UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 AT LOS ANGELES 

 
 THE 
 
 OF 
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 

 
 THE 
 
 HISTORIE AND LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 WRITTEN 
 
 TOWARDS THE LATTER PART 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 Battampne, 
 
 ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO. EDINBURGH; 
 AND T. N. LONGMAN AND O. REES, AND 
 
 J. MAWMAN, LONDON. 
 
 1804.
 
 
 
 tl< 
 
 '-.. !$c i
 
 3M 
 
 1 HE HlSTORIE ANDLlFE OF KlNG JAMES THE 
 
 SEXT, is published from a copy of the original ma- 
 nuscript, which David Crawfurd of Drumsoy, his- 
 toriographer to Queen Anne, employed in com- 
 piling his Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland. 
 In a preface to the first edition (London, 1706), 
 he informs us, after a long invective against Bu- 
 chanan, that he would be as plain and as brief 
 as possible concerning the memoirs themselves. 
 " I had all the substance of these sheets from 
 " an ancient MS. presented me by my very good 
 " friend, Sir James Baird, of Sauchtonhall, who 
 " purchased it by mere accident, from the ne- 
 " cessitous widow of an episcopal clergyman. 
 " As for the author's fortunes, or particular cha- 
 " racter, I am wholly in the dark ; however, it 
 ' is plain, from his own words, he was living 
 " when King James VI. was married, where he 
 " says, speaking of Queen Mary's flight into 
 " England, ' Albeit the Queen of Scotland was 
 
 a
 
 ii 
 
 ** entered the realm of England, be the Queen's 
 " own permission, and great promise of friend- 
 " ship to follow thereupon, by the taking of the 
 " diamond ring, carried by Sir Robert Melvill, 
 " now made Treasurer-depute of Scotland,' &c. 
 " And we all know Sir Robert got that post a 
 " very few months before the King's marriage. 
 " But because it might be objected that his (the 
 " author's) being alive at that time, though it it 
 " bona causa scientite, yet it is not at all a proof 
 " of his honesty, and his evidence may be of no 
 " effect, unless I can purge him of malice, and 
 " partial counsel, as the lawyers express it ; I 
 " have therefore, and because I know this to be 
 " one of the knottiest pieces in the history 'df 
 " Scotland, compared Mm carefully with Spot- 
 " tiswood, Melvil, and Camden, who are ge'ne- 
 " rally allowed to have given the best accounts 
 " of the revolutions of that time ; and for the 
 " reader's satisfaction in matters of importance, 
 " if not already insisted upon in this long pre- 
 " face (I have), instructed him in the margin, 
 " during Murray's regency, to find out with ease 
 " how far he agrees with most of these authors. 
 
 " / declare solemnly, that I have not, that I 
 " know of, wrested any of his words, to add to
 
 Ill 
 
 ** one man's credit, or to impair the honesty of 
 <( another; and having no manner of dependance 
 " upori any party (for though the persons are 
 " dead, the parties, for ought I know, may be 
 " still alive), I have neither heightened nor di- 
 " minished-any particular character or action, 
 " but have kept, as close as possible, to his mean- 
 " ing and sense. If I had delivered things in 
 " his own style, it would have proved tedious 
 " and heavy to the nice reader ; and by many 
 " in our neighbouring nation, could hardly have 
 " been understood without a dictionary. The 
 " common, and commendable practice of our 
 " neighbours, in making new translations of 
 tf books written in old English shields me from 
 " any just censure for putting this important piece 
 " of history in a more modern dress than that in 
 " which our author left it. I must acquaint my 
 " reader, too, that he had not sufficiently diges- 
 " ted his matter into form and method, having 
 '' marked down things, as it seems, just when 
 " they happened, or when they came within the 
 >f reach of his knowledge." 
 
 The first suspicion of Crawfurd's fidelity was 
 excited by Keith's History of Scotland (Edin- 
 burgh, 1734), in which" several quotations, from
 
 iv 
 
 an early copy of Crawford's MS. were inserted, 
 with an intimation, that " there were consider- 
 " able variations between the manuscript and 
 " the printed memoirs." KEITH, p. 330, note. 
 In the second edition of the memoirs (Edin- 
 burgh, 1753), Goodall, in order to remove such 
 suspicions, observes, in a preface under the book- 
 seller's name, that " what is now become of that 
 " very manuscript, I have not been able to dis- 
 " cover. Some have taken the liberty to affirm, 
 " that our author himself committed it to the 
 " flames ; but how unwarrantable and injurious 
 " that alledgeance is, I have been informed by 
 " Mr Thomas Ruddiman, who, having requested 
 " Mr Crawford to lodge the MS. in the Advo- 
 " cates' Library, was answered, that it did not 
 " belong to him, but to Sir James Baird, of 
 " Sauchtonhall, to whom he had returned it: 
 " which being signified by Mr Ruddiman to 
 " Mr Robert Bennet, the then Dean of the Fa- 
 c< culty of Advocates, he applied to Sir James 
 " himself, for having the book brought into 
 " their library, but was told that it was not 
 " then in his possession; for he had lent it to 
 " William Hamilton of Wishay, out of whose 
 " hands it could never be recovered. However,
 
 " there is now in the same library at Edinburgh, 
 " a written book of memoirs of these very times, 
 " and another in the possession of Bishop llo- 
 " bert Keith, that are generally thought to be 
 " copies of it, and as such are here sometimes 
 " cited in the notes.'* 
 
 In consequence of this intimation, the editor, 
 about four years ago, applied to Lord Belhaven, 
 and among the papers collected by his Lord- 
 ship's ancestor, Mr Hamilton of Wishay, disco- 
 vered the identical manuscript which Crawfurd 
 had employed. The hand-writing and ortho- 
 graphy of the MS. belong to the latter part of 
 the sixteenth century ; and the note of time, 
 observed by Crawfurd, serves to ascertain the 
 period when the history was written. Sir Ro- 
 bert Melvill acted merely as Vice- Chancellor du- 
 ring the Chancellor's absence, on the marriage 
 of James VI. in Denmark (November 24. 1589) : 
 but Sir Robert had been appointed Treasurer- 
 depute in August, 1582, and retained the office 
 till March, 1597. The history, in which he is 
 mentioned as " now the Thesaurer of Scotland," 
 (p. 44.) concludes abruptly at the Raid of Ruth- 
 ven (August 22. 1582); and as it contains no 
 intimation whatsoever, of the execution of Queen
 
 vi 
 
 Mary (February 8. 1587), the greater part was 
 probably written in the interval between these 
 two events. Towards the conclusion, however, 
 Lord John Hamilton's return to Scotland, in 
 1585, is mentioned by anticipation (p. 273.); 
 while Douglas, of Lochleven, is styled, for the 
 first time, " the Earle of Moirtoun, that now is" 
 (p. 249. ) ; and as he succeeded to that title on the 
 death of Archibald Earl of Angus and Morton 
 in 1588, the latter part was not written till then. 
 From the account of the Queen's sickness at 
 Jedburgh, and from other passages, the author 
 appears to have been secretly a Roman Catholic, 
 and of the Hamilton faction ; and his reluctant 
 testimony concerning her guilt, possesses the 
 more authority, as he is evidently hostile to her 
 opponents, and attached to her cause. 
 
 put the discovery affords a complete detec- 
 tion of the earliest, if not the most impudent li- 
 terary forgery ever practised in Scotland. Eve- 
 ry circumstance in the manuscript, unfavoura-- 
 ble either to Mary or to Bothwell, or favourable 
 to their adversaries, is carefully suppressed : eve- 
 ry vague allegation in Camden, Spottiswood, 
 Melvill, and others, or in the State Papers which 
 Crawfurd had transcribed from the Cotton MSS.
 
 VII 
 
 is inserted in the memoirs ; and these writers 
 are quoted on the margin as collateral authori- 
 ties, confirming the evidence of some unknown 
 contemporary. Fictions, invented by Crawfurd 
 himself, are profusely intermixed ; and even the 
 ill-digested form of the genuine narrative is a 
 pretext for the transposition and alteration of 
 facts. The historiographer for Scotland, having 
 thus, on the narrow basis of the original ma- 
 nuscript, constructed spurious memoirs of his 
 own, " declares solemnly, that he has not Avrest- 
 " ed any of the words, to add to one man's cre~ 
 " dit, or to impair the honesty of another; that 
 " he has neither heightened nor diminished any 
 " particular character or action; but that he has 
 " kept as close as possible to the meaning and 
 " sense of his author ;" and even his title-page 
 professes that the work is " faithfully published 
 " from an authentic manuscript." The memoirs 
 have been quoted, as genuine, by Hume and Ro- 
 bertson : and their authority has been re-echoed 
 by disputants as a full confirmation of the most 
 absolute fictions. Nor is it possible to acquit 
 Goodall of connivance at the fraud: he had col- 
 lated the memoirs with two copies of the origi- 
 nal manuscript, and was conscious of the impos-
 
 Vlll 
 
 ture, which, in the preface to the second edition, 
 he endeavours partly to vindicate, and partly to 
 conceal. 
 
 The copy, mentioned by Goodall, was disco- 
 vered lately in the Advocates' Library; and the 
 editor has been called upon personally, in a con- 
 troversy concerning Mary Queen of Scots, to 
 publish the original memoirs entire. A few co- 
 pies, sufficient to indemnify the bookseller, are 
 therefore printed without any comment, as a 
 complete detection of the first of those literary 
 forgeries, for which the Scots are still so pecu- 
 liarly distinguished. The authorities fabricated 
 by Hector Boethius, Chalmers of Ormond, and 
 Dempster, are sufficiently known ; but Crawfurd, 
 perhaps, was the first Scotchman who published 
 his own compositions as the genuine productions 
 of a former age. The present example, however, 
 ought to convince those, who persist in the prac- 
 tice of literary forgery, that the most successful 
 fabrication can give them no assurance whatso- 
 ever of impunity, and that no length of time can 
 secure them from detection. 
 
 M. L. 
 
 EDINBURGH, April IZ. 1804.
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORIE AND LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 1566. 
 
 James the Sext was borne of his 
 
 King James 
 
 mother Marie, Queene of Scotland, and birth. 
 Queene dowager of Fraunce, in the Cas- 
 tell of Edinburgh, the nyntien day of Junnij 
 1566, quhose lyff I purpose at lenthe to 
 declaire. 
 
