Chancellor standing by his Princes favour and a long practice of the affairs and course of the World The Earl fearing the Authority of the King might sway the Ballance and make the party unequal if he should be brought to call to remembrance passed actions and attempts of his Predecessors findeth nothing more expedient to curb his enemies and strengthen his proceedings than to renew his old Confederation and combine with him many others Hereupon the Earls of Crawford Ross Murray Ormond the Lord Balvenny Knight of Cadyow many Barons Gentlemen with their Allies Vassals Servants to a great number subscribed and swore solemnly never to desert one another during life That injuries done to any one of them should be done to them all and be a common quarrel neither should they desist to their best abilities to revenge them That they should concur indifferently against whatsoever Persons within or without the Realm and spend their Lives Lands Goods Fortunes in defence of their Debates and Differences whatsoever This confederation and Covenant again renewed turned the Earl imperious in his deportments presumptuous beyond all limits and his followers and adherents insupportable to their neighbours The Lands of such who were not of their party or refused to think all their thoughts and second them in their enterprizes were plundered and goodness was a cause to make men suffer most pillage and ransacking of their Goods and other miserable calamities At this time the Thieves and Robbers of Liddes-dale and Annandale break into the Lands of John Lord Herress a Noble Man who had continued constantly faithful to the King and drive with them a great booty of Cattle Complaints being given to the Earl of Dowglass of the Depredations of his men and finding no redress the Lord Herress essayeth to drive the like prey in recompence of the damage but being unequal in power his fortune was to be taken by the Thieves and brought as a Prisoner to the Earl who layed him fast in Irons and notwithstanding of the Kings Letters full of Intreaties and Threatnings without any formality of Law caused Hang him as a Felon The like mischief was practised in other places After this contempt of Soveraignty it was universally blazed that the Earl of Dowglass in respect of his new Covenant the power of his Kinsmen and Allies the entertaining of such who were discontent and discountenanced at Court the love and favour of the men of Arms in Scotland ever governed by some of his Name his riches the honour of his Ancestors had resolved to dissemble no longer but openly to play his game essay one day if he could set the Crown upon his own head being then able to raise an Army of Forty thousand warlike persons men ready to go with him whither or against whom they cared not attending only the occasion and his Commandment The King who before but disdained the pride after this League became jealous of the Earl of Dowglass a League giving a Law to a King breaking all bonds of Soveraignty and inviting a people to look for a new Master and though his modesty and patience served only to turn the Earl more insolent and his boldness more active yet in a foul game he bare a fair countenance knowing the last thing which a Soveraign Prince should do is to shew himself Male-content and offended with any of his Subjects for instead of chastising him he would give him fairer means and greater power to do him harm He would not shew a token of any prejudicial thought to the Earls proceedings till he had first heard himself Thus very calmly he desired him to come and speak with him at Sterlin whiles he conscious of his own misdemeanor except upon a publick assurance under the great Seal for his safe coming and return refused to do A safe conduct obtained 1452 about the Shrew-tide in the year One thousand four hundred fifty two he came to the Court then remaining at Sterlin Castle accompanied with many of his Confederates and a powerful Retinue The King with a gracious countenance and all apparent respect received him endeavouring rather by kindness and humanity than by rigor to reclaim him to his former obedience The day near spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Council and the Guards the King taking the Earl friendly apart remembred him of favors received wrongs forgotten the duties as a Subject he owed to his Prince his capitulation before he would come and speak with him he taxed him with the exorbitant abuses and outrages of his followers then he told him what Informations he had of a Covenant of mutual defence and adherence betwixt him and some of his Nobles and Gentlemen which he would scarce believe He prayed him to consider the murmuring or rather begun sedition of his people his long patience in tolerating his proceedings his misbelief of evil reports towards him until he had heard what he had to say for himself and his innocency The Earl answered the Kings towardness in equal terms trusting much to his confederation for his favours he should strive with all obsequiousness to deserve them That as he had the honour to command others who obeyed him he knew very well how to be commanded and obey his Prince and in what disobedience consisted that as none of his Subjects enjoyed more Lands and Honours than himself there should not one be found who more willingly would engage all his fortunes and person for the Honour of his Prince That they who layed snares for his life being so near his Majesty for the surety of his person he could not come to Court except upon a publick assurance and well accompanied For the wrongs committed by his Followers and Vassals he would give what satisfaction should be required Concerning the Band of mutual friendship betwixt him and some Noblemen they would have adhered together without any writing they were driven thereunto for their own safety not out of mind to offer but repel injuries That he was infinitely oblig'd to his goodness in not condemning him before he was heard and for that he had not lent a credulous ear to his enemies mischievous devices The King replyed effects and not words make the affection and submission of a subject known and could there be any greater surety for him than to rely on the Laws of the Commonwealth and Country especially continued he in a Country where Laws and not Faction rule and where a man 's own goodness is able to preserve him But such men as you are raise these Factions to the subversion of all Laws and Authority and for Subjects to make an offensive and defensive League against all persons is to disclaim all Government and do what they please without controulment commit Treason in the highest degree and make your own Swords and Power justifie your proceedings which though ye first use against mean persons and conceal the progress of your actions for there are degrees in evil
amongst so many Taxes and Taillages so much pilling and polling So that substance is daily plucked and pilled from honest men to be lashed out amongst unthrifts that as Thucydides writes of the great Plague in his time at Athens Men seeing no hopes of safety spent all they had in one night So the uncertainty of enjoying and holding what they have for the present draws the thrifty and unthrifty to one end for no man being sure of Lands less of Moneys every man is turned in a desperate carelesness of his Estate As to tell him also about this Subject who is the subject of this Letter the People say Kings seeking Treason shall find Land and seeking Land shall find Treason The denial of a Princes desire was the destruction of an innocent Naboth the voice of the People should not be kept up from the Ears a Prince As to unfold to a King if Usury be not lawful at all for it is against Nature that Money should beget Money and not tolerate by the Mosaical Law and in Ezekiel cap. 18. v. 13. it is reckoned amongst the roaring sins such as are Adultery and bloudshed it being a sin in the persons of subjects it is a greater sin in the person of a Prince for any sin is greater in the person of a Prince than in the persons of subjects As sin was worse and greater in Angels than men Nothing is profitable to a Prince which is not joined with honour and the State of Kings unless it stand in pureness and fidelity it cannot subsist in power As to tell King Charles what a strange thing it is to swaer a man for the true value of his own Substance Since the valuing of Subjects Lands and Rents Rents were never less nor the Lands worse a secret scourge of God having followed it the Country scarce affording bread to the Labourers of it Remember Davids numbring the people In the times of King Henry the eight Regnante Cardin. Volseio this was held uncouth strange and terrible and no wonder if men scare and start at it now under a Prince of so meek a Spirit so innocently good who preferreth peace before war rest before business honesty before profit None of all his kingdom no not one being more holy more chaste nor a better man in whom reigneth shamefastness and modesty and patience taking all worldly crosses in good part never gaping for glory nor thirsting after riches but only studying the health of his soul peace of his Kingdoms and how to advance the holy Church and restore her to her first Rents and integrity But God knoweth what he hath predestinated and ordained for the Scourge of this Country against whose Ordinance prevaileth no counsel A Prince should be advertised that the hatred and distast of mens present estates and fortunes setteth them on work and maketh them exceeding earnest to seek novations for finding themselves plunged in the beggary of a miserable estate as many do believe it turneth not them base nor keepeth them under but raiseth in them a mad desire to change their fortune and this hath been the ensign of Malecontents to attempt and enterprize dangerous matters for it hath often been found that nothing hath sooner armed a people than poverty and poverty hath never so often been brought upon a Nation by the unfruitfulness of the Earth by disasters of Seas and other human accidents as by the Avarice of the Officers and Favourites of Princes who are brought foolishly to believe that by tearing of the skins of the flock they shall turne the Shepherd rich It is no property of a good Shepherd to shear often his flock and ever to milk them Nor is it of a Prince to gall and perpetually afflict a people by a terrible Exchequer Brutorum se Regem facit qui premit suos Now in such Theams it were not evil for a Prince to read Jan Marianai and George Buchanans piece de jure Regni apud Scotos for his own private and the publick good Princes have in their actions this disadvantage that in matters of wrong and injuries concerning their Subjects though they sometimes suffer by reason of their power being thought stronger they are ever esteemed to do the wrong which should move them to abstain from all violent courses and think really their Subjects losses are their own Ye will then say the case of Princes is pittiful if Writers of infamous Libels be not rigorously punished without all question the Law is just and necessary against them But in some cases good Princes never follow the rigour and extremity of punishment set down by their Laws no not against the naughtiest Subjects and especially when the case concerneth their own particulars There is much to be considered in the convoy of such Libels If they contain Truths there is small wrong in such papers as to call Mary Magdalen a Sinner Matthew a Publican Thomas a Misbeliever Paul a Persecutor Peter a Denyer of his Master and the rest fugitives from him and these are to be slighted and past over If they contain mixed truths and apparences they may be neglected If they admit no interpretation but true and flat railing then is a Princes patience to be tryed and the Libel to be scorned If they propound novelty and causes of sedition upon apparent grounds they are to be answered and by good reason to be overthrown If they be presented by way of Supplication for redressing of errors in the State it is a question whether they be Libels or not That Supplication of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester to King Henry the sixt of England against the Cardinal of Winchester Archbishop of York may have place amongst Libels for the King is taxed there of notable dotage As that by the counsel of the Cardinal he had set at Liberty the King of Scots suffered his Jewels and houshold-stuff to be sold granted the Cardinal a Charter of Pardon for taking up his Rents which were sufficient to have maintained the wars in France many years The setting of the Duke of Orleance at liberty against the Duke of Burgundy the great friend of the English and many other points Yet this being done by way of Supplication for redress of wrongs in the State he was not threatened for perhaps verity but remitted to the Council and what for fear and what for favor saith the English History the whole matter was winked at touching the Duke and nothing said against the Cardinal Miseria summa ubi de injuria conqueri pro delicto habetur These who set their Prince on work to follow and persue such an idle piece of Paper if they had fair Judges and powerful Enemies near the Court may themselves be brought within compass of that same punishment which they would have laid upon others as Pâ—rillus was brought to take an Essay of his own brazen Bull for no better are they which relate divulgate and are occasioners to have infamous Libels published than they which
like Mad-men limning Pourtraicts with their own blood delight in their Proceedings and daily encrease the number of the Rebels In this Insurrection the King is reduced to many extremities and is said to have thought upon an escape by Sea to France if he had not been diverted by James Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews who told him That to leave the Kingdom was to give all over to the insolency of his Rebels and for fear of burning to leap into the fire it self That besides the high and long continued Title of a King which the best part of his Subjects yet reverenced he had sufficient Friends and Warlike men who appearing in a Field with him would raise a just fear in the hearts of those who so hainously dared disobey him That God would be present to revenge wronged Majesty and turn their hopes in despair That the Common People were ever changing and a little time would make them flow to these from whom they did ebb and all would return again except such as were guilty of other offences or such whose poverty made them fear a beggerly Peace as their greatest punishment That his chiefest and principal City stood good for him which example the other Towns would undoubtedly follow that Rebellion was like Thunder the noise of which if observed duely was often more terrible than the blow and dissolved ordinarily in tears of Repentance and fair Weather that here the prudence of a Prince manifesteth it self when he cannot suppress and stop all the evils in his State to suffer and tolerate the least and with leasure and time abolish and extirpate the greater and make vertue of Rebellion The King by the Bishops Counsel and Assistance gathereth an Army but will not try the hazard of a Battel before those he had advertised and sent for should joyn with these already about him and his Forces from all the Quarters of the Kingdom be united In the North the Earl of Huntley had raised a goodly Company to come to his aid but the Earl of Crawford a Confederate of the Earl of Dowglass with a power of the men of Anguss and all who would follow him guided by some French Commanders essayed to cut off his passage and rencountreth him at Brechen the Battel is fought and the Victory inclined where the Kings Standard was displayed by the Earl of Huntley The equity of the cause laid aside the occasion of this Victory was ascribed to John Coloss of Bonnymoon who having one of the Wings of the Army to guide which consisted of Battel-axes great Swords and long Spears and the best invasive Weapons in the hottest of the Skirmish gave ground and left the middle Ward naked upon his side the reason of his revolt is reported that the night before the Battel when every man was resolving with his affairs of the World Bonnymoon requested the Earl of Crawford of whom he held his Lands-Ward and relief since the next day he was resolved either to be victorious or die in the Field to subscribe a Precept himself falling for entring his Son to his Lands This the Superiour refusing the Vassal out of a just indignation when he should have Charged retired and his Company with him Such thoughts possessed not the Earl of Huntlies minde he dealt not so sparingly with his friends in hope of their good service To the Forbesses Oglebies Leslies Grants Irwines he freely gave many of his own Lands which raised their courage to the height In requital of which the King after bestowed upon him the Lands of Badyeenoch and Lochaber In the conflict the Earl of Huntley lost two Brothers the Earl of Crawford and Sir John Lindsay his brother being left on the Field fled to his house of Phanheaven where he was heard to say He would be content to remain seven years in Hell to have in so timely a season done the King his Master that Service the Earl of Huntley had performed and carry that applause and thanks he was to receive from him This conflict happened upon the Ascension-day the Eighteenth day of May One thousand four hundred fifty two The King by the confluence and resort of many worthy Subjects unto him having time to breath and finding himself in a calm keepeth a Convention of the States at Edenburgh Ere the Earls of Dowglass Crawford Ormond Murray the Lord Balveney Sir James Hamilton and others are cited to answer according to Law They instead of appearing in the Night upon the doors of the Principal Churches and other places eminent fix many Placates and Libels signed with their hands which bear The Earl of Dowglass nor his Followers will never obey Command nor Charge in time coming nor answer citation for that the King is not a just Master but a Blood-sucker a Murtherer a Transgressor of Hospitality a Surpriser of the Innocent and such who deserved no harm at his hands Not long after the King levied an Army which by the approaching Winter did little Service and the Earl of Dowglass to save the Lands of Beatrice his Brothers Widow unseparated from the House sought by a Dispensation from the Pope to have her in Marriage alledging her untouched of his Brother which being refused him he kept her in place of his wife the effect of his Sorbon Divinity and found hereby more Bryars than Roses The Earl of Crawford placing two stricts of Seas betwixt him and the King spoileth the Lands of all those who forsook him at Brechen and Archembald Earl of Murray burneth the Pile of Srath-Boggy pertaining to the Earl of Huntley in revenge of which the Earl of Huntley burnt and herried all the Lands of the Earl of Murray beyond the Spey The King too in this madness of Mankind defaceth his own Country pulling down the Houses of his Rebel-Subjects and wasting Annan-dale This ravage and mutual overturning of all having continued almost two whole years the Faction of the Earl far inferiour to the Kings now weakned with such lasting Incursions sundry of the chief men and heads considering the least faults were the best that it was better to strike sail in time than make a full shipwrack of their Persons Honors and the well of the Kingdom and State counsel the Earl that Fervors growing colder since it could not be undone which was done he would not set greater work on foot but proceeding with conveniency submit himself friendly to the King who had as much goodness as generosity and sought and required nothing of his Subjects but obedience and having now proved how difficile it was to overcome them by Arms was perhaps as much tyred as they would pardon these faults which he could not otherwise amend Necessity in Affairs of Princes constraining them to yield to many things in Government against their first Conclusions and resolve to grant that which they could not well hinder That there were many hours in the day and the hearts of Princes were subject to change in them that he should not forsake
so perilous time setting aside all particular Respects and Quarrels they would have a care of the Common good of the Country If the Earl of Lennox should carry the King from him and remained Victor of the Field he would not stay there his next mark would be the Hamiltouns whom he was in the way to put from all title to the Crown the report going already that the King would intail it to him out of his own favour and had designed him Heir to the Earl of Arran he having no children of his own That the King had a magnetical affection towards him which if Fortune favoured with a Victory would increase now meriting which before was but meer favour The custody of a young King was not for a man of so short experience The Hamiltouns finding that man their Suppliant who late was their Competitor delighting to live in a troubled State and be Copartners of the Government and managing the affairs of the Kingdom which was promised them in their new band of Friendship laying aside all former discontent and grudge accept the Quarrel and assemble their Forces at Linlithgow To this Town the Earl of Lennox was advancing and he being the Sisters Son of the Earl of Arran by Gentlemen well affected towards him and of his kindred they intreat him to turn back and not to try the hazard of a battel for a conquest he could not long enjoy the Government of a young Prince whom a little more time would make Governour of himself and who perhaps would reward his service with disgrace It being ordinarily seen that great obligations to Princes procure rather their hatred than love whilst it is more easie to pay men by contempt than benefits that if he came forwards no interest of blood would save him from their just and lawful stopping of his passage and enterprize The Earl of Lennox answered it was no time then in the eye of the World to abandon so just a quarrel that shame wounded deeper than death which he would rather imbrace than not see his Prince at Edenburgh And finding the Bridge over the Avan possest by the Enemy passed his Companies over the River Et near the antient Monastery Immanuel the Master of Killmayers guideth the Vanguard consisting of west-West-land men the Earl of Cassiles and himself the main Battel many of which were high-High-land men being of all as some write ten thousand The Earl of Anguss having essayed in vain to bring the King to the Field with the power of Edenburgh leaving that Charge to his Brother Sir George and Archembald Dowglass Provost of the Town accompanied with the Humes and Cars being of all two thousand maketh a speedy march towards Lynlithgow But the Earl of Arran spurr'd by the ambition and youthful heat of his Son Sir James Hamiltoun had begun the fight before he could appear for a long time it is valiantly fought victory inclining to neither side till a great clamour arose seconded by the appearance of fresh Troops of Enemies the Dowglasses and their Friends at which alarum many of the high-High-land and west-West-land men turned their backs the rest by the advantage of the place sustain the Fight The King after much loytering and many delays having heard the Armies were near joyning and much solicitations of Sir George Dowglas issueth out of Edenburgh at a slow march But when at Corstorphine Hills he was awaken'd with the noise of the great Ordnance he urged his Followers to make all haste to come to the fight It was reported Sir George Dowglass drove his Horse in a great rage gave him injurious words which he never after forgot Being half way he is advertised that the Earl of Lennox Highland-men were fled and by all appearance the Earl of Arran was Master of the Field This news perplexed him not a little but making the best of that worst he dispatch'd all his domestick Servants with Andrew Wood of Largo to save so many as they could in the Chase especially the Earl of Lennox whose life he now tendereth as his Crown But this Earl after he had been taken by the Laird of Pardowye in cold blood was unnaturally slain by Sir James Hamiltoun who either killed or wounded on the face all that came under the dint of his Sword in the Rout. They found the Earl of Arran mourning over his Corps over which he spread his Cloak the Laird of Howstoun lay dead by him the Master of Killmayers sore wounded at their coming maintained the fight and was by them with difficulty saved with so many others as either the Kings authority or their power could rescue This Conflict happened in September After the victorious Earls had restored their wounded Soldiers and refreshed themselves in Lithgow they accompany the King to Sterlin and immediately march through Fyffe in quest of those who had been the cause of taking Arms against them of which number the Queen was but the Archbishop of Saint Andrews was the most eminent who as before he had seconded Arran to surprize Anguss so now he had stirred Lennox to the overthrow of them both Because the Archbishop was not to be found for he as some record was turned a true Pastour and in Shepherds weeds kept Sheep on some Hill they spoiled the Abbacy of Dumfermling and Castle of St. Andrews defacing all the Ornaments and carryed away the Moveables and Stuff in them The Queen with her Husband Henry Stuart and James his Brother betook them to the Castle of Edenburgh which the Lords at their return besieged The Mother hearing her Son was amongst the Besiegers in Person obtaing favour for her Husband and his Brother caused the Gates to be cast open But for their safety such who loved them advised the King to commit them to that place during his pleasure Now the Earl of Angus and Arran summoned all who had born Arms against the King to appear in Judgment and answer according to the Law as Traytors Some compounded for Sums of Money others became Dependers of the Houses of Anguss and Arran Gilbert Earl of Cassiles being summoned and compearing Hugh Kennedy his Kinsman answer'd the Indictment that he came not against the King but to assist the King for proof of which he offered to produce the Kings own Letter Though the Earl of Cassiles escaped the danger of the Law he did not the fury of the Revenge was taken about some disparaging words for as he was returning home he was surprized in the way and killed Some write by the Sheriff of Aire but by the direction of Sir James Hamiltoun About this time the Archbishop of St. Andrews and other Church-men in revenge of the spoiling of this Houses and persuing himself for questions of Religion burn the Earl of Arrans Brothers Son Mr. Patrick Hamiltoun and banish Mr. Patricks Brother James Sheriff of Lithgow Not long after mens wrath by time diminishing and their blood growing colder the Archbishop having bestowed on the Earl of Angus Sir George
