going through France he spent it all and told his Holiness when he came to Rome that he had been robb'd by the way Whereupon presently another Legat was sent to Britain But the People hearing how they were cheated of their Money by the last procured an Order discharging this not to enter the Kingdom King Alexander dyed in Peace the thirty fifth year of his Reign and was buried at Melross 95. Alexander the third succeeded his Father A. D. 249. Being nine years of Age at his Coronation Ambassadors were sent to England demanding Margaret King Henry the third's Daughter in Marriage for King Alexander which was granted the next year the two Kings had a meeting at York where the Marriage was Solemnized During his Minority the Realm was well Governed by his Nobles taking the Government upon himself his first work was to summon the Earls of Monterth Athole and Buchan and the Lord Strabogy who were all of the Name of Cumings they not daring to appear were denounced Rebels They being now afraid thought nothing so much for their safety as the having the King in their Power which they got and confined him in the Castle of Sterling but the Earl of Athel who was the head of the Party dying their Hearts failed them and every one of them getting his Remission they set the King at Liberty soon after the Danes with a great Army invaded the Country the King with his Forces went against them and routed them killing twenty four Thousand of them the King returned to Norway with only four Ships which was all that was left of his whole Fleet. At this time Alexander Earl of Carrick passed to the holy-Holy-Land having a Daughter who succeeded to his Estate she Married Robert Rance Lord of Annaudale and bare to him that noble and invincible Champion Robert Bruce King of Scotland King Alexander had two Sons by his Queen viz. Prince Alexander and David and one Daughter Margaret who was married to the King of Norway she bare to him Margaret called the Maiden of Norway The King and Queen going to London to the Coronation of King Edward the first David the second Son dyed in their absence within a few years after the Prince dyed at Lundores to the great Grief of the Nation and not long after the King dyed by a fall from over a Rock at Kinghorn the thirty seventh year of his Reign Leaving none of his own direct Line to succeed him The Nobility having met upon this so important occasion they put the Kingdom into the hands of six Regents for the South side Robert Arch-Bishop of Glasgow John Cumine and John the great Steward of Scotland For the North the Arch-Bishop of S. Andrews Macdiff Earl of Fife and Cumine Earl of Buchan Edward of England sends to demand the Daughter Grand-Child in marriage as next Heir to the Crown which was agreed too but the Death of the Lady frustrated all that Negotiation by which means great contention arose between Bourn and John Baliol. Baliol managing the English and Bruce the French interest Baliol being in the second degree of relation and Bruce in the third the one being David Earle of Huntingtons Grand Child the other his great Grand Child matters standing thus the whole was referred to King Edward who coming to Berwick and calling Lawyers to his assistance pretends all equity but raised up eight other Competitors the better to weaken the claim of the other two and so handled the business that Bruce having refused the Crown in Homage to England upon his aceptance of these conditions 96. John Balliol was declared King A. D. 1293. In the fourth year of his Reign an Appeal being made against him to King Edward by Mac-Duff and he refusing to rise from his Seat to answer it King Edward enters Scotland masters the Country takes Baliol and sends him Prisoner to London and afterward to France where he dyed long after in Exile About this time Sir William Walace arose who to his Honour did so Heroically defend his Country in its low condition as made it easily appear that if he had had as happy a fortune to advance as he had to relieve he might have been Commemorated for as great a man as ever was in any age for having upon a quarrel Slain a Young English Gentleman and enforced to lurk in the Hills for safety of his life he became inured to such hardness that awaking his natural Courage he be came the Head of all the Malecontents and filled both the Kingdomes with his terror so that having gleaned up to a tumultuary Army he became Baliols Viceroy thus after some little skirmishes he reduced all beyond the Forts after which he went to England and Ranged up and down for some time and returned without opposition after which the English enters Scotland with a great Army and finding the Scots disposed under three Leaders who disputed among themselves for Priority quite routed them but soon after they made a general insurrection to oppose which King Edward sent Ralph Conniers with a great army who a by tripple Victory were defeated at Kolkin All this while Robert Bruce continued with King Edward who weary of the Kings delays and offputs at last strikes in with John Cumin Baliols Cousin german they agreed that Bruce should have the Kingdom and Cumine all Bruces Lands Cumine notwithstanding communicates this agreement to King Edward Bruce hath notice and by shooing his Horse backward escapes to Lockambban there he finds Cumines Letters advising to cut him off upon which he hastens to Dumforess where he heard that Cumin was and after his exprobrating his infidelity Stabs him dead in the Franciscan Monastery About the same time Walace was traiterously Betrayed by Sir John Monteits at Glasgow and delivered to the English and being brought to London was Cruelly executed in Smithfield and his Limbs hung up in the most Eminent places 97. Robert Bruce was after he had stayed for the Popes absolution for defiling the Monastery with the murder of Cumine Crowned at Scone 1306. a Valiant and Heroick Prince he had many Enemies both at home and abroad which Edward taking advantage off with the assistance of the Cumines quite Routed him forcing him to the Hills where he endured great Misery to the great ruine and Slaughter both of his Family and Friends but making to gether some little force he took Carrick and Innerness by surprisal and by this means augmented his Train so that he was in case to withstand Edward having obtained a considerable Victory though sick and forced to be held on horse back this gave him time to take in the remaining strength but they were within a year retaken from him which incouraged Edward the second to enter with a great Army to Scotland but had a great defeat at Bannokburn which occasioned the loss of Berwick and Bruces confirmation in Parliament some few years after were spent in light Skirmishes and Incursions Robert having some rest
his Ambassage was That the two Kings must have an interview at York this so startled the Church-men fearing that his Uncle might infect the King with the Opinions of the new Reformers that they opposed it with all their might Yet the King and his Council proposed that the Meeting might be at New-Castle which the Lord Howard would in no wise hear of but departed in a chafe King James having so many great Matches in his offer now resolves to accept of some one or other wherefore Sailing from Kirkaldie in ten days he arrived at Diep in Normandy and from thence to Vandosme where the Lady Mary of Burbon was but upon some considerations he setled not his Affections upon her though a great Beauty but went to Paris where he fell in Love with Magdalen Daughter to King Francis with her he was Married in the Church of Nostradam with great Solemnity and soon after Returned with her to Scotland but to his great Grief she Dyed within a few Months after and was Buried at Holyrood-House Not long after the King desirous of Succession sendeth David Beaton and the Lord Maxwel to France to propose Marriage in his Name to Mary of Lorrain In the mean time two Plots against his Life are discovered at Court one by John Eldest Son to the Lord Forbes who thereupon was put to Death yet the King was much Grieved afterward finding great probability that he was accused through Malice The other was Jane Doughlass with her Husband Archbald Campbel of Keepneeth who in the thoughts of many were as groundlesly Accused as the first yet both were found Guilty and Dyed for it The King's Marriage with the foresaid Lady being Concluded they are Married by Proxie and she Arrived in Scotland A. D. 1538. Soon after the Queen Dowager Dyed at Methwen and was Buried in the Charter-House of Perth Now began the Kingdom to be divided in Matters of Religion the Reformation breaking in upon them which perplexed the King exceedingly not knowing what course to take His Council was against violent Courses to be followed but the Prelates who had most his Ear gave him a quite contrary Advice after which most vigorous Inquisitions are established and Punishments denounced against all such as departed from Popery whereupon some are Burnt alive others Banished and many Imprisoned amongst which was that famous Poet and Historian Master George Buchanan who whilst his Keepers Slept escaped by a Window of the Prison the Muses holding the Rope The King of England having by this time so Irritated the Pope that he was Excommunicated sendeth again to his Nephew King James desiring an Interview at York the Nobility were clearly for it but the Church-men fearing their Bacon was as much against it pretending the hazard that his Person and Kingdom would be lyable to After long reasoning upon both sides it was agreed That the King should not altogether refuse to meet his Uncle but adhere to the first offer proposed to his Ambassador concerning this Interview which the King of England rather than his Sute should take no effect accepts But an Incursion which hapened upon the Borders made him that he lost all heart to the Interview hereupon he sendeth many Letters excusing his stay also representing his many Grievances and Wrongs thus were the Seeds of Discord again sown amongst them The reformed Religion by this time begins to be professed by many for the curbing of which the Prelates presents Sir James Hamilton natural Son to the Earl of Arran to be Supream Judge of the Inquisition which turned to his own Ruine for while he is vigorously Persecuting all such as were suspected of the reformed Religion having many in Jayles and multitudes in Scrolls to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process the Supream Providence Arresteth himself For having a Process against James Hamilton Sheriff of Lithgow his own Couzen the said James Accuses him of High Treason for which notwithstanding all that the Prelates could do in his Favour he was Tryed Condemned and put to Death Not long after divers of the Nobility became to Favor the Protestant Religion which so perplexed the King that he knew not what to do he became very sullen and retired that he would scarce suffer his own Domesticks to come near to add to his perplexity as he lay in the Palace of Lithgow in the midst of the Night he leaped out of his Bed and called for Lights commandeth his Servants to search for Thomas Scot his Justice Clerk who he said stood by his Bed-side loaden with great Weights cursing the time that ever he Served him for by too much Obedience to him he was by the Justice of God condemned to everlasting Torments Soon after News came That the said Thomas Scot Dyed at Edenburgh much about the same Hour of the Night Another Instance of the same nature was Sir James Hamilton a little after his Death seemed to the King to have appeared to him in a gastly manner with a Sword in his hand with which he thought he cut off both his Arms advertising him he would come again shortly and be more fully revenged The next day after the Vision word came that both his Sons were departed this Life almost in one hour King Henry finding himself disappointed by his Nephew of their Meeting and understanding the Church-men to have been the occasion of it maketh Prizes of all the Scottish Ships that his Fleet could meet with by Sea and Incursions with his garrisoned Souldiers by Land King James directeth James Lermonth of Darsie to his Uncle to give sufficient Reasons for his not meeting him at New-Castle and to demand Restitution of his Ships King Henry not only refuseth to restore the Ships but also delaying the Answer of the Scottish Ambassador to gain time sendeth Sir Robert Bâ—wes seconded with the Earl of Angus and Sir George Douglass in hasty manner to invade Scotland These to the number of Three Thousand Burn and Destroy all before them till at last the Earl of Huntly with some Borderers meeting them at a Place called Valldanrigg quite routed them Killed many and took some Prisoners The next Summer King Henry sent the Earl of Norfolk towards Scotland with an Army of Forty Thousand Men accompanied with a great many of the English Nobility King James advertised of their coming Mustered an Army of Thirty Thousand Men on Falla-moor to Oppose them When the Duke of Norfolk understood that he was resolved to give him Battel choosing rather to make an honourable Retreat than give a doubtful Charge he retireth off the Scottish ground Whereupon King James encouraged his Nobility and Army to follow them and revenge old Quarrels The Nobles answered That to defend their Prince and Country they would hazzard their Lives or whatever was dear to them If the Enemy had stayed upon Scottish Ground they would either make them retire or Dung the Field with their Carcasses But to Invade England they did not think their Quarrel just
