march in the Third Watch he came upon the Enemy with a Treble Army and was at the Saxons Camp before they knew what the Matter was The Saxons being dismayed ran up and down having no time to take counsel or to arm themselves thus their Camp being entred they were slain by the Brittons and especially the angry Picts were cruel to all without distinction Some Writers of English Antiquities say That Arthur fought Twelve pitched Battels with the Saxons But because they give us only the Names of the Places where they were fought and nothing else I shall mention them no otherwise To speak briefly of his Famous Actions This is manifest That he wholly subdued the Forces of the Saxons and restored Peace to Britain And when he went over to settle Things in Lesser Britain in France he Trusted the Kingdom to Modredus his Kinsman who was to manage the Government as King till his Return I have no certainty of the Exploits he performed in Gaul As to what Geofry of Monmouth attributes to him there it hath no shadow much less likelyhood of Truth in it so that I pass them by as impudently forged and as causelesly believed But to return to the Matter Whilst Arthur was absent and intent on setling the Gallick Affairs there were sown the Seeds of a War most pernicious to Britain There was a certain Man in Arthurs Retinue named Constantine the Son of Cadoris who for the excellent Endowments both of his Body and Mind was highly in all Mens Favour He did secretly aim at the Kingdom and to make the People his Own Whereupon the Nobles at a convenient time when the King was free from business cast in Words concerning his Successor beseeching him to add this also to the other innumerable Blessings he had procured for his Country that if he died Childless he would not leave Britain destitute of a King especially when so great Wars were like to be waged against them Hereupon when some named Modredus as nearest of Kin and already accustomed to the Government both in Peace and War and One too who had given good Proof of himself in his Viceroy-Ship who also was likely to make no small Accession to the British Affairs These things being spoken the Multitude who favoured Constantine cryed out That they would not have a Stranger to be their King and that Britain was not so devoid of Men but that it would afford a King within its own Territories They added also That it was a Foolish thing to seek for that abroad which they might have at home Arthur knew before the Love of the People to Constantine and therefore though being a Man otherwise Ambitious yet he easily took part with the People and from that day shewed him openly and cherished in him the hopes of the Kingdom Modredus his Friends took this ill and looked upon it as a great wrong to him they alleged That by the League made by Arthur with Lothus
thereupon He nevertheless persisted in his slothful kind of Life which gave opportunity to the Remainders of the Picts as if an hopeful Alarm had been given them even from the very bottom of Despair to address themselves to Osbreth and Ella Two of the most potent and prevalent Kings of the English for then England was divided into many Kingdoms They bewail'd their misfortune to them and craved earnestly their Assistance promising That they and all their Posterity would become Feudataries to the English in case they obtained the Victory over the Scots which they prejudg'd would be an easy one by reason of the slothful Nature of Donald The English were easily persuaded and having setled things at home they led out their Army into Merch from whence they sent Heralds to Donaldus requiring that the Lands which the Scots had forceably taken away from the Picts their Friends and Allies might be restored which unless he would do they would not neglect their old Confederates who had now also newly cast themselves upon them Donaldus by the advice of the Estates which in this time of imminent Danger he had thô unwillingly convened Levied an Army and met with the Enemy at Iedd a River of Teviotdale where he joyned Battel and overthrew Osbreth enforcing him to fly to the next Mountains From thence he marched on by Tweed unto the Sea side recovered Berwick which had been taken by the English and again deserted by them upon the ill news of the success of the Battel where he took all the Ships riding in the Mouth of the River and seized upon all the Enemies Provisions therein There he got an opportunity to renew his interrupted Pleasures and as if his Enemies had been wholly overthrown he drowned himself in all kind of Voluptuousness Whereupon the English who in the last Fight were rather scatter'd than subdued understanding by their Spies the Carelesness and Security of the Scots gathered together what Force they could out of the Neighborhood and by night set upon the Scots who were laden with Wine and fast asleep making a great slaughter amongst them but they took the King who was between sleeping and waking Prisoner From thence they followed the Course of their Victory and to make their Ravage more compleat they divided their Army into Two Parts and so marched into the Enemies Country Part of them when they came to the Forth got Vessels and essayed to pass over by Water into Fife but a great Number of them were Shipwrackt and drowned and the rest by the violence of the Storm were forced back to the Shore where they embarked from whence marching to Sterling and joyning with the rest of their Army they pass over the Forth on a Bridge The Scots after their flight gathered themselves into a Body thereabouts having the bare show rather than the strength of an Army and sent Ambassadors to the English for Peace which they did not refuse because their strength was weakened by the unsuccessful Battel of Iedd and also by their own Shipwrack The English propounded hard Conditions yet such as the present State of Affairs made to seem tolerable As that The Scots should yield up all the Land which was within the Wall of Severus That their Bounds should be beneath Sterling the Forth beneath Dunbarton the Clyd and between the Two Rivers the Wall of Severus Amidst such hard Terms of Peace yet this happened as joyous so unexpected to the Scots That no mention was made concerning the Reduction of the Picts For the English and Britains divided the Lands surrendred up betwixt them the River being a Boundary betwixt them both There are some who think the Money yet called Sterling was then Coined there The Lands being thus divided the Picts who thought to recover their own being eluded of their hopes passed over to the Cimbrians and Scandians i. e. as we now speak to Denmark and Norway Those few of them that staid in England were all put to death by them upon pretence that they would attempt Innovations by their soliciting of Forein Aid Donaldus after he had made Peace upon his Return was Honourably received partly out of Respect to his Ancestors and partly in hopes of his Repentance But he persevering in his wonted Slothfulness the Nobles fearing that so filthy and sluggish a Person who would neither hearken to the Counsels of his Friends nor be reclaimed by his own Calamities would lose that part of the Kingdom which remained cast him into Prison where either for Grief in having his Pleasure restrained or for Fear to be made a Publick Spectacle of Scorn he laid violent hands on himself in the Sixth Year of his Reign Others report that This Donaldus performed many Noble Exploits both at home and abroad and that he dyed a natural death at Scone in the Year of our Lord 858. Constantinus II. The Seventy First King COnstantinus the Son of Kennethus undertook the Kingdom after him at Scone he was a Prince of a great Spirit and highly Valorous He was desirous to obliterate the Ignominy received under Donaldus and to enlarge his Kingdom unto the Bounds left by his Father but he was otherwise advised by his Nobles because the greatest part of the Soldiery were slain under Donaldus and the remainder was grown so Corrupt that it was not fit to put Arms into their hands And thereupon the King first bent his care to amend the Publick Discipline and so he reduced the Order of Priests to their Ancient Parsimony by severe Laws in regard they had left off Preaching and had given up themselves to Luxury Hunting Hawking and to Courtly-Pomp He caused the Young Soldiers who were effeminated with Pleasures to lye on the Ground and to Eat but once a day Drunkards he punished with Death He forbad all sports but those who served to harden both Body and Mind for the Wars By these Laws the Soldiery of the Kingdom were reduced to a better pass And presently upon a certain Islander named Evenus whom he himself had made Governour of Loch-Abyr a Man of an unquiet Spirit and Ambitious of Dominion rose up in Arms who knowing That the Youthful Fry of Soldiers could not well bear the Severity of these New Laws First gathered together a small Number and then a greater complaining of the present State of Things And when he found his Discourse was acceptable to them he easily persuaded them to conspire for the Destruction of Constantine But being more active than cautelous in gathering strength to their Faction they were betrayed by some of their Own and slain before they knew any Forces were gathered together against them Evenus the head of the Conspiracy was hanged About this time it was That the Danes then the most Potent and Flourishing Nation amongst the Germans were solicited by the Picts against the Scots and also by one Buernus or as others write Verna whose Wife Osbreth had forceably
his room a man of no ill Disposition and yet not constant in Good neither The Danes who could incline Gregory and Donald the Two last Kings of the Scots by no Promises or Persuasions to take Arms against the English which were then Christians Now they easily wrought upon Constantine by Gifts and by the vain Hope of enlarging his Dominions to make a League with Them which lasted scarce Two years but the Danes deserting the Scots struck up a League with the English This League had scarce continued Four years before Edward of England gathered an Army speedily together and spoiled the Danes Country whereby they were reduced to such 〈◊〉 that they were enforc'd to return to the Scots whom they had lately deserted To whom they Swore most Religiously That they would for ever after observe the Amity most inviolably betwixt Them This Second League is reported to have been entered into with great Ceremony in the Tenth Year of Constantines Reign He gave the same year Cumberland to Malcolm Son of the last King which was as an honourable Omen to him that he should Reign after him And afterwards the same Custom was observed by some succeeding Kings to the manifest disanulling of the old way of Convening the Estates whose Free Suffrages ought not to have been thus abridged but this was like the Designation of the Consuls by the Caesars which put an end to the Roman Liberty A War being now commenced between Edward the Son of Alured and the Danes Constantine sent Aid to the Danes under the Conduct of Malcolm He joyned his Army with the Danes and being Superior in number they harassed the adjoyning Countries of the English and made great Devastation wheresoever they came to the end that they might force the English who had a far less numerous Army to Fight Yea they were so arrogantly confident of their Numbers that they thought their Enemy would never so much as look them in the Face so that now as secure of the Victory they began to talk of dividing the Spoil But as Prosperity doth blind the Eyes of the Wise so Adversity and the foresight of Danger is a good Schoolmaster even to the weaker side What the English wanted in strength they supplyed in Cunning and Skill Their Army was well seconded with Reserves and so they began the Fight the First Ranks being commanded so to do give ground and pretend a Discomfiture and Flight that so their Enemies following them in disorder they might again return upon them in that straggling posture Athelstan the Base-born Son of Edward was General of all the English Forces as our Writers affirm and Grafton also says the same thing They make this Athelstan guilty of Parricide for killing his Father and his Two Brothers Edred and Edwin whose Right it was immediately to succeed their Father in the Kingdom Fame doth increase the Suspicion that Edward was violently put to death because it accounts him a Martyr For that Fact he was hat●d and therefore to recover the Favour of the People by some eminent Undertaking he determined to expiate the Blood of his K●nd●ed by shedding That of his Enemies And thereupon after he had fought stoutly a-while he gave Ground by little and little but afterward in greater Fear and Confusion as if he intended absolutely to run away The Danes and Scots supposing themselves Conquerors were unwilling to make any brisk pursuit lest the Cowardliest of the Soldiers should enjoy all the Prey and therefore they returned to plunder their Camp Hereupon Athelstan gave a Signal and the Eng●ish returning to their Ensigns set upon them as they were scattered and laden with Booty and killed them like Dogs The greatest part of the Scotish Nobility was lost in this Fight who chose rather to dye on the spo● than to undergo the Ignominy of deserting their Companions Malcolm being much wounded was carried off the Field by his own Men and sent the doleful Tidings of the loss of his Army to King Constantine neither was the face of things more pleasant amongst the Danes Athelstan during this Astonishment of his Enemies took Cumberland and Westmerland from the Scots and Northumberland from the Danes Constantine having not force enough neither to wage War or to carry on matters in Peace called a Convention of the Estates at Abernethy and willingly resigned the Kingdom and betook himself to the Culde● certain Hermits so called living in Cells Worshippers of God for so the Monks of that Age were called as into a Sanctuary amongst whom he lived the rest of his life at St. Andrews Here the English Writers who are profuse enough in their own Praises do affirm That Athelstan was the Monarch of all Britanny and that the rest who had the Names of Kings in Albium were but precariously so and his Feudataries only as taking an Oath of Fidelity to him as the supreme Lord. And they introduce many ignoble English Authors as Favourers of that Opinion And to procure the greater Credit thereunto they add also Marianus Scotus an Illustrious Writer indeed But here I desire the Reader to take notice that there is not the least mention of any such thing in that Edition of Marianus which was Printed in Germany but if they have another Marianus different from him who is publickly read and interpolated or foisted by them let them produce him if they can Besides they being Men generally unlearned do not in some Places sufficiently understand their own Writers neither do they take notice That Bede William of Malmesbury and Geffrey of Monmouth do commonly call that part Britain over which the Britains ruled i. e. That within the Wall of Adrian or when they stretched their Dominions furthest within the Wall of Severus so that the Scots and Picts are oftentimes reckoned by them to be out of Britain and not seldom are called Transmarine People And therefore when they read that the English sometime Reigned over all Britanny they understand the Authors so as if they meant all Britanny i. e. Albium or Albion whereas they do often Circumscribe Britanny within narrower limits as I have said before But of this I have spoken more largely in another place To return then to the Affairs of Scotland Malcolm I. The Seventy Sixth King COnstantine having retired himself into the Cloyster of the Monks Malcolm the Son of Donald was declared King Athelstan being dead and his Brother Edward Reigning Cumberland and Westmerland revolted from the English and returned to their old Masters Moreover the Danes who remained in Northumberland sent for Avalassus their Countryman of the Royal Progeny who was Banished into Ireland to make him King Edmund foreseeing what Clouds of War were gathering over his Head yielded up Cumberland and Westmerland to Malcolm upon this Condition That he who should next succeed in the Scotish Kingdom should take an Oath to the King of England as the Lord Paramount of that Country Afterwards he easily reduced the
after them and in a short time they were brought to the King and punished according to Law Whereupon the Nobles were dismissed having received some Gifts and many large Promises from the King and the Commonalty also pray'd heartily for their King Matters being thus composed at home he faithfully observed the League made by some former Kings with the English But this great Tranquillity of all Britain was soon disturbed by the Danes who appeared with a great Fleet and Anchored near the Red-Promontory a Place in Aeneia or Angus They there staid some days in Consultation Whether they should Land there or direct their Course towards England as they intended at first Many of them were of Opinion That it was most adviseable to make for England an opulent Country where they might have both Provision enough for their Army and also some hopes of Auxiliaries and Recruits in regard that there many of the Danish stock were yet alive amongst them and many others stood obliged to them for old Courtesys and Friendships and that These upon the first notice of their Arrival would presently flock in to them as of old they used always to do But as for the Scots they were a fierce Nation and very hardy as Those use to be who are bred in Barren and Hungry Soiles That they never attempted them without some great and remarkable loss and in the present case if they overcame them it would hardly be worth their Labour But if they were overcome by them they must endure the utmost Extremity and Rigour Others were of a different Opinion alleging That if they made their Descent on the Coasts of England then they should be obliged to Fight Both Nations at once but if the Scots were First overcome the War against the English would be easy when they were bereft of Fo●●ign Aid and also terrified with the Loss of their Friends They further urged That it was not the part of Great and Magnanimous Spirits to be intent on Prey and Booty only they should rather call to mind the Blood of their Kindred and Ancestors who had been so often cruelly slain in Scotland And that now especially having a Great Army and being furnished also with things necessary for War they ought to take That Revenge which might punish the Savage Cruelty of the Scots according to their Deserts and might also carry the terror of the Danish Name to all the Neighbouring Nations After this Battel Peace seemed to have been settled for many Years when behold some troublesome matters at home did disturb this Calm As for the Commotion of the Islanders who in a Plundering way ranged over all Ross That was quickly suppressed some of the Robbers being slain in ●ight some taken in pursuit and after Executed But Crathilinthus the Son of Fenella or as some call her Finabella gave far greater disturbance He was then the chief of all Mern both in Descent and Wealth Crathilinthus his Grandfather by the Mothers side was made Governor by the King over that part of Angus which lies between the Two Rivers each of them having the Name of Eske where he gathered up the Kings Taxes and Revenues his Nephew coming with a great Train to visit him a sudden Quarrel arose amongst their Servants so that two of Crathilinthus's Friends were slain He complained thereof to his Grandfather who laid the blame of the Tumult upon his Nephews rude Retinue and Company and after a sharp Reproof he was dismissed by him but not without Contumelies from his Servants and Domesticks So that returning home he in great Wrath complained of the Affront to his Mother who was so far from endeavouring to allay his Rage and quiet the Mind of the incensed Youth by grave and wholesome Counsel that she importuned him to Revenge himself by force of Arms even upon her own Father and his Grandfather too Hereupon not long after Crathilinthus having gathered an armed Company together fit for his purpose comes by Night into Angus to his Grandfathers Castle He with some few Followers were admitted in without Suspicion and being once entred he gave the Word to the rest who lay in Ambush and let in them also so that he slew his Grandfather with his whole Family plundered the Castle depopulated the Country adjacent and as if he had done a Famous Exploit he returned pompously with a great Booty into Mern But the Angusians did not suffer this Injury to pass long Unrevenged For soon after gathering a great many of their Faction together they made great Havock in the District of Mern From that time forward Slaughters and Rapines were occasionally committed on both sides Kennethus hearing of it published a Proclamation That the Chief of either Faction should appear at Scone within Fifteen Days to answer What should be objected against them for he feared that if a greater number should resort to the Factions further Tumults might arise some few being terrified by this minatory Edict made their appearance accordingly but the greatest part of whom Crathilinthus was Chief being conscious of their own Demerits fled away as every one thought most convenient The King made diligent search after them the greatest part of them were taken in Loch-Abyr and some elsewhere Crathilinthus and the Cheif of the Faction were punished with Death others according to the Degree of their Crimes had lesser Punishments and those who were but a little Guilty had none at all inflicted on them This Moderation and Temperament procured to the King Fear from the bad but great Love from others and settled Peace in all his Kingdom till the Twenty first year of his Reign Insomuch That if he had persisted in that course of Life which he had begun he might well have been reckoned amongst the Best of Princes for he so performed all the Offices both of Peace and War that he got great Renown upon the account of his Equity Impartiality and Valour But the Excellency of his former Life was blurred by one Wicked Fact that he committed which seemed too more aggravated in him in regard it was incredible and unexpected to proceed from his Disposition who had before so severely punished Grand Offenders The Occasion of it was This The King being now grown somewhat ancient had a Son named Malcolm a Prince of great Ingenuity but in point of Age not yet mature to Govern so fierce a People if his Father should die Further the Custom of our Ancestors was then against it that he should Reign next after his Father For They were wont to choose not the next but the fittest of the deceased Kings Relations provided he were descended from Fergus the First King of the Scots Besides the Favour of the Nobility was another Obstacle which did incline to another Malcolm the Son of King Duffus the most Praise-Worthy Prince of all the Scotish Royal Race Moreover he was then Governor of Cumberland which County the Scots did hold as Feudataries of the Kings of
Enemy When their Camps were near one another Grimus knowing that Malcolm would Religiously observe As●ensi●n-day resolved then to attaque him hoping to find him unpr●pared Malcolm having notice of his Design kept his Men in Arms and thô he did hope well as to the Victory in so good a Cause yet he sent to Grimus to advise him to defer Fighting for that day that so They being Christians might not pollute so Holy a Day with shedding the Blood of their Countrymen Yet he was nevertheless resolved to Fight alleging to his Soldiers That the Fear the Enemy was in thô pretended to be out of Reverence to so Holy a Feast was a good Omen of their Victory Hereupon a fierce and eager Fight began wherein Grimus being forsaken of his Men was wounded in the Head taken Prisoner and soon after had his Eyes put out Insomuch that in a short time out of Grief as well as his Wounds he Dyed in the Tenth Year of his Reign Malcolm carried it Nobly towards the Conquered and caused Grimus to be interred in the Sepulchres of his Ancestors The Faction which followed him he received into his Grace and Favour laying aside the Memory of past Offences Then going to the Assembly of Estates at Scone before he would undertake the Government he caused the Law made by his Father concerning the Succession to the Crown to be publickly Ratified by the Votes of the whole Parliament Malcolm II. The Eighty Third King AT the entrance into his Government he laboured to restore the State of the Kingdom which was sorely shaken by Factions And as he forgave all former Offences to himself so he took care that the Seeds of Faction and Discord amongst all different Parties might also be rooted out After this he sent Governors chosen out of the Nobility into all Provinces Just and Pious Men to restrain the Licentiousness of Robbers who in former times had taken great Liberty to themselves to Steal and Plunder By Them also the Common People were encouraged to Tillage and Husbandry so that Provisions grew cheaper Commerce between Man and Man safer and the publick Peace was better secured Amidst these Transactions Sueno the Son of Harald King of the Danes being banished from home came into Scotland He was oftentimes overcome made Prisoner by and Ransomed from the Vandals and having sought for Aid in vain from Olavus King of the Scandians and Edward King of England at last he came into Scotland and being turned Christian of whom before he was a most bitter Enemy there he received some small assistance and so returned into his own Country from whence soon after he passed over with a great Army into England First he overthrew the English alone and afterwards he had the same Success against them when the Scots assisted them whom he grievously threatned because they would not forsake the English and return into their own Country Neither were his Threatnings in vain for Olavus of Scandia and Enecus General of the Danes were sent by him with a great Army into Scotland They ranged over all Murray killed whomsoever they met took away all they could catch whether Sacred or Prophane at last gathering into a Body they assaulted Castles and other strong Places While they were Besieging these Fortresses Malcolm had gathered an Army together out of the Neighbouring Countrys and pitch'd his Camp not far from them The day after the Scots perceiving the Multitude of the Danes and their Warlike Preparations were struck with great Terrour The King endeavoured to encourage them but to small purpose at last a Noise was raised in the Camp by those who were willing to seem more valiant than the rest and when it was raised others received and seconded it so that presently as if they had been wild they ran in upon the Danes without the Command of their Leaders and rushed upon the points of their Swords who were ready to receive them After the forwardest were slain the rest fled back faster than ever they came on The King was Wounded in the Head and had much ado to be carried off the Field into an adjacent Wood where he was Horsed and so escaped with his Life After this Victory the Castle of Narn was surrendred to the Danes the ●arison being dismayed at the Event of the unhappy Fight yet they put them to Death after the surrender They strongly fortified the Castle because it was seated in a convenient Pass and of a Peninsule made it a convenient Isle by cutting through a narrow Chanel for the Sea to surround it and then they called it by a Danish Name Burgus The other Castles which were Elgin and Foress were deserted for fear of the Cruelty of the Danes The Danes upon this good Success resolved to fix their Habitations in Murray and sent home their Ships to bring over their Wives and Children in the mean time exercising all manner of cruel hardships over the Captived Scots Malcolm in order to prevent their further Progress gathered a stronger and more compact Army together and when they were gone into Marr he met them at a place called Mortlich both Armies being in great fear the Scots being afraid of the Cruelty of the Danes and the Danes fearing the Places which they did not know as being far from the Sea and fit for Ambushes more than their Enemies In the beginning of the Fight the Scots were much discouraged at the Slaughter of Three of their Valiant Worthies viz. of Kennethus Thane of the Islands of Grimus Thane of Strathearn and of Dumbar Thane of Lothian who all fell presently one after another so that they were forced to retreat and to retire into their old Fastness which was behind their backs There fencing their Camp with a Trench Ditch and huge Trees which they cut down in a narrow place they fronted and stopped the Enemy yea they slew some who as if they had fully gotten the Victory did carelesly assault them amongst whom Enecus one of their Generals fell His Loss as it made the Danes less forward to fight so it added Alacrity to the Scots who were crest-fallen before So that almost in a moment of time the Scene was quite altered The Danes were put to flight and the Scots pursued them Olavus the other of their Generals got some to guide him and bent his Course that night towards Murray Though Malcolm knew it yet having slain the forwardest of his Enemies and wounded many more he desisted from following the Chase. When News of this Overthrow was brought to Swain in England he bore it undauntedly and sent some of his old Soldiers and some that were newly come to him from his own Country under Camus their General to recruit his old and shattered Army in Scotland He first came into the Firth of Forth but being hindred by the Country who observed all his Motions from Landing he set Sail and made for the Red-Promontory of
the following year did more fully appear when he cokes'd Malcolm out of Northumberland which was his Brother William's Patrimony For he sent for him to London That according to the Examples of his Ancestors he in a publick Assembly might acknowledge himself his Feudatary for the Lands which he held in England He under Covert of the Publick Faith came speedily thither but without doing any thing of That for which his Journey was pretended he was inforced against his Will with that little Retinue which he had to accompany Henry into Henry's Design herein was partly that the Scots might not attempt any thing against him in his absence and partly to alienate the Mind of Lewis King of France from him Thus Malcolm was compelled for fear of a greater Mischief to go against his old Friend and was not suffered to come back to his own Country till King Henry having made no great Earnings of the French War returned home also Then Malcolm obtained leave to return to Scotland where in a Convention of the Nobility he declared to them the Adventure of his Travels but he found a great Part of them very much incensed that he had joyned with a certain Enemy against an Old and Trusty Friend and did not foresee the Artifices by which Henry had gulled him The King on the other side alleged That he was haled unwillingly into France by a King in whose Power he was and to whom he dared to deny nothing at that time and therefore he did not despair but the French would be satisfied and appeased when they understood he was hurried thither by Force and carried none of his Country Forces along with him This Harangue with much ado quieted the Sedition for the present which was almost ready to break out But Henry who had Spies every where knew That the Tumult was rather suspended than that the Minds of Men were reconciled to him and therefore he Summoned Malcolm to come to a Convention at York There he was accused of a pretended Crime That the English had been worsted in France principally by his means and therefore it was referred to the Assembly Whether he ought not to lose all the Countries which he held in England Though he answered all the objected Crimes and fully cleared himself yet he found all their Ears shut against him as being prepossessed by the Fears or Favour of their King so that a Decree was made in Favour of Henry Neither was he contented with this Injury but he also suborned some Persons fit for his purpose to bruit it abroad That Malcolm had freely and of his own accord quitted his Interest in those Countries At which his Subjects the Scots were so incensed that at his Return home they besieged him in Perth and had almost taken him But by the Intervention of some great Men their Anger was somewhat abated when he had informed the Nobility how unjustly and fraudulently Henry had despoiled him of his Ancient Patrimony Whereupon they unanimously agreed upon a War that so he might recover by just Arms what was unlawfully taken from him by Force Thus a War was Decreed Denounc'd and Waged not without great Inconveniencies to both Nations At last both Kings came to a Conference not far from Carlisle and after much dispute Pro and Con Henry took away Northumberland from Malcolm leaving him Cumberland and Huntington-shire Henry had no other Pretence for his Ambitious Avarice but This That he could not suffer so great a Diminution to be made of his Kingdom But seeing no respect to Justice and Right no Pacts Covenants no nor the Religion of an Oath could hinder the unsatiable Avarice of Henry Malcolm being a Man of a low Spirit and too desirous of Peace upon any Conditions whatever accepted of his Terms sore against the Minds of the Scots Nobility who denied That the King could alienate any part of his Dominions without the General Consent of the Estates After this the King began to be despised by his Subjects as not having Fortitude or Prudence enough to weild the Scepter neither did any thing bridle their fierce Minds from Rising in Arms but a greater Fear from Henry who they knew did aim at the Conquest of the whole Island being encouraged thereunto by the Simplicity of Malcolm and by his Hopes of Foreign Aid This General Disaffection to the King did much lessen the Reverence of his Government A Rebellion was first begun by Angus or rather Aeneas of Galway a Potent Man but yet more encouraged by the Kings Sloth than his own Power Gilchrist was sent against him who overthrew him in Three Fights and compelled him to take Sanctuary in the Monastery of White-horn out of which it was not counted Lawful to pull him by Force and therefore after a long Siege being driven to the want of all Necessaries he was forced to Capitulate He was to lose part of his Estate for his Punishment and his Son was to be given as an Hostage for his good Behaviour for the future But he being of a lofty Spirit and not able to endure this abatement of his former Greatness turn'd Monk shaved himself and shut himself up in a Monastery near Edinburgh to avoid the shame and scorn of Men. Neither was there Peace in other Parts of the Realm for the Murray-Men being always given to Mutinying rose in Arms under Gildo or rather Gildominick their Captain and did not only spoil the circumjacent Counties but when Heralds of Arms were sent from the King they most barbarously slew them Gilchrist was sent out against them also with a greater Army but with unlike Success For the Valour of an Adversary which is wont to be a Terrour to other Rebels drove those wicked Persons conscious of their own Demerits to Desperation and therefore endeavouring to sell their Lives as dear as they could they routed the opposite Army and became Conquerors Malcolm upon this overthrow recruited his old Army and marched into Murray and met the Murray-Men at the Mouth of the River Spey who though they knew that the Kings Forces were encreased and Theirs diminished in the late Fight yet being encouraged by the Opportunity of the Place and their newly obtained Victory they resolved to Adventure a Battel The Fight was carried on with great Resolution and no less Slaughter For the Moravians gave not back till the Kings Forces being wearied had new Releif from Reserves sent them Then the Moravians were broken and there was no more Fighting but Killing The Fury of the Soldiers spared no Age nor Rank of Men. In this Fight the old Moravians were almost all slain which Punishment though Cruel seemed not to be undeserved and the Greatness of the Revenge was allayed and made excuseable by the Savage Cruelty of that perfidious People against others Hereupon new Co●onies were sent into the Lands of the slain Neither did Sumerled in this hurly burly think it fit to sit still
divided his Book into Chapters and besides what he affirms is no where found in his Writings but to leave this unlearned and shameless Relator I return to Edward who by reason of the abounding Multitude of his Army sent Part of it to besiege Dunbar and a few days after the Castle of Berwick despairing of any Relief was surrendred to him Afterwards he joined all his Forces together at Dunbar to fight the Scots Army who came to relieve it The Battel was fierce and the Victory inclining to the English the chief of the Nobility fled into the Castle but the Castle was soon taken either by the Perfidiousness of Richard Stuart the Governor or else because he had not Provisions for so great a Multitude as were shut up in so narrow a Compass Edward was very cruel to all the Prisoners Some cast the Blame of this Overthrow upon Robert Bruce the Elder in that his Friends giving back in the Battel it strook a Terrour into the rest But our Writers do constantly affirm That when Bruce demanded of Edward the Kingdom of Scotland according to his Promise as a Reward of his Pains that day That Edward should answer in French of which Language he was Master What have I nothing else to do but to win Kingdoms for you When Dunbar and some other Castles near the Borders of England were taken the surrender of Edinburgh and Sterlin followed soon after Then Edward passing over the Forth directed his March where Baliol then was When he was come as far as Montross without any to oppose him Baliol by the Persuasion of Iohn Cumins of Strabogy came to him and surrendred to him Himself and the Kingdom Baliol was sent into England by Sea and Edward returning to Berwick sent a strict and severe Summons to all the Scots Nobles to attend him there after they came he compelled them to Swear Fealty to him But William Douglas an eminent Man both on the account of his Family and also his own famous Exploits obstinately refusing to do it was cast into Prison where in a few years he died Thus Edward having succeeded in his Expedition according to his Mind left Iohn Warren Earl of Surry as Proxy behind him and Hugh Cressingham Lord Chief Justice or Treasurer and so returned to London There he committed Iohn Baliol to Prison in the 4th year of his Reign but a while after at the Entreaty of the Pope and his Promise that he would raise no Tumults in Scotland he was sent back into France his Son Edward being retained as an Hostage Edward having prepared all things for the French War which by reason of the Commotions in Scotland he had deferred now Sails thither with great Forces The Scots by reason of his Absence being erected to some hopes of their Liberty chose 12 Men to Govern the State By whose unanimous Consent Iohn Cumins Earl of Buchan was sent into England with a good Force and in regard the English who were scattered in Garisons over Scotland dared not to stir he spoiled Northumberland without controul and laid Siege to Carlisle but to no purpose Though this Expedition did somewhat encourage the before crest-fallen Scots and hindred the English from doing them further Mischief yet it contributed little or nothing to the Main Chance in regard that all the Places of Strength were possessed by the Enemies Garisons But when the Nobility had neither Strength nor Courage to undertake great Matters there presently started up one William Wallace a Man of an Ancient and Noble Family but one that had lived poorly and meanly as having little or no Estate yet this Man performed in this War not only beyond the Expectation but even the Belief of all the Common People For he was bold-spirited and strong-bodied and when he was but a Youth had slain a young English Nobleman who proudly domineered over him For this Fact he was fain to run away and to skulk up and down in several places for some years to save his Life and by this Course of Life his Body was hardned against Wind and Weather and his Mind also fortified to undergo greater hazards when time should serve At length growing weary of such an Erratick Life he resolved to attempt something though never so hazardous and therefore gathered a Band of Men together of like Fortune with himself and did not only assault single Persons but even greater Companies though with an inferior Number and accordingly he slew several Persons in divers Places He played his Pranks with as much Celerity as Boldness and never gave his Enemy opportunity to fight him so that in a short time his Fame was spread over Both Nations by which means many came in to him moved by the likeness of their Cause or with the like Love of their Country thus he made up a considerable Army And seeing the Nobles were sluggish in their Management of Affairs either out of Fear or Dulness this Wallace was proclaimed Regent by the Tumultuous Band that followed him and so he managed Things as a Lawful Magistrate and the Substitute of Baliol. He accepted of this Name not out of any Ambition or Desire to Rule but because it was cast upon him by the Love and Good Will of his Countrymen With this Army the first visible Exploit he performed was at Lanerick where he slew the Major General of that Precinct being an Englishman of good Descent Afterwards he took and demolished many Castles which were either slenderly Fortified or meanly Garisoned or else guarded negligently which petty Attempts so encouraged his Soldiers that they shunned no Service no not the most hazardous under his Conduct as having experienced That his Boldness was guided by Counsel and That Counsel seconded by good Success When the Report of these Things was spread abroad and perhaps somewhat enlarged beyond the Bounds of Truth out of Mens Respect and Favour to him All that wished well to their Country or were afraid of their own particular Conditions flocked in to him as judging it fit to take Opportunity by the Forelock so that in a short time he reduced all the Castles which the English held on the other side of the Forth though never so well fortified and for fear of him carefully Guarded He took and demolished the Castles of Dundee Forfar Brechin and Montross he seized on Dunoter unawares and Garisoned it he entred Aberdene which the Enemy for fear of his coming had plundered and burnt even whilst it was in Flames but a Rumour being scattered abroad concerning the coming of the English Army prevented his Taking the Castle for he determined to meet them at the Forth not being willing to hazard a Battel but in a Place he himself should choose Edward of England when he went into France as I said before put English Garisons into all the Strong Holds of Scotland and besides having many of the Scots faithful to him and unfaithful to their