his Brother and other their Friends some Church Benefices and many Leases of Tythes was reconciled unto them and with appearance of great friendship they mutually entertained and feasted each others at the Christ-Mass in the City of St. Andrews But small confidence could be long among reconciled Enemies Now went every thing as the Earl of Anguss could have wished he was not only entire and familiar with the Kings Person but with his Office some of his Enemies were dead others overthrown in open Field with the rest he was reconciled No Faction for power or riches was equal to his Nor remained there any Castle or Fortress not seised on by him and garrisoned with his Friends and Followers except the Castle of Sterlin a part of the Queens Dowry which being desolate by her Miseries and only haunted by some of her poorest and meanest Servants was neglected by the Earl which in him was a great Error the fitness of the place for a revolution and change of Court considered Many days the Earl had not seen his own dwelling Places nor thought upon his private Affairs being carried away by the storms of Court now he thinketh he may securely pass to Lothian whilst at Faulkland the King shall be safely entertained by his Brother Sir George Archembald his Uncle and James of the Parkhead Captain of the Guards having earnesty entreated their attendance on the King he crosseth the Forth with resolution soon to return His departing was not so concealed but the Archbishop of St. Andrews had knowledge of it and he inviteth Sir George to see him in his City of St. Andrews to receive the Leases of the Tithes promised all now perfected valid and according to Law sufficient Whilst Sir George is here detained Archembald the Treasurer by other Letters for matters of love is inticed to Dundee But nothing could make the Captain of the Guards leave his Charge The King amidst his solitary Walks in his Park of Faulkland considering of what a tedious Train he was relieved and how suddenly occasion might turn her bald scalp if presently he took not hold of her resolveth to accomplish by Stratagem what the Factions of his Nobles could not perform by force It is delightful to understand every particular circumstance in the progress of the actions of Princes Upon this resolution he directeth the Forrester of the Park to give advertisement to such Gentlemen about who kept Hounds the next morning to attend him for he would early have his Game He suppeth sooner than his custom was entertaining the Captain of the Guards with more than usual ceremonies and representations of the next mornings sport withall inviting him to go to his rest the Night being short about the Summer solstice The Waiters all shifted and the Court husht shutting his Chamber Door in the Apparel of one of his Grooms unperceiv'd he passed the Guard to the Stable where with two who attended him with spair Horses he posted to Sterlin where by the Queens intelligence he was expected in the Castle When the certainty of this escape was noised abroad many Noblemen repair to Sterlin some by Letters sent unto them others at the rumour of his evasion that in a little time he found him safe and far from any danger again to be surprized the Earls of Arguyl Atholl Glancarn Monteeth Huntley The Lords Graham Drummond Levingstoun Sainclaire Lindsay Evandale Ruthen Maxwell Simple the Earl of Eglintoun Rothess James Beatoun Archbishop of St. Andrews the Deviser of his escape The Earl of Angus full of miss-giving thoughts with many of his Friends was also on his way to Sterlin but Proclamation being made against him Discharging him from all Offices and publick Functions and being by an Herauld forbidden with his Friends and Followers to come near the Court by some Miles under pain of Treason either moved by inward terrours or love of the Peace of his Countrey turned back to Linlithgow where two days he attended News of the Kings pleasure which at last was declared That neither he nor none of his should presume by some miles to approach his Residence The more particular favours were That the Earl should confine himself beyond the River of Spay in the North whilst his Brother Sir George Dowglass should render himself Prisoner in the Castle of Edenburgh and there remain during the Kings pleasure When the Dowglasses had refused these offers they are cited to answer according to Law in a Parliament to be holden in September at Edenburgh before the day of appearing the Earl of Angus accompanied with an able Train of his Friends and Followers essayeth to enter the Town of Edenburgh and there attend the coming of the King but by the Lord of Maxwell and the Lord of Lochinvarre who in the Kings Name had invested the Town he is kept out and the King with an unexpected suddenness with two thousand men coming from Sterlin he removed The Earl not appearing at the appointed day is by Decree of Parliament attainted and forfeited with his Brother Sir George Dowglass Archembald Dowglass his Uncle Alexander Drummond of Carnock and others The points of which they were to be accused were The assembling of the Kings Lieges with intention to have assailed his Person The detaining of the King against his will and pleasure and contrary to the Articles agreed upon the space of two years and more all which time the King was in fear and danger of his life At this Parliament some write the King made a solemn Oath never to give a Remission to any of the Dowglasses there forfeited as the Lords did never to interceed nor request for any of them and in disgrace of the Earl of Angus Henry Stuart who had married the Queen his Wife was created Lord Meffan The Dowglasses having all favour denied them being openly declared Enemies to the King and Countrey commit all Hostility the last refuge of desperate men on their Enemies bounds caust-Caust-land and Cranstoun are burned they ravage even to the Gates of Edenburgh the harmless people suffering for the faults of the great under shadow of their Followers all Robberies and Oppressions brake forth and by whomsoever committed are laid to their charge The King will not hear of them in any other terms than Oppressours and common Robbers In their defence they fortifie their Castle of Tantallon with the readiest Provision taken from the nearest adjacent bounds In October the King raiseth a great company of Soldiers with great Ordnance and other Engines of War brought from the Castle of Dumbar Tantallon is besieged but proveth impregnable and David Faulconer the General of the Ordnance at their removing is slain A Commission is sent to the Earl of Bothwell as the Kings Lieutenant to invade with Fire and Sword in all places the Dowglasses which he either out of human compassion or that he knew wise States-men should extenuate the faults of others rather than aggravate them refused to accept But the Earl of Arguyl and Lord
Hume accepted that charge prosecute them where they might be apprehended till after much misery and night-wandring at home they were constrained with Alexander Drummond of Carnock who had been partaker of their misfortunes by his consanguinity with the Earls Mother who was Daughter to the Lord Drummond to fly into England where they were charitably received and honourably entertained by King Henry the Eight Now are the Offices and Lands of the Dowglasses disposed upon the Archbishop of Glasgow Gavin Dumbar is made Chancellor Robert Bartoun who was in especial favour with the King Treasurer great Customer General of the Artillery and Mines and other Charges are given unto others The King of England intended a War against the Emperor Charles the Fifth sendeth Embassadors to Scotland for a certain time to treat a Peace and if it were possible to reconcile the Dowglasses with the King Five years truce was resolved upon but for the Dowglasses the King would hearken to no offers only Alexander Drummond by the intercession of Robert Bartoun and the Embassadors had liberty to return home When the Earl of Northumberland and the Earl of Murray who had full power to conclude a Truce had met the other Commissioners upon the Borders the Factious great men and rank Ryders there put all in such a confusion by urging difficulties that they parted without agreeing unto any Articles or certain Conclusions which the King took in so evil a part that divining from what head this interruption sprung he committed sundry Noblemen to the Castle of Edenburgh till they gave Hostages and secured the Borders from invasion or being invaded In the month of June following with a great power he visited these bounds executing Justice upon all Oppressours Thieves and Out-Laws In Ewsdale eight and fourty notorious Riders are hung on growing Trees the most famous of which was John Arm-strong others he brought with him to Edenburgh for more publick Execution and Example as William Cockburn of Henderland Adam Scot of Tushelaw named King of Thieves The year 1530. the King instituted the Colledge of Justice before it was ambulatory removing from place to place by Circuits Suits of Law were peremptorily decided by Bayliffs Sheriffs and other Judges when any great and notable cause offered it self it was adjudged Soveraignly by the Kings Council which gave free audience to all the Subjects The power and priviledges of this Colledge was immediately confirmed by Pope Clement the Seventh In this Court are fifteen Judges ordinary eight of them being Spiritual Persons of the which the most antient is President and seven Temporal men The Chancellor of the Realm when he is present is above the President There are also four Councellors extraordinary removeable at the Princes pleasure This Institution is after that Order of Justice which is administred in Paris first instituted by Philip the Fourth the French King the year 1286. The King about this time storeth his Arsenals with all sort of Arms the Castles of Edenburgh Sterlin Dumbartoun and Blackness are repaired and furnisht with Ordnance and Ammunition Whilst no certain Truce is concluded between the Realms of England and Scotland the Earl of Angus worketh in this interim so with the King of England that Sir Edward Darcey is sent to the Borders who when his solicitation for restoring the Earl at the Scottish Court had taken no effect yea had been scorned after he had staied at Berwick with the Garrisoned Soldiers and some selected companies out of Northumberland and Westmerland maketh a Road into Scotland Coldingham Dunglas and adjacent Villages they burn ravage the Countrey towards Dunce Some Scottish Ships and Vessels were also at this time taken by Sea When a reason was sought of this Invasion in a Cessation of Arms and calm of Truce They require the Dowglasses may be restored to their ancient Inheritances and whatsoever had been with-held from them and that Cannabie a poor Abbacy be rendred to the English as appertaining of old to the Crown of England The Earl of Murray being declared Lieutenant maketh head against them but the English daily increasing in number and his Companies not being sufficient to make good against so many and large Incursions the power of Scotland is divided into four Quarters every one of which for the durance of fourty days by turns taketh the defence of the Countrey The English finding by this intercourse of new Soldiers the War to be prolonged would have gladly accepted of Peace but they disdained to sue for it to the Scots it was thought expedient that the French a Friend then to both should be a Mediatour to reconcile them wherupon after an Ambassador had come from France Commissioners first meet at Newcastle and after at London James Colvil of Easter Weyms Adam Otterburn of Redhall William Stuart Bishop of Aberdeen the Abbot of Kinloss These conclude a Peace To continue between the two Realms during the two Princes lives and one year after the decease of him who should first depart this life About this time the secrets of the Ecclesiastical Doctrine and Authority beginning to be laid open to the view of the World the politick Government of Kingdomes began to suffer in the alteration and discovery The Lady Katherine Daughter to Ferdinando and Isabella King and Queen of Spain and Sister to the Mother of Charles the Fifth Emperor had been Married to Arthur Prince of Wales Eldest Son to Henry the Seventh King of England he dying by the dispensation of Pope Julius the Second her Father in Law gave her again in Marriage to Henry his other Son the Brother of Arthur This Queen though fruitful of Children and often a Mother brought none forth that long enjoyed life and came to any perfection of growth except one only Daughter Mary Her Husband either out of spleen against the Emperor Charles or desire of Male Children or other Causes known to himself pretended great scruples in his Conscience would make himself and the World believe that his Marriage was not lawful After deliberation with his Church-men whom he constrained to be of his mind he kept not longer company with his Queen his Church-men used all their eloquence to make the Queen accept of a Divorce which she altogether refused and had her recourse to the Pope who recals the cause to himself At Rome whilst in the consistory the case is made difficult and the matter prolonged King Henry impatient of delays and amorous divorceth from his own Queen and Marrieth Anne Bullen 1533. Then the Pope with his whole Cardinals gave out their Sentence That it was not lawful for him by his own authority to separate himself from his Wife that his Marriage with Katharine was most lawful not to be questioned and that under pain of Excommunication he should adhere unto her King Henry well experienced in the great Affairs of the World considering how the threatnings and thunders of the Bishops of Rome even in these ancient and innocent times when they were
her Father so King James continuing in his first resolution the marriage is contracted between them an hundred thousand Crowns of the Sun being promised in Dowry besides thirty thousand Franks of yearly pension during the life of King James the Jointure assured to her by the King of Scotland was all the Lands possessed by any former Queen the Earldoms of Strathern and Fyfe with the Palace of Faulkland and other Lands of the best and most certain Revenue Thus Anno _____ in the Church of Nostre-Dame in Paris the King of Scotland married the Lady Magdalen in presence of her Father seven Cardinals the King of Navarr many great Dukes and Barons King Francis after the Solemnities of this Marriage having Piccardy and Piedmont then over-run by the Imperialists and King James fearing he might suffer wrong in his absence from the King of England with assurance of mutual Amity part from other in the end of April and from New-haven the Queen with her Husband the 29. of May arrives at the Port of Leith it is reported that after she put her foot on the Shore upon her Knees she kissed the Ground Praying for all happiness to the Countrey and People Never Queen in so short a time was more beloved of her Husband nor sooner made conquest of the hearts of her Subjects Nor was their greater hopes conceived of any Alliance than of this nor greater joy did ever arise for those hopes but as in the life of man there is ever remaining more of bitter than sweet so were these contentments but Shadows matched with the real Sorrow that the death of that young Lady brought forth For she lived not many weeks after her Arrival in Scotland when of a Feaver which she contracted in June she departed this life in July She was buried with the greatest mourning Scotland ever till that time was participant of in the Church of Holy-rood-House near King James the Second These last honours to the dead Queen and funeral pomp finished the King desirous of Succession hath yet his thoughts wandring in France Mary of Burbon Daughter to Charles Duke of Vandosm being frustrate of her Royal hopes had not only turned religious but was dead of displeasure Whilst he disported himself at the Court of France he had been acquainted with a Lady rich in all excellencies who next Magdalen had the power of his affections Mary of Lorrain Sister to Francis Daughter to Rhene Duke of Guize and Widdow of the Duke of Longueville Her he thinketh for her Stemm healthful complexion fertility for she had been a mother and other fortunes worthy of his love But to try her affection towards him he directeth David Beatoun his late paranymph and the Lord Maxwell to France Whilst they traffick this Marriage many false accusations as Plots laid against his Person are intended one after another at the Court amongst which two are remarkable for their notable calumny John eldest Son to the Lord Forbess a young Gentleman chief of his name hardy and valorous but evil brought up and therefore easily suspect to but capable of sin had for a Servant or Companion and ordinary sharer of his pleasures one named Strachan a man come of the dreg of the people and perfectly wicked This man after much familiarity and some secret service and attendance to satisfie his insatiable desire desired earnestly something from the Master of Forbess which he passionately refused to give him upon which carried away with rage and malice he not only renounced his friendship and service but betook himself to the Service of his Enemy the Earl of Huntley by whose advice he forgeth a malicious Plot to overthrow him To compass their design they accuse the Master of Forbese to have had once an intention and mind to kill the King that the Dowglasses might be restored to their wonted honours and ancient possessions By price and prayers witnesses are procured to prove this against him and convict him or at the least to leave him suspected and taxed with this Treason Though this crime was not sufficiently and clearly proved yet was the Master of Forbess indicted and convicted by an Assize for having conspired the Kings death for the which he was beheaded and quarter'd and his Quarters set aloft upon the Gates of Edenburgh This Gentlemans death proveth how dangerous the Society and company of the wicked is to any for ascending the fatal Scaffold he justified his innocency of what was laid to his Charge but confessed the guilt of the Laird of Drummes blood by the justice of God brought him to that end His Father the Lord Forbess was upon suspicion kept long after in the Castle of Edenburgh The King when he could not amend what was past testified he was grieved at the death of this Nobleman for he banished Strachan because he had so long concealed the Treason of Forbess silence in a matter importing no less than the life of a Prince being reckoned equal to the Treason he made his second Brother one of his Domesticks restoring him to the Estate which was forfeited This thunderclap was immediately followed by another for the quality of the Person and strangeness of the Crime deplorable but more for the horrour and terrour of the punishment Jane Dowglass Sister to Archembald Earl of Anguss the Widdow of John Lyon Lord Glammes with her Husband Archembald Campbell of Keepneeth her young Son the Lord Glammes and an old Priest were brought to Edenburgh committed and accused that they should have poysoned the King Their accuser was William Lyon a Kinsman of the late Lord Glammes This Treason had no probability of truth among such who knew the accused being persons who lived far from the Court in their solitary mansions seldom or never almost seeing the King Nevertheless their accusations were believed and strict command given to the Judges to dispatch their Process William Lyon aggravating the case represented to the King the ancient faults of the Family of the Dowglasses committed against his Predeoessors the particular wrongs of Earl Archembald now stirring the English against him and ravaging his Borders That he should believe he not being able to be restored to his first Estate by prayers and solicitations of Neighbour Princes nor by open force now set on work his last engines to come to his end though it were with the life of his Soveraign That in so secret and dangerous a Plot he could not use but his nearest Kindred a Woman and his own Sister might attempt such a mischief her sex and other qualities making her less suspect to have access to his Person Suppose clear proofs could not be found against her the whole race of the Dowglasses should be extirpate being a Linage only fertile in bringing forth Monsters of Rebellion That by sparing her life and suffering her to escape he should afford her time licence and power to execute what she but now perhaps had intended The King not knowing the mans particular hatred against