 Howsoone the Queene was convalescit 
 after this birth, schoe, according to the co- 
 mon forme of Scotland, addrest hirselff to 
 the southe pairtes of the realme to hold
 
 2 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 iustice courtis, and directit furthe James 
 Earle of Bothwell to the province of Lid- 
 disdaill to compell certane unbrydlit inso- 
 lent theevies to shaw thair obedience unto 
 hir : Bot they, according to thair unruly 
 custome, dispysit him and his comissioun in 
 sic sort, that they invadit him fearcelie, and 
 Earie of hurt him in divers pairtes of his bodye and 
 
 Bothwell 
 
 burt - head, that hardlie he escapit with saiftie 
 of his lyff, and that in particular be the 
 handis of ane Johnne Eliot of the Park. 
 The Queene being then at Jedburghe, and 
 understanding the certane report of this ac- 
 cident, was so heichlie greevit in hairt, that 
 shoe took na repose in bodye till shoe sawe 
 him, and thairfore with all expeditioun ad- 
 drest herself to a castell in Liddisdaill, cal- 
 lit the Armetage, quhair the said Earle then 
 lay for curing of his woundis, and quhen 
 shoe had considerit of her estate to be in 
 great danger of lyff, imediatlie that same 
 night shoe returnit to Jedburgh : quhair, 
 quhat for wearines of that suddaine and 
 lang trawill, and great distres of hir mynd
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 3 
 
 for the hurt of the said Earle, shoe con- 
 tractit a burning corruptit feaver, that oc- 
 cupyit hir in sick a heiche degree, that 
 hir senses for the twa pairt of the first day 
 were diminisht. Bot thairafter shoe con- 
 valescit a litle, and finding hir bodye op- 
 prest with sicknes tending to the death (as 
 shoe thought), shoe causit send advertise- 
 ment to all the kirks next adiacent to pray 
 for hir : And in the meanetyme was reso- 
 lute to render hir spirite to God, and gave 
 chairge that hir bodye should be buriet 
 among the rest of hir predecessors : Shoe 
 desyrit God of his mercie to pardoun hir 
 sinnes, to grant hir a penitent and con- 
 treat hairt for hir offences, and that he 
 wald deale with hir in mercie in respect of 
 hir weaknes, and remit a litle of his Judge- 
 ment although shoe hade deseruit the same 
 as a miserable offender : And thankit his 
 Majestie quha gave hir sick a large tyme 
 of repentance, praying erfectuouslie to 
 graunt hir constancie and perseuerance in 
 that catholique,undoubtit, trew faith and re-
 
 4 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 ligion : unto the end quhairof, shoe, in pre- 
 sence of nobles and gentilmen thair con- 
 veint, made confessioun, saying in Latin, 
 Credo, Sec. Secondlie, shoe recomendit un- 
 to them unitie of myndis, peace and quyet- 
 nes ; for be discord all thingis are dissoluit, 
 and be concord they remaine haill and to- 
 gidder. Shoe recomendit unto them the 
 protectioun of her young sone the prince : 
 that he should be broght up in the fear of 
 God, in honest and honourabill societieand 
 perfectioun of maners, and to preserve him 
 from people of corruptit maners, that may 
 ather seduce him from his dewtie toward 
 God or the world ; to the end he might 
 live as a godlie and righteous prince abone 
 his peeple. Shoe forgaue all those that 
 hade offendit hir, and chieflie these ungrate 
 persones quhome shoe had promovit to hie 
 honor, and in particular her awin husband 
 King Henry, as alswa the banisht gentle- 
 men quha hade heichly grievit her : Re- 
 quyring, that in caus they should be broght 
 in the realme eftir hir decis, that they should
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 5 
 
 at least be debarrit from acces to the young 
 prince for hir requeist, and that they wald 
 procure some ease in conscience to these 
 that doe profes the catholique faithe : Becaus 
 during hir regiment shoe constraint nane 
 of her subiects to exercise in religion uther- 
 wayes than thair conscience indytit thame. 
 Shoe did recomend unto them all hir 
 frenche servandies, that they should be re- 
 compencit for thair seruice, and namelie 
 ane Arnoldus Columbus. Shoe recomen- 
 dit hir amitie to the King of Fraunce, be 
 his ambassador than resident in Scotland, 
 callit Monsieur de la Croc, and the protec- 
 tion of her sone to his Majestic, and to the 
 Queene mother of Fraunce, and that he 
 should interceed at his returne to craue hir 
 forgiuenes in hir name of all offences that 
 ather shoe hade actualie done, or might be 
 supposit to have done, and that it should 
 pleas the King to graunt the reveunew of 
 a zier of her dowrie efter hir deceis to the 
 payment of hir debites and servandis feas. 
 During this seeknes, king Harie hir hus-
 
 6 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 band was in company of Mathew Earle of 
 Lennox his father, in the west of Scotland. 
 Bot quhen he understude of this suddaine 
 uisitatioun, he addrest himselff with expe- 
 ditioun, first to Edinburgh, and next to 
 Jedburgh, notwithstanding quhairof he was 
 not maid welcome as appertenit ; and he 
 perceaving that, addrest his iorney to Stri- 
 viling, quhair he remaint till the prince 
 was baptizit. The caus quhairfore he 
 was thus evill handlit, was, that Queene 
 Marie being servit be ane David Rictio 
 Italiane as Secretare, and this office of his 
 being prejudicial to Secretare Maitland off 
 Lithingtoun, he addrest himself (being a 
 man of subtile braine) to a faction direct 
 repugnant to the Queene in all respectis. 
 And in the meane tyme the King he infor- 
 mit to conceive in inynd, that this Italiane 
 Secretar had carnall copulatioun with the 
 Queene, to the end he might induce some 
 of the nobilitie to trouble the estate, as it 
 followit thairefter : For King Harie being 
 a young prince, na ways experimentit in
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 7 
 
 pollitique effaires, was easilie seducit, not 
 weying ather the caus or the end aright 
 quhat should fall out of that actioun : For 
 they maid him beleeve that they should 
 caus him be absolutlie crown it king of 
 Scotland. He introducit Patrick Lord Ruth- 
 ven, and his eldest sone, with sum uther 
 conspirators, threw his awin chalmer up- 
 oun the nynt day of Marche 1565, and 
 thair, without ather reuerence or respect 
 hade to hir Maiestie, not only iniurit hir 
 with words as shoe than sat at supper : Boj: 
 also laid violent hands upoun hir Italiane 
 Secretar, and harlit him unmerciefullie to 
 another chalmer, and yair murderest him 
 cruelly to the death. This fact maid sick 
 impressioun in the Queene's hairt, becaus 
 the King assistit thairunto (shoe being 
 yn great with child), that the fruits thairof 
 maid ane evill end. The Abbot of Kelso, 
 Mr William Ker, was slaine be his awin 
 goodsone, Ker off Cesfurde. 
 
 In the moneth of December the prince 
 was baptized in the castell of Striviling be
 
 8 THE HISTORIC OF 
 
 Johnne Archbishopp of Sainctandrois, in 
 a fonte of gold weyand thrie hundrechd 
 threttie thrie unces, send be Elizabeth 
 Queene of England, on the catholique 
 maner. Thair assistit to this baptisine for 
 the King of Fraunce, the Counte of Briane. 
 And for the Queene of England, the Earle 
 of Bedfurde. And for the Duke of Savoy, 
 Monseour La Croce. His name was callit 
 Charles James, and James Charles, be 
 thryse repetitioun of the voice of heraldis 
 and sound of trumpettis. And notwith- 
 standing of this great triumph, with all the 
 banquetting, sport and pastyme that was 
 thair amang sa noble personages : Nather 
 did King Henrie cum thair, albeit he was 
 in Striviling all that quhyll, nather was he 
 permittit or requyrit to cum oppinly : And 
 thairfore he addrest himselff to Glasgow, 
 quhair he became extreme seik, and his 
 haill bodye brak out in euill fauourit pus- 
 tullis, be the force of young age that po- 
 tentlye expellit the poyson quhilk was given 
 him to haist the end of his dayes. Sa that
 
 KING JAMES THE SEX?. 9 
 
 the Queene, whither it was for pittie or hy- 
 pocrisie (I will not dispute), tuik iorney to- 
 ward him to Glasgow, and remaint by him 
 by the space of ten dayes, and causit him 
 to be transport! t to Edinburgh, quhair he 
 was placit in a desert ludging near the wall 
 and faulxburg of the town, callit the kirk 
 of feild, prepairit for a wicked intent, as 
 the malicious actors performit with thair 
 pestilent handis, perceiving that the poy- 
 soun quhilk they hade givin him did tak 
 na effect, devysit this uther purpose. To 
 lay trains of gwn powder, about and within 
 the wallis of the hous in great quantity. 
 Bot first they come in be slight of false 
 keyis quietlie to the King's chalmer, quhair 
 he was reposing in bed, and his servand 
 sleeping nar by. First they stranglit the 
 King, and nixt his servand. They kaist 
 thair dead bodies out in a desert zaird by 
 a bak dore, quhilk they had prepared be- 
 fore, fitt for the purpose, and then kendlit 
 thair traine of gwn powder quhilk inflamit 
 the timber of the haill hous in sic sort, and
 
 10 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 troublit sa the wallis tliairof, tliat gret 
 stanes, of the lenth of ten fute, and of 
 breid five fute, were fund distant from that 
 hous be the space of a quarter of a my 11. 
 This was devysit to deceaue the people, 
 to make them belieue that the hous and 
 bodies was expellit and demolishit be the 
 chance of sudd aine fire, and na utherwayes: 
 Bot Both well and his men were sein neare 
 hand by, to the end the wicket purpose 
 should not faill to tak effect, as by progres 
 of this historic shall the better be knowin. 
 This tragicall murther was committit the 
 9 of Februar ; and upoun the fyft day thair- 
 after his body was buriet in the tombe of 
 the Kings at Halieruidhous quyetlie in the 
 night, without any kind of solemn! tie or 
 murning hard among all the persones at 
 court. For, within twa dayes thereafter, 
 the Queene past in progress to Seatoun, 
 quhair shoe remaint a few dayes till t$ie 
 parliament approachit, quhilk was procla- 
 mit afoire. He was a comely prince, of 
 ane faire and large stature of bodye, plea-
 
 JAMES THE SEXT. 11 
 
 sant in countenance, loving and affabile to 
 all men, devote efter the Catholique maner, 
 weill exerciesit in martiall pastymes upoun 
 horsbak as any prince of that age ; bot was 
 so facile, that he could conceale na secrete 
 although it might tend to his awin iveill. 
 
 In the moneth of Marche of the nixt 
 #eere, 1567, James, Earle of Bothwell, 
 finding himselff havilye sclannderit for 
 the murther of King Harie, and diuers 
 preacheris speaking oppinly in that mater, 
 to the prejudice of his honor and honesty 
 in ' that mater and action, thoght expe- 
 dient, be advyce of the Queene (as the 
 end declairit), to put himselff to the cog- 
 nition of a Jure oppenlie, as thought na 
 persoun durst compeir to avow it ; and it 
 was proclamit to the 28 day of that 
 moneth. Bot quhen he was compeirit, 
 my Lord Justice prorogat the day to the 
 12 of Aprile ensewing. Bot before that day, 
 James, Earle of Murray, demandit licence 
 from the Queene to reteere furth of Scot- 
 land for fy ve zeeres, quhilk was grauntit ;
 
 12 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 and he depairted imediatlie toward Eng- 
 land : So as the 12 day drew neire, the 
 Earle of Lennox addrest himselff to the 
 town of Edinburgh, to accuse the Earle 
 of Both well for the murther of his sone ; 
 and the Queene perceaving that, sent ad- 
 vertisement to him to enter the town in a 
 privat maner, accompanyit with his hous- 
 hold servandis only ; quhilk he refuisit to 
 doe : Sa that the partiall Jure proceedit, 
 to Bothwell's great contentment, bot in na 
 securitie from sclannder, and acquy ttit him 
 of all suspitioun of actioun of murther of 
 the king : Becaus nayther was it provin 
 be witnesses, nayther notifiet be probabill 
 accusatioun. And thairfore, to the end 
 that na thing in this maner sal be obscu- 
 rit, bot all pairties may be knawin in their 
 awin cullors, it is requisite that the names 
 of this honorabill Jure be plainely notified. 
 The names are these as-followes : 
 
 EARLE OF CASSILES, LORD BOYD, 
 
 EARLE OF CATHNES, LORD FORBES, YOUNGER, 
 
 EARLE OF ROTHUS, BARROWN OF LOCHINVARR,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 13 
 
 LORD OF ABIRBROTHOCK, BARNBOWGALL, 
 
 LORD OLYPHANT, BOYNE, 
 
 LORD HERREISS, LANGTOWN, 
 
 LORD ROSSE, CAMBUSNETHAN, 
 LORD SEMPILL, 
 
 In xlprile the parliament held, and 
 Bothwell was promovit to beare the scep- 
 ter to the Parliament-house ; and the 
 Earle of Lennox perceaving all things to 
 goe astray in Scotland, thoght it unsure 
 to him to remaine any longer to behold 
 sick unpunisht barbaritie. He thairfore re- 
 teerit himselff to England, be the wast sey, 
 quhair he remainit till he was callit bak 
 be the nobilitie of Scotland, to mak his 
 tragicall end, as in the awin place ze shall 
 heir. 
 