those that rashly went before or that loitered after or that in Plundering straggled too far from their Fellows neither did he suffer them to Stray far from their Colours Edward sought by great Promises to bring him over to his Party but his constant ●one was That he had Devoted his Life to his Country to which it was due and if he could do it no other Service yet he would dye in its Defence There were some Castles yet remaining not surrendred to 〈◊〉 English as Vrchart in Murray which was taken by Storm and all the Defendants put to the Sword whereupon the rest surrendred themselves for fear After these Exploits the English King joyned his Son Edward whom he had left at Perth and by the Accession of his Forces he besieged Sterling which after a Months Siege he took the Garison therein being reduced to the want of all things the Conditions were only Life and Liberty And yet William Oliver against the tenor of his Articles of Surrender was detain'd and sent Prisoner into England When all Scotland was reduced an Assembly of the States was Indicted by Edward to be held at St. Andrews where all out of Fear took an Oath of Allegiance to him except Wallis alone and fearing he should be given up by the Nobility who were much disgusted at him to Edward his Mortal Enemy he retired himself into his old Fastnesses and Lurking holes Edward having appointed Governours and Magistrates over all Scotland returned into England but at his departure he shewed an evident Demonstration of his great Hatred against the Scotish Race for he was not content only with the taking with him all those whom he feared would raise new Seditions but he endeavoured as much as he could to abolish the very Memory of the Nation For he repealed their Old Laws and set up the Ecclesiastical State and Ceremonies according to the Manner of England He caused all Histories Leagues and Ancient Monuments either left by the Romans or erected by the Scots to be destroyed He carried all the Books and all that were Teachers of Learning into England He sent also to London an un-polished Marble Stone wherein it was vulgarly Reported and Believed that the Fate of the Kingdom was contained neither did he leave any thing behind him which either upon the account of its Memory might excite Generous Spirits to the Remembrance of their Ancient Fortune and Condition or indeed which could excite them to any True Greatness of Mind so that having broken their Spirits as he thought as well as their Force and cast them into a servile Dejection he promised himself a perpetual Peace from Scotland At his Return he left Ailmer Valentine as his Regent or Vice-King who was to nip all Seditious Attempts if any did break forth in the very Bud. Yet a new War sprang up against him from whence he little thought There were some of the Prime Nobility in Scotland with Edward as Robert Bruce the Son of him who contended with Baliol for the Kingdom and Iohn Cumins Sirnamed Red from the colour of his Face Cousin German to Iohn Baliol the last King of Scotland Edward called them often to him a-part and put them severally in a vain hope of the Kingdom and so he made use of their Assistance in the Conquering of Scotland But at the last they discovered the Mockery and Cheat so that each of them desired nothing more than a fit Occasion to Revenge the Perfidiousness of that King But in regard they were Corrivals their mutual Suspicion kept them back from Communicating their Counsels one to another At last Cumins perceiving that Matters as managed by Edward were distrastful to Bruce he spake to him and taking his Rise from the Beginning of their Miseries deplored much the lamentable Condition of their Country and greatly inveighed against the Fals●ness of Edward withal grievously accusing himself and Bruce too that they had by their Labour and Assistance helped to cast their Country-Men into this Abyss of Misery After this first Discourse they proceeded further and each of them promising Silence they agreed That Bruce should enjoy the Kingdom and Cumins should wave his Right thereto but instead thereof that he should enjoy all those large and fruitful Possessions which Bruce had in Scotland and in a Word that he should be the Second Man in the Kingdom Those Covenants were Writ down Sealed and Sworn betwixt Themselves Hereupon Bruce watching an Opportunity to rise in Arms left his Wife and Children in Scotland and went to the Court in England After his Departure Cumins as 't is reported either repenting himself of his Agreement or else endeavouring fraudulently to remove his Corrival and so obtain an easier Way to the Kingdom betrayed their secret Combination to Edward and in verification thereof he sent him the Covenants signed by them Both. Hereupon Bruce was impleaded as Guilty of High Treason he was forbid to depart the Court and a Privy Guard set over him to inspect his Words and Actions The Kings delay to punish him in a Crime so manifest proceeded from a Desire he had to take his Brethren too before they had heard any bruit of his Execution In the mean time Bruce was informed by the Earl of Mountgomery his Grandfathers old Friend of his sudden Danger who dared not to commit his Advice for his Flight to Writing being discouraged by Bruce his Example but he sent him a pair of Guilt Spurs and some Pieces of Gold as if he had borrowed them of him the day before Robert upon the Receipt of the Gift as Dangers make Men sagacious soon smelt out what his Meaning was so that he sent for a Smith in the Night and commanded him to set on Shoos on Three Horses the backward way that so his Flight might not be traced by the Mark of the Horses Feet and the same Night he and Two other Companions began their Journy and Man and Horse being extreamly tired in Seven days he came to his Castle scituate by L●ch Maban There he joyned David his Brother and Robert Fleming to whom he had scarce declared the Cause of his Flight before he lighted upon a flying Post who was conveighing Letters from Cumins to Edward The Contents were That Robert should speedily be put to Death that there was danger in delay lest a Man so Nobly Descended and so Popular as He adding Boldness to his Wisdom too should raise New Commotions The Perfidiousness of Cumins being thus as well as otherwise plainly detected Robert was inflamed with Anger and rode presently to Dumfreiz where his Adversary Iohn Cumins was in the Franciscans Church whom he confronted with his own Letters which he then shewed him he very impudently denied them to be His but Robert no longer able to bridle his Wrath run him into the Belly with his Dagger and so left him for Dead As he was Mounting his Horse Iames Lindsay and Roger
Soldiers both English and Scots promiscuously to the Sword and that others might be deterred from the like Obstinacy by their Example he razed their Walls and filled up their Trenches The Terror of that Example caused Dumfriez Lanerick Air and Bote and many other weaker Forts to Surrender At the beginning of the Spring Roxburgh was taken by Iames Douglas when the Garison was intent upon their Sports and Pastimes in those Revels which were wont to be celebrated at the beginning of Lent And not long after Thomas Randolph recovered the Strong Castle of Edinburgh The Isle of Man was also surrendred and the Castles thereof demolished that they might not again be a Receptacle to the Enemy In the mean time Edward Bruce closely besieged the Castle of Sterlin scituate on a Rock steep every way but one where the Passage to it lay It was defended by Philip Mowbray a vigilant Commander who perceiving the Success of the Brucians in Scotland and foreseeing a Siege had mightily stored and fortified it with Arms and Provisions before hand And therefore when Edward had fruitlessly spent many days in besieging it and had no hopes to carry it by force That he might not seem to be repulsed without doing any thing he enters into Conditions with Mowbray That if he was not relieved in an Year to commence from that very Day by the English then the Castle was to be surrendred and the Garison should have Liberty Bag and Baggage to march whither they pleased These Conditions did much displease the King yet that he might not detract from his Brothers Credit he resolved to observe them Yet in regard he did not doubt but the English would come at the time appointed he prepares as much as in so great a scarcity of things he was able to manage his last Encounter with his potent Enemy And indeed Edward considering that he was not only dispossessed of Scotland whose People his Father had left to him conquered and broken but that England was also in danger had a desire to root out so Rebellious Disobedient and Unquiet a Nation In order whereunto he levied an Army not only of English and such Scots who adhered to them but he increased it by supplys from his Transmarine Dominions which then were many great and opulent so that his Army was bigger than ever any King of England had before Yea he received also an Accession of Force from his Allyes beyond the Seas especially from Flanders and Holland whom his Father had strenuously assisted against Philip King of France They say it consisted of above 100000 Fighting men There followed also his Army a Multitude of Baggagers Attendants and Sutlers who carries Provision both by Sea and Land because they were to come into a Country not very fruitful of it self and besides which had so many years before been harassed with all the Miseries of War Moreover there was a Multitude of Such as were to set out or describe Colonies and to receive Dividends of Land who brought their Wives and Children along with them so that the Force of so Rich Powerful and Flourishing a Kingdom as England was being thus as it were abridged and epitomized into one Army the Consideration thereof produced such a Confidence in them all That now all the Discourse was not of Fighting but rather of Dividing the Spoil Bruce hearing of this great Preparation of the Enemy prepares also his Forces far inferiour in Number to so great a Multitude as being Thirty Thousand only but such as were inured to Hardships and the Toyl of a Civil War and who now carried the Hopes of their Lives Fortunes and of all that is dear to Men as it were on the Point of their Swords With this Army he sate down on the left Bank of the River Bannock This River hath steep Banks on Both sides and it had but a few and those too narrow Passages or Fords it is about Two Miles from Sterlin Below the Hills before it makes its influxe into the Forth it passeth thrô a little leveller Ground yet here and there it is Marshy In the Winter it usually runs with a rapid Torrent but in that hot Time of the Year the Water was but Low and Fordable in many Places Bruce by how much the Weaker in Force was so much the more Circumspect and therefore he used Art and Policy to make the Passage over the River more difficult to the English who possessed the right-hand Bank thereof In order whereunto he caused deep Trenches to be dug in level Places wherein he fastened sharp Stakes or Spikes and covered them with some light Turffs a top that so his Stratagem might not be discovered and moreover he caused Calthrops of Iron to be thrown up and down on the Ground in Places most convenient Wherefore when Camp was almost joyned to Camp as being on different Hills only a small River between them Edward sent 800 Horse a little before to Sterlin who marched a little off from the Camp Robert imagining that they were sent to plunder in the Neighbourhood gave command to Thomas Randolph to follow them with 500 Horse either to prevent the stragglers in wasting the Country or if a fit Occasion were offered to fight them The English seeing them desisted from their intended March to Sterlin and faced about The Fight was sharp and continued long the Victory inclining for a time to neither Party so that Iames Douglas being concerned for the Scots who were the fewer in Number earnestly desired Bruce That he might go and relieve them Bruce peremptorily denied him whereupon tho' at present a Spectator only from an Hill yet he resolved if the Scots were further distressed to succour them but perceiving the English to give back and the Scots to get Ground he stopped his March that so he might detract nothing from another mans Praise The English having lost but those Few out of so numerous an Army were not discouraged in their Spirits and also the Scots prepared themselves for the Encounter the next day as if they had already received an Omen of a compleat Victory The Night thô very short for the Battel was fought on the 9 th of the Calends of Iuly yet seemed long to both Parties for the Eagerness they had to Fight All the Scots were divided into Three Brigades The King led the Middle or Main Battel His Brother Commanded the Right Wing and Randolf the Left The English besides a multitude of Archers which they placed on the outside of Both their Wings had also Curiassiers out of France They speeding towards Randolf who stood on the Lower Ground and endeavouring to fall obliquely on his Flank fell suddainly into the Di●ches made by Bruce where they tumbled one upon another with great Slaughter both of Man and Horse They that first fell in were Slain by the pressure of Those that fell upon them and the last Ranks being discouraged at the loss of the
Assoon as they came in fight one of another the Scots had so divided their Men into Three Batailions upon an Hill that the Rocks and Precipices thereof secured them on the Right and Left from whence they might cast down Stones on the Enemy if they endeavoured to come up to them At the Foot of the Hill the English had a rapid Torrent to pass so full of Great and Round Stones that they could not Ford over to their Enemy or if they had so done they could not Retreat without certain Ruin The English perceiving that they could not come at the Enemy but with great disadvantage pitched their Tents and sent an Herald at Arms to the Scots advising them to come down into the Champion Country to Fight for Glory and Empire by true Valour in an open Plain The Scots answered That they would Fight for no bodies pleasure but their own That they marched into England to revenge the Injuries they had received if they had done any thing which did offend them they had free Liberty to take their own Revenge As for Themselves they resolved to abide There as long as they pleased and if their Enemy did attaque them at his Peril be it The next Three Days their Camps being near and Parties placed at the Fords some slight Skirmishes passed betwixt them the Fourth Day assoon as it was Light the Watch brought Word That the Scots had forsaken the Hill on which they were whereupon Scouts were sent out to bring certain News and to follow them if they had Retreated who brought word That the Scots had pitched their Tents on another Hill by the same River much more convenient for them than the First where they had a Wood which secured their Ingress and Egress The English who hoped that they should Famish the Scots who avoided Fighting in a Foreign Soil being frustrated of their Expectation followed them and pitched their Tents on an opposite Hill After they had abode there some Days it was observed That they grew more Negligent than formerly in their Night-watches either because they undervalued the Scots because of their Paucity or else because they meditated nothing but Flight Douglas took hold of the Opportunity to attempt something and passing over the River with 200 Select Horse he entred the Enemies Camp where he saw it was but slenderly Guarded He had almost pierced to the King 's own Tent where cutting off the Cords the Alarm being taken he killed near 300 English in his Retreat and brought his Men safely off After this no Memorable Action happened save that the English instructed by their own Loss placed more careful Watches in convenient Places At last it was told them by a Scot whom they had taken Prisoner That there was a Proclamation in that Camp That at the Third Watch all should be ready to follow Douglas whither-soever he should lead them This Relation struck such a Terror into the Engl●sh That dividing their Army into Three Batailions at a moderate Distance one from another they stood all that Night in their Arms and their Servants held their Horses Bridled Sadled and ready prepared for whatever should happen in their Camp And moreover they placed strong Guards at all the Fords of the River At last towards Day Two Scots Trumpeters were brought to the King who told him That the Scots were Commanded to returned home and if the English had a mind to revenge the Loss they had sustained they must Follow them Hereupon the English called a Council of War where it was resolved That it was better to march back with the Army at present than to follow such flying Stragglers to the great vexation both of Horse and Man considering they had lost more Men in this Expedition by Famine and Sickness than might have fallen in a Set-Battel When their Retreat was resolved upon many of the English either in hopes of Prey which might be left behind in their hasty Retreat or else desirous to understand something of their Enemies Affairs went into their Camp where they found about Five Hundred Deer and especially Stags already killed of which sort the English keep many not only their Kings but even many private Persons also and also great Budgets made of raw Skins in which they boiled their Meat and about Ten Thousand Snapsacks Moreover there were Two English Men whose Legs were broken but they were yet alive All these things being Evidences of great Hardiness and Poverty did confirm the goodness of their Advice who were for marching the Army back This Year Walter Stuart and Queen Elizabeth died one the Son in Law the other Wife to the King Besides the Castles of Alnewick and Norham were besieged by the Scots but without Success Preys were also driven out of Northumberland In March Ambassadors came from England to treat of a perpetual Peace and a Truce was made for Three Years The next Year which was 1328. the English held a Parliament at Northampton the Eighth of the Calends of Iuly wherein all the Orders of Estates agreed to a Peace with the Scots upon these Terms That the English should renounce all Right which they or their Ancestors pretended to have to the Crown of Scotland and That they should leave That Kingdom as Free as it was at the Death of Alexander the Third and That they should be Subject to no External Yoke of Servitude and on the other side the Scots were to surrender up all the Lands they sometimes held in England as Feudataries That Cumberland and Northumberland as far as Stanmore should be Boundaries to the Scots That David the Son of Robert should take to Wife Ioan the Sister of Henry That the English should faithfully return all Pacts Bonds and Writings or any other Monuments of Subjection into the Hands of the Scots and should disanul them for the future That the Scots for the Damage which they had lately done the English King and for the Lands which his Father and Grandfather had given to his Favourites in Scotland should pay him Thirty thousand Marks of Silver Both Kings had their proper Reasons why they consented so easily to these Conditions The English King having wasted his Treasure and having been put to an Ignominious Flight and thereby lessened in the Eyes of his own Subjects as well as of his Enemies thereupon was afraid That some Domestick Sedition would arise and then a Warlike Enemy pufft up with his late Success should come on his Flank and thereby mightily endamage his Kingdom And Robert being broken with Old Age Toil and Diseases for a little before his death he fell into a Leprosy having also been long exercised with the events of both Fortunes good and bad resolved if he could to give up himself to his Ease and not only so but to provide for the Tranquillity of his Heirs in regard of their infirm and tender Age. And therefore having settled Peace abroad he turned himself wholly
being often found in Adultery and admonished by the Judge of the Ecclesiastical Court yet not desisting he was at last Excommunicated by the Official as they call him of the Bishop of Glasgow Whereupon he as if he had received a grat deal of Wrong way-laid the Judge as he was going to Air and kept him so long a Prisoner until upon the Payment of a Sum of Money he had absolved him Twine being informed That Iames Douglas was extremely angry with him for this Fact and that he sought for him to have him punished for Fear of his Power he fled into France and there he addressed himself to Edward Baliol Son to Iohn who had been King of Scotland some few years informing him of the State of Affairs in Scotland and withal advising him by no means to omit so fair an Opportunity of recovering his Fathers Kingdom For said he Their King was now but a Child and he had many Enemies about him and readier to be Avengers of the hatred towards his Father than his Friends The Fathers of some were slain in a publick Convention at Perth others were banished and lost their Estates others were mulct with the Loss of a great part of of their Lands and besides many of the English race who were deprived of the Lands given them by his Father would be his Companions in the Expedition yea that there were Men enough needy and criminal who either for hope of gain or to avoid the punishment of the Law being desirous of Change and Innovation wanted nothing but a Leader to begin a Disturbance And moreover Iames Douglas being killed in Spain and Randolf by reason of his Sickness being unfit for the Government there was not a Man besides to whose Authority the giddy and disagreeing Multitude would as soon submit as to His. Baliol knew That what he had spoken was for the most part true and hearing also that Edward of England was sending great Forces into Scotland Thereupon the crafty Impostor easily persuaded Him who of himself was desirous of Empire and Glory to get what Ships he could together and so to bear a Part in that Expedition But before the coming of Baliol into England Edward had disbanded his Army Nevertheless ●he exiled Scots and those English who had been dispossessed of their Lands in Scotland flocked in to him and so he made up no inconsiderable Army Some say That he had but 600 men accompanying him in so great an Attempt which seems not very probable I rather think Their Speech is more agreeable to Truth who write That the English assisted him with 6000 Foot And they were all more encouraged in their designed Expedition when they heard That Randolf was dead whilst they were making their Preparations for that mightily erected their Minds as a good Omen of their Future Success With this Navy he came to Kinghorn and there Landed his Naval Forces in the Calends of August The Land Forces were led by David Cumins heretofore Earl of Athol as also by Mowbray and Beaumont and the Forces of the English by Talbot At the News of the arrival of this Fleet Alexander Seaton a Nobleman who happened to be in those Parts at that time strove to oppose them thinking that upon their disorderly Landing some Opportunity of Service might be Offered but in regard few of the Country came in to him he and most of his men were cut off Baliol allowed some Few Days to his Soldiers to refresh themselves after their troublesome Voyage and then marched directly towards Perth and pitched his Tents by the Water-Mills not far from the Water of Earn The Regent was beyond and Patrick Dunbar on this side the River each of them with Great Forces their Camps being five miles distant one from another Baliol thô upon the Coming in of Many to him on the bruit of his good Success he made up an Army of above Ten thousand men yet being between Two Armies of his Enemies and fearing to be crushed in the midst he thought it best to attack them severally and that on a sudden when they least expected any such thing and he resolved to set upon Marr the Regent first because it was likely That he being most remote from his Enemy would be less watchful and so more liable to a surprize He got Andrew Murray of Tullibardin to be hi● Guide who not daring to joyn himself openly with the English in the Night fastned and stuck up a Pole or Stake in the River where it was Fordable to shew Baliol's men the Way over They being covered with the Woods which grew on the other Side the River came near the Enemy before they were aware where they understood That they kept but a thin Watch and slender Guard and passed the Night as in no Expectation of an Enemy at all upon the Account of this their Negligence they marched by their Camp in great Silence thinking to make an Assault on the adverse part thereof where they supposed they should find them more secure But it happened That in that Part where they presumed the greatest negligence was That Thomas Randolf Earl of Murray Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick Murdo Earl of Monteath and Alexander Frazer kept the Guard and Watch. They gathering a lusty Band of their Friends together received the First Charge and Onset of the Enemy very Valiantly upon the Edge of a Ditch which the falling down of the Rain-Water had made In the mean time a great Noise and Tumult was made in the Camp each one hastening to his Arms and running in to the Conflict but rushing in rashly in no Order and without their Colours first they broke the Ranks of their own men who bore the Brunt of the Baliolans and so the Last push'd on the First who falling into the Ditch they also in a ruinous manner foll down upon them There many were slain by the Enemy but more both of Horse and Men pressed to death by their ●all and the most part were so weakened that they had hardly strength enough left either to Fight or Fly There fell of the Scots 3000 many of those that escaped fled to Perth but they being few and generally without Arms or Guides were easily taken by the pursuing English together with the City itself The next Day Dumbar hearing of the overthrow of the other Army and that Perth was taken and being informed also of the Paucity of the English marched directly towards the Town with an intent to Besiege it and destroy the Enemy whilst they were yet in want of all things but the Matter being debated amongst his Chief Commanders each one excused himself and so they departed without effecting any thing Baliol having performed so great Matters in so short a time even beyond his Hope was encouraged to attempt the rest of the Scots either to win them by Favour or to conquer them by Force And there being such a mighty concourse of People
that Feud for he had brought so Many of his Friends and Tenants along with him that he became formidable to all the rest and besides his Disposition which was various and mutable his vast Mind and the Noyse of the coming of the English with whom every one knew that Athol would join increased their Suspicions of him And indeed not long after Edward invaded Scotland with great Forces both by Sea and Land bringing Baliol along with him his Navy consisting of 160 Sail entred the Forth He himself marched by Land as far as Perth spoiling the Country as he went along and there waited for Cumins In the mean time Randolfe went to Iohn who challenged the Aebudae as his Own and not being able to draw him to his Party he was content in so troublesome a posture of Affairs to make a Truce with him for some months and thereafter returning to Robert the other Regent he found him dangerously sick So that it was as bad a time as could be for all the Burden to be cast upon his Own Shoulders and therefore he durst not Fight the English in a set Battel but divided his Force that so he might attack them by Parties And hearing that a strong Army of Gueldrians were coming through England to join the English in Scotland he waited for their coming on the Borders Where also Patrick Earl of Merch and William Douglas of Liddisdale met him together with Alexander Ramsay one of the most experienced Soldiers of that Age All these waited for the said Gueldrians in the Fields near Edinburgh Assoon as ever they came in sight one of another they fell to it immediately and after a sharp Conflict the Gueldrians were overcome and fled to the next Hill where there was an old ruinous Castle The next day having no Provision they surrendred themselves only upon Quarter for Life Randolfe out of respect to Philip Valois who was their singular good Friend as was then said did not only freely release them but accommodated them with Provisions for their March yea he himself undertook to be their Convoy in his march he was taken by an Ambush of the English Party and so brought to the King who was then besieging Perth with a powerful Army At the same time David Cumins who steered all his Counsels according to the Inclinations of Fortune being glad of the Distress of his Enemy comes to the King of England and promises him in a very short time to drive all the Brucians out of the Kingdom and the Truth is he was as active in performing his Promise For Perth being surrendred and the Walls thereof demolished the King prepared to return to England because Provision for his Army came but slowly in in regard That all the Scots upon notice of his coming were advised to drive their Cattle into the Mountains As for their other Provisions they should either convey them to some Fortified Places far remote or if they could not do so they should spoil them altogether Neither did his Fleet on which he most relied for Bread for his Army much relieve him For as soon as it arrived at the Forth and had destroyed a Monastery of Monks in the Isle Inch-colm as it rode at Anchor in the open Sea it was grievously turmoiled and suffered great Losses by a Tempestuous Storm so that part of the Ships could hardly get to Inch-Keith a desolate Island near adjoining Others were carried further by the Winds but as soon as they could recover themselves they imputed the Cause of the Tempest to the Anger of St. Columb because they had avaritiously and cruelly destroyed a Monastery of His and therefore whatever Prey or Plunder they had got they carried it thither as an Expiation for their Offence neither was any memorable Act performed by that Fleet the whole Year Though these Causes did much incline the King of England to return yet that which did most accelerate it was his Propension to the French War which was then most in his thoughts And therefore he marched back his Army and took Baliol with him as if the Scotish War had been almost at an end and left Cumins as Regent to perfect the Remainder thereof He to ingratiate himself to Both Kings and to avenge himself on his Enemy was extraordinary cruel in his Proceedings which Severity of his was the more resented because that lately he himself obtained his Pardon so easily when he was reduced to the lowest Ebb not many Months before There were scarce above Three of all the Scotish Nobility whom neither Promises could entice nor Dangers enforce to submit to the English Yoke and Those were Patrick Earl of Merch Andrew Murray and William Douglas These joined their Forces and march to Kilblane Forest against Cumins who was besieging Kildrummy Castle with him they had a sharp Fight Cumins was more in Number and a Few might easily be snapt by a great Many but the coming in of Iohn Craig Governor of the Castle with 300 Fresh Men decided the Controversy and gave an undisputed Victory to the Brucians All the Valiantest of Cumins his Army were slain either in the Fight or in the Pursuit Many were saved in a Neighbour Castle called Cameron belonging to Robert Meinze But seeing there were not Provisions for so great a Multitude pent up in so narrow a Room the next day it was surrendred and the Defendants upon their Submission confirmed by an Oath Pardoned There fell in this Fight besides the General himself Robert Brady and Walter Cumins Two of his intimate Friends Thomas his Brother being taken Prisoner was the next day put to death Upon this Victory in regard Randolfe was a Prisoner and Stuart was sick the Name and Power of Regent was confirmed on Andrew Murray by Military Suffrage For when Letters came from the King of France concerning a Truce the Nobles of the Brucian Party being forced to receive them did by unanimous Consent restore that former Honour to Murray which his Calamitous Misfortune had deprived him of He after the Truce for a few Months was ended laid Siege to the Castle of Lochindores which was held by the Wife of David Cumins She foreseeing what would happen had craved Aid of the English who shortly after landed some Forces in Murray and raised the Siege They also pierced as far as Elgin a Town situate by the River Lossy wasting all as they went with Fire and Sword As they were marching to Perth they burnt Aberdene and Garison'd the Castles in all Merss Dunoter Kinneff and Laureston They laid a Command on the six adjoining Monasteries to repair the Walls of Perth which were demolished and then committing the Affairs of Scotland to Edward Baliol who was returned thither they went back for England Upon the Departure of the English and the low Condition of the Scots Henry Beaumont thought it a fit Opportunity for him to stir to revenge the Death
of his Son in Law the Earl of Athole and therefore he killed all that he could take without any distinction who had been in the Fight of Kilblane in a very cruel manner Andrew Murray besieged him in D●ngarg and enforced him to a Surrender and upon taking his Oath That he would return no more into Scotland in an Hostile manner he was dismissed Thus by one continued Course of Victory he took all the Strong Holds on the further side of the Forth besides the Castle of Cowper and the Town of Perth and casting out their Garisons he wholly demolished Them Afterwards he entred England where he got great Booty and somewhat relieved the Spirits of his Soldiers who had suffered much by reason of want in their own Country For in regard Scotland had been harassed that Year by the Injuries of War and wasted by the daily Incursions of both Parties the Fields lay untill'd and there was such a Famine that the English were enforced to desert the strong Castle of Cowper for want of Provisions And a Scotish Seaman who had been abused by them being employed to Transport the Garison-Soldiers by Night to Lothian Landed them upon a Bank of Sand which was bare when the Tide was out they thinking it had been the Continent went a little way and then met with Sea again which made them call again for the Vessel but in vain for they all perished there The next Year which was 1537. the English Besieged the Castle of Dunbar it was defended by Agnes the Wife of the Earl of Merch who was commonly Sirnamed the Black a Woman of a Manly Spirit The Besiegers were the Earls of Salisbury and Arundel the Siege lasted longer than any body thought it would so that Two divers Supplies were sent into Scotland to relieve Baliol the One led by Monfort the Other by Richard Talbot Lawrence Preston undertook Monfort and in a Fight slew him and routed his Army but he himself dyed soon after of the Wounds he there received which caused his Soldiers to wreck their Fury for the loss of their General on the Prisoners whom they inhumanly slew Talbot was taken Prisoner by William Keith and his Army routed yet the Siege of Dunbar continued still And the Sea being stopped by the English the Besieged were driven to so great a want of Victuals that without doubt it must have been surrendred if Alexander Ramsay by a seasonable thô bold Attempt had not relieved it He in the dead time of the Night slipp'd by the Watch which in Gallies of Genoa kept the Sea-Coast-side and came up to the Castle where he landed Forty choice Men and a great quantity of Provisions And then joyning part of the Garison with his own Men in the Covert of the Night he rushed in with such a noise on the English Guard that he made a great slaughter amongst them for they little expected a Sally from an Enemy whom they looked upon as almost Conquered and so the next Night he returned back as s●curely as he came Thus after Six Months the Siege of Dunbar was raised For Edward called back his Forces to the French War after they had wearied themselves and tryed all ways to become Masters of the Place Andrew Murray his Country being then almost freed from Foreign Soldiers attempted to reduce First Sterling then Edinburgh but was fain to depart from them Both without carrying them yet he subdued all Lothian and brought it under the King's Subjection In the mean time to give his wearied Mind a little Relaxation he went to see his Lands and Possessions beyond the Mountains where he fell Sick and Dyed he was Buried at Rosmark much Lamented and Desired by all Good Men. For in those Two Years and an halfe whilst he sate at Helme he performed such great Atchievements as might seem sufficient for the whole Life of One of the Greatest Captains in the World After him Stuart was made Regent till the return of David out of France he being yet but young did that Year get the better of the English in many light Skirmishes which were managed under the Conduct of William Douglas yet not without the great hazard and danger of Douglas himself who was often wounded He drove the English out of Teviotdale He took the Castle of Hermitage in Liddisdale and surprizing great store of Provision belonging to the Enemy at Mulross he fortified it too He had such a sharp and obstinate Encounter with Berclay That he himself with but Three in his Company hardly escaped and that by the benefit of the Night too He overthrew the Forces of Iohn Sterling in a bloody Onset yet He himself was a while after like to be taken by him but recovering himself after a fierce Encounter he put Sterling to flight slew Thirty of his Companions and took Forty of them Prisoners he so pressed upon William Abernethy by whom he had been worsted Five times in one Day That before Night he slew all his Men and brought him Prisoner along with him And he had as great Felicity in conquering Lawrence Vaux a stout Enemy At last he Sailed over to King David in France to acquaint him with the State of Scotish Affairs The next Year which was 1339. Stuart hoping to follow on his good Fortune Levied an Army and divided it into Four Parts and so attempts to reduce Perth but the English defended it so valiantly that he was wounded and beaten off After the Siege had lasted Three Months Douglas came to their Assistance when they almost despaired of Success he brought with him Five Pyratical Ships which he hired wherein there were some Soldiers and warlike Engines Part of the Soldiers were Landed but the rest were sent in their Ships to keep the Mouth of the River Tay. Douglas himself went to recover the Castle of Cowper which being deserted by the English was seized on by the Scots And William Bullock an English Priest who was Treasurer also made Governor Douglas agreed with him that he should have Lands in Scotland and so come over to his Party he was the more easily persuaded to it because he could expect no Aid from England and he had not much confidence in the Scots who were in Garison with him This Man was afterwards very faithful to the Scots and of great use to them The Siege of Perth had now lasted Four Months and would have continued much longer unless the Earl of Ross had drained the Water out of the Trench by Mines and subterraneous Passages so that by this means the Assailants came to the very Walls and threw the Defendants off their Works by the Darts sent principally from the Engins so that the English were forced to Surrender upon Terms To march out Bag and Baggage whither they pleased In a little time after Sterlin being Besieged was also Surrendren on the same Terms and Maurice Murray the Son
