the Hague till the Royall affairs in England might gain a better posture which he did and there found a reception answerable to his Birth Not long after the King his Royall Father being in danger to be inclosed in Oxford by General Fairfax who returning out of the West had designed to block it up took care for his safety and attended only by Mr. Ashburnham or as some say attended on him went privily our thence and threw himselfe upon the Scotch Army then at Newark who shortly after notwithstanding his confidence of them for a sum of money delivered him up most perfidiously and traiterously to his implacable Enemies the English Army These after many pretences of Treaties and seeming willingness to come to an accord with him on that black day the 30. of January 1648. most villaniously and trayterously beyond the imagination of the World murder'd him Thus far is a short view of those hardships and afflictions undergone by this noble Prince during his Fathers Life Reign we will now proceed to those he hath since ran through which we may more properly and particularly call his Own Among which the Chief and greatest and from whence all his other miseries flowed as from their spring head was the deprivation of his Kingdome Royalties For that part of the Parliament of England which had usurped the whole power or more were not onely content to take a way his fathers life but by their Proclamation deprive him of all right in the Government of those three Kingdomes which they take upon themselves contrary both to the Word of God the Fundamental Laws of the Nation and his own undoubted right by birth he being lineally desended from that Family which had successively governed England for above three hundred years He was at that time of his Fathers death at the Court of his Sister the Royal Princesse of Orange in the Hague in expectation to hear rather of the Conclusion of a Treaty then of his murder to which effect he writ by the Lord Seymour the following Letter to him some short time before his Death For the King SIR HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesties present condition but such as I receive from the Press or which is as uncertain reports I have sent this bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty and to bring me an account of it that I may withall assure your Majesty I doe not onely pray for your Majesty according to my duty but shall alwayes be ready to doe all which shall be in my power to deserve that blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon Sir Your Majesties Most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES Hague Jan. 23. 1648. And here he staid till he heard the heart breaking news of his Fathers Murther then shortly after he took his Iourney to the Queen his mother in France hoping there to get aid but found none which might render him in a capacity to revenge his Father's Death or demand his own right by force and in vain it was to think of any fair means to attain it Yet there wanted not some friends of his in England who willing to demonstrate how ready they were to adventure themselves for him his right as far as their weak abilities would strech caused under hand a Proclamation to be printed proclaiming him King of England Scotland France and Ireland and advising all his good Subjects to give all due Allegiance to him but the low condition of the Royalists then in England and the great strength and potency of the Parliaments Army made this Proclamation unvalid and those who at a fit opportunity would willingly have complied with it were forced to direct their Obedience to the contrary Goal But though England prov'd thus defective to his interest not so much I dare say in Allegiance as power Yet Jreland is at his Devotion for the Marquess of Ormond and the Lord Inchiquin having made a peace with the Quondam Rebels he is by joynt consent both of Papists and Protestants proclaimed King in most towns of that Nation Dublin and London-Derry only excepted which were kept from their Allegiance the one by the Lieu. General Iones the other by Sir Charles Coote who joyntly strove to justifie the Parliament of Englands late actions He being thus proclaimed there is solemnly invited to come over to them to which invitation his Mother earnestly adds her desires but the best of his friends and Counsellours as earnestly disswaded him upon reasons drawn both from prudence and Policy since in probability the design not succeeding it would utterly ruine his hopes with all the Protestant party then stedfast to him both in Scotland and England or that if he would needs venture himselfe with this party they desired him at least to attend whether by any good event of theirs there might be any probability of successe 'T is supposed that this Council swaied with him more out of his real affection to the Protestant Religion then any other Politick reason Yet he immediately after took a journey to the Isle of Iersey which startled some as though he had intended to have proceeded thence for Ireland but that suspition proved unnecessary he was accompanied hither by his Brother the Duke of York who was lately come to him out of Holland and many other Nobles Gentlemen the Islanders immediately upon his arrival most joyfully proclaimed him King and the Lord Iermyn Earle of Yarmouth was made Governour of that Island who constituted Sir George Cartwright his deputy Governour The King sends from hence his Royal command to the Governour of Gernsey Island which was then wholly subjected Cornet Castle only excepted to the Parliaments sorces requiring him to surrender the said Island to him and that his good Subjects there might have liberty to return to their due obedience but his command proved ineffectual Many affirm but how true I know not that the reason of the Kings removal to this Island was out of design to surprize Dartmouth and some other places in the West by the Levellers help who having then made a defection from the Parliaments Army in England were say they to have joyned with the Royalists for the intents and purposes a foresaid but whether so or no I cannot affirm though I can certainly tell this that were it so it proved uneffectual for the Levellers were soon overpowred and quell'd Whilst King Charles was hear expecting a Messenger from the States of Scotland came news of the unfortunate overthrow of the Marquess of Ormond his Army by Lieu. General Iones before Dublin which caused a generall sorrow among all his followers for there had been great hopes expectations of that Army it amounting to no lesse then twenty two thousand men was esteemed able not onely to have taken Dublin but likewise to have resisted Cromwell's then new comming Army in the field yet whether by the carlessness of the Commanders or security of the
