refreshment having eat much of his own Flesh and many of his Members miserably perished in the extremity of Hunger a great evidence indeed of God's anger against his Lustful youth but no less evidence of a cruel and barbarous heart in the merciless and inhuman Uncle This Cruelty is for a time concealed from the good King at last Time revealeth it not without some indignation of the Author The Duke is questioned but by a cowardly if not traiterous Jury pack'd by himself acquitted the poor distressed King praying to Heaven for a Vengeance upon them and all their Posterity who were guilty of that horrid Murther the Duke to gloss all the better draggeth some to Prison Flagitious men indeed but altogether innocent of this Crime condemneth and executeth them as Murtherers of the Prince palliating one wickedness with another as many other wicked men have done The good King solicitous for his onely Son now remaining resolveth for his greater safety to send him over to France to be educated in the Court of Charles the Sixth the French King and commendeth him to the safe conduct and oversight of Lord Henry Sinclare Earl of Orkney he setteth Sail from the Basse and passing by Flamborrowe-head a Storm ariseth and forceth the Ship into Harbour the Prince afflicted with Sea-sickness goeth on Shore is apprehended by the English and sent Prisoner to King Henry of England who notwithstanding of the Mournful Letters of the afflicted King his Father sent up of purpose some weeks before to prevent the obstruction of his Journey and contrary to the Advice of the most of his Council pleading for his Liberty detaineth him Prisoner This hard measure is in great measure recompenced by the liberal Education he gave him whereby he became the most Learned Prince of his time the sad news of his Imprisonment brought to his still afflicted Father for the loss of his eldest Son as he sat at Supper cut him to the Heart and oppressed with Grief he falleth down dead his Company about him in vain seeking to recover Life in him they carry him to his Chamber where his Spirits revive a little but abstaining from all manner of nourishment after three days abstinence he departeth this Life opprest with two cruel tyrants Hunger and Grief in the 16th Year of his Reign April the First 1406 A Prince of a very proper and proportionable Person a Good man and a Meek not furnished indeed with Austerity and such like qualities as might have rendered him more fit than in truth he was to Govern a People so unlike himself in Conditions THE LIFE OF JAMESI KIng Robert departed this Life his Son James Prisoner in England is Proclaimed King of Scotland and his Uncle Robert Duke of Albany continued by Act of Parliament in his Government at this time a sweet calm of Peace continued between the two Kingdoms above twelve years together a great blessing to both Nations In the mean while a black Cloud appeareth in the North of Scotland Donald Lord of the Isles pretending the recovery of his Lands in Ross which the Governor kept from him by a a trick of Law Invadeth Ross from thence marcheth into Murray from thence into Buchan and so to Aberdeen doing much Mischief all along as he went To stop this Current Alexander Earl of Marre and others of the Nobility advance against him with such Forces as could be raised on the sudden both Armies Encounter at Harlaw a fierce Battel continueth for many hours with such slaughter on both sides that at Night the darkness whereof was the first commander of Cessation each Army thought it self overcome no man appearing next day morning to claim the glory of the Victory onely the poor Village Harlaw where the Battel was is famous from it to this day This Rebellion over the Dauphine of France sendeth an Ambassadour to Scotland to demand Assistance against the English according to their ancient League then warring in France declaring with a sad Narrative that himself was disinherited and the English King Henry the 5th Married to his Sister the Lady Catharine declared Regent of France in present and Heir apparent to the Crown with whom likewise the Duke of Burgundy had joyned his whole Force this pitiful Letter soon quickened the Scottish Nobility dreading the effects of King Henry his Greatness an Army of 7000 resolute and stout men are sent immediately over into France under the Conduct of John Earl of Buchan Archibald Earl of Wigton Son to Archibald Earl Dowglas with whom were divers Persons of Quality all safely arrive and are immediately sent by the Dauphine towards Turon the Duke of Clarence Brother to the English King well high surpriseth them in their way they take the Alarm nigh Bergie and on Easter-Eve they give Battel to the English fought with great valour and various fortune on both sides at last the Duke of Clarence is dismounted his whole Army routed 2000 slain on the spot amongst whom were the Duke of Clarence the Earl of Kime the Lords Gray and Ross Many Prisoners likewise taken whereof divers Persons of Quality as the Earls of Huntington and Somerset and others The Earl of Salisbury a man of singular vertue and valour endeavoureth to repay this loss but could effect nothing save the recovery of the dead