with some Troops to join Percy Iohn Gordon had notice of his March and laid an Ambush for him into which he fell and imagining his Enemy to be more numerous than he was he sought to Fly but was taken with his Party in the pursuit and brought back again Moreover in the Western Borders Iohn Iohnston carried it so that he obtained both Honour and Booty too for he so exercised his Neighbouring Foes with small but frequent Incursions that he did them as much mischief as a great Army would have done Thus all things succeeded prosperously with Robert for the First Two Years of his Reign but in his Third Year Eufemia Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross dyed The King had three Children by her Walter afterwards made Earl of Strathearn David Earl of Athol and Eufemia whom Robert Douglas Married as I said before Robert not so much for the Impatience of his Widow'd and unmarried Estate as for the Love of the Children which he had before begot on the Body of Elizabeth More took her to Wife This Woman was exceeding Beautiful the Daughter of Adam More an Illustrious Knight the King fell in Love with her when he was young and had Three Sons and Two Daughters by her and he bestowed her in Marriage on one Gifard a Nobleman in Lothian It happened that Eufemia the Queen and Elizabeth's Husband died about one and the same time Whereupon the King either induced by the old Familiarity he had with Her or else as many Writers report to Legitimate the Children she had born to him took their Mother to Wife and presently advanced her Sons to Riches and Honour Iohn the Eldest Son was made Earl of Carrick Robert of M●nteith and Alexander of Buchan to which Badenock was adjoined Neither was he content with this Munificence but he prevailed upon the Assembly of Estates met at Scone to pass by the Children of Eufemia and to observe the Order of Age in making his Son King after him which Matter was in aftertimes almost the utter Ruin of that numerous Family During the next Two years there was neither assured Peace nor open War but light Incursions or rather Plunderings on both sides In the mean time Edward the Third died and Richard the Second his Grandchild by his Son Edward born at Bourdeaux succeeded him being Eleven years of Age at which time Ambassadors were sent by Charles the Fifth King of France into Scotland The Cause of their Embassy was To renew the ancient League with Robert and to desire him to invade England with an Army and so to take off the Stress of the War from France In the interim whilst they were treating with the Assembly Alexander Ramsay as the English Writers report out of Frossard being accompanied with Forty young Fellows in the middle of the Night when the Sentinel was asleep took the Castle of Berwick all that were in it being either killed or made Prisoners The Townsmen being amazed at this suddain surprize send for Percy who came and laid Siege to the Castle with Ten thousand Men When the News hereof was brought to the Assembly of the Estates at Scone Archibald Douglas being concerned for the danger his Kinsman was in took with him a flying Body of 500 Horse only and speeded thither but all Passages to the Besieged were intercluded and stopp'd so that he was forced to return again without any Action And the Castle after a valiant Defence for some days was at length taken by Storm and all put to the Sword except Alexander alone Thus the English but Our Writers say That the Castle was taken by the help of six Country People of Merch who not being able to keep it were fain to desert it Not long after the Assembly Iames the First Earl of Douglas gathered together an Army of Twenty thousand Men and entred England and coming unawares to a Town called Penrith on a Fair-Day he took plundered and burnt it and then marched his Army back again in safety laden with Spoil but withal he brought the Pestilence home with him which was greater than any before so that it raged over all Scotland for the space of Two years The English to cry Quits with the Scots passed over the Solway and entred Scotland Talbot a fierce General led them being 15000 Men with which Number he made a great Desolation far and near and as his Army was returning back laden with Spoil he pitch'd his Tents in a narrow Valley not far from the Borders of England about 500 Scots came upon them in those Streights being secure unprovided and generally without their Arms and at the first Assault they killed all who were in their way so that the Tumult and Fear diffusing it self they were wholly put to Flight many were slain upon the Place 250 taken Prisoners and a great Number in such a sudden Trepidation taking the River were drowned the rest left their Prey behind them and ran home the nearest way they could In the mean time the English carried on a fierce War both by Sea and Land against the French and besides part of their Forces were sent into Portugal so that it was resolved by their Parliament That Iohn Duke of Lancaster the King's Uncle should be sent Embassador into Scotland to Treat about a Peace that so they being engaged in so many Wars might have Quiet on that side at least which lay most exposed and open The Scots being made acquainted with his coming by an Herald appointed Iames Earl of Douglas and Iohn Dunbar Earl of Murray to Treat with him a Truce was made for Three Years But whilst they were Treating about a Peace there a most grievous Civil War broke out in England The First Author of it is said to be one Iohn Ball a Priest He perceiving that the Commonalty was grievously offended because Poll-Money of Four English Pence an Head was imposed on Them First of all obliquely and in private Confessions Discourses and Meetings inflamed the Minds of the Commons against the Nobility and perceiving that his Speech was well entertained then he discoursed it openly besides this New Occasion there was also another more Ancient one viz. That the Greatest Part of the Commons were made little better than Slaves to the Great Ones A great many Tradesmen and Day-Labourers came in to them and others also who in point of Estate or Credit had nothing to lose insomuch that they raised so great a Tumult and Combustion that the Main Chance seemed greatly to be hazarded and to lie at stake These things were known at the Meeting of the Embassadors yet Both of them dissembled the Matter till they had Treated and made a Pacification Then Douglas told Iohn of Lancaster That he knew from the beginning in what State the Affairs of England stood but they were so far from laying hold on the Opportunity either to make a War or to hinder a good Peace That they
offered him even then to stay securely in Scotland till the Tumults in England were appeased or if he would return that he should have 500 Scots Horse for his Convoy Lancaster gave them Great Thanks yet he hoped at present that he had no need to accept of either of the Conditions But as he was returning home the Governor of Berwick shut him out of the Town so that He upon the Publick Faith given returned into Scotland and there kept himself till the Sedition of the Commons was quelled in England When the Three Years Truce was ended in the Year 1384. Iune the 4th Archibald Douglas of Galway with the Assistance of Iames Earl of Douglas and George Earl of M●rch laid Siege to the Castle of Loch-Maban situate near a Lake of the same Name and from whence daily Inroads were made upon the Neighbouring Country The Governor of the Castle being affected at this suddain Misfortune Articled with the Enemy That unless he were relieved in Eight Days he would surrender the Castle whereupon after the Scots had endured great trouble by reason of the Winter-Storms and continual Showres even from the 4th Day of February the Castle was surrendred according to Covenant on the Ninth Day They who lived near Roxburgh fearing lest that Castle might be also taken took care That one Grastock a Noble and Wealthy Person and much famed for his Warlike Skill should be made Governour thereof whereupon as he was sending in great Provisions thither and also all his own Houshold Goods imagining that they could no where be better kept from his Enemies use or secured for his own Dunbar being informed by his Spies of the Day of his March and the way he was to go laid his Ambushes in convenient Places and so suddainly assaulted a long confused Train made up of Soldiers Waggoners and a promiscuous Multitude and without any Fighting took the Prey and the Owner of it too and presently retreated back The English in revenge of their Losses and to prevent future Incursions by some memorable Exploits send Lancaster into Scotland with great Forces both by Sea and Land Lancaster himself came through Merch and Lothian as far as Edinburgh His Fleet was sent to waste the Maritime parts of Fife The Soldiers were desirous to burn down Edinburgh but he remembring that but a few Years before he had been liberally and bountifully entertained there when he was excluded by his own People forbad them so to do But his Fleet shewed not the same Civility for entring into the Isle of Inch-colm they robbed a Monastery of Monks and burnt it using the like Cruelty in all places where they landed till Nicholas and Thomas Erskins Alexander Lindsay and William Cuningham met them killed many took some and forced the rest to fly in such Fear to their Ships that besides the other Loss received by their hasty Flight they suffered Forty of their own Men who being upon one of the Ships Ropes after the Rope was cut to be Drowned before their Eyes Lancaster was scarce returned home before William Douglas trode almost on his Heels partly sacking partly demolishing all the Castles which the English held in Scotland after the Battel of Durham He reduced all Teviotdale except Roxburg to the Scots Obedience and restrained Robberies which the licentiousness of the Wars had multiplied and encouraged and he himself did not long outlive these Exploits but dyed of a Feavor in the Castle of Douglas His Son William Douglas succeeded him One every way worthy of so Great and Virtuous a Father In the mean time when an Annual Truce was made betwixt the French Eng●ish and Scots near Bologne in Belgium and the French who were commanded to give the Scots notice thereof had neglected so to do the English Nobles who bordered upon Scotland thinking now they had a fit Opportunity to give their Enemy some notable and unexpected Overthrow and not leave them any time for Revenge They before the Truce was published gathered together Ten Thousand Horse and Six Thousand Archers and so entring Scotland under the Command of the Earls of Northumberland and Nottingham they made a vast Havock of the Country especially on the Lands of the Douglasses and Lindsays The Scots who upon the noise of a Truce had laid aside all thoughts of War were exceedingly offended both at their own Negligence and at the Perfidiousness of the Enemy and resolved upon Revenge assoon as they could In the Interim the noise of the English Invasion of Scotland did Alarm the French who were to give notice of the Truce and put them in mind of their slackness therein They endeavouring by a late Festination to make amends for their former Omission came to London even in the very height of the Invasion where they were Bountifully and Nobly Entertained and detained so long by Kind and Friendly Invitations till it was known that the English were returned out of the Enemies Country Then they were dismissed and came into Scotland where they declared their Message as they were commanded Whereupon almost all the Nobility especially Those who had felt the Loss sustained by the late Inroad did Murmure Storm and Cry out That this Mockery of the English was not to be endured The King did in vain endeavour to pacifie them for he was willing to observe the Truce but they so long debated on and delayed the Matter till their Friends had privately Levied almost 15000 Horse and then on an appointed Day Douglas Lindsay and Dunbar depart secretly from the Court and joyning their Countrymen invade England with a powerful Army They wasted Northumberland even unto Newcastle and returning th●ô the Lands of the Earl of Nottingham and the Mowbrays they spoiled all by Fire and Sword that they could not carry away Then and not before they returned home with a great Booty and many Prisoners and presently caused the Truce to be Proclaimed About the end of the Truce in the Year 1385. Monsieur Iohn de V●●nne Admiral of the French Navy was sent over by the King of France with about 2000 Auxiliaries of which an hundred were Curiassiers Armed Cap-a-pee and 200 which flung Darts out of Engines called Cross-bows in after Ages the rest were Foot of a promiscous kind They brought with them Money for Six Months Pay besides many Gifts and Presents and amongst the rest 400 Suits of compleat Armour to be divided between the most valiant Commanders Having first waited on the King he and Iames Douglas entred Northumberland and having demolished Three Castles they would have proceeded further but there was so much Rain fell that Autumn that they were forced to return Moreover they heard a Report that Richard the Second of England was coming against them which hastened their Retreat His Anger was more enflamed now against the Scots than ever because they had not only made a desolating War upon his Kingdom Themselves but had also sent for
Foreigners to aid them and that in such a conjuncture of Time when the French Themselves designed also to Land a vast Army in England whereupon he gathered a very puissant Army together consisting as the English Writers say of 60000 Foot and 8000 Horse with this Force he resolved so to tame the Scots that they should not in many Years after be able to Levy any considerable Army Besides he Rigged out a great Navy which were to bring Provisions into the Forth For he knew That part of Scotland wherein he was to make his Descent had been harassed for many Years by continual Wars And if any Provisions were left in it that the Inhabitants would convey them away into the neighbouring or other remote Places Add hereto he was secure of the French for he knew that they would not put to Sea in a Stormy Winter With those Forces he entred Scotland sparing no Place neither Sacred nor Profane no nor any Age nor Degrees of Men if they were capable to bear Arms. In the mean time Monsieur Vien being more mindful of his Kings Commands to him at his parting from him than of the present posture of Affairs in Scotland was earnest with Douglas to come to a Battel He still answered him That the Scots forbore to engage not out of any Alienation of Mind from the French but being Conscious of their own Weakness and thereupon he took him up into an high Place from whence he might safely take a view of the Enemy He then perceiving the long Train of the English in their March quickly turned to be of his Opinion Whereupon they both concluded That in the present circumstances the best and only Way for them to incommode the Enemy was to gather together what Force they could and so to invade England Thereupon they entred far from the Kings Army into Cumberland and made a great Havock therein and in the neighbouring Counties The English Winter being now at hand and the Country of Lothian being spoiled by the War for they durst not g●●ar from their Ships lest Provisions should fail them consulted about their Return Some were of Opinion that it was best to follow after the Scots in the Rear and in their Return to compel them to Fight whether they would or no. But those who knew the Ways better through which they were to march replyed on the contrary That there would be great difficulty in passing over such Marshes and Mountains and sometimes narrow Places wherein there was also so much want of all things that a very few Men and those nimble ones too could carry Provisions enough with them thô but for a few days to finish the March and besides if they should overcome those Difficulties yet the next Country which was to receive them was not over-fruitful of itself and also it had been wasted by the War Again if they should wade through all those Inconveniencies yet they had to do with a nimble and shifting Enemy whom it would be more difficult to find and to bring to a Battel than to overcome and if they could find him out yet he would not be compelled to Fight but in his own Places of Advantage That Edward the Third his Grandfather had Experience hereof to the great Damage of his Own and little Inconvenience of the Scots Army Upon Hearing of this as also casting in their Minds what Miseries they might suffer in an Enemies Country in a cold Winter and in the mean time leave their Wives Children and what else was dear to them desolate at home they changed their Minds and marched back directly the same way that they came Thus both Armies had a free Time of plundering in their Enemies Country and each of them returned home again without seeing any Enemy The Scots well knowing That the English could not attempt another Expedition till the next Summer resolved to attack Roxburgh a Neighbour Town and the Garison there which was greatly annoyous to the Country thereabout When they were ●ome thither a dissension arose betwixt the Scots and the French about the Town even before it was taken The French alleging That seeing by a large Experience in Wars at home they were more skilled in the Methods of taking Towns than the Scots and moreover that they had spent a great deal of Mony in the War They therefore thought it but just That if the Town were carried it should be Theirs and remain under the Jurisdiction of France On the contrary the Scots urged That it was very unjust That Auxiliaries should reap the Reward and Benefit of the whole War and for what Expences they had been at it had been spent rather on Themselves than the Scots it being in order to distract and divide the Forces of England and so to avert Part of the War from France and if the Friendly Offices on Both sides were put in the Ballance the Scots might upon juster grounds demand the Charge of the whole War of the French than the French could challenge any Reward for their Assistance especially such a Reward as no History in the Memory of Man doth relate either to have been demanded or given by Allys one to or amongst another Yea The Unjustness of their Demand appeared by This That the Scots might have sate still in Peace without being prejudiced by the English and so might have been Spectators only of the Wars betwixt Two potent Kings but the French could not have Obtained the same Quiet unless they would have yielded up a good Part of their Country Neither could they see of what use that Town would be to the French if they had it save only to be as a Bridle that so the Arbitrement of War or Peace might be at their dispose and if That were their intent it were more for the Profit yea and for the Credit too of the Kings of Scotland to be without the Town than on a Trivial occasion to give up Themselves to a voluntary Servitude But if by so unequal a Postulation they thought to excuse their Return home which they sometime before attempted there was no need at all of such a Blind for as they freely came so they had Liberty always at their pleasure freely to depart neither was it adviseable in the Scots to stay Them in regard they might easily foresee their Service would be but small if they were detained against their Wills Hereupon They retreated from Roxburgh without attaquing it and whereas there had grievous Complaints been made betwixt Both Parties before so if matters should still continue at that Pass open Enmity did seem likely to arise The Original of the Dissension arose from the different Custom and Carriage of either Nation in managing of a War For the Scots and English Soldiers pay honestly for what they take at their Quarters and carry it amongst their Countrymen as moderately and soberly in War as in Peace But the French otherwise where-ever they march All 's their
long serv'd in France and was commended for his Industry and Valour 'T is said that he out of his Mortal hatred against the Scots had bargain'd with the King of England that what Lands he took from the Scots either by killing or driving away the Inhabitants he and his Posterity after him should enjoy On the other side the Scots hearing of the Preparation of their Enemies were not negligent in gathering Forces on their Part. George Dunbar Earl of Ormond was made Captain General who presently marcht into Annandale whither his Intelligence inform'd him that the Enemy would come And indeed the English had prevented him and entred Scotland before They had past over the Rivers Solway and Annand and pitch'd their Tents by the River Sarc from whence they sent out Parties on every side to pillage but hearing of the coming of the Scots they recall'd them all by Sound of Trumpet and contracted all their Force into One Body As soon as ever they came in sight one of another they fell to it without delay Main commanded the Left Wing of the English and Iohn Penington the Right he had the Welsh the Relicks of the Ancient Britains for his Assistants the Earl himself commanded the Main Battel George Douglas appointed Walter Laird of Craig to fight Main and Maxwel and Iohnston each with their Troops to attack Penington he himself took Care of the Main Body he gave them a short Exhortation to conceive a good Hope of Victory because they had taken up Arms in their own Defence as provoked by the Injuries of their Enemies and that a prosperous Issue must needs attend so just a Cause and if they could abate the Pride of their Enemy by some Notable overthrow they would reap a lasting Fruit of their short Labour The English who abounded in the number of Archers wounded many of the Scots with their Darts at a distance Whereupon Wallace who commanded the Left Wing cryed out aloud so as to be heard of most of his men Why they ●rifled so and Skirmish'd at a distance they should follow him and rush in upon the Enemy hand to hand and then their Valour would truly appear for that was the Fighting fit for Men. Having thus spoken he drew the whole Wing after him And presently with their long Spears wherewith the Scots both Foot and Horse were furnish'd they drove the Enemy back routed and put them to Flight Main perceiving his Wing to give back being more mindful of the just Glory of his former Life than of his present Danger rushes with great Violence upon Wallace that so by his Boldness he might either renew the Fight or else breath out his last in the Glory of some Illustrious Attempt but unwarily Charging he was intercepted from his own Men and with those few that follow'd him was slain When Both Armies heard that he was slain the Scots prest on more chearfully so that the English Army did not stand long as they fled home straggingly and in great haste more were slain in the Pursuit than Fight but the chiefest Slaughter was upon the Banks of the Solway for there the Tide had swollen up the River so that they could not pass About 3000 of the English were slain in this Fight and 600 of the Scots There were many Prisoners taken the Chief were Iohn Penington and Robert Huntington The Earl of Northumberland's Son might have escap'd but whilst he was helping his Father to Horse he himself was taken Prisoner The Booty was greater than had been ever known in any Battel betwixt the Scots and English before For the English trusting to the Number and Goodness of their Soldiers and depending also on the discord of the Scots came on so securely as if it had been to a Shew not to a Fight so great was their Confidence and Undervaluing of their Enemy Wallace was wounded carried home in a Litter and in 3 Months after died of his Wounds Ormond being thus a Conqueror took a view of the Prisoners the chief Commanders he sent Prisoners to the Castle in Loch Ma●an he himself return'd to Court where every Body went out to meet him and he was received with all kind of Honour The King did highly extol his Military Services but withal advis'd him and his Brother That as they had often given a Proof of their Courage abroad and had defended the State of Scotland by their Labour and Valour even in Perillous Times so at home that they would accustom themselves to a modest Deportment and that they themselves should refrain from Injuring the Poorer sort and also inhibit their Clans from doing it and that they should shew their Puissance and Grandeur which their Ancestors had obtain'd by their many Merits both of King and Subjects rather in restraining of Robbers than in cherishing them that This was the only thing which was wanting to compleat their Praise and make it absolute and if they would do this thing they should certainly find that he would esteem the Honour of the Douglas's and their Family before any thing else whatsoever They answer'd the King submissively and so took their leave and went Joyfully home After this Fight at Sarc as the Borders of Scotland were quieter from the wrongs of their Enemies so when the matter was reported at London it did rather irritate the English than deject them For a Council being call'd about a War with Scotland a new Army was order'd to be rais'd to blot out the former Ignominy Whilst they were all intent hereupon presently Civil Wars arose amongst themselves and a strong Conspiracy of the Commons made against the King took off their Thoughts from a Foreign War so that Embassadors were sent into Scotland to treat of a Peace which were so much the more welcome because their own Affairs were not well settled at home Yet they could not well agree on Terms of Peace but only made a Truce for Three Years and so returned home These things were acted in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Four Hundred Forty Eight This Publick Joy was soon after increast by a Message sent out of Flanders from the Chancellor who went Ambassador to Charles the Seventh about contracting a Marriage By his endeavours Mary the Daughter of Arnold Duke of Gelderland was betroth'd to Iames she was of the Kingly Race by her Mothers side who was a Sister of the Duke of Burgundy The Year after she came with a great Train of Noble Persons into Scotland and in Iuly was Crowned in the Abby of Holy-Rood-House near Edinburgh This Universal Joy for the Victory for the Peace and for the Marriage was soon disturbed by the Death of Richard Colvill a Man of Note which though perhaps in it self not undeserv'd yet was of very bad Example to the Common-Wealth This Colvil having receiv'd many and great wrongs from one Iohn Afflech a Friend of Douglas's and after many complaints could get no Remedy in Law nor Equity he
Somerset and Ralph Percy and many of Henry's old Friends besides who for fear of the Times had retired to King Edward came into Them but there was a far greater Confluence from the adjacent Parts of England of such Persons as had lived Rapacious Lives in hopes of some new Prey To appease this Commotion Edward makes great Military Preparation both by Land and Sea he commanded the Lord Mountague with a great part of the Nobility to march against the Enemy and he himself would follow with his whole Army Both Armies pitched their Tents not far from Hexham but the Common Soldiery who came in for Booty beginning to slip away Henry thought it best in such a desperate Case to put it to a Push and accordingly a Fight begun wherein he was overthrown his chief Friends were either slain or taken Prisoners and he himself made an hasty Retreat to Berwick of the Prisoners some had their Heads cut off presently and some a while after Edward having thus got the Day by the Generals of his Forces came himself to Durham that so he might prevent the Incursions of the Scots by the Terrour of his Neighbouring Army and also that by his Presence he might quell any Domestick Insurrections if any such should happen Whilst he was there he sent out part of his Army under several Commanders to take in the Places possessed by his Enemies of which having taken many by Storm or by Surrender at last he laid Siege to the Castle of Alnwick which was greater and better fortified than the rest and which was maintained by a Garison of French who defended the Castle very well in hopes of Relief from Scotland which was so near at hand But the Scots having lately had ill success in England an Army could not be so soon levyed as the present Exigent required for the raising of the Siege insomuch that whilst others were backward and delayed to give in their Opinion George Earl of Angus undertook with great Audacity the Matter which was so full of hazard He collected about 10000 Horse of his Friends Vassals and the Neighbouring Province of which he was Governor He came to the Castle and Horsed the French that were in Garison upon some empty Horses he had brought for that purpose and so brought them off safe even to a Man into Scotland whilst the English stood and looked on as amazed at the Boldness of his Miraculous Enterprize or thinking that Douglas had help near at hand or rather hoping to have the Castle given up without a Battel and so they would not put the Whole to an hazard by joining in Fight with that small though select Party Edward settled Guards at all convenient Places that so no Rebellious Troops might march to and again and then as if he had quieted the whole Kingdom he returned to London In the mean time Exiled Henry either on the Accompt of some Hope 's cast in by his Friends or else weary of his tedious Exile determines to shelter himself privately amongst his Friends in England But Fortunes Malice followed him to the last he was there known taken brought to London and committed Prisoner to the Tower And his Wife Margaret distrusting her present Affairs with her Son and a Few Followers left Scotland and Sailed over to her Father Renat into France To return then to the Affairs of Scotland The time for the Assembly which was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh was come where there was a Full Appearance but the Body of them was divided into Two Factions Part of the Nobles followed the Queen but the Major Part by far stuck to Iames Kennedy and George Douglas Earl of Angus the Heads of the contrary Faction The Queen lodged in the Castle the Bishop and the Earl lay in the Abby of Holy-Road-House at the furthest part of the Suburbs towards the East The Cause of the Dissension was That the Queen thought it equal and just for her to have the Tutelage or Guardianship of her Son the other Party judged it most fit that One should be chosen out of the whole Assembly for that careful Work The Queen alleged the Maternal Name her Interest and Propinquity the Adverse Party insisted on the old Law confirmed by perpetuated Custom In the Third day of the Assembly the Queen comes down from the Castle with her Followers and caused her self to be Decreed Tutrix of the King and Governess of the Kingdom by her own Faction and so returns into the Castle again When Kennedy heard of this he hastned with his Party into the Market-place and there in a long Speech he told the Multitude which was thick about him That he and his Associates did aim at nothing but the Publick Good and the Observation of their Ancient Laws but their Adversaries were ●●d each one by his private advantage And That he would eviden●●y make appear if he might have a Place Free to dispute the Poin● Having thus spoken he retired with his Followers to his Lodgi●● but was not gone far from the Market-place before he heard That the other Party was coming down Armed from the Castle Douglas looked upon This as an intolerable Thing That Valiant Men should yield to the Threats of a Few and That their Retirement should be looked upon as a Flight and therefore was hardly kept in by Kennedy from assaulting the adjoining Gate of the City and Weaponless as he was to encounter Armed Men and unless the Three Bishops of Glasgo Galway and Dumblane upon Noise of the Uproar had come in his Indignation would not have been stopp'd till they had come to Blows But by the Mediation of those Bishops the Matter was so far composed That a Truce was agreed upon for one Month. Though the Chief of the Faction were thus quieted yet the Multitude could not be restrained from expressing their Wrath and Indignation in rough and cutting Language as that the Desire of the Queen was Dishonourable to the Kingdom and Undecent for Herself What said they is the Valour of the old Scots at so low an Ebb That amongst so many Thousand Men there is none worthy to Govern the Affairs of Scotland but a Woman must do it What was there no Man that could Rule over the Nation And That would live the greatest part of his Life in Arms What likelihood was there That those who had not been altogether Tractable to their King when weak should now yield Obedience to a Woman and that a Stranger too What had they undergone so much Labour and lost so much Blood these many years by Sea and Land That Men born and brought up in Arms should freely give up themselves to the Servitude of a Woman What if the English should invade them as they had often done at other times in revenge of their Losses with a great Army Who could in that case Give or Accept Terms of Peace or War These were the Discourses of the Commonalty
Courtiers cast into P●ison condemn'd by the King 's privy domestick Council and put to Death by having a Vein Opened till he expired his last The Cause of his Death was given out amongst the Vulgar to be because he had conspir'd with Witches against the King's Life and to make the matter more plausible twelve of the Witches of the lowest condition were Try'd and Burnt The Death of Iohn did rather stifle than dissipate the Conspiracy which seem'd almost ready to break forth Alexander the next as in Blood so in Danger tho' he indeavour'd to avert all Suspicion from himself as much as he could yet the Kings Officers thought they should never be Secure as long as he was alive and therefore they presently clapt him up Prisoner in the Castle of Edinburgh where he was strictly kept by those who judg'd his Power would be their Destruction and seeing he could not appease the Kings Wrath by the Mediation of his Friends he began to think of making an Escape he had but one of his own Servants left t● wait upon him in his Chamber him and none else he acquainted with his Design who hired a Vessel for him to be ready fitted in the adjoining Road then he suborn'd Messengers to make frequent Errands to him from the Court who should tell him Stories before his Keepers for he was forbid to speak with any Body but in their presence that the King was now more reconcileable to him than formerly and that he would speedily be set at Liberty When the day appointed for his Escape approach'd he compos'd his Countenance to as much Mirth as in that calamitous Condition he was able to do and told his Keepers that now he believ'd the Messages sent him by the King that he was reconcil'd to him and that he hop'd he should not be held much longer in Durance hereupon he invited them to a noble Supper and himself drank freely with them till late at Night then they departed and being all full of Wine fell into the Sounder sleep being thus alone he made a Rope of the Linen-Blankets of his Bed long enough as he thought for the height of the Wall and First to make a Tryal he caus'd his Servant to slide down by it but perceiving by his Fall that 't was too short he lengthned it out as well as he could in those Circumstances and himself Slid down too and took up his Servant who had broke his Leg by his Fall upon his Shoulders and carry'd him about a Mile to the Vessel where they went aboard and having a Fair Wind failed to Dunbar there he fortify'd the Castle against any forcible Assault and with a smal Retinue passed over into France In his absence Andrew Stuart the Chancellor was sent with an Army to take in the Castle they besieg'd it closely some Months and 't was defended as bravely but at last the Garison for want of Necessaries were forced to get Vessels and in the Night to depart privately for England so that in the Morning the Empty Castle was taken by the Besiegers some men of Note of the Besiegers were slain there About these Times it was that the Kings both of England and Scotland being weary'd out with Domestick Troubles had each of them a desire to make Peace and an Embassy was appointed to compleat it which was kindly received and the Peace was not only agreed upon but an Affinity accorded to confirm it that Cecilia the Daughter of Edward should be Married to Iames his Son as soon as they were Both Marrigeable Part also of the Dowry was paid on this Condition That if when they came to Years the Marriage were not Consummated the Dowry should be paid back to the English and Hostages were given for performance of Conditions which were some Burgers of Towns But this Peace lasted not long for by reason of the old grudges remaining since the last Wars Incursions were made Preys driven and Villages burnt So that by reason of these mutual Injuries the matter broke forth into an open War And besides each King had other peculiar Provocations Douglas the Old Exile and Alexander the Kings Brother the new One excited Edward thereunto For Alexander as I said before going into France Married the Daughter of the Earl of Bulloign but not being able to procure Aid from Lewis the II. then King of France for the Recovery of his own he Sailed over into England hoping from thence to make some Attempt upon Scotland As for Iames of Scotland Lewis of Fran●e edg'd him on to a War having sent Robert Ireland a Scots man and Dr. of the Sorbon with Two French Knights to him on that Errand Hereupon the Peace was violated and altho' the Scotish Affairs in regard some of the Country was wasted were in none of the best State and Condition yea an Army also was decreed to be sent against Scotland by the English under the Command of the Duke of Glocester yet the King and those which were about him did levy Forces tho' very unwillingly For the Upstarts such they lately were and very poor too whose Greatness was founded on the Calamities of others and who had been the Authors of such desperate Counsels to the King fear'd nothing more than the frequent Assembly of the Nobility when he came to Lauder a Town near the Borders of Merch and Teviotdale Countrys either wasted by the Enemy or else by Force necessitated to submit to him the King yet proceeded on in his wonted Course of Exactions from them he distrusted the Nobility and manag'd all by his Cabinet-Council The Nobles would indure the Indignity no longer and therefore in the third Watch they met in a Church in the Town where in a Full Assembly Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus is reported to have declar'd the Cause of their Meeting in this wise I think it not necessary Noble Peers to make a long Oration concerning the state of Scotish Affairs you your selves Partly remember it and Partly you see it with your Eyes the Chief of the Nobility are either banished or else compelled to suffer intolerable and to act nefarious things and you in whom the strength of the Kingdom doth reside are left without an Head as a Ship without a Steers-man subject to all the Storms and Tempests of Fortune Your Lands are burnt your Estates plunder'd the Husbandman either slain or else perceiving no other Remedy or relief hath submitted to the Enemy And the King if he were Himself a man of a generous Spirit and rare Prudence yet being carried away by poysonous Insinuations refers all things perta●ning to the Good of the Common-wealth as to Peace War and the like not to an Assembly of the Nobles but to inferior Underlings these men do consult South-sayers and Wizards and so carry their Answers to the King whose mind is Sick and easily taken with such vain Superstitions and thus Decrees are made under the Influence of such
Difficulty first of all the new King endeavoured to reconcile the Naval Forces to himself lest when he was absent in the further parts of the Kingdom to settle Matters there they should make some stir or at least should make an entrance for the English to penetrate far into the Land and so spoil the Mid-land Countries Whereupon when the old King's Death was now publickly divulged abroad the new One thought that Andrew Wood would now be more flexible and therefore he sent for him giving him the publick Faith for his Security When he was ashoar he told him what a great Dishonour Loss and publick Shame it was to the whole Nation that a few English Ships should in despite of them ride under their very Noses and thereupon he drew over Andrew to his Party and set him forth in good Equipage against the English Many did advise him that he would sail an equal number of Ships at least against the Enemy whose Vessels were more and bigger than his No says he I 'le have only my own Two And as soon as the Wind served he made directly toward the English who rode before Dunbar He fought them bravely took and brought them all into Leith and presented their Commanders to the King Andrew was liberally rewarded by the King and his skill in Sea-fight with the singular Valour of his Souldiers and Seamen was highly magnified And yet there were not wanting some of those sort of Creatures who do always admire the Atchievments of Kings whatsoever they be and if they be Great yet they view them in a multiplying Glass who foretold that this Victory did but presage a greater Mean while the adverse part of the Nobility sent Messages into all parts of the Kingdom to persuade the Countrey to rise and not to endure the present state of Things nor to suffer so many valiant Men to be illuded by such publick Parricides who had murdered one King and held Another in Bondage yea who accused the Defenders of the King's Life as Traitors whereas they who were indeed violaters of all divine and human Laws gave out themselves to be the only Assertors of the Rights of their Country and Maintainers of its Liberty Amongst whom the King himself was not a Freeman in regard he was enforced by them to take Arms against his Father and his King too and after he was impiously slain then to prosecute by a nefarious War those who were his Father's Friends and Defenders of his Life Many such Discourses they spread abroad amongst the Vulgar and to excite a greater Flame of Indignation and Hate Alexander Forbes Chief of a Noble Family carried the King's Shirt upon a Spear all over bloody and torn with the Marks of the Wounds he received through Aberdeen and all the chief Towns of the adjacent Country and as if it had been by a publick Proclamation he excited all Men by the Voice of an Herauld to rise in Arms to revenge so nefarious a Fact And Matthew Stewart Earl of Lennox a Man of great Wealth and Power and who by an honest kind of popularity was equally dear to high and low was as active in the Countries on this side the Forth for he raised up the Earls that were his Neighbours and with a good Force endeavoured to pass over the Bridge at Sterlin to join his Associates but that Bridg being possessed by the King's Forces he sought to pass over at a Ford not far from the Rise of the River at the Foot of Mount Grampias His Design was discovered to Iohn Drummond by Alexander Mac-alpin his Vassal who had joined himself to the Enemy by whom also Information was given that all things were secure and ill-guarded in the Enemies Camp that every one stragled up and down as they pleased that they had no Watch set in convenient places nor used any Military Discipline at all Hereupon Drummond with some Courtiers and a few Volunteers who purposely came in to assist him set upon them as they were asleep many were killed in their sleep the rest run headlong away without their Arms and so returned from whence they came many were taken Prisoners but by their Friends that knew them a great part of them were dismissed they only were severely dealt with who had either written or spoke more contumeliously than others The Joy for this Victory was encreased by the News of another at the same time wherein Andrew Wood had prevailed in a Sea-fight against Stephen Bull. For Edward King of England hearing that five of his Ships were taken by two of the Scots and those much lesser also than his was willing to blot out the Infamy of the Thing and yet could find out no just pretence for a War yet he called his ablest Sea-Commanders together he offered them what Ships and Warlike Furniture they pleased and so he persuaded them to revenge the Ignominy cast on the English Name promising them great Rewards if they could bring Wood to him alive or dead But when those that knew the Valour of the Man and his prosperous Successes made some delay in the Case Stephen Bull a Knight of known Courage undertook the Expedition and Opportunity seemed to favour his Design because he knew that Wood was shortly to return out of Flanders and he thought it would be a matter of no great difficulty to attaque him unawares in his Passage thereupon he chose out three Ships of the Royal Navy and equipped them well in all points and so stood for the Isle of May an Island uninhabited in the Bay of Forth choosing that place for the conveniency of it because in every side of the Island there is safe riding and Harbour for Ships and there the Sea also grows so narrow that no little Vessel could pass by without being discovered Whilst he rode there he continually kept some of his skilfullest Mariners abroad in Fisher-boats to watch and to discover to him his Enemies Ships he had not rode at Anchor there many days when lo Wood's Ships appeared with full Sail making towards him Bull knew them and presently weighed Anchor and as Victor already in his Mind he prepared himself for the Fight Wood staid no longer but till his Men had armed themselves and so made up to him Thus did these two valiant Commanders engage as if they had had the Courage of mighty Armies and they fought so obstinately till the Night parted the Fray the Victory inclining to neither side The next Morning each of them incouraged their Party and with renewed Strength went to it again they cast Iron Hooks called Grapling Irons into one anothers Ships and so fought hand to hand as if they had been at a Land Fight and that with so great eagerness that neither of them took notice of the falling back of the Tide till they came to the heaps of Sand at the mouth of the River Tay there the Water being shallower the great Ships of the English
