The history of Scotland written in Latin by George Buchanan ; faithfully rendered into English.

THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND . BOOK I.

WHen I first determined to Write the Famous Atchievements of our Ancestors , and , after I had purged them from the mixture of vain Fables , to vindicate them from oblivion ; I thought it conducive to my purpose , to repeat from the very beginning , The Authors design . ( as much as so long a distance of Time ; and first the scarcity , then the loss , of Learned Monuments , would permit , ) What the situation of the Countrys were ; What was the nature of the Soil and Air ; What were the ancient Names and Manners ,

More Islands than one anciently called Britanny .

The situation of Britanny . Albion and Ireland two of the biggest of them .

and Who were the first Inhabitants , of the Islands , called of old , Britanny ; which are extended between Spain and Germany , in a long Tract of Land toward France . Albion and Ireland , Two of them , do far exceed the rest in Bigness , and therefore of these Two I shall speak first ; afterwards , as conveniency serves , I will explain the site and the Names of the rest .

The first , for bigness , is Albion , That now alone retains the Name of Britain , which was heretofore common to them all . Albion . Concerning its breadth and length , other Writers do , in effect , agree with Caesar , namely , It s length and breadth . that the length of it from North to South is 800 miles ; and the breadth , where it is widest , which is ( as some think ) where it looks towards France ; or , ( as others say ) from the point of St. Davids in South-Wales , to Yarmouth in Norfolk , almost 200 miles ; From thence it narrows by degrees , till we come to the borders of Scotland . The Romans , who , as yet , knew not the furthest parts thereof , believed the Island to be Triangular , but when they proceeded a little further , It was accounted Triangular by the Romans . they found , that beyond Adrian's Wall , it extended it self broader by degrees , and ran out far towards the North-East . This in brief , concerning its bigness .

The Climate of Britain is more temperate than That of France , as Caesar affirms , but the Climate of I●eland i● milder than them both . The Air thereof is seldom clear , but commonly darkened with thick Mists , The Air. the Winters are mild enough , rather Rainy than Snowy . The Soil brings forth Corn plentifully , The Soil . and , besides Corn , it produceth all sorts of Metals . It is also very fruitful in Breeds of Cattle . They , who inhabit the extream parts of the Islands , which are more infested with cold , The Food of some of its Inhabitants , in old time . do eat Bread made of Oatmeal ; and , for Drink , they use a Wine or Strong Liquor made of Corn steeped into Malt : Some do boil Whey , and keep it in Hogsheads under Ground for some months , which is counted , by many of them , not only an wholesom , but a very pleasant , Drink . There was no Controversy concerning the Name of Britain amongst the Ancients , except that the Greeks call'd it Brettania , the Latines , Britannia . Other Nations have their Appellation of it , some one , some 'tother , at their pleasure . But of late some Men have started up , not so much desirous of Truth as of Contention , who hoped to make themselves Famous by Carping at other Eminent Persons ; for they imagined , that they must needs obtain a great opinion of Learning amongst the Vulgar , who dared to enter the Lists against , and to Combate with , all Antiquity ; And though the Dispute were of a thing of no great consequence , yet , because it concerned the very name of their Country , they thought it worth contending for , with all their might , as if all the Ancient Glory of the whole Nation had lain at stake . They say , It s ancient Names , Three , ( according to some ) Prudania , Prytaneia , and Britannia . that three ancient Names of the Island have their several Assertors , viz. Prudania , Prytaneia , and Britannia . Lud contends with might and main for Prudania ; Thomas Eliot , a British Knight , for Prytaneia , but very modestly ; almost all other Nations do retain the Name of Britain .

Lud , to maintain his Assertion for Prudania , useth the Authority of a certain old Paper-Fragment , 〈◊〉 or L●●yd , and 〈◊〉 , Two W●ite●s 〈◊〉 British Antiqui●ie● , in Hen. 8. and Queen Eliz. Reigns . which rust , mouldiness , and length of time ( and nothing else , ) have almost made Sacred , with him . Tho' he counts that proof firm enough of it self , yet he strengthens it by Etymology ; by the Songs of the Bards ; by the custom of the Country-Speech ; and by the venerable rust of Antiquity . But , in the first place , I ask him ; Whence came that Fragment , on which he lays the stress and weight of his Cause ? Prudania . Lud or 〈◊〉 Authority disall●wed of , and why . When was it writ ? Who was the Author of it ? Or , what says it , that makes for his Assertion ? Concerning the Name , the Time , the Author , all these ( may he perhaps allege , ) are uncertain , which proves , ( he thinks ) the Antiquity thereof . An Excellent Proof , indeed ! where the Certainty , Credit and Authority of the Testimony doth depend on Ignorance , Meanness , and Obscurity ; And that which is assumed to explain the matter in controversy , hath more intricacy and weakness in it , than the Cause , which it is brought to maintain ▪ Who then gives Testimony in this case ? I know not , ( says he . ) What then does he pretend to in lieu of a Testimony ? I know not that neither , ( replies 〈◊〉 ) but this I have heard , that , in that Fragment , it is called Prudania . But , prithee , tell me , what is that Prudania ? Is it a Mountain , or a River ? A Village , or a Town ? A Man , or a Woman ? Here I am posed too , ( says he ; ) but , I conjecture , that Britain is signified by that Name . Go too , then , let Prudania signifie Britain . Yet what doth this thy Fragment make for thee ? I would ask this Question of thee ▪ Whether it affirms Prudania to be the true Name of the Island , or else doth not rather upbraid their Ignorance , who ascribe that false Name to it ? Here too I am Nonplust , ( says Lud ▪ ) but this I am certain of , that here is the sound of a British word , and the force of the British Language doth appear , even in the very 〈◊〉 thereof . For Prudania is , as it were , Prud●ania , which is in British Excellent Beauty , from P●●d , signifying Beauty , and Cam , White : The asperity of the Word being somewhat mollified . But for that reason , it should be called Prudcamia , not Prudania , which Word the Bards do pronounce Pruda , in their Country Speech . I shall not here speak , how trivial , deceitful , and oftentimes ridiculous , this Enquiry after the Original of Words is . I pass by Varro , and other Learned Men , 〈…〉 Words . who have been often derided upon this account : I omit also the whole Cratylus of Plato , wherein he is guilty of the same fault . I will only affirm this , that , before equal Judges , a Man may more easily prove , that the Word Cambr● is derived from Canis and Brutum , a Dog and a Brute , than you shall persuade me , that Prudania comes from Prudcamia . For by this means you may derive Quidlibet ● Quolibet , as you please . And indeed , Lud himself shews , what little confidence he puts in his own proofs , when he calls in the Bards to his Aid , a race of Men , I grant indeed , very ancient , but yet Antiquity affirms , they committed nothing to Writing . But of these I shall speak more elsewhere .

Let us now come to the last refuge of Lud : Caesar , says he , who first mentioned the Name of this Island in Latin , called it Britain , whose Steps almost all Latin Writers having trod in , did not change the said Name . Here Lud begins with a Notorious mistake ; That Caesar was the first of the Latins , who called it by the Name of Britain ; for , before ever Caesar was born , Lucretius 〈◊〉 Aristotle 〈◊〉 the Name o● Britain . Lucretius makes mention of Britain ; and Aristotle , amongst the Greeks , long before him ; and Propertius , not long after Caesar , when he saith Cogor & in Tabula pictos ediscere Mundos , Prope●●●●● . I am compelled in a M●p , To learn the pictur'd World's Shape , shews thereby , that , in his Age , the Description of the World in Maps , was wont to be fastned to the Walls of Mens Houses : I would ask your self , Sir , do you indeed think , that Caesar , who was so well-skilled in all sorts of Learning , did never see the Description of the World ? Or , can you be persuaded , that the Island of Britain alone , the greatest in the whole World , then so famous both in the Latin and Greek Monuments , was omitted in those Maps ? Or , do you beleive , that Caesar , who was so inquisitive to know the Affairs of Britain , as , What Men did Inhabit that Country , then , and before his time ; What Animals and Plants did grow , or were bred , therein ; What were the Laws and Customs of the Country , do you , I say , beleive , that he , who had been so solicitous about those things , would have neglected to set down the Name of the whole Island ? Or , that he , who , with so great Faithfulness and Diligence , gave right Names to the Cities of the Gauls , would deprive the Britains of their Ancient Glory ? Upon the whole , I see no reason at all , why Lud should think , that the old Name of the Island was Prudania , ( for he values himself much on the account of this Title , ) unless Words do also contract Antiquity from the rust of a Worm-eaten Paper . This is all I have to say against Lud , at present , who by home-bred Witnesses , and by his own Dreams together , hath thought fit to oppose himself against the current verdict of all the Learned Men , that now are , or ever have been , in the World .

E●iot's Authority disallow'd . As for Sir Thomas Eliot , my task will be easier with him ; he , being induced not only by probable conjectures , but also by some , not obscure , Authors , thinks , that the Island was sometimes called Prytaneia . Prytaneia . He judged it not improbable , that an Island abounding with plenty of all things , not only for the Necessities , but even the very Ornaments , of Life , should be so called . In this case , if we should weigh the reason of Names , Sicily might be rather called Prytaneia , and some other Islands also , which are , as more Fruitful , so far less in compass , than Britain . Besides , in those Authors , by whose Testimony the Name Prytaneia is confirmed , it easily appears , that the Orthography is vitiated . Stephanus . As for Stephanus , there is the highest inconstancy in him . In the Word Albion , he says , that That is the Island of Brettain , following Martian therein , as he alleges . In the Words Invernia and Inverna , it is writ Praetanica . Elsewhere , says he , in the Ocean are the Brettish Islands , whose Inhabitants are called , Brettains . Martian and Ptolomy . But Martian and Ptolomy , in these Words , make P the first Letter ; if any one compare the places , without doubt , he will find , that the Writing is corrupted , and that Stephanus himself was of opinion , that Brettania ought to be writ by B the first Letter , and two tt's . Eliot , I believe , was not ignorant of this , and therefore , being content to advise his Reader , as much as he thought fit , what things Men , greedy of Praise , will scrape together for the Ostentation of their Learning , he leaves the matter in dispute intirely to his Judgment . But ▪ Lud , that you may know his disposition more fully , of the Three Names of this large Island , approves That most , which hath the fewest Assertors , viz. Prudania ; next to that , he commends Pry●aneia . But he rejects Britannia , which Name was now famous thr●●gh all Nations , and celebrated both in Greek and Latin Monumen●● , ( as Pliny affirms , ) as corrupted by Iulius Caesar , and that a long time after , whom he falsely affirms , ( as hath been said ) to have first mentioned the Name of Britannia in Latin , and that he drew others with him into the same Errour . But I can prove the Antiquity of the Word Britannia , by many clear and ample Testimonies , i● that were the matter in dispute ; and that it was not corrupted by Cae●ar , but delivered down to us , pure from Hand to Hand , by our Ancestors , save that the Ancients were wont to write it with a double T. T. ( Brittania ; ) And therefore it was , as I suppose , that Lucretius made the first syllable of the word Bretain long in Verse ; but now the Latins leave out one T , which is still retained in the word Britto . The Greeks , who write Brittania , come nearest to the Pronunciation of the Country-Speech , which the Britains themselves , and all their Neighbours , do yet retain . For the Neighbouring Gauls call all British Women Brettae ; and Bretter , with them , is to speak British ; and a Promontory in Aquitania is commonly called Cape-Bretton ; and both sorts of Scots , ( i. e. ) both the Albians , and the Hibernians , do so speak ; only with this difference , that they who do delight in the German Dialect , do sometimes use the Transposition of Letters , and pronounce Berton for Breton . But Dyonysius Af●r in that Verse .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Where , mentioning the Bretanes to inhabit near the cold Surges of the Ocean , in putting away one T , in the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , he hath used a Poetical Liberty , ( as he hath also done in the word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ) by eliding the Letter . Here the consent of so many Nations , almost from the very beginning , both among themselves , and with the Ancients , both Greeks and Latins , shall be of greater accompt with me , than all the Hodgepodge Trash of Lud , raked by him out of the Dunghil , on purpose to be ridicul'd , and preserved only for ignominy ; and , though they have a confident Patron , to urge them to give in a false Testimony against Antiquity , yet they have not yet dared , to appear , as it were , in open Court . Let him shew , if he can , what Author ever wrote Prudania , before Aristotle : Let him turn and wind himself , as he please , he will never be able to do it ; seeing , some Ages after Aristotle , 't is certain , That the Bards committed nothing to Writing . Away then with that ( shall I say ? Bards committed nothing to Writing . ) vain-glorious , or not rather witless , Boast of Antiquity , of which no Argument , no Footstep , no nor the least Print of any , can be found .

Amidst this disagreement of Opinions , and the diverse manners and customs of Speech ; Lud thinks it most adviseable , always to look to Antiquity , and the Country-manner of Speech , as a Pole-Star , and , by That , to direct the whole course of his Language : For my part , I would not much dissent from him , if that , which was in ancient use , and therefore thought certain , might be always observed and kept . (a) (a) Ancient words cannot always be observed , and Why ? But there are several Reasons why that cannot be done .

First , Because , in every Language , 't is very difficult to find out the (b) (b) 't is hard to find the Origin of old Words . Original Words ; and therefore 't is more adviseable , in this case , to follow the Custom of the Learned , than by a vain and ridiculous Labour , always to search after Originals , as after the (c) (c) Which was unknown to the Ancients , but later Inquiries have found it out . Fountain of Nilus , especially , since the Original of Words depends not on the Judgment of the Wiser sort , but on the pleasure of the Vulgar , who , for the most part , are rude and incult , and therefore anxiously to inquire after their Judgments , is a piece of needless Curiosity ; and , if you should find out what they mean , it would not be worth your Labour . For , as in the Generation of all other Things , which either grow naturally of themselves , or else are invented by Men for the use of Life ; the First Embryo's are very imperfect , and come forth less acceptable , not only for Use , but even for Sight ; yet afterward , by Culture , they wax gentle , and are made amiable by due Treatment : '● is so in Language , which , taking its first Rise from Men rude and impolite , came forth harsh , rugged , and uncouth ; then , by use , it gradually puts off its natural Horror and Unpleasantness , becoming more gentle and sweeter to the Ear , and more easily insinuating into the mind of Man . And therefore , in this case , ( if in any case at all ) I think something is to be indulged to the Custom of Men more polite than others ; and that such a pleasure , which is neither uncomely nor ungraceful , as far as it is not hurtful to Mens Manners , is not to be despised . But if any one be born under such an ill Constellation , that he rather affects the Language of Cato and Ennius , than of Cicero and Terence ; and when Corn is found out , yet had rather feed on Mast still , my Vote is , Much good may it do him . But this our present dispute is not concerning the Purity and Elegancy of the Latin Tongue , for it nothing affects It , to know , how the Britains did heretofore sound forth their Letters or Words : My whole endeavour is , to shew , how the Latins pronounced the British , not how the British pronounced the Latin , Tongue . For my part , I had rather be ignorant of the doting Fables of the old Britains , than to forget that little of the Latin Tongue , which I imbibed , when I was a Youth . And there is no other cause , why I take it less in disdain , that the old (d) (d) i. e. The Language of the Highlanders . Scotish Language doth by degrees decay , than that , thereby , I joyfully perceive those barbarous Sounds , by little and little , to vanish away , and , in their place , the sweetness of Latin Words to succeed : And in this Transmigration of Languages , if one must needs yield to another , Good-now , of the Two , let us pass from Rusticity and Barbarism , to Culture and Humanity ; and , by our Choice and Judgment , let us put off that uncouthness which accrued to us by the Infelicity of our Birth . And if our Pains and Industry can avail any thing in this case , let us bestow them all this way , viz. To polish , as much as we can , the Greek and Latin Tongues , which the better part of the World hath publickly received ; and , if there be any Soloecisms or Flaws sticking thereto , from the Contagion of Barbarous Languages , let us do what we can to purge them away .

Besides , this over-anxious diligence about Foreign Names , especicially in transferring them into another Language , can never be kept , neither is it expedient that it should : For what Language hath not these Letters and Sounds , which cannot fully be expressed by the Characters of another Tongue ? What Nation , besides the German , can pronounce the Letter (e) (e) The Letter W. hard to be pronounced , but by those that Germanize . W ? Who can give that sound to the Letters D. G. P. T. X. and Z. in Latin , which the Spaniards , the Britains , and part of the Scots , do ?

Because of this absurdity of Sound , as I suppose , it is , that * * Pliny . Pliny , reckoning up the Cities of Spain , denies , that some of them can be well pronounced in the Latin Tongue : Some he calls Ignoble , and of Barbarous Appellation ; Others , he says , cannot be so much as named without grating the Ear. What , I beseech you , would Lud do in this case , if he were to write the History of Britain in Latin ? With all his rust of Barbarism , I believe , he would scarce know how to pronouce the Genuine Names of the Brittons . For seeing he vexes himself so much how he should write Lud , either Lhuyd , or Llud , or else bare Ludd , neither of which can be writ , pronounced , or heard amongst Latinists without regret . If he retains the true Sound , he will make not a Latin , but a Semi-Barbarous Oration . But if he bend Foreign Words to the sound of the Latin , he will commit as great a Trespass , as Caesar is said to have done in the Word Britannus . What then shall we do , to please so captious and so morose a Person , as Llud ? Shall we call the Island Prudania , rather than Britannia ? Lud himself , who is so severe a Censor of others , will not exact this of us : He will permit it to be called Prudania , from Pruda . But if any one dare to pronounce and call it Britannia , or Brettannia , he 'll lay about him , and accuse him presently of violating Sacred Antiquity , of corrupting and contaminating the Ancient and Sincere Language ; and , from a Robust and Masculine sound , of turning it into an Effeminate and soft Pronunciation . What shall we do in this case ? Is it lawful for us to change or cleanse any Word from the uncouthness of its ancient Deformity ? Or , if we may not change , yet , pray , may we not polish some rough Words , and incline them a little from their incult Barbarity , that they may become more acceptable to Mens Ears ? As we see our Ancestors have done in the Words * * M●rini , M●rem●r●●a , Arm●rici . Morini , Moremarusa , and Armorici ; so that if we cannot make those Words Latin-Denizons , yet at least , we may imitate the Garb and Similitude of the Latin , in them . But , I see , Lud will not allow us that Liberty . He calls us back to the August Antiquity of the Prudany's , and forbids us to divert in the least from Bards and Sanachys . But the Ancient Greeks and Latins were never so strait-laced : For , after that the rigor of their Ancient Speech began a little to remit , there was none amongst them , who had rather pronounce Famul and Volup , than the Words which were substituted in their rooms ; and they used a very great Liberty in Translating Latin Words from Greek , and Greek from Latin . Whoever blamed the Latins , for turning Polydences into Pollux , Heracleis into Hercules , Asclepios into Aesculapius ? Or , who hath reproved the Greeks , for calling Catulus , Catlus ; and Remus , Romus ? Nay , What did the Greeks do , in Translating Barbarous Words into their own Language ? Did they ever make any scruple to turn Al , a Punick Termination , into As , in the end of Words ? If a Man pronounce Annibas for Annibal , must he ( forsooth ) presently tread under foot the Majesty of all History ? Must he be said to corrupt the Truth , or to do a Notorious Injury to the Punick Language ? See , how the desire of Humanity and Culture , which was amongst the Ancient Saxons , and the Danes , who passed over later into Britain , doth differ from this Immanity , and affected Slovenliness , of Lud ! They , being rude and ignorant of all Learning , when they came to Men barbarous , and of a stammering Speech , were so far from suffering themselves to be infected with their Soloecisms ; that , on the contrary , when they had once tasted of the sweetness of the Latin Tongue , they pared off much of the roughness which they had brought upon it : They so smoothed some harsh Words , as to make them less offensive to the Ear , Oxonia and Roffa , for Oxonfordia and Raufchestria ; i. e. O●f●rd and Rochester . such as are Oxonia and Roffa , for Oxonfordia and Raufchestria , and many others , Lud himself not contradicting . And he allows himself the same Liberty in many other Words , though he be so severe an Exactor in this one Word Britannia . But now , he doth pertinaciously contend against the Ancient Custom of all Nations , for a new , obscure , and uncertain Word . Sure it is , that the Royal Name of Lud , of a Danish Original , and kept as a Palladium to this very Day , may not be buried in Oblivion . To prevent which , Lud manages a Contest against the consent of the Multitude , the Antiquity of Time , and even against Truth it self .

There is yet also another Observation in the Word (f) (f) The Word Britannia hath divers Acceptations . Britannia , That Foreign Writers make it the Name of the whole Island ; but the Britains and English , who have wrote the British History , sometimes agree with Foreign Writers , in their Appellation of it ; and sometimes they call only that part of the Island Britain , which was a Roman Province ; and that variously too , as the event of War changed the Borders ; sometimes they made the Wall of * * The Walls of Adrian and Severus . Adrian , sometimes That of Severus , to be the Limits to their Empire : The rest , which were without those Walls , they sometimes termed Barbarous , Bede . sometimes Outlandish , People . Bede , in the beginning of his first Book , writes thus : Wherefore the Picts , coming into Britain , began to Inhabit the North Part of the Island ; for the Britans Inhabited the South . He says also , Chap. 34. Aidan was King of the Scots , who Inhabit Britain . And Lib. 4. Chap. 4. writing of the return of Colman out of England into Scotland , he says , In the mean time Colman , who was of Scotland , leaving Britain : And elsewhere , Then they began for many Days , to come from the Country of Scotland into Britain . And farther , Oswald was slain near the Wall that the Romans had built , from Sea to Sea , to defend Britain , and to repel the Assaults of the Barbarians . Claudian . The same Form of Speech is found in the same Author , Lib. 2. Chap. 9. Claudian doth not seem to be ignorant of this manner of Speech , peculiar to the Britains , when he writes , That the Roman Legion , which curbed the Fierce Scot , lay between the Britains ; i. e. opposite to the Scots , that it might cover the Britains from their Fury , in the farthest part of England , and Borders of Scotland . William of Malmsbury and Geoffry of Monmouth . William of Malmsbury , and Geoffry of Monmouth , none of the obscurest Writers of British Affairs , do often use this kind of Speech , in whom a Man may easily take Notice , that That only is called Britain , which is contained within the Wall of Severus . Though this matter be so clear to them , than no Man can be ignorant of it , yet it hath produced great mistakes amongst the Writers of the next Age , what some have affirmed in their Works , i. e. That Alured , Athelstan , and some other of the Saxon Kings , did sometimes Reign over the whole Island , when yet , 't is clear , they never passed beyond the Wall of Severus . For when they Read , That they held the Empire of all Britain , they presently thought , that the whole Island was possessed by them .

Neither is the Observation much unlike , in the use of those Names Britannus and Britto ; Britannus and Britto . for all the old Greek and Latin Writers ca●l the whole Island Britannia , and all its Inhabitants Britains , without any distinction . The first , that I know , of the Romans , who called them Brittons , was Martial , in that Verse , B●itton , first 〈◊〉 by Marti●l . Quam veteres bracchae Brittonis pauperis . Slop-Breeche● , or Galagaskin● . — The old Trouses of Britton poor .

The Vulgar commonly call the Inhabitants of the Gallick Peninsule , Brittons , though Gregory * * Bishop of Tour● . Turonensis always calls it Britain , Brittons in France . and its Inhabitants Britains . The Romans do constantly call their Provincials Britains , though their Provincials themselves like the Name of Brittons well enough . Both Names have one Original , viz. Britannia : and , as they both flow from one Root , so they both signifie one and the same thing . And that the Verses of * * Auson . Epigr. 109. &c. Ausonius the Poet do plainly shew .

(g) (g) This Epigram was made by the Poet against one Si●vius , Sirnamed Bonus , or Little-Britain in France , 〈◊〉 whom he had a 〈◊〉 ( and , it seems , against the whole Nation of the Britains for his sake . ) He takes an occasion to 〈◊〉 him from the Ambiguity of his Sirname Bonus ▪ which signifies also good in Latin , and ( by the Figure Antiphrasis ) evil , as here sometimes it is taken . This Author makes it a D●decastich , whereas later Interpreters have divided it into Six Distich● , ( but all of one Subject ) ●ccording to the Poets mind , expressed in the First of them . They are not here quoted for the Sarcasms conteined therein , ( and therefore are not over-curiously Translated , ) but only to shew , that , in this Poets time , ( who lived under Gratian the Emperor , about Anno Christi 390. Britto and Britannus were Terms Synonymus . Silvius ille bonus , qui carmina nostra lacessit : Nostra magis meruit disticha Britto bonus . 'T is Silvius Bonus , whom my Disticks blame ; But Britto Bonus were his Prop'rer Name . Silvius hic bonus est . Quis Silvius ? Iste Britannus . Aut Britto hic non est Silvius , aut mal●s est . Silvius is good . What Silvius ? The Britain . Silvius no Britton is , or a bad one . Silvius esse Bonus Britto , ferturque Britannus , Quis credat civem degenerass● lonum ? Silvius Bonus , a Britan or Britton , How he degen'rates from good Denizon . Nemo bonus Britto est . Si simplex Silvius esse Incipiat , simplex desinet esse bonus . No Britton's good : If Silvius 'gin to be Simple , simple and good do not agree . Silvius hic bonus est : Sed Britto est Silvius idem . Simplicior res est dicere , Britto malus . Silvius is Bonus : Yet a Britton still . 'T is plainer Phrase to say , the Britton's ill . Silvi , Britto Bonus , quamvis homo non bonus esse Ferris , nec se quit jungere (h) (h) The Printed Books read Britto & homo , which is scarce sense ; and therefore Vinecus hath amended it , Britto bono ; and so I have Englished this last Distich . Britto bono . O Silvius , bonny Britton , but bad Man ; Britton and good , together joyn , who can ?

They who contend , that the Britains were a Colony of the Gauls , do say , that Hercules begat a Son on Celto , a Gallick Virgin , called Britannus , from whom the Nation of the Britains had their Original . Pliny placeth this Nation near to the (i) (i) A People of Gallia-Belgica , lying betwixt the River Lye and the S●●me , in West-Flanders , ( as some write , ) not far from Bollogne , Ypre , and St. Omers . Their chief City was called Teroven , now but a small Village . Morini , the (k) (k) Inhabitants of Artois . Atrebates , and the (l) (l) Inhabitants about Bollogne , or betwixt Bollogne and Calais . Gessor●aci . Neither are there wanting some Greek Grammarians to confirm it ; as Suidas , and he who wrote the Book called Etymologi●um Magnum . C. I●lius Caesar , and C. Cornelius Tacitus , seem to have been of the same Opinion ; and so do other Latin Writers also , not unlearned , yet not so famous as those two . Besides , the Religion , Speech , Institutions and Manners of some Nations , inhabiting near the Gallick Sea , do evince the same thing ; out of which the Britains seem to me to have been exhausted by Transmigrations ; and the Morini by little and little to have been quite extinguished . The Word Morinus seems to draw its Etymologie from (m) (m) More , in old Celtick , is the Sea . More , which , in the old Gallick Tongue , signifies the Sea . Venta , called in old Latin , Venta Belgarum , ( because Inhabited by the Gallo-Belgae ) i. e. Winchester ; and (n) (n) Inhabitants of Essex , as Lud ; or rather of Suff●lk , Norfolk , Cambridge , and Huntington , as Camden and Leland . Icenum derived from (o) (o) Calais , a● some ; but Witsand , ●by the Plandrians called Isten , and Esse● , ) a Port betwixt Calais and Bollogn● , in which some Footsteps of the word Iconi do appear , as others . Icium , these Names make it very probable , that their Colonies Transported with them into a Foreign Soil their own Country Terms in the place of a Sirname ; and at their very entrance , meeting with the Britains , whom they acknowledged to be their Off-spring , they brought them home , and did , as it were , entertain them at their own Houses . For Morinus amongst the old Gauls , signifies (p) (p) Near the Sea . Marinus : And Moremarusa , Mare Mortuum : Though Gorropius hath almost stoln from us those two last Names , whilst he is studious to extol his (r) (r) People of Dowar , as some , of Brabant and Bosleduc , as others ; and of Namur , as divers say . Advatic● beyond measure . Neither can the (s) (s) People of Little-Britain in France , to the West of Normandy . Aremorici , or Armorici , deny that they are of our Stock ; for we have ample and clear Testimonies , both old and new , as Pledges thereof . Because Ar , or Are , is an old Gallick Preposition , which signifies At , or Vpon ; as if we should say , At or Vpon the Sea ; i. e. Maritime . And Moremarusa is derived from More , i. e. Mare , the Sea , the last Syllable being long , after the manner of a Greek Participle . As for Aremorica , or Armorica , ( he which shall not know them at first hearing , is wholly ignorant of the old Gallick Tongue ) they also signifie Maritime , and so Strabo Interprets them , who in Greek always renders them (t) (t) Dwellers near the Sea . Ap●ceanita Caesar writes thus of the Armori●ks , Lib. 5. That great F●●ces of the Gauls , out of the Cities called Armoricae , were gathered together to oppose him . (q) (q) The Dead Sea . And Lib. 7. Out of all the Cities near the Ocean , which , according to their Custom , are called Armoricae . And Lib. 8. And the other Cities situate in the extream parts of France , near the Sea , called Armoricae . As often as Caesar makes mention of these Cities , he always adds , Which are so called ; but he so adds it , that it rather seems an Epithet , or Sirname of a place , than its proper Name . Neither is That found to be the Name of a City in any other Authentick Writer ; yet that Word is spread far and near in that Coast , viz. from Spain to the Rhene : And amongst all Writers , I find Pliny alone to seem not to understand the force of the Word ; for he thinks , that all (u) (u) Gascoigne , or Guienne , of which Bourdeaux is the chief City . Aquitain was sometimes so called . But enough of it at present , more may be said of the Gallick Tongue hereafter .

The most Ancient Name of the Island is thought to be Albion ; or , as Aristotle , or rather Theophrastus , in the Book Intituled , De Mundo , writes it (w) (w) Albion , o● Albium , the Ancient Name of this Isl●nd . Albium . But that Name is rather taken out of Books , than used in common Speech , unless amongst the old Scots , who , as yet , call themselves Albinick , and their Country Albin . Many think , that the Name was imposed on it , because the White Rocks did first appear to them , as they Sailed from France . But it seems to be very absurd to me , to fetch the Original of a British Name from the Latins , there being then so rare a Commerce between Barbarous Nations . Others are of Opinion , That the Name was imposed by (x) (x) Albion , the Fabulous Son of Neptune , Albion the Son of Neptune , whom they feign to have been sometimes King of Britain : A bold Fiction , and having no ground from Antiquity to support it ; yet some are not ashamed to name the Kingdom so , upon so weak a Foundation as That of a near Appellation . For I see no other Foundation in History , which might occasion this Fable . Amongst the Greeks , 't is true , Diodorus Siculus and Strabo have made mention of Albion and (y) (y) As also B●rgion . Bergion ; of the Latins , Cato , Hyginus , and Mela , from whom we may gather , That Albion and Bergion , the Sons of Neptune , being (z) (z) Liguria was anciently a Country lying betwixt the Po in Italy , and the Rhos●● in France . Ligurians , infested the High-Ways with Robberies , which lead from the Country of the (a) (a) A Peop●e living in the Skirts of the Alps. Albicans into Italy . These Men , when Hercules , after he had Conquered G●ryon , was returning out of Spain , sought to Rob him of his Prey , and maintained so sharp a Fight with him , that he , being almost desperate , ( as old Story says , ) was forced to implore the Aid of Iupiter , who sent down a showr of Stones , to relieve his Son ; and that the Field of Stones remained to Posterity as a Testimony of that Fight . I will not deny , but that both the Island , and the Robber too , took its Name from (b) (b) Album signifies High , as well as White . Album . But this I say , That Album was a common Name amongst many Nations , and that it signified , with them , not only Colour , but Height too . And Festus Pompeius affirms , that what the Latins call Alba , the Sabins call Alpa , from whence the Alps had their Name , because they are white with continual Snow . For my part , as I assent concerning the one , that Album and Alpum were Synonymous amongst the Ancients , and I have the Authority not of Festus only , but of Strabo also , to support my Opinion ; so I also judge , the Alps were so called , rather from their Height , than their Whiteness . My Reasons are , First , Because Alba is the Name of many Cities in Italy , France and Spain , which are all situate on Hills , or near them : And besides , because Strabo acknowledges , that those Names , Alba , Alpa , Alpia , Albionia , Albici , without any difference , are derived from the same Root , in the Signification of Height ; and therefore he shews , That they are most used , where the Alps begin to grow high . Hence , in Liguria , there is (c) (c) Albinga , under the C●●●eses . Albingaunum , and (d) (d) Ventimiglid , belonging also to the Republick of Genoua . Albium Inti●elium ; and among the (e) (e) A People made up of Gauls and Illyrians , whose Possessions reached down to the Adriatick Sea , near Istria . Iapodes , there is an high Hill , where the Alps do end . There are other Places , which may seem to be named from their height . In Italy there is the River (f) (f) Til●●r . Albula , rising in the Mountains of Etruria , and the Waters called Albulae flowing down from the Tiburtine Mountains . In Gallia Narbonensis there are the Albici , a Mountainous People . In Germany there is the River (g) (g) Elbe . Albis , arising from the Mountains of Bohemia . In Asia , the River (h) (h) Cohan . Albanus flows down from Mount Cauc●sus , and the Albanians dwell about the same Mountain . By which Instances , it will appear to be a Truth , That Album is not a Word of one , but many Nations , and in all the Places which I have named , their height doth not render them always , or unchangeably , White ; yea , some Months they are not White at all . The Names of the Ligurian Giants do also confirm this Conjecture , Albion and Bergion , both of them , as I judge , being named from their Talness . What the Ancients thought of the Word Album , I have said enough . That the Germans call (i) (i) Berg , in the German Language signifies High . High , Berg , is known to all : And there is a place in Pliny that shews , it was anciently used in the same sense amongst the Gauls , in his Third Book , which I am of Opinion must be thus read ; Whence Cato affirms , the (k) (k) Bergomates , a People of Bergamo in Italy , now under the Venetian . Bergomates to have had their Original , they discover themselves by their Names to be situated more highly , than happily ; Therefore Albion and Bergion , Men , it seems , far taller than their Neighbors , in confidence of their Strength , did commit Robberies in those Coasts of Liguria , whom Hercules , travelling that way , subdued by force of Arms. But none of the Ancients ever affirmed , That they Reigned in Britain , and the then State of the Gallick Affairs makes it very improbable , that it should be so ; and it is likely , that the State of Britain was not much more quiet ; in which Land , the Great Albion left a Famous Kingdom , that he might play the Robber at Home . But I , though I do not much differ from their Opinion , who assert , That Albion was so called from Album , so I think , the occasion of the Name was not from the Colour , but from the Height , of the Mountains : They , who imposed that (l) (l) Britain , why called Albion . Name , were , I believe , something inclined thereunto by comparing England with Ireland , there being but a Narrow Sea between Them : For they seeing one Shore to be altogether Mountainous , and the other depressed , level , and spread into Campagne or open Fields , they called the first Albion , from its height : But whether they gave any Name to the second , from its low Situation , the Length of Time , and the Negligence of the Inhabitants in Recording Ancient Affairs , hath made uncertain . Besides , this also adds Strength to my Opinion , That the Name of the Island , derived from Album , whether Albion , or Albium , as yet pertinaciously remains in (m) (m) The Name Albion is still retained in part of Scotland . Scotland , as in its Native Soil ; neither could it ever be extirpated there , notwithstanding so many Mutations of Inhabitants , Kingdoms , Languages , and the Vicissitude of other things . These things seem true , or at least probable , to me ; yet if any Man can inform me better , I will easily be of his Opinion .

Hitherto of the Ancient Names of the Island : The next thing , is , To explain the (n) (n) The Situation of the several Counties ●n Albion , described by English Writers . Situation of the Countries . The English Writers have plainly and clearly enough described their own several Counties : But (o) (o) Hector Boetius blamed . Hector Boetius , in his Description of Scotland , hath delivered some things not so true , and he hath drawn others into Mistakes , whilst he was over-credulous of those , to whom he committed the Inquiry after Matters , and so Published their Opinions , rather than the Truth . But I shall briefly touch at those things which I am assured of , and those which seem obscure and less true , I will correct as well as I can .

(p) (p) England , how divided . England , as far as concerns our present purpose , is most conveniently divided by Four Rivers , Two running into the Irish Sea viz. Dee and Severne ; and Two into the German Sea , i. e. Thames and Humber . Between Dee and Severne lies Wales , being distinguished into (q) (q) Now only into two , viz. North and South-Wales ; for Pembroke-Shi●e , with part of its adjacent Counties , heretofore called West-Wal●s , is now counted part of South-Wales . Three several Regions . Between Severne and Thames , lies all that part of England , which is opposite to France . The Countries interjacent between Thames and Humber , make the Third Part ; and the Countries reaching from Humber and Dee , to Scotland , make up the Fourth .

But (r) (r) The Situation of Scotland , and the several Counties thereof . Scotland is divided from England , first , by the River Tweed ; then , by the high Mountain Cheviot ; and where the Mountain fails , then by a Wall or Trench newly made , and afterwards by the Rivers Eske and Solway . Within those Bounds , from the Scotish Sea to the Irish , the Counties lies in this Order . First , (s) (s) Merch. M●rch , in which the English do now possess Berwick , situate on the left side of the Tweed . On the East it is bounded with the Firth of Forth . On the South , with England . On the West , on both sides the River Tweed , lies (t) (t) Tiviotdale ▪ or Tividale . Tiviotdale , taking its Name from the River Tiviot : It is divided from England by the Cheviot-Hills . After this , lie three Counties not very great , (u) (u) Lyddisdail . Liddisdail , (x) (x) Eusedail . Eusedail , and (y) (y) Eskdail . Eskdail , being so called of three Rivers , which have a near Appellation , viz. Lidal , Eue , and Eske . The last is (z) (z) Annandale . Annandale , taking its Name from the River Annand , which divides it almost in the middle , and , near to Solway , runs into the Irish Sea .

Now to return again to (a) (a) Forth , or the Scotish Sea . Forth , on the East it is bounded by Lothian . Cockburnes Path , and Lamormoore-Hills do divide it from Merch. Then , bending a little to the West , it touches (b) (b) Lauderdale and Twedale . Lauderdale and Twedale ; the one so called from the Town Lauder ; the other from the River Tweed , dividing it in the middle . (c) (c) Liddisdale , Nithisdale , and Clidesdale . Liddisdale , Nithisdale , and Clidesdale , do border on Twedale on the South and West . The River Nith gives Name to Nithsdale , running through it into the Irish Sea . (d) (d) Lothian , whence so called . Lothian was so named from Lothus , King of the Picts . On the North-East it is bounded with the Forth , or Scotish Sea , and it looks towards Clidesdale on the South-West . This Country does far excel all the rest , in the Civility of its Inhabitants , and in plenty of all things for the use of Life . It is Watered with five Rivers , ●ine , both the Eskes , ( which before they fall into the Sea , joyn in one Chanel , ) Leith and Almond . These Rivers , arising partly from the Lamormoore-Hills , and partly from Pentland-Hills , disgorge themselves into the Firth of Forth . Lothian contains these Towns , Dunbar , Hadington , Dalkeith , (e) (e) Edinburgh in Lothian . Edinburgh , Leith , and Linlithgoe . More to the West , lies (f) (f) Clidsdale divided . Clidsdale on both sides the River Clid , which , by Reason of its length , is divided into two Prefectures or Sheriffwicks . In the uppermost of them there is an Hill , not very high , yet out of it , Rivers run into three divers Seas , Tweed into the Scotish , Annand into the Irish , and Clyd into the Deucaledonian-Seas . The most eminent Cities in it , are Lanerick and Glasgo . Kyle . Kyle on the South-west is adjoining to it ; Beyond Kyle is Galloway . Galloway . It is separated from Nithsdale by the River Clyd , bending almost wholly to the South , and by its Shore that remaining part of Scotland is also covered .

It is all more fruitful in Cattle , than Corn ; it hath these Rivers running into the Irish Sea , Vre or Ore , Dee , Kenn , Cree , and Luss ; it hath scarce any great Mountains , but only some small Hills , in it ; between which , the Water , stagnant in the Valleys , makes abundance of Lakes , by which , in the first Showres , after the Autumnal Aequinox , the Rivers are encreased , which bring down an incredible quantity of Eeles , Abundance of Eels taken . which the Inhabitants take in Weels made of Osier Twigs , and , salting them , get no small Profit thereby . Mul of Galloway . The Boundary of that side is the Mul of Galloway , under which , in the mouth of the River Lus , is a Bay , which Ptolomy calls * * Now Glenluce . Rerigonius . The Bay commonly called Loch-Rian , and , by Ptolomy , Vidogara , flows into it on the other side from the Firth of Clyd . The Land running betwixt those Bays , the Inhabitants do call Rinns , Rinns . of Galloway . Nonantum . ( i. e. ) the edge of Galloway : They also call Nonantum , the Mul , ( i. e. ) the Beak , or Jaw . But the whole Country is called Galloway ( for Gallovid , in old Scotish , signifies a Gaul . )

Carrick . Below Loch-Rian , on the Back side of Galloway , there lies Carrick-Bailiery , gently declining to the Firth of Clyd . Two Rivers pass through it , Stinsiar and Girvan , both of them having many pleasant Villages on their Banks . Between the Rivers , there are some small Hills , fruitful for Pasture , and not unfit for Corn : 'T is all not only self-sufficient with Land and Sea-Commodities , but it also supplies its Neighbours with many Necessaries . The River Down separates it from Kyle , Kyle . which ariseth from a Lake of the same Name , wherein is an Island , with a small Castle . Kyle follows next , bordering upon Galloway on the South , and on the North East , on Clydsdale ; on the West it is separated from Cuningham by the River Irwyn : The River Aire divides it in the middle . Near it is scituated Air , Air. a Town well traded ; the Country in general abounds more with valiant Men , than with Corn or Cattle ; for the Soyle is poor and sandy , and that sharpens the Industry of the Inhabitants ; and their Parsimony confirms the Strength both of their Bodies and Minds . Cuningham . After Air , Cuningham runs on to the North , and doth , as it were , justle out and streighten the Clyd , and brings it into the compass but of a moderate River . The Name of the Country is Danish , and , in that Language , signifies the King's House , which is an Argument , Renfrew . That the Danes did somtimes possess it . Next is Renfrew , scituate at the Eastern Coast thereof , so called from a little Town , wherein they were wont to celebrate their Conventions , 't is commonly called the Barony of Renfrew . Two Rivers , both of them called Carth , White Carth. and Black Carth. Clydsdale . divide it in the midst . After the Barony of Renfrew , Clydsdale is stretched out on both sides of the River Clyd , and , in regard of its largeness , is divided into many Jurisdictions . It pours out many famous Rivers ; on the left hand , Even and Duglass , which run into Clyd ; and on the right , another River called Even , which divides Lothian from Sterlingshire . These two Currents take the common Appellation of Rivers , instead of a proper Name , as , in Wales , the River called Avon doth , in a divers Dialect . The River Ev●n or Avon separates the County of Sterling on the South , Sterling . from Lothian ; on the East , the Firth of Forth , unti● at last , being lesned , it is reduced to the just magnitude of a River , and admits a passable Bridge near Sterling . There is but one memorable River which divides this Country , called Carron-Water , Carron-water . near which there are some ancient Monuments . On the left hand of Carron , there are two small Hills or Barrows , made of Earth by Man's hand , ( as the thing it self shews ) commonly called Duni pacis , Duni pacis , Emblems of Pe●●e . ( i. e. ) Emblems of Reconciliation . But about two Miles lower , on the same River , there is a round Edifice made without any Lime , but so formed with sharp Stones , that part of the upper Stone is , as it were , Mortassed into the lower , so that the whole Work , mutually conjoyned , sustains it self with the weight of the Stones , from top to bottom , growing narrower and narrower by Degrees . The top of it is open : The common People have several Fancies , according to their divers Humours , A strange Edifice . concerning the Use and Author of this Structure . For my part , I once conjectured , That it was a Temple of the God Terminus , which , they say , was wont to be built round and open at top ; And the Duni pacis near adjoyning seemed somwhat to strengthen my Conjecture , as if a Peace had been made there , of which these Hills are a Monument , because there the Romans terminated the Bounds of their Jurisdiction and Empire ; neither could any thing have altered my Opinion , unless I had been informed by creditable persons , That , in a certain Island , there are many Edifices in other respects like the Structure which I have spoken of , but that they are greater , and not so compact . There are also two Chapels in Ross of the like shape . These things made me suspend my Opinion , and to judge that these were Monuments or Trophies of some famous Deeds , placed , as it were , at the fag-end of the World , that they might be preserved from the Injury and Fury of Enemies . But whether these were Trophies , or ( as some think ) Sepulchres of famous Men , I believe they were Monuments consecrated to be perpetuated to Posterity , but built by rude and unskilful Workmen , after the similitude of the Temple erected at Carron . On the right side of Carron , the Ground is generally plain and level , only ▪ there is a little Hill in it , almost in the mid-space between the Duni pacis and the Temple or Chapel ; and therein , at the bending of the Angle , the Footsteps of an ancient City do yet appear . But the Foundation of the Walls , and the description of the Streets , partly by reason of Countrymens Plowing up the Ground , and partly , by plucking out the square Stones to build some Rich Mens Houses thereabouts , are quite blended and confused . English Bede expresly calls this place Guidi , Guidi . and places it in the very Angle of the Wall of Severus . Besides him , many famous Roman Writers make mention of this Wall ; yea , several footsteps thereof do yet appear , and many Stones are dug out , with Inscriptions containing a Gratulation of Safety and Victory , received by the Centurions and Tribunes of the Romans , or else some Funeral Epitaphs are engraven therein . And seeing the Wall of Severus is seldom less distant than 100 Miles from Adrian's Wall , Adrian's Wall built before Severus's . ( as the Remains of both do shew ) which was built by him before ; English Writers betray their great Ignorance , either in not understanding the Latins , who have delivered these things down to us ; or else their Carelesness , who have wrote that so confusedly , which is so plainly recorded : However it be , the thing is worthy , if not of a sharp Reprehension , yet of a light Admonition , at least ; especially , since by the Monuments lately spoken of , and by Bede's English History too , it plainly appears , That there was somtimes the Boundary betwixt the Britains and the Scots . Maldon not in Scotland , but in Essex . But those who fancy Maldon to be scituate here , are the same Men , who affirm , That the Chapel or Structure we spoke of , was the Temple of Claudius Caesar ; but they are hugely mistaken in both , seeing Maldon , a Colony of the Romans , is above 300 Miles distant from that place , if we may believe Ptolomy , and the Itinerary of Antoninus . Cornelius Tacitus doth plainly confute this their mistake , as in all his other Narrations , so especially , when he says , that the Romans having lost Maldon , fled to the Temple of Claudius Caesar for safety . But that Structure , whether it were a Chapel or Temple of Terminus , or else a Monument of some other thing , having no Doors , nor sign of any , and being open also at top , for the casting in of Stones , can scarce contain , much less shelter , Ten Soldiers . Moreover , about 40 Years after the Expedition of Iulius Caesar into Britain , Iulius Agricola . Iulius Agricola was the first of the Roman Generals who penetrated with his Army into those parts ; Besides , Adrian also , 50 Years after Agricola , setled the Bounds of the Roman Province , Adrian's Wall , where ? between the Rivers Tine and Eske , by making a Wall , of which , divers Footsteps in many places do yet remain . But Septimius Severus , about the Year of our Lord 210 , entring into Britain , Severus's Wall , now Grames Dike , where ? built a Wall 100 Miles beyond the Limits made by Adrian , from the Firth of Clyd to the Conflux of Forth and Avon , of which , many clear and evident Tokens yet remain . Besides , we never read in ancient Writings , that the chief Seat of the Picts was at Maldon , Abernethy , once the Royal Se●t of the Picts , then St. Andrews . but at Abernethy ; there was thei● Royal , and also Episcopal , Seat , which was afterwards translated to St. Andrews . And if it be demanded , what moved the Romans to draw a Colony thither , and how they maintained it in a Soil so barren , and ( at that time ) woody , uncultivated , and obnoxious to the daily injuries of the fiercest of their Enemies ; I suppose , they will answer , ( for I see not what else they can say , thereto ) that it was supplyed from the Sea , for then Ships came up to the very Gates of the City , thô against the stream of Carron-Water . If that were true , then the Grounds lying on both sides the Forth , must needs be overwhelmed with the inundations of the Ocean , and must therefore be barren , which alone , in that Tract , ought to have born Corn. But this is yet a more difficult Question ; That seeing the Sea-water did run on both sides the Forth , why the Romans did not there make their Boundary-Wall , rather than unnecessarily carry it many Miles further ?

Lennox . Beyond the County of Sterling lies Lennox , divided from the Barony of Renfrew by Clyd , and from the County of Glasgow by the River Kelvin ; from the County of Sterling by Mountains , and from the Stewarty of Menteath by the Forth ; Menteath . at length it is terminated in the Mountain Grampius , or Grantsbain , at the foot of which , through an hollow Valley , Loch-Lomund spreads it self , Loch-Lomund . which is 24 Miles long , and 8 broad ; it contains above 24 Islands ; besides a multitude of other Fishes , it hath some of a peculiar kind , very pleasant to eat , they call them Pollacks . At length , Pollacks , an unusual Fish . breaking out towards the South , it pours out the River Levin , giving Name to the whole Country , and near the Castle of Dumbarton , and a Town of the same Name , falls into Clyd . The furthermost Hills of Mount Grampius , do heighten the extreme parts of Lennox , Mount Grampius . Loch-Ger . Loch-Long . being divided by a small Bay of the Sea , called Loch-Ger , from its shortness . Beyond that , there is a Bay much larger , called Loch-Long , from the River Long , falling into it ; That is the Boundary between Lennox and Cowel . Cowel it self , Argyle and Knapdale are divided into many parts , Cowel . Argyle . Knapdale . by reason of several narrow Bays of the Sea running down into them , from the Firth of Clyd : There is one Bay , or Loch , more eminent than the rest , among , them called Loch-Finn , Loch-Finn . obtaining its Name from the River Finn , which it receives into it ; it is above 60 Miles in length . There is also in Knapdale a Loch called Loch-Awe , Loch-Awe . in which there is a small Island , and a Castle , that is fortified . The River Awe , or Owe , issues out from that Loch , which is the only River in that Country , that empties it self into the Deucaledonian Sea .

Beyond Knapdale , to the South-West , there runs out Cantyre ; i. e. Cantyre . The Head of the Country ; it stands over against Ireland , from which it is divided but by a Narrow Sea : It is not so Broad , as it is Long ; and it is joyned to Knapdale by so Narrow an Isthmus , or Neck of Land , that it is scarce a Mile over ; A Narrow Neck of Land joyns Cantyre to Knapdale . Birlings a small sort of Se●-Vessels . and that space too is nothing but Sand , so plain and level , that sometimes Seamen , to make their Voyages shorter , do hale their small Vessels , called Birlings , over it , from one side of Loch-Tarbet to the other .

Lorn touches Knapdale , it borders immediately on Argyle , and reaches as far as the Country of Abyr , commonly called Loch-Abyr : It is a plain Country , and not unfruitful ; Lorn or Laern . where the Mountain (a) (a) Granzeben , or the Grampian-Hills , run from Aberdeen in the North , to Dunbarton in the West . Grampius is lowest , and more passable , that Country is called (b) (b) Braid-Albin . Braid-Albin , which is as much as to say , The highest part of Scotland ; and where the loftiest Pic , or Top , of all is , that is called (c) (c) Drum-Albin . Drum-Albin , i. e. The Back of Scotland , and not without cause ; for from that Back , there run down Rivers into both Seas , some into the North or German , others into the South or Deucaledonian Sea . For from (e) (e) Loch-Earn . Loch-Earn it pours out the River Earn , towards the South-East , which falls into the River Tay , about three Miles below Perth . From this River , the Country called in Highland , or old Scots , Language , (f) (f) Strath-Earn . Strath-Earn , takes it Name , being situate on both sides of its Banks . For the Highlanders use to call a Country , lying at the fall of Rivers , (g) (g) Strat , wha● . Strat. Between the Mountains of this Country and the Forth , lies the Stewarty of (h) (h) Menteath . Menteath , taking its Name from the River Teath , which runs through the middle of it . Next to Menteath stand the Mountains called (i) (i) Ocel-Hills . Ocel-Hills , a great part of which , as also of the Country lying at the Foot of them , is reckoned within the Stewarty of Strath-Earn ; but the rest of the Country , even unto the Forth ▪ Man 's Ambition hath divided into several Stewarties , as the Stewarty of (k) (k) Clacman , Culross , and Kinross , Stewarties . Clacman , of (k) (k) Clacman , Culross , and Kinross , Stewarties . Culross , and of (k) (k) Clacman , Culross , and Kinross , Stewarties . Kinross . From these Stewarties and the Ocel-Hills , all the Country lying between the Forth and the Tay , grows narrow like a Wedge , Eastward even to the Sea ; and it is all called by one Name (l) (l) Fife . Fife , a Country self-sufficient with all necessaries for the use of Life : It is broadest where Loch-Leven , and the River (m) (m) It ariseth out of Loch-Leven , and falls into the Forth at the Town of Leven . Leven , running through it , do divide it ; and from thence it narrows on each side , till you come to the Town of (n) (n) Or Creal , on the East point of Fife . Cara●l ▪ it sends forth but one remarkable River , and that 's called Leven . It s whole shore is stor'd with abundance of Towns , of which the most remarkable , for the Study of the Arts is (o) (o) St. Andrews heretofore called Fanum Reguli , an University . St. Andrews , which the Highlanders call Fanum Reguli : More to the Inland , almost in the middle of the County , lies (p) (p) Cowper , the Shire-Town of Fife Cowper , the Shire or Assize Town , whither the rest of the Inhabitants of Fife do come for the Administration of Justice . Where it touches Strath-Earn stands the Town of (q) (q) Abernethy , anciently the Royal Seat of of the Picts . Abernethy , the Ancient Royal Seat of the Picts . Here the River Earn falls into the Tay.

As for the (r) (r) Tay , the greatest River in Scotland . Tay it self , that breaks out from (s) (s) Loch-Tay Twenty four Miles long . Loch-Tay , which is in Braid-Albin ; ( a Loch Twenty Four Miles long ) it is without question the greatest River in Scotland ; for winding about towards the Grampian-Hills , it touches upon (t) (t) Athol . Athol a fruitful Country , situate in the very Woody Passages of Mount Grampius . That part thereof , which is extended into a Plain , at the Foot of the Mountain , is called the (u) (u) Blare of Athol . Blare of Athol , which Word signifies a Soil devoid of Trees .

Below Athol , on the Right side of the River Tay , stands the Town of (w) (w) Caledonia , i. e. Dunkel , or Dunkelden , Why so called ? Caledonia , which yet retains its Ancient Name , though vulgarly called Dunkelden , ( i. e. ) an Hill full of Hasel-Trees . For those Trees , growing thick in such unmanured places , and shadowing the Country , like a Wood , gave Name both to the Town , and also to the People thereabouts . For the Caledons , or Caledonians , heretofore one of the famousest Nations amongst the Britains , made up one part of the Kingdom of the Picts , as we may be informed by (x) (x) Ammianus Marcellinus divides the Picts into Caledons and Vecturions . Ammianus Marcellinus , who divides the Picts into Two Tribes ; i. e. The Caledones and the Vecturiones , though at this Day there is hardly any Footstep left of either of those Two Names .

Twelve Miles below Dunkelden , on the same Right-hand Bank of the Tay , stands (y) (y) Perth on the South of Tay , called St. Iohnston's , from St. Iohn the Evangelist , its Patron . Perth , otherwise called St. Iohnstons . And on the Left-Bank of the Tay , below Athol , towards the East , stands (z) (z) Gowry-land is the farthest East-point of Perth-shire ; the Plain thereof is called the Carss of Gowry , and the Hilly part the Brae of Gowry . Gowry , a County abounding with rich Corn-Fields .

Below Gowry , between the Tay and the Esk , is extended (a) (a) Angus , called also Aeneia , Horestia , and Forestia . Angus , or , as the Highlanders call it , Aeneia ; some call it Horestia , or , according to the English Dialect , Forestia . In it there are these two Cities , (b) (b) Wherein there was an Abby near the Water Ila . Cowper , and that which Boetius , to gratifie his Country-men , ambitiously calls (c) (c) The Gift of God . Deidonum , but , I think , the old Name thereof was (d) (d) Dundee called Taodunum , and why ? Taodunum , i. e. Dundee , from Dune , i. e. an Hill situated by the River Tay ; for at the Foot of that Hill the Town is built .

Fourteen Miles beyond the Tay , in a direct Line along the Shore , we meet with the Town of (e) (e) It stands near the Sea , on a little Brook in Angus , called Br●th●ck . Aberbrothock , sometimes called Abrinca . Then follows the Promontory , called (f) (f) Redhead , or Reedhead . Red-Head , which shews it self at a very great distance . The River South-Esk runs through the middle of Angus ; and the North-Esk divides it from the Mearns . The (g) (g) Called the Sheriffdom of Mearns , lying betwixt Dye and North-Esk . Mearns is , for the most part , a plain and level Country , till it toucheth Mount Grampius , beyond the little Town of Fordun , and Dunotter , a Castle belonging to the Earls of Marshal : Then it grows lower and lower , declining towards the Sea . Beyond Mearn , towards the North , is the River (h) (h) Or Dee . Die , commonly called Diemouth ; and about a Mile beyond it , is the River (i) (i) It ariseth in Strathdon , the Hilly part of Mar● , and falls into the German Sea , at old Aberdene . Don. Upon the one , there stands (k) (k) Aberdene , standing on the Don ; and Aberdee , standing on the Dee , or Dye , now both called Old and New Aberdene . Aberdone , a Town famous for Salmon-Fishing ; and upon the other , stands (k) (k) Aberdene , standing on the Don ; and Aberdee , standing on the Dee , or Dye , now both called Old and New Aberdene . Aberdee , ( for so 't is called in old Records ) where the Bishops-See is , and also a Flourishing University : But now adays both Towns are distinguished only by the Names of Old and New (k) (k) Aberdene , standing on the Don ; and Aberdee , standing on the Dee , or Dye , now both called Old and New Aberdene . Aberdene .

From this narrow Front , between those two Rivers , begins Marr , hath the German Ocean on the East ; Dee , on the South ; Badenach , on the West ; and Bam●●shire , on the North. Marr , which growing wider and wider by degrees , extends it self 60 Miles in length , even unto Badenach . (m) (m) Or Baden●ck , a continued Ridge of Hills . Badenach is all full of Hills and Mountains , which sends forth Rivers into both Seas .

(n) (n) Called Loch-Abyr , from a little Loch lying in the midst of a shaking Bog , over against Enver-Loc●ie , or , as some call it , Inner-lochie . Abyr borders upon Badenach , it declines gently towards the Deucaledonian Sea ; a Country ( for a Scotish one ) very much abounding with all Land and Sea-Commodities : As it is fruitful in Corn and Pasture , so it is also very pleasant by reason of its shadowy Groves , and the delightful Fountains , Brooks and Rivulets , which glide along through it . As for the Multitude of Fish , hardly any County in Scotland can compare therewith : For , besides the plenty of Fresh-water Fish , which so many Rivers do afford , the Sea also contributes its Dole of Salt-water ones ; piercing , in a long Chanel , through the level part of the Country , and there being somewhat curbed and pent in by the higher boundary of the Land , for some space , at length it diffuses and spreads it self abroad again , representing the form of a Meer , or rather Loch . Hence 't is called Abyr ; i. e. in our Country Language , A Road for Ships : They give also the same Name to the Country thereabouts ; those that affect to speak after the English mode call both , i. e. That Bay of the Sea , and the Country too , Loch-Abyr , but mistakingly and without ground . These three Counties (o) (o) The three Counties of Loch-Abyr , Badenach , and Marr , comprehend the Bredth of Scotland betwixt both Seas . Abyr , Badenach and Marr , do take up all the bredth of Scotland between the two Seas , the Deucaledonian and the German .

On the North , next to Marr , stands (p) (p) Buchan abounds with Salmon . Buchan , divided from it by the River Don ; it stretcheth out it self farthest of any County in Scotland , into the German Sea : 'T is Rich in Pasture , and in a good breed of Sheep ; and is able to maintain it self with all Conveniencies for the support of Life . The Rivers in it abound with Salmon ; and yet ( which is strange ) there is one of its Rivers , called (q) (q) The Water of Ratra , in Buchan , hath no Salmon in it . Ratra , that hath not a Salmon in it . On the Shore of Ratra , there is a strange kind of (r) (r) An unusual Cave , turning Water into Stone . Cave , the Nature whereof I cannot pass over in silence . The Water therein drops down from a natural Vault or Arch , and is turned into Pyramids of Stone , insomuch that if Men did not cleanse it ever and anon , the whole space , to the very Roof , would be quickly petrified and filled up . The Stone thus concreted is of a middle Nature , between Stone and Ice ; for it is friable , and never arrives at the hardness and solidity of Marble . When I was at (s) (s) The like Cave at Tholouse in Languedoc● : Tholouse , about the Year of our Lord 1544. I was informed by creditable Persons , that there was a Cave in the Neighbouring Pyrenaean Hills , altogether like This in Scotland .

Beyond Buchan to the North , lie two small Counties , (t) (t) South of Bamss on the Sea-Coast . Boin and (u) (u) E●●y , lying on the South of the Spey . A●●y , which reach to the River Spey , that separates them from Murray . As for the River (w) (w) Or Spey , it watereth Badenach and S●r●th-Spey , and falls into the German Ocean near G●rm●ch . Spey , That hath its rise in the ridge of Hills in Badenach , of which I have made mention before ; and not far from the Fountain thereof , is a (x) (x) Loch-L●uch . Loch , which sends forth a River called Lochty , or rather Lo●chty . Lochtee , which roles it self into the West-Sea . At the Mouth thereof ( as they say ) there was once a Noble Town , called (z) (z) Or , Env●r-Lochty , standing on the West-side of the Mouth of the River Lochty , in Loch-Abyr . Inner-Locht●e , borrowing its Name from the Loch aforesaid . The Truth is , if you consider the Nature of the Neighbouring Soil , and the conveniency of Transporting and Carriadge by Sea , it is a place very fit for a Mart-Town : And our Ancient Kings , tempted and invited by those conveniencies , made their abode there for some Ages , in the Castle of (a) (a) A Castle on an high Rock in Lorn , of old the Habitation of the Scotch Kings . Evonia , which some do falsely persuade themselves to be (b) (b) Evonia is not Dunstafnage . Dunstafnage ; For the Rubbish and Ruins of that Castle are yet to be seen in Lorn . There are some small Counties , lying betwixt Buchan and the West-Sea , but having scarce any thing remarkable in them , I shall not waste time to describe them .

Beyond the Spey , even unto the River Ness , there follows (c) (c) Mu●r●y-Land , some call it M●●r●eff land , from More , the Sea , and Rie●● , ●ent Murray , heretofore ( as 't is thought ) called Varar . Between those two Rivers , ( the Spey and the Ness ) the German Ocean doth ( as it were ) drive the Land backward to the West , and so , with a vast Bay , doth abridge the largeness thereof . This whole Country ( for the higness of it ) abounds with Corn and Pasturage ; but as for Pleasantness , and the profit arising from Fruit-bearing Trees , it bears away the Bell from all the other Countries in Scotland . It hath two Eminent Towns in it , Elgin and Inverness : (d) (d) A Chief Town in Murr●y , within four Miles of the Sea . Elgin stands on the River L●ssie , and as yet retains its Ancient Name . (e) (e) O● Enverness , on the South-side of the Ness , where it falls into Murray Firth . Innerness is situate by the River Ness , which issues out of (f) (f) It is a narrow and deep Loch , arising near the West-Sea , in Glendulphin ; the Water thereof never freezeth , perhaps because encompassed with high Rocks and Mountains , which keep off the severity of the cold Air. Loch-Ness , a Loch 24 Miles long ; the Water thereof is almost always warm , and all the year long 't is never so Cold as to Freeze ; yea , in the sharpest Winter that is , if Flakes of Ice are conveyed into it , they will quickly be thawed by the warmth of its Waters .

Beyond Loch-Ness towards the West , there are only (g) (g) Where Scotland is narrowest ; i. e. but 8 Miles broad between Loch and Loch , or Sea and Sea . eight Miles of Continent , interjacent ▪ so small a Portion of Ground hinders the Conjunction of the two Seas , and consequently the making of the rest of Scotland an Island ; for all that space of Land , which lies betwixt that narrow Neck and the Deucaledonian Sea , is cut off from the rest by several Bays of the Sea , breaking into it .

That part of the Country , which lies beyond Loch-N●s● , and those narrow Streights , or Neck of Land , before-mentioned , is wont to be divided into four Provinces or Shires , viz. Ross , Strath-Navern , Sutherland , and Caithness ; [ (h) (h) 〈…〉 by the mist●ke of the 〈◊〉 ; for the whole of it is mentioned by and by , in its prop●r pl●ce . Navern , or , as commonly called , Strath-Navern , taking its Name from the River Navern ] Beyond the Mouth of Ness , where it disembogues it self into the German Sea , lies (i) (i) R●●s is a Shire that extends it self , cross ways ▪ from the Eas● , to the Wes● , Sea , which no County in Scotland doth , besides . Ross , which runs out into the Sea with very high Promontories , as the Name it self shews , for Ross , in the Scotish Dialect , signifies a Promontory . This Province hath more of Length , than Bredth , in it , for it reaches from the German , quite home to the Caledonian , Sea : Where it is Mountainous , 't is barren and untilled ; but the Plains thereof scarce yield to any part of Scotland for Fruitfulness . It hath also many pleasant Valleys in it , which are Watered with Rivers , full of Fish , together with several Lochs , well-stored with Fish . But the greatest of them all is Loch-Loubrun . From the Deucaledonian Sea , the Shore grows somewhat narrower , and turns back towards the North-East : From the opposite Shore , the German Sea , making its way between the Clefts of high Rocks , within Land , expands it self into a spacious Bay , which affords a safe Harbour , and Road , for Ships , against all Storms ; for the Passage into it is not dangerous , and when you are once entred , even the greatest Ships , that are , may be secure from all Injury of Wind and Weather .

At the farthest point of Ross , towards the North , lies Navern , or 〈…〉 . Navern , so called from the River It a●ise 〈◊〉 Sutherland , and running s●rait North , frameth Loch-Navern , and falls into the Deucaledonian Sea at Inver-Na●a , or Inn●●-Navern , as some call it , West of Vervedrum , or Strath●-Ho●d . Navern , which the Vulgar , following the Propriety of their Country Speech , call It a●ise 〈◊〉 Sutherland , and running s●rait North , frameth Loch-Navern , and falls into the Deucaledonian Sea at Inver-Na●a , or Inn●●-Navern , as some call it , West of Vervedrum , or Strath●-Ho●d . Strath-Navern . Ross bounds it on the South ; The Deucaledonian Sea washeth it , West and North ; And on the East it reaches to Caithness .

(m) (m) A Name given it by the P●cts , as some think : It hath Assin-Shire also to the West of it . Sutherland is so interjected between the three last mentioned Provinces , that it borders on them All , and , in some Quarter or other , touches them all : For on the West of it lies Strath-Navern ; On the South and East , Ross ; And on the North , Caithness . The Inhabitants thereof , according to the Nature of the Soil , are more given to Pasturage than Tillage . I know no remarkable thing in it , save only that it hath some (n) (n) Mountains of White Marble in Sutherland . Mountains of White Marble , ( a rare Miracle , in so cold a Country ) which yet are of little or no use to the Inhabitants , because That luxuriant Humour , which affects Curiosity , hath not yet reached to this Place .

(o) (o) Caithness , the most Northern Shire in Scotland . Caithness is the last Province of Scotland , towards the North , in which Coast Strath-Navern also meets It. These Two Counties do contract the Bredth of Scotland into a narrow Front . In that Front , there are Three high Promontories : The highest of them all is in Strath-Navern , which Ptolomy calls (p) (p) Farrow-Head , is the farthest North-West point of Scotland , lying in the small Edar-da-cheules . Orca , or Tarvedrum , now (p) (p) Farrow-Head , is the farthest North-West point of Scotland , lying in the small Edar-da-cheules . Farrow-Head ; The other Two are in Caithness , but not so high as the former ; i. e. Vervedrum , now called (q) (q) Because Strathy-Head is , by some , reckoned to be in Strath-Navern , not in Caithness , therefore they make Hoia to be the Hill of Hoy in Caithness , which hath a Fountain at Top , and , at its Bottom , bubbles forth a River , that runs to the Town of Wick in Caithness , the usual Port for Ships to and from the Orcades . Hoia , i. e. Strathy-Head ; and Betubium , ( Dunsbey-Head ) falsly called by Hector Boetius , Dume ; some call it Duncans-Bei , from which word , some Letters being substracted , the word Duns-Bei seems to be derived . At the Foot of the Hill there is a small Bay , which little Vessels , coming from the Orcades , use as an Haven or Port. For a Bay of the Sea is there called Bei . And this Creek , or Bay , being called by the Neighboring Inhabitants the Bei of Duncan , or Donach ; from both those words conjoyned , the Country Language hath formed * * or Dungisby . Dunis-Bei .

In this Tract , Ptolomy places the (r) (r) The Cornavii in Caithness in Scotland , and in Cornwal in England , too . Cornavii , ( or Caithness-men ) some Footsteps of which Name do yet remain , for they commonly call the Castle of the Earls of Caithness , (s) (s) Now Castle Sinclare . Gernico ; for those whom Ptolomy , and other Foreiners call Cornavii , the Britains call Kernici . And seeing he places the Cornavii , not in this Tract only , but even in a far distant part of the Island , viz. Cornwal in England ▪ they who retain the old British Speech , do yet call the same persons , Kernici : And , perhaps , 't is no absurd conjecture , to imagine , that the Cornovalli are so called for (t) (t) Kernicovalli , Who ? Kernicovalli , ( i. e. ) the Kernic-Gauls , yea , in the very midst of the Island , some footsteps , thô obscure ones , of the Name seem to have remained . For Bede writes , that the beginning of the Wall of Severus was not far distant from the Monastery of (a) (a) Kebercurnig . Kebercurnig ; whereas there is now no sign of a Monastery in those parts ; but there remains not far from thence , the halfe-ruined Castle of the Duglasses , called (b) (b) Abrecorn , or Abercorn . Abrecorn : Whether both of those words , or only one of them , be corrupted from Kernicus , I leave to the Reader to judge .

It remains now , that I speak somthing concerning the Islands of Scotland , ( which Part of the British History is involved with abundance of mistakes . ) But omitting the Ancients , who have delivered nothing certain on this Subject , I shall only insist on what the Writers of our times have , more truly and plainly , acquainted us with . Of all the Islands , which do , as it were , begirt Scotland , they make three (c) (c) The Islands of Scotland divided into three ranks , with their several Names . viz. 1st . Western , 2. Orcades , or Orkny , 3 Schetland , Isles . Classes or Ranks , The Western , the Orcades , and the Zealandish , or Shetland , Islands .

Those are called the (d) (d) Western-Isles , called Hebrides , Aemodae , and Aebudae . Western Isles , which lye between Scotland and Ireland , on the West of Scotland , in the Deucaledonian Sea , and do reach almost to the Isles of Orkney , or Orcades . They , who have written of the British Affairs , either now , or in the Age before us , call them Hebrides , a new Name , of which there are no Footsteps , or any Original , in Ancient Writers . For , in that Tract of the Sea , some Authors place the Aebudae , or Aemodae , but with such inconstancy amongst themselves , that they scarce ever agree in their Number , Situation , or Names . Strabo ( to begin with the most Ancient ) may be the better excused , because he followed uncertain Report , That part of the World being not fully discovered , in his time . (e) (e) These Number according to Mela , Capella , Ptolomy , Solinus , and Pliny . Mela reckons the Aemodae to be Seaven , Martianus Capella makes the Acmodae to be as many ; Ptolomy and Solinus count the Aebudae , Five ; Pliny numbers the Acmodae to be Seaven ; and the Aebudae Thirty . I , for my part , think it fit to retain the Names most used by the Ancients , and therefore I call all the Western Isles (f) (f) The Name Aebudae , most approved by this Author . Aebudae ; and I purpose to describe the Site , Nature , and Commodities of every one of them , as out of Later , so out of Surer , Authors .

In performing this Task , I will principally follow (g) (g) Donald Monro , sometime Dean of Murray , Travelled over the Islands of Scotland , and described them . Donald Monro , a Pious and Diligent Person , who himself Travelled over all those Islands , and viewed them Ocularly . They lye dispersed in the Deucaledonian Sea , being above Three hundred and odd , in number . The Kings of Scotland were Masters of them , time out of mind , until Donald , the Brother of Malcolm the Third , yielded up the possession of them to the Kings of Norway ; that , by his Aid , he might forcibly seize upon the Crown of Scotland , to which he had no Right . The Danes and Norwegians enjoyed them about One hundred and sixty years , until , being overcome in a great Battel , they were outed of them by (h) (h) Alexander the 3d. King of Scotland , drove the Danes and Normans out of these Islands , after they had possest them about 160 years . Alexander the Third , King of Scotland . These Islanders , either confiding in their strength , or else egg'd on and induced by Sedition , have some time endeavoured to vindicate their Liberty , and to set up Kings of their own ; For of late , Iohn of the Family of the Donalds , as well as others before him , usurped the Name of King . (i) (i) The Disposition , Customs , &c. of their Inhabitants . In their Diet , Habit , and the whole Administration of their Domestick Affairs , they use the Ancient Parsimony . Hunting and Fishing afford them Food . They boil their Flesh in Water poured either into the Paunch , or into the Skin , of the Beasts , they kill ; and in Hunting they sometime eat raw Flesh , when the Blood is squeezed out . The Broth of boiled Flesh-meat is their Drink . They sometimes drink Whey very greedily in their Feasts , after it hath been kept , in proper Vessels , for some years . That kind of Drink they call (k) (k) Blandium , an old Drink made of Whey , cla●●fied with Herbs . Blandium : But for the most part of them , they drink Water . They make their Bread of Oats and Barley , ( for they have no other Grain growing in those parts , ) which is not unpleasant to the Taste ; and , by frequent use , they are very expert at making and moulding of it . In the Morning they eat a little of it , and so go a Hunting ; or , if they have any other work to do , they are content with that light Breakfast , and Fast till the Evening . They use party-coloured Garments , and especially strip'd Plads . Of all Colours they love the Purple and the Blew , most . Their Ancestors wear Party-coloured Plads , variously striped , which custom some of them do still retain . But , now-a-days , many of them wear their Apparel of a dark brown colour , almost like Heath , that so , lying in the Heath-bushes , they might not , in the day-time , be discovered by their Cloaths . Being rather loosly happ'd , than closely covered , with this sort of Blanketing , they endure the fiercest weather , even in the open Air , and sometime they sleep in them , thô cover'd all over with Snow . In their Houses , they also lye on the Ground , only they lay under them Fern or Heath , which they place with their roots downward , and their brush upwards , so prettily , that their Beds are almost as soft as a Featherbed , but far more wholsom . For * * Heath , it● Nature . Heath being endued with a Natural power of exiccation , doth exhaust superfluous Humors , and restores vigor to the Nerves , after it hath freed them from such noxious Guests ; so that they , who lye down in the Evening weary and faint , in the Morning rise up nimble and spritely . They are all of them very regardless of their Bed-Ticks and Coverlets ; yea , they affect an uncouth slovinglyness therein ; for , if any occasion , or necessity , cause them to Travel into other parts ; when they go to Bed , they throw the Bed and Blankets of their Hosts on the ground , and wrap themselves up in their own Garments , so betaking themselves to their Rest ; the Reason they give , is , lest such barbarous effeminateness ( for so they call it ) should taint and corrupt their Native and inbred hardiness . In War , they cover their Bodies with Iron Helmets and a Coat of Mail , made of Iron Rings , reaching almost down to their Anckles . Their Weapons are Bows and Arrows , for the most part hooked , the Iron barbs standing out on both sides , which cannot be drawn out of the Body , they pierce , unless the Orifice of the wound be made very wide : Some of them Fight with broad Swords , and Poleaxes . Instead of a Trumpet , they use a Bag-Pipe . They are much given to Musick , but on Instruments , of a peculiar kind , called Clarsbachs ; of which , some have Strings made of Brass-Wire ; others , of Guts , which they strike either with their long Nails or with a Quill . Their only ambition is , to deck their Fiddles with very much Silver and Jewels . The meaner sort , instead of Jewels , use Chrystal . They sing Songs , not unelegant , containing commonly the Elogies of Valiant Men ; and their Bards ordinarily handle no other Argument . Their Language is some what like the old Gawlish .

These Islands of Scotland , which use the Antient Tongue ; and are called the Western or Aebudae Isles are thus usually reckoned . The first of them is (l) (l) Isle of Man called Mana , Eubonia , Mevania , Manim . Ma●a , by some falsly called Mona , but by the ancient Eubonia ; Paulus Orosius calls it Mevania , or rather Menavia ; for in the old Language , 't is called Manim . The last Age call'd the Town in it (m) (m) Sodora in Man , once the Bishop of the Island● See . Sodora , in which the Bishop of the Islands had his See . It is a Province almost equally distant from Ireland , from Galloway in Scotland , and from Cumberland in England : It is Twenty four Miles long and Eight broad .

The next Isle arising in the Firth of Clyde is (n) (n) Ailze , Alsa , or Ailze , an high and precipitous Rock , excepting only one plain passage into it . It is uninhabited almost all the year , but only at certain Seasons , a great number of Skiffs and Busses flock thither to Fish for Cod and Whiting . It abounds with Conies and Sea-Fowl , but especially with (o) (o) abounds with Soland G●ese . Soland-Geese . It is almost equally distant from Carrick on the South-East ; from Ireland , on the South-West ; and from Cantyre on the North-West : The Isle (p) (p) Or , Arran . of Arran is situate Twenty four Miles from Ailze , inclining towards the North , it is Twenty four Miles long and Sixteen broad ; 't is full of high Craggy Mountains , so that only the Sea-Coasts thereof are inhabited ; where it is lowest , the Sea breaks into it , and makes a great Bay , the entrance whereof is shut in by the Island Molas , i. e. (q) (q) Lamlach . Lamlach or Lamlash . So that by reason of the height of the Mountains , which break the force of the Wind , it is , within , a very safe Harbour for Shipping ; and there is such plentiful Fishing in those Waters , which are perpetually Calm , that if the Inhabitants catch more than what will serve them for one day , they throw them again into the Sea , as into a safe Trunk or a Fish-pond , to be thence taken out at their pleasure .

Not far from Arr●n lies a small Island called Flada (r) (r) Flada . or Fladda , which is full of Rabbets . (s) (s) Boot Isle . Boot Isle , being Eight Mile long and Four broad , is situate more inwardly in the Firth of Clyde , and is Eight Miles distant from Arran , aforesaid , on the North-East . On the North-West , 't is distant from Argyle about half a Mile ; on the East , from Cuningham , Six Miles . 'T is all in a manner Low-Land , and so , very convenient for Corn and Pasturage . It hath but one Town in it , bearing the Name of the Island ; and in it an old Castle Named (t) (t) Rothsey Castle . Rothsey . It hath also another Castle at the Bay , called in the Country Language , Cames , or (u) (u) Keames Castle . Keames Castle . On the South-West thereof , is the low Island (w) (w) Mernoch . Mernoch , for the bigness thereof fruitful enough , and well Cultivated , it is a Mile long and half a Mile broad . More inward in the Firth of Clyde , are the two (x) (x) Cumbras , Two . Cumbras , the greater and the lesser , at a small distance one from another ; the greater abounding with Corn ; the lesser with Fallow-Deer .

From the Promontory of Cantyre , a little more than a Mile , lies Avona , now (y) (y) Sanda . Sanda , called Portuosa , i. e. fit for a Port , it got that Name from being a Road for Ships ; for when the Danes possessed those Islands , their Fleets directed their Course thither for Shelter . From the same Promontory to the South-West , over against the Irish shoar stands (z) (z) Rahglin near Ireland . Rahglin ; as also Four Miles from Cantyre , is a small Island called (a) (a) Cara. Cara ; and not far there from (b) (b) Gaga . Gaga , Six Miles long , and a Mile and a half broad .

The Island of (c) (c) Iura , a large Island , formerly called Dera , and why ? Iura is distant Twelve Miles from Gaga , being in length Twenty four Miles : It 's Maritime parts are inhabited well enough ; but , being Woody inwardly , it abounds with several Sorts of Deer . Some think it was anciently called Dera , which in the Gothish Language signifies a Stag. Two Miles distant from Iura , lies (d) (d) Scarba . Scarba , in length from East to West four Miles , in breadth , one ; 't is Inhabited but in few places . The Tide is so violent between It and Iura , that there is no passage neither with Sails nor Oars , but at certain Seasons only .

After This , there are many Islands of (e) (e) Many lesser Island● , 〈◊〉 their Name● . less note , spread up and down , as B●llach or Genisteria , Gewrasdil , Lunga , both the Fiola's or Findlass's ; also the three Garvillans , distinguished by their respective (f) (f) Garvillan Vsk●a , Garvillan More , and Garvillan ●eg . Sirnames ; then Culbrenin , Dunconnel , Luparia , Belhac , Whoker , Gavin , Luing , Seil , and Suin , these Three last named are fruitful enough in Corn and Cattle , and are under the Jurisdiction of the Earls of Argyle . The next to these is Slata , or (g) (g) Sleach . Sleach , so called , because out of a Rock therein , Tyles , named Slats , are cut and extracted . Then follow Naosg , Easdale , Schanni , and the Isle called (h) (h) Tyan . Tyan , from an Herb , which is prejudicial to Fruits , not unlike Guild or Loose-strife , but that 't is of a more dilute Colour ; then Vridich and the Rye Island . Then Dow , i. e. the black Island ; and the Island Eglish , or of the Church and Triarach ; after these follow the Islands , Ard or High , Ishol , Green , Heath , as also Coney-Isles , and that which is called the Island of the Otiost and Eris-bach ; as also (i) (i) Once the Bishop of Argyle's 〈◊〉 . Lismore , in which , heretofore , there was the Bishop of Argyle's See ; it is eight Miles in length , two in bredth , in it there are found Metals , besides the Commodities common to other Isles . Then succeed Ovilia , and Siuna , Ilan na Port , and Geirach , as also Falda , the Isle of Cloich , Gramry ; the Islands More , Ardiescara , Musadil , and Bernera heretofore called the Holy Sanctuary , the Noble Yew-Isle , Molochasgar and Drinacha , which is all covered over with Thorns , Elder , and the Ruins of great Houses , then another Isle Drin●ch , which is full of Wood ; also Ramsay and K●rrera .

The greatest Island of the Western ones , next to Iura , is (k) (k) Yla , a large Island . Yla , which is Twenty four Miles long , and Sixteen broad ; it is extended from South to North ; and is very fruitful in Cattel , Corn , Deer , and Lead , there is a River of fresh Water in it , called (l) (l) Avonlaggan . Avonlaggan , as also a Bay of Salt Water , in which are sundry Islands ; besides , it hath a Lough of fresh Water , in which there is an Island called (m) (m) Finlagan , once the Seat of the Prince of the Islands . Finlagan , which heretofore was the chief of all the Islands , in which the Prince of the Islanders , assuming the Name of King , was wont to dwell . Neer to that but lesser , is the Island called * * Ilan na-Covihaslop , called also the Island of Council , and why ? Ilan na-Covihaslop , called also the Island of Council , for there was a Court in it , wherein Fourteen of the cheif Men did daily sit for the Administration of Justice , and Determining matters of Controversie , whose great Equity and Moderation procured Peace , both Foreign and Domestick ; and as a concomitant of Peace , the affluence of all things . (n) (n) Many small Islands between Ila , and Iura , with their Names . Between Ila and Iura there is seated a small Island called Rock Isle , taking its Name from an heap of Stones therein ; moreover on the South side of Ila , lie these Islands , Chourna , Maalmori , Osrim , Bridi , Corshera , the Island Ishol , Immersi , Bethick , Texa , Gearach , Naosg , Rinard , Cana , Tarskeir , Achnar , the Isle More , the Island resembling the Figure of a Man , the Island Iean , and Stachabadda ; at the West corner of Yla stands Oversa , there also the Sea is very raging , not passable for Ships but at certain Hours . The Island Channard , and toward the North-West are situate Vsabrast , and Tanast , Naomph , and the Island Banni ; Eight Miles from Yla , more toward the North , lies Oversa , next to it Porcaria , and half a Mile from Oversa , lies Collonsa .

Beyond Collonsa to the North lies Mull , (o) (o) Mull a , large Island . twelve Miles distant from Yla . This Island is Twenty four Miles in length , and as many in breadth ; 't is Craggy , yet not wholly devoid of Corn. It hath many Woods in it , and great Herds of Deer , and a Port safe enough for Ships ; over against Icolumkill it hath two large Rivers full of Salmon , besides other lesser Rivers , not without Fish ; it hath also two Loughs , in each of which are several Islands , and Castles in them all . The Sea , breaking into it in divers places , makes four Bays , all abounding with Herrings . On the South-West is seated (p) (p) Calaman . Calaman , or the Island of Doves ; on the North-East stands (q) (q) Erra . Erra , both these Islands are Commodious for Cattle , Corn , and Fishing .

The Island of (r) (r) Icolumkill . Icolumkill is distant from them two Miles ; it is Two Miles long , and above a Mile broad , fruitful in all things , which that Climate can produce , and famed for as many ancient Monuments , as could be well expected in such a Country ; but it was made yet more famous by the severe Discipline and Holiness of St. Columbus . It was beautified with two Monasteries , one of Monks the other of Nuns ; with one (s) (s) Curia , a Parish Church . Curia , or ( as they call it , ) a Parish Church , and with many Chapels , some of them built by the Magnificence of the Kings of Scotland ; and others by the Petty Kings of the Islands ; in the old Monastery of * * Columbus , his Monastery . St. Columbus , the Bishops of the Islanders placed their See ; their ancient Mansion House , which was before in the Isle of Man , being taken by the English . There remains as yet , among the ancient Ruins , a Church-yard or Burying place , common to all the Noble Families which dwelt in the Western Islands . (t) (t) Three Tombs or C●meterys for the Kings of Three several Nations . There are three Tombs in it more eminent than the rest , at a small distance one from another , having little Shrines looking toward the East , built over them . In the West part of each of them there is a Stone with an Inscription , declaring whose Tombs they are , the middlemost of them hath this Inscription ; The Tombs of the Kings of Scotland , for it is reported that Forty four of the Scotish Kings were there buried : In the Right-Hand one , there is this Title Carved , The Tombs of the Kings of Ireland , for Four Kings of Ireland are said to be interred there ; that on the Left side is inscribed , The Tombs of the Kings of Norway , for Report says , That Eight Kings of that Nation were inhum'd there . In the rest of the Coemetery , the Eminent Families of the Islands have each their Tombs apart . There are Six Islands adjacent to it , small indeed , yet not unfruitful , which have been given by ancient Kings , and by the Princes of the Islanders , to the Nunnery of St. Columb .

The Island (u) (u) Soa . Soa , though it hath convenient Pasturage for Sheep , yet its greatest Revenue is from the Sitting and Hatching of Sea-Fowl , and especially from their Eggs. The next to that , is (w) (w) Nuns Island . Nuns-Island . Then Rudana ; after that Reringa , after which follows (x) (x) Skanny . Skanny ▪ distant half a Mile from Mull ; it hath one Parish in it , but the Parishioners live mostly in Mull : The Shore abounds with Coneys . A Mile from Skanny , stands Eorsa . All these are under the Jurisdiction of the Monks of St. Columbus his Monastery .

Two Miles from (y) (y) Eorsa . Eorsa , stands (z) (z) Vlva . Vlva , which is five Miles long , and , for its bigness , fruitful in Corn and Pasturage . It hath an Haven very commodious for Galleys , Long-Boats , or Berlins . On its South-side lies (a) (a) Colvansa . Colvansa , the Soyl thereof is fruitful , and it hath a Wood of Hasel in it . Almost three hundred paces from it , is situate (b) (b) Gomedra . Gomedra , two Miles long , and a Mile broad , running out from South to North. Four Miles from Gomedra , on the South , stands (c) (c) Stafa . Stafa , both of these two last-named Isles having many good Havens in them . Four Miles from hence , toward the North-West , are the two (d) (d) Carniburghs , Two . Carniburghs , the greater and the lesser , so Fortified round about with the Precipices of Rocks , and a most rapid Current , besides ; that , their Natural Strength being assisted by Art , they are impregnable . A Mile from these , is an Island whose Soil is almost all black , as being concreted out of old rotten Wood and Moss mixt together . They dry the Turff of it for Fewel , and therefore 't is called (e) (e) Black , or Turff Island . Turff-Island , for so they there call that sort of Earth , which the English call Moss . Then succeeds (f) (f) Lunga . Lunga , two Miles in length , and Baca half less than It. (g) (g) Baca.

From thence towards the West , about Six Miles distance , (h) (h) Terriss . stands Tirriss , in length Eight Miles , in bredth Three , of all these Islands , most abounding with all things necessary to maintain Life ; for in it is plenty of Cattle and Corn , they also get much by Fishing and the breed of Sea-Fowl . There is in it a Lake or Lough of fresh Water , and an old Castle , as also an Haven , not unsafe for Galleys and Long-Boats . Two Miles from hence stands (i) (i) Gun Isle ▪ Gunn Isle , and at an equal distance from Gun , (k) (k) Coll. Coll , Twelve Miles long , two broad , a very fruitful Isle . Not far from thence is (l) (l) Calfa . Calfa , which is almost all covered with Wood. After that , two (m) (m) Charn More , and Charn Beg. Islands follow , (m) (m) Charn More , and Charn Beg. Sirnam'd Green , the greater and the lesser . And as many lie , of the same (n) (n) Glass More and Glass Beg. Sirnames , over against the Promontory of Mull. From it , at no great distance there lye two Islands , Sirnamed Glassae , i. e. Sky blew ; then * * Ardan Rider . Ardan Rider , i. e. the high Island of the Horseman : Next Luparia , or the Island of Wolves ; after this , is the (o) (o) Island More . Island More ; from the Island Coll , toward the South , there is extended from East to West , (p) (p) Rum . Rum , Sixteen Miles long , Six broad , and because it is inhabited but in few places , the Sea-Fowl do almost every where lay their Eggs up and down in the Fields ; so that in the Spring one may take up as many of them , as he pleaseth . In the high Rocks of Rum , the Soland Geese , spoken of before , are taken in great abundance . Four Miles from thence to the South-East is the Island * * Naich . Naich , or of Horses , and half a Mile from thence is * * Muick , full of Falcons , &c. Muick ▪ for its bigness , abounding with all necessaries . Falcons build their Nests therein ; and it hath also a Port convenient enough for Shipping . Not far from it are Cana , and Egg Isle , small , yet fruitful , Islands ; the later abounding with Soland Geese .

Then there is (q) (q) Soavreti●l . Soavretil , fitter for Hunting than any other Commodities of Life . Thence from North to South is extended Sky , the biggest Isle about Scotland . Sky , the greatest of all the Islands about Scotland , as being in length Forty Two Miles ; in bredth sometimes Eight , sometimes Twelve ; in many places it is full of Mountains , which abound with Woods , and those Woods are full of Pastures . The Campagne is also fruitful of Corn and Cattle ; and , besides other Cattle , there are in it a great Breed of Mares . It hath five great Rivers in it , all very full of Salmon ; besides many lesser ones , not void of Salmon , neither . The Sea penetrating on every side into the Land , makes many Bays of Salt-Water therein ; of which Three are most eminent , besides Thirteen others , all full of Herrings . It hath also a Lough of Fresh-Water in it , and five Castles . This Island , in the old Scotch Dialect , was called Skianacha , the old name for Sky . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Skianacha , i. e. Winged , because the Promontories , between which the Sea made its Influx , did stretch out themselves , as so many Wings ; but use hath obtained , that 't is now called Sky , i. e. a Wing .

About Sky there lie scattered some smaller Islands , as Oransa . Oransa , full of Corn , and Cattle ; and Na gunner . Na gunner , having plenty of Woods , and Conies ; as also (w) (w) Paba . Paba , infamous for Robberies , where Thieves , lurking in the Woods , do way-lay Travellers as they pass . Then comes * * Scalpa . Scalpa , situated Eight Miles from it to the North-West , besides other Commodities , it hath great Herds of Deer in its Woods . Between the Mouth of Lech-Carron and Raarsa , lies Crouling . Crouling , a Port safe for Ships . And from * * Scalpa Scalpa , two Miles toward the North , lies Raarsa . Raarsa , seven Miles long , and two broad , it hath Woods of Beech-Trees in it , and many Deer in them . Half a Mile from it , is Rona . Rona , which is quite covered over with Woods , and Heath . It hath a Port in its inmost Bay , noted for Pyracy , as being very commodious to surprize Sea-Passengers . And in the Mouth of the Bay , ( which , from its shallowness , is called * * Gerloch . Gerloch ) there is an Island of the same Name . From Rona , six Miles towards the North , lies Fladda . Fladda . Two Miles from Fladda , is Tr●nta . Tr●nta , and on the South side of Sky , * * Oransa . Oransa : A Mile from thence lie little (c) (c) V●●a More ▪ Buia , then great (c) (c) and V●●a B●g. Buia ; and after them Five small Islands of no note ; after them follows * * Several small Islands . Ishol , fruitful in Corn ; and neer it is Ovia , then Askerma , and Linadel ; and Eighty Miles from Sky to the North-West lie , Linga , Gigamena , Bernera , Megala , Paba , Flada , Scarpa Vervecum , i. e. of Weathers , Sandrera , and (d) (d) Watersa . Watersa , which , besides other great conveniences , hath a Haven capable of holding many , and those very great , Ships ; whither at certain seasons of the year , a great company of Fisher-men flock together , from the Countries round about . These Nine last Islands are under the Government of the Bishop of the Islands . Two Miles distant from Watersa , lies (e) (e) Barra . Barra , Seven Miles in length , extending it self from the South-West , to the North-East , not unfruitful in Corn , but most noted for Cod and Whiting Fishing : A Bay of the Sea makes an influx into it , at a narrow Mouth ; but within , it is broader and also round . It hath one Island in it , and therein a strong Fort or Castle . In the North part of Barra , there ariseth an Hill full of Grass from top to bottom ; on the top of it * * A strange Spring , carrying down shapeless Fish into the Sea . riseth a Spring of fresh Water ▪ which flowing down in a Rivulet , carries with it into the neighbouring Sea , some small Animals , as yet shapeless ; which , in some sort , though obscurely , do represent those Shell-fish we commonly call (f) (f) Cockles , or Periwinkles . Cockles . This part of the shore , to which the Borderers retire , they call the Great Sands ; because , when the Sea Ebbs , the Sand is uncovered for a Mile and more ; there they dig up great Shell-fish , and the People there about believe it to be as a Seminary of those shapeless Fish , which the forenamed drill carries down from its Fountain , and that they are either produced there , or , at least , grow bigger in the Sea .

Between Barra and Vyist , lie these * * Divers small Islands . small Islands following , Orbansa , Ovia or Eoy , Hakerset , Garulinga , Flada , Buiia the greater , and Buiia the less , Haia , Heldisay , Gega , Linga , Fara , Fuda , Heath Island . From these , towards the North , lies (g) (g) Vyist a great Island . Vyist , Thirty Miles long , and Six broad . The Tide flowing into this Island in two places , represents the appearance of Three Islands , but when it Ebbs , it again coalesces into One : In it are many Lakes of fresh Water , the biggest of which is Three Miles long . The Sea , wearing away the Land , hath made it self a passage into this Lough ; neither can it be excluded by the Inhabitants , no not by a Jitty or Bank of Sixty Foot high , but that it insinuates it self between the Stones , not well compacted together , and there often leaves some small Sea-Fish behind . There is a (h) (h) A strange sort of Fish . Fish taken in it , in other respects like a Salmon , save that his Belly is white , and his Back black , and he is without Scales like to Salmon . Moreover , there are in it abundance of Loughs of fresh Water . It hath Caves in it covered with Heath , which are lurking places for Robbers . There are Five Parish-Churches in it for the performance of Holy Duties .

Eight Miles from thence , towards the East , lies * * Helscher Vetularum . Helscher Vetularum , so called , as I suppose , because it belongs to the Nuns of the Island of Icolumkill . A little further towards the North , appears (i) (i) Havelschyer . Havelschyer , to which at certain seasons of the year , many Sea-Calves , [ or Seals ] do resort , and are there taken . About Sixty Miles beyond that , to the North-West , stands * * Hirta . Hirta , very fruitful in Corn , Cattle , and especially in Sheep , which are here fatter than in any other of the Islands . The Inhabitants are ignorant of all Arts , and especially of Religion . After the Summer solstice , the Lord of the Island sends thither his Proctor or Steward , to gather up his Rent or Tribute , and , with him , he sends a Priest to Baptize all the Children , which were born the year before ; but if the Priest come not , then every Man (k) (k) A Custom of Baptizing once a Year . baptizeth his own Children ; they pay to their Lord a certain number of Sea-Calves and of Muttons , dried in the Sun , and also of Sea-Fowl . The whole Island doth not exceed a Mile in length , and it is almost of equal bredth , neither can any part of it be seen from any neighbouring Island , besides Three Mountains which are on the Shore , and these cannot be discerned neither , but from the highest places of other Islands . In those Mountains there are (l) (l) Large fair Sheep in Hirta . Sheep exceeding beautiful , but by reason of the Violence and Rapidness of the Sea-Current , and Tide , they can scarce become at , by any Body .

But to return to Vyist ; on the North Promontory thereof , there is situate the Isle (m) (m) Valay . Valay , a Mile broad and two Mile long . Between that Promontory and the Isle Harrick , these Islands are interjacent , * * Soa and several smal Islands . small indeed , but not unfruitful , viz. Soa , Stromoy , Pabaia , Bernera , Erisay , Keligera , Saga the less , Saga the greater , Hermodra , Scarvay , Gria , Linga , Gillan , Hea , Hoia , Ferelaia , Soa the lesser , Soa the greater , Isa , Senna the less , Senna the great , Tarransa , Slegana , T●ema , and , above Harick , Scarpa ; and due West , there are Seven Islands , at Fifty Miles distance above Lewis , which some call (n) (n) Flavanae , in which are wild Sheep . Flavanae , others the Sacred , or Sanctuary , Islands , they arise up into Grassy Mountains , but are void of all human Culture ; neither are there in them any four-footed Beasts , but only wild Sheep , which the Hunters catch , but eat them not when they have done . For they esteem the Fat more palatable than the Flesh ; for the Flesh is so unpleasant , that no Man will eat it , unless enforced by extremity of Hunger .

Furthermore , almost in the same Tract , nearer to the North , lie * * Garvillan , and other little Islands . Garvellan , i. e. the Craggy Island , Lamba , Flada , and Kellasa , the two Berneraes , the great and the small , Kirta , Buiia the little , Buiia the great , Vexa , Pabaia , and Sigrama the great , or Cunicularia so called from its plenty of Conies , Sigrama the less , and the (o) (o) Island of Pygmees . Island of Pygmies ; in this last there is a Chapel , where the bordering People do believe , that Pygmies were heretofore buried ; for many Strangers , digging deep into the Earth , have found , and yet do find , little and round Heads , and the small Bones of other parts of human Bodies , nothing derogating from the ancient Reports concerning Pygmies .

* * Lewis , &c. In that Shore of the Island Lewis , which looks toward the South-East , Two Bays of the Sea do break into the Land , one of which they call the South , the other the North , Lough ; both of them do yield abundance of Fish , to those which take pains to catch them , and that during the whole year . From the same shore of Lewis , more to the South , stands Fable Isle , then Adams Isle , then the Isle of Lambs , as also , Huilin , Viccoil , Havera , Laxa , Erin , the Isle of ●columkill , Toray , I●●ert , Scalpa , Flad● , and Shevy . At the East side of this Island there is a subterraneous (p) (p) A Vault able to shelter Ships in a Storm . passage , Arched at Top , longer than a Man can shoot an Arrow into : Under which Vault , small Ships use to shelter themselves , making to it , by Sails or Oars , to avoid the Violence of the Tide , which rages at the Neighbouring Promontory , with a huge Noise , to the extreme Terrour and Danger of the Mariners . More to the East , lies an Island which they call * * Schan-Castle . Schan Castle , a place naturally fortified , abounding with Corn and Fish , and also affording sufficient Provision to the Inhabitants by Eggs of Sea-Fowl , which there make their Nests .

At the Shore , where (q) (q) Loch-Brien or Broom . Loch-Brien , or Broom , opens to the Land , lies the Isle * * En. En , which is almost all covered with Woods , and good for nothing but to harbour Thieves in , to rob Passengers . More to the North is the Island * * Gruinorta , or 〈◊〉 . Gruinorta , being also full of Woods possessed by Robbers and Pyrates . And looking towards the same Coast , is an Island , named the Island of (r) (r) Cleirach or 〈◊〉 Isle . Cleirach , which , beside Pasturage , abounds with the Eggs of Sea-Fowl . Next to that , is Afulla , and then * * Harary , &c. Harary , the Greater ; then Harary , the Less ; and , nigh it , the Island of Horses , or Na●stich ; and near that again , the Isle Merta●ka . These Eight Islands are situate before the Mouth of the Bay , which is vulgarly called Lough-Broom , or Brian . At some distance from these Islands , which lie before Lough-Broom , Harrick and Lewis run toward the North ; They are Sixty Miles in length , (s) (s) Harray , or Harrick , and Lewis are but one Island , of which Harray is the South part . and Sixteen in bredth : These make but one Island , for they are not distinguished by the Arms of the Sea , that slow into it , but by the Meers of the Land , and the Possessions of their several Lairds : But that part , which is exposed to the South , is wont to be called Harray . In it there was a Monastery called * * Roadilla Monastery . Roadilla , built by Maccloyd , of Harray . The Soil is fruitful of Corn , but it yields its increase rather by digging , than plowing : The Pastures in it are very fit for Sheep , especially one very high Mountain , which is green with Grass , even to the very Top. Donald Monro , a Learned and Pious Man , relates , That , when he was there , (t) (t) Wild Sheep in Harray b●t no Foxes no● Wolves . he saw Sheep ( for that kind of Cattle ) very old , wandring up and down without any certain Owner : And the Number of them is increased from hence , that neither Fox , Wolf , or Serpent , was ever seen there ; though betwixt This part and Lewis , great Woods are interjacent , which breed many Stags , but low ones , and not big-bodied at all . In this part of the Island , is a River very full of Salmon . In the North part lies * * Lewis is the North part of the Island . Lewis , inhabited enough towards the Shore . It hath four Parish-Churches in it , one Fort , seven great Rivers , and twelve lesser ones , all of them , according to their bigness , full of Salmons ; in many places the Sea penetrates into the Land , and there diffuses it self into Bays , all abounding with plenty of Herrings . There is also great plenty of Sheep , which wander freely amongst the Thickets , and Heath-Bushes : The Inhabitants drive them into a narrow place , like a Sheep-fold , and there , every Year , they sheer them , after the ancient custom . The Champion part of the Country abounds with Heath-Bushes , in which the Earth is black at top , occasioned by Moss , and the Coalition of Rotten Wood , gathered together for many Ages , even a Foot thick . This upper Crust , being cut into long and slender Turffs , and dryed in the Sun , serves for Firing , in stead of Wood : The next Year after , the naked Ground , being Dunged with Sea-Weed , is sown with Barley . In this Island there is commonly so great a quantity of (u) (u) Whales taken in abundance about the Island Lewis . Whales taken , that sometimes ( as the old Inhabitants relate ) Twenty seven , some very great , some smaller , fall to the share of the Priests for their Tithes . There is also a great Cave in this Island , in which , when the Tide is out , the Water is yet two Fathom deep ; but when the Tide is in , 't is above four Fathom . There Multitudes of People , of both Sexes , and of all Ages , sitting on the Rocks , with Hooks and Lines , do promiscuously catch all sorts of Fish , in great abundance .

There is a small Island , about Sixty Miles from Lewis , to the North-East , of a low and plain Soil , and well inhabited , its Name is * * Rona , with the Condition of its Inhabitants . Rona , the Inhabitants thereof are rude Persons , void almost of all Religion . The Laird of it assigns a certain number of Families to Inhabit and Till it , and he allows them a sufficiency of great and small Cattle , whereby they may live well , and pay their Tribute , too ; that which is above their own provision , they send every year to Lewis , to their Land-lord , who lives there ; they commonly pay him , in the Name of a Tribute or Rent , a great quantity of Barly-Meal , sewed up in the Skins of Sheep , ( for that kind of Grain grows plentifully amongst them , ) Muttons and Sea-Fowl dried in the Sun , as much as remains , as a Surplusage of their yearly Provision ; and if the multitude of Heads doth abound , they send also the Supernumerary Persons to their Land-lords . So that these , in my Judgment , are the only Persons in the whole World , who want nothing , but have all things to Satiety . And besides , being ignorant of Luxury and Covetousness , they enjoy that Innocency and Tranquillity of Mind , which others take great pains to obtain , from the Precepts and Institutions of Wise Men. And this they have from their Ignorance of Vices , neither doth any thing seem to be wanting to their great Happiness , but that they do not understand the excellency of their Condition . There is in this Island , a Chapel , dedicated to St. Ronanus , (w) (w) Ronanus , his strange Spade . wherein ( as old Men say , ) there is a Spade always left , wherewith if any one Dye , there is alway a place marked out , and prepared for his Grave ; moreover in this Island , besides other Fishery , many Whales are also taken .

Sixteen Mile from thence , towards the West , lies the Island (x) (x) Suilkyr . Suilkyr ; a Mile long , which brings forth no Grass , no not so much as Heath , only it hath black Rocks , some of which are covered with black Moss . Sea-Fowl do commodiously lay their Eggs , and hatch them there . Before the young are fledg'd enough to fly away , the neighbour Islanders sail thither from Lewis , and they allow themselves Eight days time , more or less , to cull or gather them up , untill they load their * * Or Berlins . Skiffs with their Flesh dried in the Sun , and also with their Feathers . In this Island also , there is a rare kind of Bird unknown in other parts , called (y) (y) A rare Bird , called Colca . Colca , it is little less than a Goose , she comes every year thither , and there Hatches and Feeds her young , till they can shift for themselves . About that time , her Feathers fall off of their own accord , and so leaves her Naked , then she betakes her self to the Sea again , and is never seen more , till the next Spring . This also is singular in them , that their Feathers have no Qu●lls , or Stalks , but do cover their Bodies with a gentle Down , wherein there is no Hardness at all .

Next follow the * * The Orcades . Orcades , lying scattered in the North of Scotland , partly in the Deucaledonian , and partly in the German Seas . Concerning the Name of them , Writers , both Ancient and Modern , do well enough agree ; but the reason of the Name , no Man ( that I know ) hath explained . Neither doth it appear , who first possessed them : All say , that they were of a German Original , but from what Nation of Germany , they say not : If we may form a conjecture from their Speech , both heretofore and now , they use the (z) (z) Goths , a People o● Sarma●●a Europaea , thence transplanted into Germany near the River Oder in Sil●sia . Gottish Language . Some think , they were Picts , induced by this Argument , that the Sea , dividing them from Caithness , is called the Pentland * * Or Picts and Sea . Sea , or Firth . They judge also , that the Picts themselves were of the Race of the Saxons , grounding their Opinion chiefly on the Verses of Claudian , in his seventh Panegyrick , which run thus : — Maduerunt Saxone fuso Orcades , incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thule , Scotorum Tumulos flevit glacialis Ierne .

Englished thus : The Orcades were moist with Saxon's Gore ; The Blood of Picts , there spilt , warm'd Thule's Shore ; For Tombs of Scots Icy Iern wept sore .

But their error may easily be refuted , partly out of Bede the Anglo-Saxon , who , affirming , that the Britains sang the (a) (a) The Britains praised God in Five Tongues . Praises of God in five several Languages , reckons the Pictish to be one ; but if the Picts had then spoke the Saxon Language , he would not have distinguished it from the Saxon ; ( which then the English used , without corruption ; ) And partly also , out of those very Verses of Claudian , where he expresly declares ; That the Picts were a different People from the Saxons ; For , he says , that the Orcades were the Country of the Saxons ; and Thule , of the Picts ; but whatsoever their Original were , in this our Age , they use a Language different both from Scotch and English , but very near the Gothish . In their daily conversation , the common People do as yet retain much of their Ancient Parsimony , and therefore they are very sound in mind , and healthy in Body . (b) (b) The Inhabitants of the Orcades , Parsimonious and long liv'd . Few of them dye of Diseases , but almost all of them , of old Age ; and their Ignorance of Delights and Pleasures contributes more to the maintaining of their health , than the Skill and Diligence of Physitians doth , to others . The same Parsimony makes much , both for the elegancy of their Beauties , and the talness of their Stature . They have but a small increase of Corn , except only of Oats , and Barly . Out of which they extract both Bread and Drink too . Of Animals , which Herd together , they have Sheep , Kine , and divers Goats , so that they have abundance of Milk , Butter , and Cheese among them ; They have also an innumerable company of Sea-Fowl , of which , and of Fishes , their Diet doth , for the most part , consist . There is * * No venemous Creatture in the Orcades , nor any Tree . no venemous Creature there , no , nor any one Deformed to look upon . They have little Horses , in shew contemptible , but strong enough , for all uses , even beyond belief . They have never a Tree growing , no , nor Shrub , neither , besides Heath ; which happens , not so much for the fault of the Soil , or Air , as of the Laziness of the Inhabitants , as doth easily appear by the roots of Trees , which , in many Places , are there digged out of the Earth . As oft as Foreigners import any Wine thither , they drink it greedily , even to excess . They have an Ancient Cup , or Goblet among them , which , to ( procure the greater Authority to their Carousings ) they say , did belong to Magnus his Bouncing Cup , or Wassail Bowl . St. Magnus , who first instructed them in the Principles of the Christian Religion . It so far exceeds the bigness of other Drinking-bowls , that it may seem to have been a relick of the Feast of the Lapithae . They try an Experiment upon their * * A strange Test for a Bishop . Bishops , at their first coming to them , therewith ; He that can drink up a whole One , at one Draught , ( which seldom happens ) they count him a very Nonsuch of a Man ; and do look upon it as an happy Omen and Presage , that the Crop of the following Years will be superabundant . From which practice of theirs , a Man may easily conjecture , that their Parsimony which I spake of , proceeds not so much from Reason and Choice , as from Penury and Want ; and the same necessity which produced it at first , did perpetuate , and transmit , it to their posterity ; Till , the Neighbor-Nations being corrupted by prevailing Luxury , their Ancient Discipline was , by degrees , weakned and impaired , and They also gave up themselves to charming Pleasures and Delights ; and being thus inclined to Luxury , they were hurried on thereto , by their commerce with Pyrates , who , not daring to land on the Continent , because it was full of Inhabitants , took in fresh Water at these Islands , and there , either chang'd their Wine , and other Merthandize , for the Provisions of the Country ; or else , sold them to the Islanders , at a low price ; And , the Islanders , being few in number ; and unarmed too , and dispersed also in the tempestuous Sea , that they could not convene to assist one another , being conscious of their own weakness , either did receive , or , at least , did not reject Security , brought home to their doors , especially , it being mixed with Gain and Pleasure , to boot , which are the usual Companions thereof . But this pollution of Manners did infect the Great ones mostly , and the Priests . Among the Vulgar , many footsteps of their former Moderation do yet remain . * * The Sea very Tempestuous about the Orc●des , and the reason , why ? The Sea is there very raging and tempestuous , which is caused , not only by the violence of Winds , and the position of the Heavenly Constellations ; But also by the meetings of contrary Tides , raised up , and flowing in from the West Ocean , and making such a conflict between the Streights of the Land , that the Surges , occasioned thereby , sometime meeting , opposite one to another , and being all impetuously whirled together , cannot be passed , neither by Oars nor Sails ; If any Mariners dare come too near , one of these Three mischiefs befals them . They are either driven back , with a forcible violence , into the Sea ; or else , by the rapidness of the foaming Waves , they are dashed upon Shelves and Rocks ; Or , lastly , are swallowed up by the rolling Vortices of the insucking Waters . There are only two Seasons , wherein these Streights are passable ; either , when , upon the Falling back of the Tides , the conflict of Waters ceasing , the Sea is thereby calmed ; or , else when it comes in a full Chanel , to the height of its increase at Spring-Tides , That force languishing , on both sides , which raised and made the Waters Tempestuous and Stormy ; The Ocean , as it were , founding a Retreat to its Storms , and thereupon , the Mountainous Surges thereof do retire ( that I may so speak ) into their own proper Caverns and Recesses .

* * Authors do not agree , concerning the number of the Orcades . Moreover , Authors do not agree concerning the number of the Orcades ; Pliny reckons them to be Forty ; others , about Thirty ; But Orosius comes nearest the Truth , he makes them Thirty Three , of which , Thirteen are inhabited ; the rest , not ; but left to feed Cattle . For many of them are low , and so narrow in compass , that if they should be Tilled , they would scarce maintain above one person or two . Some of them shew like bare Rocks , or else , such as are covered but with squalid Moss .

The biggest Isle of the Orcades , is call'd by many of the Ancients * * Pomona , or the Mainland , the greatest Island of the Orcades . Pomona ; At this day they call it the Main Land , because it exceeds the rest so much in bigness ; for it is Thirty mile long ; It is well inhabited , for it hath in it Twelve Parish Churches , and one Town , besides ; which , the Danes , who were long Masters of the Orcades , called Cracoviaca ; we Scotchmen , call it , by a corrupt name , * * Danes long Masters of the Orcades . * * Kirkwall the chiefe●t Town in Mainland . Kirkwall . In this Town there are two Castles of a reasonable bigness , standing near together , one belonging to the King , the other to the Bishop . And between them is a Church magnificent enough , for those places ; Between the Church , and the Castles , there are frequent Buildings on both sides , which the Inhabitants call Two Cities , one the Kings , the other the Bishops . The whole Isle runs out into Promontories , between which the Bays of the Sea making an influx , do afford safe Anchoring for Ships , and here and there , a good Port. In Six several Places of this Island , there are Metals * * White and black Lead in Mainland . i. e. White and Black Lead , so good , that there are not better in all Britain . This Island is about Twenty four Mile distant from Caithness . The Pictish Sea , called * * Pentland Firth divides Mainland from Caithness . Pentland Firth , running between them ; of whose Nature we have spoken before .

In that narrow Sea , there are many scattered Islands , of which * * Stromoy . Strom-oy , not unfruitful for the bigness of it , is distant from Caithness but a Mile , but they do not reckon that amongst the Orcades , because of its propinquity to the British shore ; and also because the Earls of Caithness have always been Lords of it . Sayling from hence towards the North , we meet with * * South Ranalds-Oy , the first Isle of the Orcades . South Ranalds , or Ranals-Oy , the first of the Orcades , which is Sixteen Mile from Dungsby-head , Skiffs and small Ships pass over in Two Hours from it , to this Island , the Tide being with them , though there be no Wind , such is the Violence of this Current . This Island is Four Miles in length , and it hath a convenient Port , Sirnamed St. Margarets hope . From it , a little towards the East , are two small Islands , uninhabited , and left for Cattle to Pasture in . They call them in their Country Speech , (a) (a) Holme , what ? the Holmes , that is , Grassy Plains situate by Waters . To the North , is the Island Burra , and two Holmes between That and Mainland . From * * Bura , &c. Burra toward the West , there lie Three Islands in order , Scuna , Flata , and Fara ; and beyond them , Hoia , and Valis or Waes-Isle , which some make Two , others but One Island , because about both the Equinocts ( at which times , the Sea doth most Tempestuously foam and rage ) the Tide falling back , and the Lands being bared , they cohere and are joyned together by a narrow neck of Land , and so make One Island ; but upon the return of the Tide , and the renewed inter●acency of the Sea , they again represent the form of Two . In this Island are the highest Mountains of all the Orcades . (b) (b) Hoia , and Waes-Isle . Hoia and Waes Isle are extended Ten Miles in length , and from Ranalsa , they are distant Eight Miles ; from Duncansby or Dungisby , in Caithness , above Twenty Mile . On the North is the Island * * Granisa . Granisa , situate in a very narrow Arm of the Sea . For Hoia is distant from the nearest Promontory , which is That of Pomona , or Mainland only two Mile . These are the Islands situate in the very Streights , between Mainland and Caithness . The West side of Mainland looks to the open Sea , no Islands or Rocks appearing therein : From its East Promontory it a little runs out into the Sea ; (c) (c) Coupins-Oy . Coupins-Oy , almost covers it on the North. Nearer the shore is * * Siapins-Oy . Siapins-Oy , something inclining to the East , situate over against Kirk-wall , two Miles distant . it self being Six Mile long . On the West part of Mainland , lies (d) (d) Rows-Oy . Rows-Oy , Six Miles in length . From thence toward the East stands * * Eglis-Oy , or Eglisa , where St. Magnus was buried . Eglisa , or Eglis-Oy , where Fame reports , that St. Magnus was buried . From hence to the Southward , lie (e) (e) Wyer-Oy , Gress-Oy , and Wester-Oy , &c. Fair Isle in the mid way between the Orcades , and Schetland . Wyer-Oy , and Gress-Oy , and not far from thence Wester-Oy , which is Eighty Miles distant from Schetland . Papa , and Stronza , are also Eighty Miles distant from Schetland . Almost in the middle of the passage between them , lies * * Many outlandish Fishermen resort to Fair Isle . Fara , or Fair Isle , which is conspicuous and visible both from the Orcades , and from Schetland too ; for it ariseth into Three very high Promontories , begirt with lofty Rocks , every way inaccessible , save that toward the North East , it being a little lower , affords an Harbour safe enough for small Ships . The Inhabitants thereof are very Poor ; for the Fishermen , which Sail that way every year , coming to Fish from England , Holland , and other Countries near the Sea , do plunder and carry away , what they please .

The next after It , is the greatest Island of (f) (f) Schetland Isles , the greatest of them called Mainland , as well as the greatest of the Orcades . the Schetlandish , and therefore the Inhabitants call it the Continent or Mainland , it is Sixty Miles in length , and in some places Sixteen in bredth , it spreads it self into many small Promontories : Two of them I shall Name , the one long , but narrow , running to the North ; the other broader running to the South-East . The Maritime parts of it are , for the most part , inhabited ; but to the inward parts no Animal comes but Fowl . Some few years since , the Inhabitants endeavoured to form Plantations , further then their Ancestors had done , but the success did not answer . Their wealth is from the Sea , for it lies convenient for Fishing on every side .

Ten Mile further toward the North , is the Isle Zeal , (g) (g) Yell. or Yell , above Twenty Mile long , and Eight broad ; so uncouth a place , that no Creature can live therein , unless he be born there . A Merchant of Breme is reported to dwell in this Island , who doth import all sorts of Foreign Wares ( which the Inhabitants have need of ) in great abundance . Between this Island and Mainland , lie these small Islands , L●nga , Orna , Bigga , * * The Names of some ●●all Sc●etland 〈◊〉 . Sancterry . About Nine Mile beyond it , to the North , stands Vuist , extended above Twenty Mile in length , and Six in bredth . 'T is of a plain and level Soil , otherwise 't is not unsightly to the Eye , (h) (h) Vuist , or Vust Isle . but that it is surrounded with a very raging Sea . Between it and Yell , Via , Vra , Linga , are interjected . Beyond it toward the West , are the two Skerrys and Burra ; on the East is Balta , Honnega , Fotlara , or Pheodor-oy , Seven Mile long , distant Seven Mile from Vuist , and Eight from Yell , 't is over against the Streights which divide Vuist from Yell. Then many Petty Islands lie on the East-side of the Mainland , as Mecla , the Three Eastern Skirrys , Chualsa , or * * Divers other small Islands . Whals-Oy , Nostvada , Brasa , and Musa ; the West side is begirt with the Western Skirrys , Rotti , Papa the less , Vemendru , Papa the greater , Vallu , Trons Isle , Burra , Hara the greater , Hara the less , and amongst them almost as many Holmes , or Plain Islands , for Pasturage only are interspersed .

The (i) (i) The Schetlanders manner of Life and Trade . Schetlanders live after the same manner , as the Islanders of the Orcades do , save that as to their Houshold Provision , they are a little more hardy . Their Apparel is after the German Fashion , which according to their Abilities is not uncomely . Their incomes arise from a sort of Cloth , which they make very thick , and sell to the Norwegians , as also from Oyle , expressed out of the inwards of Fishes ; from Butter , and from Fishing : They Fish in small Vessels of two Oars , which they buy of the Norwegians . Part of the Fish which they catch , they Salt , and part they dry in the Wind. Out of those being sold , they raise up a Sum of Money to pay their Tribute , and to provide Houses , wherein they may dwell , and Houshold Stuff , so that a great part of their livelihood arises from thence . They who study neatness in their Houshold Utensils , have some Silver Vessels also . They use Measures , Numbers and Weights , after the German Fashion . Their Language is also German , * * Their Language . or almost the ancient Gothish . They know not what 't is to be Drunk , only every Month they invite one another , and on those days they are (k) (k) Their Innocent Mirth , and Longaevity . innocently Merry and Jocund , without those Brawls and other Vices , which are occasioned by Drunkenness , for they persuade themselves that this custom contributes much for the maintaining of Mutual Friendship . The firmness of their Health appeared in one Nam'd * * One Lawrence , a Schetlander , Married at an Hundred years of Age , and lived above an Hundred and Forty . Lawrence in our Age , who , after he was an Hundred years old , Married a Wife . And when he was an Hundred and Forty , he used to Fish with his Skiff even in a very rough and Raging Sea , he died but lately , not by the force of any grievous Disease , but only by the Infirmities and Languishment of old Age.

The Second BOOK .

WHEN I endeavored to retreive the Memory of British Affairs , for above Two Thousand years past , many Impediments did offer themselves in Bar to my design ; amongst which This was the chiefest , That there were for a long time no Monuments of Learning in those Countries , whence the knowledge of our Original was to be fetched ; and when Letters came , though but late , into play , they were nipp'd almost in the very Bud ; for I may safely affirm , That all the Nations which hitherto have seated themselves in Britain , have passed thither from France , Spain and Germany . The French first of all received the * * The Origin of Letters . Characters of Letters from the Marsellian Greeks , by which they used to make up their Accounts , and to send Letters one to another . The Figures of the Letters , were Greek ; but the Langauge was Gallick . But their Laws and the Rites of their Religion , they did not commit to Writing , no not in Iulius Caesars time ; and much less did they Record their Noble Exploits , which yet , 't is very probable , were very considerably Great ; and those things which were either acted , or suffered , or else undergone in Italy , Germany , Thrace , Macedonia , Graecia , and Asia , had been buried likewise in the same Oblivion , ( so that Posterity would never have come to the knowledge of them , ) if Foreign Writers had not Recorded and Transmitted them down to us . I confess , in Spain , the Greeks had the use of Letters ; and before them , the Phaenicians , who inhabited the shore of the Mediterranean Sea : But of the Barbarians , only the (a) (a) Turdetani , a People dwelling in part of Portugal , and in Algarbia , and Medina Sidonia . Turdetani ( as Strabo writes , ) had any knowledge of them . But as for any Ancient Writer , there was yet none that I know of . For Varro , Pliny , and if there were any other Latin Authors , who touched any thing , by the by , concerning the first Inhabitants of Spain , they confirm their Opinions therein , rather by bare Conjectures , than the solid Testimony of Writers : In that part of Britain which * * Caesar. Caesar visited , there were no ancient Records at all ; and among the more Inland Inhabitants , which were more Barbarous , they were much less to be expected . So that when he asked them , concerning the Origin of their Nation , and the oldest Inhabitants thereof , as he writes , they return'd him no certain answer at all .

After Caesar , Cornelius * * Tacitus . Tacitus , an Author both Faithful and Diligent , when the Roman Navy had coursed about Britain , and had discovered all the inmost Roads and Recesses thereof ; yet he found out nothing of certainty , that he could commit to Posterity . Moreover * * Gildas lived 400 years after Tacitus . Gildas , who lived above Four Hundred years after Tacitus , doth affirm , that what he writes was not from any Monuments of Antiquity , of which he could find none at all , but from Transmarine Report . As for * * Germany received Letters last of all . Germany , That Country was furnished with Learning last of all ; but seeing , she had nothing to produce out of old Records , which could be avouched for Truth , according to her wonted Ingenuity in other Cases , she Coyned no Fictions of her own , to obtrude on the World . So then , they , who affirm , that they deduce the Original of the Britans from old Annals , must first tell us , Who transmitted down those Annals to us ? As also , Where they have been concealed so long ? And how they came down uncorrupted to us , after so many Ages ? In this case , some fly to the Bards and * * Sanachies a sort of Chanters , inferiour to Bards , called by the Dynnywossals ( or Gentlemen ) of the Highlands , Sanachies , contracted from Seneciones . Sanachies , as the Preservers of Ancient Records , but very ridiculously , which will be more clearly understood , if I explain what kind of Men these were , to whom they would have credit to be given , in matters so Momentous , and those so obscure too , and so remote from our Memory . First * * Strabo , Ammianus Marcellinus and Lu●an , desscribe , who the B●rds we●e . Strabo , and Ammianus do clearly enough express , what the Bards were , both before , and also in their Times . But * * Strabo , Ammianus Marcellinus and Lu●an , desscribe , who the B●rds we●e . Lucan doth it very plainly and succinctly , as to our present purpose , in these Verses , Vos quoque qui fortes animas , belloque peremptas , Laudibus in longum , Vat●s , diffunditis aevum , Plurima s●curi fud●stis carmina , Bardi .

Englished thus : Ye Bards , such Valiant Souls , as fall in War , Perpetuate with Rhimes , and Praises rare .

But the very Oldest of them were altogether ignorant of Letters , neither did they leave any Records of Ancient Matters behind them .

The other were Bardlings or Sanachies , ( as they call them , ) which were maintain'd by the chief of the Ancient Clans , and by some Wealthy Men besides , one a peice , on purpose to Chant out ( by Heart , ) the Memories of their Patrons , and the Atchievements of their Ancestors , from their first Rise . But these too , having no Learning at all , let any Man judge , what credit is to be given to them , all whose hopes and subsistence did depend on Soothing and Flattering of others . Besides , though what they deliver were most true , yet it would not much advance the Writer of an History : Lastly , let us consider , how often the Writers of such Famous Deeds as are past , are found in manifest Mistakes , how often they themselves do Waver , Doubt , Fluctuate , and are at a loss , and how vastly some of them do differ from others , and not a few contradict themselves . If such Lapses are incident even to those , who seek after Truth , with great Labour and Study , what can we hope for , from such other Persons , who being without Learning ( by which they who casually mistake , may be better informed , and those who mistake on purpose , may be confronted , ) do trust their Memory , alone ? I might allege , that the Memory is often times impaired by Disuse ; it is weakned by Age ; or wholly lost by some Diseases . Besides , if they have a desire to please their Patrons , ( as it often comes to pass , ) or , on the contrary , if they have a mind to cross them ; or , if the Passions of Anger , Hatred , or Envy do intervene , ( which pervert the Judgment , ) Who can affirm any thing for Truth , upon such Mens Authorities ? Or , Who would take the pains to refute it , though it were False ? Or , Who would deliver down for certain , what he received from such uncertain Authors ? Wherefore , in so great a silence of old * * Great uncertainties amongst the ancient Writers of British Affairs , and the Reasons why ? Writers , ( concerning matters of Antiquity , ) who were all so hugely ignorant , even of things acted in their own times , there being nothing assuredly true and sincere , I count it more modest , to be silent in what one knows not , than by devising Falshoods to betray ones own Ignorance , and to slight and despise the better Judgments of other Men.

It follows then , that there was so great a scarcity of Writers amongst all the Nations of the Britains , that , before the coming in of the Romans thither , all things were buried in the profound Darkness of Silence , in so much , that we can get no Information of what was Acted , even by the Romans themselves , otherwise than from Greek and Latin Monuments : And as for those things , which preceded their coming , we may believe rather their Conjectures , than our own Fictions . For what our Writers have delivered , every one concerning the Original of his own Sept or Nation , is so absurd , that I should have counted my time lost to go about to refel it , unless there were some who delighted in such Fables , as if they were as true as Gospel , and so prided themselves with the Ornaments of other Mens Feathers .

Moreover , the disagreement of later Writers makes a great accession to the difficulty of this Task , for they deliver such Repugnancies , that a Man cannot well tell , whom to follow ; yea , there is such an absurdity amongst them , that all of them seem most deservedly fit to be rejected . Neither do I so much wonder at the Silence of the Ancients , in a matter so obscure , or the Dissonancy of later Writers in feigning Falshoods ; as at the agreeing impudence of some few : For they write of those times , in which all things were dubious and uncertain , with so much positiveness and confidence , as if their design were rather to court the Readers Ear , than to respect the Faithness of their Narrations .

For in those first times , seeing the use of Tillage was not common , neither among the Britains , nor many other Nations ; but all their Wealth consisted in Cattle , Men had no regard to their substance , which was very small , because they were either expelled from their Habitations by such as were more powerful than themselves ; or , they themselves did drive out the weaker ones ; or else , they sought out better Pasture for their Cattle in Wild and Desert places : Upon one or other of these Grounds , they easily changed , their Dwellings , and the Places , they removed to , with new Masters soon got new Names . Besides , the Ambition of the wealthier sort added much to the difficulty , who , to perpetuate their Memory to Posterity , called Countrys , Provinces and Towns by their own Names . Almost all the Cities in * * Several Countries have changed their Names . Spain , had two Names . The Names of the Inhabitants in It , and also the Names of the Cities and Countries therein , received frequent alterations . Not to speak of Egypt , Greece , and other remote Countries .

Saepius & nomen posuit Saturnia tellus . Fair Italy ( says Fame , ) Full oft hath chang'd her Name●

Add hereunto , that those Nations , who live in the same Country , have not always the same Names . That which the Latins call * * Spain hath several Names . Hispania ; The Greeks , Iberia ; The Poets , Hesperia ; St. Paul in his Epistle , Theodoret and Sozomen in Their History , call Spania ( i. e. ) Spain . The Name of the Greeks , so celebrated by the Latins , and all Nations of Europe , is more obscure than the Greeks themselves . The Hebrews and Arabians keep their Old Words , almost in all Nations , which were not so much as heard of by other People . Scot , and English are the common Names of the British Nations , which , at this day , are almost unknown to the Or Highlanders . Ancient Scots , and Britains ; for they call the one Albines , the other Saxons . And therefore 't is no wonder , if , in so great an uncertainty of Human Affairs , as to the Names of Men and Places ; Writers , who were born at several times , far distant one from another , and having different Languages , and Manners too , do not always agree amongst themselves . Though these things have occasioned difficulties great enough , in searching out the first Original of Nations , yet some of the Moderns too , being acted by a Principle of Ambition , have involved all things in more thick and palpable darkness . For , whilst every one would fetch the Original of his Nation , as high as he could ; and so endeavour to enoble it by devised Fables , by this immoderate Licence of coyning Fictions , What do they but obscure ▪ That , which they ought to Illustrate ? And , if at any time they speak Truth , yet , by their frequent and ridiculous Untruths , at other times , they detract from their own Credit ; And are so far from obtaining that Esteem , which they hoped for , that , by reason of their Falshoods , they are laughed at , even by those , whom they endeavour'd to cajole into an Assent .

To make this plain , I will first begin , as with the Ancientest Nation , so , from the most notorious and impudent Falshood . They who compiled a * * The Fabulous Origin of the Britains . New History of the Ancient Britains , having interpolated the Fable of the Danaides , proceed further to feign , That one * * Diocletian , a supposed King of Syria , and Labana his Wife , with their 33 Daughters . Diocletian , King of Syria begat 33 Daughters on his Wife Labana ; who killing their Husbands on their Wedding night , their Father crouded them all together into one Ship , without any Master or Pilot ; who , arriving in Britain , then but a Desert , did not only live solitarily in that cold Country ; and not very full of Fruits growing of their own accord , neither ; but also , by the Compression of Cacodaemons ( forsooth ) they brought forth Giants , whose Race continued till the arrival of Brutus . They say , the Island was called Albion from * * Albine . Albine , and that * * Brutus , and his Knight-Errant Adventures . Brutus was the Nephews Son of Aeneas , the Trojan , and the Son of Aeneas Sylvius . This Brutus having accidentally killed his Father with a Dart , it was looked upon as a lamentable and piteous Fact , by all Men ; yet , because it was not done on purpose , the punishment of Death was remitted , and Banishment either enjoyned , or voluntarily undertaken , by him . * * Brutus , a Parricide . This Parricide having consulted the Oracle of Diana , and having run various hazards through so many Lands and Seas , after 10 years arrived in Britain , with a great number of Followers ; and by many Combats having conquered the terrible Giants in Albion , he gain'd the Empire of the whole Island . * * Brutus his Three Sons . He had three Sons , ( as they proceed to Fable ) Locrinus , Albanactus , and Camber ; between whom the Island was divided ; Albanactus ruled over the Albans , afterwards called Scots ; Camber over the Cambrians , ( i. e. ) the Welsh ; They did both Govern their several Precincts ( as Vice-roys ) yet so , as that Locrinus had supreme Dominion , who , being Ruler of the rest of the Britans , gave the Name of * * An old Name for England . Loegria to his part . Later Writers , that they might also propagate this Fabulous Empire as much as they could , do make this Addition to it , That Vendelina succeeded her Father Locrinus ; Madanus , * * Vendelina . Vendelina ; Menpricius , Madanus ; and Ebrancus , Menpricius , which later , of Twenty Wives begat as many Sons ; of which , Nineteen passed into Germany ▪ and by force of Arms conquered that Country , being assisted by the Forces of their Kinsman , Alba Sylvius ▪ and from those Brothers the Country was called * * Germany , whence so called , according to old Story . Germany . These are the things , which , the Brittons , and after them , some of the English , have delivered concerning the first Inhabitants of Britain .

Here I cannot but stand amazed at their design , who might easily , and without any reflection at all , have imitated the Athenians , Arcadians , and other famous Nations , and have called themselve , * * Born in the same Country ▪ where they live . Indigenae , seeing it would have been no disgrace to them to own that Origin , which the Noblest and wisest City in the whole World counted her Glory ; especially , since that Opinion could not be refuted out of Ancient Writers ; and had no mean Assertors , besides ; yet , that they had rather forge Ancestors to themselves , from the Refuse of all Nations , whom the very Series of the Narration itself did make suspected , even to the unskilful Vulgar ; and also none of the Ancients , no , not by the meanest suspition , did confirm . Besides , if that had not pleased them , seeing it was free for them , ( as some of the Poets have Writ ) to have assumed Honourable Ancestors to themselves , out of any old Books ; I wonder in my heart , what was in their Minds , to make choice of such , of whom all their posterity might justly be ashamed . For what great folly is it , to think nothing Illustrious , or Magnificent but what is Profligat and Flagitious , or , at least , but a size below it ; yet some there are , that value themselves , among the ignorant , upon the score of such Trifles ; as for Iohannes Annius . Iohn Annius , a Man ( I grant ) not unlearned , I think , he may be pardoned , seeing Poets claim a Liberty to celebrate the Original of Families , and Nations , with the mixture of Figments , but 't is not equal to allow the ●ame Privilege to those who undertake , professedly , to write an History .

To begin then farthest off : What is more abhorrent from all belief , than that a few * * The Story of the 33 Sisters confu●ed . Girles , without the help of Men to manage their Vessel , should come from Syria , through so many Seas ( which Voyage , even now adays , ( when Men have attain'd , by Use and Custom , more skill in Navigation , ) is yet hazardous , ( thô with a brave and well-furnished Navy , ) to the fag end , as it were , of the World , and into a desolate Island too ; and there to live without Corn or Fruits of Trees ; Yea , that such Ladies of a Royal Stock should not only barely maintain their Lives , in so cold a Climate , destitute of all things ; But also should bring forth Giants ; and that their Copulations , or Marriages , might not seem unsuitable to their State , that they were got with Child ( would you think it ? ) by Cacodaemons . As for that Diocletian , pray , at what time , and in what part of Syria , did he Reign ? How comes it to pass , that Authors make no mention of him , especially since the Affairs of no Nation are more diligently transmitted to Posterity , than those of the Syrians are ? How came he to be called * * The Fable of Diocletian confuted . Diocletian ? Certainly that Name took its rise a Thousand Years after him , amongst the Barbarians , and being Originally Greek , is declined after the Latin form .

The next Accession of Nobility , ( forsooth ) is * * Brutus his Story refelled . Brutus , the Parricide , that he so might not , in that respect , be inferiour to * * Br●tus and Romulus compared . Romulus . This Brutus , whatsoever he were , whom the Brittons make the Author of their Name and Nation , with what Forces , with what Commerce of Language , could he penetrate so far into Britain ? Especially in Those Times , wherein the Roman Arms , even in the most flourishing State of their Commonwealth , having conquered almost all the World besides , could scarce come : For it is needless to mention , how , before Rome was built , the Affairs of Italy were at a very low ebb ; and how the Inhabitants thereof were averse from all Peregrination and Travel . Neither need I enquire , Whether he came by Land , or Sea ? The Alps , till that time , were pervious only to Hercules ; and the Gauls , by reason of their connatural Fierceness , were as yet unacquainted with converse of Foreigners . As for Sea-Voyages , The Carthaginians and the Greeks inhabiting Marseilles , scarce dared to venture into the Ocean , but very late , and when things were well setled at Home ; And , even then , their Voyages were rather for Discovery , than Conquest ; much less can we believe , that Alban-Shepherds , a wildish sort of people , would undertake so bold an attempt . Besides , all Men , who are not ignorant of Latin , do know , that the Name of * * The Name of the True Brutus , when it began , and how ? Brutus began to be celebrated under Tarquinius Superbus , almost Five Hundred Years after that Commentitious Brutus ; when Lucius Iunius , a Nobleman , putting off his Native Grandeur , descended below himself , on purpose , to avoid the Cruelty of their Kings ; And , on pretence of being Foolish , he took that new Sirname to himself , and transmitted it to his Posterity . But the Monk , who was the Forger and Deviser of this Fable of Brutus , seemed to see the absurdity of the Invention , himself ; yet , he thought to stop all Mens Mouths with the pretence of Religion ( forsooth ) in in the Case , and would have every Body think , that they obeyed the Oracle of Diana . Herein , I will not be nice in inquiry , why this Oracle of Diana was unknown to Posterity , when the Oracles of * * Faunus the Third King of the Aborigines , to whom Saturn ( by whom he was entertained ) caused a Grove and Cave to be dedicated , whence Oracles were given forth , ( according to old Story . ) Faunus , (a) (a) Cumaea , so called from Cuma in the Gulph of Naples . of Sybilla , and the (b) (b) Little Pieces of Oak-Wood-Lotteries , marked with Letters or Words , almost like Dice , which when they were thrown , the Priest gave his Response according to the Letter which was uppermost , at Praeneste , now Palestrina , in Italy . Praenestine Vaticinations , or Lots , were then in so great Credit .

I will only ask , In what Language did Diana answer ? If they say , In Latin ; I demand , How Brutus could understand a Language , which arose Nine Hundred Years after his time ? For , seeing Horace , a very Learned Man , doth ingenuously confess , That he did not understand the (c) (c) Salii were Twelve Priests , instituted by Numa Pompilius , in Honour of Hercules , or , as some say , of Mars . And the Carmen Saliare , which they sang , was composed by the same Numa , in an obsolete and almost unintelligible Language or Style . Saliar Rythmes , which were made in the Reign of Numa Pompilius , How could that Brutus , who died so many Years , before the Priests called (c) (c) Salii were Twelve Priests , instituted by Numa Pompilius , in Honour of Hercules , or , as some say , of Mars . And the Carmen Saliare , which they sang , was composed by the same Numa , in an obsolete and almost unintelligible Language or Style . Salii were instituted , understand Verses , made long after Horace his time , as the Tenour of their Composure doth shew ? Besides , how could the Posterity of Brutus , so totally forget the Latin Tongue , that not the least Footsteps of it remain'd amongst them ? And whence got They that Language which they now use ? Or , if it be granted , that their ( supposed ) Gods , as well as their Men , then spake British in Italy , yet surely it was not the Tongue the Britains now make use of ; For That is so patch'd up of the Languages of the Neighbour-Nations , that several Countries may know and own their own Words therein . But if they say , That those Ancient Latins spake British , how could that Monk understand so old a Word , which was given forth 2000 Years before ? But why do I prosecute these things , so particularly , seeing it appears by many other Arguments also , that the same Monk did forge this whole Story , and begat such a Brutus , ( in his own Brain ) as never was in Nature , and also devised the Oracle of Diana , too . I shall add the Verses themselves , that the Vanity of such cunning Sophisters may more easily be discovered .

* * Brutus's supposed Address to the Oracle , with Diana's Answer thereunto . Brutus's Address to the Oracle .

Diva , potens nemorum , Terror Sylvestribus apris , Cui licet anfractus ire per aetherios , Infernasque domos : Terrestria Iura resolve ▪ Et dic , quas terras nos habitare velis . Dic certam sedem , quâ te veneremur in avum , Quâ tibi Virgineis Templa dicabo choris .

Englished thus : Goddess of Groves , and Wild-Boars chase , Who dost th' Etherial Mansions trace , And Pluto's too ; Resolve this Doubt , Tell me , what Country to find out , Where I may fix , and Temples raise , For Virgin-Chores to sing thy praise .

The Oracles Answer .

Diana answers in Verses of the same kind , ( so that they must needs be made by one and the same Poet ) not perplexed and ambiguous ones ; or , such as may be interpreted divers ways , but clear and perspicuous ones , wherein she promiseth That which she could never give , viz. The Empire of the whole World .

Brute , sub Occasum Solis trans Gallica regna , Insula in Oceano est , undique cincta mari . Insula in Oceano est , habitata Gigantibus Olim , Nunc deserta quidem , Gentibus apta Tuis . Hanc pete , namque tibi Sedes erit illa perennis , Haec fiet natis altera Troja tuis ; H●c de prole tuâ Reges nascentur , & illis Totius Terrae subaitus Orbis erit .

Rendred thus : Toward the West , beyond Gauls Kingdom 's Bound , An Isle there is , which th' Ocean doth Surround ; An Island once inhabited by Giants fell , Now desolate , where thy Comrades may dwell ; Go thither , Brutus , there 's a lasting place , Another Troy for Thee , and for thy Race ; Kings of Thy Stock shall there the Scepter sway , Whom the subdued World shall Obey .

I suppose , by these Verses , compared with the Histories , the whole Forgery will be discovered , and that plainly enough . For , besides the vain promises on both sides , the Rythms say , That the Island was not then inhabited but desolate , but that it was inhabited before ; But where ( I pray , ) then were those Portentous Figments of Gogmagog and Tentagol , and other frightful Names of Men , invented for Terrour , ( shall I say , ) or for Laughter , rather ? What will become of those doughty Combates of Corineus , and others , the Companions of Brutus , against not the Earth-born , but Hell-born , Giants ? Thus far concerning Brutus , and his Oracle .

Though these be so great Fictions , yet Posterity is so little ashamed of them , that , but a few years ago no mean Writer amongst them , hath impudently feigned , That the Trojans spake the British Language . (d) (d) Homer . Homer and * * Dionysius Halicarnasseus . Dionysius Halicarnasseus , do easily refel the vanity of this shameless Opinion . For the one gives Greek Names to all the Trojans ; the other in a long and serious Disputation , doth contend , that the Trojans were Originally Greeks ? I pass by this consideration , that when Brute arrived in England with no great Train , how within the space of Twenty years he could establish Three Kingdoms ; and how , they , who , all of them put together a● first , could scarce make up the number of one mean Colony , should in so short a time People an Island the biggest in the whole World , and furnish it not only with Villages and Cities , but set up in it Three large Kingdoms also ; yea , who a while after , it seems , grew so numerous , that Britain could not contain them , but they were forced to Transport themselves into the large Country of Germany ; where , overcoming the Inhabitants , they compelled them to assume their own Name , which was not a British , but a Latin one ; and so from those Nineteen Brothers , ( forsooth , ) ( which indeed were not properly own Brothers , as we say , for almost each of them had a several Mother , ) that the Country should be called Germany . I have related this Fable , as absurd as it is , not to take the pains to refute it , but to leave it to the Germans themselves for Sport and Ridicule .

This in General concerning the Fables of the Brittons . But the intent of those who devised them , seems not very obscure to me , for that Monstrous Fiction of Devils lying with Virgins , seems to tend hereto ; viz. That they might either prove an Alliance between their Brutus , and two of the greatest Neighbouring Nations ; or else , that they might vye with them in the Nobleness of their Original . For the Gauls affirmed , ( as Caesar hath it ) that they were descended from Father Pluto ; and so did the Germans , according to Tacitus . The cause of devising this Figment , concerning Brutus , seems to be alike . For seeing the (e) (e) Buthrotii , Inhabitants of Buthrotum , ( new Butrinto ) a small Village in Epirus on the Sea coast not far from the Isle Corfu , once a large Roman Colony . Buthrotii in Epirus , other People in Sicily ; The Romans , Campanians , and Sulmonenses in Italy ; The * * Arverni , Inhabitants of Auvergne in the Dukedom of Burgundy , their chief City is Clermont . Arv●rni , * * Burgundians . Hedui , (f) (f) People of the Franch Country . Sequani , and last of all the (g) (g) Francs , Originally a People of Franconia in Germany , who in the declining of the Roman Empire , conquered Gallia , and called it Frankinland , now France ; they were composed of so many warlike Tribes , that the Turks do call all the Western Christians Francs to this very day . Francs in Gaul , did celebrate , I know not what , Trojans as their Founders . The Writers of British Affairs , also thought it very conducive to the advancement of the Nobility of their Nation , if they derived its Original too , from the very Archives of Antiquity , and especially from the Trojans , either because of the famousness of that City , which was praised by almost all Nations ; or else , by reason of its Alliance with so many Nations , which are said to have started up , as it were , out of the same common Shipwrack of that one Town . Neither did they think themselves guilty of any effrontery in the Falshood , if they did somewhat participate of the ( feigned ) Nobility , which upon the same account was common to so many Nations , besides themselves . Hence arose , as I judge , the Fiction of Brutus , and other Fables of an older date , as impudently devised , as foolishly received ; it will , perhaps , be enough to shew the vanity of all those things , to put the Reader in mind , that they were unknown to Ancient Writers ; that when Learning flourished , they dared not peep abroad , that they were coyned in its decay , recorded by unlearned Flatterers , and entertain'd by ignorant , and too credulous , Persons , who did not understand the Fraud of such Cheaters . For such is the disposition of those Impostors , who do not seek the publick good by a true History , but some private advantage by Flattery , that when they seem highly to Praise , the● they most of all deride and jeer . For what do they else , who , pretending to advance the Nobility of a People , for its greater splendor do fetch it from the Skum and Riffraff of Nature ? And yet , credulous , ( shall I say , ) or not rather sottish Persons , do Pride themselves with a pretended Eminency of an Original , which none of their Neighbours will envy them for .

They also who have wrote of * * Old Scotish Writers blamed . Scotish Affairs , have delivered down to us a more Creditable and Noble Origin , as they think , but no less Fabulous than That of the Britains . For they have adopted Ancestors to us , not from the Trojan Fugitives , but from those Greek Hero's , whose Posterity Conquered Troy . For , seeing in those Ancient times , two Nations of the Greeks were most of all celebrated , the (h) (h) Dores , and Iones , who ? Dores and the (h) (h) Dores , and Iones , who ? Iones , and the Princes of the Dores were the Argivi ; and of the Iones , the Athenians . The Scots make one (i) (i) The Scots fabulous Original from one Gathelus a Grecian and Scota his Wife . Gathelus to be the chief Founder of their Nation , but whether he were the Son of Argus , or of Cecrops , that they leave in doubt ; and that they may not be inferior on this accompt , to the eminency of the Romans , they added to him a strong Band of Robbers , with which he going into Egypt , perform'd gallant Exploits , and after the departure ( would you think it ) of Moses , was made General of the Kings Forces in that Land . And that afterwards , with his Wife Scota , the Daughter of the King of Egypt , he sailed about the whole shore of Europe , adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea , and having passed through so many Countries , which were desolate in that Age , or else , inhabited but by few , and in few places , as Greece , Italy , France , ( not to mention the numerous Islands of the Mediterranean Sea , ) some will have him to Land at the River (k) (k) Now E●r● , a ●amo●● River in Spain , rising in the Mountains of Ast●r●● , and disinboguing it self into the Mediterranean , in Catal●n●a . Iberus , but leaving that Country which he could not keep , they draw him on further to (l) (l) Gallaecia the Country about Comp●stella in Spain . Galaecia , a Country much more Barren . Some Land him at the Mouth of the River * * Durius , o● D●●ro , Du●●o in Spanish , arising in old Cast● , and after a course of 14● Spanish Leagues falls into the Atlantick Ocean , below Port a Port. Durius , being the first of all Men , as I suppose , who adventured into the Ocean with a Navy of Ships ; and that there he built a brave Town , which is now called from his Name Portus Gatheli , or Port a Port , whence the whole Country , which from Lusus and Lusa , the Children of Bacchus , was a long time called (m) (m) Lusitania and Portuga● , the Original of those Names . Lusitania , began to be called (m) (m) Lusitania and Portuga● , the Original of those Names . Portugal , and afterwards being forced to pass into Gallaecia , he there built Brigantia , now called Compostella ; also that Braga in Portugal was built by him , at the Mouth of the River Munda .

These are the things which the Scots have fabulously wrote concerning the Original of their Nation . In feigning of which , how uncircumspect they were , we may gather from hence , that they did not give a Greek Name , to that Grecian Gathelus , who was indeed unknown to the Greek Writers ; that they allotted a Latin Name , from an Haven or Port , to the City built by him rather than a Greek one , especially in those times , when Italy it self was known to few of the Greeks ; that they doubt whether he were the Son of Argus , or of Cecrops ; seeing Argus lived almost an Hundred years before Cecrops . That he , who had arrived at such a Figure by his Prudence , even amongst the most ingenious Persons of the World , as to enjoy the Second place to the King , and to be put in Moses , the Fugitiv's , room ; and besides , being a stranger , to be honoured with the Marriage of the Kings Daughter ; that he , I say , leaving the fruitfullest Region in the World , and passing by the Lands of both Continents , both to the Right and Left , and also so many Islands all fruitful in Corn , and some of them also famous for the Temperature of the Air , as Crete , Sicily , Corsica , Sardinia , ( which , at that time , were rather seiz'd than cultivated , and inhabited by a wild sort of People , ) should break out into the very Ocean , the very Name whereof was formidable , especially since Men had then but small skill in Marine Affairs ; or , that he built the City of Port-Gathelus , or Port a Port , at the River Duero , the Name of which City was never heard of till the Sarazens obtain'd the Dominion of Portugal ; also , that he built Braga , at the Mouth of the River Munda , seeing there is so many Miles distance between Braga and Munda ; Two Rivers also being interjected betwixt them , viz. Duero and Vouga , or Vaca ; and Braga it self is not altogether a Maritime place : Moreover , I may well ask , how Gathelus a Grecian , born of a Noble Family ; and besides , eminent for famous Deeds , seeing he was of a most ambitious Nation , in commending his Name to Posterity , and being conveighed with a great Train into the extream parts of the World , and as then matters stood , almost rude and barbarous , having built Towns , did not impose his own , no not so much as a Greek , Name on them . For the Name of Portugal , or , ( as some will have it , ) the Port of Gathel , being unknown to so many Ancient Writers , who have professedly undertook to describe the Names of Countries , and Places , began to be celebrated but about Four Hundred years ago . And the silence of all the Greeks and Latins , concerning the coming of Gathelus into Spain , makes it much suspected , especially since the Ancients make notable and frequent mention of the Phaenicians , Persians , Carthaginians , Iberians , Gauls , and of the Companions of Hercules and Bacchus , who came into that Country . But our Fablers , ( as I judge ) never read the Monuments of the Ancients ; if they had , seeing it was free for them to assume an Author and Founder of their Nation and Nobility , out of any of the Famous Grecians , they would never have pick'd up an Ignobler Person , for their Founder ; passing by Hercules and Bacchus , who were Famous amongst all Nations , and whom they might have cull'd out , as well as any other , for the Original of their Race .

These are the things which our Writers have delivered , concerning the Rise of our Nation , which , if I have prosecuted more largely , than was necessary , it is to be imputed to them , who pertinaciously defended them , as a * * Palladium , properly the Image of Pallas in Troy , which as long as they kept in her Temple , Troy could not be taken , ( as the T●ojans thought , ) but when Vlyss●s stole it away then they were soon destroyed by the Greeks . Palladium dropt down from Heaven . He that considers That , will , no doubt , by reason of the obstinacy of my Adversaries , be more favorable to me . Concerning the other Nations , which came later into these Islands , and fixed their Habitations there , Picts , Saxons , Danes , Normans , because their History doth not contain any Monstrous absurdity , I shall speak of them hereafter , in a fitter place .

But these two Nations ( which I have mentioned , ) seem to me to have deduced their Original from the Gauls , and I will give you the reasons of my Judgment therein , when I have first premised a few things , concerning the Antient Customs of the Gauls ; all Gaul tho' it be fruitful in Corn , yet it is said to be , and indeed is , more fruitfull in Men ; so that , as Strabo relates , there were 300000 of the * * The Ancient Gauls in Caesars time , divided from the Belg●●●s , by the River S●●n ; and from the Aq●itanians , by the Garron , from whom the old Grecians called , the North-West part of E●rop● , Ce●to-S●●thia . Celiae , only , who were able to bear Arms , though they inhabited but a third part of France , therefore though they lived in a fruitful Country , yet being overburthened by their own multitudes , 't is probable , that for the lessening of them , they were permitted to use * * From which no Issue could insue . Masculine Venery . Yet neither when by this Expedient , there seemed not provision enough made against the penury of their Soil , the company of Heads being as yet numerous and burdensome , sometimes by publick Edicts , and sometimes by private Persuasions , they sent forth many Colonies into all the neighbouring Countries , that their Multitudes at home might be exhausted .

To begin with * * Colonies of Gauls sent into Spain . Spain , They sent their Colonies so thick thither , that Ephorus , as Strabo relates , extends the length of Gaul even to the Gades or Cadiz , and indeed all that side of Spain toward the North , by the Names of the People and Nations inhabiting them , hath long witnessed a French Original . The first we meet with , are , the Celtiberi .

— Profugique a gente Vetustâ Gallorum , Celtae , miscentes nomen Iberis , The wandring Celts in Spain their Seats did fix ; And there their Names with the Iberi mix .

These did propagate their bounds so far , that , though they inhabited a Craggy Country , and besides not over fruitful , yet Ma●cus Marcellus exacted from them Six Hundred Talents , as a Tribute . Moreover , from the * * Celtae and Celtiber● , whence ? Celtae , or Celt●beri , the Celtici derive their Original , dwelling by the River Anas , by Ptolomy Sirnamed * * Celtici Boetici . Boetici ; and also other * * Celtici Lustanici . Celts in Portugal , near to the River Anas , and if we may believe Pomponius Mela , a Spaniard , the Celts do inhabit from the Mouth of the River Duero , unto the Promontory , which they call Celticum or * * Ne●ium Pr●m●ntorium . Nerium , i. e. Capo 〈◊〉 Terrae , but distinguished by their Sirnames , viz. the Groni● , Presamarci , Tamarici , Nerii , and the rest of the Gallaeci , whose Name shews their Original to be Gauls .

On the other side , there passed out of France into Italy , the (a) (a) People of Piemont . Ligurians , the (b) (b) People about Br●xia and Verona . Libii , (c) (c) The Salassii ; of P●emo●● also . the Salassii , (d) (d) Insubres of Gall●a-Transpadana about Millan . the Insubres , (e) (e) Of Main , or rather Normandy . the Cenomani , the (f) (f) Bo●● People of Acqu●tain . Boii , and the (g) (g) Senones were a Warlike People of Gaul inhabiting the Country now called Le Sennois . Senones , and , if we may believe some Ancient Writers , the Venetians themselves . I need not relate how large Dominions these Nations had in Italy , seeing all who are but a little versed in History , cannot be ignorant thereof , neither will I be too scrupulous in inquiring what Troopes of Gauls made their Seats in Thrace , or , leaving it , having subdued Macedonia and Greece , passed into Bithinia , where they erected the Kingdom of (h) (h) Galatia . Gallo-Graecia in Asia , seeing that matter doth not much concern our purpose .

My discourse then hastens to Germany , and concerning the (i) (i) Colonies of Gauls sent into Germany . Gaulish Colonies therein , we have most Authentick Evidences , C. Iulius Caesar , and C. Cornelius Tacitus ; the first of them in his Commentaries of the Gallick War , writes , that at one time the Gauls were esteem'd more Valiant than the Germans . And therefore that the (k) (k) A Colony from Languedock in France , to the Neecar in Germany , and the Country about that River . Tectosages possessed the most fruitful part of Germany about the Hercynian Forest ; and the Bohemians , as the other affirms , do declare by their Names , that their Founders were the (l) (l) Aquitanians in Gaul . Boii . And sometimes the (m) (m) Swissers . Helvetians possessed the nearer places between the Rivers Main and Rhene , also the (n) (n) Decumates People of Wirtenburg . Decumates beyond the Rhene , were of Gallick Original , and the (o) (o) Gothini , on the River Oder . Gothini neer the Danow , whom Claudian calls Gothunni : Arrianus in the Life of Alexander calls them Getini ; and Flavius Vopiscus , in the Life of Probus Gautunni . But Claudian reckons even the Gothunni amongst the (p) (p) The Getes were a People of Dacia about Moldavia . Getae ; and Stephanus is of Opinion , that the Getes are called Getini , by Ammianus , so that perhaps the Getes themselves may acknowledge a Gallick Original , seeing it is certain , that many Gallick Nations passed over into Thrace , and there resided in that Circuit thereof , which the Getes are said to have possessed ; Tacitus also writes , that in his time , the Gothini used the Gallick Language ; besides , the (q) (q) Danes . Cimbri , as Philemon says , and ( if we believe Tacitus ) the (r) (r) Prussians or Livonians . Aest●ones , dwelling by the Swedish Sea , where they gather Amber , did speak British , which Language was then the same with the Gall●ck , or not much different from it . There are many Footsteps of Gallick Colonies , through all Germany , which I would willingly recite , but that , what I have already alleged is enough for my purpose ; viz. To shew how widely France did extend her Colonies , round about Brittain .

What then shall we say of (a) (a) Colonies of Gauls , sent into Britain . Britain it self ; which did equal those Nations neither in greatness , strength , nor skill in Military Affairs ? What did she , that was so neer to the Valiantest of the Gauls , and not inferiour to the neighbour Nations , either in the mildness of the Air , or the fruitfulness of the Soil ; did she , I say , entertain no Foreign Colonies ? Yes , many , as Caesar and Tacitus affirm , and , as I hold , all her 〈◊〉 Inhabitants came from thence . For 't is manifest , that (b) (b) Three Nations anciently inhabited Britain ; the Britons , Picts , and Scots . three Nations did anciently possess the whole Island , the Brittons , Picts , and Scots , of which I will speak hereafter .

To begin then with the Brittons , whose Dominion was of largest extent in Albium : The first , that I know , who hath discovered any certainty concerning them , was C. Iulius Caesar. He thinks , that the inmost Inhabitants were (c) (c) Indigenous , i. e. born in the same Country . Indigenae , because , after diligent enquiry , he could find nothing of their first comming thither ; neither had they any Monuments of Learning , whence he might be informed . He says , that the Maritime parts of the Island were possessed by the (d) (d) In Caesar's time , Belgium was accounted part of France . Belgae , whom hopes of Prey had allured thither , and the fruitfulness of the Soil , and mildness of the Air , had detained there . He thinks this a sufficient argument to confirm his Opinion , that many did retain the Names of the Cities , whence they came , and that their Buildings were like those of the Gauls .

Cornelius Tacitus , a grave Author , adds ; that their Manners are not unlike , and that they are equally bold in running into Dangers , and as fearful how to get out of them ; that there were great Factions and Sidings among them Both. And lastly , that Britain , in his time , was in the same State as Gaul was , before the coming of the Romans . Pomponius Mela adds further , That the Brittons used to Fight on Horseback in Chariots and Coaches , being harnessed in French Armour . Add hereto , that Bede , who lived before all those , who have wrote such Fabulous things of the Origin of the Britons , and is of greater Authority than them all , affirms ; That the first Inhabitants of the Island came out of the Tract of Britany in France . Armorica . Some Grammatists of the Greeks , differ much from the above mentioned Authors , for they say , that the Brittons received their Names from Britannus , the Son of Celto . They assuredly agree in this , that they would derive their Original from the Gauls ; of the later Authors , Robertus * * Robertus Caenalis . Caenalis , and * * Pomponius Laetus . Pomponius Laetus , in the Life of Dioclesian , ( an Author not to be despised ) do subscribe to this Opinion ; both of them , as I suppose , being convinced by the Power of Truth . Yet , Both seem to me to mistake in this point , that they deduce them from the Peninsula of the Brittons , which is now called Britany to the River Loir , especially since the Maritime Colonies of Britain , as Caesar observes , do testifie by their very Names , whence their (f) (f) V●z . From the Belgians . Transportation was .

It follows , that we speak of the Gallick Colonies , sent into (g) (g) Colonies of Gauls sent into Ireland . Ireland ; I shewed before , that all the North side of Spain was possessed by Gallick Colonies . And there are many reasons assignable , why they might pass out of Spain into Ireland , for either the easie passage might be a great inducement ; or else , the Spaniards , might be expelled out of their Habitations by the excessive Power and Domination of the Persians , Phaenicians , and Graecians , who , having overcome the Spaniards , rendred them Weak and Obnoxious to their Oppression and Violence . Moreover , there were Causes amongst the Spaniards themselves , for they being a People cemented and made up of many Nations , and not well agreeing among themselves , the desire of Liberty , and the avoiding of Servitude , in the midst of Civil Wars and new Tumults , arising amongst a People that was greedy of War , might make them willing to depart : He that weighs these causes of Transmigration , will not wonder , if many of them did prefer a mean condition abroad , conjoyned with Liberty , before a Domestick and bitter Servitude , and when they were once arrived there , the State of Spain growing daily more and more Turbulent , made them willing there to abide ; for sometimes the Carthaginians , and sometimes the Romans , did exercise all the Miseries of Servility upon the Conquered Spaniards , and so compelled them to avoid those Evils , by a flight into Ireland , there being no other neighbour Nation into which , either in their Prosperity they might so well transport their over-abounding Multitudes ; or else wherein , in adversity they might find a shelter against their Calamities . Besides , the Clemency of the Air did retain them there , for , as Caesar says , the Air of Britain is more temperate than That of France . And Ireland exceeds Both in goodness of Soil , and also in an equal Temperature of the Air and Climate . Besides , Men born and educated in a barren Soil , and given to Laziness besides , as all Spaniards are , being transported almost into the richest Pastures of all Europe , no marvail , if they willingly withdrew themselves from homebred Tumults , into the bosome of a Peace beyond Sea . Notwithstanding all that I have said , yet I would not refuse the Opinion of any Nation concerning their Ancestors , provided it were supported by probable Conjectures , and ancient Testimony .

For Tacitus , upon sure Conjectures , as he thinks , doth affirm , that the West side of Britain or Albium , was inhabited by the Posterity of the Spaniards . But it is not probable , that the Spaniards should leave Ireland behind them , being a Country nearer and of a milder Air and Soil , and first Land in Albium , but rather that they first arrived in Ireland , and from thence emitted their Colonies into Britain . And that the same thing happen'd to the Scots , all their Annals do testifie ; and Bede , Lib. 1. doth affirm . For all the Inhabitants of (h) (h) Inhabitants of Ireland , anciently called Scots . Ireland were first of all called Scots , as Orosius shews ; and our Annals relate , that the Scots passed more than once out of Ireland into Albium : First of all , Fergusius , the Son of Ferchard , being their Captain ; and after some Ages , being expelled from their Habitations they returned into Ireland ; and again , under their General Reutharus , they return'd into Britain . And afterwards in the Reign of Fergusius the Second , great aid of Irish-Scots were sent , who had their Quarters assigned in Gallaway . And Claudian in his time shews , That Auxiliaries were transmitted thence against the Romans ; for he says , — Totam cùm Scotus Iernam Movit , & insesto spumavit Sanguine Tethys . The Scot all Ireland did excite , To cross the Seas , 'gainst Rome to Fight .

And in another place , Scotorum tumulos flevit glacialis Ierne . Whole heaps of Scots cold Ireland did lament .

But in the beginning , when both People , i. e. the Inhabitants of Ireland and their Colonies sent into Albium , were called Scots , that there might be some distinguishment betwixt them , Irish-Scots and Albin-Scots . some Scots were called Irish-Scots , others Albin-Scots ; and by degrees , their Sirnames came to be their Names , so that the ancient Name of Scots was almost forgotten , and not to be retrieved from common Speech , but only from Books and Annals . As for the Name of Picts , I judge it not their Antient and Country Name , but occasionally given them by the Romans , because their Bodies were indented , as it were , with Scars , which the Verses of Claudian do shew , Ille leves Mauros , nec falso nomine Pictos , Claudian . Edomuit , Scotumque vago mucrone secutus , Fregit Hyperboreas remis audacibus undas . He nimble Moors , and painted Picts did tame , With far-stretch'd Sword the Scots he overcame , And with bold Oars the Northern Seas did Furrow .

And elsewhere , Venit & extremis Legio praetenta Britannis , Quae Scoto dat froena truci , ferroque notatas Perlegit exanimes , Picto moriente , figuras . The Legion came , the outmost Britains Guard , Which the fierce Scot did curb with Bridle hard ; And Read the Marks i' th' Skins of dying Picts , Insculp'd with Iron .

(a) (a) H●rodian . Herodian also makes mention of the same Nation , but concealing its Name , and says plainly , That they did paint their Bodies ; but he doth not affirm , That they did it with Iron ; Neither ( says he ) are they acquainted with the use of Apparel , but they surround their Belly and their Neck with Iron , as thinking that Metal to be an Ornament and sign of Riches ; as the other Barbarians do , Gold . And moreover , they mark their Bodies with sundry Pictures , and with Animals of all shapes , and therefore they will put on no Garments , lest they should hide their Paint . With what Name they call themselves , the thing is so ancient , that it is hard to determine . 'T is certain , their Neighbour-Nations do not agree concerning their Name ; for the Brittons call them (b) (b) Pictiades , Picti , and Peachti , old Names for Pic●s . Pictiades ; The English , Pichti ; The old Scots , Peachti . And besides , the Names of some places , which were heretofore under the Jurisdiction of the Picts , but are now possessed by the Scots , seem to have a different Appellation from them all . For the Hills called (c) (c) Pentland-Hills in Lothian . Pentland-Hills , and the (d) (d) Pentland-Firth , the Firth between Ca●●hness and O●kny . Pentland-Bay , or Firth , seems to be derived from Penthus , not from Pictus . But , I verily believe , those Names were imposed , in after-times , either by the English , or else by the Scots , who used the English Tongue ; for the Ancient Scots did neither understand nor use them . As for the Name of Picts , whether the Romans Translated a Barbarous Word into a Latin one of a near sound ; or , whether the Barbarians applyed a Latin Word , every one to his own Country Tone and Declension , 't is all a case to me . Well then , being agreed of the Name , and it being confest by all Writers , That they came from the Eastern Parts into Britain ; from Scythia , say some ; from Germany , say others ; it remains , that tracing their Footsteps by Conjectures , we come as near the Truth as we can . Neither do I perceive any surer Foundation of my Disquisition , than by painting their Bodies ; so did the (e) (e) A●ii , a People o● Poland , but formerly accounted part of Germany . Arii in Germany , and the * * People of Eu●op●a Sarmatia and Scythia , now under the Moscovite . Agathrrsi , but it was only , that they might appear more terrible to the Enemy in War , and they did it only with the Juyce of Herbs . But seeing the Picts mark'd their Skins with Iron , and stigmatized them with the Pictures of divers Animals : The better way will be to inquire , What Nations , either in Scythia , Germany , or the Neighbor-Countries , did use that Custom of painting their Bodies , not for Terror , but Ornament . And , First , we meet with the (f) (f) Geloni , Inhabitants of Scythia Europea upon the River Boristhenes . Geloni , according to Virgil , of whom Claudian speaks in his first Book against Ruffinus ; Membraque qui ferro gaudet pinxisse Gelonus . The Geloni love to Print Their Limbs with Iron Instrument .

We meet also with the (g) (g) People of 〈◊〉 . Getae in Thrace , mentioned by the same Poet ; Crinigeri sedere patres , pellita Getarum Curia , quas plagis decorat numerosa cicatrix . Skin-wearing Getes consult , with Hair unshorn , Whose marked Bodies num'rous Scars adorn .

Therefore , seeing the Geloni , as Virgil writes , are Neighbors to the Getes , and either the * * People of Sarmatia Europaea , so called because compounded of Goths and Huns , whence Claudian calls them Mixti Gothunni . Gothunni , or Getini , according to Arr●anus , are number'd amongst the Getes ; and seeing the Gothunni , as Tacitus says , speak the Gallick Language ; what hinders , but that we may believe the Picts had their Original from thence ?

But , from whatsoever Province of Germany they came , I think it very probable , that they were of the ancient Colonies of the Gauls , who seated themselves either on the (h) (h) The Baltick , or rather the Bothnick Sea or Gulph . Swedish Sea ▪ or on the (i) (i) The River Danulius , arising in the Alps , and running through Germany , Hungary , &c. at last dischargeth it self by six Mouths into the Euxin Sea . Danow . For the Men of a Gallick Descent , being counted Foreigners by the Germans , ( as indeed they were ) I judge their Name was used in a way of reproach , so that one word , i. e. (k) (k) Walsch hath several Acceptations . Walsch , ( with them ) signifies a Gaul , a Stranger , and a Barbarian , too . So that it is very credible , That the Ancestors of the Picts , either being expell'd by their Neighbors , or driven up and down by Tempests , were easily reconciled to the Scots ; yea , were befriended and aided ( as 't is reported ) by them , as a People allyed to Them , almost of the sam● Language with them , and their Religious Customs not unlike . So that , it might easily come to pass , that thereupon they might mix their Blood , and , by Marriages , make a Coalition , as it were , into one Nation . For otherwise , I do not see , how the Scots , which then possessed Ireland , being a fierce and rough-hewn People , should so easily enter into an Affinity and compleat Friendship with Strangers , who were necessitous and destitute of all things , which they never saw before , and with whom they had no Commerce , in point of Laws , Religion , or Language .

But here the Authority of Bede , the Anglo-Saxon , doth somewhat obstruct my passage , who is the only Writer , that I know of , that affirms , That the Picts used a different Language from the Scots ; For , speaking of Britain , he says , That It did search after , and profess the Knowledge of the highest Truth , and the sublimest Science in five Languages , the English , British , Scotish , Pictish , and Latin . But , I suppose , Bede calls five Dialects of one and the same Tongue , Five Tongues , as we see the Greeks do , in the like case : And as Caesar doth , in the beginning of his Commentaries of the Gall●ck War . For he says , That Three parts of Gaul did use different Languages and Customs . But Strabo , though he grants that the Aquitans , i e. the Gu●enno● in France . Aquitans used a different Language from the other Gauls ; yet , he affirms , That all the rest of the Gauls used the same Language , but with a little Variation . The (m) (m) The British and the Scots anciently used one Language , but a different way of pronuncia●ion . Scots also do not differ from the Britains in their whole Language , but in Dialect rather , as I shall shew hereafter ; seeing their Speech , at present , doth so far agree , that it seems of old to have been the same , for they differ less than some Gallick Provinces do , which yet are all said to speak Gaulish . And therefore other Writers give not the least suspition of a different Language ; and They , as long as Both Kingdoms were distinct , as if they had been People of one Nation , did always contract Marriages one with another ; and as they were mixed in the beginning , so afterwards they carried themselves as Neighbors , and oftentimes as Friends , until the Destruction of the Picts .

Neither did the remainder of them , ( who , when their Military Race was extinct , yet must needs be many ) in any degree , corrupt the Scotish Tongue : Nor indeed are there any Footsteps of a Foreign Language in the Places and Habitations which they left . For all the Countries of the Picts , and many particular Places therein too , do yet retain Scotish Appellations , except a very few , who , upon the Saxon-Tongu's prevailing over our Country-Language , had German Names imposed upon them .

Neither is This to be omitted , That , before the coming of the Saxons into Britain , none of the British Nations used Interpreters to understand one another . Wherefore , seeing the Scotish , English ▪ and German Writers do unanimously accord , That the Original of the (n) (n) Picts had their Origin from Germany . Picts was from Germany ; and it is also manifest , That the Gothunni , or Getini , were Colonies of the Gauls , whose Language they spoke ; and that the Aestii spake British , by the Swedish , or Baltick Sea : Whence may we rather fetch the Descent of the Picts ? Or , They being expell'd from their Native Habitations , Whither should they go but to their own Kindred ? Or , Where were they likely to obtain Marriage-Unions , but amongst a People of Affinity with them , in Blood , Language and Manners ?

But if any one deny , That the Picts were descended from the Gothunni , or * * People of Prussia and L●vonia . Aestii , or Getae , being induc'd to that Persuasion by the great distance of those Countries from Britain ; Let him but consider , How many , and How great Migrations of People were made , even in all parts of the World , in those Times , wherein the coming of the Picts into Britain is recorded to have been , and also for many Ages after ; and then he may easily grant , that such things might not only be done , but be done with great facility , too . The Gauls did then possess a great part of Spain , Italy , Germany , and Britain , by their Colonies ; They proceeded so far as Palus Maeotis , and the Cimmerian Bosphorus , by their Depredations ; and after they had wasted Thrace , Macedonia , and Greece , they fixed their Seats in Asia .

The (o) (o) Danes . Cimbri , * * People of Swisserland . Ambrones , and (p) (p) People of Germany , near the Baltick Sea . Teutones , having wasted Gaul , pierced into Italy : The Geloni , whom Virgil places in Thrace , are , by other Writers , said to dwell near to the (q) (q) Of V●logna in Moscovy , which was then called Scythia , or Sarmatia Europaea . Agathyrsi , in Scythia .

The Goth● , for a great while , an obscure Nation , yet , in a short time , like a Flood , over-ran Europe , Asia , and Africa . And therefore , seeing , for many Ages after , Those , who were Grandees , and more powerful than others , challeng'd to themselves the Seats of their Inferiours ; the Weak , being obnoxious to the Injuries of the Strong , left their Country , which they could not keep ; so that , it s no great Wonder amongst the Wise , if Men , having long conflicted with adverse Fortune , and being tossed up and down by many Peregrinations ; having , besides , no certain Habitation , did , at length , betake themselves to remote , or far distant , Countries .

Besides , we see , That the Roman Writers do place Two Ancient Nations within those Limits , which did bound the Kingdoms of the Scots and Picts , the * * Mayatae . Mayatae and * * A●tacottae . A●tacottae . Of these , ( I suppose ) the A Nation of the Picts , that lived North of 〈◊〉 Wall in 〈◊〉 and the Me●ss . Mayatae , whom Dion alone , of all the Authors that I know , doth mention , were of the Picts Race , seeing he places them in the Countries nearest to the (t) Caledonian Sea ; and it is certain , that the Picts did inhabit those Provinces . As for the (s) (s) One of the 〈◊〉 of the Picts , living near the S●●ts on the East Sea , betwixt Twee● and T●●e in 〈…〉 mixt People of Picts and S●o●● , that inhabited the 〈◊〉 man 〈◊〉 . Attacottae , it appears out of Marcellinus , That they were the Progeny of those , who , sometimes being excluded by A●rian's Wall , afterwards enlarging their Dominions unto the Wall of Severus , were comprehended within the Roman Province , because I find in a Book of the Romans concerning Camp Discipline through their Provinces , that , among the Foreign Auxiliaries , there were some Troops of the Attacottae , as well as of the Britains : Which makes me hesitate , Whether of the Two to admire in Lud , his Boldness , or his Stupidity ; His Boldness , who affirms , That the Attacottae were Scots , but without any certain Author , or probable Conjecture ; His Stupidity , that , in the very place of Marcellinus , cited by him , he sees not , that the Scots are plainly distinguished from the Attacottae . For Marcellinus says , The Picts , Saxons , Scots , and Attacottae , vexed the Britains , with perpetual Miseries . Of the same Stupidity is he guilty , when he affirms , That the Caledonii were of the Nation of the Britains ; whereas , 't is plain , they were Picts , which Lud himself doth clearly demonstrate by a Testimony out of a Panegyrick , dedicated to Constantius , which he produces against himself . For , says the Author of that Oration , The Woods of the Caledones and of other Picts ; That Testimony ( such was his Folly ) he produces for himself , not observing , ( such was his Stupidity ) that it makes against him . If we look to the Word it self , 't is Scotish , for Calden in Scotch is that Tree called the Hasel , whence , I judge , came the Name of the Caledonian Woods , and the Town of the Caledonians , situate by the River Tay , which is yet called Or Dunk●●den in Perthshire . Dancalden , i. e. the Hasel-Hill-Town . And if I dared to indulge my self so much Liberty , as to disagree from all the Books of Ptolemy , for the Deucaledonian , I would write the Duncaledonian , Sea ; and for the Dicaledones in Marcellinus , (w) (w) Duncaledones . Duncaledones : Both the Sea and the Nation being Sirnamed from the Town , Duncalden . What I have written may satisfie any favourable Reader , yet I shall add other Testimonies , which * * The Sameness of Religion , Language , Names of Places , are Characters of one and the same Nation C. Plinius thinks to be manifest Signs of the Originals of Nations , viz. Religion , Language , and Names of Towns .

First of all , it is manifest , That the Bond of Religion , and the Identity of Sentiment as to the ( supposed ) Gods , hath been always held the strictest tye of Obligation , and Allyance , amongst Nations . Now the Britains and the Gauls maintain'd the same Divine Worship , they had the same Priests , The Britains and Gauls of one Religion . the Druydes , amongst them , who were in no Nation , else ; whose Superstition had so besotted the Minds of both Nations , that many have doubted , which of the two ( first ) learn'd that sort of Philosophy , one from the other . Tacitus also says , that they had the same Sacred Rites and Superstitious Observations . And that Tomb erected nea● * * 〈◊〉 on the 〈…〉 . New Carthage , called M●rcurius Teutates , as Livy writes , doth shew , that the Spaniards , the greatest part of whom drew their Original from the Gauls , were not free from those Rites . Also , the same kind of Priests or Sacrists , called by both of them * * Bards were the He●●lds , Poets , and M●si●ians of the Ancient Gaul● and Britains . Bards , were in great Honour , both amongst the Gauls and Britains . Their Function and Name doth yet remain among all th●se N●●ions , which use the old British Tongue : and so much Honour is given to them , in many places , that their Persons are accounted Sacred , and their Houses , Sanctuaries : Yea , in the height of their Enmities , when they manage the cruellest Wars one against another , and use their Victories , as severely ; yet these B●rds p●s●'d 〈◊〉 b●tween the A●mies of 〈◊〉 greeting Nations . Bards and their retinue have free liberty to pass and repass , at their pleasure . The Nobles , when they come to them , receive them honourably , and dismiss them with Gifts . They make Canto's not unelegant , which , * * Rhapsodists ( 〈◊〉 ) Rehea●●e● , or I●terp●e●e● 〈◊〉 Verses by piece-meal . Rhapsodists recite , either to the better sort , or else to the vulgar , who are very desirous to hear them ; and sometimes they sing them to Musical Tunes and Instruments . Many of their Ancient Customs yet remain ; yea , there is almost nothing changed of them in Ireland , but only in Ceremonies and Rites of Religion . This for the present concerning their Religion . It remains now , that we speak concerning their Ancient Language , and the Names of the Towns , and of their People . But these Parts , thô several , ( for the most part ▪ ) shall yet be promiscuously handled by me ; because that many times one depends upon another , as its foundation ; especially , sithence a proper Name , either by its Origination or Declination , doth assert , or indicate , the Country whence a Man comes : Yet , thô these things are intwisted , and do mutually confirm one another , for the Reader 's Instruction , I will sometime handle them , severally , as much as I can .

First of all , Tacitus in the Life of his Father-in-law , Agricola , Tacitus doth affirm , That the Gaulish Tongue did not much differ from the British ; whence I gather , that they were sometimes the same ; but , by little and little , either by Commerce with Foreign Nations ; or , by the Importation of new Commodities , unknown before to the Natives ; or , by the Invention of new Arts ; or , by the frequent change of the Form of Garments , Arms , and other Furniture ; A Speech , or Language , that was very flexible of itself , might be much alter'd , sometimes augmented , sometimes adulterated , many new words being found out , and many old ones corrupted . Let a Man but think with himself , how much the Inconstancy and Humourousness of the Vulgar doth assume to it self , in this particular ; and how ready Men are , and always were , to loath present things , and to study Innovations ; he will find the judgment of the best of Poets , and the only Censor , in these Cases , to be most true , Vt Sylvae foliis pronos mutantur in annos , Horat. de ●ree Poeticâ . Prima cadunt , it a verborum vetus interit aetas ▪ Et , juvenum ritu , florent modò nata vigentque . As withered Leaves fall off from Trees , And new supply their pla●es ; So Languages decay and cease , New Speech brings in new Grace's .

And a little after , Multa renascentur quae jam cecidere , cadentque Quae nunc sunt in honore , vocabula , si volet usus , Quem penes arbitrium est , & jus & norma loquendi . Many Words shall fall , Which now we highly prize : And Words , which now have fallen , Shall hereafter Rise ; Vse , or Custom , Rules this thing , And governs Language , as a King .

'T is true , he spake this of the Latin Tongue , which , by the great care of the Romans , was kept uncorrupted , and which all the Nations contained within the large bounds of their Empire , did diligently Learn . And therefore 't is no wonder , if a Language , ( even before Colonies were sent into all parts , out of Gaul , ) which already had different Dialects at home ; and also , was afterwards corrupted by the mixture of divers Nations , being in it self too barbarous at first , and almost neglected by those themselves that used it ; and after it again re-enter'd , from a Foreign Soil , into Britain , which was then divided into Kingdoms , for the most part , obnoxious to Strangers ; 't is no wonder , I say , if , upon all these prejudices it was not always consistent with it self . For at first , the (a) (a) The Celts were a numerous People Inhabiting principally about Lyons , from whom one part of France was called Gallia Celtica . Celtae , and the (b) (b) Inhabitants of Belgium ( now the Low Countries or the Netherlands ) in Caesar's time , counted a third part of France , by the Name of Gallia Belgica . Belgae did use a different Dialect , as Strabo thinks . Afterwards , when the Celtae sent abroad great Colonies into Spain , as the Names of Celtiberi and Celtici do declare . And the Belgae made their descent into the Maritime parts of Britain , as may be collected from the Names of (c) (c) Winchester . Venta Belgarum , of the (d) (d) Inhabitants of Berkshire , so called from the Atrebates of Gallia Belgica , who transported themselves thither . Atrebates , and (e) (e) Living in Norfolk , Suffolk , Cambridge and Huntingtonshire , transplanted from the Iceni in Belgium . Iceni , it must needs follow , that on the one side the Spaniards , and on the other the Romans , the English , the Danes , and the Normans , must bring in many strange Words with them , and so corrupt the Country Speech . Yea , I rather judge it more worthy of Admiration , that the Languages of neighbouring Nations , having been adulterated by the coming in of so many strange People , and in great part chang'd by the Speech of neighbour Counties , that yet , so long time after , the Britains should not differ in their whole Language , but only in certain Idioms and Dialects only : For , if any one of them , though of another Nations , do hear a Man speak British ; yet he may acknowledge the sound of his own Language , and may understand many Words , though he do not comprehend his whole Discourse . Neither ought it to seem strange to us , if the same Words do not signifie the same things in all Nations , if we consider , what alterations Commerce with neighbouring Countries doth daily make in the Speech of all Nations ; and , how much change is made by daily Conversation with Foreigners ; how many new Words are coined to express things , newly invented ; how many are imported with Wares and Traffick , even from the furthest parts of the World ; how many old obsolete Words are difus'd ; how many are lengthned by the addition of Letters or Syllables ; and how many are shortned by contrary Decurtations ; and some also new pargeted ( as it were ) by mutation or transposition of Letters . I will not inquire , in how short a time , and how much , the (f) (f) The Iones were a Colony of the Greeks , which Inhabited I●nia , on the Med●terranean Sea in Asia . Ionick Speech did degenerate from the (g) (g) The Attick Dialect was used in and about Athens , and was the smoothest and purest Greek . Attick , and how much the other Greeks differ'd from them both . Let us but observe the Speech of the noblest Nations in Europe , how soon did the French , Italick , and Latin Tongues , all derived from the same Root , degenerate from the purity of the Latin ; yet in the mean time , they differ no less amongst themselves , than the old Scotish and the British Tongues do . Yea , if we look over all the Provinces of France , ( I mean those who are judg'd to speak true Gallick or French ) what a great difference shall we find between the Inhabitants of (h) (h) Containing the Provinces of Savoy , Province and Languedock . Gallia Narbonensis , and the (i) (i) Formerly inhabiting the Kingdom of Navar , but now the Country called Gascoign . Gascoigners ? And how vastly the (k) (k) Inhabiting Limosin , Pericord , and Auvergn . Limosins , the (k) (k) Inhabiting Limosin , Pericord , and Auvergn . Perigordins , and the (k) (k) Inhabiting Limosin , Pericord , and Auvergn . Auvergnians , though neighbours to both , yet differ from both , in their Speech ? And how much the rest of the Provinces of France do differ , even from all of them ? And , to come nearer home ; the English Laws of William the Norman , established Five Hundred years ago , and wrote in French ▪ yet now no French Man can understand them , without an Interpreter . Nay , if those old Men , who have lived long in the World , can remember , that many Words are grown obsolete , which were in use when they were Children ; and what Words unheard of by our Ancestors , have succeeded in their places ; they will not at all wonder , that the same Original Language , in length of time , should be changed , and seem wholly different from it self ; especially amongst Nations far remote , and also often warring one against another . On the other side , when I see that concord ( lasting so many Ages rather than years , ) in the British Language , and that even amongst Nations , either very distant one from another , or else maintaining mutual Animosities against one another ; such a concord , as is hardly to be found amongst many Tribes and People of the Gauls , who yet have long lived under the same Kings and Laws : I say , when I ponder within my self , such an agreement in Speech , which as yet preserves its ancient Affinity of Words , and no obscure markes of its Original ; I am easily induc'd to believe ; that , before the coming in of the Saxons , all the Britains used a Language , not much different from each other ; and it is probable , that the Nations , adjoyning to the Gallick shore , used the Belgick Tongue , from whose limits a good part of the Britans , bordering on France , had made a Transmigration , as Caesar informs us . But the Irish , and the Colonies sent from them , being derived from the Celtae , Inhabitants of Spain , 't is probable , they spake the Celtick Tongue . I suppose , that these Nations returning , as it were , from a long Pilgrimage , and possessing themselves of the neighbour-Seats , and almost coalescing into one People , did confound the Idioms of their several Tongues respectively ; so that , it was neither wholly Belgick , nor wholly Celtick , nor yet wholly unlike to either of them : Such a mixture we may observe in those Nations , which are thought to speak the German Tongue , and yet have much declined from the ancient Phrase thereof : I mean , the Danes , the Maritime Saxons , those of Fre●sland , those of Flanders , and the English ; amongst all which , 't is easie to find some Letters , Sounds , and Inflections , which are proper to the Germans only , and not common to any other Nation ; besides , I suppose , that a surer symptom of the Affinity of a Language may be gathered from this Sound of Letters ; from the familiar way of each Nation in pronouncing certain Letters ; and from the judgment of the Ear thereupon ; and also , from the Composition and Declension of Words , than from the signification of single or particular Words . Examples hereof we find in the German Letter W , in the composition of the Words More-Marusa and Armoricus , of which , I have spoken before : And in the Declension of those Words , which amongst the Gauls , end in Ac , of which there is a vast number , which Form amongst the Scots is * * Hypocoristical i. e. diminutive , as Thingling from Thing . Hypocoristical , i. e. Diminutive , and so it was amongst the ancient Gauls . From Drix , which , amongst the Scots , signifies a Briar , is derived Drissac , i. e. a Briarling , or little Briar bush . And from Brix , which signifies a Rupture or Cleft , Brixac , which now the French pronounce (a) (a) A well fortified Town in Alsatia , built on an Hill , and a strong pass on the Rhene . Brisac . For what the Scots pronounce Brix , that the French call Bresche , even to this very day , there being no difference at all in the signification of the Words : The Cause of the different Writing , is , that the ancient Scots , and all the Spaniards to this very day , do use the Letter X for double SS. And therefore the old Gauls , from Brix , have called a Town of the (b) (b) People of Le-Main in France . Caenomani , (c) (c) Now Bressia . Brixia ; and again , from Brixia , Brixiacum , now commonly Brisac . After the like Form , Aureliacum , i. e. (d) (d) A Town of Au●●gn in France . Orilhach , is derived from Aurelia , i. e. Orleans ; and , from In Portugal . Evora , which is called Cerealis or Ebora , Sirnam'd by the Spaniards , Foelicitas Iulia , Eboracum , i. e. York , is derived ; as the Brigantes have declined it , ( who had their Origin from the Spaniards ) retaining in the Declension thereof , the propriety of the French Tongue . Furthermore , besides those things which I have mentioned , all that Coast of Britain , which is extended to the South-West , retains the sure and manifest Footsteps of a Gallick Speech and Original , according to the clear testimony even of Foreigners themselves . First , in that Coast , there is Cornuvallia , i. e. Cornwal , as many call it , but by the Ancients 't was called Cornavia , and , by the Vulgar , Kernico ; even as in Scotland , the (f) (f) Cornavii in Scotland , and England too ; in the one , the Ca●thness-Men ; In the other , the Cornish-Men are so called . Cornavii , placed by Ptolemy in the most Northern District of that Country , are commonly called Kernicks ; so that (g) (g) Etymology o● Cornwal . Cornuvallia is derived from Kernick and Valli , as if you should say Kernico-Galli , i. e. Cornish Gauls . Moreover , Vallia , i. e. Wales , another Peninsula in the same side , doth avouch its Ancestors both in Name and Speech . They who come near in Language to the Sound of the German Tongue , pronounce it by W , a Letter proper to the Germans only ; which the rest of their neighbours , who use the old Tone , can by no means pronounce : Yea , if you should Torture them to make them pronounce it aright , yet , the Cornish , the Irish , or Highland-Scots could never do it . But the French , who call it Vallia , do always prefix G before it ; and not in that Word alone , but they have many others also , which begin with G ; for they , who , by reason of the Propinquity of the Countries do Germanize , do call the French Tongue (a) (a) The French Tongue by some called Walla . Walla ; and besides , in a multitude of other Words , they use this change of Letters : On the other side , that Country which the English call Wales and North-Wales ; the French call (b) (b) The French pronounce Gales and North-Gales , for Wales and North-Wales . Gales and North-Gales , as yet pertinaciously insisting on the footsteps of their ancient Tongue .

But (c) (c) Pol●dore V●rgi● , mistaken . Polydore Virgil pleaseth himself with a new fancy ; which , he thinks , he was the first inventer of ; whereas no Man , though but meanly skilled in the German Tongue , is ignorant , that the Word Walsch signifies a Stranger or Foreigner ; and , that therefore the Valli were call'd Foreigners by them ; but he reckons , as we say , without his Host : For , if that Name were derived from Strangership , I think it would agree better to the Angles , or English , as an adventitious People , rather than to Those ; whom , by reason of their Antiquity , many of the ancients have thought to be Indigenous : Or , if that name were imposed upon them by the English , they might with better reason have given it to the Scots and Picts , than to the Britains , because with the former they had less acquaintance and very rare Commerce : And if the English called them Valli in reproach , would the Brittons , ( think we ) who , for so many Ages , were the deadly Enemies of the English , and now made more obnoxious to them by this affront , own that Name ? Which they do not unwillingly , calling themselves in their own Tongue * * O● Cumbri , 〈◊〉 their King Camber , as some . Cumbri . Besides , the Word Walsh , doth not primarily signifie a Stranger or Barbarian ; but , in its first and proper acceptation , a Gaul . And therefore , in my Judgment , the Word Vallia is changed by the English from Gallia , they agreeing with other Neighbour Nations in the Name , but observing the propriety of the German Tongue in pronouncing the first Letter by W , viz. Wallia . The Ancient Inhabitants of that Peninsula were called * * The Inhabitants of South-Wales . Silures , as appears out of Pliny , which Name in some part of Wales was long retained , even in succeeding Ages . But * * Leland . Leland , a Britain by Birth , and a Man very diligent in discovering the Monuments of his own Country , doth affirm , That some part of Wales was somtime called Ross , which Word in Scotland , signifies a Peninsule . But the Neighbour Nations seem in Speaking , to have used a Name or Word , which held forth the Original of the Nation , rather than One that demonstrated the site and form of the Country . The same hath happened in the Name Scots ; For whereas they call themselves Albini , a Name derived from Albium : Yet , their Neighbours call them Scoti , by which Name their Original is declared to be from the Irish , or Hibernians .

On the same side and Western Shore , follows Gallovidia , i. e. Galway , which word ( 't is evident ) both with Scots and Welch , signifieth a Gaul , as being made up of Gallus and Wallus , part imposed by the one , and part by the other . * * Galloway , whence derived . For the Valli or Welch call it Wallowithia . This Country yet useth for the most part its ancient Language . These three Nations comprehend all that Tract and side of Britanny , which bends towards Ireland ; and they as yet retain , no mean indications , but rather deeply imprinted Marks of their Gallick Speech and Affinity ; of which , the cheif is , that the * * Ancient S●●ts , i. e the Highlanders divide the Nations , inhabiting Britain into Two , the first Gael , the second , Galle or Ga●d , i. e. Gallae●i and Gal●i . Ancient Scots did divide all the Nations , inhabiting Britain , into two Sorts , the one they call Gael , the other Galle or Gald , i. e. according to my Interpretation , Gallaeci and Galli . Moreover the Gallaecians do please themselves with that Title , Gael , and they call their Language ( as I said before ) Gallaecian , and do glory in it , as the more refin'd and elegant , undervaluing the Galli as Barbarians , in respect of themselves : And though originally the Scots called the Britains , i. e. the most Ancient Inhabitants of the Island , Galli ; yet custom of speaking hath by degrees obtained , that they called all the Nations , which afterwards fixed their Seats in Britain by that Name , which they used rather as a Contumelious , than a National , one . For the Word Galle or Gald signifies That amongst them , which Barbarian doth amongst the Greeks and Latins ; and Walsch among the Germans .

Now at last we are come to this point , i. e. That we are to demonstrate the Community of Speech , and thereupon an ancient * * Another Argument of Affinity between the Gauls and Britains , from the Names of Towns , Rivers , &c. Affinity between the Gauls and the Britains , from the Names of Towns , Rivers , Countries , and such other Evidences . A Ticklish Subject , and to be warily handled ; for I have formerly proved , that a publick Speech or Language may be altered for many Causes ; for though it be not changed altogether , and at once , yet it is in a perpetual Flux , and doth easily follow the inconstancy of the alterers , by reason of a certain Flexibility , which it hath in its own Nature . The Truth whereof doth appear chiefly in those Ranks of things , which are subject not only to the Alterations of Time , but are also obnoxious to every Man's Pleasure or Arbitrement ; such as are all particular things invented for the daily use of Mans Life , whose Names either grow obsolete , or are made new and refined , for very light and trivial Causes . But the Case is far different in those things , which are time-proof , and so , after a sort , are Perpetual or Eternal . As the Heavens , the Sea , the Earth , Fire , Mountains , Countries , Rivers ; and also in those , which , by their Diuturnity , as far as the infirmity of Nature will permit , do in some sort imitate those perpetual and uncorrupted Bodies ; such are Towns , which are built as if they were to be Sempiternal . So that a Man cannot easily give Names to , or change the old of , Nations and Cities , for they were not rashly imposed at the beginning , but in a manner by general and deep advice and consent by their Founders , whom Antiquity did greatly Reverence , ascribing Divine Honour to them ; and , as much as they could , making them Immortal . And therefore , these Names are deservedly continued , and receive no alteration without a mighty Perturbation of the whole Oeconomy of things , so that if the rest of a Language be changed , yet these are pertinaciously retained , and are never supplanted by other Names , but as it were , with unwillingness and regret . And the cause of their imposing at first , contributes much to their continuance . For those , who , in their Peregrinations , either were forced from their old Seats ; or , of their own accord , sought new ; when they had lost their own Country , yet retained the Name thereof , and were willing to enjoy a Sound most pleasing to their Ears ; and by this umbrage of a Name , such as it was , the want of their Native Soil , was somewhat alleviated and addule'd softned unto them , so that thereupon they judged themselves not altogether Exiles , or Travellers , far from Home . And besides , there were not wanting some Persons , who , being superstitiously inclined , did conceive an Holier and more August Representation in their Minds , than could be seen in Walls and Houses , and did sweetly hug that Image and delightful Pledge of their own former Country , with a love , more than Native . And therefore , a surer Argument of Affinity is taken from This sort of Words , than from Those , which , on Trivial Causes , ( and oft on none at all ) are given to , or taken away from , ordinary and changeable Things . For though it may casually happen , that the same Word may be used in divers Countries , yet it is not credible , that so many Nations , living so far asunder , should fortuitously agree in the frequent imposing of the same Name .

In the next place , Those Names succeed , which are derived from , or compounded of , the former Primitives . For , oft-times , the a a Derivative Words shew the Affinity of a Language more than their Primitives . Similitude of Declination and Composition doth more certainly declare the Affinity of a Language , than the very Primitive words thereof do ; for these are , many times , casually given : But the Other , being declined after one certain Mode and Form , are directed by one fixed Example , which the Greeks call 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . And therefore this certain and perpetual manner of Nominal Affinity , ( as Varro speaks ) doth , after a sort , lead us to an Affinity of Stock , and old Communion of Language . Moreover , there is a certain Observation to be made in all Primogenious Words , from whence we may know , which are foreinly introduced , and which are Patriots . For , as the Words Philosophia , Geometria , and Dialectica , though oft used by Latin Writers , yet have scarce any Latin Word of kin to them , or derived from them , from whence they may seem to draw their Original ; so , on the other side , the Words Paradisus and Gaza , are used by the Greeks ; and yet it appears by this , That they are Inquiline or Forein , because they can't shew any Original , nor any Progeny , derived from them , in the Genuin Greek Tongue .

The same Observation may be also made in other Tongues , which will help us to judge , what Words are Domestick , and what are Adventitious , or Forein . Let it suffice to have spoken thus much in General . Let us now propound Examples , concerning every Particular part ; Where , First , we meet with those Words , which end in Bria , Briga and Brica . Strabo , in his Seventh Book , with whose Opinion Stephanus concurs , says , That Bria signifies a City ; to confirm their Opinion , they produce these Names , derived therefrom , b b Or Brutobrica , a City of Thrace , on the Coast of the Aegaean Sea , now called , by the Greeks , Aenos , or 〈◊〉 ▪ and by the Turks , Ygnos . Pultobria , c c A● Ancient Town in Spain . Brutobria , d d A City of Bulgaria , situate on the ●uxien Sea . Mesembria , and e e Selivre , a City of Thrace , situate upon the Propontu , 15 Miles West from Constantinople . Selimbria . But the place by them called Brutobria , by others is named Brutobrica ; and the places , which Ptolemy makes to end in Briga , Pliny closes with Brica ; so that , 't is probable , f f Bria , Briga and Brica are synonymous , all signifying a City or 〈◊〉 ▪ with words compounded of them . That Bria , Briga and Brica , signifie the same thing . But that they all have their Original from Gaul , appears by this , That the Gauls are reported , anciently , to have sent forth Colonies into Thrace and Spain , and not They into Gaul ; and therefore , amongst proper Classick Authors , we usually read the Words following .

g g Braga in Port●gal . Abobrica in Pliny , in the Circuit of Braga . Amalo-brica in the Itinerary of the Emperor Antoninus . h h Arrabida . Arabrica , Pliny , in the Bracarens●an Circuit also . i i Castanheira in Portugal . Arabrica another , Ptolemy , in Lusitania , or Portugal . k k Arcos . Arcobrica , Ptolemy , amongst the Celtiberians , i. e. New-Castillians . l l Azvaga in Portugal . Arcobrica another , Ptolemy , amongst the Lusitanian-Celticks . m m Alcasor near Saragossa in Spain ; which being at f●●st called Salduba , from the Salt-Pits there , was afterwards rebuilt by Caesar Augustus , and called Caesarea Augusta , some Footsteps of which Name do yet remain in the word Saragossa . Arcobrica a Third , in the * Caesar-Augustan-Province . n n Atzburgh . Artobrica , Ptolemy , in the * * People of Bavaria and Suab●● in Germany , so called from the Rivers V●ndis ( Werd ) and L●●us ( Leck , ) near which they lived . Vindilici's Country . o o Villar del Pedroso . Augustobrica , Pliny , and Ptolemy , in Portugal . p p Puente del Arcobispo . Augustobrica another , Ptolemy , in the * * People of Extremadura in Spain . Vecton's Country . q q Ardea ol Muro . Augustobrica a Third , Ptolemy , in the * * Part of old Cas●●le in Spain . Pelendon's Country . Axabrica , Pliny , of the Lusitanicks . r r Boppart , in the Bishoprick of T●eves , or T●●ers . Bodobrica , in the Itinerary of Antoninus , and in the Book of the Knowledge of the Roman Empire , in High-Germany . s s Broughton in Hampshire , as Cumden : Quaere , Whether not Stockbridge , which though a mean place now , yet was formerly a noted Town , as appears by its sending Burgesses to Parliament at this Day : It is yet a considerable Pass , between Winchester and Salisbury . Brige , in the Itinerary of Antoninus , in Britany . Brige , in Strabo , a Town by the (1) (1) Which divide France from Italy , or rather Piem●nt from Dauphine . Cottian Alps. Bruto-brica , in Strabo , between the (2) (2) Inhabitants of Extremadura , or Andalusia , in the Kingdom of Corduba , in Spain . Turduli and the River (3) (3) Guadalquivar , a famous River in Spain . Boetis . u u Barcelos , a Town now of Portugal , formerly of Spain , near the River Celand , Inhabited heretofore by the Celerini . Caeliobrica , Ptolemy , of the Celerini , i. e. People in Portugal . Caesarobrica , Pliny , in Portugal , also . Catobrica , of the x x People of Hispania Boetica . Turduli , in the Itinerary of the Emperor Antoninus . Corimbrica , Pliny , in Portugal , if I mistake not , corruptly for Conimbrica , of which mention is made in the Itinerary of Antoninus , which City , as yet , keeps it ancient Name , by the River Munda , in Portugal . Cotteobria , Ptolemy , in the y y In Extra-medura , in Spain . Vecton's Country . Deobrica , Ptolemy , among the Vecton's , also . z z Miranda de Ebro . Deobrica , another , Ptolemy , of the a a B●scamers . Autrigones . Deobricula , Ptolemy , of the b b People of Burgos in Spain . Morbogi . Dessobrica , not far distant from c c Lagos in Portugal . Lacobrica , in the Itinerary of Antoninus . d d Bermeo , as some ; Bilbao , in Spain , as others . Flavio-Brica , Pliny , at the Port d d Bermeo , as some ; Bilbao , in Spain , as others . Amanus . Ptolemy , in the Autrigons , calls it Magnus , but I know not whether Magnus , ought to be writ in Pliny , or no. e e Alanguera in Portugal . Serabrica in the f f Province of Santaren , in that Kingdom . Scalabitan Province , which Pliny writes Ierabrica . g g Fuente d'Ivero , as some ; or else Braganza , as others , say . Iuliobrica , in Pliny , and in the Itinerary of Antoninus , of the Cantabrians , or Biscainers , heretofore called Brigantia . h h Lagos . Lacobrica , in the i i Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Leon in Spain . Vaccaeans Country , in Pliny , Ptolemy , and Festus Pompeius . Lacobrica , at the k k Cape of St. Vincent , in Portugal . Sacred Promontory , in Mela. l l Langroi●a . Lancobrica , of the m m Dwelling by the River Anas in Portugal . Lusitanick Celts , Ptolemy . n n La●sanne . Latobrigi , near to the Svitzers , Caesar. o o Mon●briga . Medubrica , Sirnamed Plumbaria , by Pliny , in Portugal ; this , if I mistake not , is called Mundobrica , in the Itinerary of Antoninus . p p Sant●ago de Lacem . Merobrica , Sirnamed Celtica , in Portugal ; Pliny , and Ptolemy . q q Ma●abriga . Mirobrica , in the Country of the r r Inhabiting the Country of La Mancha , in New-Castile . Oretani . s s Villa de Capilla . Mirobrica , another in t t Es●●remed●ra . Beturia , or , in the Country of the u u Inhabiting part of Alg●b●a and Mea●na 〈◊〉 . Turditani Boetici , Pliny , and Ptolemy . x x Va● de N●bro . Nemetobrica , in the Country of the Lusitanick Celts , Ptolemy . y y Valera Nertobrica , in the Turduli's Country of Boetica , Ptolemy . z z Almun●a . Nertobrica , another , in the a a Spaniards , lying beyond the River ●●erus in Arragon and Castile . Celtiberians Country , Ptolemy , which , in the Itinerary of Antoninus , is called Nitobrica . b b Segorve , as Clasius thinks . Segobrica , in the Celtiberians Country , Pliny , but Ptolemy counts it the Head City of Celtiberia . c c Talega , or Tal●ga , in Portugal . Talabrica , in Lusitania , Pliny and Ptolemy . d d Alcantara . Turobrica in the Celts Country of Boetica , Pliny . e e Braganza , as some ; or rather B●g●a de Regoa . Tuntobrica amongst the f f The Gallicians living near Braga , in Portugal . Bracarean Gallaeci , Ptolemy . Vertobrica , Sirnamed Concordia Iulia , Pliny , in the Celt-Beticks Country . Volobrica , of the g g Inhabitants in and about Spire , in High Germany . Nemetes , Ptolomy .

Very many Names of Towns , and Nations , seem to belong to this Class , in all the Provinces , into which the Gauls distributed Colonies ; For , as Burgundus and Burgundio seem to be derived from Burgo ; so doth Brigantes from Briga . The Nominative Case of this word , in Stephanus , is Brigas , whence we decline Brigantes ; as we do Gigantes , from Gigas . The Brigantes , according to Strabo , are situate by the Cottian Alps ; and , in the same Tract , is the Village , or Town Brige . And the h h Dwelling in and about ●rianzon . Brigiani , in the Trophy of Augustus , are reckoned amongst the Alpin Nations . i i Bregentz . Brigantium , is an Alpine Town ; and the Brigantii , are in the Country of the * * Or Bavarians . Vindelici , according to Strabo ; and Brigantia , in the Itinerary of Antoninus ; And the Mountain k k Monti de Brianza . Briga , ( Ptolemy ) is near the Fountains of the Rohsne and the Danow . Also Brigantium in Rhaetia , ( Ptolemy ) is the same Town , I suppose , which in the Book of the Knowledge of the Provinces of the People of Rome , is called Brecantia , and the l l Bodensée , or Lake of Constance . Brigantine Lake . And in Ireland , are the m m Inhabitants of Galway , Waterford and Tipperary . Brigantes , Ptolemy : The Brigantes also are in Albium , Ptolemy , Tacitus , and Seneca . And the Town Brige , or Brage , and Isobrigantium , in the Itinerary of Antoninus . And the Town n n Brianzon . Brigantium , in Orosius , by the o o Capo de Fin● terrae ; or Nerium , in Ga●icia . Celtick Promontory , and Flaviobrigantium , or Besanzon , in Ptolemy , in the * * Almeria . Great Port : And a later Brigantia , i. e. Braganza , now in the Kingdom of Portugal .

There is also another Class or Rank of Words , which do either begin in * * Words compounded of Dunum Dunum , or end therewith , which is a Gallick Word , as appears by those Heaps of Sand of the Morini , as yet called Duni , or the Downs ; and those other Heaps of Sand in the Sea over against them in the English Shore , which retain the same Name of Downs . Yea , Plutarch , ( I mean , He , who wrote the Book of Rivers ) in declaring the Original of Lugdunum , i. e. Lions , acknowledges Dunum to be a Gallick Word . And indeed in expressing the Names of Villages and Towns , there is scarce any one Word or Termination , more frequent than That , amongst the Nations , who yet preserve the old Gallick Tongue almost intire ; I mean , the Brittons in * * Or Lugdunensis , the Country about L●ons in France . Gallia Celtica ; and the * * Highlanders , or Islanders . Ancient Scots in Ireland and Albium ; and the Valli or Welch ; the Kernicovalli , or Cornish , in England ; for there is none of those Nations , which do not challenge that Word or Termination for their own ; only here is the difference , That the old Gauls did end their Compound Words with Dunum , but the Scots ordinarily place it in the beginning of Words ; of this sort , there are found ,

In France .

a a Autun in Burgundy . Augustodunum of the Aedui or Burgundians .

b b Chasteaudun . Castellodunum , of the Carnotensian Province , i. e. of Chartres .

c c Melun . Melodunum , by the River Sequana , or Sein .

d d Lyons . Lugdunum , at the Confluence of the Rivers Arar and Rhosne .

Augustodunum , another Autun , of the Arverni , or Anvergneois and Clermontians , Ptolemy .

e e St. Bertrand de Comminges . Lugdunum , of the Conveni , or Comingeois , near the River Garon ; Ptolemy .

f f Noyon . Novidunum , in the * * Or , Alsatians . Tribocci's Country , Ptolemy .

g g Cad●nac . Vxellodunum , in Caesar.

h h Lodun or London . Iuliodunum in the Pictons Country , i. e. Poictiers .

Isodunum , and i i Dun●e Roy. Regiodunum , of the Bituriges , i. e. Inhabitants of Berry .

Laodunum or Laudunum in the County of Rhemes .

k k Tours . Caesarodunum , ( Ptolomy ) of the Turones , i. e. Tourenois .

l l Rodez . Segodunum , of the * * Or , Rovergu●●●s . Ruthenians , Ptolemy .

m m Some take it for Chasteau London . Velannodunum , ( or St. Flour ) in Caesar.

In Spain .

n n Sela. Caladunum , Ptolomy , of the Bracari , or Braganzians .

o o Campredon in Catalonia . Sebendunum , Ptolemy .

In Britain .

p p Almondbury in Yorkshire , as Cambden ; but West Chester , as some others . Camulodunum , of the * * The old Inhabitants of Yorkshire , Lancashire , Durham , Westmerland and Cumberland . Brigantes Country , Ptolemy .

q q Maldon in Essex . Camulodunum , a Roman Colony , Tacitus .

r r Dorchester , called also Durnium , and Durnovaria , from the River Vare , gliding by it , which ariseth at a Town some few Miles distant , called Evarsholt , i. e. the head of Vare , and passing by Dorchester , runs into an Arm of the Sea , at Varbam , i. e. a Town on the Vare , now Warham . Dunum , a Town of the Durotriges , or Dorsetshire Men. Ptolemy .

Maridunum , i. e. Carmarthen , of the s s Old Inhabitants of Pembroke , Cardigan , and Carmarthen-Shires , formerly called West-Wales . Demetae , Ptolemy , and the Itinerary of Antoninus .

Rigodunum , of the Brigantes , Ptolemy , i. e. Ribchester in Lancashire .

Cambodunum , in the Itinerary of Antoninus , i. e. R●ines near Almonbury in Yorkshire .

Margidunum , in the same Itinerary , i. e. Marg●doverton in Leicestershire , near Belvoir Castle ; or , as some , Leic●st●r it self .

Sorviodunum , or Sorbiodunum , in the same Itinerary ; i. e. Old Sarum in Wiltshire .

Segodunum , i. e. Seton in Northumberland ; and Axelodunum , i. e. Hexam , in Northumberland also , in the Book of the Notitia Roman● Imperii , or Knowledge of the Roman Empire , &c.

Later Towns in England .

Venantodunum , i. e. Huntingdon .

Dunelmum , i. e. Durham .

In Scotland .

Duncaledon , called also Caledonia , i. e. Dunkelden .

Deidunum , i. e. Dundee , or rather Taodunum , by the River Tay.

Edinodunum , which Word the Ancient Scots do yet retain , but they who Germanize , had rather call it Edinburgh .

Dunum , a Town in Ireland , called Down .

Noviodunum or New Down , i. e. Dunmoore Castle in Coval .

Brittannodunum , i. e. Dumbritton or Dumbarton , at the Confluence of the Clyde and Levin .

And at this day there are abundance of Names , of Castles , Villages and Hills derived therefrom .

In Germany , these Names are read in Ptolemy .

Lugdunum , i. e. Leyden ; Segodunum , i. e. Nurinburgh ; Tarodunum , i. e. Friburgh ; Robodunum , i. e. Brin ; Carrodunum , i. e. Crainburgh .

In the Alps Country .

a a Yverdon . Ebrodunum and b b Sedan . Sedunum .

In the Vindelici or Bavarians Country , in * * Which Anciently comprehended Austria , Stiria , Carniola , &c. Rhaetia , the Grisons Country , and Noricum .

c c Ba●ryon . Cambodunum , d d Korburgh . Corrodunum , e e Linez , or , as some , Gasten●al . Gesodunum , f f Iudenburgh , as some ; Idenaw , as others ▪ but Windisch Matray , as Sanson . Idunum and g g Neumarck . Noviodunum ; and in the Book of knowledge of the Roman Empire , h h Partenkirck . Parrodunum .

In Sarmatia and Dacia , according to Ptolemy .

i i K●rburgh . Corrodunum , k k Semendria , or Zinderin . Singindunum , by the Danow ; Noviodunum at the Mouth of the Danow ; also another l l Neupurgh . Noviodunum .

And there are , in the same Provinces , not a few words declined from * * Words declined from Dur. Dur , which among the old Gauls and Brittons signifies Water , and as yet retains the same signification amongst some , as there are

In France .

Durocotti in the Rhemish Circuit , Ptolemy ; we read them also called Durocorti ; Moreover , Caesar makes mention of m m Metz. Divodurum , of the n n Inhabitants of P●ïs Messin . Mediomatrices . Tacitus , Divodurum , near Paris ; in the Itinerary of Antoninus , o o Wyck te Duersteden . Batavodurum amongst the Batavi , Ptolemy , Tacitus . p p Briare . Breviodurum in the Itinerary of the Emperor Antoninus . q q Constance . Gannodurum in Ptolemy near the Rhine . r r Laufenburgh . Gannodurum in the Helvetians Country , Ptolemy . s s Martenach . Octodurum , or Octodorus , amongst the t t People of Gallia Narbenensis near the Rhosne . Veragri , Caesar.

In Rhaetia , the Vindelicis's Country , and Noricum .

a a Psullendorff , as some , but Beyerne Castle , as Cluverius . Bragodurum , b b Korburgh . Carrodurum , c c Olmu●z . Ebodurum , d d C●stenitz . Gannodurum , and Octodurum , Ptolemy . Venaxamodurum and e e Instat . Bododurum , in the Book of the Knowledge of the Provinces .

In Spain .

Octodurum , and f f Fermosello . Ocellodurum , Ptolemy : The River g g Duero . Durius flowing into the Ocean , and h h Guadalaviar , near Valentia . Duria into the Mediterranean Sea , and , in Ireland , the River i i Ledung in the West of Ireland . Dur ; Ptolemy .

In Britain .

k k Inhabitants of Redborn in Hertfordshire . Durocobrivae , l l Of Rochester in Kent . Duroprovae , m m Of Leneham in Kent . Durolenum , n n Of Canterbury . Durovernum , o o Godmanchester by Huntington . Durolipont , p p Dorsetshire Men. Durotriges , q q Cirencester in Gloucestershire . Durocornovium , r r Laiton in Ess●x . Durolitum , s s Dorchester in Dorsetshire . Duronovaria , t t Lutterworth , or , as some , Longborough in Liecestersh . Lactodurum .

Perhaps the two Alpine Rivers , Doria the Greater and the Less ( the one running into the Po , by the u u Vald' Osta . Salassians Country ; the other , by the Piemonteis ) do belong to the same Original ; And also x x Issoir . Issidorus , and y y Auxerre Altissidorus , Cities of France , so called ( as I judge ) from their situation near Rivers . To which Dureta may be referred , which word , in Spanish , signifies a Wooden Throne , as Suetonius writes , in the Life of Augustus ; The like may be said of Domnacus , the proper Name of a Man in Caesar , which seems to be corrupted from Dunacus ; For Dunach may signifie Dunan , and Dunensis both ; as Romach doth , Romanus ▪ Dunacus , or rather Dunachus , is yet used for the proper Name of a Man , which , those who are ignorant of both Tongues , the Latin and the British , do render ( but amiss ) sometimes Duncan , sometimes Donat.

* * Names of Places ending in Magus . The word Magus , also in all the Provinces , in which the Publick use of the Gallick Tongue obtained , is very frequent in expressing the Names of Cities ; which shews that it was of a Gallick Original . But of the Derivatives from it , we may rather guess , than affirm for certain , that they were wont to signifie a House , City , or such like Building . We read in the Book of Knowledge of the Empire of the People of Rome , the Prefect of the z z Badajox , a City in Spain , where once the Romans had a Colony ; 'T is also called Pax Augusta . Pacensian Levies , in Garison at Magi ; and also in the same Book , the Tribune of the second Cohort placed at Magni ; We read also of Magni in the Itinerary of Antoninus , I dare not positively assert , whether it be one Town , or many . But I incline , of the Two , rather to think , that they were sundry Towns .

Towns ending in Magus are These , a a Noviomagus , is a Proper Name for so many places , that it is hard to distinguish Them severally in English , for it signifies Odenheim , Newenburgh , N●mmegen , Spire , Solac , Bourg , &c. Noviomagus , in Ptolemy , amongst the b b Xunt●gners , in France . Santons ; Noviomagus of the c c Inhabitants at Lisieux , a Town in Normandy , and the Country there about called Le-Lieuvin . Lexovi ; Noviomagus of the d d Nivernois . Vadecassii ; Noviomagus , of the e e About Spire . Nemetes ; Noviomagus of the Tricassini ; f f Living at St. Paul de trois Chasteaux , a City in Daulphin . Noviomagus of the g g Living in and about Berry . Bituriges ; h h Angiers . Iuliomagus of the i i L'Anjouans . Andegavi ; k k Roven . Rotomagus of the Venclocassi ; l l Beauvois . Caesaromagus of the m m Beauvoisins . Bellovaci ; Rotomagus of the n n Tournois . Nervii ; o o Wormes . Borbetomagus of the Vangiones in High Germany ; Vindomagus of the p p Living in Armagnac . Volci Arecomici . Also in the Itinerary of Antoninus , q q Argenton . Argentomagus ; and in High Germany , Noviomagus . In the Book of the Knowledge of the Roman Empire ; Noviomagus of Belgica Secunda ; in Rhaetia , r r Memmingen . Drusomagus , Ptolemy . In Britain , in the Itinerary of Antoninus , s s Chelmesford . Caesa●omagus ; t t Thetford . Sitomagus ; u u Wood-Cote near Croydon . Noviomagus of the x x Inhabitants of Surry , as Leland ; of Sussex , as Camden . Regni ; y y People about Sterling , or , as some , of Murray in Scotland . Vacomagi ; z z Ashwel in Hertford-shire , as some , or Dunstable in Bedford-shire , as others . Magiovinium ; Vicomagi , part of the Picts Country . Ptolemy .

There are also other Names of Places , common to many of these Nations , but not so frequently used , nor so much dispersed as the former ; such as are Hibernia , i. e. a a Ireland hath several Names . Ireland , amongst the Romans , the Name of an Island , called by Pomponius Mela , Ptolemy and Iuvenal , Iuverna ; by Strabo , Claudian , and the Inhabitants thereof , Ierna . That which some call the Nerian Promontory , Strabo calls Ierne ; Iernus , or Iern , a River of Gallaecia , Mela calls it Ierna ; b b Camden thinks it to be the River Ma●re in Munster , in the County of Desmond , but , why not Loch-Earn , in the County of Fermanagh . Iernus , is also a River of Ireland : In Ptolemy , 't is reckoned a River of c c Earn arising out of Loch-Earn . Scotland , falling into Tay. Another of the same Name glides through Murray ; the Country adjacent to both is called d d Strath-Earn . Ierna .

We read of the City e e Millain : Mediolanum , in Ptolemy ; as one f f Xantoign . Insubrum , of the Santones ; another of the g g D'Eureux . Aulerci Eburaici ; another by the Loir , i. e. Menu ; a fourth by Sequana , or the Sein , ( now as I think ) named Meulan , or Melun ; another in High Germany , called h h Duesburgh , or Asburgh . Alciburgum ; another by the i i Metelew . Danow ; another in k k Lancaster as Lud ; Lanvellin in Mongomery-shire , as Camden ; others , Midland . Britain , of which mention is made in the Itinerary of Antoninus .

Also Marcolica , a Town in Spain ; l l Malck , on the River Shanon . Macolica , in Ireland ; Vaga , a River in Portugal ; and m m Wye . another of Wales in England . n n R●o d' Aves . Avo , in Mela , Avus , in Ptolemy , a River of Galaecia , as yet retains its Name . In Argyle , there is also a River of the same * * Awe . Name , flowing out of the Lough Awe . The Promontorium Sacrum , one is in o o Cabo de S. Vincem . Spain , another in p p Ban , in the County of Wexford . Ireland . q q Spurnhead in York-shire . Ocellum is a Promontory in Britain ; r r Fermosel . Ocellum is also in Gallaecia , in the Luce●sian District ; s s Ocel-Hills . Ocelli are Mountains in Scotland ; t t Esilles or Exilles . Ocellum is the last Town of Gallia Togata , Caesar mentions u u Lest●thiel in Cornwal . Vxellum , a Town in Britain , perhaps for Ocellum ; for Martianus , in explaining the Ancient Names of the Cities of Gallia , says , that the Word is variously writ , Ocellum , Oscela , and Oscellium ; hence perhaps comes x x Cadenac in France . Vxellodunum , which is also sometimes writ Vxellodurum . So there is y y Or , Tambre . Tamar , a River of Gallaecia , Ptolemy ; Tamaris , in Mela ; Tamarici , a People of Gallaecia ; the River Tamarus , Pliny ; and z z Tamerton , by the River Tamar in Cornwall . Tamara , a Town in Britain ▪

a a Or , Ars. Sars , a River of Gallaecia , Ptolemy ; b b Sarck or Sars in Annandale . Sarcus in Scotland , Mela.

c c Evora . Ebora , a Town of Portugal , called L●b●ralitas Iulia , in Pliny and Ptolemy ; d d S. Lucar de Barameda . Ebura ; that which is Cerealis in Boetica , in Pliny is Ebora ; Ptolemy mentions * * Of d' Eureux . * * Dee or Die . Aulerci Eburaici in Gallia Celtica ; and also Eboracum , i. e. York , of the British Brigantes .

Deva , now Dee , a River of England ; and three in Scotland , so called , one in Galway , another in Angus , the third divides Merne from Marr.

The * * Cornish . Cornavii in England , are in the farthest part of the West , in * * Ca●●hness-Men . Scotland , they are the farthest North. Both of them are now called Kernici ; there seems also to have been a third sort of Kernici in Scotland , at the Mouth of the River Avennus , or Even , which is the boundary between the Coasts of Lothian and Sterling . For Bede makes the Monastery of Abercorn to be at the end of Severus his Wall , where now the Ruins of the Castle of Abercorn do appear . Aven is often read , a River both of England and Scotland . Aven in Scotish , and Avon in Welsh , signifies a River .

Of the Three * * Three Nations ( besides the Brittons , ) anciently inhabited this Isle . Nations which first inhabited this Island , after the coming of Caesar , the Britains were Subject to the Emperors of Rome successively , little less than Five Hundred years ; but the Scots and Picts were under the subjection of their own Kings . At length , when all the Neighbouring Nations did conspire for the Destruction of the Romans , they recalled their Armies from their most remote Provinces , to maintain their Empire at home . And by this means , the Britains , being destitute of Foreign Aid , were miserably vexed by the Scots and Picts ; insomuch , that they craved Aid of the * * Saxons invited in by the Brittons , Saxons , which then infested the Seas with a Pyratical Navy . But that project cost them dear . For the Saxons having repelled the Picts and Scots , being tempted by the fertility of the Country , and the weakness of the Inhabitants , aspired to make themselves Masters of the Island . But after various Successes in War , seeing they could not arrive at what they aimed at by Force , they resolved to accost the Britains by Fraud . Their Stratagem was this . There being a Conference or Treaty , agreed upon at a set Day and Place , between the Nobles of both Parties ; The Saxons having a sign given them by Hengist their Captain , slew all the * * Where , by Stratagem , they and their General treacherously Murder the English Nobility . British Nobility , and drove the common People into Rugged and Mountainous Places ; so that they themselves possessed all the Champain , and divided the fruitfulest part of the Island between them , into Seven Kingdoms . This was the State of Affairs in Britain , about the year of Christ 464. And whereas three German Nations did originally undertake Expeditions into Britain , the other two , by degrees , passed into the Name of English-Men . But the Peace made with the Brittons , nor with the English amongst themselves , was never faithfully observed ; About the year of our Lord 317 , * * Danes invade and Conquer Eng●and , under Swain . the Danes , being powerful at Sea , did first molest England with pyratical Incursions , but being Valiantly repulsed , about Thirty three years after they came with greater Forces , and made a descent into the Country with a Land Army . At the first conflict they were Victors , but afterwards they contended with the English , with various Successes , till in the year 1012. Swain , having wholly subdued the Britains , by their publick Consent , obtained the Kingdom , which yet remain'd but a few years in his Family . For the Saxons having again Created Kings of their own Nation , about Twenty four years after , were overcome by * * William the Norman Conquers the Dan●s , and is Crowned King of England . William the Norman , most of their Nobility being Slain , and their Lands divided among the Normans , by which means the common People were kept in a miserable Slavery , till Henry the Sevenths time , who , easing part of their burden , made the condition of the Commonalty a little more Tolerable . But those which are in favour with the King , or would seem to be truly Illustrious and Noble , derive their whole Sept from the Normans .

These are the discoveries which I have been able to make , out of ancient Writings , and other , no obscure , Indications , concerning the Original , Customs , and Language of the Three Ancientest Nations in Britain ; all which do induce me to believe , that the old Britains , and the other Inhabitants of Britain , were derived from the Gauls , and did originally use the Gallick Speech ; of which many Footsteps do manifestly appear , both in France and Britain . Neither ought it to seem strange , if , in a Language which admits of a change each moment of our Life , many things receive different Names in divers places , especially in a such a Longinquity of time ; ye● , we may rather admire , that the same Foundations of a Language , ( that I may so speak , ) and the same manner of Declension and Derivation , doth yet continue amongst a People , so far remote one from another , and so seldom agreeing together in converse of Life ; yea , oft being at mortal fewds one with another .

Concerning the other * * Three other Nations came into B●itai● . Three Nations , the Angles , Danes , and Normans , we need make no solicitous Inquiry ; seeing the Times and Causes of their coming are known almost to all . But I have entred upon this task , that I might restore Us to our Ancestors , and our Ancestors to Us ; if I have performed this well , I have no reason to Repent of a little Labour , though spent in none of the greatest concerns ; if not , yet , they who concur not with me in Opinion , cannot ( I beleive ) disallow or blame my Good-Will . And * * The Authors Ingenuity . I am so far from grudging or taking it ill , to have what I have Written refuted , that if any Man can discover greater certainty , and reduce me from my mistake , I shall return him great ▪ Thanks for his Pains .

I had resolved to put an end to this disquisition , concerning the Original of the Nations of Britain , if * * Lud f●rther c●nfuted . Lud had not called me back , even against my Will , who maintains , That the Scots and the Picts came but lately into Albium . Though I might , without any Offence , pass by the empty vanity of the Man , joyned with his Ignorance ; yet , lest the Faction of Unlearned ones , should too much Pride themselves with such a Patron , I thought fit , in a few Words , to convince the obstinacy of the Man , and that principally from those Arguments and Witnesses , which he himself produceth against us .

First , I will speak concerning his manner of Reasoning , and afterwards of the Matter it self .

Iulius Caesar , ( says he , ) and Cornelius Tacitus , Writers of so great diligence ; as also Suetonius , Herodian , and other Romans , who have wrote of British Affairs , have , in no part of their Works , made mention of Scots or Picts , and therefore doubtless , they had no Seats in Britain , in that Age. Wilt thou accept of this condition , Lud , that what Nation no Ancient Writer hath mentioned , never any such Nation was ? If you embrace this Motion , see how many Nations you will exclude from their Beings in one or two lines ? How great a Table of Proscriptions will you make ? Yea , What great Persons will you proscribe , Brutus , Albanactus , and Camber ? What Nations will you wholly eradicate , the Loegri , the Cambri , the Albani , according to thy Postulatum , who art a Tyrant in History , and Grammar both , as declining Albanus from Albanactus . But if that Condition proffered , do not please .

— Quia tu Gallinae Filius albae , Nos viles pulli , nati infaelicibus ovis . Because you are the Favorite of Fate , But we 're condemn'd to a low base State .

I will propound another to you , and such an one too , as you ought not , and ( I think ) dare not , refuse . There is a certain kind of probation out of Fragments , out of which , if you a little harden your Forehead , you may prove any thing . I am the more inclined to make use of this way of Proof , because you seem to love it most of all , as proving ( forsooth ) out of a Fragment , known ( I beleive ) to thy self alone , that an innumerable Multitude of the Cimbri went forth to destroy the Roman Empire ; I will therefore shew you out of a Fragment , that the Scots and Picts were in Britain before Vespasian's Reign , which you deny . In that Book to which you have given the Title of Fragmentum Britannicae Descriptionis , i. e. A Fragment of the Description of Britain ; I think , especially for this Reason , because you thought your self to have sufficiently proved , out of one of the two Fragments , that the Island was rather to be called Pritania , than Britannia ; and out of the other , that you had disgorged such a multitude of Cimbri , as were enough to Conquer all Britain : For this cause , you thought that your Fragment would get credit enough on that single account . In that Book , you write ▪ that the Name of Scots and Picts , together with the Franks and English , or Angles , were well known to the Roman World , and as a Witness of this Opinion , ( a meet one indeed , ) he produced * * Mamertinus . Mamertinus in the Panegyrick dedicated to Maximinianus , which witness , if I understand him a right , makes against Lud. For Mamertinus , speaking of the first coming of Iulius Caesar into Britain , hath these Words ; Moreover the Nation , as yet rude and dwelling in Britain , accustomed to none but the Arms of the Picts and the Hiberns , or Irish , their half naked Enemies , did easily yeild to the Arms and Ensigns of the Romans . See , I pray , what Lud would infer out of this Testimony ; First , that the Brittons alone did then inhabite the Island . Next , that the People there Named Hiberni or Irish , were afterward called Scots ; but the Author of the Panegyrick doth assert neither of the two . For he affirms , that before the coming in of Caesar , the Britons waged War against the Scots and Picts , of the British Soil , i. e. Enemies dwelling in the British Soil , so that Soli Britanni , is the Genitive not Nominative Case ; the other , he falsly assumes to himself ; for I think , I have sufficiently demonstrated out of Paulus Orosius a Spaniard , and Bede an English Man , that all the Inhabitants of * * All the Inhabitants o● I●●land anciently called Scots . Ireland were anciently called Scots , and then at length , when they sent Colonies into Albium , the Name of Scots was almost extinguished at home , and began to grow famous abroad : In another place , he contends , that the Caledonii were called Britons , grounding his assertion on no other Argument , than that he finds they were called Britains , which is a Name common to all who inhabit the same Island . But I have shewed before , out of the place of the Panegyrick , quoted by him , that the Caledonians were Picts , * * Marcellinus divides the Picts into Dicaledones , and Vecturiones . See p. 18. Marcellinus affirms the same thing , who says , that there are two sorts of Picts , the Dicaledones , or , ( as I think it ought to be writ , ) the Duncalecones , and the Vecturiones . But the Caledonii or Caledones dwelt in Britain before the Reign of Vespasian , neither were they unknown to the Romans , as Lucan plainly shews , who died in Nero's time .

Aut vaga cùm Tethys Rutupinaque littora fervent , Vnda Caledonios fallit turbata Britannnos . When raging Seas on Sandwich shores do beat , The troubled Waves do British Caledons cheat .

But why do I trouble my self to procure Foreign Testimonies , seeing we have a clear and nicking one at home , I mean Bede , the Writer of the Ecclesiastical History of England , for he takes notice of the Order , and almost of the very Moments , of time , wherein Foreign Nations passed over into Britain . These are his Words in his First Book . First of all , the Island was inhabited by Brittons , whence it hath its Name , who from the Armorick Tract , as it is reported , being wafted over into Britain , possessed the South-parts thereof , and having seized upon the greatest part of the Island , beginning from the South , it hapned that the Nation of the Picts , coming ( as 't is reported ) out of Scythia , and entring into the Ocean , with long Ships , or Gallies , but not many , by stress of Wind and Weather , were driven beyond all the bounds of Britany into Ireland ; and a little after , Wherefore the Picts coming into Britain , begun to seat themselves in the North parts of the Island : The Southern being possessed by the Brittons : And at length , after a few lines interposed , he adds , In process of time , Britany after the Brittons and the Picts , took in a third Nation of the Scots , as part of the Picts . Then , after many passages , he subjoins ; But the same Britanny was ●●accessible and unknown to the Romans , until the time of C. Julius Caesar. Whosoever thou art , who readest these passages ▪ observe , I pray , Whence , at What time , and in What order , this Autho● , much more ancient and grave than Lud , doth affi●m , that these Nations entred Britain , to wit , that the Brittons , from the Armorick Tract entred first , but the time not certain . That the Picts , out of Scythia , came next into those parts of Britain , which were yet void of Inhabitants , and that not long after the entrance of the Brittons , who were not as yet increased into such a multitude , as to be able to inhabit the whole Island . What then becomes of the Scots ? When came they into Britain ? In process of time , says he , viz. The Picts granting them the uninhabited Seats in their Districts , they came last to the former two . So the Brittons , as Bede affirms , came into this Island out of Armorica in France , and , not long after , the Picts out of Scythia ; both of them seized on the vacant and uninhabited places , at last , the Island being divided betwixt them , the Scots entred not by force , but were admitted into the Portion , and Lot of the Picts , and that long before Britain was known to the Romans . Here , How will you deal with Lud ? Who produces Gildas and B●de , as witnesses to his Fables , viz. That the Scots and the Picts did first of all fix their Habitations in Britain , in the Reign of the Roman Emperor Honorius , in the year of Christ●20 ●20 , of which two , Gildas makes nothing for him ; and Bede doth evidently convince him of Falshood . But let the Reader beleive neither Lud nor M● , but his own Eyes ; and let him diligently weigh the Places of each Writer ; but ( says he ) Dion calls the Caledonians , Britanni ; I grant he doth so , so doth Lucan , and also Martial , in that Verse , Quinte Caledonios Ovidi visure Britannos ; The Caledonians , which in Britain ▪ be , Quintus Ovidius is about to see .

But none of them therefore , deny them to be Picts ; yet they have good reason to call them Britains : For , as the whole Island is called Britanny , so all its Inhabitants are deservedly called Britains . For all the Inhabitants of the Isle of Sicily are generally called by the Romans , Sicilians , without any difference , though they themselves call one another , some Sicilians ; other Siciliotes ; so the possessors of Britany are , by Foreigners , all called Britains ; but they themselves oft call the ancient Inhabitants Brittons , and the other Nations living therein , sometime by the private Names of the Countries , whence they came , and sometimes by the common Name of Britains . Wherefore the * * Caledonians , Picts and Scots , are sometimes called Britains . Caledonians , Picts and Scots , are sometimes called , each Nation by its own Name , yet all of them , not seldom , by the general term , Britains . But Brittons , of which I have spoken , no Man ever gave them that appellation .

There is also another difference amongst them , to be observed in the Word Britannia ; as there is amongst the Greeks and Latins in the Word Asia . For Asia sometimes denotes the third part of the Habitable World , and sometimes it is taken for that part of the Greater Asia , which is situate on this side the Mountain Taurus , and is wont to be called Asia the Less . So Britanny is sometimes used for the Name of the whole Island in general ; and otherwhiles , only for that part of it , which was subjected to the Romans , which part was bounded sometimes by the River Humber , and sometimes by the Wall of Adrian , and sometimes by the Wall of Severus ; and the Inhabitants of this part , are by British Writers more usually called Britton than Britans ; but the other dwellers in the Island , i. e. the Scots and the Picts , Bede sometimes calls Britains , and sometimes Strangers and Foreigners ; we may also find the same observable difference in Geoffry of Monmouth , and William of Malmesbury . And therefore the Caledonians will be counted Brittons , never a jot the more , for being styled Britains by Dion , Martial , Lucan , or any other good Author , than the * * B●●tians , a People o● Magna Grecia in Italy , heretofore possessing the two Calalapr●●● . Brutians * * Romans , inhabiting the District abou● Rome . will be Romans , though both of them are Italians . If Lud had taken notice of these things , he had never involved himself in such dark Labyrinths , nor had he so rashly and inconsiderately made a positive determination in a point so obscure , nor had denied the Caledonians to have been Picts , because they are termed by Dion , Britains . Neither hath Lud any just cause to wonder , that no Writer more ancient than Ammianus Marcellinus , and Claudian , hath made mention of the Scots and Picts , though they dwelt so many , I will not say , years , but ages , in Britain . For , not to speak of the Valli , Cambri , * * 〈…〉 Men. Loegri , Names lately known to the World , I may ask him , why , seeing so many Greek and Latin Writers have written of the Affairs of Greece ; yet no Graecian once Names his Country-men Graeci ; nor no Latin Author calls them Hellenes ? Why did the Names of the Nations which I mentioned but now , creep so late into the History of Britain , which that Cambro-Britain makes to be so ancient ? If you ask any English●man , of what Country he is , none will answer , that he is a Saxon ; yet the Scots , Picts , Irish , both the Brittons , i. e. those that inhabit Britain , and those who dwell in France , do still unanimously call them Saxons : Why do not the old Scots , even to this very day , acknowledge and own the Name of Scots ? It ought not then to seem absurd to any Man ; if , when the Romans asked their Captives , of what Nation they were ; one said a M●atian , another an Attacottian , a third a Caledonian ; and the Names which Foreign Nations received from them they still retained , and used in their common publick Discourse ; neither , as I judge , will it seem incredible , that some Names are more known to Historians and Strangers ; and others , to the Inhabitants of the Country . Though the Premises do make it sufficiently appear , that the coming of Scots and Picts into Britain , is not only more ancient than Lud will grant it to be ; yea , that it was but a little later than the Britains themselves coming into it , yet I shall add other , and those no contemptible , Conjectures . The Brigantes , a great and powerful Nation , were seated beyond the River Humber , about York , and did possess the whole bredth of the Island , between the two Seas ; it is probable , that they came not from the Tract of France , which was nearest , for no Brigantes are said to have inhabited there , but out of Spain . First into Ireland , and from Ireland into Britain , as being a Neighbour Island to it ; neither doth this differ from the conjecture of Cornelius Tacitus , which he makes concerning the Ancient Inhabitants of the Isle . If the Brigantes came from Ireland , then they must be of Scotish Race , as all the rest of the Inhabitants of Ireland were . Seneca also seems to confirm this Opinion , in that Elegant Satyr of his , concerning the Death of Claudius , in these Words , Ille Britannos ultra noti littora Ponti , Et caeruleos Scutabrigantes dare Romuleis Colla Catenis jussit , & ipsum nova Romanae Iura securis tremere Oceanum . He , th' Britains , which beyond known Seas did dwell , And blew Scutabrigantes did compel Romes Yoke to bear . Yea the Ocean , so far spread , His Government , and his new Laws , did dread .

In these Verses , Ioseph Scaliger , the Son of Iulius , is of Opinion , that for * * Scutabrigantes , for Scotobrigantes , according to Ioseph Sca●iger . Scutabrigantes , we ought to read Scotobrigantes . Of how great Learning and Judgment that young Man is ; of what industry in comparing ancient Writers ; and of what acuteness in finding out the meaning of obscure Passages , the Books set out by him do declare . At present I shall only say , that having undertaken to illustrate the Affairs of Britain , I thought his Judgment was not to be omitted ; and I will declare , in a few Words , why I think it to be true ; for seeing we read in Caesar , and other Authors , eminent both for diligence and knowledge , that the Britains were wont to paint their Bodies with Woad ; and in Herodian , that they used narrow Shields in War , ( such as Livy ascribes to the Asiatick Gauls , ) and no great Ornament in their Arms ; it seem'd absurd , to make mention of the Sheild , which was not Painted , the mention of the Body , which was Painted , being omitted . Now the old Britains were Painted , not for comliness , as other Nations , not a few were ; but that their blewish colour might render them more terrible to their Enemies in Fight ; but how that colour could appear terrible in a narrow Sheild , I do not understand . And therefore it is very probable , that that Learned Man , and Skilful in British Affairs , as who , according to Dion , kept the whole Island under Tribute , wrote the Word , Scotobrigantes , that he might distinguish them from the other Brigantes , both Spanish and Gallick . It makes also for the same purpose , that in those Verses he separates the Britains and Brigantes , as two different Nations , which is also done by some British Writers , who make Humber to be the boundary of Britain . This matter being not well considered by * * Hector Bo●tius mistaken . Hector Boetius , as I judge , lead him into a mistake , who , having some where read , that the Silures and Brigantes were called Scoti , as having their Original from Ireland , placed them in part of the Kingdom of the Scots , in Albium . His mistake , though it may justly offend others , yet ought not to have been so severely censured by Ludd , who hath committed as great Mistakes in the same kind ; for he makes the Cumbri , or ( as he calls them ) the Cumri , to issue out of a Corner of Britain , to plunder the whole World : For he infers from one or two Words , common to them both , that the Cimbri and Britanni were of one Nation . Those Words are Moremarusa and Trimarchia ; Here it is worth the while to take notice of the Man's acuteness , in disputing , and of his subtilty ( forsooth ) in drawing out of Inferences and Conclusions . This Word Moremarusa , says he , is a British Word , Iron . but it was once a Cimbrick one , and no Nations else besides , which dwelt by the Baltick Sea . But seeing our Country-Men use the same Word , and are called by the same Name with those other Cimbri , therefore ( sure ) both were of the same Stock and Nation .

In this Matter , first he affirms Falshoods for Truths , and also takes Uncertainties for Certainties . For it is a manifest Untruth , That both of them are called Cimbri , even * * Ludd censured . Ludd himself being Witness , who affirms , That all the Inhabitants , his Country-Men , of Cambria , were so called from their King , Camber , and he calls himself a Cambrobritain . I could also prove the Falshood of this Opinion , by the Testimony of all his Country-Men , who do not call themselves Cimbri , but Cumri . As That is false , so This is uncertain , whether other People dwelling by the Baltick Sea , did not use that Word , which you attribute to the Cimbri alone ; especially since it appears out of Tacitus , That many Nations , in that Tract of Germany , spake the Gallick Tongue , and I shewed before , that Word to be Gallick . But suppose , that both of your Assumptions were true , What then ? Did you never read , That the Souldiers of Cn. Pompeius , when he waged War in Asia , were saluted by the Name of Brethren , by the Albans , dwelling in the Mountain Caucasus , by reason , that Both of them were called Albans ? Neither do I doubt , but that if a Man had observed Both Tongues , he might have found one or two Words , signifying the same thing in Both : But they wanted such a Man as Ludd there , who because both People had certain Words common between them , would thereby prove , that both were of the same Nation ; and yet the purblind Man seems to be sensible of the Non sequitur of his Conclusion , when he adds that the Cimbri were called * * Aestiones , inhabiting P●ussia & Liv●nia . Aestiones , by the Germans ; That he might make that out , he should have shewed , at what Time , and upon what Grounds , the Cimbri were Transformed into Aestiones ; and the Aestiones again , into C●mbri . He speaks not a lot of this , but only cites a British History , collected out of the a a Mi●esian Fables o● 〈◊〉 ; For the Inhabitants of M●●tum in 〈◊〉 were infamous for telling Tales , so far from being true that they had not the least shadow o● Truth in them . Milesian Fables , of the Gauls , and also quotes a certain Fragment , whence he , being now Degraded from an Antiquary , to be either a Botcher , or a Scraper together of old useless Relicks , or ( if I may so speak ) a Fragmentary , doth piece up New Kingdoms and New Nations , for us ; This he doth with great Labour , and yet with no Colour of probability , whereas , yet it was very obvious to him , ( unless perhaps it was above the Poor Man's reach ) to find out the Causes , why the Name Cimber was communicated to the Cimbri , and the Valli too : For Plutarch says , That it was not the Name of a Nation , but of an Occupation or Employment , and that Robbers were so called by the Germans . Suidas , no ignoble Grammatian amongst the Greeks , understands the Word in the same sense ; and Festus Pompeius , amongst the Latins , writes , that the Cimbri were called Plunderers , by the Gauls . If we follow these Men's Opinions , it will not be difficult to find out , why the Cimbri , whom Ludd places in Britain , came by that Name , especially since their Neighbours , the Angli or English , do affirm , That , even in this Age , their Manners did not much abhor from that Thieving Occupation . Sure I am , That Livy calls that Slave that was sent to kill Marius in the Prison of the a a When Marius , by Sylla's Faction , was driven out of Rome , he hid himself stark naked in the Mud & Weeds of the River Liru , ( now Garigliano ) in the Kingdom of Naples ; where being found out , he was carried to prison at Minturnae , a Town hard by , whither a Gaul , or Cimber , being sent to kill him , he saw such a Majesty in his Countenance , that he return'd without perpetrating the Homicide . Minturnae , a Gaul ; Lucan calls him a Cimber , but no Noted Writer styles him a Britain . If Ludd had considered these things , or , if , after Consideration , he had chosen rather to remember them , than to frame new Monsters to himself ; there was no Necessity for him , in one Moment of Time , or rather , with one Falshood , to have left all Britain almost destitute and forsaken , all its Military Young Men being exhausted , and Six Hundred Thousand of them drawn out from it at a Clap.

I will not here descend to a minute Inquiry , to what Children the Valli are wont to give the Names of the Cimbrick Kings ; for this diligent Writer brings in This also as an Argument of their Stock .

If I mistake not , besides Latin , German , and Syriack ones , he will find very few Names . But if a solid Argument may be fetched from the proper Names of Men , ( which are often-times arbitrarily imposed by Parents , or vain-gloriously adopted out of some History ) then Ludd might rather persuade us , That his Country-Men are Iews , Romans , or Germans , than Cimbri : Or , if he would have advised his Compatriots to give Baptismal Names , fetched out of History , to their Children , within a few Years , he might transform his Country-Men , into what Nation soever he pleased . But touching the Names of the Cimbrick Kings , which , he says , were accustomed to be given to Children ; I would willingly have asked the Man , From what Oracle he received it ? Unless I knew before-hand , that he never wants some Fragment , out of which he can prove what he list himself . But this I can't but admire , touching that Cimbrick Expedition , how all their Military Men being sent aboard , that within the space of Forty Years , ( for it was about that Interval , between the Cimbrick War , and Iulius Caesar's arrival in Britain , ) your Country of Vallia , should so soon recover to be so populous ; especially , since , when Maximus drew forth a far lesser Number out of Britain , even , when it was in its most flourishing Estate , the Britains could , never after , hold up their Heads , but they were brought into bitter Servitude by the Saxons : Or why Caesar , who , for his Age , might have made mention of the Cimbrick War , when he came into Britain , being also a Learned Man , and a great Favourer of the Marian Party , did find out nothing , by Inquiry , concerning this Cimbrick Expedition . Lastly , I desire to know , Whether Ludd spoke in Jest or in Earnest , when he added , that the Affinity of Both the Cimbri might be inferred from their equal contempt of Gold and Silver ? Here I would willingly ask of him , Whether he spake in Earnest , when he calls those Cimbrians , who did not only vex and plunder Gallia or Gaul , and a part of Spain too , but in a manner wholly wasted and destroyed them both ? And yet afterward hastned to Italy , in quest of a Richer Booty ? Whose Opulency , got by Robberies , the b b Switz ●● . H●lvetians imitating , they also became Plunderers , as Strabo relates in his Seventh Book . Dare you call such Men Frugal and Temperate ? And that it may appear , that the Cimbricks Name is truly assigned to your Nation , you make them emulous of those Employments , to which the Cimbrians were accustomed ; yea , you make your self a P●lferer too , who aspirest to the c c Iron . Glory of a Plagiary , with stealing from all Nations : For , not content to have vindicated the Deeds of the Cimbri , to your Country-Men , you add with as impudent and fictitious an Untruth , that the d d Sicambri or Westpha●s●●●s . Sicambri were also of your Stock : And because in the Name of Both Nations , there is a certain Similitude of Letters , from that Cognation of Words , you feign a Conjunction of Blood . At this rate , besides the Sicambrians , the Franks , and their Childrens Children , to all Generations , will be allyed to you ; and so , after a packed Series of Lyes , you raise a Bridge to bring back the Fugitive Brenni ; of which , one , who took Rome , lived about an Hundred Years before the other , who besieged Delphos ; but you do jumble and compact them together into one Body , that so you might dress up a new Monster out of a Dead and Living Man , piec'd together ; as if it were difficult to prove , Irony . by other Arguments , that Monsters are born in that very Country , which brought such a Person as you , forth . But , says Ludd , no Writer acknowledgeth , that there were two Brennus's , besides Polydore Virgil. Surely , Ludd , thy Reason hath forsaken thee , or else thou hast never read the Fourth Book of Strabo , where he writes , That the Brennus , who besieged Delphos , is , by some , thought to be Prausus . Yea , not Strabo alone , but every Man , who believes that Rome was taken by a e e Brennus's ▪ Two . Brennus , and that above an Hundred Years after Delphos was besieged by a Brennus , doth acknowledge , That there were Two of That Name ; seeing both those Enterprizes could not be performed by one and the same Man . But if we believe the Monk , the Compiler of the British History , Brennus , the Brother of Belinus , preceded these two Brenni , three hundred Years ; who , if he had led his Army into Italy at that time , must have fought with Numa Pompilius , or with Tullus Hostilius , and not with the Free People of Rome . But to omit these things , whence doth this new Logician gather , that Brennus was a Britain ? Forsooth , from one word only , viz. Trimarchia , which word yet is common to Scots , Gauls , and Welsh . But Pausanias , whom you quote maimedly , and by piece-meal , that so he may make for your purpose , calls Brennus and his Companions ▪ Gauls , and acknowledgeth That Word to be Gallick ; but you , Sir , you only , such is your shamelesness , against the Credit of all Greek and Latin Historians , yea , and in spight of the Muses themselves too , do strive to prove him a Britain . Perhaps I have prosecuted this Argument a little more prolixly , than either the obscurity of the Matters themselves , or the unskilfulness and unconstancy of Ludd , did deserve ; I have done it , not out of a desire to carp at , or blame , others , ( which I am far from , ) but that I might abate the edge of the unsavory abusiveness of a Person so loquacious and reflective , thus reducing h●m from his wild and extravagant rage , ( whereby he speaks evil of almost all Writers , ) that so I might bring him , at last , to acknowledge his Errour . To omit others , at present , he falls , with great scurrility , upon Hector Bo●tius , a Man not only well-skilled in the Liberal Arts , but also endued with singular Humanity and Courtesie , and famous too , beyond the ordinary rate of the Times , he lived in ; and he so falls upon him , as to blame nothing in him , of which he himself is not more foully culpable . f f Hector Bo●tius and Lud compared , and Both of them censured , for some Mistakes . Hector places the Brigantes in Gallway , wherein he did amiss ; for I have no mind to defend his Mistakes : But Ludd brings out great Forces of the Cimbri , from one Corner of Britain , how truly , let the Learned judge . Hector attributes Matters , acted by others against the Romans in Britanny , to his Country-Men , the Scots . And Ludd doth shamelesly and falsly affirm , That Rome was taken , Macedonia vexed , Greece afflicted , the Noblest Oracle of the World sacrilegiously violated , by his Country-Men , the Britains ; yea , that Asia it self was compelled to pay Tribute to a few Vagabonds . He blames Hector , but falsly , for making Gildo , who raised up great Commotions in Africa , a Scot ; and yet , he makes the same Gildo , who was indeed a M●●r , to be a Goth ; but Gildus and Gildo ( forsooth ) are Names almost alike . Let me ask you , Are they more like , than Luddus , Lydus , and Ludio ? This is certain , that Gildus is an old Name in Scotland , as the Ancient Clan of the Macgilds , or Macgills , doth shew ; of whose Posterity there are yet Families remaining of good account , both in Scotland and England . But , seeing Ludd hath such an intemperate Tongue , that he cares not what he says , provided he may abuse others , I shall leave him , and conclude this Book , only giving him this Caution , That Loripedem rectus derideat , Aethiopem albus . They that Faults in others blame , Must not be guilty of the same .

The Third BOOK .

THô I have sufficiently demonstrated in the Two former Books , how fabulous , yea , how portentous , the Memoirs are , which the Writers of the British Affairs have delivered , concerning their Ancestors ; and have also shewn , by plain and clear evidences , that the Ancient Britains had their Original from the Gauls : Yet , because , I perceive , I have to do with Men , that pertinaciously adhere to a manifest Falshood , rather than with such as lapse by Rashness or Ignorance ; I thought it worth my labour , if , out of Writers of great Authority amongst all Learned Men , I took off the edge of such Hair-brain'd Mens boldness ; and , by that means , supply'd Good Men , and Lovers of Truth , with sufficient Arms to restrain and curb their daring and affronting Impudence . In the rank of such Classick Authors , I judge , Iul●us Caesar deserves the first Place , both for his Diligence in searching , his Certainty in knowing , and Sincerity in declaring things to others . He , in the Fifth Book of his Commentaries concerning the Gallick War , writing of Britain , says thus , The inner part of Britain is inhabited by such , as they themselves record to be born in the Island ; and the Maritine Coasts , by such as came out of Belgium , either to make Incursions , or Invasions ; and after the War was ended , they continued in the Possessions they had gained , and were called by the Names of the Cities , from whence they came . The Country is very populous , and well-stored with Houses , much like those of the Gauls ; They have great store of Cattle ; they use Brass for Money , or Iron rings , weighed at a certain rate . In its Mediterranean parts , there is found great quantity of Tin , and , in the Mountainous parts , Iron ; th● but in a small quantity ; their Brass is brought in by other Nations . They have all sort of Trees , that they have in Gallia , excepting the Beech and the Firr . Their Religion will not suffer them to eat either Hare , Hen , or Goose , notwithstanding they have of them all , as well for novelty as variety . The Country is more temperate , and not so cold , as Gallia : The Island lyeth Triangular , whereof one side fronteth Gallia ; on which side , That Angle , wherein Kent stands , points to the East , where almost all Ships arrive from France : And the lower Angle , to the South ; This side containeth above 500 miles . The other Angle lyeth toward Spain , and the Western Coast , in that Circuit , where also Ireland lyeth , which is an Island half as big as England , ( as some think ) and as far distant from it , as Gallia ; In the Midway between England and Ireland , lyeth an Island called Man ; besides many other small Islands , of which some write , That in Winter time , for 30 days together , they have a continual Night , whereof we learned nothing by inquiry ; only we found , by certain measures of Water , that the Nights in England were shorter than in the Continent . The length of this side , according to the opinion of the Inhabitants , containeth 700 miles . The Third side lyeth to the North , and open Sea , saving that this Angle doth somewhat point toward Germany . This side is thought to contain 800 miles . And so the whole Island containeth in circuit 2000 miles . Of all the Inhabitants , they of K●nt are most courteous and civil , all their Country bordering upon the Sea , and little differing from the fashion of Gallia . Most of the Inland People sow no Corn , but live upon Milk and Flesh , they are clothed with Skins , and have their Faces painted with a blew colour , to the end , they may seem more terrible in Fight . They wear the Hair of their Heads , long ; having all other parts of their Body shaven , except their Head ▪ and upper Lip . Their Wives are common to Ten or Twelve , especially Brethren with Brethren , and Parents with Children ; but the Children that are born , are accounted His , unto whom the Mother was first given in Marriage .

And awhile after , he says ,

By these He understood , that ( Verulam , ) Cassivellanus's Town was not far off , fortified with Woods and Bogs , and well stored with Men and Cattle . The Britains call that a Town , when they fortifie Woody Fastnesses with a Ditch and a Rampire , and so make it a place of Retreat , when they stand in fear of incursions from their Enemies . 〈◊〉 taken by Caesar. Thither Caesar marched , with his Army , and found it well fortified both by Art and Nature ; And , as he assaulted it in Two several places , the Enemy stood to it awhile , but at last , were not able to bear the brunt and fury of the Assailants , but made their escape a back way out of the Town . Thus he took it , and found therein great store of Cattle , and , in the onset , slew and took prisoners many of the Britains .

Tacitus , in the Life of Julius Agricola .

THE Site of Britanny , and the Inhabitants thereof , thó they have been already described by sundry Writers , The description of Britain , according to Tacitus . I purpose here to declare , not to compare with them in careful Ingenuity , but because it was then first thorowly subdued , so that such things as our Ancestors , without perfect discovery , have polished with Pen , shall now be faithfully set down upon Knowledge . Britanny , of all the Islands known to the Romans , the Greatest , coasteth by East upon Germany ; by West , towards Spain ; and it hath France on the South : Northward , no Land lying against it , but only a vast and broad Sea beating about it . The Figure and fashion of all Britanny by Livy , of the Ancients , and Fabius Rusticus of the Modern , the most eloquent Authors , is likened to b b It doth not appear , how this resemblance holds , and therefore some think , those Aut●●rs to be better Historians , than Resemblancers : and , indeed , ●f the whole Island were not conquered by the Romans , ( as confessedly it was not ) I do not see , how they could give us the perfect Form and Shape thereof ; a long Dish , or two-edged Axe , and so is that Part shapen indeed , on this side Caledonia : Whereupon , the Fame went of the whole , as it seemeth : But there is beside , a huge vast tract of Ground , which runneth beyond unto the furthermost Point , growing narrow and sharp like a Wedge . This point of the utmost Sea , the Roman Fleet , then first of all Doubling , discovered Britanny to be an Island ; and withal , found out and subdued the Isles of Orkney , before that time never known . Thyle also was discovered at aloof , which Snow hither and Winter had covered . The Sea thereabout they affirm to be dull and heavy for the Oar , and not to be raised , as others are , with Winds ; belike , because Land and Mountains are ●are , which minister Cause and Matter of Tempests , and because a deep Mass of continual Sea is slower stirred to Rage .