adjourned to give time for his Majesties nation being met again there were strong endeavors of the King that several Lords of the Royal party should be admitted to their seats in Parliament but the assemblies of the Kirk at Sterling Aberdeen as strongly oppose it and shew themselves discontented both at this proposal and likewise at the new levies in regard they were there admitted to commands in the Army as they now desired to have place in Parliament yet notwithstanding these murmurings they were upon their reconciliation to the Church and passing the stool of Repentance re-admitted to their places in Parliament such were Duke Hamilton the Marquess of Huntley the Earls of Calendare Crawford others But stil not only many of the Ministers notwithstanding there was a select Committee appointed to examine and punnish such persons who any way confronted and murmured against any designs or acts of State rail against these proceedings but some of the Nobles too are discontented insomuch that the Earl of Sutherland utterly refused to concur with them and if he could possibly would have opposed them by force And indeed very many or most of the Presbyterians were discontented For the Royal party by the Admission of those Lords and others was grown stronger then the Kirk's and now bore all the sway which made the proud Marquesse Argyle and other Covenantier Lords murmur at being afraid least in time they should wholly be laid aside they having already seen one of their party begun with for the Earl of Louden who customarily had the Lord Chancellorship of the Kingdome was removed from his place and the Lord Burleigh constituted Chancellor in his stead Yet on the Covenanters side there wanted not some Ministers such were Mr. RoBert Douglass and Mr. David Dicks who endeavoured to beget a right understanding in both parties that these sparks of discontent might not at last burst out into a flame as 't was very much feared they would but rather that in this time of danger they might lay a side all animosities and unite together against the Common Enemy who else would be the Ruine of them both And now his Maiesty to keep a corespondency abroad sends the Earl of Dumferlin Ambassador to the States of Holland he had likewise at the same time several other Ambassadors oragents abroad in the courts of several Princes to require aid but never found more then what fair and sugar'd promises produced And about this time Sir Henry Hide being sent ouer to England from Constantinople whither he had been sent as Ambassador from his Majesty to the Grand Seignior by Sir Thomas Bendysh his means who was then Ambassador for the republick in England but yet deem'd a person of more loyalty to his Prince then to have sent his Ambassador to be murder'd if he could have avoided it after somewhat a formall tryall he suffered death on a Scaffold before the Royal Exchange in London for having taken Commissions from his Soveraign And not long after him Captain Brown-Bushell who though he had formerly been an enemy to his Majesties father yet now suffer'd death upon the Tower-hill London for having done some signal services by sea for his present Majesty But to return to the Kings affairs in Scotland where the special businesses in hand were the compleating the Levies to 15000 foot and 6000 horse which went on a pace and the fortifying the town of Sterling which his Majesty intended for the place of his chief residence to the hastening of the which his Majesty went often in Progress to view the Works encourage the Pioneers And time it was to hasten those Works for the English drew every day nigher and nigher towards them having already taken the Fort of Blackness which lay btween Sterling and Edenbrough which was never theless not accounted so great a loss as the surprizsal of the Earl of Eglinton and one of his Sons by a party of English horse at Dumbarton for this Earl was a person of a great deal of power in that Nation and his taking very much obstructed the going forward of the Levies But Sterling being almost fortified sufficiently his Majesty removed his Court hither where whilst he was his birth day being the 29 of May was kept through Scotland with such tokens of joy as are usuall upon such occasions but the town of Dundee exceeded all the rest for besides their equal expressions of joy they presented his Majesty with a rich Tent six pieces of Field Ordinance and set out a Regiment of horse towards his assistance at their own charge At Sterling likewise were the head Quarters kept most of the Scotch Army Quartering about it whither Middleton's levies from the North being come and amounting to about 8000 men it came to be a dispute whether these should be a distinct Army by themselves or be joined with Lesley's Southern levies but at length it was thought most conveniēt to joyn them and his Majesty to prevent those animosities which might arise between Middleton and Lesley for the General-ship tooke upon himselfe the Command of the whole From hence his Majesty sent a messenger to the Parliamet still sitting at S. Johnston's with these demands 1. That the Act about the Classis of malignants should be revok'd disannull'd and that an Act pass for its repeal 2. That there may be no more any mention of the name of malignants among them 3. That Duke Hamilton the Earls of Seaforth and Callendare c. might have as full commād in the Army as any others The demands were strongly debated pro con in the Parliament the Marquess of Argyle and others of the Covenanted strain endeavouring by all means possible to oppose them yet at length though with much difficulty they were carried in the affirmative it being urged by the more moderate sort too that the granting of these would be the only way to take away all animosities between those parties which they intended to unite The Parliament having granted these things to his Majesty given large commissions instructions for the compleating of the Levies about the begining of Iune dissolved leaving all things in relation to civil and intestine distempers in a calm quiet all parties seeming to be pleased and their actions united towards the opposing of their common Enemy Cromwell Whilst these things were thus transacted in Scotland a great and terrible plot was discovered against the Juncto then ruling in England and their government in assistance of his Majesty to his just Rights This design was chiefly laid by those Presbyterians who had been such dire Opponents of his Majesty's blessed father of happy yet unhappy memory viz the greatest part Presbyterian Ministers who had most of them formerly belcht out such fire-brands from their Pulpits as had set both Church and State in a combustion but now whether out of a reall sence of their Errour which I have the charity to believe it was they had a desire to return to