to march forward against the Enemy and so to slight the common Danger as well as to overlook their own Concerns at Home yet they were afraid the Scots would not be obedient to Command in an Enemies Country great heed therefore was to be taken lest by Emulation Envy or late Disgusts some notable Affront or shameful Loss might be received The Regent perceiving it in vain to oppose was fain to yield yet that he might not seem to have acted a Pageantry only with such vast Preparations in marching his Army as far as the Solway he suborned a fit Person who used to traffick into England to acquaint Dacres then Lord Warden of the English Marches that some good might be done if he did treat with Iohn the Regent He willingly hearkned to the Proposal because he was unprovided for Defence never imagining that the Scots would have made an Irruption into England on that side nor indeed scarce believing that they would have made any such Attempt at all Whereupon he sent an Herauld of Arms and had a Passport to come and go with safety into the Camp The next Day Thomas Dacres and Thomas Musgrave with about twenty more brave Cavaliers came to the Regent's Tent where they had private Discourse together all alone each having their Interpreters Dacres being taken unprovided was not averse from a Peace and the Regent not being able to effect any thing without the Consent of his Army clapt up a Truce and thus an hopeful Introduction to a Peace was made and so they parted Those of the Scots who were the greatest Hinderances of the Action to avert the blame from themselves spread abroad Reports that Dacres had bought a Peace from the Regent for a Sum of Money of which Part was in Hand paid the rest promised but never paid Thus they endeavoured to disparage the Conference amongst the Vulgar The Regent went again on the 25 th of October into France but promised to return before August the First next ensuing yet he kept not his Day because he was informed that the English had a Fleet to intercept his Passage however he sent 500 Foot in the Month of Iune both to incourage the Scots and also as an Earnest of his speedy return they never saw the Face of an Enemy in all their Voyage till they came near the Isle of May which is scituate in the Firth of Forth there they fell among the English Ships who lay in wait in those Straits to stop their Passage There they had a sharp Fight and the French boarded their Enemies Ships but with the loss of their Admiral When he was slain the Sea-men would not obey the Captains of the Foot and the Land-Souldiers being ignorant of Sea-Affairs could not command the Mariners so that after a great slaughter of the English they could scarce be forced back into their own Ships In the absence of the Regent Thomas Howard Earl of Surry was sent with ten thousand Men and a great many Voluntiers into Scotland His Advantage was that the Scots were at Discord amongst themselves their chief Magistrates were absent and they were under no certain Command so that he march'd over Merch and Teviotdale and took the Castles of both Shires to the great loss of the Nobles yea and of the Commons too who used upon sudden Invasions to secure themselves and their Goods in those Forts But Scotland did then labour with such intestine Discords that no Man thought his Neighbours Calamity did at all belong to him the English march'd up and down for several Months where they listed without any Opposition and when at length they retreated the adjacent Scots endeavoured in some sort to revenge themselves for their Losses received and thereupon daily Incursions were made by them into Northumberland and great Booties gained from thence so that Howard was sent against them a second time who took Iedburgh a Town unfortified as the Scots Custom is but it cost him some toil and loss of Men. Whilst these Things were acting in Teviotdale the Horses of the English Army were so terrified in the Night 't is not known upon what occasion that about 500 of them broke their Bridles running up and down the Camp and overturning all that were in the way some of the Soldiers they trampled down and trod upon and then ran out into the open Field as if they had been mad and so became a Prey to such of the Country Scots as could take them up Hereupon there was a great Consternation in the whole Camp all crying out Arm Arm neither could the Tumult be appeased till the next Morning Three days after the English without making any further Attempt disbanded their Army and returned Home The Duke of Albany knowing that all the Ports on the French Shore were way-laid by the English to intercept him in his Return being inferior in Strength resolv'd to piece it out by Stratagem whereupon he kept not his Navy together in any one Port but so dispersed them into several Harbours here one Ship there another that there was no appearance at all of any Warlike Preparation And besides he quartered his Soldiers in the Inland-Country that no Body could imagin he designed to ship them so that the Admiral of the English Fleet who waited to disturb his Passage till the 13 th of August was weary to rove up and down in the Sea any longer to no purpose and understanding by his Spies that there was neither Fleet nor Army on all the French Coasts he withdrew his Fleet as supposing Iohn would not wag till the next Spring The Duke of Albany being informed of the Departure of the English presently drew together his Navy of 50 Ships aboard of which were 3000 Foot and an 100 Curiasiers and so after the Autumnal Aequinox he set sail from France and by the 24 th of September made the Isle of Arran in Scotland which hapned to be the same day wherein the English burnt Iedburgh I shew'd before how miserable the State of Affairs in Scotland was the last Summer The Nobles were at variance one with another the English wasted all the Countries near them they were Masters of the Sea and thereby all hopes of Foreign Aid were cut off The Design of the Enemy herein was to take down the Pride of the Scot and by Sufferings to incline him to a Pacification neither were those Scots that were adverse to the French Faction less addicted thereto for they earnestly desired a perpetual Peace with England of which Faction the Queen was the Chief For when Hume was taken off Douglas pack'd away and the other Nobles were judg'd rather fit to follow than to lead in the Management of Matters all those that were not Favourers of the French Interest applyed themselves to the Queen She on the other side to gratify her Brother and also to draw the Power into her own Hands dissembled her private Ambition and exhorted
them saying that now was the time to free their young King who was almost of Age from the Bondage of a Stranger and also to deliver themselves from the same Yoke for the Queen now laboured to strengthen her Party against her Husband whom she long before began to disgust Besides the King of England sent frequent Letters stuft with large Promises to the Nobles of Scotland desiring them to promote his Sisters Designs He told them it was not his Fault that there was not a perpetual Amity between the two neighbouring Kingdoms and that he with others did much desire it at this time not for any private end of his own but to make it appear that he bore a respect to his Sister's Son whom he was resolved to support and gratify as much as ever he was able And if the Scots would be persuaded to break their League with France and to strike in with England they should quickly find his aim was not Ambition but Love and Concord only That Mary his only Daughter being married to Iames by that Affinity the Scots would not come over to the Government of the English but the English to That of the Scots That Enmities as great as theirs had intervened betwixt Nations heretofore which yet by Alliances mutual Commerce and interchangeable Kindnesses had been wholly abolish'd and extinct Moreover he reckon'd up the Advantages or Inconveniencies which might accrue to either Nation by this Union with each other rather than with the French as that they were one People born in the same Island brought up under the same Climate agreeable one to another in their Language Manners Laws Customs Countenance Colour and in the very Lineaments of their Bodies so that they seemed rather to be one Nation than two But as for the French they differed from them not only in Climate and Soil but also in the whole course of their Conversations Besides if France were an Enemy she could do no great damage to Scotland and if a Friend yet she could not be highly advantageous as for the Assistance of England That was near at Hand but French Aid was much more remote there was no Passage for it but by Sea and therefore it might be prevented by Enemies or else hindered by Storms They were therfore desired to consider how inconvenient it was for the management of Affairs and how unsafe for the Publick to hang the hopes of their and the Kingdoms Safety upon so unconstant and variable a thing as a blast of Wind. How much they might expect from absent Friends against present Dangers may be easily perceived by the Actions of the last Summer wherein the Scots not only felt but even saw with their Eyes how the English did baffle them being forsaken by their Friends and came upon them with all their Strength ready to devour them but the French Aid so long looked for was kept back by the English Navy in their own Harbours These were the Allegations for a Peace with England And not a few being convinced thereby inclined thereunto but Others argued to the contrary for there were Many in that Assembly whom the French had brib'd and some who had got great Estates out of the publick Losses for fear they should lose them did abhor the thoughts of Peace There were others who suspected the readiness and facility of the English in making such large Promises especially since matters in England were manag'd for the most part at the will and pleasure of Thomas Woolsey a Cardinal a Man wicked and ambitious who referr'd all his Designs to his own private Advantage and the inlargement of his Power and Authority and therefore he accommodated them to every turn of the Wheel of Fortune as men say All these did equally favour a League with France tho induced thereunto on different Grounds They alleged that the sudden Liberality of the English was not free and gratuitous but done out of Design and that This was not the first time that they had us'd such Arts to intrap the unwary Scots For Edward the First said they when he had sworn and obliged himself by all the Bonds of Law and Equity to decide the thing in Dispute and therefore was chosen Arbitrator by the Scots had most injuriously made himself King of Scotland and of late Edward the 4 th had betrothed his Daughter Cicely to the Son of Iames the 3 d but when the young Lady grew up to be marriageable and the day of Consummation thereof almost appointed he took the opportunity of a War which arose upon the account of our private Discords and so broke off the Match And that the English King aim'd at nothing else now but to cast the tempting bait of Rule before them that so he might make them really Slaves and when they were destitute of Foreign Aid might subdue them at his Pleasure and unawares with all his force Neither was that Position a true one wherein the contrary party did pride themselves That an Allyance near at hand was better than one farther off For causes of Dissension would never be wanting among those which were near which were oftentimes produc'd even by sudden chances and sometimes great Men would promote them upon every light occasion and then the Laws of Concord will be prescrib'd by him who hath the longest Sword That there was never such a firm and sacred Bond of Friendship between Neighbouring Kingdoms which upon occasions offer'd or fought for was not often violated neither could we hope that the English would more refrain now from violating such a League than they formerly did against so many Kings of their own Blood 't is true the Sanctity of Leagues and the Religion of an Oath for the faithful Performance of Pacts and Agreements are firm Bonds and Ingagements to good Men but amongst those which are bad they are but as so many Snares and Gins and give only opportunity to deceive and such an Opportunity is most visible in a Propinquity of Borders and Habitations in the Sameness of a Language and in a Similitude of Conversation But if all these things were otherwise yet proceeded they there are Two things to be regarded and provided for First that we reject not our old Friends even without an hearing who have so oft well deserv'd of us The other that we do not here spend our time in Quarrels and Disputes especially about a Business wherein nothing can be determin'd but in an Assembly of all the Estates of the Kingdom Thus stood the Inclinations of those of the French Faction and so they obtain'd that no Determination should be made till they receiv'd certain News of the French Supplies When the return of the Regent was made known it mightily rejoiced his Friends strengthned the wavering and kept back many who favour'd the League with England from complying with it He sent his Warlike Provisions up the River Clyde to Glasgoe and there muster'd his Army He also publish'd a Proclamation that
the Nobility should attend him at Edinburgh where he made an elegant Speech to them commending their Constancy in maintaining their ancient League and their Prudence in rejecting the perfidious Promises of the English He highly extolled the Goodwill Love and Liberality of Francis the French King towards the Scots and exhorted them to lay aside their private Animosities and Fewds and seeing foreign Aid was come into them to revenge their Wrongs and to repress the Insolence of their Enemy by some notable blow Hereupon after his Souldiers had refresh'd themselves and the Scots Forces had joined them he marched towards the Borders whither he came the 22 d of Octob. But being about to enter England and having already sent part of his Forces over a Wooden Bridg which was at Mulross the Scots made the same Pretences as they did in the former Expedition at Solway and refus'd to enter England so that he was forc'd to recal that party which he had commanded over and pitching his Tents a little below on the left side of the Tweed endeavour'd to storm the Castle of Werke scituated over against him on the right side of the River In the mean time the Horse that had pass'd over the River beset all Passages that no Relief could come to the Besieged they als●●aged with Fire and Sword against all the Country thereabou● 〈◊〉 ● he Description of Werke Castle is this In the inner Cour● 〈◊〉 there is a very high Tower well fortifi'd it is compass'd with a double Wall the outward Wall incloses a large space of Groun●● whither the Country-People were wont to fly in time of War and to bring their Corn and Cattle with them for Safeguard the inner Wall is narrower but trench'd round about and better fort●fi'd with Towers built thereon The French took the outward Co●rt by Storm but the English set Fire to the Barns and the Straw 〈◊〉 was in them which made such a Smoke and Flame that they 〈◊〉 them out again For the next two days they batter'd the inner Wall with their great Guns and after they had made a Brea●h wide enough for Entrance the French again attempted the matter and valiantly storm'd at the Breach they had made but they in the inner Castle being yet safe darted down all sorts of Weapons upon them and they lay expos'd to every Blow so that having lost some few of their Men they were beat back to their Army and so returned over the River The Regent perceiving that the Minds of the Scots were averse from Action and also ●earing for certain that the English were coming against them with a numerous Army their own Writers say no less than 40000 fighting Men and besides that 6000 more were left to defend Berwick a Neighbour-town The 11 th of Novemb. he removed his Camp to a Nunnery called Eccles about six Miles distant from his present Encampment thence at the 3 d Watch he marched by N●ght to Lauder both Horse and Man were much incommoded in their March by the sudden Fall of a great Snow The same Storm occasion'd the English also to disband and return home without effecting any thing The rest of the Winter was quiet enough At Spring the Regent in an Assembly of the Nobles told them the Causes why he must needs go again into France but he promised them to return before the 1 st of September next following And moreover he desired them that during his Absence the King might remain at Sterlin and that they would make no Peace or Truce with the English before his Return as also that they would innovate nothing in the Government They promised him faithfully to obey his Commands and thus on the 14 th of May He and his Retinue set Sail for France In his absence the Reins were let loose every Man's Will was his Law and a great deal of havock was made and Mischief done without any Punishment at all whereupon the King though but a Child by the advice of his Mother and the Earls of Arran Lennox Crawford and many other of the prime Nobility came from Sterlin to Edinburgh and on the 29 th of Iuly by the Counsel of his Nobles whom he had convened at his Palace of Holy-rood-house he took upon him the Government of the Kingdom and the next day caused them all to swear Fealty to him a second time and to shew that he had actually assumed the Administration of matters into his own Hands he discharged all publick Officers but a few days after he restored them to their places again There was a great Assembly of the Nobles held on the 20 th Day of August that so he might vacate the Power of the Regent which he had now taken upon himself and so went in great Pomp as the manner is into the publick Hall of the Town only the Bishops of St. Andrews and Aberdene dissented alleging That they ought to stay till the first of September at which time the Regent had promis'd to return whereupon they were imprison'd But they reveng'd themselves with their own Church-weapons and excommunicated all of their Diocesses However in about a Month or two after they were reconcil'd to the King and restor'd to the same place in his Favour which they held before About the same time Archibald Douglas who as I said before was sent into France sent Simon Penning an active Man and much trusted by him to the King of England to persuade him to give him the liberty of returning home through his Dominions which was granted For Henry was well enough pleased at the Diminution of the Authority of so active a Person as the Duke of Albany and at the Change which was made in Scotland so that he entertained the Earl courteously and dismiss'd him very honourably But his Return did variously affect the Minds of the Scots For seeing all publick Business was transacted under the Conduct of the Queen and the Earl of Arran a great part of the Nobility the Heads whereof were Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox and Calen Cambel Earl of Argyle taking it in great Distaste that they were not admitted to any part of the publick Administration received Douglas with high Expressions of Joy as hoping by his Aid either to gain over the Power of the adverse Faction to themselves or at least to abate their Pride On the other side the Queen who as I said before was disaffected towards her Husband was much troubled at his coming and sought by all means to undermine him And moreover Hamilton out of the Relicks of his old Hatred was none of his Friend besides he fear'd lest Douglas who he knew would not be content with a second place should mount the Saddle and make him truckle under so that he strove to maintain his own Dignity and opposed him with all his Might They kept themselves within the Castle of Edinburgh and tho they knew very well that many of the Nobility
Cardinal That he needed not to march to Glasgow to fight him for he would give him opportunity so to do any Day when he pleas'd in the Fields between Leith and Edinburgh The Cardinal who had drawn the Regent to his Party imagined that the Power of the adverse Party was so weakned thereby that he hoped none durst look him in the Face now unexpectedly seeing himself challenged by a greater Army than he had to defend him in words did not refuse the Combate but only deferr'd the Day of Fight upon several Pretences and Interposals well knowing that Lennox could not long keep an Army together consisting of Volunteers without Pay or Provision made for any long time in the mean time he endeavoured by Intreaties and Promises to work over the Minds of those who were most inclinable to his Party Lennox seeing that the Design was to lengthen out the War and by no means to hazard a Fight and being in no posture to begin a Siege for want of Conveniencies necessary thereto and also perceiving that some of his Men had secret Conferences by Night with the Enemy To deliver himself out of these Straits his Friends who had made secret Provision for themselves urging him also thereunto was forced to capitulate with the Regent And thereupon he went to Edinburgh to him and they transacted Matters some Days together as if they had forgot their old Hatred and Animosity At length when he came to Linlithgo Lennox was advised by his Friends that some hidden Mischief was brewing against him so that in the Night-time he went privily to Glasgow and having fortified the Bishop's Castle with a Garison and Sufficiency of Provisions he went to Dunbarton there he received more certain Information That the Douglasses and the Hamiltons were agreed And because some Suspicions and Relicks of old Grudges were left betwixt the Factions George Douglas and Alexander Cuningham were given as Hostages the one for the Father the other for the Brother though this was done for a pretence and disguise of a firmer Concord and a Promise made that they should speedily be released yet notwithstanding they were detain'd till the coming in of the English Army For the Hamiltons never thought themselves secure until those Nobles who had any Interest or Courage were removed that so by the Terror of their Punishment others might be restrained from Risings Besides about the same time Lennox was informed that the King of France was alienated from him by the malicious Practices of his Enemies In the mean time Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus and Robert Maxwel Chief of a noble Family came to Glasgow to accommodate Matters if it were possible between the Regent and Lennox But the Regent's Council persuaded him to apprehend the very Mediators for Peace and thus by a back-way to avoid the Tumult of the People they were carried out and sent Prisoners to Hamilton Castle In this posture of Affairs in Scotland when not only the English but the Chief of the Scots also were angry with the Regent Henry of England thought it a fit opportunity for him to punish the Violators not only of the League but of the Law of Nations too yet before he would attack the Scots by force he sent Letters full of just Complaints and Threats to Edinburgh blaming them for refusing his Alliance which he had so freely and generously offer'd so arrogantly as they did yea that they had not only rejected that Alliance but though he had been kind to them they scattered the Seeds of War and had enforc'd him to arm against his Will These Letters did no good whereupon he caused those Naval Forces which he had ready with the first opportunity to waft over against the Boulognois to set Sail for Scotland and to infest Edinburgh and Leith both which Towns had most affronted his Ambassadors and the Country round about them with the Miseries of War The Ships arriving there landed ten thousand Foot May the 4 th a little above Leith who without any Resistance enter the Town for most of the Towns-men were absent upon the account of Merchandizing The King and Cardinal being then at Edinburgh and unprovided of all things knew not what to do but were so surprized that they presently set at Liberty those four eminent Persons which they had in durance as aforesaid not for any regard to the publick Safety but partly fearing lest otherwise their Kinsmen and Tenants should refuse to fight if not join themselves to the Enemy and partly also that they might redeem the Good-will of the People who they knew were alienated from them upon many accounts but they not daring to commit themselves to the Hatred of the Citizens and of their Enemies too fled to Linlithgo The English staid three days at Leith to land their Ordnance and Baggage and so prepar'd themselves for the Encounter Having setled other matters they march to Edinburgh pillag'd and burnt the City and then disperst themselves to spoil the neighbouring Parts they ruin'd many Villages with some Castles and Seats of Noblemen From Edinburgh they return'd to Leith and having a fair Wind set fire to the Houses and hoist Sail and away About that Time Lennox was certainly inform'd That Francis King of France was wholly alienated from him For the contrary Faction by their frequent Letters and Messages had persuaded him That 't was Lennox alone who by reason of his old Enmity against his Fathers Enemies did hinder the publick Concord of all Scotland and that he was the Head of the Faction against the Regent and a Favourer of the English and one who did rather indulge his own private Animosities than promote the common Cause and that if the King would recal him into France Peace would easily be made up amongst the rest When Lennox had received Intelligence by his Friends what his Enemies had inform'd against him he also writ to Francis informing him in what case he found the Affairs of Scotland and how he and his Friends had with a great deal of pains vindicated both Queens to their Liberty and had put them into a posture and capacity to rule having broken the Power of the adverse Party and out of a turbulent Tempest had brought things to a great Tranquillity and that nothing would be more acceptable to him than to return into France where he had lived well nigh longer than in Scotland and so to enjoy the sweet Society of his beloved Friends But that he returned into his own Country not of his own accord but sent by the King and that he had done nothing there whereof his Majesty or himself need to be ashamed and if he would not abridge him of his former Favour he would shortly answer yea perhaps exceed the hope he had conceived of him but if he should call him away in the midst of the carreer of his Designs then he must not only leave the Things he had so excellently began unfinish'd but
have reason to believe 80 of the chief of the Family had left their Wives at home great with Child all of which in due time brought forth Male-Children and they all lived to Man's Estate At the same time the King of England heard that his Army was beaten and wasted in Scotland and that an Embassador was sent by the Regent to the King of France to acquaint him with the Victory and to desire Aid of him against the Demands and Threats of the King of England and likewise to inform against Lennox in Defamation of his Departure into England as for Aid he could scarce obtain any because the French knew for certain that Henry was about passing over with great Forces into France only they sent 500 Horse and 3000 Foot not so much to defend the Scots from the Incursions of the English as to hold them in play that they might not fall with their whole Strength upon France Henry that Summer did not think it fit to send greater Forces to the Borders of Scotland because he was of opinion that the Garisons there were sufficient to inhibit the Excursions of the Scots and besides he knew well enough that the Scots in such a perplexed State of their affairs could not raise a great Army that Year to attack any well-fortified places The Scotish Embassador in France objected some sorry matters against Lennox in his Absence scarce worth the answering as that he had concealed the Mony sent to him that by reason of his Dissensions with the Cardinal the cause of the Publick was betray'd and as for his Departure into England That he exaggerated most invidiously The King of France who by means of false Rumors had conceiv'd such an Anger against Lennox that he would by no means admit of any Compurgation or Apology against those Calumnies and who also had imprisoned Lennox's Brother unheard Captain of his Guards when the Truth began a little to appear as 't were in excuse for his temerarious Fault sought for some colour to hide it and commanded an Examination to be made of the Crimes objected against Lennox And the Enquiry was committed to Iames Montgomery of Lorge Commander of the French Auxiliaries a Man active and good enough but a bitter Enemy to Lennox 't was put into his Hands by the Procurement of the Guises because they were not able to separate the cause of their Sister from the Perfidiousness of the Cardinal Montgomery arriv'd with his French Auxiliaries lately mention'd in Scotland on Iuly the 3 d in the Year 1545. where by shewing the Letters and declaring the good Intentions of the King of France towards them in the Council he obtained that an Army should be levied but only of the better sort who were able to bear the charges of the War and they were to meet together upon a short day And accordingly at the time appointed there met 15000 Scots at Hadington and marching to the Borders they formed their Camp over against Work a Castle in England From thence almost every other day they marched with their Colours into England and did obtain great Booty the Enemy endeavour'd to resist their Incursions but in vain they made indeed some light Skirmishes but unprosperously so that the Scots wasted all the Country for six Miles round This they continued during ten Days never going further into the Enemies Country in the Day-time than they could return back to their Camp at Night In the Interim Montgomery and George Hume dealt earnestly with the Regent that he would remove his Camp to the other side of the Tweed that so they might make freer Inrodes upon the parts adjacent and spred the terrour of their Army to a greater Distance but their Solicitations were in vain For the Regent and those of the Council about him were against it because they were destitute of all Necessaries for storming of Castles so that they disbanded the Army and returned home The other took up their Winter-Quarters as every one thought fit but Montgomery went to Sterlin to the Court where knowing of the Calumnies raised against Lennox by his Enemies though he himself did highly disgust him too yet he grievously rebuked the Cardinal that without any considerable Provocation on Lennox's part he had loden so noble and innocent a Person with such calumnious Imputations and had compell'd him even against his Will to join himself with the Enemy About the same time Inroads were made on both sides on all parts of the Borders with various Events Robert Maxwel the Son of Robert a young Man of singular Valor was taken Prisoner by the English there was nothing memorable done besides At the beginning of the following Winter Montgomery return'd to France and the Cardinal carried about the Regent with him through the Neighbouring Provinces upon pretence to reconcile and heal the Seditions and Distempers of all Parties First they came to Perth where four Men were punish'd for eating Flesh on a day prohibited and also a Woman and her Infant were both put to Death because she refused to call upon the Virgin Mary for Aid in her Travel then they applied themselves to the Overthrow of all the Reformed universally they went to Dundee and as themselves gave out 't was to punish such as read the new Testament for in those days that was counted a most grievous Sin and such was the Blindness of those Times that some of the Priests being offended at the Novelty of the Title did contend that That Book was lately written by Martin Luther and therefore they desired only the Old There 't was told them that Patrick Grey chief of a noble Family in those parts was coming with a great Train and the Earl of Rothes with him The Tumult being appeased the Regent commanded both of them to come to him the day after but the Cardinal thinking it not safe to admit two such potent and factious Persons with so great a Train into that Town which was the only one highly addicted to the Reformed Religion persuaded the Regent to return to Perth The Noble-Men when they were ready for their Journy heard News that the Regent was gone for Perth whereupon they followed him thither and when they came in sight of the Town the Cardinal was so afraid that to gratify him the Regent commanded them to enter the City severally and apart and the next day after they were both committed to Prison yet Rothes was soon released but Grey was delivered with more difficulty afterwards because he was more hated and feared by them Before they went from thence the Cardinal thought good to abate the Power of Ruven Mayor of the City so that the Regent took away the Mayoralty from him and gave it to the Laird Kinfans a Neighbour-Laird Gray's Kinsman Ruven was envied by the Cardinal because he favoured the Reform'd Religion and as for Grey he was not wholly averse from the Reformed neither nor yet any great Friend of
parties every day six Miles round who burnt and destroy'd all within that Compass They attempted nothing considerable besides saving the fortifying the desolate Islands of Inch-Keith and Inch-Colm in the Bay of Forth and in the Bay of Tay they took the Castle Brockty and in their return by Land they took by Surrender the Castles of Fascastle and Hume which the Garisons out of Fear gave up and they raised Forts one at Lauder and another in the Ruins of Roxborough Castle Their sudden Departure gave some Relief to the Scots and a breathing-time for them to meet together to consult about the main chance The Regent presently after the Fight came with that part of the Nobles which were with him to the two Queens at Sterlin and to the Nobility attending there the Regent and his Brother were very sad and dejected for the Calamity which happen'd by their Default and the Queen Dowager gave forth many outward Signs of Grief in her Speech and Countenance but they which knew her Heart did judg that she was not much troubled to see the Arrogance of the Hamiltons so curbed but to be joyous in a publick Calamity they who use to cover the Faults of Princes under honest Disguises are wont to call Greatness of Mind Besides the Dowager ever since the Death of the Cardinal had used all ways and means to throw the Regent out of his Office and to invest the supream Authority in her self but she knew she could never effect it as long as They were uppermost and had all fortified places in their Hands In all her Discourse she heighten'd the Fear she had from the English and complained of the Weakness of their own domestick Forces and propounded the Dangers imminent from the civil Dissensions amongst them She communicated her Design to those who she knew were ill affected towards the Hamiltons When the Nobles were in Consultation about the grand Affairs of the Kingdom a Decree was made that the Queen should retire to Dunbarton whilst the Nobility did debate concerning the Estate of the Kingdom Iohn Erskin was made Governour of it an unquestionable Favourer of the Queen's Faction and William Levingston a Friend to the Hamiltons was join'd in Commission with him Embassadors were also sent into France to demand Aid of their King Henry against their common Enemy according to the League made with him Hopes was also given them that the Queen would come over into France and marry the Dolphin but the French were intent upon their own Affairs and therefore their Auxiliaries were slower than the present Danger required In the mean time the English entred Scotland on both sides of the Borders The Earl of Lennox as if he had been sent for by his Friends came to Dumfries for his Father-in-Law Angus and his old Friend Glencarne had promised him two thousand Horse and Foot of the neighbouring Parts to assist him if he would leave the English and come over to them but when he came at the Place appointed there were hardly Three hundred come together and those too of such who used to live on Robberies These and some other things of the like Nature being very suspicious and specially the wavering Mind of Iohn Maxwel who had already given Hostages to the English made Lennox believe that he was betrayed and therefore he resolved to circumvent his Enemies with the like Fraud he retained with him Glencarn Iohn Maxwel and other chief Men of the Scots who had treated with him concerning his Transition and Return into his own Country and in the middle of the Night march'd toward Drumlanerick with six hundred Horse part of the English and part of the Scots who had yielded to them when they came to the appointed Place he sent out five hundred to commit what Spoil they could in the neighbouring Parts that so he might draw out Iames Douglas Owner of the Castle into his Ambush he imagining such a thing kept within his Hold till 't was Day and then being out of fear of Treachery he marched out with his Men and pass'd over the River Nith and press'd straglingly upon the Plunderers charging their Rear as they were retreating They having got a convenient Time and Place to rally turn'd back upon him with great violence and struck such a Terror into them in the Straits of a Ford that they disordered their Ranks killed some and took many considerable Prisoners This light Expedition struck such a Terror into the greatest part of Galway that they strove which of them should yield first to the English partly to gratify Lennox and partly fearing lest being forsaken by their Neighbours they should lie open to all Affronts The Scotish Regent fearing lest in such a general Hurly-burly if he did attempt nothing he should altogether dispirit his Men who were discourag'd enough before besieg'd the Castle of Brockty and having laid before it almost three Months without performing any thing considerable he drew off his Men leaving only an hundred Horse under the Command of Iames Halyburton an active young Man to infest the neighbouring Places and to hinder any Provisions from being carried in by Land to Brockty or to the Garison which the English had plac'd on an Hill adjoining These Matters pass'd at the End of that Year In the beginning of the next which was 1548 the English fortified Hadington a Town in Lothian upon the Tine and burned the Villages and plundered the Country about which was the richest part of Scotland and they form'd another Garison at Lauder Lennox about the end of February having pass'd over the West-Border hardly escap'd an Ambush laid for him by Part of those who had yielded themselves but returning to Carlisle he revenged himself by punishing some of the Hostages especially Iohn Maxwel the chief Author of the Revolt according to the Contents of some Letters he had receiv'd from the King of England During these Transactions Henry of France who succeeded his Father Francis sent Forces to the Sea to be transported into Scotland about six thousand Men of which three thousand were German Foot commanded by the Rhine-grave about two thousand French and one thousand of divers Nations all Horse they were all commanded to obey Monsieur Dessy a French Man who had been a Commander in France some years and had done good Service there They landed at Leith and were ordered to quarter at Edinburgh till they had recovered their Sea-sickness The Regent and the Forces with him marched to Hadington where they beset all Passages and laid a close Siege to the Place He sent out a Proclamation into all Parts in pursuance whereof in a short time there came into him about eight thousand Scots There the Nobility assembled and the Consultation was renewed concerning the Queen's going into France and marrying the Daulphin a Council was called in a Monastery of Monks without Hadington in the very Camp In that Convention there were various Disputes some said that