Peace Alpine answered that he would make no Peace untill the Crown of the Picts were set upon his Head as the Right inheritour of it Brudus upon this raised a great Army and came over the Bridge of Dunkell marching to Augus where Alpin with his Army did lye The night before the Battel he devised a cunning Stratagem for having a great many Women in his Army he caused them to stand in Battel Array with linnen Shirts above their cloaths ordaining some Horse-men to Command them he drew them into a Wood Commanding none of them to appear till the Armies had joyned Battel King Alpin upon the Picts approach presently led out his Men and joyned Battel with them then the aforesaid reserve began to move from their Ambush The Scots seeing them apprehended them to be a fresh Army of Picts whereupon they immediately fled In this Battel King Alpine himself was taken and beheaded the third year of his Reign 69. To him his Son Keneth the second succeeded A. D. 834. Now the Picts fully resolve to banish the Scots quite out of their Country for which purpose they procure help from England But when they were at their full strength they divided amongst themselves to such a height that Brudus was forced to disband his Army he soon after dyed for Grief Donsken his Brother succeeded who made it his work to keep Peace on all hands But Keneth after three years uncertain Peace being desirous at any rate to revenge his Fathers Death and to recover the Crown which by right did belong to him Convened his Nobles and consulted with them concerning the matter but finding them not inclined to it he invites them all to a great Feast which he had prepared of purpose where they were Royally entertained within his Pallace untill dark Night after they had Liberally feasted they were conveyed to several apartments within the Palace and when deep sleep had seized upon them the King caused some Men that he had ready for that end to pass to their several Beds clad with Fish-skins which did cast a dazling light in the dark each man having a Hunting Horn in his hand through which he spake The Nobles being amazed at this sight were desired by them not to be terrified for that they were Angels sent from God to the Princes and Nobles of Scotland to cause them to obey the Kings Order it being very Just and Right and that they needed not to fear the Success for they should be Victorious Their Speeches being ended they in an instant vanished This mightily astonished the Nobles not knowing what to make on 't It was no sooner Day light than they got up and enquired one for another and having convened all together every Man began to declare what appeared to him which made them all presently conclude that it was no Fancy but a real Vision The King also assured them that the same Vision appeared to him at the same hour Hereupon they Unanimously consented that all who were able for Fighting should meet the King upon a day appointed which they did as the Picts did also upon the other hand they fought most Valiantly on both sides but the Picts were routed in one and quite ruined in another Battel their King and all his Nobles being killed And their City Camelon after a long siege utterly destroyed and razed and the Picts Men Women and Children put to the Sword after they had Reigned in Albion 1181 years King Keneth brought the fatal Chair from Argyle to Scone adding the Picts Dominions to his own he dyed the twentieth year of his Reign 70. Donald the fifth Keneth the seconds Brother succeeded having his Territories enlarged from the Orcades to Adrians Wall He was a vicious and luxurious Prince which gave the Fugitive Picts some ground to Hope that they might recover their Lands whereupon they requested Osbred and Ella two great Princes in England to restore them promising to pay Homage to them they accepted the offer invading Scotland with great Forces where they were miserably routed in a pitch'd Battle King Donald proud of this Victory pursued them to the Water of Tweed with his Army there he found two Ships laden with Wine which he parted among his Souldiers they not being much used to such Liquor drank of it till they were not able to stir Of which when King Osbred was advertised he came suddenly upon them and killed 2000 of them took the King himself and carried him about in Derision Osbred pursuing this Victory conquered great Lands in Scotland So that Sterling-bridge was made the march between the Scots and the English This Osbred Coyned money in Sterling Castle which was as some think the first beginning of Sterling money King Donald being ransomed was soon after taken by his Nobles and put in Prison where he desperately killed himself the fifth year of his Reign 71. To him succeeded Constantine the second who was Crowned in Scone A. D. 859. Soon after Hunger and Hubba with a great Fleet of Danes Landed in Fife to shun whose Cruelty many religious Persons with Adrian their Bishop fled into the Isle of May where they were all Cruelly put to Death by the unmerciful Danes Constantine with his Army met them at the River of Levin where he overthrew them pursuing them toward Caryl where their Ships lay but the Scots being proud of this Victory became too secure Whereupon the Danes rallied upon them where followed a terrible Battel at last the Scots were defeated the King being taken and dragged to a Cave was basely murdered the fifteenth year of his Reign 72. To him succeeded Ethus his Son Surnamed the Swift A.D. 874. His wickedness and Cruelty came to so great a heigth that his Nobles were forced to imprison him where within three days he dyed of Melancholly the second year of his Reign 73. Gregory the Great Dungalls Son succeeded A. D. 876. A Prince of a Kingly Spirit he made a Law that all â—ings hereafter should at their Coronation swear to defend the Christian Faith His first expedition was into Fife against the Picts and Danes which were left there when Hungar went into enâ—Enâ—land them he expelled not only out of Fife but also out of Lothian and the Mers Coming to Berwick the Danes durst not venture to Fight him but leaving a Garrison in the Town retired to Northumberland to gather more Forces But Gregory in the Night time being Guided by some English-men entred the City and put all the Danes to the Sword thence he went to Northumberland there he utterly routed the rest of them which gave him occasion to inlarge his Dominions with Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland after which he entered in a League with the King of England wherein his right to the foresaid Lands was ratified His next expedition was against the Irish who had Landed in Galloway and committed great Insolencies but at his coming they retired back to their own Country He with a great Army followed them
all means to have gotten Robert Stewart in his hands for he knew that next to King David his Title was best to the Crown Soon after King Edward prepared an Army both by Sea and Land to enter into Scotland but the most part of his Ships Perished in Forth The King returning with Balliol into England left Cumin Earle of Athol Governour who seized upon all the Lands pertaining to Robert Stewart and his Friends but Robert Stewart took the Castle of Dunne and killed all the Englishmen therein at this time the Earle of Murray came from France who together with Robert reduced much of the Country to the obedience of King David chasing the Governour and his Followers to the Mountains but the English entred with a great Army and though a great part of their Army was routed took Perth but their Fleet being harrast at Sea were forced to retreat and the rather in design of a French War but some of the Nobles still standing out the English landed in Murray and reduced all and leaving Balliol returned home the next year the English beseiged Dunbar and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford who were both routed yet the seige continued at last they were forced to raise the seige also having received great loss by the Valour of Robert Stewart Murray in the mean time dying Stewart was created Viceroy till Davids returne who having the first year gained some Victories did the next year take Perth Sterling and the Castle of Edenburgh the Scots gaining all their ground except Berwick In the year 1336. David resolves upon an expedition into England though much disswaded by his council Making John Randolph General himself going disguised Soon after a peace for two years was treated of which David would not accept without the consent of France whereupon marching as far as the County of Durham had his Army quite routed and himself taken Prisoner his Kingdom also in a manner Depopulated with the Plague by this time John of France was also made Prisoner in England the Scots after eleven years Captivity ransomed their King who at his returne punished some of those who had deserted him at Durham and endeavoured to remove the Succession of the Crown from Robert Stewart to whom he was some years after reconciled he spent the last five years of his Reign in composing Domestick feuds Queen Jane daughter to Edward the second of England dying he Marryed Margaret Logy Daughter to Sir John Logy then he purposed to have past to Jerusalem having provided all necessarys for his Voyage but he fell sick of a Feavour in the Castle of Edinburgh whereof he dyed in the fortyth year of his Reign without Succession and was buried in Holyrood-house 100. Robert Stewart the first King of that Name succeeded his mothers Brother A. D. 1378. A Valiant and worthy Prince he Married Eupham Daughter to the Earl of Ross who bare to him David Earl of Strathern Walter Earl of Athol Alexander Earl of Marr with several Daughters After her Death he marries Elizabeth Moor his own Concubine the better to Legitimate Children he had by her he honoured them with Titles and declared them his Successors two years after an Attempt is made upon Berwick and Sir John Lilbourn and 〈…〉 grave Captains of it taken 〈…〉 After this the Earl of Douglass came with twenty thousand Men to the Fair of Pennire within England spoiling all the Goods there but carried away the Pestilence with him whereof many dyed To revenge this the English came with a great Army over Solway destroying all before them mean while the Scots gathered together about five hundred Men. and lay in Ambush till the English returned back then with a sudden noise and Clamour as they passed by they set upon them forcing them back till many were drowned in Solway Not long after Edward King of England dyed whereupon the Duke of Lancaster came into Scotland intreating to have a Peace for three years which Peace being expired My Lord of Galloway laid siege to the Castle of