To examine the Nature of the Ocean and Tides , pertaineth not to this Work , and many have done it before . One thing I will add , and may safely avouch , that the Sea , no where in the World , rageth and ruleth more freely , carrying by Violence so much River Water , hither and thither , and is not content to Flow and Ebb so far as the Banks , but inserteth and windeth it self into the Land , shooting into the Mountains and Cliffs , as to his own Chanel . Now , what manner of Men the first Inhabitants of Britanny were , Foreign , brought in , or Born in the Land , as among a barbarous People , it is not certainly known . Their Complexions are different , and thence may some Conjectures be taken : For the Red Hair of the dwellers in Caledonia , and mighty Limbs , import a German Descent : The coloured Countenance of the Silures , and Hair most commonly Curled , and Site against Spain , seem to induce a belief , that the old Spaniards passed the Sea , and possessed those places . The nearest to France likewise resemble the French , either , because they retain something of the Race , from which they descended ; or , that in Countries butting together , the same aspects of the Heavens do yeild the same Complexion of Bodies ▪ But generally it is most likely , the French , being nearest , did People the Land . In their Ceremonies and Superstitious Persuasions , there is to be seen an apparent Conformity : The Language differeth not much , like boldness to challenge and leap into Dangers : When Dangers are come , like fear in refusing them ; saving , that the Britains make more shew of Courage , as being not mollifi'd yet by long Peace ; for the French also were once , as we read , redoubted in War , till such time , as giving themselves over to Peace and Idleness , Cowardise crept in , and Shipwrack was made both of Manhood and Liberty , together : And so it is also befaln to those of the Britains , which were subdued of old ; the rest remain such , as the French were before . Their strength in the Field consisteth in Footmen ; some Countries make War in Wagons also : The greater Personage guideth the Wagon , his Waiters and Followers Fight out of the same . Heretofore they were govern'd by Kings , now they are drawn , by Petty Princes , into Parties and Factions : And that is the greatest help we have , against those Puissant Nations , that they have no common Council together . Seldom it chanceth , that two or three States meet and concur to repulse the common danger : So , whilst one by one fighteth , all are subdued . The Sky is very Cloudy , and much given to Rain , without extremity of Cold. The length of Days much above the measure of our Climate ; the Nights light , and , in the furthermost part of the Island , so short , that , between the going out and coming in of the Day , the space is hardly perceived , and when Clouds do not hinder , they affirm , that the Sun-shine is seen in the Night , and that it neither Setteth nor Riseth , but passeth along , because , belike , the a a Later A●tho●● can ha●dly reconcile this reason with the Principles of the Mathematicks : And besides , the matter of Fact is very questionable extream and plain parts of the Earth project a low Shaddow , and raise not the darkness to an heigth ; so the Night falleth under the Sky and the Stars ; the Soil , setting aside the Olive , the Vine and the rest , which are proper to warmer Countries , taketh all kind of Grain , and beareth it in abundance ; it shooteth up quickly , and ripeneth slowly ; the Cause of them both is the same , the overmuch moisture of the Soil and the Air. Britany beareth Gold and Silver , and other Metals , to inrich the Conqueror . The Ocean bringeth forth Pearl also , not Orient , but duskish and wan , which proceedeth , as some do suppose , for lack of skill in the Gatherers . For , in the Red Sea , they are pulled out panting , and alive from the Rocks ; but in Britany , cast out by the Sea , and so taken up . For my part , I do rather beleive the Nature of the Country not to yeild it , than that our Covetousness could not find out the way to gather it aright .

The Britains endure Levies of Men and Money , and all other Burdens imposed by the Empire , patiently and willingly , if Insolencies be forborn : Indignities they cannot abide , being as yet subdued to be Subjects , not Slaves .

b b The several Roman Generals , that had come over into Britain , or waged War therein , in or before Tacitus his time , viz. The first of the Romans , which entred Britanny with an Army , was Iulius Caesar ; who , although he terrified the Inhabitants with a Battel , which went on his side , and gained the Shoar , yet may seem rather to have shewed the place to Posterity , than to have delivered to them the possession thereof .

The Civil Wars ensued , and Bandyings of Men of great quality , against the Republick of Rome ; and long after that , lay Britany forgotten , even in Peaceable Times . Augustus termed it Policy , and chiefly Tiberius , so to do .

That Cajus had a meaning to invade Britanny , it is certainly known ; but his rash running Head , and hasty Repentance , and chiefly his great Attempts against Germany , turning to nothing , averted that purpose .

* * Claudius and Vespasian . Claudius did first , with effect , prosecute the matter , transporting Legions and Aids ; and assuming Vespasian into the action , which was the beginning of the Greatness , whereunto he after attained . Some Countries were subdued , some Kings were taken , and Vespasian made known to the World .

The first Lieutenant General was * * Aulus Plautius . Aulus Plautius , then * * Ostorius Scapula . Ostorius Scapula , both Excellent Warriers : And so , by little and little , was the nearest part of the Island reduced to the Form of a Province ; and besides , a Colony of old Souldiers established there . Certain Cities were also bestowed , in pure Gift , upon King Cogidunus , ( who remained most Faithful even in our days ) according to an old Custom , anciently received of the Romans , to use even Kings themselves , for Instruments of Bondage .

* * Didius Gallus . Then Didius Gallus succeeded ; who kept That which his Predecessors had gotten , and builded some few Castles further in the Land , to win by that means a Fame and Credit to his Office .

After Didius , succeeded * * Verantius . Verantius , who died within one year .

Then * * Suetonius Paulinus . Suetonius Paulinus , for two years space , behaved himself Fortunately , subduing the Nations and establishing Garisons . Upon Confidence whereof , going to assail the Isle of Man , which ministred supply to the Rebels , he disfurnished the Country behind , and laid it open to all opportunities of the Enemy . For , through the absence of the Lieutenant , the Britains , free of fear , began to discourse the Miseries of Bondage , to lay their Injuries together , and aggravate them by Constructions and Inferences , as , That their Patience had profited them nothing , save only to draw heavier Burdens upon themselves , as Men willing to bear them . That , whereas in former times , they had only one King , now were there Two thrust upon them , the Lieutenant to suck their Blood , the Procurator , their Substance , whose disagreeing was the torment of the Subjects ; and their agreement , their undoing ; the one vexing by Souldiers and Captains ; the other , by Wrongs and Indignities . That now their Covetousness and Lust laid hold , without exception , on all . And , whereas in Field , he that spoileth is commonly stronger : Now , were they , by Cowards and Weaklings , for the most part dispossessed of their Houses , berest of their Children , injoyned to yeild Soldiers for other Mens behoof , as though they were Men , that knew to do nothing else , save only to die for their own Country . For otherwise , what a small handful of Souldiers were come over , if the Britains would fall to reckon themselves : That Germany had so shakt of the Yoke , having no Ocean Sea , but only a River , for their Defence . That their cause of taking Arms was Urgent and Just ; their Wives and Children , their Parents and Country ; that the Romans had nothing to move them to War , but their own Covetousness and wanton Lust : And that they would doubtless depart , as Iulius Caesar had done , if the Britains would imitate the Virtues of their Progenitors , and not be dismayed with the doubtful event of one Skirmish or two . That Men in Misery had more courage and vehemency to attempt , more constancy to continue : And now , even the Gods seem'd to pity the Poor Britains Estate , having sent the Roman Captain out of the way , and confined the Army , as it were , into another Island . That now being assembled to advise and deliberate together , they had attained the hardest point in an action of that Nature , wherein , without question , it were more danger to be taken consulting than doing . With these and the like Speeches , inciting one another , by common consent , they resolve to take Arms under the Conduct of * * Or , ●oadicea . Voadicea , a Lady of the Blood of their Kings : For , in matter of governing in Chief , they make no distinction of Sex . And first pursuing the Soldiers , which lay divided in Garisons , and winning the Forts , they invaded ( anon ) the Colony it self , as being the Seat of their Slavery : In Sacking whereof , no kind of Cruelty was omitted , which either Anger , or the Rage of Victory , might induce a barbarous People to practise . And unless , upon knowledge had of the Revolt , Paulinus had come to succour , with speed , Britany had then been lost , which , with one prosperous Battel , he restored to her former Obedience , and patient bearing the Yoke ; some few keeping out , and remaining in Arms , whom the guilt of the Rebellion excluded from all hope of Pardon , and some fear also of the Lieutenants private Displeasure . Who , though otherwise a singular Man , yet seemed to shew too much haughty and hard dealing toward those which yielded themselves , and to revenge , in a sort , his own Injury . Whereupon * * P●●●●nius Turpilianus . Petronius Turpilianus was sent in his place , as a more intreateable Person , and a Stranger to their Fault● , and therefore more ready to receive their repentance ; who having composed former Troubles , and daring no further , deliver'd to * * Trebellius Maximus . Trebellius Maximus the Charge ,

Trebellius , a Man unfit for Action , and altogether unexpert in Service by a kind of courteous and mild Regiment , kept the Country in quiet . For now the Britains also had learned the good Manners , not rudely to repulse the sugred assaults and flattr'ings of Vices ; and the disturbances of civil Dissensions ministred a lawful excuse for his doing nothing . But the Soldier , accustomed to warfare , wax'd wanton with Ease , and grew to be mutinous . Trebellius by flying away , and hiding himself , eschewed their first indignation , and anon resuming his place , without Majesty , without Authority , he Ruled by way of Intreaty , and at his Soldiers discretion : And so coming , as it were to a Capitulation , the Army , for Licence to do what them listed ; the Captain , for safety of his own life , the Mutiny ended without any Blood-shed .

* * Vectius Bolanus . Vectius Bolanus succeeded him in Place , and in the same loosness of Discipline ; the Civil Wars continuing still , like default against the Enemy , like License in the Camp , saving , that Bolanus a good honest Man , not odious for any crime , instead of Obedience , had gotten Good-will .

But when as Vespasian , with the rest of the World , recovered Britanny also ; Great Captains , Good Soldiers , were sent , and the hope of the Enemy was greatly abated . For straightways * * Petilius CeCerealis . Petilius Cerealis struck a terror into them , by invading , upon his first Entry , the Brigantes , the most populous State of the whole Province . Many Battels were fought , and some bloody , and the greatest part of the Brigantes were either conquered , or wasted .

And whereas Cerealis would doubtless have eclipsed the Diligence and Fame of another Successor , * * Iulius Frontinus . Iulius Frontinus , a Great Man , as he might well be called after that Predecessor , sustained the Charge with Reputation and Credit , subduing the puissant and warlike People of the Silures : Where he had , beside the valour of the Enemy , to struggle with the straights and difficulties of the Places themselves .

Cicero in his Epistle to Trebatius , in the 7th Book of his Familiar Epistles .

I Hear , that , in Britain , there is neither Gold nor Silver ; If that be so , yet I persuade thee to catch what thou canst , and return speedily to us ; But if we can attain our desire , ( without the help of Britain ) do thou act so , that thou mayst be reckoned amongst my Familiar Friends .

* * Orosius concerning Ireland and Britain . Paulus Orosius , speaking of Ireland , hath these words .

THis , ( Ireland ) being the nearest Island to Britain , is narrower in circuit , or space of ground than It , but more commodious for temper of Soil and Air ; It is inhabited by the Nations of the Scots . The Isle of * * Orosius concerning Ireland and Britain . Anglesey , or rather Man , is also near to it , an Island not very large , but of a good Soil , which is also inhabited by the Scots .

The same Author says .

THe Conqueror Severus was drawn into Britain by the revolt of almost all his Allies ; after he had fought many great and notable Battels , he judged it best to separate and divide that part of the Island , which he had regained from the other unconquered Nations , by a Wall ; And for this end , he made a great Trench and a strong Wall , fortified at the top with many Towers , for the space of 130 mile from Sea to Sea .

Ado , the Archbishop of Vienna , speaks the same things , almost word for word . The mistake of both in the number of miles is to be corrected , by writing 32 for 132.

Out of the 35th Chapter of * * Solinus , his description of Britain , and its Inhabitants Solinus .

IT ( i. e. ) Britain , is environed with many Isles , and those not unrenowned ; whereof Ireland draweth nearest to it , in bigness ; it is an uncivil Country , by reason of the savage Manners of the Inhabitants , but otherwise so full of Pasturage , and Cattle , that , if their Herds in Summer time be not now and then restrained from feeding , they would run a great danger of Over-eating themselves . There are no Snakes , there , and but few Birds ; the People are inhospitable , and warlike . When they have overcome their Enemies , they first besmear their Faces with the Blood of the slain , Right and Wrong , Good and Evil , all is one to them . If a Woman be delivered of a Man-child , she lays his first Meat upon her Husbands Sword , and , putting it softly into his Mouth , giveth him the first handsel of his Food , upon the very point of the weapon , praying , ( according to the manner of the Country ) that he may not otherwise come to his end , than in Battel , and amongst Arms. They that love to be fine , do trim the hilts of their Swords with the Teeth of Sea-calves , for they make them as white , and as clear , as Ivory . The Men do chiefly glory in the beauty of their Armour . There is not a Bee amongst them ; and if a Man bring of the Dust , or the little Stones from thence , and strow them among Bee-hives , the Swarms forsake their Combs . The Sea , that is between Ireland and Britain , is stormy and rough most part of the year , so that it can hardly be sailed over , but a few days in Summer time . They Sail in Keels of Wicker , done over with Neats-Leather . How long soever their passage continueth , the Passengers abstain from Meat , all the while , such as have throughly examined it , have esteemed the bredth of that narrow Sea , to be 120 Miles . A tempestuous Sea also divided the Islands of the Silures , from the Coast that the Britains inhabited ; the Men of which Island keep their old customs , even to this day . They utterly refuse Buying and Selling for Money , but barter one Commodity for another , providing things necessary , rather by exchange than ready Money . They worship the Gods , very devoutly . As well the Women as the Men boast of their Knowledge of Fore-telling things , to come . The Isle of Thanet is beaten upon by the French Sea , and is divided from Britain with a very narrow Strait , it is happy in Corn Fields , and a fat Soil , and healthful , not only to its Inhabitants , but to others also . Forasmuch as there is no Snake bred there , the Earth thereof , to what place soever it is carried from thence , killeth that Vermin .

Out of the Third Book of * * Herodian , concerning Britain . Herodian , Translated into Latin by Politian .

BUt Severus made delays on purpose , that he might not make his entrance into Rome , Poorly ; for , being desirous of Victory , and of the Sirname of Britannicus , he sends the Ambassadors home before he had done his Business , whilst he himself in the mean time , with great diligence , prepared all things necessary for War . His first and chief Care , was , to erect Bridges on the Marish Grounds , that so his Soldiers might stand safely , and fight as upon firm ground ; for many places in Britain are Marishy , because of the frequent Inwashings of the Ocean . The Barbarians themselves do swim through these Moors or Marishes , and run up to the Groins in them , ( not regarding the Mud , ) with their naked Bodies . For they are ignorant of the use of Garments to cloath them , but do girt their Belly and their Neck with Iron , thinking that to be an ornament and sign of Riches ; as other Barbarians do , Gold . And besides , they mark their Bodies with various Pictures , and with the shapes of all manner of Animals , and therefore they cloath not themselves , lest they should hide the painted outside of their Bodyes . But they are a very warlike Nation , and greedy of slaughter , being contented only with a narrow Shield , and a Lance. And moreover , they wear a Sword hanging down from their naked Bodies , and are wholly ignorant of the use of Coats of Male , or Helmets , as judging them to be an hindrance and a luggage to them , in passing over the Marishes , whose Vapors , being exhaled by heat , make the Air there always dark and misty .

* * Ammianus Marcellinus , concerning Br●tain . Out of the 10th Book of Ammianus Marcellinus .

THis was the state of Affairs throughout Illyricum , and the Eastern Parts : But in the Consulship of Constantius , when matters were very often disturb'd in Britanny , by the inroads of those barbarous Nations , the Scots and Picts , and thereby Peace was broken , and , the places near to their Borders being wasted , which caused a fear to seize on the Provinces , already tired with their many past slaughters , Caesar , then being in his Winter Quarters at Paris , was distracted with divers Cares , for he feared to assist those Transmarine People , as I related before , thô Constantius did , lest he should leave Gaul without a Governor , in the mean time . The Almaius , or Germans , also then being very eager on Cruelty and War : And therefore he was pleased to send * * Lupicinus . Lupicinus thither , to compose matters , who was as a Commissary-General of the Army at that time , a stout Man , and very skilful in Military Affairs , and prided himself much therein , so that he was very supercilious and haughty , and to speak Proverbially , as proud as a Peacock . It was a great doubt , whether he was more Covetous or more Cruel ; He , having caused the Vanguard to march , viz. The Lombards , The Hollanders , and many of the * * M●●sici , inhabiting part of Pomer●nt●● , an● part of Mechlenbu●g . Moes●ci , came to Bolongne , in the depth of Winter . And embarking all his Soldiers in those Ships , which he had provided , taking advantage of a favourable Wind , he was wafted over to Sandwich , and so went to London , that , there he might advise , and be in readiness to act according to emergencies .

Out of his 26th Book .

THe Picts , Saxons , Scots , and Attacotti vex the Britains with perpetual Miseries .

Out of this 27th Book .

IT 's sufficient for me to say , That , at that time , the Picts being divided into Two Nations , the Dicalidones , and the Vecturiones , and also the Attacotti , a warlike People ; and the Scots ranging several ways , spoiled many Shires , and Countries . The Franks and Saxons , as they had opportunity to make inroads by Land or Sea , plundered the Gallican Tracts , near to them , and carried from thence mighty Booties , firing all before them , and killing those which they took Captive . To hinder this , Fortune favouring him , our warlike Commander came into these extreme parts , from Bolongne , which is divided from the Land he was to make by the Streights of the Sea ; which is wont to be raised by high Tides , and again levell'd , in a Calm , like a Plain , without any prejudice to the Mariners ; from thence he gently passed over to Richburrow , a safe Harbor over against it , whence , being followed by the Batavi , * * Or Lombards . Heruli , and Iovii trusting to their conquering Numbers , he came to the old Town of * * London Anciently called Augusta . London , since called Augusta , — where , dividing his Troops , he set upon the praedatory Bands of his Enemies , and they being loaden with spoils , he quickly overcame them and took away their prey , both of Prisoners and Plunder , to their great damage . He restored all to the losers , except a small part bestowed on his wearied Soldiers ; thus he re-entred the City , in Triumph , before forelorn , but now relieved by him . Being lifted up by his prosperous success , he designed greater matters , and intended to follow safe Counsels , for he had learned both by Prisoners and Deserters , that such scattered Troops of sundry Nations , and those fierce ones too , could not be conquered , but by Treachery or suddain Assault . So that he made Edicts , and propos'd Impunity , and , by that means called in all Stragglers and Deserters . Hereupon , many returning , he being moved thereby , and anxiously careful , required * * Civilis . Civilis to be sent to him to Govern Britain , a Man of a sharp Wit , and very Just and Honest too , and also * * D●lcitiu● . Dulcitius , a Commander , very skilful in Warlike Affairs .

Out of the 39th Book of Dion 's Relation concerning Caesar 's coming into Britain . Dion .

CAesar , First of all the Romans , having passed the Rhene , afterward was wafted over into Britanny , in the Consulship of Pompeius and Crassus . The Island itself is extended 45 Stadia , at least , beyond the Morini . And it is stretched out beyond the rest of Gaul , and almost all Spain , reaching out into the Sea . It was unknown to the Ancient Greeks and Romans . And their Posterity did doubt , whether it were a Continent or an Island ; and many Writers who were ignorant of the Truth , as having not seen it themselves , nor had any Information from the Inhabitants , ( but spoke only by Conjectures ) in their Records , as their Leisures and Humours were , some counted it One , some the Other . But , in process of time , when Agricola was Chief Commander , and afterwards in the time of Severus the Emperor , it was clearly found out , to be an Island . Caesar , when he had setled things in France ; and subdued the Morini , desired to pass over thither , and accordingly he transported his Foot , where it was most convenient , but he Landed not where he ought to Land . For the Fame of his coming being noised abroad , all the Britains had prepossessed the passages of the Continent . But he , sailing beyond a Prominent Rock , made his descent elsewhere , and , repulsing those who first hindred his Landing , he put his Men on Shore before many of the Britains could unite to impede him ; and afterwards he repelled their Aids too , which came in , conquered their Garisons , and mastered the Island . Yet not many of the Barbarians were slain , for they , fighting on Horseback , and out of Chariots , did easily avoid the Romans . ( who had then no Horse Forces . ) But being amazed at those things , which were related concerning them out of the Continent , and that they were so bold as to transport themselves , and make their descent into their Island , they sent some of the Nation of the Morini , their Friends and Allies , in Embassy to Caesar. First of all , Caesar demandded Hostages , and they promised it . But afterward perceiving , that the Naval Force of the Romans , both those near at hand , and farther off , were shattered by Tempest , they changed their Minds , yet they did not openly set upon them , ( for their Camp was well guarded ) but having surprized some of them , who were sent in a peaceable manner , to provide things necessary , they put them almost all to the Sword ; excepting some , whom Caesar , speedily sending forth other Forces , relieved ; and presently , they make an onset on his Camp , but were shamefully repulsed , without effecting any thing , yet they came not to Terms with Caesar , till they had been often worsted by him ; and on the other side , Caesar had no great mind to make a League with them . But the Winter being now at hand , and his Forces not then sufficient to carry on the War , many of those which he brought over , being dead , or slain ; and besides , the Gauls , in his absence , were attempting alterations , he clapt up a Peace with them , in a manner against his Will , demanding many Hostages , but receiving a few only . Thus was he wa●ted back into the Continent , where he quelled the Mutineers , and settled Affairs , neither reaped he any publick or private advantage from Britain , worth his Labour ; but that he had assaulted it by Arms. For this very reason , he was much pleased in himself , and his Friends did mightily extol him at Rome . For when , they saw , that Places , before unknown , were now brought to light ; and being before never heard of , were now discovered , they embraced their Hopes , as if they had been Enjoyments , and antedating their success , they rejoyced , as if they had already obtained their desired Conquest , and therefore they decreed Supplications to the Gods for Twenty days .

Out of the First Chapter of the first Book * * B●de 's Relation , concernning the B●itains . of Bede .

THe Islanders do profess one and the same Theology , and that in Five Tongues ; viz. Of the Angles , Brittons , Scots , Picts , and Latins , which , by the Meditation of the Scriptures , is made common to all the rest . But , in the first place , the Brittons only inhabited the Island , from whom it took its Name , who coming over into Britain , as it is reported , from the * * Base-●●etagne in France . Armorick Tract , seized upon the Southern parts thereof . And they having possessed a great part of the Island , beginning from the South , it happened , that the Nation of the Picts , venturing to Sea , with a few Gallies , as is reported , from Scythia , made their Descent in Ireland , the Winds hurrying them beyond all the Coasts of Britain , and having Landed there , and peirced even to the Northern parts thereof ; where , finding the Nation of the Scots , they desired part of their Allotment , for their Habitation , but could not obtain it .

Out of the Fifth Chapter of the first Book of the same Author .

SEverus an African , born at Lebeda , near Tripoli ; * * Rather the 15th . the Fourteenth from Augustus Caesar obtained the Empire , which he held Seventeen years . He , being of a fierce Disposition , * * Severus his expedition into Britain , according to Bede . as always vexed with continual Wars , governed the Common-Wealth with great Valour , indeed , but with equal Toil. And , being a Conqueror in the Civil Wars , which were very greivous in his Time , he was enforced to pass over into Britain , upon the Revolt of almost all his Allies ; where , after many great and cruel Battels , he gained part of the Island , and divided it from the Un-conquered part , not with a Wall , ( as some think , ) but with a Trench only . For a Wall is made of Stones , but a Trench , wherewith Camps are Fortified , to repel the force of Enemies , is made of Turf , cut out of the Earth ; yet , as a Wall , it is built high above the Ground , so that there is a Ditch before it , out of which the Turfs are digged and heaved up , above which , Pallisadoes , made of strong Wood , are prefixed and hung out . Wherefore , Severus drew a great Ditch , and a firm Graff or Work , fortified with many Towers above , from Sea to Sea , and then he died at York .

Out of his Twelfth Chapter of the same Book .

AFterwards , Britain being despoiled of all her Armed Souldiery , and of her chief florid Youth , which were carried away Captive , by the severity of Tyrants , and never returned again , was laid open to be preyed upon , and plundred , as being wholly ignorant of the Art of War . At last , it was suddenly harassed by Two Transmarine Nations , the Scots from the South , and the Picts from the North , under whose yoke she groaned , many years : I call them Transmarine Nations , not because they had their Habitations out of Britain , but because they were remote from the Allotment of the Britains , two Creeks of the Sea running betwixt them , one of them from the East Sea , and the other from the West , running far into Land , though they reach not one to the other . The Oriental one hath , in the midst of it , the City Guidi . The Occidental one above it , i. e. on the right Hand of it , hath the City * * Dumb●●ton . Alcluyth , which , in their Tongue , signifieth a Rock , for * * Cl●th , or Cyte . Cluyth is situate by a River of the same Name . By reason of the Incursions of these Nations , the Brittons send Ambassadors to Rome , with complaining Missives , craving Aid of them with mournful Supplications , and promising perpetual Subjection to them , if they would drive away those Enemies , that were at their very Doors ; hereupon an Armed Legion was designed for their Assistance , which being transported into the Island , and fighting with their Enemies , slew many of them , and drove the rest beyond the limits of their Allies . And thus , having delivered them from their cruel Bondage , they advised them to build a Wall within the Island , between the two Seas , which might be a Safeguard to them , to repel their Enemies ; and then , in great Triumph , they returned home . They , hearkning to their advice , erect a Wall , as enjoined , not so much with Stones , as Turfs , but having no eminent Artificers , fit for such an undertaking , it was good for little . They made it between the two Seas , or Bays ( of which I lately spake ) of the Sea , for many Miles ; that so , where the Waters were not a Defence , there , by the advantage of the Wall , they might secure their Borders from the Inrodes of their Enemies . The evident Marks and Footsteps of this high Wall , and Work , do remain to this day . It begins at almost a Mile distant from the Monastery of Kebercurnig , toward the West , in a place called , in the Picts Language , Panuachel , but in the English , Penueltima , and bending against the West , it is terminated by the City Alcluyth . But their former Enemies , as soon as they perceived , that the Roman Souldiers were departed , being carried in Ships , brake into their Borders , killing and spoiling all before them ; and , as if they were Corn ready for the Sickle , they Mow , Trample upon , and Destroy them . Hereupon , the Brittons send a second Embassy to R●m● , with redoubled Complaints and Lamentations , desiring Aid , lest their miserable Country should be whol●y Razed , and the Name of a Roman Province , wherewith they had been honoured so long , should now grow cheap and precarious , by the Invasion of Foreigners . Hereupon , another Legion was sent , which , according to Command , arriving in Autumn , made a great Slaughter of their Enemies , and drove all that made their escape , beyond the Seas , who , the year before , drove all their Preys beyond those Seas , without any Resistance . Then the Romans told the Britains , That they could come no more , on such chargeable and toilsome Expeditions , for their Defence , but they advised them to take Arms themselves , and Fight with their Enemies ; that , were it not for their Sluggishness , they might be as Valiant as They. Moreover , they thought it advantageous to their Allies , whom they must leave , that a Wall was drawn directly from Sea to Sea , between the Cities , which were there built for fear of Enemies , where also Severus made a Trench . This Wall they built accordingly with firm Stone , both with the publick and private Purse , ( as is yet to be seen ) taking to their Assistance a Company of the Britains . It was Eight Foot broad , and Twelve high , in a direct line from East to West . Both are yet to be seen , after they had built it , they gave strict charge to the Inhabitants , for their self-Defence , and afforded them Examples for the Training up in Arms ; but in the South shore , where their Ships were lodged , because from thence they feared the Irruptions of the Barbarians , they erected Towers , at proper distances , for the prospect of the Sea , and so they took their leaves , as never intending to Return .

And a little after .

In short , they fly , and are dispersed , leaving their Cities and Walls ; their Enemies follow , and make more cruel Slaughters than ever before . For , as Lambs are devoured by Wolves , so were the poor Country-Men torn in pieces by their Enemies ; so that , being ejected out of their Habitations , and in danger to be Starved , they exercised Robberies , and mutual Rapacities , to keep themselves alive . Thus they increased external Slaughters , by Domestick Broils , till all the Country was quite despoiled of Food , but what was got by Hunting .

Out of the Epistle of Gildas .

WHom he commanded to build a Wall , between the Two Seas , on the further side of the Island , that it might be a Terrour to Enemies , and a Defence to the Inhabitants . And after : The remainders of them sent lamentable Letters to * * The Britains make a lamentable complaint to Aetius at Rome . Aetius , a Man of great Authority in Rome , beginning thus ; To Aetius , thrice Consul , the Groans of the Britains ; and , a little after , they complain , The Barbarians repel us to the Sea ; The Sea beats us back to the Barbarians . Between these Two kinds of Death , we are either killed on Land , or drowned at Sea , neither have we any Fence or Releif against either of them .

The Fourth BOOK .

HAving undertook to write the History of our Nation , that the Series thereof might appear more plain to the Reader ; I have , in my former Books , premised a few ancient Memoirs , and especially Those , which are freest from Fabulous Vanities , and are also most Consonant to Old Writers .

First of all , it is constantly reported , and there are many Evidences to confirm the same , That a great multitude of a a A Colony of Spaniards come into Ireland . Spaniards , being driven out of their own Country , by their powerful Dons ; or else , voluntarily departing , by reason of their superabounding populousness , transported themselves into Ireland , and seized upon those Places of that Island , which were nearest to them . Afterward , the healthiness of the Air , and the fatness of the Pasturage , invited many others to follow them ; especially , seeing their Seditions at home , and the Injuries offered them by Foreigners , ( to which Spain was always subject ) drew many thither , in hopes of a quieter Life , ( which Voyage they were more easily persuaded to undertake ) because , they looked upon themselves as going into an Island already possessed by their own People , and , by that means , as it were , their second Country . This Stock of Spaniards did so flourish and increase , in a Country fit for Propagation , that now they were not contented within the bounds of Ireland , but frequently made Emigrations into the lesser Islands , near adjacent .

In the mean time , the Scots ( for that was the general Name of the whole Nation , ) propagating their bounds through the Islands of Aebudae , and dispersing themselves by Tribes and Kindreds , without either King or fixed Government : A b b A German Fleet is driven into the Aebudae . German , or , as Bede writes , a Scythian Fleet , came to the Coasts of Ireland , being driven thither , 't is very probable , by stress of Weather ; for they had not their Wives or Children aboard with them . They , being very Poor , having nothing left them , by reason of so long a Voyage , but only their Arms , sent Ambassadors to the Scots , desiring them , that they might inhabit amongst them . Answer was sent them , That they themselves were compelled to seek their Habitations in those small Islands ; which , by reason of the Barrenness of the Soil , were also Unfruitful ; and , if it were otherwise , yet all of them , if they should forsake them quite , would not be sufficient to entertain so great a multitude . But in regard , they pitied the common Miseries of Mankind , and were particularly affected with their Condition , whom Divine Providence had so grievously afflicted ; and who did not seem to be wholly Strangers to their Lineage , ( as by their Language and Customs appeared , ) they would therefore give them their Advice , and , as far as they were able , would assist them to execute it . Their Advice to them , was , to Sail to their Neighbour Island , Albium , which was large and fruitful , and , in many places , then uninhabited ; and also , by reason of the Condition of those Inhabitants that were in it , who were under several Kings , at fewd one with another ; and , consequently , very weak . That amidst those Discords , 't were easy for them , by supporting the weaker side , to make themselves Masters of that large Country ; and that in this matter , they would afford them their assistance .

The Narrowness of the c c From thence they sail to Albium . Aebudae , and the Lowness of their own Condition , for so it then was , made them give ear to this Counsel . So that these Germans ( which were afterwards , both by the Romans , and their Neighbor-Nations , called d d Pi●●s were Germans , at first . Picts ) Landing upon the Coasts of the Island , bordering on the German Sea , having expelled the Inhabitants , which were but few , and those at mutual Discord amongst themselves , they brought a great part of that District under their Subjection ; and , soon after , in prosecution of the Friendship with the e e Scots and Germans joyn in affinity . Scots , so happily begun , they took Wives from amongst them , and so were , in a manner , compacted into one Nation with them . By this mutual Intercourse betwixt them , a great many Scots , being either detained by their Allies , who were yet but weak ; or else , driven by Want and Penury ; or , for loss of their Relations , fixed their Habitations amongst the Picts : The Picts , at first , were glad of their coming ; but , when they grew numerous , by degrees , they began to fear , lest , if the Scots increased in strength , they would become their Masters ; So that , First in their secret Assemblings , and afterward in their publick Councils , they muttered , That Care was to be taken , That no stranger should hereafter be intermixed amongst them : And some Way was to be found , that the number of those , who were already admitted , might be lessened . A Rumor also was spread abroad , that it was revealed from Heaven to the f f A Pictish Prophecy . Picts , That their Nation should in time be extirpated by the Scots . These Suspitions caused the Two Nations , which before were very amicable , to part companies . The Scots betook themselves to the Mountainous places , which were less fit for Culture , in regard they were more addicted to Pasturage , and Hunting : And the g g Scots and Picts fall out , and divide their Habitations . Picts possessed the Low-lands , which were more fertile , and fit for Tillage , situate near the German Sea . Thus their Friendship , before contracted by so many mutual Kindnesses , did soon break forth into a terrible Civil War . For the Seeds of a deadly hatred were sown between those Two Nations , both of them being of fierce Dispositions , thô the occasion , at first , was but trivial , as some little Pets , Chidings , and some few Injuries sustained .

The h h The Brittons foment the Divisions between the Scots and Picts . Brittons , being Enemies to both Nations , having gotten this opportunity , fomented the Dissensions ; and did freely offer Aid to the Picts , even before they desired it , against the Scots . When the Scots perceived , That these things were in Agitation against them , they sent elsewhere for Aid , and procured a Foreign King to assist them against so imminent a Danger . The Commanders of the Islanders , being almost all of equal Authority , and scorning to stoop one to the other ; i i Fergus sent for out of Ireland by the Scots , and made King . Fergusius , the Son of Fer●hard , was sent for , with Forces , out of Ireland , being counted the most eminent Person among the Scots , both for Advice and Action , He , by the publick Consent of the People , was chosen King , and charged to prepare his Army to undergo the Shock of a Battle , if need required . Just about the same time , a Rumour was dispers'd abroad , which came to the Ears both of the k k The Army of the Picts and Scots at a stand . Scots and Picts , That the Brittons were managing some ambiguous Counsels , equally pernicious both Nations ; and , That they would set upon the Conquered , and Conquerors together , with their Arms , and , destroying both , or else , driving them out of the Island , they Themselves would enjoy the Whole . This Report made both Armies doubtful , What course to take ; and , for a time , kept them both within their Trenches . At length they came to a Treaty , and , perceiving the secret Fraud of the Brittons , they inclined to make Peace one with another ; which being confirmed , the Three different Armies Returned home . The Brittons , having failed in their first Project , attempt another Wile . They privily sent in Robbers amongst the Picts , who drove away their Cattle ; when the Picts demanded Restitution , they answered , That they should seek it from the Scots , who were accustomed to Thieving and Plundering , rather than from Them . Thus they eluded the Ambassy , and sent away their Ambassadors , without their Errands ; so that the Matter did appear to be a plain Mockery . Their fraudulent Counsels being thus more and more discover'd , l l The Scots and Picts unite against the Brittons . the late reproach did incense the Hearts of Both Nations against them , more than the Relicks of their Anger , for their former Injuries ; and therefore , Levying as great an Army as they could , both Kings , Two several ways , invaded the Coasts of the Brittons , and , destroying the Country with Fire and Sword , returned home with a great Booty . To revenge this Loss , the Brittons enter Scotland , and came as far as the River Don , * * Or Down , in Kyle . and having ravaged the Country thereabouts , with greater Terror than Loss to the Inhabitants , they pitched their Tents upon the Bank of the River . Fergus , having sent their Wives and Children , and other portable things , into the Mountains , and Places inaccessible for Armies , secured all the Avenues , till the coming of the m m And actually joyn . Picts ; with whom he at length joyned his Forces , and , communicating Counsels one with another , they resolved to make a Diversion , and lengthen the War , by making an Incursion , with vast Forces , into their Enemies Country ; and so to weary them out . But n n C●ilus , King of the B●ittons overthrown in Coil , now called Kyle , by the Picts and Scots . Coilus ( that was the name of the King of the Brittons ) understanding , by his Spies , the cause of their delay , sends Five Thousand Men before to lye in ambush , in the upper grounds , and he determined to lead forth the rest of his Army directly against the Enemy . When the Picts knew this , they again consulted with the Scots , and , by way of Prevention , they agreed to assault the Camp of the Brittons by night , and accordingly , drawing out their Forces , the Scots in the Pront , the Picts in the Rear , attack their Enemies before day ; Viz. Coil . and , by this means , they made a great slaughter of the Brittons , being as it were halfe asleep , whom the former delays of their Enemies had made secure and confident . In this Battel , Coilus himself fell , with the greatest part of his Army , and made the Place , in which it was fought , Famous from his Name . o o Fergus , the First King of Scotland , drowned at 〈◊〉 - Fergus , a noted Town , with a ●●●ge Bay ad●oyning , in the Province of 〈◊〉 in I●eland . Fergus returning home a Conqueror , the Scots setled the Regal Government upon Him and his Posterity , by the Solemnity of an Oath . Afterwards , having quieted Matters in Scotland , he returned back into Ireland , to quell Seditions there ; where , having composed all things , as he was returning home , a Tempest arising suddainly , he was drowned , not far from the Port , called , from him , Fergus his Rock ( i. e. ) Knock-Fergus , or Carrick-Fergus , in the Twenty fifth Year of his Reign . Historians say , That his coming into Albium , was , at the time when Alexander the Great took Babylon ; about 330 Years before the Birth of Christ .

Feritharis , Second King of Scotland .

FErgus dying , left Two Sons behind him , Ferlegus and Mainus ; neither of them yet able to manage the Government ; so that the Chiefs of the Clans meeting together to declare the succeeding King , there was great Contention amongst them ; Some urging the late Oath , whereby they had bound themselves to preserve the Scepter for the Fergusian Family ; others alleging , What great hazards they might run under an Infant King . At last , after a long Dispute , a Medium was found out ; whereby , neither the Infant , not yet fit to manage the Government , should actually Reign , nor yet their Oath be violated ; which was , p p An old Law in Scotland , concerning Succession to the Crown . That , whilst the Children of their Kings were Infants , one of their Kindred , who was judged most accomplished for the Government , should weild the Scepter in their behalfe ; And if he dyed , then the Succession of the Kingdom should descend to the former Kings Sons . This Law did afterwards obtain for almost 1025 Years , even until the days of Kenneth the III. of whom I shall speak in his place . By virtue of this Law , Feritharis , Brother to Fergus , obtained the Kingdom , and managed it 15 Years , with such Equity and Moderation , that his Subjects found him , a just King ; and the Orphans or Pupils , a good Guardian ; Having , by this Carriage , procured Peace abroad , and got the Love of his Subjects at home ; yet he could not allay the Ambition of his Kindred . For q q Ferlegus conspires against his Uncle Feritharis . Ferlegus , being inflam'd with a desire to Reign , having first communicated his Design to the most turbulent of the Soldiers , and such as were most desirous of Innovation and Change , comes to his Uncle and demands the Kingdom of him , which he held ( as he alleg'd ) not as his Own , but in Trust only for him . r r Feritharis willing to resign the Crown . Feritharis was so far from being disturbed at this rash undertaking of the young Man , That , calling an Assembly of the States together , he Declared to them , That he was ready to lay down and resign the Regal Scepter ; adding also many words in Commendation of the young Man ; As for himself , he had rather freely resign up the Kingdom , with which he was but intrusted , willingly , which his death , now near at hand , would deprive him of , that so , his Fidelity towards his Nephews might appear to be rather of Good Will , than of Necessity . But such was the Respect and Love , all did bear to s s But the People oppose it . Feritharis , that they utterly disliked this over-hasty Desire of the Kingdom , in Ferlegus , which they manifested , not only by their Countenances and Frowns , but by the loud Acclamations of the whole Convention and Assembly . And having discovered , by Spies , the Conspiracy against the Uncle , thô they judged the Author of so detestable a Design , to be worthy of Death ; yet the Memory of this Father Fergus , and the present Favour and Desires of his Uncle , did so far prevail , that they did not inflict it on him for his designed Wickedness ; only they set t t Ferlegus imprisoned , Keepers about him , which should watch over , and pry into , all his Words and Actions . But he , being impatient , not presently to obtain what he hoped for in his Mind , thô the delay would have proved but short , deceiving his Keepers , with a few others privy to his design , fled away , First , to the Picts , and finding there no encouragement for his desired Innovation ; But makes his escape . afterwards , to the Brittons , where he lived an obscure , and consequently , an ignoble , Life . But Feritharis , a few Months after , And , in his absence , is condemned , for the presumptive murder of his Uncle . was taken off ; 't is doubtful , whether by Disease , or Treachery . The former Ambition of Ferlegus , the De●ection of his Conspiracy , and his late Flight , raised such Suspitions , that he was guilty of his Death , that he was unanimously condemned , in his absence , about the Fifteenth Year after his Fathers Death .

Mainus , the Third King .

FErlegus being condemned , Mainus , his Brother , was created Third King of the Scots , a Man more like to his Father and Uncle , than his Brother , Ferlegus : He confirmed and setled Peace with his Neighbours abroad , punished the Wicked and Profligate at home , and constantly performed Religious Exercises ; whereby he procured to himself such an Opinion of Justice and Piety , That , as well Foreigners , as his own Subjects , thought it a Nefarious thing to hurt such a Person . He was better guarded by this Opinion of his * * The best Guard for a Prince . Sanctity , than by his Military Forces ; after he had Reigned 29 Years , he departed this Life , being much lamented by all Good Men.

Dornadilla , the Fourth King .

HE left a Son behind him , called Dornadilla , the Successor of his Kingdom ; in point of Equity , like his Father , but very unlike him in the other parts of his Life . For he spent much of his time in Hunting , as judging that Exercise to be proper enough in a time of Peace , and healthful ; u u Laws about Hunting made by King Dornadilla . as also very beneficial to harden the Body for War . And besides , the Mind did suck in the purest pleasures therefrom , and was greatly strengthened thereby , against Covetousness , Luxury , and other Vices , which spring from Idleness . Report says , That the u u Laws about Hunting made by King Dornadilla . Venatory Laws , which the Ancient Scots observe to this day , were made by him . He deceased in the 28th Year of his Reign .

Nothatus , the Fifth King .

AFter his Death , the People placed Nothatus , his Brother , on the Throne , his own Son Reutherus being yet Immature , in point of Age , for the Government . This a a Nothatus , the First of the Scotish Kings , that set up Arbitrary Government . Nothatus changed the Government , which , till then , had been moderate , and bounded with Laws , into an Arbitrary Domination ; and , as if his Subjects had been given him to Prey upon , not to Defend , he punished High and Low , promiscuously , with Forfeiture of Goods , Banishment , Death ; and all sort of Miseries , so that scarce any addition could be made to his Cruelty . By these Severities , most of the People were cow'd out , only one Dovalus of Galway , an Ambitious Man , thinking it a seasonable opportunity for him to advance himself , by reason of the Peoples Hatred against their King ; and knowing also , that his own Life was insidiously aim'd at by the King , he resolves to prevent him . And accordingly , all things being in a readiness , and being accompanied with a great number of his Vassals and Friends , away goes he to the King , and openly upbraids him with the Slaughter of the Nobility , with the seizure of their Goods and Estates , and with his Enslaving the Commonalty ; and demands of him , to restore the Kingdom , which he was not able to manage , to the Right Heir . Nothatus , being thus Bearded and Affronted , contrary to his Expectation , yet remitted nothing of his former Stoutness , but answered peremptorily , That he would maintain what he had done , by his Kingly Prerogative ; and , if he had carried it somewhat Despotically , it was to be imputed not to his own Disposition , but to the Contumacy of the Subject , who had enforced him thereto . These Taunts increased the Animosities between them , so that at last it came to Blows , and b b He is Slain by Dova●us . Nothatus was Slain by Dovalus and his Partisans , after he had Reigned , Cruelly and Avariciously , Twenty Years .

Reutherus , the Sixth King .

WHereupon , Reutherus was made King by the Dovalian Faction , without the Suffrages of the People : The Nobles , hearing of it , though they judged Nothatus worthy of the worst of Punishments , yet did not approve so bad an Example ; and they took it in greater disdain , because a Publick Convention was not consulted , but the choice of the chief Magistrate devolved on the Pleasure and Arbitrement of one Man : Besides , that it was not to be thought an Obliging Act in him , thus to advance the young Man to the chief Power , who was , as yet , unfit to Rule . For such as look'd narrowly into the matter , would find , That only the Name of King would be given to Reutherus , but the whole Power would reside in Dovalus . However , it did not much concern the Publick , whether Nothatus , or Dovalus were King , unless , perhaps , they did hope for a more Tolerable Life under Him , who , being a private Man , durst adventure to Murder his King ; and so to deliver over the Scepter to another private Man , than under one , who was not so extream or Cruel in his Government , until , by the Permission of the People , he was back'd with Power and with the Terrour of an Army . The Kindred of Nothatus , hearing such things to be bruited abroad , insinuating themselves into the Societies of those who did Regret such Evil Carriages , at last gain'd this Point , That War should be denounced against Dovalus ; and that Ferchard , Nothatus his Son in Law , should be General of their Army . Neither did Dovalus refuse to give Battel : They fought twice in one and the same Day ; the Dovalians , though Superior in number , yet were beaten and put to flight , more of them being Slain in the pursuit , than in the Battel . For , besides c c Dovalus and Getus , King of the Picts , slain in Battel . Dovalus himself , and the chief of his Faction , there fell also Getus , the King of the Picts , with many of his Men. Reutherus , the new King , was taken Prisoner , and pardoned , out of respect to his tender Age , to the Memory of his Father , and to the Royal Blood which ran in his Veins . Neither was the Victory Un-bloody , even to the Conquerors themselves , almost all the chief of the Clans being Slain , with many common Souldiers also . This Conflict of the Scots and Picts , brought matters to that low ebb in Britain , that they who survived fled into Desert and Mountainous Places , and even into the Neighbour Islands , lest they should become a prey to the d d The Brittons enter Scotland . Brittons ; who , having now gotten that opportunity , which they long thirsted after , peirced into the Country , as far as Bodotria , ( now called Forth ) without any resistance . Afterwards , having made a little Settlement of Things there , they went forward against the Caledonians , and , having scattered those who were there gathered together to oppose them , they seized upon the Champion Countries of the Picts , and , placing Garisons there , thinking the War to be at an end , they return'd home with their Army . In the mean time , the remainders of the Scots and Picts , which had retired to the Mountains , Woods , and other inaccessible Places , did vex the Governors of Castles and Garisons , by Robbing them of their Cattle ; upon which , they themselves also did Live ; and , being increased by the accession of greater Forces from the Islands , they sometimes burnt Villages , and fetcht in Preys further off , so that the Ground was left without Tillage in many places . The Brittons , either being detained by home-bred Dissensions , or , not thinking it adviseable or safe , to lead their Army into such difficult and almost inaccessible Places , where they could meet their Enemies with no Forces more numerous than they had to oppose them , did by their slow Actings , increase the boldness of their Contrariants . The Scots and Picts being thus miserably afflicted for Twelve years , at length , a new Fry of Lusty Warlike Youths grew up , ( who , in so great streights that they had undergone , were enured to Hardship , ) those sent Messenger● all about , and , mutually exhorting one another , they resolved to try their Fortunes . Whereupon , Reutherus sails out of Ireland into the Aebuaae , and from thence into Albium , and Landing his Forces at the Bay , now called Lough Brien , and there joyning with young Gethus , the Son of old Gethus who was slain , who was also his Wifes Brother , they Consulted together , concerning the Manage of the War . The Issue of their Consult , was , That it was best to draw towards the Enemy unawares , whilst he was unprepared ; assoon as they met , the Service was so hot , and the Fight so sharp , that neither Army had reason to boast ; so that Both of them , being wearied with Slaughter , made e e But make Peace , at last , with the Scots and Picts . Peace for some years : Reuther , or ( as Bede calls him ) Reuda , returned to his ancient Seat of Argyle , and the Scots were , a long time after , from him , called * * Scots called Dalreudini , and Why ? Dalreudini ; for Daal , in old Scotish , signifieth a * * 'T is Partem ( a part ) in the Copy , which , some think , is mistaken for Pratum . Part , as some ; or a Meadow or Plain , as others . From whence , he made a further Progress , and , in a short time , enlarged his Dominions even to their Ancient Bounds . After he had Reigned Twenty Six Years , he died , leaving a Son behind him , named Thereus , begot upon the Daughter of Gethus .

Reutha , the Seventh King .

BEcause Thereus was yet scarce Ten Years old , and so too young to undertake the Kingdom , according to the Law , long before made and observed , concerning the Succession of Kings ; therefore his Uncle f f Reutha was declared King ; who , being free from External Wars , endeavoured to reduce the People , who were grown almost wild by their former Sufferings , and also insolent upon their late Victory , ( though a bloody one , ) into a milder Carriage and Deportment ; and , accordingly , he enacted many publick and profitable Laws , of which , not a few yet remain amongst the Ancient Scots . Having Reigned Seventeen Years , with so good a Decorum , being reverenced and beloved of all ; either for want of Health , ( to which he himself imputed it ) or else , fearing the Ambitious Nature of his Kinsman Thereus , he resigned up the Government , the People being hardly brought to consent thereunto ; and at his Resignation , there was a large Panegyrick made in his Praise .

Thereus , the Eighth King .

g g Thereus his cruel Reign , he flies his Country , and dies an Exile . THereus was substituted in his stead ; in the first Six Years of his Reign , he so managed the Government , that Reutha's Predictions concerning him , seemed to be true . But after That time was expired , he ran headlong into all manner of Vice , not by degrees , but all at once ; insomuch , that putting the Nobles to Death by False Indictments , some lewd Fellows thereupon did , without fear , range over all the Kingdom , using Rapines and Robberies at their pleasure . The Phylarchae , ( i. e. chief of the Clans , ) bewailing the deplorable State of the Publick , determined to proceed judicially against him ; which he having notice of , fled to the Brittons ; where , despairing of his return , he ended his Days in great Contempt and Ignominy . In the mean time , Conanus , a prudent and regular Person , was elected Vice-Roy ; he restored and strengthened what the other had impaired and weakened ; he restrained Robberies , and having composed Matters as well as he could , he received News of the Death of Thereus , whereupon , in a Publick Assembly , or Convention , of the Estates , he abdicated the Magistracy , about the Twelfth Year after Thereus began his Reign .

Josina , the Ninth King .

JOsina , Brother of the late King , was raised to the Helm of Government ; He did nothing memorable one way or other , only he had h h Iosina , with his Nobles , great Lovers of Physi●k and 〈◊〉 . Physicians in very high esteem ; because , when he was banished , with his Father , into Ireland , they had been his great Intimates . Whereupon , the rest of the Nobility complying with the Humour of the King , it came to pass , that for many Ages , there was scarce a Nobleman or Gentleman in Scotland , which had not the Skill to cure Wounds : For there was then little use of other parts of Physick amongst such Men , who were educated parsimoniously , and enured to much Labour and Toil. He died in a good old Age , having Reigned Four and Twenty Years .

Finnanus , The Tenth King .

HIS Son Finnanus succeeded him , who , walking in his Fathers Steps , endeavoured nothing more than to accustom his Subjects to a just and moderate Government ; labouring to maintain his Kingly Authority more by Good Will , than Arms : And that he might cut up the Root of Tyranny , he made a Decree , i i Finnanus his just Decree . That Kings should determine , or command , nothing of great Concernment , without the Authority of their Great Council . He was beloved both by his Subjects , and by Foreigners . He deceased , having Reigned Thirty Years .

Durstus , The Eleventh King .

NOthing did so much aggravate the Loss of Finnanus , as the profligate and deboist Life of his Son k k Durstus his profligate Life . Durstus , who succeeded him . For , First of all , he banished from his presence his Fathers Friends , as troublesom Abridgers of his Pleasures : Then , he made the Corruptest Youngsters , his Familiar and Bosom Friends , giving up himself wholly to Wine and Women . He drove away his Wife , the Daughter of the King of the Britains , who was prostituted to his Nobles . At length , when he perceived , that the Nobility were conspiring against him , as if he had been just then awakened out of a deep sleep ; foreseeing , that he was not safe at home , and knew not where to find a secure place abroad , if he were banished ; in regard he was so hated both of his Subjects and Strangers , too ; he therefore thought it his best course to dissemble a l l His feigned Repentance . Repentance for his former Evil Life ; by that means thinking , he might retain the Regal Government , and , in time , be reveng'd of his Enemies too . And thereupon , in the first place , he recalled his Wife , and , by that means , endeavour'd to make fair Weather with the Britains . He assembles the Heads of his Subjects , and , under a solemn Oath to do so no more , he Enacts an Amnesty for what was past . He commits Notorious Criminals to Prison , as if he had reserved them for further Punishment : And religiously promised , That for the future he would Act nothing without the Counsel of his Nobles . When , by these Arts , he had made others believe , That he was a true Convert , he celebrates this Reconciliation and Concord with Plays , Feastings , and other Divertisements , proper for Publick Rejoycings . Thus all Mens Minds being filled with Jollity , he invites the m m His cruel Murder of his Nobles . Nobility to Supper ; and then , shutting them up in one place , being unarmed , and fearing nothing , he sent in Ruffians amongst them , who destroy'd them , every Man . That Calamity did not so much abate and quell the Minds of the rest with fear , as it raised , and blew up , their Languishing Anger into New Flames . Wherefore gathering a great Army together , they all conspired to rid the Earth of so foul a Monster . Durstus , perceiving that all other hope failed him , resolved to try his fortune in a Battel , with a few others , whom the like fear of Punishment for the Wickedness of their former Lives had drawn in to joyn with him ; in which Fight he was n n He is slain . slain , after he had Reigned Nine Years . Though all Orders and Estates were justly incens'd against him ; yet they gave so great Deference to the Name of King , and to the Memory of his Ancestors , that he was buried amongst his Royal Predecessors .

Evenus , the Twelfth King .

AFter his Death , in a Publick Assembly of the Nobles , there was a very great Contest ; some alledging , that , according to their Oath made to King Fergus , the ancient Custom was to be observed ; others , fearing , that if they made any one of the Kindred of Durstus King , that either the Similitude of Manners would incline him to the same Wickedness ; or else , the Propinquity of Blood would make him study Revenge . At last , Evenus , Brothers-Child to Durstus , being commended for his former Life , and for his extream Hatred against the Tyrant , whilst he was alive , was sent for from amongst the Picts , ( whither he had voluntarily banished himself , out of hatred to Durstus , ) and unanimously created King . He is reported to be the o o King Ewen , the first Scotish King that required an Oath of Allegiance of his Subjects . first , who made his Subjects to take an Oath of Allegiance to him , which Custom is yet retained by the Heads of the Clans . Evenus , that he might rectifie the Manners of his Subjects , which were depraved by the former King , did first reduce Youth to the Ancient Parsimony in Diet , Apparel , and in their daily Conversation . For , by that means , he judged , they would be more Valiant in War , and less Seditious in Peace . He diligently viewed all the Parts of his Kingdom , administring Justice with great Moderation , and punishing Offenders according to their Demerits . He assisted the King of the Picts with Aid against the Brittons , betwixt whom there was fought a long and cruel Battel till Night parted them , the Victory being so uncertain , that both Armies departed with equal Slaughter , and as equal Fear . The Brittons went home ; The Scots and Picts retired into the next adjacent Mountains : But , the Day after , from the High Grounds , perceiving the departure or flight of their Enemies , they came and gathered up the Spoils , as if they had been Conquerors , and so return'd home with their Army . Evenus having repelled his Enemies , again betook himself to the Arts of Peace . And that it might not be troublesom to Kings to Travel over the Countries so oft for the Administring Justice , ( which was then their Custom to do ) he divided the Kingdom into p p He first setled Itinerary Circuits for Judges in Scotland . Circuits , and setled Ordinary Judges to do that Work . He also appointed q q Informers then allowed , since disused , as being found inconvenient by experience . Informers to bring in Accusations against the Guilty . Which Office ; being found inconvenient , was either abrogated by a Law , or else grew obsolete by Custom . He died in the Nineteenth Year of his Reign , leaving a Base-born Son , called Gillus , behind him , a Crafty Man , and desirous of the Kingdom .

Gillus , The Thirteenth King .

THere were yet living of the Blood-Royal , as Heirs to the Crown , Two Twins , Dochamus and Dorgalius , the Sons of Durstus . Though their Age was not the Cause of the Difference , yet there arose a deadly Fewd between them concerning the Kingdom ; which was also further increased by the Fraud of r r Gillus his cruel Reign . Gillus . The Matter being referred to the Arbitration of their Kindred , such was the Obstinacy of the Factions , that nothing could be determined . Gillus , who advis'd each of them to kill one another , when his Secret Counsel took no effect , gathered together the chief of the Nobles , and his Kindred , ( on pretence to end the Controversie , ) into one place , where he suborned Men , fit for his purpose , to raise a Tumult , and to destroy them Both. And then , as if he himself had been assaulted by Treachery , he implored the Aid of all that were present , and fled to * * Some think it to be Dunstafnage , a Castle standing on an high Rock in Lorn , in the West-S●● . Evonium , a place fortified by King Evenus . Having Garison'd that Fort with part of the Nobility and other Flagitious Persons ; out of an high place in the Castle , he made a long Oration to the People ; who , in great Multitudes , were gathered about him , concerning the Rashness and Obstinacy of the Two Brothers ; he declaimed also against those Assassins , who killed them ; but , at last , he told them , That he was left by Evenus , the Guardian or Superior of the Kingdom , as well as of his Domestick Affairs , till a New King was chosen . When the People heard this , though they believed it to be false , yet when they saw him fortified in a strong Garison , for fear of a greater Mischief , they instantly swore Fealty to him , and declared him King . He , though he had strengthened himself in the Kingdom by the Consent of the People , ( though unwillingly obtain'd , ) yet , not thinking himself safe from the Posterity of Durstus , as long as any of them were alive , resolved to destroy his Nephews .

There remained alive of them Lismorus , Gormachus and Ederus , the Sons of Dochamus , Son of Durstus ; they were educated in the Isle of Man . Thither G●llus went , on pretence to bring them home ; and to the Two Elder he behaved himself with great Reverence and Respect , and carried them with him into Albium , cunningly pretending , That they be being of a Royal Stock , should be educated in his Cou●t , sutable to their Princely Quality . As for Ederus , the younger , ●he left Souldiers , on pretence of a Guard , to attend his Person , to whom he gave Command on a certain appointed Day , to kill him . But the Disposition of Gillus being well known to all , The Nurse , suspecting Treachery to be hatching against the Child , conveyed him secretly by Night into the Country of Argyle , and so she eluded Gillus , who ●ought , in vain , to find him out to destroy him ; for she bred him up for some years privately in a Cave under Ground ; whereupon ●he , in fury , put the Two elder Brothers of Ederus , and also their Guard , to Death . But it being publickly reported , That Ederus himself was conveyed into Ireland , he made no further enquiry after him . And yet his Cruelty rested not here , though he had slain the Nephews of Durstus ; for not judging himself sufficiently secure , as long as any one of the Royal Progeny was left alive , he caused all those of Kin or Alliance thereto , to be also put to Death . The Nobles , who were grieved at the present state of Affairs , which was bad at present , and fearing , that it would be worse , entred into a Combination against him , and carried the Matter with so much secresie , that a War was begun against s s He is wo●sted in Battel , and flies into Ireland . Gillus , before he had Notice , that any Preparations were making towards It. But , in Levying an Army against his Contrariants , he soon perceived , how inconstant the Fealty of Man is towards Wicked and Flagitious Princes . For there were very few , that came in to him at his Summons ; and those that did , were Debauchees , such as were afraid of Peace , in regard of the Wickedness of their former Lives . And therefore distrusting his Forces , he left his Army , and in a Fisher-Boat was wafted over into Ireland . In the mean time , the Scots , that they might not be without a Legal Government , made t t Cadvallus , made Viceroy . Cadvallus , chief of those who conbined against Gillus , their Vice-Roy , to whom , upon a Treaty , the Forces of his Enemies did submit , and were thereupon received into his Protection . When Cadvallus understood , that Gillus was about to renew the War , and in order thereto , was raising as many deboist Persons as he could , he resolved to prevent him before he could gather together a just Army , and so to pursue him whithersoever he fled . First , he Sailed into the Aebudae , or Hebrides ; there he caused Ederus , the only branch of the Family of Durstus yet alive , to be brought to him , and gave Order for his Liberal and Royal Education . When Gillus heard of his March , he retired again into Ireland ; there he engaged the Clans of that Nation , with great promises of Reward , to endeavour his Restitution to his Kingdom ; which , if they could effect , then he would give them the Aebudae Islands for their Reward . By these Promises , he gathered together a great Army ; Cadvallus having prepared all things for his Transportation , was suddainly called back , to clear himself from a false suspicion of affecting , or aspiring to , the Kingly Government .

Evenus II. The Fourteenth King .

IN which Case , the first thing he did , was , to take care , That Evenus , an eminent Person , the Son of Dovallus , Brother to King Finnanus , might by the Suffrages of the People be created King ; who , having accepted the Government , caused all Places which were commodious for his Enemies , and especially the Maritime ones , to be filled with strong Garisons , that so his Enemies might not make a suddain descent into his Kingdom , without opposition ; Gillus , hearing of this , did also alter his Resolution , and sailed to the Isle Ila ; And there , having wasted the Country far and near , with Fire and Sword , he returned back into Ireland . Evenus sends a great Army thither , under the Command of Cadvallus , that so he might exhaust the Spring-head of the War . Neither did Gillus refuse to fight him , but being forsaken of his Men , who followed him for Booty , rather than for Love , he changed his Apparel , and , with a small Company , fled into a neighbor Wood : The rest of his Army being thus deserted by their General , and their Fellow Soldiers too , yielded to Cadvallus . After the Battel was ended , they sought a long time for Gillus , and at last found him in a blind Cave , where he was slain , the Third Year after he began his Reign , and his Head was brought to Cadvallus . Matters being thus happily setled in Ireland by u u Gillus Slain by Cadvallus , in Ireland . Cadvallus , as he was returning home , he met not with the same Felicity ; for being toss'd up and down with a grievous Tempest , he lost the greatest part of his Army , and all the Prey they had gotten , which strook him into such a damp , that , not long after , he died u u Ca●●●llus , 〈◊〉 of Grief . of Grief , The King indeed , comforted him , ( but all in vain , ) and , praising his Valour and Success in the War , he cast all his Miseries upon the crosness of Fortune . The new King being lifted up with this Success , renewed a Peace with the Picts ; and , in Confirmation thereof , he took to Wife the Daughter of Getus , the Third King of the Picts . But the suddain Arrival and Landing of the x x The Orkney-Men come with an Army into Albium , but were beaten , and their King Belus slew himself , thereupon . Orkny-Men in Albium , quickly disturbed this publick Joy . But the King falling suddainly upon them , drove them out of the Field to the Mountains , and from thence to the Sea , and there being in a fright and hurry , whilst they crowded and hindred one another in endeavouring to Ship themselves , they were all slain , to a Man . Belus their King , despairing to obtain Quarter , slew himself . Evenus , having finished the War , returns to the work of Peace , and constitutes two Mart-Towns for Trade in convenient Places , i. e. Ennerlochy and Ennerness , each of them receiving their Name from Rivers , gliding by them . For Enner , amongst the Ancient Scots , signifies a Place , whither Ships do usually resort . He subdued the Inhabitants of the Aebudae , who , by reason of their long Wars , were grown very Licentious and Quarrelsome . He reconciled their Animosities , and appeased their Disturbances , and soon after died , having Reigned Seventeen years .

Ederus , the Fifteenth King .

EDERVS , the Son of Dochamus , was made King in his place , who whilst he was reaping the sweet Fruits of Peace establish'd both at home and abroad , and giving himself to the sport of Hunting , ( according to the ancient Custom of the Nation , ) had News suddenly brought him , That one Bredius one of Gillus's Faction , overthrown . Bredius an * * Or Reds●ank . Islander , of Kin to the Tyrant Gillus , was Landed with a great Navy of Souldiers , and plundered the Country : He presently gathered together a Tumultuary Army against him , and marching as silently as he could in the Night , he passed by the Camp of his Enemies , and set upon their Ships in the Road , which by this suddain surprize , he easily mastered , and , killing the Guard , he burnt the Navy . In the Morning he led his Army against the Camp , which he easily took , finding the Souldiers negligent , and in no order at all , many were slain on the spot , whilst they delay'd either to Fight or Fly . The rest having their flight by Sea prevented , by the burning of their Ships , were there taken and Hanged . The Prey was restored to the Owners , that claimed them . A few years after , another of the kindred of Gillus , and out of the same Island too , raised the like Commotion , which had the same Event and Success ; for his Army was overthrown , his Fleet burnt , the Prey recovered back , and restored to the Right Owners . Thus having settled a firm Peace , being very old , he fell Sick and died in the Forty Eight year of his Reign .

Evenus III. the Sixteenth King .

EVENVS the Third Succeeded him , a Son unworthy of so Good a Father ; for , not being contented with an Hundred Concubines of the Noblest Families , he published his Filthiness and Shame to the World by Established Laws . For z z E●en enacts Polygamy , by a Law , and allows many other Lustful Venereal Orders and Customs , but being afterwards worsted in Battel is committed to Prison , and there Slain . he enacted , That every Man might Marry as many Wives as he was able to maintain . And also , That before the Marriage of Noble Virgins , the King should have one Nights lodging with them ; and the Nobles the like , before the Marriage of Plebeians : That the Wives of Plebeians should be common to the Nobility . Luxury , Cruelty and Covetousness did , ( as they ordinarily do ) attend and follow this his flagitious Wickedness . For his Incomes and Revenues not answering his Expence , upon pretended Causes , the Wealthier sort were put to Death , and the King going snips with the Robbers , by that means Theives were never punished . And thus , the Favour which he had obtain'd from corrupt youth , by reason of his permission of Promiscuous Lust , he lost by his Cruelty and Rapaciousness . For , a Conspiracy of the Nobles being made against him , he soon perceived , that the Friendship , and seeming Union of Wicked Men , is not to be relied upon . For , assoon as they came to Fight , he was Deserted by his Souldiers , and fell alive into his Enemies Hands , by whom he was cast into the common Jail . Cadallanus , who Succeeded him , demanding what Punishment he should have , he was Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment . But there , one or other of his Enemies , either out of some old Grudge for Injuries received from him ; or else , hoping for Favour , or at least Impunity , for the Murder of the King , Strangled him by Night in the Prison , when he had Reigned Seven years . The Murderer was Hanged for his Labour .

* * Maitland . Metellanus , the Seventeenth King .

METELLANVS , Kinsman to Ederus , Succeeded him in the Throne , a Prince no less dear to all for his excellent Virtues , than Evenus was hated by them for his flagitious Vices . He was mightily Priz'd and Esteem'd for This , That during his Reign , there was Peace both at home and abroad . But it was some allay to his Happiness , that he could not abrogate the Filthy Laws of Evenus , being hindred by his Nobility , who were too much addicted to Luxury . He deceased in the Thirtieth year of his Reign .

Caratacus , the Eighteenth King .

METELLANVS dying without Issue , the Kingdom was conferred on Caratacus , Son of Cadallanus , a young Man of the Royal Blood . Assoon as he entred upon the Kingdom , he quieted the People of the Aebudae Islands , ( who had raised Commotions upon the Death of their last King , ) but not without great Trouble . Yet here I a a The Orcades subdued in Claudius Caesars days , as some affirm , but mistakenly . cannot easily beleive what our Writers , following Orosius , Eutropius , and Bede , do say , viz. That the Orcades were subdued by Claudius Caesar in his Reign . Not , that I think it a very hard thing for him to attempt , one by one , a few Islands scatter'd up and down in the Stormy Sea , and having but a few , and those too unarmed , Inhabitants to defend them , and seeing they could not mutually help another , to take them all in ; nor , that I think it incredible , That a Navy might be sent by Claudius on that Expedition , he being a Man that sought for War and Victory all the World over . But because Tacitus affirms , that , before the coming of Iulius Agricola into Britain , that part thereof was utterly unknown to the Romans . Caratacus Reigned Twenty years .

Corbredus , the Nineteenth King .

CORBREDVS , his Brother , Succeeded him . He also subdued the Islanders in many Expeditions , a People , that almost in every Inter-Regnum , did affect Innovation , and raise up new Tumults . He also quite suppress'd the Banditti , which most infested the Commonalty . Having settled Peace , he return'd to Albium , and making his Progress over all Scotland , he repaired the Places injured by War , and departed this Life in the Eighteenth year of his Reign .

Dardanus , the Twentieth King .

THE Convention of Estates set up Dardannus , the Nephew of Metellanus , in his stead , passing by the Son of Corbredus , because of his young and tender years . No Man , before him , entred upon the Government , of whom greater Expectations were conceived , and no Man did more egregiously deceive the Peoples Hopes . Before he undertook the chief Magistracy , he gave great Proof of his Liberality , Temperance and Fortitude . So that in the beginning of his Reign , he was an indifferent Good and Tolerable King , but he had scarce sat Three years on the Throne , before he ran head-long into all sorts of Wickedness . The Sober and Prudent Counsellors of his Father , he banish'd from his Court , because they were against his lewd Practices . Only Flatterers , and such as could invent new Pleasures , were his Bosom Friends . He caused b b Dardanus , his bloody Reign . Cardorus , his own Kinsman , to be put to Death , because he reproved him for his Extravagance in Lawless Pleasures ; and , yet he had been Lord Chief Justice and Chancellor too , under the former King . And a while after , many other Persons , as they did excel in Virtue , or in Wealth , were circumvented by him , by one wile or other , and so unjustly brought to their Ends. At last , to free himself from the Fears of a Successor , he took up a Resolution to destroy Corbredus Galdus , his Kinsman , with his Brothers , who were Royally Educated , in hopes of the Kingdom . The Charge of this Assassination was committed to Cormoracus , one of his Privado's . He being laden with many Gifts , but more Promises , was sent away to perpetrate the Villany ; but attempting it with less Caution than such a Butchery required , he was taken in the very Fact , by some of Galdus his Train , with a naked Fauchion in his Hand ; being Arraigned and put to the Torture , he confessed the Author , and the designed order of the whole Conspiracy , and so was executed immediately . When this wicked Plot was divulged abroad , there was a general Combination of almost all sorts of People against the King , insomuch , that having slain many of those who were Panders to his Lust , as they could be found ; at last they endeavoured to make their way to the King himself , the Source and Fountain of their Mischief . In the mean time , Conanus , one of the Kings Parasites , a Man meanly descended , but highly Respected and Trusted by his Master , levied some Troops , and had the Confidence to send them forth against the Nobles , but being forsaken of his Men , he was taken and Hang'd . The Commons , having now got Galdus for their General , found out c c And 〈◊〉 Death . Dardanus , who was privately lurking to secure himself ; while they were apprehending of him he endeavour'd to lay violent Hands on himself , but being prevented , he was brought to Galdus , and immediately put to Death , his Head was carried up and down in Mockery , and his Body thrown into a Jakes , after he had Reigned Four years .

Corbred II , The Twenty First King .

COrbred , the Second , Sirnamed Galdus , succeeded him ; a Prince equally dear to Lords and Commons , both upon the account , and early proof , of his own personal Virtue , and promising Ingenuity , as for the Memory of his worthy Father . Some imagin , that he was That Galgacus , who is mentioned by Tacitus , and that he was Sirnamed Galdus by the Scots , because he had been educated amongst the Britains . For the Scots according to their Ancient Custom , call all Strangers Galds , or Galls ; as the Germans call them Wals , as I shewed largely before . After he had undertook the Government , he increased the great Hopes which had been pre-conceived of him . For , making an Expedition into the Islands of Sky and Lewis , he quelled the Seditions , lately raised there , and suffered to come to an head , by the negligence of Dardanus , and that with a due and prudent mixture of Mercy and Severity . He slew the Captains of those Banditti ; and enforced the rest , for fear of punishment , either voluntarily to banish themselves , or else , to return to their former rural Employments : He , as I believe , was the d d Corbredus II. The First of the Scotish Kings , that ever appeared in Arms against the Romans . First of the Scotish Kings , that ever advanced his Ensigns , against the Romans , who had , by little and little , propagated their Empire , even to the very Borders . For Petitius Cerealis first broke the Forces of the Brigantes , and his Successor Iulius Frontinus conquered the * * Inhabitants of South-Wales . Silures . 'T is very probable , that the Scots and Picts sent Aid to those Nations , who were situate not far from their Borders . Iulius * * Agricola , a Roman General in Britain , who makes further Conquests there . Agricola succeeded the former Generals , who having overcome the ( * * Inhabitants of N●rth-Wales . ) Ordov●ces , and reduced the Island Man , when he was come to the narrowest part of Britain , thinking , that it was not far to the end of the Island , he was encouraged to the Conquest of it all . And therefore in the Third Year of his Generalship , he overcame and plundered the neighboring Countries of the Scots and Picts , until he came to the River Tay ; And thô his Army was much distressed by Tempest , yet he had time to build Forts in all places convenient for Defence , by which means he defeated the Designs of his Enemies , and withal , brake their Force . For before , the Adverse party , being Men inured to hardship , what they lost in the Summer , would many times recover in Winter , when the Roman Legions were dispersed into Winter Quarters : And somtimes , they would assault , and take , their Enemies Castles and Garisons , being not sufficiently fortified . But at that time , by the cunningness of Agrippa in Building his Forts , and by his skill in making them defensible ; and withal , by relieving them with his Forces , every Year ; Their Arts were deluded . In the Fourth Year of his Government , perceiving , that the Firths of Forth , and of Clyd , were severed but by a small Tract of Land , having fortified that Place with Garisons , he spoiled the Countries bending to the Irish Sea . In his Fifth Year , he sent a Fleet to Sea , and made descents in many places , and plundred the Maritime Coasts , fortifying those that looked towards Ireland with Garisons , not only for that present occasion , but also , that he might from thence more easily transport an Army to that Country . By this prudence of Agricola , the Scots , and Picts , being shut up in a narrow Angle , and secluded from any commerce with the Britains , prepared themselves for the last shock and rancounter ; Neither was * * Agricola overcomes the Caledonians in Two Battels . Agricola less careful , but commanding his Navy to fetch a compass about , to discover the utmost parts of the Island ; he led his Army beyond the Forth , and drew towards the Caledonians : There , their Enemies , being ready ( as in a desperate Case ) to run their last hazard , assaulted some of the Roman Garisons , which struck such a Terror into them , that some of the Romans , as fearing , either the Number of their Enemies , or their Obstinacy , by reason of their desperation , gave their advice to retreat with their Army , into a place of greater safety : But their General , being resolved to Fight , when he was informed , that the Enemy approached him in three distinct Brigades ; he also drew towards them , having divided his Army into Three Squadrons also , which Project was almost his total Ruin . For his Enemies understanding his Design , did with their whole Army assault one of his Legions by night , and having killed the Sentinels , had almost taken his whole Camp : But being prevented by the coming in of other Legions , after they had fought desperately till Day light , at length , being put to flight , they returned into the Mountains and Woods . Those things were acted about the Eighth Year of his Expeditions . Both Parties prepare themselves , as for their last Encounter , against the next Spring : The Romans , as judging that the Victory would put an end to the War . And their Enemies looking upon their All to be at stake ; and , that they were about to fight for their Liberty , Lives , and for whatsover is to be accounted Dear and Sacred amongst Men : Hereupon , judging , that , in former Battels , they were overcome by Stratagem , rather than by Valour , they betook themselves to the higher Grounds , and , at the foot of Mount Grampius , waited for the coming of the Romans . There a bloody Fight was begun betwixt them . The Victory was a great while hovering , and uncertain ; at last , all the valiant Men of the Caledonians being slain , the rest having their Courage cooled , were forced to retreat to their Fastnesses . After this Battel , there was no doubt at all , but that Agrippa would have subdued all Britain , by the force of his conquering Arms , if he had not been called home by * * But being recalled by Domitian , the Caledonians , beat the Romans out of their Country . Domitian , not for the Honour of his Victories , as was pretended , but for his Destruction and Death . After his departure , Sedition arose in the Roman Camp , and the Scots and Picts being glad of the occasion , and somewhat encouraged thereby , began to creep out of their lurking Places ; and perceiving , that the Romans had not a General , nor the same Camp-Discipline , as before ; they sent Envoys up and down , to try the Inclination , not only of their own Country-men , but of the Brittons also . Thus , in the first place , being imboldned by some small successful Skirmishes , they began to take heart , and to assault Garisons ; and at last , with a formed Army they resolved to venture the hazard of a pitched Field . By this means , The Romans were expelled out of their Territories , and were forced , with doubtful success , to contend with the Britains for their ancient Province . Galdus having obtained respite from War , made his Progress all over the several Countries of the Land , and resetled the old Owners in their Habitations , which had been almost destroyed by the War ; As for the Places which were wholly void , he sent his Soldiers to inhabit them . And having restrained the frequent Robberies which were wont to be committed , he composed the differences , which began to arise betwixt Him and the Picts . At length , in great Glory and Endearment , both with Friends and Foes , he deceased , in the 35th Year of his Reign .

Luctacus , the Twenty Second King .

SO good a Father was succeeded by * * Luctacus his vitious Reign . Luctacus , as bad a Son , who despising the Counsel of his Nobles , gave up himself wholly to Drinking and Whoring . No nearness of Alliance , no Reverence of the Laws , no respect of Nobility , or of Conjugal Relation , did restrain him from his vile lewdness with those Women which he had a Mind to . Moreover , He was inhumanly Cruel , and also unsatiably Covetous . The Soldiers and youthful Fry , which is still more inclinable to the worse , did easily degenerate into the Manners of their King . So that , at last , when he had defiled all , with Whoredom , Rapines and Slaughters , and no one Man durst oppose his exorbitant Power : An Assembly of the States being called together , and speaking freely concerning the State of the Kingdom , he Commanded the Nobles , as Seditious Persons , to be led out to Execution ; but by the concourse of the intervening Multitude , both He , and also the loathed Ministers of his Lust and Lewdness were * * And miserable End . slain , when he had scarce finished the Third Year of his Reign . For the Honour had to his Father , his Body was allowed to be Buried amongst the Sepulchres of his Ancestors ; but the Bodies of his Associats were cast out , as unworthy of any Burial at all .

Mogaldus , the Twenty Third King .

AFter him , a a Mogaldus Reigning virtuously at first , afterwards degenerates . Mogaldus was elected King , the Nephew of Galdus , by his Daughter : In the beginning of his Reign , he equalled the best of Kings ; but , growing older , he was tainted with Vices , and easily degenerated into the Manners of his Uncle . When he first entred on the Government , that he might , with greater Facility , cure the vitious Practices committed by the former King , which did even contaminate the Publick Manners , he made Peace with his Neighbors , he restored the Ancient Ceremonies in Religion , which had been carelesly neglected : He banished all Pimps of Lust , and Debauchery , from Court , and acted all things by the Advice of the Estates , according to the Ancient Custom ; by which Deportment he procured to himself Love at home , and Reverence abroad . Having setled Matters at home , he turned his Mind to Warlike Affairs , and drove out the Romans from the Borders of his Kingdom ; and , by his Auxiliaries , assisted the Picts against the Injuries of the Romans : Yea , in some prosperous Battels , he so weakned the Roman Power amongst the Britains , that They also were erected to some hopes of recovering their Liberty , and thereupon took up Arms in many places . And their hopes were encreased , because the Emperor Adrian had called back Severus , a fierce and skilful Warrior , out of Britanny into Syria , to quell the Seditions of the Iews ; so that b b Adrian the Emperor comes into Britain , and built the Wall called by his Name . Adrian himself , the Tumults more and more increasing , was inforced to pass over from Gallia into Britain : But he , being a greater Lover of Peace than War , desired rather to maintain the Bounds of his Empire , than to enlarge them . Whereupon , when he came to York , and found the Country beyond it to be harassed by the War , he resolved to take a particular View of the Devastation , and so marched his Army to the River Tine ; where being informed by the old Soldiers who had followed Agricola , almost to the utmost Bounds of Britanny , That there would be more Pains than Profit in Conquering the rest of the Island , he built a Wall and Trench for the space of Eighty Miles , between the Firths of the Rivers Tine and Esk ; and so excluded the Scots and P●cts from their Provincials ; and having setled the State of the Province , be returned back from whence he came . Here I cannot but take notice , that , seeing there yet remain divers Marks of this Wall , in many places , it is a wonder to me , that Bede did wholly omit to mention it ; especially , since Aelius Spartianus hath taken notice of it , in the Life of Adrian ; and also Herodian , in the Life of Severus . I cannot persuade my self , That Bede could be so mistaken , to think , as many yet do , That that Wall was not made by Adrian , but by Severus . This by the by .

Hereupon the Roman Province was quieted , the Excursions of their Neighbors were prevented , and Peace was observed between them , for a great while . The Britains did easily embrace it , and the Scots and Picts had thereby opportunity to divide the Neighboring Lands as a Prey , amongst themselves . But that Peace , besides the prejudice it did to the Body , by weakening its Vigor , through Sloth and Idleness , did also enervate the Mind , by the Baits of Pleasure , which then began to tickle it : For hereby Mogaldus , till then Unconquered in War , forgetting the Glory of his Ancestors , ran headlong into all kind of Vice ; and , besides other pernicious and foul Miscarriages , prejudicial to the Publick , he made a most unjust Law , c c The Law to forfeit ones whole Estate for Treason , without allowance to innocent Wife or Children , made in Mogaldus'● time , esteemed unjust . That the States of such as were condemned should be forfeited to his Exchequer , no part thereof being allotted to their Wives or Children . This Law is yet observed and pleaded for , by the Officers of the King's Revenue , who are willing to gratifie his Lust , though they then did , and yet do , know , that it is an unjust and inhuman Institution . Mogaldus having thus made himself obnoxious and hateful to the Nobles and Commons too , being unable to resist their Combinations , with one or two of his Companions , sought to run from their Fury ; but before he could execute his Project , he was taken , and d d Mogaldus slain . slain , after he had Reigned 36 Years . This was done , about the Sixth Year of the Reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius .

Conarus , the Twenty Fourth King .

COnarus , his Son , succeeded him , who , from an ill Beginning , ended his wicked Reign with as unhappy a Conclusion : For , he was not only conscious and privy to , but also a partner in , the Conspiracy against his Father . But , to cover his Faults , in the beginning of his Reign , a War did fall out very opportunely for him . For the Britains , having passed Adrian's Wall , took away great store of Men and Cattle . Whereupon , e e A Battel between Conarus and the Picts , against the Romans and Brittons . Conarus , by the Advice of his Council , joyning his Army with the Picts , they passed over Adrian's Wall in many places , and made great havock in the Britains Country ; and at last , encountring their Enemy , a great and bloody Battel was fought betwixt Them , the Romans and Britains . The Slaughter was almost equal on both sides , which occasioned Peace between Them till the next Year : Yet , the Romans , because they were not Conquerors , looked upon themselves as , in a manner , Conquered . Whereupon , their own Forces being much lessened , and Adrian putting no great Confidence in the Britains , whom , he saw , to conceive some hopes of Liberty upon his Misfortunes , he sent for Aid from Antoninus Pius , laying the blame of the Violation of the Peace upon the Scots and Picts , and of the loss and slaughter of his Men , upon the Britains . f f Lollius Vrbicus sent to Aid the Romans in Britain . Lollius Vrbicus was sent over Lieutenant-General by the Emperor , who overcame his Enemy in a bloody Battel , and drove them beyond the Wall of Adrian , which he again repaired . Afterwards , there was a Cessation of Arms for many Years , as if a silent Truce had been made . For the Romans had Work enough to keep the Enemy from ravaging and plundering , and , for that end , their Camp was pitched on the Borders . And Conarus , who loved nothing in War , but the Licentiousness obteined thereby , made haste to return home , That he might imploy that Vacancy wholly to immerge himself in Pleasures : Whereupon , those Vices , which he had before concealed , on design to gain the Love of others , began now to appear bare-faced . And when , by this Dissimulating Art , he judged the Kingdom sure to him , what his Ancestors had gotten by great Pains and Labour , he did as profusely spend , on his own Lusts and Pleasures ; insomuch , that , in a very short time , he was reduced to great want . So that , convening an Assembly of the Estates , he made a long and plausible Oration of the Grandeur and Magnificence which was necessary for Kings ; and complained of the Lowness of his g g Conarus his Prodigality enforces him to demand large Subsidies of hi● Subjects ; Exchequer . Thus covering his Vices under the cleanly Names of Gallantry and Magnificence ; and he was also an earnest Suitor , That a Valuation of every Mans Estate should be made , and a proportionable Tax imposed on each Individual . This Speech was unacceptable to all that heard it , whose Answer was , That the Matter was of more Moment than to be determined on a sudden : Whereupon , the Estates , having obtained a short time for Consultation , upon asking every particular Mans Opinion , they soon found , That this new Device of demanding such a vast Sum of Money , did not proceed from the Nobles , h h Which are denied by the Commons , and their Reasons why ? but from some Court-Parasites ; whereupon , they Voted , That the King should be kept Prisoner , as unfit to Reign ; until , upon his Abjuration of the Government , they did substitute another . When they met the next Day , he , who was first demanded to give his Vote , made a sharp Speech and Invective against the Life of the former King , saying , That Bawds , Parasites , Minstrels , and Troops of Harlots , were not fit Instruments for Kings and Kingdoms , as being useless in War , and troublesom in Peace ; besides , they were costly and full of Infamy and Disgrace . He added , The Complaint was false , That the King's Revenue and Incom were not sufficient for his Expence ; for a great many of their former Kings , who were famous Warriors , and formidable to their Enemies , had lived Nobly and Splendidly upon it , in time of Peace . But if any Prince be of Opinion , That the Publick Revenue was too short , then , said he , let a Supplement be made , not out of the Subjects Purse , but out of his own Domestick Parsimony . He further added , That the Measure of Expence was not to be taken from the Lust and Exorbitant Desires of Men , which were infinite , but from the Ability of the People , and the Real Necessities of Nature . And therefore it was his Opinion , That those Villains , upon whom the Publick Patrimony was conferred , and for whose sake the King had undone so many Worthy Persons of good Rank and Quality , by despoiling them of their Estates , and putting them to Death , should be compelled to refund That to the Lawful Owners , which , by their Flatteries , they had unjustly robbed them of ; and that also they should be further punished , to boot . In the mean time , he advised , that the King should be kept a Prisoner , till they could substitute another , that would not only inure himself to Thrift , but also teach others , by his Example , to live hardly and parsimoniously , as his Forefathers had done , that so the strict Discipline , received from our Ancestors , might be transmitted to Posterity .

This Speech , as it was sharp enough of it self , so it seemed more cutting to those , who had Velvet Ears , and were unaccustomed to hear such free and bold Discourses , before . Neither did the King endeavour to allay the Heats of his People , by fair and gentle Words , but rather , by fierce and minatory Expressions , which did more vehemently inflame and provoke them ; so that , amidst these Quarrellings and Altercations , a Tumult arising , some that were next the King , i i Conar●● imp●isoned , 〈◊〉 his Evi● C●●●sellors slain . laid Hands on him , and thrust him , with some few others , into a Cave , under-ground . Those Courtiers , who had been the Authors of such wicked Counsels , were presently put to Death ; and , lest any Tumult of the Mobile should arise upon this Dissolution of the Bonds of Government , One k k Argadus set up in his room , who first Rules justly ; Argadus , a Nobleman , was made Vice-Roy , till the People could conveniently meet , to set up a New King . He , though , in the beginning of his Administration , he setled all things with great Equity , and thereby had procured much Commendation by his moderate Deportment ; yet , his Mind being corrupted by Prosperity , he soon lost all the Credit of his former praise-worthy Life . For he cherished Home-bred Seditions , afterwards degenerating , he is accused ; and strengthened his Authority by External Aid , having such great Familiarity with the chief of the Picts , that he took a Wife from amongst them , and gave his Daughters to them , in Marriage ; by which practice , it soon appeared , that he aspired to the Crown . These things being laid to his Charge in a Publick Assembly , wherein he was much blamed for his so sudden Degeneration and Apostacy , he was altogether ashamed , and knowing them to be True , he brake forth into Tears ; and as soon as his Weeping gave him liberty to speak , being unable to purge himself from the Objected Crimes , but , upon his Repentance , is continued in the Government , he craved Mercy , and humbly deprecated the punishment of his Offences ; Which , said he , if I can obtain , I will recompense , and make amends for my Errors in Government , by my future Care , Industry and Valour . These things he humbly supplicated upon his Knees , so that the Anger of the Nobles being now turned into Pity , they lifted him up from the Ground , and ordered him to continue in the Government , remitting his own Punishment to himself . As for Them , they were well enough satisfied , if he did now truly and heartily repent of what he had done amiss heretofore . From that Day forward , Argadus assembled the Wisest Men of the whole Kingdom about him , and acted nothing but by their Advice ; yea , during the l l Which he managed equitably , for the remainder of his Magistracy . Remainder of his Magistracy , he Enacted many Laws for the Good of the Publick ; of which This was the chief ; That he restrained the Arbitrariness of Provincial Judges , and forbad them to give Sentence against all Offenders , alike ; but to have respect to alleviating Circumstances , where any such were . He either restrained , or put to Death , Flagitious Persons , and amended the Publick Manners , which had been corrupted by a long course of Licentiousness , not only by inflicting Legal Punishments on Transgressors of the Laws , but by affording them the Leading Example of his own Regular Life . Whilst these things were acting , Conarus , partly afflicted with Grief , and partly worn out by Diseases , ended his filthy and ignominious Life in Prison , in the Fourteenth Year of his Reign .

Ethodius , the Twenty Fifth King .

EThodius was set up in his stead , Mogaldus's Sisters Son ; He immediately convened the Estates , and thereupon highly extolled Argadus , and after he had bestowed on him great Honours , and large Rewards , he made him Plenipotentiary , under him , for the Administration of the Government ; when he had made his Progress to view all the Counties and Parts of his Dominions , according to Custom , he Sailed over to the Aebudae Islands ; Argadus was sent by him to quell the Disturbers of the Publick Peace ; who soon suppressed them , and brought them Prisoners to the King . These Combustions thus appeased , he returned into Albium ; but the Islanders being freed by his absence , from their present Fear ; and further , being persuaded by false Reports , spread abroad , That he was engaged in a Foreign War ; and besides , being provoked , rather than suppressed , by the punishment of their Associats , began to raise new Tumults . m m Argadus sent General a-against the Islanders , is slain in a Battel by them . Argadus was again sent to suppress them , but they , being assisted both by the Picts and Irish , gave him Battel , without any delay , in which Fight , Argadus himself , being circumvented by Treachery , was slain : That Blow made the King lay aside all other Business , and to march thither himself ; where he so wasted them , with some light occasional Skirmishes , and by his frequent Alarms and Inroads upon them , that , being inferior to him in Force , they retired into a Valley , encompassed on all sides with craggy Rocks , having only one Passage leading into it , that so , the Conveniencie of the Place , as they thought , might somewhat contribute to their Safety . n n Ethodius , having got his Enemy in a Pound , forces him to what Conditions he pleases himself . Ethodius , perceiving the disadvantage of the Place for his Enemy , disposed of his Guards in fit Avenues ; and also made a Wall and a Graft at the mouth of the Passage ; by which means they were brought to that extreme Penury of all things , that they were forced to yield up themselves to the King , at discretion . They were willing to accept of any Conditions ; but the King gave them only These ; That Two hundred of them , such as the King should cull out , with their General , should be surrendred up to him ; The rest should every Man return to his own home . The Punishment of those , who were thus given up , being presently inflicted on them , had almost raised up a new Sedition ; For the common Soldiers were so enraged at so terrible a Spectacle , that , for want of Arms , they threw Stones at the King's Officers . Neither was their tumultuous Fury allayed , without much Bloodshed . Thus Ethodius , having setled Peace every where , in order to the Administration of Justice , made his Progress over all his Kingdom , much delighting himself in Hunting by the way , so that he made many o o Ethodius , his vnenary Laws . Venary Laws , of which , a great part are observed to this very day . He had an Irish Musician or p p He is slain by his Harper ▪ Harper , lying all night in his Bed-chamber , ( according to the Custom of the Scotish Nobility ) by whom he was slain in the night , in revenge of a Kinsman of his , whom , he said , the King had put to Death . When he was led forth to Execution , he was so unconcerned at his Torture , that he seemed to be very glad , as if he had done but his Duty , and acted his Part with applause .

Satrael , The Twenty Sixth King .

ETHODIVS being thus slain , when he had Reigned Three and Thirty years , and his Son being not of Age , fit to Govern , his Brother Satrael was elected King ; this Man being of a naughty , yet cunning , Disposition , endeavoured to establish the Kingdom in his own Family , and so to destroy the Sons of Ethodius : In order whereunto , those Nobles , who were most dear to Ethodius , were , by Calumnies purposely devised , suppressed and slain by him . Afterwards , because the Commons did much regret the slaughter of their Nobles , he began to oppress them also ; which matter , in a little time , did so increase the Hatred conceived against him , and so diminish his Authority , that Tumults and Seditions did thereupon arise . He durst not go forth to suppress them , because , he knew , he lay under a publick Odium , so that he was sculkingly q q slain at home by his own Men , in the Night , when he had Reigned Four years .

Donaldus I. The Twenty Seventh King .

r r 〈…〉 virtuous Reign . DONALDVS , another Brother of Ethodius , was set up in his Room , who equalled , yea , exceeded , the Vices of Satrael , by as great , and as many contrary Virtues , his Clemency joyned with his Love of Equity , did much enhaunce the price of his other Excellencies . He , by the terrour and weight of his Authority , and also , by present Punishments inflicted , quelled all intestine Commotions ; and rightly conceiving , that the Souldiery , who were before wanton and idle , and spoiled by Luxury , might be made more ready to resist an Enemy , he caused a Muster to be made of them , and so accustomed them to Training and Exercising their Arms , and Military Discipline , that , in a short time , the new-listed Tyroe's did equal the Valour of the Veterans , and old Souldiers . The Peace which he had abroad , did much forward this his design . For , the Roman Legions , some few years before , made a Mutiny in Britanny , as desiring any other General , rather than Commodus , and especially s s Aelius Pertinax , after Commodus , comes into Britain . Aelius Pertinax , who was sent to suppress them ; so , that leaving the Scots and Picts , they turned the whole stress of the War upon themselves . It was also a further advantage to him , in order to a Peace , that t t Donald , the first of the Scotish Kings , that imbraced the Christian Religion . Donaldus had , first of all the Scotish Kings , embraced the Christian Religion ; yet , neither he , nor some other of the succeeding Kings , though a great part of the Nobility did favour the design , could wholly extirpate the old Heathenish Rites and Ceremonies . But the Expedition of u u Severus comes over 〈◊〉 to Britain , ●n his time ; enlarges the Roman Conquests , and Severus the Emperor , falling out in his time , did mightily disturb all his Measures , both Publick and Private . For Severus , being very skilful in Military Affairs , brought so many Forces into Britain , in hopes to conquer the whole Island , as never any Roman General had done before him . There were also other Causes for this Expedition of his , as , the corrupt Life of his Sons , by reason of the Vices reigning in Rome ; and the Effeminacy of his Army , occasioned by sloath and lying still : To remedy these mischiefs , he thought it best to put them upon Action . Upon his Arrival , the private Tumults , which were about to break forth , were suppressed , and the Scots and Picts , leaving the Counties near the Enemy , retreated to Places of greater safety , and more difficult Access . Severus , that he might , once for all , put an end to the British Wars , led his Army through all the waste places , deserted by their Inhabitants , against the Caledonians . Though his Enemy did not dare to give him Battel in the Field , he was much incommoded by the Coldness of the Country , and underwent a great deal of Trouble , to cut down Woods , to level Hills , and to throw vast heaps of Earth into the Marish Grounds , and also to erect Bridges over Rivers , to make a passage for his Army . In the mean time , the Enemy despairing of success , if they should Fight so great a Multitude in a pitch'd Battel , did here and there leave Herds of their Cattle , on purpose , as a Prey to them , that so they might stop the Romans , who , in hopes of such Booties , were inticed to stray far from their Camp : And , indeed , the Romans , besides those , that being thus dispersed , were taken in the Ambushes laid for them , were also much prejudiced by continual Rains ; and , being wearied with long Marches , and so not able to follow , were in many places slain by their own Fellows , that so they might not fall alive into the Hands of their Enemies . Yet , notwithstanding , though they had lost 50000 of their Souldiers , ( as Dion writes ) they did not desist from their Enterprize , till they had pierced even to the End and extream Bounds of the Island . As for Severus himself , though he was Sick , during this whole Expedition , and thereupon was fain to be carried in a covered Horse-Litter ; yet , by his incredible Obstinacy and Perseverance , he made his Enemies to accept of Conditions of Peace , and to yield up to him no small part of their Country . He Built a Wall , from Forth to Clyd , Eighty Mile beyond Adrians . built a Wall , as a Mound to the Roman Empire , between the Fi●ths of Forth and Clyd ; where Agricola , before him , had also determined to bound their Province . That Wall , where it toucheth the River Carron , had a Garison thereon , so situate , and the Ways and Passages so laid out , that it was like a small City ; which , some of our Country-Men , though mistakingly , do think to be Maldon . But it is more probable , that This was the City which Bede calls Guidi . A few years before the Writing hereof , some footsteps of Trenches , Walls , and Streets did appear ; neither yet are all the Walls so demolished , but that they discover themselves visibly in many places ; and when the Earth is a little digg'd up , square Stones are quarried out , which the owners of the Neighbouring Countries use in Building their Houses . Yea , sometimes , Stones with Inscriptions on them are found , which shew , that it was a Roman Pile of Building . Those Words of Aelius Spartianus do shew the Grandeur of this Structure . He strengthened Britain ( says he ) with a Wall , drawn Cross-ways , or , Thwart the Island , from Sea to Sea , which is the greatest Ornament of his Empire . By which Words , he seems to intimate , That it was not a Trench , as Bede would have it , but a Wall ; especially , since he gives such a Commendation to a Work , which is shorter by half than Adrian's Wall . Yea , this Fortificati●n , where it is least distant , yet is Eighty Miles off from the Wall of Adrian . There are also other Indications of that Peace , if I mistake not . For , a little below that ●arison , of which I have spoken , there is a round Edifice on the opposite side of the River Carron , made of square Stones , heaped on one another , without Lime or Mortar . 'T is no bigger than a small Pidgeon-House ; the Top of it is open , but the other Parts are whole , save , that the upper Lintel of the Door , wherein the Name of the Builder , and Work , is thought to have been inscribed , was taken away by Edward the First , King of England ; who did also invidiously deface all the rest of the old Scotish Monuments , as much as ever he could ; some think , and have Written accordingly , that That Structure was the Temple of Claudius Casar . But my Conjecture is rather , That it was the Temple of the Heathen God y y Temple of Terminus . Terminus . There were also , on the left Bank of the same River , two Hillocks , or , Barrows of Earth , raised ( as it sufficiently appears , ) by the Hands of Men. A great part of the lesser one , which inclines more to the West , is swept away by the Washing and Over-Flowings of the River ; the Neighbouring Inhabitants call them yet z z Duni Pacis . Duni Pacis . So that Peace being again procured by this Division of the Island , and all Matters being in a sort accommodated , Donaldus departed this Life , having Reigned One and Twenty years .

Ethodius II. The Twenty Eighth King .

ETHODIVS the Second , Son of the former Ethodius , was substituted in his Room , a Man almost stupid . This is certain , he was of a more languid and soft Disposition , than was fit to have the Government of such a Feirce and Warlike People conferred upon him ; which being taken notice of , the Nobles , in a Convention , bore that Reverence to the Progeny of King Fergus , that they left the Name of King to Ethodius , as sloathful as he was ; but yet , not guilty of any Notorious Wickedness ; but set Deputies over all the Provinces , to administer Justice therein , whose Moderation and Equity did so regulate Matters , that Scotland was never in a quieter State . For , they did not only punish Offenders , but also made the immoderate Covetousness of the King to be no burden to the People . This King in the Twenty first year of his Reign , was a a Ethodius slain . slain in a Tumult of his own Officers .

Athirco , The Twenty Ninth King .

ATHIRCO , his Son , manifesting greater Ingenuity than is usually found in such an Youthful Age , was therefore made King : For , by his Manly Exercises in Riding , throwing the Dart , and vying with his young Courtiers in Feats of Arms ; as also , by his Bounty and Courteous Demeanor , he won to himself the Love of all . But his Vices increasing with his Age , by his profound Avarice , Peevishness , Luxury and Sloath , he so alienated the Minds of Good Men from him , that the more the Sons were delighted with his Nefarious Practices , the more their Fathers were offended thereat . At last , a Conspiracy of the Nobles was formed against him , occasioned by one Nathalocus , a Nobleman , whose Daughters , being first deflowred by him , and then ignominiously beaten with Rods , he prostituted to the Lust of those Ruffians , that were about him . He endeavoured to defend himself against them , but perceiving he had not Force enough so to do , being also forsaken by his Domesticks , who detested his lewd Practices , he laid b b Athirco , being disgusted for vitiating Noble Virgins , kills himself . violent Hands on himself , in the Twelfth year of his Reign . After his Death c c Dorus flies , and carries his Brothers Children with him . Dorus , either because he was his Brother , or , else had been a Pander to his Lust , fearing lest the Nobles , in the heat of their Provocation , should exercise their Rage upon all the Kings Lineage , saved himself by flight , with his Brothers Three small Children , Findocus , Carantius and Donaldus . Neither was he mistaken in his Opinion ; for Nathalocus , who had receiued so signal an Injury , not contented with Dorus his Exile , suborned Emissaries to kill him , and his Brothers Children too ; who , coming to the Picts , ( for the Royal Youths had chosen the Place of their Banishment amongst them ) and lighting upon one very like Dorus , in Stature and Physiognomy , they slew him , instead of Dorus himself .

Nathalocus , The Thirtieth King .

NAthalocus , thinking , that he had slain Him , who stood most in his way , was , the First of all the Scots that ambitiously sought for the Kingdom . 'T is true , a great part of the Nobility were against Him ; yet , by means of those whom he had corrupted by Promises and Bribes , he carried the Point , and was made King . Neither did he manage the Kingdom any better than he got it . For suspecting the Nobility , which , in the Parliaments of the Kingdom , he had found to be adverse to him , he Governed all by the Ministry of Plebejans , whom Audaciousness and Penury ( he knew ) would easily incline to any wickedness . Besides those Suspicions I have mentioned , he was encountred with a far more grievous one ; for , intercepting Letters directed to some of the Chief Nobles , he understood by them , That Dorus , and the Children of Athirco , were yet alive , and were brought up amongst the Picts , in hopes of the Kingdom . To avoid this Danger , he sent for those Nobles , whom he most suspected , to come to him , pretending he had need of their Advice , in the Publick Affairs of the Kingdom . When d d Nathalocus Murders the Nobility treacherously . they were assembled , he shut them all up in Prison , and , the very next night , caused them all to be strangled . But , that which he hoped would be a Remedy to his Fears , was , but as a Firebrand to raise up another Conspiracy . For the Friends of those who were slain , being afraid of themselves , as well as grieving for the loss of their Relations and Kindred , unanimously take up Arms against him . Whilst he was raising an Army to oppose them , he was slain by one of his own Domesticks , about the Twelfth Year of his Reign . Some of our Country-men do add a Tale in the Case , which is more handsomly Contrived , than likely to be True . That the very Man , who slew the King , had been before sent by him to Southsayers , to enquire concerning the King , his Victories , his Life , and Kingdom ; And that an old Wizard should answer him , That the King should not live long , but his Danger would arise , not from his Enemies , but from his Domesticks ; And when he pressed the Woman , From which of them ? She replyed , Even , from thy Self , Man . Whereupon , he cursed the Woman ; yet returning home in a great Quandary , he thought with himself , That the Womans Answer could not be concealed ; and yet it was not safe for him to declare it , lest he should render himself suspected to the King , who was a depraved Person and guided wholly by his own Fears . And therefore it seemed to him , the safest Course to kill the Tyrant with the Favour of many , than to preserve him alive , with the extreme hazard of his own Life . Presently after he returned home , having obtained Liberty of private Access , to declare the secret Answer of the Oracle , or Conjurer , e e He himse●●● slain by one 〈◊〉 his Domesticks . he slew the King , now entring upon the Twelfth Year of his Reign ; and so freed his Country from Bondage , and himself from Danger .

Findochus , The Thirtieth First King .

WHen the last King's Death was publickly known , the Sons of Athirco were recalled home . Findochus , besides his being of the Royal Family , was also endued with many blandishments of Nature , being very beautiful , tall of Stature , in the flower of his Age ; and besides , being rendred yet more acceptable , for the afflictions he had suffered , he was chosen King . Neither did he deceive Mens expectations ; For in his ordinary deportment , he was very Courteous ; in administring of Justice , Equal , and Impartial ; and a Conscientious Performer of all his Promises . But Donaldus , the Islander , being weary of Peace , Sailed over with a numerous Army into Albium ; and making havock of the Villages where he came , returned home with a great Booty . His Pretension for the War , was , the revenge of the Death of King Nathalocus ; f f Findochus or●ecomes Donaldus and his Redshanks . Findochus speedily listed an Army against him , and transporting them into the Island , he overthrew Donaldus in Battel , and forced him to fly for Refuge to his Ships ; many were slain in the Fight , and many were drowned , whilst they endeavoured , in an hurry , to get a Shipboard . Donaldus himself being taken into the Boat , endeavouring to escape , the Boat sunk , by reason of the Multitude of those , who overladed it , and so he was drowned . Notwithstanding , the Islanders , not disheartned with this overthrow , after the departure of the King , sent for Forces out of Ireland , and renewed the War , making Donaldus his Son , their General , in the room of his Father ; under whom they again made a Descent into the Continent , and drove away much Booty . Whereupon Findochus again wafted over his Forces into the Aebudae Isles , and marching over all the Islands , executed severe Punishment on the Plunderers ; and overthrowing the Forts , into which they were wont to fly , he made such a slaughter of the Men , and carried away so much Prey , That he left many of the Islands almost desolate : Upon Findochus his return , Donaldus , who had fled for safety into Ireland , returned from thence , and endeavouring to recruit his Armies , he found his Forces so weakened , that he left off the Thoughts of managing an open War , and resolved to betake himself to Guile and Stratagem . And in prosecution of that Design , not daring to trust the King , thô he had given him the Publick Faith for his Security ; he sent Two of his Friends , Persons both bold and crafty , as with a secret Message , to Him . They , coming to Findochus , and boasting of their Lineage , and Descent , and withal , grievously complaining of the wrongs they had received from Donaldus ; yet could not induce the King to believe them : Whereupon , they applyed themselves to g g He is slain by the conspiracy of his Brother Carantius . Carantius his Brother , a shallow-pated and ambitious Person : Being admitted into an intimate Familiarity with him , and , by his means , being made acquainted with the secret Affairs of the State and Commonwealth ; having found out his Disposition , they were at last so bold , as to tell him , They were sent over to kill the King . He hearing this , looked upon the Kingdom as gotten by other Mens wickedness and danger , now sure to himself , did therefore shew them all the Countenance and Favour imaginable . Whereupon , all things were prepared for the Perpetration of the designed Murder ; whilst the King was hearing one of them , relating the various Adventures of his Life ; and the rest were busy in running to see a wild Beast of an extraordinary bigness , the other thrust him through the Breast with an Hunting Spear , and so slew him . Upon the committing of which horrible Fact , there was a great Hubbub and Concourse of People ; some take up their dying King ; others persue the Murderers , who were taken , and deservedly executed ; yet they were not put to Death before they had been Rackt , and by that means they confest the Design of Donaldus , and the wickedness of Carantius , who had withdrawn himself to dissemble the Matter . This Carantius first fled to the Brittons ; but they hearing of the cause of his Banishment , did detest so execrable a Guest ; whereupon he went to the Roman Camp .

Donaldus II , The Thirty Second King .

THE best of Men , as well as of Kings , being thus slain , by the detestable Treachery of his Brother , in the Eleventh Year of his Reign ; h h Donaldus overthrown , and taken prisoner by the Islander● . Donaldus , the youngest of his Three Brothers , was set up King in his stead . He , whilst he was preparing to Revenge his Brothers Death ▪ Word was brought him , that Donaldus the Islander had entred Murray , not now carrying himself as a Robber , but as a King . Whereupon , He , with a few of his Soldiers , which were near at hand ( having left a Command for the rest to follow ) marches directly towards the Enemy . Donaldus being informed by his Spies , That the King had but a small Force with him , continued his March Day and Night , and by that means prevented the news of his approach . The King being thus surprized , seeing he could not avoid Fighting , performed more than could have been expected from so small a Number , but , at length , was overcome by the multitude of his Enemies ; and being grievously wounded , with Thirty more of the prime of his Nobility , was taken Prisoner ; about 3000 Men were slain in the Fight , and 2000 taken . The King dyed within Three days ; either of his Wounds , or for Grief of his overthrow , having scarce Reigned One full Year .

Donaldus III. The Thirty Third King .

AFter his Death , i i Donald the Islander , who before , without any Authority , had assumed the Name of King , did now manage all things as a Legitimate Prince ; being advantaged much by the fear of the Nobles , who ( left their Kinsmen , who were p●isoners with him , should be slain , which Donaldus did daily threaten to do ) durst not make any Insurrections against him . He was a very Tyrant in his Government , and Cruel to all his Subjects ; for he was not content , by an Edict , to forbid any others to bear Arms , but his own Servants and Officers too ; and also he hurried the Nobility to violent Deaths , whose Destruction he esteemed to be the establishment of his Government : Yea , He proceeded to sow Seeds of Discord amongst those who survived his Cruelty ; neither did he think any Sight more lovely , than the mutual slaughter of his Subjects . For he counted their Ruin was his Gain , and judged himself to be freed of so many Enemies as were slain , out of both Armies . Neither was he afraid of any thing more , than the union of his Subjects against him . Hereupon , he kept himself commonly within the Verge of his own Palace , and being conscious of the wrong he had done to all , as Fearful of them , and Formidable to them , he seldom went abroad . These Miseries c●ntinuing Twelve Years , at length , Crathilinthus , the Son of King Find●chus , with much ado , was found out , to revenge the publick Wrongs and Calamities : He had been bred up privately with his Foster-Father , and was thought to have been dead . But having few about him , equal to him in strength or cunning , dissembling his Name and his Lineage ; he first applyed himself to Court , and being received into near Familiarity by the King , by the dexterity of his Wit , he became his most intimate and greatest Favourite . At last , when all things succeeded according to his Desire ; he discover'd to a few of his Confidents , Who he was , and What he designed ; and gathering a small Party about him , having got a convenient opportunity , he slew He is slain by 〈◊〉 . Donaldus , and departed privately with his Associates .

Crathilinthus , The Thirty Fourth King .

WHen the Death of the Tyrant was divulged , both the Fact itself , and the Authors thereof too , were entertained with a general Acclamation ; so that Crathilinthus , upon the discovery and legal proof of his Stock , was made King , with more Unanimity and Applause , than ever any King had been before him ; in regard he had been the Author , not only of their Liberty , but of their Safety too . At the beginning of his Reign , by Publick Consent , he caused the Children and Kindred of the Tyrant to be put to death , as if he would extirpate Tyranny from the very Root . Afterwards , he made a The Scotish K●ng● did 〈◊〉 Travel all ove● the whole Kingdom , in their own Persons , to Administer Justice . Progress over all his Kingdom , to Administer Justice , as accustomed ; he repaired , as carefully as he could , what was damaged by Donaldus . Thus having established Peace at home and abroad , after the Custom of the Nation , he spent his time in Hunting . In order to which Exercise , being on Mount Grampius , near the Borders of the Picts , he Nobly entertained the young Gallants of the Picts that came to visit him ; yea , he was not content with that Friendship , that had been anciently betwixt them , grounded on old Acquaintance , and strengthened by a mutual Peace , but he took them also into a nearer Courtship and Familiarity . But that Familiarity had almost proved his ruin . For the Picts , having stoln a Dog of the Scotish Kings , wherein he much delighted , the Keeper , having discovered the Place where he was concealed , in going thereto , and endeavouring to bring him back , was slain : Hereupon a great Outcry was presently made , and a Multitude of both Parties were gathered together , between whom there was a sharp Combat , wherein many were slain , on both sides ; amongst whom , there were not a few of the young Nobility of both Nations ; by which means , there were sown the Seeds of a most Cruel War m m A War like to 〈◊〉 between the 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 , betwixt them . For , from that Day forward , each Nation did vex the other with Hostile Incursions , and never gave over till they met together with full Armies : Neither could Peace be made up between them upon any Terms , though both Kings desired it . For although they were not ignorant , that it was to their Disadvantage to be at odds one another , the Romans and Brittons being their perpetual Enemies and Assailants ; yet they were so madded by , and so set upon , the Desire of Revenge , that , whilst they were eager on that account , they neglected the Publick Calamity , impending on them both ; and unless But composed by the Prudence of Carantius , a Roman . Carantius , a Roman Exile , one of mean Descent , but a good Soldier , had interposed , they had fought it out to the last Man , even till both Nations had been destroyed . This Carantius , being sent to the Sea-Coasts of Bologn● by Dioclesian , to defend Belgick Armorica from the Incursions of the Francs and Saxons , after he had taken many of the Barbarians , yet would neither restore the Prey to the Provincials , the Right Owners , nor yet send them to the Emperor ; hereupon a suspicion arose , that he purposely allowed the Barbarians to plunder , that so he might rob them at their return , and thereby enrich himself with the Spoil . For this Reason Maximianus commanded him to be slain ; but he , taking Authority upon him , seized upon Britany ; and to strengthen his Party against 〈…〉 , and Constantinus Ch●o●us , three Roman Lieutenant-Generals in 〈◊〉 suc●●●lively . Bassianus , the Roman Lieutenant-General , he reconciled the Discords betwixt the Scots and Picts , and entred into a firm League and Alliance with them Both. The Romans made many Attempts against him , but , by his Skill in Military Affairs , he defeated all their Designs : After he had restored the Scots and Picts into the possession of those Lands , which they formerly held , he was slain by his Companion Allectus , after he had Reigned seven Years . Allectus , having Reigned three Years , was slain by 〈…〉 , and Constantinus Ch●o●us , three Roman Lieutenant-Generals in 〈◊〉 suc●●●lively . Asclepiodotus ; and thus Britanny was restored to the Romans , in the Twelfth Year after its Revolt . But neither Asclepiodotus , nor , he who succeeded him , 〈…〉 , and Constantinus Ch●o●us , three Roman Lieutenant-Generals in 〈◊〉 suc●●●lively . Constantinus Chlorus , did any memorable thing in Britain ; but that this later begat Constantin , afterwards Emperor , on Helena his Concu●bne . Amidst these Transactions , Crathilinthus died , after he had Reiigned 24 years .

Fincormachus , The Thirty Fifth King .

FIncormachus , his Cousin-German succeeded him , who perform'd many excellent Exploits against the Romans , by the aid of the Britains and Picts ; Yea , some Battels he fought them without any Auxiliaries at all . At length , when the Romans were weakned by their Civil Wars at home , and perpetual molestations abroad , Matters being a little quieted , the Scots were also glad to embrace Peace : Who , being thus freed from external cares , did principally endeavour to promote the Christian Religion ; they took this occasion to do it , because many of the British Christians , being afraid of the cruelty of Dioclesian , had fled to them : Amongst which sundry , eminent for Learning and Integrity of Life , made their aboad in Scotland , where they led a solitary Life , with such an universal Opinion of their Sanctity , that , when they died , their Cells were changed into Temples or Kirks . From hence , the Custom arose afterwards , amongst the Ancient Scots , to call Temples , Cells . This s●rt of Monks were called q q C●●●ees , a sort ●f Religious Monks , in those days . Culdees , whose Name and Order continued , till a later sort of Monks , divided into many Sects , did expel them : Yet , these last were as far inferiour to the former , in Learning and Piety ; as they did exceed them in Wealth , in Ceremonies , and in Pomp of outward Worship , whereby they please the Eye but infatuate the Mind .

Fincormachus , having settled affairs in Scotland , with great equity , and reduced his Subjects to a more civil kind of Life , departed this Life , in the 47th Year of his Reign .

Romachus , The Thirty Sixth King .

AFter his Death , there was a great contest about the Kingdom , between Three Cousin-Germans , begot by the Three Brothers of Crathilinthus , their Names were r r Dissension about Succession to the Crown . Romachus , Fethelmachus , and Augusianus , or rather Romachus's Plea , was , that his Father was the Eldest of the Three Brothers of Crathilinthus , and that his Mother was descended from the Blood-Royal of the Picts ; as also , that he himself was of a stirring Disposition ; and likely to procure Friends and Allys .

That which made for Augusianus , was , his Age and Experience in the World , as also his admirable Deportment ; to which was added the Favour of the People ; and that which was the principal of all , Fethelmachus , who was , before , his Competitor , now voted for him . By reason of this Sedition , the matter being like to be decided by Arms , nothing could be concluded in the First Convention of the Estates , but That being dissolved , the whole Kingdom was divided into Two Factions ; and Romachus , who was least in the favour of the People , called in the Picts Militia , for his assistance , that so he might strengthen himself by Foreign Aid .

Augusianus , being informed , that Ambushes were laid for him , judged it better , once for all , to try the shock of a Battel , than to live in perpetual solicitude and fear : Whereupon , gathering his Party into a body , he fought with Romachus , but , being overcome by Him , He and Fethelmachus fled together into the Aebudae Islands .

But perceiving , he could not be safe there , because , on the account of his Victory , he was formidable to the Heads of the Factions , and that he was also amongst a people , naturally venal , and corrupted by the promises of Romachus , he fled into Ireland with his Friends . s s Romachus Reigns Tyrannically , Romachus , having thus removed his Rival , and obtained the Kingdom rather by force than the good will of the People , did exercise his Power very cruelly over his Enemies ; and , to put a pretence of Law on the matter , when he went about the Country to keep Assizes , he took no Counsel of others , as was accustomed , but assumed all Capital causes to his own Arbitrement , so that he made great Execution amongst the People , and strook a general Terror into the hearts of all good Men. At length , when all were wearied with the present state of Affairs , the Nobility made a sudden combination against him ; and , before he could gather his Forces together , he was taken , in his flight to the Picts , and t t And is therefore slain . put to death in the Third year of his Reign . His Head was carried up and down , fasten'd to the Top of a Pole , and afforded a joyful Spectacle to the People .

Angusianus , The Thirty Seventh King .

HEreupon , Angusianus was recalled , by general consent , to undertake the Kingly Government . In the beginning of his Reign , They , which were the Ministers of Cruelty and Covetousness under Romachus , being afraid to live under so good a King , stirred up Nectamus , King of the Picts , to make War upon Him , in revenge of his Kinsman . v v Wars between Angusianus and the Picts ; Angusianus , being a lover of Peace , sent Embassadors to them , very often , to advise them , That both Nations would be much prejudiced by those Divisions , in regard the Brittons did but watch an Opportunity to destroy them both . But they hearkned not unto them , either out of confidence of their strength ; or , out of anger and vexation of Spirit . So that , perceiving them to be averse from Peace , he led forth his Army against them ; and , after a sharp conflict , obtained the Victory . The King of the Picts made his escape , with a few in his company ; and , after he had a little master'd his fear , being inflam'd with Rage and Fury , he obtained , but with great difficulty , of his Subjects to raise him a new Army : And when it was levied , he marched into Caledonia . Angusianus , having again propounded Terms of Peace , which not being hearkned unto , he drew his forces towards the Enemy . The Fight was maintain'd with equal obstinacy on both sides , one striving to retain their acquired Glory ; and th' other endeavouring to wipe away their received Ignominy and Disgrace . At length , the Scots , w w Wherein Angusianus was slain . Angusianus being slain , brake their Ranks and ran away . Neither was the Battel unbloody to the Picts ; Their King and all his Valiant Warriors being slain therein : The Loss being in a manner equal on both sides occasioned a Peace between them , for some short time . Angusianus reigned little above an Year .

Fethelmachus , The Thirty Eighth King .

FEthelmachus was made King , in the room of Angusianus ; when he had fearce Reigned 2 years he levied an Army , and made foul havock of the Picts Country : As soon as the Enemy could meet him , they fought , with a great slaughter on either side . For the main Battel of the Picts , they having lost both their wings , was almost all encompassed round and taken , yet they died not unrevenged . The King of the Picts , three days after , died of his wound . The Scots , making use of their Victory , having no Army at all to withstand them , made a great spoil all over the Picts Country ; For the Picts , having received so great a blow , never durst oppose them with their whole force ; only they appointed some small Partys of their Men , in sit time and place , to withstand the straggling Troops of their Enemy ; that so they might not plunder far from home . In the mean time , one Hergustus , a crafty man , having undertaken the Command of the Picts , inasmuch as he was inferior in Force he applied himself to Fraud , for he sent two Picts , who , pretending themselves to be Scots , were to kill the King . They , according to their Instructions , treated with a certain Musician , about the Murder of the King : For those sort of Creatures are wont to lodge in the Chambers of Princes and Noblemen , to relieve them whilst awake , and also to procure sleep : Which custom still continues in all the British Isles , amongst the old Scots ; But 〈◊〉 Murderd , afterwards , by two Picts , inborn●d by 〈◊〉 . so that on a Night agreed upon between them , the Picts were introduced by this Minstrel , and so slew the King as privately as they could ; yet they could not carry it so secretly , but that the Kings Attendants were awaken'd at the hearing of his Death-groans ; and so pursued the Authors of the Villany , and when they could fly no further , the Kings Officers took them ( tho' they threw Stones at them to defend themselves , from a steep Rock ) and brought them back to Execution .

Eugenius , or Evenus I. The Thirty Ninth King .

FEthelmachus being thus slain , in the third year of his Reign , Eugenius , or rather Evenus , the Son of Fincormachus succeeded him . About that time , * * Maximus , a Roman General in Britain . Maximus , the Roman General , being in hopes to conquer the whole Island , if he could destroy the Scots and Picts both , first of all , he pretends many favourable respects to the Picts , who were then the weaker Party ; and therefore , by consequence , more ready to treat with him . Them he filled with vain promises , That , if they would persevere in their Alliance with the Romans , besides many other innumerable advantages , they should have the Scots Land , to be divided amongst them . The z z Roman● 〈◊〉 Picts 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 Picts were catched with this bait , being blinded by Anger , desirous of Revenge , allured by Promises , and regardless of future Events ; Hereupon , they joyned their Forces with the Romans , and spoiled the Scots Country . Their first fight with them was at Cree , a River of Galway , the Scots , being few in number , were easily overcome by a more numerous Army , and being thus put to slight , the Romans pursued them every way without any order , as being sure of the Victory . In the mean time , the Argyle Men , and some other Forces of the remote Parts , who were coming up to joyn with their vanquished Friends , fell in good order upon the scatter'd Troops of the Romans , and made a great Slaughter amongst their Enemies . Eugenius gather'd up those whom he could recal from flight , and , calling a Council of War , was advised , That seeing his forces were not sufficient to carry on the War , he should return back to Carrick . But , as Maximus was prosecuting his victory , word was brought him , That all was in a flame in the inner parts of Britain . The Scots were glad of his departure , as being eased of a great part of their Enemies : and , though they were scarce able to defend their own , yet , between Anger and Hope , they resolved , before the Summer was past , to perform some great Exploit against their adjacent Enemies ; and thereupon they poured in the remainders of their Force upon the Picts . As they marched , they slew all they met , without distinction , and made all desolate with Fire and Sword . Maximus , tho' he threatned and spake contumeliously of the Scots , yet being equally joyful at the destruction of both Nations , as soon as he found an opportunity , marched against the Scots , upon pretence to revenge the Wrongs , done by them to the Picts . The Scots , on the other side , being now to fight , not for Glory , Empire , or Booty , but for their Country , Fortune , Lives , and whatsoever else is wont to be dear to Men , drew forth all that were able to bear Arms ; not the Men only , but Women also , ( according to the Custom of the Nation ) prepare themselves for their last encounter , and pitched their Tents not far from the River Down , and near their Enemies Camp . Both Armies , being set in order of Battel , first of all , the Auxiliaries set upon the Scots , where , some fighting in hope , others incited by despair , there was a very sharp , tho' short , encounter ; The Picts and Britains were repulsed with great loss , and had been certainly wholly routed and put to flight , if seasonable relief had not come to them from the Romans . But , Maximus bringing on his Legions , the Scots being inferior in Number , in the Nature of their Arms , and in their Military Discipline , were driven back and almost quite ruined . King a a 〈…〉 by Maximus , and Eugenius slain . Eugenius himself fell in this Fight , as not being willing to survive his Soldiers ; and the greatest part of his Nobles fell with him , as loath to forsake their King . b b Maximus at first using his Victory moderately , yet afterwards , at the instigation of the Picts ▪ Maximus , having obtained this great Victory sooner than he hoped , and scarce finding any on whom he might wreck his hatred , mercifully returned to his former Clemency ; for marching over many Provinces of the Scots , he took those that yielded themselves ▪ to Mercy ; and caused them to till the Land , withal adding his Commands , That they should be contented with their Own , and not be offensive to their Neighbours . The Picts , taking this his Clemency in evil part , did allege , That the Romans and their Allys would never obtain a firm , solid , peace , as long as the Nation of the Scots , which were always unquiet , and took all opportunities to plunder , did remain alive ; adding further , That Britanny would never be secure , whilst any of the Scotish Blood remain'd in it : That they were like wild Beasts , who would be sweetned by no Offices of Love , nor would they be quiet , though they received never so many Losses ; so that there would be no end of War , till the whole Nation was extinct . Maximus replied many things , in bar to such severities , as , That 't was the ancient Custom of the Romans , if they overcame any Nation , to be so far from extirpating them , that they made many of them Denizons of their City : That though they had almost Conquered the whole World , yet never any People or Nation were wholly eradicated by Them . That he himself , having slain their King , with the flower of his Army , had so quelled them , that now they were no longer to be feared , but rather pitied by their Enemies ; he further urged , That his hatred of the Picts was as great as Theirs ; but , if they considered the matter well , it would be a joyfuller Spectacle , to behold the Miseries of them being alive , than the Graves of them being Slain ; yea , that it was a more grievous Punishment to live a dying Life , than , by once Dying , to put an end to all Miseries . This was the Sum of the Discourse which he made , not so much out of any Affection to the Scots , as out of Hatred of the Picts Cruelty . Moreover , he had an Eye to the future , as judging it extreamly hazardous to the Roman Province , if the Force of the Picts , upon the Extirpation of the Scots , should be doubled . But the Picts did so ply him with Complaints , Supplications and Guifts , that at length they obtained an Edict from him , That all the c c He banisht the Scots out of all Britain , upon pain of Death , and give away their Lands . Scots should depart out of Britain by a certain day , and he that was found there after the time limited , should be put to Death . Their Country was divided betwixt the Picts and Britains . Thus the surviving Scots , as every Mans Fortune led him , were scattered over Ireland , the Aebudae Islands , through Scandia , and the Cimbrick Chersonesus , and were in all places kindly received by the Inhabitants . But the Picts , though they made publick Profession of the Christian Religion ; yet , did not forbear to commit Injuries against Priests and Monks ; which , in that Age , were had in great esteem . So that those poor Ecclesiasticks were dispersed into all the Countries round about , and many of them came into Icolumbkill , one of the Aebudae Isles , where , being gathered together in a Monastery , they transmitted an high Opinion of their Piety , and Holiness , to Posterity . The rest of the Scots being thus afflicted by Wars , exiled from their Countries , and in despair of returning thither again ; The Inhabitants of the Hebrides , being of a fierce and unquiet Nature , idle , poor , abounding in Men , yet wanting Necessaries , thought , That they ought to attempt something of themselves , and so gathering a Navy of Birlins , and small Ships together , under a a The E●iled Scots , endeavouring to recover their Country , are worsted by their Enemies , Gillo their Commander , they landed in the County of Argyle . Having made their Descent there , and dispersing themselves scatteredly , amongst a Country almost wholly destitute of Inhabitants , to fetch in Booty , they were circumvented by the Picts , who were sent to assist the Inhabitants , and placed in Garison there ; and being kept from their Ships were slain every Man . Their Navy was taken , and reserved for Service against the Islanders . And not long after , they which fled to Ireland , partly out of Remembrance of their Ancient Alliance , and partly out of Commiseration of their Fortune , did easily incite a Nation , naturally inclined to War and Plunder , to afford them Aid to recover their Country and Antient Patrimony . Ten Thousand Auxiliaries were allowed them , who , landing in that part of Scotland , which is opposite to Ireland , struck a great terrour to the People over all the Country . Being encouraged by their first happy Success , when they were consulting how to carry on the War , the Albian Scots , well knowing the strength of the Romans , and how much they exceeded other Nations , in their skill about Military Affairs , persuaded them to be contented with their present Victory , and to return home with their Booty , not staying till the whole force of Britain was gathered together , to assault them . And seeing , that the Forces of all Ireland , if they had been there , could not withstand the Roman Army , which , by its Conduct and Valour , had almost subdued the whole World ; therefore , they were to deal with them , not by open Force , but by Subtilty . That they were to watch opportunities , and seeing they could not match their Enemies in Number , Force , or Warlike Skill , that therefore they should weary them out with Toil and Labour . And that This was the only Method for the managing the War with them . The Irish-Scots on the other side , did blame those of Albium , whose former Valour was now so Languid , That though they were the Off-Spring of those , who had almost overthrown whole Armies of the Romans , yet , that they could not now look them in the Face ; Yea , there were some of the Albine-Scots themselves of the same Opinion , alleging , That this Method of War , propounded by their Country-Men , was very vain and frivolous , serving only to vex the Enemy , but not to recover their own Country ; and that therefore they ought to follow their good Fortune , and not to think of returning , till she made way for them . And , if they would act thus , then , no doubt , but God ( who had blessed them with such prosperous beginnings ) would , by their Arms , lessen the power of the Enemie , either by raising up new Tumults amongst the Britains , or , by calling off the Roman Legions to a War nearer home . That the Occasion , now offered , was not to be neglected , lest hereafter it might be sought for in Vain : This Opinion prevailed , and so they joyfully returned to their Prey . Thus , whilst in hopes , to recover what they had lost , they indulged their own Will , rather rashly than prudently , being immediately overpowred by greater Forces , they lost the best part of their Men. This Slaughter being made known in Ireland , cut off all hopes of return from the Scots , and made the Irish fear , lest they also should not retain their Liberty , long ; so that , after many Consultations , they could find no way more adviseable , than , that the Irish Scots should send Ambassadors into Britain , to make b b And forced to make Peace with the R●mans ; Peace with the b b And forced to make Peace with the R●mans ; Romans , upon the best Conditions they could procure . Upon their arrival , Maximus , first of all did severely rebuke them , in that , without any Provocation , they had causelesly excited the Roman Arms against them . The Ambassadors , in excuse , laid the blame on the rude Rabble , and so they obtained Pardon . The Peace was made on these Which they obtain from Maximus , on moderate Conditions . Conditions , That the Hibernians , after that day , should never entertain , or shelter , any Enemies of the Romans ; That they should forbear to offer any Injury to their Allies ; and That they should manage their Government , with a friendly Respect to the Romans . The Hibernians , having thus obtained better Terms than they expected , returned joyfully home . That which inclined Maximus to make this easie Pacification , was , not his fear of the Hibernians , ( for he did not much value all the disturbance , they could give him ) but because , his Mind , being intent upon hopes of greater matters , he was willing to leave all Britain , not only quiet and free from War , but also affectionate and under an obligation to him . For , when he perceived , after the Defeat and Slaughter of so many of their Armies , that the Forces of the Roman Empire were shattered and weakned by their Civil Wars ; and that the Emperors were not made by the Senate and People , but by Military Election and Favour ; considering also , That he had conquered Britain , ( which none ever did , before him ) and thereby had got great Fame by his Military Exploits , and had an Army ( for the number of it ) strong enough ; in this posture of Affairs , he determined , if Fortune offred him an Opportunity to seize on the Empire , not to be wanting thereunto . Being prompted by this hope , he treated his Souldiers with great Affability , and bestowed on them many Largesses ; he took advice in all his important Affairs , of the Noblest of the Britains , he recruited his Army with Picts Soldiers , and committed several Garisons , in divers places , to be kept by them . The Lands of the Scots he divided betwixt Them , and the Britains . To the Picts he left their ancient Possessions , free ; only he exacted a small Tribute from the utmost Angle of the Scotish Kingdom , which he had given to them as a Testimony , ( for so he gave it out himself , ) that all Britain was partly overcome , and partly setled on Conditions of Peace , by him . And by these Artifices , he strangely won the Affections of the common Soldiers : So that all things being in readiness , according to his conceived hope , he assumed the Diadem , as if he had been compelled so to do , by his Soldiers . After him , Constantine was chosen General by the Britains , being recommended only upon the accompt of his Name , for otherwise , he was but a common Soldier at first ; he being also slain , Gratian a Person descended of British Blood , ruled over the Island . But Maximus being slain in Italy , and Gratian in Britain , d d Victorinus sent from Rome , to Govern Britain . Victorinus was sent from Rome to rule Brittain , as a Governor . He pretending to inlarge the Empire , during his Administration , commanded the e e Who incensed the Picts , by his Tyrannick Government over them . Picts , who were reduced into the form of a Province , to use the Roman Laws , denouncing a great Penalty on those , who should dare to do otherwise : And whereas , Hergustus their King died whilst these things were in Agitation ; he forbad them to choose another King , or set up any other Magistrate , but what was sent them from Rome , Thus the Picts looked upon as a mere Slavery . Whereupon , they begun , tho' too late , and to no purpose , to resent him , and complain they had been basely and unworthily betrayed by a Nation , allied to them , and in amity with them ; and though sometimes they were Tumultuous , yet they were partakers with them of all Hazards , against a Foreign Enemy : So that now they suffered according to their Demerits , who had deprived themselves not only of all Aid , but of all Mercy and Pity also . f f The Picts repent of their Conjunction with the Romans , to Root out the Scots ; and also of the Persecution of the Monks , being of the same Re●●gion with themselves . For now who would be sorry for their Calamity , who called to Mind , into what Miseries and Necessities , they had reduced their ancient Friends . And that the Oracle was applicable here , which foretold , That the Picts in time should be extirpated by the Scots . So that n●w , they were punished for betraying the Scots : Yea , their own Punishment was the greater of the Two , in regard Banishment is more tolerable than Servitude . For Banished Men are free , let their Fortune be what it will ; but they Themselves were encountred with the bitterest of all Evils , which were so much the more intolerable , because they fell into them by their own demerit . Whereupon , That they might have One , to whom to resort in order to a publick Consultation , for the remedying of these Calamities , they create Durstus , the Son of Hergustus , King . The Nobles being Assembled about him , to provide Remedy for their Miseries ; their Complaints did express the Severity of their Bondage . They alleged , That they were now not in an imaginary , but real , Slavery : That they were shut up within the Walls of Severus , as wild Beasts , severed from all human Commerce ; and that all their Soldiery , under the splendid Name of War , were indeed drawn out for the Shambles . That , besides the hatred of their Neighbour Nations , they were bitterly reproached by the Monks too , who cryed out , That God did justly despise and reject their Prayers , who had so cruelly persecuted his Ministers , though they were their Brethren , and of the same Religion with themselves , in that they would not suffer them , by whom God might been appeased or exorated , to live in the same Country with them : These Things did grievously pinch their Consciences ; so that , Adversity infusing some sparks of Religion into their Minds , and also some ease from their Miseries being obtained , they , at last , pitched upon This , as the only Way to recover their Liberty . That after they had reconciled themselves to the Scots , they would also endeavour to appease the Wrath of God , who was an Enemy to them for their Perfidiousness . Whereupon , understanding that young g g They send to recal Fergus , a Scottish Exile , from Scandia , to take the Regal Government upon him . Fergusius , of the Blood Royal , was an Exile in Scandia ; they thought , if he were recalled , that the rest also might be induced , by his Authority , to return . To effect which , they sent an Embassy to him , but secretly , for fear of the Romans , to found his Inclination , as to the Return into his own Country .

The Fifth BOOK .

AFter Eugenius was slain by the Romans , as hath been related before , and all the Scots banished from their Country , the King's Brother named Echadius , or Ethodius , for fear of the Treachery of the Picts , and also diffident of his own Affairs , hired Shipping , and committed himself to the Winds , and to Fortune ; and so Sailed into Scandia , together with his Son Erthus , and his Nephew Fergusius . As soon as he arrived there , and came to Court , the King of the Country , being informed Who he was , from whence he came , and what adverse Fortune he had met withal ; his Language , and also his Habit and Beauty soon procuring Credit to his Allegation , he was admitted into near Familiarity with him . Fergusius lived there till he grew up to be a Man , ( his Father and Grandfather being dead ) he addicted himself wholly to Military Studies ; at which time many Expeditions were made by the United Forces of the North , against the Roman Empire . Some of the Forces fell upon Hungary , some upon Gallia ; and Fergusius , both out of his love to Arms , and his hatred to the Romans , followed the Francs , in their War against the Gauls : But that Expedition proved not very prosperous , so that he returned into Scandia with greater Glory , than Success : And when his Name began to be famous , not only there , but also amongst the Neighbor-Nations , his Fame also reaching to the Scots and Picts , both gave the former hope to recover their own Country again , and also the later to obtain their ancient Liberty ; if , laying aside their old Grudges , they should chuse him General , and try their Fortune against the Romans . And indeed , at that time , the Affairs of the Romans were brought to so low an Ebb , by reason of the Successes of the Neighboring-Nations against them , that the Opportunity it self was Bait enough to excite old Enemies , to revenge the former Injuries , they had received from them . For , their Emperors , besides their being weakned by Civil Wars , were so vexed on every side by the Gauls , Vandals , Franks and Africans , who did severally make In-rodes upon them , each from his own Coast , that , omitting the care of Foreign Affairs , they called back their Armies into Italy , to defend Rome it self , the Seat of their Empire . In the midst of these Commotions , they , who commanded the British Legions , esteeming the Roman Affairs as desperate , did each study their own Advantages , and severally to establish their distinct Tyrannies . Neither were they content to vex the Islanders with all kind of Cruelty and Avarice , but they also harassed one another by Mutual Incursions . So , the Number of the Legionary Soldiers did daily decrease , and the hatred of the Provincials against them did increase . So that , all Britanny would have rebelled against them , if they had had Forces , answerable to their Desires : But above all their Miseries , That was most prejudicial to the Britains , which the Emperor Constantine , the last General of the Roman Army , caused them to endure ; For , when he was made Emperor , he withdrew , not only the Roman Army , but even the British Soldiers too ; and so left the whole Island disarmed , and exposed to all Violence , if they had had any Foreign Enemy to invade them . This was the chief occasion , which did mightily hasten the combination of the Scots . When Affairs stood in this posture , secret Messengers were sent betwixt the h h The Scots and Picts unite against the Romans , then brought low by their own Civil Dissensions . Scots and the Picts ; and a Peace struck up between them . Whereupon , they Both sent Ambassadors to call home Fergusius , to undertake the Kingly Government , as , descending to him from his Ancestors . Fergusius , being a Military Man , desirous of Honour , and , besides , not so well pleased with his present Estate , but encouraged with hopes of a better , easily accepted the Terms . When his return was noised abroad , many of the Exiled Scots , yea , several of the Danes also , his acquaintance , and fellow-Soldiers , being encouraged by the same hopes , accompanied him also home : They all landed in Argyle . Thither all those Exiles , which were in Ireland , and the Circumjacent Islands , having notice given them before of his coming , resorted speedily to him ; and they also drew along with them , a considerable number of their Clans and Relations , and also several young Soldiers , who were desirous of Innovation .

Fergusius II. The Fortieth King .

FErgusius , having got these Forces together , was Created the 40 th King of Scotland , being Inaugurated according to the manner of the Country . The * * A Parchment Chronicle of Scotish Affairs , written by the Monks of the Abby of Pasley , a Town and Abby , situate not far from Glascom , in the Ba●ony of Renfrew , called from its Cover . The Black Book . Black Book of Pasley casts his return on the 6th Year of Honorius and Arcadius , Emperours ; Others , upon the 8th of their Reign , that is , according to the account of Marianus Scotus , 403 , according to Funccius , 404 Years , after the Incarnation of Christ ; and about 27 Years after the death of his Grand-Father Eugenius . They who contend , out of Bede , That this was the First coming of the Scots into Britain , may be convinced of a manifest untruth , by his very History . When the Assembly of the Estates was Dissolved , Fergusius being born and bred to Feats of War and Arms , judging it convenient to make use of the Favourableness of Fortune , and the Forwardness of his Men ; and withal , designing to prevent the Report of his coming , demolished all the Neighbor-Garisons ; having not Soldiers enough to keep them ; and having recovered his own Kingdom , as soon as the season of the Year would permit , he prepared for an * * Fergus prepares for War . Expedition against his Enemy . In the mean time , the Brittons were divided into Two Factions , some of them desirous of Liberty , and weary of a Foreign Yoke , were glad of their Arrival ; others preferred their present Ease , thô attended with so many and great Inconveniencies , before an uncertain Liberty , and a certain War . And therefore , out of fear of the Danger hanging over their heads , and withal , being Conscious of their own Weakness , they agreed upon a double Embassy , one to the Picts , another to the Romans : That to the Picts , was , to advise them , not to desert their old Allies the Romans and Brittons , nor to take part with their ancient Enemies , who were a company of poor , hopeless , and despicable Creatures . They farther gave them grave Admonitions , and made them many promises , and added many Threats from the Romans , whom ( said they ) they could never equal in Number , or overcome , though the whole strength of both Nations did jointly make Head against them , much less could they no● Cope with them , seeing one of them was exhausted by Draughts and Detachements of Souldi●rs ; and the other worn out with all manner of Miseries ▪

* * The Brittons send for Aid to the Romans , and receive one Legion , The Minutes of their Instructions to their Ambassadors , sent to the Romans , were these , That they should send Aid to them in time , whilst there was any thing left to defend , against the rage of a Cruel Enemy ; which , if they would do , then Britain would still remain firm under their Obedience ; if not , it were better for them to leave their Country , than to endure a Servitude , worse than Death , under Savage Nations . Hereupon the Romans , though pressed upon by War on every side , yet sent one Legion out of Gaul , to defend their Province , giving them Command to return , assoon as they had settled matters in Britanny . The Brittons having received such Aid , did suddainly * * Who repulsed their Enemies and return . assault the plundring Troops of their Enemies , who were careles●ly struggling up and down , and repelled them with great Slaughter .

The Confederate Kings , having an Army well-appointed , came to the Wall of Severus , and meeting their Enemies by the River Carron , a bloody Battel was fought between them . Great Slaughter was made on both sides , but the Victory fell to the Romans , who , being in a little time to return into Gallia , were content only to have driven back their Enemies , and to repair the Wall of Severus , which in many places was demolished ; which , when they had done , and had Garisoned it with Brittons , they departed . The Confederate Kings , though they were Superior to their Enemies , in swift Marchings , and enduring of Hardships ; yet , being inferiour in Number and Force , resolved not to Fight pitched Battels any more , but rather to weary their Enemies , by frequent Inrodes , and not to put all at a venture in one Fight , seeing they were not , as yet , of Force sufficient so to do . But when they heard , That the Romans were returned out of Britain , they altered their Resolutions , and gathering all their Forces together , they demolished the Wall of Severus , which was slightly repaired , only by the Hands of Souldiers , and but negligently guarded neither , by the Brittons . So that by this means , having a larger Scope to Forage in , they made the Country beyond the Wall , ( which they were not able to keep , for want of Men ) useless to the Brittons , for many Miles : It is reported , that one Graham was the principal Man in demolishing that Fortification ; who , transporting his Soldiers in Ships , landed beyond the Wall , and slew the Guards unawares , and unprovided ; and so made a passage for his Men. 'T is not certain amongst Writers , Whether this Graham were a Scot , or a Britton ; but most think , That he was a Britton , descended of the Fulgentian Sept , a Prime and Noble Family in that Nation ; as also , That he was the Father in Law of King Fergusius : I am most inclined to be of this last Opinion . The Wall then being thus Razed , the Scots and Picts did Rage , with most inhuman Cruelties , over the Brittons , without distinction of Age or Sex : For ( as Matters then stood ) the Brittons were weak and unaccustomed to War , so that they sent a lamentable Embassy to Rome , complaining of the unspeakable Calamities they endured , and with great humility and earnestness , supplicating for Aid , farther alleging , That if they were not moved at the Destruction of the Brittons , and the loss of a Province , ( lately , so splendid an one , ) yet , it became the Romans to maintain their own Dignity , lest their Names should grow contemptible amongst those Barbarous Nations . Hereupon , * * The Brittons receive another Auxiliary Legion of the Romans under Maximianus . another Legion was again sent for their Relief , who coming ( as Bede says ) in Autumn , an unexpected Season of the Year , made great Slaughter of their Enemies . The Confederate Kings gathered what Force they could together , to beat them back ; and , being encouraged by their Success in former Times , and also by the Friendship and Alliance of * * Dionethus a Britton . Dionethus , a Britton , they drew forth towards the Enemy . This Dionethus was well descended in his own Country , but always an Adviser of his Countrymen to shake off the Roman Yoke ; and then especially , when so fair an Opportunity was offered , and the whole Strength of the Empire was engaged in other Wars , whereupon he was suspected by his own Men as an Affector of Novelty , and was hated of the Romans , but was a Friend to the Scots , and Picts ; who , understanding , That the Design of the Romans , was , first to destroy Dionethus , as an Enemy near at hand , and in their very Bowels , to obviate their purpose , made great Marches towards them ; and joyning their Forces with Those of Dionethus's , began a a sharp Encounter with the Romans , who , over-powered by Numbers , both in Front and Reer , were put to Flight . When the Ranks of the Legionary Soldiers were thus broken , and gave Ground , the Confederate King being too eager in pursuit , fell amongst the Reserves of the Romans , and the rest of their Army , who stood in good Order , and were repulsed by them with * * Maximianus overcomes Fergus King of Scots , 〈◊〉 King of Picts , and Dionethus . great Slaughter : So that if the Romans , being conscious of the smalness of their Number , had not forbore any farther pursuit , they had doubtless received a mighty Overthrow that Day ; but because the loss of some Soldiers in but a small Army was most sensible , therefore they were less joyous at the Victory .

Maximianus ( so our Writers call him , who commanded the Roman Legion ) being dismayed at this Check , retired into the midst of his Province ; And the Opposite Kings returned each to his own Dominion . Hereupon , Dionethus took the Supreme Authority upon him , and , being clothed in Purple after the manner of the Romans , carries himself as King of the Brittons . When the Romans understood , that their Enemies were dispersed , they gathered what Force they could together , and encreased them with British Auxiliaries , and so marched against Dionethus , who infested the Provinces adjoyning to him ; for they thought to subdue him , from whom their Danger was nearest , before his Allies could come to his relief : But the Three Kings united their Forces sooner than he imagined , and joyning all their Forces together , they encouraged their Soldiers as well as they could , and , without delay , drew forth their Armies to the Onset . The Roman General placed the Brittons in the Front , and the Romans in the Reserves : The Fight was fierce , and the Front giving Ground , Maximianus brought on his Legion , and stopt the Brittons in their flight ; and then , sending about some Troops to fall on the Rear , some Brigades of Scots , being incompassed by them , drew themselves into a Ring , where they bravely defended themselves , till the greatest part of their Enemies Army falling upon them , they were every Man slain : Yet their loss gave Opportunity to the rest to escape . There fell in that Fight Fergus King of the Scots , and Durstus King of the Picts , Dionethus , being wounded , was , with great difficulty , carried off to the Sea , and in a Skiff returned home . This Victory struck such a Terrour to all , that it recalled the memory of Ancient Times , in so much that many consulted , whither to betake themselves for their Place of Exile . Fergusius died , when he had Reigned Sixteen Years , a Man of an Heroick Spirit , and who may deservedly be called , The Second Founder of the Scotish Kingdom ; yea , ( perhaps ) he may be said to exceed the former * * The Two Fergus's compared . Fergusius , in this , That he came into a void Country , and that by the Concession of the Picts , neither had he the unconquered Forces of the Romans to deal with , but with the Brittons , who , though somewhat ( yet not much ) Superiour to them in Accoutrements and Provisions for War , were yet their Inferiours in enduring the Hardships of the Field . But this later Fergusius , when almost all were slain , who were able to bear Arms , being also brought up in a Foreign Country ; and after the 27th Year of his Banishment from his Own , being sent for as an unknown King , by those Subjects who were as unknown to him , marched with a mixed Army , packed up of several Nations , against the Brittons , who were sometimes also assisted by the Forces of the Romans ; so that , if God had not manifestly favoured his Designs , he might seem to have undertaken a very Temerarious Attempt , and bordering upon Madness it self . When he was slain , he left three Sons behind him , very young , Eugenius , Dongardus , and Constantius ; Graham , their Uncle by the Mother's side , was by Universal Consent , appointed Guardian over them , and in the mean time , till they came to be of Age , he was to manage the Government , as Regent . He was a Person of that Virtuous Temper , that , even in the most Turbulent Times , and amidst a most fierce Nation , who were not always obedient , no not to Kings of their own Nation , yet , there hapned no Home-bred Sedition in his time , though he himself were a Foreigner .

Eugenius , or Evenus II , The Forty First King .

EVgenius , or Evenus the Eldest Son of Fergusias , had the Name of King , but the Power was in the Hands of Graham ; he caused a Muster to be made of the Soldiers , all over the Land , and when he found that his Militia was weakned by former Fights , beyond what he thought , he saw that nothing then was to be done , and so ceased from making any Levies . But the Roman Legion having releived their Allies , and , as they were Commanded , being about to return into the Continent , spoiled all their Enemies Country , within the Wall of Severus , and slew the Inhabitants ; 't is true , they restored the Lands to the Brittons , but they kept the Prey for themselves . So that the Remainders of the Scots and Picts , who supervived their late loss , were again shut up between the two Firth● of the Sea . Matters being reduced to this pass , the * * The Roman Legion leaves Britanny , to maintain their Empire at home . Romans declared to the Brittons , with how great and strong Armies they were beset , who had conspired to destroy the Roman Name and Empire ; so that they were not able to take so much pains , nor to be at so great expence to maintain places so far off ; and therefore , they advised the Brittons , not to expect any more Aid from them , for the future . But they advised rather , that they themselves should take Arms , and inure themselves to undergo Military Pains and Hazards ; and , if they had offended before , through Slothfulness , that now by Industry and Hardiness , they would make an amends , and not permit themselves to grow so contemptible to their Enemies , ( to whom they were Superior in Number and Forces ) as to suffer them to drive away yearly Booties from their Country , as if they had gone forth only as Hunters for their Prey . And the Romans themselves , that they might do them good for future times , did undertake a great and memorable * * Graham's Dike . Work for them . For they gathered together an huge Company of Workmen out of their whole Province , ( the Romans and Brittons , both vying , who should be forwardest ) and where the Trench or Graft was drawn by Severus , Thirty Mile long , there they built a Wall of Stone , Eight Foot broad , and Twelve high , they distinguished it by Castles , some of which represented small Towns . It was finished and bounded on the West , by a place now called Kirk Patrick , and on the East , it began from the Monastery of Aberkernick , as Bede affirms ; in which Country , about One Hundred and Twenty years since , there was a strong Castle of the Douglasses called Abercorn , but no sign of any Monastery at all . Moreover , left their Enemies should make a descent by Ships into Places beyond the Wall , ( as , in their Memory , they had formerly done ) they set up many Beacons or Watch Towers on the higher Grounds along the shore , from whence there was a large prospect into the Sea : And , where it was convenient , they appointed Garisons , but consisting of such Cowardly and Effeminate Fellows , that they could not endure so much as to see the Face of an Armed Enemy . The Roman Legion did this Beneficial and Obliging Work for their Provincials , before their departure . Withal , vehemently exhorting them to defend their own Country , with their own Arms ; for they must never more hope for Assistance from the Romans , whose Affairs were now brought to that Exigence , that they could help their Allies , especially so far remote , no more . When the a a The 〈…〉 by the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 of the R●mans . Scots and Picts understood for certain , by their Spies , that the Romans were departed , and would return no more ; they assaulted the Wall , with all their might , and much more eagerly than before , and did not only cast down their Opposers , by hurling Darts at them , but also drew them off the Wall with Cramp-Irons , as Bede calls them ; which were , as I understand , Crooked Iron Instruments , of Hooks , fastened on the tops of long Poles ; so that the upper Fortification being thus made destitute of its Defenders , they applied their Engines , and overthrew the Foundation also ; and thus an entrance and passage being made , they enforced their affrightned Enemies to leave their Habitations and Dwellings , and to fly away for safety , wherever they could find it . For the Scots and Picts were so eagerly bent on Revenge , that all their former Calamities seemed tolerable to their Enemies , in respect of Those they were now forced to endure . Afterwards , the Assailants , rather wearied than satisfied with the Miseries of their Enemies , returned home , and began , at last , to bethink themselves , That they had not so much taken away the Goods of their Enemies , as withal , they had despoiled themselves of the Rewards of their Victory . And therefore convening an Assembly of the Estates ; it was disputed amongst them , How so great a Victory might be improved ; and their first Result was , to replenish those Lands , which they had taken from the Enemy , with new Colonies , for the Procreation of a new Progeny . This Counsel seemed the more wholesome and adviseable , because of the abundance of Valiant , but Indigent , Officers and Soldiers , who had not room enough to live in their ancient Habitations . This turn of Prosperity , being signified to the Neighbouring Nations , encouraged not only the Scotish Exiles , but a great company of Strangers too , who lived but poorly at home , to flock in , as to a Prey ; for they supposed , that a Man of that Spirit and Conduct , as Graham was , would never lay down Arms , till he had brought the whole Island of Britain under his Subjection ; but herein they were mistaken ; for he , having run so many hazards , was more inclineable to Peace , with Honour and Glory , than to hazard his present certain Felicity , by casting himself into an uncertain Danger . And therefore he made b b A Peace made betwixt the Scots and Picts of the one part , and the Brittons on the other . Peace with the Brittons , who were not only willing to , but also very earnestly desirous of , the same . The Terms were , That each People should be contented with their own Bounds , and abstain from Wrong and Violence , towards one another ; the Mound to both was Adrian's Wall . After this Peace was made , Graham divided the Lands , not only to the Scots , but to those outlandish Men also , who had followed his Ensigns . By this means , almost all the Provinces were called by new Names , because many of them were Peopled with strange and new Inhabitants , and the rest , for the most part , were born in exile . Galway , a County next to Ireland , falling by Lot to the Hibernians , is thought to have got its Name , so Famed in their own Country , from Them . Caithness was so called , because it was Mountainous ; Ross , because it was a Peninsula ; Buchan , because it paid great Tribute out of Oxen. Strath-Bogy , Narn , Strathnavern , Loch-Sp●y , Strath-Earn , and Monteath , took their respective Names from several Rivers of the same Appellation . Loch-Abyr was so called from a Lough , or rather , Bay of the Sea . Many of the Provinces situate on this side the Forth , as Lennox , Clydsdale , Twedale , Tevidale , Liddisdale , Eskdale , Eusdale , Nithisdal , Annandale , and Dowglas-dal , had their Sirnames from Rivers : Many Places retained their ancient Names ; and some had theirs only a little changed . Afterwards , to the end , that he might , by just Laws , bridle the Licentiousness , which was grown to such a height , by the long continuance of Wars ; He first called home the Monks and Teachers of the Christian Religion , from their Exile ; and , lest they might be burdensom to an indigent People , * * Tithes for Ecclesiasticks . he ordained , That they should have an yearly Income , out of the Fruits of the Earth ; which , thô it was small , ( as those times were ) yet , by reason of the Modesty and Temperance of the Men , it seemed great enough for them . He placed Garisons in the most convenient Passages , against the sudden Incursions of the Enemie ; He repaired Places , that were demolished , and erected new . The Fury of War being thus extinguished , * * Peace sometimes more dangerous than War . thrô the whole Island , thô the Brittons , being saved , as it were , out of a dangerous Tempest , did enjoy the Sweets of Publick Peace ; yet , it was doubtful , whether the War or the Peace did them most mischief . For when their Cities were razed , their Villages burnt , their Cattel driven away , and all their Instruments of Husbandry lost ; they , who survived this Cruelty of their Enemies , were enforced to maintain their needy Lives by Hunting , or else to turn their course of Plunder from their Enemies , upon their own Countrymen : So that an Intestine War was almost like to ensue , upon an External Peace . Neither were they only the perpetual Enemies of Foreiners ; For , thô they abstained from open Wars , yet ever and anon they spoiled the Countries , contiguous to them : Also , a Party of the Hibernians , being encouraged by hope of Booty , did vex the poor People , who were already miserably enough distressed , with their Marine Invasions . Their last Calamity , and the worst of all , was * * Famine the forest of Evils . Famine , which did so cow the Hearts of that Warlike People , that many of them voluntarily surrendred up themselves into their Enemies Hands . At last , those few of them that remained , lurking in Caves and Dens , were necessitated to peep abroad , and so to scatter the wandring Troops of those Plunderers ; they also drove the Irish back to Sea , and forced them to depart from Albium . That Mischief was no sooner removed , but a Calamity c c New occasions of Dissention between the Scots and Brittons . nearer hand , began to press upon them . The Scots and Picts , their perpetual Enemies , were not contented to drive Preys from them by stealth , but watched an opportunity to attempt higher Matters . For Eugenius , the Son of Fergus , who , till that time , had lain still , under the Tutorage of another ; his Strength being increased by a long Peace , and much augmented by a young Fry of Soldiers flocking in to him , desired to shew himself ; and besides the weakness of the Brittons , there happened likewise a private Cause of War : Graham , being his Grandfather by the Mothers-side , and nobly descended ( as I spake before ) in his own Country , was yet of that Faction , which were desirous to free themselves from the bondage of the Romans . For which Cause , he was banished by the contrary Faction , who were then more powerful , and so he fled to the Scots , his old Allies , between whom many Civilities had formerly passed . After his Death , Eugenius , by his Ambassadors , demanded a Restitution of those fruitful Lands , which were his Ancestors , situate within the Wall of Adrian ; intimating plainly to them , That unless they did restore them , he would make War upon them , When the Ambassadors had declared their Message in an Assembly of the Brittons , there were such Heats amongst them , that they came almost to blows . They that were the fiercest of them , cryed out , That the Scots did not seek for Lands so much , ( of which they had enough ) as for War ; and That they did not only insult over their new Calamities , but also were resolved to try their Patience ; if the Lands were denied , then a War would presently follow ; if they were restored , then a cruel Enemy was to be received into their own Bowels ; and yet , they should not have Peace even Then , unless they imagined , That their Covetousness would be satisfied with the Concession of a few Lands , who were not contented with large Provinces , which were parted with in the last War . And that therefore it was good to obviate their immoderate and unsatiable Desires , in the very beginning , and to repress their Licentiousness d d Whereupon the Brittons Arm. by Arms , lest , by the Grant of small things , their Desires might be enlarged , and their Boldness encreased to ask more . There was in that Assembly one Tho d●ssuaded theref●om by Conan●s , their Countrym●n . Conanus , a British Nobleman , and eminent amongst his Countrymen , on the account of his Prudence , who discoursed many things gravely , concerning the Cruelty of their Enemies , and of the present State of the Brittons , and that all their Soldiers were almost drawn out for Foreign Service ; adding withal , That War abroad , Seditions at home , and Famine , proceeding from Poverty or Want , would consume , or else weaken , the miserable Remainders of his Countrymen : As for the Roman Legions , they were gone home to quell their own Civil Wars , without any hopes of Return ; and therefore , he gave his Advice , That they should make Peace with their formidable Enemies , if not an advantagious one , yet the best they could procure . This Counsel ( he gave , as he alleged ) not out of any Respect to his private Interest , but merely for the necessities of the Publick , which appears , ( said he ) by this , That as long as there was any probability to defend ourselves against the Cruelty of our Enemies , he never made any mention of Peace at all ; he added , That he was not ignorant , that this Peace , which he now persuaded to , would not be a lasting one , but only prove a small Respite from War , till the force of the Brittons , weakned by so many losses , and almost ruined , might be refreshed , and gather strength by a little intermission ; Whilst he was thus speaking , a Noise arose in the whole Assembly , which made him afraid : For the Seditious cryed out ▪ That he did not respect the publick Good , but only ende●voured to obtain the Kingdom for himself , by means of Foreign Aid . Whereupon , he , departing from the Council , called God to witness , That he had no private end of his own , in persuading Peace , but , a Tumult arising amongst the Multitude , he was there f f Who is 〈…〉 slain ▪ His Loss caused the wiser sort to refrain giving their Votes freely , thô they evidently saw , that the Destruction of their Country was at hand . The Ambassadors , returning home without their Errand , The Scots and Picts left off all other Business , and prepared wholly for War ; The Brittons foreseeing the same , after their fit of Passion was somewhat over , send Ambassadors to Scotland , who , upon pretence of making Peace , were to put some stop to the War , and to offer them Money ; giving the Scots hopes , That they might get more from them , by way of an amicable Treaty , than they pretended to seek for by War ; That the Chances of War were doubtful , and the issue uncertain ; That it was not the part of Wise Men , to neglect the benefit which was in their view , and , upon uncertain hopes , to cast themselves upon most certain and assured Dangers . Nothing was obtained by this Ambassy , for Eugenius was informed by his Spies , That the Brittons did but dissemble the obtaining of a Peace abroad , whilst they were intent upon high Warlike Preparations at home ; so that , for that reason , the Scots and Picts being inflamed with their old hatred , and invited by the Calamities of the Brittons ; or else , lifted up with Success , would give them no Conditions , but to yield up All ; so that , both Armies prepared for the last Encounter . The Confederate Kings , having been Conquerors for some years , were now erected to the hope of a greater Victory ; and the Brittons , on the other side , set before their Eyes all the Miseries , that a fierce and conquering Enemy could inflict upon them : In this posture of Affairs , and temper of Spirit , when both Parties came in sight of one another , such a g g A terrible Fight between the Scots and the Picts ; and the Brittons . sharp Fight commenced between them , as the Inhabitants of Britanny had never seen before , it was so obstinately maintained , that , after very long , and hot , Service , the Right Wing of the Scots , was , thô with difficulty , enforced to give ground ; which Eugenius perceiving , having before brought all his other Reserves into Service , he drew on also the Squadrons , left to guard the Baggage , into the Fight ; They , being intire , routed the Brittons , which stood against them , so that the Victory began on that side , whence the fear of a Total overthrow did proceed . The rest of the Brittons , following the Fortune of the other Brigade , ran away too , and flying into the Woods and Marishes near to the place where the Battel was fought , as they were thus straggling , dispersed , and unarmed , their Enemies Baggage-men , and Attendants , slew abundance of them . There fell of the h h Wherein the Brittons are overthrown . Brittons in this Fight 14000 , of their Enemies 4000. After this Fight , the Brittons , having lost almost all their Infantry , send Ambassadors to the Scots and Picts , Commissioning them to refuse no Conditions of Peace , whatsoever : The Confederate Kings , seeing they had All in their Power , were somewhat inclined to Mercy , and therefore Terms of Peace were offered , which were hard indeed , but not the severest , which ( in such their afflicted State ) they might have propounded ; The Conditions i i And have 〈◊〉 Conditions of Peace imposed on them . were , That the Brittons should not send for any Roman , or other Forein , Army , to assist them ; That they should not admit them , if they came of their own accord ; nor give them Liberty to march thr● their Country ; That the Enemies of the Scots and Picts should be Theirs also , & vice versâ ; and , That , without their Permission , they should not make Peace or War , nor send Aid to any , who desired it ; That the Limits of their Kingdom should be the River Humber ; That they should also make present Payment of a certain sum of Money by way of M●l●t , to be divided amongst the Soldiers , which also was to be paid yearly by them ; That they should give an hundred Hostages , such as the Confederate Kings should approve of .

These Conditions were entertained by the Brittons , grudingly by some , but necessarily by all ; and the same necessity which procured it , made them keep the Peace for some years : The Brittons , being left weak and forsaken of Foreigners , that they might have an Head to resort to , for publick Advice , made k k The Brittons make Constantine King , who was soon after sl●in by V●rtigern . Constantine , their Countryman , a Nobleman , of high descent , and of great repute , ( whom they had sent for out of Gallick Britanny , ) King . He , perceiving that the Forces of the Brittons were broken , both abroad by Wars , and at home by Fewds , Robberies , and Discords , thought fit to attempt nothing by Arms ; but , during the Ten years he reigned , he maintained Peace with his Neighbours ; at last , he was Slain by the Treachery of Vortigern , a Potent and Ambitious man ; He left Three Sons behind him , of which Two were under Age ; the Third and Eldest , as unfit for Government , was thrust into a Monastery ; yet he was made King , principally by the Assistance of Vortigern , who sought to obtain Wealth and Power to himself , under the Envy of another mans Name . The Fields , which were now tilled in time of Peace , after a most grievous Famine , yielded such a plentiful Crop of Grain , that the like was never heard of in Britain , before . And from hence those Vices did arise , which usually accompany Peace , as * * Luxury , the usual Companion of Peace . Luxury , Cruelty , Whoredom , Drunkenness , which are more pernicious than all the Mischiefs of War . There was no Truth or Sincerity to be found , and that not only amongst the Vulgar , but even the Monks , and the Professors of an Holier Life , made a mock at Equity , Faithfulness , and constant Piety of Life ; of which Bede , the Anglo-Saxon ; and Gildas , the Britton , do make an heavy Complaint . In the mean time , the Ambassadors , who returned from Aetius , brought word , That no relief could be expected from him , for the Brittons had sent Letters to Aetius , some Clauses whereof , as they are mentioned by Bede , I shall here recite ; both because they are a succinct History of the Miseries of that Nation ; and also , because they demonstrate , How much many Writers are mistaken , in their Memoirs . The Words are these , To Aetius , the third time Consul , the Complaints of the Brittons . And a little after ; The Barbarians drive us to the Sea , the Sea beats us back again upon the Barbarians ; between These two kinds of Deaths , we are either Killed or Drowned . Now Aetius was joyned , in his Third Consulship , with Symmachus , in the 450th year after Christ . Neither could there any Aid be obtained from him , who was then principally intent upon the observing the Motions of Attila : The rest of the Brittons being driven to this desperate point , only l l Vortigern , having slain Constantine's Heir , makes himself King of the Brittons . Vortigern was glad of the publick Calamity ; and , in such a general hurly-burly , he thought , he might , with greater Impunity , perpetrate that Wickedness , which he had long before designed in his mind ; which was , to cause the King to be Slain , by those Guards , which he had appointed about him , and afterwards , to avert the suspition of so foul a Parricide from himself , in a pretended Fit of Anger , as if he were impatient of delay in Executing Revenge , he caused the Guards also to be put to death , without suffering them to plead for themselves . Thus having obtained the Kingdom by the highest degree of Villany , he managed it with as little Sanctity . For , suspecting the Faithfulness of the People towards him , and not confiding in his own strength , which was but small , he engaged the Saxons to take his part , who then exercised Pyracy at Sea , and infested all the shores far and near . He procured their Captain m m He sends for Aid to Hengist the Saxon , by whose help he repels the Scots & Picts . Hengist , with a strong Band of Soldiers , to come to him with three Galleys , and he assigned Lands to him in Britain ; so that now he was to fight , not as for a strange Country , but as for his own Demeasne and Estate , and therefore was likely to do it with greater Alacrity . When this was noised abroad , such large Numbers of Three Nations , the Iutes , the Saxons , and the Angles are reported to have flocked out of Germany into Britain , that they became formidable even to the Inhabitants of the Isle . First of all , about the year of our Lord 449. Vortigern , being strengthned by those Auxiliaries , joyned Battel with the Scots and Picts , whom he Conquered , and drove beyond the Wall of Adrian . As touching * * The Character of King Eugenius . Eugenius , the King of the Scots , there goes a double Report of him ; some say , he was slain in fight beyond the River Humber ; others , that he died a natural Death . However he came by his end , this is certain , he governed the Scots with such Equity , that he may deservedly be reckoned amongst the Best of their Kings . For , tho' he spent the first Part of his Life , almost from his Childhood , in War , yet he so profited under the Discipline of his Grandfather , and his Mind was so established thereby , that neither Military Freedom ( as it usually doth ) did draw him to Vice ; neither did it make him more negligent in conforming his Manners to the Rule of Piety ; nor did his prosperous Success make him more arrogant . And on the other side , the Peace and Calm , he enjoyed , did not abate the sharpness of his Understanding , nor break his Martial Spirit ; but he managed his Life , with such an equal and poised Temper , that , by the advantage of his natural Disposition , he did equal , or rather exceed , those Princes , who are instructed in the Liberal Arts , and from thence come to the Helm of Government .

Dongardus , The Forty Second King .

THE same Year that Eugenius died , which was in the 452 Year of our Lord , his Brother , Dongardus , was made King in his place . He was of a Disposition like his Brother , for , as he was willing to embrace Peace upon good Conditions ; so , when occasion required , he was not afraid of War . And therefore , in reference both to Peace and War , he not only prepared all things necessary to resist the Invasion of an Enemy ; but also , he trained up the Youth and Soldiery of his Country , in Pains and Parsimony ; That so they might be restrained from Vice , and their minds not grow feeble and languid by long Quiet and too much Prosperity . But the Seditions at home , raised by the Brittons , were the Cause , that his Arms were not much famed abroad . But being freed from that Encombrance , he gave himself wholly up to the Reformation of Religion ; for the Reliques of the * * Dongard , an opposer of the Pelagian Heresy . Pelagian Heresy did as yet trouble the Churches . To confute them , Pope n n Pope Celestine sends Pa●ladius , and other Learned Monks , into Scotland . Celestine sent Palladius over , ( in the life of his Father Eugenius ) who instructed many , that grew afterwards famous for Learning and Sanctity of Life ; and especially Patricius , Servanus , Ninianus , * * Or St. Mungo . Kent●gernus . The same Palladius is reported to have appointed o o Palladius first institutes Bishops in Scotland , which before was governed by Monks with less splendor , but more Piety Bishops , first in Scotland . Whereas , till then , the Churches were govern'd only by Monks , without Bishops , with less Pomp and external Ceremony , but with greater Integrity and Sanctimony of Life . The Scots , being thus intent about purging and settling Religi●n and Divine Worship , escaped free from that Tempest of War , which did shatter almost the whole World . In the Second year of the Reign of Eugenius ▪ * * Vortigern deposed , and Vortimer made King of the Brittons , who concludes a Peace with the Scot● & Picts . Vortigern was deposed , and his Son , Vortimer , chosen King of the Brittons . He renewed the Ancient League with the Scots and Picts , ( that so he might more easily break the Power of the Saxons ) which was also made Tripartite of Three Nations , against the Romans in the Days of Carausius . Dongardus did not long survive this League ; for he died after he had reigned Five Years .

Constantine I. The Forty Third King .

COnstantinos , his youngest Brother , succeeded him in the Government ; who , in his private Condition , lived temperately enough , but as soon as he mounted the Throne , he let loose the Reins to all Debauchery . p p Constantine● wicked Reign . He was avaricious and cruel towards the Nobility , but familiar with men of an inferiour Rank . He gave himself wholly to the Constupration of Virgins and M●trons , and to excessive Feastings , having always Musicians and Stage-players about him , and all other Ministers of Lasciviousness and Pleasures . The Scotch Nobility , being offended at these Miscarriages , came often to him , to put him in mind of his Duty . He received their Admonitions very haughtily , bidding them to look after their own Affairs , saying , That he had better Advice from others : He also told them , That they were much mistaken , if they thought to Limit their King , on pretence of Advising him . And as he was thus arrogant towards his Subjects ; so he was as abject and submissive to his Enemies . For he granted them Peace at first asking , and forgave them the Injuries they had committed ; withal , he demolished some Castles , and deliver'd up others to them . This Carriage of his did so far incense the Scots and Picts , that the Scots were ready to Rebel ; and the Picts , who before had secretly dealt with the Saxons , set up for themselves , and at last made a publick League with them . But amongst the Scots , there was one Dugal of Galway , of great Authority amongst the Commons , he , for the present , restrained the Multitude by an Insinuating Oration , wherein he acknowledged , That many of those things which they complained of , were true , and what they desired was just . But yet , if War should come , as an accession to their other Miseries , the Kingdom would be endangered , yea , hardly retrievable from Destruction ; especially , seeing the Picts were alienated from them ; the Brittons , since Vortimers Death , but their uncertain Friends ; and the Saxons ( who were very strong and potent , and who managed there Victories with great Cruelties , and in whose Commerce their was no Faithfulness ) were always intent upon the Destruction of all their Neighbours .

Thus by the Prudence of the Ancienter , the Tumult of the Common People was appeased , but the King continuing to reign , tho' with the Hatred and Contempt of all , was at length slain q q And violent Death . by a Nobleman of the Aebudae , for vitiating his Daughter by force , in the Fifteenth year of his Reign . This is the common Report concerning his Death ; but I rather incline to the Opinion of Iohannes Fordonus , who says , in his Scotochronicon , that he reigned 22 years , and at last died of a wasting Disease . In his Reign , Aurelius Ambrosius came into This Britain , out of the Lesser beyond Sea ; he was the Son of Constantine , who held the Kingdom some years before ; but , he being Treacherously Slain , and his Brother , who reigned after his Father , being also slain by Vortigern , by like Treachery , the Two other remaining Sons of Constantine were conveyed by their Fathers Friends into Gallick Bretagne . I think , this Original of Aurelius Ambrosius is truer , than That which others deliver , ( among whom is Bede ) for they say , that he was the last of the Roman stock , who reigned in Britanny : These two Brothers , when Vortimer was slain by the fraud of his Stepmother ; and Vortigern had made himself King without Authority or Power , being now grown up and fit to Govern , returned , with the great Favour and Expectation of all men , into the Island , to recover their Fathers Kingdom ; and withal , they brought no inconsiderable number of Britains out of Gaul along with them . After their Arrival , before they would alarm the strangers , they subdued Vortigern in Wales , and then sent Messengers to the Scots and Picts , desiring their Allyance and craving their Conjunction in Arms against the Saxons , the most bitter Enemies of the Christian Name . Their Embassy was kindly received by the Scots ; and the League , before made with Constantine , was again renewed , which from that day remained almost inviolate , till the Kingdom of Britanny was oppressed by the Angles ; and the Kingdom of the Picts , by the Scots . But the Picts answered the British Ambassadors , That they had already made a League with the Saxons , and that they saw no Cause to break it , but they were resolved to run all hazards with them , for the future , as partakers of their good or bad success . Thus the whole Island was divided into Two Factions , the r r Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons . Scots and Brittons waging continual War against the Picts and Saxons .

Congallus I. The Forty Fourth King .

COngallus succeeded Constantine , the Son of Dongardus , Constantine's Brother ; He was inclineable to Arms ; but durst not then attempt any thing , in regard the People were effeminated and weakned by Sloth and Luxury , during the Reign of his Uncle . And , tho' Many , in compliance with his Disposition , ( as usually Kings have many such Parasites ) did often persuade him to take Arms ; yet , he would never be induced thereunto . First then , he applied himself to correct the publick Manners , neither did he attempt to reduce the Ancient Discipline , till he had Created new Magistrates , and , by their means , had abridged Suits and Controversies , and restrained Thefts and Robberies . Peace being setled at home , he endeavoured to reclaim others to a civiller course of Life , first of all by his own Example ; and , if any took no Copy from him , but persisted obstinately in their Evil Courses , Such he either gently chastized and punished , or else sleighted them as despicable and worthless Persons , and thus he quickly reduced all things to their former state : Seeing ( as I said before ) at the beginning of his Reign , he gave up himself wholly to the study of Peace , the Brittons began to persuade * * Aurelius Ambrosius , in Britain . Aurelius Ambrosius to recover Westmorland from the Scots , which they had possessed many years . Hereupon several Embassys being sent , to and fro , betwixt them , the Matter was like to be decided by the Sword , if fear of the Common Enemy had not put an end to the Dispute ; so that the League made by Constantine was renewed , and no Alteration made in reference to Westmorland . Congallus had War with the Saxons all the time of his Reign ; but it was a slow and intermittent one , as Parties fortuitously met in driving of their respective Preys ; in which kind of Fighting , the Scots being nimble , light , and most Horsemen , accounted themselves Superior to their Enemies ; but they never came to a pitch'd Battel . For Congallus was of opinion , That it was best to commit as few things , as we could , to the Arbitrement of Fortune , and therefore he sent Part of his Forces to help Aurelius Ambrosius ; and with the rest , he wearied his Enemy , and never suffered him to rest Night nor Day . s s Merlin and Gilda● , When they lived ? with a Comparison between Them ; the Former● counte● an Impostor ; the La●er , a 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 ▪ Merlin and Gildas lived in the days of these and the next Kings ; They were both Brittons , and obtained great Fame amongst Posterity , for the Opinion conceived of them , concerning Prophecies and Divinations . Merlin was a little the Ancienter of the Two , a Cheat and Impostor , rather than a Prophet . His Vaticinations are scattered up and down , but they are obscure and contain no Certainty at all , to encourage any ones hopes before their fulfilling ; or , to satisfy them , when they are ; so that , upon neither account , can you affirm them to be True . And besides , they are so framed , that you may accommodate , or apply , them to different , or contrary , Events , as you will your self . Yet , tho' they are dayly furbished up , and also augmented by new Additions , such is the Folly o● credulous men , That what they understand not , they are yet bold to affirm , to be as True as Gospel ; and , tho' they be taken in a notorious I ●e , yet they will not suffer themselves to be convinced thereof .

Gildas was later than he , a Learned and Good Man , and one , who was had in great Veneration , both Alive and Dead , for his Excellent Learning , accompanied with Sanctity of Life . The * * Gildas his Prophecies , not Genuine . Prophecies , which go under his Name , are such Ridiculous Sentences , and so course and ill-framed in Wording , and also in the whole Series of their Composure , that no Wise Man can esteem them to be His : Yet each Prophet ( as you call them ) had a Patron , suitable to his own Disposition . Merlin had Vortigern for his Patron ; and , after him , Vter , to whom he was a Pander for his Lust. Gildas had Aurelius Ambrosius , a Person no less admirable for the Probity of his Life , than for his Victories in War ; after whose Death , Gildas retired unto Glastonbury in Sommerset-shire , where he lived * * Gildas his Death , at Glastonbury in England . and died , very devoutly . Our Books of the Life of Aurelius Ambrosius , do make mention of him : After his Death , Vter , the youngest of Constantines Three Sons , succeeded him , in the Year of our Lord Five Hundred . And the next year after , Congallus , King of Scotland , departed this Natural Life , in the Twenty Second year of his Reign .

Goranus , The Forty Fifth King .

GORANVS , his Brother , Succeeded him ; who , after his Example , governed Scotland with great Piety and Justice , as much as Foreign Wars would suffer him so to do ; for , he not only travelled all over the Kingdom , ( as the good Kings of old were wont to do ) to punish Offenders , but also , to prevent the Injuries , which great Men did offer to the Poor ; who , in such Cases , dared not to complain ; and to curb their oppressive Domination over them , he appointed * * Informers found dangerous by Experience . Informers , who were to find out such Miscarriages , write them down , and bring them to him ; a Remedy necessary , perhaps , for those times , but in our days , a very hazardous one . He was the chief Means and Occasion , that the Picts , deserting the Saxons , made a joint League with the Scots and Britains . At that time , Lothus was King of the Picts , a Person , who excelled the Princes of his time , in all accomplishments , both of Body and Mind . a a Goranus persuades Lothus King of the Picts , and Vter King of the Brittons , to join with the Scots , and break with the Saxons . Goranus dealt earnestly with him , to break his Alliance with those Barbarous Nations , alleging , That he ought to remember his own Country , in which they were all born , and especially their common Religion . That he was much deceived , if he imagined , that the Peace betwixt him and the Saxons would be faithfully kept , when once the Brittons and Scots were overthrown ; seeing he had to do with Men of inhuman Cruelty , and insatiable Avarice ; That they had given sufficient proofs , how little they esteemed Leagues , or any other thing , when they wickedly slew the Nobility of the Brittons , who had so well deserved of them , upon Pretence of calling them out to a Conference . That the Son in Law was saved alive by the Father in Law , not for any releif of his Calamity , but for upbraiding of the Enemy ; he added , That the Sacredness of Leagues , which , amongst other Nations , are accounted the firmest bonds of Union , was , amongst them , as a Snare or Bait , to catch the simple and unwary , in . To what purpose was it to run so many hazards , to free themselves from the Tyranny of the Romans , if they must spontaneously give themselves up to the much harder and ba●er Servitude of the Saxons . This were not to make a change of their Condition , but of their Masters , only : Yea , b b By the joint Confederacy of those three Kings , the Saxons are worked . it was to prefer a Truculent and Barbarous One , before One that was mild and gentle . What a Foolish , and Wild a thing was it , to take away Lands from the Scots and Brittons , and to deliver them to the Germans ? And so to despoil those , who were but lately their Friends , and endeared to them by many ancient Courtesies and Respects , that they might enrich Pirates , the common Enemies of Mankind , even to their own Destruction . That it ought to be esteemed the most grievous thing of all , by one , who was a true Christian , to consent to that League , whereby Christian Religion must be extinguished ; profane Rites renewed ; and wicked Tyrants , Enemies of Piety and Humanity , armed with Power against God and his Law .

Lothus knew all this to be true , which he had spoken , and therefore he committed the whole affair to Goranus his Management ; he easily persuades Vter , not only to make an Alliance , but to contract an Affinity too , with the Picts , giving him Anna , who was either his Sister , or else his Daughter , begotten in lawful Wedlock , to Wife : I am rather of their Opinion , who think , she was his Sister , as judging , that the Mistake arose from hence , That Vter had another Natural Daughter , called Anna , by a Concubine . After this League between these Three Kings , many Victories were obtained over the Saxons , so that the Name of Vter began to be great and formidable all over Britain . After all the Commanders of the Saxons were slain , and the Power of those that remain'd , broken ; and so things made almost hopeless and desperate among them . c c The Story of Vter , and of Arthur , his Son , Kings of the Brittons . Vter might have been accounted one of the greatest Kings of his Age , unless , by one foul and impious Fact , he had blurred all his other great Virtues : There was one Gorlois , a Noble Britton , of great Valour and Power , when Vter as yet was but a private Man , he fell mightily in Love with his Wife , named Igerne , a very beautiful Woman ; but her Chastity being a long time a Guard against his Lust , at last her Continency was conquered by Merlin , an audaciously wicked Man ; and , in this Adulterous course , he begat a Son on her , Named Arthur . Vter , his own Lawful Wife being Dead ; being now freed from Nuptial Bonds , and made King ; and so ( as he thought ) free from Law too , not being able to bear the absence of Igerne , out of Love to her , attempted a very Temerarious Project : He framed an Accusation against Gorlois , besieged his Castle ; took it , slew him , Married Igerne , and owned Arthur for his own Son , Educating him Nobly , in hopes of the Kingdom . And seeing the Infamy reflecting on him , by reason of his Wife , could not be concealed , that he might somewhat extenuate it , they broached a Tale , not much unlike That , which had been often Acted in Theatres , about Iupiter and Al●mena , viz. That Vter , by the Art of Merlin , was changed into the shape of Gorlois , and so had his first Nights Lodging with Igerne ; and indeed , this Merlin was a Man of that Kidney , that he had rather be famous for a Wicked Deed , than none at all . Arthur , thus begot by a stoln Copulation , assoon as he grew up , appeared so amiable , in the Lineaments of his Body , and in the Inclinations of his Mind , that the Eyes of his Parents , and of all his Subjects too , were fixed upon him , and he gave many Omens of his future Greatness , that , after his Fathers Death , all designed him to be their King . And his Father was so much pleased with this Humour of the People , that he cherished it by all the Ars he could ; so that now it was the common Opinion , That none but Arthur should be Heir to the Crown . Vter died , when he had Reigned 17 Years , and presently Arthur was set up in his stead ; though Lothus , King of the Picts , did much oppose it , grievously complaining , that his Children ( for he had Two , begotten on Anna , Arthur's Aunt , who were now of years ) were deprived of their Kingdom ; and that a Bastard , begotten in Adultery , was preferred before them . On the other side , all the Brittons stood for Arthur , and denied , that he was to be counted Spurious , because Vter Married his Mother at last ; though it were after his Birth ; and by that Marriage had treated him as his Legitimate Son , and had always accounted him , so to be : But although they pretended this colour of Right , yet that , which stood Arthur in most stead , was , his great Ingenuity , and those Specimens of his Virtue , which he often shewed ; yea , there was a tacite Impression ( as it were ) on the Minds of all Men , presaging his future Greatness . So that all ran in thick and threefold ( as we say ) to his Party , in so much that Lothus , being born down not only by that Pretence of Right , ( which , after that time , was always observed in Britanny ) but by the Affections of the People running another way , desisted from his Enterprize in demanding the Kingdom ; which he did so much the rather do , because he was loth to trust his Children , for whom That Kingdom was desired , to the Brittons , who had shewed themselves so averse to Them . Besides , the Intreaties of his Friends did prevail with him , who all alledged , That no Kingdom ought to be so dear to him , as that , for the sake thereof , he should joyn in Affinity with Infidels , ( to the overthrow of the Christian ▪ Religion ) who would no more Inviolably keep their League and Alliance with him , than they had done before with the Brittons . Moreover , the Liberal and Promising Disposition of Arthur , and the Greatness of his Mind , even above his Age , did much affect him . Insomuch that the League made by former Kings , betwixt the Scots , Picts , and Brittons , was again renewed , and thereupon so great a Familiarity ensued , that Lothus promised to send Galvinus , the youngest of his Two Sons , unto the British Court , as soon as he was old enough to endure Travel . Arthur entred upon the Regal Government before he was full Eighteen Years of Age. But as his Courage was above his Age , so Success was not wanting to his Daring Spirit ; for , whereas his Father had divided the Kingdom by certain Boundaries , with the Saxons , and had made Peace with them on Conditions : The fair Opportunity offered them , by reason of the youthful Age of the King , more prevailed with them , to break the Peace , than the Sanctity of the League , to observe it . Arthur , that he might quench the Fire in the beginning , gathered an Army together sooner than any Man could imagine , and , being assisted with Auxiliaries from the Scots and Picts , he overthrew the Enemy in Two great Battels , compelling them to pay Tribute , and to receive Laws from him . With the same eagerness and speed , he took c c Arthur takes London and York from the Saxons . London , the Metropolis of the Saxons Kingdom ; and , having setled things there , he marched his Army directly towards York . But the report of Auxiliary Forces coming out of Germany , and the approach of Winter , compelled him to raise his Siege from thence . But the next Summer after , as soon as ever he came before York , he had it immediately surrendred to him ; his unexpected Success , the Year before , had struck such a Terrour into the Minds of Men. He took up his Winter-Quarters there , whither there resorted to him the prime Persons of the Neighbourhood , and of his Subjects , where they spent the later end of December , in Mirth , Jollity , Drinking , and the Vices which proceed therefrom ; so that the Representations of the old Heathenish Feasts , dedicated to Saturn , were here again revived ; but the Number of the Days they lasted were doubled ; and amongst the Wealthier sort , trebled ; during which time , they count it almost a Sin to treat of any serious Matter . Gifts are sent mutually from , and to , one another ▪ Frequent Invitations and Feastings pass between Friends ; and Domestick Offenders are not punished . Our Countrymen call this Feast d d The Licentious , rather than Religious , Observation of the Day of Christ's ( supposed ) Nativity , called Iuletide . Iuletide , substituting the Name of Iulius Caesar for that of Saturn . The Vulgar are yet persuaded , that the Nativity of Christ is then celebrated , but mistakingly ; for 't is plain , that they imitate the Lasciviousness of the Bacchanalia , rather than the Memory of Christ , then , as they say , born .

In the mean time , the Saxons were reported to have pitched their Tents by the River Humber ; and , Whether it were so or no , Arthur marched towards them . But in regard the Brittons were enfeebled by Pleasures , by that means they were less fit for Military Services ; in so much that they did not seem the same Men , who had overthrown the Saxons in so many Battels heretofore ; for , by their Luxurious Idleness , they had added so much to their Rashness , as they had lost of their ancient Severity of Discipline . Hereupon Advice was given by the wiser sort , to send for Aid from the Scots and Picts . Whereupon Ambassadors were sent , and Aid easily obtained ; so that those , whom Ambition had almost disjoined , yet the mutual Care of Religion , and Emulation too , did so piece together , That Forces were sent from either King , sooner than could well have been imagined . Lothus also , that he might give a Publick Testimony of his Reconcilement , brought his Sons Modredus and Galvinus with him into the Camp ; Galvinus he gave to Arthur , as his Companion , whom he received with so great Courtesie ; that , from that Day forward , they lived and died together . The Army of the Three Kings being thus ready , and their Camps joyned , it was unanimously agreed between them , That as the Danger was common to them all , and the Cause thereof was also the same , so they would drive out the Saxons , and restore the Christian Rites and Religion , which were profaned by them . The Armies drawing near the one to the other , Occa , Son of a former Occa , who was then General of the Saxons , made haste to joyn Battel . In the Confederate Army , the Two Wings were allotted to the Scots and Picts ; the main Battel to Arthur . The Scots , at the first onset , wounded Childerick , Commander of that Wing of the Enemy , which fought against them , he falling , The Scots , Picts , and Brittons , overthrow the Saxons . by reason of his Wounds , so terrified the rest , that the whole Wing was broken . In the other Wing , Colgernus , the Saxon , after great Complaints made of the Perfidiousness of the Picts , made an assault upon Lothus , with great Violence , who was easily known by his Habit and his Arms , he dismounted him ; but he himself , being environed in the midst of his Enemies , was run through by Two Picts , with Spears on both sides of his Body . The main Battel , where there was the sharpest Fight , having lost both Wings , did at length give Ground : Occa being wounded , was carried to the Sea-side , with as many as could get on Shipboard with him , and Transported into Germany ; of the rest of the Saxons , Those , who were most obstinate in their Errour , were put to Death : The rest , pretending to turn to the Christian Religion , were saved .

There were great Forces of the Saxons yet remaining in the Eastern part of England , and in Kent . The Summer after , Arthur marched against them , having 10000 Scots and Picts for his Assistance ; Congallus , the Son of Eugenius , commanded the Scots ; and Modredus , the Son of Lothus , the Picts , both young Men of great Hope , and who had often given good Testimonies of their Valour and Conduct . This Army of Three Kings , being about Five Mile from the Enemy , and their Camps being distant one from another ; The Saxons , being inform'd by their Spies , that the Picts ( who were farthest distant from the other Forces ) were very careless and secure , they made a suddain and unexpected Assault on them , in the Night . Modredus made a gallant Resistance for a time ; at last , when things were almost desperate on his side , he mounted on an Horse with Gallanus , his Father-in-Law , and so fled to King Arthur . Arthur was nothing dismayed at the loss of the Picts , but spent that Day in setling things , which were discomposed ; after that , his Army being commanded to march in the Third Watch , he came upon the Enemy , with a Treble Army ; and was at the Saxons Camp , before they knew what the Matter was ; The g g And , at last , drive them out of a great part of Britain . Saxons , being dismayed , ran up and down , having no time to take counsel , or to arm themselves ; thus their Camp being entred , they were slain by the Brittons ; and especially , the angry Picts were cruel to all without distinction .

Some Writers of English Antiquities , say , That Arthur fought Twelve pitched Battels with the Saxons : But because they give us only the Names of the Places , where they were fought , and nothing else , I shall mention them no otherwise . To speak briefly of his Famous Actions , This is manifest , That he wholly subdued the Forces of the Saxons , and restored Peace to Britain ; And when he went over to settle Things in Lesser Britain in France , he Trusted the Kingdom to Modredus , his Kinsman ▪ who was to manage the Government , as King , till his Return . I have no certainty of the Exploits he performed in Gaul ; As to what Geofry of Monmouth attributes to him there , it hath no shadow , much less likelyhood , of Truth in it ; so that I pass them by , as impudently forged ; and , as causelesly believed . But to return to the Matter .

Whilst Arthur was absent , and intent on setling the Gallick Affairs ; there were sown the Seeds of a War , most pernicious to Britain . There was a certain Man in Arthurs Retinue , named Constantine , the Son of Cadoris ; who , for the excellent Endowments both of his Body and Mind , was highly in all Mens Favour . He did secretly aim at the Kingdom , and to make the People his Own : Whereupon the Nobles , at a convenient time , when the King was free from business , cast in Words concerning his Successor ▪ beseeching him , to add this also to the other innumerable Blessings he had procured for his Country ; that , if he died Childless , he would not leave Britain destitute of a King , especially , when so great Wars were like to be waged against them . Hereupon , when some named h h Competitorship between Modredus and Constantine , for the Kingdom , after 〈◊〉 Death . Modredus as nearest of Kin , and already accustomed to the Government , both in Peace and War ; and One too , who had given good Proof of himself in his Viceroy-Ship ; who , also , was likely to make no small Accession to the British Affairs . These things being spoken , the Multitude , who favoured Constantine , cryed out , That they would not have a Stranger to be their King ; and that Britain was not so devoid of Men , but that it would afford a King within its own Territories : They added also , That it was a Foolish thing , to seek for that abroad , which they might have at home . Arthur knew before the Love of the People , to Constantine ; and therefore , though being a Man otherwise Ambitious , yet he easily took part with the People , and , from that day , shewed him openly , and cherished in him , the hopes of the Kingdom . Modredus his Friends took this ill , and looked upon it as a great wrong to him ; they alleged , That by the League made by Arthur , with Lothus , it was expressly cautioned , That none should be preferred to the Succession of the Kingdom before the Sons of Lothus : To which the contrary Party answered , that That League was extorted by the necessity of the Times , against the Common good of the whole Nation , and that they were not obliged to keep it , now Lothus , with whom it was made , was Dead . And that therefore the Picts would do well , to be contented with their own Bounds , and not to invade other Mens . That the Kingdom of Britain , by Gods Blessing , was now in that State , that it could not only defend it self against New Injuries , but also revenge the Old .

These things being brought to Modredus his Ear , did quite alienate his Mind from Arthur , and inclined him to set up for himself , by maintaining his own Dignity ; only he a little suspended the War , till he had tryed the Minds of the Scots ; when they were brought over to his Party , an Army was listed consisting of many Picts , Scots , and Brittons , being induced to side with Modredus , either for the Equity of his Cause , the Love of his Person , or their private Hatred of Arthur . Yea , Vannora , the Wife of Arthur , was thought not to be ignorant of these new Cabals , as having been too familiar with Modredus . Both Armies pitched their Tents by Humber ; and being ready to Fight , Proposals were made by the Bishops , on both sides , in order to a Peace , but in vain ; for Constantine's Friends obstructed all , affirming , That the Felicity of Arthurs Fortune , would bear down all Opposition . Hereupon a most feirce Fight began on both sides , but Two things did especially advantage Modredus and his Confederates ; One was , a Marsh in the midst between them , which the Brittons could not easily pass ; and Another , in the heat of the Fight , there was one suborned , to spread a Report among the Brittons , that Arthur was slain , and therefore , all being lost , every one should shift for himself ; at which Bruit , they all fled , yet there was great Slaughter on both sides ; neither was the Victory joyous to either Party ; for on the one side , Modredus was slain ; and on the other , his Brother Galvinus ; Arthur himself mortally Wounded , and a great Prey taken .

I know well , What Fabulous matters are reported , by many , concerning the Life and Death of i i Arthur's Character . Arthur , but they are not fit to be related , lest they cause a Mist to be cast over his other famous Actions ; for , when Men confidently affirm lies , they cause the Truth it self , many times , to be questioned . This is certain , he was a great Man , and very Valorous , bearing an intire Love to his Country , in freeing them from Servitude ; in restoring the true Worship of God ; and in reforming it , when it was corrupted : I have spoken these things concerning his Lineage , Life and Death , more prolixly , than the Nature of my Design required ; for I never meant to Record all the Exploits of the Brittons , but to free and preserve the Affairs of our own Nation , from the Oblivion of Time , and the Fabulous Tales of some lewd and ill-disposed Writers . I have insisted longer on the Exploits of Arthur , partly because some do curtail them through Envy , and others do heighten them by their Verbosities . He died in the year of our Lord Five Hundred and Fifty Two , after he had Reigned 24 Years .

But to return to the Affairs of Scotland ; Goranus the King , now grown old , departed this Life , after he had governed Scotland Thirty four years ; 't is thought he was Treacherously slain by his Subjects : There was one k k The People , by the Instigation of Donald of Athol , Murder Toncetus ; and after that , the King Goranus himself . Toncetus , Chief Justice in Criminal Matters , a Man no less Cruel than Covetous ; he , having played many foul Pranks against the richer sort , thought , he might easily get Pardon of all from the King , because , by this means he had augmented his Revenue . The People could not easily obtain admittance to the King , now enfeebled by Age and Diseases , to make their Complaints ; and , if they had Access , they judged their Allegations would not have been beleived against such a principal Officer , and high Favourite . So that they set upon Toncetus , and slew him . But after the heat of their Anger was over , when they began to think with themselves , how foul a Fact they had committed , and that there was no Pardon to be expected by them , they turned their Wrath and Fury upon the King himself , and , by the Instigation of Donald of Athol , they entred into his Palace and slew Him also .

Eugenius III. The Forty Sixth King .

EVgenius , the Son of Congallus , succeeded him ; when he was advised by some of the Nobility , to revenge the Death of his Uncle Goranus , he entertained the motion so coldly , that he himself was not without suspicion in the Case : And the Suspicion was increased , because he took Donald of Athol , into his Grace and Favour . So that the Wife of Goranus , for fear , fled , with her small Children into Ireland . But Eugenius , to purge his Life and Manners from so foul an Imputation , so managed the Kingdom , that none of the former Kings could be justly preferred before him ; he assisted Modred , and also Arthur , against the Saxons . He sent several Captains to make daily Incursions into the English Borders ; but he never fought with them in a pitched Battel . He died in the year of Christ Five Hundred and Fifty Eight , having Reigned Twenty Three Years .

Congallus II. The Forty Seventh King .

HIS Brother , Congallus , was set up in his Room , who governed the Kingdom Ten years , in great Peace , a Man for his excellent Virtues , worthy of perpetual Memory ; for , besides his Equity in matter of Law , and the aversion of his Mind from all Covetousness , he vyed with the very Monks themselves , in point of Sobriety of Life , though they , at that time , used a most severe Discipline . He enriched Priests with Lands and other Revenues , more out of a Pious Intention , than with any good Success . He restrained the Souldiers , who were declining to Effeminateness and Luxury , ( and abused the blessing of Peace , ) rather by the l l A Prince's example hath a greater influence on his Subject● , than his Laws . Examples and Authority of his Life , than by the severity of Laws . He called home the Sons of Goranus , who , for fear of Eugenius , had fled into Ireland ; but before their Return , he died , in the Year Five Hundred and Sixty Eight . He never fought Battel himself , but only assisted the Brittons with Auxiliary Forces against the Saxons , with Whom they often fought with various Success .

Kinnatellus , The Forty Eighth King .

WHen he was Dead , and his Brother Kinnatellus designed King ; Aidanus , the Son of Goranus , came into Scotland , by the persuasions of Columba ; who , Two years before , had come out of Ireland . By him he was brought to the King ; who , beyond his own and the Expectation of all other Men , received him Courteously , and wished him to be of good cheer , for he should shortly be King . For Kinnatellus , being worn out by Age and Sickness , and not able to Administer the Government himself , made Aidanus his Deputy , and so died , having Reigned Fourteen , ( some say ) Fifteen Months . Some Writers leave him out , and do place Aidanus immediately after Congallus ; but there are More , who insert Kinnatellus betwixt Them .

Aidanus , The Forty Ninth King .

AIdanus being Nominated King by Kinnatellus , and confirmed by the People , received the Royal Habiliments from m m Columbas's great Authority . Columba . For the Authority of that Man was so great , in those days , that neither Prince , nor People , would undertake any thing without his Advice . And , at that time , after he had , in a long Speech , persuaded the King to rule Equitably over the People , and the People to be Loyal to their King , he earnestly pressed them Both , to persist in the pure Worship of God , for then Both of them would prosper ; but if they forsook it , they must expect Destruction , as the reward of their Offences . Having perform'd this Service , he returned into his own Country .

The first Expedition of Aidanus , was , against the Robbers , who infested Galway , coming thither , he put their Commanders to Death , and Fear restrain'd the rest ; but a greater Storm encountred him at at his Return . For , after he had had three Conventions of the Estates in Galway , Abria or Loch-abyr , and Caithness , and thought all things were settled there ; there was a Tumult arose amongst them in Hunting , that much Blood was spilt , and the Kings Officers , who came to punish the Offenders , were repulsed and beaten : The Authors , for fear of Punishment , fled into Lothian , to Brudeus King of the Picts ; when Ambassadors were sent to him , to deliver them up according to the League betwixt them , they were refused ; whereupon a feirce War commenced betwixt * * War betwixt Scots and Picts . the Scots and Picts , but it was quickly ended by the means of Columba , who was , according to his Merit , highly esteemed by both Nations .

In the mean time , England was again divided into Seven Kingdoms ; and the Brittons were driven into the Peninsula of Wales ; but the Saxons , not contented with such large Dominions , stirred up a new War betwixt the Scots and Picts . The Author and Kindler thereof was Ethelfrid , King of Northumberland , a Covetous Man , and who was weary of Peace , out of the desire he had to enlarge his Dominions . He persuaded the Picts , but with difficulty , Brudeus hardly consenting thereto , That they should drive away Preys out of the Scots Territories , and so give an occasion to a War . Aidanus understanding the Treachery of the Saxons , that he might also strengthen himself with Foreign Aid , renewed the ancient League with Malgo , the Britton . He sent his Son Grifinus , and his Sisters Son Brendinus , King of Eubonia , now called Man , a Military Man , with Forces ; who , joyning with the Brittons , entred Northumberland , and after Three days march , came to the Enemy , but the English refused to engage them , because they expected new Succors , which were reported to be neer at hand ; for indeed Ceulinus , King of the East Saxons , a very Warlike Man , was coming to them with great Forces ; the Scots and Brittons fell upon him in his March , and wholly destroyed the Front of his Army , which was a long way before the rest , together with his Son Cutha , but they were afraid to engage the rest , lest they should be circumvented by Ethelfrid , who was not far distant . The * * A Fight between the Saxons , Scots , and Brittons , wherein the Britt●ns are overthrown . two Kings of the Saxons , being joined together , again renewed the Fight , with much Slaughter on both sides , wherein the Scots and Brittons were put to flight . There were slain of the Scots Nobles , Grifinus and Brendinus ; in the opposite Army , Ethelfrid lost one of his Eyes , and Brudeus was carried wounded out of the Field , to the great Astonishment of his Party .

The next Summer after , Ethelfrid , uniting his Forces with the Picts , marched into Gallway , supposing , he should find all things there in great Consternation , by reason of their ill Success the last Year . But Aidanus , coming with his Forces thither sooner than his Enemies thought , set upon the straggling Plunderers , and drave them , with great trepidation , to their Camp . Thus having chastized their Temerity , supposing now , they would be more quiet , the Night after he passed by their Camp , and joyned himself with the Brittons . Both Armies , having thus united their forces , pitch'd their Tents in a narrow Valley of Annandale ; and their Enemies , as now Cock-sure of their Destruction , beset the passages entring into it . But they , having fortify'd their Camp , as if they intended there to abide , in the Night , when the Tide was out , marched thro' the Ford , ( which was known to them ) amidst the quavering Sands , into Cumberland , and afterward into Northumberland , making great Havock , whithersoever they came . The Enemie followed them at their Heels , and when they came in fight of one another , both Armies prepare themselves for the Fight . The Scots and Britains added Four Commanders to those they had before , who were noble Persons , of great experience in Warlike affairs , that so , the rash-Headed Common Soldiers might be commanded by a greater Number of Captains ; of the Brittons there were added , Constantine and Mencrinus ; of the Scots , Calenus and Murdacus : By their Conduct and Incouragement , the Soldiers fell upon the Enemy , with so great Violence , a a The Scots and Britons overthrow the Saxons . that he was presently broken and put to flight . There goes a Report , * * Columb's wonderful Narration of a Victory , at a very great distance from him . that Columb , being then in the Isle Icolumbkil , told his Companions of this Victory , the very same hour in which it was obtained . Of the Saxon Nobles there were slain , in this fight , Cialinus and Vitellius , both great Warriors , and highly descended ; about Eleven years after this Victory , the Saxons and Picts infested the adjacent Country ; whereupon , a Day was appointed , wherein the Brittons and Scots should meet , and , with their united Forces , set upon the Saxons . Aidanus , tho' very old , came to the place at the appointed time , and staid for the Brittons , but in vain , for they came not ; yet he drove Preys out of his Enemies Country ▪ * * Ethelfrid routs the Scots , being shatter'd afore . Ethelfrid , having now gotten a fair Opportunity to act something in , set upon the dispersed Scots , and made a great slaughter amongst them . Aidanus , having lost many of his Men , fled for his Life ; yet the Victory was not unbloody to the Saxons , for they lost Theobald , Ethelfrid's Brother ; and some of those Squadrons , that followed him were almost wholly cut off : Aidanus , having received this overthrow , and being also informed of the death of * * Columb's Death . Columb , that Holy Man , whom he so highly honoured , foreseeing to what Cruelty the Remainder of the Christians were likely to be exposed , being worn out with Age and Grief , did not long survive ; he Reigned 34 years , and died in the Year of our Lord , 604. In his Reign it was , That a certain Monk , Named b b Austin , the Monk , comes into Britain , rather to promote the Ceremonies , and Domination , of Pope Gregory , than to Preach the true Doctrine of the Gospel . Austin , came into Britain , being sent by Gregory Pope of Rome , who , by his Ambition , in Preaching a New Religion , mightily disturbed the Old , for he did not so much Preach the Christian Religion , as the Ceremonies of the Roman Church . Yea , the Brittons , before his coming , were Converted to , and taught the Principles of , the Christian Religion , by the Disciples of Iohn the Evangelist , and were instituted in the same by the Monks , who were Learned and Pious , in that Age. As for Austin , He laboured to reduce all things to the Dominion of the Bishop of Rome , only ; and gave himself out to be the only Arch-Bishop of the Isle of Britain ; and , withal , introduced a Dispute , neither Necessary nor Advantageous , concerning the Day , on which * * A dispute raised about the Observation of Easter-day . Easter was to be kept ; and did , by this means , mightily trouble the Churches ; Yea , he so loaded the Christian Discipline , which was then inclining toward Superstition , with such new Ceremonies and feigned Miracles , that he scarce left any Mark or Footstep of true Piety behind him .

Kennethus I. The Fiftieth King .

AFTER Aidanus , Kennethus was Elected King , he did nothing Memorable in his time : He died the 4th , ( or , as some say ) the 12th Month , after he began to Reign .

Eugenius , IIII. The Fifty First King .

AFter him , Eugenius , the Son of Aidanus , was made King . In the year of our Lord 605. He was brought up ( as the Black Book of Pasley hath it ) piously and carefully , under Columba , being very well educated in human Learning ; yet , in This , he swerved from the Institution of his Master , that he was more addicted to War than Peace : For he exercised the Saxons and Picts , with daily Incursions . His Government was very severe and rough ; Those , who were proud and contumacious , sooner felt the point of his Sword , than they received from him any Conditions of Peace ; but to those who asked Pardon for their offences , and voluntarily surrendred themselves , he was very merciful and easy to forgive , and not at all insolent in his Victories . This is what That Book reports , concerning Eugenius . But Boetius says , on the contrary , That he lived in great Peace , which happened not so much from his Foreign Leagues , as from the Discords of his Enemies , who maintain'd Civil Wars amongst themselves . For the English , inhabiting the South Parts , making Profession of Christianity , whilst they endeavoured to revenge the injuries offered to them , deprived Ethelfrid , the Potent King of Northumberland , both of his Life and Kingdom , together . Edvinus succeeded him , and the kindred of Ethelfrid fled into Scotland , amongst whom were Seaven of his Sons and one Daughter . This was done in the Tenth year of the Reign of Eugenius . He c c Eugenius harbors the fugitive Saxons . entertain'd these Saxons , flying to him for Refuge , ( tho' he knew them to be Enemies both to him and the whole Christian Name ) with great Courtesy and Humanity , as long as he lived ; giving them Royal Reception , and causing them to be carefully educated in the Christian Religion . He died in the Sixteenth Year of his Reign , and was much Lamented by all Men.

Ferchardus , I. The Fifty Second King .

HIS Son , Ferchardus , was substituted in his room , in the Year of Christ , 522. and in the 13th year of Heraclius , the Emperour . He , being a Cunning and Politick Man , endeavoured to change the d d Ferchard endeavours to turn limited Monarchy into Tyranny , for which he is imprisoned , and there lays violent hands on himself . Legitimate Government of the Land into Tyranny ; in order whereto , he nourished Factions amongst the Nobility ; supposing , by that means , to effect , what wickedly he designed , with Impunity . But the Nobles , understanding his Malicious aim , secretly made up the Breach amongst themselves ; and , calling an Assembly of the Estates , Summoned him to appear , which he refusing to do , they Stormed the Castle wherein he was , and so drew him , per force , to Judgment . Many and grievous Crimes were objected against him , and particularly the Pelagian Heresy , the Contempt of Baptism and other Sacred Rites . When he was not able to purge himself from any One of them , he was committed to Prison ▪ where , That he might not live to be a publick Spectacle of disgrace , he put an End to his own Life , in the 14th Year of his Reign .

Donaldus , IIII. The Fifty Third King .

HIS Brother Donaldus , or Donevaldus , mounted the Throne in his stead ; who , calling to mind the Elogy of his Father , and the Miserable end of his Brother , made it his Business to maintain the true Worship of God ; and that not only at home , but he sought , by all Lawful means , to propagate it abroad . For , when Edwin was dead , he furnished the Kindred and Children of Ethelfrid , who had remained Exiles in Scotland , for many Years , with Accommodations to return home ; he bestowed upon them Gifts , he sent Forces to accompany them , and gave them free Liberty to pass and repass , as occasion required . This Edwin , afore spoken of , was slain by Kedvalla , as Bede calls him , King of the Brittons , and by Penda King of the Mercians ; One of which was his Enemy , out of ancient hatred to the Nation ; The Other , for his new embracing of Christianity ; but Both , for the Emulation of his power . The Victory is reported to have been most Cruel ; for , whilst Penda endeavoured to root out the Christians ; and Kedvalla , the Saxons ; their Fury was so great , that it spared neither Age nor Sex . After the death of Edwin , e e Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms , i. e. the Deiri , Inhabiting on this side Tine ; and the B●rnici , Inhabiting beyond Tine to Tweed . Northumberland was divided into Two Kingdoms . Osticus , Cousin-German to Edwin , was made King of the Deiri ; and Eanfrid , as Bede calls him , but our Writers name him A●defridus , Ethelfrides Eldest Son , King of the Bernici ; They renounced the Christian Religion , in which they had been diligently educated , one by the Scotish Monks ; the other , by Paulinus , the Bishop , and revolted to their Ancient Superstition , but were both , shortly after , f f Apostacy justly punish'd . outed out of their Kingdoms , and their Lives too , by Penda . Oswald , the Son of Ethelfrid , succeeded them Both , a studious Promoter of the Christian Religion . He sent Ambassadors into Scotland to Donaldus , to desire him to send him some Christian Doctors ; which he did , Men of great Sanctity and Learning , and who were accordingly received by him with great curtesy , entertained magnificently , and rewarded amply . Neither did he think it below his g g King Donald repeats and interprets Pious Sermons to his Subjects , himself . Kingly Dignity , to interpret the Sentences of their Sermons , Preached to the People , ( who did not so well understand the Scotish Language ) whom he gathered together for that purpose ; all which is clearly expressed by Bede . Donaldus died in the 14th year of his Reign , leaving the precious Memory of his Virtues , behind him .

Ferchardus II. The LIV. King .

FERCHARDVS , his Brother Ferchardus's Son , succeeded him , a most slagitious Person , unsatiable in his desires of Wine , and Wealth ; of inhuman Cruelty towards Men , and of as great Impiety towards God . When his Cruelty and Rapine had raged against those without , he converted his Fury upon his Domesticks , killing his Wife , and Vitiating his Daughter ; Ferchard's wicked Life , and Repentance , at his death . for which hainous Wickedness , he was Excommunicated out of the Society of Christians . And as the Nobles were about to Assemble , by way of Consultation , about his Punishment ; Coleman , that Holy Bishop , stopped them , for he openly told him , That Divine Vengeance should speedily overtake him ; and the Event verified his Prediction , for , a few days after , as he was a Hunting , he was hurt by a Wolf , and fell into a Feaver , and not being able to abstain from his former Intemperance , at last his Body was eaten up by the Lowsie Disease ; and then he cryed out , That he was deservedly punished , because he had not hearkned to the wholsom Advice of Coleman . Thus at last , seeing his Error ; and Coleman comforting him with hopes of Pardon , in case he truly repented : He caused himself to be carried abroad in a Litter , meanly Apparrel'd , and there he made a publick Confession of his Wickedness , and so dyed , in the Year of our ●edmption 668. Scotland groaned under this Monster 18 Years .

Maldvinus , The LV King .

MAldvinus , the Son of Donald , succeeded him ; who , that he might strengthen those Parts of the Kingdom , which were weakned by the Tyranny of the former King , made Peace with all his Neighbors . Having quieted things without , he was disturbed by a Sedition at home , arising between the Argyle and Lennox Men. Maldvinus drew forth against the Authors of this Tumult , that so he might punish them , without prejudicing the Commonalty . They , to avoid the King's Wrath , composed their private jars , and fled into the Aebudae Isles . The King sent for them , to have them punished ; and the Islanders , not daring to retain them , delivered them up . Their punishment kept the rest in their Duties . About this time it was , That , when the Scotish Monks had spread the Doctrine of Christ very far over England , and had so instructed the English Youth , that now they seemed able of themselves to Preach the Gospel plainly , even to their own Countrymen ; together , with their Institution and Learning , they also entertained , and suck'd in , some Envy against their Teachers ; so that by reason of this Prejudice , the * * Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England . Scots-Monks were forced to return into their own Country . Which Contumely , as it cut off the Concord between both Kingdoms , so the Modesty of Those , who had received the wrong , kept both Nations from open Hostility , only frequent Incursions were made , and Skirmishes hapned in divers places . There fell out , at this time , a terrible Plague over all Europe , such as was never Recorded by any Writer , before ; Only the Scots and Picts were free therefrom .

By reason of the frequent Injuries , mutually offered , and Preys driven away on both sides , Both Nations were like to break forth into an open War , if the death of Maldvinus had not prevented it . After he had Reigned 20 years , his Wife , suspecting that he had been naught with an Harlot * * Maldvinus Strangled by his Wife , for which Fact she is Burnt ●li●e . Strangled him , and Four Days after She herself was punished for the Fact , by being burnt alive .

Eugenius V. The LVI King .

AFter him , Eugenius the 5th Son of King Dongard , undertook the Kingdom . a a Egfrid , King of Northumberland , overthrown by the Scots and Picts . Egfrid , the King of Northumberland ( with whom he principally desired to be at Peace ) sought to deceive him by fained Truces ; and he again assaulted Egfrid by the same Art . Thus , when Both made shew of Peace in Words , they each secretly prepare for War ; When the Truce was ended , Egfrid , thô his Friends dissuaded him from it , joyned Forces with the Picts , and , entring into Scotland , he foraged Galway . But he was overthrown by Eugenius , the Picts giving ground in the Fight , and lost almost all his Army , so that he hardly escaped , wounded , and with a few Followers , home . The next Year , his Friends then also Dissuading him , he drew forth his Army against the Picts , who , pretending to run away , drew him into an Ambush , and cut him off , with all his Men. The Picts , laying hold of This , so fair an Opportunity , recovered those large Territories , which had been taken from them in former Wars : And the Brittons , who freed themselves from the Government of the Angli , or English , together with the Scots , entred Northumberland , and made such an Havock there , that it never recovered itself since . Soon after Eugenius dyed , in the 4th Year of his Reign .

Eugenius VI. The LVII King .

EVGENIVS the VI , the Son of Ferchard , succeeded Eugenius the V ; As did Alfrid , Brother to Egfrid , succeed him in Northumberland : Both Kings were b b Two Kings , very great Theologist● . very Learned , especially in Theology , according to the rate of those times : And also friendly one to the other , on the account of their common Studies . So that , the Peace was faithfully maintain'd betwixt them . Alfrid made use of this Tranquillity , to settle the bounds of his Kingdom , thô in narrower Limits than before . But the Scots had neither an Establish'd Peace , nor yet a Declared War , with the Picts : Excursions were frequently made , with different and interchangable Successes , thô Cutberectus an English Bishop , and Adamannus , a Scotish Bishop , did in vain labour to reconcile them : Yet This they effected , that they never fought a pitched Battel . In the mean time , Eugenius being inflamed with an inexpiable Hatred against the Perfidiousness of the Picts , was stopped in the midst of his Career to Revenge , for he dyed , having Reigned 10 Years . In his Reign , it is reported , c c Blood rained down from Heaven for 7 days ▪ &c. That it Reigned Blood all over Britain for 7 days , and that the Milk , Cheese , and Butter , were also turned into Blood .

Amberkelethus , The LVIII King .

AFter him , Amberkelethus , the Son of Findanus , and Nephew of Eugenius the 5th . obtained the Kingdom . At the beginning of his Reign , he counterfeited Temperance , but soon returned to his Natural Disposition ; and broke forth into all manner of Wickedness . Garnard , King of the Picts , laying hold of this Opportunity , gathered a great Army together , and invaded the Scots . Amberkelethus could hardly be excited to take Arms , without much Importunity , but at last he did ; as he was going forth in the Night to ease himself , with Two Servants , he was d d Amberkelethus slain . slain with an Arrow , ( it was not known , who shot it ) when he had not Reigned full Two Years , some say , That when he pressed upon the Enemy in a thick Wood , that he was hurt with an Arrow by them , and so dyed 10 days after .

Eugenius VII . The LIX King .

EVGENIVS , the 7 th . Brother of the former King , was Declared King , by the Suffrage of the Soldiers in the Field , that so the Army might not disband , nor be without an Head . . He , putting little confidence in an Army , Levyed by a slothful King , lengthened out the War by Truces ; and at last concluded it by Marrying Spondana , Daughter of Garnardus . She , not long after , was e e Eugenius like to suffer for the ( supposed ) Murther of his Queen . slain in her Bed by Two Athol-men , who had conspired to destroy the King . The King himself was accused of the Murder , but falsly , and , before he was brought to Judgment , the Murderers were found out . Whereupon , he was freed . The Offenders were most exquisitely punished . When Matters were composed abroad , the King turned himself to the Affairs of Peace , delighting much in Hunting . But his chief Care was , for Religion . It was his Design and Appointment , That the Noble f f He first appoints the Acts of Kings to be Registred in Monasteries . Acts and Enterprizes of Kings should be Registred in Monasteries . He maintain'd a continued Peace 17 Years with all his Neighbours , and then dyed at * * A Town in the East part of Strachern , near Fife . Abernethy .

Mordacus , The LX King .

EVGENIVS , a little before his Death , commended Mordacus , the Son of Amberkelethus to the Nobility , to be his Successor . There was Peace all over Britain during his Reign , as Bede says about the end of his History . He did imitate Eugenius , not only in maintaining Peace , but in endowing of Monasteries , also . He Repaired the Convent of g g An Abby not far from Wigton in Galway . White-horn , which was demolished . He dyed at the Entrance into the 16th Year of his Reign .

Etfinus , The LXI King .

IN the Year of our Lord 730 , Etfinus , the Son of Eugenius the 7 th , entred upon the Kingdom . He , being emulous of the Kings before him , kept the Kingdom in great Peace , during the space of 31 years , that he managed the Government . When he was old , and could not perform the Kingly Office himself , he appointed Four Vice-gerents to Administer Justice to the People . Whilst These presided over the Affairs of Scotland , some loose Persons , resuming their former Luxuriant Extravagancies , by the Magistrates Neglect , or , ( as some think ) Fault , put all things into an Hurly Burly . But their wicked Pranks were the less taken notice of , by reason of the excessive Cruelty and Pride of one * * Donald , a great Plunderer . Donaldus , who , ranging over all Galway , made the Country People pay Tribute to him ; or else he robbed them , and reduced them to great Want .

Eugenius VIII . The LXII King .

A Midst these Tumults , Eugenius the 8 th , the Son of Mordacus , was set up in the room of Etfinus , deceased ; His first Enterprize , was , to suppress Donaldus , whom he overthrew in many bloody Fights , took him Prisoner , and publickly * * Donaldus slain by Bug●nsus . executed him , to the Joy of all the Spectators . He put Mordacus to death , Vicegerent of Galway , for Siding with Donaldus ; and set a Pecuniary Fine on the rest of the Vicegerents . He made Satisfaction to the People , who had been robbed , out of the Offenders Estates . The Bad being terrified for fear of these Punishments , and a great Calm ensuing , after a most violent Tempest , he confirmed the Leagues , heretofore made , with the Neighbouring Kings . Yet , after all this , he , who got so much Glory in War , when once Peace was made , gave himself up to all manner of Vice . And seeing he would not be reclaimed , neither by the Advices of his Friends , nor of the Priests , all the Nobles conspired to destroy him , which they did in a Publick Convention , in the * * Eugenius , slain by his Nobles , for his vitious Life . 3d year of his Reign . The Companions and Associats of his wicked Practices ended their Lives at the Gallows , all Men rejoycing at their Executions .

Fergusius , III. The LXIII King .

FERGVSIVS the III , the Son of Etfinus , succeeded him , who , under a like counterfeit pretence of Virtue , being fouly vitious , dyed also after the like violent manner , having Reigned the like Number of years , viz. 3. He was poisoned by his Wife . Others write , That when his Wife had often upbraided him with his Contempt of Matrimony , and his Flocks of Harlots , but without any amendment , that She Strangled him at night , h h Fergus , for his Adulteries slain by his Wife , who , to avoid punishment ●ill● her Self . as he was sleeping in his Bed . When Enquiry was made into his Death , and many of his Friends were accused , and yet , though severely tortured , would confess nothing . The Queen , thô otherwise of a fierce Nature , yet pitying the suffering of so many Innocents , came forth , and from an high Place , told the Assembly , That She was the Author of the Murder ; and presently , lest She should be made a living Spectacle of Reproach , She ran her Self through with a Knife ; which Fact of Hers was variously spoken of , and descanted upon , according to the several Humours and Dispositions of the Men of that time .

Solvathius , The LXIV King .

KING Solvathius , the Son of Eugenius the 8 th , is the next in Order , Who , if he had not contracted the Gout , by reason of Cold , in the 3d Year of his Reign , might well be reckoned for his Personal Valour amongst the Best of Kings ; yet , notwithstanding his Disease , he appeased all Tumults , by his Generals , with great Wisdom and Prudence . First of all * * One Donald calls himself King of the Aebudae . Donaldus Banus , ( i. e. ) White , being Fearless of the King , by reason of the Lameness of his Feet , had the boldness , as to seize upon all the Western Islands , ând to call himself King of the Aebudae . Afterwards , making a Descent on the Continent , and carrying away much Prey , he was forced by Cullanus , General of the Argyle-men , and by Ducalus , Captain of the Athol-men , into a Wood , out of which there was but one Passage , so that their endeavours to escape were fruitless , but He and His * * Donald slain . were there slain , every Man . One Gilcolumbus , excited by the same Audacity and Hope , assaulted Galway , oppressed before by his Father , but he also was overthrown , by the same Generals , and put to death . In the mean time , there was Peace from the English and Picts , occasioned by their Combustions at home . Solvathius Reigned 20 Years , and then dyed , being Praised of all Men. In the year of Christ 787.

Achaius , The LXV King .

ACHAIVS , the Son of Etfinus , succeeded him ; he having made Peace with the Angels and Picts , understanding , that War was threatned from Ireland , composed the Seditions that were like to break forth at home , not only by his Pains-taking , but by his Largesses , also . The Cause of the Irish War , was This. In the former Kings Reign , who was unfit to make any Expedition ; The Irish and the Islanders , out of hope of Prey and Impunity , had made a descent upon Cantire , the adjoyning Peninsule , with great Armies , both at once . But a Feud arising between the Plunderers , many of the Islanders , and all the Irish , were slain . To revenge this Slaughter , the Irish Rigged out a great Navy , to Sail into the Aebudae . Achaius sent Embassadors to them , to acquaint them , That they had no just cause for a War , in regard that Thieves , fighting for their Prey , had slain one another ; That the loss was not , that so many were slain , but rather , that any of them had escaped . They farther alleged , That the King and his National Councils were so far from offering any injury to the Irish , that they had put all the Authors of the late Slaughter to death . The Embassadors , discoursing many things to this purpose , were so coursly and barbarously rejected by the Irish , That they set forth their Fleet against the * * War between the Scots and Irish. Albine Scots , even before their departure ; when their Fleet was on the Main , a Tempest arose , and destroyed them all . This Mischance occasioned some sentiments of Remorse and Pity in the Irish , * * Which is soon composed . so that now they humbly fued for that Peace , which before they disdainfully refused .

But first of all , i i Achaius the first of the Scots Kings , that enters into a Friendship with France . Achaius made Peace between the Scots and Franks , chiefly for this reason , because not only the Saxons , who inhabited Germany , but even those who had fixed themselves in Britanny , did infest Gaul with Piratical Invasions . And besides , Charles the Great , whose desire was to enoble France , not only by Arms , but Literature , had sent for some k k Learned Men sent for out of Scotland , by Char●es the Great , as Iohannes Scotus , &c. Learned Men out of Scotland , to read Greek and Latin , at Paris . For yet there were many Monks in Scotland , Eminent for Learning and Piety , the antient Discipline being then not quite extinguished , amongst whom was Iohannes , Sirnamed Scotus , or , which is all one , Albinus , for the Scots in their own Language call themselves Albini ; He was the School-Master of Charles the Great , and left many Monuments of his Learning , behind him , and in particular , some Precepts of Rhetorick , which I have seen , with Iohannes Albinus inscribed . There are also some Writings of Clement a Scot , remaining , who was a great Professor of Learning , at the same time , too in Paris . There were many other Scotish Monks , who passed over into Gaul , out of their Zeal for God and Godliness , * * Who Preach the Doctrine of Christi●nity in Germany . who preached the Doctrine of Christianity to the People inhabiting about the Rhene , and that with so great Success , that the People thereupon built Monasteries in many Places . The Germans owe this to their Memory , that even to our days , Scots are the Governors over those Monasteries . Though Achaius was desirous of Peace , yet the Pictish concerns drew him on to a War . For when l l A Battel between Athelstan of England , and Hungus the Pict , who was aided by the Scots . Athelstan , the English-Man , had wasted the Neighbouring Lands of the Picts , l l A Battel between Athelstan of England , and Hungus the Pict , who was aided by the Scots . Hungus their King obtained the Aid of Ten Thousand Scots , from Achaius , who before was disgusted with the English . He placed his Son Alpinus , a Commander , over them , who was born to him by the Sister of Hungus ; by the assistance of those Auxiliaries , he drove a great prey out of Northumberland . Athelstan , a feirce Warriour , was almost at his Heels , and overtook him not far from Hadington . The Picts being dismayed at the suddain coming of their Enemies , run to their Arms , and keep themselves in their Stations , till Night ; having set their Watches for the Night , Hungus being inferiour in other things , desired Aid of God , and gave up himself wholly to Prayer . At last , when his Body was wearied with Labour , and his Mind oppressed with Care , he seemed to behold Andrew the Apostle , standing by him in his Sleep , promising him Victory . * * Hungus his Visi●n upon his Praye● to God . This Vision being declared to the Picts , filled them full of Hope , so that they prepared themselves with great Alacrity to the Combate , which otherwise they could not avoid . The next day they came to a pitched Battel . Some add , That another Prodigy was seen in the Heavens , a cross like the Letter X , which did so terrifie the English , that they could hardly bear the first brunt of the Picts . * * Athelstan overthrown and slain . Athelstan was slain there , who gave Name to the place of Battel , which is yet called Athelstan Ford. Hungus ascribed the Victory to St. * * 〈…〉 Andrew . Andrew , to whom , besides other Gifts , he offered the Tithe , of his Royal Demeas●s : I am of Opinion , that This was the Athelstan , Commander of the Danish Nation , to whom the English affirm , That Northumberland was granted by Alured . Achaius died the Thirty Second year of his Reign , and in the Year of Christ Eight Hundred and Nine .

Congallus III. The Sixty Sixth King .

CONGALLVS , his Cousin German , succeeded him , who Reigned Five years , in Peace both at home and abroad .

Dongallus , The Sixty Seventh King .

DONGALLVS , the Son of Solvathius , was next King to him . The Soldiers , not able to endure the Severity of his Government , gathered themselves together to Alpinus , the Son of Achaius ; and because they could not persuade him by fair means to undertake the Kingdom , they compelled him by force and menaces to be seemingly on their side . He having gathered together an Army , and pretending to do , as they would have him , disappointed them and fled to Dongallus ; his coming was acceptable to the King , but a great dismay to the Rebels ; and therefore they accuse him to the King , as if Alpinus himself had persuaded them to Rebel . The King , well perceiving their Calumny , suddenly prepared his Army , and so prevented the rumour of his coming . Those of them which he took , he put to Death .

In the mean time , * * Hungus's Death . Hungus died , and his Eldest Son Dorstologus was slain , by the Fraud of his Brother , Eganus ; neither did the Murtherer long survive his Brother . So that the Male-stock of Hungus being extinct , his Sister's Son Alpinus , as next Heir , both by an ancient Law , and in Right of Blood , claimed the Kingdom . The Picts disdained him as a Foreigner , whereupon Dongallus sent Messengers to them , to expostulate the matter , but they refused to give them Audience , but Commanded them to depart in four days . * * Dongal drowned . Dongallus intended to make War upon them , with all his might . But in the preparation thereof , as he was passing over the Spey , whose Current was very violent , the Vessel , in which he was , sunk , and he was Drown'd , after he had Reigned Six Years , some say , Seven .

Alpinus , The Sixty Eighth King .

ALpinus , the Son of Achaius , led the Army raised by Dongallus , against Frederethus , who had seized upon , and arrogated , the Kingdom of the Picts , to himself . * * Wars between the Scots and Picts . The Armies met at Restenot , a Village of Angus , the Fight was maintained with great Obstinacy and Cruelty , even until Night ; the Victory was uncertain , tho' the Death of Frederethus made it to incline to the Scots . For when he saw his Men to fly in the Fight , with a Troop of Noble Youngsters , he brake through the main Battel of the Scots , and being thus severed from his Men , was there slain , with the Flower of his Nobility . Brudus was substituted in his place , a Slothful Person , and unfit for Military Affairs . In his Reign , the Scots drove Preys out of their Enemies Country , without Resistance ; and the Picts raising up a Tumult on purpose amongst themselves , slew Brudus , before he had Reigned one Year . Then they set up Kennethus , another of Frederethus his Sons , in his stead , one neither Valianter , nor more Successful , than his Brother : For , when he had levied an Army , and came in fight of his Enemies , he privily stole away , and so was slain by a Country Man , who upbraided him as a Run-away , not knowing , Who he was . The Picts having lost their King , before their Enemies were sensible of it , returned home , and made another Person , named Brudus , King , one of high Descent and Noble Atchievements . He , as soon as he entred upon the Kingdom , set upon the straggling Plunderers , and curbed their Rashness , making a great Slaughter amongst them ; after that , that he might strengthen his weak Forces by Foreign Aids , he sent Ambassadors , with great Gifts , to the English , which were nearest to him . They received their Gifts , and were large enough in their Promises of Assistance ; but , though the Picts earnestly pressed them , yet they put them off , laying the fault on their own Combustions at home . The Picts being disappointed of their Hope there , levied all of their Own , that were able to bear Arms , and resolved to venture their All ; with this Resolution they marched directly toward the Enemy , who were encamped not far from Dundee . As soon as they met , the Battel was so much the more sharp , by reason of the old Hatred , the recent Disgust , the many mutual Slaughters , and the frequent Injuries and Wrongs , committed on both sides . When the Conflict was a long time doubtful , at last , an Hundred Horse of the Picts rose out of an Ambush ; who , that they might seem to be a greater Number , did also Horse their Baggage Men , and Attendants , upon their Baggage Horses ; and so , shewing themselves upon the tops of the Hills , they wheeled about , as if they would have set upon the Rear of the Army , which was a Fighting . That apprehension struck such a terrour into the Scots , that they presently scattered , and fled into the Neighbouring Woods ; by which many of them were saved alive ; only some few were slain in the Fight , but more in flight , by the nimble Baggagers , who were set on Horseback . * * King Alpin overthrown in Battel by the Picts , and slain . King Alpinus , and many of his Nobles were taken Prisoners , and cruelly slain . The Kings Head was fastned to a Pole , and carried up and down the Army ; till , at last , they set it up for a Spectacle in the most eminent place of the greatest Town they had , ( which then was Abernethy . ) The place , where he was slain , as yet retains his Name , being called , Bas Alpin , i. e. The Death of Alpin .

Kennethus II. The Sixty Ninth King .

ALpin being slain , after he had Reigned Three Years , his Son Kennethus succeeded him . The next Summer , the Picts having some hopes , that if they did but endeavour it , the Scots might easily be driven out of Britain , as they had been heretofore ; hereupon they hired some Troops of the English , and joyned them with what Forces of their Own they could make . But a sudden Sedition arose betwixt the Commanders , and that so outragious an One , That King Brudus himself could not compose it ; so that the Army disbanded thereupon ; and Brudus died about Three Months after , rather Heart-broken , than of any Disease . His Brother Druskenus was made King in his stead , who , in vain attempted to compose things at home ; but in the interim , some Scotish Youngsters stole away the head of Alpinus , from the place where the Picts had set it up , and brought it to Kennethus , he not only commended them for their Noble Exploit , but also rewarded them with Lands . Kennethus called together an Assembly to consult about War with the Picts ; and though the King himself , and the forwardest of the Soldiers , did advise to revenge the Treachery of such a perfidious People ; yet , the Major part , and especially the Graver sort , thought it more adviseable , to stay , till their Forces , which were weakned in former Wars , had recovered themselves ; in the mean time , they would neither seek Peace , nor yet make War with the Picts , till a better opportunity , for either , did offer it self . This Opinion prevailed , so that there was Peace betwixt the two Nations , for Three Years , as if it had been by common Consent . But in the Fourth Year , Kennethus , desirous to renew the War , yet finding few of the Nobles of his Mind , invited them to a Banquet ; * * Kenneteus , by a witty Invention , engages his Nobles to make War upon the Picts . the Entertainment continued till late at Night , so that they were all necessitated to lodge there , which they might more easily do , in regard every Man , according to the custom of his Ancestors , lay on the Ground , and so they disposed of them in that large House , having nothing under them but Leaves and Grass . When they were gone to Bed , the King suborned a Youth , one of his Kinsmen , commanding him to clothe himself with the Skins of Fishes , dried in the Wind , and so to enter by Night ; and to speak through a long Tube , that the Voice might better reach their Ears at a distance , and thus to exhort them to War ; as if a Message had been sent them from Heaven , to that purpose . The Nobles suddenly awoke at this Voice , which at that time seem'd to them to be Greater and more August than a Mans ; many also were laden with Wine , and the sudden flashing of Light , from the Fishes Skins , darting upon their drowsie Eyes , and dazling them , drove them into a great Astonishment ; in fine , an un-wonted Apparition affected the Eyes of them all , and a kind of Religious Consternation seized upon their Minds . And That which increased the Admiration , was , That the Messenger , stripping himself of his disguised Habit , and , by a secret Passage , conveighing himself away , as in an instant , seemed to have vanished out of sight . When the News hereof was brought to the King in the Morning , and many did add to the Story , as is usual in such Cases , he also affirmed , That the like Apparition was seen by him , in his Sleep . Hereupon , a War was concluded upon by the general Consent of them all , as if they were Commanded thereunto by God himself . When the Armies were led forth to Battel , as soon as ever they came in fight one of another , every one ran upon the Enemy , which stood next to him , not staying for the Command of their Captains . The Fight was as fiercely continued , as it was eagerly begun . At last , the Victory inclined to the * * The Picts , being deserted by the English , receive a great overthrow by the Scots . Scots . Those in whom the Picts put most Confidence proved their Ruin . For the English Troops , seeing that all things were managed without Order , and by Tumultuary Force , withdrew themselves into the next Hill , as if they had only been Spectators of other Mens Dangers . There was a mighty Slaughter made of the Picts . For the Scots were highly provoked against them , not only by their ancient Hatred , but by the remembrance of their later Cruelty against Alpinus , and the rest , whom they had taken Prisoners : But that which chiefly inflamed their Minds , was a Watch-Word , spread abroad among the Scots , That they should remember Alpinus ; From that very moment , they spared neither Age , nor Rank , of Men : The Hills covered the departure of the English , and the Scots were so pertinaciously intent in revenging themselves on the Picts , that they could not follow them . This Victory reduced the Picts to so low an ebb , and rendred their Condition so deplorable , that , though they endeavoured to make Peace , yet all was in vain , for the Scots would hearken to no Conditions , but the full surrendring up of their Kingdom . The next Year , when all Places were surrendred up beyond Forth , Northwards ; and Garisons placed in them , as Kennethus was marching his Army against those on this side thereof , word was brought , That some of the Garisons , which he had left behind , were taken , and the Souldiers slain : Hereupon , he marched his Army back against the Rebellious Picts , of whom he spared neither Man , Woman , nor Child ; But wasted the whole Country with Fire and Sword . Druskenus , seeing the Picts were inraged , almost like Mad-men , at the Cruelty exercised over them , and knowing now , that they must fight , not for their Kingdom , but for their very Lives , and the Lives of their Wives and Children , gathered together all the Force that ever he could make ; and so passing the Forth , came to Scone , a Town situate on the Bank of the River Tay , where he waited for the coming of the Scots : There they again endeavoured to make a Pacification , offering to surrender all the Country beyond the Forth , but the Scots would have All , or none . The Fight , as in such Circumstances of Necessity , was very fierce : At last , the Pertinacy of the Picts was broken , and the River Tay , putting a stop to their flight , was the cause of their Destruction . For * * The Picts again routed by the Scots , their King Drusken slain , and their Kingdom abolished . Druskenus , and almost all his Nobility , being not able to pass it , were there slain : And the Fortune of the common Souldiers was not better ; for as they crowded to the River in several places to save themselves , they laboured also under the same incapacity of passing it , and so they every one of them lost their Lives . Hence it is , ( as I judge , ) that our Writers say , We Fought with the Picts seven times in one Day . The Force of the Picts was wholly broken by this Overthrow , and Kennethus wasted Lothian and the adjacent Country , together with Those beyond the Forth , that they might never be able again to recover themselves . The Garisons , for fear , surrendred themselves . Those few Picts , who were left alive , fled into England , in an indigent and necessitous Condition .

The Sixth BOOK .

AS I formerly called Fergusius the First , and , after him , Fergusius the Second , with great reason , the Founders of the Scotish Kingdom , so I may justly reckon * * Kennethus compared with both the Fergus's , and reckoned the Third Founder of the Scotish Kingdom . Kennethus , the Son of Alpinus , a Third Founder , also . Fergus the First , from a mean beginning , advanced the Affairs of the Scots to such an height , as that they were Envy'd by their Neighbours . Fergus the Second , when they were banished and dispersed into remote Countrys , and , in the Judgment of their Enemies , almost extirpated , did , as it were , recal them to Life , and , in a few years , reduced them to their Ancient Splendor . But Kennethus was so Couragious , as to accept of the Kingdom , when Matters were almost desperate ; yea , when others thought , that the small remainder of Scots could hardly have been defended , or kept together ; and not only so , but he brake the power of the Enemy , ( tho' assisted with Foreign aid , and Triumphant also for his late Victory ) in many sharp ( yet prosperous ) Fights ; and , being thus weakned , he drave him out of Britanny , and took from him the Kingly Name , which to this day he could never recover again . Tho' these were Great Atchievements , yet they were not the Greatest he performed ; For , as he enlarged his Kingdom to double of what it was before ; so he Governed it , both by making New Laws , and also by reviving the Old ones ; That neither Licentiousness arising from War , nor Pride , the product of Victory , nor any footsteps of those Evils , which are wont to accompany Luxury and Ease , did appear , during his Life . Yea , the Affairs of Scotland seem'd to be supported for many Years after , by the Laws , called , by Posterity , the g g The wholsome Laws , made by Kenneth , called Mac-Alpin-Laws , because he was the Son of Alpin . Macalpin Laws , as much as by Arms. But to let pass these things ; I shall proceed to relate his Noble Acts , as I have begun . Kennethus , having driven out the Picts , distributed their Lands amongst his Soldiers , according to every ones Valour and Merit : whose Ambition put New Names on many Places and Countrys , cancelling and obliterating the Old . He parted h h The Country l●ing between the Tay and Dee . Horestia betwixt Two Brothers , Aeneas and Mern ; one part of which , in Old Scotish , is yet called i i Aeneia , all one with Angus . Aeneja , ( they , who more affect the English Speech , call it Angus : ) The other , k k The Mearns lie alongst the East-Sea , between D●e and North-Esk . Mern . The Country adjoyning from Tay to the Forth , was called by the Ancients , Ross , i. e. Peninsule ; there are some signs of the Name , yet remaining , as l l It stands on the North-side of Forth , in P●rthshire . Culross , a Town , which is , as it were , the Back or Hinder part of Ross ; and m m A Town lying on the beginning , or head of a point of Land , that runs into the West-side of Loc● 〈◊〉 . K●nross , which signifies the Head of Ross. Now at this day , all that Country , is called Fife , from an Eminent Person , called , Fifus , whose Sirname they say , was Duffus ; Barodunum , a Town in Lothian , or , as some call it , D●nbar , was so called ( as it is thought ) from a Great Man , named , Bar. Lothian had its name , not long ago , from Lothus King of the Picts . Cuningham is wholly a Danish Word ; used , as I think , by the Danes , after the Death of Kennethus , who possessed that Country for some years , having driven the Scots beyond the Wall of Severus ; for Cuningham signifys , in the Danish Language , the Kings House , or Palace . 'T is also probable , That Otherwise called the Sheri●fdom of B●●wick . Merch was so called , by the Danes , because it was the Limits between both Kingdoms . As for Edinburgh hath several Names . Edinburgh , either by the gross Ignorance or perverse Ill-will of some , it is sometimes called , Vallis Dolorosa , i. e. The Dolesom Valley , and sometimes , Castrum Puellarum , Maiden-Castle ; the Name in it self is not very obscure , tho' it be made so , by ill management . They borrowed those Names from the Gallick-Fables , which were devised within the space of 300 Years , last past . This is certain , That the Ancient Scots called it , Dunedinum ; the Later , Edinburgum , wherein they follow the Country Custom in imposing of Names ; whereas , that Castle in a middle Appellation between both , I think may be better named , Edinum . But enough in this place concerning the Old and the New Names of the Countrys , of which I have spoken more largely , before . To return then to Kennethus ; Having enlarged his Kingdom , as I said before , and settled wholsome Laws for the Government thereof ; he endeavoured further to confirm his Royal Authority by mean and trivial Things , even bordering upon Superstition it self ; There was a p p The Story of the Marble Stone , on which the Scotch Kings were anciently Crowned . Marble-Stone , which Simon Breccus is reported to have brought into Ireland out of Spain , which Fergus , the Son of Ferchard , is also said to have brought over into Scotish Albion , and to have placed it in Argyle . This Stone Keunethus removed , out of Argyle , to q q An Abby on the North-side of 〈◊〉 , a Mi●e above Perth . Scone by the Rivet Tay , and placed it there , included in a Chair of Wood. The Kings of Scotland were wont to receive both the Name and the Habiliment of Kings , sitting in that Chair , till the days of Edward the First , King of England , of whom in his Place . Kenneth Translated the Episcopal See , which the Picts had placed at Abernethy , to Fanum Reguli , which after Ages called St. Andrews . But the Ancient Scots-Bishops , being chosen out of Monasteries , not then contending for Place or Honour , but for Sanctity and Learning , r r The Ancient Scots Bishops , not Diocesa●s . did perform their Functions every where , occasionally , as opportunity was offered without Envy or Emulation ; no certain Diocesses being allotted to them , in regard the Ecclesiastical Function was not yet made a matter of Gain . After this sort , Kennethus Reigned 20 Years . In the beginning of his Fifth year , he overthrew the Picts , as the Black Book of Pasley hath it . The other Sixteen years , after he had destroyed the Government of the Picts , he lived in great Tranquillity , having Peace at home , by reason of his just Government ; and Peace abroad , by the Power of his Arms. He enlarged his Dominions from the Orcades to the Wall of Adrian . A. C. 854.

Donaldus V. The Seventieth King .

DONALDVS , his Brother , was chosen King next , who quite altered the whole Publick Discipline , together with his own Demeanour . For , whereas , in the Life time of Alpinus , he made a shew of Temperance , and , by that means , had obtained the Love of the better sort ; When his Brother was dead , as if he had been freed from all Fear and Restraint , he gave himself up wholly to a a Donaldus's Licentiousness . Pleasure . And , as if there had been no danger from any Enemy without , he neglected all Military Study , and kept almost none about him , but Hunters , Hawkers , and Inventors of new Pleasures . Upon these , he spent the Publick Revenue . The young Fry , who were prone to Pleasures , did extol the King to the Skies , as a Noble and Generous Prince ; and scoffed at the Parsimony of former Times , as Rude and Illiberal . The Ancient Counsellors , seeing all things likely to run to Ruin in a very short time , came to the King , and put him in mind of his Duty ; of his present Evils and Miscarriages ; and of the Danger imminent thereupon . He , nevertheless , persisted in his slothful kind of Life , which gave opportunity to the Remainders of the b b It gives opportunity to the Picts to solicite Aid from Osbreth in England . Picts ( as if an hopeful Alarm had been given them , even from the very bottom of Despair ) to address themselves to Osbreth and Ella , Two of the most potent and prevalent Kings of the English , ( for then England was divided into many Kingdoms . ) They bewail'd their misfortune to them ; and craved earnestly their Assistance ; promising , That they and all their Posterity would become Feudataries to the English , in case they obtained the Victory over the Scots , which , they prejudg'd , would be an easy one , by reason of the slothful Nature of Donald . The English were easily persuaded , and having setled things at home , they led out their Army into Merch , from whence they sent Heralds to Donaldus , requiring , that the Lands which the Scots had forceably taken away from the Picts , their Friends and Allies , might be restored , which , unless he would do , they would not neglect their old Confederates , who had now also newly cast themselves upon them . Donaldus , by the advice of the Estates , which , in this time of imminent Danger , he had ( thô unwillingly ) convened , Levied an Army , and met with the Enemy at Iedd , a River of Teviotdale , where he joyned Battel , and overthrew Osbreth , c c Osbreth overthrown by the Scots ; but his Men rallying , overcome the Scots , when secure , after their Victory . enforcing him to fly to the next Mountains : From thence he marched on by Tweed unto the Sea side , recovered Berwick , which had been taken by the English , and again deserted by them , upon the ill news of the success of the Battel ; where he took all the Ships riding in the Mouth of the River , and seized upon all the Enemies Provisions therein . There he got an opportunity to renew his , interrupted , Pleasures , and , as if his Enemies had been wholly overthrown , he drowned himself in all kind of Voluptuousness . Whereupon , the English , who , in the last Fight were rather scatter'd than subdued , understanding , by their Spies , the Carelesness and Security of the Scots , gathered together what Force they could out of the Neighborhood , and by night set upon the Scots , who were laden with Wine , and fast asleep , making a great slaughter amongst them ; but they took the King , who was between sleeping and waking , Prisoner . From thence they followed the Course of their Victory , and to make their Ravage more compleat , they divided their Army into Two Parts , and so marched into the Enemies Country , Part of them when they came to the Forth , got Vessels , and essayed to pass over by Water into Fife , but a great Number of them were Shipwrackt , and drowned ; and the rest , by the violence of the Storm , were forced back to the Shore , where they embarked ; from whence , marching to Sterling , and joyning with the rest of their Army , they pass over the Forth , on a Bridge . The Scots , after their flight , gathered themselves into a Body thereabouts , having the bare show , rather than the strength , of an Army ; and sent Ambassadors to the English for Peace ; which they did not refuse , because their strength was weakened by the unsuccessful Battel of Iedd , and also by their own Shipwrack . The d d Peace granted upon hard Terms to the Scots . English propounded hard Conditions , yet such as the present State of Affairs made to seem tolerable , As that , The Scots should yield up all the Land , which was within the Wall of Severus ; That their Bounds should be beneath Sterling , the Forth ; beneath Dunbarton , the Clyd ; and between the Two Rivers , the Wall of Severus . Amidst such hard Terms of Peace , yet this happened , as joyous , so unexpected , to the Scots , That no mention was made concerning the Reduction of the e e The Picts driven out of Albium , and never recalled . Picts . For the English and Britains divided the Lands , surrendred up , betwixt them ; the River being a Boundary betwixt them both . There are some , who think , the Money yet called * * Sterling Money . Sterling was then Coined there . The Lands being thus divided , the Picts , who thought to recover their own , being eluded of their hopes , passed over to the Cimbrians and Scandians , ( i. e. ) ( as we now speak , ) to Denmark and Norway . Those few of them , that staid in England , were all put to death by them , upon pretence , that they would attempt Innovations by their soliciting of Forein Aid . Donaldus , after he had made Peace , upon his Return , was Honourably received , partly , out of Respect to his Ancestors , and partly in hopes of his Repentance . But he , persevering in his wonted Slothfulness , the Nobles fearing that so filthy and sluggish a Person , who would neither hearken to the Counsels of his Friends , nor be reclaimed by his own Calamities , would lose that part of the Kingdom which remained , * * Donald cast into prison , where he dies . cast him into Prison ; where , either for Grief in having his Pleasure restrained ; or , for Fear to be made a Publick Spectacle of Scorn , he laid violent hands on himself , in the Sixth Year of his Reign . Others report , that This Donaldus performed many Noble Exploits , both at home and abroad ; and that he dyed a natural death at Scone , in the Year of our Lord 858.

Constantinus II. The Seventy First King .

COnstantinus , the Son of Kennethus , undertook the Kingdom after him , at Scone ; he was a Prince of a great Spirit , and highly Valorous . He was desirous to obliterate the Ignominy received under Donaldus , and to enlarge his Kingdom unto the Bounds , left by his Father ; but he was otherwise advised by his Nobles , because the greatest part of the Soldiery were slain under Donaldus ; and the remainder was grown so Corrupt , that it was not fit to put Arms into their hands . And thereupon , the King first bent his care to amend the Publick Discipline ; and so he reduced the Order of Priests to their Ancient Parsimony , by severe Laws , in regard they had left off Preaching , and had given up themselves to * * Ecclesiasticks Reformed by Constantine . Luxury , Hunting , Hawking , and to Courtly-Pomp . He caused the Young Soldiers , who were effeminated with Pleasures , to lye on the Ground , and to Eat but once a day . f f Drunkenness Punished with Death . Drunkards he punished with Death . He forbad all sports , but those who served to harden both Body and Mind , for the Wars . By these Laws , the Soldiery of the Kingdom were reduced to a better pass . And presently upon , a certain Islander , named Evenus , whom he himself had made Governour of Loch-Abyr , a Man of an unquiet Spirit , and Ambitious of Dominion , rose up in Arms ; who , knowing , That the Youthful Fry of Soldiers could not well bear the Severity of these New Laws , First , gathered together a small Number , and then a greater , complaining of the present State of Things . And when he found his Discourse was acceptable to them , he easily persuaded them to conspire for the Destruction of Constantine . But , being more active than cautelous in gathering strength to their Faction , they were betrayed by some of their Own , and slain , before they knew any Forces were gathered together against them . g g Evenus put to Death , for conspiring against Constantine . Evenus , the head of the Conspiracy , was hanged . About this time it was , That the h h The Danes Invade Scotland , are worsted at first ; yet , afterwards , overthrow Constantine , who was slain by them . Danes , then the most Potent and Flourishing Nation amongst the Germans , were solicited by the Picts against the Scots , and also by one Buernus , ( or , as others write , Verna , whose Wife Osbreth had forceably Vitiated ) which They , being over-stocked with Youngsters at home , easily assented to , and so they transported themselves , in a great Navy , into Britain . Their first Descent was in Fife , there they slew all they met , without distinction , out of Hatred to the Christian Religion ; and dividing their Army , they spoiled the Country two several ways . Constantinus drew forth against them , and first he set upon that Brigade , which Hubba , Brother to the Danish King , commanded ; who , being hindred to joyn with their Fellows , by the sudden swelling of the River Levin , were there easily overcome and slain , except a few of his Men , who could swim over the River , who fled to their other Commander , called Humber . Constantinus followed after them , as to a Prey , not a Battel , and overtook them not far from the Town of * * On the East-point of Fife . Carail , but not before they had well fortify'd their Camp . For the Danes , being very provident after their late unhappy Fight , had made a kind of Defensive Fortification , upon some small Winding Rocks , near the shore , by heaping up a parcel of Stones together , which lay thereabouts . In that posture , Constantine assaulted them ; where , by reason of the Incommodiousness of the place , and the Desperation of the Danes , he paid dear for his Rashness ; for he lost a great Part of his Army , he himself being taken Prisoner , and haled into a little Cave , hard by , was there slain . There are some Monuments of this Fight remaining to this day , as the Cave , the Circumference of their Camp , which was not cut out regularly , or by equal spaces , but turning and winding according to the Bending of the Rocks . Some lay the blame of this unlucky Accident upon the Picts , who , being admitted into Constantines Fealty and Army , were the first that ran away , and drew the greatest Part of the Army after them . The Danes gathered up the Spoils , and departed to their Ships . The Kings Body was found the day after , and carried to the Sepulchres of his Ancestors in the Island Icolumb-kil . He possessed the Kingdom sixteen Years , and died in the Year of our Lord 874.

Ethus , The Seventy Second King .

HIs Brother , Ethus , succeeded him , from the Swiftness of his Feet , Sirnamed Alipes , he was elected King upon no higher , or other , Account , but because he gathered together the Relicts of the Army , which was scattered by the Danes . Amongst the Prodigies of his Time , they reckon those Sea-Fishes then appearing , which are seldom seen , and not after long Intervals of Time , but they never appear but in Sholes , nor without some unlucky Presage . The Common People call them a a Sea-Monks , a prodigious sort of Fish , swimming in Sholes , always portending some Evil. Monachi-marini , i. e. Sea-Monks ; others give them the Title of Bassineti , i. e. Hooded , or Helmered , Fish . b b Ethus , for his Viciousness , forced to abjure the Government . Ethus , being unmindful both of his Brother and of his Ancestors , giving up himself to all manner of Vices , and drawing the young Soldiers , easily seduceable , along with him , was taken Prisoner by a Combination of the Nobles , made against him ; and , after all the flagitious Acts of his Life had been declared to the People , in a long Speech , he was forced to abjure the Government , in the second Year of his Reign . Three days after , he died in Prison , for Grief . That which chiefly offended the Martial Men , was , his slothful Unactiveness ; because , that when the Danes were at War with the English , and many bloody Battels had been fought between them , yet he never bethought himself of the recovering the Country , he had lost ; nor would he suffer himself to be put in mind thereof , by others . Some write , that he was not inforced to relinquish his Kingdom , but that he was wounded in a Combate by Gregorius , who was emulous of the Kingdom , and that he died Two months after ▪ Anno Christ . 875.

Gregorius , The Seventy Third King .