what Heretick could pass unpunisht Besides the investing himself in the Sheriffs Office and Lands which he never minded to restore he had a Pick against him for that whilst he sat Judge in Lithgow he pronounced a Sentence by which he was interested in some petty gain The Sheriff falling so far short of his expectation that he findeth himself the first subject of his Cousens Justice and highly resenting his Kinsmans cruelty whom he knew under pretext of Piety ready to execute his own Revenges resolveth to prevent his mischief He had sometime been familiar with Sir James had known his by-paths his secret Plots and airy brags had not escaped his observation some alike in Kindred to them both were emissaries suborned to mark not only his actions but words and behaviour by which one way or other he might be intrapt He knew Sir James stood in some umbrage with the King and that some suspitions by no Innocency could be taken away When at last he had found his hot-spur Cousen who threatned him with Death and Fire within the circle of his conjurations he directeth his Son to the King who at that time was ready to pass the Forth in his Barge this bashful Messenger giveth advertisement from his Father that the King should make his Person sure from his foes at home for Sir James Hamiltoun had secret Intelligence and Plots with the Earl of Anguss and Dowglasses and that he attended only the occasion when he might surprize him either alone or with a mean Retinue and then or openly he would invade him or breaking up his Chamber-doors assassinate him The King giving attentive ear to a business which concerned him no less than the safety of his Person the accusation being given by a Cousen of the suspect against a Family which a little disorder in the State might turn Successors to the Crown directeth the young man to Edenburgh and beyond his private instructions giveth him a Ring well known by the chief Officers to be a token of power and secrecy to assemble so many of the Counsel as were resident Sir Thomas Areskin Secretary Sir James Lermound Master of the Houshold William Kircaldie Treasurer and others meet fear consult upon the Treason labour how to prevent it come to Sir James his Lodging make sure his Person in the Castle of Edenburgh and at that same time proceed according to the Kings direction to instruct his Process Sir James passionately resenting his imprisonment by his Friends imploreth the aid of the Church-men upon his innocency They apprehending his accusation to be a Stratagem of State forg'd by these of the Reformed Religion for the stopping any further progress of the Inquisition already so furiously begun interpose their credit with the King for his Liberty to the discharging of his Commission against Hereticks If the King should hearken to every Informer against a man in State and Office he should never have an end for thus no man is so innocent who may not be detracted and calumniated Sir James was known to be a man rash and insolent in words his Brains having been a little giddy like one looking from a great height by his advancement in honours and place in Court but sincere in the service of his Prince and loyal If he was arrogant in boldness of terms that was to acquire some more credit with the Commons that he might do better service to his Prince They who committed Sir James Hamiltoun knowing the King facile and easie to be wrought upon by the Clergy some of them too professing or giving way to the Reform'd Religion resolve if he should escape free of this accusation that an imminent ruine hung over their Persons and Estates Necessity and fear combining the distracted powers of their minds they come prostrate before the King beseech him not so much to look to the quality and circumstances of the Crime as to the evil inclination of the man who powerful factious and naturally vindicative would never forgive nor forget the danger he was driven unto that his Majesty would consider his pass'd life terrible and cruel against all whom he could over-reach That to give him liberty and relieve him of his imprisonment before the Crimes of which he was accus'd were clearly proved or not would be their and the accusers overthrow whom they esteemed loyal Subjects and except upon evident probabilities had never given informations against him That he was a man perfectly hated of the People and a more acceptable sacrifice could not be offer'd unto their fury it he prov'd guilty At their Supplications the King gave the Judges full power to proceed against him and administer Justice according to their Consciences and the Laws of the Kingdom The pannal being found guilty of such points of the Indictment as was laid against him was condemned to die and thereafter accordingly beheaded his Quarters being set aloft on the Town gates his Lands annexed to the Crown The Crimes of which he was found guilty as from those who lived near that time have by tradition been received were he had intelligence with the Earl of Anguss and Dowglasses whom he laboured to have restored though with the Kings death he had a plot to have broken up the Kings Chamber-doors and killed him devolving the title of the Crown or at least Government of the Kingdom to his kindred Being directed to have repaired a Castle in Bute and to this effect receiving three thousand Crowns in April he went not thither attending some change in the State which was to be accomplished by treason against the Kings person He kept still with him men of desperate minds and fortunes who at his direction durst enterprize any mischief Where he had repaired some of the Kings houses he had placed a Statue resembling himself or which to some he had named his Statue what Mole hills are turned into Mountains when a Prince will pry into the actions of a disgraced Subject above the Kings arms He had detracted from his Master naming him the King of Clowns and Priests and Scourge of the antient Nobility He had laboured to hinder the Kings marriage at his being in France To these points the people who rejoiced in his ruin added he had slain cruelly the Earl of Lennox at the battel of Lithgow after he was Prisoner to Purdowye he had way-laid Gilbert Earl of Cassiles who was killed by his direction and Councel This back-blow of Fortune proveth that it is dangerous once highly to offend a Prince and after remain in his service for Princes put old offences up as neglected and when the occasion serveth them surprize long after the Delinquents for some faults for which they are scarce guilty Sundry of the Nobility appall'd at this sudden fall of Sir James Hamiltoun for though they loved not the Man they hated the examples of such strict Justice left the Court retiring to their own dwelling Houses which made the King suspitious of them and believe they favoured
person And indeed upon survey of all Histories we shall find that the ability and excellency of the Prince hath been the most powerful ascendent of the Genius of a Nation and that the Governing mind of the World when ever it determines any to glorious actions raises up such Leaders as by their wisdom and example may lead them to the performance of its own secret determinations And again How infectious the example of a bad or weak Prince which like an unhappy contagion perverts and infects the manners of a people and so much the more easily seduces them by how much the mind of man is inclinable to understand better things and pursue the worse and most people are more easily emasculated into Vice than tutured into Virtue This Prince being gone to his long home DAVID BRUCE His Son succeeding 1331 his Coronation was deferred till permission could be had from Rome to make the business more solemn The first thing memorable in his reign was the suppression of a sort of Thieves by Randolph who if you will believe the Scotish Story was soon after poisened by a Monk yet bore it so as he eluded another invasion though he died soon after in the year 1331. the Government devolving to the Earl of Mar in which he was scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Baliol was seen in the Fryth with a Formidable Fleet And it was upon this occasion Lawrence Twine a Fugitive English-man that had planted himself in Scotland being for his lewd life excommunicated slew the Bishop of Final and used such inducements to Edward Son of John Baliol formerly King by the minority of the King the raging discontents of the People and Exiles the want of the Regents Randolf and Dowglass that he knowing Edward prepared great Forces against Scotland persuaded him to imbarque in the Enterprize and he made so good a Party that he landed at Kingkorn and defeated Alexander Seatoun who made some opposition and marching to Perth did by a secret passage over the River rout the Enemy slay the most considerable Commander and take the Town taking Prisoners also many of the best quality so that growing numerous by the accession of such as had a mind to share in his good and unexpected Fortune he in the year 1332. 1362. caused himself to be Crowned King at Scone by the name of EDWARD BALIOL But the party of the Bruces not resting here send him to Philip of France with his wife and choose Andrew Murray his Cousen Regent and making a party after three Moneths siege recovered Perth Baliol in the mean time was at Annandale receiving the voluntary submission of the Country among whom so high was the Reputation of his Acquests that Alexander Bruce L. of Carid and Galloway forsook his Kinsman and submitted to the Conquerour who by this means became so besotted with a contempt of the Enemy and so neglected Discipline which being known to the Vice-Roy he sent a party of Horse under Archibald Dowglass and others who beat up his quarters and routed them himself escaped half naked 1332. and his most considerable Friends slain The Nobility hereupon flocking to the Party of the Bruces they consult and resolve that Baliol acts but the King of England's Designs fortifie Berwick and the Borders and standing in this posture of Defence sent to K. Philip and David to give them account of things Nor were the English unwilling to take the Advantage of the Discord he therefore protects Baliol and under pretence of demanding Berwick which was denyed brings an Army against Scotland besieges Berwick by Land and Sea which to divert Archibald Dowglass newly appointed Vice-Roy makes an attempt upon the English but was routed with great loss in the year 1333. which occasioned the Rendition of the Town 1333. Edward hereupon withdrawing into England leaves the reducement of Scotland to the care of Baliol and Edward Talbot who gained it all except some few Strengths Baliol though disturbed with a controversie about the Lands of John Moubray surveys the Countrey fortifies the Castle of Rothsay narrowly pursues Robert Stuart after King who in a small bark escaped to the Garison of Dumbarton after laies siege to the Castle in the Lake Leven which he left to the Management of Sir John Sterlin others but Sterlin going to a Fair at Dunfermling the besieged let the Lake into his Trenches and raised the siege The English came in again with an Army swept all carryed Balliol home with them and left Cumin Earl of Athol Lievtenant of Scotland who wasted all the Lands of the Stuarts By this Robert Stuart unexpectedly breaks out and being followed by the Cambels takes the Castle of Botan and having access of many considerable persons is made Vice-Roy and forces Cumin to his party and dispersing the War called a Parliament at Perth where nothing could be done by reason of the dissention of Cumin and Dowglass But the English enter with a great Army and though their Auxiliary Guelders were routed take Perth but their Fleet being harrast at Sea were forced to retreat and the rather in design of a French War but some of the Nobles still standing out the English landing in Murray reduced all and leaving Baliol return Next year the English besieged Dumbar and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford 1337 which though they were both routed yet the siege continued but the English having received loss by the valour of Robert Stuart after six moneths stay being called into France raised their siege Murray in the mean time dying Stuart was created Vice-Roy till the Return of David and having the first year by the means of W. Dowglass gained some petty Victories 1339 did the next besiege Perth which after four Moneths stay was reduced and a little after Sterlin and by Stratagem the Castle of Edinburgh Alexander making a happy Expedition into Northumberland and taking Roxburgh and the Scots regaining all their ground except Berwick In the year 1342. David after 9. years stay returns and after quieting of some dissentions resolves an expedition into England though dissuaded by his Council by reason of want of Victuals making John Randolph General himself going incognito and for two Moneths together depopulated Northumberland but after declaring himself General made a second Expedition which met little opposition by reason of the diversion of the English strength in France a third to as little purpose A Peace for two years was treated of which David would not accept without the consent of Philip of France who having a great defeat given him by Edward excited him by all means to an invasion which his friendship perswaded him to though things at home were not in Order and having Marcht so far as the County of Durham had his Army routed and was there taken Prisoner The English limits being enlarged as far as Cockburn and all Scotland in a manner depopulated by the Plague and deadly fewds yet
and things necessary to matters of money immediatly dispatched so so much as could be gathered together with a great many young Noblemen of the Kingdom to remain Hostages for the rest who after the English Writers were David son to the Earl of Athol Alexander Earl of Crawford the Lord Gordon John de Lyndesay Patrick Son and Heir to Sir John Lyon David de Ogleby Sir William de Ruthen Miles Graham David Mowbray and William Oliphant These were honorably received entertained and kept The Kings Father in Law the Earl of Somerset the Cardinal his Brother accompanied their Niece to the Borders and there taking their leave returned back The King with the rest of their Train received with many Troops of Nobles and Gentlemen who swarmed from all parts of the Kingdom to give him a dutiful welcome into his Native soyl and themselves the contentment of beholding one they had so long desired and expected with loud acclamations and applauses of the Commons as he held his Progress on the Passion Week in Lent came to Edinburgh During his abode there he assembled many of the Estates listened to their Petitions prepared for the approaching Parliament which had been summoned before his coming The Solemnities of Easter finished the King came with his Queen to Perth and from thence in the beginning of the moneth of May to Scone where the year 1424. by Mordock the Governour Duke of Albany and Earl of Fife to whom that charge by custom of the Kingdom did appertain and Henry Bishop of S. Andrews the 27 year of his Age there was a joynt Coronation of himself and his Queen being according to the Computation of the old Scottish History the hundreth and one King of Scotland At which time Sigismond son to Charles the fourth An. Dom. 1424. was Emperour of the West John the seventh the son of Andronicus of the East Amurath the second Great Turk Alphonsus the fifth King of Spain Charles the seventh King of France Henry the sixth King of England and with Martin the fifth many claimed the Chair of St. Peter The ends in calling the Parliament were the Coronation of the King to make the People see a Princes authority was come where they had but lately a Governours the establishing a Peace amongst the Subjects and taking away all Factions the exacting a Subsidie for the relief of the Hostages in England To this last the Nobles held strong hand by reason many of their Sons were engaged Here a a general tax was condescended upon through the whole Realm as twelve pennies of the pound to be paid of all Lands as well Spiritual as Temporal and four pennies of every Cow Ox Horse for the space of two years together When the Commons had taken it grievously that the Subsidie granted by the states of the Kingdom in Parliament was exacted mostly of them after the first Collection the King pitying their poverty remitted what was unpayed and until the Marriage of his Daughter thereafter never exacted any Subsidie of his Subjects For he would gently strain milk and not wring blood from the breast of his Countrey rendring the disposure thereof chaste sincere and pure for expences necessary and profitable not for profusions which neither afford contentment nor reputation for money is both the nerves which give motion and veins which entertain life in a State Amongst others whom the King honoured Alexander second Son to Duke Mordock was dubbed Knight The Parliament dissolving the King came from Perth to Edinburgh where having assembled all the present Officers and such who had born Authority in the State during the time of Duke Robert and Duke Mordock especially those whose charge concerned the Rents of the Crown he understood by their accounts that the most part of all the Rents Revenues and Lands pertaining to the Crown were wasted alienated and put away or then by the Governors bestowed on their freinds and followers the Customs of Towns and Burroughs only excepted This a little incensed his indignation yet did he smother and put a fair countenance on his passion seeming to slight what he most car'd for occasion thereafter no sooner served when he began to countenance and give way to Promoters and Informers necessary though dangerous Instruments of State which many good Princes have been content to maintain and such who were not bad never denied to hear but using them no longer then they were necessary for their ends to rip up secret and hidden crimes wrongs suffered or committed during the time of his detension in England He received the complaints of the Church-men Countrey Gentlemen Merchants against all those who had either wronged them or the State and would have the causes of all Accusers to be heard and examined Here many to obtain the favour of the Prince accused others Upon pregnant accusations Walter Stuart one of the Sons of Duke Mordock was Arrested and sent to the Bass to be close kept so was Malcolm Fleming of Cammernauld and Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock committed to Ward in Dalkieth Not long after the Nobility interceding Malcolm and Thomas goods being restored which they had taken wrongfully and Fines laid upon them for their Offence promising to satisfie all whom they had wrong'd were pardoned all faults and then set at Liberty The King by listening to Promoters came to the knowledge of many great insolencies committed by sundry of his Nobles which as it bred a hatred in him so fear in them and both appeared to study a Novation They for their own safety He to vindicate Justice and his Authority The Duke had highly resented the committing of his Son as had his Father in Law the Earl of Lennox The Male-contents being many if they could have swayed in one body as they came to be of one mind threatned no small matter The King from the intelligence of close Meetings secret Leagues some Plots of his Nobles began to forecast an apparent storm in the State and danger to his own Person whereupon being both couragious and wise he proclaimeth again a Parliament at Perth where the three Estates being assembled in his throne of Majesty he spoke in this manner I have learned from my tender years that Royalty consisteth not so much in a Chair of State as in such actions which do well become a prince What mine have been since my coming Home and Government among you I take first God and then your selves for witnesses If all of them be not agreeable to you all and if any rigorous dealing be used against some Let him who is touched lay aside his particular and look to the setling of Justice in the State and publick Good of the whole Kingdom and he shall find his sufferings tolerable perhaps necessary and according to the time deserved I have endeavoured to take away all Discords abolish Factions Suppress Oppression as no Forein Power hath attempted ought against you hitherto so that ye should not endeavour ought against another nor any thing against
weal publick and Soveraignty Slow have I been in punishing injuries done to my self but can hardly pardon such as are done to the Commonwealth for this have I called this Parliament let rapine and out-rage no more be heard of but every man recal himself to a civil and regular form of life especially you my Nobles think vertue and civility true Nobility that to be accounted noblest which is best and that a mans own worth begets true glory By these and the obedience to their Princes your ancestors acquired what ye now enjoy there is no stronger means to keep the goods acquired from a Prince than the same by which they were first purchased which is still obeying Though by leagues Factions and the confounding of all true Policy and Order of Government Man may imagine he can shun the Judicatories of Man let none how great soever conceive he can save his wrongs unpunished from the Almighty hand of God Ye must not hereafter count Authority honesty and virtue idle names nor reckon that right which ye may win or hold by dint of Sword For me I will behave my self in my proceedings as I must answer to God and for you my Subjects do so as ye shall answer to God first and after to your Prince whom God hath set over you No mans Greatness shall appale me in doing right nor the meanness of any make him so contemptible that I shall not give ear to his grievance for I will strive to do justice on Oppressors and support the innocent to my uttermost Here he easily found the power which the Presence of a Prince hath over Subjects for having confirmed the minds of the Parliament a mutual oath passed between him and his Subjects The King swore if any made war against Scotland or went about to overthrow the ancient Laws of the Kingdom to resist and invade him with all his power The Estates swore if any by open Rebellion should revolt or conspire against the King or be found to be the Authors of Factions and Novations they should assist and side the King with all their forces after what manner he should command A Solemn Act was made that none of the Subjects should bind up a league together The King the more to assure the Clergy unto him swore to defend the liberties of the Church making an Act that all Church lands unjustly detained from them during the time of his Captivity should be restored unto them The Body of the Estate holding good for the King Mordock Duke of Albany with his Sons Walter and Alexander were presently arrested and committed as were likewise Duncan Earl of Lennox and Robert Graham a Man that dared give attempt upon those things which no honest man ever could think they were sent to Faulkland but the Duke to Carlaverock Archembald Earl of Dowglass with William Earl of Anguss the Kings Sisters son George Earl of March Walter Oguilby were committed but after set at liberty Adam Hepburn of Haylles Thomas Hay of Yeaster with others were sent to the Castle of St. Andrews That same day the Duke was Committed the King seized on his Castles at Faulkland in Fyfe and Down in Monteeth out of which he removed the Dutchess to Tantallon in Lothian James the youngest Son of the Duke whom former carriage and harmless behaviour had exempted from all suspicion of Treachery after the committing of his Father and Friends whether of a youthful insolency or desperate rage resolving to do and suffer all extremities or that he was contemned accompanied with a number of out-laws and Mountainers on the Holy-rood-day called the Invention of the Cross came to the Town of Dumbartoun set it on fire surprised there John Stuart of Dondonald surnamed the Red Uncle to the King slew him with thirty others after which cruel advising with fear and despair he fled into Ireland where he died The Wife of Walter Stuart his Brother with her two sons Andrew and Alexander with Arthur a base born hasted with him where they remained till the reign of King James the third The barbarous fierceness of James highly incensed the King against his Father and race diverted the current of his Clemency for when he thought by gentle incarcerations to have restrained their malice now he finds that that deaf Tyrant the Law can only secure himself and bring rest to his Subjects Whereupon the year following he calleth a Parliament at Sterling where the estates assembling the Duke with his two sons and Father-in-law the Earl of Lennox accusations being engrossed and articles exhibited against them out of the acts of former times of what hath been done unjustly ctuelly or amiss during the Kings captivity were presented arraigned and condemned Walter Earl of Athol being Judge to whom were adjoyned many noble men and Barons That same day on which their fatal sentence was pronounced the two young men Walter Stuart and Alexander Sons to the Duke were taken forth to the Hill which ariseth against the Castle of Sterling and had their heads cut off The day following Mordock Duke of Albany late Governour with Duncan Lennox Earl of Lennox was beheaded The deaths of these Noblemen were so far from breeding any distaste in the common People that out of their depraved disposition and envy against their betters they flowted at their fall reproached their insolencies delighted in their execution and as much without reason railed on them when they were dead as they had flattered them being alive Whether by the wisdom of the King it hath fallen out who caused abolish the Indictment being against persons so near unto him in blood or bluntness of those times which thought such clear evidences needed no Records the particulars of the Attaindor of these great men are swallowed up in dark oblivion Moved at the Imprisonment of his Son did Mordock with Lennox hating him whom they had wronged attempt against the Kings person and that same very Treason which afterwards had success was it then between the plot and the execution surprised and in the very head cut off The Earl of Athol a man whose desires were both extremely wicked and unbounded was a great actor in this Trady Did the King standing in fear of their extraordinary greatness bend his eyes upon the disposition of the Offenders squaring their actions by the rule of their intentions and weighing what not how far they did offend for Princes quickly free themselves from their very shadows in matter of jealousie of State And tney have great reason to prevent such crimes which cannot be punished when they are committed nor should they expect to amend a mischief when the Criminals are become Masters of their Judges People believe not that any conjure against a Prince till they find the Treason to have taken effect and distrust the Plot till they see him dead But the Death of such who are suspected to be the Authors of disorders in a Commonwealth spareth an infinite number of lives and much civil