Lochmaban and made himself Master of it defeating a strong party of English who were coming from Carlyle to it's relief King Richard fearing of it sent the Baron of Gray-stock with a Body of Men to fortifie Roxburgh who being within a mile of it he was taken by the Earl of March and carried to Dunbar the same year the strengths of Teviotdale were by the Earl of Douglas recovered out of the English hands soon after which he dyed His Son James succeeding to him went by the Kings Order with an Army into England whence he was presently after Counter-manded home where he found the Admiral of France with two hundred and forty Ships well Man'd come to their Assistance with them they passed into England and took the Castles of Warkford and Corwal And laying siege to Roxburgh and Carlyle the Scots and French could not agree in whose Names the strengths should be kept if they were won which brought the business to nothing Whereupon King Richard in revenge enters Scotland with a great Army and marching through the Mers and Louthian did much hurt But the Earls of Fife Douglas and Galloway followed him into England and secretly passing the Water of Solway came to Cokermouth where in three days time they spoiled the whole Country about and returned safely with great Booty In the year 1388. The King past again into England with an Army at which time the Irish taking their advantage entered Galloway destroying all before them Whereupon William the Lord of Galloways Son pursued them to Ireland and burnt the Town of Carlingfoord and finding sixty Ships in several Harbors loaded fifteen of them with the spoil of the Town and burnt the rest Returning home he spoiled the Isles of Man The next year the King of England sent an Army into Scotland which did much hurt in the Mers revenging this affront King Robert sent two Armies into England the one under the Command of the Earl of Fife entred Cumberland the other led by the Earls of Douglass and March entred Northumberland the two Armies met within two miles of Newcastle The Earl of Douglass chose out ten thousand Men to besiege Newcastle wherein was the Earl of Northumberland with his two Sons Henry Hotspur and Ralph Henry Challenged the Earl of Douglass to fight with him which Douglass accepted off so being mounted upon two starely Horses they assaulted one another desperately at last Douglass beat Peircy out of his Saddle but he was presently rescued and brought into the Town Immediately Douglass assaulted the Town but it was so well defended by the English that he was forced to retire and encamp at Otterburn whither Henry Peircy immediately followed there they fought a bloody Battel until the darkness of the Night parted them but when the Moon began to appear they joyned again with more Fierceness than before Victory inclining sometime to one side and sometimes to another till at last Patrick
Hepburn came with fresh Men to the Scots Whereupon the English retreated leaving eighteen hundred of their Men dead in the place and a hundred and forty taken Prisoners among which were the two Peircies above mentioned But the Valiant Earl of Douglass dyed in this Battel being thrice run through the Body and Mortally wounded in his Head which was a greater loss and Grief to his Nation then the gain of this Victory could ballance The next year a Parliament was called at Perth wherein Robert Earl of Fife the Kings second Son was elected Governor the King himself by reason of his great Age not being able to Govern He was a Valiant Victorious and fortunate Prince in all his Wars for his Governours and Captains returned always with Victory He was very constant and a great Iustitiar hearing patiently the Complaints of the Poor causing all wrongs to be redressed He dyed peaceably in the Castle of Dun-Donald the seventy fifth year of his Age and the nineteenth year of his Reign The same year John his eldest Son was called to succeed who thinking that Name ominous to Kings and there wanted not Examples as of him of England and him of France and thinking something of the Felicity of the two former Roberts was Crowned by the Name of 101. Robert the third A. D. 1390. He was more remarkable for his Peaceableness and Modesty then for any other Vertue the first seven years of his Reign were past in Peace by reason of his Truce with England but not without some fierce Fiends among his Subjects especially the Clankays and Clanchattes the King seeing the Difficulty of reducing them made this Proposition to them that three hundred of each side should try it by Dint of Sword before the King the Conquered to be pardoned and the Conqueror advanced this being agreed to a place was appointed upon the North-side of Perth but when the Clans presented themselves there was one of one side missing whom then his party could not supply A Trades-man steps out and for half a French Crown and promise of Maintenance during his Life filled up the Company The first was furious but none behaved himself more furiously then the other Mercenary Champion who was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side their remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the stroak of the other threw himself in the Tay and escaped with his Life By this means the fiercest of the two Clans being cut off the remainder being Headless were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes which was the first time that Title was known in Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of his Reign tho' the Truce was not expired yet the Seeds of War began to bud upon this occasion George Earl of March betrothed his eldest Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Douglass incensed at this got a Vote of Parliament to revoke this Marriage and giving a greater sum of Money got a Marriage confirmed in Parliament betwixt David and Mary his Daughter The Earl of March nettled at this demands Redress but not being heard he leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Percy who with his Assistance did much hurt to the Lands of the Douglasses the Scots declare the Earl of March an Enemy and sends to demand him of the English which they refusing several Incursions happened upon both sides till at length Piercy was defeated by the Douglass's at Lynton-bridge At this time David Earl of Cravford and the Lord Welles in England ingaged to run certain Courses on Horse-back with sharp Spears for Life and Death upon London-bridge which they performed most gallantly The People Perceiving the Earl of Cravford to sit so stifly cryed the Scotch man was lock'd in his Saddle he hearing this leapt out of the Saddle upon the Ground and presently mounted again to the great wonder of the Beholders The second time they run without any hurt but the third time the Lord Welles was beat out of his Saddle and sorely hurt with the fall By this time the Queen dying her Son David who for his Extravagancies was by her means kept under restraint broke out into his former disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and wickedness complaint being brought to his Father he committed him to his brother Robert this Design was to root out all that Off-Spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Faulkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one Woman thrusting in some Oaten Cakes at a Chink and another giving him Milk out of her Breasts through a Trunk but both these being discovered the Youth being forced to tear his own Flesh dyed of a multiplyed Death which Murder being whispered to the King he was so abused by the false Representations of his Brother that Grief and Imprecations was all the relief that he had left him and being now retired sickly to Boot Castle and unable to punish him The King therefore Solicitous to preserve James his youngest Son is resolved to send him to Charles the sixth of France And having taking shipping at the Bassas he passed by the Promontory of Flambrough and whether he was forced by a Tempest or that he was Sea-sick he was forced to Land there he was taken by the English and detained Prisoner notwithstanding the eight years Truce and tho' it came to be debated at the Councel Table yet his Detention was carried in the Affirmative But the News so struck his aged Father that he had almost presently dyed but being carried to his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and Sorrow He dyed within three days the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Pasley Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour about four years after Donald of the Isles enters Ross as his pretended Inheritance with ten thousand Men which he easily subdued thence he went to Murray and Mastered it also and so went on to Aberdeen to stop this Torrent Alexander Earl of Marr followed by most of the Nobility met him at Harlaw where they joyned in so bloody a Battel and lost so many noble and considerable Persons that tho' Night parted them neither could pretend to the Victory to this year the University of S. Andrews owes it's Rise The English being taken up with a War with France nothing considerable was acted between them and the Scots for ten years after at which time Robert the Governour dyes and Murdoch his Son a very unfit Person was put in his place who suffered his Sons to come to that petulancy that they were not only offensive to the People but with all disobedient to their Father who having a brave Faulcon which his Son Walter had often begged but in vain he
snatched it out of his Fathers hand and wrung off her Neck for which his Father being angry Well says he Since I cannot Govern thee I will bring one shall Govern us both And from that day he ceased not to further the Redemption of the King he Governed four years 102. But the Nobles weary under this form of Government the Governour being also irritated by the Misdemeanor of his Children all Unanimously determine without longer delays to work the deliverance of their Native Prince James fourth of England which at length was effected Anno. Dom. 1424. Having Ransomed him for the sum of forty hundred thousand Marks He married Jane Daughter to the Duke of Somerset Son to John of Gaunt who bare to him two Sons Alexander who dyed shortly after and James the second who succeeded to him The King having passed the Solemnities of Hasterat Edenburgh He with his Queen came to Perth and from thence to Scone where he was Crowned in the twenty seventh year of his Age after he held a Parliament at Perth where the Tax was laid on to pay the sum promised to England for his Ransome from thence he went back to Edenburgh where he called such as were Concerned with the Crown Rents together he understood by their Accounts that the most and best part of the Crown Lands were alienated and wasted by the late Governour and his Sons whereat he was exceedingly incensed yet that time he smothered and put a fair Countenance upon his Passion But soon after pregnant Accusations were brought in against some of the Nobility especially the Governours Friends upon which some of them were made Prisoners which occasioned much discontent and Jealousie on both sides yet the King securing the Body of this Estate on his side resolved to go on and having Arrested the Governour with two of his Sons and several others his Friends they were all committed to several Prisons Whereupon James the Governours youngest Son in a desperate rage accompanied with a number of Out-laws came to Dumbarton and set on Fire and killed John Stewart the Kings Uncle with thirty others This Insolency of the Son quite diverted the Kings Clemency from his Father and Brethren Whereupon he calleth a Parliament at Sterling where the Governour with his two Sons and his Father-in-Law the Duke of Lenox were Arraigned and Condemned and soon after Executed this highly perplexed some other Lords and Gentlemen who were Prisoners at the same time fearing that they should also meet with the same measures yet the King like a wise Physitian being not willing to take away more Blood than he thought would take away the Disease of the Body in a short time set them all at Liberty The Wars continuing between France and England