The Compleat HISTORY OF THE WARRS IN SCOTLAND Under the Conduct of the Illustrious and truly-valiant IAMES Marquesse OF MONTROSE General for his Majestie CHARLS 1st in that Kingdome TOGETHER VVith a brief Character of Him AS ALSO A True Relation of his Forein Negotiations Landing Defeat Apprehension Tryal and deplorable Death in the time of CHARLS 2d Now newly Corrected and Enlarged by an Eye-witnesse of all the fore-mentioned passages Printed in the Year 1660. Iaques Marquis deMontrose Counte de Kingcairne Seigneir de Graeme Baron du Mount dieus etc A Paris P Pontius sculpsit To the Reader THere are a few things of which I would not have them ignorant who shall chance to peruse this short History whereof some concern the Lord Marquesse of Montrose whose Actions in his Country for two years space are here published and others have relation to the Author of this work And first of all I desire thee to take notice that Montrose is the Chief of that antient and famous Family of the Grahams and is called in old Scotish Graham-more the great Graham He derives his Pedegree from that famous Graham in the Histories of Scotland who was Son-in-law to Fergus the second King of the Scots and was the first that with the assistance of his Father-in law cast down that Trench which Severus had made and set out for the utmost limit of the Roman Empire between the Scotish Frith and the River of Cluid at such a place where Great Brittain was narrowest and by that means cut the power of the Romans shorter Whence it happens that some evident remains of that Trench retain his name amongst the Inhabitants to this day who call it Gremesdike The same Graham from whom this noble Family took its rise surviving his Father-in-law Fergus and being a man as able for Civil as Military employment was made Protector unto his Nephew and Regent of the Kingdome and after he had fetched back the Doctors of the Christian Faith who had been banished by the late Wars and settled as well the Church as State with excellent Laws freely resigned the Government into the hands of his Nephew when he came to age He flourished in the time of the Emperours Arcadius and Honorius about the year of our Lord CCCC From whom hath descended in a fair and straight line a long and noble row of Posterity who imitating the virtue of their Ancestors have been famous in the succeeding generations Amongst whom that valiant Graham was eminent who with the help of Dumbarre so seasonably rescued his Country from the Danes who were then Masters of England and had frequently but with little success invaded Scotland with mighty Armies And in after times that noble Iohn Graham came nothing behind his Ancestors in virtue and honour who after the death of Alexander the Third in that vacation of the Kingdome while Bruce and Bailiol disputed their Titles was with that renowned Vice-roy William Walley a stout maintainer of his Countries Liberty against the unjust oppression and tyranny of Edward King of England and after many heroical exploits fighting valiantly for his Nation dyed in the bed of Honour His Tomb is yet to be seen in a Chapel which hath the name of Falkirk from the aforesaid Gremesdike by which it stands Adjoyning unto which the Marquesse of Montrose hath large and plentifull possessions descended by inheritance unto him from that first Graham But lest I should seem to derive the Nobility of so illustrious a Worthies extraction only out of the rubbish of dusty and obscure Antiquity I must not omit that his Grandfather the Earl of Montrose was advanced unto places of the greatest honour in that Kingdome and discharged them most happily For being Lord Chancellour of Scotland at such time as King James the Sixth of blessed memory came to the Crown of England he was created by him Vice-roy of Scotland and enjoyed that highest Honour which a Subject is capable of with the love and good affection both of King and People to the day of his death And his Father was a man of singular endowments both of body and mind and so known to be both in forein Countries and at home who after he had performed many most honourable Embassages for King James was called to be Lord President of the Session by King Charles and being snatched away from his Country and all good men by an untimely death was extremely lamented and missed And what we may think or hope of the Grand child I leave unto thee to judge by what he hath done already seeing he is yet now a year and a half after his employment in his Country scarce entred upon the 36. year of his age One thing more I must add three Periods already have been very dangerous and almost fatal to the Kingdome of Scotland the first by the oppression of the Romans whose yoke our Ancestors cast off by the Conduct of that first Graham descended of the noble British Family of the Fulgentii The second by the Danes the repulse of whom is owing especially to the prowesse of the second Graham aforesaid And the third by the English and Normans whom the third Graham twice expelled out of Scotland and gave them many and great defeats So that as it was of old spoken of the Scipioes in Africk it seems the name of Graham is something fatal to their enemies and lucky to their Country at a dead lift and that it was not without the special provideuce of God Almighty that in these worst times One stood up who did his best endeavours to maintain the Kings just Rights and Authority the Peace Safety and Liberty of the Subjects and the Honour and antient splendor of his House And this is all I thought good at this time to premise concerning the Lord Marquess of Montrose For the Author of the Book take it briefly thus He professeth himself to have been but little conversant in these sort of studies and expecteth neither credit or commendation for the strength of his wit which he acknowledgeth to be little or none nor reward or profit for his pains which two things are the chiefest incentives to most to wet their pen but that he undertook the businesse meerly out of a desire to propagate the truth to other Nations and to posterity For he saw by late and lamentable experience in such a cause as this that prosperous Villany can find more Advocates than down-cast Truth and Goodnesse For when the same Confederates in both Kingdomes had by their own arts that is by lying and slandering ruined the Church to fill their bags with its Revenews so sacrilegiously purloyned and enrich their posterity with plentifull Anathemaes and accursed things there wanted no store of men that extolled them for it to the skies as men deserving highly from their Country from the Church it self and from all mankind and reviled with all sort of reproaches and contumelies the most religious servants of God holy Martyrs
with him again were no partakers in this joy For some of his papers being taken many of them were afterwards discovered and suffer'd in their estates The Marquesse being now in the Custodie of his mortal enemies from whom he could not expect the least favour Yet exprest a singular constancie and in a manner a carelesenesse of his own condition Comming to his Father-in-laws house the Earl of Southesks where two of his children were he procur'd liberty from his Guard to see them but neither at meeting or parting could any change of his former countenance be discern'd or the least expression heard which was not suitable to the greatnesse of his spirit and the same of his former actions T is memorable of the Town of Dundee where he lodg'd one night â—hough it had suffer'd more by his Army than any else within that kingdome yet were they amongst all the rest so far from insulting over him that the whole Town testified a great deal of sorrow for his wofull condition and there was he likewise furnished with cloaths fairable to his birth and person Being come to Leith he was received by the Magistrates of the City of Edinburgh and staying a while there to refresh himself he was afterward led towards the City by that way which goes betwixt Leith and the water-gate of the Abbey And with him all the Prisoners of qualitie on foot betwixt thirty and fourty but he himself had the favour to be mounted on a cart-horse Having ended this part of his journey with as much state as in triumphs is accustomed to be he was not at the end of the Cannon-Gate by some other Officers and the Executioner in his Liverie Coat Into whose hands he was delivered There was fram'd for him a high seat in fashion of a Chariot upon each side of which were holes through which a cord being drawn and crossing his brest and arms bound him fast down in the Chayr The Executioner being commanded so to do took off the Marquesses hat put on his own bâ—nnet and the Chariot being drawn by four horses he mounted one of the first and very solemnly began to drive along towards the Tol-booth The people who were assembled in great multitudes and were many of them heretofore very desirous to see this spectacle could not now refrain from tears and those who had heretofore wished him all misfortune began to be shaken with the first scene of his Tragedy But the implacable Ministrie having him now at their mercie could never be satisfied with his calamities They reviled him with all possible spite objected frequently to him his former condition and his present miserie and pronounced heavy judgments against him being come to the Toll-booth he was very closely shut up and strong guards set upon him all accesse denyed to him no not his Father-in-law or any of his friends suffer'd to come nigh him There he was a considerable time all which the Ministers never ceased to exacerbate his misery Of whom one being asked why they could not otherwise be satisfied but by so ignominious handling of him He answered They knew no other way to humble him and bring him home to God Certain it was that all these disgraces which were put upon him were the only inventions of the Assembly then sitting to whose wisdomes the devising of his punishment was referr'd by the Councill of State All this while the holy Covenant was press'd upon him with much vehemencie which when he with much reason and conviction to them refus'd they had recourse to their ordinary way of rayling and malediction and one of them was so bold to tell him he was a faggot of hell and he saw him burning there already They urged also upon him as the price of his releasment from excommunication an open confession of his faults and an acknowledgment of the guilt of blood which had been shed the years past in which he had been in arms but all to no purpose But more particularly because the battell of Kilsyth had been lost upon so great odds he was much solicited to discover the Conspiratours in the overthrow of that Army but that took no effect nor is it yet since he left it undiscover'd known to any Scotish man alive whether there were any connivance in 't or no. He was very frequent in his devotions whilst he was in prison and exprest much more cheerfulnesse than he had done at any time before since his being taken prisoner After he had endur'd these private batteries and assaults with a great deal of constancy he was at last brought before a publick auditorie to be sisted The Parliament had a little while before been called for proclaming the King and ordering the affairs of the Kingdome whither he was brought and did appear with a very undismayd countenance in a rich Mantle layd over with massie lace His chief adversaries were the Marquesse of Argyle his known and invetetate enemy Earl of Lowdon the Chancellour of Scotland of the same name faction Lowdon Ker a violent and high spirited man Cassells another of his adversaries was gone in Commission to the King These of the Nobility were most against him Of the Gentry the Laird of Swinton a potent man in that Parliament Sir James Stuart Provost of the City of Edinburgh a man likewise in great esteem the Lord Hopton a Lord of the Session and President of the Committee for Examinations and several others But the whole Assembly was violent against him neither could he be admitted to any place there that was not publickely invective against him But amongst them all the Ministers of Edinburgh in this strife carried the honour and of them Mr. Robert Trayle and Mr. Mungo Law two such venemous Preachers as no man that knows them can mention their names without detest The first of the two had been Chaplain before to the Marquesse of Argyle and was his companion in his flight from the battel of Ennerlochie and now Prisoner to the States of England Many and grievous were the accusatious laid to his charge First that he had by his pernicious insinuation diverted the King from the Counsells of his well-wishing Subjects The introducing the Irish into the bowells of the Kingdome The murther of some particular persons the utter spoyl and devastation of the Marquesse of Argyles lands and the killing and destroying of divers well-affected people and that in cold blood The cruel usage of some ministers at his last landing The Complainers were there present but could allege nothing save only that he had restrain'd them from rayling His transacting with forein States for the invasion of his Native Country and bringing in of Foreiners now the second time and that without any known Commission His obstinate persecution of all Covenanters against his own oath and engagement and his Apostacie from his first principles The Marquess knowing how much his defences would avail him did not much labour to clear himself but answer'd all in general For
and Confessors for withstanding them And therefore he might well imagine that these men who by the same devises laboured to render his Majesty himself odious and so to destroy Him to enjoy his Honours and Revenues so traiterously and perfidiously purloyned would easily find men who should out of the like railing humor bespatter as much as in them lay this most excellent man and all his honourable atchievments and as it is said of wasps poyson with their tongues or pens the juice of most sweet and wholesome flowers and leave the lesse knowing or lesse wary to suck it up He was therefore pleased to offer this short and faithful Narrative as a seasonable antidote against that evill to all that loved truth and plain de aling of which he would needs be so obstinate a maintainre that although he saw well enough how much envy and hatred it would derive upon himself he resolved he would neither basely flatter any one nor lap up that truth which they would not like to bear in obscure and doubtfull Expressions For he professes that as he is a Free-man born and bred so he will never part with his Freedome till with his life And although he be ambitious of no other commendable quality of a good Historian neither of wit nor art nor eloquence yet he seems to challenge in his own right the honour of sincere and exact truth for the defence and propagation whereof he hath set at nought all that was dear in this world having been thrice plundered of all that he had thrice imprisoned in a nasty and filthy Fail and now the third time lives in banishment for the Truths sake Yet he is merry and chearfull that being conscious to himself of no wrong as towards men he is counted worthy of the Lord to suffer these things for Truths and Righteousnesse sake And thou good Reader make much of him at least for his truths sake excuse him for other things and Farewell ON THE Death of the Noble and Valiant Marquess of Montross NOr shall He sleep nor can His valour lie Rak'd in His ashes to Eternity His glories shall out-blaze each puny plot Of th' accurst Rebel and the perjur'd Scot That Slavish Kirk too late now wish indeed Their guilt wash'd off with their high-swelling Tweed Too late alas that generous blood shall be A brand on their despis'd Posterity Brave Soul whose learn'd sword's point could strain Rare lines upon thy murther'd Soveraign Thy self hast grav'd thine Epitaph beyond Th' impressions of a pointed Diamond Thy prowess and Thy Loyalty shall burn In pure bright flames from Thy renowned Um Clear as the beams of Heav'n Thy cruel Fare Scaffold and Gibbet shall Thy Fame dilate That when in after ages Death shall bid A man go home and die upon his Bed He shall reply to Death I scorn 't be gone Meet me at th' Place of Execution Ther 's glory in the Scandal of the Cross Let me be Hang'd for so fell stout MOMTROSS T. F The affairs of the King in SCOTLAND under the Conduct of the most Honourable James Marquesse of Montrose Earl of Kinkardin c. And General Governour for His Majesty in that Kingdome In the Years 1644 1645 1646. SOmetime James Marquesse of Montrose sided with the Covenanters in Scotland and very forwardly bestowed his unhappily happy endeavours in their behoof They pretended to nothing then lesse than the preservation of Religion the Honour and Dignity of the King the Laws of the Land and the freedome of that antient Realm so happily so valiantly defended in time of yore from such powerfull enemies as the Romans Saxons Danes Normans by the sweat and bloud with the lives and estates of their Ancestours And the tales they made they never wanted fitting instruments to tell and spread among the people It was given out that there was nothing more in the aim of the Court of England than that that free people being reduced to a kind of Province should be eternally enflaved under the power of their old enemies Yet all this while they engaged themselves by their publique attestations and even a solemn Oath that they would never go to work by force and armes nor sollicite the King any other way than by Petition That he would be pleased graciously to accept the supplications of his humblest Subjects and to take order that his dearest Country should suffer nothing in matter of Religion or the Liberty of the Subject But at last in the year 1639. Montrose found out that these fair tales were coyn'd of purpose to steal the hearts of the silly and superstitious multitude and to alienate them from the King as an enemy to Religion and Liberty For the Covenanters did not dissemble to him but spoke out that Scotland had been too long governed by Kings nor could it ever be well with them as long as one Stuart that 's the sirname of the Kings family in Scotland was alive and in the extirpation of them they were first to strike at the head so that Montrose easily perceived the Kings Majesty and Person was levelled at Therefore vehemently detesting so horrible a crime he resolved to desert the Conspirators side to frustrate their counsels to impoverish their store to weaken their strength and with all his might to preserve His Majesty and His Authority entire and inviolate But because between force and craft the Covenanters had drawn in almost all the Kingdom to their side he saw himself alone too weak to check their power and therefore thought not good to open himself too suddainly or rashly Amongst them he had many friends men very considerable as well in regard of their numerous retinues and clients as of their wealth and authority these he had a mind to draw off from them and bring them with him to the King and by this means conceived he should be able to gather no small power which would conduce much both to the Kings safety and his own Mean time the Covenanters raise a strong Army against the King and in a solemn Convention at Duns they determine to invade England Montrose was absent then Which resolution of theirs the chief of the Covenanters had taken up in their cabinet counsels more than six weeks before and to that purpose had been busie in divulging through all Great Britain their Apologetical Pamphlets whereby they laboured to set a good glosse upon the reasons of their Expedition This resolution of theirs Montrose being returned seeing he could not binder would not seem to disapprove Montrose commanded in this Army two thousand foot and five hundred horse his friends who were most obliged unto him and had religiously promised their best endeavours in the Kings service had the command of five thousand more And truly if a great part of them had not been worse than their words they had either brought the whole Army along with them to the King or at least had broken the neck of the Covenanters designs When the