GRegorius , the Son of Dongallus , was set up in his stead ; a Man of a Royal Spirit , in whom no Virtue , requisite in a King , was wanting . First , he reconciled all those to him , who were against him in suing for the Kingdom ; and then , he proceeded to compose the Discords of the Nobles amongst themselves ; He so tempered the Severities of his Government with Affability , that he did more with his Subjects by Love , than by Fear ; He restored the Old Laws , concerning the Immunity of the Ministers of the Church , ( who were but in the nature of Slaves , under the Picts ) or else he made New , to the same purpose . His first c c Gregory overcomes the Picts and Danes , Expedition was into Fife against the Picts , left there by the Danes , whilst they were employing their Arms against the English . He drove them not out of Fife only , but out of Lothian , and Merch , too . The Danes , when he came to Berwick , fearing , if they should have any Misfortune , the English also would be upon their backs , durst not join in a Field-fight with Gregory ; but sent Part of their Forces over the River into Northumberland , commanding them to join with a small Brigade of their Country-men , who had gathered themselves together , and were newly landed , there ; The Rest of them enter'd Berwick to strengthen the Garison there . But the English , who were , but unwillingly , under the Command of the Danes , ( as being Men of a different Religion from them ) gave admission to the Scots in the night , by which means all the Danes were put to the Sword . From thence , Gregory marched into Northumberland , and fought a prosperous Battel against Hardnute , wherein he made so great a slaughter of them , that their Numbers , which were lately formidable to all Britain , were mightily diminished , partly by Gregory of Scotland , and partly by Alfrid of England . Gregory took in all Northumberland , and gave free leave to those English to depart , who were willing so to do ; to the rest , he very courteously distributed Lands . The greatest part of the English staid behind , partly out of love to their native Soil , partly by reason of the Kings Bounty to them ; and partly also , for fear of their Enemies . For , seeing they had now , for many years , had several cruel Fights with the Danes , the Victory being many times uncertain , Many of the English chose rather to be under the Dominion of the Scots ; who , though formerly Enemies , were yet Christians , than either to fall into the power of the Bloody Danes ; or , to hope for uncertain Aid from their own Countrymen ; especially , since things were in such an hurly burly over all Britanny , that the English knew not which Party to succour , first . After he had so chastised the Danes , that he expected no more Trouble from them , he turned his Arms upon the Brittons , who , as yet , held some of the Scotish Dominions ; with These also he made Peace , they restoring the the said ●ands , and promising to assist him against the Danes , if they did return ; Whereupon , he disbanded his Army . But the Brittons , after their return home , repented of the Peace they had made ; and entring Scotland again in an hostile manner , they were driving away a great Booty , but Gregory met them at * * In Annandale . Loch-Maban , and , after a bloody Fight , overthrew them , Constantine , their King , being also slain . The Brittons , having received this fruit of their ill Counsel , made Hebert , the Brother of Constantine , King , and then began to think , in what a dangerous Case they were , having the both the Scots and Danes their Enemies ; and their Alliance with the English seldom long-lived . Hereupon , they sent Embassadors to the Scots for Peace , who would not hearken thereunto , unless d d And the Brittons also , causing them to restore Cumberland and Westmorland . Cumberland and Westmorland were restored to them , which was done , and the Peace made on those Conditions . About the same time , there came also Embassadors from e e Peace made between A●●red of Eng●and and the Scots . Alured of England ; partly , to Congratulate the Victory over the Danes , which ought ( said they ) to be justly acceptable to all Christians ; and partly , to enter into a new League against all the Enemies of the Christian Faith and Religion . Peace was concluded on these Conditions ; That they should oppose a Foreign Enemy with their joynt Forces , if they made a Descent into the Borders of either People ; and that the Scots should quietly enjoy what they had got from the Danes : Peace being concluded , on those Terms , and a League made and Establish'd , word was brought Gregory upon his return , That the f f The I●ish break in upon Galway in Scotland . Irish had made an Irruption into Galway . The Cause of the War was pretended to be , because the Men of Galway had hostilely seized upon , and Plundered some Galleys , driven on their Coasts , belonging to the Inhabitants of Dublin , a City in Ireland . The Irish , hearing of Gregory's coming , retired presently in fear with their Prey to their Ships ; and Gregory , with a good Navy , and strong Army , as soon as he could with conveniency , transported himself into g g Which causes Gregory to follow them into 〈◊〉 . Ireland also . Duncan , or Donatus , or rather Dunachus , was , at that time , their King ; but being under Age , Brienus and Cornelius , Two of the powerfullest of the Nobility next to him , had divided the whole Land into Two Factions . But patching up a Truce at the Arrival of a Foreign Enemy , they pitched and fortify'd their Camps , apart , near the River Bann , a Place which seemed convenient enough for that purpose . Their End in so doing , was , to take off the Edge of Gregorys Valour by delay , and to force him to withdraw his Army from a Foreign harassed Country , for want of Provisions . Gregory smelt out their Design , and therefore , very secretly , in the Night , he sent part of his Army to seize upon an ●ill which was , as it were , over Brienus's head . The Day after , when the Battel was joyned , in the Heat of the Fight , they threw down mighty Stones into his Camp , which crushed many of his Men to pieces , and so terrify'd the rest , that their Ranks were broken ; and in a confused manner , they fled away . Cornelius , hearing of the Event of this Fight , withdrew his Army without striking a stroke into Places of greater safety . Brienus was slain in his Camp ; the rest had Quarter given them , as much as might be , by Gregorys command . Whereupon , he marched over the Country without any Depopulation at all , which Lenity occasion'd many rather to submit themselves to the Mercy of the King , than to try it out by Force . The fortified Towns were strengthened with Garisons . Gregory reduced h h Where he takes Dundalk , Tredagh , and Dublin , and then makes Peace with the Irish , and returns . Dundalk and Drogheda , Two strong places , made so both by Art and Nature ; and then determined to march directly to Dublin . But , hearing that Cornelius , General of all the Irish Forces , was coming against him with a great Army , he turned aside , fought with , and overthrew , him , following the Chase as far as Dublin , which he besieged . But there was not Provision enough in the City for so many People , as had fled thither ; so that , in a short time , it was surrendred to him by Cormachus , the Bishop of the City . Gregory , at his entrance into it , did no prejudice at all to any of the Inhabitants ; but Visited King D●ncan , his Kinsman , & protested , that he came not thither out of an Ambitious desire to take away the Kingdom from him , or to amass up Riches for himself ; but only to revenge the Injuries he had received . Hereupon he committed the Care of the Young King to such of his Old Counsellors , as he judged most faithful to him ; and himself bore the Name of his Tutor or Guardian , till he came to be of Age : He also put Garisons into the Forts , and exacted an Oath from the Nobility ; That they should admit neither English , Dane , nor Britton into the Island , without his Permission : He appointed Judges in convenient Places , who were to judge betwixt Man and Man in matters of Controversy , according to the Laws of the Country ; and receiving Sixty Hostages for the performance of these Conditions , he returned home in Triumph . The Fame of his Justice made the Peace firmer for the future , than any Terror of Arms could have done . Having thus managed Matters both at home and abroad , he departed this Life in the Eighteenth Year of his Reign , being no less eminent for his Justice and Temperance , than for his Valour : So that he was justly Sir-named , by his Countrymen , Gregory the Great . He died A. 892.

Donaldus VI. The Seventy Fourth King .

DONALD , the Sixth of that Name , the Son of Constantine , the Second , was made King , next after Gregory , having been recommended by Gregory , before his Death , to the Nobility . He deceived not the Opinion , which Men had conceived of him , i. e. That he was a very prudent Prince ; for he Loved Peace no otherwise , but that therein he always prepared for War . And when , for a long time , he had no Enemy to encounter with , yet he took care , that the Soldiery should not grow too Luxuriant , being corrupted by Ease & Rest ; and so made inclineable to run into all manner of evil Practices . When a new Army of Danes drew near to the Coasts of Northumberland , and Anchored there for some days , without prejudicing any body , Donaldus gathered an Army together , and , being watchful over all opportunities , went to guard that Province . But , hearing , that the Danes had made a Descent upon the Country of the English , he sent Aid to King Alured , who fought a bloody Battel with the Danes . Yet , after the Battel , he was content to admit them into Part of his Dominions , i i The Danes Fight a bloody Battel with the English , and afterward turn Christians . provided , they would turn Christians . Peace was made on those Terms , the Army disbanded , and a new home-bred Commotion entertained Donaldus at his return . Their happened so great a Feud betwixt the Rossians , and the Merch-men , caused by some small Robberies at first , that more were slain by occasional Combats , than if they had met in a pitched Battel . Donald marched thither , and , having slain the Heads of the Factions , restored Peace to the rest . Iohannes Fordanus , a Scotish Chronologer , says , That in this Expedition he dyed at * * A Town in Murry-land , not far from E●gin . Foress , not without the suspition of Poison ; But Boetius affirms , that he return'd to Northumberland , to see , what would become of the Peace he had made with the Danes ; of whom he was always suspitious ; and that he dyed there , after he had Reigned Eleven years . His Memory was precious both to Rich and Poor . His Death was A.C. 903.

Constantine III. The Seventy Fifth King .

CONSTANTINE , the III. the Son of Ethus , was substituted King in his room ; a man of no ill Disposition , and yet not constant in Good , neither . The Danes , who could incline Gregory and Donald , the Two last Kings of the Scots , by no Promises or Persuasions , to take Arms against the English , which were then Christians ; Now they easily wrought upon k k Constantine ▪ taketh part with the Danes against the English . Constantine by Gifts , and by the vain Hope of enlarging his Dominions , to make a League with Them , which lasted scarce Two years , but the Danes , deserting the Scots , struck up a League with the English . This League had scarce continued Four years , before Edward of England gathered an Army speedily together , and spoiled the Danes Country ; whereby they were reduced to such 〈◊〉 , that they were enforc'd to return to the Scots , whom they had lately deserted ; To whom they Swore most Religiously , That they would for ever after observe the Amity , most inviolably , betwixt Them . This Second League is reported to have been entered into with great Ceremony , in the Tenth Year of Constantines Reign . He gave , the same year , Cumberland to Malcolm , Son of the last King , which was as an honourable * * The Ancient Liberty of the Sub●ect invaded . Omen to him , that he should Reign after him . And afterwards the same Custom was observed , by some succeeding Kings , to the manifest disanulling of the old way of Convening the Estates , whose Free Suffrages ought not to have been thus abridged ; but this was like the Designation of the Consuls , by the Caesars , which put an end to the Roman Liberty . A War being now commenced between Edward , the Son of Alured , and the Danes ; Constantine sent Aid to the Danes , under the Conduct of Malcolm . He joyned his Army with the Danes , and being Superior in number , they harassed the adjoyning Countries of the English , and made great Devastation , wheresoever they came ; to the end , that they might force the English , who had a far less numerous Army , to Fight : Yea , they were so arrogantly confident of their Numbers , that , they thought , their Enemy would never so much as look them in the Face ; so that now , as secure of the Victory , they began to talk of dividing the Spoil . But , as Prosperity doth blind the Eyes of the Wise ; so Adversity , and the foresight of Danger , is a good Schoolmaster , even to the weaker side ; What the English wanted in strength , they supplyed in Cunning and Skill ; Their Army was well seconded with Reserves , and so they began the Fight ; the First Ranks , being commanded so to do , give ground , and pretend a Discomfiture and Flight ; that so , their Enemies following them in disorder , they might again return upon them in that straggling posture : Athelstan , the Base-born Son of Edward , was General of all the English Forces , as our Writers affirm ; and Grafton also says the same thing : They make this Athelstan guilty of Parricide , for killing his Father , and his Two Brothers Edred and Edwin , whose Right it was immediately to succeed their Father , in the Kingdom : Fame doth increase the Suspicion , that Edward was violently put to death , because it accounts him a Martyr . For that Fact he was hat●d ▪ and therefore , to recover the Favour of the People , by some eminent Undertaking , he determined to expiate the Blood of his K●nd●ed , by shedding That of his Enemies ; And thereupon , after he had fought stoutly a-while , he gave Ground , by little and little , but afterward in greater Fear and Confusion , as if he intended absolutely to run away . The Danes and Scots , supposing themselves Conquerors , were unwilling to make any brisk pursuit , lest the Cowardliest of the Soldiers should enjoy all the Prey ; and therefore , they returned to plunder their Camp . Hereupon , Athelstan gave a Signal , and the l l The Scots and Danes are overcome by the Policy of Athelstan of England . Eng●ish , returning to their Ensigns , set upon them as they were scattered and laden with Booty , and killed them , like Dogs . The greatest part of the Scotish Nobility was lost in this Fight , who chose rather to dye on the spo● , than to undergo the Ignominy of deserting their Companions . Malcolm , being much wounded , was carried off the Field , by his own Men , and sent the doleful Tidings of the loss of his Army to King Constantine ; neither was the face of things more pleasant amongst the Danes . Athelstan , during this Astonishment of his Enemies , took m m Who recovers from them Westmerland , Cumberland , and Northumberland , which yet soon after re●o●t to th●●● old Mast●●s . Cumberland and Westmerland from the Scots ; and Northumberland , from the Danes . * * Constantine resigns the Kingdom . Constantine , having not force enough neither to wage War , or to carry on matters in Peace , called a Convention of the Estates , at Abernethy , and willingly resigned the Kingdom , and betook himself to the * * Culde●s ( perhaps , contracted from Cultores Dei ) or Kelds , Who ? Culde● , ( certain Hermits , so called , living in Cells ) Worshippers of God , ( for so the Monks of that Age were called ) as into a Sanctuary , amongst whom he lived the rest of his life at St. Andrews . Here the English Writers , who are profuse enough in their own Praises , do affirm , That Athelstan was the Monarch of all Britanny , and that the rest , who had the Names of Kings , in Albium , were but precariously so ; and his Feudataries only , as taking an Oath of Fidelity to him , as the supreme Lord . And they introduce many ignoble English Authors , as Favourers of that Opinion : And , to procure the greater Credit thereunto , they add also Marianus Scotus , an Illustrious Writer , indeed . But here I desire the Reader to take notice , that there is not the least mention of any such thing in that Edition of Marianus , which was Printed in Germany ; but if they have another Marianus , different from him , who is publickly read , and interpolated or foisted by them , let them produce him , if they can . Besides , they , being Men generally unlearned , do not in some Places sufficiently understand their own Writers , neither do they take notice , That Bede , William of Malmesbury , and Geffrey of Monmouth do commonly call that part , Britain , over which the Britains ruled , i. e. That within the Wall of Adrian ; or , when they stretched their Dominions furthest , within the Wall of Severus ; so that , the Scots and Picts are oftentimes reckoned by them to be out of Britain , and not seldom are called Transmarine People . And therefore , when they read , that the English sometime Reigned over all Britanny , they understand the Authors so , as if they meant all Britanny , i. e. Albium or Albion , whereas they do often Circumscribe Britanny within narrower limits , as I have said before ; But of this I have spoken more largely , in another place . To return then to the Affairs of Scotland .

Malcolm I. The Seventy Sixth King .

COnstantine having retired himself into the Cloyster of the Monks . Malcolm , the Son of Donald , was declared King . Athelstan being dead , and his Brother Edward Reigning , Cumberland and Westmerland revolted from the English , and returned to their old Masters . Moreover , the Danes , who remained in Northumberland , sent for Avalassus , their Countryman , of the Royal Progeny , who was Banished into Ireland , to make him King ; Edmund , foreseeing , what Clouds of War were gathering over his Head , yielded up Cumberland and Westmerland to Malcolm , upon this Condition , That he who should next succeed in the Scotish Kingdom , should take an Oath to the King of England , as the Lord Paramount of that Country . Afterwards , he easily reduced the Danes , who had been afflicted with so many Calamities : Neither did he long survive his Victory . The English chose his Brother Edred , King after him ; against whom , the Danes , who possessed Northumberland , and never cordially observed any Peace made with the English , did rebel , and took from him many strong Places , whilst he was busied in other parts of his Kingdom , and principally , York ; but he overcame them , by the assistance of 10000 Scots ; Malcolm returning home , gave himself up wholly to the Arts of Peace ; And , to cure the Inconveniencies occasioned by the Wars , especially Luxury and Bribery , he himself did ordinarily Visit all the Scots n n Malcolm , sometimes f●●s in Courts of Justice , himself . Courts of Judicature , once in two years , and administred Justice with great Equity . At length , whilest he was busie in punishing Robbers , and in restraining the lewd Manners of the younger sort , he was o o He is slain . slain by some Conspirators of Murray-Land , in the night , in the Fifteenth year of his Reign . The Perpetrators of that Villany were , with great diligence , sought after , and found out by the Nobles , and , being apprehended , were put to several exquisite Deaths , according to every ones share of demerit , in committing the Parricide .

Indulfus , The Seventy Seventh King .

INdulfus Reigned after him , who , having setled things in Peace at home , lived seven years after in great Tranquillity : But in the Eighth year of his Reign , the Danes , taking it amiss , that the Alliance with the English was preferred before Theirs , and that a perpetual League was made between the two Kings against them , came with a Navy of 50 Ships into the Firth of Forth , when the Scots little expected any such thing , insomuch , that they had almost surprized , and overthrown them , unawares . In such a sudden emergency , all were full of fear and amazement , insomuch that some carried their Goods into the midland Country , as a place of more safety ; others came to the Sea-side , to hinder the Enemies Landing . Hago and Helricus were the two Admirals of the Fleet. They endeavoured , first to Land in Lothian , and afterwards in Fife , but in vain ; then they essayed to enter the Firth of the River Tay , but there also they were hindred from making any descent on Land ; so that they Coasted about the Sea-Coasts of Aeneia or Angus , of Mern , Marr , and Buchan , but , in all places , being hindred from Landing , they hoisted their Sails into the Main , as if they intended to return home . But within a few days , when all was secure , they came back again , and having gotten a convenient place in Bo●● , at the Mouth of the River Cullin , they there p p The Danes Land in Scotland . landed their Men without opposition , before the Country People could give any alarm of their Arrival . When Indulfus heard of their landing , he marched towards them , before they could well have any notice of his coming ; and first , he set upon the straggling Plunderers , and drove them to the rest of their Army , but made no great Slaughter of them , because the Camp of the Danes was near , for them to retreat to . When the Armies came in sight of each other , they both set the Battel in array , and fell to it with equal force and courage : Whilst they were thus fiercely fighting , Grame and Dumbar , with some Troops of Lothian-Men , appeared on the Rear of the Danes , which struck them into such a Pannick fear , that they all run away , some to their Ships , others to unknown places , whithersoever the Fear of the Enemy drove them : But a great part of them cast themselves into a Ring , in a Woody Vale , and there waited for an occasion of acting valorously , or dying resolutely . Indulfus , as if his Enemies had been wholly overcome , rode up and down with a few Attendants , and , casually lighting on them , was there q q Indulfus Slain in a Fight with the Danes . slain , at the beginning of the Tenth year of his Reign . Some say , that he was slain with an Arrow ▪ shot out of a Ship , having disarmed himself , that he might be more nimble in the pursuit , and press the more eagerly upon them , as they were going a Shipboard .

Duffus , The Seventy Eighth King .

AFter his Death , Duffus , the Son of Malcolm , got the Kingdom ; in the beginning of his Reign he made Culenus , Son of King Indulfus , Governour of Cumberland , and sent him into the Ae●●dae , which were then in War and Disorder , by reason of the frequent Robberies committed there . For the young Soldiers of the Nobility , having got a great Pack of their Fellows about them , made the Common People tributary to them : imposing a pecuniary Mulct on every Family , besides Free-quarter ; and yet Culen●s dealt not harmer with them , than with the very Governors themselves of the Island , who ought ●o have restrained such outrages . He commanded ; That , for the future , They , by whose negligence , these disorders had happen'd , should make Satisfaction to the Commonalty , and also pay a Fine to the King . This Injunction strook such a Terror into these Idle paltry Fellows , that Many of them went over into Ireland ; and there got their Living by their Daily labour . As this matter was acceptable to the Commons , so it was as offensive to the Noble Allies of Those , who were Banished , and to many of the younger sort , who did approve that idle kind of Life . These Men , r r Murmurings against King Duffus . in all their Meetings and Assemblies , First secretly , Afterwards in the presence of a Multitude of such as applauded them , began openly to revile their King ; alleging , That he despised the Nobility , and was drawn away , and seduced , by the Counsel of sorry Priests ; That he put Men of Gentile Extraction , to Servile Offices ; That he advanced the most abject of the People to the Highest Honours ; That , in fine , he made such Medleys , as to turn all things Topsy-Turvy . They added farther , That , if things should continue at that pass , either the Nobility must transport themselves into other Countrys ; or else , must make them a new King , who might Govern the People , by those ancient Laws , whereby the Kingdom had arrived to that height , out of so small beginnings . Amidst these things , the 〈…〉 King Duffus , Ho● , and by Whom ? King was assaulted with a new and unusual Disease , no evident cause thereof appearing , so that , when all Remedies had been tryed in vain , a Rumour was spread abroad , by I know not who , that he was bewitched ; the suspicion whereof arose , either from some Indications of his Disease , or else because his body did waste and pine away by continual sweating , and his strength was so much decay'd , that the Physicians , who were sent for far and near , knew not what to apply for his relief . Thus , no Common causes of the disease discovering its self , they had recourse to a Secret one . And whilst all were intent on the Kings Malady , at last News was brought , That Nightly Assemblies and Conspiracies were made against him at Foress , a Town in Murray : The Report was taken for truth , there being nothing to contradict it : Whereupon , some faithful Messengers were sent to Donald , Governor of the Castle , in whom the King confided much , even in his greatest Affairs , to find out the truth of the matter . He , by the discovery of a certain Harlot , whose Mother was noted for a Wizard , detected and discovered the whole Conspiracy . For the Young Girl , having blabbed out , a few days before , some words concerning the Sickness and Death of the King ; being apprehended , and brought to the Rack to be tortured , at sight thereof , presently discovered , what was designed against the Life of the King . Whereupon some Soldiers were sent , who found the Maids Mother and some other Gossips , Roasting the Kings Picture , made in Wax , by a soft Fire ; Their design was , that , as the Wax did leisurely melt , so the King , being dissolved into a Sweat , should pine away by degrees ; and when the Wax was quite consumed , then , his breath failing him , he should presently die ; when this Picture of Wax was broken , and the Witches punished , in the same Month the King was freed from his Disease , as some say . These things I deliver , as I receiv'd them from our Ancestors : What to think of this sort of Witchcraft , I leave to the Judgment of the Reader , only minding him , That this story is found amongst our Ancient Archives and Records . Amidst these things , the fear of the King be●ng laid aside , because they hoped he would shortly die , many Robberies and Murders were committed , every where . Duffus , having recovered his strength , followed the Robbers thro' Murray , Ross , and Caithnes , and slew many of them , at occasional Onsets ; but he brought the Chief of them to * * A Tour in Murry-land , 〈…〉 ▪ Foress ; That so , their Punishment might be the more conspicuous , in that Town . There Donaldus , Governor of the Town and Castle , Petitioned the King to pardon some of his Relations , who were of the Plot ; but , being denied , he conceived great Indignation against the King , as if he had been highly wronged ; whereupon , he was wholly intent on Thoughts of Revenge ; for he judged , That his deserts from the King were so great , that , whatever he asked of him , he ought not to be denied : And besides , the Wife of Donald , seeing some of her Kindred too , were like to suffer , did further inflame the , already disaffected , Heart of her Husband , by bitter words ; Moreover exciting him , to attempt the Kings Death , affirming , That , seeing he was Governor of the Castle , The Kings Life was in his Power ; and , having that Power , he might not only perpetrate the Fact , but conceal it , after it was committed : Hereupon , when the King , tired with business , was sounder asleep than ordinary , and his Attendants , being made Drunk by * * King Duffus treacherously Murdered by Donald and his Wife . Donald , were in a Dead-sleep also ; he sent in Assassins , no man being aware , and , after they had Murdered the King , they carried him out so cunningly , a back way , that not so much as a drop of Blood appeared ; and so he was buried two Miles from the Abby of * * In Murry-land . Kinloss , under a little Bridge , in a blind place , having Grassy-Turfs of Earth cast over him , that there might be no sign of any Ground , that was digg'd up . This seems a more likely story to me , than what others write , that the course of the River was turned , and so his Body was cast into a hole at Bottom ; but when the Waters were returned again to their own Chanel , then his Grave , such as it was , was covered . Also the Actors of that bloody Fact were sent away , because there is an * * A Traditional Opinion , still obtaining ; Especially , if the Murtherer touch the Murdered Body . Opinion , received from our Ancestors , which as yet obtains amongst the Vulgar , That blood will Issue from a dead Body , many days after the party was murdered , if the murderer be present , as if the fact had been but newly committed . The day after , when the Report was spread abroad , that the King was missing , and that his Bed was besprinkled with blood , Donald , as if he had been surpriz'd at the atrocity of the Fact , flys into the Kings Bed-Chamber ; and , as if he had been mad with Anger and Revenge , he slew the Officers appointed to attend him ; after that , he presently made diligent inquiry every where , if any discovery of the dead Body might be made . The rest , being amazed at the Fact , and afraid too of their own selves , returned every one to his own house . Thus this Good King was wickedly slain , in the Flower of his Age , after he had Reigned 4 Years and 6 Months ; and as soon , as they conveniently could , the Estates Assembled to create a New King .

Culenus , The Seventy Ninth King .

CVlenus , the Son of Indulfus , being made King by the Assembly of the Estates ; the next Thing , there done , was , the questioning the Murder of King Duffus ; and they made the more haste to examine that Affair , * * Prodigies , upon the Murder of Duffus , awaken the Estates to revenge it . because of some Prodigies , that had hapned , of which one seemed properly to respect the very Fact . An Hawk was slain , truss'd by an Owl , and his Throat cut by him ; The other Prodigy was also referred to the same thing , in the interpretation of the Vulgar ; For six whole months , after the Murder was committed , extraordinary Fires appeared in the Element , the Air was agitated with extraordinary Winds ; Yea , the Heavens were so coloured and enveloped with Clouds , that neither Sun , nor Moon , could be seen in Scotland , all that time . Hereupon , all Men were intent to revenge the good Kings death ▪ and , to that purpose , Culenus went into Murray , hoping to find some surer Discoveries of the Murder upon the place , where it was committed . Donald , hearing of his coming , and being conscious to himself of his Parricidal and Nofarious Cruelty , of which also his over-curious , and seemingly wild , Inquisitiveness , made in search after the Authors thereof , rendred him more suspected , procured a Ship at the mouth of the River Spey ; wherein , with some others , he embarked himself , unknown even to his Wife and Children . This he did out of fear , lest the Truth should have been extorted from him , by the Rack . This his hasty flight , his dejected Countenance , ( as it was observed ) his few Attendants , his trembling at his entrance into the Ship , which was but casually riding there , without any preparation for his Voyage ; did raise so great a suspicion upon him in the minds of all , who were present , that they forbore not to vent all manner of Contumelies against him , calling him an Impious , Sacrilegious , Fellow , and a Paricide , and what other foul terms of reproach their inflamed anger could suggest . They added also , That , though he had prevented the coming of the King , yet he could never avoid the Vindictive Providence and Judgment of Almighty God . In a word , they followed him with all the Execrations , which the highest Indignation did offer to provoked Minds , even till the Ship was quite out of sight . When Culenus heard of his hasty flight , he speeded his march thither , where he apprehended the Wife of Donaldus , and his three Children ; and , for fear of Torture , compelled them to discover the whole Series of the Conspiracy ; as also how , by whom , and where the Body was buried ; and that she her self was not only privy to the Murder , but also a fellow-actor in it , and a persuader of her Husband , thereunto . When the People heard this , ( for she was publickly Tried ) the Magistrates could hardly dissuade them from tearing her to pieces . The day after , Donaldus , having been tossed some days , with contrary Winds at Sea , was Shipwracked and cast ashore , and being brought to the King , * * The Murderers of Duffus apprehended and executed . he and all his underwent their most deserved punishments . They who brought him to the King were liberally rewarded , his Castle was burnt , and all that were therein were slain . And the Body of Duffus was honourably interred amongst his Ancestors . As these things did highly ingratiate Culenus to those who were good ; so the remaining part of his Life did accumulate so much Odium on him , as never any King , before him , ever laboured under . For , whether induced by his own Nature , or urged for fear of Danger , ( as he would have it thought ) he suffered the severity of the Discipline , used under Indulfus and Duffus , to grow cold and remiss ; and permitted the younger Tribe , being given up to unseasonable Debauchery , Culen . le●s loose the rein● to Voluptnousness , and indeavours to justifie it in h●mself , and the young Nobility . and Foreign Delights , to run into those Licentious practices , which were forbid by the Laws ; till , at last , they broke forth into open Violence and Robbery . And when he saw the greatest part of the young Nobility addicted to those Vices , he also immerged himself in the same , so that he abstained not from vitiating Noble Matrons , and even Religious Nuns , ( which , in that Age , on the account of their Chastity , were had in great Veneration ) no , nor from his own Sisters or Daughters , neither ; nay , he kept Troops of other Harlots , hired by his Panders , in his Court , as in a Brothel-house . When he was admonished , and put in mind of these things , by Wise and Prudent Persons ; on the behalfe of the young Nobility , he answered , That something was to be indulged to their Age ; and as for himself , thô he confessed , That , some things were amiss , yet he was forced , out of fear , to tolerate them : For , I remember , said he , what great Calamity the unseasonable Severity of the former King brought , not only on himself , but on the whole Kingdom also : That the Nobility were the Stay and Prop of the Throne ; That it was not true , that the Martial Spirits of Men were always broken by this free kind of Life , or made low and abject ; nor , That the Thoughts of Arms were so neglected by them in Peace , as if they expected , That there would never be any more War at all . 'T is true , ( proceeded he ) The Luxury of Youthful Age is so far to be restrained , that it proceed not too far , that so the good Seed of Ingenuity might not be choaked ( as it were ) by overmuch jollity , in the very bud ; yet , it is not wholly to be abridged , or taken away , lest the Seeds of Virtue should be plucked up together with it . When the Nobles heard this his Defensatory Plea ; and perceiving , they could do no good upon him , by their Persuasions , but rather create trouble to themselves , if they should use the same liberty of Speech to him in their Rejoynders , they withdrew themselves from the Court , fearing , lest they should be compelled to be Witnesses , yea , Partakers also , of these facinorous Practices , the sight and hearing whereof they did detest , and abhor . The King , being freed from such troublesom Interposers , gave up himself wholly to Wine and Women . He proposed Rewards to those , who could invent any new kind of Pleasure , thô never so sordid and detestable ; His Court was filled , Night and Day , with wanton Songs and the Huzza's of Drunkards ; So that , Intemperance and Impudence were as much praised by him , as Modesty and Chastity are wont to be esteemed by Good and Pious Princes . Those Evils , which , thô allowed , or connived at , by the Law , in other Men , yet are acted by Them in Secret , were here openly committed , without Shame . The young Nobility , being thus Effeminated by Pleasure , and a Multitude of Parasites and Flatterers with them , extol the King to the Skies , as if he were the very First of their Kings , who had joyned Splendor and Magnificence with Authority ; as tempering the Severity of his Government with Lenity , and easing the burdens of Care and Labour , by some Relaxation of Spirit and Allowance of Delight .

Now , to continue these Luxuriant courses , there was need of great Expence , and therefore the wealthier sort were Fined upon fained Accusations ; His Intemperance enfeebles his Body . and the Plebeians were suffered to be preyed upon , and harassed with all sorts of servile Offices . He that was not pleased with the present state of things , was accounted a barbarous Country-Clown ; or , if he seemed to be of an higher Spirit than ordinary , he was presently accused by a company of Informers , as if he studied Innovation in the State . After 3 Years were spent in this flagitious Liberty , when Men were silent , out of Fear , or S●oth , * * Lust , a punishment to itself . Luxury began to be a punishment to itself . For when the King's Strength was exhausted by immoderate Lust ; and his Body had contracted Deformity by excessive Banquetings , those Diseases followed , which are wont to be Companions of such Vices ; so that there remained nought but a rotten Carkass , fit for nothing but to ●ear the Punishment of his former mispent Life . The King being thus disabled Culenus Summoned to appear at Scene . for all Functions of Life , the strength , both of his Body and Mind , being enervated , and weakened by Intemperance , and his Courtiers also following the same practices , some A●●●●cious Fellows , being encouraged by hopes of Prey and Impunity , committed publick Robberies and Murders , regarding neither the Plebeians , as being Men of poor Servile Spirits ; nor the Courtiers , as Persons enfeebled by Luxurious wickedness .

Hereupon , the founder Part of the Nobility , being encompassed with a double mischief , and therefore enforced to look to the Main , called an Assembly of the States at Scone . * *

Or Meffen , lying on the River A●mond , Two Miles above its Confluence with T●● , Three Miles above Perth .

He is slain by a Thane , for Vitiating his Daughter .

The King also was willed to be there , That he might consult in common with the rest , in such a dangerous Juncture of Affairs , for the Publick Safety , He , being inwardly struck at this Summons , and , as it were , awakned from his drowzy Sloth , began to advise with his Confederates , What a Man , in such streights , were best to do ? And , thô he knew not , how to make any Resistance , nor yet , how to fly away ; and , thô his Mind also presaged no good to him , yet he resolved to go to the Assembly . And , as miserable Men are wont to flatter themselves in Adversity , so he did not altogether Despair , That he , either out of Pity , or out of Respect to his Fathers Memory , should procure some Favour , that he might not be suddenly cast down from so great a Dignity , to an Abyss of Misery . In his Journy to Scone , having a Train big enough , but unarmed , and dispirited , about him , he was slain at a Neighbour Village called * * Th●●e was a 〈◊〉 of Dignity amongst the Old Scots , and Picts before them , equal with a Baron , now : Mr. Selde● judges it to come from a Saxon roo● . His Office was , like that of a Sheriff amongst us , to gather up the King 's Revenu , Or , as an Under-Steward , to pay it in to the Lord High Steward , who was called Ab●hane . Methvin . by the * * Th●●e was a 〈◊〉 of Dignity amongst the Old Scots , and Picts before them , equal with a Baron , now : Mr. Selde● judges it to come from a Saxon roo● . His Office was , like that of a Sheriff amongst us , to gather up the King 's Revenu , Or , as an Under-Steward , to pay it in to the Lord High Steward , who was called Ab●hane . Thane , or Sheriff of that Country , because he had forceably vitiated his Daughter . When his Death was made known , thô all Men were well pleased to be freed from such a Monster , with less trouble than they supposed they should , yet the Perpetration of the Fact by Roharans , or Rodardus , the Thane , was very much disliked by all People . He Reigned , as the former King did , 4 Years and 6 Months .

Kennethus III. The Eightieth King .

KENNETHVS , the Brother of Duffus , and Third of that Name , succeeded Culenus : He , being contrary to the former King , in his Disposition , Manners , and the whole course of his Life , used as much diligence in amending the Lives of the younger fort , as the other had done in corrrupting them ; thô , herein his Task was the greater , in regard , Men are carried headlong to Vices , with a greater Propension of Mind ; but the way to Virtue is by a s●eep Ascent . And indeed , This was the Thing , that gave the chief Occasion to the Opinions of some Philosophers , who contended , Illustrating 〈◊〉 , upon Philosophical 〈◊〉 . That Man was Naturally made to enjoy Pleasure , but that he was h●●ed to Virtue , as it were , violently , and against his own Inclination . I grant , Both parts of the Dilemma are false ; but , perhaps , the Original of the mistake , was , from hence , That , seeing there is a double Power of Nature in Man , One of his Body , the Other of his Mind ; the Vigour of the Body se●●s to exert itself , sooner and quicker than That of the Mind ; And , as Plants do first send forth Stalks , Leaves , and Flowers , pleasant to behold , before the Seed begins to be formed in its proper Pod and Receptacle ; but when the Seed ripens , all those other things fade , and at last wither away ; so our Bodies do grow Youthful , before the Virtue of our Mind , ( which is yet but weak and tender ) can exert its force , but as the Members do grow Old by degrees , so the strength of Mind and Judgment doth more and more disclose it self : And therefore , as in Corn , we restrain the Luxuriant growth thereof , either by causing it to be Eaten up , or by cutting its over-rank Blade down ; so in Young Men the Law supposes , That the forwardness of Wit , which overhastens to shew it self , should be restrained by careful Culture , until growing Reason may be able , of it self , to repress the Violence of the , now infirm , Body . But to return to Kennethus .

* * The right Method for Publick Reformations , is , for Princes to begin at home , as K. Kenneth the 3d did . He , well knowing , That the Commonalty do usually comply with the Humour of their Prince , and do diligently imitate what he Loves , first , did form a good discipline in his own Court and Family , that so he might express in Deeds , what he commanded in Words ; and , as he propounded his own Life to be an Example to his Houshold ; so he would have the Manners of his Domesticks to be exemplary to others . He first purged his Court from all Ministers of Lust and Wickedness , that so he might more Justifiably do the same in other parts of his Kingdom : Whereupon , he resolved to travel over the whole Country , to Indict Assemblys , for the preventing and punishing of Thefts , Murders , and Robberies , for the encouraging of Men to Labour by Rewards , and for exhorting them to Concord by alluring Speeches , that , by this means , the Ancient Discipline might be restored . But , in the Execution of this his purpose , he found greater difficulty than he imagined , for the Major part of the Nobility , either had Guilty Consciences themselves , and so feared their own Personal Punishments ; or else , were Allyed in Blood to Those , who were Guilty ; And therefore , the First Assembly being Indicted at * * On the Banks of Clyd , 5 Miles above Hamilton . La●erick , a Town of Clysdale . They , who were Summoned to appear , being forewarned of their Danger by their Kindred , some of them fled into the Aebudae Isles ; Others , to other Parts , infamous for Robberies . The King , understanding the Cheat , and being not ignorant of the Authors of it , dissembled his Anger , and dissolved the Assembly ; and so passed , with a few of his Confederates , into Gallway , as if he were to perform a Vow , he had made , to St. Ninian . Being come thither , he consulted with Those whom he judged most faithful to him , What was to be done , in such a case . The Result was , That a Convention of all the Nobility should , the next Year , be held at Scone , upon pretence of some considerable Matters to be advised upon , concerning the Good of the whole Nation , Kenneth politickly circumvents his Nobility at Scone , and causes them to Reform their Clandships . in General ; That there the Heads of the Factions might be apprehended without any Tumult ; and when they were Imprisoned , their Clans and Tenants might be made to bring in the Malefactors to the King . This Project was judged most adviseable , but it was kept Secret , and communicated but to few , until the meeting at Scone came . There the King had caused his Servants to prepare Soldiers , and to keep them privately in the next House to his Palace , the day before the States Assembled ; and at the Opening of it , the Nobility , being very Numerous , came , where they were courteously treated by the King : but upon a Sign given , they were immediately beset with Armed Men. They being surprized with Fear , at this sudden Change , the King encouraged them , by a gentle Speech , telling them , That they need not be afraid , for he intended no hurt to any good or innocent Man , and those Arms were not provided for their Destruction but Defence . He farther alleged , how they could not be ignorant , That all his endeavours , since he first came to the Crown , tended to This , That Wicked and Debauch'd Persons might be punished , and the Good enjoy the Estates , either left them by their Ancestors , or acquired by their own Industry ; and besides , might have the quiet enjoyment of those Rewards , which the King bountifully had bestowed upon them , according to every ones Worth and Desert ; and that things might easily be brought to that pass , if they would lend their helping Hands : The last year , ( said he ) when I summoned some o●●he Offenders to appear on a certain day , none at all came ; that failure , ( as he understood ) was not made , so much out of Confidence of their own strength , as of the Assistance of some of their Kindred and Friends , which , if it were true , was dangerous to the Publick , and also very reflective upon such Kindred . Now was the time , when they might redeem both Themselves from Crime , and the Kingdom from being molested by Robberies . This was easy to be done , if those , which were most powerful in every County , would cause the Malefactors to be apprehended and brought to condign punishment , where those Malefactors were , was visible to all . But if they made Excuses , and , having so fair Opportunity to merit well of their Country , were willingly defective to improve it . The King , to whose Care the safety of the whole was committed , could not be excused , if he set them at Liberty , before the Offenders were brought to Punishment , and that This was the End , why he detained them in Custody : And if any one thought , his long durance would be a trouble to him , he might thank himself , seeing it was in his own Power , not only to procure his Liberty , but also to obtain Honour , Reward , and the Praise of all Good Men into the bargain . The Nobles having heard this Harangue , unanimously answered , That they had rather assert their Innocency by Deeds , than Words . Whereupon , they promised him their Assistance , and desired him to lay aside all Suspition , if he had conceived a sinister Opinion of any of them . Upon this their Solemn Engagement , the King told them the Names of the Offenders . The Nobles , by their Friends , made diligent search after them , and , in a short time , they were brought to the King , and punished according to Law . Whereupon , the Nobles were dismissed , having received some Gifts , and many large Promises , from the King ; and the Commonalty also pray'd heartily for their King .

Matters being thus composed at home , he faithfully observed the League , made by some former Kings with the English . But this great Tranquillity of all Britain was soon disturbed by the Danes , who appeared with a great Fleet , and Anchored near the Red-Promontory , a Place in Aeneia , or Angus . * * Red-Head . They there staid some days in Consultation , Whether they should Land there , or direct their Course towards England , as they intended at first ; Many of them were of Opinion , That it was most adviseable to make for England , an opulent Country , A Danish Fleet appears upon the Coast , where they might have both Provision enough for their Army , and also some hopes of Auxiliaries and Recruits , in regard that there many of the Danish stock were yet alive amongst them ; and many others stood obliged to them for old Courtesys and Friendships ; and that These , upon the first notice of their Arrival , would presently flock in to them , as of old they used always to do . But , as for the Scots , they were a fierce Nation and very hardy , as Those use to be , who are bred in Barren and Hungry Soiles ; That they never attempted them , without some great and remarkable loss ; and , in the present case , if they overcame them , it would hardly be worth their Labour : But if they were overcome by them , they must endure the utmost Extremity and Rigour : Others were of a different Opinion , alleging , That , if they made their Descent on the Coasts of England , then they should be obliged to Fight Both Nations at once ; but if the Scots were First overcome , the War against the English would be easy , when they were bereft of Fo●●ign Aid , and also terrified with the Loss of their Friends . They further urged , That it was not the part of Great and Magnanimous Spirits , to be intent on Prey and Booty only , they should rather call to mind the Blood of their Kindred and Ancestors , who had been so often cruelly slain in Scotland : And that now especially , having a Great Army , and being furnished also with things necessary for War , they ought to take That Revenge , which might punish the Savage Cruelty of the Scots , according to their Deserts , and might also carry the terror of the Danish Name to all the Neighbouring Nations .

After this Battel , Peace seemed to have been settled for many Years , when , behold , some troublesome matters at home did disturb this Calm : As for the Commotion of the Islanders , who , in a Plundering way , ranged over all Ross , That was quickly suppressed ; some of the Robbers being slain in ●ight , some taken in pursuit , and after Executed . But Crathilinthus , the Son of Fenella , or ( as some call her ) Finabella , gave far greater disturbance : He was then the chief of all Mern , both in Descent and Wealth . Crathilinthus , his Grandfather , by the Mothers side , was made Governor by the King , over that part of Angus , which lies between the Two Rivers , each of them having the Name of Eske , where he gathered up the Kings Taxes and Revenues ; his Nephew , coming with a great Train to visit him , a sudden Quarrel arose amongst their Servants , so that two of Crathilinthus's Friends were slain : He complained thereof to his Grandfather , who laid the blame of the Tumult upon his Nephews rude Retinue and Company , and , after a sharp Reproof , he was dismissed by him , Crathilinthus●●●ses ●●●ses a disturbance in Scotland . but not without Contumelies from his Servants and Domesticks : So that returning home , he in great Wrath , complained of the Affront to his Mother ; who was so far from endeavouring to allay his Rage , and quiet the Mind of the incensed Youth , by grave and wholesome Counsel , that she importuned him to Revenge himself by force of Arms , even upon her own Father , and his Grandfather , too . Hereupon , not long after , Crathilinthus , having gathered an armed Company together , fit for his purpose , comes by Night into Angus , to his Grandfathers Castle . He , with some few Followers were admitted in , without Suspicion , and being once entred , he gave the Word to the rest , who lay in Ambush , and let in them also ; so that he slew his Grandfather , with his whole Family , plundered the Castle , depopulated the Country adjacent ; and , as if he had done a Famous Exploit , he returned pompously with a great Booty into Mern . But the Angusians did not suffer this Injury to pass long Unrevenged : For , soon after , gathering a great many of their Faction together , they made great Havock in the District of Mern . From that time forward , Slaughters and Rapines were occasionally committed on both sides . Kennethus , hearing of it , published a Proclamation , That the Chief of either Faction should appear at Scone , within Fifteen Days , to answer , What should be objected against them ; for he feared , that if a greater number should resort to the Factions , further Tumults might arise ; some few being terrified by this minatory Edict , made their appearance accordingly ; but the greatest part , of whom Crathilinthus was Chief , being conscious of their own Demerits , fled away , as every one thought most convenient . The King made diligent search after them , the greatest part of them were taken in Loch-Abyr , and some , elsewhere . * * But is suppressed , and put to Death Crathilinthus , and the Cheif of the Faction , were punished with Death ; others , according to the Degree of their Crimes , had lesser Punishments , and those who were but a little Guilty , had none at all inflicted on them .

This Moderation and Temperament procured to the King Fear from the bad , but great Love from others ; and settled Peace in all his Kingdom , till the Twenty first year of his Reign . Insomuch , That , if he had persisted in that course of Life , which he had begun , he might well have been reckoned amongst the Best of Princes ; for , he so performed all the Offices both of Peace and War , that he got great Renown upon the account of his Equity , Impartiality and Valour . But the Excellency of his former Life was blurred by one Wicked Fact that he committed , which seemed , too , more aggravated in him , in regard it was incredible , and unexpected to proceed from his Disposition , who had before , so severely punished Grand Offenders . The Occasion of it was This : The King , being now grown somewhat ancient , had a Son named Malcolm , a Prince of great Ingenuity , but in point of Age , not yet mature to Govern so fierce a People , if his Father should die . Further , the Custom of our Ancestors was then against it , that he should Reign next after his Father . For , They were wont to choose not the next , but the fittest , of the deceased Kings Relations , provided , he were descended from Fergus the First , King of the Scots . Besides , the Favour of the Nobility was another Obstacle , which did incline to another Malcolm , the Son of King Duffus , the most Praise-Worthy Prince of all the Scotish Royal Race : Moreover , he was then Governor of Cumberland , which County the Scots did hold as Feudataries of the Kings of England , on such Terms , That the Government of Cumberland was always looked upon as previous to the Throne of Scotland ; for it had been so observed , for some Ages past . The King , perceiving , Kenneth embrues his Hands in the Blood of the hopeful Prince , and his Kinsman 〈◊〉 That this Malcolm , for the Reasons aforementioned , would be an hindrance to his Design , not daring to do it openly , caused him privately to be made away by Poyson . Thus died that excellent young Man , much lamented and near to his greatest Hope ; some Signs of Poison appeared in his Body , but no Man ever dreamt of suspecting the King . Yea , his Deportment was such , as to avert all Suspicion ; for he Mourned and Wept for his Death , and made an Honourable mention of his Name , when occasion was administred to speak of it ; and caused him magnificently to be Interred , no Ceremony being omitted , which could be invented for the Honour of the Deceased . But this superlative Diligence of the King , to remove the Suspicion from himself , gave a shrewd Jealousie to the more Sagacious . Yet , they forbore to speak out , for the Reverence all bore to , and had conceived of the Kings Sanctity . But soon after , the King himself scattred some Words abroad , to try the Minds of Men , How they would bear the abrogating of an old Law , and the enacting a new , concerning the Succession of their Kings , viz. That according to the Custom of many Nations , if a King died , his Son should succeed him ; and if he were under Age , then to have a Protector or Tutor assigned to him , so the Kingly Name might rest in the Child ; but the Power of Government , in the Tutors or Guardians , till he came to Age. Though a great Part of the Nobles praised his Speech , as being willing to Gratifie him ; yet , the Suspicion concerning the Death of Malcolm prevailed upon the Major part , and especially upon the Nobility , and Those of the Royal Stock , who were afraid of the King .

Mens Spirits being in this posture , Ambassadors came from England , to comfort the King upon the loss of his Kinsman ; and withal , desiring , That , in substituting another Governor , he would remember , That Cumberland being the Bond of Concord betwixt the Two Nations , he would set Such a Person over it , who might be an indifferent Arbiter of Peace , and that would maintain the ancient Alliance betwixt the Two Nations , Kenneth III. endeavours to alter the old Law , concerning Succession of the Crown , and to make it Hereditary . for the Good of them Both ; and , if any new Suspicions or Jealousies should arise , that he would labour to extinguish them . The King judged this Embassy fit for his purpose ; so , that having Convened the Nobility at Scone , he made a grave Harangue to them , against the ancient Custom of the Assemblies of Estates , in this Point ; wherein he recited all the Seditions which had happened for that Cause ; and with how great Impiety , some of the surviving Kindred had treated the Children of former Kings ; and what Wars , Rapines , Slaughters , and Banish●●nts , had ensued thereupon . On the other side , he put them in Mind ▪ How much more Peaceable , and less Turbulent , the Parliamen●●●y Assemblies of other Countries were ; and what great Reverence was born to the Royal Blood ; when , without convasing for Succession , Children succeeded their Parents in the Throne . Having thus spoken , he referred the matter to that Great Council , to determine something in this Case : He acquainted them also with the Demands of the English Ambassador ; and , to give a greater Manifestation of his Condescention and Civility , whereas it was in the Kings Power alone , to appoint a Governor of Cumberland , he left it to them to nominate One ; supposing , that by this his Moderation , he might the more easily obtain his Desire , concerning the Succession to the Crown : For , if he himself had Nominated his Son for a Governor , he thought , he should have prejudiced his other Request , because , as I said before , the Government or Prefecture over Cumberland was looked upon as the Designation of the Person , to be the next succeeding King of Scotland . Constantine , the Son of Culenus , and Grimus , the Son of Mogal , Brother to King Duffus , who were thought most likely to oppose both Requests , were first asked their Opinions , in the Case ; who , partly for Fear of Danger ; and partly , that they might not run cross to the Major part of the Nobility , who had been prepossessed and influenc'd by the King , gave their Vote , That it was in the Kings Power , And carries the Point . to Correct and Amend Laws , which were inconvenient to the Publick ; and also , to appoint what Governor he pleased over Cumberland . The rest , though they knew , that they had spoken contrary to their own Sense , yet Consented to what they said . And by this means , Malcolm , the Kings Son , though not of Age , but Immature for Government , was declared Governor of Cumberland ; and also Prince of Scotland , which Title signifies in Scotland , as much as Daulphin doth , in France ; and Caesar , amongst the old Roman Emperors ; and the King of the Romans , amongst the Modern Germans ; whereby the Successor to the preceding Magistrate is understood . Other Laws were also made , viz. That as the Kings Eldest Son should succeed his Father ; so , if the Son died before the Father , the Nephew should succeed the Grandfather : That when the King was under Age , a Tutor or Protector should be Chosen , some Eminent Man for Interest and Power , to Govern in the Kings Name and stead , till he came to Fourteen Years of Age , and then he had Liberty to choose Guardians for Himself . And besides , many other Things were Enacted concerning the Legitimate Succession of Heirs , which ran in common to the whole Nobility , as well as to the King . The King having thus , by indirect and evil Practises , setled the Kingdom on his Posterity , as he thought ; yet , his Mind was not at rest . For , Kenneth troubled in Conscience for his Murder of Malco●m . though he were very Courteous to all , and highly Beneficial and Obliging to a great many ; and withal , did so manage the Kingdom , that no one Part of a good King , was wanting in him ; yet , his Mind being disquieted with the guilt of his Offence , suffered him to enjoy no sincere or solid Mirth ; but in the Day , he was vexed with the Thoughts of that foul Wickedness , which did inject themselves ; and in the Night , terrible Apparitions disturbed his Rest. At last , a Voice was heard from Heaven , either a true one , as some think ; or else , such an one , as his disquieted Mind suggested , ( as it commonly happens to Guilty Consciences ) speaking to him , in his Sleep , to this Sense . Dost thou think , That the Murder of Malcolm , an Innocent Man , An Apparition and Vo●●e , to Kenneth . secretly and most impiously Committed by thee , is either unknown to me , or , That thou shalt go unpunished for the same : Nay , there are already Plots laid against thy Life , which thou canst not avoid , neither shalt thou leave a Firm and Stable Kingdom to thy Posterity , as thou thinkest to do , but a Tumultuous and Stormy one . The King being terrified by this dreadful Apparition , betimes in the Morning , hastned to the Bishops and Monks , to whom he declared the Confusion of his Mind , and his Repentance for his Wickedness . They , instead of prescribing him a true Remedy , according to the Doctrine of Christ , ( being then degenerated , themselves , from the Piety and Simplicity of their Ancestors ) enjoyned him those absurd and fallacious ones , which Evil and Self-minded Men had devised for their own Gain ; and unwary People had as greedily received ; which were , To bestow Gifts on Temples , and Holy Places ; To visit the Sepulchres of Holy Men ; Mock-Plaisters applied to Kenneth's wounded Conscience , by S●perstitious Ecclesiasticks . To Kiss their Reliques ; and to expiate his Sin by Masses and Alms ; and withal , they enjoyned him to Respect and Reverence Monks and Priests , more than he had done heretofore . Neither did the King omit to perform all what they enjoyned him , thinking to be healed in his Conscience by these Mock-Plaisters . At length , when he came to Mern to Worship , and to do Reverence to the Bones of Palladius , an Holy Person ; he turned aside to view a Neighbouring Castle ; called * * Situate at the Foot of Clermont in Mern . Fethercarn , which was then , as 't is reported , very pleasant with shady Grows and Piles of curious Buildings , of which , almost no Footsteps remain , at this day . The Lady of that Castle was called Fenella , of whom Mention is made before ; who bore the King a grudge , not only for the Punishment of her Son Crathilinthus , but also upon the account of her Kinsmen , Constantinus , and Grimus ; who , by his New Law , were excluded from the Succession to the Crown . But , dissembling her Anger , she entertained the King very splendidly , and with great Magnificence ; and , after Dinner , she carried him out to view the Pleasantness of the Place , and the Structure of the Castle ; and amongst the rest , she led him into a Privy Parlor , to see a * * A strange Mechanical Statue or Engine . Brass Statue , most Curiously and Artificially cast , which was made with so much Ingeniousness , as they say , That when a String or Cord , which was secretly bent therein , was remitted and let go , it would shoot out Arrows , of its own accord ; and , whilst the King was intent in viewing this Engine , an Arrow privily darted out therefrom , and slew him . Iohannes Major , and Hector Boetius , do Both say , That the King came thus to his End ; though , in my Judgment , it be not very probable . For , it is not likely , That , after the decay of Noble Arts amongst other Nations , so curious a Statue should be then made ; and that , in the remotest part of Britain , too ; though Iohn Major writes , That Edmond the Son of Eldred , was slain by the same Artifice ; but Both Stories are Fabulous , as I suppose . Neither can I easily persuade my self , That all Scotland did possess so many Jewels , as Boetius affirms , that One Lady was owner of . And therefore , I rather incline to the Opinion of some others , ( amongst whom is Winton ) who write , That the * * Kenneth slain by Fenella . King was slain by some Horse-men , placed in Ambush , at the Command of Fenella . He died in the Twenty fifth year of his Reign ; a Prince eminent for all other Things , if the Murder of Malcolm , and his too great Affection to his Kindred , had not made such a foul Blot in his Escutcheon . He Reigned Twenty five years , and deceased in the Year of Christ 994.

Constantine IV. The Eighty First King .

AFTER Kenneth his Death , Constantine , the Son of Culenus , Sirnamed , The Bald , used so much Art and Canvasing , to get the Kingdom , as never any Man did , before him . For he insinuated himself into all sorts of People ; complaining , That he and others of the Royal Blood , were circumvented by the Fraud of Kennethus , and so excluded from the hopes of the Kingdom , upon the pretence of a most unjust * * Constantine inveighs against the Law made by Kenneth , about the Hereditary Succession to the Crown , with his Reasons to back his Opinion . Law ; to which , he , with others of the Blood , were forced , by Fear , to Consent . He further alleged , That the Inconvenience of the Law was very Manifest and Visible , in it self . For , What , said he , can be more Imprudent and Foolish , than to take away One of the greatest concerns in Government , from the Suffrage of the Wise , and to leave it to the Liberty of Fortune ? And to bind themselves to Obey a Child , because casually born of a King , who , perhaps , might be ruled by some Woman ; and , in the mean time , to exclude Brave and Virtuous Men , from sitting at the Helm ? He added further , What if the Children of the King should have some Defect , either of Mind or Body , which made them unfit for Government ? If Children ( proceeded he ) had enjoyed the Kingdom , in those days , wherein we fought so many Battels , with the Romans , Britains , Picts , English , and Danes ; the Question would not then have been , Who should Rule over us ? But rather ▪ Whether we should have been any People at all , to be governed by any Body ? Yea , What can border more upon Madness , than to bring That upon our selves by a Law , which God threatens as the severest Judgment to the Rebellious ; and by this means , either to despise the Threatnings and Predictions of the Almighty ; or , to run into them of our own accord ? Neither ( said he ) is that True , which the Flatterers of Kenneth please themselves with in urging , i. e. That the Slaughters and Avarice of the Kings Kindred may be avoided hereby ; for the Kings Children , whilst under Age , have as much Reason to fear the Frauds of their Guardians ; as before they did the Plots of their Kindred . And therefore , now the Tyrant is removed , let us valiantly recover the Liberty he took away ; and , abrogating that Law , which was enacted by Force , and submitted to out of Fear , ( if it may be called a Law , and not rather a publick Enslavement , and Prostitution of our Freedom : ) Let us , I say , return to the ancient Institutions and Customs , by which this Kingdom arose , almost out of Nothing ; and which , from small Beginnings , have advanced it to that Splendour , that it is inferiour to none of its Neighbours ; Yea , and when it was at a low Ebb , have erected it again . And therefore , let us not neglect , or over-slip , this present Opportunity , which offers it self , lest , hereafter , we seek it Vain . By these , and the like Harangues , he cajolled some of the Nobles , and drew a Multitude of the Commons to his Party ; who assembled at Scone , Twelve days after the Funeral of Kennethus , and declared him King .

In the mean time , * * Malcolm , Competitor with Constantine for the Crown . Malcolm ▪ who was busie about the Concern of his Fathers Funeral , hearing , that Constantine was made King , called his Friends together , to deliberate , what was fit to be done . Some were of Opinion , That , before he proceeded any further , he should found how the Minds of the Nobles stood affected , that so he might know , what strength he was able to raise against a popular Man , supported by so many Factions and Alliances ; and then , according to the Number of his Forces , to take a Resolution . But those who were young and head-strong , despised this Course , as slow and dilatory ; alleging , That it was best to obviate the Danger at its first Rise , and to proceed against the Enemy , before he was setled in his new Kingdom . The King being young , embraced the later Opinion , as the more specious of the Two , and having gathered an Army of about Ten Thousand Men together , marches towards the Enemy . Neither was Constantine defective in his Preparations ; for , in a short time , he levied so great an Army , that Malcolm , at the news of his Approach , disbanded his Soldiers , and retired himself into Cumberland . But Kennethus , his Natural Brother , begot on a Concubine , judging that course to be very Dishonourable , persuaded some of the most Valiant Troops to stay behind , and so to stop the Enemy at the River Forth near Sterling , which was the Boundary to both Armies . There both Camps lay idle on the high Banks of the River , which was Fordable but in few places ; by which means , they were so afflicted with Pestilence and Famine , ( both which Calamities did rage very much , that Year ) that each Army was forced to Disband . Thus , the Kingdom being divided into Two Factions , the Commonalty was miserably afflicted with Hunger , Pestilence , and frequent Robberies . In the mean time , during the absence of Malcolm , who , according to his League , was assisting the English against the Danes , Constantine , thinking he had now got a convenient Opportunity to subdue the Faction opposite to him , marches with great Forces into Lothian . Kennethus , who was left by his Brother to observe all Constantine's Motions , gave him an halt at the Mouth of the River * * Or Almond-water , dividing Mid-Lothian , from West-Lothian , or Linlithgoshire . Almon. And , because he was inferior in Number , he supplyed that defect by Stratagem , for he so ordered his Army , that he had the advantage both of the Sun and Wind ; and besides , his Army was flanked , as much as it could , with the River , which was the chief Cause of his Victory . For the Constantinians , trusting to their Multitude , rushed violently into the Battel , having the Sun-beams darting into their very Faces ; and besides , a Storm , suddainly arising , drove so much Dust into their Faces and Eyes , that they could scarce lift up their Heads against their Enemies . A great Slaughter was made in both Armies , and both Generals themselves , upon a Charge , Constantine slain . wounded and slew one another ; after Constantine had invaded the Kingdom , an Year and Six Months .

Grimus , The Eighty Second King .

GRimus , the Son of King Duffus , or , as others say , of his Brother Mogallus , after Constantine's death , was brought to Scone , and there , by the Men of his own Faction , was made King . He , perceiving , that some Nobles of his Party were already corrupted by Messengers sent from Malcolm ; and More of them were solicited by him , to a Defection ; took some of those Messengers and committed them to Prison : Malcolm , being much inceased at the Imprisonment of his Embassadors , as being done against the Law of Nations , breaks forth into open War . As Grimus was making head against him , a suddain Rumor was dispersed through all Malcolm's Army , of the Vastness of the Army coming against them , so that all Malcolm's Measures were disturbed thereby ; many of his Soldiers ran privily away ; and many others , making frivolous pretences , did publickly desire to be dismissed . The Fear first arose from the Merchants , who , preferring their Private Concerns before the Publick Good , scattered the Report throughout the whole Army . And besides , there were Some among them , who privately favoured Grimus his Party ; for indeed , there were many things in him very attractive of the Vulgar , as the Talness of his Stature , his great Beauty , accompanied with a singular Courtesie , and a comely Meen in all his Actions ; Besides , as there was occasion , he was severe in punishing Offenders , and he managed Matters with great Celerity and Prudence , so that many promised themselves an Happy and an Honourable Calm , under his Government . In this Diversity and Combustion of Mens Spirits , Malcolm , not daring to commit any thing to an hazard in Battel , by the Advice of his Friends , dismissed the greatest part of his Army , and , with some select Troops , resolved to stop the Enemies passage over the Forth .

In the mean time , the Bishop of that Diocess , Forthadus by Name , of whom all had an high Opinion for his Sanctimony , endeavoured , by his Authority , to compose Matters , and passing to and fro betwixt both Parties , at length he brought Matters to this pass , That a Truce was made for Three Months ; Grimus being to go into Angus ; and Malcolm into Cumberland : And also Arbitrators were to be chosen by both Parties , by Consent , who were to determine the main Controversie in Dispute . Neither did Forthadus give over his Endeavours , till * * An Agreement made between Malcolm and Grimus , con●erning the Crown . Peace was made by them on these Conditions ; That Grimus should retain the Name of King , as long as he lived : And , that , after his Decease , the Kingdom should return to Malcolm ; And , for the future , the Law of Kennethus , for establishing the Succession in the King's Children , should be observed as Sacred and Inviolate . In the mean time , the Wall of Severus was to be the Boundary to them Both. That which was within the Wall was to belong to Malcolm ; and That without , to Grimus . Both of them were to be contented with those Limits , Neither being to invade each other , or to assist the Enemies of one another . Thus Peace was made , to the great Joy of all Men , which was Religiously observed for almost Eight Years . Grimus was the first Occasion of the Breach , for whereas , since the beginning of his Reign , in turbulent Times , he had carried himself as a good Prince , his Industry being slackened by the Quiet he enjoyed , he wholly plunged himself in voluptuous Courses ; and that kind of Life , being , as usually it is , a Life of Expence , he was reduced to some Necessity , and was thereby enforced to pretend Crimes against the Richer sort , that so , out of Covetousness , he might enjoy their Estates . Being told of the danger of this Course , he was so far from Reforming it ; or , from abating any thing of his former Vileness , That he resolved to put his Monitors in Prison , that so others , being terrified by their Punishment , might not use the like freedom , in reproving Kings . In order whereto , he invited them kindly to his Court , but they , having notice of his Design , by their Friends , withdrew themselves ; at which , Grimus was so enraged , that he gathered a Band of Men together , and made after them , spoiling their Lands more than any Foreign Enemy could have done ; he spared neither Men , Houses , Cattle nor Corn , and That which he could not carry away , he spoiled , That so it might be rendred useless to the Owners . Thus he made a promiscous Havock of all things , ( whether Sacred or Prophane ) by Fire and Sword . Complaint hereof being made to Malcolm , who was then busie in helping the English against the Danes , he presently returned home ; for he was incensed , not only at the undeserved Sufferings of so many brave and innocent Persons , but much more , at the Indignity offered him by Grimus ; who , knowing that the Lands were shortly to pass over to another , without any Respect to future Times , had swept away the Fruits thereof , as if it had been an Enemies Country . There was a great Resort to Malcolm , at his return , insomuch , that , thô Grimus had for a time been Dear to , and Beloved of , the People ; yet now the greatest part of the Nobles forsook him . Notwithstanding , with what Forces he could make , he made Head against his Enemy . When their Camps were near one another , Grimus , knowing that Malcolm would Religiously observe As●ensi●n-day , resolved then to attaque him , hoping to find him unpr●pared . Malcolm , having notice of his Design , kept his Men in Arms , and thô he did hope well , as to the Victory , in so good a Cause ; yet he sent to Grimus , to advise him to defer Fighting for that day , that so They , being Christians , might not pollute so Holy a Day , with shedding the Blood of their Countrymen ; Yet he was , nevertheless , resolved to Fight , alleging to his Soldiers , That the Fear the Enemy was in , thô pretended to be out of Reverence to so Holy a Feast , was a good Omen of their Victory . Hereupon , a fierce and eager Fight began ; wherein , * * Grime , having broken the Agreement with Malcolm , is overthrown by him in Battel . Grimus , being forsaken of his Men , was wounded in the Head , taken Prisoner , and soon after had his Eyes put out . Insomuch , that , in a short time , out of Grief , as well as his Wounds , he Dyed in the Tenth Year of his Reign . Malcolm carried it Nobly towards the Conquered , and caused Grimus to be interred in the Sepulchres of his Ancestors . The Faction , which followed him , he received into his Grace and Favour , laying aside the Memory of past Offences ; Then going to the Assembly of Estates at Scone , before he would undertake the Government , he caused * * The Law concerning Hereditary Succession to the Crown Confirmed . the Law made by his Father , concerning the Succession to the Crown , to be publickly Ratified by the Votes of the whole Parliament .

Malcolm II. The Eighty Third King .

AT the entrance into his Government , he laboured to restore the State of the Kingdom , which was sorely shaken by Factions . And as he forgave all former Offences to himself , so he took care that the Seeds of Faction and Discord amongst all different Parties might also be rooted out . After this , he sent Governors , chosen out of the Nobility , into all Provinces , ( Just and Pious Men ) to restrain the Licentiousness of Robbers ; who , in former times , had taken great Liberty to themselves to Steal and Plunder . By Them also the Common People were encouraged to Tillage and Husbandry ; so that Provisions grew cheaper , Commerce between Man and Man safer , and the publick Peace was better secured . Amidst these Transactions , Sueno , Sueno , or Swain , coming into Scotland , obtains Aid there against Eng●and . the Son of Harald , King of the Danes , being banished from home , came into Scotland . He was oftentimes overcome , made Prisoner by , and Ransomed from , the Vandals ; and having sought for Aid in vain from Olavus , King of the * * S●edes , Danes , Laps , and Norts , were anciently so called . Scandians , and Edward King of England , at last he came into Scotland , and being turned Christian , of whom before he was a most bitter Enemy , there he received some small assistance , and so returned into his own Country ; from whence soon after he passed over with a great Army into England . First , he overthrew the English , alone ; and afterwards , he had the same Success against them , when the Scots assisted them , whom he grievously threatned , because they would not forsake the English , and return into their own Country . Neither were his Threatnings in vain , for Olavus of * * The Danes enter Scotland , and overthrow King Malcolm in Battel . Scandia , and Enecus , General of the Danes , were sent by him with a great Army into Scotland ; They ranged over all Murray , killed whomsoever they met , took away all they could catch , whether Sacred or Prophane ; at last , gathering into a Body , they assaulted Castles , and other strong Places . While they were Besieging these Fortresses , Malcolm had gathered an Army together out of the Neighbouring Countrys , and pitch'd his Camp not far from them . The day after , the Scots , perceiving the Multitude of the Danes , and their Warlike Preparations , were struck with great Terrour ; The King endeavoured to encourage them , but to small purpose ; at last , a Noise was raised in the Camp , by those who were willing to seem more valiant than the rest ; and when it was raised , others received , and seconded it ; so that presently , as if they had been wild , they ran in upon the Danes , without the Command of their Leaders , and rushed upon the points of their Swords , who were ready to receive them . After the forwardest were slain , the rest fled back , faster than ever they came on . The King was Wounded in the Head , and had much ado , to be carried off the Field into an adjacent Wood , where he was Horsed , and so escaped with his Life . After this Victory , the Castle of Narn was surrendred to the Danes , the ●arison being dismayed at the Event of the unhappy Fight ; yet they put them to Death , after the surrender . They strongly fortified the Castle , because it was seated in a convenient Pass ; and , of a Peninsule , made it a convenient Isle , by cutting through a narrow Chanel , for the Sea to surround it ; and then they called it by a Danish Name , * * A Burgh , or Burough . Burgus . The other Castles , which were Elgin and Foress , were deserted , for fear of the Cruelty of the Danes . The Danes upon this good Success , resolved to fix their Habitations in Murray , and sent home their Ships to bring over their Wives and Children , in the mean time exercising all manner of cruel hardships over the Captived Scots .. Malcolm , in order to prevent their further Progress , gathered a stronger , and more compact , Army together ; and when they were gone into Marr , he met them at a place called * * A Village on the West of the River F●ddick near Balvany . Mortlich , both Armies being in great fear ; the Scots being afraid of the Cruelty of the Danes ; and the Danes fearing the Places , which they did not know , ( as being far from the Sea , and fit for Ambushes ) more than their Enemies . In the beginning of the Fight , the Scots were much discouraged at the Slaughter of Three of their Valiant Worthies , viz. of Kennethus , Thane of the Islands ; of Grimus , Thane of Strathearn ; and of Dumbar , Thane of Lothian , who all fell , presently one after another ; so that they were forced to retreat , and to retire into their old Fastness , which was behind their backs : There , fencing their Camp with a Trench , Ditch , and huge Trees , which they cut down , in a narrow place , they fronted , and stopped , the Enemy ; yea , they slew some , who , as if they had fully gotten the Victory , * * The Danes overthrown by the Scots , and their Genera● ▪ Ene●●s , sl●●n . did carelesly assault them , amongst whom , Enecus , one of their Generals , fell . His Loss , as it made the Danes less forward to fight ; so it added Alacrity to the Scots , who were crest-fallen , before . So that , almost in a moment of time , the Scene was quite altered ; The Danes were put to flight , and the Scots pursued them . Olavus , the other of their Generals , got some to guide him , and bent his Course , that night , towards Murray . Though Malcolm knew it , yet , having slain the forwardest of his Enemies , and wounded many more , he desisted from following the Chase. When News of this Overthrow was brought to Swain , in England , he bore it undauntedly ; and sent some of his old Soldiers , and some that were newly come to him from his own Country , under Camus , their General , to recruit his old and shattered Army , in Scotland . He first came into the Firth of Forth , but being hindred by the Country ( who observed all his Motions ) from Landing , he set Sail , and made for the * * Called Redhead , Ridhead , or Reedhead . Red-Promontory of Angus . There he landed his Men , and attempted to take in some Places , but , being disappointed , he fell a plundering . Having pitched his Tents at * * B●mbreid in the midway between Dundee and Aberbrothock . Balbridum , i. e. the Village of St. Bride , word was brought him by his Spies , that the Scots Forces were scarce two miles distant from him ; whereupon both Generals , according to the Exigence of the time , exhorted their Men to fight ; and the next day , they were all ready at their Arms , almost at one time . The third day , they fought with so great eagerness and fury , as either new Hope , or old Hatred , could occasion and suggest ; At last , the Scots prevailed , and * * The Danes , under their General Camus , receive another overthrow from the Scots . Camus , endeavouring to secure the Remainders of his Army , by flying to the Mountains towards Murray , before he had gone two miles , was overtaken by the Pursuers , and he and all his Men cut off . There are Monuments extant of this Victory , in an Obeliske , and a Neighbouring Village , which as yet retains the Memorable Name of Camus . Another Band of them were cut off not far from the Town of * * On the River South-Esk , in Angus . Breichin ; where also another Obeliske was erected ; The Remainder , being few in Number , under the Covert of the night , made to their Ships ; These last were tossed up and down several days in the raging Sea , by cross Winds , at length coming to the inhospitable Shore of Buchan , they rode there so long at Anchor , till they were necessitated , for want , to send about 500 of their Men ashore , to get some Relief , out of the Neighbouring Country ; Mernanus , the Thane of the place , stopp'd them from returning to their Ships , and compelled them to retire , to a steep Hill , where , being assisted by the Conveniency of the place , they defended themselves with Stones , and slew many of the Scots , who rashly attempted them : At last , the Scots encouraged one another , and in several Parties , in great Numbers , got up the Hill , and put every Man of the Danes to the Sword . There also , as well as at Bambreid , when the Wind blows up the Sand , there are Bones discovered of a greater Magnitude , than can well suit with the Stature of the Men of our Times .

Yet Sueno was not discouraged , no not with this Overthrow also , but sent his Son * * Canutus sent by Swain , into Scotland . Canutus , with new Levies , into Scotland . He landed his Souldiers in Buchan , and so preyed upon the Country . Malcolm , though he had yet hardly recovered his Loss , sustained in former Battels , yet made head against him , and being not willing to hazard all by fighting a pitched Battel , he thought it best to weary the Enemy with light Skirmishes , and to keep him from plundering ; for , by this means , he hoped , in a short time , to reduce him to great want of Provisions , as being in an Enemies Country , almost quite wasted and desolated by the Miseries of War , before . He followed this Counsel for some days , but , at last , when the Scots had got a full understanding of their Enemies Strength , they less diffided their Own ; and both Armies , being equally pressed with Want , did unanimously crave a Signal to the Battel , pretending , unless it were given , they would fall to it , even , without the Consent of their Generals . Hereupon , Malcolm set the Battel in array , which was fought with such * * A Third desperate Battel between the Danes , under Canutus their General , and the Scots ▪ desperate Rage and Fury , that neither Party came off in Triumph . And though the Victory did nominally rest on the Scots side , yet a great part of their Nobility being slain , and the rest , wearied and discouraged in their Spirits , returned to their Camp , giving the Danes liberty to retreat , without any pursuit ; The next day , when both Parties mustered their Men , they found so great a Slaughter to have been made , that they willingly admitted some Priests to be Intercessors of Peace between them . * * Which produceth Conditions of Peace between Them . Whereupon , Peace was made on these Conditions , That the Danes should leave Murray , and Buchan , and depart ; and that as long as Malcolm and Sueno lived , neither of them should wage War with one another any more , nor help one anothers Enemies ; That the Field in which the Battel was fought , should be set apart , and Consecrated for the Burial of the Dead . Upon this , the Danes withdrew , and Malcolm took Order for the Interment of the slain .

A while after , he called an Assembly of Estates at Scone ; and , that he might reward those who had deserved well of their Country , he divided all the King's Lands between them : On the other side , the Nobility granted to the King , * * The Originals of Wardships . That when any of them died , their Children should be under the Wardship and Tutelage of the King , till they arrived at the Age of 21 Years ; and , that the King should receive all their Revenue , except what was expended for the Education of the Ward ; And besides , that he should have the Power to give them in Marriage ; Or , otherwise to dispose of them , when they were grown up , and should also receive their Dowry . I judge , this Custom came rather from the English and Danes ; because it yet continues throughout all England , and in part of Normandy , too . Afterwards , the King bent his Thoughts to repair the Damages sustained by the War ; he re-edified many Temples , and Sacred Places , demolished by the Enemy ; he built New Castles , or else repaired the Old , in every Town . Having thus restored Peace to the Kingdom by his great Valour , he endeavoured further to adorn it with good Institutions and wholsom Laws ; and , in order thereunto , be erected New Names for Magistrates , ( I believe , such , as he borrowed from his Neighbours ) which served rather for vain Ambition , than for any real Use. For , in former times , there was no Name superior in Honour to that of a Knight , except that of Thane , i. e. Governor , or Sheriff , of a Province or Country ; which Custom , as I hear , is yet observed amongst the Danes . But , now a days , Princes keep no Mean , in instituting * * New Titles of Honour . New Names , or Titles , of Honour ; though there be no use at all of those Names , but the bare Sound . Thus Malcolm , having finished his Toilsom Wars , Reigned some Years in great Splendor and Glory . But , in the Progress of his Age , he sullied the Beauty of his former Life with the blot of Covetousness . That Vice , being incident to Old Men , partly grew up in him with his Age , and partly arose from that Want , which his immoderate Largesses had driven him to . So that those Lands , which he had unadvisedly distributed amongst the Nobility , he did as unjustly and wickedly labour to resume ; by which means , he put some of them to Death , and reduced others to great Penury . Hereupon , the present sense of suffering , though sometimes just , drowned the Memory of all former Courtesies ; so that , the Injury reaching to a few , but the Fear to many , the Friends and Kindred of those which were slain and impoverished , bent all their Thoughts to revenge Them , and to secure Themselves . And at last , b●●bing the King 's Domesticks at * * About four Miles South of Forfar . Glammes , in Angus , they were admitted at Night into the King's Bed-Chamber , and * * King Malcolm Murdered . slew him . When they had committed the Fact , those bribed Domesticks , together with the Parricides , took Horse , which they had ready bridled and saddled for all Events ; and , being not able to find the way , in regard the Snow covered all the Track , they were confounded , and arrived at a Lake , by the Town of * * The Chief Town of Angus . Forfar ; where , endeavouring to pass ov●r , the Ice being not very firm , they sunk with their Weight , and were all * * K. Malcolm's Murderers drowned in their Flight . drowned . Their Bodies lay undiscovered for a season , by reason the Ice closed again ; but when a Thaw came , they were found , and hung upon Gibbets in the High-ways , there to rot for the Terrour of the Living ; and in Reproach to them , after they were dead . This is the common Report about Malcolm's End ; though some write , that he was slain by an Ambush , laid by the Kinred of Grimus and Constantinus , the former Kings , after a bloody B●ttel joyned and fought betwixt them . Others say , that he was killed by the Friends of a Noble Virgin , whom he had forceably vitiated ; but all agree , that he came to a violent Death . Malcolm Reigned so justly above Thirty Years , that , unless Avarice had corrupted his Mind in 's Old Age , he might well have been numbered amongst the Best of Princes . The Year , in which he died , was a Prodigious One , for , in the Winter , the Rivers did mightily overflow ; and in Spring there were great Inundations of the Sea . Prodigies . And moreover , a few Days after the Summer Solstice , there were very pinching Frosts , and mighty Snows , by which means , the Fruits of the Earth being spoiled , a great Famine did ensue .

The Seventh BOOK .

I Have declared in the former Book , how eagerly Kennethus , and his Son Malcolm , did strive , to settle the Succession to the Crown in their Families , That the Eldest Son might succeed the Father : But what the Success thereof , was , will appear in the Sequel . This is certain , That that Publick Benefit which was promised to the whole Kingdom , nor yet the private Advantage , alleged to arise to our Kings , thereby , were not at all obtained , by this New Law . An Universal Good to All was pretended , in thus settling the Succession , that Seditions , Murders , and Treacheries , might be prevented amongst Those of the Blood ; and also , that Ambition , with the other Mischiefs accompanying it , might be rooted out from amongst the Nobles . But , on the contrary , Descants , by way of Reflection , upon the Law of Kenneth about Hereditary Succession to the Crown . when I enquire into the Causes of Publick Grievances , and compare the Old with the Modern , it seems to me , That all those Mischiefs , which we would have avoided by this New Law , are so far from being extinguished by the Antiquating of the Old , that they rather receive a great Increase therefrom . For , not to speak of the Plots of their Kinred against Those who are actually in the Throne ; nor of a present King 's Evil Suspitions of those , whom Nature and the Law would have accounted as most dear to him ; I say , omitting these things , which , in the Series of our History , will be further explained ; all the Miseries of former Ages may seem light and tolerable , if compared with those Calamities , which followed upon the Death of Alexander the Third . Neither will I insist upon the Particulars following , viz. that That Law doth enervate the Force of all Publick Councils , without which no Lawful Government can subsist : That it doth willingly , and , by consent , create those Evils to our selves , which others , who have Interest in Publick Governments , do chiefly , if not only , deprecate ; viz. To have Kings , over whom other Governors must be appointed ; and so the People are to be universally committed into their Power , who have no Power over themselves : insomuch , That those Persons , who are hardly brought to Obey Wise , Prudent , and Experienced Kings , are now required to yield Obedience , as it were , to the very shadow of a King ; by which means , we willingly precipitate our selves into those Punishments , which God threatens to Those , who despise and contemn his Holy Majesty , namely , That Children , Male or Female , may Reign over us , whom the Law of Nations , and even Nature it self , ( the Mother of all Laws ) hath subjected to the Rule of others . As for the private Benefit , That Kings aim at by this Law , i. e. That they may perpetuate their Name and Stock , how vain and fallacious that Pretence is , the Examples of the Ancients , yea , even Nature it self , might inform them , if they had but considered , by how many Laws and Rewards , the Romans endeavoured to perennate the mighty Names of their Families ; of which yet , no one Footstep remains at this Day , no not in any part of the World , which they had Conquered . Which Disappointment doth deservedly attend those , who fight against even Nature it self , by endeavouring to cloath a fading , frail , Thing , subject to Momentany Alterations , and Blasts of Fortune , with a sort of Perpetuity ; and to endow it with a kind of Eternity , which they themselves neither are Partakers of , nor can be ; yea , they strive to effect it by those Mediums , which are most cross to their purpose : For , what is less conducive to Perpetuity , than Tyranny ? Yet , this New Law makes a great Step thereto ; for a Tyrant is , as it were , the White , or Mark , exposed to the Hate of all Men , insomuch that he cannot long subsist , and when he falls , all His fall with him . It seems to me , That God doth sometimes gently chastize and disappoint this endeavour of Foolish Men ; and sometimes he doth expose it , even to Publick Scorn , as if it were emulous of his own Power . There can be no clearer , or fitter , Example of Gods Will and Pleasure , than That which we have now under our Hands . For Malcolm , who so much laboured to confirm the Law , ( which was , almost , forcibly Enacted by his Father ) by common Suffrage and Consent , For the Kings Children to be substituted in the Room of their deceased Parents , even He , left no Male-Child behind him ; but he had Two Daughters , One called Beatrix , whom he Married to a Nobleman named Grimus , the Thane of the Western Islands , and the Chief of all other Thanes , and therefore styled in that Age , * * Abthane , or great Thane , is the Chief above all other Thanes , which receives the King's Revenue , as Lord High Treasurer , from the other Thanes . Abthane ; the Other , named Doaca , he Married to the Thane of Angus , by whom he begot Mackbeth , or Macbeda , of whom in his Place .

Donaldus VII . The Eighty Fourth King .

MALCOLM being slain , as hath been related , Donaldus , his Nephew by his Daughter Beatrix , succeeded him . A Prince of great Courtesy , and of more Indulgence to his own Kindred , than became a King : For he was of a mild and Inclineable Disposition ; and , from his Youth , gave forth Omens of his Popularity ; For , in the most difficult times , when he was made Governor of Cumberland by his Grandfather , and could not c●me to the King ( by reason of the Danish Troops , which swarmed over the Country , and stopped all Passages ) to Swear to the Laws , yet he faithfully took part with the English , until Canutus , having had the rest of England surrendred to him , made an Expedition against him , and then he submitted himself to the Danes , on the same Conditions , under which he obeyed the English , before . Donald●ust ●ust Government both to R●ch and Poor This also was popular in him , That he administred Justice with great Equity , and every Year he visited the Provinces , to hear the Complaints of the Poor , and , as much as he could , he would not suffer the Great men to oppress Them . But , as these Virtues did endear him to the Good , so they lessen'd his Authority amongst the Lovers of Sedition , so that his Clemency to the Former occasioned the Rage of wicked men against him . The beginning of lessening and despising his Government , hapned in Loch-Abyr , upon the account of one Bancho , Thane of that Country , a strict Lover of impartial Justice ; some ill Men , not enduring his Severity in Punishments , made a Conspiracy against him , Plundered him of his Goods , and drove him away , being wounded and almost dead . As soon as ever his Wounds permitted him to endure the jogging of his body , he took a Journy and complained to the King ; the King sent a publick Officer to do Justice upon the Offenders , but he was grievously affronted , and afterwards slain by them ; so great Security did they fancy to themselves , by reason of the Lenity ( but , as they interpreted it , Sloth ) of a good King . The chief of the Faction , which raised the Rebellion , was named Mac-duald , who , despairing of Pardon , prepares himself for an open War . He called in the * * One Mac-duald Rebels against Donald . * * Or R●dshanks . Islanders to his assistance , ( who were always prone to Sedition ) and also the forwardest of the Irish , in hopes of Prey . He told them , That under an effeminate and slothful King , who was fitter to rule Monks than Warriors , there was no fear of Punishment , but there might be great hopes of Advantage ; and that he did not doubt , but the Scots , who were , as it were , fettered with the Chains of a Long Peace under the former King , when an Alarm was sounded to the War , would come in to recover their Ancient Liberty . These Exhortations were seconded with a successfull beginning , which much heartned the Party . There was one Malcolm , of the Prime Nobility , sent by the King against them , with some Forces ; but his Army was presently overthrown by them , and he himself , being taken Prisoner , had his head cut off by them . The King , being troubled at this Overthrow , called a Council together , to consult of what was fit to be done . Some were very slow in delivering their Opinions , but Mackbeth , Kinsman to the King , laid the blame of the Misfortune on the Slugg●shness of former times , withal promising , that , if the Command or Generalship were bestowed on him and Bancho , who was well acquainted with that Country , he would quickly subdue all , Mackbeth his Character . and quiet things . This Mackbeth was of a sharp Wit , and of a very lofty Spirit ; and , if Moderation had accompanied it , he had been worthy of a Command , tho' an eminent one . But , in punishing Offenders , he was so severe , that having no respect to the Laws , he seemed soon likely to degenerate into Cruelty . M●cduald is overthrown by Mackbeth and B●n●ho . When the chief Command of the Army was conferred upon him , many were so terrified , that , casting aside their Hopes , whch they had conceived by reason of the Kings Slothful Temper , they hid themselves in Holes and Corners . The Islanders and the Irish , their Flight being stopp'd , were driven into great Despair , and in a fierce Fight were every one of them slain ; Macduala himself , with a few others flying into a Neighbour Castle , being past all hopes of Pardon , redeemed Himself and His from the Opprobriousness of his Enemies , by a voluntary death . M●ckbeth , not content with that punishment , cut off his Head , and sent it to the King at Perth , and hung up the rest of his Body , for all to behold , in a conspicuous place . Those of the Red-shanks , which he took , he caused to be hanged .

This Domestick Sedition being appeased , a far greater Terror succeeded , and seized on him , occasioned by the Danes . For Sueno , the powerful King of the Danes , Swain and his three Sons . dying , left Three Kingdoms to his Three Sons ; England to Harold ; Norway to Sueno ; and Denmark to Canutus . Harold dying soon after , Canutus succeeded him in the Realm of Scotland . Swain King of Norway●ands ●ands in Scotland . Sueno , ( or Swain ) King of Norway , being Emulous of his Brothers Glory , crossed the Seas with a great Navy , and Landed in Fif● ; upon the Bruit of his coming , Machbeth was sent to Levy an Army ; Bancho , the other General , staying , in the Interim , with the King . Duncanus , or Donald , as if he had been rouzed from a fit of Sluggishness , was forced to go meet the Enemy . They fought near * * A Town standing on the Forth in Pert●shi●e . Culross , with such obstinate Courage , that as One Party was scarce able to fly ; so the Other had no heart to pursue . The Scots , who look'd upon themselves as overcome , rather by the Incommodiousness of the Place , than by the Valour of their Enemies , retreated to Perth ; and there staid with the Relicts of their conquered Forces , waiting for the Motions of the Enemy . Swain , thinking . That if he pressed eagerly on them , all Scotland would speedily be his Own , made towards Perth , with all his Forces , to besiege Duncan ; his Ships he sent about by the Tay , to meet him there : Duncan , tho' he much confided in the present Posture of Affairs , because Mackbeth was very near him with a new supply of Force ; yet , being counselled by Bancho , to piece out his Force by Stratagem , he sent Messengers , one to Mackbeth , to desire him to stop where he was ; and another to Swain , to treat about the Surrender of the Town . The Scots desired , That , upon the Surrender , They and Theirs might have Liberty to depart in safety ; Swain , supposing their Request proceeded from the very bottom of Despair , would hear of nothing but surrendring at Mercy ; upon this , he sent other Messengers , with unlimited Instructions , and a Command to delay time in making Conditions ; who , to ingratiate themselves the more , told the Norv●gians , That , whilst the Conditions of Peace were propounding and setling , their King would send abundance of Provisions into their Camp ; as knowing , That they were not over-plentiful in Victuals ; That Gift was acceptable to the Norvegians , not so much on the account of the Scots Bounty , or their own Penury , as , that , they thought it was a Sign , their Spirits were cowed out , and quite broken . Whereupon , a great deal of Bread and Wine was sent , both Wine pressed out of the Grape , and also strong Drink made of Barly-Malt , mixed with the ●uice of a Poysonous Herb , whereof abundance grows in Scotland , called , Somniferous * * The Sc●t● , by an ineb●●ating D●ink made of Night-shade , stupifie the Danes . * * The Herb Night-shade , its Description , and Properties . Night-shade . The Stalk of it is above two F●ot Long , and in its upper part spreads into Branches , the Leaves are broadish , acuminated on the outside , and faintly Green . The Berrys are great and of a Black Colour when they are ripe , which proceed out of the Stalk under the bottom of the Leaves . Their Taste is sweetish , and almost insipid . It hath a very small seed , as little as the Grains of a Fig. The Virtue of the Fruit , Root , and especially of the Seed , is Soporiferous ; and will make men mad , if they be taken in too great Quantities . With this Herb all the Provision was infected , and they that carried it , to prevent all suspition of Fraud , tasted of it before , and invited the Danes to drink huge Draughts thereof . Swain himself , in token of Good will , did the same , according to the custom of his Nation . But Duncan , knowing that the force of the Potion would reach to their very Vitals , whilst they were asleep , had in great silence admitted Mackbeth , with his Forces into the City , by a Gate which was furthest off from the Enemies Camp ; and , understanding by his Spies , that the Enemy was fast asleep and full of Wine , he sent Bancho before , who well knew all the Avenues both of that Place , and of the Enemies Camp too , with the greatest part of the Army ; placing the rest in Ambush . He , entring their Camp , and making a great Shout , Danes overthrown . found all things in a greater Posture of Negligence than he imagined , before . There were a few raised up at the Noise , who running up and down , like Mad-men , were slain as they were met ; the others were killed , sleeping . Their King , who was almost dead drunk , wanting not only Strength , but Sense also , was snatcht up by some few , who were not so much overcome with Wine as the rest , and laid like a Log , or Beast , upon an Horse , which they casually lighted on , and so carried to the Ships . There , the Case was almost as bad as in the Camp , for almost all the Seamen were slain ashore ; so that there could scarce be got together so many of them , as were sufficient to guide one Ship . Yet , by this means , the King escaped to his Country . The rest of the Ships , by stress of Weather , fell foul upon one another , and were sunk ; and by the accession of Sand and other Trash , which the Water carries , heaped up together , there was made an Hillock dangerous to Sailers , which the Vulgar call , * * Dru●i●a●-Sands , 〈…〉 North-side of the 〈…〉 . Drumilaw-Sands .

While the Scots were joyous for this Victory , obtained without Blood ; News was brought , that a Fleet of Danes rod at * * A Burgh-Ro●a● on the North 〈…〉 King●orn , which was sent by Canutus , to help Swain . The Soldiers and Passengers , Landing , did seize upon , and carry away the Goods of the Fifians , without any Resistance . Bancho was sent with Forces against them ; who , assaulting the foremost , made a great Slaughter amongst them . Another Fleet of the Danes overthrown by Bancho . These were the principal Men of the Nation , the rest were easily driven back to their Ships . Bancho is reported to have sold the burying Places for the Slain , for a great deal of Money . Their Sepulchres , they say , are yet to be seen in the Isle * * Or , Inch-Colm . Aemona .

'T is Reported , that the * * The Danes swore neve● to invade Scotland any more . Danes , having made so many unlucky Expeditions into Scotland , bound themselves by a Solemn Oath , never to return , as Enemies , thither , any more . When Matters thus prosperously succeeded with the Scots , both at home and abroad , and all things flourished in Peace , Mackbeth , who had always a Disgust at the un-active Slothfulness of his Cousin ; and thereupon had conceived a secret Hope of the Kingdom in his Mind , was further encouraged in his Ambitious Thoughts , by a Dream which he had : For one Night , when he was far distant from the King , he seemed to see Three Women , whose Beauty was more August and Surprizing than bare Womens useth to be , * * Mackbeth's Dream , encouraging him to aspire to the Kingdom . of which , one Saluted him , Thane of Angus ; another , Thane of Murray ; and a Third , King of Scotland . His Mind , which was before Sick , betwixt Hope and Desire , was mightily encouraged by this Dream , so that he contrived all possible ways , by which he might obtain the Kingdom ; in order to which , a just occasion was offered him , as he thought . Duncan begat Two Sons on the Daughter of Sibert , a petty King of Northumberland ; Malcolm , Sirnamed Cammorus , ( which is as much as Iolt-head , ) and Donaldus , Sirnamed Banus , i. e. White : Of these , he made Malcolm , scarce yet out of his Childhood , Governor of Cumberland . Mackbeth took this matter mighty Hainously ; in regard , he look'd upon it as Obstacle of Delay to him , in his obtaining the Kingdom ; for , having arrived at the Enjoyment of his other Honours , promised him by his Dream ; by this means , he thought , that either he should be secluded altogether from the Kingdom ; or else , should be much retarded in the Enjoyment thereof ; in regard the Government of Cumberland was always look'd upon , as the first step to the Kingdom of Scotland . Besides , his Mind , which was feirce enough of it self , was spurred on , by the daily Importunities of his Wife , ( who was Privy to all his Counsels . ) Whereupon , communicating the matter to his most intimate Friends , amongst whom Bancho was one , he got a fit opportunity , at Innerness , to way-lay the King , and so slew him in the Seventh year of his Reign ; and gathering a Company together , went to Scone , and under the shelter of popular Favour , made himself King . * * He thereupon sl●ys King Donald , or Duncan , ( as some call him ) and is declared King . Duncan's Children were astonished at this sudden Disaster . They saw their Father was slain , the Author of the Murder in the Throne , and Snares laid for them , to take away their Lives ; that so , by their Deaths , the Kingdom might be confirmed to Mackheth : Whereupon , they shifted up and down , and hid themselves , and thus , for a time , escaped his Fury . But perceiving , that no place could long secure them from his Rage ; and that , being of a feirce Nature , Donald's Children fly for their Lives . there was no hope of Clemency to be expected from him , they fled several ways ; Malcolm , into Cumberland ; and Donald , to the Kindred of his Father , in the Aebudae Islands .

Mackbeth , The Eighty Fifth King .

MAckbeth , to confirm the ill-gotten Kingdom to himself , procured the favour of the Nobles by great Gifts , being secure of the Kings Children because of their Age , and of his Neighbouring Princes , in regard of their mutual Animosities , and Discords . Thus having engaged the great Men , he determined to procure the favour of the Vulgar by Justice and Equity ▪ and to retain it by Severity , if nothing else would do . Whereupon , he determined with himself to punish the Free-booters or Thieves , Mackbeth severe against Thieves . who had taken courage from the Lenity of Duncan ; but , foreseeing , that this could not be done without great Tumults and much ado , he devised this Project , which was , to sow the Seeds of Discord amongst them , by some fit Men , for that purpose , that thereupon they might challenge one another ; and so , some of them might fight in equal and divided Numbers , one with another . All this was to be done on one and the same day , and that in the most remote parts of Scotland , too ; when they all met at the time appointed , they were taken by an Ambush , which he had laid for that purpose . Their Punishment strook a Terrour into the rest . Besides , he put to death the Thanes of Caithnes , Ross , Sutherland , and Narn , and some others of the Clans , by whose Fewds the Commonalty were miserably harassed , before . Afterwards , he went into the Aebudae Islands , and used severe Justice there . After his return from thence , he once or twice summoned Macgill or Macgild , the powerfullest Man in all Galway , to appear , but he refused so to do , rather out of fear for being of Malcolm's Faction , than for the guilt of the Crimes objected to him ; whereupon , he sent Forces against him , who overthrew him in Battel , and cut off his Head .

The publick Peace being thus restored , he applied his mind to make Laws , ( a thing almost wholly neglected by former Kings ) and indeed , he Enacted many good and useful ones , He makes Wholesom Laws . which now are either wholly unknown , or else lie unobserved , to the great damage of the Publick . In a word , he so managed the Government for ten years , that , if he had not obtained it by Violence , he might have been accounted inferior to none of the former Kings . But when he had so strengthned himself with the Aid and Favour of the Multitude , that he feared no Force to disturb him ; the Murder of the King ( as 't is very probable ) hurried his Mind into dangerous Precipices , so that he converted his Government , got by Treachery , into a Cruel Tyranny . He vented the first Shock of his Inhumanity upon But ▪ afterward ▪ degenerates , & causes Bancho to be treacherously slain . Bancho , who was his Companion in the Kings Parricide . Some ill Men had spread a kind of Prophecie abroad among the Vulgar , That hereafter his Posterity should enjoy the Kingdom ; whereupon , fearing lest he , being a powerful and active Man , and also of the Blood Royal , should imitate the Example proposed by himself , he courteously invited him and his Son to Supper , but , in his return , he caused him to be slain , as if a sudden Fray and Tumult had arisen . His Son Fleanchus , being not known in the dark , escaped the Ambush , and , being informed by his Friends , how his Father was treacherously slain by the King , and that his Life was also sought after , he fled secretly into Wales . Upon that Murder , so cruelly and perfidiously committed , the Nobles were afraid of themselves , insomuch , that they all departed to their own homes , and came but few of them , and those very seldom , to Court . So that the Kings Cruelty being partly discovered by some , and partly vehemently suspected by all , mutual Fear and Hatred sprung up betwixt him and the Nobility . Whereupon , seeing the matter could no longer be concealed , he broke forth into open Tyranny , and the Rich and Powerful for light , frivolous , and , many times , but pretended , Causes , were put to Death . Their Confiscated Goods helped to maintain a Band of Debauchees , which he had about him under the name of a Guard . And yet , he thought , that his Life was not sufficiently secured by them neither , so that he resolved to build a Castle on the top of the Hill * * Lying Southwest , 3 miles from Cowper in Angus . Dunsinnan , where there was a large Prospect all over the Country ; which Work proceeding but slowly on , by reason of the difficulty of Carriage of Materials thither , he commanded in all the Thanes of the whole Kingdom , and so dividing the Task amongst them , They themselves were to oversee , That the Labourers did their Duty . At that time , Mackduff was the Thane of Fife , a very powerful Man in his Country ; He , being loth to commit his Life unto the Kings hands , went not himself , but sent thither many Workmen , and some of them his intimate Friends , to press on the Work . The King , either out of a desire ( as was pretended ) to see how the Building proceeded , or else to apprehend Mackduff , ( as he himself feared ) came to view the Structure , and by chance spying a Teem of Mackduff's Oxen , not able to draw up their Load against a steep Hill , he took thence a willing occasion to vent his Passion against the Thane , saying , That he knew well enough , before , his disobedient Temper , and therefore , was resolved to punish it ; and , to make him an Example , Mackduff , ill resents Mackbeth . he threatened to lay the Yoke upon his own Neck , instead of his Oxen. Maecduff , hearing of it , commended the Care of his Family to his Wife , and , without any delay , fitted up a small Vessel , as well as the streights of Time permitted , and so passed over into Lothian , and from thence into England . The King hearing , that he intended to fly , He flies into England . made haste into Fife , with a strong Band of Men to prevent him ; but , he being departed before , the King was presently admitted into his Castle , where he poured out all his Fury upon the Thane's Wife and Children , who were there present . His Goods were confiscated , He himsel was proclaimed Traitor , and a grievous Punishment was threatened to any , who dared to converse with , or entertain , him . He exercised also great Cruelty against others , if they were either Noble or Rich , without distinction . For now the Nobility was despised by him , and he managed the Government by Domestick Counsels . In the mean time , Macduff , arriving in England , found Malcolm there , Royally Treated by King Edward . For Edward , when the Danes Power was broken in England , being recalled from Banishment , did favour Malcolm , who was brought to him by Sibert , ( his Grandfather by the Mother side ) for many Reasons , as , either , because his Father and Grandfather , And stirs up Malcolm , Duncan's Son , against him . when Governors of Cumberland , had always favoured the Concerns of his Ancestors , as much as the Times would permit them to do ; or else , because the Similitude of Events , and the remembrance of Dangers , did assimilate their Minds , for each King had been unjustly banished by Tyrants ; Or , Lastly , because the Affliction of Kings doth conciliate and move the Minds , even of the greatest strangers , to pity and favour them . Whereupon , the Thane , as soon as he had opportunity to speak with Malcolm , in a long Discourse declared to him the Necessity of his unhappy Flight , the Cruelty of Mackbeth against all ranks of Men , with the universal Hatred of the People , conceived against him ; so that he advised him , in an accurate Harangue , as he was a Son , so to endeavour the Recovery of his Fathers Kingdom , especially , seeing he could not , without incurring a great deal of Guilt , leave the Murder of his Father , to pass unrevenged ; nor , neglect the Miseries of the People , which God had committed to his Charge ; nor finally , ought He to shut his Ears , against the just Petitions of his Friends . Besides , he told him , That King Edward was so Gracious a Prince , That he would not be wanting to him , his Friend , and Suppliant ; That the People did also favour Him and hated the Tyrant ; In fine , That Gods Favour would attend the Good , against the Impious , if he were not wanting to himself . But Malc●lm , who had often before been persuaded , and solicited to return , by Messengers secretly sent to him from Mackbeth ; That he might not be ensnared , before he committed so great a Concern to Fortune , resolved to try the Faithfulness of Mackduff ; and therefore , he framed his Answer , thus , I know ( says he ) That all what thou hast said is true ; but I am afraid That you , who invite Me to undertake the Regal Government , do not throughly know my Disposition ; for those Vices , which have already destroyed many Kings , viz. Lust , and Avarice , do almost Reign , even in me , too ; and thô now , my private Fortune doth hide and disguise them , yet the Liberty of a Kingdom will let loose the Reins thereunto ; And therefore , said he , Pray , have a care , that you invite me not , rather to my Ruin , than to a Throne : When Mackduff had replyed thereto , That the Lust and Desire of many Concubines might be prevented by a lawful Marriage ; and that Avarice might be also bounded and forborn , when the fear of Penury ( as it must be upon a Throne ) is removed : Malcolm subjoyned , That he had rather now make an ingenious Confession to him , as his Friend , than to be found guilty hereafter , to the great damage of them both ; For my Self , to deal plainly with you , said he , There is no Truth nor Sincerity in me , I confide in no Body living , but I change my Designs and Counsels , upon every blast of Suspition ; and th●s , from the Inconstancy of my own Disposition , I use to make a Judgment of other Mens . Whereupon , Mackduff replyed , Avant , says he , Thou Disgrace and Prodigy of the Royal Name and Stock , worthier to be sent into the remotest Desert , than to be called to a Throne ; and , in a great Anger , he was about to fling away . Then Malcolm took him by the hand , and declared the Cause of this his Dissimulation to him , telling him , That he had been so often assaulted by the Wiles of Mackbeth , that he did not dare , lightly , to trust every body . But now he saw no Cause to suspect any Fraud in Macduff , in respect either of his Lineage , his Manners , Fame , nor Fortune .

Thus they , plighting their Faith one to another , consulted , concerning the destruction of the Tyrant , and advised their Friends of it , by secret Messages . King Edward assisted him with Ten Thousand Men , over whom Malcolm's Grandfather , by the Mothers side , was made General . * * Malcolm , by the assistance of Edward , K. of England , recovers the Kingdom from Mackbeth . At the Report of this Armies March , there was a great combustion in Scotland , and many flock'd in daily to the new King ; Mackbeth being deserted by almost all his Men , in so suddain a Revolt , not knowing what better course to take , shut up himself in the Castle of Dunsinnan , and sent his Friends into the Aebudae , and into Ireland , with Money to hire Soldiers . Malcolm understanding his Design , makes up directly towards him , the People praying for him all along as he went , and , with joyful Acclamations , wishing him good Success . His Soldiers took this as an Omen of Victory , and thereupon stuck up green Boughs in their Helmets , representing an Army Triumphing , rather than going to Fight ▪ Mackbeth being terrified at the Confidence of his Enemy , immediately fled ; and his Soldiers forsaken by their Leader , surrendred themselves up to Malcolm ; Some of our Writers do here Record many Fables , which are like * * See Note ᵃ p. 77. Milesian Tales , and fitter for the Stage , than an History ; and therefore I omit them . Mackbeth Reigned Seventeen Years . In the first Ten , he performed the Duty of a very good King ; in the last Seven , he equalled the Cruelty of the worst of Tyrants .

Malcolm , III. The Eighty Sixth King .

MALCOLM , having thus recovered his Fathers Kingdom , was Declared King at Scone , the 25 th day of April , in the Year of our Redemption , 1057. At the entrance of his Reign , he convened an Assembly of the Estates at Forsar ; where the First thing he did , was , to restore to the Children their Father's Estates , who had been put to death by Mackbeth ; He is thought by some to have been the First , that introduced * * Malcolm , First brought in Foreign Titles of Honour into Scotland . New and Foreign Names , as distinguishments of Degrees in Honour , which he borrowed from his Neighbor-Nations , and are no less Barbarous than the former were : Such as are Dukes , Marquesses , Earls , Barons , Riders or Knights . * * Mackduff , the first Earl in Scotland . Mackduff , the Thane of Fife , was the First who had the Title of Earl , conferred upon him , and many others afterwards , according to their respective Merits , were honoured with New Titles . Some write , That at that time Noblemen began to be Sirnamed by their Lands , which , I think , is false , for that Custom is not yet received amongst the Ancient Scots ; and besides , then all Scotland used their Ancient Rights and Customs , but , instead of a Sirname , after the manner of the Greeks , they added their Fathers Name to their own ; or else , adjoyned a Word taken from some Event ; or , from some Mark of Body , or Mind ; and that this Custom did then obtain amongst the Gauls , is plain , by those Royal Sirnames of Crassus , Calvus , Balbus , and also , by the Sirnames of many Noble Families in England , especially , such as followed William the Conqueror , and fixed their Habitations there . For the Custom of taking Sirnames from Lands , was received but lately amongst the other Gauls , as appears by Frossard's History , no mean Author . Mackduff had Three Requests granted to him , as a Reward for his Services . One , That his Posterity should place the King , who was to be Crowned , in the Chair of State ; Another , * * Three Grand Privileges of the Mackduff● . That they should lead the Van of the Kings Armies : And a Third , That , if any of his Family were Guilty of the unpremeditated slaughter of a Nobleman , he should pay Four and Twenty Marks of Silver , as a Fine ; if of a Plebeian , Twelve Marks : Which last Law was observed till the days of our Fathers , as long as any of that Family were in being .

Whilst these things were acted at Forfar ; They , who remained of the Faction of Mackbeth , carryed his Son , Luthlac , to Scone , ( who was Sirnamed Fatuus , from his Disposition ) ▪ and there he was Saluted King . Malcolm assaulted him in the Valley * * Called Stra● or S●rath-Bo●y , Forty Miles North of Aberdeen . Bogian , where he was * * Luthlac , Mackbeth's Son , slain by Malcolm . slain , three Months after he had Usurped the Name of King ; yet , out of respect to his Kingly Race , His , and his Fathers Bodies were buried in the Royal Sepulchres in * * Or Icolumb●●l an Isle 2 Miles from the South end of Mul. Ionia . Afterwards , he Reigned four years in Peace . Then word was brought him , that a great Troop of Robbers were Nested in Cockburn-Forest , and that they infested Lothian and Merch , to the great damage of the Husbandman . Patric Dunbar , with some Trouble , overcame them , losing Forty of his own Men in the Onset , and killing 600 of Them . Forty more of them were taken Prisoners , and hanged ▪ Patric , for this Exploit , was made Earl of Merch.

The Kingdom was now so settled , that no open Force could hurt the King , yet he was assaulted by Private * * Malcolm assaulted by private Conspiracies , which he overcomes . Conspiracies . The whole Plot was discovered to him , whereupon he sent for the Head of the Faction , and , after much familiar Discourse , he led him aside into a secret Valley , commanding his Followers to stay behind . There he upbraided him with the former Benefits bestowed on him , and declared to him the Plot he had contrived against his Life ; adding further , if Thou hast Courage enough , why dost thou not now set upon me , seeing we are both Armed , that so thou mayst obtain thy desire by Valour , not by Treachery ? He , being amazed at this sudden Discovery , fell down on his Knees , and asked Pardon of the King , who being a Merciful , as well as Valiant , Prince , easily forgave him . Matthew Paris makes mention of this Passage .

In the mean time , Edgar , to whom , next to Edward , the Crown of England belonged , being driven by contrary Winds , came into Scotland , with his whole Family . What I am to speak concerning this Person , that it may be the better understood , I shall fetch things a little higher .

* * The Story of Edmond , K. of England , and Canutus . Edmond , King of England , being slain by the Treachery of his Subjects ; Canutus , the Dane , who Reigned over Part of the Island , presently seized upon the Whole . At first , he Nobly treated Edward and Edmond , the Sons of the Deceased Edmond , when they were brought to him . Afterwards , being edged on by wicked Ambition , he , desirous to confirm the Kingdom to his Posterity , by their Destruction , sent them away privately to Valgar , Governour of Swedland , to be Murdered there . Valgar , understanding their Noble stock , and considering also their Age and Innocence , withal taking Compassion of their Condition and Fortune , sent them to Hungary to King Salomon , pretending to Canutus . That he had put them death . There they were Royally Educated and so much grateful Towardliness appeared in Edward , that Salomon culled him out of all the Young Nobles , to give him his Daughter Agatha to Wife . By her he had Edgar , Margaret , and Christian. In the mean time , Canutus dying , Hardicanute succeeded him . When he was slain , Edward was recalled from Normandy , whither he was before Banished , together with his Brother Alured ; Earl Godwyn , a powerful man , of English Blood , but who had Married the Daughter of Canutus , was sent to fetch them home . He , being desirous to transfer the Kingdom into his own Family , caused Alured to be Poysoned ; as for Edward , he was preserved , rather by Gods Providence , than by any human Counsel , and Reigned most devoutly in England . But , wanting Children , his Chief care was , to recal his Kinsman out of Hungary to undertake the Government , alleging , That when Edgar returned , he would willingly surrender up All to him ; but His Modesty out-did the Kings Piety ; for he refused to accept of the Kingdom , as long as he was alive .

At length , upon Edwards death , Harald , Godwyns Son , invaded the Throne , yet he dealt kindly with Agatha , the Hungarian , and her Children . But he being also overthrown by William the Norman ; Edgar , to avoid Williams Cruelty , resolved with his Mother and Sisters to return into Hungary ; but by a Tempest he was driven into Scotland . There he was Courteously entertained by Malcolm , who made him his Kinsman also by the Marriage of his Sister , Margaret . * * William the Norman demands Edgar , then in Scotland . William , then Reigning in England , upon every light Occasion , was very cruel against the Nobles either of English or Danish Extraction . But understanding , what was a doing in Scotland , and fearing a Tempest might arise from thence , he sent an Herald to demand Edgar , denouncing War against Scotland , unless he were surrendred up . * * Whom Malcolm refuses to Surrender . Malcolm looked upon it as a cruel and faithless Thing , to deliver up his Suppliants Guest and Kinsman ( and one , against whom his very Enemies could object no Crime ) to his Capital Enemy to be put to Death , and therefore resolved to suffer any thing , rather than so to do . And thereupon he not only detained , and harboured , Edgar , but also gave Admission to his Friends , who , in great Numbers , were Banished from their own homes , and gave them Lands to live upon ; whose Posteritys were there Propagated into many Rich and Opulent Families . Upon this Occasion , there followed a War betwixt the Scots and English , wherein Sibert , King of Northumberland favouring Edgar , joyned his Forces with the Scots . The Norman , being puff'd up with the good Success of his Affairs , made light of the Scotish War , and thinking to end it in a short time , he sent one Roger , a Nobleman of his own Country , with Forces into Northumberland . But he , being overcome and put to flight , was at last Slain by his own Men.

Then Richard , Earl of Glocester , was sent with a greater Army , but he could do but little good , * * Whereupon a War 〈…〉 . Roger , Richard , Odo , and Robert , Generals for William of England , wor●●ed in Scotland . neither ; for Patrick Dunbar , wearied him out with light Skirmishes , so that his Men could not straggle for to get in Prey ; at last , Odo , William's Brother , and Bishop of Bayon , being made Earl of Kent , came down with a much greater strength ; he made great spoil in Northumberland , and slew some , who thought to stop him from plundering ; but , as he was returning with a great Booty , Malcolm , and Sibert , set upon him , slew and took many of his Army , and recovered the Prey . When his Army was recruited , Robert , William's Son , was sent down thither , but he made no great Earnings of it neither , only he pitched his Camp at the River Tine , and he rather kept off , than made , or inferred , the War . In the mean time , he repaired Newcastle , Newcastle repaired . which was almost decayed by reason of its Antiquity . William being thus wearied with a War , more tedious than profitable , his Courage being somewhat cooled , applied himself to thoughts of Peace ; which was made on these Conditions . That in Stanmore , i. e. a Stony Heath , ( a Name imposed on it , A Peace concluded between the Scots and English . for that very Cause , ) lying between Richmond-shire and Cumberland , the Bounds of both Kingdoms should be fixed ; and in the Boundary a * * Or , Re-Cros● , on the North-side , it had the Port●aicture of the Scots King , and of the English King on the South . Cross of Stone should be Erected , which should contain the Statues , and Arms , of the Kings of Both Sides : That Cross , as long as it stood , was called , Kings Cross ; That Malcolm should enjoy Cumberland , upon the same Terms as his Ancestors had held it . Edgar was also received into William's Favour , and endowed with large Revenues ; and that he might prevent all occasion of suspition of his innovating things , he never departed from the Court . Voldiosus also , the Son of Sibert , was to have his Fathers Estate restored to him ; and besides , he was admitted into Affinity with the King , by Marrying a Neice of his , born of his Daughter .

* * Home-bred Seditions against Ma●colm que●l'd . Intestine Tumults did succeed this External Peace ; for the Men of Galway , and of the Aebudae , did Ravage and commit Murders over all their Neighbouring Parts ; and the Murray-Men , with those of Ross , Caithness , and their Allies , made a Conspiracy , and assuming their Neighbour Islanders to their Aid , gave an Omen of a greater War . Walter , the Nephew of Bancho , by his Son Fleanchus , who was before received into Favour with the King , was sent against the Galway-Men ; and Macduff , against the other Rebels ; whilst the King himself was gathering greater Forces . Walter slew the Head of that Faction , and so quell'd the common Souldiers , that the King at his Return , made him Lord Steward of all Scotland , for his Good Service .

This Magistrate was to gather in all the Kings Revenues ; also ▪ he had a Jurisdiction , such as the Sheriffs of Counties have ; The Original of the Family of the Stuarts , afterwards Kings of Scotland . and he is the same with That , which our Ancestors called a Thane . But now a days , the English Speech getting the better of our Country Language , the Thanes of Counties , are in many places , called Stewards ; and he , which was anciently called Abthane , is now the Lord High Steward of Scotland : Yet , in some few places , the Name of Thane doth yet remain . From this Walter , the Family of the Steuarts , who have so long Reigned over Scotland , took its Beginning .

But Macduff , warring in another Province , when he came to the Borders of Marr , the Marrians promised him a Sum of Money , if he would not enter into their Province ; and he , fearing the Multitude of the Enemy , did protract the time in Proposals and Terms of a pretended Peace , till the King arrived with greater Forces . When they came to the Village * * Lying on the South-side of the River Dan● in Marr ▪ Monimuss , they joined Camps ; and the King , being troubled at the bruit of the Enemies Numbers , promised to devote the Village , * * Malcolm's Vow to St. Andrew . whither he was going , to St. Andrew the Apostle , the Tutelary Saint of Scotland , if he returned Victor from that Expedition . After a few Removes , he came to the River Spey , the violentest Current in all Scotland , where he beheld a greater number of Soldiers , than , he thought , could have been levied out of those Countries , standing on the other side of the River , to hinder his Passage . Whereupon , the Standard Bearer , making an Halt , and delaying to enter the River , he snatch'd the Standard out of his Hand , and gave it to one Alexander Carron , a Knight of known Valour , whose Posterity had ever afterwards the Honour of carrying the Kings Standard , Alexander Carron , preferred and Sirnamed Scrimger . in the Wars ; and in stead of Carron , the Name of Scrimger was given him ; because he , being full of true Valour , though ignorant of the Modes and Niceties of War , had out-done One , who was a Master in handling of Arms , and who valued himself highly upon that Account . As the King was entring the River , the Mitred Priests , with their Mitres on their Heads , prevented him ; who , by his Permission , having passed over to the Enemy before , had ended the War without Blood . The Seditious quell'd . The Nobles surrendred themselves upon Quarter for Life : Those , who were the most Seditious , and and the Authors of the Rising , were Tryed , had their Goods Confiscated , and themselves Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment .

Peace being thus , by his great Industry , obtained , both at home and abroad ; he converted his pains to amend the publick Manners ; for , he lived Devoutly and Piously himself , and provoked others , by his Example , to a Modest , Just , and Sober , Life . It is thought , that he was assisted herein , by the Counsel and Monitions of his Wife , a choice Woman , and eminently Pious . She omitted no Office of Humanity towards the Poor , or the Priests ; neither did Agatha , the Mother , The Piety of Malcolm's Queen , &c. or Christiana , the Sister , come behind the Queen in any Religious Duty : For , because a Nuns Life was then accounted the great Nourisher and Maintainer of Piety , Both of them leaving the toilsome Cares of the World , shut themselves up in a Monastery appointed for Virgins . Then the King , to the Four former Bishopricks of St. Andrews , Gasgow , Whithorn , and * * Or , Mortlich . Murthlack , ( where the old Discipline , by the Bishops Sloth and Default , was either remitted , or laid quite aside ) added * * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks . That of Murray , and Caithness , procuring Men Pious , and Learned , according to the rate of those times , to fill the Sees . And whereas also * * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks . Luxury began to abound in those days , in regard many English came in , and great Commerce was had with Foreign Nations ; and also many English Exiles were entertained and scatt'red almost all over the Kingdom ; he laboured , though to little purpose , to restrain it . But he had the hardest Task of all , with the Nobles , whom he endeavoured to reclaim to the Practice of their ancient Parsimony ; for they , having once swallowed the bait of Pleasure , did not only grow worse and worse , but even ran headlong into Debauchery ; yea , they laboured to cover that foul Vice , under the false Name of Neatness , Bravery , and Gallantry . Malcolm , forseeing , that such courses would be the Ruin not only of Religion , but also of Military Discipline , did , first of all , Reform his own Family , very exactly ; afterwards , he made most severe * * Sumptuary Laws made by Malcolm . Sumptuary Laws , denouncing great Punishment against the Violators of them . Yet , by those Remedies he rather stopp'd , than cured , the Disease ; nevertheless , as long as he lived , he employed all his endeavours to work a thorough Reform therein . It is also Reported , That his Wife obtained of him , That , whereas the Nobles had gradually obtained a Priviledge , to lye , the first Night , with any Married Bride , by the Law of Eugenius ; That Custom should be altered , and the Husband have Liberty to Redeem it by paying half a Mark of Silver , which Payment is yet called * * Mar●heta Mulierum , What ? Marcheta Mulierum .

* * Malcolm builds the Cathedrals of Durham , and Dumferling . Whilst Malcolm was thus busied in reforming the publick Manners , William , King of England , dies : His Son , William Rufus , succeeded him . Peace could not long be continued between two Kings ▪ of such ●ifferent Dispositions . For the King of Scots chose that Time , to Build two Temples , or Cathedrals , in , one at Durham in England ; the other , at Dumferling in Scotland ; upon Both which Piles he bestowed great Cost , so that he endeavoured to retrieve Church-Affairs , which then began to flag and decay . And withal , he translated Turgot , Abbat of the Monks at Durham , to the Bishoprick of St. Andrews . This he did , whilst Rufus was plucking down Towns and Monasteries , and making Forests , that he might have the more room to hunt in . And when Anselme the Norman , then Arch-Bishop of Canterbury , did , with freedom , rebuke him for the same , he Banished him the Land . He also sought for an Occasion of War against the Scots ; And thereupon , he surprized the Castle of * * King William Rufus Wars against Malcolm . Alnwick in Northumberland , having slain the Garison which was therein : Malcolm , having demanded Restitution , but in vain , Besieged the Castle with a great Army : They within , being reduced to great extremity and want , talk'd of surrendring it , and desired the King to come , and receive the Keys with his own Hand ; which , as he was a doing , being tendred to him on the point of a Spear , the Soldier run him into the Eye , and killed him . And his Son * * Malcolm , and his Son Edward , slain by the English . Edward also , being forward to revenge his Fathers Death , and thereupon , more negligent of his own safety , made an unwary assault upon the Enemy , wherein he received a Wound , of which he died soon after ; The Scots , being afflicted and troubled at this double Slaughter of Two of their Kings , broke up the Siege , and returned home . Margaret did not long survive her Husband and Son , but died of Grief . The Bodies of the Kings , which , at first , were buried at Tinmouth , ( a Monastery at the mouth of Tine ) were afterwards brought back to Dumferling : Malcolm held the Kingdom Thirty and three years , being noted for no Vice , but famous to Posterity , for his great and many Virtues ; he had six Sons by his Wife Margaret , of whom Edward was slain by the English in the Siege of Alnwick Castle : Edmond and Etheldred were Banished into England , by their Uncle Donald , where they died : The other Three , Edgar , Atheldred , and David , succeeded in the Kingdom , one after another : He also had Two Daughters , the Elder Maud , Sirnamed the Good , Married Henry , King of England ; the younger , named Mary , had Eustace , Earl of * * On the River Lian , on the British Sea , We●t of Calice . Bologn , for her Husband . Several * * Prodigies , viz. The Inundation of the German-Sea , and Men-killing Thunder-bolts . Prodigies hapned in those days , and in particular , there was such a mighty and unusual an Inundation of the German Ocean , that it did not only drown the Fields and Country , and choked them up with Sand ; but also , overthrew Villages , Towns , and Castles ; And besides ▪ there were great and terrible Thunders , and more were killed with Thunderbolts , than were ever Recorded to have perished , by that Death , in Britain , before .

Donaldus VII . Sirnamed Banus , The Eighty Seventh King .

* * Donald promises the Islands to Magnus ▪ King of Norway . UPon the Death of Malcolm , Donaldus ( Banus ) i. e. The White , his Brother , who , for fear of Mackbeth , had fled into the Aebudae , was , with great facility , declared King ; for he had promised all the Islands to Magnus , King of Norwey , if , by his Assistance , he might enjoy the Kingdom of Scotland . And in this his Obtaini●g of the Kingdom , those were most assistant to him , who did falsely accuse the former King , for corrupting the Discipline of his Ancestors ; and withal , who stomached , that the Banished English should enjoy the Estates of Scots , in Scotland : Edgar , in such a suddain Mutation of things , being afraid and solicitous for his Sisters Children , which were yet but young , caused them to be transported to him , into Engl●nd . But this Piety of the Good Man was calumniated by some . For Orgarus , an Englishman , seeking to curry favour with King Rufus , accused him , that he had secretly boasted , That he and his Kindred were Lawful Heirs of the Crown . The Accuser was not able to make good his Allegation by any Witnesses ; and therefore , the Matter was adjudged to be decided by a Duel , wherein the Accuser was overcome by another Englishman , who offered him the Combate , instead of Edgar , who was now grown old , and also sickly . All good Men , who had a Veneration for the Memory of Malcolm and Margaret , hated Donald , who , by Foreign Aid , in Conjunction with those of his own Faction , had seized on the Kingdom : And he , by his Rashness , did much increase the Hatred conceived against him , and by severe Threats , which he uttered , amongst his Familiars , against the Nobles , who would not Swear Allegiance to him . And therefore they sent for Duncan , a Base-born Son of Malcolm's ; who had served long , with Credit , in the Wars under William Rufus , to oppose Donald . At his coming , many revolted from Donald ; so that he was diffident of his own State , and therefore * * Donald flies . fled into the Aebudae , about six months after he had Usurped the Throne .

Duncan , The Eighty Eighth King .

NEither did Duncan Reign long , for he , being a Military Man , and not so Skilful in the Arts of Peace , carried it more Imperiously , than a Peaceable and Civil Government required ; so that , he quickly fell into the hatred of the Major part of his Subjects . When Donaldus , who observed all his motions , heard thereof , in his Banishment , * * Duncan slain , by the procurement of Donald . he corrupted Macpendir , Earl of Mern , and , by him , caused Duncan to be slain in the night in Monteath , a year and six months after he began to Reign . As for Donald , he governed a troublesom Kingdom for about three years ; Good Men rather tolerating him , ( for want of a better ) than approving him . The English , on the one side , and the Islanders on the other , in his time , much molested Scotland . The Envy also against him was heightned , in that Magnus , King of Norwey , had seized on the Western Islands , which though he seemed to have done by Force , yet all Men smelt out the Cheat , in regard Donald did not so much as stir , at so great an Affront . And , at last , the publick Indignation waxed hotter against him , when the Vulgar understood , That it was done by a Secret Paction and Agreement betwixt him and Magnus .

Edgar , The Eighty Ninth King .

UPon those Disgusts , secret Messengers were dispatched to Edgar , Malcolm's Son . That he would come over , and be General , in order to obtain the Kingdom ; and , as soon as he appeared upon the Borders , they promised to flock in to him . And they were as good as their Words . For Edgar , being assisted with a small Force by Rufus , at the instance of Edgar his Uncle , had scarce entred Scotland , before Donald , being forsaken of his Men , fled away ; but being pursued and taken , was brought back to Edgar , who committed him to Prison , where he died , soon after . Edgar , having recovered the Kingdom , by the General Suffrage of all the Estates , First of all , he made Peace , with William , King of England , and he dying without Children , he renewed it with Henry his Brother . He gave him Maud , his Sister , to Wife , Sirnamed the Good , from her Virtuous Manners , ( as I said before . ) By her , he had William , Richard , Eufemia , and Maud. Edgar Reigned Nine Years and Six Months , in great Peace , Reverenced and Beloved by Good Men ; and so formidable to the Bad , that , in all his Reign , there were no Civil Tumults or Seditions , nor any fear of a Foreign Enemy . One Monument of his Praise , was , the Monastery of * * Edgar's Pious Reign . He builds the Monastery of Coldingham . * * Lying within two Miles of Aymouth in Mers● , near the Scotish Sea . Coldingham , Dedicated to St. Ebb the Virgin , which he built in the Seventh Year of his Reign ; though afterwards , it was transferred into the Name of Cutbert .

Alexander I. The Ninetieth King .

EDGAR dying without Issue , his Brother Alexander , Sirnamed Acer , or the Feirce , succeeded him . In the very beginning of his Reign , some Youngsters , that loved to Fish in troubled Waters , imagining , that he would be a Peaceable ( or , as they interpreted it , a Sluggish ) King , as his Brother was , Conspired to take away his Life ; that so , they might Rob and Plunder , with more Freedom . The Matter being discovered to him , he pursued the Conspirators , unto the furthest part of Ross : When they came to the River Spey , they thought to stop the Kings Pursuit , by reason of the Rapidness of the River ; and besides , the Kings Friends would not suffer him to enter the River , because the Tide coming in , Alexanders Valour . they judged it unpassable ; yet he set Spurs to his Horse ▪ and was about to pass over . The rest , lest they might seem to forsake their King , in a Danger so great , following him . But his own Men ( as I said ) drew him back , so that he sent over Part of his Army , under the Command of Alexander Carron , the Son of that Alexander , I mentioned before , whose Miraculous Boldness , in passing the River with his Forces , struck such a Terrour into the Enemy , that they presently betook themselves to their Heels . Many were Slain in the Pursuit ; their Leaders were then taken , or else , afterwards brought to the King , and were all Hanged up .

This Expedition procured him Peace , even to the End of his Life . As he was returning through Mern , a * * He doth Justice to a Poor Woman . Poor Woman met him , grievously complaining , That her Husband had been scourged with a Whip of Thongs , by the Earl of Mern's Son , because he had sued him for a Debt . The King hearing it , presently , in great Disdain , leapt from his Horse , and would not stir from the Place , till the Offender had received Condign Punishment . Then he went to * * Lying on the East-side of the Carss , or Plain , of Gowry , within two Miles of Dundee . Envergoury , or , as some write , to * * Lying in the Braes , or , Risings , of the Carss of Gowry , five Miles above Dundee . Balleggary , Edgar's Town ; some write , That the Sirname of Acer was given him , for those Exploits ; but , others say , it had a more Tragick Original , viz. That some Thieves , having corrupted one of his Bed-Chamber , were privately admitted thereinto , whilst he was asleep ; and , their suddain Rushing in awakening him , he first slew his Treacherous Servant ; and afterwards , Six of the Thieves . Whereupon , an Hubbub was raised in the Court , and the rest fled , but Alexander pursued them so fiercely , that most of them were slain . Afterwards , he turned his Thoughts to the Works of Peace ; he built Michael's Church in Scone , from the very Ground : The College of Priests , which was there , he turned into a Monastery for Monks . Being once carried by Tempest into the Isle * * Inch-Colm , or St. Columb's Isle , in the Firth of Forth , in Fife , near Aberdeen . Aemona , he was there reduced to great Want and Hunger ; for , neither he , nor his Companions , could procure any Food for some Days , but what they got from those that Lived Solitary Lives , vulgarly called Hermits . He built also a Church there , in Memory of St. Columb , supplying it with Canons , as they call them , and Lands to maintain them . He also gave great Guifts and Largesses , and settled Revenues , on St. Andrews , which was Rich enough before . He finished the Church at Dumferling , which his Father had begun , and Endowed it with Revenues .

After these Transactions , in Peace and War , when he had Reigned Seventeen Years , he departed this Life , leaving no Children by Sibyl , his Wife , Daughter of William the Norman .

David I. The Ninety First King .

HIS Brother , David , succeeded him in the Kingdom , in the Year of Christ 1124. He , seeing , that his Brothers Reigned successively , one after another , in Scotland , stayed with his Sister Maud , in England . There he Married Maud , his Niece , a Woman of great Beauty , Wealth and Nobility . For Voldiosus of Northumberland was her Father , and her Mother was Iudith , Niece to William , the Norman . On her , he begot a Son named Henry , in whom both his Father's and Mother's Disposition did presently appear . By this Marriage , his Revenues were much encreased by the Accession of Northumberland and Huntington-shire thereto . Thus , with the Universal Gratulation of his Subjects , he came into Scotland , to possess the Kingdom : 'T is true , the Memory of his Parents was of great Force to procure him the Favour of the People ; yet his own Virtue was such , that he stood in no need of any adventitious Help : For , as , in other Virtues , he equalled other good Kings ; so , in his Condescention to hear the Causes of the Poor , he was much superiour to them . As for the Complaints of the Rich , he heard them himself ; David's just Reign . and if a false Judgment had been given , he would not rescind it , but compelled the Judge himself to pay the Damages , awarded . He restrained Luxury , which then begun to spread , according to the Example of his Father . He banished Epicures , and such as studied Arts to provoke the Appetite , out of the Kingdom . He far exceeded the Beneficence of his Parents , and Allies , ( which were worthy rather of Pardon , than Praise ) in increasing the Revenues of the Church . He repaired Monasteries , whether decayed by Age , or ruined by the Wars ; and He also built New Ones from the Ground . To the Six Bishopricks before , he added Four more . * * He creates new Bishopricks . Ross , Brechin , Dunkelden , and Dunblain . He almost impoverished the succeeding King to Endow them , for he bestowed upon them a great part of the Royal Revenue . Iohannes Major , who , when I was but a Youth , was famous for his Theological Studies , having highly praised this King for his other Actions ; yet , he blames his profuse Lavishness in Endowing Monasteries in a solemn ( and , I wish , it had been an undeserved ) Oration . And I the more wonder at this immoderate Profusion of the Publick Stock and Patrimony ; because , in those very Times , St. B●rnard sharply reproves the Priests and Monks in his Invective and Severe Sermons , for their excessive Luxury and Expence ; He is censured for his Profuseness towards Monasteries . which yet , if compared with That of our Age , seems but moderate : And the Fruits , which followed these Donations , shew , That the Design was not well grounded . For , as in Bodies too Corpulent , the use of all the Members ceases ; so , the Sparks of Wit , oppressed by Luxury , did thereby languish in Abbies . The Study of Learning was extinct , Piety degenerated into Superstition , and the Seeds of all Vices sprung up in them , as in an unplowed Field . All the time of his Reign he had but one Commotion , and that was rather a Tumult , than a War . And it was quickly ended in the Slaughter of Aeneas , Earl of Murray , with a great Number of his Followers . Malcolm Mackbeth , endeavouring to raise a new Sedition , was committed Prisoner to the Castle of * * In Teviotdale . Roxburgh . Other Matters succeeded according to his desire , but yet a twofold Distress , or rather , Calamity , seized him . One , from the untimely Death of his Wife ; The Other , of his Son . As for his Wife Maud , she was a Woman of high Descent , of exquisite Beauty , and most accomplished Manners : He loved her passionately whilst she lived ; and the loss of her , in the Flower of her Age , did so affect him , That , for Twenty Years after he lived a Widower ; neither did he touch any other Woman , all that while : And yet the Greatness of his Sorrow was no hindrance to him , from managing the Publick Offices and Concerns both of Peace and War . Concerning his Son , I will speak in due place .

David thus addicted himself to the Arts of Peace ; but some troublesom Matters , in England , drew him unwillingly into a War . The Occasion , this . All the Off-spring of King Henry of England , besides his Daughter Maud , were drowned in their passage out of France into England ; which Misfortune did so grieve him , that ( it is reported ) he never laughed after . Henry of England never Laughed , after the Drowning of his Children . Maud , who only survived , and escaped , that Calamity , Married the Emperor Henry the Fourth . Her Husband dying without Children , she returned into England to her Father . He was willing to settle the Succession on her ; and in Order thereto , because she was a Widow and Childless , if he himself should die , he caused all the * * K. Henry setles the Succession on his Daughter Maud , the Empress , by causing the Nobility to Swear Fealty to her , in his Life time . Nobility to swear an Oath of Fealty to her ; and , in hopes , that she might have Children , he Married her to Geoffry Plantagenet , Earl of Anjou . Five Years after that Marriage , Robert , Duke of Normandy , and King Henry died , and Geoffry of Anjou , falling into a dangerous Disease , lay Bedrid .

In the mean time , * * Stephen , notwithstanding his Oath , seizes on the Crown of England . Stephen Earl of Bologne , in this want of Royal Issue , took heart to attempt the Crown of England : Neither did he look upon it as a Design of any great Difficulty , both by reason of the Weakness of the adverse Party , and also , because he himself had some Royal Blood running in his Veins : For he was born of a Daughter of William the Norman , which had Married the Earl of Bloys . He himself had also Married Maud , Daughter of the former Earl of Bologne , and Cousin-German to Maud the Empress , and begotten upon Mary , Sister to David , King of Scotland : * * His Pretensions for so doing . Upon the Confidence of so great Alliances , by reason of the absence of Maud the Queen , and the Sickness of Geoffry , he thought he might easily obtain the Crown of England . And to make his Way clearer , without any Conscience or Regard of his Oath , which he and th' other kindred had taken to Queen Maud , he drew in , by great Promises , the The Bishops of England not True to Maud , according to their Oaths . Bishops of England , who had also taken the same Oath , into his Unlawful design ; and , especially , William , Arch-Bishop of York , who was the first that Swore Allegiance to Queen Maud , and Roger Bishop of Salisbury , who had not only taken the Oath himself , but had also read the Words of it to the other Nobles , when they Swore .

Upon this Confidence , even before his Uncle Henry was buried , he stept into the Throne , and the Two First Years reigned peaceably enough : Whereupon , growing insolent , he began to neglect his Agreement made with the English ; and also to deal harsly with strangers . After he had compelled all the English , partly by Fear , partly by fair Promises , to take an Oath of Allegiance to him , he sent Embassadors to David , King of Scots , to put him in mind , to take the same Oath , for the Counties of Cumberland , Northumberland , and Huntingdon , which he held of him . David of Scotland maintains the Cause of Maud , his Kinswoman . He lays Perjury to Stephens's Charge . David returned Answer , That he , together with Stephen himself , and the other Nobles of England , had , not long since , bound themselves , by an Oath , to obey Maud , their Lawful Queen ; And that he ought not , nor would , acknowledge any other King , as long as she was alive : When this Answer was brought to Stephen , presently a War began . The English entred upon the adjacent Scots ; the Scots doing as much for them . The next Year , an Army of Scots , under the Conduct of the Earls of Merch , of Menteith , and of Argus , entred England , and met the English at the Town of Allerton , whose General was the Earl of Glocester . A sharp Battel was there fought with equal slaughter on both sides , as long as the Army stood to it ; at last , the

North Allerton ▪ lying near the River Swale in the North-Riding of Yorkshire .

He Fights the English , and Overthrows them .

English , being overthrown , many perished in the flight , and many of the Nobility were taken Prisoners , amongst whom was the Earl of Glocester , himself ; Stephen , being much concerned at this Overthrow , lest the Friends and Kindred of the Captive Nobles might be alienated from him , refused no Conditions of Peace . The Terms were These , That the English Prisoners should be released without Ransom : An Agreement between David and Stephen not observed . That Stephen should quit all the Claim , which , as chief Lord , he pretended to have over Cumberland . But Stephen observed those Conditions , no better than he did the Oath , formerly taken , to Maud , his Kinswoman : For , before the Armies were quite Disbanded , and the Prisoners Released , he privately surprized some Castles in Northumberland ; and , by driving away Bootys from the Scots Countrys , renewed the War . The Scots , gathering a sudden Army together out of the Neighbour Countrys , and despising the English , whom they had overthrown in Battel , the self same Year , did rashly run on to the Conflict at the River Which hath its Source near Black-Laws in Teesdale . The Scots overthrown by Stephen . Tees ; where they paid for their Folly , in undervaluing the Enemy , by receiving a great Overthrow ; and were also enforced to quit Northumberland : David , to retrieve this Loss and Ignominy , gathered as great an Army , as ever he could , together , and came to Roxburgh : Thither Turstan , or ( as William of Newberry calls him ) Trustinus , was sent , by the English , to Treat concerning a Pacification , and , there being some hope of Agreement , a Truce was made for Three Months , upon Condition , That Northumberland should be presently restored to the Scots : But this Promise , which was made by Stephen , only to have the Army Disbanded , was not performed ; so that David drove away a great Booty , out of that Part of Northumberland , which obeyed Stephen ; and Stephen , gathering a great Force together , pierced as far as Roxborough : But , understanding , That the Nobility were averse , and complained , That they were intangled in an Unjust and Unnecessary War , without performing any Memorable Exploit , he retired into the heart of his Kingdom : And , the next Year , fearing some intestine Sedition , he sent his Wife Maud to David , her Uncle , to treat of Peace . Upon her Mediation , it was accorded , That David , from Newcastle , where he commonly aboad ; and Stephen , from Durham , should send Arbitrators for composing of Matters , to the Town of Chester in the street , scituate in the Midway , equally distant , from Both Places . David sent the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews and Glasgoe ; Stephen , the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York : Both Parties were the more inclineable to Peace , because Stephen feared War from abroad , and Seditions at home ; and the Scots complained , That they were forced to bear the shock of a War , made in the behalf of another ; whereas Maud , for whose sake it was commenced , did nothing at all in it . The Peace was made on These Conditions , That Cumberland , Another Agreement between the Scots and Stephen King of England . as by Ancient Right , should be possessed by David , and that Northumberland unto the River Tees , ( as William of Newberry , the Englishman , writes ) and Huntingtonshire , should be enjoyed by Henry , Davids Son , upon the account of his Mothers Inheritance ; and , That he should do Homage to Stephen , for the same . When things were thus composed , David retired into Cumberland , and Stephen into Kent . This Peace was made in the Year of our Lord 1139. In which Year , Maud , being returned into England , sent her Son Henry , Heir of England , sent to David his Uncle , to be made Knight by him . Henry , afterward King of England , to Carlisle , to David his Great Uncle , that he might be instructed in Feats of Arms , and also be made Knight , by him ; who , without doubt was the excellentest Warrior in his time ; which Matter , in those days , was performed with a great deal of Ceremony .

At that time , there was so great a Disturbance in England , by reason of Domestique Discords , That no Part of it was free from a Civil War , but That which David the King of Scots held . And , that he alone might not plead Exemption from the publick Calamity ; within Three Years after , his Son , the only Heir ( in hope ) of so much Power and Felicity , * * King David loses his hopeful Son and Heir . dyed in the flower of his Age , leaving Three Sons , and as many Daughters behind him . He left so great a Love behind for him , both from the Scots and English ; that , besides the publick Loss , every one lamented his own private Misfortune also , at his death : For so great a Sincerity , and Moderation of Mind , shined forth in him , even in that Age , wherein Youth is accustomed to wantonize , That every body expected most rare and singular Fruits from his Disposition , when it was ripened by Age. His Fathers Grief was also further increased , by reason of the tender Age of his Nephew , and the Ambition , and restless Disposition , of Stephen , and if he dyed , he was troubled at the Fierceness of Henry's Spirit , then in the fervor of his Youth ; who , being the Son of Maud , was to succeed in the Kingdom . When the Thoughts of so many foreseen Mischiefs did assault his diseased and feeble Mind , insomuch , that all Men imagined , he would have sunk under them , yet he bore up so stoutly , that he invited some of the Prime Nobility ( who were solicitous for him , lest he should be too much afflicted , as well they might ) to Supper , and there he entertained them with a Discourse , rather like a Comforter than a Mourner , He told them . * * But ●ears his Affliction Piously and Patiently . That no new thing had hapned to him , or to his Son . That he had long since Learned from the Sermons of Learned and Holy Men ; That the World was Governed by the Providence of Almighty God ; whom it was a foolish and impious thing to endeavour to resist : That he was not ignorant , his Son was born , on no other Terms , but that he must also dye ; and so pay that Debt to Nature , which he owed even at his very Birth : And when Men were always ready to pay that Debt , 't was no great matter , when God , their Creditor , called upon them for it : That , if only Wicked Men were subject to Death , then a Man might justly grieve at the Decease of his Kindred ; but , when we see Good Men also Dye , all Christians ( said he ) ought to be throughly setled in this persuasion , That no Evil can happen to the Good , ( either alive or dead ; ) and therefore , Why should we be so much troubled at a short Separation , especially from our Kindred , who have not so much left us , as they are gone before us , to our common Country : Whither we also , thô we should live never so long , must yet at last follow ? As for my Son , if he hath undertaken this Voyage before us , that so he might visit and enjoy the Fellowship of my Parents and Brethren , those precious Men , before-hand ; if we are troubled at it , let us take heed , That we seem not rather to envy his Happiness , than to Mourn for our own Loss . As for you , Worthy Lords , as I am beholding to you for many Offices of Respect , so , both I and my Son ( for I shall undertake also for him ) are much obliged for your Loves to me , and your Grateful and Pious Memory of him .

This Greatness of Mind in the King , as it added much to his own Veneration , so it increased the Sense of the loss of his Son , in the Minds of all ; when they considered , What a Prince they and their Children were deprived of . And David , that he might make use of the only way of Consolation , which was left him , caused his Nephews , and his Sons Children , to be brought to him , and to be trained up in Court-discipline , which was then most Pious ; In Fine , he provided for their Security , as far as Human Counsel could foresee . He commended Malcolm , the eldest of the Three , to the Care of the whole Nobility , and particularly of Mackduff , Earl of Fife , a very powerful and prudent Man , and he caused him to carry him all over the Land , that so he might be received , as the undoubted Heir of the Kingdom : William , the next Son , he made Earl of Northumberland , and sent him presently to take Possession of that Country : David the Third Son , he made Earl of Huntington , in England , and of Garioch , in Scotland : He made the more haste to prefer them , because , being Sick of a mortal Disease , he foresaw , his Time could not be long in this World . He dyed in the Year of Christ 1553. the * * May 24. Ninth of the Calends of Iune . He was so well beloved , That all Men thought , they had lost rather a Father in him , yea , the best of Fathers , than a King : For , thô his whole Life was so Devout , Lying on the North-west of Aberdeneshire . as no History records the like ; ) yet , some few Years before his Death , he Devoted himself to the Preparation for his later End ; So that , his Deportment then did much increase Mens Veneration for the former part of his Life . For , thô he equalled former Kings , who were most Praise-worthy , in the Art of War , K. David's extraordinary Character , for Piety and Virtue . and excelled them in the Study of Peace : Yet now , leaving off contending with others , for Superiority in Virtue ; He maintained a Combat with himself alone , wherein he advanced so much , That if the Highest , and most Learned Wits should endeavour to give the Idea , or Pattern , of a Good King , they could never comprehend in their Thoughts , such an exemplary Prince , as David shewed himself , in his whole Life , to be : He Reigned 29 Years , 2 Months , and 3 Days .

Malcolm , IV. The Ninety Second King .

HIS Nephew Malcolm succeeded him , who , thô yet Under-age , gave great hopes of his future Ingenuity . For , he was so Educated by his Father and Grandfather , that he seemed to resemble them asmuch in the Virtues of his Mind , as in the Lineaments of his Body : In the beginning of his Reign , a great Plague raged all over Scotland , whereby great Numbers of Men , and Cattle also , were destroyed . At that time , one Somerled was Thane of Argyle , A great Pestilen●e 〈◊〉 Scotland . whose Fortune was above his Family , and his Mind above his Fortune . He , conceiving some hopes to enjoy the Kingdom , by reason of the King's Non-age , and the present Calamity , gathered a Band of his Confidents together , and invaded the adjacent Countries . Yea , the Havock he made was spoken of far and neer , and the fear of him spreading itself further , many Bad Men coming in to him , and some Good good being forced to joyn with him too , in a short time he made up a vast Army . Upon the report of this Tumult , Donald also , the Son of Malcolm Macbeth , made another Bustle ; but , being taken at Whithorn in Galway , and sent to the King , he was committed to the same Prison with his Father : But , soon after , the King was reconciled to them , Somerled rises in Arms , but is overthrown . and they were both released . Gilchrist , Earl of Angus , was sent , with an Army , against Somerled , who defeated and killed many of his Men , and caused him , with some few more , to fly into Ireland . This Victory , thus unexpectedly and suddainly obtained , produced Tranquillity at home , but Envy abroad . For Henry , King of England , an Ambitious Prince , and desirous to inlarge his own Dominions , resolved with himself to curb the growing Greatness and Power of Malcolm . But he could not well make open War upon him , out of Conscience of that Pact and Oath , which he had sworn to him . For , when he received the Military Girdle , ( as the Custom is ) from King David , Malcolm's Grandfather , at Carlisle , he promised , and took his Oath on it , ( as William of Newberry , besides our own Writers , say , ) That he would never go about , to deprive , either David himself , or any of his Posterity , of any part of those Possessions , which David then held in England . He being somewhat bound up by this Oath , Henry of England designs against Malcolm ▪ That he might find out some colour for his Calumniations , he resolved to try the Kings Patience in a lesser Matter . When Iohn , Bishop of Glascow , was Dedicating Churches , Shaving Priests , and performing the other Parts of his Episcopal Office , ( as then they were judged to be ) all over Cumberland . Henry , by Trustine , Archbishop of York , sent a new Bishop into that Country , called the Bishop of Carlisle . Iohn was so moved at the Injury , that , seeing no sufficient Safeguard , neither in the King , nor in the Law , he left his Bishoprick , and retired into the Monastery of Tours , in France . Whence he returned not , untill the Pope , at Malcolm his Request , drew him unwillingly out of his Cell , and made him return to his own Country : Malcolm bore the wrong better , than some hoped ; so that , not thinking it a sufficient Cause for a War , he went to Chester in the Street , there to quiet Suspicions , and to cut off occasions of Discord . Being arrived there , by the Fraud of Henry , he was Circumvented , And makes him take a Feodatary Oath to him . and made to take an Oath of Fidelity to him ; whereas , it was not the King himself , but his Brothers , who had Lands in England , according to an old Agreement , who were to take that Oath . But this was Craftily and Maliciously devised by the English King , to sow the Seed of Discord amongst Brethren : which the following year did more fully appear , when he cokes'd Malcolm out of Northumberland , which was his Brother William's Patrimony . For , he sent for him to London , That , according to the Examples of his Ancestors , he , in a publick Assembly , might acknowledge himself his Feudatary , for the Lands which he held in England . He , under Covert of the Publick Faith , came speedily thither , but without doing any thing of That , for which his Journey was pretended , he was inforced , against his Will , with that little Retinue , which he had , to accompany Henry into France : Henry's Design herein , was , partly , that the Scots might not attempt any thing against him in his absence ; and partly , to alienate the Mind of Lewis , King of France , He carries Malcolm into France . from him . Thus , Malcolm was compelled , for fear of a greater Mischief , to go against his old Friend , and was not suffered to come back to his own Country ; till King Henry , having made no great Earnings of the French War , returned home also . Then Malcolm obtained leave to return to Scotland ; where , in a Convention of the Nobility , he declared to them the Adventure of his Travels ; but , he found a great Part of them very much incensed , that he had joyned with a certain Enemy , against an Old and Trusty Friend ; and did not foresee the Artifices , by which Henry had gulled him . The King , on the other side , alleged , That he was haled unwillingly into France , by a King , in whose Power he was , and to whom he dared to deny nothing , at that time ; and therefore , he did not despair , but the French would be satisfied and appeased , when they understood , he was hurried thither by Force , and carried none of his Country Forces along with him . This Harangue , with much ado , quieted the Sedition for the present , which was almost ready to break out .

But Henry , who had Spies every where , knew , That the Tumult was rather suspended , than that the Minds of Men were reconciled to him ; and therefore , he Summoned Malcolm to come to a Convention at York . There he was accused of a pretended Crime , That the English had been worsted in France , principally by his means ; and therefore , it was referred to the Assembly , And at his return , despoils him of his Ancient Patrimony in England . Whether he ought not to lose all the Countries which he held in England . Though he answered all the objected Crimes , and fully cleared himself ; yet , he found all their Ears shut against him , as being prepossessed by the Fears or Favour of their King ; so that a Decree was made in Favour of Henry : Neither was he contented with this Injury , but he also suborned some Persons , fit for his purpose , to bruit it abroad , That Malcolm had freely , and of his own accord , quitted his Interest in those Countries . At which , his Subjects , the Scots , were so incensed , that at his Return home , they besieged him in Perth , and had almost taken him . But , by the Intervention of some great Men , their Anger was somewhat abated , when he had informed the Nobility , how unjustly , and fraudulently , Henry had despoiled him of his Ancient Patrimony . Whereupon , they unanimously agreed upon a * * The Scots make War upon England . War , that so he might recover by just Arms , what was unlawfully taken from him by Force . Thus a War was Decreed , Denounc'd , and Waged , not without great Inconveniencies to both Nations . At last , both Kings came to a Conference , not far from Carlisle , and after much dispute , Pro and Con , Peace concluded between the English and Scots , wherein Malcolm quits Northumberland . Henry took away Northumberland from Malcolm , leaving him Cumberland , and Huntington-shire ; Henry had no other Pretence for his Ambitious Avarice , but This , That he could not suffer so great a Diminution to be made of his Kingdom . But , seeing no respect to Justice , and Right , no Pacts , Covenants , no , nor the Religion of an Oath , could hinder the unsatiable Avarice of Henry ; Malcolm , being a Man of a low Spirit , and too desirous of Peace , upon any Conditions whatever , accepted of his Terms , sore against the Minds of the Scots Nobility ; who denied , That the King could alienate any part of his Dominions , without the General Consent of the Estates .

After this , the King began to be despised by his Subjects , as not having Fortitude , or Prudence , enough , to weild the Scepter ; neither did any thing bridle their fierce Minds , from Rising in Arms , but a greater Fear from Henry ; who ( they knew ) did aim at the Conquest of the whole Island , being encouraged thereunto , by the Simplicity of Malcolm , and by his Hopes of Foreign Aid . This General Disaffection to the King did much lessen the Reverence of his Government . A Rebellion was first begun by Angus , or rather , Aeneas , of Galway , a Potent Man , but yet more encouraged by the Kings Sloth , than his own Power . Gilchrist was sent against him ; who overthrew him in Three Fights , and compelled him to take Sanctuary in the Monastery of White-horn , A Rebellion in Galway quell'd . out of which it was not counted Lawful to pull him by Force ; and therefore , after a long Siege , being driven to the want of all Necessaries , he was forced to Capitulate : He was to lose part of his Estate for his Punishment ; and his Son was to be given , as an Hostage , for his good Behaviour for the future . But , he being of a lofty Spirit , and not able to endure this abatement of his former Greatness , turn'd Monk , shaved himself , and shut himself up in a Monastery near Edinburgh , to avoid the shame and scorn of Men. Neither was there Peace in other Parts of the Realm ; The Murray-Men under Gildominick rise in Arms. for , the Murray-Men , being always given to Mutinying , rose in Arms under Gildo , or rather Gildominick , their Captain ; and did not only spoil the circumjacent Counties ; but , when Heralds of Arms were sent from the King , they most barbarously slew them . Gilchrist was sent out against them also , with a greater Army , but with unlike Success : For the Valour of an Adversary , which is wont to be a Terrour to other Rebels , drove those wicked Persons ▪ conscious of their own Demerits , to Desperation ; and therefore , endeavouring to sell their Lives , as dear as they could , they routed the opposite Army , and became Conquerors . Malcolm , upon this overthrow , recruited his old Army , and marched into Murray , and met the Murray-Men , at the Mouth of the River Spey ; who , though they knew , that the Kings Forces were encreased , and Theirs diminished in the late Fight ; yet , being encouraged by the Opportunity of the Place , and their newly obtained Victory , they resolved to Adventure a Battel . The Fight was carried on with great Resolution , and no less Slaughter : For the Moravians gave not back , till the Kings Forces , being wearied , had new Releif from Reserves , sent them . But are suppressed . Then the Moravians were broken , and there was no more Fighting , but Killing . The Fury of the Soldiers spared no Age , nor Rank of Men. In this Fight , the old Moravians were almost all slain ; which Punishment , though Cruel , seemed not to be undeserved ; and the Greatness of the Revenge was allayed , and made excuseable , by the Savage Cruelty of that perfidious People , against others . Hereupon , new Co●onies were sent into the Lands of the slain .

Neither did * * S●merled stirs againe but is overthrown and slain . Sumerled , in this hurly burly ▪ think it fit to sit still ; he , ( as I said before ) after his overthrow , fled into Ireland ; and , from that time forward , exercised Pyracy upon the Coasts of Scotland ; but now judging , that a great Part of the Military Men being slain in Battel , he might either get a rich Booty from those who would shun the hazard of Fighting ; or else , an easie Victory from them who would stand to it ; gathered a great Band of Roysters together , and arriving at the Firth , or Bay , of the River Clyde , there made a Descent ; and Fortune , at first , favouring his Design , he penetrated , as far as Renfreu . But there , whilst he was more intent on Plunder , than on the Safety of his Men , he was surprized by a far less Number than his own , and lost all his Soldiers , he himself being saved , and brought alive to the King , for further Scorn and Punishment ; though some say , That both he and his Son too were slain in the Battel . These things were acted about the Year of Christ 1165.

The Kingdom being thus quieted from all Tumults , an Assembly of all the Estates was Indicted at Scone , where many things were Decreed for the Confirmation of the State of the Kingdom ; and , amongst the rest , the whole Assembly unanimously made it their Request to the King , That he would think of Marriage , in regard he was now fit for it , as being above Twenty Two years of Age , The Estates persuade Malcolm to Marry . and by that means , he might beget Children to succeed him . They told him , It was a publick Debt , due to the Kingdom , as well as a private One to his Family , and that he ought to mind , not only the present time , but to have a prospect to the Tranquillity of future Ages too . His Answer was , That ever since he had been capable to Order and Direct his own Life , His Negative Answer to their Request . he had Solemnly Vowed to God , to live a Continent , and a Batchelor's Life ; which Vow , said he , I think , was the more acceptable to God , both because he gave me the strength to perform it ; and also , because he hath prepared Heirs already to succeed me ; so that I am not compelled to break my Vow , neither by any Weakness of my own Spirit , nor by any other publick Necessity . Thus dismissing the Parliament , having Peace abroad , he applied his Mind to the Arts of his Forefathers , i. e. Building of Churches , and Donations on Monks , wherein he would have exceeded his Ancestors , if God had given him a longer Life . For he died not long after , on the Fifth of the * * December 9th . Ides of December , in the Twenty Fifth Year of his Age , and a little more than the Twelfth Year of his Reign , and in the Year of our Redemption 1165.

William , The Ninety Third King .

HIS Brother , William , Succeeded him ; who , entred upon the Kingdom , Fifteen Days after Malcolm's Death . He would Transact no Publick or Private Business of any weight , till he had craved of Henry of England the Restitution of Northumberland . Henry commanded him to come to London , to do him Homage , for the Counties of Cumberland and Huntingdon , according to custom ; which he did , not unwillingly ; yet desisted not from pressing to have * * William solicits Henry of England , for the restitution of Northumberland . Northumberland restored . Henry gave him an Ambiguous Answer , saying , That , in regard Northumberland was taken away from Malcolm , and given to him by the States of the Kingdom , he could not part from it without their Consent ; but he should come to the next Parliament , and there expect Iustice to be done . William , though he expected no Good from the Parliament ; yet , to cut off all occasions of Calumny from his Adversary , resolved to wait , in England , for the Convening and Opening of it ; He accompanies Henry into France . and , in the mean time , he accompanied Henry , though against his Will , to the War in France . There he profited nothing by his daily Solicitations , and foreseeing , that the King would not speedily return into England , with much ado , he obtained a Convoy , and returned into Scotland . After his Return , the first thing he did , was , to repress the Insolencies of Thieves and Robbers , by punishing and clearing the Country of the Offenders . Then , he erected Castles , and placed Garisons in convenient Places , to prevent suddain Invasions : At last , he sent Ambassadors into England , to demand Northumberland , denouncing War , in case of Refusal . Henry , being intangled in the French War , yielded up to him that Part of * * Part of N●rthumberland restored to the Scots . Northumberland , which William's great Grandfather held . William took It , but on this Condition , That he would not remit his Right in , or Claim to , the rest . The English King took this very heinously , and , being sorry , he had parted with any of Northumberland , before the Controversie was decided , he made Incursions into the Scots Borders , and thus sowed the Seeds of a new War ; and by this means , he hoped to have taken away also the other Lands , which he would have brought into dispute . When Right was claimed by the Wardens of the Marches , according to Custom , the English complained , That their Borders were molested by Scotish Robbers ; so that the Ambassadors were sent away , without obtaining the thing they came for ; yea , almost without an Answer : The Scots , to obtain that by Force , which they could not do by fair means , levied an Army , and entred upon , and wasted , the bordering Lands of the English , with Fire and Sword . This being about Harvest , the English , in the absence of their King , were content only to stand upon the Defensive , what they could ; but then levied no Army ; yet , the Winter following , some Action passed , and many Incursions were made . The next Summer , * * William enters England , with an Army . William listed a great Army , and marched into the Enemies Country ; the English , having few or no Forces ready to withstand them , send Ambassadors to their Camp , proffering a great Sum of Money for a Truce ; which , if they could obtain , they gave Hopes , that all things would be accorded , to Content . William , being a plain-Hearted Man , and willing to preserve Peace , ( if obtainable , upon reasonable Conditions ) before a War , though a just one , gave Credit to their Fallacious Promises . The English spent all the time of the Cessation , in Preparations for War ; but , in the mean time , they plied the Scots with Ambassadors , who made large Promises ; though their true Errand , was , to discover their Enemies Camp ; and finding the Scots , on Confidence of the Truce , re-miss and negligent , and the greatest Part of their Army scattered to get in Forage ; they returned and gave their Army notice , that now was a fair opportunity for Action , which they urged them not to omit ; whereupon , placing the greatest Part of their Army in Ambush , about Four Hundred nimble Horsemen , in the Third Watch , a few hours before Sun-rising , marched directly to Alnwick , where the Scots Camp was pitcht ; there , finding all things in greater Security than they expected , they set upon the King , who was riding up and down , ( with Sixty Horse only , as if there had been a setled Peace ) and before they could well be discerned , whether they were Friends or Enemies , But is overthrown , taken Prisoner by the English , and sent to Henry , then in France . ( for they disguised themselves with Scots Arms and Ensigns , that they might pass for Scots ) They took him Prisoner in the Nineth Year of his Reign ; some few were rouzed up at the hubbub , and pursued scatteringly ; divers of them rushed amongst their Enemies , as not being willing to forsake their King , and so were made Prisoners , also . William was carried to Henry , then Warring in France . The English , being elated with this unexpected Success , invaded Cumberland , thinking to carry it , without Blows . But Gilchrist , and Rolland , Two Scot● Commanders , did so entertain Them , that , being repuls'd , they made a Truce , and were content to enjoy Northumberland only , as long as the Scots King was a Prisoner , and to leave Cumberland and Huntingtonshire to the free Possession of the Scots .

In the mean time , David , the Brother of William , Earl of Huntington in England , and of Garioch in Scotland , who then fought under the English Banners , received a Convoy , and returned into Scotland ; where , having setled things for the present , he sent Embassadors into England about the Redemption of his Brother , who was then kept Prisoner at Falise , a Town in Normandy . The King gave Fifteen Hostages to the English , and surrendred up Four Castles , viz. the Castle of Roxburgh , of Berwick , of Edinburgh , and of Sterling ; and then he was permitted to return home in the Calends of * * August 1●th . February . But then he was called upon by the English , February 1st . to appear at York , with his Nobles and Bishops , on the * * K. William Ransomed and takes an Oath to K. Henry . 18th of the Calends of September . Being arrived there , he and all his Followers ( who were the Chief Nobility ) took an Oath of Obedience to King Henry , and gave up the Kingdom of Scotland into his Guardianship and Patronage . These Conditions , thô very hard , yet the Scots were willing to accept of , That so they might have the best of Kings restored to them , as the English Writers say . Thomas Walsingham of England writes , That this Surrender was not made at York , but at * * Not That Constance in Germany , but That in Normandy , now called Contances . Constance ; Yet some say , That this Interview of Both Kings , was not in order to the Surrender of the Kingdom , but for the Payment of certain pecuniary Pensions ; and , That the Castles were put into the hands of the English , as Cautionaries only , till the Money was paid . This Opinion seems to me most probable , as appears by the League renewed with Richard , Henrys Son , of which in its due place .

William , at his Return , in a few Months , by Gilchrist his General , quelled the * * Ianuary 〈…〉 Insurrections made in his absence , in Galway . Gilchrist , King Williams General . On the Fourth of the Calends of February , there was an Assembly Indicted at Norham by Tweed . Thither William came , where the English laboured extreamly , That all the Scots Bishops should acknowledge the Bishop of York , for their Metropolitan ; The Popes Legate also concurred with them , in their Desire , and earnestly pressed , That it might be so Enacted . After a long Dispute , the Scots Answered , That , at present , few of their Countrymen were there , and that they could not bind the absent to obey their Decree , if they should consent to any . Hereupon , the matter was deferred to another time ; and , shortly after , the Scots Bishops sent Agents to Rome , to justify their Cause before Alexander the Third , The Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of English Bishops . Gilchrist Kills his Wife for Adultery ▪ and flys into England . by whose Decree the Bishops of Scotland were freed from the Yoke of the English ; and so the Messengers returned , joyfully , home . Not long after , Gilchrist , whom I have often mentioned before , slew his Wife , who was the King's Sister , because she had Committed Adultery . Whereupon he was summoned to appear on a certain day , but , not coming , was Banished for ever : His Houses were Demolished , and his Goods Confiscate . About the same time , the Castle of Edinburgh was restored to the Scots ; one of the Pensions having been paid , and to make the Concord between Both Kings more firm ; a Law was made , That neither King should harbour the Enemy of each other . Upon this Law , Gilchrist , who lived Banished in England , was forced to return , and , shifting from place to place , But is Forced to return into his own Country . as a Stranger , amongst Strangers , and unknown , he passed his Miserable Life , in great Penury and Want . In the interim , William prepared for an Expedition into Murray , to suppress the Thieves of the Aebudae , whose Captain was Donald Bane , i.e. the White , who derived his Pedigree from the Kings , and had also assumed the Name of King : He made his Descent from his Ships , in many places , and spoiled not only the Maritime Parts , but , his Boldness increasing , by reason of Impunity , those Places also , which were very remote from the Sea . The King sent out Ships to sail about , Donald Bane rises in Arms , but is quelled . and burn his Fleet , whilst he with a Land Army attacqued them ; and , so doing , he put them almost all to the Sword . In his return , as he was near Perth , he found Three Countrymen , which yet seemed to be more than so , had not it been for their shabby and uncouth Habit ; who seemed to avoid meeting any Company ; but the King caused them to be brought to him , and viewing them intently , was very earnest to know , What manner of Creatures they were . Gilchrist , being the Elder of them , fell down at the King's Feet , and , making a Miserable Complaint of his Misfortunes , tells , Who he was ; upon which , the Memory of his former Life , which he had passed with so much Splendour , Distressed Gilchrist Pardon'd and Restored . did so passionately affect all that were present , That they could not chuse but fall a Weeping . Whereupon , the King commanded him to rise from the Ground , and restored him to his Former Dignity , and the same Degree of Favour , he had before .

These things fell out about the Year 1190 , at which time , Richard , who , the Year before , had succeeded Henry his Father , in the Realm of England , prepared for an Expedition into * * To the Holy War , for Recovery of Ierus●lem from the Turks . Syria . He restored the Castles to the King of Scots , and sent back the Hostages , freeing him , and his Posterity , from all Pacts , either extorted by Force , or obtained by Fraud , made with the English , and suffered him to enjoy the * * The English quit their Claim to any part of 〈◊〉 . Realm of Scotland , by the same Right , and within the same Limits , as Malcolm , or any former Kings had held it : Mathew Par●s makes mention of These Conditions ; William , on the other side , That he might not be ungrateful to Richard , upon his going to War into a strange Country , gave him 1000 Marks of Silver , and commanded David his Brother , who was Declared Earl of Huntington , to follow him into Syria . This David , in his Return from thence , had his Navy scattered by Tempest , was taken prisoner by the Aegyptians , redeem'd by the Venetians , and at last , being known at Constantinople by an English Merchant , after Four years time , he returned into Scotland , and was received with the general Gratulation of all Men , especially of his Brother . Boetius thinks , that the Town where this David was landed in Safety , before-named Alectum , was now called * * William sends David his Brother , to accompany Richard , to the Holy Land . David returns from S●●ia . Deidonum , but because the Name of Alectum is found in no Author but only in Hector Boetius ; I rather think , it was called Taodunum , a Word compounded of Tay and Dun , i. e. Dundee .

Not long after , Richard , after many Hazards and Misfortunes , * * So doth Richard . returned also from the same Voyage . William and his Brother came to congratulate him upon his Return , and gave him 2000 Marks of Silver , as a Largess , being moved thereunto , either out of Remembrance of his former Bounty to him , or on the Consideration of his present Want . Neither were ever the Scots and English more Gracious , than at that time , as many judge : There William fell very Sick , and a Rumour of his Death being noised abroad , caused new Combustions in Scotland . Harald , Earl of the Orcades , and of Caithnes , hated the Bishop of Caithnes , because ( as he alledged ) he was the Obstacle , that he could not obtain what he desired of the King ; and therefore he took him Prisoner , cut out his Tongue , and also put out his Eyes . The King , returning home , overthrew Harald in several Skirmishes , and destroyed most of his Forces : Lex Ta●●on●● executed upon one Harald Earl of the Orcades . Harald himself was taken in his Flight , and brought back to the King , who when his Eyes also were first put out , by way of Retaliation , was afterwards hanged ; his whole Male-Stock were Gelded , the rest of his Kinn , and Companions of his Wickedness , were deeply Fined . These things are thus related by Hector Boetius , and common Report confirms them ; yea , the Hill receiving its Name from Testicles , gives credit to the Relation , so that it seems truer than what others Write in this matter . These things happened in the Year of our Salvation , 1198. in which Year the King had a Son , named Alexander , Born to him ; and Richard of England dying , his Brother Iohn succeeded him .

Whereupon , the King of Scots went into England , to take his Oath to him , for the Lands which he held in England ; and in the beginning of Iohn's new Reign , his Coming was not more acceptable , than his Departure displeasing ; * * K. Iohn of England meditates a War against Scotland . because he refused to follow Iohn in his Expedition into France , against Philip his old Friend , So that , as soon as Iohn returned out of France , he sought Occasion for a War with the Scots , and began to build a Fort over against Berwick . William , having , in vain , complained of the Injurie , by his Embassadors , gathered a Company together , and demolished what was built thereof . Upon which , Armies were Levied on both sides , but when their Camps were near to one another , Peace was made , by the Intervention of the Nobles , on these * * But Matters are accommodated upon Terms between both Kingdoms . Terms That William's Two Daughters should be given in Matrimony to Iohn's Two Sons , assoon as ever they were Marriageable . A great Dowry was promised , and Caution made , That no Fort should be built , and Hostages also were given , in the case . William at his return , fell into an unexpected Danger ; The greatest Part of the Town of Berth was swept away in the Night , by an Inundation of the River Tay ; Neither was the King's Palace exempted from the Calamity , but his Son , an Infant , with his Nurse , and 14 more , were drowned , the rest hardly escaping . Many also of the Promiscuous Multitude lost their Lives . * * Berth destroyed and new Built . The King , perceiving , that the Water had overwhelmed the greatest part of the Ground , on which the City stood , and that almost every House in the Town had suffered thereby , caused a new City to be built , a little below , in a more commodious place , on the same River , and , making some small variation of the Name , called it Perth , in Memory ( as some say ) of one Perth , a Nobleman , who gave the King the Land , on which the City was built . About the same time , Makul a Criminal abstains from all manner of Food . the King took Gothered Makul , Captain of the Rebels in the North , who was betrayed to him by his own Men. When he was Prisoner , he constantly abstained from all Food , to prevent , as 't is thought , a more heavy Punishment . This was in a manner , the last memorable Fact of William's , which yet , in regard of his unweildy Age , was acted by his Captains . For he Dyed soon after , in the 74 th year of his Age , and the 49 th year of his Reign , A. D. 1643.

Not long before his Death , Leagues were renewed with Iohn King of England , almost every Year ; for he , being a Man desirous to enlarge his Dominions , thô he had War with the French abroad , with the Romanists at home , and moreover , was never on sure Terms of Peace with the Irish or Welsh ; yet , did not break off his Inclination to invade Scotland , which had then an old Man for their King , and the next Heir to him , a Child . Frequent Conferences happened on this Occasion , rather to try what might be obtained , than in hopes of any good Issue ; at length , the Matter broke out into open Suspicion ; And , after many Leagues made between Them , at last William was called to Newcastle upon Tine , Whither he came , but there , falling into a dangerous Disease , he returned without doing any thing . In fine , a little before his Death , he was invited to Norham on the Tweed , and when his Sickness would not permit him to go , his Son was desired to come in his stead , which , yet , by the Advice of the Council , was refused ; the Leagues , established in those Interviews , I shall not particularly mention , for they , almost all , contain the same things , having in them nothing New , save that in One of them it was Articled , * * Several Leagues between Iohn of England , and William of Scotland . That the Scotish Kings should not Swear , nor be Feudataries , to the Kings of England Themselves , for the English Lands they held ; but their Children , only . The Mention of these things is wholly omitted by the English Writers , also , I believe , for this very Cause .

Alexander II. The Ninety Fourth King .

WIlliam was succeeded by Alexander , his Son , begot on Emergard , who was Kinswoman to the King of England , and Daughter to the Earl of Beaumont . * * A Maritime Town in Normandy 〈◊〉 France . He was but Sixteen years of age when he began to Reign ; entring upon the Government in troublesom Times , he composed and setled things more prudently , than could be expected from one of his years . First of all , he Indicted a Publick Convention of the Estates , and therein , by a Decree he confirmed all the Acts of his Father , that good and prudent Prince . His first Expedition was into England , * * Alexander enters England with an Army . not out of any private Ambition , but to bridle the Tyranny of Iohn ; and it was then said , that he was sent for in by the Ecclesiasticks of that Kingdom . He left Norham , upon certain Conditions , when he had begun to besiege it ; and piercing further into the Kingdom , he carried it very severely against all the Royalists . Upon his Return home , Iohn invaded Scotland , quickly after . He made a mighty Devastation in Dunbar , * * Iohn enters Scotland . Hadington , and all the Neighbouring Parts of Lothian ; and , to spread the War and Ruin further , he determined to return another Way . Alexander , being very desirous to decide it by a Battel , pitcht his Tents between the Pentland Hills , and the River Eske , which way , as it was bruited , he would return ; but Iohn , to avoid fighting , marched along by the Sea , and burnt the Monastery of Coldingham , he also took and burnt Berwick , which was then but meanly fortified . As he thus marched hastily back , Alexander followed him as fast as he could , and , making great havock all over Northumberland , came as far as Richmond : But Iohn , by speedy marches having retreated into the heart of England , Alexander returned by Westmorland , and laid all waste to the very Gates of Carlisle ; The City it self he took by Force , and Fortified it . The next year , Lewis , the Son of Philip , Alexander takes Carlisle ▪ King of France , was sent for , by those who favoured the Ecclesiastical Faction , to London , that so , he , upon the Proscription of Iohn , might possess the Kingdom ; and so was King Alexander of Scotland too , who came to aid his Old Friend . But Iohn , * * King Iohn agrees with the Pope , and becomes his Feudatary . being forsaken by his Subjects , and assaulted also by Foreign Arms , upon the Payment of a great Sum of Money at present , and the Promise of a perpetual Pension ; and moreover , transferring the Right of the Kingdom of England to the Pope ; so that the Kings of England , for the future , were to be His Feudataries , was received into Favour . So that he obtained Letters from Rome by Cardinal Galo , Cardinal Galo ▪ Ava●iti●●● . a Man of known Avarice , wherein the Scots and French were , with great Threats , forbid to meddle with a People , which were Tributaries to the Holy See .

Upon this sudden Change of things , Lewis returned into France , and Alexander into Scotland ; but his return home was not so quiet , as his entrance into England was ; For the English , pressing upon the Rear of his retiring Army , took many of the Stragglers , Prisoners . And besides , Iohn had broken down all the Bridges on the Trent , and had fastned sharp Pikes , or Palisadoes , in all its Fords , removing away all Ships and Boats , so that it seemed to be so great an Impediment unto him , that he could not avoid it , but must certainly be destroyed . In the mean time , Iohn was poysoned by an English Monk at * * King Iohn Poysoned . * * Others say , at 〈◊〉 Abby near Bost●n in Lincolnshire . Newark , a Town seated on the Trent , and being carried in a Litter , died in two days . That Casualty opened the way for Al●xander's March. Then , blaming and punishing his Men for their former Carelessness , he marched on more circumspectly , but not without the great Damage of those , through whose Countrys he passed : For whatsoever could be driven away , or carried , he took with him , and so returned home with a great Booty . Galo , the Popes Legat , when he had setled Henry , the Son of Iohn , in the Throne , mulct the Nobles of England in a great Sum of Money , and then received them into Favour . And to give them some Recompence for their Loss , by the like Calamity of their Enemies ; he Excommunicates Lewis of France , * * The Scots Excommunicated . and Alexander of Scotland , in hopes to obtain some Prey from them , also . The Scots were Interdicted all Divine Offices ; for he imagined , that his Thundring Curses would prevail more amongst the simple Vulgar , than with the Kings . But at last , Peace was made between the Two Kings ; the Scots were to restore Carlisle , and the English , Berwick ; and the Ancient Bounds at * * A Stone-Cross erected in S●anmo●e in Cumberl●nd , as a Boundary between the Two Kingdoms , of England and S●otland . Kings-Cross were to be observed by them Both. Alexander and his Subjects were released from their Censures by the English Bishops , who were Authorized thereunto . Hereupon Galo was much enraged , That so great a Prey should be taken out of his Hands , so that he turned his Anger on the Bishops , and the rest of the Clergy of Scotland , as his own Peculiar , with whom Kings had nothing to do . He summoned them to appear at Alnwick , Whither when they came , the more fearful appeased his Wrath with Money ; the more resolute were Cited to Rome . But they , having also received many Letters from some of the English Bishops and Abbats , directed to the Pope , concerning the sordid Spirit of the Ambassador or Legat , made grievous Complaints against him , calling him the Firebrand of all mischief , * * Cardinal 〈◊〉 ill Character . because he studied not the Publick Good , but his own Avarice , and did chaffer for , and sell , Peace and War amongst Princes , at his own pleasure . Galo ▪ not being able to acquit himself of the Crimes laid to his charge , was Fined by the Pope in the Loss of the Money he had got ; which was to be divided amongst his Accusers . Hereupon , they returned home , loaden with large Promises , but with empty Purses . A few years after , Henry of England , being now grown Ripe both in Years and Judgment , came to York ; there he agreed with Alexander , in the presence of Pandulphus , * * Pandulphus the Popes Legat , a Witness of the Peace between the Two Kings . the Popes Legat , to take Ioan , Henry's Sister , to Wife , by whom yet , because of her untimely Death , he had no Children .

From that time , there was Peace between Both Kings as long as they lived . There he also solemnly Promised and Swore before the same Pandulphus , That he would bestow the Two Sisters of Alexander in Honourable Marriages according to their Dignity , as his Father had promised , before . But one of them returned home unmarried , one only being bestowed in Marriage . The next Year , viz. 1220 , the Cardinal of St. Giles , came into England , to fish for Money for the Holy War ; and accordingly having scraped together a great Sum , in both Kingdoms , which , by his Impostures , he had gulled Persons , 〈◊〉 credulous , of , he Luxuriously spent it in his Journy ; so that he came empty to Rome , falsely alleging , That he was robbed by Thieves in the way . Another Legat presently succeeded him ; but Men , having been twice cheated by Roman Fraud , by a Publick Decree , * * Roman Fraud . forbad him to set his foot on Land . Alexander was busied to suppress Vices at home , which sprung up by the Licentiousness of War , and he travelled over the whole Kingdom , with his Queen , to do Justice , whilest Gilespy , a Rossian , spoiled Ross , and the Neighbour Counties ; for , passing over the River Ness , he took and burnt the Town of Enverness ; He cruelly slew all those , that refused to obey him . Iohn Cumin , Earl of Buchan was sent against him , * * C●min overthrow● Gilesp● , a Free-●oo●er . who took him and his two Sons , as they were shifting up and down , and changing their Quarters , to secure themselves ; and cut off their Heads , and so sent them to the King . About this time , the Caithnesians entred by night into the Bedchamber of Adam their Bishop , and there killed a Monk , who was his usual Companion , ( for he had been , before , Abbat of Mulross ) and one of his Bedchamber ; as for the Bishop himself , they grievously wounded him , and dragging him into the Kitchen , The 〈◊〉 of the ●a●thnessmen against their Bishop punished . there they burnt him and the House he was in . The Cause of their great Cruelty , was , ( as 't is reported ) because the Bishop was more severe than in former times , in exacting his Tithes . The Offenders were diligently sought out , and most severely punished ; The Earl of Caithnes , though he were not present at the Fact , yet was somewhat suspected , but afterward being brought privately to the King in the Christmas Holy-days , which the Scots call Saturnalia , Saturnalia . he humbly begg'd Pardon of the King , and obtained it .

About this time , Alane , of Galway , the powerfullest Man in Scotland , departed this Life . He left Three Daughters behind him , of whom I shall speak hereafter . Thomas , his Bastard Son , despising their Age and Sex , sets up for himself , as Lord of the Family , and , not contented herewith , he gathers 10000 Men together , * * Thomas , the Natural Son of Alan of Galway overthrown . kills all that oppose him , and drives Booties , far and near , from all the Neighbouring-Countries . At last , the King sent an Army against him , who slew 5000 of the Rebels with their General . The same year , * * Alexander and his Queen Visit King Henry . Alexander , with his Wife , went for England , to allay the Tumults , as much as he could , raised against Henry , and to reconcile him to the Nobility . Whilest he was busie about this , at York , his Wife went with the Queen of England , a Pilgrimage to Canterbury , but at her return , she fell sick , died , and was buried at London . His Queen dies at London . Not long after her Death , the King being Childless , Married Mary , the Daughter of Ingelram , Earl of Coucy in France , in the year of Christ 1239 , by whom he had Alexander , He marries to a French Lady . who succeeded his Father in the Kingdom . Two years after , viz. in 1242 , whilst the King was hastening to England , to visit that King , newly returned from France , and refreshed himself a while at Hadington , in Lothian , with Horse-Races ; the Lodging or Inn of Patrick of Gallway , Earl of Athol , was set on Fire , wherein he , and two of his Servants , were burnt ; the Fire speading it self a great way further . It was not thought to have casually happened , because of the Noted Fewds between Patrick , and the Family of the Bizets . And though , William , the Chief of that Family , was at Forfar , above 60 Miles from Hadington , the same night , that the Fire happened , as the Queen could testify in his behalf ; yet , because the adverse Party , being the Kindred of Patrick , pleaded , That many of his Servants and Tenants were seen at Hadington at that time , William was Summoned to appear ; He came to Edinburgh at the day prefixed , but , not daring to stand to his Tryal , because of the Potency of his Adversaries , which were the Cumins's , he would have Tryed the matter in a Duel ; but That being not accepted , Biz●● offers to clear himself by a Duel . He flys to Ireland . he , and some of his Sept banished themselves into Ireland , where he left a Noble Family of his Name and House . There was also another Seditious Tumult in Argyle , Raised by Sumerled Son of the former Sumerled , but he was soon suppressed by Patrick Dunbar , and , submitting to the Kings Mercy , obtained Pardon for all his past Offences . Sumerled overthrown in Argyle . The King , not long after , fell sick , and died in the 51 Year of his Age ; the 35 of his Reign ; and of our Lord , 1249.

Alexander the III. The Ninety Fifth King .

ALexander the Third , His Son , was Crowned King at Scone , the same Year , a Child , not past Eight years Old . The Power of all things was mostly in the Faction of the Cumins's . For they turned the Publick Revenue to the Enrichment of themselves , The Cumins's 〈◊〉 the Roast in 〈◊〉 , which disgusts the opposite Faction . oppressed the Poor , and , by false Accusations , cut off some of the Nobles , who were averse to their humours and desires , and dared to speak freely of the State of the Kingdom ; and being Condemned , their Goods were Confiscated , and brought into the Kings Exchequer , from whence they ( who rather Commanded , than Obeyed , the King ) received them back again for their Private Emolument . A Convention of the Estates being held , the chief Matter in agitation , was , to pacify the King of England , lest , in such a troublesome time , he should make any Attempt upon Them ; and , to do it more easily , an Affinity was proposed . This Way seemed more commodious to the Anti-Cuminian Party , to undermine their Power , than openly to oppugn it . An Embassy to England . Whereupon , Embassadors were sent to England , who were kindly received , and munificently rewarded , by that King , who granted them all their Desires . An Interview between the Two Kings . November 24. The next Year , which was 1251 , both Kings met at York , the 8th of the Calends of * * Alexander of Scotland made Knight by the K. of England . A Contract of Marriage between Him & Margaret , Henry's Daughter . D●cember . There , on Christmas day this Alexander was made Knight by the King of England , and , the day after , the Match was concluded betwixt him and Margarite , Henrys Daughter . A Peace was also renewed betwixt them , which as long as Henry lived , was inviolably observed . And because Alexander was yet but a Child , and under Age ; it was Decreed , by the advice of his Friends , That he should consult his Father-in-Law , as a Guardian , in all Matters of Weight : Some of the Prime men , being accused by Virtue of this Decree , secretly withdrew themselves . When the King returned home , Robert , Abbat of Dumferling , Chancellor of the Kingdom , was accused , because he had Legitimated the Wife of Alane Durward , who was but the Natural , or Base-born , Daughter of Alexander the Second , That so , if the King dyed without Issue , she might come in , as Heiress Upon this Fear , the Chancellor , as soon as ever he returned home , surrendred up the Seal to the Nobles . The Chancel●o● of Scotland 〈◊〉 . Gam●lin , afterwards Bishop of St. Andrews , succeeded him in his Office .

The Three next Years , they , who were the Kings Council , did , almost every one of them , carry themselves , as Kings ; whatever they catched , was their own ; so that the poor Commonalty was left destitute , and miserably oppressed . The King of England , being made acquainted therewith , out of his paternal Affection to his Son in Law , came to Werk-Castle , scituate on the Borders of Scotland , * * Work Castle standing 〈…〉 above 〈…〉 side . and sent for his Son in Law Alexander , and his Nobles , thither . There , by his Advice , many advantageous Alterations were made , especially of those Magistrates , by whose Defaults , Insurrections had been made at home : And also many profitable Statutes were Enacted , for the Future . The King returned to Scotland with his Wife ; and having an English Guard to convey him home , he resolved to dwel in the Castle of Edinburgh . Walter Cumins Earl of Monteath kept the Castle , who was disaffected because of the Change of the Publick State , made by the King of England ; yet , he was compelled to surrender it , by Patrick Dunbar , with the Assistance of the English Forces . The greatest Part of the Nobility , and of the Ecclesiasticks , were offended , in regard their Power was somewhat abridged , by those New Statutes , which they looked upon as a Yoke imposed upon them by the English , and a Beginning of their Servitude : Yea , they proceeded to that height of Contumacy , that , A Sedition of the Nobles against Alexander . being Summoned to give a Legal Account of their Management of Affairs in former times , they made light of the Summons ; The same Persons , who were the Principal Actors in disturbing things before , were now the Chief Incouragers to Disobedience . They were generally the Clans of the Cumins's , Walter Earl of Monteath ; Alexander , Earl of Buchan ; Iohn Earl of Athol ; William Earl of Marr , and other Considerable Men of the same Faction . They dared not to put their Cause on a Legal Tryal , as being conscious to themselves of the many Wrongs done to the Poor , and meaner Sort , yea , to the King himself , and therefore they resolved to out-face Justice , by their Impudent Audacity . For being informed , That the King was but lightly Guarded , and lived securely at Kinross , as in a time of Peace , They immediately gathered a Band of their Vassals about them , Seized him as he was asleep , and carried him to Sterling ; and , as if there were no Force in the Case , but they had been rightfully Elected , they discharged and expelled his Servants , took New , and managed all things at their own Will and Pleasure ; so that now , the Terror and Consternation was turned upon the Former Counsellors .

But this Sedition was allay'd by the Death of Walter Cumins , who was Poysoned , as it is thought , by his Wife , an English Woman ; The Suspicion thereof was encreased on her , because , tho' she were Wooed by many Nobles , yet she Married Iohn Russel her Gallant , a Young English Spark ; She was accused of Witchcraft too and cast into Prison , but she bought out her Liberty . Russel and his Wife obtained Letters from the Pope , permitting them to commence an Action of the Case against their Adversaries , for the Wrong done them , before the Popes Legate . But it was to no purpose , An Ancient Privilege of the Scots , not to be cite● to R●me . because the Scots urged an Ancient Privilege , exempting them from going out of the Kingdom , when they were to plead their Causes .

When the King was of Age , upon the humble Petition of the Cumins's , he Pardoned , them as if all their offences had been expiated by the Death of Walter . He was induced so to do , ( as some say ) by reason of the Greatness of their Family ; and also , because he feared Foreign Wars , when Matters were so unsetled at home : But that War began not so soon , as Men thought it would .

August 1. In the Year of Christ 1263. in the Calends of * * Acho King of Norwey , lands with an Army in Scotland . August , Acho , King of Norwey , with a Fleet of 160 Sail , came to Air , a Maritime Town of Coil , where he Landed 20000 Men. The Cause of the War , as he pretended , was , that some Islands , which were promised to his Ancestors by Mackbeth , were not yet put into his Hands , viz. Bote , Aran , and both the Cumbras's , which were never reckoned amongst the Aebudae . But it was enough for him , who sought a pretence for a War , that they were called Islands . Acho took two of the greatest of them , and reduced their Castles , before he could meet with any Opposition ; being lifted up by this success , he makes a descent into Cuningham , the next Continent , over against Bote , in that part of it which they call the * * A Town in Cuningham , standing on the Clyde . But is overthrown by Alexander Stuart . Largs . There he met with Two Misfortunes , almost at one and the same : First , he was overcome in Fight by Alexander Stuart , the Great Grandfather of him , who , first of that Name , was King of Scotland ; and being almost taken by the Multitude of his Enemies , he hardly escaped in great Fear , to his Ships . The other was , That his Ships , being tossed in a mighty Tempest , hardly carried him , with a few of his followers , who escaped , into the Orcades . There were slain in that Battel , Sixteen Thousand of the Norwegians , and Five Thousand of the Scots ; some Writers say , that King Alexander himself was in this Fight : Yet , they also make Honourable mention of the Name of this Alexander Stuart . Acho , died of Grief , for the Loss of his Army , and of his Kinsman too , a Valiant Youth , And dies of Grief . whose Name is not mentioned by Writers .

His Son Magnus , who was lately come to him , perceiving Things in a desperater Posture , than he ever thought they would be brought to ; especially , having no hopes of Recruit from home , before the Spring ; and also , finding the Minds of the Islanders alienated from him , and that he was forsaken of the Scots too , in Confidence of whose Aid , his Father had undertaken that War ; these things considered , he easily inclined to Terms of Peace : The Spirit of the young Man was quailed , both by the unlucky Fight ; and also , by his Fear of the Islanders . For Alexander had then recovered , by sending about some Ships , the Isle of Man , situate almost in the midst between Scotland and Ireland , Isle of Man recovered by the Scots . upon these Conditions , That the King thereof should send in Ten Gallies to the Scots , as oft as there was occasion ; and that the Scots should defend him from a Foreign Enemy . When Magnus saw , That the rest of the Islands inclined to follow the Example of the Manks-Men ; he sent Ambassadors to treat of Peace , which Alexander refused to make , unless the Aebudae were restored ; at last , by the diligence of the Commissioners , it was agreed , that the Scots should have the Aebudae ; * * Magnus , Acho's Son , makes Peace with Alexander . for which , at present , they were to pay 1000 Marks of Silver , and 100 Marks an Year . And moreover , That Margarite , Alexanders Daughter , being then but Four years old , should Marry Hangonan , the Son of Magnus , assoon as she was fit for Marriage .

About this time , the King of England , being infested with Civil War , had Five Thousand Scots sent him for his Assistance , under the Command of R●bert Bruce , and Alexander Cumins , whom the English Writers call Iohn , * * the greatest part of them were slain in Fight ; and Cumins , with the Engl●sh King himself , and his Son , and a great part of the English Nobility , of the Kings Party , were taken Prisoners .

Moreover , the Scots King was much troubled at the Arrogance of the Priests and Monks in his Kingdom ; who , being enriched by former Kings , began to grow wanton in a continued Peace : Yea , they endeavoured to be equal , if not superior , to the Nobility , whom they excelled in Wealth . The young Nobility , repining at it , and taking it in great disdain , used them coursly ; whereupon ▪ complaints were made , by them , to the King ; who , imagining , either that their Wrongs were not so great , as they represented them ; or else , that they suffered them deservedly , neglected their pretended Grievances ; whereupon they Excommunicated All , but the King , * * and in great Wrath , determined to go to Rome . But the King , remembring , what great Commotions , Thomas Becket , the prime promoter of Ecclesiastical Ambition , had lately made in England , called them back from their Journy , and caused the Nobility to satisfie , not only their Avarice , but even their Arrogance , too : And indeed , they were the more inclinable to an Accord with the King , because he had lately undertaken the Patronage of the Ecclesiastical Orders , against the Avarice of the Romanists : For a little before , Ottobon , the Popes Legate , was come into England , to appease the Civil Discords , but not being able to effect the thing he came for , he omitted the publick Care , and studied his own private Gain and Lucre ; he Indicted an Ecclesiastical Assembly of the English , * * Ottobon the Popes Leg●●e . Procters from Scotland being also called thereunto ; in the mean time , he endeavoured to exact Four Marks of Silver , from every Parish in Scotland , and Six from all Cathedrals , for the Expence of Procurations . This Contribution , or Tax , was scarce refused , when News was brought , That another Legate was arrived in England , intending also for Scotland , on pretence to gather up Money , for the Holy War ; and besides that procurable by Indulgences , and other Lime-Twigs , Another Legate , 〈◊〉 Rome . to catch Money , he endeavoured to wrest from all Bishops , Abbats , and Parish Priests ( as judging them to be immediately under Papal Jurisdiction ) the Tenth part of their yearly Revenues ; that so , Edward and Edmond , Sons to the King of England , might go more Nobly and Numerously attended to the War in Syria . The Scots judged this Tax to be very grievous and unjust , especially , because the English seemed to be so forward to have it granted , as if Scotland were not sui Iuris , or , an absolute Kingdom , but Dependent on England . Moreover , they were afraid , lest the Legat should riotously mispend the Money , designed for the War , as was done some Years before ; whereupon , they forbad him to enter their Borders , but sent him Word , That they themselves , without his Presence , would gather Money for , and send Souldiers to ▪ the Syrian War ; and indeed , they sent Souldiers , under the Command of the Earls of Carick and Athol , Two of the Chief Nobility , to L●wis King of Fran●e ▪ and to the Pope , lest he might think himself altogether disesteemed , they sent 1000 Marks of Silver .

The Year after , Henry , King of England , died , and his Son Edward the First succeeded him ; at whose Coronation , Alexander and his Wife were present ; she returning , died soon after ; yea , David the Kings Son , and also Alexander , being newly Married to the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders , followed her a little time after , by their continued Funerals ; Margarite also , the Kings Daughter departed this Life ; who left a Daughter behind her , begot by Hangonanus , King of Norwey . Alexander being thus , in a few years , deprived both of his Wife and Children too , * * A Town in France . took to Wife Ioleta , the Daughter of the Earl of * * A Borough over against Leith in Lothian . Dreux ; and within a Year , he fell from his Horse , and broke his Neck , not far from Kinghorn in the Year of our Lord 1285. and the Fourteenth of the * * March the 19th . Calends of April , he lived Forty Five years , and Reigned Thirty Seven .

He was more missed , than any King of Scotland had been before him , not so much for the eminent Virtues of his Mind , and the Accomplishments of his Body ; as , that People foresaw , what great Calamities would befal the Kingdom , Alexanders Death , and Commendable Character . upon his Decease . Those wholsome Laws , which he made are antiquated by the Negligence of Men , and the Length of Time , and their Utility is rather celebrated by Report , than experienced by Trial. He divided the Kingdom into Four Parts , and , almost every year , he Travelled them all over , staying well near Three Months in each of them , to do Justice ; and to hear the complaints of the Poor , who had free Access to him , all that time . Assoon as he went to an Assize or Sessions , he Commanded the Prefect , or Sheriff , of that Precinct , to meet him with a select number of Men , and also to accompany him at his departure to the end of his Bailywick , till the next Precinct , where he was Guarded by another like Company . By this means , he became acquainted with all the Nobility , and was as well known to them ; and the People , as he went , were not burthen'd with a Troop of Courtiers , who are commonly Imperious , and given to Avarice , where they come . Idle Persons punished . He commanded the Magistrates to punish all Idle Persons , who followed no Trade , nor had any Estates to maintain them ; for his Opinion was , That Idleness was the Source and Fountain of all Wickedness . He reduced the Horse-Train of the Nobles , when they travelled , to a certain number ; because , he thought , that the Multitude of Horses , which were unfit for War , would spend too much Provision . And whereas , by reason of Unskilfulness in Navigation ; or else , by Mens Avarice , in committing themselves rashly to Sea , many Shipwracks had happened ; and , the Violence of Pyrates making an Accession thereto , the Company of Merchants were almost undone , he commanded they should Traffick no more by Sea . That Order lasted about an Year ; but being accounted by many , of a publick Prejudice , at length , so great a Quantity of Foreign Commodities were imported , that , in Scotland , they were never in the Memory of Man , more , or less cheap : In this Case , that he might study the good of the Merchants-Company , he forbad , that any but Merchants should buy what was imported , by whole Sale ; but what every Man wanted , he was to buy it at second Hand , or by Retail , from them .

The Eighth BOOK .

ALEXANDER , and his whole Lineage ( besides one 〈◊〉 by his Daughter ) being extinct , a Convention of the Estates was held at Scone , to Treat about Creating a new King , and setling the State of the Kingdom ; whither , when most of the Nobility were come , in the first place they appointed Vicegerents , to govern Matters at present ; so dividing the Provinces , That Duncan Mackduff , should preside over Fife , of which he was Earl ; Iohn Cumins , Earl of Buchan , over Buchan ; William Frazer , Archbishop of St. Andrews , over that Part of the Kingdom , which lay Northward . And that Robert Bishop of Glascow , Another Iohn Cumins , and Iohn Stuart , should Govern the Southern Countries ; and that the Boundary in the midst , Edward of England , desires Margarite of Norway , Heiress of Scotland , as a Wife for his Son , which is yielded to . should be the River Forth . Edward King of England , knowing , that his Sisters 〈◊〉 Daughter of the King of Norway , was the only surviving Person of all the Posterity of Alexander ; and that She was the Lawful Heiress of the Kingdom of Scotland , sent Ambassadors into Scotland , to desire Her , as a Wife for his Son .

The Embassadors , in the Session , discoursed much of the publick Utility , like to accrue to both Kingdoms , by this Marriage ; neither did they find the Scots averse therefrom . For Edward was a Man of great Courage , and Power , yet he desired to increase it ; and his Valour highly appeared in the Holy War , in his Fathers Life time , and , after his Death , in his subduing of Wales ; neither were there ever more Endearments passed betwixt the Scots and the English , than under the last Kings ; Yea , the Ancient Hatred seemed no way more likely to be abolished , than if both Nations , on Just and Equal Terms , might be united into One.

For these Reasons , the Marriage was easily assented to ; other Conditions were also added , by the consent of both Parties ; as , That the Scots should use their own Laws and Magistrates , until Children were begot out of that Marriage , which might Govern the Kingdom ; or , if no such were begot , or being born , if they dyed , before they came to the Crown ; then the Kingdom of Scotland was to pass to the next Kinsman of the Blood-Royal . Matters being thus setled , Embassadors were sent into Norway . Michael , or as others call him , David ▪ Weems , and Michael Scot , Two eminent Knights of Fife , and much Famed for their Prudence in those days . But Margarite , But She dyes before their Marriage . ( for that was the Name of the young Princess ) dyed before they came thither , so that they returned home in a sorrowful posture , without their errand .

By reason of the untimely death of this young Lady , a Controversie arose concerning the Kingdom , which mightily shook England , but almost quite ruined Scotland . The Competitors were Men of great Power , Iohn Baliol , and Robert Bruce , of which Baliol had Lands in France ; Bruce in England , but Both of them , great Possessions and Allies in Scotland . But before I enter upon their Disputes , that all things may be more clear to the Reader , I must fetch them down a little higher .

The Three last Kings of Scotland , William , and the Two Alexanders , The Second and the Third , and their whole Off-spring being extinct , Contests for the Crown of Scotland . there remained none who could lawfully claim the Kingdom , but the Posterity of David , Earl of Huntington . This David was Brother to King William , and Great Uncle to Alexander the Third . He Married Maud in England , Daughter to the Earl of Chester , by whom he had Three Daughters . The Eldest , Named Margarite , Married Alan of Galway , a Man very powerful amongst the Scots . The Second was matched to Robert Bruce , Sirnamed the Noble , of High English Descent , and of a large Estate ; The Third was Married to Henry Hastings , an Englishman also , whose Posterity do deservedly enjoy the Earldom of Huntington , at this day . But to let him pass , ( because he never put in for the Kingdom ) I shall confine my Discourse to the Stock , Cause , and Ancestry of Baliol and Bruce , only . Whilst William was King of Scotland * * The Original of the Controversie between the Baliols , and the Bruces , in Scotland . Fergus , Prince of Galway , left Two Sons , Gilbert and Ethred ; William , to prevent the Seeds of Discord betwixt the Two Brothers , divided their Fathers Inheritance equally betwixt them ; Gilbert , the Eldest , took this highly amiss , and thereupon , conceived an Hatred against his Brother , as his Rival , and against the King too , for his unequal Distribution . Thereupon , when the King was Prisoner in England , being then freed from fear of the Law , he discovered his long-concealed Hatred against them both : As for his Brother , he took him unawares , pulled out his Eyes , cut out his Tongue , and so , ( not content with a single Death ) he put him to grievous and excessive Tortures , before he dyed ; and he himself joyned with the English , and preyed upon his Neighbors and Country-men , as if they had been in an Enemies Country , The Story of the Discords between Fergus of Galway his Children , after his Decease . for he wasted all with Fire and Sword . And , except Rolland , the Son of Ethred , had gathered a Band of Countrymen , who remained firm to the King , together , to resist his Attempts , he had either wasted the neighbour Countries ; or drawn them all over to his Party . This Rolland was a forward young Man , of great Abilities both of Body and Mind , he not only abated the Fury of his Uncle , but many times fought valiantly , and sometimes successfully , with the English , as he met them , whilst he repressed their Plunderings ; or , as he himself spoiled their Lands . At last , when the King was restored , Gilbert , by the Mediation of his Friends , got a Pardon , upon promise of a sum of Money for the Wrongs he had done , Rolland's Valou● and Genealogy . and giving Pledges to that purpose ; But Gilbert dying a few days after , those who were accustomed to Blood and Prey under him , and who had given up themselves into the Protection of the King of England , either out of the Inconstancy of their Dispositions ; or , for fear of Punishment , being stirr'd on by Gripes from an accusing Conscience for what they had formerly done , took up Arms again , under the Command of Gilpatrick , Henry Kennedy , and Samuel ; who , before , had been the Assistors and Companions to Gilbert , in his Wickedness ▪ Rolland was sent with an Army against them , and after a great Fight he slew their chief Leaders , and a great Part of the common Soldiers . They , who escaped , fled to one Gilcolumb , a Captain of the Freebooters and Robbers , who had made a great spoil in Lothian , and much endamaged the Nobles and Richer sort , of whom also he killed some . Thence , marching into Galway , he undertook Gilbert's Cause , when all others looked upon it , as desperate . He not only claimed his Lands , as his Own , but carried himself as the Lord of all Galway . At last , October 1. Rolland fought with him in the Calends of October , about Three Months after Gilbert's Forces were defeated , and slew him , with the greatest part of his Army , with very little loss of his own side ; amongst the slain , there was found his own Brother , a stout young Man .

The English , being troubled at the overthrow of these Men , who had put themselves under their Protection , the Year before , march'd with an Army to Carlisle ; thither also came Rolland ▪ being Reconciled to the King of England , by the Mediation of William , where he refuted the Calumnies of his Enemies , and shewed , That he had done nothing Maliciously or Causelesly , against his own and the Publicks Enemy , upon which he was honourably dismissed by the King . William also returned home , and , calling to Mind the Constancy of his Father Ethred , and how many Noble Exploits he had performed for the Good of the Publick , he gave him all Galway : And besides , he bestowed Carrick on the Son of Gilbert , though his Father had not deserved so well of him . William of Newberry , the English Writer , Records these things , as done Anno 1183. Rolland took to Wife , the Sister of William Morvill , who was * * Com● Stabu●● ▪ Lord High Constable in Scotland , who dying without Issue , Rolland enjoyed that Office , as Hereditary to him and his Family . He had a Son called Alan ; who , for his Assistance , afforded to Iohn , King of England , in his Irish War , was rewarded by him with large Possessions ; on which accompt , by the permission of William of Scotland , he was a Feudatary to the English King , and swore Fealty to him : This Alan took to Wife Margarite , the Eldest Daughter of David , Earl of Huntington . By her , he had Three Daughters , the Eldest , Dornadilla , he Married to Iohn Baliol , who was King of Scotland ( for some years . ) But Robert Bruce , Married Isabella , Davids Second Daughter , he came to be Earl of Carrick , upon this Occasion : Martha , Countess of Carrick , being Marriageable , and the only Heiress of her Father , Martha , Countess of Carrick , falls in Love with Robert Bruce . who died in the Holy War , as she was a Hunting , cast her Eye on Robert Bruce , the Beautifullest Young Man of all her Train ; whereupon , she Courteously invited him , and in a manner , compelled him into her Castle , which was near at Hand . Being come thither , his Age , Beauty , Kindred , and Manners , easily procuring mutual Love , they were quickly Married , in a private way . When the King was informed thereof , he was much offended with them Both , because the Right of bestowing the Lady in Marriage , lay in him ; yet , by the Mediation of Friends , he was afterwards Reconciled to them . Out of this Marriage , Robert Bruce was Born ; who afterwards , was King of Scotland .

Thus having enlarged my self in this Prologue , I come now to the Matter in Hand , and to the Competitors of the Kingdom : They were , Dornadilla , the Grand-child of David of Huntingdon , by his Eldest Daughter ; and Robert Bruce , Earl of Carrick , Grand-son of the said David , by his youngest Daughter . Dornadilla's Pretensions were grounded on the Custom of the Country ; whereby , he , or she , that was nearer in Degree , The several Pretensions of the Competitors to the Crown . had a better Right : Robert Bruce insisted on the Sex ; that , in a like degree of Propinquity , Males ought to be preferred before Females ; so that he denied it to be just , that as long as a Grand-son was alive , a Grand-daughter should inherit her Ancestors Estate . And though sometimes the contrary may be practised in the Inheritances of private Men ; yet , the matter is far otherwise in those Estates , which are called Feuds , and in the Succession of Kingdoms . And of this , there was urged a late Example in the Controversie , concerning the Dutchess of Burgundy ; which , the Earl of Nevers , who Married the Grand-child of the last Duke , by his Eldest Son , Claimed ; yet , the Inheritance was adjudged to the Son of the Duke's younger Brother ; so that Robert contended , That he was nearer in Degree , as being a Grand-son , than Iohn Baliol , who was but a Great Grand-son : As for Dornadilla , with whom he stood in equal Degree ; yet , he was to be preferred before her , as a Male before a Female .

Which difference could not be decided by the Scots . The Scots Nobles could not decide this Controversie at home ; for , by reason of the Power of both Parties , the Land was divided into Two Factions . For Baliol , by his Mother , held all Galway , a very large Country ; and besides , he was allied to the Cumin's Family , which was the most Powerful , next the Kings ; for Mary , the Sister of Dornadilla , had Married Iohn Cumins . Robert , on the other side , in England , possessed Cleveland ; in Scotland , Annandale , and Garioch ; and by his Son , Earl of Carrick , ( who was afterwards King ) was related to many Noble Families , and he was also very Gracious with his own People ; so that for these Reasons , the Controversie was not able to be decided at home ; yea , if it should have been equitably determined , yet , there was not a sufficient Party in Scotland to compel both sides to stand to the Award ; But was referred to the Umpirage of Edward of England . and therefore Edward of England , was , almost , unanimously chosen to be the Decider thereof . Neither was there any doubt made of his Fidelity , as being Born of such a Father , as the late King of Scotland had Experienced to be , both a Loving Father in Law , to him , and a just Guardian , too ; and on the contrary the English King had received a late and memorable Testimony of the Scots Good-Will towards him , in that they so readily consented to the Marriage of his Son with their Queen .

Whereupon , Edward , as soon as he came to Berwick , sent Letters to the Peers and Governors of Scotland , to come to him , protesting , That he Summoned them to appear before him , not as Subjects before their Lord or Supreme Magistrate , but as Friends before an Arbitrator , chosen by themselves . First of all , he required an Oath of the Competitors , to stand to his Award ; in the next place , he required the same Oath of the Nobles and Commissioners to obey Him , as King , whom he , upon his Oath , should declare so to be ; and for this , he desired a publick Scrol , or Record , signed by all the States , and each ones Seal affixed thereto , to be given to him . This being done , he chose , of the most prudent of all the Estates , 12 English , and adjoyned 12 Scots to them , from them also he exacted an Oath , to Judge Rightly and Truly , according to their Consciences , in the Case . These things were managed openly and above board , which , in appearance , were honest and taking with the People , but his private Design was secretly agitated amongst a few , only ; how he might bring Scotland under his Subjection ; The Thing was thought feasable enough , in regard the Kingdom was divided into Two Factions , but to make the Way more Intricate , and the Fraud more Covert , he raised up Three other Competitors , besides Bruce and Baliol , that , out of so great a Number , he might more easily bring over One , or More , to his Party .

And , lest so great a Matter might seem to be determined unadvisedly , he consulted with Those , who were most eminent in France , for Piety , Prudence , and the Knowledge of the Law . Neither did he doubt , but that ( as that sort of Men are never always of One Opinion ) he should fish something out of their Answers , which might make for his purpose ; The New Competitors , seeing no Grounds for their Pretensions , of their own accord quickly desisted ; but to the Lawyers , whom he Governed and Influenced , as he pleased , a false , or made , Case was Stated and Propounded , Thus , A certain King , that was never wont to be Crowned , nor Anointed , * * The 〈◊〉 Case as p●opounded to Lawyers by K. Edward . but only to be placed in a kind of Seat , and declared King by his Subjects , yet not a King so free , but that he was under the Patronage of another King , whose Homage or Beneficiary he professed himself to be ; Such a King died without Children : Two of his Kinsmen begat by Sempronius , Great Vncle of the deceased King , claim the Inheritance , to wit , Titius , Great Grand-son by the Eldest Daughter of Sempronius , and Seius , Grand-son by his Younger Daughter ; now Which of These is to be preferred , in ●n undividable Estate ? The Case being propounded well near , in those very Words , They all Generally answered , That , if any Law or Custom did obtain in the Kingdom , which was sued for , they were to be Guided by , and stand to it ; if not , then they must be Guided by him , under whose Patronage they were , because , in Judging of Freehold , Custom doth not ascend , i. e. The usage and award of the Superior , is to be a Law to the Inferiour , but not on the contrary . It would be too prolix a Task , to reckon up particularly all the Opinions , but , in brief , The Lawyers differ in their Opinions about it . almost all of them answered very doubtfully and uncertainly , as to the Right of the Competitors ; but , as the Case was falsely put , they all gave the Supreme Power of Judgment in the Controversie , to Edward . Hereby , the Matter was made more intricate and involved , than before ; so that , the next Year , they met again at Norham . There , Edward , by Agents , fit for his purpose , gently tried the Minds of the Scots , Whether they would willingly put Themselves under the Power and Jurisdiction of the English , which ( as was alleged ) their Ancestors had often done : But , when they all unanimously refused so to do , he called to him the Competitors , whom he himself had set up ; and , by great Promises , extorted from them , to Swear Homage to him ; and he persuades the rest , to remove the Assembly to Berwick , as a more convenient Place . There he shut up the 24 Judges , Elected as before , in a Church , without any Body else amongst them , commanding them to give their Judgments in the Case , and till they did so , no Man was to have Access to them . But they , being slow in their Proceedings , he , ever and anon , went in alone to them , and by discoursing sometimes One , and sometimes Another , finding that most were of Opinion , That the Right lay on Baliol's side , tho' he were inferiour in Favour and Popularity ; he went to Bruce , who , because he was Legally cast by their Votes , he thought , he might more easily persuade to assent to his Design , and promised him the Crown of Scotland , if he would put himself under the Patronage of the King of England , and be Subject to his Authority . Bruce answered him ingeniously , That he was not so eager of a Crown , Edward decides for Baliol. as to accept of it , by abridging the Liberty , his Ancestors had left him ; Hereupon he was dismissed , and he sends for Iohn Baliol , who , being more desirous of a Kingdom , than of honest Methods to come by it , greedily accepted the Condition , offered him by Edward .

John Baliol , The Ninety Sixth King .

WHereupon , Iohn Baliol was declared King of Scotland , 6 Years and 9 Months after the Death of Alexander . The rest of the Scots , being studious of the publick Tranquillity , led him to Scone , and there Crowned him , according to Custom , and all Swore Fealty to him , except Bruce ; He , being thus made King by the English , * * Baliol swears Fealty to Edward . and accepted by the Scots , being now secure of the Kingdom , came to Edward , who was at New-Castle upon Tine , and , according to his Promise , * * At which many of the Scots Nobles are offended . Swore Fealty to him , so did the Nobles also , who were of his Train , as not daring to contradict Two Kings ; especially , they being so far from home : As soon as the rest of the Nobility heard of it , they were grievously offended , but , being conscious of their want of Power , they dissembled their Anger , for the present .

But soon after , an Occasion was offered them to shew it , Mackduff , Earl of Fife , ( who , in the Time of the * * An Interrognum in Scotland , before Baliol was made King . Interregnum , was One of the six Governors of the Land ) was slain by the Abernethians , which was then a rich and potent Family , in Scotland ; and the Earls Brother , being accused , by them , and brought to his Answer before the Assembly of the States , the King gave Sentence in Favour of the Abernethians . So that Mackduff was dispossessed of the Land , which was in Controversie betwixt them ; whereupon he conceived a double Displeasure against the King , One , on the Account of his own Wrong ; and Another , because he had not severely punished the Murderers of his Brother . So that he appealed to the King of England ; and desired , that Baliol might answer the Matter before Him . Hereupon , the Cause was removed to London ; Young Mackduff complains to K. Edward against Baliol. and as Baliol was casually sitting by Edward , in the Parliament House , and , when he was called , would have answered by a Proctor , it was denied him , so that he was enforced to arise from his Seat , and to plead his Cause from a lower Place . He bore the Affront silently for the present , not daring to do otherwise ; but as soon as ever he was dispatched from thence , such Flames of Anger burnt in his Breast , Baliol disgusts Edward . that his Thoughts were wholly taken up , how to reconcile his own Subjects , and how to offend Edward . As he was thus musing ; it happened commodiously for him , That a new Discord arose betwixt the French and English , which , presently after , broke out into a War . Whereupon , Embassadors were sent to the Assembly of Estates in Scotland , from Both Kings , The French's Errand , was , to renew the Old League with their New King . And the English , was , upon the Account of their late Oath to Edward , to receive Aid from them in the War he had undertaken ; Both Embassys were referred to the Council of the Estates , where the Nobles , prone to Rebellion , were of Opinion , That the Request of the French , was Just ; of the English , Unjust ; For the League made , by universal Consent , with the French , more than 500 Years before , had been kept Sacred and Inviolable to that very Day , in regard of the Justness and Utility thereof , but this late Subjection and surrendring themselves to the English , was extorted from the King , against his Will ; and thô ( as they proceeded to allege ) he had been willing , yet , it did oblige neither King nor Kingdom ; it being made by the King alone , without the Consent of the Estates , whereas the King might not act any Thing , relating to the Publick state of the Kingdom , without , much less , against , the Advice of the States . So a Decree was made , that Embassadors should be sent into France to renew the Ancient League ; He sides with the French . and that a Wife should be desired for Edward Baliol , Son to Iohn , out of the Kings Royal stem . Another Embassy was also sent into England , to signify , that the King of Scots did revoke the Reddition of the Kingdom and Himself , which he had forceably and unjustly made ; and renouncing his Friendship , both for that Cause , and also for the many and innumerable other Wrongs , which he had done to Him and His , And withdraws his Subjection from England . he was resolved to assert his Ancient Liberty . No man of any Eminencie would carry this Message to Edward , because he was of a fierce Nature , and was rendred more so , by reason of the Indulgence of Fortune , which made him even almost to forget himself ; At last , a certain Monk , or , as some say , the Abbat of Aberbrothoc carried Letters , of that Import , to him , who was grievously affronted for his Pains , and had much ado to escape home , being protected more by his , undervalued , Tenuity , than the Reverence of his Embassadorship .

In the mean time , Edward , had made a Truce with the French for some Months , hoping , That , before they were ended , he might subdue the Scots , taking them unprovided ; and therefore , he sent his Fleet , designed for France , against Scotland , commanding them to stop all Provisions from being carried into Berwick , wherein , Whereupon Edward War● against Scotland . he heard , there was a very strong Garison . The Scots fought with this Fleet in the Mouth of the River , they destroyed and took 18 of their Ships , and put the rest to flight . Edward , out of Fierceness of Mind , by this Loss , was highly enraged to Revenge . He Summons Baliol , once and again , to appear ; And he himself Levies a great Army , and comes to New-Castle upon Tine . There also he gave forth an Edict for Iohn to appear , Legally to purge himself from the Crimes objected against him . But neither He nor any for him , appearing ar the day appointed , he added Policy to Force , He sides with Bruce . and sent for Bruce , and promises him the Kingdom , if , he would do his endeavour faithfully to Depose and drive out Baliol. To do which , ( said he ) you need be at little Labour or Cost , only write Letters to your Friends , that , either they would desert the Kings Party ; or , not be hearty or forward , if it came to a Battel . He , by great Marches , came to Berwick , but not being able to carry it , by reason of the strength of the Garison , he pretended to raise his Siege , and caused a Rumour to be spread abroad by some Scots , of Bruce his Party , that he despaired of Taking it ; and that Baliol was coming , with a great Army , to raise the Siege , and was now near at hand , whereupon , all the Chief Men of the Garison made haste out to receive him Honourably , in promiscuous Multitudes , Horse and Foot together ; Overthrows the Scots , and takes Berwick . so that Edward sent in some Horse amongst them , some they trod down and killed , others they divided from their Company , and , seizing on the nearest Gate , they entred the Town . Edward followed with his Foot , and made a miserable Slaughter of all sorts of People . Above 7000 of the Scots are reported to have been there slain , amongst Them were the Flower of the Lothian and Fife Nobility .

Though I love not to interrupt the continued Series of my History ( as having resolved against it , at first ) with any unnecessary Digression , yet I cannot forbear to expose that unbridled Liberty of Evil speaking , Grafton Censured by This Author . which Richard Grafton , who lately compiled the History of England , assumes to himself ; that so , they who read what I here write , may judge , what Credit is to be given to him . For , ( he says ) that Hector Boetius writes in his 14th Book , and ad Chapter , That so much Blood was split there , that Rivers of it running through the City , might have driven a Water-Mill for two days : To which , I say , First , That Boetius never divided his Book into Chapters ; and besides , what he affirms is no where found in his Writings ; but to leave this unlearned and shameless Relator , I return to Edward ; who , by reason of the abounding Multitude of his Army , sent Part of it to besiege Dunbar ; and a few days after , the Castle of Berwick , despairing of any Relief , was surrendred to him . Afterwards , he joined all his Forces together at Dunbar , to fight the Scots Army , who came to relieve it ; The Battel was fierce ; and the Victory inclining to the English , the chief of the Nobility fled into the Castle , but the Castle was soon taken , either by the Perfidiousness of Richard Stuart , the Governor , or else , because he had not Provisions for so great a Multitude , as were shut up in so narrow a Compass : Edward was very cruel to all the Prisoners : Some cast the Blame of this Overthrow upon Robert Bruce the Elder , in that his Friends giving back in the Battel , it strook a Terrour into the rest . But our Writers do constantly affirm , That when Bruce demanded of Edward the Kingdom of Scotland , according to his Promise , ( as a Reward of his Pains that day , ) That Edward should answer in French , of which Language he was Master , What , have I nothing else to do , but to win Kingdoms , for you ? When Dunbar , and some other Castles , near the Borders of England , were taken , the surrender of * * Edinburgh and Sterlin . Edinburgh and Sterlin followed soon after . Then Edward passing over the Forth , directed his March where Baliol then was . When he was come as far as Montross , without any to oppose him , Baliol , by the Persuasion of Iohn Cumins of Strabogy , came to him and surrendred to him , Himself and the Kingdom . Baliol was sent into England , by Sea , and Edward , returning to Berwick , sent a strict and severe Summons to all the Scots Nobles , to attend him there ; after they came , he compelled them to Swear Fealty to him . But William Douglas , an eminent Man , both on the account of his Family , and also his own famous Exploits , obstinately refusing to do it , was cast into Prison , where , in a few years , he died .

Thus Edward , having succeeded in his Expedition according to his Mind , left Iohn Warren , Earl of Surry , as Proxy behind him ; and Hugh Cressingham , Lord Chief Justice , or Treasurer , and so returned to London . There he committed Iohn Baliol to Prison , in the 4th year of his Reign ; but , a while after , at the Entreaty of the Pope , and his Promise , that he would raise no Tumults in Scotland , But is released by Mediation of the Pope . he was sent back into France , his Son Edward being retained as an Hostage . Edward , having prepared all things for the French War , ( which , by reason of the Commotions in Scotland , he had deferred ) now Sails thither , with great Forces ; The Scots , by reason of his Absence , being erected to some hopes of their Liberty , chose 12 Men to Govern the State . By whose unanimous Consent , Iohn Cumins , A Duodece●● virat in Scotland . Earl of Buchan , was sent into England , with a good Force ; and in regard the English , who were scattered in Garisons over Scotland , dared not to stir , he spoiled Northumberland without controul , and laid Siege to Carlisle ; but to no purpose : Iohn Cumins marches into England . Though this Expedition did somewhat encourage the , before , crest-fallen Scots , and hindred the English from doing them further Mischief , yet it contributed little or nothing to the Main Chance , in regard , that all the Places of Strength were possessed by the Enemies Garisons ; But when the Nobility had neither Strength nor Courage to undertake great Matters , there presently started up one William Wallace , The Story of Wallis , Wallas , or Wallace , and his famous Exploits against the English . a Man of an Ancient and Noble Family , but one that had lived poorly and meanly , as having little or no Estate ; yet , this Man performed in this War , not only beyond the Expectation , but even the Belief , of all the Common People ; For he was bold-spirited , and strong-bodied , and , when he was but a Youth , had slain a young English Nobleman , who proudly domineered over him . For this Fact , he was fain to run away , and to skulk up and down in several places , for some years , to save his Life , and , by this Course of Life his Body was hardned against Wind and Weather , and his Mind also fortified to undergo greater hazards , when time should serve . At length , growing weary of such an Erratick Life , he resolved to attempt something , though never so hazardous ; and therefore gathered a Band of Men together , of like Fortune with himself , and did not only assault single Persons , but even greater Companies , though with an inferior Number , and accordingly he slew several Persons , in divers Places . He played his Pranks with as much Celerity as Boldness , and never gave his Enemy opportunity to fight him , so that in a short time , his Fame was spread over Both Nations , by which means many came in to him , moved by the likeness of their Cause , or , with the like Love of their Country ; thus he made up a considerable Army . And seeing the Nobles were sluggish in their Management of Affairs , either out of Fear or Dulness , this Wallace was proclaimed Regent , He is made Regent ; by the Tumultuous Band that followed him , and so he managed Things as a Lawful Magistrate , and the Substitute of Baliol. He accepted of this Name , not out of any Ambition , or Desire to Rule , but because it was cast upon him by the Love and Good Will of his Countrymen . With this Army , the first visible Exploit he performed was at The chief Town of Clydsdale . Lanerick , where he slew the Major General of that Precinct , being an Englishman , of good Descent . Afterwards he took and demolished many Castles , which were either slenderly Fortified , or meanly Garisoned ; or else , guarded negligently ; which petty Attempts so encouraged his Soldiers , that they shunned no Service , no not the most hazardous , under his Conduct , as having experienced , That his Boldness was guided by Counsel ; and That Counsel seconded by good Success .

When the Report of these Things was spread abroad , and perhaps , somewhat enlarged , beyond the Bounds of Truth , out of Mens Respect and Favour to him ; All that wished well to their Country , or were afraid of their own particular Conditions , And takes many Places from the English . flocked in to him , as judging it fit , to take Opportunity by the Forelock ; so that , in a short time , he reduced all the Castles , which the English held on the other side of the Forth , though never so well fortified , and , for fear of him , carefully Guarded . He took and demolished the Castles of Dundee , Forfar , Brechin , and Montross ; he seized on Dunoter , unawares , and Garisoned it ; he entred Aberdene , ( which the Enemy , for fear of his coming , had plundered and burnt ) even whilst it was in Flames ; but , a Rumour , being scattered abroad , concerning the coming of the English Army , prevented his Taking the Castle ; for , he determined to meet them at the Forth , not being willing to hazard a Battel , but in a Place , he himself should choose . Edward of England , when he went into France , ( as I said before ) put English Garisons into all the Strong Holds of Scotland , and besides , having many of the Scots faithful to him , and unfaithful to their Country , he banished and sent the Scots Nobility , whom he most suspected , into the heart of England , till his return . Amongst which was Iohn Cumins , * * Or Logan . Lord , or Petty King , of Badenach ; and Alan Longan , a Man fit both for Advice and Action ; and having setled Matters , after this sort , he was so far from fearing any Insurrection in Scotland , that he carried all his Army over along with him . But , hearing of the many Exploits of Wallace , he thought there was need of a greater Force to suppress him ; yet , that the Expedition was not worthy of a King , neither , ( as being only against a Roving Thief , for so the English called Wallace ) and therefore he writes to Henry Percy , Earl of Northumberland , and William Latimer , That they should speedily Levy what Forces they could out of the Neighbouring Parts , and join themselves with Cressingham , who as yet remained in Scotland , to subdue the Rebellious Scots . Thomas Walsingham writes , that the Earl of Warren was General in this Expedition . But Wallace , who was then besieging the Castle of Cowper in Fife , left his Army , which he had increased against the coming of the English , should be idle , the English being near at hand , marched directly to Sterlin . The River Forth , no where , almost , fordable , may be there passed over by a Bridge of Wood , though it be increased by the Addition of other Rivers , and by the coming in of the Tide , too . There Cressingham passed over with the greatest part of his Army , but the Bridge , either having its Beams loosned and disjointed , on purpose , by the Skill of the Architect , ( as our Writers say , it was ) that so it might not be able to bear any great Weight ; or else , being overladen with the heavy burden of so many Horse , Foot , and Carriages , as passed over , was broken , and so the March of the rest of the English was precluded , and hindred ; The Scots set upon Those , He overthrows Cressingham the English General at Sterlin Bridge . who were passed over , before they could put themselves into a Posture ; and , having slain their General , drove the rest back into the River , the Slaughter was so great , that they were all either killed or drowned ; Wallace returned , from this Fight , to the besieging of Castles ; and , in a short time , he so changed the Scene of Affairs , that he left none of the English in Scotland , but such as were made Prisoners . This Victory ( wherein none of any eminency , among the Scots fell , save Andrew Murray , whose Son , some years , was Regent of Scotland ) was obtained in the Ides of September , in the year of Christ 1297. Some say , that Wallis was called off to this Fight , September 15. not from the Siege of Cowper , but of Dundee , whither he also returned after the Fight ; so Iohn Major , and some Books found in Monasteries , do relate .

By means of these Combustions , the Fields lay untilled , insomuch , that , after that Overthrow , a Famine ensued , and a Pestilence after the Famine ; from whence a greater Fear was apprehended , than from the War : Wallis , to prevent this Mischief as much as he could , called together all those , who were fit for Service , to appear at a certain day , with whom he marched into England , thinking with himself , that their Bodies , being exercised with Labour , He enters with an Army into England . would be more healthy ; and , that Wintring in an Enemies Country , Provisions might be spared at home ; and the Soldiers , who were in much want , might reap some Fruit of their Labours in a rich Country , and flourishing by reason of its continued Peace : When he was entred into England , no Man dared to attack him , so that he staid there from the Calends of November , to the Calends of February , 1 November . 1 February . and having refreshed and inriched his Soldiers , with the Fruits and Spoils of the Enemy , he returned home , with great Renown . This Expedition , as it increased the Fame and Authority of Wallis amongst the Vulgar sort , so it heightned the envy of Nobles against him , mightily . For his Praise seemed a tacite Exprobration to them , who being Men of great Power and Wealth , either out of Slothfulness durst no● , or out of Perfidiousness would not , attempt , what He , that was a Mean Man , and destitute of all the Advantages of Fortune , had not only valiantly undertook , but also successfully performed . Moreover , the King of England , finding the Business to be greater than could well be managed by his Deputies , made some settlement of things in France , and returned home ; and gathering together a great Army , Edward returns from France to subdue Wallace . but hastily levied , ( for he brought not back his Veteran Soldiers , from beyond Sea ) and , for the most part , raw and unexperienced Men , he marches toward Scotland ; supposing he had only to do with a disorderly Band of Robbers . But retreats from the North without Fighting . But when he saw both Armies in Battel array , about 500 Paces , one from another in the Plains of Stanmore , he admired the Discipline , Order , and Confidence of his Enemies . So that , thô he himself had much the greater Force , yet he durst not put it to the hazard of a Battel , against such a Veteran and Experienced a Captain , and against Soldiers inured to all hardships , but turned his Ensigns , and marched slowly back : Wallace also durst not follow him , The Scots Nobles envy Wallace for his Success . for fear of Ambushes , but kept his Army within their Trenches . Having thus got the Victory , thô Bloodless , over so puissant a King , his Enemies were so much the more enraged against him , and caused Rumours to be scattered up and down , That * * Or Wallace Wallis did openly affect a Supream or Tyrannical Power ; at which , the Nobles , especially Bruce and the Cumin's , of the Royal Stock , did mightily disdain ; for they said thus within themselves , That if they must be Slaves , they had rather be so , under a Great and Potent King , than under an Vpstart , whose Domination was like to be not only base , but also dangerous ; And therefore they determined , by all means , to undermine the Authority of Wallis . Edward was not ignorant of these Disgusts , and therefore , the next Summer he Levies a Great Army , consisting partly of English , partly of Scots , who had remained Faithful to him , and came to Falkirk , which is a Village built in the very Tract of the Wall of Severus , and is distant from Sterling , little more than 6 Miles . The Scots Army were not far from them , of sufficient strength , for they were 30000. if the Generals and Leaders had agreed amongst themselves ; Their Generals were Iohn Cumins , Iohn Stuart , and William Wallace , the most flourishing Persons amongst the Scots ; the Two former , for their high Descent and Opulency ; the Later , for the glory of his former Exploits .

When the Three Armies were ready to fight , a new Dispute arose , besides their former Envy , Who should lead the Van of the Army ; and when all Three stood upon their Terms , the English decided the Controversie , who , with Banners displaid , marched with a swift pace towards them ; Cumins and his Forces retreated , without striking a stroke ; Edward gives the Scots a great overthrow at Falkirk . Stuart , being beset before and behind , was slain , with all that followed him . Wallace was sorely pressed upon in the Front ; and Bruce had fetched a compass about an Hill , and fell on his Reat , yet , he was as little disturbed , as , in such circumstances , he could possibly be , but retreated beyond the River Carront , where , by the Interposal of the River , he had Opportunity to defend himself , and also , to gather up the straggling Run-aways ; and Bruce desiring to speak with him , A Conference betwixt Bruce and Wallace in the Field . he assented thereunto . They Two alone stood over against one another , where the River hath the narrowest Chanel , and the highest Banks ; And , First Bruce began , and told Wallace , He wondred what was in his Mind , that , being hurried on by the uncertain Favour of the Vulgar , he should expose himself to such assiduous and imminent Danger , against a King , the most potent of that Time , and who was also assisted by a great Number of the Scots ; and that to no purpose neither , for , if he overcame Edward , the Scots would never Grant him the Kingdom ; and , if himself were overcome , he had no Refuge but in the Mercy of his Enemy . To whom Wallas replyed , I never proposed that Scope to my Designs and Labours , as to obtain the Kingdom , of which my Fortune is not capable , neither doth my Mind aspire thereunto : But when I saw my Countrymen , by your slothfulness ( to whom the Kingdom doth rightly appertain ) destitute of Governors , and exposed not to the Slavery only , but even to the Butchery of a cruel Enemy , I had pity on them ▪ and undertook the Cause , which you deserted ; neither will I forsake the Liberty , Good , and Safety of my Countrymen , till Life forsake me : You , who had rather chuse base Servitude with Security , than honest Liberty with Hazard , follow , and hug , the Fortune , which you so highly esteem ; As for me , I will willingly Dye in my Country , which I have often defended ; and my Love to it shall remain , as long as my Life continues . Thus the Conference was broken off , and each of them retired to their Forces . Iuly 22. This Battel was fought the 11 th of the Calends of August , wherein there fell of the Scots 10000 , amongst whom , of the Nobles , were Iohn Stuart , Macduff Earl of Fife : and of Wallis his Army , Iohn Grame , the valiantest Person of the Scots , next to Wallis himself . Of the English , were slain Frere Briangy , Wallace dismisses the remainder of his Army . highly Fam'd and Notic'd for Military Skill . After this unhappy Fight , Wallis came to Perth , and dismissed his Army , giving Place to that Envy , which , he knew , he could not resist ; and , from that day forward , he never acted as a General ; yet he ceased not , with a few of his Friends , who still stuck to him , thô he renounced the Name of a General , as often as a convenient Opportunity was offered , to press upon the English .

Edward also , after he had wasted all the Country beyond the Forth , even unto Perth , receiving into his Obedience all those who durst not , as long as he was present , make any Insurrection , drew back his Army . Those of the Scots , who , after the Enemies departure , The Scots , by the mediation of the King of France , obtain a Truce from Edward . did most study the Liberty of their Country , being a little heartned , made Iohn Cumins , Iunior , their Regent . He , according to the Advice of the Council , sent Embassadors to Philip Valois , King of France , to desire him , that , by the Mediation of his Sister , who was then betrothed to Edward , they might obtain , at least , a Truce . By her Endeavours , a Truce was obtained for Seven Months , which yet was not faithfully observed . For the English detained the Embassadors , which were sent to Boniface the 8 th , and committed them to Prison . In the mean time , the Scots , who could neither bear the Tyranny of the English , nor satisfie the cruel Mind of Edward , by their Punishments , nor yet obtain an equal Peace from him ; with obstinate Minds , and in despair of Pardon , resolved to Fight it out to the utmost . First of all , they expel all Edward's Governors , who were English , from all Towns and Castles ; next , they afflict the Scots of their Faction , as much as ever they could . Things remained in this posture almost Two years , and then Edward sent Ralph Confray , The Scots 〈◊〉 in Arm● again . with great Forces to subdue the Robbers , ( as he called them ) and to make an end of the War . They met with no Opposition , but Preyed far and near , till they came to Roslin , 〈◊〉 place in Lothian , about 5 Miles distant from Edinburgh , ) and there they divided their Army into Three parts , to make the greater Havock , and so pitched their Tents . Iohn Cumins , with the assistance of Iohn Frazer , the most potent Man in all Tivedale , gathered 8000 Men together , and marched towards the Enemy , thinking to abridge the Limits of their plundering Excursions , or , otherwise , if an happy Opportunity offered itself for Action , not to be wanting to Fortune . And indeed , he met with a fairer Occasion , than he hoped for . For the English , little expecting an Assault , from an Enemy that they had so often Conquered , and brought so low , lived more stragglingly than they ought to have done in an Enemies Country ; so that their first Camp was soon taken , by the suddain coming of the Scots , and a great Slaughter made ; They , who escaped , carried the Noise into the next Camp ; They in a great Fear , cryed out , Arm , Arm , and they all exhorted one another , to succor their fellow-Soldiers ; but perceiving , That the designed Succor was too late , they prepared for Revenge . A fierce Fight was commenced betwixt them , as Men , eager , and desirous of Victory and Revenge ; at last , the English were routed , and put to Flight , and the Victory , thô a bloody one , remained to the Scots ▪ In the mean time , the third Camp , who was farther off , came , And overthrow the English at Roslin in Mid-lothian . and occasioned some terror to the Scots . For , in regard , many of them were wounded , and the greatest Part wearied with the toil of a double Fight , they saw , that there was imminent Danger in Fighting , and assured Destruction in flying away . At length , by the Command of their Leaders , they slew all the Prisoners , lest , while they were busied with their Enemies , they should rise up and set upon them in the Rear ; and arming their Servants with the Spoils of the Slain , they made a Show of a greater Army than indeed they were . Hereupon , the Battel was begun , and fiercely carried on by both Parties . The Fight being a long time doubtful , the Scots by the encouragement of their Leaders , putting them in mind of their double Victory , took fresh Courage , and charged the Enemy with such Violence , that they broke their Ranks , and put them to flight . This Fight was at Roslin , the 6 th of the Calends of March , in the Year 1302. Feb. 24.

As the Victory was the more Famous , being obtained by but One Army , over Three , in one and the same day , so it mightily incensed the Mind of Edward . To blot out the Ignominy , and to put an end , at length , to a long lasting War , he therefore Levies an Army bigger than ever he had before , and assaulted Scotland both by Sea and Land , Edward , in revenge , enters into Scotland with a vast Army , and subdues all the Country . and made spoil of it , even unto the uttermost Borders of Ross , no Man daring to oppose so great a Force . Only Wallis and his Men , sometimes in the Front , sometimes in the Rear , sometimes in the Flanks , would snap , either those that rashly went before , or that loitered after ; or , that , in Plundering , straggled too far from their Fellows , neither did he suffer them to Stray , far from their Colours . Edward sought , by great Promises , to bring Wallace courted by King Edward , to come over to his Party , with his stout Answer , in the Negative . Three Miles E●st of El●in . him over to his Party ; but his constant ●one , was , That he had Devoted his Life to his Country , to which it was due , and if he could do it no other Service , yet he would dye in its Defence . There were some Castles yet remaining , not surrendred to 〈◊〉 English , as Vrchart in Murray , which was taken by Storm , and all the Defendants put to the Sword ; whereupon , the rest surrendred themselves , for fear . After these Exploits , the English King joyned his Son Edward , whom he had left at Perth ; and , by the Accession of his Forces , he besieged Sterling , which , after a Months Siege , he took ; the Garison therein being reduced to the want of all things ; the Conditions were only Life and Liberty . And yet , William Oliver , against the tenor of his Articles of Surrender , was detain'd , and sent Prisoner into England . When all Scotland was reduced , an Assembly of the States was Indicted , by Edward , to be held at St. Andrews , where all , out of Fear , All the 〈◊〉 S●e●r Al●e●●ance to 〈…〉 Wallace . took an Oath of Allegiance to him , except Wallis alone ; and , fearing he should be given up by the Nobility ( who were much disgusted at him , ) to Edward his Mortal Enemy , he retired himself into his old Fastnesses , and Lurking holes .

Edward , Edward appoints Magistrates all over Scotland . having appointed Governours and Magistrates over all Scotland , returned into England ; but , at his departure , he shewed an evident Demonstration of his great Hatred against the Scotish Race , for he was not content only with the taking with him all those , whom he feared would raise new Seditions , but he endeavoured , as much as he could , to abolish the very Memory of the Nation . For , Edwards Severity Cens●red . he repealed their Old Laws , and set up the Ecclesiastical State and Ceremonies , according to the Manner of England : He caused all Histories , Leagues , and Ancient Monuments , either left by the Romans , or , erected by the Scots , to be destroyed : He carried all the Books , and all that were Teachers of Learning , into England : He carries the Marble Stone into England , on which the Scots King● u●ed to be Crowned . He sent also to London , an un-polished Marble Stone ; wherein , it was vulgarly Reported and Believed , that the Fate of the Kingdom was contained ; neither did he leave any thing behind him , which , either upon the account of its Memory , might excite Generous Spirits to the Remembrance of their Ancient Fortune , and Condition ; or , indeed , which could excite them to any True Greatness of Mind ; so that , having broken their Spirits , ( as he thought ) as well as their Force , and cast them into a servile Dejection ; he promised himself a perpetual Peace from Scotland . At his Return , he left Ailmer Valentine , as his Regent , or Vice-King , who was to nip all Seditious Attempts , if any did break forth , in the very Bud. Yet , a new War sprang up against him , from whence he little thought .

There were some of the Prime Nobility in Scotland with Edward , as Robert Bruce , the Son of him , who contended with Baliol for the Kingdom , and Iohn Cumins , Sirnamed Red , from the colour of his Face , Cousin German to Iohn Baliol the last King of Scotland . Seeds of new Troubles in Scotland . Edward called them often to him a-part , and put them severally in a vain hope of the Kingdom , and so he made use of their Assistance in the Conquering of Scotland . But , at the last , they discovered the Mockery and Cheat , so that each of them desired nothing more , than a fit Occasion to Revenge the Perfidiousness of that King . But , in regard , they were Corrivals , their mutual Suspicion kept them back from Communicating their Counsels , one to another . At last , A formal Agreement between Cumins and Bruce . Cumins , perceiving , that Matters , as managed by Edward , were distrastful to Bruce , he spake to him , and , taking his Rise from the Beginning of their Miseries , deplored much the lamentable Condition of their Country , and greatly inveighed against the Fals●ness of Edward ; withal grievously accusing himself and Bruce too , that they had , by their Labour and Assistance , helped to cast their Country-Men into this Abyss of Misery . After this first Discourse , they proceeded further , and , each of them promising Silence , they agreed , That Bruce should enjoy the Kingdom , and Cumins should wave his Right thereto ; but , instead thereof , that he should enjoy all those large and fruitful Possessions , which Bruce had in Scotland ; and , in a Word , that he should be the Second Man in the Kingdom : Those Covenants were Writ down , Sealed and Sworn , betwixt Themselves . Hereupon , Bruce , watching an Opportunity to rise in Arms , left his Wife and Children in Scotland , Which Cumins discovers to K. Edward . and went to the Court in England . After his Departure , Cumins , ( as 't is reported ) either repenting himself of his Agreement ; or else , endeavouring fraudulently to remove his Corrival , and so obtain an easier Way to the Kingdom , betrayed their secret Combination to Edward ; and , in verification thereof , he sent him the Covenants , signed by them Both. Hereupon , Bruce was impleaded , as Guilty of High Treason , he was forbid to depart the Court , B●uce like to suffer for Treason , but is informed of his danger by a Wi●e , and flies by Night into Scotland . and a Privy Guard set over him , to inspect his Words and Actions . The Kings delay to punish him , in a Crime so manifest , proceeded from a Desire he had to take his Brethren too , before they had heard any bruit of his Execution . In the mean time , Bruce was informed by the Earl of Mountgomery , his Grandfathers old Friend , of his sudden Danger , who dared not to commit his Advice for his Flight to Writing , being discouraged by Bruce his Example , but he sent him a pair of Guilt Spurs , and some Pieces of Gold , as if he had borrowed them of him , the day before . Robert , upon the Receipt of the Gift , as Dangers make Men sagacious , soon smelt out , what his Meaning was , so that he sent for a Smith in the Night , and commanded him to set on Shoos on Three Horses , the backward way , Bruce's Horses shod backward , to secure his Flight . that so his Flight might not be traced by the Mark of the Horses Feet ; and , the same Night , he and Two other Companions , began their Journy , and , Man and Horse being extreamly tired , in Seven days he came to his Castle , scituate by L●ch Maban : There he joyned David his Brother , and Robert Fleming ; to whom he had scarce declared the Cause of his Flight , before he lighted upon a flying Post , who was conveighing Letters from Cumins , to Edward ; The Contents were , That Robert should speedily be put to Death ; that there was danger in delay , lest a Man so Nobly Descended , and so Popular as He , adding Boldness to his Wisdom too , should raise New Commotions . The Perfidiousness of Cumins being thus ( as well as otherwise , ) plainly detected , Robert was inflamed with Anger , and rode presently to Dumfreiz , where his Adversary , Iohn Cumins , was , in the Franciscans Church , whom he confronted with his own Letters , which he then shewed him ; he very impudently denied them to be His ; but Robert , no longer able to bridle his Wrath , run him into the Belly with his Dagger , and so left him for Dead . As he was Mounting his Horse , Iames Lindsay , and Roger Kirkpatrick , one his Kinsman , the other his old Friend , perceiving by his Countenance , that he was troubled , asked him the Cause ; he told them in breif the whole Business , adding withal , That , he thought , he had killed Cumins . What , says Lindsay , will you leave a Matter of that Consequence upon an , Bruce kills Cumins , for betraying him . I thought , and assoon as he had spoke the Word , he ran into the Church and dispatched him quite , and also his Kinsman , Robert Cumins , who , endeavoured to save him . This Murder was committed in the Year 1305. on the * * Febr. 10. Fourth of the Ides of February . About the same time also , Wallis was betrayed in the County of Glascow , Wallis unworthily betrayed by his Friend , is Hang'd and Quartered by Edward . ( where he then hid himself ) by his own Familiar Friend Iohn Menteith , whom the English had Corrupted with Money , and so was sent to London ; where , by Edwards Command , he was wofully Butchered , and his Limbs , for the terrour of others , Hanged up in the most noted Places of London and Scotland . Such an End had this Person , the famousest Man of his Time , who deserved to be compared with the most Renowned Captains of Ancient Times , both for his Greatness of Mind in undertaking Dangers , and for his Wisdom and Valour in overcoming Them : His Cha●act●r . For Love to his Country , he was Second to none ; who , when others were Slaves , he alone was Free , neither could be induced by Rewards , or Threats , to forsake the Publick Cause , which he had once undertaken : His Death was the more to be Lamented , because he was not conquered by his Enemy , but betrayed by his Friend , who had little Reason so to do .

Bruce , The Ninety Seventh King .

BRVCE stayed so long , till he had obtained Pardon from the Pope , for killing a Man in Holy Church , and then in April following , Anno Domini 1306. he went to Scone and was Crowned King .

The first thing he did , knowing , that he had to do with a Powerful Enemy , was , to levy all the Force he could make ; but , in regard , the whole Family of the Cumins's ( whose Greatness was never equalled by any in Scotland , either before , or since ) was against him , and also the Minds of many were offended with him , for his former assisting of the English ; and moreover , most of the Scots were , out of Fear , willing to be quiet under the English Power ; yet , Lying upon the River A●mon near Perth . he adventured with a small Army , to try his Fortune at * * Iuly the 2● . Methven , where he was overthrown by Ailmer , Edwards General , but with little Slaughter , because his Men , seeing their own weakness , fled away entire , almost at the first Charge ; this was done * * Bruce overthrown , and retires in a disguise , to save his Life . on the 13th of the Calends of August . And not long after , coming to Athol , and designing for Argyle , his design was discovered by the Cumins's , and he was forced in his very march , at a place called Dalree , i. e. Kings-land , to try his Fortune in a Battel , where he was overthrown also , but lost few , in regard every one fled several ways , as they thought fit : After that time , he had but Two or Three in his Company , for he thought himself more secure with a few , and thus he wandred up and down in secret places , living mostly a Foresters Life , and in despair of any Aid , if he had a mind again to try his Fortune . For the Vulgar , upon his double Discomfiture , drew thence discouraging Omens , and so they all left him , only Two of his old Friends Malcolm Earl of Lennox , and Gilbert Hay , never forsook him , but remained constant to him , in all Misfortunes . The English , not yet satiated with his Miseries , send about through all Parts of the Kingdom , to apprehend his Allies and Kindred ; and besides , they Commanded all the Wives and Children of those who were banished , to depart the Kingdom , at a time prefixed . The Wife of Robert himself , was taken by William Earl of Ross , and sent into England ; and Neile , his Brother , with his Wife and Children , came into the Hands and Power of the English ; his Castle of Kildrummy being betrayed , by the Governor thereof , to them . Moreover , his Brethren , Thomas and Alexander , endeavouring to pass out of Galway to Carick , were taken at the Loch Ryan , ( which Ptolemy calls , the Bay Rerigonius , ) and sent into England . These Three were put to Death in several Places ; the rest of the Brucian Party were diligently sought after , and put also to Death , and their Estates Confiscate . The King himself , with one or two , and sometimes alone , wandred up and down , through uncouth Places , daily ; yea , hourly , changing his Recesses ; and yet , even thus , not thinking himself safe enough , from the Cruelty of his Enemies , and the Perfidiousness of his Subjects , he passed over to another Friend of his , into the Aebudae ; where he lurked for some Months : And , in regard , he did no where appear , he was thought to be Dead , and so they left searching for him . This Report , as it made for his Safety , so , if it had continued long , it would have taken away all Hopes from his Friends , of his ever obtaining and recovering the Kingdom . Whereupon , he judged it fit to attempt something , and receiving a small Force from his Friends , where he had hid himself , he sailed over into Carick ; and , by Means of his sudden coming , Bruce , thought to be Dead , starts out from his Retirement , and takes some Castles . he there surprized a Castle , which was his own Inheritance , but Garisoned by a strong party of English , whom he put all to the Sword ; and , lest his Passage might be stopped by the Enemy , he passed over by the Bay of Clyde , and came to the strong Castle of Ennerness , situate on a pretty high Hill , by the River Ness , which , as being in a remote Country , and negligently Guarded , he also happily took .

The Report hereof being divulged , occasioned great Thoughts of Heart all over Scotland . For , besides his Old Friends , who came to him , from all Places , out of their Lurking Holes , the Pride of the English had raised him up many New ones ; for They , thinking that he had been dead , began to Lord it more imperiously , and cruelly , than ever they had done , before . So that his Forces being considerably encreased , and that with very good Soldiers , whom either Labour had hardned , or Despair urged to the most desperate Attempts , he took all the Castles in the North of Scotland , and demolished them , as they were taken ; partly , That he might not weaken his Forces by dividing them into Garisons ; and partly , That the Enemy might have no Harbour there . Thus , overcoming all as he went , he came into the very Heart of the Kingdom : Iohn Cumins , Earl of Bachan , being informed thereof , gathered together a suddain Company of Scots and English , even as many as were able to bear Arms ; when he was come to the Forest , through which the River Esk falls down into the Plains of Mern , he overtook him at a Place , called * * In the Braes of ●●gus , on the Head of the North-Water Esk. Glenesk . Bruce , perceiving that the Narrowness of the Passages was advantageous for his Men , stood ready to Fight , expecting his Enemy . Cumins drew out his Army in length , imagining , that Bruce would be astonished at the sight of such a Multitude . But when he saw , that he stirred not from the Place , Cumins of B●chan 〈◊〉 again●t Bru●e . But dares not fight him . and being also Conscious of the Weakness of his Men , he durst not draw them forth into a Place of greater Disadvantage . Hereupon , he first sent an Herald to Bruce for a Truce ; wherein , they might Treat of Terms of Peace : The Truce being obtained , Cumins made no more Mention of Peace , but encreas'd his Forces as much as ever he could ; neither would he trust the Scots that were with him , ( the Favour of many of them inclining to Robert , ) but craved Aid from England . In the mean time , Bruce , to remove the Contemptible Opinion , which the English might conceive of him ; and to encourage the Spirits of his Friends , was always nibbling at his Enemies Heels ; here taking some , there others ; and , surprizing their weakest Garisons , he never staid long in a Place , neither gave he Opportunity to the Enemy to fight him .

But about this time , Simon Frazer and Walter Longan , brave Soldiers Both , and Lovers of their Country , were taken by some of the Cuminian Faction , delivered over to the English , and put to Death at London . And almost about the same time , Iames Douglas joined himself with Bruce his Party . He was the Son of William , a young Man , Iames Douglas joyns with Bruce . passing well instructed in all the Liberal Arts ; who , when he was studying at Paris , hearing that his Father was cast into Prison , by the English , where he soon after Died , returned home to receive the Advice of his Friends , how he might Order the Residue of his Life : But , being deprived of his Patrimony , and all his Friends variously dispersed , in great Want he repaired to William Lambert , Bishop of St. Andrews ; by whom he was admitted , as one of his Family , and kindly entertained , until King Edward came to Besiege Sterlin , after he had Conquered almost all Scotland , besides . Lambert , going thither to Salute the King , carried Douglas along with him , and having gotten a fit Opportunity , he spake to the King to restore his Patrimony , to take him into his Protection , and to make Use of his Faithful Endeavours in his Service ; some other things he also added , in Praise of the young Man ; the King , hearing of his Name and Family , spake very roughly concerning the stubbornness of William his Father , withal adding , That he intended not to make any use of his Son , nor of any Assistance of his ; and , as for his Paternal Estate , he could not restore it , if he would , because he had gratified his Friends with it , who had merited well of him . Iames , being thus dismissed by the King , stayed with Lambert , till Bruce came to Merne . And then , that might he omit no Occasion to prejudice Edward ( whose Mind , he found was implacably bent against him ) he took away Lamberts Horses , and some Money , not without his Privity , and came to Bruce ; and his Service was of great use to him , in many sharp Storms , afterwards .

Not long after , Both Kings , almost in the same Moment of time , fell grievously Sick ; Edward , being busie in Preparations for War against Scotland , died within a few days at Lancaster , leaving his Second Son , Edward , for his Heir , who was called Edward of Carnarvon , from the Place where he was Born ; he , marching into his Enemies Country , with the Army , which his Father had recruited , sent a Proclamation before to Dumfreiz , That all the Scots should meet him there , but there came in but a Few , and those out of the Neighbouring Parts , and very heavily too . He being also informed , That his Matters beyond Sea went not well on , left a Force , such as he thought sufficient , to quell the Insurrection in Scotland , and settling things as soon as he could , he passed over into France . In the interim , Robert , hearing of Edward's Death , was somewhat relieved , and began to hope better of his Affairs ; and so the strength of his Mind , supported his weak Body . But , not being ignorant , how much the sole Conduct of a General might contribute to a Victory , he so prepared himself for the extreme Push of Fortune , that he expected his Enemy and a Battel . On the other side , the English King coming back more slowly than his Friends hoped ; Iohn Cumins , being greedy of the Glory , That the War was ended by him , hoping also , that Robert was dead , by reason of his sore Disease added to his other Hardships ; or , at least , that his Sickness would hinder him from being present in the Army , gathered together all the Forces he could make , and marched directly towards his Enemy . Bruce causes himself to be carried , sick , into his Army , and overthrows Iohn Cumins . On the other side , Robert , to encourage his Men , caused himself to be set on Horseback . His very Sight , tho' he was supported by Two Men , and could not stay long , yet gave such Heart to his Men , that they never began any Fight more Courageously , than they did That . Cumins , who had placed the Hope of his Victory in the Sickness of his Enemy , being not able to keep his Men together , neither by Persuasions nor Punishments , was forced to fly away in their Company , many were taken in the pursuit , and all courteously used . This Victory gotten at * * A Town in Garioch . Ennerury , as it recovered the King from his Disease , so it was the Omen of his future prosperous Proceedings ; for , from that day forward , he succeeded in All that he attempted . A while after , he marched into the Country of Argyle , which he pillaged , and forced Alexander , the Lord of it , to a Surrender , who , retiring into England , in a little time , there ended his miserable Life , in great Want . The same Year , the Day before the Calends of * * Iune 30th . Bruce conquers all Galway . Iuly , Edward Bruce also had prosperous success at a Battel fought at Die , a River of Galway ; Rolland , a Noble Knight of Galway was slain in the Fight ; Donald , the Islander , was taken Prisoner , as he was flying away ; and the whole Country of Galway was wasted , far and near . These Tumults rouz'd up Edward ( who was rather desirous to live in Peace ) to a War , even against his Will ; for , perceiving that his Affairs were ill-managed , he , the next Year , Edward enters Scotland against B●uce , but retreats again . with a great Army of English , entred Scotland , and there joyned a numerous Body of Scots , who had not yet revolted from the English . With those Forces he pierced as far as Ranfro● , and then retreated , having performed no Memorable Act , in his Expedition ; either , because he himself was of a dull and unactive Nature ; or else , because Robert ( besides the scarcity which did then generally afflict all Scotland ) had caused all the Provisions to be carried away from those Places , thrô which his Army was to march , and had laid them up , more out of the way . After his Departure , Robert spent the rest of the Year in recovering those Castles which the English yet held , of which Many surrendred before they were Besieged , as despairing of any help from England .

The next Year , which was 1310. Bruce , to cry quits with the English for the damage they had done in Scotland , Bruce invades England . marched twice into England with his Army , and returned back , laden with spoils , without any Encounter at all . The Two next Years , he recovered almost all the strong Garisons , which yet remained in the hands of the English . He took Perth by Storm , and put all the Garison Soldiers , both English and Scots , promiscuously to the Sword ; and , that others might be deterred from the like Obstinacy by their Example , he razed their Walls , and filled up their Trenches . The Terror of that Example caused Dumfriez , Lanerick , Air , and Bote , He takes Perth , Dumfreiz , &c. with E●inbur●h and the Isle of Man , from the English . and many other weaker Forts to Surrender . At the beginning of the Spring , Roxburgh was taken by Iames Douglas , when the Garison was intent upon their Sports and Pastimes , in those Revels which were wont to be celebrated at the beginning of Lent . And not long after , Thomas Randolph recovered the Strong Castle of Edinburgh ; The Isle of Man was also surrendred , and the Castles thereof demolished , that they might not , again , be a Receptacle to the Enemy . In the mean time , Edward Bruce closely besieged the Castle of Sterlin , scituate on a Rock , steep every way but one , where the Passage to it lay . It was defended by Philip Mowbray , a vigilant Commander , who , perceiving the Success of the Brucians in Scotland ; and , foreseeing a Siege , had mightily stored and fortified it with Arms and Provisions , before hand . And therefore , when Edward had fruitlessly spent many days in besieging it , and had no hopes to carry it , by force , That he might not seem to be repulsed without doing any thing , he enters into Conditions with Mowbray , That , if he was not relieved in an Year , to commence from that very Day , by the English , Sterlin-Castle capitulates with Edward Bruce . then the Castle was to be surrendred , and the Garison should have Liberty , Bag and Baggage , to march whither they pleased . These Conditions did much displease the King , yet , that he might not detract from his Brothers Credit , he resolved to observe them . Yet , in regard he did not doubt , but the English would come at the time appointed , he prepares , as much , as , in so great a scarcity of things , he was able , to manage his last Encounter with his potent Enemy . And indeed , Edward , considering , that he was not only dispossessed of Scotland , whose People his Father had left to him conquered and broken ; but that England was also in danger , had a desire to root out so Rebellious , Disobedient and Unquiet a Nation . In order whereunto , Edward of England enters Scotland with a vast Army . he levied an Army , not only of English and such Scots who adhered to them , but he increased it by supplys from his Transmarine Dominions , ( which then were many , great , and opulent ) so that his Army was bigger , than ever any King of England had , before . Yea , he received also an Accession of Force from his Allyes beyond the Seas , especially from Flanders and Holland , whom his Father had strenuously assisted against Philip , King of France . They say , it consisted of above 100000 Fighting men . There followed also his Army , a Multitude of Baggagers , Attendants , and Sutlers , who carries Provision both by Sea and Land , because they were to come into a Country not very fruitful of it self ; and besides , which had , so many years before , been harassed with all the Miseries of War . Moreover , there was a Multitude of Such , as were to set out , or describe , Colonies , and to receive Dividends of Land , who brought their Wives and Children along with them ; so that the Force of so Rich , Powerful and Flourishing a Kingdom , as England was , being thus , as it were , abridged and epitomized into one Army , the Consideration thereof produced such a Confidence in them all , That , now , all the Discourse was , not of Fighting , but rather of Dividing the Spoil . Bruce , hearing of this great Preparation of the Enemy , prepares also his Forces , far inferiour in Number to so great a Multitude , as being Thirty Thousand only , but such , as were inured to Hardships , and the Toyl of a Civil War ; and who now carried the Hopes of their Lives , Fortunes , and of all that is dear to Men , as it were , on the Point of their Swords . With this Army , he sate down on the left Bank of the River Bannock . This River hath steep Banks on Both sides , and it had but a few , and those too , narrow , Passages , or Fords ; it is about Two Miles from Sterlin ; Below the Hills , before it makes its influxe into the Forth , it passeth thrô a little leveller Ground , yet , here and there , it is Marshy . In the Winter it usually runs with a rapid Torrent ; but , in that hot Time of the Year , the Water was but Low and Fordable , in many Places . Bruce , by how much the Weaker in Force , was so much the more Circumspect , Bruce his Policy in a Fight . and therefore he used Art and Policy to make the Passage over the River more difficult , to the English , who possessed the right-hand Bank thereof . In order whereunto , he caused deep Trenches to be dug in level Places , wherein he fastened sharp Stakes , or Spikes , and covered them with some light Turffs a top , that so his Stratagem might not be discovered ; and moreover , he caused * * Small Engins , ordinarily round , with sharp Iron Spikes , standing out on each side of Them , so that , throw them which way soever you will upon the Ground , one Spike or other turns upward , and wounds , or pierces , the Horses Foot , that treads upon it , and thus makes him Lame and unfit for Service . Calthrops of Iron to be thrown up and down on the Ground , in Places most convenient .