blood when they are first surprized neither are too strict circumstances of Law to be observed when a small delay may abolish all observing of order and Laws The Duke to raise his own reputation to the disadvantage of the King with all secrecy of his intentions had procured himself a vast Authority with the Nobles by a semblance of liberality wasting the Patrimony of the Crown as remitting Treasons restoring again Lands annexed to the Crown He had studied so to conciliate to him the minds of the Commons that the desire of a King did not much touch them using such moderation in his proceedings that his Government seemed unto many not only tolerable but desirable He had essayed to draw the Earl of Dowglass and had drawn the Earl of March to enter into a League with him and these Noblemen then in the Castle of St. Andrews divided the Nobility and made them break their Allegiance to the King Upon which attempt it seemeth that that Act of this Kings second Parliament was made That no Subjects should league themselves together The King esteemed all that Government of Robert and Mordock to be an usurpation of the Crown and feared the like thereafter His Son James had burnt Dumbartoun and treacherously killed the Kings Uncle which was not done without his knowledge if not his Counsel Though he relieved the King of his Captivity he suffered him to remain very long a Prisoner neither did he practise his deliverance till he perceived the whole States of the Kingdom resolved to call him Home and was compelled by the injuries of his own Children To exasperate new injuries by old rancours his Father Robert spurred by Ambition had famished to death the Kings Brother David in the Castle of Faulkland to escape whose Tyrranny the King yet a child was committed to the protection of stranger Princes What ever the particulars of their accusations have been it is above the possibility of any Governor or Man in eminent place and authority so to carry himself but a discontented Prince if he will set him to a tryal shall bring some one or other of his actions to whirl him within compass of Justice Thus the imprecation of Robert the third took effect upon the race of Robert the Governour for after the death of the Duke of Rothesay he is said to have cursed him most deadly praying as he had slain his Brothers Son and filled their house with blood so God would punish him his Stock and Posterity There is not any wickedness which beareth not its punishment and repentance at the last if we can have patience to attend the last act of those Tragedies played on this Theatre of the World By the Attaindor of the Duke the Earldoms of Fife Monteith and Lennox were devolved to the Crown The Castle of Inch-Merin in Loch-Lommond which had a while been kept good for James who fled into Ireland by John Montgomery and Humphrey Cunning was brought to the obedience of the King When the Lords and Gentlemen who were in Prisons attending the Kings pleasure understood what necessary justice had been executed upon the Duke and his Sons they were grievously perplexed yet the King like a wise Physitian would take no more blood then might take away the disease and all further causes of Faction For within twelve moneths thereafter he set them all at Liberty and received them in his wonted favour upon promise of their loyal demeanour and dutiful obedience in time to come But being thus freely discharged the conceit was taken that Mordocks head and his sons with Lennoxes was only the aim and that they were used but as a Countenance of State to dazle the eyes of the People The Wars continuing between the English and the French the one to keep what he was in possession of the other to reobtain what he had lost Charles the seventh a wise and Victorious Prince knowing the Friendship of Scotland to be of no small importance to any that should fight against the English the flower and strength of the Scottish Souldiers which had followed the French Wars being then blasted and spent sendeth John Stuart of Darnley Marshal of a Garison of Horsemen with the Earl of Dowglass as the French write then Marshal of France to Scotland to have a fresh supply of Men of Arms and Renauld of Charters Archbishop of Rheymes who there had Crowned his Master and as Chancellour of France to renew the ancient League between the French and Scots But the main business about which the Archbishop came was the trafficking of a Marriage between Lewis the Daulphine though then very young with Margaret Daughter to King James This Match the English had either neglected or contemn'd which afterwards they sued for the renewing of the old League and Amity betwixt the two Nations was easily condescended unto it being but a witness to the world of their mutual kindness The chief Articles of which were The War or Injury moved or done by the English men to one of the said Nations to be as Common-wrong to both If the English men make War on the French Nation then the Scots at the costs and charges of the French King shall minister to them succours Likewise if the Scots be molested by the English Wars the French Nation having their charges allowed shall be to them Aiders and Assisters That none of both Nations shall either contract or make peace with the Realm of England without the consent and agreement of the other The Marriage being found commodious for both Nations was likewise with great contentment agreed upon and concluded fresh recruits of Souldiers were levied and dispatched with the Embassador to France The South and Champion parts of Scotland brought under obedience and a peaceful Government the King will have the remotest Countries of his Kingdom even those blocked up and baricadoed by the snowy Clifts of Grantsben to acknowledge his Justice The wildness of the soyl had made the Inhabitants there more fierce than Fierceness it self and let them out to all unlawful Riots and Rapines To restrain their insolent humors and bring them within compass of Civility in the year 1426. he caused repair the Castle of Innerness which is situated in the uttermost borders of Murray and by their incursions which had been turned desolate hither some years after cometh he in person and keepeth open Court that being near the evil he might have the better means to provide for and consider it But he seemed to have arrived in some Territory of the Scythians having known and found things which none did nor dare relate unto him for he had learned that not many miles off there were men some of which had one thousand some two thousand Robbers at their call who were accustomed to drive preys from the more civil Neighbours and Borders pilling and spoiling polluting and ravishing without any difference of right or wrong holy or prophane but only following their ravenous and insolent humours On the quieter
not much known before his Reign to the Nation Peace hath its own dangers no less than Wars yea often such estates as have encreased their Dominions and became mighty by Wars have found their ruin in a luxurious peace Men by a voluptuous life becoming less sensible of true honour The Court and by that example the Country was become too soft and delicate superfluous in all delights and pleasures Masques Banqueting gorgeous apparel revelling were not only licensed but studied and admired Nothing did please what was not strange and far brought Charity began to be restrained publique magnificence falling in private Riot What was wont to entertain whole Families and a train of goodly men was now spent in dressing of some little rooms and the womannish decking of the persons of some few Hermophradites To these the wise King had a while given way knowing that delicate soft times were more easie to be governed and a people given to mild arts and a sweet condition of life than rough and barbarous so they turned not altogether womanized and that it was an easie matter to bring them back again to their old posture At these abuses some of the severer sort of the Clergy began to carp yet could they not challenge the Prince who in the entertainment of his own person scarce exceeded the degree of any private Man yea was often under the Pomp and Majesty of a King But the blemish of all this excess was laid on the English who by the Queen their Country woman with new guises daily resorted hither and turned new-fangle the Court. The King not only listened to their plaints but called a Parliament to satisfie their humours Here Henry Wardlaw Bishop of S. Andrews highly aggravating the abuses and superfluities of Court and Country all disorders were pry'd into and Statutes made against them They abolished Riots of all sorts of Pearl many Rivers in Scotland affording them not only for use but for excess only women were permitted to wear a small Carkanet of them about their Necks costly Furs and Ermins were wholly forbidden together with the abuse of Gold and Silver lace Penalties were not only imposed upon the transgressours but on workmen which should make or sell them excessive expense in banqueting was restrained and dainties banished from the Tables of Epicures with Jeasters and Buffons In this year 1430. the first of June was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun at three of the clock afternoon the day turning black for the space of an half hour as though it had been Night therefore it was after called of the Commons The BLACK HOUR The last and greatest matter which busied the Kings thoughts was the encreasing of his Revenues and bringing back the Demesn of the Crown a work no less dangerous than deep and difficil and which at last procured him greatest hatred For till then smothered malice did never burst forth in open flames And though this diligence of the King concerned much the publick weal yet such as were interessed by rendring what they had long possessed though without all reason esteemed themselves highly wronged The Patrimony of the Crown had been wasted and given away by the two Governours to keep themselves popular and shun the envy of a factious Nobility Thus the King had neither in magnificence to maintain himself nor bestow upon his friends or strangers He had advisedly perused all evidences and charters belonging to the Crown hereupon he recalls all such Lands as had been either alienated from it or wrongfully usurped Together what was wont to be idly given away as forfeitures escheats and wards were restrained to the Crown and kept to the King himself There remained upon considerations of encreasing the Demesns of the Crown the Lands of the Earl of March whose Father had rebelled against the Kings Father Robert though faults be personal and not hereditary and the heirs of ancient houses hold little of their last possessours but of their Predecessours those the King seized on The Earl proved by good evidences and writings brought forth his Father had been pardoned for that fault by the Regents of the Kingdom he was answered again that it was not in the Regents power to pardon an offence against the State and that it was expresly provided by the Laws in crimes of Lese Majesty That children should undergo punishment for their Fathers transgressions to the end that being thus heirs to their Fathers rashness as they are to their Goods and Lands they should not at any time with vast ambition in the haughty Pride of their own Power plot or practise to shake and tear the Publick Peace of the Prince and Country Thus was the remission by the Parliament declared void and Earl George himself committed to the Castle at Edenbrough William Earl of Anguss Warden of the Middle March William Creightoun Chancellour Sir Adam Hepburn of Hailles immediately received the Castle of Dumbar the keeping of which was given to Sir Adam Hepburn The King not long after set Earl George at Liberty and to save him from the like dangers which were wont to befall his Predecessours to fly into England for every small cross and light displeasure at Court he bestowed on him as it were in exchange for these lands in the Marss the Earldom of Buchan in the North with a yearly pension to be paid out of the Earldom of March setting the Tay and the Forth betwixt him and his too kind friends of England Buchan had faln to the King by the decease of John who was Son to Robert the second and Earl of Buchan he was slain at Vernveill in France with the Marshal Duglass and left no lawful children after him to succeed The Earldom of Marre was incorporate also to the Demesn Royal by the decease of Alexander Stuart Earl of Marre who was natural Son to Alexander Stuart who was the Son of Robert the Second He was a Man of singular prowess and in his youth followed the Wars under Philip Duke of Burgundy he married Jane Daughter to the Earl of Holland and had greatly obliged his Country by transporting Stallions and Mares hither out of Hungary the Stood of which continued long after to his commendation and the commodity of the Kingdom The Earldom of Strathern was appropriated also to the Crown by the Decease of David Stuart Earl of Strathern Uncle to the King who having but one only Daughter who was married to Patrick Graham a younger brother of the Lord Grahams the Earldom being tailed to the Masculine Line was devolved again to the Crown Thus did King James succeed to three Brothers who were Sons to Robert the Second All good men with these proceedings of the King were well pleased for if Princes could keep their own and that which justly belongeth unto them they could not be urged to draw such extraordinary Subsidies from the blood sweat and tears of their people yet was this the Shelf on which this Prince perished for many who were accustomed
to be co-partners of such off-fallings began to storm and repine at his actions but none was so implacable as Robert Graham Uncle and Tutor to Miles Graham the Son of Euphem daughter to David Earl of Strathern For plotting mischief he began to rail speak in high terms associate himself with others of his own mind Notwithstanding that the King Anno 1428. in September had bestowed on his Nephew the Lands and Earldom of Monteeth in compensation of that of Strathern to which he pretended right it being an appenage of the Crown About this time Embassadors came into Scotland from Ericus the King of Denmark requiring of King James the payment of a yearly Tribute which was due to him as King of Norway for the Western Isles according to the Covenant and Agreement made by Alexander the third King of Scotland and his Predecessor Magnus the son of Acho then King of Norway the Embassador was honourably received and Sir William Creighton Chancellor directed to go with him to Denmark who there renewed the old League between the Realms setled questionable matters and confirmed a perfect amity and stedfast Peace Embassadors came also from Charles the French King not only to confirm the old Amity between Scotland and France but for a better assurance thereof to have Margaret eldest Daughter to King James already betrothed to Lewis the Daulphin who now was thirteen years of Age delivered to them and convoyed to France The English foreknowing this Alliance had before sent the Lord Scroop with other Associates to him in Embassage to have the old League between the French and the Scots dissolved and to joyn the Kings Daughter in marriage with Henry the sixth their King promising if the King would thereunto agree and joyn in League with them that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered to the Power of the Scots with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Redcross which when William the Conquerour granted Cumberland to the Scots marched England and Scotland and is now a fragment of a Cross in Richmond-shire neer the Spittle on Stanmoor about which is nothing but a wild desert Having Audience the Lord Scroop spake before the Council to this purpose I am directed hither by my Master and his Council about a business which concerneth the Honour and profit of the two Kingdoms above any other which can be projected and it is the establishing of a perpetual Peace and Concord between them and happily when it shall please the higher Providence their uniting in one Body under one Prince one day How vain the attempting of this heretofore by Arms hath proved the world can but too well bear witness the many proofs of eithers valour against themselves having been but a lavish effusion of humane Blood the fairest way the easiest means to make enmities cease and these ancient Quarrels was begun Sir in your Person by the happy Marriage of the Daughter of John Duke of Somerset brother to King Henry the fourth and Son to the Duke of Lancaster and prosperously hath continued these years past Now the Peace may be lasting and the affections and minds of the two Nations soldered together Our Request is that this Alliance may be again renewed by the Marriage of your eldest Daughter with our young King a most fitting and equal match And in seeking of her we crave but our own She is descended of our Royal Stem and if again she be ingrafted in that stock out of which she sprang it is but natural And you my Lords where can ye find a Match more Honourable for both Nations Where can ye find a better and more profitable friendship than Ours Are we not a people inhabiting one Island have we not both one Language are we not of like Habit and Fashion of like quality and condition of Life guarded and separated from the other World by the great depths of the Ocean What evil Customs have come into your Countrey by your last Allyance with us Nay what Civility Policy and laudable Fashions to the confusion of Barbarity have not followed hereupon By this the Glory of both Realms will encrease either being sufficient not only to furnish necessaries but even all lawful and moderate contentments of life to support others Besides that an assurance of Defence Strength and Power to invade ease in undergoing publick Charges will hereby follow We are not ignorant that your Lady is designed for France but how long alass will ye continue prodigal of your blood for the French What have ye advantaged your selves by your Alliance with France save that they engage your bodies in their Wars and by conferring upon you unprofitable titles of honour take from you what is truly real ye are reserved a Postern-gate by which they may enter England diverting our Forces and transporting the Stage of the War upon our Borders Learn to forget your French or if ye be so enamoured with France love her after our manner come take a share be partakers of our Victories Are not our Forces being joyned sufficient to overcome nay bring in chains hither that King of Bruges and make our selves Masters of his Continent France never did so much good to Scotland in twenty years as Scotland hath had loss by England for the love and cause of France in one Are not your wounds at Vernueil and Cravant yet bleeding and all for the French It hath been your valour and not the French which heretofore empeached our conquest and progress in France were it not for your swords we had made ere now the loftiest tops of the Alps or Pyrenees bear our Trophies Ye say ye reverence and cannot break your old League and confederation with that Kingdom happy Leagues but wo to the keepers of them unhappy Scotland and too too honest and the more unhappy for that thy honesty is the great cause of thy mishaps How long shall that old League counted amongst the Fables of the Ancient Falladines make you waste your lives goods fortunes and lose your better Friends The Genius of this Isle seemeth to cry unto us her Nurselings to stay our cruel hands no longer to be her desolation and the wrack one of another not to pass over and neglect these fair occasions of mutual Alliances which will not only effectuate Truces and Leagues amongst our selves but at last bring a perpetual Peace and Union for by interchange of Marriages being united this Isle shall continue stronger by entertaining Peace and Amity then by all these Giant walls Rampiers of Mountains and that huge ditch of Seas by which Nature hath environed and fortified her Now that he may know how dearly we esteem your friendship and Alliance whereas others go to take from you we will give you Roxburgh Berwick and all the Lands between Tweed and Redcross If shadows prevail and prove stronger with you than essential reason and that ye disesteem our offer losing this good occasion we as Neighbours and Friends entreat you that