case of their grievances which they pretended and the security of their persons and estates than all his Ancestors the Kings of England together from William the Conqueror downward Therefore at last that he might withdraw himself and his family from present danger he is forced sore against his mind to depart London He sends the Queen out of the way into Holland for the safety of her life and betakes himself to York The States of Parliament as they call themselves forthwith and before the King take up arms and divert those very Forces which the King had appointed for Ireland which were then in a readinesse and whose Officers had been of the Parliaments chusing hoping by them to overthrow the King himself The Rebels in Scotland who knew well enough the King would have strength sufficient to deal with the English Rebels resolved upon no terms to be wanting to their confederates in so apparent danger as they were And although our most gracious King had given them satisfaction as much as ever they could desire in that Parliament at Edinburgh aforesaid which also they have recorded among their publique Acts neverthelesse they provide themselves for a march into England Now that they might the better secure their affairs at home they labour tooth and nail to draw Montrose of whom almost only they were afraid again to their side They offer him of their own accord the office of Lieutenant General in the Army and what ever else he could desire and they bestow He seeing a mighty storm hovering over the Kings head that he might give him an account of it whereby it might be timely prevented undertakes a journey into England taking the Lord Ogilby into his counsel and company At Newcastle he receives news that the Queen being newly returned out of Holland was landed at Birdlington in Yorkeshire thither he makes haste and relates unto the Queen all things in order She having had a rough passage and being not well recovered from the distempers at Sea told him shee would advise further with him about that businesse after they came to York Thither being come the Queen of her own accord calls for Montrose he opens the whole story over again and makes it appear that there was no lesse danger from the Scotch than from the English Covenanters if they were not timely suppressed And being asked his opinion what was best to be done answered To resist force with force told her the King wanted not Subjects in Scotland faithful men and stout nor did they want hearts or wealth or power to oppose against the Covenanters if they durst enterprise any thing against the King all that they wanted was the Kings Commission without which they durst doe nothing with which any thing and all the danger that was was in delay That the Covenanters when they had once got their Army on foot would be able to grind any one to pieces that should offer to stir therefore the beginnings of so great an evill were to be withstood and the cockatrice bruised in the egg that Physick being too late that comes when the disease hath over-ran the whole body Wholesome counsel it was and seasonable which doubtlesse the most prudent Queen had approved of But while things were going on in so good a posture all things were quash'd by the comming of the Duke Hamilton out of Scotland upon pretence of kissing the Queens hand and gratulating her happy return but in very deed that he might overthrow Montrose his counsels for he had posted thither with the knowledge and consent of the Covenanters Nor did he himself dissemble that there was some danger from the Scotish Covenanters but he laboured to extenuate it and condemned the Counsell of Montrose as rash unadvised and unseasonable That stout and Warlike Nation was not to be reduced with force and arms but with gentlenesse and courtesies Warr especially Civil Warr should be the last remedy and used many times to be repented of even by the Conquerours The fortune of Warr was uncertain if the King should get the best it would be but a sorry triumph he could enjoy over his own Subjects but if he had the worst on 't he must expect what his soul good man abhorred to speak All means were to be tryed to preserve peace with that Nation nor were things yet come to that passe that the King should despair of amity and reconciliation with them He would be ready to take the whole businesse upon himself if the King pleased to commit it to his pains and trust and to authorise him sussiciently thereunto Montrose replyed Nothing would come of that but the delay of time untill the Traitors having raised an Army should prevent the King of any means to deliver himself and his party from their tyranny The sad event proved all this to be too true but in this debate Montrose was fain to suffer himself to be overborn being not so great a Courtier as the other nor were those vertues which the world now admires discovered then unto the Queen Hamilton returning into Scotland seemed to be as Active for the King as was possible The Covenanters mean while by their own authority contrary to the known Laws of the Kingdome summon a Parliament at Edinburgh which all understanding men that wished well unto the King foresaw would be of very dangerous consequence to his affairs and therefore abhorred it so much that they intended not to honour it with their presence But Hamilton interposing the name and authority of the King invited them by his Letters that they would not fail to be all there and that they should not doubt but they would be able to out-vote the Covenanters if at this time they were not wanting to the Kings cause And if it should happen otherwise he would be ready with his friends to protest against the Covenanters and immediately to leave them Abundance of the Nobility incited by the name of the King and those hopes were present at that Parliament only Montrose and a few of his adherents staid away And with Montrose too the Duke had dealt by his friends that as he loved and honoured the King he would joyn himself unto them But he who had reason to suspect all motions that came that way answered That he was ready to grapple with any difficulty especially under his command who had so great an honour as to be the Kings supreme Commissioner only on this condition that the Duke should engage his honour that if they could not bring up that Parliament to righteous things he would endeavour to inforce them by the dint of the sword He answered He would protest he would not fight Which passage considered Montrose to preserve his integrity expecting the issue betook himself to his own home In that Parliament the Covenanters out-voted the Loyal party by seventy voices or thereabouts trampled upon the Royal authority arrogated unto themselves the power of calling of Parliaments pressing Souldiers sending Embassadours
first heat those that mann'd the places beat them off drave them away and slew them without resistance The Highlanders being animated with this happy success those that were next those places not expecting the word of Command ran rashly up the hill which lay open to the whole strength of the enemy Montrose although he was something troubled at the unseasonable boldnesse of his men yet thought it not good to leave them engaged nor was it easie to say whether the quickness of his relief or the cowardliness of the enemy conduc'd more to their safety Montrose had in all four thousand four hundred Foot and five hundred Horse a thousand of his Foot or more had now by their own fault so engaged themselves with the enemy that they could not come off for the enemy encounter'd them with six thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse But the enemies Rear came up but slowly and while the Van made a stand expecting their advance Montrose had opportunity to bring timely aid to his engaged men But at last they send out three troops of Horse and after them two thousand Foot against those rash and almost lost men of Montrose Which when Montrose saw after others had too dishonourably shifted off that service he thus bespeaks the Earle of Airley You see my noble Loid how yonder men of ours by their unadvisedness have brought themselves into a most desperate hazard and will presently be trampled to dirt by the enemies Horse except we relieve them with all speed Now all mens eyes and hearts are fixt upon your Lordship they think you only worthy so great an honour as to repell the enemy and bring off our fellow Souldiers Besides it seemes most proper for you that the errour which hath been committed by the fool hardinesse of youth may be corrected by your Lordships grave and discreet valour And he undertook the service as dangerous as it was with all his heart and being guarded with a troop of Horse in which rode John Ogilby of Baldeby who had formerly been a Collonel in Swethland a stout man and a skilfull souldier led them on straight upon the enemy And they giving the charge upon the Ogilbies disputed it sharply with them for a while but at last being no longer able to withstand their courage fac'd about whom the Ogilbies pursued so hotly that they made them fall foul upon their own Foot and charging them furiously thorow and thorow routed them and trode them under foot By this gallant example of Airley and the Ogilbies Montrose's Souldiers being enraged more and more could no longer be kept back from raising a great shout as if they had already got the day and falling on upon the enemy Nor would the Rebels Horse long abide their charge but deserting their Foot fell a running as â—ast as ever they could Nor did their Foot after they were so deserted stand it out long but throwing down their arms sought to save their lives by flight Which proved unserviceable for the victorious pursuers had the killing of them for fourteen miles So that of all the enemies Foot that were present at that battell it is thought there did not an hundred come off Nor did their Horse escape very well of whom some were killed some taken the rest disperst Their Ordnance their Arms their Spoils came clearly to the Conquerours who lost only six of their side whereof three were Ogilbies valiant Gentlemen who fighting like themselvs sealed the victory with their own bloud The rebellious sort of the Nobility of whom many were in the fight some of them by their timous running and swiftness of their Horses got to the Town and strong Castle of Sterling others escaping to the Scotish Fyrth shipt themselvs in some vessels that lay at anchor near the shoar amongst whom Argyle having now this third time been fortunate to a boat escaped into a ship and thought himself scarce safe enough so till weighing anchor he got into the main Or prisoners the chief were Sir William Murray of Blebo James Arnot brother to the Lord Burghley one Collonel Diee and Collonel Wallace besides many more whom Montrose after quarter given used courteously and upon the engagement of their Honours set at liberry And this is that famous victory of Kilsythe obtained on the 15 day of September 1645. in which it is beleev'd no fewer then six thousand Rebells were slain CHAP. XIV THere was a great alteration all the Kingdome over after this battell at Kilsythe those of the Rebell-Nobility were all of them sore affrighted some of them fled to Baywick some to Carlisle some to Newcastle others into Ireland And such as before only privately wisht well unto the King now did no longer fear to shew themselves to expresse their loyalty to pray openly for his prosperity and to offer their service But those that before had sided with the Covenanters began to ask forgivenesse to plead they were constrain'd to take up Arms by the violence and tyranny of the Rebells to submit their persons and estates to the Conquerour humbly to beseech his protection and to implore his wonted clemency And Cities and Countries that were furthest off began to dispatch their Commissioners to professe in their names their Allegiance to their King their duty and service to his Vicegerent and freely to offer him Men Arms Provision and other necessaries of War The Nobility of the Realm and the Chiefs of Septs came in thick unto the Lord Governour welcomed him tendred their service unto him extoll'd his high and honourable atchievements and thank'd him for them All whom he pardoned for what was past receiv'd them with liberty and indempnity into his protection and encouraged them to be of good chear Nor did he lay any greater burden upon them than to change that covetous and cruell slavery which they were manacled with by the Rebells for the sweet and gentle government and protection of a most gracious Prince and by laying aside all former grudges and fewds hereafter more religiously to observe their duty and loyalty to the good King and thence forward never more to have to doe with the counsells of seditious men who by endeavouring to satisfie their own â—usts had engaged King and Subject one against the other and upon the matter ruin'd both For his part he never had any other intention than to restore their Religion their King their Liberty his Peers and Countrymen by Arms when no other means was left out of the tyranny of Rebells unto their antient peace happinesse and glory Which if he should effect he would give Almighty God the authour of all good things everlasting praise but if he failed however he should by these his honest endeavours acquit himself before God and Gods Vicegerent his Majesty before all good men and his posterity his honour and his conscience At this time the whole Kingdome sounded nothing but Montrose's praise Men of all sorts every where extolling the ingenuity of his disposition in
paper which was contrary to the King his Crown or Authority he utterly disavowed it Then being absolved from the sentence of Excommunication under which he lay for Adultery long since committed to the great grief of the beholders he laid down his neck upon the block A man subject indeed to that fault but famous for his valour and souldiership both in forein Countries and at home The next that was brought upon the Scaffold yet reeking with the blood of Colonel Gordon was a man worthy of everlasting memory Sir Robert Spotswood one rais'd by the favour of King James and King Charls unto great honours as his singular virtues did merit King James made him a Knight and a privy Counsellor King Charls advanced him to be Lord President of the Session and now but of late Principal Secretary of Scotland This excellent man although his very enemies had nothing to lay to his charge through all his life they found guilty of high Treason which is yet the more to be lamented because he never bore arms against them for his eminency lay in the way of peace not knowing what belonged to drawing of a sword This was therefore the only charge that they laid against him That by the Kings command he brought his Letters Patents unto Montrose whereby he was made Vice-Roy of the Kingdom and General of the Army Nevertheless he proved at large that he had done nothing in that but according to the custom of their Ancestors and the Laws of the Land And truly he seemed in his most elegant Defence to have given satisfaction to all men except his Judges whom the Rebels had pick'd out from amongst his most malicious enemies that sought his death so that questionless they would never have pronounc'd that doleful sentence if they had but the least tincture of justice or honesty But to speak the truth a more powerful envy than his innocency was able to struggle with undid the good man for the Earl of Lanerick having been heretofore Principal Secretary of the Kingdom of Scotland by his revolt unto the Rebels forced the most gracious and bountiful King to the whole Family of the Hamiltons to take that Office from so unthankful a man and bestow it on another nor was there any one found more worthy than Spotswood to be advanced to so high an honour And hence hapned that great weight of envy and revenge to be thrown upon him which seeing he was not able to bear out he was forced to fall under And now Spotswood being about to die abating nothing of his wonted constancy and gravity according to the custom of the Country made a Speech unto the people But that Sacrilegious thief Blair who stood by him upon the Scaffold against his will fearing the eloquence and undauntedness of so gallant a man lest the mysteries of Rebellion should be discovered by one of his gravity and authority unto the people who use most attentively to hear and tenaciously to remember the words of dying men procured the Provost of the City who had been once a servant to Spotswoods Father to stop his mouth Which insolent and more than ordinary discourtesie he took no notice of but letting his speech unto the people alone he wholly bestowed himselfe in devotions and prayers to Almighty God Being interrupted again and that very importunately by that busie and troublesome fellow Blair and asked Whether he would not have him and the people to pray for the salvation of his soul He made answer That he desired the Prayers of the people but for his impious Prayers which were abominable unto God he desired not to trouble him And added moreover That of all the Plagues with which the offended Majesty of God had scourged that Nation this was much the greatest greater than the Sword or Fire or Pestilence that for the sins of the people God hath sent a lying spirit into the mouth of the Prophets With which free and undeniable saying Blair finding himself galled grew so extremely in passion that he could not hold from scurrilous and contumelious language against his Father who had been long dead and against himself who was now a dying approving himself a fine Preacher of Christian Patience and Longanimity the while But all these things Spotswood having his mind fixed upon higher matters passed by with silence and unmoved At last being undaunted and shewing no alteration neither in his voice nor countenance when he laid down his neck to the fatal stroke these were his last words Merciful Jesu gather my soul unto thy Saints and Martyrs who have run before me in this race And certainly seeing Martyrdom may be undergone not only for the Confession of our Faith but for any vertue by which holy Men make their Faith Manifest there is no doubt but he hath received that Crown And this was the end a doleful end indeed in regard of us but a joyful and honourable one in him of a man admirable for his knowledge of things Divine and Humane for his skill in the tongues Hebrew Chaldee Syriack Arabick besides the Western Languages for his knowledge in History Law and Politiques the Honour and Ornament of his Country and our Age for the integrity of his life for his Fidelity for his Justice for his Constancy a man of an even temper and ever agreeing with himself whose youth had no need to be ashamed of his child-hood nor his riper years of his youth a severe observer of the old-fashion'd piety with all his soul and yet one that was no vain and superstitious Professor of it before others a man easie to be made a friend and very hard to be made an enemy and who being now dead was exceedingly lamented even by many Covenanters His breathless body Hugh Scrimiger once his Fathers servant took care to bring forth as the times would permit with a private funeral Nor was he long able to bear so great a sorrow and loss for after a few days espying that bloody Scaffold not yet removed out of the place immediately he fell into a swoond and being carried home by his servants and neighbours died at his very door Lastly they give unto Spotswood another companion in death Andrew Gutherey Son unto the most desâ—â—â—ing Bishop of Murray and hated the more by the Rebels for that A youth as well valiant in battel as constant in suffering and contemning death He also was threatned and railed at by the same Elaire but answered That no greater honour could have been done him than to be put to an honest death in the behalf of so good a King and so just a Cause which those that were present should see he embraced without fear and perhaps another generation would not report without praise For his sins he humbly begged mercy and forgivenesse at the hands of his most gracious Lord God but for that which he stood there condemned he was not much troubled After this manner died with constancy and courage a man who