Wherefore , when Camp was almost joyned to Camp , as being on different Hills , only a small River between them : Edward sent 800 Horse a little before to Sterlin , who marched a little off from the Camp ; Robert , imagining , that they were sent to plunder in the Neighbourhood , gave command to Thomas Randolph to follow them , with 500 Horse , either to prevent the stragglers in wasting the Country , or , if a fit Occasion were offered , to fight them . The English , seeing them , desisted from their intended March to Sterlin , and faced about . The Fight was sharp , and continued long , the Victory inclining , for a time , to neither Party , so that Iames Douglas , being concerned for the Scots , who were the fewer in Number , earnestly desired Bruce , That he might go and relieve them . Bruce peremptorily denied him , whereupon , tho' , at present , a Spectator only from an Hill , yet he resolved , if the Scots were further distressed , to succour them ; but , perceiving the English to give back , and the Scots to get Ground , he stopped his March , that so he might detract nothing from another mans Praise . The English , having lost but those Few out of so numerous an Army , were not discouraged in their Spirits , and also the Scots prepared themselves for the Encounter , the next day , as if they had already received an Omen of a compleat Victory .

The Night , thô very short , ( for the Battel was fought on the 9 th of the Calends of * * Iune●3 ●3 . Iuly ) yet seemed long to both Parties , for the Eagerness they had to Fight . All the Scots were divided into Three Brigades , The King led the Middle , or Main Battel ; His Brother Commanded the Right Wing ; and Randolf , the Left . The English , besides a multitude of Archers , which they placed on the outside of Both their Wings , had also Curiassiers , out of France . They speeding towards Randolf , who stood on the Lower Ground , and endeavouring to fall obliquely on his Flank , fell suddainly into the Di●ches made by Bruce , where they tumbled one upon another , with great Slaughter , both of Man and Horse . They that first fell in , were Slain by the pressure of Those that fell upon them , and the last Ranks being discouraged at the loss of the First , retreated back . This Terror did also somewhat retard the Foot , for they were afraid of falling into the like Snares . There also did happen another Accident , which , thô little in itself , yet contributed very much ( as such Niceties are wont to do in War ) to the main Chance . Robert rode up and down before his Army , to keep them in their Ranks , having a Batoon in his Hand , a certain Englishman knew him , and ran at him with his Spear . The King avoided the blow , and , as the Horse , in his Carrier , ran a little beyond him , struck his Rider dead with his Batoon , and down he tumbled from his Horse , to the ground . The Common Soldiers highly commended the perillous Audacity of the King ; and were hardly kept in by their Commanders , but hand over head , would rush upon the Enemy , with such an eagerness of Mind , that they were likely to break their Enemies Ranks , unless the English Archers , who were placed in their Wings , had repulsed them with great Loss ; and Bruce also sent in some Troops of Horse , who drove them back ; Yet , in this Action , a Mistake did more prejudice to the English , than their Enemy did . The Rabble-Rout , which followed the Camp , caused the Baggage-men to mount their Draught horses and to hang out some Linen Cloth instead of Ensigns , thus they stood on an Hill , where they might easily be seen , and made an Appearance of a new Army . The English , who stood nearest , were surprized with a double Fear , and betook themselves to their Heels . Their Fear disordered the rest of the Army . A Multitude of common Soldiers were slain the pursuit ; some of our Writers say , Thi● Fifty Thousand English fell at that Fight . Caxton , an Englishman , doth not set down the precise Number , but , he says , it was a mighty Overthrow , an innumerable Multitude being slain ; and he did well in not being positive in the Number , for it was hard to compute it , in regard the Flight was so scattered , wherein more perished than in the Battel . This is certain , the Slaughter was so great , that the English , thô they had many Provocations from the Scots , yet did not stir for Two or Three Years , after . Of the English Nobility , The English receive a great overthrow at Banno●k , near Sterling . there fell about Two hundred , and almost an equal Number were taken Prisoners . The Prisoners related , That the King himself began to fly first , and if he had not been received into the Castle of Dunbar , by the Earl of March , and so sent in a Skiff by Water to Berwick , he had not escaped the hands of Douglass , who , with 400 Horse , pursued him Forty Miles . Amongst the Prisoners , there was taken a Monk , One of those who are called Carmelites , from Mount Carmel in Syria , he was accounted a good Poet for that Age , and was brought into the Army to celebrate the Victory of the English , in a Poem ; but , they being beaten , he Sung their Overthrow in a Canto , ( for which he had his Liberty . ) His Verse was rude and barbarous , yet , it did not altogether displease the Ears of the Men of that Age. Neither was the Victory unbloody to the Scots ; they lost above Four thousand Men , amongst whom , there were but Two Knights : Hereupon , Sterlin Castle was surrendred , according to Compact , and the Garison sent away .

About these times there happened a Passage , not unworthy to be related , in regard of the variety of Providences , in a narrow compass of time . Iohn * * Or Menteith Menthet , who betrayed his Friend Wallis to the English , and was therefore worthily hated by the Scots , received , amongst other Rewards , the Government of the Castle of Dumbritton from the English . When other Forts were recovered , That only , or , but very few with it , held out for the English . And because it was naturally impregnable , the King dealt with the Governor , by his Friends and Kindred , to Surrender it . He demanded the Country , or Earldom of Lennox , as the Price of his Treachery , and Surrender . Neither would he ever so much as hear of any other Terms . In this Case , the King did waver and fluctuate in his Mind , what to do ; on the One side , he earnestly desired to have the Castle ; yet , on the Other , he did not so much prize it , as , for its sake , to disoblige the Earl of Lennox , who had been his Fast , and almost his only , Friend , in all his Calamities . But the Earl of Lennox , hearing of it , and coming in , soon decided the Controversie , and persuaded the King , by all means , to accept the Condition . Hereupon , the Bargain was made , as Iohn Menteith would have it , and Solemnly confirmed ; But when the King was going to take Possession of the Castle , a Carpenter , one Rolland , met him in the Wood of Cholcon , about a Mile from it , * * Or Calhound in the Country of Lennox . and having obtained Liberty to speak with the King , concerning a matter of great importance , he told him , what Treachery the Governor did intend against him ; Yea , and had prepared to execute it ; It was This , In a Wine-Cellar , concealed , and under Ground , a sufficient number of Englishmen were hid , who , when the rest of the Castle was given up , and the King secure , were to issue forth upon him as he was at Dinner , and either to kill , or take him Prisoner . Hereupon , the King , upon the Surrender of the other Parts of the Castle by Iohn , being kindly invited to a Feast , refused to eat ; till , as he had searched all other parts of the Castle , so he had viewed that Wine-Cellar , also . The Governor excused it , pretending , That the Smith , who had the Key , was out of the way ; but that he would come again anon ; the King , not satisfied therewith , The Treachery of Menteith , who before betrayed Wallace , against the King , discovered . caused the Door to be broken open , and so the Plot was discovered ; The English were brought forth in their Armour , and being severally examined , confessed the whole Matter ; and they added also another discovery , viz. That a Ship rode ready in the next Bay to carry the King into England . The Complices in this wicked Design were put to death ; but Iohn was kept in Prison ; because the King was loth to offend his Kindred , and especially his Sons in Law , in so dangerous a time . For he had many Daughters , all of them very beautiful , and Married to Men , rich enough , but Factious . Therefore , in a time of such imminent Danger , the Battel drawing near , wherein All was at stake , lest the Mind of any powerful Man might be rendred averse from him , and thereby inclined to practise against him , Iohn was released out of Prison , upon this Condition , ( for the performance whereof , his Sons in Law undertook ) That he should be placed in the Front of the Battel , and there , by his Valour , should wait the Decision of Providence . And indeed , the Man , Menthet Rewarded for his Valour in Bannock Fight . otherwise fraudulent , was , in this , as good as his Word , for he behaved himself so Valiantly , that that days Work procured him , not only Pardon for what was past , but large Rewards for the future .

The Fame of this Victory , being divulged over all Britain , did not only abate the Fierceness of the English , but raised up the Scots even from extream Desperation ; supplying them not only with Money , but with Glory , with Arms and other Furniture for War . Neither did they only release their own Men , who were made Prisoners , either in Fight , or upon Surrenders , but also they raised great Sums , by the Redemption of the English , they had taken . And , out of the Spoils , many recompensed and made up the Losses they had received in former Times , yea , and got great Estates too , for the future . For the English came with all their Precious Things about them , not as to a War , but as to an assured Victory . The King , having thus prosperously succeeded in the War , spent the following Winter in settling the State of the Kingdom , which was much weakened by so long a War , and also in bestowing Rewards on the well-deserving . The next Spring , Berwick was taken from the English , Berwick take● by Bruce . after they had enjoyed it 20 Years . In the next place , he Convened an Assembly of the Estates at Air , a Town of Kyle . There , in a full Assembly , by the Suffrages of all the Orders , the Kingdom was confirmed to Bruce ; and afterwards , because the King had but one only Daughter , The Kingdom confirmed to Bruce . left by his former Wife ; The States , remembring what publick Mischiefs had happened by the Dispute , which in former times had been managed concerning the Right of Succession , made a Decree , That if the King left no Issue Male , his Brother Edward should succeed him in the Kingdom , and his Sons , in order , after him . But , if he also should decease without Issue Male , then the Crown was to descend to Mary , the Daughter of Robert , and to her Posterity ; yet so , that the Nobility were to provide her an Husband fit for her Royal Estate , and for the Succession in the Kingdom . For it was lookt upon , as far more just , That an Husband should be chosen for the young Lady , than that she should chuse an Husband for her self , and a King for the whole Land . It was also Decreed , That , in the Minority of the King , Thomas Randolfe , or , if he should miscarry , Iames Douglas , should be Tutors to the King , and Governors of the Kingdom . The Fame of Robert's noble Exploits , both at home and abroad , excited the Irish to send Ambassadors to him , To put themselves , and their Kingdom , under his Protection . And , Bruce desired , to accept the Crown of Ireland : if his Domestick Affairs should not suffer him to accept of the Kingdom , himself ; yet , that he would permit his Brother Edward to do it , that so a Nation , allied to him , might no longer suffer under the cruel , insulting , and intolerable Domination and Servitude of the English . The Irish wrote also to the Pope , to the same purpose ; and he , by his Missives , desired the English to forbear wronging and oppressing the Irish ; but in vain , so that Edward Bruce went thither with a great Army , and , by universal consent , was saluted , King . In the first year of his Arrival he drove the Engl●sh out of all Vlster , He drives the English out of Vlster . and reduced it to his Obedience ; yea , he passed over all the rest of the ●sland with his Victorious Army . The next year , a new Army was sent over from England ; Robert , perceiving , that the War would grow hotter , levied new Forces , and made haste over to his Brother . He suffered much in that Expedition , by his want of Provision , and when he was but about one days March from him , Edward Bruce overthrown in Ireland by the English . October 5. he heard , That he , and all his Men were defeated , the Third of the Nones of October . The report is , That Edward , edged on by too much desire of Glory , did precipitate the Fight , lest his Brother should share with him in the Glory of the Victory .

The King of England , being informed , that the Flower of the Militia of Scotland did attend Bruce in a Foreign Country , and thinking This a fit opportunity offered him to Revenge the Losses of former times , sent a great Army , under select Commanders , into Scotland . Douglas , Governor of the Borders , fought with them thrice in several places , and slew almost all their Commanders , and a great part of the Souldiers . An English Army worsted in Scotland . The English having sped ill with their Land Army , came into the Forth with a Naval Force , and infested all the Sea Coasts by their Excursions : The Earl of Fife sent 500 Horse to restrain the Plunderers ; but they , not daring to encounter so great a Multitude , in their Retreat , met with William Sinclare , Bishop of the Caledonians , accompanied with about 60 Horse , who , perceiving the Cause of their Retreat , did most grievously reproach them for their Cowardize , Bishop Sinclar's Valour against the English . and cried out , All you , that wish well to Scotland , follow me ; and thereupon , catching up a Lance , they all cheerfully followed him , and he made so brisk an Assault on the scattered Plunderers , that they fled hastily to their Ships ; and whilst they all endeavoured to get aboard , one Ship , overladen with Passengers , was sunk , and all , that were in it , drowned . This Attempt of Sinclare's was so grateful to the King , That , ever after , he called him , His Bishop . That Summer , when all the English Counties , bordering on the Scots , lay desolate and unmanured , by reason of want of Provision , ( Diseases also abounding amongst all sorts of tame Animals and Cattle ) as also by frequent Invasions ; To remedy this Inconvenience , Edward came to York , but there he was not able to compleat an Army , by reason of the Paucity of the Inhabitants ; so that the Londoners , and the Parts adjoining were fain to supply him with Soldiers , thô many of them had their Passes and Discharges from all Military Services , before . At length he made up an Army , and marches to besiege Berwick , he was scarce arrived there , when Thomas Randolfe passed over the River Solway , and marched another way into England ; where he wasted all with Fire and Sword , no Man resisting him ; yea , in some Places , he could hardly meet with any Man , at all . For a Plague , which Reigned the former year , had made such a Devastation , that the Face of things seemed very piteous , even to their very Enemies . When the Scots

Edward besieges Berwick .

Randolfe invades England , and overthrows the Arch-Bishop of York .

had marched above 100 Miles , and had fired all , especially about York , the Archbishop thereof , more fo● the Indignity of the Thing , than the Confidence in his Force , took Arms. He gathered together an Army numerous enough , but raw and undisciplined , consisting of a promiscuous Company of Priests , Artificers , and Country-Labourers , whom he led , with more Boldness , than Conduct , against his Invaders ; but , being overcome by them , he lost many of his Men , and He , with some few , saved themselves by Flight . There was so great a Slaughter of Priests made there , That the English , for a long time after , The W●it● Battel , 〈◊〉 ? called that Battel , The White Battel .

Edward , hearing of this Overthrow , lest his Conquering Enemy should make further and greater Attempts , brake up his Siege , and retreats to York , ( the Scots having withdrawn themselves ) and from thence into the heart of his Kingdom . The English were busied with Domestick Tumults , so that a short Truce was made , Edward retreats upon a Truce with the Scots . rather because both Kings were tired with the War , than , otherwise , any whit desirous of a Pacification . In this Calm , Robert Indicts a Convention of all the Estates and Nobility . And , because the Changes , happening in so long a War , had confounded the Right of Mens Possessions , he commanded every one to produce and shew , By what Title he held his Estate . This Matter was equally grievous to the Old Possessors , Robert calls for the Deeds of Mens Lands . as well as the New . Valiant Men thought , they enjoyed That by a good Right , which they had taken from their Enemies ; and they took it much amiss , That what they had got , as the Price of their Military Toil , yea , of their Blood too , should be rent from them , in Times of Peace . As for the old Owners of Estates , seeing there was no one House almost , but had suffered in the War , They had lost their Deeds , ( by which , they held their Lands ) as well as their other Goods . Whereupon , they all entred upon a Project , valiant in appearance , but bold and temerarious in the event . For when the King , in the Parliament , commanded them to produce their Titles , every one drew his Sword , and cried out , Whereupon he receives an Affront . We carry our Titles in our Right Hands ; The King , being amazed at this sudden and surprising Spectacle , though he took the Matter very heinously , yet he stifled his Indignation for the present , until a fit Time of Revenge . And it was not long , before an Occasion was offered him , to shew it ; Divers of the Nobles , being conscious to themselves of the Audacity of their late Attempt , and fearing to be punished for it , conspire together to betray the Kingdom to the English . The Fact was discovered to the King , and that so plainly , that the Letters , A Conspiracy against Bruce discovered , and the Acto●● put to dea●● . declaring the Manner , Time , and Place , were intercepted , and their Crime made evident . Whereupon they were all taken , and brought to the King , without any Tumult at all raised at their Apprehension . And because it was much feared , That William Souls , Governor of Berwick , would deliver up both Town and Castle to the English , before the Conspiracy was publickly divulged , he made a Journy thither , as it were , by she by . A Convention was made at Perth , to try the Prisoners , where the Letters were produced , and every ones Seal known ; being convicted of High-Treason , by their own Confession , they were put to Death . The Chief were David Brechin , and William Lord Souls , of the Nobility ; also Gilbert Mayler , Richard Brown , and Iohn Logie ; besides , there were many others of all Orders accused , but there being only Suspicion against them , they were dismissed . The Death of David Brechin only , did diversly affect Mens minds ; for , besides that he was the Son of the Kings Sister , he was accounted the Prime young man of his Age , for all Arts both of Peace and War . He had given given evident Proofs of his Valour in Syria , in the Holy War . He , being summoned in by the Popular Conspirators , never gave his Consent to the Treason , only his Crime was , That , being made acquainted with so foul a Machination , he did not Discover it . The Body of Roger Mowbray , who dyed before Conviction , was Condemned to all kind of Ignominy , but the King remitted that Punishment , and caused it to be buried .

Some some few Months before this Process was had , the Popes Legates , who , at the request of the English , came to compose the Dissensions betwixt the Kingdoms , not being able to do any thing therein , lest they might seem to have done nothing for the English in their Legation , Excommunicated the Scots , and forbad them the Use of Publick Divine Service , The Scots Excommunicated ( the Popes Thunderbolts being terrible , in Those days . ) Bruce , to shew how little he valued the Popes Curses in an unjust Cause , gathered an Army and invaded England , following the Legate at his Departure , almost at his very heels . There he made a foul havock with Fire and Sword , Bruce invades England . and came as far as the Cross at Stanmore . The English , not to suffer so great Ignominy to pass unrevenged , levied so numerous an Army , that they promised themselves an easy Victory , even without Blood . Robert thought it dangerous to run the Hazard of All in a Battel against the mighty Army of so great a King , but rather he resolved to help out the matter with Policy , rather than by Force . He drave all the Cattle into the Mountains , whither Armies could not , but with great Difficulty , ascend ; and all other things of use for an Army , he caused , either to be reposited in Fortify'd Places , or to be wholly spoiled .

The English , who came thither in hopes of a speedy Battel , and had not Provisions for a long March ; when they perceived , what Devastation was made in their own Country , were inflamed with Anger , Hatred , and Desire of Revenge , and resolved to pierce into the middst of Scotland , Edward enter● Scotland , but soon retreats . and to ferret the King out of his boroughs ; yea , and force him to a Fight , tho' against his Will. For the Greatness of his Forces did encourage him to hope , that , either he should blot out his former Ignominy by an Eminent Victory , or else , should recompense his Loss lately received , by an enlarged Depopulation ; With this Resolution he came in all hast to Edinburgh ; he spared Churches only in his March , but the further he was to go , the more scarcity he was like to find ; So that , in five days time , he was forced to retreat . At his return , he spoiled all things , both Sacred and Prophane . In Teviotdale . He burnt the Monasteries of Driburgh and Mulross , and killed those old Monks , whom either Weakness , or Confidence in their Old Age , had caused to stay there . As soon as Bruce was informed , that Edward was returned , for want of Provision , and that Diseases did rage in his Army , Bruce follows him and had almost taken him in a Skirmish . so that he had lost more Men than if he had been overcome in Battel , he almost trod upon his Heels , with an Army , noted more for the Goodness , than the Number , of Soldiers , and came as far as York , making grievous havock as he went . He had almost taken the King Himself by an unexpected Assault at the Monastery of * * Not ●ar from Malto● in Yorkshire . Biland , where Edward , in a tumultuary Battel , was put to Flight , all his Household-stuff , Money , Bag and Baggage being taken . To blot out the Ignominy of this Infamous Flight , Andrew Berkley , Earl of Carlisle , was a while after accused , And●ew B●r●ly put to Death . as if he had been bribed to betray the English , and so he lost his Life , in Punishment for the Cowardize of another Man .

The next Year , a double Embassy was sent , One to the Pope , to reconcile him to the Scots , from whom he had been alienated by the Calumnies of the English ; and Another to renew the Ancient League with the French . They Both easily obtained what they desired : For , when the Pope understood , That the Controversy arose by the Injury and Default of Edward the First , who affirmed , That the King of Scots ought to obey , as a Feudatary , the King of England ; and , That the English had nothing to defend their Claim by , but old Fables , and late Injuries ; and besides , That , in Prosperity , being Summoned by the Pope , they always avoided an equal Decision of Things , tho , in their Adversity , they were always humble suiters to him for his Aid ; and , on the other side , the Scots always were willing to have their Cause heard , The Scots absolved by the Pope . and never shunned the Determination of an Equal Judge , nor the Arbitration of any Good men ; and moreover , when they produced many Grants and Summons of Former Popes , which made for them , and against their Enemies , the Scots were always present at the day , and the English , tho' they had Notice given , never came . Hereupon , the Pope was easily reconciled to the Scots ; and the French as easily induced to renew the Ancient League , only one Article was added to the old Conditions , That if any Controversy did hereafter arise amongst the Scots , And make a League with the French . concerning him who was to succeed in the Kingdom , the same should be decided by the Council of the States ; and the French , if there were need , were to assist Him by his Authority , and with his Arms , who , by Lawful Suffrages , was by them declared King . Our Writers cast the Rise of the Hamiltons , now a powerful Family in Scotland , upon these Times .

There was a certain Nobleman in the Court of England , who spake Honourably of the Fortune and Valour of Bruce ; whereupon , one of the Spencers , Bed-Chamber Man to the King , either thinking , That his Speech was Reproachful to the English ; or else , The Rise of the Family of the Hamiltons , with the Occasion thereof . to curry Favour with the looser sort of the Nobility , drew forth his Faucheon , and , making at him , gave him a slight wound in the Body . The Man , being of a great Spirit , was more concerned at the Contumely , than at the Damage ; and , being hindered by the coming in of many , to part the Fray , from taking present Revenge ; the day after , finding his Enemy in a sit Posture , in the same place , he run him thorough : And fearing the Punishment of the Law , and the great Power of the Spencers at Court , he fled presently into Scotland , to King Robert , by whom he was courteously received , and some Lands , near the River Clyde , were bestowed upon him . His Posterity , not long after , were admitted to the Degree of Noblemen ; and the Opulent Family of the Hamiltons was Sirnamed from him , and also the Name of Hamilton was imposed on the Lands , which the King gave him .

Not long after , Edward had great Combustions at home , insomuch , that he put many of the Nobles to Death , and advanced the Spencers , the Authors of all Evil Counsel , higher than his own Kindred could bear ; so that , he was apprehended by his Son , and by his Wife , ( who had received a small Force from beyond the Seas , Edw●rd of England slain by a strange kind of Death , not without the P●ivity of his Relations . ) and kept close Prisoner ; and not long after , he was slain by a course sort of Death , an hot Iron was thrust into his Fundament , through a Pipe of Horn , by which his Bowels were burnt up , and yet no Sign of so terrible a Fact appeared on the outside of his Body . His Wife and Son were thought Privy to the Parricide , either , because his Keepers would never have dared to commit such a Deed , so openly , unless they had had Great Authors ; or else , because they were never called in Question for so Immane a Butchery .

These Disturbances in England , which were followed by the Kings Death , Bruce also growing old and weak in Body , were the Occasions , Bruce settles the Succession in hi● Family . that Peace for some Years did intercede between the Two Neighbour Nations . For Bruce , being freed from the Fear of the English , and being also called upon by his Age , converted his Thoughts to settle his Domestick Affairs . And first , he made hast to confirm the Kingdom , ( which was not yet quite recovered , nor fully setled , from the Commotions of former Times ) to his only Son , yet but a Child , by the Consent and Decree of the Estates . And , if he died without Issue , then he appointed Robert Stuart , his Nephew by his Daughter , to be his Successor : He caused the Nobles to take an Oath , for the Performance of this Decree . But afterwards , fearing . That , after his Death , Baliol would begin his old Dispute , about the Kingdom ; especially seeing his Heirs , because of their Minority , might be liable to be injured by others ; he sent Iames Douglas to Iohn Baliol , being in France , with large Gifts and Promises , That he would cease his Claim to the Kingdom : This he did , not so much to acquire a new Right , ( because , according to the Scotish Custom , The King is made by the Decree of the Estates , who have the Supream Power in their Hands ; ) but , that he might cut off all Occasion from Wicked Men , to Calumniate his Posterity ; and also , that he might Eradicate the very Seeds of Sedition . Douglas found Baliol far more placable , than he , or others , thought , he would be ; for he was now surrounded with the Miseries of Extream Old Age. And agrees with Baliol then in France , who consents the●eto . He ingenuously Confessed , That his Peccant Exorbitance was justly restrained , and that he was deservedly driven out of the Kingdom , as unworthy to Reign . And therefore , he was very willing , That his Kinsman Robert should enjoy the Crown , by whose high Valour , singular Felicity , and great Pains-taking , 't was Vindicated into its Ancient Splendour : In one thing , he rejoyced , That they , by whom he was deceived , did not enjoy the Reward of their Perfidiousness .

When Robert had setled these Matters , according to his own desire , the same Year , which was 1327. our Writers say , That Ambassadors were sent into Scotland , by Edward the Third , for a Pacification ; in which Matter , they seemed to act Treacherously , and instead of Peace , they carried home War , but what the particular Fraud , was , is not expressed , and the English say , That the War was openly denounced by Robert , but they describe not the Cause of it ; surely , it must needs be some great and mighty One ; or else , a valetudinary old Man , when Peace was scarce setled at home ; and , who might have been sated with his former Victories , rather than with War , would not so soon have been provoked to reassume his Arms. This is certain , That the King , by reason of his Age , B●uce's Army 〈…〉 could not manage the War himself in Person ; so that Thomas Randolfe , and Iam●s Douglas , the Valiantest and Wisest of all that Age , were sent by him into England , with Twenty Thousand brave nimble Horse , but no Foot at all . The Reason was , That they might fly up and down swiftly , and not abide in one place ; nor , be forced to Fight the English , unless they themselves pleased . For they knew , that the English would make Head against them in their first Expedition , Edward makes Head against them . with a far more numerous Army : Neither were they deceived in their Opinions , for the King of England , besides his Domestick Forces , had procured great Assistance of Horse , from Belgium ; but , in regard they and the English fell out at York , some English Writers say , That they returned home again . But Frossard , a French Writer of the same Age , says , That they accompanied the English during the whole Expedition ; and that , not only for Honours sake , but also for Fear of Sedition , they had the next Place to the Kings Regiment , always assigned to them , in the Camp . The King , having made a Conjunction of all his Forces , ( which were clearly above Sixty Thousand Men ) marched against the Scots , who had already passed over the Tine . Now , there were Two Fortified Towns on the Tine . One nearer Wales , which was Carlisle ; and the other , about Fifty Miles lower , called Newcastle . The English had strongly Garisoned Both of them , to hinder the Enemies Passage over the River ; but the Scots , knowing , where the River was fordable , passed over without any noise , and so deceived both the Garisons . When the English were come into the Bishoprick of Durham , from the Tops of the Hills , they might see Fires afar off , and then beginning to understand , how near their Enemy was , they tumultuously cryed , Arm , Arm , as if they were presently to fall to it .

They drew forth their Army into a Threefold Order of Battel , and marched directly to the Place , The Scots flying Army of Horse weary the Eng●ish to follow them . where they saw the Smoak of the Fire ; the General denouncing a great Penalty on him , that without his leave , should stir from his Colours . Thus they wearied themselves till the Evening , and then mark'd out a Place for their Camp , in a Wood , near a certain River , and there they placed their Baggage and Carriages , which could not so swiftly follow the Flying Army .

The next day , they marched in the same Order , and towards Evening , they were forced to abide in their Tents , which they had pitched , as conveniently as the Place would afford , that so the Draught-Horses , and the Foot , might receive a little Refreshment . There the Nobles came to the King , and deliberated , How they should bring the Scots to a Battel . The most Part were of Opinion , That the English Foot were never able to overtake the flying Horse of the Scots , and if they did , yet they could not compel them to Fight , but in those Places , which they themselves judged most Convenient : But because there was such a general Devastation , that they could not stay long in an Enemies Country ; they judged it best , to pass over the Tine , with all their Forces , and to intercept the Enemy in his Return home . And besides , the Country beyond the Tine was plainer and fitter to draw up an Army in , that so the whole Body of the Army might be put upon Service . This Opinion was approved , and a Command given to refresh Themselves , and to do it as silently as ever they could , That they might more easily hear the word of Command , and the sound of the Trumpets ; That so , leaving the Baggage behind , every one should carry a Loaf a piece ; and , as if the next day they were to fight the Enemy , they were to await the Event of Fortune ; so that their Bodies being refreshed from the weariness of the day before , a little after Midnight , they took up their Arms , and , in good order , begun their March ; But the Marishes and Hills , by which they were to pass , quickly made them to break their Ranks , and he , that could , led the Van ; the Rest followed their Steps , and their March was in such Disorder , that many Horse , and Carriage-Beasts , did either stick in the Mud , or else , did tumble down from steep Places , and oft times they cryed , To your Arms , and then all of them , in great Trepidation , ran to the Place from whence the Noise and Cry came , without any Order at all . But when they came to those that led the Van , Stags , suddenly rouzed , affright the English . they understood , That the Tumult was occasioned by a Multitude of Stags ; who , being rouzed out of the Heath , by the Noise of Men , and afraid to see them , ran up and down in great Confusion , amongst the Brigades . At last , about Evening , the Horse , but without the Foot , came to the Fords of Tine , over which the Scots had passed , and by which , they would return ( as they hoped ) and , at Sun-set , they Forded over ; the round and slippery Stones , which the River roles up and down , much incommoding their Horse . And besides , they were afflicted with another Inconvenience , They had , few or none of them , any Iron Tools to cut down Wood with ; so that , after they had marched Twenty Eight Miles , they were fain to lie in their Arms , that Night , on the bare Ground , holding their Horses Bridles , in one of their Hands ; for , they could not cut down Wood to make Tents , ( having brought none with them ) nor Huts , nor so much as Stakes to tye their Horses to . Early in the Morning , assoon as it was light , there fell such mighty showres of Rain , * * The English Army highly incommoded in their march . that even small Brooks were hardly passable , by Man or Horse ; and also , they were inform'd by some Country Men , which they took , That the Neighbouring Country was so Barren and Desolate , That no Provision was to be had , nearer than Newcastle and Carlisle ; of which , one was Twenty Four , the other Thirty , Miles off . Thither they sent their Draught-Horses and Servants ; in the mean time , they made use of their Swords , to cut down Stakes to tye their Horses to ; and some Shrubs and small Trees to build them Huts , with the Leaves whereof they fed their Horses , and so , that Night , they were fain to Fast.

Three Days after , they , that were sent to the Towns , returned with some small Provisions , which they brought along with them ; some Sutlers came also with them , with Bread and Wine , to make a Gain of ; but it was but little , and also , not Good ; yet , such as it was , the Soldiers were ready to fall out , Who should have it , first . Having thus passed Seven days , in great Want , and being also much molested with continual Showres , so that their Horse-Furniture was wet , and their Horses Backs did Ulcerate , and they themselves stood ( many of them ) Armed , Day and Night , in their wet Cloaths ; neither could they make any Fire , by reason , that the Wood was Green ; and besides , it was wetted by the Rain water ; The Eighth day , they resolved to repass the River at a more commodious Ford , Seven miles above the Place , where they were ; but there also the River was swoln by reason of the Showres , so that they were much incommoded , and some were drowned , in their passage . As soon as they had landed their Army upon the other side , a great Reward was proposed to him , Who could bring the first certain Tidings , Where the Scots were . The Two next Days , their March lying thrô desolate places , and ruined by late Fires , they had Forage enough for their Horses , but little Provision for Themselves . On the Fourth Day , One of the Fifteen young Men , who scouted out to bring News where the Scots lay , returned back , and informed them , That the Scots Army was about Three Miles distance from Theirs ; and that , for Eight Days last past , They had been as uncertain what became of the English , as the Engl●sh had been what became of Them . This he affirmed for Truth , as having been taken Prisoner by the Scots , and freed without Ransom , upon Condition , he would go tell his King , That , they would wait for his Coming in that Place ; and , That they were as willing to Fight , as He.

Upon the Receipt of this Message , the King Commanded the Army to make an Halt , that Man and Horse might take some Refreshment , and so be ready for the last Encounter ; and thus , in Three Brigades , he marched slowly towards the Enemy . Assoon as they came in fight one of another , the Scots had so divided their Men into Three Batailions upon an Hill , that the Rocks and Precipices thereof secured them on the Right and Left , from whence , they might cast down Stones on the Enemy , if they endeavoured to come up to them . At the Foot of the Hill , the English had a rapid Torrent to pass , so full of Great and Round Stones , that they could not Ford over to their Enemy ; or , if they had so done , they could not Retreat without certain Ruin . The English , perceiving that they could not come at the Enemy , but with great disadvantage , pitched their Tents ; and sent an Herald at Arms to the Scots , Reparties between both Armies . advising them to come down into the Champion Country , to Fight for Glory and Empire by true Valour , in an open Plain : The Scots answered , That they would Fight for no bodies pleasure , but their own ; That they marched into England , to revenge the Injuries they had received ; if they had done any thing which did offend them , they had free Liberty to take their own Revenge . As for Themselves , they resolved to abide There , as long as they pleased ; and if their Enemy did attaque them , at his Peril be it . The next Three Days , their Camps being near , and Parties placed at the Fords , some slight Skirmishes passed betwixt them ; the Fourth Day , assoon as it was Light , the Watch brought Word , That the Scots had forsaken the Hill , on which they were ; whereupon , Scouts were sent out to bring certain News , and to follow them , if they had Retreated ; who brought word , That the Scots had pitched their Tents on another Hill by the same River , much more convenient for them than the First , where they had a Wood which secured their Ingress and Egress . The English , who hoped that they should Famish the Scots , ( who avoided Fighting ) in a Foreign Soil , being frustrated of their Expectation , followed them , and pitched their Tents on an opposite Hill . After they had abode there some Days , it was observed , That they grew more Negligent than formerly in their Night-watches ; either , because they undervalued the Scots , because of their Paucity , or else , because they meditated nothing , but Flight . Douglas took hold of the Opportunity , to attempt something , and passing over the River with 200 Select Horse , he entred the Enemies Camp , where , he saw , it was but slenderly Guarded . He had almost pierced to the King 's own Tent , Douglas breaks in upon the English Camp , and does Execution . where , cutting off the Cords , the Alarm being taken , he killed near 300 English in his Retreat , and brought his Men safely off ; After this , no Memorable Action happened , save , that the English , instructed by their own Loss , placed more careful Watches , in convenient Places . At last , it was told them by a Scot , whom they had taken Prisoner , That there was a Proclamation in that Camp , That , at the Third Watch , all should be ready to follow Douglas , whither-soever he should lead them . This Relation struck such a Terror into the Engl●sh , That , dividing their Army into Three Batailions , at a moderate Distance one from another , they stood all that Night in their Arms ; and their Servants held their Horses , Bridled , Sadled , and ready prepared , for whatever should happen in their Camp . And moreover , they placed strong Guards at all the Fords of the River . At last , towards Day , Two Scots Trumpeters were brought to the King , who told him , That the Scots were Commanded to returned home ; and if the English had a mind to revenge the Loss they had sustained , they must Follow them . The English Army Retreats . Hereupon , the English called a Council of War , where it was resolved , That it was better to march back with the Army at present , than to follow such flying Stragglers , to the great vexation both of Horse and Man ; considering , they had lost more Men in this Expedition by Famine and Sickness , than might have fallen in a Set-Battel . When their Retreat was resolved upon , many of the English , either in hopes of Prey , which might be left behind in their hasty Retreat ; or else , desirous to understand something of their Enemies Affairs , went into their Camp , where they found about Five Hundred Deer , and especially Stags , already killed , ( of which sort , the English keep many , not only their Kings , but even many private Persons also , ) and also great Budgets , made of raw Skins , in which they boiled their Meat , and about Ten Thousand Snapsacks . Moreover , Cruelty to Prisoners . there were Two English Men , whose Legs were broken , but they were yet alive . All these things being Evidences of great Hardiness and Poverty , did confirm the goodness of their Advice , who were for marching the Army back .

This Year , Walter Stuart , and Queen Elizabeth , died , one the Son in Law , the other , Wife to the King : Besides , the Castles of Alnewick and Norham were besieged by the Scots , but ▪ without Success : Preys were also driven out of Northumberland . In March , Ambassadors came from England , to treat of a perpetual Peace , and a Truce was made for Three Years . The next Year , which was 1328. the English held a Parliament at Northampton , the Eighth of the Calends of Iuly , Iune , 24. wherein all the Orders of Estates agreed to a Peace with the Scots upon these Terms ; A Peace concluded between the Scots and English , with the Conditions thereof . That the English should renounce all Right , which they , or their Ancestors , pretended to have to the Crown of Scotland ; and , That they should leave That Kingdom as Free , as it was at the Death of Alexander the Third ; and , That they should be Subject to no External Yoke of Servitude ; and , on the other side , the Scots were to surrender up all the Lands , they sometimes held in England , as Feudataries ; That Cumberland and Northumberland , as far as Stanmore , should be Boundaries to the Scots ; That David , the Son of Robert , should take to Wife Ioan , the Sister of Henry ; That the English should faithfully return all Pacts , Bonds , and Writings , or any other Monuments of Subjection , into the Hands of the Scots , and should disanul them , for the future ; That the Scots , for the Damage which they had lately done the English King , and for the Lands which his Father and Grandfather had given to his Favourites in Scotland , should pay him Thirty thousand Marks of Silver .

Both Kings had their proper Reasons , why they consented , so easily , to these Conditions . The English King , having wasted his Treasure , and having been put to an Ignominious Flight , and thereby lessened in the Eyes of his own Subjects , as well as of his Enemies , thereupon was afraid , That some Domestick Sedition would arise , and then a Warlike Enemy , pufft up with his late Success , should come on his Flank , and thereby mightily endamage his Kingdom . And Robert , being broken with Old Age , Toil , and Diseases , ( for , a little before his death , he fell into a Leprosy ) having also been long exercised with the events of both Fortunes , good and bad , resolved , if he could , to give up himself to his Ease ; and not only so , but to provide for the Tranquillity of his Heirs , in regard of their infirm and tender Age. And therefore , having settled Peace abroad , he turned himself wholly to settle Matters at home . When the Marriage of his Son was magnificently celebrated , he , perceiving the end of his Life to be near at hand , composed himself almost into the Habit of a private Man , ( for some years before , all the Grand Affairs of State had been managed by Thomas Randolph , and Iames Douglas ) and lived in a small House at Cardross , ( a place divided from Dumbritton by the River Levin ) and kept himself , but in case of great Necessity , from the Concourse of People . Thither he called some of his Friends , a little before his Death , and made his Will. B●●ce's last Will and Testament . He confirmed those to be his Heirs , which were so declared by the Convention of Estates . First , David his Son , being eight year old ; next , Robert his Nephew by his Daughter ; he commended them to his Nobles , and especially to Thoma● Randolph , his Sisters Son , and Iames Douglas . Afterward , he settled his Houshold Affairs , and exhorted them all to Concord amongst themselves , and to observance of Allegiance to their King ; if they did so , he would assure them to be unconquerable by a Foreign Power . Moreover , His Three Advices to his Successors , w●th the Reasons upon which they were grounded 〈◊〉 . he is reported to have added Three Commands , or , if you will , Counsels ; First , That they should never make any one Man , Lord of the Aebudae Islands ; Next , That they should never fight the English , with all their Force , at one time ; and Thirdly , That they should never make with them a Perpetual League . In Explicating his First Advice , he discoursed much concerning the Number , Bigness , and Power of the Islands , and concerning the Multitude , Fierceness , and Hardiness of their Inhabitants ; They , with Ships , Such as they were , yet not inconvenient for those Coasts , coping with Men unskill'd in Marine Affairs , might do a great deal of Mischief to others , but receive little Damage , themselves : And therefore , Governors were Yearly to be sent thither , to administer Justice amongst them , by Officers , who should not be continued long in their Places , neither . His Second Advice concerning the English , stood upon this Foot , Because the English , as inhabiting a better Country , did exceed the Scots in Number of Men , Money , and all other Warlike Preparations ; and by reason of these Conveniencies , they were more accustomed to their Ease , and not so patient of Labour or Hardship : On the other side , the Scots were bred in an hardier Soil , and were , by reason of their Parsimony and continual Exercise , of a more healthy Constitution of Body ; and , by the very manner of their Education , made more capable to endure all Military Toil ; and therefore , That they were fitter for suddain and occasional Assaults , so to weaken and weary out their Enemy , by degrees , than to venture all at once in a pitch'd Battel . His Third Advice was grounded upon this Reason , Because , if the Scots should have a long Peace with the English , ( having no other Enemy besides them to exercise their Arms upon ) they would grow Lazy , Luxurious , and so easily become Slothful , Voluptuous , Effeminate , and Weak . As for the English , though they had Peace with the Scots , yet France was near them , which kept their Arms in ure ; If then , those who are skilful in Warlike Affairs should cope with the Scots , thus grown unskilful and sluggish , they might promise to themselves an assured Victory . Robert Bruce's Vow to assist in the Holy War recommended to Douglas to perform . Moreover , he commended to Iames Douglas the Performance of the Vow , which he had made , which was , to go over into Syria , and to undertake the Cause of Christendom in the Holy War , against the Common Enemy thereof . And , because he himself , by reason of his Home-bred Seditions ; or else , being broken with Age and Diseases , could not perform the Vow himself , he earnestly desired , Bruce would have his Heart buried at Ierusalem . That Douglas would carry his Heart , after he was deceased , to Jerusalem , that it might be buried there . Douglas looked upon This as an Honourable Imployment , and as an eminent Testimony of the Kings Favour towards him ; and , therefore , the next Year , after the Kings Death , with a good Brigade of Noble young Men , he prepared for his Voyage . But , being upon the Coasts of Spain , he heard , That the King of Arragon managed a fierce War against the same Enemy , with which he was to fight in Syria ; and , thinking with himself , that it mattered not in what Place he assisted in the Cause of Christianity , he Landed his Men , and joined himself with the Spaniard ; Douglas in his Voyage to Ierusalem assists the Spaniards against the Moors , and was there slain . where , after many prosperous Fights , at last , despising the Enemy as a weak and fugitive one , he thought to attempt something against him with his own Men , and so rushing unadvisedly on the Army of the Sarazens , he was , by them , drawn into an Ambush , wherein he and most part of his Men were slain . His chief Friends that perished with him , were , William Sinclare , and Robert Logan . This happened the next year after the Kings Death , which was 1330.

To be short , Robert Bruce , was , certainly , a most Illustrious Person , every way , and he can hardly be parallelled for his Virtues and Valour , even in the most Heroick Times ; for , as he was very Valiant in War , so , he was most Just and Temperate , in Peace ; and , Bruce his high Encomi●ms . though his unhoped for Successes , and ( after that Fortune was once satiated , or rather wearied , with his Miseries ) a continual course of perpetuated Victory did highly Ennoble him ; yet , to me , he seemed to have been more Glorious in his Adversities . For , What a strong Heart was That , which was not broken , no , nor yet weakened , by so many Miseries as brake in upon him , all at once ? Whose Constancy would it not have tried , to have his Wife a Prisoner , and to have his Four Valiant Brothers , cruelly put to Death ? And his Friends , at the same time , vexed with all kind of Calamities ; and they , which escaped with their Lives , were Exiled , and lost all their Estates : As for himself , he was outed not only of a large Patrimony , but of a Kingdom too , by the powerfullest King of those Times , and one , who was most ready , both for Advice and Action . Though he were beset with all these Evils , at one time ; yea , and brought into the extreamest Want ; yet , he never doubted of recovering the Kingdom . Neither did he ever do , or say , any thing , which was unbecoming a Royal Spirit . He did not do , as Cato the Younger , and Marcus Brutus , who laid violent Hands on themselves ; neither did he , as Marius , incensed by his Sufferings , let loose the Reins of Hatred and Passion , against his Enemies ; but when he had recovered his Ancient State and Kingdom , he so carried it towards them , who had put him to so much Hardship and Trouble , That he seemed rather to Remember , that he was now their King , than that he had been sometimes their Enemy . And even , a little before his Death , though a great Disease made an addition to the Trouble of his Old Age ; yet , he was so much Himself , as to confirm the Present State of the Kingdom ; yea , and to consult the quiet of his Posterity . So that , when he died , all Men bewailed him , as being deprived , not only of a Just King , but of a Loving Father , too . He departed this Life , the Iuly 9 th . Seventh of the Ides of Iuly , in the Year of Christ 1329. and of his Reign the Twenty Fourth .

The Ninth BOOK .

THE Nobles of Scotland , having performed the Funeral Obsequies for the late King , assoon as they could conveniently , did Indict a Convention of the Estates , for the Electing of a Regent ; where the Inclinations of the Publick easily pitched on Thomas Randolf , Earl of Murray ; for , even in the Kings Life Time , Randolf made Regent , or Guardian . he had , for some Years , managed that Office , and the King at his Death had also Recommended him to the People , by his last Will and Testament .

David II. The Ninety Eighth King .

THE Coronation of the King was deferred till the November 24. Eighth of the Calends of December , the next Year following ; that so , by the Permission of the Pope , he might be Anointed , and that new Ceremony be performed more Augustly , amongst the Scots . Assoon as the Regent was chosen , he first of all ratified the Peace , made with the English ; afterward , he applied his Mind to settle quiet at home , and to suppress publick Robberies . In order whereto , he kept a strong Guard of Armed Men about him , which were ready on all Occasions ; so that when News was brought him , as he was going to * * Situate near the Irish Sea . Wigton , ( which is a Town in Galway ) that there was a strong Band of Thieves , who beset the Highways , and robbed Travellers in that Country ; he sent out his Guard against them , even as he was in his Progress , who took them every Man ; whom he caused to be put to Death . He was Inexorable against all Murderers , so that he caused a certain Man to be apprehended , who had obtained the Popes Bull of Pardon for his Offence , He executes a Murderer , though he had the Popes Pardon . and thereupon thought himself secure , to be apprehended , alledging , That the Pope might Pardon the Soul-Guilt , but the Body-Punishment belonged to the King .

To prevent Robberies , which were yet too frequently committed , by reason of the remaining Contagion of the Wars , he made a Law , That the Country Men should leave their Iron Tools , and Plough-Gear , in the Field , A notable Law , made by the Regent , to prevent Theiving . all Night , and that they should not shut their Houses , nor Stalls . If any thing were stollen , the Loss was to be repaired by the Sheriff of the County ; and the Sheriff was to be reimbursed by the King ; and the King was to be satisfied out of the Estates of the Thieves , when they were taken . There was one Country Man , either over-greedy of Gain ; or else , judging that Caution to be Vain and Frivolous , who hid his Plough Iron in the Field , and came to the Sheriff to demand Satisfaction , as if it had been stollen ; the Sheriff paid him presently , but inquiring further into the Matter , The Collusive Cheat of a Country Man , punished . and finding , that he was the Author of the Theft , himself ; he caused him to be Hanged , and his ●oods to be Confiscate : He restrained the loose Pack of Drolling Vagabonds and Minstrellers , from wandring up and down the Country , under most grievous Penalties . If any one assaulted a Travellor , St●ict Laws made by the Regent . or any Publick Officer in performing his Office , he made it Lawful for any Body to Kill him . So that when Thirty Assailants had been slain by the Companions of a certain Publick Minister at a Village called * * In T●v●otda●● . Halydon , he pronounced , That the Fact was just , and Indemnified the Committers of it . This Domestick Severi●y made him Formidable to flagitious Persons , at home ; as his Valour did to his Enemies , abroad . And therefore the English , who , upon Roberts death , watched all Occasions to revenge themselves , perceiving , That they could attempt nothing by open Force , as long as Randolph was living , turned their Thoughts to secret Fraud and Stratagem .

The speediest Way to be rid of their Enemy seemed to be , by Poysoning him ; Neither wanted there a fit Minister to attempt it ; which was a certain Monk , of that Class , which are idly brought up , and , for want of Masters to teach them better , they do many times pervert Good Wits to Evil Arts and Practices : There were Two Professions joyned in him , viz. Monkship , A Monk Poysons Randolf with a slow-working-dose . and the Profession of Physick ; the First seemed proper to gain him Admittance ; the Second rendred him fit to perpetrate the Wickedness . Hereupon , he comes into Scotland , giving out in all Places , That , as he had Skil in all other Parts of Physick , so especially in curing the Stone ; by which means , he obtained an easy Access to the Regent ; and , being employed to cure him , he mixed a Slow-working Poyson with his Medicine ; and then , taking a few Days Provision with him , he returned again into England , as if he had gone only to get and prepare more Drugs and Medicines . There he makes a Solemn Asseveration before Edward , That Randolf would dye , by such a certain day . Edward marches for Scotland . In Hopes whereof , Edward levied a great Army , and marching to the Borders , found there as great an Army of Scots , ready to receive him , not far from his Camp ; whereupon , he sent a Trumpeter to them , upon Pretence to demand Reparation for Damages ; but , he was enjoyned to inquire , Who commanded the Scots Forces ? Randolph , his Disease growing on , and the Monk not returning at the Day appointed , suspected all things for the worse , and therefore , dissembling his Grief , as much as he could , he sate in a Chair before his Tent , Royally apparelled , and gave Answer to the Demands of the Herald of Arms , as if he had been a man perfectly Healthy and Sound . The Herald , at his Return acquainted the King with what he had seen and heard ; so that the Monk was punished , as a Lying Cheat ; and Edward marched back his Army , only leaving a Guard on the Borders , to prevent Incursions . Randolph also was hindred from marching forward , by the Violence of his Disease , but returning he disbanded his Army , and at Musselborough , about Four Miles from Edinburgh , departed this Life , in the year of our Salvation 1331. and the 13th of the Calends of

Edward punishes the Monk , because his Poyson did not kill Randolf as soon as he said it would .

Edward retreats .

Iuly 20. Randolf's death and Character .

August , having managed the Regency Two years after Robert's death . He was a Man no whit Inferiour to any of our Scotish Kings in Valour and Skill in Military Affairs , but far Superiour to them in the Arts and Knacks of Peace . He left Two Sons behind him , Thomas and I●hn , Both worthy of so great a Father .

When Randolf , Guardian of the Kingdom ( for so they then called him ) was dead , Duncan Earl of Marr was chosen in his Place , the 4th of the Nones of Duncan Earl of Marr , made Guardian in Randolfs Place . August . 2. Iuly 31. August . The King being then Ten year old , on which very Day a sad Message was brought to Court , That the day before the Calends of that Month , Edward Baliol was seen in the Firth of Forth , with a Navy very Numerous . To make all things more plain concerning his coming , Edward Baliol appears on the Scots Coast. I must go a little back . When King Robert died , there was one * * The Story of Twine , or Tuenam Lores●n . Laurence Twine , an English man , of the Number of Those , who , having received Lands in Scotland , as a Reward of their Military Service , dwelt there . He was of a Good Family , but of a Wicked Life : He , conceiving Hope of greater Liberty , upon the Death of One King , and the Immature Age of Another , gave himself up , more licentiously , to unlawful Pleasures ; so that , being often found in Adultery , and admonished by the Judge of the Ecclesiastical Court ; yet , not desisting , he was at last Excommunicated by the Official ( as they call him ) of the Bishop of Glasgow . Whereupon , he , as if he had received a grat deal of Wrong , way-laid the Judge , as he was going to Air , and kept him so long a Prisoner , until , upon the Payment of a Sum of Money , he had absolved him . Twine , being informed , That Iames Douglas was extremely angry with him for this Fact , and that he sought for him to have him punished ; for Fear of his Power , he fled into France , and there he addressed himself to Edward Baliol , Son to Iohn , ( who had been King of Scotland , some few years ) informing him of the State of Affairs in Scotland ; and withal , advising him , by no means , to omit so fair an Opportunity of recovering his Fathers Kingdom . For , He stirs up Edward Baliol then in France to invade Scotland . ( said he ) Their King was now but a Child , and he had many Enemies about him , and readier to be Avengers of the hatred towards his Father , than his Friends ; The Fathers of some were slain in a publick Convention at Perth , others were banished , and lost their Estates ; others were mulct with the Loss of a great part of of their Lands ; and besides , many of the English race , who were deprived of the Lands given them by his Father , would be his Companions in the Expedition ; yea , that there were Men enough , needy and criminal , who , either for hope of gain , or to avoid the punishment of the Law , being desirous of Change and Innovation , wanted nothing but a Leader to begin a Disturbance . And moreover , Iames Douglas being killed in Spain , and Randolf by reason of his Sickness , being unfit for the Government , there was not a Man besides , to whose Authority the giddy and disagreeing Multitude would as soon submit , as to His.

Baliol knew , That what he had spoken was , for the most part , true , and hearing also , that Edward of England was sending great Forces into Scotland ; Thereupon the crafty Impostor easily persuaded Him , who of himself was desirous of Empire and Glory , to get what Ships he could together , and so to bear a Part in that Expedition . But , before the coming of Baliol into England , Edward had disbanded his Army . Nevertheless , ●he exiled Scots , and those English , who had been dispossessed of their Lands in Scotland flocked in to him , and so he made up no inconsiderable Army . Some say , That he had but 600 men accompanying him in so great an Attempt , Edward Baliol Lands in Scotland . which seems not very probable . I rather think , Their Speech is more agreeable to Truth , who write , That the English assisted him with 6000 Foot . And they were all more encouraged in their designed Expedition , when they heard , That Randolf was dead , whilst they were making their Preparations ; for that mightily erected their Minds , as a good Omen of their Future Success . With this Navy , he came to * * A Burgh on the North side of Firth●n ●n Fife , over against L●●th in ●oth●an . August 〈◊〉 . Kinghorn and there Landed his Naval Forces in the Calends of August . The Land Forces were led by David Cumins , heretofore , Earl of Athol , as also by Mowbray and Beaumont ; and the Forces of the English , by Talbot . At the News of the arrival of this Fleet , Alexander Seaton , a Nobleman , who happened to be in those Parts at that time , strove to oppose them , thinking , that , He overthrows Alexander Seaton . upon their disorderly Landing , some Opportunity of Service might be Offered ; but , in regard few of the Country came in to him , he and most of his men were cut off . Baliol allowed some Few Days to his Soldiers to refresh themselves after their troublesome Voyage ; and then marched directly towards Perth , and pitched his Tents by the Water-Mills , not far from the Water of Earn . The Regent was beyond , and Patrick Dunbar on this side , the River , each of them with Great Forces , their Camps being five miles distant one from another . Baliol , thô , upon the Coming in of Many to him on the bruit of his good Success , he made up an Army of above Ten thousand men ; yet , being between Two Armies of his Enemies , and fearing to be crushed in the midst , he thought it best to attack them severally , and that on a sudden , when they least expected any such thing ; and he resolved to set upon Marr , the Regent , first ; because , it was likely , That he , being most remote from his Enemy , would be less watchful , and so more liable to a surprize . He got Andrew Murray of Tullibardin to be hi● Guide , who , In Strathern● not daring to joyn himself openly with the English , in the Night , fastned and stuck up a Pole , or Stake , in the River where it was Fordable , to shew Baliol's men the Way over : They , being covered with the Woods , which grew on the other Side the River , came near the Enemy before they were aware ; where they understood , That they kept but a thin Watch , and slender Guard , and passed the Night as in no Expectation of an Enemy at all ; upon the Account of this their Negligence , they marched by their Camp , in great Silence , thinking to make an Assault on the adverse part thereof , where , they supposed , they should find them more secure . But it happened , That , And afterwards beats the Regent Himself , making great slaughter of his men , and himself being also slain . in that Part where they presumed the greatest negligence was , That Thomas Randolf , Earl of Murray ; Robert Bruce , Earl of Carrick ; Murdo , Earl of Monteath ; and Alexander Frazer kept the Guard , and Watch. They , gathering a lusty Band of their Friends together , received the First Charge and Onset of the Enemy very Valiantly , upon the Edge of a Ditch , which the falling down of the Rain-Water had made . In the mean time , a great Noise and Tumult was made in the Camp , each one hastening to his Arms , and running in to the Conflict , but rushing in rashly in no Order , and without their Colours , first they broke the Ranks of their own men , who bore the Brunt of the Baliolans , and so the Last push'd on the First , who falling into the Ditch , they also , in a ruinous manner , foll down upon them ; There many were slain by the Enemy , but more , both of Horse and Men , pressed to death by their ●all ; and the most part were so weakened , that they had hardly strength enough left , either to Fight or Fly . There fell of the Scots 3000 ; many of those , that escaped , fled to Perth , but they being few , and generally without Arms , or Guides , were easily taken by the pursuing English , together with the City itself .

The next Day , Dumbar , hearing of the overthrow of the other Army , and that Perth was taken , and being informed also , of the Paucity of the English , marched directly towards the Town , with an intent to Besiege it , and destroy the Enemy whilst they were yet in want of all things ; but the Matter being debated amongst his Chief Commanders , each one excused himself , and so they departed , without effecting any thing . Baliol , having performed so great Matters in so short a time , even beyond his Hope , was encouraged to attempt the rest of the Scots , either to win them by Favour , or to conquer them by Force . And there being such a mighty concourse of People made to him , Edward Baliol Declared King . he now thought it seasonable to Declare Himself , King . That Advice was safer to him , because the greatest part of the Slaughter had fallen upon the Families , adjoyning to Perth . For there were slain in the Battel , besides the Regent , Robert Keith , with a great number of his Kindred and Tenants . There fell Eighty of the Family of the Lindseys , and amongst them , Alexander the chief of the Sept. The Name of the Hays would have been quite extinguished in this Fight , if William , the Chief of the Family , had not left his Wife big with Child , behind him . Moreover , Thomas Randolfe , Robert Bruce , Murdo , Earl of Monteath , William Sinclare , Bishop of the Caledonians , and Duncan Macduff , Earl of Fife , made Prisoners by him , and being thus in such a desperate Posture , were enforced to take an Oath of Obedience to him .

Baliol , The Eighty Ninth King .

HEreupon Baliol , trusting to his present Fortune , went to the Neighbouring Abby of Scone , and there entred upon the Kingdom , Aug. 25. in the Year of our Lord , 1332. the Eighth of the Calends of September . By this Wound and Loss , the Power of David Bruce was much weakened in Scotland ; yet his Friends , not broken in their Spirits , K. David Bruce , in his Minority , to secure him , sent to France . by this Calamity , took care to secure him from the danger of War ; he not being yet fit to manage the Government ; and therefore they sent him and his Wife to his Fathers Friend , Philip , King of France , to be there out of Harms way ; In the mean time , they prepare themselves for all hazards , being resolved to Dye Honourably , or else to restore their Country to its former State . And First of all , they set up Andrew Murray , an Eminent Person , Son of the Sister of Robert Bruce , Murray made Regent by K. David's Party . as Regent , in the place of Duncan , then they sent Messengers into all parts of the Kingdom , partly to confirm and fix their old Friends , and partly to spur up the more Remiss to Thoughts of Revenging their wrongs . A Castle standing on the North Bank of the River Ear in Strathern . The ●irst , who took Arms , as being excited by their Grief for the loss of their Parents and Kindred at Duplin , were Robert Keith , Iames and Simon Frazer , who , about the Autumnal Aequinox , besieged Perth ; the Siege lasted longer than they expected , yet in Three Months they took it . Macduff , Earl of Fife , who held the Town for Baliol , was sent Prisoner with his Wife and Children to Kildrum , a Castle in Marr ; Andrew Murray , of Tullibardin , Built on the side of the River Don. who discovered the Ford over the River Earn to the English , was put to death . The Black Bock of Pasley says , That the Walls of the Town were demolished , Perth Walls demolished . which seems more probable to me , than that it should be made a Garison , as others write , especially , in so great a want of Faithful Friends , and Soldiers .

At the same time , Baliol was at Annandale , very busie in receiving the Homage of the Nobles , who were so much surprized and astonished at the suddain Mutation of Things , That even Alexander Bruce , Lord of Carrick and Galway , despairing of the Retrieve of his Kinsman David's Affairs , came in to him . After this prosperous Success , he despised his Enemy , and grew more negligent and regardless of him . When the Regent heard thereof by his Spyes , A County in the South of Scotland , not far from Northumberland . A Town in the head of Annandale , near the source of the River Annan . he sent Archibald Douglas , Brother to Iames , who was lost in Spain , That , if there were any Opportunity for Action , he should lay hold upon it . He took with him William Douglas , Earl of Liddisdale ; Iohn Randolfe , the Son of Thomas , and Simon Frazer , with a Thousand Horse ; and so came to Maufet ; where having sent out Scouts , to see that the Coast was clear , he marched in the Night , and set upon Baliol , as he was asleep , and put his Army into so great a Fright and Consternation , that Baliol himself , half Naked , was fain to get upon an Horse , neither Bridled nor Sadled , and so fled away ; Baliol like to be surprized by Archibald Douglas . many of his Intimate Friends were slain . Alexander Bruce was taken Prisoner , and obtained his Pardon , by the means of his Kinsman , Iohn Randolfe . Henry Baliol got great Credit that day , by his Valour , amongst both Parties , who , in so confused a Flight , defended some of his Men , whom their persuers pressed upon , he wounded many , and killed some of his Enemies , and at last was slain , Fighting valiantly . There fell also the Chief of the English Faction , Iohn Mowbray , Walter Cumins , and Richard Kirke . These Things were acted the Eighth of the Calends of Ianuary , in the Year 1332. Dec. 25.

The Brucian Party were somewhat relieved by these Successes , The Brucian● prevail against the Baliolans , and Declare War against England . so that they came in great Numbers to Andrew Murray , the Regent , to consult about the main Chance . They made no doubt , but that Baliol fought the Kingdom , not for himself , but for the English ; by whom he was guided and influenced in every thing . Wherefore they resolved to Declare the King of England their Enemy ; and accordingly , they prepared all things necessary for the War , with great Diligence , as against a very powerful Enemy . They made the Garison of Berwick very strong , for , they thought , the English would Assault That , first . They made Alexander Seton a worthy Knight , Governour of the Town , and Patrick Dunbar , of the Castle , and the adjoyning Precincts . William Douglas , Earl of Liddisdale ,

The Brucian Nobles divide the Provinces they were to Govern .

And Declare War against Fran●● .

whose Valour and Prudence was highly commended in those Times , was sent into Annandale , to defend the Western Coasts : Andrew Murray went to Roxburgh , where Baliol kept himself . Thus their several Governments being distributed at home , Iohn Randolfe was sent into France to visit David , and to make an Address to Philip of France , informing him of the State of Scotland , and desiring some Aid from him , against the Common Enemy . Murray , at his coming to Roxburgh , had a sharp encounter with Baliol , at a Bridge without the City ; and whilst he pressed too eagerly after the English , who were retreating over the Bridge into the Town , he was intercepted from his Men , and taken Prisoner ; whereby a Victory , almost quite obtained , slipt out of his hands .

At the same time , in a contrary Province , William Douglas of Liddisdale , in a Fight with the English , was wounded and made Prisoner , whose Disaster so troubled his Men , that they also were put to flight . This Inconstancy and Variableness of Fortune divided Scotland again into Two Factions , even as Love , Hatred , Hope , Fear , or each Man 's private Concern , inclined him . The King of England , presuming , That , by reason of these Dissensions , he had a fit opportunity to seize upon Scotland , The King of England espouses Baliol's Cause , and invaded Scotland . received Baliol into his Protection , ( for he was too weak to support himself by his own Strength ) and took an Oath of Obedience from him ; yea , nothing regarding his Right of Affinity with Bruce , nor reverencing the Sanctity of Leagues , nor the Religion of an Oath , so that he might satisfie his immoderate Ambition ; he , at once , denounced , and also made , War on the Scots , at that time , destitute of a King , and also at variance amongst themselves . His Pretensions for the War . And to give a colourable Pretence of Justice to his War , he sent Embassadors to demand Berwick , which Town his Father and Grandfather had held many Years , and he presently followed with an Army . The Scots answered the Ambassadors , He claims Berwick . That Berwick always belonged to Scotland , till his Grandfather , Edward , had injuriously seized upon it . At length , when Robert Bruce , their last King , had recovered the rest of Scotland , he took away that Town from Edward , The Scots Answer to the 〈◊〉 . ( Father of him , who now requires the Reddition of it ) and reduced it unto its Ancient Rightful Possessor , and Form of Government ; yea , not long ago , Edward himself , by the Advice of his Parliament , had renounced all Right , which He or his Ancestors might pretend to have over all Scotland in general , or any of the Towns and Places therein , in particular . From that time , they were not Conscious to themselves , That they had acted any thing against the League so solemnly Sworn to , and confirmed by Alliance of a Marriage ; Why then , within the compass of a few Years , were they assaulted by secret Fraud , and by open War ? These things being so , they desired the Embassadors to incline the Mind of their King to Equity , and that he would not watch his Opportunity to Injure and Prejudice a young King in his absence , who was both Innocent , and also his own Sisters Husband ; As for Themselves , they would refuse no Conditions of Peace , provided , they were Honourable ; but , if he threatened them with an unjust Force , then , according to the Tutelage of the King , committed to them , they resolved rather to dye a Noble Death , than to consent to a Peace , prejudicial to Themselves , or the Kingdom . This was the Answer of the Council of Scotland .

But the King of England sought not Peace , but Victory ; and , therefore , having encreased his great Army with Foreign Aid also , he besieged Berwick by Sea and Land , neither did he omit any thing , which might Contribute to the Taking of it ; for , having a Multitude of Men , he gave his Enemy no rest , Night nor Day : Neither were the Besiegers behind hand with them , The English besieges Berwick but Valorously Sallied out upon them , every day . They threw Fire into their Ships , which Anchored in the River , and burnt many of them . In which Skirmish , William Seaton , the Governors Bastard-Son , was lost , much lamented by all , for his singular Valour . For , whilst he endeavoured to leap into an English Ship , his own being driven too far off by the Waves , he fell into the Sea , neither , in that Exigent , could any Relief come to him . And besides , another Son of Alexanders begot on his Lawful Wife , who , out of eagerness to fight proceeded too far in a Sally , was taken by the English . But the Siege , which was begun in the Ides of April , had now lasted Three Months ; * * Ap●i● 13. and the Defendants , besides their Toil and Watchings , were also in great want of Provisions ; A Capitulation with the English about the surrender of B●rwick . Iuly the 30. so that they seemed hardly able to hold out the Town any longer , but made an Agreement with the English , That , unless they were relieved by the Third of the Calends of August , they would surrender up the Place ; And for this , Thomas , Alexanders Eldest Son , was given in Hostage .

Whilst these things were acting at Berwick , the Scots Indicted an Assembly , to consult about their Affairs ; and , in regard the Regent was Prisoner at Roxburgh , that they might not be without a General , Archibald Do●●las made Regent by 〈◊〉 Party . they chose Archibald Douglas , Captain-General ; they also Voted , That he should have an Army to march into England , that so , by Foraging the Neighbouring Countrys , he might draw off the King of England from the Siege . Douglas , according to this Order and Decree , He makes inroads into England . And com●● near the E●●lish Army 〈◊〉 Berwi●● ▪ marched towards England ; but hearing of the Agreement , which Alexander had made , he changed his Mind ; and , thô against the Advice of his most prudent Commanders , he marched directly towards the English , and on the Eve of Mary Magdalen , came in Sight of them ; and was beheld both by Friends and Enemies . The King of England , tho' the Day was not come , wherein it was agreed , That the Town should be surrendred , yet , when he saw the Scots Forces so near , he sent an Herald into the Town , to acquaint the Governor , That unless he presently Surrendred up his Garison , he would put his Son Thomas to Death ; The Governor alleging , Alexander Seatons Sons threatned to be put to Death , unless he surrendred Berwick That the Day appointed for the Surrender was not yet come , and that he had given his Faith to stay , till the time allowed by their Paction was expired , but all was in Vain . Hereupon Love , Piety , Fear , and Duty towards his Country did variously exercise his Paternal and Afflicted Mind ; and the English , to drive the Terror more home , had set up a Gallows in a Place , easily visible to the Besieged , whither he caused the Governors Two Sons , One the Hostage , the Other a Prisoner of War , to be brought forth to Execution . At this miserable Spectacle , his Fatherly mind was at a great stand ; and in this Fluctuation of his Thoughts , his Wife , the Mother of the Young Men , a Woman of a Manly Courage , came to him , and put him in mind of his Faithfulness towards his King , his Love towards his Country , and the Dignity of his Noble Family , upon all which grounds , she endeavoured to settle his wavering Mind . His Wife incourages him , to part with his Children , rather than the Town . If these Children be put to Death , ( said she ) you have others remaining alive ; and besides , we are neither of us past Age , You to beget , and I to bear , more . If they escape Death , yet it will not be long , but that by some sudden Casualty , or else by maturity of Age , they must yield to Fate ; but if any Blot of Infamy should stick upon the Family of the Seatons , it would remain to all Posterity ; and be a foul Blur even to their Innocent Offspring ; She further told him , That she had often heard those Men much commended , in the Discourses of the Wise , who had given up Themselves and their Children , as a Sacrifice for the safety of their Country ; but , if he should give up the Town committed to his Trust , he would betray his Country , and , yet be never the more certain of his Childrens Lives , neither ; For , how could he hope , That a Tyrant , who violated his Faith Now , would stand to his Word , for the Future ? And therefore , she entreated him not to prefer an Vncertainty , and ( if it should be obtained ) a Momentany , Convenience , before a certain and perpetual Ignominy . By this Discourse , she somewhat settled his Mind , and that he might not Behold so dismal a Spectacle , Alexanders Children put to Death by a S●mmum , jus as some think . she carried him to another Place , from whence it could not be seen . The English King , after this Punishment inflicted , which was not very acceptable neither to some of his own men , removed his Camp to Halidon-Hill , near Berwick , and there waits his Enemies coming .

Douglas , who before would not hearken to the Advice of his Grave Counsellors , as to the Foraging of the English Counties , and , so averting the Siege , now was inflamed with raging Wrath ; and withal presuming , That , if after the Perpetration of so horrible a Wickedness , almost before his Eyes , he should draw off without Fighting , it might be said , That he was afraid of his Enemy , was resolved to fight at any rate , and so marched directly towards the Enemy ; and , because the English kept their Ground , and would not come down into the Champion , he placed all the Scots Army on a contrary Part of the Hill . This his rash Counsel and Project had the like Event , for , as with great Difficulty they were getting up the Hill , the Enemy with their Darts , and the hurling down of Stones , did wound them very sore , before they came to handy Blows ; and when they came near , they rushed upon them in such close Bodies , that they tumbled them headlong over the steep Precipices . There fell that day about Ten , The Scots overthrown near Berwick . some say , Fourteen , Thousand of the Scots ; almost all such , who escaped out of the unhappy Battel of Duplin , were lost here . The chief of them , whose Names are recorded , were , Archibald himself , the General , Iames , Iohn ▪ and Alan , Stuarts , Uncles to Robert , who Reigned next after the Brucians . Hugh , Kenneth , and Alexander Bruce , the several and respective Earls of Ross , Sutherland , and Carr●ck ; B●●wick Surrendred to the English . Andrew , Iohn , and Simon , three Brothers of the Frazers . This Overthrow of the Scots happened on St. Mary Magdalens Day , in the Year 1333.

After this Fight , all Relief was despaired of ; so that Alexander Seaton surrendred up the Town to the English , and Patrick Dunbar the Castle ▪ upon Condition , to march out with all their Goods ; Both of them were forced to Swear Fealty to the English ; and Patrick Dunbar was further enjoyned to Re-edifie the Castle of Dunbar , at his own Charge , which he had demolished , that it might not be a Receptacle to the English . Edward , having staid there a few days , Commended the Town and the Reliques of the War , to Baliol ; and he himself , retired into his own Kingdom , leaving Edward Talbot in Scotland , a Noble Person , and very Prudent , with a few English Forces , to assist Baliol in subduing the rest of Scotland : And indeed , it seemed no great Task so to do , in regard , that almost all the Nobility were Extinct ; and of those few that remained , some came in to the Conqueror , others retired either into Desert , or else , Fortified , Places . The Garisons , which remained Faithful to David , were very few ; as , on this side the Forth , an Island in a Lough , whence the River Down flows , scarce big enough to bear a moderate Castle ; and Dumbritton beyond the Forth , a Castle scituate in Lough Levin ; and also Kildrummy and Vrchart .

The next Year , Ambassadors came from the Pope , and from Philip , King of France , to end the disputes between the Kings of Britain . The English were so puft up with the prosperous course of their Affairs , Edward pufft up with hi● Success , refuses to hear foreign Ambassadors , who were sent to mediate ● Peace . that the King would not so much as admit the Ambassadors into his Presence ; for , he thought , That , the Hearts of the Scots were so cowed , and their strength so broken , That for the future , they durst not , neither were they able again , to Rebel . But this great Tranquillity was soon changed into a most grievous War , and that , upon a very light Occasion , where it was least expected , viz. Upon a Discord arising amongst the English themselves , at Perth . Iames Mowbray had Lands given to his Ancestors in Scotland , Dissensions between the English in Scotland , occasion a War . by Edward the First ; but they being lost by the various Changes of the Times , he recovered them again , when Edward Baliol was King . He dying without Issue Male , Alexander , their Uncle , Commenced a Suit against his Daughters , for those Lands : Those of the English Faction , that maintained the Cause of the Females , were , Henry Beaumont , who had Married one of them ; also , Richard Talbot , and David Cumins , Earl of Athol . Baliol took Alexanders part , and decided , or adjudged , the Lands to him , which so offended his Adversaries , that they openly complained of the Injustice of the Decree ; and seeing , that Complaints availed nothing , they left the Court , and went every one to his own home . Talbot was going for England ; but , being apprehended , was carried to Dunbarton . Beaumont Garisoned * * Now demolished . Dundury , a strong Castle of Buchan , and took Possession not only of the Lands which were in Controversie , but also of all the Neighbouring Country . Cumins went into Athol , where he fortified some convenient Places , and prepared to defend himself by force , if he were attacked . Baliol , being afraid of this Conspiracy of such Potent Persons , altered his Decree , The Nobles Bandy against Baliol. and gave the Lands in Question to Beaumont ; he also reconciled Cumins , by giving him many Fertile Lands , which belonged to Robert Stuart , the next King . Alexander , being concerned at this injurious Affront , joyns himself with Andrew Murray , Regent of the Scots , who had lately Ransomed himself from the English for a great Sum of Money . These things were acted at several times , yet I have put them together , that the whole course of my History might not be interrupted .

In the mean time , Baliol , in another part of the Country , attacked all the Forts about Renfrew ; And Baliol against them . some he took , others he battered down and demolished . Having settled Matters there , according to his own Mind , he Sailed over into the Island Bote , and there fortified the Castle of Rothsay , of which he made Alan Lisle Governour , whom he had before made Chief Iustice , for Matters of Law . He diligently sought after Robert Stuart , his Nephew , or Grandchild , to put him to Death ; but he , by the help of William Heriot , and Iohn Gilbert , was wafted over in a small Vessel , into the Continent , on the other side , where Horses stood ready for him , which carried him to Dunbarton , to Malcolm Fleming , Governour of that Castle . Baliol having setled things at Bote , at his return , took Dun●oon , a Castle seated in Coval , the Neighbouring Continent ; whereupon , the Nobility of the Vicinage were struck with so great Fear , that they almost all submitted to him . Marching from thence , the next Spring , he bent all his care to besiege the Castle of Lough Levin ; but this project seeming too slow , Iohn Sterlin besieges the Castle at Loch-Leven . he left Iohn Sterlin , a powerful Knight of his Party , to besiege the Castle , to whom he joyned Michael Arnold , David Weemes , and Richard Melvin , with part of his Army . They built a Fort over against it , where the passage was narrowest , and having in vain tried all ways to subdue it by force , Alan * * A Veteri po●●e . Wepont , and Iames Lambin , Inhabitants of St. Andrews , making such a vigorous Resistance , at length , they endeavoured to drown it , by stopping up the passage of the River ; for the River Levin goes out from the Lake , or Loch , with a narrow Girt or Neck , and an open Rock . This Place they essayed to stop up , by making a Wall , or Bank of Stones , and Turfs , heaped upon one another ; but the Work proceeded on very slowly , because , as the Heat did incommode the Labourers , so the Brooks , which flowed into the Lake , were then almost dry ; and the Water being far spread abroad , received an increase by moderate Additions . By this means , the Siege was lengthned out to the Month of Iuly , when there was an Holy Day kept in Remembrance of St. Margaret , heretofore Queen of Scotland , on which day there used to be a great Concourse of Merchants at Dumferlin , where the Body of that Saint is reported to be buried . Thither went Iohn Sterlin , with a great part of his Men ; some for Merchandizing , some for Religion , leaving his Camp , and the Wall but slenderly Guarded , for they thought themselves secure from the Enemy ; in regard , they knew , that none of the opposite Faction were in all the Neighbouring parts , except those few , which were shut up in the Castle ; But the Governor beats him off , and raises the Siege . but the Besieged being made acquainted with the absence of Sterlin , and the weakness of his Camp , assoon as the Evening came , shipt that Furniture , which they had before prepared , to peirce through the Wall ; and , whilst the Watch was a Sleep , made many Holes in it , in several Places .

The Water having gotten some small Passages , widened the Orifices of them by degrees , and at last brake forth with such a Violence , that it tumbled down All that was before it ; it overflow'd all the Plains , and carried away with it , Tents , Huts , Men half a Sleep , and Horses , with a mighty rushing Noise , into the Sea . And they which were in the Ships , running in with a great shout upon the affrightned Soldiers , added a second terrour to the first ; Edward enters Scotland again , but retreat● , and 〈…〉 with him to 〈…〉 General , in Scotland . so that upon such a double surprize , every Man minded nothing , but how to save himself : Thus shifting away , they fled , as every Man could , and left the Prey to their Enemy . Alan , at his leasure , carried into the Castle , not only the spoils of their Camp , but Provisions also , prepared for a long Siege . Moreover , in another Sally , made against the Guards , which were at Kinross , there was as happy Success ; the Guards were routed and taken , and the Siege raised .

About the same time , that these things were acting in Fife , the English entred Scotland with great Forces both by Sea and Land . When the Ships came into the Forth , their Admiral struck upon the Rocks , and the rest were grievously turmoiled , so that they returned home with greater Loss , than Booty . But the Land-Forces pierced as far as Glasgoe , where Edward called a Council of his own Faction , and finding , That there was neither General nor Army on foot of the contrary Party , he thought his presence was no longer necessary , so that he returned into England , taking Baliol with him , whom he somewhat distrusted , and leaving David Cumins , Earl of Athole , to Command in Scotland ; He first of all seizes upon the large Estates of all the Stuarts , which contained Bote , Arran , the Lands of Renfrow , and a great part of Kyle and Cuningham ; He confirms Alan Lisle , Chief Justice of Bote , which some call Sheriff ; others , Seneschal ; and also commanded the Neighbouring Countreys to obey him . Then he himself marched into another part of the Country , where he reduced the Provinces of Buchan and Murray ; and though he were now grown almost beyond the rate of a Private Man , yet he sent forth all his Proclamations and publick Edicts in the Name of both Kings , Edward and Baliol.

At that time , there was not a Man in Scotland , that durst profess , That Bruce was King , only waggish Boys would sometimes do it , as it were , in sport and pastime ; yet Robert Stuart , who then lay hid in Dunbarton , judging that something might be attempted in the absence of Cumins , made the Cambels , a Powerful Family in Argyle , Robert Stuart , and Calen Cambel , rise in Arms for Bruce , and make Prosperous Beginnings . acquainted with his Proposal . Calen , the Chief of them , met him at Dunnoon , a Castle in Coval , with about 400 Men , and presently surprizes it ; At the Noise whereof , the Islanders of Bote , who were divided but by a narrow Sea , generally rise , and hasten to their old Masters . Alan gathered what united Force he could to stop their march ; whereupon , the poor People , being for the most part unarmed , and who had assembled rather in a fit of Passion , than by any solid Advice , being struck with a Panick Fear , ran to the next Hill , where they found a great Company of Stones , which they threw down , like Showres of Hail-stones upon their Enemies , who , in contempt of their paucity , rashly adventured to assault them ; the greatest Part of them were thus rudely treated before they came to Blows , but as they retreated , they so pressed upon them , that the Valiantest of their Enemies with Alan Lisl● himself , were slain , and Iohn Gilbert , Governor of the Castle of Bote , taken Prisoner ; so that they armed many of their own Men with the Spoils of the slain . This , not unbloody , Victory , was followed with the Surrender of the Castle of Bote. When the Rumour of these Things was spread abroad , Thomas Bruce , Earl of Carrick , with his Neighbours and Allies out of Kyle and Cuningham ; as also William Carruder , of Annandale , who always had withstood the Government of the English , with his Friends and Kinsmen , crept out of his Hole , and came in to Stuart . And besides , Iohn Randal , Earl of Murray , being returned out of France , gave some hopes of Foreign Assistance ; whereupon , being encouraged , in their Minds , to higher Attempts , they made up an Army , by the Assistance of Godfrey Ross , Sheriff of Air , and in a short time , drew all Carick , Kyle , and Cuningham to their Party . Also the Renfroans came to their old Masters , the Stuarts , uninvited . The Vassals of Andrew Murray , following their Example , drew in the rest of Clydsdale , part willingly , and part against their Wills , into their Cause . Their Confidence being increased by these happy Beginnings ; that there might be some Representation of a Publick State among them , they called together the Chief of their Party , and made Two Regents , Robert Stuart and Iohn Randolf made Regents in behalf of David Bruce . viz. Robert Stuart , though a Young Man , yet One , who , in these lesser Expeditions , had given a great Pledge of his Good-will towards his Country ; and Iohn Randolfe , a Person worthy of his Father and Brother , Both Eminent Patriots . Randolfe being sent with a strong Party into the Northern Countrys , there flocked in to him all those , who were weary of the Heavy Yoke of the English ; So that , David Cumins , being amazed at this Inclination and Change of Mens Minds , fled into Loch Abyr , whither he followed him , and driving up into a Nook , and being also in great want of Provisions , he forced him to yield ; but upon his Swearing Fealty to Bruce , he dismissed him , and withal gave so much Credit to his Promises , that , at his Departure , he made him his Deputy ; and indeed afterwards , he was not backward in Bruce his Cause . In the mean time , Randolfe returning into Lothian joined his old Friend , William Douglas , who being released , and newly come out of England , did revenge the Noisomness of his long Imprisonment with a great slaughter of his Enemies . In Teviotdale . Andrew Murray returned also , who was taken Prisoner at Roxburgh ; so that , there being Commanders enough , the Regent Indicted an Assembly at Perth , to be held in the Calends of April , April 1. where , when Abundance of the Nobility met together , they were not able to effect any thing , by reason of the Great Feud betwixt William Douglas and David Cumins . A Fewd between Douglas and Cumins . The Cause whereof was pretended to be , That Cumins was the Occasion , why Douglas was not sooner released by the English . Stuart favoured Cumins ; but , almost all the rest , Douglas ; Moreover , Cumins alleged , That he came with a more than ordinary Train unto the Assembly , by reason of that Feud , for he had brought so Many of his Friends , and Tenants , along with him , that he became formidable to all the rest ; and besides his Disposition , which was various and mutable , his vast Mind , and the Noyse of the coming of the English , with whom every one knew , that Athol would join , increased their Suspicions of him . Edward invades Scotland . And , indeed , not long after , Edward invaded Scotland , with great Forces , both by Sea and Land , bringing Baliol along with him , his Navy , consisting of 160 Sail , entred the Forth ; He himself marched by Land as far as Perth , spoiling the Country as he went along , and there waited for Cumins . In the mean time , Randolfe went to Iohn , who challenged the Aebudae , as his Own ; and not being able to draw him to his Party , he was content , in so troublesome a posture of Affairs , to make a Truce with him for some months ; and thereafter , returning to Robert , the other Regent , he found him dangerously sick . So that , it was as bad a time as could be for all the Burden to be cast upon his Own Shoulders , and therefore he durst not Fight the English in a set Battel , but divided his Force , that so he might attack them by Parties . And hearing that a strong Army of Gueldrians were coming through England , to join the English , * * 〈…〉 of the 〈◊〉 Provinces . in Scotland ; he waited for their coming on the Borders ; Where also , Patrick , Earl of Merch , and William Douglas of Liddisdale , met him , together with Alexander Ramsay , one of the most experienced Soldiers of that Age ; All these waited for the said Gueldrians in the Fields , near Edinburgh . Assoon as ever they came in sight one of another , they fell to it , immediately ; and , after a sharp Conflict , the Gueldrians were overcome , and fled to the next Hill , where , there was an old ruinous Castle : The next day , having no Provision , they surrendred themselves , only upon Quarter for Life . Randolfe , out of respect to Philip Valois , who was their singular good Friend , ( as was then said , ) did not only freely release them , The Gueldrians , Auxiliaries to the English , overthrown by Randolfe . Randolf taken Prisoner . but accommodated them with Provisions for their March ; yea , he himself undertook to be their Convoy ; in his march , he was taken by an Ambush of the English Party , and so brought to the King , who was then besieging Perth with a powerful Army .

At the same time , David Cumins , who steered all his Counsels according to the Inclinations of Fortune , being glad of the Distress of his Enemy , comes to the King of England , and promises him , Cumin's large Promises to Edward . Perth taken by Edward in a very short time , to drive all the Brucians out of the Kingdom ; and the Truth is , he was as active in performing his Promise . For Perth being surrendred , and the Walls thereof demolished , the King prepared to return to England , because Provision for his Army came but slowly in ; in regard , That all the Scots , upon notice of his coming , were advised to drive their Cattle into the Mountains : As for their other Provisions , they should either convey them to some Fortified Places far remote ; or , if they could not do so , they should spoil them , altogether . Neither did his Fleet , on which he most relied for Bread for his Army , much relieve him . For , as soon as it arrived at the Forth , Edward 〈◊〉 to England . and had destroyed a Monastery of Monks in the Isle Inch-colm , as it rode at Anchor in the open Sea , it was grievously turmoiled , and suffered great Losses by a Tempestuous Storm , so that part of the Ships could hardly get to Inch-Keith , a desolate Island , near adjoining . Others were carried further by the Winds , but as soon as they could recover themselves , they imputed the Cause of the Tempest to the Anger of St. Columb , because they had avaritiously , and cruelly , destroyed a Monastery of His ; and therefore , whatever Prey , or Plunder , they had got , they carried it thither , as an Expiation for their Offence ; neither was any memorable Act performed , by that Fleet , the whole Year .

Though these Causes did much incline the King of England to return , yet , that which did most accelerate it , was , his Propension to the French War , which was then most in his thoughts . And therefore , he marched back his Army , and took Baliol with him , as if the Scotish War had been almost at an end , and left Cumins , as Regent , Cumins left Regent by him in Scotland . to perfect the Remainder thereof . He , to ingratiate himself to Both Kings , and to avenge himself on his Enemy , was extraordinary cruel in his Proceedings , which Severity of his was the more resented , because , that lately he himself obtained his Pardon so easily , when he was reduced to the lowest Ebb , not many Months before . There were scarce above Three of all the Scotish Nobility , whom neither Promises could entice , nor Dangers enforce , to submit to the English Yoke ; and Those were , Patrick , Earl of Merch ; Andrew Murray , In Marr. and William Douglas . These joined their Forces , and march to Kilblane Forest , * * On the side of the River Don in Marr. against Cumins , who was besieging Kildrummy Castle ; with him they had a sharp Fight . Cumins was more in Number , and a Few might easily be snapt by a great Many ; but the coming in of Iohn Craig , Cumin's Army overthrown , and himself slain . Governor of the Castle , with 300 Fresh Men , decided the Controversy , and gave an undisputed Victory to the Brucians . All the Valiantest of Cumins his Army were slain , either in the Fight , or in the Pursuit . Many were saved in a Neighbour Castle , called Cameron , belonging to Robert Meinze ; But , seeing there were not Provisions for so great a Multitude , pent up in so narrow a Room , the next day it was surrendred , and the Defendants , upon their Submission , confirmed by an Oath , Pardoned . There fell in this Fight , besides the General himself , Robert Brady , and Walter Cumins , Two of his intimate Friends ; Thomas , his Brother , being taken Prisoner , was the next day put to death .

Upon this Victory , in regard Randolfe was a Prisoner , and Stuart was sick , Murray made Regent . the Name and Power of Regent was confirmed on Andrew Murray , by Military Suffrage . For , when Letters came from the King of France concerning a Truce , the Nobles of the Brucian Party , being forced to receive them , did , by unanimous Consent , restore that former Honour to Murray , which his Calamitous Misfortune had deprived him of . He , after the Truce , for a few Months , was ended , laid Siege to the Castle of The English again enter Scotland . Standing on a Rock in the Sea . Lochindores , which was held by the Wife of David Cumins ; She , foreseeing , what would happen , had craved Aid of the English , who shortly after landed some Forces in Murray , and raised the Siege . They also pierced as far as Elgin , ( a Town situate by the River Lossy , ) wasting all as they went , with Fire and Sword . As they were marching to Perth , they burnt Aberdene , and , Garison'd the Castles in all Merss , Dunoter , And upon their Retreat leave Ed● . Ba●iol , their General . Kinneff , and Laureston . They laid a Command on the six adjoining Monasteries , to repair the Walls of Perth , which were demolished ; and then committing the Affairs of Scotland to Edward Baliol , who was returned thither , they went back for England . Upon the Departure of the English , and the low Condition of the Scots , Henry Beaumont thought it a fit Opportunity for him to stir , to revenge the Death of his Son in Law , the Earl of Athole , and therefore he killed all that he could take , without any distinction , who had been in the Fight of Kilblane , in a very cruel manner . A strong Castle in Buchan . Andrew Murray besieged him in D●ngarg , and enforced him to a Surrender , and , upon taking his Oath , That he would return no more into Scotland , in an Hostile manner , he was dismissed ; Thus , by one continued Course of Victory , he took all the Strong Holds on the further side of the Forth ( besides the Castle of Cowper , and the Town of Perth , ) and , casting out their Garisons , M●rray's prosperous Succe●s●s . he wholly demolished Them , Afterwards , he entred England , where he got great Booty , and somewhat relieved the Spirits of his Soldiers , who had suffered much by reason of want , in their own Country . For , in regard , Scotland had been harassed , that Year , by the Injuries of War , and wasted by the daily Incursions of both Parties , the Fields lay untill'd , and there was such a Famine , that the English were enforced to desert the strong Castle of Cowper , for want of Provisions . And a Scotish Seaman , who had been abused by them , 〈◊〉 Cruelty . being employed to Transport the Garison-Soldiers by Night to Lothian , Landed them upon a Bank of Sand , which was bare , when the Tide was out ; they , thinking it had been the Continent , went a little way , and then met with Sea again , which made them call again for the Vessel , but in vain , for they all perished there .

The next Year , which was 1537. the English Besieged the Castle of Dunbar ; it was defended by Agnes , the Wife of the Earl of Merch , who was commonly Sirnamed the Black , a Woman of a Manly Spirit . The Besiegers were the Earls of Salisbury and Arundel ▪ the Siege lasted longer than any body thought it would , so that Two divers Supplies were sent into Scotland to relieve Baliol ; Salisbury and Aru●del Command some English in Scotland . Monfort slain by Preston . the One led by Monfort , the Other by Richard Talbot ; Lawrence Preston undertook Monfort , and in a Fight slew him , and routed his Army , but he himself dyed soon after , of the Wounds he there received , which caused his Soldiers to wreck their Fury , for the loss of their General , on the Prisoners , whom they inhumanly slew . Talbot was taken Prisoner by William Keith , and his Army routed ; yet the Siege of Dunbar continued , still . A piece of Savage Inhumanity . And the Sea being stopped by the English , the Besieged were driven to so great a want of Victuals , that , without doubt , it must have been surrendred , if Alexander Ramsay , by a seasonable , thô bold , Attempt , had not relieved it . He , in the dead time of the Night , slipp'd by the Watch , Talbot overthrown by Ke●th which in Gallies of Genoa , kept the Sea-Coast-side , and came up to the Castle , where he landed Forty choice Men , and a great quantity of Provisions . And then , joyning part of the Garison with his own Men , in the Covert of the Night , he rushed in , with such a noise , on the English Guard , that he made a great slaughter amongst them ; for they little expected a Sally from an Enemy , whom they looked upon , as almost Conquered ; and so , the next Night , he returned back , as s●curely as he came . Thus , after Six Months , the Siege of Dunbar was raised : For Edward called back his Forces to the French War , Dunbar res●ved , and the Siege raised . after they had wearied themselves , and tryed all ways to become Masters of the Place .

Andrew Murray , his Country being then almost freed from Foreign Soldiers , attempted to reduce , First Sterling , then Edinburgh ; but was fain to depart from them Both , without carrying them ; yet , he subdued all Lothian , and brought it under the King's Subjection . In the mean time , to give his wearied Mind a little Relaxation , he went to see his Lands and Possessions beyond the Mountains , where he fell Sick , and Dyed ; he was Buried at Rosmark , much Lamented , and Desired , by all Good Men. For , in those Two Years and an halfe , whilst he sate at Helme , he performed such great Atchievements , Murray the Regent dyes . as might seem sufficient for the whole Life of One of the Greatest Captains in the World .

After him , Stuart was made Regent , till the return of David out of France ; Stuart made Regent . he , being yet but young , did , that Year , get the better of the English , in many light Skirmishes , which were managed under the Conduct of William Douglas ; yet , not without the great hazard and danger of Douglas himself , who was often wounded : He drove the English out of Teviotdale ; He took the Castle of Hermitage in Liddisdale , and , surprizing great store of Provision belonging to the Enemy at Mulross , he fortified it , too . He had such a sharp and obstinate Encounter with Berclay , His prosperous Beginnings . That he himself , with but Three in his Company , hardly escaped , and that by the benefit of the Night , too . He overthrew the Forces of Iohn Sterling , in a bloody Onset , yet He himself was , a while after , like to be taken by him ; but recovering himself , after a fierce Encounter , he put Sterling to flight ▪ slew Thirty of his Companions , and took Forty of them , Prisoners ; he so pressed upon William Abernethy , by whom he had been worsted Five times in one Day , That , before Night , he slew all his Men , and brought him Prisoner along with him . And he had as great Felicity in conquering Lawrence Vaux , He Sa●l● over to David , then in France . a stout Enemy : At last , he Sailed over to King David in France , to acquaint him with the State of Scotish Affairs . The next Year , which was 1339. Stuart , hoping to follow on his good Fortune , Levied an Army , and divided it into Four Parts , and so attempts to reduce Perth , but the English defended it so valiantly , that he was wounded and beaten off ; After the Siege had lasted Three Months , Douglas came to their Assistance , when they almost despaired of Success ; he brought with him Five Pyratical Ships , At his return he Levies an Army . which he hired , wherein there were some Soldiers , and warlike Engines . Part of the Soldiers were Landed , but the rest were sent , in their Ships , to keep the Mouth of the River Tay. Douglas himself went to recover the Castle of Cowper ; which , being deserted by the English , was seized on by the Scots . And William Bullock , an English Priest , who was Treasurer also , made Governor . Douglas agreed with him , that he should have Lands in Scotland , Bullock turns to the Scots . and so come over to his Party ; he was the more easily persuaded to it , because he could expect no Aid from England , and he had not much confidence in the Scots , who were in Garison with him . This Man was afterwards very faithful to the Scots , and of great use to them .

The Siege of Perth had now lasted Four Months , and would have continued much longer , unless the Earl of Ross had drained the Water out of the Trench , by Mines , and subterraneous Passages ; so that , Perth taken by the Scots , so is Sterlin . by this means , the Assailants came to the very Walls , and threw the Defendants off their Works , by the Darts sent , principally , from the Engins , so that the English were forced to Surrender , upon Terms , To march out Bag and Baggage , whither they pleased . In a little time after , Sterlin , being Besieged , was also Surrendren on the same Terms ▪ and Maurice Murray , the Son of Andrew , was made Governor of the Castle . Baliol was so terrified at this suddain Mutation of Affairs , That he left Galway , where he usually abode , and went for England . A while after , the Castle of Edinburgh was taken , not by Force , but Stratagem . Walter Curry , a Merchant , who then chanced to have a Ship laden with Provisions , in the Bay , or Firth , of the River Tay , at Dundee , was sent for by William Douglas into the Forth . There , He and Bullock agreed , That Curry should fain himself to be an Engl●shman , and should carry Two Bottles of his best Wine , and some other Presents , to the Governor of the Castle ; desiring his Leave to sell the rest of his Provision in the Garison ; and withal , to inform him , That if He , or the Garison , stood in any need of his Service , he would Gratifie them as far as ever he was able . Hereupon , the Governor commanded him to bring some Hogsheads of Wine , and a certain Number of Biskets , and promised him Free Admittance , whenever he came . He , for Fear of the Scots , ( forsooth ) who often made Incursions into the neighbouring Parts , promises ( happy be lucky ) to come betimes , the next Morning .

That Night , Douglas , with Twelve Select Men , accompanying him , clad themselves in Mariners attire , under which their Armour was hid , and so carried Provisions into the Castle ; as for his Soldiers , he laid them in Ambush , And Edinburgh Castle by Stratagem . commanding them to wait for the Signal to be given ; Douglas and Simon Frazer went before , and commanded the rest to follow Them , at a moderate distance ; When they were let , by the Porter , into the Fort , which was made of Beames before the Gate of the Castle , they observed , That the Keys of the Doors hung on his Arms , him therefore they killed , and so opened the Castle-Gate ; and then , ( as they had before agreed ) they gave the Signal to their Fellows , by blowing an Horn ; the Noise whereof was a Sign to the One , That the Castle was entred by their Friends ; To the Other , That it was surprized by their Enemies . Both Parties made all the haste they could , the Scots cast down their Burdens in the very Passage of the Gate , lest the Doors might be shut , & so they kept out from their Fellows , who could march but slowly up , on so steep an Ascent : Here , there happened a sharp Dispute with Loss of Both sides , at length the Garison-Soldiers had the worst , who were all slain , except the Governor and six more .

It was this self same Year , or , ( as some say ) the next , That Ramsay ( the most Experienced Soldier of all the Scots ) made his Expedition into England . A●ex . Ramsays House , the School of War . Men had so great an Opinion of his Skil in Military Affairs , That every Body was accounted , but a Fresh-Water Soldier , who had not been disciplin'd under Him . And therefore , all the young Fry came in to him , as the only School where the Art of War was to be taught . His Expedition into England . He having before made many prosperous Expeditions into his Enemies Country , thô but with small Forces , their Affairs being now at a Low-Ebb in Scotland , took heart to attempt greater Matters ; so that , gathering together an handsom Army of his Tenants and Friends , he spoiled and harassed Northumberland ; and , He harasses Northumberland . upon his Retreat , the English drew fotrh all their Force from the Country and Garisons , and so followed him with a very great Army : What was to be done , in this case ? Alexander could not avoid Fighting ; and yet , he perceived , That his Soldiers were somewhat Crest-fallen , by reason of the Multitude of the Enemy . In these Circumstances , he sent away his Booty before , and placed his Foot in Ambush ; and commanded his Horse to straggle abroad , as if they were Flying , and when they came to the Place of Ambush , then to rally again at Sound of Trumpet ; The English , imagining , That the Horse had fled in good earnest , pursued them as disorderly ; and , when the Signal was given to come together again , they , in a moment , turned back upon Them , The Foot also skipping out of their Ambushes ; which struck such a Consternation , and Terrour , into the English , That they fled back faster , than before they had pursued . And takes Roxburgh . Many of them were slain , many taken , and the Prey carried home , safe . Amongst the Prisoners , there was the Governor of Roxburgh , who had drawn out almost all his Garison to follow him ; so that Alexander , knowing the Town to be empty , assaulted and easily took , It , at the First Onset ; and when he had taken the Lower Part of the Castle , the Remainders of the Garison-Soldiers fled up into a strong Tower therein ; but , being vigorously assaulted , and having no hopes of Relief , They surrendred up Themselves . Some say , That the * * The Earl of Salisbury taken Prisoner by the Scots , as some say . Earl of Salisbury was there taken , and exchanged for Iohn Randolf . But most Writers , whom I am rather inclined to follow , affirm , That Salisbury was taken Prisoner in France , and that by French Troops . Randolf , going into Annandale , took his Castle , which was seated by * * It is 3 Miles in Compass . Loch-Maban , from the English : And the Three Governors of the Borders , Alexander Ramsay of the East , William Douglas of the Mid-Border , Three Governors of the Borders . The English driven out of all Scotland , except Berwick . and Randolf of the West , drove the English beyond their old Bounds , which they had in the Reign of Alexander the Third , and left them no footing at all in Scotland , but only Berwick . Some say , That Roxburgh was taken by Ramsay , in the Night , who set Ladders to the Walls , when the Watch was asleep , in the Year 1342. the 30 th Day of March ; and the Black Book of Pasley says so , too .

The same Year , on the 4 th of the Nones of * * Iuly 2. K. David returns to Scotland . Iuly , David Bruce , and His Wife , arrived at Ennerbervy , Nine Years after his Departure ; His Coming was the more acceptable , because the Affairs of Scotland were then at such a low Ebb. For , Edward , having made a Truce , for Three Years , with Philip , King of France , at Tournay , and so being freed of his French War , determined to invade Scotland , with all his Force . Edward enters Scotland with a great Army . He had then in his Army Forty Thousand Foot , and Six Thousand Horse , and he had also Equipp'd out a Gallant Navy of Ships to carry Provisions for his Foot Soldiers , that there might be no Want , that way ; They set Sail in the Month of November , but were encountred by so fierce a Tempest , that , after a long Distress at Sea , they were cast upon the Belgick and German Shores , and so were of no use to him in the present War . In the Interim , Edward and his Land Forces staid about New-Castle upon Tine in great want of Victuals ; Embassadors from Scotland obtain a Pacification . Thither Embassadors came to him from Scotland , desiring a Pacification for Four Months , which they obtained upon Condition , That if David came not to them before the Calends of June , all the Scots would become Subjects to Edward ; but David , hearing of the Preparation of the English , Iune 1. had set Sail before the coming of Embassadors to him .

Amongst those who flocked in to gratulate the King , at his Return , ( as Many did , from all Parts of the Kingdom ) there came Alexander Ramsay , also ; who , being eminent both for the splendid Atchievements of his Former Life , and especially for his late , and yet reaking , Conquests , was received with a great deal of Favour , The Scots Nobles stock in to David . and had the Government of Roxburgh bestowed on him ; yea , and the Sheriff-wick of all Teviotdale was also added to his Authority . William Douglas took this mighty heinously , that Ramsay was preferred before him in that Honour ; For , seeing he had expelled the English from almost all Teviotdale , he had sometimes presided over the Publick Assembly there , thô without the Kings Command ; yet , relying upon his Merits towards his Country , the Nobleness of his Stock , and the Power of his Family , he hoped , That no man would have been his Competitor , for that Office . Whereupon , being wholly bent on Revenge , he , at present , dissembled his Anger , but , in Three Months after , he met with his Adversary , holding an Assembly in the Church of Hawick , and unawares assaulted and wounded him , A Town in Teviotdale . Ramsay taken , and starved to Death by Douglas . Bullock put to Death . having also slain Three of his Followers , who endeavoured to rescue him ; and so set him upon an Horse , and carried him to the Castle of Hermitage , where he starved him to Death .

About the same time , William Bullock , a Man of singular Loyalty to the King , was put to the same kind of Death , by David Berclay . These Two Savage and Cruel Facts filled almost the whole Kingdom with Seditions , and distracted it into several Parties . These things did mightily exercise the King , who was yet but Young , and not accustomed to Men of Rough and Military Dispositions ; yet , though he used great diligence to find out Douglas , to bring him to Condign Punishment ; he , by Means of his Friends , Douglas pardoned . ( of which he had procured Many , by his Noble Exploits for the Liberty of his Country ) and especially of Robert Stuart , the King's Son by his Sister , obtained his Pardon ; And , indeed the Magnificent , yet True , Report of his Famous Actions , did much facilitate the Obtaining thereof , together with the present Conjuncture of the Time , wherein , there being but an uncertain Peace abroad , and Seditions at home , Military Men were to be respected , yea , and honoured too . Upon which Account , he was not only pardoned , but preferred also to the Government of Roxburgh and of Teviotdale too ; a Clemency , which , perhaps , in the present Circumstances of Things , might be useful ; but , certainly , of very ill Example for the Future .

David , having thus settled Matters at Home , the best he could , denounces War against England , the greatest Part of the Nobility dissuading him from that Expedition , David makes several Expeditions into England . by reason of the great Scarcity of Provisions : Yet , he Listed an handsom Army , and made Thomas Randolfe General thereof ; he himself accompanied him , but in disguise , that he might not be known to be the King . This Army , having wasted Northumberland for about Two Months time , returned home with great Booty : Within a few Days after , he made another Inrode into the Enemies Country ; but then he did not disguise , but openly professed Himself , both King and General . The English , being inferior in Strength , would not venture to give a set Battel , whilst their King was absent in France ; but skirmished their Enemies with their Horse , and so kept them from plundering much , by a close March . Five of the Chief Nobility , whom David had lately raised to that Honour , straggling too far from their Men , were taken Prisoners , their Followers being also killed , or put to Flight . So that , David , to spend no more time there , in vain , returned with his Army . He made also a Third Expedition , with what Force he could privately Levy , that so he might fall upon his Enemy , unawares . But , entring England in a stormy Autumn , the small Brooks were so swollen with large Showres , that they made all the Country unpassable , and also hinder'd the Carriage of Provision , so that , Home he came again ; yet , that he might not seem to have taken so much Pains to no purpose , he demolished a few Castles .

Not long after , Embassadors were sent , to and fro , in order to obtain a Truce for Two Years , which the Scots consented to , upon Condition , That Philip , King of France , gave his Consent ; for That was one Article in the Treaty between the Scots and French , That neither of them should make Truce , or Peace , with the English , without the Other 's Consent . A Truce for two Years betwixt the Scots and English . Calais besieged by the English . For those Two Years , Scotland was quiet . About the Fourth Year , after David's Return , the French were overcome in a great Battel ; and Calais , a Town of the M●●ini , was besieged by them ; so that Philip pressed the Scots , by his Ambassadors , to Invade England , and to so draw away some of their Force from Him . Hereupon , an Army was commanded to meet at Perth . Thither they came in a great Abundance , and there David , Earl of Rosse , waylaying Reginald , Lord of the Aebudae , his Old Enemy , fell upon him in the Night , See p. 4. Note i. and slew him with Seven Nobles in his Company . This Murder did much weaken the Army , for the Kindred and Tenants of both Parties , yea , the Neighbouring Inhabitants , fearing a Civil War between Two such Potent Families , returned to their own Homes . And therefore , William Douglas of Liddisdale , earnestly persuaded the King to desist from his present Expedition , and to compose Matters , at Home . His Counsel was refused ; and the King ( his Friendship to Philip overcoming his Love to his Country ) marches forward into England , and destroyed all as he went , by Fire and Sword . David at the solicitation of the French , enters England with an Army . And thus in Sixteen Days he came into the County of Durham , where the English , parly levied by Percy , and partly sent back from the Siege of Calais , made a great Body , and shewed themselves to the Enemy in Battel-array , sooner than ever the Scots could have imagined . David , who feared nothing less than the coming of the Enemy , and therefore had sent abroad Douglas to forage the Neighbouring Country , gave a Signal of Battel to his Souldiers . Douglas fell unawares amongst his Enemies , and having lost Five Hundred of his Men , was put to slight , and returned , in great Fear , to the Camp . And the End of the Conflict was as unhappy , as the Beginning : For , the Fight being sharply begun , Iohn Randolfe's Men were routed at the first Onset , and he himself slain . The main Battel , in which the King was , was assaulted by Two Brigades of the English ; One , that had conquered before ; Where he receives a great overthrow , and is taken Prisoner by Iohn Capland . and Another , that was intire , and had not yet charged , who shattered it , and cut it off quite ; They being resolved to die , and therein almost all the Scotish Nobility were utterly lost ; and the King himself , after his Arms were taken away , was taken Prisoner by Iohn Copland , but he struck out Two of his Teeth with his Fist , though he himself was sorely wounded with two Arrows . The Third Wing , commanded by Robert Stuart and Patrick Dunber ,

Upon which , the English regain a great part of Scotland .

A strong Pass on the Sea shore , in that Bourn which divides East-Lothian from the Me●●s .

perceiving the Slaughter of their fellow-Souldiers , withdrew themselves with little Loss . The Nobility were so destroyed in this Fight , that , immediately after it , Roxburgh , Hermitage , and many other Castles , were surrender'd to the English : And the Scots were enforced to quit their Claim to all the Lands they held in England , and also to Merth , Teviotdale , Liddisdale , and Lauderdale ; and the Bounds , and Borders , of the English , were inlarged to Coc●burns-Path , as they call it , and Soltra-Hill .

Baliol , not contented to have recovered the Possessions of his Ancestors in Galway , marched over Annandale and Liddisdale , and all the Country lying near the Clyd , and destroyed all by Fire and Sword : He also , by the Assistance of Percy of England , made the like Havock in Lothian ; neither could there a sufficient Army be raised against them in Scotland , for some Years . As an Addition to this Misery , there hapned also a grievous Plague , A Plague in Scotland . which swept away almost the Third Part of the People . And yet , in such an afflicted State of Things , Men did not abstain from Domestick Mischiefs . David Berclay , a Noble Knight , who , before , had slain Bullock , was , at this time also , present at the Murder of Iohn Douglas at Dalkeith . William Douglas of Liddisdale ( who was taken Prisoner by the English , at the Battel of Durham , Bloody Feude . and was not yet released ) caused him to be slain , by the Hands of his Tenants ; and after he himself was Released , and returned into Scotland , he did not long survive him : For , as he was a Hunting in the Wood of Attic , he was killed by William Douglas , the Son of Archibald , newly returned from France , in Revenge for his Murder of Alexander Ramsay . Neither did the Clans of the Ancient Scots , as impatient to be quiet , abstain from injuring one another .

In the midst of these Calamities , which pressed in on every side ; William Douglas gathered together a Band of his Vassals and Tenants , and recovered Douglas , the Patrimony of his Ancestors , having driven the English out of it ; and afterwards , upon this little Success , Mens Minds being more inclined to him , Douglas prevails against the English . he reduced a great part of Teviotdale , also . In the mean time , Iohn King of France , Heir to his Father Philip , both in his Kingdom , and in his Wars , fearing , lest the Scots , being broken by so many Misfortunes , should quite succumb under so Puissant an Enemy , sent Eugenius Garanter to them , with Forty Gallant Cavaleers in his Train , to desire of them , To make no Peace with England , without his Consent . Iohn of France , persuades the Scots to make no Peace with the English , but by his Consent . He brought with him Forty Thousand French Crowns , to press Soldiers ; and , besides , by large Promises , he wrought over the Nobility to his Side and Opinion . They received the Money , and divided it among themselves , but levied no Soldiers , only they carried on the War , by light Incursions , as they were wont to do . Assoon as the English heard of this , they almost wasted all Lothian , The English waste Lothian . which had been sorely harassed , before . To Revenge this wrong , Patrick Dunbar , and William Douglas , gathered a good strength together , as privately as they could , and placed themselves in Ambush , but sent out David Ramsay of Dalhouse , a noted and Valiant Soldier , with part of the Army , Norham burnt by the Scots . to burn Norham , a populous Town upon the Banks of Tweed . When Ramsay had accomplished his design , the English were trained on to the Ambush , where some were surprized and slain ; at last , being not able to resist so great a Multitude , The English drawn into an Ambush . the English surrender themselves . This success heartned the Scots , and therefore , the same Commanders uniting their Forces together , Thomas Stuart , Earl of Angus , resolves to attack Berwick : And , to do it privately , he hired Vessels , Ladders , and other Implements used in Scaling the Walls of Towns , wherever he could procure them ; he acquaints Patrick with his coming , Berwick Town taken by the Scots , but not the Castle . he meets him at the Hour appointed , and creeping to the Walls , with as little noise as they could ; yet , the Sentinels espied them , whom , after a sharp Conflict , they repulsed , and so became Masters of the Town , but not without loss on their own side ; the Castle was still kept by the English , which they assaulted , but in vain .

When the King of England heard , how Matters went in Scotland , he gathered together a Puissant Army ; and , in swift Marches , hastned thither . Edward enters Scotland . The Scots hearing of his coming , and not being provided with Materials for a long Siege , spoiled and burnt the City , and so returned home ; Edward employed all kind of Workmen , and Artificers , to repair what the Flames had Consumed ; in the Interim , he himself quartered at Roxburgh . Baliol Surrenders the Kingdom to him . Thither Baliol comes , and Surrenders up the Kingdom of Scotland to him , desiring him earnestly not to forget the Injuries offered him , by the Scots . Edward , as it were in Obsequiousness to his Desires , invades Lothian by Land and Sea , and makes a further Devastation of what was left after the former Ruin . He determined , in that Expedition , so to quell all Scotland , that they should never recover strength to Rebel again . But his Purpose was disappointed , by reason of a most grievous Tempest , which so shattered and tore his Ships , that carried his Provisions , that very Few of them ever met in one Port ; so that , he was enforced to return home , Edward retreats , upon which the Scots recover some of their Losses . for want of Provision ; only he vented his Spleen upon Edinburgh , Hadington , and other Towns of Lothian . Edward and his Army being gone for England , Douglas drove the English out of Galway ; Roger Kirk-Patrick , out of Nithisdale ; and Iohn Stuart , Son of the Regent , out of Annandale , so that those Three Countries were recovered by the Scots .

About the same time , Iohn King of France was overthrown by the English , Edward overthrows ●ohn of France in Aquita●n , and hath two Kings his Prisoners at one time . in a great Battel in Poictou , and he himself taken Prisoner . Edward , having Two Kings his Prisoners at once , passed the Winter merrily amongst the Gratulations of his Friends ; so that the Scots thinking , that his Mind , being sated with Glory , might be more inclined to Equity , they sent Ambassadors to him , to treat about the Release of their King . Bruce , that the Scots might have easie Access to him , was sent to Berwick ; but , in regard they could not agree about the Conditions , he was carried back to London . Not long after , 〈◊〉 Bruce , ●●eased upon p●ying a great Ransom , wherein the Pope assists the S●●ts . the Popes Legates were sent , who took great Pains to make a Peace , betwixt the English and French ; they also transacted the same for Scotland , upon the Promise of the Payment of an Hundred , ( as our Writers say , ) or , as Frossard , of Five Hundred Thousand Marks of English Money to them ; Part of which was to be paid in Hand , the rest by Parcels . To make up that Sum ; the Pope gave the Tenths of all Benefices , for Three Years ; in the mean time , a Truce was made , and many young Nobles given for Hostages , who died almost all in England , of the Plague .

Hereupon , David returned , the Eleventh Year after he was taken Prisoner . The first thing he did , was , to punish those who had been the forwardest to fly in the Battel of Durham . From Patrick Dunbar , he took away a great part of his Lands ; he cut off all hope from Robert Stuart , his Eldest Sisters Son ▪ of succeeding in the Kingdom , and substituted Alexander , Son of the Earl of Sutherland , David settles the Succession , first on Alexander , and then on Robert Stuart . by his Youngest Sister , and made the Nobles to swear Fealty to him . This young Mans Father distributed large and fruitful Lands amongst the Nobles , to engage them more firmly to his Son . But , Alexander dying soon after , he was reconciled to Robert Stuart ; and , in a full Assembly of the Estates , he was , by a General Suffrage , named Heir Presumptive of the Crown . But this was done some Years after .

The King spent the next Five Years in appeasing the Discords at home , in which time there happened Two great Calamities : One reached but to a few , by an Inundation of Water ; for , the Heavens sent down so much Rain , that Lothian seemed to be all a Float ; yea , Great Inundations of Water endammage Lothian . the force of the Water was such , that it carried away Bridges , Water-Mills , Country Houses , with their Owners , and Cattle , into the Sea ; it rooted up Trees , and almost quite destroyed the Towns , which stood near the Banks of Rivers . This Misery was seconded by Another , namely , a grievous Pestilence , A Grievous Pestilence . which consumed many of all Ranks and Ages .

In the Year 1363. the state of things grew Calmer , and then ,

Eight Prudent Persons , chosen out of all the Orders , to prepare Matters for that High Court .

Davids unacceptable Propositions to the Scots .

in the Assembly of the Estates , the King propounded to the Lords of the Articles , That the King of England , or else his Son , might be sent for into Scotland , to undertake the Kingdom , if he should chance to Die . This he did , either by his weariness of War ; or , foreseeing , That it would be for the Good of both Kingdoms ; or , ( as others think ) because of his Oath , which the English had made him to Swear , but his Speech was so Unacceptable and Offensive to them all , that , before every ones Vote could be asked in order , they all confusedly cried out upon it , as an abominable Propose ; and it was almost come to That , that they , who had most freely spoken against it , fearing his Displeasure , were meditating a Revolt . But he , understanding their Fears , abated his Anger , and received them into Favour . When he had quieted all things elsewhere , yet the Highlanders continued still in Arms , and did not only commit Outrages upon one another , but also made Havock of the adjacent Countries . The King tried all probable Means to bring them to a mutual Concord ; but , being not able to do it , his next Plot was , Davids Policy to subvert the Islanders . To suborn some Crafty Fellows , to foment and heighten their Dissensions ; that so , when the feircest of them had destroyed one another , the rest might become more Tractable and Pliant . The King , having performed these Exploits , both at home and abroad , departed this Life in the Castle of Edinburgh , on the Seventh Day of Iune , in the Forty Seventh Year of his Age , about the Thirty Ninth of his Reign , and of our Lord 1370.

He was certainly , a Man eminent in all kind of Virtue ; but especially in Justice and Clemency ; and , though he had been exercised with Good and Bad Events , His Death and Character . alternately ; yet , still , his Fortune seemed rather to fail him , than his Industry .

Robert II. The Hundredth King .

AFter David's Decease , the Nobles met together at Linlithgo , to Congratulate Robert , at the beginning of his Reign , who had , before , been designed King by his Uncle ; but here , the Ambition of William Douglas had almost cast things into a Sedition , and Uproar . For he demanded the Kingdom , as his Hereditary Right , in regard he was descended from Baliol and the Cumins's . But finding , that his Suit was unacceptable to them all ; and especially to his most intimate Friends , as the Two Brothers , George , and Iohn , Dunbars , of which one was Earl of Merch , and the other of Murray ; as also to Robert Erskin , Robert Douglas , William's Son , Marries Eufemia , the Kings Daughter . Governor of the Three well-fortified Castles of Dunbarton , Sterling , and Edinburgh , he desisted , and promised to obey Robert , as his Liege King ; and the King , to oblige him in a more strict Bond of Friendship , espoused his Daughter to Earl William's Son .

This year , the Truce , made for Fourteen years , was broken by the English . There was a great Fair usually kept , the Third of the Ide● of August , August 11. whether huge Numbers of both Nations , even from very remote Places , used to resort ; thither came the Inhabitants of Merch ; and it happened , that one of George Dunbar's Familiar Friends was slain there . George , according to the Law which was observed among the Borderers , sent Heralds to demand the Murderers to be given up to him ; or else , That they would Punish them , Themselves ; but , New Discord● betwixt the Scots and English . perceiving , that Favour did outvy Equity , he dissembles the Affront , and against the next day appointed for the Fair , he secretly prepared a Band of Men , and setting upon the Town unexpectedly , he slew all the Youngsters , burnt the Houses , and returned home , with a great Booty . The English , to revenge this Injury , did with like Cruelty ravage over all the Lands of Iohn Gordon , a Noble Knight ; and not long after Gordon entred England , and took away a great Prey of Men and Cattle ; but as he was returning home , Iohn Lilburn , Lilburn overthrown . met him with a far greater Force than he had : A terrible Fight began betwixt them , and Victory seemed a long time to flutter over both Parties with doubtful Wings ; but , at last , she inclined to the Scots . The Commander of the English Forces was taken Prisoner , with many of his Allies and Tenants .

Henry Percy , Earl of Northumberland , a Man of a great Spirit , being then Lord Warden , A Town in the Merss , six Miles Northwest from Berwick , Iohn Scotus born at Duns . Percy enters Scotland . or Governour , of the Eastern Marches or Borders , took this Overthrow of his Countrymen in great Disdain ; and thereupon , gathered together a Body of above 7000 Men , and encamped at a Village , called Duns , remarkable for being the Birth Place of Iohn Scotus , Sirnamed , Subtilis , rather than for any thing else . There the Countrymen and Shepherds gathered themselves together , having no other Arms , but such Rattles and Gimcracks , wherewith they frighten Stags and other Cattle , which do pasture there up and down , without any Keeper ; They run from the Scots Sea to 〈◊〉 and divide 〈◊〉 from Lothian . and so by night they placed themselves on some Risings of the Lamormore Hills , which were near to the said Village of Duns . The Form of the Gimcrack is This ; On the top of a long Spear , or Pole , they fasten some Staves or Hoops of Wood , made crooked and bent into a Semicircle ; all over them they stretched a Skin , after the same Form as the Lanterns , which the Vulgar Parisians call Falots , are made ; into these Lanterns , or Concavities , they put small Stones , but very hard ones , which when they are stirred , and tumbled , up and down , make such a rattling noise , as drives away the Beasts and Cattle from the Corn. With these Rattling Instruments , they made a mighty Noise on the Hills , hanging over Duns , wherewith the English Horse were so affrighted , that they broke the Headstalls they were tied with ; and ran up and down the Fields , and so were taken by the Countrymen ; And in the whole Army , there was such a Tumultuous Bustle , that they cried out , Arm , Arm ; and thinking the Enemy had been at their Heels , Perc●'s Horse are affrighted with rattling Instruments , and 〈◊〉 they passed that night without sleep . But in the morning , perceiving their mistake , in regard they had lost many of their Baggage Horses , as well as those for Service , they retreated six Miles ( for that Place is so far distant from England ) on Foot , leaving their Baggage behind them , almost in the Posture of such , as Fly away .

The same day , that Percy retired back from Duns , Thomas Musgrave , Governor of Berwick , had issued out of his Garison with some Troops , to join Percy ; Iohn Gordon had notice of his March , and laid an Ambush for him , into which he fell ; and imagining his Enemy to be more numerous than he was , he sought to Fly , but was taken with his Party in the pursuit , and brought back again . The 〈…〉 Moreover , in the Western Borders , Iohn Iohnston carried it so , that he obtained both Honour and Booty , too ; for he so exercised his Neighbouring Foes with small , but frequent , Incursions , that he did them as much mischief , as a great Army would have done .

Thus all things succeeded prosperously with Robert , for the First Two Years of his Reign ; but in his Third Year , Eufemia , Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross , dyed . The King had three Children by her , Walter , afterwards made Earl of Strathearn ; David , Earl of Athol ; and Eufemia , whom Robert Douglas Married , as I said before . Robert , not so much for the Impatience of his Widow'd , and unmarried , Estate , as for the Love of the Children , which he had before begot on the Body of Elizabeth More , took her to Wife . This Woman was exceeding Beautiful , the Daughter of Adam More , an Illustrious Knight ; the King fell in Love with her when he was young , and had Three Sons and Two Daughters by her , and he bestowed her in Marriage on one Gifard , a Nobleman in Lothian . It happened , that Eufemia , the Queen , and Gifard , Elizabeth's Husband , died about one and the same time . Whereupon , the King , Robert upon his Queens decease . Marries Elizabeth More , by whom he had Children before , whom he prefers to great 〈◊〉 either induced by the old Familiarity he had with Her ; or else , ( as many Writers report ) to Legitimate the Children , she had born to him , took their Mother to Wife , and presently advanced her Sons to Riches and Honour . Iohn , the Eldest Son , was made Earl of Carrick ; Robert , of M●nteith ; and Alexander , of Buchan , to which Badenock was adjoined . Neither was he content with this Munificence , but he prevailed upon the Assembly of Estates , met at Scone , to pass by the Children of Eufemia , and to observe the Order of Age , in making his Son , King after him ; which Matter was , in aftertimes , almost the utter Ruin of that numerous Family .

During the next Two years , there was neither assured Peace , nor open War , but light Incursions , or rather Plunderings , on both sides ; In the mean time , Edward the Third dies , and his Grandchild Richard the Second succeeds him . Ambassadors from Charles the Fifth , to Scotland , to s●i● them up to War against England . Berwick Castle surprised by Ramsay , but regain'd by Percy . Edward the Third died , and Richard , the Second , his Grandchild by his Son Edward , born at Bourdeaux , succeeded him , being Eleven years of Age , at which time Ambassadors were sent by Charles the Fifth , King of France , into Scotland . The Cause of their Embassy , was , To renew the ancient League with Robert , and to desire him to invade England with an Army , and so to take off the Stress of the War from France . In the interim , whilst they were treating with the Assembly , Alexander Ramsay , ( as the English Writers report out of Frossard ) being accompanied with Forty young Fellows , in the middle of the Night , when the Sentinel was asleep , took the Castle of Berwick ; all that were in it , being either killed , or made Prisoners . The Townsmen , being amazed at this suddain surprize , send for Percy , who came and laid Siege to the Castle with Ten thousand Men When the News hereof was brought to the Assembly of the Estates at Scone , Archibald Douglas , being concerned for the danger his Kinsman was in , took with him a flying Body of 500 Horse only , and speeded thither ; but all Passages to the Besieged were intercluded and stopp'd , so that he was forced to return again , without any Action . And the Castle , after a valiant Defence for some days , was , at length , taken by Storm , and all put to the Sword , except Alexander alone ; Thus the English ; but , Our Writers say , That the Castle was taken by the help of six Country People of Merch , who , not being able to keep it , were fain to desert it . Not long after the Assembly , Iames , the First Earl of Douglas , enters England with an Army . Iames , the First Earl of Douglas , gathered together an Army of Twenty thousand Men , and entred England , and coming unawares to a Town called * *

In Cumberland .

A Pestilence in Scotland .

Penrith , on a Fair-Day , he took , plundered , and burnt it , and then marched his Army back again in safety , laden with Spoil ; but withal , he brought the Pestilence home with him , which was greater than any before , so that it raged over all Scotland for the space of Two years .

The English , to cry Quits with the Scots , passed over the Solway , and entred Scotland ; Talbot , a fierce General , led them , being 15000 Men , with which Number he made a great Desolation far and near ; and as his Army was returning back laden with Spoil , he pitch'd his Tents in a narrow Valley , not far from the Borders of England ; about 500 Scots came upon them in those Streights , being secure , Talbet overthrown in Scotland . unprovided , and generally without their Arms ; and , at the first Assault , they killed all , who were in their way , so that the Tumult , and Fear , diffusing it self , they were wholly put to Flight ; many were slain upon the Place , 250 taken Prisoners , and a great Number , in such a sudden Trepidation , taking the River , were drowned ; the rest left their Prey behind them , and ran home , the nearest way they could .

In the mean time , the English carried on a fierce War , both by Sea and Land , against the French ; and besides , part of their Forces were sent into Portugal , so that it was resolved by their Parliament , That Iohn Duke of Lancaster , the King's Uncle , should be sent Embassador into Scotland , to Treat about a Peace ; that so , they , being engaged in so many Wars , might have Quiet on that side at least , A Truce between the Scots and English for three Years . which lay most exposed , and open . The Scots , being made acquainted with his coming by an Herald , appointed Iames , Earl of Douglas , and Iohn Dunbar Earl of Murray , to Treat with him ; a Truce was made for Three Years . But whilst they were Treating about a Peace there , a most grievous Civil War broke out in England . Quatuor nummos Ang●●co● . The First Author of it is said to be one Iohn Ball , a Priest : He , perceiving that the Commonalty was grievously offended , because Poll-Money of Four English Pence an Head was imposed on Them , First of all obliquely , and in private Confessions , Discourses , and Meetings , inflamed the Minds of the Commons against the Nobility ; and , perceiving that his Speech was well entertained , then he discoursed it openly ; besides this New Occasion , there was also another more Ancient one , viz. That the Greatest Part of the Commons were made little better than Slaves to the Great Ones . A great many Tradesmen and Day-Labourers came in to them , and others also , who , in point of Estate or Credit , had nothing to lose ; insomuch , that they raised so great a Tumult and Combustion , A Rising of the Commons in England , at the Instigation of Iohn Ba● a Priest . that the Main Chance seemed greatly to be hazarded , and to lie at stake . These things were known at the Meeting of the Embassadors ; yet Both of them dissembled the Matter till they had Treated , and made a Pacification . Then Douglas told Iohn of Lancaster , That he knew , from the beginning , in what State the Affairs of England stood , but they were so far from laying hold on the Opportunity either to make a War , or to hinder a good Peace , That they offered him , even then , to stay securely in Scotland , till the Tumults in England were appeased ; or , if he would return , that he should have 500 Scots Horse for his Convoy . Lancaster , the English Embassador in Scotland , denied entrance into Berwick . Lancaster gave them Great Thanks , yet he hoped at present , that he had no need to accept of either of the Conditions . But , as he was returning home , the Governor of Berwick shut him out of the Town , so that He , upon the Publick Faith given , returned into Scotland , and there kept himself , till the Sedition of the Commons was quelled in England . When the Three Years Truce was ended , in the Year 1384. Iune the 4th , Archibald Douglas of Galway , with the Assistance of Iames Earl of Douglas , and George Earl of M●rch , Loch-Maban Castle taken by the Scots . laid Siege to the Castle of Loch-Maban , situate near a Lake of the same Name , and from whence daily Inroads were made upon the Neighbouring Country . The Governor of the Castle , being affected at this suddain Misfortune , Articled with the Enemy , That unless he were relieved in Eight Days , he would surrender the Castle ; whereupon , after the Scots had endured great trouble , by reason of the Winter-Storms , and continual Showres , even from the 4th Day of February , the Castle was surrendred , according to Covenant , on the Ninth Day . They who lived near Roxburgh , fearing lest that Castle might be also taken , took care , That one Grastock , a Noble and Wealthy Person , and much famed for his Warlike Skill , should be made Governour thereof ; whereupon , as he was sending in great Provisions thither , unbar surprizes the Governor of Roxburg . and also , all his own Houshold Goods , imagining , that they could no where be better kept from his Enemies use , or secured for his own . Dunbar , being informed by his Spies of the Day of his March , and the way he was to go , laid his Ambushes in convenient Places , and so suddainly assaulted a long confused Train , made up of Soldiers , Waggoners , and a promiscuous Multitude , and without any Fighting took the Prey , and the Owner of it too , Lancaster enters Scotland . and presently retreated back . The English in revenge of their Losses , and to prevent future Incursions , by some memorable Exploits , send Lancaster into Scotland with great Forces , both by Sea and Land . Lancaster himself came through Merch and Lothian as far as Edinburgh . His Fleet was sent to waste the Maritime parts of Fife .

The Soldiers were desirous to burn down Edinburgh ; but he , remembring that , but a few Years before , he had been liberally , and bountifully entertained there , when he was excluded by his own People , He favours the Edinburgers . forbad them so to do . But his Fleet shewed not the same Civility , for , entring into the Isle of Inch-colm , they robbed a Monastery of Monks , and burnt it ; using the like Cruelty in all places where they landed , till Nicholas and Thomas Erskins , Alexander Lindsay , and William Cuningham met them , killed many , took some , and forced the rest to fly in such Fear to their Ships , But is put to a Retreat . that , besides the other Loss received by their hasty Flight , they suffered Forty of their own Men , who , being upon one of the Ships Ropes , after the Rope was cut , Douglas prevails in Scotland , he dyes , and his Son William succeeds him . to be Drowned before their Eyes . Lancaster was scarce returned home , before William Douglas trode almost on his Heels , partly sacking , partly demolishing all the Castles , which the English held in Scotland , after the Battel of Durham . He reduced all Teviotdale , except Roxburg , to the Scots Obedience ; and restrained Robberies , which the licentiousness of the Wars had multiplied and encouraged ; and he himself did not long outlive these Exploits , but dyed of a Feavor in the Castle of Douglas . His Son William Douglas succeeded him ; One every way worthy of so Great and Virtuous a Father .

In the mean time , when an Annual Truce was made betwixt the French , Eng●ish , and Scots near Bologne , in Belgium , and the French , who were commanded to give the Scots notice thereof , had neglected so to do ; the English Nobles , who bordered upon Scotland , thinking now they had a fit Opportunity to give their Enemy some notable and unexpected Overthrow , and not leave them any time for Revenge . They , before the Truce was published , gathered together Ten Thousand Horse , A Truce made for a Year , between French , English , and Scots , which the French were to acquaint the Scots with . The English enter Scotland , before Notice is given them of a Truce made . and Six Thousand Archers ; and so entring Scotland , under the Command of the Earls of Northumberland and Nottingham , they made a vast Havock of the Country , especially on the Lands of the Douglasses and Lindsays . The Scots , who upon the noise of a Truce , had laid aside all thoughts of War , were exceedingly offended , both at their own Negligence , and at the Perfidiousness of the Enemy , and resolved upon Revenge , assoon as they could . In the Interim , the noise of the English Invasion of Scotland , did Alarm the French , who were to give notice of the Truce , and put them in mind of their slackness therein . They , endeavouring by a late Festination , to make amends for their former Omission , came to London , even in the very height of the Invasion , where they were Bountifully and Nobly Entertained , and detained so long , by Kind and Friendly Invitations , till it was known that the English were returned out of the Enemies Country ; Then they were dismissed , and came into Scotland , where they declared their Message , as they were commanded . Whereupon , almost all the Nobility , especially Those who had felt the Loss , sustained by the late Inroad , did Murmure , Storm , and Cry out , That this Mockery of the English was not to be endured . Some Scots Nobles also invade England , before the Truce is Proclaimed . The King did in vain endeavour to pacifie them , for he was willing to observe the Truce ; but they so long debated on , and delayed the Matter , till their Friends had privately Levied almost 15000 Horse , and then , on an appointed Day , Douglas , Lindsay and Dunbar , depart secretly from the Court , and joyning their Countrymen , invade England with a powerful Army ; They wasted Northumberland , even unto Newcastle , and returning th●ô the Lands of the Earl of Nottingham , and the Mowbrays , they spoiled all by Fire and Sword , that they could not carry away . Then , and not before , they returned home with a great Booty , and many Prisoners , and presently caused the Truce to be Proclaimed .

About the end of the Truce , in the Year 1385. Monsieur Iohn de V●●nne , Admiral of the French Navy , was sent over by the King of France , with about 2000 Auxiliaries , of which an hundred were Curiassiers , Armed Cap-a-pee , and 200 which flung Darts out of Engines , called Cross-bows , in after Ages ; the rest were Foot , of a promiscous kind ; They brought with them Money for Six Months Pay , besides many Gifts and Presents ; and amongst the rest , 400 Suits of compleat Armour , to be divided between the most valiant Commanders ; Having first waited on the King , he , and Iames Douglas entred Northumberland ; and having demolished Three Castles , they would have proceeded further , but there was so much Rain fell that Autumn , that they were forced to return . Moreover , they heard a Report , that Richard the Second of England was coming against them , which hastened their Retreat . His Anger was more enflamed now against the Scots , than ever ; because they had not only made a desolating War upon his Kingdom , Themselves ; but had also sent for Foreigners to aid them ; and that in such a conjuncture of Time , when the French Themselves designed also to Land a vast Army in England ; whereupon , he gathered a very puissant Army together , consisting , as the English Writers say , of 60000 Foot , and 8000 Horse ; with this Force he resolved so to tame the Scots , Richard II. enter'd Scotland with an Army . that they should not , in many Years after , be able to Levy any considerable Army ; Besides , he Rigged out a great Navy , which were to bring Provisions into the Forth . For he knew , That part of Scotland , wherein he was to make his Descent , had been harassed , for many Years , by continual Wars ; And if any Provisions were left in it , that the Inhabitants would convey them away into the neighbouring , or other remote , Places . Add hereto , he was secure of the French , for he knew , that they would not put to Sea in a Stormy Winter . With those Forces he entred Scotland , sparing no Place , neither Sacred nor Profane ; no , nor any Age , nor Degrees of Men , if they were capable to bear Arms. In the mean time , Monsieur Vien , being more mindful of his Kings Commands to him , at his parting from him , than of the present posture of Affairs in Scotland , was earnest with Douglas to come to a Battel . He still answered him , That the Scots forbore to engage , not out of any Alienation of Mind from the French , but being Conscious of their own Weakness ; and thereupon , he took him up into an high Place , from whence he might safely take a view of the Enemy ; Whereupon the Scots enter England . He , then perceiving the long Train of the English in their March , quickly turned to be of his Opinion . Whereupon , they both concluded , That , in the present circumstances , the best and only Way for them to incommode the Enemy , was , to gather together what Force they could , and so to invade England . Thereupon , they entred , far from the Kings Army , into Cumberland , and made a great Havock therein , and in the neighbouring Counties . The English , Winter being now at hand , and the Country of Lothian being spoiled by the War , ( for they durst not g●●ar from their Ships , lest Provisions should fail them ) consulted about their Return ; Some were of Opinion , that it was best to follow after the Scots in the Rear , and , in their Return , to compel them to Fight , whether they would or no. But those , who knew the Ways better , through which they were to march , replyed on the contrary , That there would be great difficulty in passing over such Marshes and Mountains , and sometimes narrow Places , wherein there was also so much want of all things , that a very few Men , and those nimble ones too , could carry Provisions enough with them , thô but for a few days , to finish the March ; and besides , if they should overcome those Difficulties , yet the next Country , which was to receive them , was not over-fruitful of itself ; and also , it had been wasted by the War . Again , if they should wade through all those Inconveniencies , yet they had to do with a nimble and shifting Enemy , whom it would be more difficult to find , and to bring to a Battel , than to overcome ; and , if they could find him out , yet he would not be compelled to Fight , but in his own Places of Advantage : That Edward the Third , his Grandfather , had Experience hereof , to the great Damage of his Own , and little Inconvenience of the Scots Army . Upon Hearing of this , as also casting in their Minds , what Miseries they might suffer in an Enemies Country , They both return home . in a cold Winter ; and in the mean time , leave their Wives , Children , and what else was dear to them , desolate at home ; they changed their Minds , and marched back directly the same way , that they came . Thus both Armies had a free Time of plundering in their Enemies Country ; and each of them returned home again , without seeing any Enemy .

The Scots , well knowing , That the English could not attempt another Expedition till the next Summer , resolved to attack Roxburgh , a Neighbour Town , and the Garison there , which was greatly annoyous to the Country thereabout . When they were ●ome thither , a dissension arose betwixt the Scots and the French , about the Town , even before it was taken . The French and Scots quarrel ●bout the Bears Skin , before he was catcht . The French alleging , That , seeing by a large Experience in Wars at home , they were more skilled in the Methods of taking Towns , than the Scots ; and moreover , that they had spent a great deal of Mony in the War ; They therefore thought it but just , That , if the Town were carried , it should be Theirs , and remain under the Jurisdiction of France . On the contrary , the Scots urged , That it was very unjust , That Auxiliaries should reap the Reward and Benefit of the whole War ; and for what Expences they had been at , it had been spent rather on Themselves than the Scots , it being in order to distract and divide the Forces of England , and so to avert Part of the War from France ; and if the Friendly Offices on Both sides were put in the Ballance , the Scots might , upon juster grounds , demand the Charge of the whole War of the French , than the French could challenge any Reward for their Assistance , especially such a Reward , as no History , in the Memory of Man , doth relate either to have been demanded , or given , by Allys one to , or amongst , another : Yea , The Unjustness of their Demand appeared by This , That the Scots might have sate still in Peace , without being prejudiced by the English ; and so might have been Spectators only of the Wars betwixt Two potent Kings ; but the French could not have Obtained the same Quiet , unless they would have yielded up a good Part of their Country . Neither could they see , of what use that Town would be to the French , if they had it , save only to be as a Bridle ; that so the Arbitrement of War or Peace might be at their dispose ; and if That were their intent , it were more for the Profit , yea , and for the Credit too , of the Kings of Scotland , to be without the Town , than , on a Trivial occasion , to give up Themselves to a voluntary Servitude : But , if by so unequal a Postulation , they thought to excuse their Return home , which they sometime before attempted , there was no need at all of such a Blind , for as they freely came , so they had Liberty always , at their pleasure , freely to depart ; neither was it adviseable in the Scots to stay Them ; in regard they might easily foresee , their Service would be but small , if they were detained against their Wills .

Hereupon , They retreated from Roxburgh without attaquing it ; and , whereas there had grievous Complaints been made betwixt Both Parties , before ; so , ( if matters should still continue at that Pass ) open Enmity did seem likely to arise . French Soldiers more licentious than Scots , or English , which occasions a disgust betwixt them . The Original of the Dissension arose from the different Custom and Carriage of either Nation , in managing of a War . For the Scots and English Soldiers pay honestly for what they take at their Quarters , and carry it amongst their Countrymen , as moderately and soberly in War , as in Peace . But the French otherwise ; where-ever they march , All 's their Own , as if they had publick Permission to Rob and Spoil ; for , they , having been accustomed to this kind of Life , think , they might lawfully do That , which Custom hath inured them always to do , heretofore : And therefore , before that time , there had often Quarrels , and sometimes Blows , happened betwixt the Scots and French ; These endeavouring to practise their wonted Rapacity ; and the Other not submitting to such an unaccustomed Servility ; so that as One snatcht away what was none of His ; the Other laboured to defend his Own . After this Disgust and Alienation of Minds at Roxburgh , the French Commissaries used greater Licentiousness than ever before , in gathering in Provisions , as intending shortly to depart ; and the Country-men , disdaining to be made a Prey to a Few men , and those Strangers , too , many times took away their Baggage and their Horses ; and the Officers and straggling Soldiers , sent out to Forage , were sometimes wounded , sometimes slain outright , by them . When Complaints hereof were brought to the Council ; the Countrymen answered with one Consent , The French Army leaves Scotland , but their General is retain'd to satisfy damages . That they were Treated more Coursly , and Robb●d , by the French , who called Themselves Friends , than by the English , their Professed Enemies ; and therefore they resolved , That they should not depart the Land , till they had made them Recompence for their Losses , neither could this obstinate Humour of theirs be stopt by the Douglasses , thô they were the most Popular men of that Age. Hereupon , the Army was sent back , but the General was detained , till full Payment was made . The French set Sail in the Calends of November ; Nov. 1. the Scots , either tired with the Military Toil of the last Year , or satiated with the Spoils of so many Prosperous Expeditions , sate still all that Winter . But the next Spring , William Douglas , the Son of Archibald Earl of Galway , sailed over into Ireland , both to revenge at present the often Descents of the Irish upon the Coasts of Galway , and also to restrain them for the Future .

This William was a Young man , the Eminentest in all Virtues both of Body and Mind , amongst all the Scots . He was a big-bodied Man , Will . Douglas sails into Ireland . and had strength accordingly ; and his comely Beauty was accompanied with a Manly and Graceful Dignity of Presence ( which seldom happens in Bodies of that Bulk ) And moreover , his Successfull Exploits in War , did much recommend him ; for he oft-times , with a Few , And takes Dundalk . would assault a greater Number of his Enemies , and come off a Conquerour ; Neither was he ever employed in any Expedition , but he gave evident Proofs of his Valour . These Excellencies , which , in some , are matter of Envy ; yet , in him , by reason of his Affability , Complaisance and courteous Modesty , were acceptable to All. And upon the account of those Virtues , tho' the King knew him to be Base-born , yet he bestowed his Daughter Aegidia upon him , in Marriage , a Woman of the rarest Beauty in those Times ; and one , who had been Courted by many of the Noblest Youngsters of the Court. With Her , he gave Nithisdale , the next Country to Galway , as a Dowry .

He Landed his Men at Carlingford , a rich Town in that County , and the Suddenness of the Thing struck such Terrour into the Townsmen , That they presently sent out to him to Treat about Conditions of Surrender . Douglas entertained them courteously , and , in the mean time , as secure of the Enemy , he sent out Robert Stuart , Laird of * * A Town on the North side of the Nith , a Mile about Drumlanerick in Nithisdale . Disdeir , with 200 Soldiers to bring in Provisions into his Ships . The Townsmen , having gotten this time for Consultation , send for Aid from * * A Sea Town in the County of Louth and Province of Vlster , in Ireland . Dundale . Five hundred Horse were sent , with whose help , they divided themselves into Two Bodies , and so drew forth against their Enemy , for , because they were so much Superior to them in Number , they thought presently to kill them all , and so to become Masters of their Ships , too . But both their Bodies were routed , the Town taken , plundered , and burnt ; Fifteen Ships , which rode in the Harbour , And returns from thence . were laded with the Spoils of the City ; and , in his return home , he plundered the Isle of Man by the way , and so arrived at Lough-Rian , which divides Part of Galway from Carrick . There Douglas heard , That his Father was gone in an Expedition against England ; Whereupon , he hastned after him , as fast as he could . That Expedition was undertaken chiefly upon this Ground ; Richard of England , having entred Scotland the Year before , The Scots enter England 〈◊〉 and spated nothing , either Sacred or Profane , at his return home , met with a Domestick Sedition , which had changed the State of his whole Kingdom . To heal this Mischief , he transfer'd the Government of the Provinces , and the management of Lesser Matters ( as is usually done in such Cases ) from one to another ; and by this means , the Fire of Hatred was not so much quenched , as covered in the Ashes , and likely soon after to break out , again : But , on the the contrary , Scotland enjoyed a Great , but yet uncertain , Tranquillity . For it was full of Young Soldiers , fit for War , and as fruitful and well-stored with good Commanders , as ever before . So that , the Nobility were desirous of a War , and , in all their Assemblys and Meetings , they still muttered , That so gallant an Opportunity to be revenged upon the English for their old Injuries , was not to be neglected , and that the English would never have omitted it , in reference to Scotland , if the Affairs thereof had been in the like Perturbation .

But King Robert , being a Man of a quiet Disposition ; and , moreover , by reason of his growing and unweildy Age , Against the mind of Robert and his Son . not so forward for War , seemed not to be sufficiently concerned at the Publick Injuries : And his Eldest Son , Iohn , was naturally Slow , and , besides , Lame with the stroke of an Horse , so that he was not well able to endure the Hardships of a Camp . And therefore the Nobles made their Addresses to Robert , the next Son , Earl of Fife ; To whom they complained of the deplorable State of the Publick , and they all presently Concluded , That the wrong , lately received , was to be revenged , and therein every one promised his Chearful Assistance ; so that it was agreed , That a Levy of Soldiers should be made against the Nones of Aug. ● . August next , but so secret , That neither King , either Scots , or English , should know thereof .

But the English were quickly advertised by their Spies , of the Time and Place of Meeting ; so that they resolved to prevent their Enemy with the same Surprize . For they advised the rest of the Nobles with all their Followers to be in a readiness , not at any one day , but whenever there was need , that they might draw to their Colours . Matters being thus resolved on , when they heard , That the Scots , to the Number of 30000 , or , as Frossard will have it , of 40000 , were met together in Teviotdale , nor far from the Borders ; they resolved further , that ( seeing they were not able to encounter so great a Multitude ) they would attempt nothing before the Coming of the Enemy upon them . And in the mean time , to conceal their Project the better , every man was to stay at his own home , till they saw , upon what Country so great a Storm would fall ; and then , according to the Enemies Motion , they would steer their Cou●se , and ( as the Scots had done the Autumn before , in reference to England ) so now , they would enter into Scotland another Way , and repay Loss for Loss .

In the interim , they sent a Spy to inform themselves fully of the Enemies advance , who was now so near them ; for they counted it highly conduceable to their affairs , to know , not only the Design , but even the very last Words , Resolves , and Actions , of their Enemies . An English Spy in the Scots Army discovered . He that was sent , differed nothing in Speech , Habit , or Armour from the rest , and so was easily taken for a Scots Man . So that , having found out every thing , which he desired to know , he was going to a Tree , where he had tied his Horse , to fetch him , and so to be gone ; but he found , that some Body had stollen and carried him away before ; so that he was fain in his Boots , Spurs , and Riding-Apparel , to undertake his Journey on Foot . Hereupon , the Matter began to be suspected , and when he was gone a great way , some Horsemen were sent after , to bring him back , as a Runagate ; when they came up to him , and demanded , Who , or What he was , and Why he went from his Colours in that Fashion ; he not being able to give a ready Answer , they brought him back to the chief Officers of the Army , to whom , for fear of a greater Punishment , he discovered all the designs of the English . When the Scots heard this , they also changed the Order of their Designs , The Scots Army divide themselves to attack England . they divided their Army so , That the greatest Part of it should march towards Carlisle , and that the Kings Two Sons , the Earls of Fife , and Strathern should command them ; to whom were joyned Archibald Douglas of Galway , and the Earls of Marr and Sutherland . The other Part was to enter Northumberland , under the Command of Iames Douglas , and the Two Brethren , Dunbars , George and Iohn ; the One Earl of Murray , the Other of Merch. Their Party consisted of 300 Horse , and 2000 Foot , besides Servants and Attendants on the Horse ; for every Horseman hath at least one Servant , who , being lightly armed , can run almost as fast as an Horse , and , when occasion is offered , can , with his Fellows , encounter an Enemy .

When their Forces were thus divided , They , who marched towards Cumberland and Carlisle , carried all before them , by reason of the Numerousness of their Army , and met with no Enemy at all . But Douglas in the Devastations which he made , in the other Circuit , had not the same Fortune ; for he had so ordered the Course of his Expedition , as to take great , and yet secret , Marches ; and so passing over Tine , to pierce as far as Durham , before he gave his Army leave to spoil and plunder . This he did , with such Secrecy and Speed , That the English did not know , where their Enemies were , but by the Smoke of the Fires they had made . Douglas , in Northumberland , encountred by Percy . Percy , the Elder , was the Greatest man in Northumberland and the adjacent Countrys , both for Wealth and Power . When the News was brought to him , he sends Two of his Sons , Henry , and Ralph , very active Young men Both , before to New-Castle , commanding the rest to follow them thither . His Intent was , to stop the Scots in their Retreat , and to keep them from returning . But they , having spoiled the Wealthy County of Durham , returned home with a great Prey , and repass'd the Ti●● about Three Miles above New-Castle . There , the Commanders , being nobly descended in their own Country , as also desirous of Glory ; and besides , lifted up with their present Success , such as it was , thought it an Inglorious thing , in Them , to strike terrour only into Rusticks , and Pl●beians , if they did not also affright Cities ; Whereupon , they marched to New-Castle , and threatning to besiege it , they endeavoured by Contumelies and Big Words , to draw out the Enemy .

When they had staid there Two Days , and some light Skirmishes , with various Success , had passed betwixt them ; There was one Combat , which , towards the Evening of the Last Day , attracted the Eyes of all the Beholders : And that was , A Duel between Earl Douglas and Earl Percy . a Duel betwixt the Two Generals ; for they , being , in a sort , equally matched , in respect of Lineage , Power , Age and Courage , had a mind to encounter each other , in the Sight of both Armies . Hereupon , a Challenge was sent , and they Both , Iames Douglas and Henry Percy , entred the Lists , and ran at one another with their Spears . Percy was unhorsed at first Brush , and Douglas got his Spear , but he could not touch his Person , because the English came in to his Assistance ; He shook the Spear , and cryed out aloud , so as he might easily be heard , That he would carry That , as a Trophy , into Scotland . So , the Combat being ended , the Scots kept very diligent Watch , in regard they were near a City , well-Peopled , and full of Enemies . The Day after , they retired towards Scotland , but very slowly , as being laden with Booty . As their Prey moved leisurely on , they themselves assaulted a Neighbour-Castle of the Enemies , carried and demolished it ; and from thence they marched to Otterborn , about Three Miles distant from Newcastle . There , The Scots march to Otterborn . they took Counsel concerning the Rest of their March . The Major Part were of Opinion , to March towards Carlisle , to meet the other Army , and so , not to Fight singly , ( as was , at first , agreed ) but to wait the Conjunction of Both Armies . But Douglas was minded to stay Two or Three Days in that Place , that so he might make a Real Confutation of the Vaunts of Percy , who had boasted , That they should never carry his Lance into Scotland . In the mean time , that they might not be idle , they would attaque the Neighbouring Castle . This Opinion , though it was judged by Many none of the best , yet , for Douglas his sake , they all submitted to it . And therefore they fortified their Camp for the present Occasion , which on one side was sufficiently guarded by Marishes , and and then proceeded on to take the Castle . But Percy being of a fierce Nature , that he might blot out the Ignominy he had received , would have followed him presently upon their Retreat , with those Forces which he had about him ; but the Graver Sort detained him , for fear of an Ambush ; for they did not think it probable , that so small a Number of Scots would have appeared before so strong a Town , unless they had more Forces , near at hand , hid in some secret Places . That Day and the next , they were busie in making Discoveries ; but finding , that there was no Danger of the Greater Army , as being far distant from Douglas his Party , thereupon Percy immediately , with Ten Thousand Fighting Men , put himself upon the March , without staying for the Bishop of Durham , who , that very Night , was expected with some Forces ; for , he thought , he had Force enough to overcome his Enemies , who were not half as many , as He. When the English came in Sight , some of the Scots were at Supper ; others , being wearied at the Taking of the Castle , had composed themselves to Rest ; but presently , an Alarming Word was given , To your Arms. Whilst the rest were arming themselves , the Major Part of the Foot , and many of the Horse-Mens Servants , making use of that slender Fortification they had , bore the Brunt of the English Assault . But the Horse had a great Advantage , in that they were sensible of the thing , before ; for , disputing among themselves , how they should entertain the Enemy when he assaulted them , ( for , an Assault they expected ) they saw , that a Neighbour Hill would be of great Conveniency to them . Thither therefore they Trooped about , and whilst the English were assaulting the Passage into the Camp , they fell in upon their left Flank , and made a great Slaughter , but a greater Noise : Yet , the English , having Men enough , brought up their Reserves , and quickly made good their Ranks again ; yet , that disorder did this good to the Scots , That the Fight before the Camp was managed more remisly , so that they had Liberty to draw out , and Range their Army in order of Battel .

Whilst these things were doing , the Night drew on , but it was a short one , as it useth to be in Iuly , in the Northern Countries especially , and the Weather also chanced to be fair ; so that the Moon shining all Night , it was as bright as Day . The Fight was maintained Gallantly , A terrible Fight between the Scots and English , under Percy and Douglas . as between Two Noble Champions , who were more solicitous for their Honour , than for their Lives . Percy endeavoured to redeem his Credit , and Douglas to maintain His , by a New Atchievement ; so that there was as much Eagerness on the one side , as on the other , though their Numbers were unequal , and so the Fight continued till it was late at Night . And then the Moon began to be Clouded , that Friend could not be discerned from Foe ; whereupon , they rested a while , to take a little breath ; and assoon as the Moon brake forth from the Clouds , the English pressed hard upon the Scots , so that they gave Ground , and Douglas his Standard was like to be lost . When the Two Patrick Hepburns , Father and Son , saw this , they hastned from the other Wing , and brake through the Ranks of their own Soldiers , and so pierced to the Front , where the main Danger was ; and there they began so fierce an Assault , that they gave and received many Wounds ; and in fine , brought back their Men to their former Ground , from whence they had been driven . Neither was Douglas content therewith , but with his Two Friends and Followers , Robert Hart , and Simon Glenduning his Kinsman , he rushed in amongst the midst of his Enemies , and being of a stout Spirit , as well as strong Body , made a great Slaughter wherever he came . Hart slain , And Douglas mortally Wounded . His Friends strove earnestly to come up to him ; yet , before they could do so , he was mortally Wounded in Three Places , and lay upon the Ground ; Hart lay dead by him having a great many Wounds about him ; and the Priest , who had accompanied him in all his Hazards , when he fainted , defended his Body from Injury . In this Condition , Iohn Lindsay , and the Two Sinclares , Iohn and Walter , found him , and asked him , How he did ? Very well , said he , for I am a Dying , yet I do not Die like a Sluggard , upon my Bed , but as almost all my Ancestors have done ; His Three last dying Requests and I have Three , my last , Requests to make to you : First , That you would conceal my Death , both from Friends and Foes . Secondly , That you would not suffer my Standard to be taken down . Thirdly , That you would Revenge my Death : And if you will do this , I shall bear the rest more contentedly . Whereupon , they in the First place , covered his Body with a Cloak , that it might not be known , and then they set up his Standard , and cried out , ( as the Custom is , ) A Douglas , A Douglas . At that Cry , there was such a Concourse made , and they ran in upon the Enemy with such Alacrity and Courage , that they drove him far away from the place of Battel ▪ For , at the Name of Douglas , not the Common Soldiers only , but Iohn , Earl of Murray , came in , as thinking things to be there in the greatest Danger . For , they had before routed that part of the Enemies Army they fought with , and taken Percy the Younger , Ralfe P●rcy 〈…〉 . who was much Wounded , and sent by them into the Camp , to be dressed of his Wounds , so that the Service being not so hot , in other parts of the Army , the Duglassians , which had run in to the Standard , routed the English , who were wearied with their Day-toil , and Night Fight ; The English overthrown . and in the brunt , Henry Percy , their General was taken Prisoner ▪ When he was lost , the rest betook themselves to a confused Flight . There were slain of the English , in that Battel , 1840 , about 1000 wounded , and 1040 taken Prisoners . Of the Scots , there were 100 slain , and 200 taken Prisoners , in regard a Few in pursuit followed a greater Number of their Enemies . Iames Lindsay , perceiving Matthew Redman , Governor of Berwick , Lindsay takes Redman Prisoner , and releases him on his Parol . to be one of the straggling Flyers , judging him by the Goodness of his Army , to be One of the Principal Commanders , made presently after him ; when he had fled Three Miles , his Horse being weary , he thought he could not escape by Riding , and so he dismounted , and ran away on Foot . Lindsay did the same ; At last , after some Skirmish betwixt them ; the Englishman , not being so good at that kind of Weapon , yielded himself to Lindsay , who sent him home , having first taken his Oath , That he would return in 20 days . Courtesy to Prisoners . This was then the Courtesy of the Neighbour Nations towards their Prisoners , which , to this day , is punctually observed amongst the Borderers . And if a Man do not return at the Day appointed , This is his Punishment . In the Meetings which are made for Reparation of mutual Damages , he that complains how he was deceived , holds up the shape of an Hand or Glove , on a long Spear , that it may be seen of all ; The ancient punishment of Prisoners not returning upon their Parol . That is counted the highest Brand of Infamy upon any Man ; so that He , who hath thus violated his Faith , becomes thereby detestable to his own Friends and Kindred , to such a degree , that no Man of any Quality will eat , or drink , or talk with him , or , so much as harbour him in his House . Lindsay , having dismissed his Prisoner on the forementioned Terms , perceived a great Body of Men before him , and Trooped up to them ; he knew them not to be Enemies , till he was so near , that he could not retreat , but was taken Prisoner . The Bishop of Durham comes too late to Assist Percy . These were the Forces of the Bishop of Durham , who , coming late to Newcastle , and not being able to overtake Percy , not thinking that he would engage till the next Day , made an halt to refresh his Men , and , after they had supped , he renewed his March . But he had not gone far from the Town , before those , that run away , informed him of the Loss of the Day . Whereupon he returned into the Town , and advised with his Tenants concerning his Following the Scots . The Resolve was , That before Day-Break , they should all be in Arms ; and so , in the morning , there were Ten thousand Horse and Foot from the Neighbouring Places , a promiscuous multitude , which came in . They encouraged the Bishop to march the nearest way to the Enemy , and to give him Battel , alleging , That He was so wearied with his yesterdays Fight , and so many were wounded , and the rest secure by reason of their late Victory , that he might obtain an easie Conquest over them . The Earl of Murray , upon whom the Eyes of all were fixed , when Douglas was gone , was advertised of his coming by his Scouts , whereupon he consulted with his Chief Commanders about the Prisoners ; To kill them , in cold Blood , after they had given them Quarter , seemed cruel ; and to save alive a number of Enemies , almost equal with their own , seemed dangerous . The Resolve was , That they should all Swear not to stir , whilst the Battel was fought , and though their Friends might relieve them , yet they should continue and own themselves as Prisoners , still ; Upon these Terms , they were left in the Camp with a small Guard , who were commanded to fall upon them all , if any one did stir . This Matter thus setled , the Scots , being full of Courage , by reason of their Former Victory , marched out with their Army , being fortified and secured in the Rear with Marshes , and , on the Right and Left , with Trees which they cut down ; and moreover , the Word of Command was given , The Bishops Forces terrified with the Sound of Horns , and Retreat . That as soon as the Enemy drew near , every Man should blow his Horn , which he carried behind him at his Back , which would make such a mighty Noise and Sound as was terrible of it self ; but , being multiplied by the Repercussion and Eccho of the Neighbouring Hills , gave forth the Representation of a Greater Force , than indeed they were . The English had marched very fast , and moreover were to fight amongst the dead Bodies of their own Men , being astonished at that horrible Noise , and also at the Alacrity of their Enemies , who stood in good Order over against them ; and besides , having no Skilful Commander over so tumultuary a Body , and also the Commander not much confiding on such a Raw Soldiery , they presently turned their Colours , and marched back , as they came . Lindsay's Kindness to Redman requited by him . In the mean time , Lindsay , who , as I have said , was taken Prisoner , and left at Newcastle , being seen and known by Redman , was courteously treated by him , and set at Liberty without Ransom . The Scots , having passed over this sudden Brunt so easily , resolved to return home ; but before , they dismissed Ralfe Percy , who was much wounded , Ralfe Percy released on his Parol . so that he could not endure the Jogging of an Horse , and sent him to Newcastle to be healed of his Wounds ; upon his Promise , That , as soon as ever he was able to ride , he would wait on the Earl of Murray , where he pleased to appoint ; and engaging his Faith thereto , as the manner is , he departed ; Seven hundred other Prisoners followed his example , and were released , on their Parol , upon the same Terms . Many of the Common Soldiers , who were like to be more burdensom , than beneficial , was dismissed gratis . Of the Nobler sort , Henry Percy , and almost 400 more , were detained , and carried into Scotland ; and shortly after , upon Payment of a Ransom set upon their Heads , they were all set at Liberty ; Henry Percy Ransomed . so that in that Age , as Ennius says , Men did not huckster out a War , but fought it out , as contending , mainly , for Liberty and Glory . Three days after , the Bodies of Douglas , and the other Great Commanders that fell , were carried to Douglas buried at Mulross . Mulross , and there magnificently interred . When the Tidings of these Matters were brought to the other Army , which was wasting Cumberland , it disturbed all their Mirth , so that the Joy conceived for their good Success , was turned into bitter Mourning . The Loss of Douglas did so affect all Military Men , that not only that Army which followed him , but this Other also , returned home in Silence and Sadness , Both the Scots Armies lament Doug●a● . as if they had not been Conquerors , but Conquered . The Publick Sentiment was also further increased , That he died without Children , and in the Flower of his Age ; and that almost He alone was deprived of the Fruit of the Victory , which he had gotten . His Estate fell to Archibald , Earl of Galway , Sirnamed the Austere , who also was a brave Cavalier , in his days . This is that memorable Fight of Otterborn , remarkable not only for the Magnanimity and Hardiness of the Commanders , and Soldiers , therein , and their Modesty in Victory ; but also for the various and changeable event of it : That the Conqueror , in the highest expectation of his Glory , was taken off by Death , and could not enjoy the Fruit of his own Labour ; And the Conquered General , though then discomfited and made a Prisoner , yet outlived this Battel many years , in great Glory and Splendour . It was Fought the 12th of the Calends of August , in the year of our Lord 1388. Iuly 21.

By this Victory , Matters were more composed and quiet both at home and abroad ; but , in regard the King , by Reason of his Age , was not fit to manage Business , and withal , understanding of the Reflection that was made upon him by reason of the late Expedition , which was undertaken without him ; and his eldest Son Iohn was of a slow nature , and addicted more to Ease , Robert Earl of Fife made Governor of Scotland . than to difficult Enterprizes ; he therefore Indicted an Assembly of the Estates , and made Robert , Earl of Fife , Deputy of the Kingdom , by the name of Governor ; yet , they , who managed that Office before him , were usually called Custodes , i. e. Keepers . When Henry Percy , eminent for Stock and Prowess , was Prisoner in Scotland , the Earl of Merch , commonly called Earl Mareschal , a Man fiercer in his Words , than Actions , was put in his Place : He , Earl Marshal vaunts over the Scots . undervaluing the Scots Valour in the Fight of Otterborn , and also grievously blaming the Cowardize of the English , did thereby incur the Hatred of Both Nations . And indeed , Robert , Vice-King of Scotland , was so offended at his boasting Insolence , That he thought it a just Cause to make an Expedition against him . Hereupon he entred the Enemies Country , and with Archibald Douglas , then Earl of Douglas , marches directly towards the Enemy , who was reported to stay for him with a great Army ; when he came near him , he gave him opportunity to engage , Whereupon Robert enters England , and returns with a great Booty . which he declining , he sent a Trumpeter to him , to desire him to try it out in a plain Field ; but the Mareschal kept himself in his Fastnesses and Places unaccessible ; so that Robert , after he had shewed his Army some hours to the Enemy , sent them forth to pillage in the Neighbourhood ; and he ransacked those Places especially , which the Mareschal was wont to have his Residence in , and afterwards he marched them back , laden with Booty , without any Fight at all . This Expedition , though undertaken upon slight grounds , yet was very pleasing both to the English and the Scots , who Both rejoyced to see the vanity of the Man so to be confuted ; but he , to excuse the Matter , as often as Mention was made of it , did allege , That he did it for the Love of his Countrymen , as being unwilling to expose them to needless danger . At this very time , a Truce was made ; and Hopes of Peace between France and England by the Mediation of the Pope , A Peace between France and England . and the Neighbouring Princes , on This Condition , That the Allies of Both might be comprehended by Name , viz The Portugals of the English side ; the Scots and Spanish Castilians , of the French's . King Robert , against the Advice of his Counsel , gave his single Assent thereunto , but upon no solid ground , for he was able to make neither Peace nor War , but by the Publick Advice of the Estates ; neither could he promise any firm Truce , Robert assents thereto on his own Head . without their Decree in the Case . Neither could the Nobility conceal any longer that hidden Grief and Disgust , which they had conceived against the French , who had only done them this Courtesie , ( the backward way ) that when they were to do Service against an Enemy , they would strike the Weapons out of their Hands ; and so take away the Fruit of a former Victory , and also the Hopes of a New . At last , after much dispute and quarrelling , the French Ambassador gained this Point , but with much ado , That the Scots should send Ambassadors into France , about the Matter , that so the Hopes of a Peace , so near at hand , might not be hindred by their Obstinacy . Robert the King lived not long after , but departed this Life in his Castle called * * Lying on the River Irwin . Apr. 19. Dundonald , in the Year of Christ 1390 , the 13th of the Calends of May. He lived 74 Years , and Reigned 19 Years and 24 Days . This King managed Wars by his Deputies , and usually with good Success ; he was present in few Battels himself , Roberts Death and Character . which some impute to his Age , others to his Cowardize ; but all say , That he was a very Good Man , and , in the Arts of Peace , easily comparable with the best of Kings . He administred Justice , diligently and impartially to all ; he severely punished Robberies . In his Actions , he was Constant ; in his Words , Faithful . He undertook the Kingdom in troublesome times , yet he setled things at home , appeased Discords , and governed with great Equity and Justice , and he got such Conquests over his Enemy , that he reduced all the Castles they had , but Three .

After his Death , Tumults arose , where they were least expected . Alexander , Earl of Buchan , the youngest of the Kings Sons by Elizabeth More , fell into a deadly fewd with the Bishop of Murray , upon a light Occasion ; and when he could not come at him to kill him , he wrecked his fury upon the Church of Elgin , Alexander Earl of Buchan , burns Elgin Church . ( which was then , one of the fairest in all Scotland ) and burnt it down to the Ground . The same Year , William Douglas , Earl of Nithisdale , ( who , as I said before , for his Valour , was made the Kings Son in Law , ) was slain at William Douglas slain at Dantzick by the procurement of Clifford of England . Dantzick , on the Vistula , by some Ruffians , who were sent to perpetrate the Murder , by Clifford of England . For Douglas , when Matters were quieted at home , that he might not lye lazie and idle , intended for the Holy War ; and in * * Or , Prussias A noted Ma●t Town of great Trade on the Wesse● , acknowledge the King of Poland for Protector . Borussia , he gave such Proof of his Valour , That he was made Admiral of the whole Fleet , which was a Great and Magnificent One , and , withal , well accommodated . But a Quarrel arising between him and Clifford , grounded upon Old Emulations , because he gruded him that Honour , he sent him a Challenge , to Fight with him , Hand to Hand . But the Challenger , perceiving , into what an Hazardous Adventure he had run himself , by that Challenge , before the set time came , caused him to be slain by hired Assassins .

The Tenth BOOK .

Robert III. The Hundred and First King .

ROBERT the Second , was Succeeded by his Eldest Son , Iohn , in the Ides of August , and Year of our Lord 1390. He was called Iohn , till that time ; but then , August 1● . by the Decree of the Estates , his Name was changed into Robert ; whether it were for the Misfortunes and Calamities of Two Kings , Robert the Third , his Name changed from Iohn . called Iohns , one of France , the other of England : Or , for the Eminent Virtues and Felicity of Two Roberts , both in Peace and War , who lately Reigned in Scotland , as Authors are silent in , so I will not determine .

The Excellency of this Robert , was , That he rather wanted Vice , than was Illustrious for any Virtue ; so that the Name of King was in him , but the management of all publick Affairs rested on Robert , his Brother . In the Beginning of his Reign , there was Peace abroad , by reason of the Three Years Truce , made with the English ; which , a while after , was enlarged for Four Years more . But at home , a Sedition was begun , by Duncan , or Dunach , Stuart . He was the Son of Alexander , Earl of Buchan , the Kings Brother ; Duncan Stuart rises in Arms but is suppressed . and was every jot as feirce , as his Father ; who , upon the Death of his Grandfather , imagining now , that he had a fit opportunity for Rapine and Pillage , got a Band of Roisters about him , and , descending into Angus , spoiled all , as if it had been an Enemies Country . Walter Ogilby , and Walter Lichton his Brother , endeavouring to oppose him , were slain , with Sixty of their Followers . They being lifted up with this Success , did afflict the Country more grievously than ever ; but hearing of the approach of the Earl of Crawford , whom the King had sent to restrain their Insolence , the nimblest of them fled speedily to their lurking Holes ; of those who made not so much hast , some were slain , some taken , and afterwards put to Death . Thus the Wickedness of these Unquiet and Turbulent Men , being hindred from breaking in upon the Plain and Champion Countries , they fell out most grievously amongst Themselves , at their own homes . And especially , Two Families of them did exercise great Rage and Cruelty , one upon another . They refused to end their Fewds by course of Law ; or , to refer them to indifferent Arbitrators . So that the King sent Two Earls to suppress them , Thomas Earl of Dunbar , and Iames Lindsay , his Father being Dead , now Earl of Crawford : These Commanders , considering they were to engage against a feirce and resolute People , who valued not their Lives , nor the Pleasure thereof ; so that they were not likely to subdue them by force , without great Slaughter of their own Men ; they therefore resolved to try what they could do by Policy . And thereupon , they accosted the Clans of both Families a part , and represented to them , what danger would accru to Both , by their mutual Slaughters one of another ; and if one Family should extirpate the other ; yet , that was not likely to be effected , without the Great Damage , even of the Conquering Side ; and if either Party should prevail , yet the Contest would not end so ; A notable Policy to divide the Islanders , and make them Instruments to destroy one another , which takes effect accordingly . For then they were to engage the King's Forces , ( tho' they were weakned before by their mutual Conflicts ) of whose Anger against them Both , they might be justly sensible , because he had sent them with Forces to destroy them Both , even before they had severely , and irrecoverably , engaged against one another . But in regard , they were more desirous of their Preservation than their Ruin , if they would hearken to them , they would shew them a Way , How they might be reconciled , with the King 's good Liking , and that on no dishonourable Terms , neither ; no , nor unrevenged one upon another , To this Motion they seemed inclinable , so that the Condition was proposed ; That 300 of each side should Try it out in Fight before the King , Armed only with their Swords . They that were Conquered , should have an Amnesty for all past Offences , and the Conquerors should be Honoured with the King's Favour , and the Nobles , too . Both sides were well pleased with the Terms ; so that a day was fixed for the Combate , and at the time appointed , the Heads of the Families , with their Parties , came to Court , and part of a Field , on the North side of the Town of Perth , which was severed from the rest , by a deep Trench , was appointed for the place of Combate ; and Galleries built round for Spectators . Hereupon , an huge Multitude was Assembled together , and sate ready to see the Dispute ; but the Fight was delayed awhile , because one of the 300 , of the One Party , had hid himself for Fear , and their Fellows were not willing to engage without having just an equal number with their Adversaries ; neither was any one found to supply the Place of him who was absent ; And of the other Party , not a Man would be drawn out , or exempted from the Fight , lest he might seem less valued , and not so couragious as the rest . After a little pause , an ordinary Tradesman comes forth , and offers to supply the Place of him , that was absent , Provided , That if his Side Conquered , they would pay him halfe a Gold Dollar of France ; and also , provide for him afterward , as long as he lived . Thus , the Number being again equalled , the Fight began , and it was carried on with such great Contention , both of Body and Mind , as old Grudges , inflamed by new Losses , could raise up in Men of such fierce Dispositions , as were accustomed to Blood and Cruelty ; especially , seeing Honour and Estate was propounded to the Conqueror ; Death and Ignominy , to the Conquered : The Spectators were possessed with as much Horror , as the Combatants were with Fury , as detesting to behold the ugly and deformed Mutilations , and Butcheries , of one anothers Bodies ; the Detruncation of their Limbs ; and , in a word , the Rage of Wild Beasts , under the shape of Men. But all took notice , that none carried himself more valiantly , than that Mercenary and Supposititious Hireling , to whose Valour a great Part of the Victory was to be ascribed : Of that Side that he was of , there were Ten left alive , besides himself , but all of them grievously wounded : Of the contrary Faction , there remained only One , who was not wounded at all ; but , seeing there was so much odds , that he alone must encounter with so many , he cast himself into the River Tay , which was near at hand ; and in regard , his Adversaries were not able to follow him , by reason of their Wounds , he escaped to the other Side . By this means , the forwardest of Both Parties being slain , the promiscuous Multitude , being left without Leaders , left off their Trade of Seditioning , for many Years after , and betook themselves to their Husbandry , again . This Fight , or Combat , happened in the Year 1396.

About Two Years after , in an Assembly of the States at Perth , the King made David his Son , being 18 Years before old of Rothes , and Robert his Brother Earl of Menteith , and Fife Dukes of Albany . This vain Title of Honour then was first Celebrated in Scotland , a great increase to Ambition , but none at all to Virtue ; neither did it afterwards thrive with any , who enjoyed it . The King would have bestowed the same Title of Honour upon the Earl of Douglas also ; but he being a grave and solid Person , Dukes First made in Scotland . absolutely refused that nominal Shadow of empty Honour ; and if any Man told thim , that he should be a Duke , he rebuked him sharply for it : Some say , That the Name of Governour , which was given by his Father to Robert the Kings Brother , was this Year confirmed by the King ▪ E. Douglas refuses that Title . as also That the Family of the Lindsys had the Earldom of Crawford added to their former Honours : But they do not fully clear , Whether the Name of the First Earl of that Family were , Thomas or David .

The next Year after , Richard the Second , King of England , was enforced to resign the Crown ; and Henry the Fourth , succeeded him . Richard the Second of England , resigns his Crown ; and Hen. the Fourth succeeds him . In the Beginning of his Reign , before the Truce was quite ended , new Seeds of War with the Scots were sown . George Dunbar , Earl of Merch , had betrothed his Daughter Elizabeth to David , the King's Son , and had already paid a good part of her Dowry . Archibald Earl of Douglas storming , That so powerful a Man , and his Corrival , should be preferred before him , alleging , That the Consent of the Estates was not obtained in the Case , ( which no Man ever remembred , but was asked in any of the King's Marriages , before ) offered his Daughter Mary , with a larger Dowry ; and , by means of Robert the King's Brother , who could do All at Court , He brought it about , that the Condition was accepted , and the Marriage was Consummated by the Decree of the Estates . Difference in Scotland , occasioned by the Marriage of the King's Son . George was much affected at this Injury , as well as Reproach , and made great complaint to the King ; but , seeing what was once done , could not be undone , he desired , at least , the repayment of the Dowry . This his just Demand being denied , and perceiving , that he was not like to obtain any Right , in regard the Minds and Ears of all the Court were prepossessed by his Rival , he departed upon very angry , yea , threatening Terms , and so giving up the Castle of Dunbar to Robert Maitland , his Sisters Son , he went for England . Robert presently yielded up the Castle to an Herald , sent by the King to demand it , and Douglas was admitted into it with a Garison , so that when George returned home , he was denied entrance . Hereupon , he took his Wife , Children , and some intimate Friends , and returned into England . Being there , as he was a Man powerful at home , and famous abroad , he joyned Counsels with Percy , a mortal Enemy to the name of the Douglas's ; and in regard , he was well beloved by the bordering Scots , of which , many were either his Tenants , Allies , or otherwise obliged to him , Dunbar joyns with Percy , and infests Scotland . he made an Inroad into the whole Province of Merch , and drove great Preys from the Country , especially from the Lands of the Douglasses . The King of Scots first proclaimed George a Publick Enemy , and confiscated all his Estate ; next , he sent an Herald to England , to Demand , That he might be given up as a Fugitive , according to the League made betwixt them ; and also to complain of the violation of the Truce . Henry of England gave a peremptory Answer to his Demands , That he had given the Publick Faith to George for his Protection , and that he would not break his Royal Word ; as if a private Pact with a Runagate were more Religiously to be observed , than That which had been publickly confirmed by Embassadors and Heralds ; for the Days of the Truce made with Richard , were not yet expired . In the mean time , Henry Percy , the Younger , called Hot-Spur , and George Dunbar ceased not to infest the Neighbouring Lands of the Scots with their Incursions . Which when they had often and successfully done , their Boldness encreased with their Success ; so that , gathering 2000 Men together , they entred Lothian , and made great havock about Hadington . They besieged Standing upon Tine , 3 Miles below Hadington . Hales-Castle , but in vain . When they came to Linton , ( a Village scituate on the Tine , a River of Lothian ) they were so disturbed at the sudden Coming of Douglas against them , that they left their Prey , and all their Baggage behind them , and ran away in such Fear , that they never stopp'd , till they came to Berwick . This was done about the beginning of February , in the Year 1400.

The same Year , upon the return of the Herald , War was denounced against England , and then also Archibald Douglas , Sirnamed the Austere , The Death of Archibald Douglas . a man inferiour to none of his Ancestors in all kind of Praise , fell sick and died , in a very bad time for his Country , which had lately lost , by sundry misfortunes , so many brave Generals , before . His Son , August 13. of the same Name , succeeded him . In the Ides of August , the English King , with great Forces , entered Scotland . When he came to Haddington , he stayed there three days , and then marched to Leith ; and staying there as many days , he laid Siege to the Castle of Edinburgh . The Governor led an Army against them , but very slowly ; so that it easily appeared , that he did not much care , if the Castle of Edinburgh were taken by the English ; and in it , David , the Kings Son . For , by this time his wicked Ambition did begin to shew it self : Henry of England Enters Scotland , For , he undervalued his Brother , as an effeminate Person , and sought the Destruction of his Children , as much as he could , that he might enjoy the Kingdom , himself . So that their Loss he counted his Gain . But the King of England , and his Army , on the contrary , did Exercise their Enmity very moderately ; as if , by an Ostentation of War , Carries it Moderately , they had only sought for Peace ; for , having made some sleight Onset on the Castle , he raised the Siege , and returned home , without doing any considerable damage to the Places , thro' which he marched ; insomuch , that , in his Marches both backward and forward , he got the Praise and Commendation of a mild , clement , and moderate Enemy ; he was courteous to Those ▪ that surrendred themselves ; he offered no violence to consecrated Places ; yea , he rewarded those bountifully , And Retreats . who had formerly entertained his Father . All which did more ingratiate Him , and render the Governor more odious ; in regard he did not prosecute the War with any Eagerness , as against an Enemy ; nor yet , endeavour to make so easy and beneficent a King , his Friend . After Henry was returned for England , George Dunbar did still trouble the Borders rather with frequent , than great , Inroads . To suppress him , there was more need of a diligent , than numerous , Force , and therefore Douglas divided the Forces of each County into small Bands , and appointed Commanders over them ; who , by turns , were to stop the Enemy ; or , if they saw cause , to Fight him . The First lot sell upon Thomas Halyburton of Birlington , who took a great Booty from the Enemy , out of the Lands near to * * A Castle over against Holy-Isle , in Northumberland . Bamburgh . But Patrick Hepburne , who wandred further abroad with a greater Band of men , had not the like Success , for trusting too much to the Numbers of his men , and not being very wary in his Retreat with his Prey , he was cut off by the English , and , with him , all the flower of the Lothian Soldiery . Archibald Douglas , to revenge the slaughter of his Friend , by the consent of the Governor , gathered above Ten thousand men together , abundance of the Nobles accompanied him in his March , and amongst them Murdo , the Governors Son ; The Scots overthrown by Percy and Dunbar at Homeldon . when they came to Northumberland , at New-Castle upon Tine , they passed the River , and spoiled the Country with Fire and Sword ; but there encountring with Henry Percy the Younger , and George Dunbar , in a pitch'd Battel , they were overcome , many of the Nobles were slain , Douglas was taken Prisoner , having lost one of his Eyes ; so were also Murdo , Earl of Fife ; Thomas , Earl of Murray ; and George , Earl of Angus , with many other Noble and Illustrious Persons . And indeed , the strength of Scotland was not so much weakned 〈◊〉 any one Fight , for many years before , as it was in This. It was fought at Homeldon , May. 7. a Town in Northumberland , in the No●es of May , and Year of Christ 1401.

Percy , having obtained so notable a Victory , resolved to subject all the Country , which lay betwixt Northumberland and the Forth , to the English Scepter ; and , he thought it would be a work of no great difficulty so to do , in regard most of the Nobility of those Countrys were either slain in the Fight , or held Prisoners by him . Thereupon , beginning with Cocklaw , a Castle in Teviotdale , Co●●●aw-Castle besieged by the English ▪ but they raise the Siege themselves . the Governor agreed , That unless the Castle was relieved by the Scots in forty days , he would surrender it up . When these Conditions was brought to the King , and then to the Governor , some were of Opinion , that the Castle should be surrendred , in regard it was not of That Consequence , as , for the sake thereof , to hazard the strength of the Kingdom , a second time , which had been so sorely shal●en and weakned in the late Fight . This Dejection of spirit proceeded , not so much from Fear of the Enemy , as from the Perfidiousness of the Governor , who gaped for the Kingdom . He , on the other side , to avert all Suspicion from himself , in high confident Words affirmed , That this Cow-heartedness and Confession of Publick Fear , would more encourage the Enemy , than the loss of a Battel . And if any one thought , That the English would be contented with the taking in of One Castle , they were very much mistaken ; for , as Fire is more encreased by a light Aspersion of Water , so the desire of the English , upon Surrender of some Places , would not be extinguished , but rather inflamed to the Taking of more , so that What was given up at First , would be but a Step to a further Progress : But , ( says he ) if all of you refuse to march out , for the relief of the Castle , I my self will go alone ; for as long as I live , and am in health , I will never suffer such a Mark of Disgrace to be branded on the Scotish Name . Upon this stout Speech of the Governors , the rest , either extinguishing , or dissembling , their Suspicion , cryed out , That they would follow H●m . But Fortune decided the Controversy , and blew off that danger ; For Percy was called back to the Civil War in England , and so the Siege was raised without Blows .

Whilst these things were acted abroad , against the Enemie matters stood ▪ less prosperously at home ; For shortly after the Death of Archibald Douglas , the Year before ▪ there immediately followed the Decease of the Queen Annabella , Arch Bishop Tra●●e an observer of Ancient Discipline . and of Walter Trayle , Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews , insomuch , that all mens minds did presage a great Mutation of Affairs . For the splendour of Military Matters was upheld by Douglas ; the Ecclesiastical Authority and Resemblance ( such as it was ) of Ancient Discipline , by Trayle ; and the Dignity of the Court , by the Queen ; as did soon appear by what happened , after her death . For David , the Kings Son , was a Young man of a fierce Disposition , and enclined to Wantonness and Lust. The Indulgence of his Father encreased those Vices ; for , tho' he had not Authority enough to maintain the Reverence due from him to his Father ; yet , by the diligent Monitions of Those , David after his Mothers decease , le ts loose the reins to Licentiousness . who were appointed to be his Tutors in his Youth , but much more by the Counsel and Advice of his Mother , his Youthful Heats were somewhat blunted and restrained ; but , when she was dead , he , as new freed from this Curb , returned to his own Manners and Lustful Courses ; for , laying aside all shame and fear , he took away other Mens Wives by Force ; yea , and Virgins too , tho' well descended , and Those that he could not persuade by fair means , he ravished by Compulsion ; and , if any one endeavoured to stop him in his libidinous ways , he was sure to come off , not without Punishment . Many Complaints were brought to his Father about These his Exorbitancies ; so that he wrote to his Brother , the Governour , to keep him with him , and to oversee his Conversation , until his Lustful Spirit did abate : And till he gave some hopes of his Amendment of Life . The Governour had now an Opportunity put into his hands , to effect that , he most desired , which was , ●o destroy his Brothers Issue ; so that , he met David , three Miles from St. Andrews , and carried him into the Castle thereof , David most cruelly starved to Death by his Uncle Robert . which he kept in the nature of a Garison , after the Arch-Bishops death : After a while , he took him out from thence ▪ and carried him to his own Castle of Scituate at the North bottom of Loc●-Lomond near the Centre of Fife . Falcoland ; and there shut him up close Prisoner , intending to starve him . But that miserable death , which his Uncles Cruelty had designed him to , was prorogued and staved off for a few days , by the Compassion of Two of the Female Sex : one was a Maid , and Virgin , whose Father was Governour of the Castle and Garison . She gave him Oate Cakes made so thin , that they would be folded up together , ( as 't is usual in Scotland , so to make them ) and as often as she went into the Garden , near the Prison , she put them under a Linen Vail , or Hood , which she did , as it were , carelesly cast over her Head , to keep her from the Sun , and thrust them into the Prison to him , thro' a small Crany , rather than a Window . The other was , a Country Nurse , who Milked her Breast , and , by a little Canale , conveighed it into his Mouth . By this mean fare , which served rather to encrease , than kill , his hunger , his wretched Life and Punishment was protracted and lengthned out for a little while ; till , at length , by the vigilance of the Guards they were discovered and put to Death . The Father mightily abhoring the Perfidiousness of his own Daughter , The Governor of Fa●k●and's cruelty to his own Daughter . whilst he endeavoured to manifest his Faithfulness to an unfaithful Regent . The Young man , being thus left destitute of all human Support , having , by Force of Hunger , gnawed and torn his own Flesh , died at length more than a single kind of Death . His End was concealed from his Father , thô it were commonly known abroad , because no Man durst to be the Messenger of such sad Tidings to him .

But to return to the Affairs of England , as far as they are intermixed with Ours . When Percy , and a great Number besides of the Nobility , had conspired to make War upon their own King , he agrees with Douglas , whom he still held Prisoner since the Battel of Homeldon , That , if he would improve his Interest , by assisting him against the King , as strenuously and as faithfully as he had before done against him , he would set him at Liberty , without ransom , Douglas joyne with Percy , against the K. of England . which Douglas frankly promised him to do , as being willing to omit no Opportunity of service against the English King . Hereupon , he gathered some of his Friends and Tenants about him , and prepared himself for the Fight , wherein he behaved himself as stoutly , as he promised to Percy ; so that , without regard to the Common Soldiers , his Mind , and Eye , was wholly intent upon the King only ; and , in regard , there were several Commanders cloathed in Royal attire , which was done on purpose by the English , either to deceive the Enemy , if they should press hard upon him ; or else , that the Soldiers , in more places than one , might find him a present witness of their Courageousness or Cowardize : Douglas took notice of One of these , who had Gallant Armour , and rushed in upon him , with all his might , and so unhorsed him . But he , being relieved by those who were next , he did the same to a Second , and a Third , who were all attired as Kings , ( thus Edward Hall , the English Writer affirms , as well as Ours ) so that he was not taken up so much with the Apprehension of his own danger , as with a wonderment , Having Performed valiantly in a fight he is taken Prisoner , and after ransomed from whence so many Kings should start up , at once . At length , after a terrible and bloody Fight , Fortune turned about , and the King won the day ; Douglas was sore wounded and found amongst the Prisoners ▪ and whereas many urged to put him to death , the King saved him , and did not only commend his Faithfulness to his Friend , but also rewarded him for his Valour , and , when his Wounds were cured , after he had staid some Months with him , upon the Payment of a great sum of Money he was released .

In the mean time , the Scotish King heard of the death of David his Eldest Son , by the unnatural Cruelty of his Uncle . The Author was sufficiently pointed at by private whisperings , tho' no man dared publickly to accuse so potent a man . Whereupon , the King sends for his Brother , and makes an Expostulation with him concerning the matter ; He had prepared his Tale before-hand , and charges others with the Guilt of the Young Mans death ;

Robert accused for Davids Death .

Undergoes a partial Tryal , and is Acquitted .

as for him and his , they were ready , forsooth , whenever the King pleased , to plead and assert their Innocency , in a due course of Law ; as for the Murderers , some of them he had taken already , and the others he would diligently look out . Thus the matter being brought to Examination in the Law . The Author of the wickedness Summons a Council , sets up an Accuser , and he who was impleaded as Guilty , was by them acquitted , as Innocent of the Murder . King Robert imprecates God's judgment on the Murderers of his Son . The King imprecated a most dreadful punishment from the God of Heaven above , to be poured down on him and his Posterity , who had committed that horrid Wickedness : And thus being overpressed with Grief and bodily Weakness he returned to Bote , whence he came . The Suspicion was encreased in him , That his Brother had committed the Parricide , tho' he was too powerful to be brought by him to Justice and Punishment , for the same . But he , like a strong dissembler , brings the supposititious Authors of the wickedness out of Prison , and put them to Cruel deaths ; 't is true , they were Lewd Persons , yet Innocent of that Particular Fact , for which they suffered .

In the interim , the King advised with his Friends , how he might preserve Iames , his Youngest Son , for whose safety he was very solicitous , and whom he had left in the custody of Walter Wardiloe , Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews , an honest man and faithful to him ; They gave their Opinion in the case , that he could not be safe in any part of Scotland , and that therefore it was best to send him over to Charles the IV. King of France , the old Ally , and only Friend , of the Scotish Nation ; for he could be Educated no where more safely and honourably , than there : The fresh Example of David Bruce stuck yet in their Minds , who , in dubious and troublesome times at home , had there , for some years , an Honourable retreat and Entertainment . Hereupon a Vessel was prepared , and he put on bord at the Bas● , a Rock rather than an Island . Henry Sinclare , Earl of the Oreades , was sent with him , as his Guide or Rector ; whilst they were compassing the shore , he Landed at the Promontory of Flamburgh , either driven in by Tempest , or else to refresh himself on shore , from his S●●-Vomit and Nauseation ; There he was detained by the English , till they sent to their King , who commanded , that he should be brought up to Court : So that neither the Law of the Truce , which was made a little before , for 8 years , nor the supplicating Letters of his Father did prevail , but he was kept , as a Lawful Prisoner . For his Father , Iames , the K. Son , for security , sent into France , but Landing in England is detained There . at his departure , had sent Letters by him to the King of England , ( if possibly he should be necessitated to land there ) wherein he made complaining , and lamentable discourses , both of his own , and also of the common fortune of all Mankind . But , tho' the King of England were not ignorant of the Inconstancy of human affairs ; yet the old grudge against the Nation of the Scots more prevailed with him , than either the respect of the Youth 's Innocent Age , or the Tears of his grieved Father , or the dignity of the Kingly Name , or the Faith of the Pacification and Truce . For having referred the matter to his Council , how he should treat the Son of the King of Scots being arrived in his Dominions , Those , who had any regard to Equity , and were weary of the present War , inclined to the milder Opinion , viz. That the Royal Youth , who fled from the Cruelty of his own Countrymen , and was now their Suppliant , should be hospitably and Friendly Entertained , That so a feirce Nation , Dispute 〈◊〉 King 〈…〉 , concerning the Detention , o● Di●mission , o● Iames. and unconquer'd by the War of so many Ages , might be won and wrought over to a Reconciliation , by Courtesie . For this , they thought , was the most solid and firm victory , not when Liberty was taken away by force , but when Minds are united by the indissoluble bond of Amity . Others were of contrary Opinion , That he might be lawfully detained as a Prisoner ; either , because many of the Scots Nobility had Personally assisted Percy in the Insurrection , which he made against the King ; or , because his Father had Entertained and Relieved Percy the Elder , when he was Banished and Condemned , as a Traitor in England .

This Opinion ( as commonly the worst things do ) prevailed , th● they that were present at the Consult knew well enough , that those Scots who fought against the English King in Percy 's Insurrection , were not sent by any Publick Commission from the King , but came out of their private Affection to Douglas , who was then also in Percy 's Power . They might also have remembred , what Henry himself had answered to the Scots , a few Years before , when they demanded George Dunbar to be given up ; yet notwithstanding , they stuck to this last Opinion , as commonly in the Courts of Princes , a false pre●ence of Advantage doth weigh down Honest and Righteous Counsels ; Yet , in one thing Henry dealt Nobly and Royally with his Captive , That he caused him to be Educated in Learning , Iames well Educated in England , yet his Captivity breaks his Fathers Heart . and Good Discipline : This Calamity of the Son was brought to his Fathers Ears , whilst he was at Supper , and did so overwhelm him with Grief , that he was almost ready to give up the Ghost in the Hands of his Servants , that attended him : but , being carried to his Bed-chamber , he abstained from all Food , and in 3 Days dyed for Hunger and Grief at Rothesay , which is a Town in the Island Bote , in the 16th Year of his Reign , in the Calends of April , and Year of Christ , 1406. He was Buried at the Abby of Pasley . This Robert , April 1. for tallness of Stature , and for the Beauty and Composition of his whole Body , was inferior to none of his Contemporaries . His Life was very harmless , Robert's Death and Character and there was no Virtuous Accomplishment , fit for a private Man , wanting in him , so that it may be truly said of him , That he was a better Man than a King .

After the King's death , Robert , his Brother , made Regent . the Government of the Kingdom was setled upon Robert his Brother , by the Decree of all the Estates ; who had many things in him worthy of that Office and Dignity , if , out of a blind Ambition to Rule , he had not used unjust Courses to hasten to the Throne . He was Valiant in War , Prudent in Counsel , Just in Judgment , Liberal to the Nobles , and Tender in Levying Taxes on the Commons . The same Year , Percy the Elder again entred into a Conspiracy against the King , Percy overthrown , and flies to Scotland . to revenge upon him the deaths of his Brother and Two Sons , who had been slain ; but his Design was discovered , many of his Accomplices taken and put to death , and he himself , for fear , fled into Scotland , that from thence he might pals over into Flanders and France , to procure Auxiliaries to renew the War . In the mean time , Henry , the King of Englands Son , made great Incursions into Scotland , both by Land and Sea ; when he was returned home with a great Boo●y , the Castle of Iedburgh which the Enemy had kept from the Fight in Darham to that day , Henry of England invades Scotland . was taken by the Commons of Teviotdale , Pillaged , and then , by the Governors Order , wholly demolished : And George Earl of Merch , who had done much damage to his Countrymen , in behalfe of the English , being not able to procure from them Aid to recover his Own , nor an honest Maintenance amongst them neither , pacified the Governor by his Friends , and so returned home , yet he lost part of his Patrimony , Dunbar returns to Scotland . viz. his Castles in the Loch-Maban , and Annandale , which were given to Douglas , for the Losses he had sustained : and thus all Offences were forgiven on both sides , and he passed the rest of his Life , in great Concord with his Neighbours , and faithful Subjection to his King .

The next Year , Percy , after he had made a vain and fruitless Peregrination over France and Flanders , returned into Scotland , to his old Friend the Earl of Merch ; by whom he was courteously Entertained , and Accommodated , according to his Estate : There he Transacted by private Messengers , about returning into his own Country , and , amongst the rest , he wrot to Ralph Rokesby , his Ancient and Faithful Friend , as he thought , That he did not want Force , both of Scots and English , Percy betrayed by Rokesby his pretended Friend , and put to Death . who were ready to assist him to recover his Ancient Patrimony ; provided , that he would joyn in his assistance with them . This Ralfe was , at that time , Sheriff of Yorkshire , so they there call the Officer which presides in Chief over Juridical Assemblies . He enticed Percy to him , upon pretence of giving him Aid , and then discovered the Conspiracy to the King . Thus his Friend was betrayed by him , his Head cut off , and sent to the King at London .

There was also , at that time , a certain Englishman in Scotland , who called himself Richard the Second , A Supposititious Prince . but , I judge , falsly . For when Percy , the Elder , did often and earnestly desire to speak with him , he would not , by any persuasion , be induced thereunto , fearing , as may be guessed , left his Imposture might be detected by a Man , who so well knew his King . Yet he was , for some Yearss , Treated , as one of the Blood-Royal : and that he might live more securely , he feigned himself most averse from any desire of enjoying the Kingdom . But at last he was Buried in the Church of the Franciscan-Fryers at Sterlin . Standing on a Rock above the Firth , of Forth , near St. Eb●s Head , in the Merss The Title of the King of England being inserted in his Epitaph : ●ot long after , Fastcastle , a very Strong Castle ( as the Name intimates ) in Merch , was taken from the English by Patrick Dunbar , Son to George , and therein Thomas Holden Governor thereof , who had infested all the Neighboring Places of Lothian , with his continual Thievery . And moreover , in Teviotdale , William Douglas , and Gawin Dunbar , youngest Son to the Earl of Merch , had broken down the Bridge of Roxburgh , and burnt the Town ; but they attempted not the Castle , because they were destitute , and unprovided , of all things , necessary for a Siege : But the next Year after , which was 1411. Donald the Islander , Lord of the Aebudae , claiming Ross as the next Heir ( for so indeed he was , ) as unjustly taken away from him by the Governor , when he could get no Right , he Levied 1000 Islanders , and made a Descent on the Continent , and so easily seized on Ross , the whole Country being willing to return to the Subjection of their own just Master : But this Facility of the Rossians , in submitting to him , gave him ( whose Mind was greedy of Prey ) Encouragement to attempt greater Matters . For , he passed over into Murray , and there being no Force to defend it , he reduced it to his Obedience , A County lying on 〈◊〉 River St●a●-Bogy , 40 〈…〉 A●●rdeen . and then passed further in his Depredations into Strath-Bogy , and did threaten Aberdeen : Against this suddain and unexpected Enemy , The Governour gathered Forces , but , in regard , the Greatness and Propinquity of the Danger did not admit the expectancy of slow-paced Aid , Alexander Earl of Marr , the Son of Alexander , the Governours Brother , and almost all the Nobility , beyond the Tay , at a Village called * * In Murray . Harlaw , set themselves and their Men in Battel-array against him . The Fight was Cruel and Bloody , for the Valour of many Nobles did then contend for Estate and Glory against the Savage Cruelty of the opposite Party ; At last the Night parted them , and it may be rather said , That they were Both weary with Fighting , than that either Party had the better ; so that the event of the Fight was so uncertain , that when Both sides had reckoned up , how many they had lost , A Cruel Fight between Donald and the Governour . each counted himself the Conqueror . In this Fight there fell so many Eminent and Noble Personages , as scarce ever perished in one Battel against a Foreign Enemy , for many Years before : And therefore the Village , which was obscure before , grew Famous therefrom , even to Posterity .

This Year also , Publick Schools began first to be opened at St. Andrews , which was effected , rather by the consent of Learned Men , The Erection of St. Andrews University who made an overture at the Profession of Science , than by the Occasion of any Private or Publick Assistance . The next 10 Years , there was hardly any Memorable thing acted betwixt the Scots and English , either , because there was a Truce made , which yet Authors are silent in ; or , March 21. because Henry the 4 th Dying on the 12 th of the Calends of April , and his Son Henry , the 5 th , Henry the 4 th Dyes , and Henry the 5 th●●●●ceeds ●●●●ceeds 〈◊〉 presently succeeding him , being all the rest of his Life , intent on the Affairs of France , the English abstained from offering any Injury to the Scots . And besides , the Governour of Scotland did not dare to stir on his side , for fear , lest the English should bring back upon them the true Heir of the Crown , whom , he knew , many of the Scots would close with , out of the Commiseration of his Misfortunes . Therefore , what Inroads were made , at that time , were rather like Robberies than Wars . For both Penrith in England was burnt by Archibald Douglas , and Dunfrize in Scotland , by the English : And also there was an Exchange of Prisoners made , Murdo , the Governours Son , taken at Homildon Fight , was exchanged for Percy , who , when his Grandfather's Party was subdued in England , was brought into Scotland , and left with the Governor ; But upon the New King 's coming to the Crown , he was restored to the Dignity of his Ancestors . He , though he were not properly a Prisoner by the Law of Arms ; yet the unjust detention of Iames , Son to the King of Scots , stopt the mouths of the English , Percys Posterity restored to their Dignity . that they could not justly complain of any injury , in the Case : As for Percy himself , he was so far from resenting it , that as long as he lived , he acknowledged the Civility and great Friendship of the Scots to him , in all kind of mutual Service .

Moreover , the same Year , another Embassy came from the Council of Constance , Council of Constance send Ambassadors to Scotland , so doth Peter Lune , Anti-Pope . the Head whereof was the Abbat of Pontiniack ; and another from Peter Lune , who had seized on the Papacy , and as pertinaciously kept it . He , by Henry Harding , an English Franciscan , had wrought over the Governor to his Party , but in vain , for the whole Body of the Priesthood was against him ; for they , having assented to the Council of Constance , had subscribed to the Election of Martin the Fifth . In the mean time , the King of France , by means of a violent Disease , fell besides himself , and his Distemper was encreased by the Monks , who pretended to Cure him . By which means , France was divided into Two Factions . The Head of the One , was the Duke of Burgundy , who having slain the Kings Brother , drew him to the English Party . The Head of the Other , was , the Kings Son , who being disinherited by his distracted Father , was called by his Enemies in a jeer , the King of

The King of France distracted .

Divisions in France .

A County of France , lying on the River Carus .

Berry , because he usually kept himself at Burges in Berry , a Town of the Bernois . He being forsaken by a great part of his own Country Men , and destitute also of Foreign Aid , in the Year 1419. sent the Earl of Vendosme , his Ambassador to the Scots , The French King craves Aid of the Scots , which is sent him under the Command of the Earl of Buchan . to demand Aid of them , according to the League made betwixt the Two Nations : The Assembly of the Estates ordered him Seven Thousand Men , and indeed , at that time , in regard the Soldiers were increased by reason of the long Peace with England ; it was no hard matter , to make up such a Number of Men , being only Voluntiers . Iohn , Earl of Buchan , the Governours Son , was made General of the Forces , and many eminent Persons followed him ; but Archibald Earl of Wigton , the Son of Archibald the Second , Earl of Douglas , was far more eminent than all the rest . When they came into France , they were sent by the Dolphin , ( so they call the Eldest Son of the King of France ) into Turein , a Country very plentiful in all sorts of Provision , The Scots Auxiliaries Land in France . and near to the Enemy : For the Duke of Clarence , Brother to the King of England , was then in France , instead of the King himself , and made great Havock of the Country of Anjou , whose Inhabitants remained in their Obedience to the French King . And it was thought , he would have come as far as the Town of Beujeu . This was done Two Days before Easter ; whereupon the Scots , thinking , that the General would cease from any Military Action those few days of that Feast , ( as the custom is ) and apply himself to Ecclesiastical Duties ; or , ( as others say ) presuming upon an Eight Days Truce , which was made , carried themselves more securely , than otherwise they were wont to do . The Duke of Clarence was informed thereof , either by Andrew Fregose , an Italian ; or else , by some Scots Foragers , whom his Horse had taken Prisoners , and having gotten a fair opportunity for Action , ( as he thought ) he rose up presently from Dinner ; and , with his Horse only marched toward the Enemy , he himself , besides his other Gallant Furniture and Armour , had a Royal Diadam on his Head , beset with many Jewels . Some few French , who were quartered nearest the Enemy , in a Village called Little Beaujou , being terrified with his sudden coming , fled into the Tower of a Church adjoyning ; whilst he was assaulting of these , the Alarum was given to the rest of the Army , and presently , in great dismay , they all cryed out , To your Arms. The Earl of Buchan , whilst the rest were sitting themselves , sent out 30 Archers , to take possession of a Bridge , which was the only Passage over a Neighbour River . There a Skirmish begun , and Hugh Kennedy , who quartered in a Church hard by , came in to them , with One hundred Men , who in so sudden a Fright were but half-armed . This Party with their Arrows hindred the Horse from passing over ; whereupon Clarence , with the forwardest of his Men , leapt from his Horse , and maintained the Combat on foot ; so that , in a Lusty Charge , they repelled the Scots , who were some unarmed , and some but half-armed , from the Bridge , and this opened the Passage for his Men. In the mean time , whilst Clarence was mounting his Horse , and his Men were passing the narrow Bridge , a few at a time ; the Earl of Buchan , was at hand with 200 Horse ; Is overthrow● by them , who being very earnest to shew themselves on Both sides , a sharp Fight began , with equal courage and hatred : For the Scots were glad , that they had gotten an Opportunity , to give the first Proof of their Valour , and so to refute the Reproaches of the French , who were wont to upbraid them , as Men given more to Eating and Drinking , than Fighting . The like Reproach do the same French use to cast upon the Britains ; The Spaniards , on the French ; and the Africans , on the Spaniards : On the other side , the English took it in great disdain , That they should be attack'd by such an implacable Enemy , not only at home , but even beyond the Seas ; and so they fought stoutly , but none more fiercely than Clarence himself ; He was known by his Armour , Iohn Swinton ran at him , and , with his Lance , grievously wounded him in the Face ; and the Count of Buchan also smote him with a Truncheon , and struck him from his Horse ; when he was fallen , the English ran away , and were slain in the pursuit , even until night . This Battel was fought the day before Easter , when the days are short in cold Countries , a little after the Vernal Equinox . There fell of the English in the Fight , above 2000 , And slain . amongst which were 26 of eminent Rank . Many Prisoners were taken of good Accompt in their own Country ; and , especially , some of the Dukes Allies : Few of the Scots or French were lost , and those of no great Note , neither : This is the most common report concerning the Death of Clarence , but the Pluscarty Book says , that he was slain by Alexander Maccasland , a Knight of Lennox , who took off the aforesaid Diadem from his Head , and sold it to Iohn Stuart of Derneley , for 1000 Angels of Gold ; and he again pawned it to Robert Huston , to whom he owed 5000 Angels ; This , he says , was the Vulgar Opinion : The chief Praise of this Victory was ascribed to the Scots , Buchan made Lord High Constable of France . neither could their greatest Detractors deny it . Whereupon Charles , the Dolphin , created the Earl of Buchan Lord High Constable , which is the highest Office in France , next the King : The rest of the Commanders had also Honours bestowed on them , according to their Rank , and Valour .

Whilst these Things were acted in France , in the year 1420 , Robert , Governor of Scotland , September 3. died the same year , in the Third of the Nones of September , Robert dies , and his Son Murdo made Governor of Scotland . and Fifteen years after the Death of King Robert , the Third : His Son Murdo succeeded in his place , a Man of a sluggish disposition , and scarce fit to govern his private Family , much less the Common-wealth : So that either by his Slothfulness ; or else , his too much Indulgence , he so spoiled his Children , ( for he had Three ) that , in a short time , he brought both them and himself into great Calamity , and , at last , Destruction . This change of Domestick Affairs caused the Earls of Buchan and Wigton , with many of their Kindred , to return from France : But Matters being soon setled at Home , Buchan returns to Scotland , but is recalled to France . the Dolphin recalled the Earl of Buchan , who , with his Son in Law Archibald , Iames his Son , and the Flower of the Scotish Soldiers , sailed into France , leaving his other Son , the Earl of Wigton , behind him , who , being grievously sick , could not follow him : They landed with 5000 Soldiers at Rochel , Douglas made Duke of Turein . and so came to the Dolphin at Po●ctou , where they were joyfully received , and Douglas was made Duke of Turein .

When Henry of England heard of the Death of Clarence , he substituted Iohn Earl of Bedford , Earl of Bedford sent by Henry into France , who carries with him Iames I. King of Scotland . his other Brother , in his place , and sent him before into France with 4000 Horse and 10000 Foot . He himself followed soon after , and took with him Iames , King of Scots , in the Expedition : thinking , by that means , either to insinuate himself with the Scots , who fought against him in France ; or else , to render them suspected to the French : But he obtained neither of his Ends , nor could he prevail with them , at the desire of their own King , so much as to return home , and to be Newters and Spectators only , of the War : For , addressing to all the Garisons held there by the Scots , They made him one General Answer , That they could not acknowledge him for their King , who was under the Power of another Man : Henry , being offended at their Peremptoriness and Constancy , having taken the Town of A Chief Town of the County o● B●●e in France , situated near the Matrona . A Town in , or near Normandy . Meaux , by Storm , hanged up 20 Scots , which he found there , alleging , That they bore Arms against their own King . Soon after , He and Charles the Sixth , King of France , died , immediately one after another . About Two years after , the English prevailed in a Battel at A Chief Town of the County o● B●●e in France , situated near the Matrona . A Town in , or near Normandy . Vernevil , where there were slain of the Prime Scots , the Earl of Buchan and Douglas , one Duke of Turein , the other Master of the Horse to the French King ; and also Iames Douglas , his Son ; Alexander Lindsay , Robert Stuart , and Thomas Swinton ; and , of Common Soldiers above 2000. And about three years after , the Auxiliary Scots received another great Overthrow at

A large Country about Orlean● , on the 〈◊〉 .

The Sc●ts overthrown in F●ance 〈…〉 English , and their Chief 〈…〉 .

Beaux , when they were carrying Provisions to Orleans . They set upon the English in the way , in which Fight there were slain of Scots of note , William Stuart with his Brother , and two eminent Knights of the Family of the Douglas's , whose Posterities do yet enjoy two Castles , and large Possessions about them , in Scotland , viz. one of them , the Castle of Drumlanerick , and the other the Castle of Lough Levin in Fife . Thus have I briefly touched at the Actions of the Scots , performed in a few years in France , as External and Foreign Occurences , the farther Explication of them is to be had in the French Annals , which though they be not quite alien from the Affairs of Scotland , yet I had not stepped out of my way to mention them , if the calumny of some English Writers had not compelled me so to do : For they endeavour to undervalue and speak evil of what they do not deny ; if Histories did not mention their Atchievements , yet the Munificence of the Kings , the Decrees of the Cities , and the Honourable Monument at Orleance and Turein do sufficiently declare them ; What , I pray , Reflections on some English Writers . can they here object ? The Scots , say they , are too poor to maintain so great a Force in a Foreign Country : I answer , First , That if they be Poor , it is the fault of the Soil , not of the Men ; neither would I have taken this for a Reproach , if it did not appear by their Writings , That the English intended it for Such ; and therefore , I shall only answer them with this : That these Poor and Indigent Scots ( as they call them ) have got many great and famous Victories over the Opulent and Wealthy English : And if they do not believe me herein , let them consult their own Histories ; and , if they suspend their Belief of them also , let them not require of us , to receive them for True in other things . But to return to the Affairs of Scotland .

Murdo being set up , as I said but now , in the place of his Father , he maintained a very loose Discipline in his own House , his Children ( whose Names were Walter , Alexander , and Iames ) did despise their Inferiors , and consequently oppress them with many Injuries , and they infected the Youth , with those Vices , to which they themselves were addicted ; Fond Indulgence to Children , justly punished in a Father . and seeing their Father did not curb nor restrain them , at last he was punished himself for giving them such bad Education . The old Man did highly prize a certain Bird he had , of that sort of Hawks , which they call Falcons : Walter had often begg'd him of his Father , and was as often denied ; so that upon a time , he catched it out of his Fathers Hand , and wrung off his Neck . To whom his Father replied , Because thou can'st not find in thy Heart to obey me , I will bring in another , That both thou and I too shall be forced to obey . And , from that time forward , he bent his Thoughts to restore his Kinsman Iames ; and there was an Eminent Man of Argile , chief of the Country , named Calen Cambel , whom , before , Walter had affronted and wronged , who approved of his Design herein ; so that , he assembled the Estates at Perth , and a Consultation being had concerning the Revocation of their King ; They all , either out of Favour to the true Heir of the Kingdom , or out of Weariness of the present posture of Affairs , willingly agreed to send an Embassy about his Restitution : The Scots send for King Iames the First , out of England . Some Nobles were chosen Embassadors , who coming into England , found the English more inclinable to it , than they expected : For the Duke of Gloucester , who , in the Kings Minority , governed the Affairs of England , called the Council together , and easily persuaded them , That Iames , Son to the King of Scotland , should be sent back , at the desire of his People , into his own Country ; seeing , he was not , in his present posture , of so great Authority amongst them , as to be able to recal the Scots Auxiliaries out of France , or to draw any Part of the Kingdom to an Alliance with England . And besides , he thought to make another advantage of him , That he would not only be his sure and fast Friend , but would always be under the power and influence of England , for he had Married Ioan , the Earl of Salisbury's Daughter , the Beautifullest Woman of her Time , ( which he then was mightily in Love with ) he persuaded himself , that , by her means , the League with France might be easily undermined ; and , if he were freed , either he would be obliged by that Courtesy ; or else , whilst he was busie in revenging the Wrongs his Kindred had done him , he would intangle his Country in a grievous intestine War ; and , by this means , it would come to pass , That either the English would be made stronger by the Accession of such a Friend ; or , if their Scotish Enemies disagreed amongst themselves ; yet , they should be more disingaged , and readier for a Foreign War . And , indeed , these were no imprudent Considerations , if they themselves , by the Narrowness of their Spirits , had not marred their own Market . For seeing they demanded a greater Sum of Money , for his Redemption , than the Scots , in their present Circumstances , either durst promise , or were able to pay , Who returns upon a Ransom . a Compremize was made , That the Dowry of his Wife should be retained , as for One half , and that the Sons of some Noblemen should be given in Hostage , for the payment of the Other . Iames , being set at Liberty upon these Terms , returned home , 18 years after he had been a Prisoner , in the year of our Lord 1423.

Amidst the great Concourse of People , which flocked in , to see him , and to Congratulate his Return , he was soon entertained with the Complaint of those who grievously lamented , what Wrongs they had sustained since the last Kings Death , partly by the Negligence , and partly by the Injuries of the late Governors : Walter , the Son of Murdo , Malcolm Fleming , and Thomas Boyd , were highly accused , who , to pacifie the Commons for the present , were committed to several Prisons , until the next Convention of the Estates , which was appointed to be the Sixth of the Calends of Iune . May 27. But Fleming and Boyd upon payment of Damages , and some kind of Compensation ; and also upon laying down a round Sum , which they were Fined at , into the Kings Exchequer , were set at Liberty .

James I. The Hundred and Second King .

IN the mean time , the King , with the Queen , was Crowned on the Eleventh of the Calends of May ; April 20. he being placed in the Chair of State , by his Cousin Murdo , ( an Office belonging to the Earl of Fife . ) A while after , many profitable Laws were enacted for the Good of the Publick , but especially to restrain Robberies ; which , by the Licentiousness of former times , had grown to such an heighth , that Laws and Magistrates were despised , as if Right had been only in Arms. Afterwards , they consulted how to raise the Kings Ransom , for , seeing the Publick Treasure was very low , by reason of so many Wars , the Governours having pardoned the Offendors , and bestowed Rewards on good Patriots , so that the Kings Revenue being Mortgaged , and Money taken up thereupon , he could not pay it of his Own , but was forced to crave Aid of his Subject● ; And indeed , the Nobles , whose Sons were left Hostages , easily obtained , That an Act should pass to that purpose ; but , in the payment of the Money , there was not so ready an Obedience . For , upon a Valuation of all Moveables , a Twentieth part was imposed , which , in so great a want of Money ; 〈…〉 Scotl●nd , ●bout 〈…〉 yet Plenty , and consequently , Cheapness of other things , seemed intolerable to Men , who were not accustomed to Taxes : And who also were more concerned at the Example for the future , than for the present Damage : And moreover , the higher Sort were calumniated by the Vulgar , as if they had cast too much of the Burden upon the Shoulders of the Poor . But that which troubled the Commons most , was , the short Day appointed for the payment of the Tax , for it was Commanded to be brought in within 15 Days ; and if any one did not pay , his Cattel were to be seized upon , either by the Lord of the Mannor , or the Sheriff of the County . And if any one alleged his being in Debt , or in Arrears of Rent to his Landlord , the Exception did not avail to abate his Contribution : And the Mischief was increased by the Severity and Harshness of the Collectors , who did not only thus vex the People ; but , by false Reckonings ; or , upon the accompt of Charges , they deducted a great part of the Money , which was Collected for the Publick Use : Besides , the Imposition seemed more Grievous , because the former Governours had been very remiss and moderate in their Levies and Cessments , that so they might insinuate themselves into the Love of the Commons , and thereby keep them off from designing the Restitution of their Lawful King : And for that cause , it was , that when the Assembly had given Liberty to Robert , the King's Uncle , to Levy a Tax , he , to ingratiate himself with the Commonalty , refused to let it pass into an Act , affirming , The King remits one halfe of his Ransom-Tax . That he had rather pay down so much Money of his own , than that the Commons should be burdened on such an account . When the King had exacted the First Payment , which came in very hardly , and with the Ill-will of the People , who complained , That besides the burden of the Wars , they had these new Taxes imposed upon them , he forgave the rest .

In this Assembly , Murdo , Duke of Albany , Walter and Alexander his Sons ; Dunac Earl of Lennox , his Son in Law , and Robert Grame , who some Years before had killed the King , were taken , Several Scots Nobles imprisoned . and committed to Prison ; so were 24 more of the Cheif Nobility , but the rest were not long after set at liberty ; Murdo only with his Son , and Son-in-law , being retained in Custody . The same day that Murdo was taken , the King seized upon all his Castles , as Falcoland in Fife , and Down in Menteith , out of which , his Wife was carried to the Castle of Tintallon in Lothian . Iames his youngest Son , hearing of the Havock of his Family , gathered a Band of Men together , and burnt the Town of Dunbarton , and slew Iohn Howard ( the King's Uncle ) Sirnamed Rufus , and 32 of his Followers ; and then he fled into Ireland , where he dyed shortly after . And also Finlaw , Bishop of Lismore , one of the Dominican Order , who fled with him , and was his Counsellor in all his Affairs , departed this Life there . The Wife also of Walter , with her Two Sons , Andrew , Alexander , Others 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 and Arthur a Base-born Son , fled into Ireland also , who , in the Reign of Iames the Third , returned again , and were Endowed with great Honour . The same Year , Murdo brought to his Trial. in an Assembly of the Estates at Sterlin , Murdo , with his Two Sons , and Son-in-law were had out of Prison to be Tryed , according to Law ; the Procee , dings were after the Custom of the Country , which was This. Some Man , Eminent for Wisdom and Authority , is chosen out , to be President of the Court , and he hath at least Twelve Assessors joyned with him , who are to hear the Crimes Objected , and to pass Sentence on the Prisoner , or Party accused , The Ancient manner of Trying Nobles in Scotland . according to their Oaths . These Judges are usually of the same Quality with the Party accused : Or , at least , of the next Condition to him , as near as may be : The Prisoner hath Power to except against his Judges , till the number of 12 , and sometimes more , be compleated ; and when the Crimes are weighed , the Sentence is Pronounced , according to the Majority of Voices . In this Case , Judges were chosen after the same manner , it is not much material to mention their Names , Murdo , &c. found Guilty , and Beheaded . ( but certainly , they were Persons of Repute , and some of them nearly related to the Accused ) but the Prisoners were condemned by them of High Treason . The Two young Men were put to death the same Day ; Their Father and Grandfather by the Mothers's side , the Day after , on a little Rising Hill , over against the Castle of Sterlin : There is a constant Report , tho' I find it not mentioned in History . That the King sent to Isabella , Wife of his Cousin-German , the Heads of the Father , Husband , and Son , to try , whether so fierce a Woman , out of impatience of Grief ( as it sometimes comes to pass ) would not reveal the Secrets of her Mind : But tho' She was much disturbed at the suddain Spectacle , yet She gave no intemperate Language , onely Answered , That if the Crimes Objected were True ; That the King had done Iustly , and according to Law .

When the Assembly was ended , Iohn Montgomery , and Humphry Cuningham , were sent by the King to take a Castle , which was held in the Name of Iames Stuart , the Fugitive , and they reduced it accordingly . And not long after , Iohn Stuart of Dernely , ( who , when the Scots Commanders in France were destroyed , several ways , was made General of the Horse amongst them ) together , Embassadors from France to Scotland , about Peace and a Marriage . with the Arch-bishop of Rhemes , came into Scotland , to renew the Antient League with the French , and to contract a Marriage between Lewis the Son of Charles the Seventh , and Margarite , Daughter of Iames , Both of them yet but Children . Which Matters being Accomplished the next Year , which was , 1426. All Scotland was subdued within the Mount Grampius : And the King took heart to proceed further in his Conquests . And First , he caused the Castle of Inverness to be Repaired , which is situate in a convenient place , in the furthest part of Murray . K. Iames the First , his prosperous Beginnings . Two Years after , he went thither to Administer Justice , and Suppress Robberies ; thither he sent for the Chief of all the Families , especially of those who were wont to issue out with great Troops , and fetch in Booties from the Neighbouring Countries : And when he had subdued them , he laid Taxes on them , and made the Commonalty provide Victuals for them which were Idle , themselves ; Some of those Robbers had 1000 , some 2000 , some more Pattizans , at their Command , whereby Good People were kept under for fear of Danger : And the Bad , who found a sure Refuge amongst them , were made more bold to commit all manner of Wickedness : The King had persuaded most of them , some by Threatnings , others by Flatteries , but he committed about 40 of the chief of them to Prison , and , upon Tryal , Two of the most Eminent , Alexander Macrory , and Iohn Macarthur were hanged up , Free 〈◊〉 punished by the King . also Iames Cambel was put to death for the Murther of Iohn the Islander , one of Note in his Country ; The rest were divided into several prisons , of which some afterward suffred , and others were freely set at Liberty . Thus the Heads of the Faction , being either Slain or kept Prisoners ; the King judged the Common sort , being deprived of their Leaders , would not stir , and therefore he persuaded them by kind and gentle words , to do that which was just , and to place the hopes of their safety upon no other Basis , as firm and secure , but Innocency of Life . If they would do so , he would be always ready to honour and reward them ; if not , they might take Example by the Punishment of others , and , most certainly , expect the like Themselves .

When other Matters were thus composed ; yet the King had still with Him , Alexander the Islander , one of the most potent Persons in the Land , next the King himself ; for he Commanded over all the Aebudae ; and besides , he had an Accession of the fertile County of Ross , by means of his Mother , who was Daughter to Walter Lesly , Earl of Ross. He having committed many cruel and flagitious Acts , was thereupon in great Fear of the King , whom yet he found very exorable , by the Mediation of his Friends ; insomuch that he was courteously invited to Court , kindly entertained there ; Alexander the Islander , ●ise● in Arm● and having obtained an Amnesty for what was past , great Hopes of Favour were propounded to him , if he would inure himself to a more quiet and obedient Carriage and Deportment for the time to come , and so he was sent home . But he was so far from being thankful to the King for his Pardon , and afterwards for his Liberty , that , he thought , he had Great wrong done him , that he was kept some days in Prison . And therefore , as soon as he was returned to his old Comrades , he gathered a Company of Them together , who were accustomed to live upon the Spoil , and went to Innerness , in a seemingly peaceable manner ; where being hospitably entertained , he suffered his Followers to pillage the Town , and after he had set fire to the Houses , he laid Siege to the Castle ; but , hearing of a Force coming against him , was compelled to raise his Siege , and march in great haste to Loch-Abyr . There , by reason of the opportunity of the Place , he resolves to put himself upon the Fortune of a Battel , with that Army which he had with him , which were 10000 men , hardned to the Wars . But Two Tribes or Clans of Those , who followed him chearfully to the Plunder , when they heard of the Kings Preparations made against them , deserted him ; to wit , The Catans and the Camerons , called vulgarly , Clan-Chattan , and Clan-Cameron .

Being thus deprived of Part of his strength , and having no great Confidence in the Fidelity of the rest , he began to think of hiding himself again , and so , dismissing his Army , he retired , with some few into the Aebudae , But is suppressed . and there consulted concerning his Flight into Ireland . But , presuming , that even there he could not be safe from the wrath of the King , he thought it best to fly to his last Refuge , viz. the Kings Mercy and Clemency ; which , before , he had so large experience of : But here his Thoughts were at a loss betwixt Hope and Fear ; when he considered , what Mischiefs he had done at his first Revolt ; and , after the King had graciously pardoned him , with what perfidiousness and cruelty he had again broke forth , and so had cut off all hopes of further Indemnity ; and , therefore was in great Doubt and Perplexity , whether he would commit himself , his Life and Fortunes to the Kings Anger , so justly conceived against him . In these Circumstances , he resolved to take a middle Course , between Flight and Surrendring himself , which was , to send Agents to Court , to beg Pardon for his Offences ; and to incline the Kings Heart to Lenity towards him . And , for this Service , he chose quiet , moderate , Men , and not at all infected with the same contagious Villanies , whereof he himself was Guilty ; and on that account , not unacceptable to the King ; yet notwithstanding , they could obtain no other Answer from him , but That he would hear nothing unless he would put himself into his hands ; neither would he Treat with him , as long as he was absent . Alexander cast up all his dangers in his mind , and foreseeing , that he could be safe no where from the Kings Fury , resolved to choose a fit Time and Place , and so to cast himself upon him ; for , he thought , he would count it a shame to injure , or punish , an humble Supplicant . Whereupon he comes privately to Edinburgh , where the King then was , and on the day wherein our * * Easter . Lord's Resurrection is celebrated with great Solemnity , he threw himself at the Kings Feet , having a Linen Cloak , or Plad , about him , wherewith he was rather covered than cloth'd , and in a Speech composed to procure pity , And submits to the Kings Mercy . put himself into his hands , and begg'd his Life and Estate . His Habit , the Place and Time , and so great and sudden a Change of Fortune , did much affect the By-standers . The Queen and the Nobles , who were present , interceded with the King for him , and did so far incline and affect his Mind , That they were commanded to stay , till their Devotions were ended . In the Interim , the King pondered every thing with himself , and thought it not safe to dismiss so perfidious , potent , and Factious a Person , without any Punishment at all ; and yet , on the other side , to make some Gratification to the Request of the Queen , he thought it best to keep him alive , in safe Custody ; for , by this means , he might gain an Opinion of Clemency ; and also prevent his opportunity to do further Mischief ; provide for the security of the Common People ; and withal terrify others by his Example . Hereupon he was sent Prisoner to Tintallon-Castle , and his Mother , a fierce Woman , was Banished into the Isle of Inch-colm . For it was thought , That she would have excited him to new Attempts .

The Licentiousness of Alexander being thus repressed , yet all things were not quiet in the Northern Countrys . For the men of Caithnes and Cameron , who , the Year before , had deserted Alexander , fell out grievously amongst themselves ; and fought one another with so great eagerness . That many of Caithnes were slain , but the Cameronians almost all lost . Also in the Aebudae , where 't was thought Things would be quiet by reason of Alexander's Exile , yet new Commotions were raised by Donald Balock , Cosin-German to Alexander , on pretence to revenge the wrong done to his Kinsman . Donald B●l●ck makes an Insurrection . To quell this Insurrection , Alexander and Alan , both Stuarts ; One Earl of Caithnes , the Other of Marr , gathered some of their Countrymen together , and went into Loch-Abyr to meet Donald , ( for the Report was , that he would make his descent there ) where they waited his Coming . He , perceiving that they kept no Order , but were without Tents or Guard , in the Fourth Watch landed his men without any Noise , and so set upon them unexpectedly whilst they were half a sleep , and made a great slaughter amongst them . Alan , with almost all his Brigade , was lost there ; and Alexander , with a Few , saved his Life by Flight . Donald was exalted with this Success , and so wasted all Loch-Abyr , with Fire and Sword , no man daring to oppose him ; but , at length , hearing , That the King was making towards him with a greater Force , he trussed up his large bundles of Pillage , sent them a Shipboard , and returned into the Aebudae . The King marched as far as Dunstafnage after him , and there saw the ruin and fearful devastation which had been made ; whereupon he conceived great wrath in his Breast , and was about to pass over into the Islands ; but the Chiefs of their Families came with their humble Supplications to him , alleging , That there was no general guilt in the Case , But is quelled . because nothing had been acted by publick Advice , but all the fault lay at Alexanders own door , and of some indigent and lewd Persons besides , that sided with him . The King answered , he would not admit of their Excuse , unless they would apprehend the Authors of those wicked Pranks , and deliver them up to him to be punished ; when they had promised to do their endeavour therein , the King let some of them go , to find out the Thieves ; the rest he kept in the nature of Hostages : Those , who were dismissed slew many of the Thieves , and brought 300 of them Prisoners to the King , ( Donald himself , for fear of Punishment , being fled away ) who caused them all to be hanged .

This punishment of the Robbers , tho' for the present , it made things a little more quiet in the Aebudae , and the Neighbouring Parts ; yet , the unquiet dispositions of some wicked and turbulent Persons would not suffer that Calm to be long-lived . The King , at the desire of his Nobles , had released Two of the Augus's , Duffus , and Murdo , Commanders of the Thieves . These turned their Fury upon one another , Tories fall out among themselves . meeting in equal Numbers ( for each of them maintained about 1500 Partisans , out of the Rapines of the People . ) They fought so obstinately , that there was scarce any one left , on either side , to be Messengers of the Slaughter made ; for 't is said , that , on the one side there were but Twelve , on the other but Nine left alive ; so that the King , who was equally Angry with Both , had scarce any left of them to inflict Punishment upon .

And yet their Calamity did not restrain one Macdonald from his wonted Fierceness . He was a noted Robber , born in Ross , whose wicked Disposition was excited by the Impunity of the Former Times ; so that he , ( as we say ) play'd Rex , along time , Mackdonald a Free-booter . among his Neighbours . Amongst the rest , they say , he committed one Fact , superlatively Cruel . A Widow-woman being robbed by him , grievously bemoaned her Case , and ever and anon cryed out , that she would complain to the King ; Wilt thou so , says he ? Then to the intent thou mayst better compass thy Journy , I my self will assist thee , His Cruelty to a Woman , and so calling a Smith , he caused him to nail Horse-shoes to the Soles of her Feet , and , not contented with that wrong , he added also contumelious and jeering words , telling her , now that she was more fenced against the roughness of the ways , and , in a mockery , he shewed her thus shod to those that passed by . The Woman being of a fierce and stern disposition , and rather enraged than terrified by his Reproaches , as soon as she was able to go , went to the King , and declared to him the Matter of Fact . The King had heard of the same , before , by others ; and he having then the Authors in Prison , bid the Woman be of good chear ; for she should speedily see the same Punishment inflicted on the Inventors of it ; and hereupon , he caused Mackdonald , Retaliated on himself and his Followers . and Twelve of his Complices , to be brought out of Prison , and to have their Feet shod with Iron-Nails , and so to be carried Three days about the City , a Cryer going before , and declaring the Cause of this new Punishment ; then the Captain was beheaded , and his Twelve Associates hanged , all their Bodies being set upon Gibbets in the High-ways .

These new Crimes , which a Pardon , once obtained , had not prevented , made the King more eager to find out Donald the Islander . And therefore , being informed that he lay concealed in a Noblemans House in Ireland , he sent Messengers to him to give him up to Punishment , the Nobleman fearing , that if he should send him away alive , thro' so long a Tract both by Land and Sea , he might possibly make an escape , and then his Maligners might allege , that it was done by his Connivence , Donald's Head sent to the K. from Ireland . caused him to be slain , and sent his Head to the King by his own Messenger . Open Robberies being thus diligently suppressed , the King endeavoured to extirpate some hidden Crimes and evil Customs ; The King reforms Publick Manners . and to accomplish this Work ; he made choice of eminent Persons , much commended for their Prudence and Sanctity , giving them Power to Travel all over the Kingdom , to hear Complaints ; and if their were any Offences complained of to them , which ordinary Judges , either for Fear durst not , or for Favour and Affection would not , He also rectifies Weights and Measures . intermeddle with , then They themselves should hear the Case , and determine it . And moreover , he added to them , One , who was to correct and rectify Weights and Measures , a Thing very necessary ; seeing , then , not only every City , but almost every House , used a different kind of measure ; In a Parliament he made wholesome Laws to this purpose , and caused Iron Measures to be set up in certain Places , and sent out one to all Markets and Fairs , who was to regulate all the Measures according to that Standard , and a grievous Punishment was denounced on him , who used any other Measure , than That which was publickly thus Signed and Marked .

Whilst he was Transacting these things for the Publick Good , in the year 1430. the Fourteenth day of October , his Queen was brought a Bed of Twins ; His Queen brings forth Twins . and thereupon a publick Rejoycing was made , and the King , to add something to the Popular Mirth , forgave former Offences to some Noblemen , the Chief whereof , were , Archibald Douglas , and Iohn Kennedy , who , Do●gla● and Kennedy released from Prison . because they had spoken too rashly and unadvisedly concerning the State and Government of the Realm , were made Prisoners , Douglas in the Castle of Loch-Levin , and Kennedy in the Castle of Sterlin . And , as a farther Testimony of his Reconciliation to Douglas , he made him Godfather ( as we call him ) at the Baptizing of his Children , which is wont to be accounted a matter of great Honour , and a Testimony of intimate Friendship ; and moreover , he made his Son , one of the Knights , which were created in Testification of the publick Joy , on this occasion . The other parts of his Kingdom being thus purged and amended ; he next bent himself to reform the Ecclesiastical State ; He reforms the Ecclesiastica● Estate ; but the Priests could not be corrected by the Civil Magistrate , for the Kings of Europe having been long engaged in mutual Wars , the Ecclesiast●cal Order had , by little and little , withdrawn themselves from their Obedience , and obeyed only the Pope of Rome ; and he indulged their Vices , partly because he gained thereby , Which was Wofully degenerated and corrupted . and partly because he might make Kings more obnoxious to him , by reason of the great power of the Clergy in their Kingdoms . Whereupon he resolved to prevent their Tyranny the Best and Onely way he was able ; for , seeing it was not in his power to amend what was past ; nor to Out unworthy Men of those Preferments which they once enjoyed ; he thought to provide the best he could for the Future , which was , to set up publick Schools for Learning , and liberally to endow them ; He Erects Publick Schools , and is present himself at their Disputations ▪ because these would be Seminaries for all Orders of Men ; and whatsoever was eminent or noble in any Commonwealth , issued out from them , as from a Fountain . Hereupon , he drew Learned Men to him by Rewards ; yea , himself would be sometimes present at their Disputations , and when he had any Vacation from Civil Affairs , he delighted to hear the Collations of the Learned , thereby endeavouring to eradicate the False Opinion which many Nobles had imbibed , viz. That Learning drew Men off from Action to Sloth and Idleness , and did soften Military Spirits , either breaking , or , at least , weakening all their Vigorous Efforts ; so that the Study of Letters was only fit for Monks , who were shut up , as in a Prison , and good for no other use . But alas , the Monks , as they had degenerated from the Simplicity and Parsimony of their Ancestors , so they had turned themselves wholly from the Culture of their Minds , to the Care of their Bodies ; and Learning was as much neglected by the rest of the Priesthood , also ; and especially for this Cause , That Benefices were bestowed on the most slothful and worst Persons of Noblemens Families , Parish Priests and Begging Friers the Causes of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline , with the Manner , how . which were unfit for other Employments ; or else they were intercepted by the Fraud of the Romanists ; so that a Parsonage was nothing else but a Reward for some piece of Service , and that ordinarily none of the Best . And besides , there was another Mischief which added much to the Corrupting of Ecclesiastical Discipline ; and That was , the Orders of Begging-Friers . These Friers at the beginning pretended greater Sanctity of Life , and so easily imposed upon the People , to hear Them rather than their Parish-Priests , who were commonly gross-bodied and dull-witted . Yea , those Parish-Curates , or Priests , as they grew Rich , did scorn to do their own Work themselves , but would hire These Fryars , ( for so they called Themselves ) for a small yearly Stipend , to Preach a Few Sermons , in the year , to the People ; In the interim , they withdrew into Cities , and there chaunted out their idle Songs , as it were , after a Magical manner , not knowing what they said ; and there was none of them , that ever hardly looked towards his own Parish , but when Tithes were to be gathered . Yea , and by degrees , they withdrew themselves from this Office of Singing at certain hours in Cathedrals and Churches , too ; which , though it were but a light , was yet a daily , Service ; and hired poor Shavelings to supply their Places in Singing and Massifying ; and so by muttering and mumbling out a certain Task and Jargon of Psalms , which was appointed every day , they made a collusive kind of a Tragedy , sometimes contending in alternate Verses and Responses ; otherwhiles making a Chorus between the Acts , which at last closed with the Image , or Representation , of Christs Death . And the Friers , their Hirelings , on the one side , did not dare to offend their Masters , on whom their Livelihood depended ; neither yet , on the other , could they bear their Insolence , conjoined with so much Avarice ; so that they pitched upon a middle way , that they might engage them to make easier Payment of their Pensions ; they oftentimes bitterly inveighed against their Lust and Avarice before the People , who gave ear to their Doctrine ; and , when they had raved enough in their Sermons to keep them in Fear ; and also , to conciliate the minds of the Vulgar , they took up , and consulted for themselves also in time , seeing they were also in Ecclesiastical Orders . They told them , that whatever Disorders were , yet the Order of Priesthood was a Sacred thing , and that the Temporal , or Civil , Magistrate , had no Power to punish them ; they were only responsible to God and to the Pope , ( who had almost equal Power with God ) and because , their Avarice encreasing with their Luxury , they thought they should not squeez Gain enough from the People ; therefore these Friers set up a new kind of Tyranny , holding forth , in their Sermons , the Merit of Works . Hence arose Purgatory , and the Lustration of Souls ( which the Pope was pleased to detain there ) by the Sacrifices ( forsooth ) of the Mass , by the sprinkling of Holy Water , by Alms and Pensions given or offered , by Indulgences , Pilgrimages , and Worshipping of Reliques ; The Friers being exercised in this kind of Bartering Trade and Chaffer , in a little time , claimed the Power to themselves , both over the Living and the Dead , too .

In this ill Condition , Iames , the First , found Church-Affairs in Scotland ; and therefore he thought it the most Compendious Way to restore the Old Discipline , King Iames aims to prefer only Worthy Persons to Benefices and Church Preferments . if Good and Learned Men were admitted to Benefices . And to Increase the Emulations of Young Scholars , he told the Masters and Governors of Universities and Schools , that , because he himself was hindred by the Publick Affairs of State , so that he could not consider every Students particular Merit , they should therefore be very careful to Commend Learned and Virtuous Young Scholars to him , that he might gratifie them with Church-Preferments ; who being thus advanced , might not only be Useful to the People by their Doctrine and Example , but also might assist the Meaner and Poorer sort of those that were designed for Church-men , with their Substance ; and so far to Relieve their Tenuity , that Good Wits might not be compelled , for Want , to break off their Studies and Course of Learning , and betake themselves to Mechanical , Sordid , or Mercenary , Trades , and Employments . And to the intent , that good Men might , with more diligence , apply themselves to Learning , and the Slothful might know , that their only Way to Preferment was by Virtue , he distinguish't Degrees of Studies , that so he might know who were fit for such or such Promotions ; Which Course , if succeeding Kings had followed , certainly we had never fallen into these times , wherein the People cannot endure the Vices of the Priests ; nor , the Priests , the Remedy of those Vices . Neither was the King ignorant , that the Church was incumber'd with those great mischiefs , under which it then labour'd , by reason of the Immoderate Opulency thereof , and therefore he did not approve the Prodigality of Former Kings in exhausting their Treasury to inrich Monasteries , so that he often said , That though David was otherwise the Best of Kings , yet his profuse Piety , so praised by many , was prejudicial to the Kingdom ; yet notwithstanding , He himself , as if he had been carry'd away by the Rapid Torrent of Evil Custom , could not withhold his hand from building a Monastery , for the Carthusians , near Perth , nor from endowing it with large Revenues . One thing in him was very admirable , that , amidst the greatest Cares for the high Affairs of the Publick , he thought the most inferior and private Matters not unworthy of his Diligence , provided some benefit came to the Publick by them . For whereas Scotland had been exercised with continual Wars , after the death of Alexander the Third , for almost 150 years , wherein her Cities had been so often spoil'd , and burnt , and her Youth generally made Soldiers , so that other Trades were much neglected , he invited Tradesmen of all sorts to come out of Flanders , proposing great Rewards and Immunities to them ; He invites Tradesmen out of Flanders . by which means he filled his Cities , ( almost empty before , in regard the Nobility did usually keep themselves in the Country ) with this sort of Artificers , neither did he only restore the appearance of ancient Populousness to the Towns hereby ; but also ingag'd a great number of Idlers to fall to honest Labour ; and hereby it came to pass , that what was with small cost made at home , need not with far greater , be fetch 't from abroad .

Yet , whiles he was thus strengthning all the weak parts of his Kingdom , by proper Remedies , he ran into the great dislike and offence of his Subjects , especially for Two Reasons . The one , seem'd light in appearance , yet ' was That , which is the beginning of almost all Calamity to a People . For when Peace was universally setled ; Idleness , Luxury , and Lust , to the destruction , first of ones self , then of others , followed thereupon . Hence arose sumptuous Feastings , Luxury and Prodigality , the trust of Idleness . Drinking Caresses , by day and night , personated Masks , Delight in strange Apparel , Stateliness of Houses , not for necessary Use , but to please the Eye ; A corruption of Manners , falsely called Neatness , and , in all things , a general neglect of the Country Customs ; so that nothing , forsooth , was accounted handsom or comely enough , but that which was New-fangled and Strange . The Commonalty did willingly cast off the fault of these things from themselves , and laid it on the English Courtiers , who followed the King , and yet they did not inveigh against such wanton and pleasurable Courses , more bitterly in their Words , than they studiously practis'd them in their Lives . But the King obviated this Mischief , as much as he could , both by good Laws , and also by his own good Example , for he kept himself in his Apparel and Frugality , within the rate of the Richer sort of private Men , and if he saw any thing of Immoderation in any part of a Man's Life , he shew'd by his Countenance , and sometimes by his Words , that 't was displeasing to him . By this means , the course of increasing Luxury was somewhat restrain'd , rather than the new Intemperance extinguisht , and the old Parsimony reduc'd . His other Fault was bruited abroad by his Enemies , and afterwards broke forth into a Publick Mischief . Robert , the King's Uncle , and Murdo his Cosin-German , who had the Regency of the Kingdom for many Years , Robert and Murdo affect the Throne . seeing they themselves aspir'd to the Throne , and yet knew not how to remove Iames out of the way , they did what was next to it i. e. Engage the Affections of Men so to them , that the better sort might have no extraordinary miss of a King ; nor any ardent Desires after him , so that they us'd such great Moderation in the management of Affairs , , that their Government seem'd to many , not only tolerable , but very desireable , if Walter , M●rdo's Son , had carried it with a semblable Popularity and Moderation . For they so engaged the Nobles to them , by their Liberality and Munificence , that some injoyed the Lands , belonging to the King , by Connivence . To others they gave them , and , in favour of some particular Men , they Cancell'd Proceedings and Judgments in Law , and restor'd some , who had been banish'd , and , amongst them , one Eminent and Potent Person , George Dunbar , Earl of Merch ; who , during his Exile , had done much mischief to his Country ; and by this means , they hop'd so to ingage the Nobility , that they would never so much as think of calling home the King ; and then , if Iames Dy'd without Issue , the Kingdom would come to them , without any Competitor ; but if he should chance to return from his Banishment , yet their Faction would be so powerful , that if the King bore them a Grudge , yet they were able to defend themselves by force against him ; but when the King did actually return , the old Favour and Respect born to the Uncle , seem'd to be quite extinguish'd by the new Injury and Flagitiousness of Murdo , so that , it plainly appear'd , that nothing was more popular than Iustice . And therefore the People were not only consenting , but also contributed their assistance , to the Execution of Murdo , Murdo and his Sons put to Death . the Father , and his Two Sons ; and to the Banishment of of a 3d. So that the King's Revenue was Augmented by the Confiscation of their Estates : and also by the Access●on of the Estates of Iohn Earl of Buchan , who Dyed Childless in France , and of Alexder Earl of Merch , who was also Childless , and a Bastard , who Dy'd at home , concerning whom I shall speak a few Words , by way of Digression .

This Alexander was the Son of Alexander , Son to King Robert ; In his Youth , by the ill Advice of some bad Men , he turn'd to be a Commander amongst Th●eves ▪ but when he came to ●an's Estate , he was so Reform'd , that he seem'd plainly to be quite another Man , so that his Vices gradually decreasing , by the benefit of wholsom Counsel , he so manag'd things , both at home and abroad , The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and his Exploits . that he left a Memory behind him , precious to Posterity . For at home , he quell'd the Insurrectio● of the Islanders at Harlaw , making great Slaughter of them . And so he extinguisht a dangerous War , in the very Rise and Bud , and thô he had great Wealth well gotten , and had bought 〈◊〉 stately S●●ts , insomuch , that he much exceeded his Neighbour● ▪ yet he addicted not himself to Idleness or Pleasure , but went with ● good Party of his Country-men into Flanders , where he follow'● Charles D. of Burgundy , against the Luick-landers ; in which War he got both Estate and Honour , and besides , he Married richly in Holland , and Island of the Batavians , but the Hollanders not being able to bear the Government of a Stranger , he return'd back , and provided a stately Fleet , with great Cost , yet no great Benefit , because it was against Men , who were very well provided , both with Land and Sea-Forces . At length , he set upon their numerous Fleet , returning from Dantzic , which he took and pillaged , and slew the Mariners , and burnt the Ships , so that he repaid the Enemy for the Loss he receiv'd from them , many times over ; yea , he so subdued the Fierceness of their Minds , that they desired a Truce for an Hundred Years , and obtain'd it ; He also caus'd a Breed of brave Mares to be brought from as far as Hungary , into Scotland , whose Race continu'd there for many Years after .

These Rich Earls Dying without Issue , Buchan and Marr , their Patrimonial ●nheritances , descended Rightfully to the King . And moreover , he alone injoy'd all the Possessions of the Three Brothers , Sons to King Robert the 2d , by his last Wife ; but not without the Grudges of the Nobility ( who had been accustomed to Largesses , ) that he alone should enjoy all the Prey , without sharing any Part of it amongst them . Further , they conceiv'd another , and fresher Cause of Offence , Exceptions taken against Iames. That the King had revok'd some Grants made by Robert and Murdo , the last Regents , as unjust . Amongst those Grants , There were Two noted ones , George Dunbar , who was Declared a Publick Enemy , was afterwards recall'd by Robert , and part of his Estate restor'd to him . His Son George succeeded him therein , to the Joy of many ; who were well pleas'd , that so Ancient and Noble a Family , which had so often deserv'd well of their Country , were restor'd to their Ancient Dignity . But the King , who look'd narrowly ( and perhaps , too pryingly ) into his Revenue , was of Opinion , that the Power to restore Incapacities , to recal Exiles , and to give back their Goods forfeited for Treason , and so brought into the King's Exchequer , was too great for One that was but a Guardian of another Man's Kingdom , and chosen but as a Tutor only , to Claim and Use ; especially , since Largesses made in the Minority of Princes , by the Old Laws of Scotland , might be recalled ; if not confirm'd by their respective Kings , when they came to be of Age. And therefore Iames , that he might reduce the Merch-men into his Power , without noise , in regard they were a Martial People , and Borderers upon England , detains George with him , and sends Letters to the Governour of the Castle of Dunbar , Commanding him , on receipt thereof , A Castle standing upon the T●ne , 3 Miles below Hadington . he should immediately Surrender it up to William Douglas , Earl of Angus , and Alexander Hepborn of Hales , whom he had sent to receive it . Hereupon , George complain'd , that he was wrongfully dispossest of his Ancient Patrimony , for anothers Fault ; and such a Fault too , as was forgiven by him , who then had the Supreme Power . The King , to pacifie him , and to proclaim his Clemency amongst the Vulgar , bestowed Buchan upon him . This Fact of the King 's was variously spoken of , as every ones Humour and Disposition led him . And moreover , there was also another Action , which much hastned his End , the Beginning whereof is to be fetcht a little higher .

I said before , that King Robert the 2d . had Three Sons by his Concubine , he had also Two by his Wife Eufemia , Walter Earl of Athole , and David Earl of Stratherne , The Dispute between K. Robert's Legitimate , and Natural Children , occasion great Troubles . yet when their Mother the Queen was Dead , he Married the Concubine afore-spoken of , that so he might , by that Marriage , Legitimate the Children he had by her , and leave them Heirs to the Crown ; and accordingly , at his Death , he left the Kingdom to the Eldest of them . To the 2d . he gave great Wealth , and the Regency also . The 3d. was made Earl of several Counties . In this Matter , tho' his other Wif's Children thought themselves wrong'd , yet being younger , and not so powerful as they , they smothered their Anger for the present . And besides , their Power was somewhat abated , by the Death of the Earl of Strathern , who left but only one Daughter behind him , afterwards Marry'd to Patrick Graham , a Noble young Man , and one of a potent Family in that Age , on whom he begat Meliss Graham ; His Parents liv'd not long after , and the Child , after a few Years , being yet a Stripling , was sent as an Hostage into England , till the Money for the King's Ransom was paid . The Earl of Athol's Ambition . But the Earl of Athole , tho' every way too weak for the adverse Faction , yet never gave over his Project to cut off his Kindred , nor cast away his Hopes to recover the Kingdom ; and because he was inferior in open Force , he craftily fomented their Divisions and Discords , and invidiously made use of their Dangers , to promote his own Ends , so that by his Advice that large Family was reduc'd to a few . For many were of Opinion , that he gave the Counsel to take off David , King Robert's Son ; and Iames had not escap'd him neither , unless he had past a good part of his Life in England , far from home ; for he gave Advice to the Earl of Fife , that seeing his Brother was a Drone , he Himself should seize on the Kingdom . When the King lost all his Children , and was obnoxious to his Brothers Will , and not long after , dyed of Grief himself ; There was only the Regent of the Kingdom , with his Children , that hindred his hopes , in regard , he was an active Man , of great Wealth , Power , and Authority , and moreover , very Popular , and full of Children . These Considerations did somewhat retard his Counsels , but when Robert Dyed of a Natural Death , and his Son Iohn was slain in the Battel of Vernevil , A Town of Normandy in France . then he resum'd his former Project with greater earnestness , and bent all his Mind and Endeavour how to free Iames , and set him at variance with Murdo , and his Children . And seeing they could not , all of them , stand safe together , which soever of them fell , he foresaw , that his Hope would be advanced one step higher , to the Kingdom . And when Iames was returned into his Country , he turn'd every Stone to hasten Murdo's Destruction , he suborn'd Men fit for the turn , to forge Crimes against him , and he himself sate Judge upon Him and his Sons . And when they were cut off , there was only Iames left , and one little Son , a Child , not yet 6 Years old . And if he were slain by the Conspiracy of the Nobles , he did not doubt , but himself , who was then the only remaining Branch of the Royal Stock , should be advanc'd to the Throne . Athole was in these Thoughts Night and Day , yet he conceal'd his Secret Purposes , and made a great shew of Loyalty to the King , in helping to rid his Allies out of the way ; for that was his only Contrivance , that , by the Offences of Others , he might increase his own Power , and diminish his Enemies .

In the mean time , Meliss Graham ( who , as I said before , was given in Hostage to the English ) was depriv'd of Strathern : because the King making a diligent Enquiry into his Revenue , found , that 't was given to his Grandfather , by the Mothers-side , upon condition , That if the Male-Line fail'd , it should return to the King , in regard 't was a Male-Feo , as Lawyers now speak . This Young Man's Loss , who was absent , and also an Hostage , did move many to Commiserate his Case ; but Robert his Tutor took it so heinously , that it made him almost Mad. For he , Plots against Iames. taking the Case of his Kinsman more impatiently , than others , did not cease to accuse the King openly of Injustice , and being Summon'd to Answer for it in Law , he appear'd not , and thereupon was banish'd the Land . This made his fierce mind more enrag'd for revenge , as being irritated by a new Injury ; So that he joyn'd secret Counsels with those , who had also their Estates confiscated ; or , who took the punishments of their Friends , tho' justly inflicted , in great disdain ; or , who accus'd the King as a Covetous man , because he was so intent upon his gain , that he had not rewarded them , according to their Expectations : And besides , he bewailed , That not only many noble Families were brought to ruin , but that the Wardships of Young Nobles , which were wont to be the Rewards of Valiant Men , were now altogether in the Kings hands , so that all the wealth of the Kingdom was almost in one hand , and others might starve for misery and want , under such an unjust Valuer of their labours .

Now that which he upbraided him , concerning Wardships , with , is This , 'T is the Custom in Scotland , England , & some Countrys of France , that Young Gentlemen or Nobles , when their Parents dye , should remain in the Tutelage of those , whose Feudatarys they are , till they arrive at the age of 21 Years , and all the Profits of their Estates , ( besides the Charges necessary for their Education ) and also the Dowry given with their Wives , comes to such their Tutors and Guardians . Now these Tutelages , or , ( as they are commonly call'd ) Wardships , were wont to be Sold to the next of kin , for a great Sum of Money ; or sometimes , well deserving men were gratify'd with them ; Upon the Account of Wardships &c. So that they expected Benefit upon the Sale of such Wardships or Incomes , for a reward by their keeping of them . But now , they were much vex'd , that the King took them all to himself , neither did they conceal their vexation and displeasure . When the King heard of these Murmurings and Complaints , he excus'd the thing , as done by Necessity , because the publick Revenue had been so lessen'd by former Kings and Governors , that the King could not maintain his Family , like himself , nor be decently guarded and attended , nor yet give Magnificent Entertainment to Ambassadors , without them . Besides , he alleged , that this Parsimony and Care of the King in providing Money in all just and honest Ways , was not unprofitable to the Nobility , themselves ; whose greatest damage was , to have the Kings Exchequer low . For then Kings were wont to extort by Force from the Rich , what they could not be without ; yea sometimes , they were forced to burden and vex the Commons too , by exacting Taxes and Payments from them , and that , the Parsimony of the King was far less prejudicial to the Publick , by imposing a Mean to immoderate Donations , than his Profuseness was wont to be , for then he was still forc'd to seize on other Mens Estates , when his Own was consum'd . This answer satisfy'd all those who were Moderate , but those who were more Violent , and who rather sought after occasions of complaint , than were willing to hear any just Compurgation of an imputed Crime , were more vehemently enraged by it .

This was the State of Scotland , when Embassadors arrived out of France to fetch Margarit , Iames his Daughter , who had before been betrothed to Lewis , Son of Charles the 7th , home to her Husband ; That Embassy brought on another from the English ; Embassadors from France and England , to Scotland . For seeing that the Duke of Burgundy was alienated from their Friendship , and meditated a revolt , and that Paris , and other transmarine Provinces were up in a Tumult , lest , when all the strength of the Kingdom was drawn out to the French War , the Scots should invade them , on the other side ; The English sent Embassadors into Scotland , to hinder the Renovation of the League with France , and the Consummation of the Marriage , but rather to persuade a perpetual League with them , who were born in the same Island , and us'd the same Language . And if they would do so , and solemnly Swear , That they would have the same Friends and Enemies with the English , then they promis'd that their King would quit his claim to Berwick , Roxburgh and other Places and Countrys , which were , before , in Controversy betwixt the Nations .

Iames referr'd the Desire of the English to the Assembly of the Estates , The Scots joyn with the French against England . then met at Perth ; where , after a long debate upon it , the Ecclesiasticks were divided into two Factions ; but the Nobility cry'd out , That they knew well enough the Fraud of the English ; who , by this new League , sought to break their old Band of Alliance with the French , that so when the Scots had lost their Ancient Friend , they might be more obnoxious to them , if , at any time , they were freed from other Cares , and could wholly intend a War with Scotland ; and that the liberal Promises of the English were for no other End ; but as for themselves , they would stand to their old League , and not violate their Faith , once given . The English , being thus repuls'd , turn from Petitions to Threats , and seeing they refus'd to embrace their Friendships , they denounc'd War ; telling the Scots , that if their King sent over his betroth'd Daughter into France , one that was an Enemy to the English ; The English would hinder their Passage , if they could ; yea , and take them Prisoners , and their Retinue too , having a Fleet ready fitted for that purpose . This Commination of the Embassadors was so far from terrifying Iames , that he rigg'd his Navy , Iames Marries his Daug●●●● 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 o● France , and sends her thither . and Shipped a great Company of Noblemen , and Ladies , for her Train , and so caus'd his Daughter to set Sail sooner than he had determin'd , that he might prevent the designs of the Engl●sh . And yet notwithstanding all this precaution , it was God's Providence , rather than Man's Care , that she came not into the Enemies hand ; for , when they were not far from the Place , where the English , concealing themselves , waited for their Coming ; behold ! upon a sudden , a Fleet of Hollanders appear'd , laden with Wine from Rochel to Flanders . The English Fleet made after them , with all their Sail , ( because the Burgundian , being a little before reconciled to the French , did oppose their Enemies with all his might ) and being nimble Ships , they quietly fetcht them up , being heavy laden and unarm'd , and as easily took them ; but before they could bring them into Port , the Spaniards set upon them unawares , and took away their Prey , and sent the Flandrians safe home . Amidst such changeable Fortune betwixt Three Nations , the Scots landed at Rochel , without seeing any Enemy : They were met with many Nobles of the French Court , and were brought to A Stately City on the L●●r . Tours , where the Marriage was Celebrated , to the great Joy and mutual Gratulation of Both Nations .