the French sent an Ambassador to renew the ancient League with Scotland But his main business was to carry on a match between Lewis the Daulphine tho' then very young and Margaret Daughter to King James this match the English neglected but afterward most earnestly sued for it The South parts of the Kingdom being brought under Obedience the King resolved to have the North follow their Example for which end he went thither himself in Person to keep his Courts When he came there he found things in a strange Condition all going by strength of hand the stronger overthrowing the weaker The King not knowing well how to go about the taming of these rude Villains seemed to give small Faith to what he heard of them allowing such of them as seemed to come and see him a great deal of seeming Favour till at length he got forty of their Chiefs all at once within the Castle of Innerness whom he presently surprized making them close Prisoners Within a few days after the King was convinced of this wickedness Alexander Macrory and John Macherter were hanged John Campbel for murthering John of the Isles was beheaded The Earl of Ross being taken in this Trap was brought by the King to Perth where he was accused of Oppression and other things yet the King pardoned him and freely dismist him taking his Oath of Fidelity But as soon as he went home he gathered together a Rabble of Out-laws who came towards Innerness burnt both Town and Castle to the Ground Whereupon the King himself went with his Forces against him at whose approach all the Rebels fled Alexander thus abandoned of his Forces fled to the Isles but finding that he was way-laid on all hands and had no way left him to escape he came disguised to Edenburgh Whereupon Yesterday the King being at Church he came wrapped in a mourning Garment and fell down at his Feet beging his Life which at the Queens request was granted but to keep him from any more mischief the Earl of August was appointed to take him into Custody within Tanutallon Castle Donald Balloth Cousin-german to the Earle of Ross raised a great number of outlaws and invaded Lochaber and in a Bloody Battel overthrew the Earles of Marr and Caithness at Innerlochy the news coming to the King he came with a great Army to Dunstaffage which when the Clans heard of they tendred their Submission to the King promising to break Balloth and his party which the King accepted of Balloth fled to Ireland where he was taken and his head chopt off and sent to King James Notwithstanding of the many Acts of Justice that were done upon these disorderly outlaws yet nothing frighted one Macdonald who was Famous for all sorts of Villanies among other Cruelties he is said to have nailed Horseshoes to the Soles of a Widdow because that she swore to delate him to the King being taken with twelve of his associates and brought to Perth the King caused them to be shooed in the same manner as he had served the woman draging him about for a Spectacle to the people for three days then all of them were put to death In this year A. D. 1430. the first of June was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun at three of the clock in the afternoon the day turning black for the space of half an hour as though it had been night which was afterward called by the common people The black Hour The King having setled the Country begins to look to his own affairs and having advisedly perused all evidences and Charters belonging to the Crown he recalls all such Lands as had been either alienated from it or wrongfully usurped about this time there came Ambassadors from the King of Denmark requiring of King James a Yearly Tribute due to him as King of Norway for the western Isles the Ambassador was honourably entertained and the old League renewed with Denmark soon after the French Kings Ambassadors came to have Margaret already betrothed to Lewis the Dauphin delivered to them and conveyed to France where they found the Lord Scroop earnestly dealing with the King that he must bestow his daughter upon King Henry the sixth of England promising that if he would agree thereto
gave to the Representatives of the Kings of Scotland which was only due to free Princes together with the Judgment of Forreign Princes Lawyers and Historians about it but also to the acknowledgment of the Kings of England themselves 1. King Henry of England having intreated the Assistance of Alexander King of Scotland against Simeon Earl of Leicester did by Letters under his hand publickly declare that he did not crave this Assistance as Superior to which Superiority he had no pretence but to which is very Considerable the King and Parliament of England have treated with the Ambassadors of Scotland whereas no Superior can Treat with his own Vassal as a Forreigner We freely Grant that the Kings of Scotland did hold the Lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland in Capite of the Crown of England which yet was no Disparagment to them that being most ordinary amongst Sovereign Princes for thus Henry King of England and several others of their Kings did Homage to the Kings of France for the Provinces possest by them in France as the King of Spain also doth this day to the Pope for Naples and Sicily And yet the Homage done for those Countries have been the occasion of an Ignorant mistake in some and a malicious Pretence for others to Mis-represent it as done for the Kingdom of Scotland Advertisement By reason of the Authors absence from the Press several Faults have escaped which the Reader is desired to amend A List of the KINGS of SCOTLAND 1 FErgus 2 Ferithar 3 Main 4 Dornadill 5 Hothat 6 Râ—ther 7 Rutha 8 Thereus 9 Josine 10 Finnane 11 Durst 12 Euen 1 13 Gill 14 Euen 2. 15 Eder 16 Euen 3. 17 Metelan 18 Caratack 19 Corbred 1. 20 Dardan 21 Corbred 2. 22 Luctack 23 Mogald 24 Conar 25 Ethod 1. 26 Satrael 27 Donald 1. 28 Ethod 2. 29 Athirck 30 Nathalock 31 Findoch 32 Donald 2. 33 Donald 3. 34. Crathilinth 35 Fincormach 36 Romach 37 Angusian 38 Fethelmach 39 Ewen 1. 40 Fergus 2. 41 Ewen 2. 42 Dongard 43 Constantine 1. 44 Congall 1. 45 Goran 46 Ewen 3. 47 Congall 2. 48 Kinnatell 49 Aidan 50 Kenneth 51 Ewen 4. 52 Ferchard 1. 53 Donald 3. 54 Ferchard 2. 55 Maldwine 56 Ewen 5. 57 Ewen 6. 58 Amberkelleth 59 Ewen 8. 60 Mordach 61 Etfin 62 Ewen 7. 63 Fergus 3. 64 Solvat 65 Achaius 66 Congall 3. 67 Dongall 68 Alpine 69 Kenneth 2. 70 Donald 5. 71 Constantine 2. 72 Eth. 73 Gregory 74 Donald 6. 75 Constantine 3. 76 Malcolm 1. 77 Indulf 78 Duff 72 Culen 80 Kenneth 3. 81 Constantine 4. 82 Grim. 83 Malcolm 2. 84 Donald 7. 85 Macbeth 86 Malcolm 3. 87 Donald Bane 88 Duncan 89 Edgar 90 Alexander 1. 91 David 1. 92 Malcolm 4. 93 William 94 Alexander 2. 95 Alexander 3. 96 John Balliol 97 Robert Bruce 98 David 2. 99 Edward Balliol 100 Robert 2. 101 Robert 3. 102 James 1. 103 James 2. 104 James 3. 105 James 4. 106 James 5. 107 Henry Stewart and Mary Stewart 108 James 6. 109 Charles 1. 110 Charles 2. AN EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND THe Scots by the most judicious Writers and by those who have most carefully studied not only their own Antiquities but those of other Nations are acknowleged although they be not of the greatest to be undoubtedly among the most antient People in Europe But to speak more particularly of their antient Nation we must know that the whole Island 〈◊〉 it is a part was at first called Albion or Albium As Theophrastus Ptolomy Tacitus and Seneca tells us which Name the true race of the ancient Scots retain to this day calling the ancient Country Albin and themselves Albinich always keeping their primitive Name notwithstanding of the many different People that have since inhabited it The Etymology of this Name is disputed by many but it seems to be really derived from Alb or Alp signifying a Hill or high place The antient Inhabitants of the Northern parts of this Island were called Scots who were divided into two sorts the one who were the first Possessors and this Posterity doth inhabit it to this day were called the Scoto-Brigantes Some have taken upon them to be very accurat in giving an Account of their descent and the manner of their coming hither even from the far ends of the Earth but with so little appearance of Truth that I will not put my Reader nor my self to the trouble to refute it The most probable Conjecture and that which carrieth most Evidence with it is that these first Inhabitants came in Colonies from Spain to Ireland nor is it improbable that these Colonies were Originally from France who either for want of Accommodation to live at home or being thrust out by stronger hands came over to Ireland where they continued long for either themselves or their Children desirous of new Habitations transported themselves to the north Islands where they continued in an unsetled Course of Life for a long time the time of their entring Albion is said to have been from the Creation about 3530 years The first place they took Possession of was Argyle they being divided into sundry Tribes elected every Tribe their own Captain to govern them in Peace and War this very name they had in great Veneration Then after about 150 as some write a German or as Beda saith a Scythian Navy arrived upon the coast of Ireland being as is probable beat thither by a Tempest having neither Wives or Children with them the men were in want of every thing having by tedious Sailing consumed all their Provision They sent to the Inhabitants desiring they might have a residence among which they told them they could not afford in regard of the Barrenness of the place and the multitude of Inhabitants that possess it already but that there was a habitable Land called Albion not far from them whether they might go it being for the most part as yet un-inhabited and such as did inhabit it like to ruin one another by civil Discords Those men afterward called Picts following their Advice set Sail and came to that part of Albion that lyes toward Germany and having Landed soon beat out the Inhabitants and made them draw themselves within less bounds Possessing themselves of Caithness Ross Murray Merus Angus Fiffe and Lothian together with Orkney which some say was their first Habitation They were a civil People Ingenious and Crafty both in Peace and War Having fixed their residence they sent Messingers to the Scots desiring their Daughters in Marriage alledging that if they condescended it would highly conduce to the Welfare of both of them being thereby made strong for either an offensive or defensive War with any of their Neigbours This message the Scots at first rejected but upon mature Deliberation they condescended So having agreed upon the Terms which were that they should concur with all their Forces when they were invaded and as often as the Crown of Picts came to want an Heir