his main drift to unite them Several meetings were appointed to this purpose but all in vain neither could any industry prevail to make an agreement so inveterate was their malice each to other so jealous were they one of anothers proceedings This variance made a long demur in that expedition which was far sooner intended The causes of which were partly set down in the beginning of the Historie and partly hatched by the Duke himself who looking as he was a man very ambitious of honour upon all the Marquesses actions with a squint eye fretted much that there was any within the same kingdome who so farr surpassed him in gallantrie and esteem nor could he brook that any one should possesse the Kings ear so much as he and for these reasons he employed his utmost endeavours in defeating all Montrose's enterprises But his Brothers known disservices and bad successe together with his own neglect or ill managing of businesse at Strivling bridge much retarded and obscured his claym to the Kings favour in the particular he sought for And to speak impartially the Marquesses worth and experience was such that it did easily sway the ballance in an indifferent mans judgement even though the other two had been thrown in to make up the weight The Marquesse having against his will spent a great deal of time in these disputes departed at last from Holland and travell'd up into Germanie and so to Austria The Emperour who in his late warrs against the Swede hath been very unsuccessfull hearing of his arrivall invited him to his Court and amongst many other honours conferr'd upon him freely proferr'd him the Command of ten thousand men which should be a standing Army constantly to be recruited With free power to engage at his own discretion without receiving orders from any but the Emperoâ—r himself Which charge the Marquesse being willing to accept and about to receive yet rather that he might if it were possible advance that cause which he had in hand than for any desire of honour he was prevented by that happy peace concluded betwixt the Emperour the Swedes which all who love the Common good of Christendome wish to be lasting and perpetual Being from thence very honourably dismiss'd he addresses himself to the Dukes of Brandeburg and Holsteyn from the last of which he receiv'd those ships which were kept a great while at Amsterdam to no purpose being three or four very fair vessels and well mann'd Which Prince would have willingly contributed more to that service but that he perceiv'd that which he had before given to be so misemployed wherein both he and the Marquesse were grossly abus'd as in the ensuing relation shall appear Great were the promises which had been made to the Marquesse by many other Princes but they proved very slack in the performance so that the assistance which was so generally expected proved nothing else but a meer formalitie complement But the season of the year being now fit for action he resolves with what speed he can to call together those he could get and to that purpose removes to Hamburgh from whence he might have a convenient passage to the Northern Isles of Scotland But ere we further proceed it will not be imperrinent to our purpose to take a slender view of that kingdom whither this expedition was intended and of the condition wherin it then was Scotland was then in a reasonable posture of quiet for the old grudges by taking away the heads of factions wherof some had suffer'd after Philip Haugh and others were detained Prisoners in England were tak'd up for a while And a certain number of Horse and Foot modell'd into an Army was muster'd and dispos'd of in several places of the Kingdom to prevent any forein invasion or homebred insurrection which might happen These were commanded by David Lesley Colonel Mountgomery Colonel Straughan c. being in all fifteen hundred Horse and three thousand Foot commanded by Lieut. General Holborn This handful did at that time over-awe and keep under the discontented party though far more powerful For besides those which had been disbanded by the Earl of Lanerick and Major General Munroe at the bridge of Striveling there flock'd dayly out of England great companies of those who had escaped out of prison who finding their estates Sequestered and feiz'd upon and withall most tyrannically proceeded against by the hot-spirited Ministery desired nothing more than an oportunity of revenge Besides these he had a considerable number of his own name and faction in the North. The Gordons the Athole-men who if he had not been crush'd at his first entry would certainly have assisted him This condition of the Kingdom made the Marquess appear like a prodigious Mereor hanging over their heads which awak'd those who sat at the helm of the State whom it did indeed most concern to endeavour the defeating of his attempts both at home and abroad For this purpose was there a solemn Message dispatch'd to the Prince then Resident at the Hague whom presently upon the news of his Fathers death they proclam'd King inviting him home upon certain conditions which were publish'd in this Kingdom and need not therefore be inserted In the mean time the Marquess who had now gathered together a company of gallant Gentlemen as well English as Scots makes all possible haste dispatches Colonel John Ogilby to Amsterdam to entertain such strangers as might be for his purpose But he forgeting his Commission bestowed both moneys and pains in entertaining himself suffering those who upon any terms would have engaged to shift for themselves There being a great number who had fled out of England and more who had lately deserted the French or been cashier'd from the Hollanders service Thus were these goodly Vessels sufficiently provided for service lost by his neglect and a limb of the design broken There hapned about this time another business which did much retard the Marquesses affairs Colonel Cochran who had been dispatched Commissioner into Poland to the Scotish Merchants there to require their assistance having procured very considerable sums of money upon that score and other provision for the furthering of that expedition dispos'd of the mony for his own uses made sale of the corn and provision together with the Vessel which was provided for the transportation of it and did himself turn tail to the quarrel This was another disappointment General King likewise whom the Marquess expected out of Sweden with a considerable party of Horse either could not be ready so soon as was expected or else delayed the time of purpose But the Marquess as is supposed feating lest he should have an express command to desist from his purpose because the Treaty betwixt the Prince and the Scotish Commissioners was now very near a conclusion did precipitate himself those that were with him into a most inevitable ruine Now all those great leavies and aydes Those mighty preparations for the invasion of a kingdome
settled in a posture of war and well forwarn'd of his imentions amounted not above the number of six or seven hundred at the most strangers and all The Common souldiers which adventur'd over with him most of them Holsteyners or Hamburgers He had sent him by the Queen of Sweden for the arming of such Gentle-men as should upon his arrivall betake themselves to his party fifteen hundred arms compleat for Horse back brest head-piece Carbines Pistolls and Swords all which after his defeat in Cathanes were taken untouch'd With this small preparation it was a desperate action to attempt so mighty a business And although his touching first upon the Islands did encrease his number and gave him almost the beginning of an Army Yet were those barbarous people so raw and unacquainted with discipline that they proved in a manner uselesse and unserviceable 'T is true the Inhabitants of those Isles were a people in former times very fierce and warlike and have under their own Captains made many great Impressions into the very heart of the kingdome But whether it was the Policie of the late Kings to leave them untrain'd of purpose to break then natural fierceness or because their own Captains being quell'd or cut off they car'd not much to engage under any other certain it is That kingdome for two hundred years last past hath not made lesse use of any they had under their jurisdiction nor have they at this present lesse opinion of any Scots for Military courage and valour And this may be alleged as a great cause of their remissnesse and unwieldinesse whilst they were in the Marquesses service I told you a little before of Montrose's whole Strength which did accompany him from Germany whereof two ships with neer upon a third part were sent before but by storm of weather which is both frequent and dangerous amongst those Northern Islands they were lost with all the men and arms nothing sav'd This was another check and as it were a warning and a fore-runner of the sad event which followed But the businesse being fatal he must needs contribute his own endeavours towards that destruction which his cruell fortune had provided for him For he nothing terrified with this successe sends out a second party which making a more prosperous voyage landed at Orkney and enter'd the Island without any resistance There being at that time no Garrison or defence placed in any of those Islands by the States of Scotland Together with these he sent several commissions for levying of Horse and Foot Immediately there were several dispatch'd to Scotland and the Islands adjacent for that purpose The people of the Country being in no condition to resist these officers endeavoured in hopes of favour as much as they could to further the design A od those who were not so earnest were by their own neighbours favourers of the cause and these violent Commissioners forc'd to take up Arms. Not long after landed the Marquess himself with the rest of his company together with those Gentlemen which were resolv'd ro partake of his fortune Amongst whom were several persons of note Colonel Hurrey was there a man who had engaged in all quarrells but never prosper'd in any The Lord Frenderick for his kinsman the Lord Napier was left in Holland Colonel Johnson a resolute man and an old souldier Colonel Gray a German souldier Harry Graham his own natural brother Colonel James Hay of Naughton Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie George Drummond of Ballach For he had employed as was thought Colonel Sibbalds his companion heretofore as his Agent in Scotland But he was apprehended at Musselburgh and did accompany his General in death upon the same Scaffold The Marquess continued a considerable time in Orkney raising of Forces and strengthning himself with such recruits as the place would afford Neither was there any preparation at all made in Scotland to dispossess him of these Islands either because it might be thought a difficult businesse to assail him within those places naturally guarded with a rough and dangerous sea Or because they knowing his strength expected a better opportunitie of him as they found indeed within the Country After this poor rabble of silly creatures was amaz'd He resolves at last to embarque and to that purpose gathers all the boats he could find ships his men and in a short space lands them all upon the point of Cathanes which is the farthest land to the North-west of Scotland The people having some experience of the carriage of his former souldierie and now far more dreading the name of Foreiners partly by the terrible reports which were constantly given out of him fled away in heaps many of them not stopping till they came to the chief City Edinburgh and there gave the terrible Alarm to the Parliament then sitting The Commanders were immediately summon'd and charg'd with all possible haste to get the standing Forces in readinesse and a Rendezvouz in order to the States command was hereupon presently enjoyn'd at Breithen Northward Colonel Stranghan who was then in high esteem with the great ones for his valour lately expressed in the English service and his zeal to the Presbyterian cause much extoll'd at that time had an ample and a particular Commission granted to him by the Parliament to command a choice party of Horse which should not be subject to David Lesleys orders but might engage and fight with the enemy at his best advantage With these being not above three hundred he advanced before the Army David Lesley with the rest of the Horse and Holborn with the Foot marching after him In the mean time the Marquess advanc'd but very slowly and that he might not be mistaken since all the world was much astomished at this Invasion now whilst the King was upon a Treatie he published a Declaration Wherein he labour'd to clear himself of any aspersion of sinister ends That his intention was only against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdome rais'd and maintain'd a war against the Kings Father and did now by their subtile practices endeavour to destroy the Son also That he intended nothing against the Generalitie of the Kingdom Lastly exhorting all subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the Tyranny of those who for the present ruled the State and the oppression of the Ministrie But the Country for several causes did not come to second him as he expected For the Earl of Sunder and a potent man in those parts his lands being next to the place where the Marquesse then was rais'd a great power of his tenants and friends and did his best to terrific and hinder all that were willing to joyn with him And though he found himself unable to deal with the Marquesses Forces yet did he stop all entercourse betwixt him and his friends And those Gentlemen who had heretofore followed him and yet enclined to assist him knowing the danger of the enterprise considering the
Army came to the river of Tweed which is the border of the two Kingdomes dice were cast amongst the Noblemen and Commanders and it was Montrose's chance to passe first over the river which he cheerfully performed on his feet his own foot Souldiers following him that he might more easily conceal his own resolution and take off all occasion of suspition For as well his authority in the Army as the integrity of his noble spirit began to be looked on with a jealous eye by the guilty-conscienced Rebels so that they diligently observed all his behaviour words and deeds After this marching over the river of Tine four miles above Newcastle by the treachery of the English Commanders who had retreated to York with a potent Army of the Kings the Scots possesse themselves of that Town and thereupon Commissioners being appointed on either side to treat of a Peace a Truce was presently made In the time of this Truce Montrose had sent Letters unto the King professing his fidelity and most dutifull and ready obedience to his Majesty Nor did the Letters contain any thing else These being stoln away in the night and coppied out by the Kings own Bed-chambermen men most endeared to the King of all the world were sent back by them to the Covenanters at Newcastle and it was the fashion with those very men to communicate unto the Covenanters from day to day the Kings most secret counsels of which they themselves only were either authors or partakers And some of the forwarder sort of the Rebels were not ashamed to tax Montrose bitterly enough with those Letters and although they durst not make an open quarrel of it or call him publiquely to account because he was so powerfull and well-beloved in the Army yet they loaded him with backbitings and slanders among the people For they had obliged unto themselves most of the Preachers throughout the Kingdome whose mercenary tongues they made use of to wind and turn the minds of the people which way they would Nor did they promote their Rebellion more effectually any other way nor do yet than this to have those doughty Orators in their popular preachments to rail bittorly against the King and all his Loyal Subjects as the enemies of Christ as they love to speak being themselves the while the very shame and scandal of Christianity Montrose returning into Scotland and thinking of nothing but how to preserve his Majesty from that storm of Rebellion hanging over his head at last resolved of this course He joyns many of the prime men for Nobility and Power in a League with himself in which they vowed to defend the Kings Majesty and all his royal privileges and antient and lawful Prerogatives with the hazard of their lives and estates against all his enemies as well home-bred as forein unto the last breath in their bodies And truly it came to that passe that there had been an open division in the Army which was his aim had not some for fear levity or cowardise which are bad keepers of counsel betrayed the whole businesse to the Covenanters Hence arose no small stirs and brauls but were pacified again in a while for neither yet durst they offer any open violence to Montrose But afterward the confederates having given a new oath made sure the Army at their devotion and joyning themselves to the Parliament of England in a strict Covenant although they saw themselves secure enough from the subtilest designs