 Then Bothwell, thinking thair was na 
 contrauersie againes him in Scotland, con- 
 veint the number of audit hundreche 
 horsemen, and as the Queene was cumand 
 from the castell of Striviling, to haue re- 
 turnit to Edinburgh, he met hir in the hie 
 way, and convoyit hir perforce (as appeirit)
 
 14 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 to the castell of Dumbarr, to the end he 
 might enioy hir as his laufull spous ; and 
 in the meane tyme causit devorcement to 
 be led, and separation proceed betuix him 
 and his awin mariet lawful wyfe, the Ladie 
 Jeane Gordown, than sister to George, 
 Earle of Huntlye. The freindlie liufe was 
 so heighlie contractit betuix this great 
 princes toward hir enorme subiect, that 
 thair was no end thairof ; for it was con- 
 stantly esteemit be all man, that ather of 
 them loued uther carnally. Sa that shoe 
 sufferit hirselff patiently to be led quhair 
 the lover list, and all the way nather maid 
 obstacle, impediment, clamor, or resist- 
 ance, as in sic accidentis uses to be, or 
 that shoe might haue done be hir princely 
 auctoritie, being accupanyit with the noble 
 Earle of Huntlie, and Secretar Maitland 
 of Lethington. They had scarcely remanit 
 be the space of ten dayes in the castell of 
 Dumbarr, and na great distance being be- 
 tuix the Queenes chalmer and Bothwellis, 
 quhen they thoght expedient to cum to
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 15 
 
 Edinburgh Castell, and, be the way, to 
 shaw hirselff to the people that Bothwell 
 was ready to put hir to libertie againe, ac- 
 cording to the dewtie of ane obedient sub- 
 iect. Bot at the streit entrie of the toun 
 that leadis to the Castell, he maid sem- 
 blance to lead her brydle ; and sensibill 
 people interpret the same as though he con- 
 voyit hir Maiestie as his captive to a cas- 
 tell, quhairin a substitute of his was, callit 
 Sr James Balfour. Imediatelie thairafter, 
 they were proclamit in several kirkis to be 
 mariet, and a certane day prefixt to that 
 purpose. And to the effect shoe should 
 not seeme to receave to hir husband a man 
 that was not in the rowme of a prince, he 
 was creat Duce of Orknay and Zetland 
 with great magnificence, and upoun the 
 15 of Maij were mariet togidder. The 
 same day was a pamphlet affixt upoun the 
 palice port. 
 
 Mense malas Maio nubere vulgus ait. 
 
 Certane of the nobilitie mislyking of 
 this marriage, and being out of counte-
 
 16 THE HTSTORIE OF 
 
 nance afoir, delt secretlie with uthers of 
 the best sort to mak a factioun, pretending 
 thairby to set the Queene to libertie, and 
 to put Both well to a try ell for the suspectit 
 murther, allhoght thair intentioun was ra- 
 ther to seek thair awin libertie be uproar 
 and rebellioun, and to be exalted, as in the 
 awin place ze shall heir. For the chieff of 
 this factioun was James Earle of Mortoun, 
 the Earle of Marr, my Lord Home, Secre- 
 tar Lethingtoun, the Lord Sempill, the 
 Lord Lindesay, the Barrounes of Tulty- 
 bairden and Grange. And as the Queene 
 was in peaceable maner reposing with hir 
 new mariet husband in the Castell of Borth- 
 uick, nar to Edinburgh, they thought to 
 haue laid violent hands on thame baith, 
 bot were decivit : For the Queene was 
 premonisht, and escapit suddainlie to the 
 castell of Dumbarr, and thairby gat leasyr 
 to convocat thair forces on baith sydes. Sa 
 the Lordis being frustrat of that interpryse, 
 addrest thame toward Edinburgh, intend- 
 ing to fortifie thameselues thair : Bot it was
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 17 
 
 suppousit, that nather the capitane of the 
 castell of Edinburgh should haue sufferit 
 thame to approach to the toun, nather 
 should the proueist of the toun permittit 
 thame to enter : Bot quhen the heartis of 
 people are alienate from the lawfull prince, 
 rebellious persones hes liberty to doe quhat 
 they list, without contradictioun, as became 
 in this purpose. For the great pairt of the 
 inhabitantis of the toun were subornit be 
 thair preacher to mak na resistance ; and 
 the capitane of the castell was so delt with- 
 all, that the mater come to talking, quhair- 
 by he was suddainlie corruptit with money, 
 and randerit the castell in thair hands to 
 the prejudice of the prince and his interest 
 quha placit him thair. Sa that howsoone 
 toun and castell were in thair possessioun, 
 they divulgat thair pretence to the people, 
 that they were convenit for na uther intent 
 thair, bot to searche these that hade mur- 
 therit the late King Henrie. And becaus 
 they understude that some of thame were 
 quietlie keepit in Edinburgh, they vvald see 
 
 B
 
 18 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 thame punisht : Quhairby the myndis of 
 the maist pairt of the people were inclynit 
 thairway. And within twa dayes efter, the 
 Erie of Athoill, be procurement of Secre- 
 tarie Lethingtoun, come to this factioun ; 
 bot efter were sa fair disioynit in myndis 
 and bodies, as we shall heir the ishew of 
 rebellioun, to our better instructioun be the 
 progres of the historic. 
 
 So the Queene, understanding crediblie 
 of sick convocatioun tending to rebellioun, 
 shoe, on the vther pairt, assemblit so many 
 as shoe could obteine in sa short tyme, and 
 desperatlie come from Dumbarr to Sea- 
 toun. And thair, efter shoe hade stayit bot 
 a night, was resolute, be ye vnwyse advyce 
 of these that were with hir at that tyme, 
 to come forwart with that small cumpanye 
 to invaid hir aduersars, befoir hir haill air- 
 my were assemblit, and come to ane place 
 callit Carbarrie hill. The Lordis sortit from 
 Edinburgh be places of advantage, and to 
 haue the sone on thair bakkis ; for the day 
 was exceeding hott ; the 14 of Junii, and a
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 Sonday. The Queene causit hir proclama- 
 tiouns to be maid to animat the people on 
 hir syde ; that gifF any man should slay an 
 Erie of the aduersars, should haue for his 
 reward fourtie pund land ; for slaughter 
 of a Lord a twentie pund land ; and for 
 slaughter of a Barroun a ten pund land. 
 Botthe mater was componit without straikis. 
 For the partie of the Lordies was mikle 
 stronger than the Queene's, and mony peo- 
 ple of Edinburgh were come furth to as- 
 sist thame. Besydes all this, they were 
 supportit with stoir of drink, quhilk was a 
 great releeff againes drouth in sick exceed- 
 ing heatt of the zeir : sa that quhen the 
 Queenes pairty sawe sick a multitude, and 
 sa couragiously approach againes thame to 
 feght, the Duke of Orknay was counsellit 
 be the Queene, to reteere bak to the castell 
 of Dumbarr Avith expeditioun, thair to save 
 himselff, as he did. Monseour La Croce, 
 ambassador for the King of Fraunce, maid 
 great instance and trauell betuix the pairtes 
 for agreement, bot it could not be obtenit.
 
 20 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 And the Queene, perceaving that, shoe de- 
 syrit to speak with the Laird of Grange, 
 and in ye meane tyme these of hir syde de- 
 cressit still. Grange coming vnto her Ma- 
 iestie, they vsit sum small speaches ; for 
 shoe being credulous to be frie, and safe 
 from danger, randerit hirselff willinglie to 
 the Lordies, quha vnreverently broght hir 
 in to Edinburgh, about seven houres at 
 evin, and keept hir straitly within the pro- 
 uest's Judging on the hie street. And on 
 the morne fixt a quhytt baner in hir siyght, 
 quhairin was paintit the effigie of King 
 Harie hir husband, lyand dead at the roote 
 of a green tree, and the effigie of the young 
 prince with this inscriptioun, 
 
 Judge and revenge my caus, o Lord! 
 
 This siyght greevit hir greatily; andthairfoir 
 shoe burst furth exceeding (many) teares, 
 and exclamatiouns againes these Lordies 
 quha held hir in captivity, crying to the peo- 
 ple for God's caus to releue hir fra the hands 
 of these tyraunties. The people of the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 21 
 
 toun convenit vnto in great number : And 
 perceaving hir sa afflictit in mynd, hade 
 pittie and compassioun of hir estate. The 
 Lordis perceaving that, come vnto hir with 
 dissimulat countenance, with reuerent and 
 faire speaches, and said, that yair inten- 
 tiouns were nawayes to thraw hir ; and 
 thairfoir imediatelye wald repone hir with 
 freedome to hir awin palace of Halyrud- 
 hous, to doe as shoe list : Quhairby shoe 
 was sa pacifiet, that the people willinglie 
 depairtit. And on the nixt evening to cul- 
 lor yair pretences, convoyit hir to the pa- 
 lice, and then assemblit thameselues in 
 counsall to advyse quhat was best to be 
 done : And it was decernit that imediatlye 
 shoe sould be transportit to the fortalice of 
 Lochlevin, and thair decernit to remaine 
 in captivity during hir lyfe, and to transfer 
 hir auctoritie to the young prince, to the 
 end that they might reule as they list, 
 without any controlement of lawfull auc- 
 toritie ; quhilk continewit mony zeeres. 
 Thair was on the Queenes pairt, the Lordis
 
 22 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Seatoun, Zester, Borthuick, with thair forces, 
 the Barrouniss of Wachtoun, Basse, Orme- 
 stoun, Weclderburne, Blacader, and Lang- 
 toun. On the pairt of the Lordis, were the 
 Earles of Moirtoun, Marr, and Glencairne; 
 the Lordis Lindesay, Ruthven, Home, Sem- 
 pill, Sanquhair ; the Barrounies of Tully- 
 bairden, Drumlangreg, Grange, and all yair 
 forces of horsemen and futemen. 
 
 In that moneth come an ambassador 
 from Fraunce, callit Monseour d'Villeroy, 
 to knaw the estate of the Queene and 
 country, with letters patents to hir Ma- 
 iestie, in caies shoe were at liberty, vther- 
 wayes not to divulgat thame, bot to dis- 
 pose upoun thame as he list. And becaus 
 he fand sic a troublit estate, without the 
 maiestie of a prince, he depairted the 
 countrey patiently throw England. The 
 Lordis thus triumphand, hauing the Queene 
 in sure captiuity, inclosit with water at all 
 pairtes of hir preasoun, distant a half myll 
 at least from ony land, and keepit be the 
 hand of a Dowglas, barroun of Lochlevin,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 23 
 
 quha was thoght maist convenient for this 
 purpose, baith becaus Dowglas, than Earle 
 of Moirtoun, was prince of this factioun, 
 and the vther Dowglas hade ye maist sure 
 hald, and was brother to James Earle of 
 Murray, quha eftir was regent of Scotland, 
 and yairby pretendit to be king. Shoe 
 was thair comittit for all respectis ; bot the 
 gen til man was so weill advysit with his 
 freindis, that he wald not receaue hir with- 
 in his hous of strenthe, without a speciall 
 warrandice of these rebellious Lordis : That 
 in cais it should be unputt to him another 
 day, ather be hir Maiestie than present, or 
 be ony of hir successors, that they should, 
 be band of obligatioun, stand betuix the 
 prince, him, and his aires, for warrandice of 
 all perrell and danger that might ensew 
 thairupoun ; ,,Quhilk they then promeist, 
 and band thameselues to performe : And 
 not only this, bot promeist to convocat a 
 parliament of thair factioun of all estates, 
 and the samen should be ratifiet yair with 
 all ye voittes, quhilk was alswa done.
 