This Earl ambitious factious popular subtile vindicative prompt in the execution of his enterprizes liberal and far from the dor-muse humour of his Father began to think neither himself nor his kindred in safety if the deaths of his Brothers and Cousins wrought by the two Rulers remained unrevenged and therefore since openly without troubling the common peace of the Country he could not by secret and umbragious ways he laboureth to bring it to pass procuring a far off a disobedience to their Decrees and contempt of their Authority by men in a great distance from him in place blood friendship and familiarity who after any fashion grudged repined complained of the present form of Government or aggravated imaginary wrongs are supported and protected by him his houses turned places of Refuge to distressed Male-contents One John Gormack of Athol not without suspicion that he wrought by the motion and order of the Earl and understood his Cabal essayed with a great number of Out-laws to hinder the execution of a Malefactor and take him by main force from the Sheriff of Perth William Ruthen but he perished in the enterprize Patrick Gilbreath in the Castle of Dumbartoun for priority of command killeth Robert Simple and to save his person or justifie his homicide flyeth to the Earl of Dowglass by whom he is protected notwithstanding the many informations given in against him at Court and his citation to answer to Justice The King whose non-age was now near expired began to relish the sweetness of Government in his own person and became tyr'd of the long and awful tutelage of his jarring Rulers and the flower of his Youth seeming fram'd for great affairs promised the fruit of a wise and happy Reign finding it difficult to put men near daily unto him long experienced and greedy of Rule from high places except by the entertaining a stronger and more powerful faction He setteth his thoughts upon the Earl of Dowglass small favours to him would be a great umbrage to the ambition of his Tutors bring them within the compass of answering to what might be objected to them concerning their service in the State he would not sue to the Earl but as occasion served he gave many signs and open speeches that he had not altogether withdrawn his love and favour from the ancient House of the Dowglasses their passed faults being by them acknowledged and recompenced with fidelity and obedience in times coming The Earl of Dowglass whose towardness and liberality had acquired him many friends at Court upon assured advertisement of his Princes good-will towards him cometh to Sterling and is no sooner presented upon his knees before the King in the Church when with all demonstrations of benevolence he is received in grace pardoned and not many days after admitted to be of the Privy Council The King imparting to him his greatest affairs sheweth he will follow them by his advice and counsel honoureth him with the plausible name of Cousin and entertaineth such familiarity with him that all others give him the place The promotion and credit which the Earl of Dowglass in a short time acquired about the King his faction daily encreasing moved the two Rulers by their moderation seeking to avoid disgrace to leave the Court. After which they were both removed from their offices and their places and authority in Council with their whole friends and followers They are upbraided with disorders both in their private actions and the manner of their Government and at last are summoned to answer before the King to such things as they should be legally accused of the murmurs every where whispered amongst the people warned and certified them if they should appear and present themselves of some sad and Tragick Act. Whereupon with protestations of their Innocency declining the time appealing to the King in his majority and when he should be of full years from these Judges their mortal enemies than abusing absolute Power they suspend their appearing declaring with all their readiness in every thing to obey the King This availeth them nothing for at a Parliament holden in Sterlin Articles being forged and urged against them especially of Peculate as sale of crown-Crown-Lands waste of the Kings Treasure the laying of their hands upon the Kings Jewels transporting Lands to themselves and their friends distributing Offices and places of the Crown and State which should have been by the Authority of the Council as Hunters divide a Prey between themselves Dispensing with Riots and taking the force and vigour from the Laws of the Kingdom thus as betraying the administration of the Realm into the hands of worthless and corrupted men they are denounced Rebels their persons and Estates proscrib'd Charge is given to Sir John Foster of Corstorphane and others the Dowglasses adherents to bring all their moveables to the use of the Exchequer demolish their Houses invade their Friends with fire and sword and all that sided them Thus the uncertain vicissitude of Humane accidents overturns often them who seem to be raised to the highest degree of honour The Castle of Barentoren is besieged taken thrown down with other houses upon the Governours and Chancellours Lands their Farms and small Villages are plundered and ransacked In revenge of which the Rulers waste the Earl of Dowglasses Territories the Villages of Straw-brock Abercorn Blackness are burnt with Corstorphane The ravage begun continueth with daily loss to both parties and the overthrow of the Common-wealth The Earl wondreth now having the Kings Authority to find his enemies so strong and hold so long out against him he suspecteth they have secret support by some not well affected towards him The most powerful and eminent of which he guesseth to be James Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews and Cousin german to the King He knew him jealous for his sudden favours at Court and that he had whispered amongst his friends that he feared the ambition of the Earls unlimited heart was now exalted to such exorbitancy of height that becoming top-heavy it would fall by its own weight and turn up the Root The Earl will have this Prelate less powerful to assist the Rulers or do harm unto him To this effect he instigateth the Earl of Crawford his Allie and Alexander Ogleby of Innerwharely to invade the Bishops Lands and rifle his Vassals in Fife without order or declaration of wrongs done by him The Bishop after the burning and spoyling of sundry of his Farms being weak by power to resist their violence and repair his losses took him to his Spiritual Arms and excommunicated the Earl of Crawford Though he made small account of this verbal Thunder yet did not this injustice long escape the revenging hand of God who raiseth up ordinarily one oppressor to execute his justice against another Alexander Lyndesay Son to the Earl of Crawford pretended a title to the Baylerie of Arbroth out of which he was kept by Alexander Ogleby whose title was equal to his if not better This enmity
kindled to such a flame that upon either side they assemble their friends in Arms The Ogleby calleth the Lord Huntley the Lindesay the Hamiltons to assist their Rights frequent meetings having been to calm matters and reconcile them and nothing agreed upon nor concluded they resolve at last to decide the cause by their Swords The Earl of Crawford then remaining at Dundee advertised of the present danger of his friends posted in all haste to Arbroth and cometh at the very chock of the skirmish and when hey were to enter the Fight Here intending by his wisdom to take up the quarrel and presuming upon the respect due to his place and person he rashly rusheth forwards before his Companies to demand a party of Alexander Ogleby with his Son But ere he could be known or was heard he is encountred by a common Souldier who thrust him in the mouth with a Spear and prostrate him dead upon the ground This sudden accident joyned the Parties who fought with great courage and resolution The Victory after much blood inclined to the Master of Crawford Alexander Ogleby sore wounded was taken and brought to the Castle of Finelvin where he died the Lord Huntley escaped by the swiftness of his Horse John Forbess of Pitsligow Alexander Barkley of Garteley Robert Maxwell of Tillen William Gordoun of Borrowfield Sir John Oliphant of Aberdaguy with others fell on the Oglebies side they fought the Twenty fourth of January One thousand four hundred fourty five 1445 Now by attending opportunities to encrease publick disorders turn the times dangerous and troublesome and confound the State the Earl of Dowglass kept himself in the absolute Government by umbragious ways he nourished discontentments in all parts of the Country amongst the Nobility Gentry Commons of the Realm Alexander Earl of Crawford put to death John Lynton of Dundee Robert Boyd of Duchal and Alexander Lyle slew James Stuart of Auchenmintee Patrick Hepburn of Hails surprised the Castle of Dumbar Archembald Dumbar as if he would but change places with him taketh the Castle of Hails where he was besieged by the Earl of Dowglass and with conditions of safety rendred it Sir William Creighton all this time kept the Castle of Edenburgh and when by intreaties nor power he could not be induced to render it to the King his Castle of Creighton is plundered a garison placed in it and the Castle of Edenburgh by the Earl of Dowglass is besieged and blocked up Nine months the Assailers lie about it but it proveth impregnable and without loss of many Subjects cannot be taken about the end of which time mens courages waxing colder conditions are offered and received which were that the Chancellor should be restored to grace place and whatsoever had been withheld from him by his enemies at Court an abolition and abrogation of all former discontentments should be granted the besieged should pass out bag and baggage free At a Parliament holden at Perth the Chancellor was purged by an Assise of his Peers of what was laid against him his lands and goods seized upon by the King or Dowglasses are decreed to be restored as well to his followers as himself he is established in his dignities and places of Honour notwithstanding of all Edicts Proclamations Confiscations before which were declared null all matters past put in oblivion as not done This considering the credit of the Earl of Dowglass was thought very strange but James Kennedy Bishop of Saint Andrews whose respect and Authority was great with the Churchmen perfected this Master-piece of State and the Earl of Dowglass knew though the Chancellor was unbound he had not yet escaped During these Garboyls in Scotland Margaret Sister to King James and wife to the Daulphin of France Lewis died at Chalones in Champagne a vertuous and worthy Lady beloved of all France but most of Charles the seventh her Father in Law who for her respect matched her three Sisters who remained at his Court honourably Helenora with Sigismond Arch-duke of Austria Elizabeth to the Duke of Bretaigne Mary with the Earl of Camphire She was buried in the great Church of Chalones but after when the Daulphine came to the King he caused transport and bury her in the Abbey Church of Loan in Poittow Many Elegies were published upon her death which are yet extant Sir James Stuart the Black Knight husband to the Queen at this time died also He had turned a voluntary exile to shun the dangers and envy of the Factions of the Country which he incurr'd by his free speeches against the misgovernment and miseries of the time and as he was bound towards Flanders by the Flemings was taken upon the Seas The Queen out-lived not long her Daughter and Husband she was buried the fifteenth of July in the Charter-house of Perth neer her first husband James the year One thousand four hundred forty six She brought forth to the black Knight of Lorn three sons John Earl of Athole James Earl of Buchan Andrew Bishop of Murray The Chancellor having recovered his honours and State to the disadvantage of the Earl of Dowglass though of good years and tyred with the troubles of a publick Life yet findeth not any desired rest A Marriage being designed for the King with Mary daughter of the Duke of Guilders by the instructions of Charles the seventh the French King but secretly by the procurement of the Earl of Dowglass the Chancellor as a Man grave great in place and experimented with the Bishop of Dunkel and Nicholas Otterburn is sent over the Seas in Embassie This troublesome and unprofitable honour abroad is laid upon him that he might be separate from the King and suspended from opposing to the private designs of the Earl at home This obstacle of his ambition removed which had neither moderation nor limits the Earl may exclude such Officers in State or Court who were not agreeable to him and substitute others of his Creation after his pleasure he hath now room and opportunity for his greatest designs His Kindred are without pausing preferred to Offices of State his Brothers to new honours Archembald is made Earl of Murray by the marriage of a Lady of the house of Dumbar who was Heir of the Lands and the Kings Ward George is created Earl of Ormond John made Lord of Balvenie and hath his Donation ratified in an Assembly of three Estates who were convented at Edenburgh for matters concerning the Marriage of the King but in effect that the Earl might pursue his old Enemies The Commissioners are chosen after his pleasure are prepared and instructed by him prelimitated and to combine power with craft he entreth in an offensive and defensive League with many Noblemen Barons and Gentlemen of the Kingdom All the wheels and vices of his Clock being right set Alexander Levingston late Governour Alexander his eldest Son Robert Levingston Treasurer David Levingston James Dundas Robert Bruce of Clackmannan Knights for Peculate and converting the Princes Treasure
and wicked men begin at that which seemeth the least of evils or not an evil at all at the first your last aim is likely to be the robbing upon the Crown Consider my Lord ye are born under a Monarchy which admitteth no Soveraignty but it self and it is natural to Princes to hold it in highest esteem and in no case to suffer it to be shaken by their Subjects Take your Prince for your best protection and an innocent life renounce that Union and League with your Peers which excepted or commanded or approved or remitted by your Prince subsisteth not in Law nor in Reason being forbidden under great pains and let it not be heard any longer that ever such an unjust Confederation way and so wonted clemency shall be preferred before deserved Justice The Earl replyed The League being drawn up by the common consent of many Lords Barons and Gentlemen and subscribed it could not be cancell'd nor renounc'd but by their common consent nor was it profitable for the King nor to him other ways to have it done That being together they might condescend to the renouncing and cancelling of it But says the King you to shew good example to the rest shall first begin Neither living shall any Traytor in my presence disavow and disclaim my Authority in what is within my possibility of accomplishing The Earl requests him to remember he came to Court upon a publick assurance A publick assurance cannot so warrant any man but that he may fall by his own private misdemeanor answered the King withal considering a mean courage in a King to be an imputation and that he did neither wrong towards God nor his Fame in revenging himself upon the enemies of the State The place a strong Castle his present power all within being his Councellors and Servants the danger if he should escape the easiness of suppressing the Rebellion the head taken away The Earl continuing hot and stubborn in debating his points of the League wrath banishing other Doubts and Interests his Dagger performed what armed Justice scarce dared attempt The Kings blow the noise arising was seconded by a number of his Servants who rushing in the Room left him dead upon Shrewd-Eve the Twenty second of February One thousand four hundred fifty two About the last Scene of this Tragedy a pair of Spurs between two Platters an Emblem of speedy flight as a part of the Kings Banquet is directed to Sir James Hamilton of Cadyow This he communicated to the Lords and Gentlemen of the Union in which time the News of the Earls death is spread abroad The Leaguers finding themselves weak to carry so strong a place as the Castle in hot blood set on fire divers quarters of the Town of Sterlin make Proclamation against the King and his Council for violating the assurance granted the Earl Infamous Libels are spread every where and the safe Conduct of the King and his Council bound to a wooden Truncheon at a Horses-tail is trailed along the streets In the Market-place by the mouth of a Cryer to the sound of all their hunting-horns they declare the King and those that abode with him Faith-breakers perjured persons enemies to all goodness and good men James the next brother of the house of Dowglass a Church-man being proclaimed Earl in rage and madness committing all sort of Hostility they over-run the Lands and Possessions of those whom they suspected would side the King and not prove of their party John Lord of Dalkeith their Kinsman and of the name of Dowglass they besiege in his Castle of Dalkeith for that he hated their proceedings the Tenants and Vassals of the Earl of Anguss are plundered for the same cause The strength of the place raised the Siege of Dalkieth and the Earl of Anguss by their many wrongs and insolencies remained more constant to the King In this time the King writeth to all the good Towns in the Realm and Church-men giving reasons for the taking away of the Earl imputing the fault to the Earl himself exhorting the people to make no stir for the just execution of a Man born for the ruine of the Kingdom and who voluntarily had precipitated himself in his own mis-hap offering all his power to keep the Country in quietness according to that Authority in which God hath placed him This blow as particular Interests made the hearts of men incline and as passions were various was variously and in several manners taken Some without inquiring of circumstances after what fashion or occasion soever done allowing it thought the King had more clear and evident inducements for his deed then could fall within the Labyrinths of reasoning The Majesty of a Prince hardly falleth from an height to a midst but easily is precipitated from any midst to the lowest degree and station The King said they hath obviated this fall hath set afoot again and raised his Authority threatned with ruine he hath vindicated his liberty almost thrall'd hath assured the Lives Honours Estates of many Loyal Subjects which were endangered by not adhering to the League of the Earl and keeping their Oath of Allegiance to the King he if he please now with Honor and Reputation may hold his Parliaments bring to pass his designs for the conservation of his Authority and the peace of his Subjects Others blamed this Deed every where and in every circumstance laying perjury and murder against him and the breaking of the publick Faith and Assurance the common Band of humane Society the common defence of all and the ground of Justice To which it was answered that the Earl was not taken away for his past demerits and misdeservings but for what he had recently committed in the Kings own presence having spoken to him with an insupportable irreverence They which have safe conduct being obliged to shun all kind of offence towards him who gives it them any enormity being sufficient to annul the benefit of it More for the breach of Faith the Earl and his confederates were the more perjured and he the murtherer of himself they having violated that Natural Oath to their King which all Subjects owe to their Soveraigns by drawing up a League among his People to the breaking of the tyes of Soveraignty giving by this occasion and just cause to the King to reward them after their demerits Most said the killing of the Earl was evil but that it was a necessary evil That as Nature suffereth not two Suns so reason of State suffereth not that in one Kingdom there be Two Kings but that of necessity the one must overthrow the other and matters going thus he who giveth the first blow hath the advantage Thus did Men judge diversly after their proper Interests of the deeds of others The Torrent of these disorders encreasing Laws are neglected Towns Villages Houses the High-ways are every where afflicted with Rapine Fire and Fury and save needy boldness nothing is safe and secure in any place The changing Multitude
the Publick-weal of the Kingdom for his private Considerations That after this trouble of State he might be more esteemed and sought after by the King as it is ordinarily practised among Princes and great men who affect only that which is necessary unto them To these the Earl answered That they had went too far forwards to think of any cowardly retreat and coming back again that the only vertue under a Tyrant was to die constantly that other vertues did fight but constancy alone triumphed That for himself he would never trust his life to the mercy of those who under colour of friendship and banqueting had first made away his two Kinsmen and after his own Brother for if they being Innocents were thus handled what might he expect who had been the occasion of such distraction in the State He that once had broken his faith except by a surety is unable again in Law to contract and enter in Bond with any who will be surety between a King and his Subjects That Treaties Agreements Covenants Bargains of a Prince with rebellious Subjects engage him no farther no longer than the Term-time or day which pleaseth him to accept observe and keep them as they turn or may turn to his utility and advantage that as in Nature there is no regress found from privation to an habit so neither in State men once disgraced do return to their former Honours That Princes mortally hated all Subjects who had either attempted to over-rule them by power or had cast any terrour upon them and howsoever by constraint they bear sail for a time in the end they were sure pay-masters That there was nothing more contrary to a good Agreement then to appear to be too earnest and busie to seek to obtain it he would sue for none That all his days he had loved sincerity constancy and fidelity and could not unsay and recant what he had promised and practised nor do against his heart His friends and his own standing was by their Swords which should either advance their enterprizes and turn them Victor or they would die Honourably like themselves and Men and not ignobly be murdered like Beasts This free and dangerous resolution of the Earl moved many who heard to provide for their own safety and resolve not to suffer long misery for other mens folly finding this war was not like to have any end and that danger and death would be the only reward of their Rebellion Amongst others the Earl of Crawford after great adversity when he could not move the Earl of Dowglass to submit himself to the Kings clemency with many tears and protestations of his sincerity love and counsel to him left him and some weeks after as the King was in Progress in Anguss in a sad penitential manner accompanied with his best friends coming in his way with much humility and sorrow He acknowledged his fault pleading rather for pity to his house which had so long flourished than to his person The King knowing his example would be no small occasion to weaken the power of the Earl of Dowglass and that of all the Rebels he was the greatest object of his Clemency was content to receive him but he would have it done by the mediation of James Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews and the Lord Creightoun once his greatest Enemies which he refused not to embrace Thus freely remitted with those who accompanied him he returned to his own House of Phanheaven where within few moneths he died of a burning Ague The three Estates after assembled at Edenburgh where James Earl of Dowglass the Countess Beatrix whom he kept by way of a pretended Marriage Archembald Dowglass Earl of Murray George Earl of Ormond John Dowglass Lord of Balveny with others their adherents friends and followers are Attainted of High Treason and their Lands and Goods are Confiscate and discerned to be seized on to the Kings use The Earldom of Murray is given to James Creighton who had married the eldest Daughter of the Earl of Murray but he perceiving he could not possess it in peace turned it back again to the King At this time George Creightoun was created Earl of Caithness William Hay Constable Earl of Arrol Darly Halles Boyd Lyle and Lorn Lords of Parliament the King maketh a rode into Galloway reducing every strong hold and Castle of the Country to his Power Dowglass-dale he abandoned to the spoil of the Souldier Matters at home turning desperate the Earl of Dowglass being brought to that pass that he knew not what to wish or fear James Hamilton of Cadyow is sent to England to invite the ancient enemy of the kingdom to take a part of her spoil and help to trouble the King But the English had greater business amongst themselves than could permit them to Wed the Quarrels of the Earl After Sir James Hamilton was returned with an excuse and regret that some of the English Lords could not supply their confusion but only by their counsel he advised the Earl of Dowglass to trust to his own Power and Forces which were sufficient measuring their Courage and not counting their Heads to hold good against the King There was no human affairs where men were not necessitated to run some danger nor any business taken in hand with such a certainty which by unknown causes and even light ones might not run a hazard of some mishap That he should study to embrace and accept of what was most honourable and least dangerous it was better once to try the worst then ever to be in fear of it it was fit for him to commit something to fortune and wisdom could counsel nothing but to shun the greatest evil This lingring war would not only tire but over-come and vanquish them when one fair day of battel either by death or victory would crown their desires Others advised him not to hazard upon a Battel except upon seen and approved advantage and to time it out a while in this lingring War a Truce might be agreed upon which ere long might turn in a Peace in which every thing passed might be forgotten and pardoned That Wars were managed more by occasions and times than by arms That the King could not be now but tyred since he had learned that by essaying by arms to overcome them he had gained nothing but trained up his Subjects whom he called Rebels in all Warlike Discipline and had his Country spoiled and the Policy defaced Should they once enter in blood all hopes were gone of any conditions of peace At this time the King besieged the Castle of Abercorn to relieve the besieged hither marcheth with all his Forces the Earl of Dowglass being come within view of the Kings Army he observeth their march slow the countenance of his Souldiers altered much whispering and their spirits in a manner dejected Countrymen were to Fight against Countrymen friends against friends and all against their Prince Interpreting this rather to proceed from their weariedness than