of any private man yet they seriously consult how they should take Montrose out of the way whose heroick spirit being fixt on high and honourable howsoever difficult atchievements they could not endure To make their way therefore unto so villanous an act by the assistance of some Courtiers whom with gifts and promises they had corrupted they understood that the King had written Letters to Montrose and that they were quilted in the saddle of the bearer one Stuart belonging to the Earl of Traquair The bearer was scarce entered the borders of Scotland but they apprehended him rip his saddle and find the Letters There was nothing at all written in them which did not become the best of Kings to command the best of Subjects to obey Neverthelesse those most exact crafts-masters in the arts of Lying and Slandering sent about horrible and tragical reports by their apt Ministers that at last all the Kings plots with Montrose for the overthrow of Religion and the ruine of the Kingdome were found out and discovered Nor yet neither durst they afford him a publique tryal but on a suddain when he suspected nothing thrust him with Napier Lord of Marthiststen and Sir Sterling Keir Knight two both of his neer kindred and intimate familars into the castle of Edinburgh At length a Pacification being made between the people of both Kingdomes between whom there had been no War only they laid their heads together against their most just and gracious King a Parliament was called at Edinburgh where the King in person was present Montrose desires most earnestly to be tryed before the King and that solemn Assembly but to no purpose for the Covenanters being conscious enough of his innocency and their own guilt applyed their special endeavours to detain the Gentleman in prison unheard untill such time as the King was got out of Scotland and they had concluded all things with the King in Parliament according to their hearts desire And certainly they were much afraid lest by his wisdome and courage and the esteem he was in as well with his Peers of the Nobility as with the people he should have fetch'd off the greatest number of either sort to his own resolution for the preservation of his Majesties Power and Authority At last the King returning into England Montrose and his friends are set at liberty and because it was ordered in Parliament that he should not come into conference with the King he sat still a while at his own house This was towards the end of the year 1641. CHAP. II. IN the year 1642. the Covenanters of both Kingdomes began to unmask themselves and let us see more plainly what they meant to do The Rebels in England began to vex the King with unjust unreasonable unseasonable Petitions and Complaints bespatter him with malicious slanders prophane his sacred Name in scurrilous Songs and Ballads vilifie him in infamous Libels Pasquils or Pamphlets raise Tumults arm great numbers of the scum and rascally sort of the people and engage them upon the Kings palace in a word threaten all extremity to him and his whom although he might have justly punished himself yet he chose rather to refer them to the Parliament that he might the more oblige it unto himself But it was to no end for so gracious a King to gratifie that and many things more to so ungracious so ingrateful men who were the very Authors and Abettors of these villanies For he had already granted more and greater Graces to his Subjects for the
and other things hitherto unattempted without the Kings knowledge or consent And to make up the measure of their presumption and treason ordain that a powerfull Army shall be raised against the King and in the aid of their confederates of England To which purpose they tax the people with new Subsidies and Levies much heavier than if all the Impositions which upon never so much necessity for two thousand years space by one hundred and nine Kings have been charged upon them were put together Montrose therefore who saw the King was like to be ruined by his own authority and saw too that he was too weak to oppose himself both against the strength of the Covenanters and the Kings abused Commission in a melancholy mood made as if he took no notice of any thing And the Covenanters supposing he had received some distaste from the King by reason of the affront he received at York and Hamiltons over-powring him they set upon him yet again privately and by friends to see if by intreaty or interest they could draw him to their side offering him Authority and wealth even the greatest honour Civil and Military Which offers he did not seem much to slight that by that means he might have an easier way to dive into their counsels The Covenanters that this growing friendship might be the better cemented and sanctified God blesse us send unto him that great Apostle of their Covenant Alexander Henderson who should give him full satisfaction in all his scruples Montrose heartily desired to speak with that fellow out of whom he doubted not to pump all the secrets of the Covenanters and lest a private meeting with such a man should give a scandal to the Kings friends he took the Lords Napier and Ogilby and Sir Sterling Keer to be witnesses of the discourse and on the bank of the river Forth not far from Sterling they met Montrose made as though he accounted himself very happy and much honoured in the visit of so worthy a man upon whose faith honesty and judgement he so much relyed Told him That to give the ill opinion of his Enemies leave to breath it self after some late mistakes he was content to stay at home that he knew nothing of what was done in Parliament that he was almost at a losse how to behave himself in that ticklish condition the Commonwealth stood and therefore beseeched him for old acquaintance sake to let him freely knew what they intended Henderson taking it for granted by these expressions that he was wheeling about towards the Covenanters that he might the more oblige the Marquesse unto him answered him flatly and without more adoe That it was resolved to send as strong an Army as they could raise in aid of their brethren of England against the Kings forces that the Covenanters of both Kingdomes had unanimously agreed upon this either to dye or bring the King to their lure that nothing could fall out more happily than that he should renew his friendship with his Peers of the Nobility and the rest of the Kingdome that so doing he would give great content to all men besides the honour and profit that would redound to himself that by his example others if others there were that idolized the empty shadow of the Kings name would joyn themselves unto the Covenanters and for his own part he would give most hearty thanks unto his Lord God that he had vouchsafed to make use of him as the Minister and ever Mediatour of so great a work and at last entreated him to speak out his mind and commit all such things to his care and industry as he should desire from the Parliament either in relation to his honour or profit assuring him he should be satisfied to his hearts desire Montrose having gotten out the knowledge of those things which he eagerly sought for now bethought himself how he should keep Henderson and his party in suspence a while that they should not get within him For what answer could he give them If he should professe himself to be against their courses that would doe the King no good and might bring a great deal of danger upon himself and on the other side to put them in greater hopes of him by promising those things he never meant to perform he scorned as being a stain unto his honour Therefore he takes this course there was present at that conference with Henderson one Sir Iames Rollock Chief of a very antient and flourishing family his former wife had been Montrose his Sister after whose death he married the Sister of the Marquesse of Argyle the ring-leader of the Covenanters in Scotland thus being allied unto them both he seemed to be a very fit mediator of friendship between them Montrose askes him whether those things which had passed between them proceeded from the direction of the Parliament or out of their own good wills He answered He conceived that Master Henderson had received Commission from the Parliament to that purpose But Henderson said no but he made no question but the Parliament would make good any thing that he promised Montrose told them he could resolve upon nothing except he had the Publique faith to build upon especially the messengers disagreeing between themselves Whereupon as the fashion is on such occasions one of them layes the blame upon the other when both of them ought rather to have condemned their own carelesnesse and negligence The conference being thus ended Montrose having obtained his ends and they being no wiser than they came thither every own went his own way CHAP. III Montrose being returned from this Conference related all things as they had passed unto some select friends whom he could safely trust and withall entreated them that for the greater confirmation of the businesse they would all go along with him to the King that his Majesty receiving a full account of all things might lend his ear to sound counsell and yet if it was possible provide a remedy against so threatning evills Most of them were of opinion That the King and his authority were utterly ruined and irrecoverable that it was a thing passing the power of man to reduce that Kingdom to obediance that for their parts they had acquitted themselves before God and the World and their own consciences 〈…〉 with the disgrace of their persons the losse of their estates and the hazard of their lives they had continued in their allegiance hereafter they would be only brokers on and Petitioners unto Almighty God for better times Montrose who could by no means be removed from so honest a resolution communicating his counsell to the Lord Ogilby whom of all men he especially loved goes straight to Oxford The King was absent thence being gone to the siege of Glocester he imparts unto the Queen what designs the Scotish Covenanters had against his Majesty but he had as good have said nothing for she had determined not to believe a word by reason of the far
greater confidence she reposed in Hamilton and his brother Montrose seeing no good was to be done with the Queen goes to Glocester and declares all things to the King himself How there was a powerfull Army to be raised in Scotland and a day appointed on which it should be brought into England how their counsels were manifestly known unto him and how to fetch him over to their side they had offered him very honourable commands in the Army but that he heartily detesting so horrid an employment had sled to his Majesty that he having notice thereof if he were not able to provide so timely and powerful a remedy as could be wished at least might cast some blocks and rubs in their way untill such time as he had setled his affairs in England that the Traitours of either Kingdome might be easily dealt withall by themselves but if they came once to joyn their forces they would be hardly supprest that there were very many in Scotland who would sacrifice themselves and all that they had for their dearest King whose good will would be of no use unto his Majesty after the Covenanters had raised their Army but destructive unto themselves that the haughty spirits of the Traitors were to be sneap't in time and their strength broken before it grew too big lest the beginnings being neglected repentance should prove the only opposition that could be made afterward These things and to this effect did Montrose continually presse unto the King but in vain for he had not only the strong and deeply-rooted confidence his Majesty had of the Hamiltons to struggle with but the devices of a set of desperate Courtiers beside who daily buzzed in the Kings eares Montrose's youth his rashnesse his ambition the envy and hatred he bare unto the Hamiltons and what not and on the other side the Hamiltons fidelity their honesty their discretion their power Thus Monrose nothing prevails and the King returns to his winter-quarters at Oxford And although his Majesty saw very well reports comming thick and threefold of the Scotish Army that all was true that Montrose had told him yet the most religious King determined upon no terms to give any occasion of quarrell to the Scots till first they entered England resolving that he for his part would perfectly observe the articles of Pacification he had made with them which if they should violate he doubted not but they should highly answer it both to God and him While these things were discussed at Oxford the Covenanters in Scotland bring their businesse about according to their desires no one opposing them They raise as big an Army as they can which consisted of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and at last when they had marched unto the very borders the Hamiltons were not ashamed to give the King notice by Letters of the approach of that formidable Army making this their excuse that according to their engagement they had prevented an invasion the summer before but now that winter was come on they were able to keep them out no longer but they would come in immediately with a powerfull Army The King when he saw himself thus grosly abused sends for Montrose shews him the Hamiltons Letters and at last when it was even too late askes his advice what was best to be done Montrose tells him that his Majestry might now see that what he had before given him notice of had neither proceeded from ambition nor malice nor any self-ends but from his bounden duty and allegiance that for above a twelve-month he had been continually pressing both their Majesties to prevent this that he accounted himself very unhappy that all that while so faithfull a servant could not be credited by so good a Master that the case seemed now desperate but if the King had a mind he might trust them again who by pretence of his authority had bound some of his friends hands that they could not assist him and drawn in others who intended nothing lesse under colour of Loyalty to fight against him and given up unto the Rebells now that they had got an Army all that they had without striking a stroke The King complaining that he was most abominably betrayed by them with whom he had entrusted his Crown his Honour his Secrets his Life earnestly demanded his advice He repeating again the lamentablenesse of the condition in which things now stood neverthelesse offered that if his Majesty so thought good he would either lose his life which if he did he would be sure it should seem rather sold then lost or else which he did only not despair he would reduce his Country-men and bring the Rebels there into subjection The King being no little pleased with the confidence undauntednesse and gallantry of the man that he might more advisedly contrive his design desired him to take two or three dayes to consider of it and so dismist him Montrose returning at the time appointed shews his Majesty how desperate an adventure he was undertaking that all Scotland was under the Covenanters command that they had Garrisoned all places of strength that they were plentifully provided both of men and mony and armes and ammunition and victuall and all things necessary for a Warr that the English Rebells were joyned with them in a most strict Covenant to defend one another against all the world But for his own part he had nothing to set up with neither men nor arms or pay yet he would not distrust Gods Assistance in a righteous cause and if the King would lay his Commands upon him he would undertake to do his best The King should be in no worse case than he was He himself would take what malice envy or danger should fail upon himself so that his Majesty were graciously pleased to condescend to a few reasonable requests And first that the business might go on more successively it seemed to him very necessary that the King should send some Souldiers out of Ireland into the West of Scotland Next that he should give order to the Marquesse of Newcastle who was the General of the Kings forces towards Scotland that he should assist Montrose with a party of horse to enter the South of Scotland by which means he might convey himself into the heart of the Kingdome Then that he should deal with the King of Denmark for some troops of German horse And lastly that his Majesty should take some course to procure and transport some arms out of some forein country into Scotland nothing needed more but humane industry the success was Gods part and to be referred to his providence The King commending his counsel and giving him thanks that he apprehended some life in the business encourageth him to fit himself cheerfully for so great a work and wished him to leave the care of those things he had requested unto him And truly for the matter of aid out of Ireland the King sends for the Earl of Antrim and acquaints him