Upon this Occasion , the English Writers , especially Edward Hall , and he , that pilfers from him , Grafton , The English Writers imputing Perfidiousness to Iames , are blamed by this Author , and their Reflections upon him Wiped off . inveigh mightily against Iames , as Ungrateful , Perfidious , and forgetful of Ancient Courtesys , who , being Nobly entertain'd among the English for so many Years , honoured with a Royal Match , and large Dowry ; and besides , restor'd to Liberty , from a long Imprisonment , suffer'd all these Obligations to be post-pon'd , and preferr'd the Alliance with France , before That with England ; But the thing it self doth easily refute their Slanders . For , First , their Detaining of him , when he landed on their Coast , being against their League , and also the Law of Nations , 't was a Wrong , not a Courtesy ; Next , as to their not killing him , but putting him to a ransom for Money , rather than imbrue their hands in the Blood , not of an Enemy , but of a Guest , That was attributable not so much to their Love or Mercy toward Him , as to their Covetous and avaritious Minds ; and grant , there were any Courtesy in it , yet what was it other , but like that of Thieves , who would seem to give the Life , which they took not away ? and , if he were ingag'd to the English on that account , 't was a private , not publick , debt . As for their bestowing Education upon him , who was Innocent , by reason of his Age , a Suppliant by his Fortune , and a King by Descent , tho' most unrighteously detain'd , it bears , indeed , some shew of Humanity , which , if they had neglected , they might have been justly blamed ; and indeed it had been a commendable piece of Kindness , if the Injury going before , and the Covetousness following after , had not marr'd it ; unless you will say , that if you purposely wound a Man , you may require him to give you thanks for his Cure , and so you imagin a light Compensation for a great Loss , is to be esteem'd as a Courtesy ; or , because you have done some Part of your duty , that , therefore you should expect the Reward , in full , of a benefit , bestowed on another . For , he that takes Care that his Captive should be Educated in Learning , either for his own pleasure ; or that he may yield him a better Price , thô some advantage accrue hereby to the Party educated , yet the Master doth not aim at the Good of the Slave , in his Institution , but at his Own . But ( says he ) the King honoured him with the Marriage of his Kinswoman , and thus the Royal Young Man was as Royally b●st●wed . But , what if that Affinity were as honourable to the Father , as the Son in Law ? He would else have Marry'd her to a private Man , but now he made her a Queen , and ingrafted her by Marriage into that Family , on which the Famousest of the English Kings had often before bestowed their Children , and from whom so many Former Kings had descended . But , he gave a very large Dowry with her ; To whom , I pray , was it given , but to the English themselves , who took it away , before it was paid , and made a shew of it in Words to the Husband , but , indeed , kept it for their own use ? so that the Dowry was only spoken of , not given ; and so spoken of , That they would have the Young Man , whom they also had otherwise grievously wrong'd , much indebted to them , that he carried his Wife away with him , without a Dowry . But , they sent him home a Freeman , say they ; Yes , as a Pyrate doth Discharge his Captive , when his Ransom is paid : But how free , I pray ? Even if we may believe the English Writers themselves , under the inforc'd Obligation of an Oath , always to obey the English King , as his Lord , and so to bring a Kingdom , which he did yet injoy , into a perpetual Servitude , which if he had actually injoyed he could not alienate ; and yet he must mancipate it , forsooth , before he received it . This is not to set one free , but to turn him loose with a longer Chain , and that , not as a King , but as a Steward only , or Vicegerent of another man's Kingdom . I forbear to urge , that they compell'd a man in Captivity , and as yet under the Power of another , to make a Promise ; yea a promise of That , which he could not perform ; neither could he compel those to perform it , who had Power so to do . This is that high piece of Liberality , which , they say , Iames was unmindful of : But let us suffer these unskilful Writers , and forgetful of all Moderation and Modesty in their Stories , to account Profits receiv'd as Courtesys given ; How great must we think , That Liberty of falsifying , or else Desire of evil Speaking , to be , which they use against the Daughter of the aforesaid King ? For ( whereas such men , otherwise impudent enough , had nothing to allege against her Manners ) they write , that she was unacceptable to her Husband , because of her stinking Breath ? Whereas Monstrelet , a Contemporary Writer of those days , doth affirm , that she was very faithful and beautiful , and he who wrote the Pluscartin Book , who accompanied that Queen , both at Sea , and at her Death , hath left it on Record , that as long as she lived , she was very dear to her Father and Mother in Law , and to her Husband , too ; as appeared by the Inscription and Epitaph , In Champaign in France . in French Verses at Chalons , by the River , Matrona , where she dyed , which sound much to her Praise , 't was then published , and afterwards turned into the Scotish Lingue , which some of our Country men have by them , to this day . But I will leave these Men , who do so calumniate other mens Credits , and neglect their Own , that they care little , what they say of others , or what others think of them , and return to the Matter .

When the King , having been at Charge to rig out his Navy , had try'd to exact a Tax from the People , and the greatest Part plainly refused to pay a Penny , a Few paid a small matter , and that grudgingly too , he commanded his Collectors , to desist from levying the rest , and to restore what they had already received . And yet he did not hereby shun the clamours of the People , for some malevolent Persons , who were angry for some private loss , did daily incite seditious Persons and Innovators against him . At the same time , the English began to prey upon Scotland , both by Land and Sea , under the Command of Percy , Earl of Northumberland ; A Fight between the S●●ts and Eng●ish . William Douglas , Earl of Angus was sent to encounter him , with near an Equal number of men , for they were about 4000. on either side ; of the Scots , there fell Alexander Iohnston of Lothian , a Noble Person , and of known Valour , some Write that 200. others , that only 40 were slain of both Armies , and about 1500 English taken Prisoners .

Iames having been twice provoked by the English , First , by their Fleet , which lay in wait to intercept his Daughter ; and Next , by the late spoiling of his Country , resolves to proclaim open War against them ; whereupon he listed as great an Army as he could , and made a fierce assault on Roxburgh , and , in a short time , he expected the Surrender thereof , when , behold , Iames enters England , but retires upon notice of a Conspiracy formed against him by his own Kindred . the Queen came posting to him in as long Journys , as ever she was able to make , to inform him of a sad Message , which was , that there was a grievous Conspiracy form'd against his Life , and unless he took special Care , his Destruction was at hand . The King , being dismay'd at this sudden news , Disbanded his Army , and return'd home , but was very ill spoken of amongst the Vulgar , because , just upon the point of Surrender , at the beck of a Woman , he retir'd after the Kingdom had been at so much charge and trouble ; so that , he seem'd to have sought for nothing by his Arms , but Disgrace . After he return'd , he went to the Monast'ry of the Dominicans , near the Walls of Perth , to make a private enquiry into the Conspiracy , as well as he was able ; but his design was smelt out , by Men , that Watcht all opportunities to do mischief ; for one of the Kings Domesticks , who was in the Plot , ( Historians call him Iohn , but his Sirname is not mentioned ) discovered to his Complices , what was doing at Court , so that , they hastned the matter , lest their secret Caballs should be discovered , and Remedies apply'd against them . Walter , Earl of Athole , the Kings Uncle , tho' he were the Ring-leader of the Conspiracy , yet did what he could to avert all Suspicion from himself ; He sent for his Kinsman , Robert Graham , ( of whom I have spoken before ) as fit for Execution , but rash in Counsel , and who bore an old grudge to the King , because of his former Imprisonment and Banishment , and also upon the account of his Brothers Son , ( to whom he was Guardian , in his hope ) who had Strathern taken from him ; he joyns with him Robert his Nephew by his Son , an active Young Man , he informs them , what he would have them to do , and that when the Deed was done , he should be in high Authority , and then he would provide for their Safety well enough ; they freely promise to do their Endeavour , and accordingly hasten to perpetrate the Fact , before the whole Series of the Plot was made known to the King . Hereupon they privately gathered their Company together , that so , knowing the King had but a few about him in the Monast'ry of the Dominicans , he might with as little noise as might be cut him off ; and that they might surprize him unawares , they advise Iohn his Servant , above-mentioned , whom they had drawn to their Party , to be assistant to them ; according to his promise , he brings the Conspirators in the midst of the Night into the Court , and placed them privately near the Kings Bed-Chamber , and shews them the Door , which they might easily break , in regard he had taken away the Bar thereof ; Some think , that they were received into the Palace by Robert , Nephew of the Earl of Athole .

In the mean time , whilst they waited there , being solicitous how to break the Door , which they thought would be their greatest Obstacle , Fortune did the Work without their Helps , for Walter Straton , who , a little before , had carried in Wine , coming forth , and perceiving Men in Arms , endeavour'd to get in again , and cry'd out with as loud a Voice as he could , Traitors , Traitors . Whilst the Conspirators were dispatching him , a noble young Damsel , of the Family of the Douglas's , as most say , tho' some write She was a Lovel , shut the Door , and not finding the Bar , which was fraudulently laid aside by the Servant , She thrust her Arm into the Hole or Staple , instead of a Bolt , but they quickly brake that , and so rusht in upon the King . The Queen threw herself upon his Body , to defend him ; K. Iames Cruelly Assassinated . and when He was thrown down , She spread Herself over him , and after She had receiv'd Two Wounds , She could hardly be pluckt off . And then , when he was left of all , they gave him 28 Wounds , and some of them just in his Heart , and so kill'd him . Thus this Good King came to his End , ( and that a most Cruel one too , and much lamented by all Good Men ) by the Conspiracy of most wicked Assassins and Robbers ; when his Death was divulg'd by the Noise and Lamentation which was made , a great Concourse of People came presently into the Court , and there spent the rest of the Night ( for the Paricides had made their Escape in the dark ) in Bewailings and Complaints . There , every one spake variously according to their several Dispositions , either bitterly , to raise a greater Odium against the Parricides ; or , lamentably , to increase the Grief of their Friends ; each Man reckon'd up what Prosperities , or Adversities , he had undergone . In his Childhood , he was expos'd to the Treacheries of his Uncle ; and endeavouring to escape them , he was precipitated into his Enemies hands ▪ Afterwards , his Father died , and the rest of his Youth was spent in Exile among his Enemies . Then Fortune chang'd , and he had an unlook'd for Restoration ; and after his Return , in a few Years , he Govern'd so , that the turbulent State of the Kingdom was chang'd in a Calm and Serene One. And again , having a suddain Mutation of Affairs . He , whom his Enemies had spar'd abroad , was now slain by the Treachery of his Kindred at home ; His Death highly lamented , with his Laudable Character . and that in the Flower of his Age , and in the midst of his intended Course , to settle good Laws and Customs , in his Kingdom . And besides , they gave him his deserved Elogies for all his Virtues , both of Body and Mind , for Mens Envy was extinguish'd towards him , now he was dead . For tho his Bodily Stature was scarce of a full size , yet he was robust and strong ; so that he exceeded all his Equals in those Exercises , wherein Agility and Manhood use to be shewn ; and as to his Mind , he was endued with that quickness and vigor of Wit , that he was ignorant o● no Art , worthy the Knowledge of an Ingenious Person ; yea , he could make plain Latin Verses , according to that Age , Ex tempore ; Some Poems of his , written in the English Tongue , are yet extant , in which there appears excellency of Wit , tho' perhaps , some more polite Learning be wanting in them ; he was excellently well skill'd in Musick more than was meet or expedient for a King ; for there was no Musical , or Singing , Instrument , but he could readily Play thereon , and Tune his Voice so , that he might have been compar'd with the best Masters of that Art , in those Days . But , perhaps , some will say , These are but the Flowers of his Studies , where is the Fruit ? These are more for Ornament , than Instruction or Use , to strengthen a Man for doing of Business : Know then , that , after he had Learn'd other Parts of Philosophy , he was also skill'd in Politicks , concerning the Regulation of Kingdoms , and of Mens Manners . How Great , and how Ripe , Civil Abilities were in him , doth sufficiently appear , by the order of the Matters perform'd by him , and by the Laws which he made ; whereby he exceedingly benefited , not only his own Age , but even Posterity also . And his Death declar'd , that there is nothing more Popular than Justice ; for they who were wont to detract from him , whilst he was alive ; now he was dead , had most flagrant Desires after him . Insomuch , that the Nobles , as soon as they heard he was Murder'd , came in of their own accord , from their respective Countries , and , before a Tryal was appointed , they voluntarily sent out into all Parts , to apprehend the Murderers , and bring them to Justice ; very many of them were taken . The Principal of them were put to new and exquisite kinds of Death . The rest were hang'd . The Chief Heads in perpetrating the Wickedness , were reckon'd to be , Walter , Earl of Athole , Robert his Nephew by his Son , and their Kinsman Robert Graham ; Earl of 〈◊〉 ▪ and other of K. Iames's Murderers Tortured and Executed . the Punishment of Walter ( because he was the Chief Author , and Instigator , of the who●e Plot ) was divided into Three Days Suffering . In the 1st , he was put on a Cart , wherein a Stork-like Swipe or Engine was erected , and by Ropes , let through Pullies , was hoisted up on high , and then the Ropes being suddainly loos'd , he was let down again , almost to the Ground , with grievous pains , by reason of the Luxation of the Joints of his Body . Then he was set on a Pillory that all might see him , and a Red-hot-Iron-Crown set on his Head , with this Inscription , that he should be called King of all Traitors . They say , the cause of this punishment , was , that Walter had been sometimes told , by some Female Witches , ( as Athole was always noted to have such ) That he should be Crown'd King in a mighty Concourse of People ; for , by this means that Prophecy was either fulfill'd or eluded , as indeed , such kind of Predictions do commonly meet with no other Events . The Day after , he was bound upon a Hurdle , and drawn at an Horse-Tail thro' the greatest Street in Edinburgh . The 3d Day , he was laid along upon a Plank in a conspicuous Place , and his Bowels were cut out , whilst he was alive , cast into the Fire , and burnt before his Face , afterwards , his Heart was pulled out , and cast into the same Fire , then his Head was cut off , and expos'd to the view of all , being set upon a Poll in the highest Place of the City . His Body was divided into Four Quarters , and sent to be hang'd up in the most noted Places of the best Cities of the Kingdom . After him , his Nephew was brought forth to suffer , but , because of his Age , they would not put him to so much pain ; and besides , he was not the Author , but only an Accomplice in another Man 's wicked Design , as having Obey'd his Grandfather therein ; so that , he was only Hang'd , and Quarter'd . But Robert Graham , who did the Deed with his own Hand , was carried in a Cart thro' the City , and his Right Hand was nail'd to a Gallows , which was set up in the Cart , and then came Executioners , which did continually run Red-hot-Iron Spikes into his Thighs , Shoulders , and those Parts of his Body , which were most remote from the Vitals ; and then he was Quarter'd , as the former . After this manner was the Death of Iames vindicated , 't is true , 't was a cruel one , but 't was reveng'd by Punishments so Cruel , that they seem'd to exceed the very bounds of Humanity ; Descants upon such severe Executions . for such extreme kinds of Punishment do not so much restrain the Minds of the Vulgar , by the fear of Severity , as they do make them wild to do , or suffer , any thing ; neither do they so much deter wicked Men from committing Offences by their Acerbity , as they lessen their Terror , by often beholding them ; especially , if the Spirits of the Criminals be so hardened , that they flinch not at their Punishment . For among the unskilful Vulgar , a stubborn Confidence is sometimes prais'd for a firm and stable Constancy . Iames departed this Life on the Beginning of the Year 1437. the 12 th day of February , when he had Reign'd 13 Years , and in the 44 th year of his Age : So great diligence was us'd in revenging his Death , that within 40 Days , all the Conspirators were taken and put to Death . He left one Son , the younger of the Twins , halfe of whose Face was Red , as if it had been Blood-shotten .

The Eleventh BOOK .

James II. The Hundred and Third King .

AFTER the Punishment of the Parricides , Iames the only Son of the Deceased King , as yet scarce arriv'd at the Seventh Year of his Age , entred upon the Kingdom the Sixth of the Calends of April , March●7 ●7 . in the Abby of Holy-Rood-House at Edinburgh . The King being as yet not fit for Government , there was a dispute among the Nobles , who should be Elected Vice King , or Regent . Archibald Earl of Douglas did exceed all the Scots at that time , in Wealth and Power ; but Alexander Levingstone , and William Creighton , Both of them of worthy Families , did bear away the Bell in point of Authority and Opinion of Prudence , in the managing of many Affairs under the former King . To them therefore the consent of the Nobles did most incline , Alexander Levingston made Regent . because they had some Suspicion of Douglas's Power , ( which even a King could hardly bear : ) Whereupon , Alexander Levingston was made Regent , and William Creighton , Chancellor , which Office he had born under the former King . The Nobility was scarce gone from the Assembly , but presently Factions arose . For the Chancellor kept himself with the King in the Castle of Edinburgh ; and the Regent with the Queen , at Sterlin ; and Douglas , fretting , that he was put by in the last Assembly , not knowing which Faction he hated most , was well pleas'd to see all things in Disorder ; William Creigton made Chancellor . Douglas labours to imbroil things . so that rather by his Connivance , than Consent , the Men of Annandale , who were always accustom'd to Theiveries and Rapin , did infest all the Neighbouring Parts , and drove Preys out of them , as if it had been an Enemies Country . When complaint hereof was made to the Governors , they sent Letters to Douglas to suppress them , ( knowing that the Annandians were under his Regulation and Power ) but these not prevailing , they wrote others in a sharper Style , to put him in Mind of his Duty , but he was so far from punishing past Offences , that , through his neglect , by impunity , the growing Mischief was increast ; for he likewise gave forth a Command , that none of them should obey the Kings Officers , if they Summoned them into the Courts of Justice , or perform'd any other Act of Magistracy ; in regard , ( as he alleged , ) That was a Priviledge granted to him ( they commonly call it a Regale , or Royalty , ) by former Kings , and he that should go about to infringe it , it should cost him his Life .

The Regent , and the Chancellor , did bewail this State of Things , but they could not Rectifie it ; so that this Gangreen spread further and further , till it had soon infected all those parts of Scotland , which lay within the Forth . The other Two Factions did also disagree amongst themselves , insomuch , that Proclamations were publickly made in Market Towns and Villages , by Alexander , that no Man should yield Obedience to the Chancellor ; and by the Chancellor , that none should obey Alexander . The R●gent and Chancellor dis●gree . And if a Man addrest himself to either of them , to complain of his wrongs , at his return , he was sure to be Evil intreated by the Men of the contrary Faction ; yea , sometimes his Mansion Houses and Farms would be burnt , and he utterly undone . So that both Parties , with a more than Hostile Enmity , destroyed one another , by mutual Slaughters . But the good Men , who had join'd themselves to neither Faction , not well knowing what to do , kept themselves at home , privately bewailing the deplorable State of their Country . Thus , whilst every Party sought to strengthen it self , the Publick was neglected , and stood as 't were in the midst , forsaken of them all .

The Queen , who was with the Regent at Sterlin , that she might seem to make a considerable Accession to her Party , perform'd an attempt both Bold and Manly . For she undertook a Journey to Edinburgh , on pretence to visit her Son , and so was admitted into the Castle by the Chancellor . There she was Courteously entertained , and after some Complements had past , she turn'd her Disc●urse to bewail the present State of the Kingdom , making a long Oration , how many and great Mischiefs would flow from this publick Discord , as from a Fountain ; for her Part , she had always endeavour'd , that the Differences might be composed , that so they might have , at least , some tolerable , if not a fully peaceable , State of a Kingdom : But seeing she could not prevail either by her Authority or Counsel , to do any good abroad , she was no come to try , what she could do privately , for she was resolved to do her utmost , that her Son might be liberally , and piously , educated in hopes of the Kingdom ; that so , in time , he might be able to apply some Remedy to these spreading Evils . The Queen , by Policie , get the Kings Person out of the Chancellors Power . And , seeing this her Motherly Care was given her by Nature , she hop'd , that no Man would Envy her therein ; as for other Parts of the Government , let them take it , who thought themselves fit to manage , and undergo , so great a Burden ; yet , they should manage it so , as to Remember , that they were to give an account to the King , when he came to be of Age.

This Harangue she made with a Countenance so compos'd , that the Chancellor was easily persuaded of her Sincerity ; neither did he discover any thing in her Train of Followers , which gave him the least hint to suspect either Fraud or Force ; so that hereupon , he gave her free Admission to her Son , when she pleased ; and they were often alone together , and sometimes she staid with him all Night , in the Castle : In the mean time , the Crafty Woman did oft entertain the Governour with Discourse , concerning peicing up of Matters between the Parties ; and she called also some of the contrary Faction to the Conferences ; and thus she insinuated her self so far into the Man , that he made her acquainted with almost all his Designs : When she had thus chous'd and gull'd the Chancellor , she easily persuades the young King to follow her , as the Author of his Liberty , out of the Prison , and so to deliver himself out of the Hands of a Person , who pretended the Kings Name for all his Wickedness , and who had drawn all Publick Offices to himself ; and thus neglecting the Good of the Publick , had highly advanced his own particular Fortune . To effect this , there wanted only a Will in him to hearken to the good Counsel of his Friends , for other Matters , let him leave Them to her Care . By such kind of Glozing Speeches , she , being his Mother , and crafty too , easily persuaded him , who was her Son , and but a Youth , to cast himself wholly upon her ; especially , seeing a fre●r Condition of Life was proposed to him . Whereupon , she prepared all things for their Flight , and then goes to the Chancellor , and told him , that she would stay that night in the Castle , but early in the morning she was to go to * * Situate below ●anton Bridge , on the Ti ne , in 〈◊〉 - Lothian . White Kirk , ( that was the name of the Place ) to perform a Vow which she had made , for the Safety of her Son , and she commended him to his Care , until she return'd . He suspected no deceit in her Words , but wisht her a good Journy , and a safe Return , and so parted from her . Hereupon , ( as ' was agreed before ) the King was put into a Chest , wherein she was wont to put her Womans Furniture , and , the day after , carried by faithful Servants out of the Castle to the Sea-side at L●ith . The Queen followed after only with a few Attendants , to prevent all suspicion . There was a Ship there ready to receive them , into which they entred , and , with a Fair Gale , made for Sterlin . The Kings Servants waited late in the morning , expecting still , when he would awake , and arise out of his Bed ; so that , before the Fraud was detected , the Ship was quite out of danger , and the Wind was so favourable , that , before the Evening , they landed at Sterlin . There the King and Queen were received with great Joy and mighty Acclamations of the Regent , and of all the promiscuous Multitude . The Craft of the Queen was commended by all , and the old Opinion of Wisdom which the Chancellor had obtained , became now to be a Ridicule , even to the Vulgar . This Jovialty and immoderate Joy of the Commons lasted ( as is usual ) Two days , and was celebrated by them all .

The Third day , those of Alexanders Faction came in , some out of new Hopes ; others , invited by the Authority of the Kings Name , to whom , when the Series of the Project was declared in order ; the Courage of the Queen in undertaking the Matter ; her Wisdom in carrying it on ; and her Happiness in effecting it , were extolled to the Skies . The Avarice , and Universal Cruelty , of the Chancellor , and especially , his Ingratitude to the Queen , and the Regent , were highly inveighed against . He was accused , as the only Author of all the Disorders , and consequently of all the Mischiefs arising therefrom ; Moreover , That he had diverted the Publick Revenue to his own use ; That he had violently seized on the Estates of Private Persons , and what he could not carry away , he spoil'd ; The Chancellor highly accused , That he alone had all the Wealth , Honour , and Riches , when others were pining in Ignominy , Solitude , and Want ; Those Grievances , though great , yet were like to be seconded with more oppressive Ones , unless , by Gods Aid and Counsel , the Queen had , no less valiantly , than happily , freed the King out of Prison , and so deliver'd others from the Chancellor's Tyranny ▪ for , if he kept his own King in Prison , it was evident , what private Men might fear and expect from him ? What hope could there ever be , that he would be reconciled to his Adversaries , who had so perfidiously circumvented his Friends ? And how could the inferior sort expect Relief from him , whose unsatiable Avarice all their Estates were not able to satisfie and fill up ? And therefore , seeing , by Gods help in the first place , and then by the Queens Sagacity , they were freed from his Tyranny , all Courses were to be taken , that this Joy might be perpetual : And to make it so , there was but One way , which was to pull the Man , as it were , by the Ears , out of his Castle , that Nest of Tyranny ; and either to kill him , or so to disarm him , that for the future , he might do them no more Mischief ; though ( said they ) his disarming was not very safe , in regard such a Beast as he , who had been accustomed to Blood and Rapin , would never be at quiet , so long as the Breath was in his Body .

This was Alexander's Discourse in Council , to whom all did assent , so that an Order was made , that every one should go home , and levy what Force they could to besiege the Castle of Edinburgh , And besieged in Edinburgh Castle . from which they were not to depart , till they had taken it . And that this might be done with greater Facility , the Queen promised to send thither a great Quantity of Provision , which she had in her Store-houses in Fife ; but Haste was to be used , whiles their Counsels were yet private , and the Enemy had no Warning to provide things , fit and necessary for a Siege : And in the interim , they need not fear Douglas , who , they knew , was a mortal Enemy to the Chancellor , so that now , seeing they had all the Power , Treasure enough , and withal the Authority of the Kings Name , That being now taken from Him , he could have no Hope , but to fly to their Mercy .

Thus , the Assembly being Dissolved , all things were speedily provided for the Expedition , and a close Siege laid to the Castle . The Chancellor was acquainted well enough with their Designs , but he placed the greatest Hope of his Safety , and of maintaining his Dignity , The Chancellor craves Aid of Douglas , in Douglas his Concurrence with him . Whereupon , he sent humble Suppliants to him , to acquaint him , That he would always be at his Devotion , if he would aid him in his present Extremity ; urging , that he was deceiv'd , if he thought , that their Cruelty would rest in the Destruction of himself alone ; but that they would make his Overthrow as a step to destroy Douglas , too . Douglas answer'd his Message , with more Freedom , than Advantage ; viz. That both Alexander and William were equally guilty of Perfidiousness and Avarice , and that their falling out was not for any point of Virtue , or for the good of the Publick , but for their own private Advantages , But receives an affronting Answer from him . Animosities , and Feuds ; and that it was no great matter , which of them had the better in the Dispute ; yea , if they fell Both in the Contest , the Publick would be a great Gainer thereby ; and that no good Man would desire to see an happier sight , than two such Fencers to hack and hew one another . This Answer , being noised abroad in Both Armies , ( for the Castle was already besieged ) was the Occasion , That a Peace was sooner clapt up , than any one thought it would . There was a Truce made for Two days , wherein Alexander and William had a Meeting , where they discours'd one with another , how dangerous it would be , both for the Publick and their private Estates , too , if they should persist in their Hatred , even to a Battel ; Whereupon he agrees with the Regent , seeing Douglas did but watch the event of the Combate , that he might come fresh , and fall upon the Conqueror , and so attract all the Power of the Kingdom to himself ; when either One of them was slain , or Both weakn'd and broken ; and therefore , the H●pes of Both their Safeties were plac'd in their common and mutual Agreement , so that the present Dangers easily reconciled those Two , who were , upon other accounts also , otherwise prudent enough . William , according to Agreement , And s●rren●ers up Edinburgh Castle . gave up the Keys of the Castle to the King , professing , that both Himself , and ●t , were at his Service ; and that he never entertain'd any other Thought , than to be obedient to the Kings Will ; Hereupon , he was received into Favour with the universal Assent of all that were present . The King supped that night in the Castle , thus surrendred to him , and the next day , the Government of the Castle was bestowed on William , and the Regency on Alexander . Thus , after a deadly hatred between them , it was hoped , that for ever after , the Foresight of their mutual Advantage , and the Fear of their Common Enemy , had tied a firm and indissoluble Knot of Friendship betwixt them .

After these Civil Broils between the Factions were composed ; besides Robberies , and the Murders of some of the common sort , which were committed in many places , without punishment , there were some remaining Feuds , which broke out between some Noble Families . The year after the Kings Death , September 29. in the Third of the Calends of October , Thomas Boyd , of Kilmarnock , had treacherously slain Alan Stuart of Darnly in a Truce , Lying on the River 〈◊〉 in Cuningham . Iuly 9. Deadly ●ewds . as he met him between Linlithgoe and Falkirk . The next year after , on the 7th of the Ides of Alan's Brother , with his Party , fought Thomas , where many were slain on both sides , their Numbers being almost equal ; and , amongst the rest , Thomas himself fell .

The Death of Archibald Douglas fell out opportunely at this time , because , in his Life time , his Power was formidable to all . He died of a Fever , the next year , after the Death of Iames the First . His Son William succeeded him , being the Sixth Earl of that Family , he was then Fourteen years of Age , a young Man of great hopes , if his Education had been answerable to his Ingenuity . But , Flattery , The 〈◊〉 of Archiba●d Doug●as which is the perpetual Pest of great Families , did corrupt his tender Age , which grew a little more insolent by the premature liberty in entring on his Estate ; for such Men , as were accustomed to Idleness , and who made a Gain of the Folly and Indiscretion of the Rich , did magnifie his Fathers Magnificence , Power , and , almost more than , Royal Retinue ; and , by this means , they easily persuaded a plain , simple Disposition , and unarmed against such Temptations , to maintain a great Family , and to ride abroad with a Train , beyond the State of any other Nobleman ; so that he kept his old Vassals about him , in their former Offices , by his Respects to them ; and obtained also new Clans by his profuse Largesses ; With the Profuseness of his young Heir . he also made Knights and Senators , and so distinguisht the Order and Degrees of his Attendants , as to imitate the publick Conventions of the Kingdom ; in fine , he omitted nothing , which might equal the Majesty of the King himself . Such Carriages were enough to create Suspicions , of themselves , but good Men were also much troubled for him , upon another account , that he would often go abroad with 2000 Horse in his Train , amongst whom some were notorious Thieves , and many of them worthy of Death , for the Murders they had committed ; yet , with these , he would come to Court , and even to the Kings Presence , not only to shew his Power , but even to strike Terrour to the Hearts of others . This his Insolence was further heightned , by his sending some Eminent Persons as his Ambassadors into France , viz. Malcolm Fleming , and Iohn Lauder , * * Or L●ther , a great and ancient Family in Lothian . who were to declare the Merits of his Ancestors from the Crown of France , and to desire , that the Title of Duke of Tours might be bestow'd upon him ; which he easily obtained , for his Grandfather had that Honour conferr'd upon him by Charles the Seventh , for his great Service performed in the Wars ; and his Father also had enjoy'd it , after him . Being lifted up with this Accession of Honour , he undervalued the Regent and the Chancellor too , being , as he alledged , his Fathers Enemies , neither did he much fear the King himself . For these causes , the Power of the Douglasses seem'd too excessive ; yet , a further cause of Suspicion was added .

William Stuart had a large Patrimony in Lorne ; His Brother Iames , after the Kings Death , had Marry'd the Queen , and had Children by her , but disdaining and repining , that he was admitted to no part of the publick Government ; to the end he might more easily obtain what he desired , and revenge his concealed Grief , he seemed not much averse from Douglas his Faction , and , it was thought , that the Queen was not ignorant of his Design , The Queen , with her Husband , Iames Stuart , and others , committed to Prison . for she also took it amiss , that the Regent had not rewarded her Services , as she expected : By reason of these Suspicions , the Queen , her Husband , and her Husbands Brother were committed to Prison the Fourth of the Nones of August , in the year of our Lord .... The Queen was shut up in a Chamber narrow enough of it self , August 2. yet there she was diligently and watchfully guarded ; for the rest were laid in Irons in the Common Prison ; and they were not freed , before , in an Assembly of the Nobles held the day before the Calends of September ; the Queen had clear'd her self from being any way privy to these new Plots ; August 31. But she is Releast again . and Iames and his Brother had given in Sureties , that they would act nothing against the Regent ; neither would they undertake any Office in the Government ▪ without his Consent .

In this Uncertainty of Affairs , the Aebudians made a Descent upon the Continent , The Aebudians ravage the Continent . and wasted all with Fire and Sword , without distinction of Age or Sex , so that their Avarice and Cruelty was not to be parallell'd by any Example ; Neither were they contented to Prey only upon the Sea-Coast , but they also slew Iohn Colchon , a Noble Person in Lennox , having call'd him out from Inch-Merin in the Loch-Lomond , to a Conference , and given him their Faith for his Security ; This was done the 23d of September : Many Foul Offences of this Nature were committed , so that partly on the account of want of Tillage , and partly of Unseasonable Weather , Provision came to be very dear ; and moreover , there was a Pestilence for Two years , so dreadful and fierce , A Two years Pestilence in Scotland . that they who were visited with it , died within the space of a day . The Vulgar ascribed the cause of all these Calamities to the Regent ; for Matters succeeding prosperously with him , he despised the Chancellor , and the Nobles of that Faction , and drew the Administration of all things into his own Power . The R●gent and C●●●cellor again Disagree . Complaints were made against him , that he cast Noble and Eminent Persons into Prison , upon light and ungrounded Suspicions , and afterward most grievously punished them , and that he gave Indemnity to those who were really guilty , merely by his own Arbitrary Will and Pleasure , and that he held Secret Correspondence with Do●glas . The Chancellor could not bear these Things in silence , neither was he able to prevent them by Force , and therefore he supprest his Anger for the present , and resolved to depart from the Court. And accordingly , upon the First Opportunity , he left the King and the Regent at Sterlin , and with a great Train of Followers came to Edinburgh ; and there he fixt himself in that Strong Castle , being intent , and Vigilant in all Occasions of Change , which might evene .

When this matter was noised abroad , it rais'd up Envy on the Regent , because of his Power , and procur'd favour to the Chancellor , because of his Retirement ; neither did William neglect his opportunity amongst their Feuds ; for , he resolved , by some bold Attempt , to curb the Insolence of his Adversary , and to remove the Undervalue , he had set upon him And therefore , having understood , by his Spys , that the King went every day a hunting , and was but Slightly guarded , watching the Season when Alexander was absent , and having made sufficient Enquiry into the Conveniency of the Country , the Fitness of the Time , and the due Number of the Undertakers , he chose out a Place not far from Sterlin , where the Faithfullest of his Friends , with what Force they could make , should meet and wait for his Coming . And he , with a few Horse , lodg'd himself in a Wood near the Castle of Sterlin , before day , and there waited for the Kings coming ; neither did Providence deceive him , in this bold Attempt . The King came forth into the Wood , The Chancellor surpr●zes the Kings Person . early in the Morning , with a smal Train , and those unarm'd , too , and so he fell amongst the arm'd Troops of the Chancellor , they saluted him , as King , according to Custom , and bid him to be of good Cheer and take Courage . The Chancellor , in a few Words , as the Time would permit , advis'd him to provide for himself and the Kingdom , and to deliver himself out of Alexanders Prison , that so he might live , hereafter , at Liberty , and as a King ; and might not accustom himself to fulfil the Lusts and Dictates of Other men , but might , himself , lay those Commands , which were just and equal upon Others ; and so might free all his Subjects from their present Misery , which they had been plung'd into by the Ambition and Lust of their Subordinate Governors , and that so deeply , that there could be no Remedy found for them , unless the King himself would undertake the Government ; and This be might easily do without Peril or Pain , for he himself had provided a good Body of Horse near at hand , who would attend him to what fit Place soever , he would go . The King seem'd by his Countenance to approve of what he had said , either that he really thought so ; or else , that he dissembled his Fear . Whereupon , the Chancellor took his Horses Bridle in 's hand , and led him to his own Men ; They which were with him , being few , and unarm'd , not able to Encounter so many Men , return'd back , in great sadness . Thus the King came to Edinburgh , guarded with 4000 Horse , well accoutred , where he was received , by the Commonalty , with great demonstrations of Joy .

After the Regent heard of what was done , his Mind was confounded betwixt Anger and Shame , The Regent being out-Witted by the Chancellor , inwardly frets . insomuch , that he return'd to Sterlin , to consider of what was most advisable in the case . His great Spirit was mightily troubled to see himself so Childishly deluded by his own Negligence ; he suspected , it was done by the Fraud and Connivance of his own Followers , and thus he stood long wavering whom to trust , and whom to fear ; Shame , Anger , and Suspicion bustling together in his mind . At length , he took a little heart , and began to think with himself , what Remedy to apply to his present Malady ; He knew , that his own Strength was not sufficient against the Chancellor , a Man politick in Counsel and strong in Force ; and besides , he had the Favour of the People , and the Authority of the Kings Name , as Buttresses to support him ; as for the Queen , he had so offended her by her close Imprisonment , that she was hardly ever like to be reconciled to him ; and if she were , He had no great confidence in her Assistance . And Meditates a Reconciliation with him . And for Douglas , 't is true , he had Strength enough , but no Prudence ; his Age was tender ; his Mind infirm ; he was corrupted by Flatteries , and carried about by the Persuasions of others ; and ( as in such Circumstances it usually falls out ) the worst of Men could do most with him , and therefore he thought it below his Dignity to have any thing to do with such a Raskality of men ; But the Chancellor , tho' he were of a Contrary Faction to him , yet was a Wise man , and his Age and Disposition might more safely be trusted ; neither was the Cause of Offence , between them , so great , but that it was superable by their ancient offices of Respect one to another ; but the greatest likelihood of their Reconciliation was grounded upon the Similitude of their Danger , and their joynt Consent to maintain the Safety of the Common-wealth . And besides , the Enmity of the Chancellor was most of all to be fear'd by him , for if he joyn'd himself to other Factions , he had Power in his hands either to reduce , or banish , him . Having pondered upon these things , for some days , in his Mind , and communicated them to some of his most familiar Friends , Good men and Lovers of their Country , by their Advice , he took a smal ordinary Train of Attendants , and went to Edinburgh . It happen'd , that the Bishops of Aberdene and Murray were then there ; Men , according to the rate of those times , of Learning and Virtue . By their Means and Intercession , the Regent and Chancellor had a Meeting in St. Giles's Church , with some few of their Friends on each Side . The Regent First began to speak ; I think it not necessary ( says he ) to make a long Discourse , in bewailing those things , which are too well known to all , or in reckoning up the Mischiefs arising from intestine Discords , His Condescending Ha●angue to the Chancellor . and the Good issueable from Concord ; I wish , we might experience those Miseries rather by Foreign than Domestick Examples ; I will then come to those things , which concern the Publick Safety of all the People ; and , next to theirs , our Own , most of all . This Disagreement betwixt us ariseth , neither from Covetousness , nor from Ambition to rule , but because , in the Administration of Publick affairs , which Both of us wish well to , we are not of one Mind , but take different Measures ; yet , we are to take great Care , lest this our Dissension should be publickly Prejudicial to the Kingdom , or privately Injurious to our Selves . The Eyes of all men are upon us Two : Wicked Persons propose to themselves a Licentiousness to do any thing , when we are destroy'd ; and Ambitious ones think then , also , to obtain an Opportunity to get Wealth and Power ; and besides , we have a great many Maligners and Envyers , as usually Men , raised up from a low Estate to the highest Dignity , are wont to have . All These , as they grieve at our Successes , and calumniate our Prosperity ; so they willingly receive the News of our Adversity , as thereby hoping , and wishing for our Ruin , and therefore it will be worth Both our labours , to consult our Own Safety , which is conjoyn'd and twisted with That of the Publick , and so to revenge our selves on our Enemies and Detractors , to our great Glory and Praise . And the only Way to accomplish those Ends , is This , That we forget our private Injuries , and contribute all our Thoughts and Counsels for the Good of the Publick ; let us remember , that the Kings safety is committed to our Cares , and so is also the Safety of the Kingdom ; yet so , that we are Both lyable to an Account . And therefore , as , heretofore , we have been to blame in contending , which of us should be the greater in Honour and Authority ; so , for the Future , let our contest be , which shall exceed other in Moderation and Justice : And , by this means , we shall bring it to pass , that the Commonalty , who now hate us , and impute all their Calamities to us , will be reconciled to , and revere , us , again . And the Nobility , who , upon our disunion , have broke forth into unbridled Licentiousness , may be reduc'd to Moderation ; and the Great Men , who slight us , as weakned by Division , may fear us , when united and reconciled , and so carry themselves with greater Sobriety toward us , than ever . As for me , I willingly give up the tender Age of the King to be modell'd and govern'd by you , as his Father , in his Life time , appointed ; for , as often as I seriously think of that Function and Service , I judge my self rather to be eas'd of a Burden , than despoil'd of an Honour , thereby ; If I have received any private Injury from you , I freely forgive it for the sake of the Publick ; and if I have done you any Wrong , let honest Arbitrators adjust the damage , and I will make you Satisfaction to the full ; and hereafter , I will so carry it , that neither my Losses , nor my Advantages , shall be the least stop to the Publick Prosperity . And if you also be of the same Mind , we may Both of us rest Secure for the present , and also leave our Memorys more grateful to Posterity ; but if you think otherwise , I call all men to Witness , both present and to come , that 't is not my Fault , that the Evils , under which we now labour , are not , either fully cur'd , or , at least , in some sort reliev'd and mitigated .

To This the Chancellor replied , As I unwillingly enter'd upon this Stage of Contention , so , I am very willing to hear any mention made of an honest Agreement : for , as I did not take up Arm● , before the Injuries , I suffer'd , provoked me thereunto ; so your Modesty hath urg'd me , not to suffer the Publick to be indamag'd by my Pertinaciousness . For , I see as well as you , by this our Discord , That Good Men are expos'd to the Injuries of the Bad ; The minds of the Seditious are excited to hopes of Innovation ; Our Country is left for a Prey ▪ The Kingly Dignity is lessen'd ; Publick Safety betray'd ; Authority bearded and ridicul'd , even by the mean'st of the People . And whilst we thus betray the Safety of the Publick , our private Affairs are in no better a Posture . In the mean time , Men , who are given to Sedition , make advantage of our Discords ; and our Enemies behold them , as a pleasant Sight , ( for they hate us Both alike ) and if the loss fall on either of us , yet they count themselves to gain , what either of us doth lose : And therefore I shall not repeat the Causes of our Feuds ; lest I make old sores to bleed afresh , but , in short , I declare , that I forgive all my private Wrongs and Injuries upon the Score of my Country , for there never was , nor shall be , any thing more preferrable with me before the Safety of the People , and the Good of the Common-wealth .

Those , who were present , did highly commend both their Resolutions ; A New Knot of Amity between the Regent , and the Chancellor . and so , by joynt Consent , Arbiters were chosen , to compose Differences ; and , to the great joy of all , old Discords were pluckt up by the roots , and new Foundations of Amity laid ; and thus they , by joynt Counsel , again undertake the Management of the Kingdom . After this Concord , an Assembly of the Estates was held at Edinburgh . Thither came not a Few Persons , as is usual , but even whole Clans and Tenantrys , ( as if they had remov'd their Habitations ) to complain of the Wrongs they had sustain'd ; and indeed , the Sight of such a miserable Company could not be entertain'd without deep Affliction of Spirit , every one making his woful moan , according to his Circumstance ; that Robbers had despoiled Fathers of their Children ; The Miseries of the Commons , Children of their Fathers ; Widows of their Husbands , and all in general of their Estates ; Whereupon , after Commiseration of the Sufferers ; The Envy ( as is usual ) and Reflection was carry'd to , and fix'd upon , the Captains of those Thieves ; whose Offences were so impudent , that they could , in no wise , be suffer'd ; and their Faction was so far diffus'd , that no man was able to defend his Life or Fortune , unless he were of their Party ; yea , their Power was so great , that the Authority of the Magistrate could afford little help to the poorer and weaker Sort against their Violence and Force : Whereupon the Wiser sort of Counsellors were of Opinion , That , seeing their Power was insuperable by plain Force , 't was best to undermine it by degrees ; They all knew well enough , that the Earl of Douglas was the Fountain of all those Calamities , Occasioned Principally by the Earl of Douglas . yet no Man durst name him publickly ; whereupon the Regent , dissembling his Anger for the present , persuaded the whole Assembly , That it was more adviseable for them to cajole Douglas by Flatteries , than to irritate him by Suspicions ; for he was of so great Power , that he alone , if he remain'd refractary , was able to hinder the Execution of the Decrees of All the Estates ; but if he joyn'd himself with the Assembly , then he might easily heal the present Mischiefs .

Semblable to this Advice , a Decree was made , that Letters of Complement , in the Name of the Estates , should be sent to him , to put him in Mind of the Place which he held ; and of the great and Illustrious Merits of his Ancestors , for the Advantage of their Country ; and withal to desire him to come to the Publick Assembly of the Estates , which could not be well Celebrated , without the presence of him and his Friends . If he had any Complaint to make in the Assembly , they would give him all the Satisfaction they were able to do ; and if he or his Friends had done any thing prejudicial to the Publick ; in respect to his Noble Family , which had so often well deserv'd of their Country , they were ready to remit many things upon the account of his Age ; of the Time ; of himself , and the great Hopes conceiv'd of him . And therefore they desired , he would come and undertake what part of the Publick Government , he pleas'd ; for , seeing Scotland had often been deliver'd from great Dangers by the Arms of the Douglas's , they hop'd , that , by his Presence , he would now strengthen and relieve his Country which labour'd under Intestine Evils .

The Young Man , who , by his Age and Disposition , was desirous of Glory , was taken with the Bait ; and his Friends also persuaded him , for they were all blinded by their particular Hopes ; so that their Minds were turn'd , from all Apprehension of Danger , to the sole Consideration of their particular Advantages . When the Chancellor heard , that he was on his Journey , he went out several Miles to meet him , and gave him a Friendly Invitation to his Castle , which was near the Road , ( it was called Creighton ) where he was Magnificently entertain'd , for the space of Two Days , in which time , the Chancellor shew'd him all imaginable Respect , that he might the more easily intrap the unwary Young Man : For , to shew that his Mind was no way alienated from him , he began , in a familiar manner , to persuade him to be mindful of the Kings Dignity , and of his own Duty ; that he should own him for his Leidge Lord , whom his Birth , the Laws of the Country , and the Decree of the Estates had advanc'd to be King ; that he should transmit the great Estate , which his Ancestors had got by their Blood and Valour , to his Posterity , in like manner as he had receiv'd it ; that so the Name of the Douglasses , which was Illustrious for their Loyalty and Atchievements , might be freed from the foul Blot of Treason ; yea , and from all Suspicion of the same ; that he and his Tenants should forbear oppressing the poor Commons ; that he should put all Robbers out of his Train ; and for the future , he should so addict himself to the maintenance of Justice , that if he had offended heretofore , it might be thought attributable to the ill Counsel of Bad Men , and not to the Wickednese of his own Nature ; for , in that tender and infirm Age , his Repentance would pass for Innocence . By these and the like Speeches , he persuaded the young Man , that he was his entire Friend , and so drew him on to Edinburgh , with David his Brother , who was privy to all his Projects and Designs . But his Followers smelt out some suspicion of Deceit , by reason of the frequent Messages that past betwixt Alexander and the Regent ; for almost every Moment , Posts ran betwixt them ; and besides , the Chancellors Speech seem'd to some more glozing and kind , than was usual for one of his Place and Dignity . His Train did secretly mutter this , and some freely told him That if he were resolv'd to go on , yet he should send back David his Brother , and ( according to his Fathers advice to him , on his Death Bed , ) not give up his whole Family to one stroke of Fortune . But the improvident Youth was Angry with his Friends , that had thus advis'd him ; and caus'd a Word to be given forth to all his Followers ; to surcease all such private Whisperings : And to his Friends he made Answer , That he knew well enough , that 't was the common Plague of great Families , to be troubled with Men , who loved not to be quiet , and who made a gain of the Dangers and Miseries of their Patrons : And that such Men , because in time of Peace , they were bound up by Laws , were the Authors and Advisers to Sedition , that so they might Fish the better in troubled Waters ; but for his part , he had rather cast himself on the known Prudence of the Regent and Chancellor , than give Ear to the Temerity and Madness of Seditious Persons . Having spoken these Words , to cut off any occasion of further advice in the Case , he set Spurs to his Horse , and with his Brother , and a few more of his Confidents , hastned to the Castle , with more speed than at the rate of an ordinary March ; and so , Fate drawing him on , he precipitated himself into the Snares of his Enemies .

In that very Moment of time , the Regent came in too , for so it was agreed , that the whole weight of so great Envy might not lye on one Mans Shoulders only . Where he and his Brother David were slain . Douglas was kindly received , and admitted to the Kings Table ; but in the midst of the Feast , some Armed Men beset him , being Weaponless , and put a Bulls Head upon him , which , in those Times , was a Messenger and Sign of Death . When the young Man saw that , he was troubled and sought to arise , but the Armed Men laid hold on , and carry'd him to a Court near the Castle ; where , by the loss of his Head , he paid for the Intemperance of his Youth . David his Brother , and Malcolm Fleming , whom , next to his Brother , he trusted most of all , were also put to Death with him . 'T is said , that the King , who was now fully entring on his being of Age , wept for his Death ; and that the Chancellor did greatly Rebuke him for his unseasonable Tears , at the Destruction of an Enemy ; whereas the Publick Peace was never like to be settled , as long as he was alive . William dying thus without Children , Iames ( Sirnamed Crassus , or the Gross , from his Disposition , ) succeeded him in the Earldom , ( for 't was a Male-Feo , as Lawyers speak ) the rest of his Patrimony , which was very great , fell to his only Sister Beatrix , a very beautiful Person in her Days . This Iames , the Gross , though he were no bad Man , yet was no less suspected by the King , and hated by the Commons , than the former Earl ; because , though he did not maintain Robbers , as the former Earl had done ; yet he was not very Zealous in subduing them ; but he was substracted from this Envy , by his Death , which happen'd Two Years after .

William , the Eldest of his Seven Sons , Succeeded him , he being Emulous of the ancient Power of the Family , that he might restore it unto its Pristine Splendor , resolv'd to Marry his Uncles Daughter , who was the Heiress of many Countries : Many of his Kindred did not approve of the Match , William Douglas Marries Beatrix his Uncles Daughter . partly because 't was an unusual , and by consequence , an unlawful thing ; and partly because , by the Accession of so much Wealth , he would be envy'd by the People , and also formidable to the King . For a Rumor was spread abroad , and that not without ground , that the King himself would do his utmost , to hinder the Match . This made William to hasten the Consummation of the Marriage , even in the time when Marriages were forbidden , that he might prevent the Kings endeavours , to the contrary . Thus having obtained great Wealth , he grew insolent , and envy follow'd his Insolence , The high 〈◊〉 o● Thieves . in regard Troops of Robbers did swarm every where , whose Captains were thought to be no Strangers to Douglas his Design . Amongst them there was one George Gorm , of Athole , who pillag'd all the Country about him , and set upon William Ruthven , Sheriff of Perth , because he was leading a Thief of Athole to the Gallows , and fought with him , as it were , in a set Battel . At last Gorm the Captain , and 30 of his Followers , were slain , and the rest fled to the Mountains . This Bustling Fight was in the year of Christ 1443.

A few days after , the Castle of Dunbarton , impregnable by Force , was twice taken in a little time : Robert Semple was Commander of the Lower Castle ; and Patrick Galbreth of the Higher , and their Government was so divided , that each had a peculiar entrance into his own Part. These Two were not free from Factions , amongst themselves . For Patrick was thought secretly to favour the Douglasses ; whereupon Semple , Dunbarton Castle twice surprized . perceiving that his Part was but negligently guarded , seiz'd upon him , and commanded him to remove his Goods . The day after , Patrick entred with four Companions attending him , without Arms , to fetch out his Goods ; where , first , he light upon the Porter alone , and then , catching up Arms , drave him and the rest out of the Upper Castle , and thus , sending for Aid out of the Neighbouring Town , he beat them out of the Lower Castle also , and so reduc'd the whole Fort into his own hands .

About that time , there were very many Murders committed upon the inferior Sort , which were partly perpetrated by the Douglassians , and partly charg'd upon them , by their Enemies . The King was now of Age , and manag'd the Government himself , so that Douglas , being unable to stand against the Envy of the Nobles , King Iames , being of Age ▪ enters on the Government . and the Complaints of the Commons , too , resolves to become a New Man , to satisfie the People , and , by all means possible , to atone the Heart of the King , which was alienated from him ; and , in order thereunto , he came with a great Train to Sterlin . And when he had Intelligence by some Courtiers , whom he had greas'd in the Fist , and made his Own , that the Kings Anger was appeas'd towards him , then , and not before , he came into his Presence , and threw down his Life ▪ and Fortune , and all his Concerns , at his Feet , and to his Dispose ; he partly excused the Crimes of his former Life , and pa●●ly , ( because That seemed the readier way to Reconciliation , ) he ingenuously confest Them , withal affirming , that whatever Fortune he should have hereafter , Douglas throws himself at the Kings Feet , acknowledges his Offences , is Pardoned , and Received into Favour . he would ascribe it solely to the Clemency of the King , not to his Own Innocency ; but if the King were pleas'd to receive Satisfaction from him , by his Services and Obsequiousness , he would do his utmost endeavour for the future , that no Man should be more Loyal and observant of his Duty , than himself , and that in restraining and punishing all those exorbitant Offences which his Enemies cast upon him , none should be more sharp and severe than he ; in regard he was descended from that Family , which was not raised by opp●●●sing the Poor , but by defending the Commons of Scotland , by the●● Arms : By this Oration of the Earls , and the secret Commendation of the Courtiers , the King was so chang'd , that he forgave him all the Crimes of his former Life , and received him into the Number of his Privadoes , and communicated all his secret Designs to him .

And indeed the Earl , in a very little time , had so obliged the King to him by his Obsequious Carriage ; and had won so much on his Ministers by his Liberality ; yea , had so ingratiated himself into all Men , by his modest and courteous Condescension , that the ordinary sort of People conceiv'd great Hope of his gentle and pliable Deportment ; The Regent and Chancellor lay down their Offices . but the Wiser were somewhat afraid , whither so sudden a change of Manners would tend : And especially Alexander Levingston , and William Creighton , imagining , that all his Counsels would tend to their Destruction , having laid down their publick Offices in the Government , went away , severally ; Alexander , to his own Estate ; and William into the Castle of Edinburgh , there to watch and observe , where the Simulation of Douglas would terminate and end ; Neither did their preconceiv'd Opinion deceive such Wise Men , as they were : For Douglas having gotten the King alone , and destitute of graver Counsel , and who was somewhat unwary too , by reason of the Greenness of his years , thought now , that he had a fit Opportunity to revenge the Deaths of his Kinsmen , Douglas by his Power at Court , summons them to Appear . and so easily persuaded the King to send for William Creighton , and Alexander Levingston , with his two Sons , Alexander and Iames , to give him a Legal Account of 〈◊〉 Administration of their former Offices . His Design herein , 〈…〉 if they came to the Court , he might either destroy them , or 〈◊〉 bring them under , by the power of his Faction ; but if they refused to come , then to declare them publick Enemies ; and so having the Authority of the Kings Name , as a pretence for his Power , to despoil , and out them , of all their Estates . Hereupon , they were summoned to appear , but return'd Answer , by Letters , That they had never any thing more prevalent and superior in their Thoughts , than the Good of the King and Kingdom , and that they had so managed their Offices , that they desired nothing more than to give up a full Account ; They excusing themselves , are declared publick Enemies . provided , it were before equal Judges , but , for the present , they desir'd to be excus'd in regard they perceiv'd , that the Minds of those , who were to be their Judges , were preposses'd in Favour , and by the Largesses , of their Enemies ; and besides , all Passages were beset with Armed Men ▪ not that they shunn'd a Legal Hearing , but only withdrew from the Violence of their Mortal Enemies at the present , and reserv'd their Lives for better Times , till the Commanders of Thieves being driven from the Kings Presence , as they had often done in doubtful times before , they might then justify and asse●t their Innocency to the King and all Good Men.

When this Answer was receiv'd , an Assembly was Indicted to be held at Sterlin the Fourth day of November , wherein Douglas so carry'd the Matter , that they were declared Publick Enemies , and their Goods Confiscate . And then he sends out Iohn * * O● Forester . Froster of Gorstorphin , his Confident , with Forces to spoil their Country , In Mid-Lothian , two 〈◊〉 West of Edinburgh . and bring their Goods into the Kings Exchequer : He took in their Castles by Surrender , part of them he demolisht , and part he put new Garisons into , and thus making a vast spoil , without any resistance , he carried off a great Booty ; The Douglassians had scarce retired , before Creighton had gathered an Army of his Friends and Vassals , sooner than Men thought ; and with them , he ran over the Lands of the Foresters , and of the Douglasses , even as far as Corstorphin , S●rabrock ,

A Town on the River 〈◊〉 West-Lothian .

A Castle standing on a Rock , lying near the Firth of For●h , above Abercorn . Creighton , late Chancelor , defends himself by force .

Abercorn , and Blackness , he burnt their Houses , spoil'd their Corn , and brought away as much Prey , as he was able , and amongst the rest , a stately Breed of Mares ; and thus he did his Enemy much more Mischief , than he receiv'd . Douglas , knowing that Creighton had done this , by the assistance of Others , rather than his own Force , turns his Anger upon his Friends , who ( he was inform'd ) had sent him Aid privately ( for few durst do it openly . ) The Chief of them were Iames Kennedy Archbishop of St. Andrews , George Earl of Angus , Iohn Earl of Morton , Both the later of Douglas's his own Family ; but One Born of the King's Aunt , the Mother of Iames Kennedy ; the Other had Marry'd the King's Sister . These Persons did always prefer the Publick Safety , and their Duty for the Conservation thereof , before the private Respect to their own Family : But Kennedy exceeded the rest , in Age , Counsel , and consequently in Authority ; and therefore his Wrath was , principally , incensed against him : Whereupon , the Earl of Craford , and Alexander Ogilby gather'd a reasonable Army together , and spoil'd his Lands in Fife ; and following the Prey , rather than the Cause , they plunder'd the Neighbor Farms also , with a great devastation ; and then , without any Opposition , return'd into Angus , laden with Spoil . In this case , Kennedy betook himself to his proper Church-Arms of Defence ; and , in regard Craford avoided the Decision of these Disputes by Law , Douglas incensed against Creighton's Friends . he prosecuted him with Ecclesiastical Censures ; which when he despis'd , according to his wonted Contumacy , a little while after , he was justly punish'd for his contempt of all Divine and Human Laws . For , the same Year , wherein these things were acted , the Colledge of the Benedictins at Aberbrothock , ( in regard , Monks might not intermeddle to judge in Civil Causes ) had made Alexander Lindsy , Eldest Son of the Earl of Craford , their Chief Judge in Civils , or , as they call him , Sheriff , or Bayliff . He , with his huge Train of Followers , became burdensome to the Monast'ry ; and besides , he carried himself as their Master , rather than their Servant , so that they dispossest him of his Offices , and put Alexander Ogilby , in his Place ; Lindsy lookt upon This as a Wrong to him , in his Opinion , so that each of them gather'd together what Force they could , as if a War had been denounc'd between them ; when Both Armies stood in a readiness to Fight , the Earl of Craford having notice of it , made all the haste he could , and rode in betwixt Them Both , thinking , that the sole Authority of his Name had been Armour of proof to him ; and whilst he was hindring his Son from ingaging , and calling out Ogilby to a Conference , The Clans of the Lindsys and Ogilbys Fight . a Soldier darted a Spear into his Mouth ; it was not known , Who he was , nor What he aim'd at , and struck him down dead from his Horse ; His Death was as an Alarm to Both Armies , and after a sharp Conflict , many being wounded on Both sides , the Victory fell to the Lindsys : They say , the Cause thereof was , that , whilst Both Armies stood with their Spears upright , representing the fashion of a Wood , a certain Man cry'd out , Why do you bring those Goads with you , as if you had to do with Oxen ? Pray , cast them away , and let us fight it out with our Swords , hand to hand , by true Valour , as becomes Men ? Upon which Words , they all cast away their Pikes , on both sides , except 100 Clydesdale Men , whom Douglas had sent in to Aid the Lindsyst These held the Tops , or Points , of their Pikes in their Hands ; and drew the rest of them behind their Backs ; but when they came to Handy-blows , then they held them out as a thick Fence , before them , and their Enemies , being terrified with the sudden Spectacle , had their Ranks broken thereby . The Conquering side lost 100 ; the Conquer'd 500 , and amongst them , some Men of Note ; Alexander Ogilby was taken prisoner , and Dyed a few Days after , either of his Wounds , or for Grief ; Gordon , Earl of Huntly , was put upon a Horse by a Friend of his own , and so escap'd . The Slaughter had been much greater , Ian. 24. if the Night had not cover'd the Flyers away , for the Battel began a few hours before Night , on the 9 th of the Calends of February .

The Lindsys prevail . The Lindsys manag'd their Victory with great Cruelty , they pillaged and demolisht Houses , and utterly spoil'd the Country . The War was as hotly carried on between the Factions in other Parts ; Douglas had besieg'd William Creighton , some Months in the Castle of Edinburgh ; and to make a more close Siege , he remov'd the Assembly of the Estates , which was summoned to be held on the Ides of Iuly , Iuly 15. and was already begun at Perth , to Edinburgh ; when the Siege had lasted 9 Months , both the Besiegers , and the Besieged , grew equally weary , Creighton received into Favour , and is made Chancellor again . and so a Surrender was made on these Conditions , That , William should be Indemnify'd for whatsoever he had done against the King , and He and His should march safely off . Thus in every Dispute , he , who is most powerful , would seem to be most innocent . And not long after , Creighton was received into the King's Favour , and was made Chancellor again , by the general Consent of all , but he refrain'd the Court , and all Publick Business , as much as ever his Office would suffer him to do . Douglas , having thus rather terrified , than overthrown , Creighton , turn'd the rest of his fury upon the Levingstons . But before I come to that Part of my History , I will touch upon the Slaughter of some of these Noble Persons , ( for 't would be infinite to name the Deaths of all , ) who were put to Death in those Days .

Iames Stuart , a Noble Knight , was slain by Alexander Lisle , and Robert Boyd , at Kirk-Patrick , about Two Miles from Dunbarton ; neither was their Cruelty satisfy'd with his Death , but they endeavour'd to get his Wife also , Deadly Fewds betwixt particular Persons and Families . who was then great with Child , and almost ready to lye down , into their Power ; In order whereto , they sent a Priest to her , as in great hast , to tell her , That all the Roads were full of Horse and Foot , and that there was no Way for her to escape the present Danger , but to go a Shipboard , and fly to Robert Boyd at Dunbarton , who had solemnly promis'd to return her safe home ; The credulous Woman , who did not know , that Robert was present at the perpetration of the Murder , being carried from Cardros into the Castle , perceiving , An Abby in Lenn●x . that She was circumvented by the Fraud of her Enemies , being overcome by the Greatness of her Grief , Fear , and Indignation , brought forth an Abortive Birth , which , with the Mother , Dyed a few hours after .

About the same time , Patrick Hepburn , Earl of Hales , A Castle standing upon Tine , near Hardington . kept the Castle of Dunbar , and had with him Ioan the Wife of Iames the I. who in those tumultuous times , had fled thither for refuge ; Archibald Dunbar , thinking this to be a just Cause for a Quarrel , set upon Hales , Hepburn's Castle , in the Night , kill'd the Garison Soldiers on the First Onset , and took it ; yet , in a few Hours , for fear , he gave it up to the Earl of Douglas , upon condition , That He and His should march safely off . Not long after , Queen Ioan Dyed , leaving these Children by her later Husband , Iohn Earl of Athole , Iames Earl of Buchan , and Andrew , afterwards Bishop of Murray . After She was Dead , Hepburn deliver'd up the Castle of Dunbar , un-Garison'd , and empty , to the King .

In Angus , Alexander , Earl of Craford , put Iohn Lyons to death in the Market-place at Dundee , because he had been rais'd up to great Wealth , and Honour , even to a Match in the Royal Family , by his Father ; yet he prov'd ungrateful , and forgot the Courtesies he had received .

Amidst these Discords , the Men of Annandale did vex the adjoyning Countries with all sorts of Calamities . The Cause of all these Mischiefs was cast upon the Earl of Douglas , who yet did all he could to conceal these Facts of his Clans , for he openly Studied nothing more than to afflict the Men of different Parties , in regard , he was grown to that height of Power , that 't was a Capital Offence to question any of his Doings . He caus'd Iames Stuart the King's Uncle to fly the Land , because he spoke something freely concerning the State of the Kingdom , but his Ship being taken by the Flemings , he liv'd not long after .

Now , he thought , it was high time to attempt the Levingstons , Douglas attempts the Levingstons ▪ of whom , Iames is put to Death . &c. whereupon , he caus'd Alexander , the Head of the Family , and his Son Iames , and also Robert the King's Treasurer , and David , to be summon'd to an Assembly at Edinburgh ; and , of his Friends , Robert Bruce , Iames and Robert Dundasses ; of these , Alexander , and the Two Dundasses , were sent back to prison to Dunbarton ; the rest were put to Death ; of what Crime they were guilty , meriting so great a Punishment , the Historians of those Times do not mention , neither will I interpose my own Conjectures , in a business so remote from our Memory ; only I will relate what I have heard , That Iames Levingston , when he came to the place of Execution , complain'd heavily , and expresly , of the Inconstancy of Fortune That his Father , who was Honour'd with a Power next to the Kings , did yet freely give up the invidious Title of Regent , and went to his own Estate far from Court , and out of his Enemies sight , whose Cruelty wa● never satiated with his Miseries , and therefore he was forc'd to take Arms to preserve his Life , which he again laid down at the Kings Command ; if there were any fault , in that ; he had long ago obtain'd his Pardon ; and since that time , he had liv'd remote , and free from all suspicion of any Crime , of which , this was an evident Token , That the Nobility thought them innocent , and did solicitously deprecate their Punishments , and yet notwithstanding , the severe Cruelty of their Enemies prevailed more , than the former Demerits and good Offices of their Family ; or , than the Kings Pardon obtain'd , or , than the interceding Supplications of the Nobility . And therefore he intreated all , who were there present , to look upon those lofty Titles of Empire and Dominion , to be nothing else but the Glosing Complements of Fortune , who then intended to do most Mischief ; and that they were rather flowry Embelishments for ones Funeral , than Safeguards to a Man's Life ; especially since Bad men can always do more to destroy the Good , than the Consent of the Good can do to save them . And having thus spoken , to the great grief of all the Spectators , he submitted his Neck to the Executioner .

Amidst these Combustions , Creighton was sent into France , partly to renew the Ancient League , Creighton sent Embassador to France . and partly to obtain from thence a Royal Bride ; Douglas took his Absence very well , tho' in an Honourable Employment , because , tho' he was a prudent and potent person , yet , out of the Relicks of their former discords , he was not over-fond of him . In this troublesome state of the Kingdom , the same Disease which vext others , did also infect the Ecclesiastical Order : Iames Cameron , Bishop of Glasco , had , himself , committed many acts of Cruelty and Avarice , upon the Husbandmen of his Diocess , ( which was very large ) and he had also given Encouragement to Those who were in power , to do the like , that so , when the Owners were unjustly condemn'd , their Estates might be Confiscated to him ; so that , he was believ'd to be the Author , or the Favourer , of all the Mischiefs which were acted abroad . 'T is reported , that the Man came to an End worthy of his wicked Life ; The Day before the Nativity of Christ , as he was asleep in a Farm of his own , about 7 Miles from Glasco , he seem'd to hear a loud Voice calling him to the Tribunal of Christ , to plead his Cause . That sudden Fright wakened him out of his Sleep , The Bishop of Glasco frightned by a Voice from Heaven for his wicked Life , which does him to Death . he call'd up his Servants to bring a Candle , and sit down by him ; he took a Book in his hand , and began to read , but presently the same Voice was heard louder than before , which struck all , there present , into a Great horror . Afterwards , when it sounded again more terribly and frightfully , than before , The Bishop gave a great groan , put out his Tongue , and was found Dead in his Bed . This so evident an Example of God's Vengeance , as I shall not rashly credit , so I have no mind to refute ; yet , it being deliver'd by others , and constantly affirmed to be true , I thought good not to omit it .

Iames Kennedy retires from a Corrupt Court . At the same time , Iames Kennedy , One of a far different Life and Manners , as referring all his Counsels to the Good of the Publick ; when , neither by his Authority , nor Counsel , he could resist the daily new-springing Evils of his Country ; and seeing likewise , That the Kings Power was not able to oppose the Conspiracies of Wicked men , he left all his Estate for a Prey , and shifted for himself . Neither , in these Domestick Miseries , were Matters much quieter abroad ; When the Truce made with the English was expir'd , the Scots made an Inrode into England , and the English into Scotland ; and where-ever they went , they wasted all with Fire and Sword ; in England , Al●wick was taken and burnt by Iames , Brother to the Earl of Douglas : In Scotland , the Earl of Salisbury did the like to Dunfreiz , and the Earl of Northumberland to Dunbar ; great Booties of Men and Cattel were driven away , on Both sides . But the Commanders agreed amongst themselves , that the Prisoners should be exchang'd , for they were in a manner equal , both for Number and Degree . By these Incursions , the Country was depopulated , and yet the main chance of the War not concerned ; so that a Truce was again accorded for 7 Years .

In this state of Affairs , Iames Dunbar , Earl of Murray , departed this Life , he left two Daughters his Heiresses , the Eldest of them was Marry'd , by her Father before his Death , to Iames Creighton ; Dunbar , E. of Murray Dies , and Archibald Douglas succeed● 〈◊〉 . The Younger , after her Fathers decease , marry'd Archibald , Brother to the Earl of Douglas . He , against the Laws and the Custom of his Ancestors , was called Earl of Murray ; so superlative was Douglas's Power then at Court ; neither was he contented with this Accession of Honour ; but , that he might further propagate the Dignity of his Family , he caus'd his Brother George to be made Earl of Ormond ; his Brother Iohn had many fair and fruitful Farms and Lands bestowed upon him , and was also made Baron of Balvany , A Barony ●●ing on the 〈◊〉 Spey . against the mind of many of his Friends , who had in Suspicion the Power of that Family , too great before , that it would be at last formidable , even to the King himself ; yea , they imagined that these immoderate Accessions & Frolicks of Fortune would not be long-lived . But his Enemies did , as invidiously as they could , inveigh against This unsatiable Ambition ; The immoderate Power of the Douglas's , e●poses them to Envy . for who ( say they ) could safely live under the Exorbitant rule of such a Tyrant , for whose Avarice nothing was enough , and against whose Power there was no Safeguard ; who , right or wrong , invaded the Patrimony of the Nobles , and expos'd the Countrymen to be a Prey to his Tenants ; and those who oppos'd his Lust , he caus'd them , by Thieves and Cut-Throats , either to lose all they had , or else to be put to death ; that he advanced Upstar●s to high Honours , whom he grafted on the ruin of Noble Families ; so that , all the Power of the Kingdom was now brought into one House ; besides many Knights and Barons , there were five Opulent Earls of the Family , insomuch that the King himself did but Reign precariously , and men were like to suffer all Extremities under the Cruel Bondage of the Douglas's , and he that utter'd the least word tending to Liberty , must pay his Life for his Boldness . These , and other discourses of this kind , some true , others to create greater Envy , stretcht beyond the Lines of Truth , were spread abroad amongst the Vulgar ; which made Those ; who were of neither ▪ Faction , to fit loose from the Care of the Publick , and every one to mind his own private Concerns : The wiser sort of his Enemies were glad to hear , that a man of such Power , against which there was no making Head , should thus voluntarily run headlong to his own Destruction . Neither did they presage amiss , for his Mind was grown so proud and insolent , by reason of his Great Successes , that 〈…〉 his Ears against the free Advices of his Friends ; yea , many 〈◊〉 not , with any safety , dissemble and cover , by their silence , what they did dislike , because he had Parasites , which did not only lie at catch for Words , but observ'd mens very Countenances ; As for his old Enemies , many of them were hal'd to Judgment , before him , who was both their Adversary and Judge too , so that some of them were outed of their Estates , some depriv'd of their Lives , and others , to avoid his unrighteous and partial Judgment , fled out of their Country .

The men also of Douglas's Faction lived in no Fear , at all , of the Law , ( for no man durst implead them ) but letting the Reins loose to all Licentiousness , they invaded and made havock of things Sacred , as well as Profane ; Those which were obnoxious to them they slew , and kill'd out of the way , neither was there any End of their Wickedness ; The Miserable Estate of the Commons under Douglas . sometimes , when they had no sufficient Cause to do a man a Mischief , they then did it unprovok'd , and gratuitously , as it were , lest thro' disuse of offending any honest and tender Thoughts should arise in their Minds , so as to allay their Brutish Cruelty ; Every one thought himself the noblest and bravest Fellow , that could cast the greatest Contumely on the Commons . When such great Miseries were diffus'd into so many Parts of the Kingdom , Scotland had certainly sunk under the Burden , unless England , at the same time , had been as much embarassed with civil Combustions ; which , at last , being somewhat allay'd , the English violated their Truce and invaded Scotland ; When they had runover a great Circuit of Ground , and pillaged many Villages ; They drove away a Vast Number of Cattle , and return'd home ; neither was it long before the Scots cry'd quits with them ; for they also entred England with a good Force , and did the Enemy more Damage than they receiv'd . Thus , the Minds of Both were irritated by these alternate Plunderings , Mutual Incursions betwixt the Scots and English . so that a mighty Desolation was made in the Territories of either Kingdom ; but the greatest share of the Calamity fell upon C●mberland , which had been the Rise of the Injury and Wrong , for that Province was so harassed by the War , that it was almost quite destroy'd . When this war related at London , it occasion'd the English to levy a far greater Army against the Scots , for thereby , they thought easily to reduce the Country into their Power , they being poor , and also weakned by Civil Discords . Hereupon an Army was rais'd of the Better sort of People , and the Earl of Northumberland made their General , in regard he knew the Country well ; and besides , his Name and Power was great , in those Parts . To him they joyn'd one Main , of a Knightly Family , but who had long serv'd in France , and was commended for his Industry and Valour . 'T is said , that he , out of his Mortal hatred against the Scots , had bargain'd with the King of England , that what Lands he took from the Scots , either by killing , or driving away , the Inhabitants , he , and his Posterity after him , should enjoy . On the other side , the Scots , hearing of the Preparation of their Enemies , were not negligent in gathering Forces , on their Part. George Dunbar , Earl of Ormond , was made Captain General , who presently marcht into Annandale , whither his Intelligence inform'd him , that the Enemy would come . And indeed , the English had prevented him , and entred Scotland before . They had past over the Rivers Solway and Annand , and pitch'd their Tents by the River Sarc , from whence they sent out Parties on every side , Or Sa●s . to pillage ; but hearing of the coming of the Scots , they recall'd them all , by Sound of Trumpet , and contracted all their Force into One Body . As soon as ever they came in sight one of another , they fell to it without delay , Main commanded the Left Wing of the English , and Iohn Penington , the Right , he had the Welsh , the Relicks of the Ancient Britains , for his Assistants , the Earl himself commanded the Main Battel . George Douglas appointed Walter , Laird of Craig , to fight Main ; and Maxwel and Iohnston , each with their Troops to attack Penington ; he himself took Care of the Main Body , he gave them a short Exhortation , to conceive a good Hope of Victory , because they had taken up Arms in their own Defence , as provoked by the Injuries of their Enemies ; and that a prosperous Issue must needs attend so just a Cause ; and if they could abate the Pride of their Enemy , by some Notable overthrow , they would reap a lasting Fruit of their short Labour : The English , who abounded in the number of Archers , wounded many of the Scots , with their Darts , at a distance : Whereupon Wallace , who commanded the Left Wing , cryed out aloud , so as to be heard of most of his men , Why they ●rifled so , and Skirmish'd at a distance , they should follow him , and rush in , upon the Enemy , hand to hand , and then their Valour would truly appear , for that was the Fighting , fit for Men. Having thus spoken , The English overthrown by the Scots . he drew the whole Wing after him ; And presently with their long Spears , wherewith the Scots , both Foot and Horse , were furnish'd , they drove the Enemy back , routed , and put them to Flight ; Main perceiving his Wing to give back , being more mindful of the just Glory of his former Life , than of his present Danger , rushes , with great Violence , upon Wallace , that so , by his Boldness , he might either renew the Fight ; or else , breath out his last , in the Glory of some Illustrious Attempt ; but unwarily Charging , he was intercepted from his own Men , and , with those few that follow'd him , was slain . When Both Armies heard , that he was slain , the Scots prest on more chearfully , so that the English Army did not stand long ; as they fled home straggingly and in great haste , more were slain in the Pursuit than Fight ; but the chiefest Slaughter was upon the Banks of the Solway ; for there the Tide had swollen up the River , so that they could not pass . About 3000 of the English were slain in this Fight , and 600 of the Scots . There were many Prisoners taken , the Chief were Iohn Penington and Robert Huntington . The Earl of Northumberland's Son might have escap'd , but , whilst he was helping his Father to Horse , he himself was taken Prisoner . The Booty was greater than had been ever known , in any Battel betwixt the Scots and English , before . For the English , trusting to the Number and Goodness of their Soldiers , and depending also on the discord of the Scots , came on so securely , as if it had been to a Shew , not to a Fight ; so great was their Confidence and Undervaluing of their Enemy : Wallace was wounded , carried home in a Litter , and in 3 Months after died of his Wounds .

Ormond , being thus a Conqueror , took a view of the Prisoners , the chief Commanders he sent Prisoners to the Castle in Loch Ma●an , he himself return'd to Court , where every Body went out to meet him , and he was received with all kind of Honour . The King did highly extol his Military Services , but withal , advis'd him and his Brother , That as they had often given a Proof of their Courage abroad , and had defended the State of Scotland , by their Labour and Valour , even in Perillous Times ; so , at home , that they would accustom themselves to a modest Deportment , and that they themselves should refrain from Injuring the Poorer sort ; and also , inhibit their Clans from doing it ; and that they should shew their Puissance and Grandeur , which their Ancestors had obtain'd by their many Merits , both of King and Subjects , rather in restraining of Robbers , than in cherishing them ; that This was the only thing which was wanting to compleat their Praise , and make it absolute ; and if they would do this thing , they should certainly find , that he would esteem the Honour of the Douglas's , and their Family , before any thing else whatsoever . They answer'd the King submissively , and so took their leave , and went Joyfully home .

After this Fight at Sarc , as the Borders of Scotland were quieter from the wrongs of their Enemies ; so , when the matter was reported at London , it did rather irritate the English , than deject them : For , a Council being call'd about a War with Scotland , A Truce between the Scots and English . a new Army was order'd to be rais'd , to blot out the former Ignominy . Whilst they were all intent hereupon , presently Civil Wars arose amongst themselves , and a strong Conspiracy of the Commons , made against the King , took off their Thoughts from a Foreign War ; so that Embassadors were sent into Scotland , to treat of a Peace , which were so much the more welcome , because their own Affairs were not well settled at home . Yet they could not well agree on Terms of Peace , but only made a Truce for Three Years , and so returned home : These things were acted in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Four Hundred Forty Eight .

This Publick Joy was soon after increast by a Message , sent out of Flanders , from the Chancellor , who went Ambassador to Charles the Seventh , Iames Married to Mary of Gelderland . about contracting a Marriage . By his endeavours , Mary the Daughter of Arnold , Duke of Gelderland , was betroth'd to Iames ; she was of the Kingly Race by her Mothers side , who was a Sister of the Duke of Burgundy . The Year after , she came with a great Train of Noble Persons into Scotland , and , in Iuly , was Crowned in the Abby of Holy-Rood-House , near Edinburgh .

This Universal Joy , for the Victory , for the Peace , and for the Marriage , was soon disturbed by the Death of Richard Colvill , a Man of Note ; which , though perhaps , in it self , not undeserv'd , yet was of very bad Example to the Common-Wealth . This Colvil having receiv'd many and great wrongs , from one Iohn Afflech , a Friend of Douglas's ; and , after many complaints , could get no Remedy in Law nor Equity , he fought with and slew him , and some of his Followers . Douglas took the Fact so hainously , that he made a Solemn Oath never to rest , Colvil put to Death by Douglas . till he had expiated the Murder by Colvil's Death ▪ Neither were his Threatnings in vain , for he Storm'd his Castle , took and plunder'd it , and killed all therein , that were able to bear Arms. This Fact , though 't was performed against Law and Custom , yet some did excuse , and , in effect , commend , as proceeding from Indignation , a Passion not unbeseeming a Generous Mind . Thus , as it commonly happens in degenerate Times , Flattery , the perpetual Companion of Greatness , did clothe the highest Offences with Honest and Plausible Names . Moreover , Douglas was so lifted up with the Flatteries of Fortune , which did now incline to his Destruction , that he had a great Ambition to make an Ostentation of his Power , even to Foreign Nations ; as if the splendor of so great a Family o●●ht not to be straitned within the narrow Theatre of one Island on●● ; so that he had a Mind to go to Rome ; he pretended Religion , Douglas goes vain-gloriously in a year o● Iubilee to Rome . but the principal design of his Journy , was , Ambition ; the Church of Rome had adopted the old Rites of the Iewish ; for , as the Iewish Church , every Fiftieth year , was to forgive all the Debts of what kind soever , to their Country Men , and to restore all Pledges , Gratis ; and also to set their Hebrew Servants at Liberty : So the Pope , taking an Example therefrom , as Gods Vicar on Earth , did arrogate the Power of forgiving all Offences . For , whereas at other times he trucked out his Pardons by Peice-Meal ; every Fiftieth Year , he open'd his full Garners thereof , and pour'd out whole Bushels full of them publickly to all ; yet , I will not say Gratis .

Douglas , with a great Train of Nobles , who were desirous , partly to see Novelties , and partly allur'd by hopes of Reward , sail'd over into Flanders . From thence he Travelled by Land to Paris , and took with him his Brother , appointed Bishop of Caledonia ; who , afterwards , seeing Douglas had no Children , was , by the Kings Permission , put in hopes to be his Heir . In France , he was highly caressed , partly upon the account of their Publick League with the Scots , and partly in Memory of his Ancestors Demerits , from that Crown ; hereupon all Rome was filled with the Expectation of his coming .

About Two Months after his departure from Scotland , his Enemies and Rivals began to lift up their Heads ; they durst not , for Fear , complain of him , when he was present ; but now they laid open all the Injuries they had received from him . And when it was once noised abroad , that the Access to the King was easie , and that his Ear was open to all just Complaints . The Troop of Complainants , lamenting their Sufferings , did daily increase , so that all the ways to the Palace were almost stopt by them . The King could not well either reject the Petitions of the Sufferers , In his absence , his Enemies sue him , and 〈◊〉 Damages for wrong● received . nor yet condemn the Earl , in his absence , without hearing of him ; so that he gave a middle Answer , which satisfi'd their Importunity for the present , viz. That he would Command the Earls Proctor , or Attorney , to appear ; that so , in his own Presence , a fair Tryal might be had . Whereupon , the Proctor was summon'd , but did not appear , so that the Kings Officers were sent out to bring him in by force ; when he was brought to Court , some alledged , that he ought to be immediately punisht for disobeying the Kings Command ; in regard , that , by too much Patience , the Kings Authority would be despis'd and run low , even amongst the meaner sort ; for , under the pretence of Lenity , the Audaciousness of the Bad would increase , and the Impunity of Offendors would open the way for more Crimes . The King was not mov'd by those Instigations , but remain'd constant to his Resolution , which was , rather to satisfie his greatest Accusers , by the Compensation of their Losses , than to satiate their Vindicative Minds , with the spilling of his Blood . Hereupon he caus'd the Earls Proctor to be brought out of Prison , and to plead in his Masters behalf , telling him , That if he had any thing to allege in Purgation of the Crimes objected , he should freely declare it , without any fear at all . When he was cast in many Suits , and the King Commanded him immediately to pay the Damages ; The Proctor answer'd , He would defer the whole matter , till the return of the Earl , who was expected in a few Months . This he spake , as 't was thought , by the advice of Ormond and Murray , the Earl's Brothers : When the King was inform'd of his Resolution , Which are answered out of his Estate . he sent William Sinclare , Earl of the Orcades , who was then Chancellor , first into Galway , and then into Douglasdale ; he appointed Sequestrators to gather up the Rents of Douglas's Estate , and so to pay the Damages adjudg'd by Law . But in regard , Sinclare had not Power enough to inforce his Order , some eluded , others Contumeliously abus'd him , so that he return'd without effecting his Business .

The King , being provokt by this Contempt of his Authority , Commands all the Favourers of Douglas his Faction to be Summon'd to appear , which they refusing to do , were declared Publick Enemies ; an Army was Levy'd against them , which marcht into Galway . At their first coming , the Commanders were driven into their Castles , but a small Party of the Kings Forces , pursuing after the rest through Craggy Places , were repuls'd , and not without Ignominy driven back to the King . The King , taking it in great Indignation , that a few Vagabond Thieves should dare to make such Attempts , resolv'd to redeem their slighting of him , by attempting their Strongs Holds ; he took the Castle of Maban , with no great difficulty ; but his Soldiers were so much toil'd and weary'd in the taking of Douglas Castle , that therefore he wholly demolisht it . As for the Vassals and Tenants who had submitted themselves , and their Fortunes to him , he Commanded them to pay their Rents to his Treasurers , till Douglas's Estate had fully satisfi'd what was awarded against him by Law . And when this was almost done , he dismist his Army , having obtain'd a good Report for his Lenity and Moderation , even amongst his very Enemies .

When these Matters were related to the Earl at Rome , his great Spirit was mightily mov'd ; yea , his Esteem did then abate amongst his own Attendants , so that a great Part of them deserted him , and he enter'd upon his Journy homewards , with but a few Followers . He came through England , Douglas at his return from Rome , received into Favour . and drawing near to the Borders of Scotland , he sent his Brother Iames , to feel the Kings Pulse , how he stood affected towards him . And when the King was appeasable , he return'd home , and was kindly receiv'd , only he was admonisht to abandon and subdue all Robbers , especially those of Annandale , who had plaid many Cruel and Avaritious Pranks in his absence ; Douglas undertook to do so , and confirm'd his Promise by an Oath . Whereupon , he was not only restor'd into his former Grace and Favour , but also made Regent over all Scotland , And made Regent . so that every one was injoin'd to obey his Commands .

But his vast Mind , which was always hankering after Supremacy and Height , was not content with this Honour , which was the greatest he could be advanced to , under the King ; but , by his Temerity , he gave the State new Occasions of Suspicion : For he undertook a Journy , very privately , into England , and after his Address to that King , he told him , that the cause of his coming was , That his Estate , Douglas gives Iames new occasion of Suspicion . though Claimed by him , was not yet restor'd . But this seem'd to Iames , a light , and no way probable , cause of his Journey ; and therefore the King conceiv'd a greater Suspicion in his Mind , which before was not well Reconcil'd , against him ; neither did he conceal his Anger , as supposing that there was a deeper Design hid under that his Discourse with the English King ; Douglas , having now an offended King to deal with , fled presently to his wonted Refuge , the Kings known Clemency , and cast himself at his Feet . The Queen also , and many of the Nobles , interceded for him ; and after a Solemn Oath , that , for the future , he would never act any thing which might justly offend the King , his Fault was forgiven ; only he was deprived of his Office . Whereupon the Earl of the Orcades , and William Creighton , who had always remained Loyal , were advanc'd again , to sit at the Helm .

Douglas was very angry with all the Courtiers for this Disgrace , ( for so he interpreted it ) but he was most of all incens'd against William Creighton , for , he thought , that 't was by his Prudence , that all his Projects were disappointed , and therefore he was resolv'd to dispatch him out of the World , either by some Treachery ; or , if that succeeded not , by any other way , whatsoever . And that he might do it with the less Odium , he suborn'd one of his Friends to Witness , that he heard Creighton say , That Scotland would never be 〈◊〉 quiet , Douglas design against Creighton's Life . so long as any of the Family of the Douglas 's were left alive ; and that the safety of the King and Kingdom , the Concord of the Estates , and the Publick Peace , did depend upon the Death of that one Man : For , he being of a Turbulent Nature , and supported by many and great Assinities , and Irreconcileable by any Offices of Respect , and Advancements to Honour ; 't were better to have him taken out of the way , that so the publick Peace might be confirm'd and settled . This Tale , when nois'd abroad , and believed by many , by reason of the Probability thereof , rais'd up a great deal of Ill-Will against Creighton . Douglas , being inform'd by his Spies , when he was to depart from Edinburgh ▪ lays an Ambush for him , late in the Night , as secretly as he could ; and when he and his Train came to it , the liers in wait set upon them with a great shout ; they , who were first assaulted , were so astonisht at the suddenness of the Danger , that they could not lift up an Hand to defend themselves . But William , being a Man of great Courage and Conduct , assoon as he had a little recover'd himself from his Fright , slew the first Man that Assaulted him , and Wounded another ; and so he , and his Attendants , brake through the midst of their Enemies , having only received some Wounds . He fled to Creighton Castle , 〈◊〉 de●ends himself 〈…〉 . and there staid some days , to cure his Wounds ; and soon after , he got a great Number of his Friends and Tenants about him ; Douglas joyns with Craford and Ross. and in great silence came to Edinburgh : His speed did so prevent the Noise of his coming , that he had almost surpriz'd his Enemy unawares .

Douglas , being thus freed from an unlook'd for Danger , either out of Fear , Shame , or Both , when he saw the Power of the Adverse Faction to increase with the good liking of the People , endeavour'd also to strengthen his own Party , as much as ever he could , and therefore he joins himself in League with the Earls of Craford and Ross , which were the most Noted and Potent Families in Scotland , next to the Douglas's ; a mutual Oath was entred into betwixt them ; That each of them should be aiding and assisting to the Friends , and Confederates , one of another . And , in Confidence of this Combination , they slighted the Forces of their opposite Faction ; yea , and the Kings , too . The King took this in great Indignation ; and besides , he had other fresh Causes of Provocation against him , which hastned his Destruction . Iohn Herris , a Knight , of a Noble Family in Galway , He provokes the King , being averse from the ill Practices of the Douglas's , ordinarily kept himself within the Walls of his own House ; but the Annandians were sent in upon him , which did him much mischief ; he often complain'd hereof to Douglas , but in vain ; so that , at length , he determin'd to revenge himself , and to repel Force by Force . And accordingly , he gather'd a Company of his Friends together ; and , entring Annandale , he , and all his Followers , were there taken Prisoners by those Bandity , and being brought to Douglas , he hang'd him up as a Thief ; though the King had earnestly interceded for him , by his Letters . That matter seem'd very hainous , as indeed it was ; so that Speeches were given out , That Douglas , by evil Practices , did endeavour , and that not obscurely , to make his Way to the Crown ; for-now there was nothing else remaining , In the Case of Herris , which could satisfie his vast and aspiring Mind ; Which Suspicion was soon after increast by another Fact , which he committed , as foul , as the former . There was a certain Family of the Macklan's in Galway , one of the best and chiefest , there : The prime Person of that Family had slain one of Douglas his Attendants , from whom he had received continual Wrongs and Affronts , whereupon , he and his Brother were , by Douglas , cast into Prison : The King being made acquainted with it , was very much importun'd by the Friends of the Prisoners , not to suffer so Noble , and otherwise a very honest Man , to be hal'd forth , not to a Legal Tryal , but to an undoubted Destruction , the same Man being both his Capital Enemy and his Judge too ; And Macklan . and that it was not his present Crimes , which did prejudice him so much , as that he had always been of the Honest or Royal Party . Hereupon , the King sent Patrick Gray , Macklan's Uncle , a worthy Knight , and Kin also to Douglas , to Command him to send the Pris'ner to Court , that the Matter might be Tryed there , in due course of Law . The Earl receiv'd Gray very courteously , but , in the mean time , he caused Execution to be done upon the Pris'ner , and intreated Gray to excuse him to the King , as if it had been done by his Officers , without his Knowledge : But he , perceiving how manifestly he was deluded , was in such a Rage , that he told Douglas , That from that Day forward , he would renounce all Alliance , Friendship , or any other Obligation to him , and was resolv'd to be his perpetual Enemy , and do him all the Mischief he could ; when the news hereof was brought to Court , the Fact seem'd so unworthy to all that heard it , that Speeches were openly scatter'd , That now Douglas did exceed the bounds of a Subject , and plainly carry'd himself as a King ; For , to what other purpose else did his Combinations with the Earls of Craford , Ross , Murray , and Ormond tend ? And moreover , his private Discourse with the King of England , his putting Good Men to Death , and his allow'd Licentiousness in pillaging the People , were Indications of the same Design : Now , Innocency was accounted Cowardize , and Loyalty to the King punish'd as Perfidiousness ; that the Enemys of the Common-wealth grew insolent , by the overmuch Indulgence of the King ; That 't was time for him now to take the Reins of Government into his own Hand , and to act as a King , himself ; and then it would appear , who were his Friends , and who were his Enemies ; or , if he did not dare to do it openly , by reason of the Powerfulness of some Men ; yet , by some private way or other , he should punish Treachery ; but , if he were so fearful , as not to do so , neither ; what remain'd , but that they , who had hitherto been constant in their Loyalty to him , should now at length provide for themselves ? These Discourses , thô the Life of the Douglas's , and the Credulity of the King , ( prone to Suspicion ) did confirm to be true : Yet the King , out of his innate Clemency , or else , having , before , laid his Design , se●ds for Douglas to Court ; He , being conscious of so many mischievous pranks he had plaid , and calling to remembrance , how often he had been pardon'd ; and withal , understanding , how distastful his new League with Craford was to the King , tho' he put great confidence in the King's Clemency ; yet , being more inclin'd to Fear , refus'd to come ; alleging , that he had many powerful Enemies at Court , and some of them had lately lain in wait to take away his Life . Hereupon , to remove this his Fear , many of the Nobles about the King sent him a Schedule with their Hands and Seals to it , promising upon Oath , that if the King himself should meditate any thing against his Life , yet they would dismiss him in safety ; so that Douglas , Douglas , on safe Conduct , comes to Court . encourag'd by the King's Clemency , and by the Publick Faith , testify'd by the Subscriptions of so many Noble Persons , with a Train of Followers came to Sterlin , where he was courteously Treated by the King , and invited into the Castle . After Supper , with great hilarity , was ended , the King took him aside into his Bed-chamber , with but a few of his Confidents , he did not so much as admit Those , to whom he was wont to communicate his most secret Counsels . There , he ript up , from the very beginning , the Loyalty and Valour of his Ancestors , and his own Indulgence towards their Family ; and especially towards himself ; who , having committed many hainous Offences , either by the Greenness of his Years , or by the Persuasions of wicked Men , he had freely pardon'd ; always hoping , that either by his courteous Clemency toward him , or else by the Maturity of his Age he would be Reform'd ; and as yet , says he , I despair not , but it may be so ; and , if you repent of what you have impiously committed , the door of my Clemency shall never be shut against you . This last League ( proceeded he ) with Craford and Ross , as it is not Creditable for you ; so it is ignominious to me , and therefore , tho' I take it much amiss , that you entred into it , yet I put it into your Power , and , as yet give you liberty to cancel and break it off ; which tho' , by my Prerogative , I may command , yet I had rather , by fair means , persuade you so to do ; that seeing all Mens Eyes are upon you , you may avert all cause of Suspicion with greater Diligence : Douglas answer'd submissively enough to all other Points ; but when he came to the Mention of the League , he was somewhat perplext , and did not clearly declare , what he would do ; but that he would advise with his Associats , neither did he see any Cause , why the King at present should tye him to a Breach of it , seeing there was nothing contain'd therein , which might justly offend him . The King , either having resolv'd upon the Fact before , or e●se provok'd by his contumacious Answer ( as the Courtiers say ) replyed , If thou wilt not break it , Where the King Stabs him with his own Hand . I will ; and immediately struck his Dagger into his Br●ast . Those that stood at the Door , hearing the Noise , rusht in , and destroy'd him quite with many Wounds ; Some say , that next after the King , Patrick Grey , of whom mention was made before , struck him into the Head with a Bill ; and the rest that came in , to shew their Duty to the King , every one gave him a Blow . He was slain in the Month of February , in the Year 1452. according to the Roman Account .

He had then 4 Brothers in Sterlin , whom a great number of the Nobility had accompany'd thither ; they , as soon as ●ver they heard of what was done , ran in great amazement to the●● Arms ( as in such suddain Hurly-burlies it uses to happen , ) and filled the Town with Noise and Clamour ; but when the Tumult was appeas'd by the Nobles , they were Commanded to go , each Man to his respective Lodging . The next Day they met to consult , and First of all , Iames was call'd Earl , in the room of his Brother , who was slain ; he mightily inveigh'd against the Perfidiousness of the King and the Courtiers , and advises to Besiege the Castle with what Force they then had , and with all speed , to Levy more ; and so to pull out those Men out of their lurking holes , who were valiant only to commit perfidious Mischiefs , whilst they were yet in some Fear and Trepidation for the Guilt of their Offence . The Company commended the Piety of Iames , and the Couragiousness of his Spirit , but were averse from his advice to a Siege , because they were not prepar'd with any Materials for so great an Enterprize ; so that they all departed home , and after Consultation with the Chief of their Friends , M●rch 27. the 6th of the Calends of April , they return'd again , and tyed a Cord to an Horse Tail , on which they fastned the Schedule of the King and Nobles , promising the Publick Faith to Douglas for his Security ; This they drew through the Streets , abstaining from no manner of Reproach , either against the King or Council ; when they came to the Market-place , they Proclaim'd the King , and Those that were with him , Whereupon , the rest of the 〈◊〉 rise in Arms. Truce-breakers , Perjur'd Persons , and Enemies to all Good Men. Moreover , they were angry with the Town , tho' that had committed no Offence , and after they had pillaged it , they sent Iames Hamilton back to Burn it ; yea , their Fury continued for some Days , so that they rang'd all over the Country , and made Havock of the Lands of all those , who were Loyal to the King ; they besieg'd the Castle of Dalkeith , and took an Oath not to depart from it , till they had taken it ; for they were very Angry with Iohn , the Owner of it , because he , and the Earl of Angus , had separated themselves from the Counsels of the rest of the Douglasses ; The Siege lasted longer than they expected , for Patrick Cockburn , Commander of the Garison , made a strenuous Resistance against all the Efforts of the Enemy ; So that , after they had lost a great many men , they were worn out with Toils and Watchings , and so broke up the Siege . In the mean time , the King levied an Army , to relieve his distressed Friends , but seeing he had not Strength enough to encounter the Douglasses , he resolv'd to wait the coming in of Alexander Gordon , to his assistance , who had levy'd a good Force in the Northern Parts , and was marching towards him ; but as he was coming thro Angus , Craford , with a considerable Body , met and oppos'd him at Brechin , where a sharp Battel was fought , betwixt them ; when the King 's main Battel was giving ground , as not able to indure the shock of the Angusians , Iohn Colace , who commanded the Left Wing , forsook Craford ; having born him a Grudge , and so left the main Body of the Army naked . Hereupon , those who were almost Conquerors , being struck with terrour , turn'd their Backs and fled away . Thus Gordon unexpectedly got the Victory , yet with much loss on his side , his two Brothers , and a great Number of his Friends and Followers being Slain ; of the Angusians also , there fell several men of Note ; and , amongst the rest , the Earl's own Brother . As for the Earl himself , he turn'd his Wrath from the Enemy to those who had deserted him , he storm'd their Castles , and spoil'd their Lands with Fire and Sword ; and he had the better Opportunity so to do , because that Gordon made a speedy Return into his own Country , when he heard , that the Earl of Murray was exercising all manner of Cruelty against his own Territories ; so that , he was forced to march back with his Victorious Army , where he not only revenged his Loss upon his Enemy , but also quite expell'd him out of his Country of Murray . These things were acted toward the End of the Spring .

In the interim , the King , by the advice , chiefly of Iames Kennedy , caus'd an Assembly of the Estates to meet at Edinburgh , to which he Summon'd , by an Herald , the Earl of Douglas , The Douglas●● proclaimed publick Enemies . and the Nobles of his Party , to come . But he was so far from obeying him , that , the next Night , he caus'd a Libel to be hung on the Church doors , That he would not trust the King with his Life , nor yield Obedience to him , for the future , any more , who had sent for his Kinsman to Edinburgh , and his Brothers to Sterlin , under the Protection of the Publick Faith , and there had perfidiously slain them , without Hearing their Cause . In this Assembly , the Four Brothers of the late Earl which was slain , Iames , Archibald , George and Iohn , with Beatri● the Earls late Wife , and Alexander , Earl of Craford , were declar'd Publick Enemies to the Common-wealth . Many persons were advanc'd to be Noble men , and Rewards were assign'd them out of the Rebels Estates ; An Army was levy'd to pursue the Enemy , which , after some devastation of the Country , driving of Bootys , and burning Corn in the Granarys , was again dismist in Winter , because the Soldiers could not then keep the Field , and an Expedition was appointed against the Spring .

In the mean time , Iames Douglas , left the wealth of his Family , which was mightily increas'd , Iames Douglas Marries his Brothers Wife . by rich Matches , should pass away to others , took Beatrix , the Relict of his Brother to Wife , and treats with the Pope to confirm the Marriage ; But the King , by his Letters , interpos'd and hindred him from giving his Ratification to it . This Year , and the next following , there was Bandying between the Parties , Lands were pillag'd , some Castles overthrown ; but they came not to decide the main Controversy in a Set Battel ; the greatest Part of the damage fell on the Countys of Annandale , Foress , and the Neighbouring Countys of the Douglasses : After this Devastation of the Lands , A Famine and Pestilence in Scotland . there follow'd a Famine , and after the Famine , a Pestilence ; yet the Wisest of Douglas's his Friends sought , many times , to persuade him to endeavour a Reconciliation with the King , and so to lay himself and all his Concerns at his Feet , whom his Ancestors had before found very merciful ; Especially , since he had a King , who was easily exorable in his own Nature ; and moreover , might be made more reconcilable by the Mediation of his Friends , and that he would not suffer so noble a Family , Douglas persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King . as His was , to be extirpated by his Obstinacy ; nor betray the Lives of so many brave Men , who follow'd his Party ; neither yet bring them to that Point of Necessity , that , after having suffer'd so many Calamities , they should be forc'd to make Terms for themselves : Whilst he was in a good Condition , he might make an easy Pacification ; but , if once his Friends deserted him , there would then be no Hope for him to obtain his Pardon . The Man , being in his Youthful Age , and of a Fierce Disposition too , Which he refuses . made Answer , That he would never submit himself to their Power , who were restrain'd by no Bonds of Modesty , nor by any divine or human Law ; who under fair Promises had inticed his Cosins , and his Brother to come to them , and then , perfidiously and cruelly . Slew them : In a Word , he would suffer the height of all Extremities before he would ever put himself into their hands .

This his Answer was either approv'd , or dislik'd , according to every Man's Humour ; Those who were Violent , or who made a Gain of the publick Miseries , commended the Greatness of his Courage ; but the Wiser sort persuaded him to take Opportunity by the Forelock , lest , after his Friends had forsaken him , he might complain , that he had neglected the Time for a Pacification , when 't was not to be redeem'd , which is usually the end of Headlong Counsels . But the Earl of Craford , being weary'd out with so long a War , and withal , considering with himself the very Unjustness of his Cause , together with the common Mutations of human Life , as also knowing that Pardon might easily be Obtain'd , if he did preoccupy the Kings Favour ; but very difficultly , if he stood it out ; and besides , being forsaken by some of his Friends , and suspecting the Fidelity of the rest , put himself into such an Habit , as might most move Pity , and thus bare-headed & bare-footed , in most humble manner , he came to the King , as he was passing thro' Angus ; he ingeniously confest the offences of his former Life ; he cast himself and all his concerns upon the King's Mercy , having first prefaced something concerning the Fidelity and good Services which his Ancestors had performed to their Kings ; he was conscious , Craford forsakes Douglas , and is pardoned by the King . that his fault had deserv'd the Extremity of Punishment , but whatsoever hereafter he had either of Life or Fortune , it would be a Debt wholly due to the Kings Clemency . Having spoken these , and other words , of the same import not without Fear , all the Spectators were much moved and affected , especially some of the Nobility of Angus , and tho' they themselves had , in former times , followed the Kings Party , yet they were unwilling , that so eminent and ancient a Family should be destroy'd . Iames Kennedy carry'd himself , at the same time , like a good Bishop and a Friendly Patriot , for he not only forgave the Earl the many grievous Injuries he had done him , but further commended his Suit , and spake in his Favour , to the King , for he foresaw , as it after hapned , That , by this Accession , the Kings Party , would be strengthen'd , and his Enemies weaken'd daily , for the future ; in regard many were likely to follow the Example of this Great Man . And besides , the King thinking , that his former Fierceness was tam'd , and that he was really penitent for what he had done , was not hard to be intreated , but gave him his Pardon , restor'd him to his former Estate and Honour , only advis'd him , for the future , to keep within the Bounds of his Duty : And indeed , Craford , being thus ingag'd by the Lenity and Facileness of the King , did afterwards endeavour to perform him all the Service he possibly could , he followed him with his Forces in his March to the furthest Parts of the Kingdom , and having setled Things there for the present , he entertained him nobly at his House , in his return , and when he march'd to make a full end of the Civil War , he promis'd him all the Force , he could make ; and , indeed , the whole course of his Life was so chang'd , that , laying down his former Savageness , he liv'd courteously , and in Complaisance , with the Neighbouring Nobility ; so that his Death , which followed soon after , brought the greater Grief to the King and to all the People .

The King thus weakning Douglas's Party by degrees , his remaining Hopes were from England , if possibly he might obtain Aid from thence . Hereupon , he sent Hamilton to London , who brought him back Word , Douglas applys to England for Aid , but in vain . that the King of England would undertake a War against Scotland , on no other Terms , but that Douglas must submit himself and all his Concerns to that King , and acknowledge himself a Subject of England ; So that , his Hopes thence were cut off ; and , on the Other side , the King of Scotland prest hard upon him by his Edicts , Proscriptions and Arms ; yea , by all the Miseries , which accompany Rebellious Insurrections ; So that , Hamilton advis'd the Earl , not to suffer the King to nim away his Forces by piece-meal ; and , by catching a Part , to weaken , and in time , overthrow the Whole ; he should rather march out with his Army , trust Fortune , put it to a Battel , there to dye Valiantly , or conquer Honourably . This Resolution ( said he ) is worthy of the name of the Douglass●s , and the only Way to end the present Miseries . Being alarum'd with this Speech , he gather'd as great an Army as he could , of his Friends and Dependants , and marched out to raise the Siege of the Castle of Abercorn ; for the King , after he had demolish'd many Castles of the Douglasses , had at last besieged That . It was a very strong Hold , se●tuate almost in the Mid-way between Sterlin and Edinburgh . When Douglas came so near , that he saw , and was seen by , the Enemy , his Friends advis'd him to push at all , and either to make himself renown'd by some Eminent Victory ; or , by a Noble Death , to free himself from Reproach and Misery ; but when all his Party were ready for the Onset , he daunted all their Spirits by his own Delay , for he retreated with his Army again into his Camp , and determin'd to draw and eke out the War , at length : His Commanders dislik'd his Design ; and Hamilton , not enduring his Cowardize , and despairing of the Success of his Arms , H●milton 〈◊〉 Douglas . that very Night revolted to the Kings Party . Upon this his Defection , the King gave him his Pardon , but not putting any great Confidence in him , because of his Subtilty , he sent him Prisoner to * * Standing upon N●●th-Esk in Mid-L●thi●n , 4 Miles above Da●keith Rosseline , a Castle belonging to the Earl of the Orcades , but afterwards , by the Mediation of his Friends , he was releas'd , and receiv'd into Favour , and that unbloody Victory ascribed to him , as the main Occasion thereof .

The rest of the Douglassians follow'd Hamilton's Example , and slipt away from him , every one , whither he thought most convenient for himself ; so that , at length , the Castle , after much Loss on both sides , was taken , the Garison put to the Sword , and after 't was half demolished , it was left as a Monument of the Victory . Douglas , being thus deserted by , almost , all his Friends , with a few of his Familiars fled into England , from thence , not long after , he made an Inrode with a smal Party into Annandale , which was then possest by the Kings Garisons ; but , being worsted in a Skirmish , He , and his Brother Iohn escap'd ; Archibald , Earl of Murray , was slain ; George was much wounded and taken Prisoner , and after his Wounds were cur'd , was brought to the King , and put to Death . In an Assembly of the Estates held at Edinburgh , Iune 5. in the Nones of Iune , in the Year 1455. Iames , Iohn , and Beatrix , all Douglasses , were again proscrib'd : The Publick Acts do make Beatrix their Mother , which seems not very probable to me , unless , perhaps , they might be called her Sons , by Adoption . Earl Iames having thus lost his Brothers , being deserted by his Friends , and distrusting the English , that he might leave no Stone unturn'd , Douglas joyns with the Enlish , and then with Donald the Islander . apply'd himself to Donald , King of the Aebudae , a man bad enough in his own Nature : They met at Dunstafnage , where he easily persuaded him to joyn with him , in the War ; whereupon , they committed great Outrages on the Kings Provinces , near adjoyning , without distinction either of Age or Sex ; there was nothing spar'd which could be violated by Fire or Sword ; the like Cruelty was us'd in Argyle and Arran , and then being laden with Booty , he return'd home ; and afterward , having wasted Loch-Abyr and Murray , he turn'd to Innerness , he took the Castle , pillag'd and burnt the Town .

Neither were the English quiet all this while , but , watching their Opportunity , they made Incursions into Merch , where they slew some men of Note , who endeavoured to oppose their furious Ravaging , and so returned home without Loss , but full of Plunder , from that opulent Country . Douglas's Wife forsakes him , and 〈◊〉 to the King . The next Year after , Beatrix , Wife to the former Earl of Douglas , and also living for some years with Iames , his Brother , as his Wife , came in to the King ; She laid all the Fault of her former Miscarriages upon Iames , that she being a Woman , and helpless , was inforc'd to that Wicked Marriage ; but at the first Opportunity , as soon as Iames was absent , she was fled from that Servitude ; that now she laid her self , and all her Concerns , at the Kings Feet , and whatever Order he should please to make concerning her , or her Estate , she would willingly obey it . The King receiv'd her into his Protection , gave her an Estate in Balvany , Lying on the River Sp●● . and Married her to his Brother , the Earl of Athole , by the same Mother ; The Wife of Donald , the Islander , followed her Example , she was the Daughter of Iames Levingston , and was Married to Donald , So doth Donald's Wi●e ▪ too . by her Grandfather , the Regent , by the persuasion also of the King , that so He might a little soften the rugged disposition of the man , and keep him firm to the Kings Party : But then , her Kinsman being restor'd to the Favours and Graces they formerly had , and her Husband having joyned himself to the Douglassian Faction , she was every day more and more slighted and despis'd by him , so that she implor'd the Kings Assistance against his barbarous Cruelty . There was no need of her making such an Apology , in regard , the King himself had been the Author of the Match , so that she was nobly treated , and had a large Revenue setled upon her for her Life .

About the same time , Patrick Thornton , who had followed the Court a great while , yet was secretly of Douglas's Faction , slew Iohn Sanderland of In Mid-Lothian . Caldar , a Young man of about 20. years of Age , ●nd Alan Stuart , of Noble Families , Both , and of eminent Faithfulness to the King , having got a convenient Opportunity so to do at Dunbarton , Thornton put to death for Murder . and soon after he himself was taken by the Clans of the Adverse Party , and Executed for the same ▪

This Year was remarkable for the Death of many Noble Personages , but especially of William Creighton . He , The death of Will . Creighto● tho' born of an Equestrian Family , yet , by reason of his great Prudence , Fortitude , and his Singular Loyalty to the King , even to the last day of his Life , left a great Loss behind him to all Good men . The next Year , the English , being incouraged by their Impunity for former Injuries made great spoil in Merch , under the command of Henry Percy , Earl of Northumberland , and Iames Douglas , the Exile ; to hinder their devastations , George Douglas , Earl of Angus , gathered a Party of his Countrymen together , and made an Assault on the Plunderers , and drave that Part of them , which he assaulted , in great Confusion , back to their own Standards ; the English , being mov'd at this Indignity , marched on their Army , before the rest had recover'd their Colours , and the Scots were as ready to receive them .

The Fight was manag'd on both sides , with greater Courage than Force , a great while , neither did any odds appear , till the English , who were scatter'd up and down the Country by the Noise and Temult , perceiving that the Enemy was come , for fear of losing the rich Booty they had gotten , hasted directly home ; A Party of English wor●●ed in Scotland . their departure gave an easier , but yet not unbloody , Victory to the Scots , there being almost an equal number slain on Both Sides , but many of the English taken in the pursuit : The News of this Victory , being brought to the King , did something relieve his Mind , which was opprest with Thoughtfulness between the Arms of his own Subjects ; and of the English ; afterwards , Donald the Islander , perceiving the ill success of his Affairs , was inforc'd to send Agents to the King , to intercede for a Peace ; Donald the Islander submits to the King . They , in an humble Oration , commemorated the King's Clemency shew'd to Craford , and the rest of his Partisans , in the same Cause ; as for their own Crimes , they laid them on the Fatality of the Times ; but , for the future they made large Promises , how Loyal and Obsequious Donald would be . The King seem'd to be somewhat affected with their Speech , yet gave them but a middle Answer ; neither quite pardoning Donald , nor utterly excluding all hopes of his Pardon ; he told them , That his many Crimes were very evident , but he had discover'd no Specimen of a chang'd Mind in him ; if they would have the Penitence , which they pretended in Words , to be believ'd as really True and Hearty , he should make Restitution for the Loss , he had formerly caus'd ; and restore their Estates to such , as he had outed of them ; and thus to cancel the Memory of his former Mischiefs , by some Eminent and Loyal Service . 'T is true ( said he ) no Virtue becomes a King more than Clemency , but Care must be had , lest the Reins of Government be not let loose by too much Lenity ; and so Evil Men rather made more insolent , than Good Men excited to their Duty , thereby ; that he would give Time to Donald , and his Party to manifest by some Tokens , that they repented of their Miscarriages , and that they should always find him towards them , such as their Actions and their Words did Declare them to be . In the mean time , they need not fear , for Now it was put into their own Power , whether they would every Man be Happy or Miserable , for the future .

By this means , intestine Discords were either compos'd , or else laid asleep , so that the King now bends all his Care against England ; whilst he was consulting concerning a War with them , and concerning their frequent violations of Truces ; The English Nobles crave Aid of Iames , against Henry their King . behold ! Embassadors came from the English Nobility , to Desire Aid against Henry , their King ; For Henry had slighted the Nobles , and advanc'd Upstarts ; by whose Advice , his Wife , a Woman of a Manly Spirit and Courage , Ruled the Roast . And , besides , the King had incurr'd the Displeasure and Contempt of his Friends , because things had not succeeded well in Aqui●ane and Normandy ; for they , having lost so many Provinces , and being now pent up within the Ancient Bounds of their own Island , did mutter and grumble , that the Kings Sluggishness , and the Queens Pride were no longer to be endur'd . The Heads of the Conspiracy , were , Richard Duke of York , with the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick ; when the English Embassadors had discours'd much concerning the Justness of their Cause to begin a War ; and also concerning their own Power , and the Cowardly Temper of their King , they crav'd Aid against him , as against a Common Enemy , who was fearful in War , fordid in Peace ; and who had nourish'd Civil Discords amongst the Scots , and had assisted their Exiles ; withal , they promis'd , if they got the Victory , to restore the Castles and Countries which were taken in former Wars from the Scots . The King , by Advice of his Council , made Answer , That he , before , knew the State of the English Affairs , and that he was not ignorant of the Right or Demands of either side ; but that he would not , intetpose Himself an Arbiter in another Mans Kingdom , unless he were chosen by both Parties to that Office . As to the War , he had long since determin'd to revenge the Injuries of the former Times , and ●f he could not otherwise obtain the Places he had lost , on the Occasion of these Discords , he would recover them by Force ; But if the Duke of York , and his Party , would promise to restore Them , then he would assist him against Henry . The Embassadors agreed to the Terms , and so return'd home . The King prepar'd his Forces , and was about to enter England , when , behold ! an English Impostor ▪ sent by Henry , met him , he had been a long time at Rome , and was well acquainted with the Speech and the Customs of the Italians ; his Habit and Train was all Outlandish , and he had counterfeit Letters , as from the Pope ; whereby he was easily believ'd by Men , suspecting nothing , but to be a Legate sent from him ; He marches to their Assistance , but is diverted by a Counte●feit Le●at from Rome . and to gain the greater Credit to his Impostures , he had a Monk with him , whose fained Sanctity made the Fraud less suspected ; they were brought to the King , and in the Popes Name , Commanded him to proceed no further with his Army ; if he did , they threatned to Excommunicate him with Bell , Book , and Candle . For the Pope ( said they ) is wholly intent upon a War against the Common Enemy of Christendom , and so would have the differences compos'd all over Europe , that they might be free for that War ; and that they were sent before to give him Notice hereof ; but there was a more Solemn Embassy , which would shortly arrive , and which , they believ'd , was already come as far as France , to decide the Civil Discords of England , and to give satisfaction to the Scots , for the Wrongs they had sustain'd . The King did not imagine any Fraud in the Case , and desiring nothing more than an Honourable Peace , in regard , things at home were not quite setled to his Mind , Obey'd the Legate , and Disbanded his Army . He had scarce dismist it , but he was advis'd from England , that this suppos'd Embassador was a Cheat , so that he gather'd again some Forces ; and because he could not joyn the Duke of York , that he might keep off some of the King's Force from him , and also revenge his own Wrongs , he march'd directly to Roxborough ; the Town he took , and destroy'd it at his first coming ; but whilst he was laying Siege to the Castle , Embassadors came from York , and his Associats , informing him , that their King was overcome , Iames takes Roxborough Town . and the War ended in England ; They gave him Thanks for his Good-Will , and his Desire to assist them in the maintenance of their Lives and Honours , and that they would , in time , be mindful to requite the Courtesie ; but , at present , they desir'd him to raise the Siege , and draw off from the Castle , and likewise to forbear any other Act of Hostility against England . For otherwise , they should be laden with great Envy amongst the People , who could hardly be contain'd , or satisfy'd , but that an Army must presently march against the Scots . Iames congratulated their Victory , but ask'd the Embassadors , Whether the Duke of York , and his Allies , had given them nothing in Command concerning restoring the Places promis'd . He Answer'd , Nothing : Then , ( said he ) before your last Embassy came to me , I was determin'd to pull down that Castle , which is built upon my Land ; neither , since that time , am I so much obliged by the Courtesies of that Faction , as to give over an Enterprize , which is begun , and almost finisht : As for the Threatnings made , either by the People , or by Them , let them look to it , goe you and tell them , that , I will not be remov'd hence by Words , but Blows . Thus the Embassadors were dismist without their Errand , and whilst he did press upon the Besieg'd , by all the hardships of War ; Donald , the Islander , came into his Camp with a great Band of his Country-men . He , to obtain the easier Pardon for his past Offences , and fully to Atone and Reconcile the King , promis'd him , that if he would march forward into the Enemies Countries , as long as he was there , he would march a Mile before his Army , and endure the sharpest , and first , of all Brunts and Hazards : But he was Commanded to be near the King , yet some of his Troops was sent out to prey upon the Country . And besieges the Castle . It happen'd also , that , at the same time , Alexander Gordon Earl of Huntly brought in new Forces to the King . This Accession of Strength made the King more resolute to continue the Siege , tho' a strong Defence was made by Those within ; So that , whereas before it was a Blockade only , a well-laid and close Siege was now made ; when he had Soldiers enough , some presently succeeded in the Places of others , insomuch , that the Garison Soldiers ( of whom many were Slain , many Wounded , and unfit for Service , the rest tired out with continual Toil and Labour ) were not so eager to run into the Places of most Danger , as before ; and to strike the more Terror into them , the King gave Command to batter part of the Wall with Iron pieces of Ordnance , which were then much us'd , and were very terrible : And whilst the King was busie about one of them , to press on the work , the Fire catcht within it , and with its force drove out a wooden Wedg , Where he is casually slain . or Plug , which immediately fell'd the King to the Earth , and slew him , without hurting any body else . Those Courtiers who stood next him , tho' they were terrify'd at this sudden Accident , yet they cover'd his Body , left , if his Death were divulg'd , the Common Soldiers should run away . The Queen , who that very Day came to the Camp , did not give up her Mind to Womanish Lamentations , The Queen shews Herself a virago , immediately after her Husbands Death . bur call'd the Nobles together , and exhorted them to be of good Courage , and that so many valiant Men should not be so dismayed at the Loss of One , as counting it dishonourable to desert a Business , that was almost ended ; She told them , She her Self would speedily bring them another King in the place of him that was slain ; in the mean time , they should press with might and main , upon the Enemy , lest he might grow more resolute , upon News of their Generals Death , and so imagin , that all the Courage of so many valiant Men was extinguisht in in the Fate of one Person only : The Officers were asham'd to be exceeded in Courage by a Woman . Whereupon , they assaulted the Castle with such Violence , that neither Party was sensible that the King was lost . In the mean time , Iames the King's Son , being about 7 Years of Age , was brought into the Camp , and Saluted King . And 't was not long after , Roxburgh Castle Surrendred and Demolisht . before the English , being tired out with Watching , and continued Service , surrendred up the Castle to the new King , upon Condition , to march away with Bag and Baggage . The Castle , that it might be the Occasion of no new War , was levell'd to the Ground . This End had Iames the 2d , in the Year of Christ , 1460. a few Days before the Autumnal Equinox , Iames II. his Character . in the 29 th Year of his Age , and the 23d of his Reign ; he had been exercis'd always , even from his Youth , with Domestick or Foreign Wars ; he bore Both Estates of Life , the Prosperous and Adverse , with great Moderation of Mind , he shew'd such Valour against his Enemies , and such Clemency to those that submitted themselves , that All Estates were much afflicted for his Loss ; and his Death was the more lamented , because 't was sudden , and that in the Flower of of his Youth , too ; after he had escap'd so many Dangers , and when the Expectation of his Virtues was at the highest : And he was the more miss'd , because his Son was yet immature for the Government ; whilst Men consider'd , what Miseries they had suffer'd for the last 20 Years , the Ashes of which Fire were hardly yet rak'd up ; so that from a reflective Remembrance of what was Past , they seemed to Divine the Estate of future Things .

The Twelfth BOOK .

James III. The Hundred and Fourth King .

JAMES II. as I have related , being slain in his Camp , to prevent all Controversy concerning the Right of Succession , ( which had happen'd at other times ) his Son Iames a Child of about 7 Years Old , Iames III. begins his Reign about 7 years of Age. who was the younger of the Twins , and surviv'd his Brother , enter'd upon the Government in the Town of Kelsoe . Afterwards , when the Nobles , according to Custom , had taken their Oaths of Allegiance to him , 8 Days after he began his Reign , he left his Army , and retir'd home ●o the Castle of Edinburgh , to be under the Tutelage of his Mother , till an Assembly of the Estates were Celebrated , to determin of the Grand Affairs of the Kingdom . The Assembly was Indicted later than ordinary , because Matters was not compos'd in England , and yet quiet in Scotland : So that , the Nobility were of Opinion , That War was first of all to be thought on , that so they might revenge old Injuries , and punish their Enemies by some notable Loss , who did always lye at catch , to take Advantage of the Distresses of Others . Hereupon , they marched into the Enemies Country , without any resistance , where they committed much spoil , and demolished many Castles , from whence the Enemy was wont to make suddain Incursions , the Chief of which was W●rk , situate on the Banks of the River Tweed , formerly very injurious to the Country of Merch. The Army ravaged over the Enemies Country , as far as they could , for the time of the Year , and , at the very beginning of Winter , returned home .

This Year , Henry King of England was Taken by the Duke of York , and brought to London ; there a Form of Peace was concluded betwixt them , for Henry durst not deny any thing ; That He , as long as he lived , should bear the Name , and Ensigns or Badges , of a King , but the Power of Government should be in York , under the Name of a Protector . Henry of Enggland , taken Prisoner by the Duke of York . And when Henry Died , Then the Name also of King was to be transferred to Edward , and his Posterity . Whilst these Things were acted at London , News was brought . That the Queen was marching up with a great Army , to Redeem her Husband out of Prison . York went out to Engage her with about 5000 Men with him , York overthrown by the Queen . leaving the Earl of Warwick , and King Henry behind ; he marched as far as Yorkshire , and , lest He , who , in France , had Defended himself against great Armies , not with Walls , but with Arms , should now shun a Battel with a Woman ; He Fought against a far greater Number than his Own ; and , in the Fight , He , his youngest Son , and a great many Nobles were slain . The Heads of the Commanders were set up as a Spectacle , upon the Gates at York . The Queen , thus Victorious , and marching on further to Deliver the King ; the Earl of Warwick met her , bringing the King along with him , as if he would Defend the Pact made concerning the Kingdom , under his good Omen . Both Armies met at St. Albans , which is thought to be the Old Verulam , So is Warwick where the Queen was again Victorious ; She slew the Commanders of the adverse Army , released her Husband , and marched directly up for London ; but considering , that the Earl of Pembroke was sent by Her to gather Forces , as was also York's Son by his Father , and that these Two had had a Fight in their March ; wherein Edward the Son of her Enemy was Victorious ; and withal , knowing , what cruel Hatred the Londoners bore against Her , She withdrew towards Northumberland , because She looked on that Part of England , as the Seminary , or Source , of Her Strength . There She was also Overcome in a Bloody Fight , The Queen overthrown , and flies wit● her Husband into Scotland . more than 36000 valiant Men being reported to be slain , and the Enemy pressing upon Her , and giving Her no Time to recollect Her Forces , She , her Husband and Son , fled into Scotland .

The Conqueror call'd himself Edward the Fourth , King of England ; Henry desired Aid in his Distress , and , by means of Iames Kennedye , Archbishop of St. Andrews , who then surpassed all in Scotland in point of Authority , and Opinion of his Prudence , he was Entertain'd with a great deal of Honour and Respect ; so that he was erected to some Hope of recovering his former Dignity ; and to nourish that Hope , Berwick surrendred to the Scots by King Henry . by all the actual good Offices which he could , he restored the Town of Berwick to the Scots , ( which the English had held ever since the Days of Edward I. ) The Scots , upon this Obligation , did assist Henry's Faction in all things , not only in piecing up the Relicks of his former Misfortunes , but promising him more Aid , in time , to recover his Own . And , that the Friendship now begun might be the more firmly established ; the Two Queens , Both of Them of French Descent , began to Treat concerning a Marriage between Iames his Sister , and Henry's Son , whom they called Prince of Wales , tho' neither of them , as yet , were above Seven Years old . Philip of Burgundy , Uncle to the Queen of Scots , but a Mortal Enemy to the Queen of England , endeavoured by all means possible to hinder this Marriage ; For he sent Grathusius a Nobleman , his Embassador for that purpose : For Philip was at such deadly odds with Renatus , Grandfather to the Lady by the Mother's side , Henry's Queen sues for Foreign Aid . that he sought all Occasions to hinder his Stock from increasing ; so that in Favour of him the Matter was , at that time , rather delayed , than broke off . But the Fortune of Henry kept off the Event , which Philip of Burgundy feared . For , being something encouraged by the Kindness of the Scots towards him , and also by some comfortable Letters sent from his Friends out of England , he sent his Wife beyond Sea to * * Or Renny . Renatus her Father , to procure what Aid she could from her Foreign Friends ; She prevailed so much in France , that her Faction were to have a safe Place of Retreat there , but her Adversaries were excluded ; and , moreover , she obtained 2000 Men , as Monstrelet says , under Warren their General ; but as Ours , and the English , Writers , Which having obtained , 〈◊〉 enters Scotland and England again . ( to whom I rather assent ) 500 , Commanded by Peter Brice , or , as some call him , Brace , a Britton , rather as Companions for her Journy , than as any Auxiliary Aid ; With this small Band she returned into Scotland , and thought fit to attempt something , not doubting , but at the Noise of Foreign Assistance , her Countrymen would rise and joi● with her , whereupon she made a Descent at Tinmouth ; but this small Company , being dismayed at the report of a great Force coming against them , without the performance of any thing remarkable , returned to their Ships ; where also , as if Fortune had crossed them on all hands , they were encounter'd with a grievous Tempest , which drove the greatest Part of them , who followed the Queen to Scotland , into Berwick ; bu● some few of them were cast upon the Isle Lindisfarm , Holy-Isle , seven miles South-East of Berwick , on the Coast of Northumberland . where they were taken by the Enemy and slain .

But the Manly spirited Queen was nothing discouraged at this Misfortune , but levied a great number of Scots to join with her own Soldiers , and resolves to try her Fortune , once again . Whereupon she left her Son at Berwick , and she and her Husband entred Northumberland , where she made great Devastation , by Fire and Sword , in all the adjacent Parts . At the report of this new Army , some of the Nobles , as the Duke of Somerset , and Ralph Percy , and many of Henry's old Friends besides , who , for fear of the Times , had retired to King Edward , came into Them ; but there was a far greater Confluence from the adjacent Parts of England , of such Persons as had lived Rapacious Lives , in hopes of some new Prey . To appease this Commotion , Edward makes great Military Preparation both by Land and Sea ; he commanded the Lord Mountague , with a great part of the Nobility , to march against the Enemy , and he himself would follow with his whole Army . Both Armies pitched their Tents not far from Hexham ; but the Common Soldiery who came in for Booty , beginning to slip away , Henry's Army overthrown at Hexham . Henry thought it best , in such a desperate Case , to put it to a Push , and accordingly a Fight begun , wherein he was overthrown , his chief Friends were either slain , or taken Prisoners , and he himself made an hasty Retreat to Berwick ; of the Prisoners , some had their Heads cut off presently ; and some , a while after . Edward having thus got the Day , by the Generals of his Forces , came himself to Durham , that so he might prevent the Incursions of the Scots by the Terrour of his Neighbouring Army ; and also , that , by his Presence , he might quell any Domestick Insurrections , if any such should happen . Whilst he was there , he sent out part of his Army under several Commanders to take in the Places possessed by his Enemies , of which having taken many by Storm , or by Surrender , Alnwick Castle besieged , and Douglas's gallantry in bringing off the Garison . at last he laid Siege to the Castle of Alnwick , which was greater , and better fortified , than the rest , and which was maintained by a Garison of French , who defended the Castle very well , in hopes of Relief from Scotland , which was so near at hand . But the Scots having lately had ill success in England , an Army could not be so soon levyed , as the present Exigent required , for the raising of the Siege ; insomuch , that whilst others were backward , and delayed to give in their Opinion , George , Earl of Angus , undertook , with great Audacity , the Matter , which was so full of hazard . He collected about 10000 Horse , of his Friends , Vassals , and the Neighbouring Province , of which he was Governor ; He came to the Castle , and Horsed the French , that were in Garison , upon some empty Horses he had brought for that purpose , and so brought them off safe , even to a Man , into Scotland , whilst the English stood and looked on , as amazed at the Boldness of his Miraculous Enterprize ; or , thinking that Douglas had help near at hand ; or rather , hoping to have the Castle given up without a Battel , and so they would not put the Whole to an hazard , by joining in Fight with that small , though select , Party . Edward settled Guards at all convenient Places , that so , no Rebellious Troops might march to and again ; and then , as if he had quieted the whole Kingdom , he returned to London .

In the mean time , Exiled Henry , either on the Accompt of some Hopes cast in by his Friends , or else weary of his tedious Exile , determines to shelter himself privately amongst his Friends in England . Henry of England taken Prisoner , and his Queen 〈◊〉 . But Fortunes Malice followed him to the last ; he was there known , taken , brought to London , and committed Prisoner to the Tower . And his Wife Margaret , distrusting her present Affairs , with her Son and a Few Followers left Scotland , and Sailed over to her Father Renat , into France .

To return then to the Affairs of Scotland : The time for the Assembly , which was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh , was come : where there was a Full Appearance , but the Body of them was divided into Two Factions ; Part of the Nobles followed the Queen ; but the Major Part , by far , stuck to Iames Kennedy , and George Douglas , Earl of Angus , the Heads of the contrary Faction . The Queen lodged in the Castle ; the Bishop and the Earl lay in the Abby of Holy-Road-House , at the furthest part of the Suburbs , towards the East . The Cause of the Dissension , was , That the Queen thought it equal and just for her to have the Tutelage , or Guardianship , Disputes in the Assembly of Estates about the Regency . of her Son ; the other Party judged it most fit , that One should be chosen out of the whole Assembly , for that careful Work . The Queen alleged the Maternal Name , her Interest , and Propinquity ; the Adverse Party insisted on the old Law , confirmed by perpetuated Custom . In the Third day of the Assembly , the Queen comes down from the Castle with her Followers , and caused her self to be Decreed Tutrix of the King , and Governess of the Kingdom , by her own Faction , Which the Queen claim● . and so returns into the Castle , again . When Kennedy heard of this , he hastned , with his Party , into the Market-place , and there , in a long Speech , he told the Multitude , which was thick about him , That he and his Associates did aim at nothing , but the Publick Good , and the Observation of their Ancient Laws ; But Kennedy and Douglas oppose . but their Adversaries were ●●d , each one , by his private advantage ; And That he would eviden●●y make appear , if he might have a Place Free to dispute the Poin● Having thus spoken , he retired with his Followers to his Lodgi●● ▪ but was not gone far from the Market-place , before he heard That the other Party was coming down Armed from the Castle . Douglas looked upon This as an intolerable Thing , That Valiant Men should yield to the Threats of a Few and That their Retirement should be looked upon , as a Flight ; and therefore was hardly kept in by Kennedy , from assaulting the adjoining Gate of the City ; and , Weaponless , as he was , to encounter Armed Men ; and unless the Three Bishops of Glasgo , Galway , and Dumblane , upon Noise of the Uproar had come in , his Indignation would not have been stopp'd , till they had come to Blows . But , by the Mediation of those Bishops , A Truce for a Month betwixt the Parties . the Matter was so far composed , That a Truce was agreed upon , for one Month.

Though the Chief of the Faction were thus quieted , yet the Multitude could not be restrained from expressing their Wrath and Indignation , The Commonalty dislike the Queens Regency . in rough and cutting Language ; as , that the Desire of the Queen was Dishonourable to the Kingdom , and Undecent for Herself . What ( said they ) is the Valour of the old Scots at so low an Ebb , That , amongst so many Thousand Men , there is none worthy to Govern the Affairs of Scotland , but a Woman must do it ? What , was there no Man , that could Rule over the Nation ? And That would live the greatest part of his Life in Arms ? What likelihood was there , That those who had not been altogether Tractable to their King , when weak , should now yield Obedience to a Woman , and that a Stranger , too ? What , had they undergone so much Labour , and lost so much Blood , these many years , by Sea and Land , That Men , born and brought up in Arms , should freely give up themselves to the Servitude of a Woman ? What , if the English should invade them , as they had often done at other times , in revenge of their Losses , with a great Army ? Who could ( in that case ) Give , or Accept , Terms of Peace or War ? These were the Discourses of the Commonalty in all their Clubs .

But when the Month was expired , their Minds were a little calmer ; and , the Truce ended , there was another Convention , where the Queen alleged This for her self , in Justification of her Cause , That , seeing she had not entred upon the Government the Year before by Force , or against the minds of the Nobility , but was chosen to that Dignity by th●ir Unanimous Consent , The Queens Plea for the Regency . she had but used her own Right , and therefore she took it amiss to be degraded , and no Crime at all imputed , as to her Mal-Administration . If , ( said she ) as it is usual , Degrees of Affinity be regarded in Pupillages , there is none nearer than a Mother ; if the Safety of the King were Ey'd , none could be more Faithful ; for if the King should die , other men may have their various and distinct Hopes , but she could hope for , or expect , nothing but Orbity , Solitariness , and Tears . And , if they had respect to the Good of the Publick , she was a stranger , and concerned in no Interest of Feuds or Friendships , and That was especially to be eyed in such who sate at the Helm of Government ; That so their own Lives might not only be free from actual Vice ; but also , that they might have as few Temptations , and Incitements as may be , to those Lusts , which do disturb and hurry the Mind , and pervert righteous Judgment . Some had Assistance of Parents , Kinsmen , Allies , by whose aid they might hope for an Excuse for their Offences , or , at least , an easier Pardon . Yea , sometimes the Rulers were compelled to square and accommodate their Actions to such mens Wills and Humours . As for Her self , her Hope of Defence was in Innocency alone ; She had but one Son to eye , and both their Benefits and Advantages were combined and twisted together . And unless she had respect to these Things , she would choose much rather to live a quiet and happy Life in Retirement with the good Liking of all , than to u●dergo the Enmity of Evil men , by punishing all their Crimes ; yea , and sometimes to incur the Displeasure of the Good , too . Neither was it a New Thing for a Woman , to desire the Regency of another's Kingdom , sithence , not only in Britain , but even in the Greatest and most Puissant Kingdoms of the Continent , Women have had the Supreme Power , and their Reigns have been Such , that their Subjects never repented of their Government .

When she had thus spoken , Many assented to her ; Some to prepossess a Place in in her future Grace and Favour ; Others , in Hopes , that the Fruits of another's Envy would redound to their advantage ; Yea , there were some , who had an evil jealousy , That , if the Election should be made out of All , they themselves might be passed by , as less fit ; and therefore , they rather desired , that the Queen should be preferred over them all , than that Others , of the same Order with themselves , or even of a Superiour one , should be preferred before Them .

Nowithstanding , the more uncorrupted Part of the Nobility did , both by their Countenance and Speeches , highly disgust the Queens Oration ; but that which did most Vehemently affect the whole Assembly , was , the Authority and the Speech of Iames Kennedy , who , as 't is reported , spake in this manner .

IT is my chief Desire , Noble Peers , That they whose aims are at the Good of all , in general , Kennedys Grave and Prolix Oration , in Answer thereunto . might freely declare their minds without offence to any one particular Person . But , in our present Circumstances , when things spoke for publick Advantage are distorted to the Reproach of those private persons , who speak them , it is a very difficult thing to observe such a Mean between disagreeing heats , and different opinions , as not to incur the offence of one of the Parties . As for me , I will so temper and moderate my Discourse , That no man shall complain of me , without first confessing his own Guilt . Yet , I shall use the Liberty of Speech , received from our Ancestors , so modestly , that , as , on the One side , I desire to prejudice no man ; so , on the Other , neither for Fear nor Favour , will I pretermit any thing , which is of use in the Debate before us ; I see ▪ That there are Two Opinions which do retard and impede our Concord ; The One , is , of Those , who judge , That in a matter relating to the Good of All , an Election out of All is to be made ; and as we all meet to give our Suffrages in a business concerning the safety of the whole Kingdom ; so , it is equal and fit , that no man should be Excluded from the Hopes of that Honour , who seeks after it by Honest and Virtuous Ways . The Other , is , of such , who count it a great Injury done to the Queen , who is so noble a Princess , and so choice a Woman , if she be not preferred before all others in the Tutelage of her Son , and the Administration of the Government of the Kingdom .

Of these Two Opinions , I like the Former best , and I will shew you my Reasons for it , by and by : In the mean time , I so far approve the design of the Later , That they think it below the Queen's Grandeur , That any Single Person should Vye with her for this point of Honour , lest her Authority , which ought to be , as it indeed is , accounted Venerable , should be lessned by coping with Inferiours . And , indeed , I would be quickly of their mind , if the Dispute lay here , about the Honour of One , and not the Safety of All. But , seeing that , this day , we are to make a Determination about That which concerns the Lives & Fortunes of all private men , and the Safety of the whole Kingdom , too ; it is fit , that all Single Interests , and Concerns , should stoop and truckle under That : And therefore , I earnestly advise Those , that are of this Opinion , so to consult the Dignity of the Queen , That , in the interim , they forget not the Reverence they owe to the Laws , to the old Customs , and , to the Universal Good of their Country ; if they can shew , by any Statute , That it is Lawful and Publickly expedient , That the Guardianship of the King , and the Regency of the Kingdom , ought to be in the Queens Hands , I will pass over into their Opinion . But if their Orations be pernicious to the Publick , I hope the Queen , first ; and next , all Good men will pardon me , if ( always saving the Majesty of the Queen , as Sacred , so far as , by Law , and the Custom of our Ancestors , I may ) I do not conceal my Opinion , or , rather , if I speak out That , with Freedom , which it were the greatest Impiety in me to conceal . To begin then with the Laws ; There is a Law made 500 year ago , by King Kenneth , a Prince no less eminent for his Wisdom and Prudence , than for his military Performances ; and it was assented and yielded to by All the Orders of the Kingdom ; and approved of , even to this very day , by the Constant Observance of so many Ages , That , when the King was in his Minority , the Estates , or Parliament , of the Kingdom should Assemble and choose some one Man , eminent for Wisdom and Power , to be his Guardian , and to Govern the Kingdom , whilst he was yet unable to weild the Scepter , with his Own hands . Tho' this Law be referred to Kenneth , as the Author of it ; yet , it seems to me , That he did not so much Enact it first , as , thereby , revive and confirm the Ancient Custom of the Scots , by a New Sanction . For , Our Ancestors were so far from Committing the Supreme Power into the Hands of a Woman , That , if you look over all our Chronicles , you shall not find so much as the Name of a Woman Regent , recorded therein ; for , why , pray , should they mention such a Name , of which , they thought , they had no need , at present ; & hoped , they should never have any for the Future ? For those Females which other Countrys call Queens , we only call Wives ( or Consorts ) of our Kings ; neither do we entitle Them to any Higher Name ; for , I judge , our Wise Ancestors had This in their Eye , That , as often as they heard their Names mentioned with the Adjunct of Husband , they might remember , That they were obnoxious and Subject to men . And therefore , to this very day , a Woman was never admitted to the Regency , or the Administration of Publick Affairs . The same Course hath been also constantly observed in lesser Magistracys , both as to their Appointments and Executions . For , tho' many Honours and some Seigniorys amongst them have come by Inheritance to some Women , by reason of their Great deserts from their Country ; and have also been allotted to them , as Dowrys ; yet it was never known , since the memory of man , That any Woman did ever preside in any Publick Council , or in any Court of Judicature , or to have taken upon her any of those Offices , which are appropriated to men . Which Custom , seeing our Ancestors , tho' not bound by Law thereunto , did constantly observe , only by the Impulse of Nature , if we their Posterity should cast the Common-wealth into an apparent Danger , by opposing a Law , received by the Votes of all , and approved by so long an Usage , Who will free us from the Brand ( I will not say , of Tomerity , but ) even of Madness it self ? Especially , since we have been warned by Examples near at hand ; For the Saxons , by reason of the Wickedness of one Woman , viz. Ethelburga ▪ made a Law , That , after that time , no Woman should be called Queen , nor should fit in Publick , next the King , in any Seat of Honour . I beseech you therefore , consider seriously , how much they degenerate from Their Prudence , who against a Law so Ancient , and as advantageous to Women , as honourable to Men , would put the Reins of Government into Their hands , to whom our Ancestors never gave so much as a Royal Name ; and from whom our Neighbours , after they had given it , took it away . Other Nations , I grant , have been of another Opinion ; with what Success I shall declare , after I have first answered Those , who dare not calumniate this Law , openly ; but , in the Carpet-Conventicles of Women , do implead it , as unjust . But whosoever he be , that finds Fault with it , he seems to reprehend , not some Sanction only , approved by the suffrages of Men , but even Nature it self , i. e. That Primary Law , imprinted in our hearts by God himself ; I say , Nature it self , whom our Law-maker had , as a Guide , and Directress of all his Counsels , when he proposed and enacted this Law . For Nature , from the beginning , hath not only distinguished Men from Women by the strength of Mind and Body , but hath also appropriated distinct Offices and Virtues to each Sex , the same indeed for Kind , but far different in Degree ; For , how is it less uncomely for a Woman to pronounce Judgment , to levy Forces , to Conduct an Army , to give a Signal to the Battel , than for a Man to teiz Wool , to handle the Distaff , to Spin or Card , and to perform the other Services of the weaker Sex : That which is Liberality , Fortitude , and Severity in Men , is Profusion , Madness and Cruelty in a Woman . And again , That which is Elegant , Comely , and Ornamental in a Woman , is Mean , Sordid , and Effeminate in a Man : They that endeavour to confound and mix these things , which Nature , of her own accord , hath distinguished , do they not seem to you , not only to disturb , but also to overthrow , the State of the Kingdom , which is founded upon so good Laws and Customs ? This they do , when they would obtrude on us the Government of a Woman , which our Ancestors did not so much as once Name . For the Maker of that Law ( as I told you before ) doth not seem so much to induce a new Sanction in the Enacting thereof , as only to commit to Writing the perpetual Usage of our Ancestors , that it might be transmitted to Posterity ; and , That which hath been always observed by the Guidance of Nature , in the making a King , to have consecrated the same Thing to be observed by Publick Authority , in choosing a Guardian for a King , under age . They which go about to undermine and infringe this one Law , what do they thereby but endeavour to overthrow all the other Laws , Rites and Customs of our Ancestors ? I speak this , ( that I may prevent all Calum●y ) not that I think all Laws are immutable , as if they were enacted to last for ever ; No , Laws are of different Sorts and Kinds : Those which are accommodated to the Vicissitude of Times , are subject to the Inconstancy of Fortune , and are wont to last so long , as the Necessity doth , which imposed them ; and Those which are obtruded on men by the Wills of Tyrants , are commonly disannulled and abrogated , with their Authors . But as for that Instinct or Impress of Nature , which is , as it were , a Living Law , ordained by God , and deeply imprinted and engraven in Mens hearts , That , the Consent of no Multitudes , nor no mens Decrees , can abolish . For ( as an excellent Poet is reported to have said ) it was not born yesterday or to day , but it grew up together with Dame Nature it self , and lives and dies together with it . And seeing the Law , of which we now speak , is of ●hat sort , and a Principal one , too , he doth not oppose the Dignity of the Queen , who desires , That she of her own accord would prescribe to her self those Bounds , which Nature it self hath appointed , her Sex requires , Custom allows , and the Laws , made by the consent of almost all Nations , do approve : But they , who would have her forget her Sex and Station , do persuade her to break thro' all Bonds of Law , and to disturb the Order of things appointed by God , received by use , and allowed in all Cities and Countrys , well-governed : And , certainly , whosoever slights that Order will be grievously punished , not by Men only , but by God himself , who will revenge his own Law . For , if good Laws threaten a Man with Death , who shall cloath himself with a Womans Apparel ; and a Woman , if she wear the Habit of a Man , what Punishment can be inflicted on them , too great for their Offence , who , by a preposterous Flattery , would overthrow the whole Force of Nature , and the everlasting Constitution of God himself ? Will you understand , how these Flatterers do not speak what they cordially mean ? In a publick Assembly , to give a Vote , to be President in a Court of Law , to enact or abrogate a Law : These are Great Things in themselves , yet they are but a small Portion of the Government . Why do they not bring their Wives hither to us , to consult ? Why do not these also preside in Judicatures ? Why do they not persuade , or dissuade , Laws ? Why do not they themselves look after their Domestick Affairs , at home ? And , Why do they not send their Wives abroad to the War ? But if they would impose Those Regents upon us , whom they themselves dare scarcely trust in the Management of their own Houshold Affairs , much less think them fit for the least Part of any Publick Business : Consider , I pray , how they contradict themselves ; but if they themselves are conscious of their own Infirmity , if they speak as they think , and so are restrain'd by Modesty rather than Judgment ; yet , let them hope well of others , who both can , and will , perform their own , i. e. the Services proper for Men , But if ( as I rather judge ) They think , by this kind of Complyance , to gratify the Queen , I advise and admonish them , to lay aside that false Opinion of a Princess of so great Prudence , as she is , nor , that they would believe her to be so ignorant of Things , as to account , That to be an Increase and Accession of Dignity , ( to her ) which would be the foulest thing imaginable , in other Women . I enter upon this Part of my Discourse very unwillingly ; For , seeing our Noble Princess hath so well deserved of the whole Kingdom , that it is fit she should hear nothing , which might justly offend her Ears and Spirit . I will not mention those things , which ill Men do commonly allege in contemning and undervaluing of that Sex , I shall rather insist on those Virtues , which are proper to the Queen : And tho' these are Many and eminently Illustrious ; yet none of them have procur'd greater Praise and Commendation to her , than her Modesty . For , That is esteemed so proper to her Sex , that , even in a private person , it doth either cover , or , at least , much extenuate , other Faults . But , in our Princess , none of whose Words or Deeds , in regard of the Eminency of her Stock and Condition , can be concealed , it doth shine out so illustriously , that her other Virtues come much more acceptable , and commended , upon the Account thereof . And therefore I shall need to say but a few words in reference to her , save only to warn and encourage her , to persist in That way to Glory and Honour , which she hath already entred upon ; and that she would not give Ear to the Flatteries of any , so as to be forgetful of Her self ; but that she would rather tread the sure and experienced way to immortal Renown , than by running on unsafe and craggy Precipices , to hazard the Splendor of her former glorious Life .

But my great Business , is , with you ( My Lords , ) who , either out of Envy , are afraid that your Betters should be preferr'd before you ; or else , by wicked Ambition , do lay the Foundation of your future Favour with a good Princess . I will therefore , most Noble Queen , under the shelter of your Prudence , speak , and speak freely , my Thoughts , in this case . Such Persons do not Accost , or Court You , but your Fortune : And whilst they think upon the Queen , they forget , that the same Person is a Woman . When I name the Word Woman , ( I do not use it reproachfully ) but I mean a Person to whom Nature hath given many Blandishments , and eminent Endowments ; but withal , hath mingled them ( as She usually doth , in the most beautiful and preciousest things ) with some allay of Infirmity ; and therefore would have her to be under the Guardianship of Another ; as not sufficiently able to protect Herself : So that , She is so far from having an Empire over others allotted to her ; That the Laws , in Imitation of Nature , do Command Women to be under the perpetual Tutelage of their Parents , Brothers , or Husbands . Neither doth this tend to their Reproach , but is a Relief to their Frailty . For , that it keeps them off from those Affairs , for which they are unfit ; it is a Courtesie which consults , or makes Provision for , their Modesty ; not a Scandal , detracting from their Honour . I will not call to remembrance , how difficultly they are restrained by the Diligence of Husbands , and the Authority of Parents ; neither will I mention , how far the Licentiousness of some Women hath proceeded , when the Reins have been loosed on their Necks . I shall confine my Speech only to what the present Case offers ; yea , what it doth exact and require , and which , without Damage to the Publick , cannot be concealed : If there be any thing of private Inconvenience in the Sex , let their Husbands and Kin lock to that , I shall only briefly touch , what may be Publickly prejudicial . Greatness of Mind was never required in this Sex ; it is true , Women have other proper Virtues , but as for This , it was always reckoned amongst Virile , not Female , Endowments ; besides , by how much the more they are obnoxious to Commotions , Passions , and other efforts of Mind , by reason of the Imbecillity of their Nature , by so much , doth their Extravagancy , having once broke thro' the restraints of the Law , straggle further away , and is hardly ever reduced , and brought back again within its due Bounds ; in regard , Women are alike impatient , both of Diseases , and Remedies , too : But if any of them seem more valiant and couragious , they are so much the more dangerous , as being lyable to more impetuous and vehement Passions : For they , who , out of tediousness of their Sex , have put off the Woman , are very willing to extend their Liberty , even beyond the Precincts of Manly Cares , too ; If you once exceed , and pass over the Mound , and Limits , set by Nature , whatsoever is beyond is infinite , and there is no Boundary left either for Desire or Action : Moreover , there is a further Accession to this Infirmity of Nature , by how much the less Confidence one hath in himself , so much the more easily he interprets the Words and Actions of others to his own Reproach ; he is more vehemently Angry , and more hardly appeased . Such a Party doth also execute Revenge more immoderately , and doth punish his Despisers , with greater Hate : Now that all those things are unfit for , yea , contrary to , Magistracy , there is none of you are ignorant of . And if any Man think , that I devise these things of my own Head , let him consider , What great Disturbances there were not long ago , when Ioan of Naples Reigned . Look over the Histories of Ancient Times . I will not mention Semiramis of Assyria , nor Laodice of Cappadocia ; Those were Monsters , not Women . Queen of Palmira , a City in Syria , now called Faid . I shall only mention , That Zenobia Palmirena so much spoken of , the subduer of the Parthians , and Defender of the Roman Empire , was at last Overcome , Taken , and Triumphed over : And so She herself , and her Kingdom , which was enlarged , and increased by her Husband Odenatus , was lost in a moment .

Neither may I pass over in silence , what is principally to be regarded , in the management of other Mens Affairs ; That the Chief Command is not to be intrusted to such sort of Persons , who are not accountable for their Mal-Administration : I do not at all distrust the Disposition , Faithfulness , nor Care of the Queen ; but if any thing be acted amiss ( as it often happens ) by the Fraud of others ; and Matters be carried otherwise , than the Publick Good , or the Dignity of Her Place doth Require , What Mulct can we exact from the Kings Mother ? What Punishment can we require ? Who shall give an account for Miscarriages ? The Highest Matters will then be managed in the Meetings of Women ; in the Nursery or Dressing Room : You must There , either each Man in particular subscribe to Decrees ; or All in General Make them ; and She , whom you scarce now restrain , tho' She be without Arms , and obnoxious to you by Laws and Customs , when you have , by your Authority , put Power into Her hands , you will certainly feel Her Womanish Wilfulness and Extravagance ? Neither do I speak this , as if I did fear any such thing from our Queen , who is the Choicest and Modestest of all Women ; but because , I think it base and unseemly for us , who have all things , yet , in our own Hands and Power , to place the Hope of our Safety , which we may owe to our Selves , only in anothers Power , especially , since both Divine and Human Laws , the Custom of our Ancestors , yea , and the Consent of all Nations , throughout the whole World , make for us . 'T is true , some Nations have endured Women to be their Chief Magistrates , but they were not elected to that Dignity , by their Judgment and Suffrage , but were cast upon them by the Lot of their Birth and Nativity ; but never any People , who had freedom of Vote , when there was plenty of able Men to chuse , did ever prefer Women before Them . And therefore , most Eminent Patriots , I advise , and earnestly intreat , you , That , according to the Laws of our Country , and the Customs of our Ancestors , we chuse One ; or , if you think fit , More , the Best out of the Noblest and Best , who may undertake the Regency , till the King arrive at that strength both of Body and Mind , as to be able to manage the Government , Himself . And I pray God to Bless your Proceedings herein .

Kennedy spake thus with the Approbation of the , undoubtedly , major part of the Assembly ; and the rest , perceiving that it was in vain to oppose , passed over to their Opinion . The Matter was thus composed , That neither Party seemed to have the Better of the other . Two of each Faction were chosen for the Guardianship for the King , who were to manage all Publick Affairs , with Fidelity ; to Collect , The Parliament Gra●ity neither Party fully , but chuse Regents , of which the Queens Friends are an equal Number with the rest . and Expend , the King's Revenue ; and to undertake the Charge of the Royal Family : Of the Queens side , William Graham and Robert Boyd , then Chancellor : Of the Other , Robert Earl of the Orcades , and Iohn Kennedy , All , on both sides , the Chief of their Families . To these were added the Two Bishops of Glasgo and Caledonia . The Queen was allowed to be present at the King's Education , but She was not to touch any part of the Publick Government ; As for the other Children , which were Four , viz. Alexander Duke of Albany , and Iohn Earl of Mar , and Two young Females , She had the Charge of their Educations , Herself .

Matters being thus composed at home , Embassadors from England had their Audience , who desired a Truce , which was granted for Fifteen Years ; The next Year , which was 1463. A Truce with England for 1● Years . The Queen Mothers Death . The King's Mother Died , being not well spoken of in point of Chastity : The same Year , Alexander , the King's Brother , returning from his Grandfather , by the Mothers-side , out of France , was taken Prisoner by the English , but freed soon after , in regard the Scots urged it as a Breach of the Truce , and threatned a War thereupon .

Peace being obtained abroad , it was not long , Intestine Commotions in Scotland . before Intestine Commotions arose at home ; for , when the Disputes and Controversies betwixt the Nobility , concerning ordering the State of the Kingdom , were bruited abroad , and magnified by vulgar Rumors . And Moreover , the King's Minority , together with the fresh Remembrance of the Licentiousness of the late Times , were brought upon the Stage , all these Temptations put together did easily let loose the Reins to Men , who were turbulent enough in their own Nature . Alan of Lorn , a Seditious Person , had a mind to enjoy the Estate of Iohn , By Alan of Lo●n , his Elder Brother ; and therefore , kept him Prisoner , intending there to detain him so long alive , till the hatred of his cruel Practise did , with time , abate , and so he yield to his Will and Pleasure ; when Calen Cambel , Earl of Argyle , heard of it , he gather'd a Band of his Tenants together , freed Iohn , and cast Alan into Prison , in his room ; resolving to carry him to Court , that he might suffer Punishment for That , as well as for his other noted Robberies ; but he prevented his Punishment by Death , whether voluntary , or fortuitous , is not known .

And Donald the Islander . In another part of the Country , Donald , the Islander , as being a more powerful Person , began to make a far greater Commotion ; for , after the Kings Death , as free from Fear , and judging , That turbulent state of things to be a fit Opportunity for him to injure his Inferiors , and to increase his own power , he came to Enverness , with no great Train , and was kindly invited into the Castle , by the Governor thereof ; who had no Thoughts , or so much as the least Fear , of any Hostility from him ; when he was entred , he turned out the Garison , seized upon the Castle , and gathering his * * Or , Redshanks . Islanders about him , proclaim'd himself , King of the Islands : He sent forth Edicts into the Neighbour Countries , That the Inhabitants should pay Tribute to none , but himself ; and that they should acknowledge no other Lord or Master , denouncing a great Penalty to those that did otherwise . The News hereof caus'd Debauch'd Persons to flock to him from all Parts ; so that having made up an Army great enough , he entred Athole , with such celerity , that he took the Earl thereof , who was the Kings Uncle , and his Wife , Prisoners , before they suspected any such thing . For the Earl , Donald takes the Earl of Athol Prisoner ; pillages and burns St. Brides Church . hearing the sudden Tumult of a War , distrusted the strength of his Castle of Blare , and went into the Church of St. Brides near adjoining , to defend himself there as in a Sanctuary , by the Religion of the Place ; many also of his Vassals and Countrymen , being surprized at the sudden danger , carried , and laid up their best Goods there . That Church was venerated in those Parts with great Ceremony , and it had remain'd inviolate , to that very day , by reason of the great Opinion of its Sanctity ; but the consideration of Gain was more prevalent with that Savage and Avaritious Person , than any sense of Religion . For he violently pull'd out the Earl and his Wife from thence , and a great Number of Prisoners , besides ; and after he had pillag'd the Church , he burnt it with Fire ; and when the Priests spake to him , to deter him from that Sacriledge , some of them he slew , others he sent away , evilly enough intreated . Then having wasted the adjacent Countries , up and down , with Fire and Sword , he was returning home , with a great Booty , but a sudden Tempest arose , which sunk many of his Ships , and grievously distrest the rest ; so that he , and a Few only of his Followers were rather cast up , than landed , on the Island of Ila ; they , which superviv'd this Shipwrack , thought , That this Calamity happened to them by the manifest Anger of the Deity , because they had violated the Church of St. Bride ; and therefore they went bare-footed , and cover'd only with a little Linen Garment , in an humble manner to carry Gifts to her , whom , a few days before , they had so contumeliously abus'd : 'T is reported , That , from that day forward , Donald , their Commander , fell out of his Wits , either for Grief , He is Shipwrack●d , and the●eupon fal●s distr●cted . that he had lost his Army and the Spoil ; or , because his Mind , though brutish , was at length gaul'd with the Conscience of his Irreligious Sacriledge , and Contempt of Divine Worship . This Misfortune of their Commander occasion'd his Kindred to set the Earl of Athole , and his Children , at liberty , and to come to atone St. Bride with many Large and Expiatory Gifts .

When the News hereof was brought to Court , it broke off their Consultations , of making any Expedition against the Islanders . The first Tumults being thus appeas'd , the Administration of Scotish Affairs was carried on with so much Equity and Tranquillity , that the oldest Man , then alive , never remembred more secure , quiet , and halcyon , days ; such was the Prudence and Gravity of Iames Kennedy , ( on whose Authority the Court did then principally depend , Iames Kennedy his commendation . ) and such the Modesty of the rest of the Nobility , who did not grudge to yield Obedience to the Wiser sort . For , this Iames Kennedy had obtained such Credit by his many Merits and Services to his Country , and by his good Offices towards the former King ; yea , he had procured such a real Opinion of his Fidelity in all Matters , by reason of the Composedness of his Manners , and his near Alliance to the King , That the rest of the Kings Guardians , which were to succeed one another , Two and Two by turns , did willingly admit and suffer him , when ever he came to Court , to be the sole Censor and Supervisor of their Pains and Diligence , in that Service . By this their Concord , the Kings Education was carried on very smoothly , and his own Towardliness and Ingenuity making an accession to their Industry , all Men conceiv'd great Hopes of him .

Thus Matters were carried on , till about the Sixth year of the Kings Reign ; There was then at Court Robert Boyd , the Chief of his Family , who , besides his Personal Estate , was ally'd to many other Great and Noble Families , The Boyds c●eep into Favour at Court . he had also a Flourishing Stock of Children of his own , as Thomas and Robert ; he had a Brother too , named Alexander , who was well instructed and vers'd in all good Letters : This Alexander , at the desire of Iohn Kennedy , his Kinsman , ( who , by reason of his declining Age , was not so fit for Youthful Services ) and with the consent of the rest of the Kings Tutors , or Guardians , was preferr'd to the King , to teach him the Rudiments of the Art Military , in the Knowledge whereof he was esteem'd to exceed all his Equals . The Boyds , upon the account of these Advantages , were not content with that Place and Authority , though it were very great and Honourable , which they had at Court , but further sought to transfer all Publick Offices into their own Family ; to accomplish which , Alexander was desired by them , to incline the Kings Favour towards them ; He , having got the King in the Tenderness and Ductility of his Age , did so insinuate into him by his Flattering Complaisance , that he could do all things with him . Being admitted into such private Intimacy and Converse , he would oft scatter words before the King , that he was now fit to govern , himself ; and that ' was time for him to be emancipated from the servivitude of old Grey-Beards ; and to maintain a Company of Noble 〈◊〉 You●hs about him , that so he might enter on those Studies , betimes , wherein , whether he would or no , he was likely to pass the remaining part of his Life . Discourses of this kind were easily entertain'd by a Youth , unskilful in Matters , and in the slippery Part of his Age , too ; which was prone to liberty , so that he began to be a little Stubborn and Headstrong against his Governors ; Some things he would do , without their advice , and Many against it , as seeking an opportunity to be delivered from the severity of those Seniors , as from a kind of Bondage and Captivity . Whereupon , being at Linlithgoe , when he went out a Hunting , unknown to Kennedy , whose turn it was then to wait , the old Man , being informed thereof , went forth to overtake him not far from the Town ; and having done so , he took his Horse by the Bridle , and endeavour'd to stop and bring him back , alleging , that 't was no convenient Time , nor was his Company fitting for such an Exercise ; Alexander Boyd abuses Kennedy . hereupon Alexander ran in , and with the Bow , which he had in his Hand , struck the old Man a Blow on his Head , though he deserv'd better things at his hands ; Kennedy , being thus beat off , as a troublesom Hinderer of their Sport , they proceed on to the Place , they intended they go to ; Kennedy , being wounded , returned into the Town . And when Robert Boyd came again to Court , he did not disapprove , what his Brother Alexander had done ; By this means , the Seeds of Enmity were sown between the Two Factions , which grew up to the great Detriment of the Kingdom , and at length to the total Destruction of One of them .

The Fewd was first discover'd upon This Occasion ; The Boyds would have the King remov'd from that place to Edinburgh , but Kennedy and his Party would have Sterlin to be the Place of his Residence . The Boyds could then do most at Court , and so , without publick Consent , The Boyds carry the King to Edinburgh . they carry'd the King to Edinburgh , there to enter upon the Regal Government . The Attendants of the Journy , were , besides their own Kindred , Adam Hepburn , Iohn Somerval , and Andrew Car , all Heads of their respective Families . This was acted about the 10th of Iuly in the year 1466. The Kennedies , having lost the day in the Dispute , departed severally to their own Homes , Iohn into Carrick , Whereupon the Kennedies depart from the Court . Boyd's Sarcasm to Iohn Kennedy . Iames into Fife , their minds swelling with Anger , and resolving to omit no Opportunity of Revenge . The Boyds , thus Conquerors , not contented with the Wrong they had done , sent Iohn an Ape , in a jeer , for the old Man to play and sport himself with at home , thereby upbraiding him , as if he had doted for Age.

Not long after , Iames Kennedy departed this Life , maturely enough for himself , if we respect his Age ; but his Death was so lamented by all good Men , Iames Kennedy's Death , and Character . as if , in him , they had lost a publick Father . For , in that Man , besides the Virtues above - mention'd , there was an high degree of Frugality and Continence at home , yet great Splendor and Magnificence abroad : He exceeded all former Bishops , yea , and all those which have sat after him in that See , to this very day , in Liberality towards the Publick ; and yet notwithstanding , his own Ecclesiastical Revenues were not very great , for as yet the Scots had not arrived at that ill Custom of heaping up Steeples upon Steeples ; nor had learned to spend that worse upon Luxury , which was before ill gotten by Avarice : He left one Eminent Monument of his Munificence behind him ; and That was the Publick Schools at St. Andrews , which he built with great Expence , and endow'd with large Revenues , but issuing out of Church Incoms ; he took order , that a Magnificent Monument should be erected for himself therein , which yet the Malignity of Men envy'd him for , though he had deserv'd so well privately of most Men , and publickly of all Men : They alleg'd , 't was a thing of too much vanity , to bestow so much Cost upon a Structure of no Use. His Death made his Virtues more illustrious , and increas'd Mens desire after him ; for when he , who was a perpetual Censor , and Corrector , of Manners , was once remov'd out of the way , the publick Discipline began , by degrees , to grow weak and remiss , and , at last , to be so corrupt , as to bring almost all things , with it self , to ruin .

The Boyds made use of pretences in Law , to increase the Domestick Power of their Family , and to abate the Potency of their Enemies , and first * *

Patrick Graham Elected Bishop of St. Andrews , in the room of Iames Kennedy , and Confirmed by the Pope .

But the Boyds obstruct his Admission .

Patrick Graham seem'd most pat for their purpose ; he was the Brother of Iames Kennedy , by the same Mother , and was also Cousin by the Mothers-side , to Robert Boyd . He , as the Manner was in those days , was Elected Bishop by the Canons , in the Room of his Brother Iames , but was hinder'd by the Court-Faction , from having the Kings leave to go to Rome , so that he went privately to the Pope , without any Train , and so was easily admitted into his Brothers Place ; for besides the Nobleness of his Stock , and the great Recommendation of his high Virtues , he was also well Learned , as for those times . And therefore whilst he staid at Rome , fearing the Power of the Adverse Faction ; The old Controversy concerning the Liberty of the Church of Scotland , began to be revived . For the Archbishop of York pretended , That the Bishops of Scotland were under his Jurisdiction , so that he endeavour'd to retain That Power in time of Peace , which had been usurped in the Licentious Times of War . But a Decree was made at Rome , in Favour of the Scots ; and Graham was not only made Primate of Scotland , Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of the Arch-Bishop of York , by the Popes Decree . but also was Constituted the Popes Legat there for Three years , to inquire into the dangerous Manners and Conversations of Priests ; and to restore decayed Ecclesiastical Discipline to its pristine Integrity and State ; and yet , this great Man , though so illustrious for Indowments of Mind and Fortune , and having also the superadded Authority of the Pope to back him , durst not return home , till the Power of the Boyds did somewhat decline at Court .

The Boyds perceiving , The Boyds strengthen their Faction , and procure Pardon for their Mis●a●iage● , by Publick Instruments , to which the King assents . That the Concourse of the Nobility to them was not so great as they hop'd ; to avert the Accusations of their Enemies , and provide for their own Security for the future , cause a publick Assembly , or Parliament , to be Indicted against the 13th Day of October . There Robert Boyd , the Elder , fell down on his Knees before the King and his Counsellors of State , complaining , That his Service to the King in bringing him to Edinburgh , was ill interpreted and traduc'd by the Malign Speeches of his Adversaries , who gave out threatning Words , That the Advisers to that Journy should , one Day , suffer Punishment for the same ; and therefore he humbly besought the King , That , if he had conceiv'd any ill will , or disgust in his Mind against him for that Journy , That he would openly declare it ; that so the Calumnies of his Detractors might be either prevented , or allay'd . The King , having advis'd a litt●e with the Lords of the Articles , made answer , That Robert was not the Adviser of him to that Journy , but rather his Companion in it ; and therefore , that he was more worthy of a Reward for his Courtesie , than of Punishment for his Obsequiousness and Compliance therein ; and this he was willing to declare in a publick Decree of the Estates , that so all invidious Discourse might be stopt ; and , in the same Decree , Provision should be made , That that Matter should never be prejudicial to Robert , nor his Companions : Boyd desired , that This Decree might be Registred amongst the Acts of the Assembly ; and that the same should be confirm'd also by Letters Patents , under the Great Seal ; and accordingly the Decree was presently Registred amongst the Acts , and the Letters Patents were deliver'd to him soon after , viz. the 25th Day of the same Month. The same Day also , the King , by advice of his Council , gave him other Letters Patents , wherein he was Constituted Regent , and had the Safety of the King , his Brothers , Robert Boyd made Regent . Sisters , Towns , Castles , and all the Jurisdiction over his Subjects , committed to him , till he himself came to 21 Years of Age ; and he dealt so with the Nobles , then present , that they solemnly promis'd to be assistant to the Boyds in all their publick Actions ; and that they would be obnoxious to Punishment , if they did not carefully , and with Faithfulness , perform , what they now promis'd : To this Stipulation , or Promise , the King also subscrib'd .

By this means , when the King was their Friend , Part of the Nobility in League with them , and also the Administration of the whole Government put into their Hands , they thought themselves sufficiently secur'd for a long time ;

Thomas Boyd Marries the Kings Eldest Sister .

The Greatness of the Boyds occasions their Ruin .

yea , and to lay a Foundation also for the future Greatness of their Posterity , they brought it about , that Thomas Boyd , the Son of Robert , should Marry the King 's Eldest Sister . That Marriage , as it was opulent , and seem'd a Prop and Establishment of their Power , so it increas'd the Hatred of their Enemies ; and gave Occasion to variety of Discourse , amongst the Vulgar . For , though , by this means , all passage to the King's Ear seem'd to be precluded , and they alone made the sole Arbiters of his Words and Actions ; yet , they did not flourish so much in Favour at Court , as they were prosecuted with publick Hatred abroad ; which , after Four Years Concealment , did , at last , break out to the Destruction of their whole Family ; and the wiser sort of the adverse Party did not much dislike this their sudden Increase of Honour , for , they hoped , ( as 't is usual ) That Arrogance would be the Companion thereof , which would not indure a Superior , and despise an Equal , yea and trample upon an Inferior ; and when the Bounds of a Subjects Condition are exceeded , it also awakens Kings , who are impatient of Corrivals , to overthrow such suspected Persons . The Noise of this Discord betwixt such Potent Factions , let loose the Reins to Popular Licentiousness . For the People , accustom'd to Robberies , did , by Intervals , more eagerly return to their former Trade . The Seeds of Hatred , which were supprest for a time , did now bud forth again with greater Vigour ; and the Seditious did willingly lay hold on these Occasions for Disturbances , so that , there was a general Liberty taken to do what Men listed , in hopes of Impunity .

Neither were the Kennedys wanting to the Occasion , who partly did spread abroad Rumors to inflame the People , and to cast all the Cause of their Disturbance and Miseries upon the Boyds ; and partly also , ( as some thought ) they were not much averse from the Design of the Seditious , but did privily cast Fewel into the Fire . This was plain and evident by their very Countenanc●s , That this troublesom State of Affairs was not unpleasant or unacceptable to them . There seem'd but only One thing wanting , utterly to subvert the flourishing Power of their Enemies , and That was , to make the King of their Party : For they had Strength enough , or too much ; they knew , that the Commonalty , who affect Innovations , and love every thing more than what is present , would crowd in to their Party ; hereupon they agreed to try the King's Mind , by some crafty Persons who should pretend themselves to be Lovers of the Boydian Faction .

In the interim , Embassadors were appointed to pass over into Denmark , to desire Margarite , the Daughter of that King , James by his Ambassadors desires Margarite Daughter of the King of Denmark for a Wife . as a Wife for Iames ; and that they should take all the care they could , that the Old Controversie concerning the Orcades and the Isles of Shetland , which had cost both Nations so much Blood , might be accorded : The Chief of the Embassie , was , Andrew Stuart , Son to Walter , who was then Chancellor of Scotland . The Danes easily assented to the Marriage , The King of Denmark resigns up the Orcades and Sche●land to the Scots , as a Dowry . and they quitted all their Right which their Ancestors claim'd over all the Islands about Scotland , in the Name of a Dowry ; only the private Owners of Estates , in those Islands , were to enjoy them upon the same Terms , as they had formerly done . Some write , that they were passed over in Mortgage , till the Dowry was paid , but that afterward , the King of Denmark gave up all his Right thereto for ever to his Nephew Iames , who was newly born by his Daughter .

When the Chancellor had inform'd the King , that all things were finish'd according to his desire , the next Consult was , to send an handsom Train of Nobles to bring over the New Queen . And here , by the Fraud of his Enemies , and Inadvertency of his Friends , Thomas Boyd , Son of Robert Earl of Arran , was chosen Embassador , Thomas Boyd , sent Ambassador to bring the new Queen from Norwey . his very Maligners and Envyers purposely commending his Aptness for that Imployment , by reason of his Valour , Splendor and Estate , fit for such a Magnificent Errand : He judging all things safe at Home , in regard his Father was Regent , willingly undertook the Imployment ; and at the beginning of Autumn , with a good Train of Friends and Followers , he went a Ship-board .

In the mean time , the Kennedy's had loosened the Kings Affection to the Boyds ; and whereas they thought to retain his Good Will , by Pleasures and Vacation from Publick Cares : Those very Baits they imputed as Crimes to them , and by magnifying their Wealth , though Great in it self , yet as too Bulky , and even dangerous to the King himself ; and withal alleging , what a great Advance would accru to his Exchequer , by the Confiscation of their Estates , upon their Conviction , they did variously agitate the infirm Mind of the King , who was inclin'd to Suspicions and Avarice . The Boyds undermined in the absence of Thomas . And the Boyds on the other side , though they endeavour'd by their Obsequious Flatteries , and their hiding the publick Miseries from him , to banish all Melancholly Thoughts out of his Mind ; yet , the Complaints of the Vulgar , and the Solitariness of the Court , Both which were , of set purpose , contriv'd and increast by their Enemies , could not be hid . And besides , there were some , who when the King was alone , did discourse him freely , concerning the Publick Calamities , and the Way to Remedy them ; yea , the King himself , as if he were somewhat awakned to Manly Cares , declar'd , That what was sometimes Acted abroad , did not please him . But the Boyds , though they perceiv'd that the King was every Day less and less Tractable to them , than formerly ; and withal , that popular Envy rose higher and higher against them , yet remitted nothing of their former Licentiousness , as trusting to the Kings former Lenity , and to the Amnesty , which they had for what was past .

Whereupon the contrary Faction , having secretly wrought over the King to their Party , and Thomas , Earl of Arran , being sent packing Ambassador into Denmark , from whence he was not expected to return , till late in the Spring , because those Northern Seas are Tempestuous and Unpassable , for a great part of the Year ; upon these accounts , they thought it a fit season , to attempt the Boyds , who were Old and Diseased , and therefore came seldom to Court ; and besides , were destitute of the Aid of many of their Friends ; who were go●● away in the Train of the Embassy . The First thing t●●y did , was , to persuade the King to call a Parliament , which had been much long'd for a great while , to meet at Edinburgh on the Twenty Second Day of November , in the Year 1469. Thither the Boyds , Two Brothers , were Summoned to come , and make their Appearance ; where Matters were variously carried towards them , as every ones Hatred of them , or Favour to them , did dictate and direct . But they were so astonisht at this sudden Blow , as having made no great Provision against so imminent a Danger , that their Minds were quite dejected , not so much for the Power of the adverse Faction , as for the sudden Alienation of the Kings Mind from them ; so that Robert , in Despair of his safety , fled into England ; Robert Boyd flies into England . but Alexander , who by reason of his Sickness could not fly , was call'd to his Answer . The Crime objected to both the Brothers , was , That they had laid Hands on the King , and by private Advice had carried him to Edinburgh . Alexander Boyd Beheaded . Alexander alleg'd , That he had obtain'd his Pardon for that Offence in a publick Convention , and therefore he humbly desired , That a Copy of that Pardon might be Transcrib'd out of the Parliament Rolls , but this was denied him : What his Accusers did object against that Pardon , the Writers of those Times do not Record ; and I , though a Conjecture be not very difficult to be made in the case , yet had rather leave the whole Matter to the Readers Thoughts , than to affirm Uncertainties for Truths . Alexander was Condemn'd on his Tryal , and had his Head cut off . Robert , a few years after , dy'd at Alnwick in England , the Grief of Banishment being added to the pains of his old Age. His Son , though absent , and that upon a publick Business , was declar'd a publick Enemy , without Hearing ; and all their Estates were Confiscate . Thus stood the matter of Fact , but I shall not conceal , what I have heard some Good Men , A Critical or Ambiguous Pardon . and not Ignorant of the History of those Times , affirm ; They say , That the Amnesty given to the Boyds , was thus Worded in the Records , That the King forgave them all the Prejudice and Rancour of Mind , ( as they then Phras'd it ) which he might have conceiv'd against them ; which they , who were willing to Gratifie the King , Thomas Boyd declared a publick Enemy in his ●bsence . did Interpret ( according to the Distinction then Celebrated , amongst Divines , concerning the Remission of the Fault , and of the Punishment ) after this manner , That though the King forgave them his Personal Resentment , yet they were not exempted from the Punishment of the Law . Thomas Boyd , when he heard of the Calamity of his Family , though some put him in hopes of Pardon , in a time of publick Rejoycing , yet durst not come ashore ; but being inform'd by his Wife , who upon the first News of the approach of the Danish Fleet , made immediately to him , that there was no Hopes of Re-admission to the Kings Favour , his Enemies having stopt all Passages thereunto , sail'd back into Denmark , whence he came , and so Travelled through Germany into France , where he , in vain , indeavour'd to obtain the Mediation of Lewis the Eleventh , ( who then had turn'd the Legitimate Empire of the French into a Tyranny ) for his Reconciliation ; and thereupon he went to Charles of Burgundy , Who thereupon retires into Burgundy . where he carry'd himself Valiantly , and did him much Faithful Service in the Wars , for which he was well rewarded by him with Honours and Largesses . There he lived a Private , yet Honourable , Life ; and his Wife bore him a Son , called Iames , and a Daughter called Grekin , of which , in their place .

The Marriage of Iames the Third , and Queen Margarite , King Iames Married to Margarite of Norwey . was Celebrated with a great Concourse of the Nobility , on the Tenth Day of Iuly , in the Year of our Lord 1470. There was born out of that Marriage , Three Years after , on Saint Patricks Day in March , Iames , who Succeeded his Father in the Kingdom .

In the interim , the King , not yet satisfi'd with the Misery of the Boyds , writes over into Flanders , to recal his Sister home ; but knowing that she bore so great a Love to her Husband , that she would hardly be induc'd to part from him ; he caus'd others to write to her , giving her some Hopes , that the Kings Anger might , in time , be appeas'd towards her Husband ; and that no doubt was to be made , but that she her self might prevail much with her Brother , for his Relief ; but that she must come to plead for him in Presence , and not commit his Apology to others ; upon these Hopes , she return'd , and was no sooner arriv'd in Scotland , but the King transacts with her about a Divorce ; and thereupon he affixt publick Libels and Citations , attested by many Witnesses , at * * A Town on the River Irwyn in Cuningham . Kilmarnock , ( which was the Chief House of the Boyds , before their Fall , ) wherein Thomas was Commanded to appear in Sixty Days , though all Men knew , that , though the publick Faith had been given him ; yet he would hardly have return'd ; he not appearing at the Day , the former Marriage was pronounc'd Null , and a Divorce made , though the Husband were absent and unheard ; and so Mary , the Kings Sister was , compell'd , against her Will , to Marry Iames Hamilton , a Man rais'd but a little before , and much inferiour to her former Husband , Thomas Boyd's Wife divorced f●om him , and Married to Iames Hamilton . in Estate and Dignity ; yet , she bore him a Son , named Iames , and a Daughter called Margarite . The Children she had , by her former Husband , were also recall'd by the King . And he himself lived not long after . He died at Antwerp , Thomas Boyd's Death . and having no Kinsmen there to claim his Estate , Charles of Burgundy caus'd a Magnificent Monument to be erected for him , with the Mony , which he had munificently bestow'd upon him in the Church of ...... wherein an Honourable Epitaph was inscribed . Thus the Family of the Boyds , which then was the most flourishing one in all Scotland , within a few Years , grew up and was cut down , to the great Document of Posterity , What slippery things the Favours of young Kings are .

Their Ruin did not only amaze their Friends , but it also kept off , and damp'd , their very Enemies , so that none would adventure to Aspire to that Dignity , from whence they were cast down ; partly , upon the account of the Instability of Human Affairs ; and partly , in Consideration of the Kings sudden Repentance , for bestowing of his Graces and Favours , and his continu'd Perseverance in his Hatred , when once began . This is certain , that they which were erected to great Hopes of Preferment , by this change of Publick Affairs , found themselves much mistaken : For the King , who , before that time , had used himself to Domestick Ease , and seldom appear'd in Publick , being now also newly Married , spent a great part of his Time in the Pleasures of his Palace ; he excluded the Nobility , and was wholly govern'd by a few of his Servants ; for , being of an eager and fervid Disposition , he could not well bear the being contradicted in his Opinion , so that he avoided the Liberty which Nobles would take , in advising him , and had only those about him , who would not reprehend , but rather approve of , what he did ; that so by avoiding any occasion of Offence , by their Flattery , they might curry his Favour . Amidst these Manners of the Court , the Ecclesiastical State was not much better ; for though the Ministers of the Church had been given , for many years , to Luxury and Avarice , yet there was still some shadow of ancient Gravity remaining ; so that some encouragement was given to Learning , and Advantage to such as were good Proficients therein . For the Bishops were chosen by the Colleges of Canons , Bishops anciently chosen by their Canons , and Abbats by their Monks . and the Abbats by their respective Sodalities ; but then the Parasite Courtiers persuaded the King , ( for it was they only , who had his Heart and Ear ) that it would be very gainful to him ; and those with whom he was to deal , were not able to hinder his Design , if he recalled and assumed the Designation of such Offices to himself , and not suffer a Matter of so great Advantage to rest in the Hands of such a dronish Generation of People , and unfit for any publick Business , as Ecclesiasticks were . The King was easily persuaded thereunto , in regard , they alleg'd , That , by this means , besides other Advantages , he might have Opportunity to curb the Contumacious , to oblige Neuters , and to reward the well deserving ; but , ( said they ) in our present Circumstances , Promotions and Honours are in the Hands of the Dregs of the Vulgar , who are as Parsimonious in case of publick Necessities , as they are profuse in their private Pleasures ; but it was fit , that , in such Cases , all Men should depend upon the King alone , that so he might have the sole Power of Punishing , Pardoning , and Rewarding .

By these and the like Flattering Arguments , they persuaded the King to their Opinion , B●t King Iames assumes the naming of 〈◊〉 to himse●● . for his Mind was not yet confirm'd by Ripeness of Years ; besides , 't was weaken'd by ill Custom , and not fortifi'd against the Temptations of Money-Matters : And moreover , he was naturally Prone to Liberty . Hereupon , a new Face of things presently appeared throughout the whole Kingdom , and all Matters both Sacred and Profane , were brought to Court , to be huckster'd and sold , as in a Publick Fair. But Patrick Graham was the only Man , who endeavour'd to stop the precipitous Ruin of the Church ; when his Enemies sway'd all at home , he staid at Rome some years , but being there inform'd by his Friends , in what State things were , Which Patrick Grah●m labo●rs to withstand ▪ he , trusting in his Alliance to the King , being the Son of his Great Aunt , resolv'd to return home ; but that he might make some Essay of the Minds of Men , before ; he sent the Bull , which he had obtain'd from the Pope , for his Legantine Power , and caus'd it to be Proclaim'd and Publish'd in the Month of September , and the Year of our Lord 1472. which rais'd up much Envy against him . For they that had bought Ecclesiastical Honours at Court , were afraid to lose both their Prey and Money too ; and they , who thought to make advantage by this Court Nundination , were griev'd to be thus disappointed ; yea , that Faction did no less Storm , that had obtain'd Ecclesiastical Preferments from the King , for Mercenary Gain , that so they might sell them to others . Their Fear was , that this gainful Practice would be taken out of their Hands . All these made a Conspiracy against Patrick , and in his absence , loaded him with Reproaches ; they came to Court , and complain'd , that their Ancient Laws , as well as the Kings late Decrees , were Violated , and that the Romanists were carrying on many Matters , very prejudicial to the Kingdom ; and unless the King did speedily oppose their Exorbitance , they would quickly bring all things under their Power ; yea , and make the King himself truckle under them .

To prevent this Danger , there were some sent , by Order of Council , to Patrick , before he had scarce set his Foot on Shoar , to forbid him to execute any part of his Office , until the King had heard the Complaints made against him ; and a Day was appointed him to appear , the First of November at Edinburgh , in order to an Hearing .

In the mean time , when his Friends and Kinsfolk did assure him , that the King would do what was Equitable in so just a Cause : The adverse Faction , hearing of it , did so ingage the King and his Courtiers , by the Promises of great Sums of Money , that Patrick could never have a Fair Hearing afterwards : When he was come to the Assembly , he produc'd the Popes Bull and Grant , wherein he was Constituted Archbishop of St. Andrews , Primate of Scotland , But the Court-brokers ●ppose him . and the Popes Legate for Three Years , to order Ecclesiastical Affairs . The Inferiour sort of Priests were glad of the thing , that an Office so necessary was put into the Hands of so Pious and Learn'd a Man , but they did not dare to speak it out , for Fear of some powerful Persons , who had got the Ear of the King and his Counsellors . His Adversaries made their Appeal to the Pope , who alone could be judge in the Case ; which they did on purpose to create delay , that so the Favour of the People towards Patrick , might in time abate . He himself was sent back by the King to his Church , but forbid to wear the Ensigns and Habiliments of an Archbishop , till the Cause was determin'd ; neither was he to perform any Office , but what the former Bishops had done before him .

Whilst these things were acting , William Sivez rose up , a new Enemy , against Patrick , but the bitterest of all the rest , and that upon a light Occasion . He was a young Man of a prompt Wit , and had lived some Years at Lovain under the Institution of Iohn Sperinc , a Man well-skill'd in the Study of Physick and Astrology ; in both which Faculties he was very Famous ; and returning home , he quickly insinuated himself into the Favour of the Courtiers ; The Story of William Sivez , and his worming of Graham out of the Archbishop●ick of St. Andrews . partly , upon the account of his other Accomplishments ; and partly , because of his noted Skill in Astrology . This Endowment won him great Respect from the Court , which was then addicted to all sorts of Divinations , even to a Madness ; so that this Sivez , being of a Fluid Wit , and in great favour at Court , was soon made Arch-Deacon of St. Andrews . But the Bishop would not admit him to that Office ; whereupon he communicated Counsel with Iohn Locc , Rector of the Publick Schools there , and a back Friend of Patricks , and they Two plotted together , to overthrow him . The Rector , having a Grant from the Pope , whereby he was Privileg'd and Exempted from Patricks Jurisdiction , Patrick Graham Excommunicated , and his Rents gathered into the Kings Exchequer . pronounced the Sentence of Excommunication against him . But he so slighted this Commination of one of an Inferiour Order to himself , that though it were Twice or Thrice serv'd upon him , yet he remitted nothing of the ordinary Course of his former Life ; whereupon his Enemies ( as is usual in such Cases , wherein Ecclesiastical Censures are contemn'd ) implore the Assistance of the King , and cause Patrick to be shut out of all Churches . Officers of the Exchequer were sent to Inventory his Goods ; his Retinue was Commanded , under an heavy Penalty , to depart ; and a Guard was set upon him , to observe that he did nothing contrary to the Edict . The rest of the Bishops , that they might not seem ungrateful towards so Benevolent a King , levied a great Sum of Mony , which they had violently extorted out of small Benefices , and presented him with it . The King being Master of such a Sum , seem'd to deal more mildly with Patrick , as if he took pity on him , and accordingly he sent the Abbat of Holy-Rood , and Sivez , to him . Whereupon , the Bishop was reconcil'd to the King , and also Sivez and the Bishop were made Friends ; but his Mony was gather'd up before , and carried to the King . Now Patrick seem'd to be freed out of all his Troubles , and so he retir'd to his Mannor House of Monimul , and prepar'd himself for the Execution of his Office both Publickly and Privately ; Situate upon the Head of Monks-Moor Five Miles North of Falkland . when , behold ! the Roman Mony-Mongers were sent in upon him , by his Adversaries ; and because he had not paid his Fees for the Popes Grant , ( or Bull , as they call it ) they also Excommunicated him : The Man was reduced to extream Poverty ; for his Revenues , both before and after his return , were for the most part gather'd up by the Kings Collectors , and brought into his Exchequer ; and what ever his Friends could make up , was given to the King and his Courtiers . And when the Kings Officers were again sent to take Possession of his Estate , Guards were set upon him by the King ; his Houshold Servants were discharg'd , and he was kept pris'ner in his Castle , and thereby was depriv'd of the Advice of his Friends , also ; William Sivez , his Capital Enemy was First impos'd upon him by the King , as his Coadjutor , as they call him , as if he had been besides himself . The Pope also afterwards approving of the Man for that Service ; and also , 〈…〉 of his B●shoprick imprisoned till 〈◊〉 Death , and hi● Adversary Sivez succeeds him . the aforesaid Sivez was made Inquisitor by the Power of the Adverse Faction , to inquire into his Life and Conversation ; many trifling , many ridiculous , and incredible things were Objected against him , and amongst the rest , this was One , That he had said Mass Thrice in one Day ; whereas , in that Age , there was hardly a Bishop who did the same in Three Months ; Hereupon , his Enemy being Judge , and Witnesses being hired against him , he was Ejected out of his Bishoprick . And Sivez , who carried the Decree to the Pope , was made Bishop in his room . Neither were his Enemies contented with this Mischief they had done him ; but , perceiving , that he bore all their Contumelies with much Greatness of Spirit ; They took order , that he should be shut up in some desolate Monast'ry , under Four Keepers ; Inch Colm was chosen to be the Place , a Rock , rather than an Island , from whence , A Town four Miles above Queens-Ferry in Fife . Three Years after , he was remov'd to Dunferlin , for fear of the English Fleet , betwixt whom and the Scots a War had then broke forth , and from thence he was again carried to the Castle , which lies in Loch Leven , where , being worn out with Age and Miseries , he departed this Life ; He was a Man guilty of no known Vice , and , in Learning and Virtue , inferior to none of his Age. The other Good Men , being terrify'd by his Calamity , and perceiving no hopes of any Church-Reformation , went all about their own private Affairs ; In the Court , Church-Preferments were either Sold , or else given away to Flatterers , and Panders , as a Reward for their filthy Service .

Tho' these things were acted at several times , yet I have put them altogether in my Discourse , that so the Thread of my History might not be too often interrupted ; and also , that by one memorable Example , we might have an entire View of the Miseries of those Times ; For one may easily imagin , how vitious the ordinary sort of Men were , seeing a Man that was so Eminent for all kind of Virtue ; and besides , had the Advantage to be Allyed to the King , and to many Noble Families besides , was , by a few Scoundrels of the Lowest-sort , expos'd to the Reproach and Cruelty of his Enemies . But to return to the other Occurrences of those Times .

In the Year 1476. there was a Publick Decree made against Iohn Lord of the Islands , who had seiz'd upon some Provinces , Iohn the Islander rises in Arms , but quickly submits himself . and had done great spoil on the Maritime Coasts ; insomuch , that the King resolv'd to march against him by Land , and Commanded the Earl of Craford his Admiral , to meet him by Sea ; Hereupon , Iohn perceiving , that he was too weak to withstand such great Preparations , by the Advice of the Earl of Athole , the King's Uncle , came , in an Humble manner , to Court , and surrendred up himself to the King's Mercy . The Provinces which he had forcibly enter'd upon , were taken from him , as Ross , Kintire , Cnapdale , but the Command of the Islands was still permitted to him . The same Year , the Controversie with the English , which was just about to break forth into a War , Iames Kennedy built a vast Ship , which is rifled by the English ; but upon a Peace made by Embassadors , he receives satisfaction . was ended and decided . The Occasion was this , Iames Kennedy had built a Ship , the biggest that ever Sailed on the Ocean , at that time ; She , being at Sea , was , by a Tempest , cast upon the English Shore , and her Lading rifled by the English ; Restitution was often sought for , but in vain . This bred a disgust betwixt the Nations for some Years ; at last , the English sent Embassadors into Scotland ; The Chief of which , were , the Bishop of Durham , and Scroop a Nobleman ; by whom Edward , having been tost by the Inconstancy of Fortune , and his Exchequer drain'd by continual Wars , desir'd a Pacification , which was easily renew'd , upon Condition , That the value of the Ship rifled , and its Lading , might be estimated , by indifferent Persons , and just Satisfaction made .

Embassadors to Charles of Burgundy , The same Year , Embassadors were sent to Charles Duke of Burgundy , in behalf of the Merchants , who were disturb'd in their Trades : When they came into Flanders , they were Honourably receiv'd by him . But one Andrews a Physician , and a great Astrologer too , being occasionally invited by them to Supper , understanding the Cause of their coming , took them aside , and told them , That they should not make too much haste in their Embassy ; for , in a very few Days , they should hear other News of the Duke . And accordingly , his Prediction was fulfilled , for within Three Days after , his Army was overthrown by the Switzers , who soon after was slain at Nants by the Switzers . at the City of Nants in Lorain , where he was slain : Hereupon , the Embassadors return'd without effecting their Business ; and when they came to the King , and told him , how highly skilled that Andrews was , in Predicting Things to come , they persuaded him , who of himself was inclinable to those Arts , to send for the Man , upon promises of a good Reward ; and accordingly he came , was well receiv'd , and gratify'd with a rich Parsonage , and other Boons . He , ( as 't is reported ) told the King , That he should speedily be Destroy'd by his own Subjects , and that Speech agreed with the Vaticinations of some wizardly Women , ( to which the King was immoderately addicted ) who had Prophecy'd , That a Lyon should be killed by his Whelps ; Hereupon , from a Prince , at first , of great Ingenuity , One Andrews an Astrologer and Physician , and good Hopes , and as yet not wholly depraved ; he degenerated into a fierce and cruel Tyrant ; for when his Mind had entertain'd , and was stuft with , Suspicions , he accounted even his nearest Kindred , and all the Best of the Nobility , as his Enemies ; and the Nobles were also disgusted at him , partly , by reason of his Familiarity with that Rascally sort of People ; but chiefly ▪ because he slighted the Nobility , and chose mean Persons to be his Counsellors and Advisers . The Chief of them , were , Thomas Preston , One of a good Family , foretels K. Iames's Death . K. Iames degenerates into Tyranny . but who was resolv'd to humor the King in all things ; Robert Cockrain , a Man endued with great strength of Body , and equal Audacity of Mind ; he came to be known by the King , by a Duel which he fought with another ; and presently , of a Tradesman was made a Courtier , and that in a fair way of rising to some greater Advancement ; for having perform'd some lighter Matters , intrusted to him , with Diligence ; and also applying himself to the King's Humor , he was soon admitted to advise concerning the Grand Affairs of the Kingdom ; insomuch , that Preston chose him out to be his Son-in-law . The Third , was , William Rogers , an English Singing Man , or Musician ; who , coming into Scotland with the English Embassadors , after the King had heard him once or twice in a cast of his Offence , he was so taken with him , That he would not suffer him to return , but advanced him to wealth and honour , soon after making him a Knight . The rest of his Intimates were the most despicable sort of the meanest Tradesmen , who were only known by their Improbity and Audaciousness . Whereupon , the Nobility had a Meeting , wherein the Kings Brothers were the Chief , to purge the Court from this sort of Cattle ; and some notice of it being divulg'd abroad , Iohn the Youngest of the Brothers , Iohn , the Kings Brothe● , put to Death . more unwary than the rest , speaking a little too boldly , and rashly , concerning the State of the Kingdom , was seiz'd upon by the Courtiers , cast into P●ison , condemn'd by the King 's privy domestick Council , and put to Death , by having a Vein Opened , till he expired his last . The Cause of his Death was given out amongst the Vulgar , to be , because , he had conspir'd , with Witches , against the King's Life ; and to make the matter more plausible , twelve of the Witches of the lowest condition were Try'd and Burnt . The Death of Iohn did rather stifle than dissipate the Conspiracy , which seem'd almost ready to break forth .

Alexander , the next , as in Blood , so in Danger , tho' he indeavour'd to avert all Suspicion from himself , as much as he could ; yet the Kings Officers thought , they should never be Secure , as long as he was alive , And A●exander impri●oned . and therefore they presently clapt him up Prisoner in the Castle of Edinburgh , where he was strictly kept by those who judg'd his Power would be their Destruction ; and seeing he could not appease the Kings Wrath by the Mediation of his Friends , he began to think of making an Escape ; he had but one of his own Servants left t● wait upon him in his Chamber , him , and none else , he acquainted with his Design ; who hired a Vessel for him , to be ready fitted in the adjoining Road , then he suborn'd Messengers to make frequent Errands to him from the Court , who should tell him Stories before his Keepers , ( for he was forbid to speak with any Body , but in their presence ) that the King was now more reconcileable to him , than formerly ; and that he would speedily be set at Liberty . When the day appointed for his Escape approach'd , he compos'd his Countenance to as much Mirth , as , in that calamitous Condition , he was able to do , and told his Keepers , that , now , he believ'd the Messages sent him by the King , that he was reconcil'd to him ; and that , he hop'd he should not be held much longer in Durance ; hereupon ▪ he invited them to a noble Supper , and himself drank freely with them , till late at Night , then they departed ; and , being all full of Wine , fell into the Sounder sleep ; being thus alone , he made a Rope of the Linen-Blankets of his Bed , long enough , as he thought , But he make● his Escape to Dunbar , and then to France . for the height of the Wall , and First , to make a Tryal , he caus'd his Servant to slide down by it ; but perceiving , by his Fall , that 't was too short , he lengthned it out , as well as he could , in those Circumstances , and himself Slid down too , and took up his Servant , who had broke his Leg by his Fall , upon his Shoulders , and , carry'd him about a Mile to the Vessel , where they went aboard , and having a Fair Wind , failed to Dunbar ; there he fortify'd the Castle against any forcible Assault , and , with a smal Retinue , passed over into France . In his absence , Dunbar Castle deserted , and taken by the Scots . Andrew Stuart , the Chancellor , was sent with an Army to take in the Castle , they besieg'd it closely some Months , and 't was defended as bravely ; but , at last , the Garison , for want of Necessaries , were forced to get Vessels , and , in the Night , to depart privately for England , so that in the Morning the Empty Castle was taken by the Besiegers ; some men of Note , of the Besiegers , were slain there .

About these Times it was , that the Kings both of England and Scotland , Peace between the Scots and English ; wherein it was agreed , That Cecily , Edwards Daughter , should Marry Iames's Young Son . being weary'd out with Domestick Troubles , had each of them a desire to make Peace , and an Embassy was appointed to compleat it , which was kindly received , and the Peace was not only agreed upon , but an Affinity accorded to confirm it , that Cecilia , the Daughter of Edward , should be Married to Iames his Son , as soon as they were Both Marrigeable . Part also of the Dowry was paid , on this Condition , That , if when they came to Years , the Marriage were not Consummated , the Dowry should be paid back to the English , and , Hostages were given for performance of Conditions , which were some Burgers of Towns . But this Peace lasted not long , for , by reason of the old grudges remaining since the last Wars , Incursions were made , Preys driven , and Villages burnt : So that , by reason of these mutual Injuries , the matter broke forth into an open War . And besides , each King had other peculiar Provocations . Douglas , the Old Exile , But the Peace is soon broken , and an Army Marches into England . and Alexander the Kings Brother , the new One , excited Edward thereunto . For Alexander , as I said before , going into France , Married the Daughter of the Earl of Bulloign , but not being able to procure Aid from Lewis the II. then King of France , for the Recovery of his own , he Sailed over into England , hoping from thence to make some Attempt upon Scotland . As for Iames of Scotland , Lewis of Fran●e edg'd him on to a War , having sent Robert Ireland , a Scots man , and Dr. of the Sorbon , with Two French Knights to him , on that Errand . Hereupon , the Peace was violated , and altho' the Scotish Affairs , in regard some of the Country was wasted , were in none of the best State and Condition ; yea , an Army also was decreed , to be sent against Scotland , by the English , under the Command of the Duke of Glocester ; yet the King , and those which were about him , did levy Forces , tho' very unwillingly . For the Upstarts , ( such they lately were , and very poor too , ) whose Greatness was founded on the Calamities of others , and who had been the Authors of such desperate Counsels to the King , fear'd nothing more than the frequent Assembly of the Nobility ; when he came to * * In Lauderdale . Lauder , a Town near the Borders of Merch and Teviotdale , Countrys either wasted by the Enemy , or else , by Force , necessitated to submit to him , the King yet proceeded on in his wonted Course of Exactions from them ; he distrusted the Nobility , and manag'd all by his Cabinet-Council . The Nobles would indure the Indignity no longer , and therefore , in the third Watch , they met in a Church in the Town , where , in a Full Assembly , Archibald Douglas , Earl of Angus , is reported to have declar'd the Cause of their Meeting , in this wise .

I think it not necessary , Noble Peers , to make a long Oration concerning the state of Scotish Affairs , you your selves Partly remember it , and Partly you see it with your Eyes ; Douglasses Oration to the Nobles in the Camp , against the King's Evil Counsellors . the Chief of the Nobility , are either banished , or else compelled to suffer intolerable , and to act nefarious , things ; and you , in whom the strength of the Kingdom doth reside , are left without an Head , as a Ship without a Steers-man , subject to all the Storms and Tempests of Fortune ; Your Lands are burnt , your Estates plunder'd , the Husbandman , either slain , or else , perceiving no other Remedy , or relief , hath submitted to the Enemy . And the King , if he were Himself a man of a generous Spirit and rare Prudence , yet being carried away by poysonous Insinuations , refers all things , perta●ning to the Good of the Common-wealth , as to Peace , War and the like , not to an Assembly of the Nobles , but to inferior Underlings ; these men do consult South-sayers and Wizards , and so carry their Answers to the King , whose mind is Sick , and easily taken with such vain Superstitions ; and thus Decrees are made , under the Influence of such Authors , concerning the Safety of us all ; for they , knowing , that they are deservedly hated by all , do persecute all by as alternate an hatred ; and their endeavour is , not only to undermine your Authority , but to cut you all off , by all the possible Arts and Practices , they can ; they have remov'd some of us by Death , others by Banishment ; neither do they ascend gradually to play their Pranks , as inferiour Persons , when they are promoted , are wont to do , but these do immediately pitch upon the Royal Blood , to exercise the Tryals of their Cruelty and Avarice upon : One of the King's Brothers they have most inhumanly put to death ; the Other they have robb'd his Country of , by banishing him , and so have given him as a General to our Enemies ; they , being thus taken out of the way , their next work , is , to deal with the Nobility , for , being of low Estate and Condition themselves , they would have nothing of Excellency and Sublimity to survive them . All those , that have either Riches to satisfy their Avarice , or Power to resist their Audaciousness , Them they account as their Enemies ; and yet , in the mean time , we manage a War against the English , as our Publick Enemy , as if any Enemy were more deadly than That ▪ who is never satisfy'd , in point of Covetousness , with your Estates , nor , in point of Cruelty , with your Blood . Now to make it clear to you , that this intestine Plague is more dreadful than That Foreign one , suppose , ( which God forbid ) that the King of England should conquer us , doubtless he would remember old Grudges , and , in pursuance of that Conquest , what End of his Successes would he propound to himself ? or , what Reward of his Victory ? Would he aim at the Life of the King , his Enemy , or , at your Lives ? I think , at Neither . For the Dispute between us , is , not for Life , but for Glory and Empire ; and a generous Mind , as 't is vehement and eager against those that resist it , so 't is easily mitigated & inclin'd to Lenity by Submission and Obsequiousness , even upon the account of remembring the Instability of all human Affairs . But suppose , that the Enemies rage should aim at the Kings Life and Destruction , I pray , Which of the Two do act more mercifully , either he that , together with Life takes away all Sense of Misery ; or they , that reserve him , whom they ought principally to love and reverence , next to God , to a dayly Butchery and Execution ? Who arm his Mind , already prepossest with Witch-crafts , to the Destruction of his Friends ; who keep the King , now almost encompast by the Arms of his Enemies , in the nature of a Prisoner , and do not suffer him to see the Faces of his Friends , that he may understand their Affection to him , and experience their Loyalty : They are not so much Enemies , who pitch Camp against Camp , and so openly profess their Hostility , as they , who , at home , do treacherously contrive our Destruction . They alienate the Kings mind from his Friends , and betray him to his Enemies ; and thus they deprive us of our Commander , and expose us as a Prey to our Enemies Arms , by whom if your Lives are given you , after you are conquer'd , yet you will fall into Shame and Servitude ; and if you overcome them , yet you will not procure Quiet to your selves , Strength to your Country , nor Glory to your King , but a greater Liberty to your Enemies , to play their Pranks at present , and that in security , for the future ; and thus we shall bring a Plague and Misery on our selves , and a stricter Servitude on our King , ●o that Victory will not free us from Foreign Miseries , but will increase our Domestick Ones . And therefore , in short , my Opinion is , That we shake off the Yoke at home , before we venture to ●ngage the Enemy ; For , otherwise , we shall all be made Slaves to the Lusts of a few men , we shall strengthen the Enemy , and betray the Common-wealth : God bless your Consultations , in this matter .

After Douglas had ended his Speech , there followed , not a Debate , but a confus'd Noise , over the whole Assembly , crying out , To your Arms against the Publick Enemy ; for the Minds of all present were so inflam'd , That though they had none to lead them , yet they were about to break in upon the Kings Quarters . But the graver Sort , who , by reason of their Honour and Authority had a great Interest in the rest , appeas'd the Tumult ; for they fear'd , lest , in an impetuous assault of the People , the King himself should come to some harm : And therefore they agreed , That the prime Commanders should take a smal number of their chiefest Confidents , and , without any general remove of the whole Army , should go the Kings Pavilion , and so lay hold on the Offenders , who had the Management of things , and bring them forth to be judged before the whole Army , that so they might suffer condign Punishment , according to the Laws .

Whilst these things were in agitation , News was brought to the Court , that the Nobles were assembled , before day , in the Church ; for What , 't was not known ; but it must certainly be some great Matter , which ingag'd such Persons to assemble ▪ unknown to the King and his Counsellors . The King was awakned , and rose in great fear out of his Bed , and ask'd those about him , What was best to be done ? Cockran and the Rest of the Evil Counsellors dragg'd out by an Incensed Army to their Deaths . In the mean while , he sends Cockran before , to observe , what was a doing , and to bring him certain word ; when he was coming to the Church with a small Retinue , he meets with the Chief of the Nobility coming to Court , Douglas presently laid hands upon him , and took him by a Massy-Gold-Chain , which he wore about his Neck , whereby he somewhat strain'd his throat , and gave him up a Prisoner to the Marshal , and then he goes directly to the Kings Bed-Chamber . They , which were there , made no Opposition , either because they were astonished at his sudden Coming ; or else , out of Reverence to the Man , so that there the rest were seiz'd upon , who were thought to have corrupted the King by their wicked Counsels , only one Young man hung about the Kings Neck , and he desired them to pardon him , his name was Iohn Ramsy , of a good Family ; who , being excus'd , upon the account of his Age , was dismist . Whilst the rest were led on to their Tryals , there was a Tumult and Noise rais'd over the whole Army , crying out , Hang them , Rogues , whereupon they were presently hurry'd away , and ended their Lives in an Halter ; yea , the Army in general was so intent upon their Execution , that when they wanted Ropes , upon such a sudden , they all offer'd the Reins of their Horse-Bridles and their Baggage-Horse Tackle , for that Use ; and they strove much , Who should have the honour to offer his own , first .

This Court-Faction had committed many Injuries against private Persons , but their Wrongs to the Publick lay chiefly here , Their Crimes Objected , were , They had been the Authors of Coining new Brass-Money , which the common People did call by the invidious Name of Black-Money : Upon this Project , there first ensued a Dearth of all things , and afterwards a Famine ; for the Sellers had rather suffer their Commodities to be spoil'd at Home , than , under a pretence of Sale , Brass-Money Coyned , to give them away to the Buyers . But that all Commerce might not wholly cease amongst the People , this one Remedy was found out for Bargainers and Chapmen , That they should mention in their Contracts , in what sort of Money the Payment should be made . 'T is true , some of our former Kings had Coin'd that kind of Money , but 't was more for the necessary use of the Poor , than for their own Gain ; and also Provision was made by a Law , beyond what Sum , Sellers might not be compell'd to take it in payment . And thus the Buyers of small Commodities had a Benefit , Their Ali●nating the King's Heart from the Nobility , with 〈◊〉 Incouraging of him in Magical A●ts , and Exciting him to Cruelty against his own Flesh and Blood . and also it seem'd sufficiently caution'd by the Law , that the Richer Sort should have no Damage by this way of Change ▪ or Sale . It was also objected against them , That they had alienated the King's Heart from the Nobility , and had set him a-gog upon Magick , and had hurried him on to the Destruction of his own Kindred . But that which made Cockran most envy'd , was , his Earldom of Merch , which Country and Title the King had given to him ; or else , had committed to his Trust , upon the Death of the Youngest Brother .

When those Evil Counsellors were remov'd out of the way ; The King had no great Confidence in the Souldiery , nor the Souldiery in him ; so that the Army was dismist , and return'd Home ; and the King , though , for the present , he supprest his Anger , The Scots Army disbanded . and made many large and fair Promises to the Nobility , yet his Heart inwardly boiled with Blood , Slaughter , and Revenge . And therefore , as soon as he thought himself at Liberty , he retired , with some few of his Confidents , into the Castle of Edinburgh ; and the Nobility , not knowing what to think of it , had also their Consultations , apart . The King of England gather'd Forces in the Winter-Season , by the persuasion of Al●xander chiefly , who inform'd him of the Dissension betwixt the King and his Nobles in Scotland ; and also assur'd him , That , as soon as ever he entred Scotland , great Numbers of Horse and Foot would come in to him ; whereupon he made Richard , his Brother , Duke of Glocester , An English Army under the Duke of Glocester , and Alexander the Kings Brother , enters Scotland . General , and commanded him to march into Scotland . He began his March , when it was about Midsummer ; and understanding in what Condition the Scotish Affairs were , he turn'd aside to Berwick : He was receiv'd immediately into the Town , and left 4000 Men to besiege the Castle ; and , with the rest of his Army , he march'd directly to Edinburgh , making a foul Devastation in all Places , where he came . But Alexander leading them on , they entred the City without committing any Rapine ; and , by a Publick Proclamation made in the Market-Place , he advis'd Iames , ( seeing he could not come to speak with him ) First , to perform what he had promis'd to Edward ; and then , that he would cause Satisfaction to be made for all the Wrongs and Injuries he had offered to the English ; and , unless he would so do , Richard , Duke of Glocester , would persecute him and his Country with Fire and Sword . But Iames perceiving at present that he was not able to perform what was requir'd , and , on the other side , that he was as unable to withstand the Power of the Enemy , return'd no Answer at all , either by Writing or Message . But the Nobles of Scotland , being thus forsaken of their King , that they might not be wholly wanting to the Publick Safety , Levy'd another Army , The S●ots Nob●●●ty raise an Army ; and form'd a Camp at Hadington ; and that they might somewhat alleviate the imminent Danger and Pressure , and stop the Enemy in his Career of Victory , they sent Agents to the Duke of Glocester , to desire , That the Marriage , so long promis'd , might be consummate ; they were also to declare , That it should not be their Fault , if the Agreements made between the Nations , were not punctually perform'd . The English General knew , That the Scots would not put things to the Hazard of a Battel , Yet , mediate a Peace by their Agents . in regard part of their Strength was with him upon the account of Alexander , a popular Man , and that the rest were divided into several Factions , and therefore he made this Answer , That he did not know , what his King did resolve , in reference to that Marriage ; but he thought it fit , that the Money paid to Iames upon the account of the Dowry , Reparties between both Armies . should be presently repaid to him ; and if they would have Peace , they should promise to surrender up the Castle of Berwick ; or , if they could not do that , then to make a solemn Promise , That they would not attempt to relieve the Besieged , nor to hinder the Besiegers , until it was either taken by Storm , or surrendred upon Conditions . The Scots return'd Answer by their Embassadors , That 't was not their Fault , the Marriage was not consummated , but it happen'd because both Bride and Bridegroom were under Age ; That the Money was not yet due , because the Day of Payment was not come ; and if there were not sufficient Security given for the payment thereof , they would give more ; but the Castle of Berwick , as being built by the Scots , and that in the Scotish Soil ; and was , and , for many Ages , had been under their Jurisdiction , they could not part with ; and though the English had possest it sometimes by Force , yet their Injury did not prejudice the Scots ancient Right ; but Glocester , who was Superior in Strength , resolv'd to carry the Point , and to admit of no legal Dispute in the case . The same Day , Calen Cambel , Earl of Argyle , Andrew Stuart , and the Bishops of St. Andrews and Dunblane , sent to Alexander , who was in the English Camp at * * Near Hadington in 〈◊〉 - Lothian . Lethington , a Chart sign'd with their Hands and Seals , promising him , if he would be Loyal to the King in the next Assembly , they would take care that his Estate should be restor'd ▪ and an Amnesty given for what was past ; for the performance whereof , they solemnly interpos'd their Faith . Alexander acquainted Glocester with the thing , who was very friendly , Alexander is reconciled to the King , returns into his own Country and is made Regent . and did dismiss him thereupon , and so he return'd into his own Country ; where , in the next Assembly of Estates , he was made Regent , by an unanimous Consent , and presently a Proposition was made concerning raising the Siege of Berwick . The wiser sort were of Opinion , that in so dangerous a time , when things were thus unsetled by reason of Domestick Seditions , that if the Enemy were quiet , yet Storms would rise amongst themselves , that it was best to clap up a Peace upon any Terms ; for they saw plainly , that if they should have the better of so powerful an Enemy , yet it would rather provoke , than dishearten , him ; but if they themselves were overcome , it was uncertain , how an Enemy , fierce by Nature , and further elevated by Success , would use his Victory ; Some that were more hot-spirited than they had then any Reason for , did oppose this Opinion , yet it was carry'd in the Parliament . After many Conditions were canvast to and fro , at length 't was agreed , Be●wick Cast●e surrendered to the Eng●ish . That on the 26th of August 1482. the Castle of Berwick should be surrendred up to the English , and a Truce was made for a few Months , till they could have more time to Treat of a Peace . Thus Berwick was lost , after it had been enjoy'd by the Scots 21 Years , since they last recovered it . Then the Duke of Glocester ▪ having made a prosperous Expedition , return'd in Triumph Home .

Edward , by the Advice of his Council , The intended Marriage be - Iames's Son , and Edward's Daughter , Null'd , and the Dowry repaid . judg'd it more for the advantage of England , to nullifie the Marriage , for he fear'd that the Intestine Discords of the Scots were so great , that possibly the Issue of Iames might lose the Crown ; and if Alexander were made King , be hoped to have a Constant and Faithful Ally of him , in regard of the great Kindness he had receiv'd at his Hands . Hereupon , an Herauld was sent to Edinburgh , to renounce the Affinity , and to demand the Repayment of the Dowry ; when he had declar'd his Errand publickly on the Twenty Fifth of October , the Scots obtained a Day for the Payment thereof , and restor'd it to a Penny ; and withal , they sent some to convoy the Herald , as far as Berwick . Alexander , that he might extinguish the Remainders of the Old Hatred of his Brother against him , and so obtain new Favour by a new Courtesie , brought him out of the Castle , and restor'd him to the free Possession of his Kingdom . But the memory of old Offences prevail'd more with his Proud Huffing Spirit , than This of his late Courtesie : Moreover , besides the Kings own Jealousies , there were Those who did daily calumniate him , and buzz into the Kings Ear his too great Popularity , as if now 't was very Evident , that he affected the Kingdom ; he , Alexander disgusted , condemned , and flees to England . being advis'd by his Friends , that Mischief was hatching against him at Court , fled privately into England , and gave up the Castle of Dunbar to Edward . In his absence , he was Condemn'd . The Crimes objected against him , were , First , That he had often sent Messengers into England , and then , that he had retir'd thither himself , without obtaining a Pass-port from the King , and that there he joined in Counsel against his Country , and his Kings Life . All the other of his Partizans were pardon'd , and amongst the rest , William Creighton , who was accus'd not only to have been an Abettor of his designs against his Country , but also the chief Author and Instigator of him , thereunto . But after he had obtain'd Pardon for what was past , he was again accus'd , that he did incourage Alexander , by his Advice and Counsel ; after he was Condemned , frequent Letters passing between them , by the means of Thomas Dickson a Priest ; and that he had caus'd his Castle of Creighton to be Fortified against the King , and commanded the Garison Soldiers not to surrender it up to the King's Forces . Creighton condemned , with the Reasons , why ? Hereupon , he was summoned to appear the 13th Day of February , in the Year 1484. but he , not appearing , was outlawed , and his Goods Confiscate . These were the Causes of his Punishment , mentioned in our publick Records . But , 't is thought , that the Hatred the King had conceiv'd against him , upon a private Occasion , did him the most Mischief of all . It was this , William had a very beautiful Wife , of the Noble Family of the Dunbars ; when her Husband found , that the King had had the use of her Body , he undertook a Project , which was rash enough in it self , but yet not unproper for a Mind sick of Love , and also provok'd by such an Injury , as his was ; for he himself lay with the King 's young Sister , a beautiful Woman , but ill spoken of for her too great Familiarity with her Brother , and on her he begot Margarite Creighton , who died not long since . In the interim , Creighton's Wife died at his own House ; and the King's Sister , whom , as I said , the King had vitiated , was so much in Love with William , that she seem'd sometimes to be out of her Wits , for him . The King , partly by the Mediation of William's Friends , and partly being mindful of the Wrong he himself had done him , of the like sort , and being willing also to cover the Infamy of his Sister , under a pretext of Marriage , permitted William to return Home again to Court , upon Condition , that he would Marry her : William was persuaded by his Friends ; and , for want of better Counsel , especially since Richard of England was dead , came to E●verness , where he had Conference with the King , not long before Both their Deaths , and great Hopes were there given of his Return . His Sepulchre is yet there to be seen . These things were done , at several times , but I have put them together , that so the Thread of my History might not be discontinued and broken off . Let us now return to what was omitted before .

Edward of England died in the Month of April , next after Dunbar was delivered to him , in the Year 1483. leaving his Brother Richard Guardian to his Sons . Edward of England dies , and his Brother Richard made , first Protector , and then King . He was first content with the Name of Protector , and , under that Title , Govern'd England for two Months : but afterwards , having , by several Practises , engaged a great part of the Nobility and Commonalty to his side , he put his Brothers Two Sons in Prison , the Queen and her Two Daughters being forced to retire into a Sanctuary near London ; but the next Iune he took upon him the Name and Ornaments of a King .

Alexander of Albany , and Iames Douglas , being willing to try , how their Countrymen stood affected towards them , came with 500 select Horse to Loch-Maban on Maudlins-day , because a great Fair used , that day , to be there held . There a Skirmish began between the Parties , with inraged Minds on Both sides , and the Success was various , as Aid came in out of the Neighbouring District , either to This , or That , Party . They fought from Noon till Night , and the issue was doubtful , but at last the Victory inclined to the Scots , A Scuffle in Scotland . though it were a Bloody one , as having lost many of their Men ; Douglass was there taken Prisoner , On the North-side of Fife , upon the Rive● Tay. and sent away by the King to the Monastery of Lindors . Alexander was set on a Horse and escap'd , but staid not in England , long after that . In the mean time , many Incursions were made to the greater Loss of the English , than Benefit of the Scots . Richard was uncertain of the Event of things at home , and withal fear'd his Enemy abroad , for many of the English did favour the Earl of Richmond , who was then an Exile in France , and had sent for him over to undertake the Kingdom , so that Richard was mightily troubled ; neither was he less vext with the Guilt of his own Wickedness ; and because he saw he could not quell Domestick Seditions , as soon as he hoped , therefore he thought it best to Oblige Foreigners by any Conditions whatsoever , that so , by their Authority and Power , he might be safer at home , and more formidable to his Enemies . For this cause , he sent Embassadors into Scotland , to make Peace , or , at least , a Truce for some years , there he found all things more facile than he could have hoped for . For Iames , who , for his many and notable Crimes , was grievously hated by his own People ▪ as well as Richard was by His , willingly gave ear to his Ambassadors ; for he hoped , That , if once he had Peace with England , that he could revenge his Wrongs at home at leisure , when England could not be a Refuge to his Opposers . For these Reasons , especially , Both Kings sent some of their Confidents to the Borders , where , after many and long Disputes concerning Compensation for Losses , seeing Peace could not be made , A Truce between Richard of England , and the Scots . by Reason of the Multitudes of Complainants , and the Weakness of their Proofs , they made a Truce for Three Years .

And because Matters could not then be adjusted , for the Difficulties above-mentioned , and also the Straitness of Time ; Arbiters were appointed on Both sides , who , together with the Commanders of the Borders , should see all things done according to Equity . One Condition , in the Truce , was set down very intricately , about the Castle of Dunbar to be restor'd to the Scots , for the English interpreted it , that they might keep it ; and the Scots , Richard of England 〈◊〉 , and Henry the 7 th 〈◊〉 him . that they might reduce it by Force , notwithstanding the Truce . For when the Scots , after the Expiration of the Six●Months allotted , sent Embassadors to Demand the Castle ; Richard , by his Letters made them Promises of his Good Will , but he delay'd the Reddition ( alleging sometimes This , and sometimes Other things , as an Obstacle in the way ) till his Death , which follow'd not long after . He was slain by his Countrymen , and Henry the 7 th not yet fully setled in the Throne , when ●ames laid Siege to the Castle , in a very sharp Winter : The Garison Soldiers , seeing , Dunbar-Castle surrendred to the Scots . that they were not like to have Relief from England , in regard of the present Distractions , surrendred it up . But Henry being troubled with many Cares , that he might cut off the Occasion of Foreign Wars , and extirpate the Seeds of old Hatred , came to Newcastle upon Tine , from thence he sent Embassadors to Scotland , either to make a perpetual League , or , at least , a long Truce with them ; for he being a Man of great Prudence , and having experienc'd many Vicissitudes of things in his Life , did judge it highly conducing to the Establishment of his Kingdom , to make Peace with his Neighbors , and especially with the Scots , because that , ordinarily , those Two Kingdoms did lye at catch for Advantages against each other , and did also nourish Rebels flying thither ; yea , and entertain those which were exiled ; and maintain Sedition , by giving their Authors hope of Refuge and Supply . And as for Iames , he desir'd nothing more , than to be free from the fear of Strangers , that so he might punish his own disobedient Subjects , as he pleased . And therefore , he kindly receiv'd the Embassadors , and told them , that he desir'd nothing more than a Peace ; but his Opinion was , that his Subjects would not yield to it , that either there should be a perpetual Peace , or any long Truce betwixt them ; partly , because it was forbid by an Ancient Law , lest , when all Fear of an Enemy was removed , their Minds might languish in Idleness , and the Sinews of their Industry be remitted ; and partly , because they could not so suddainly lay down that fierceness of Spirit , which they had acquir'd , by so long Use of Arms. But if they could be brought to This , to yield to a Truce for 6 or 7 Years , he would not have them refuse it . But as for himself , A Truce between the English and Scots for 7 Years . he was willing to maintain a firm and inviolate Peace with them , as long as he liv'd , and he would also take care , that the Truce should be renewed , before the Date of it was quite expired ; but he earnestly desired the Embassadors , not to divulge abroad the Discourse , which they had in secret with him , lest his Nobilitie should be more backward to a Pacification , if they saw him to be partial in the Case . When this was told Henry , who knew , in what a tumultuous Case the Affairs of Scotland were , The Death of the Queen of Scots , and how convenient it was for that King to have a Peace ; imagining likewise , that he spoke really , and from his Heart , he accepted of the Truce for 7 Years , and so retir'd back to York . In the mean time , the Queen of Scots dyed , a Woman of a singular Beauty and Probity too , and , by her good Graces , she was thought sometimes to have moderated the unbridled Appetites and Efforts of her Husband : Alexander also , the King's Brother , Dyed in France , and of Alexander the King's Brother , who left Two Sons behind them . leaving Two Sons behind him , Alexander , by his First Wife , the Daughter of the Earl of the Orcades , and Iohn by his Second , who was afterward the Regent King of Scotland for some Years .

Iames , having thus setled Peace abroad , and at home being freed from Two troublesome Interrupters of his Designs , return'd to his own Nature ; he excluded almost all the Nobility , and had none but Upstarts about him , upon them he bestowed great Honors and Preferments ; the Care of all Publick Affairs , and the Ways of getting Money , were Both cast upon them , whilst he himself did wholly immerge him●●●f in Voluptuousness . The Chief of this Court Faction ; was , Iohn Ramsy , who was preserv'd at La●der , by the King's Request , and then escap'd Punishment . He was grown so insolently proud , that , not content with the Stewardship of the Houshold , The King again addicts himself to Evil Counsellors , Iohn Ramsy ; &c. ( which is a Place of prime Honor amongst the Scots ) which the King had given him , and many rich Lordships besides , he obtained an Edict , That none but he , and his Retinue , should wear a Sword , or other weapon in those places , where the King Lodg'd , that so , by this means , they might strengthen themselves , and their Retinue , against the Nobility , who kept their distinct and frequent Meetings , by themselves , and walk'd up and down guarded , by reason of the Terror of their Arms. But that Edict made People to hate Ramsy more than fear him , for now , nothing but the Image of perfect Slavery was represented to their Eye . In the mean time , the King meditated nothing more , than how to satisfy himself with the Blood of those Men , who were believ'd to be the Authors of Rebellion against them . And seeing he could not do it by open Force , he thought to effect it by Subtilty , and therefore he fain'd himself to be reconcil'd to This , and to the Other Man , and entertain'd them so courteously , that 't was even below the Dignity of a Prince so to do ; Others , who were eminent in Power , he gave Honors and Largesses to . He made David Lindsy Earl of Craford , Duke of Montross , endeavouring to win him by that means , being so powerful a Man in his Country . The King labours to cajole some of the Nobles , by Honors . As for George Earl of Angus , he had him frequently about him , and , as if he had been wholly receiv'd into his Favour , he acquainted him with his private Designs , yet none of his Rewards and Flatteries could persuade Men , that he was sincere . For They , that knew his Disposition , did not at all doubt , that his Simulation of Benevolence and Respect , tended to no other end , but that he might either apprehend the Nobility , One by One , apart ; or else , might set them together by the Ears , one with another ; which his Assembling the Chief of the Nobility at Edinburgh made more plainly to appear . For he called Douglas to him into the Castle , and told him , that he had now an Eminent Opportunity to revenge himself , for if the Leaders of the Faction were apprehended , and put to Death , the rest would be quiet ; but if he omitted this Opportunity , which was so fairly put into his hands , he could never expect the like again .

Douglas , who knew , He discovers his Design against the Nobles to Douglas . that the Kings Mind was no more reconcil'd to himself than to others , did craftily reason with him , concerning so cruel and so ruinous a Design , alleging , that all Men would judge it to be a base and flagitious Act , ●f he should hurry so many Noble Persons to Death , without any Hearing or Tryal , to whom he had pardon'd their former Misdoings , and now they also rested secure , in that they had the Publick Faith given them for their Safety . Who dissuades him from such Cruelty . For the fierce Minds of his Enemies would not be broken by the Death of a Few ; but rather , if his Faith were once violated , all Hopes of Concord would be cut off ; and if once Men despair of Pardon , their Anger will be turn'd into Rage , and from thence a greater Obstinacy and Contempt both of the Kings Authority , and of their own Lives , too , will ensue . But if you will hearken to my Counsel , ( said he ) I will sh●w you a Way , whereby you may salve the Dignity of a King , and yet revenge yourself , too . For I will gather my Friends and Clans together , and so openly , and in the day time , I will lay hold upon them , and then you may try them where you will , and inflict what Punishment , you please ; upon them . This Way will be more creditable , and also much more safe , than if you should set upon them secretly and by night , for then 't would look , as if they were murder'd by Thieves . The King thought the Earl had been real in what he spake , ( for he knew , that he was able to perform what he had promised ) and therefore he gave him many Thanks , and more Promises of great Rewards , and so dismist him . He presently acquainted the Nobility with their imminent Danger , and advis'd them to withdraw themselves , as he himself also did . The King , perceiving that his secret Projects were discover'd , from that day forward would trust no Body ; but after he had staid a while in the Castle of Edinburgh , he sailed over into the Countries beyond the Forth , for they , as yet , remain'd firm in their Obedience to him , and there levy'd a considerable Force . And the Nobles , who , before , The Nobles Arm against the King , and chuse the Kings Son for their General . had sought his Amendment , not his Destruction , now seeing all Hopes of any Agreement or Concord were cut off , managed all their Counsels for his utter Overthrow and Ruin . Only there was one difficulty which troubled them , and That was , Who should be their General , that , after the King was subdued , might be Regent , or Vice-King , who might be acceptable to the People ; and , on the account of the Honour of his Family , would load the Faction with as little Envy , as might be ; after many Consultations in the case , at last they pitcht upon the King's Son ; He was entised thereunto by the Supervisors and Tutors of his Childhood , and he did it out of this Fear , that , if he refus'd , the Government and Command would pass over to the English , the perpetual Enemies of their Family .

The King , by this time , had past over the Forth , and pitcht his Tents by the Castle of Blackenes , and his Sons Army was not far off , ready for the Encounter , A Temporary Agreement . when , loe ! the matter was compos'd by the Intervention of the Earl of Athole , the Kings Uncle ; and Athole himself was given up as an Hostage for the Peace to Adam Hepburn , Earl of Bothwel , with whom he remain'd till the Kings Death ; But Suspicions increasing on Both sides , the Concord lasted not long ; however intercourse of Messengers passed between them , and , at last , the Nobility gave this Answer , That seeing the King did act nothing sincerely , The Nobles insist on the Kings resigning of the Crown . therefore a certain War was better than a treacherous Peace , there was but one Medium left , upon which they could agree : And that was , that the King should resign the Government , and his Son be set up in his Place ; and if he would not assent to This , 't was in vain for him to give himself the Trouble of any more Messages or Disputes . The King communicated this Answer to his Embassadors which he sent to the French and to the English , making it his Desire to them , that they would assist him against the Fury of a Few of his Rebellious Subjects , The King sends Embassadors for Foreign Aid . by their Authority ; and , if need were , by some Auxiliary Forces , that so they might be reduc'd to their Obedience ; for they ought to look upon it as a Common Fortune , and that the Contagion , by this Example , would quickly creep to the Neighbour-Nations : There were also Embassadors sent to Eugenius the Eighth , Pope of Rome , to desire him , that , out of his Fatherly Affection to the Scotish Name , he would send a Legat into Scotland with full Power , by Ecclesiastical Censures , to compel his Rebellious Subjects to lay down Arms , and obey their King . The Pope writ to Adrian of Castell , then his Legat in England , a Man of great Learning and Prudence , to do his endeavour for the composing the Scotish Affair ; but these Remedies were too late . For the Nobles , who were not ignorant , What the King was a doing , and knew , that he was implacable toward them , resolv'd to put it to a Battel , before any more Forces came in to him . And though they had the Kings Son with them , both to countenance their Matters with the greater Grace amongst the Vulgar , and also to shew , that they were not Enemies to their Country , but to their Misled King , only ; yet , lest the Hearts of the People might be weakned by the Approach of Foreign Ambassadors , they were solicitous , night and day , how to decide it by a Battel . But the Kings Fearfulness was an hindrance to their hasty Design , who , having levied a great Strength in the Northern Parts of the Kingdom , resolved to keep himself within the Castle of Edinburgh , till those Aids came to him . But he was taken off from that Counsel and Advice , though it seem'd the safest for him , by the Fraud , or , at least , the Simplicity of those about him ; for , in regard of the frequent Washes and Firths , which gave delay to those who were coming in to him , they persuaded him to go to Sterlin , the only Place of the Kingdom fit to receive Aids , coming from all Parts thereof . And there he might be as safe , as he was in the Castle of Edinburgh , seeing his Enemies were unprovided of all Materials , requisite for the Storming of Castles ; and also he might have his Fleet , which he had rigg'd out against all hazards , to ride in some convenient Harbour , near adjoining . This Counsel seem'd both faithful and also safe , if Iames Shaw , Governor of the Castle , A Battel between the King and the Nobles , where the King is slain . being corrupted by the contrary Faction , had not refus'd to give him entrance , so that the Enemy was almost at his Heels , and , before he knew whither to betake himself , he was forc't , with that Strength which he had , to run the hazard of a Fight . At the beginning , they fought stoutly , and the first Ranks of the Nobility's Army began to give ground , but the Men of Annandale and the Neighbouring Parts , inhabiting the West of Scotland , came boldly up , and having longer Spears than their Adverse Party , they presently routed the Kings Main Battel , he himself was weakned by the Fall of his Horse , and fled to some Water-Mills near the place , where the Battel was fought ; his Intent was ( as is suppos'd ) to get to his Ships , which lay not far off ; there he was taken , and a few more with him , and slain ; there were Three that persued close after him in his Flight , i. e. Patrick Grey , the Head of his Family , Sterlin Car , and a Priest named Borthwick ; 't is not well known , Which of them gave him his Deaths Wound . When the News of his Death , though as yet not fully certain , was divulg'd through Both Armies , it occasion'd the Conquerors to press less violently upon those who fled away , so that there were the Fewer of them slain . For the Nobles manag'd the War against the King , not against their Fellow Subjects . There was slain of the Kings Party Alexander Cuningham Earl of Glencarn , with some Few of his Vassals and Kindred ; but there were many wounded , of Both sides . Thus Iames the Third came to his end , a Man not so much of a bad Disposition by Nature , as corrupted by ill Custom and Acquaintance . The Character of james III , For , having at first given forth a Specimen of great and notable Ingenuity , and of a Mind truly Royal , he degenerated by degrees , the Boyds being the first Occasion thereof , into all manner of Licentiousness . When the Boyds were taken off , then Persons of the Lowest Sort were his Advisers to all kind of Wickedness ; and besides , the Corruption of the Times , and the evil Examples of his Neighbour Kings contributed not a little to his Overthrow and Ruin . And of the Foreign Princes his Contemporaries . For Edward the Fourth in England , Charles in Burgundy , Lewis the Eleventh in France , Iohn the Second in Portugal , had all laid the Foundations of Tyranny , in their respective Kingdoms also . And Richard the Third exercised it most highly , and cruelly , in England . His Death was also branded with this Ignominy , that , in the next Assembly , the whole Parliament voted , that he was justly slain , and Provision was made for all that had born Arms against him , that neither They , nor their Posterity , should be prejudic'd thereby . He died in the Year of our Lord 1488 , in the Twenty Eighth Year of his Reign , and the Thirty Fifth of his Age.

The Thirteenth BOOK .

JAmes the Third being thus slain , near Sterlin , in or about the Month of Iune , they , who were his Contrariants , being as yet uncertain what was become of Him , retreated to Linlithgo . There , Word was brought them , that some Boats had passed to and fro , from the Ships to the Land ; and that they had carried off the Wounded Men. Whereupon , a Suspicion arose amongst them that the King himself also was gone a Shipboard ; which occasioned them to remove their Camp to Leith : From thence the Prince ( for that 's the Title of the King of Scot's eldest Son ) sent some Agents , to require the Admiral of the Fleet to come ashore to him . His Name was Andrew Wood , he was a Knight , Andrew Wood's Constancy to King Iames the 3 d. and being mindful of the King's Kindness towards him , remained constant in his Affection to him , even after he was dead ; but he refused to come ashore , unless Hostages were given for his safe Return . Seaton and Flemming , two Noblemen , were appointed as Hostages : When he landed ▪ the King 's Council asked him , if he knew where the King was ? and who were they that he carried off to his Ships after the Fight ? As for the King , he told them , he knew nothing of him , but that he and his Brothers had landed out of their Boats , that so they might assist the King and all his good Subjects ; but , having endeavoured , in vain , to preserve him , they then returned to the Fleet : He added , if the King were alive , they resolved to obey none but him ; but if he were slain , they were ready to revenge his Death : He uttered also many reproachful Speeches against the Rebels ; yet nevertheless they sent him away in Safety to his Ships , that so their Hostages might not suffer . When the Hostages were returned , the Inhabitants of Leith were called up to the Council , and pressed by Promises of great Reward , to rig out their Ships , and subdue Andrew Wood. They all in general made answer , that he had two Ships so fitted with all Things for a Fight , and so well furnished with valiant Seamen ; and withal , that he himself was so skilful in Naval Affairs , that no ten Ships in all Scotland were able to cope with his Two : So that that Consultation was put off , and they went to Edinburgh . On the North-side of Forth , 2 Miles below Sterlin . There they were fully informed of the King's Death , and appointed a magnificent Funeral to be made for him , at Kambus-Kenneth , a Monastery near Sterlin , on the 25 th day of the Month of Iune .

IAMES the IVth , the CV'th King .

IN the Interim , an Assembly was summoned about creating a new King . There were few which came together to perform this Service , and those were mostly of the Party that had conspired against the former King . The new King , at his first entrance sent an Herauld to the Governour of Edinburgh-Castle , for him to surrender it , which he did , and then he passed over to Sterlin , and that Castle was also delivered up to him by the Garison-Souldiers . When the Vogue was up in England , how troublesom Matters were in Scotland , five Ships were chosen out of that King's Fleet , who entred into the Firth of Forth , and there made havock of the Goods of all Merchants , making many descents on both Shores , they mightily infesting the Maritime Parts ; for they expected greater Disturbances on Land , by the sidings of the Scots one against another . For seeing the adverse Party were rather shattered than broken in the late Fight , in regard they were not all there , and of those that were , there were but few slain , they thought a feircer Tempest would have arisen from Minds which yet continued to be inflamed with Hatred and Envy , and which were elevated by confidence in their own Strength . And it encreased the Indignation , that now the power over so many Noble and Eminent Persons was so easily fallen not into the King's , but to a few particular Mens Hands ; for , tho the King might retain the Name and Title of a King , yet , being but a Youth of 15 Years old , he did not govern , but was himself governed by those that killed his Father : For the whole management of Matters would reside in Douglas , Hepburne , and Hume ; and their Confidence was the more encreased , because all the Shores were infested with the two Fleets , the Scottish and the English . To obviate this Difficulty , first of all , the new King endeavoured to reconcile the Naval Forces to himself , lest when he was absent in the further parts of the Kingdom , to settle Matters there , they should make some stir , or at least should make an entrance for the English , to penetrate far into the Land , and so spoil the Mid-land Countries . Whereupon , when the old King's Death was now publickly divulged abroad , the new One thought , that Andrew Wood would now be more flexible , and therefore he sent for him , giving him the publick Faith for his Security . When he was ashoar he told him , what a great Dishonour , Loss , and publick Shame it was to the whole Nation , that a few English Ships should , in despite of them , ride under their very Noses ; and thereupon he drew over Andrew to his Party , Andrew Wood reconciled to K. Iames the 4 th . and set him forth , in good Equipage , against the English : Many did advise him , that he would sail an equal number of Ships , at least , against the Enemy , whose Vessels were more and bigger than his . No , says he , I 'le have only my own Two . And as soon as the Wind served , he made directly toward the English , who rode before Dunbar . He fought them bravely , took , and brought them all into Leith , and presented their Commanders to the King . Andrew was liberally rewarded by the King , He fights the English Fleet , & overthrows them . and his skill in Sea-fight , with the singular Valour of his Souldiers and Seamen , was highly magnified . And yet there were not wanting some of those sort of Creatures , who do always admire the Atchievments of Kings , whatsoever they be , and if they be Great , yet they view them in a multiplying Glass , who foretold that this Victory did but presage a greater . Mean while the adverse part of the Nobility , sent Messages into all parts of the Kingdom , to persuade the Countrey to rise , and not to endure the present state of Things , nor to suffer so many valiant Men to be illuded by such publick Parricides , who had murdered one King and held Another in Bondage ; yea , who accused the Defenders of the King's Life , as Traitors , whereas they , Some of the Scots Nobility combine against the new King's Party , who were indeed violaters of all divine and human Laws , gave out themselves to be the only Assertors of the Rights of their Country , and Maintainers of its Liberty : Amongst whom the King himself was not a Freeman , in regard he was enforced by them to take Arms against his Father , and his King too , and after he was impiously slain , then to prosecute , by a nefarious War , those who were his Father's Friends , and Defenders of his Life . Many such Discourses they spread abroad amongst the Vulgar , and , to excite a greater Flame of Indignation and Hate , Alexander Forbes , Chief of a Noble Family , carried the King's Shirt upon a Spear ( all over bloody , and torn , with the Marks of the Wounds he received ) through Aberdeen , and all the chief Towns of the adjacent Country ; and , as if it had been by a publick Proclamation , he excited all Men , by the Voice of an Herauld , to rise in Arms to revenge so nefarious a Fact . And Matthew Stewart , Earl of Lennox , a Man of great Wealth and Power , and who by an honest kind of popularity , was equally dear to high and low , was as active in the Countries on this side the Forth ; for he raised up the Earls that were his Neighbours , and with a good Force , endeavoured to pass over the Bridge at Sterlin , to join his Associates ; but that Bridg being possessed by the King's Forces , he sought to pass over at a Ford , not far from the Rise of the River , at the Foot of Mount Grampias . His Design was discovered to Iohn Drummond , by Alexander Mac-alpin , his Vassal , who had joined himself to the Enemy , by whom also Information was given , that all things were secure and ill-guarded in the Enemies Camp ; that every one stragled up and down , as they pleased ; that they had no Watch set in convenient places , nor used any Military Discipline at all : Hereupon Drummond , with some Courtiers , and a few Volunteers , who purposely came in to assist him , set upon them as they were asleep ; many were killed in their sleep , But are overthrown . the rest run headlong away , without their Arms , and so returned from whence they came ; many were taken Prisoners , but by their Friends that knew them , a great part of them were dismissed ; they only were severely dealt with , who had either written or spoke more contumeliously than others .

The Joy for this Victory was encreased by the News of another , at the same time , wherein Andrew Wood had prevailed in a Sea-fight against Stephen Bull. For Edward King of England , hearing that five of his Ships were taken by two of the Scots , and those much lesser also than his , was willing to blot out the Infamy of the Thing , and yet could find out no just pretence for a War ; yet he called his ablest Sea-Commanders together , he offered them what Ships , and Warlike Furniture they pleased , and so he persuaded them to revenge the Ignominy cast on the English Name , promising them great Rewards , if they could bring Wood to him , alive or dead : But when those , that knew the Valour of the Man , and his prosperous Successes , made some delay in the Case , Stephen Bull , a Knight of known Courage , undertook the Expedition ; and Opportunity seemed to favour his Design , because he knew that Wood was shortly to return out of Flanders , and he thought it would be a matter of no great difficulty to attaque him unawares in his Passage ; thereupon he chose out three Ships of the Royal Navy , and equipped them well in all points , and so stood for the Isle of May , an Island uninhabited in the * * Off the Point of Fife . Bay of Forth , choosing that place for the conveniency of it , because in every side of the Island there is safe riding , and Harbour for Ships ; and there the Sea also grows so narrow , that no little Vessel could pass by , without being discovered . Whilst he rode there , he continually kept some of his skilfullest Mariners abroad in Fisher-boats , to watch , and to discover to him his Enemies Ships ; he had not rode at Anchor there many days , when lo ! Wood's Ships appeared with full Sail making towards him . Bull knew them , and presently weighed Anchor , and as Victor already in his Mind , he prepared himself for the Fight : Wood staid no longer but till his Men had armed themselves , and so made up to him . Thus did these two valiant Commanders engage , as if they had had the Courage of mighty Armies , and they fought so obstinately , till the Night parted the Fray , the Victory inclining to neither side : The next Morning each of them incouraged their Party , and with renewed Strength , went to it again ; The manner of the Fight between Andr. Wood and the English Admiral . they cast Iron Hooks ( called Grapling Irons ) into one anothers Ships , and so fought hand to hand , as if they had been at a Land Fight , and that with so great eagerness , that neither of them took notice of the falling back of the Tide , till they came to the heaps of Sand at the mouth of the River Tay ; there the Water being shallower , the great Ships of the English could not be so easily managed , but were forced to a Surrender , Wood's second Victory over the English . and so they were tow'd up against the Stream of the Tay to Dundee , where they staid till the dead were buried , and the wounded were distributed abroad to Chirurgeons for their Cure . This Battel was fought the 10 th day of August , in the Year of our Redemption 1490.

A few days after Wood went to the King , and carried with him Stephen Bull , with the other Commanders of the Ships , and the notedst of his Souldiers , which he presented to him : Wood was highly commended by the King for this Exploit , and honourably rewarded . The King freely dismissed the Prisoners and their Ships , and sent them back to their King with an high commendation of their Valour . For in regard they fought for Honour , not for Booty , he therefore would shew , that Valour was to be honoured even in an Enemy .

King Henry , tho he was much aggrieved for the loss of his Men in this unhappy Fight , yet he gave the King of Scots Thanks , and told him that he gratefully accepted his Kindness , and the Greatness of his Mind .

About this time a new kind of Monster was born in Scotland ; in the lower part of its Body it resembled a Male Child , not much differing from the ordinary shape of a humane Body newly born ; A strange Monster . but above the Navel , the Trunk of the Body and all the other Members were double , representing both Sexes male and female . The King gave special Order for its careful education , especially in Musick , wherein it arrived to admirable Skill ; and moreover it learned several Tongues ; and sometimes the two Bodies did discover several Appetites , disagreeing one with another , and so they would quarrel , one liking this , another that ; and yet sometimes again they would agree and consult ( as it were ) in common , for the good of both : This was also memorable in it , that when the Legs and Loins were hurt below , both Bodies were sensible of the Pain in common ; but when it was pricked , or otherwise hurt above , the sense of the pain did affect one Body only ; which difference was also more perspicuous in its Death ; for one of the Bodies died many days before the other ; and that which survived , being half putrified , pined away by degrees . This Monster lived twenty eight years , and then died , when Iohn was Regent of Scotland . I am the more confident in relating this Story , because there are many honest and creditable Persons yet alive , who saw this Prodigy with their Eyes .

When the People of the North of Scotland heard of this Naval Victory , they gave over all thoughts of War , and return'd each to his own home . This Tumult and Broil being so easily quieted , the King applied his Mind , not only to quell all Seditions for the present , but also to prevent all occasions of them for the future ; he summoned his First Parliament to be held at Edinburgh , K. Iames the 4 th his first Parliament . the 6th day of November ; there many wholesom Laws were made for the Establishing of publick Concord ; and to the end that Peoples minds might the better agree in the general , the Fault was cast but upon a few particular Persons , and the punishments were either very easy , or else wholly remitted . When a Dispute arose concerning the lawfulness of the War , Iohn Lyon , Lord ‖ ‖ A Castle lying 4 miles South off F●r●ar in Angus . Glames , rose up , and shewed several Heads of Articles , which the Nobles had formerly sent to the King in order to a Pacification , to which Iames the third had often both assented and subscribed ; and that indeed he had struck up a Peace with his Nobles upon those Terms , unless some evil Counsellors had drawn away his Mind therefrom , and so perswaded him to call in the old Enemy to fight against his own Subjects . And by reason of this his Inconstancy , the Earls of Huntly , Arrol , Earl of Marshal , and Lyons himself , with many other noble Persons , had forsaken him at that time , and had set up Iames the 4 th his Son , as being a great Lover of the publick Peace and Welfare . After a long dispute , at last they all consented to a Decree , wherein those that were slain in the Battel of Sterlin , were affirmed to have been cut off by their own Default , and that their Slaughter was just ; and that they who had took up Arms against the Enemies of the Publick , though covering their hidden Fraud under honest pretences , were guilty of no Crime , nor consequently liable to any Punishment . All who had Votes in the Assembly , subscribed to this Decree , that so they might give a better account of the Fact to Foreign Embassadors , who they heard were a coming . Many other Statutes were then also made , to restore to the Poor what had been taken violently from them ; to inflict light Mulcts on the Rich , and to indemnify both Parties : That their taking up of Arms at that time might never turn to the Prejudice of them or their Posterity . * * The Commendation of Iames the 4 th . This Moderation of Spirit was highly commended in a young King , of but fifteen Years old , and who was also a Conqueror , and had the Command of all ; but it was further heightned by his Benignity and Faithfulness in performing his Promises ; to which may be added ( which the Vulgar do most admire ) that he was of a graceful well-set Body , and also of a vivid and quick Apprehension ; so that by his using this Victory , neither with Avarice nor Cruelty , and by his real pardoning of Offendors , in a short time there grew up a great Concord amongst both Factions , both of them equally striving to shew their Love and Duty to the King . A few only , who were most obstinate , were mulct with a small Fine , or with the loss of part of their Estates , but none at all were deprived of their whole Patrimony ; neither were the Fines brought into the King's Exchequer , but expended on the Charges of the War . This his Royal Clemency was the more grateful , His Clemency . because Men did yet retain fresh in their Memories , upon what slight occasions in the former King's Reign , many eminent Men were outed of All ; and how much inferior to them those were , who came in their places . Moreover , to engage the chief Leaders of the contrary Faction to a greater Fidelity , he joyned them in Bonds of Affinity to himself ; for whereas his Aunt had two Daughters , begot by several Husbands , he married Gracina Boyd to Alexander Forbes , and Margaret Hamilton to Matthew Stuart . Thus in a short time the Minds of all were reconciled , and a pleasant Peace and Tranquillity did ensue ; yea , as if Fortune had submitted her self to be an Handmaid to the King's Virtues , there was so great an encrease of Grain and Fruits of the Earth , as if a Golden Spring had suddenly started up , out of a more than Iron Age. Thus , after the King had suppressed Robberies by Arms , His sorrowful Resentment for his Fathers Death . and other Vices by the Severity of the Laws ; lest he might seem a sharp Avenger of others , but indulgent to himself ; and withal , to make it appear , that his Father was slain against his Will , he wore an Iron Chain about his Waste as long as he lived , and every Year he added one Link thereunto ; and tho this Practice might seem formidable to those that were the Causers of his Father's Death ; yet they had such Confidence , either in the Gentleness of the King's Disposition , or in their own Power , that it occasioned no Insurrection at all .

Amidst this publick Jubilee , and also the private Rejoycings of particular Persons , about the seventh Year of the King's Reign , Peter Warbeck came into Scotland : Peter Warbeck ( some call him Perkin ) comes into Scotland . But before I declare the Cause of his coming , I must fetch things something further back .

Margaret the Sister of Edward the fourth King of England , having married Charles Duke of Burgundy , she endeavoured all the ways she could , His Story . if not to overthrow , yet at least to vex Henry the Seventh , the Leader of the contrary Faction ; In order whereunto she raised up one Peter Warbeck , as a Competitor for the Kingdom ; he was a Youth born of mean Parentage at * * A Town in Flanders , standing on the Bank of the S●●●ld . Tornay , a City of the † † A Gallo-Belgick People possessing 〈◊〉 . Nervii , but of such Beauty , Ingenuity , Stature of Body , and Manliness of Countenance , that he might easily be believed to have been descended of a Royal Stock . And by reason of his Poverty , he had travelled up and down in several Countries , ( so that he was known but by very few of his own Relations ) and there he had learned several Languages , and had hardened himself to all kind of bold and impudent Carriage ; when Margarite ( who was intent on all occasions to disturb the Peace of England ) had got this Youth , she kept him a while privately by her , till she had informed him with what Factions England laboured at that time , what Friends and what Enemies she had there ; in a word , she made him acquainted with the whole Genealogy of the Royal Progeny , and what Happinesses or Misfortunes had attended each of them . When things seemed thus to be somewhat ripe , she was resolved to try Fortune , and took private order , that he should be sent , in a decent Equipage , first into Portugal , then into Ireland ; there he had a great Concourse of People flock'd about him , and was received with huge Applause , as the Son of King Edward of England , either because his own Disposition , assisted also by Art , was inclined to Dissimulation ; or because being there amongst wild Kerns , he was soon likely to raise great Stirs and Tumults . When a War brake forth suddenly betwixt the French and the English , he was called for out of Ireland by Charles the Eighth , and had great Promises made him ; so that coming to Paris , he was there honourably received in the Garb and Equipage of a Prince , and had a Guard appointed him ; yea , the English Exiles , who were numerous at that Court , put him in a sure hope of the Kingdom . But that Tumult being quieted , upon Terms , he departed privately out of the Court of France , for fear lest he should have been delivered up , and so retired to Flanders , there he was highly caressed by Margaret , as if it were the first time that ever she had seen him , Warbeck set up by Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy . and was diligently shewed to all the Courtiers , and several times in the hearing of many of them , he was desired to relate the Story of all his Adventures . Margarite , as if this were the first time she had ever heard it , did so accommodate her dissembled Affections in compliance with each part of his Discourse , both when he related his Successes and also his Misfortunes , that every body thought , she believed what he had spoken to be certainly true .

After a day or two , Peter was desired to go abroad in the habit of a Prince , and had thirty Men to be his Guard , wearing a white Rose , ( which is the Badg of the York-Faction amongst the English ) and so was every where declared as the undoubted Heir of the Crown of England . When these things were divulged , first in Flanders , afterward in England , the Minds of Men were so stirred up , that a great concourse of People flock'd in to him , not only of those who lurked in Holes and Sanctuaries for fear of the Laws , but even of some Noble-men , whom their present State did not please , or who desired Innovations . But when a longer delay , which Peter hoped would bring in more Force to him , was likely to abate his present Strength , if he were discovered to be a Counterfeit , therefore he determined to try his Fortune in a Fight ; so that , having gotten a pretty great Party together , he landed some few of them in Kent , to try the Affections of the Kentish-men , but in vain . All those , who landed , were taken , so that he was forced to steer his course for Ireland ; and there also he met not with the entertainment he hoped for ; so that he sailed over into Scotland , well knowing , that Peace betwixt Scotland and England never used to continue very long . He being admitted into the King's Presence , made a lamentable complaint of the Ruin of the York-Family , and what miserable Calamities he himself had suffered ; and therefore he earnestly besought him , to vindicate Royal Blood from such contumely and shame . The King bid him be of good chear , and promised he should shortly find , That he had not desired his help , in his Distresses , in vain . A few days after a Council was called , where Peter made a sad Story of his Misfortunes , That he being born of a King , the most Flourishing of his Time , and that of the highest hopes too , was left destitute , by the untimely death of his Father , Warbeck's feigned Harangue of himself . and so was like to have fallen into the Tyrannical Hands of his Uncle Richard , before he was sensible almost what Misery was . That his Elder Brother was cruelly murdered by him , but that he himself was stolen away by his Father's Friends , so that now he durst not live , no not a poor and precarious Life , even in that Kingdom of which he was the lawful Heir . That he had so miserably lived amongst Foreign Nations , that he preferred the Condition of his deceased Brother before his own , in regard he was snatch'd away from all further Calamity by a suddain and violent Death : That he himself was reserved , as the ridicule of Fortune , and that his Sorrow had not that alleviation , that he durst bewail his miserable State amongst Strangers , to incline them to pity him ; for after he had begun openly to profess what he was , Fortune had assaulted him with all her Darts ; and , to his former Miseries , had added a daily fear of Treachery , for his crafty Enemy had sometimes tampered with those who entertained him , to take away his Life ; and sometimes he had privily suborned his Subjects , under the name of Friends , to discover his secret Designs , to corrupt his true Friends , and to find out his secret ones , and to calumniate his Stock and Pedigree , by false Accusations amongst the Vulgar ; to reproach his Aunt Margaret , and those English Nobles that owned him ; and yet notwithstanding , that she , being supported by a good Conscience against the revilings of Enemies , and also out of compassion to her own Blood , had supported him in his low Estate with her Assistance . But at last , when he perceived that he could not have Aid enough from her to recover his Kingdom , ( being a Widow , and old too ) he had solicited Neighbour-Kings and Nations , desiring them to respect the common Chances of Man's Life , and not to suffer Royal Blood to be oppressed by Tyrannical Violence , and so himself to pine away with Grief , Fear , and Misery ; and that he , though so the present , afflicted with great Evils , yet was not so dejected in his Mind , but that he hoped the time would come , that being restored to his Kingdom by the Aid of his Friends , ( of whom he had many both in England and Scotland ) he should be able to consider every particular Man's Service , and reward him accordingly ; especially if the Scots would join their Forces with His , and if ever he was restored to his Kingdom by their Arms , they should soon understand , that they had won a fast Friend , and that at such a time too , when the trial of true Friendship is wont to be made ; for he and his Posterity would be so gratefully mindful of the Obligation , that they would ever acknowledg , that the accession of his better Fortune was due to them alone . Besides , he added many things in praise of the King , part of them true , and part accommodated to their present Condition .

Having thus said , he held his Peace : but the King called him up to him , and bid him , Take Heart , for he would refer his Demands to the Council , whose Advice , in Grand Affairs , he must needs have ; yet , however they did determine , he promised him faithfully , That he should not repent that he made His Court his Sanctuary . Upon this Peter quitted the Assembly , and the Matter being put to a debate , the wiser sort , The Scots Council cajol'd by Warbeck . who had most experience in State-Affairs , thought it best to reject the whole Business , either because they judg'd he was a Counterfeit , or else , that they foresaw there would be more Danger by the War , than Advantage by the Victory , tho' they were sure of it . But the major part , either through unskilfulness in Affairs , or inconstancy of Spirit , or else to gratify the King , argued that Peter's Cause was most just , and that they greatly pittied the Man : they added also , That now Matters were in some confusion in England , and Mens Minds were yet fluctuating , after the Civil War , and therefore it was good to lay hold of this Opportunity ; and that which the English were wont to do to them , they themselves ought to try for once , to make use of the Enemies Distractions for their own Advantage ; yea , they foretold a Victory , preconceived in their Minds , before they had put on their Armour ; especially , if great Forces of the English came in to join them ; nay , if they should not come in in such Numbers as they hoped , yet one of these two things must necessarily follow , That either they should conquer Henry , and so settle this new King on his Throne ; who , in recompence for so great a Benefit , must needs grant them all that they desired : Or , if they could end the Matter without Blows , yet Henry , upon the quelling Domestick Tumults , not being yet fully settled in his Throne , would submit to what Conditions they pleased : But if he refused so to do , when War was once begun , many advantages might offer themselves , which now were unforeseen .