 24 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 The same verie nyght of hir transporting, 
 were taken twa men, suspect of the King's 
 murther. The ane was callit Sebastian de 
 Villour, a Frenchman : the vther was Ca- 
 pitaine Williame Blaccader. This capi- 
 taine shortlie efter was putt to ye knaw- 
 ledge of a Jure, and was convict : hot at 
 his death wald naways confes himselff gilty 
 of the King's murther ; the nther escaipitt. 
 
 Notwithstanding of this, the Lordis find- 
 ing thair factioun not sa strangas yairneid 
 requyrit ; having potent aduersars againes 
 thame ; off quhilk number the Earle of 
 Argyll was ane, they thocht expedient to 
 send the Earle of Glencairne ather to per- 
 swade him directly to be of thair factioun, 
 or ellis that he wald so absteine that he 
 should not serue to be thair enemy : quhair- 
 by he grew sa corruptit, that although he 
 shew himselff in outward behavor as a gude 
 subiect to the Queene, zit in effect shew 
 himselff hir enemy, as be consequent shall 
 be sufficiently provin. And heirwithall 
 went sa quickly to wark, that they divul-
 
 ICING JAMES THE SEXT. 25 
 
 gat thair proclamatiouns in sic sort to the 
 people, Declaring the Earle of Both well to 
 be actuallie culpabill of the murther of the 
 laitt King Henrye, and thairfoir willit all 
 men to be sa diligent to searche him to be 
 broght to iustice ; that he should haue for 
 his reward a ressonabill pecuniall sowme, 
 availling a thowsand punds money of Scot- 
 land. As alswa they spairitt not to putt 
 violent hands upoun hir maiesties cope- 
 burd, meltit the especes thairof, and con- 
 vertit all in coyne, thairby to forge a staff 
 to break hir awin head, of the weyght of 
 sexteine stane. 
 
 To approue all thir doings was an em- 
 bassador sent from England, callit sir Ni- 
 colas Throgmorton. Imediatlie thairefter, 
 becaus they wald not seeme to tak the go- 
 vernement of the country be thameselves, 
 they thocht gude to establishe a prince of 
 bloode royall, vnder the shaddow of whose 
 wings in minority they should convoy all 
 things to thair awin purpois. And thair- 
 efter they sumond all the nobles of the
 
 526 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 land to compeir at Striviling, to assist and 
 approuethecoronatioun of the young prince 
 to be ane King for thair intent. And to the 
 effect it should seeme to haue the better 
 succes, and that the subiects of all degrees 
 should mak na obstacle in the contrarie, 
 they directit thair message to thair captive 
 princes, desyring hir to allow of that thair 
 purpose : Quhilk shoe (being in that case) 
 nather could nor durst refuse, for the 
 messenger was commandit (in cais shoe 
 hade refusit) to denunce punishment and 
 death vnto hir for the murther of hir law- 
 full husband King Henrye. Shoe thairfore 
 considering with hirselff that hir refusal 
 could profile nathing, deliberate to zield to 
 thair purpose, and subscrybit hir assent 
 thairvnto : Not of ony frie will, bot, as I 
 haue saine. And so to put that purpose to 
 ane finall end, they convenit at Striviling, 
 and in ye very paroche kirk thairof, the 
 prince was anoynted King, be Adame bi- 
 shop of Orknay : And crownit King be 
 Lord Johne Earle of Athoill, be the ex-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. fi7 
 
 pres words of the Queenes comissioun. 
 At the quhilk assembly, passing from the 
 paroche kirk to the castell again, the Earle 
 of Athoill buire ye crowne of honour, the 
 Earle of Moirtoun the scepter, the Earle 
 of Glencairne the sword of honour : The 
 Earle of Marr cariet the new inaugural 
 King to his awin chalmer in the castell. 
 This was done upoun the 29 of July, 1567. 
 In the nixt moneth, Lord James Earle 
 of Murray, a man of this factioun, returnit 
 from Fraunce in Scotland, quhairby it was 
 the mair easie for him to haue acces to ye 
 Queene. Shoe was perswadit be these that 
 were hir keeperis, and vthers intromettit for 
 that purpois, to desire him to tak the gou- 
 ernement of the countrey upoun him ; to 
 the quhilk he was sa easilye perswadit, 
 that without great delay of tyme, be coactit 
 consent of the captive Queene, the gude 
 mynd of the factionaries, and his awin bent 
 will thairunto, was publickly proclamit in 
 Edinburgh, upon the 22d of that moneth, 
 only and lawful regent to James, be the
 
 28 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 grace of God, King of Scottis, his maiestie, 
 realme and leagis. Thairefter he talkit 
 with the capitaine of the castell of Edin- 
 burgh, callit sir James Balfur, (he was al- 
 swa ane of these that were suspectit of the 
 King's murther) to the effect he might haue 
 the hous in his hands. The conditions that 
 the capitaine cravit, were auctorizit unto 
 him. First, a remissioun for airt and pairt 
 for the King's murther ; secondlie, the gift 
 and donatioun of the priorie of Pittin- 
 weeme ; thirdlie, a pensioun of victuall to 
 his eldest sone, out of the priorie of St An- 
 drews, to remaine with him heretably ; and 
 last of all, a great pecunial sowme to him- 
 selff in hand : The regent tuik possessioun 
 of the hous, and ludgit himselff therein the 
 first night. 
 
 The Queene understanding of this par- 
 tiall dealing, tending greatly e to hir preju- 
 dice, shoe subornit a factioun of hir awin, 
 of the hous and freindshipp of Hamilton ns, 
 and uthris in quhome shoe confidit, that 
 the regentrie of the realme, giue any should
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 29 
 
 be esteemit lawfull, uncoactit or compellit, 
 bot be hir awin frie motive will, it should 
 rather be given to James Duke of Chat- 
 telaralt Earle of Arran and Lord Hamil- 
 toun, then to any uther. . And for this caus 
 maid and subscryvit a frie commissioun of 
 hir awin inventioun, to Archibald Earle of 
 Argyll, Williame Lord Boyd, Williame 
 Lord Levingstoun, and Gawen comenda- 
 tor of Kilwyning, to talk with the new 
 electit regent of this purpois, and for hir 
 libertye from captivity, bot all thair talk- 
 ing come to this effect : That becaus Duke 
 Hamiltoun was then furth of the countrey, 
 it was not thocht expedient that the estate 
 than confirmit, as said is, should be cassin 
 louse, bot should remaine in that same 
 forme that then it was of, unto the tyme 
 of the returne of the said Duke in the 
 countrey ; quhairupoun the Queene's corn- 
 missionaries thocht expedient to direct the 
 comendator of Kilwyning toward Fraunce, 
 for the speedy returne of the Duke. 
 In the meane tyme the regent Murray di-
 
 30 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 rectit certane gentlemen to ye seas, to pro- 
 secute Bothwell quliair he might be fund, 
 and speciallie in Orknay, where he under- 
 stude him to mak his residence. Certane 
 of his men were taking, and put to the 
 deathe for his odious cry me, hot he esca- 
 ping thair invasioun, addrest himselff to ye 
 coast of Norroway. And he being then ac- 
 cumpanyit with certayne fyne schipps, (as 
 Admirall of Scotland) and the same con- 
 ductit be gude captaines, they chancit to 
 espye a fair shippe of Turkic, then lying at 
 anker upoun that coist, within the domini- 
 onis of the King of Denmark, quhilk shipp 
 he seasit upoun, and maid a pray thairof. 
 Bot ye capitane of ye tounseing that shipp 
 taking away, quhilk anes hade maid obedi- 
 ence within the seas of his prince, directit 
 out twa great shipps to releeve hir fra the 
 hands of hir enemies. And the invasioun 
 being great for the pairt of Norroway, the 
 Earle Bothwell was compellit to giue ouer, 
 and so was led prisoner, his captaines and 
 marineris hauylie tormentit, and himselff
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 31 
 
 comitted to sic prisoun quhair fra he was 
 neuer fred fra the death. 
 
 The regent with his counsall understand- 
 ing of this accident, directit certane com- 
 missionar to the King of Denmark, desyr- 
 ing him to rander him bak in Scotland, to 
 be punisht for the murther of the laitt King 
 Henrie, quhairof he was culpable, bot it 
 was refusit be the King, becaus he wald 
 not acknowledge thair auctoritie. 
 
 The castell of Edinburgh being in the 
 regent's possessioun, (as I have said) he 
 thocht alsaw expedient to haue the castell 
 of Dumbar. And thairfoir summond the 
 Laird of Quhytlaw, capitane thairof, to 
 render the samen, under the paine of trea- 
 soun. Quhilk at the first was sa constant- 
 ly refusit, that the regent was constraint to 
 belay the hous about with men of ware, 
 and to bring some canonis from the castell 
 of Edinburgh, for batterie of the hous. 
 The capitane perceaving this, and knaw- 
 ing of na uther gude refuge and succor 
 competent, randerit the hous to the re-
 
 32 THE HISTORTE OF 
 
 gent of certane easie conditiones. All the 
 canonis and guns thairin contenit were cari- 
 et to the castell of Edinburghe, and the 
 King's hous of strenthe, quhilk was a ne- 
 cessar ornament to the countrie, was decer- 
 nit to be dimolisht doun to ye ground, 
 quhilk within few moneths thaireftir was 
 really accomplishitt. 
 
 During the accomplishment of this pur- 
 pois, all the nobillmen and gentillmen of 
 East Louthian that were suspectit to be 
 fauorers to the Queene, or freinds to the 
 Duke of Orknay, were chairgit under the 
 hiest paine to subscribe obedience to the 
 new electit regent, and to giue thair aide 
 for prosecuting of the laitt Kingis murther. 
 Certane, for ease of thair bodies, to the ef- 
 fect they should not be spulzied of thair 
 rentis, consentit heirunto, albeit againes 
 thair heartis. Uthris dissobeyeris were de- 
 nuncit rebellis, and guides confiscat. And 
 to the effect that the castell of Edinburgh, 
 quhilk was anes realy in the regentis pos- 
 sessioun, should seruc him for a sure retreat
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 33 
 
 quhen he list : He beslowit the keeping 
 thairof to Sir Williame Kirkaldye of Grange, 
 knyght, quha keepit it als sure for him and 
 his factioun as his predecessor, the capitane 
 thairof, did for him that placit him thair 
 (as is alreddj declarit) ; and as for the fact 
 of this capitane it shal be shawm sueces- 
 siuely in the awin place, as occasion fell 
 out on his pairt. 
 
 Efter this a parliament was proclamit to 
 be halden at Edinburgh, the 19 of Decem- 
 ber. The nobles convenit that day, de- 
 nuncit the Duke of Orknay a traitor, and 
 so to be reput by all the Kingis leages for 
 the murther of the laitt King Henrie. 
 
 Nixt proclamations were maid, desyring 
 the Kingis subiects to accumpany the re- 
 gent for suppressing of the disorderit 
 theaves of the south border. And in the 
 mean t} T me held Justice courtis in Glasgow, 
 for punishment of vyces. And this is the 
 particulare sume of all things done in that 
 jzeir. 
 
 For the entres of the next zeir, 1568, 
 c
 
 34 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 thair was exceeding dearth of cornes in re- 
 spect of scant in the countrey, that so 
 mikle was transportit to other kingdomes : 
 for remeid quhairoff, inhibitions were maid 
 so farrout of season, that na victuall should 
 be transportit out of the contrie under the 
 paine of confiscatioun : even quhen thair 
 was na mair ather to satisfie the people, or 
 to plenishe the comon mercattis of the 
 countrie as appertenit. 
 