Body of the Duke of Clarence which he afterwards sent over into England After this Victory the Dauphine createth Buchan Constable of France one of the highest Preferments in that Kingdom In the same Year 1420 Robert Duke of Albany departed this Life and his Son Mordake established in his place Buchan returneth from France and is immediately recalled he arriveth at Rochett accompanied with Archibald Earl of Dowglas and Five thousand Auxiliary Foot the Dauphine much cheared up at their arrival receiveth them with ample Gratulation John Duke of Bedford is sent over from England much about the same time with 4000 Horse and 10000 Foot and soon after King Henry himself arriveth and with him James King of Scotland of purpose by his presence to withdraw the Scots from the Dauphine or at least to render them the more suspected to him but he is disappointed in both the Scots unanimously declaring that they could not render whilst a Prisoner the Obedience otherwise due to him Soon after both the French and English King depart this Life Henry the Sixth of England about Eights Months old is Proclaimed King of England and France John Duke of Bedford appointed Regent of France The Dauphine at the same time Proclaimed by his Adherents King of France by the Name of Charles the 7th The Regent advanceth against him with a powerful Army the Duke of Alenson encountereth him Charles himself is with general consent and unanimous request of all his Friends desired to withdraw and not to hazard his Person the miscarriage whereof was an apparent ruine of them all and giveth him Battel not far from Vornoil The Fight continued very fierce for some hours at
a little corrected an Epitome might be extracted not undelightful nor unuseful for the present Age Being an Age wherein great Attempts have been made against the Succession so long uninterrupted and the Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown though never so Sacred have all been disputed by Men of so loose and disloyal Principles that could they effect their Designs upon those Supports to an Hereditary Crown would not easily be persuaded to give over attempting till they have Extirpated not only the Royal Line but Royalty and Monarchy it self Nor can the most Christian Charity think otherwise when we see many of those very Men to be great Sticklers and all of their persuasion to be great Favourers of the Design who thought they had once effectually done it before and now by the Terrors of a guilty Conscience are Stimulated to repent the Wickedness not thinking themselves easie or safe under the protection of a Family which they have so Barbarously and so Inhumanly Affronted tho' perhaps the greatest instance of Royal Clemency and Mercy that History affords And certainly that single act of Barbarity committed against the Sacred Person of our late Martyr'd Sovereign were there nothing else in their whole practice is enough to sully the fairest Fucus to confute their best Arguments for the support of their pretended Zeal and to render their very Principles Odious and Abominable to all reasonable Men in future Ages The Perusal of these few Remarks or Historical Observations full of Loyalty and Impartiality together with a Reflection not only upon the Restauration of His Majesty to the Honours and Dignities of His Three Crowns but also upon those Deliverances which bear a later Date and are fresh Instances of Mens Disloyalty of our King 's great Wisdom and God's peculiar Providence over him These things I say taken into Serious Consideration may afford Men a Convincing prospect of the Folly as well as the Impiety of all Attempts against a Throne of Divine Establishment and that attested by so many miraculous Deliverances and Preservations All that the People do is but to imagine a vain Thing That God who hath set the Crown upon his Head will enable him to break all their Bonds asunder and to cast away their Cords from him Yea he that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to scorn the Lord shall have them in derision THE PRAYER COntinue O gracious God to be thus Propitious to thine Anointed our Sovereign Lord King CHARLES the Second and grant that there may never want One of that Royal Family to set upon his Throne so long as the Sun and the Moon endure THE LIFE OF ROBERT II THE FIRST Of the Royal Family of Stuarts Kings of Scotland RObert the Second of that Name descended of Walter High Stewart of Scotland in the days of King Malcolme came in the Right of his Mother Sister to King David and Daughter to King Robert Bruce to Sway the Scottish Scepter and was the First of the Stuarts on whose head that unravished Câ—â—â—â— was Set about the Year 1371. and the 55th of his Age. In the beginning of his Reign a French Ambassadour sent by Charks the Fifth of France arriveth in Scotland to Congratulate his coming to the Crown and to renew the Antient League between the two Crowns of France and Scotland and to invite the Scots in persuance of an Article in the same League to raise an Army against England of purpose to force home some or most of the English Forces then making War in France the Antient League is without scruple renewed and the Scots soon