of whom were the Lord Ogilby himself Sir Iohn Innes and Colonel Henry Graham his brother a most hopefull young Gentleman Iames Iohn and Alexander Ogilbyes Patrick Melvin and other gallant men and highly esteemed by Montrose fell into the enemies hands and endured a long and nasty imprisonment untill they were set at liberty by Montrose himself the next year after which they did him most faithful service He returning to Carlisle imparts his design to the Earl of Aboine lest he should have any occasion to cavil afterwards that a matter of that consequence was done without his knowledge or advice who might have proved able to give a great stroke to the advancing of it But when he found something too much sicklenesse in that young man he was not over earnest to engage him to adventure with him in so perillous a journey and therefore easily perswaded him to reside at Carlisle till he heard further news out of Scotland by which time it might be more seasonable for him to return into his Country And now being prepared for his journey he selected only two men for his companions and guides one was Sir William Rollock a Gentleman of most known honesty and an able man both of his head and hands The other was one Sibbald whom for the report of his valour and gallantry Montrose did equally love and honour but the latter afterwards deserted him in his greatest need Montrose passing as Sibbalds man and being disguis'd in the habit of a Groom rode along upon a lean jade and led another horse in his hand And so he came to the borders where he found all ordinary and safe passes guarded by the enemy There was a chance happened which put them in a greater fright than all that and it was this not farr from the borders they hit by chance upon a servant of Sir Richard Grahams who taking them for Covenanters and to be of Lesley's Army who used to range about those parts told them freely and confidently that his Master had made his peace with the Covenanters and had undertaken as if he were their Centinel to discover unto them all such as came that way whom he suspected to favour the King An unworthy act it was of a shamelesse villain of whom not only Montrose had a very high esteem but his Majesty also whose mistaken bounty had raised him out of the dunghill to say no worse unto the honour of Knighthood and an estate even to the envy of his neighbours Having not passed much further they met a Souldier a Scotchman but one that had served under the Marquesse of Newcastle in England who taking no notice of the other two Gentlemen came to Montrose and saluted him by his name Montrose giving no heed unto him as if he were no such man the too officious souldier would not be so put off but with a voyce and countenance full of humility and duty began to cry out What Doe not I know my Lord Marquesse of Montrose well enough Goe your way and God be with you whithersoever you goe When he saw it was in vain to conceal himself from the man he gave him a few crowns and sent him away nor did he discover him afterwards But Montrose conceiving himself much concerned in these speeches thought it the best course to make all the haste he could and to run faster than the news of him could flie nor did he spare any horse-flesh or scarce draw a bridle till after four dayes travell he came to the house of his cosen Patrick Graham of Innisbrake not far from the river of Tay on that side of the Sherifdome of Perth which is next the Mountains This Patrick being descended of the Noble family of Montrose and not unworthy of so noble parentage was deservedly in very great esteem with the Marquesse who sojourned besides him for a little while in the day time in a mean cottage and passed the nights alone in the neighbouring mountains For hee had sent away his companions unto his friends that they might inform themselves exactly of the whole state of the Kingdome and bring him word in what condition they found it After a few dayes having examined the matter with all the industry they could use they return with nothing but sad and tragical news That all the Subjects that were honest and loyal lay under the tyranny of the Rebells and of such as had been so hardy as to endeavour to recover their freedome with their swords some were put to death others fined others being yet in prison dayly expected the worst their enemies could doe That the Marquesse of Huntley had laid down the arms which too unadvisedly he had taken up at the first summons of the enemy that indeed he had had no contemptible number of men but the men wanted a good Commander that his friends and dependents were exposed to the implacable malice and revenge of their enemies and that he himself had fled to the utmost corner of the Iland and sculked upon another mans land Montrose was very much troubled as he had reason at this news especially at Huntley's errour and the ruine of the Gordons who were men of singular loyalty and valour and expert souldiers therefore much lamented by him that for no fault of theirs they should come to so great misfortune And now he began to cast about how hee might draw them to himself that they might try again the fortune of War under another General in the behalf of his most excellent Majesty CHAP. V. IN the mean time there were some uncertain reports spread abroad among the Shepheards who kept their flocks in the Mountains of certain Irish who were landed in the North of Scotland and canged about the Mountains Montrose conceived it not unlikely that these might be part of those Auxiliaries which the Earl of Antrim had promised should have been there four months before but he had no certainty what they were till at last some Letters came from some intimate friends of his Highlanders and from Alexander Mac-donald a Scotchman also to whom Antrim had given the Command in chief of those few Irish directed to Montrose These they had taken care to send to a certain friend of his a sure man that he might convey them if it were possible to Carlisle where Montrose was believed still to remain He who never dreamed of Montrose's return into Scotland though he sojourned by him by chance acquainted Master Patrick Graham with the businesse he promiseth to take charge of them and undertaketh to see them safely dilivered to Montrose though be made a journey as far as Carlisle a purpose and so by the good providence of God they came into his hands much sooner than could be expected And he writes back as from Carlisle that they should be of good comfort for they should not stay long either for sufficient assistance to joyn with them or a General to command them and withall requires them forthwith to come
was loath to engage those few gallant men again whose Horses were spent already in two sharp services with the enemy who was reinforced with fresh Foot Therefore observing the enemies Horse not yet rallied since their new rout and standing at a sufficient distance from their Foot he rode about among his own Foot who had been sore galled already with the enemies Ordnance and bespeaks them to this effect We do no good my fellow souldiers while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we cloze up with them how shall we know an able man from a weak a valiant man from a coward If ye would assail these timorous and brawnelesse shrimps with handy-blows they will never be able to stand you Goe to therefore fall about them with your swords and but-ends of your muskets beat them down drive them back and make them pay what is justly due for their treason and rebellion It was no sooner said than they fall to work break in upon the enemy defeat them rout them Their Horse who expected Foot to come and line them seeing them all run away ran faster than they whom the Conquerours were not able to follow much lesse to overtake so they scap'd scot-free but the Foot paid for all few of which escaped the Victors hands For having no other place to fly unto but into the City Montrose's men came in thronging amongst them through the gates and posterns and laid them on heaps all over the streets They fought four hours upon such equal terms that it was an even lay whether had the odds At this Battell Montrose had some great Guns but they were unserviceable because all advantages of ground were possessed by the enemy but the enemies Guns made no small havock of his men Among others there was an Irishman that had his legg shot off with a Cannon bullet only it hung by a little skin he seeing his fellow-souldiers something sad at his mischance with a loud and cheerfull voyce cryes out Come on my Comrades this is but the fortune of Warr and neither you nor I have reason to be sorry for it Do you stand to it as becomes you and as for me I am sure my Lord Marquesse seeing I can no longer serve on foot will mount me on horse-back So drawing out his knife being nothing altered nor troubled he cut asunder the skin with his own hand and gave his legg to one of his fellow souldiers to bury And truly when he was well again and made a Trooper he often did very faithfull and gallant service This battell was fought at Aberdeen on the twelfth day of September 1644. Then Montrose calling his souldiers back to their Colours entred the City and allowed them two dayes rest CHAP. VII IN the mean time news was brought that Argyle was hard by with much greater forces than those they dealt with last the Earle of Lothian accompanying him with fifteen hundred Horse Therefore Montrose removes from Aberdeen to Kintor a Village ten miles off that he might make an easier accesse unto him for the Gordons the friends and dependents of the Marquesse of Huntley and others that were supposed much to favour the Kings cause From thence he sends Sir William Rollock to Oxford to acquaint his Majesty with the good successe he had hitherto obtained and to desire supplies out of England or some place else That he had fought twice indeed very prosperously but it could not be expected that seeing he was so beset on all sides with great and numerous Armies he should be able to hold out alwayes without timely relief Still nothing troubled Montrose more than that none of the Gordons of whom he conceived great hopes came in unto him And there wanted not some of them who testified their great affection to the service but that Huntley the chief of the Family being a back-friend to Montrose had with-held them all either by his own example or private directions and that himself being forced ro sculk in the utmost border of the Kingdome envied that honour to another of which he had missed himself and had forbidden even with threats all those with whom he had any power to have any thing to do with Montrose or to assist him either with their power or counsell Which when he understood he resolved to withdraw his Forces into the Mountains and Fastnesses where he knew the enemies horse wherein their great strength consisted could do them little service and of their Foot if they were never so many relying upon the justice of his cause and the valour of his souldiers he made but little reckoning Therefore he hid his Ordnance in a bogg and quitted all his troublesome and heavy carriages And comming to the side of the river Spey not farr from an old castle called Rothmurk he incamped there with an Army if one respect the number but very small but it was an expert and cheerfull one and now also something accquainted with victory On the other side of the Spey he finds the men of Cathnes and Suderland and Rosse and Murray and others to the number of five thousand up in arms to hinder his passage over the swiftest River in all Scotland till such time as Argyle who marched after him was upon his back Being oppressed and as it were besieged with so many enemies on every side that at least he might save himself from their Horse the turned into Badenoth a rocky and mountainous Countrey and scarce passable for Horse There for certain dayes he was very sick which occasioned so immoderate joy to the Covenanters that they doubted not to give out he was quite dead and to ordain a day of publique Thankesgiving to Almighty God for that great deliverance Nor were their Levites you may be sure backward in that employment in their Pulpits for as if they had been of counsell at the Decree and stood by at the execution they assured the people that it was as true as Gospel that the Lord of Hostes had slain Montrose with his own hands But this joy did not last them long for he recovered in a short space and as if he had been risen from the dead he frighted his enemies much more than he had done before For assoon as his disease would give him leave he returned into Athole and sent away Mac-donald with a party unto the Highlanders to invite them to take up arms with him and if they would not be invited to force them He himself goes into Angus hoping it might happen that he should either force Argyle with his tyred Horse unto his Winter quarters or at least leave him far enough behind him For Argyle had pursued him slowly and at such distance that it was apparent he thought of nothing lesse than of giving him battail Therefore going through Angus and getting over the Grainsbain which going along with a continued ridge from East to West divideth Scotland into two equal parts he returned into the North of the Kingdome
But the losse of the Lord Gordon had so deep an impression upon all mens affections that they had the face rather of a defeated than victorious Army The first scene of their sorrow was acted in a dull silence in the next the floud-gates were broke open and the Army was full of sighes and sobs and wailing and lamentation and then with bedewed cheeks as soon as their grief could get a tongue they blam'd Heaven and Earth and Fortune and every thing for depriving the King the Kingdome the Age themselves and their posterity of such a man Thus forgetting their victory and the spoil they fixt their eyes upon the lifeless body kissed his face and hands commended the singular beauty of the Corps compared the Nobility of his descent and the plentifulnesse of his fortune with the hopefulnesse of his parts and counted that an unfortunate victory that had stood them in so much And truly it was like to have happened that their excessive sorrow for the losse of this noble Gentleman had conquer'd the Conquerors had they not comforted themselves with the presence and safety of Montrose Nor could he himself refrain himself from bewailing with salt tears the sad and bitter fate of his most dear and only friend but lamented much that the honour of his Nation the ornament of the Scotish Nobility the ablest assertor of the Royal Authority in the North and so intimate a friend unto himself should be thus cut off in the flower of his age In the mean time hoping that reason and time between them would asswage that grief he commands Physicians to embalm his noble Corps which afterwards being removed to Aberdeen he saw brought forth with a sumptuous and Souldier-like Fâ—â—eral and interr'd in the Monument of his Ancestors in the Cathedral Church This battel was fought at Alford on the 2. of July 1645. CHAP. XII MOntrose that same afternoon that he had got this victory at Alford marching to Clunie Castle allowed only two or three hours to his Souldiers for their refreshment And going from thence to the bank of the river Dee sent away the Earl of Aboine who succeeded his deceased Brother into Buchanshire and the places adjacent for recruits for many of them who were at the fight being Highlanders and not farre from their own habitations had dropt home with their pillage And because Mac-donald was not yet returned he kept his quarters at Cragston expecting both him and Aboine But when he perceived those Auxiliaries were dispatched unto him with lesse speed than he hoped and finding his expectation deluded impatient of so long and disadvantageous delay after he had got over the Dee and Gransbaine fell down into Merne and lay at Fordón Chapel once famous for the See and Sepulchre of St. Palladius Thence he sends to the Earle of Aboine who was now come to Aberdeen to hasten unto him into Merne with such Forces as he heard he had raised Alboine came indeed but brought no great store of Forces along with him therefore he sends him back into the North to raise as many men as he could possibly and bring them with all speed unto the Camp He himself going through Angus met his Cosen Patrick Graham with his Athole-men ready to live and die under his command and Mac-donald with a great power of Highlanders with him was Macklen the chief of his sept a valiant man and singularly loyal who brought some seven hundred choice Foot of his Friends and Clients Also the chief of the Mac-renolds a great man in the Highlands and one that entirely lov'd the King who had above five hundred men at his heels The Mac-gregors also and the Macknabâ— men inferiour to none in valour and hardness after the fashion of the Countrey followed their Commanders and Chiefs of their Families whose certain number I cannot easily assigne And Glengar a man never sufficiently to be commended for his valour and loyalty to the King and serviceableness and affection to Montrose seeing he in person almost from the Expedition into Argyle had never departed from him by his Uncles others whom he imployed brought in about five hundred more Besides out of the plains of Marre came a great number of the Fercharsons gallant men and of approved valour And some too out of Badenoth not many indeed but stout and able men of their hands Montrose being reinforced with such an Army resolves to make way into the heart of the Kingdome as well to spoil the enemies levying of men in Fifeshire and the Country on this side the Forth as also to break up the Parliament which the Covenanters had not without solemnity and ostentation summoned at Saint Johns-town Nor did any thing hinder him but want of Horse of which alwaies he had such scarcity that it was never oâ— very seldome safe for him to fall down into the plain Countrey But because he dayly expected Aboine and Airley to come unto him with a considerable party of Horse he passed over the Tay at Dunkel and lying near Amunde struck no small terrour into the enemy who held Saint Johns-town and from thence approaching nearer unto them he encamped in Methfyn Forest The enemies Foot all but the Garrison Souldiers in the Town lay on the South of the River Erne The Horse which were designed for the guard of the Town and Parliament as soon as they discovered Montrose's Scouts bring in a hot alarm that he was there and come already close to the gates and no question but he meant presently to scale the walls and make an assault upon the Town therefore they were earnest with the Nobility and the whole Parliament to secure themselves by a speedy flight when all this while Montrose had scarce a hundred Horse and they were four hundred But he the next day the more to encrease theiâ— terrour drew near unto the Town with those Horse he had and about the same number of ready Fire-locks whom he mounted upon pack-horses and set out his men in their view so much to his advantage that they appeared a considerable body of Horse And because the enemy kept themselves within the gates forthwith turning towards Duplin he diligently view'd this side of the River Erne and all that coast as if he had Horse enough to keep all that Countrey in subjection And truly thus much he got by it that the enemy took him to be exceeding strong as well in Horse as Foot Therefore they draw together as many Forces from all sides as they could make whom they intended to fight with Montrose if he should offer to passe over the Forth But he finding it not safe for himself neither to descend into the Champain Countrey they both kept their stations for many dayes the enemy expecting Auxiliaries out of Fife and the Country on this side of the Forth and out of the West and Montrose looking for the like out of the North And waiting impatiently for Aboine who was too slow with his men he