if they sent away the Queen they must expect perpetual War from England and Bondage from the French others were of opinion that by reason of Agreement in Religion and the Condition of the present Times it was best to embrace the Terms offered by the English which were a Ten Years Peace with no bad Covenants or Obligations on the Scots For the whole of the League was That if the King of England or Queen of Scotland died within ten years all things should be on both sides as they were before and though no fortuitous Event should happen between yet the Kingdom might be hereby freed from its present Pressures which had almost broke its Strength and the Souldiery which were almost all lost in the late Battel might have time to grow up and increase in a long continued Peace and that intestine Discord being laid asleep they might more maturely consider of the Grand Affairs than they could do amongst Drums and Trumpets And in such Consultations Delays were oftentimes of great Advantage and rash Festination was attended with speedy Repentance Thus They. But all the Papists favoured the French and some others too whom French Bounty had either forestalled or else had rais'd up to great hopes of Advantage amongst whom was the Regent he had an yearly Revenue of 1200 French Pistols promised him and the Command of an 100 Curiassiers so that the most Voices carried it for the Queen 's going into France The Fleet which was to convey her rode at Leith and making as if they would go away they sailed about all Scotland and came to Dunbarton where the Queen went on Ship-board having staid some Months for its Arrival in the Company of Iames her Brother Iohn Erskin and William Levingston She was tossed with much foul Weather and contrary Winds but at last landed in Bretaign a Peninsule in France and by easy Journies went to Court In Scotland whilst the War stopp'd at Hadington yet the Common People in several Places were not wanting to the present Occasion For the Garisons of Hume and Fascastle doing great hurt to the Neighbourhood the Scots observing that Hume was negligently guarded by Night got up to the Top of a Rock where the Confidence of the Unaccessibleness of the Place made those within less watchful and so they killed the Sentinels and took the Castle And not long after when the Governor of Fascastle had commanded the Country thereabouts to bring in a great quantity of Provisions into the Castle at a certain Day The Country upon this occasion came numerously in and unlading their Horses they took up the Provision on their backs to carry them over a Bridg made betwixt two Rocks into the Castle assoon as ever they were entred they threw down their Burden and upon a Sign given slew the Guards and before the rest of the English could come in they seized on their Arms and placed themselves in the Avenues and thus setting the Gates open for their whole Party to enter they made themselves Masters of the Castle In the mean time the Naval Force of the English was not idle for the whole stress of the Land-War lying upon Hadington their Commanders thought that the neighbouring Parts were weakned and spoiled of all Defence so that they resolved to land in Fife And accordingly they pass'd by some Sea-Towns which were well inhabited and came to St. Minnans Kirk a Place peopled well enough that from thence they might march by Land to greater Towns but less fortified where the Pillage might be more worth their Labour Iames Stuart the Queen's Brother receiving the Alarum which the People of Saint Andrews and a few of the Country-men which were left at home made towards them and in his way many of the Neighbourhood struck in with him The English were already landed and about 1200 of them stood ready in their Arms for the Encounter The great Guns which they had landed struck such a fear into the Country-men that they quickly fled but Iames after he had a little stopp'd their Fear charged the Enemy so briskly that though he had but a raw and tumultuous Band along with him he soon routed them and drove them toward the Sea killing many upon the Place and many in the pursuit not a few of them were drowned in hastning to their Ships one Boat with all its Passengers was sunk whilst they endeavoured some in Throngs to get on board 'T is reported that there were 600 slain in the Fight and 100 taken Prisoners Whereupon the Fleet presently sa●led to Mern a Country less inhabited their Design was to surprise Monross a Town not far from the Mouth of the River Dee They resolved to land in the Night and therefore they staid at Anchor out of sight of Land as long as there was any Light in the Sky But as they were making to Shoar in the dark they discovered themselves by their own Imprudency by hanging out Lights in every Boat Iohn Erskin of Downe Governour of the Town commanded his Men to arm without making any Noise and he divided them into three Bodies he placed some behind an earthen Bank which was rais'd on the Shoar to hinder their landing he with some Archers lightly arm'd made directly towards the Enemy and a third Band of Servants and promiscuous Vulgar he plac'd behind a Neighbour Hill adding a few Souldiers to them to govern the Rabble Matters being thus order'd he with his Archers fell upon the Enemy in their Descent and maintain'd a sharp Dispute with them till in a tumultuary kind of Fight he had drawn them on to the Banks there he join'd his other Party who stood ready at their Arms and they all fell on the Enemy yet they had not given Ground unless the last Body had shewn themselves with Colours flying from the next Hill then they made such haste to their Ships that of about 800 which came on Shoar hardly the third part escaped to their Ships In the mean time great Salleys were made about Hadington not without loss on either side but most of the English whereupon they being in some want of Provisions and fearing a greater and perceiving also that the Relief prepared came slowly on and that they were so weakned as to be hardly able to admit of the Delay In the Interim two brave Souldiers Robert Bovy and Thomas Palmer were commanded to march thither from Berwick with 1000 Foot and 300 Horse and to make all the Speed they could These all fell into an Ambush laid for them and scarce a Man of them escaped alive The English resolved to send more Aid but the French discovering their Design beset the narrow Passages by which they were to march but Dessius being deceived by one of the Enemies Scouts which he had taken who told him that the English were far off and were marching another way to relieve the Besieged left the Straits he had possess'd and went to another Place in the
the Crown which he by a new and monstrous Name call'd Matrimonial upon the Head of the Queen's Husband alleging that he would gain but an empty Name without any accession of Power or Profit he also us'd many other flattering Words not necessary here to be repeated which the more accurate they were in a trifling business by so much the more they were suspected as Coverts of concealed Fraud yet the Embassador partly by immoderate Promises and partly by earnest Intreaties and partly by the Favour of some who collogued with the future Power gain'd the Point that the Crown was ordered for the Daulphin and Gilespy Cambel Earl of Argyle and Iames the Queen's Brother were chosen to carry it to him These Persons perceiving that they were sent abroad to their own Ruin in regard the French Ambition hung as a Storm ready to fall upon all their Heads made no great haste to fit up their Equipage but deferred their Preparation from day to day until they had ponder'd all things and taken surer measures of what was likely to ensue especially since now a nearer and eminenter degree of Honour offered it self For Mary Queen of England being dead the Queen of Scots carried her self as her Heir and bore the Arms and Ensigns of England engraving the same on all her Housholdstuff and domestick Furniture and though France was at that time miserably distressed in asserting their Power and Dominion over Milain Naples and Flanders yet she added to the rest of her Miseries this Mock-Title of England The wiser sort of the French saw this well enough but they were forc'd to comply with the Guises who then could do all at Court for by this vain kind of Splendor they thought to add much to the French Name Besides the Regent having receiv'd the Decree concerning a Matrimonial Crown seem'd to have put on a new Disposition for she turn'd her ancient Affability which was acceptable to all into an Imperious Arrogance and instead of gentle Answers wherewith before she did addulce both Factions as That it was not long of her but of the Times that she could not promise so largely as she desir'd before that Decree was past now she thought her self cock-sure and therefore us'd another kind of Language and Deportment A Parliament was summoned to be held at Sterlin May 9. and whereas she had often said that now she was free from other Cares she would not suffer the Majesty of the Government to be debased but that she would indeavour to restore it to its ancient Veneration by some eminent Example These Words portended a Storm insuing and therefore many applied to her for her Favour and amongst the rest to make their Request more exorable upon the account of the Dignity of the Messengers Alexander Cuningham Earl of Glencarn and Hugh Cambel Sheriff of Air a worthy Knight were sent to her When they came she could not contain her self but must needs utter this Speech as a Witness of her Impiety Do you and your Ministers what you will or can yea though they preach never so sincerely yet they shall be banish'd the Land They replied in great Humility That she would call to mind what she often promised them She answer'd That the Promises of Princes were no further to be urged upon them for performance than it stood with their Conveniency Whereupon they rejoin'd That then they renounced all Allegiance and Subjection to her and advised her to consider what Inconvenience was likely to ensue hereupon she was unexpectedly struck with this Answer and said She would think upon it And when the fierceness of her Anger seemed somewhat to abate it was again kindled much more fiercely as by a new Firebrand when she heard that the Inhabitants of St. Iohnstons had publickly embraced the Reformed Religion whereupon she turned to Patrick Ruthen Mayor of the Town commanding him to suppress all those Tumults for innovating of Religion his Answer was That he had Power over their Bodies and Estates and those he would take care should do no hurt but that he had no Dominion over their Consciences At which Answer she was so inrag'd that she said she hoped none would think it strange if he were shortly made to repent his stubborn Audacity she also commanded Iames Haliburton Sheriff of Dundee to send Paul Meffen Prisoner to her but he was advised thereof by the Sheriff and so gave way to the Time and slipp'd out of the Town she wrote also to the Neighbour-Assemblies to keep the Easter following after the Popish Manner but when none obeyed her therein she was so inrag'd that she cited all the Ministers of the Churches of the whole Kingdom to Sterlin to appear there on the 10 th of May ensuing When that Matter came to be noised abroad the Evangelicks exhorted one another that they and their Ministers would also appear at the Meeting so that there was a great Multitude of those that were likely to be at that Assembly which though they came unarmed yet the Regent feared that things would not go well on her side whereupon she sent for Iohn Erskin of Down who happened to be in Town at that time and dealt with him to cause the unnecessary concourse of the People to withdraw which would not be very difficult for him to do because of the great Authority he had amongst them and in the mean time she promised she would act nothing against the Men of that Persuasion Many there were who being made acquainted with this Promise of the Regent changed their purpose of going thither and returned home yet nevertheless she on the day appointed for the Assembly call'd over the Names of These who were summon'd and such as did not answer to their Names she outlawed Erskin seeing what little Credit was to be given to her Promises and fearing to be seized on by Force had withdrawn himself and found the Nobles of Strathearn Angus and Merns yet in a Body though doubting of the Faith of the Queen They finding by his Discourse what they suspected before that the Queen's Rage was unappeaseable and that the Matter could no longer be dissembled prepared themselves against open Force Matters standing in this ticklish Posture Knox assembled the Multitude at Perth and made such an excellent Sermon to them that he set their Minds already moved all in a Flame After Sermon the greatest part of the Audience went home to Dinner but a few of the meaner sort such as were also inraged with Anger and Indignation staid behind in the Church Amongst them a poor Priest thinking to try how they stood affected prepared himself to say Mass and drew out a large Frame or rather Idol-case in which was contained the History of many Saints curiously ingraven A Young-Man standing by cried out That what he did was intolerable upon which the Priest gave him a Box on the Ear the Youth took up a Stone and thinking to hit the Priest the Blow
this Action there fell so great and sudden a Terror upon the Cause of the Reformed which did mightily disturb them for the present and also cut off all hopes of Success for the future For the Regent partly by Threats and partly by Promises had wrought off many who had given in their Names to the Reformers from the Faction of the Nobles and besides their Camp was full of Spies who discovered both their Words and Actions yea those which they thought were concern'd to be kept most secret to the Regent and when Balfure's Servant was taken carrying Letters to Leith the Suspicion lighted on a great many and the Fear diffus'd it self over the whole Body And moreover the Mercenary Souldiers mutinied because they had not their Pay down upon the Nail and if any one indeavoured to appease them he was grievously threatned by them But Men did less admire the Sedition of such Men who had neither Religion nor Honesty than they did the Imbecillity and Faintheartedness of the Duke of Castle-herault who was so amazed at the Fear of his Neighbours that his Terror discouraged the Minds of many Those who were most couragious endeavoured to apply Remedies to these Miseries and their first Consultation was to appease the Mercenaries And seeing the Nobles which remained could not make up a Sum sufficient to quiet and pay them some declining through Covetousness others pleading Inability at last they agreed to melt down all their Silver-Plate and when the Say-masters were ready to assist therein the Mints or Stamps I know not by whose Fraud were taken away The only ground of Hope was from England which was adjudg'd too slow At last they resolved to try the Fidelity of their private Friends and thereupon they sent Iohn Cockburn of Ormiston to Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir Iames Croft two Knights of known Valour who at that time were Officers at Berwick to obtain of them a small Sum of Mony to serve their present Occasion This their Design though they kept it as private as they could was yet discovered to the Regent who commanded the Earl of Bothwel to waylay him in his Return He though in a few days before he had taken a solemn Oath that he would not prejudice the Cause of the Nobles in the least yea though he had given them hopes that he would join himself to their Party yet nevertheless lay in Ambush for Ormiston assaulted him unawares wounded and took him Prisoner and so became Master of all the Mony that he brought When the noise of this Exploit was brought to Edinburgh it alarm'd the Earl of Arran and Iames Stuart and almost all the Horse to draw out not so much for desire of Revenge as to free Ormiston if he were alive or at least to put a stop to their March that he might not be convey'd to the Regent But Bothwel having notice thereof by a Spy prevented their coming by his Flight The same Day the Governour of Dundee with the Towns-men thereof and a few Volunteers marched towards Leith and placed their Ordnance on an adjoining Hill The French who were informed by their Scouts that almost all the Enemies Horse were absent drew forth some Troops to cut off those few Foot whose Paucity they saw The Dundeans stood a while in hope of Relief but in regard those few Mercenaries which followed them turned their backs almost at the first Charge they also retired leaving their Guns behind them until at length a Noise was raised in the Rear that the French were gone another way towards the Gates of the City to seize them and so to keep them out upon this bruit there was such an universal Perturbation that every one shifted for himself the best he could and whilst each Man endeavour'd to save one the Weak were trodden under foot by the Strong so every body look'd to his own Particular and there was no Provision made in common for them all The Papists on this Emergency crept out of their lurking Holes and did openly reproach them Insomuch that they who ever pretended great Zeal for the Reformatition began partly to withdraw themselves secretly and partly they consulted how to desert the whole business On the 5 th Day of November when News were brought that the French were march'd out to intercept some Provisions coming towards Edinburgh besides the Disagreement of the Reformed amongst themselves the Mercenaries could scarce be got out of the Town to oppose them The Earl of Arran and Iames Stuart and their Friends went out first against them with whom there joined many worthy and valiant Persons They charged the French more fiercely than prudently so that they were near upon the point to have been shut out from Edinburgh and so to have paid for their Rashness For the Marishes on the one side and the adjacent Wall of an Orchard left them but a narrow space for their March and That also open to the French Musketeers so that they were trodden under foot partly by their own Men and partly by the Enemies Horse In this Trepidation they had been all certainly cut off unless the Commanders leaping from their Horses had put themselves into equal Danger with the rest some of the common Souldiers seeing this stopp'd for Shame amongst whom was Alexander Haliburton a Captain a stout young Man and very forward in the Cause of Religion he was grievously wounded taken Prisoner and soon after died of his Wounds After this Conflict in which there fell about twenty five many withdrew themselves and others were upon the point of Desperation but the Earl of Arran and Iames Stuart promised to continue their Endeavours if but a small Company of them would keep together when all in a manner refused so to do the next Consultation was to leave the City and as the Nobles had decreed in the second Watch they began their March and the Day after came to Sterlin There Iohn Knox made an excellent Sermon to them wherein he erected the Minds of many into an assur'd hope of a speedy Deliverance out of these Distresses Here it was agreed upon in a Convention that because the French were continualally strengthen'd and increas'd with new Supplies they also would strengthen their Party by foreign Aid and in order thereunto William Maitland was sent into England a young Man of great Prudence and Learning he was to inform the Queen what eminent Danger would accrue to England if the French were suffer'd to fortify Places and plant Garisons in Scotland in regard they sought the Destruction not of Religion only but of Laws and Liberties too and if the Scots were overcome by Force or Fraud yea if they were reduced to Servitude by unjust Conditions they would have an easier step to infringe the Power of the English The English after a long Debate of the Matter at length gave some hopes of Assistance Whereupon the Noblemen who were the Assertors of Liberty divided themselves into two
the greatest Ingratitude imaginable in recompensing so great a Courtesy with the highest Injury as to join against those who had been the Deliverers of their Country As for the Restitution of Priests they told him That those he call'd Priests they knew no use or need of their Office in the Church In that Parliament a Statute was made to demolish all the Monasteries of the Monks and Men were presently sent abroad into all Parts of the Land to put it in Execution Matters being prepar'd in France for the Queen's Journy her intimate Friends who govern'd her Counsels advis'd her for the present wholly to pretermit and pass over Matters about Religion though some gave her rash Counsel to arm on that account and kill all that opposed The chief of which were Dury the Abbat of Dumfermling and Iohn Sinclare lately design'd Bishop of Brechin and she her self was by Nature as also by the persuasion of her Kindred so inclinable to their Counsel that sometimes Threats broke out from her as if it were against her Will which were catch'd up at Court and spread amongst the Vulgar And she would divers times boast among her Familiars that she would follow the Example of her Kinswoman Mary Queen of England Wherefore the Main of her Counsels tended to this to feed the Men of her own Faction with hopes at present and to suppress the opposite Party by degrees and when she was well setled in her Power then to declare her mind And this seem'd not hard to do seeing the Council of Trent was lately begun on pretence to restore the decay'd Manners of the Church but indeed to extirpate the Professors of the true Religion as by the Decrees of that Cabal was afterwards declared Besides her Uncles did mightily animate the Queen by shewing her the Power of the Papal Faction whose Head by the Decree of the Council Francis the eldest Brother of the Guises was to be In the mean time Charles the Cardinal amidst so many publick Cares was mindful of himself and advis'd the Queen not to carry her Housholdstuff and Furniture which were of great value as 't were into another World but to leave them with him till she might be assur'd of the Event of her Journy She knew the Man and his Craft well enough and therefore answer'd him That seeing she ventur'd her self she might as well trust her Goods as her Person When all was resolv'd upon they sent into England to try how that Queen stood affected to the Voyage D'Osel the Envoy was well entertain'd there and sent back presently into France to tell the Queen of Scots that if she pleas'd to pass through England she should have all the Respect which she could desire from a Kinswoman and an Ally and that she would take it as a great Favour besides but if she shunn'd her Interview she would look upon it as an Affront For the English Queen had prepar'd a great Fleet the pretence was to scour the Sea of Pyrates but some thought that 't was to intercept the Queen of Scots if she adventured to pass against her Will. They took one Ship wherein the Earl of Eglington was and brought her to London but dismiss'd her again in a little time But whatever the Design was in providing a Fleet if any Danger was intended Providence did prevent it for when the French Gallies came upon the Main a Mist followed them for several days till they came into Scotland the 21 st day of August The News of the Queen's Arrival being divulged abroad the Nobility from all parts of the Kingdom came hastily in as to a publick Show partly to congratulate her Return some also came to put her in mind of the Services they did her in her absence that so they might preoccupate her Favour and prevent the Cavils of their Enemies Others came to give a guess of her future Regiment by her first Entrance into the Kingdom upon these different Grounds all did equally desire to see their Queen which was so unexpectedly cast upon them after such various Events of changeable Providences They considered that she was born amidst the cruel Tempests of War and lost her Father in about six days after her Birth that she was well educated by the great care of her Mother the choicest of Women but between Domestick Seditions and Foreign Wars she was left as a Prey to the strongest side and even almost before she had a sense of Misery was exposed to all the Perils of inraged Fortune That she left her Country being as 't were sent into Banishment where between the Fury of Arms and the Violence of the Waves she was hardly preserved 'T is true Her Fortune somewhat smiled upon her and advanced her to an Illustrious Marriage but her Joy was not lasting but transitory for her Mother and Husband dying she was cast into a Mourning Widow'd Estate having the new Kingdom she received and her old one too standing on very ticklish Terms Furthermore besides the Variety of her Dangers the excellent Meen of her Beauty the Vigour of her adult Age and the Elegancy of her Wit did much commend her These Accomplishments her courtly Education had either much increas'd or at least made them more acceptable by a false Disguise of Virtue not sincere but adumbrated only to a kind of Similitude thereof which made the Goodness of her Nature by her desire to please and ingratiate her self less acceptable and so nipp'd the Seeds of Virtue by the Blandishments of Pleasure that they might not come to bring forth any ripe Fruit in their Season As these things were grateful to the Vulgar so the more Intelligent saw through them yet they hoped that her soft and tender Age might be easily bettered and amended by Experience Amidst these Gratulations there was a light Offence happened but it struck deep into the Minds of either Faction The Nobility had agreed with the Queen that no Alteration should be made in point of the Religion received only she and her Family were to have Mass and that in private too But while the Furniture for it was carrying through the Court into the Chappel one of the Company catch'd the Torches out of his Hands that carried them and broke them and unless some moderate Men had come in and prevented it all the rest of the Apparatus had been spoiled too That Action was differently interpreted amongst the Vulgar some blamed it as a Fact too audacious some said 't was to try Mens Patience how far it would bear others affirmed and spake it publickly that the Priests ought to be punish'd with the Punishment appointed in the Scriptures against Idolatry But this Commotion was nipp'd in the very bud by Iames the Queen's Brother to the great but hidden Indignation of George Gordon who was willing to lay hold on all occasions of Disturbance And here thinking an Opportunity was open to curry Favour he went to the Queen's Uncles then present
and promised them to reduce all the Country beyond Dunkelden to the old Religion But they suspected the matter as having heard enough of the Disposition of the Man and fearing lest he should raise a new Storm to no purpose communicated the matter to Iames the Queen's Brother The rest of the Year was spent in Balls and Feastings and in sending away the French who out of Civility had attended the Queen and were then honourably dismiss'd only one of her Uncles the Marquess of Elbeuff staid behind Amidst these Matters William Maitland junior was sent Embassador into England to complement that Queen as the Custom is and to acquaint her how highly she stood affected towards her and how much she desired to maintain Peace and Concord with her He also carried to her Letters from the Nobility in which was mentioned a Friendly Commemoration of former Courtesies and Obligations but one thing they earnestly desired of her and That was that both publickly and privately she would shew her self friendly and courteous towards their Queen and that being provoked by good Offices she would not only persevere in her ancient Friendship but add daily stronger Obligations if possible hereunto As for their part it should be their earnest Study and Desire to pretermit no occasion of perpetuating the Peace betwixt the two Neighbour-Kingdoms That there was but One sure way to induce an Amnesty of all past Differences and to stop the Spring of them for ever if the Queen of England would declare by an Act of Parliament firmed by the Royal Assent That the Queen of Scots was Heiress to the Kingdom of England next after her Self and her Children if ever she had any After the Embassador had asserted the Equity of such a Statute and how beneficial it would be to all Britain by many Arguments he added in the close That she being her nearest Kinswoman ought to be more intent and diligent than others in having such an Act made and that the Queen did expect that Testimony of Good-will and the Respect from her To which the Queen of England answered in these Words I expected another kind of Embassy from your Queen I wonder she hath forgot how that before her Departure out of France after much urging she at last promised that the League made at Leith should be confirmed she having promised me faithfully it should be so as soon as ever she returned into her own Country I have been put off with Words long enough now 't is time if she have any respect to her Honour that her Deeds should answer her Words To which the Embassador answered That he was sent in this Embassy but a very few days after the Queen's Arrival before she had entred upon the Administration of any publick Affairs That she had been hitherto taken up in treating the Nobility many of whom she had never seen before who came from divers parts to perform their dutiful Salutations to her but she was chiefly imployed about setling the State of Religion which how difficult and troublesome a thing it is said he you your self are not ignorant Hence he proceeded your Majesty may easily understand that the Queen of Scots had no vacant time at all before my Departure neither had she as yet called fit Men to her Council to consult about various Affairs especially since the Nobility that liv'd in the furthest parts towards the North had not been yet to attend her before his Coming without whose advice Matters of such publick Moment could not nor ought not to be transacted Upon which the English Queen was something moved and said What need had your Queen to make any Consultation about doing that which she hath obliged her self to under her Hand and Seal He replied I can give no other Answer at present for I received nothing in command about it neither did our Queen expect that an account thereof would now be required of me and you may easily consider with your self what just causes of Delay she at present lies under After some Words had past betwixt them upon these matters the Queen returned to the main Point I observe said she what you most insist upon in behalf of your Queen and in seconding the Requests of the Nobles you put me in Mind that your Queen is descended from the Blood of the Kings of England and that I am bound to love her by a natural Obligation as being my near Kinswoman which I neither can or will deny I have also made it evident to the whole World that in all my Actions I never attempted any thing against the Weal and Tranquillity of her self and her Kingdom Those who are acquainted with my inward Thoughts and Inclinations are conscious that though I had just cause of Offence given by her using my Arms and claiming a Title to the Kingdom yet I could never be persuaded but that these Seeds of Hatred came from others not from her self However the case stands I hope she will not take away my Crown whilst I am alive nor hinder my Children if I have any to succeed me in the Kingdom But if any Casualty should happen to me before she shall never find that I have done any thing which may in the least prejudice the Right she pretends to have to the Kingdom of England what that Right is I never thought my self obliged to make a strict Disquisition into and I am of the same Mind still I leave it to those who are skilful in the Law to determine As for your Queen she may expect this confidently of me that if her Cause be just I shall not prejudice it in the least I call God to witness that next to my self I know none that I would prefer before her or if the matter come to a Dispute that can exclude her Thou knowest says she who are the Competitors By what Assistance or in hopes of what Force can such poor Creatures attempt such a mighty thing After some further Discourse the Conclusion was short That it was a matter of great Weight and Moment and that this was the first time she had entertained any serious Thoughts about it and therefore she had need of longer time to dispatch it A few days after she sent for the Embassador again and told him That she extreamly wondred Why the Nobles should demand such a thing of her upon the first Arrival of the Queen especially knowing that the Causes of former Offences were not yet taken away But what pray do they require That I having been so much wrong'd should before any Satisfaction receiv'd gratify her in so great a matter This Demand is not far from a Threat If they proceed on in this way let them know that I have Force at home and Friends abroad as well as They who will defend my just Right To which he answered That he had shewn clearly at first how that the Nobility had insisted on this hopeful Medium of Concord partly out of Duty
he then propound the Queen's Judgment concerning the Right of Succession but his Own and had brought Reasons to inforce it but as for the Confirmation of the League by her Husband 't was inforc'd from the Queen of Scots without the consent of Those whom the ratifying or disanulling thereof did much concern neither was it a thing of such Consequence as therefore to exclude Her and her Posterity from the Inheritance of England I do not inquire said he by Whom When How by What Authority and for What Reason that League was made seeing I had no Command to speak of any such Matter But this I dare affirm That though 't were confirm'd by Her in compliance with her Husband's desire yet so great a stress depending on it his Queen in time would find out some Reason or other why it should and ought to be dissolv'd I speak not this said he in the Name of the Queen but my intent is to shew that our Nobility have cause for what they do that so all Controversies being pluckt up by the Roots a firm and sure Peace may be establisht betwixt us After much discourse Pro and Con about the League the Queen was brought to this That Embassadors should be chosen on both sides to review it and to regulate it according to this Form That the Queen of Scots should abstain from using the Arms of England and from the Titles of England and Ireland as long as the Queen of England or any of her Children were alive On the other side the Queen of England was to do nothing neither by her Self nor her Posterity which might prejudice the Queen of Scots or impair her Right of Succession These were the Affairs transacted in this Embassy which while they were treated of abroad in order to settle Peace Sedition had almost broke out at home There was Mass allow'd to the Queen and her Family as I said before concerning which when the Edict was publish'd there was one of the Nobility which oppos'd it viz. the Earl of Arran the Queen being much offended thereat tho she dissembled her Anger The next offence was against the Edinburgers they use ordinarily to chuse their Magistrates September 29 at that time Archibald Douglas the Sheriff according to Custom Proclaim'd That no Adulterer Fornicator Drunkard Mass-Monger yea or obstinate Papists after the First of September should stay in the Town great Penalties being denounc'd against the Disobeyers thereof When the Queen was inform'd hereof she committed the Magistrates to Prison without hearing them and commanded the Citizens to chuse new Magistrates injoining them to set the Gates open to all her good Subjects not without the secret Indignation and Laughter of some that Flagitious Persons should be accounted such good Subjects and her most faithful Ministers and Servants The Queen finding that the Citizens took this Matter more patiently than she expected by degrees attempted greater Matters Her Mass was before but privately celebrated without any great Solemnity but on the 1 st of October she added all the gaudry of Popish Offices to it The Reform'd Ministers of the Gospel took this very grievously and complain'd much of it in their Pulpits putting the Nobility in mind of their Duty Hereupon a Dispute was agitated betwixt a Few in a private House Whether 't were lawful to restrain Idolatry which was likely to spread and ruin all or Whether they might by Force reduce the chief Magistrate to the Bounds of the Law who set no limits to his own Arbitrariness The Reform'd Ministers persisted constantly in their Opinion which had been approv'd in former times That a Magistrate might be compell'd by Force to do his Duty The Nobles were more unstedfast in their Resolutions either to curry favour with the Queen or out of hopes of Honour and Reward yet 't was decreed for Them being Superior in Number and Greatness In the mean time the Court was drown'd in Vice and loos'd the Reins to all Luxury neither was it awakened by the News of the Moss-Troops inhabiting the English Borders who as if by permission did freely plunder and kill'd all that oppos'd them Iames the Queen's Brother was sent with a delegated Power to suppress them not so much as many thought to honour him as to expose him to danger For as his Power was distasteful to the Queen so his innocent Carriage was more offensive in reproving her for her Faults and stopping her Carreer to Tyranny But God beyond all Mens hope prosper'd his just endeavours he hang'd 28 of the Robbers the rest he suppress'd either by the sole Terror of his Name or else by making them give Hostages for their good Behaviour The Queen seem'd to her Self to have got some Liberty by his Absence for she was not well pleas'd with the present state of Things partly by reason of the Controversies in Religion and partly because Matters were manag'd more strictly than a young Woman who had been educated in the corruptest of all Courts as interpreting lawful Domination to be unseemly for Princes as if the Slavery of others was their Liberty could well endure so that sometimes she was heard to speak some high discontented Words yea the Foundation of Tyranny seem'd to be laid for whereas all former Kings intrusted their Safety only to the Nobility she determin'd to have a Guard for her Body but could find no pretence to bring it about neither could she give any reasonable colour for her desire but only vain courtly Magnificence and the Usage of foreign Princes The Deportment of her Brother the more unblameable it was troubled her the more in regard it cut off any opportunity to feign Crimes or fasten Suspicions on him as also because she knew he would not endure her loose living besides the People were so affected that they would take a Guard for her Body as a manifest Omen of Tyranny whereupon her restless Mind determining by any means whatsoever to effect what she had once resolv'd upon devis'd this Stratagem She had a Brother nam'd Iohn an ambitious Man and not so strictly conversationed as Iames was he was easily persuaded to be obsequious to the Queen and thereupon was dearer to Her as a fitter Instrument to raise Tumults She communicates her Design to him in the absence of Iames about raising a Guard The Plot was laid thus There was a noise of a Tumult to be bruited abroad in the Night as if Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran would have surpriz'd the Queen who had but a few Men to guard Her and so have carried her to his Castle 14 Miles off This story they thought would take with the Vulgar both because the Queen was averse from him and he extreamly in Love with Her both which were publickly known This Tumult was made as the Plot was and Horsemen scouted about the Neighbour-fields a good part of the Night and in the Morning a Guard was set at the Court-gate some fretting others smiling thereat The
above 300 Men maintaining themselves in their Posts When Murray came thither he stood with his Party in Order and Rank on a small Hill where he overlook'd all the Marish the rest as they were advancing towards the Enemy gave evident Tokens of Treachery putting Boughs of Heath on their Helmets for that Plant grows in abundance in those Parts that they might be known by the Enemy When they came near the Huntleans secure of the Success hasten to them and seeing the adverse Army disordered by the Traitors and put to Flight that they might more nimbly pursue them they cast away their Lances and with their drawn Swords to terrify those Ranks that stood they cried out Treason Treason and made with great Violence at the Enemy The Traitors thinking that they should also put to Flight the standing Party made haste towards it But Murray perceiving no hope in Flight and that nothing remain'd but to dye nobly cried out to his Party to hold out their Lances and not to let those that were running away come in amongst them They being thus unexpectedly excluded from both Wings passed by in great Disorder But the Huntleans who now thought the matter ended and the Victory sure when they saw a Party though but small standing in a terrible manner with their Pikes forward they who were making towards them dispersedly and out of order and could not come to handy-strokes by reason of the length of their Spears being struck with a sudden Terror fled as swiftly as they had pursu'd before The Revolters perceiving this change of Fortune press'd upon them in their Flight and as if willing to expiate their former Fault what Slaughter was made that Day 't was They that did it There were 120 of the Huntleans slain and 100 taken Prisoners of the other Army not a Man was lost Amongst the Prisoners was Huntly himself and his two Sons Iohn and Adam the Father being an old Man corpulent and pussy dyed under the Hands of those that took him The rest late at Night were brought to Aberdeen Murray had appointed a Minister of the Gospel to wait for his Return where in the first place he gave Thanks to God Almighty who out of his Mercy alone beyond all Men's Expectation without any Strength or Wisdom of his own had delivered him and his Men out of so imminent a Danger afterwards he went to the Court where though many did highly congratulate him yet the Queen gave no Sign of Joy at all either in Speech or Countenance A few days after Iohn Gordon was put to Death not without the Trouble of many for he was a manly Youth very beautiful and entring on the prime of his Age not so much designed for the Royal Bed as deceived by the Pretence thereof and that which moved no less Indignation than Pity was that he was beheaded by an unskilful Headsman The Queen beheld his Death with many Tears but as she was prone to conceal and counterfeit Affections so various Descants were made upon her Grief and Passion and the rather because many knew that her Brother was as much hated by her as Huntly She pardoned Adam because he was but young George the eldest Son in this desperate case fled from his House to his Father-in-Law Iames Hamilton there to shelter himself or else by his Mediation to obtain his Pardon As for Gordon's Followers according to the Degrees of their Offences some were fined others banish'd the Land many sent packing into remote parts of the Kingdom that they might make no more Commotions at home Those who lighted upon powerful Intercessors were remitted their Offence and taken into former Grace and Favour Matters being thus settled or at least appeased for the present the rest of the Winter was spent in Peace The 26 th day of November Bothwel who had escap'd out of Prison was by a Proclamation commanded to render himself again and in Default thereof he not obeying was declared a publick Enemy When the Queen was returned from Aberdene to St. Iohnston's Iames Hamilton came to her to beg Pardon for George Gordon his Son-in-Law he received an Answer not wholly severe yet was forced to deliver up his Son-in-Law who was sent Prisoner to Dunbar and the next Year after which was 1563 on the 7 th of the Calends of February was brought to Edinburgh there condemned for Treason and sent back to Dunbar 'T was about this time that there came forth a Proclamation under a pecuniary Mulct That no Flesh should be eaten in Lent The pretence was not any thing of Religion but civil Advantage only The Arch-bishop of St. Andrews because he did not forbear to hear and say Mass after the Edict made at the coming in of the Queen was committed Prisoner to the Castle of Edinburgh Others guilty of the same Fault were punish'd but slightly yet were threatned to be more severely treated if they offended in the like sort again Now the time of the Parliament drew near which was summon'd to be held the 20 th day of May where the Queen with the Crown on her Head and her Royal Robes went in great Pomp to the Parliament-house a new Spectacle to many but that Men had been accustom'd to bear the Government of Women in her Mother's and Grandmother's Days In that Assembly some Statutes were made in Favour of the Reformed and some Coyners were punish'd the rest of the Summer the Queen spent in Athol in the Sport of Hunting At the end of Autumn Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox by the Queen's Leave returned to Scotland having been unworthily deserted by the King of France the 22 d Year after his Departure as I said before And the next Year which was 1564 in the Month of Ianuary at a Convention of the Estates held almost on purpose for that very thing his Banishment was remitted and his Goods restored the Queen seconding that Remission with many favourable Words and repeating the many great Services the Earl had done her in her very Infancy she having been delivered out of her Enemies Hand and advanced to her Throne by his Means Afterwards Henry his Son came out of England into Scotland on the 12 th of February having there obtained a Convoy for three Months This Young Man being of an high Linage and very beautiful the Son of her Aunt the Queen of Scots received very courteously and delighting daily in his Society the common Speech was That she would marry him neither was the Nobility against it because they saw many advantages might redound to Britain by that Marriage if it might be made by the Queen of England's Consent Both of them were in an equal Degree of Consanguinity from her and she was so far from being against it that she was willing rather to seem the Author of it and so to lay some Obligation upon her in making the Match besides she thought it for her Advantage to humble