prevailed withal to raise an Army against the English being provoked by denyal of Justice on the Murtherer of a Scottish Gentleman contrary to the Laws Established for preservation of Peace amongst the Borderers and being much more incensed by divers depredations especially by the inroad made by the Earl Percy the Year immediately preceeding contrary to the Articles of Peace concluded for fourteen Years between the two Kingdoms To preface the Scottish Expedition into England Alexander Ramsey with forty choice Gentlemen surpriseth Berwick Castle Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland immediately Besiegeth them with 10000 well Armed men after some few days valiant defence the Castle is stormed the Garrison wholly put to the Sword Ramsey the Captain in Chief only preserved By this time the Scottish Army advanceth and under the Conduct of James Earl Dowglass entreth England by the way of Carlile they plunder Penreth in the Fair time and return very richly laden with Spoil and with their Spoil carry home with them the Plague of Pestilence which raged all the Kingdom over for two Years together more furiously than ever in that Nation before To avenge this mischief done Fifteen Thousand English under the Conduct of General Talbot are sent into Scotland they spoil and plunder at pleasure but returning laden with Booty and Encamping nigh the Borders in a strait Valley secure and expecting no Enemy are suddenly surprised by 500 Scottish Horse who giving them a Fierce Charge put all in Confusion some kill'd divers taken Prisoners the rest provide for their Safety by flight leaving their Spoil behind them The English finding the Wars against both Kingdoms of France and Scotland a Burden too heavie resolve if possible to make Peace with Scotland to which effect John Duke of Lancaster Uncle to the English King Richard the Second is sent Ambassadour to Scotland is honourably received and entertained by King Robert James Earl Dowglas is appointed Commissioner to Treat with him a Cessation of Arms is concluded for three Years which King Robert caused inviolably to be observed notwithstanding of a great Advantage given him by a dangerous Rebellion then broke out in England by the instigation of one Ball a Priest upon occasion of a four penny Poll imposed on the People King Robert Commandeth his Commissioner Earl Dowglass to tender a Noble Entertainment to the Duke the English Ambassadour if it pleased him to reside in Scotland during the said Rebellion or if it pleased him in such a dangerous Storm to return to England to tender to him the Service of a strong Guard of 2000 men then ready to attend him Dowglass tendereth both the Duke Acknowledging with all Thankfulness the Nobleness of the Scottish King refuseth both and sets out for England the Governour of Berwick I know not why denieth him Enterance the Duke returneth to Edenburgh resideth there and is very Honourably Entertained with frequent Expressions of far greater Civilities than could be expected The Three Years Truce determined in the Year 1384. Archibald Dowglass Earl of Galloway Accompanied with James Earl Dowglass George Earl of Merse or Marches besieges Maban Castle and after Nine Days Siege in the Cold of Winter the Castle is delivered the Earl of Dunbar likewise surpriseth a great Booty nigh Piggin which he conveyed to be secured in Roxborrow then in the hands of the English King Richard having Notice of the Scottish Stirs
partake with many ghastly wounds the honour of the day the vanquished are killed on the place all to one who perceiving himself left alone and being without wounds he skippeth into the River by which means none of the surviving Victors being able to follow him by reason of their wounds he maketh a fair Escape with his Life thus the Heads and most turbulent of both Clans cut off their retainers are soon perswaded to Peace and for many Years after live quiet enough this Fight hapned in the Year 1396. In the Year 1398. King Robert Created his Son David at the Eighteenth Year of his Age Duke of Rothesay and his Brother Robert Duke of Albany the first Honour of this kind bestowed in that Kingdom The same Year he established his Son Robert Governour of the whole Kingdom preferring the quiet of a private Life to the daily Troubles which attend a publick Employment tho' sweetned with many honours and outward respects The Year following being the First Year of the Reign of Henry the Fourth of England some unhappy seeds of Jarrs between the two Kingdoms were scattered by George Dunbar Earl of Merse the Daughter of the said Earl being espoused to the Duke of Rothesay and a great part of her Dowry payed Archibald Earl of Dowglass Excepteth in Parliament against the Espousals as done without Consent of the Three Estates and propounded in Parliament the Marriage of his own Daughter and with her a greater Dowry the Parliament approveth well of the Match and Robert Duke of Albany prevaileth with the King to make void the first Espousal and to accept the tender made by the Earl of Dowglass both which being accordingly done the Marriage of the Earl Dowglass his Daughter to the Young Duke is Solemnised by consent of Parliament