pressed mightily for Money alledging that his Revenues was not answerable to his Charges but his Nobles answered his demands in another manner then he expected for they presently degraded and imprisoned him Ardgad Captain of Argyle made Governor He dyed in Prison the fourteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 25. After him Ethod the first Sisters Son to Mogad began to Reign A. D. 163. He highly applauded Ardgad his Government keeping him still in great Trust with himself He sent him to the Isles to allay some Tumults that were beginning to stir which he did as he thought effectually but he was not long gone then they became worse than before wherefore the King sent him thither again where he was unfortunately killed this so inraged the King that he went thither himself in Person and made them soundly smoke for their Insolency Having composed his Affairs at home and abroad he began to give himself to ease but soon after he was killed in his Chamber by an Irish Harper whom he kept to make Musick to him the thirty third year of his Reign 26. Ethod having no Sons ripe for the Government his Brother Satrael succeeded him A. D. 199. He was so cruel that he made it his Work to cut off all the antient Nobility but was at length stabbed by one of his Courtiers the fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 27. His Brother Donald the first succeeded him A. D. 199. A Prince famous for Princely Endowments but especially in that he was the first King that imbraced Christianity in Scotland and gave it his Royal Sanction tho' for several years before his time the Gospel had it's Professors tho' not publickly owned he with the Concurrence of his Nobles made what Reformation he could yet could he not during his Life get the People weaned from their old Heathenish Superstitions In his time Sevesus the Emperor came into Brittain with a Prodigious Army intending no less than to Conquer the whole Island The Scots and Picts at his coming betake them to the Hills and draws him after them but his Army suffered grievously having as one Writes lost 50000. Men in that expedition at length they came to a Peace with him after which he built a great Wall reaching from Forth to Clyde Peace being concluded abroad Donald returned home and passed the rest of his days in Peace he dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 28. Ethodius the second Son to Ethodius the first succeeded Donald A. D. 216. A man of a foolish and cross Temper unfit to Govern that fierce People but his Nobles managed the Government prudently he at last was killed in a Tumult made by his Domesticks the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 29. His Son Athircus is made King A. D. 231. At first he gave great grounds of hope that he should prove an accomplished Prince but it proved quite contrary he turned extreamly profligate prostituting Noble mens Daughters to his Companions Upon which account one Hotholocus a Noble man conspired against him which he perceiving that there was no way to escape killed himself the twelfth year of his Reign 30. Athircus being Dead Hatholocus procured himself to be chosen King A. D. 242. A cruel and lascivious Tyrant being acquainted that Ethircus his Children were with the Picts he called the chief of the Nobility whom he knew to have been Athircus his Friends pretending he wanted their Advice in some matters of State whent he had got them convened in one place he caused them to be thrown in Prison and soon after executed Whereupon their Friends rebelled and the King going about to gather an Army to subdue them was killed by one of his Courtiers the eleventh year of his Reign 31. Hathalocus being thus dead Athircus his children are called home and Findochus the eldest of them set upon the Throne A. D. 253. a wise and valiant Prince his first Expedition was against Donald of the Isles who under pretence of revenging the late Kings death had raised an Army him he subdued forcing him to flee to his Ships where being hotly pursued he got into a small Boat which being over loaden immediately sunk and he perished yet his Son whose name was Donald keept up the quarrel against him Hindoch went with an Army entering the Islands wasted them so that they were left almost quite desolate Donald finding his weakness betakes him to treacherous courses and striking in with Carance the Kings brother they instigated two Ruffians to Murther him both which were tormented to death The 11 th year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 32. To him succeeded his youngest Brother Donald the 2 d A. D. 264. An excellent Prince while he was preparing to reveng his Brothers death he heard that Donald of the Isles had made an inroad upon Murray not in the quality of a Robber but of a King Where upon commanding the strength of the Kingdom to follow him he went against him with those forces he had in readiness which Donald hearing of took such tedious marches that he was close upon the Kings Camp before any was a ware which obliged the King to fight but the inequality of their number was such that the King was defeated most of his men killed himself being wounded with several of his Nobles were taken He dyed the third day after partly of his wounds and partly of Melancholy the first year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 33 Donald Lord of the Isles usurped the Crown A. D. 265. excercising much cruelty none dared to oppose him having so many of the Nobility his prisoners whom he threatned upon every provocation to kill At length Crathelinth Son to King Findochus who having lurked long with his Nurse and was believed to be dead having gathered a few subtil men together went directly to Donalds Court who dissembling both his name and quality became in a short time very intimate with him but when he found his opportunity he put an end to the Tyrants days the 12 th year of his Reign conveying himself and his followers away undiscovered There was all this time a sore Persecution of the Christians under the Emperor Decius 34. Crathelinth was set upon his Fathers Throne A. D. 277. A Valiant and religious King He first caused all the late Tyrants Race to be Razed to the foundation for preventing the mischief might follow he also purged the Land of Superstitions planting the true Christian Religion This King having peace on all sides he addicted himself much to hunting one day as he was at his sport one of the Picts stole away a Dog in which he greatly delighted but the keeper of the Kings dogs being informed where he was kept went to take him and striving to take him by force was killed in the place which was the beginning of a sad war that lasted a long time but at last by
means of one Caransius a Roman who was afterward King of Britain they made peace King Crathelinth passed the rest of his days in peace and dyed the 24 year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 35. To him succeeded his Cousin German Fincormach A. D. 301. A Prince both Pious and Valiant he Joyned with the Britains against the Romans and after a most Bloody battel routed them pursuing them as far as Yorke Having procured Peace abroad he wholly applyed himself to the utter extirpating of Idolatry In his days fell out the ninth Persecution under Aurelius and the tenth under Dioclesian which gave occasion to many Christians from divers parts of the Empire now a second time to flee to Scotland for refuge as they had done once before under Domitian Among those Fugitives who fled thither for shelter from the general Massacre were many excellent men in Piety and Learning whom the King not only did kindly receive but also imployed to assist him and his council in the further setling of Christianity in his Dominion and in the total Extirpation of Idolatry out of it which was so much the harder work because of the Druides the principal false Prophets and Idolatrous Priests of those days who not only by their subtil Hypocrisy and sence pleasing Divine service but also by a cunning forcast having drawn into their hands the hearing and determining of Civel affairs had so gained upon the spirits of the Poor and Simple people that they could not imagine how to be without them and live The resolute care and labour of this gracious King and his Council together with the help of these Pious and Learned men prevailed at last utterly to overthrow and abolish the Groves with the Alters under the Oaks and all Idol service and to Establish the pure worship of God in all places of his Dominions filling the Rooms of these false Prophets with Godly and Learned teachers among the people which was done in all places throughout the Kingdom but especially in the Islands which those Pious men took for their particular abode as being most fit for a retired life and namely in the Isle of Man the King caused a Church to be built to the honour of our Saviour these Holy men were for their labouring so much in Gods worship called Colidei or Culdees This good King dyed in peace the 47 year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 36. Romach brothers Son to Crathelinth after a hot debate by the assistance of the Picts possessed himself of the Throne A. D. 348. But proving a cruel Tyrant he was killed by his Nobles the 3 d year of his Reign in his time Christianity began in Ireland 37. Augustian Another of Crathelinth's Brothers sons succeeded A.D. 351. a Valiant and peaceable King The late Kings associates not thinking themselves secure fled to the Picts whom they instigated to make War upon the Scots in revenge of Romacks death Augustian hearing of their purpose sent to Hertanus the King of the Picts acquainting him how dangerous a War betwixt them at that time might prove The Romans and Britains being so apt to take advantage of them when they are low but all would not do whereupon he went against them with his Forces and quite Defeated them killing many of their Nobles Afterward they renewed their strength and came to the Wood of Camelon where the King of Scots with his Army lay where they fought a most bloody battel on both sides both the Kings were killed with many of their Nobles in the third year of his Reign He was buried in Dunstaffage without Succession 38. Fethelmack The youngest of Crathelinths Brothers Sons Succeeded A. D. 354. A Valiant Prince he scarcely Reigned two years when having raised an Army he went against the Picts and gave them a most fatal overthrow killing their King in Battel he was afterward Trayterously murthered in his bed by two perfidious Picts who insinuated themselves into his favour with the assistance of an Harper the groans of the dying King being over heard by his Servants they came rushing into the Room where they took the Villains in the very Act of their cruelty who were afterward tormented to death At this time St Andrews Church was built by the King of the Picts at the request of St Rewell he dyed the third year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 39. To him Succeeded Ewin the first Son to Fincormach A. D. 357. A Valiant Just and good King In his time the Romans resolving to be Masters of the whole Island and to destroy both Scots and Picts first Communicate to the Picts their purpose to Eradicat the Scots and that if they would be assistant therein they should enjoy all their Lands holding it of the Romans They as a base ungratefull people accepted the proffer So that the Scots had now to do with Romans Britains and Picts In the first Battel the Romans and the others were worsted but soon after the Romans renewing their strength with all their Adherents Eugen or Ewen upon the other hand convened all that could bear arms in his Dominions knowing they were to fight for no less then their Country and Liberty They engaged at the River Dun the Battel was most bloody with doubtful success for a while but at last the Scots being over powered with fresh supplies from the Romans were forced to fly leaving the King and his Brother with fifty thousand of their men dead in the Field They fled some to the Isles some to Ireland and Scandia they attempted several times to recover their Countrey but in Vain till at length the King of Picts dying the Roman Legat charged them that they should choose no other King but live under the Roman Government and by Roman laws when they saw this they became some what sensible of their folly and treachery to their best neighbours resolving at length to call them home and Joyne forces them that the one might recover their Country the other their Liberty 40. Echadius the Kings Brother upon the late fatal defeat finding there was no shelter for him in his Country departed with his Son Hutha and his Grandson Fergus to Scandia there they were kindly entertained In process of time Echadius and Hutha dying Fergus became a most Valiant man gained great fame in France and Pannonia To him the Picts sent Embassadors inviting him home promised there assistance toward the recovering of his Country which he readily accepted of and having arrived with a few Danes and Goths in his company the Scots likewise gathering to him he soon regained his Kingdom being Victorious against the Romans in many Battels at last he was killed in Battel by the Romans the sixteenth year of his Raigne and was buried in Icolmkill which was the burial place for the Kings till King Malhiscom Kanmors days having left the Kingdom almost in as bad case as he found it 41. To him Succeeded his son Eugenius the second A.