of Fortune the blame of her unlawful Wedlock laid upon the Earl consented to by her out of a certain fear of her life submitted her self to the Kings Clemency The King who denied not mercy to any that sought it of him that the less guilty amongst the seditious might withdraw themselves and the obstinate remain the less powerful and weak receiveth her and giveth her in Marriage to his Brother John Earl of Athol son to the Black Knight of Lorne designing for her Dowry the Lordship of Balveny By her example the Countess of Ross abhorring the fierceness and cruelties as she gave out of her barbarous Husband but rather out of policy to be an Agent for him flyeth to the King and hath Revenues allowed her for the maintenance of her Estate Not long after the Earl of Ross himself the misadventure of his Confederates having taught him now some wisdom having seen the Kings Clemency towards others equal to him in Treason and Rebellion by many humble supplications craved pardon and begged peace The King by his great prudence and the course of the affairs of his Kingdom knew that it was necessary sometimes to condescend to the imperfections and faults of some Subjects and having compassion apply and accomodate himself to that which though according to the strictness of equity was not due yet for the present occasion and reason of State was convenient answered he would neither altogether pardon him nor flatly reject him there being many signs of his wickedness few of his changed mind when honestly without fraud or guile he should crave a Pardon and give satisfaction to those whom by blood and pillage he had wronged and by some noble action deface the remembrance of his former crimes then should it be good time to receive him Notwithstanding this should not discourage him but he should know he had a desire to make him relish the effects of his bounty so he himself would find the means and subject In this interim he wished him to keep the common peace of the Country and not oppress any of his Neighbours About this time the University of Glasgow was founded by William Turnbul Bishop of that See William Hay Earl of Arrol George Creightoun Earl of Caithness William Lord Creightoun died One thousand four hundred fifty five and the Bishop of St. Andrews is made Chancellour The King partly having loosed partly cut in pieces that Gordian knot of the League of his Nobility began to reobtain again the ancient Authority of the Kings his Predecessours giving and imposing Laws to his Subjects according to reason and greatest conveniences Shortly progressing through the Quarters of the kingdom by the sound counsel and instructions of the Bishop of St. Andrews James Kennedy and William Saintclare Earl of Orknay used such clemency that in a short time he reclaimed all his turbulent subjects In the year One thousand four hundred fifty five he held a Parliament where he ratified what was resolved upon to be done for the peace and weal of his People establishing many profitable Laws for the posterity after this time Embassadors came from England and France unto him Henry the sixth King of England a soft facile Prince and more fit to obey than command having restored in blood and allowed the descent of Richard Plantagenet Duke of York the Duke under pretence and countenance of reforming the State and removing of bad Counsellors from the Court the umbrage of all Rebellions by one Jack Cade an Irish a bold man and who had a Spirit which did not correspond with his low condition who feigned himself to be a Cousin of his of the House of Mortimer and other his Instruments raised a Rebellion which began amongst the Kentish-men and was after continued by his Confederacy with the Duke of Norfolk Earls of Warwick Salisbury Devon and others and notwithstanding he had sworn fealty to King Henry at Blackheath again openly took arms gainst him at St. Albans where in pitched field Edmond Duke of Somerset his greatest Competitor and who had been preferred to his place in the Regency of France was killed the King wounded taken and committed to the Tower of London At a Parliament after the Duke is made Protector of the Kingdom at another Parliament he maketh claim for the Crown as in his own Right laying down thus his Title The Son of Ann Mortimer Daughter and Heir to Roger Mortimer Earl of March Son and Heir of Philip the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Son of King Edward the Third and elder Brother to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster is to be preferred by very good right in Succession of the Crown before the Children of John of Gaunt the fourth Son of the said Edward the Third but Richard Plantagenet Duke of York is come of Philip the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Third Son to King Edward the Third then to be preferred to the Children of the fourth Son who was John of Gaunt and so to Henry the Fourth the Usurper his Son to Henry stiling himself Henry the Fifth his Son and Henry the Sixth now wrongfully calling himself King of England This Parliament chosen to the Duke of Yorks own mind at first various at last unanimously enacted that Henry during his life should retain the Name and Honour of a King but that the Duke of York should be continued Protector of the Country and be declared Heir apparent and Successor of the Crown after the death of Henry Margaret the Queen Daughter to Rheny King of Sicily more couragious than her Husband disclaimeth the Parliamentary Authority and this Agreement of her King with the Duke of York as a matter done to the prejudice of her Son and against the Laws of Nations which admit not of a forced Contract and done by a Prisoner The Crown of England hanging at this point the Queen to her defence imploring the aid and assistance of her best greatest Friends and Allies sendeth Embassadors to King James These remembring the duties one King oweth to another against Rebels and the Usurpers of their Crowns the correspondency and amity of King Henry with King James during his posterity expostulating the cruelty of the Rebels against Edmond the late Duke of Somerset Uncle to King James slain by them in defence of his Prince promise in their Kings Name Queens and their Sons with the approbation of the Noble-men of their Party to restore to the Kings of Scotland the Lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Bishoprick of Durham after the manner the Kings of Scotland in former times had held these Territories of the Kings of England so he would raise an Army and advance to their aid and supply The Duke of York sent hither also his Embassadors giving in many complaints against King Henry he had oppressed the people with taxations and all kinds of exactations he had preferred to places of State and Government new men by whose counsel and his Queen he governed
and with her who would be partaker of all his misfortunes returned to Denmark from Denmark by Germany he came to King Lovys in France who interposed his requests to King James for his regress and restoring but the Letters in his favour producing no effects Charles Duke of Burgundy making War against his Rebel Subjects he was graciously received by him and entertained as his Ally his Lady remained at Antwerp where she bore him two children James and Gracile Lady Margaret the 10 of July 1469. or after others 1470. maketh her entry into Edenburgh 1469. and scarce having attained the sixteenth year of her age is married to King James in the Abby Church of Holy-rood house and in the month of November following by a Convention of the three Estates was Crowned Queen The King inexorable in the behalf of the Earl of Arran and breathing his total Ruine sendeth Letters to Antwerp filled with promises and threatnings to move his Sister to return to Scotland These at the first prevailed nothing with this Lady to make her forsake the husband of her youth many Letters and from several friends and well-wishers in several fashions and stiles coming to her at last she was brought to believe her presence would mollifie the mind of her enemies and work her husband a re-establishment of his former favours with the King her Brother and restore him to all his Possessions and Dignities Upon which hopes she comes to Scotland But these hopes proved all false for instead of having access to her brother she is kept at Kilmarnock the chief House of the Boyds as in a free Prison and her Husband is summoned within threescore days to adhere to his Wife under pain of Divorce the unfortunate Earl for fear of his head not appearing his Marriage is declared Null his Wife is divorced from him and is constrained to marry James Lord Hamilton to whom also the Earldom of Arran was given for Dowry Not long after her two children to Earl Thomas James and Gracile are brought to Scotland who in the proceeding of time proved little more fortunate than their Father for James was slain by Hugh Montgomery of Eglington and Gracile though first married to the Earl of Cassiles and after to the Lord Forbess was barren Some have recorded that the Earl Thomas after this violent bereaving him of his Wife died of displeasure at Antwerp and had a Tomb raised over him with an honourable Inscription by Charles Duke of Burgundy others who hate the Boyds tell he died not at Antwerp but at Florence and that he was killed by a Merchant of Florence out of jealousie of having abused his Wife Queen Margaret the third year after her Marriage in the Month of March brought forth a Son who was named James and Christern King of Denmark to congratulate the happy delivery of his daughter and of expectation of a continued succession to the Crown of Scotland of his Race released all his right title claim which he or his successors might have to the Isles of Orkney and Scythland The King calleth after a Parliament at Edenburgh wherein though the Reformation of abuses as wearing of Silk and other foraign triffles the building of Ships and the enacting Laws for the present time were pretended a liberal Subsidy was the greatest aim His Exchequer being empty and many of his best friends turning necessitous and needy John Lord of the Isles was attainted for his own and his Fathers misdemeanour the King raiseth Forces to pursue him the Earl of Crawford being made Admiral the Earl of Athol the Kings Uncle Lieutenant of the Regiments by Land such means in a short time was used by the Earl of Athol that the Lord of the Isles submitted himself to the Kings clemency and in a convention of the States at Edenburgh he resigned all the right he had to the Earldom of Ross the lands of Knapden and Kintyre which the King annexed to the Crown Patrick Graham Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews having at Rome understood the fall of the Boyds returneth to his own Country where first amongst his friends and the most peaceable sort of the Clergy he divulgateth the Bull of the Pope for his Supremacy over the other Churchmen of the Kingdom and his power of their tryal and promoting to benefices and after caused proclaim it at all publick places The laudable Elections anciently used about the Places and Offices of Churchmen by the corruption of the times being taken away and that Power altogether assumed by the King The Courtiers who were accustomed to sell Benefices and the Churchmen who were wont to buy them reject the Bull and set themselves against him by their traffick he is discharged to take the Place or Ornaments of an Arch-Bishop or carry any other Cross or Cap than what the former Bishops used to have But here they set not up their rest William Schevez a man in those times admired for his skill in Astrology and promoted to be Arch-Dean of Saint Andrews seconded by John Lock the Rector of that University a better Grammarian than Christian Excommunicates this Arch-Bishop for his presumption and that he sought to bear Rule over his brethren Bishops When this censure had passed upon him he is degraded and shut up in Prison William Schevez is after promoted to his place and Consecrated upon the Passion Sunday in Lent at Holy-rood house the King being present he likewise received the Title and Faculty of Legate and is confirmed Primate of the Realm notwithstanding the impediments objected to Patrick Graham by the Church-men concerning that same dignity and preheminency So various and deceitful are the ways of Men. The King being slow to action and more inclined to a solitary form of Life than to travel and business his brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless Spirits to whom publick imployments were recreations 1469. and withal being ambitious prodigal desirous of Rule and to be Governours of the people themselves and Kings in fact however their elder brother was in title they set themselves altogether to study novations and bring the King in contempt with his Subjects and divert their minds and love towards him To this effect they had drawn by their towardness and familiarity many of the young Nobles and Gentlemen to follow them The King was obnoxious to some publick Scandals for by his too great frugality care to encrease his Treasure and study of Purchasing by Taxations sale of Church Benefices and too exact taking up of Fines supervaluation of Wards he had gotten the name of Covetous and was no small distast amongst the Commons Edward King of England that the Scots by the instigation of the French should not trouble his new and scarce settled government imploying all his counsels and diligence to divide them amongst themselves wrought not a little on the unquiet Spirits of these young men The Duke of Albany having been taken upon the Seas by the English was honourably entertained by him
abolition for all was past and the Kings hand at it they doubted not to null and make it void All being done by a King constrained by a powerful Army and a close Prisoner which writing could not oblige any private man far less a King what he then bargained was upon constraint and yielded unto upon hopes of saving his life and an Act exacted by force The Duke of Albany finding by the Malice and detraction of a malignant Faction his Brothers countenance altered towards him and danger the requital of his late setting him at liberty the established reconciliation being shaken by suspicions and fancy of revenge obeying necessity fled to his Castle of Dumbar out of which he came to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester the consideration of his grievances In his absence he is convinced of many points of Treason besides the being accessary to the taking of Berwick by the English As his dangerous and long intelligence with the King of England his sending of many Messengers at all occasions unto him That without any safe conduct or pass from his Brother and not so much as acquainting him he had left the Country come into England to devise Conspiracies against his King and native Kingdom The Lord Creighton as his friend associate and complice is forefeited with him against whom Informations were given That often and divers times under the pretence of hunting secretly with the Duke of Albany he rode into England and there meeting with Commissioners sent by King Edward he deliberated of matters concerning novations and of the altering the State That there he kept appointments with James Earl of Douglass the often quench'd fire-brand of his Country That in spight of the Kings Forces sent their to lie in Garrison he kept the Castle of Creighton The greatest discontent the King conceived against him was love to one of his Sisters and some feminine jealousies When the Duke understood the proceedings against himself and the Lord Creighton and that for their contumacy and not appearing to answer and give in their answer they were convict of Treason and their Lands to be seized upon He caused give up the Castle of Dumbar of which he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately placed by Sea a Garrison in it About this time Edward King of England left this World One thousand four hundred eighty three and his Brother Richard Duke of Gloucester did first take the name of Protector and Governour of the Kingdom of England and after his Brothers Sons put in the Tower and their Mother the Queen taking Sanctuary in the Month of June possest himself of the Crown The Duke of Albany finding that Richard by his change of Fortune had not changed his affection towards him imploreth his Aid in restoring him to his own and repairing not his wrongs alone but a wrong done in his sufferings to the King of England sith there was now an open breach of the Truce and Peace so solemnly by him set down and confirmed by his Brother If he could be furnished but with a few number of choice men of reputation and power to pass into Scotland and take a tryal of the Minds and good will of his Friends and Confederates he doubted not at his entring the Country to find numbers who by his presence would hazard upon the most desperate dangers Richard finding the man his Supplicant with whom he endeavoured once an entire friendship and whose advancement in Authority he had most studied condescendeth that five hundred men and Horses should be chosen upon the borders with others who were outlaws and necessitated sometime to make incursions and with James the old Earl of Douglass a man well known and renowned in the West-borders should make an in-road into Scotland The two and twentieth day of July the banished Champion having chosen a good number of their borderers put forward towards Loch-Maben to surprize a Fair spoil a publick Market seize upon all the Buyers and Sellers which here meet and Traffick every St. Magdalens Festival under pretence of Devotion and the liberty of Trading many English had hither resorted at the twelfth hour of the day when the Merchants and Country-people were in greatest security the Burse is Invaded and not Bloud but Wares sought after the Laird of Johnstoun who was Warden and Laird of Cockpool with many stout Borderers having Surveyed and Ridden through the places where the People were met to prevent and hinder all disorders and dangers at the noise of an Incursion of the English dispatch Posts to the adjacent bounds for supply and in the mean time rencounter the Plunderers of the Fair. Here is it Fought with greater courage than force and in a long continued Skirmish the danger of the loss stir'd up and incited the parties as much as Fame and Glory The day was near spent leaving the advantage to either side disputable when the supply of fresh men come to defend their Country and Friends turned the Fortune of the Fight and put the English borderers all to the rout The Duke of Albany by the swiftness of his Horse and the good attendance of his Servants winneth English ground but the Earl of Dowglass loaden and heavy with years and arms is taken by Robert Kirken-patrick who for that service got the lands of Kirk-michael and brought as in triumph to Edenburgh It is Recorded that when the Earl was come in the Kings presence he turn'd his back and refus'd to look him in the face considering the many outrages he had perpetrated against his Father and this late offence The King taken with the goodly personage gravity and great age of the man commiserating his long patience and cross fortune being in his young days designed to be a Church-man confin'd him as in a free Prison in the Abacy of Lyndores Besides he considered that when occasion served he might bring him out of this solitariness and in these turbulent times by his counsel and presence play more advantageously his game of State being a man of long experience in the affairs of the World and the most learned of all his Nobility He was now become tyred of the Earl of Anguss the remembrance of his first offence remaining deeply ingraven in his heart and to counterpoise his greatness this was the only weight The Duke of Albany found little better entertainment in England the Battel being lost some men taken and killed this being the first road upon Scotland under the Reign of Richard who had been formerly so fortunate in his own Person his Fame injur'd and reputation by this diminished the Duke began to be disliked and was not received with that kindness he was wont whereupon by the Assistance and Convoy of John Liddale he secretly retired to France After the Road of Lochmaben sundry incursions are made by the Scots upon the English borders and by the English upon the Scottish The Champian ground is scoured houses are burnt booties taken