The Earl George resenteth this as a wrong done to his Family expostulateth the matter with the King and remanded his Daughters Dowry whereunto present Satisfaction not being made the Earl withdraweth from Court breathing out Revenge and immediately flyeth into England where he entereth into league with Earl Percy Dowglass his sworn Enemy and with some Force obtained from him he returneth into Scotland and spoileth all the Lands in the Meuse belonging to Earl Dowglass King Robert provoked with Indignation proclaimeth him Traitor and dispatcheth an Herald to King Henry the 4th of England to require the delivery up of the fugitive Earl to Justice King Henry pretendeth faith given to the Earl for Protection and upon that account refuseth King Robert his demand King Robert resenteth this as a breach of the Peace concluded for seven years in the days of King Richard not yet expired and accordingly his Council declareth it and for this and many outrages and detestations committed by Henry Percy the younger and by the fugitive Earl proclaimeth War against King Henry King Henry thinks it his wisest course to prevent him and forthwith marcheth into Scotland with a very potent Army of Horse and Foot entereth the City of Edenburgh and layeth Siege to the Castle Duke Robert then Governor of Scotland prepareth for its relief but so slowly that every man suspected him to have some sinister design in it King Henry finding the Castle impregnable being garrisoned with men of honour and integrity to whom the Macedonian Ass could have no access though some not long since could receive his leading raised his Siege and returned to England Henry Percy and the fugitive Earl continue their plundering incursions for repressing of whom several small Parties were sent to small purpose at last by the command of the Governor Archibald Earl of Dowglass Son to the late Earl of the same Name so much renowned marcheth in person against them accompanied with divers of the Nobility and advanceth with his Army to the very Gates of New-Castle Percy the younger and the fugitive Earl draw up their Army against him and give him battel nigh Hemeldon the Earl Dowglass after a most furious conflict is at last overthrown divers of the Scottish Nobility are slain many taken Prisoners and with them the Earl himself with the loss of one of his Eyes Percy persueth his Victory entereth Scotland and having done some spoyl in Tiviodale returneth to England and prepareth for a Rebellion against King Henry the Earl Dowglass is earnestly sollicited by him to joyn with him in his design with promise of freedom Dowglass embraceth the motion and with some others of the Scottish Prisoners performeth most gallant service at Shrewsbury battel contemning all others he bendeth himself against the person of the King only he dismounteth first one then another then a third and all in the habit of the King King Henry having clothed some gallant men in his own habit of purpose to encourage his Soldiers at the sight of their brave deportment Dowglass admiring from whence so many Kings should come rusheth himself into the midst of his enemies behaving himself with incredible bravery but at last the victory falling to the King Dowglass grievously wounded is taken Prisoner the King very nobly taketh care of him causeth his wounds to be cured by the best of his Chirurgions admitteth him to his presence highly commendeth his valour accepteth of his ransom and granteth him liberty to return to his Country where he was received with no small Joy This storm over Duke Robert wholly bends himself to make away the whole off-spring of his Brother the King of purpose to make way for his own to come to the Crown a fair opportunity offering it self to begin his work David the elder of the King's Sons giveth up himelfs wholly to his lusts ravishing both Virgins and others contemning all admonitions of his good Father would not be reclaimed The good King much afflicted by the dissolute life of his Son committeth him to the counsel and care of Duke Robert the Governor who very glad of the opportunity to commence his Traiterous design chearfully snatcheth his prey into his Clutches and resolving to take a short course to reform his manners by the ruine of the man carrieth him along with himself to St. Andrews from thence to Faulkland where he coops him up in a loathsom Dungeon with a design to destroy him by the cruel pinches of hunger which had been speedily done but that his miserable Life Was preserved for a Season by the compassion of two tender-hearted Women the one a Virgin Daughter to the Governor of the Castle who as she came into the Garden privately conveyed under the covert of her Apron some thin Oaten Cakes which she gave him through a Cranny the only conveyance of light into the Dungeon The other a poor neighbouring Woman who gave Suck and by her Breast-milk milked into his mouth refreshed him a little The Duke his merciless Uncle admiring that he heard no tidings of his death appointed a secret Watch about him the good Women are discovered apprehended and punished the poor Prince now left without all manner of relief or hope of