This was the Opinion of the major part , and the King himself inclined to them , and his Vote drew in the rest . And after this , he treated Peter more honourably than before , gave him the Title of Duke of York ; and , as such , shewed him to the People . K. Iames marries Katherine Gordon , his Kinswoman , to Warbeck , and assists him with an Army against England . And not contented herewith , he gave him Katharine Gordon , Daughter to the Earl of Huntly , to Wife , a Woman of as great Beauty as Nobility of Stock , by this Affinity erecting him to hopes of thriving , and bettering his Condition . And therefore by Advice of his Council , he levied an Army , and marched for England ; first of all carrying it warily , and having his Troops ready to engage , if any suddain Assault should be made upon him . But afterwards , when he understood by his Spies , that the Enemy had no Army in the Field , he sent out Parties to Plunder , and in a short time wasted almost all Northumberland , and the Countries thereabout . He staid some days in those Parts , and not an English-Man stirred , in behalf of Peter : And it being told him , that an Army was levying against him in the adjacent Counties , he thought it dangerous to venture his Souldiers , who were loaden with Booty , against the new and fresh Forces of the English , and therefore he resolved to return into Scotland , and there to leave their Booty ; and as soon as the time of the Year would permit , to undertake a new Expedition . Neither did he fear that the English would follow him in his retreat , for he knew that new-raised Souldiers would not be long kept together , neither would they make after him , if they could , through a Country so lately harassed and desolated by the Wars ; especially , having no Provisions prepared before-hand . And besides , Peter was afraid , that in regard none of the English came in to him , as he hoped , that if he staid any longer in his Enemies Country , his Cheat would be discovered , so that he himself seemed to approve of the King's Resolution , came cunningly to him , and composing his Speech and Countenance so , as might best move Compassion , he humbly besought him , That he would not make such Havock in a Kingdom that was his own by Right ; and that he would not so cruelly shed so much Blood of his Subjects , for no Kingdom in the World was of so much worth to him , as for its sake to have his Peoples Blood so largely spilt , and his Country so wasted with Fire and Sword , to procure it . The King began now to smell out and understand , K. Iames begins to smell out Warbeck's Cheat. whither this unseasonable Clemency did tend , and therefore told him , That he feared he would preserve that Kingdom , in which not a Man did own him as a Subject , much less as a King , not for himself , but for his Capital Enemy ; and so by common consent they returned Home , and the Army was disbanded .

Henry being made acquainted with the Invasion , and also the Retreat of the Scots , appointed an Expedition against them the Year after , and in the mean time levied a great Army ; and that he might not be idle in the Winter-time , he summons a Parliament , who approved of his Design to make War on Scotland , and granted a small Subsidy upon the People for that end . Henry of England prepares an Army against Scotland . That Tax raised up a greater flame of War upon him at Home , than that which he designed to quench Abroad . For the Commonalty complained that their Youth and Souldiery were exhausted by so many Wars , and Impressments , which had been made within these few Years , that their Estates were impaired , and ran very low : But the Nobles and Counsellors to the King , were so far from being moved with these Calamities , An Insurrection in England , prevents K. Henry's Design against Scotland at that time . that they sought to create new Wars in a time of Peace , that so they might impose new Taxes on them , who were already in great Want and Necessity ; and thus , whom the Sword had not consumed , Famine and Poverty would . These were the publick Complaints of all the Commons : but the Cornish were more enraged than all the rest , for they , inhabiting a Country which is in great part barren , are wont rather to gain than lose by Wars : And therefore , that warlike People , having been accustomed rather to encrease their Estates by Military Spoils , than to lessen them by paying Taxes and Rates , first of all rose against the King's Officers and Collectors , and slew them ; and then , being conscious that they had engaged themselves in so bold an Attempt , that there was no retreat , nor hopes of Mercy , the Multitude flocking in daily more and more to them with Arms in their hands , they began their march towards London . But 't is not my Business to prosecute the Story of this Insurrection , it is enough for my purpose to tell you , that the King was so busied this whole Year by the Cornish , that the Army which he had designed against Scotland , he was enforced to employ against them .

In the mean time , Iames , foreseeing , That Henry would not let the Injuries of the former Year pass unrevenged , and being also informed by his Intelligencers , That he was raising great Forces against him , He , on the other side , levied an Army , to the intent , That if the English invaded him first , K. Iames invades England , but to little purpose . he might be in a posture to defend himself ; if not , then he himself would make an inroad into his Enemies Country , and there so waste and destroy the bordering Counties , that the Soil ( poor enough of it self ) should not afford sufficient Necessaries , even for the very Husbandman . And hearing of the Cornish Insurrection , he presently began his march , and entered England with a great Army , dividing his Forces into two parts ; one went towards Durham to ravage that Country , and with the rest he besieged Norham , a strong Castle scituated on a very high Hill , by the River Tweed . But neither here nor there was there any thing considerable done : For Richard Fox , Bishop of Durham , a very prudent Person , foreseeing , that the Scots would not omit the Opportunity of attempting somewhat during the civil Broils in England , had fortified some Castles with strong Garisons , and had taken care that the Cattle , and all other driveable and portable things should be conveyed unto places , either safe by Nature , or made so by the vicinity of Moors & Rivers . And moreover he sent for the Earl of Surry , who had great Forces in Yorkshire , to assist him ; and therefore the Scots only burnt the Country , and not being able to take Norham , which was stoutly defended by those within , raised the Siege , and without any considerable Action returned Home . The English followed them not long after , and demolished * * In the Mers on the River Aye , a mile above Aymouth . Aytown , a small Castle , seated almost in the very Borders , and he returned out of their Enemies Country , without any memorable performance also .

Amidst these Commotions , both foreign and domestick , Peter Hialas , a Man of great Wisdom , and , as those Times were , not unlearned , arrived in England ; he was sent by Ferdinand and Isabel , King and Queen of Spain . The purport of his Embassy was , An Embassador form Spain to England . That Katharine , their Daughter , might marry Arthur King Henry's Son , and so a new Affinity and Friendship might be contracted betwixt them . The English did willingly embrace the Affinity , and therefore were desirous to finish the War with Scotland ; and because Henry thought it was below his Dignity to seek Peace at the Scots Hands , he was willing to use him as a Mediator . Who mediates a Peace between Scotland and England . Peter willingly undertook the Business , and came into Scotland ; there he plied Iames with several Arguments , and at last made him inclinable to a Peace ; and then he wrote to Henry , That he hoped a good Peace would be agreed without any great difficulty , if he pleased to send down some Eminent Person of his Council , to accord the Conditions . Henry , as one that had often tried the inconstancy of Fortune , and that the Minds of his Subjects were grown fierce by these late Tumults , as being rather irritated than wholly suppressed , commanded Richard Fox , who resided in his Castle at Norham , to join Counsels with Hialas . These Two had many Disputes about the Matter with the Embassadors of Scotland , at * * The chief Town in Tividale , standing on the West of the River Ied . Iedburgh , and after many Conditions had been mutually proposed , they could agree upon nothing . The chiefest Impediment was , The demand of Henry , that Peter Warbeck should be given up to him , for he judged it to be a very reasonable Proposition , in regard he was but a Counterfeit , and had been already the Occasion of so much Mischief . Iames peremptorily refused so to do , alledging , That it was not honourable in him to surrender up a Man of the Royal Progeny , who came to him as a Suppliant ; whom he had also made his Kinsman by Marriage , against his Faith given to him , to be made a Laughing-stock by his Enemies . And thus the Conference broke off ; yet the hopes of an Agreement were not altogether cast off , for a Truce was made for some months , till Iames could dismiss Warbeck , upon Honourable Terms , according to his Promise .

For now , by the Conference with the English , and other evident Indications , it plainly appeared , that the Tale concerning Peter's State and Kindred was a mere Falsity , and therefore the King sent for him , and told him , what singular good Will he had born him , and how many Courtesies he had bestowed upon him , of which he himself was the best Witness ; as first , That he had undertaken a War against a Potent King for his sake ; and had now managed it a second Year , to the great Inconvenience of his Enemy , and the Prejudice of his own Subjects . That he had refused an Honourable Peace , which was freely offered him , merely because he would not surrender him up to the English ; and thereby he had given great Offence , both to his Subjects and his Enemy too ; so that now , he neither could , nor would , any longer withstand their Desires . And therefore , whatever might ensue , whether Peace or War , he desired him to seek out some other and fitter Place for his Banishment , for he was resolved to make Peace with the English ; and when it was once solemnly made , to observe it as religiously ; and to remove from him whatsoever might be an Impediment or Disturbance thereto : Neither ought he to complain , That the Scots had forsaken him , seeing the English had done so first , in confidence of whose Assistance the Scots had begun the War : And yet , notwithstanding all these Circumstances , he was resolved to accommodate him with Provisions , and other Necessaries , to put to Sea .

Warbeck was mightily troubled at his unexpected dismission ; yet he remitted nothing of his dissimulated height of Spirit , but in a few days , Warbeck dismist out of Scotland . sailed over into Ireland with his Wife and Family : From whence soon after he passed into England , and there joined himself with the Reliques of the Cornish Rebels : but after many Attempts , being able to do no good , he was taken ; Taken and hanged in England . and having confessed all the Pageantry of his former Life , he ended his days in an Halter .

The Seminary of War between England and Scotland being almost extinguished , and a great likelihood of Peace appearing , behold , there arose a great Ebullition of Spirit , upon a very light occasion , which had almost broken out into a fierce War . Some Scottish Youths went over to the Town of Norham , which was near to the Castle , ( as they were oft wont to do in Times of Peace ) there to recreate themselves in Sports and Pastimes , and to junket together with their Neighbours , as if they had been at Home , for there was but a small River , which divided them . A War like to arise on a small Occasion betwixt England & Scotland ; but accommodated by Fox Bp. of Durham . The Garison in the Castle , out of the Rancour , yet lodging in their Breasts since the former War , and being also provoked by some passionate words , accused those Scots , as Spies , and so from Words they came to Blows ; many were wounded on both sides , and the Scots being fewer in number , were forced to return Home with the loss of some of their Company . This Business was often canvassed in the Meetings , between the Lords of the Marches ; and at last Iames was very angry , and sent an Herald to Henry , to complain of Breach of Truce , and how unconstant the English were in keeping Covenant ; and unless Satisfaction were given , according to the just Laws , which were made by general Consent , about restitution betwixt the Borderers , he commanded him to denounce War against him . Henry had been exercised by the Violence of Fortune , even from his Cradle , and therefore was more inclined to Peace : his Answer was , That whatever was done of that kind , was against his Will , and without his Knowledg ; and if the Garison-Souldiers had offended in the Case , by their Temerity , he would take order , That Examination should be made , and that , the Leagues being kept inviolate , the Guilty should be punished . But this was slowly done , and Iames looked upon the Answer , as dilatory , that so Punishment might be deferred , and the Sentiment thereof worn out with Time ; and therefore it rather provoked than satisfied Iames. But Richard Fox , Bishop of Durham , who was owner of the Castle , being much troubled , that an occasion of breaking the League should be administred by any of his Tenants ; to prevent it , sent several Letters to Iames , full of great submission , modesty , and civility , which so inclined the Mind of Iames , that he wrote him word back , that he would willingly speak with him , not only about the late Wrongs done , but also about other Matters which might be advantagious to both Kingdoms . Fox acquainted his King herewith , and , by his Consent , he waited upon Iames at * * Mulross in Tiviot-dale on a bare Promon●ory on Tweed side , three Miles below its confluence with Gala. Mulross , where he then was . There Iames made a grievous Complaint of the Injury acted at Norham ; yet by the prudent and grave discourse of Fox , he was so pacified , that for Peace-sake , of which he shewed himself very desirous , he remitted the Offence . Other things were acted privately betwixt them ; but it appeared afterward , that the Sum of them was this , That Iames did not only desire a Peace , but ( both before , and also now ) an Affinity with Henry , and a stricter Bond of Union : And if Henry would bestow his Daughter Margaret upon him in Marriage , A Conference between King Iames and R. Fox Bp of Durham , concerning the Marriage of King Henry's Daughter Margaret to Iames. he hoped that the thing would be for the benefit of both Kingdoms ; and if Fox , whose Authority he knew to be great at home , would but do his Endeavour to accomplish the Affinity , he did not doubt but it would be soon effected . He freely promised his Endeavour , and coming to the Court of England , acquainted the King with the Proposition , and thereupon gave hopes to the Scots Embassadors , that a Peace would easily be accorded betwixt the two Kings . Thus at length , three Years after , which was An. 1500 , even about one and the same time Margaret , Henry's Eldest Daughter , Which took Effect . was betrothed to Iames the IVth , and also Katharine , Daughter to Ferdinand of Spain , to Arthur , Henry's Eldest Son , and their Marriages were celebrated with great Pomp the next Year after .

After the Marriage all things were quiet , and the Court turned from the Study of Arms to Sports and Pastimes , so that there was nothing but Masks , Shews , Feastings , Dancings , and Balls ; it was as a continued Jubilee , and , upon that account , every day was as an Holy-day : There were also Horse-Tiltings , frequently made , mostly according to the French Mode , betwixt which ( as Tragical Acts ) there intervened the Challenges of Moss-Troopers one of another , who were wont to live upon Spoil ; which Sport the King was well pleased to behold , because he judged that the killing of them was a Gain to him . When the noise of these Tourneaments came to Foreign Nations , many Strangers , and especially from France , came daily over to shew their Prowess , who were all liberally entertained by the King , and as bountifully d●smissed . Neither did he rest in these ludicrous Exercises , but he laid out a great deal of Mony upon Building , at Sterlin , Falkland , and sundry other places , and especially in building of Monasteries ; but his Cost about Ships was greatest of all , for he built three stately ones of a great Bulk , and many also of a middle Rate ; one of his great ones was to admiration , the biggest that ever any Man had seen sail on the Ocean , A vast Ship built by King Iames. it being also furnished with all manner of costly Accommodations ; our Writers have given a Description of it ( which I pass over ) and the Measure of it is kept in some places : but the Greatness of it appeared by this , That the News thereof stirred up Francis King of France , and Henry the 8 th King of England , each of them to build a Ship in imitation thereof , and each endeavouring to out-vie the other ; when their Ships were finished and fitted with all necessaries for sailing , and brought to Sea , they were so big , that they stood there like unmoveable Rocks , unfit for any use .

These Works being very expensive , did exhaust Iames his Treasure , so that he was forced to devise some new ways to get Mony , and amongst the rest , he pitched upon one , by the Perswasion , as it was thought , of William Elphinstone , Bishop of Aberdeen , which was very displeasing to all the Nobility . Amongst the Tenures of Land in Scotland , this is one kind , by which the Owner holds what he buys , or else is given him , on these Terms , That if he dye and leave his Son and Heir under Age , Wardship a Badg of Slavery . The Wardship of him should belong to the King , or to some other Superior Lord ; yea and all the Revenue is to be received by him , till the Heir come to the age of 21 Years . There is also another Badg of Slavery annexed to this Hold , that if an Owner do sell above half his Estate , without the consent of the chief Lord , then he is to forfeit the whole to him . This Law was introduced by Court-Parasites , to advance the King's Exchequer : but being looked upon as unjust , had lain dormant a long time ; but the King , being informed that Money might be got out of the Violators of it , commanded it to be put in Execution : that Process , they call Recognition . Recognition , what ? This way of raising Money by the King , tho it outed no Man of his whole Estate , yet was a greater Grievance to the Country , than his Father's Covetousness had been , for the Wrong redounded to very many , and to the worthiest People most ; because under the two last Kings , by reason of their Forreign , and also of their Civil Wars , the Memory of that Law was almost quite abolished ; and thereupon , Wardship disused . by reason of this new Project , they were enforced either to redeem their Lands from the Officers of the King's Exchequer , or else to relinquish part of them . And yet the love of the Subjects towards their King was so great , that , tho they suffered great Inconvenience thereby , his other Vertues gave him such a Reverence amongst them , that their Indignation did not proceed to an actual Rising in Arms.

But when the King set no bounds to his Expences , neither were there some Flatterers ( a perpetual mischief to Courts ) wanting ; K. Iames's resolution 〈…〉 Ierusalem . who covered this vitious Excess under the plausible Names of Splendour and Magnificence : Hereupon he determined to undertake a Voyage into Syria , that so he might put an end to his vast Expence , ( which he could not continue without Ruin , nor yet give over without Shame ) and so , by his Absence , to abridg it . He made an honest Pretence for his Journey , that it was to expiate the Fault he had committed in bearing Arms against his Father . And indeed he had given some evidence of his Penitence ( whether true , or pretended ) upon this account , from the very beginning of his Reign , ( as I said before ) and he would often speak of it in his common Discourse . He had rigged a Navy for this Voyage , and had nominated the chief of his Retinue ; and had acquainted his Neighbour-Kings , by his Ambassadours , of his Intent ; and many of his Followers , as if they had obliged themselves by the same Vow , suffered the Hairs of their Heads and Beards to grow at length ; and , it was thought he would immediately have taken Ship , if some Hinderances had not intervened , even whilst he was most intent on his Journey : For , at that time , The execution of it prevented , and how . there arose a vehement Suspicion of a War like to ensue betwixt France and England , for Henry did not like the Successes of the French in Italy ; and , besides , he was solicited by Iulius the 2 d , then Pope , and by Ferdinand of Spain , his Father-in-Law , to join with them ; and with the Venetians , Swiss , and Maximilian too ( tho he did regulate his Councils ordinarily according to Events ) : for it was likely , that the Conjunctions of so many Nations against France , would almost swallow it up .

The King of England , being in the prime of his Age , and elevated much in the sense of the Power of his Kingdoms , and also being very willing to be in Action , was desirous to enter into this Confederacy , but wanted a fair Pretence to fall out with France . But both of them knew one anothers Designs , by their Spies , and when France could not be persuaded to desist from warring against the Pope , who was Henry's Friend , at length an Herauld was sent into France , to demand Normandy , Aquitain , and Anjou , ( as the old Possessions of the English ) in France . But in regard France was not moved by these Threats neither , to intermit the War in Italy , hereupon Henry denounced War against him , and sent an Army into * *

On the North-west of Spain , in the Cantabrian Ocean .

Henry of England wars against France .

Biscay , to join his Father-in-Law Ferdinand , and he himself prepared for an Expedition into France .

Now Iames of Scotland , tho he resolved to side with neither of them , yet , as more inclinable to the French , he sent his Navy aforementioned , as a Present to Ann Queen of France , that so it might seem rather as a mark of his Friendship , than any real Assistance , for Military Action . And moreover , the Scots Clergy , who were used to French Largesses , were willing to shew themselves in behalf of Lewis of France ; and seeing they durst not openly do it , they sought out occasions to alienate the King's Mind from the English .

In order hereto , Andrew Forman , then Bishop of Murray , one of their Faction , Andrew Forman sent into England by Iames to pick a Quarrel . and a Friend to Lewis , was sent into England to demand a vast Sum of Gold and Silver , the greatest part thereof consisted in Womens Jewels and Ornaments , which were reported to be given , by Will , by Arthur , Henry the 8 ths Elder Brother , to his Sister Margaret , now married to Iames , as I related before . Henry ( as 't is probable ) looked upon this Demand only as a Pretence for a Quarrel , and therefore he answered Iames very mildly ; That if any thing were due to him , he would not only pay it ; but if he wanted a greater Sum , or any other Assistance , he would not fail to supply him . When Iames received this Answer , he resolved to assist Lewis in any other way , And from thence into France . but by no means to invade England ; and he sent over the same Forman into France , to acquaint Lewis therewith . Meanwhile , because he had heard that great Naval Preparations were making on both sides , he resolved to send the Fleet aforementioned to Ann immediately , that so it might arrive there before the War did actually break forth ; he made Iames Hamilton , Earl of Arran , Admiral of it , and caused him to set sail with the first Opportunity . But Hamilton , tho a Man good enough , yet was more skilled in the Arts of Peace than War , Hamilton sent with a Fleet to France , but turns to Knockfergus in Ireland . and therefore either out of fear of Danger , or else out of his habitual backwardness , left his Voyage for France , and turned to Knockfergus , a Town in Ireland , scituate over against Galway in Scotland , which place he pillaged and burnt ; and afterward , as if he had been a mighty Conqueror , he hoisted sail for Air ( in Scotland ) a Port-Town in Kyle . When the King heard of his Return , he was very outragious against him , and could not forbear to express his menacing Reproaches against the Man ; and he was the more inraged against him , because he had received a Letter from Queen Ann out of France , which did endeavour to flatter him into a War against England ; and he had also other Letters from Andrew Forman , which informed him , That he was generally upbraided with the Promise of sending the Fleet , which they now looked upon as vain , in regard no such thing was done . The King was willing to obviate this mischief as well as he could , and therefore seeing Hamilton had broke off the Course , he was commanded to run , and had destroyed a Town , that had never been an Enemy to the Scots , and was then also in Alliance with them , and so had made War upon his Friends , without denouncing it beforehand , therefore he cashiered him the Admiralship , and caused him to be summoned to appear before him . Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus was designed to succeed him in that Command , and Andrew Wood was sent with him to take the Fleet into his Charge . But Hamilton had notice , by his Friends before their coming , of the King's Displeasure against him , and therefore presently hoised Sail , resolving rather to commit himself to the wide Sea , than to an enraged King ; Hamilton , at last arrives in France . he was a long time sailing for France , his Ship being tossed with contrary Winds and sore Storms in the Way , so that he arrived not there till the French had laid aside the Thoughts of any Naval Preparations , and then he landed in * * Little Britain lying in the Chanel on the Northwest of France . Base-Britaine , where the Ship , which cost so much Money and Labour to build , had her Tackle taken out , and so rotted in the Harbour of Brest .

In the interim , other causes of Discord arose at Home , which wholly alienated Iames from Henry . In the Reign of Henry the 7 th , there was one Robert Carr , a worthy Knight , so much beloved of Iames , for his excellent Virtues , that he made him his chief Cup-bearer , Master of his Ordnance , and Lord-Warden of the middle-Borders or Marches . He was a severe punisher of all Robbers , which procured him great Favour with the King , Robert Car severe against Moss-Troopers . but increased the Hatred of the Borderers against him . So that both English and Scots , whose Licentiousness he restrained , by putting the Laws in Execution against them , jointly sought all occasions to take away his Life ; and , at length , at a solemn meeting of Scots and English , which used to be kept , to adjust and recompense Damages received , a Quarrel arose , and three English-men , bold Fellows , Iohn Hern , Lilburn , and one Starhed , set upon him , one came behind and ran him through his Back with a Lance , and , when he was wounded , the other two dispatched him quite . This Business was likely to create a War ; but Henry , as he was just in other Things , He is slain . so in this was as angry as Iames at the foulness of the Fact , and therefore he caused Iohn Hern , the Brother of th' other Iohn , Lord of † † Standing on a Rock above the Firth of Forth . Foord , and Governour of the English Borders , to be delivered up to the Scots , * * In Northumberland . with Lilburne , for the other Two had made their escape . They were shut up in Prison in Fast-Castle , and there Lilburne died . And for the expiation of so manifest a Crime , it was decreed , That in future Assemblings of that kind , the English should first crave the publick Faith for their Security , and so enter Scotland , and have their Meetings there ; and the Ambassadors of England , by many solemn Protestations and Ceremony of Words , should declare , That the Publick was not concerned , as guilty of that particular Murder . The other two Murderers lurked in the inland Parts of England , till the Reign of Henry the 8 th ; and yet they went not unpunished , for when they had got a Young King , fierce , potent , and saw , that he was willing to shew the greatness of his Strength , they crept out of their Dens . Hern , by the mediation of his Kindred , lived openly at his own House , and privately sent in Robbers to Scotland , to disturb the Publick Peace , hoping , that if a War were once begun , he should obtain Indemnity for his old Offences , and Impunity even with freedom to commit new . The Murderers of Robert Carr escape not unpunished . But Starhed got a Place to live in , about 90 Miles from the Borders , thinking to be safe by reason of the remoteness of his Habitation ; but Andrew Carr , the Son of Robert , who saw , that the Seeds of Hatred , which would soon break out into a War , were then sown , and fearing that if once they entred into Arms , he should lose the avengement of his Father's Blood , persuades two of his Tenants , of the Family of the Tates , to disguise themselves , and to kill Starhed . They undertook to do it , and so entred his House securely in the Night ; for living so far from the Borders , he thought he needed no Watch ; where they killed him , cut off his Head , and brought it to Andrew ; he , in testimony of his desired Revenge , sends it to Edinburgh , and sets it up there upon an high and conspicuous Place . Of Hern I shall speak in due time .

A new Fact trod on the Heels of this old Injury , which awakened the Anger of the King of Scots , that was rather asleep than extinguished , before . At that time , there was one Andrew Breton , a Scots Merchant , his Father had a Ship rifled by the Portugals , and himself cruelly slain : Andrew had the Cause heard in Flanders , ( because there the Murder was committed ) where the Portugals were cast ; The Story of Andrew Breton . but they , not paying what was adjudged , neither did their King , tho' Iames sent an Herald to him for that end , compel them so to do . Andrew hereupon obtained Letters of Mart from Iames , to satisfy himself for the Damages and Murder ; and it was directed to all Princes and Cities lying near the Sea , That they should not account him as a Pirate , or Robber , if , by open Force , he revenged himself on the Portugals , who were such Violaters of common Right and Equity : so that in a few Months he did much mischief to the Portugals . Their Ambassadors , in the height of the War the French made against Pope Iulius the Second , and which was soon like to break out against the English , as siding with Iulius , came to Henry , and told him , That this bold and impudent Fellow , Andrew , which had done them so much Mischief , who were the Ancient Allies of the English , would assuredly be his Enemy , when he warred against France ; but now he was secure , and might easily be subdued and cut off ; and if the Fact were evil spoken of , it might be excused , under a pretence of his exercising Piracy . This , if he would do , he might prevent the Losses of his own Subjects , and also gratify their King , his Friend and Ally , very much . Henry was thus easily persuaded by the Portugals to entrap Andrew : In order whereto , he sent his Admiral , Thomas Howard , with two strong Ships of the Navy Royal , well-appointed , to way-lay ▪ him in the Downs , ( so they call the Heaps of Sand , which appear aloft when the Tide is out ) in his return from Flanders . It was not long before they espied him coming in a small Vessel , with a lesser one in his Company , and set upon him ; A sharp Fight between the English Admiral and Breton , where Breton was slain . Howard himself attaqued Andrew , between-whom there was a sharp Fight , and altho' Howard had all the Advantage imaginable against him , yet he had much ado to take the Ship ; neither could he do that , till Andrew and many of his Men were slain . This is certain , That Andrew was a Man of that Courage , even when his Case was desperate , that , tho' he had several Wounds , and one of his Legs was broken with a Cannon Bullet , yet he took a Drum and beat an Alarm , and a Charge to his Men , to incourage them to fight valiantly ; this he did , till his Breath and Life failed him together . The lesser Ship , seeing that she was no way able to cope with the Enemy , endeavoured to save her self by flight , but was taken with a great deal less opposition ; They which were not killed in the Fight , were cast into Prison at London ; from whence they were brought to the King , and humbly begging their Lives of him , as they were instructed to do by the English , he , in a proud ostentation of his Mercifulness , dismissed and sent the poor innocent Souls away . Hereupon , Embassadors were sent into England by Iames , to complain , K. Iames complains to Henry of Breton's Death . That his Subjects Ships were taken in a time of Peace , and the Passengers slain . They were answered , That the killing of Pirats was no violation of Leagues , neither was it a justifiable Cause for a War . This Answer shewed the spight of one , that was willing to excuse a plain Murder , and seemed as if he had sought an occasion for a War : Whereupon the English , which inhabited the Borders , by that which was acted above-board , guessed at their King's Mind ; and being also accustomed to sow the Seeds of Dissention , in the times of the firmest Peace ; and besides , being much given to Innovation , began to prey upon the adjacent Countries of the Scots .

At that time , there was one Alexander Hume , who had the sole command of all the Scots Borders , which was wont to be distributed into three Mens Hands ; he was mightily beloved by Iames , but his Disposition was more fierce than was expedient for the Good of those Times . The King was intent upon War , and very solicitous how to blot out the Ignominy received by those Incursions ; and Hume promised him , That he , and some of his Kindred and Vassals , would , in a little time , make the English repent of the Loss and Damage they had done , as being resolved to turn their Mirth into Sadness . To make good his Word , he gathered together about 3000 Horse , entred England , Alexander Hume marches with a Party into England ; and spoiled the Neighbouring Villages , before any Relief could come in ; but , as he was returning , his Men , being accustomed to pillaging , and then also laden with a great deal of Booty , being impatient to stay there any longer , divided their Spoil , even in their Enemy's Country , and went their ways severally Home . Alexander , with a few , brought up the Rear , to see that no assault might be made upon them in their Retreat ; but perceiving none to follow , he was the more careless , and so fell into an Ambush of 300 English , who , But is worsted in his Retreat . taking the opportunity , set upon them , and struck such a suddain Terror into them , that they routed and put them to flight . In this Conflict , a great many of the Scots were slain , and 200 taken Prisoners , amongst whom was George Hume , Alexander's Brother , who was exchanged for the Lord Hern of Foord , who had been kept Prisoner many Years in Scotland , for the Murder of Robert Carr : But all the Booty came safe into Scotland , because they , who drove it , were marched on before .

This new Offence , coming upon the King's Mind , which was not easy before , upon the account of what I formerly related , made him unruly and headstrong ; and thereupon he called a Convention to consult concerning the War . K. Iames resolves a War against England . The wiser sort were against it ; but L'amot , the Embassador of France , earnestly pressed it , by Entreaties and Promises : And also frequent Letters from Andrew Forman urged the same thing ; yea , the King himself inclined thereto , so that many , to gratify him , fell in with his Opinion ; the rest , being the minor part , lest by a fruitless Opposition they might incur the King's Displeasure , gave also their assent ; so that a War was voted to be made against England , both by Land and Sea ; ( 't is doubtful , whether the Counsel or the Event was the worst ) , a set day was appointed for the Army to meet together . An Herald was sent into France to Henry , who was then besieging Tournay , to denounce War upon him . The pretended Causes of the War . The Causes of it were rendred to be , That Satisfaction for Losses had been required , but not given . That Iohn Hume , the Murderer of Robert Carr , did openly shew himself ; That Andrew Breton , in violation of the Leagues betwixt the two Crowns , had been pillaged and slain , by the King 's own Command : And though he did not mention any of those Wrongs , yet he should never endure , That the Territories of Lewis , King of France , his Ancient Ally ; nor of Charles , Duke of Gelderland , his Kinsman , should be so miserably harrassed with all the Calamities of War ; and therefore , unless he desisted therefrom , he bid him Defiance . Henry being young , and having a flourishing and puissant Kingdom ; and besides , a general Combination of almost all Europe against France alone ; these things kindled a desire in his Mind , which was otherwise ambitious enough of Glory , to continue his Arms ; and therefore he gave the Herald an Answer more fierce than suted with his youthful Age ; That he heard nothing from him , but what he long before had expected from such a Violator of all Divine and Human Laws , K. Henry's Answer to King Iames's Herald . and therefore he should do as he thought fit ; for his part , he was resolved not to be threatned out of his Procedure in a War , wherein he had so well prospered hitherto ; and besides , he did not value his Friendship , as having already had sufficient proof of his Levity .

This Denunciation of War being brought into Scotland , as the King was going to his Army , A strange Apparition , of an old Man forbidding K. Iames to proceed in his War with England . at Linlithgo whilst he was at Vespers in the Church ( as the manner then was ) ; There entred an old Man , the Hair of his Head being Red , inclining to Yellow , and hanging down on his Shoulders ; his Forehead sleek thro' baldness , bare-headed , in a long Coat of a russet Colour , girt with a linen Girdle about his Loins ; in the rest of his Aspect , he was very venerable : He pressed thro' the Crowd to come to the King : When he came to him , he leaned upon the Chair on which the King sat , with a kind of rustick simplicity , and bespoke him thus ; O King , said he , I am sent to warn thee , not to proceed in thy intended Design ; which Monition if thou neglect , neither Thou nor thy Followers shall prosper . I am also commanded to tell thee , That thou shouldest not use the Familiarity , Intimacy , and Counsel of Women ; which if thou dost , it will redound to thy Ignominy and Loss . Having thus spoken , he withdrew himself into the Crowd ; and when the King enquired for him , after Prayers were ended , he could not be found ; which Matter seemed more strange , because none of those who stood next , and observed him , as being desirous to put many Questions to him , were sensible how he disappeared ; Amongst them , there was David Lindsy of * * A place near Cowper , in Fife . Mont , a Man of approved Worth and Honesty , ( and a great Scholar too ) ; for in the whole course of his Life , he abhorred Lying ; and if I had not received this Story from him as a certain Truth , I had omitted it as a Romance of the Vulgar .

But the King , notwithstanding , went forward in his March , Yet he proceeds and enters England below Ouler in Northumberland . and near Edinburgh mustered his Army , and a while after entred England , took the Castles of Norham , Werk , Etel , Foord , and some others near to the Borders of Scotland , by Storm , and demolished them , and spoiled all the adjoining part of Northumberland ; mean while , the King falls in Love with one of the Ladies he had taken Prisoner , ( she was Hern's Wife of Foord ) and neglected his present business , insomuch that , Provision beginning to grow scarce , in a not very plentiful Country , and it being very difficult to fetch it from far , the greatest part of his Army stole away , and left their Colours very thin ; only the Nobles , with a few of their Friends , Clients and Vassals , and those not very well pleased neither , abode in the Camp : The major part advised him , that he should no longer punish himself and his Men by abiding in a Country that was wasted by War , and if it had not been so , yet was poor of it self , but rather that he would retreat and attempt Berwick ; the taking of which one Place would turn more to account , than of all the Towns and Castles thereabouts ; neither , said they , would it be very difficult to take it in , because both Town and Castle were unprovided for Defence . But the King thought that nothing was too hard for his Arms , especially since the English were intangled in the War with France , so that , some Court-Parasites soothing him up in his Vanity , he judg'd , that he might easily reduce that Town , in his Retreat .

Whilst he thus lay encamped at Foord , The English challenge him to give them Battel . there came Heraulds from the English , desiring him to appoint a Place and Time for the Battel . Hereupon he called a Council of War , wherein the major part were of opinion , That it was best to return home , and not to hazard the State of the whole Kingdom with so small a Force , especially , since he had abundantly satisfied his Credit , his Renown , and the Laws of Friendship ; neither was there any just Cause , why he should venture his small Army , and which had been also wearied out with the taking of so many Castles , against the more numerous Forces of the English , who had also newly received an Addition of fresh Men ; for it was reported , That at that very time Thomas Howard arrived in the Camp with 6000 Men , sent back out of France . Besides , if he retreated , the English Army must of necessity disband , and then they could not bring together Another , to be levied so far off , till the next Year . But if he would needs fight , it were better so to do in his own Country , where Place , Time , and Provision were more at his Command . But the French Embassador , The French Embassador presses Iames on to a Battel . and some Courtiers whom French Largesses had wrought over to him , were of another Mind , and easily persuaded Iames , who longed to fight , to abide the Enemy in that place : In the mean time , the English came not at the Day appointed by the Herauld , and then the Scots Nobles took that opportunity to go again to the King , and told him , that it was the Craft of the Enemy to protract the time from one day to another , whilst their own Force encreased , and the Scots were diminished , and that therefore he should use the same Art against them . That it was now no Dishonour for the Scots to retreat , ( since the English had not kept the designed Time ) without fighting ; or else , not to fight , but when they themselves thought fit : The first of these Advices was in many respects the more safe ; but , if that did not please him , he had a fair opportunity offered him to comply with the other . For seeing the * * In Northumberland . Till had very high Banks , and was almost no where fordable , there was no passing for an Army over it within many Miles , but by one Bridg , where a few Men might keep back a great Multitude ; yea , if part of the English should get over , he might so place his Ordnance as to cut off the Bridg , and so they , who had passed over , might be destroyed , before they could be relieved by those on the contrary side . The King approved of neither Advice , K. Iames resolved to fight . but answered resolutely , That if the English were 100000 strong , he would fight them . All the Nobility were offended at this temerarious Answer ; and Archibald Douglas , Earl of Angus , who was far superior to all the rest in Age and Authority , Which Earl Douglas disswaded him from in an Oration . endeavoured to appease the King's Fury by a mild Oration , and to open the Nature and Reason of the two former Advices ; You have ( said he ) sufficiently satisfied your Alliance with France , in that you have called off a great part of their Enemy's Army from them ; for , by this means , they cannot run over all France , as , by the multitude of their Forces , they hoped to do ; neither can they do any great damage to Scotland , because they cannot long keep their Army together in a cold Country , already wasted by War , and otherwise not very fruitful ; and moreover , the Winter now approaching , which in the Northern Parts useth to begin betimes . As for the French Embassador ( said he ) I do not wonder , that he is so earnest to press us to a Battel , for he , being a Stranger , studies not the common good of our whole Party , but the private Advantage of their own Nation , and therefore it is no News , if he push us on to fight , and so be prodigal of other Mens Blood . Besides , his Demand is shameless , for he requires that of us , which his own King , tho highly wise and prudent , doth not think fit to do , for the maintenance of his whole Kingdom and Dignity . Neither ought the loss of this Army to be accounted small , because we are but few in number : For that which is any ways eminent for Valour , Authority , or Counsel in the whole Kingdom of Scotland , is here summ'd up in a Body : If these are lost , the rest of the Commonalty will be but an easy Prey to the Conqueror . Besides , to lengthen out the War , is at present more safe , and more conducive to the main Chance . For if L'amot's Opinion be , that the English are to be either exhausted by Expences , or wearied out by Delays , what can be more adviseable , in the present Posture of Affairs , than to compel the Enemy to divide his Force ; so that part of them must attend us , as if we were continually likely to invade them ; and the fear thereof would take off a great stress of the War from the French , tho with no small Toil of ours . Besides , we have consulted sufficiently for the Glory and Splendor of our Arms , which these Men ( who , I am afraid , are more forward in Words than Actions ) pretend , as a Disguise and Vail for their Temerity : For what can be more splendid , than for the King to demolish so many Castles , to destroy the Country with Fire and Sword , and , from so large Devastations , to bring home so much Booty , that many Years Peace will not restore a Country , so desolated , to its former hue ? And what greater Advantage can we expect in a War , than that , in so mighty an hurry of Arms , to our great Honour and Renown , but the Shame and Disgrace of our Enemies , we give our Souldiers leave to refresh themselves , Repartees between the King and Douglas concerning a present Fight . having gotten Estates and Glory to boot ? And this kind of Victory , which is obtained rather by Wisdom than by Arms , is most proper for a Man , especially for a General , in regard the common Souldiers can challeng no part thereof .

All that were present assented to what he spoke , as appeared by their Countenances : but the King had taken a solemn Oath , that he would fight the English , and therefore he entertained his whole Discourse with great Disgust , and bid him , Get him home again , if he were afraid . He thereupon fell a weeping , as foreseeing the ruin of Affairs , and of the King himself , by his Rashness ; but as soon as he was able to speak , he uttered these few words ; If my former Life have not sufficiently vindicated me from any suspicion of Cowardize and Fear , I know not what will ; as long as my Body was able to undergo Hardship , I never spared it for the Good of my Country , and to maintain the Honour of my King . But seeing now I am useful only for Advice , and the King's Ears are shut against it , I will leave my two Sons , which , next to my Country , are most dear to me , with my other Kinsmen and Friends , as sure Pledges of my Fidelity to You and my Country ; and I pray God , that my Fears do prove vain , and that I be rather accounted a false Prophet , than what I dread , and do as it were foresee in my Mind , should come to pass .

Having thus spoken , he took his Convoy and Retinue , Earl Douglass in discontent retires . and so departed . The rest of the Nobles , because they could not work over the King to their Opinion , endeavoured to secure Things the best they could , and that was , in regard they were inferior in number , ( for they had Intelligence by their Spies , that the English were 26000 fighting Men ) to advantage themselves by the opportunity of the Ground and Place , and so to encamp upon an Hill that was near them ; It was where Cheviot-Hills do gently decline into a Plain , a small Spot , with a narrow Entrance into it , gradually sloping downwards : This Passage they defended with their Brass-Guns ; behind them were the Mountains , at the foot of them there was a moorish piece of Ground , which secured their left Wing ; on the right , ran the River Till , whose Banks were very high , over which there was a Bridg for passage , not far from the Camp : When the English had intelligence , by their Scouts , that they could not attaque the Scots Camp , without great damage , or rather certain ruin , they marched off from the River , and made a shew , as if they intended to leave the Enemy and retire towards Berwick , and so directly into the neighbouring Parts of Scotland , which was the best part of the Country , there to damage the Scots more , than They had done the English before . And Iames was most inclinable to believe , they would do so , because there was a Rumour spread abroad , either by uncertain Report , or else devised on purpose , by the English , that their Design lay that way , that so they might draw the Enemy down into the plain and Champion Country . Iames would not endure that , and therefore set Fire to the Straw and Huts , and removed his Camp too . The Smoke , occasion'd by the Fire , covered all the River , so that the Scots , by means thereof , could not see the English ; They marched farther from the River , thro' places more unpassable ; but the Scots had a level and open march thereunto ; till they both came at last to * * Or Floddonhill , lying between the Town of Ouler and the River of Tweed . Fluidon , or Floddon , a very high Hill , almost unknown one to another . There the Ground was more level , and stretched it self out into a Campagn ; and the River was also passable by a Bridg at † † In Northumberland , on the North side of the River Blico , three miles above Stannington-Bridg . Tuisil ; and there was a Ford also at ‖ ‖ Or Milfeild . Milford . The English commanded their Forlorn , first to draw their Brass-Pieces over the Bridg , the rest marched thro' the Ford , and , by the opportunity of the Place , they set themselves in Battel Array , to stop the Enemy in their passage . Their Numbers were so great , that they divided themselves , as it were , into two Armies , distinct from one another , either of which did well-nigh equal the whole Army of the Scots . In their first Brigade , Admiral Thomas Howard , who a little before was come in with some of his Sea-Forces , Flodden Fight , and the Manner of it described . commanded the Main Battel ; Edward Howard led on the Right Wing ; and Marmaduke Constable , the Left : Behind them , the rest were placed , as Reserves , being divided into three Bodies ; Dacres commanded the Wing in the Right ; Edward Stanly , That on the Left ; and the Earl of Surry , General of the whole Army , the Main Body . The Scots had not Men enow to divide their Army into so many Parties , unless they would extreamly weaken their Front ; and therefore they divided their Army into four Bodies , at a moderate distance one from another ; of which , three were to charge first , and the fourth was for a Reserve . The King led on the Main Body ; Alexander Gordon commanded the Right Wing , to whom Alexander Hume and the Merch-Men were joined ; Matthew Stewart Earl of Lennox , and Gillespy Cambel Earl of Argyle , led on the third Body ; Adam Hepburne with his Clans , and the rest of the Nobility of Lothian , were in the Reserves . The Gordons began a very sharp Fight , and soon routed the left Wing of the English ; but when they returned from the Pursuit , they found almost all the rest of their Brigades defeated ; for One of them , in which was Lennox and Argyle , being encouraged by the Success of their Fellows , brake their Ranks , and fell upon the Enemy , in very great disorder , leaving their Colours far in their Rear . Tho' L'amot , the French Resident , cried out much against it , and told them , they would run head-long to their own destruction ; for they were charged , not only by the English , standing in Array before them , but were also set upon by another Party in the Rear , and so almost all cut off . The King's Body , and Hepburn's Brigade with the Lothianers , fought it out stoutly . There was a great slaughter on both Sides , and the Dispute continued till Night ; by which time both Sides were weary . There were a great many slain of the King 's main Body ; they , who reckon'd the full number of the Slain , as their Names were taken , according to the several Parish-Registers , out of which they were pressed , say , That there were slain above 5000 of the Scots ; the loss was most of the Nobility , and of the forwardest of them too , who chose rather to die upon the Spot , than to supervive the slaughter of their Men. 'T is reported , that the English lost as many , but that they were most Common Souldiers . This is the famous Fight of Floddon , amongst the few Overthrows which the Scots have received from the English , one of the most memorable , not so much for the number of the Slain , ( for they had lost more than double that Number , in former Battels , ) but for the Quality of the Persons , the King and Prime of the Nobility falling there , so that few were left to govern the Rabble , who were fierce by Nature , and lawless also in hope of Impunity .

And yet there were Two sorts of Men , that gained Advantage by this Calamity of others . For the richer sort of Church-men grew so insolent thereby , that , not contented with their own Function , they sought to draw all the Offices of the Kingdom into their own Hands : And the Mendicant Fryars ( for that sort of Monks were then counted most superstitiously religious ) had received much Mony of those that were slain , to keep for them ; but it being delivered without Witness , they were mightily enriched by this Booty , and thereupon omitted the severity of their Ancient Discipline ; yea , there were some amongst them , who counted That Gain , as a Pious and Holy Fraud , alleging , That the Mony could never be better bestowed , than to be given to Devout Persons , that they might pray ( forsooth ) for the Redemption of their Souls out of Purgatory .

The Fight was carried on so obstinately , that , towards Night , both Parties were weary , and withdrew , almost Ignorant of one anothers Condition ; so that Alexander Hume , and his Souldiers , who remained untouched , gathered up a great part of the Spoil at their pleasure . But the next day , in the Morning , Dacres being sent out with a Party of Horse , to make discovery , when he came to the place of Fight , and saw the Scots Brass-Guns without a Guard , and also a great part of the Dead unstripp'd , he sent for Howard , and so gathered up the Spoil at leasure , and celebrated the Victory with great Mirth .

Concerning the King of Scotland , there goes a double Report ; The English say , Various Reports concerning K. Iames's Death . he was slain in the Battel . But the Scots affirm , That , in the Day of Battel , there were several others cloathed in the like Coat of Armour , and the Habit of the King ; which was done on purpose , on a double account ; partly , that the Enemy might principally aim at one Man , as their chief Opponent , on whose Life the safeguard of the Army , and total ruin of the Enemy , did depend ; and partly also , if the King hapned to be slain , that the Souldiers might not be discouraged , nor sensible of his loss , as long as they saw any Man armed and clothed like him , in the Field , and riding up and down as a Witness of their Cowardise or Valour . And that one of these was Alexander Elphinston , who , in Countenance and Stature , was very like the King ; and many of the Nobility , perceiving him armed in Kingly Habiliments , followed him , in a Mistake , and so died resolutely with him ; but that the King himself repassed the Tweed , and was slain by some of Humes his Men , near the Town of Kelsoe ; but it is uncertain , whether it were done by his Command , or else by the forwardness of his Souldiers , who were willing to gratify their Commander ; for they , being desirous of Innovation , thought , that they should escape Punishment , if he were taken off ; but if he were alive , they should be punished for their Cowardise in the Fight . Some Conjectures are also added , as , that , the same Night , after this unhappy Fight , the Monastery of Kelsoe was seized upon by Car , an Intimate of Hume's , and the Abbat thereof ejected ; which it was not likely he would dare to have done , unless the King were slain ; and moreover , David Galbreth , one of the Family of the Hume's , some Years after , when Iohn the Regent questioned the Hume's , and was troublesome to their Family , is said to have blamed the sluggish Cowardise of his Allys , who would suffer that Stranger to rule so arbitrarily and imperiously over them , whereas he himself had been one of the Six , that had put an end to the like Insolency of the King , at Kelsoe . But these Things were so uncertain , that when Humes was afterward tried for his Life , by Iames Earl of Murray , the King 's Natural Son , they did not much prejudice his Cause .

However the Truth of this Matter stands , yet I shall not conceal what I have heard Lawrence Talifer , an Honest and a Learned Man , to report more than once . He was then one of the King's Servants , and was a Spectator of the Fight ; he saw the King , when the Day was lost , set upon an Horse , and pass the Tweed ; many others affirmed the same thing : So that the Report went currant , for many Years after , That the King was alive , and was gone to Ierusalem , to perform a Religious Vow he had made , but would return again in due Time : But that Rumor was found as vain , as another of the same Batch , which was heretofore spread abroad by the Brittons , concerning their Arthur : And , but a few Years since , by the Burgundians , concerning Charles . This is certain , That the English found the Body of the King , or of Alexander Elphinston , and carried it into England , and , retaining an inexpiable Hatred against the Dead , they left it unburied , in a Lead Coffin , ( I know not , whether their Cruelty therein were more foolish , or more barbarous , ) because he had born sacrilegious Arms against Pope Iulius the Second , whom the English then sought to curry favour with ; or else , as some say , because he was perjured , as having contrary to the Oath and League between them , taken up Arms against Henry the Eighth : Neither of which Exprobrations ought to have been laid to his Charge ; especially by such a King , who , during his Life was not constant or tight in any one Religion ; nor , by such a People , who had took up Arms , so often , against the Bishop of Rome . Not to speak of many of the Kings of England , whom their own Writers do accuse as guilty of Perjury , as William Rufus , who is charged with That Crime by Polydore and Grafton ; Henry the First , by Thomas Walsingham , in his Description of Normandy . King Stephen hath the like Brand inured upon him , by Neobrigensis , Grafton , and Polydore : Henry the Eighth , by the same Newberry , Grafton , and Polydore . Richard the First , by Walsingham , in his Hypodigma Neustriae . Richard the Third , by Grafton , and Walsingham : Edward the First , by Walsingham . I cull out these few , for Example-sake , not of the First Kings of the Saxon Race , of which I might instance in a great Many , but in Those of the Norman Family , whose Posterity enjoy the Kingdom to this Day , and who lived in the most flourishing Times of England's Glory ; to put them in mind , not to be so bitter against Strangers , who , with so much Indulgence , bore the Perjuries of their own Kings ; especially , since the guilt of the Crime objected lies principally on those , who were the first Violaters of the Truce . But to return to the Matter .

Thomas Howard , Earl of Surrey , Howard Earl of Surrey , General against the Scots at Flodden , falls afterwards into Disgrace . had gone off with great Renown for That Victory over the Scots , if he had used his Success with Moderation ; but being a Man , almost drunk with the Happiness of his prosperous Success , and little mindful of the Instability of Human Affairs , he made his Houshold Servants ( as the English custom is ) to wear a Badg on their left Arms , which was a White Lyon ( his own Arms ) on the top of a Red one , and rending him with his Paws : God Almighty did seem to punish this his insolent Ambition , for there were , in a manner , none of his Posterity , of either side , but dyed in great Disgrace and Ignominy .

But King Iames , as he was dear to all whilst living , The Character of K. Iames the Fourth . so he was mightily lamented at his Death ; and the Remembrance of him stuck so fast in the Minds of Men , as the like was not known of any other King , that we have heard or read of . 'T is probable , that it hapned , by making a Comparison with the bad Kings , who preceded his Reign ; or else , were likely speedily to follow after It ; considering also , his eminent Virtues ; yea , his popular Vices did easily deceive vulgar Minds , under a specious Resemblance and Affinity to Virtue . For he was of a strong Body , just Stature , a Majestick Countenance , of a quick Wit , but , by the default of the Times , not cultivated by Learning . He did greedily imbibe one ancient Custom of the Nation , Scots Nobility , all anciently had Skill in Chirurgery . for he was skilful in curing of Wounds ; for , in old Times , that kind of Knowledg was common to all the Nobility , as Men continually accustomed to Arms. The Access to his Presence was easy , his Answers were mild , he was just in Judgment and moderate in Punishment , so that he seemed to be drawn to it against his Will. He bore the malevolent Speeches of his Enemies , and the Monitions of his Friends , with a Greatness of Mind , which arose in him from the Tranquillity of a good Conscience , and the Confidence of his own Innocency ; insomuch , that he was so far from being angry , that he never returned them an harsh Word . There were also some Vices , which crept in among these Virtues , by reason of his two great affectation of Popularity . For , by endeavouring to avoid the Name of a covetous Prince , which his Father had incurred , he laboured to insinuate himself into the Good will of the Vulgar , by sumptuous Buildings , by costly Pageants , and immoderate Largesses , so that his Exchequer was very low , and his want of Money such , that , if he had lived longer , the Merits of his former Reign would have been extinguished , or , at least , out-ballanced by his Imposition of new Taxes ; so that his Death seemed to have hapned rather commodiously , than immaturely , to him .

IAMES the Vth , the CVIth King .

WHen Iames the Fourth was slain , he left his Wife Margaret and Two Sons behind him ; the Eldest of which was not yet full two Years old . Iames the 5 th , of about 2 years old , proclaimed King . The Parliament , assembled at Sterlin , proclaimed him King , according to the Custom of the Country , on the 24 th day of February , and then they addressed themselves to settle the publick Affairs , in doing whereof they first perceived the greatness of their Loss . For those of the Nobility , who bore any thing of Authority and Wisdom before them , being slain , the major part of those , who survived , by reason of their youthful Age , or incapacity of Mind , were unfit to meddle with Matters of State , especially in so troublesom a time ; and they who were left alive , of the better sort , who had any thing of Prudence in them , by reason of their Ambitions and Covetousness , abhorred all Counsels tending to Peace . Alexander Hume , Lord Warden of all the Marches , had got a great Name , and a large Estate , in the King's Life-time ; but when he was dead , he obtained an ( almost ) Regal Authority in the Countries bordering upon England . The Ambition of Alexander Hume . He , out of a wicked Ambition , did not restrain Robbers , that so he might more engage those bold and lewd Persons to him , thinking , thereby , to make way for his greater Puissance : but that Design was unhappy to him , and , in the end , pernicious . The Command of the Country , on this side the Forth , was committed to him ; the Parts beyond , to Alexander Gordon , to keep those Seditious Provinces within the Bounds of their Duty : But the Name of Regent was in the Queen her self . For the King had left , in his Will , which he made before he went to fight , that , if he miscarried , as long as she remained a Widow , she should have the * * Q. Margaret the first Female Regent , in Scotland . Supream Power . This was contrary to the Law of the Land , and the first Example of any Woman , who ever had the Supream Rule in Scotland ; yet the want of Men made it seem tolerable , especially to them , who were desirous of Peace and Quietness . But her Office continued not long ; for before the end of the Spring she married Archibald Douglas , Earl of Angus , She loses her Regency by her Marriage . one of the prime young Men of Scotland for Lineage , Beauty , and Accomplishments in all good Arts ; and before the end of that Year , the Seeds of Discord were sown . They took their Rise from the Ecclesiastical Order ; for , after the Nobles were slain , in all publick Assemblies , a great part were of that sort of Men , and many of them did their own business amidst the publick Calamity , and got such Estates , that nothing did more hasten their Ruin , than that inordinate Power , which they afterwards as arrogantly used .

Alexander Stuart , Archbishop of St. Andrews , Three Competitors for the Archbishoprick of St. Andrews , Douglas , Hepburn and Forman . was slain at Flodden , and there were Three which strove for that Preferment , but upon different Interests . Gawin Douglas , upon the account of the Splendor of his Family , and his own Personal Worth and Learning , was nominated to the place by the Queen , and accordingly took Possession of the Castle of St. Andrews . Andrew Hepburn , Abbat of St. Andrews , before any Archbishop was nominated , gathered up the Revenues of the place , as a Sequestrator ; and he , being a potent , factious , and subtile Man , was chosen by his Monks to the Vacancy ( for he alleged , that the Power of electing an Archbishop , by ancient Custom , was in Them ) so that he drove out the Officers of Gawin , and placed a strong Garison in the Castle . Andrew Forman had obtained great Favour in the Courts both of Rome and France , by his former Services ; so that , besides the Bishoprick of Murray in Scotland , which he held from the beginning , Lewis the 12 th of France , gave him the Archbishoprick of Bourges : And Pope Iulius had also dismissed him , loaden with many rich Preferments , for he bestowed on him the Archbishoprick of St. Andrews , the two rich Abbies of Dumfermling , and Aberbrothock , and made him his Legate ( à Latere , as they call him , ) besides . But so great was the Power of the Hepburns at that time , that the Hume's being yet at Concord with them , no Man could be found that durst proclaim the Popes Bull , for the Election of Forman to that Dignity ; until , at last , Alexander Humes was induced by great Promises , and , besides other Gifts , with the actual Donation of the Abby of * * Lying within two Miles of Aymouth in the Merss , near the Scotish Sea . Coldingham to David his younger Brother , to undertake the Cause , which seemed to be honest and just ; and especially , because the Family of the Formans was in the Clanship , or Protection , of the Hume's ; so that he caused the Popes Bull to be published at Edinburgh : And that was the Original of many Mischiefs which ensued ; for Hepburn , being a Man of a lofty Spirit , from that day forward , studied day and night how to destroy the Family of the Hume's .

The Queen , whilst she sat at Helm , did this one thing Worthy to be remembred , that she wrote to her Brother , that he would not make War upon Scotland , in respect to her , and her young Children ; and that he would not infest the Dominions of his Cousin by his Foreign Arms , which , of its own accord , was divided into so many Domestick Factions ; but that he would rather defend them against the Wrongs of others , upon the account of his Age , and the Affinity betwixt them . Henry answered very Nobly and Prince-like , That if the Scots desired Peace , they should have it ; if War , he would make it upon them .

When the Queen , by reason of her Marriage , fell from her Regency , The Nobility divided about choosing a Regent , in the room of Q. Margaret . the Nobility was manifestly divided into two Factions ; the Douglassian Party endeavoured , that the chief Power might reside in the Queen , and that This was the way to have Peace with England , which was not only advantagious , but even necessary , for them . The other Party , headed by Humes , pretended an Umbrage of the Publick Good , and that it was against the old Laws of the Land , to choose a Woman to be Regent ; as for the Queen , they would be studious of her Honour as far as they might so do by the Law , and as far as the Publick Safety would permit , and that a sufficient Proof had been given thereof , in regard that they hitherto submitted to her Government , ( tho it were against the Law of their fore-Fathers ) not by any legal Compulsion , but of mere good Will , and that they were ready to endure it longer , if any honest and equitable Pretence could be alleged for it . But seeing she , by her Marriage , had voluntarily deposed her self from that Dignity , she ought not to take it amiss , if they substituted another to enjoy that Office , which she had left ; and which indeed , by the Law , she could not hold ; for the Laws of Scotland do not permit Women to have the Supream Power , no not in times of Peace , much more in such troublesome days as Ours , wherein the powerfullest and the prudentest Man alive could hardly find Remedies for the many growing Evils of the Times .

Thus whilst each Faction strove pertinaciously about the Choice of a Regent , either out of wicked Ambition , or occult Envy , they passed over All there present , and inclined to choose Iohn , Duke of Albany , then living with good Repute in France ; whereupon William Elphinston , Bishop of Aberdeen , is reported to have burst forth into Tears , in bewailing the publick Misfortune ; and his Speech affected many , especially when he came to that Point of reckoning up what Men were slain in the last Fight , and how few , like Them , were left behind , of whom none was thought fit to sit at the Helm of Government : He also told them , how empty the Exchequer was , and how it had been exhausted by the late King , and how great a Portion thereof was the Queen's Joynture , and how much necessarily must be expended on the Education of the King , and then how little part would remain to maintain publick Charges ; and that , tho none were more fit for the place of Regency than the Queen , yet seeing Concord could not be had on other terms , she was forced to yeild to that Party , who were for calling Iohn , Duke of Albany , out of France , to take the Regency upon him , tho he thought , that the publick Misery would be rather deferred than fully healed thereby . Alexander Hume was so violent for Albany , that he professed openly in the Assembly , that if they all refused , yet he himself would go alone , and bring him over into Scotland , to undertake the Government . It is thought , he did this , not for the Love of his Country , or for any private Advantage to himself , but merely out of This respect , that , being an ambitious Man , and knowing that his Interest in the People was more upon the account of his Power , than out of any real Love , therefore , himself despairing of the place , he was afraid if the Queen should have it , the Douglasses , his Neighbours , would grow too great , and his Power would abate ; for the Men of Liddisdale and Annandale had already withdrawn themselves , and had , by little and little , betook themselves to the Clanship of the Douglasses : And besides , he considered , that the Queen , by Assistanc● from England , was easily able to obviate all his Designs ; so that most Voices carried it for * * Iohn Duke of Albany , then in France , chosen Regent . Iohn , and an Embassy was appointed ( the chief whereof was Andrew Wood of the † † A little Town in Cuningham , standing on the Firth of Clyd . Largs , ( a famous Cavaleer in those days ) to call him into Scotland for the Government , both upon the account of his own Virtue , and also by reason of his near Consanguinity with the King , for he was the Son of Alexander , Brother to Iames the Third . He being thus called to the supream Government by the Scots ; Francis , King of France , did not think that Office unsutable to his Interest , and therefore he furnished him with Mony and a Retinue at his Departure . Before his Arrival , in regard there was no one Person to administer the Publick Government , there were many Murders and Rapines committed ; and whilst the richer sort made up their private Clans and Factions , the poor desolate Vulgar were afflicted with all kind of Miseries . The chief Robber of those times was MacRobert Stran , who committed Outrages all over Athol , and the Neighbouring Parts , at his Pleasure , having 800 Men , and sometimes more , under his Command . At length , when he was at his Uncles Iohn Creighton's , he was way-laid , apprehended , and put to Death : But there was more Mischief like to arise from the Fewd between Andrew Forman and Iohn Hepburn ; yet , the Nature of them both , and the Discord , rather of their Manners than Minds , deferred the Mischief for a season , which then was just a breaking out . Iohn was profoundly covetous ; and Andrew was as great a Despiser of Mony , and profuse in his Largesses . The Designs and Purposes of Andrew were open and manifest to the view of all ; neither was there any need that he should conceal them , because his Vices were accounted Virtues by the Vulgar , and the simplicity of his Nature did Him as much Kindness among them , as the occult Craft of Hepburn , together with his malicious Dissimulation , his implacable remembrance of Injuries , and his desire of Revenge , did Him . And therefore Forman , hearing as yet no certainty of the coming of the Duke of Albany , neither could he be put into Possession by Hume , seeing Hepburn resided at his Castle and Monastery , which he had strongly garison'd , which were at a great distance from those places in which the Power of the Hume's might be formidable , he determined , by his Friends , to try , whether he could , with Mony , either satisfy , or at least , in some degree , abate the Avarice of the Man ; so that at last they came to an Agreement upon these Terms , That Forman should remit and forgive the Revenues of the last Year , which Iohn had gathered in , as a Sequestrator ; that he should surrender up to him the Bishoprick of Murray , and that he should pay him yearly 3000 French Crowns out of his Ecclesiastical Revenues , to be divided amongst his Friends . And thus the Man's implacable Hate was a little abated , and Matters settled on that side .

The Fourteenth BOOK .

Iohn Duke of Albany , the new Regent , arrives in Scotland . THIS was the State of Affairs in Scotland , when Iohn Duke of Albany arrived at Dunbarton , on the 20 th day of May , in the Year of our Salvation 1515 , with the exceeding gratulation of all good Men. For , under his Government , they hoped for more quiet Times , and an equal distribution of Justice . In a full Assembly of the Nobility , called in his Name , he had a large Revenue settled upon him ; he was made Duke of Albany , Earl of March , and Regent , till the King came to be of Age.

Moreover , Iames , the Natural Son of the late King , was made Earl of Murray , a young Man of such virtuous Endowments , that he far exceeded all the hopes Men had conceived of him . There was also one Fact , which much enhaunsed the estimation of Iohn , and it was done almost in the Face of the Assembly , and that was the punishment of Peter Muffat . Peter Muffat , a noted Robber , punished . He was a notable Thief , who , after many cruel & nefarious Pranks , plaid by him , in the Two last licentious Years , arrived at length to that audaciousness , that he appeared openly at Court : His unexpected Punishment made such a suddain change of Things , that Criminals began to withdraw for shelter : The Minds of the Good were erected , and the Face of Things began soon to be changed , from a stormy Tempest to a suddain Tranquillity .

In the mean time , * * Hepburn insinuates himself into the new Regent . Iohn Hepburn had so insinuated himself into the Regent , by the help of his Friends , whom he had privately greased in the Fist ; and afterwards by his obsequiousness , and pretence of knowing the old Customs of the Country , he got his Ear , who of himself was ignorant of Scotish Affairs , insomuch that none was credited , in Matters of great Moment , but He alone ; He was sent abroad with Commission , by the Regent , all over Scotland , to inquire into Their Offences , who oppressed the Vulgar , and made them as their Slaves . He obtained that Office principally upon these Grounds ; First of all , he acquainted the Regent , What new Discords and old Fewds there were in every County ; and also , what Factions there were , and who were their respective Heads : Hitherto his Relations were true , for the Things were known to all . But if any Occasion were offered to speak of Hume , he stirr'd up some to complain of his Enormity ; so that by the Imputation , partly of True , and partly of Feigned , Crimes , the Regent's Ears were shut against all Defence , he could make . But when he had almost gone over the whole Kingdom , and expresly declared the Alliances , Affinities , and Leagues which had interceded between each several Family ; and had persuaded the Regent , That no Man of Power , tho' a Criminal , could be punished without the Offence of his Clans ; and that , not so much for the Enmity and Conspiracies of their Kindred , as , that the Punishment reaching to a few , yet the Example would extend to a great many more ; whom a similitude of Faults , and a like fear of Punishments , out of Enemies would make Friends ; so that these great and large spreading Factions were not able to be punished by the Force of Scotland , only ; and therefore it was adviseable to desire an Auxiliary Strength from the King of France , to break this Knot of Contumacious Offenders ; and that this would be of use to France , as much as to Scotland . In the mean time , the Heads of the Factions were to be kept under , and ( if it were possible ) taken off , yet with that prudence , that they might not think too many of them to be aimed at at once . The Heads of the Factions at present were Three ; of them , Douglas , Hume , and Forman , accused by Hepburn , as the Three ●eads of the then Factions . Archibald Douglas was wonderfully popular , insomuch that the Vulgar doted on him : His Name was much adored , by reason of the great Merits of his Ancestors ; besides , he was in the flower of his Youth , and relied so much on his Affinity with England , that he bore a Spirit too big for a private Man . As for Hume , he was formidable of himself , and yet rendred more so , because he was confirmed in his Power by length of Time . Neither did he stop here , but made an invidious commemoration of what the Hume's had acted against the Regent's Father and Uncle ; of all which , tho' the Hepburns were partakers , yet he cast the Odium upon the Hume's only : He often mentioned his Cowardise in the last Battel against the English ; and the Talk abroad about the King's Death reflecting upon him , together with the repairing of Norham Castle , which was done by his connivance ; these things he repeated with great earnestness before the Regent . As for Forman , ( says he ) 't is true , he was not to be feared upon the account of his Kindred , or any Nobleness of Descent , yet he would make a great accession of strength to what Party soever he inclined , because all the Wealth of the whole Kingdom was gathered together ( as it were ) into one House , for he was able to supply the present Want of the Party he sided with , with Mony ; or else , by his Promises , ( all Things being then in his Power ) he could draw many into the Partnership of the same Design with himself . This was Hepburn's Speech to the Regent .

The noted Fewds , that had passed between Hepburne and Forman , were the Cause , that Hepburne was not so much believed , in that part : And besides , his Estate was not so much to be envied , for he rather loved to lay it out , than hord it up ; neither was he so munificent to any , as to the French that waited on the Regent ; and besides , his desire was more to join all Parties in an universal Concord , than to addict himself to any one Faction . But the suspicion of the * * Hume . Lord of the Marches sunk deeper into the Regent's Mind , which was manifest by the aversion of his Mind from him ; and because his Countenance was not so friendly to him , as before : So that after a few Months , * * Hume , in discontent , applies himself to the Queen and Douglas . Alexander Hume , perceiving that he was not entertained by the Regent answerable to his hope , began to have secret Meetings with the Queen and her Husband : In those Congresses , Hume grievously lamented the State of the Publick , that the King , in that Age wherein he could not understand his own Misery , was fallen into the Hands of an Exile , one born and brought up in that Condition ; who , by a wicked Ambition , had endeavoured to rob his Elder Brother of the Kingdom : And , He being the next Heir , Who did not see that all his Endeavours were , to settle other Things according to his Mind , and then to pack the innocent Child out of the World , that He might translate the Kingdom to himself ; that so , what his Father had impiously designed , he himself might as wickedly accomplish ? There was but one Remedy in the Case , and that was , for the Queen to retire with her Son into England , and there to put her Self and Concerns into the Protection of her Brother .

These things being brought to the Regent's Ears , were easily believed by him ; but , being a Man of an active Spirit , and of quick dispatch in Business , * * Hume's Design disappointed . with those Forces which he had ready about him , he prevented their Design , for he took the Castle of Sterlin , and the Queen in it ; He took the Oath of Allegiance to the King publickly , by the Decree of the Nobles ; the Queen and the Douglasses were removed , Three Governors over the young King , the Queen and Douglas being displaced . and Three of the Nobility , of great estimation for their Faithfulness & Integrity , were joined with Iohn Erskin Governor of the Castle , to preside over the Education of the Young King ; they were to succeed one another by turns , and he allowed them a Guard for their Security ; upon this , * * Hume , the Queen , and Douglas , fly into England ; Hume and his Brother William fled into England . And Douglas and his Wife staid no longer behind them , but till they knew Henry's Mind , who commanded them to stay at Harbottle in Northumberland , till his Pleasure was further known .

Iohn , the Regent , was very much concern'd at all their departures , and therefore he presently sent Embassadors into England , to acquit himself before Henry , that he had done nothing , why the Queen should fear him , or be in the least disaffected towards him ; neither had he acted any thing against those , who accompanied her in her Flight and Departure , but that they might enjoy their Country , their Freedom , and , if they pleased , their Estates . Thus publickly he wrote to the King : But besides that , he did not omit secretly to promote the return of the Hume's and Douglas , by the mediation of their Friends ; he made them many large Promises , till he had brought them over to his Will. But , upon Reconciliation with the Regent , return home again . Whereupon , the rest returned Home ; but the Queen being big , and near the Time of her Delivery , was constrained to stay there , where she brought forth a Daughter named Margaret , of whom in due place : But as soon as she was able to travel , she had a Royal Accommodation and Retinue sent from London to bring her up thither , where she was honourably and nobly received by Henry , her Brother , and Mary , her Sister , ( who upon the death of her Husband , Lewis of France , had a little before returned into her own Country .

And yet the Suspicions before raised in Scotland , were not much abated , either by the departure of the Queen , or by the return of some of her Retinue : For Gawin Douglas , Uncle to the Earl of Angus , Patrick Pantar , Secretary of State to the former King , and Iohn Drummond chief of his Family , were sent to several Prisons and banished . And (a) (a) Alexander Hume raises an Insurrection , Alexander Hume was summon'd to appear before the Assembly of Estates , on the 12 th day of Iuly , in the Year of Christ 1516 ; but he , not appearing , was condemned , and his Goods confiscate . He was inraged at this contumelious Wrong , ( for so it was in his Eye ) and to drive out one Fear by another , he either sent in , or else incouraged , Tories , to commit great Outrages upon the Neighbourhood : Whereupon the States order'd the Regent to raise Ten thousand Horse and Foot , to repress those Insolencies , and either to take Hume , or else drive him out of the Country . But before it came to Blows , Hume , But submits , and is made Prisoner . by the persuasion of his Friends , surrendred himself to the Regent , and so was conveyed to Edinburgh , to be a Prisoner under Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran , his Sister's Husband , who was to be esteemed as a Traitor , if he suffer'd him to escape ; but the Issue of that Matter fell out otherwise than any Body expected , He escapes , and creates further Disturbances , for Hume persuaded Hamilton to escape away with him , and to make a Party , and so to enter on the Government Himself , he being the next Heir after the former King's Children , in regard he was born of a Sister of Iames the Third ; and therefore it was more equitable , that he should enjoy the next Place to the King , than Iohn , who , 't is true , was also the Son of a Brother , but born in his Banishment ; and in all other things a perfect Foreigner , one who could not so much as speak the Scotish Language .

When the Regent heard of this , he went to take in Hamilton's Castle , and , placing his Brass-Guns against it , had it surrendred in two Days . In the mean time Hume made Excursions out of Merch , and pillaged the Country about , and at length burnt down a great part of the Town of Dunbar . These were the Transactions of that Year .

At the beginning of the Spring , Iohn Stuart , Earl of Lennox , whose Mother was Hamilton's Sister , join'd himself , with a great many of his Friends and Vassals , to the Rebels . These seiz'd upon the Castle of Glasgoe , and there they staid with Hamilton himself , expecting the Regents coming . The Regent had called a Council of the Nobles of his Party at Edinburgh , and there rais'd a suddain Force , and entred Glasgoe Castle ; one Gunner , a French-Man , was punish'd as a Deserter ; the rest were pardon'd by the intercession of Andrew Forman , who was then a Mediator for Peace between them . The Earl of Lennox , a few days after , was receiv'd into Favour , and from that day forward carry'd it with great Faithfulness and Observance towards the Regent . And not long after , first Hamilton , and then the Hume's , return'd to Court , and had an Amnesty for what was past ; it was granted to Hume with greater difficulty than to the rest , because he had rebelled so often ; But is quelled , with his Party . and an express Condition was added , that if he offended another time after that , the memory of his old Crimes should be again revived , and charged upon him . Peace being thus setled , the Regent retired to Falkland , where he staid some Months ; but hearing of great Suspicions against Hume , he returned to Edinburgh . And on the 24 th day of September held a Council of the Nobility , where he endeavoured , by his Friends , to draw Hume to Court . Large Promises were made to intice him so to do ; but many of his Party dissuaded him ; or , if he himself were resolved to go , yet he should leave his Brother William ( who by his Valour and Munificence had almost obtained as great , or a greater Authority than himself ) at Home , in regard the Regent would be afraid to use any high Severity against him , as long as his Brother was alive ; but he being , as it were , hurried on by a Fatal Necessity , slighted the advice of his Friends ; Both the Hume's come to Court , and , with his Brother William , and Andrew Car of Farnihurst , came to Court , where presently they were all clapt up in several Prisons . And , by the advice of the Council , a few days after , were tried , Are imprison'd , for their Lives , after the Country Custom . And yet there was no new Fact urged against them , Prince Iames , Earl of Murray , accused him for the Death of his Father , who came alive off the Field , as many Witnesses did prove . This Fact was strongly urged , but the Proofs were weak , so that they gave it over , and insisted only on his private Crimes , and the many former Rebellions were objected , of all which Alexander was either the Author , or at least Partaker in them ; and moreover , 't was alleged , that he did not do his Duty in the Battel of Flodden .

Hereupon , the Hume's were condemn'd , Alexander had his Head struck off the 11 th of October , Tryed and Executed ; and his Brother , the Day after ; both of their Heads were set up on an high place , as a Terror to others , and their Estates were confiscate . This was the end of Alexander Hume , the powerfullest Man in Scotland of his Time . He , in his Life-time , had raised up the Hatred and Envy of a great many Men against him ; yet , those Prejudices in time abating , his Death was variously spoke of , and so much the more , because he fell not , for the perpetration of any new Crime , but merely by the Calumnies ( as 't was thought ) of (c) (c) Chiefly by the Instigation of Iohn Hepburn . Iohn Hepburn , the Abbat . For he , being a Factious Man , and eager of Revenge , bore an implacable Hatred against Hume ; because , by his Means alone , he was disappointed of the Arch-Bishoprick of St. Andrews : So that , tho he had stifled his old Hatred for a Time , yet , 't was believ'd , he push'd on the Regent ( who of himself was suspicious enough of , and disaffected to , the Hume's ) to the greater Severity against him , by telling him , how dangerous it would be to the King and all Scotland , if he , at his going into France , should leave so fierce an Enemy alive behind him . For , what would he not attempt in his Absence , who had despised his Authority when present ? So that the Contumacy of the Man , which could not be lenified by Rewards , Honours , nor by frequent Pardons , had need be conquered by the Axe , if he would ever keep Scotland in quiet . These and such like Insinuations , upon pretence of consulting the publick Safety , being buzz'd into the Ears of a Man disaffected to them before , contributed more to the Destruction of the Hume's , ( in the Judgment of many ) than any of their Crimes . When the Hume's were put to Death , (d) (d) Andrew Car escapes out of Prison . Andrew Car obtained the Respite of one Night , to provide for his Souls Health ; but , by means of his Friends , and especially a French-man his Keeper , it was suspected , upon the payment of a good Sum of Money down upon the Nail , he made his Escape .

Alexander Hume left three Brothers behind him , who all met with various Misfortunes in those Days ; George , for a Murder he had committed , lay private , as an Exile , in England : Iohn , Abbat of Iedburgh , was banished beyond the Tay : David , the youngest , Prior of Coldingham , about two Years after the Execution of his Brothers , being called forth by Iames Hepburn , his Sisters Husband , upon pretence of a Conference , fell into an Ambush , laid purposely for him , and was slain , being much pityed by all ; that an innocent young Man , of so great hopes , should be betrayed so unworthily by one , who had little reason so to do . When Severities and Punishments had thus ranged over the whole Family of the Hume's , at last it fell to their Enemies share , and especially to Iohn Hepburn's , who had been so severe an Exactor of the unjust Punishment of others ; yet the Destruction of one Family , once so powerful , brought such a Pannick Fear upon all the rest , that Matters were the quieter a great while after . The next December , the Regent brought the King from Sterlin to Edinburgh , The Regent desires leave to pass over into France . and then he desired leave of the Nobility of Scotland to return into France ; every one , almost , was against the Motion , so that he was forced to stay , till late in the Spring , and then took Shipping , promising speedily to return , in case any more than ordinary Commotion should arise , which required his Presence . For the Government of the Kingdom , in his Absence , * * He appoints seven Deputies to govern , in his absence . he left the Earls of Angus , Arran , Argyle , and Huntly , the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrew's and Glasgoe , to whom he added Anthony Darcy , a French-man , Governour of Dunbar , who was injoined to correspond with him , and to inform him of all Passages in his Absence . And that no Discord might arise , out of an ambitious Principle , between such Great and Noble Personages , by reason of their Parity in the Government , he allotted to each of them their several Provinces . Darcy , the French-man , the rest condescending thereunto , had the chief Place amongst them , Merch and Lothian being appointed to be under his Government . The other Provinces were distributed to the rest , according to each Man 's particular Conveniency . Mean while , the Queen , (f) (f) Q. Margaret returns to Scotland . about a Year after she had been in England , near the end of May , returned to Scotland , and was attended by her Husband from Berwick : But they lived not together , so lovingly , as before .

The Regent , at his Departure , to prevent the budding and growth of Sedition in his Absence , had carryed along with him , either the Heads of the noblest Families , or else their Sons and Kindred , ( upon a pretence of doing them Honour , but , indeed , as Pledges ) into France : And he had sent others of them into different and remote parts of the Kingdom , where they had as 't were but a larger Prison . He had also placed French Governors in the Castles of Dunbar , Dunbarton , and * * Or Inse-Garvy , a fortify'd Rock lying in the middle of the Forth , or Scotish Sea . Garvy , yet a Commotion arose , upon a slight occasion , whence it was least feared , or dreamt of .

Anthony Darcy had carried it with a great deal of Equity and Prudence in his Government , especially in restraining of Robberies . The first Tumult in his Province , which tended to any thing of a War , was made by William Cockburn , Uncle to the Lord of (g) (g) A Town in the Merss , a mile west of Duns . Langton ; he had driven away the Guardians of the young Ward , and had seized upon the Castle of Langton , relying principally on the power of David Hume of (h) (h) Wederburn in the Merss . Wederburn , whose Sister Cockburn had married . Thither Darcy marched with a sufficient Guard , but they Within refused to surrender the Castle ; and moreover , David Hume , with some few nimble Horse , riding up to him , upbraided him with the cruel Death of his Kinsman Alexander ; the (i) (i) Darcy slain by David Hunt . French-man , partly distrusting his Men , and partly confiding in the Swiftness of the Horse he rode upon , fled towards Dunbar ; but , his Horse falling under him , his Enemy overtook and slew him , and set up his Head in an eminent place on Hume-Castle ; he was slain the 20 th of September , in the Year 1517.

Whereupon , the other Governours had a Meeting , and fearing a greater Combustion , after this terrible beginning , they made the Earl of Arran , their President , and committed George Douglas ( Brother to the Earl of Angus , upon Suspicion of his being privy to the Murder newly committed ) Prisoner to Garvy-Castle : They also sent to the Regent in France to call him back into Scotland , as soon as ever he could . About the same time , some Seeds of Discord were sown , between the Earl of (k) (k) Discord between Douglas Earl of Angus , and Andrew Car. Angus , and Andrew Car of Farnihurst , by reason of the Jurisdiction over some Lands which did belong to the Earl , but Andrew alleged , he had Power to keep Courts in them : The rest of the Family of the Car's sided with the Earl , but the Hamilton's took part with Andrew , which they did , more out of hate to the Douglas's , than for any Justice Car had , for his Pretensions ; so that both Parties provided themselves against the Court-day , to run a greater hazard than the matter they strove about was worth . And Iohn Somerval , a noble and high-spirited young Man , of the Douglas's Faction , set upon Iames , the Natural Son of the Earl of Arran , on the Way , and slew five of his Retinue , putting the rest to flight , he also took above thirty of their Horses .

When an Assembly was summoned to be held at Edinburgh , April the 29 th , 1520. The Hamiltons alleged , that they could not be safe in that City , where Archibald Douglas was Governour ; whereupon , (l) (l) Archibald Douglas surrenders up his Government . Douglas , that he might not impede publick Business , about the end of March , resigned up his Government , of his own accord ; and Robert Long , a Citizen of Edinburgh , was substituted in his Place . The Nobility of the (m) (m) The Western Nobles conspire to apprehend the Earl of Angus . West part of Scotland , of which there were very many , had frequent Meetings in the House of Iames Beton , the Chancellor ; their Design was , to apprehend the Earl of Angus , for they alleged , that his Power was too great and formidable to the Publick ; that , as long as he was at Liberty , they should have no freedom for Debate , or Resolution . And Opportunity seemed to favour their Design ; for he , having now but a few of his Vassals about him , might be easily surprized , before his Kindred came in to his Assistance . When he perceived what was agitated against him , he sent his Uncle Gawin , Bishop of Dunkelden , to them , to pacify them , whom , he said , he had provoked with no Injury , and to desire them to manage the Dispute without force of Arms ; for , if they could make out any just Complaint against him , he was willing , in Equity , to give them all due Satisfaction . But his Speech profited not , or being made to Men prepossessed , fierce , puissant , and greedy of Revenge . And therefore Gawin could obtain no good Terms from them , but returned to Angus , and acquainted him with the Arrogance of his Enemy , and then caused his whole Family to follow the Earl ; He himself , being a Priest , and infirm too , by reason of Age , retired to his own Lodging . Some think , he did this to upbraid the unseasonable Pride of the Chancellor , who , when he ought to have been a Promoter of Peace , flew armed up and down , like a Fire-brand of Sedition . (n) (n) But he defends himself by force , and worsts them . Douglas , seeing there was no hopes of Agreement , exhorted his Men rather to die valiantly , than , like Dastards , to hide themselves in their Lodgings , from whence ( to be sure ) they would soon be pluck'd out by the Ears , to their Deaths ; for their Enemies had stopp'd all Avenues and Passages , so that not a Man of them could get out of the City : All that were there present , assented to what he had spoken ; and thereupon he and his Party , being clad in their Armour , seized upon the broadest Street in all the Town . He had about fourscore in his Train , but all stout resolute Men and of known Valour . They divided themselves into the most convenient places , and so set upon their Enemies as they came out of several narrow Alleys , at once ; the first they slew , and drove the rest back , tumbling one upon another with a witness . The Earl of Arran , who commanded the opposite Party , with his Son Iames , got to a Ford and made their escape by the North-Lough ; the rest ran several ways for shelter to the Convent of the Dominicans . Whilst these things were acting , there was a mighty Combustion all over the Town ; and , in the midst of the Bustle , William , Angus's Brother , enters the City , with a great Party of his Clan-ship . When Douglas had got this Accession to his former Strength , tho there were abundance of his Enemies in the Town , yet he made a Proclamation , by a Trumpeter , that none should dare to appear in the Streets , with Arms about them , but his Friends and Party . Those that desired Passes to depart quietly , had them easily granted ; there went out , in one Company , about 800 Horse , ( besides those who had taken their Flight , before ) with greater Ignominy than Loss . For there fell not above 72 , but amongst them , were Men of Note , as the Brother of the Earl of Arran and Eglington's Son . This was done the 30 th day of April , 1520. To revenge this Disgrace , the Hamilton's besieged Kilmarnock ( a Castle in Cuningham ) ; Robert Boyd , a Friend of the Douglas's , commanded it , but they soon left it , without effecting any thing . The next Year , Douglas came to Edinburgh , on the 20 th of Iuly , bringing with him the Hume's , which had been banished , and there he took down the Heads of Alexander and William Hume , which had been set up on Poles . The whole five (o) (o) The Regent , after 5 Years absence , returns from France . Years , that the Regent was absent , were very full of Tumults , there was no end of pillaging and killing , till his Return , which was Octob. 30. 1521. Upon his Arrival , he resolved to abate the Power of the Douglas's , in order to the quieting of those Seditions , which had hapned in his absence . The Earl of Angus , Head of that Family , he sent into France ; he caused the Pope , to call over his Uncle , the Bishop of Dunkelden , to Rome , to purge himself there from some imputed Crimes ; who , the Year after in his Journy to Rome , fell sick of the Plague in London , and died : His Virtues were such , that he was very much lamented ; for , besides the splendor of his Ancestry , and the comliness of his Personage , he was Master of a great deal of Learning , ( as for those Times ) and being also a Man of high prudence , and singular Moderation , even in troublesome Times , he was much esteem'd , in point of Faithfulness and Authority , even by contrary Factions ; he left behind him considerable Monuments of his Ingenuity and Learning , written in his Mother-Tongue The next Year after the return of the Regent , a Parliament was held , and an Army levyed , appointed to rendevouz at Edinburgh , on a set day ; whither they came accordingly , and pitch'd their Tents in the Fields , near * * In Mid-Lothian . Rosselin , none knowing upon what Service they were to be put ; but at last an Herauld proclaim'd , (p) (p) The Regent raise an Army against England ; that they were to march towards Annandale ; a great Punishment being denounced on those , who refused so to do . The rest of the Army marched , obediently enough , to the River Solway , the Boundary of Scotland , only Alexander Gordon , and his Party , staid behind three Miles , backward , further from England : When the Regent heard of it , he came back to him the next Day , and brought him up to the Camp : There he called the Nobles and chief Commanders together , and shewed them many great and weighty Reasons , why he invaded England , on that side . But a great part of the Nobility , by the Instigation of Gordon , who was their Senior , (q) (q) But the Nobility oppose his Design . and of greater Authority than them all , wholly refused to set Foot on English Ground ; whether out of Disaffection to the Regent ; or else , ( as they pretended ) that 't was not for the Interest of Scotland , so to do . The specious Pretences , cast abroad amongst the Soldiers , pleased them well enough ; for if they had levyed an Army in favour of the French , lest the English might bring their whole Strength upon them , it was sufficient for that purpose , only to make a shew of War ; but , if the Interest of Scotland were considered , Matters were not well setled at home , and their King was but a Child ; so that , 't was most adviseable for them , at that time , only to be on the Defensive , and to keep their own Country in quiet ; for , if they should march forward , the blame , even of fortuitous Miscarriages , might be laid to their charge , and an account of such their Misfortunes might be required at their Hands , in a very short time . Lastly , tho they were never so willing to march forward against the Enemy , and so to slight the common Danger , as well as to overlook their own Concerns at Home ; yet they were afraid the Scots would not be obedient to Command in an Enemies Country ; great heed therefore was to be taken , lest , by Emulation , Envy , or late Disgusts , some notable Affront , or shameful Loss , might be received . The Regent , perceiving it in vain to oppose , was fain to yield ; yet , that he might not seem to have acted a Pageantry only , with such vast Preparations in marching his Army , as far as the Solway , he suborned a fit Person , who used to traffick into England , to acquaint Dacres , then Lord Warden of the English Marches , that some good might be done , if he did treat with Iohn the Regent . He willingly hearkned to the Proposal , because he was unprovided for Defence , never imagining , that the Scots would have made an Irruption into England on that side ; nor , indeed , scarce believing , that they would have made any such Attempt at all . Whereupon he sent an Herauld of Arms , and had a Passport to come and go , with safety , into the Camp . The next Day , Thomas Dacres and Thomas Musgrave , with about twenty more brave Cavaliers , came to the Regent's Tent ; where they had private Discourse together , all alone , each having their Interpreters . Dacres , being taken unprovided , Whereupon he claps up a Truce with the English , and r●treats . was not averse from a Peace ; and the Regent , not being able to effect any thing , without the Consent of his Army , clapt up a Truce ; and thus an hopeful Introduction to a Peace was made , and so they parted . Those of the Scots , who were the greatest Hinderances of the Action , to avert the blame from themselves , spread abroad Reports , that Dacres had bought a Peace from the Regent , for a Sum of Money , of which , Part was in Hand paid , the rest promised , but never paid . Thus they endeavoured to disparage the Conference , amongst the Vulgar .

The Regent went again , on the 25 th of October into France , The Regent , a second time , goes into France . but promised to return before August the First , next ensuing ; yet , he kept not his Day , because he was informed , that the English had a Fleet to intercept his Passage ; however he sent 500 Foot in the Month of Iune , both to incourage the Scots , and also , as an Earnest of his speedy return ; they never saw the Face of an Enemy , in all their Voyage , till they came near the Isle of May , which is scituate in the Firth of Forth , there they fell among the English Ships , who lay in wait , in those Straits , to stop their Passage . There they had a sharp Fight , and the French boarded their Enemies Ships , but with the loss of their Admiral . When he was slain , A Skirmish between the French and English Flee●● . the Sea-men would not obey the Captains of the Foot , and the Land-Souldiers , being ignorant of Sea-Affairs , could not command the Mariners ; so that , after a great slaughter of the English , they could scarce be forced back into their own Ships .

In the absence of the Regent , Thomas Howard , Earl of Surry , The Earl of Surry with an Army ravages over part of Scotland . was sent , with ten thousand Men , and a great many Voluntiers , into Scotland : His Advantage was , that the Scots were at Discord amongst themselves , their chief Magistrates were absent , and they were under no certain Command , so that he march'd over Merch and Teviotdale , and took the Castles of both Shires , to the great loss of the Nobles , yea , and of the Commons too ( who used upon sudden Invasions to secure themselves , and their Goods , in those Forts . ) But Scotland did then labour with such intestine Discords , that no Man thought his Neighbours Calamity did at all belong to him ; the English march'd up and down , for several Months , where they listed , without any Opposition ; and when , at length , they retreated , the adjacent Scots endeavoured , in some sort , to revenge themselves for their Losses received , and thereupon daily Incursions were made by them into Northumberland , and great Booties gained from thence ; so that Howard was sent against them a second time , who took Iedburgh ( a Town unfortified , as the Scots Custom is , ) but it cost him some toil ,

Iedburgh taken by the English .

A strange Fright among the Horses of the English Army .

and loss of Men. Whilst these Things were acting in Teviotdale , the Horses of the English Army were so terrified in the Night , ( 't is not known , upon what occasion ) that about 500 of them broke their Bridles , running up and down the Camp , and overturning all that were in the way ; some of the Soldiers they trampled down and trod upon ; and then ran out into the open Field , as if they had been mad , and so became a Prey to such of the Country Scots , as could take them up . Hereupon , there was a great Consternation in the whole Camp , all crying out Arm , Arm , neither could the Tumult be appeased , till the next Morning . Three days after , the English , without making any further Attempt , The English Army retreats . disbanded their Army , and returned Home .

The Duke of Albany , knowing , that all the Ports on the French Shore were way-laid , by the English , to intercept him in his Return ; being inferior in Strength , resolv'd to piece it out by Stratagem ; whereupon , he kept not his Navy together in any one Port , but so dispersed them into several Harbours , ( here one Ship , there another ) that there was no appearance at all of any Warlike Preparation : And besides , he quartered his Soldiers in the Inland-Country , that no Body could imagin , he designed to ship them ; so that the Admiral of the English Fleet , who waited to disturb his Passage , till the 13 th of August , was weary to rove up and down in the Sea any longer , to no purpose ; and , understanding by his Spies , that there was neither Fleet , nor Army , on all the French Coasts , he withdrew his Fleet , as supposing , Iohn would not wag , till the next Spring . The Duke of Albany , being informed of the Departure of the English , presently drew together his Navy of 50 Ships , aboard of which were 3000 Foot , The Regent arrives in Scotland from France , a second time . and an 100 Curiasiers ; and so , after the Autumnal Aequinox , he set sail from France , and by the 24 th of September made the Isle of Arran in Scotland , which hapned to be the same day , wherein the English burnt Iedburgh .

I shew'd before , how miserable the State of Affairs in Scotland was , the last Summer . The Nobles were at variance one with another ; the English wasted all the Countries near them ; they were Masters of the Sea , and thereby all hopes of Foreign Aid were cut off . The Design of the Enemy herein , was , to take down the Pride of the Scot , and , by Sufferings , to incline him to a Pacification ; neither were those Scots that were adverse to the French Faction , less addicted thereto , for they earnestly desired a perpetual Peace with England ; of which Faction , the Queen was the Chief . For when Hume was taken off , Q. Margaret , with her Brother Henry the 8 th of England , persuade the Scots to break with the French , with their Arguments to inforce it . Douglas pack'd away , and the other Nobles were judg'd rather fit to follow , than to lead , in the Management of Matters ; all those that were not Favourers of the French Interest , applyed themselves to the Queen . She , on the other side , to gratify her Brother , and also to draw the Power into her own Hands , dissembled her private Ambition , and exhorted them , saying , that now was the time to free their young King , who was almost of Age , from the Bondage of a Stranger ; and also , to deliver themselves from the same Yoke ; for the Queen now laboured to strengthen her Party against her Husband , whom she long before began to disgust : Besides , the King of England sent frequent Letters , stuft with large Promises , to the Nobles of Scotland , desiring them , to promote his Sisters Designs : He told them , it was not his Fault , that there was not a perpetual Amity between the two neighbouring Kingdoms ; and that he , with others , did much desire it at this time ; not for any private end of his own , but to make it appear , that he bore a respect to his Sister's Son , whom he was resolved to support , and gratify , as much as ever he was able . And if the Scots would be persuaded to break their League with France , and to strike in with England , they should quickly find , his aim was not Ambition , but Love and Concord only . That Mary , his only Daughter , being married to Iames , by that Affinity , the Scots would not come over to the Government of the English , but the English to That of the Scots . That Enmities as great as theirs , had intervened betwixt Nations , heretofore , which , yet , by Alliances , mutual Commerce , and interchangeable Kindnesses , had been wholly abolish'd and extinct . Moreover , he reckon'd up the Advantages , or Inconveniencies , which might accrue to either Nation , by this Union with each other , rather than with the French ; as , that they were one People , born in the same Island , brought up under the same Climate , agreeable one to another in their Language , Manners , Laws , Customs , Countenance , Colour , and in the very Lineaments of their Bodies ; so that they seemed rather to be one Nation than two : But as for the French , they differed from them , not only in Climate and Soil , but also in the whole course of their Conversations . Besides , if France were an Enemy , she could do no great damage to Scotland ; and , if a Friend , yet she could not be highly advantageous ; as for the Assistance of England , That was near at Hand ; but French Aid , was much more remote , there was no Passage for it , but by Sea ; and therefore , it might be prevented by Enemies , or else hindered by Storms . They were therfore desired to consider , how inconvenient it was for the management of Affairs , and how unsafe for the Publick , to hang the hopes of their , and the Kingdoms , Safety , upon so unconstant and variable a thing , as a blast of Wind. How much they might expect from absent Friends , against present Dangers , may be easily perceived by the Actions of the last Summer , wherein the Scots not only felt , but even saw with their Eyes , how the English did baffle them , being forsaken by their Friends , and came upon them with all their Strength , ready to devour them ; but the French Aid , so long looked for , was kept back by the English Navy , in their own Harbours .

These were the Allegations for a Peace with England : And not a few , being convinced thereby , inclined thereunto ; but Others argued to the contrary , for there were Many in that Assembly , But the French Faction in Scotland oppose in , with their Reasons . whom the French had brib'd ; and some , who had got great Estates out of the publick Losses , for fear they should lose them , did abhor the thoughts of Peace . There were others , who suspected the readiness and facility of the English , in making such large Promises , especially since matters in England were manag'd , for the most part , at the will and pleasure of Thomas Woolsey , Cardinal Woolsy a self-ended and ambitious Statesman . a Cardinal , a Man wicked and ambitious , who referr'd all his Designs to his own private Advantage , and the inlargement of his Power and Authority ; and therefore he accommodated them to every turn of the Wheel of Fortune , as men say . All these did equally favour a League with France , tho induced thereunto on different Grounds . They alleged , that the sudden Liberality of the English was not free and gratuitous , but done out of Design ; and that This was not the first time , that they had us'd such Arts to intrap the unwary Scots . For Edward the First , ( said they ) when he had sworn and obliged himself , by all the Bonds of Law and Equity , to decide the thing in Dispute , and therefore was chosen Arbitrator by the Scots , had , most injuriously , made himself King of Scotland ; and of late Edward the 4 th had betrothed his Daughter Cicely to the Son of Iames the 3 d ; but when the young Lady grew up to be marriageable , and the day of Consummation thereof almost appointed , he took the opportunity of a War , which arose upon the account of our private Discords , and so broke off the Match : And that the English King aim'd at nothing else now , but to cast the tempting bait of Rule before them , that so he might make them really Slaves ; and , when they were destitute of Foreign Aid , might subdue them at his Pleasure , and unawares , with all his force . Neither was that Position a true one , wherein the contrary party did pride themselves , That an Allyance near at hand was better than one farther off ; For causes of Dissension would never be wanting among those which were near ; which were oftentimes produc'd , even by sudden chances ; and sometimes , great Men would promote them , upon every light occasion ; and then the Laws of Concord will be prescrib'd by him , who hath the longest Sword . That there was never such a firm and sacred Bond of Friendship , between Neighbouring Kingdoms , which , upon occasions offer'd , or fought for , was not often violated ; neither could we hope , that the English would more refrain now from violating such a League , than they formerly did , against so many Kings of their own Blood ; 't is true , the Sanctity of Leagues , and the Religion of an Oath for the faithful Performance of Pacts and Agreements are firm Bonds and Ingagements to good Men ; but amongst those which are bad , they are but as so many Snares and Gins , and give only opportunity to deceive ; and such an Opportunity is most visible in a Propinquity of Borders and Habitations , in the Sameness of a Language , and in a Similitude of Conversation . But if all these things were otherwise , yet , ( proceeded they ) there are Two things to be regarded and provided for : First , that we reject not our old Friends , even without an hearing , who have so oft well deserv'd of us . The other , that we do not here spend our time in Quarrels and Disputes , especially about a Business , wherein nothing can be determin'd , but in an Assembly of all the Estates of the Kingdom . Thus stood the Inclinations of those of the French Faction ; and so they obtain'd , that no Determination should be made , till they receiv'd certain News of the French Supplies .

When the return of the Regent was made known , it mightily rejoiced his Friends , strengthned the wavering , and kept back many , who favour'd the League with England , from complying with it . He sent his Warlike Provisions up the River Clyde to Glasgoe , and there muster'd his Army ; He also publish'd a Proclamation , that the Nobility should attend him at Edinburgh , where he made an elegant Speech to them , commending their Constancy in maintaining their ancient League , and their Prudence in rejecting the perfidious Promises of the English : He highly extolled the Goodwill , Love , and Liberality of Francis , the French King , towards the Scots ; and exhorted them , to lay aside their private Animosities and Fewds ; and , seeing foreign Aid was come into them , to revenge their Wrongs , and to repress the Insolence of their Enemy , by some notable blow . Hereupon , after his Souldiers had refresh'd themselves , and the Scots Forces had joined them , he marched towards the * * The Regent again marches with an Army into England , Borders , whither he came the 22 d of Octob. But being about to enter England , and having already sent part of his Forces over a Wooden Bridg , which was at Mulross , the Scots made the same Pretences , as they did in the former Expedition at Solway ; and refus'd to enter England , so that he was forc'd to recal that party , which he had commanded over ; and pitching his Tents a little below , on the left side of the Tweed , endeavour'd to storm the Castle of † † Besieges Werke-Castle , is repulsed and retreats . Werke , scituated over against him , on the right side of the River . In the mean time , the Horse that had pass'd over the River , beset all Passages , that no Relief could come to the Besieged , they als●●aged with Fire and Sword against all the Country thereabou● 〈◊〉 ● he Description of ‖ ‖ Werke-Castle described . Werke Castle is this : In the inner Cour● 〈◊〉 , there is a very high Tower , well fortifi'd , it is compass'd with a double Wall ; the outward Wall incloses a large space of Groun●● ( whither the Country-People were wont to fly in time of War , and to bring their Corn and Cattle , with them , for Safeguard ) the inner Wall is narrower , but trench'd round about , and better fort●fi'd with Towers built thereon . The French took the outward Co●rt by Storm , but the English set Fire to the Barns , and the Straw 〈◊〉 was in them , which made such a Smoke and Flame , that they 〈◊〉 them out again . For the next two days , they batter'd the inner Wall with their great Guns ; and after they had made a Brea●h wide enough for Entrance , the French again attempted the matter , and valiantly storm'd at the Breach they had made ; but they in the inner Castle , being yet safe , darted down all sorts of Weapons upon them , and they lay expos'd to every Blow ; so that having lost some few of their Men , they were beat back to their Army , and so returned over the River . The Regent perceiving that the Minds of the Scots were averse from Action ; and also ●earing for certain , that the English were coming against them with a numerous Army ; their own Writers say , no less than 40000 fighting Men ; and besides , that 6000 more were left to defend Berwick , a Neighbour-town : The 11 th of Novemb. he removed his Camp to a Nunnery , called * * In the 〈◊〉 near 〈◊〉 - Castle . Eccles , about six Miles distant from his present Encampment ; thence at the 3 d Watch he marched by N●ght to Lauder ; both Horse and Man were much incommoded in their March , by the sudden Fall of a great Snow . The same Storm occasion'd the English also to disband , and return home , without effecting any thing . The rest of the Winter was quiet enough .

At Spring , the * * The Regent undertakes his third Voyage into France . Regent , in an Assembly of the Nobles , told them the Causes , why he must needs go again into France , but he promised them to return , before the 1st of September next following . And moreover , he desired them , that , during his Absence , the King might remain at Sterlin , and that they would make no Peace or Truce with the English , before his Return ; as also , that they would innovate nothing in the Government . They promised him faithfully to obey his Commands ; and thus on the 14 th of May , He , and his Retinue set Sail for France . In his absence , the Reins were let loose , every Man's Will was his Law , and a great deal of havock was made , and Mischief done , without any Punishment at all ; whereupon the King , though but a Child , by the advice of his Mother , and the Earls of Arran , Lennox , Crawford , and many other of the prime Nobility , came from Sterlin to Edinburgh , and on the 29 th of Iuly , by the Counsel of his Nobles , whom he had convened at his Palace of Holy-rood-house , he took upon him the ‖ ‖ In his absence the young King enters upon the Government ; Government of the Kingdom ; and the next day , caused them all to swear Fealty to him , a second time ; and , to shew that he had actually assumed the Administration of matters into his own Hands , he discharged all publick Officers ; but a few days after he restored them to their places again .

There was a great Assembly of the Nobles held on the 20 th Day of August , that so he might * * And vacates the Regents Power . vacate the Power of the Regent , which he had now taken upon himself ; and so went in great Pomp ( as the manner is ) into the publick Hall of the Town ; only the Bishops of St. Andrews and Aberdene dissented , alleging , That they ought to stay till the first of September , at which time the Regent had promis'd to return ; whereupon they were imprison'd . But they reveng'd themselves with their own Church-weapons , and excommunicated all of their Diocesses . However , in about a Month or two after , they were reconcil'd to the King , and restor'd to the same place in his Favour , which they held before .

About the same time † † Archibald Douglas , Margarite's Husband , returns from France , through England , into Scotland . Archibald Douglas , who , as I said before , was sent into France , sent Simon Penning , an active Man , and much trusted by him , to the King of England , to persuade him to give him the liberty of returning home through his Dominions , which was granted . For Henry was well enough pleased at the Diminution of the Authority of so active a Person , as the Duke of Albany ; and at the Change which was made in Scotland , so that he entertained the Earl courteously , and dismiss'd him very honourably . But his Return did variously affect the Minds of the Scots : For seeing all publick Business was transacted under the Conduct of the Queen , and the Earl of Arran ; a great part of the Nobility , the Heads whereof were Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox , and Calen Cambel Earl of Argyle , taking it in great Distaste , that they were not admitted to any part of the publick Administration , received Douglas with high Expressions of Joy , as hoping , by his Aid , either to gain over the Power of the adverse Faction to themselves , or , at least , to abate their Pride . On the other side , the Queen , who , as I said before , was disaffected towards her Husband , was much troubled at his coming , and sought by all means to undermine him . And moreover Hamilton , out of the Relicks of his old Hatred , was none of his Friend ; besides , he fear'd , lest Douglas , who he knew would not be content with a second place , should mount the Saddle , and make him truckle under ; so that he strove to maintain his own Dignity , and opposed him with all his Might . They kept themselves within the Castle of Edinburgh , and tho they knew very well , that many of the Nobility affected Alterations ; yet , trusting to the Strength of the Place , and the Authority of the Kingly Name , ( tho it were but a sorry Defence , in those Circumstances ) they thought themselves secure from Force . ‖ ‖ He , with his Partisans , seize on the young King , and manage the Government . The adverse Party had a great meeting of the Nobles , where they chose Three of their own Party to be Guardians of King and Kingdom , * * Three Moderators of the Kingdom , Douglas , Stuart and Cambel . Archibald Douglas , Earl of Angus ; Iohn Stuart , Earl of Lennox ; and Calen Cambel , Earl of Argyle ; they made great haste in their business : First , they passed the Forth , and caused Iames Beton , a prudent Man , to join with them , who , perceiving the Strength of the Party , durst not resist . From thence they went to Sterlin , and conferr'd all publick Offices and Employments on the Men of their own Faction , only ; and from thence they came to Edinburgh , which they entred without Force , for it was not fortified at all . They cast up a small Trench against the Castle , and besiedg'd it . The Defendants had made no Provision for a Siege , and therefore soon surrendred up both It and Themselves . All but the King were sent away , so that now the whole weight of the Government lay upon the Shoulders of those Three Associates ; who agreed among themselves , That they would manage it by turns , each of them attending four Months apiece on the King . But this Conjunction was not hearty , neither did it last long . Douglas attended the first four Months , who brought the King into the Archbishop of St. Andrews House , and made use of all the Bishop's Houshold stuff , and other Accommodations , as if they had been his own ; ( for he had a little before revolted from their Faction ) and to engage the King to him the more , he suffer'd him to wallow in all kind of Pleasure ; and yet he obtain'd not his End neither , in regard the King 's Domesticks were corrupted by the adverse Faction , headed by the Queen and Hamilton .

The first Grudges at Court brake forth , upon the account of distributing Ecclesiastical Preferments ; for the † † But Douglas soon ou●● the other Two . Douglasses drew all to themselves ; George Creighton was translated to the Bishoprick of Dunkelden : The Abby of Holy Rood in the Suburbs , which was left by him , Douglas gave to his Brother William , who had now for 5 years forcibly held That of Coldingham , about six Miles from Berwick , after the Murder of Robert Blacketer , the former Abbat : For Robert Blacketer , Robert's Cousin-german , had the Abby bestowed on him by the Pope , with the Consent of Iohn , the Regent . He had also commenced a Suit against Iohn Hume , an Intimate of the Earl of Angus's , and Husband to his Sister's Daughter , about the whole ancient Estate of the Blacketers . And therefore Patrick being unable to cope with the Douglasses , suffer'd his Estate to be made a Prey to his Enemies , and reserv'd himself for better times amongst his Mother's Kindred , far from those Counties , which were obnoxious to the Faction of the Douglasses . They , on the other side , though they did not much value Patrick , yet having the Supreme Power in their Hands , and being unwilling to incur the Blot of invading other Mens Rights by mere Force , made use of Friends , to proffer him some kind of Amends and Satisfaction ; he , shewing himself inclinable to an Agreement , even tho he remitted part of his Right , had thereupon a Pass , and the publick Faith given him by Douglas , to come to Edinburgh , which he did , only with a small Retinue , and unarm'd ; and not far from the Gates of the City he was set upon by Iohn Hume , who lay in Ambush for that purpose , and slain . As soon as the Noise of the Fact was spread over the City , many mounted their Horses , and pursued the Murderers some Miles , in order to their apprehension ; but , understanding that George Douglas , Brother to the Earl , was in their Company , and many more of Douglas's Faction , with the Kindred of Hume , not knowing with what intent they came out , whether to catch , or to defend , the Murderers , they desisted from their Pursuit ; whereupon strange Reports were divulged abroad concerning the Douglasses .

As for Calen Cambel , he had already withdrawn himself from the Triumvirate ; and the Earl of Lennox , though he followed the King , yet , in regard the Douglasses drew all Offices of publick Advantage to themselves , he gave many Testimonies of his Dislike , and that his Mind was quite alienated from them . But they , being confident of their Power , slighted the Reports and ill-will of others ; mean while , the King , though he were us'd more indulgently than was fit , that so his infirm Spirit might be the longer in Subjection to them ; yet notwithstanding , by little and little , grew weary of their Government , being also alienated from them by his Domesticks , who laid to their charge Actions , some true , some false , and interpreted the doubtful in the worst sense ; whereupon , he held secret Cabals with such as he could trust , concerning vindicating himself into his Freedom and Liberty : Neither was he afraid to open the Secrets of his Heart to Iohn Earl of Lennox , one of his Nobles ; for , besides his other Virtues of Mind and Body , he was an honest and fine-spoken Man , and excellently compos'd to conciliate and win upon Men , by a natural Sweetness of Manners and Deportment : Him he made privy to his Designs ; and whilst they were consulting concerning the Time , Place , and Manner of it's Accomplishment , At which , the Nobility is much discontented , and endeavour to take the King , by Force , out of his Hands . Douglas was making many Expeditions against the Banditty , but with no great Success ; at length , about the end of Iuly , he resolv'd to carry the King into Teviotdale , as supposing , that his presence would be advantageous , by striking a Terror into the Licentious . Thus an Assembly being held at Iedburgh , the King call'd together all the Heads of the chief Families round about , and commanded them to apprehend those Criminals , every one within his own Precinct , of which he then gave them a List : They willingly and industriously obey'd this Command , so that , the Heads of the Thieves were many of them put to Death , and Others were spared in hopes of Amendment . Thus , whilst the Minds of all were very merry and jocund ; they , who had a design to free the King from the Pupillage of the Douglasses , thought that a good opportunity to effect it , because one * * Walter Scot overthrown by the Douglasses , in his Endeavours to free the King . Walter Scot , living not far from Iedburgh , had great Clanships in the Counties thereabouts . The manner of the accomplishing their Project was thus laid ; Walter was to invite the King to his House , and there he was to remain with his own good liking , till greater Forces came in , at the Noise of the thing : But their Design seem'd to be discovered , either by Chance , or upon some private Intimation . Whereupon the King was carried back to Mulross . Yet Walter was not discouraged , but proceeded on strait in his Journy to the King : when he was but a little way off , frightful News were brought to the Douglasses , that Walter was at hand , well-arm'd , and a great Troop of arm'd Men accompanying him . So that there was no doubt to be made , but he , being a factious Man , and withal , good at his Weapon , did intend some Mischief ; insomuch that they all presently ran to their Arms. Douglas , tho inferior in number , yet knowing that the Men he had of his own , were choice ones ; and besides that , he had several valiant Persons of the Family of the Carrs and Humes's in his Train , with Iohn Hume and Andrew Carr their Principals , resolv'd to put it to a Battel : In the very nick of time , George Hume had almost spoil'd all , who , when Douglas commanded him to alight from his Horse , and manage his part in the Fight ; answered , He would not so do ; no , not if the King himself commanded him . They fought eagerly and couragiously on both sides , as Men who had their King ( the price of the Combat ) their Spectator . Iohn Stuart stood near the King , without striking a Stroke , only as a Spectator of the Fight .

After a sharp Encounter , Walter was wounded , and then his Men gave ground : but the Joy of the Douglasses Victory was much allayed by the Loss of Andrew Carr , who for his singular Virtues was , equally lamented by both Parties . Upon the account of his being slain , there ensued a perpetual Feud between the Families of the Carrs and the Scots , which was not ended without Blood . From that time forward , Iohn Stuart , who carried himself as a Neuter in the Fight , being afore suspected by the Douglasses , was now accounted their open Enemy , so that he departed from the Court . These things were acted Iuly 23. in the Year 1521.

The Douglassians , perceiving themselves subject to the Envy of many , sought to strengthen their Faction by new Acquists ; and therefore they made up the old Breach betwixt them and the Hamiltons , a Family much abounding in Wealth , Power and Number , but remote from Court. Them he admitted into part of the Government . On the other side , ‖ ‖ Iohn Stua●t , Earl of Lennox , with the King's Privity , renews the Design of redeeming the King from the Douglasses . Iohn Stuart had the advantage of being highly favoured by most People ; and having also privately obtain'd the King's Letter to the chief of the Nobility , who , he thought , would have kept his Counsel , he mightily strengthened his Party . And therefore in a Convention of his Faction at Sterlin , where were also present Iames Beton , some other Bishops , and many Heads of the noblest Families ; he openly propounded to them the Design of asserting the King to his Liberty . This was unanimously agreed to , and tho the Day for mustering their Forces was not yet come ; yet , hearing that the Hamiltons were gathered together at Linlithgow to intercept their March , it was judged adviseable to attack them , before they join'd with the Douglasses ; and accordingly with the present Force which he had , he marched directly towards them : But the Hamiltons having Intelligence that Iohn would march out of Sterlin that Day , early in the Morning had called the Douglassians out of Edinburgh , to their Assistance , before . But the King , besides other Obstacles , did somewhat retard them , by pretending himself not well ; so that he rose later out of his Bed that day , than ordinary ; and besides , he march'd very slowly ; and upon the way would often turn aside to ease Nature , as if he had been troubled with a Lask . And when George Douglas had in vain flattered him , to make more haste , at last he brake forth into this menacing Expression , Sir , said he , Rather than our Enemies should take you from us , we will lay hold on your Body ; and if it be rent in pieces , we will be sure to retain one part thereof . Those Words struck a deeper Impression on the King's Mind , than is usual in one of his Age ; insomuch , that when the Douglasses were banish'd many Years after , and he had some Inclination to recal the rest of them , he could not endure to hear any body speak of a Reconciliation with George . The Hamiltons , betwixt fear of their Enemy approaching , and hope of Aid at hand , had set themselves in Array at the Bridg of the River Aven , which is about a Mile from Linlithgoe , they plac'd a small Guard at the Bridg , and the rest of their Forces on the Brow of the Hills , which they knew the Enemy must pass . Lennox , seeing that his Passage over the Bridg was stopp'd , commanded his Men to pass over a small River , a little above , by a Nunnery ( call'd * * A Mile above the Bridg near Linlithgo . Manuel ) and so to beat the Hamiltonians from the Hills , before Douglas's Forces had join'd them . The Lennoxians made towards their Enemies thorough thick and thin , as we say ; but by casting down of Stones from the Hills , they were much prejudiced ; and when they came to handy Blows , the Word was given , that the Douglasses were at hand ; and indeed they , from their March , ran in hastily into the Fight , and soon carry'd the Day ; so that ‖ ‖ Lennox fights with the Douglassians and Hamiltonians , is worsted and slain . Lennox's Men were grievously wounded and put to flight . The Hamiltonians , especially Iames the Bastard , used their Victory with a great deal of Cruelty ; William Cuningham , Son to the Earl of Glencarn , receiv'd many Wounds , but his Life was saved by the Douglasses his Kinsmen . Iohn Stuart was slain , much lamented by the Earl of Arran , his Uncle ; and also by Douglas himself , but most of all , by the King ; For he had sent Andrew Wood of the Largs , his Favourite , before , ( as soon as ever as he had heard of the Fight , by the clashing of the Armour ) to save Lennox's Life , if possible , but he came , as we say , a day after the Fair.

After this Victory , the Douglasses , to keep down the Faction of their Enemies , Great Severity used by the Douglasses against Lennox's Party . and make them subject to their Will , proceeded in the Law against those who had taken up Arms against their King , as they phrased it ; so that , for fear of a Trial , many were forc'd to compound with them for Mony ; some put themselves into the Clanship of the Hamiltons ; others , into that of the Douglasses ; but the most obstinate were called to the Bar : Amongst whom was Gilbert Earl of Cassils , who , when he was press'd by Iames Hamilton the Bastard , to shrewd himself under the Protection of the Hamiltons , out of the Greatness of his Spirit made this Answer , That there was an old League of Friendship made between both their Grandfathers ; in which his Grandfather was always named First , as the more honourable . And now he would not so far degenerate from the Dignity of his Family , or the Glory of his Ancestors , as to put himself under the Patronage ( which was but one degree below plain Slavery ) of that Family , whose Chief , in an equal Alliance , was always content with the Second Place . So that when Gilbert was call'd to his Answer at a Day appointed , * * The couragious Answer of Hugh Kennedy , in behalf of Gilbert Earl of Cassils . Hugh Kennedy , his Kinsman , made Answer for him , That he had not taken up Arms against the King , but for him , for he was commanded by the King to be at that Fight , and , if it were needful , he proffered to produce the King's Letters to that purpose . The Hamiltons were much troubled at his Boldness : For indeed , the King had wrote to Gilbert , when he went from Court , as well as to others , That he should take part with Iohn Stuart . But seeing the Battel was at hand , insomuch that he could have no time to call together his Clanship and Kindred , as he was upon the way , he turn'd aside , with those of his Family that were with him , to Sterlin .

The Violence of the Hamiltons was somewhat abated by this Trial , but Iames , the Bastard , burnt with a mortal Hatred against Kennedy ; and a few days after , as he was returning home he caus'd him to be murther'd upon the way , by means of Hugh Cambel Laird of Air. This Hugh , the same day the Murder was committed , ( which he had commanded his Vassals to execute , that so he might avert all Suspition of so horrid a fact from himself ) went to Iohn Erskin's House , whose Wife was Sister to Gilbert Kennedy's Wife ; She , as soon as ever she heard of this cruel Murther , did not cease to upbraid him most grievously therewith , to his very face . Thus the noble Family of the Kennedy's was almost quite extinguished ; the Son of the Earl , after his Father was slain , being but a Child , fled to his Kinsman Archibald Douglas , who was then Lord Treasurer , and put himself and his Family under his Protection ; he lovingly receiv'd him , and such was the great Ingenuity of his promising Years , that he designed him for his Son-in-law . Hugh Cambel was summon'd to appear , but his Crime being manifest , he fled out of the Land Neither did the Douglasses exercise their Revenge and Hatred less fiercely upon Iames Beton , for they led their Forces to St. Andrews , seized upon , pillaged and ruined his Castle , because they counted him the Author of all the Projects the Earl of Lennox had undertaken ; but he himself went under frequent Disguises , because no Man durst entertain him openly , and so escaped . And with the like kind of Dissimulation and Solitude the Queen Herself made her Retirement , that so She might not fall into the Hands of her Husband , whom she hated .

At the beginning of the next Spring , Douglas made an Expedition into Liddisdale , where he slew many of the Thieves , falling upon them unawares in their Hutts , before they could gather themselves together for defence ; twelve of them he hang'd up , and twelve more he kept as Hostages ; but because their Fellows did not forbear their old trade of robbing , a few Months after , he put them to Death also . At his Entrance on that Expedition , there hapned a matter very memorable , which , for the Novelty of the thing , The bold Attempt of an Under-Groom , to destroy Iames Hamilton , in Revenge of his Master's , the Earl of Lennox his Death . I shall not pretermit : There was an Under-Groom , or Helper , belonging to the Stables of Iohn Stuart , of mean Descent , and therefore used in a mean Employment , to dress Horses ; when his Lord and Master was kill'd by the Hamiltons , he wander'd up and down for a time , not knowing what course to take ; at last he took Heart and resolved to attempt a Fact , far superior to the rank and condition , he had been born and brought up in . For he undertook a Journey to Edinburgh , with an intent to revenge the Death of his Lord who was slain ; and there he casually lighted upon a Man of the same Family and Fortune with himself ; he demanded of him , whether he had seen Iames Hamilton the Bastard , in the City ; who answer'd him , he had ; What , said he , Thou ungratefullest of Men , hast thou seen him , and would'st thou not kill him , who slew so good a Master as we Both had ; get thee gone with a witness ; all Misery betide thee . And thereupon he presently hastned on in his designed Voyage , and came directly to Court . There were then in a large Court , which is before the Palace in the Suburbs , about 2000 arm'd Men of Douglasses and Hamilton's Dependants , ready prepared for the Expedition , I spake of before ; he , seeing them , past by all the rest , and fix'd his Eye and Mind on Hamilton only , who was then coming out of the Court-yard in his Cloak without his Armor , when he saw him in a pretty long Gallery , ( and somewhat dark ) which is over the Gate , he flew at him , and gave him six Wounds , one of them almost pierc'd to his Vitals , others of them he pretty well avoided by the Flexure of his Body , and by warding them off with his Cloak which he held before him ; and then the Groom presently mixt himself among the Croud ; immediately a great hubbub was raised , and some of the Hamiltons suspected , that the Douglasses had done so horrid a Fact , out of the relicks of their old Feuds ; so that those two Factions had almost like to go together by the Ears ; at last , when their Fear and Surprise was allay'd , they were all commanded to stand in single ranks , by the Walls which were round about the Court-yard ; there the Murderer was discovered , as yet holding the bloody Knife in his hand . Being demanded , what he was , and whence and for what he came thither ? he made no ready Answer ; upon which he was dragg'd to Prison , and put to the Rack , and then he confess'd immediately , The Groom apprehended and tortured , yet dies very resolutely . that he had undertaken the Fact , in revenge of his good Lord and Master , and that he was sorry for nothing , but that so famous an Attempt did not take effect ; he was tortur'd a long time , but discover'd no Body , as privy to his Design ; at , last he was condemned and carried up and down the City , and every part of his naked Body was nipp'd with Iron Pinchers red hot ; and yet , neither in his Speech , nor in his Countenance , did he discover the least sense of Pain ; when his right Hand was cut off , he said , that it was punish'd less than it had deserved , for not sufficiently seconding the Dictates of so stout a Spirit . Moreover the same Year , Patrick Hamilton , Son to a Sister of Iohn Duke of Albany , Patrick Hamilton , nobly descended , put to Death upon the account of Religion . and of a Brother of the Earl of Arran's , her Husband , a young Man of great Judgment and singular Learning , by a Conspiracy of the Priests , was burnt at St. Andrews : And not long after his Suffering , Men were much terrified at the Death of Alexander Cambel , he was of the Order of the Dominicans ; a Man also of good Ingenuity , and accounted one of the most learn'd of all those , who follow'd the Sect of Thomas Aquinas ; Patrick had often Conference with him concerning the meaning of the Holy Scripture , and at last he brought the Man to confess and acknowledg , that almost all the Articles , which were then counted Heterodox , were really true . And yet this Alexander , being more desirous to save his Life , than to hazard it for Truths sake , was persuaded by his Friends to prefer a publick Accusation and Charge against him ; Patrick , being a Man of a zealous Spirit , could not brook this Desire of Vain-glory in the ambitious Man , but brake forth into this Expression openly : O thou vilest of Men , says he , who art convinc'd , that the Tenents which thou now condemneth are most certainly true , and not long since didst confess to me that they were so ; I do therefore cite thee to the Tribunal of the living God . * * The strange Death of Alexander Cambel , the self-condemned Persecutor of Patrick Hamilton . Alexander was so astonished at that word , that he was never himself from that day forward , and not long after he died in a Fit of Madness .

All this time , and for a great part of the Year ensuing , the Douglasses , being severally intent upon other Matters and Concerns , were secure , as to the King's Departure from them ; because they believed , that now his Mind was fully reconciled to them by those Blandishments and immoderate Pleasures they had indulg'd him in . And besides , they thought , if he had a mind to remove , there was no Faction strong enough to oppose them , neither was there any strong Garison , whither to retire , but only Sterlin Castle , which was allotted to the Queen for her Habitation ; but then it was deserted for a time , by the Queen's Officers , when she hid her self for fear of the Douglasses ; and when the Tumult was a little appeased , 't was somewhat fortified , but rather for a Shew , than for any real Defence . * * The King frees himself from the Douglasses . The King having obtained some small Relaxation , saw that this must be his only refuge , and therefore he bargain'd with his Mother privately to exchange that Castle , and the Land adjoyning , for other Lands as convenient for her ; and providing all other Requisites as secretly as he could , the Douglasses not being so intent , as formerly , in their Watch over him , he retired by Night with a few in his Company from * * Or Falcoland , about the middle of Fife . Falkland to Sterlin ; whither he soon sent for some of the Nobles to come to him , and others hearing the News , came in of their own accord ; so that now he seemed sufficiently secured against all Force : There , by the Advice of his Nobles , he published a Proclamation , The Douglasses forbidden , by Proclamation , to intermeddle in the Government . that the Douglasses should abstain from all Administration of publick Affairs . And moreover , that none of their Kin , by Blood or Marriage , or of their Dependants , should come within twelve Miles of the Court ; he that did otherwise , was to lose his Life . When the Edict was served upon the Douglasses , as they were coming to Sterlin , many were of opinion , that they should go on in their Journey , but the Earl and his Brother George thought it best to obey the Edict . Thus they went back to Linlithgo , resolving to stay there , till they heard some more News from the Court. In the mean time , the King , with great Diligence , sent Messengers , even to the furthest parts of the Kingdom , to call in all the Nobles , who had a Priviledg of voting , to an Assembly at Edinburgh , to be celebrated Septemb. the 3 d. next ensuing . In the Interim , He at Sterlin , and the Douglasses at Edinburgh , gathered Forces about them , but it was rather to defend themselves , than offend one another . At length Iuly the 2 d. the Douglasses departed out of the City , and the King , with his Forces and Banners display'd , enter'd in ; but by the Mediation of Friends , deprecating the King , on their Behalf , Conditions were offer'd to them , which were , That the Earl of Angus should be banished beyond the Spey ; That George his Brother , and Archibald his Uncle , should be kept in hold in the Castle of Edinburgh : If they submitted to these Terms , then there was hopes of the King's Mercy , otherwise not . These Terms being rejected by them , they were commanded , by an Herauld , to attend the Parliament , that was to be held at Edinburgh the 3 d. of Septemb. In the mean time , their publick Offices were taken from them , and Gawin Dunbar , the King's Tutor , was made Chancellor instead of the Earl ; He was a good and a learned Man , but some thought him a little defective in Politicks : and Robert Carncross was made Treasurer in the place of Archibald , New Officers at Court . one more known for his Wealth than his Virtue . The Douglasses being now driven to their last shifts , endeavoured to seize upon Edinburgh , which was void by the King's Departure , and accordingly they sent Archibald thither , with some Troops of Horse ; their Design was to keep out the King , and so to dissolve the Parliament : But ( on the 7 th of the ‖ ‖ August 26. Calends of September ) Robert Maxwell , with his Vassals , had , by the King's Command , prevented them , and kept them from entring the City ; yea , the Guards and Sentinels were mounted , and disposed , so carefully in all convenient places , that things were kept there in great Tranquillity , till the Parliament's time of Meeting . Douglas , being disappointed of this hope , retired to his Castle of * * In East-Lothian , opposite to the Bass-Isle . Tantallon , about fourteen Miles distant from the City . The same day that the King came out of Sterlin , there fell such mighty Showers of Rain from the Heavens , and the Brooks and Rivers did so overflow their Banks , that the King's Retinue was scatter'd into many parties , so that they came much harassed , and late in the Night , to Edinburgh : They were so mightily batter'd with the Violence of the Storm , that a very few Horse , if they had charged them , might have done them a great deal of Mischief . In that Parliament , the Earl of Angus , George his Brother , Archibald his Uncle , and Alexander Drummond of † † In Sterlingshire , not far from To● wood . Carnock ( their intimate Friend ) were out-lawed , and their Goods confiscate . This Edict or Clause was also added to their Condemnation , that whosoever did harbor them in their Houses , or give them any other Assistance , should incur the same Punishment . That which most of all moved the Court to condemn them , was this , because the King had affirmed upon Oath , That as long as he was in the Power of the Douglasses , he was afraid of his Life ; he also profess'd , that his Fear was heightned , and made a deeper Impression on him , after George had given him such cutting Menaces , before mention'd . There was only one Man found in this Assembly , by name Iohn Bannatine , a Vassal of the Douglasses , who was so bold as to make a publick Protestation against all that was acted against the Earl , because ( as he alleged ) his Non-appearance at the day limitted was occasion'd by his just Fear .

A few days after , William , another Brother of the Earl's , Abbat of the Monastery of Holy Rood , died of Sickness , trouble of Mind and Grief , for the present Posture of Affairs . Robert Carncross , one meanly descended , but well monyed , bought that Preferment of the King , who then wanted Mony ; eluding the Law against Simony , by a new kind of Fraud . The Law was , that Ecclesiastical Preferments should not be sold , but he laid a great Wager with the King , that he would not bestow upon him the next Preferment , of that kind , that fell ; and by that means , lost his Wager , but got the Abbacy . Thus the ‖ ‖ The Douglasses arm in desperation . Douglasses , seeing that all hope of Pardon was cut off , betook themselves to open force , and to the only Comfort they had left , which was in Revenge , for they used great Extremity , and committed all sorts of Outrages upon the Lands of their Enemies ; they burnt * * In Lothian . Cousland and † † About four Miles South of Dalkeith . Cranston , and every day skirted by the Gates of Edinburgh , with their Horse ; so that the City was almost besieged , and the Poor were made to suffer for the Offences of the great Ones . During these Hurly Burlies , on the 11th of the Calends of ‖ ‖ November 21. December . A Ship called the Marina , a brave Vessel in those days and richly laden , by stress of Weather , was forc'd upon the Shore of * * A Town lying in the Firth or Forth in East-Lothian , four Miles South of Dunbar . Enverwick ; part of the Lading was pillaged by Douglasses Horse , who rang'd up and down in those parts ; the rest was taken away by the Country-men , who were so ignorant of the price of it , that they thought the Cinnamon therein , to be but a low priz'd Bark , and so sold it to make Fire with , yet the whole Envy of the matter fell upon the Douglasses . Upon this change of Affairs , the Tories , who had a long time refrain'd their Depredations , for fear of Punishment , came forth out of their lurking holes , and grievously infested all the circumjacent Countries . And though many Pranks were plaid by others , up and down ; yet all the Murders and Robberies , every where committed , were charg'd upon the score of the Douglasses , by those Courtiers , who thought they humour'd the King by so doing ; that so they might make the name of that Family , otherwise popular , invidious to the vulgar . And in the beginning of Winter , the King march'd to † † Tantallon-Castle besieged by the King . Tantallon , a Castle of the Douglasses , by the Sea side , to take it in , that so no Refuge might be left for the Exiles ; and that he might take the place with less Labour and Cost , he was supplied with Brass-Guns and Powder from Dunbar . That Castle was distant from ‖ ‖ In the Author it is Tantallon , but , I judg it to be a Mistake of the Transcriber for Du●bar . Dunbar six Miles , and it was garison'd by the Souldiers of Iohn the Regent , because it was part of his Patrimony ; he continued the Siege for some days , wherein some of the Besiegers were slain , others wounded ; and some blown up with Gun-Powder ; but none at all of the Besieged were lost , so that he raised his Siege , and * * The Siege of Tantallon raised . retreated . In his return , David Falkner , who was left behind , with some Foot-Souldiers , to carry back the Brass-Ordnance , was set upon by Douglasses Horse , ( who were sent out to snap up the Stragglers in the Rear ) and slain ; his Death did so inrage the young King , who was incens'd enough before , that he solemnly swore in his Passion , that , as long as he liv'd , the Douglasses should never have the Sentence of their Banishment revoked : And as soon as he came to Edinburgh , to straiten them the more , by the Advice of his Council , he order'd , that a party of Souldiers should be continually kept at † † Within two Miles of Eymouth , in the Moss . Coldingham , which was to be rather an active , or flying , than a numerous one , to prevent the pillaging of the Country by them . The charge of doing it was commended by the King to Bothwel , one of the greatest Persons , for Authority and Puissance , in Lothian : but he refused the Imployment , either out of Fear of the Power of the Douglasses , which , not long since , all the rest of Scotland was not able to cope with ; or else , because he would not have the Disposition of the young King , who was eager and over-violent of his own accord , to be inur'd to such Cruelty , as totally to destroy so noble a Family : And whereas the King had no great Confidence in the Hamiltons , as being Friends to his Enemies ; and he did also disgust them upon the account of the Slaughter of Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox ; and besides there being none of the Nobility of the adjacent parts , that had Power or Interest enough for that Service , at last he resolved to send Calen Cambel , with an Army , against the Rebels , a Person living in the furthest parts of the Kingdom , but a prudent Man , of approv'd Valour ; and upon the account of his Justice , very popular . ‖ ‖ The Douglasses forced to fly into England . The Douglassians , when the Hamiltons and the rest of their Friends failed them , were reduced to great straits , so that they were compell'd by Calen and by George chief of the Humes , to retire , like Exiles , into England .

* * Embassadors from England to piece up an Accommodation between King Iames and the Douglasses . In the Month of October , two eminent Persons came Embassadors from the King of England about a Peace ; which tho earnestly desir'd by both Kings , yet they could scarce find out the way to make it up . For Henry , being about to make War upon Charles the Emperor , was willing to leave all safe behind his back ; and with the same labour to procure the Restitution of the Douglasses . As for Iames , he did much desire to have Tantallon Castle in his Power , but his Mind was very averse to restore the Douglasses ; and for that Reason , the Matter was canvassed to and fro , for some Days , and no Temper for Accommodation could be found out ; but at last , they came to this , That Tantallon Castle should be surrendred to Iames , and a Truce be granted for five Years ; and their other Demands the King was to promise the granting of , under his Signet . The Castle was surrendred accordingly , but the other Demands were not as punctually performed , save only , that Alexander Drummond had leave given him to return home , for Robert Brittain's sake : For , some Months before , Iames Colvill , and Robert Carncross , upon suspicion of their favouring the Douglasses , were removed from Court , and their Offices bestowed on Robert Brittain , who then was in high Favour at Court , and had great Command there . After this , tho Matters were not quite settled abroad , ( for the English had burnt Arn , a Town in Teviotdale , before their Embassadors return'd ) yet the rest of the Year was more quiet ; but the Insolence of the Banditti was not quite suppressed ; whereupon the King caus'd William Cockburn of † † In Twidale . Henderland , and Adam Scot , noted Robbers , to be apprehended at Edinburgh , and for a Terror to the rest , he put them to Death . The next Year , in the Month of March , the King sent ‖ ‖ Iames Earl of Murray , and the Earl of Northumberland , meet to settle Matters betwixt the Borderers . Iames Earl of Murray , whom he had made Deputy-Governour of the whole Kingdom , to the Borders , there to have a Meeting with the Earl of Northumberland , in order to settle a Peace , and to treat about mutual Satisfaction for Losses . But a Contention arose betwixt them , about expiating the Murder of Robert Car. The One pleaded , that the Process ought to be form'd in Scotland , according to the Law . The Other would have it in England . In the Interim , each of them sent Messengers to their several Kings , to know their Minds in the Case .

On the 17 th of the Calends of * * April 15. May , there was held a Council of the Nobility , where , after a long Debate , which lasted till Night , 't was concluded , That the Earl of Bothwel , Robert Maxwel , Walter Scot , and Mark Carr should be committed Prisoners to Edinburgh Castle . And that the Earls , and chief Men of Merch and Teviotdale , should be sent Prisoners to other Places ; it being supposed , That they privately scatter'd abroad the Seeds of a War against England . And in Iuly , the King levied about 8000 Men , and marched out against the Robbers ; and that with so much speed , that he quickly pitch'd his Tents by the River † † In Teviotdale . Ewse . Not far from thence , lived one Iohn Armstrong chief of one Faction of the Thieves , who had struck such a Fear to all the neighbouring Parts , that even the English themselves for many Miles about , bought their Peace , by paying him a certain Tribute ; yea , Maxwel was also afraid of his Power ; and therefore endeavoured his Destruction by all possible ways . This Iohn was enticed by the King's Officers to make his Repair to the King , which he did , unarm'd , Iohn Armstrong with many of his Followers hanged . with about fifty Horse in his Company ; but having forgot to obtain the King's Pass and safe Conduct for his Security , he fell into an Ambush , who brought him to the King , as if he had been taken Prisoner by them ; so that he , and most of his Followers , were trussed up . They , who were the Causers of his Death , gave forth , That he had promised to bring that part of Scotland for some Miles , under the Obedience of the English , if he himself might be well considered for that Service : But , on the other side , the English were glad of his Death , for they were thereby freed of a dangerous Enemy . Six of his surviving Companions , the King kept as Hostages ; but , in regard their Fellows were no way deterred thereby , from committing the like Insolencies , in a few Months they were hanged also . And the King took new Hostages of those who staid at home ; for the Liddisdale Men left their homes , and passed over in Troops to England , making daily Incursions , and great Spoil in the neighbouring Parts .

Not long after , the King restor'd the noble Men to their Liberty , having first taken Hostages from them ; Of these , Walter Scot , to gratify the King , killed Robert Iohnston , a noted Tory amongst the Thieves , which bred a deadly Feud between the two Families , to the great loss and prejudice of them both .

The next Year , which was 1531 , there happened a matter very memorable , neither did the Obscurity of the Author , nor the Curiosity of the Time , which made a strict Enquiry thereinto , abate any thing of Mens Admiration of the Novelty thereof . One ‖ ‖ The strange , and ( seemingly ) miraculous Fast of one Iohn Scot , for many weeks together , with his Story . Iohn Scot , a Man of no Learning , nor of any great Experience in Business , neither had he a subtil Wit of his own to impose Tricks upon Men , being overthrown in a Law-suit , and not having Ability to pay Damages , hid himself some days in the Sanctuary of the Monastery of Holy-Rood-House , without eating or drinking any thing at all . When the thing was known and related to the King , he commanded that his Apparel should be chang'd and diligently search'd , and so caus'd him to be kept apart from all Company in the Castle of Edinburgh , where every Day Bread and Water was set before him , but he voluntarily abstained from all human Food for thirty two days . After that time , as if he had been sufficiently tried , he was brought forth naked into publick view , where , the People flocking about him , he made them a long , but sorry , Speech , in which there was nothing memorable , but that he affirm'd , he was assisted by the Virgin Mary to fast as long as he himself pleased . This Answer , savouring of Simplicity , rather than Craft , he was released from his Imprisonment , and went to Rome , where he was also imprison'd by Pope Clement , until he had fasted long enough to convince him of the Truth of the Miracle : Then they clothed him with the Habit that Priests say Mass in , and bestowed many Presents on him , and gave him a Testimonial under the Leaden-Seal , which is of great Authority amongst the Papists : Whereupon he went to Venice , where he also confirm'd their Belief by his miraculous Fasting ; and , alleging , That he was obliged by a Vow he had made , to visit Ierusalem , he receiv'd of them fifty Ducats of Gold for his Charges on the way . At his Return , he brought back some Leaves of Palm-trees , and a Bag full of Stones , which , he said , were taken out of the Pillar , which Christ was tied to , when he was scourg'd . In his Return , he past through London , and mounted the Pulpit in Paul's Church-yard , and , in a great Audience of People , preached much about the Divorce of King Henry from his Queen , and of his Defection from the See of Rome ; his Words were bitter , and if he had been looked upon of any Repute for Wisdom , he must have eaten them again ; but , being imprisoned for some time , and having wholly abstained from Food for almost fifty days together , he was dismiss'd . When he came back to Scotland , he would have joined himself to one Thomas Doughty , Thomas Doughty a great Cheat. who about that time came from Italy , and had built a Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary , out of the Alms the People had given him , and had got great Gain by his feigned Miracles . But the Life of this Thomas was sufficiently known to be very wicked ; and the Cheats of his pretended Miracles were discovered , yet no Man durst openly gainsay him , for fear of the Bishops , who , by this their new Atlas , sought to prop up the Pile of their Purgatory , then a tottering ; and he , to requite them for their Courtesy , when any of the richer sort of Priests came to the Place , where he was to say Mass , had still one Beggar or other ready at hand , to counterfeit himself mad , or diseased in Body , that so ( forsooth ) by his Massing , he might be recovered and healed . But Thomas rejected Iohn Scot , because he was not willing to admit any other into the Society of his Gain , and thereupon he hired an obscure Cell in the Suburbs of Edinburgh ; and there , having erected an Altar , and furnished it according to his Ability , he set up his own Daughter , who was young , but very beautiful , with Wax-Tapers lighted about her , to be adored , instead of the Virgin Mary . But that way of Gain not answering his Expectation , he returned to his old course of Life , having gain'd nothing by all his preposterous Dissimulation of Sanctity , but to let all Men know , that he wanted not a Will , but Ability rather , to become an errand Cheat.

At the beginning of the following Year , which was 1532 , the Earl of Bothwel was committed Prisoner to Edinburgh-Castle , Ianuary 16 , because he had taken a private Journy into England , and there had secret Conference with the Earl of Northumberland . Iohn Sunderland , a Knight , by reason of the great Prudence , Integrity and Authority , which he had amongst all good Men , even beyond his State and Degree , was sent to Hermitage ( a Castle of Liddisdale ) to restrain the Incursions of Thieves and Robbers .

Of ancient time , there had been no fix'd Days , nor any set Place , appointed for Matters of Nisi Prius , to be handled by the Judges , until Iohn Duke of Albany had obtained of the Pope , that a yearly Sum of Mony , as much as was sufficient to pay a Salary to a few Fifteen Judges with Salary , appointed to decide Controversal Matters in Scotland ; Judges , should be charged on the Ecclesiastical Order , and 't was to be levied on every one , according to the value of his Benefice : Gawin Dunbar , Bishop of Aberdene , hereupon made his Appeal to the Pope , in the behalf of himself and other Priests . The Controversy held from the 11 th of March to the 24 th of April ; and then there was a College of Judges settled at Edinburgh . At their first Sitting , But quickly disused . they devised many advantageous Projects for the equal distribution of Justice , yet the hoped Event did not follow . For seeing in Scotland there are almost no Laws , but Decrees of the Estates , and many of them too made not for perpetuity , but temporary ; and the Judges hinder the enacting of Laws what they can : The Estates of all the Subjects were committed to the Pleasure of fifteen Men , who were to have a perpetual Power , and even a Tyrannical Government , for their Wills were their Laws . In favour of the Pope , they were very severe against the Lutherans ; and the Pope , on the contrary , to gratify a King so well deserving at his Hands , gave him the Tithes of all Parsonages , for the next Year following .

This Year , the * * The English make War upon Scotland . English perceived that the State of Affairs in Scotland grew every day more quiet than other ; but yet , that they were destitute of foreign Aid , because they themselves had joined with the French against Charles the Emperor . Hereupon they sought out an occasion for a War . In April they made an Expedition out of Berwick , and spoiled Coldingham , Douglas , and many other neighbouring Towns , and drove away great Booty . They had no apparent Provocation , neither did they denounce War before-hand . How eager they were upon War , appears by that King's Proclamation soon after publish'd , wherein 't was said , that the Garison of Berwick was provoked by some licentious and contumelious Words , which the Scots had let fall . But the Words mentioned in the Proclamation carry no Contumely in them at all . But , this Cause not seeming just enough for a War , they demanded † † Upon the River Esk. Canabie , a small Village in the Borders , with a poor Monastery in it , as if it belonged to them , which they never pretended to , before ; and likewise , that the Douglasses might be restor'd . For the King of England perceiving , that his Aid was absolutely necessary to the French King , so that he could by no means want it ; and also knowing , that he had him fast in a League , wherein the Interest of Scotland was not considered ; hereupon , he thought it no hard Matter to bring the Scots to what Conditions he pleased : Moreover , because the Emperor was alienated from him by the Peace with France , and the Divorce with his Aunt ; and the Pope of Rome did raise up Wars amongst all Christian Princes , he thought he should omit a great opportunity at home for innovating of things , if he neglected That : The King of Scots , that he might not be unprovided against this Storm , by a publick Proclamation , made all over the Kingdom , appointed his Brother , the Earl of Murray , to be his Vicegerent ; and because the Borderers of themselves were not able to cope with the English , who had also a great number of Auxiliaries with them , he divided the Kingdom into four Parts , and commanded each of them to send out the ablest Men amongst them with their Clans , and Provision for fourty Days . These Forces , thus succeeding one another by turns , made great Havock in the Towns and Castles in those Parts ; so that the King of England was frustrated in his Expectation , seeing the War was likely to be drawn out in length ; and other Concerns were also to be cared for by him , and therefore he was willing to hearken to a Peace , but would have it fought for at his Hands ; for he thought , it was not for his Honour , either to offer it , or to seek it of himself . And therefore it seem'd most convenient to transact the Matter by the King of France , the common Friend to both Nations . Whereupon the French King sent his Embassador , ‖ ‖ The French Ambassador mediates a Peace between the English and Scotish Kings . Stephen D'Aix , into Scotland , to enquire , by whose Default such a War was commenced between the two Neighbour-Kings . The King of Scots clearly acquitted himself from being any Cause of the War ; he also made a Complaint to him , how long his Ambassadors had been detained in France , without Hearing : And , at the Ambassador's Departure , he sent Letters by him to his Master , desiring him to observe the ancient League , which was renewed by Iohn the Regent at Roan ; he also sent David Beton into France , to answer the Calumnies of the English , and , besides , to treat concerning the keeping of the old League , and to contract a new Affinity between France and Scotland . He also sent Letters , by him , to the Parliament of Paris , very bitter and full of Complaints , concerning those matters , which had been transacted and agreed between Francis their King , and Iohn , Regent of Scotland ; how that ancient Friendships , Pacts and Agreements were slighted in behalf of Those , who were once their common Enemies . His Ambassador Beton was commanded , if he saw that the things , he had in Command , did not succeed well in France , to deliver those Letters to the Council of the Judges , and presently to withdraw himself into Flanders , with an Intent ( as it might be conjectured ) to make a League , Agreement and Affinity , with the Emperor .

In the mean time , War was waged in Britain , and Disputes were manag'd at New-castle , concerning the Lawfulness thereof ; when the Embassadors sent from both Nations , could not agree on terms of Peace , Monsieur Guy Flower was sent over by the King of France to compose matters : The Scotish King told him , that he would gratify his Master , as far as ever he was able , and also he had some Communication with him , as much as was seasonable at that time , concerning the conjugal Affinity , about which he had sent Embassadors before , which were then in France . Flory , or Flower , being thus the Umpire for Peace ; the Garisons were withdrawn on both sides from the Borders , and a Truce was made , which was afterwards followed with a Peace : When the Peace was settled , the King having for some Years last past , transacted Business with the King of France , and with the * * Iames transacts with the French King , and afterwards with the Emperour , about a Match ; Emperor by his Embassadors , about a matrimonial Contract , now being freed from other cares , his Thoughts were more intent that way , than ever . For , besides the common causes which might incline him to some potent Alliance , he was thoughtful how to perpetuate his Family by Issue of his Body , he himself being the last Male that was left alive ; insomuch that his next Heirs had already conceived a firm hope in their Minds of the Kingdom , which did not a little trouble Him , who was otherwise suspicious enough of himself : And indeed , things did very much concur to raise them up to that hope ; as for instance , their own domestick Power , the Kings being a Batchelor , his Venturousness in slighting all Danger , so that he would not only stoutly undergo all Hazards , but often court and invite Them ; for with a small party , he would march against the fiercest Thieves , and tho they were superior in number , yet he would either prevent them by his Speed , or else fright them by the Reverence of his Name , and so force them to a Surrender ; he would sit Night and Day on Horse-back in this Employment , and if he did take any Refreshment or Food , 't was that which he lighted on by chance , and but little of that neither .

These Circumstances made the † † Which the Hamiltons labour to hinder . Hamiltons almost confident of the Succession , yet it seem'd to them a long way about to stay for either fortuitous or natural Dangers , and therefore they studied to hasten his Death by Treachery . A fair Opportunity was offer'd them to effect it by his Night-Walkings to his Misses , having but one or two in his Company . But all these things not answering their Expectation , they resolved to cut off the hope of lawful Issue , by hindring his Marriage , what they could ; although Iohn Duke of Albany , when he was Regent , seemed to have made sufficient Provision against that Inconvenience , for when he renewed the ancient League between the French and Scots at ‖ ‖ The chief City of Normandy . Roan , he had inserted one Article , that Iames should marry Francis's eldest Daughter . But there were two Impediments in the way , which almost broke off , and cut this League asunder . For Francis , being freed out of the Hand of the Spaniard , by the Industry and Diligence principally of Henry the 8 th , had entred into so strict a League with the English , that the Scotish League was much intrenched upon thereby ; and besides , the eldest Daughter of Francis was deceas'd a while before , and therefore Iames desired Magdalen , his next Daughter , to Wife , and sent Embassadors over to that purpose ; but her Father excused the matter , alleging , that his Daughter was of so weak a Constitution of Body , that there was little hopes of Children by her ; no , nor hardly any Likelihood of her Life it self , for any long time .

About the same time , there was an Affinity treated of with Charles the Emperor by Embassadors , and at length the 24 th day of April , 1534. The Emperor sent Godscalk Ericus , that the matter might be carry'd with greater Secrecy , from Toledo in Spain , through Ireland , to Iames. After he had declared the Commands , he had in charge from the Emperor , concerning the Wrongs offer'd to his Aunt Catharine and her Daughter , by King Henry ; concerning the calling a general Council ; concerning the rooting out the Sect of the Lutherans ; and concerning contracting an Affinity . The Emperor , by his Letters , gave the King his choice of three Marys , all of them of his Blood ; they were , Mary Sister to Charles , a Widow , * * Three Maries offered by Charles the Emperor , to King Iames , out of which to chuse a Consort . ever since the Death of her Husband Lewis of Hungary , who was slain in Battel by the Turks ; Mary of Portugal the Daughter of his Sister Leonora ; and Mary of England , his Niece by his Aunt Catharine : And because Charles knew , that King Iames was more inclinable to this last Match , he also shewed a greater Propension thereunto , that so he might take off Iames from his valuing of , and adhering to , the League with Francis , and at the same time might set him at ods with Henry . Iames made answer , that the Marriage with England was indeed , in many respects , most advantageous , if it could be obtained , but 't was a Business of uncertain Hope , but of great Danger and Toil , and would be encumber'd with so many Delays , that his single Life , he being the last of his Family , could hardly bear it ; and therefore of all Caesar's Neices , he told Him , that the Daughter of Christiern King of Denmark was most convenient for him , who was begotten upon Isabel , the Sister of Charles . A while after , Charles answered this his Demand from Madrid , that she was already promised to another , and though Caesar by offering Conditions seem'd rather to prolong the matter , than really to bring it to pass , yet the Treaty was not wholly laid aside . Matters being quiet at home , Iames resolved to go a Ship-board to take a View of all his Dominions round about , and to curb the stubborn Spirits of the Islanders , and make them more obedient . † † King Iames visits the Orcades , and other Isles of Scotland . First , he sailed to the Orcades , where he quieted all Disorders , by apprehending and imprisoning a few of the Nobility , he garison'd two Castles there , his Own and the Bishops ; afterwards he visited the rest of the Islands , and sent for the chief Men to come to him ; those that refus'd , he seiz'd by force ; he laid a Tax on them , took Hostages , and carried away with him , those who were most likely to be Incendiaries , and clapping some of his own Train into their Castles , he sent the leading Men of them , some to Edinburgh , and some to Dunbar , Prisoners : For about that time , Iohn Duke of Albany had surrendred up Dunbar to the King , which till then had been kept by a French Garison . In the next Month of August , great Severity was used against the ‖ ‖ Lutherans severely dealt with . Lutherans , some were compelled to make a publick Recantation ; others , refusing to appear upon Summons , were banished . Two were burnt , of which one named David Straiton was free enough from Lutheranism , but he was accused thereof , because he was somewhat refractary in Payment of Tithes to the Collectors of them , and so was put to Death only for a supposed Crime . In an Assembly which the King caused to be convened at Iedburgh , in order to the suppressing of the Robbers thereabouts ; Walter Scot was condemned of high Treason , and sent Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle , where he remained , as long as the King lived . The same Month of August , when Francis ( as I said before ) had excused his Daughters Marriage on account of her Health , but withal had offer'd him any other of the Blood Royal : The King sent Embassadors into France , Iames Earl of Murray , Vice-roy of the Kingdom , and William Stuart Bishop of Aberdene ( those Two went by Sea ) and Iohn Erskin by Land , because he had some Commands to deliver to Henry of England by the way . To them be added a Fourth , i. e. Robert Reed , a good Man , and highly prudent . There * * Mary of Bourbon offered by Francis as a Wife to Iames. Mary of Bourbon , the Daughter of Charles Duke of Vendosme , a Lady of the Blood was offer'd to them , as a fit Wife for their King : Other points were accorded easily enough , but the Embassadors , fearing , that this Marriage would not please their Master , would make no Espousal , till they had acquainted him therewith . In the mean time , Henry of England , to trouble a matter which was upon the point of concluding , in November , sent the Bishop of St. Davids into Scotland , who brought Iames some English Books , containing the Theses's of the Christian Religion , desiring Iames to read them , and diligently to weigh what was written therein ; but he gave them to some of his Courtiers , who were most addicted to the Sacerdotal Order , to inspect : They , before ever they had scarce look'd on them , condemn'd them as Heretical ; and moreover , they highly gratulated the King , that he had not polluted his Eye ( so they phrased it ) with reading such pestiferous † † Henry of England sends Controversal Books of Divinity to Iames , by his Ambassadors . Books . This was the cause of their Embassy , according to common Vogue , yet , some say , that they brought some other secret Messages to Iames : Afterward , the same Bishop ( together with William Howard , Brother to the Duke of Norfolk , ) came so unexpectedly to Sterlin , that they almost surprized the King , before he heard any News of their coming ; their Errand was , that Henry desir'd Iames to appoint a day of Interview , wherein they might confer together , for he had at that meeting things of high Concernment , and of mighty Advantage to both Nations to propound to him : In that Message , he gave great hope , if other matters could be well accorded , that he would bestow his Daughter in Marriage upon him , and leave him King of all Britain after his Decease ; and that he might give more credit to his Promises , he would make him for the present , Duke of York , and Vice-roy of the Kingdom of England . Iames willingly assented to such large and alluring Promises , and accordingly fixt a day for the Interview : But there were two Factions , which resolved to oppose his Journy for England . ‖ ‖ Ambassadors sent by Henry to Iames , desiring an Interview , which was agreed to ; First , the Hamiltons , who secretly laboured to keep the King from marrying , that so they being the next Heirs , he might have no Children to exclude them from the Succession . And next , the Priests also were mightily against it ; and their Pretences were seemingly just and honest , as first , the danger he would run , if with a small Retinue he should put himself into the Power of his old Enemy , Tho afterwards disappointed upon several pretences . for then he must comply with his Will , though it were never so much against his Own : They also recited the Examples of his Ancestors , who , either by their own Credulity ; or else by the Perfidiousness of the Enemy , were drawn into a Nouse ; and from flattering Promises of Friendship , had brought home nothing but Ignominy and Loss : They also urg'd the unhappy Mistake of Iames the First , who , in a time of Truce , landing , as he thought , in his Friends Country , was there kept Prisoner eighteen Years ; and , at last , had such Conditions imposed upon him , which he neither lawfully could , nor ought to have accepted ; and then , said they , he was avariciously sold to his own Subjects . Moreover , first Malcolm , after him his Brother William , Kings of Scotland , were brought on the Stage , who were inticed to London by Henry the 2 d. and then carried over into France , to make a shew of assisting in a War there , against the French King , their old Ally . But ( say they ) if it be objected , Henry the 8 th will do none of these things ; they answered first , How shall we be assured of that ? next , Is it not a point of high Imprudence , to venture ones Fortune , Life and Dignity , which are now in ones own Power , into the Hands of another ? Besides , the Priests saw , that all their Concerns were now at stake , and therefore they must , now or never , stand up for them ; in order whereto , they caused Iames Beton , Arch-bishop of St. Andrews , and George Creighton , Bishop of Dunkelden , two old decrepit Men , to come to Court , there to baul it out , That Religion would be betrayed by this Meeting and Interview , even , That Religion , ( said they ) which had been observed so many Ages by their Ancestors ; and which had all along preserved its Defenders , till now ; The Ruin of which would be attended with the total Destruction of the Kingdom , also ; to forsake that Religion , upon every light Grounds , especially in such a time , wherein the whole World doth conspire together , with Arms in their Hands , for its Preservation , could not be done without great Danger at present , and Infamy for future ; yea , it would be a thing of great Wickedness and Impiety also . With these Engines they battered Iames's Mind , which , of it self , was inclined enough to Superstition ; and moreover , they corrupted those Courtiers , who could do most with him , desiring them , in their Names , to promise him a great Sum of Mony ; so that hereby , they wholly turned away his Mind from the Thoughts of an Interview . * * Henry takes the disappointment of the Interview in great disdain . Henry took this Disappointment in great Disdain , ( as indeed he had reason so to do ) and thus the Seeds of Dissension were again sown between the two Kings .

In the mean time , the King was weary of his single Life , and by reason of foreign Embassies , and his Court-Distractions at home , was variously agitated in his Thoughts ; all pretended the publick Good , but some aimed at their own private Advantage under that Vail , and though many persuaded him to an Affinity with Charles , in regard of the flourishing Estate of the Empire at that time , yet he rather inclined to an Alliance with France . And therefore , seeing the matter could not be ended by Embassadors , King Iames sails over into France , he himself resolved to sail over into France , and accordingly , rigging out a small Navy , the best he could fit in so short a time , on the 26 th of Iuly he set Sail from Leith , none knowing whither he would go ; many were of opinion , that his Design was for England , to visit his Uncle , and to ask him pardon for disappointing the Interview , agreed on the Year before . But a Tempest arising , and being also toss'd with contrary Winds , the Pilot ask'd him , what course he should steer ? If there be a necessity , said he , Land me any where but in England : Then his Mind was understood . He might have return'd home , but he was willing rather to sail round Scotland , and to try the Western Ocean ; there also he had very bad Weather , and by the advice of a few of his Domesticks as he was asleep , he was carried back again ; when he was awake , he took the matter in such great Indignation , that for ever after he bore an implacable Hatred against Iames Hamilton , ( whom he also disgusted before , upon the account of the killing the Earl of Lennox ) neither was he well pleased with the rest of the Authors of that Counsel , ever after ; and there were some , who , in compliance with the King 's angry Humour , buzz'd him in the Ears , That the Hamiltons under a pretence of a serviceable Attendance and Duty , had accompany'd him on purpose to undermine his Voyage . However he put to Sea again with a great Train of Nobles , September the 1st , and in ten days arrived at Diep in Normandy ; from thence , that he might prevent the News of his Arrival , he went disguis'd , and in great speed to the Town of Vendosme , where the Duke then was , and saw his Daughter , which pleased him not , so that he presently made haste to Court ; he came unexpectedly upon Francis and the whole Court , and yet was honourably receiv'd by him ; and on the 26 th of November , almost against his Will , And marries Magdalene , that King's Daughter ; he bestow'd in Marriage his Daughter Magdalene upon him ; For her Father ( as I related before ) judging his eldest Daughter , by reason of her sickly temper , unfit to bear Children , offer'd him his youngest , or any other Woman of the French Nobility , for a Wife : but Iames and Magdalene had contracted a Friendship by Messengers , which was confirmed by the mutual Sight , Meeting and Discourse one with another , so that neither of them could be diverted from their purpose . The Marriage was celebrated Ianuary the 1st , in the Year 1537 , to the great Joy of all : and they both arrived in Scotland the 28 th of May , being attended by a French Navy . She lived not long after , but died of an Hectick Feaver Iuly the 7 th , Who died soo● after . to the great Grief of all , except the Priests , for they feared , that her Life would have put an end to their Luxury and Ambition , because they knew , she was educated under the Discipline of her Aunt the Queen of Navar. As for others , they conceiv'd such a Grief for her Death ,

Mourning-garments when , and upon what occasion , first used in Scotland .

Ambassadors sent over into France to fetch Mary of the House of Guise . Earl of Bothwel banished .

that then ( as I think ) Mourning Garments began first to be used in Scotland , which yet after forty Years do scarce continue to be worn , though the publick Manners do decline , and seem to require it . Ambassadors were presently sent into France , Cardinal David Beton , and Robert Maxwel , to bring over Mary of the House of Guise , Widow to the Duke of Longoville ; for the King , presaging the Loss of his Wife , had cast his Eye upon her . This same Year , the Earl of Bothwel , because he had past over secretly into England , and also had held private Cabals with the English in Scotland , was banish'd out of England , Scotland and France . Moreover , about the same time , many Persons were accused and condemned for high Treason ; Iohn Forbes , an active young Man , the Head of a great Family and Faction , was brought to his end , it was thought , by the Emulation of the H●ntly's ; for there was one Straughan , a Man fit for any flagitious Enterprize , who was many Years very familiar with Forbes ▪ and was either privy to , or else Partaker or Author of , all his bad Actions : He , being not as much respected by him , as he thought he deserv'd , deserted him , and apply'd himself to his Enemy , Iohn Forbes condemn'd for Treason ; Huntly ; and before him , accused Forbes of Treason , or ( as many think ) he there plotted the Accusation , with Huntly himself , against him ) viz. That Forbes , many Years before , had a Design to kill the King . The Crime was not sufficiently prov'd against him , 'T was thought unjustly . nor by fit and unexceptionable Witnesses , neither was the Plot of his Adversaries the Huntlys against his Life , hid in the Process ; yet , on the 14 th of Iuly , the Judges , who were most of Huntly's Faction , condemn'd him , and he had his Head struck off . His Punishment was the less lamented , because , though Men believed him guiltless , as to the Crime he suffered for ; yet , they counted him worthy of Death , for the Flagitiousness of his former Life . Straughan , the Discoverer , because he had concealed so foul an Offence so long ; was banish'd Scotland , and liv'd many Years after in France , so deboistly and filthily , that Men thought him a fit Instrument for any wicked Prank whatsoever . The King , not long after , as if he had repented of his Severity against Forbes , took another Brother of the Forbes's into his Family , and another he advanced to a rich Match , restoring to them their Estate , which had been confiscate .

A few Days after , there was another Trial , which , on the account of the Family of the accused Parties , the Novelty of the Wickedness charged on them , and the heinousness of the Punishment was very lamentable . Ioan Douglas , Sister to the Earl of Angus , The Lady Ioan Douglas , &c. accused for conspiring to poison the King , and Wife to Iohn Lyons , Lord of Glames ; also her Son , and later Husband , Gilespy Cambel ; Iohn Lyons , Kinsman to her former Husband , and an old Priest , were accused for endeavouring to poison the King . All these , tho they lived continually in the Country , far from Court , and their Friends and Servants could not be brought to witness any thing against them , yet were put on the Rack , to make them confess , and so were condemn'd , and shut up in Edinburgh-Castle . The fifth day after Forbes was executed , Ioan Douglas was burnt alive , For which she suffers Death , being burnt alive . with the great Commiseration of all the Spectators : The Nobleness , both of her self and Husband , did much affect the Beholders ; besides , she was in the vigour of her Youth , much commended for her rare Beauty , and , in her very Punishment , she shewed a manlike Fortitude . But that which People were most concern'd for , was , That they thought the Enmity against her Brother , who was banish'd , did her more prejudice than her own ( objected ) Crime : Her Husband endeavoured to escape out of the Castle of Edinburgh , but the Rope being too short , to let him down to the Foot of the Rock , he brake almost all the Bones of his Body in the Fall , and so ended his Days . Their Son , a young Man , and of greater innocent Simplicity , than to have the Suspicion of such a Wickedness justly charged upon him , was shut up Prisoner in the Castle ; and , after the King's Death , was released , and recovered the Estate , which had been taken away from his Parents . Their Accuser was William Lyons ; he afterwards perceiving , that so eminent a Family was like to be ruined by his false Information , repented when it was too late , and confess'd his Offence to the King ; and yet he could not prevail , to prevent the Punishment of the Condemned , or to hinder their Estates from being confiscate .

The next Year following , on the 12 th of Iune , * * Mary of the House of Guise , arrives in Scotland , and is married to K. Iames. Mary of the House of Guise , arrived at † † In the East-corner of Fife . Balcomy , a Castle belonging to Iames Laird of Lermont ; from whence she was conveyed by Land to St. Andrews ; and there , in a great Assembly of the Nobility , she was married to the King . In the beginning of the Year following , which was 1539 , many Persons were apprehended , as suspected of ‖ ‖ Troubles in Scotland about Religion . Lutheranism : And about the End of February , five were burnt , nine recanted , but many more were banish'd ; amongst the Sufferers of this Class , was * * George Buchanan , the Author of this History , imprisoned for the same cause , but makes his Escape . George Buchanan , who , when his Keepers were asleep , made his Escape out of the Window of the Prison , to which he was committed . This Year the Queen brought forth a † † Queen Mary brings forth a Son , and the next year another . Son at St. Andrews ; and the next Year , another in the same Place . Also this Year , and the former , Matters were rather somewhat hushed than fully composed ; some Men wanting rather a Leader , than an Occasion , to rebel : For , tho many desired it , yet no Man durst openly avow himself Head of any Insurrection . And now the King having Heirs to succeed him , and thereby becoming more confident of his Settledness and Establishment , began to slight the Nobility , as a sluggish and unwarlike Generation , and not likely to attempt any thing against him , whose Family was now rivetted and confirmed by Issue-Male : So that he applied his Mind to sumptuous and unnecessary Buildings ; he stood in need of Mony for that Work ; and , in regard he was as Covetous as he was Indigent , both Factions of Nobles and Priests were equally afraid , and each of them indeavoured to avert the Tempest from falling upon them , that it might light on the Other . And therefore , whenever the King complain'd of the Lowness of his Exchequer amongst his Friends , One Party would extol the Riches of the Other , as if it were a Prey ready for the Seisure ; and the King hearkned sometimes to the One , and sometimes to the Other , and so kept both in Suspence , between hope and fear : So that when * * Ambassadors from England , to desire an Interview at York . Ambassadors came at that time out of England , to Court , to desire the King to give his Uncle a Meeting at York , promising some mighty Advantages by that Interview , and making a large Harangue concerning the Love and Good-will of their King towards him : The Faction , which was adverse to the Priests , persuaded him , by all means , to meet at the Time and Place appointed : When the Sacerdotal Party heard of this , they thought their Order would be quite undone , if they did not hinder the Meeting ; and so disturb the Concord , by casting in Seeds of Discord betwixt the King and his Nobles . And , considering of all ways how to effect it , no Remedy seemed more ready at hand for the present Malady , than to attempt the King's Mind , which was not able to resist Offers of Mony , by the Promises of large Subsidies ; whereupon , Which the Faction of the Ecclesiasticks prevent . they set before his Eyes the Greatness of the Danger , the doubtful and uncertain Credit of an Enemies Promise ; that he might have a great Sum of Mony at home , and more easily procurable . First of all , They promised to give him of their own , 30000 Ducats of Gold , year by year ; and all the rest of their Estates also should be at his Service ; besides , enough to obviate future Emergencies , if any hapned ; and as for those , who rebelled against the Authority of the Pope , and the King 's , and so endeavoured to trouble the Peace of the Church , by new and wicked Errors ; and thereby would subvert all Piety , overthrow the Rights of Magistracy , and cancel Laws of so long standing ; out of their Estates he might get above an hundred thousand Ducats more , yearly , into his Exchequer , by way of Confiscation , if he would permit them to nominate a Lord-Chief-Justice in the Case , because they themselves could not , by Law , sit in Capital Causes to condemn any Man . And that , in the managing the Process against them , there would be no danger , nor any Delay in passing Sentence , seeing so many thousand Men were not afraid to take the Books of the Old and New Testament into their Hands ; to discourse concerning the Power of the Pope ; to contemn the ancient Ceremonies of the Church ; and to detract from that Reverence and Observance , which was due to Religious Persons , consecrated to God's Service . This they urged upon him with such Vehemency , that he appointed them a Judg , according to their own Hearts , and that was ‖ ‖ Iames Hamilton set up for a Judge against Lutherans ; Iames Hamilton , base Brother to the Earl of Arran ; him they had oblig'd by great Gratuities before ; and besides , he was resolv'd to conciliate the King's Favour , ( who long since had been offended with him ) with the Perpetration of some atoning Fact , though never so cruel .

About the same time , there came into Scotland , Iames Hamilton , Sheriff of Linlithgoe , and Cousin-German to the former Iames : He , after a long Banishment , when he had commenced a Suit against Iames the Bastard , and had obtained leave to return , for a time , to his own Country ; understanding in what Danger he and the rest of the Favourers of the Reformed Doctrine , were in , sent his Son in a Message to the King , as he was about to pass over into Fife ; and having gotten him opportunely , before he went aboard , he filled his Head , which was naturally suspicious , with fearful Presages , That this Commission granted to Hamilton , would be a Capital Matter , and pernicious to the whole Kingdom , unless he did prevent this Sophistry by another Wile . The King , who was then hastning into Fife , sent the young Man back to Edinburgh to the Court , called the Exchequer-Court , where he also commanded to assemble Iames Lermont , Iames Kircaldy , and Thomas Erskin , of whom one was the Master of the Houshold , the other Lord High Treasurer , neither of them averse from the Reformed Religion ; the Third was highly of the Popish Faction , and his Secretary . These were all ordered to meet : And the King commanded them to give the same Credit to the Messenger , as they would do to himself , if he were present ; and so took the Ring off his Finger , and sent it them as a known Token between them : They laid their Heads together , and apprehended Iames just after he had dined , and had fitted himself for his Journy , and committed him Prisoner to the Castle . But having Intelligence by their Spies at Court , that the King was pacified , and that he would be released , besides the publick Danger , they were afraid also for their particular selves , lest a Man , factious and potent , being released , after he had been provoked by so great an Affront and Ignominy , But prevented from executing his Commission ; should afterwards study a cruel and bitter Revenge against them : Whereupon they speedily hastned to Court , and inform'd the King of the Imminency of the Danger , of the naughty Disposition , Fierceness and Power of the Man , all which they augmented , to raise the greater suspicion upon him ; Imprisoned , so that they persuaded the King not to suffer so crafty , and withal so puissant , a Person , being also provoked by this late Disgrace , to be set at Liberty , without a legal Trial. Whereupon the King came to Edinburgh , and from thence to Seton , where he caused Iames to be brought to his Trial , Tried , and in a Court legally constituted , according to the Custom of the Country , he was condemned , and had his Head struck off , Condemned , and put to Death . his Body was cut up after his Execution , and his Quarters hanged up in the publick Places of the City . The Crimes objected against him , in behalf of the King , were , That on a certain Day he had broke open the King's Bed-Chamber , and had designed to kill him , and that he had driven on secret Designs with the Douglasses , who were declared publick Enemies . Few were grieved for his Death , ( because of the Wickedness of his former Life ) save only his own Kindred , and the Sacerdotal Order , who had placed all the Hopes of their Fortunes , in a manner , upon his Life only .

From that time forward , the King increased in his Suspicions against the Nobility ; and besides , he was exercised with sundry distracting Cares , insomuch that his unquiet Mind was much troubled with Dreams in the Night . King Iames presaging Dream . There was One more remarkable than the rest , which was much talked of , That in his Sleep , he saw Iames Hamilton , running at him with his drawn Sword , and that he , first , cut off his Right Arm , then his Left , and threatned him shortly to come , and take away his Life , and then disappeared ; when he awoke in a Fright , and pondering many things about the Event of his Dream , at last Word was brought him , that * * His two Sons depart this Life . both of his Sons departed this Life , almost at one and the same moment of Time , one at St. Andrews , and the other at Sterlin .

In the mean while , there was not a certain Peace , nor yet an open War , with the King of England , who was alienated , and offended afore ; insomuch , that , without any denunciation of a War , Preys were driven from the Borders of Scotland . Neither would the English , when called upon to make Restitution , give any favourable answer : So that all Men saw , That Henry was in an high Indignation , Henry of England , being affronted about the Interview , prepares War against Iames ; because of the frustration of the Interview at York . And Iames , tho he knew that War was certainly at hand , and therefore had made Levies for that purpose , and had appointed his Brother the Earl of Murray , to be General of all his Forces , and had also made all necessary Preparation for a Defence , yet he sent an Ambassador to the Enemy , if 't were possible , to compose Matters without Blows : In the mean time , George Gordon was sent to the Borders , with a small Force , And sends an Army against him , commanded by Howard , his General . to prevent the pillaging Incursions of the Enemy . The English despised the paucity of the Gordonians , and therefore hasten'd to burn Iedburgh . But George Hume , with 500 Horse , interpos'd and charg'd them briskly ; and , after a short Fight , when they saw the Gordons a coming , they were put into a Fright , and so fled away scatteringly , to escape their Enemies ; there were not many slain , but several taken Prisoners . Iames Lermont , who was treating about a Peace at New-Castle , had scarce received his answer ; but , that the War might be carry'd on the more cunningly , he was commanded to return , in company of the English Army : Moreover , The Nobility of Scotland refuse to fight against England ; which moves Iames's Passion against them . Iohn Erskin , and .... were sent Ambassadors from Scotland to meet the said Army at York , where they were detained by Howard , the General , and never dismissed , till they came to Berwick . Iames , being assured by his Spies , before the return of his Ambassadors , of the marching on of the English Army , formed his Camp at Falkirk , about 14 Miles from the Borders , but sent George Gordon before , with ten thousand Men , to prevent the plunderings of the English ; yet , he did nothing considerable , and had not so much as a light Skirmish with the Enemy . The King of Scotland was mighty earnest to give Battel , but the Nobility would not hear of it , by any means ; so that he was full of Wrath , and brake forth in a Rage against them , calling them Cowards , and unworthy of their Ancestors , ever and anon telling them , That seeing he was betrayed by them , he himself and his own Family would do that , which they had cowardly refused to do ; neither could he be appeased , tho they came about him and told him , That he had done enough for his Honour , That he had not only kept the English Army , which was so long time a levying , and that had assaulted Scotland on a sudden , ( and that , with Threats to do great Matters ) from wandring up and down for depredation , but also , for the space of 8 Days , that it remained in Scotland , had so pent them up , that they never marched above a Mile from the Borders ; for after they drew out of Berwick they went as far as * * Standing upon the Tweed , 14 Miles above Berwick . Kelso up against the Stream ; and there being informed of the march of the Scotish Army , they pass'd over the Ford , being so fearful to ingage , that they rush'd into the River scatteringly , and in no order at all ▪ and as every one pass'd over , they left their Colours and hastn'd home , the nearest way they could ; Gordon , in the mean time , who saw this afar off , not stirring at all , nor making any attempt upon them , in their Rear . For which , the King conceived against him an implacable hatred . Maxwel , to appease the King's Anger , as much as he could , promised , if he might have ten thousand Men , to march into England by the Solwa● , and to do some considerable Service ; and he would have been as good as his Word , unless the King , being angry with his Nobles , had given secret Letters , and a Commission , to Oliver Sinclare , Brother to the Laird of Rosselin , K. Iames sends an Army into England , which he was not to open till such a prefixt time . The Contents were , That the whole Army should acknowledg him for their General ; Iames's Design therein was , That , if his Army had the better , the Glory of the Victory might not redound to the Nobles . When they were come into their Enemies Countrey , and about 500 English Horse appeared on the Neighbour-Hills , Which is defeated . Oliver Sinclare was lifted up on high by those of his Faction , and , leaning upon two Spears , caused the King's Commission to be read ; at which , the whole Army was so offended , and especially Maxwel , that they broke their Ranks and ran in , higly piggly , one among another : Their Enemies , tho accustomed to Wars , yet never hoped for so great an Advantage , when , from the upper Ground , they beheld all things in such a Confusion amongst them , ran in upon them with a great Shout , ( as their manner is ) and so assaulted them as they were in a Fright , and hovering between the design of Flying or Fighting ; and thus Horse , Foot and Baggage were all driven confusedly into the next Marshes , where many were taken by the English , more by the Scotish Moss-Troopers , and sold to the English . When this loss of his Army was brought to the King , who was not far off , he was moved , beyond measure , with Indignation , Anger and Grief , insomuch , that his Mind was distracted Two ways ; sometimes , to take Revenge of the perfidiousness of his own People , ( as he called it ) and sometimes to make Preparation for a new War , and Retrieval of his Affairs . But in that almost desperate state of things , it seemed the best way to make a Truce with the English , and to call back Archibald Douglas , Earl of Angus , on the best Conditions he could . But his Body being worn out with Watching and Fasting , and his Mind overwhelmed with Cares , he dyed , a few Days after , on the 13 th of December , The overthrow of his Army breaks his Heart . leaving his Daughter , his Heiress , a Child of about five Days old ; he was buried the 19 of Ianuary in the Monastery of Holyrood , near his first Wife Magdalene . In his life-time , his Countenance and the Make of his Body were very Comly , his Stature indifferent Tall , but his Strength , above the Proportion of his Body ; his Wit was sharp , but not sufficiently cultivated with Learning , K. Iames the 5 th his Character . through the fault of the Times . His Diet was sparing , he seldom drank Wine , he was most patient of Labour , Cold , Heat and Hunger ; he would often sit on Horse-back , Night and Day , in the coldest Winter , that so he might catch the Thieves unawares ; and his Nimbleness struck such fear into them , that they abstained from their ill Pranks , as if he had always been present amongst them : He was so well acquainted with the Customs of his Country , that he would give just Answers concerning weighty Matters , even on the High-way , as he rode on a Journy , with a great deal of Readiness and Prudence : He was of easy Access , even to the poorest . But his great Virtues were almost equalled by as many Vices , yet they had this Alleviation , That they seemed imputable rather to the Time he lived in , than to his own Disposition and Nature . For such an universal Licentiousness had over-run All , that Publick Discipline could not be retrieved , but with a great deal of Severity and Strictness . That which made him so covetous of Money , was , That , when he was under the Tutelage of others , he was educated in great Parsimony , and as soon as ever he came to be of Age , he entered into an empty Palace ; for all his Houshold-Stuff was embezill'd : So that , all the Rooms of his House were to be new-furnish'd , at once ; and his Guardians had expended his own proper Patrimony on those uses , which he wholly disapproved ; besides , the Instructors of him in his Youth , made him more inclinable to Women , because , by that means , they hoped to have him longer under their Tuition . A great part of the Nobility did not much lament his Death , because he had banished some of them , and kept many others in Prison , and many , for fear of his Severity ( a fresh Disgust being now added to their former Contempt ) chose rather to surrender themselves to the English King , their Enemy , than to commit themselves to the Anger of their own King .

The Fifteenth BOOK . Mary and Henry Stuart , the CVII th Queen and King .

THE King dying in the Flower of his Age , rather of Grief than any Disease ; the Tumults of the former Times were rather hush'd asleep than compos'd , so that wise Men foresaw so great a Tempest impending over Scotland , as they had never heard of the like in ancient Records , nor had themselves seen any like : The King had not so much as ordered his own Domestick Affairs , but had left a Daughter , born about 8 Days before his Death , Heiress to the Crown ; as for those of the Nobility , who had born any sway , either they were kill'd in Battel , or else were banish'd , or taken Prisoners by the Enemy . And if they had been at home , yet , by reason of private Animosities , or of Dissension on the account of Religion , which were stifled out of fear , during the King's Life ; but now , that Restraint being taken off , were likely to break forth , they were at Discord amongst themselves , so that they were not likely to act like sober Men.

And besides , they had War abroad against a most Puissant King , and how he would use his Victory , every one spoke severally according to his Hope or Fear . He that was the second Heir , and next to the Crown , as he was not commonly reported to have much of Virtue , even for the management of his private Life , so he was as little noted for Counsel or Valour to manage a Kingdom . As for the Cardinal Beton suborns a false Will of King Iames , therein nominating himself with three Assessors to he Vice-geren●s of the Kingdom . Cardinal , he thinking that , in these publick Calamities , he might have an Opportunity to greaten himself , that he might shew himself Some body , both to his own Order , and also to the French Faction , undertook an Attempt both bold and impudent . For he hired Henry Balfore , a Mercenary Priest , to suborn a false Will of the Kings , wherein he himself was nominated to the Supream Authority , with Three of the Potentest of the Nobility , to be his Assessors . He conceived an hope , that his Project would succeed , from the Disposition of the Earl of Arran , which was not turbulent , but rather inclinable to quietness and rest . And besides , he was near of Kin to him , for he was Son to the Cardinal's Aunt : And further , he was one of those Three Persons , who was assum'd into a Partnership in the Government . Moreover , the Opportunity to invade the Supream Power seem'd to require haste , that he might prevent the return of the Prisoners , and of those that were banished , out of England , That so they might have no Hand in conferring of this Honour upon him , for he was afraid of their Power and Popularity ; neither did he doubt , but that their Minds were alienated from him upon the score of a different Religion : That was the Cause , that presently after the King's Death he published the Edict , concerning the chusing of four Governours for the Kingdom . He also bribed some of the Nobles by Promises and Gifts to ingage them to his Faction , and especially the Queen , who was somewhat disaffected to the adverse Party . But Hamilton , the Head of the contrary Faction , was a Man not ambitious , Hamilton opposes the Cardinal . but rather willing to live in quiet , ( as was offer'd him ) if his Kindred would have suffer'd him , but they studying their own Humour and Interest , rather than his Honour , Night and Day puffed up the Mind of the young Gentleman , with strange Hopes , and advised him by no means to let slip so fair an Opportunity put into his Hands , for they had rather have Things all in a Combustion , than to live in a fix'd and private condition of Life . And besides , the Hatred of the Cardinal got them some Friends , and the Indignity of their Bondage under a Mercenary Priest . They had also some appearance of hope , which , tho uncertain in it self , yet was not inefficacious to stir up Mens Endeavours , That seeing Hamilton was the next Heir , many of them entertained such Thoughts as these , That a Female , so few days old , and which was the only Person betwixt him and the Crown , might meet with many Mischances , either casually , or by the fraud of her Supervisors , before she came to be Marriageable . Thus they laid the Foundation of the Greatness of the Hamilton's for a long time after , yet so that it seemed most adviseable to them , not to neglect the Advantage which the present State of Things did offer , and thus to cherish an hope of the future Advancement of the Hamilton's , and if that hope did deceive them , yet it would not be difficult for them to regain the Favour , or at least the Pardon , of a new Princess , who in the beginning of her Reign would study to win the Respects of all Men.

Whilst Things were at this pass in Scotland , the King of England , out of his extraordinary Joy for so unexpected a Victory , sent for the chief of the Scotish Prisoners up to London , where after they had been imprison'd in the Tower , two Days ; on St. Thomas day , which was the 20 th of December , they were brought all through the City , where it was the longest , as if they were to be shown as a publick Spectacle to the People , and coming to Whitehal , the King's Court , they were sharply reprov'd by the Chancellor , as Violators of the League ; and after he had made a large Discourse concerning the Goodness and Clemency of his King , who had remitted much of that Rigour of Justice , he might have used towards them , they were distributed into several Families , as to a larger Prison . There were seven of the Nobility , and twenty four of the Gentry , besides . But when the News came three days after , That the King of Scots was dead , and had left one only Daughter , his Heiress . Henry thought it a fit opportunity to conciliate and unite the Minds both of Scots and English in a Band of Concord , by espousing his Son to their Queen . Upon this , he recalled the Prisoners to Court , and imployed some fit Persons to feel their Pulses in the Case , where being kindly entertained , and promising to afford their Assistance towards the Match , as far as they might , without detriment to the Publick , or their own Dishonour ; on the First of Ianuary , at the beginning of the Year 1543 , they were all released and sent back towards Scotland : When they came to Newcastle , and had given Hostages to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk , as to other matters , Scotish Prisoners and Exile . released , and dismissed at London , and the Reason , why ▪ they were free , and so returned home . There returned also with them the Douglas's , two Brothers , being restored to their Country , now fifteen Years after their Banishment . They were all received with the Gratulation of the major part of the People . The Cardinal , who saw that this Storm gathered against him , as making no doubt , but the Prisoners and the Exiles would be both his Contrariants in the Parliament , had taken care to be chosen Regent before their coming , but he injoy'd not that Honour long ; for within a few days , his Fraud , in counterfeiting the King's Will and Testament , being discovered , he was thrown out of his Place , and * * The Cardinal's Cheat discovered , and thereupon Iames Hamilton , Earl of Arran , chosen Regent . Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran made Regent : That which occasioned his setting up , was , because some were willing to curry favour with him , as the next Heir of the Crown ; Others foresaw , so long before , the Cruelty of the Cardinal in matters of Religion , and therefore provided against it , by lessening his Power . Their Fear was increas'd upon this ground , that there was found amongst the King's Papers , after his Death , a List , wherein the Names of above 300 of the Nobility were contained as Criminals , and amongst them , He , now chosen Regent , was first to have been questioned . Whereupon , his Election was very grateful to the most , because it seem'd the most probable Medium to ease the Grievances of many , and to curb the Pride of the Priests . Besides , he himself did willingly read the Books , that contained Controversies about Religion ; and the Quietness and Retirement of his former Life , far remote from Court-Ambition , made many hope , that he would be sober and moderate in his Government . Besides , being out of the Magistracy , he had not yet discovered any Unactiveness or Sluggishness of Mind .

In a Parliament which was held in May , † † Sir Ralph Sadler sent Ambassador to Scotland , to treat about a Match for the young Queen with King Henry's Son ; Sir Ralph Sadler came Embassador from England , in order to a Marriage , and setling a Peace ; Some of the Nobility he put in Mind of their Promise ; Others , as Report goes , he tempted with Mony . The Queen , Cardinal , and the whole Faction of Priests , were not only ag●inst this Peace , but , by disturbing some Members and Counsellors , and corrupting others , they would not suffer it so much as to be put to the Vote ; so that , by the general consent of almost the whole Parliament , the Cardinal was confin'd to his Chamber till the Question was put ; when he was removed out of the way , the Agreement was easily made as to the Queen's Marriage , and other Articles and Hostages were promised to Henry , to ratify the Agreement : The Cardinal , at the Instance of the Queen-Mother , was kept in a loose kind of Custody by Seton , who was persuaded , for a certain Sum of Mony , a while after , to let him go . When Peace seemed thus to be setled , to the great Advantage of both Kingdoms , after so great a fear of an imminent War , every Body thought it would be a lasting One ; and therefore the Merchants , who , for some Years before , had been hindred from trading , went thick and threefold to Sea , and laded very many Ships with the best Commodities they could procure , for the time allotted them so to do . Edinburgh sent out twelve Ships ; other Cities of that Circuit ( which is the richest part of Scotland ) rigg'd out Ships , each according to their respective Abilities . This Fleet , in Confidence of the Peace with England , some of them drew nearer the Shores , than they needed to have done , and when the Wind was calm , there they lay at Anchor : Others entred into the Ports , open to the Injuries of the English , if any Tumult of War should arise .

About the same time , Iohn Hamilton , Abbat of Pasley , and David Painter , returned out of France . These Men now cast off the Vizard , wherewith before they had disguised themselves for many Years , and returned to their true Manners ; for as if they had been educated not in the School of Piety , but of Profaneness , they were the Ring-leaders at Court , to all manner of Flagitiousness . The Cardinal being restor'd to his Liberty unexpectedly , But is affronted by the Cardinal and his Faction , upon colourable pretences . being also of a proud Disposition , which was aggravated by the affront he had receiv'd , and by the Ignominy accruing on the Detection of his Fraud , sought out all occasions whatsoever , to disturb this Concord . First of all , he communicated the matter to the Queen Dowager ; and they Both took it in great Indignation , That the Douglasses , ( who , for the many Benefits they had received from the English , must needs be their fast Friends , ) should immediately , after so many Years Banishment , be admitted into the Parliament-House , to debate the weightiest Affairs of the Kingdom . Besides , they all jointly feared a Change of the Establish'd Religion , the Consequent whereof must needs be a Breach of the League with France . Hereupon the Cardinal , by the consent of the Queen , summon'd a Convocation of Priests , and extorted from them a great Sum of Mony , as fearing the universal Ruin of the whole Papal Church . Part of this Mony was paid to some of the Nobles of the adverse Party , and many large Promises were made them besides , to persuade them not to give any Hostages to the English ; and as for those , who were newly return'd from their Imprisonment , and had left their Children or Kindred , as Hostages for their Return , he desired them , not to prefer those ( otherwise dear ) Pledges before the Laws , the publick Safety , and their ancient Religion , whose Preservation was turn'd upon this Hinge alone ; and that they would not run willingly into a perpetual Bondage . Besides , he caused the Ecclesiasticks to carry it proudly and disrespectfully towards the English Embassador , insomuch that the very Rabble did reproach and abuse his Retinue , and what he said , or did , was all taken in the worst Sense . But the Embassador resolv'd to bear all Affronts , and to tide it out , till the day , for delivering the Hostages , did approach , that so he might give no occasion of a Rupture on his part . And when that Day was come , he went to the Regent , and complained of the Affronts , which had been offered , not so much to himself , as to his King , whom he represented , and how that the Law of Nations was violated thereby ▪ and moreover , he desired him to give Hostages according to the Tenor of the League newly made , that so the Amity might be kept sacred and inviolate , to the mutual Advantage of both Nations . The Regent , as to the Affronts offered , excused himself , and said , he was sorry for them , and that he would speedily search into the matter , that so the Punishment of such petulant Offenders should be a suffient Testimony of the Love and Veneration he had for the English Nation . But as to Hostages , he answered , that he could not obtain them with the good Will of the States , neither was he able to compel them without publick consent . For the Government which he bore , was such , that he received as much Law as he gave , and therefore all his Measures were disturb'd by the great Sedition , which , he saw , the Cardinal had raised ; that he was , as it were , carried down in the Stream of popular Fury , and could scarce maintain his own Station and Dignity . The new Hostages being thus deny'd , there was another thing as weighty as That , which fell under Debate , and that was , concerning the Nobles lately taken Prisoners of War , who , upon their Releasement , had given Hostages , and made solemn Asseverations , That , if there were not a Peace concluded , as Henry desired , upon just and fair Terms , they would surrender themselves Prisoners again . As for Them , the Cardinal's Faction , and the rest of the Ecclesiastical Order , dealt with them , partly by Reasons , and partly by Examples , not to prefer their Estates , Kindred , Children , or any other thing , which might be dear to them , before the Love of their Country . And moreover he threatned them with Auxiliaries from France , and that all Europe did conspire for the Defence of their ancient Rites and Religion ; and if they acted contrary , they would betray thei● Country , and thereby the Ruin of their ancient Families would be imminent and at hand . They also desired them in so dangerous a time , not to forsake their Country , for if That were safe , they might hope for more Kindred and Children , but if That were overthrown , then all was gone . Moreover , they discoursed much concerning the inexpiable Hatred betwixt the Nations , and of the Cruelty of the King , into whose Hands they were to come , thus blending Truths and Falshoods together . Moreover , The Decree of the Council of Constance forbids Faith to be kept with Hereticks , as the Reformed are by them called . they alleged the Decree of the Council of Constance , That all Pacts , Contracts , Promises and Oaths , made with Hereticks , ought to be rescinded and made void . The greatest part of those , who were concerned in this matter , were willing to hearken to any colourable pretence for their Fault , only there was One of them , who , for no pecuniary Consideration whatever , could be persuaded , no nor by any Threats deterred from keeping his Word , and that was † † Kennedy Earl of Cassills , his just Resolution to return ( like another Regulus ) into England , to redeem his Hostages , highly praised and rewarded by Henry of England . Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils , he had left two of his Brothers , Hostages in England , and he openly profess'd , that neither for Fear nor Favour , he would redeem his own Life with the Loss of his Brothers , but whatever came of it , he would surrender himself back a Prisoner ; and so against the Will of many , he undertook his Journy straight to London . Henry very much commended the resolute Faithfulness of the Young-Man ; and to the intent , that all might know he had an Esteem for Vertue , he richly rewarded him , and sent him back with his two Brothers into Scotland .

But Henry's Mind was not more pacified towards Gilbert , than his Anger was implacable against the rest of the Scots ; and thereupon he laid an Embargo upon the Scots Ships in all English Ports and Harbours , of which there were a great Number , as I said before , and so presently denounced War . His Threatnings were great , as against the Violators , not only of Leagues , but even of the Law of Nations . And yet , though Scotland stood in so dangerous a State , the Memory of Alliances , the common Love to their Country , and the respect of the publick Safety , were so far laid aside , that the Brands of Sedition were kindled more fiercely than ever . For the Faction of the Cardinal , and of the Queen Dowager , who were all for the French , sent over Ambassadors thither , to tell them , That unless they sent in Assistance , the Matter was upon the very Point , That England and Scotland would make a Coalition into one Government ; and how such a Conjunction would concern France , the Experience of former Ages had shewn . But they made it their chief Request to the French , that they would send back ‖ ‖ Matthew Stuart , Earl of Lennox , sent for out of France into Scotland , to ballance the Hamiltons . Matthew Stuart , Earl of Lennox , into his own Country , who did not only emulate the Family of the Hamiltons , but was also their deadly Enemie , being they had slain his Father at Linlithgoe . This young Man was greatly beloved , not only for his extraordinary Beauty and stately Garb in the very Flower of his Youth , but chiefly upon the account of the memory of his Father , who was so popular a Man , and also because he was a single Man , and the Extinction of such a noble Family , now reduced to a few , was in great Hazard ; besides he had many Clanships at home , and had also Affinity with many other great Families . Furthermore , the former King had design'd him to be his next Heir and Successor , if he himself died without Issue Male ; and he would have confirmed that his Intention by a Decree of the States , ( who have the Sovereign Power to order such publick Affairs ) if his Life had been prolonged . Yea , there were some Flatterers , which did elevate his generous Mind , already rais'd up with the expectation of great things , but not so well fortified against fraudulent Adulation , to larger Hopes ; for , besides the Supreme Rule for about twenty Years , and the Domination over his old Enemies , they promised him , that he should marry the Queen Dowager ; and if the young Queen , who had the Name only of Supreme Governess , should miscarry , then , without doubt , he would be the next King ; and not only so , but also the lawful Heir of Iames Hamilton , lately deceased , seeing the Regent was a Bastard , and was so far from any just expectation of the Kingdom , that he could not lawfully claim the Inheritance of his own Family : Besides , they urged the Promises of the French King , who gave hopes of great Assistance , in due time . When the plain-hearted and credulous young Man was thus persuaded , he provided for his Voyage into Scotland . Hamilton was not ignorant of any of these things ; and to the intent that he might gain an Accession of Strength to his own Party , by the Advice of those Friends whom he most trusted , he resolved to take away the young Queen from Linlithgo , where she yet was under the Power of her Mother ; for if he once got Her , then not only the Shadow of the Royal Name , which is an attractive thing amongst the Vulgar , would be of his Side , but also he should have the Power to bestow her in Marriage , and so make himself Arbiter of the Kingdom , to transfer it whithersoever he pleased , which if he could obtain , then the King of England might be persuaded , if need were , to join with him .

This Design was much approved ; but , as is usual in Civil Discords , there are Spies on both sides , who being informed thereof , acquainted the Cardinal therewith : He , gathering together some of the Nobility , whom he had corrupted with Mony , came to Linlithgo , and , to the great Burden of the Inhabitants , staid there some days , as a Guard to the Queen . In the mean time , Lennox arrived out of France , and was kindly received by the Regent , each of them dissembling their Hate ; then he went to Linlithgo ; there he addressed the Cardinal , and then went to his own House , where , in a Meeting of Friends , he discours'd at large , Why he came over , at Whose Command , by Whom sent for , and upon What hopes ; That he was promised , not only the chief Magistracy , but also that the Heads of the Faction , with the Queen Dowager's Consent , had assured him , that he should marry Her : And that , in order to the effecting thereof , the King of France had encouraged him to expect Aid and Assistance from thence : they all assented to his Speech , and advised him not to be wanting to the Occasion , which so freely had offer'd it self ; and thus with above four thousand Men , he came to the Queen . Hamilton , who had levied and mustered his Men , and with his Kinsmen about him , was resolved to issue out of Edinburgh , and break thorow to the Queen , now perceiving that his Forces were too weak , by the Advice of his Friends , and out of his own Disposition also , which was inclinable to Peace , began to treat of an Accommodation : whereupon some prudent Persons were chosen on both sides , who met at the Town of * *

Kirk-Liston , lying on the North-side of the River Annand , that divides Middle and West-Lothian .

An Agreement made between Hamilton and Lennox .

Liston , almost in the middle way between Edinburgh and Linlithgo : And an Agreement was made betwixt them on these Terms ; That the Queen should be removed to Sterlin , and that Four of the prime Nobility , who had engaged themselves in neither Faction , should be chosen out to inspect her Education : And those were William Graham , Iohn Erskin , Iohn Lindsy , and William Levingston , eminent Persons , and all Heads of illustrious Families . They , by the Consent of both Parties , took the Queen , and entred upon the Road leading to Sterlin , whilst Lennox stood in Arms with his Men , till they had travell'd far enough to be out of any Danger from the contrary Faction ; and not long after , having performed the accustomed Ceremonies , she took on her the Ensigns of Majesty , and began her Reign at Sterlin , August 21.

The Regent , perceiving , that the Favour of the Vulgar , by reason of his Inconstancie , was alienated from him ; and that his Forces were inferiour to those of the contrary Faction , began to entertain private Conferences with them under-hand ; and indeed the Cardinal , who was kin to him by the Mothers side , intended only to frighten him , that so he might bring him over to his party , rather than to subdue him by force of Arms : So that having weakned him before , by taking off part of the Nobility from him , by his Largesses ; and thereby rendred him cheaper , and of less Repute amongst the English ; he now , by the Intervention of his familiar Friends , who had more regard to Mony than Love to Truth , compell'd him to an unjust Combination , and persuading him to come to Sterlin , The Regent recants his Opinions , as to the Reform'd Religion . there caused him to recant , and change his Opinion , concerning all the controverted Points of Religion , not openly , that the Infamy of the Fact might be lessened amongst the Vulgar , but in a Convent of the Franciscans , in the Presence of the Queen Dowager and the chief Nobles of the Court ; and for fear of a Suit , which the Cardinal threatned to commence against him , for his whole Estate , he was so obsequious , that he put himself wholly under his Influences , insomuch that he only retained the shadowy Name of a Regent . And by this means , the Cardinal obtained without Envy , what he had coveted by his suborned Will , even to enjoy the advantage of the whole Government , and that by the mean-spiritedness of the Regent , and the Avarice of his Kindred . There seemed but one thing wanting to establish his Power , and that was the Removal of Lennox , who was a great Block in the way of his Designs ; At last , the Queen Dowager and Cardinal fixed upon this Project , That , till an Answer came from France , she should hold the young Man's Mind in Suspence , giving him some hopes of marrying her . Lennox was promised to marry the Queen , but afterwards illuded by her and the Cardinal . For they had written honourably of Lennox to the French King , as indeed they could do no other ; for , next to God , they were indebted to him for restoring them to the Liberty they enjoyed ; but withal they desired him , that seeing Matters were now quieted in Scotland , by that King's Liberality and Assistance , that he would be pleased to maintain the Courtesy he had done them , and to confirm the Peace which he had afforded , by calling Lennox back again . For , without that , things would never long continue in Peace , but one or other of the Factions must be destroyed . Thus they undermined Lennox privately ; but in publick he was entertained with various Divertisements by the Queen and Cardinal , insomuch that the Court loosed the Reins to Luxury and Lasciviousness , and was wholly given up to Plays and Feastings . The Day was spent in Tiltings , and such kind of Manlike Exercises ; the Night in Balls and Dancing . Lennox was inclinable , by Nature , to these Recreations , and was , besides , much accustomed to them in the French Court . But now Iames Hepburn , Earl of Bothwel , started up as his Rival , and somewhat spurr'd up his Mind , almost ready to languish . This Iames was banished by King Iames the Fifth , but presently after his Death , he return'd home , and aspired to the Marriage of the Queen , by the same Arts , as Lennox did ; and indeed the Indowments of Nature and Fortune were very eminent in Both of them , insomuch that they might be said to be rather Like than Equal . Bothwel matched him in other things ; but in these ●udicrous Combats and Feats of Arms , being inferiour to him , he left the Court , and departed to his own House . Lennox , when his Rival was removed , thought now , that all was secure on his part , and thereupon he earnestly press'd , that the Promises made him by the Queen and Cardinal , might be performed : But perceiving at last , that he was fraudulently dealt with , and that Hamilton , his Enemy , was advanc'd by them to Honour , Authority , and the Supreme Power over all Mens Lives and Fortunes , his youthful Mind , which was not accustomed to ill Arts , but judg'd all others like himself , was so inflamed with Anger , that he brake forth into bitter Expressions , and solemnly swore , that he would suffer Want , Banishment , Death , yea any thing whatsoever , than such an Affront to go unrevenged . Hereupon he retired to Dunbarton , wholly bent on Revenge , but , as yet , uncertain what Course to take to accomplish it ; there he received 30000 French Crowns from the King of France , ( who had not yet certainly heard , how Affairs stood in Scotland ) to enable him to strengthen his Party ; That Mony did somewhat relieve his diseased Mind , because it gave him hope that he was not wholly forsaken by the French King . But , being commanded to distribute the Mony by the Advice of the Queen Dowager and the Cardinal , yet he distributed part of it to his own Friends , and part he sent to the Queen . The Cardinal , who had already devoured all that Prey in his Hope , was grievously troubled not only at his Disappointment and Loss , but also at his ( supposed ) Disgrace therein , and therefore he advised the Regent presently to levy an Army , and to march to Glasgow , not doubting , but that he might there surprise Lennox and the Mony together . Their Design was made known to Lennox , and thereupon he speedily levied 10000 Men , and above , Upon which he retires , and rises up in Arms , and from Glascow marches to Leith ; all of his Friends and Vassals . That which much facilitated the compleating that Number , was , the Indignation of some of the Nobles , who , at the beginning , out of Love to Religion , and Hatred of the Cardinal , had been the Instruments to advance the Regent to that high Honour ; but now they had chang'd their former Good-will into Hatred , because he had delivered up , and , as much as in him lay , betrayed his best-deserving Friends , with himself , into the Servitude of their most cruel Enemy , without so much as giving them any notice thereof .

This Frame of Spirit made a new , and scarce credible , Change in the Scotish Affairs ; so that the Strength of the Parties being intire , only they were headed by other Commanders . Hamilton and his Kin joined themselves to the Queen Dowager and the Cardinal ; but his former Friends sided with Lennox : With those Forces levied on a sudden , Lennox came to Leith , and sent some into Edinburgh , to tell the Cardinal , That he needed not to march to Glasgow to fight him , for he would give him opportunity so to do , any Day when he pleas'd , in the Fields between Leith and Edinburgh ; The Cardinal , who had drawn the Regent to his Party , imagined , that the Power of the adverse Party was so weakned thereby , that he hoped none durst look him in the Face ; now , unexpectedly , seeing himself challenged by a greater Army than he had to defend him , in words did not refuse the Combate , but only deferr'd the Day of Fight upon several Pretences and Interposals ; well knowing , that Lennox could not long keep an Army together , consisting of Volunteers , without Pay or Provision made for any long time ; in the mean time , he endeavoured by Intreaties and Promises , to work over the Minds of those , who were most inclinable , to his Party . Lennox , seeing that the Design was to lengthen out the War , and by no means to hazard a Fight ; and being in no posture to begin a Siege , for want of Conveniencies necessary thereto ; and also perceiving , that some of his Men had secret Conferences , by Night , with the Enemy : To deliver himself out of these Straits , ( his Friends , who had made secret Provision for themselves , urging him also thereunto ) was forced to capitulate with the Regent . But was forc'd to capitulate with the Regent , at present . And thereupon he went to Edinburgh to him , and they transacted Matters some Days together , as if they had forgot their old Hatred and Animosity .

At length , when he came to Linlithgo , Lennox was advised by his Friends , that some hidden Mischief was brewing against him ; so that , in the Night-time , he went privily to Glasgow , and having fortified the Bishop's Castle with a Garison , and Sufficiency of Provisions , he went to Dunbarton ; there he received more certain Information , That the Douglasses and the Hamiltons were agreed . And because some Suspicions and Relicks of old Grudges were left betwixt the Factions ; George Douglas and Alexander Cuningham were given as Hostages , the one for the Father , the other for the Brother , though this was done for a pretence and disguise of a firmer Concord , and a Promise made , that they should speedily be released , yet notwithstanding they were detain'd till the coming in of the English Army . For the Hamiltons never thought themselves secure , until those Nobles , who had any Interest or Courage , were removed ; that so , by the Terror of their Punishment , others might be restrained from Risings . Besides , about the same time , Lennox was informed , that the King of France was alienated from him , by the malicious Practices of his Enemies .

In the mean time , Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus , and Robert Maxwel , Chief of a noble Family , came to Glasgow , to accommodate Matters ( if it were possible ) between the Regent and Lennox ; But the Regent's Council persuaded him , to apprehend the very Mediators for Peace ; and thus , by a back-way , to avoid the Tumult of the People , they were carried out , and sent Prisoners to Hamilton Castle .

In this posture of Affairs in Scotland , when not only the English , but the Chief of the Scots also , were angry with the Regent ; Henry of England thought it a fit opportunity for him , Henry of England makes War upon Scotland , to punish the Violators , not only of the League , but of the Law of Nations too ; yet , before he would attack the Scots by force , he sent Letters , full of just Complaints and Threats , to Edinburgh , blaming them for refusing his Alliance , which he had so freely and generously offer'd , so arrogantly as they did ; yea , that they had not only rejected that Alliance , but , though he had been kind to them , they scattered the Seeds of War , and had enforc'd him to arm against his Will. These Letters did no good , whereupon he caused those Naval Forces , which he had ready , with the first opportunity , to waft over against the Boulognois , to set Sail for Scotland , and to infest Edinburgh and Leith , ( both which Towns had most affronted his Ambassadors ) and the Country round about them , with the Miseries of War . The Ships , arriving there , landed ten thousand Foot , May the 4 th , a little above Leith , who , without any Resistance , enter the Town ; for most of the Towns-men were absent , upon the account of Merchandizing . The King and Cardinal , being then at Edinburgh , and unprovided of all things , knew not what to do , but were so surprized , that they presently set at Liberty those four eminent Persons , which they had in durance , ( as aforesaid ) not for any regard to the publick Safety , but partly fearing , lest otherwise their Kinsmen and Tenants should refuse to fight , if not join themselves to the Enemy ; and partly also , that they might redeem the Good-will of the People , who , they knew , were alienated from them , upon many accounts ; but they , not daring to commit themselves to the Hatred of the Citizens , and of their Enemies too , fled to Linlithgo . The English staid three days at Leith to land their Ordnance and Baggage , and so prepar'd themselves for the Encounter . Having setled other matters , they march to Edinburgh , pillag'd and burnt the City , and then disperst themselves to spoil the neighbouring Parts , they ruin'd many Villages , Burns Edinburgh , &c. and retreats . with some Castles and Seats of Noblemen . From Edinburgh they return'd to Leith , and having a fair Wind , set fire to the Houses , and hoist Sail , and away .

About that Time , Lennox was certainly inform'd , That Francis , King of France , was wholly alienated from him . For the contrary Faction , by their frequent Letters and Messages , had persuaded him , That 't was Lennox alone , who , by reason of his old Enmity against his Fathers Enemies , did hinder the publick Concord of all Scotland ; and that he was the Head of the Faction against the Regent , and a Favourer of the English , and one who did rather indulge his own private Animosities , Lennox labours to justify himself to the French King , against the Calumnies of the Queen and Cardinal . than promote the common Cause ; and that if the King would recal him into France , Peace would easily be made up amongst the rest . When Lennox had received Intelligence , by his Friends , what his Enemies had inform'd against him , he also writ to Francis , informing him , in what case he found the Affairs of Scotland ; and how he , and his Friends , had , with a great deal of pains , vindicated both Queens to their Liberty , and had put them into a posture and capacity to rule , having broken the Power of the adverse Party ; and , out of a turbulent Tempest , had brought things to a great Tranquillity , and that nothing would be more acceptable to him , than to return into France , where he had lived well nigh longer than in Scotland , and so to enjoy the sweet Society of his beloved Friends : But that he returned into his own Country , not of his own accord , but sent by the King , and that he had done nothing there , whereof his Majesty or himself need to be ashamed ; and , if he would not abridge him of his former Favour , he would shortly answer , yea , perhaps , exceed , the hope he had conceived of him ; but , if he should call him away , in the midst of the carreer of his Designs , then he must not only leave the Things , he had so excellently began , unfinish'd , but also expose his Friends , Kindred , and Vassals , whom he had engaged in the publick Cause , and who had been almost worn out with toil and labour , to Servitude and Torment , under an impious and cruel Tyrant ; who , as much as in him was , had sold both Queen and Kingdom to the Enemy ; and , who observed the Pacts and Promises , he made to Men , no more religiously than he did the Duties of Piety towards God ; for , within a few Years , he had changed his Religion Three times : neither was it to be wonder'd at in him , who looked upon Oaths and Promises , not as Bonds obliging to Faithfulness , but as lurking holes to hide Perfidiousness . And therefore , he moved earnestly , That the King , and those of his Council , would consider , whether , in so great an Affair , They would believe him , all whose Ancestors had devoted themselves , their Lives , Honours and Fortunes , for the increase of his Greatness ; and who , indeed , had been honoured and rewarded by him with many Benefits , which yet were rather Testimonies of their good Acceptance , than just Rewards and Compensations of their Labours ; or else a Man , who would change his Friends and Foes , at the blast of every Wind , and who depended on the Arbitrement of Fortune alone .

Though many were not ignorant , that his Allegations were true , yet the French King was so influenc'd by the Guise's , the Queen Dowager's Father and Unkle ; and , who , in all things , endeavoured to promote her Concerns , that his Heart and Ear were both shut against Lennox's Request , insomuch , that he would not permit Iohn Cambel , a Man of approved Virtue , sent by Lennox , to have Audience , or , so much as to come into his Presence , but kept him in the nature of a Prisoner , and had Spies set upon him to watch him , that so he might not write back any thing of the Designs agitated in the French Court ; yet notwithstanding this their Caution , there were some who told him all . When Lennox heard this , by the Dispatches which were sent him , his troubled Mind was variously hurried betwixt Anger and Shame ; he was ashamed to leave his Enterprize which he had begun , unfinished ; and the rather , because , he thought , that he was not able to satisfy the Love of his Friends and Kindred , whom he had drawn , with him , into the same Danger , but by the Sacrifice of his Life . As for the rest , his Anger was highly inflamed , especially against the Queen-Dowager and the Cardinal , by whose perfidious Contumely , he was cast into these Straits ; but , he was chiefly offended with the King of France , complaining , that he had brought him upon the Stage , and now in the midst of his Acting , had forsaken him , and joined himself with his Enemies . Whilst his Thoughts thus fluctuated , not knowing where to fix , News was brought him , That all the Inhabitants on this side Mount * * Or , Grampius . Grantzbain , who were able to bear Arms , were commanded , by Proclamation , by such a Day , to appear at Sterlin , and to bring ten Days Provision along with them , that they might be ready to march , whithersoever the Regent should command them , whither , accordingly they came at the Day appointed , and the Regent marched them to Glasgow . There he besieged the Castle ten Days , Glasgow Castle taken from Lennox , by the Regent . and battered it with his Brass-Guns , but in vain ; yet at last a Truce was granted for a Day , and the Guards tampered with , so that the Castle was surrendered , upon Quarter , and Indemnity to the Garison-Souldiers ; yet , notwithstanding , all of them but One or Two , were put to Death .

In the mean time , Lennox , being forsaken by the French King , and also cut off from any hope of other Aid , made trial , by his Friends , how the King of England stood affected towards him ; and finding it fair Weather there , he resolv'd for England : but , before he went , he had a great Mind to perform some notable Exploit against the Hamiltons ; and , communicating his Design to William Cuningham , Earl of Glencarn , They two , at a Day appointed , with their Tenants and Adherents , resolved to meet at Glasgow , and from thence to make an inroad into the County of Clydsdale , which , almost all , belonged to the Hamiltons . When the Regent heard of this , he resolved to be before-hand with them , and so to seize upon Glasgow , and thereby prevent the place of meeting ; but Cuningham , with a great Party of his Men , were entered the Town before , and there expected the coming of Lennox ; but , hearing of Hamilton's coming , and of his Design , he drew out his Men into the Fields adjoining , and according to the number of those he had , set them in array , there were about 800 of them , part of his own Clanship , and part of the Citizens of Glasgow , which favoured his Cause ; and thus , with greater Courage than Force , he joined Battel and fought so valiantly , that he beat the first Rank of the Enemy back upon the second ; and took the Brass-pieces they had brought with them . But whilst the Fight was hot about the Regent's Quarter , Lennox and Cuningham worsted by Hamilton . and the Matter was in great Hazard there , on a sudden , Robert Boyd , a valiant and brave Man , came in with a small Party of Horse , and thrust himself into the midst of the Fight , where the hottest Service was : He occasioned a greater Fear and Trepidation , than so small a number need to have done ; for both Armies believed , that great Assistance was come into the Hamiltons . This Mistake quite changed the fortune of the Day , whilst one thought the assistance was come into his Party , the other to his Enemies . There were slain , in the Battel , about 300 on both sides ; the greatest part was of the Cunningham's , and amongst them two Sons of the Earl's , gallant Men , both : Neither was the Victory unbloody to the Hamiltons , for they lost considerable Persons on their side too . But the greatest Mischief fell upon the Inhabitants of Glasgow , for the Enemy , not contented with the Blood of the Towns-men which they had killed , nor with the Miseries of those , who survived ; nor yet with the Plunder of their Houses , they also took away the Valves and Shutters of their Gates and Windows , and their Iron-Bars ; neither did they forbear any kind of Calamity , but only the firing of their Houses , which were so torn and deformed before . The Event of this Battel wrought a great change in Mens Minds , so that Lennox's Friends and Kinsmen refused to commit the Matter to the Hazard of a second Encounter ; not so much , because their Enemies Force was increased , and theirs lessened ; nor that , because , having lost so many valiant Men , they could not speedily gather together a new supply from places so remote ; as , that they were unwilling to give any new Provocation to Hamilton , or , by too much Obstinacy , to offend him , under whose Government , they knew , they must shortly come .

Lennox , being thus deserted by the French , Lennox flyes into England , where he marries Margaret Douglas . and the greatest part of the Scots too , made George Sterlin Governour of the Castle of Dunbarton ; and he himself , with a few in his Company , sailed for England , against the advice of his best Friends , who were willing , he should have stayed some Months , in that impregnable Castle , and so waited for a change of Affairs , which , they did not doubt , but shortly would come to pass . But he was resolved for England , where he was honourably received by the King , who , besides his other Respects , gave him Margaret Douglas in Marriage ; she was Sister to Iames , last King of Scotland , begot by the Earl of Angus , upon the Sister of Henry King of England , a Lady in the Flower of her Age , of great Comeliness and Beauty . In the mean time , the Queen-Dowager received into her Protection That Scotish Faction , which , by the Departure of Lennox , was left without an Head , and which did obstinately refuse to come under the Power of Hamilton , ( whose Levity they knew before , and now feared his Cruelty ) for she was afraid , that they might be inrag'd in such an hurry of Things , and so desperately ingage in some new Commotion .

The Hamiltons were glad at the departure of so potent an Enemy , but yet not satisfied with the Punishments already inflicted , they used their Prosperity very intemperately : For , in the next Convention held at Linlithgo , they condemned him , and his Friends ; confiscated their Goods , and banished them the Land . A great Sum of Money was raised out of the Fines of those , who redeemed their Estates out of the Exchequer , but not without great Disgust , and the high Offence of all good Men. In the midst of these Domestick Seditions , The English enter Scotland with an Army , and garison Coldingham . The English entred Scotland , and committed great Spoil and Desolation on Iedburgh , Kelso , and the Country thereabout ; from thence they went to Coldingham , where they fortified the Church and the Tower , as well as they could for the time , by making Works and leaving a Garison , and so departed : And the Garison-Souldiers made great havock in all the adjacent parts ; partly , out of a greediness for Plunder ; and partly , that the Country thereabouts might not afford Provisions to the Enemy , when they besieged them . Hereupon , they , who ruled the Roast in Scotland , the Queen-Dowager , Cardinal , and Regent , by the advice of the Council , sent forth a Proclamation , That the Nobles , and the most discreet and ablest of the Commons , The Regent raises an Army , but retreats shamefully . should come in armed , with eight Days Provision , to march whither the Regent led them . In a short time , about 8000 met together , and in a very sharp Winter too , who , having battered the Tower of the Church of Coldingham with their great Guns , stood in their Arms all that Day and Night , to the great wearying of Horse and Man . The Day after , the Regent , either out of Tenderness and Inability to indure Military Toil , or fearing the Invasion of the Enemy , ( for he was informed from Berwick , a Neighbour-Town , that the English were upon their March ) unknown to his Nobles , and with but a few in Company , mounted on Horse back , and with full speed fled back to Dunbar . They , who endeavour to excuse the baseness of this Flight , say , that he was afraid , lest his Army ( out of Hate preconceived on many former Accounts ) would have given him up to the English . His Departure made a great Disturbance in the whole Army , and the rather , because the Cause of his Flight was unknown , and therefore many thought , that 't was the more considerable , and that they had greater Reason to fear . Hereupon some were obstinately resolved to run home , the nearest way they could , and leave their Guns behind them ; Others , who would seem a little more provident and stout , were for overcharging them , that so they might break in pieces at a Discharge , and become useless to the Enemy . But Archibald Earl of Angus withstood them all , telling them , that they should not add so foul an Offence to their base Flight ; but not being able to retain them , either by his Authority or Entreaty , he burst out into these Words , with a loud Voice , so that many might hear him : As for me , said he , I had rather chuse a noble Death , than to enjoy my Life , tho opulent and secure , after the admission of so foul a Fact : You , my Friends and Fellow-Soldiers , consider what you will do ; as for me , I will bring back these Guns , or else I will never return back hence alive , my Honour and my Life shall go together . This Speech affected some Few , whose Honour was dearer to them than their Lives , but the rest was so disheartened by the shameful Flight of the Regent , that they broke their Ranks , and went every one scatteringly home . Douglas sent the Guns before , and he , with his Party , followed in good Order in the Rear , and tho he was prest upon by the English Horse , ( whom the Tumult had excited ) yet he brought the Ordnance safe to Dunbar . This Expedition , rashly undertaken , and as basely performed , discouraged abundance of the Scots , and raised up the English to an intolerable height ; as drawing the Cowardise of the Regent to Their Praise . And therefore Ralph Evers and Brian Laiton , two brave English Cavaleers , overran all Merce , Teviot , and Lauderdale , The vain boast of Evers and Laiton , two English Cavaleers . without any Resistance , and made the Inhabitants of those Countries submit themselves , and if any were refractory , they wasted their Lands , and made their Habitations desolate ; yea , the undisturbed course of their Victories made them so resolute and insolent , that they propounded the Bay of Forth to be the Boundary of their Conquest . And with this hope they went to London , and crav'd a Reward from Henry for their good Service : Their Petition was referred to the Council ; and in debate thereof , Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk , who had made many Expeditions against the Scots , and had done them much Mischief , understanding , that , in that troublesom Posture of Affairs in Scotland , it was no hard Matter to over-run naked and unguarded Countries , and to compel the Commonalty , when they had no other Refuge , to take an Oath of Fealty to them ; and withal knowing the constancy of the Scots , in maintaining their Country , and their Resolution in recovering it , when lost ; upon these Considerations , 't is reported , that he advised the King , to give them all the Land , which they could win by the Sword , and also to allow them a small Force to defend it , till the Scots therein were inured to the English Government . This Gift they willingly receiv'd , and the King as willingly gave , upon which , their vain boasting being as vainly requited , they return'd joyfully to the Borders , having obtain'd 3000 Souldiers in pay , besides the Borderers , who are wont to serve without any Military Stipend . Their return mightily disturb'd all the Borderers , because they had no hopes of any help from the Regent , in regard he was influenc'd in all his Counsels by a Priest , especially by the Cardinal . Hereupon , Archibald Earl of Angus being much affected with the Publick disgrace , The Regent , by the advice of Angus , raises a party to oppose the English , and also concerned upon the Account of his own private Losses , ( for he had large and fruitful Possessions in Merch and Teviotdale ) sent to the Regent to prevent it . The Regent deplor'd his own solitude , and complain'd , how he was deserted by the Nobility . Douglas told him , it was his own , not the Nobilities fault , for they were willing to spend their Lives and Fortunes for the good of the Publick , but he had slighted their Advice , and was wholly govern'd by a few sorry Priests , who were Cowardly abroad and Seditious at home , for they , being exempted from danger themselves , did abusively spend the Fruits of other Mens Labours on their own Pleasures . This ( said he ) is the Fountain , from whence Suspicions arise betwixt you and the Nobles , which , in regard you cannot trust one another , is a great hindrance to the publick Service . But if you will communicate Counsels with them , who will not refuse to spend their Lives in executing what shall be resolved upon , I do not despair , but we may yet perform as noble Exploits as any of our Ancestors did , in Times equally , or , at least , not much less troublesome , than the Days we now live in . But if , by our own Slothfulness , we suffer the Enemy to conquer by piece-meal , he will quickly force us to a Surrender or a Banishment , and which of the Two is more miserable and flagitious can hardly be determined . As for us Two , I know , that I am accused by my Enemies of Treachery , and You of Cowardise . But if you would do that speedily , which you are not able to avoid , 't is not a fine-spun Oration , but the Field and Dint of Sword , shall wipe off both these Criminations . The Regent told him , that he would be wholly guided by him and the Nobles , whereupon a Council was summoned about an Expedition , and by their advice a Proclamation was set forth to all the Neighbouring-Countries ; That all the Nobility therein should , with all the speed they could , repair to the Regent wheresoever he should be ; and they the Day after , with their present Force , which were not above 300 Horse , march'd for England . There came into them some of the Lothianers and Merch-men , but not very many , so that when they came to Mulross , upon Tweed , they resolv'd to stay there , till more Force came up to them ; but the English , who were already come as far as Iedburgh , being inform'd by their Spies of the Paucity of the Enemy , march'd with about 5000 Men out of Iedburgh , directly towards Mulross , not doubting , but that they should surprize the Regent , and his Party unawares , being but few , and they also tyred with their March .

But the Scots , being informed by their Scouts of the coming of the English , withdrew themselves unto the next Hills , from thence , in Safety , to behold what Course the Enemy would take . The English , being thus disappointed of their hope , wander'd up and down in the Town and Monastery of Monks , which were pillag'd a little before , being intent upon what prey they could find , and there they staid , until break of day . Assoon as 't was light , they were returning to Iedburgh , and the Scots , having receiv'd a supply of almost 300 of the Blades of Fife , under the Command of Norman Lesly , Son to the Earl of Rothes , ( a young Man , for all Accomplishments hardly to be match'd again in Scotland ) grew thereby more incouraged , and so with a slow March , they retired to the Hills , which are about the Town of Ancram : There Walter Scot , In Teviotdale : ( of whom mention is made before , ) an active and prudent Person came in to them with but a few in his Company , excusing the Straitness of time , and telling them , that his whole Party would be speedily with them : His advice was , that they should send their Horse unto the next Hill , and so all of them run equal Hazard on foot , and wait for the Enemy on the low ground , for he did not doubt , but that their Servants , carrying up their Horse to the higher ground , would make the English believe , that they were running away , and that would occasion them to hasten their March . And accordingly , lest the Scots should get off without fighting , and be again to be sought out with a great deal of Pains ; before the Night came , the English march'd up to them in three Battalions ; for they * * The English , being overconfident , are worsted , principally by th● Valour of Norman Lesley , and Walter Scot. hoped to end the Business with one light Skirmish , and because their hopes were such , each one exhorted his Fellow to make haste , though they had continued their March Night and Day before , under their heavy Arms , that so by a short Toil they might get long Rest , Renown and Glory ; These Exhortations added to their Courage , as much as the Toil of the March abated their Strength , so that their two first Battalions fell in amongst the Scots , who were prepared for the Onset , as into an Ambush , yet trusting to their number , they stood to their Arms and fought stoutly . But two things ( wisely foreseen ) were a great help to the Scots , for both the Sun was almost at West , and darted with his full Beams in the Faces of the Enemy ; and also the Wind , which was somewhat high , carried back the Smoke of the Gunpowder upon the Battalions behind , insomuch that they could not see their way ; and besides , whilst they were panting , by reason of their March , it mightily troubled them with its noisom Smell : The first Battalion of the English fell back upon the second , the second on the third , where , by their Intermixtures one with another , and the pressing of the Scots upon them , they all brake their Ranks and were driven back , so that all were so full of Fear and Terror ; that none knew his own Colours , or his Captain ; thus whilst every one provided for his own Safety , no Man remembred the publick Danger and Disgrace . The Scots followed thick after them , so that now there was no more fighting , but slaying . At Night the Scots were called back to their Colours , and taking a View of the slain , they lost only two of their own ; of the English , besides Commanders , there dyed about 200 Souldiers , and amongst them some of Note , there were about a thousand Prisoners taken , and of them above 80 Gentlemen . This Victory , happening beyond all Men's Expectation , was so much the more acceptable ; the Fruit of all redounded to the Regent , but almost all the Honour to the Douglasses .

About this time , by the Fraud , as 't is thought of George Gordon Earl of Huntly , a Contention arose , in which almost all the Family * * The Family of the Frasers almost like to be quite extinguish'd . of the Frasers were extinguish'd . There was betwixt Them , and Mac Rainald an old Grudg , which had been often manifested to the loss of both Parties ; and Huntly was inwardly fill'd with Indignation , that they alone , of all the Neighbouring Families , refused to come under his Clanship . For when the Neighbour Islanders gather'd together what strength they could , against the Earl of Argile , there was hardly any Man in all that Tract of the Country , but bore Arms on one side or other . But the matter being composed without Blows , as they were returning , sever'd from him another way , the Mac-Rainalds having notice of it , got their Clanships together , and set upon them most furiously , and the Frasers being fewer in number were overcome , and all slain to a Man . And thus that numerous Family , which had oft so well deserved of their Country , had been wholly extinguish'd , unless , by God's good Providence , ( as we have reason to believe ) 80 of the chief of the Family , had left their Wives at home great with Child , all of which in due time brought forth Male-Children , and they all lived to Man's Estate .

At the same time , the King of England heard , that his Army was beaten and wasted in Scotland , and that an Embassador was sent by the Regent to the King of France , to acquaint him with the Victory , and to desire Aid of him , against the Demands and Threats of the King of England , and likewise to inform against Lennox , in Defamation of his Departure into England ; as for Aid , he could scarce obtain any , because the † † The French assists the Scots with some small Force . French knew for certain , that Henry was about passing over with great Forces into France , only they sent 500 Horse , and 3000 Foot , not so much to defend the Scots from the Incursions of the English , as to hold them in play , that they might not fall with their whole Strength upon France . Henry , that Summer , did not think it fit , to send greater Forces to the Borders of Scotland , because he was of opinion , that the Garisons there were sufficient to inhibit the Excursions of the Scots ; and besides , he knew well enough , that the Scots , in such a perplexed State of their affairs , could not raise a great Army that Year , to attack any well-fortified places .

The Scotish Embassador in France objected some sorry matters against Lennox , in his Absence , scarce worth the answering , as , that he had concealed the Mony sent to him ; that by reason of his Dissensions with the Cardinal , the cause of the Publick was betray'd ; and as for his Departure into England , That he exaggerated , most invidiously . The King of France , who , by means of false Rumors , had conceiv'd such an Anger against Lennox , that he would by no means admit of any Compurgation or Apology against those Calumnies , and who also had imprisoned Lennox's Brother , unheard , Captain of his Guards , when the Truth began a little to appear , as 't were in excuse for his temerarious Fault , sought for some colour to hide it , and commanded an Examination to be made of the Crimes objected against Lennox . And the Enquiry was committed to Iames Montgomery of Lorge , Commander of the French Auxiliaries , a Man active and good enough , but a bitter Enemy to Lennox ; 't was put into his Hands by the Procurement of the Guises , because they were not able to separate the cause of their Sister from the Perfidiousness of the Cardinal . Montgomery arriv'd with his French Auxiliaries ( lately mention'd ) in Scotland , on Iuly the 3 d , in the Year 1545. where by shewing the Letters , and declaring the good Intentions of the King of France towards them , in the Council , he obtained , that an Army should be levied , but only of the better sort , who were able to bear the charges of the War , and they were to meet together upon a short day . And accordingly at the time appointed ▪ there met 15000 Scots * *

Hadington a Town in East - Lothian , twelve Miles South of Edinburgh .

The Scots march'd into England with an Army ,

at Hadington , and marching to the Borders , they formed their Camp over against Work , a Castle in England . From thence , almost every other day they marched with their Colours into England , and did obtain great Booty ; the Enemy endeavour'd to resist their Incursions , but in vain , they made indeed some light Skirmishes , but unprosperously , so that the Scots wasted all the Country for six Miles round . This they continued during ten Days , never going further into the Enemies Country in the Day-time , than they could return back to their Camp at Night . In the Interim , Montgomery and George Hume dealt earnestly with the Regent , that he would remove his Camp to the other side of the Tweed , that so they might make freer Inrodes upon the parts adjacent , and spred the terrour of their Army to a greater Distance , but their Solicitations were in vain . For the Regent , and those of the Council about him , were against it , because they were destitute of all Necessaries for storming of Castles ; so that they disbanded the Army , and returned home . The other took up their Winter-Quarters , But again retreat . as every one thought fit , but Montgomery went to Sterlin to the Court , where knowing of the Calumnies raised against Lennox by his Enemies , though he himself did highly disgust him too , yet he grievously rebuked the Cardinal , that , without any considerable Provocation on Lennox's part , he had loden so noble and innocent a Person with such calumnious Imputations , and had compell'd him , even against his Will , to join himself with the Enemy .

About the same time , Inroads were made on both sides , on all parts of the Borders with various Events . Robert Maxwel the Son of Robert , a young Man of singular Valor , was taken Prisoner by the English ; there was nothing memorable done besides . At the beginning of the following Winter , Montgomery return'd to France , and the Cardinal carried about the Regent with him through the Neighbouring Provinces , upon pretence to reconcile and heal the Seditions and Distempers of all Parties . First they came to Perth , where four Men were punish'd for eating Flesh on a day prohibited ; and also a Woman and her Infant were both put to Death , Lutherans cruelly punish'd . because she refused to call upon the Virgin Mary for Aid , in her Travel ; then they applied themselves to the Overthrow of all the Reformed , universally ; they went to Dundee , and , as themselves gave out , 't was to punish such as read the new Testament , for , in those days that was counted a most grievous Sin , The ignorant Priests though● the Book of the New Testament was written by Martin Luther . and such was the Blindness of those Times , that some of the Priests , being offended at the Novelty of the Title , did contend , that That Book was lately written by Martin Luther , and therefore they desired only the Old . There 't was told them , that Patrick Grey chief of a noble Family in those parts , was coming with a great Train , and the Earl of Rothes with him : The Tumult being appeased , the Regent commanded both of them to come to him the day after , but the Cardinal , thinking it not safe to admit two such potent and factious Persons with so great a Train , into that Town , which was the only one highly addicted to the Reformed Religion , persuaded the Regent to return to Perth . The Noble-Men , when they were ready for their Journy , heard News , that the Regent was gone for Perth ; whereupon they followed him thither , and when they came in sight of the Town , the Cardinal was so afraid , that , to gratify him , the Regent commanded them to enter the City severally , and apart ; and the next day after , they were both committed to Prison ; yet Rothes was soon released , but Grey was delivered with more difficulty afterwards , because he was more hated and feared by them . Before they went from thence , the Cardinal thought good to abate the Power of * * Or Ruthven . Ruven , Mayor of the City ; so that the Regent took away the Mayoralty from him , and gave it to the Laird ‖ ‖ Kinfans is two Miles East of Perth , on the North of Tay. Kinfans , a Neighbour-Laird , Gray's Kinsman . Ruven was envied by the Cardinal , because he favoured the Reform'd Religion ; and as for Grey , he was not wholly averse from the Reformed neither , nor yet any great Friend of the Cardinals : For by this means , the Cardinal did not doubt , but , if they Two fell out , many of the Neighbouring parts would join themselves to each of them , in regard of the Illustriousness of their Families ; and so the more of them fell on either side , the fewer Enemies he should have left alive : Thus the Mayoralty of Perth , which for many Years had continued as Hereditary in the Family of the Ruvens , was translated to Charters , Laird of Kinfans , with the great Indignation of the Citizens ; who took it much amiss , that their ancient Freedom of voting in their Assemblies , was taken away ; but the new Mayor was sent to compel them to Obedience by force , if they resisted . His Design was , to assault the City in two places , Grey , who had taken the whole matter on himself , attack'd it from the Bridg over the River Tay : The other Party were to carry their Guns up the Stream , and so to storm the open side of the Town ; but because the Tide hindred them , they came not up in time : Grey makes his Attempt from the Bridg ( from which Ruven had purposely withdrawn his Guards into the next Houses , that so it might seem to the Enemy , as if it were undefended , ) and when he saw none in Arms to oppose him , he boldly march'd up into the Body of the Town ; whereupon Ruven issued out of the adjoining Houses on a sudden , and gave him a brisk charge , which routed him and his whole party ; but , in their Flight through narrow Passages , the one hindred another ; for the last , striving to gain the Mouth of the Passage , gave a stop to the first : and in this confusion many were trod under-foot , and sixty fell by the Sword . The Cardinal , when he knew that Ruven had got the Victory , was somewhat sorry for it ; yet , glad withal , that so many of his Enemies were destroyed ; for , seeing he despaired ever to make them his Friends , he counted it a Gain to him , to see them mutually to destroy one another . The Cardinal , having thus past over as much of Angus , as he thought convenient at that time , brought the Regent , after the Winter-Solstice to St. Andrews , to indear his Mind more unto him , if 't were possible ; for , though he had his Son , the Earl of Arran , as a Pledg , yet as often as he bent his Thoughts to the Consideration of the Fierceness of the Scotish Nobility , to the Strength of the opposite Faction , and to the Inconstancy of the Regent , he was afraid , that he might be persuaded by his Enemies , and so wrought over to them with the same Levity , as he had first joined himself with him : There he entertained him , with a small Retinue , with Sports and Pastimes twenty days at Christmas ; he gave him many Gifts at present , and promised him more for the future ; and after much Discourse together , concerning the State of the Kingdom , he came a little more secure to Edinburgh .

There a Convocation of Ecclesiasticks was held Ianuary the 12 th . The History of George Wiseheart's Persecution by Cardinal ●eton , and his Ecclesiasticks . In that Assembly many things were canvass'd up and down concerning the retaining of the old Liberty of the Church , and the Punishment of the enormous Crimes of some Priests ; but in the midst of their Debates , before they could conclude of any thing , News was brought to them , that George Wiseheart , a Preacher of the Gospel , one very acceptable to the People , was entertained at the House of a noble Person called Iohn Cockburn about seven Miles from the City . Thither presently they sent a party of Horse , to demand the Offendor : but Cockburn alleged several things in excuse , on purpose to create some Delayes , that so he might have an opportunity to convey him away secretly ; of which the Cardinal being inform'd , made haste thither with the Regent , even in the dead time of the Night , and beset all the Avenues of the House ; and yet their Promises , Flatteries and Threats prevailed not at all , till they sent for the Earl of Bothwel out of the next District , he , being the chief of all the Lothianers , did easily obtain , that George should be deliver'd up to Him ; but first , he past his Word , that no Harm or Damage should come to him . The Priests having now gotten this Prey into their Hands , carried him from Edinburgh to St. Andrews ; and there about a Month after , they assembled a great Company of Ecclesiasticks , of all sorts , to determine concerning his Doctrine ; this was done to blind Men's Eyes with the pretence of a Judicatory , and a legal Proceeding ; for all Men knew , what they would determine concerning him before-hand . By the consent of them all , ‖ ‖ The Cardinal desires a criminal Judg against George Wiseheart . the Cardinal by his Letters desired the Regent to give out his Mandate for a civil Judg to sit upon the Offendor , ( for he himself , by the Pope's Canon Law , could not sit upon the Life or Death of any Man ) that so , he that was already judg'd an Heretick by the Priests , might be also sentenc'd to Death by the Secular Power . The Regent was not likely to have made any Scruple in granting his Request , unless David Hamilton of Preston , his Kinsman , had interposed and kept him back , But David Hamilton of Preston ( a Village in East - Lothian ) persuades the Regent no● to grant one . who did both advise , entreat , threaten , and sometimes chid him , in order to stop the Process against George : The Sum of his Discourse is reported to be this , That he did very much wonder , upon what account the Regent should give such a large Power to any Man , against the Servants of God , and , who had no other Crime objected against them , besides the preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ ; and especially to such , whose flagitious Lives , and brutish Cruelty , cared not what Torments they put an innocent Man to ; whose Integrity of Life , his very Enemies were forc'd to confess , even against their Will , and , for his Learning , he himself knew it to be great ; that further , he himself had been formerly a great Favourer of him , and it : 'T was by his Commendation , that he was advanc'd to the Supream Magistracy ; and also , that he had given forth Edicts to declare his assent to his Doctrine publickly , and had undertook to defend it ; yea , he had exhorted all in general , and each Man in particular , to read , understand , practice and exemplify it in their Hearts and Lives : Consider therefore with your self , said he , what will Men think , what will Men say of you , consider the Mercies God Almighty hath bestowed upon you : The King , an active Man , and your Enemy was taken away , who walk'd in the very same steps you now tread . They , who brought him to ruin by their advice , do now also indeavour to destroy you : they have opposed you from the beginning with the Weight of all their Power ; and now they seek , by Fraudulent Counsel , to ensnare and undo you . Call to mind ( Sir ) the Victory given you over your Subjects without Blood , and over your Enemies too , though having much greater Force than your self , to your great renown , and their deserv'd Ignominy . Remember , for whose sake you thus desert God , and oppose your and his Friends : Awake , I beseech you , and dispel that Mist , which nefarious Persons have cast before your Eyes ; remember Saul King of Israel , how he was raised up from a low to a Sovereign Estate , and how many Blessings he received from God , as long as he was obedient to his Law ; but when he slighted and turned aside from his Commandments , how miserably was he punished ? Compare the Success of your Affairs , from the beginning to this very day , with his Prosperities ; and unless you alter the course of your Designs , expect no happy Issue , ( nay , rather a worse end , than he . ) For he did design the same Projects which you now act , and that to gratify some base Varlets , who can neither hide their open Wickednesses , nor do not so much as indeavour to dissemble them .

The † † The Regent not satisfied to proceed against George ; Regent was affected at the advice of his Friend , and writ back an Answer to the Cardinal , that he should not precipitate the Process , but let the whole matter alone , till he came himself ; for he was not willing to consent to the Condemnation of the Man , till he had more diligently enquired into his Cause ; and if the Cardinal did otherwise , the Man's Blood should light on his Head , for he testify'd by these Letters , that he himself was free therefrom .

The Cardinal was unexpectedly surprized with this Answer ; he knew w●ll enough , that , if Delays were made in the Case , the Prisoner would be deliver'd , as being a popular Man ; and besides , he would not suffer the thing to be brought under a Debate , partly because the Man having been already condemned by the Ecclesiasticks , he would have no Recognition made ; so that he was ragingly angry , and persisted in the Resolution he had taken ; Whereupon the Cardinal proceeds against him , by his own Authority . and his Reply was , That he did not write to the Regent , as if he had not sufficient Authority independently without him , but for a specious pretence to the Vulgar , that his Name might be to the Condemnation . Hereupon George was brought out of Prison , and Iohn Windram , a learned Man , and an hearty , though secret , Favourer of the Cause of Religion , was commanded to mount a kind of Pulpit there erected , and to preach ; he took his Text out of Mat. 13. which says , That the Good Seed is the Word of God , but the Evil Seed is Heresy : In his Discourse , defining Heresy , he said , It was a false Opinion , evidently repugnant to the Holy Scriptures , and maintained with Obstinacy ; and that 't was occasioned , and also supported and fostered , by the Ignorance of the Pastors of the Church , who did not know , how , either to convince Hereticks , or to reduce those who were gone astray , by the Spiritual Sword , which is the Word of God . Afterwards he explained the Duty of a Bishop , out of the Epistle to Timothy , and shewed , that there was only one way to find out Heresy , which was to bring it to the Test of the Word of God . At length , when he made an end , though what he spoke made against the Priests , who were there assembled not to refute Heresies , but to punish those who opposed their licentious Arrogance ; yet , as if all things went well on their side , they hale forth George to a Pulpit or Scaffold , built in the Church ; that so they might observe their accustomed Form in Judgment ; over against him there was another Pulpit , which Iohn Lauder , a Popish Priest , mounted , and the rest stood all about him , as 't were , to judg ; but there was not the least appearance of a Judgment , or of a free Disputation in the Case . For the Accuser thundred out many odious and abominable Slanders , such as are wont to be commonly forg'd against the Preachers of the purest Doctrine , with great Acerbity of Words ; and thus having spent some hours , George was brought back again to the Castle , and lodg'd in the Governour 's Chamber , spending great part of his Time that Night in Prayer : The next Morning , the Bishops sent two Franciscans to him , to acquaint him , that his Death was at hand , and to know , whether they should confess him , as is usual in such Cases ? he told them , he had nothing to do with Friars , nor had any mind to discourse them ; but if they had a mind to gratify him in the thing , then he desired to confer with that learned Man which preach'd yesterday . Whereupon the Bishops gave him leave to go to the Castle , and George had a long Discourse with Windram , who , after he had ceas'd weeping , ( which for a while he could not refrain ) very friendly demanded of him , whether he would receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ? With all my heart , said George , if I may receive it under both kinds of Bread and Wine , according to Christ's Institution : Windram return'd to the Bishops , and told them , that George did solemnly profess , George Wiseheart's pious and Christian Leportment before his Death . that he was innocent of the Crime of which he was accused ; which he spake , not to deprecate his Death now at hand , but only to testify his Innocency before Men , as 't was before sufficiently known to God . The Cardinal was much inraged , Ay , says he , we know well enough what you are . Being further demanded , whether he would admit him to receive the Sacrament ? he talk'd a little with the Bishops , and , with their Consent , made Answer , That 't was not fit that a stubborn Heretick , condemn'd by the Church , should enjoy any Benefits of the Church . That Answer was return'd to him ; and about nine of the Clock , the Friends and Officers of the Governor of the Castle sat down to Breakfast , they asked George , whether he would eat with them ? Very willingly , said he , and much more so than in former times , because , I perceive , that you are good Men , and Fellow-members with me of the same Body of Christ , and because , I know , that this is the last Meal I shall eat on Earth . And for you , ( speaking to the Governor of the Castle ) I desire you in the Name of God , and for that Love which you bear to our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ , that you 'l sit down a while with us , and vouchsafe me the Hearing , whilst I give you a short Exhortation , and so pray over this Bread , which , as Brethren in Christ , we are about to eat , and then I will bid you Farewel . In the Interim , the Cloth was laid ( according to Custom ) and Bread set on , when George made a brief and clear Discourse for about half an hour concerning Christ's last Supper , his Sufferings and Death . But , above all , he exhorted them to lay aside Anger , Envy and Malice , and to have mutual Love impress'd on their Minds , that so they might become perfect Members of Christ , who daily intercedes for us with his Father , that our Sacrifice might be accepted by him to Eternal Life . When he had thus spoken , he gave Thanks , and then brake the Bread , and gave to every one a piece ; and then the Wine , after he himself had drank in the same manner , intreating them to remember the Death of Christ now in the last Sacrament with him ; as for himself , a bitterer Portion was prepared for him for no other reason , but his preaching the Gospel ; and then having again given Thanks , he returned to his Chamber , and concluded with Prayer . A while after , two Executioners were sent to him by the Cardinal , one of them put a black Linen Shirt upon him , and the other bound many little Bags of Gunpowder to all the Parts of his Body : In this Dress they brought him forth , and commanded him to stay in the Chamber , without the Governour 's . And at the same time , they erected a Wooden Scaffold in the Court before the Castle , and made up a Pile of Wood. The Windows and Forts of the Castle over against it , were all hung with Tapestry and silk Hangings , with Cushions for the Cardinal , with his Train , to behold , and take pleasure in the joyful Sight , even the Torture of an innocent Man ; thus endeavouring to curry Favour with the Vulgar , as the Author of so notable a Prank . There was also a great Guard of Souldiers , not so much to secure the Execution , as for a vain Ostentation of his Power ; and besides , Brass Guns were plac'd up and down in all convenient Places of the Castle . Thus , whilst the Trumpets sounded , George was brought forth , mounted the Scaffold , and was fastened with a Cord to the Stake , and , having scarce obtain'd Liberty to pray for the Church of God , the Executioners fired the Wood , which took hold of the Powder tied about him immediately , and blew it up into Flame and Smoke . The Governor of the Castle , who stood so near that he was sing'd with the Flame , exhorted him , in a few words , to be of good chear , and to ask Pardon of God for his Offences : To whom he replied , George Wiseheart's Prophecy , at his death , concerning the Cardinal's Fall . This Flame occasions trouble to my Body indeed , but it hath in no wise broken my Spirit : But He , who now so proudly looks down upon me from yonder lofty Place , ( pointing to the Cardinal ) shall 'ere long be as ignominiously thrown down , as now he proudly lies at his Ease . Having thus spoken , they straitned the Rope , The Martyrdom of George Wiseheart . which was tied about his Neck , and so strangled him ; his Body in a few hours was consum'd to Ashes in the Flame , and the Bishop , being yet mad with Hate and Rage , forbad every body , upon great Penalties , to pray for the Deceased .

After this Fact , the Cardinal was highly commended by his Faction , and extolled to the very Skies , that he alone , when others declined it , had slighted the Authority of the Regent , and performed so noble an Exploit , whereby he had curb'd popular Insolency , and had couragiously undertook , and as happily manag'd the Defence of the whole Ecclesiastical Order . If the Church had formerly had ( said they ) such valiant Assertors of its Liberties , it would never have been brought to that Pass , as it is at this Day , ( i. e. ) to truckle under , but it would have given Law to all , and received it from none . This luxuriant and superlative Joy of the Priests for their obtained Victory , did rather irritate than discourage the Minds , not only of the promiscuous Vulgar , but even of some great and noble Persons also : They fretted , that things were come to that pass by their own Cowheartedness , so that now some bold thing or other was to be attempted and hazarded , or else they were Slaves for ever . Hereupon more Company came in to them , whose Grief enforc'd them to brake out in Complaints against the Cardinal , so that they encouraged one another to rid the Cardinal out of the way , and either to recover their Liberty , or lose their Lives ; For what hope of thriving , said they , could there be under so arrogant a Priest , and so cruel a Tyrant , who made War against God as well as Men , and those , not his Enemies only , as were all such as had Estates , or were any way pious ; but if he bore but a grudg against a Man , The foul Character of Cardinal Beton . he would hale him , as a Hog out of the Sty , to be sacrific'd to his Lusts. And besides , he was a publick Encourager and Maintainer of War , both at Home and Abroad ; and in his private capacity , he mixed the Love of Harlots , with lawful Marriages . Legitimate Wedlock he dissolv'd at pleasure ; at Home he wallowed in Lust among his Minions , and Abroad he ravag'd to destroy the Innocent . The Cardinal himself , though he did not distrust his own Power , yet knowing how People stood affected towards him , and what Reports were spread up and down concerning him , thought it his best way to strengthen his Power by some new Accession or other . Hereupon he went to Angus , and married his eldest Daughter to the Son of the Earl of Crawford ; the Marriage was solemnized in great State , and ( almost ) with a Royal Magnificence . Whilst these things were acting , he received Intelligence by his Spies , That the King of England was making great Naval Preparations to infest the Scotish Coasts , but especially the Inhabitants of Fife , whom he threatned most : Whereupon he returned to St. Andrews , and there appointed a Day for the Nobility , especially those , whose Estates lay near to the Sea , to meet , and to consult in common , what Remedy to apply to the present Malady . And to do it more effectually , he determined to take a View of all the Sea-Coasts , together with the Owners of the Lands , and so in a manner to circuit about all Fife , and to fortify all convenient Places , and to put Garisons into them . Amongst the rest of the Noble Mens Sons , who came in to the Cardinal , Norman Lesly , Son to the Earl of Rothes , was one , of whom I have made mention several times before : He had done great and eminent Service for the Cardinal , but , on a time , there fell out a Dispute between them concerning a private business , which estrang'd them a while , one from another ; but Norman , upon great Promises made to him , quitted his Right in the Matter contested for : After a few Months , coming to demand of the Cardinal the performance of what was promised him , they fell from plain Discourse to chiding , and afterwards to downright railing , uttering such reproachful words one to another , as were seemly for neither of them ; and thus they parted in a great Rage one from another ; the Cardinal fretting , that he was not treated with that Deference which was due to his Dignity ; and Norman , full of Wrath and Rage , as being circumvented by Fraud , so that he returned home , with thoughts full of Revenge , and inveighed openly amongst his Friends , against the intolerable Pride of the Cardinal , insomuch that they all agreed to take away his Life : And , that the matter might pass with the least Suspicion , Norman Lesly , with a few Partisans , surprises the Castle of S. Andrews , and kills Cardinal Beton , accord-to George Wistheart's Prophecy before-mentioned . Norman , with five only in his Company , came to St. Andrews , and took up his usual Inn , that so the design of cutting him off might be concealed , by reason of the paucity of his Attendants . There were Ten more in the Town , privy to the Conspiracy ; who all , in several Places , expected the Watch-word : With this small Company , did he undertake so great an Enterprise , and that in a Town which was full of the Cardinal's Train , Kindred and Attendants . The Days were then very long , as they use to be in those Countries , towards the end of the Spring , viz. about May 7. And the Cardinal was fortifying his Castle for Defence ▪ in so great haste , that the Work-men continued at it almost Night and Day ; so that , when the Porter , early in the Morning , opened the Gates to let in the Workmen , Norman had plac'd two of his Men in Ambush , in an House hard by , who were to seize the Porter ; and when they had made themselves Masters of the Gate , they were to give a Sign , agreed on , to the rest : By this means they all entred the Castle without any Noise , and sent four of their number to watch the Cardinal's Chamber-door , that no Tidings might be carried in to him ; others were appointed to go to the Chambers of the rest of the Houshold , to call them up , ( for they well knew both the Men and the Place ) ; them they rouz'd up , being half asleep ; and calling them all by their Names , they threatned immediately to kill them , if they made but the least Out-cry ; so that they led them all , in great silence , out of the Castle , without doing them any hurt at all : When all the rest were put out , then they alone were Masters of the Castle ; whereupon , those , who watched at the Cardinal's Door , knocked at it . They within asked them their Names : they told them , and then they were let in ; having , as some write , past their words , that they would hurt no body ; and when they were entred , they dispatch'd the Cardinal with many Wounds . In the mean time , a Noise was spread about the whole Town , that the Castle was taken , insomuch that the Cardinal's Friends , half drunk , and half sleeping , started out of their Beds , and cried out Arm ; thus to the Castle they posted , and called out , with minacious and opprobrious words , for Ladders ; other things they also brought , necessary for a Storm . They , who saw them out of the Castle , that they might blunt the present Impetuousness of their Minds , and call back their mad Spirits to consider themselves , crying out to them , demanded , why they made such a bustle ? for the Man was dead whom they sought to rescue , and with that word they threw the dead Body out in the sight of them all , even out of that very place , where before he had rejoicingly beheld the Execution of George Wiseheart .

Whereupon , many did revolve , within themselves , the Inconstancy of human Affairs , and that unexpected Event ; many also were affected with the Prediction of George Wiseheart , concerning his Death , which then came into their Minds ; and many other things also , which that holy Man had foretold , not without the special Inspiration of God's Spirit , ( as we have cause to believe , and as the Event soon after made appear . ) The Cardinal's Friends and Kinsmen , being astonish'd at this unexpected sight , soon sculk'd away . When the matter was divulg'd all over the Kingdom , Mens Minds were variously affected , as they either hated or loved the Cardinal ; some thought it a brave , others a nefarious , Fact . There were many also , who , being in a different way of Worship from him , were afraid of their Lives , and others were offended at his intolerable Arrogance ; these did not only approve the Fact , but came to gratulate the Committers of it , as the Restorers of their ancient Liberties , and some of them ventured their Lives and Fortunes in their Quarrel . The Court was grievously affrighted at the News , as having lost part of their Council ; but , by the advice of those which were present , they sent forth a Proclamation , Those that slew the Cardinal , ● thosummoned , yet refuse to appear . that the Murderers should come in within six Days , to give Sureties to answer matters at a Day , which was to be nominated for that purpose : But they had a strong Castle over their Heads , and , in it , all the Cardinal's Mony and Housholdstuff ; and , besides they had the Regent's eldest Son with them , who was given in Hostage to the Cardinal , as is related before ; so that they gave no credit to the Promises of their Enemies , whose Levity and Perfidiousness they had sufficient Experience of before , and therefore they refused to hearken to any Conditions of Peace ; whereupon they were Outlawed . Thus the matter was protracted , partly by the Threats and vain Promises of the one party , and the Diffidence of the other , from the Month of May till the * * November 5. Nones of December ; and then the Regent , by the Importunity of the Queen-Mother , and the malicious Clamors of the Priests , took Arms , and lay three whole Months before the Castle , battering it with his Brass Guns ; but , in the fourth Month , almost at the End of Winter , he dismiss'd his Army , without carrying the Place , and went to Edinburgh , to be present at the Convention of Estates , which he had before indicted to be held in February .

They , who held the Castle , being thus freed from fear of their Enemy , did not only make frequent Excursions into the neighbouring Parts , and commit Depredations with Fire and Sword therein ; but , as if the Liberty gotten by their Arms , were to be spent in Whoredoms , Adulteries , and such Vices , they ran into all the Wickedness , which idle Persons are subject to ; for they measured Right and Wrong by no other Rule but their own Lust ; neither could they be reclaimed by Iohn Knox , The Murderers of the Cardinal not reclaimed by the preaching of Iohn Knox. who then came to them , and often warn'd them , that God would not be mocked , but would take severe Punishments on those , who were Violators of his Laws , even by those whom they least dream'd of ; yet his Exhortations could not stop the Course of their Flagitiousness .

Besides this domestick Mischief raging even in the very Bowels of the Kingdom , there was an Accession made by a War with England : The English invade Scotland . For the English had pass'd over the Solway with their Forces , and made People terribly afraid ; they were not contented with the Pillage and Prey , but they fired some Places , took some Strong-holds , and put Garisons in them . Neither were Matters quieter in the other parts of the Borders ; Robert Maxwel , upon whom the greatest part of the Storm fell , came to Edinburgh to crave Aid , when almost all was lost ; he alleged , that the Country was desolated , that their Garisons were taken and kept by their Enemies , that the Husbandman was driven away from his Habitation , and forc'd to live , in much want , on the Charity of his Friends , and that they suffered all this , because they would not change nor forfeit their Fidelity to their King ; but if no Course were taken for their Relief , in some short time , their Miseries would compel them to give themselves up to the English ; and so would their Neighbours too , for fear they should undergo the like . Hereupon , Aid was promised him to recover his Own ; and the Regent marching his Army thither , formed his Camp by the River † † A small River in Ewsdale . Meggat . There the Cardinal's Friends earnestly desired of him to call George Lesly , Norman's Father , The Regent marches against the English . who was then in the Camp , to his Answer , and not to carry so potent a Man with him , as his Companion in the War , whose Faith was suspected , or rather who was an open Enemy : The Earl , though the Time and Place did not favour it , yet was willing immediately to put himself on the Trial ; hereupon the Names of the Judges , or Jury , were ( according to Custom , which I have elsewhere mentioned , ) impannell'd , and none of them were excepted against by the adverse Party , yet , by all their Votes he was acquitted . From thence they marched to the Castle of ‖ ‖ Or Lang-hope , lying near the Conduence of the Rivers Esk and Ewes in Ewsdale . Langham , from thence they drove out the English ; and , as they resolved to attempt other Forts , they were call'd back by a sudden Message . For News were brought them , that a French Fleet was seen not far from the Promontory of * * St. Ebbs Head on the Mouth of the Forth in Merss . St. Ebb , wherein were one and twenty Ships . The Regent imagining what the matter was , that they were come to besiege the Castle of St. Andrews , ( as had been agreed between them ) march'd joyfully home , there he discoursed Leon Strozy , Admiral of the French Fleet , and they both agreed to lay close Siege to the Castle , which they did , with so much Celerity , that many of the Garison-Souldiers , which were abroad could not come in , and many Country-men , which had no hand in the Conspiracy , but occasionally came into the Castle , about their private Affairs , could not get out . They planted their Brass Guns upon the Towers of two Churches , which stood near on both sides the Castle , which did so annoy the whole Court within the Castle-Walls , that the Defenders could hardly stir in or out . And afterwards they brought bigger pieces of Ordnance , and play'd upon part of the Wall , which stood between two Towers , which was soon batter'd down , because the later Buildings were not at all compacted with the former , and so it fell down with a mighty Noise . Hereupon they within , who before trusted to their Fortifications , and were ready to expose themselves to stop any Breach , now began to be afraid , and calling together a Council of War , because they fear'd the Cruelty of the Regent in revenging the Death of his Kinsman , ( such Sentiments making deep Impressions on infirm Minds ) they surrendred the Castle and themselves to Leon Strozy , St. Andrews Castle taken by the Regent , with the Assistance of the French . only upon Quarter for Life . Leon hereupon sent in his Men to pillage the Castle , wherein was found , besides a great Quantity of Provisions of all sorts , all the Cardinal's Mony and Houshold-stuff , and all the Wealth of the Garison-Souldiers , and of many others also , who had laid up their Goods there , as in a place of Refuge ; there also they found the Regent's Son , who was before given in Hostage by his Father to the Cardinal , and , when he was slain , was detain'd there . The Castle was demolish'd by Advice and Order of the Council ; and a few days after , Leon set Sail , with his Prisoners , for France . These things fell out in August , 1547.