where at his Landing he overthrew Brennius and Cornellius who were Guardians to the young King of Ireland with their Nobles taking several Forts and Castles at last he laid Seige to Dublin where their young King was which after some resistance yeilded The King returning Conqueror from Ireland dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign by him the City of Aberdeen was built 74. Donald the sixth Constantine the seconds Son succeeded A. D. 894. He was a Religious and good King fit for either War or Peace he had some Ingagments with the Danes and sent Assistance to the King of England against them toward the latter part of his days he was troubled with Intestine broils for the Murrays and Rosses invading one another committed great Insolencies to quench this Fire the King came upon them with a great Army and taking the Leaders of the Faction put them to Death for an Example to others He dyed the eleventh year of his Reign 75. To him succeeded Constantine the third Ethus's Son A. D. 905. A Valiant but unfortunate Prince the perfidious Danes having broken their League with him joyned with the English but within four years they met with such measures as made them glad to return to the Scots Whereupon followed a hot and cruel War wherein Constantine found himself so unsuccessful that he resigned his Crown and betook himself to a Monastery where he dyed the fortieth year of his Reign 76. Malcolm the first Donald the sixths Son succeeded A. D. 943. A valiant Prince and severe Justitiar A Peace being made with England wherein Cumberland and Westmorland were annexed to the Crown of Scotland to be holden in Fee of the Kings of England this Prince passed the rest of his days in executing of Justice which he did with such strictness that some Villains in Murray-Land conspired against him where he was Traiterously killed the ninth year of his Reign 77. Indulf Constantine the thirds Son succeeded A. D. 952. A brave Warrior the Danes Landing in the North with a huge Army he went against them there in a pitch'd Battel he routed them but dyed himself in the Battel the ninth year of his Reign 78. To him succeeded Duff Malcolm the first 's Son A. D. 961. A Prince who much studied the Peace of his Country he went about his Northern Circuits where he kept his Courts severely punishing Malefactors coming at last to the Castle of Forress suspecting no harm was Traiterously murdered by the Captain and his Wife who were afterwards apprehended and put to a cruel Death 79. To him succeeded Culen Indulfs Son A. D. 966. Who having revenged the late Kings Death soon after became a most Flagitious and wicked Prince deflowring his own Daughters and Sisters He was killed by Rodard a Noble man at Meffen this Daughter he had deflowred the fourth year of his Reign 80. Keneth the third Duffs Brother succeeded A. D. 970. The beginning of his Reign was good executing of Justice severely finding his Nobles averse to deliver up ther Friends and Vassals who troubled the Peace to Justice he called a Convention of the States at Scone where having Clandestinely conveyed some Men in Arms where the Nobles were convened made them all Prisoners telling them that so it would be untill they did give up those Rebels to Justice they finding themselves thus hooked sent to their Friends to perform the Terms of their Liberation thus in a short time he had five hundred notable Thieves delivered up them he caused to be every one hanged upon Gibbets close by the Castle of Berth The Danes with a great Fleet of Ships Landing in Angus destroyed all before them till they came to Berth where the King and his Army ran-countered with them there followed a most bloody Battel the Scots beginning to give Ground were made to Rally by the means of one Hay and his two Sons who hearing as they were at Plowing not far from the Field that the Scots fled came each of them with a Club in his hand and renewed the Battel putting the Danes to flight there they were all cut off the King amply rewarded him giving him so much of the best Land in Scotland as a Faulcon off a Mans hand flew over which was six miles in length and four in breadth this was the Original of the Noble and Ancient Surname of Hay But that which darkned all this Noble Kings Acts was his causing Malcolm Prince of Scotland to be Poisoned making a Law that the Eldest Son or Nephew of the deceased Prince of what age soever he be shall succeed to the Crown with divers others Laws of the like Nature At last coming to the Castle of Felercarne the Lady Grof had the Kings Image in Brass in the midst of the House with a Golden Apple in his hand the King upon the Ladies desire pulling the Apple out of the Images hand was shot through the Body with an Engine that was made in it for the purpose He dyed the twenty fourth year of his Reign 81. To him succeeded Constantine the fourth Surnamed the Balde A. D. 994. He came to the Crown by Usurpation he was killed in Battel at Cramond in Lonthian the second year of his Reign 82. Grimus Duffs Son Usurped the Crown A.D. 996. Malcolm whose Right it was sent to the Nobles acquainting them how far he was wronged which Grimus hearing of caused the Messengers to be cast into Prison which was like to have been the beginning of a War yet they were seemingly agreed for that time by one Horthadus a Bishop but not long after his Vices being intolerable Malcolm was brought home from England who killed him in Battel the eighteenth year of his Reign 83. Malcolm succeeded to the Crown A. D. 1004. A Noble and Valiant Prince in his time Sweno King of the Danes being banished his Country and coming to Scotland was converted to Christianity and supplyed with Men for reducing his Kingdom yet to his great loss he soon after made War against Malcolm who utterly routed his Army several times This Prince was killed by a Conspiracy of some of his Nobles in the Castle of Glames the thirtieth year of his Reign the Conspirators flying in the Night chanced to pass over the Pool of Forfar upon the Ice where the Ice breaking they all miserably perished 84. Duncan the first Malcolm the seconds Grand-son by his Daughter Beatrix succeeded A. D. 1034. He was thought to be of too indulgent a Spirit for Governing that fierce and untractable People Bancho of whom are descended the Ancient and Royal name of Stewarts was in his time Thane or Earl of Lochaber He was Traiterously murdered by his Cousin Makbeth the sixth year of his Reign 85. To him succeeded Mackbeth Malcolm the seconds Daughters Son A. D. 1040. Altho' he came to the Crown by Treachery and Blood-shed yet he Governed for a time pretty moderately but at last brake out into all kind of Tyranny and Cruelty forcing his Nobles
to the servilest of his Work which they being not able to endure Macduff Earl of Fife Posts to England where he found Malcolm the late Kings Son at King Edwards Court whom he invited home to revenge his Fathers Death and possess the Crown which was his own by right Malcolm suspecting Treachery pretended several excuses to try Macduffs sincerity but when he found him Cordial he declared his Willingness Whereupon getting assistance of Men from King Edward he entred Scotland Macbeth hearing of his arrival went about to oppose him but Macduff surprizing him in his Castle of Dunfinnan killed him with his own hand the seventeenth year of his Reign 86. Malcolm Surnamed Kanmor Son to Duncan the first succeeded A. D. 1057. He was a worthy Prince and in Compensation of their Service and Loyalty in his Restauration created many Earls Lords Barons and Baronets commanding that their Lands should be called after their Names He made also his Thanes Earls many new Surnames began at this time as Calder Lochbart Gordoun Seytown Lander Kennethe Meldrome Schau Liberton Livermond Cargill Strachan Ratray Dundass Meazeis Mertine Cockbourn Lesly Abercromby At this time also William Duke of Normandy conquered England which was the occasion that these Surnames being expelled their Country came to Scotland viz. Ramsay Vans Lindsay Lownal Towres Preston Bissat Foules Wandlaw Maxwell from France came the Names of Frazer Sintcare Boswel Montray Montgomry Boyes Campbel Beaton At this time Walter Son to Fleance came to Scotland who shortly after was created high Steward of the Kingdom King Malcolm was killed at the siege of Anwick by one Robert Moubray who came from the Castle upon a light horse holding in his hand a Lance with the Keys of the Castle upon the point of it King Malcolm looking stedfastly to the Lance the other run him through the Eye with it escaping to the next Wood Whereupon King William changed this Moubrey's Name to Percy King Malcolm dyed the thirty sixth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunfermling 87. Donald the seventh Sirnamed Bane being Malcolm Kanmores Brother usurped the Crown A. D. 1093. But within a year he was expelled by Duncan base Son to the foresaid Malcolm 88. Duncan the second usurped the Crown but did not enjoy it long being killed by Macpendar Earl of Mearnes at Taich by procurement of Donald the seventh who after was Crowned King He gave the North and West Isles to the King of Norway for his assistance to recover the Crown He was taken Captive by Edgar his Successor and put in Prison where after some years he dyed miserably 89. Edgar Malcolm Kanmores Son succeeded A. D. 1098. He was the first anointed King Governing with great Wisdom and Sobriety He dyed the nineteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 90. To him succeeded Alexander the first Sirnamed Fierce A. D. 1107. Soon after his coming to the Throne certain Traitors were by his Chamberlains means let in to his Chamber intending to have killed him in Bed but he being surprised at their noise got out of Bed and caught a Sword in his hand wherewith he killed the Chamberlain and six of the other Traitors the rest hasted away but being pursued and some of them overtaken Confessed that divers of the Nobles were in the Conspiracy them the King pursued killing some and taking others He dyed in Peace the seventeenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 91. To him succeeded his Brother David the first A. D. 1124. He possessed Northumberland and Cumberland Huntington and Westmorland He married Maud Daughter to the Earl of Northumberland who dyed in the flower of her Age for which the King took such Grief that he resolved never to Marry again but gave himself wholly to works of Charity He purged his Court from all Vices so that his whole Family were given to Vertuous Exercises no Rioting nor Drunkeness nor Lascivious or wanton Songs were suffered This Victorious and Religious King dyed in Carlyle the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Dumfermling where King James the first visiting his Tomb called him a Sore Saint to the Crown 92. Malcolm the fourth Sirnamed the Maiden next Heir after King David began his Reign A. D. 1153. A just and mild Prince in the beginning of his Reign there was a great Famine in Scotland whereof many dyed Sumerled Thane of Argyle taking advantage of the present Calamity raised a Rebellion purposing to make himself King but he was soon crush't his Friends killed and himself forced to fly to Ireland soon after being invited to London by King Henry of England under pretence of confirming him in his Title to Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland he carried him with him into France where he had Wars for that time he no sooner was returned home then he made War with England to the great loss of both Kingdoms He dyed at Jedburgh the twelfth year of his Reign 93. To him succeeded William his Brother Sirnamed the Lyon A. D. 1165. He demanded Northumberland which by Right belonged to his Crown to be re-delivered to him which the King of England being taken up with Wars in France durst not altogether refuse but condescended to let him have such parts of it as his Grand-father possest but soon after he was by a Stratagem taken Prisoner at Alunick and sent to France where the King of England was whence not long after he was Ransomed with a sum of Money being returned home he expelled all the Murrays out of Murray-Land for that they were Seditious and Tumultuous in his absence About this time the Pope sent to King William a Sword with the Sheath and Hilts all of Gold set about with precious Stones with a Hat or Diadem giving him the Title of the Defender of the Church After this he retired to Bertha where he stayed not long when by a sudden Inundation of two Rivers Tay and Almond the Towns Walls were beat down the Castle demolished the young Prince and his Nurse with several others drowned the King himself narrowly escaping He founded and built the City of Perth granting to it several great and ample Priviledges He dyed the forty ninth year of his Reign and was buried in Aberbrothick 94. His Son Alexander the second succeeded to him A. D. 1214. Having pacified all Rebellions at home he led his Army into England where having made Peace with King John he married his Sister Afterward he went into France and renewed the old League with this Addition that neither of them should receive or protect the Enemies of the others Kingdom nor Marry with any Stranger without making one another privy thereto In the mean time his Queen dyed without any Succession within a year after he married Mary Daughter to Ingelram Earl of Coucy in France who bare to him Alexander the third in his time came Cardinal Egadius into Britain to beg Money for the Holy War of which he got a great deal but