the danger of the example had power to divert the minds of men from such a cruel Design This was really to seeth the Kid in the Mothers milk and to make an innocent youth obnoxious to the most hainous Crime that could be committed Whatever courtains could be spread to overshadow and cover this mischief the horrour of this Fact possest this Prince to his last hour and God out of his Justice executed the revenge of his cruelty upon the Nobles Commons and the Prince himself at the field of Flowden where some of the chief Actors of this Paricide were in their own persons others in the persons of their Successors sacrificed to the Ghost of this King Iames. IIII. king of Scotts Anō 1488. THE HISTORY Of the LIFE and Reign of James the Fourth KING of SCOTLAND THe Lords who had chosen rather to be reputed famous Rebels than contemn'd Subjects by their boldness of enterprizing skill of managing the Publick affairs and continued purchases swelling to that greatness of Power that they found none to counterpoise few to oppose to their Designs to make their Rebellion lawful and show the World they intended not the Subversion of their Country but of their opinionative King nor that they did dislike Soveraignity so they might have a Prince who would be ruled by their directions take the name and leave to them the Majesty and Authority of his place after the killing of the Father call a Parliament for the installing of the Son in the Royal Throne few of the three Estates here meeting except themselves and the Commissioners of Burroughs in the Month of June the year One thousand four hundred eighty eight at Edenburgh the Prince is Crowned then having not attained the sixteenth year of his age Though these men had assumed the Government yet in divers parts of the Country they had but doubtful obedience nor was their Authority universally acknowledged the flames of dissention seeming yet neither to be extinguished nor altogether smothered with the Life of the late King On the Sea Sir Andrew Wood who had attended the event of the last Battle maintained resolutely the Quarrel of his dead Master Five tall Ships sent by the King of England to his Confederates aid but which came too late pretending a revenge upon his disloyal Subjects pillaged the Maritime Towns and forraged the adjacent parts of the Country shut up the mouth of the River of Forth and interrupted the Commerce of Merchants To repel which violence the Ships gathered by the Lords struggled in vain being every way inferiour and weak to suppress their incursions and Algarards On the Land the Forces of those who had stood out for the late King had rather been by the last conflict scatter'd than throughly broken and brought under The ablest and most convenient Companies which were gathered to his Assistance having never assembled and joyned in one body the Fight being inconsideratly precipitated and the Dye thrown before they could descend from the far Mountains and cross the Ford-less Rivers And of those who were in the Fray not many being taken Prisoners fewer killed falling under the weight of friendly Arms. The prime Men of those who had chosen rather justly to follow the King than profitably his Rebels finding themselves for their loyalty and that good will which they had carryed to their Soveraign persecuted and proscrib'd in their Fortunes and Persons inflamed with indignation and shame resolved to oppose Wisdom to Fortune Courage to Strength and hazard some one day more for the repairing the losses of former the Pillage begun upon the Seas by the English animating them And being desirous to make as many fellows of their danger as they could they send Letters throughout all the quarters of the Kingdom to their Friends Familiars and Confederates encouraging them to ply the business generously opposing their valour and courage to the strength and power of the abusers of the Prince By publick Writings they cast aspersions on the present Government After that Battel of Sterlin and since the Coronation of the King they had not fallen in the power of a Monarch but under an Oligarchy the most depraved from all Governments the name and Title of a King a young man scarce sixteen years of Age enjoyed but he Govern'd not but was by the Killers of his Father misgoverned who under false pretences intended the ruin of the State What reproach and shame would it be not only with all men now living but also with Posterity to suffer these who had hazarded what they had dearest for the honour and preservation of their Prince to be branded with the name of Traytors be banished and followed to death Whilst the Transgressors and abusers of all Laws Divine and Humane sit Judges over them as revengers of general Wrongs usurping the Titles of Deliverers of the Country and Restorers of the Commonwealth amongst whose Paws the present King could not be assured and safe They being the men who to justifie their injustice and make their Fact meritorious brought him in Arms not knowing whether against his King and Father most wofully taken away besides the abusing of his Name and Authority in every civil matter The late King had lost the day and himself by his own Errors not by their Power and Designs Now they should oppose to their proceedings and though they might be esteemed inferiour in number to them yet if they met together they might be found equal to them in worth and courage being puft up by the last misfortune and only putting their confidence in that they mastered their Designs Much being projected and designed for their meeting in Arms in the North Alexander Lord Forbess a Man born neither to rest himself nor suffer others in Aberdeen and other Towns on the point of a Launce displayed the Shirt of the slaughtered King purpled with his blood inviting the Country as by an Herald to the revenge of his Murther In the West the Earl of Lenox a man eminent by his Birth and Fortunes hath the same resolution the Earl of Marshal Lords Gordon and Lyle with their Confederates in other parts of the Kingdom where their power or eloquence could prevail move all their Engins to advance the enterprize and put every thing in readiness The Lords of the insurrection having the young King in their hands to countenance their proceedings joyning discretion to their good success determine except upon necessity not to spill more civil blood and to disperse the Clouds of that appearing Storm they encourage Sir Andrew Wood now received in favour and brought not only to be an enemy but to be their friend and fellow-helper having obtained from them the Barony of Largow disposed to him hereditarily of which before he had only a Lease of the late King for his first Service with his Ships to clear the Forth and scour the Seas of the English And they Launch out to his assistance the Vessels and Boats of the Havens near adjacent
nothing from the common shape and proportion of the bodies of other men the members both for use and comliness being two their faces looking one way sitting they seemed two men to such who saw not the parts beneath and standing it could not be discerned to which of the two Bulks above the thighs and legs did appertain They had differing Passions and divers wills often chiding others for disorder in their behaviour and actions after much deliberation embracing that unto which they both consented By the Kings Direction they were carefully brought up and instructed in Musick and Forreign Languages This monster lived Twenty eight years and dyed when John Duke of Albany Govern'd Claud Gruget maketh mention of the like Monster born in Paris before the Marriage of Henry the Fourth the French King with Margarite of Valois but the birth and death of it were near together The King by his great Liberality unto Strangers abroad and his lavish spending at home for religious Places were founded Castles repaired Ships builded three of an extraordinary greatness finding himself needy of Treasure to support the daily expences at Court engaged to many and sunk deep in debt and that Subsidies he could not Levy except by the Suffrages of his Parliament by whose Power they were imposed and rated setteth the most learned Counsellors at Law and men experienced in Foreign Policy to find out new means and ways to acquire and gather him moneys by Laws already made and Ordained which was in effect to Pole the People by executing the rigour of Justice the Fortunes of wise men arising often on the expences of Fools after the example of King Henry the seventh of England his Father-in-law who taking the advantage of the breach of his penal Statutes gave power to Sir Richard Empson and Edmund Dudley by Informers and Promoters to oppress and ruine the Estates of many of his best Subjects whom King Henry the Eight to satisfy his wronged people after his decease caused Execute Old Customs are by these men pryed into and forgotten absolet Statutes quickned Amongst the Titles of possessing of Lands in Scotland there is one which in process of time of an ungodly custom grew strong and is kept for a Law being fetched by imitation from the Laws of the neighbouring States That if the possessour of Lands die and leave a Minor to succeed to him his Tutelage belongeth to the King and the profit of the Lands until the Minor be of the age of One and twenty years This is of those Lands which are termed Wards The King causeth bring up his Wards but bestoweth no more of their Rents upon them than is useful to such of that age By another Law they have not any thing better than this which they call Recognition that if the evidences of any Possessour of Ward-lands be not in all points formal and above exceptions of Law the Lands the possessours put from them shall return to the Lords Superiour and like to this That if a Possessour of Ward-Lands without the consent of the Superiour sell and put away the half or above the half of his Land and Farm the whole Land and Farm returneth to the Superiour or Lord Paramount They have Lands held with Clauses which they call Irritant that if two terms of a few-duty run unpaid into the Third the Land falleth unto the Superiour When those Laws and other like them by reason of the Neighbour Incursions and troubles with England and the civil broyls at home had been long out of use amongst the Subjects and the execution of them as it were in a manner forgot these Projectors and new Tol-masters the King giving way to enrich his Exchequer awakned them Many of the Subjects by these enquiries were obnoxious to the King and smarted but most the most honest who were constrained either to buy their own Lands and Inheritance from the Exchequer or quit and freely give some portion of them to those Caterpillars of the State The King was so dearly beloved of his People that in the height of those Grievances which reached near the exorbitant Avarice of his Father none refused or made difficulty to give all that the Laws ordained The King seeing their willingness to perform and knowing their great disability thereunto out of his singular Grace and Goodness remitteth not only the rigour but even the equity almost of his Laws insomuch that thereafter none of his Subjects were damnified in their Persons or Estates by his proceedings which gain'd him the hearts of all And to put away all suspicions and jealousies from their minds an ordinary Practice amongst Princes acts that fill Princes Coffers ever being the ruine of their first Projectors of any wrong intended He suffered the Promoters and Projectors of this Poling with others of the most active to be thrown into Prisons where some miserably ended their days The year One thousand five hundred and seven James Prince of Scotland and Isles was born at Holy-rood-House the Twenty first of January the Queen in her throws of birth being brought near the last Agony of Death the King overcome with affection and religious vows taketh a Pilgrimage for her recovery on foot to Saint Ninians in Galloway a place in those credulous times famous for the burial of St. Ninian the Apostle of the Britains and notorious by the many Processions and visits of the Neighbour Countries of Ireland and England at his return he findeth his Queen recovered the Child after dyed at Sterlin with the Bishop of Galloway who was appointed to attend him The year following the Queen brought forth another Son named Arthur at Holy-rood-House but he dyed also in the Castle of Edenburgh and Henry the Seventh his Grandfather accompanied him to the other World King James to the Coronation of the young King his Brother-in-law sendeth Embassadours After the death of his two Sons and his Father-in-Law as if he had been warned from above to think upon his own mortality whether he had a resolute intention so to do or that for reasons known to himself he would have it so appear he giveth out That out of remorse for bearing Arms in the Field where his Father was slain he had a resolution to leave his Kingdom and visit the holy Sepulchre Then to prepare his way Robert Blacka-Towre Abbot of Dumfermling is directed but the Abbot in his journey is Arrested by Death and the King findeth other hinderances to keep him at Home Amidst these deliberations his Queen is delivered in the Pallace of Linlithgow of her third Son in the Month of April One thousand five hundred and Twelve who succeeded to the Crown and was named James About this same time Bernard Stuart that famous Warriour under Charles the eighth of France who commanded the French in Bosworth Field came to Scotland followed by Andrew Foreman then Arch-Bishop of Burges and Bishop of Murray with Alexander Stuart the Kings Natural Son after promoted to be Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews
of the Nobility opposed it as to his coming into Scotland to accept the Government he alone would go to France charge him with it be his Convoy hither and maintain his Title This he was thought to have done for that despairing to reach and obtain this Dignity himself out of emulation he laid a design that never any other of the Nobles of the Kingdom should reach it affecting rather to give a Stranger the place than a Competitor bringing in the French to equal the ballance as principal himself only as accessory nothing doubting of a chief place in State as well for his forwardness in this election as for the necessity of his Service which the French could not well want and should never be lacking He feared also if the Faction of the Dowglasses prevail'd the greatness of the Earl of Anguss would be an umbrage to his and lessen impair it Their Lands Fortunes lying near to other as that the Queen by her power in England would cross his fairest projects The King of England had sent a Letter to the Lords of Scotland as he had done to the French King for that same effect remonstrating how dangerous it was for the State of Scotland and young King if they should make choice of the Duke of Albany Notwithstanding of all which through ambition malice envy of others discords amongst themselves they made choice of this Gentleman a stranger by his education and birth ignorant of the nature and manners of the Scots whose Father was banished for Treason against his Brother and dyed unrestored One altogether devoted to the French King and an enemy to the English not caring to keep the Country of Scotland in Wars and Troubles so he might defend the French Nation by making the Scots fight their battels After many private Letters from his Friends in Scotland especially from the Chamberlain inviting him to come home and accept his new dignity the Duke at last is required by the State and Lyon King of Arms is directed to him to acquaint him with their proceedings and make him forward on his way He to endear his coming and make himself the more desired of the People excusing his stay for a while which he laid upon the Treaty of Peace which was then to be agreed upon between England and France by the marriage of Lovys the French King with Mary the youngest Sister of Henry King of England which required his presence sendeth home the King of Arms with Letters from the French King with Sir Anthony Darcea le Siour de la Beautie This manpropounded certain conditions which the Duke required What should be the form of his Government his Guards what Castles should be delivered to him for his Garrisons the restoring his patrimony and Fathers dignities to him Which particularities being condescended unto the Castle of Dumbar was instantly delivered to la Beautie to be kept for a French Garrison at the Dukes coming and Sir Patrick Hamilton Brother to the Earl of Arran James Oguilbuy Abbot of Arbroth with the King of Arms were sent back again to France After their Arrival the Duke of Albany furnished with all necessaries by the French King with eight well rigged Ships took the Seas and in the month of May arrived on the West coasts of Scotland from whence with a great retinue of the Nobles and Barons of the Country by easie journeys the Queen meeting him he came to the Town of Edenburgh In the Parliament which had been prorogued for his coming the Duke accepted the Government and gave his Oath of fidelity to the King and Country and the three Estates gave their Oath of obedience to him and both swore in the Administration of Justice neither should be deficient to others Here is he restored to all his Fathers inheritance Titles and honours Being declared Duke of Albany Earl of March and Governour of the Kingdom till the King 's full maturity Many Laws are made for the weal of the Kingdom and to gratifie his Linnage James the natural Son of James the fourth is created Earl of Murray At the presence of this new Governour the face of the State turned more beautiful and the Court more Royal oppression is restrained justice sincerely executed the Court is frequented with good and virtuous men Malefactors and naughty persons banish themselves He maketh a progress to all the notable Towns of the Kingdom seeing crimes punished and faults amended Being a Stranger and not throughly acquainted with the municipal Statutes and particular practices of the Country in matters great and of importance he proceedeth by the instructions and informations of some choice men of the Nation it self Especially since he was not infinite to listen to the advice of every one he gave himself to hearken and follow the opinion and counsel of John Hepburn Prior of St. Andrews whose judgment in his greatest difficulties he receives as an Oracle This man being of a subtle mind malitious crafty rich and endued with some Courtly eloquence by a counterfeit Pretence of knowledge of the affairs of the Kingdom and State neither in some things did he err at first being very familiar with the Duke and in a little time after by bribing secretly some of his choice Servants turned his only Privado and almost possessed alone his judgment and ear He informed him of the strength and Riches of the Country of the nature of the people manner of their Laws revealed to him many secrets of the Government He gave him a Catalogue of the whole deadly fewds and divisions amongst the Noblemen and Gentry opening unto him which were inveterate and had long continued and which were fresh upon what accidents they had their beginnings How in prosecuting Revenge in them they cared not how innocent any man was if he were of the Name and Alliance but rather thought the more innocent any was the more it testified their spight which they desired to manifest by taking him away He shewed him what factions were in the Kingdom who sway'd them and were the heads He told him the Scots were a violent fierce people mutinously proud and knew not how to obey without the Sword were drawn that they were never absolutely governed by their own Kings themselves far less would they be ruled by him who was but a Governour and half a Stranger King James the First they had killed they had made a League against King James the Second in open Battel they had overthrown King James the Third and the last King was by best judgments thought to have been secretly taken away here calling to mind the proclaiming of the Arch-bishop Andrew Formans Bull he omitted nothing could derogate to the Chamberlains reputation and honour and an evil opinion of him in the Governour He instructed him how the great Houses of Scotland were so joined and linkt together by kindred Alliances Bonds of service or Homage that no Gentleman of any quality although a Malefactor and a guilty person could