About the same time , News was brought , that the English had prepared great Forces both by Land and Sea to invade Scotland , and to demand the Performance of the Treaty , which was made four Years before with the Regent , concerning the Marriage of the Queen of Scotland to the King of England's Son . This sudden Report mightily affected the Regent , who was faint-hearted enough of himself , for he had then no foreign Aid , neither did he much confide in his own forces : The English enter Scotland , and repulse the Regent's Forces . For the Papal Faction were offended at his Levity , and the Friends of exil'd Lennox having been cruelly intreated by him , retained the Seeds of their old Hatred against him ; yet , upon his Proclamation , there came in great numbers to Edinburgh , from thence they march'd to the Mouth of the River Esk , which runs through Lothian , and there waited for the coming of the English . In the mean time , the Scotish Horse rode up towards the Enemy in their March , and challenged them to fight , by this means creating some trouble to them in their Passage : But the English General , who knew that the Scots were better than his own Men at such tumultuary Skirmishes , had given Command , that none of his Troops should march out to encounter them . At last upon the Importunity of Grey , Commander of the Horse , he was persuaded to send out some Troops of Horse well-armed , and of Curiasiers , which should suddenly rush in upon them , unprepared for Resistance ; The Scots being grown fearless of the Enemy , but now astonish'd at the sudden Onset , brake their Ranks , and fled for their Lives , and about 800 of them were either slain or taken ; of the English also , who prest too eagerly on the pursuit , several were taken Prisoners , amongst which were some eminent Horse-Commanders . From that day forward , there was no memorable Action performed by the Scotish Horse . The English had their Camp at the Town of † † Two Miles East of Musselborough in East-Lothian . Preston , a little more than a Mile from Them . From thence they might behold the number of the Scotish Army from the high Ground , and perceiving them to be more than they thought , they advised what course to take , and resolved to send Letters to the Scots , that so , if just and equal Conditions might be agreed on , the matter might be compos'd rather by Treaty than by Force . The English send Letters to the Scots , persuasory to Peace , The Contents of the Letters , were ; They earnestly desired the Scots to remember , that both Armies profess'd the Christian Religion , to whom ( unless they did renounce their Profession ) nothing ought to be more dear than Peace and Tranquillity , and nothing more to be abhorr'd than unjust Arms and War ; that the cause of the present War , was not Covetousness , Hatred , or Envy , but a Desire of perpetual Peace , which could no ways so firmly coalesce as by a Marriage , which had been already promised by the publick Decree and Consent of all the Estates , and ratified by a League , and that on such Conditions , as were more advantageous to the Scots than the English , not to reduce them into an Estate of Servitude , but to a joint Society of Life , and Participation , and Communion , of all their Fortunes ; which Marriage would be so much the more beneficial to the Scots than English , because the Weaker might expect Advantage from the Stronger , as being possess'd with a greater Fear , lest he might be wrong'd by him : And , at the present , in casting up accounts of things , you are first to consider the Case , that it is very necessary your Queen should marry , that necessity was inevitable , and that it was a difficult thing to moderate it , and that the sole Power of chusing her an Husband was left to the Estates ; If they would chuse a Family upon the account of Dignity and publick Advantage , whom could they pitch upon better , than a Neighbour King , born in the same Island , ally'd in Blood , instituted in the same Laws , educated in the same Manners and Language , and superior not in Power alone , but in all external Ornaments and Accessions of Dignity ? And besides , this Marriage would bring with it a perpetual Concord , and an Oblivion of all old Grudges . But if they had Thoughts to bring in a Stranger amonst them , to undertake the Kingdom , that differ'd from them in Language , Laws and Customs , they should consider , how many Inconveniences lodg'd in the Belly of that Design , which they might easily foresee by the Examples of other Nations , and 't were better so to do , than to learn it by Trial and feeling the Smart thereof . As for themselves , if they found the Spirits of the Scots not wholly averse from an Agreement , they were ready to remit something of the Rigour of Law , and Right ; and that they would be content the young Queen should be educated under Scotish Supervisors , till she came to be marriagable , and fit , by the Advice of the Nobles , to chuse an Husband for her self ; and till that time came , both sides should abstain from War and Rapine ; and that the Queen should not be transported beyond Sea , nor that any Treaty should be intertain'd by the Scots concerning her Marriage with the French , or any other foreign Prince : If the Scots would faithfully promise this , they would presently depart and withdraw their Forces , and as for what Damage they had done , since they entred Scotland , they would make Restitution , as indifferent Men should award .

These Letters were brought to the Regent , who communicated them to his Brother Iohn , Archbishop of St. Andrews , whom he had assum'd into the Place and Authority of the Cardinal , and to some few others : They , in hopes of a sure Victory , gave him advice to suppress them ; for they were afraid , that if the Equity of the Proposals were made known , the Scots would be taken off , and hearken to terms of Peace , and therefore they gave out through the whole Army , that the English were come on purpose to take away their Queen by force , and to reduce the Land to their own Subjection . And the Regent , being naturally unactive , had chosen four , no more versed in Military Affairs than himself , who did turn and wind all things at their Pleasure ; those were his three Kinsmen and Allies , Iohn his Brother , Archbishop of St. Andrews , and Abbat of Dumfermlin ; George Dury ; Alexander Beton ; and the 4 th was Hugh Riggs a Lawyer , noted more for his big Body , Corpulency , and bulky Strength , than for any Military Skill . These Men did so puff up the Regent with a vain hope of Victory , that , being of himself inconstant and variable in his Designs at every blast of Wind , he shut his Ears against the advice of all others . Which being rejected by the Regent , Hereupon , when the Regent's Privadoes had caus'd the Report , which they themselves had raised , to be spred all over the Army , they all ran hastily to their Arms. Archibald Douglas , Earl of Angus , led the Van ; George Gordon , Earl of Huntly , brought up the Rear , each of them had 10000 fighting Men , and the Regent had about the same number in the main Battel . In this Posture , a Report was suddenly rais'd , that the English were fled away , and it was not altogether without ground ; for they , wanting Provision , and not being able to fetch it from far , nor to forage for it in the Neighbour-hood , which was so unfurnish'd afore , thought it the best way to preserve themselves , if they left their Baggage behind them , and march'd long Marches backward , but having so many arm'd Men ready to ingage , seeing they durst not come down into the Campagn , nor could deceive the Enemy by going about , they waited his coming on the higher ground . On the other side , the Regent was impatient of Delay , and sent one to Douglas to march on with speed ; but he knowing , that the English could not long keep that ground for want of Provision , and so waited to fall on the Rear , made no great haste , till he was stirr'd up by another Messenger from the Regent , then , and not before , he past over the River . The main Battel , and the Rear , following at a great Distance after . The English who were about to depart , perceiving Douglas to draw towards them upon the Speed , sent out Grey , Commander of the Horse with his whole Body to meet him , and stop his Carreer , till the Foot had possess'd themselves of a Neighbour-hill ; or , if he saw cause , he was to disturb them in their ranks ; for , seeing the major part of them were arm'd after the French mode , they thought the Scots would never be able to bear the brunt of their charge : But a Brigade of the Scots marching in close order together , He gives them Ba●●el ; holding forth their Stand of long Pikes before them , as a Fence , received the Assault ; there the Van of the English running in upon , and intangling themselves amongst , the Pikes , the rest thought themselves ambuscado'd , and so returned to their Body , telling them that the Scots Ranks could no more be broken , than if they charg'd against a Wall : Hereupon , the English Horse were about to leave the Foot and fly , but by the Persuasion of their Commanders , and their mutual encouraging one another , and withall all hoping for a more advantagious Ground to fight in , they were retain'd , and renew'd their Ranks . The Scots were held from marching forward to the opposite Hill , chiefly upon this account , because they perceived Iambo a Spaniard , with some Troops of his Country-men , Harquebuisiers , to come down obliquely from the Hill , as if he would fall on their Flank ; and therefore , that no sudden Emergency might cause them to divide their Brigade , and also that they might not be attack'd on their Flanks , they wheeled about leisurely from the right ascent of the Hill . The main Battel , when they saw the Van to leave their Station , thought , that they were running away , so that they also broke their Ranks , and betook themselves to their Heels . The English , seeing this from the high Grounds , sent out their Horse , But receives a great Overthrow . and trod many of them under foot in the pursuit . During all this March from Esk to the English Camp , the English Navy plaid upon the Flank of the Scots out of their Ships , and did them much Mischief . All the Ways were strow'd with Arms , by reason of the great Slaughter which was made , and many also were drown'd in the River . The English were most severe against the Priests and the Monks , ( for those of that Tribe , who were lusty and able to bear Arms , came into the Field ) and there were many who imputed the loss of the Day to them , who had arrogantly refused honest Conditions of Peace , and who , if they had the Victory , would have used it as cruelly towards their own Country-men , as their Enemies . In the first Charge , the English lost about 200 Horse , but of the Scots there fell the prime of all the noblest Families , with their Relations and Tenants , who counted it a flagitious thing to desert them ; many were taken in the Pursuit . The High-landers gathered themselves together in a round Body , kept their Ranks , and returned safe home ; for , at first , they march'd through craggy places , and inconvenient for Horse , and if they were sometimes necessitated to descend into the Plains , yet the English Horse , who followed the Pursuit scatter'dly , durst not attack them . This Battel , amongst a few others , was very calamitous to the Scots , it was fought the 10 th of September , in the Year 1547. The English having got the Victory , which was so much the more joyful , because it was unexpected , march'd five Miles further with all their Forces , and there they staid eight days , sending out parties every day six Miles round , who burnt and destroy'd all within that Compass . They attempted nothing considerable besides , saving the fortifying the desolate Islands of Inch-Keith and Inch-Colm in the Bay of Forth ; and in the Bay of Tay , they took the Castle † † Brockty , standing on a Rock , on the A●gus-side of Tay , 2 Miles below Dundee . Brockty ; and , in their return by Land , they took by Surrender the Castles of Fascastle and Hume , which the Garisons out of Fear gave up ; and they raised Forts , one at Lauder , and another in the Ruins of Roxborough Castle .

Their sudden Departure gave some Relief to the Scots , and a breathing-time for them to meet together to consult about the main chance . The Regent , presently after the Fight , The English retreat out of Scotland . came with that part of the Nobles which were with him to the two Queens at Sterlin , and to the Nobility attending there ; the Regent and his Brother were very sad and dejected for the Calamity which happen'd by their Default , and the Queen Dowager gave forth many outward Signs of Grief in her Speech and Countenance , but they which knew her Heart did judg , that she was not much troubled to see the Arrogance of the Hamiltons so curbed ; but to be joyous in a publick Calamity , they who use to cover the Faults of Princes under honest Disguises , are wont to call Greatness of Mind . Besides , the Dowager , ever since the Death of the Cardinal , had used all ways and means to throw the Regent out of his Office , and to invest the supream Authority in her self , but she knew she could never effect it , as long as They were uppermost , and had all fortified places in their Hands : In all her Discourse , she heighten'd the Fear she had from the English , and complained of the Weakness of their own domestick Forces , and propounded the Dangers imminent from the civil Dissensions amongst them : She communicated her Design to those , who she knew , were ill affected towards the Hamiltons . When the Nobles were in Consultation about the grand Affairs of the Kingdom , a Decree was made , that the Queen should retire to Dunbarton , whilst the Nobility did debate concerning the Estate of the Kingdom : Iohn Erskin was made Governour of it , an unquestionable Favourer of the Queen's Faction , and William Levingston , a Friend to the Hamiltons , was join'd in Commission with him . Embassadors were also sent into France to demand Aid of their King Henry against their common Enemy , according to the League made with him : Hopes was also given them , that the Queen would come over into France , and marry the Dolphin ; but the French were intent upon their own Affairs , and therefore their Auxiliaries were slower than the present Danger required .

In the mean time , The English again enter Scotland , the English entred Scotland on both sides of the Borders : The Earl of Lennox , as if he had been sent for by his Friends , came to Dumfries ; for his Father-in-Law Angus , and his old Friend Glencarne , had promised him two thousand Horse and Foot of the neighbouring Parts to assist him , if he would leave the English , and come over to them ; but when he came at the Place appointed , there were hardly Three hundred come together , and those too of such , who used to live on Robberies . These and some other things of the like Nature , being very suspicious , and specially the wavering Mind of Iohn Maxwel , who had already given Hostages to the English , made Lennox believe that he was betrayed , and therefore he resolved to circumvent his Enemies with the like Fraud ; he retained with him Glencarn , Iohn Maxwel , and other chief Men of the Scots , who had treated with him concerning his Transition and Return into his own Country , and in the middle of the Night march'd toward Drumlanerick , with six hundred Horse , part of the English and part of the Scots , who had yielded to them ; when they came to the appointed Place , he sent out five hundred , to commit what Spoil they could in the neighbouring Parts , that so he might draw out Iames Douglas , Owner of the Castle , into his Ambush ; he , imagining such a thing , kept within his Hold till 't was Day ; and then , being out of fear of Treachery , he marched out with his Men , and pass'd over the River Nith , and press'd straglingly upon the Plunderers , charging their Rear , as they were retreating . They having got a convenient Time and Place to rally , And overtrow a Party of Scots commanded by Iames Douglas . turn'd back upon him with great violence , and struck such a Terror into them in the Straits of a Ford , that they disordered their Ranks , killed some , and took many considerable Prisoners . This light Expedition struck such a Terror into the greatest part of Galway , that they strove which of them should yield first to the English , partly to gratify Lennox , and partly fearing , lest , being forsaken by their Neighbours , they should lie open to all Affronts . The Scotish Regent fearing , lest in such a general Hurly-burly , if he did attempt nothing , he should altogether dispirit his Men , who were discourag'd enough before , besieg'd the Castle of Brockty , and having laid before it almost three Months , without performing any thing considerable , he drew off his Men , leaving only an hundred Horse under the Command of Iames Halyburton , an active young Man , to infest the neighbouring Places , and to hinder any Provisions from being carried in by Land to Brockty , or to the Garison which the English had plac'd on an Hill adjoining . These Matters pass'd at the End of that Year . In the beginning of the next , which was 1548 , the English fortified Hadington , a Town in Lothian upon the Tine , and burned the Villages , and plundered the Country about , which was the richest part of Scotland , and they form'd another Garison at Lauder . Lennox , about the end of February having pass'd over the West-Border , hardly escap'd an Ambush laid for him by Part of those , who had yielded themselves ; but , returning to Carlisle , he revenged himself by punishing some of the Hostages , especially Iohn Maxwel , the chief Author of the Revolt , according to the Contents of some Letters he had receiv'd from the King of England . During these Transactions , Henry of France , who succeeded his Father Francis , sent Forces to the Sea to be transported into Scotland , 〈◊〉 of France●ends ●ends Aid to the Scots . about six thousand Men , of which three thousand were German Foot , commanded by the Rhine-grave ; about two thousand French ; and one thousand of divers Nations , all Horse ; they were all commanded to obey Monsieur Dessy a French Man , who had been a Commander in France some years , and had done good Service there . They landed at Leith , and were ordered to quarter at Edinburgh , till they had recovered their Sea-sickness . The Regent , and the Forces with him , marched to Hadington , where they beset all Passages , and laid a close Siege to the Place . He sent out a Proclamation into all Parts , in pursuance whereof , in a short time , there came into him about eight thousand Scots . There the Nobility assembled , and the Consultation was renewed concerning the Queen's going into France , and marrying the Daulphin ; a Council was called in a Monastery of Monks , without Hadington , in the very Camp . In that Convention there were various Disputes ; some said , that if they sent away the Queen , they must expect perpetual War from England , and Bondage from the French ; others were of opinion , that by reason of Agreement in Religion , and the Condition of the present Times , it was best to embrace the Terms offered by the English , which were a Ten Years Peace , with no bad Covenants or Obligations on the Scots . For the whole of the League was , That , if the King of England , or Queen of Scotland , died within ten years , all things should be , on both sides , as they were before ; and though no fortuitous Event should happen between , yet the Kingdom might be hereby freed from its present Pressures , which had almost broke its Strength ; and the Souldiery , which were almost all lost in the late Battel , might have time to grow up and increase in a long continued Peace ; and , that intestine Discord being laid asleep , they might more maturely consider of the Grand Affairs , than they could do amongst Drums and Trumpets : And in such Consultations , Delays were oftentimes of great Advantage , and rash Festination was attended with speedy Repentance : Thus They. But all the Papists favoured the French , and some others too , whom French Bounty had either forestalled , or else had rais'd up to great hopes of Advantage ; amongst whom , was the Regent ; he had an yearly Revenue of 1200 French Pistols promised him , and the Command of an 100 Curiassiers ; so that the most Voices carried it , for the Queen 's going into France : The Fleet , which was to convey her , rode at Leith ; and , The Queen of Scotland sails into France . making as if they would go away , they sailed about all Scotland , and came to Dunbarton , where the Queen went on Ship-board , ( having staid some Months for its Arrival ) in the Company of Iames her Brother , Iohn Erskin , and William Levingston : She was tossed with much foul Weather , and contrary Winds , but at last landed in Bretaign , a Peninsule in France , and , by easy Journies , went to Court .

In Scotland , whilst the War stopp'd at Hadington , yet the Common People in several Places were not wanting to the present Occasion . For the Garisons of Hume and Fascastle doing great hurt to the Neighbourhood , the Scots observing , that Hume was negligently guarded by Night , got up to the Top of a Rock , Hume and Fascastle , garison'd by the English , are surprized by the Scots . where the Confidence of the Unaccessibleness of the Place , made those within less watchful , and so they killed the Sentinels , and took the Castle . And not long after , when the Governor of Fascastle had commanded the Country thereabouts to bring in a great quantity of Provisions into the Castle , at a certain Day . The Country , upon this occasion , came numerously in , and unlading their Horses , they took up the Provision on their backs , to carry them over a Bridg , made betwixt two Rocks , into the Castle ; assoon as ever they were entred , they threw down their Burden , and upon a Sign given , slew the Guards , and , before the rest of the English could come in , they seized on their Arms , and placed themselves in the Avenues ; and thus , setting the Gates open for their whole Party to enter , they made themselves Masters of the Castle . In the mean time , the Naval Force of the English was not idle ; for the whole stress of the Land-War lying upon Hadington , their Commanders thought that the neighbouring Parts were weakned and spoiled of all Defence , so that they resolved to land in Fife . And accordingly they pass'd by some Sea-Towns , which were well inhabited , and came to ‖ ‖ Standing on the Firth of Forth in Fife . St. Minnans Kirk , a Place peopled well enough , that from thence they might march by Land , to greater Towns , but less fortified , where the Pillage might be more worth their Labour . Iames Stuart , the Queen's Brother , receiving the Alarum , which the People of Saint Andrews , and a few of the Country-men which were left at home , made towards them , and in his way many of the Neighbourhood struck in with him . The English were already landed ; and about 1200 of them stood ready in their Arms for the Encounter . The great Guns which they had landed , struck such a fear into the Country-men , that they quickly fled ; but Iames , after he had a little stopp'd their Fear , charged the Enemy so briskly , that though he had but a raw and tumultuous Band along with him , he soon routed them , and drove them toward the Sea , killing many upon the Place , and many in the pursuit ; not a few of them were drowned in hastning to their Ships ; one Boat , with all its Passengers , was sunk , whilst they endeavoured some in Throngs to get on board . 'T is reported , that there were 600 slain in the Fight , and 100 taken Prisoners . Whereupon the Fleet presently sa●led to Mern , a Country less inhabited ; their Design was to surprise Monross , a Town not far from the Mouth of the River Dee . They resolved to land in the Night ; and therefore they staid at Anchor , out of sight of Land , as long as there was any Light in the Sky . But as they were making to Shoar in the dark , they discovered themselves by their own Imprudency , by hanging out Lights in every Boat ; Iohn Erskin of Downe , Governour of the Town , commanded his Men to arm , without making any Noise , and he divided them into three Bodies ; The English Seamen landing in Scotland in two places , are twice repulsed . he placed some behind an earthen Bank , which was rais'd on the Shoar , to hinder their landing ; he , with some Archers lightly arm'd , made directly towards the Enemy ; and a third Band of Servants and promiscuous Vulgar , he plac'd behind a Neighbour Hill , adding a few Souldiers to them , to govern the Rabble ; Matters being thus order'd , he with his Archers fell upon the Enemy in their Descent , and maintain'd a sharp Dispute with them , till in a tumultuary kind of Fight , he had drawn them on to the Banks , there he join'd his other Party , who stood ready at their Arms , and they all fell on the Enemy ; yet they had not given Ground , unless the last Body had shewn themselves with Colours flying from the next Hill ; then they made such haste to their Ships , that of about 800 , which came on Shoar , hardly the third part escaped to their Ships .

In the mean time , great Salleys were made about Hadington , not without loss on either side , but most , of the English ; whereupon they being in some want of Provisions , and fearing a greater , and perceiving also , that the Relief prepared came slowly on , and that they were so weakned , as to be hardly able to admit of the Delay : In the Interim , two brave Souldiers , Robert Bovy and Thomas Palmer , were commanded to march thither from Berwick , with 1000 Foot and 300 Horse , and to make all the Speed they could . These all fell into an Ambush laid for them , and scarce a Man of them escaped alive . The English resolved to send more Aid , but the French , discovering their Design , beset the narrow Passages , by which they were to march ; but Dessius , being deceived by one of the Enemies Scouts which he had taken , who told him , that the English were far off , and were marching another way to relieve the Besieged , left the Straits he had possess'd , and went to another Place ; in the Interim , Hadington besieged by the Scots , but relieved by the English . the English marched thorow to their intended Post , without any hindrance . They brought with them 300 fresh Men , Powder and Bullet , and such other Provision as the Garison stood in most need of .

Whilst these things were acted at Hadington , which did not at all make to the Main of the War , News was brought , that the English had levied a compleat Army to raise the Siege : Whereupon Dessius , knowing , that he was not able to encounter the Forces which were a coming , removed his Leaguer farther off from the Town , and sent back his Great Guns , all but six small Field-Pieces , to Edinburgh . Upon the Coming of the English Army , the Siege was raised , because the Scots Commanders would not hazard the State of the Kingdom upon a single Battel ; so that the Scots marched every one the next way home ; the French also , though much press'd upon by the English , yet got well off . The French Souldiers , A Mutiny between the French and Scots at Edinburgh . in their Return , slew the Governour of Edinburgh , and his Son , together with some of the Citizens who joined with them , because they refused to admit them into the Town with all their Forces , in regard , they knew , they could scarce keep them from plundring . Dessius in the Interim , lest the Sedition should increase , drew off ; and withal supposing , that the Enemy would be more secure at Hadington , because of their good Success , resolved to make an Attempt to surprize it on a sudden . Thither he marched all that Night , and by break of Day slew the Sentinels , and came up to the Walls ; they took the Fort before the Gate , kill'd the Watch , some endeavoured to break open the Gate ; they also seized upon the Granaries of the English . In this hurry , the Noise of those who were breaking open the Gates , and the Huzza's of the French , crying out , Victory , Victory , rous'd up the English from their Sleep , which they had newly fallen into . In this great hurly-burly , The design of the French to surprize Hadington , disappointed . a Souldier set fire to a Brass Gun , placed casually against the Gate , that he might , in a present Danger , make Trial of a doubtful Remedy . The Bullet broke through the Gate , and made a Lane in the thick Ranks of the French , so that , what between the Exclamations of the Souldiers crying out Victory , and the Noise of the Gates which were broken , such a confused Clamor was carried to the Rear , that they were surprized with Fear , not knowing the Cause , and so fled , which occasioned the rest to follow after . The French being thus repuls'd with Loss , march'd into Teviotdale , which the English had done great Damage to ; there , under the Conduct of Dessius , they drove the Enemy from Iedburgh , and made many Inrodes into English Ground , not without considerable Advantage . At length , when they had wasted all the Country , The French disgusted by the Scots , for their Cruelty and Oppressions . besides their daily Duty , they were also in great Want , and the Commonalty pitied them the less , because of their Prank at Edinburgh , for they looked upon that seditious Attempt as a Step to Tyranny . And from that time forward , the French did nothing worth speaking of . The King of France was made acquainted by Letter from the Regent , and Queen Dowager , how Dessius spent much time on light Expeditions , and unprofitable ones , and that he was more injurious to his Friends than Enemies , and that the French Souldiers were grown so insolent , since the Tumult at Edinburgh , that , by reason of the intestine Discord , Dessius Commander of the French recalled from Scotland , and Termes sent to succeed him . all was like to be ruined : Whereupon Dessius was called back , and Monsieur Paul Terms , a good Souldier and prudent Commander , was sent with new Supplies for Scotland . Dessius thought it would be for his Honour to recover the Island Keith , which was taken a few Days before , and was begun to be fortified ; so that he got together a Fleet at Leith , and went aboard with a select Company of Scots and French . Dessius takes the Island Keith from the English , before his Departure . The Queen was a Spectator of the Action , and egging them on , sometimes particularly , sometimes all in general , after he had landed in the Island , he drove the English into the highest Angle thereof , kill'd almost all their Commanders , and compell'd them to a Surrender , but not without Blood . This was his last noble piece of Service in Britain , and then he surrendred up his Army to Termes . Termes drew forth the Army out of their Winter-Quarters , and commanded them to march towards the Northern Shires , he himself , Dessius being dismiss'd , followed soon after , and laid Siege to the Fort of Brockty , and in a short time took it , and also the Castle adjoining , from the English , putting almost all of both Garisons to the Sword . When he was returned into Lothian , his great Care was , to hinder Provisions from being carried to Hadington ; when , lo , upon a sudden , a great Army of English and Germans shewed themselves ready for the Encounter ; whereupon he drew his Men backward , till he came to a Place of greater Safety . In the Interim , the Scots Cavalry , which skirted upon the Enemy on every side , perceiving the German Baggage to be unguarded , plunder'd them in a moment . In the mean time , Provisions were carried into Hadington , without any opposition . During these Matters , Iulian Romerus , with a Troop of Spaniards , was taken securely in his Quarters , as if all had been at Peace , and almost all his whole Party was destroyed . Termes , when the English Forces were march'd home , resolv'd to return to the taking in of Hadington . They were stout Men that defended the Town , but in regard the Country was wasted all thereabouts , and Provisions could not be brought from far , but with great Hazard , and sometimes certain Loss ; and besides , the English were troubled with great Seditions at home , and were further press'd upon by a War with France ; hereupon the Garison of Hadington , Hadington deserted by the English . having no hope of Relief , burnt the Town , and on the 1st of October 1549 , march'd away for England .

And moreover , the Garison at Lauder was almost ready to surrender , as being in great Distress , for want of Necessaries , when lo , An Agreement between the French and English . News was brought on a sudden of an Agreement made between the English and the French , which was published in Scotland , April the first , 1550. And the May following , all the French Souldiers were transported back into France . That Peace , as to a Foreign War , lasted about three Years , but it was as troublesom and pernicious as the hottest War . For they who sat at helm , the Regent , and his Brother , the Archbishop of St. Andrews , were both extreamly cruel and avaritious , and the Archbishop very licentious in his Conversation also ; for , as if the Reins lay wholly loose on his Neck , his own Will was his Law . The first Presage of the ensuing Tyranny , was , the suffering the Murder of William Creighton , an eminent Person , to go unrevenged ; he was slain by Robert Semple , in the Regent's own Palace , and almost in his sight , and yet the Murderer was exempted from Punishment , by the Intercession of the Archbishop's Concubine , who was Daughter to Semple . This Archbishop , as long as the King liv'd , was one of his Confidents , and pretended a great Zeal for the Reformed Religion ; but when the King was dead , he ran headlong into all flagitious Courses , and , amongst the rest of his Mistresses , he took away this young Madam Semple from her Husband , who was his Country-man and Ally , and kept her almost in the Place of a lawful Wife , though she were not handsom , nor of good Report neither , but only noted for Wantonness . After this , followed the Death of Iohn Melvil , a a Noble-Man of Fife , who was a great Intimate of the last King's ; Some Letters of his were intercepted , written to a certain English-man , in the behalf of his Friend , a Prisoner there ; and though there could be no suspicion of Treason in the Case , yet the Author of them had his Head cut off . And that which made the Matter more foul , was , That his Estate was given to David , the Regent's youngest Son ; the Loss , arising by these wicked Practices , reach'd but a few , but the Envy of them extended to many , and the bad Example almost to all . The Regent's Government disrelished , especially after the Martyrdom of George Wiseheart . This Unskilfulness of the Regent's managing the Government , together with the Sluggishness of all his former Life , did mightily offend the Commons ; so that he every day grew more cheap than other , especially after the Suffering of George Wiseheart ; for Most did impute the following Calamities to the Death of that Religious Man , especially they , who knew the Purity of Doctrine which George held forth , and admired the Unblamableness of his Life ; and moreover , who look'd upon him as Divinely inspired , because of the many and true Predictions which he had made . Hereupon , the Authority of the Regent grew every day less than other ; and soon after these , followed another , and that a more spreading , Mischief , which drew a general Complaint , not at all to be hid , against him . There were Juridical Conventions appointed to be held throughout the whole Kingdom , the Pretence was , to suppress Robberies , but the Event shewed , that 't was nothing else , but to cover Oppression , under a plausible Name . For Mony was extorted from all , Good and Bad , as much from honest Men as Thieves , and both were punish'd , not according to greatness of Crime , but of Estate . Neither could he keep off his Cruelty and Avarice from the Reformed , though he himself had formerly profess'd to be one of the Party , and now he had not the Cardinal as a Blind for his Crimes ; yea , the Mony , thus basely got in the Name of the Regent , was as profusely , and unadvisedly spent , by the Lust of his Brother .

The Sixteenth BOOK .

The Queen Dowager sails for France . MAtters being thus composed at home , the Queen Dowager took up a Resolution to sail over into France , partly to visit her own Country , her Daughter and Kindred ; partly to secure her hopes in attaining the supream Power , which seemed to be freely cast upon her , and accordingly she chose those to attend her on her Journy , who were Favourers of her Design . For the crafty and ambitious Woman was full of hopes , that the Regent would , by his own Vices , ruin himself , that so she might be advanced in his room ; she staid with the French King above a Year , in which time , she informed him in the state of Affairs of Scotland , who heard her graciously , and , by means of her Brothers , she easily obtain'd of him , what she desired . The King of France , the better to bring about his Designs without any Tumult in Scotland , advanc'd to Honours all those of the Scotish Nobility , each Man according to his Degree , who had adhered to the Queen Dowager : They also which were of kin to the Regent , were highly advanced ; his Son Iames was made Captain over all the Scotish Auxiliaries in France , and a yearly Pension of 12000 French Pistols promised him . Huntly ( whose Son had married his Daughter ) was made Earl of Murray . Of the Sons of Rothes , by different Mothers , who quarrelled about their Patrimony , the youngest , who was Kin to the Hamiltons , was made Earl . The King of France , by the Advice of the Queen Dowager , sends for Robert Carnagy , one of the Regent's Privado's , who was lately sent over by him into France , to give that King Thanks for his often Assistance of the Scots against the English , and also Iames Painter , Embassador for some Years in France , in behalf of the Scots , besides Gawin Abbat of * * A Monastery 4 Miles North of Irwin , near the Irish Sea in Cuningham . Kilwinning , all firm to Hamilton's Faction . He declares to them , what he had before treated with the Guises . The Sum whereof was , That the Regent would do the King an acceptable piece of Service , if he would give leave to the Queen Dowager to govern , that little time of Magistracy which was left him , which , as 't was but a just and equal Request agreeable to their Laws ; so , if he complied with him therein , he would take care , that it should not be prejudicial to his Interests ; yea , he should find , that by this means he had procur'd to himself a fast and munificent Friend in him : He wishes them to inform him , how he had at present freely , and of his own accord , rewarded some of his Friends , by which he might easily judg , what Courtesies to expect from him for the future . Thus Carnagy , laden with great Promises , was dismiss'd home ; and a while after Painter , the Scotish Embassador , Bishop of Ross , was bid to follow him . He , as being a Man of great Eloquence and Authority , dealt with the Regent and his Friends , to give up the Administration of Affairs into the Hands of the Queen-Dowager ; and , with much ado , he obtained it : So that for his Diligence and Faithfulness in that Service , the King of France gave him an Abby in Poictou . The Queen , being now so secure of the Success of things in Scotland , and having made sufficient Provision , as she thought , how to deprive the Scots of their ancient Liberty , and to bring them Alamode-a-France , was accompanied by Monsieur D'Osel , as Embassador , to carry things on , a shrewd Man , whose Counsel she was to use in all things ; and so she returned home by Land through England . The next Year after her Return , she followed the Regent , who kept Assizes in almost all Parts of the Kingdom , and so by degrees made the Nobility her own . In this Progress , some few Offendors were punished , the rest were fined . The Queen could not approve such Proceedings , and yet she was willing enough to hear them . For she judged , that what Favour the Regent lost , it all returned upon Her . In the mean time , having won over the Nobility to her , The Regent , by Directions from France , persuaded to resign his Government ; she used some Friends to deal with the Regent , that he would freely resign up the Government ; his Kindred , upon the view of his Strength , perceived , that his Treasure was low , and his Friends few , and that he would have much ado to level and clear up his Accounts ; for King Iames the Fifth , at his Decease , had left a great deal of Mony , Arms , Ships , Horses , Brass-Guns , and abundance of Houshold-stuff ( all which he had lavish'd out amongst his Friends in a few Years . ) And that his Account would be speedily called for , the Queen being now almost of Age. And if he would extricate himself out of all these Troubles , by quitting the Government , it would be no great Loss ; for thereby he would but give up the Rule wholly to the French , which was intirely manag'd by their Counsels before : And he would have this Advantage also , that by laying down the invidious Title of Viceroy , or Regent , which however he could not long keep , he would procure Safety and Security to Himself and His. This Prospect pleased , so that an Agreement was made on these Conditions , Which he doth afterwards , upon Terms . That for what Goods of the late King 's Hamilton had made use of , the French King would see , that he should be indemnified , and also that he should be free from any Account , on the pretence of Overseership ; only he was to take an Oath to restore what did appear not imbezill'd , yet in this he did not perform his Promise . For about twelve years after , when his Castle of Hamilton was taken , after the Fight at * * In Renfrewshire . Langside , many things were there found , which shewed his Perjury . Besides , there were large Gifts bestowed upon him , and he was honoured with the Title of Duke of † † Or Chastle-herault . Castelrot , ( which is a Town in Poictou , situate near the River ‖ ‖ Vien in Daulphiny in France , having a Bridg over the Rhosne . Vien , ) and had a yearly Stipend of twelve thousand French Pistols , half of which Sum was paid for some Years . Another Condition was also added by the Suffrage of all the Estates ; that , if the Queen died without Children , Hamilton should be the next Heir . These were the Conditions of the Surrender , which were sent into France , that they might there be confirmed by the Queen , and some to be Guarrantees . The Queen , by the Advice of her Mother , makes Henry the 2 d King of France , Francis Duke of Guise , and Cardinal Charles his Brother , the Guarrantees ; and the Regent , tho , by persuasion of Painter , he had promis'd to relinquish the Government , and the time to do it was at hand , yet when it came to the point , according to his wonted Inconstancy , he was at a great stand ; for he began to consider , how grievous a thing it would be for him , to fall down from the Supreme Magistracy to a private Life , for then he should be obnoxious to those , whom in his Government he had wronged : Hereupon , he began to elude his Promise , and to frame Excuses , in regard the Queen was not yet full twelve Years old : Thus , tho those Allegations might have been answer'd , yet the Queen Dowager chose rather to retire to Sterlin , and there to expect the Expiration of the Set-time , for the giving up his Charge , than to make any Quarrel about a small matter , tho never so true .

In this her Retirement , the greatest part of the Nobility came in to her , ( Fortune favouring her side , ) whom she sought by all means to ingage in her Faction , and those she had ingag'd , she fix'd and confirmed , filling them all with abundance of hopes , and making many Promises in general and in particular , how obliging she would be to them all when she was advanc'd to the Government , which they all knew should shortly follow ; she prevailed so much by these Artifices , that only two of the Nobility remained with the Regent , Iohn his base Brother , and Levingston his near Kinsman . All the rest past over to the Queen . This Solitude of the Regent's Court , and the Fulness of the Queen's , was a Signification to him , how all the Estates were alienated from him , hereupon he repented himself , and was glad to accept of those Terms , which he rejected before , only with this addition , That the Queen Dowager would procure them to be ratifi'd by the Three Estates in the next Parliament , and also by the Guarrantees in France .

About the same time , Matters were very troublesome in England , by reason of the Death of King Edward the 6 th , K. Edward the 6 th of England highly commended . a young Prince of high Expectation , by reason of his rare Ingenuity , and Propension to all kind of Virtue , which was both connate with him , and also cultivated by Learning and Study .

At the beginning of the next Spring , the Nobility assembled at Sterlin , where , in a full Assembly , the Transactions with the Regent were confirm'd , which the Queen and Guarrantees had subscribed ; this Addition was also made , That the Regent should keep a Garison at Dunbarton : and , to compleat all , a Parliament was Indicted at Edinburgh , to be held the 10 th day of April , then next following , where all the Pacts and Agreements approved by the Guarrantees ( as hath been said ) were produced ; and when they were read , the Regent arose , and openly abdicated himself from the Magistracy , and gave up the Ensigns of his Government to D'Osel , who received them in the behalf of the Queen , who was absent ; and , by command , delivered them up to her , who received them by a general Consent ; and thus being advanced into the Regent's place , The Queen Dowager made Regent . she was carried with great Ceremony through the City to the Palace in the Suburbs . And the Regent , who at his Entrance into the Parliament , was attended with a great number of the Nobility , and had the Sword , Crown and Scepter , carried before him according to Custom , now , being degraded , mixt himself amongst the Croud , in the Year 1559.

This was a new Sight in Scotland , and never heard of before that day , that a Woman should be , by the Decree of the States , advanced to the Helm of Government . Though matters thus inclined to the French Interest , yet the Scots would never yield , that the Castle of Edinburgh should be garison'd by them ; if so , they feared if the Queen died without Issue , the French would then make it the Seat of their Tyranny ; so that 't was put into the Hands of Iohn Erskin , as an indifferent Person , who was to surrender it to None , but by the Command of the Estates .

After this , when the State of the Publick seemed to be somewhat settled , the Queen-Regent ( as then she was called ) sent out George Gordon , Earl of Huntly , to apprehend Iohn Murderach , chief of the Family of the Mac-Reynalds , a notorious Robber , who had plaid many foul and monstrous Pranks : 'T is thought , that Gordon did not play fair in this Expedition , so that when he return'd , without doing the Business he was sent about , Huntly imprisoned , he was kept Prisoner till the time appointed for his Answer ; In the Interim , his Kindred excused him , and laid the Blame of the Miscarriage upon the Clanship of Catan : thus they spread false Reports amongst the Vulgar , for they gave forth , tho untruly , that the Macintoshes had spoiled the Design , by reason of their Animosity against the Gordons . This Hatred between these two Clans arose upon this occasion ; When the Queen prepared for her Expedition into France , Gordon kept William chief of the ‖ ‖ Or Macintoshes . Catan-Family , as his Prisoner , a young Man well educated by the care of Iames Earl of Murray . There was no Crime prov'd against him , but only because he would not put himself under his Clanship or Clientele ; and besides , it turn'd to his Prejudice , that he was of Kin to Murray , as being his Sister's Son . Gordon , having thus provok'd the Young-man , did not think it safe to vouchsafe him his Liberty , and so leave him behind him , neither could he find sufficient cause to put him to Death . And therefore he , by means of his Friends , persuades the Young-Man , who was not versant in such ill Arts , to commit his cause wholly to him . For by this means , Gordon's Honour , and his own Safety might be secured . Gordon , being thus made Master of the Life and Death of his Enemy , dissembled his Anger , and deals with his Wife , to put the Young-man to Death in his absence ; for , by this means , he thought to cast off the Odium of the Fact upon her : but it fell out quite otherwise ; for all Men knew the paultry Disposition of Gordon ; and they were as well satisfi'd in the Integrity of his Wife , who was a choice Woman , and had carried her self like a Regular and Noble Matron in all the rest of her Life , so that every Body was satisfied that Gordon was the Author of that Counsel to his Wife . Gordon being thus in Prison , the Queen Regent's Council were of different Opinions as to his Punishment ; some were for his Banishment during some Years into France ; others for putting him to Death . But both those Opinions were rejected by Gilbert Earl of Cassils , the chief of his Enemies . For he , foreseeing by the present State of things , that the Peace betwixt the Scots and French would not be long-liv'd , was not for his Banishment into France , for he knew a Man of so paultry a Spirit , and so revengeful of those who did scandalize or emulate him , would in the War , which the Insolency of the French was like speedily to occasion , be as a Firebrand and a Commander for the Enemy . And he was more against his putting him to Death , because he thought no private offence worthy of so great Punishment , as to inure the French to spill the Blood of the Nobility of Scotland . And therefore he went a middle way , that he should be fin'd and kept in Prison , till he yielded up the Right , which he pretended to have over Murray . And that he should suffer all the Royal Revenues , arising out of the Orcades , Schetland Isles , and Mar , to be quietly gathered by such Collectours , as the Queen-Regent did appoint , and he himself should not meddle with any of the Publick or Regal Patrimony ; and likewise surrender up his Presidency over some Juridical Courts , But released , upon Conditions . which did bring him in great Profit . Upon these Conditions , he was dismiss'd , and having thus addulc'd the Mind of the Regent , and those that could do most with her , at last he was admitted into the Privy Council .

In the mean time , all Court-Offices , which had any thing of Gain to move Competitorship , were , by Gordon's Advice , given to Strangers , on purpose that he might breed a Disgust betwixt the Queen Regent , and the Nobility of Scotland , and so take Delight , though not an honest or creditable one , in their mutual Contest , and destroying one another ; and the Earl of Cassils , who foresaw this Tempest before it came , began now to be accounted as a Prophet .

After this , Matters were quiet till Iuly , in the Year 1555. and the Queen-Regent having gotten this respite from War , apply'd her self to rectify the Disorders of the State : She went to Inverness , and held publick Conventions in the Nature of Assizes , in all accustom'd places , wherein many Disturbers of the publick Peace were severely punish'd ; she sent Iohn Stuart , Earl of Athol , against Iohn Murderach , to effect that which Gordon , in his Expedition , had failed in . He , besides that Fortitude and Constancy , ( Virtues proper to him ) was also so prudent and successful , that he took him , his Children and whole Family , and brought them to the Queen . But Murderach being impatient of sitting still , or else excited by the sting of an evil Conscience , deceiv'd his Keepers , scap'd out of Prison , and fill'd all places again with Blood and Rapine . The Regent hearing of this , was forced to undertake a Voyage , sooner than she determined , to bring him and other Malefactors to Justice ; which having done , she returned ; and , in a publick Assembly , restored some of those who slew Cardinal Beton , that were popular Men , ( whom the late Regent had banish'd ) from their Exile ; by which Fact of hers , she procur'd not so much applause , as she did Ill-will from the many new Taxes she devised . It was thought , that D'Osel , Ruby , and those few French about the Regent , The Queen Regent , by the Advice of the French , raises new Taxes , put Her upon those new Projects to raise Mony , i. e. that Mens Estates should be survey'd and registred in Books made for that purpose , and that every one should pay yearly a certain Sum tax'd upon him out of it , into a Treasury to be set apart for that end , as a Fund for War ; for , with that Mony , thus kept in a peculiar Treasury , Mercenary Souldiers were to be raised to guard the Borders , and so the Nobility might remain quiet at home , except some great Invasion were made by the Enemy , which an ordinary Force could not resist . The poorer sort were much aggrieved at this new pecuniary Imposition , and inveigh'd openly against it with bitter Words ; but the greatest part of the Nobles kept their Disgust within their own Breasts , every one fearing , that if he should first oppose the Will of the Queen Regent , the whole Envy of the Refusal would fall upon him , alone . But the next Rank of People were as angry with the Nobles , for betraying the publick Liberty by their Silence , as they were with the Queen ; and thereupon about 300 of them met together at Edinburgh , and chose Iohn Sandeland of * * In Mid-Lothian . Calder , and Iohn Weems , out of their whole Body , and sent them to the Queen-Regent , to represent to her the Ignominy in paying this Tax , But the Commons withstand it , shewing their Reasons . and therefore they desired it might not be sessed nor levied upon them , because of their Poverty , both publick and private ; and also to inform her , how their Ancestors had not only defended themselves and their Substance against the English , when much more powerful than now they are , but also had made often Inrodes into England ; and that themselves had not so far degenerated from their Ancestors , but that they were willing to lay down their Lives and Fortunes for the Good of their Country , if need required . And as for the levying of Mercenary Auxiliaries , that 't was a matter full of Danger , to commit the State of Scotland to Men , without either Lands or Hopes , but who would do any thing for Mony ; and , if occasion were offered , their profound Avarice would invite them to attempt Innovations , so that their Faithfulness hung only on the Wheel of Fortune : but suppose , they were well qualified , and had a greater Love to the Country , than Respect to their own Condition , yet was it likely , nay , was it not incredible , that Mercenaries should fight more valiantly , to defend the Estates of others , than the Masters of them would do , each Man for his own ? Or , that a regard to a small Stipend or Pay , which was likely to cease in time of Peace , would raise up greater Courage in the Minds of the Ignoble , than in the Nobility , who sought every Man for his Fortune , Wife , Children , Religion and Liberty ? Besides , this Project ( said they ) concerns the very Vitals of the Scotish Empire , and 't was a thing of greater Consequence , than to be debated at this time , and in this Age of our young Queen ; for , if 't were granted , it could be effected without any Sedition , yet this new way of managing a War , is both useless , and also much feared and suspected by the most , especially since , out of the Tribute of the Scots , Men none of the richest , Mony enough could hardly arise to maintain a Guard of Mercenaries , for the Defence of the Borders ; and therefore 't was to be feared , that the Event of this Counsel would be , to open the Door of the Borders to the Enemy , not to shut it . For if the English , living in a richer Kingdom , should erect a fuller Treasury for that use , there was no doubt , but they might maintain Forces , double to ours with less Grievance to their own People ; and then they would break in , not only upon the Borders , but even into the very Body of the Kingdom . The other part of their Oration , I know not , whether it be not better to suppress in Silence , than to declare it amongst the Vulgar : some Mutterings there were ; Who will collect this Mony ? What great part of it must necessarily be expended upon Distrainers and Treasurers , as a Reward for their pains ? Who will undertake that it shall be spent for publick Uses , and not on private Luxury ? 'T is true , the Probity and Temperance of our noble Princess , who now rules , gives us great Hope , yea Confidence , that no such thing will be ; yet , if we consider , what hath been done by others abroad , and by our selves at home , we cannot contain or so govern , our selves , but must needs fear , that what hath once been done , may possibly be done again . But to let these things pass , which perhaps we have no cause to fear ; let us come to that , wherein our Ancestors plac'd their greatest hope of Defence , to maintain their Liberty against the Arms of an overpowring Enemy . There was no King of Scotland ever judg'd wiser than Robert the first of that Name , and all confess , he was the most valiant . He , at his Death , as he had often done in his Life , out of a Prospect to the good of his Subjects , gave this advice , That the Scots should never make a perpetual Peace , no nor One for any long time , with the English . For he , out of the Wisdom of his own Nature , and also by his long Experience , and Exercise under both Conditions , prosperous and adverse , knew well enough , that , by Idleness and Sloth , the Minds of Men would be broken with Delights and Blandishments of Pleasures , and their Bodies also grow languid ; for when severe Discipline and Parsimony is extinct , Luxury and Avarice do grow up as in a Soil untill'd , accompany'd also with an Impatience of Labour , and a Slothfulness , occasioned by continu'd Ease , averse from and hating a military Life ; by which Mischiefs , the Strength of Body and Mind , being enervated and weakned , doth abandon Virtue , which is exercised by Sufferings , and that a short and unaccustomed Ease and Pleasure is over-ballanced by some notable Calamity to ensue .

Upon which , she desists . Upon this Oration , the Queen-Regent , fearing an Insurrection , if she had persisted in her opinion , remitted the Tribute , and acknowledg'd her Error ; 't is reported , she was often heard to say , that it was not Her self , but no obscure Men of the Scots themselves , who were the Authors and Architects of that Design : By those Words , some thought she meant Huntly , a Man fierce of his own Disposition , and newly released from Prison , and , as it seems , more mindful of the Injury of his Imprisonment , than of the respect shewed in his Deliverance . And therefore when he saw , that the Regent was intent upon this one thing , to accustom the Scots to pay Tribute , fearing that thereby her Power would increase , and the Authority of the Nobility would be weakned and infring'd ; in regard she , being a Foraigner , sought to bring all things into the Power of her own Country-men , it was thought he gave this Counsel to her which suited well with her Mind , as to the raising of Mony , which she was then about ; for otherwise , the advice was plainly Destructive , Hostile and Pernicious ; for he knew well enough , that the Scots would not pay such great Taxes , neither would they be as obedient Subjects , as they had been before ; some thought , that David Painter , Bishop of Ross , found out this way of Tax , for he was a Man of a great Wit , and learned besides ; he had receiv'd many Courtesies from the Hamiltons , and was a Friend to their Family and Designs .

The next year , which was 1557 , whilst the Embassadors of Scotland were treating about Peace at Carlisle , Embassadors from France , desiring the Scots to make War against England , the King of France sent Letters to Scotland , to desire the Regent to declare War against England , according to the League . The Cause was pretended to be , because the Queen of England had assisted Philip of Spain her Husband , who was ingag'd in a fierce War against France , by sending him Aid into Belgium . The English Embassadors return'd , without confirming any settled Peace or War either ; whereupon the Regent call'd together the Nobility at the Monastry of * * On the North side of South-Esk , near Dalkeith , in East-Lothian . Newbottle , where She declar'd to them the many Incursions the English had made upon Scotish Ground , what Preys they had taken , and when Restitution was demanded , none was made , so that She desir'd the Scots to denounce War upon England , both to revenge their own Wrongs , and also , by the same labour , to assist the King of France ; yet she could not prevail with the Nobility to begin first ; and therefore by the advice , as 't is thought , of D'Osel , she brought about the matter another way ; She commanded a Fort to be built at the Mouth of the River † † The Town of Eye-Mouth in the Merss . Aye , against the sudden Incursions of the English , wherein also she might safely lay up great Guns and other Necessaries for War , as in a safe Magazine ; from whence she might fetch them upon occasion , and so save labour of carrying them from the remoter parts of the Kingdom , whereby much time would be spent ; and , besides the troublesomeness of the Carriages , opportunity of Action would be lost . These Conveniencies were visible enough , but she had another Reach in it , she knew , that the English would do their utmost to hinder the Work , and not suffer a Garison to be erected under their Noses , so near Berwick : Thus the Seeds of War ( which she desired ) would be sown , and the fault of taking up Arms cast upon the Enemy : And the Event answered her Expectation . For the Scots , being provoked by the wrongs of the English , whilst they were compell'd to defend their own Borders , easily assented to the Regent's desire , to make War upon England ; whereupon the Embassadors sent into England , to make a Peace , were call'd back , a Proclamation was made , and a Day appointed for a general Rendezvouz at Edinburgh ; when the Camp was form'd at * * In Teviotdale , on the South side of Tweed , below Kelso . Maxwel Heugh , and the Council had not yet decreed any thing concerning the manner of carrying on the War , they , who were forward to gratify the Regent , and to oblige the French , ran up and down plundering about Werk Castle , scituate in the Borders of England : D'Osel had brought some French Troops thither , Difference between D'Osel , the French Embassador , and the Scots Nobility . and some Ordnance , as many as he thought were sufficient to take in the Castle , and he carried them over the Tweed , without staying for the Order of the Council , which did highly incense the Scots Nobles against him ; for , by his so doing , he seem'd to aim at the Vindicating the whole Honour of such an Expedition to Himself rather than to his Master , and also to make the Scots to be obnoxious to , and under , his Command , who were wont to have the chief Command themselves . Thus the Scots were mightily offended , that they were so slighted by a private Man , and a Stranger too , so as to be led by the Nose by him , without so much as asking their Opinions , as was formerly wont to be done ; so that by doing things of his own Head , without consulting the Nobles , he had arrogated more to himself , than ever any of their own Kings had done .

Hereupon , the matter was deliberated in Council , where it was unanimously agreed , that they would not venture the strength of the Kingdom against an Enemy , at the humour of every private Person ; especially , seeing they were never wont to obey their own lawful Princes in that Case , but after Matters had been open'd and seriously debated in Council , before they were resolv'd upon ; and therefore Osel's Imperiousness in the Case was nothing else but an Essay , D'Osel vails Bonnet to them . to try , how capable they were to bear the yoke of Slavery ; Whereupon , they commanded Osel to draw back the Ordnance , and if he refus'd , he should be punish'd as a Traitor . The Queen-Regent , and Osel himself , did highly resent this Affront ; The Regent thought , that her Majesty was impair'd thereby ; and the other , that his Master's Honour ( whose Embassador he was ) was concern'd : but they being the weaker , were forc'd to yield for the present ; and there seemed no remedy to occur , but that the Queen of Scots , who was now marriageable , should marry the Dauphin as soon as conveniently it could be effected ; for then the Wife , being in the Power of her Husband , the Authority of the Council would be much lessened .

During that Winter , there were various Excursions made , and with different Success , but One was most memorable at the foot of the Cheviot-hills , where a fight was maintain'd a long while , between the Duke of Norfolk and Andrew Carr , The Scots under Andrew Carr , overthrown by the Duke of Norfolk . the Victory was a long time doubtful , but at last inclin'd to the English , and Carr was taken Prisoner , many brave Men being wounded on both sides . Hereupon , an Assembly was Indicted at Edinburgh , to be held in October , to hear the Letters sent from the French King . In them , after a prolix Enumeration of the ancient Leagues betwixt them , and their mutual Obligations one to another , he desir'd the Scots Parliament , that a choice might be made of fit Persons , out of all the Three Orders , with ample Commission , who , in regard his Son , the Dolphin , about the end of December , was entring upon the Year fit for Marriage , according to the Law , might be sent Embassadors to conclude the Marriage , which was almost already made , ( for the Queen of Scots had been transported over into France , upon that hope ) and so the Two Nations , which were anciently Confederate , would now coalesce into one Body ; and the old Friendship , betwixt both People , would be connected by an indissoluble Bond. This if they would do , he made them Magnificent Promises , that whatever fruits of Benevolence they did hope for from Allies , the same they might expect from him .

Tho all the Scots knew , to what end this haste of the French King was directed , and that there were shortly like to be Disputes between them concerning their Liberties , yet they all came , in great Obedience , to the Indicted Parliament , where , without any much adoe , eight Embassadors were chosen , to go over into France , to finish the Marriage : Three of the Nobility , Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils , George Lesly Earl of Rothes ; to whom was added , Iames Fleming Earl of * * In Lennoxshire . Commerland , chief of his Family . Three of the Ecclesiastical Order , Iames Beton Arch-bishop of Glasgow , Robert Read , Bishop of the Orcades , and Iames Stuart , Prior of the Monast'ry of St. Andrews and the Queen's Brother , and Two of the Commons , Embassadors sent to France , about the Marriage of the Dolphin with the Queen of Scots . George Seaton , because he was Governour of Edinburgh , and Iohn Areskin Laird of Down or Din , Governor of * * A Royal Borough of Angus . Montross , of a Knights Family , but comparable for Dignity , to any Noble Man . After they had set Sail , and were yet on the Coast of Scotland , they were toss'd with a very high Wind ; and being farther at Sea , they met with such a grievous Tempest , that Two of the Ships were Sunk , not far from Boloign in France , a Town of the Morini . The Earl of Rothes and the Bishop of the Orcades were carry'd to Land in a Fisher-boat , and were the only Two that escap'd of all the Passengers therein . The rest of the Fleet , having long combated with the Waves , at length arriv'd in other lesser Ports of France , where , when all the Embassadors were again met , they hasten'd to Court . There they began the Treaty about the Marriage ; all yielded to it , but the Guises were mighty forward to have it hasten'd , both because they judg'd that Affinity would be a great accession of Authority to their Family , as also because opportunity seem'd to favour their Design , in regard Annas Duke of Momorancy , who was esteem'd the wisest of all the French Nobility , and who was most likely to oppose the Match , was a Prisoner of War . He indeed was not willing the matter should be so precipitated , as for many other Causes , in the Judgment of many , very just and considerable ; so , because the Power of the Guises ( which was suspected by the Wise , and began to be intolerable to all ) might not grow to that height , as to be unsafe for Kings themselves . For of the five Brothers of the Guises , the eldest was Captain General of all the Forces , which serv'd in France . The next was sent into † † Piemont and Millain . Liguria to Succeed Charles ‖ ‖ D'Coss , Earl of Brisac . Cosseus ; The third was transported over into Scotland , with some Supplies , to command the Army there ; The fourth had the Command of the Gallies at Marseilles . And all Mony-matters pass'd under the Hands of Cardinal Charles ; so that neither Souldier nor Souz could wag in all the Territorys of the French King , without their Approbation and Good liking ; some Men did commiserate the Fortune of the best of Kings , and it brought into remembrance the Condition of those Times , when , by reason of Court-Factions , the Kings of France have been shut up in Monast'ries , as in places of a milder Banishment .

The Court , for some time , being transported with these nuptial Revels , when they came to themselves , call'd the Scots Embassadors into the Council , where the Chancellor of France dealt with them to produce the Crown , and the other Ensigns of the Kings , and that the Queen's Husband should be created King of Scotland , according to Custom . To whom the Embassadors answer'd , in short , That they had receiv'd no Commands concerning those Matters . The Chancellor reply'd , That no more was desir'd of them at present , than what was in their Power , viz. That when these Matters came to be debated in the Parliament of Scotland , that they would give their Suffrages in the Affirmative , and give it under their Hands , that they would so do . That demand seem'd to be fuller of Peremptoriness than the former , and therefore they thought it best to reject it with great vehemency and disgust . Insomuch that their Answer was , That their Embassy was limited by certain Instructions and Bounds , which they neither could , nor would , transgress , but if they had been left free from any restriction at all , yet it was not the part of faithful Friends , to require That of them , which they could not grant without certain Infamy and Treachery , tho there were no danger of Life in the Case ; That they were willing to gratify the French , their old Allies , as far as the just Laws of Amity requir'd , and therefore they desir'd them to keep within the same Bounds of Modesty , in making their Demands .

Some of the Scots Embassadors die in France , and the rest return home . Thus the Embassadors were dismiss'd the Court ; and tho they hasten'd home , assoon as they could ; yet , before they went a Ship-board , four of the chief of them , Gilbert Kennedy , George Lesly , Robert Reed , and Iames Fleming , all very virtuous and true Patriots , departed this Life , as also did very many of their Retinue , not without suspicion of Poison . It was thought , that Iames , the Queen's Brother , had also taken the same Dose , for , altho by reason of the Strength of his Constitution and his youthful Age , he escap'd Death at that time , yet he lay under a dangerous and constant weakness of Stomach , as long as he liv'd .

That Summer , Matters were at that dubious pass in Britain , that there seem'd rather to be no Peace , than a War : For there were Skirmishes on both sides , Preys driven , and Villages burnt ; Incursions were mutually made , and not without Blood : Two of the Nobility of Scotland were carry'd away Prisoners by the English , William Keith , Son to the Earl of Merch ; and Patrick Grey , chief of a Family ( so call'd ) amongst the Scots ; the rest of the Military damages fell upon mean Persons .

About the same time , The English Fleet attempts the Orcades , but are driven off by Tempest . the English sent a Fleet under the Command of Sir Iohn Clare to infest the Coasts of Scotland , they came to the Orcades , intending there to Land , and to burn Kirkwall , a Bishops See , the only Town in that Circuit : When they had made a descent with a good part of their Force , a fierce Tempest suddenly arose , which carry'd their Ships from the Coast into the Main , where , after a long contest with the Winds and Waves , they at length made Sail for England back again : They which were put a Shore , were every one Slain by the Islanders .

This year , and the year before , the Cause of Religion seem'd to lie Dormant , for it being somewhat crush'd by the Death of George Wiseheart , one Party accounted themselves well satisfy'd , if they could worship God in their own Tongue , in private Assemblies , and dispute soberly concerning Matters of Divinity ; and the other Party , after the Cardinal was slain , shew'd themselves rather destitute of an Head , than undesirous of Revenge ; For he who succeeded in his Place , did rather covet the Mony than the Blood of his Enemies , and was seldom Cruel , but when it was to maintain his Licentiousness , and to expend on his Pleasures .

In April , Walter Mills , a Priest , none of the most learned , was yet suspected by the Bishops , because he left off to say Mass ; whereupon he was haled to their Court . Though he was weak by Constitution of Body , and Age , extream Poor , and also brought out from a nasty Prison , and lay under such high Discouragements ; yet he answer'd so stoutly and prudently too , that his very Enemies could not but acknowledg , That such greatness and confidence of Spirit in such an enfeebled Carkase , must needs have a support from on High . The Citizens of St. Andrews were so much affected at the wrong done him , that there was none found who would sit as Judg upon him , and all the Tradesmen shut up their Shops , that they might sell no Materials toward his Execution , which was the Cause of his Reprieve , for one day more than was intended . At last one Alexander Somerval , a Friend of the Archbishop's , was found out , a naughty Fellow , Walter Mills martyred , to the great regret of the Citizens of St. Andrews . who undertook to sit as Judg ▪ upon him , for that Day . This is certain , the Commonalty took his Death so hainously , that they heap'd up a great Pile of Stones in the Place , where he was Burnt , that so the Memory of his Death might not end with his Life . The Priests took Order , to have it thrown down for some Days , but still as they dissipated it one Day , it was rais'd up the next , till at last the Papists convey'd the Stones away to build Houses with , about the Town . Iuly the 20 th , was the day appointed by the Bishops for Paul ‖ ‖ Or , Meth●e● . Paul Meffen troubled , upon the account of Religion . Meffen , an eminent Preacher of God's Word in those days , to come to his Answer . There was a great Assembly of the Nobles at the time , so that the Matter seem'd to tend towards a Tumult ; whereupon the Process was deferr'd to another time , several were condemn'd , but it was of those which were Absent ; who , that they might not be terrify'd with the severity of the Punishment , were commanded to come in by the 1st of September , and pardon was promis'd them , if they recanted .

The same 1st of September was St. Giles day , whom the Inhabitants of Edinburgh do venerate as their Tutelar God , carousing to him in great Goblets , and making high Entertainments for their Neighbours and Guests . The Regent , fearing , lest in such a confus'd Rable , some Tumult should arise , was willing to be present her self at the Wake . The Papists were very glad of her Coming , and easily persuaded her to see the Show and Pageant , wherein St. Giles was to be carried about the City ; St. Giles's Show , the Tutelar of Edinburgh , fouly spoiled . but St. Giles , alas ! did not appear , for he was stol'n out of his Shrine by some body or other . However , that St. Giles might not want a Pageant , nor the Citizens a Show upon such a Festival Day , there was another young Gilesling ( forsooth ) set up in his room . After the Regent had accompanied him thro the greatest part of the Town , and saw no danger of any Insurrection , she retired , weary as she was , into an Inn to repose her self . But presently , the City-Youths pluck'd down the Picture of Giles from the Shoulders of those who carried him , threw him into the dirt , and spoiled the Glory of the whole Pageantry . The Priests and Friars , running several ways for fear , created a belief of a greater Tumult ; but when they had understood , that there was more Fear than Danger in the thing , and that the whole Matter was transacted without Blood , they crept again out of their holes , and gathered themselves together to consult about the main Chance ; where , though they were quite out of hopes to recover their ancient Repute , yet they dissembled Confidence , as if their former Power had remained : And to try how to retrieve their Affairs in so desperate a Case , they sought to strike Fears into their Enemies , and appointed a Convocation to be held at Edinburgh , November 8. When the Day of their Convening came , the Priests met in the Church of the Dominicans , and there cited Paul Meffen by Name , whom in a former Assembly they had commanded to appear ; Paul Meffen banished by the Papists , but yet harbor'd by the Inhabitants of Dundee . he , not appearing , was banish'd , and a grievous Punishment denounc'd on those , who should receive him into their Houses , or supply him with any Necessaries , to support his Life . But that Commination did not terrify the Inhabitants of Dundee from doing their Duty , for they supplied him with Provision , and harbor'd him from one House to another ; yea , and they dealt with the Regent , by some Men who were gracious at Court , that his Banishment might be remitted ; but all the Priests mightily withstood it , and besides , they offered a great Sum of Mony to hinder it , so that nothing could be done .

Whilst these things were acting , some eminent Persons , especially of Fife and Angus , and some chief Burgers of several Towns , travell'd over all the Shires of Scotland , exhorting all the People to love the sincere preaching of the Word , and not to suffer themselves , and their Friends of the same Opinion in Religion with themselves , to be oppress'd and destroy'd by a small and weak Faction , alledging , if their Enemies would transact the Matter by Law , they should easily cast them ; but if they chose Force rather , they were not inferior to them . And they had Schedules , or writing Tables , ready , for those who were pleased therewith to subscribe their Names : The first Congregation of the Reformed , in Scotland . These first assumed the Name of a Congregation , which was made more famous afterwards by Those , who joined themselves thereto .

These Assertors of the purer and Reform'd Religion , foreseeing that Matters would soon come to some Extremity , by joint Consent determin'd to send some Demands to the Queen , which unless they were granted , there was likely to be no Face of a Church ; neither could the Multitude be restrained from Insurrection . They chose Sir Iames Sandeland of * * Or Cader , in Mid-Lothian . Calder , a worthy Knight , venerable both for his Age , and for his well-spent Life , to carry their Desires to the Regent , who open'd to her the necessity of sending such a Message , and requested , in the Name of all who stood for the Reformation of Religion , The just Proposals of the Reformers to the Queen-Regent , That all publick Prayers and the Administration of the Sacraments should be celebrated by Ministers in their Mother-Tongue , that all People might understand them ; That the Election of Ministers , according to the ancient Custom of the Church , should be made by the People ; and That they who presided over that Election , should enquire diligently into the Lives and Doctrines of all that were to be admitted ; and , if by the negligence of former Times , unlearned and flagitious Persons had crept into Ecclesiastical Dignities , That they might be removed out of the Ministry , and fit Persons substituted in their places . The Priests were even mad , and storm'd mightily , that any Man durst to appear and own so impudent a Fact , as they call'd it ; but when their Heat was a little allay'd , they answer'd , that they would refer the Matter to a publick Disputation ; and indeed , what danger could there be in That , when they themselves were to be Judges in their own Case ? On the other side , the Sticklers for the Reformation alleged , That the Matter ought not to be determined by the Wills of Men , but by the plain Words of Holy Scripture . The Priests propounded also other Terms of Agreement , but such ridiculous ones , that they are not worthy of an Answer , as , If the Reformers would keep up the Mass in its ancient Honour , if they would acknowledg Purgatory after this Life , if they would yield to pray to Saints , and for the Dead , that then they would also yield , that they should pray in their Mother-Tongue , and celebrate the Sacraments , Baptism and the Lord's Supper , in the same . The Reformers pressed the Regent , ( as before ) that , in so just a Cause , she would please to gratify them with an Answer , agreeable to Equity and Reason . The Regent favoured the Cause of the Priests , and secretly promised them her Assistance , as soon as opportunity was offered . And she commanded the adverse Faction to use Prayer , celebrate the Sacraments , and perform other Religious Exercises in their Mother-Tongue , but without Tumult , only their Teachers were not to make any publick Sermons to the People at Edinburgh or Leith . Though this Condition was carefully observ'd by them , yet many Testimonies , that her Affection was alienated from them , did daily appear ; and the Papists at Edinburgh us'd almost the same Answers to the Demands which were brought in by the Nobility , only this they added farther , That as to the Point of electing Ministers , in such kind of Questions , they were to stand to the Canon-Law , or to the Decrees of the Council of Trent . Neither did they , in that Assembly , determine any thing in their own Matters , only they commanded the Bishops to send secret Informers into all Parishes of their Diocesses , who were to take the Names of all the Violators of the Papistical Laws , and bring them in to them ; and though they plainly perceived , that their Threats were little esteemed , yet , trusting to the publick Authority which was on their side , and having Confidence in the Arms of France , Which the Priests , by the Encouragement of the Queen-Regent , oppose . they insulted over their Inferiours as imperiously , as ever they did before . To mitigate their Minds in some sort , and to deprecate their severe and bitter Sentence against the Preachers of the Gospel , Iohn Erskin , Lord of Down , a Man learned , good and courteous , was sent to them ; he intreated them , out of that Piety , which we all owe to God , and Charity towards Men , that they would not think it much , at least , to tolerate People to pray to God in their Mother-Tongue , when they were met together for that Service , for That was according to Scripture-Command . They were so far from granting his Request , that they us'd him with more bitter and arrogant Words than formerly , adding also more cruel Threatnings and Reproaches ; and , lest they might seem to have acted nothing in that Assembly , they caused some thread-bare Popish Laws to be printed , and fastned upon the Doors of Churches , which , because they were commonly sold for a Groat , The Quadrantary , or Triobolar , Faith , what ? the Common People called them the Quadrantary , and sometimes the Triobolar , Faith .

Moreover , they , who the Year before , had perform'd the Embassy in France , came into the Assembly , and easily obtained , That their Transactions should be ratified : And after that , the French Embassador was introduc'd , who , after he had made a long Oration concerning the ancient and long-continued good Will of the French Kings toward all the Scotish Nation , did earnestly desire of them all , both singly and jointly , that they would set the Crown ( which he , by a new and monstrous Name , call'd Matrimonial ) upon the Head of the Queen's Husband , alleging , that he would gain but an empty Name , without any accession of Power or Profit ; he also us'd many other flattering Words , not necessary here to be repeated , which , the more accurate they were in a trifling business , by so much the more they were suspected , as Coverts of concealed Fraud ; yet the Embassador , partly by immoderate Promises , and partly by earnest Intreaties , The Scotish Crown order'd to be sent to the Daulphin of France , who had married the Queen . and partly by the Favour of some , who collogued with the future Power , gain'd the Point , that the Crown was ordered for the Daulphin ; and Gilespy Cambel , Earl of Argyle , and Iames the Queen's Brother , were chosen to carry it to him . These Persons , perceiving , that they were sent abroad to their own Ruin , in regard the French Ambition hung as a Storm ready to fall upon all their Heads , made no great haste to fit up their Equipage , but deferred their Preparation from day to day , until they had ponder'd all things , and taken surer measures of what was likely to ensue , especially since now a nearer and eminenter degree of Honour offered it self . For Mary , Queen of England , being dead , the Queen of Scots carried her self as her Heir , and bore the Arms and Ensigns of England , engraving the same on all her Housholdstuff , and domestick Furniture ; and though France was at that time miserably distressed in asserting their Power and Dominion over Milain , Naples and Flanders , yet , The Queen of Scots , upon the Death of Mary of England , assumes the Royal Arms of England . she added to the rest of her Miseries this Mock-Title of England . The wiser sort of the French saw this well enough , but they were forc'd to comply with the Guises , who then could do all at Court , for by this vain kind of Splendor , they thought to add much to the French Name .

Besides , the Regent having receiv'd the Decree concerning a Matrimonial Crown , seem'd to have put on a new Disposition , for she turn'd her ancient Affability , which was acceptable to all , into an Imperious Arrogance ; and instead of gentle Answers , wherewith before she did addulce both Factions , as , That it was not long of her , but of the Times , that she could not promise so largely as she desir'd , before that Decree was past ; now she thought her self cock-sure , and therefore us'd another kind of Language and Deportment . A Parliament was summoned to be held at Sterlin , May 9. and whereas she had often said , that now she was free from other Cares , she would not suffer the Majesty of the Government to be debased , but that she would indeavour to restore it to its ancient Veneration , by some eminent Example . These Words portended a Storm insuing , and therefore many applied to her for her Favour , and , amongst the rest , to make their Request more exorable , upon the account of the Dignity of the Messengers , Alexander Cuningham , Earl of Glencarn , and Hugh Cambel Sheriff of Air , a worthy Knight , were sent to her . When they came , she could not contain her self , but must needs utter this Speech , The imperious Answers of the Queen-Regent to the Agents of the Reformed , with their tart Reply . as a Witness of her Impiety , Do you , and your Ministers , what you will or can , yea , though they preach never so sincerely , yet they shall be banish'd the Land . They replied , in great Humility , That she would call to mind what she often promised them : She answer'd , That the Promises of Princes were no further to be urged upon them for performance , than it stood with their Conveniency : Whereupon they rejoin'd , That then they renounced all Allegiance and Subjection to her , and advised her to consider , what Inconvenience was likely to ensue hereupon ; she was unexpectedly struck with this Answer , and said , She would think upon it . And when the fierceness of her Anger seemed somewhat to abate , it was again kindled much more fiercely , as by a new Firebrand , when she heard , that the Inhabitants of St. Iohnstons had publickly embraced the Reformed Religion ; whereupon , she turned to Patrick Ruthen , Mayor of the Town , commanding him to suppress all those Tumults for innovating of Religion ; his Answer was , Magistrates have power over Mens Bodies and Estates , not their Consciences . That he had Power over their Bodies and Estates , and those he would take care should do no hurt , but that he had no Dominion over their Consciences : At which Answer , she was so inrag'd , that she said , she hoped none would think it strange , if he were shortly made to repent his stubborn Audacity ; she also commanded Iames Haliburton Sheriff of Dundee , to send Paul Meffen Prisoner to her , but he was advised thereof by the Sheriff , and so gave way to the Time , and slipp'd out of the Town ; she wrote also to the Neighbour-Assemblies to keep the Easter following after the Popish Manner ; but when none obeyed her therein , she was so inrag'd , that she cited all the Ministers of the Churches of the whole Kingdom to Sterlin , to appear there on the 10 th of May ensuing .

When that Matter came to be noised abroad , the Evangelicks exhorted one another , that they and their Ministers would also appear at the Meeting , so that there was a great Multitude of those that were likely to be at that Assembly , which though they came unarmed , yet the Regent feared , that things would not go well on her side ; whereupon she sent for Iohn Erskin of Down , who happened to be in Town at that time , and dealt with him to cause the unnecessary concourse of the People to withdraw , which would not be very difficult for him to do , because of the great Authority he had amongst them , and , in the mean time , she promised , she would act nothing against the Men of that Persuasion . Many there were , who being made acquainted with this Promise of the Regent , changed their purpose of going thither , and returned home , yet nevertheless , she , on the day appointed for the Assembly , call'd over the Names of These , who were summon'd , and such as did not answer to their Names , she outlawed : Erskin , seeing what little Credit was to be given to her Promises , and fearing to be seized on by Force , had withdrawn himself , and found the Nobles of Strathearn , Angus and Merns , yet in a Body , though doubting of the Faith of the Queen : They , finding by his Discourse , ( what they suspected before ) that the Queen's Rage was unappeaseable , and that the Matter could no longer be dissembled , prepared themselves against open Force .

Iohn Knox preaches at Perth , upon which , the Commonalty destroy the Idols and Shrines for Popish Worship . Matters standing in this ticklish Posture , Knox assembled the Multitude at Perth , and made such an excellent Sermon to them , that he set their Minds , already moved , all in a Flame . After Sermon , the greatest part of the Audience went home to Dinner , but a few of the meaner sort , such as were also inraged with Anger and Indignation , staid behind in the Church . Amongst them a poor Priest , thinking to try , how they stood affected , prepared himself to say Mass , and drew out a large Frame , or rather Idol-case , in which was contained the History of many Saints , curiously ingraven . A Young-Man standing by , cried out , That what he did , was intolerable , upon which the Priest gave him a Box on the Ear , the Youth took up a Stone , and thinking to hit the Priest , the Blow lighted on the Frame , and brake one of the Pictures ; the rest of the Multitude , being in a Rage , some fell upon the Priest and his Frame , others upon the rest of the Shrines and Altars , and thus , as 't were in a Moment of time , they demolish'd all the Monuments of superstitious , or profane , Worship .

These things were done by the meaner sort , while the richer were at Dinner ; with the same furious Violence , they ran several ways to the Monastery of the Friars , the rest of the common People still flocking in to them : And though the Friars had provided some Aid against such Assaults , yet no force was able to resist the rash Violence of the Multitude . The first assault was made upon the Idols and the Furniture for their Worship , and then the poorer sort ran into the Prey . The Franciscans were furnish'd with Housholdstuff , not only plentiful but stately , more than would serve ten times as many , as they were . The Dominicans , though not so opulent as they , yet had enough to evince their Profession of Begging to be a very vain one , so that one wittily called them not * * Friars Mendicants , call'd Friars Manducants . Friars Mendicants , but Friars Manducants . The poor seized on all the Wealth , for they , who had Estates , did so stave off and prevent all Suspicion of Covetousness from themselves , that they suffered some of the Monks , and especially the Prior of the Carthusians , to depart away laden with Gold and Silver ; yea , the Abstinence of the military Men from Plunder was as incredible , as their Celerity in demolishing the Buildings was admirable . For those large Houses of the Carthusians were so hastily overthrown , yea , and the Stones carried away , that , within two days time , there was hardly the Sign of any Foundation left . When the Tidings of these Matters were brought to the Queen , with some Exaggerations , they so inflamed her lofty Spirit , that she solemnly swore , That she would expiate this nefarious Wickedness with the Blood of the Citizens , and with the burning of the City . The Inhabitants of Cowper in Fife , hearing of the Procedure of Affairs at Perth , they also , by general consent , either broke the Images , or threw them out of the Church , and thus cleansed their Temple : At which the Parson of the Parish was so grieved , that , the Night following , he laid violent Hands on himself . The Regent was amazed to hear this News , and sent for Hamilton , the Earls of Argyle and Athol , with their Allies and Clanships , to come to her ; and though she desired , by her hasty Proceeding , to prevent the Preparations of her Enemies , The Regent disgusts the Carriages of the Reformed , and prepares Force against them . yet the Carriage of the Brass-Ordnance was so tedious , that it was about the 18 th Day of May , before they came to the parts adjoining to that City . When the Nobles that were at Perth , heard of the Preparations that the Regent had made against them , they also sent Messengers to their Friends , and to the Reformed all about , not to desert them in this last Extremity of Life and Fortune . Whereupon , all the Commonalty thereabout came zealously and speedily in , and some also out of Lothian , that they might not be wanting to the common Danger . But Alexander Cuningham , Cuningham , Earl of Glencarn , stands up stoutly for the Reformation . Earl of Glencarn , exceeded them all in his Force and Festination , for he , hearing , how things stood , gathered together 2500 Men , part Foot , part Horse , and led them on Night and Day , through rough and uncouth places , till he came to Perth . Iames Stuart , natural Son of the last King , and Gilespy Cambel , Earl of Argyle , were as yet in the Army of the Regent . For , though they were the chief Authors of Reforming Religion , yet because all hopes of Concord were not quite lost , they staid there : That so , if Peace might be made on just Terms , they might do some Service to their Friends ; but , if the Minds of the Papists were wholly averse from Peace , then they resolved to run the same hazard with the rest , at Perth .

The Regent , being before inform'd by her Spies , that the Enemy were above 7000 strong , all very hearty , and resolved to fight , though she had with her almost an equal number of Scots , besides the French Auxiliaries , yet was loath to venture all upon a Battel . And therefore she sent Iames Stuart , and Gilespy Cambel , ( whom I named before ) to treat with the Enemy ; They , on their part , chose out Alexander Cuningham , and Iohn Erskin of Down , to treat with them . The Queen was now somewhat more placable , because she heard , that Glencarn had also join'd his Forces with the rest of the Oppugners of Idolatry . A Temporary Agreement made between the Regent , and the Reformed , Whereupon the four Commissioners made an Agreement , That all military Men of the Scots should be disbanded on both sides , and the Regent should have Liberty to enter the Town , and stay there with her Retinue for a few days , till she had refreshed her self from the Toil of her Journy ; yet so , that they were not to injure any of the Towns-men in the least ; as for the French , none of them were to enter , or to come within three Miles of the Town ; all the other Differences were referred to the Decision of the next Parliament . Thus the present Insurrection being quieted without Blood , the Assertors of the Reformation departed joyfully , for they desired not to make a War , but only to defend themselves ; and thereupon they gave God Thanks , who had given an unbloody end to the War . The Earl of Argyle , and Iames Stuart , left the Regent at Perth , and went to St. Andrews , there to refresh themselves after their former Toiles . But she , the Volunteers being disbanded on both sides , having entred the place with a small Retinue , was honorably received , according to the Ability of the Citizens . The French Mercenaries passing by the House of Patrick Murray , an honest and worthy Towns-man , six of them , all levied their Pieces against a Balcony , out of which his whole Family looked to behold the Sight ; upon the Discharge , they killed only Patrick's Son , a Youth of thirteen Years of Age : The Body was brought to the Queen , and when she heard of what Family he was , she said , that the chance was to be lamented , and so much the rather , because it lighted on the Son , not on the Father ; but that she could not prevent , nor help , such casual Acccidents . This her Speech gave all to understand , that she would no longer stand to her Agreements , but till she had Force great enough to her Mind , and her Deeds confirmed the Truth of the Suspicion : For , within three days after , she began to turn all things topsy-turvy ; some of the Citizens she fined , others she banish'd , and chang'd their Magistrates , without any judicial Proceedings ; and , going to Sterlin , she left some mercenary Scots , under French Pay , in the Town to garison it ; whereby she pretended , she had not broken her Word , which was , that the City should be left free , and no French Man enter into it . When 't was objected to her , that , by the Agreement , all those were to be accounted French , who had sworn Fealty to the French King , then she had recourse to that common Refuge of the Papists , Which the Regent eludes , what she can , by undue Pretences . That Promises were not to be kept with Hereticks , but her excuse would have been as honest , if she told them , that she had no Obligation lay on her Conscience , but that she might lawfully take away both Life and Goods , from such a sort of People as they were ; and moreover , That Princes were not to be so eagerly pressed for the Performance of their Promises .

These things sufficiently declar'd , that the Concord was no● like to be lasting ; and besides , the things which followed gave further occasion to conceive a sinister Opinion of her : For she prosecuted Iames Stuart , and Gilespy Cambel , with threatning Letters , and Commands , denouncing the extremity of the Law against them , unless they came in to Her : As for the Army of the adverse Faction , she disregarded That , because she knew , it was made up of Volunteers , and such as fought without Pay , and when they were dismiss'd , they would not easily be brought together again . After she had restor'd the Mass , and setled other things , as well as she could , she left a Garison in the Town , as I said before , and went towards Sterlin : she was very desirous to have the Possession of that * * Perth . Place , in regard 't was scituate almost in the Middle of the whole Kingdom , and was the only walled Town therein ; and besides , the neighbouring Nobility was averse from the Papists , and therefore she desir'd to put this Curb upon them . Moreover , it had many conveniencies , and especially for conveyance of Land or Sea-Forces , for the Tide comes up thither by the River Tay , which washeth the Walls thereof , and so it affords passage for Commerce with foreign Nations , and 't is almost the only Town , to which access may be had by Land , even from the utmost bound of the Kingdom : As for other Towns , the passages to them are impeded and intercepted by long Bayes , running in from the Sea , and the passage is slower through them , by reason they have not that Number of Ships as to carry a great multitude at once ; so that oft-times Passengers are stopt many days by contrary Winds , or by the violence of Tempests .

For these Reasons , Perth is accounted the most convenient Place , for holding Assemblies , and also for gathering Forces from all Parts of the Kingdom . But at that time , the Regent got not so much advantage by the commodious Scituation of the Place , as she reap'd Envy , by violating her Faith , in breaking her Capitulations ; for that was the Last day of her Felicity , and the First , wherein she was publickly contemn'd . For when the matter came to be divulg'd , it gave occasion of many Insurrections in all parts of the Kingdom . For the Earl of Argyle , and Iames Stuart , perceiving , that their Credit was crack'd by the Violation of that Truce , which they were the Authors of , convocated the Neighbour-Nobility at St. Andrews , and join'd themselves to the Reform'd , and wrote to their Confederates of the same Sect , that the Regent was at Falcoland with French Forces , and that she was intent on the taking of Cowper and St. Andrews , and unless help were presently sent , all the Churches in Fife would be in great danger . Whereupon , Argyle , and Iames Stuart , join themselves with the Reform'd , against the Regent , because of her breach of Promise . a great multitude came presently in to them from the neighbouring Parts , mightily inrag'd against the Queen and her Forces . They thought themselves to wage a War against a faithless and barbarous People , that had no respect to Equity , Right , Faith , Promises , or the Religion of an Oath , but esteem'd so lightly of them , that they would say and unsay , do and undo , at every waving blast of hope , and uncertain gale of smiling Fortune ; and therefore , for the future , no Conditions or Articles of Peace were to be hearkned to , unless one Party were extinguish'd , or , at least , Strangers were driven out of the Kingdom , so that they prepared themselves to overcome , or die .

By these and such like Speeches , The Resolution of the Reformers , the Minds of all present were so inflam'd , that first of all they made an assault on Carail , a Town scituate in the furthest Angle of Fife , where they overthrew the Altars , broke down the Images , and spoil'd all the Apparatus of the Mass-Trade , and that which was almost incredible in the Case , Anger prevail'd more in the Minds of the Vulgar , than Avarice . From thence they went to St. Andrews , where they spoil'd the Temples of the other Saints , and levell'd the Monast'ries of the Franciscan and Dominican Friars to the Ground . And though all this was done , almost under the Nose of the Arch-bishop , who had a sufficient Number of Horse , which were able , as his hopes were , to defend the Town ; yet , seeing the eagerness of the People , and such a numerous concourse of Volunteers , he withdrew himself and his Followers from the Fury of the Multitude , and went to Falk-land to his Kindred and Clans . The Regent was so inrag'd at the hearing hereof , that , without any further Deliberation , she commanded a March the next day , and sent Quarter-Masters before , to assign Quarters for the French at Cowper ; she also sent abroad her Commands to all Places , that all who were able to bear Arms should follow her to Cowper ; besides , she gave a Watch-word to the present Force of the French , and the Hamiltons , that they should be all ready to be in Arms , on sound of Trumpet . This Design of hers was made known to the Reformers , by their Spies and Scouts ; whereupon , their Friends and Acquaintance were summon'd to repair to those , who were already Assembled ; and to prevent the Design of the Regent , they march'd presently towards Cowper ; and at the same Instant , the Inhabitants of Dundee , and the Nobles of the adjacent Country , to the Number of about 1000 Men , upon the same Alarum , join'd themselves with them . That night they abode there , but the next Morning early , they drew their Forces out of the Town , and stood in Array in the adjoining Fields , expecting the Army of the Papists , and gathering up their own Forces , as they came gradually and stragglingly in . In the Camp of the Regent , there were 2000 French , under the Command of D'Osel , and a 1000 Scots , led by Iames Hamilton , Duke of * * In Poictou in France . Chastel-herault , as he was then call'd . These sent their Guns before them in the 2 d Watch , and marching early in the Morning , came all so near , as to see the Enemy , and to be seen by them . There was a small River between them , where , at convenient Posts ; The Queen marches against them , and they prepare to defend themselves , their great Guns were Planted ; 500 Horse were sent before , to make light Skirmishes with the Enemy , and also to hinder their passage over the River , if they should attempt it . The alacrity of these Men gave some stop to the French , which was further increas'd by the coming in of Patrick Lermont , Mayor of St. Andrews , with 500 Citizens in Arms , who , for the conveniency of their March , being stretch'd out in length , made a Show of a far greater Number , than they were : This kept them from discovering the Number and Order of their Enemies , which they much desir'd to know ; neither could they discover , the Commanders were at hand , that so they might give Notice to their Fellows , as they were commanded . And therefore , some of the French went to the top of an high hill adjoining , that so they might have as full a view of the Enemy , as they could , from such a distance ; from thence they discover'd many Bodies of Horse and Foot , with small distances betwixt them , and behind them a great number of Baggagers and Waggon-men , which made a long Show , at the edg of a certain Valley ; so that they thought , That that whole numerous Party was laid in Ambush for them ; and this News they carry'd to their Fellows , aggravating all things beyond what they were , indeed . Whereupon , the Commanders of the Army , by the advice of the Council , sent to the Regent , who staid behind at Falkland , to acquaint Her , how Matters stood , that the Scots seem'd more numerous than they expected , and more ready to fight ; and , on the contrary , their own Men did grumble ; and some of them did publickly give forth , That they scorn'd , for the sake of a few Strangers , to be led to an Engagement against their own Country-Men , Friends and Kindred ; Whereupon , by the assent of the Queen , Three Embassadors of the Nobles were sent from Hamilton , such as had some Friends , or Sons , in the Enemies Army . These Embassadors could not clap up a Peace , because the Reformers , having been so often deluded by vain Promises , gave no credit to their Concessions ; and the Regent , at that time , had not any other Voucher to make good her Stipulation ; and if she had , she thought it to be below her Dignity to produce it . Besides , there was another difficulty in the Case , which was the expulsion of Foreigners out of the Kingdom , ( a thing principally insisted upon ) and that she could not do , without acquainting the French King ; so that only dilatory Truces were made , not to incline their Minds to Peace , as they had often experienc'd before , but to procure foreign Aid ; only this was accorded betwixt them , That the French Forces should be transported into Lothian , and a Truce should be made for 8 Days , till the Regent sent some Pacificators of her own to St. Andrews , to propound equal Conditions of Peace to both Parties . But the Reformers , plainly perceiving , that the Regent did but protract Time , till she passed her Army over the next Firth , because then she could not compose things to her own Advantage , the Earl of Argyle , and Iames Stuart , The Reformers , under the command of Argyle and Stuart , take Perth , Cowper , Linlithgo and Edinburgh , and purge them from monuments of Idolatry . dealt with her by Letters , that she would withdraw the Garison out of Perth , and leave the City to its own Laws , as she promised , when she was admitted into it , and that the envy of her breach of Covenant was cast upon them , who were the Authors of the Agreement . The Regent , giving no Answer to these Letters , they turn'd their Ensigns towards Perth , from whence miserable Complaints and Groans for Relief were daily brought them . For the Laird of Kinfans , a neighbouring Laird , whom the Regent , at her Departure , had made Governor of the Town , to shew his Officiousness , did mightily vex the Citizens ; for taking the opportunity of his Command over them , he indulg'd his own private Passions , and reveng'd the old Grudges , which he had with many of them , even to extremity , banishing some , and spoiling others , on the account of Religion ; and he also allow'd the like Liberty to his Souldiers .

The Forces , which were at Cowper , understanding of these Injuries , done to their Friends and Partners in the Reformation , beat up a March thither , very early in the Morning , they besieg'd the Town , which , after a few days , was Surrendred to them ; Kinfans was outed of his Governorship , and Patrick Ruven , the old Governor , substituted in his Place ; afterward they burnt Scone , an old and unpeopled Town , because , contrary to their Faith given , they had slain one of their Number .

By their Spies they were inform'd , that the Regent was sending a Garison of French to Sterlin , that so they , who were beyond the Forth , might be cut off from the rest . To prevent this Design , Gilespy Cambel , and Iames Stuart , late in the Night , with great silence , remov'd from Perth , and enter'd Sterlin , where they presently overthrew the Monast'ry of the Friars . They also purg'd the other Churches about the City , from all Monuments of Idolatry ; and thus , after 3 Days , they march'd towards Edinburgh , and destroy'd the superstitious Relicks at Linlithgo , a Town in the Mid-way ; and though they were but a very few in Number , the Common Souldiers , as if the War had been ended , slipping home to to their domestic Affairs , yet they cut the Combs of the Papists in so many Towns ; yea , so great a Terror did seize upon the mercenary Troops of the Scots and French , that they fled , with all their Baggage , which they could draw after them , to Dunbar . The Scots Nobles , who were the Leaders of the Reformation , staid there several days to order Matters ; For , besides cleansing of the Temples from all the Massifying Trade , they appointed Preachers to expound the Word of God , purely and sincerely , to the People .

In the mean time , word was brought from France , that King Henry the 2 d was dead , which News increas'd the Joy , but lessen'd the Industry , of the Scots ; for many now betook themselves to their private Affairs , as if all the Danger had been over . On the other side , the Regent , fearing lest She , and the French , should be expell'd out of all Scotland , was highly vigilant and intent upon all Occasions . First , she sent forth Scouts to Edinburgh , to fish out the Enemies Designs , by whom being inform'd , that the Common Souldiers had disperst themselves , and that the few , which remain'd , kept no Military Discipline nor Watch , she thought not fit to omit such an Opportunity , but march'd with the Forces , which she had , directly to Edinburgh . Duke Iames Hamilton , and Iames Douglas , Earl of Morton , very dutifully met Her , but they not being able to compose Matters , only got this Point , That the Conflict should not begin that Day . At length , after many Conditions had been canvass'd on both sides , on the 24 th of Iuly , in the Year 1559 , a Truce was made to last till the 10 th of Ianuary ; The sum of the Terms , A Truce between the Regent , and the Reformers . were , That no Man should be compell'd in matters of Religion ; That no Garison should be plac'd in Edinburgh ; That the Priests should not be hindred from receiving the Fruits of their Lands , Tithes , Pensions , or other Incomes , freely ; That none should demolish Churches , Temples , Monastries and other Places , made for the use of Priests , or should transfer them to other uses ; And that the day after , the Mint , for coining Mony , and the Royal Palace , with all the Furniture they found there , should be restor'd to the Regent .

She was more careful to keep the Articles of this Truce , in appearance , because She had shewn so much distasteful Levity , in keeping the Pacts , made in former times ; yet notwithstanding , She , under-hand , by Men of her own Faction , caus'd the Scots to be irritated , who were by Nature inclinable to Passion , and so gave occasion of harassing the miserable Vulgar . But having no colour for her Project , sufficient to disguise her Cruelty , under the pretence of Law , she caus'd false Reports to be spread abroad , That Religion was but made a pretence for Rebellion , but the true Cause of rising in Arms , was , that , the lawful Line being Extinct , the Kingdom might be transferr'd to Iames , the late King's Bastard-Son . When she perceiv'd , that the Minds of Men were somewhat possess'd by those , and such other kind of lying , Reports , she sent some Letters to the said Iames , pretending , that they came from Francis and Mary , King and Queen of France , wherein he was upbraided with the Commemoration of the pretended Courtesies he had received , and withal was grievously threatned , if he did not lay aside his Design of Revolting , and return to his Duty . Iames answer'd thereunto , That he was not conscious to himself , either in word or deed , of any Offence , either against King , Regent , or Laws ; but , in regard the Nobility had undertaken the Cause of reforming Religion , which was decay'd , or rather had join'd themselves to those who were first therein , he was willing to bear the envy of those Things , if any did arise , which were acted in Common by himself and others , they aiming at nothing therein , but the Glory of God ; neither was it just for him to desert that Cause , which had Christ himself for its Head , Favourer and Defender , whom unless they would voluntarily deny , they could not surcease their enterprize . Setting that Cause aside , he and others , who were branded with the invidious Name of Rebels , would be most obsequious and Loyal in all other Things . This Answer was given to the Regent , to be sent into France , where 't was look'd upon as proud and contumacious , whereas some esteem'd it modest enough , and within compass , especially , as to the Point of upbraiding him which Courtesies , whereas , in Truth , he had receiv'd none , unless such as were common to all Strangers .

Amidst these things , French Auxiliaries arrive , to strengthen the Regent , a thousand French Mercenaries arriv'd at Leith , and also the Earl of Arran , Son to Iames Hamilton , late Governor , came to the Convention of the Nobles , which were held at Sterlin . The Regent became now cock-sure , upon the Arrival of the French , and began openly to apply her Mind to subdue all Scotland by Force . But the Cause of the Earl of Arran's Return , was this , He was more Eager and Zealous in the Cause of Reformation , than was safe for him in those Times , and therefore he was design'd to be put to Death , by the Guises , who were the Favorites of Francis the Younger , for the Terror of the inferior Orders of Men ; yea , the Cardinal of Lorrain was so bold in a Speech , which he made in the Parliament of Paris , inveighing against the Cause of Reformation , that , he said , they should shortly see some eminent Man suffer upon that Account , who was little inferior to a Prince . He , being made acquainted therewith , and withal calling to Mind , that he had , a little before , been free in his Discourse with the Duke of Guise , upon that Head , by the Advice of his Friends , provided for his Safety by a secret Flight ; and , contrary to all Mens Expectation , came home in the midst of his Countries Tumults , join'd himself with the part of the Reformers , procur'd his Father also to join with them , and so he reconcil'd many to him , who had been his Enemies before , upon old Grudges .

The chief of the Party , there present , being inform'd , That , for certain , some Auxiliaries were arriv'd , and others were levying to be speedily sent over to Leith , which was strongly fortifi'd to be made a Magazine for Provisions and Ammunition for War ; and , That the French intended to make use of that Town , as a Place to secure their Retreat , Which disgusts the Reformed . if they were distress'd ; and as a Port to receive their Friends , if they prosper'd . Hereupon the Scots gather'd their Forces together , and indeavour'd to besiege Leith , but in vain . For the Regent and the Governor of Edinburgh Castle , who had not yet join'd himself with the Reformers and Vindicators of publick Freedom , had the Possession of almost all the Brass-Guns in Scotland ; and besides , the Party had not strength enough , to shut up a Town in a formal Siege , which had the Sea on one side , and was also divided by a River .

In the mean time , the King of France , being inform'd , how Matters stood in Scotland , sent thither L'abros , a Knight of the Order of the * * Or , of St. Michael . Cochle , with 2000 Foot , to assist the Queen in the maintenance of the Popish Religion ; There were also sent with him the Bishop of Amiens , and 3 Doctors of the Sorbon , to dispute matters Controverted , by Arguments , if need were ; The arrival of them did so raise up the dejected Spirit of the Regent , Embassadors from France . that she solemnly Swore , she would now be speedily reveng'd of God's Enemies and the King 's . There were then 12 of the chief Nobility assembled at Edinburgh , which gave answer to Mr. D'Labros and the Bishop , Their Demands answer'd by the Reformed . who alleged , they were sent over Embassadors , and therefore desir'd a day to propound their Demands , viz. That they did not seek Peace , as they pretended , but that they threatn'd War ; otherwise , if it were only to Dispute , to what purpose was it to bring so many arm'd Forces ? As for themselves , they were not so imprudent , as to commit themselves to a Dispute , where they must be forc'd to accept what Conditions , their Enemies pleas'd . But if a Pacification might be acceptable to them , they also would take Care , that they might not seem to be compell'd by Force , but overcome by Reason ; and if they did really aim at what they pretended , they should send back the Foreign Souldiers , and meet unarm'd , as they had done before ; that so the Matter might be determin'd by Equity and Right , not by Force of Arms : This they said to the Embassadors . As to the fortifying Leith , they wrote back the Regent , to this purpose ;

That they did much admire , the Regent had , without any Provocation , so soon forgot , and receded from her Agreements , as , by driving out the ancient Inhabitants of Leith , and placing a Colony of Strangers there , and so erecting a Fort over all their Heads to the ruin of their Laws and Liberties , she had done ; and therefore , they earnestly desir'd her , to desist from so pernicious a Counsel , which was temerariously undertaken by her against the Faith of her Promises , against the publick Utility , Law and Liberty ; lest otherwise , they should be compell'd to call for the aid of all the People , in the Case .

About a Month after , The Reformers expostulate with the Regent . they sent an Answer from a Convention at Edinburgh , to the same Purpose , withal adding This to their former Requests , That She would demolish all the new Fortifications , and send away all Strangers , and Mercenaries , that so the Town might be free for Traffick and mutual Commerce , which if She refus'd to do , they would look upon it as a sure Argument , that she was resolv'd to bring the Kingdom into Slavery , which Mischief they would do all they could to prevent .

The Regent , three days after , sent Robert Forman , Principal Herauld , ( King of Arms as they call him ) giving him these Commands , in answer to them . First of all , you shall declare to them , The Regents answers to their Demands . that I am mightily surpriz'd , and look upon it as an unexpected thing , that any other Man should claim any Power here , besides my Son in Law and Daughter , on whom all my Authority depends . The former Actings of the Nobles , and these their present Postulations , or rather Commands , do sufficiently declare , that they acknowledg no Authority , Superior to themselves . That their Petition , or rather their Threats , though guilded over with smooth Words , were not at all new to Her . Next , you shall require the Duke of Castle-herault , to call to Mind , what he promis'd to me , by word of Mouth , and to the King by Letters , that he would not only be Loyal to the King , but also would take effectual Care , that his Son , the Earl of Arran , should not mix himself in these Tumults of his Country ; you shall ask him , Whether his present Actings do correspond with those Promises ? To their Letters you shall Answer , That , for the sake of the publick Tranquillity , I will do , and so I promise , whatsoever is not contrary to Piety towards God , or Duty towards the King ; as for the destruction of Law and Liberty , it never entred into her Heart , much less to subdue the Kingdom by Force . For whom , said She , should I conquer it , seeing my Daughter doth now , as lawful Heiress , possess it . As to the Fortification at Leith , you shall ask , Whether ever She attempted any thing therein , before they , in many Conventions , and at length , by a mutual Conspiracy , had openly declar'd , That they rejected the Government , set over them by Law ; and , without her Advice or Notice , though She held the Place and Authothority of a chief Magistrate , had broke the publick Peace , at their Pleasure ; and had strengthned their Party by taking of Towns , and had treated with old Enemies for establishing a League ; yea , that now many of them kept English in their Houses ; so that , to omit other Arguments , What Reason have they to judg it lawful for themselves to keep up an Army at Edinburgh , to invade those who are in Possession of the Government ; and yet it must not be lawful for me to have some Forces about me at Leith , for my own Defence ? Their aim is principally This , to compel Me , by often shifting of Places , to avoid their Fury , as I have hitherto done : Is there any mention in their Letters about Obedience to lawful Magistrates ? Do they discover any Way to renew Peace and Concord ? By what Indication do they manifest , that they are willing , that these Tumults should be appeased , and all things reduced to their former State ? Let them colour and guild their Pretensions how they please , with the shew of publick Good , yet , 't is plain , that they mind nothing less ; for if that one thing were a Remora to Concord , I have often shewed the Way that leads thereto . They themselves are not ignorant , that the French , at the Command of their own King , had long since quitted Scotland , if their Actings had not occasion'd their longer Stay . And therefore , if now they will offer any honest Conditions , which may afford a probable ground of hope , that the Majesty of the Government may be preserved , and that they will , with Modesty , obey their Superiours , I shall refuse no Way of renewing Peace , nor omit any thing relating to the Publick Good ; neither am I only thus affected towards them , but the French King is of the same mind too , who hath sent over an Illustrious Knight of the Order of St. Michael , and another prime Ecclesiastical Person , with Letters and Commands to that purpose , whom yet they had so slighted , as not to vouchsafe them an Answer , no , nor Audience neither . And therefore you shall require the Duke , the other Nobles , and Country-men of all sorts , presently to separate themselves , otherwise they shall be proclaimed Traitors .

To this Letter , the Nobles sent an Answer the day after , which was October 23. to this purpose ; The Rejoinder of the Reformed Nobility , to the Regent's Answer . We plainly perceive , by your Letters and Commands , sent us by your Herauld , how you persist in your Disaffection to God's true Worship , to the Publick Good of the whole Country , and to the Common Liberty of us all ; which , that we may perserve according to our Duty , we do , in the Name of our King and Queen , suspend and inhibit that publick Administration , which you usurp under their Names , as being fully persuaded , that your Acting● are quite contrary to their Inclinations , and against the Publick Good of the Kingdom : And as you do not esteem us a Senate and publick Council , who are the lawful Inhabitants of this Kingdom and Country ; so we do not acknowledg you as Regent , in supream Authority over us , especially since your Government ( if you have any such entrusted to you , by our Princes ) is , for weighty and just Reasons , abrogated by us , and that in the Name of those Kings , to whom we are born Counsellors , especially in such Things as concern the Safety of the whole Common-wealth . And though we are determined to undergo the utmost Hazard for the freeing of that Town , wherein you have a Garison , from foreign Mercenaries , which you have hired against us ; yet , for the Reverence and due Respect we bear you , as the Mother of our Queen , we earnestly intreat you , to withdraw your self , whilst Necessity compels us to reduce that Town by Force , which we oft endeavour'd to gain by fair Means . And withal we desire , that , within the space of twenty four hours , you would withdraw likewise Those , who challenge the Name of Embassadours to themselves , and forbid them either to decide Controversies , or to manage Civil and Martial Affairs ; and also , that all Mercenary Souldiers in that Town would retire likewise , for we would willingly spare their Lives , and consult their Safety , both by reason of that ancient Amity , which hath interceded betwixt the Kings of Scotland and France ; and also , by reason of the Marriage of their King with our Queen , which doth equitably ingage us , rather to encrease our Union , than diminish it .

The same Day , the Herauld also related , that , the Day before , in a full Assembly of Nobles and Commons , it was voted , That all the Regent's Words , Deeds and Designs tended only to Tyranny , and therefore a Decree was made to abrogate her Authority , They abrogate the Regent's Power . to which all of them subscribed , as most just : Moreover , they did inhibit the Trust her Son-in-Law and Daughter had committed to her ; they also forbad her to execute any Act of publick Government , till a general Convention of the Estates , which they determined to summon , as soon as conveniently they could . The 25 th day , the Nobles sent an Herauld to Leith , to warn all the Scots to depart out of the Town within the space of twenty four hours , and to separate themselves from the Destroyers of publick Liberty . After these Threats , Horsemen made Excursions on both sides , and the War began , yet without any considerable Slaughter . In the beginning of this Action , there fell so great and sudden a Terror upon the Cause of the Reformed , which did mightily disturb them for the present , and also cut off all hopes of Success for the future . For the Regent , partly by Threats , and partly by Promises , had wrought off many , who had given in their Names to the Reformers , from the Faction of the Nobles ; and besides , their Camp was full of Spies , who discovered both their Words and Actions , yea , those which they thought were concern'd to be kept most secret , to the Regent ; and when Iames Balfure's Servant was taken , carrying Letters to Leith , the Suspicion lighted on a great many , and the Fear diffus'd it self over the whole Body : And moreover , the Mercenary Souldiers mutinied , because they had not their Pay down upon the Nail ; and if any one indeavoured to appease them , he was grievously threatned by them . But Men did less admire the Sedition of such Men , who had neither Religion nor Honesty , than they did the Imbecillity and Faintheartedness of the Duke of Castle-herault , who was so amazed at the Fear of his Neighbours , that his Terror discouraged the Minds of many . Those , who were most couragious , endeavoured to apply Remedies to these Miseries ; and their first Consultation was , to appease the Mercenaries : And , seeing the Nobles , which remained , could not make up a Sum sufficient to quiet and pay them , some declining through Covetousness , others pleading Inability ; at last , they agreed to melt down all their Silver-Plate ; and when the Say-masters were ready to assist therein , the Mints or Stamps , I know not by whose Fraud , were taken away .

The only ground of Hope was from England , which was adjudg'd too slow . At last , they resolved to try the Fidelity of their private Friends , and thereupon they sent Iohn Cockburn of * * In East-Lothian . Ormiston to Sir Ralph Sadler , and Sir Iames Croft , two Knights of known Valour , ( who , at that time , were Officers at Berwick ) to obtain of them a small Sum of Mony , The Reformers meet with great discouragements , by the prevailing of the French , and desire Aid from England . to serve their present Occasion . This their Design , though they kept it as private as they could , was yet discovered to the Regent , who commanded the Earl of Bothwel to waylay him in his Return . He , though in a few days before , he had taken a solemn Oath , that he would not prejudice the Cause of the Nobles in the least ; yea , though he had given them hopes , that he would join himself to their Party , yet nevertheless lay in Ambush for Ormiston , assaulted him unawares , wounded and took him Prisoner , and so became Master of all the Mony , that he brought : When the noise of this Exploit was brought to Edinburgh , it alarm'd the Earl of Arran , and Iames Stuart , and almost all the Horse to draw out , not so much for desire of Revenge , as to free Ormiston , ( if he were alive ) or , at least , to put a stop to their March , that he might not be convey'd to the Regent . But Bothwel , having notice thereof by a Spy , prevented their coming by his Flight .

The same Day , the Governour of Dundee , with the Towns-men thereof , and a few Volunteers , marched towards Leith , and placed their Ordnance on an adjoining Hill . The French , who were informed by their Scouts , that almost all the Enemies Horse were absent , drew forth some Troops , to cut off those few Foot , whose Paucity they saw . The Dundeans stood a while in hope of Relief , but in regard those few Mercenaries which followed them , turned their backs almost at the first Charge , they also retired , leaving their Guns behind them , until at length a Noise was raised in the Rear , that the French were gone another way towards the Gates of the City , to seize them , and so to keep them out ; upon this bruit , there was such an universal Perturbation , that every one shifted for himself , the best he could ; and whilst each Man endeavour'd to save one , the Weak were trodden under foot by the Strong ; so every body look'd to his own Particular , and there was no Provision made in common for them all . The Papists , on this Emergency , crept out of their lurking Holes , and did openly reproach them . Insomuch , that they , who ever pretended great Zeal for the Reformatition , began partly to withdraw themselves secretly , and partly they consulted , how to desert the whole business .

On the 5 th Day of November , when News were brought , that the French were march'd out to intercept some Provisions , coming towards Edinburgh ; besides the Disagreement of the Reformed amongst themselves , the Mercenaries could scarce be got out of the Town , to oppose them . The Earl of Arran , and Iames Stuart , and their Friends went out first against them , with whom there joined many worthy and valiant Persons . They charged the French more fiercely than prudently , so that they were near upon the point , to have been shut out from Edinburgh , and so to have paid for their Rashness . For the Marishes on the one side , and the adjacent Wall of an Orchard , left them but a narrow space for their March , and That also open to the French Musketeers ; so that they were trodden under foot , partly by their own Men , and partly by the Enemies Horse . In this Trepidation , they had been all certainly cut off , unless the Commanders , leaping from their Horses , had put themselves into equal Danger with the rest ; some of the common Souldiers , seeing this , stopp'd for Shame , amongst whom was Alexander Haliburton , a Captain , a stout young Man , and very forward in the Cause of Religion , he was grievously wounded , taken Prisoner , and soon after died of his Wounds .

After this Conflict , in which there fell about twenty five , many withdrew themselves , and others were upon the point of Desperation ; but the Earl of Arran , and Iames Stuart , promised to continue their Endeavours , if but a small Company of them would keep together ; when all , in a manner , refused so to do , the next Consultation was , to leave the City , and , as the Nobles had decreed , in the second Watch , they began their March , and the Day after came to Sterlin . Iohn Knox's encouraging Sermon . There Iohn Knox made an excellent Sermon to them , wherein he erected the Minds of many , into an assur'd hope of a speedy Deliverance out of these Distresses . Here it was agreed upon , in a Convention , that , because the French were continualally strengthen'd and increas'd with new Supplies , they also would strengthen their Party , by foreign Aid ; and in order thereunto , William Maitland was sent into England , a young Man of great Prudence and Learning ; he was to inform the Queen , what eminent Danger would accrue to England , if the French were suffer'd to fortify Places , and plant Garisons in Scotland , in regard they sought the Destruction , not of Religion only , but of Laws and Liberties too ; and if the Scots were overcome by Force or Fraud , yea , if they were reduced to Servitude by unjust Conditions , they would have an easier step to infringe the Power of the English .

The English , after a long Debate of the Matter , at length , England resolves to send Aid to the Reformers in Scotland . gave some hopes of Assistance : Whereupon , the Noblemen , who were the Assertors of Liberty , divided themselves into two Parties ; Some abode at Glascow , that they might command the Neighbouring Provinces , and defend their Partners in the Reformation from Wrong ; Others were sent into Fife . The French did what Mischief they could to their Enemies ; but , being troubled to hear of the English Supplies , they endeavoured to subdue the Relicks of the contrary Faction , before their Coming ; and first , they marched against that Party which was in Fife : First , in their March they plundered Linlithgo , and the Estates of the Hamiltons ; from thence they march'd to Sterlin , where they staid no longer , but till they could pillage the Towns-men , and then pass'd over the Bridg , and led their Army along the Shore of the River , which was full of Towns and Villages , well inhabited . They ransack'd all they met with , and at last , came to * * A Borough Royal in Fife . Kinghorn . The Scots , to stop their Career , put a small Garison into a Town , called Dysert : Here the French made light Skirmishes for twenty Days together ; and because they could not wreek their Fury upon the Masters , they did it upon the bare Walls of their Houses , and raz'd a Village , called Grange , belonging to William Kircaldy , from the very Foundation . He , knowing that the French were wont to make often Excursions from thence to plunder the Country-People , a little before day , plac'd himself in Ambush , and observing Captain L'abast , a Savoyard , to march out with his Company , he kept himself close so long , till the French were above a Mile from their Garison , and then his Horse started up , and intercepted them from their Fellows . The French had but one way for it , in those Circumstances , and that was to enter a Country-Village near at hand , and so to endeavour to defend themselves behind Walls and Hedges . The Scots , being irritated by the former Cruelty of the French , were utterly unmindful of their own Safety , while they were intent to attend their Enemies , ( though they had no Arms , but Horsemens Lances ) yet broke down all which was in their way , and rush'd in upon them ; the Captain , who refused to take Quarter , and fifty of his Men , were slain , the rest they sent Prisoners to Dundee .

They who were at Dysert , as in a setled Post , met at Cowper ; out of them and others , that were at Glasgow , there were some Persons chosen to be sent to Berwick , to agree the Terms of the League with the English . The chief Articles were these , That if any Strangers should enter Brittain in a Warlike manner , each of them should aid and assist one another ; That the Queen of England should pay the Scots in England , and also the English Auxiliaries in Scotland ; That the Prey taken from the Enemy should belong to the English , but the Towns and Castles should presently be restored to the right Owners ; That the Scots should give Hostages , which were to remain in England , during the Marriage of the French King with the Q. of Scots , and if that Marriage were disanull'd , one year after .

These Transactions past at Berwick , February 27 , 1570. One thing the English gave strict warning of to the Scots , which was , that they should not join in a set Battel , and so hazard all , before the Aids of their Friends came ; for the English Nobles were much afraid , that the over-eager Spirits of the Scots would precipitate the whole matter into an irrecoverable Mistake .

In the mean time , the French , having plundered Dysert and Weemes , had a Debate among themselves , Whether they should march directly towards the Enemy , or else go all along the Shore to S. Andrews , and so to Cowper . This later opinion prevailed , because , by reason of the great Snow , which had fallen , all the High-ways were so clogged , that the Horse , without great Inconvenience , could not march thrô the Mid-land Countries ; wherefore passing along a little by the Sea , when they came to the Promontory , called * * In Fife . Kincraige , ( i. e. the Head or end of a Rock , ) some of them got thereupon , where there was a large Prospect into the Sea , and they came down in great Joy , and told their Fellows , that they discovered eight great Ships , of the first Rate , at Sea ; whereupon the French did certainly conclude , that those Vessels had brought them over Aid , which they had long before expected ; and therefore they saluted them , as the Custom is , with the Discharge of their great Guns , and congratulated one another , invited them on Shore , resolving to pass that day in a great deal of Mirth and Jollity ; not long after , one or two Boats landed from the contrary Shore of Lothian , they ( haivng , A Fleet of English appear , to aid the Scots Reformers , which terrifies the French . in their passage , had some Discourse with the Passengers , in those Foreign Ships ) made a Discovery , that it was a Fleet of English ; and withal , that the Report was , that the Land-Forces of the English were not far from the Borders of Scotland . Hereupon , there was a sudden change of Spirit among them , and their unseasonable Laughter was turned into Fear and Trembling ; so that presently they catch'd up their Colours , and retreated , part of them to Kinghorn , others to Dumfermlin , many of them leaving their Dinners behind them , for very haste ; for they were afraid ▪ lest the Garison , which they had left at Leith , might be cut off , and they themselves exposed to the Fury of the Enemy , who lay about them in all Quarters , before they could gather all their Strength into a Body .

During this whole March , they plundered more of the Papists , who came in thick to them , than of their Enemies . For of them , the richer sort had withdrawn a great part of their Estates into remote places of Safeguard ; as for those , who had not thus secured their Estates , the French Commanders being lifted up with their present Success , and also with the hopes of Aid from France , which was every day expected , in Confidence whereof they hoped to be perpetual Lords of those Countries ; hereupon , they reserved the richest Farms and Villages , which most abounded with all kind of Provisions , unplundered , as a peculiar Prey for themselves . But the Papists were either exhausted by the frequent Invitations of the principal Commanders , to feast at their Houses , under a Pretence of Friendship ; or else , were privately pillaged by the common Souldiers ; or , at least , in their Retreat , were openly spoiled by the French , who were in great want of Provisions , and that not without bitter Exprobrations of their Cowardise in Fighting , and their Avarice , in not relieving their Friends , which things ( said they ) we leave to you to judg , how near a-kin they are to plain Perfidiousness . This contumelious Pride , The French lose the hearts even of the Scotish Papists themselves , by their Insolencies and Plunderings . joined with the Rapacity of the French Faction , quite turned the Hearts of many from them ; and not long after , the Fife Men , being compell'd , partly by Fear of their Enemies , and partly by the Wrongs received by their own Partizans , joined themselves to the Reformers ; and , at last , the remote Countries did universally revolt from the Outlandish , and shewed themselves as eager in repressing the Tyranny of the French , as the other Scots did in asserting their Religion .

The Spring was now at hand , and both Parties hastened to draw their Forces together into one place . The Earl of Martigues , a stout and noble Young-Man , landed from France in two Ships , French Aid arrives in Scotland , to assist the Regent ; bringing with him about 1000 Foot , and a few Horse ; he and his Souldiers presently went on Shore , but the Ships were taken in the Night by the Scots . About the same time , the Marquess of Elbeuff , Brother to the Regent , who was bringing Aid of Men and Mony in eight Ships , returned back into the Haven , whence he set Sail , partly for Fear , because the Sea was full of English Ships , and partly excusing himself , for the Badness of the Weather . Moreover , a new Fleet of English was sent in to second the former , who flew up and down the whole Chanel , and held Keith-Island besieged , stopping all manner of Provision from passing by Sea into Leith .

In the mean time , the chief of the Assertors of Liberty , who commanded in Fife , went to Perth , and after three Days Conference there with Huntly , they won over all that Northern part of Scotland to their Party ; and Order was soon after given , that they should all assemble and rendevouz at the end of March. About the same time , all the chief Reformers had a Meeting at Linlithgo ; from thence they went to Hadington , and , on the first of April , So doth an English Army , to aid the Reformers . they joined the English ; there were in the English Army above 6000 Foot , and 2000 Horse : The next Night , they pitched their Tents at Preston . The same day , the Regent , to withdraw her self from the Danger now nearly approaching , and to avoid the uncertain Hazard of War , retired , with some few of her Domesticks , into the Castle of Edinburgh ; Iohn Erskin was Governour thereof , a Man of approved Piety and Carefulness , he had received the Command of it , by a Decree of the publick Council , as hath been before related , but upon this Condition , That he should render it up to none , unless by the Command of the same Council . The French saw , that the Possession of this Castle was of huge Advantage to their Affairs , and therefore they used great Endeavours to obtain it by Treachery . The Governour , though he were not ignorant of their Intentions towards him , and had so fortified the Castle , and made such other diligent Provision , that 't was secure , either from Force or Fraud ; yet , was not willing to exclude the Regent , at such a time ; but , in receiving her into the Castle , he took great care , that both she and the Castle might be still under his Command . The Nobles , who were the Assertors of publick Liberty , though before they had often found , that her Mind was obstinately averse against the Cause , which they had undertaken , yet thought it adviseable not to pretermit the present Occasion , as hoping , that the Fear of the War , approaching nearer to her , and the Uncertainty of Aid from a remote Country , might incline her Mind to peaceable Counsels . Whereupon , the chief of the Party had a Meeting at Dalkeith , from whence they wrote to her to this purpose ;

We have oft-times heretofore earnestly intreated you , both by Letters and Messengers , The Reformers last Letter to the Regent . to send away the French Souldiers , who do yet , another Year , grievously oppress the poor Country-People ; yea , they raise up a just Fear in the Commonalty , that they shall be reduced into miserable Bondage ; from which Fear , we have many times requested you to free us , but when our just Intreaties prevail'd nothing with you , we were inforced to represent our deplorable Estate to the Queen of England , as the nearest Princess to our Borders , and to desire Aid of her , to expel the Strangers , who threatned to make us Slaves , out of our Kingdom , and that by Force of Arms , if it could not otherwise be done ; and though , she , out of a sense of our Calamities , hath undertaken our Cause ; yet , that we might perform our Duty towards the Mother of our Queen , and might prevent the Effusion of Christian Blood , as much as is possible , and might then have Recourse to Force of Arms , when we have tried all other Ways to obtain Right without Success , do as yet deem it a part of our Modesty , again to pray you , to command the French Souldiers , with their Commanders and Officers , to depart immediately out of the Land . In order to the Accomplishment whereof , the Queen of England will not only afford them a safe Passage through her Kingdom , but will also assist with her Fleet to transport them . If this Condition be rejected , we call God and Man to Witness , that we take up Arms , not out of Hatred , or any wicked Intent , but inforc'd thereto by mere Necessity , that so we may try the Extremity of Remedies , that the Common-Wealth , our Selves , our Estates , and Posterities , might not be precipitated into utter Ruin . And yet notwithstanding , though we , at present , suffer very heavy Pressures , and heavier ones are near at hand , no Danger whatsoever shall ever inforce us to depart from our Duty towards our Queen , or from the King her Husband , in the least tittle , wherein the Destruction of our ancient Liberty , and the Ruin of our Selves , and our Posterity , is not concerned . As for you , most benign Princess , we beseech you again , that , weighing the Equity of our Demands , the Inconveniencies attending War , and how necessary Peace is to this your Daughter's Kingdom , so miserably harrassed , you would afford a favourable Ear to our just Requests ; which if you shall do , you will leave a grateful and pleasant Memory of your Moderation amongst all Nations , and will also provide for the Security of the greatest part of Christians . Farewel . Dated at Dalkeith , the 4 th of April , in the Year 1560.

The 6 th Day of April , when the English drew near by the Sea-side , about 1300 French march'd out of Leith , and possessed a little rising Hill , at the end of the Plain , because they thought that the English would pitch their Tents there . There was a sharp Fight for above five Hours , for the recovering and keeping the Place , with no small Loss on both sides ; at last , the Scotch Horse , with great Violence , rush'd in amongst the thickest Band of the French , and drove them back in great Astonishment into the Town ; and if the English Horse had come in sooner than they did , as 't was agreed , they had been all excluded from their Fellows , and so cut off .

After this Onset , there were Conferences managed between the Parties , but in vain , for the English did despise all Truce , and ever and anon made some light Excursions , yet not without Blood ; Skirmishes between the English , and the French . 't is not necessary to recount them . On the 22 d of April , Iohn Monluck , Bishop of Vallence in Savoy , was first carried into the English Camp , then into the Castle of Edinburgh , to the Regent , where he had a Conference with her three Days , and then returned to the Scotish Nobles ; the Terms of Concord could not , then neither , be agreed on , because the Scots persisted peremptorily in their Demand , that the foreign Souldiers should return home . Hereupon , the English , because the distance between their Camp and the Town was too great for their Ordnance to do any Execution , so that their Batteries signified little or nothing , removed their Camp on the other side Leith-River , near the Town , where they might more certainly annoy the Enemy , and also have frequent Skirmishes with him , Hand to Hand . On the last day of April , about two Hours before Sun-set , a casual Fire seized upon part of the Town , which , being assisted by the Violence of the Winds , burnt fiercely till the next Morning , destroying many Houses , and making a great Devastation , yea , it took part of the publick Granary , and consum'd a great deal of Provisions . In this hurly-burly , the English were not wanting to the occasion , for they turn'd their great Guns upon that part , and plaid so hot upon the People , that they durst not come to quench the Fire ; yea , they enter'd the Trenches , and in some places measur'd the height of the Walls , so that if the French , at the beginning of the Combustion , fearing some Treachery , had not run thick to the Walls , and thereby prevented their loss in such a general Consternation , that very day had put an end to the War .

On the 4 th of May , the English set fire to the Water-Mills , which were near the Town ; one of them they burnt down before day , the other , the next day after ; the French , in vain indeavouring to quench the Flames . On the 7 th of May , the Besiegers set Ladders to the Walls to make an Assault , but the Ladders were too short , so that they were beaten off , many wounded , and 160 slain : The three following days , the French were imploy'd , with great Labour and Hazard , in repairing the Walls , the English continually playing upon them where they saw the greatest Numbers . The Papists were extreamly puft up with this Success , so that now they promis'd to themselves , that the English would depart , the Siege would be rais'd , and the War be finish'd . But the English and Scots were nothing discourag'd by this Blow , but exhorted one another to Constancy , and the English promis'd to stay , till they heard their Queen's pleasure from her Court. In the mean time , Letters came from the Duke of Norfolk , which did mightily incourage all their Spirits . For he wrote to Grey , the chief Commander , wishing him to continue the Siege , and that he should not want Souldiers , as long as there was a Man able to bear Arms in his Province , ( which was very large , reaching from Trent to Tweed ) and , if need were , he himself would come in Person into the Camp , and , as a sure Pledge thereof , he caus'd his own Tent to be erected in the Camp ; and , in a few days , sent in 2000 Auxiliaries ; so that the Memory of the former loss was quite worn out , and , with great alacrity they renew'd the War ; and from that day forward , though the French made frequent Sallies , yet hardly one of them was prosperous to their Party .

In the mean time , the Queen of England sent William Cecil , a learned and prudent Person , Embassadors from England . who was then the chief Manager of Affairs in England , and Nicholas Wotton , Dean of York , into Scotland , to treat about a Peace ; they were commanded to confer Counsels with Randan and Monluck of the French Party , concerning Conditions of Peace . For the Kings of France thought it a thing below their Dignity , to enter into an equal dispute with their own Subjects . The fame of this Conference was the Cause , that , as if all Controversies had been already decided , a Convention was Indicted to be held in Iuly . In the mean time , the Queen Dowager died in the Castle of Edinburgh , The Queen-Regent's death , with her Character . Iune 11 , worn out with Sickness , and with Grief . Her Death did variously affect the minds of Men , for some of them who fought against Her , did yet bewail her Death , for she was indowed with a singular Wit , and had also a Mind very propense to Equity ; she had quieted the fiercest Highlanders , and the furthest Inhabitants of the Isles , by her Wisdom and Valour ; some believ'd , that she would never have had any War with the Scots , if she had been left free to her own Disposition ; for She so accommodated her self to their Manners , that she seem'd able to accomplish all things without Force ; but the Misery was , Though the Name of Governess resided in Her , neither did she want Virtues , worthy of so great a Dignity , yet she did , as it were , rule precariously , because , in all Matters of Moment , she was to receive Answers , like so many Oracles , from France . For the Guises , who were then the powerfull'st in the French Court , had design'd the Kingdom of Scotland , as a Peculiar to their Family ; and accordingly , they advis'd their Sister , to be more severe in asserting the Papal Religion , than either her own Disposition , or those Times , could well bear . This she gave some evident hints of ; for she hath been heard to say , that if Matters were left to her own Arbitrement , she did not despair , but to compose them upon no unequal Conditions . Some others were of opinion , that she alleged those things rather popularly than really , as her Mind was , and that not only with an intent to avert the fault or envy of Mal-administration from her Self ; but also , that , under a pretext of asking Advice , she might spin out the time in delay , whilst She sent for foreign Aid ; and so , by yielding , she might blunt the vehement edg of the Scots ; and , in time , suffer their angry mood to abate , in regard , she was of Opinion , that the Scots Troops , being Volunteers , after one or two Disbandings , could not again be easily got together , because they were made up of Men , who were not under Pay , nor under any certain Command . And the Inconstancy of the Queen , in keeping her Promises , was no obscure evidence of this her Dissimulation , for She did not expect the end of a Truce , which , by Conditions , she was oblig'd to do , in renewing a War ; but if any specious Advantage were offer'd , she would adventure to do it , Arbitrarily , of her own Head . Others there were , who cast the blame of all things , which were avariciously or cruelly acted , or which were attempted by Fraud or Calumny , upon those who were her Counsellors , in managing Affairs . For when She undertook the Regency , at the very First , some French Counsellors were join'd to her Assistance , as Osel , Embassador of the King of France , a Man quickly , and vehemently , passionate , The Character of the French Embassadors , in Scotland . otherwise a good Man , and well-skill'd in the Arts , both of Peace and War ; he was one that directed his Counsel rather by the Rule of Equity , than the Will and Pleasure of the Guises . One Monsieur de Ruby was join'd to him , as his Companion , a Lawyer of Paris , who was to dispute Matters of Law , if any such did occur ; He , in his publick Administration , conform'd all things , as much as he could , to the Manners and Laws of France , ( as if That alone were the right Way to govern a Commonwealth ) by which means he rais'd a suspicion of Innovation upon him ; and though others might share the Guilt of the same Crime with him , yet he alone , in a manner , bore the blame and envy of it . But these Two committed no Offence , which was remediless and uncurable .

Three French Generals in Scotland , with their respective Characters . Towards the end of the War , there were three French Generals , having distinct limits allotted them , who manag'd Military Affairs in Scotland ; viz , The Count Martigues , of the House of Luxemburgh , who was afterwards made Duke of D'Estames ; L'abros , of a Noble , or Equestrian Family , highly experienc'd in Military Matters ; and a Third was the Bishop of Amiens , accompanied with some Doctors of the Sorbon , as if the Matter were to be determin'd by the Pen , not the Sword . All the Counsels of these Three did tend to open Tyranny . Martigues his Advice was , to destroy all the Country near to Leith , by Fire and Sword , that so the desolateness of the Country , and the want of Necessaries , might compel the Scots to raise the Siege . But if that Counsel had took Effect , many peaceable Persons , poor besides , and , for the most part , Papists too , would have been destroy'd , and the Besieged would have had no benefit neither ; for the Sea being open , Provisions might easily have been brought by Ships , from all the Maritim places of Scotland and England , into the Leaguer of the Besiegers , and the devastation of the Land and Soil would have redounded as much on the Papists , as on the Embracers of the True Religion .

L'abros was of opinion , That all the Nobility of Scotland were to be cut off , without distinction , and that a thousand French Curiassiers were to be garison'd on their Lands , who were to keep under the common Sort , as Vassals . This his Design was discover'd by some Letters of his , intercepted , which were going for France ; and 't is scarce credible , how the Hatred against the French , begun upon other Causes , was increas'd thereby .

As for the Bishop of Amiens , he would have had all Those to be seiz'd on , and put to Death , without pleading in their own Defence , whom he thought not so favourable to the Pope's Cause , as he would have them ; yea , all Those , who were not so forward to assist the French Party , as he expected ; and he mightily blam'd the French Souldiers , for suffering those , who were disaffected to their King , to strut it openly up and down ; One he particularly aimed at , viz. Mr. William Maitland , a Noble and learned Man , whom , because the Sorbonists could not refute by their Reasons , the Bishop design'd to take off by the Sword ; yea , he upbraided the French Souldiers for permitting him to live , and advis'd them to kill him ; which he having notice of , took his opportunity to withdraw himself from the French , and so escap'd into the Scots Camp .

The Seventeenth BOOK .

A Few days after the Death of the Regent , a Truce was made for a short time , to hear the Embassadors , After the Regent's death , Peace concluded between the Parties , by which the French were to leave Scotland ; a point the Regent would never yield to in her Life-time , though often press'd thereto . who were come to treat of Peace out of both Nations , France , and England . Hereupon , the Nobles assembled ; These could not effect any thing ; the greatest obstacle to an agreement , was , That the French , who , the Winter before , had obtain'd great Booties out of the neighbouring Parts , refus'd to depart , unless they carry'd their Baggage , and plunder , along with them . This was denied them ; Whereupon , Irruptions were made more fierce than ever , though not so prosperous to the French . At length , when both sides were weary of the War , and the Inclinations to Peace could no longer be dissembled , the Embassadors , on both sides , met again in a Conference : The things , which most inclin'd all to Peace were these ; The French had no hopes of any relief , and their Provisions grew daily scant , and were not likely to hold out long , so that their Condition was almost wholly desperate . And for the English , they were wearied out with the long Siege , and wanted Necessaries as well as the French , so that They likewise desir'd an end of the War . And the Scots too , receiving no Pay , could hardly be kept from running away ; So that they easily hearkned to a Capitulation . Thus , by the joint Consent of all Parties , on the 8 th day of Iuly , in the Year of our Lord 1559 , Peace was Proclaim'd on these Conditions , That the French should Sail away in 20 days , with their Bag and Baggage ; and seeing they had not Ships enough to transport them all over at present , they were to hire some from the English , leaving Hostages , till they were safely return'd ; That Leith should be render'd up to the Scots , and the Walls thereof demolish'd ; That the Fortifications lately made by the French at Dunbar , should be slighted ; That these Articles , being perform'd , the English should immediately reduce their Forces ; That Mary Queen of Scots , by the consent of her Husband Francis , should grant an Oblivion , of all that the Scotish Nobility had done or attempted , from the 10 th day of March 1559 , till the 1st of August , 1560. And that a Law should be made to that purpose , to be confirm'd in the next Parliament there , ( which was appointed to be in August . ) And Francis and Mary were to give their Consent to the holding that Assembly . That 60 of the French should keep the Island of Keith , and the Castle of Dunbar , that so , the Queen might not seem to be ejected out of the Possession of the whole Kingdom at once . After this departure of the foreign Souldiers , there was a great Tranquillity , and Cessation from Arms , till the Queen's Return . The Assembly of the Estates were kept at Edinburgh , wherein the greatest Debate was , about promoting the Reform'd Religion . The Statutes made were sent into France , for the Queen to give her consent to , and subscribe . This was done , rather to sound her Mind , than out of any hope to obtain any thing from Her . Embassadors also were dispatch'd for England , to give them thanks for their Assistance so seasonably afforded .

Sandeland , Embassador from Scotland to France . Not long after , Iames Sandeland , Knight of Rhodes , came unto the French Court , a Man as yet free from the Discords of the Faction ; his business was , to excuse things past , and to pacify the the Grudges remaining since the former Wars , and so to try all ways to establish Peace and Concord . But his arrival hapned to be in very troublesome times , for the whole Conduct of the French Affairs was then in the Hands of the Guises ; who , when they perceiv'd , that neither Threatnings nor Flatteries did prevail , endeavour'd to oppress the contrary Faction by force of Arms ; and when they could lay no other plausible Crime against their Contrariants , they accus'd them of High-Treason , for betraying the Kingdom . Hereupon , the King of Navarr , was condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment ; and his Brother , the Prince of Conde , sentenc'd to Death ; Annas , Duke of Momorancy , and the two Sons of his Sister , Iasper and Francis Colignes , and their Kinsman the * * A Vidam , in France , is a Baron , holding of a Bishop . Vidam of Charters , were destin'd to the Slaughter ; and besides those , above 7000 more were put into the black List of Criminals . Moreover , all means were us'd to terrify the People . The City of Orleans was full of Foot-Souldiers , Guards of Horse were posted all up and down the Country ; A Massacre design'd in France , by the Guises . all the High-ways were beset by them ; Sentence was past , by a few Men in the Court , concerning the Lives , Fortunes and good Names of the honestest Men ; all the Steeples of Churches and Towers round about the Walls , had their Windows shut up , and their Gates and Doors fortified , being design'd for Prisons ; Criminal Judges were call'd together out of the whole Kingdom ; The manner of Punishment was thus design'd , That as soon as the Frost broke , and the River Loir was navigable , the King should go to Chinon in Poictou , at the Mouth of the River Vien ; and then the Guises , with a few of their Partizans , at the Command of the Court-Cabal , ( of which They were the chief ) should perform the Execution . Mean while , Sandeland came to Court , not so much humbly to desire Pardon for what was past , as to excuse his Country-Men , laying all the blame of the Tumults upon the French . The Guises receiv'd him very coursly , blaming him , that he , being a Man dedicated to the Holy War , had undertaken to manage the Commands of the Rebels , upon the Account of that execrable Heresy , which the Consent of all Nations had highly condemn'd , in the Council of Trent ; yea , many of them did admire , not at the Folly , but even Madness , of the Scots , that they , being but a few , and disagreeing amongst themselves ; and besides , destitute of Mony , and other Warlike Preparations , should dare to provoke so potent a King , who was now at quiet from any foreign Enemy . Between these fretful Indignations and Threatnings , the King fell suddenly Sick . The Embassador was dismiss'd without any Answer ; but the Message of the Kings Death reach'd him at Paris , December 5. in the Nones of December , whence he made haste home , hoping for better things for future .

The News of the King's Death , being divulg'd , did not so much erect the Minds of the Scots , being in great Suspence , by reason of their imminent Dangers , as it fill'd all France with Faction , The Death of Francis , the French King . and the Poison of domestick Discords ; Iames , the Queen's Brother , Scotland being now freed from the Domination of the French , by the Death of Francis , made what haste he could to the Queen ; who , when her Husband was dead , went to Lorrain to her Uncles , either as a Recess to her Grief , or else out of womanly Emulation , that she might not be near her Mother-in-Law , who , by reason of the Slothfulness of Anthony Burbon , King of Navar , did , by degrees , derive the whole Administration of Affairs into her own Hands . There Iames , the Queen's Brother , having setled things in Scotland for a Season , found her ; and , after much Discourse , the Queen told him , she had a mind to return to Scotland , and fix'd a Day , The Queen of Scots resolves to return from France . by which they might expect her , her Uncles being also of the same Opinion : For , before Iames's Coming , there had been great Consultation about the Matter , some alleging the Difficulty of the Voyage , especially the Queen of England being nothing favourable ; besides , she was to go to a barbarous People , and naturally seditious , who were hardly kept in quiet by the Government of Men. Moreover , she had fresh Examples , before her Eyes , of her Father and Mother , whom , when they could not , or durst not , openly oppress , by sundry Artifices they drove them to Despair ; so that she would be in daily peril , either of her Honour , or of her Life , amongst them . On the other side , they who were skill'd in the Affairs of Scotland , did urge , that the Seditions , arising there , were occasion'd oftner by default of the Princes than the People , in that they endeavour'd to reduce that Kingdom to an Arbitrary and boundless Rule , which , time out of mind , had been circumscrib'd and manag'd within due Bounds of Law ; and That such a Nation , which was more warlike than opulent , could never endure . But all those Kings , who never attempted to infringe the Liberties of the People , were not only free from private Enemies , and popular Tumults , but also reigned , much beloved of their Subjects , famous Abroad , and unconquered by their Enemies : But the best , and almost only Way at present to quiet things , was , to attempt no Alteration in the State of Religion , as then establish'd . These were the Debates , as publickly bruited on both sides . But there were other more prevailing Causes with her Uncles ; for they , in the Troubles of France , cherishing rather great , than honest Hopes , thought , if the Queen were absent , she would be more in their Power , than if she staid in France ; and that Neighbour-Princes , in hopes to carry her for a Wife , would seek their Friendships , and use them , as Mediators . In the mean time , one or other of their Faction would preside over the Management of Affairs in Scotland . Besides , the Queen's Resolution swayed much in the Case , who was determined to return into her own Country ; for her Husband was dead ; and her Mother-in-Law , ( who manag'd Matters of State ) being something alienated from her , she saw , she should be cheap at that Court ; and tho she had been but a little used to Government , yet a Woman , young , of a flourishing Age , and a lofty Spirit too , could not endure to truckle under another ; she had rather have any Fortune in a Kingdom , than the richest without one ; neither could she hope , that her Condition would be very honourable , the Power of the Guises being weakned by the adverse Party , at the first brush : Besides , the Persuasions and Promises of her Brother Iames serv'd much to weigh down the Ballance ; for he assur'd her , she would find all Quiet at home , especially seeing he was a Man , to whose Faith she might safely commit her self , being her natural Brother , and who , from his Youth , had performed many noble and brave Exploits , and so had got great Credit and Renown amongst all Men. An Embassador from France , with his Demands , and the Answers of the Scotish Nobility thereunto . Whilst the Queen was intent on these Matters , Noal , a Senator of Bourdeaux , who was sent out of France , came into Scotland , a little after the end of the publick Convention , and was put off till the next Assembly , which , in order to the setling publick Matters , was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh , May the 21st ; yet the Nobles , who met there at the time , in great abundance , did not sit , because they were as yet uncertain of the Queen's Will and Pleasure . In the mean time , Iames Stuart returned from France , and brought a Commission from the Queen , giving them Liberty to sit , and enact Laws for the Good of the Publick : Then the French Embassador had Audience ; the Heads of his Embassy were , That the ancient League with the French should be renewed , and the new one with the English , broke ; That Priests should be restor'd to their Estates and Dignities , whence they had been ejected . To which Answer was given ; As to the French League , that they were not conscious to themselves , that they had broken it in the least ; but that it had been many ways infring'd by the French themselves , and especially of late , in their opposing the publick Liberty , and indeavouring to bring a miserable Yoke of Bondage upon a People , which were their Allies , and giving no occasion on their part . As for the League with England , they could not dissolve it , without a brand of the greatest Ingratitude imaginable , in recompensing so great a Courtesy with the highest Injury , as to join against those , who had been the Deliverers of their Country . As for the Restitution of Priests , they told him , That those he call'd Priests , they knew no use or need of their Office in the Church . In that Parliament , The Scots Parliament demolishes all Monasteries . a Statute was made to demolish all the Monasteries of the Monks , and Men were presently sent abroad into all Parts of the Land , to put it in Execution .

Matters being prepar'd in France for the Queen's Journy , her intimate Friends , who govern'd her Counsels , advis'd her , for the present , wholly to pretermit and pass over Matters about Religion , though some gave her rash Counsel , to arm on that account , and kill all that opposed . The chief of which were Dury , the Abbat of Dumfermling , and Iohn Sinclare , lately design'd Bishop of * * A Town built on the River South-Esk , in Angus . Brechin ; and she her self was by Nature , as also by the persuasion of her Kindred , so inclinable to their Counsel , that sometimes Threats broke out from her , as if it were against her Will , which were catch'd up at Court , and spread amongst the Vulgar : And she would divers times boast , among her Familiars , that she would follow the Example of her Kinswoman , Mary , Queen of England . Wherefore the Main of her Counsels tended to this , to feed the Men of her own Faction with hopes at present , and to suppress the opposite Party by degrees ; and when she was well setled in her Power , then to declare her mind . And this seem'd not hard to do , seeing the Council of Trent was lately begun , on pretence to restore the decay'd Manners of the Church , but indeed , to extirpate the Professors of the true Religion , as , by the Decrees of that Cabal , was afterwards declared . Besides , her Uncles did mightily animate the Queen , by shewing her the Power of the Papal Faction , whose Head , by the Decree of the Council , Francis , the eldest Brother of the Guises , was to be . In the mean time , Charles the Cardinal , amidst so many publick Cares , was mindful of himself , and advis'd the Queen , not to carry her Housholdstuff and Furniture , which were of great value , as 't were , into another World , but to leave them with him , till she might be assur'd of the Event of her Journy . She knew the Man and his Craft well enough , and therefore answer'd him , That seeing she ventur'd her self , she might as well trust her Goods as her Person . When all was resolv'd upon , they sent into England , to try , how that Queen stood affected to the Voyage ; D'Osel , the Envoy , was well entertain'd there , and sent back presently into France , to tell the Queen of Scots , that if she pleas'd to pass through England , she should have all the Respect , which she could desire from a Kinswoman and an Ally ; and that she would take it as a great Favour , besides ; but if she shunn'd her Interview , she would look upon it as an Affront . For the English Queen had prepar'd a great Fleet , the pretence was , to scour the Sea of Pyrates ; but some thought that 't was to intercept the Queen of Scots , if she adventured to pass against her Will . They took one Ship , wherein the Earl of Eglington was , and brought her to London , but dismiss'd her again in a little time . But , whatever the Design was , in providing a Fleet , if any Danger was intended , Providence did prevent it ; for , when the French Gallies came upon the Main , a Mist followed them for several days , till they came into Scotland , the 21st day of August .

The News of the Queen's Arrival being divulged abroad , The Queen arrives in Scotland , with various Descants thereupon . the Nobility , from all parts of the Kingdom , came hastily in , as to a publick Show , partly to congratulate her Return ; some also came , to put her in mind of the Services they did her , in her absence , that so they might preoccupate her Favour , and prevent the Cavils of their Enemies : Others came , to give a guess of her future Regiment , by her first Entrance into the Kingdom : upon these different Grounds , all did equally desire to see their Queen , which was so unexpectedly cast upon them , after such various Events of changeable Providences . They considered , that she was born amidst the cruel Tempests of War , and lost her Father in about six days after her Birth ; that she was well educated , by the great care of her Mother , the choicest of Women ; but between Domestick Seditions and Foreign Wars , she was left , as a Prey to the strongest side ; and even almost before she had a sense of Misery , was exposed to all the Perils of inraged Fortune : That she left her Country , being as 't were , sent into Banishment , where , between the Fury of Arms , and the Violence of the Waves , she was hardly preserved . 'T is true , Her Fortune somewhat smiled upon her , and advanced her to an Illustrious Marriage , but her Joy was not lasting , but transitory ; for , her Mother and Husband dying , she was cast into a Mourning Widow'd Estate , having the new Kingdom she received , and her old one too , standing on very ticklish Terms . Furthermore , besides the Variety of her Dangers , the excellent Meen of her Beauty , the Vigour of her adult Age , and the Elegancy of her Wit , did much commend her . These Accomplishments , her courtly Education had either much increas'd , or , at least , made them more acceptable , by a false Disguise of Virtue , not sincere , but adumbrated only to a kind of Similitude thereof , which made the Goodness of her Nature , by her desire to please and ingratiate her self , less acceptable , and so nipp'd the Seeds of Virtue , by the Blandishments of Pleasure , that they might not come to bring forth any ripe Fruit in their Season . As these things were grateful to the Vulgar , so the more Intelligent saw through them ; yet , they hoped , that her soft and tender Age might be easily bettered and amended , by Experience . Amidst these Gratulations , there was a light Offence happened , but it struck deep into the Minds of either Faction . The Nobility had agreed with the Queen , that no Alteration should be made , in point of the Religion received , only she and her Family were to have Mass , and that in private , too . But while the Furniture for it was carrying through the Court into the Chappel , one of the Company catch'd the Torches out of his Hands that carried them , and broke them ; and unless some moderate Men had come in , and prevented it , all the rest of the Apparatus had been spoiled too . That Action was differently interpreted amongst the Vulgar ; some blamed it , as a Fact too audacious ; some said , 't was to try Mens Patience , how far it would bear ; others affirmed , and spake it publickly , that the Priests ought to be punish'd with the Punishment , appointed in the Scriptures , against Idolatry . But this Commotion was nipp'd in the very bud by Iames the Queen's Brother , to the great , but hidden Indignation of George Gordon , who was willing to lay hold on all occasions of Disturbance : And here , thinking an Opportunity was open to curry Favour , he went to the Queen's Uncles , then present , and promised them to reduce all the Country , beyond Dunkelden , to the old Religion . But they suspected the matter , as having heard enough of the Disposition of the Man , and fearing , lest he should raise a new Storm to no purpose , communicated the matter to Iames , the Queen's Brother . The rest of the Year was spent in Balls and Feastings , and in sending away the French , who , out of Civility , had attended the Queen , and were then honourably dismiss'd , only one of her Uncles , the Marquess of Elbeuff , staid behind . Amidst these Matters , William Maitland junior was sent Embassador into England , Maitland sent Embassador into England ; to complement that Queen , as the Custom is , and to acquaint her , how highly she stood affected towards her , and how much she desired to maintain Peace and Concord with her : He also carried to her Letters from the Nobility , in which was mentioned a Friendly Commemoration of former Courtesies and Obligations ; but one thing they earnestly desired of her , and That was , that , both publickly and privately , she would shew her self friendly and courteous towards their Queen ; and that being provoked by good Offices , she would not only persevere in her ancient Friendship , but add daily stronger Obligations ( if possible ) hereunto . As for their part , it should be their earnest Study and Desire , to pretermit no occasion of perpetuating the Peace betwixt the two Neighbour-Kingdoms . That there was but One sure way , to induce an Amnesty of all past Differences , and to stop the Spring of them for ever , if the Queen of England would declare , by an Act of Parliament , firmed by the Royal Assent , That the Queen of Scots was Heiress to the Kingdom of England , next after her Self and her Children , ( if ever she had any . ) After the Embassador had asserted the Equity of such a Statute , and how beneficial it would be to all Britain , by many Arguments , he added in the close , That she , being her nearest Kinswoman , ought to be more intent and diligent than others , in having such an Act made , and that the Queen did expect that Testimony of Good-will , and the Respect from her . To which the Queen of England answered in these Words , I expected another kind of Embassy from your Queen ; I wonder she hath forgot , how that , before her Departure out of France , after much urging , she at last promised , that the League , made at Leith , should be confirmed , Who persuades Queen Elizabeth , by many Arguments , to declare the Queen of Scots , her Successor . she having promised me faithfully it should be so , as soon as ever she returned into her own Country . I have been put off with Words long enough ; now 't is time , ( if she have any respect to her Honour ) that her Deeds should answer her Words . To which the Embassador answered , That he was sent in this Embassy , but a very few days after the Queen's Arrival , before she had entred upon the Administration of any publick Affairs ; That she had been hitherto taken up in treating the Nobility , many of whom she had never seen before , who came from divers parts to perform their dutiful Salutations to her ; but she was chiefly imployed about setling the State of Religion , which , how difficult and troublesome a thing it is , ( said he ) you your self are not ignorant : Hence , ( he proceeded ) your Majesty may easily understand , that the Queen of Scots had no vacant time at all before my Departure ; neither had she as yet called fit Men to her Council , to consult about various Affairs ; especially , since the Nobility , that liv'd in the furthest parts towards the North , had not been yet to attend her , before his Coming , without whose advice , Matters of such publick Moment , could not , nor ought not , to be transacted . Upon which the English Queen was something moved , and said , What need had your Queen to make any Consultation about doing that , which she hath obliged her self to under her Hand and Seal ? He replied , I can give no other Answer at present , for I received nothing in command about it , neither did our Queen expect , that an account thereof would now be required of me ; and you may easily consider with your self , what just causes of Delay , she , at present , lies under . After some Words had past betwixt them , upon these matters , the Queen returned to the main Point , I observe , said she , what you most insist upon , in behalf of your Queen , and in seconding the Requests of the Nobles , you put me in Mind , that your Queen is descended from the Blood of the Kings of England , and that I am bound to love her by a natural Obligation , as being my near Kinswoman , which I neither can , or will , deny ; I have also made it evident to the whole World , that , in all my Actions , I never attempted any thing against the Weal and Tranquillity of her self and her Kingdom : Those , who are acquainted with my inward Thoughts and Inclinations , are conscious , that though I had just cause of Offence given , by her using my Arms , and claiming a Title to the Kingdom , yet I could never be persuaded , but that these Seeds of Hatred came from others , not from her self . However the case stands , I hope , she will not take away my Crown whilst I am alive , nor hinder my Children ( if I have any ) to succeed me in the Kingdom : But if any Casualty should happen to me before , she shall never find , that I have done any thing , which may , in the least , prejudice the Right she pretends to have to the Kingdom of England ; what that Right is , I never thought my self obliged to make a strict Disquisition into , and I am of the same Mind still , I leave it to those who are skilful in the Law to determine . As for your Queen , she may expect this confidently of me , that if her Cause be just , I shall not prejudice it in the least ; I call God to witness , that next to my self , I know none that I would prefer before her ; or if the matter come to a Dispute , that can exclude her : Thou knowest , says she , who are the Competitors : By what Assistance , or in hopes of what Force , can such poor Creatures , attempt such a mighty thing ? After some further Discourse , the Conclusion was short , That it was a matter of great Weight and Moment , and that this was the first time , she had entertained any serious Thoughts about it , and therefore she had need of longer time to dispatch it . A few days after , she sent for the Embassador again ; and told him ,

That she extreamly wondred , Why the Nobles should demand such a thing of her , upon the first Arrival of the Queen , especially , knowing , that the Causes of former Offences were not yet taken away : But what , pray , do they require ? That I , having been so much wrong'd , should , before any Satisfaction receiv'd , gratify her in so great a matter . This Demand is not far from a Threat : If they proceed on in this way , let them know , that I have Force at home , and Friends abroad , as well as They , who will defend my just Right . To which he answered , That he had shewn clearly , at first , how that the Nobility had insisted on this hopeful Medium of Concord , partly out of Duty to their Queen , in a Prospect to maintain her Weal , and increase her Dignity ; partly out of a Desire , to conciliate and settle publick Peace and Amity . And , that they deal more plainly with you , than with any other Prince , in this Cause , proceeds from your known and experienc'd Good-Will towards them , and also upon the account of their own Safety ; for , they knew they must venture Life and Fortune , if any Body did oppose the Right of the Queen , or any War should arise betwixt the Nations , on that ground . And therefore their Desires did not seem unwarrantable or unjust , as tending to the eradicating the Seeds of all Discords , and the settling a firm and solid Peace . She rejoined , If I had acted any thing which might diminish your 〈◊〉 Right , then your Demand might have been just , that 〈◊〉 was amiss might be amended : Which she absolutely refuses to do , with her Reasons for it . But this Postulation is wi●●out ●n Example , that I should wrap my self up in my Winding 〈◊〉 while I am alive ; neither was the like ever ask'd of any 〈◊〉 . However , I take not the good Intention of your Nobility 〈◊〉 , and the rather , because 't is an Evidence to me , that they have a Desire to promote the Interest and Honour of their Queen ; and I do put as great Value on their Prudence , in providing for their own Security , and in being tender of shedding Christian Blood , which could not be avoided , if any Faction should arise to challenge the Kingdom ; But what such Party can there be , or where should they have Force ? But to let these Considerations pass , suppose me inclinable to assent to their Demands , do you think , I would do it , rather at the Request of the Nobles , than of the Queen her self ?

But there are many other things , which avert me from such a Transaction . First , I am not ignorant , how dangerous a thing 't is , to venture on the Dispute . The Disceptation concerning the Right of the Kingdom , I have always mightily avoided ; for the Controversy hath been already so much canvass'd in the Mouths of many , concerning a just and lawful Marriage , and what Children were Bastards , and what Legitimate , according as every one is addicted to this or that Party , that , by reason of these Disputes , I have hitherto been more backward in marrying . Once , when I took the Crown publickly upon me , I married my self to the Kingdom , and I wear the Ring , I then put on my Finger , as a Badg thereof ; however , my Resolution stands , I will be Queen of England , as long as I live . And when I am dead , let that Person succeed in my place , which hath most Right to it ; and if That chance to be your Queen , I will put no Obstacle in her way ; but if another hath a better Title , 't were unjust to require of me , to make a publick Edict to his Prejudice . If there be any Law against your Queen , 't is unknown to me , and I have no great Delight to sift into it ; but if there should be any such Law , I was sworn at my Coronation , that I would not change my Subjects Laws . As for your second Allegation , That the Declaration of my Successor will knit a stricter Bond of Amity betwixt us , I am afraid rather , it will be a Seminary of Hatred and Discontent ; What , do you think I am willing to have my Grave-Clothes always before my Eyes ? Kings have this Peculiarity , that they have some kind of Sentiments against the●● own Children , who are born lawful Heirs to succeed them . Thus Charles the 7 th of France somewhat disgusted Lewis the 11 th ; and Lewis the 3 d , Charles the 8 th ; and of late , Francis ill-resented Henry . And , how is it likely , I should stand affected towards my Kinswoman , if she be once declared my Heir ? Just as Charles the 7 th was towards Lewis the 11 th . Besides , and that which weighs most with me , I know the Inconstancy of this People ; I know , how they loath the present State of things ; I know , how intent their Eyes are upon a Successor . 'T is natural for all Men , as the Proverb is , to worship rather the rising , than the setting Sun : I have learn'd , That from my own Times , to omit other Examples ; when my Sister Mary sat at Helm , how eagerly did some Men desire to see Me plac'd in the Throne ? how Solicitous were they in advancing Me thereto : I am not Ignorant , what Danger they would have undergone , to bring their Design to an Issue , if my Will had concurr'd with their Desires : Now , perhaps , the same Men are otherwise minded ; just like Children , when they dream of Apples in their Sleep , they are very joyful ; but , waking in the Morning , and finding themselves frustrate of their hopes , their Mirth is turn'd into Mourning . Thus I am dealt with by Those , who , whilst yet I was a private Woman , wish'd Me so well : If I look'd upon any of Them a little more pleasantly than ordinary , they thought presently with themselves , that , as soon as ever I came to the Throne , they should be rewarded rather at the Rate of their own Desires , Courtiers unstable , and selfish , in their Affections to their Prince . than of the Service they perform'd for Me ; but now , seeing the Event hath not answer'd Expectation , some of them do gape after a new change of Things , in hope of a better Fortune . For the Wealth of a Prince , though never so great , cannot satisfy the unsatiable desires of all Men. But if the Good-will of my Subjects do flag towards Me ; or , if their Minds are chang'd , because I am not profuse enough in my Largesses ; or , for some other trivial Cause , what will be the Event , when the Malevolent shall have a Successor nam'd , to whom they may make their Grievances known , and , in their Anger and Pet , betake themselves ? What danger shall I then be in , when so powerful a Neighbour-Prince is my Successor ? The more Strength I add to her in ascertaining her Succession , the more I detract from my own Security ; This Danger cannot be avoided by any Precautions , or by any Bonds of Law ; yea , those Princes , who have hope of a Kingdom offer'd them , will hardly contain themselves within the Bounds either of Law or Equity . For my part , if my Successor were publickly declar'd to the World , I should think my Affairs to be far from being setled and secure .

This was the Sum of what was truly acted at that Conference .

A few days after , the Embassador ask'd the Queen , Whether she would return any Answer to the Letter of the Scotish Nobility ? I have nothing , said She , at present to Answer , only I commend their Sedulity and Love to their Prince ; but the Matter is of such great weight , that I cannot so soon give a plain and express Answer thereunto ; but , when your Queen shall have done her Duty , in confirming the ●eague she oblig'd her Self to ratify , then 't will be seasonable , to try my Affection towards Her . In the mean time , I cannot gratify her in her Request , without diminution of my own Dignity . The Embassador reply'd , He had no Command about that Affair , nor ever had any discourse , with his Mistress concerning it , neither did he then propound the Queen's Judgment concerning the Right of Succession , but his Own , and had brought Reasons to inforce it ; but , as for the Confirmation of the League by her Husband , 't was inforc'd from the Queen of Scots , without the consent of Those , whom the ratifying or disanulling thereof , did much concern ; neither was it a thing of such Consequence , as therefore to exclude Her , and her Posterity , from the Inheritance of England ; I do not inquire , said he , by Whom , When , How , by What Authority , and for What Reason , that League was made , seeing I had no Command to speak of any such Matter . But this I dare affirm , That though 't were confirm'd by Her , in compliance with her Husband's desire , yet , so great a stress depending on it , his Queen , in time , would find out some Reason or other , why it should , and ought , to be dissolv'd ; I speak not this ( said he ) in the Name of the Queen , but my intent is to shew , that our Nobility have cause for what they do , that so , all Controversies being pluckt up by the Roots , a firm and sure Peace may be establisht betwixt us .

After much discourse , Pro and Con , about the League , the Queen was brought to this , That Embassadors should be chosen on both sides to review it , and to regulate it , according to this Form , That the Queen of Scots should abstain from using the Arms of England , and from the Titles of England and Ireland , The Queen of Scots not to use the English Arms , in Queen Elizabeth's time . as long as the Queen of England , or any of her Children , were alive . On the other side , the Queen of England was to do nothing , neither by her Self , nor her Posterity , which might prejudice the Queen of Scots , or impair her Right of Succession . These were the Affairs transacted in this Embassy ; which , while they were treated of abroad , in order to settle Peace , Sedition had almost broke out at home . There was Mass allow'd to the Queen and her Family , ( as I said before ) concerning which , when the Edict was publish'd , there was one of the Nobility which oppos'd it , viz. the Earl of Arran ; the Queen being much offended thereat , tho she dissembled her Anger . The next offence was , against the Edinburgers , they use ordinarily to chuse their Magistrates , September 29 ; at that time , Archibald Douglas , the Sheriff , according to Custom , Proclaim'd , That no Adulterer , Fornicator , Drunkard , Mass-Monger , yea , or obstinate Papists , after the First of September , should stay in the Town , great Penalties being denounc'd against the Disobeyers thereof . When the Queen was inform'd hereof , she committed the Magistrates to Prison , without hearing them , and commanded the Citizens to chuse new Magistrates , injoining them to set the Gates open to all her good Subjects , not without the secret Indignation , and Laughter , of some , that Flagitious Persons should be accounted such good Subjects , and her most faithful Ministers and Servants . The Queen , finding , that the Citizens took this Matter more patiently than she expected , by degrees attempted greater Matters . Her Mass was before but privately celebrated , without any great Solemnity ; but , on the 1st of October , she added all the gaudry of Popish Offices to it . The Reform'd Ministers of the Gospel took this very grievously , and complain'd much of it in their Pulpits , putting the Nobility in mind of their Duty . Hereupon , A Question stated , whether a chief Magistrate might be compell'd to do his Duty , with variou● Opinions thereupon . a Dispute was agitated betwixt a Few in a private House , Whether 't were lawful to restrain Idolatry , which was likely to spread and ruin all ? or , Whether they might , by Force , reduce the chief Magistrate to the Bounds of the Law , who set no limits to his own Arbitrariness ? The Reform'd Ministers persisted constantly in their Opinion , which had been approv'd in former times , That a Magistrate might be compell'd by Force to do his Duty . The Nobles were more unstedfast in their Resolutions , either to curry favour with the Queen , or , out of hopes of Honour and Reward ; yet 't was decreed for Them , being Superior in Number and Greatness .

In the mean time , the Court was drown'd in Vice , and loos'd the Reins to all Luxury ; neither was it awakened by the News of the Moss-Troops , inhabiting the English Borders , who , as if by permission , did freely plunder , and kill'd all that oppos'd them . Iames , the Queen's Brother , was sent , with a delegated Power , to suppress them , not so much , as many thought , to honour him , as to expose him to danger . For , as his Power was distasteful to the Queen , so his innocent Carriage was more offensive in reproving her for her Faults , and stopping her Carreer to Tyranny . But God , beyond all Mens hope , prosper'd his just endeavours ; he hang'd 28 of the Robbers , the rest he suppress'd , either by the sole Terror of his Name , or else , by making them give Hostages for their good Behaviour . The Queen seem'd to her Self to have got some Liberty by his Absence , for she was not well pleas'd with the present state of Things ; partly , by reason of the Controversies in Religion ; and partly , because Matters were manag'd more strictly than a young Woman , who had been educated in the corruptest of all Courts , ( as interpreting lawful Domination to be unseemly for Princes , as if the Slavery of others was their Liberty ) could well endure ; so that sometimes she was heard to speak some high discontented Words ; yea , the Foundation of Tyranny seem'd to be laid : for , whereas all former Kings intrusted their Safety only to the Nobility , she determin'd to have a Guard for her Body ; but could find no pretence to bring it about , The Queen designs to have a Guard for her Body , alamode of France . neither could she give any reasonable colour for her desire , but only vain courtly Magnificence , and the Usage of foreign Princes . The Deportment of her Brother , the more unblameable it was , troubled her the more , in regard it cut off any opportunity to feign Crimes , or fasten Suspicions on him ; as also , because she knew he would not endure her loose living ; besides , the People were so affected , that they would take a Guard for her Body , as a manifest Omen of Tyranny : whereupon , her restless Mind , determining by any means whatsoever , to effect , what she had once resolv'd upon , devis'd this Stratagem ; She had a Brother nam'd Iohn , an ambitious Man , and not so strictly conversationed , as Iames was ; he was easily persuaded to be obsequious to the Queen , and thereupon was dearer to Her , as a fitter Instrument to raise Tumults . She communicates her Design to him , in the absence of Iames , about raising a Guard ; The Plot was laid thus , There was a noise of a Tumult to be bruited abroad in the Night , as if Iames Hamilton , Earl of Arran , would have surpriz'd the Queen , who had but a few Men to guard Her , and so have carried her to his Castle , 14 Miles off . This story , they thought , would take with the Vulgar , both because the Queen was averse from him , and he extreamly in Love with Her , both which were publickly known ; This Tumult was made as the Plot was , and Horsemen scouted about the Neighbour-fields , a good part of the Night ; and , in the Morning , a Guard was set at the Court-gate , some fretting , others smiling thereat ; The Authors of this project , though they knew themselves that they were not believ'd , yet were mightily pleas'd , as secure of Mens opinions , and knowing , that none , there present , durst oppose them . Upon this beginning , the Court ran headlong into Wantonness and Luxury ; notwithstanding , as yet , Justice was equally administred , and Offences punish'd ; for the chief management of Affairs was in Iames , the Queen's Brother , who , for his Equity and Valor , was dear to all ; He us'd , as his chief Counsellor , William Maitland , a young Man of a great Judgment , having already given large Experiments thereof , and rais'd up higher Expectations , for the future . Their joint virtuous Counsels kept things quiet at Home and Abroad , and 't was as well , as good Men could wish ; As for the Factious , they could rather fret , than complain justly .

Amidst these things , a Debate arose in the Court , which held them play three whole Months . They , who had been Kings or Regents in former times , had exhausted the publick Treasure , The Queen raises her Revenues out of Estates of Ecclesiasticks . ( which was never great in Scotland ) the Queen was immoderately expenceful ; The Estates of the Nobility and Commonalty , in the late Tumults , were mightily wasted ; so that now , nothing remain'd to maintain Court-expences , but the Ecclesiastical Revenues . Whereupon , the chief of the Clergy were sent for to Court , and some of the prime Nobility were added to that Number , that could either cajole them by Persuasion , or compel them by Force . After a long Dispute , the Ecclesiasticks , being overcome rather with the sense of their own Weakness , than the weight of any Reason , the Conclusion was , That a 3 d part should be taken off from Ecclesiastical Revenues , wherewith the Queen should maintain Orthodox Ministers , and reserve the rest for her own use . This Conclusion was pleasing to none : The rich Ecclesiasticks grudg'd , that any of their old Revenues should be par'd away ; and the Reform'd Ministers expected no good from the Queen : yet indeed , though a great shew was made , she got no great matter by it ; For many of the old Possessors had their 3ds forgiven ; many , both Men and Women , had the Wages for their houshold Service , and Expence , paid out of it , for many Years ; many got Pensions and Supports for their old Age. That Winter , the Queen created her Brother Iames , Earl of Marr , with the great assent of all good Men ; For giving Honour to Virtue , Iames , the Queen's Brother , made Earl of Marr , afterwards of Murray . all did praise Her ; that she allow'd some Grains to propinquity in Blood , none did dispraise Her ; and many thought , she had done well for the Publick , in advancing a Person to Honour , who was of an Illustrious Stock , and had so highly deserved of his Country , that so he might preside over publick Affairs , with the greater Authority ; yea , some thought , that this Favour of the Queen 's was intended to reconcile him to Her , who , she knew , was offended at the Carriage of the Court , in his absence . Besides , he had a Wife provided for him , Agnes Keith , Daughter of the Earl of Merch , at which Marriage , there was such magnificent Feasting , or , rather , such immoderate Luxury , that the Minds of his Friends were grievously offended , and his Enemies took occasion of exclaiming and envying ; and the more , because he had been so temperate , all the former part of his Life . Not long after , Murray was bestowed upon him , instead of Marr ( which was found the ancient Right of Iohn Erskin . Gordon an Enemy to Murray . ) Gordon , being depriv'd , first of Marr , then of Murray , over which Country he had been long Governour , look'd upon himself as robb'd of his Patrimony , and therefore levelled all his Designs at the Overthrow of his Corrival . And besides , he had many other Motives thereunto . For , being far the richest Man in all Scotland , by reason of the Rewards his Ancestors had received , for their Service to the Crown , and also himself had augmented the Power of his Family by ill Arts. First , he overthrew Iohn Forbes , ( as I said before ) by false Witnesses : Next , when Iames Stuart , Brother of Iames the Fifth , died without Children , he obtain'd of them , who sat at Helm , the Stewardship of Murray , whereby he carried himself as Heir , and arriv'd at such a pitch of Greatness , that all his Neighbours laid down their Emulation , and and rested quietly under his Authority , I had almost said , his Vassalages .

But whilst others submitted to him , either for fear of Danger , or Patience to bear the Yoak , he was much troubled with the Disregard of one Man , or , as he called it , Pride ; and that was of Iames Macintosh , chief of a great Family amongst the old Scots ; he was born , and brought up , amongst the brute Highlanders , us'd to the Prey ; but yet , whether 't were by a secret instinct of Nature , or else by good Instructors , he arriv'd at that degree of Courtesy , Modesty , and decent Behaviour , that he might vie with those , who had the greatest care us'd in their virtuous Education . Gordon suspected this young-Man's Power , for , he knew , he could not use so good a Disposition , as an Instrument for his wicked Purposes ; and therefore , on a sudden , he laid Hands on him , and cast him into Prison ; but , not able to find any Crime in him worthy of Death , 't is reported , he suborn'd some of his Friends to persuade him , to submit himself and his Cause to him , for That , they told him , was the only Way to be delivered honourably out of Prison , and also to have the Friendship of so powerful a Man , as Gordon . Thus the simple and plain-hearted Man was cheated into his own Destruction ; yet Gordon , being willing to avoid the Envy of his Death , dealt with his Wife to bear the blame of it ; she being a Woman of a stern manly Courage , presently undertook the Matter ; Iames Macintosh unjustly put to death by Gordon and his Wife . and , in the absence of her Husband , the poor innocent betrayed young-Man had his Head cut off . His Neighbours were either so astonish'd at this Man's Punishment , or else were so aton'd with Gifts , that the whole Country , beyond the Caledonians , was under his Jurisdiction alone ; so that , being a Man ambitious of Power and Glory , he took it very ill , that Iames , Earl of Murray , was set up , as his Rival ; and , being impatient of the present State of things , he took all occasions to promote Disturbances , and did daily calumniate his Proceedings in publick ; yea , he gave a Book , written with his own Hand , to the Queen , wherein he accused him to affect Tyranny , but he back'd it with very slender Arguments .

On the other side of the Country , and at the same time , Iames Hepburn , Earl of Bothwel , being much in debt , and very deboist , Bothwel endeavours to supplant Murray . was thereby excited to attempt against the said Earl of Murray ; for , having spent his Youth wantonly amongst Whores and Bauds , he was reduc'd to that pass , as either to raise up a Civil War , or else to support his Poverty by some audacious Fact : When he had considered all ways to compass his Design of disturbing the Publick Peace , he thought it his best course to set Murray and the Hamiltons together by the Ears ; his Hope seemed sure to destroy one of the Parties thereby , no matter which . First then , he goes to Murray , and endeavours to persuade him , to root out the Hamiltons , a Family distasteful and obnoxious to the Queen , the whole Kingdom , and especially to himself ; and he offered him his Assistance therein , alleging , that the thing would not be unacceptable to the Queen , in regard , besides the common ground of Hatred , that Princes bear against their Kindred , as desirous of their Ruin , the Queen had also some particular and just Causes of Offence ; either because of his Affection to the Evangelical Doctrine and Discipline , of which Arran was the only Assertor , for which also he had incurr'd the Hatred of the Guises in France ; or else , for the hard Words he had lately given to one of the Queen's Uncles , the Marquess of Elbeuf , then in Scotland . But Murray , being an honest conscientious Man , scorn'd to commit so base a Fact . Whereupon , Hepburn went to the Hamiltons , and offered his Service to them , to destroy Murray , whose Power they could not well brook ; he told them , That he was the only Man , who was an Obstacle to their hopes , and an Impeder of their Concerns ; if he were taken away , the Queen must needs be in their power , whether she would or no ; and the Means were facile and easy . The Queen was then at Falkland , a Castle seated in a Town of the same Name : There is a small Wood in the Neighbourhood , wherein Deer , of the nature of Stags ( mistakenly called Fallow-Deer , by the Country ) were kept and fed . The Queen might be easily surpriz'd , as she went thither , every day , or to any neighbour-place , with a small Retinue , at which time , 't were very easy to destroy Murray , being unarm'd , and suspecting no such thing , and to get the Queen's Person into their Hands : he quickly persuaded the rest ; and a time was appointed to perform the Enterprise ; only the Earl of Arran did execrate the Wickedness , and sent Letters privately to Murray , acquainting him with the Series of the whole Plot : Murray writes back to him , by the same Messenger ; but Arran being casually absent , the Letters were given to his Father : Whereupon , a Consultation being held , Arran was shut up a close Prisoner , by his Father , from whence , making his Escape by Night , he went towards Falkland : As his Escape was made known , Horsemen were sent after him , all over the Country , to fetch him back again , but he hid himself in a Wood , and frustrated their Expectation , for that Night ; and in the Morning , came to Falkland , where he discovered the whole Order of the treasonable Design . Not long after , Bothwel , and Gawin Hamilton , who had undertaken , with a Party of Men , to commit the Fact , follow'd him , and , by the Queen's Command , had a Guard set upon them , as Prisoners , in the Castle of Falkland . A Design against the Regent discovered , by a Mistake in delivering of Letters , and the Conspirators imprisoned . When the whole Design was thus laid open , and the Spies brought word , that the Officers were met at the Time and Place mention'd by Arran , and that many Horsemen were seen there ; Arran , being ask'd to explain the Order of the Plot , was a little disturb'd in his Mind ; for he mightily doted on the Queen , and was also a great Friend of Murrays , and was desirous to gratify them : On the other side , his Father was no bad Man , only was easily drawn into great and difficult Projects , and he had a mind to exempt him from the Conspiracy . That Night , when he was alone , his Mind was so divided between Piety and Love , that he was almost besides himself ; his Countenance and Speech gave evident signs of some Perturbation of Spirit ; besides , there were other Causes , which might affect the young Man's Mind . For , whereas he had been brought up magnificently , till that very Day , according to the Greatness of his Family ; his Father , being a covetous Man , by the persuasion of some Counsellors , who nourish'd that Vice in him , reduc'd him only to one Servant , who , before , had many Attendants . They , who attempted the Exploit , were sent to divers Prisons ; Bothwel to Edinburgh-Castle , Gawin to Sterlin , till their Cause was tried ; Arran was sent to St. Andrews , whither the Queen was going , to be there kept in the Archbishop's Castle ; there , in his lucid Intervals , he wrote such wise and prudent Letters to the Queen , concerning himself and others , that many were suspicious , he had counterfeited himself mad , only to free his Father from the Treason : As for the rest , he constantly and sharply accus'd them ; insomuch , that when he was brought to the Council , and so private a Conspiracy could not be prov'd by other Testimonies , he proffer'd to fight with Bothwel , himself . About the same time , Iames Hamilton , Arran's Father , first wrote , and after that came , to St. Andrews to the Queen , earnestly desiring her to take Surety for his Son , Bothwel , and Gawin Hamilton , and leave them to him , but he could not be heard . At the same time also , the Queen took Dunbarton-Castle , the strongest in all Scotland , which Hamilton had held , Dunbarton-Castle taken by the Queen . ever since he was Regent . George Gordon , being an Enemy to Murray , was now grown to a far greater hate of Hamilton , his Son's Father-in-Law , who was accus'd of so manifest a Crime , and almost convicted thereof ; he thought now , he had a good opportunity to rid his Enemy out of the way , especially when Two such noble Families were join'd to his side . And first , he caus'd a Tumult to be rais'd in the Town , then but thin of Company , by his own Friends , hoping , that Murray would come out from the Court , to appease it by his Authority ; and then , being unarm'd , he might be easily slain in the Croud . This Project did not succeed , as he would have it ; Gordon's Plot to kill Murray , prevented . and therefore he sent some of his Septarm'd into the Court , to do the Fact ; they entred in the Evening , and were to kill Murray , as he was returning to his Lodging from the Queen , who was wont to keep him late at Night ; that time seem'd fittest , both to commit the Fact , and to escape after it was committed . When the Matter was discovered to Murray , he would not have believ'd it , unless he had seen it with his Eyes ; and therefore he got some few of his faithfullest Friends , ( to prevent all Suspicion ) and took one or two of the Gordons in their Armour , as he grop'd with his Hand in the Passage . The Matter being brought to the Queen , Gordon was sent for , who pretended , that some of his Retinue , that were about to go home , had arm'd themselves , but , upon some occasion or other , were detain'd ; this Excuse was rather receiv'd than approv'd of ; and so they departed , for that time . That Summer , by the Mediation of Embassadors on both sides , it was propos'd , An Interview designed between the Queens of England and Scotland at York , but disappointed . That the Queens of Scotland and England should have an Interview at York , there to debate many Controversies ; but when they were almost ready for their Journy , the Matter was put off till another time . The Cause of deferring the Conference , was vulgarly bruited , because the Duke D'Aumale , one of the Brothers of the Guises , had intercepted and opened the Letters of the English Embassador , then at the French Court ; and that by his means principally , the English Ship , which carried another Embassador , was taken and plunder'd . For these Wrongs and Injuries , Matters being likely to incline to a War with France , the Queen went from St. Andrews to Edinburgh , and sent Arran thither too , clapping him up Prisoner in the Castle . In the mean time , Iames , her Brother , went to * * In Te●iotdale . Hawick , a great Market-Town in those Parts , and there he surpriz'd fifty of the chief Banditty , which were met together , not dreaming of his coming , which struck such a Terror into the rest , throughout all that Tract , The Regent destined to ruin , by the Popish Faction in Scotland , and the Guises in France , for adhering to the Reformation . that the whole Country was quieter for some time after . But , as that Fact did procure him the Love and Reverence of good Men , so it did daily more and more excite the Minds of the Envious to his Destruction ; for , whereas Three very potent Families had plotted his Ruin , so the Accession of the Guises made a Fourth ; for they , being willing to restore the old Popish Religion , and knowing , they could never effect it , as long as Murray was alive , imploy'd their utmost Endeavours to remove him out of the way ; many concurrent Circumstances did contribute to the seeming Feasibility of the Attempt ; especially because the French , who had accompanied the Queen to Scotland , being return'd home , had related , what great Interest and Power Gordon had , how unquiet his Mind was , and what Promises of Assistance he had made , to introduce the Mass : All these things they aggravated in their Discourse , to the height . Whereupon , the Matter was debated by the Papists , in the French Court ; and This Way of effecting it resolv'd upon ; They write to the Queen , to cherish the mad Spirit of Gordon , by large Promises , That she should rather pretend than promise , to marry Iohn , his Son ; That so , being hoodwink'd with that Hope , they might lead him whither they pleas'd ; and also , they gave her the Names of those in a List , whom they would have destroy'd and slain . Besides , Letters from the Pope , and the Cardinal , were sent to her , to the same Effect ; For , whereas her Revenue was not sufficient to maintain that immoderate Luxury , to which she had used her self , she craved some pecuniary Aid of the Pope , as if it were to manage a War against those , who had revolted from the Roman Church : The Pope wrote something obscurely ; but the Cardinal plainly , That she should not want Mony for that War , yet so , that Those must be first slain , whose Names were given her in a Scrole .

The Queen shewed these Letters to Murray , and to the rest design'd for the Slaughter ; either , because , she thought , they would have some notice of it another way ; or else , to make them believe , she was sincere towards them , as not hiding from them any of her secret Counsels . Thereupon , all other things being fitted for the Attempt , the Queen pretended a great desire to visit the Parts of Scotland , which lie Northwards ; and Gordon promoted her Desire , by his forward Invitation . At last , when she came to Aberdeen , August 13. Gordon's Wife , a Woman of a manly Spirit , and cunning , used all her Art to sift out the Queen's Mind , both to know her secret thoughts , and also to incline them to her own Party ; she knew well enough , that the Designs of Princes are alterable by small Moments , many times ; neither was she ignorant , how the Queen stood affected a little before , towards both of them , Murray and Gordon , too ; for She , hating them both , had sometimes deliberated privately with her self , which of them she should destroy : First , she could not away with the Innocency of Murray , as being a Curb to her Licentiousness ; and as for Gordon , she had experimented his Perfidiousness against her Father , Gordon ( incited by the Pope's Letters ) undertakes to destroy Murray , the Regent . first , then her Mother ; and besides , she fear'd his Power ; but the Letters of her Uncles and the Pope , urged her rather to destroy Murray . Gordon was not ignorant hereof ; and therefore , to cast the Ballance , he promis'd , by his Wife , to restore the Roman Religion : The Queen was glad of that ; yet there was one Impediment , and that no great one , which kept her from assenting to him , and that was , that she did not think it to stand with her Honour , to be reconciled to Iohn , his Son , ( who , a few days before , had been committed to Prison for a Tumult raised at Edinburgh , but had made his Escape , ) unless he return'd to Sterlin , to be there a Prisoner of State , at least , for a few days . The Queen insisted upon this , not so much for that Cause , which was pretended , as that she might have her way clear , when Murray was kill'd , and might not be compell'd to marry , when her Lover was absent : Gordon was willing to satisfy the Queen , yet made some scruple to give up his Son , as a Pledg , into the Hands of a Man , who was the most adverse , of all others , to his Designs , ( and that was Iohn , Earl of Marr , Murray's Uncle , Governour of Sterlin-Castle ) especially being uncertain , how the Queen would take the Murder , when it was committed . Whilst these cunning Wits endeavoured to impose one upon another , and were mutually suspicious , the Queen affirming , that the Delay was not in her part , that the Matter was not dispatched ; and yet she us'd no Expedition , neither . Iohn Gordon , to shew himself officious , and to watch all Events , had got together about a Thousand of his Friends and Tenants well-arm'd , and had quarter'd them in the Vicinage , near the Town . But Murray , though not guarded , as he would , yet saw , that all these things were prepar'd for his Ruin , for so he had been advertised by his Friends , both from the French and English Courts ; neither was he much confident of the Queen , yet , in the day-time , he perform'd his accustom'd Services in the Court ; and at Night , had only one or two of his Servants to watch in his Chamber ; and being often inform'd of the Plots of his Enemies against him , yet , by the Help of his Friends , he disappointed all their Purposes , without any Noise .

About the same time , Bothwel escapes out of Prison . Bothwel was let down by a Rope out of a Window , and so escaped from the Castle of Edinburgh . Matters stood at a stay at Aberdeen , by reason of the Dissimulation on both sides . And the Queen , intending to make a further Progress , was invited by Iohn Lesly , a Noble Man , and Client of Gordons , to his House , about twelve Miles off ; that being a lonesome Place , seem'd fit to the Gordons , to commit the Murder : But Lesly , who knew their secret Design , interpos'd and dissuaded them from it , not to put that brand of Infamy on himself and his Family , that he should betray the Queen's chief Brother , a Man not otherwise bad , against whom he had no private Grudg , to the Slaughter . The next night , they pass'd over quietly enough at Rothymay , a Town of the Abrenethies , because , the day after , they determin'd to lodg at ‖ ‖ Or , Strathbogy . Strabog , a Castle of the Gordons ; so that they deferr'd the Murder till that time , because there All would be in their power . In their Journy , Gordon had a long Discourse with the Queen , and at last , he came to this , plainly to desire the Queen to pardon his Son Iohn , that , being a young Man , and ignorant of the Laws , he had made his Escape out of Prison , into which he was cast for no hainous Offence , only for a Commotion , which was not rais'd by him , neither . But the Queen urg'd , that her Authority would be vilified , unless his Son did return , at least for some days , into another Prison , though a larger one ; that so , his former Fault being , as 't were , expiated , he might more creditably be dismiss'd : Though it were but a slight Command , yet Gordon , who was willing to omit no opportunity of committing the design'd Fact , did obstinately refuse to comply with it , either , because he might cast the blame of the Murder upon his Son , if the Queen did not approve it , when 't was done ; or , because , if the thing should be done in the Absence of his Son , though she were not unwilling thereto , yet he should be kept as an Hostage . The Queen was so much offended at this Stubbornness of Gordon , that , when she was almost in sight of his House , she turn'd aside another way ; so that the whole Plot , so wisely contriv'd , as they thought , was now quite cast off the hinges , till they came to Inverness . For there , besides Gordon's being Lord President for the Administration of Justice , he also commanded the Queen's Castle , which was seated on an high Hill , and commanded the Town ; and besides , the whole Country thereabouts were his Vassals . The Queen determined to lodg in the Castle , Gordon's bold Attempt against the Queen her self , but was not suffer'd by the Guards ; being thus excluded , she began to fear , in regard she was to lodg all Night in an unfortified Town ; and in the mean time , Huntly's Son had about a Thousand choice Horse now in Arms , besides a promiscuous Multitude of the Parts adjacent . But the Queen , taking Counsel from her present Circumstances , set a Watch at all Avenues into the Town ; she commanded the Ships , which had brought her Provisions , to ride ready in the River , that if her Guards were beaten off , she might have a Retreat to Them . In the midst of the Night , some Scouts was sent out by Huntly ; and the first Watch let them pass on purpose , till they came to a narrow Passage , there they were all surrounded and taken ; and , of the Highlanders , the Macintoshes Tribe , as soon as they understood they were to fight against the Queen , forsook Huntly , and came to her , the day after , into the Town . A great Multitude of the Highlanders , when they heard of the Danger of their Prince , part by Persuasion , part of their own Accord , came in , and especially the Frazers and Monroes , valiant Families in those Countries : The Queen , now being secure against any Force , began to besiege the Castle : The Besieged were not enough for Number , neither was it well fortifi'd or prepared to indure a Siege , so that it was surrendered to her ; the chief Defendants were put to Death , the rest were sent to their own homes . The Nobility came in on all parts ; upon the coming of some , Disappointed . others were permitted to go home ; so , on the 4 th day after , with a Guard strong enough , she returned to Aberdeen . There , being freed from Fear , she was mightily inflamed with Hatred against Gordon , and being eager to be revenged , she again received her Brother , outwardly , into her Favour , pretending , that her Dependance was wholly on him : Yea , she indeavoured to persuade others , that her Safety was bound up in his Life . Hereupon , Gordon , perceiving , that the whole Face of the Court was altered ; that the Earl of Murray , lately design'd for the Slaughter , was now in great Favour ; and that himself was fallen from the top of his Hopes , into a mortal Hatred ; and perceiving , he was gone further , than would admit a Retreat and Pardon , betook himself to desperate Counsels ; he thought no Remedy better for his present Danger , than , by all means , to get the Queen into his Power ; and though , he knew , he should grievously offend her at present by the Attempt , yet he did not despair , but her womanly Heart might be made flexible , by Observance , Flattery , and the Marriage of his Son , of which her Uncles were supposed to be Contrivers .

This Design he communicated to his Friends , and resolved , by some means or other , Gordon's design against Murray's Life . to remove Murray out of the way ; for if that were done , there was none besides , to whom the Queen would commit the Government ; or , who was able to manage it . His Spies gave him hope of the Feasibility of the thing ; and amongst others , George Gordon , Earl of Sutherland , who was a daily Attendant at Court , and , pretending good Will to the Queen , did fish out all her Counsels , and , by fit Messengers , acquainted Huntly therewith ; yea , he did not only observe the opportunities of Time and Place , but also promised his Assistance to effect it . Besides , the Town was open on every side , and fit for any private Attempt ; the Inhabitants , either by Largesses won , or by Alliances joined , or with Fear terrified , would attempt nothing to the contrary . The High-landers were dismiss'd with the Earl of Murray ; there were but a few , and they came too from remote parts , whom he did not much fear to disoblige : And seeing all the Neighbour-Countries were in his Power , the matter might be transacted without Blood , only one Man's Death might put the Queen into his Hands , the other Wounds might be easily cured : These things drove him on to attempt the Matter , and when the Way to accomplish it was now fix'd , some Letters of the Earl of Sutherland and Iohn Lesly were intercepted , which discover'd the whole Intrigue . Sutherland , upon the Discovery , fled for it , but Lesly acknowledged his Fault , and obtained his Pardon , and ever after , as long as he liv'd , performed true and faithful Service , first to the Queen , then to the King . Huntly , who , with a great Body of Men , waited the Event of his Design , in a place almost inaccessible by reason of the circumjacent Marishes , by the advice of his Friends , determined to retreat to the Mountains ; but many of the Neighbour Nobility then with the Queen , being his Friends , he trusted to their Promises , and therefore altered his Resolution , and determined to abide the Success of a Battel in that advantagious Place ; Murray had scarce an 100 Horse , in which he could confide ; but there followed him of the Nobles , then present , Iames Douglas , Earl of Morton , and Patrick Lindsy ; with these , he march'd forth against the Enemy , the rest were Country-Men of the Neighbour-hood , gathered together , about 800 , whom Huntly , for the most part , had corrupted before , and were more likely to draw on Murray's Party to their Ruin , than give them any Aid ; yet they made mighty Boastings in words , promising , That they themselves , without any other help , would subdue the Enemy ; Others should but look on , and be Spectators only . Some Horsemen were sent before , to keep all Passages about the Marish , that Huntly might not escape ; the rest march'd softly after , and though , the Night before , many of the Gordonians had slipped away , yet he had still with him above 300 Men , maintaining themselves in their Posts . When Murray came thither , he stood with his Party , in Order and Rank , on a small Hill , where he overlook'd all the Marish ; the rest , as they were advancing towards the Enemy , gave evident Tokens of Treachery , putting Boughs of Heath on their Helmets , ( for that Plant grows in abundance in those Parts ) that they might be known by the Enemy . When they came near , the Huntleans , secure of the Success , hasten to them , and seeing the adverse Army disordered , by the Traitors , and put to Flight , that they might more nimbly pursue them , they cast away their Lances , and , with their drawn Swords , to terrify those Ranks that stood , they cried out Treason , Treason , and made with great Violence at the Enemy . The Traitors , thinking , that they should also put to Flight the standing Party , made haste towards it ; But Murray , perceiving no hope in Flight , and that nothing remain'd , but to dye nobly , cried out to his Party , to hold out their Lances , and not to let those that were running away , come in amongst them : They , being thus unexpectedly excluded from both Wings , passed by in great Disorder . But the Huntleans , Wonderfully 〈◊〉 ▪ who now thought the matter ended , and the Victory sure , when they saw a Party , though but small , standing in a terrible manner , with their Pikes forward ; they , who were making towards them , dispersedly and out of order ; and could not come to handy-strokes , by reason of the length of their Spears , being struck with a sudden Terror , fled as swiftly , as they had pursu'd before . The Revolters perceiving this change of Fortune , press'd upon them in their Flight , and , as if willing to expiate their former Fault , what Slaughter was made that Day , 't was They that did it . There were 120 of the Huntleans slain , and 100 taken Prisoners ; of the other Army , not a Man was lost . Amongst the Prisoners , was * * The Gordons taken Prisoners . Huntly himself , and his two Sons , Iohn and Adam ; the Father being an old Man , corpulent and pussy , dyed under the Hands of those that took him . The rest , late at Night , were brought to Aberdeen . Murray had appointed a Minister of the Gospel to wait for his Return , where , in the first place , he gave Thanks to † † The Regent gives solemn Thanks to Almighty God , the sole Author of his unexpected Deliverance . God Almighty , who , out of his Mercy , alone , beyond all Men's Expectation , without any Strength or Wisdom of his own , had delivered him and his Men out of so imminent a Danger ; afterwards , he went to the Court , where , though many did highly congratulate him , yet the Queen gave no Sign of Joy at all , either in Speech or Countenance .

A few days after , Iohn Gordon was put to Death , not without the Trouble of many , Iohn Gordon put to Death . for he was a manly Youth , very beautiful , and entring on the prime of his Age , not so much designed for the Royal Bed , as deceived by the Pretence thereof ; and that which moved no less Indignation than Pity , was , that he was beheaded by an unskilful Headsman . The Queen beheld his Death with many Tears , but , as she was prone to conceal and counterfeit Affections , so , various Descants were made upon her Grief and Passion ; and the rather , because many knew , that her Brother was as much hated by her , as Huntly : She pardoned Adam , because he was but young ; George the eldest Son , in this desperate case , fled from his House to his Father-in-Law Iames Hamilton , there to shelter himself ; or else , by his Mediation to obtain his Pardon . As for Gordon's Followers , according to the Degrees of their Offences , some were fined , others banish'd the Land ; many sent packing into remote parts of the Kingdom , that they might make no more Commotions at home : Those , who lighted upon powerful Intercessors , were remitted their Offence , and taken into former Grace and Favour : Matters being thus settled , or , at least , appeased for the present , the rest of the Winter was spent in Peace .

The 26 th day of November , * * Bothwel outlawed . Bothwel , who had escap'd out of Prison , was , by a Proclamation , commanded to render himself again , and in Default thereof , he not obeying , was declared a publick Enemy . When the Queen was returned from Aberdene to St. Iohnston's , Iames Hamilton came to her , to beg Pardon for George Gordon , his Son-in-Law ; he received an Answer not wholly severe , yet was forced to deliver up his Son-in-Law , who was sent Prisoner to Dunbar , and , the next Year after , which was 1563 , on the 7 th of the Calends † † Ianuary 26. of February was brought to Edinburgh , there condemned for Treason , and sent back to Dunbar .

'T was about this time , that there came forth a Proclamation , under a pecuniary Mulct , That ‖ ‖ Lent observed on a Politick , not Religious , Account . no Flesh should be eaten in Lent ; The pretence was , not any thing of Religion , but civil Advantage only : The Arch-bishop of St. Andrews , because he did not forbear to hear , and say , Mass , after the Edict made at the coming in of the Queen , was committed Prisoner to the Castle of Edinburgh ; Others , guilty of the same Fault were punish'd , but slightly , yet were threatned to be more severely treated , if they offended in the like sort , again .

Now the time of the Parliament drew near , which was summon'd to be held the 20 th day of May , where the Queen , with the Crown on her Head , and her Royal Robes , went in great Pomp to the Parliament-house , a new Spectacle to many , but that Men had been accustom'd to bear the Government of Women in her Mother's and Grandmother's Days . In that Assembly , some Statutes were made in Favour of the Reformed , and some Coyners were punish'd ; the rest of the Summer the Queen spent in Athol , in the Sport of Hunting .

At the end of Autumn , * * Matthew Stuart , Earl of Lennox , return● out of France , after twenty two Years Exile . Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox , by the Queen's Leave , returned to Scotland , having been unworthily deserted by the King of France , the 22 d Year after his Departure , as I said before : And the next Year , which was 1564 , in the Month of Ianuary , at a Convention of the Estates , held almost on purpose for that very thing , his Banishment was remitted , and his Goods restored , the Queen seconding that Remission with many favourable Words , and repeating the many great Services the Earl had done her in her very Infancy , she having been delivered out of her Enemies Hand , and advanced to her Throne , by his Means . Afterwards , † † Henry Stuart his Son , comes out of England , and is in great Favour with the Queen . Henry , his Son , came out of England into Scotland , on the 12 th of February , having there obtained a Convoy for three Months . This Young Man , being of an high Linage , and very beautiful , the Son of her Aunt , the Queen of Scots received very courteously , and delighting daily in his Society , the common Speech was , That she would marry him ; neither was the Nobility against it , because they saw many advantages might redound to Britain , by that Marriage , if it might be made by the Queen of England's Consent . Both of them were in an equal Degree of Consanguinity from her , and she was so far from being against it , that she was willing rather to seem the Author of it , and so to lay some Obligation upon her , in making the Match ; besides , she thought it for her Advantage , to humble the Power of her Kinswoman , by this condescending Marriage , that it might not swell beyond what was safe and fit for Neighbours . But when all was concluded on , there fell out a Business which retarded all , and turn'd every thing , as it were , upside down ; to make it plain , I must fetch the Original Story , a little higher .

There was one ‖ ‖ The Story of David Rize . David Rize , born at Turein in Savoy , his Father being honest , but poor , got a mean Livelihood for himself and Family , by teaching the Elements of Musick ; and , having no other Patrimony to leave his Children , he made them all , of both Sexes , skilful Musicians . David was one of them , who , being in the prime of his Youth , and having a sweet Voice , was , by his Skill in Musick , erected to the hope of a better Fortune ; he went to * * In Pr●vence , situated on the Mediterranean-Sea , at the foot of the Alps , which divides France from Italy , near Villa-Franca . Nice , to the Court of the Duke of Savoy , which Place that Duke had newly obtained ; but , meeting with no Entertainment there , answerable to his hopes , contriving every way how to relieve himself in his Penury , he light upon Morettius , who , by the Dukes Command , was then preparing for a Voyage to Scotland ; him he followed into Scotland ; but , Morettius being a Man of no great Estate , and looking upon his Service as unnecessary and useless , he resolved to stay in Scotland , and try his Fortune there , especially because he had heard , that the Queen was delighted in Musick , and was not ignorant of the Grounds of it , her self . Whereupon , to make way to her Presence , he first dealt with her Musicians , of which many were French , to admit him into their Society , which they did ; and having plaid his part once or twice , was lik'd very well , whereupon he was made one of their Set and Company , and he so complied with the Queen's Humour , that , partly by flattering her , and partly by undermining others , he grew into high Favour with her , and into the extream Hate of his Fellows ; neither was he content with this favourable blast of Fortune , but he despised his Equals too , and , by sundry Criminations , worm'd them out of their Places ; then he rose higher , and began to treat about Matters of State , and , by degrees , was made Secretary ; and , by that means , had opportunity of private Converse with the Queen , apart from others .

The sudden advance of this Man , from a low , and almost beggerly , Estate , to such a Power , Wealth and Dignity , afforded Matter of Discourse to the People ; His Fortune was above his Virtue ; and his Arrogance , Contempt of his Equals , and Contention with his Superiours , were above his Fortune . This Vanity and Madness of the Man was much increas'd and nourish'd by the Flattery of the Nobility ; who sought his Friendship , courted him , admir'd his Judgment , walk'd before his Lodgings , observing his Ingress and Egress : But Murray alone , who had no Dissimulation in his Heart , was so far from fauning on him , that he gave him many a sour look , which troubled the Queen , as much as David himself ; But he , on the other side , to uphold himself in his Station against the Hatred of the Nobles , did apply himself , with great Adulation , to the young † † Rize his Politick Court to Henry Stuart , Lord Darnly . Gentleman , who was to be the Queen's Husband ; so that he came to be so familiar with him , as to be admitted to his Chamber and Bed-side , and to secret Conference with him ; where he persuaded him , out of his unwary Credulity and Forwardness to compass his Desires , that he was the chief occasion to make the Queen to cast her Eye upon him : Besides , he cast in Seeds of Discord betwixt him and Murray , every day , as knowing , that if he were removed , he should pass the residue of his Life without Affront or Disturbance .

There was now much talk abroad , not only of the Queen's Marriage with Henry , and his secret recourse to her ; but also of the too great Familiarity betwixt her and David Rize : Murray , who , by his plain downright advice to his Sister , got nothing , but her Hatred , resolved to leave the Court , that so he might not be thought the Author of what was acted there . And the Queen was willing enough , that so severe a Supervisor of her Actions should withdraw , especially in a Season , whilst she was strengthning the contrary Faction : For she recall'd those which were banish'd , Bothwel , from France ; George Gordon , Earl of Sutherland , from Flanders ; the other George Gordon , Son to the Earl of Huntly , she delivered out of Prison , and restored to his former Place and Dignity . When Bothwel was return'd from France , Murray accuses him of the Treasonable Practices he had lately committed against him : Some of those Noble-Men , and Gentlemen , who were his Familiars in France , were Witnesses against him . The Matter was clear , foul , and heinous . A Day was appointed for the Trial , but the Queen first dealt earnestly with her Brother , to desist from the Prosecution ; which he refused , judging his Credit to be much at stake , which way soever the balance did incline , in the Case . What did the Queen do next , but wrote Letters to many of the Nobility , not to appear at the time appointed ? and as Alexander , Earl of Glencarn , Murrays intimate Friend , was passing by Sterlin , she sent for him , out of the way , to her ; yet all good Men were so well agreed in the Case , that Bothwel , Bothwel avoids his Trial. being precondemn'd in his own Conscience , and moved with the general detestation of the wicked Attempt , durst not abide the Trial. This favour of the People to Murray , did so inrage the Queen's Mind against him , that she hastned his , long before design'd , End , and the Manner to accomplish it , was This : Murray was to be sent for to Perth , where the Queen was with a few Attendants , there Darnly was to discourse him , and , in the Conference , they all knew , he would speak his mind freely ; and then a Quarrel would arise , upon which David Rize was to give him the first blow , then the rest were to Wound him to Death . Murray was made acquainted with this Conspiracy by his Friends at Court , yet , come what would , he resolved to go ; but , as he was on his Journy , being again advis'd by Patrick Ruven , he turned aside to his Mother's house , near Loch Levin , and , being troubled with a Lask , excused himself and staid there . Thither some of his Friends came to visit him , upon which , a Report was presently spread , that he staid there , to intercept the Queen and Darnly in their Return to Edinburgh ; whereupon Horsemen were sent out , but they discovered no Men in Arms , or sign of any Force , yet the Queen made such haste , and was so fearful in this Journy , as if some great Danger had been at hand .

The Marriage was now at hand , and a great part of the Nobility call'd together at Sterlin , That so the Queen might countenance her Will and Pleasure with some pretence of Publick Consent . Most of those , they sent for , were such , as , they knew , would easily give their Assent ; or else , that durst not oppose : Many of those , so congregated , assented to the Motion , Provided always , that no Alteration should be made in the then establish'd Religion ; but the Most did it to gratify the Queen , only Andrew Stuart , of Ochiltry , openly profest , that he would never give his Consent to the admission of a Popish King . As for Murray , he was not averse from the Marriage , ( for he was the first Adviser , that the young Man should be call'd out of England ) but he foresaw , what Tumults it would occasion , if it were celebrated without the consent of the Queen of England ; besides , he promis'd to procure her Consent , that so all things might go on favourably , Provision being made about Religion ; but , perceiving , that there would be no freedom of Debate in that Convention , he chose rather to be absent , than to declare his Opinion , which might prove destructive to himself , and no way advantagious to the Commonwealth .

Moreover , there was a Question started and discours'd , amongst the Vulgar , Various Disputes concerning the Queen's marriage with Darnly . Whether the Queen , upon her Husbands death , might not marry any other Man , whom she pleas'd ? Some were of Opinion , That a Queen might have the same freedom , as Men , even of the Commonalty , have ; Others , on the contrary , affirming , That the Case was different , in reference to Heirs of Kingdoms , where at once , an Husband was to be taken to a Wife , and a King to be given to the People ; and That it was far more Equitable , that the People should provide an Husband for one young Queen , than that a young Queen should chuse a King for all the People .

In the Month of Iuly , came an Embassador from England , who declar'd , That his Mistress did much admire , That , seeing they were both equally allied to Her , they should precipitate so great an Affair without acquainting her therewith ; and therefore She earnestly desir'd , that they would stay a while , and weigh the thing a little more seriously , to the great Advantage , probably , of both Kingdoms . This Embassy effected nothing . Whereupon Sir Nicholas Throgmorton was sent by the Queen of England to tell Lennox and his Son , that they had a Convoy from her , to return at a set Day , and that Day was now past ; and therefore , she commanded them to return , which if they did not , they were to be banish'd , and their Goods Confiscate . They were not at all terrified with the Commination ; but persisted in their purpose . In the mean time , the Queen being sensible , that it would seem a very incongruous Match , if She , who was lately the Wife of a Great King , and besides , the Heir of an Illustrious Kingdom , should marry a private young Man , who had no Title of Honour conferr'd upon him , she made an Edict , proclaiming Darnly Duke of Rothsea , and Earl of Ross. Moreover , the Predictions of wizardly Women , in both Kingdoms , did contribute much to hasten the Marriage , who prophesy'd , that , if it were Consummate before the end of Iuly , it foretold much future Advantage to them Both ; if not , much Reproach and Ignominy . Besides , Rumors were spread abroad of the Death of the Queen of England , and the Day mention'd , before which she should die . Which Prediction seem'd not so much to divine things , as to declare a Conspiracy of her Subjects against her . This also added much to the Queen's haste , she knew , her Uncles would be averse from the Marriage ; and , if it were longer delay'd , she fear'd , they would cast in some Remora , to disturb the Thing , now almost finish'd .

For , when the secret Decree and Resolution was made , to carry on the Holy War thrô all Christendom , and Guise was appointed General of the League to extirpate the Reform'd Religion , hereupon he nourish'd high and ambitious Hopes , and therefore determin'd , by his Sisters Daughter , so to trouble Britain with domestic Tumults , that they should not be able to Aid their Friends beyond Sea . And David , who could then do most with the Queen , urg'd , That the Marriage would be highly advantagious to all Christendom , because Henry Darnly , and his Father , were stiff Maintainers of the Popish Religion , were very Gracious in both Kingdoms , allied to great Families , and had large Clanships under them . This , being long debated , was at last carried ; For , he knew , That if the Marriage were made by the Consent of the Queen of England , and the Nobility of Scotland , that he should lose two great Points ; One , that he should be no ways ingratiated , as before ; and the Other , that * * Viz. Reformed . Religion would be secur'd . But if the Queen adher'd to the Council of Trent , then he promis'd Honours , Ecclesiastical Dignities , heaps of Mony , and unrivall'd Power , to himself ; So that , turning every Stone , He at last procur'd , that the Marriage should be hasten'd . The Scots not being much for it , and the English very much against it .

Note , That the Name of Henry is joined with Mary , in the Title , tho before their Marriage , is accounted for at the Close of the Catalogue of the Scotish Kings , prefixed before the Body of this History .

Mary and Henry Stuart , the CVIIth Queen and King .

HEnry Stuart was marry'd to Mary Stuart , Iuly 28 th ; The Queen actually Marries Henry , Lord Darnly . and O Yes being made , Proclamation thereof was publickly read , with the applause of the Multitude , God Save Henry and Mary , King and Queen of Scotland , and , the day after , they were proclaim'd in like Manner , by an Herauld at Edinburgh . This Matter did grievously offend the Nobility , and the Commons also ; yea , some fretted and openly storm'd , That 't was a thing of the worst Example , that ever was . For , To what purpose was it , to call a Council about making a King ; and never to ask their Advice ; nor to comply with their Authority , but to set up an Herauld instead of a Senate ; and a Proclamation for a Statute of Parliament , or Order of Council ? so that it was not ( said they ) a Consultation , but an Essay rather , how the Scots would bear the yoke of Tyranny . The absence of so many Nobles increas'd the Suspicion : The chief Nobility were away , Iames Duke of Castle-herault , Which disgusts many of the Nobility . Gilespy Earl of Argyle , Iames Earl of Murray , Alexander Earl of Glencarn , Andrew Earl of Rothes , and many others of Rich and Noble Families . Heraulds were sent to them to command them to come in , which they not doing , were banish'd , and went most of them into Argyle , and their Enemies were recall'd to Court . The King and Queen having got as much Force together , as they thought were sufficient to subdue the Rebels , with 4000 Men came to Glasgow . The Rebels kept themselves at Pasley , where various Consultations were held , according to the Disposition of the Parties . The King and Queen sent an Herauld at Arms to have the Castle of Hamilton surrendred to them ; which not being done , they prepare themselves for the Fight . The contrary Faction was at variance one with another , and divided into several Opinions . The Hamiltons , who had the greatest Power in those Parts , were of Opinion , That no firm Peace could be made , till the King and Queen were Both taken out of the way ; as long as they were safe , nothing could be expected , but new Wars , continual Plots , and a counterfeit Peace , worse than an open War , private Men , ( said they ) may forget Injuries offer'd them , being weary of prosecuting them ; yea , sometimes they were recompens'd with great Advantages ; but the Wrath of Princes was not to be quench'd , but by Death only . But Murray and Glencarn , who understood , that their discourse was not founded on the Good of the Publick , but their own private Advantage , ( for , upon the Queen's death , they were the next Heirs to the Crown ) did equally abhor the Princes death , and Hamiltons Government too , which they had lately experienc'd , to be Avaritious and Cruel ; so that , They were for milder Counsels , and , in regard , 't was a civil Dissension , wherein , as yet , there was no blood shed ; the Dispute having been hitherto managed by Votes not Arms , they thought it fit , if possible , to end it by an honest Agreement . Hereunto , they thought , many in the King's Army would hearken , as being desirous of Peace , and would not be wanting to plead for Those , that , in Defence of their Liberties , were inforc'd to take up Arms. As for the King and Queen , They , being yet young , might not perhaps be so Provident ; and , for their Parts , they had not yet so far transgrest , as to indanger the Common-wealth ; as for smaller Injuries , which affected their Names and Reputations only , 't was fitter they were cured by other Remedies , than Death . For , they remembred , 't was an old Caution transmitted from their Ancestors , A Politic Maxim , both Prudent , and also Equitable . for Imitation , That , in the Lives and Manners of Princes , their hidden Vices ought to be concealed ; their doubtful Ones taken in the best sense ; and their open Ones , so far born with , as they did not endanger the Ruin of the Publick . This Opinion pleased the most , and the rest of the Hamiltons acquiesced therein , and resolved to be quiet , only Iames , chief of their Family , with 16 Horse , remained with the Nobility ; who , being lessened by the recess of the Hamiltons , were not able to give Battel to the Enemy , nor yet to break through , each to his own Clan , and therefore they yielded to the Times , and came that Night to * * A Town standing on the West-side of Clyde , 2 Miles above Bothwel-Bridg . Hamilton , and the next Day to Edinburgh , to consult how to manage the War : But , in regard the Castle which commanded the Town , continually plaid upon them , and their Friends could not come in so soon from remote Parts , as was requisite ; and moreover , the King and Queen were reported to be near them with their Forces , by the great Persuasions and Promises of Iohn Maxwel of Herreis , they directed their Course towards Dumfreiz . The King and Queen returned back to Glascow , and left the Earl of Lennox , their Lieutenant , in the Country towards the South-West , they themselves went afterward to Sterlin , and thence into the middle of Fife . They made the greatest part of the Nobility take an Oath , That if any Commotion arose from England , they would faithfully oppose it ; the rest were punish'd , some by Fine , some by Banishment . The Goods of those , who fled into England , wherever they could find them , were seized upon , and they appointed Commissions of Oyer and Terminer to be held in all Counties , The Nobles , that rose up in Arms , are quelled . to enquire into the Remains of the Rebellion .

On the 9 th of October , they drew forth their Army out of Edinburgh , and march'd towards Dumfriez . Maxwel , who , till that time , had pretended to be highly of the Party , which was against the King , thinking it now a fit opportunity to cater for himself , went forth to meet them , as if he would have interceded for Pardon , for the whole Party . He dealt with them , to have part of his Father-in-Laws Estate , which he had a great mind to have bestow'd upon him ; they look'd upon him , as an active subtil Man , fit for Counsel and Business , and granted his Request ; whereupon , he return'd to the Rebels , and told them , he could do them no good ; and therefore they must all shift for themselves : England was near at hand , if they would retire thither , after he had settled his Affairs at home , he would follow them , and live and die with the Party ; In the interim , he got a thousand Pounds from Murray ; upon the account of Mony , which , he alleged , he had expended in listing some Horse ; For , being commanded to raise some few Troops of Horse , he caused all his Domesticks to appear as if they had been Souldiers , formally listed . The Rebels were terrified at the coming of the King and Queen , and at Maxwels revolt from them ; So that the King and Queen , hereupon , did what they pleas'd ; They drove away most of the Leaders of the Faction , and the rest were intent on the Event of their Danger , so that about the end of October they return'd to Edinburgh , and all things were quiet in Scotland , till the beginning of the next Spring .

A Convention of all the Estates of the Kingdom was Indicted to be held in March , that so the Goods of those who were banish'd might be Confiscate , Rize persuades the Queen to cut off some of the Scotish Nobility , and to entertain Foreigners , as a Guard to her Person . their Names struck out of the Roll of the Nobility , and their Armorial Ensignes torn in Pieces ; neither of which the Kings of Scotland can lawfully do , without an Act of Parliament . In the interim , David , perceiving the Court to be empty of Nobility , and thinking it an opportunity to shew and declare the Excessiveness of his Power , did suggest severe Counsel to the Queen , daily pressing her to cut off some of the chief of the Faction ; if a few of them ( said he ) were executed , the rest would be quiet ; and in regard , he thought , the Queen's Guard , being Scots-men , would not easily consent to the cruel Murder of the Nobility , he was very intent to have them thrown out of their Places , and to introduce Foreigners into their Rooms , ( a Project , that is wont to be the beginning of all Tyranny ; ) first , Mention was made of sending for some Germans over for that Service ; because that Nation were highly faithful to their Princes : But , when David had considered seriously with himself , he thought it more conducive to his Interest to have Italians ; first , because , being his Country-Men , he presumed , they would be more at his Devotion ; next , that being Men of no Religion , they would be fitter to make Disturbances , so that , he thought , they might easily be induc'd to venture upon any Design , Right or Wrong ; for , being wicked and indigent Persons , born and bred up under Tyrants , us'd to War , and being far from their own home , they car'd not what became of Britain , and therefore seem'd most Proper to attempt Innovations . Hereupon , Souldiers of Fortune were privately sent for out of Flanders and other Countries of the Continent ; but they were to come in by Piece-meal , as 't were , One by One , and at several times , too , that the Design might not be discover'd : It would be more dangerous ( said he ) to offend any one of those Ruffians , than the Queen her Self .

The Queen , after her hasty Marriage , is assoon alienated from the King , who , at the instigation of Rize , is plausibly dismist from Court . But , as David's Power and Authority , with the Queen , did daily increase , so the King grew Cheaper with her every Day ; for , as She had been rashly precipitate in making the Marriage , so She as soon repented , and gave manifest Tokens of her alienated Mind . For , as presently after the Marriage was celebrated , she had publickly Proclaim'd him King by an Herauld , without the consent of the States , and afterwards , in all her Mandates till that time , the King and Queens Name were exprest , now she chang'd the Order , keeping both Names in , but setting her own , First . At length , the Queen , to deprive her Husband of all opportunity to do Courtesies for any , found fault with him ; that , whilst he was busy in Hawking and Hunting , many State-Matters were acted unseasonably ; or else , were wholly omitted ; and therefore it would be better , that She might subscribe her Name for them Both ; and , by this means , he might enjoy his Pleasure , and yet no publick Business be retarded . He was willing to gratify her in every thing , and yielded to be dismist upon such frivolous Grounds , that so , being remote from the Council and Privity of publick Affairs , the Obligation for all Boons might rebound to the Queen her self . For , she thought thus with her self , that if her Husband's Favour could do no good Offices for any , and his Anger were formidable to none , he would , by Degrees , grow to be despis'd by all ; and to increase the Indignity , David was substituted , with an Iron Seal , to impress the King's Name on Proclamations . He , thus fraudulently cheated out of publick Business , lest he might also prove an Interrupter of their private Pleasures , in a very sharp Winter , was sent away to * * Or , Pebils . Pebly , with a small retinue , far beneath the Dignity of some private Persons , for a Prey rather than Recreation . At the same time , there fell such a quantity of Snow , that , the Place not being very Plentiful , and besides , troubled with Thieves ; He , that was always bred up at Court , and used to a liberal Diet , was in great hazard of wanting Necessaries , unless the Bishop of the Orcades had casually come thither ; for he , knowing the scarcity of the Place , brought him some Wine , and other Provisions , for his use .

The Queen was not content to advance David , and , as 't were , to shew him to the People , from such an obscure Original , on the account before mention'd ; but she advis'd another way , how to cloath him with domestick Honour : For , whereas the Queen had , for some Months before , permitted more Company than was usual to sit with her at her Table ; that so , in the Croud , David's place might be less envy'd ; by this shew of Popularity , she thought , to gain the point , that the unaccustomedness of the Sight would , by the Multitude of Guests and daily Usage , be somewhat alleviated ; and so Mens high Stomachs , by degrees , be inur'd to bear any thing . At last it came to this , That but he and one or two more fat at Meat with Her ; and , that the straitness of the Room might take off something from the envy of the thing , sometimes she would eat her Junkets in a small Parlor , sometimes at David's own Lodgings . But the Way she thus took to abate , did but increase , the Reflections , for it maintained Suspicions , and gave occasion to odd Discourses . Mens Thoughts were now inclin'd to the worst , and it serv'd to inflame them , That in Housholdstuff , in Apparel , and in the Number of brave and stately Horses , he exceeded even the King himself ; and it made the matter look the worse , that all this Ornament did not credit his Face , but rather his Face spoil'd all this Ornament .

But the Queen , not being able to amend the Faults of Nature , endeavour'd , by heaping Wealth and Honour upon him , to raise him up to the degree of the Nobles , that she might cover the Meanness of his Birth , and the Defects of his Body too , with the Vail of his lofty Promotions . But he was to be advanced by degrees , lest he might seem to be but a poor Mercenary Senator . The first Attempt was made , on the account of a piece of Land near Edinburgh , the Scots call it * * A Castle on North-Esk , two Miles above Dalk●ith in Mid-Lothian , with the demesnes thereof . Malvil : The Owner of the Land , his Father-in-Law , and others , that were best able to persuade him , were sent for , and the Queen deals with the present Owner , to part with his Possessions ; and she desir'd his Father-in-Law , and Friends , to persuade him to it : But this Matter not succeeding , the Queen took the Repulse , as an Affront to her ; and , which was worse , David took it very heinously , also . These Things being noised abroad , the Commonalty did bewail the sad State of Affairs , and expected that things would grow worse , if Men , eminent for their Families , Estates and Credits , should be outed of their ancient Patrimonies , to gratify the Lust of a beggarly Varlet ; yea , many of the elder Sort call'd to mind , and told others of that time , when Cockburn wickedly slew the King's Brother ; and , of a Stone-cutter , was made Earl of Marr , which rais'd up such a Fire of Civil War , that could not be extinguish'd , but by the Death of the King , and almost the Destruction of the Kingdom . These things were spoken openly , but Men in private did mutter much more , ( as it useth to be in Matters not very creditable ) : Yet the King would never be persuaded to believe it , unless he saw it with his own Eyes ; so that , one time , hearing , The King , being 〈…〉 made sensible of Rizes scandalous Familiarity with the Queen , resolves to destroy him . that David was gone into the Queen's Bed-Chamber , he came to a little Door , of which he always carried the Key about him , and found it bolted in the inside , which it never us'd to be ; he knock'd , no body answered ; whereupon , conceiving great Wrath and Indignation in his Heart , that Night he could not sleep . From that time forward , he consulted with some few of his Servants , ( for he durst trust but a few , many of them having been corrupted by the Queen , and put upon him , rather as Spies of his Actions , than Attendants on his Person ) how to rid David out of the way ; they approved his Design , but could not find out a probable Way to effect it ; that Consultation had been managed for some days , when other of his Servants , who were not of the Privacy , suspected the matter , and there being evident signs of it , they acquainted the Queen therewith , and told her , They would bring her to the place where they were , and they were as good as their Words ; they observ'd and watch'd the opportunity , when others were shut out , and the King had only his Confidents with him ; the Queen , as if she were passing through his Chamber to her own , surprized him , with his Partisans ; whereupon , she inveighed against him most bitterly , and highly threatned his Domesticks , telling them , all their Plots were in vain , she knew all their Minds and Actions , and would remedy them well enough , in time .

Matters being brought to this pass , the King acquaints his Father with his sad Condition ; they both concluded , That the only Remedy for the present Malady , was , to reconcile that part of the Nobility which were present , and to recal those that were absent ; but great haste was required in the thing , because the Day was near at hand , wherein the Queen resolved to condemn the Nobles that were absent , she having Indicted a Convention of the Estates for that purpose , against the Wills of the French and English Embassadors , who interceded in the Case : For they knew , that the Accused had committed no such heinous Offence ; and besides , they foresaw the Danger that would insue .

About the same time , the Queen of England sent her a very large and obliging Letter , full of prudent Advice , in reference to the present Estate of Scotland , endeavouring to incline her Kinswoman , from a wrathful , to a reconcilable Temper . The Nobility knew , that such Letters were come , and they guess'd at What the Contents were ; and thereupon , the Queen counterfeited a civiller Respect to them than ordinary , and began to read them in the presence of many of them ; The Peremptoriness of Rize . when she was in the middle , David stood up , and bid her , Read no more , she had read enough , she should stop ; that Carriage of his seemed to them rather arrogant than new , for they knew , how imperiously he had carried it towards her heretofore , yea , and sometimes he would reprove her more sharply , than her own Husband ever durst do .

At that time , the Cause of the Banish'd was hotly disputed in the Parliament-House ; some , to gratify the Queen , would have the Punishment , due to Traitors , to be pass'd upon them ; others contended , that they had done nothing worthy to be so severely treated . In the mean time , David went about to all of them , one by one , to feel their pulses , what each ones Vote would be concerning the Exiles , if he was chosen ‖ ‖ Or , President . Speaker , by the rest of the Convention ; he told them plainly , the Queen was resolved to have them condemn'd , and 't was in vain for any of them to contend against it ; and besides , he would be sure to incur the Queen's Displeasure thereby . His Design in this , was , partly to confound the weaker Spirits betwixt Hope and Fear , and partly to exclude the more resolv'd out of the number of the Judges select , or Lords of the Articles ; or , at least , that the major Part might be of such a Gizard , as would please the Queen . This audacious Improbity of so mean a Fellow , was fear'd by some , and hated by all . Whereupon , the King , by his Father's Advice , sent for Iames Douglas , and Patrick Lindsy , his Kinsmen , one by the Father , the other by the Mother's side ; they advise with Patrick Ruven , an able Man both for Advice and Execution , but he was so weakned with a lasting Disease , that , for some Months , he could not rise out of his Bed ; however , they were willing to trust him , amongst some few others , in a matter of so great Concernment , both by reason of his great Prudence , and also because his Children were Cousin-Germans to the King . The King was told by them , what a great Error he had committed before , in suffering his Kinsmen and Friends to be driven from Court , in favour of such a base Rascal , as Rize ; yea , he himself did , in effect , thrust them out from the Court with his own Hands , and so had advanced such a contemptible Mushroom , that now he himself was despised by him ; they had also much other Discourse concerning the State of the Publick : The King was quickly brought to acknowledg his Fault , and to promise to act nothing for the future , without the Consent of the Nobility .

But those wise and experienc'd Counsellors thought it not safe to trust the verbal Promises of an Uxorious young Man , as believing , that he might , in time , be enticed by his Wife , to deny this Capitulation , to their certain Ruin ; and therefore they drew up the Heads of their Contract in Writing , to which he willingly and forwardly subscribed : The Heads were , For the establishing Religion , Articles of Agreement betwixt the King and the Nobles , for the destruction of Rize , &c. as 't was provided for at the Queen's Return to Scotland ; To reduce the Persons , lately banished , because their Country could not well want their Service ; To destroy David , for as long as he was alive , the King could not maintain his Dignity , nor the Nobility be in Safety . They all set their Hands to this Schedule , wherein the King professing himself the Author of the Homicide , they resolved presently to attempt the Fact , both to prevent the Condemnation of the absent Nobles , and also , lest Delay might discover their Design . And therefore , when the Queen was at Supper , in a narrow private Room , the Earl of Argyle's Wife and David sitting with her , as they were wont , and there were but a few Attendants , for the Room would not hold many , Iames Douglas , Earl of Morton , with a great number of his Friends , were walking in an outward Chamber , their faithful Friends and Vassals were commanded to stay below in the Yard , to quiet the Tumult , if any should be . The King comes out of his own Chamber , which was below the Queen's , and goes up to her by a narrow pair of Stairs , which were open to none , but himself ; Patrick Ruven follow'd him arm'd , with but four or five Companions , at most ; they entred into the Closet , where they were at Supper , and the Queen , being something mov'd at that unusual Appearance of arm'd Men , and also perceiving Ruven , in an uncouth posture , and lean by reason of his late Disease , and yet in his Armour , asked him , What was the matter ? for the Spectators thought , that his Feaver had disturb'd his Head , and put him besides himself . He commanded David to rise , and come forth , for the Place , he sat in , was not fit for him ; the Queen presently rose , and sought to defend him by the interposal of her Body , but the King took her in his Arms , and bid her to be of good chear , they would do her no hurt , only the Death of that Villain was resolved on ; they haled David out into the next , Rize haled from the Table , as he was at Supper with the Queen , and slain . then , into the outer Chamber ; there those that waited with Douglas , made an end of him with many Wounds , which was against the Mind of all those who conspired his Death , for they resolved to hang him up publickly , as knowing , it would be a grateful Spectacle to all the People .

Damiot's warning to Rize , to get him packing out of Scotland , which he scornfully rejected . There went a constant Report , that one Iohn Damiot , a French Priest , counted a Conjurer , told David once or twice , that , now he had feather'd his Nest , he should be gone , and withdraw himself from the Envy of the Nobles , who would be too hard for him : And that he should answer , The Scots were greater Threatners than Fighters ; he was also told a little before his Death , that he should take heed of a Bastard ; to which he replied , That as long as he lived , no Bastard should have so much Power in Scotland , as that he need fear it ; for , he thought , his Danger was predicted from Murray , but the Prophecy was either fulfill'd , or eluded , by George Douglas's giving him his first Blow , who was the base-begotten Son to the Earl of Angus ; after he had began , then every one rush'd in , to strike him , either to revenge their own particular Grief , or the publick Concern . Hereupon , a Tumult arose all over the House , and the Earls of Huntly , Athol , and Bothwel , who were at Supper in another part of the Palace , were rushing out , but they were kept within their Chamber , by those who guarded the Courts below , and had no harm done them . Ruven went out of that Privy-room into the Queen's Bed-Chamber , where , not being able to stand , he sat down , and called for something to drink ; Whereupon , the Queen fell upon him , with such Words , as her present Grief and Fury suggested to her , calling him a Perfidious Traitor , and ask'd him , How he durst be so bold , as to speak to her , sitting , whereas she her self stood ; he excus'd it , as not done out of Pride , but Weakness of Body ; Ruven's memorable Speech to the Queen , on the occasion of Rize's Death . but advis'd her , That in managing the Affairs of the Kingdom , she would rather consult the Nobility , who had a Concern in the Publick , than vagrant Rascals , who could give no Pledg for their Faithfulness , and who had nothing to lose , either in Estate or Credit ; neither was the Fact , then committed , without a Precedent : That Scotland was a Kingdom bounded by Laws , and was never wont to be govern'd by the Will and Pleasure of one Man , but by the Rule of the Law , and the Consent of the Nobility ; and if any former King had done otherwise , he had smarted severely for it : Neither were the Scots at present so far degenerated from their Ancestors , as to bear not only the Government , but even the Servitude , of a Stranger , who was scarce worthy to be their Slave . The Queen was more inraged at this Speech , than before : Whereupon , they departed , having plac'd Guards in all convenient Places , that no Tumult might arise .

In the mean time , the News was carried all over the Town , and as every ones Disposition was , right or wrong , they took Arms , and went to the Palace : There the King shewed himself to them out of a Window , and told the Multitude , That He , and the Queen were safe , The King takes Rize's Death upon himself . and there was no cause for their tumultuous Assembly ; What was done , was by his Command , and what that was , they should know in time , and therefore , at present , every one should go to his own House : Upon which Command they withdrew , except some few , that staid to keep Guard . The next day in the Morning , the Nobles that return'd from England , offer'd themselves to the † † The banished Nobles offer themselves to their Trial. Trial in the Town-hall , being ready to plead their Cause , for That was the day appointed ; but no body appearing against them , they there openly protested , That it was not their Fault , for they were ready to submit to a Legal Trial , and so every one return'd to his own Lodging . The Queen sent for her Brother , and , after a long Conference with him , she gave him hopes , That , ever after , she would commit her self to the Nobles . Hereupon , the Guards were slackn'd ; though many thought , this her Clemency did presage no Good to the Publick , for she gathered together the Souldiers of her old Guard , and went through a back Gate by Night , with George Seton , who attended with 200 Horse , first to his Castle , then to Dunbar ; she carried also the King along with her , who , for fear of his Life , was forc'd to obey . There she gathered a Force together , and , pretending a Reconcilement to those who were lately returned from Banishment , she turn'd her Fury upon the Murderers of David , but they , yeilding to the time , shifted for themselves , and so , having settled Matters , she return'd to her old Disposition . First of all , she caus'd ‖ ‖ Rize's Body buried , by the Queen's Order , in the Sepulchres of the Kings of Scotland . David's Body which was buried before the Door of a Neighbour-Church , to be removed in the Night , and to be plac'd in the Sepulchre of the late King and his Children : Which gave occasion to illfavour'd Reports , being , amongst a few others , a bad thing , for what greater Confession of Adultery with him could she well make , than , as far as she was able , to equal such an obscure Fellow , who was neither liberally brought up , nor had deserved well of the Publick , in his last Funerals , with her Father and Brothers ? and , to increase the Indignity of the thing , she put the Varlet almost into the Arms of Magdalene Vallois , late Queen . As for her Husband , she threatned him , and obliquely in her Discourses scoff'd at him , doing her Endeavour to take away all Power from him , and to render him as contemptible , as she could .

At this time , the Process was very severe against David's * * A Proclamati●● against David Rize's Murderers . Murderers , many of the Accus'd were banish'd , some to one place , some to another ; some were fin'd ; some ( but the most innocent , and therefore secure ) put to Death ; for the prime Contrivers of the Fact were fled , some to England , others to the High-lands : Those , who were but the least suspected to have an hand in it , had their Offices and Employments taken from them , and bestow'd upon their Enemies : And a Proclamation was made by an Herald , ( in such a publick Sorrow , not without Laughter , ) That no Man should say , The King was a Partaker in , or so much as privy to , David's Slaughter : This Commotion , being a little settled , after the 15 th of April , the Earl of Argyle and Murray were receiv'd into Favour , and she her self , drawing near the time of her Delivery , retired into Edinburgh Castle , and on the 19 th day of Iune , a little after nine a Clock at Night , was brought † † The Queen delivered of King Iames the Sixth . to Bed of a Son , afterwards called , Iames the Sixth .

The Eighteenth BOOK .

THE Queen , after her Delivery , receiv'd all other Visitants with Kindness enough , suitable to the occasion of a publick Joy ; but when her Husband came , she and her Attendants did so comport themselves , both in Speech and Countenance , as if they were afraid of nothing more , than that he should not understand , that his Presence was disdainful , and his Company unacceptable to them all ; but on the contrary ; * * The Queen disgusts her Husband , and favours Bothwel . Bothwel alone was the Man , he managed all Affairs : The Queen was so inclined to him , that she would have it understood , no Suit would be obtained from her , but by his Mediation : And , as if she were afraid her Favours to him were but mean and not sufficiently known , on a certain day , she took one or two with her , and went down to the Haven called New-Haven , and , her Attendants not knowing whither she intended , she went aboard a small Vessel , prepared there for her ; William and Edmond Blacater , Edward Robertson , and Thomas Dickson , all Bothwels Creatures , and Pirates of known Rapacity , had fitted the Ship , before ; with this Guard of Robbers , to the great Admiration of all good Men , she ventur'd to Sea , taking none of her honest Servants along with her : She landed at † † In Clackmannan-shire , on the North side of the Forth , below Sterlin . Alloway , a Castle of the Earl of Marrs , where she so demeaned her self for some time , as if she had forgot not only the Dignity of a Queen , but even the Modesty of a Matron .

The King , when he heard of the Queen 's sudden Departure , followed her , as fast as he could , by Land , his Design and Hopes were , to be with her , and to injoy mutual Society , as Man and Wife : but He , as an importunate Disturber of her Pleasures , was bid go back whence he came , and had hardly time allow'd him for his Servants to refresh themselves . A few days after , the Queen return'd to Edinburgh , and because , it seems , she would avoid the Croud of People , she went not to her own Palace , but to the House of a private Man in the Vicinage : From thence she went to another , where the annual Convention , call'd the Exchequer-Court , was then held , not so much for the Largeness of the House , or the Pleasure of the Gardens , as , that one David Chalmers , a Creature of Bothwel's , had an house near it , whose back-Door was contiguous to the Queen's Garden , by which Bothwel might pass in and out to her , as often as he pleased . In the mean time , the King finding no place for Favour with his Wife , is sent away with In●uries and Chidings , and having often tried her Spirit , yet , by no Offices of Observance , could he obtain to be admitted to conjugal Familiarity , as heretofore ; whereupon , he retired in Discontent to Sterlin . A while after , the Queen appointed to go to Iedburgh , to hold a Convention . About the beginning of October , Bothwel prepared an Expedition into Liddisdale , and carrying himself there , neither according to the Place which he held , nor the Dignity of his Family , nor the Expectation of any Man , ‖ ‖ Bothwel wounded by an High-way-Pad . he was wounded by a mean Padder , whom he had taken , and unawares almost dispatch'd with a Leaden Bullet , and so he was carried to † † In Liddisdale . Hermitage-Castle , in great Danger of his Life . When the News was brought to the Queen at † † A Castle in Mid-Lothian . Borthwick , though the Winter was very sharp , she flew in haste first to Mulross , then to Iedburgh ; there , though she receiv'd certain Intelligence , that Bothwel was alive , yet , being impatient of Delay , and not able to forbear , though in such a bad time of the Year , notwithstanding the Difficulty of the Way , and the Danger of Robbers , she put her self on her Journy , with such an Attendance , as hardly any honest Man , though he were but of a mean Condition , would trust his Life and Fortune to . From thence she return'd again to Iedburgh , and there made great and diligent Preparation , that Bothwel should be brought thither , whither when he came , their Conversation together was little for the Credit of either of them : There the * * The Queen falls sick , yet continues to flight the Applications of her Husband to her ; Queen , either by reason of her continual toil , Day and Night ; or else , by the secret Providence of God , fell into such a sore and dangerous Disease , that no body almost thought she could have lived . When the King heard of it , he went in great haste to Iedburgh , both to give her a Visit , and to testify his Observance by all the good Offices he could ; and also to incline her to a better course of Life , hoping , she might repent of what she had done ; as , in great Dangers , Persons are wont to do : She , on the contrary , gave not the least Evidence of a reconcil'd Mind , but charged , that no body should rise up , or salute him , as he came in , or give him Entertainment , so much as one Night : But she , suspecting the Disposition of Murray , as courteous and civil , dealt with his Wife to make haste now , to fain her self sick , and go immediately to Bed , that so , by the pretence of Sickness , the King might be excluded from thence ; yea , she made it her business , to inforce him to be gone for want of Lodging ; which he had done , unless one of the Family of the Humes , for very shame , had pretended a sudden cause for his Departure , and so left his Lodging free for the King .

The next day in the Morning , She returned again to Sterlin , her Return was the more reflected on , because , at the very same time , Bothwel was carried out of the place where he lodg'd , to the Queen's Lodgings , in the face of all the People , and though neither of them were well recovered , She from her Disease , He from his Wounds , yet they journyed first to Kelso , then to Coldingham ; next , to Cragmiller , ( a Castle two Miles from Edinburgh ) not caring for the Reports that were spred of them by the way . The Queen , in all her Discourse , profess'd , that She could never live , unless She were divorc'd from the King ; and if She might not be so , She would lay violent Hands on her self . She would , ever and anon , speak of a * * She meditates a Divorce . Divorce , and would say , it might easily be done , if the Popes Bull were recall'd , whereby leave was given to contract Marriages against the Papal Laws ; but , seeing this matter was not like to go , as She expected , ( for these things were acted in the Presence of many of the Nobility ) She left off other Methods , and applied Her Mind only to his Murder .

A little before Winter , when the Embassadors from France and England came to be Witnesses at the Baptism of the Prince , the Queen strove , both by pecuniary , and all other industrious , ways , That Bothwel should appear the most magnificent amongst all her Subjects and Guests at the Entertainment , whereas her lawful Husband , Strange Disrespect to the King , at the Baptism of his own Son . at the Baptism , was not allowed Necessaries ; yea , was forbid to come in sight of the Embassadors , his Servants also , appointed for his daily Attendants , were taken from him , and the Nobility forbid to observe him : But this Carriage , and her Comportment in former times , the more implacable she was towards him , made them more to pity him , in seeing a young and harmless Person reproachfully used ; and yet not only to bear it patiently , but even to endeavour to appease her Rage by the servilest Offices , he could perform ; that so he might win some Degree of her Favour . As for his Apparel and Dress , she put the Fault upon the Embroiderers , Goldsmiths and other Tradesmen , though 't was but a false shameless Pretence , for , every body knew , it was her own occasion ; whereas for Bothwel's Ornaments , she wrought many of them with her own Hands . Besides , Foreign Embassadors were advised , not to enter into Discourse with the King , though they were in the same Castle together , the most part of the Day .

The young Gentleman , being thus uncourteously treated , exposed to the Contempt of all , and his Rival honoured before his Face , Thereupon he withdraws from Court ; resolved to go to his Father , to Glasgow , who , as some thought , had sent for him . The Queen shew'd her accustomed Hatred at his Departure , she took away all the Silver Plate , which he had used ever since he was married , and put Pewter in their stead ; besides , she gave him Poison before his Departure , that so the Evil might be more secret , Is poisoned , but if he died , when absent from Court . But the Poison wrought sooner , than those , who gave it , supposed it would ; for , before he was gone a Mile from Sterlin , he had such a grievous Pain all over his Body , that 't was very apparent , his Disease was not casual , but fraudulently design'd ; but , as soon as he came to Glasgow , the Mischief did manifestly discover it self ; blew Pustules arose all over his Body , with so much Pain and Torment , that there was little hope of his Life ; Iames Abernethy , an able , faithful and experienc'd , Physician , being consulted about his Disease , answered presently , That he had taken Poison : He sent for the Queen 's Domestick Physician , but the Queen would not suffer him to go , fearing , left his Skill might cure him , and also she was not willing , that Many should know of his being poison'd . When the Ceremonies of the Baptism were over , and the Company , by degrees , gone home ; the Queen was private with Bothwel , scarce any body besides at Drummond and Tillibardin , a Noble-Man's House , where she spent two days about the beginning of Ianuary , and so return'd to Sterlin , and pretended daily to go to Glasgow , but expecting to hear every day of the King's Death ; to prevent the worst , she resolved to have her Son in her own Power ; and , that her Design might occasion no Suspicion , they began to find fault , That the House , wherein he was kept , was inconvenient ; That in such a moist and cold place , he might be subject to Rheums , but the true cause was far otherwise of his Removal , for , 't was very plain , That the Place , whither he was carried , was far more obnoxious , upon the foresaid Accounts , in being scituate in a low Marish Soil , having a Mountain betwixt it and the Sun-rising ; whereupon the Child , being scarce seven Months old , was brought in a very sharp Winter to Edinburgh ; when she there heard that the King was recovered , as having overcome the Poison , by the Vigour of his Youth , overcomes 〈◊〉 by the Vigour of his Youth . and the Strength of his Natural Constitution , she renew'd her Plot to destroy him , acquainting also some of the Nobility therewith . In the mean time , News was brought her , that the King design'd to fly to France or Spain , and that he had spoke about it with the Master of an English Ship , which was then in the Firth of Clyde ; hereupon , some thought , That an occasion was offered her to send for him , and if he refused to come , to kill him out of the way ; yea , The Story of the Infernal Design to destroy Henry Stuart , King of Scotland , agitated and complotted , with the Series of its Procedure . some offered to be Agents in the thing ; all of them advised , That the Fact should be privately committed , and That it should be hastned , before he was perfectly recovered : The Queen , having already gotten her Son , that she might also have her Husband , in her Power , though not as yet agreed in the Design , how he should be dispatch'd , resolv'd to go to Glasgow , having , as she thought , sufficiently clear'd her self from his former Suspicions by many kind Letters she had lately sent him : But her Words and Deeds did not agree ; for , she took almost none with her in her Retinue , but the Hamiltons , and other Hereditary Enemies of the King . In the mean time , she intrusts Bothwel with doing What was contributory to the Design at Edinburgh , for that Place seem'd most convenient to them , both to commit , and also to conceal , so great a Wickedness ; for there being a great Assembly of the Nobles , the Suspicion might be put off from one to the other , and so divided between Many . When the Queen had tried all the ways she could , to dissemble her Hatred : At last , by many Chidings , Complaints and Lamentations , past betwixt them , she could yet scarce make him believe , that she was reconciled to him . The King , hardly yet recover'd from his Disease , was brought in a Litter to Edinburgh , to the Place design'd for his Murder , which Bothwel , in the Queen's Absence , had undertook to provide , and That was , an House uninhabited for some Years before , near the Walls of the City , in a lonesome solitary place , between the Ruins of two Churches , where no Noise or Outcry could be heard ; thither he was thrust with a few Attendants only , for the most of them ( being such , as the Queen had put upon him , rather as Spies than Servants ) were departed , as foreknowing the Danger at hand ; and Those that remained , could not get the Keys of the Door from the Harbingers , that provided the Lodgings .

The Queen was most intent on this One thing , to avert all Suspicion from her self ; and her Dissimulation had proceded so far , That the King was fully persuaded , there was a firm Reconcilement betwixt them : So that he wrote Letters to his Father , who staid behind , sick at Glasgow , giving him great Hopes and Assurance , That the Queen was now sincerely His , and , commemorating her many good Offices towards him , now he promised to himself , That there would be a Change of all things for the better . As he was writing these Letters , the Queen came in on a sudden , and , reading them , she gave him many Embraces and Kisses , telling him , that Sight mightily pleased her , that now she saw , there was no Cloud of Suspicion hovering over his Mind .

Things being thus well secured on that side , her next care was , to contrive , as much as possible , to cast the Guilt upon Another , and therefore she sent for her Brother Murray , who had lately obtained leave , and was going to St. Andrews , to visit his Wife , who lay there ( as he heard ) dangerously sick . For , besides the Danger of Child-bearing , she had Pustles , that rose all over her Body , with a violent Feaver ; the Cause of her detaining him , she pretended to be , that she might honourably dismiss the Duke of Savoy's Embassador , who came too late to the Prince's Baptism ; though this seem'd a mean pretence to take him off from so just and necessary a Duty , yet he obeyed . In the Interim , the Queen every day made her Visits to the King , and reconciled him to Bothwel , whom , she , by all means , desired to be out of Gun-shot of any Suspicion : She made him large Promises of her Affection for the time to come , which over-officious Carriage , though suspected by all , yet no Man was so bold as to advise the King of his Danger , in regard he was wont to tell the Queen , whatever he heard , to insinuate the more into her Favour ; only Robert , the Queen's Brother , mov'd either with the Horridness of the Fact , or with Pity to the young Man , took the Confidence to acquaint him of his Wives Plot against him , but on this condition , That he would keep it to himself , and provide for his Safety , the best he could . The King , notwithstanding , reveal'd it to the Queen , according to his custom ; whereupon Robert was call'd for , and he stoutly deny'd it , so that , they gave one another the Lie , and were laying their Hands on their Swords . The Queen was glad to see , That her Designs were likely to have so good a Conclusion , and that so near at hand , without her Trouble , and therefore she calls for her other Brother , Iames , as if he were to decide the Controversy ; but the Truth was , That he also might , on that occasion , be cut off ; there was no body present but Bothwel , who was so far from keeping them from fighting , that he would rather have kill'd him , that had the worst of the Combate himself , as plainly appeared , when he said , There was no reason , Iames should be sent for in such haste , to keep those from Duelling , who , whatsoever they pretended , had no such Maw to it . This stir being quieted , the Queen and Bothwel were wholly intent , how to perpetrate the Murder ; and how to do it , with all imaginable Privacy , too . The Queen , to dissemble both Love to her Husband , and an Amnesty of old Offences , causes her Bed to be brought , from the Palace , into a Chamber below the King 's , where she lay , after she had sat late up with him , in Discourse , for some Nights .

In the mean time , she devises all manner of ways , to cast the Odium of the Fact , when committed , upon her Brother Iames , and the Earl of Morton ; for , she thought , if those Two , whose Authority and Esteem was much fear'd and hated by her , were taken out of the way , all things else would fall in of themselves : She was also incited thereunto , by Letters from the Pope , and from Charles , Cardinal of Lorrain . For , the Summer before , having , by her Uncle , desir'd a Sum of Mony from the Pope , for levying an Army to disturb the State of Religion in Britain , and the Pope more cunningly , but the Cardinal plainly , had advis'd her to destroy those , who were the greatest Hindrances to the Restitution of Popery , and especially Those two Earls by Name ; if they were once taken off , they promised a Mass of Mony for the War . Some Inckling hereof , the Queen thought , was come to the Ears of the Nobility ; and therefore , to clear her self from any Suspicion , or the least Inclination to such a thing , she shewed them the Letters . But these Designs , so subtilly laid , as they thought , were somewhat disturbed by often Messages from Murray's Wife , how that she had miscarried , and that there were small hopes of her Life . This Message was brought him on the Lord's Day , as he was going to Sermon ; whereupon , he returned back to the Queen , and desired leave of her to be gone ; she very much urg'd him , to stay one day longer , to hear certainer News , alleging , That if he made never so much haste , his Coming would do her no good ; but , if her Disease did abate , to morrow would be time enough ; but he was fully bent on his Journy , and went his way . The Queen had deferr'd the Murder till that Night , and would seem to be so jocund and dissolute , as to celebrate the Marriage of Sebastian , one of her Musick , in the very Palace , and when the Evening was past in Mirth and Jollity , then she went with a numerous Attendance , to see her Husband ; she spent some hours with him , and was merrier than formerly , often kissing him , and giving him a Ring , as a Token of her Love . After the Queen's Departure , the King , with the few Servants that were about him , recollecting the Proceedings of the Day past , amongst some comfortable Speeches given him by the Queen , he was much troubled at the remembrance of a few Words ; for she , whether , not being able to contain her Joy , arising from the Hope , that the Murder would be now acted ; or , whether it fell from her by chance , cast out a word , That David Rize was slain the last Year , just about that time . This unseasonable mention of his Death , tho none of them lik'd it , yet , because much of the Night was past , and the next Morning was design'd for Sports and Pastimes , they went speedily to Bed . In the mean time , Gunpowder was plac'd in the Room below , to blow up the House ; other things were cautiously and craftily enough transacted , yet , in a small matter , they lest a track , whereby to be discovered . For the Bed , in which the Queen us'd sometimes to lie , was taken from thence , and a worse put in its place , as if , though they were prodigal enough of their Credit , yet they would spare a little Mony . In the mean time , one Paris , a French Man , a Partisan in the Conspiracy , entred into the King's Bed-Chamber , and there stood still , yet so , that the Queen might see him , That was the Sign agreed on betwixt them , that all things were in a readiness . As soon as she saw Paris , as if Sebastian's Marriage came into her Mind , she began to blame her self , that she had bin so negligent , as not to dance that night at the Wedding , ( as 't was agreed ) and to put the Bride to Bed , as the manner is ; whereupon , she presently started up , and went home . Being returned to the Palace , she had a pretty deal of Discourse with Bothwel , who being , at length , dismiss'd , went to his Chamber , chang'd his Apparel , put on a Souldier's Coat , and , with a few in his Company , pass'd through the Guards into the Town ; Two other Parties , of the Conspirators , came several ways to the appointed Place , and a few of them entred into the King's Bed-Chamber , of which they had the Keys , ( as I said before ) and whilst he was fast asleep , they took him by the Throat , and strangled him , and one also of his Servants , The King strangled , who lay near him : When they were slain , they carried their Bodies through a little Gate , which they had made on purpose , in the Walls of the City , into a Garden near hand ; And then the House , wherein he was , blown up with Gunpowder . then they set fire to the Gunpowder , which blew up the House from the very Foundation , and made such a Noise , that it shook some of the neighbouring Houses ; yea , those , that were sound asleep in the furthest parts of the City , were awakened , and frighted at the Noise . When the Deed was done , Bothwel was let out by the Ruins of the City-Walls , and so return'd to the Palace , through the Guard , another way , than that he came . This was the common Report about the King's Death , which held some Days . The Queen had sat up that Night , to wait for the Event , and , hearing of the Tumult , called together those of the Nobility , who were at Court , and amongst the rest , Bothwel ; and , by their Advice , sent out to know , What was the matter , as if she had been ignorant of all that was done ; some went to inspect the Body , the King had only a linen Shirt on the upper part of his Body , the rest of it lay naked ; his other Apparel , and his Shoes , lay near him : The Common People came , in great Multitudes , to see him , and many Conjectures there were , yet they all agreed , ( sorely against Bothwel's Mind ) That he could never be thrown out of the House , by the Force of the Gunpowder , for there was no part broken , bruis'd , or black and blew , about his Body , which , in a Ruin by Gunpowder , would have been ; besides , his Apparel lying near him , was not sing'd with the Flame , or covered with any Ashes ; so that , it could not be thrown thither , by any Casualty , but plac'd there on purpose , by some bodies Hand . Bothwel returned home , and , as if he had been in great Admiration , brought the News to the Queen , whereupon she went to Bed , and lay secure , soundly asleep , a great part of the next Day .

In the mean time , Reports were spread abroad by the Parricides , and carried into the Borders of England before day , That the King was Murdered by the design of Murray and Morton ; yet every Body thought , privately within himself , That the Queen must needs be the Author of the Murder . Neither was the ‖ ‖ The Bishop of St. Andrews shrewdly suspected about the King's Death . Bishop of St. Andrews free from Suspicion , There were shrewd Conjectures against him , as the high and cruel Enmities betwixt the Families ; neither was the Bishop , ever well reconciled to the Queen , before she design'd that Wickedness in her Mind ; and , of late , when he accompanied her to Glasgow , he was made acquainted with the utmost of her Projects . It increast Mens suspicions of him , because , at that time , he had retir'd to the House of his Brother , the Earl of Arran , which was near to the House , where the King was slain : Whereas , before , he always us'd to live in some Eminent part of the City ; where he might conveniently receive Visits , and curry Favour with the People , by Feasting them ; and besides , Lights were seen in his House , and a Watch all the Night , from the upper part of the City , and when the design'd Powder-Clap was , then the Lights were put out , and his Vassals , The Assassi●● do falsly impute the King's Murder to Murray , and Morton . many of whom watch'd in their Arms , were forbidden to go out of Doors : But the true Story of the matter of Fact , which broke out , after some Months , gave occasion to People to look upon those things as certain Indications , which before were but Suspicions only .

When the Murder was committed , presently Messengers were sent into England , who were to Report , That the King of Scots was cruelly Murdered by his Subjects , by the contrivance , especially , of Murray and Morton . The News was presently brought to Court , The English inflamed against the Scots , upon hearing the horrid Murder of their King . which so inflam'd all the English to the hatred of the whole Nation , that , for some days , no Scots Man durst walk abroad , without Danger of his Life ; and , tho many Letters past to and fro , discovering the secret Contrivances of the Design , yet they could hardly be appeas'd . The King's Body , having been left a while as a Spectacle to be gaz'd upon , and a great Concourse of People continually stockt thither , the Queen order'd , That it should be laid on a Form or Bier turn'd upside down , and brought by Porters into the Palace . There she her Self viewed the Body , the fairest of that Age , and yet her Countenance discover'd not the secrets of her Mind , neither one way or other . The Nobles there present Decreed , that a Royal and Magnificent Funeral should be made for him : But the Queen caus'd him to be carry'd forth by Bearers in the Night , to be buried in no manner of State ; and that which increas'd the Indignity the more , was , that his Grave was made near David Rizes ; as if she design'd to Sacrifice the Life of her Husband to the Ghost of that filthy Varlet .

There were Two Prodigies hapning at that time , Prodigies accompanying the King's death . which are worth the while to relate : One of them a little preceded the Murder , it was This ; One Iames Londin , a Gentleman of Fife , having been long Sick of a Feaver , the day before the King was kill'd , about Noon , lifted up himself a little out of his Bed , and , as if he had been astonish'd , cry'd out to those that stood by him , with a loud Voice , to go help the King , for the Parricides was just now Murdering him ; and a while after , he call'd out with a mournful Tone , Now 't is too late to help , he is already Slain : and he himself lived not long after he had utter'd those Words . The Other did accompany the Murder it self . Three of the familiar Friends of the Earl of Athol's , the King's Cousin , Men of Reputation for Valour and Estate , had their Lodgings , not far from the King 's ; when they were asleep about Midnight , there was a certain Man seem'd to come to Dugal Stuart , who lay next the Wall , and to draw his Hand gently over his Beard and Cheek , so to awake him , saying , Arise , they are off'ring Violence to us . He presently awak'd , and considering the Apparition within himself : Another of them cries out presently in the same Bed , Who kicks me ? Dugal answer'd , perhaps , 't is a Cat , which us'd to walk about in the Night ; whereupon , the 3 d which was not yet awake , rose presently out of his Bed , and was going to run away , demanding , Who it was that had given him a box on the Ear ? as soon as he had spoken it , one seem'd to go out of the House by the Door , not without some Noise . Whilst they were descanting on what they had heard and seen , The noise of the King's House , that was blown up , drove them all into a great Fright . He that took the Murder most heinously , was , Iohn Stuart Earl of Athol , as for other Reasons , so , because he was the chief Maker of the Match between the Queen and him . The Night after the Murder , arm'd Guards watch'd the Palace at Night , as in such sudden Consternations is usual , and they hearing the outside Wall of the Earl of Athols Lodging make a Noise or Crack , as if some were gently digging at the Foundation , they rais'd the Family , which went no more to Bed , that Night : The day after , the Earl went into the Town , and a little after that , went home , for fear of his Life . The Earl of Murray , at his return to Court from St. Andrews , was not without danger neither , for arm'd Men walkt about his House at Night ; but he not being well , and his Servants thereupon using to watch with him all Night , the Villains could not attempt any thing privately against him , and openly they durst not . At length Bothwel ( who would willingly have been freed from such a trouble ) resolved to perform the wicked Fact , Bothwel designs to destroy Murray . with his own Hands . And therefore about Midnight , he askt his Domesticks , how Murray did ? They told him , he was grievously troubled with the Gout : What , said he , if we should go see him ? and presently he rose up , and was hastening to his House . As he was going , he was inform'd by his Domesticks , that he was gone to his Brother Roberts , to be at more Freedom and Ease , out of the Noise of the Court , whereupon he held his Peace , stood still , grieving , that he had lost so fair an Opportunity , and so return'd home . The Queen , mean while , look'd very demurely , and , dissembling great Sorrow , thought That way to reconcile the People to her ; but that speeded as ill with her , as the rest of the Conspiracy . For , whereas it was the Custom , time out of Mind , for Queens , after their Husbands Death , to abstain several Days , not only from the sight of Men , but even from seeing the Light , she indeed personated a fain'd Grief , but her Joy did so exceed it , that , thô the Doors were shut , yet the Windows were open , and casting off her mourning Weeds , in 4 days , she could well enough bear the sight of the Sun and Air : And before 12 days were over , her Mind was harden'd against the talks of the People , and she went to Seton , about 7 Miles from the Town , Bothwel never departing from her side ; there her Carriage was such , that she seemed somewhat chang'd in the Apparel of her Body , but nothing at all in the habit of her Mind . The Place was full of the Nobility , and she went daily abroad to the accustom'd Sports , thô some of them were not so fit for the Female Sex : But the coming of Mr. D'Crocke , The Assassination of the Scots King odious to all Nations . a French-Man , ( who had often before been Embassador in Scotland ) did somewhat disturb their Measures ; for , he telling them how infamous the Matter was amongst Strangers , they returned to Edinburgh : But Seton ( I perceive ) had so many Conveniencies , that , th● with the further hazard of her Credit , she must needs return thither again . There the main head of the Consultation , was , How Bothwel might be acquitted of the King's Murder . There was a Design , before , to try and acquit him ; for , presently upon the King's Death , Bothwel , and some of his Complices , came to the Marquess of Argyle , who was the Hereditary Capital Judge in Criminal Causes . First , Bothwels Mock-Trial for the King's Murder , before the Earl of Argyle . they pretended they were wholly ignorant of what was done , and wondred at it , as a new , unheard of , and incredible , Thing ; then , they proceeded to the Examination of it ; they summon in some poor Women out of the Neighbourhood , but they stuck betwixt Hope and Fear , being uncertain , Whether they should speak , or hold their Peace ; but , tho they were very cautious in their Words , yet , uttering more than was expected , they were sent away , as having spoken nothing upon any certain ground ; and , as for their Testimony , it was easy enough to despise it : Whereupon , some of the King's Servants were sent for , whom the Fire had not destroyed ; They , being ask'd concerning the Ingress of the Assassinates ? reply'd , That the Keys were not in their Power ; it being urg'd upon them again , In whose , then ? They answered , The Queens ; Whereupon , the further Examination was put off , as they pretended ; but , indeed , was quite supprest , for they were afraid , if they went any further , the Court-Secrets would have been all publickly known .

And yet , to set a Gloss on the Matter , A Proclamation published , for a Blind , to discover the King's Murderers . a Proclamation was publish'd , and a pecuniary Reward offer'd to the Discoverers of the King's Murder . But , Who dar'd be so bold as to impeach Bothwel , seeing he was to be the Impleaded , the Judge , the Examiner , and the Exactor of the punishment , too ? Yet this fear , which stopt the Mouths of divers single Persons , could not bridle the Multitude . For Libels were publish'd , Pictures made , and Night-haukings and Cries were uttered , whereby the Parricides might easily understand , That their whole Design was discover'd , Who design'd the Wickedness , and Who assisted in the Execution thereof : And the Commonalty , the more they were forbidden , the more did their Grief make them speak . Though the Conspirators seem'd to despise these things , yet they were so inwardly prickt and grip'd , that they could not dissemble their sorrow : And therefore omitting the Examination about the King's Death , they fell upon another Guest , more severe ; and That was , against the Authors of Libels , or , ( as they worded it ) the Calumniators of Bothwel , and this was so severely prosecuted , that no Pains nor Cost were spar'd therein ; all the Painters and Writing-Masters were call'd in , that so they might discover the Pictures and Libels , by those that drew or wrote them ; they further added a Clause , suitable enough to the Edict , which made it Capital , not only to sell , but even to read them , when they were Sold. But they , who endeavour'd to bridle the Discourse of the People , by threatning Capital Punishment , to them , were not satisfi'd with the King's Death , but retain'd their hatred against him , though in his grave . The Queen gave her Husband's Goods , his Arms , Horses , Apparel , and other Housholdstuff , either to his Father's Enemies , or to the Murderers themselves , as if they had been forfeited into her Exchequer . As these Matters were acted openly , so many did as publickly inveigh against them : The bold Speech of a Taylor . So that one Taylor , who was about to fit some of the King's Clothes for Bothwel's Body , was so bold , as to say ; Now he saw the old Country-Custom verifi'd : That the Executioner had the Apparel of those , that suffer'd by his Hand .