it self to be overcome with the prayers and lamentations of men in misery The Edinburgians being comforted with these hopes and assisted with this good advice immediately call a Hall to consult of sending Delegates There were among the prisoners of those that were most high in birth and favour with Montrose Lodowick Earl of Crawford Chief of the most antient and noble family of the Lindseys a man famous for Military service in forein Nations amongst the Swedes Imperialists and Spaniards This man by the power and cunning of his cosen the Earl of Lindsey who because he was greedy of the honour and title of the Earl of Crawford was greedy also of his life was designed by the Covenanters to be put to death Nor was it for any other crime but for being a Souldier and an expert man and one that had done faithful service for his Master the King and it was feared he would do so again if he should be suffered to live There was also James Lord Ogilby Son to the Earl of Airley one singularly beloved by Montrose who was formidable both for his Fathers and his own virtue and authority He also being an enemy to Argyle both upon old fewds and some fresher wrongs was just as deep in sin and danger as Crawford These therefore the Common Councill of Edinburgh chose out of the rest of the prisoners and immediately setting them at liberty they earnestly pray and beseech them to assist their Delegates to the uttermost of the power they had with the Lord Governour and to labour to hold his hands off that miserable City upon which the hand of God himself lay so heavy already And they curse themselvs and their posterity to the pit of Hell if they should ever prove unmindful of so great a favour or unthankful to them that did it They were not backward to undertake a businesse which was so universally desired but taking the Delegates along with them went forth to Napier He having by the way delivered his dear Father his Wife his Brother-in-law Sir Sterling Keer and his Sisters out of the prison at Limnuch whither the Covenanters had removed them from Edinburgh Castle marched back unto his Uncle with his Forces and those prisoners now at liberty and the Delegates of the City as having done his businesse Montrose embracing Crawford and Ogilby his dearest friend whom he had long longed for and rejoycing to see them safe and sound used them with all honour and accommodation after their long restraint and they on the other side magnified their deliverer and avenger with high praises and thanks as became them to do on both sides affording a spectacle of great joy to the beholders Afterwards the Delegates of Edinburgh were admitted to audience and delivered their Message from the Provost and City The sum was They would freely surrender the Town unto the Governour humbly desired his pardon promised to be more dutiful and loyal for the time to come committed themselves and all that they had to his patronage and protection for which they earnestly besought him Moreover they undertook forthwith to set the rest of the prisoners at liberty according to his appointment and to do any thing else that he should enjoyn them And although the City was so wasted with a grievous contagion that no men could be raised of it yet they were ready as far as their share came to pay contribution to such as should be raised in other places And above all things they humbly begged at his hands that he would labour to mitigate the anger of their most gracious Lord the King that he might not be too severe with that City which by the cunning authority and example of a seditious and prevailing party had been engaged in Rebellion Montrose bade them be confident of the rest and required no more at their hands than to be hereafter more observant of their loyalty to the King and faithfully to renounce all correspondence with the Rebells in arms against him either without or within the Kingdome To restore the Castle of Edinburgh which it was evident was in their custody at that time unto the King and his Officers Lastly assoon as the Delegates came home to set the Prisoners at liberty and send them to him And truly as for the Prisoners they sent them away upon their return but as to other Articles they were perfidious and perjured and if they do not repent must one day give an account unto God the assertor of truth and justice for their high ingratitude and reiterated disloyalty Whiles these things passed concerning Edinburgh Montrose sent away Alexander Mac-donald to whom he joyned Iohn Drummond of Ball a stout Gentleman into the Western coasts to allay the tumults there and to spoil the designs of Cassils and Eglington But they receiving the alarm of Mac-donalds approach were immediately disperst in a great fright Some of the Earls and other Nobles made straight into Ireland others plaid least in sight in I know not what lurking places All the Western Countries the Towns of Aire Irwin and others strove which should first submit freely offering their fidelity and service Neither which was more than he expected did Montrose ever find men better affected to the King than in those Western parts For most of the Gentry Knights and Chiefs of Families and some also of the prime Nobility came off chearfully to his side VVhose names which otherwise ought to have been registred with honour at the present I shall passe by if not in an acceptable perhaps yet certainly in an advantageous silence for I should be loath so honest and loyal souls should be questioned by their cruel enemies for their good affections upon my information CHAP. XV. MOntrose had now taken into his thoughts the setling of the South-borders and sent unto the Earls of Hume Rosburough and Trequair to invite them to associate with him for matter of Peace and VVar and all things that were to be done in the name and by the authority of the King These wete not only the powerfullest men in those parts by reason of the multitude of their friends and their great retinue but also made as though they were most cordial assertors of the Kings authority For besides the bond of Allegiance which was common to them with others they were engaged unto him by extraordinary benefits Not were they only advanced unto great Honours by him as being raised from the order of Knighthood to a high pitch of Nobility but were made Governours of the most gainful Countries and by that means being inriched above their equals and their own condition heaped up wealth indeed unto themselves but envy and hatred upon the King They again dispatch some of their friends of the best quality to assure him That they were ready to undergo any hazard under his conduct and command in the behalf of their most bountifull King They promise moreover to raise a world of men and nothing hindered their comming
up unto the Camp if he would but be pleased to draw that way with never so small a party of his forces And so it would come to passe that not only their friends and clients but the whole Country being animated with his presence and authority would cheerfully take up armes as one man and if they stood out they might be compelled or a course taken with them Therefore they earnestly besought him to afford them his assistance in this and in all the rest he should find them his most faithfull and ready servants These were fair words and at first hearing seemed to carry an honest meaning along with them but were promised with that kind of faith that the Creatures and Favourites of the too indulgent King are used to keep And perhaps upon that score the Earl of Lanerick Duke Hamiltons Brother is more to be commended whom Montrose having earnestly sollicited by friends to come off to the Kings side although that way he might very likely expect his pardon for what was past and the releasement of his Brother yet without any dissimulation he gave this peremptory answer That he would have nothing to do with that side and that he would never pretend that friendship which he intended not to preserve And I would to God all they on whom the good King has too much relied had delivered themselves with the same candor and plain dealing ever since the beginning of these troubles About the same time Montrose sent the Marquesse of Douglasse and the Lord Ogilby over into Anandale and Niddisdale that there with the assistance of the Earls of Anandale and Hartfield they might list as many Souldiers Horse especially as they could And gives them orders withall to march with such as they should so raise towards Trequaire Roxborough and Hume that they might engage them without any further put-offs in an association with them For Montrose understood a little what Court-holy-water meant and therefore was something suspitious of the delayes which they fram'd the rather having had some experience of their cunning and slipperynesse especially of Trequaires And truly Douglasse by the chearful endeavours of the Earls of Anandale and Hartfield had quickly raised a considerable party if one count them by the head but they were new men taken from their plows and flocks and but raw Souldiers forward enough at the first charge but by and by their hearts fail them and they can by no means be kept to their colours When Douglasse and the rest of the Commanders considered this they write again and again to Montrose that he would make haste after them with his old Souldiers towards Tweed for by his presence and authority and the company and example of the old Souldiers they might be brought either willingly or whether they would or no to know their duties In the mean time according to his command they goe on to Strathgale freely offering an opportunity and their service if it needed to Roxborough and Trequair to draw out their men more easily and timely But they good men who well enough understood the secretest counsels of the Covenanters and knew that all their Horse would be there immediately out of England under the command of David Lesley intended nothing more than to over-reach the King with their old tricks and to deliver Montrose whose glory they envied into the hands of his enemies though not by arms for that they could not yet by treachery To that end they insinuate again and again not only unto Douglasse and his party but to Montrose himself by their friends and frequent messengers that for their parts they were ready to expose their persons to the utmost hazard but they could never be able to draw together their friends clients and Trained bands except they were animated and encouraged with Montrose his presence And that they might be the better believed they curse themselves to the pit of Hell if they did not stand stifly and unalterably to their promise Montrose notwithstanding was not taken with all this but staid still at Bothwell conceiving that if there were any truth or honesty in their words Douglasse and his party who still lay in the Countrey adjacent would be sufficient for the rasing and encouraging of their friends and dependents At length when Montrose had quartered a great while at Bothwell most of the Highlanders being loaden with spoil ran privily away from their colours and returned home Presently after their very Commanders desired Furloghs for a little while pretending that the enemy had not an Army in the field within the borders of that Kingdome and therefore their service for the present might well be spared besides they complained that their Houses and Corn in and with which their parents wives children were to be sustained that winter were fired by the enemy and no provision made for them so that they humbly desired to be excused for a few weeks in which they might take care to secure their families from hunger and cold Also they solemnly and voluntarily engaged their words that they would return many more than they went and much refreshed within forty dayes These Montrose seeing he could not hold them as being Voluntiers and fighting without pay that he might the more engage them thought fit to dismisse them not only with Licences but Commissions And giving publick commendations to the Souldiers and thanks in his Majesties name to the Commanders exhorting them to follow their business closely and vigorously he appoints Alexander Mac-donald their Countryman and Kinsman who was but too ambitious of that employment to be their Companion and Guide who should bring them back to the Camp by the day appointed Who in a set speech gave thanks in all their names to the Lord Governour for his so noble favour and as if he had been their Bail or Surety with a solemn Oath undertook for their sudden return yet he never saw Montrose after Nor was he contented to carry away with him the whole Forces of the Highlanders who were more than three thousand stout men but he privily drew away sixscore of the best Irish as if forsooth he had pick'd them out for his Life-guard About this very time many messengers came several wayes to Bothwell from the King at Oxford Amongst whom one was Andrew Sandilands a Scotch-man but bred in England and entred into holy Orders there a very upright man faithful to the King and much respected by Montrose who continued constantly with him unto the end of the War Another was Sir Robert Spotswood once the most deserving President of the highest Court in Scotland and now his Majesties Secretary for that Kingdom who passed from Oxford through Wales into Anglesey and thence getting a passage into Loghaber came into Athole and was conducted by the men of Athole unto Montrose Almost all the Agents that came brought this Instruction amongst the rest That it was his Majesties pleasure that he should joyn unto himself the Earls of Roxburgh
consideration possessed his resolute and noble spirit That the losse of that day was but small and easily regained because but an inconsiderable part of his Forces were there That the Highlanders were the very Nerves and sinewes of the Kingdome and all the North was sound and untouch'd That many of the prime Nobility and men of power many Knights too and Chiefs of their Septs had entred into an association with him who if he should miscarry would be suddenly ruined or corrupted and by that means the Kings party in Scotland utterly subdued Therefore he thought himself bound never to despair of a good cause and the rather lest the King his Master should apprehend the losse of him to be greater than the losse of the battell And while these thoughts were in his head by good hap came in the Marquesse Douglasse and Sir Iohn Dalâ—ell with some other friends not many but faithfull and gallant men who with tears in their eyes out of the abundance of their affection beseech intreat implore him for the honour of his former atchievements for his friends sakes for his Ancestors for his sweet wife and childrens sakes nay for his Kings his Countries and the Churches peace and safeties sake that he would look to the preservation of his person considering that all their hopes depended on him alone under God and that their lives were so bound up with his that they must all live or die together At last Montrose overcome with their intreaties charging thorow the enemy who were by this time more taken up with ransacking the Carriages than following the chase made his escape of those that were so hardy to pursue him some he slew others among whom was one Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Cornets with their Standards he carried away prisoners Whom he entertained curteously and after a few dayes dismist them upon their Parole that they should exchange as many Officers of his of the like quality which Parole they did not over-punctually perform Montrose was gotten scarce three miles from Selkirk when he having overtaken a great number of his own men that went that way he made a pretty considerable party so that being now secure from being fallen upon by the Country people he march'd away by leisure And as he went by the Earl of Traquaires Castle by whose dishonesty he did not yet know that he had been betray'd he sent one before him to call forth him and his Son that he might speak with them but his servants bring word that they were both from home Notwithstanding there are Gentlemen of credit that testifie that they were both within nor did that gallant Courtier only bid the Rebells joy of their victory but was not ashamed to tell abroad not without profuse and ill becoming laughter that Montrose and the Kings forces in Scotland were at last totally routed his own daughter the Countesse of Queensbrig as far as modestly she might blaming him for it Montrose after he had made a holt a while near a Town called Plebis untill the souldiers had refresh'd themselvs and were fit to march many flocking to them from every side at Sun set they all stoutly entered the Town and by break of day next morning by the conduct of Sir Iohn Dalyel especially passed over Cluid at a ford Where the Earls of Crawford and Airley having escaped another way met with him making nothing of the losse of the battell assoon as they saw him out of danger Nor was he lesse joyfull at the safety of his friends than that he had sav'd and pick'd up by the way almost two hundred Horse But although he was already secure enough from the pursute of the enemy neverthelesse he resolved to make what haste he could into Athole that taking his rise there he might draw what forces he could raise of the Highlanders and other friends into the North. Therefore passing first over the Forth and then the Ern having marched through the Sherifdome of Perth by the foot of the Mountains he came thither As he was on his way he had sent before him Douglasse and Airley with a party of Horse into Angus and the Lord Areskin into Marre that they might speedily raise their friends and dependents in those parts and had also sent Sir Iohn Dalyel unto the Lord Carnegy with whom he had lately contracted affinity with Commissions to that purpose Moreover he sent Letters to Mac-donald to require him according to his promise to return with the Highlanders by the day appointed But above all he sollicited Aboine both by Letters and special messengers that he would bring back his friends and clients who were willing enough of themselves and wanted no other encouragement than his authority and example CHAP. XVII IT was towards the latter end of Harvest nor was he corn reap'd in that cold Country nor their houses and cottages which the enemy had butnt repaired against the approaching winter which is for the most part very sharp thereabouts which made the Athole men to abate something of their wonted forwardnesse Yet Montrose prevailed so far with them that they furnished him with four hundred good Foot to wait upon him into the North where there was lesse danger and faithfully promised him upon his return when he was to march South-ward he should command the whole power of the Country Mean time frequent expresses came from Aboine that he would wait upon him immediately with his Forces and Mac-donald promised no lesse for himself and some other Highlanders Areskin signified also unto him that his men were in readinesse and waited for nothing but either Aboines company who was not far off or Montrose's commands About this time there were very hot but uncertain reports of a strong party of Horse that were sent him from the King whom many conceived not to be far from the South borders But other news they had which was too certain to wit that there was a most cruel butchery of what prisoners the Rebels had without any distinction of sex or age some falling into the hands of the Country people were basely murthered by them others who escap'd them and found some pity in them that had so little being gathered together were by order from the Rebel Lords thrown head-long from off a high bridge and the men together with their wives and sucking children drown'd in the River beneath and if any chanced to swim towards the side they were beaten off with pikes and staves and thrust down again into the water The Noble-men and Knights were kept up in nasty prisons to be exposed to the scorn of the vulgar and certainly doom'd at last to lose their heads Montrose was never so much troubled as at this sad news Therefore to the end he might some way relieve his distressed friends being impatient of all delay with wonderfull speed he climbs over Gransbaine and passing through the plains of Marre and Strath-done maketh unto the Lord of Aboine that he might encourage