last the English obtain the Victory 4000 French and Scots killed amongst whom were John Earl of Buchan Archibald Earl Dowglas his Son the Earl Wigton and divers other eminent Persons the Duke of Alenson and many great ones are taken Prisoners a great Victory and bought at a great price the lives of above 2000 English lost on the place The Scottish Parliament thinketh it now more than high time to endeavour the Liberty of their King Ambasladors are sent to that end and are honourably Entertained by the Duke of Glocester then Governing all in England in the Non-age of his Nephew The Scots demand their King the Duke adviseth the English Council to Treat with them A great Ransom is demanded The Scots having no other remedy consent to Engage for it in lieu of one Moiety the Dowry of the Scottish Queen Joan Daughter to the Earl of Somerset a woman of singular Vertue and Beauty taken to Wife by the Scottish King at the earnest desire of the Duke of Glocester was detained and for the other certain Noble Men are sent Pledges an hard measure to an Infant Prisoner who it seems paid Dear for his Schoolgate And thus after his Years Imprisonment King James returneth Anno 1423 a Parliament is immediately called the King and Queen Crowned an Act passed for the payment of the 20th part of every man's Personal Estate for discharging the other Moiety of the King's Ransom Commissioners appointed to Collect it the People every where repine against it as unaccustomed to such Impositions some Great ones hunting after the vanity of Popular Applause cherish their Discontent which the good King perceiving remitted the Tax finding out another Expedient to discharge his Ransom In the same Parliament divers of the Nobility are Imprisoned for high Misdemeanors The King immediately releaseth them only Mordake Duke of Albany his two Sons and his Father in Law the Earl of Lenox remained under restraint and by Sentence of their Peers the usual manner of Trying Great ones in that Nation are adjudged to Death for their manifold Treasons and were accordingly not without the vigorous influence of Atholl their Uncle Beheaded on the Castle hill at Sterlin The same Year came Ambassadors from France to renew the Antient League and to crave in Marriage Margaret Daughter to King James for the Dauphine of France Lodovick Son to Charles the 7th both propositions are chearfully assented unto and the Ambassadors after much honourable Entertainment return satisfied the King forthwith bendeth himself to a Reformation and great need there was for as once in Israel so now in Scotland when there was no King every man did what seemed good in his own Eyes whereby the Kingdom groaned under the greatest Confusions and Disorders that could be the Civil Estate after much pain and trouble is at last reduced into some tolerable Condition Heads of Rebellious Factions men some taken off some Imprisoned some in hope of amendment pardoned Oppressions suppressed Roberies restrained and promising foundations laid to prevent such Insolence in time to come Amongst those pardoned in hope of Amendment Alexander Lord of the Isles was one a Great man and of a restless Spirit no sooner enlarged than he beginneth to meditate Revenge for his Imprisonment as short as it was He raiseth an Army of 10000 men falleth down to Ennerness burneth the Town to the ground and layeth Seige to the Castle the King sendeth an Army against him he raiseth his Siege flyeth to the Mountains maketh a stand about Lough Aber resolving to run the hazard of a Battel in those places of advantage two great Clanns Clan-Chaton and Clan-Chameron revolt from him many others are suspected by him in this fear he disbandeth his Army and with a few Attendants he flyeth into the Isles from thence he sendeth his Orators to the King to implore his Pardon nothing could be obtained though the Messengers were gracious enough to their Sovereign Alexander himself is required to appear in Person before the King committing himself wholly to his Majesty's mercy the Rebel conscious of his own Guilt is much perplexed nevertheless considering his present condition how desperate it was resolveth to fly to Mercy and privately repaireth to Edenburg where then his Majesty was On Easter-day Morning he Addresseth himself to Court covered with a Flaxen Frock he prostrateth himself before the King as he past to Divine Service with a most humble and penitent Oration he beggeth Pardon and Restoration to his Majesty's Favour and that for his sake whose restoring to Life they that day Celebrated The Time the Place the Habit his mournful Oration move at present to Compassion especially the Queen who became a most earnest Mediatrix on his behalf the King delayeth his Answer to the end of Divine Service which being performed his Majesty resolving neither absolutely to Pardon nor condignly to Punish for security of the Peace Alexander is sent Prisoner to Tamtalion and his Mother as the great Instrument of all his Pernicious ways is sent to St. Colmes In revenge of this Imprisonment Donald Maloc a Great man in the Isles breaketh out in a new Rebellion for Suppressing of whom the Earls of Marre and Caithnes are sent Donald Surpriseth them and putteth Caithnes