that distinction that hath either heard of or know him will confesse him to be but if they will not let them be convinced by that saying of a worthy Gentleman long time an attendant upon his Majesty who having given me a large account of his virtues at length concluded That Tully himselfe if now alive could not sufficiently expresse his praise Gentlemen it is to you in Generall that I present this History that you may see and be sensible to whom you have been loyal and then I believe that you will judge that your loyalty hath found it's just reward in being loyal to so just a Prince and if any of you have suffered for him read but his sufferings and you cannot value your own Yet I intend not this at all to his pretended Tavern friends which I believe whilst they are so are so onely there and indeed I cannot looke upon these as faithful Subjects for how can that man be loyal to his Prince who hath not the power to be true unto himselfe Drunken Subjects though never so loyal will prove the ruine both of themselves and their Soveraign Gentlemen let those that are truly loyal joyn their Prayers with mine for the happiness of his most SACRED MAIESTY since in his we must necessarily conclud our own and more then ours our COVNTRIES To the Readers in general Courteous Readers IF in this History I have displeased any person they cannot be so much displeased as I am sory I have endeavoured to please all nor have I more then Justice enforced me to favoured any I have laboured as J professed to write impartially where J have not done so J am confident there will not want Carpers Jf in some particulers affection hath swayed me though J confesse it a fault yet it brings it's excuse What loyal subject can relate his Soveraigns sufferings without a passion what Free born English man's heart begins not to rise within him when he does but think of those Tyrannies Oppressions his Native Countrey hath of late groaned under where J have been bitter it has been with reason where sweet with a great deal of Justice Yet one thing J shall desire the Reader to take notice of that when J speak of the presbyterians J mean not those moderate people who are as truly loyal as they are godly but some amongst them like wolves in sheeps cloathing such as Straughan and Kerry in Scotland who onely pretend themselves to be Presbyterians but are in their proof found Sectaries these are the Flea-bitten Cleargy the Sowers of strife and sedition and a scandal to those to whom they pretend to be Brethren To conclude that all the Subjects of this Land may with one heart and voice agree together for the Restauration of our afflicted Soveraign but of our more afflicted selves to just Rights and Priviledges is the earnest prayer of A Hearty well-wisher to his Countrey THE HISTORY OF CHARLES the II. Third MONARCK of Great Britain c. THe Histories of Englands late opressours have already cloyd and overladed the exuberant Press whole Volums daily coming forth either of the Actions of the late long Parliament or the life of their aspiring Generall Cromwell which though adorn'd with all those flatteries that could possibly proceed from the most beneficed pens yet cannot in the least justifie their actions to the more sober sort of people for though their memories may here smell sweet to some who have rather tasted of their favour then suffered under their opression yet do they but render them to the sufferers more infamous and to the Neuter ridiculous like the extolling of Don Quixot's Chivalry And though there have been some who have adventured to set them out to the life and paint them in their own colours yet have many of these as farr exceeded the bounds of Truth as the others came short of it rather exasperated by their own or to please their fellow sufferrers into so great extreams have either side been lead out of fear or flattery anger or passion Moderation and Impartiality are the chiefest virtues of an Historian and therefore he who writs an History should chuse such a subject to write on where neither fear nor gain can induce him to flatter anger or passion or to too much bitternesse Most of our modern Historians have proposed to themselves either profit advantage or employment by their Works which hath made them run into their so many grosse errours and flatteries whilst had they only endeavoured to represent things persons and actions impartially they had gained to themselves farr greater honour of true Writing I have chosen a subject to write of which I conceive may lead me to a mediocrity the Persons afflictions may induce me to pity him but they will in most mens judgments restrain me from flattery Nor need I out of fear I being now though unwillingly out of his reach mince the truth of his if any bad actions I confesse the Task I undertake is highly adventurous my pen may slip times may change however my heart shall guide me to an impartiality CHARLES the II. Heir apparent to the Crown of Great Britain and Jreland and crowned King of Scots whose History I intend to treat of was born on the 29. of May 1630 to the great joy of the King Queen and indeed the whole Nation for never yet had England a Prince born of so noble an extract and grand Alliance his father by lineal right desent King of Great Britain and Jreland his mother daughter to that thrice illustrious Prince Henry the Fourth King of France and worthily sirnamed the Great and Maria de Medicis By his Grandmothers side was he near allied to the Kings of Denmark by the marriage of his Aunt the noble Princesse Elizabeth to the Elector Palatine of Rhene King of Bohemia and afterwards by the marriage of his Royal Sister the Princesse Mary to the Prince of Orange Thus was he allied to most of the most potent Princes in Christendome And happy might this Nation have been under his Government if we may believe the vogue of that wisest of men Solomon who pronounces that Kingdome blessed whose Prince is the son of Nobles He was some years after his birth according to the ancient Customes of England for the Kings Eldest Son invested Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and was in his minority brought up under the care of the Earle of Newcastle till in the year 1646. the Lord Hopton's Army in which he was being near inclosed by Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of all the Parliaments Forces in the Devizes of Cornwall and the King his Fathers affairs being in a desperat condition all over England he was by the serious advice of his best friends perswaded to take shipping and depart for the Scillies from whence he was by the Parliament invited to return to London but he thought it safer for his Person to depart from thence to his Sister at