him by his presence to make more haste into the South For his design was as soon as he had joyned his forces with Areskins and Airleys and sent for Mac-donald and other Highlanders and taken up the Athole-men by the way to march in a great body straight over the Forth and so both to meet the Kings Horse and to fright the enemy upon their apprehension of an imminent danger to themselves from putting the prisoners to death For he conceived they dnrst not be so bold as to execute their malice upon men of Nobility and Eminency as long as they had an enemy in the Field and the victory was uncertain And truly they being doubtfull and solicitous what might be the successe of so great warlike preparations as they knew were in providing did deferre the execution of the prisoners Montrose upon his journey found the Lord Areskin very sick but his clients whose fidelity and valour he had sundry experiences of even in the absence of their Lord all in a readinesse if Aboine did but doe his part for they depended much upon his example and authority And now the Marquesse of Huntley after he had playd least in sight for a year and some months it is hard to say whether awaken'd with the news of so many victories obtained by Montrose and the reducing of the Kingdome or by the deceitfull influence of some bad starr was returned home An unfortunate man and unadvised who howsoever he would seeme most affectionate unto the Kings Cause and perhaps was so yet he endeavoured by a close and dishonourable envy rather to extenuate Montrose's glory than out-vie it Which seeing it was not for his credit openly to professe even before his own men who were sufficient witnesses of Montrose's admirable vertues lest by that he should discover some symptomes of a heart alienated from the King yet he gave out that for the time to come he would take upon himself the conduct of the Warr against the Rebells therefore he commanded his Tenants and advised his friends and neighbours scarce without threats to fight under no command but his own And then they replyed What shall we then answer to the Commands of the Marquesse of Montrose whom the King hath declared General Governour of the Kingdome and General of the Army He made answer That he himself would not be wanting to the Kings service but however it concerned much both his and their honour that the King and all his men should know what assistance they had given him which could not otherwise be done than by serving in a body by themselves Moreover he fell to magnifie his own power and to undervalue Montrose's to extoll unto the skies the noble Acts of his Ancestors men indeed worthy of all honour to tell them That the Gordons power had been formidable to their neighbours for many ages by-gone and was so yet That it was most unjust that the atchievements gotten with their blood and prowesse should be accounted upon another mans meaning Montrose's score but for the future he would take a course that neither the King should be defrauded of the service of the Gordons nor the Gordons of their deserved honour favour and reward All these things the simpler sort took to be spoken upon all the grounds of equity and honour in the world but as many as were understanding men and knew better the disposition of the person saw through those expressions a mind too rancorous and altogether indispos'd towards Montrose and that his aim was to fetch off as many as he could from him not only to the utter ruine of the King and Kingdom but even to his own destruction which God knows the sad event made too manifest Nor were there wanting amongst them desperate men and of good fore-sight who condemned this counsell of his as unwise unseasonable and pernicious even to himself For they considered with themselvs that he never had any design that did not miscarry either by bad play or bad luck That businesses were better carried by Montrose and it was ill to make a faction upon the poor pretence of his carrying away the honour of it For if Huntley joyned his Forces and communicated his counsels unto Montrose he should not be only able to defend himself but subdue his enemies and gain unto himself the everlasting honour of being one of the Kings Champions but if he should make a breach in that manner it would prove not only dishonourable but destructive unto him That Montrose it could not be denyed had got many and eminent victories with the assistance of the Huntleys but they had done nothing of note without him Therefore they earnestly desired him constantly to adhere unto the Kings Lieutenant which as it would be both acceptable and advantageous to the King so it would be well taken with good men and honourable to himself Nor did some of them fear to professe openly that they would yeeld their duty and service to Montrose if Huntley should stand out in his humour and they were as good as their words But he refusing the advice of his friends resolved what ever came on 't to run counter to Montrose nor did Montrose ever propose any thing though never so just or honourable or advantageous which he would not crosse or reject And if at any time Montrose condescended to his opinion which he did often and of purpose he would presently turn his mind seeming to comply with him sometimes before his face but alwayes averse unto him behind his back and indeed scarce well agreeing with his own self For all this Aboine being at that time solicited by many expresses from Montrose and the importunity of his own friends that he might be some way as good as his word met him with a considerable party at Dâ—â—minore a Castle of the Lord Forbeses He brought with him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse all cheerfulI and ready to undergo any hazard under the command of Montrose And truly assoon as ever they met Aboine freely protested he would carry those men that he had whithersoever the Lord Governour should lead him but there were many more behind which for his scantnesse of time he had not got together which his brother Lewis would bring him Montrose extolling highly his fidelity and pains turned back again almost the same way he came that taking up the Lord Areskins and the Marre Forces by the way and climbing over Grainsbaine he might fall down into Athole and Angus not doubting within a fortnight to be able to passe over the Forth with a great Army The first dayes journey Aboine and his men marched with a good will but the next night his brother Lewis whom Montrose had placed under the command of the Earl of Crawford conveighed himself homewards with a strong party of Horse making as if he meant to encounter some Troops of the enemy and carryed along with him as many souldiers as he could get upon pretence of a guard
men had deserted him in upper Marre as a Prologue to the ensuing Tragedy had beheaded three stout and gallant Gentlemen The first was Sir William Rollock one of whom we have had often occasion to make honourable mention a valiant and expert man dear unto Montrose from a Child and faithful unto him to his last breath The chief of his Crimes was That he would not pollute his hands with a most abominable murder For being sent from Montrose with an express to the King after the battel of Aberdeen he was taken prisoner by the Enemy and was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for fear of death he had harkened unto Argyle who most unworthily set a price upon Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon himself to commit that Treason which he abhorred with all his soul By which shift having his life and liberty given him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more careful of himself for not he only who heartily detested so high a villany but many more had been offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogilby of whom we also spake before eldest Son to Sir John Ogilby of Innerwharite descended of an antient Family and much renowned in the Scotish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard-of Treason to wit his bounden duty and loyalty to his King But there was no help for 't but Argyle must needs sacrifice that hopeful youth if it had been for nothing but his names sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Ogilbies The third was Sir Philip Nesbit of on antient Family also and chief of it next his Father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new High Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that couragious and vigilant man might take occasion some time hereafter to be even with them for the horrid injuries they had done his Father and his Family However these men suffered a Noble death with patience and constancy as became honest men and good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joined Colonel O-Chaen and Colonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murdered indeed at Edinbourgh but many more were doom'd to the like execution at Glascow had not Montrose's unexpected approch within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governor was very much perplexed with the news of these mens death and it was a question whether he was more vext at the cruelty of the Rebels or the negligence if not treachery of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vain expected to come with his Son Aboine Mac-donald also himself of whom he entertained an exceeding good opinion being often sent unto and invited also by the nearness of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past and gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had engaged himself for the Northern Forces and the Winter than which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the Command of the Lord Digby were defeated all which might easily have been salved and the Kingdom reduced again if those great Professors of Loyalty had not plaid fast and loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose deâ—arting from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and loghes whose names I do not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne and over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogilby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would believe nothing that they said and when they unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings business better than they or the Governor himself and neither he nor any of his children should have any thing to do with him Moreover he sharply and threatningly reproved his friends and clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them than with Rebels Nevertheless the Lord Governor thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them and whiles he treats with the Athole-men for the setling of the Militia of that Country he sends again unto Huntley by Sir John Dalyel as a more fit Mediator of friendship Who was to inform him of the danger the King and Kingdom was in and so of the present misery that hung over his and all faithful Subjects heads and to make it appear unto him that it was no ones but his and his sons fault both that they had not brought in the supplies into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithful men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remaining that had near relations to Huntley himself and some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebels would cut off after the same fashion unless they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least he would grant the Kings Governor the favour of a friendly conference promising he would give him abundant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according ro his wonted peevishness yet he was most of all averse to a Conference as fearing seeing he should have nothing to answer to his Arguments and Reasons the Presence the Confidence and the Wisdom of so excellent a Man But Montrose as soon as things were setled in Athole that he might leave nothing unattempted that might possibly bring him to better thoughts resolved dissembling all injuries and obliging him by all good offices to surprize him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concerned His Majesties service Therefore in the month of December he forced his way very hardly thorow Rivers and Brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens weight over the tops of Hills and craggy Rocks in a deep Snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine
Articles signed by the Kings hand with Injunctions now the third time wherein he was required to disband without further delay and the same messenger charged him in the Kings name under pain of high Treason to give obedience forthwith to the Kings Command And besides his Majesties pleasure there was another thing which hastened him which was that those that had engaged with him had most of them privately and by their friends laboured to make their peace with the Rebels which was evidently known by good tokens of the Earl of Seaforth and others As for Huntley and Aboine they did not only professe themselvs open enemies to Montrose but also threatned to fall upon him by force of arms if he did not immediately submit to the Kings authority And Antrim being newly arrived out of Ireland in the Highlands without either men or arms busied himself to draw away all the Highlanders as his kindred allies to himself from Montrose's Army whom in scorn he call'd the Governour of the Low-lands making by this means an unseasonable fraction and a pernitious one to his friends in those parts All which Montrose having well considered he was forced according to the Kings command to disband his Army And truly that was a most sad day in which having sollemnly prais'd and encourag'd his souldiers as well as the occasion permitted he took his leave of them For althuogh he bid them to be of good comfort however and told them he saw some day-light of a blessed peace and that he did as much service to the King by his present submission as he had done before by his Martial atchievements Yet notwithstanding they all conceiv'd that that was the last day of the Kings authority in Scotland and all of them beleeved for certain that those Commands from the King were wrested from him upon the apprehension of greater dangers to his person if he had not given them And although some provision had been made by Articles in writing for their Indemnity yet they had raher have undergone the worst that could fall than survive idle and unserviceable spectators of the miserable dition of their dearest King And it was no little vexconation to those generous spirits to think what an unworthy opinion forein Nations and their own posterity must needs have of them as if the Scotish Nation had been unanimously guilty of Rebellion and desertion of so good a King Besides their sorow was much augmented with the consideration that their General who was most valiant most successfull and therefore most beloved should be taken off so unhappily from the King from his Country from themselvs and all good men So that his souldiers falling down at his feet entreated him with tears in their eyes that seeing the safety of the Kings person depended so much upon it and he must of necessity depart the Kingdome he would be pleased to take them along with him into what part of the world soever he went Professing their readinesse to live and fight any where under his command and if God would have it so to die too And truly many of them were resolved though to the certain hazard of their lives and estates to follow him even against his will and knowledge and to offer him that service in an unknown land that they were able to afford him no longer in their miserable Country By the Articles to which the King had consented according to the desires of the Covenanters it was especially provided that Montrose should depart Scotland before the first of September and that they should find him shipping with provision and all things necessary when he went These things were transacted the first of August and a Port in Angus designed for Monrose whither they were to send shipping from whence 〈◊〉 was to imbark And Montrose to prevent and remove all occasions of exception or suspition being accompanied only with his own servants and a very few friends betook himself thither and waited for the shipping About this time his most implacable enemies set abroad crafty and feigned reports by their fit instruments wherein they confidently averted that the States of the Kingdome as they call'd themselvs would by no means suffer that so gallant a Subject should be banished the Country For they knew not how great need they might have of a man of his worth especially if the King who had cast himself freely upon the affections of the Scots could not get any right of the English but should be put to seek it by force and arms and if it came to that no age had afforded a better General than Montrose And truly that was the earnest desire and expectation of most men who were not able to dive into the bottome of the Rebells plots but they had far other designs in hand and another game to play For what their thoughts were towards the King the sad event made too manifest and for Montrose they laid very unconscionable and unworthy traps to catch him For they did this that if they could flatter him up with such vain hopes and entice him to stay in the Kingdome beyond his time appointed they might take hold of him upon the Articles and cut him off with more credit August was almost spent and no news at all was to be had about the shipping or safe conduct therefore Montrose although he was resolved to be gon by the day the King had limited that he might more fully grope the intentions of the Covenanters gave leave to some of his friends to deal with them for further time But when they brought him nought but uncertain and doubtfull answers he had reason to think they intended nothing but to delude and intrap him Besides which made his suspition so much the greater there came a ship upon the very last day allowed for his stay to wit on the last of August into the haven of Montrose The master of it was not only a stranger to him but a most rude and violent abettor of the Rebells the Seamen and Souldiers men of the same temper malicious dogged and ill-condition'd the ship it self neither victualled not fit to go to Sea So that when Montrose shew'd himself ready to depart and bad them hoise their sailes assoon as they could the Master of the ship told him that he must have some dayes allowed him to pitch and rigge his ship before he durst adventure himself to the wind and waves And then making great brags of himself and his ship he drew forth a Commission which the Covenanters had given him wherein he was required to transport the passengers to certain places assigned by themselvs and to carry no body else Moreover there lay great English ships and men of War every day in sight about the mouth of the river Eske which makes the haven of Montrose attending there in favour of the Rebells for their much-desired booty that by no means he might escape their hands But Montrose had sufficient notice of their treacheries