and most of his Army to the Sword Marre happily escaping puft up with this Success Donald marcheth to Loughaber the King goeth out in Person against him Donald having done much Mischief in the Countrey flyeth into the Isles Divers Heads of Clannes undertake to Suppress him notice whereof being given to that Arch-Rebel he privately conveyeth himself into Ireland many of his Associates are killed 300 of them taken Prisoners are sent to the King all without exception of any deservedly Hanged which exemplary Justice proved happily to preserve those Barbarous places in Peace for a longer time than could be expected As his Majesty shewed his Justice in the Case I now mentioned about the same time he gave a manifest of his Mercy in enlarging two notable Robbers Duffe and Murray being enlarged they quarrel one with another Cull together their Retainers maintained on the Spoils of the People and being 1200 on each side furiously Engage in a bloody Conflict such Execution done on both sides that not above to on the one and 9 on the other side escape alive Notwithstanding all which Disasters Mr. Donald a notorious Robber breaketh out into an open Rebellion after some Mischief done Mr. Donald is apprehended himself Beheaded and twelve of his Associates Hanged Before his Execution the Law of Retaliation is by the King 's special Command executed upon him A poor Widdow pillaged by him threateneth him with resolution to repair to the King for Redress and I will fit thee for thy Journey said the Rogue he calleth for a Black-Smith and commands him to Nail to her Feet two Horse-Shooes go on saith he now these will preserve thy Feet from bruising the poor Woman dissembleth her resolution and is dismissed Mr. Donald being
Family of the Guise Widdow of the late Duke of Longoville in Marriage to King James the Marriage is agreed to the Year following she arriveth in Scotland and the Marriage solemnized at St. Andrews 1538. This Year exemplary Justice was done upon divers Persons of Quality conspiring the Death of the King some the Year following were Burnt some Banished for embracing the Protestant Doctrine Preached in Germany by Luther and others James Hammilton the Bastard accused of High-Treason is sentenced to Death his Head and Quarters affixed to publick places in Edenburgh the King soon after thought in his Dream that Hammilton cut off first his right and then his left Arm threatning withal to appear again to take his own Life the King awaking is very much troubled with thoughts of this Dream and revolving with himself what might be the meaning of it a Messenger comes to him with the sad News of the Death of both his Sons at the same time the one at Sterlin the other at St. Andrews King Henry of England sendeth the second time to invite King James to a Conference at York the Scotch Clergy still oppose it and the Conference again refused King Henry in great Indignation against his Nephew for refusal of Conference with him resolveth to talk with him in harder Terms and to that end he raiseth an Army and sendeth it into Scotland and under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk The Scottish Ambassadors in vain intreating a Cessation King James prepares a considerable Army for defence the English enter into Scotland and after some mischief done at the approach of the Scotch Army they retreat the Lord Gordon marcheth before the main body with Ten thousand Men doing much hurt and annoyance to the Rear of the English Army King James with all earnestness presseth an Engagement with the English the Nobility peremptorily oppose him in it the King enraged upbraideth them with Cowardise unworthy to be owned as Sons of their Noble Ancestors vowing that though they should all desert him himself and his own Family alone should give the Enemy Battel The Lord Maxwell to pacify the King tendereth his Service to lead into Cumberland Ten thousand Men thereby to divert the Enemy The King accepteth his Service but being enraged against the whole Nobility he resolves that none of them should have the Honour of any thing done in that Expedition and for the cause giveth a Dormant Commission to Oliver Sinclare Brother to the Lord Roslin Having entred Cumberland and now in view of Five hundred English Horse Sinclare produceth his Commission it is read at the head of the Army Maxwell is thereby inraged the whole Army falleth in Mutiny and in such a confusion that they become a Prey to the Five hundred English Horse divers of the Nobility and the new General Sinclare are sent Prisoners to the Tower of London this dishonourable Disaster which hapned at Solway strikes the Valorous King with such grief and sorrow that he never after joyed but soon after departed this Life having first made Peace with King Henry at whose request he recalled Archibald Earl of Angus Thus dyed King James the Fifth a Prince of singular Endowments most patient of Cold Hunger and Travel sometimes setting on Horseback Twenty Four hours when the necessity of his affairs required it a great Justitiary and a person of singular Foresight and Wisdom THE LIFE OF QUEEN MARY QUeen Mary was the only Child James the Fifth her Father left to Inherit the