were Those of the Nobility there present being very few and those Bothwel's Friends and Creatures too the rest being gone to their Homes were invited to Supper and so was Crocke the French Embassador but he though he were of the Guisian Faction and besides dwelt near the Place yet peremptorily refus'd to come he thought it suited not with the Dignity of that Person which he represented to countenance that Marriage by his Presence which he heard the Common People did abominate and curse and besides the Queen's Kindred did by no means approve it neither whilst 't was prosecuting nor yet when finish'd And the King of France and Queen of England did by their Embassadors declare against the Turpitude of the thing Though that was troublesom to her yet the silent Sadness of the People did so much the more increase the fierce Disposition of the Queen as things seen do pierce deeper than things only heard As they both went through the City none saluted them with wonted Acclamations only one said and that but once God Save the Queen whereupon another Woman near her spoke aloud once or twice so that the Standers-by might hear her Let every one have what his Desert is That Matter mightily inflam'd her Mind against the Edinburghers with whom she was angry before When she saw how disaffected People were to her both at Home and Abroad she took Advice with her Cabal How she might establish her Power and quell any Insurrection for the future First of all she determined to send an Embassador into France to reconcile those Princes and the Guises to her who she knew were offended with her precipitate Marriage William Bishop of Dunblane was chosen for that Service his Instructions were given him almost in these very Words First You shall excuse me to Those Princes and to my Uncle That they heard of the Consummation of my Marriage by vulgar Report before ever I had acquainted them with my purpose therein by Messengers of my own This Excuse is built as upon a Foundation on the true Narration of his Life and especially of the good Offices which the Duke of the Orcades hath done me even to that very Day wherein I thought good to make him my Husband You shall begin the Declaration of that Story as the Truth is taking your Rise from his very Youth Assoon as ever he came to be of Age after the Death of his Father one of the prime Noblemen of the Kingdom he wholly addicted himself to the Service of the Princes of this Land being otherwise of a very noble Family both by reason of its Antiquity and also the high Offices it held in the Kingdom as by Hereditary Right At that time he principally addicted himself to the Service of my Mother who then held the Scepter and was so constant an Adherent to her that though in a very short time a great many of the Nobility and many Towns also had revolted from her on the account of Religion yet he never faultred in his Loyalty neither could he be induc'd by any Proffers Promises or Threats nor by any Loss of his particular Estate to make a Defection in the least from her Authority nay rather than neglect her Service he suffer'd his House the Mansion-House of the Family and all his Goods which were many and precious to be plundred and his Estate made a Prey to his Enemies At last being destitute of my Aid and all other besides an English Army was brought in by domestick Enemies into the very Bowels of the Kingdom on purpose to inforce my Husband then Earl of Bothwel to leave his Estate and Country and to retire to France where he observed me with all Respect till my Return to Scotland Neither must his Military Exploits against the English be forgotten a little before my Return wherein he gave such Proofs of his manly Valour and great Prudence too that he was thought worthy though a young Man to command his Superiours in Age so that he was chosen chief General of the Army of his Country-men and my Lieutenant which Office he discharged so well That by many valiant Performances he left a noble Memorial of his Fortitude both amongst his Enemies and also his own Country-men After my Return he imployed all his Endeavours for the Enlargement of my Authority he spar'd no Danger in subduing the Rebels upon the Borders of England where having reduc'd things to great Tranquillity he resolv'd to do the same in other Parts of the Kingdom But as Envy is always the Companion of Virtue the Scots still desiring Innovations and some of them willing to lessen my Favour towards him did so ill interpret his good Services that they caused me to commit him to Prison which I did partly to gratify some who envied the Growth of his increasing Greatness and partly to allay the seditious Commotions which were then ready to break out to the Destruction of the whole Kingdom He made his Escape out of Prison and that he might yield to the Power of his Emulators he retir'd into France and there he abode almost Two years in which time the Authors of the former Seditions forgetting my Lenity towards them and their Duty towards me took up Arms and led an Army against me Thereupon I commanded him to return I restor'd him to his Honour and Estate and made him General over all my Forces by whose Conduct my Authority was again so restor'd that all the Rebels were quickly inforc'd to seek Shelter in England until a great part of them upon their own Request were again receiv'd by me into Favour How perfidiously I was treated by those Exiles which returned and by those whom I had oblig'd with greater Courtesies than they deserved my Uncle is not ignorant of and therefore I need say little of it yet I must not pretermit in silence with how great diligence he freed me from the Hands of Those who held me Prisoner and how speedily by his singular Conduct I escap'd out of Prison and the whole Faction of Conspirators being dissipated I recovered my former Authority On this Head I must acknowledg that his Services were so grateful that I could never suffer them to slip out of my Memory These things are Great in themselves yet he hath made such an Accession to them by his anxious Sedulity and Diligence that I could never expect greater Observance or Faithfulness in any Man than I have found in him even until after the Decease of my late Husband Since that time as his Thoughts seemed to aim higher so his Actions were a little more insolent and though the Matter was come to that pass that I must take all things in the best part yet I was much offended with his Arrogance in thinking I had ability to requite his Services no otherwise than by giving up my self to him as their Guerdon and Reward besides I did dislike his secret Designs against and at length his open
Poem not unelegantly compos'd by her and also the Manner of the King's Death and after his Death her Surprize and three Contracts of Marriage with him the One before the Parricide written with her own Hand wherein as by a Bill she promises to marry him as soon as ever she was freed from her former Husband The Other was before the Divorce from his former Wife writ by Huntly's Hand The Third was openly made a little before the Marriage When all this was produc'd seen and read before the Council The whole Fact was so plainly expos'd that now no Doubt could be made Who was the Author of it Though the Queen of England could not but believe these Discoveries yet she did fluctuate in her Mind on the one side there was Emulation Queens mutually hating one another there were also such great Crimes and such evident Proofs that the Queen thought her Kinswoman of Scotland deserv'd no Assistance to restore her And though her Mind did incline to that which was right yet 't was shaken and did hesitate upon the remembrance of her former State not without a Commiseration and besides the Majesty of Kingly Honour and a Fea● lest the Example of driving out Princes might creep into the Neighbour-Kingdoms wrought much upon her Besides she was afraid of France for the Peace with them was not very sure or firm and then especially the French Embassador did plead the Cause of the banish'd Queen daily The Spanish Embassador was desir'd also to interpose his Mediation but the foulness of the Crimes did so deter him that he refus'd to meddle therewith Whereupon the Queen of England that she might leave a Door for Repentance if Matters should succeed amiss in France and not cut off all occasion of gratifying them gave a middle Answer so tempering it that at present she said She saw no cause to the contrary but that all things had been acted according to Law and Justice in Scotland yet as if she deferr'd the compleat Decision till another time she desir'd that seeing intestine Tumults did recal the Regent he would leave here one of his Retinue in his Place to make Answer to those Crimes which might be objected against him in his Absence But the Regent who saw the Matter to be so put off that That Queen might take her Measures to give Sentence for her own Advantage and the Event of foreign Affairs left no Stone unturn'd that he might have the Cause fully determin'd now and therefore he desir'd as most just and equitable that if his Enemies who had long studied before-hand to accuse him had any thing to allege they would now produce it and not watch an Opportunity to calumniate him in his Absence seeing they refus'd to cope with him face to face he was not ignorant what Rumors his Enemies would cause to be spread amongst the People and what they had already said to some of the Council and to the French Embassador and therefore he earnestly desir'd of the Council to command them not to mutter privately but to declare openly what they had to say and that he would not make such haste home but that though it were much to his own Damage and the Publicks yet he would willingly purge himself there in presence Whereupon the Commissioners of the banish'd Queen were sent for and demanded If they had any thing to allege against the Regent or his Companions in reference to the King's Murder they should produce it Their Answer was They had nothing at present but they would accuse them when they were commanded by their Queen The Regent answer'd That he was always ready to give an account of all the Actions perform'd by him neither would he shun either Time or Place so to do ye● seeing the Queen began that Accusation of him he desir'd of his Accusers there present That if any of them had the least Objection against him they would then declare it for 't was much more noble and handsom to produce it before so illustrious an Assembly than in private Cabals to nibble at his Fame in his Absence They also refused This. Whereupon the whole Council cried out upon them and in a manner reproach'd them so that they were compell'd singly and severally to confess That they knew nothing of themselves why Murray or any of his should be accus'd of the King's Murder Then after a long Dispute pro and con the Council was dismiss'd and from that time there was never any more mention made of accusing the Regent or any of his Companions Whilst the Regent was thus necessarily detain'd in England on a publick Account the Queen's Faction turn'd every Stone both at Home and Abroad to make Disturbances but without effect Iames Hamilton who had been Regent some Years before seeing that Things went not according to his Mind at Home had gone long before into France there he had but a few Companions but lay privately with a Servant or Two to attend him free from the hurry of all Publick Business but when the Queen of Scots was escap'd out of Prison overcome in Battel and then fled for England The French knowing that Murray was call'd Home into his own Country and in his Passage through France not being able to work him over to their Party in regard they could not send Men or Mony to Scotland to raise Disturbance there by reason of their own Commotions at Home they therefore thought it most advisable to set up Hamilton in an emulating competition with him especially at that Time when the Regent with part of the Nobility were absent and out of the way He was therefore drawn out of his Privacy and accommodated with some few Pistols and larger Promises In his return thro' England his Friends persuaded him That in regard the Queen of Scots with her Faction favour'd him and the Queen of England was not averse from it he would deal with her to persuade Murray by her Authority to resign his Regency to him in regard that Office by the Law and Consent of almost all Nations and especially by the Custom of their own Country was due to him as the next in Blood and Heirship Neither said he was there any great need to make a laborious search into the Records of Ancient Times for This wherein they might easily find That Governors were always appointed to their Princes when under Age out of the next of Kin as when Iames the 3 d died in the absence of Iames the 1 st his Uncle Robert manag'd the Government and his Son Murdac succeeded Robert And of late Times Iohn Duke of Albany was made Governor to King Iames the 5 th whilst he was under Age Yea Hamilton himself had been Regent some few Years before Mary now Queen was of Age fit to Govern or Marry and how he was not excluded from that Office by any lawful Suffrages but unjustly by the Rebellious and that which increas'd the Indignity was That
and the Barbarians were introduc'd into the pleasant Country about the Po whose Avarice and Cruelty spoil'd all Besides who is there of the Inhabitants of Great Britain that hath not heard of the Cruelty of Richard the 3 d King of England against his Brother's Children And with how much Blood was that Parricide expiated If Men that were otherwise prudent did not fear to commit such things against their nearest in Blood excited only by the desire of the Crown What can be expected from him whose Inconstancy is well known to all and whose ill management of the Government hath already cost us so much Blood Whose Family not content with the Murder of this King 's Great Grandfather did always work Treachery against his Grandfather by the Mother's side as long as he liv'd and as for his Grandfather by his Father's side when he could not kill him he drove him poor out of the Kingdom his Father he brought forth as a Sacrifice to be slain his Mother and the Kingdom when they could not enjoy it themselves they sold it to Strangers and after by the Providence of God she was deliver'd from that Bondage they cast her into those Straits wherein she now is What Judgment the Subjects made of these things may appear by this That Men seem'd to themselves deliver'd from the Prison of a most miserable Bondage and to tast the sweetness of Liberty when they sold the Government which they themselves were not able to manage to a Woman-Stranger Upon the hearing of this Oration the Queen told Hamilton That his Demand was unjust and That she would not assist him therein but That she was desir'd by the King's Embassadors not to suffer him to depart in regard he plotted nothing but Sedition till they likewise went themselves which she look'd upon as a just thing and therefore had promis'd them so to do and thereupon she charg'd him not to depart before that time Moreover the banish'd Queen encourag'd her Friends with the hopes of her speedy Return for some Letters of hers were intercepted wherein she advis'd them to seize upon as many Castles and fortified Places as they could and so to disperse the War abroad as far as ever they were able Neither need they fear the noise of a Truce or Accomodation for if Matters were ended that way all the Offences of former times would be cover'd and forgiven under the umbrage of Peace But if it should brake forth into open War the more Garisons they had the greater opportunity would be put into their Hands to hurt the Enemy When the Regent had settled Matters as well as he could in England and had leave to return some Letters were produc'd lately intercepted from the Queen of Scots wherein she complains That she was otherwise treated by the Queen of England than she her self first expected or as was promis'd her and that was done by some Courtiers who were the Cause That she was not sent back with an Army as she affirm'd the Queen of England had promis'd Her but she did hope shortly to obtain a good issue another Way for Messengers often had passed betwixt Her and Howard about a Marriage between them and therefore she wish'd them not to be discouraged but to increase the strength of their Party to make a general Disturbance and by all the Arts they could to hinder the Regent's return into Scotland These Letters being divulg'd did affect People severally The Queen of England took it ill That she was accus'd of breach of Promise as also That the Conditions of the Truce made by her means were not kept and therefore being very angry and inrag'd she remitted much of her ancient Favour to the Scot's Queen and was more inclin'd to Equity than before The English who wish'd well to the Regent were afraid that his Enemies would way-lay him to do him a mischief in his Journy for in the Countries which he was to pass thrô there were either for the most part Papists or else Thieves inhabiting the Borders of both Kingdoms who were all excited to hope for a sudden Change and 't was plain they were dealt with to intercept him in his Return and therefore abundance of the English Courtiers offer'd him their assistance to secure his Passage but he was contented only with his own Retinue and about the 13 th of Ianuary began his Journy But the Queen of England judging it to be for her own Credit and Honour that he should return in Safety had of her own accord written to the Commanders and the Warden of the Marches That when he came to places suspected or noted for Robbery They should take care that he might not be circumvented And they were very careful therein for strong Guards of Horse and Foot were plac'd about the Way so that he came safe to Berwick and the day after which was the 2 d of February he was conducted home to Edinburgh to the great joy of his Friends who in great Numbers were there Assembled His Enemies did hardly believe his coming at first because false Reports had been causelesly spread that he was shut up Prisoner in the Tower of London But when it was certainly known that he was at Edinburgh Those who had beset the High-ways to intercept Passengers let go their Prisoners and slipt away Home So that immediately from a turbulent Tempest there grew a great Calm A few Days after the Nobles of the King's Party had a great Meeting at Sterlin there the Transactions with the Queen of England were opened and highly approv'd by the consent of all there Present About the same time Iames Hamilton chief of his Family came out of England who by a new and unheard of Pretence and Arrogance was adopted as a Father by the Queen of Scots and made Lieutenant of the Kingdom He declar'd his Commission and forbad the People to obey any but Those substituted by him Whereupon the Royalists disburst Sums of Mony to raise Forces and to prepare to fight if need were And accordingly at an appointed Day they met at Glasgow but seeing the Country came not in to Hamilton according to his Expectation by the Mediation of his Friends Terms of Agreement were propounded whereupon Hamilton was commanded to come to Glasgow to acknowledg the King as chief Magistrate If he did That the rest would be easily accorded if he refus'd it was in vain for him to come He by the advice of his Friends that were with him being forsaken by his Clanships and terrifi'd by the near approach of his Enemies Army resolv'd to comply with Necessity and to promise all that was desir'd but when the Forces of the Royalists were disbanded then he would consult his Advantage at leisure When they came to Glasgow a Day was appointed wherein they and their Friends should profess their Allegiance to the King and so recover their old Estates and Honours In the mean time they were to remain
Afflicted As for foreign Kings They esteem'd Men according to their Power neither were they concern'd for anothers Misery but respected only their own Advantage But if any King of another Kidney should be so Courteous and Merciful as to entertain a Fugitive and a Beggar too yet now the Times were such as did cancel that fear For England alone of all Europe was the Country which enjoy'd a flourishing Peace and That favour'd the King's Cause but other neighbour Kingdoms were so busied with domestick Dissensions that they had no time to look Abroad And if they had leisure so to do yet there was some ground of Hope That Equity would prevail more with them than Mercy towards Exiles who were Rebels to their own Kings and Faithless to the Kings of other Nations As for the Indemnity which they say will declare our Clemency it will rather be an Argument of our Negligence in regard a just Combate being declin'd thrô Fear a War is imprudently nourish'd under a pretence of Peace and that an unjust pretence too which would incourage the crest-fallen Spirits of the Rebels and weaken the chearful endeavours of the King 's best Friends For how do you think will both Parties stand affected When the one side sees That all is lawful for them without present punishment and so they hope it will be for the future And the other sees perfidious Enemies to enjoy the Rewards of their wicked Crimes themselves robbed of all their Goods and vexed with all the Calamities of War and whereas they expected a Reward for their Faithfulness and Constancy instead thereof to be punish'd for their Love to their King and Country And therefore who can doubt but that if Matters hereafter come to Arms which of necessity they must do unless this Fire be now quenched before it break forth who I say can doubt but that Party will be strongest which thrives by its Wickedness and who may do all things with Impunity rather than the other who must suffer all injuries offer'd to them forcibly gratis And if those Inconveniencies did not attend this vain shew of Clemency yet neither the Regent nor the King himself could lawfully so Pardon as to give away the Goods of the Robbed to their Plunderers If they should do that They must lay down the Persons of Rulers and take upon them the habit of Spoilers too if such a Condition should be granted it were much more Cruel for People to be despoil'd of their Estates by Kings the Granters of Indemnity than by their very Enemies and Toryes themselves that robbed them Many things having been alternately canvas'd and alleged to this purpose on either side Those which were for his Indemnity were out-voted by a few Voices The Regent declar'd That for Peace-sake he was very willing to Pardon the private wrongs done to himself and the King but for the Injuries offer'd to particular Persons he neither could nor would Pardon them But if Huntly and those Friends of his who follow'd his Party could make some Terms of Agreement with those they had plunder'd he was very willing by the Consent of both Parties to appoint Arbitrators who might adjust the value of the Losses Peace as 't was thought being settled on these Conditions there was another Dispute arose seemingly small but manag'd with greater eagerness than before The Controversy was Whether Pardon were to be given to all of Huntly's Party promiscuously or Whether every Mans Cause and Desert should be consider'd apart Some were of Opinion that because they thought Huntly was dealt hardly with in being inforc'd to pay D●mages to the Sufferers that it was equitable to indulge him here and not to press so severely as to disoblige his Followers also On the other side 't was alleged That the chief aim in such kind of Wars was to dissolve Factions and that could not be done easily any otherwise than if the judgment of Pardon or Punishment did reside in the Breast of the Prince alone All Men understand how unjust it is to impose an equal Fine on Those whose Offences are unequal and that the adjusting of the Punishment should be left to Huntly himself was by no means fit for he 't was probable would exact the lightest Mulct from the greatest Offenders and would lay almost the whole Burden upon such as were least Nocent in regard in imposing Punishment he would not weigh each Man's Merit but rather his Propensity to his Service and as any Man had been more fierce and cruel in the War so he would obtain from him an higher Place in his Favour On the other side the lightest Offenders would have the sorest Punishment and they which were less active in Wickedness should be fined for their Moderation and Favour towards the King These Reasons so prevail'd with the Council that they decreed to weigh every Man's Case apart and yet that they might seem to gratify Huntly in some thing his Domesticks were exempted he was to lay a Fine on them himself as he pleas'd But that which he most desir'd that the Regent should not come with an Army into the North-parts was absolutely refus'd him Things being thus settled with Huntly at St. Andrews the Regent with two Bands of Souldiers and a great Number of his Friends went first to Aberdeen then to Elgin at last to Inverness The Inhabitants near the Town were commanded to appear they obeyed the Summons some paid down their Mony imposed as a Fine on them others gave Sureties Huntly and the chief of his Septs and Clanships put in Hostages Thus having settled the Country towards the North being highly gratulated by all good Men through all his March he return'd to St. Iohnston's there an Assembly of the Nobility was Indicted by reason of Letters which Robert Boyd had brought out of England to the Regent at Elgin some of them were publick some were private the private ones were from some Courtiers in England containing a Relation of Howard's Conspiracy which was so strong and cunningly laid that they thought no Force or Policy could withstand it no not if all the remaining Power of Britain were united together Therein his Friends exhorted him not to mingle his own flourishing Fortune with the desperate Estate of others but to provide for himself and his Concerns yet unimpair'd apart The State of Affairs in England compels me here a little to digress because at that time the Good and Ill of both Kingdoms were so conjoin'd that the one cannot well be explained without the other The Scots a few Years before were delivered out of the Slavery of the French by the Assistance of the English and thereupon they observed and subscribed to the same Rites in Religion in common with the English that sudden Change of things seemed to promise an universal Quietness to all Britain free from all domestick Tumults But presently thereupon the Pope of Rome with the Kings of France and Spain threatned a War and privately
the adverse Party urg'd That they saw no new Cause of such great haste 60 days was but a lawful time for Bothwel who was out of the Kingdom to appear within which time a new Commission might be sent Neither ought that Delay to seem long especially to her who had past over so great a Matter in Silence now two Years and now also she had sent Letters which were of themselves an Hindrance why those who were willing to gratify her could not comply with them but if she desired a Divorce 't was easy to be obtained let her but write to the King of Denmark desiring him to punish the Murderer of her former Husband if he were dead though they all were unwilling yet she might marry where and whom she pleased but if she refused This then 't was plain she spake not sincerely and from her Heart but made a counterfeit Pretence of Divorce that if she married again she might also live in a disputable and uncertain Matrimony even with her next Husband too And hereof there was a shrewd Suspicion because she desired such Judges to determine of the Divorce who had no Power in the Case For what Power could the Regent have over Exiles with whom he had nothing at all to do who unless they themselves pleased might refuse to stand to his Judgment or how should they submit to anothers Judgment who were under the Power and Dominion of other Princes but seeing that there seem'd to be some hidden Fraud in the Case a Decision was not to be hastily made but the Queen of England was to be acquainted therewith in whose Power it was either to promote or hinder it Hereupon a Young Nobleman of the Regent's Friends was sent to the Queen of England to acquaint her with the Acts of the Convention Some may perhaps wonder That seeing greater Matters were transacted with less Dispute there should be such ado made about the Divorce But this was the cause of it Howard had privately transacted by his Friends concerning his marrying the Queen of Scots and the Conspiracy was so strong both at home and abroad That 't was bruited among the Vulgar the Design was to take away both of the lawful Princes and so to seize on the two Kingdoms for themselves the Place Time and the Whole of the Design was so ordered that all things seem'd to be secure against any Force whatsoever The Conspirators did most insist on This To remove what might hinder the Marriage If that were done they seemed secure that all the rest should fall in of it self On the contrary They which were for the King made it their chief Business to cast in Rubbs to delay it for in the Interim many secret Designs might in time be discovered and the Conspiracy prevented by the Care of both Princes In this Posture of Affairs the Decree of the Scots Council was brought to the Queen of England but she alleging she was not satisfied with that Answer and the Messenger did not seem to her a fit Person with whom she might confer in so dangerous a time and about such weighty Matters desired to be better inform'd by the Scots of those Matters Whereupon there was another Assembly of the Nobility Indicted at Sterlin where they drew up this Answer That as for the last of her Requests it might admit a Consultation in order to an Agreement but the second was of that kind that no Consultation at all could be admitted on that Head without manifest Impiety in regard it would not only diminish but even extirpate the Royal Authority For besides that all Partnership in Supream Magistracy is dangerous how can Two be equally join'd in Government whereof One was a Youth scarce out of his Infancy the Other a Woman in the prime of her Age of a crafty Disposition having past through Variety of Fortunes who as soon as ever she can creep into Part of the Government will by the Strength of that Faction which though she was removed by a publick Decree from the Administration thereof do yet labour to introduce her not by Entreaties but Threats or else by corrupting the King's Enemies or lastly by foreign Souldiers whom she is now busy to procure soon derive the whole Authority to her self How will she indure that an Infant should be equall'd with her who would not be match'd even with her Husband Besides if she should marry some potent Man such a Matter being now on Foot her Strength would be doubled and her Husband as of Necessity he must be admitted into Part of the Government perhaps he would not willingly suffer that his Children should be prevented in the Succession by a Son-in-Law and then in what a Case would the Child be What if his Friends as all Men are inconstant should prefer a present Largess before their future Hope and so side with the strongest What can attend the Child being now thrust down into the second and anon into the third Place but utter Ruin As for other things they had rather leave them to her private Thoughts to meditate upon than to make a previous Conjecture What an angry Woman having Power in her Hands prompted by the Imperious Counsels of her Uncles having evidenc'd her Cruelty towards her Husband being also exasperated by her Banishment would attempt against a Child especially when stript of all Aid of Nature and Providence and exposed as a Sacrifice to her Rage And what Life would his Friends live by whom she thought she was so grievously wrong'd Besides what would the State of Religion be when she could vent that Rage which in former time her Fear had concealed especially if an Husband of known Arrogance should further excite her innate Cruelty How easily might his Friends be destroyed when the young King was slain or else how soon might the King be subverted when he had lost his Friends For these Reasons the Queen could not be assumed into a Part of the Government without evident Destruction to the King's Affairs Matters standing thus there was no need to speak any thing to the first Head of her Demands Robert Petcarn was sent to carry this Answer into England a Man of no less Prudence than Loyalty and he came to that Court in the very nick of time when the Conspiracy to kill the Queen and to seize on both Kingdoms was discovered and made known The Plot was so strongly laid That the Queen of England began to be afraid of her self and after she had imprisoned Howard in the Tower of London she durst not proceed to punish the Queen of Scots but was consulting to send her by Sea to the Regent of Scotland but when the Storm was a little over that Design did not hold In the mean time the Regent in regard the Power of the adverse Faction did mightily increase sends for William Maitland who was a great Incendiary to the Conspiracy from Perth to Sterlin he being conscious of his Guilt though he had
be thus betrayed and forsaken by those very Men that had put them upon the War every one of them betakes himself to take care for his own Safety their Hopes for the time to come being all blasted So that so many cross Accidents unexpectedly falling out at one and the same time quite and clean disturbed all their Plots and Machinations but the sudden Approach of the English Army was It which most surprized them and therefore to see if they could put a stop to it they make use of two Embassies into England the One to Thomas Earl of Sussex to desire a Truce till such time as they had laid open the State of their Affairs to the Queen of England The Other Embassador carried Letters to the Queen containing many things as well for their own Cause as against the King's Faction especially by making their Brags of greater Forces than they had in reality and vilifying Those of their Adversaries thereby covertly threatning the English with a War For Maitland had made them believe That that Queen a Woman naturally timorous would do any thing rather than be brought to a War at a time when both the French and Spaniard were for many Reasons at Emmity with her and her own Affairs at home were scarce setled The Rebels desired that by the English Queens Arbitrement all the Ordinances of the last Two Years should be called in although many amongst them had subscribed them and that all things being as it were acted de novo a new Ordinance should by a general Consent be made And that they might better set forth the Potency of their Faction their Letter had all the great Mens Names that were of their Party subscribed to It and also for the greater Ostentation of their Multitude they set to it the Names of Many as well of the adverse Faction as of those that were Neuters in Hopes that the English by Reason of the great Distance and their Ignorance of things done so far off and that their Letters to the Queen would be exposed to the View but of few Persons would hardly be able to detect their Fraud About that time an Accident happened as they thought very advantagious to their Affairs as hoping that it would both make the English less forward and also terrify the Scotch Populacie viz. the Arrival of a certain French-Man however of a mean Condition who as being Lansack's Menial Servant was for his Master's sake entertained at that Court This Man brought a great many Letters all of the same Purport from the French King not only to the Heads of the Queen's Faction but likewise to Many who had not declared themselves for either Faction in which great Thanks were given to every one of them for their having hitherto taken the Queen's Part the King desiring them constantly to persist in so doing and he would send them Aid even greater than they had desired of him as soon as ever he could do it with Conveniencie He also that brought the Letters adds as from himself That all things were now at quiet in France Iaspar Colligny and the other Rebels being reduced to such Terms as to promise to depart from France lest their Presence should be a Hindrance to the Publick Peace And that he doubted not but that the Souldiers which were to be sent to assist them would all be raised before his Return The Wiser sort although they knew that these things were mostly nothing but vain Reports yet permitted the common Sort to be deluded by them When therefore the Minds of many People became by these Means to be erected their Joy was lessened by the unsuccessful Return of their Embassadors For Sussex could not by any Conditions they could offer him be induced to think it to be for the English Interest either to maintain an Army only to idle their Time away in Truces or wholly to desist from the War And the Queen having after Perusal caused their Letter to be sealed up again and sent back to the King's Party in Scotland which was done that the Expectation of an Answer from her should cause Delay in Affairs and thereby their Fraud be easily found out And for that their Letter contained nothing but vain Boasting and that the English were not ignorant of any thing that had been transacted in Scotland their Embassadors grievously abashed with Reproaches were forced to return Therefore being disappointed of that Hope and affrightned by the so sudden drawing near of the English Army to their very Borders and those who were to have assisted them being gone to defend their own Homes having also small Confidence in the Citizens and knowing that their Enemies would come to Edinburgh on the first of May They therefore departed thence and went to Linlithgo holding that Place to be very commodious for the sending for those of their Party from the most distant Places of the Kingdom as also for the hindring the Journies of the others that were going to the Assembly and for bringing about of those other things which were lately discussed at their Consultations From this Place the Hamiltons with their Friends and Vassals made the whole Road leading to Edinburgh very unsafe for Passengers and knowing that Iohn Erskin Earl of Marr was to come that Way they placed themselves on the Neighbouring Hills to hinder his Journy but he knowing how the Way was beset passed the River about two Miles above and so April 29 in the Evening he came safe to Edinburgh After that Day the King's Party abode at Edinburgh and the Queen 's at Linlithgo mutually charging and criminating one another as the Causes and Rise of these Civil Combustions But those at Edinburgh informed their Contrariants That they were willing to come to an easy Agreement upon other Heads as that if they had done any Man wrong they would give him just Satisfaction as indifferent Arbitrators should award provided always That this King's Authority might be secured and that both Parties might join to revenge the Murder of the last King and of the Regent To this Proposal they at Linlithgo gave no satisfactory Answer but instead thereof made an Edict That all Subjects should obey the Queen's Commissioners and the three Earls of Arran Argyle and Huntly Indicted an Assembly to be held at Linlithgo August 3. Whereupon the other Party sent Robert Petcarn their Embassador to the Queen of England to treat with her about suppressing the Common Enemy and to shew how well-affected the Scots stood towards her he was to inform her That they would chuse such a Regent as she should please to recommend or approve Thus whilst each Party was crossing one another's Design the English enter Teviotdale and spoil the Towns and Villages belonging to the Families of the Cars and of the Scots who had violated the Peace by making Excursions into England and giving Harbour to such English Fugitives as fled to them for Shelter wasting and burning