 The King of Fraunce having a perpetu- 
 all care of the Queene of Scottis his sister 
 in law, and sister in office, directit ane 
 ambassador of his, callit Monseour Beau- 
 mont, in Scotland to the regent, requyring 
 him to satisfie that his promeis maid to the 
 King of Fraunce at his depairtor, quhilly 
 was to releeue the Queene from prisoun, 
 and to set hir at liberty : And he now be- 
 ing constitute gouernor of the realme, and 
 accepting the same upon him, might suffi- 
 ciently performe his promeis be himselff, 
 without ony tumult or danger that might 
 ensew. Bot he craftily excusit the mater,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 35 
 
 saying, that he could then nather giue com- 
 petent answyr thairunto, nather zit could 
 performe the same without consent of the 
 thrie estattis of the realme to be convenit 
 in parliament. And becaus thair had bene 
 ane parliament sa laitly concludit befoir his 
 arryvell in Scotland, he could not quetlie 
 mak ane new assembly sa suddainly wyth- 
 out thair grudge. And thus shiftinglie 
 postponit the ambassador to his great 
 greeff. Bot the Queene in the meane tyme 
 was vigilant and diligent for hir awin re- 
 leeff, be hir subtile inventions: sa that befoir 
 mony days were spent, the ambassador was 
 resoluit of that doubt, for his entrie in Scot- 
 land was upoun the 22 of Apryll, and the 
 27 of same moneth he gat audience of the 
 regent. And upoun the fyft day thairefter, 
 quhilk was the 2 day of May, upoun ane 
 Sunday at evin, the Queene escapit furth 
 of prisoun. Bot as for the maist pairt prin- 
 ces are suddaine and wilfull in thair opinion 
 of doing : And will not foirsee to prosecute 
 thair gude chances aright : Even sa became
 
 36 
 
 of this princes : For albeit shoe had that gude 
 and rare lucke, besyds the expectatioun of 
 the greattest number of hir weill willers in 
 Scotland, that hir subtill devyce was sa 
 lang and weill conceivit, even to the finall 
 end : yet the succes of this was as euill as 
 the first. Shoe hade indeed subbornit a gen- 
 tillman quha appeirandly should haue bein 
 a mair constant freind to the capitane of 
 the hous than to hir, and that was George 
 Dowglas, brother german to this barroun 
 of Lochlevin, quha hade the cheef chairge 
 and governance of the hous under his bro- 
 ther. Bot as the exceeding hunger of gold 
 hade befoir tymes intoxicat the heartis of 
 divers valiant men : Sa this George was 
 very laith to want the benefeet thairof : A 
 fatal vertew appeirandly in that hous, for 
 although the eldest brother obtenit na be- 
 nefeet of this liberty brocht to pas by his 
 knawledge : Yet within short tyme thairef- 
 ter, he recompencitt that losse with the ser- 
 ving of the noble Earle of Northumber- 
 land to the shamles. And the Earle of
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 37 
 
 Moirtoun and he devydit the cast amang 
 them, sa that was hard to tell quhilk of the 
 thrie had ather the greatest honor or pro- 
 file in sic doings ; for as to the profile, I 
 think nane of thame had iust occasioun to 
 plaint : Bot as concerning the honor, I re- 
 fer it to the sensement of the indifferent 
 reedar. 
 
 The rest of the pairt of the Queenes li- 
 berty was performit be a gentillman callit 
 Johnne Beatoun, quba past oft tymes be- 
 twix Lochlevin, Hamiltoun, and Seatoun, 
 with intelligence, sa as all things were per- 
 fectly and privily agreit upoun Avithin the 
 hous. Thair was a certaine day prefix t to 
 George Lord Seatoun, James Hamiltoun of 
 Rochbank, ather of thir having severall 
 companyes to attend upoun hir out cuming. 
 And if shoe should happen to be within the 
 bait, shoe should giue a signe unto thame, 
 for thair assurance, quhilk was perfytlie per- 
 formit. Quhen shoe was come to the land, 
 they horsett hir imediatlie with gladnes 
 on all syde, as ye may suppose, bot how
 
 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 lang it indurit ye shall heir. The Queene 
 was first convoyit to Nidrye, my Lord Sea- 
 tounes hous that night, and within thrie 
 houres thairefter, was transportit to Hamil- 
 toun, quhair Duke Hamiltoun, my Lord 
 Heres, my Lord Levingstoun, and rny Lord 
 Flemyng, with all thair forces were conve- 
 nit, to the number of thrie thousand horse- 
 men. This convocatioun thocht first expe- 
 dient to send a message to the regent, wha 
 was then making his residence at Glasgow 
 for the caus afoirtold, desyring him to auc- 
 torize the Queenes majestic, and repone hir 
 in hir awin place againe, as appertenit to 
 gude reasoun. Bot he efter consulting 
 hade with sic nobles as were then presente, 
 quhilk were bot few in number, he refusit 
 simpliciter. Sa as the Queene was com- 
 pellit to prosecute hir iust right per force, 
 and the regent to defend his election be 
 the lyke. Proclamationes were maid on 
 bayth sydes, for the regent in Glasgow : 
 for the Queene at Hamiltoun, Lanark, and 
 some uther capital burrowes. And becaus
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 39 
 
 the ambassador of Fraunce was directit to 
 the regent : and this suddaine chance was 
 fallen out in the meane tyme, he desyrit the 
 regentis licience to pas and speak the 
 Queene : Saying he would intreat for 
 peace. And in the meane tyme Johnne 
 Beattoun receavit his directions to pas first 
 in England and then to Fraunce, to give 
 notice of hir libertie, and he was dispatchit 
 with diligence. The ambassador procuring 
 for peace, availlit nothing. And befoir 
 this Johnne Beattoun could arryve in 
 Fraunce with his message, all this joyfull 
 libertye was suddainlye convertit to a tra- 
 gicall captivitye, as in the awin place shall 
 be declarit. 
 
 It was deliberat in the Queene's coun- 
 sall, that hir majestic should first peacea- 
 blie be reponit in the castell of Dumbar- 
 ton, thair to remain till all the nobilis and 
 gentillmen of the land should convein in 
 Dumbarton at a parliament, and to devyse 
 for all generall causes of the commonweill : 
 and in particular for the Queene, and the
 
 40 THE HTSTORIE OF 
 
 young King. They sortit from Hamiltoun 
 upoun the 13 clay of May, to pas toward 
 Dumbartane. The regent understanding 
 of this, he causit his company to sort in ar- 
 ryit battle to stopp the Queenes passage : 
 And come furth to a village callit the Lang- 
 syd, quhair they stude be the advantage 
 of the ground. The gentillmen of the sur- 
 name of Hamiltoun were on the Queenes 
 avantgaird, and my Lord Ileres with cer- 
 tane horsemen on their wing. On the re- 
 gent's avantgaird were James Earle of Mor- 
 toun, and Alexander Lord Home. The 
 Queenes foir company were sa evil con- 
 ductit, that thai were led amang certane 
 ditches, and were sorely stressit be shott 
 of hagbute from the regents syd : And in 
 respect of this incomodity, being sa evil se- 
 cundit be my Lord Ileres, and havin^sus- 
 tenit greate losse, were constranit to give 
 bake, these gentillmen were the worst trait 
 of all the Queenes syde. The areeregaird 
 perceavin^ them to be defaitt, did the lyke, 
 the Earle of Argyll being Leauetenent of
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 41 
 
 the Queenes campe, shew nather courage 
 nor vassalage at this conflict. The Queene 
 fled with speid out of the feild, and past 
 toward Drumfries, on the west borderis of 
 Scotland, foiranent England. The slaugh- 
 ter was not great of bayth syds, for it ex- 
 ceedit not the number of twa hundrethe. 
 The regents folkis followit on the chase a 
 great way, divers of the Queens pairt were 
 taken prisoneris. And the maist remarka- 
 bill were George Lord Seatoun, the Sheriffe 
 of Aire, Sir James Hamiltoune of Craw- 
 furde, Johnne Knight, Alexander Hamii- 
 toune of Innerwick, Sir Williame Scott of 
 Balweere knight, James Hariot of Tra- 
 broun, James and Johnne Hamillounes of 
 Garen, James Hamiltoune of Kinkavill, 
 David Hamiltoune of Bothwellhauche, 
 Alexander Baillie of Littillgill, and the 
 Laird of Lanchupe, with sundrie atheris 
 substantious gentillmen. Thair was hurt 
 on the regentis syde my Lord Uchiltrie* 
 with divers uther. The nobillmen that 
 come to the field with the Queene were
 
 42 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 these, Archbald Earle of Argyle Lieuten- 
 net, Hew Earle of Eglintoune, Archibald 
 Earle of Cassilis, Andro Earle of Rothus, 
 my Lord Glamis, George Lord Seatoun, 
 Johnne Lord Heres, Hew Lord Somerveill, 
 John Lord Flemyng, Thomas Lord Boyd, 
 my Lord Ross, the Sheriffe of Aire, and 
 Sir James Hamiltoune of Crawfuird, Johne 
 Knyghte, to the number of six thousand 
 men or thairby. The nobles and gentill- 
 men on the regents pair!; were James Earle 
 of Mortoune, Alexander Earle of Glen- 
 carne, Alexander Lord Home, Johnne 
 Lord Lindesay, Robert Lord Sempill, Wil- 
 liame Lord Ruthven, Johnne Lord Gra- 
 hame, Secretarie Lethingtoun, to the num- 
 ber of thrie thousand or sum maire. 
 
 The regent having obtcnit the victorie, 
 returnit to Edinburgh, quhair he selectit 
 certane of the prisonirs foirsaids, and pat 
 thame to the cognitioun of a Jure in the 
 tolbuthe of Edinburgh to witt, Alexander 
 Hamiltoune of Innerwick, James Hamil- 
 toune, younger of Kinkavill, David Hamil-
 
 KINB JAMES THE SEXT. 43 
 
 toune of Bothwellhauche, and uther four 
 in number. The first day na bodye com- 
 peerit : on the next day thai were brocht 
 to the barre againe, within the iustice saitt 
 in Edinburgh, and thair convict be ane as- 
 syse, and their handis bund to haue sufferit 
 deathe. Bot it pleasit the regent to tak a 
 new advysement, and commandit thair 
 binding to be relaxt, and the prisoneris 
 were committit to warde againe within the 
 castell of Edinburgh. And so to prose- 
 cute his victorie, he commandit all the 
 Kings leages to meete him in the toun of 
 Bigger with diligence, in warlyk maner to 
 persewe the Queene. And shoe during hir 
 remaining at Dumfreis, sent a messinger 
 to the Queene of England, desyring hir 
 pasport to pas throw that countrey in 
 Fraunce, quhilk immediatlie was grantit : 
 And the Queene of England thair wi thai 1 
 sent to the Queene of Scotland a fair dya- 
 mond, in token of freindshipp, as the use 
 of that countrie is : Bot it was convertit to 
 falsett or all was done. For although shoe
 