Souldiers I am loath to judge this mighty Army then beleaguring Dublin was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of its Number This overthrow the repulse of Sir Robert Stuart and Col. Mervin from London-Derry by Sir Charles Coot and Cromwell's suddain landing in Ireland whose motion now there was no field Army either to attend or oppose made his Majesties affairs grow almost as desperate in Ireland as they were before in England But the Scots Kirk who had sold their King into the hands of the Independant English Army after they heard that they had condemned him to death repent them of their Wickedness wash their hands from any guilt in his bloud Expostulate with the English siting in Parliament about their so severe proceedings and protest against having any hand in his Murther and to make the world believe they had yet some touch of loyalty within them they had just after his death proclaimed Charles Prince of Wales eldest Son to the late murthered King Charles the first and his lawfull and undoubted Heir King of Great Britain France and Ireland and had immediately resolved in the Committee of Estates then sitting to send some fitting persons to treat with his Majesty about sundry Articles before his reception to the Crown but long debates and demurs there were in the businesse before they could resolve what whom to send For some there were in this Grand Committee of Estates who fee'd or seduced by the Sectaries in England impeaded to the utmost of their power and endeavours all proceedings in the businesse so that once in stead of debating what or whom they should send to his Majesty it came to be a debate whether they should send or no but at length a Letter and Propositions was by the prevailing part concluded on and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton appointed to be the Messenger who on the 25. of September 1649. received his dispatches and some time after arrived before his Majesty at Iersey The chief of their desires was to this effect That his Majesty would gratiously be pleased himselfe to sign the Solemn League Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Parliament that every person in that Kingdome might takeit That he would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamilton 's last return 2. For receiving severall Acts made by English for the Militia 3. That the Kings of Scotland may have no negative voice 3. That his Majesty would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That he would put away all Papists from about him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with their Commissioners An honourable Company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend his Majesty to whom likewise they would send a sufficient provision to maintain him a train sutable to his birth and deserved greatnesse 6. That he would be gratiously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires These Propositions were very stifly debated Pro and Con some were so firce that they would have his Majesty utterly reject the Scots Propositions as dishonourable disadvantagious to his affaires Others were of opinion that it would more conduce to the Kings interest to accept of such Conditions as he could agree with the Scotch Commissioners which would be a readier way to attain the Crown then by Montrosse his designs who had lately received Commissions from the King to assault the North of Scotland with what force he could raise however the business was still demurred and delayed and no answer for a good while given to the Lord Libberton who earnestly prest it till such time as answer could come from Montross then in Holland and out of France touching their opinions concerning these Propositions concerning which Montross returned answer to his Majesty desiring him to harken to the Scotch Commissioners whilst they would propose agree to any thing which might stand with his Majesties honour for the restoring him to his Rights and Dignities That for himselfe he should rather be content to endure banishment from his highnesse sight and person then in the least prejudice his affaires Thus this faithfull and loyall servant courted banishment as the late famous Earle of Strafford had done death for his Masters good service but too generous was he and had too great a sence of goodnesse gratitude to grant his request but returned him this answer That he had so high a sence of his fidelity and loyalty all along and that he had performed so many signal services both for his Father and himselfe that he could not in honour leave him and therefore desired him to press him no farther The Queen Mother likewise earnestly presses her son to the acceptance of the Scotch Propositions for a Treaty as the onely and readiest way for the establishing him in his Kingdoms These resolves of his Mother and the Marquess of Montross wrought strongly with his Majesty yet notwithstanding they are as stoutly opposed by the Lord. Cleveland Byron Gerard others whose chief opposition proceeded from the alledged Treachery of the Scots to his Father That they were Scots still and might practice the same upon him But the majority of voices carrying it fora Treaty it was resolved on yet in regard it would require some time to frame an answer Sir William Fleming was sent Agent to the Committee of Estates in Scotland 'till such time as the Laird Libberton could be dispatc't Short time after Mr. Windram returned into Scotland with a Letter and instructions by word of mouth whereby he gave the Committee of Estates who having long expected were therefore more desirous to hear what he now brought an account how much he found his Majesty compliant to their Propositions viz That as to what acted to the two last Sessions of Parliament he was content a Generall Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamilton 's party in his last engagement should bear Office in State without consent of Parliament That he had appointed Breda in Holland for the place of a solemn Treaty for the making a full accomodation and agreement between him and his loving Subjects of Scotland The Contents of his Letter were as followeth For the Committee of Estates of Scotland CHARLES R. VVE have received your Letters lately presented to us by Mr. Windram of Libberton and we accept gratiously all the expressions of affection and fidelity therein contained towards us with your tender resentment of our present Condition and the just indignation which you profess to have against the execrable Murther of our Father and we believe that your intentions are full of Candor towards us as we are and always really have been desirous to settle a clear and right intelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient
Charters who being put in hopes of life by the perfidious Kirk upon his recantation made a long speech upon the Scaffold acknowledging his Apostacy from the Covenant and desiring to be reconciled to the Kirk but had notwithstanding his head struck off This was the fatall and Tragicall Event of his Majesties affairs in Scotland under Montrosse's Conduct let us now turn to see how the treaty at Breda went on in the mean time But before I proceed any further give me leave to speak a word or two concerning the Magnanimous Col. Will. Sibbalds who say some confessed himselfe guilty of the Murther of D. Dorislaus the English Agent at the Hague which I must ingeniously confesse I believe upon good ground to be only a Calumny and scandal raised from the so far extended Marice of his enemies for I can find nothing either in his speech at Death or in any Records of credit tending to such a confession though much against any likelyhood of it nor can I imagine that any man could with so much resolution as he dyed with part from this world and have so great a load and blot upon Conscience But to proceed Great debates there were in the mean time between his Majesty and the Scotch Commissioners concerning the Treaty and great demurs there were upon it for besides the striving of some Lords who had a kind of a serious Antipathy to the Scots perfidiousness and endeavoured to perswade his Majesty not to trust them who had betrayed his Father The King himselfe stuck highly as he had reason about the business of of taking the Covenant For 1. There was no reason why he should be enforced to relinquish the Religion of his Fathers and whilst he permitted to his Subjects Liberty of Conscience it would be very inconsistent with their so earnestly pretended desires of a peace and agreement to deny him the same priviledge which he gave them 2. That Covenant tendered and so earnestly prest upon him by them was an Obligatory Covenant to bind the Subjects to him and not for him to swear to and therefore he judged it sufficiently satisfactory to pass an act for the peoples taking it Whilst these demurs and delayes were in the Treaty the Scotch Commissioners give a visit to the Illustrious Prince of Orange whom they intreat to be a Mediator between them and their King His Majesty likewise withdrawes himselfe for some time from Breda to the Hague there to advise with his Aunt the Queen of Bohemia the Prince of Orange and other friends about what he were best to resolve on or determine But the Estates of Scotland though their proposed Conditions were already unreasonable yet resolve to add more weight to the scale the Earl of Carnworth and Mr. Murrey are sent over to the Commissioners at Breda with new instructions and propositions As 1. That his Maiesty should confirm all Acts done in some late Sessions of Parliament without any exception 2. That neither Montross nor any of his adherents be admitted to come into the Kingdome of Scotland But notwithstanding the harshness of the Conditions the King is earnestly pressed to come to a full conclusion with the Scots Though many Lords of the contrary faction pleaded for an utter rejection of their propositions alleadging to his Majesty That the Covenanters horid perfidousness to his Father might be a sufficient motive and inducement for him not to trust them That the more willing he was to condiscend to their Propositiōs the more impudent they were still in proposing things most unreasonable That should he accept of their Conditions they would so tye up his hands that he would be then but a King only in Title which he was without them On the other side the Earl of Lauderdale the Lord Wilmot Piercy and others of his Majesties Council who stood for an accomodation with the Scots urged That his Majesties affairs both in Ireland under the Marquess of Montross and in the Navy under Prince Pupert were in so weak and tottering a Condition that no helpe could be expected from them That all the Princes in Europe were so imbroyled in Wars of their own that it was in vain to crave any Forreign aid that therefore there was no way left for his Majesty to regain his lost Rights and Kingdoms but by complying with his Subjects of Scotland and though it were upon such Conditions as would at first seem harsh those Curbs might in time possession got be thrown off by degrees these reasons swayed with his Majesty the Treay went on with a clearer face then formerly But now there happens a strong demur or as most supposed a business that would wholly break off the Treaty for the newes of Montrosse's ignominious death being come to Breda extreamly incensed the whole Court and those who were against the Treaty bestirred themselves strongly still endeavouring to avert the King wholly from it by telling him That they had by thus murthering his Leiutennant Demonstrated to the World what they would do to him if they had him in their power That it was an act of rashnesse and desperation to trust them or to have any more to do with such a perfidious generation That they only cunningly and subtilly endeavoured to entrap him that they might destroy him But notwithstanding their heat his Majesty conceals his anger which doubtless could not but be great for the death and the so Ignominious death of so good and loyal a subject and Servant and that too in his quarrel and for obeying his just commands only he expresses his resentment of their so strange proceedings to the Committee of Estates by a Message sent by Mr. Murrey to this effect That it could not but grieve and perplex him to hear that whilst they pretended to conclude a peace they proceeded in the way of War and that whilst they treated of an accord with him they shed the bloud of his best Subjects and that in such a manner that if true as reported they could not imagine but it must extreamly incense him he therefore desired them to give him an account of their businesse To this they return Answer That their affections were still reall to him that it rejoyced their very soules to hear that he would be willing to concur with them in a peace and agreement That as for the Death of Montross they desired it might be no obstacle in the way for that they did nothing in it but with a reall intention to promote his interest Thus they endeavoured to excuse them selves but it was not their excuse nor their so many reiterated Protestations of fidelity but the necessity of the Kings affairs which drew him not long after to conclude the Treaty at Breda notwithstanding the violent opposers of it by condescending to most of their desires The conclusion of the Treaty was soon carried to Edenbrough where the Parliament being met it was yet by some of those who favoured the Secterian party in England