Crown born to him not above eight days before his death James Hammilton Earl of Aran is therefore chosen Vice-Roy to whom King Henry of England sent his Ambassador Sir Radolph Sadler to procure Peace between the two Kingdoms and to demand Mary in Marriage to his Son by the influence of the late Prisoners in England especially the Exiled Dowglasses whom King Henry had wrought much to his Service by his Royal Favours whose Counsels were now very prevalent in the management of publick affairs both were assented the Contract of Marriage Signed and Pledges promised for better performance of all Conditions agreed upon notwithstanding of the Opposition of the Queen and Cardinal who fearing the Subversion of Popery still established in that Kingdom by this agreement endeavour what they can to cross all Tumults are stirred against the English Ambassador and daily Affronts put upon his Attendants in the Streets the Ambassador complaineth and demandeth the Pledges promised for confirmation of the Agreement lately made exemplary Justice is executed upon the chief movers in the Tumults in answer to this Complaint but the Cardinal by the influence of his power had so obstructed the matter of his demand that not one of the Nobility would yield up himself voluntarily a Pledge to the English and to such a business none could be compelled King Henry hereby provoked seiseth all the Scottish Ships in the English Havens and Harbours and proclaimeth War against the Scots in the mean while the Queen Mother sendeth to France to entreat the French King to send home Matthew Earl of Lennox to strengthen her against the English Faction otherwise Religion and the French League were like to come to nothing Lennox is sent home and forthwith levieth Four Thousand men and with this strong guard cometh to the Queen the Vice-Roy inferior in Power sends Commissions to treat for Peace by agreement the young Queen is committed to the Education of Four Indifferent Noble Men ingaged in neither Faction viz. the Lords Graham Areskin Lindsay and Leviston and accordingly they take charge of her at Sterlin where all the Nobility do Homage to her The Vice-Roy joyneth himself wholly to the Cardinal which Conjunction so inrageth Lennox that immediately he flyeth to Arms raiseth an Army marcheth to Leith and provoketh the Cardinal to Fight the Cardinal keeps himself close in Edenburgh Castle Lennox through want of Provisions is forced to withdraw and to put himself in a posture of Defence in and about Glascow King Henry hearing of these Stirs sends into Scotland to demand the custody of the young Queen until she came to years fit for Marriage The French Faction now prevailing his Demands are refused An Army is therefore forthwith sent into Scotland under the Conduct of the Earl of Hereford and a great Navy of Two hundred Sail under the Command of Viscount Lisle as Admiral The English enter the City of Edenburgh without resistance first they Pillage and then they Fire it and divers other Towns and Villages about it the like fate befel the Town of Leith and forthwith they return to England laden with Spoil The Queen Mother writeth to the French King and layeth all these mischiefs at Lennox his door as the only enemy of their Peace and Union by reason of his private Feud against the Vice-Roy for the death of his Father At her Request Lennox is recalled to France but finding the French King provoked against him he still keeps to his posture of Defence
being one Wood a Domestick of the Regents He returning in a disgust another is sent Pitcarne Abbot of Dunsterling no sooner was he entred the English Court but the Duke of Norfolk was sent to the Tower and all the Intrigue of Marriage with the Queen of Scotland discovered Pitcarne is respectfully Treated and freely heard in behalf of the Regent and at last is sent home with Thanks for many Offices done and Assurance of all Favour and Assistance to the Vice-Roy Which Success of their Message so puffed up the Faction and so animated Murray that the Government became intolerable and so uneasie to some that Exasperated with Fear Rage and Revenge resolved upon the Ruin of the Regent whatever were the result of the Attempt and accordingly as the Vice-Roy road through Linlithquo in his Expedition to the Borders with some few Troops of Horse one James Hamilton discharges a Pistol upon him and lodging a Bullet in his Bowels in some few Hours it put a period to his Life Hamilton safely Escaping by a Postern Dore. The Vice-Roy thus surprised with Death put all things into a new Confusion the Queens Party begin to stir but to little purpose they being Awed and Checked and the Adverse Party Encouraged and Strengthened by the Assistance of the Earl of Sussex and Sir William Drury Commanders in Chief for Queen Elizabeth upon the Borders of England So that the Queens Friends dare not put her Affairs to the Issue of a Battel in the mean time the French and Spanish Embassadors press Queen Elizabeth to be more Kind and Favourable to her Cousin the Queen of Scotland whom now she had made a Close Prisoner The Imprisoned Queen no less incessantly and importunately prayeth for her Self by her Letters in Writing wherein