 44 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 maid hir belieue, befoir shoe come from 
 Scotland, even in the midds of hir distress, 
 that shoe wald supplie hir, yet it was ne- 
 ver done be the least euill countenance 
 that could be perceavit against hir ene- 
 mies : for in the beginning of hir trou bles, 
 shoe resett and harbarit within hir bowells, 
 the maist capitall enemies that euer shoe 
 hade ; the ane was Williame Lord Ruth- 
 ven, quha diet in the toun of Newcastell 
 in England ; the uther was James Earle 
 of Mortoun, quha efter became regent of 
 Scotland, and maid a violent end for a fil- 
 thie caus. Besyds all this, although the 
 Queene of Scotland was entered in Eng- 
 land be the Queenes awin permissioun and 
 great promeisof freindshipp to follow thair- 
 upoun, be the taking of the ring caryeit be 
 Sir Robert Meluill, now the thesaurer of 
 Scotland, and was comitted first to the 
 toun of Carleill, and nixt to the custodie of 
 my Lord Scrupe, quhair she was sa circum- 
 spectlie attendit upoun, that for a long 
 tyme shoe was debarrit fra al acces to
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 45 
 
 utheris, and all utheris debarrit from acces 
 unto hir. And quhen shoe desyrit to haue 
 free passage throw the countrey, according 
 to the first conditioun of the pasport, it 
 was ansrit that some comissionaris should 
 be sent to talk with hir at York, quha 
 should resolue hir of all thinges. Bot to 
 the effect I may returne to my purpois, 
 the nobles of Scotland quha were convenit 
 with hir at Dumfries, understanding hir 
 bent mynd to pas in England, they with- 
 stoode hir for mony reasones, alledging 
 that the Queene and Counsall of England 
 meant ira mair uprightly to hir at that 
 tyrne, nor they hade to diuers of hir pre- 
 decessors afoir tyme, quhilke was, to keepe 
 hir sure within thair kingdome, neuer to 
 cum lous againe. And to reule be thair 
 usurpit suppostis in Scotland, as they hade 
 done befoir in the dayes of king Robert 
 Bruce and many utheris, to halde this re- 
 alme perpetuallie at vndef, vsing mony 
 vther reasones to dissuade hir from that 
 purpois : bot all was in vaine, hir will be-
 
 46 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 hoovit to be accomplished. Thair was sa 
 great beleef given to the pasport and the 
 ring on hir pairt, that shoe got neuer cre- 
 dence to requyte thame with hir thankes ; 
 and thus shoe past in England upoun hope 
 of forder courtessie. 
 
 The regent understanding of this, was un- 
 certane quwhatto conceave in mynd, and in 
 the meane tyme hade exponit some sould- 
 eoris toward Clyddisdaill, and they entring 
 in the castell and palice of Hamiltoun obte- 
 nit great spuilize, quhilk thai brocht to Edin- 
 burgh to the regent in coffers as it was got- 
 tin, and he comandit the same to be sent to 
 the castell of Edinburgh, under the custody 
 of Sir Williame Kirkaldy of Grange, knight, 
 and then he warnitalltheQueenes partakeris 
 at this last conflict, to compeir befoir the 
 secret counsall to answere for thameselues, 
 and these that disobeyit he cawsit thair 
 cheef houses to be cassin doun, and thair 
 guids confiscat to his vse, sic was the greed- 
 ynes of that tyme. And he thinking this 
 not to be sufficient, did proclame a parlia-
 
 XING JAMES THE SEXT. 47 
 
 ment to be haldin in the moneth of July 
 againe, the quhilk tyme all of the surname 
 of Hamiltoun and utheris partakers, with 
 the Queenes favoraris of hir factioun in 
 onywayes, were sumonit to compeir. The 
 dissobeyeris were maid postscript, and foir- 
 faultit, to the ends he might be also an- 
 oyntit with the fatnes of thair landis and 
 rentis. For the quhilk seveir handling, he 
 gat sick a recompence as eftir shall appeir. 
 Quhill he rewles thus in Scotland, to the 
 green and hurt of many of the Queenes 
 trew subjectis notwithstanding of hir ab- 
 sence, tua famous Lordis of Scotland de- 
 parted the countrie toward Lundon in 
 England, to Queene Elizabeth and hir 
 counsall, be comissioun of the rest of 
 the Lordis of hir factioun, to desire that 
 they wald be sa gude as to send the 
 Queene of Scotland triumphandly haie 
 againe, with a competent number of valiant 
 men to suppres hir rebellis. Bot the inten^ 
 tioun of England was neuer bent that way, 
 as the progres and end declarit. During
 
 48 THE HTSTORIE OF 
 
 this seasoun, the Lordis of Scotland of the 
 Queene's factioun maid an uproar in the 
 southwest pairt thairof, be instigatioun of 
 Archibald Earle of Argyll, calling himselff 
 Lieuetenent for the Queene in these pairts, 
 and the Earle of Huntly, calling himsem 
 Lieuetenent for the Queene in the northe 
 pairtis, be comissioun, quhilk was publicly 
 proclaim! t in Aberdein. They were deli- 
 berat to assailzie the regent in all handis, 
 and quhill he is at Striviling, his death is 
 conspyrit be twa men, the ane was Wil- 
 lianie Stewart, king of arms, and Patrick 
 Hepburne, persoun of Kemnore. And 
 howsoone the intelligence thairof was de- 
 vulgat unto him, he cawsit enquyre for the 
 men. The Lyoun escaipit at that tyme, 
 and the persoun was comittit to preasoun, 
 and thaireftir punished. Bot the Earle of 
 Argyll, and certane utheris of his compli- 
 ces, come to Glasgow, and assayit the cas- 
 tell thairof. Thir newes were cariet in 
 England, bayth to the Queene Elizabeth, 
 and Queene Marie; and some were directit
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 4^) 
 
 to Queene Marie coloratly, as though they 
 had bein hir friends, declairing unto hir, 
 that shoe wald be thought ane unwelcum 
 ghaist in England to suscitat rebellioun in 
 hir countrey, shoe being thair under the 
 clemency of thair prince ; and thairfore, 
 giff shoe wald wish to be weill lykit of 
 thair, shoe should be a peace maker, rather 
 than a peace breaker. This was done to 
 diminish her factioun, and dissolue sick as 
 were bandit with her in affectioun, to the 
 end, that giff they should be anes separat- 
 ed againe, the regent myght the better be 
 .revengit on thame. Quhairupoun shoe 
 was persuadit, being then in my Lord 
 Scrupis maintenance at Boltoun, to wreitt 
 to these Lordis, desyring thame to stay for 
 that tyme, and to separat themselues till 
 shoe were better advysit,quhilk they obey it. 
 And to the end they should haue occa- 
 sioun to dryve tyme with the Queene, quha 
 daylie suitit to haue the benefeet of the 
 pasport to be accomplishit : And England, 
 be the contrair, neuer meaning nor under-
 
 50 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 standing that, they answerit, that the regent 
 of Scotland hade desyrit, that hir Maiestie 
 should not be sent back againe as a per- 
 soun not worthie to beare rewlle in a co- 
 moun weill for many respectis, quhilk he 
 wald willinglie declaire befoir the counsall 
 of England, giff so it should pleas the 
 Queene to heir bayth the pairties. This 
 overture was very acceptable to ye counsall 
 of England, quha desyrit na uther thing 
 bot protracting of tyme, to put hir first 
 grounds out of memorie. The Queene was 
 urgit to graunt heirunto for hir pairt, at 
 the quhilk she stormit a litill. Bot it was 
 replyit be the Queene of England's messin- 
 gir, that hir maistres was verrie willing to 
 please the Queene in all maner of way, pro- 
 vyding shoe myght be resoluit of sum 
 doubtis newly obiectit againes hir, the 
 verity quhairof were verrie necessary for 
 hir to knaw. And becaus the Queene was 
 then com in England to craue sick resson- 
 abill help as may be spairit, and thairwith- 
 all hade accusit hir adverser enemies ; and
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 51 
 
 they being accusit be the Queene of Eng- 
 land for sick thair enormities, as the Queene 
 hade given in bill : They answerit, yat they 
 were content to answere befoir hir Maiestie 
 in England in these materis ; and for thair 
 pairt, wald referr the sensement thairof un- 
 to hir ; and thairfore mikle mair should the 
 Queene of Scotts doe the lyke, quha was 
 come to craue upoun leasum maner, as 
 they doubtit not. Upoun this thair fair 
 persuasioun, shoe consentit in lyke maner 
 to be hard. Bot this forme of doing baith 
 tendit to hir turpitude and skaith. For 
 imediately comissionares were direict from 
 the Court of Lundon to the citye of York, 
 to meete thair upoun the fourt day of Oc- 
 tober, as they did ; and thairfore, to assist 
 the Queen's pairt, Duke Hamiltoun and 
 the Abbot of Kilwynning landit in Eng- 
 land from France the last day of Septem- 
 ber. Thair come from Scotland againes 
 the Queene, the Regent, James Earle of 
 Mortoune, Patrick Lord Lindesay, Secre- 
 tarie Lethingtoun, my Lord of Orknay, the
 
 52 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Abbot of Dumfermling, Mr James M'Gill, 
 Mr Henrie Balnaves, and Mr George Buc- 
 quhannan. The commissionaris of Scot- 
 land for the Queene were these : the Bi- 
 shop of Rosse, the Abbot of Kilwyning, 
 my Lord Heres, Lord Levingstoan, my 
 Lord Boyd, the Laird of Lochinvarr, the 
 Laird of Skirling, the laird of Rosling, and 
 the Laird of Garntully. The comissioneris 
 for the Queene of England to heir thair 
 complaintis of utheris, were these : the 
 Duke of Northffolk, the Earle of Sussex, 
 and Sir Rauf Saidler, knyt. 
 
 The Queene of Scotland complanit to 
 the comissionaris of England that shoe was 
 euil handlit be hir subiectis many wayes, 
 and namely be these thair put, to witt: 
 The Erie of Murray regent, and the Erie 
 of Mortoun, first be comitting of murther 
 in hir awin chalmer; secondlie, be con* 
 spyring againes hir at the castell of Borth- 
 wick ; and, last of all, be cuming twyse in 
 the feild in warefare againes hir, quhairby 
 shoe was constranit to flie out of the conn-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 53 
 
 trey. Quhairfore shoe desyrit to be peace- 
 ably reponit to hir awin place againe to 
 rewle as a lawful princes, and these and 
 all utheris hir subiects should be compellit 
 to recognosce hir as thair lawfull Souer- 
 aigne. This complaint subscryvit as fol- 
 lowes : 
 
 JOANNES ROSSEN. HERIES. 
 
 LEVINGSTOUN. KILVINNING. 
 
 BOYD. FLEEMIMG. 
 
 The Regent and his company answerit 
 on this maner : It is notoriouslie knawin, 
 that vmquhill the King's grace was slaine ; 
 that the Queene hade mariet James Erie 
 Bothwell, the principal 1 actor thairof ; and 
 thairfore, to put the Queene to freedome, 
 and out of bondage, and to preserue thair 
 native prince furth of the handis of him 
 that murtherit his father : for that caus 
 they tuik armes and offerit twa sundrie 
 tymes to try the mater in singular battell 
 according to the law of armes, quhilk was
 
 .54 THE HISTORIC OF 
 
 alluterly refusit be him. Bot the Queene 
 forseing the danger, cawsit him to be con- 
 voyit away ; and thairefter shoe come wil- 
 linglye to Edinburghe with us, quhair we 
 reqyring her gif shoe would be contentit to 
 see the murtherer of hir husband to be pu- 
 nisht, shoe gaue us na answere ; bot said 
 shoe should be avengit on us, and wald 
 avoyd the realme : And we heiring hir in 
 these extremities, were compellit to seques- 
 trat hir for a seasoun in preseoun, quhairin 
 she became sa vnhabill, that willingly shoe 
 remittit that office gouernment to me James 
 Earle of Murray, being then absent furth 
 of the realme. It is thairfore reqyrit on 
 the King's behalf, that he and his regent 
 may peaceablie enjoy and governe his 
 realme according to God's calling, and 
 that his disobedient subiects may be cawsit 
 recognosce thair dewtifull obedience, and 
 that justice may receave full executioun. 
 And subscryvit thus : 
 
 JAMES REGENT. 
 