made a debate whether they should make any more addresses to the King So impudent were they even after the treaty was concluded with him but there were found but thirty of these malevolent persons so the major part of the Votes carrying it in the affirmative it was resolved that another message should be sent unto him to invite him to make all possible speed to his Kingdome of Scotland protesting that they would venture Lives and Fortunes in assisting him to regain his Rights Kingdoms but they not only debar him from having those whom he chiefly favoured to wait upon him but likewise prohibit the Duke Hamilton the Earls of Lauderdale Seaforth and many other persons of qualities return to Scotland and they nominate such persons as they thought fit out of their own Gang to be officers of his houshold there The Juncto then siting and Governing in England had certain intelligence all along of the proceeds of the Treaty between his Majesty and the Scots together with their Propositions to assist him in the recovery of his Rights in England by some who sate in the Parliament of Scotland betrayed their counsells and earnestly solicited the English to assault Scotland before they were themselves assaulted and invaded to which effect they prepare an Army without any just pretence which they give to Oliver Cromwell to command making him Generalissimo of all the Forces of that Commonwealth in the room of Sir Thomas Fairfax whose Commission was between taken away and laid down Some time before his Majestie 's departure from Holland into Scotland newes was brought of the unfortunate loss of all Prince Rupert's Fleet most of his ships being either taken sunk or burnt by General Blake Admiral to the English Navy so though the Treaty was concluded with Scotland his Majestie 's affairs went every where else to wrack At length all things being in a readiness his Majesty about the beginning of Iune 1650. took shipping at Sheveling in Holland and after a tedious storm and narrow escape of some English Vessels which lay in wait for him arrived at Spey in the North of Scotland Some Lords are sent down to receive him and to accompany him to Edenbrough where two stately houses are richly provided and furnish't to entertain him He was all along the Countrey entertained with the General joy of all the people severall presents being given him by the Towns as he came along Aberdeen presented him with 1500. l but the Committee of Estates and Kirk fearing that such diet would prove too unwieldy to their pleasures sent an injunction to several places requiring them that what ever moneys they had to bestow they should bring it to such treasuries as should be appointed by them Thus they permit not the Subjects to shew their good will to their Soveraign nor him to receive it Nor were the States Kirk as yet content with those hard conditions but they send him new propositions to Dundee to sign which after some reluctancy he performed for indeed he could do no otherwise being now in their clutches The Parliament and Committee of Estates in Scotland had while they expected his Majesties arrivall been consulting about the framing of an Army every fourth man in the Kingdome is ordered to be trained and sixteen thousand foot and six thousand horse to be raised for his Majesties present service Of this Army the Earle of Leven is made General of the Foot and Holborn Major General David Lesley Lieutenant General of the Horse and Montgomery Major General the place of Generalissimo was reserved for the King though he never went into the field with the Army His Majesty being come to Edenbrough is received by the Parliament and Committee of Estates Kirk with infinite complements and expressions of fidelity affection and with great acclamations of joy from the people and on the 15. of Iuly is again solemnly proclaimed King at Edenbrough Crosse but his coronation yet defer'd by reason of the then troubles For the English Army notwithstanding the Scots had expostulated them the unjustness of invading their Countrey was advanced upon the borders at Muscleborough the Scots under Montgomery with a small party set upon the English Army but were worsted and so the two Armies moved at a distance one from the other till they came as far as Dunbar where the Scots had got a considerable advantage by reason of a passe and brag'd they had got the English in a pound but whether by their own carelesnesse and over security or the over-reaching courage and valour of the English I cannot tell a totall losse they had there the passe gain'd from them themselves wholly routed and dispersed I am the shorter in relating the passages between these two Armies in regard that though the King was made Generalissimo yet he had no influence upon the Army which might rather be called the States or Kirks then the Kings for though he was there present and bore the title of King yet they had the whole power and made and revoked Lawes and Orders The King was then with the States at Saint Iohnstons when the newes of this losse and that of the Death of his Sister the Princesse Elizabeth arriv'd much about the same time and some have been bold to affirm that the latter grieved him more then the former in regard of the imperiousness which 't was probable the States of Scotland would have usurped had the successe answered their minds And sufficiently imperious were both they and the Kirk already notwithstanding the ill fortune of their affairs for so great was their insolency towards his Majesty in their earnestness to purge his house in extorting Declarations from him against his own party and proceedings in usurping the whole government of affairs to themselves in placing guards of their own creatures upon his Person c. That his sacred Majesty no longer able to suffer such intollerable affronts abuses went secretly away accompanied only with four horse towards the North of Scotland where the Marquess of Hunt ley the Earls of Seaforth and Atholl the Lords Ogilby and Newburgh with the Gourdons were ready to appear for him with a considerable party Scotland was at this time not only perplexed with a forreign enemy in her bowels but with civill distempers divisions for in the West there was a party under the cōmand of Straughan Kerr who declar'd against the actions of the Committee of Estates for their too much hast and precipitation in the Treaty with the King for their receiving him before he had given any evidence of a real change That they believed his profession of the cause and covenant was counterfeit and therefore refused to submit to his power These men were purely for the Kirk against the King's Authority Another party there was in the North under the Command of Huntley Atholl Seaforth c. who declared purely for the Kingly Authority disclaiming and disowning all power or order of