There was also another Care troubled them , How they might get the Castle of Edinburgh into the Queen's Hands ; Iohn , Earl of Marr , was Governour of it , upon Condition , that he should render it to none , but by Order of the Estates ; and though such a Convention was to be the Month after , The Queen solicitous to procure the Government of Edinburgh-Castle into her own Hands . yet the Queen was so earnest , that every small delay seem'd very tedious to Her . And therefore she dealt with the Earl's Friends and Kindred , ( for he himself lay then very sick at Sterlin ) to surrender the Castle to Her ; pretending This as the chief Cause , That the Commons of Edinburgh were so tumultuous , ( there being then a Commotion amongst them ) That she could not keep them within the Bounds of their Duty , unless she had that Fort in her Hands ; and that thereupon , as an Earnest of her great Affection to Iohn , she would put her only Son , the Heir of the Kingdom , into his Hands , to be educated by him ; which Office of Guardianship , his Ancestors had discharg'd to their great Commendation , as in so many other Princes , of late Times , in her Mother and Grandfathers Education . Tho the Earl understood , whither her Promises and Flatteries did tend , yet he complied with her Request . The Queen , finding him more facile than she hoped , essays next to be possest of the Castle , as soon as it was convenient ; and yet to keep her Son too : When he would not hearken to that , she sets upon him by another Wile , propounding to him to come to Linlithgo , ( in the Mid-way between Edinburgh and Sterlin ) and there , on an appointed Day , to receive the Prince , and to surrender the Castle . But this Project being suspected of Fraud , at last it was agreed , That he should be deliver'd to Erskin at Sterlin , and That he , in the interim , should give the chief of his Family in Hostage , for the rendring of the Castle .

These things were some trouble to the Parricides , but they were most of all troubled with the daily complaints of the Earl of Lennox ; The Earl of Lennox first publickly accuses Bothwel of the King's Murder . He would not adventure to come to Court , by reason of Bothwel's Power , accompanied with the highest Luxury ; but he earnestly solicited the Queen by Letters , That she would commit Bothwel to Prison , who , without doubt , was the Author of the King's Murder , till a Day might be appointed to bring him to his Trial. She , though eluding his desire by many Stratagems , yet , seeing the Examination of so heinous a Fact could not be avoided , design'd to have it carried on , thus .

The Assembly of the Estates , on the Ides of * * April . 15. April , was near at hand ; before that time , she was willing to have the matter tried , that so Bothwel , being absolv'd by the Votes of the Judges , might be further clear'd by the Suffrages of the whole Parliament . This haste was the cause , that nothing was carried on orderly , or according to ancient Custom , in that judiciary Process . For , the Accusers ( as is usual ) ought to have been Cited , Whereupon a Court is hastily summon'd ; with their Kindred , as Wife , Father , Mother , Son , either to appear Personally , or , by Proxy , within 40 Days , for that is the time limited by the Law . Here , the Father was only summon'd to appear , April 13 th , without summoning any of his Friends , only his own Family , which , at that Time , was in a low Estate , and reduc'd but to a Few ; Whereas , in the mean time , Bothwel flew up and down the Town , with a great many Troops at his heels ; The Earl of Lennox thought it best for him not to come into a City full of his Enemies , where he had no Friends nor Vassals to secure him ; and besides , if there were no Danger of Life , yet there could be no freedom of Debate . Bothwel appears at the Day appointed , and comes into the Town-Hall , being both Plaintiff and Defendant too . The Judges of the Nobility were call'd over , most of them his Friends , none daring to appear on the other side to except against any one of them ; only Robert Cuningham , one of Lennox's Family , gave a small stop to the Proceedings ; He , having Liberty to speak openly , declar'd , That the Process was not according to Law , nor Custom , where the accus'd Person was so powerful , that he could not be brought to Punishment , and the Accuser was absent for fear of his Life . And therefore , Whatsoever should be determin'd there , as being against Law and Right , was Null and Void ; yet , they persisted in their Design , notwithstanding . Moreover , Gilbert Earl of Cassils , being chosen one of the Judges , rather for Forms sake , than that he thought he should do any Good , desir'd to be excused , and offered also to pay the Forfeiture , usually taken of those who decline Sitting ; when presently a Messenger brought him a Ring from the Queen , with a Command , that he should sit as one of the Judges , or else , she threatned to commit him to Prison . When that did not prevail , she sent another Messenger , who told him , he should be punish'd as a Traitor , if he refus'd ; so that , by such kind of Terrors , they were inforc'd to sit , and the Issue was ; They declar'd , By which Bothwel is acquitted , tho but Conditionally . they saw no Reason to find Bothwel Guilty ; yet , if any Man hereafter could lawfully accuse him , they gave a Caution , That this Judgment should be no hindrance to him . Some thought , the Issue was wisely given in by them . For the Indictment was conceiv'd in such Words , That the severest Judges could never have found Bothwel Guilty , for it was laid against a Murder committed the 9 th of February , whereas the King was slain the Tenth .

Thus Bothwel was acquitted of the Fact , but not of the Infamy of it . Suspicions did increase upon him , and his Punishment seemed only to be deferred ; but any Pretence whatsoever , though a shameless one , seem'd good enough to the Queen , who made haste to marry him . As a Surplusage to his Absolution , there was a Chartel , Bothwel challenges his Accusers . or Challenge , posted on the eminentest part of the Court , declaring , That though Bothwel was lawfully acquitted of the King's Murder , yet , to make his Innocency more appear , he was ready to decide the matter in a Duel against any Gentleman , or Person of Honour , that should dare lay it to his charge . The Morrow after , there was one , which did , as manfully , post up an Answer to his Challenge , provided the place of Combate were appointed , wherein , without Danger , he might declare his Name . Though these things succeeded reasonably well , yet the Queen , in that Parliament , was more rugged , than formerly ; for , whereas before , she pretended Civility in her Carriage , now , she plainly discovered a Desire of Tyranny ; for what she promised at Sterlin , in Matters of Religion , she now flatly deny'd ; and That was , That the Laws , establish'd under Popish Tyranny , should be abrogated in the first Parliament , and the Reformed Religion should be strengthned by new Laws . And , when besides her Promise , Two Edicts , signed with her own hand , were produced ; being catch'd here , she boggled , and commanded the Commissioners of the Kirk , to attend her another Time ; and , after that , she never gave them opportunity to appear before her again ; and those Acts of the Estates , which were Published before her coming into Scotland , by the consent of Francis her Husband , those , she alleg'd , did fall under the Act of Oblivion : That Speech seemed to all a manifest Profession of Tyranny . For , whereas the Scots had no Laws , besides Acts of Parliament , they entertained such private Thoughts in their Breasts , What kind of Life they were like to live , under a Prince , whose Will was a Law , and whose Word and Promise were not to be believed . This was done about the end of the Convention . At the same time , the Queen was very earnest to hasten her Marriage , and yet withal she desired by any means , to procure the publick Consent , that she might seem to act nothing , but by the Suffrage of the Nobles . And Bothwel too , Bothwel procures a Schedule from some of the unwary Nobility , incouraging his Marriage with the Queen , to credit the Marriage with the Pretence of publick Authority , devised this Stratagem : He invited all the Nobility of the highest Rank , which were then in Town ( as there were many ) to Supper , and when they were jocund and merry , he desired them to shew that Respect to him for the future , which they had always done heretofore . At present , he only desired , that , whereas he was a Suiter to the Queen , they would subscribe to a Schedule , which he had made , about that matter , and that would be a Means to procure him Favour with the Queen , and Honour with all the People . They were all amazed at so sudden and unexpected a Proposal , and could not dissemble their Sorrow , neither yet durst they refuse or deny him ; Whereupon , a few , that knew the Queen's Mind , began first , and the rest , not foreseeing , that there were so great a number of Flatterers present , suspected one another , and at last , all subscribed . The Day after , when they recollected what they had done , some of them as ingenuously profess'd , they would never have given their consent , unless they had thought the thing had been acceptable to the Queen ; Which some of them afterwards retract . for , besides that it carried no great shew of Honesty , and was prejudicial to the Publick too ; so , there was danger , if any Discord should arise ( as it happen'd between her and her former Husband ) between her and Bothwel , also ; and he were rejected , it might be laid in their Dishes , That they had betrayed the Queen to a dishonorable Marriage ; and therefore , before they had gone too far , they resolved to try her Mind , and to procure a Writing under her hand , to this Sense ; That she did approve of what they had done , in reference to her Marriage . This Scrole was easily obtained , and , by the consent of them all , given to the Earl of Argyle to keep . The next day , all the Bishops in Town were called to Court , that they also might subscribe . This care being over , there succeeded another , which was , How the Queen should get her Son into her Power , for Bothwel did not think it safe for him , to have a young Child brought up , which , in time , might revenge his Father's Murder ; neither was he willing , That any other should come between his Children and the Crown . Whereupon the Queen , who could now deny him nothing , undertook the Task her self , to bring the Child to Edinburgh ; she had also another Pretence to visit Sterlin , of which I shall speak anon ; when she came thither , the Earl of Marr suspected , what was a brewing , and therefore shewed her the Prince ; but would not let him be in her Power : The Queen , seeing her Fraud detected , and not able to cope with him by Force , pretended another cause for her Journy , and prepared to return ; In her Journy , either by reason of her overmuch Toil ; or , for Anger , that her Designs , which the Authors thought craftily laid , were unsuccessful , she was taken with a sudden Illness , and was forced to retire into a poor House about four Miles from Sterlin , The Queen to be s●emingly surprized by Bothwel , in order to her Marriage with him . where her Pain something abating , she proceeded in her Journy , and came that Night to Linlithgo ; from thence she wrote to Bothwel by Paris , what she would have him to do , about her Surprize ; for , before she departed from Edinburgh , she had agreed with him , that , at the Bridg of Almon , he should surprize her in her Return , and carry her , whither he would , as 't were against her Will. The Water of Almond divides Mid-lothian from West-lothian , in Linlithgo-shire . The common People put this Interpretation on the matter ; That she could not altogether conceal her Familiarity with Bothwel , nor yet could well want It ; nor could she openly injoy it , as she desired , without the loss of her Reputation : It was too tedious to expect his Divorce from his former Wife ; and she was willing to consult her Honour , which , she pretended , to have a great regard to , yet she would provide for her Lust , too ; of which she was very impatient , and therefore the device was thought to be very pretty , That Bothwel should redeem the Queen's Infamy , with his own great Crime ; the Punishment whereof yet he did not at all fear . But there was a deeper reach in the Project , as was after understood . For , whereas the People did every where point at , and curse , the King's Murderers : They , to provide for their own Security , by the Persuasion , as 't is thought , of Iohn Lesly , Bishop of Ross , devised this Attempt upon the Queen . 'T is the manner in Scotland , when the King grants a Pardon for Offences , he , that sues it out , expresseth his great Offence by Name , and the rest of his Crimes are added , in general Words ; accordingly , the King's Murderers determined to ask Pardon for this Surprize of the Queen by Name , and then to add in their Pardons , by way of Overplus , All other wicked Facts : In which clause , they persuaded themselves , That the King's Murder would be included , because , 't was not safe for them to name themselves the Authors of it , in the Pardon ; nor , was it creditable for the Queen so to grant it ; neither could it well be added in the Grant of Pardon , as an Appendix to a lesser Crime : Another Offence , less invidious , but liable to the same Punishment , was to be devised , under the Shadow whereof the Kings Murder might be disguised and pardoned , and no other did occur to them , but this simulated force put upon the Queen , whereby her Pleasure might be satisfied , and Bothwel's Security provided for , too ; and therefore he , accompanied with 600 Horse , waited her Coming at Almon Bridg , and took her , by her own consent , Bothwel actually surprizes the Queen ; to Dunbar : There they had free Converse one with another , and a Divorce was made betwixt Bothwel and his former Wife , and that in Two Courts : First , she was cited before Judges publickly appointed to decide such kind of Controversies ; and next , before the Officials , or Bishop's Courts , though they were forbid , by a publick Statute , to exercise any part of Magistracy ; or , to meddle with any publick Business ; Madam Gordon , Bothwel's Wife , was compelled to commence a Suit of Divorce , in a double Court , And is divorc'd from his former Wife , for Adultery . before the Queen's Judges ; she accuses him of Adultery , which was the only just cause of a Divorce amongst them ; and before the Papal Judges , who , though forbidden by the Law , yet were impowered by the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews , to determine the Controversy : She alleged against him , that , before their Marriage , he had had too much unlawful , or incestuous , Familiarity with her Kinswoman : The Witnesses and Judges made no Delay in the Case . The Suit was commenc'd , prosecuted , adjudg'd , and ended , in ten Days .

On these Emergencies , a great many of the honest Nobles met at Sterlin , and sent to the Queen ; desiring to know of her , Whether she were kept , where she was , willingly or against her Will ? if this later , they would levy an Army for her Deliverance . She received the Message , not without smiling , and answered them , That , 't was true , she was brought thither against her Will , but was so kindly treated since , that she had little cause to complain of the former Injury . Thus was the Messenger eluded ; but , though they made haste to take off the Reflection of the force by a lawful Marriage , there were two Remora's yet in the way ; One was , That if she married , whilst a Prisoner , the Marriage might not be accounted good , and so easily dissolved . The Other , How to have the usual Ceremonies observed , That the Bans should be publish'd , three Lord's Days in the publick Congregations , Of a Marriage intended between Iames Hepburn , and Mary Stuart ; so that , if any one knew a lawful Impediment , why they might not be joined together in Matrimony , they should declare it , that so it might be decided by the Church . To accomplish this , Bothwel gathers his Friends and Dependents together , resolving to bring back the Queen to Edinburgh , that so , under a vain shew of her Liberty , he might determine of their Marriage , at his Pleasure . His Companions were all arm'd , and , as they were on their Journy , a fear seiz'd on some of them , lest , one time or other , it might turn to their Prejudice , to hold the Queen as yet a Prisoner ; and if there were no other ground for it , yet this was enough , That they accompanied her in an arm'd Posture , when things were otherwise in Peace and Quietness : Upon this Scruple , they threw away their Arms , and so , in a seeming more peaceable Posture , they brought her to the Castle of Edinburgh , which was then in Bothwel's Power .

The next Day , they accompanied her into the City , and into the Courts of Justice , where she affirm'd before the Judges , that she was wholly free , and under no Restraint at all . Ecclesiasticks backward to publish the Bans , or to celebrate the Marriage , between the Queen and Bothwel : But as to publishing the Marriage in the Church , the Reader , whose Office it was , did wholly refuse it : Whereupon , the elder Deacons and Ecclesiasticks assembled , as not daring to resist , and commanded the Reader to publish the Bans according to Custom ; he so far was obedient , as to tell them , That he himself knew a lawful Impediment , and was ready to declare it to the Queen , or to Bothwel , when they pleas'd to command him : Whereupon , he was sent for to the Castle , and the Queen remitted him to Bothwel , who , neither by Fear nor Favour , could make him alter his Purpose , nor yet durst he commit the Matter to a Dispute ; yet he went on to hasten the Marriage : There was none found , besides the Bishop of Orkney , to celebrate the Marriage ; he alone preferr'd Court-Favour before Truth , the rest being utterly against it , and producing Reasons , Why it could be no lawful Marriage with one , that had two Wives yet living , and had lately confess'd his own Adultery , and had been also divorced from a Third ; yet , though all good Men did loth it , the Commonalty curs'd it , his Kindred , by Letters , dissuaded from it , whilst prosecuted , and abhorr'd it , Yet , at last , the Bishop of Orkney marries them . when done ; There were some publick Ceremonies dissemblingly performed , and Married they were . Those of the Nobility , there present , ( being very few , and those Bothwel's Friends , and Creatures too , the rest being gone to their Homes ) were invited to Supper ; and so was Crocke , the French Embassador ; but he , The French Embassador refuses to come to the Wedding : though he were of the Guisian Faction , and , besides , dwelt near the Place , yet peremptorily refus'd to come ; he thought , it suited not with the Dignity of that Person , which he represented , to countenance that Marriage by his Presence , which , he heard , the Common People did abominate and curse ; and besides , the Queen's Kindred did , by no means , approve it , neither whilst 't was prosecuting , nor yet , when finish'd . And the King of France , and Queen of England , did , by their Embassadors , declare against the Turpitude of the thing : Though that was troublesom to her , yet the silent Sadness of the People did so much the more increase the fierce Disposition of the Queen , as things seen do pierce deeper , than things only heard . As they both went through the City , ☜ none saluted them with wonted Acclamations , only one said , and that but once , God Save the Queen ; whereupon , another Woman near her , spoke aloud , Even the Vulgar dislike the Queen's Marriage . once or twice , so that the Standers-by might hear her , Let every one have what his Desert is : That Matter mightily inflam'd her Mind against the Edinburghers , with whom she was angry before . When she saw , how disaffected People were to her , both at Home and Abroad , she took Advice with her Cabal , How she might establish her Power , and quell any Insurrection for the future . First of all , she determined to send an Embassador into France , to reconcile those Princes , and the Guises , to her , who , she knew , were offended with her precipitate Marriage : William , Bishop of Dunblane , was chosen for that Service ; his Instructions were given him , almost in these very Words :

Politic Instructions to the Bishop of Dunblan● , to excuse the Queen's hasty Marriage , at the French Court. First , You shall excuse me to Those Princes , and to my Uncle , That they heard of the Consummation of my Marriage , by vulgar Report , before ever I had acquainted them with my purpose therein , by Messengers of my own . This Excuse is built , as upon a Foundation , on the true Narration of his Life , and especially of the good Offices , which the Duke of the Orcades hath done me , even to that very Day , wherein I thought good to make him my Husband : You shall begin the Declaration of that Story , as the Truth is , taking your Rise from his very Youth . Assoon as ever he came to be of Age , after the Death of his Father , one of the prime Noblemen of the Kingdom , he wholly addicted himself to the Service of the Princes of this Land , being otherwise of a very noble Family , both by reason of its Antiquity , and also the high Offices it held in the Kingdom , as by Hereditary Right : At that time , he principally addicted himself to the Service of my Mother , who then held the Scepter , and was so constant an Adherent to her , that though , in a very short time , a great many of the Nobility , and many Towns also , had revolted from her , on the account of Religion , yet he never faultred in his Loyalty ; neither could he be induc'd , by any Proffers , Promises , or Threats , nor by any Loss of his particular Estate , to make a Defection , in the least , from her Authority ; nay , rather than neglect her Service , he suffer'd his House , the Mansion-House of the Family , and all his Goods , which were many and precious , to be plundred , and his Estate made a Prey to his Enemies : At last , being destitute of my Aid , and all other besides , an English Army was brought in by domestick Enemies , into the very Bowels of the Kingdom , on purpose to inforce my Husband ( then Earl of Bothwel ) to leave his Estate and Country , and to retire to France ; where he observed me with all Respect , till my Return to Scotland . Neither must his Military Exploits against the English be forgotten , a little before my Return , wherein he gave such Proofs of his manly Valour , and great Prudence too , that he was thought worthy , though a young Man , to command his Superiours in Age ; so that he was chosen chief General of the Army of his Country-men , and my Lieutenant , which Office he discharged so well , That , by many valiant Performances , he left a noble Memorial of his Fortitude , both amongst his Enemies , and also his own Country-men . After my Return , he imployed all his Endeavours for the Enlargement of my Authority ; he spar'd no Danger in subduing the Rebels upon the Borders of England ; where having reduc'd things to great Tranquillity , he resolv'd to do the same in other Parts of the Kingdom : But , as Envy is always the Companion of Virtue , the Scots still desiring Innovations , and some of them , willing to lessen my Favour towards him , did so ill interpret his good Services , that they caused me to commit him to Prison ; which I did , partly to gratify some , who envied the Growth of his increasing Greatness ; and partly to allay the seditious Commotions , which were then ready to break out , to the Destruction of the whole Kingdom . He made his Escape out of Prison , and , that he might yield to the Power of his Emulators , he retir'd into France , and there he abode almost Two years ; in which time , the Authors of the former Seditions , forgetting my Lenity towards them , and their Duty towards me , took up Arms , and led an Army against me . Thereupon , I commanded him to return , I restor'd him to his Honour and Estate , and made him General over all my Forces , by whose Conduct my Authority was again so restor'd , that all the Rebels were quickly inforc'd to seek Shelter in England , until a great part of them , upon their own Request , were again receiv'd by me into Favour . How perfidiously I was treated by those Exiles which returned , and by those , whom I had oblig'd with greater Courtesies , than they deserved , my Uncle is not ignorant of , and therefore I need say little of it ; yet , I must not pretermit in silence , with how great diligence he freed me from the Hands of Those , who held me Prisoner ; and how speedily , by his singular Conduct , I escap'd out of Prison ; and , the whole Faction of Conspirators being dissipated , I recovered my former Authority . On this Head , I must acknowledg , that his Services were so grateful , that I could never suffer them to slip out of my Memory : These things are Great in themselves , yet he hath made such an Accession to them , by his anxious Sedulity and Diligence , that I could never expect greater Observance or Faithfulness in any Man , than I have found in him , even until after the Decease of my late Husband : Since that time , as his Thoughts seemed to aim higher , so his Actions were a little more insolent ; and though the Matter was come to that pass , that I must take all things in the best part , yet I was much offended with his Arrogance , in thinking I had ability to requite his Services no otherwise , than by giving up my self to him , as their Guerdon and Reward ; besides , I did dislike his secret Designs against , and , at length , his open Contempt of Me , and the Force used to get me into his Power , lest otherwise he might be frustrated in his Purpose . In the mean time , the whole Course of his Life was so order'd , that it may be an Example , how Men , that undertake great Designs , can craftily conceal their Purposes , till they obtain their Ends. For , I thought , that his Sedulity and Diligence , in his speedy Obedience to all my Commands , proceeded from no other Fountain , than his Loyal Desire to please me ; neither did I ever imagine , that he had any higher Wish or Design ; neither did I think , those more gracious Countenances , which I sometimes shew towards my Nobles , to ingage them more readily to obey my Commands , would have exalted his Mind , to promise to himself the Hope of a more extraordinary Courtesy from me ; yet he , turning even fortuitous things to his own Advantage , maintained Designs unknown to me ; and , by his wonted Observance , nourish'd his ancient Love ; as also by currying Favour with the Nobility , he was privily ambitious of a new Favour , and he was so sedulous therein , that though I knew nothing of it , yet when the Convention of the Estates was celebrated , he obtain'd a Chart from all the Nobility , subscrib'd with their Hands , to make it more Authentick , wherein they declared their Assent to the Marriage betwixt Me and Him , and promis'd to expose their Lives and Fortunes to bring it to pass , and to be Enemies to all those that should oppose it . And more easily to obtain the Assent of the Nobles , he persuaded each of them , that all these things were manag'd by my Consent . This Writing being once obtain'd , next , by degrees , he most humbly sought for my Consent ; but my Answer not suiting with his Desire , he began to propound such things to himself , which are wont to occur in such great Undertakings , as , the outward Demonstrations of my Good Will , the Ways by which my Friends , or his Enemies , might hinder his Design ; and , lest any of those , who had subscrib'd , should withdraw their Assent , and many other things , which were cast in , or came freely , to hinder his Purpose . At length , he determined with himself , to pursue the Favour of his present Fortune , and to cast the whole Business , with his Life and Hope , on the hazard of one Moment ; so that , being resolved to execute his Design to purpose , after he had waited 4 days , as I was returning from visiting my Dear Son , he watch'd a convenient Place and Time , and , on the way , seized me , with a strong Party of Men , and carried me speedily to Dunbar . How I took the Fact , especially from him , of whom , amongst all my Subjects , I expected no such thing , every one may easily judg . There I upbraided him with my Favours towards him , and how honourably I had always spoken before of his Manners and Behaviour , and how ungratefully he had carried it towards me : Other things I spake , to free my self out of his Hands ; his Usage , indeed , was somewhat course , but his Words were fair and smooth , as , that he would use me with all Honour and Observance , and would do his utmost not to offend me in any thing ; but for carrying me against my Will , into one of my own Castles , for so bold an Attempt , he crav'd my Pardon , alleging , he was forc'd , by the Power of Love , so to do , forgetting the Reverence and Allegiance , which , as a Subject , he ow'd to me . He said further , That he was compell'd to go thither for fear of his Life . Then he began to rehearse to me the whole Course of his Life , and lamented his Misfortune , that those , whom he had never offended , were his bitter Enemies , and whose Malice had devised all unjust ways to do him a Mischief ; what envious Reflections were made upon him , for the King's Death , and how unable he was to bear up against the hidden Conspiracy of those of his Enemies , whom he knew not , because they pretended Good-will towards him both in Speech and Behaviour ; neither was he able to prevent those Treacheries , which he did know . Their Malice against him was so great , that , at no Time or Place , he could live a quiet Life , unless he was assur'd of my unchangeable Favour towards him : And to assure that , he knew but one way , and that was , That I would vouchsafe to make him my Husband ; withal , he solemnly swore , that he did not seek Preheminence therein , or the Top and Height of Dignity , but this one Thing , That he might be able to serve and obey me , as hitherto he had done , all the Days of his Life . This his Oration , he deck'd with that Eloquence , as his Cause required . But when he saw , I could not be wrought upon , neither by Prayers nor Promises , at length , he shewed me the Transactions of the Nobility , and all the Estates , and what they had promised under their Hands . This being produced before me on a sudden , and beyond my Expectation , I leave it to the King , Queen , my Uncle , and the rest of my Friends , Whether it might not administer a just Cause of Amazement to me : Whereupon , when I saw my self in another Man's Power , separate from those , who were wont to give me Counsel ; yea , when I saw those Persons , on whose Faithfulness and Prudence , I had cast my self , whose Power must confirm my Authority , that otherwise would be little or none at all ; I say , when I saw such Men to have devoted themselves to gratify his Will and Desire , and I left alone , as his Prey ; I ponder'd many things in my Mind , but could not find a Way how to extricate my self ; neither did he give me any long time to consider of the matter , but did press his Purpose with great eagerness : At last , when I saw I had no hope to escape , and that there was not a Man in the Kingdom , that would stir for my Deliverance , for I easily perceived by the Roll he shewed me , and by the great Silence of the Time , that All were drawn to his Party : When my Anger was a little abated , I applied my Mind to consider his Request ; Then I began to set before my Eyes his Services in former Times , and the great Hopes I had , he would constantly persist in the same for the future ; And again , how hardly my Subjects would endure a foreign Prince , who was unacquainted with their Laws , That they would not suffer me to be a Widow , long ; That a People , prone to Tumults , could not be kept within the Bounds of their Duty , unless my Authority was upheld and exercis'd by a Man , who was able to undergo the Toil of governing the Commonwealth , and so to bridle the Insolence of the Rebellious ; that my Strength was weakned with the Weight of those things , ever since I came into Scotland , and almost broke to nothing ; insomuch , that I could no longer bear the daily Tumults and Rebellions , that arose . Furthermore , by reason of these Seditions , I was forc'd to create Four , or more , Lieutenants , in divers Parts of the Kingdom ; most of which , under colour of the Authority granted by me , caus'd my Subjects to take Arms against me . For these Reasons , when I saw , That , if I would support my Imperial State , I must incline my Heart to Marriage ; and , that my Subjects would not bear a foreign King ; And , that amongst my Subjects , there was none for Splendor of Family , for Prudence and Valour , and other Endowments of Body and Mind , could exceed , or so much as bear a comparison with , him , whom I have now married ; I prevail'd with my self to comply with the universal Decree of my Estates , of which I spake before . After my Constancy was batter'd by these Reasons , partly by Force , partly by Flattery , he obtain'd a Promise from me to marry him ; which having done , I could not obtain from him , ( who fear'd , lest my Mind should change , ) to put off the Celebration of it , that so I might have had time to communicate the Matter to the King and Queen of France , and to my other Friends beyond Sea ; but , as he audaciously began , so , that he might arrive at the top of his Desires , he never gave over to solicite me by Arguments and earnest Entreaties , until at last he compell'd Me , not without Force , to put an end to the Matter begun , and that at such a Time and Way , as seem'd to him most convenient to his Purpose . And upon this head , I cannot dissemble , but must needs say , that I was treated by him otherwise , than I would , or than I had deserv'd of him ; for he was more solicitous to satisfy them , by whose Consent , tho extorted from them at the beginning , he judges himself to have accomplish'd his Desires , ( he having deceiv'd Them , as well as my self ) than to gratify Me , by considering , what was fit and creditable for me to do , who had been always brought up in the Rites and Institutions of our Religion , from which , he , nor no Man living , shall ever divert Me. In this Point , I confess , tho I acknowledg my Error , yet , I much desire , that the King , the Queen , his Mother , my Uncle , nor other Friends of mine , would not expostulate with him , or rub up old Sores . For now Matters being so compleated , that they cannot be undone , I take all things in the best part ; and , as he is indeed my Husband , I resolve now to look upon him , as one that hereafter I will Love and Reverence ; and they who profess themselves my Friends , must needs carry the same Respects to him , since now we are join'd in the indissoluble Bond of Matrimony . Tho , in some things , he hath carried himself something negligently , and almost rashly , yet I impute it to his immoderate Love towards Me , and do therefore intreat the King , Queen , my Uncle , and other Friends , to respect him as much , as if all had been manag'd by their Advice , even to this very Day ; and , on the other side , We promise , in his behalf , that he will gratify them in all things , which they shall desire .

This was the Remedy provided against the bad Reports of the World abroad ; but against Domestick Tumults they provided , after they had fixed those , by Gifts at present , and Promises for the future , who were either Perpetrators or Partizans in the King's Murder , The Queen frames an Association for the Nobility to subscribe , To make a Combination of the greater part of the Nobility ; if that were done , they might undervalue the rest ; or , if they remain'd obstinate , cut them off . Whereupon , they assembled many of the Nobility , and propounded to them the Heads of the Capitulations , they were to swear : The sum was , That they should maintain the Queen and Bothwel , and all their Actings ; and on the other side , They were to Favour and Countenance the Concerns of Those of the Confederates , there present . A great many were persuaded before , and so subscribed ; the rest , perceiving it was bad to conspire , and as dangerous to refuse , they subscribed , too . Murray was sent for , that his Authority ( which was great , for his Virtue ) might give some Countenance to the thing . As he was on his Journy , he was advis'd by his Friends , to consult his own Safety , and not to lie in Seton House , where the Queen and the chief Conspirators were , but rather to lodge in some Friends House in a Village hard by . Which the Earl of Murray refus'd to do , He answer'd , That was not in his Power , but , come what would , he would never assent to any flagitious Act , the rest he left to God . To the Courtiers , who were appointed by the Queen , to debate with him about subscribing the League , He answer'd , That he could not justly nor honestly make this League with the Queen , ( whom in all things , else t was his Duty to obey ) ; That he was reconcil'd to Bothwel , by the Queens Mediation : Whatever he had then promis'd , he would observe to a tittle ; neither was it Equitable , or Good for the Commonwealth , that he should make another League or Combination with him , or any other Man . The Queen accosted him more kindly than ordinary for some Days , and promis'd to tell him her Mind in all things , yet she could not speak out for Shame , and therefore try'd his Mind by her Friends ; They also , perceiving his Constancy in that which was Right , openly confest , what 't was they desir'd : And seeing they did no good by their underhand Ways , at length Bothwel set upon him , and after much Discourse , told him , That he did that Fact not willingly , nor for himself alone . His Countenance frown'd at that Word ; whereupon Bothwel , having sometimes by serious Discourse , sometimes by terms near to railing , driven the nail , as far as it would go , at last endeavour'd to cast in Seeds of Discord , and to urge him to a Quarrel . He , on the contrary , answer'd moderately , gave no just occasion for a Combate , yet kept himself upright , and did not depart , in the least , from his Resolution . When Murray was versant in these straits for some Days , he ask'd leave of the Queen , that , seeing there was no great need of him at Court , he might have Liberty to retire to St. Andrews , or into Murray ; for he was willing to go out of the Way , That he might not be suspected to be the Author of the Tumults , which , he foresaw , would arise . When he could not obtain that , nor yet remain at Court without great and apparent Danger , He , at last , got leave to travel , And therefore departs the Land . but upon Condition , not to stay in England , but to pass either through Flanders into Germany , or whither else he pleas'd . To go to Flanders , was all one as to cast himself into Evident Danger , and therefore , with much adoe , he obtain'd leave to pass thrô England into France , and from thence , whither he pleas'd himself . The Queen , being thus freed of a Free-hearted and popular Person , endeavours to remove the other Obstacles to her Tyranny , and Those were such , as would not willingly subscribe to her Wickedness ; or , were not like easily to acquiesce in her Designs . But she had a special hatred against those , who , perceiving her to be no better affected towards her Son , than towards her former Husband , made an Association at Sterlin , for no wicked Design , A contrary Association entred into by several of the Nobility , to preserve the young King . but only to Defend the young Prince , which his Mother desir'd to have under the Power of his Father-in-Law . As for him , every Body knew , that he would make away with the Child , as soon as ever he had Opportunity so to do , that so he might not Live to be a Revenger of his Fathers death , nor to prevent his Children from the Crown . The chief of that Combination , were , the Earls of Argyle , Morton , Marr , Athol and Glencarn ; besides others of the same Order , but inferior , and next in Degree , as Patrick Linsey , and Robert Boyd , with their Friends and Partners , who had adjoin'd themselves to them . But Argyle , with the same Levity , that he came in to them , in a Day or Two , discover'd their Designs to the Queen ; and Boyd , was , by large Promises , wrought over to the contrary Party . Next to these , she suspected the Families of the Humes , the Carrs , and the Scots , living by the Borders of England , whose Power she sought , by all means , to lessen , and for that there seem'd a just occasion to be offer'd . For , when Bothwel was preparing an Expedition into Liddisdale , to make amends for the disgrace , he had receiv'd there the Autumn before ; and also , to get some Credit by his Arms , to take off the envy of the King's Death , all the chief of the Families in Teviotdale were commanded by the Queen , to come in to the Castle of Edinburgh , that there , for some short time , they might be secure , as in free Custody ; upon pretence , that they might not be led into an Expedition , which did not seem likely to be successfully accomplish'd , against their Wills ; and they also , if at Liberty , might disturb the design , out of Envy ; and , in their Absence , she might inure the Clans to the Government of others ; and so , by degrees , wear off the Love of their old Patrons and Masters . But they , imagining , that there was some deeper Project hid under that Command , went home in the Night , all except Andrew Carr , who was commonly thought not ignorant of the Parricide , and Walter Carr of Sesford , a Man , that , by reason of his Innocent Life , suspected nothing . Hume , being often summon'd by Bothwel to come to Court , refus'd so to do ; as knowing the King's thoughts towards him , yet notwithstanding the design for the Expedition proceeds , and the Queen staid at Borthwick Castle , about 8 Miles from Edinburgh . In the mean time , they , who had united to defend the King , being not ignorant of Bothwels intention towards him , thought it necessary to proceed to Action , not only for their own Security , but also , that , by demanding Justice upon the Author of the King's Murder , they might acquit the Scotish Name from the Infamy , under which it lay amongst foreign Nations . And therefore , supposing the common People would follow their Motions , they privately levy'd about 2000 Horse : So that the Queen knew nothing of what was Acted , till Hume came to Borthwick Castle , with part of the Army , and besieg'd Her , and Bothwel , together . But the other Part of the Conspirators , not coming in at the time appointed , and he having not force enough , to stop all Passages ; and was not so active neither , as he might have been , because the rest had neglected their Parts ; The Queen escapes from the associated Nobles , in Mans Apparel . First , Bothwel , made his escape , and after him , the Queen in Mans apparel , and went directly to Dunbar . Athol was the occasion , why his Associates came not in seasonably enough ; For he , either amaz'd at the Greatness of the Undertaking ; or , detain'd by his own sluggish Temper , kept the rest at Sterlin , until the Opportunity of the Service was lost ; yet , that they might seem to have done something , a great part of them were sent to besiege Edinburgh . Iames Balfure was Governor of the Castle there , put in by Bothwel , as being a Partner in the Parricide , and Author of , or else Privy to , all his Designs ; but when he saw he had no Pay for his Service , and was not so well respected by the Tyrants as he expected , for they had endeavour'd to take away the Command from him , he drove out Those of the contrary Faction , and brought the Castle under his sole Power ; he then promis'd the publick Vindicators of the Parricide , That he would do them no hurt , and was creating of Conditions , how to deliver it up . There were then in the Town , the Principal of the Queen's Faction , Iohn Hamilton , the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews ; George Gordon , Earl of Huntly , and Iohn Lesly , Bishop of Ross : They understanding , that their Enemies were receiv'd into the Town , flew to the Town-house , and there offer'd themselves Captains to the Multitude , to drive them out ; but very few coming in to them , they were driven back to the Castle ; they were received into it by Balfure , and a few days after were sent away safe , a by-way : For Balfure , having not yet fully agreed with the other Side , would not then cut off all his Hopes of Pardon from those of his Party : The Town easily came into the Combination , for it had been burden'd a little before with new Taxes from the Queen ; and , in the publick Necessity , they expected no Moderation from her Party , and were unanimously offended with her Tyranny ; yea , as oft as they had Liberty to express their Sentiments , they cursed the Court-Wickedness with most grievous Execrations .

Matters being thus slowly carried by the Faction of the Nobles at Borthwick , the Queen and Bothwel , by the neglect of the Guards , escaped by Night , and with a small Retinue came to Dunbar , where they had a well-fortify'd Castle to secure themselves in ; Thereupon , there followed so great a change of things , that they , who were lately in great Despair , now , by the flocking in of those to them , who either were Partners in their Evils , or else followed the Shadow of the Royal Name , grew strong enough , as they thought , to cope with and subdue their Adversaries . On the other side , the Vindicators of Liberty were driven to great Straits ; for , to their great Disappointment , there were but a few came in to so renown'd an Undertaking ; the Heat of the Vulgar , as is usual , quickly abating , and a great part of the Nobility being very averse , or at least standing aloof off , expecting the Issue of the others Danger ; besides , though they were superior in Number , yet they wanted Artillery to take in Castles : Seeing then no Issue of their Counsels at present , Necessity in a manner compelling them , they thought to return without effecting any thing : But the Queen decided their Doubts , for she , And arms against them . taking Courage from the Numbers she had , resolv'd with them to march for Leith , to try her Fortune neer at hand , imagining also , That at her Coming , greater Concourse would have been made to her ; and That her Boldness would strike Terror into her Enemies ; Besides , the Success of former times had so elated her Spirit , That she thought now hardly any Man would stand to look her in the Face . This her Confidence was much heighten'd by her Flatterers , and especially by Edmond Hayes , a Lawyer ; he told her , That all things were pervious to her Valour , That her Enemies wanted Force , and were at their Wits end , and , at the very Noise of her Coming , would be packing away : Whereas , indeed , the matter was far otherwise , and in the present Circumstances , nothing had been better for her , than Delay ; for , if she had kept her self in the Castle of Dunbar , but three Days longer , the Vindicators of Liberty , being destitute of all Preparation for War , as having attempted their Liberty in vain , must have been forc'd to depart every one to his own House . However , she march'd from Dunbar , being excited by bad Counsel , and by vain hopes ; yet she march'd slowly , because she distributed Arms to the Country-men , that she gathered up by the way . At length a little before Night , they came to Seton , and because they could not be quarter'd there , they divided their Number into two Neighbouring Villages , both called Preston : From thence a fearful Alarm was brought to Edinburgh before Midnight , and presently the Word was given , To your Arms ; They rose out of their Beds , and made all the haste they could into the Fields adjoining , and there having gathered a good Body together by Sun-rising , they set them in Battel-array ; thence they march'd to Musselburgh , to pass the River Esk , before the Bridg and Ford were possess'd by the Enemy , ( that Village is but two Miles from Preston ) but meeting no body , and perceiving no Noise at all , they placed Guards and Sentinels , and went to refresh themselves with Food . In the mean time , the Scouts which were sent for Espial , seeing a few Horse-Men , drove them into the Village , but did not dare to follow them further , for fear of an Ambush ; so that , they brought back no certain News of the Army , only that the Enemy was a marching : Whereupon the Vindicators of Liberty , marching out of Musselburgh , saw the Enemy standing in Battel-array , upon the brow of an Hill over against them , and that they kept their Ground . The Hill being so steep , that they could not come at them , without Prejudice , they drew a little to the right , both to have the Sun on their Backs , as also to gain an easier Ascent , and to fight upon a more advantagious Ground ; that Design of theirs deceived the Queen , for she thought , they had fled , and were marching to Dalkeith , a Neighbour-Town of the Earl of Morton's ; she was fully persuaded , that the Terror of her Royal Name was so great , that they durst not stand ; A State Maxim , irrefragably true . but she quickly found , That Authority , as 't is gotten by good Arts , so may be quickly lost by bad ; and that Majesty destitute of Virtue , is soon brought to nothing . In their March , the Dalkeithians brought them forth all manner of Provisions in Abundance . When they had refresh'd themselves , and quench'd their Thirst , which much annoy'd them before , as soon as ever they got a convenient place , they divided their Army into two Bodies , Morton commanded the first , assisted by Alexander Hume and his Vassals : The second was led on by the Earls of Glencarn , Both Armies ready to ingage . Marr , and Athol ; when they were thus ready to charge , Crock the French Embassador came to them , Monsieur Crock , the French Embassador mediates for a Peace . he prefaced to them , by an Interpreter , how he had always studied the Good and Tranquillity of the Scots , and that he was now of the same Mind , and therefore he earnestly desired , if possible , that the Controversy might be decided to the Satisfaction of both Parties , without Force or Bloodshed , wherein he offered his Service , alleging , That the Queen also was not averse from Peace ; and , to incline them to believe it , he told them , she would give a present Pardon , and Oblivion of what was done , and she faithfully promised , That they should all be indemnified , for taking up Arms against the Supream Magistrate . When Mr. Crock's Interpreter had thus spoken , Morton answered , They had not took up Arms against the Queen , but against the Murderer of the late King , whom , if she would deliver up to Punishment , or sever her self from him , then she should understand , They and their Fellow-Subjects desired nothing more , than to persist in their Duty to Her : Otherwise , no Agreement could be made . Glencarn added , That they came not thither to receive Pardon for taking up Arms , but to give it . Crock , seeing their Resolution , and knowing well , That what they spake was true , But not prevailing , he withdraws himself . and what they desired was just , crav'd leave to depart , and so went to Edinburgh . In the mean time , the Queen's Army kept it self within the ancient Camp-Bounds of the English ; it was a Place naturally higher than the rest ; and besides , fortified with a Work and Ditch ; from whence Bothwel shewed himself , mounted on a brave Steed , and proclaim'd , by an Herald , that he was ready to fight a Duel with any one of the adverse Party . Iames Murray , a noble Young Man , Bothwel's daring Challenge answered : offer'd himself from the other Army ; he had done the same before by a Chartel , but suppress'd his Name ; ( as I said before , ) Bothwel refus'd him , alleging , That he was not a fit Match for him , neither in Dignity nor Estate ; Then came forth William Murray , Iames's elder Brother , affirming , that if Mony-Matters were subducted , he was as powerful as Bothwel , but in Antiquity of Family and Integrity of Repute , his Superior : He also was refused , as being but lately made a Knight , and of the second Rank ; many of the first Rank offered themselves , especially Patrick Lindsy , he desired it as the only Reward of all his Labours , which he had undergone to maintain the Honour of Scotland , that he might be permitted to fight with Bothwel : Bothwel excepted against him , too ; and not knowing how creditably to come off , the Queen interposed her Authority , and , forbidding him to fight , ended the Controversy : But the Queen forbids the Duel . Then marching through the Army on Horse-back , she tried how they all stood affected . Bothwel's Kindred and Friends desired to fight ; but the rest told her , that there were many brave Souldiers in the adverse Army , who being well exercised in Arms , the Hazard of a Fight was dangerous ; As for themselves , they were ready , but the Commonalty , of which they had a great many , were averse from the Cause ; and therefore 't was much fitter , The Queen's Army refuses to fight ; that Bothwel himself should maintain his own Cause in a Duel , than that he should expose so many brave Men , and especially the Queen her self , to so great Hazard ; but if she were fully resolved to fight , yet 't was best to defer it , till to Morrow : For , 't was said , that the Hamiltons were a coming with 500 Horse , and that they were not far off ; with the Conjunction of their Forces , they might then more safely advise about the main ; for at that time , the Earl of Huntly , and Iohn Hamilton , Arch-bishop of St. Andrews , had gather'd their Clans together to Hamilton , and the day after were coming to the Queen ; whereupon she gnash'd her Teeth , and fell a Weeping , casting out many Reproaches against the Nobles , and , by a Messenger , desires of the contrary Army , that they would send William Kircade of * * In Fife . Grange to Her , that she would speak with him , about Conditions of Peace , in the Interim the Army should not advance ; neither did the Army of the Vindicators proceed , but they stood near , and in a low place , so that the Enemies Ordnance might not annoy them . Whilst the Queen was conferring with Kircade , Whereupon Bothwel flies , and the Queen is taken Prisoner . Bothwel was bid to shift for himself , ( for that was it which she aim'd at , by pretending a Conference ) who made such fearful haste to Dunbar , that he commanded two Horse-Men , that accompanied him , to return back again . Such a Load of Guilt lay upon his Mind , that he could hardly trust his own Friends . The Queen , when she thought he was out of Danger , articled with Kircade , that the rest of her Army should pass quietly home , and so she came with him to the Nobles , cloth'd only with a Tunicle , and that a mean and thread-bare one too , reaching but a little below her Knees : Of the Van of the Army , she was receiv'd , not without Demonstration of their former Reverence ; but when she desir'd , that they would dismiss her to meet the Hamiltons , who were said to be coming on , promising to return again , and commanded Morton to undertake for her , ( for she hoped , by fair Promises , to do what she would ) when she could not obtain it , she brake forth into Bitterness of Language , and upbraided the Commanders with what she had done for them ; they also heard her with Silence : But when she came to the second Body , there was an unanimous Cry from them all ; Burn the Whore , burn the Parricide . King Henry was painted in one of the Banners , dead , and his little Son by him , craving Vengeance of God for the Murder ; that Banner two Souldiers stretch'd out betwixt two Pikes , and set before her Eyes , whithersoever she went ; at this Sight she swooned ; and could scarce be kept upon her Horse ; but , recovering her self , she remitted nothing of her former Fierceness , uttering Threats and Reproaches , shedding Tears , and manifesting other Appendexes to Women's Griefs . In her March , she made what Delay she could , expecting , if any Aid might come from elsewhere ; but one of the Company cry'd out , There was no reason she should expect the Hamiltons , for there was not an arm'd Man , in many Miles of the place : At last a little before Night , she entred Edinburgh , her Face being covered with Dust and Tears , as if Dirt had been cast upon it , all the People running out to see the Spectacle , she past through a great part of the City in great Silence , the Multitude leaving her so narrow a Passage , that scarce one could go a breast ; when she was going up to her Lodging , one Woman of the Company prayed for her ; but she turning to the People , told them , besides other threatning Words , That she would burn the City , and quench the Fire with the Blood of the perfidious Citizens . When she shewed her self weeping out of the Window , and a great Concourse of People was made , amongst whom , some did commiserate her sudden change of Fortune : The former Banner was held out to her , whereupon she shut the Window , and flung in . When she had staid there two days , she was sent Prisoner , by the Order of the Nobles , to a Castle scituated in Lough-Levin ; for Edinburgh-Castle was yet held by Balfure , who , though he favour'd the Vindicators , yet he had not made any Conditions for the Surrender of the Castle .

In the mean time , the Bishop of Dunblane , The Bishop of Dunblane chouzed in his Embassy to France . who was sent Embassador into France , to excuse the Queen's Marriage , being ignorant of all that was done in Scotland , after his Departure , came to that Court , at the time , whilst these last Transactions were on foot , and obtain'd a Day for Audience . The very same day , there came 2 Letters to the King and his Mother , one from Crock , his Embassador , another from Ninian Cockerburn , a Scot , who had serv'd , as Captain of Horse , some years in France ; both of them discover'd the present Posture of Affairs in Scotland . The Scots Embassador , being admitted to the King's Presence , made a long & accurate Speech , partly to excuse the Queen's Marriage , without the Advice of her Friends ; partly , to commend Bothwel to the Skies , beyond all Right and Reason . The Queen of France interrupted the vain Man , and shew'd him the Letters she had receiv'd from Scotland ; how that the Queen was a Prisoner , and Bothwel was fled ; whereupon , he was astonish'd at the sudden ill News , and held his Peace : They who were present , did partly jeer , and partly smile at , this unlook'd-for Accident ; there were none of them all , but thought , she suffer'd deservedly .

About the same time , Wondrous Discoveries concerning the King's Murder , in Bothwels Cabinet of Letters . Bothwel sent one of his faithfullest Servants into the Castle of Edinburgh , to bring him a silver Cabinet , which had been sometimes Francis's , King of France , as appear'd by the Cyphres on the outside , wherein were Letters writ , almost all , with the Queen 's own Hand , in which the King's Murder , and the things which followed , were clearly discover'd , and 't was written in almost all of them , that , as soon as he had read them , he should burn them . But Bothwel , knowing the Queen's Inconstancy , as having had many evident Examples of it in a few Years , had preserv'd the Letters ; that so , if any Difference should arise betwixt him & her , he might use them as a Testimony for himself , and thereby declare , That he was not the Author , but only a Party , in the King's Murder . Balfure deliver'd this Cabinet to Bothwel's Servant , but withal , he inform'd the Chiefs of the adverse Party , What he had sent , Whither , and by Whom ; whereupon , they took him , and found , in the Letters , great and mighty Matters contain'd , which , though before shrewdly suspected , yet could never so clearly be made forth ; but here the whole wicked Plot was visibly exposed to view : Bothwel , not speeding in any of his Affairs , and being destitute of all Help or Hope to recover the Kingdom , fled , first to the Orcades , then to the Schetland Isles ; and there , being driven to great Want , he exercis'd Piracy . In the Interim , many dealt with , and desir'd , the Queen to separate her Cause from Bothwel's ; ( for , if he was punish'd , she might easily be restor'd with the Good-Will of all her Subjects : ) But the fierce Woman , bearing , as yet , the Spirit of her former Fortune , and in●ag'd with her present Troubles , answer'd , That she would rather live with him in the utmost Adversity , than without him in the Royalest Condition . But amongst the Nobles , there were great Thoughts of Heart ; the Revengers of the Parricide hoped , that at the noise of so famous a Business , the Approbation of the Better Part , if not All , would have concurr'd with them ; but it fell out far otherwise , for popular Envy , being abated , partly by space of Time , and partly by the consideration of the Uncertainty of human Affairs , was turn'd into Commiseration ; yea , some of the Nobility , did then no less bewail the Queen's Calamity , The Queen pitied in her Distress . than heretofore they had execrated her Cruelty ; Both which they did , rather by Inconstancy of Mind , than by any propense Affection to either side : So that it evidently appear'd , that , in such troubled Waters , they did not seek the Publick Peace , but rather fish for their own private Advantage ; many also desir'd Quietness , and they weighed within themselves , which Party was strongest , and so were inclin'd to side with the most Powerful . Their Faction was thought to be the strongest , who , either consented to the Murder , or , when the thing was done , in obsequiousness to the Queen , subscrib'd to that sceleratious Fact : The chief of them came in to Hamilton , and being very strong , would receive neither Letters , The Hamiltons stir in her behalf . nor Messengers , from the contrary Party , in order to a Settlement ; neither did they spare to reproach them with all kind of calumniating Language ; and they were so much the more inrag'd , because the greatest part of the Nobles , who respected rather the Blasts of Fortune , than the Equity of the Cause , did not come in to the Vindicators ; for they that were not against them , they concluded were for them . Moreover , they esteem'd it a piece of Vain-Glory , that the Vindicators should enter before them into the Metropolis of the Kingdom , and from thence send for them , who were the greater Number , and more powerful . The other Party , though they had not imperiously commanded them , but only humbly desir'd ; yet , to prescinde any Shew of imputable Arrogance , they prevail'd with the Ministers of the Churches , to write jointly to them all , and severally to each in particular , That , in so dangerous a time , they should not be wanting to the Publick Peace ; but , setting aside private Animosities , they should consult , What was most expedient for the Publick Good . These Letters did no more Good with the contrary Faction , than Those of the Nobles before ; they all making the same Excuses , as if it had been so agreed purposely between them . Afterwards , the Queen's Faction met together in diverse Places , and , finding no means to accomplish their Designs , they all slipp'd off , and dispers'd several ways . In the Interim , the Vindicators of the publick Parricide dealt with the Queen , ( whom they could not separate from the Concerns of the Murderers ) to resign up her Government , upon pretence of Sickness , or any other specious Allegation , and to commit the Care of her Son , and the Administration of Publick Affairs , to which of the Nobles , Governours appoinetd for the young King , by the Queen her self . she pleas'd . At last , with much ado , she appointed , as Governours to the Child , Iames , Earl of Murray , if , upon his Return home , he did not refuse the Charge ; Iames , Duke of Castle-herault ; Matthew , Earl of Lennox ; Gilespy , Earl of Argyle ; Iohn , Earl of Athol ; Iames , Earl of Morton ; Alexander , Earl of Glencarn ; and Iohn , Earl of Marr. Moreover , they sent Proxies to see the King plac'd in his Royal Throne , and so to enter on the Government , either at Sterlin , or any other Place , if they thought fit . These things were acted , Iuly the 25 th , in the Year of our Lord , 1567. A little before , Iames , Earl of Murray , hearing how Matters went at home , returned through France , and was pretty nobly entertain'd at Court ; yet so , that Hamilton ( whose Faction , the Guises knew , were more intimately affected towards them ) was far better receiv'd , which was occasion'd chiefly by the Guises , who were averse to all Murray's Designs . After he was dismiss'd , the Archbishop of Glasgow , who called himself the Queen of Scots Embassador , told the Court , That Iames , though absent , yet was the Chief of the Faction ; and , as in former times , all things were acted by his Influence , so now he was sent for , as an Head to the Body of them . Hereupon , some were sent after to bring him back ; but he , being forewarned by his Friends , had set Sail from the Haven of Deip , where he was , before the King's Letters came , and arriving in England , The Earl of Murray returns from Travel . was honourably entertain'd by all Orders of Men , and so sent home . There he was receiv'd with the high Gratulation and Joy of all the People , especially of the Vindicators ; and they all earnestly desir'd him to undertake the Government , whilst the King , his Sister's Son , was yet a Child : for he alone was able to manage that great Trust , with the least Envy , because of his Propinquity in Blood , his known Valour in many Dangers , his great Popularity grounded on his Deserts ; and moreover , the Queen desir'd it , too . He , tho knowing , what they had spoke was true , yet , desir'd a few Days of Deliberation , before he gave in his Answer . In the mean time , he writes earnestly to the Heads of the other Faction , and chiefly to Argyle , as being his Kinsman , and one , whom , by reason of ancient Acquaintance , he was loth to offend ; he told him , in what posture things were , and what the Infant-King's Party did desire of him , and therefore he intreated him , by their Nearness of Blood , by their ancient Friendship , and by the common Safety of their Country , that he would give him opportunity to speak with him , that so , by his Assistance , himself and their Country might be deliver'd out of the present Difficulties . He also wrote to the rest , according to every ones Place and Interest ; and , in general , he desir'd of them all , that , seeing Matters were in such Confusion , there was no likelihood of a Settlement , without a chief Magistrate ; That they should all agree , to meet together , as soon as might be , in a Place they should judg most convenient , and so , by common Consent , to settle Matters . At length , being not able to obtain a Meeting from the One Faction , nor any longer delay of a Convention from the Other , with the unanimous Consent of all , there present , he was elected REGENT . And is chosen Regent .

IAMES the VIth , the CVIIIth King .

Iohn Knox preaches a Sermon at the Coronation of K. Iames the 6 th . The Coronation-Oath taken by Proxies , by reason of the King's Minority . ON the 29 th of August , after an excellent Sermon made by Iohn Knox , Iames , the Sixth of that Name , began his Reign ; Iames , Earl of Morton , and Alexander Hume , took the Oath for him , that he would observe the Laws ; they also promised , in his Name , that he would observe that Doctrine , and those Rites of Religion , which were then publickly taught and practised , and oppose the contrary . A few days after , Hamilton's Partisans murmured , That a few Persons , and those none of the powerfullest neither , had , without their Consent , and contrary to their Expectation , grasp'd all things into their own Hands : When they had tried all the Nobility one by one , they found few of their Opinion , besides those who first came in to them , for many were rather Spectators than Actors of what was done . At length , they wrote to the Royalists , That Argyle was ready to give a Meeting , to confer with the Earl of Murray . These Letters being directed to the Earl of Murray , without any other Title of Honour , were , by the Council's Advice , rejected , and the Messenger dismissed , in effect , without an Answer . But Argyle , knowing what had offended in superscribing his Letters , and , trusting to the Faithfulness of the Regent , with a few of the chief of his Faction , came to Edinburgh , where having receiv'd Satisfaction , That 't was not out of any slighting of those Nobles that were absent , but mere Necessity so requiring , that had caused them to make such haste , in setling a chief Magistrate : A few Days after , he came to the publick Convention of the Estates .

The Nineteenth BOOK .

WHEN the King was set up , and the Power of the Regent almost settled , there was Quietness from Force and Arms , but the Peace was but Ticklish , Mens minds were yet in a Fermentation , and their Indignation , which they could not hide , did seem to portend some sudden Mischief . In this great uncertainty of Affairs , all Mens thoughts and Eyes were fixt upon , what the insuing Parliament would do ; The time of its Sitting was the 25 th of August , where the Assembly was so Numerous , that no Man , ever before , remember'd the like Concourse . Therein the Authority of the Regent was confirm'd ; but , about the Queen , they differ'd in their Opinions ; for , it appearing by many Testimonies and Proofs , especially by her own Letters to Bothwel , that the whole Plot of the bloody Fact was laid by Her ; Some being moved with the Heinousness of the thing , and Others being afterwards made acquainted therewith by Her , lest They themselves should be punished , as Accessories to so odious a Crime , to remove her Testimony out of the way , Voted , That she should suffer the utmost extremity of the Law ; but the Major part Sentenced Her only to be kept in Prison . After the Parliament rose , The Winter was spent in settling Judicatories , and punishing Delinquents . The Embassadors of the French and English had Audience , they Both desir'd to see the Queen ; but , she being a Prisoner on a publique Account , 't was deny'd them : None but Bothwel was then in Arms ; Whereupon some were sent with a Navy , to catch him as he was exercising Piracy near the Orcades and the Isles of Schetland . The publick Stock was then so low , that they were forc'd to borrow Mony of Iames Douglas , Earl of Morton , to rig and fit the Navy ; so that his private Purse , at that Time , bore the Burden of the publick Charge . Bothwel was there , in a manner , secure , both because of the fierceness of Winter-Tempests , then raging in those Seas , which made them inaccessible for a Fleet ; as also , because he knew the Treasury , which he himself had exhausted , could not afford Mony to set out One ; so that by the sudden coming of William Kircade , of Grange , who commanded the Fleet , he was almost surpriz'd , some of his Company were taken , Bothwel flies to the Northern Isles , and from thence to Denmark . but he himself escap'd , with a few in Company , by the contrary side of the Island amongst the Shallows and Fords , where great Ships could not follow , and so sail'd to Denmark : Where giving no good Account , Whence he came , nor Whither he was Bound , he was put in Ward ; and afterward , being known by some Merchants , Where he is imprisoned , and dies , Distracted . he was clapt up close Prisoner ; where , after ten Years nasty Imprisonment , and other Miseries , at last he grew Mad , and came to a Death , suitable to his base and wicked Life .

At the beginning of the next Spring , the Regent determin'd to make a Progress over the whole Kingdom , to settle Courts of Justice there , that so he might repair and amend what was Amiss , or else shrewdly Shaken , by the Tumults of the former Years . Which Proceeding of his was variously interpreted , according to Mens several Humours and Dispositions ; The adverse Faction declaim'd every where against the Regent's Severity ; or , as they phras'd it , Cruelty , which was formidable to them , who , by reason of the greatness of their Offences , could not endure to be regulated by the Law , in regard they had been us'd to Licentiousness in former Times : But , if the Queen were set at Liberty , some of them had Rewards ; Others , Impunity , in their Eye , by which means many were drawn in to the contrary Faction ; yea , some of those too , who had been Instruments in her Apprehension .

Maitland was as great an Enemy to Bothwel , ( whom he look'd upon , as a vile and naughty Person , and one that would have cut his Throat , ) as he was a Favourer of the Queen's Affairs , and because he was out of hope to overthrow him , as long as the Queen was alive , therefore he inclin'd , in the Parliament , to that side that would have had her punish'd according to Law . Iames Balfure was in the like Circumstances , as imagining Bothwel to be his implacable Enemy , tho neither of them was thought innocent in the matter of the King's Death . But when Bothwel was taken , and kept Prisoner in Denmark , they then apply'd their Thoughts wholly to the Deliverance of the Queen ; not only , because they hop'd for an impunity of their common Crime more easily from her ; but also , because , they thought , She , that had made away her Husband , would do but little better with her Son , whose Infancy and Shadow of Royal Name was That alone , which kept her from the Throne ; but besides , they judg'd it also for their own Security , lest the Son should come to the Kingdom to be a Revenger of his Father's Death . Moreover , they were no obscure Conjectures , That the Queen's mind was not much abhorrent from such an Attempt ; For she was often heard to say , The Child was not long-liv'd , for a skilful Astrologer had told her at Paris , that her first Child would not live above a Year , and ( t is thought ) that she her Self came once to Sterlin , in the same Hope , intending to bring the Child with her to Edinburgh , which Suspicion caus'd Iohn Erskin , Governor of the Castle , not to suffer the Child to be taken from him ; it also made a great part of the Nobility , then met at Sterlin , to associate themselves , by Oath , to maintain the said young Prince in Safety .

Moreover , the Hamiltons , were , might and main , for freeing the Queen ; The Queen's Party , of which the Hamiltons were the chief , design Her Deliverance , out of Durance . because , if her Son were remov'd , by her means , They were one degree nearer to the Crown , and after that , 't were no hard task to take her off also , because , she was hated of all for her Crimes ; and having once been stopp'd in her Tyranny , would afterwards let forth the Reins looser , and more impetuously , to Cruelty . Argyle and Huntly , of which one had a Mother , the other a Wife , of the Family of the Hamiltons , did cherish their hopes , and wish'd them good Success , but they had also proper Reasons of their own to incline them so to do ; because , neither of them was judg'd to be wholly ignorant , or guiltless , of the Queen's Crimes ; Besides , William Murray of * * In Strath-●arn . Tillibarden , being alienated , both by Reason of his different Opinion , in point of Religion , and bearing also a private Grudg against the Regent , tho he had been highly serviceable in taking the Queen ; yet , did not only revolt from the Royal Party himself , but also drew a great many of his Friends along with him , upon proposal of no small Rewards to them . These were the Principals in delivering the Queen , there were many others also that fell in with their Party , whom either domestick Necessity , private Grudges , desire of Revenge , Hope of bett'ring their Fortune , or else Propinquity or Obligation to those above nam'd , did draw in and engage .

In this troublesome state of Affairs , the Regent was equally unmoveable against the Intreaties of his Friends , and the Threats of his Enemies , tho he knew , by the publick Libels , which they posted up and down , the Cause of their hatred , and their desire of Revenge : And tho some Astrologers , not unacquainted with the Plots design'd against him , did foretel , he should not live beyond such a Day ; yet he persisted in his purpose , often saying , The Regent remarkable Speech and Resolu●io● ▪ That he knew well enough , he must die one time or other ; and that he could never part with his Life more nobly or creditably , than by procuring the publick Tranquillity of his Native Country . And therefore , first , he summon'd a Convention of the Estates at Glasgow , whither the Lennox Men , the Renfroans and the Men of Clydsdale , were commanded to come , and whilst he was busied there , in the Administration of Justice , and in the punishment of Offenders , the Plot , so long agitated , for the Deliverance of the Queen , took effect . The manner of it was This. In the Castle , that the Queen was kept in , in Lough-Levin , there was the Regent's Mother , and his 3 Brother 's by another Father , with abundance of other Women ; yet , none were admitted to visit the Queen , but such as were well known ; or else , that came by the Regents Order . Of these domestick Attendants , the Queen made choice of George Douglas , as fittest for her Purpose ; He was the Regent's youngest Brother , a young Man , ingenious enough , and , by reason of his Age , apt to be impos'd upon by female Inticements ; He , being something familiar with Her , on pretence to attend her in such Sports , as Courts , at idle times , refresh themselves withal , undertook to corrupt some of the common Servants of the Castle , by Gifts and Promises ; and She , having intrusted him therein , would not deny any thing to such a Person , from whom she expected her Liberty ; George then , having a promise of Indemnity from her for himself , and his Partizans , and being excited with the hopes of great Wealth and Power for the future , not without the Consent of his Mother , ( as was verily thought ) acted all that ever he could to bring the thing about . And tho some Persons did smell the Design , and acquainted the Regent therewith , yet he put such a confidence in Those he had plac'd there , that he chang'd none of the old Guard , only George himself was commanded out of the Island ; whereupon , he departed to the next Village , on the edge of the Lough ; where , having before corrupted the Officers of the Castle with Mony , he had , in a manner , a freer Communication with the Queen , by Letters , than before ; whereupon , there were not only those Scots admitted to a partnership in the Plot , who were discontented at the present State of things , but the French were associated too , by Iames Hamilton , who had been Regent some Years before ; and by Iames Beton , Archbishop of Glasgow ; the Scots were to do the Work , and the French to pay the Wages .

About the end of April , an Embassador came from France , and , in the Name of his King , An Embassador from France . desir'd leave to visit the Queen , which , if he did not obtain , he pretended , he would presently depart . The Regent told him , 't was not in his Power , That the Queen was not made Prisoner by him , neither could he determine any thing in the Case , without advising with Those who had first committed Her , and with Others who had afterward confirm'd by an Act of Parliament , what was done ; Nevertheless he would gratify his Sister , and the King his Ally , in what he could , and would call an Assembly of the Nobles , the 20 th of the next Month in order to that End . With that Answer the Embassador was somewhat pacified , and the Regent went on in his Judicatories ; Whereupon the Queen , The Queen escapes out of Prison , and gathers Forces against the Regent . having brib'd the Master of a Vessel , Her other Companions being sent about sleeveless Errands , was brought out of the Lough ; Her escape being told to those that were then at Dinner in the Castle , they made a great stir , but to little purpose , for all the Boats were haled a Shore , and their Loop-holes , to put out their Oars , were all stopt up , so that no speedy Pursuit could be made . There were Horsemen expecting the Queen on the other side the Lough , who carried her to the several Houses of the Partizans in the Design , and the Day after , which was May the 3 d , she came to Hamilton , a Town 8 Miles distant from Glasgow ; when the thing was nois'd abroad , many came in to Her , some distrusting the King's Party , which they look'd upon as not very strong ; Others in hope of Favour from the Queen ; and some , in confidence of a Reward for their old Services , in this Tumult , discover'd their Minds ; and part of them , having obtain'd Pardon for what was past , expecting the Event of Fortune , were but loose Adherents to the Regent . The Defection of others , was not so much wondred at , but the revolt of Robert Boyd , who , till that very Day , had obtain'd a great opinion for his Constancy , afforded matter of Discourse ; He , being brought up on the ruins of a Noble Family ( as I said before , in the life of King Iames the 3 d , ) parsimoniously and meanly under his Father , a valiant Man , and emulous of the ancient Frugality , follow'd the same course of Life , as the rest of his Kin did , viz. by applying himself to richer Families to make way to repair his own , lately flourishing , but now decaying one , to their ancient Estate and Dignity . Whereupon , his Father and He first apply'd themselves to the Hamiltons , who were than uppermost . And when their Regentship was laid down , and the chief Magistracy settled in the Queen Dowager ; and Controversies about Religion began to arise , he join'd himself to the Reformers , to which his Father was most averse . That Faction was accounted the most potent , to That he adher'd , till the Queen's coming out of France ; yea , he grew very renown'd for his Constancy , Fortitude and Prudence ; So that Gilespy , Earl of Argyle , was so taken with him , that he did almost nothing without his Advice . But , when some of the Nobles had associated at Sterlin , not for any Treasonable Project , but only to defend the King , he , indeed , subscrib'd the League too ; but , with great Levity , both himself , and Argyle , who was guided by his Counsel , discover'd the whole Intrigue to the Queen . From that time forward , Boyd sided with the Queen , in all her Designs against his old Friends , being well reputed of on that side ; but by those , he deserted , he was accounted a Turn-coat , and an inconstant Person . When the Queen was committed to Prison , Boyd apply'd himself to Murray the Regent , and was so well respected by him , for his industrious Ingenuity , that he was admitted into his Cabinet-Council ; and tho several Opinions past upon him by others , yet he was in high Favour with the Regent at Glasgow in his Juridical Processes ; but when he perceiv'd it was like to come to Blows , he went off privately to the Queen , and from thence sent a Letter to the Earl of Morton , by his Son , excusing his Departure , and alleging , he might probably do the Royalists as much Service , there , as if he had staid with them . His revolt , by reason of the good Opinion many had of his Conversation and Manners , gave great occasion of Discourse .

In the mean time , the Regent had an hot Debate in Council , Whether they should stay , where they were , or else , go to the King at Sterlin ? A great many were of opinion , that 't was better to depart , and they urg'd Arguments for it ; as , that Hamilton was a Town near them , full of People , and all the Clanships of that Family lay round about it : Besides , the Queen had with her 500 Horse , and it was reported , many more were making towards her from remoter Parts ; whereas , with the Regent there were only a few of his own Friends , the rest having ran away to the Queen , or gone privately home , about their own Affairs , as if all things had been quiet ; and , tho the Citizens of Glasgow were faithful enough , as being provok'd by the many and great Injuries they had receiv'd from the Hamiltons , when in Power ; yet the Town it self was large , not very Populous , and every way approachable . On the contrary , Others reason'd , That all depended on the first Beginning of things ; That his departure would be Dishonourable , and look like running away ; That all Suspicion of fear was then principally to be avoided , for they should heighten their Enemies thereby , and discourage their Friends . On the one side , there were the Cuninghams and the Semples , potent Families ; On the other side , Lennox , the King 's peculiar Patrimony , from whence the next Neighbours might presently come in , in a few Hours ; the rest , the next , or , at furthest , the Day after ; In the interim , till further Aid came , they had strength enough , especially being assisted by the Townsmen . This advice prevail'd in Council .

The French Embassador posted betwixt both Parties , The French Embassador busy betwixt the Parties , rather as a Spy , than a Peace-maker , which yet he pretended to be ; for , perceiving , that there was but a small Force at Glasgow at first , and an Appearance of a great Multitude at Hamilton , he earnestly excited the Queen to put it to a Battel , presently . The Regent had gathered a party from the Neighbourhood , and expected those further off from Merch and Lothian ; there came in about 600 Horse , choice and resolute Men ; he gave them one day to refresh themselves in , and then determined to march out to Hamilton , and to engage the Enemy immediately ; for he believed , Delay was dangerous for him , and advantagious to the Enemy , whom the remote Parts of the Kingdom favour'd most . Two days after , he was inform'd , That , about the third Watch , the Enemy was drawing together from all places , where they quarter'd ; they trusted to their Number , being about 6500 fighting Men , and they knew the Regent had scarce 4000 ; but they resolved to march by Glasgow , and to leave the Queen in Dunbarton-Castle , and so either to fight , or lengthen out the War , as they pleased ; or , if the Regent should be so bold as to stop their Passage , which they believed he durst not do , they would then fight , and were confident they should beat Him . But he , having determined to urge them to fight before , as soon as ever he could , drew out his Men into the open Field before the Town , the way that he thought the Enemy would come , and there waited for them in Battel-array , for some Hours : But when he saw their Troops pass by the other side of the River , he presently understood their Design , and commanded his Foot to pass over the Bridg , and his Horse to ford over the River , which they might do , it being low Water , and so to march to * * Two Miles South of Glasgow . Langside , which was a Village by the River Carth , where the Enemies were to pass , scituated in the Foot of an Hill , respecting the South-West ; on the East and North , the Passage was steep , but on the other side , there was a gentle Descent into a Plain , thither they hastned with such Speed , that the Royalists had neer possest the Hill , before the Enemy , who aim'd at the same place , understood their Design , though they march'd thither by a nearer Cut ; But the Royalists met with Two Advantages , which was a great Discouragement to their Enemies ; One , that Gilespy Cambel , Earl of Argyle , who commanded in chief , fell suddenly down from his Horse sick , and by his Fall , much delayed the March of his Party . The Other , that their Forces being plac'd here and there , in little Vallies , could never see all the Royalists at once , whose Paucity ( as indeed , they were not many ) made the Enemy to despise them , and the Disadvantage of the place , too . At last , when the Queen's Forces drew nigh , and saw the Ground which they aim'd at , possest by the Enemy , they went to another little Hill over against them , and there divided their Party into two Bodies : Their chief Strength they plac'd in the First ; if they had overthrown their adverse Party there , they knew , the rest would be dismaid at their Flight , and so they should overcome them without Fighting . The King's Party also divided themselves into Two Wings ; Iames Douglas Earl of Morton , A Fight between the Royalists ▪ and the Queen's Forces . Robert Semple , Alexander Hume , Patrick Lindsy , each with his Clanship , were placed in the Right . In the left , stood Iohn Earl of Marr , Alexander Earl of Glencarn , William Earl of Menteith , and the Citizens of Glasgow . The Musqueteers were in the Village and Gardens below , near the high Way . Both Armies thus placed in Battel-array , The Queens Cannoneers and Foot were driven from their Posts by the King's Forces ; on the other side , the King's Horse being fewer in Number , were beat back by the Enemy ; after they had performed that Service , they endeavoured also to break the Battalions of Foot , in order whereunto , they charg'd directly up the Hill , but were beat back by the King's Archers , and by some of those , who after their Rout , had rallied again , and joined with the rest of their Body : In the mean time , the left Wing of the Enemy march'd by the High-way , where there was a rising Ground , lower down into the Vally , where , though they were galled by the King's Musqueteers , yet passing by those Straits , they opened and ranged their Body ; there 't was , that the two Battailions held out a thick Stand of Pikes , as a Brest-work , before them , and fought desperately for half an Hour , without giving Ground on either side ; insomuch that they , whose long Pikes were broke , threw Daggers , Stones , Pieces of Pikes or Lances ; yea , whatsoever they could come by , into their Enemies Faces : But some of the hindermost Ranks of the King's Forces , being flying away , ( whether for Fear or Treachery is uncertain ) no doubt , their Flight had much disordered those who stood to it , unless the Ranks had been so thick , that the formost well knew not , what the hindmost did : Then they , which were in the second Battailion , taking notice of the Danger , and perceiving no Enemy coming to charge them , sent some whole Troops to wheel to the Right , and to join with the first ; whereupon , the adverse Party could not bear their Charge , but were wholly routed and put to Flight ; many were so inrag'd with Wrath and Hatred against them , that there had been a notable Slaughter in the Pursuit , unless the Regent had sent out Horse several ways , to forbid the Execution : The second Squadron of the Royalists stood so long , till they saw the Enemy scattering and flying in a disorderly manner ; then they also brake their Ranks and pursued . The Queen stood about a Mile from the Place , to behold the Fight ; and , after the Discomfiture , fled with some Horsemen of her Party , who had escap'd out of the Battel , toward England ; the rest ran away as they could , Wherein the Queen is overthrown , and flies for England . each to his own home : There were but few slain in the Field , but more fell in the Pursuit , being wearied and wounded , all along the High-ways and Fields . The Number of the Slain , was about 300 , but there were more taken Prisoners . Of the King's Forces , there were not many wounded , of the chief Commanders , none but Alexander Hume and Andrew Stuart , only one Man was slain ; the rest of the Army , besides a few Horse-men , who followed the Pursuit very far , returned joyfully into the Town ; where , after giving Thanks to Almighty God , for prospering their just Cause against a double Number of their Enemies , and for giving them , in a manner , an unbloody Victory , mutually gratulating one another , they went to Dinner . This Battel was fought May the 13 th , eleven Days after the Queen's Escape out of Prison .

The French Embassador expected the Event of the Fight , The French Embassador sculks away , after the Fight . and promis'd himself a sure Victory on the Queen's side ; but being thus disappointed of his Hope , he put off his Vizard , and without taking his Leave of the Regent , to whom he pretended he was sent , got a Party of Horse to guide him ; and , with what Speed he could , made for England . In the way he was robb'd by Moss-Troopers ; but Iames Douglas Laird of Drumlanerick , though he knew he was of the Enemies Party , yet deferr'd so much to the Honour and Name of an Embassador , that he caus'd his Goods to be restored to him . The Regent spent the rest of the Day of Battel , in taking a List of the Prisoners ; some he discharged gratis ; others , upon Sureties ; the chief Commanders were retained , especially of the Hamilton's Family , and sent to Prison . The Day after , knowing how much that Sept was envied in the Neighbourhood , he took only 500 Horse , commanding the rest of the Army to abide in their Quarters , and went into the Vale of Clydisdale , where he found all Places naked and desolate , the Inhabitants being run away , as rather conscious to themselves what they had deserved , than confiding in the Regents Clemency , of which yet they had Experience before , he took in the Castles of Hamilton and In Clydsdal● . Draffin , which were naked Places , only in Hamilton-Castle , some of the Houshold-Stuff of King Iames the 5 th was found . The same Fear and Terror drove the Queen into England too , either because she thought no Place in that Part of Scotland safe enough for her ; or else , because she durst not trust Iohn Maxwel of Herreis .

When the Regent had setled all things , as well as he could at present , he summon'd an Assembly of the Estates to be held at Edinburgh in the Month of ..... The adverse Party plotted many Ways to hinder it : Rumors were spread abroad of Aid from France , neither were they altogether without Ground : For some Troops were drawn down to the Sea-side , under the Command of the Earl of Martigues , a stout Man of the Luxemburgh's Family , to be transported with all Speed into Scotland ; and they had been so , unless the Civil Wars had on a sudden broke forth in France . But that Assistance would not have been so prejudicial to the Regent , as his Enemies thought , for it would have alienated England from them , and engaged It to him . Moreover , Argyle with 600 of his Clanship came to Glasgow , there he had a Conference with the Hamiltonians , and other Leaders of the Faction , to hinder the Convention , but finding no way to do it , they went every Man severally home . Huntly also had gathered together a thousand Foot , against the Day of the Parliaments Sitting , he came as far as Perth , and there perceiving that the Fords of the River Tay , were guarded by William Ruven and the Neighbouring Nobility , who remained Loyal to the King , he retired without doing any thing to Purpose .

About the same time , there came also Letters from the Queen of England , obtained by the Intercession of the adverse Party , to the Regent , Queen Elizabeth of England doth in part adopt the cause of the Scots Queen . to put off the Parliament ; she desired , that Judgment might not be hastned concerning the Rebels , till she were made acquainted with the whole Cause ; for she could not well bear the Injury and Affront , which the Queen , her Neighbour , and near Kinswoman , did pretend she had received from her Subjects . Tho the Request was but small in it self , yet , if it should have been granted , at the Instance of the Rebels , they might have thought to have carried all ; either because such a Trifling and Delay seem'd to hearten them , and weaken their Enemy , especially seeing it might argue a Fear in the Royalists ; and also , that they , in the mean time , resolv'd to Indict a Convention in the Name of the Queen . But the Regent , being sensible of what great Consequence it was , to have the Parliament to sit ; yea , though all the Force of the Enemy had combin'd against it , resolved to keep his Day : In that Parliament , there was a great Debate , Whether all those who had took Arms against the King , and afterward had not obtained their Pardon , should be condemn'd as Traitors , and have their Goods confiscate . But William Maitland , who favoured the Rebels , but covertly , obtained , that only a few of them should be condemn'd at present , as a Terror to the rest ; and a Door of Clemency should be opened to others , if they repented . That Procedure did wonderfully incourage the Conspirators , and increas'd their Obstinacy , in regard , they saw , their Punishment was deferr'd , and they were verily persuaded , that the Queen of England being their Queen's Neighbour and Kinswoman , nor the Guises , who then were very powerful in the French Court , nor the French King himself would suffer such an Encroachment to be made on the Royal Authority ; yea , if they should be deserted by them , yet they were not so weak of themselves , as not to be able to maintain their Cause without foreign Aid , as being superior in Number and Power ; so that nothing was wanting to the Victory , but the empty Shadow of the Royal Name , which was ( said they ) usurped by Force .

In the mean time , the Regent minded only the publick Peace ; some of the Neighbouring Offenders he fined in small Sums , and so took them into Favour ; the Earl of Rothes , by his Friends Intercession , was banish'd for three Years ; as for the rest , he daily , by Correspondents , solicited them to repent and come in ; but perceiving , That many of them were obstinate , and inclined to Revenge , he levied an Army , and march'd into Annandale , Niddisdale , and lower Galway , where he took some Castles , and put Garisons into them ; others , whose Owners were more refractary , he demolish'd , and in a short time , he would have ran over the whole Country , unless Letters from the Queen of England had interrupted the course of his Victories . She was persuaded by the Exiles , That the Queen of Scots had receiv'd much Wrong ; That her ill-affected Subjects had laid unjust Imputations on her , and That she would not suffer the Royal Name to grow so cheap , or Majesty to be so contumeliously used , as to be exposed to the Wills of seditious Persons . That the Wrong of this great Wickedness redounded only to One , but the Example to All , and therefore , she desired , they would apply some speedy Remedy , that the Contagion of dethroning Princes might not spread further . Having made a great Harangue in her Letters to this purpose , against the Avengers of the King's Murder ; she desired of the Regent , That he would send Commissioners to her , to inform her in the State of the whole Matter , and to make Answer to those , either Crimes or Reproaches , which were cast upon , and alleged against himself . This Demand seemed very grievous and offensive , That things , already judg'd , should be called again in Question , to a new and hazardous Trial , and that before foreign Princes , who are oft-times emulous , if not Enemies , and their Minds already prepossess'd by Adversaries ; yea , for a Man , as it were to plead for his own Life , before a foreign Judicature , though the Case was dangerous and hard , yet many Arguments induc'd him to accept of the Proposal , though never so unequal . Whereupon the Regent , with some others , meet the Queen of England's Commissioners at York to debate Matters . Abroad , the Cardinal of Lorrain , the Queen's Uncle , rul●d all in France ; and at home , a great part of the Nobility conspired in behalf of the Queen ; and if the Queen of England were disobliged too , then he should have no Force to withstand so great Difficulties . Being thus resolved to send Embassadors , he could not tell , Whom to pitch upon : The chief Nobles declining the Employment : At last , the Regent himself resolved to go , and chuse Companions to accompany him , amongst whom was William Maitland , though much against his Will ; but the Regent , knowing him to be a factious Man , and inclinable to the Queen's Party , did not think it safe to leave him behind , whilst things were in such a doubtful Posture at home ; and therefore he persuaded him , by great Promises and Rewards , to accompany him , not doubting but to overcome his avaritious Mind with Largesses and Gifts ; the rest went willingly along : The chief were , Iames Douglas , and Patrick Lindsy of the Nobles ; of the Clergy , the Bishop of the Orcades , and the Abbat of Dumfermlin ; of Lawyers , Iames Macgil , and Henry Balnavey ; to whom he added a Ninth , viz. George Buchanan . Though these difficult Circumstances did attend him , George Buchanan accompanies the Regent into England . yet Two things relieved his Thoughts , One was , the Equity of his Cause ; the Other , the last Letters he received from the Queen of England , gave him Assurance , that , if the Crimes objected against the Queen of Scots were true , she held her unworthy to hold that Scepter any longer . The Regent was a little heartned by those Letters , and with above a 100 Horse in his Company , he began his Journy , though he had certain Intelligence brought him , that the Earl of Westmorland , at the Command of the Duke of Norfolk , watch'd to intercept him , before he got to York ; yet October 4. he came to York , the Place appointed for the Conference , and , the same Day , and almost hour , A Plot to cu● off the Regent in his Journy . Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk , entred the City , also . The reason , why an Ambush was laid for the Regent , was , because the Duke , by secret Correspondents , was dealing with the Queen of Scots to marry her ; and therefore , that the Suspicion of the King's Murder might be more easily taken away , she resolved , if the Regent were slain , to return home ; and also to take and suppress the Letters she had wrote to Bothwel , containing a manifest Discovery of the Plot : but , because the Duke was so near , she could not so accomplish it , as that he also might not be aspersed with the Infamy of so cruel a Murder ; and therefore the Plot was deferr'd till another time . Besides Norfolk , there were appointed Two other Commissioners by the Queen of England , to determine the Controversies of the Scots , the Earl of Sussex , who inclined to Howard's Party , as 't was commonly reported , and Sir Ralph Sadler , an indifferent and equal Person . Within a few days , there came Messengers from the Queen of Scots , to complain of her disobedient Subjects , and also to desire leave of the Queen of England , to return home , without Delay ; they had their Hearing apart from the Regent , and his Attendants : First , they Protested , that they came not before them as Judges , that had a lawful Superiority over them ; then they made a long Harangue , What Wrong the Queen had received from her Subjects ; and after , desired of the Queen of England , that either she would persuade her ungrateful Subjects to admit their Prince ; or , if they refused , then she would supply her with an Army , to force them so to do . After some few Hours , the Regent was heard ; He stood upon the Equity of his Cause , before indifferent Judges ; He pleaded , that the Royalists had done nothing , but according to the ancient Laws and Customs of their Nation , and that , in full Parliament , ratified and approved ; and that he being a single Person , with those few with him , could not abrogate any thing which had been enacted by common Consent of all the Estates in Parliament . But when the English Commissioners told them , they could not be satisfied with those Statutes made at their Parliaments at home , and now produced , unless withal they produced the Reasons , which moved the Nobles to such a severe Judgment against the Queen : The Regent was unwilling , as much avoiding to divulge the foul Offences of the Queen , being his Sister also , and that amongst Foreigners , who were forward enough to hear them , and therefore denied to do it , unless upon these Terms , That , Disputes between the Commissioners of both Sides . if he made good the Charge against the Queen , that she killed her Husband , then the Queen of England should stipulate and promise to defend the young King's Cause , and take him as 't were into her Protection . But when the English Embassadors told them , that they had only a Commission to hear the Demands of both Sides , and so to lay the whole Matter before the Queen . The Regent again urg'd them to obtain such a Promise from their Queen , or else that they themselves should get a Commission , fully to decide the Controversy ; if they would do That , he promised , that unless he did evidently make it appear , that the King was slain by his Wives Means , he would not deprecate the Punishment due to the most heinous Offence . The Commissioners wrote to the Queen to know her Mind herein ; who returned Answer , Upon their Disagreement , Queen Elizabeth avokes the Cause to London . That the Scots of the Royal Party should send one or more of their Number to her Court , who might fully acquaint her with the Merits of their Cause , and then she would consult , what was fit for her to do . Whereupon the Regent sent William Maitland , on whom many sinister Opinions did daily arise , and Iames Macgil , not so much to be his Assistant in publick Business , as to observe , what his Actions were . The Causes which made Maitland suspected were These , amongst many others : Before his Journy into England , though he mightily endeavoured to conceal his Designs , Commissioners sent to London by the Regent . yet by his Words and Actions , and further , by his great Familiarity with the Men of the adverse Party ; but more clearly yet , by Letters , he sent to the Queen , which were intercepted , they could not be hid . In those Letters he endeavoured to persuade the Queen , that his Service might yet be useful to her , using the Example of the Lion , as 't is in the Fable , who , being taken in a Net , was freed by such mean Animals as Rats . And after he came to York , Maitland not true to the Regent . there was scarce a Night , wherein he did not meet with the chief Embassadors of the adverse Party , compared Notes with them , and acquainted them with the Designs of the Regent . The Regent did not forbid those Meetings , knowing , he should do no Good thereby , only then they would meet more secretly . Though these were manifest Evidences of his Treachery , yet casually there happen'd an undeniable Demonstration thereof . Norfolk , and He , went abroad , pretendedly to hunt , where they had much Discourse concerning the whole Affair , and came to this Agreement amongst themselves , to spin out the matter , if 't was possible , and so to delay it , that , at last , nothing might be done , and yet the Cause not seem wholly deserted , neither . For , by this means , the Regent must depart , without effecting what he came for ; or else , some Commotion at home would inforce him so to do , and then other Remedies might emerge , in time : For Norfolk was then designing a Civil War , how to take off the One Queen , and to marry the Other . Maitland inform'd Iohn Lesly , Bishop of Ross , herewith , one intimately acquainted with all the Queen's Affairs , who accordingly inform'd his Mistress , by Letter , how the Duke would have her write to Court , what Course to steer for the future ; and tho her Cause went but slowly on , yet that Delay should not hinder her from expecting a good Issue thereof . The Queen having read those Letters , laid them by , as loose Papers , so that they came to be read by diverse others ; and , from hand to hand , were , at last , brought to the Regent , who , by them , discovered the main of his Adversaries Design against him ; as for Maitland , he had experimented his Perfidiousness many times before .

When the Embassadors , before-mentioned , came to the Queen at London , She , and her Council , thought it best , that the Regent himself should come up , and so dispute the Controversy , by word of Mouth : The Regent himself comes to London . Whereupon , he dismiss'd part of his Retinue , and , with the rest , went to London ; but there he met with the same Difficulty as he had done at York ; for he refus'd to enter upon the Accusation of the Queen , and his Sister too , unless , if he prov'd her Guilty , the Queen of England would take the Scots King's Party into her Protection ; if she would do That , he would begin the Accusation immediately , upon the same Terms , as he had propounded to the Delegates at York . Whilst these things were acting in London , the Queen of Scots , The Queen of Scots endeavours to raise Commotions in Scotland , in the Regent's Absence . by means of Iames Balfure , endeavoured to raise Commotions in Scotland ; and that she might more easily accomplish her Designs , she wrote Letters to all the Exiles , and to Bothwel's Friends , to contribute all their Endeavours to infest the contrary Faction by Force of Arms : And , besides , she created Lieutenants through all the Kingdom , to whom she gave even Kingly Power . And moreover , she caus'd Rumours to be spread abroad , That the Regent , and his Companions , were committed Prisoners to the Tower of London ; and foreseeing , that Lie could not be long believed , she devis'd another , ( i. e. ) That the Regent had promis'd to subject Scotland to the Crown of England ; and , That he was to give up the King , as a Pledg thereof . 'T is thought , her Design herein , was , That , whereas she had promis'd the same things by her Commissioners ; and the English look'd upon it , as a Vanity in her , seeing She had no power to perform it ; yet she was willing to possess the Minds of the Vulgar with an Untruth , and so to raise up Envy against the Regent ; and , if she could not avert the whole Reproach from her self , yet , at least , she would have her Adversaries bear a Part with her , therein .

When the Regent saw himself in these Straits , he resolv'd to end the Matter , as well as he could , and so to return home : The Regent manages his Accusation against the Queen and her Party , Whereupon , at the earnest Sollicitation of the English , who desir'd to know the Causes of the Proceedings in Scotland , ( without which they could determine nothing ; ) he also , being desirous to satisfy the Queen of England at that time , whom he could nor offend , without great prejudice to his Cause ; and , being willing also to return home to extinguish the Civil War , then appearing in its first Rise , neither of which he could well do , unless the Queen of England was his Friend , or , at least , not his Adversary ; induc'd by these Motives , He first protested before the Council of England , That 't was not willingly , but by the importunity of his Enemies , that he was compell'd to accuse his Queen , and she his Sister's Son too , of so horrid a Crime ; that he did not do it out of a wanton humour to accuse , but out of necessity to clear himself ; for he was very unwilling to discover those things , which he wish'd , if possible , might be cover'd in perpetual Oblivion ; and therefore , if any Reflection were made on what he did , the Envy ought deservedly to light upon Those , who would not suffer him to be like Himself , that is , to obey his Prince chearfully , when Good ; and to reprove Him , or Her , against his Will , when she was Evil ; only he desire one Thing , That the Queen's Proxies , who had inforced him to that Dispute , might be present to hear the Crimes objected ; that so , if they were false , they might disprove them before the Council ; and that he himself , in many weighty Matters , might also make use of their Testimonies . The Queen's Commissioners refus'd this , as putting little Confidence in their own Cause , and insisted only on this one thing , That the Queen , who was , by Force of Arms , ejected , might be restor'd : Whereupon , a Day was appointed for the Regent to shew Cause , why the Revengers of the King's Murder had taken up Arms , ( for he himself was then in France , ) and had ejected the Queen from her Government , and acted other things , as , till that time , they had done . When the Time came , he declar'd the Order of all Things , as they had been acted , and the Testimonies of the Partisans of the King's Murder , made before their Deaths ; and also the Statute of Parliament , to which many of the Regent's Accusers had subscribed : And when the Silver Cabinet was produc'd , which the Queen had given her from her former Husband Francis , and had bestow'd on Bothwel , in which were Letters to Bothwel , writ in French , with the Queen 's own Hand , and also a French Poem , not unelegantly compos'd by her ; and also the Manner of the King's Death , and , after his Death , her Surprize , and three Contracts of Marriage with him , the One before the Parricide , written with her own Hand , wherein , as by a Bill , she promises to marry him , as soon as ever she was freed from her former Husband : The Other was , before the Divorce from his former Wife , writ by Huntly's Hand : The Third was openly made , a little before the Marriage . When all this was produc'd , seen , and read before the Council : The whole Fact was so plainly expos'd , that now no Doubt could be made , Who was the Author of it . Though the Queen of England could not but believe these Discoveries , To the convincement of the Queen of England , and her Privy-Council . yet she did fluctuate in her Mind ; on the one side , there was Emulation , Queens mutually hating one another ; there were also such great Crimes , and such evident Proofs , that the Queen thought her Kinswoman of Scotland deserv'd no Assistance to restore her : And , though her Mind did incline to that which was right , yet 't was shaken , and did hesitate , upon the remembrance of her former State , not without a Commiseration ; and besides , the Majesty of Kingly Honour , and a Fea● , lest the Example of driving out Princes might creep into the Neighbour-Kingdoms , wrought much upon her : Besides , she was afraid of France , for the Peace with them was not very sure or firm ; and then especially , the French Embassador did plead the Cause of the banish'd Queen daily . The Spanish Embassador was desir'd also to interpose his Mediation ; but the foulness of the Crimes did so deter him , that he refus'd to meddle therewith . Whereupon , the Queen of England , that she might leave a Door for Repentance , if Matters should succeed amiss in France , and not cut off all occasion of gratifying them , gave a middle Answer , so tempering it , that at present she said , She saw no cause to the contrary , but that all things had been acted according to Law and Justice in Scotland ; yet , as if she deferr'd the compleat Decision till another time , she desir'd , that seeing intestine Tumults did recal the Regent , he would leave here one of his Retinue in his Place , to make Answer to those Crimes , which might be objected against him in his Absence . But the Regent , who saw the Matter to be so put off , that That Queen might take her Measures to give Sentence for her own Advantage , and the Event of foreign Affairs , left no Stone unturn'd , that he might have the Cause fully determin'd , now ; and therefore he desir'd , as most just and equitable , that if his Enemies , who had long studied before-hand to accuse him , had any thing to allege , they would now produce it , and not watch an Opportunity to calumniate him in his Absence , seeing they refus'd to cope with him face to face ; he was not ignorant , what Rumors his Enemies would cause to be spread amongst the People , and what they had already said to some of the Council , and to the French Embassador ; and therefore , he earnestly desir'd of the Council , to command them not to mutter privately , but to declare openly , what they had to say ; and that he would not make such haste home , but that , though it were much to his own Damage , and the Publicks , yet he would willingly purge himself there , in presence . Whereupon , the Commissioners of the banish'd Queen were sent for , and demanded , If they had any thing to allege against the Regent or his Companions , in reference to the King's Murder , they should produce it . Their Answer was , They had nothing at present , but they would accuse them , when they were commanded by their Queen . The Regent answer'd , That he was always ready to give an account of all the Actions perform'd by him ; neither would he shun either Time or Place so to do ; ye● , seeing the Queen began that Accusation of him , he desir'd of his Accusers , there present , That if any of them had the least Objection against him , they would then declare it ; for 't was much more noble and handsom to produce it , before so illustrious an Assembly , than , in private Cabals , to nibble at his Fame , in his Absence : They also refused This. Whereupon , the whole Council cried out upon them , and , in a manner , reproach'd them , so that they were compell'd , singly and severally , to confess , 〈◊〉 acquitted from Guilt , by the Queen of Scots's Commissioners themselves . That they knew nothing of themselves , why Murray , or any of his , should be accus'd of the King's Murder . Then , after a long Dispute , pro and con , the Council was dismiss'd , and from that time , there was never any more mention made of accusing the Regent , or any of his Companions .

Whilst the Regent was thus necessarily detain'd in England , on a publick Account , the Queen's Faction turn'd every Stone , both at Home and Abroad , to make Disturbances , but without effect . Iames Hamilton , who had been Regent some Years before , Iames Hamilton returns from France , and labours to embroil things in Scotland , hoping thereby to get the Regency from M●rray . seeing that Things went not according to his Mind at Home , had gone long before into France ; there he had but a few Companions , but lay privately , with a Servant or Two , to attend him , free from the hurry of all Publick Business ; but when the Queen of Scots was escap'd out of Prison , overcome in Battel , and then fled for England ; The French , knowing that Murray was call'd Home , into his own Country , and , in his Passage through France , not being able to work him over to their Party , in regard they could not send Men , or Mony , to Scotland , to raise Disturbance there , by reason of their own Commotions at Home ; they therefore thought it most advisable , to set up Hamilton , in an emulating competition with him , especially at that Time , when the Regent , with part of the Nobility , were absent , and out of the way . He was therefore drawn out of his Privacy , and accommodated with some few Pistols , and larger Promises . In his return thro' England , his Friends persuaded him , That , in regard the Queen of Scots , with her Faction , favour'd him , and the Queen of England was not averse from it , he would deal with her , to persuade Murray , by her Authority , to resign his Regency to him , in regard , that Office , by the Law , and Consent of almost all Nations , and especially by the Custom of their own Country , was due to him , as the next in Blood and Heirship : Neither ( said he ) was there any great need to make a laborious search into the Records of Ancient Times , for This ; wherein they might easily find , That Governors were always appointed to their Princes , when under Age , out of the next of Kin ; as when Iames the 3 d died , in the absence of Iames the 1st , his Uncle Robert manag'd the Government , and his Son Murdac succeeded Robert : And of late Times , Iohn , Duke of Albany , was made Governor to King Iames the 5 th , whilst he was under Age : Yea , The Queen of England tampered with by the Hamiltonians , to make Hami●ton Regent . Hamilton himself had been Regent , some few Years , before Mary , now Queen , was of Age , fit to Govern , or Marry ; and how he was not excluded from that Office , by any lawful Suffrages , but unjustly by the Rebellious ; and that which increas'd the Indignity , was , That it was done in Contempt of the Blood Royal , and a Bastard set up in his Room ; but if the Honour were restor'd to him , in a very short Time , all Domestick Tumults would be quieted ; and the Queen , even without Blood , would recover her Crown and Dignity , again . Whereunto the King's Embassadors answer'd , The Royalists answer their Reasons , in a large discourse . That Hamilton desir'd a Thing , not only contrary to the Laws and Customs of their Ancestors , but , if the consideration of the Law were omitted , yet 't was very unjust in it self ; for our Ancestors ( said they ) by reason of the Slaughters of their Princes by their Kindred , for 1300 Years ago , did wholly change the Method of their Assemblies in making a King : For , as before , in the Family of Fergus , our first King , after the King's Death , it was not the next of Blood , but he , that was most fit , was chosen King , by Suffrage : So , Kenneth the 3 d , that he might take away all Plots against Princes , by those of their Blood , and also might prevent the cruel and bloody Emulations of their Kindred amongst themselves , made this Decree of Succession , that now is , for the next of Blood to inherit . And Men , by Experience , finding , that in so great an Inconstancy of Fortune , 't was scarce possible , but that sometimes the Right of Chief Magistracy should fall on a Child , or else , on one unable to govern ; therefore they decreed , That he , who preceded others in Power and Wisdom , should undergo the Administration of the Government , in the mean time ; and our Ancestors , observing this Course for almost 600 Years , have transmitted down a Kingdom safe to us : Thus , when Robert Bruce died , there succeeded Regents chosen by most Voices , Thomas Randolf , Earl of Murray ; Donald , Earl of Marr ; Andrew Murray , Iohn Randolf , Robert Stuart ; sometimes particular Persons , sometimes more than one , were chosen , by our publick Conventions , to that Office : So , when Iames the Second was a Child , Alexander Levingston was appointed his Governour , who was no way related to that King in Blood , no , nor a Noble Man neither , but a Knight only , more eminent for his Wisdom than his Family . And if any say , That was for want of some of the King's Line ; the Excuse will not hold ; for , at that very time , there was Iohn Kennedy , chief of his Family , his Nephew , by the Sister of Iames the First , a Man both wise and virtuous ; there were also his Uncles , Iames Kennedy , Archbishop of St. Andrews , the eminentest Person for Virtue in the whole Kingdom ; and also his Brothers , the Son of the King's Aunt , Douglas , Earl of Angus ; Archibald also , Earl of Douglas , was not excluded from the King's Line , but in Power was almost equal to him ; to be sure , he was superiour to all others ; yet none ever complain'd of the Injustice of our Assemblies in so doing . And not long after , Iames the Third had four Tutors or Guardians assign'd him , not taken on the account of Alliance , but chosen by Vote . And of late , Iohn , Duke of Albany , was sent for by the Nobility out of France , to govern Scotland , in the Minority of Iames the 4 th ; and when he came , he was setled in the Regency , by a publick Statute , enacted in a Convention of the Estates , which was not done on the account of Proximity in Blood ; for he had Alexander , an elder Brother , one perhaps inferiour to him , yet far more virtuous than Iames Hamilton , who , for a season , affected that Dignity : But , in the Absence of Iames the Fifth , Robert , his Uncle , manag'd the Kingdom . I pray , by what Right ? Was he assum'd into that Office for Propinquity of Blood ? No : Was he elected by the People ? No , nor that neither ? How was he then created ? I 'le tell you , how ; When King Robert the Third was neither , in Body nor Mind , fit to manage the Kingly Office , he set up Robert , his Brother , in his stead , and commended his Children to his Care ; David , The Cruelty of Robert against his Brother's Children . his eldest Son , he starv'd to Death ; Iames , the younger , had been also slain , unless he had saved his Life by Flight : And , being thus setled in the Possession of the Government , his Brother dying for Grief , he kept it , without the Consent of the People in Parliament , and deliver'd it down by Hand , to his Son Mordacus . How Robert the King , that died last , stood affected towards his Brother , is very plain ; for , as when he was a dying , he abominated and curs'd him , as the Executioner of his Children ; so , certainly if he had been alive , and in Health , he would not have designed him Guardian to his Children . We are so put in mind of that time , wherein , after the Death of Iames the Fifth , he himself was made Regent ; ( as if any thing at all was legally acted , since that time . ) When Cardinal Beton endeavoured , by Fraud , to invade the chief Magistracy , he crept into the vacant Office , rather out of Peoples Hatred to Beton , than Love to Him ; being got into it , he ruled with great Cruelty and Avarice ; and , not many years ago , he sold that Magistracy , which he got by Force , and the Queen too , then committed to his Care ; therein was manifested , what Affection the People bare to him , when they preferred the Government of a Woman-Stranger before that bitter Slavery they suffer'd under him . You see then , I suppose , how this Request of Hamilton's is contrary to the Laws of our Country , and the Institutions of our Ancestors ; yea , so contrary , that for want of Arguments to maintain it , he bolsters it up only with Lies : And if there were any Custom of this kind , all Men see , how unjust it is : For what can be more unequal , than to commit the innocent and weak Age of the Prince to his Care , who either daily expects , or wishes for , the Death of his Pupil ? All whose Family hath born , and doth bear , great and lasting Enmity with the Family of the King , that now reigns . What Safeguard can there be here , in Nearness of Blood , against ancient Hatred , griping Avarice , and the precipitate Force of forestalled Tyranny ? Laodice , Laodice's Unnaturalness towards her own Children . Queen of the Cappadocians , is reported to have slain her Sons , as they came to Age , thus buying out , or , as it were , redeeming a small Stay in the Government , with the innocent Blood of her own Children . If a Mother destroy'd the Fruit of her own Womb , only to reign a little longer , What , shall we think , will old Enemies attempt ; or rather , What will they not attempt , being inflam'd to Cruelty , by the Stings of Avarice , against a Child , who is the only Remora to their Hopes of the Kingdom ? And if this Example seem old , obscure , and far-fetch'd , I will add some more Illustrious Ones , nearer hand ; Who is ignorant of what was lately acted , how that Galeacius Sforza was slain by his Uncle Lewis , Galeacius Sfor●a's Murder , with its Consequents . though he was of Age , and married , and the Son-in-Law , too , of a most powerful Prince ? Who doth not know the Calamities , that followed upon that cruel Parricide ? The brave fertile Country of Italy was almost made a Wilderness , thereby ; The Family of the Sforza's , from whence so many valiant Men proceeded , was extinguish'd ; and the Barbarians were introduc'd into the pleasant Country , about the Po ; whose Avarice and Cruelty spoil'd all . Besides , who is there , of the Inhabitants of Great Britain , that hath not heard of the Cruelty of Richard the 3 d , King of England , against his Brother's Children ? And with how much Blood , was that Parricide expiated ? If Men that were otherwise prudent , did not fear to commit such things against their nearest in Blood , excited only by the desire of the Crown , What can be expected from him , whose Inconstancy is well known to all , and whose ill management of the Government hath already cost us so much Blood ? Whose Family , not content with the Murder of this King 's Great Grandfather , did always work Treachery against his Grandfather by the Mother's side , as long as he liv'd ; and , as for his Grandfather by his Father's side , when he could not kill him , he drove him , poor , out of the Kingdom ; his Father he brought forth as a Sacrifice to be slain ; his Mother and the Kingdom , when they could not enjoy it themselves , they sold it to Strangers , and after , by the Providence of God , she was deliver'd from that Bondage , they cast her into those Straits , wherein she now is . What Judgment the Subjects made of these things , may appear by this , That Men seem'd to themselves deliver'd from the Prison of a most miserable Bondage , and to tast the sweetness of Liberty , when they sold the Government , which they themselves , were not able to manage , to a Woman-Stranger .

Upon the hearing of this Oration , the Queen told Hamilton , That his Demand was unjust , The Queen of England declares against Hamiltons design for the Regency . and , That she would not assist him therein ; but That she was desir'd by the King's Embassadors , not to suffer him to depart , ( in regard he plotted nothing but Sedition ) till they likewise went , themselves ; which , she look'd upon , as a just thing , and therefore had promis'd them so to do , and thereupon she charg'd him , not to depart before that time . Moreover , the banish'd Queen encourag'd her Friends with the hopes of her speedy Return ; for some Letters of hers were intercepted , wherein she advis'd them , to seize upon as many Castles and fortified Places as they could ; and so to disperse the War abroad , as far as ever they were able : Neither need they fear the noise of a Truce , or Accomodation , for , if Matters were ended that way , all the Offences of former times would be cover'd , and forgiven , under the umbrage of Peace : But , if it should brake forth into open War , the more Garisons they had , the greater opportunity would be put into their Hands , to hurt the Enemy .

When the Regent had settled Matters , as well as he could , in England , and had leave to return , some Letters were produc'd , lately intercepted , from the Queen of Scots , wherein she complains , That she was otherwise treated by the Queen of England , than she her self first expected ; or , as was promis'd her , and that was done by some Courtiers , who were the Cause , That she was not sent back with an Army , as , she affirm'd , A Marriage designed between the Queens of Scots and Howard . the Queen of England had promis'd Her ; but she did hope , shortly , to obtain a good issue another Way , ( for Messengers often had passed betwixt Her , and Howard , about a Marriage between them ) and therefore , she wish'd them not to be discouraged , but to increase the strength of their Party , to make a general Disturbance , and , by all the Arts they could , to hinder the Regent's return into Scotland . These Letters , being divulg'd , did affect People , severally . The Queen of England took it ill , That she was accus'd of breach of Promise ; as also , That the Conditions of the Truce , made by her means , were not kept : and therefore , being very angry and inrag'd , she remitted much of her ancient Favour to the Scot's Queen , and was more inclin'd to Equity , than before . The English , who wish'd well to the Regent , Buds of discontent between the Queens of England , and Scotland . were afraid that his Enemies would way-lay him to do him a mischief in his Journy ; for in the Countries , which he was to pass thrô , there were either , for the most part , Papists , or else Thieves , inhabiting the Borders of both Kingdoms , who were all excited to hope for a sudden Change ; and 't was plain , they were dealt with to intercept him in his Return , and therefore abundance of the English Courtiers offer'd him their assistance to secure his Passage ; but he was contented only with his own Retinue , and about the 13 th of Ianuary , began his Journy : But the Queen of England , The Regent honourably dismis● from England , and arrives in Scotland . judging it to be for her own Credit and Honour , that he should return in Safety , had of her own accord written to the Commanders and the Warden of the Marches , That , when he came to places suspected , or noted for Robbery ; They should take care , that he might not be circumvented ; And they were very careful therein , for strong Guards of Horse and Foot were plac'd about the Way , so that he came safe to Berwick , and , the day after , which was the 2 d of February , he was conducted home to Edinburgh , to the great joy of his Friends ; who , in great Numbers , were there Assembled . His Enemies did hardly believe his coming at first , because false Reports had been causelesly spread , that he was shut up Prisoner in the Tower of London ; But when it was certainly known , that he was at Edinburgh : Those , who had beset the High-ways to intercept Passengers , let go their Prisoners , and slipt away Home ; So that , immediately from a turbulent Tempest , there grew a great Calm .

A few Days after , The Transactions of the Regent with the Queen of England , confirmed by the Nobility of Scotland . the Nobles of the King's Party had a great Meeting at Sterlin , there the Transactions with the Queen of England were opened and highly approv'd , by the consent of all there Present . About the same time , Iames Hamilton , chief of his Family , came out of England , who , by a new , and unheard of , Pretence and Arrogance , was adopted , as a Father , by the Queen of Scots , and made Lieutenant of the Kingdom . He declar'd his Commission , and forbad the People to obey any , but Those substituted by him ; Whereupon , the Royalists disburst Sums of Mony to raise Forces , and to prepare to fight , if need were : And accordingly , at an appointed Day , they met at Glasgow , but seeing the Country came not in to Hamilton , according to his Expectation , by the Mediation of his Friends , Hamilton forced to submit to the Regent ; Terms of Agreement were propounded , whereupon Hamilton was commanded to come to Glasgow , to acknowledg the King , as chief Magistrate : If he did That , the rest would be easily accorded ; if he refus'd , it was in vain for him to come . He , by the advice of his Friends that were with him , being forsaken by his Clanships , and terrifi'd by the near approach of his Enemies Army , resolv'd to comply with Necessity , and to promise all that was desir'd ; but when the Forces of the Royalists were disbanded , then he would consult his Advantage , at leisure . When they came to Glasgow , a Day was appointed , wherein they and their Friends should profess their Allegiance to the King , and so recover their old Estates and Honours ; In the mean time , they were to remain in Prison , or , to give in Hostages , of their Kindred , for their forth-coming . This also was added to the Conditions , That all of the same Party might come in , if they pleas'd , on the same Terms . Argyle and Huntly refus'd to subscribe to those Articles , either out of anger to Hamilton , So is Argyle . that he had given up himself to his Enemies Hands , without asking their Advice ; or else , because they thought to obtain for themselves more easie Terms of Peace , in regard of their Power ; or else , being incourag'd by frequent Letters from England , they were easily inclin'd to That , they had most mind to . For , whilst these things were acted in Scotland , Letters came from the exiled Queen , containing large Promises , and willing them not to be terrifi'd with vain Threats , for she should shortly be with them , with a great Army . Their Minds were ready to receive this News ; and so much the rather , because the Queen was kept with a looser Guard than ordinary ; and there was daily talk of her Marriage with Howard . When Hamilton was come to Edinburgh , Hamilton's Tergiversation ; at the Day appointed , he eluded his Promise , by various Postulations and Pretences , making many Delays ; as , that the rest of his Party should come together , and so be all comprehended at once in one Agreement : And also , that they might send to the Queen to know her Mind ; and to this end he desir'd to defer the Matter , till the 10 th day of May. To this his plain Mockery , they answer'd , That 't was to no purpose for him to expect Argyle and Huntly , for they had declar'd , they would manage their Concerns apart . As for the Queen , 't was demanded , if she did not approve the Capitulation , what they would do . Then Hamilton answer'd ingenuously enough , but not so prudently for the time , That he was compell'd to those Conditions , by the Force and Terror of an Army , and that if he were left free to himself , he would not subscribe any thing thereof ; This their Baffle being openly discover'd , For which he is imprisoned . The Regent committed Hamilton and Maxwel to Edinburgh Castle . The rest of the Dispute was about Argyle and Huntly . For Argyle , whilst the Regent was in England , came to Glasgow , to consult about publick Affairs , with about 1500 Men in his Company ; Thither also came many of the neighbour Countries of the same Faction ; where they differ'd in their Opinions , and agreed in nothing , but only to disturb the Publick Peace . The Hamiltonians desir'd of Argyle , That , in regard the Inhabitants of Lennox were firm to the King's Cause , he would vex them , by driving away Preys from them , that so he might draw them , tho unwilling , to his Party ; or else , might so impoverish them , that they might not much advantage their own Party . When Argyle had communicated the thing to the Council of his Friends , not one of them favour'd his Design ; For they remembred , That for many Years , the Lennoxians had been much addicted to Argyle , and that there were many Alliances , between them . Moreover , said they , Why are the Argyle Men nearer to the Lennoxians , than the Hamiltonians , seeing they lie in the middle betwixt them Both ? why then should they put a Service , so full of odium , upon him ? Seeing it was their own Affair , principally ; let them appear first in it , and then Argyle would not be wanting ; He would be a Companion , not a Leader , in such a plundering Expedition . When that Assembly had held some Days , it was dissolv'd , without doing any thing , and Argyle return'd , thrô Lennox , which was his nearest way , without doing them any hurt ; which Moderation of his did indear him , even to the chief of the opposite Faction , and made his Pardon more easily obtainable .

But Huntly had indeavour'd to break thrô Mern , Angus , and Strath-●arn , in the Regents absence , having plunder'd the Country , and prey'd their Castle , and , ranging over the neighbour Places , had appointed Crawford and Ogilby his Lieutenants about Dee ; Usurping also all the Power of a King . That Carriage of his made his Reconciliation the more difficult . These two Men , seeing their Concerns were several , had a Council assign'd , to meet at St. Andrews . Thither Argyle came first : He was easily reconcil'd ; for , that Year , and the Former , he had committed no hostile Act ; and besides , he was the Regent's Kinsman , and , from his Childhood , his great Acquaintance , and familiar Friend ; So that all he requir'd of him , was , an Oath to be Faithful to the King for the future ; which if he were not , besides the usual punishment of the Law , he did not deprecate , but that he was to be accounted the basest Person living ; the rest also were admitted into Favour , upon the same Oath , but on far different Conditions . But Huntly's Case , before his Arrival , Various Disputes about admitting Huntly to a Reconciliation , with Arguments Pro and Con. was long debated in Council . For , whereas in England , the Marriage of the Exile Queen with Howard was carry'd on , and their coming into Scotland was privately design'd ; their Faction there did , by degrees , take heart , and incourage the Rebellious to Disobedience : For , if Matters were put into a Confusion , they thought , the new King would have an easier entrance to possess the Kingdom ; Wherefore , when they knew , That the Regent would not be persuaded to betray the King , as being his Guardian and Uncle , they endeavour'd , by all means , to abridg his Power . For , besides Those , that openly took Arms against the King , a great part of the Counsellors , did not now , as heretofore , favour Huntly in secret , but openly ; they pleaded for him , might and main , That he should be indemnified for what was past ; for that was the readiest and safest way to Agreement ; yea , 't was more creditable for the State , to heal civil Breaches without Violence , and not to proceed to forfeiture of Goods or loss of Life ; and , by this means , Peace might be obtain'd at Home and Renown Abroad . But if a military Course were taken , they must fight with a Man , who , by reason of his ancient Power , his great Alliance ; and by his many Clanships , was very formidable ; and if he were overcome , ( which yet was uncertain ) yet he might fly to the Highlands and Mountainous Deserts , or to foreign Kings ; where , out of a small spark of Disgust , a mighty flame of War might , in time , be kindled . On the other side , 't was alleged , That the War would not be so formidable , as some imagin'd . For his Father , tho he had the Report of a very prudent Man , even whilst his Force was intire , was yet easily subdued ; and therefore , this young Man , whose Power was not yet establish'd , and besides , was discourag'd by the recent calamity of his Family , was never able to bear up against all the Power of the Kingdom , and the Majesty of the Kingly Name too ; and , if he were overcome in fight ; or , if distrusting his Forces , he fled to the Mountains , there were Those , who , by the same Largesses , as he had firm'd them for his Service , or by greater , might be induc'd either to kill him , or to betray him to the Regent . For the Faith of Mercenaries is changed with Fortune , they follow the Prosperous , and forsake the Afflicted . As for foreign Kings , Sententious Maximes in Policy . They esteem'd Men , according to their Power , neither were they concern'd for anothers Misery , but respected only their own Advantage . But if any King of another Kidney should be so Courteous and Merciful , as to entertain a Fugitive , and a Beggar too ; yet now , the Times were such as did cancel that fear . For England , alone , of all Europe , was the Country , which enjoy'd a flourishing Peace , and That favour'd the King's Cause ; but other neighbour Kingdoms were so busied with domestick Dissensions , that they had no time to look Abroad ; And if they had leisure so to do , yet there was some ground of Hope , That Equity would prevail more with them , than Mercy towards Exiles , who were Rebels to their own Kings , and Faithless to the Kings of other Nations ; As for the Indemnity , which , they say , will declare our Clemency ; it will rather be an Argument of our Negligence , in regard , a just Combate being declin'd thrô Fear , a War is imprudently nourish'd under a pretence of Peace , and that an unjust pretence too , which would incourage the crest-fallen Spirits of the Rebels , and weaken the chearful endeavours of the King 's best Friends . For , how do you think , will both Parties stand affected ; When the one side sees , That all is lawful for them , without present punishment , and so they hope it will be for the future ? And the other sees perfidious Enemies to enjoy the Rewards of their wicked Crimes , themselves robbed of all their Goods , and vexed with all the Calamities of War ; and whereas they expected a Reward for their Faithfulness and Constancy , instead thereof to be punish'd for their Love to their King and Country ; And therefore , who can doubt , but that , if Matters hereafter come to Arms , ( which of necessity they must do , unless this Fire be now quenched , before it break forth ) who , I say , can doubt , but that Party will be strongest , which thrives by its Wickedness , and who may do all things with Impunity , rather than the other , who must suffer all injuries offer'd to them forcibly , gratis ? And if those Inconveniencies did not attend this vain shew of Clemency ; yet , neither the Regent , nor the King himself , could lawfully so Pardon , as to give away the Goods of the Robbed to their Plunderers : If they should do that , They must lay down the Persons of Rulers , and take upon them the habit of Spoilers , too ; if such a Condition should be granted , it were much more Cruel , for People to be despoil'd of their Estates by Kings , the Granters of Indemnity , than by their very Enemies , and Toryes themselves , that robbed them . Many things having been alternately canvas'd , and alleged , to this purpose , on either side : Those which were for his Indemnity were out-voted , by a few Voices . The Regent declar'd , That , for Peace-sake , he was very willing to Pardon the private wrongs done to himself and the King ; but , Yet , at last the Regent pardons him , upon Terms . for the Injuries offer'd to particular Persons , he neither could , nor would , Pardon them : But if Huntly and those Friends of his , who follow'd his Party , could make some Terms of Agreement with those they had plunder'd , he was very willing , by the Consent of both Parties , to appoint Arbitrators , who might adjust the value of the Losses .

Peace , as 't was thought , being settled on these Conditions , there was another Dispute arose , seemingly small , but manag'd with greater eagerness , than before ; The Controversy was , Whether Pardon were to be given to all of Huntly's Party , promiscuously ? or , Whether every Mans Cause and Desert should be consider'd , apart ? Some were of Opinion , that , because they thought Huntly was dealt hardly with in being inforc'd to pay D●mages to the Sufferers , that it was equitable to indulge him here , and not to press so severely , as to disoblige his Followers , also : On the other side , 't was alleged , That the chief aim , in such kind of Wars , was , to dissolve Factions , and that could not be done easily , any otherwise , than if the judgment of Pardon or Punishment did reside in the Breast of the Prince alone : All Men understand , how unjust it is , to impose an equal Fine on Those , whose Offences are unequal ; and that the adjusting of the Punishment , should be left to Huntly himself , was , by no means , fit , for he ( 't was probable ) would exact the lightest Mulct from the greatest Offenders ; and would lay almost the whole Burden upon such as were least Nocent ; in regard , in imposing Punishment , he would not weigh each Man's Merit , but rather his Propensity to his Service ; and as any Man had been more fierce and cruel in the War , so he would obtain from him an higher Place in his Favour . On the other side , the lightest Offenders would have the sorest Punishment , and they , which were less active in Wickedness , should be fined for their Moderation , and Favour , towards the King . These Reasons so prevail'd with the Council , that they decreed to weigh every Man's Case apart ; and yet , that they might seem to gratify Huntly in some thing , his Domesticks were exempted , he was to lay a Fine on them himself , as he pleas'd ; But that which he most desir'd , that the Regent should not come with an Army into the North-parts , was absolutely refus'd him .

Things being thus settled with Huntly at St. Andrews ; the Regent , with two Bands of Souldiers , and a great Number of his Friends , went first to Aberdeen , then to Elgin , at last to Inverness : The Inhabitants near the Town were commanded to appear , they obeyed the Summons , some paid down their Mony , imposed as a Fine on them , others gave Sureties : Huntly , and the chief of his Septs and Clanships , put in Hostages . Thus having settled the Country towards the North , being highly gratulated by all good Men , through all his March , he return'd to St. Iohnston's ; there an Assembly of the Nobility was Indicted , by reason of Letters , which Robert Boyd had brought out of England to the Regent at Elgin ; some of them were publick , some were private ; the private ones were from some Courtiers in England , containing a Relation of Howard's Conspiracy , Letters from England , declaring the Intrigues between the Q. of Scots and Howard . which was so strong and cunningly laid , that they thought no Force or Policy could withstand it , no , not if all the remaining Power of Britain were united together : Therein his Friends exhorted him not to mingle his own flourishing Fortune with the desperate Estate of others , but to provide for himself and his Concerns , yet unimpair'd , apart .

The State of Affairs in England compels me here a little to digress ; because , at that time , the Good and Ill of both Kingdoms were so conjoin'd , that the one cannot well be explained without the other . The Scots , a few Years before , were delivered out of the Slavery of the French by the Assistance of the English , and thereupon they observed and subscribed to the same Rites in Religion , in common with the English ; that sudden Change of things seemed to promise an universal Quietness to all Britain , free from all domestick Tumults : But presently thereupon , the Pope of Rome , with the Kings of France and Spain threatned a War , and privately managed Designs to alter things . The Pope was not wanting , by his Exhortations and Promises , to stir up their Minds already inraged ; but the Kings were not sufficiently agreed amongst themselves ; and their Forces were so exhausted , that they rather desired a War , than were able to make it . Besides , there was an Emulation betwixt them , one could not well bear , that the other should have so great an Accession as England , if it were conquered , to his Dominions . Moreover , some Disputes arose betwixt Them and their Subjects , which diverted their Thoughts from foreign Affairs , though the Novelty of a Woman's Reign , and she a young Woman too , without an Husband , gave Encouragement thereto , ( especially since those who were ill affected to her , said she was born to Henry the 8 th in an unlawful Marriage ) and also the former Differences about the Kingdom , and about Religion , were rather stifled than extinguished ; yea , the Sparks of Discontent did glow in Mens Minds , which in a short time were likely to break forth into a great Flame .

In the mean time , the English Papists had made many Attempts , but in vain , for they were soon quell'd ; and though their Designs never succeeded , yet , Foreigners still feeding them only with blooming Hopes , not with real Supplies , they still persisted in the same resolute Design , wanting rather a Commander for their Numbers , than Power or Courage to come together . The Common People of that Sect had taken a View of all the Nobility , and they found none fit enough , to whom they might commit their Lives and Fortunes ; many of the most stirring , had been consumed in the Civil Wars ; many had past over to the other Party ; some were so old , that they were unfit for publick Business ; or else , the Vigor of their Minds , as well as the Strength of their Bodies , was so debilitated , that they desired Peace , if it were but a tolerable one . There was only one Man , who for Courage and Power seemed fit to undertake so great a Business , and that was Thomas Howard , who though he was of himself inclinable to Quietness , yet there were some Causes which moved him to study Innovations ; For his Father and Grand-father , though they had been highly eminent , both in War and Peace , yet , in the Storms of an unstable Court , they had been so toss'd , that their highest Glory was ballanc'd with as great Disgrace . His Father was condemn'd for Treason , and publickly beheaded ; and Two Queens , his Kinswomen , had been also put to Death ; He in those Difficulties was liberally brought up , and so preserved his Family from being quite extinguish'd , and blown up : In his very Youth , he gave a Specimen of great Prudence , and in a few Years , by the Death of his Wives , and by new Marriages , he grew so rich , that , next to the Queen , he was the most potent of the English ; for Wealth and Prudence , the rest of the Nobility yielded to him ; but as for his Skill in Military Matters he had yet given no Proof of his Valor ; but in the Controversies of Religion , he carried himself so swimmingly and ambiguously , that , tho he favoured Popery in his Heart , yet he was such a Fosterer of the contrary Party , that Many of them made sure of him , in their Thoughts , as their Own .

Amids these things , the Queen of Scots was overcome in Battel and fled to England , whence she wrote Letters to that Queen , concerning the cause of her coming ; she was bid by her to retire to the House of the Lord Scroop , Warden of the Marches , till she did consider of her Demands in Council ; Queen of Scots confined to the Lord Scroop's House , in the North of England . Scroop's Wife was Howard's Sister , and , by her Means , the Treaty of Marriage was secretly begun betwixt the Queen and Howard , and the Opportunity seemed to be offered by God himself , seeing Howard's third Wife was lately dead , and he was then a Widower . The Design was concealed , as being intrusted but to a few , yet 't was whisper'd abroad among the Common People ; For narrow Spirits cannot conceal great Hopes , but Ioy gives them Vent , and so they fly abroad . The Matter was so far advanc'd , That the Fire of a Civil War seemed ready to break out , yea , some were so confident of Success , after they had considered the Strength of the Parties , that they thought Howard might easily do what he pleased , without using any Force .

Things were in this Posture , when the Scots Nobles had a great Meeting at Perth , to hear the Demands of both Queen's , Letters from both Queens to the Scots Nobles , read and debated . both of them having wrote to them . The Queen of England's Letters proposed one of these Three Conditions . The first was absolute , That the Queen might be restored to her Throne and Dignity , as formerly . But if that could not be granted , Then , that she might reign jointly with her Son , that so she might injoy Princely Honour in Letters and publick Acts ; in the mean time , the Regency should be in the Hands of the present Regent , till the King came to the Age of seventeen . If neither of those could be obtained , then the third Condition , was , ( if the Queen could be persuaded to accept of it ) That she should live privately at home , being content with those Honours , which , saving the Authority and Majesty of the King , might be granted to her . This last Request was easily assented to , if the Queen would accept it ; But the other Two were peremptorily refused . For the better and more incorrupt Part of the Nobility were resolute in this , That they neither could , nor ought , to determine any thing , which did diminish the King's Authority , especially being lawfully inthron'd ; but the two former Heads did take off from the King's Honour , yea , it exposed his Life too , being a Pupil , unless it could be thought , that his Mother , who was known to be cruel towards her Husband , and was not well affected toward her Son neither , being exasperated by her Banishment besides , should be no more kind to him , than she had been ever before . Also the Letters from the exil'd Queen were read , wherein she desired , That some Judges might be appointed to consider of her Marriage with Bothwel ; and if 't was found contrary to Law , that she might be divorced from him . Those Letters did highly incense the King's Party , because she wrote her self as Queen , and commanded them as Subjects : Yea , some would not have had them answered at all , because they indeavoured to abridg the King of his Power , and to instate the Rule in the sole Power of an exil'd Queen ; but that Part of the Council which was for the Queen , alleged , that they wondered much , why those who had formerly , the last Year , much desired , that she would separate her Cause from Bothwel's ; now when it was freely offer'd to them , should hinder it as eagerly , ( or rather more ) as they had before earnestly desired it ; if a Word or two in the Letters did displease them , that Fault might easily be amended ; yea , some there were , who undertook ( provided the Matter of the Divorce might be handled in the mean time ) to procure a Commission from her , in what Expressions they themselves would have it : On the contrary , the adverse Party urg'd , That they saw no new Cause of such great haste , 60 days was but a lawful time for Bothwel , who was out of the Kingdom , to appear ; within which time a new Commission might be sent : Neither ought that Delay to seem long , especially to her , who had past over so great a Matter in Silence , now two Years ; and now also she had sent Letters , which were of themselves an Hindrance , why those who were willing to gratify her , could not comply with them ; but if she desired a Divorce , 't was easy to be obtained ; let her but write to the King of Denmark , desiring him to punish the Murderer of her former Husband ; if he were dead , though they all were unwilling , yet she might marry where and whom she pleased ; but if she refused This , then 't was plain , she spake not sincerely and from her Heart , but made a counterfeit Pretence of Divorce , that , if she married again , she might also live in a disputable and uncertain Matrimony , even with her next Husband , too : And hereof there was a shrewd Suspicion , because she desired such Judges to determine of the Divorce , who had no Power in the Case . For what Power could the Regent have over Exiles , with whom he had nothing at all to do , who , unless they themselves pleased , might refuse to stand to his Judgment ; or , how should they submit to anothers Judgment , who were under the Power and Dominion of other Princes ; but , seeing that there seem'd to be some hidden Fraud in the Case , a Decision was not to be hastily made , but the Queen of England was to be acquainted therewith , in whose Power it was , either to promote or hinder it . Hereupon , a Young Nobleman of the Regent's Friends was sent to the Queen of England , to acquaint her with the Acts of the Convention . Some may perhaps wonder , That seeing greater Matters were transacted with less Dispute , there should be such ado made about the Divorce : But this was the cause of it ; Howard had privately transacted by his Friends , concerning his marrying the Queen of Scots ; and the Conspiracy was so strong both at home and abroad , That 't was bruited among the Vulgar , the Design was , to take away both of the lawful Princes , and so to seize on the two Kingdoms , for themselves ; the Place , Time , and the Whole of the Design was so ordered , that all things seem'd to be secure against any Force whatsoever . The Conspirators did most insist on This , To remove what might hinder the Marriage : If that were done , they seemed secure , that all the rest should fall in of it self . On the contrary , They which were for the King , made it their chief Business to cast in Rubbs to delay it ; for , in the Interim , many secret Designs might in time be discovered , and the Conspiracy prevented by the Care of both Princes .

In this Posture of Affairs , the Decree of the Scots Council was brought to the Queen of England ; but she , alleging , she was not satisfied with that Answer , and the Messenger did not seem to her a fit Person with whom she might confer , in so dangerous a time , and about such weighty Matters , The Scots answer Q. Elizabeth's Letter . desired to be better inform'd by the Scots of those Matters . Whereupon there was another Assembly of the Nobility Indicted at Sterlin , where they drew up this Answer , That , as for the last of her Requests it might admit a Consultation , in order to an Agreement ; but the second was of that kind , that no Consultation at all could be admitted , on that Head , without manifest Impiety , in regard it would not only diminish , but even extirpate , the Royal Authority : For , besides that all Partnership in Supream Magistracy is dangerous ; how can Two be equally join'd in Government , whereof One was a Youth , scarce out of his Infancy ; the Other a Woman in the prime of her Age , of a crafty Disposition , having past through Variety of Fortunes , who , as soon as ever she can creep into Part of the Government , will , by the Strength of that Faction , which , though she was removed by a publick Decree from the Administration thereof , do yet labour to introduce her , not by Entreaties , but Threats ; or else by corrupting the King's Enemies ; or , lastly , by foreign Souldiers , whom she is now busy to procure , soon derive the whole Authority to her self ? How will she indure , that an Infant should be equall'd with her , who would not be match'd even with her Husband ? Besides , if she should marry some potent Man , ( such a Matter being now on Foot ) her Strength would be doubled , and her Husband ( as of Necessity he must ) be admitted into Part of the Government ; perhaps , he would not willingly suffer , that his Children should be prevented in the Succession by a Son-in-Law ; and then , in what a Case would the Child be ? What if his Friends ( as all Men are inconstant ) should prefer a present Largess , before their future Hope , and so side with the strongest ? What can attend the Child , being now thrust down into the second , and anon into the third Place , but utter Ruin ? As for other things , they had rather leave them to her private Thoughts to meditate upon , than to make a previous Conjecture , What an angry Woman having Power in her Hands , prompted by the Imperious Counsels of her Uncles , having evidenc'd her Cruelty towards her Husband , being also exasperated by her Banishment , would attempt against a Child , especially when stript of all Aid of Nature and Providence , and exposed as a Sacrifice to her Rage ? And what Life would his Friends live , by whom she thought she was so grievously wrong'd ? Besides , what would the State of Religion be , when she could vent that Rage , which in former time her Fear had concealed , especially if an Husband , of known Arrogance , should further excite her innate Cruelty ? How easily might his Friends be destroyed , when the young King was slain ; or else , how soon might the King be subverted , when he had lost his Friends ? For these Reasons , the Queen could not be assumed into a Part of the Government , without evident Destruction to the King's Affairs . Matters standing thus , there was no need to speak any thing to the first Head of her Demands .

Petcarn sent Embassador into England , to satisfy Q. Elizabeth . Robert Petcarn was sent to carry this Answer into England , a Man of no less Prudence than Loyalty ; and he came to that Court in the very nick of time , when the Conspiracy to kill the Queen , and to seize on both Kingdoms , was discovered and made known . The Plot was so strongly laid , That the Queen of England began to be afraid of her self , and after she had imprisoned Howard in the Tower of London , she durst not proceed to punish the Queen of Scots , but was consulting to send her , by Sea , to the Regent of Scotland ; but when the Storm was a little over , that Design did not hold .

In the mean time , the Regent , in regard the Power of the adverse Faction did mightily increase , sends for William Maitland , who was a great Incendiary to the Conspiracy , from Perth to Sterlin ; he , being conscious of his Guilt , though he had experienc'd the Regent's Lenity to all his Friends , even in the greatest Offences , yet made no great haste to come ; till having before sifted out , by his Friends , if any Design were form'd against him ; he dealt also with the Earl of Athol , to go with him , that , if need were , he might use him as his Intercessor : As he was sitting in Council at Sterlin , Thomas Crawford , a Dependant of the Earl of Lennox's , accused him of having an hand in the King's Murder : Whereupon , he was commanded to be kept close Prisoner in a Chamber in the Castle ; whilst others were sent to apprehend Iames Balfure , who was absent . The wiser sort would have had them both proceeded against according to Law , as having been the Authors of all the Tumults , that had happened for some Years ; and , as they were privy to the Murder of the last King , The Regent's Lenity , his own Overthrow . so they were Leaders of the Faction against her Son : But the Lenity of the Regent overcame all Consideration of Publick Good ; so that it prov'd calamitous to his Country , and fatal to Himself : Balfure , by his Friends Mediation , obtained Pardon for his Conspiracy , though lately entred into ; and Maitland was brought to Edinburgh , into a Lodging not far from the Castle , some Horsemen were appointed to guard him , under the Command of Alexander Hume , a Young and active Noble-Man ; but William Kircade , Governor of the Castle , about ten a Clock at Night , brought counterfeit Letters to Alexander , ( as if they had been the Hand-Writing of the Earl of Murray , ) which commanded him to deliver Maitland into his Custody : He , knowing in how great Favour Kircade was with Murray , readily obeyed , and thus Maitland was carried into the Castle by the Governor , who , even till then , had privily been of the Enemies Party ; the Nobility much storming at it ; and almost doubting , Whether they should impute so great an Offence to Kircade , or to the Regent himself , as one not ignorant of his Audacity ; and the matter had come to a Sedition , if the Sanctity of his whole Life had not outballanc'd all Imputations of Reproach : 'T is true , Kircade was a valiant Man , and accounted , till that time , a faithful Observer of Friendship , and as he had received many other Courtesies from the Regent , so he had been lately preferr'd by him to the Government of the Castle , before his other Friends and Kindred ; though the Prudenter sort did , even then , suspect him ; but such was the Indulgence of the Regent , towards those whom he once lov'd , That he could not be severe to them , though catch'd in the very Act of Offending . Kircade , the next day , was sent for by the Regent , but refused to come ; and 't was an unlucky Opportunity , for then Howard and the Queen were daily expected ; and thereupon , the Spirits of the adverse Faction incouraged ; The Regent deserted by his intimate Friends ▪ ugly Reports were commonly spread abroad , That the Regent was forsaken by his intimate Friends , in such a doubtful time ; and so the Castle being held against him , he was left to his Enemies Will , others being likely to follow so leading an Example very shortly ; when their Governor was taken away , the innocent King and his Favourers would be delivered up to those Punishments , which the cruelest Tyrants could devise ; yet , the Regent was not moved by their Speeches , but , the next Day , went to the Castle , and spoke to the Governor with an unchang'd Countenance , as if he had been reconciled to him , and so returned to the Expedition , he had undertaken against the Robbers . In his Passage through Merch , he turned aside , as he was wont familiarly to do , to Alexander Hume , the chief of that Clanship ; there also ( Hume himself being covetous , and having been drawn off by great Promises to the contrary Faction ) he found no benevolous Reception from Hume's Wife , but she , being an arrogant Woman , did even mock at him to his Face ; so that he departed to Teviotdale ; coming thither with a small Retinue , and little more than his ordinary Guard , the Thieves admiring his Valour and Constancy , in that Solitude of his Friends , having received the Publick Faith for their Return , came in such Numbers to him , that their Multitude equalled , yea sometimes exceeded , those of his Attendants ; yet he remitted nothing of his former Greatness of Mind , but answered them as became the Dignity of the Publick and his Own too ; and , without doubt , he had quieted them without Force , unless some of the Neighbour-Nobility , affected to Howard , and now ready to take Arms , had impeded his Design . His Friends came in to him at the time appointed , and then he march'd into the Territory of the Thieves , though some of the Neighbourhood indeavoured to dissuade him , by telling him of the Difficulty and Danger of the Expedition ; he past with his Army through Liddisdale , Ewsdale and Eskdale , and received Hostages , not only from them , but from those beyond them ; only some , who , by reason of the Greatness of their Offences , despair'd of Pardon , were outlawed by him . This Expedition procur'd him not only the Favour of the People for setling them in Security , but raised their Admiration also , That a Man forsaken by his intimate Friends , and extreamly unprovided of Necessaries , should accomplish That in a few Days , which the most potent of our Kings , in full Peace , and with great Forces , could hardly effect in a long time .

Whilst these things were acting , he was made acquainted , That the English Conspiracy was detected , Howard imprisoned . Howard committed to Prison , and the Scots Queen more strictly guarded , than before ; and that Robert Petcarn had performed his Embassy with good Success , and was returned ; he inform'd him , That his Proceedings were very acceptable to the Queen of England , That he had quieted the Borders ; The Regent receives an encouraging Message from the Queen of England . That he had imprisoned the Earl of Northumberland , one of the Conspirators , who was fled into Scotland ; That he was pursuing all the rest , as Enemies ; That he had sent to the Governor of Berwick , to offer him Assistance freely on all Occasions . These Courtesies she promised to remember , and that she would not be wanting to him in his Dangers , but all the Force of England should be at his Service , if need were .

All the time of this Expedition , the Regent had daily Information brought him by his faithful Friends , of a great Conspiracy against him , entred into at home . And , in all the Letters , the Governor of the Castle was still accused ; whereupon , the Regent's old Courtesies and ancient Acquaintance not being yet quite cancell'd out of his Memory , he wrote to him plainly , and sent him a Copy of all his Accusations . He answered so coldly to the Crimes objected , That he became now more suspected , than before : He denied , that any Man could shew his Subscription to any Pact , relating to that Conspiracy .

In the mean time , the Day for Maitland's Trial drew near ; for , after he was carried to the Castle , to put a bold Face on a bad Matter , he expresly desired to be brought to his Trial ; for he was fully persuaded , That the Power of the Conspirators was so great in England , and also in Scotland , ( of which he was one of the chief ) that nothing could be orderly or lawfully determined : For in Trials of Life and Death , there use to be great Flockings together of Friends and Vassals , according to the Faction , Favour or Nobility of the Accus'd , as it happen'd also , at that time . The chief of the Faction adverse to the King , viz. the Earls of Hamilton , Gordon , and Argyle , gather'd all their Force , against that Day ; hoping , that if the Judgment were disturb'd by force , ( as 't was easy so to do ) that they might quietly end the Conflict at one Skirmish , as being Superior in Number of Men , Opportunity of the Place , and also better provided for War . The Regent expected not a vying in Force , but in Law , and therefore had made no preparation on the other side ; and so , being unwilling to put things to the utmost Hazard , before he needs must ; and also , lest the Majesty of the Government might be lessened by contending with his Inferiors , he put off the Day of Trial , and so He , a Day after , about Ianuary 1st , having sent the Earl of Northumberland to a Prison in Lough-Levin , went to Sterlin .

The adverse Faction , thus again disappointed , and perceiving the Authority and Power of the Regent to increase , and that , besides his Popularity at home , he was also supported by the English , being stirr'd up , partly by Emulation ; partly by the large Promises from the Queen of Scots , who by Letters inform'd them , that the French and Spanish Aid would be presently with them , proceeded to accomplish that which they had long design'd , even the cuting off the Regent . As long as he was alive , they knew , their Projects could not take effect , and therefore they sent Messengers , thrô all Countries to the chief of their Faction , to enter into a League to that purpose . To this League , the Hamiltons subscrib'd , and Those , who either themselves , or their Children , were Prisoners in the Castle of Edinburgh . The Governour himself was thought to be privy to it , and That which follow'd , did increase the Suspicion of him ; Iames Hamilton , Son of the Arch-bishop of St. Andrew's Sister , promised his Assistance , and indeavour'd to find a fit Time and Place to commit the Murder . It happen'd , that , at the same time , some hopes were given to the Regent , That Dunbarton would be surrendred upon Conditions ; thither he went , but return'd without his Errand . Hamilton , being intent on all Occasions , his Ambushes not succeeding well first at Glasgow , then at Sterlin , appoints Linlithgo to be the Place fittest to execute his Purpose , because that Town was in the Clanship of the Hamiltons , and the Archbishop , his Uncle , had an house there , not far from the House where the Regent us'd to lodge ; in that House , being appointed for the Murder , he secretly hid himself . The Regent too negligent of his fore warned Danger . The Regent was made acquainted with the Plot , both before , and also , that very Day , before it was light ; the Discoverer , for more surety , added , that the Murderer lay hid in 3 or 4 Houses from his Lodging ; that , if he would send a small Party with him , he would pluck him out of his hole , and so discover the whole Design , and Order of the secret Plot ; yet , the Regent would not alter his former purpose ; only he design'd to go out of the Town thrô the same Gate he enter'd in , and then turn about and proceed in his Journy ; nor did he keep to this Resolution , neither ; either because he did undervalue such Dangers , as believing his Life to be in God's Hand , to whom he was willing to render it , when 't was call'd for ; or else , because the Multitude of Horse , waiting for him , stopt up the way . When he was mounted on Horseback , he thought to ride swiftly by the suspected Places , and so to avoid the Danger ; but , the Multitude of the People crouding in , hinder'd his Design , so that the Murderer , out of a wooden Balcony , which he had purposely cover'd with Linen , as if 't were for another use , The Regent shot out of a Balcony , at the Instigation of the Hamiltons , shot him with a Lead-bullet , a little below the Navil , and it came out almost by his Reins , and also kill'd the Horse of Iames Douglas , which was beyond him ; he himself escap'd , by a back Door , or Passage , of the Garden , which he had pluck'd down on purpose ; and so mounted a swift Horse , set on purpose , to carry him off , after he had committed the Fact , by Iames Hamilton , Abbat of Aber-Brothwick , and so he went to Hamilton , with the great Gratulation of Those , who waited to hear the Event of his audacious Enterprize ; when they heard , he had effected it , they commended him highly , and rewarded him as if now the Kingship had been actually translated into their own Family .

In the mean time , at Linlithgo , the rest were startled at the suddenness of the Crack , and the Regent told them , he was Wounded , and , as if he had not felt it , he leap'd from his Horse , and went , on foot , to his lodging : They , which were sent for to Cure the Wound , at first said , 'T was not Mortal ; but , his Pain increasing , tho his Mind was not disturb'd , he began seriously to think of Death . Those which were about him , often told him , that This was the fruit of his own Lenity , in sparing too many notorious Offenders ; and , amongst the rest , his own Murderer , who had been condemn'd for Treason . Whereto he return'd a mild Answer , according to his Custom , Saying , Your importunity shall never make me to Repent of my Clemency . Then , having settled his houshold-Affairs , Of which Wound he died . he commended the King to the Nobles there present , and , without speaking a reproachful Word of any Man , he departed this Life before Midnight , about Ianuary 23 , in the Year of our Salvation 1571. His Death was lamented by all Good Men , especially by the Commons ; who lov'd him , Alive , and lamented him , Dead , as the publick Father of his Country ; For , besides his many other noble Atchievements , they call'd to Mind , that , not a Year before , he had so quieted all the troublesome Parts of the Kingdom , That a Man was as safe on the Road , or at his Inn , as in his own House ; and , Envy dying with him , They , who were disaffected to him , when alive , did really Praise him , when dead . They admir'd his Valour in War , which yet was always accompanied with a great desire of Peace ; The Pious and Laudable Character of the Regent . his Celerity in Business was always so successful , that an especial Providence of God seem'd to shine on all his Actions ; besides , his Clemency was great in moderately punishing ; and his Equity as great in his Legal Decisions : When he had any spare time from War , he would sit , all day long in the Colledg of Judges ; so that , his Presence struck such a Reverence into them , that the Poor were not opprest by false Accusations , neither were they tir'd out by long Attendances , in regard their Causes were not put off to gratify the Rich. His house , like an Holy Temple , was free , not only from flagitious Deeds , but even from wanton Words ; after Dinner and Supper , he always caus'd a Chapter out of the Holy Bible to be read ; and tho he had still a learned Man to interpret it ; yet , if there were any eminent Scholars there , ( as there were oft Many , and such were still well respected by him , ) he would ask their Opinions ; which he did , not out of a vain Ambition , but out of a desire to conform himself to the Rule thereof . He was , in a manner , too liberal ; he gave to Many , and often , too ; and his Alacrity in giving commended the Gift . To a great many , who were modest in receiving , he presented privately with his own Hand . In a word , He was honest and plain-hearted to his Friends and Domesticks ; for if any of them did amiss , he reprov'd them more sharply , than he did Strangers . By these his Manners , Deportment and Innocency of Life , he was dear and venerable , not only to his Country-Men , but even to Foreigners , especially to the English , to whom , in all the vicissitudes of Providence , in his Life , his Virtues were more known , than to any other Nation .

The Twentieth BOOK .

ALL that Time , which immediately followed the Death of the last Regent , although it were free from Blood-shed , yet , was embroyled with the various Attempts of the Factions . Before the Murder , the Hamiltons , in great Numbers , had met at Edinburgh , under the Pretence of prevailing with the Regent , to release Iames Hamilton , the Head of their Kin or Tribe , who was yet kept Prisoner in the Castle : But , after the Murder was perpetrated , they sent some , from amongst them , to the rest of the Hamiltons , who were to dissuade the other Clans , ( for so they would have made People believe ) from joining with , or protecting , the publick Parricides : But , as very many suspected , it was to bid them , be prepared , and ready , for all Occasions . For , the next Night after the Murder , Walter Scot , and Thomas Carr of Farnihest , entring into England , did ravage over all Places with Fire and Sword ; and that , with somewhat more Cruelty than was used in former times . Neither was it so much the Desire of Prey , or Revenge , which mov'd them to this unusual Crueltie , as , that it was long before resolved by the Bishop of Saint Andrews , and the rest of the Heads of the Faction , to incense the English against the Scots : And , if they could provoke them , no other way , to take up Arms ; then , by Injuries to draw them , tho unwillingly , into a War . The Governour of the Castle , although convinced by many Evidences , so that all Mens Eyes and Discourse were upon him by way of Reflection , as yet continued in his former counterfeited Loyalty to the King ; 'T was upon his account , that William Maitland was delivered out of Prison ; For , when he had , in many Words , pleaded his Innocency before the Council , the Nobles , then present , attesting , That it did not , with any certainty , appear to them , That he was guilty of those Crimes which were laid to his Charge , ( for he was accused to have been privy to the King 's and Regent's Murders , and also to be the Author of the Civil War that was lately raised in England ) he was at last dismissed , yet so , that the Matter seem'd to be deferred till Another time , rather than absolutely to be decided at That : He also , protesting his Innocency upon Oath , did promise to appear , whensoever the King's Kindred would set a Day for his Trial. Afterwards , when , upon consulting about the State of the Kingdom , they had almost agreed , That of those , whom the Queen , before she abjured her Government , had nominated Tutors to the King , he that would undertake it , provided he had not afterwards revolted to the adverse Faction , should have the chief Administration of Affairs . Maitland , now contriving the Disturbance of Matters , brought it so about , that it should be again signified to the absent Lords , that they might , if they pleased , be present in the Parliament of the Regent , to be assembled at a set Day , lest they might afterwards complain , That so great an Affair was hastily rash'd up in their Absence . Bandyings in Scotland , upon the Regent's Murder . Athol , with a few others , consented ; neither did the rest refuse it , more that they would take away all occasion of Detraction and Calumny from their Adversaries , than that they had any Hopes , that this Delay of the Parliament would bring any Profit to the Publick .

After these Things , Thomas Randolph , the English Embassador , had Audience ; for That Queen , the Regent being yet alive , had sent her Embassadors , to demand those English Exiles , who , after Howard's Conspiracy was detected , and he punished , for fear of Punishment , had escaped thither : The Regent , giving these Embassadors Audience at Sterlin , put them off till his Arrival at Edinburgh : and , after his Death , Things being in Confusion , they departed without an Answer . But , when they conven'd about choosing a Regent , Randolph , ( who , for some years , had been in Scotland ) for that he was thought to be well read in the Affairs , and in the Men , of that Nation ; and that his former Embassies had been also advantagious to both Nations , was in dear Esteem of all that were good , like himself . He , being introduc'd into the Council , having declared , Randolph's ( Queen Elizabeth's Embassador , ) sober Speech to the Scots . How great his Queen 's Good-will had always been towards the Scots ; That , as she had not formerly been wanting to them in their Disturbances , so she would not fail them now . Then he rehearsed their Incursions into England , the Slaughters , Rapines , Burnings , of late Days committed : Adding , That she knew well enough , That none of these Things were acted by the Publick Council ; therefore , that , at present , her Kindness and Friendship towards them , was the same it ever was : So that , although she had been grievously , and , without any Cause , provoked ; yet she did not , as she might justly do , repeat Matters , nor publickly require Reparation ; nor , for the Fault of a Few , seek Punishment of All : That indeed she was not ignorant , what a great Disturbance in Affairs was risen of late ; yet , she was not doubtful of the Good-will of honest Men towards her : That , in Favour of them , she did not only free the Publick from any Guilt , but if , by reason of domestick Troubles , they could not compel the Disturbers of the Peace , to resettle Matters , that she would join her Forces with theirs , that so , by common Consent , they might exact Punishment of those Violators of Leagues and Truces : But , if they were not able to do That , that then she would revenge their Injuries with her own Souldiers : That her Army should pass peaceably through the Country , without the least Damage to it ; That none , that had not been guilty of the Crimes , should be concerned in the Punishment . The remaining Heads of his Embassy contained Admonitions , ever profitable in all Legal Assemblies , but now , as the present Posture of Affairs was , very necessary , viz. That they should first of all , with all Care and Vigilance , have regard to Religion , which alone teaches us our Duty , both towards God , and towards Man : That , seeing no Common-wealth , at Discord within itself , can long subsist , they should bend their chiefest Endeavours , and strive , with their utmost Force , that , at Home , among Fellow-Subjects , and Country-Men , Peace and Concord might be religiously observed ; and seeing God , the Framer of the Universe , had indulged Them with a Kingly Government , it was just for them to honour and obey their Kings , and to yield all Observance and Obedience to them : That Peace , Concord , and Friendship with all Men , as much as possible , are most acceptable to God , and quench , or , at least , lessen , the Thirst of shedding human Blood , ( which Wickedness God especially detests ) : That they increase the Riches of All in general , and render a People more formidable to their Enemies : That Justice is the Preserver of the Publick Safety , of which , the chief Part now to be made use of , is , The Punishment of Offenders : Seeing that Treason is most hateful to every lawful Government , its Abettors , to what part of the Earth soever they retreated , should have neither Mercy , Favour , nor Indulgence , shewed them . Thus far Randolph ; whose Advice seemed both pious , wholsom , and reasonable . But , because none was yet chosen Regent , he could not have any certain Answer , and therefore was put off till the first of May. Last of all , William and Robert Douglas , Brothers , by the Mother's Side , The Douglasses Petition against the Murderers of the Regent , which occasions several Debates . to the late murdered Regent , petition'd , That the villanous Death of their Brother , suffer'd upon no Private , but the Common-wealth's , Account , should be revenged . Herein , the Opinions were various , although all agreed , That the Murderers were to be punished : Some thought fit , That a Day should be set for those , suspected of the Murder , to appear , ( and many of their Names were given in ) : Others were of Opinion , That Court-Days were not to be waited for against those , who were now in Arms , to maintain , by Force , that Fact , which they had wickedly committed : And , that it was fit , not only to take up Arms forthwith against them , but likewise against all those , who were sentenced by the last Parliament . To this Opinion the * * Or , Commissioners . Knights of Shires were most inclined , yet they could not obtain their Purpose , by the dissuasion chiefly of Athol , who said , They ought to expect a more numerous Assembly of Nobles ; and of Morton , who thought , That , should they join more Crimes together , the Revenge of the Regent's Death would miscarry , and a Civil War break out ; because all those , who dreaded the Peace , would join with the Murderers . Therefore , that their Crimes should be separated , and Affairs , if possible , acted by Law , and nothing innovated , before the first of May , ( which was the Day appointed for their Meeting . ) And so that Session was dissolved ; most part of the People condemning this Delay of the Nobility , because ( said they ) all things are acted , as the King's Enemies please , who had occasion'd these Delays purposely , that , in length of Time , the Odium of the Murder might diminish , and the opposite Faction , that while , gain Strength . This Opinion of the Peoples was confirmed , not only by some preceding Accidents , but also by very many , which followed : For presently , when the Regent's Murder was yet hardly divulged , Iames Hamilton , upon a Mortgage of his Lands , procures Mony of Iohn Somerval , of * * A Barony on the East-side of Clyde . Camnethen , which , together with another Sum , borrowed of his Friends , he sent to his Complices to hire Souldiers with , having warned them before , to be ready for all Essays , because of the sudden Alteration which had happen'd , upon their having rid themselves of their capital Enemy . And after that , the Queen's Party ceased not to have Meetings , in many and distant Places . About the 15 th of February , almost all the Chiefs of the Rebellious Faction met together at Glasgow ; whence Argyle and Boyd wrote to Morton , That they , because , as yet , they knew not Who were the Actors in , or privy to , the Regent's Murder , would willingly communicate their Counsel with the rest of the Nobility , as well for the Discovery , as Punishment , of that Murder ; but , that they would not come to Edinburgh ; but if the King's Party would be persuaded to meet them at Linlithgo , at Falkirk , or at Sterlin , they would , without Delay , come thither . This Business , being communicated to Maitland by Morton , ( for so the Letter requested ) came to nothing . About the same time , Thomas Car wrote to his Father-in-Law , the Governour of the Castle , from Linlithgo , That , if the Queen of England would be prevailed withal , to lay by her Resentment of the late Incursions , he would endeavour , that , for the future , the Borders should be quieted , and kept in due Order ; but that , if she should refuse these Offers , he would continue in the Design he had begun ; not doubting , but that his honest Country-men , who yet retained their Fealty to their Queen , would join with him , and that the French Auxiliaries would speedily come , also .

About the third of March , the Hamiltons , with Argyle and Boyd , met at Linlithgo ; but the killing of one common Souldier , begetting a Tumult , disturbed all their Counsels ; which made the Archbishop of St. Andrews carry home the Hamiltons with him . The rest of the Rebels , chiefly Huntly , Athol , Crawford , Ogilby ; also , of those on this side Forth , Hume , Seton and Maitland , met at Edinburgh ; in which City Morton was , accompanied but with few , till the Earls of Glencarn and Marr , with their Followers , came to him . About the fourth of March , A Convention of the Nobles , with various Opinions about choosing a Regent ; the Heads of the Factions met to consult about the Main , but this Consultation went but slowly on , by reason of Argyle's Abs●nce , whose Power and Authority was then very great . Huntly goes to him , undertaking to persuade him to join with the rest of the Faction , but returns without Success , by the Treachery of Maitland , ( as most Men thought ) who desired to drill on Affairs , that , amidst the Confusions of the Kingdom , he might have the fitter Opportunity for Innovations . Argyle also , in all his Undertakings , had another Impediment , which hindred , That his Power was not now so great , as it was found to be formerly , which was , That , though he himself was a most eager Favourer of the Queen's Cause , yet his Friends and Clients , no , nor his very Brother , could not be prevailed with to follow him against the King . The Night following , a sudden Terror , without any apparent Cause , did so seize upon all the Factious , that they watch'd in their Armour , till it was Day-light ; and , in the Morning , they as fearfully departed from Edinburgh . All the Time of this Convention , the chief Thing controverted , was , By what Authority the Scots might , at that time , choose a Regent ? Some , according to the Queen's Letters-Patents , by which she had designed Eight of the Nobility , that , out of them , one , or more , as should be thought fit , might be nominated as Tutors to her Son , would have one of that number placed at the Helm . Others were of Opinion , That those Letters were now useless , since that a Regent was already chosen , according to their Appointment ; and that all Thoughts of them should be laid aside , as being not made to be always in Force , but for that one Juncture of Time , only . Some there were , who would have the whole Affair deferred , until the General Convention of the Nobility , but These were mostly of Maitland's Faction , which expected , That a great Distraction in Affairs would follow , which , in a great Multitude , without a Governour , is easily rais'd , but not so easily laid . The Third Opinion condemned both the Others : The First , for that now there ought less Account to be made of the Queen's Letters-Patent , since ( if the Matter of Law were considered ) they were , from their beginning , of little or no force : The Other , But is dissolved , re infecta . for that a Prorogation would both draw much Danger along with it , & also a greater Delay , than the present Condition of Affairs could well permit ; and therefore they would have all those to meet , who , at first , had advised the King to enter upon the Government , and had constantly adhered to him , ever since : These , according to the sense of this Party , were to take the best Care they could for the Publick-Weal , and speedily appoint such a Regent , who was both able and willing to provide for the Safety of King and Kingdom , both . But this Opinion was rejected also , and so , before any thing was concluded upon , the Convention was broke up .

So many Meetings having been tried in vain , the Rebels again return to the old Seminary of the English War , thereby to draw the Populacy to their Faction ; and send out the same Captains of the Freebooters , which were sent before , who left nothing of Cruelty uncommitted , even to the utmost extremity . And , in the mean time , the Heads of their Faction bespatter the Queen of England with all manner of Reproaches : And also , they maliciously accuse the Scotish Nobles , as Pensioners to the English , commonly giving out , in a way of Threatning , That if their Adversaries did call in the English to their Aid , they would have recourse to the French and Spanish Succours . About this time , Mr. Le Verac , one of the King of France's Bed-Chamber-Men , came from France to Dumbritton , who , with his large Promises , somewhat raised up their Courages . Hereupon , the Hamiltons appointed a Meeting of their People , to be held the 9 th of April , at Linlithgo ; Where , when the Queen's Faction was gathered together in great Numbers , They began openly to treat of That , which they had long before meditated in their private Cabals , That , if a War against the English could be made , thereby private Injuries and Actions , either about the King 's or Regent's Murder , in that universal Disturbance of Affairs , would either grow out of Remembrance , or , at least , the Resentment of them much abate . These Things having been transacted at Linlithgo , by the Associates of the Conspiracy only , who having not yet plainly unmasked their Intentions , The Hamiltons , and others of the Queen's Party , meet at Edinburgh . that they might have more Shew of Authority , they determine to meet at Edinburgh , on the 11 th of April , and thereby , besides the other Conveniencies which the Place would afford them , draw the Citizens , of whom they always made great account , either way , to their Party . This seemed no hard Matter , since they had already gained William Kircady , the Governour both of the City and Castle , to their Side : But , because they understood , that Watch and Ward was kept there , and that the Common People were more inclined to their Adversaries , they thought fit to send to the Citizens , first , to know , Whether or no it was their Pleasure , they should meet there ? The Citizens Answer was , That they would exclude no Person , that was desirous of the Publick Peace , and obedient to the King ; but that they would admit neither the English Exiles , nor the Hamiltons , into their City , lest they should either highly displease the Queen of England , in whose Kingdom they had great Traffick , or seem to join in Counsel with those that were guilty of that horrid Murder ; nor likewise , would they endure the Proposal of any New Edicts , which might tend to the lessening of the Regal Authority ; or , that their Souldiery should be forc'd ( as the Custom was ) to run to their Arms by sound of Drum . Upon these Conditions , how hard soever they seemed , they notwithstanding came into the City , in hopes , by degrees , to gain upon the unwary Multitude , and , by soothing them up with fair Speeches , The Edinburghers much courted to side with them , but in vain . at last , to bring them all to their beck ; but , for all this , they could not prevail with the Citizens to deliver up their Keys to them , or to cease their usual Watch , though Kircady , Governour of the Castle and City , join'd his utmost Endeavours with them , that they should do so .

All that time , they visited Maitland ( who ( if he did not dissemble deeply , ) was troubled with the Gout ) every day , and in such Numbers , that his House was commonly named a School , and he a Schoolmaster : Athol , the whilst , incessantly passing from one Place to another , that he might draw those of the contrary Faction to this Meeting at Edinburgh ; but they all , with one accord , refused to come before May 1. ( which was the Day generally agreed on by all ) unless they were satisfied of the necessity of coming , before ; if any thing of moment had happen'd , which would admit of no Delay , they would have them acquaint the Earl of Morton with it , who was at his House but four Miles off , and he would tell the rest of it . Athol , at last , appoints a Day , on which , some of either Faction should meet at Morton-Hall , which is in Dalkeith ; but this Place did not please the Queen's Faction , not that they dreaded any Treachery , but out of a Conceit , That it would be an undervaluing to their Authority , if they should come to Morton , rather than He come to Them . Therefore , after many Attempts , and that nothing proceeded to their Satisfaction , they were forc'd to break up the Meeting ; for seeing , that , being desirous to rid the City of their Adversaries , they could not prevail with the Citizens to join with them ; in order to it , they resolved to call in a greater Number of their Friends dwelling nearest , that , in spite of the Inhabitants , they might get all Things into their own Power . The Governour of the Castle facilitated This very much , who set at Liberty those Persons whom he had in Custody , ( and they were well nigh All the Heads of the Queen's Faction . ) But a sudden Rumour , That the English Army was come to Berwick , startled all their Resolutions : Alexander Hume , and Iohn Maxwel , lately let out of Prison , without any Publick Authority , betook themselves to their own Homes , to look to their own Concerns : And Hume had part of the Mony ( gathered for raising of Souldiers ) given him , to fortify his own Castle , Hume . Thomas Carr , and Walter Scot , who , by the Instigation chiefly of the Archbishop of St. Andrews , had made Incursions into England , foreseeing , That , from this beginning , a War would be kindled between the Two Kingdoms , being deserted by their Neighbours , and doubtful of their own Strength , send to the Heads of their Faction for Aid ; or , if that could not be done , that , at least , they would come as far as Lauder , ( a neighbouring Town ) , and from thence make a Shew of War . Therefore , when they could neither obtain their Request in This , nor yet the least Portion of their common Stock , for the Publick Advantage ; and , being highly incensed to be thus betrayed and forsaken by those very Men , that had put them upon the War , every one of them betakes himself to take care for his own Safety , their Hopes , for the time to come , being all blasted : So that , so many cross Accidents , unexpectedly falling out at one and the same time , quite and clean disturbed all their Plots and Machinations ; An English Army coming into Scotland , puts the Queen's Faction to a stand . but the sudden Approach of the English Army , was It , which most surprized them ; and therefore , to see if they could put a stop to it , they make use of two Embassies into England ; the One to Thomas , Earl of Sussex , to desire a Truce , till such time , as they had laid open the State of their Affairs to the Queen of England : The Other Embassador carried Letters to the Queen , containing many things , as well for their own Cause , as against the King's Faction ; especially , by making their Brags of greater Forces than they had in reality , and vilifying Those of their Adversaries , thereby covertly threatning the English with a War : For Maitland had made them believe , That that Queen , a Woman naturally timorous , would do any thing rather than be brought to a War , at a time when both the French and Spaniard were , for many Reasons , at Emmity with her , and her own Affairs at home were scarce setled ; The Rebels desired , that , by the English Queens Arbitrement , all the Ordinances of the last Two Years should be called in , although many amongst them had subscribed them ; and that all things , being , as it were , acted de novo , a new Ordinance should , by a general Consent , be made : And that they might better set forth the Potency of their Faction , their Letter had all the great Mens Names , that were of their Party , subscribed to It ; and also , for the greater Ostentation of their Multitude , they set to it the Names of Many as well of the adverse Faction , The Queen's Party send Embassadors into England . as of those that were Neuters ; in Hopes , that the English ( by Reason of the great Distance , and their Ignorance of things done so far off ; and that their Letters to the Queen , would be exposed to the View but of few Persons ) would hardly be able to detect their Fraud .

About that time , an Accident happened , as they thought , very advantagious to their Affairs , as hoping , that it would both make the English less forward , and also terrify the Scotch Populacie ; viz. the Arrival of a certain French-Man , St. Lewis de Galais , Ld. of Lansach in France . however of a mean Condition , who , as being Lansack's Menial Servant , was , for his Master's sake , entertained at that Court . This Man brought a great many Letters , all of the same Purport , from the French King , not only to the Heads of the Queen's Faction , An Embassador from France to the Queen's Party . but likewise to Many , who had not declared themselves for either Faction , in which great Thanks were given to every one of them , for their having hitherto taken the Queen's Part ; the King desiring them constantly to persist in so doing , and he would send them Aid , even greater than they had desired of him , as soon as ever he could do it with Conveniencie . He also that brought the Letters , adds , as from himself , That all things were now at quiet in France , Iaspar Colligny and the other Rebels being reduced to such Terms , as to promise to depart from France , lest their Presence should be a Hindrance to the Publick Peace : And that he doubted not , but that the Souldiers which were to be sent to assist them , would all be raised , before his Return . The Wiser sort , although they knew , that these things were mostly nothing but vain Reports , yet permitted the common Sort to be deluded by them . When therefore the Minds of many People became , by these Means , to be erected , their Joy was lessened by the unsuccessful Return of their Embassadors : For Sussex could not , by any Conditions they could offer him , be induced , to think it to be for the English Interest , either to maintain an Army only to idle their Time away in Truces ; or , wholly to desist from the War . And the Queen having , after Perusal , caused their Letter to be sealed up again , and sent back to the King's Party in Scotland ; Q. Elizabeth rejects the Embassy of the Queen's Party in Scotland . which was done , that the Expectation of an Answer from her should cause Delay in Affairs , and thereby their Fraud be easily found out . And , for that their Letter contained nothing but vain Boasting , and that the English were not ignorant of any thing that had been transacted in Scotland , their Embassadors , grievously abashed with Reproaches , were forced to return . Therefore being disappointed of that Hope , and affrightned by the so sudden drawing near of the English Army to their very Borders , and those who were to have assisted them , being gone to defend their own Homes ; having also small Confidence in the Citizens , and knowing , that their Enemies would come to Edinburgh on the first of May : They therefore departed thence , and went to Linlithgo , holding that Place to be very commodious for the sending for those of their Party from the most distant Places of the Kingdom ; as also for the hindring the Journies of the others that were going to the Assembly ; and for bringing about of those other things , which were lately discussed at their Consultations . From this Place , the Hamiltons , with their Friends and Vassals , made the whole Road leading to Edinburgh , very unsafe for Passengers ; and knowing , that Iohn Erskin , Earl of Marr , was to come that Way , they placed themselves on the Neighbouring Hills to hinder his Journy ; but he , knowing how the Way was beset , passed the River , about two Miles above ; and so April 29 , in the Evening , he came safe to Edinburgh . After that Day , the King's Party abode at Edinburgh , and the Queen 's at Linlithgo , mutually charging and criminating one another , as the Causes and Rise of these Civil Combustions . The Queen's Party at Linlithgo , the King 's at Edinburgh . But those at Edinburgh informed their Contrariants , That they were willing to come to an easy Agreement upon other Heads , as , that if they had done any Man wrong , they would give him just Satisfaction , as indifferent Arbitrators should award ; provided always , That this King's Authority might be secured , and that both Parties might join to revenge the Murder of the last King , and of the Regent . To this Proposal , they at Linlithgo gave no satisfactory Answer , but , instead thereof , made an Edict , That all Subjects should obey the Queen's Commissioners ; and the three Earls , of Arran , Argyle and Huntly , Indicted an Assembly to be held at Linlithgo , August 3. Whereupon the other Party sent Robert Petcarn their Embassador to the Queen of England , Petcarn , an Embassador from the Royalists in Scotland to Q , Elizabeth . to treat with her about suppressing the Common Enemy ; and to shew , how well-affected the Scots stood towards her , he was to inform her , That they would chuse such a Regent , as she should please to recommend , or approve .

Thus , whilst each Party was crossing one another's Design , the English enter Teviotdale , and spoil the Towns and Villages belonging to the Families of the Cars , and of the Scots , ( who had violated the Peace , by making Excursions into England , and giving Harbour to such English Fugitives , as fled to them for Shelter ) wasting and burning their Country . The Earl of Sussex , their General , besieged Hume-Castle , where the Owner of it had laid up much Provision , The English Army under Sussex , ravage over a great Part of Scotland . and all the Neighbourhood had brought in their best Goods to that Fort , as into a Place of Safety . It was valiantly defended by the Garison within , and the English , the next day after , were about to raise the Siege ; when , lo ! Letters were brought to the Garison-Souldiers , written a while before by Alexander , Owner of the Castle , which disturbed all their Measures . For therein he commanded them to obey the Orders of William Drury , an English Knight , and to do what he commanded them , without any Dispute . Drury acquainted Sussex herewith , whereupon the Castle was surrendred and plundered , and Sussex placing a Garison of English therein , with a great Booty , returned to Berwick . Thus Hume , who was so far from being afraid of the English , that rather he thought them his very Friends , as knowing that Drury and Sussex Both did secretly favour Howard's Affairs , did almost undo himself by his own Credulity ; for , at last , being forsaken of all his Friends and Kindred , who were mostly Royalists , he came with One or Two in his Company to Edinburgh , and shut up himself , as a Recluse , in the Castle there .

Lord Scroop enters Scotland with another English Army . On the other Side of the Borders , Scroop , an English Commander , entred Annandale , and ransack'd the Lands of one Iohnston , ( who also had made Incursions into England ) but Iohnston himself , with a few of his Companions , being well acquainted with the Passes of the Country , made a Shift to escape from the Horse , that pursued him . Iohn Maxwel , who had gathered together 3000 Men , out of the Neighbourhood , yet durst not adventure to come in to his Aid , but only stood upon his own Guard . A while after , the English that were at Berwick , having received Hostages , and thinking that Matters would have been carried with Fidelity towards them , sent in 300 Horse , and a 1000 Foot , under the Command of Drury against the common Enemy . Upon the Bruit of their March , the Hamiltonians went to Glasgow , resolving to demolish the Castle of the Arch-bishop there , that it might not be a Receptacle to the Earl of Lennox , then returned out of England , and so that Country be made the Seat of War . They knew , that it was kept but by a few raw Souldiers ; that the Governor was absent ; and that it was unprovided of Necessaries , so that they thought to surprize it by their sudden Approach ; for they flew into the Town in such Haste , that they shut out a good part of the Garison-Souldiers from entring the Castle ; but , being disappointed of their Hope , they began to batter and storm violently , and were as valiantly repulsed , for the Garison Souldiers ( which were but 24 ) did so warmly receive them for several Days , that they slew more of the Assailants , than they themselves were ; and the rest they beat off , sorely wounded : of their Own , they lost but one Man , and none of the rest received so much as a Wound . But the Hamiltonians , hearing , that the English were already at Edinburgh , and that Iohn Erskin was come to Sterlin , with a Design speedily to relieve the Castle , though they had received some additional Force , even from the remote Parts of the Kingdom ; yet , toward Evening , they raised their Seige , and in great fear pack'd away : Hamilton and Argyle himself posted into Argyle's Country : The Hamiltonians depart from Glasgow . Huntly went home , over the , almost , impassable Mountains ; the rest shifted for themselves , and ran several Ways , to save their Lives .

But the English , two Days after they came to Edinburgh , went to Glasgow , and , in their Passage through Clydsdale , they wasted all the Lands of the Hamiltons , and any others that had consented to the Death of the Regent ; as also of those , who had harbour'd the English Fugitives , and drove great Preys from them , making havock in all the Country ; when the Engines to beat down the Castle , that was scituated near a Village called Hamilton , were bringing to Sterlin . Drury , who privately favoured the English Rebels , had almost rendred the whole Expedition fruitless ; for he was so far from quieting the English , who mutinied , because their Pay was not paid them at the Day ; ( whereupon , they threatned immediately to lay down their Arms ) That , 't was thought by many , he himself was the Author of the Mutiny : But the Souldiers were appeased , upon the receiving their Pay down upon the nail ; and the great Guns being planted , and playing against it , the Castle was surrendred in a few Hours . Amongst the Booty , Hamilton-Castle taken . some there were , that knew the Apparel , and other Houshold-stuff of King Iames the 5 th ; that the Owner of the Castle , when he resign'd up his Regency , had so solemnly sworn , he had none of . The Castle was left half demolish'd ; and the Town , together with the stately Mansion of the Hamiltons therein , the wild common Souldiers burnt to the Ground , against the Will of their Commanders . Whereupon the Army march'd back , the English to Berwick , and the Scots each to their own home ; Drury interceded for the Garison , that they should march away in Safety , who , being dismiss'd , took Robert Semple Prisoner , the chief of his Family , out of the House of his Son-in-Law , who was quietly returning home , as if the Service had been ended ; which Passage greatly increas'd the Suspicion on Drury .

These Matters were scarce finish'd , Petcarn's Answer from the Q ▪ of England . before Petcarn return'd from his Embassy out of England , and brought this Answer , That the Queen wonder'd , they never made her acquainted with the ●tate of their Affairs , till now , four Months after the Death of the Regent ; and , by reason of this delay , she was uncertain in her Hopes , concerning them ; In the mean time , that she had been often solicited by the Importunity of the French and Spanish Embassadors in the Name of their Kings , and that she was even tired out with the daily complaints of the Scots Queen , that she had promis'd them Audience , but upon Condition , that the Queen of Scots should write to her Party for a Cessation of Arms , till the Conference was ended ; That those Innovations , which they had attempted by their publick Edicts , they should revoke by other Edicts contrary to the former , and so suffer things to stand as they were , when the Regent was slain ; That the English Exiles should be given up without fraud ; and if , upon the Conference , Matters were accorded betwixt them , Hostages and other Pledges should be given on Both sides , for the faithful performance of Agreements . Upon these Conditions , a Conference was promised , and having oblig'd her self in such Circumstances , she could not join with them in their Design in making a new Regent , lest she might seem to condemn their Queen , without hearing Her ; But in general , she said , That she had a great Affection for them , and their Affairs . In the mean time , She desir'd , that they would abstain from Arms , and from making a Regent , and she would take care , that such a small delay should be no damage to them . This Answer , being reported to the Scots , did variously affect them . On the one hand , the Necessity of the time requir'd them to steer their Counsels , so as they might be pleasing to the Queen of England ; And on the other , they knew of what Concernment it was to the Publick , That one chief Magistrate should be set up , to whom all Complaints might be made ; and , for want of creating One some Months already past , the Enemy had improv'd the delay to gather Forces , to make new Courts of Justice , daily to set forth new Edicts , and to usurp all the Offices of a King . On the other side , the Royalists were dejected , and a Multitude , without one certain Person , whom to obey , could not be long kept in Obedience . After the Embassadors Return , News came , That there was a new Insurrection in England , and that , in London , the Popes Bull was fastned on the Church Doors , to exhort the English , partly to cast off the unjust Yoke of the Queen's Government , and partly , to return to the Popish Religion ; and it was thought , that the Hand of the Queen of Scots was in all This.

These things , tho kept private , yet came to be known by Letters from the Earl of Sussex ; and also , the same Thomas Randolph had , in presence , confirm'd it , yet they could hardly be restrain'd from chusing a Regent . But at last , a middle Way prevail'd , That they might have an appearance of a chief Magistrate , to set up an Inferior Regent , or Deputy-Governour , to continue till the 12 th of Iuly , in which time , they might be further inform'd of the Queen of England's Mind ; they judg'd , That she was not averse from their Undertaking , especially upon This ground , That she had put it into the Articles of Capitulation , That the Rebels should give up all the exil'd English : If that were done , they might easily understand , that the Spirits of all the Papists about England were alienated from the Queen of Scots : If it were denied , then the Conference , or Treaty , would break off , and the Suspicions , which made the Commonalty averse , would daily increase . For , they saw , that other things would not easily be agreed upon , when a greater Danger was imminent over the English , than the Scots , upon the Deliverance of their Queen ; and if other things were accorded , yet the Queen of England would never let her go , without giving Hostages ; neither was she able to give any such , who could make a sufficient Warranty . These Considerations gave them some Encouragement , so that they proceeded to create Matthew Stuart , Matthew Stuart , Earl of Lennox , created Vice-Roy ; and then , Regent . Earl of Lennox , the King's Grandfather , to be Vice-Gerent , for the time .

Whilst this new Vice-Roy , by the advice of his Council , was busied in rectifying things , which had been disorder'd in the late Tumults ; Letters came opportunely from the Queen of England , Iuly the 10 th , wherein she spake much of her Affection to the King and Kingdom of Scotland , and freely offer'd them her Assistance ; withal , she deprecated the naming of a Regent , which was a Title invidious of it self , and of no good Example to them ; only , if they ask'd her Advice , she thought , none was to be preferr'd to that high Office , before the King's Grandfather ; none being of greater Faithfulness to the King , yet a Pupil ; and , who now for the same Reasons was made Deputy-Governour of the Kingdom . These Letters incourag'd them , by the joint Suffrages of all the Estates , of a Vice-Roy to make him Regent . Assoon as ever he was created Regent , and had taken an Oath ( according to Custom ) to observe the Laws and Customs of his Country ; First of all , he commanded , that All , which were able to bear Arms , should appear at Linlithgo , August the 2 d , to hinder the Convention , which the Seditious had there Indicted in the Name of the Queen ; then , he himself summon'd a Parliament , in the Name of the King , to be held the 10 th day of October ; he also sent to the Governour of the Castle of Edinburgh , ( who , as yet , pretended great Friendship to the King's Party , tho his Words and Actions did very much disagree ) to send him some Brass-Guns , Carriages , and other Apparatus for the managing of them ; This he did , rather to try them , than in hopes to obtain his desires . He promis'd very fair at first , but when the Day was coming on , that the Parliament was to Meet , when he was desir'd to perform his Promise , he peremptorily refus'd , alleging , That his Service should be always ready to make up an Agreement between , but not to shed the Blood of , his Country-Men . Nevertheless , the Regent came at the Day appointed to Linlithgo with 5000 arm'd Men in his Company ; but hearing , that the Enemy did not stir , only that Huntly had placed 160 Souldiers at Brechin , and had sent out an Order , commanding the Brechinians , Huntly garison● Brechin , to get in Provision for some Thousands of Men by the 2 d of August . The Garison , there plac'd by him , did rob not only the Inhabitants , but all Travellers also , when they were wearied with their Journy : Whereupon , the Regent , by the advice of his Council , resolv'd to march thither , and to seize on the Place , which would be of great advantage to him , before Huntly's coming ; and , if occasion were offer'd , there to fight him , before his Partners came up with their Force , and so to overthrow that Party of Musqueteers , which was All he had ; and , by that means , he might catch some of the Leaders of the Faction , as the Earl of Crawford , Iames Ogilby , and Iames Balfure , who , he heard , were there . Whereupon , he commanded Patrick Lindsy , and William Ruven , chief Officers , and Iames Haliburton , Governour of Dundee , to take what Souldiers they could raise at Dundee , and St. Iohnstons , and to make haste thither to prevent the News of their coming : They made all the speed that ever they were able , the next Night horsing their Foot for greater Expedition ; yet , as they drew near the Place , they march'd slowly , that they might get some Refreshment , before they charg'd the Enemy : so that , the Alarum was taken at Brechin , that the Enemy was a coming ; whereupon Ogilby and Balfure , who chanc'd to be there , got the Souldiers presently together ; and incouraging them , as well as they could for the time , They told them , that They and Huntly would return again in 3 Days ; and so they got an Horseback , and made haste away , over the Mountains ; The Souldiers , that were left , catch'd up what was next at hand , and about 20 of them got to the Tower of a Church , that was near : The rest fled into the House of the Earl of Marr , which was seated on a Hill near thereto , it was like a Castle , and commanded the Town . Iames Douglas , Earl of Morton , with 800 Horse , went a further March about , and came not in , till the Day after ; The Regent sent home the Lennoxians and the Renfroans , to guard their own Country , if Argyle should attempt any thing against it ; But he himself , in 3 Days , overtook those , whom he had sent before to Brechin . At the noise of his coming , the neighbour Nobility came in , so that now he muster'd 7000 Men , effective : Whereupon they , who were in the Church Tower , presently surrendred themselves . The rest , having stoutly defended themselves for a few Days , Killing and Wounding some , who were unwary in their Approaches , at last hearing , That Brass-Guns were planted against them , Which is taken by the Regent . and that Huntly had forsaken them , surrendred also at Mercy to the Regent . He hang'd up 30 of the obstinatest of them , many of them , having been taken and releas'd before ; the rest , being very feeble , he dismist . Huntly was then about 20 Miles off , endeavouring to gather more Force , but in vain , ( for most Men , when they had free liberty to declare themselves , did abhor so foul a Cause ) ; Whereupon he was forc'd , in fear , to provide for his Safety , and with a small Party retired into the remote Countries .

Whereupon , the Regent return'd to Edinburgh , to be present at the Parliament there Summon'd ; and , by the advice thereof , to settle the present Disturbances . The Rebels perceiving , that , by the Agreement of all the Estates , there was no Hope left them ; especially They , who were Guilty of the King's Murder , and of the Death of the Regent , dealt with the Queen of England , that , because she had promis'd the French and Spanish Embassadors , Queen Elizabeth made Arbiter betwixt both Parties in Scotland . that she would hear both Parties , and compose Things , if she could , that therefore no new Decree should be made , in the mean time . This Delay being obtain'd , ( for nothing was done , in that Assembly , only the Election of the Regent was confirm'd ) the Rebels never ceas'd to solicite the French and Spaniard , to send Aid into Britain , to restore the Queen ; and because they affirm'd , That the Restitution of the Popes , or the old , Religion , depended on Her , therefore they made means to the Pope also , that , tho he were far remote , yet he might help them with Mony . Whereupon he sent an Agent into Scotland , to enquire into the present State of things there , who giving him an Account , that the Popish Party there was very weak ; and that all the Rebels , neither , were not unanimous in the restoring of Popery , he refus'd to intermeddle in the Business ; but , in the mean time , he endeavour'd to raise up some Commotion in England , by his Execrations and Curses hung upon Church doors by Night ; by his Indulgences ; and by his promise of Indemnity for what was past ; for there , he thought , his Faction was the strongest . The Regent , having appointed the Parliament to be held the 25 th of Ianuary , ( for , within that time , he hoped to satisfy all foreign Embassadors ) to compose things Legally and Judicially , as well as he could , return'd to Edinburgh . The Rebels , having renew'd the Truce , by means of the Queen of England , till the Embassadors of both Parties had been heard , before her ; yet , contrary to the Peace desir'd by themselves , were very busy to attempt Alterations , encourag'd ( as 't is thought ) by the favour of the Earl of Sussex , who then commanded the Army of the English in Northumberland . For he , either not altogether despairing of the Business of the Duke of Norfolk ; or else , induc'd by the Promises of the Exiled Queen , of whose Return he had some Hopes , was somewhat inclinable to the Rebels ; which the Scots taking notice of , were more sparing in communicating Counsels with him . The Winter being thus spent in the reviving of the Truce ; the Parliament Summon'd on the 25 th of Ianuary , was deferr'd till May. In the mean time , the Hamiltons , having , in vain , suborn'd many Men to kill the Regent , at last seiz'd upon the Tower of Pasley , driving out the Garison-Souldiers therein , thinking they might do such a thing with Impunity , whilst Mens Minds were imploy'd in greater Matters . The Regent appointed the Earl of Morton , Robert Petcarn , and Iames Macgil , his Embassadors to England , to reason the Matter with the Embassadors of other Princes , and sent them away February the 5 th , and he himself march'd to Pasley , The Regent sends Embassadors into England . where he summon'd in the neighbour-Nobility , that were of his Party , and attempted the Castle . The Besieg'd , he having cut off their Water , were forc'd to a Surrender . Afterwards , when Gilbert Kennedy infested the Royalists with his plundering Incursions in Carrick , he went to Aire ; and assoon as Kennedy heard of the Approach of a few Troops , being also afraid of his Clanships , who had been always Loyal to the King and his Party , he gave in his only Brother for an Hostage , and appointed a Day to come to Sterlin , and subscribe to the Capitulation , agreed on . Hugh Montgomery , Earl of Eglington , and Robert Boyd , follow'd his Example ; and surrendring themselves to the Regent , were by him receiv'd into Favour . During all this time , that the Regent was quelling the Seditious , and Morton was absent in his Embassy in England ; They that hold Edinburgh Castle ; being freed from the fear of their Enemies near at hand , ceas'd not to list Souldiers , to put Garisons in the most convenient Places of the City , to take away Provisions , which Merchants had brought to Leith , and to provide all things necessary to endure a Siege , till their expected Relief , from foreign Parts , might come .

The Regent was sorely bruis'd by a fall from his Horse , The Regent hurt by a Fall from his Horse . and therefore return'd to Glasgow , where a common Souldier came to him , and gave him some hopes of surp●izing Dunbarton ; he had been a Garison-Souldier in the Castle there , and his Wife coming often to visit him , had been accus'd , and whipt for Theft , by Flemming the Governour . Her Husband , being an uxorious Man , and judging his Wife to have been wrongfully punish'd , departed from the Castle ; and from that Day forward , imploy'd all his thoughts , how he might do Flemming a mischief : Whereupon , he breaks the business to Robert Douglas , Kinsman to the Regent ; A notable Design of the Reg●nts , to surprize Dunbarton Castle , with the occasion of it , and the manner of carrying it on . and promises him , That if he would assign a small Party to follow him , he would shortly make him Master of that Castle . Robert acquainted Iohn Cuningham with the Design , who was to enquire diligently of him , How so great an Attempt could be accomplish'd ? He , being a blunt rude Souldier , perceiving , that they boggled at him , because he could not well make out , How to accomplish , what he had promised . Since , said he , you do not believe my Words ; I 'le go on my self , the first Man in the Service ; if you will follow me , I will make you Masters of the Place ; but , if you be Dastards and Scoundrels , then let it alone . When his Speech was told to the Regent , though the thing it self , being great , had somewhat excited their Minds , and made them willing enough to have it done , yet the Author ( though they judg'd him faithful ) seem'd not a fit Instrument to effect so great a Matter : Whereupon Thomas Crawford , a valiant Man , and a good Souldier , was made acquainted with the Project , and 't was agreed betwixt them , rather to try the Hazard of so great and casual a Proffer , than slothfully to neglect such an Opportunity . Whereupon , a few Days were allotted to provide Ladders , and other Necessaries , and the Plot was to be executed on the first of April , for then the Truce granted to the Rebels , by the Mediation of the Queen of England , would expire . In the mean time , no Talk at all was to be made about it .

Before I declare the Event of this Piece of Service , give me leave to tell you the Nature and Situation of the Castle of Dunbarton . The Scituation of the Castle , and Town , of Dunbarton , described punctually by our Author , who was born there . From the Confluence of the Rivers Clyde and Levin , there is a plain Champaign of about a Mile , extended to the Foot of the adjoining Mountains ; and in the very Angle , where the two Rivers meet , there stands a Rock with Two Cops or Heads . The one Branch , or Cop , which is the highest , respects the West ; and in the very Top of it there is a Watch-Tower , from whence there is a large Prospect to all Parts thereabouts . The other Cop is lower , and looks towards the East ; between the two Cops , that Side that turns towards the North and the Fields , hath Stairs ascending obliquely by the Rock , cut out by Mens Hands , where hardly a single Man can go up at once . For the Rock is very hard , and scarce malleable by any Iron-Tool ; but if any Part of it be broken off by Force , or falls down of it self , it emits a Smell far and near , like Sulphur . In the upper Part of the Castle , there is an huge Stony Rock , of the Nature of a Load-stone , but so closely cemented , and fastned to the rest of the Rock , that no Joint at all , or Commissure , doth appear ; Where the River Clyde runs by to the South , the Rock ( naturally steep in other Parts , ) is somewhat bending ; and stretching out its Arms on both Sides , takes in some firm Land , which is so inclosed , partly by the Nature of the Place , and partly by human Industry , that , in the overthwart or transverse Sides thereof , it affords Place for many Houses ; and also , in the River , a Road for Ships , very safe for the Inhabitants , by playing Brass-Guns from thence ; but unsafe for an Enemy ; and small Boats therein may come up , almost to the very Castle Gate . The middle Part of the Rock , by which you go up , being full of Buildings , makes , as it were , another Castle , distinct and secluded from the higher one : Besides the Natural Fortification of the Rock , the two Rivers , Levin to the West , and Clyde to the South , make a kind of Graff and Trench about it ; on the East Side , when the Tide is in , the Sea washes the very Foot of the Rock ; when 't is out , that Place is not sandy ( as usually Shores are ) but muddy ; the fat Soil being dissolv'd into Dirt. This Strand is also intercepted and cut by many Torrents of Water , which tumble down from the Mountain , adjacent . The other side turns towards a plain Field , full of Grass . The Castle hath three Fountains in it , always running ; besides Springs of fresh Water in many other Places . The ancient Britains , as Bede says , call'd the Place Alcuith ; but the Scots , which were heretofore sever'd from the Britains by the River Levin , because that Fort was built on the Borders of the Britains , call'd it Dumbritton , now Dunbarton . Dumbritton , why so called . There is a little Town hard by , of the same Name , upon the Bank of the River of Levin , about a Mile distant from the meeting of the Rivers .

This Castle was accounted impregnable , and , in all foreign and civil Wars , was of great Advantage to them that held it , and as prejudicial to their Enemy . At that time , Iohn Flemming was Governor of it , by Commission from the banish'd Queen ; he , though he consented not to the King's Murder ; yet , having not a Force sufficient to defend himself against the Royalists , sided with the Parricides , and for four Years last past , Iohn Fleming , Governor of Dunbarton . had kept up the Garison at the Charge of the King of France , ( whom he had persuaded , That almost all the Scots had secretly confederated with the Queen of England ; ) yea , he had made a Boast to him , like a Bragadochio as he was , That he did , as it were , hold the Fetters of Scotland in his own Hands ; and when ever the French had leisure from other Wars , if they would but send him a little Assistance , he would easily clap them on , and bring all Scotland under their Power : And the French King was as vain , in feeding his senseless Humor , for he sent him some Military Provisions by one Monsieur Verack , whom he commanded to stay there , and to give him an Account of all Scotish Affairs . Besides , the Insolencie of the Governor was increas'd by the Treachery of the Garison-Souldiers of Edinburgh-Castle , who had lately revolted from the King ; and also , he was somewhat animated by the Sickness of the Regent , who was almost kill'd with a Fall from his Horse , and had now the Gout also ; and moreover he was incouraged by the Truce , which the Queen of England had obtained for them till the End of March . These things made him and his Garison-Souldiers so secure and negligent , that they went often to be merry into the Town , and would lie there all Night , as if they had been lull'd in the very Bosom of Peace .

Matters standing in this Posture , and Preparation being made for the Expedition , as much as the present Haste would permit ; Iohn Cuningham was sent before with some Horse , to stop all Passengers ; that so the Enemy might have no Intelligence of their Coming . Thomas Crawford followed after with the Foot ; they were appointed to meet together at * * In Lennox . Dumbeck , an Hill about a Mile or two from the Castle , about Midnight . At that Place Crawford ( as he was commanded ) told the Souldiers , What the Design was , they were to go upon , and How they were to effect it ; he shew'd them , who was to lead them on , and had promised to scale the Walls , first ; and then he , and those Commanders that would be noticed for their Valour , were to follow . The Souldiers were easily persuaded to follow their Leaders ; whereupon the Ladders were carried , and other things , to storm the Castle ; and the Foot , a little before Day , march'd on towards it . The Horse were commanded to stay in the same Place , to expect the Issue , whether good or bad . As they were approaching the Castle , they met with two Rubs or Checks ; One was , That the Bridg over the Brook , that runs between the Fields , was broken ; and Next , A Fire , appearing suddenly near it , occasioned a Suspicion , lest the Bridg was broken on Purpose to stop the Enemy ; and the Fire kindled by the Garison-Souldiers , to discover and prevent the Enemies Approach : But this Fear was soon dispell'd , by their repairing the Bridg , as well as they could , in such haste , and making it passable for the Foot ; and also the Scouts were sent out to the Place , where the Fire was seen , and they could find no Sign of any Fire at all ; Ignis Fatuus ; Country People call it , Iack with a Lanthorn , or Will with a Wisp . so that the Fire was of a Meteorous Nature , like those Fires which are bred in the Air , and sometimes pitch on the Ground , and presently vanish away ; but they had a greater Cause of Fear , lest the Heaven which was all bespangled with Stars , and the Approach of the Day , should discover them to the Sentinels , that watch'd above ; but , behold ! on a sudden , a thick Mist covered the Heavens , yet so that it reach'd not beyond the middle Rock of the Castle , but the upper Part of it was so dark , that the Guards in the Castle could see nothing of what was done below . But as the Mist came seasonably , so there was another Misfortune , which fell out very unluckily , and had almost marr'd the whole Business : For , many Ladders being required to get up that high Rock , and the first were unmanageable , by reason of their Length ; they , being over-loaden with the Weight of those who went hastily up , and being not well fastned at Foot in a slippery Soil , fell suddenly down with those that were upon them : That Accident cast them into a great Consternation at present ; but when they found , that no Body was hurt in the Fall , they recollected their Spirits , which were almost desponding ; and , as if God Almighty had favoured their Design , they went on , upon that dangerous Service , with greater Alacrity , so that they set the Ladders up again , more cautiously ; and when they came to the middle of the Rock , there was a Place reasonably convenient , where they might stand , and there they found an Ash Shrub , casually growing amongst the Stones , which did them great Service , for they tied Ropes to it , and let them down ; by which means , they lifted up their Fellows , that were left below ; so that , at one and the same time , some were drawn up by the Ropes to the middle of the Rock ; and others , by setting other Ladders , got up to the Top thereof . There also they met with a new and unexpected Misfortune , which had almost spoiled all their Measures ; for one of the Souldiers , as he was in the middle of the Ladder , was suddenly taken with a kind of Fit of an Apoplexy , so that he stuck fast to the Ladder , and could not be pluck'd therefrom , but stopp'd the Way to those that would ascend . This Danger was also overcome by the Diligence and Alacrity of the Souldiers , for they bound him to the Ladder , so that when he recovered out of his Fit , he could not fall ; and then in great Silence , turning the Ladder , the rest easily ascended ; when they came to the Top of the Rock , there was a Wall built by Hand , to which they were to put their third Ladders , to get over it . Alexander Ramsy , with two Files of Musqueteers , got upon it ; the Sentinel presently spied him , gave the Alarm , and cast down Stones upon him , and his Men ; Alexander being assaulted with this unusual kind of Fight , as having neither Stones to throw again , nor an Helmet to defend him , yet leap'd down from the Wall into the Castle , and there was set upon by Three of the Guard ; he fought it out valiantly with them , till his Fellow-Souldiers , being more solicitous for his Danger , than their own , leapt down after him , and presently dispatch'd the three Sentinels . In the mean time , the rest made what haste they could , so that the Wall being old , loose , and overcharged with the Weight of those who made haste to get over it , fell down to the Ground ; and by its Fall , as there was a Breach made for the rest to enter , so the Ruins made the Descent more easy through the Rock , that was very high and rugged within the Castle ; whereupon , they entred in a Body , crying out with a great Noise ; For God and the King ; and often proclaiming the Name of the Regent also ; so that the Guards were amazed , and forgot to fight , but fled every one to shift for himself , as well as he could ; some kept themselves within Doors , till the first brunt of the Souldiers Fury was over . Flemming escaped the Danger , by slipping down through the oblique Rock , having but one in his Company , who was knock'd down , and fell , but he , descending a by-way , was let out at the Gate , and so got into a Vessel on the River , which , by reason of the Tides being in , came up to the Walls of the Castle , and so fled into Argyle . The Sentinels of the lower Castle , and twenty five more of the Garison-Souldiers , Dumbarton-Castle taken by Surprize . who had been Drinking and Whoring in the Town all Night , taking the Alarum , never offered to fight , but fled every one which way he could . There were taken in the Castle Iohn Hamilton Arch-bishop of S. Andrews ; Iohn Flemming of Bogal ; a young English Gentleman , that had fled from the last Insurrection in England ; Verac the French Man , who , a good while before , had been sent to them with some Warlike Furniture and Provisions , and staid there in the Name of his King , to acquaint the French King with the State of Scotish Affairs : Alexander , the Son of William Levingston , endeavoured to escape by changing his Habit , but was discovered , and brought back . The Regent being inform'd of the taking the Castle , before Noon came thither : 1 st. He highly commended the Souldiers , then he comforted Flemming's Wife , The Regent's Clemency to Flemming the Governor's Wife . and gave her not only her own Furniture , Plate , and all her Houshold-stuff , and Utensils , but also assigned an Estate , part of her Husband 's , which had long before been forfeited into the King's Exchequer , to maintain her Self and Children : The rest of the Booty was allowed the Souldiers . Having setled things thus , he had Leisure to take a View of the Castle ; and coming to the Rock , by which the Souldiers got up , it seem'd so difficult an Ascent to them all , that the Souldiers themselves confess'd , if they had foreseen the Danger of the Service , no Reward whatsoever should have hired them to undertake it . Verac was accused by the Merchants , that , whereas they came into the Bay of Clyde , he had robb'd them in an Hostile Manner : Whereupon , many of the Council were of Opinion , he should have been Indicted as a Pirate or Robber ; but the empty Name of an Embassador prevailed more with the Regent , which yet he himself had violated by his flagitious Actions : Wherefore , that the despoil'd Persons might be kept in some Hope ( at least ) of Satisfaction from him ; he was kept seemingly for a Trial , and lodg'd in an House at St. Andrews , whose Owner was inclined to the Rebels ; whence he was taken away , as 't were by Force , which was the thing aim'd at , and so he speedily departed . The English-Man , though many Suspicions were fix'd upon him ; and besides , the Commendatory Letters of Iohn Lesly Bishop of Ross to Flemming , which were found after the Castle was taken , did convict him , yet he was sent home ; but , after he was gone , 't was found , that he was suborn'd by the Norfolkians to poison the King of Scots : Bogal was kept Prisoner . There was one Prisoner more , which the Governour most desired to have punish'd , That was the Bishop of St. Andrews : He , in former times , while his Brother was Regent , had advised him to many cruel and avaricious Practices ; and under the Queen also , he bore the Blame of all Miscarriages . The Regent feared , if he should delay his Punishment , the Queen of England would intercede for him , and the Arch-bishop's Friends were in great Hopes of it ; and , lest Straitness of time should prevent them , the Arch-bishop earnestly desired , he might be tried by the Legal Way of the Country , for that would occasion some , though not much Delay . But these Interposals were over-ruled , it being alleged , That there was no need of any new Process , in the Arch-Bishops case , for it had been already judg'd in the Parliament . Wherefore he , being plainly convicted as guilty of the King's Murder , and of the last Regents also , was hang'd at Sterlin . There was then new Evidence brought in against him , The Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as guilty of the King 's and Regent's Murders , with Evidences proving the same . for , the greatest Part thereof had been discovered , but lately . The Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews , who lodg'd in the next House , when the Proposition of killing the King was made to him , willingly undertook it , both by Reason of old Feuds between their Families , and also an Hope thereby to bring the Kingdom nearer to his Family ; whereupon , he chuses out six or eight of the most flagitious of his Vassals , and commended the Matter to them , giving them the Keyes of the King's Lodgings ; they then enter very silently into his Chamber , and strangle him , when he was asleep ; and when they had so done , they carried out his Body through a little Gate , ( of which I spake before ) into an Orchard adjoining to the Walls ; and then a Sign was given to blow up the House . The Discovery of this Wickedness was made by Iohn Hamilton , who was a chief Actor therein , upon this Occasion : He was much troubled in his Mind , Day and Night , his Conscience tormenting him for the Guilt of the Fact , and not only so , but , as if the Contagion reach'd to his Body too , That also was miserably pained and consumed by degrees ; endeavouring all ways to ease himself , at last he remembred , That there was a School-Master at Pasley , no bad Man , who was yet a Papist ; to him he confesses the whole Plot , 〈…〉 an Actor in the King's Murder , in trou●le o● Conscience accuses himself , and the Ar●h-bishop of St. And●ews , o● that horrid Crime and the Names of those who joined with him in perpetrating the Murder : The Priest comforted him , what he could , and put him in mind of the Mercy of God ; yet , because the Disease had taken deeper root , than to be expiable by such slight Remedies , within a few days , he was overwhelmed with Grief , and died . The Priest was not so silent in the thing , but that some inkling of it came to the King's Friends . They , many Months after the Murder was committed , when Matthew , Earl of Lennox , was Regent , and when Dunbarton was taken , and the Bishop brought to Sterlin , caused the Priest to be sent for , thither : He then justified , what he had spoken before , about the King's Murder ; whereupon , being ask'd by Hamilton , How he came to know it ? Whether 't were revealed to him in Auricular Confession ? He told him , Yes ; then said Hamilton , You are not ignorant of the Punishment due to those , who reveal the Secrets of Confessions , and made no other Answer to the Crime . After fifteen Months or more , the same Priest was taken , saying Mass the third time ; and , as the Law appointed , was led out to suffer ; then also he publickly declared all , that he had before affirm'd in the thing , in plainer and fuller words , which were so openly divulged , that now Hamilton's Vassals fell out amongst themselves , and one of them charged another with the King's Death .

In the mean while , the Rebels had procured some small matter of Mony from France , by means of the Brother of him , who commanded Edinburgh-Castle . And moreover , The Regent's Embassadors , Morton , &c. return from England , with an ample account of their Negotiations there , and the grounds alledged by them , to justify the late Actions in Scotland , against their Queen . Morton was returned from his English Embassy , and , in a Convention of the Nobles held at Sterlin , declar'd the Effect thereof , in these Words ;

When we came to London , February 20. we were put over to a Council , chosen out for that purpose ; who , after much Dispute betwixt us , at last , insisted upon two Points , First , That we would produce the clearest and best Arguments we had , to evidence the Justness of those Actions , which had pass'd in Scotland , both formerly and now , that so the Queen might be satisfied in the Equity of them , and thereby know how to answer those , who demanded a Reason for them : If we could not do That , yet the Queen would omit nothing which might conduce to our Safety . In Answer to which , we gave in a Memorial to Them , to this effect ; The Crimes , wherewith , at first , our King's Mother alleged , that she was falsly charged with , have been so clearly prov'd by the Earl of Murray , and his Associates in that Embassy , That both the Queen her self , and those , who were delegated by her , to hear the Cause , could not be ignorant of the Author of the King's Murder , which was the Source of all our other Miseries : To repeat them again before the Queen , who , we doubt not , is therein sufficiently satisfied already , we think it not necessary ; and besides , we our selves are unwillingly drawn into the Task of repeating the Memory of so great a Wickedness . But they , who cannot deny , that this Fact was cruelly and flagitiously perpetrated , yet do calumniate the Resignation of the Kingdom , and the Translation of the Government from the Mother to the Son , to be a new and grievous thing , extorted from her by mere Force . First , as for the Matter of Fact , in punishing our Princes , the old Custom of our Ancestors will not suffer it to be called new ; neither can the Moderateness of the Punishment make it invidious : 'T is not needful for us to reckon up the many Kings , whom our Forefathers have chastis'd by Imprisonment , Banishment , yea , Death it self ; much less need we confirm our Practice by foreign Examples , of which there are abundance in old Histories . The Original of Kingly Government in Scotland . The Nation of the Scots being at first free , by the common Suffrage of the People , set up Kings over them , conditionally , That , if need were , they might take away the Government by the same Suffrages that gave it : The Footsteps of this Law remain to this very Day , for , in the circumjacent Islands , and in many Places of the Continent too , which have retained the ancient Speech and Customs of our Fore-fathers to this Day ; the same Course is yet observed , in creating their Magistrates . Moreover , those Ceremonies , which are used in the Inauguration of our Kings themselves , have an express Representation of this Law , Kingly Government , What ? by which it easily appears , That Kingly Government is nothing else , but a mutual Stipulation betwixt King and People ; and the same is most clearly evidenced by the inoffensive Tenor of the Old Law , which hath been observed ever since there was a King in Scotland , even unto this present time , no Man having ever attempted to abrogate , abate , or diminish this Law , in the least . 'T is too long to enumerate , How many Kings our Ancestors have put by their Kingdoms , have banish'd , have imprison'd , have put to Death ; neither is there the least mention made of the Severity of this Law , or the abrogating thereof , and that on good Grounds : For 't is not of the Nature of such Sanctions , which are subject to the Mutations of Time ; but , in the very Original of Mankind , 't was ingraven in Mens Hearts , approv'd by the mutual Consent of almost all Nations , and , together with Nature it self , was to remain inviolate and sempiternal ; so that these Laws are not subject to the Empire of any Men , but all Men subject to the Dominion and Power of Them . This Law prescribes to us in all our Actions , 't is always before our Eyes and Minds , whether we will or no ; it dwells in us : Our Ancestors followed it , in repressing the Violence of Tyrants by armed Force . 'T is a Law , not proper to the Scots only , but common to all Nations and People in well-instituted Governments . To pass by the famous Cities of Athens , Sparta , Rome , Venice , who never suffer'd this Right to be taken from them , but with their Liberty it self : Even in those Times , wherein Oppression and Tyranny were most triumphant in the Roman Government , if any good Man were chosen Emperour , he counted it his Glory , to confess himself inferiour to the whole Body of the People , and to be subject to the Law . Trajan and Theodosius , their memorable Speeches . For Trajan , when he delivered a Sword to the Governour of a certain City , ( according to Custom ) is reported to say , Vse it either for me , or against me , as I deserve : Yea , Theodosius , a good Emperour in bad Times , would have it left recorded amongst his Sanctions and Laws , as a Speech worthy of an Emperour , yea , greater than his Empire it self , to confess , That he was inferiour to the Laws : Yea , the most barbarous Nations , such as were most remote from all Civility , had a Sense and Knowledg hereof , as the History of all Nations , and common Observation , shews . But , not to insist on obsolete Examples , I will produce Two in our own Memory ; Of late , Christiern of Denmark , for his Cruelty , Christiern , of Denmark , deposed . was driven out of the Kingdom , with all his Lineage , a greater Punishment than ever our People exacted from any of their Kings , for they never punish'd the Sins of the Fathers upon their Children . As for him , he was deservedly punish'd , after a singular manner , as the Monster of his Age , for all kind of Wickedness . But what did the Mother of the Emperour , Charles the Fifth , do , as to deserve perpetual Imprisonment ? She was a Woman in her flourishing Age , and her Husband died young , even in the Prime of his Age ; it was reported , She had a mind to marry again , she was not accus'd for any Wickedness , but for a certain allowable Intemperance , ( as the severe Cato's of the Age speak ) ; and , as the publick Manners now are , of an honest Copulation , approved by God's and Man's Law , both . If the Calamity of our Queen be compared with Christiern's of Denmark , she is not less an Offender , ( to say no more , ) but she hath been more moderately proceeded against and punish'd : But , if she be compared with Ioan of Austria , Charles his Mother , what did that poor Lady do , but desire , as far as lawfully she might , a Pleasure allowed by the Law , and a Remedy necessary for her Age ? Yet , being an innocent Woman , she suffer'd that Punishment , of which our Queen , convict of the highest Wickedness , doth now complain : The Murder of her lawful Husband , and her unlawful Marriage with a publick Parricide , have now those same Deprecators , who , in killing the King , did inflict the Punishment , due to wicked Men , on the Innocent . But here they remember not , what the Examples of their Ancestors do prompt them to do ; neither are they mindful of that eternal Law , which our noble Progenitors , even from the first beginnings of Kingdoms , having followed , have thereby restrain'd the Violence of Tyrants . And , in our present Case , what have we done more , than trod in the Steps of so many Kingdoms and free Nations , and so bridled that Arbitrariness , which claim'd a Power above Law ? And yet , we have not done it with that Severity neither , as our Ancestors have us'd in the like kind ; for they would never have suffer'd any one , who had been found guilty of such a notorious Crime , to escape the Punishment of the Law . If we had imitated Them , we had been free from fear of Danger , and also from the Trouble of Calumniators ; and , that may be easily known by the Postulations of our Adversaries . How often have they criminated and arraigned us before our Neighbour-Princes ? What Nations do they not solicite , and stir up against us ? What do they desire by this Importunity ? Is it only . That the Controversy may be decided by Law and Equity ? We never refused That Condition ; and they would never accept of It , though 't were often offer'd them . What then do they desire ? Even This , That we should arm Tyrants , by Publick Authority , who are manifestly guilty of the most notorious Wickedness , who are stuff'd with the Spoils of their Subjects , besmear'd with the Blood of Kings , and aim at the Destruction of all good Men ? Shall we set them up over our Lives , who are found Actors in the Parricide , and shrewdly suspected to be the Designers of it , without acquitting themselves in a Judiciary way ? And yet , we have gratified their Request , more than the Custom of our Country , the Severity of the Law , or the Distribution of equal Justice would allow . There is nothing more frequently celebrated , nor more diligently handled , by the Writers of our History , than our Punishment of evil Kings . And amongst so many peccant Governours , who ever felt the like Lenity of angry Subjects , in inflicting Punishment , as we have used in punishing our King's Mother , though evidently guilty of a most atrocious Crime ? What Ruler , standing convict of Murder , had ever power given to substitute a Son , or Kinsman in his , or her , place : To whom , in such Circumstances , also was the Liberty ever granted , to appoint what Guardians they pleas'd , to the succeeding King ? And in the very Abjuration of the Kingdom , Who can complain of any hard Usage ? A young Woman , unable to undergo the Burden , and toss'd by the Storms of unsettled Affairs , sent Letters to the Nobility , to free her from That Government , which was as burdensom to her , as it was honourable : It was granted her : She desir'd the Government might be transferr'd from her to her Son ; her Request was assented to : She also desir'd to have the Naming of the Guardians , who might manage the Government , till her Son came to be of Age ; it was done , as she desir'd : And , that the thing might have more Authority , the whole Matter was referr'd to the Estates in Parliament , who Voted , That all was rightly done , and in good order , and they confirm'd it by an Act , than which there cannot be a more sacred and a firmer Obligation . But 't is alleged , What was done in Prison , is to be taken , not as done willingly , but forc'd by Durance , for fear of Death ; and so many other things , which Men are inforc'd to do for fear , are wont , as they ought , to go for Nothing . Indeed , this Excuse of Fear , as sometimes it is , not without reason , admitted by the Judges , so it doth not always infer a just Cause for abolishing a publick Act , once made , in a Suit of Law ; if a Man strike a Fear into his Adversary for ones own Advantage , and so the Plaintiff extorts more from the Defendant , than he could ever obtain by the Equity of the Law : Those Remedies are most rightfully and deservedly provided against such , as are either terrified by Compulsion , or inforc'd by Fear , to do what is prejudicial to themselves . But 't is otherwise , If a guilty Conscience creates a Fear to it self , out of an Expectation of a deserved Punishment , to avoid which , he assents to some certain Conditions : This Fear carries with it no just Cause to rescind publick Acts ; for otherwise , the wickeder a Person is , so much the easier Retreat he might have to the Sanctuary of the Law ; and then , the Remedies found out for the Relief of the Innocent , would be transferred to indemnify the Nocent . And the Laws themselves , the Avengers of Wrongs , would not be a Refuge to good Men , when vex'd by the Improbity of the Bad ; but an unjust Shelter to the Evil , when they fear deserv'd Punishment . But that Fear , let it be what it will , wherein hath it made the Condition of the Queen , the worse ? The Title of Kingly Dignity , and the Power of Government , was long since taken from Her by Parliament ; and being reduc'd to her Privacy , she liv'd a precarious Life , upon the account of the Peoples Mercy , not her own Innocency ; When therefore she was put by the Kingdom , what did she lose by her fear ? Her Dominion was ended before , she only cast away the empty Name of Ruler , and that which might lawfully have been extorted from her against her Will , she parted with of her own accord , and so redeem'd the residue of her Life , the Sentiment of her Infamy , the perpetual Fear of imminent Death , which is worse than Death it self , only by the laying down the Shadow of a mere Title and Name . And therefore , I wonder , that , on this Head , no Body discovers the Prevarication of the Queen's Delegates , and of her Embassadors . For they , who desire , That what was done in Prison , by the Queen , may be undone , ask this also , That she may be restor'd to that Place , from which , she complains , she was ejected , through Fear . And what is that Place , to which they so earnestly desire , she should be restor'd ? She was remov'd from governing the Kingdom before , all publick Administration was taken away from her , and she was left to the Punishment of the Law . Now these goodly Advocates , forsooth , would have her restor'd to that Place , as to plead for her self in a Cause which is as manifest , as 't is foul and detestable ; or , rather , it being already prov'd , that she should suffer just Punishment for the same . And whereas , now she injoys some ease in the Compassion of her Kindred , and , in so foul an Offence , is not in any of the worst Cases , they would again cast her into the tempestuous Hurry of a new Judgment ; She having no better hope of her Safety , than she can gather from the Condemnation of so many former Kings , who have been called before Judges to answer for themselves . But , because our Adversaries do seditiously boast , to trouble the Minds of the simpler Sort , That the Majesty of good Kings is impair'd and their Authority almost vilifi'd , if Tyrants be punish'd , let us see , what Weight there is in this Pretence . We may rather contrarily judge , That there is nothing more honourable for the Societies and Assemblies of the Good , than if they are freed from the Contagion of the Bad. Who ever thought , that the Senate of Rome incurr'd any Guilt , by the Punishment of Lentulus , Cethegus , or Catiline : And Valerius Asiaticus , Valerius Asiaticus , his bold and confident Speech . when the Souldiers Mutined for the Slaughter of Caligula , and cry'd out , to know , Who was the Author of so audacious a Fact . He answer'd from an high and lofty Place , where he stood , I wish , I could truely say , I did it ; So much Majesty there was in that free Speech of one private Man , He is said to have slain his own Sons ; Who would have brought back Kingly Government into Rome . That the wild common Souldiers were presently dissipated and quieted thereby . When Iunius Brutus overthrew the Conspiracy , made for bringing back Kings into the City , he did not think that his Family was stained by a nefarious Slaughter ; but that , by the Blood of his Children , the stain was rather wiped away from the Roman Nobility . Did the Imprisonment of Christiern of Denmark detract any thing from the Commendation of Christiern , the next King ? What hindred , but that he might have been accounted the best of Kings , in his time ; For a noble Mind , that is supported by his own Virtue , doth neither increase by the Glory , nor is lessened by the Infamy , of another . But to let these things pass , let us return to the Proof of the Crime . I think , we have abundantly satisfi'd the Queen's Request ; her desire was , That we should shew her such strengthning and convincing Proofs , for what we have done , that she might be satisfied in the justness of our Cause ; and also , be able to inform Others , who desir'd to hear , what we could say for our Selves . As for the King's Murder ; the Author , the Method , and the Causes thereof , have been so fully declar'd by the Earl of Murray and his Fellows in that Embassy , that they must needs be clear to the exact Judgments of the Queen , and those Others , delegated by her to hear that Affair . As for what is objected to us , as blame-worthy , after that time , we have shewn , That 't is consentaneous to the Divine Law , and also to the Law of Nature , which too is , in a sort , Divine ; Moreover , 't is consonant to our own Country-Laws and Customs ; Neither is it different from the Usage of other Nations , who have the Face of any Good and just Government amongst them ; Seeing then , that our Cause is justifi'd by all the Interpreters of Divine and Human Laws ; seeing the Examples of so many Ages , the Judgments of so many People , and the Punishments of Tyrants do confirm it , we see no such Novelty ( not to say , Injustice ) in our Cause , but that the Queen her self might readily subscribe to it ; yea , and persuade others , that , in this Matter , they should be no otherwise opinionated of us , but that we have carried our Selves like good Subjects and Christians , too .

These were the Allegations , which , we thought fit , to make to justify our Cause , which we committed to writing , and read them the last day of February , before those grave and learned Persons , whom the Queen had appointed to confer with us , on this Subject ; and the next Day , which was March the first , We again went , in the Morning , to Court , to learn , how she relish'd our Answer , and what Judgment she made of the whole Cause ; but , because she , that Day , was going to her Country-House , called Greenwich , about three Miles below London , we had no Opportunity to speak with her ; What was Next to that , we went to the Chief of the Council , who , at first , were appointed to hear and transact with us ; They told us , That the Queen ( though she had very little spare time , in regard of the Journy , and other Business , yet ) had read our Memorial : But she was not yet so fully persuaded , that our Cause was so just , that She could approve it without Scruple ; and therefore , she desired us to go to the Second thing , at first proposed by us , which was , To find out some Way , whereby this Dispute might be ended , upon some moderate or handsom Conditions . Whereunto we replied , That we were not sent from home with an unbounded Commission , but One circumscribed within certain Limits ; so that we had no Freedom to enter into any Debate at all , of what might in the least diminish the Authority of our King ; and if such a Liberty had been offered us , yet we should have been unwilling to accept it ; or to make use of it , if accepted .

Matters standing thus ; the Queen being at Greenwich , and we at London , we sent some of our Number to her , to know , Whether she had any thing more to say to us ? if not , that we might have Liberty to depart home , there to consult , what we could , the Good of our Country , and our own private Concerns : And if there were any thing , we might gratify her Majesty in ; We were willing to shew our Obsequiousness and Respect therein ; yea , we should take more Opportunity to shew it at home , than we could have now in anothers Dominions . This Demand procur'd us a Summons to appear at Court , the 5 th of March : When we were come into her Presence , she mightily blam'd our stifness in maintaining our conceiv'd Opinion , and that we did so pertinaciously shun a Dispute , or rather a Consultation , about a Matter so much concerning our Security ; She also added a large Declaration of her Mind and Will anent the King , and Those who maintain'd his Cause . We urg'd , that the Justness of our Cause had been clearly enough declar'd , before . She answer'd , that she was not satisfi'd in her Mind , with the Examples and Arguments produc'd by us ; neither , said she , am I wholly ignorant of such Disputes , as having spent some of my former time in the Study of the Law : But , says she , if you be fully determin'd to make no other Proposal for your King's Safety , and your Own ; yet , I would have you , at least , enter upon another Conference , with the Chief of my Council , who treated with you about these things , before . We answer'd , That we were not at all so stiffly wedded to our own Opinions , as not to be willing to hear any good Expedient , that might be offer'd by her , or her Counsellors ; always with this Proviso , That no Alteration be made in the present State of the Kingdom ; nor any Diminution at all of the King's Authority : For , upon those Two Heads , we neither could , or would , admit the least Consultation or Debate . The Day after , we went down again to the Queen's Palace , ( as we agreed ) and entred into a Conference with her Counsellors , where many Proposals were made by them to decide the Controversy , between Mother and Son , concerning the Title to the Government ; We , because the Reasons were many , and concerning Matters of such great Moment on both sides , desir'd , That we might have them given to us in writing , and Time allowed us , to consider of Things of such great Consequence . They were very ready to do it , having first consulted the Queen . When we had ran Them all over in order , the Matters propos'd seem'd so difficult to us , and also so derogatory to the Power of the King ; and withal , so exceeding the Bounds of our Embassy and Commission , that we neither would , could , nor durst , touch upon them . The Day after , Robert Petcarn was sent to Court with this Answer , That such Matters did belong to the Decision of all the Estates , and were not to be disputed by so small a Number of Persons as we were . He also carried our Answer to Them , who the Day before , viz. the 4 th of March , had desir'd to have all in writing . Further , he earnestly desir'd the Queen , that , seeing they had executed all the points within the Bounds of their Commission ; They might have leave to return home . Ten Days after , we had liberty to attend the Queen : The Delegates of the Council , who , from our first coming , were appointed to treat with us , were very urgent , That we would yet treat with them , about finding out some Remedies , to compose Things ; They us'd many Arguments to that purpose , telling us , That if War from abroad should be added to our Troubles at home , our Labours , Dangers and Difficulties would be doubled , especially , being not able to extricate our selves by our own Forces . But we persisted in our Resolution , and would hearken to no Model of Accommodation , which lessened the King's Authority , and so that Day ended . The next Day , which was the 20 th of March , we were sent for again to Court , and being commanded to come to the Queen , she spake to us to this purpose ; That she , and her Council , had weigh'd our Answers , by which she understood , That none but a Supream Council , or Parliament of Scotland , consisting of all the Estates , could give a certain Answer to her Demands ; and thereupon , she had found out a Way , how to leave the matter intire , as she found it , and with an honest Pretence too . She was inform'd , that there was shortly to be a Convention of all the Estates in Scotland , thither we should go , and God speed us well , and therein we should endeavour , that an equal Number of both Factions should be chosen to examine the Grounds of the Difference betwixt them ; and that she also would send her Embassadors thither , which should join Endeavours with Those , to promote a Peace ; In the mean time , she desir'd , That the Pacification might be renew'd , till the Matter was brought to some Issue . She said also , That she would confer with the Queen of Scots Embassadors , and persuade them , if she could , to the same . But when 't was mov'd to Them , they excus'd themselves , saying , That they could determine nothing on that head , without consulting the Queen ; but , that they would write to her to know her Pleasure in the Case . Yet we prest hard to have our Convoy to return , as was promised us , but were desir'd to have a little Patience , till an Answer was return'd from the Scots Queen to the Bishop of Ross , and the rest of her Embassadors , and then we should have our Dismission . We urg'd our Return still , but without effect , though we told her , we had nothing to do with the Bishop of Ross , neither was our Embassy to him , we had ended what we came for , and did much wonder , why the Bishop of Ross should retard our Journy , especially , since so many Tumults were rais'd in our Absence , to the great Inconvenience of the King's Party : But though our Importunity was almost Shameless , yet we could not prevail , for the Matter was deferr'd from Day to Day , till the last of March , and then the Queen return'd to London . The Things which were acted in Parliament , for 3 Days after , did so take up the Queen , that she had no leisure to debate foreign Matters . But the 4 th of April , she sent for us , and excus'd the Delay ; She told us , That our King's Mother had by her Letters grievously chid her Embassadors for their Presumptuous Confidence in descending to debate her Cause after that Fashion , and therefore , say's the Queen , seeing they are so averse from the Way of Concord , which I propose , I will detain you no longer ; but if she hereafter repent of her present Sentiment , ( of which I have some hope ) and take the Course chalkt out by me , I do not doubt , but you , for your part , will perform your Duty . Thus we were lovingly and kindly Dismist , and , the 8 th Day of April , began our Journy towards our own Country .

This Account was given at Sterlin by the Embassadors before the Convention of the Estates . Whereupon , the Care and Diligence of the Embassadors were unanimously approv'd . Other Matters they referr'd to the first of May , a Parliament being summon'd against that time . In the mean time , both Parties bestir themselves , one to promote , the other to hinder , the Assembling thereof . The wisest Senators were of opinion , That the Queen of England would never let the Scot's Queen depart ; as foreseeing , how dangerous her Deliverance would be to all Britain . In the interim , Mention was made by some , of demanding the Scot's King , as an Hostage for his Mother , rather in hopes to hinder a Concord , than to establish it ; Some of Q. Elizabeth's Counsellors desire the Scots King to be sent into England . for she was well assur'd , that the Scots would never yield to it ; but there were some potent Men in her Council , who did secretly favour the Duke of Norfolk's Faction ; These were desirous , that the Queen of Scots should be deliver'd , and thereby the adverse Faction might , in tract of time , be broken and diminish'd , that so , they might obtain that Point from her by Necessity , which , they saw , they could not otherwise do ; neither did they doubt , but the Matter would come to that Pass , if the R●bels were assisted with Mony and other Furniture for War from France , and the Royalists had their Eye only on the Queen of England ; who had , at the beginning , largely promis'd them , upon understanding the flagitious Act of the Queen , that she would take a special care of the King and Kingdom of Scotland . Neither could the French King well compass his Designs . He was willing , the Scot's Queen should be deliver'd , but not that the King should be put into English Hands ; and hearing , how strong the Norfolk Faction was , which was all for Innovations , he did not despair , but that the Scot's Queen might , in time , escape out of Prison privately , or be deliver'd by his Means . Thus stood the State of Britain , at that time .

Morton , having given a laudable Account of his Embassy to the Convention at Sterlin , return'd to his own House about 4 Miles from Edinburgh ; he had a Company of 100 Foot , and a few Horse to guard his House , and to defen● himself , if the Townsmen should attempt to make any Excursion , till more Forces might come in . In the mean time , the Queen's Faction were Masters of the Town , The Queen's Faction garisoned Edinburgh . and set Guards in all convenient Places ; and levell'd all their Designs to exclude the Regent , and to hinder the Parliament , which was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh . Whereupon Morton was commanded , by the Regent , with 20 Horse and about 70 Foot ( for the rest had Passes to go abroad for Forage ) to march to Leith ; who was to make a publick Proclamation there , ( for they had garison'd Edinburgh already ) That no Man should assist the Rebels by Land or Sea , either with Provision , Arms , or any other warlike Furniture ; they that did so , were to undergo the same Punishment with them . They , knowing themselves to be inferior to the Town-Souldiers , Morton comes to Leith , and publishes a Proclamation against Them . sent their Foot another Way about , which was cover'd by an Hill from the Sight of the City , ( commonly call'd Arthur's Seat ) and the Horse past near the Walls and Gates of the City , not a Man of the Enemy stiring out . When they had done , what they were commanded to do at Leith , they had not the same Fortune at their Return , for the Foot refus'd to march back the same Way that they came , but return'd , against the will of the Horse , near the Gates of the City , and so pass'd with them , under the Walls , with an intent to try , what Metal themselves were made of , and their Enemies , The Garison of Edinburgh sallies out upon him in his retreat . too ; when , lo , on a sudden , a Sally was made out against them from Two of the Gates . At first , they fought Manfully , so that the Oppidans were driven back in disorder into the Town , with no great loss , 't is true , yet , it easily appear'd , that they were Inferior in Valour , though Superior in Number . The Regent , having nothing in readiness to assault the Town , and having no time neither , Edinburgh , How seated ? by reason of the sudden Sitting of the Parliament , to bring any great Guns thither , thought it better to desist from Force , and to hold the Parliament without the Gate of Edinburgh ; A Convention of the Estates held at one end of the City of Edinburgh , because the Enemy possessed the Castle . For that City being stretch'd out mostly in Length , they , who first compassed it with a Wall , left a great Part of it in the Suburbs ; yet so , that the Inhabitants of that Part had the full priviledg of Citizens , as well as those within the Walls . There the Convention was held , for the Lawyers gave their Opinions , That 't was no great Matter , in what Part soever of the City , it met . In this Parliament , These were declar'd Traitors , viz. The chief of Them who held out the Castle , especially those , who , out of Consciousness of their guilt of the King 's and Regent's Murders , had avoided Tryal . The Rebels being thus condemn'd by an Act of Parliament ( The Judgment of which Court is of very great Authority , ) lest the Commonalty , which ordinarily is at the beck of the Nobility , should be alienated from them , They also , of the Number which they had there , made up a Convention , such as it was . Few appear'd there , who had any lawful right to Vote ; and of them , some came not into the Assembly at all ; some presented themselves , but as Spectators only , abstaining from all Judiciary Actings ; so that they , having neither a just Number of Voices , nor were they assembled , either in due Time , or according to ancient Custom ; yet , that they might make shew of a lawful sufficient Number , Two Bishops , and some Others which were absent ( a thing never heard of before ) sent in their Votes , The Castle plays upon the Conventioners with Cannon , but does them no hurt . in writing , at hap-hazard , as being doubtful of the Event of that Assembly . At this time , the Castle continually plaid with great Guns upon the Place , where the Nobles were Assembled , and though the Bullets often fell amongst crouds of People , yet they neither hurt , nor kill'd , so much as one Man . There were but few condemn'd in either Convention ; and both Parties appointed another Convention to be held in August , one at Sterlin , the other at Edinburgh . When the Assembly was dismist , neither Party issued out one upon other , Two Anti-Assemblies Indicted . so that there was a kind of Truce between them . Thereupon the greatest part of the Souldiers , that were with Morton , being press'd Men , slipt away to their own homes . They , who kept the Town , knew , That Morton had but a small Party for his Guard , and being willing also to cry quits for their former ignominious Repulse , they sent out 220 Musqueteers , and a 100 Horse ; they carried two Brass Field-Pieces along with them , intending either to burn the Town of Dalkeith , where Morton then was ; or , if That succeeded not , to frighten the Enemy , and keep him within the Town ; and if they could thus put him into a Fright , they intended to make their Braggs thereof all over the Country . They shewed themselves , well accoutred , on an Hill over against Dalkeith ; Whereupon , they at Dalkeith , being alarm'd , cry'd presently , Arm , Arm. A Sally out of Edinburgh , against Morton , at Dalkeith , The Mortonians drew out immediately , being 200 Foot , and about 60 Horse , and mounted a little an opposite Hill , and then again descending into the Vally and Plain , they stood over against them , ready to fight : Some Archers picquered and skirmished on both Sides , and there was a light Onset ; but the Rebels , who expected to find their Enemies unprepared , being disappointed of their Hope , march'd back , in as entire a Body as they could , to recover the City ; and thus some pressing upon Others , in the Eagerness of their Retreat , they came to Cragmiller-Castle , Near two 〈◊〉 from Edinburgh , wherein both Parties ●●ceive some Checks . scituate almost in the Mid-way between Edinburgh and Dalkeith . There a few of Morton's Foot , which past by the Castle privately on the other side , rose from their Ambush , and assaulted the Enemies Body , in the strait Passage of the Way , which was between them , and so disorder'd their Ranks , and put them to Flight : They , who kept Garison in the Castle of Edinburgh , perceiving from the higher Ground , that their Men were flying toward them , sent out 80 Horse , and 30 Foot , to relieve them ; with this Supply , they charg'd again , and the King's Horse , being fewer in Number by half , and not able to indure the brunt , fled back in as much haste as they had pursued before . The Foot was in a manner useless on both sides , because of a great Shower that fell suddenly from the Clouds . In the Pursuit of the Mortonians , there were but Two slain , more were wounded , and about 26 taken Prisoners : Of the Rebels , there were more slain , but fewer Prisoners taken . But one Accident did almost equal the Loss of both Parties : They which came from Edinburgh , brought with them a Barrel of Gun-powder , and as the Souldiers , in haste and carelesly , went to take out some Powder , a Spark of Fire light into it , and blew it up , insomuch that the Horse which carried it , Iames Melvil , the Commander of the Foot , and many other Souldiers , were so scorch'd and burnt , that the most Part of them , in a few Days after , died .

Whilst these things were acting about Edinburgh , Victory inclining to neither Side , one Troop of the Scots , who , some Years before , had serv'd in Denmark , under Michael Weems , a noble , A Scotch Troop from Denmark , comes to help the Royalists . virtuous , and learn'd young Man , return'd into their own Country , and offer'd their Service to the King , against the Desires of the Townsmen , who would willingly have drawn them over to their Party . They had a little Time allow'd them to visit their Friends ; and coming together at the Day appointed , they were imform'd , That some Ships were mann'd out by the Rebels , to intercept them . Morton himself was aware of the Plot , and therefore taking what Force he could , on a sudden , make , without acquainting any Body with his Design , he came so hastily to Leith , that he had almost catch'd them , before they went a Ship-bord , sixteen of the Loiterers , who did not make such haste to lanch out their Boat , he took Prisoners , on the Shore . The next Day , he provided Ships , either to follow them , ( he could not do it sooner , because of the Tide ) or , to intercept them in their Return . The Regent also was made acquainted with it the same Night , who , speedily gathering some Tumultuary Force , hastned to the left Shore of the Fort , to set upon the Rebels , when they landed : But the Speed of the Danish Souldiers rendred those Endeavours needless , for the greatest Part of them got aboard a large Vessel , and so past safely over . The rest , who were in a smaller Skiff , were taken , not far from Leith , and , being about twenty six , were brought Prisoners to the Castle . After this Action , the Regent returned to Sterlin : Morton , being overladen with Labour and Watching , and troubled with the Cholick too , fell sick at Leith . Drury , the English-Man , who had transacted for a Truce between the Factions for so many Days , Morton falls sick at Leith . could , finally , effect nothing ; for the Regent would yield to no other Terms , Drury intercedes in vain between the Parties . but that the Places , which were seized on , during the former Truce , should be restored . When Drury was about to depart , the Rebels , as 't were in Testimony of Respect and Complement to him , drew forth all the Strength that ever they could make , supposing , That whilst Morton was sick , they should either put their Enemies into a terrible Fright , The Rebels sally out against Morton at Leith ; who were inferior in Number to themselves ; or else , if they durst fight , with the Force they had , without their General , they might do some considerable Execution upon them , toward the ending of the War . Morton being imform'd hereof , by his Guard of Horse , rose presently out of his Bed , and buckles on his Armor , and brings up all his Men into a Neighbour-hill , where he kept them ready for the Onset , about 400 Paces from the Enemy . Drury rode between both Armies , and earnestly desired both to return home , and not to brake off all Hope of Accommodation , by over-rash and hasty Counsels ; Whereupon , they both agreed to retreat , only the Dispute was , who should turn about their Colours , first . Drury endeavoured to compound this Difference also , and desired of Both , that when he , standing in the middle between both Armies , gave a Sign , they should Both retreat , in one and the same Moment . Morton was willing , but the Rebels threatned , That unless he retreated first of his own Accord , they would beat him shamefully out of the Field ; and indeed , they could hardly be kept from advancing their Bodies toward him . When Morton heard this Answer , he supposed he had satisfied Drury and the English , whom at this time he was unwilling to offend , but would rather have them Witnesses of his Moderation ; whereupon , he presently drew forth against the Enemy ; first , the Horse made a brisk Charge , and routed the Enemies Wings ; the Foot attempted to charge , but were routed also ; when the Gate of the next Street , being narrow , could not admit so many at once in their thick and hasty Flight , many were there slain , many trodden under Foot ; many taken , But are repulsed with ●oss . none making any Resistance , but only a Party of Foot , who , having the Advantage of the next Church-yard , rallied again ; and yet , at the first Charge , were a second time put to Flight . Their Flight into the City was so confused , that the Guard left the Gates , and all fled into the Castle ; so that , if the Enemy that pursued , had not been intent on the Prey , they might have entred also the Town Pell-mell with them , as being unguarded . About 50 of the Rebels were slain , and about 150 taken . Alexander Hume had a slight Wound with a Fall from his Horse , and was taken : Gawen Hamilton was killed : Iames Culen , Huntly's Kinsman , a Commander of Foot , hid himself in a poor Woman's Pantry , but was discovered , and brought to Leith . The Common People , when they saw him , made such a Shout , that it plainly appeared , they would not be satisfied , Iames Culen , a cruel Am●odexter , justly punished . but by his Death ; for , in the former Civil Wars , he had been a cruel and avaritious Plunderer . He was infamous in his Military Imployment in France ; and , when the Kings of Denmark and Sweden were at odds , he promised to serve them Both , and accordingly had Mony to raise Souldiers from either , but couzen'd them Both. And he , being thus taken , at length ( as I said ) to the great Joy of all , was led forth to his Execution .

After a few Days Rest , the Townsmen recruited their Forces , and then shewed themselves again in Arms ; after that , there were light Skirmishes past betwixt the Parties almost every Day , with various Events . The King's Party were more valorous , but the Rebels had Places more convenient for Ambushes ; and besides , they had an high Castle , from whence they might see all the Motions of their Enemies , neither would they ordinarily venture an Onset any further , than their Ordnance out of the Castle could command . The Regent kept himself at Leith , watching all their Sallies , and stopping all Provisions by Sea , for he could not do it by Land , by reason of the Largeness of the City , and Inconvenience of the adjacent Places , in the surrounding whereof many Opportunities of Service were lost . Whilst these things were acting about the City , a French Ship was taken , that brought Gun-Powder , Iron Bullets , small Brass-Guns , and some Mony to the Rebels . A Ship from France , taken by the Regent . The Mony went to pay the Souldiers , but the Bullets , Powder , and Part of the Guns , being sent with little or no Guard to Sterlin against the Tide , the Rebels , having Intelligence thereof , procured some Vessels from other Havens , and surprized them ; but not being able to carry their Booty to the Castle , they sunk it in the River . About the same time , another Ship was also taken , in which there was little else but Letters and large Promises of Assistance , speedily to be sent from France . For , during the Two whole last past Years , wherein , at times , there was War in Scotland : The Queen of England , on behalf of the Royalists ; the King of France , The Queen of England , and King of France , censured for their slow Supplies to their several Parties in Scotland . and the English Papists , on behalf of the Rebels , did send in some small Dribblets of Mony , but loaded them with more Promises , as rather studying , that their side might not be conquer'd , rather than conquer , respectively ; Both of them were willing , Matters should be brought to that Pinch of Necessity : The Queen of England's Design was , That the Scots , being worn out by their Divisions , might be willing to send their King into England , and so seem to depend wholly on her : The French did it , That the Rebels might surrender Dunbarton and Edinburgh to him , and , by those Two commanding Garisons from both Seas , he would keep the Scots always in fear of his Arms. But , despairing of the Queen's Delivery , and Dunbarton Castle being lost , he mov'd but slowly in the Cause of the Rebels ; his Aim only was , That , the Kingdom being exhausted with domestick Sedition , he might not undertake a new and unnecessary War , for the sake of one Castle only ; it was enough , he thought , at present , if it did not fall into the Enemies Hands .

The Scots were fully resolved not to give up their King to the English , The Scots refuse to send their young King into England , with their Reasons , why . upon the account of old Controversies ; and also , because the English Papists were so strong , who plac'd all their Hopes in his Death . For , if he were taken out of the way , the Queen of England would not only seem weaker , seeing it was the Life of one King only , that delayed their Hopes ; but also , the Queen of Scots was the undoubted Heir of the whole Kingdom , who , by he● Marriage , might gratify whom she pleased with the Realm , and so bear a great Figure in the Change of the State of Religion through all Europe . And in the English Court there were some , no mean Men , who preferred the Hope of Novelty before ancient Courtesies ; yet if , as long as the King of Scots was alive , they should cut off Elizabeth , many of those of the Queen's Privy-Council feared , lest the known Wickedness of the Scots Queen might diminish her Authority , and increase her Son's Power , and so , for fear of Tyranny , endear him more to the English : Whereupon , the English Rebels were willing to destroy the Queen of England , and King of Scots , Both ; and , not succeeding in doing it openly , they resolved upon Poison .

Matters standing thus in Scotland , Both Factions prepared themselves against the approaching Sitting of the Parliament . The Rebels had only Three of the Lords voting with them , of which Two were the Proctors , The Rebels Convention at Edinburgh . or Commissioners , to the Convention , to be held in the Queen's Name . The Third , Alexander Hume , was the only Man who had Right to vote : And of the Ecclesiastical Order , Two Bishops , the One banish'd thither a few Months before by the Regent , and , the State of the City being chang'd , not daring to depart without a Convoy , he staid there against his Will : The Other was a Bankrupt , who , having spent his Estate , was driven thither by necessity . By their Votes , above 200 were condemned , some of them being Children under Age. Moreover , the malapert Souldiers , as if they had already got the Victory , divided other Mens Patrimonies among themselves , and so put many quiet and innocent Persons ( and , by that means , more liable to Injuries , ) into the Roll of the Confiscate .

The Regent went to Sterlin , where he had a great Convention of the Nobles : The Regent's Convention at Sterlin . Therein , about Thirty of the obstinatest of the Queen's Party were condemn'd , the rest were put off , in hopes of Pardon . The Rebels thought this a fit Opportunity for them , to attempt something in the absence of the Nobility ; and thereupon , they drew all their Forces out of the City , and , to make a greater Show , the Townsmen with them ; they set them in Battel-array , that so , as in former times , by light Skirmishes , they might draw the King's Forces out of Leith . In the mean time , while the Enemy were kept in play by them , they resolved to send the rest privately to march about , and when the Garison was drawn out , to enter in at the opposite Gate , and so burn the Town . The Rebels assault Leith , but are repulsed . Patrick Lindsy was Governour of Leith , a wise and valiant Person ; he drew forth his Forces , having sufficiently provided against their Treachery , and marched directly towards the Enemy ; they fought stoutly at first , at last , he gave the Rebels a round Salvo , and so beat them back , yet not without Loss , to the Gates of the Town ; a great many Prisoners were brought off , but the most part of them were Townsmen . Alexander Hume was taken once , but reliev'd again by his own side . In the Evening , as the King's Party were retreating , joyous for the Victory , Iames Haliburton , a good Man , Iames Haliburton taken Prisoner by the Rebels , by a Mistake . and a skilful Souldier , who commanded all the Foot , being too far from his Body , was taken by a Troop of Horse in the Twilight , when he could not discern of whose Party they were in the High-way , and so carried Prisoner into the City . Upon this Loss , the Rebels took heart , to make another Attempt , as full of Danger and Boldness , so more likely , if it had succeeded , to put an End to the whole War . For , having receiv'd Intelligence by their Spies , That the Nobility of the contrary Faction at Sterlin were so careless and remiss , that , in an open Town , they had not so much as a Night-guard , as if it had been a time of perfect Peace , they took 300 Foot , and 200 Horse , and march'd thither ; to ease the Foot , who were hastily called forth , they took away all the Country-mens Horses , who came to Market the Day before ; and if they occasionally lighted on any other Horses by the way , they took them also . The Captains , The bold Attempt of the Rebels to surprize Sterlin , and the Nobles of the Convention there assembled : in that Expedition , were George Gordon , Claud Hamilton , and Walter Scot , they were much encouraged to the Undertaking by George Bell , an Ensign of a Foot-Company , who was born at Sterlin , he knew all the convenient Passages and Accesses into the Town , and was made acquainted , in Writing , with all the Noble Mens Lodgings ; he gave them assured Hopes , That they would quickly master all , insomuch , that they were so confident of Success in their March , as to appoint Whom to kill , and Whom to save alive . They came to the Town early in the Morning , and found things in profound Security , not so much as a Dog opened his Mouth against them ; so they silently enter'd the Town , and , without any resistance , went up to the Market-place ; they set Guards at all the Passes thither , and then went to the Noblemens Lodgings ; the rest were easily taken , only Iames Douglas , Earl of Morton , Which , in part , took Effect . put some stop to them in his Lodging ; when they could not break in upon him by Force , they set fire to the House ; one or two of his Servants , who stoutly defended the Passes , were slain , and he himself , when all was a fire , hardly escaping out of the Flames , surrendred himself to Walter Scot , his Kinsman , then near at hand . Moreover , the Regent was taken Prisoner at the same time ; his Men did not stand it out valiantly in his Defence , but he was forc'd to defend himself alone , and , at last , was taken Prisoner . Alexander , Earl of Glencarn , and Hugh , Earl of Eglington , were reserv'd , under a Guard , for Execution : For Claud Hamilton told his Men , They should kill all the Nobles of the contrary Faction , as soon as ever they pass'd out of the Gates , without any distinction . All Things thus succeeding , beyond Expectation , the common Souldiers scattered themselves all over the Town to get Plunder . Thereupon , Iohn Erskin , Governour of the Castle , who had before tried to break through the Enemy in the Market-Place , but in vain , they were so strongly posted , sent a Party of Musqueteers into his own new House , which was then a building , and not quite finish'd , from whence there was a Prospect into the whole Market-Place . This House , because it was uninhabited , and not compleated , was neglected by the Enemy , and afforded a safe Post to the Royalists , whence to play on their Enemies : The Rebels beaten again out of Sterlin , by the Valour of Iohn Erskin , Governour of the Castle . When the Rebels saw , that they were shot at from an high Place , garison'd against them , with unequal Weapons , they presently turn'd their backs , and ran away in such Fear , that , when they came to the narrow Way leading to the Gate , they trod down one another : That which saved them , was , There were but few to pursue , for they who had driven them out of the Market-Place , could come out but one by one , through the Gate of the new House , which was but one neither , and that half-shut too , towards the Town ; and but a few came forth from other Houses , where they stood armed , ready for all Events . Thus the whole Souldiery , which , the Day before , had attempted so desperate a piece of Service , and had almost successfully finish'd it , were driven out of the Town , in such Fear and Confusion , that they left their Prisoners , and every one shifted for himself . In this Onset , there was only one Man of Note slain , and that was George Ruven , a young Gentleman of great Hopes , who , pressing too eagerly upon the thickest of the Enemies , lost his Life . And Alexander Stuart of Gairlice , when he was led away Prisoner , was killed ; 't is not known , whether by his own Men , or the Enemy . In this great Trepidation and Affrightment , they , who before kept within their own Doors for fear , now came abroad . They , who had taken Iames Douglas , and Alexander Cuningham , Prisoners , seeing no hopes to escape , surrendred themselves up to their Captives . David Spence , Captain of Horse amongst the Rebels , was leading away the Regent ; he knew , that many lay in wait for his Life , and therefore he defended him with all the Care he could ; The Regent slain in this Scuffle , with Capt. Spence , who endeavoured to save him . insomuch , that when the Ruffians aim'd at and shot the Regent , they hit him too , and he died the same Day , to the great grief of both Parties , for he was an accomplished young Man , in all Endowments both of Body and Mind , and inferiour to no Man of his Age in Scotland . After his Decease , the Enemies Horse never did any memorable Service . Two of the Regent's Murderers * * For killing him , after he had Quarter given him . were put to Death , not being able to escape : The rest fled in such Fear , that the Prisoners , whom they had taken , escap'd out of their Hands . For certain , the Whole of the Enemies Party might have been destroyed , if there had been Troops enow of Horse to have pursued : But the Tories of Teviotdale , at their first Entrance into the Town , had plundred all the Horses , That saved them . The slain of Both sides were almost equal : Of the Royalists , not a Man was carry'd away Prisoner ; of the other side , many ; most of which were intent upon the Prey , and so were taken in the Houses which they were a rifling : The Regent died the same Day of his Wounds . His Funerals were celebrated in haste , as well as they could , in such an Hurry , and then the Nobles , which were there , Assembled , to create another Regent to succeed him . Three Competitors for the Regency . They chose Three out of their own Number ; having first given them an Oath , to stand to the Decision of the Nobility , and thus , as Candidates , they were to expect the Issue of the next Assembly . The Three were , Gilespy Cambel , Earl of Argyle ; Iames Douglas , Earl of Morton ; and Iohn Erskin , Earl of Marr. Iohn Erskin , Earl of Marr , chosen Regent . All the Votes pitched on Iohn Erskin . His first attempt , was , to assault Edinburgh , there having been an Army appointed to be levy'd by the former Regent against the first of October , but this sudden change of Affairs made it to be deferred till the 15 th of the same Month ; that Delay was a great hindrance to Business , for it gave liberty to the Townsmen , who wrought Night and Day , to perfect their Works ; so that the early Winter , the long Nights , the bad Weather , in those cold Countries , He assaults Edinburgh , but without effect . the Difficulty of conveying Provisions , and his want of Military Accommodations , caused him to return , without carrying the Place .

For some Months succeeding , Sallies were made , but of no great Advantage to either side . For the Prospect of the Castle , being free and open to all Parts , gave Opportunity to the Rebels , that they would never come to handy-Blows , nor yet fall into any Ambush ; for , by a Signal given from an high Place in the Castle , they were easily warn'd , to retreat in time ; yet once , when all the Horse and Foot issu'd out of the Town , to intercept a few of the Royalists , and they prest upon them , who pretended hastily to fly away : When they in the Castle saw the Colours of some Companies start up , from a neighbour-Valley , presently they sounded a Retreat to them . Whereupon the Rebels , before they came to the Place of Ambush , retreated back in great Fear , and their flight was so much the more confus'd , because , though they were advis'd of their Danger before-hand , yet they did not know , What , or from Whence , it was , nor could they so much as suspect it ; Those few Horsemen , which before counterfeited to fly away , did so press upon their Rear , that they caus'd the Foot to break their Ranks , and every One ran to the City as fast as ever he could ; many were wounded and taken , and , amongst them , some Captains , and Cornets of Horse .

Whilst Matters were thus slowly carried on about the City , in the Country towards the North , there was a great Loss receiv'd upon this Occasion ; There were two Families , of great Power in those Parts , The Gordons and the Forbes's ; The Gordons liv'd in great Concord amongst themselves , and , by the King's Commission , The Royalists receive a loss in the North , with the manner of it . had for many Years presided over the neighbouring Counties , and and so increas'd their ancient Power and Authority ; On the other side , the Forbes's were always at Difference , and continually weakned one another ; but neither of them , had now , for many Years , made any Attempt upon the other , there being rather a secret Emulation , than an open Breach , betwixt them . In the Family of the Forbes's , Deadly fewds between the Gordons and the Forbes's . there was one Arthur , a witty and an active Man , and who , from the beginning of the falling out , had always been on the King's side ; he thought , 't was then time for him to set up his own Name and his Families , and also to advance the Power of the Party , which he followed . He first then endeavour'd to reconcile All of his own Family ; if he could effect that , he fear'd not any Power , that could be rais'd against him in those Parts ; when a Day was appointed for that purpose , Adam Gordon , Brother to the Earl of Huntly , by all means , endeavour'd to hinder it , and therefore giving private Notice to his Friends and Vassals , there came a great Number of them to the Place . There were Two Troops of the Forbes's in sight , but , before they could join , he set upon One of them , and kill'd Arthur presently ; at his Fall , the rest were scatter'd , and put to flight ; some eminent Men were slain , many were taken , the rest , some Days after , dar'd not stir , for Fear , lest those , they had taken Prisoners , should suffer for it . And their Fear was increas'd by the burning of Alexander Forbes's House , with his Wife , great with Child , The Cruelty of the Gordons against the Forbes's . his Children and Servants , in it . Arthur Forbes's Elder Brother , who was the Chief of the Sept , after his House was taken and plunder'd , hardly escapt and came to Court ; there , tho they were somewhat straitned themselves , yet there were 200 Foot granted to him , and to the Nobles that follow'd his Party ; and withal , Letters were written to the neighbour-Nobility to join with him : When they were thus join'd with the rest of the Forbes's , and some near Families , they thought themselves secure enough from Force , but they wanted a Chief Commander over them , for the Heads of the Families were most young Men , and there was scarce One more eminent than another amongst them : So that , they being unresolv'd in their Counsels , Iohn Keith , with 500 Horse went home to his own House , which was not far distant . Alexander Forbes , and his Vassals , with 200 Foot march'd to Aberdeen to drive Adam Gordon from thence , and to refresh his Men after their March . Adam receiving intelligence , that his Enemy was advancing with but a small Party , draws his Men out of the Town , and , to make a show of a greater Multitude , compell'd the Townsmen to draw forth with them , so that there was a sharp Conflict in the Field near the Town . The King's Foot , out of eagerness to fight , followed the Gordonians too far , and , having no Reserves , were repuls'd and put to flight , The King's Party overthrown . principally by the Archers , there were not many of them kill'd , because the fight lasted till dark Night , but several were taken , and , amongst them , Alexander Forbes himself , after he had stoutly defended himself against them , a long time .

This Success in the North did mightily incourage the Rebels , to attempt greater Matters : Whereupon , in a different Part of the Country , they resolv'd to attaque The chief Town of Teviotdale standing on the River Ied , near where it falleth into the River Teviot . Iedburgh , a Town , as the Country Custom was , unfortifi'd ; but the Inhabitants were very Valiant , and , some Years before , had stoutly resisted the Rebels ; Thomas Carr of Farnihest , and Thomas Scot , liv'd near the Town ; They , besides their old Clans , which were Numerous enough , had associated to them , the Three neighbour Countries , Liddisdale , Ewesdale , and Eskdale , Places always given to Robbery ; but then , in regard of the Licentiousness of the Civil War , they rang'd for Booty , uncontrolably , even a great way off . And besides , in Teviotdale it self , there were some great Families noted for Robbing and Pillaging , either , being infected by their Neighbours ; or , because they had been customably used to drive Preys out of their Enemies Country ; neither did They only come in , but some of the neighbouring English , in hopes of Booty , join'd themselves with them ; and besides , they sent for 120 Musqueteers from Edinburgh , select Men , out of all the Foot Companies . The Iedburgians knew , The Rebels attempt Iedburgh , that They were aim'd at , and therefore they sent in haste to the Regent , to acquaint him with their Danger ; they only desir'd a few light harnassed Souldiers from him ; In the mean time , they were not wanting to do their best . They sent for Walter Carr of Sesford , and levy'd a reasonable Number of Souldiers out of the Neighbourhood , and fortifi'd their Town , as the time would permit : Both Parties were also inform'd , at the same time , that William Ruven was come as far as * * An Abby in Teviotdale , Driburgh , with 120 Horse and Foot , Part of which he had brought with him , and Part he rais'd in the neighbour-County of Merch. But the Rebels , being confident of their Number , as being 3000 Men , march'd to the Town early in the Morning , to prevent the Coming in of their Relief ; Ruven suspected , they would do so , and therefore march'd speedily after them , and made some Attempts upon their Rear . And moreover , Walter Carr join'd the Townsmen to his Souldiers , and drew forth directly towards the Enemy . They , seeing This , that they might not be enclos'd before and behind , too , presently retreated to Places of greater Advantage . The Robbers , or Tories , But are driven back to Hawick where they are Routed . who came in for Hopes of plunder , seeing the Town fortifi'd , and the Royalists ready for the Encounter , return'd the nearest Way they could to their Own-homes ; and the Rebels , with their Vassals , and a Company of Foot , retreat to * * A Town in Teviotdale . Hawick , never thinking , that the Enemy would , in the least , attempt any thing against them , there ; and their Hopes were increas'd by the Winter-season , which was sharper than ordinary by reason of a great Quantity of Snow lately fallen , which cover'd all the Ground . But Ruven intended to make use of the Opportunity , and , in the third Watch , drew out his Party , and march'd so speedily towards Hawick , that he was in a Mile of it , before the Enemy took the Alarum ; They at Hawick were so amaz'd , that there was no room for Counsel left , but Foot and Horse were immediately drawn out , and following the Current of the next River , endeavour'd to retreat to a Place of more Safety . But the Swiftness of their Pursuers prevented them ; the Horse knew the Country , and made a shift to escape , but the Foot were left for a Prey ; they possest themselves of a small Wood on a Rock , near the River , there they were surrounded by the Horse , and not adventuring to stay till the Foot came up , they all surrendred themselves at Mercy ; But seeing that other Dangers were to be prevented , and they could not be carried up and down in so sharp a Winter , having past their Words to return at an appointed Day , and leaving some Hostages to that purpose , they were sent home , without their Arms : When they were discharged , Kircade made sleeveless Pretences , to elude their Promises , and so hinder'd them from returning , at the time appointed .

The rest of the Winter , and the following Spring , was wholly spent in light Skirmishes , wherein Few fell , but more of the Rebels than Royalists ; For the Rebels , when they saw an Advantage , would draw out on the Hills near the City , and , before they had scarce begun a skirmish , would retire , sometimes , again in to the City . In the interim , frequent Embassies came from England , to reconcile the Factions , but without effect ; For the Queen of England , tho she most favour'd the King's Party , yet she was willing so to make Peace , as to ingage both Parties to her ; but the French were wholly inclin'd to the Queen's Cause , and therefore , by large Promises , hindred Peace , and advis'd to continue the War : Some Mony they sent at present , not enough to do the Business , but only to feed Hope , and a great Part of what was sent was still nibbled away by those that brought it . In the mean time , light Skirmishes past for some Months betwixt the Parties , but not at all contributing to the main Chance . Neither were other Parts of the Kingdom free from Plunderings , A Barony upon the Water of Bervy in Angus . and Firings : Adam Gordon gather'd a Party , and , entring Angus , besieg'd Douglas's House of Glembervy ; and , finding that himself was absent , they miserably Burnt and Destroy'd all that he left behind , which struck such a Fear into those of Dundee , that they call'd in the Garisons from the adjoining Parts of Fife , to their Assistance ; they were Enemies to the Gordonians , as having been highly Faithful , The Dundeans Enemies to the Gordons . continually , to the King's Cause . About this time , * *

A Castle on a Rock , lying in the Firth of Forth , above Abercorn .

The Regent straitens Edinburgh .

Archibald Douglas apprehended , upon Suspicion of his Tampering with the Enemy .

Blackness was betray'd by the Governor thereof to the Hamiltons . 'T is a Castle that hinders commerce betwixt Leith and Sterlin . The Regent broke down all the Mills about Edinburgh , he also garison'd all the Noble Men's Houses about it , and stopt all Passages into the City ; many Prisoners were taken on both sides . Archibald Douglas , one of Morton's familiar Friends , was apprehended on Suspicion , which was increas'd upon him , by the Baseness of his former Life ; and also , by some Letters found about him ; yea , even after he was taken , entercourse of Letters past betwixt him and the Enemy ; which evidenc'd , that he had assisted the Rebels , by Advice and Action , too ; as having transmitted to them , both Mony and Arms.

THE END .