 MOIRTOUN.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 55 
 
 ORCHADEN. 
 
 DlJNFERMLYNEk 
 
 PATRIK LIN DBS AY. 
 
 The comissionaris for the Queene of 
 Scotland reply it thus: Utheris or adver- 
 sars doe affirme, that King Henrie was 
 murdrest. Trew it is, and hir Maiestie 
 and we doe heavily lament that tragedye> 
 and were willing to haue rigorously pu- 
 nisht the same, giff shoe hade not bein un- 
 lawfully molestit : And quhair they alledge 
 the Earle Bothwell being principall actor 
 of that murther, cawsit tak themselves in 
 armes ; this cannot excuse thair disobe- 
 dient fact contrair our soveraigne : for gif 
 he was principall murtherer, it was neuer 
 knawin to hir Grace : bot the contrair did 
 weill appeire : for he was put to the cogni- 
 tioun of a jure at the barr for that cry me, 
 and was acquyte thairof be his pearis, 
 quhilk is also ratifiet in parliament be the 
 best and greatest number of the nobility 
 in Scotland, quha also solistit our Sove-
 
 56 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 raigne Ladye to accomplish hir mariage 
 with him as the maist faithfull and worthie 
 man of the realme of Scotland, quhomwith- 
 all neuer fait was fund till they hade first 
 practysed with the keeper of the castell 
 of Edinburgh, and obtenit promies be a 
 great number in the toun of Edinburgh to 
 be thair assisters in punishing the said 
 Earle for that and divers utheris alledgit 
 heynous cryms of lesemaiestie. It is thair- 
 fore reqyrit in hir hienes behalff, that hir 
 maiestie may be supported and fortified 
 by the Queene's hienes of England, peace- 
 ably to enjoy and gouerne hir realme and 
 leages thairof, according to it that God has 
 callit hir Grace thairunto, and hir aduersar's 
 vsurpit authoritie to be null frae the begin- 
 ing, with all that may follow thairupoun. 
 
 These reasounes hard and sein be the 
 comissionars having alwayes respect to de- 
 lay, tooke thame to be advysit be the 
 Queene of England and Counsall; and 
 thairfore said they should tak iorney with 
 all possible diligence; and quhen they
 
 KItfG JAMES THE SEXT. 57 
 
 hade cum hither, and hade exponit in 
 wrett the complaint, answere, and reply ; 
 and the Counsall seeming to find sum 
 pointes thairof sa mistie, desyrit that twa 
 comissionaris should be sent to Lundon for 
 the Queene, with full power, c., and 
 utheris for the Regent. From the Queene 
 was sent the Bishop of Rosse and my Lord 
 Heres ; and for the Regent was sent Secre- 
 tarie Lethingtoun, Mr James M'Gill, and 
 Henry Balnaves. 
 
 Duiring this remaining in England, the 
 Lords of the Queene's factioun were steer- 
 ing, and dang out the imposit keeparis 
 from certane housses of strenth, as namely 
 the castell of Drafen and Roisten. And in 
 the moneth of Februar, the Regent come 
 hame ; within a few dayes efter, Duke Ha- 
 miltoun, the Lord Hereis and Boyd retur- 
 nit in Scotland. And albeit my Lord Duke 
 hade remanit all this whyll in England, he 
 was not permitted to haue acces to the 
 Queene. And to confirme the delay that 
 they meanit always to the Queene, they patt
 
 58 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 the Bishopp of Rosse comissionar for hrf 
 in prisoun, within the toure of Lunden, 
 and daily maid hir pairty weaker, that the 
 Regent's pairty myght be stronger. He 
 thairfore addrest himselfftoward Hamiltoun, 
 with a reasonabill company of armit men, 
 to rander all men vnder his obedience in 
 the Queene's (King's) name: and being then 
 in Glasgow, to haue cum forward, Duke 
 Hamiltoun and the Bishop of St Andrews 
 perceaving the delaying shiftes and falsity 
 off England toward the Queene and thame- 
 selues without a head, unhabill to doe ony 
 thing, deliberat to compoun with the Re- 
 gent. They sent thair message afoir hand 
 unto him, to desyre comuning, quhilk he 
 grauntit ; and efter lang talking familiarly 
 ane to another, they sett down these articles 
 following. 
 
 ARTICLES : 
 
 It is desyrit for the pairt of my Lord Re- 
 gent, that my Lord Duke and his adhe-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 5<) 
 
 rentis shall recognosce the King and his 
 authoritie, and acknowledge thameselues 
 to be his subiectis, and promeis vnto him 
 service, obedience, and fidelitie in all tyme 
 cuming, as unto thair Soveragine. 
 
 It is reqyrit on the pairt of the Duke 
 and his adherentis, that euerie nobleman 
 be admittit to haue his place in counsall, 
 as thair predecessors has bein in all tymes 
 of uther princes of this realme. And my 
 Lord Regent, bearing the King's authoritie, 
 shall be sworne solemnatly from that tyme 
 forewart to behaue himselff uprightly and 
 indifferently to lhame as to the remanent 
 noblemen of this realme in all thair honest 
 iust causes, without particularitie or re- 
 membrance of ony offence conceavit a- 
 monges thame, during the tyme of thair 
 contrauersies. 
 
 Item, that all these quha shal be content 
 in tyme cuming, to behaue thameselues as 
 faithfull subiecls to the King, and acknow- 
 ledge thair obedience to him, sal be restoir- 
 ed to thair lands, bounds, heretages, and
 
 CO THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 possessiones, notwithstanding ye dome of 
 foirfaltor led againes thame, provyding al- 
 wayes that this benefeet shall not be ex- 
 tenclit to thame that has bein foirfaltit for 
 airt and pairt of the slauchter of umquhill 
 the King's father. Item, that my Lord 
 Regent, and remanent nobillmen ioynit 
 with himselff, shall condescend to sick 
 heads and articles as may redound to the 
 Queene's honor, advancement, and coino- 
 dity, and may best serve hir turne, provyd- 
 ing that the same be not prejudiciall to the 
 King nor his soueranity, quhairupoun de- 
 pends the security of all nobillmen, and 
 utheris professing thameselues to be his 
 subiects. 
 
 And because my Lord Regent and utheris 
 on his pairt are alsweill content to yeeld to 
 thir reasonabill desires foirsaid as to craue 
 the performance of his desire toward the 
 King's obedience at thair hands, and will 
 weill that all cum togidder at a tyme, be- 
 caus now publick leasure cannot serue 
 to compleet these things that are necessair
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 6l 
 
 to be done to the Queene ; it is thought 
 convenient, that on the tenth day of Aprill 
 nix to cum, sail be assemblitt and conveint 
 togidder in Edinburgh in queitt and peace- 
 able maner thir personnes following : They 
 are to say, my Lord Regent, my Lord 
 Duke, the Earles of Huntlye, Argyll, 
 Atholl, Moirtoun, Marr, Glencarne, and 
 my Lord Hereis ; and in cais of absence of 
 ony of thir nyne persones, be seeknes or 
 vther laufull impediment, ane uther no- 
 bileman of that pairty shal be chosen to 
 supplie his place; and thair, in freindlie 
 maner, to treat, conclude, and agrie upoun 
 sick heads as shal be performit to the 
 Queene, and quhat the said personnes shal 
 find to redound to hir honor (without pre- 
 judice to the King), the haill nobilmen on 
 baith syds shall condescend thairto. And 
 for security of the cuming of the nobility 
 foirsaid, my Lord Regent promeiss, on his 
 honour, that they shall be skaithless and 
 without danger in thair cuming, remaining, 
 and returning. It is agreit, that my Lord
 
 62 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Duke of Chattellarault, nor his adherentis, 
 shall not challenge, use, nor executt na au- 
 thoritie of Leuetenandrie be ony commis- 
 sioun of the Queene, or that ony impedi- 
 ment be maid be thame againes the King's 
 authoritie in the meane tyme, and ordaines 
 forces of fensibill men to be dissoluit in 
 all syds, that na injure be done to ony sub- 
 iect be way of deid. 
 
 The Regent prjomessis, upoun his honor, 
 to performe sa farr as concernis his pairt, 
 and tharefore willis the Duke's Grace, the 
 Earle of Cassells, and my Lord Heries, to 
 enter sufficient pleages presently for per- 
 formance of thair pairtes, to wit, ane of my 
 Lord Duke's sonnes, the Earle of Cassells, 
 or his brother, and my Lord Heries eldest 
 son. 
 
 The articles being concludit and endit, 
 they past togidder to Striviling to visite 
 the young King, quhair the Duke's Grace 
 and the bishop of St Androis were maid 
 welcum : And as concerning the entering 
 of the pleages, becaus nane of my Lord
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 63 
 
 Duke's sonnes wald enter, the Bishop 
 enterit for his pairt ; the Earle of Cassells 
 and my Lord Heries rernanit still of thair 
 awin accord, and send for thair pleages to 
 cum and releeue thame. 
 
 Thairefter the Regent came to Edin- 
 burgh, and first at his arry veil, to giue a tes- 
 timony how willing he was of peace and 
 tranquillitye, he relaxt all the preasoneris 
 before tauld, condemnit persones and u- 
 thers from captivitye for a tyme, upoun 
 conditioun that they should enter againe 
 quhen they should be reqyrit ; and for the 
 mair security heirof, fand caution. 
 
 The Earle of Huntlye in the north of 
 Scotland was exerciseand his office of 
 Leuetenandrie with all rigor againes these 
 that hade declynit from the Queene's au- 
 thoritie in ony sort, and had assemblit 
 a sufficient armie to haue subdewit the pro- 
 vinces of Mernis, Angus, and Fyff. Bot 
 being advertisit of this foirsaid apointment, 
 thoght meet to cease. The Regent also, 
 for his pairt, to peacifie tumults and op-
 
 6*4 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 pressioun in the south, past in Liddis- 
 daill, and thair demolisht the housses of 
 Mangertoun and Quhythauch for thair un- 
 lawfull behavor. 
 
 And as the day apointit to treat of, and 
 conclude of the purposses concerning the 
 Queene and utheris of hir syde aproacht, 
 all pairties for the Queene, upoun the hope 
 of the assurance foirsaid grantit unto thame, 
 convenit in Edinburgh the tenth day of 
 Aprill 1569 : and quhen, as all pairties 
 were set down, and begun to reasoun of 
 the mater, it was proponit for the Regent's 
 pairt to Duke Hamiltoun and these Lor.ds 
 of the Queene's pairt, whidder they wald not 
 absolutely subscry ve thair obedience to the 
 King's authoritie or not. It was answerit, 
 that articles were redd and coucludit con- 
 ditionally, and that they were na mair debt*- 
 full to shaw thair obedience to the King, 
 then the Regent was to performe certaine 
 conditiones for the Queene's honor, as the 
 comuning was befoir : And thairfore, they 
 should not be sa straittit or trappit at the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 65 
 
 first, vnto the tyme that the questioun for 
 the Queene should haue equal place with 
 that of thairs : And thairfoir, gif he wald 
 deale trewly and faithfullie with thame, 
 according to the trew meaning of the ar- 
 ticles, they were not only thair presence in 
 persoun for performance thairof, bot alswa 
 thair pleages were in my Lord Regent's 
 keeping. In respect of this answere, as- 
 surance was broken againes bayth the ho- 
 nor and promeis : For, first, my Lord Duke 
 was detenit in my Lord Regent's chalmer 
 from his awin ludging for the space of 
 aucht dayes ; and thairefter, without ony 
 farder comuning, was comittit to preasoun 
 within the castell of Edinburgh, and the 
 verie first night, my Lord Heries, laitt at 
 evin, was compellit to ludge in that cas- 
 tell. 
 