Fifth had been his Guest and after Royal entertainment was friendly dismissed He met with Francis the French King at Bullen which meeting seemed rather of Brothers come to countenance some marriage Pomp than contending Neighbours If King Henry had born any discontent against his Nephew he might long ere now have satisfied his ambition and at more easie rate when the King his Father with most of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland receiv'd that fatal overthrow by the Hills of Flowden and Banks of Till the refusing of an interview might divide the King and his Uncle upon which might follow some unnatural War Upon the other part the Church-men set all their Power to hinder this interview persuading themselves it would give a terrible blow to their Estates or Religion The principal cause say they why the King of England is so passionately earnest to have this meeting is to persuade his Nephew to conform Church-matters in Scotland to those already begun in England to abolish the Popes Authority to drive Religious Persons from their Lands Rents Houses invest the Jewels and Ornaments of the Churches Which counsel and example if King James should follow he would hazard or lose the friendship he had with the Pope Emperour and French King his best Confederates abandoned of which he and his Kingdom would be left a Prey to the tyranny of his Uncle if Henry kept no faith to God Men had no reason to trust unto him That this Interview was to intrap his Person He being the man whom the Pope and Emperour had designed to set upon his Throne and revenge their quarrels That it was grosly to err to be carried away with a shadow and appearance and leave a Substance to trust at once his Crown Person and Liberty to an Enemy And sith examples move more than Precepts let him think upon the hazard of King James the First eighteen years Prisoner and after sold to his Subjects Malcolm and William Kings of Scotland He should remember if yet he were therein to be instructed that Princes serve themselves with occasions over their Neighbours that they have greater care to satisfie their ambition than fear of shame for doing of wrongs with the present times or posterity That their Oaths were no longer kept than they observed their advantages That after he falleth in his hands he ought to follow his manners Religion forsaking and giving over his own natural disposition manners and freedom have no other affections nor motions than his For who cometh under the roof of a Tyrant turneth slave though he was a free man ere he did enter That this meeting with the Body would endanger the Soul and infect it with his Errors corrupting it with false opinions grounded upon a liberty to live to sensuality and Epicurean pleasure If upon the slighting of this Interview King Henry should denounce War against King James and invade his Countrey they in his just defence should furnish Moneys to entertain an Army and overturn his proceedings For the present necessity they offer to pay to him fifty thousand Crowns yearly and in any hazard of the Estate voluntarily to contribute all their Rents and Revenues providing it would please his Majesty to suffer justice to proceed against those who scandalously had sequestred themselves from the holy Church and to the contempt of his Laws publickly made profession of the opinions of Luther That the Goods of all who should be convict of Heresie which they esteemed to no less than an hundred thousand Crowns of yearly Rent should be brought to the Exchequer and their Lands annext to the Crown To this effect they intreat his Majesty to give them sufficient Judges truly Catholick and full of zeal and severity After long reasoning upon both sides it was agreed the King should not altogether refuse to meet his Uncle but adhere to the first offer propounded to his Embassadour concerning this Interview The meeting to be at Newcastle one thousand at the most in train with either King the time to be the Feast of St. Michael the Arch-Angel These Conditions not being embraced by King Henry would if not abolish totally at the least prolong the time of this meeting the King of England thinketh his Nephew too imperious to assume the Injunction of the whole circumstances of their meeting but rather than his suit should take no effect accepteth both of the Place and number of the Train and that he might have some point yielded unto him requireth the time may be the first of August These Conditions being almost agreed upon three or four hundreth Riddesdale and Tinedale men with other Borderers break upon Liddesdale and there with large incursions kill and forrage This during the Treaty falling miserably forth so much irritated King James that accepting the offers of his Clergy he gave over inwardly all intentions of any interview By prolonging time labouring to winde himself out of the Maze Hereupon he sendeth Letters full of excuses for his stay representing his many grievances and wrongs suffer'd and the seeds of discord began now to be sown amongst them To lighten and recreate his cloudy thoughts the Queen is delivered at Sterlin of another Son who with great solemnity is Baptized in the Chappel of the Castle and named Arthur The Prelates after mature deliberation present Sir James Hamiltoun natural Son to the Earl of Arran to be Supream Judge of the Inquisition against all suspect of Heresie and new Opinions differing from the Faith of the Roman Church The King approving their judgments in their choice admitteth him Sir James chearfully accepteth this new honour For now his ambition will find many guilty and miserable supplicants Yet was this change his ruine For whilst he persecuteth all who were informed against to be suspected of the Reform'd Religion having many in Jayls and numbers in his Scrolls to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process the supream Providence arresteth himself James Hamiltoun Sheriff of Linlithgow Brother to Mr. Patrick Hamiltoun Abbot of Ferm who had suffered for Religion and was Cousen to Sir James Hamiltoun of Fennard Lord Inquisitor for embracing his Brothers Opinions had been persued so by the Church-men that he was constrain'd to forsake his own Countrey and some years wander as a banisht man abroad But by his Friends at Court having purchased a Licence or Protection for some months to see his desolate Family and put his private Affairs in order cometh home Where finding the censorian Power to be in his Cousens hands for where should he have Sanctuary if he were challenged by so near a Kinsman for matters of Religion imagining to himself an over-sight and preterition out-dateth by his stay his Protection Sir James to curry the favour of the Church-men and testifie how dearly the cause of the Catholick Faith touched him resolveth to begin with his Cousen For if he were so burnt up with zeal that he spar'd not his own blood in the quarrel of the Roman Faith
the reformed Religion and preferred the friendship of King Henry his Uncle to his Neither was he herein far Mistaken for some feared not to send him word that they had learned the Church-men had set him on work to extirpate his antient Nobility as if it were an easie matter to create as many out of the Gentry in whom being his own Creatures he might have greater confidence than any made by his Predecessours After this he turned so retired sullen and melancholy that every thing displeased him and he became even insupportable to himself not suffering his Domestick Servants to use their ordinary disport and recreations near him And as all day he projected and figured to himself new cares to perplex himself some of which might fall forth others could never come to pass So in the night time the objects of his dayly projects of working upon his fantasie limmed their dark shadows of displeasures which gave him terrible affright in his sleep Amongst many of which two are recorded as notable one in the History of the Church the other common both seem to have been forged by the Men of those times who thought fictions as powerful to breed an opinion in discontented minds as verities and they may challenge a place in the poetical part of History As he lay in the Pallace of Lithgow about the midst of the night he leaped out of his Bed called for Lights commandeth his Servants to search Thomas Scot his Justice Clark who he said stood by his Bed-side accompanied with hideous weights cursing the time that ever he had served him for by too great obedience to him he was by the justice of God condemned to everlasting torments Whilst they about him laboured to cure his wounded Imagination news came that Thomas Scot about the same hour of the Night was departed to the other World at Edenburgh and with no better Devotion than he was represented to the King After Sir James Hamiltoun had ended his part of this Tragicomedy of life he seemed to the King to have returned on the Stage and in a ghastly manner with a naked Sword in his hands he thought he parted both his arms from him advertising him he would come again shortly and be more fully revenged till which occasion he should suffer these wounds The next day after this vision which is recorded to have been the seventh of August word came that both his Sons were deceased and that almost in one hour James the Prince then one year old at St. Andrews Arthur one moneth old at Sterlin The King of England finding himself disappointed by his Nephew of their meeting and understanding it to have been occasioned by the Rhetorick and liberality of the Churchmen having many of the Nobility of Scotland of his faction whose innocency interpreted his Religion to be the reformed though indeed it was of his own stamp for he abolished the Pope but not Papacy by making prizes of Scottish Ships upon the Seas with his Fleet and incursions of his garrison'd Souldiers upon land beginneth the prologue of an unnecessary war King James to stop the English incursions placeth George Gordoun Earl of Huntley with his full power and authority at the Borders and directeth James Lermound of Darcey towards his Uncle to give sufficient reasons of his not meeting him at Newcastle withal to seek restitution of his Ships sith taken before any lawful War was proclaimed and to expostulate the hostility of the Borderers King Henry not only refuseth to render the Ships or give a reason for the breaking forth of the Garrisons on the Borders but delaying the answer of the Scottish Embassadour upon advantage of time sendeth Sir Robert Bowes seconded with the Earl of Anguss and Sir George Dowglass in hostile manner to invade Scotland These to the number of three thousand burn spoil small villages and ravage the Country near the debatable bounds The Earl of Huntley omitteth no occasion to resist them places garrisons in Kelso and Jedburgh assembling all the hardy Borderers and invadeth the English and Scottish forces at a Place named Hall-dan rig here it is soundly skirmished till the Lord Hume by the advancing of four hundred fresh Launces turned the fortune of the Day for the English were put to flight the Warden Sir Robert Bowes Captain of Norham Sir William Mowbray James Dowglass of Parkhead with the natural Son of the Earl of Anguss were taken Prisoners the Earl by the advantage of his horse escaping with others to the number of six hundred The Warden staied in Scotland till the Kings death This Road happened prosperously to the Scots the 24 of August 1541. being a Dise-mall St. Bartholomew to the English The War continuing till Midsumer King Henry sent the Earl of Norfolk whom he named the Rod of the Scots with great power towards Scotland with him the Earls of Shrewsbury Derby Camberland Surrey Hereford Anguss Rutland and the Lords of the North parts of England with an Army of fourty thousand men as they were esteemed With them he directeth James Lermound of Darcey the Scottish Embassadour to keep an equal march till they came to Berwick and there to stay that he should not give advertisement to his Master of any of his proceedings the Earl of Huntley upon advantages of places resisting the adventuring Routs who essayed to cross the Tweed But King James hearing the old Duke of Norfork was their Leader raiseth from all the parts of his Kingdom Companies and assembling them upon Sawtery-edge mustered thirty thousand men They encamped on Falla-Moor the King having advertisement that the Duke would march towards Edenburgh Ten thousand strong the Lords Hume Seatoun Areskin to make up the Earl of Huntleys forces are sent towards the borders The King himself expecting the Artillery and other furniture of War staieth with the body of the Army in the Camp During this time it is reported the Lords plotted a Reformation of the Court according to the example practised at Lawder-Bridge especially against such who were named Pensioners of the Priests but because they could not agree among themselves about those who should stretch the ropes every one striving to save his kinsman or friend they escaped all the danger That this attempt being revealed to the King he dismist some of his favourites in great fear to Edenburgh So malitious is faction armed with power Thomas Duke of Norfolk by such in the Scottish Camp who favoured King Henry having understood the preparation and mind of King James to meet him in an open field well knowing that Fortune had that much of a woman to favour young men more than old and that honourable retreats are no waies inferiour to brave Charges retireth off the Scottish ground and keeps his Forces on their own Marches For the valour and resolution of this young Prince might perhaps spoil and divest him of his former purchased Lawrels and Palms to the applause of King Henry who some thought being weary of his service to
the Pope the Kings of Spain or France after some revolutions of years seeking to trouble the state and peace of this Isle should entertain and maintain one of the Heirs of the Earls of Strathern as Queen Elizabeth did Don Antonio the Prior of Crato who claimed the Crown of Portugal to reclaim whose Kingdom She sent the Earl of Essex _____ and Drake or should marry one of them to their neerest Kinswomen and send him armed with power to claim his Title to the Crown of Scotland as King James the fourth of Scotland practised upon Perkin Warbeck naming himself Richard Duke of York to whom he gave in marriage Lady Katharine Gordoun Daughter to the Earl of Huntley and thereafter with all his forces to estable his said Ally in his Title invaded England It would be considered whether they had a fair bridge to come over to this Isle It would likewise be considered if the Earl of Strathern though a mean Subject these two hundred years having been debarred from all title to the Crown and now by the indulgency and exceeding favour of the Prince being restored to his descent in blood and served Heir to his great Progenitors and indirectly as by appendices to the Crown if either out of displeasure or for want of means to maintain their estates he or his should sell and dispose their Rights and Titles of the Kingdom of Scotland to some mighty and Foreign Prince such as is perhaps this day the King of Sweden who wanteth nothing but a title to invade a Kingdom not knowing whither to discharge his victorious forces It would be considered if that title disposed to that Prince were sufficient to make him King of Scotland Or if establishing his right upon fair conditions such as is liberty of conscience absolution and freedom from all taxes and subsidies the transferring of Ward lands into fewd the people of Scotland might give him their Oath of Allegiance or if he might redact the King of Scotland to give him satisfaction and compound for his right of the Crown of Scotland It would to these be considered If times should turn away the minds of Subjects from their Prince by superstition sedition and absolute Rebellion as what may not befall an inconstant ever wavering Nation to an Aristocratie Oligarchy Democratie or absolute Anarchy If the Rebellious subjects and abused Populace might not make advantage of such Men who draw their titles from Evanders mother to trouble the present times That nothing could be more dangerous to the Nobleman himself than this service may be understood by the like examples Clouis King of France having understood that a Nobleman of Artois named Canacare blown up by Powder had vaunted that he was come and lineally descended from Clodion le Chevelu and by that same Succession was heir of the Crown of France closed not his ears to it saies the History but caused extirpate that Sower of impostures and all his Race Henry the fourth King of England after the deposure of King Richard the second kept Edmond Mortimer Earl of March who had a just title to the Crown under such Keepers that he could never do nor attempt any thing till he dyed But Henry the seventh King of England took away Edward Plantaginet Duke of Warwick Heir to George Duke of Clarence by reason of his jealousie of Succession to his Uncle Edward the fourth Margaret Plantaginet his sole Daughter married to Sir Richard Pole knight by Henry the eight restored to the Earldom of Salisbury was attained threescore and two years after her Father had suffered and was in the Tower of London beheaded in whose person dyed the surname of Plantaginet Ann Plantaginet Daughter to Edward the fourth being marryed to Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norfolk was the ground and chief cause wherefore King Henry the eight cut off the head of Henry Earl of Surrey though the pretended cause whereon he was arraigned was the bearing certain arms of the house of York which only belonged to the King Mary Queen of England cut off the head of Lady Jane Gray and the Lord Guilford her Husband for their title to the Crown and that same reason was the overthrow and finall destruction of Mary Queen of Scotland by Queen Elizabeth The Duke of Guise by a Genealogy deduced from Charles the Great in the reign of Henry the third the French King was thought to aspire to the Crown of France and suffered at last for this and his other presumptions It is notoriously known that these two hundred years the Race of Euphane Ross in her children David Earl of Strathern and Walter Earl of Athol and all their Succession by all the Kings of Scotland sithence have been ever suppressed and kept under and for reason of State should still be kept low and under unless a Prince would for greater reason of State advance them to give them a more horrible blow and by suborning mercenary men make them aim above their reach to their last extirpation Dum nesciunt distinguere inter summa precipitia Princeps quem persequitur honorâ—… extollit in alium An intended Speech at the West Gate of Edenburgh to King JAMES SIR IF Nature could suffer Rocks to move and abandon their natural places this Town founded on the strength of Rocks now by the chearing Rays of your Majesties presence taking not only motion but life had with her Castle Temples and Houses moved towards you and besought you to acknowledge her yours and her indwellers your most humble and affectionate Subjects And to believe how many souls are within her Circuits so many lives are devoted to your sacred Person and Crown And here Sir She offers by me to the Altar of your glory whole Hecatombs of most happy desires praying all things may prove prosperous unto you that every Virtue and Heroick Grace which make a Prince eminent may with a long and blessed Government attend you Your Kingdoms flourishing abroad with Bays at home with Olives presenting you Sir who art the strong Key of this little World of Great-Britain with those keys which cast up the Gates of her affection and design you power to open all the springs of the hearts of those her most Loyal Citizens Yet this almost not necessary For as the Rose at the fair appearing of the morning Sun displayeth and spreadeth her purples So at the very noise of your happy return to this your native Countrey their hearts if they could have shined through their breasts were with joy and fair hopes made spatious Nor did they ever in all parts feel a more comfortable heat than the glory of your presence at this time darteth upon them The old forget their age and look fresh and young at the appearance of so gracious a Prince the young bear a part in your Welcom desiring many years of life that they may serve you long all have more Joys than Tongues For as the words of other Nations far go beyond
want of good will to enter the Lists as well to refresh and cherish them to be more prompt and lusty of courage the next morning as to take counsel what course to follow and how to dispose of their Game he stayeth that afternoon and pitcheth his Tents To men unfortunate every thing turneth an enemy Whether Sir James Hamilton gave way to this or not uncertain but after it is said that in a chafe he told the Earl he had neglected the opportunity of Fight and should never see so fair a day again in which he might have hazarded one cast of a Dye for a whole Kingdom But his Fortune was now declined and perhaps would never stand upright that by giving that night to his Souldiers to pause and deliberate on the matter they would perchance take the safest way be more advised what to enterprise the next morning readily not Fight at all consisting of a number of bold young Gentlemen Volunteers who for the most part out of bravery and compassion followed him That the Kings Army by his lingring and lying off was encouraged finding they were to cope with men who would advise ere they fought After which speeches he bad the Earl farewel And now knowing that the way lay open both for Pardon and Favour to him that would first seek it he in the night breaketh out with some friends and having got over the fields betwixt the two Camps was brought safely to the King who graciously received and freely pardoned him The Army having understood the clandestin Revolt and escape of Sir James Hamilton disbanded every man slipping away by secret passages to his own habitation that on the morrow there was nothing to be seen but the solitary field upon which they had encamped The King out of joy of this bloodless Victory caused Proclaim in all his chief Towns That since Soveraign Authority had no less splendor by the actions of Clemency then by these of Justice all those who had followed the Earl of Dowglass and been of his party rather by mis-fortune and unadvised rashness than any evil will against him should be freely pardoned Those who would abandon the Earl and come to the Kings Camp whosoever they were no Justice no Law should trouble them but they should be received to mercy and have all Pardon After this Proclamation many submitted themselves to the King and were pardoned though Sir James Hamilton was remitted yet that under colour of reconciliation worse mischief might not be plotted the King sent him with the Earl of Orkney to the Castle of Rossline during his pleasure and the taking in of the Castle of Abercorn remembring also it was some prejudice to a Prince to be obliged to any Rebel The Earl of Dowglass gathering together the split pieces of his Ship-wrack with his Brothers and so many of his Confederates as would not forsake him flieth to England here with much Travel by many promises of Rewards great hopes of spoil gathering unto him a power of Out-laws Felons Bancker-outs and such as lived by Rapine as well of his own Nation as of the English he maketh a Rode upon the West borders of Scotland some Villages being burnt many preys much spoil being driven into England at last he meeteth with the valiant men who were appointed to defend the Marches the Maxwells and Scots here in a furious skirmish his Companies are discomfited Archibald Earl of Murray's Brother is slain and his Head sent to the King the Earl of Ormond is taken Prisoner himself with the Lord Balvenny with great difficulty escaped in a Forest when he sought to return again into England he findeth all passages stopped up the ways layed for him and beginning to feel much want he is constrained in a disguised habit to lurk meanly in the inmost parts of Scotland till he wandred toward the far High-lands where finding Donald Earl of Ross Lord of the Isles one of his League a man cruel arrogant unpolisht after many discourses and long conference with him being no less eloquent than active he possesseth him with great hopes after a division of the Kingdom between them two of an absolute power and Government of all the Highlands besides the wealth and treasure which he would purchase by the spoil He requireth only he would break upon the more civil Countries bring all the Fire-brands he could to kindle and trouble them and cut work for the King whilst he with new supplies and a great Army to be raised in England should invade the Marches and bordering Countries The Earl of Ross who thought nothing impossible to him being to himself in these barbarous parts by phantasie a King and was used to vaunt of a long pedegree from Fergus relisheth the profit and possibility of this Enterprise sweareth to leave nothing undone for the accomplishing of it and parting with him upon mutual assurance entreateth only celerity and swift performance of what they had concluded Scarce was the Earl of Dowglass in England when the Earl of Ross the two Pillars of his Designs being Injustice and Violence supported by fair hopes from the South with his wild Mountainers and Islanders like an inundation over-runneth the Neighbour bounds Argile suffereth the first effects of their fury the Isle of Arran is taken and the Castle made a Bon-fire as if they were the Sacrifice for the sins of the rest the Bishop of the Isles saveth himself by flight and taketh Sanctuary Lochquebar and Murrayland are spoiled the Town of Innerness is set on fire the Castle surprised Murders Ravishings Robberies with what insolency the barbarous Canibals could commit are every where and the sad image of death ravageth amongst the common people The Earl of Dowglass now at his last shifts and efforts leaveth no shifts nor helps unsought out such who lived upon prey and spoil resort unto him he maketh hot incursions and after a most hostile manner which purchaseth him the hatred of all his Country-men and turned those who were indifferent in his quarrel his professed enemies this ravage continuing Henry Earl of Northumberland after slain at Caxtoun-field whom love of the valor of the House of Dowglass and the true commiseration had brought to take arms with him invadeth one quarter of the Marsh and the Earl of Dowglass turneth towards another But whilst they are dispersed and more eager and intentive to carry away spoil than to look to their own safety and military discipline the Earl of Anguss with Sir James Hamilton of Cadyow put them both with number and confusion overborn to flight slaying many and taking more Prisoners After this overthrow during the Kings reign the Earl of Dowglass deliberating not to oppose longer to necessity but to be still till better times never attempted to Invade his Country Amidst these incursions the Earl of Ormond at Edenburgh is beheaded the Countess of Dowglass Beatrice all hopes being lost of restoring her Husband despoiled of her Lands and fair Heritage turned now a Monster