the Kirk Parliament or Committee of Estates These having gotten together a considerable party it was supposed by the Committee of Estates that his Majesty was gon to them whereupon to quiet alay them if possible an Act of Indempnity was passed by Parliament for what they had done but they sleighted it fell upon Sir Iohn Brown's Regiment and slew and took prisoners many of his men Whereupon Lieut. Generall David Lasley was sent against him but the whole business after the Kings return to St. Iohnston's ended in a Treaty The third greatest party were the Parliament Committee of Estates Kirk who were equally for King Kirk these were highly perplexed and discontented at the King 's going away from S. Iohnston's and the more because they feared he was gon to the Athol men many controversies consultations were had about it some were so ridged as to propose that since he had deserted them they should look no more after him but let him take his own wayes Others were more mild and would yet have him understand their resentment for his leaving them nor wanted there some sticklers for his Majesty at length it was concluded that Major Generall Montgomery should speedily march after him and earnestly intreat him to return to S. Iohnstons Montgomery according to his order went and having had secret information that his Majesty was at the Lord Dedup's house in the North confines of Fife he first surrounds the house and then sends in a Messenger to acquaint the King with the earnest desires of the Committee of Estates that he would gratiously be pleased to return with him to St. Johnston's but his Majesty at first absolutely refused as scorning to endure that slavery which they had subjected him to he was in the mean time earnestly solicited by Huntley and the Gordons to adhere solely to them which he so much seemed to incline to that he had almost made the breach implacable between that party and the Kirk but at length upon severall propositions granted him he returned with Montgomery to St. Johnston's The King being thus returned and Huntley's party come in by admitting those with him to bear publick Offices a general Meeting was resolved on to be held at St. Johnstons which should consist of King Lords Barons Burgesses and the assembly of Ministers whereupon the Committee of the Kirk are summoned to meet but stand off alledging that Sterling was the more convenient place to meet in To which the States answer'd that they esteemed S. Johnstons the fitter that if they would not meet they should consult for their own securities but at length they consent The grand Assembly meets all parties seem now agreed Severall Lords formerly in disfavour with the Kirk are received into Command in the Army or have liberty to sit in Parliament such as Hamilton Lauderdale Lieth Bucheim Dedup and Crawford Major Generall Massey of the English was admitted to a command in the Army Thus did their divisions begin to be cemented which else must necessarily have hastened their Ruine About this time the King received the sad newes of the death of the thrice illustrious Prince of Orange Brother-in-law to his Majesty who had demonstrated himselfe a true faithfull friend to him in his necessities his Lady the Royall Princess Mary was by him left great with Child and soon after his death was delivered of a Posthume son And now on the first of January the day appointed by the Grand Convention at S. Johnstan's the solemnity having been removed to Scone the usuall place for the Coronation of the Kings of Scotland First his Maiesty in a Princes Robe was conducted from his Bed-chamber by the Constable and Marshal to the Chamber of presence where he was by the Lord Angus Chamberlin placed in a Chair under a cloth of Estate Then the Nobles and Commissioners of Baronyes Burroughs entred the Room and having shown themselves to his Majesty the Chancellor spake to this effect Sir your good Subjects desire you may be crowned as righteous and lawfull Heir of the Crown of this Kingdom that you would maintain the present professed Religion the Nationall Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant That you would gratiously be pleased to receive them under your protection to govern them according to law to defend them in their rights and priviledges by your Royal power they offering themselves in humble manner to your Majesty with their vowes to bestow Land Life what else is in their power for the maintenance of Religion for the safety of your Majesties sacred person and maintenance of your Crown which they entreat your Majesty to accept and pray Almighty God that for many years you may enjoy the same The King to this made Answer I do esteem the affections of my good people more then the Crowns of many Kingdomes shall be ready by Gods assistance to bestow my life in their Defence wishing to live no longer then I may see Religion and the Kingdom flourish in all happiness This ceremony performed the Nobles and Commissioners of Baroneys and Burroughs accompanied his Majesty to the Church of Scone the Spurs being carried before him by the Earl of Eglinton the sword by the Earl Rothes the scepter by the Earls of Craford Lindsey the Crown by the Marquess of Argyle immediatly before the Kings Majesty who followed supported by the Constable Marshall his train born up by the Lords Montgomery Ereskin Newbottle and Machelene under a Canopy of crimson Velvet supported by the Lords Drummond Carnegie Ramsey Iohnson Brechin and Yster which six were supported by six Noble men's sons Thus they went to the Church which being fitted for the purpose the Honours were laid upon a table provided for them and his Majesty ascended on a stage 24. foot square seated himselfe in a Chair to heare the sermon upon this stage there was another smaller stage erected whereon the Throne stood His Majesty being seated on the Chair a Sermon was preached by Robert Douglas moderater of the Commission of the General assembly Sermon being ended the National Covenant of Scotland and the solemn League and Covenant were distinctly read which done the Oath was ministred in these Words I CHARLES King of Britain Frence and Ireland doe assure and declare by my Solemn Oath in the presence of Amighty God the Searcher of all hearts my allowance and approbation of the Nationall Covenant and of the solemn League and Covenant and faithfully Oblige my selfe to prosecute the ends thereof in my station and calling and that I for my selfe successurs shall consent agree to all acts of Parliaments enjoyning the Nationall Covenant and the solemn League and Covenant and fully establish Presbyterian Government the Directory of Worship Confession of Faith and Catechismes in the Kingdom of Scotland as they are approved by the General assemblies of this Kirk and Parliament of this Kingdome and that I shall give my Royall assent to acts