she had a most Excellent Faculty as those Copies do make undeniably evident the grand matter of her Request was for a fair hearing before her own Person Queen Elizabeth sendeth to Scotland giving the Adverse Faction Notice that she had promised a Conference for Composing if possible all Differences upon condition that the Queens Party should not stir nor endeavour a forceable restitution withal wishing them not to choose a Vice-roy or Regent until her pleasure was further made known unto them They not daring to displease Queen Elizabeth on whose favour and relief they depended and finding the necessity of their Affairs to require a Man in Supream Power and Authority by a knack of their own invention they choose an Inter-Roy Matthew Earl of Lennox the same in Power though not in Name with Vice-Roy Queen Elizabeth soon after adviseth them to constitute him Vice-Roy accordingly as they had formerly done to Murray Which being effected the New Vice-Roy sendeth the Earl of Morton Pitcarne and Mack gill to the Conference appointed by Queen Elizabeth with the French and Spanish Ambassadors In this Conference Queen Elizabeth had the parience to the astonishment of all wise and honest men to hear the rights of the Crown of Scotland pretended by Morton to be Elective and her nighest Kinswoman infinitely defamed and callumniated that tender priviledge of all Princes or Supream Magistrates viz. the immunity of their Sacred Persons from Capital Censures by Courts of their own Subjects not only disputed but enveighed against and condemned a Topick doubtless very ungrateful to her as being equally concerned in it had her English Subjects been then of the same Rebellions temper that the Scots were at the conclusion of this Conference the Queen declared that she had received no satisfaction either in the general Argument or in the particular Case of their Queen and therefore desired that they would hearken to an accommodation of all differences between them and their Queen This was peremptorily refused by them as not being impowred by their Commission and the matter it self being a Subject proper for the General Council of the Kingdom after much debate and some overtures made by the Queen for a Reconciliation the Commissioners returned home nothing at all being effected for the distressed Queen whom in truth Queen Elizabeth thought it not safe to enlarge This nullity of proceedings left all things in confusion the English Embassador Sir William Drury labouring for a Cessation of Arms between both parties who had had many bikerings and skirmishes to the effusion of much blood until at last the Regent is killed in a surprize at Sterlin by a Party of the Lord Hamiltons and in his stead the Earl of Marre is chosen Vice-roy who by his single Valour defended the Castle of Sterlin Repulsed the Enemy and Rescued the Prisoners that Hamilton was carrying away in which Rescue Morton was Killed by a Bullet that had pierced his Bowels in the midst of this general Combustion which filled all places with fears and dangers Gods Providence preserved the Young King now lodged in the Castle at Sterlin the Scene of the present Warlike transaction About this time the Duke of Norfolk that had been quitted the Tower upon his Confession and Submission and charging Leicester with unfaithfulness in the matter relapsing into the same misdemeanors was remanded to the Tower Arraigned before his Peers proved guilty of Treason and Executed who upon his death bewailed his breach of promise to the Queen that had before graciously Pardoned him and contrary to his word had again without the privity or leave of his Soveraign dealt with Queen Mary about Marriage and such weighty fairs but disowned all kindness for the Romish Religion and declared himself to die a Son of the Church of England The death of the Duke when the distressed Queen in all her Letters to Queen Elizabeth had endeavoured to excuse was no small aggravation of her sorrow and for his sake or his Affection to her she fears the worse and is now more closely imprisoned than before and by her confinement her Health is daily more impaired of which she sends many sad accounts to the Queen but to no purpose But to consummate her misery after all this one Ballard an English Priest with divers Gentlemen Conspire the death of Queen Elizabeth and the enlargement of Queen Mary Babington a Gentleman of exceeding good Parts writes to Queen Mary a full account of the design they had the Letter came safe to the hands of her two Secretaries Man and Curle who knowing the averseness of their Lady the Queen to such wicked and detestable designs dare do no otherwise than conceal the Letter from her and themselves return an Answer to it wherein they give all the life and encouragement to the project imaginable and to this they counterfeit the Queens Majesties Name Babington presuming it was the Queens Hand sheweth the Letter to divers whom he supposed he might trust and at last he commits that and all other their Papers to the trust of one Gifford who immediately carried them all to Walsingham Queen Elizabeths Secretary who upon the perusal of them discovers the whole Plot the Letter supposed to be