Necessity of the time requir'd them to steer their Counsels so as they might be pleasing to the Queen of England And on the other they knew of what Concernment it was to the Publick That one chief Magistrate should be set up to whom all Complaints might be made and for want of creating One some Months already past the Enemy had improv'd the delay to gather Forces to make new Courts of Justice daily to set forth new Edicts and to usurp all the Offices of a King On the other side the Royalists were dejected and a Multitude without one certain Person whom to obey could not be long kept in Obedience After the Embassadors Return News came That there was a new Insurrection in England and that in London the Popes Bull was fastned on the Church Doors to exhort the English partly to cast off the unjust Yoke of the Queen's Government and partly to return to the Popish Religion and it was thought that the Hand of the Queen of Scots was in all This. These things tho kept private yet came to be known by Letters from the Earl of Sussex and also the same Thomas Randolph had in presence confirm'd it yet they could hardly be restrain'd from chusing a Regent But at last a middle Way prevail'd That they might have an appearance of a chief Magistrate to set up an Inferior Regent or Deputy-Governour to continue till the 12 th of Iuly in which time they might be further inform'd of the Queen of England's Mind they judg'd That she was not averse from their Undertaking especially upon This ground That she had put it into the Articles of Capitulation That the Rebels should give up all the exil'd English If that were done they might easily understand that the Spirits of all the Papists about England were alienated from the Queen of Scots If it were denied then the Conference or Treaty would break off and the Suspicions which made the Commonalty averse would daily increase For they saw that other things would not easily be agreed upon when a greater Danger was imminent over the English than the Scots upon the Deliverance of their Queen and if other things were accorded yet the Queen of England would never let her go without giving Hostages neither was she able to give any such who could make a sufficient Warranty These Considerations gave them some Encouragement so that they proceeded to create Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox the King's Grandfather to be Vice-Gerent for the time Whilst this new Vice-Roy by the advice of his Council was busied in rectifying things which had been disorder'd in the late Tumults Letters came opportunely from the Queen of England Iuly the 10 th wherein she spake much of her Affection to the King and Kingdom of Scotland and freely offer'd them her Assistance withal she deprecated the naming of a Regent which was a Title invidious of it self and of no good Example to them only if they ask'd her Advice she thought none was to be preferr'd to that high Office before the King's Grandfather none being of greater Faithfulness to the King yet a Pupil and who now for the same Reasons was made Deputy-Governour of the Kingdom These Letters incourag'd them by the joint Suffrages of all the Estates of a Vice-Roy to make him Regent Assoon as ever he was created Regent and had taken an Oath according to Custom to observe the Laws and Customs of his Country First of all he commanded that All which were able to bear Arms should appear at Linlithgo August the 2 d to hinder the Convention which the Seditious had there Indicted in the Name of the Queen then he himself summon'd a Parliament in the Name of the King to be held the 10 th day of October he also sent to the Governour of the Castle of Edinburgh who as yet pretended great Friendship to the King's Party tho his Words and Actions did very much disagree to send him some Brass-Guns Carriages and other Apparatus for the managing of them This he did rather to try them than in hopes to obtain his desires He promis'd very fair at first but when the Day was coming on that the Parliament was to Meet when he was desir'd to perform his Promise he peremptorily refus'd alleging That his Service should be always ready to make up an Agreement between but not to shed the Blood of his Country-Men Nevertheless the Regent came at the Day appointed to Linlithgo with 5000 arm'd Men in his Company but hearing that the Enemy did not stir only that Huntly had placed 160 Souldiers at Brechin and had sent out an Order commanding the Brechinians to get in Provision for some Thousands of Men by the 2 d of August The Garison there plac'd by him did rob not only the Inhabitants but all Travellers also when they were wearied with their Journy Whereupon the Regent by the advice of his Council resolv'd to march thither and to seize on the Place which would be of great advantage to him before Huntly's coming and if occasion were offer'd there to fight him before his Partners came up with their Force and so to overthrow that Party of Musqueteers which was All he had and by that means he might catch some of the Leaders of the Faction as the Earl of Crawford Iames Ogilby and Iames Balfure who he heard were there Whereupon he commanded Patrick Lindsy and William Ruven chief Officers and Iames Haliburton Governour of Dundee to take what Souldiers they could raise at Dundee and St. Iohnstons and to make haste thither to prevent the News of their coming They made all the speed that ever they were able the next Night horsing their Foot for greater Expedition yet as they drew near the Place they march'd slowly that they might get some Refreshment before they charg'd the Enemy so that the Alarum was taken at Brechin that the Enemy was a coming whereupon Ogilby and Balfure who chanc'd to be there got the Souldiers presently together and incouraging them as well as they could for the time They told them that They and Huntly would return again in 3 Days and so they got an Horseback and made haste away over the Mountains The Souldiers that were left catch'd up what was next at hand and about 20 of them got to the Tower of a Church that was near The rest fled into the House of the Earl of Marr which was seated on a Hill near thereto it was like a Castle and commanded the Town Iames Douglas Earl of Morton with 800 Horse went a further March about and came not in till the Day after The Regent sent home the Lennoxians and the Renfroans to guard their own Country if Argyle should attempt any thing against it But he himself in 3 Days overtook those whom he had sent before to Brechin At the noise of his coming the neighbour Nobility came in so that now he muster'd 7000 Men effective Whereupon they who were in the Church Tower
plunder seeing the Town fortifi'd and the Royalists ready for the Encounter return'd the nearest Way they could to their Own-homes and the Rebels with their Vassals and a Company of Foot retreat to Hawick never thinking that the Enemy would in the least attempt any thing against them there and their Hopes were increas'd by the Winter-season which was sharper than ordinary by reason of a great Quantity of Snow lately fallen which cover'd all the Ground But Ruven intended to make use of the Opportunity and in the third Watch drew out his Party and march'd so speedily towards Hawick that he was in a Mile of it before the Enemy took the Alarum They at Hawick were so amaz'd that there was no room for Counsel left but Foot and Horse were immediately drawn out and following the Current of the next River endeavour'd to retreat to a Place of more Safety But the Swiftness of their Pursuers prevented them the Horse knew the Country and made a shift to escape but the Foot were left for a Prey they possest themselves of a small Wood on a Rock near the River there they were surrounded by the Horse and not adventuring to stay till the Foot came up they all surrendred themselves at Mercy But seeing that other Dangers were to be prevented and they could not be carried up and down in so sharp a Winter having past their Words to return at an appointed Day and leaving some Hostages to that purpose they were sent home without their Arms When they were discharged Kircade made sleeveless Pretences to elude their Promises and so hinder'd them from returning at the time appointed The rest of the Winter and the following Spring was wholly spent in light Skirmishes wherein Few fell but more of the Rebels than Royalists For the Rebels when they saw an Advantage would draw out on the Hills near the City and before they had scarce begun a skirmish would retire sometimes again in to the City In the interim frequent Embassies came from England to reconcile the Factions but without effect For the Queen of England tho she most favour'd the King's Party yet she was willing so to make Peace as to ingage both Parties to her but the French were wholly inclin'd to the Queen's Cause and therefore by large Promises hindred Peace and advis'd to continue the War Some Mony they sent at present not enough to do the Business but only to feed Hope and a great Part of what was sent was still nibbled away by those that brought it In the mean time light Skirmishes past for some Months betwixt the Parties but not at all contributing to the main Chance Neither were other Parts of the Kingdom free from Plunderings and Firings Adam Gordon gather'd a Party and entring Angus besieg'd Douglas's House of Glembervy and finding that himself was absent they miserably Burnt and Destroy'd all that he left behind which struck such a Fear into those of Dundee that they call'd in the Garisons from the adjoining Parts of Fife to their Assistance they were Enemies to the Gordonians as having been highly Faithful continually to the King's Cause About this time Blackness was betray'd by the Governor thereof to the Hamiltons 'T is a Castle that hinders commerce betwixt Leith and Sterlin The Regent broke down all the Mills about Edinburgh he also garison'd all the Noble Men's Houses about it and stopt all Passages into the City many Prisoners were taken on both sides Archibald Douglas one of Morton's familiar Friends was apprehended on Suspicion which was increas'd upon him by the Baseness of his former Life and also by some Letters found about him yea even after he was taken entercourse of Letters past betwixt him and the Enemy which evidenc'd that he had assisted the Rebels by Advice and Action too as having transmitted to them both Mony and Arms. THE END An ALPHABETICAL TABLE of the Principal Matters contained in the foregoing HISTORY NB. FOR the Reader 's Ease and Conveniency in the speedy finding out of the Quotations in the following Table as also in the Catalogue of the Scotish Kings preceding this History he is desired to take notice That whereas a new Alphabet and Folio doth begin at the later Part of this History viz. at Book 13. and so continues to the End all the Quotations marked between Parentheses's do belong to the Folio's and Pages of the said later Part only The rest do all belong to the former Part. A Page ABercorn-Castle 22 Aberdeen 19 Famous for Salmon-Fishing ibid. Aberdone ibid. Aberbrothock or Abrinca ibid. Abernethy wherein was the old Palace of the Picts Kings 16 18 Abria or Abyr a Country or Shire the Etymology thereof 19 Abridic or Erisbach-Isle 25 Abthane an old Name of Magistracy and Dignity amongst the Scots See Thane 187 206 Achaius King of Scotland 164 He makes a defensive War against the Irish ibid. The First of the Scotish Kings that ever made a League with France 165 Achnar-Isle 26 Acho King of Norwey lands in Air with a great Fleet 241 Is overthrown and dies of Grief ibid. Achmode-Isles See Aebudae Adams Isle 30 Adamannus 161 Adam Huntly taken Prisoner by the Earl of Murray 170 Ado Viennensis quoted and corrected 87 Adrian passes out of France into Britain 112 His Wall ibid. Adrian the Pope's Legate in England 433 Advatici Who 10 Aebudae Islands 22 Their Number ibid. Aelius Pertinax in Britain 117 Aelius Spartianus quoted 118 Aemodae Isles the same with Aebudae Aeneia 18 170 Air 14 Aestions spake the British Language 50 They inhabited Prussia 77 Aetius the Britains crave Aid of him 93 Afulla Isle 31 Agnes Keith Daughter of the Earl of Merch married to James Earl of Murray 161 Agathyrsi painted their Bodies 53 Aidan King of Scots invested in that Dignity by Columb 155 Ailmer Edward of England's General overthrows Bruce 12 61 Air County 20 Alan of Lorn keeps his Brother Prisoner 407 408 He is imprisoned himself ibid. Albanact Son of Brute from him the Scots called Albani 42 Albinick the Scots so called 11 Albium or Albion Isle retains the Name of Britanny 1 More Islands than one anciently so called ibid. It s Etymology 11 12 Album or White the Name of Height as well as of Colour whence many Words are derived as Albingaunum Albula Albici Albini c. 11 Alcluyth 92 Alexander I. King of Scots 221 222 Why Sirnamed Acer ibid. His Iustice to a poor Woman 222 He is relieved by Hermites ibid. Alexander II. 237 Enters England and takes Carlile ibid. He and his Queen visit Henry of England 239 His Queen dies at London 239 He marries a French Lady ibid. Alexander III. 240 The Nobles combine against him 241 He hath an Interview with Henry of England 240 Is made Knight by him and espouses Margarite his Daughter ibid. Assists the King of England 243 He and his Queen present at the Coronation of King Edward I. He marries Joleta a French Lady 244 He forbids
271 And receives an Affront thereupon ibid. A Conspiracy discovered against him ibid. He agrees with Baliol then in France 274 His Army enters England 275 His last Will and Testament 279 His three Counsels to his Nobles ibid. He would have his Heart buried at Jerusalem 280 His Death and Praise 281 Brudeus King of the Picts 156 Brudus King of the Picts slain 166 167 Brutus his Story 41 to 44 Buchan 19 Its Etymology 139 Buchan the Earl thereof made Lord High-Constable of France 335 Bull 's Head put upon a Man's heretofore a sign of Death in Scotland 370 Burgundus from Burgus 63 Bullock an English Man turns to the Scots 298 Put to Death 301 Burgh a Danish Name 201 Burra Isle 35 36 37 Buthroti Who 46 Buiia Isles great and small 29 30 70 C CAdvallus made Vice-King 105 He dies of Grief 106 Caithness 21 133 Caithness Men cruel against their Bishop and are punished for it 239 Calaman Isle 26 Calden in Scotch is an Hasel 56 Caledonia a Town i. e. Dunkel 18 Caledones Who ibid. Caledonian Woods whence so called 56 Caledonians Picts and Scots sometimes all called Britains 74 Calen Cambel with two others chosen Governour of the King and Kingdom 47 He is sent against the Douglasses 56 Calfa Isle 27 Calthrops politick Engines in War what 266 Camber Son of Brute 42 Cambri ibid. Why so called 61 Camus the Dane slain by the Scots 202 Ca●a Isle 26 28 Cantire Promontory 17 Canutus a Danish General in Scotland 202 Makes Peace with the Scots 203 Caprary or Goat Isle 25 Cara Isle 25 Carail Town 18 Purged from Monuments of Idolatry 131 Caratacus King of Scotland 107 The Orcades not subdued by Claudius Caesar in his Time 108 Carausius a Roman composes the Differences betwixt Scots and Picts 124 He seizes on Britain for himself ibid. Carausius Brother of King Findocus causes him to be slain 122 Cardorus unjustly put to death by Dardanus 188 Carick 14 Carniburgh's two Islands 27 Carron-water 15 Carron why sirnamed Schrimger 218 Cave an unusual one turning Water into Stone 20 Cassivelannus his Town i. e. Verulam taken by Caesar 82 Cecily Edward of England's Daughter promised in Marriage to the Son of James III. 422 The intended Marriage null'd and the Dowry repaid 427 Celestine Pope sends Palladius into Scotland 145 Cells so the ancient Scots called their Temples 125 Celts Who 58 Celtiberi so called from the Celts and Iberians 49 Celuinus or Cialine King of the East-Saxons 156 Slain by the Scots 157 Charles the Dolphin of France seeks Aid of the Scots 334 Charles of Burgundy slain at Nants 420 He lays the Foundation of Tyranny in his Country 434 Charles the Fifth sends to Scotland to join in Affinity with them 63 Why his Mother was committed to perpetual Imprisonment 269 Charles Guise Cardinal Guarantee for the Kingdom of Scotland 114 Charn Islands 27 Chourna Isle ibid. Childeric a Saxon Commander wounded 152 Christian Religion promoted in Scotland 125 Christ's Birth-day prophaned 151 Christians join in League against the Danes 176 Christiern of Denmark with all his Male-Stock cast out of the Kingdom 269 Chualsa Isle 73 Cicero quoted about Britain 86 Church its woful State 417 Cimbri so the French and Germans call Thieves 77 78 Cities Names in Bria Brica Briga 63 64 65 In Dunum 65 66 67 In Durum 68 In Magus 69 Clacman Prefecture or Stewarty 18 Clarence Duke of it slain in France by the Scots 335 Clarshacks What 24 Claudian a Verse in him corrected by Joseph Scaliger 76 Cleirach Isle 31 Cloich Isle 25 Clydsdale 13 14 Cluyth 92 Cnapdale 17 Cockburn Forest or Path 13 Cockrane one of King James the IIId's Evil Counsellors put to Death 425 Coemeteries for the Kings of three Nations 27 Coilus King of the Britains slain by the Scots 96 Colca a rare kind of Bird 32 Colgernus a Saxon Commander killed 152 Coll Isle 27 Collonsa Isle 26 Colman an holy Bishop 160 Columb the Saint his Monastery 26 His great Authority 155 He tells of a Victory at a very great distance 155 156 His Death 157 Columb Isle see Icolumbkill Colvansa Isle 27 Colurn i. e. Chourna or Hasel Isle 26 Comes Stabuli Who 247 Commodus the Emperor in Britain 117 Common●lty usually comply with the Humour of their Prince 188 Affect Innovations 413 Competitors for the Crown of Scotland with their several Pretensions 248 The Controversy not decided in Scotland but referred to Edward of England ibid. The Case as stated by Edward and propounded to Lawyers 249 Bruce refuses the Kingdom offered him on ignoble Terms 250 Edward decides for Baliol ibid. Competitors for the Regency 283 Conanus elected Vice-Roy 101 Conanus perswades to Peace but is seditiously slain by the Britains his Country-men 141 Conarus King of Scotland joins in a Conspiracy against his Father 113 He demands large Subsidies but is denied 114 He wars against the Britains 113 Ends his Life in Prison 115 Confidence sometimes praised for Constancy 358 Congal I. King of Scotland 147 Congal II. enriches Priests 159 Congal III. 166 Conscience guilty gives no Rest 195 Constantine Chlorus in Britain 124 Chosen General by the Brittons 125 Made their King 143 Slain by Vortigern ibid. Constantine the Emperour born 124 Constantine I. King of Scots 145 Reigns wickedly ibid. His violent Death 146 Constantine II. 174 Renews publick Discipline ibid. Slain by the Picts 175 Constantine III. 179 Makes a League with the Danes ibid. Invades the Subjects Right ibid. Abjures the Kingly Office 172 And retires into a Monastery 180 Constantine IV. sirnamed Calvus 196 Canvasses for the Crown ibid. Inveighs against the Law of Kenneth about Hereditary Succession 197 〈◊〉 the Decree of its Council seasonable for Perjured Persons 77 Controversy between the Baliols and the Bruces concerning the Crown of Scotland 245 c. Convention of the Nobles to choose a Regent after Murray's Death 251 Cony Isle 25 30 See Sigrama Corbred I. King of Scots 108 Corbred II. sirnamed Galdus 109 He first fought with the Romans ibid. And beat them out of Caledonia 111 Cornavii 22 They are in Scotland and England too 60 Cornish rise against Henry VII of Enggland 10 11 Cornovallia or Cornuvallia whence derived 60 Corshera Isle 26 Coval 17 Covihaslop see Round Isle Council of Constance send Embassadors to Scotland 334 They deny Faith to be kept with those they call Hereticks 77 Count of Rothes committed to Prison 92 Coupins-oy 36 Courtesy to Prisoners 319 Courts many times prefer Honour before Honesty 333 Cowper a Town 18 Cracoviac see Kirkwal Craford Earl of it takes part with the Douglasses 384 But afterwards deserts them 389 And is received into Pavour by the King ibid. Crackles i. e. little jangling Bells terrify Horses 307 Crathilinthus King of Scots 123 Much addicted to hunting 124 Crathilinthus kils his Grandfather 192 He rises in Arms but is suppressed 193 Cree River 14 Cressingham an English General slain by the Scots 255 Creighton sent
h Lagos i Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Leon in Spain k Cape of St. Vincent in Portugal l Langroi●a m Dwelling by the River Anas in Portugal n La●sanne o Mon●briga p Sant●ago de Lacem q Ma●abriga r Inhabiting the Country of La Mancha in New-Castile s Villa de Capilla t Es●●remed●ra u Inhabiting part of Alg●b●a and Mea●na 〈◊〉 x Va● de N●bro y Valera z Almun●a a Spaniards lying beyond the River ●●erus in Arragon and Castile b Segorve as Clasius thinks c Talega or Tal●ga in Portugal d Alcantara e Braganza as some or rather B●g●a de Regoa f The Gallicians living near Braga in Portugal g Inhabitants in and about Spire in High Germany h Dwelling in and about ●rianzon i Bregentz * Or Bavarians k Monti de Brianza l Bodensée or Lake of Constance m Inhabitants of Galway Waterford and Tipperary n Brianzon o Capo de Fin● terrae or Nerium in Ga●icia * Almeria * Words compounded of Dunum * Or Lugdunensis the Country about L●ons in France * Highlanders or Islanders a Autun in Burgundy b Chasteaudun c Melun d Lyons e St. Bertrand de Comminges f Noyon * Or Alsatians g Cad●nac h Lodun or London i Dun●e Roy. k Tours l Rodez * Or Rovergu●●●s m Some take it for Chasteau London n Sela. o Campredon in Catalonia p Almondbury in Yorkshire as Cambden but West Chester as some others * The old Inhabitants of Yorkshire Lancashire Durham Westmerland and Cumberland q Maldon in Essex r Dorchester called also Durnium and Durnovaria from the River Vare gliding by it which ariseth at a Town some few Miles distant called Evarsholt i. e. the head of Vare and passing by Dorchester runs into an Arm of the Sea at Varbam i. e. a Town on the Vare now Warham s Old Inhabitants of Pembroke Cardigan and Carmarthen-Shires formerly called West-Wales a Yverdon b Sedan * Which Anciently comprehended Austria Stiria Carniola c. c Ba●ryon d Korburgh e Linez or as some Gasten●al f Iudenburgh as some Idenaw as others but Windisch Matray as Sanson g Neumarck h Partenkirck i K●rburgh k Semendria or Zinderin l Neupurgh * Words declined from Dur. m Metz. n Inhabitants of P●ïs Messin o Wyck te Duersteden p Briare q Constance r Laufenburgh s Martenach t People of Gallia Narbenensis near the Rhosne a Psullendorff as some but Beyerne Castle as Cluverius b Korburgh c Olmu●z d C●stenitz e Instat f Fermosello g Duero h Guadalaviar near Valentia i Ledung in the West of Ireland k Inhabitants of Redborn in Hertfordshire l Of Rochester in Kent m Of Leneham in Kent n Of Canterbury o Godmanchester by Huntington p Dorsetshire Men. q Cirencester in Gloucestershire r Laiton in Ess●x s Dorchester in Dorsetshire t Lutterworth or as some Longborough in Liecestersh u Vald ' Osta x Issoir y Auxerre * Names of Places ending in Magus z Badajox a City in Spain where once the Romans had a Colony 'T is also called Pax Augusta a Noviomagus is a Proper Name for so many places that it is hard to distinguish Them severally in English for it signifies Odenheim Newenburgh N●mmegen Spire Solac Bourg c. b Xunt●gners in France c Inhabitants at Lisieux a Town in Normandy and the Country there about called Le-Lieuvin d Nivernois e About Spire f Living at St. Paul de trois Chasteaux a City in Daulphin g Living in and about Berry h Angiers i L'Anjouans k Roven l Beauvois m Beauvoisins n Tournois o Wormes p Living in Armagnac q Argenton r Memmingen s Chelmesford t Thetford u Wood-Cote near Croydon x Inhabitants of Surry as Leland of Sussex as Camden y People about Sterling or as some of Murray in Scotland z Ashwel in Hertford-shire as some or Dunstable in Bedford-shire as others a Ireland hath several Names b Camden thinks it to be the River Ma●re in Munster in the County of Desmond but why not Loch-Earn in the County of Fermanagh c Earn arising out of Loch-Earn d Strath-Earn e Millain f Xantoign g D'Eureux h Duesburgh or Asburgh i Metelew k Lancaster as Lud Lanvellin in Mongomery-shire as Camden others Midland l Malck on the River Shanon m Wye n R●o d' Aves * Awe o Cabo de S. Vincem p Ban in the County of Wexford q Spurnhead in York-shire r Fermosel s Ocel-Hills t Esilles or Exilles u Lest●thiel in Cornwal x Cadenac in France y Or Tambre z Tamerton by the River Tamar in Cornwall a Or Ars. b Sarck or Sars in Annandale c Evora d S. Lucar de Barameda * Of d' Eureux * d ee or Die * Cornish * Ca●●hness-Men * Three Nations besides the Brittons anciently inhabited this Isle * Saxons invited in by the Brittons * Where by Stratagem they and their General treacherously Murder the English Nobility * Danes invade and Conquer Eng●and under Swain * William the Norman Conquers the Dan●s and is Crowned King of England * Three other Nations came into B●itai● * The Authors Ingenuity * Lud f●rther c●nfuted * Mamertinus * All the Inhabitants o● I●●land anciently called Scots * Marcellinus divides the Picts into Dicaledones and Vecturiones See p. 18. * Caledonians Picts and Scots are sometimes called Britains * B●●tians a People o● Magna Grecia in Italy heretofore possessing the two Calalapr●●● * Romans inhabiting the District abou● Rome * 〈…〉 Men. * Scutabrigantes for Scotobrigantes according to Ioseph Sca●iger * Hector Bo●tius mistaken Iron * Ludd censured * Aestiones inhabiting P●ussia Liv●nia a Mi●esian Fables o● 〈◊〉 For the Inhabitants of M●●tum in 〈◊〉 were infamous for telling Tales so far from being true that they had not the least shadow o● Truth in them a When Marius by Sylla's Faction was driven out of Rome he hid himself stark naked in the Mud Weeds of the River Liru now Garigliano in the Kingdom of Naples where being found out he was carried to prison at Minturnae a Town hard by whither a Gaul or Cimber being sent to kill him he saw such a Majesty in his Countenance that he return'd without perpetrating the Homicide b Switz ●● c Iron d Sicambri or Westpha●s●●●s Irony e Brennus's Two f Hector Bo●tius and Lud compared and Both of them censured for some Mistakes 〈◊〉 taken by Caesar. The description of Britain according to Tacitus b It doth not appear how this resemblance holds and therefore some think those Aut●●rs to be better Historians than Resemblancers and indeed ●f the whole Island were not conquered by the Romans as confessedly it was not I do not see how they could give us the perfect Form and Shape thereof a Later A●tho●● can ha●dly reconcile this reason with the Principles of
Picts being deserted by the English receive a great overthrow by the Scots * The Picts again routed by the Scots their King Drusken slain and their Kingdom abolished * Kennethus compared with both the Fergus's and reckoned the Third Founder of the Scotish Kingdom g The wholsome Laws made by Kenneth called Mac-Alpin-Laws because he was the Son of Alpin h The Country l●ing between the Tay and Dee i Aeneia all one with Angus k The Mearns lie alongst the East-Sea between D●e and North-Esk l It stands on the North-side of Forth in P●rthshire m A Town lying on the beginning or head of a point of Land that runs into the West-side of Loc● 〈◊〉 Otherwise called the Sheri●fdom of B●●wick Edinburgh hath several Names p The Story of the Marble Stone on which the Scotch Kings were anciently Crowned q An Abby on the North-side of 〈◊〉 a Mi●e above Perth r The Ancient Scots Bishops not Diocesa●s a Donaldus's Licentiousness b It gives opportunity to the Picts to solicite Aid from Osbreth in England c Osbreth overthrown by the Scots but his Men rallying overcome the Scots when secure after their Victory d Peace granted upon hard Terms to the Scots e The Picts driven out of Albium and never recalled * Sterling Money * Donald cast into prison where he dies * Ecclesiasticks Reformed by Constantine f Drunkenness Punished with Death g Evenus put to Death for conspiring against Constantine h The Danes Invade Scotland are worsted at first yet afterwards overthrow Constantine who was slain by them * On the East-point of Fife a Sea-Monks a prodigious sort of Fish swimming in Sholes always portending some Evil. b Ethus for his Viciousness forced to abjure the Government c Gregory overcomes the Picts and Danes * In Annandale d And the Brittons also causing them to restore Cumberland and Westmorland e Peace made between A●●red of Eng●and and the Scots f The I●ish break in upon Galway in Scotland g Which causes Gregory to follow them into 〈◊〉 h Where he takes Dundalk Tredagh and Dublin and then makes Peace with the Irish and returns i The Danes Fight a bloody Battel with the English and afterward turn Christians * A Town in Murry-land not far from E●gin k Constantine taketh part with the Danes against the English * The Ancient Liberty of the Sub●ect invaded l The Scots and Danes are overcome by the Policy of Athelstan of England m Who recovers from them Westmerland Cumberland and Northumberland which yet soon after re●o●t to th●●● old Mast●●s * Constantine resigns the Kingdom * Culde●s perhaps contracted from Cultores Dei or Kelds Who n Malcolm sometimes f●●s in Courts of Justice himself o He is slain p The Danes Land in Scotland q Indulfus Slain in a Fight with the Danes r Murmurings against King Duffus 〈…〉 King Duffus Ho● and by Whom * A Tour in Murry-land 〈…〉 * King Duffus treacherously Murdered by Donald and his Wife * In Murry-land * A Traditional Opinion still obtaining Especially if the Murtherer touch the Murdered Body * Prodigies upon the Murder of Duffus awaken the Estates to revenge it * The Murderers of Duffus apprehended and executed Culen le●s loose the rein● to Voluptnousness and indeavours to justifie it in h●mself and the young Nobility His Intemperance enfeebles his Body * Lust a punishment to itself Culenus Summoned to appear at Scene * Or Meffen lying on the River A●mond Two Miles above its Confluence with T●● Three Miles above Perth He is slain by a Thane for Vitiating his Daughter * Th●●e was a 〈◊〉 of Dignity amongst the Old Scots and Picts before them equal with a Baron now Mr. Selde● judges it to come from a Saxon roo● His Office was like that of a Sheriff amongst us to gather up the King 's Revenu Or as an Under-Steward to pay it in to the Lord High Steward who was called Ab●hane * Th●●e was a 〈◊〉 of Dignity amongst the Old Scots and Picts before them equal with a Baron now Mr. Selde● judges it to come from a Saxon roo● His Office was like that of a Sheriff amongst us to gather up the King 's Revenu Or as an Under-Steward to pay it in to the Lord High Steward who was called Ab●hane Illustrating 〈◊〉 upon Philosophical 〈◊〉 * The right Method for Publick Reformations is for Princes to begin at home as K. Kenneth the 3d did * On the Banks of Clyd 5 Miles above Hamilton Kenneth politickly circumvents his Nobility at Scone and causes them to Reform their Clandships * Red-Head A Danish Fleet appears upon the Coast Crathilinthus●●●ses ●●●ses a disturbance in Scotland * But is suppressed and put to Death Kenneth embrues his Hands in the Blood of the hopeful Prince and his Kinsman 〈◊〉 Kenneth III. endeavours to alter the old Law concerning Succession of the Crown and to make it Hereditary And carries the Point Kenneth troubled in Conscience for his Murder of Malco●m An Apparition and Vo●●e to Kenneth Mock-Plaisters applied to Kenneth's wounded Conscience by S●perstitious Ecclesiasticks * Situate at the Foot of Clermont in Mern * A strange Mechanical Statue or Engine * Kenneth slain by Fenella * Constantine inveighs against the Law made by Kenneth about the Hereditary Succession to the Crown with his Reasons to back his Opinion * Malcolm Competitor with Constantine for the Crown * Or Almond-water dividing Mid-Lothian from West-Lothian or Linlithgoshire Constantine slain * An Agreement made between Malcolm and Grimus con●erning the Crown * Grime having broken the Agreement with Malcolm is overthrown by him in Battel * The Law concerning Hereditary Succession to the Crown Confirmed Sueno or Swain coming into Scotland obtains Aid there against Eng●and * S●edes Danes Laps and Norts were anciently so called * The Danes enter Scotland and overthrow King Malcolm in Battel * A Burgh or Burough * A Village on the West of the River F●ddick near Balvany * The Danes overthrown by the Scots and their Genera● Ene●●s sl●●n * Called Redhead Ridhead or Reedhead * B●mbreid in the midway between Dundee and Aberbrothock * The Danes under their General Camus receive another overthrow from the Scots * On the River South-Esk in Angus * Canutus sent by Swain into Scotland * A Third desperate Battel between the Danes under Canutus their General and the Scots * Which produceth Conditions of Peace between Them * The Originals of Wardships * New Titles of Honour * About four Miles South of Forfar * King Malcolm Murdered * The Chief Town of Angus * K. Malcolm's Murderers drowned in their Flight Prodigies Descants by way of Reflection upon the Law of Kenneth about Hereditary Succession to the Crown * Abthane or great Thane is the Chief above all other Thanes which receives the King's Revenue as Lord High Treasurer from the other Thanes Donald●ust ●ust Government both to R●ch and Poor * One Mac-duald Rebels
prevented and how * On the North-west of Spain in the Cantabrian Ocean Henry of England wars against France Andrew Forman sent into England by Iames to pick a Quarrel And from thence into France Hamilton sent with a Fleet to France but turns to Knockfergus in Ireland Hamilton at last arrives in France * Little Britain lying in the Chanel on the Northwest of France Robert Car severe against Moss-Troopers He is slain † Standing on a Rock above the Firth of Forth * In Northumberland The Murderers of Robert Carr escape not unpunished The Story of Andrew Breton A sharp Fight between the English Admiral and Breton where Breton was slain K. Iames complains to Henry of Breton's Death Alexander Hume marches with a Party into England But is worsted in his Retreat K. Iames resolves a War against England The pretended Causes of the War K. Henry's Answer to King Iames's Herald A strange Apparition of an old Man forbidding K. Iames to proceed in his War with England * A place near Cowper in Fife Yet he proceeds and enters England below Ouler in Northumberland The English challenge him to give them Battel The French Embassador presses Iames on to a Battel * In Northumberland K. Iames resolved to fight Which Earl Douglas disswaded him from in an Oration Repartees between the King and Douglas concerning a present Fight Earl Douglass in discontent retires * Or Floddonhill lying between the Town of Ouler and the River of Tweed † In Northumberland on the North side of the River Blico three miles above Stannington-Bridg ‖ Or Milfeild Flodden Fight and the Manner of it described Various Reports concerning K. Iames's Death Howard Earl of Surrey General against the Scots at Flodden falls afterwards into Disgrace The Character of K. Iames the Fourth Scots Nobility all anciently had Skill in Chirurgery Iames the 5 th of about 2 years old proclaimed King The Ambition of Alexander Hume * Q. Margaret the first Female Regent in Scotland She loses her Regency by her Marriage Three Competitors for the Archbishoprick of St. Andrews Douglas Hepburn and Forman * Lying within two Miles of Aymouth in the Merss near the Scotish Sea The Nobility divided about choosing a Regent in the room of Q. Margaret * Iohn Duke of Albany then in France chosen Regent † A little Town in Cuningham standing on the Firth of Clyd Iohn Duke of Albany the new Regent arrives in Scotland Peter Muffat a noted Robber punished * Hepburn insinuates himself into the new Regent Douglas Hume and Forman accused by Hepburn as the Three ●eads of the then Factions * Hume * Hume in discontent applies himself to the Queen and Douglas * Hume's Design disappointed Three Governors over the young King the Queen and Douglas being displaced * Hume the Queen and Douglas fly into England But upon Reconciliation with the Regent return home again (a) Alexander Hume raises an Insurrection But submits and is made Prisoner He escapes and creates further Disturbances But is quelled with his Party Both the Hume's come to Court Are imprison'd Tryed and Executed (c) Chiefly by the Instigation of Iohn Hepburn (d) Andrew Car escapes out of Prison The Regent desires leave to pass over into France * He appoints seven Deputies to govern in his absence (f) Q. Margaret returns to Scotland * Or Inse-Garvy a fortify'd Rock lying in the middle of the Forth or Scotish Sea (g) A Town in the Merss a mile west of Duns (h) Wederburn in the Merss (i) Darcy slain by David Hunt (k) Discord between Douglas Earl of Angus and Andrew Car. (l) Archibald Douglas surrenders up his Government (m) The Western Nobles conspire to apprehend the Earl of Angus (n) But he defends himself by force and worsts them (o) The Regent after 5 Years absence returns from France * In Mid-Lothian (p) The Regent raise an Army against England (q) But the Nobility oppose his Design Whereupon he claps up a Truce with the English and r●treats The Regent a second time goes into France A Skirmish between the French and English Flee●● The Earl of Surry with an Army ravages over part of Scotland Iedburgh taken by the English A strange Fright among the Horses of the English Army The English Army retreats The Regent arrives in Scotland from France a second time Q. Margaret with her Brother Henry the 8 th of England persuade the Scots to break with the French with their Arguments to inforce it But the French Faction in Scotland oppose in with their Reasons Cardinal Woolsy a self-ended and ambitious Statesman * The Regent again marches with an Army into England † Besieges Werke-Castle is repulsed and retreats ‖ Werke-Castle described * In the 〈◊〉 near 〈◊〉 Castle * The Regent undertakes his third Voyage into France ‖ In his absence the young King enters upon the Government * And vacates the Regents Power † Margarite's Husband returns from France through England into Scotland ‖ He with his Partisans seize on the young King and manage the Government * Three Moderators of the Kingdom Douglas Stuart and Cambel † But Douglas soon ou●● the other Two At which the Nobility is much discontented and endeavour to take the King by Force out of his Hands * Walter Scot overthrown by the Douglasses in his Endeavours to free the King ‖ Iohn Stua●t Earl of Lennox with the King's Privity renews the Design of redeeming the King from the Douglasses * A Mile above the Bridg near Linlithgo ‖ Lennox fights with the Douglassians and Hamiltonians is worsted and slain Great Severity used by the Douglasses against Lennox's Party * The couragious Answer of Hugh Kennedy in behalf of Gilbert Earl of Cassils The bold Attempt of an Under-Groom to destroy Iames Hamilton in Revenge of his Master's the Earl of Lennox his Death The Groom apprehended and tortured yet dies very resolutely Patrick Hamilton nobly descended put to Death upon the account of Religion * The strange Death of Alexander Cambel the self-condemned Persecutor of Patrick Hamilton * The King frees himself from the Douglasses * Or Falcoland about the middle of Fife The Douglasses forbidden by Proclamation to intermeddle in the Government New Officers at Court ‖ August 26. * In East-Lothian opposite to the Bass-Isle † In Sterlingshire not far from To● wood ‖ The Douglasses arm in desperation * In Lothian † About four Miles South of Dalkeith ‖ November 21. * A Town lying in the Firth or Forth in East-Lothian four Miles South of Dunbar † Tantallon-Castle besieged by the King ‖ In the Author it is Tantallon but I judg it to be a Mistake of the Transcriber for Du●bar * The Siege of Tantallon raised † Within two Miles of Eymouth in the Moss ‖ The Douglasses forced to fly into England * Embassadors from England to piece up an Accommodation between King Iames and the Douglasses † In Twidale ‖ Iames Earl of Murray
Forth in Fife The English Seamen landing in Scotland in two places are twice repulsed Hadington besieged by the Scots but relieved by the English A Mutiny between the French and Scots at Edinburgh The design of the French to surprize Hadington disappointed The French disgusted by the Scots for their Cruelty and Oppressions Dessius Commander of the French recalled from Scotland and Termes sent to succeed him Dessius takes the Island Keith from the English before his Departure Hadington deserted by the English An Agreement between the French and English The Regent's Government disrelished especially after the Martyrdom of George Wiseheart The Queen Dowager sails for France * A Monastery 4 Miles North of Irwin near the Irish Sea in Cuningham The Regent by Directions from France persuaded to resign his Government Which he doth afterwards upon Terms * In Renfrewshire † Or Chastle-herault ‖ Vien in Daulphiny in France having a Bridg over the Rhosne K. Edward the 6 th of England highly commended The Queen Dowager made Regent Huntly imprisoned ‖ Or Macintoshes But released upon Conditions The Queen Regent by the Advice of the French raises new Taxes * In Mid-Lothian But the Commons withstand it shewing their Reasons Upon which she desists Embassadors from France desiring the Scots to make War against England * On the North side of South-Esk near Dalkeith in East-Lothian † The Town of Eye-Mouth in the Merss * In Teviotdale on the South side of Tweed below Kelso Difference between D'Osel the French Embassador and the Scots Nobility D'Osel vails Bonnet to them The Scots under Andrew Carr overthrown by the Duke of Norfolk * In Lennoxshire Embassadors sent to France about the Marriage of the Dolphin with the Queen of Scots * A Royal Borough of Angus † Piemont and Millain ‖ D'Coss Earl of Brisac Some of the Scots Embassadors die in France and the rest return home The English Fleet attempts the Orcades but are driven off by Tempest Walter Mills martyred to the great regret of the Citizens of St. Andrews ‖ Or Meth●e● Paul Meffen troubled upon the account of Religion St. Giles's Show the Tutelar of Edinburgh fouly spoiled Paul Meffen banished by the Papists but yet harbor'd by the Inhabitants of Dundee The first Congregation of the Reformed in Scotland * Or Cader in Mid-Lothian The just Proposals of the Reformers to the Queen-Regent Which the Priests by the Encouragement of the Queen-Regent oppose The Quadrantary or Triobolar Faith what The Scotish Crown order'd to be sent to the Daulphin of France who had married the Queen The Queen of Scots upon the Death of Mary of England assumes the Royal Arms of England The imperious Answers of the Queen-Regent to the Agents of the Reformed with their tart Reply Magistrates have power over Mens Bodies and Estates not their Consciences Iohn Knox preaches at Perth upon which the Commonalty destroy the Idols and Shrines for Popish Worship * Friars Mendicants call'd Friars Manducants The Regent disgusts the Carriages of the Reformed and prepares Force against them Cuningham Earl of Glencarn stands up stoutly for the Reformation A Temporary Agreement made between the Regent and the Reformed Which the Regent eludes what she can by undue Pretences * Perth Argyle and Iames Stuart join themselves with the Reform'd against the Regent because of her breach of Promise The Resolution of the Reformers * In Poictou in France The Queen marches against them and they prepare to defend themselves The Reformers under the command of Argyle and Stuart take Perth Cowper Linlithgo and Edinburgh and purge them from monuments of Idolatry A Truce between the Regent and the Reformers French Auxiliaries arrive to strengthen the Regent Which disgusts the Reformed * Or of St. Michael Embassadors from France Their Demands answer'd by the Reformed The Reformers expostulate with the Regent The Regents answers to their Demands The Rejoinder of the Reformed Nobility to the Regent's Answer They abrogate the Regent's Power * In East-Lothian The Reformers meet with great discouragements by the prevailing of the French and desire Aid from England Knox's encouraging Sermon England resolves to send Aid to the Reformers in Scotland * A Borough Royal in Fife * In Fife A Fleet of English appear to aid the Scots Reformers which terrifies the French The French lose the hearts even of the Scotish Papists themselves by their Insolencies and Plunderings French Aid arrives in Scotland to assist the Regent So doth an English Army to aid the Reformers The Reformers last Letter to the Regent Skirmishes between the English and the French Embassadors from England The Queen-Regent's death with her Character The Character of the French Embassadors in Scotland Three French Generals in Scotland with their respective Characters After the Regent's death Peace concluded between the Parties by which the French were to leave Scotland a point the Regent would never yield to in her Life-time though often press'd thereto Sandeland Embassador from Scotland to France * A Vidam in France is a Baron holding of a Bishop A Massacre design'd in France by the Guises December 5. The Death of Francis the French King The Queen of Scots resolves to return from France An Embassador from France with his Demands and the Answers of the Scotish Nobility thereunto The Scots Parliament demolishes all Monasteries * A Town built on the River South-Esk in Angus The Queen arrives in Scotland with various Descants thereupon Maitland sent Embassador into England Who persuades Queen Elizabeth by many Arguments to declare the Queen of Scots her Successor Which she absolutely refuses to do with her Reasons for it Courtiers unstable and selfish in their Affections to their Prince The Queen of Scots not to use the English Arms in Queen Elizabeth's time A Question stated whether a chief Magistrate might be compell'd to do his Duty with variou● Opinions thereupon The Queen designs to have a Guard for her Body alamode of France The Queen raises her Revenues out of Estates of Ecclesiasticks Iames the Queen's Brother made Earl of Marr afterwards of Murray Gordon an Enemy to Murray Iames Macintosh unjustly put to death by Gordon and his Wife Bothwel endeavours to supplant Murray A Design against the Regent discovered by a Mistake in delivering of Letters and the Conspirators imprisoned Dunbarton-Castle taken by the Queen Gordon's Plot to kill Murray prevented An Interview designed between the Queens of England and Scotland at York but disappointed * In Te●iotdale The Regent destined to ruin by the Popish Faction in Scotland and the Guises in France for adhering to the Reformation Gordon incited by the Pope's Letters undertakes to destroy Murray the Regent Bothwel escapes out of Prison ‖ Or Strathbogy Gordon's bold Attempt against the Queen her self Disappointed Gordon's design against Murray's Life Wonderfully 〈◊〉 * The Gordons taken Prisoners † The Regent gives solemn Thanks to Almighty God the sole Author of his unexpected Deliverance Iohn Gordon put to