Ordinances of this Parliament passed or to be passed enjoyning the same in my other Dominions And that I shall observe these in mine own practice Family shall never make opposition to any of those or endeavour any change thereof The King having thus solemnly sworn the Nationall covenant the solemn League and Covenant with the oath subjoined was by him under written in the presence of them all which done the King ascended the other Stage and sat down in the Throne Then the Lords great Constable and Marshall went to the four corners of the Stage Lyon king at Arms going before them who spake these words to the people Sirs I do present unto you the King CHARLES the Rightfull and undoubted Heir of the Crown Dignitie of this Realm this day is by the Parliament of this Kingdom appointed for his Coronation And are you not willing to have him for your King and become subject to his commandements At this Action the King stood up and shewed himselfe to the people round about who expressed their consent by their joyfull acclamations crying God save King CHARLES the Second Then his Majesty descended from his Throne into the Chair where he sat to hear the Sermon of whom the Minister accompanied with some others of his tribe demand if he were willing to take the Coronation Oath according as it was contained in the eight Act of the first Parliament of King James the VI. his Royall Grandfather The King answered he was most willing Then was the oath read aloud by Lyon king at Armes in these words Because that the increase of Virtue suppressing Idolatry craveth that the Prince and people be of one perfect Religion which of GOD'S mercy is now presently professed within this Realm Therefore it is statuted and ordained by our Soveraigne Lord the Lord Regent and three Estates of this present Parliament that all Kings Princes and Magistrates whatsoever holding their place which hereafter at any time shall happen to reign bear rule over this Realm at the time of their Coronation and receit of their Princely Authority make their faithfull promise in the presence of the eternall God That enduring the whole course of their lives they shall serve the same Eternall God to the utmost of their power according as he hath required in his most holy Word revealed and contained in the new and old Testaments according to the same words shall maintaine the true Religion of Christ Jesus the preaching of his holy Word and the due and right ministration of the Sacraments now received and preached within this Realm and shall abolish gainstand all false Religions contrary to the same and shall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will command of God revealed in his foresaid Word and according to the laudable Laws and Constitutions received in this Realm no wayes repugnant to the said Word of the Eternal GOD and shall procure to the utmost of their power to the Kirk of GOD whole Christian people true and perfect peace in time coming The rights and rents with all just Priviledges of the Crown of Scotland to preserve and keep inviolated neither shall they transfer or alienate the the same They shall forbid and repress all in all estates and Degrees Leases Oppression and all kind of Wrong in all Judgement They shall command and procure that Justice and Equity be kept to all Creatures without exception as the Lord and Father of mercies be merciful unto them And out of their Lands and Empire they shall be careful to root out all Hereticks and enemies to the true worship of God that shall be convict by the true Kirk of GOD of the aforesaid Crimes that he shall faithfully affirm the things above written by the solemn Oath The Oath thus read the Minister tendred it to the King who kneeling holding up his right hand sware thus By the Eternal and Almighty GOD who liveth and reigneth for ever I shall observe and keep all that is contained in this Oath Then was the King disrobed by the Lo. Chamberlain berlain of the Princely Robe with which he entred the Church and vested with his Royal Robes and so supported as before he removed to the Chair placed on the North side of the Kirk whither the sword was first brought from the table by Sir William Cockburn of Langtown Gentleman-usher who delivers it to the great Chamberlain and he making a short speech delivers it to his Majesty by whom it was given into the great Constable's hands and by him girt to the King's side Then his Majesty sitting down in the Chair the spurs are put on him by the Earl Marshall After which Archibald Marquesse of Argyle takes the Crown into his hands and after a short prayer made by the Minister put it upon his Majesties head which done Lyon King at Arms the great Constable standing by him called the Nobility one by one who came all and kneeling and touching the Crown upon the Kings head with their right hand Swore thus By the Eternall and Almighty God who liveth and raigneth for ever I shall support thee to the uttermost The obligatory Oath was likewise read to the people they holding up their hands Lastly after the Earls of Craford Lindsey had deliver'd his Majesty the Scepter he returned again to the Stage where he was installed in the Throne by the Marquess of Argyle and after a short exhortation of Master Robert Douglass returned to the Pallas with the Crown upon his head in the same manner as he came This is a full relation of the ceremonies performed at his Majesties Coronation at Scone on the first of January 1650 which I the rather fully insert because the World may take notice of those hard Covenant Pills which the Kirk-men made him swallow Presently after the coronation the King Nobles return'd in a most solemn manner to S. Iohns town the Kings Majesty having a guard to attend him confisting of most Lords and Gentlemens sons and the Lord Lorne son to the Marquesse of Argyle was made Captaine of it And now his Majesty intends with all possible speed the raising of an Army for the Scots having had all this while no Army on the other side the Fife to oppose the English proceedings they had reduc'd all places there under their force even Edenbrough Castle it selfe to which effect he orders his Standard to be set up at Aberdeen himselfe nobly resolving to be Generalissimo of this army the other general commands were now given as well to the Royallists as Presbyterians For Duke Hamilton was made Lieut. General of the Army and Middleton Lieut. General of the Horse The Levies came in a pace to the general Randezvouze which was appointed on the East part of Fife whither his Majesty in person went to encourage his Souldiers whom he found both increasing in their numbers and much rejoyced at his presence The Parliament of Scotland which had