his Brother to Court to know the Kings mind towards him The King promised upon his Submission to accept of him which he performed making him for his further Encouragement Lieutenant General of his Forces But he stood not long privately in his Prosperity for going to the Court of England upon some design the King was highly dissatisfied with him yet upon his humble Submission he is pardoned but divested of all publick imployment within the Kingdom Thus being degraded from his Honnour 's he gives himself wholly to study revenge and that he might the more successfully effect his Design he gets the Earls of Cranford Ross-Murray the Lord Balveny with many other Barons and Gentlemen to enter in a Confederacy both offensive and defensive with him after they broke out in unsufferable Insolences spoiling and plundering the Lands of such as were not of their Faction and killing and destroying such as offered to oppose them The King begins to be apprehensive of their Design therefore thinks it high time to look to himself and his Country Whereupon he sent for Douglass to come and speak with him at Sterling which he at first feared to do but upon second Thoughts he accompanied with many of the Confederates went to Court where the King very Graciously received him the day being far spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Council and the Guards the King takes the Earls apart very friendly and remembred him of Favours received and wrongs forgotten Taxing him with the exorbitant abuses of his followers then he told him of a Covenant which he heard was made betwixt him and some of the other Nobility and desired to know what he had to say Douglass answered in plain terms it was so but that the Covenant was made for his own safety the King further expostulated with him to break it which he refusing to do the King with his Dagger ended the Quarrel killing him in the place About the end of this Tragedy a pair of Spurs between two Platters is directed to Sir James Hamilton as a part of the Kings Banquet Whereupon he and the rest takes the Allarum and setting Fire to divers places of the Town they make their escape the King to vindicate himself emits Declarations shewing all his good Subjects the Reasons that moved him to take Douglass's Life that it was not a fit of Passion nor an Act of private revenge but meerly to save the State from utter Ruin Yet the Mobile were diversly affected some justifying the Fact as Noble and Just but others as the greater number as boldly Condemned it as Inhumane and Cruel these of the League missing no Opportunity that was for their Interest made it their work to sow Sedition and Discord and to encourage all Breaches and Contempt of the Laws which encreased their number so that the King was reduced to a very low condition till at last Cranford one of the Confederates being routed by the Earl of Huntly he recovered some strength and having called a Parliament at Edenburgh summoned the Confederate Lords to appear before which they scornfully refused to do Whereupon the King levying an Army forced them to retire yet the Country suffered sadly by their unbridled Fury At length after much loss on both sides the King daily prevailing the Earl of Cranford submitted himself to his mercy as several others did afterward Whereupon the Earl of Douglass fled to England there having gathered together several desperate Men he made several inroads upon the Border The King having with much difficulty recovered the Royal Authority of his Ancestors England in the mean time being at the point of utter ruine by the contest of Henry the sixth and the Duke of York was much solicited by both of them but he told the Ambassadors that he had more reason to look to his own concerns then to assist either of them which he intended to do thereupon raising a Powerful Army he passed the Tweed and besieged Roxburgh where having applyed his battery to the Castle he began to storm it but by the space of an over-charged Piece the King's thigh bone being broken was struck immediately Dead the twenty Fourth year of his Reign having left three sons James who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany and John Earl of Marre and was buried at Holy-Rood house After his death the Queen with her Son came to the siege and encouraged the Nobles who took and demolished the Castle and also the Castle of Warke 104. To him Succeeded his Son James the third A. D. 1460. A good Prince corrupted by wicked Courtiers who with advantage of his years being but seven years of age when he began to Reign his education is intrusted to his Mother the Government of the Kingdom to the Earls of Anaudale Castle Orkney and the Lords Boyd and Graham the Bishops of St. Andrews Glasgow and Dnubek In this Princes Nonage great confusions increased both at home and abroad at home by the Islanders who extreamly infested the country and came as far as the Blairth of Athole and burnt S. Brides Church where the Earl and his Lady took Sanctuary carrying them to the Island Ila from whence as these Savages were going further they were all miserably destroyed by a tempest Nor was it better abroad England being in a flame by the Civil Wars Henry being taken and released again by his Queen flees to Scotland desiring their assistance against his Enemies and that he might be the better heard caused the Town of Berwick to be delivered to the Scots thereupon the Queen who managed the War geting some supply marched taking the King with her into England but was soon overthrown at Durham A. D. 1466. the Queen of Scots dyed having left many sound and profitable instructions to the King her Son who now coming to fifteen years of age is by his Regents committed to the Lord Boyds Brother to be Educated in the Excercise of Chivalry by which means the Boyds became to darken all others in the State nothing being done without them the Kenedies who had been the Kings best Friends seeing things go thus left the Court after which the Glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse The Lord Boyde to be yet higher gets the sole Government setled upon himself which laid the Foundation of his ruine and not satisfied with this he obtains his Son to be Married to the Kings eldest Sister this highly displeased the rest of the Nobility that his ambition should be so boundless which gave matter to his former Enemies to work upon all oppression and violence is winked at on purpose at last they procure Complaints from all parts of the Kingdom against the Boyds which made the Kings affection begin to turn away from them A. D. 1468. A match being proposed and agreed upon between the King and Margaret Daughter to the King of Denmark the Boyds Enemies procures the Earl of Arran who had Married the Kings Sister to be
purpose for soon after she signed a Warrant for a Mandate fitted for the Great Seal for her Execution which was performed upon Wednesday the 8th of February 1586. Queen Elizabeth immediately after Writes a Letter full of Apologies and fair promises to King James yet notwithstanding in great discontent he calls home his Ambassadours from the Court of England The States of Scotland urge him to a revenge The King of Spain also and the Pope promise him great assistance if he would undertake it but he thought fit to delay for a time which made England the more suspitious of his Designs Wherefore an Ambassadour was sent to him earnestly desiring him to take off his adherence from Forreign Friendship assuring him that his Mothers fate would be no prejudice to his right of Succession which was a powerful Argument with him The next Year the Kings Marriage with the King of Denmarks Daughter was agreed upon In the mean time the Popish Lords such as Huntly Cranford and Aâ—rol make a Rebellion in the North to suppress which the King himself went in Person at his coming the Rebels disperse the Headers of them submitted to the Kings Mercy and are commited close Prisoners and not long after Tryed and found Guilty but the Sentence was delayed to an indefinite time which at last turned to a Pardon The King hearing that his Marriage was consumated at Denmark by Proxie and the Queen at Sea was soon after surprised with the News that her Navy was beat into Norway by a Storm He presently resolves to go thither and meet Her which he does very privately leaving the Government of the Kingdom to his Council Within five dayes he arrives at Norway where he was solemnly Marryed the next Sunday From thence he went with his Queen to Visit the Queen Mother of Denmark where they staid till April following Then having sent for Shipping to return they Landed at Leith the 20 th day of May Anno Dom. 1590. and a little after the Queen was solemnly Crowned at Holy-Rood-House Though the King made severe Laws against Feuds yet were they not quite suppressed for by reason of a quarrel between the Earles of Huntly and Murray the North broke very loose as did the Kers also in the South but they were soon suppressed till Bothwel afterward being Imprisoned for consulting with Witches to take away the Kings Life and having escaped made an attempt upon the Kings Lodgings and was repulsed being suspected to have been with Murray the Earl of Huntly procures a Warrant to take him and coming to Dunnibirsle where Murray was firing the House Murray attempting to make his Escape was Barbarously Murdered Bothwel having so often been disappointed of his designes at last having got some of the Lords on his side he came in by the Postern-gate under disguise of attending my Lady Athole with another of his Companions armed to the very Bed-Chamber where he forced the King to grant him a Pardon which was the next day repealed in Council and Bothwel and his Associates forced to fly Anno Dom. 1593. The Queen was delivered of her first Born in Sterliâ—g where he was Christned in the Chappel Roval by the Name of Henry Frederick Two Years after Princess Elizabeth was born at Edenburgh The King resolving to bring the Church of Scotland to a Conformity in Government and Ceremonies did occasion much confusion for the Ministers strong opposed having also a great part of the Nobility on their side The Popish Lords and others unable to stand out any longer submitted to the Censure of the Church The next Year a Parliament is called wherein the King will have some of the Ministers sit as representing the Church being Church Affairs as well as Affairs of State are handled there Anno Dom. 1599. John Earl of Goury and his Brother Alexander attempt to kill the King at Perth but both of them dyed in the attempt and had all their Lands seized for the Kings use In commemoration of which the 5th of August is annually celebrated The 26 th of February 1600. Prince Charles was born at Domfermling which afterward was King of Great Britain c. The Jesuits having no hope of Toleration in Scotland all their Politicks having failed them they went the old way to work One Moubray at the Court of Spaiâ— undertook to kill King James but as he was upon his way to London he was discovered by an Italian who accused him of his intended Murther whereupon they were both taken and sent to Scotland Moubray was committed to the Castle where having found a way to break the Iron Grates of the Prison window thought to have let himself down by a Rope which proving too short he fell from the precipice and dashed out his braines upon a Rock Queen Elizabeths health beginning to decay by reason of her age and the great troubles she had undergone removes from London to Richmond where she daily became weaker and weaker The Lord Admiral Lord Keeper and Secretary Cecil came from the Council to know her pleasure concerning her Successor She answered My Throne is for a King none othâ—â— shall Succeed me Cecil asked her What King She said What other King than my Kinsman the King of Scots Then after some time not stirring she leasurely turned her head about and dyed the Seventyeth year of her Age the 24th of March 1602. Her eyes being shut the same day the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Assembled proclaimed her death and declared King James her Successor Presently Posting Letters to him acquainting him with the Queens Death and being a Body without a Head humbly desiring his Majesty to hasten to them how soon and in what manner he pleaseth The King having communicated these Letters to his Privy-Council returns them his acknowledgment of their dutifull Affection The King sets out for England ordering the Queen to follow Twenty days after the Princes Henry Charles and Princess Elizabeth at further Pleasure He was most magnificently Entertained all the way having a Gallant train of Scottish Noblemen and other Gentlemen to convey him to Berwick where he was most magnificently received by the English and accompanied with Shouts and Acclamations of Joy by all ranks in his Journey through England till he came to London His first Reception was in the Charter-House where he stayed four days having confered the Honour of Knighthood upon 80 Gentlemen On St. Jameses's day the King and Queen were Crowned at Westminster in the Fatal Marble Chair Secretary Elphingston was within a few years after accused by the King for Writing Letters to the Pope in his Name which he confessed and was thereupon committed but soon after pardoned The King was not allowed to enjoy the pleasure of his new Title with Peace for soon after followed the Treason of the Lord Cobham and Gray with Sir Walter Rawley and others for which some of the number being condemned to dye and brought to the very Block obtained a Pardon His Majesty took