Death * Bothwel outlawed † Ianuary 26. ‖ Lent observed on a Politick not Religious Account * Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox return● out of France after twenty two Years Exile † Henry Stuart his Son comes out of England and is in great Favour with the Queen ‖ The Story of David Rize * In Pr●vence situated on the Mediterranean-Sea at the foot of the Alps which divides France from Italy near Villa-Franca † Rize his Politick Court to Henry Stuart Lord Darnly Bothwel avoids his Trial. Various Disputes concerning the Queen's marriage with Darnly * Viz. Reformed The Queen actually Marries Henry Lord Darnly Which disgusts many of the Nobility A Politic Maxim both Prudent and also Equitable * A Town standing on the West-side of Clyde 2 Miles above Bothwel-Bridg The Nobles that rose up in Arms are quelled Rize persuades the Queen to cut off some of the Scotish Nobility and to entertain Foreigners as a Guard to her Person The Queen after her hasty Marriage is assoon alienated from the King who at the instigation of Rize is plausibly dismist from Court * Or Pebils * A Castle on North-Esk two Miles above Dalk●ith in Mid-Lothian with the demesnes thereof The King being 〈…〉 made sensible of Rizes scandalous Familiarity with the Queen resolves to destroy him The Peremptoriness of Rize ‖ Or President Articles of Agreement betwixt the King and the Nobles for the destruction of Rize c. Rize haled from the Table as he was at Supper with the Queen and slain Damiot's warning to Rize to get him packing out of Scotland which he scornfully rejected Ruven's memorable Speech to the Queen on the occasion of Rize's Death The King takes Rize's Death upon himself † The banished Nobles offer themselves to their Trial. ‖ Rize's Body buried by the Queen's Order in the Sepulchres of the Kings of Scotland * A Proclamati●● against Rize's Murderers † The Queen delivered of King Iames the Sixth * The Queen disgusts her Husband and favours Bothwel † In Clackmannan-shire on the North side of the Forth below Sterlin ‖ Bothwel wounded by an High-way-Pad † In Liddisdale † A Castle in Mid-Lothian * The Queen falls sick yet continues to flight the Applications of her Husband to her * She meditates a Divorce Strange Disrespect to the King at the Baptism of his own Son Thereupon he withdraws from Court Is poisoned but overcomes 〈◊〉 by the Vigour of his Youth The Story of the Infernal Design to destroy Henry Stuart King of Scotland agitated and complotted with the Series of its Procedure The King strangled And then the House wherein he was blown up with Gunpowder ‖ The Bishop of St. Andrews shrewdly suspected about the King's Death The Assassi●● do falsly impute the King's Murder to Murray and Morton The English inflamed against the Scots upon hearing the horrid Murder of their King Prodigies accompanying the King's death Bothwel designs to destroy Murray The Assassination of the Scots King odious to all Nations Bothwels Mock-Trial for the King's Murder before the Earl of Argyle A Proclamation published for a Blind to discover the King's Murderers The bold Speech of a Taylor The Queen solicitous to procure the Government of Edinburgh-Castle into her own Hands The Earl of Lennox first publickly accuses Bothwel of the King's Murder * April 15. Whereupon a Court is hastily summon'd By which Bothwel is acquitted tho but Conditionally Bothwel challenges his Accusers Bothwel procures a Schedule from some of the unwary Nobility incouraging his Marriage with the Queen Which some of them afterwards retract The Queen to be s●emingly surprized by Bothwel in order to her Marriage with him The Water of Almond divides Mid-lothian from West-lothian in Linlithgo-shire Bothwel actually surprizes the Queen And is divorc'd from his former Wife for Adultery Ecclesiasticks backward to publish the Bans or to celebrate the Marriage between the Queen and Bothwel Yet at last the Bishop of Orkney marries them The French Embassador refuses to come to the Wedding ☜ Even the Vulgar dislike the Queen's Marriage Politic Instructions to the Bishop of Dunblan● to excuse the Queen's hasty Marriage at the French Court. The Queen frames an Association for the Nobility to subscribe Which the Earl of Murray refus'd to do And therefore departs the Land A contrary Association entred into by several of the Nobility to preserve the young King The Queen escapes from the associated Nobles in Mans Apparel And arms against them A State Maxim irrefragably true Both Armies ready to ingage Monsieur Crock the French Embassador mediates for a Peace But not prevailing he withdraws himself Bothwel's daring Challenge answered But the Queen forbids the Duel The Queen's Army refuses to fight * In Fife Whereupon Bothwel flies and the Queen is taken Prisoner The Bishop of Dunblane chouzed in his Embassy to France Wondrous Discoveries concerning the King's Murder in Bothwels Cabinet of Letters The Queen pitied in her Distress The Hamiltons stir in her behalf Governours appoinetd for the young King by the Queen her self The Earl of Murray returns from Travel And is chosen Regent Iohn Knox preaches a Sermon at the Coronation of K. Iames the 6 th The Coronation-Oath taken by Proxies by reason of the King's Minority Bothwel flies to the Northern Isles and from thence to Denmark Where he is imprisoned and dies Distracted The Queen's Party of which the Hamiltons were the chief design Her Deliverance out of Durance * In Strath-●arn The Regent remarkable Speech and Resolu●io● An Embassador from France The Queen escapes out of Prison and gathers Forces against the Regent The French Embassador busy betwixt the Parties * Two Miles South of Glasgow A Fight between the Royalists and the Queen's Forces Wherein the Queen is overthrown and flies for England The French Embassador sculks away after the Fight In Clydsdal● Queen Elizabeth of England doth in part adopt the cause of the Scots Queen Whereupon the Regent with some others meet the Queen of England's Commissioners at York to debate Matters George Buchanan accompanies the Regent into England A Plot to cu● off the Regent in his Journy Disputes between the Commissioners of both Sides Upon their Disagreement Queen Elizabeth avokes the Cause to London Commissioners sent to London by the Regent Maitland not true to the Regent The Regent himself comes to London The Queen of Scots endeavours to raise Commotions in Scotland in the Regent's Absence The Regent manages his Accusation against the Queen and her Party To the convincement of the Queen of England and her Privy-Council 〈◊〉 acquitted from Guilt by the Queen of Scots's Commissioners themselves Iames Hamilton returns from France and labours to embroil things in Scotland hoping thereby to get the Regency from M●rray The Queen of England tampered with by the Hamiltonians to make Hami●ton Regent The Royalists answer their Reasons in a large discourse The Cruelty of Robert against his Brother's Children Laodice's Unnaturalness towards her own
Words from whence we may know which are foreinly introduced and which are Patriots For as the Words Philosophia Geometria and Dialectica though oft used by Latin Writers yet have scarce any Latin Word of kin to them or derived from them from whence they may seem to draw their Original so on the other side the Words Paradisus and Gaza are used by the Greeks and yet it appears by this That they are Inquiline or Forein because they can't shew any Original nor any Progeny derived from them in the Genuin Greek Tongue The same Observation may be also made in other Tongues which will help us to judge what Words are Domestick and what are Adventitious or Forein Let it suffice to have spoken thus much in General Let us now propound Examples concerning every Particular part Where First we meet with those Words which end in Bria Briga and Brica Strabo in his Seventh Book with whose Opinion Stephanus concurs says That Bria signifies a City to confirm their Opinion they produce these Names derived therefrom Pultobria Brutobria Mesembria and Selimbria But the place by them called Brutobria by others is named Brutobrica and the places which Ptolemy makes to end in Briga Pliny closes with Brica so that 't is probable That Bria Briga and Brica signifie the same thing But that they all have their Original from Gaul appears by this That the Gauls are reported anciently to have sent forth Colonies into Thrace and Spain and not They into Gaul and therefore amongst proper Classick Authors we usually read the Words following Abobrica in Pliny in the Circuit of Braga Amalo-brica in the Itinerary of the Emperor Antoninus Arabrica Pliny in the Bracarens●an Circuit also Arabrica another Ptolemy in Lusitania or Portugal Arcobrica Ptolemy amongst the Celtiberians i. e. New-Castillians Arcobrica another Ptolemy amongst the Lusitanian-Celticks Arcobrica a Third in the * Caesar-Augustan-Province Artobrica Ptolemy in the Vindilici's Country Augustobrica Pliny and Ptolemy in Portugal Augustobrica another Ptolemy in the Vecton's Country Augustobrica a Third Ptolemy in the Pelendon's Country Axabrica Pliny of the Lusitanicks Bodobrica in the Itinerary of Antoninus and in the Book of the Knowledge of the Roman Empire in High-Germany Brige in the Itinerary of Antoninus in Britany Brige in Strabo a Town by the Cottian Alps. Bruto-brica in Strabo between the Turduli and the River Boetis Caeliobrica Ptolemy of the Celerini i. e. People in Portugal Caesarobrica Pliny in Portugal also Catobrica of the Turduli in the Itinerary of the Emperor Antoninus Corimbrica Pliny in Portugal if I mistake not corruptly for Conimbrica of which mention is made in the Itinerary of Antoninus which City as yet keeps it ancient Name by the River Munda in Portugal Cotteobria Ptolemy in the Vecton's Country Deobrica Ptolemy among the Vecton's also Deobrica another Ptolemy of the Autrigones Deobricula Ptolemy of the Morbogi Dessobrica not far distant from Lacobrica in the Itinerary of Antoninus Flavio-Brica Pliny at the Port Amanus Ptolemy in the Autrigons calls it Magnus but I know not whether Magnus ought to be writ in Pliny or no. Serabrica in the Scalabitan Province which Pliny writes Ierabrica Iuliobrica in Pliny and in the Itinerary of Antoninus of the Cantabrians or Biscainers heretofore called Brigantia Lacobrica in the Vaccaeans Country in Pliny Ptolemy and Festus Pompeius Lacobrica at the Sacred Promontory in Mela. Lancobrica of the Lusitanick Celts Ptolemy Latobrigi near to the Svitzers Caesar. Medubrica Sirnamed Plumbaria by Pliny in Portugal this if I mistake not is called Mundobrica in the Itinerary of Antoninus Merobrica Sirnamed Celtica in Portugal Pliny and Ptolemy Mirobrica in the Country of the Oretani Mirobrica another in Beturia or in the Country of the Turditani Boetici Pliny and Ptolemy Nemetobrica in the Country of the Lusitanick Celts Ptolemy Nertobrica in the Turduli's Country of Boetica Ptolemy Nertobrica another in the Celtiberians Country Ptolemy which in the Itinerary of Antoninus is called Nitobrica Segobrica in the Celtiberians Country Pliny but Ptolemy counts it the Head City of Celtiberia Talabrica in Lusitania Pliny and Ptolemy Turobrica in the Celts Country of Boetica Pliny Tuntobrica amongst the Bracarean Gallaeci Ptolemy Vertobrica Sirnamed Concordia Iulia Pliny in the Celt-Beticks Country Volobrica of the Nemetes Ptolomy Very many Names of Towns and Nations seem to belong to this Class in all the Provinces into which the Gauls distributed Colonies For as Burgundus and Burgundio seem to be derived from Burgo so doth Brigantes from Briga The Nominative Case of this word in Stephanus is Brigas whence we decline Brigantes as we do Gigantes from Gigas The Brigantes according to Strabo are situate by the Cottian Alps and in the same Tract is the Village or Town Brige And the Brigiani in the Trophy of Augustus are reckoned amongst the Alpin Nations Brigantium is an Alpine Town and the Brigantii are in the Country of the Vindelici according to Strabo and Brigantia in the Itinerary of Antoninus And the Mountain Briga Ptolemy is near the Fountains of the Rohsne and the Danow Also Brigantium in Rhaetia Ptolemy is the same Town I suppose which in the Book of the Knowledge of the Provinces of the People of Rome is called Brecantia and the Brigantine Lake And in Ireland are the Brigantes Ptolemy The Brigantes also are in Albium Ptolemy Tacitus and Seneca And the Town Brige or Brage and Isobrigantium in the Itinerary of Antoninus And the Town Brigantium in Orosius by the Celtick Promontory and Flaviobrigantium or Besanzon in Ptolemy in the Great Port And a later Brigantia i. e. Braganza now in the Kingdom of Portugal There is also another Class or Rank of Words which do either begin in Dunum or end therewith which is a Gallick Word as appears by those Heaps of Sand of the Morini as yet called Duni or the Downs and those other Heaps of Sand in the Sea over against them in the English Shore which retain the same Name of Downs Yea Plutarch I mean He who wrote the Book of Rivers in declaring the Original of Lugdunum i. e. Lions acknowledges Dunum to be a Gallick Word And indeed in expressing the Names of Villages and Towns there is scarce any one Word or Termination more frequent than That amongst the Nations who yet preserve the old Gallick Tongue almost intire I mean the Brittons in Gallia Celtica and the Ancient Scots in Ireland and Albium and the Valli or Welch the Kernicovalli or Cornish in England for there is none of
before whereupon they forbad him to enter their Borders but sent him Word That they themselves without his Presence would gather Money for and send Souldiers to the Syrian War and indeed they sent Souldiers under the Command of the Earls of Carick and Athol Two of the Chief Nobility to L●wis King of Fran●e and to the Pope lest he might think himself altogether disesteemed they sent 1000 Marks of Silver The Year after Henry King of England died and his Son Edward the First succeeded him at whose Coronation Alexander and his Wife were present she returning died soon after yea David the Kings Son and also Alexander being newly Married to the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders followed her a little time after by their continued Funerals Margarite also the Kings Daughter departed this Life who left a Daughter behind her begot by Hangonanus King of Norwey Alexander being thus in a few years deprived both of his Wife and Children too took to Wife Ioleta the Daughter of the Earl of Dreux and within a Year he fell from his Horse and broke his Neck not far from Kinghorn in the Year of our Lord 1285. and the Fourteenth of the Calends of April he lived Forty Five years and Reigned Thirty Seven He was more missed than any King of Scotland had been before him not so much for the eminent Virtues of his Mind and the Accomplishments of his Body as that People foresaw what great Calamities would befal the Kingdom upon his Decease Those wholsome Laws which he made are antiquated by the Negligence of Men and the Length of Time and their Utility is rather celebrated by Report than experienced by Trial. He divided the Kingdom into Four Parts and almost every year he Travelled them all over staying well near Three Months in each of them to do Justice and to hear the complaints of the Poor who had free Access to him all that time Assoon as he went to an Assize or Sessions he Commanded the Prefect or Sheriff of that Precinct to meet him with a select number of Men and also to accompany him at his departure to the end of his Bailywick till the next Precinct where he was Guarded by another like Company By this means he became acquainted with all the Nobility and was as well known to them and the People as he went were not burthen'd with a Troop of Courtiers who are commonly Imperious and given to Avarice where they come He commanded the Magistrates to punish all Idle Persons who followed no Trade nor had any Estates to maintain them for his Opinion was That Idleness was the Source and Fountain of all Wickedness He reduced the Horse-Train of the Nobles when they travelled to a certain number because he thought that the Multitude of Horses which were unfit for War would spend too much Provision And whereas by reason of Unskilfulness in Navigation or else by Mens Avarice in committing themselves rashly to Sea many Shipwracks had happened and the Violence of Pyrates making an Accession thereto the Company of Merchants were almost undone he commanded they should Traffick no more by Sea That Order lasted about an Year but being accounted by many of a publick Prejudice at length so great a Quantity of Foreign Commodities were imported that in Scotland they were never in the Memory of Man more or less cheap In this Case that he might study the good of the Merchants-Company he forbad that any but Merchants should buy what was imported by whole Sale but what every Man wanted he was to buy it at second Hand or by Retail from them The Eighth BOOK ALEXANDER and his whole Lineage besides one 〈◊〉 by his Daughter being extinct a Convention of the Estates was held at Scone to Treat about Creating a new King and setling the State of the Kingdom whither when most of the Nobility were come in the first place they appointed Vicegerents to govern Matters at present so dividing the Provinces That Duncan Mackduff should preside over Fife of which he was Earl Iohn Cumins Earl of Buchan over Buchan William Frazer Archbishop of St. Andrews over that Part of the Kingdom which lay Northward And that Robert Bishop of Glascow Another Iohn Cumins and Iohn Stuart should Govern the Southern Countries and that the Boundary in the midst should be the River Forth Edward King of England knowing that his Sisters 〈◊〉 Daughter of the King of Norway was the only surviving Person of all the Posterity of Alexander and that She was the Lawful Heiress of the Kingdom of Scotland sent Ambassadors into Scotland to desire Her as a Wife for his Son The Embassadors in the Session discoursed much of the publick Utility like to accrue to both Kingdoms by this Marriage neither did they find the Scots averse therefrom For Edward was a Man of great Courage and Power yet he desired to increase it and his Valour highly appeared in the Holy War in his Fathers Life time and after his Death in his subduing of Wales neither were there ever more Endearments passed betwixt the Scots and the English than under the last Kings Yea the Ancient Hatred seemed no way more likely to be abolished than if both Nations on Just and Equal Terms might be united into One. For these Reasons the Marriage was easily assented to other Conditions were also added by the consent of both Parties as That the Scots should use their own Laws and Magistrates until Children were begot out of that Marriage which might Govern the Kingdom or if no such were begot or being born if they dyed before they came to the Crown then the Kingdom of Scotland was to pass to the next Kinsman of the Blood-Royal Matters being thus setled Embassadors were sent into Norway Michael or as others call him David Weems and Michael Scot Two eminent Knights of Fife and much Famed for their Prudence in those days But Margarite for that was the Name of the young Princess dyed before they came thither so that they returned home in a sorrowful posture without their errand By reason of the untimely death of this young Lady a Controversie arose concerning the Kingdom which mightily shook England but almost quite ruined Scotland The Competitors were Men of great Power Iohn Baliol and Robert Bruce of which Baliol had Lands in France Bruce in England but Both of them great Possessions and Allies in Scotland But before I enter upon their Disputes that all things may be more clear to the Reader I must fetch them down a little higher The Three last Kings of Scotland William and the Two Alexanders The Second and the Third and their whole Off-spring being extinct there remained none who could lawfully claim the Kingdom but the Posterity of David Earl of Huntington This David was Brother to King William and Great Uncle to Alexander the Third He Married Maud in England Daughter to the Earl of Chester by whom he had Three
Daughters The Eldest Named Margarite Married Alan of Galway a Man very powerful amongst the Scots The Second was matched to Robert Bruce Sirnamed the Noble of High English Descent and of a large Estate The Third was Married to Henry Hastings an Englishman also whose Posterity do deservedly enjoy the Earldom of Huntington at this day But to let him pass because he never put in for the Kingdom I shall confine my Discourse to the Stock Cause and Ancestry of Baliol and Bruce only Whilst William was King of Scotland Fergus Prince of Galway left Two Sons Gilbert and Ethred William to prevent the Seeds of Discord betwixt the Two Brothers divided their Fathers Inheritance equally betwixt them Gilbert the Eldest took this highly amiss and thereupon conceived an Hatred against his Brother as his Rival and against the King too for his unequal Distribution Thereupon when the King was Prisoner in England being then freed from fear of the Law he discovered his long-concealed Hatred against them both As for his Brother he took him unawares pulled out his Eyes cut out his Tongue and so not content with a single Death he put him to grievous and excessive Tortures before he dyed and he himself joyned with the English and preyed upon his Neighbors and Country-men as if they had been in an Enemies Country for he wasted all with Fire and Sword And except Rolland the Son of Ethred had gathered a Band of Countrymen who remained firm to the King together to resist his Attempts he had either wasted the neighbour Countries or drawn them all over to his Party This Rolland was a forward young Man of great Abilities both of Body and Mind he not only abated the Fury of his Uncle but many times fought valiantly and sometimes successfully with the English as he met them whilst he repressed their Plunderings or as he himself spoiled their Lands At last when the King was restored Gilbert by the Mediation of his Friends got a Pardon upon promise of a sum of Money for the Wrongs he had done and giving Pledges to that purpose But Gilbert dying a few days after those who were accustomed to Blood and Prey under him and who had given up themselves into the Protection of the King of England either out of the Inconstancy of their Dispositions or for fear of Punishment being stirr'd on by Gripes from an accusing Conscience for what they had formerly done took up Arms again under the Command of Gilpatrick Henry Kennedy and Samuel who before had been the Assistors and Companions to Gilbert in his Wickedness Rolland was sent with an Army against them and after a great Fight he slew their chief Leaders and a great Part of the common Soldiers They who escaped fled to one Gilcolumb a Captain of the Freebooters and Robbers who had made a great spoil in Lothian and much endamaged the Nobles and Richer sort of whom also he killed some Thence marching into Galway he undertook Gilbert's Cause when all others looked upon it as desperate He not only claimed his Lands as his Own but carried himself as the Lord of all Galway At last Rolland fought with him in the Calends of October about Three Months after Gilbert's Forces were defeated and slew him with the greatest part of his Army with very little loss of his own side amongst the slain there was found his own Brother a stout young Man The English being troubled at the overthrow of these Men who had put themselves under their Protection the Year before march'd with an Army to Carlisle thither also came Rolland being Reconciled to the King of England by the Mediation of William where he refuted the Calumnies of his Enemies and shewed That he had done nothing Maliciously or Causelesly against his own and the Publicks Enemy upon which he was honourably dismissed by the King William also returned home and calling to Mind the Constancy of his Father Ethred and how many Noble Exploits he had performed for the Good of the Publick he gave him all Galway And besides he bestowed Carrick on the Son of Gilbert though his Father had not deserved so well of him William of Newberry the English Writer Records these things as done Anno 1183. Rolland took to Wife the Sister of William Morvill who was Lord High Constable in Scotland who dying without Issue Rolland enjoyed that Office as Hereditary to him and his Family He had a Son called Alan who for his Assistance afforded to Iohn King of England in his Irish War was rewarded by him with large Possessions on which accompt by the permission of William of Scotland he was a Feudatary to the English King and swore Fealty to him This Alan took to Wife Margarite the Eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntington By her he had Three Daughters the Eldest Dornadilla he Married to Iohn Baliol who was King of Scotland for some years But Robert Bruce Married Isabella Davids Second Daughter he came to be Earl of Carrick upon this Occasion Martha Countess of Carrick being Marriageable and the only Heiress of her Father who died in the Holy War as she was a Hunting cast her Eye on Robert Bruce the Beautifullest Young Man of all her Train whereupon she Courteously invited him and in a manner compelled him into her Castle which was near at Hand Being come thither his Age Beauty Kindred and Manners easily procuring mutual Love they were quickly Married in a private way When the King was informed thereof he was much offended with them Both because the Right of bestowing the Lady in Marriage lay in him yet by the Mediation of Friends he was afterwards Reconciled to them Out of this Marriage Robert Bruce was Born who afterwards was King of Scotland Thus having enlarged my self in this Prologue I come now to the Matter in Hand and to the Competitors of the Kingdom They were Dornadilla the Grand-child of David of Huntingdon by his Eldest Daughter and Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick Grand-son of the said David by his youngest Daughter Dornadilla's Pretensions were grounded on the Custom of the Country whereby he or she that was nearer in Degree had a better Right Robert Bruce insisted on the Sex that in a like degree of Propinquity Males ought to be preferred before Females so that he denied it to be just that as long as a Grand-son was alive a Grand-daughter should inherit her Ancestors Estate And though sometimes the contrary may be practised in the Inheritances of private Men yet the matter is far otherwise in those Estates which are called Feuds and in the Succession of Kingdoms And of this there was urged a late Example in the Controversie concerning the Dutchess of Burgundy which the Earl of Nevers who Married the Grand-child of the last Duke by his Eldest Son Claimed yet the Inheritance was adjudged to the Son of the Duke's younger Brother so that Robert contended That he was nearer in Degree as
of his Men he durst not draw them forth into a Place of greater Disadvantage Hereupon he first sent an Herald to Bruce for a Truce wherein they might Treat of Terms of Peace The Truce being obtained Cumins made no more Mention of Peace but encreas'd his Forces as much as ever he could neither would he trust the Scots that were with him the Favour of many of them inclining to Robert but craved Aid from England In the mean time Bruce to remove the Contemptible Opinion which the English might conceive of him and to encourage the Spirits of his Friends was always nibbling at his Enemies Heels here taking some there others and surprizing their weakest Garisons he never staid long in a Place neither gave he Opportunity to the Enemy to fight him But about this time Simon Frazer and Walter Longan brave Soldiers Both and Lovers of their Country were taken by some of the Cuminian Faction delivered over to the English and put to Death at London And almost about the same time Iames Douglas joined himself with Bruce his Party He was the Son of William a young Man passing well instructed in all the Liberal Arts who when he was studying at Paris hearing that his Father was cast into Prison by the English where he soon after Died returned home to receive the Advice of his Friends how he might Order the Residue of his Life But being deprived of his Patrimony and all his Friends variously dispersed in great Want he repaired to William Lambert Bishop of St. Andrews by whom he was admitted as one of his Family and kindly entertained until King Edward came to Besiege Sterlin after he had Conquered almost all Scotland besides Lambert going thither to Salute the King carried Douglas along with him and having gotten a fit Opportunity he spake to the King to restore his Patrimony to take him into his Protection and to make Use of his Faithful Endeavours in his Service some other things he also added in Praise of the young Man the King hearing of his Name and Family spake very roughly concerning the stubbornness of William his Father withal adding That he intended not to make any use of his Son nor of any Assistance of his and as for his Paternal Estate he could not restore it if he would because he had gratified his Friends with it who had merited well of him Iames being thus dismissed by the King stayed with Lambert till Bruce came to Merne And then that might he omit no Occasion to prejudice Edward whose Mind he found was implacably bent against him he took away Lamberts Horses and some Money not without his Privity and came to Bruce and his Service was of great use to him in many sharp Storms afterwards Not long after Both Kings almost in the same Moment of time fell grievously Sick Edward being busie in Preparations for War against Scotland died within a few days at Lancaster leaving his Second Son Edward for his Heir who was called Edward of Carnarvon from the Place where he was Born he marching into his Enemies Country with the Army which his Father had recruited sent a Proclamation before to Dumfreiz That all the Scots should meet him there but there came in but a Few and those out of the Neighbouring Parts and very heavily too He being also informed That his Matters beyond Sea went not well on left a Force such as he thought sufficient to quell the Insurrection in Scotland and settling things as soon as he could he passed over into France In the interim Robert hearing of Edward's Death was somewhat relieved and began to hope better of his Affairs and so the strength of his Mind supported his weak Body But not being ignorant how much the sole Conduct of a General might contribute to a Victory he so prepared himself for the extreme Push of Fortune that he expected his Enemy and a Battel On the other side the English King coming back more slowly than his Friends hoped Iohn Cumins being greedy of the Glory That the War was ended by him hoping also that Robert was dead by reason of his sore Disease added to his other Hardships or at least that his Sickness would hinder him from being present in the Army gathered together all the Forces he could make and marched directly towards his Enemy On the other side Robert to encourage his Men caused himself to be set on Horseback His very Sight tho' he was supported by Two Men and could not stay long yet gave such Heart to his Men that they never began any Fight more Courageously than they did That Cumins who had placed the Hope of his Victory in the Sickness of his Enemy being not able to keep his Men together neither by Persuasions nor Punishments was forced to fly away in their Company many were taken in the pursuit and all courteously used This Victory gotten at Ennerury as it recovered the King from his Disease so it was the Omen of his future prosperous Proceedings for from that day forward he succeeded in All that he attempted A while after he marched into the Country of Argyle which he pillaged and forced Alexander the Lord of it to a Surrender who retiring into England in a little time there ended his miserable Life in great Want The same Year the Day before the Calends of Iuly Edward Bruce also had prosperous success at a Battel fought at Die a River of Galway Rolland a Noble Knight of Galway was slain in the Fight Donald the Islander was taken Prisoner as he was flying away and the whole Country of Galway was wasted far and near These Tumults rouz'd up Edward who was rather desirous to live in Peace to a War even against his Will for perceiving that his Affairs were ill-managed he the next Year with a great Army of English entred Scotland and there joyned a numerous Body of Scots who had not yet revolted from the English With those Forces he pierced as far as Ranfro● and then retreated having performed no Memorable Act in his Expedition either because he himself was of a dull and unactive Nature or else because Robert besides the scarcity which did then generally afflict all Scotland had caused all the Provisions to be carried away from those Places thrô which his Army was to march and had laid them up more out of the way After his Departure Robert spent the rest of the Year in recovering those Castles which the English yet held of which Many surrendred before they were Besieged as despairing of any help from England The next Year which was 1310. Bruce to cry quits with the English for the damage they had done in Scotland marched twice into England with his Army and returned back laden with spoils without any Encounter at all The Two next Years he recovered almost all the strong Garisons which yet remained in the hands of the English He took Perth by Storm and put all the Garison
of about 7 Years Old who was the younger of the Twins and surviv'd his Brother enter'd upon the Government in the Town of Kelsoe Afterwards when the Nobles according to Custom had taken their Oaths of Allegiance to him 8 Days after he began his Reign he left his Army and retir'd home ●o the Castle of Edinburgh to be under the Tutelage of his Mother till an Assembly of the Estates were Celebrated to determin of the Grand Affairs of the Kingdom The Assembly was Indicted later than ordinary because Matters was not compos'd in England and yet quiet in Scotland So that the Nobility were of Opinion That War was first of all to be thought on that so they might revenge old Injuries and punish their Enemies by some notable Loss who did always lye at catch to take Advantage of the Distresses of Others Hereupon they marched into the Enemies Country without any resistance where they committed much spoil and demolished many Castles from whence the Enemy was wont to make suddain Incursions the Chief of which was W●rk situate on the Banks of the River Tweed formerly very injurious to the Country of Merch. The Army ravaged over the Enemies Country as far as they could for the time of the Year and at the very beginning of Winter returned home This Year Henry King of England was Taken by the Duke of York and brought to London there a Form of Peace was concluded betwixt them for Henry durst not deny any thing That He as long as he lived should bear the Name and Ensigns or Badges of a King but the Power of Government should be in York under the Name of a Protector And when Henry Died Then the Name also of King was to be transferred to Edward and his Posterity Whilst these Things were acted at London News was brought That the Queen was marching up with a great Army to Redeem her Husband out of Prison York went out to Engage her with about 5000 Men with him leaving the Earl of Warwick and King Henry behind he marched as far as Yorkshire and lest He who in France had Defended himself against great Armies not with Walls but with Arms should now shun a Battel with a Woman He Fought against a far greater Number than his Own and in the Fight He his youngest Son and a great many Nobles were slain The Heads of the Commanders were set up as a Spectacle upon the Gates at York The Queen thus Victorious and marching on further to Deliver the King the Earl of Warwick met her bringing the King along with him as if he would Defend the Pact made concerning the Kingdom under his good Omen Both Armies met at St. Albans which is thought to be the Old Verulam where the Queen was again Victorious She slew the Commanders of the adverse Army released her Husband and marched directly up for London but considering that the Earl of Pembroke was sent by Her to gather Forces as was also York's Son by his Father and that these Two had had a Fight in their March wherein Edward the Son of her Enemy was Victorious and withal knowing what cruel Hatred the Londoners bore against Her She withdrew towards Northumberland because She looked on that Part of England as the Seminary or Source of Her Strength There She was also Overcome in a Bloody Fight more than 36000 valiant Men being reported to be slain and the Enemy pressing upon Her and giving Her no Time to recollect Her Forces She her Husband and Son fled into Scotland The Conqueror call'd himself Edward the Fourth King of England Henry desired Aid in his Distress and by means of Iames Kennedye Archbishop of St. Andrews who then surpassed all in Scotland in point of Authority and Opinion of his Prudence he was Entertain'd with a great deal of Honour and Respect so that he was erected to some Hope of recovering his former Dignity and to nourish that Hope by all the actual good Offices which he could he restored the Town of Berwick to the Scots which the English had held ever since the Days of Edward I. The Scots upon this Obligation did assist Henry's Faction in all things not only in piecing up the Relicks of his former Misfortunes but promising him more Aid in time to recover his Own And that the Friendship now begun might be the more firmly established the Two Queens Both of Them of French Descent began to Treat concerning a Marriage between Iames his Sister and Henry's Son whom they called Prince of Wales tho' neither of them as yet were above Seven Years old Philip of Burgundy Uncle to the Queen of Scots but a Mortal Enemy to the Queen of England endeavoured by all means possible to hinder this Marriage For he sent Grathusius a Nobleman his Embassador for that purpose For Philip was at such deadly odds with Renatus Grandfather to the Lady by the Mother's side that he sought all Occasions to hinder his Stock from increasing so that in Favour of him the Matter was at that time rather delayed than broke off But the Fortune of Henry kept off the Event which Philip of Burgundy feared For being something encouraged by the Kindness of the Scots towards him and also by some comfortable Letters sent from his Friends out of England he sent his Wife beyond Sea to Renatus her Father to procure what Aid she could from her Foreign Friends She prevailed so much in France that her Faction were to have a safe Place of Retreat there but her Adversaries were excluded and moreover she obtained 2000 Men as Monstrelet says under Warren their General but as Ours and the English Writers to whom I rather assent 500 Commanded by Peter Brice or as some call him Brace a Britton rather as Companions for her Journy than as any Auxiliary Aid With this small Band she returned into Scotland and thought fit to attempt something not doubting but at the Noise of Foreign Assistance her Countrymen would rise and joi● with her whereupon she made a Descent at Tinmouth but this small Company being dismayed at the report of a great Force coming against them without the performance of any thing remarkable returned to their Ships where also as if Fortune had crossed them on all hands they were encounter'd with a grievous Tempest which drove the greatest Part of them who followed the Queen to Scotland into Berwick bu● some few of them were cast upon the Isle Lindisfarm where they were taken by the Enemy and slain But the Manly spirited Queen was nothing discouraged at this Misfortune but levied a great number of Scots to join with her own Soldiers and resolves to try her Fortune once again Whereupon she left her Son at Berwick and she and her Husband entred Northumberland where she made great Devastation by Fire and Sword in all the adjacent Parts At the report of this new Army some of the Nobles as the Duke of