and wanted not some friends of the Covenanters themselvs who informed him by frequent messages that the Sea was sore pester'd with the English Navy and he could not escape safely either into France or the Low-Conntries that the haven was upon the matter block'd up in which he was to take shipping and therefore it was very perillous for him to go to Sea that his enemies look'd for nothing else than that either by making too long stay in his own Country he should sall into the hands of the Scotish Covenanters or by going should be surprised unarm'd and unawares by the English Rebells Montrose's friends that were with him were of opinion that it was best for him in so apparent a danger to return into the Highlands and draw his men together again conceiving that he had better trust the fortune of War than so perfidious a peace But he forbore to take that course especially because of his most ardent affection to the King For he was assured if the War brake forth again it would be laid upon the King though undeservedly and so he should bring his Person into present danger perhaps as much as his life was worth Therefore being straightned on every side one way with treachery plotted against his own another against the Kings anointed head he determined with an unalterable resolution to bear all the burden upon his own shoulders And therefore he withdrew himself not out of rashnesse as if he despair'd of safety at the worst but out of sage and discreet deliberation For when he had smelt out the plots of the Rebels before-hand he had sent some a good while ago to search diligently the havens in the North and if they chanced to find any outlandish vessell to agree with the Master for the fraught and to appoint him to be ready to put to sea at such a day and to transport the passengers which should be ready with him by the help of God into Norway By good fortune there was found in the haven of Stanhyve a small bark of Bergen in Norway and the Master was soon agreed with for he was very glad of the opportunity having hopes of getting Thithet Montrose sent away Sir John Hurrey John Drummond of Ball Henery Graham his brother John Spotswood nephew to that great Sir Robert John Lilly a Captain of approved skill and coruage Patrick Melvin such another George Wise heart Doctor of Divinity David Gutherey a stout young Gentleman Pardus Lasound a French-man once a servant to the noble Lord Gordon afterwards entertained for his Masters sake by Montrose himself one Rodolph a German an honest and trusty young man and a few servants more And these he had pick'd out to carry along with him whithersoever he went for this reason especially because he knew the Rebels to be so maliciously bent against most of them that they could not be safe for never so little a while in that Country And they on the third of September having a good wind put forth to Sea for Norway and the same evening Montrose himself accompanied only with one James Wood a worthy Preacher by a small cock-boat got into a bark which lay at anchor without the haven of Montrose and being clad in a coarse suit the Lord and Patron passed for his Chaplains servant This was in the year of our Lord 1646. and the 34. year of his age FINIS The Continuation of Montrose's Historie IT is not our purpose in this addition to the Historie of the famous Marquesse to deliver his several Negotiations with forein Princes further than in the general For howsoever they were in order to the Cause he had in hand and did add a great deal of lustre and splendour to his worth in the eyes of strangers who were indifferent in the case As likewise it must be confessed that no subject of that Kingdome ever received higher favours abroad or procur'd greater respect to the addresses made in his Masters name Yet these things being but obscurely known in the Tenour of them except only to those that were employ'd and indeed not so proper for our intention in this brief narration which is to satisfie the curiosity of all in the manner of his last entrie his defeat death and buriall if it may be so call'd Things for ought I know as yet set down in no certain relation We shall therefore setting aside his Forein endeavours bring him upon the same stage where his Tragedie had both its beginning and ending Only that you may have a more lively representation of his personal vertues we shall give you to understand in what high estimation the Marquesse was with Forein Princes as well as with those of England and Scotland and point at those honours which did seem to court his magnanimitie beyond Seas In France with the general consent of the Princes of the blood and the rest of the Nobility he was design'd Chaptain General of all the strangers in that Kingdome A trust which those know that are acquainted with the Warrs of France of very high consequence for in them consists the whole strength of the Kingdome But this advancement of the Marquesses was by Cardinall Mazarine crossed or delayd who was alwayes a professed enemy to Scots in that Kingdome From thence he took his journey to Holland where the Prince then was in pursute of his former intentions but there he met with as great crosses and impediments as he had done in the bowels of his own Country Duke Hamilton who was his irreconcilable enemy was now his competitor and being then at the Hague labour'd by all means possible to undermine or prevent the Marquesses designs With him were the Earl of Lautherdale and the Earl of Calender men both of eminent parts whom the Duke by several engagements had made firm to his purposes They were both very earnest for a Commission The Duke having interest in the Prince by blood could not think that any in that trust could justly be preferred before him alleging likewise that he might be more able to perform any design in that Kingdome his kindred and allies and those of his Name being very powerfull and in the very heart of the kingdome Whereas Montrose's souldiers whom he trusted most and employed in his former action were either kill'd or dispersed And those whom he had left so terrified and squeezed in their estates that they were utterly unable to help him On the other part the Marquesses fidelity pleaded much for him his notable atchievements his poor and slender beginnings which made him so much the more capable for that undertaking it being requisite the Prince should employ such an instrument as the case then stood being destitute of all means to help him The Prince who knew how needfull it was to reconcile two such eminent Persons who being joyn'd might draw the greatest part of that kingdome after them fayling of which either of them was sure to oppose the other that should be employd made it
lives have I preserved and as I came in upon his Majesties Warrant So upon his Letters did I lay aside all interest and retreated And for my comming in at this time it was by his Majesties command in order to the accelerating of the Treaty betwixt him and you His Majestie knowing that when ever he had ended with you I was ready to retire upon his call I may justly say that never subject acted upon more Honourable grounds nor by a more lawful power than I did in this service and therefore I desire you to lay aside prejudice and consider me as a Christian in relation to the justice of the quarrel as a Subject in relation to my Royal Masters commands and as your Neighbour in relation to the many of your lives I have preserved in battel and be not too rash but let me be judged by the Laws of God the Laws of Nature and Nations and the Laws of this Land if you do otherwise I do hear appeal from you to the Righteous judge of the world who one day must be both your judge and mine and who alwayes gives Righteous judgement This he delivered with such Gravity and without Passion as was much admired even of his enemies After which the Chancellour commanded the Sentence to be read which he heard with a setled and an unmoved countenance and desiring to be further heard was presently stopt by the Chancellour who commanded he should be presently removed back again to prison where being no sooner come but the Ministers assault him afresh aggravating the terrour of the Sentence thereby to affright him He acknowledged himself much beholding to the Parliament for the Honour they put upon him saying He took it for a greater honour to have his head stand upon the Prison Gate for this quarrel than to have his picture in the Kings Bed-chamber And lest his Loyaltie should be forgotten they had highly honoured him in designing lasting monuments to four of the chiefest Cities to bear up his memorial to all posterity Wishing he had had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every City in Christendome to witnesse his loyalty to his King and Country His Friends were not suffered to come near him but a guard was alwayes in the Chamber with him insomuch as he had neither time nor place for his private devotions but in their hearing The next day being the 21. Cloathed in a Scarlet cloak richly laced with Gold lace he was brought to the Scaffold He came along the Streets with so great state and there appeared in his countenance so much Beauty Majesty and Gravity as amazed the beholders and many even of his Enemies did acknowledge him to be the gallantest subject in the World but because all his Friends and well-willers were debar'd from comming near him there was a boy designed for that purpose on the Scaffold who took his last Speech Which was to this effect I am sorry if this manner of my End be scandalous to any good Christian Doth it not often happen to the righteous according to the wayes of the wicked and to the wicked according to the wayes of the righteous doth not sometime a just man perish in his righteousness and a wicked man prosper in his malice They who know me should not disesteem me for this many greater than I have been dealt with in this kind yet I must not say but that all Gods Judgements are Just For my private sins I acknowledge this to be just with God I submit my self to him but in regard of man I may say they are but instruments God forgive them I forgive them they have oppressed the poor and violently perverted Judgement and Justice but he that is higher than they will reward them What I did in this Kingdome was in obedience to the most just Commands of my Soveraign for his defence in the day of his distresse against those that rose up against him I acknowledge nothing but fear God and Honour the King according to the commandements of God and the Law of Nature and Nations and I have not sinned against man but against God and with him there is Mercy which is the ground of my drawing neer unto him It is objected against me by many even good People That I am under the Censure of the Church This is not my fault since it is only for doing my Duty by obeying my Prince's most just Commands for Religion His Sacred Person and Authority Yet I am sorry they did Excommunicate me in that which is according to Gods Laws without wronging my Conscience or Allegeance I desire to be relaxed if they will not do it I appeal to God who is the righteous Judge of the world and who must and will I hope be my Judge and Sviour It is spoken of me that I should blame the King God forbid For the late King he lived a Saint and dyed a Martyr I pray God I may so end as He did If ever I should wish my Soul in another mans stead it should be in his For his Majesty now living never people I believe might be more happy in a King His Commands to me were most just in nothing that he promiseth will he fail He deals justly with all men I pray God he be so dealt withall that he be not betrayed under trust as His Father was I desire not to be mistaken as if my carriage at this time in Relation to your waies were stubborn I do but follow the light of my own Conscience which is seconded by the working of the good Spirit of God that is within me I thank him I go to Heavens Throne with joy If He enable me against the fear of Death and furnish me with courage and considence to imbrace it even in its most ugly shape Let God be glorified in my end though it were in my damnation Yet I say not this out of any fear or distrust but out of my duty to God and Love to his people I have no more to say but that I desire your Charity and Prayers I shall pray for you all I leave my Soul to God my Service to my Prince my Good will to my Friends and my Naâ—â—e and Charity to you all And thus briefly I have exonerated my Conscience Being desired to pray apart He said I have already powred out my Soul before the Lord who knows my heart and into whose hands I have commended my Spirit and he hath been graciously pleased to return to me a full assurance of peace in Jesus Christ my Redeemer and therefore if you will not joyn with me in prayer my reiterating again will be both Scandalous to you and me So closing his eyes and holding up his hands he stood a good space at his inward devotions being perceived to be inwardly moved all the while When he had done he call'd for the Executioner and gave him mony Then having brought unto him hanging in a cord his Declaration and History he hanged
them about his neck saying Thongh it hath pleased His Sacred Majesty that now is to make him one of the Knights of the most Honourable Order of the Garter yet he did not think himself more Honoured by the Garter than by that cord with the Books which he would embrace about his neck with as much joy and content as ever he did the Garter or a chain of gold and therefore desired them to be tied unto him as they pleased When this was done and his ams tyed he asked the Officers If they had any more Dishonour as they conceived it to put upon him he was ready to accept it And so with an undaunted Courage and Gravitie suffered according to the Sentence past upon him THe death of the noble Marquesse was not bewailed as a private losse but rather as a publique calamitie The greatest Princes in Europe expressed no small sorrow for his unhappy end And indeed we have not had in this latter Age a man of more eminent parts either of body or of mind He was a man not very tall nor much exceeding a middle stature but of exceeding strong composition of body and incredible force with excellent proportion and feature Dark brown hayr'd sanguine complexion a swift and peircing gray eye with a high nose somewhat like the antient signe of the Persian Kings Magnamity He was of a most resolute and undaunted spirit which began to appear in him to the wonder and expectation of all men even in his childhood Whom would it not have startled to attempt as he did at his first entry into Scotland a journey wherein he could not almost escape discovery all passes being so laid for him but even when he was known and almost made publike he proceeded in his intention He was a man of a very Princely courage and excellent addresses which made him for the most part be us'd by all Princes with extraordinary familiarity A compleat Horseman and had a singular grace in riding Nor is it lesse wonderful how in so great scarcity of all things when warre in that Country is but tedious with the greatest plenty it can afford he could patiently endure so much distresse Nor is it lesse to be wondred at how he could win so much upon those Irish who had no tie to him either of Country Language or Religion as he did More especially when they wanted not all manner of temptation that either their own miseries and intollerable duty could suggest or the wit and sagacity of the enemy could invent to make them leave him and abandon the service Besides the many examples shown upon them and their continual want of Pay either of which accidents in an Army is ground enough and has been many times the occasion of mutiny and desertion Nor had he only an excellent and mature judgement for providing and forecasting of businesse but a prompt and ready spirit likewise in matters of present danger and sudden calamity and these things which might have confused another another mans understanding as such sudden chances often doe were a whetting to his wit There are many stratagems in several Histories related which in the heat of action have been put in practice for the regaining of a day already lost or in danger to be so As that of Jugurtha a politick and valiant Prince who in the heat of a battel betwixt him and Marius the Roman Consul rode up and down in the head of the Army showing his bloody sword and affirming that he had slain Marius with his own hand which word did so encourage the Numidians and amaze the Romans that had not Marius in time appeared that day had been in hazard It is likewise reported of one of the Roman Captains that he flung his Standard amongst the middle of the enemie that his own Souldiers by pressing forward to rescue it might break and disorder the enemy Likewise of another that took the bridles off the horse-heads that every man might be a like valiant and charge as we say without fear or wit But beyond all these in my opinion was that device of the Marquesses who at Alderne being in a great straight one wing of his Army being routed and the other in a very staggering condition he did so incense that which was yet whole with the feigned success of the other that they valiantly charged the enemy and put the businesse again into an even ballance And very like was it to that device of Tullus Hostilius who being deserted by Metius King of the Albans told his souldiers he had don 't of purpose to try them and by that means turned their fear into indignation He was exceeding constant and loving to those that did adhere to him and to those he knew very affable though his carriage which indeed was not ordinary did make him seem proud Nor can his enemies lay any greater fault to his charge than his insatiable desire of honour which he did pursue with as handsome and heroick actions as ever any did and such as had neither admixtion of avarice or self-ends though he was therewith by some most unworthily branded For these and the like vertues of which he was the rich possessour he was lamented all Christendom over by all sorts of men since his death too by those who had the greatest hand in 't though their successe at that time did animate their cruelty Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futureae Et servare modum rebus sublata secundis The Speech of Collonel William Sybbald intended by him to have been spoken on the Scaffold at the time of his Execution at Edinborough Jan. 7. 1650. but hearing that Liberty would not be given him to speak so freely he gave a Copie of it to a special friend GEntlemen I am brought this day to this place to pay a debt to Nature before it be due and by the malice and cruelty of my mercylesse enemies I am sentenced to dye as a Traytor to my Country for endeavouring to do service for my King on whose happinesse and wel-fare does depend the wel-fare of these Kingdoms and to whom I am bound both by the Law of God and man to perform all faithful and loyal service And as the cause for which I suffer proclames my loyalty so their Sentence does declare to all the world their disloyalty and their intentions against the King Their self-guiltinesse makes cowardly spirits cruel and such was their proceedings against me as that I could not obtain an Advocate to plead for me nor any man skilful in the Laws either to advise with me or to write my Defence though they knew me to be ignorant of the Laws Thus is my innocencie and integrity betrayed partly by their malice and my own ignorance The truth is they did profer to do me any courtesie or favour if I would make an ingenuous confession that is accuse some Noblemen and Gentlemen of keeping correspondency with his Majesty or with the Marquesse of Montrose