convened his Nobles intending to determine the right of Inheritances which some had unlawfully kept in these unsettled times this begat a Conspiracy which being detected a meeting was held at Perth there by their own Papers many were Convicted and Executed but some Pardoned In the mean time a Legat came from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See to threaten the Scots into a Peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marched as far as Stainmore Edward in revenge raiseth a most powerfull Army Robert therefore considering that his force would not be in case to resist so great a Power caused all the cattel to be carryed unto the Avious retreats of the Hills that they might not be serviceable to the Enemy whereupon the English for want of Victuals were forced to retire Bruce pursues them as far as Yorke there he obtained a great Victory About this time the family of the Hamiltons took their rise one of them killing an English Gentleman fled to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day Bruce now having subdued his enemies begins to compose himself to the cares of Peace and by Act of Parliament settles the Crown upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stewart his Grand-child by his Daughter soon after Thomas Randolph and James Dowglas were sent with a flying party of horse into England from whence they returned without any considerable action saving only that Dowglas with two hundred horse beat up the English quarters cutting two ropes of the Kings Tent with his Sword and made a good retreat Bruce finding himself wasted with Age retyred to the Abby of Kilross leaving these three Counsels behind him First not to let one man Solely command the Ebudae Secondly never to put all their strength at one Hazard with the English Thirdly never to make long Truces with them Thus he dyed leaving Charge with the Valiant Dowglas to go to Jerusalem whither himself designed an Expedition which the Dowglas performing he afterward Joyned with the Christian Princes against the Turks and Saracens where he obtained several great Victories He purposing to return home was driven by a Tempest upon the Coast of Spain where he joyned with the King of Aragon against the Saracens and obtained great Victories at last he was killed by an Ambushment that was laid for him of purpose thus ended the Noble and Valiant Dowglas one of the most renowned warriours that lived in his days It is said that he was thirteen times Victorious against the Turkes and Sarazens and fiftie seven times against the English In the preceeding age there was a Gate in Dansick called the Dowglas port in memory of this Dowglas King Robert dyed at Cardross the twenty fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 98 To him Succeeded his Son David Bruce A. D. 1330. Being seven years of age Thomas Randal who was continued Governour kept the country in entire peace and prosperity which King Edward hearing of hired a Monk to kill Randal by poyson the Monk giving out that he had great skill in curing the Stone where with the Government was sore troubled came to be in favour with him which gave him opportunity to perpetrate his Villany how ever the Poyson did not take effect at first but the Monk returned home and told King Edward that he had done his business who immediately raising a great Army came to the border of which the Governour being advertised presently marched against him himself not being able to ride nor go was carryed in a litter when King Edward heard that the Governour was there in person he sent an Herald under pretence of seeking peace whom the Governour received with a very austere countenance when Edward was by the Herald certified of the truth of his being alive he returned home and burnt the Monk alive The Governour returning home dyed at Musselbrough after his death the Earle of March and the Earle of Marr were chosen Governours in which they were scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Balliol was seen in the Fryth with a formidable Fleet his Army consisted of both English and Scotch the Earle of Stafford with divers other English men of note were with him the Governours raised two great Armies to oppose the Balliol he came near the water of Hone where he pitched his Tents the Earle of Marr also encamped within view of him but he slighting the smallness of their number took little care of himself the Balliol in the night time passed the water of Erne having intelligence of the Ford by a stake set up for that purpose and entering the Earle of Marrs Camp killed him in his Bed with many other Noble men and Gentlemen namely the Earle of Carrick Sir William Hay Constable of Scotland Alexander Frazier also Robert Keith Lord Marshal Balliol past immediately and beseiged Perth and soon overcame it The Earle of March being encamped at Ochterarder and hearing of the Earle of Marrs death and the taking the Town of Perth marched thither and beseiged it but after he had filled the Ditches and put himself in a case to make an assault he most shamefully left it thereupon 99. Balliol usurped the Crown at Scone A. D. 1332. coming from thence to Perth they that adhered to David Bruce beseiged him and his party upon the other hand his adherents wasted and destroyed the beseigers country Perth being well fortified was by the King committed to the Earle of Fiffe as Governour of it but the Sons of them who were killed with the Earle of Marr at Duplin beseiged and took it committing the Governour to the Castle of Killdrummie Andrew Murry of Tullibardin was Executed for fastning the stake in the Ford of the River Erne whereby Balliol and the Englishmen were directed the Night wherein they Surprised the Earle of Marre Therefore John Kandal Earle of Murry and the Earle of Galloway gathered a great Army and came against Balliol and quite routed him killing many of his Nobles and taking many Prisoners the Kingdom being thus divided the one part for Balliol the other for Bruce the King of England thinking it a fit time for him to make a full Conquest of Scotland raised a great Army and beseiged Berwick mean while Archibald Dowglass raised an Army and entring the Borders Burnt all before him to divert the King of England from the Seige King Edward advertised of this sent a Messenger to Sir Alexander Setonn who was Governour telling him that if he did not presently render he would hang his two Sons whom he had in his hands which he refusing to do the two Young Gentlemen were presently hanged then the Governour came with an Army to Northumberland where a most Bloody battel was fought on Halidown-hill and the Governour himself with many Nobles killed thereupon Berwick was rendered and Edward Balliol Established King who sought by
that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered into the hands of the Scots with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Redcross in in Richmondshire the French Ambassadors also proffered great and tempting things withal puting the King in mind how true they have been to him for so many years since the first making of the League The King and his Council after mature deliberation declare they will not break the Ancient League with France whereupon the English Ambassadors turned from Prayers to Threatnings and being denied friendship denounced War But the King no wise moved hereat presently prepared his Ships and with a company of able and skilful Mariners set his Daughter to Sea and having escaped the English Fleet that waited for her safely arrived at the Rochel A. D. 1430. The English to revenge this supposed afront invades Scotland both by Sea and Land against their forces commanded by Henry Piercy of Northumberland went James Dowglass Earle of Angus with several Gentlemen their numbers were much about one the lists of their meeting was Popperden Adam Hepburn of Hales and Alexander Elphinston led the Vanguard of the Scots Sir Richard Piercy and Sir John Ogle of the English Sir Alexander Ramsey of Dalehouse and Henry Clidsdale kept the Rears no sooner came they within distance of Joyning but the sounds of Drums and Trumpets was out noised by the shouts of the Assailants Guns being about this time invented were here first practised between the Scots and English in an open field then the fight with equal order had been long maintained on both sides now the Scots then the English yielding ground many of the Commanders at length began to fall most of the English then was the Piercy at once constrained to be both Commander and Souldier but all would not do at last Victory declared her self altogether for the Scots two hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers of the Scots were slain here Of the English dyed Sir Henry Cliddsdale Sir John Ogle Sir Richard Piercy with fifteen hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers and four hundred taken prisoners of which forty were Knights King James resolving to prosecute this War raised an army and cometh to Roxburgh beseigeth the Castle defended by Sir Ralph Gray But when he came so near his designe that they within were driven to terms to Surrender The Queen in great hast cometh to the Camp representing to her Husband a Conspiracy which if not suddenly prevented would indanger his person and Crown this put the King in great astonishment not knowing what to do at last after many doubtful resolutions and conflicts in his thoughts raiseth the seige disbandeth the Army and accompanied with some chosen bands of his most assured friends Perplexed Pensive and Sad returned to Perth staied in the Convent of the Dominicans indeavouring so secretly as was possible to find out the Conspiracy but his close practising was not unknown to the Conspirators which made them hasten the mischief before tryal or remedy could be thought upon The Conspirators were Robert Graham Robert Stewart Nephew to Waller Earle of Athole and one of the Kings sworn Domesticks but he who gave motion to all was the Earle of Athole he himself the Kings Fatthers Brother this quarrel was no less then a pretended Title to the Crown and being animated by the Oracle of a Southsayer who assured him that he would be Crowned in a solemn Assembly before his death never doubted of success These having associated unto them the most audacious whom hope of preferment might intice Thus Graham and Stewart which were accomplices guided with resolution and guarded with the darkness of the Night came to the Black-fryers of Perth and having the way made open to them entred the Gallery before the Kings chamber door where they attended some of their Confederates who should have stole away the bar by which means they might enter the chamber but before their coming the occasion was put in their hands for Walter Streater one of the Kings Cup bearers came forth of the Chamber and finding armed men rushing rudely to force their entry with a loud voice gave the alarum of Treason while they were working his death a Maid of Honour got to the Door and essayed to shut it but the bar which should have made it fast was gone she thrust in her Arm in the place of it but that easily broken the conspirators rush into the Chamber and slaying all such of the waiters as made defence they at last stroke down the King whom while the Queen by interposing her body sought to save she received two wounds and he with twenty eight most toward the heart was left dead The report of this Murther being spread abroad wrought incredible Sorrow and Grief in the Hearts of his Subjects of all sorts the Nobles of their own accord and motion Assembled to Edenburgh and directed Troops of Armed men through all the quarters of the Kingdom to aprehend the Murtherers such diligence was used that within forty days all were taken and put to Ignominious Deaths the common sort of the Conspirators were hanged upon Gibbits the punishment of Athol was continued for three days the first day he was Stript naked to his shirt and by a Crane fixed in a Cart often hoisted aloft and thus dragged along the great street of the Town on the second day he was mounted upon a Pillar in the Market-place and crowned with a Diadem of burning Iron with this Inscription the King of all Traytors thus was his Oracle accomplished the third day he was laid naked upon a Scaffold his belly ript his Heart and Bowels taken out and thrown in a Fire before his eyes lastly his Head was cut of and fixed in the most Eminent place of the Town his Body sent in quarters to the most populous Cities of the Kingdom to remain a Trophy of Justice His Nephew was not altogether so vigorously handled being only hanged and quartered But it being notorious that Graham had imbrewed his hands in the Kings Blood a Gallows being raised in a Cave he had his Right hand nailed to it and as he was dragged along the Streets Executioners with burning Pincers tearing the most Fleshy part of his Carcass being thus torn and flayed his Heart and Intrals were thrown into a Fire his Head set up and his Quarters sent among the Towns to satisfie the wrath and sorrow of the injured People Being asked during his Torture how he durst embrew his hand in his Princes blood he made answer that having Heaven and Hell before him he dared leap from Heaven into Hell an answer worthy for such a Villain Dueas Sylvius then Legat in Scoltand from the Pope having seen this sudden and Terrible revenge being a Witness of the Execution Said he could not tell whether he should give them greater Commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with a sharper Condemnation that distained themselves with so Hainous a parricide Thus dyed this