 In the moneth of May, the Regent maid 
 progres to Sterline, quhair four priestes of 
 Dumblane were condemnit to the death 
 for saying of mes againes the act of par- 
 liament ; bot he remittit thair lyves, and 
 
 E
 
 66 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 causit thame be bund to the mercat croce, 
 with thair vestmentis and challices in diri- 
 sioun, quhair the people caist eggis and 
 uther villany at thair faces be the space of 
 an hor, and thairefter thair vestiments and 
 challices were brunt to ashes. From that 
 he past to St. Androis, quhair a notabill 
 soceres callit Nicniven was condemnit to 
 the death and brunt, and a Frencheman 
 callit Paris, quha was ane of the devyseris 
 of the King's death, was hangit in St Andro, 
 and with him Williame Steward, Lyoun 
 King of armes, for diuers pointes of witch- 
 craft and necromancie. 
 
 In the moneth of Junii, Thomas Lord 
 Boyd come from England in message to 
 the Regent from the captive Queene, de- 
 syring that the proces of partitioun betuix 
 hir and the Earle of Bothwell should be de- 
 ducit befoir the comissaris of Edinburgh, to 
 the end shoe might the mair friely adjoyne 
 hirselff in mariage with the Duke of North- 
 folk : secondlie, that shoe might haue the 
 Regent's consent, with the haill nobilitie of
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 67 
 
 Scotland to this purpos ; and last of all, 
 that she might be repossest peaceablie to 
 hir awin kingdom. 
 
 The Regent convocat his counsall, and 
 introducit the ambassador to declair his pe- 
 titions ; and when he hade exponit thame, 
 as they be heir set doun, he was imediatlye 
 removit for a verry small tyme, and thair- 
 eftir callit in againe, to quhom they gaue 
 a compendious answere, that nather wald 
 they deale in onie case for hir in this coun- 
 trie, nather wald they consent to hir pre- 
 tence of mariage, nor restoir hir to hir king- 
 dome. Thairefter they sent aduertisement 
 of thir petitions and thair answere to the 
 Queene of England, quha was als glaid 
 thairof as thameselues : For fra that hour 
 furth, the Queene of Scotland was daylie 
 keepit straitter in England ; and the 
 Duke of Northfolk put in sick disgrace 
 with his prince, that he gat neuer repose 
 in this world, till he hade lost his head 
 for this pretence only ; and the Lordis 
 of the Queene's factioun in Scotland put
 
 68 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 to sick straittes, that it was not thoght 
 expedient to be pleagit be thair enemies 
 at hame, bot England wald performe the 
 extreimties thairof, as shall be sufficientlie 
 declarit ; sa that the reedar shall haue am- 
 ple testimonies and examples in number to 
 judge, whither, from the beginning to the 
 end they did not, under cullor of friend- 
 shipp, annoy the Queene and hir friends, 
 and promove hir enemies : and sa let wreitt 
 and wark beir witnes. The Lordis foirsaid 
 being thus unhonestly incarcerat, the Earle 
 of Huntlye finding himselff destitute of his 
 friends in the south, enterit himselff to the 
 Regent, with certaine conditions ; bot nane 
 of thame was keepit ; for imediately thair- 
 efter, the Regent past to Aberdien, and 
 thair causit ilk man that assistit the Earle 
 of Huntly to compoun for sick unreason- 
 able soumes of money, quhairby the grit- 
 test pairt were beggcrit from the best to 
 the meanest, to the end they should be un- 
 able to mak insurrectioun ao;aine. And in 
 
 o 
 
 the end of this zeir the Earle of Argyll 
 maid also his obedience.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 69 
 
 In the moneth of August, as the Queene 
 of Scotland was prepared to haue returnit 
 hame with assistance of the Duke of North- 
 folk, the Queene of England not only sent 
 advertisement thairof to the regent, bot 
 dischairgit the Duke of that his purpois, 
 quhairby it fell out that the regent being 
 putt in a doubt, wraitt to the nobilitye to 
 repair to Stirlin in haist. The Earles of 
 Crawfuird and Athoill were cumming to the 
 conventioun, and by the way hapnit to be 
 hunting about Dumblane, and Secretarie 
 Lethingtoun being in thair company, the 
 regent suspectit that thai were practyzing 
 sumqwhat for the Queenes returne, quhilk 
 he dreidit. Alwayes, quhen the Lordis 
 were all convenit in the counsall hous, 
 thair was a gentillman callit Thomas Craw- 
 fuird, servand to the Earle of Lennox, in- 
 tromittit, and he, in presence of the regent 
 and the Lordis, accusit Secretarie Lething- 
 toun of the Kino-is murther. The Secreta*- 
 
 O 
 
 rie presentlie ofterit him to find caution to 
 be answerable to the lawes for that cryme
 
 70 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 how soone he should be requyrit thairto. 
 Crawfuird replyit that becaus he was ac- 
 cusit of treasoun he should not be permit- 
 tit to find cautioun, bot should be compel- 
 lit to remaine in preasoun till he should be 
 tryit ather cleane or giltye ; and the Lordis 
 voittit that he should be imprisouned. The 
 Earle of Athoill was hierat havily comovit, 
 and departed from Stirlin imediatlie. This 
 accusatioun was devysit be the regent and 
 the Earle of Moirtoun, for that same night 
 he directit sum gentillmen to Monymaill 
 in Fyfe, to apprehend Sir James Balfour 
 and a brother of his, quha were alswa im- 
 prisoned at Stirlin. The Secretaire was 
 convoyit to Edinburgh castell, and Sir 
 James Balfour was fred, to return upoun 
 cautioun when he should be requyrit, 
 and that fell neuer. My Lord Seatoun 
 was comandit to enter himself prisoner in 
 Edinburgh, quhilk he obeyit, bot shortlie 
 thairefter he was comandit in prisoun to St 
 Androis. At the day quhen the Secrelarie 
 Maitland should haue bein broglit furth to
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 71 
 
 the cognitioun of a jure, the capitaine of 
 the castell of Edinburgh compeerit in pre- 
 sence of the regent, and said he was readie 
 to produce him in iudgement gif anie body 
 were presente to accuse him ; and thairef- 
 ter the Secretaries brother compeirit in 
 iudgement befoir the judge criminal], and 
 protestit that his brother should not be 
 haldin to answere onie farder in that mater, 
 becaus thair was na persoun thair present 
 to accuse him. My Lord Home was co- 
 mandit to reteere himself furth of the toun 
 of Edinburgh, to mak place to the Earle of 
 Moirtoun his enemie, quha wald not enter 
 becaus of his being thair befoir him. 
 
 The regent was daylie bissie to haue had 
 the castell of Dumbarton in his handis. 
 And hade directit my Lord Grahame sun- 
 drie t3^mes for that effect, bot come na 
 speid. Thairfoir he directit furth some 
 soulderis to camp besyd the hous, that na 
 victualles should be permittit to enter, 
 and in the meane tyme causit forfalt my 
 Lord Fleyming and his brother keeparis
 
 72 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 thairof. Bot or it was lang, even in short 
 tyme of the winter, thair came twa French 
 shippes laidnit with wynes, saltit beef, and 
 pore, with stoir of money, that procurit ane 
 intestine ware, and unlaiddit thameselues 
 at the castell, quhilk the capitaine thank- 
 fullie receauit. 
 
 At this tyme quhat kind of uproar fell 
 in England, I referr to the writters of that 
 countrey ; bot alwayes becaus thair is a 
 mater of thairs intendit to this purpois, it 
 should not be unspoken. The mater was 
 thus. The Earle of Northumberland fled 
 in Scotland for releef, and wald haue bein 
 con\ 7 oyit to the castell of Dumbarton ; bot 
 the regent being then upoun the borderis, 
 be expres directioun of the Queene of 
 England, to attend upoun Englishmen, gif 
 ony should happen to cum in Scotland, for 
 shoe hade prepaired ane armie at hame to 
 assalzie thame thair, and the regent's hors- 
 men espying sum strangeris to cum amang 
 the clan of the Scottis, they laid about the 
 hous ; the Scottis defendit stoutlye, and
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 73 
 
 slew ane Capitaine Borthuick, hot in the 
 end thair partie grew waker, quhairby the 
 Earle was taen prisoner and led to the re- 
 gent, and he broght him to Edinburgh. 
 Bot without lang proces causit him to be 
 convoyit to Lochleavin, thair to be straitly 
 keepit till he payit ane odious ransome, to 
 the great ignominy of the countrey ; bot 
 quha begyns with treasoune, think na syn 
 to end with false tt. Within few dayes 
 thairefter, the Queene of England sent in 
 hir ambassador to the regent, desyring the 
 Earle of Northumberland to be sent bak 
 in England, bot befoir he could haue suf- 
 ficient leaser to giue him answere in that 
 mater, he was slaine. 
 
 I maid mentioun befoir of the unhonest 
 dealing to the Duke of Chattelarault and 
 the Lordis of the Queenes factioun, quhair- 
 at and for an other particular caus he was 
 sa deadly haittet that his death was conspy- 
 rit be a particular man, callit James Ha- 
 miltoun of Bothuellhauch, and althogh the 
 regent was sufficientlye forwarnit bayth of
 
 74 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 the man and of the place of his interpryse, 
 zit he regairdit sa sleuthfullie that mater 
 as it fell out. This James Hamiltoun, 
 amangs many uthers courageous gentill- 
 men of that clan, happuit to be at the feild 
 of Langsyde with the Queene, and being 
 taken prisoner was condemnit to the death, 
 bot thairefter was lattin free, zit according 
 to the law of Scotland not only his pro- 
 per landis were confiscat to the king, bot 
 alswa the landis of Woddislie, perteining 
 heritably to his wyff, was also conficat, 
 quhairby they were baith put to shift. 
 And the saikles gen till woman thinking not 
 to be punisht for hir husbandis fact, sat 
 doun in hir awin hous, quhair she intendit 
 simplie and bonafide to haue remanit, bot 
 was uncourtouslie and unmercifullie putt 
 thairfra, all hir gudis taine fra her, and 
 shoe left stark naiked. The gentill woman, 
 quhat for greef of mynde and exceeding 
 cauld that shoe hade then contractit, con- 
 ceavit sic madnes as was almaist incredibill. 
 Hir husband hauing receauit these thrie in-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 75 
 
 coinodities, was deliberat to putt his lyfe to 
 fortoun, and avowit in diuers oppin com- 
 panies to be avengit on the bastard regent 
 (for these were his ordinar word is) ; and 
 thus desperately, upoun the thrie and twen- 
 tie day of Januar he cam to Linlithgow 
 quhair the regent was then remaining, and 
 addrest himself to ane timber gallerie on 
 the high street of that toun, quhair he knew 
 weill that the regent was deliberat to pas 
 at out-cuming ; and thair, upoun the pave- 
 ment of the said gallerie he laid a fedder 
 bed, and upoun the windowes he affixt 
 blak claithes, that his shaddow should not 
 be seen, nor his feit hard quhen he went to 
 and fro, and cu ttit ane small hole in the tarlies, 
 quhairby he might vissie with his hagbute. 
 To be the mair certane of his interpryse, at 
 his incuming to the Judging be a bak pas- 
 sage, he espy it how comodiouslie he might 
 mak his retreat upoun horsbak ; and find- 
 ing the lentell stane of the bak zet to be 
 sumquhat laiche, he cawsit his man to lift 
 off the lentell, and lay it at a syd of the way:
 
 76 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 his hors stude in the stabill brydlit all that 
 nyghte of his entrie, and the best pairt of 
 the nixt day till his conceavit interpryse 
 of revenge was perform it. The regent be- 
 ins on horsbak to reteere furth of the toun, 
 
 o 
 
 his passage fell directlie under the gallerie 
 quhair the said James Hamiltoun was at- 
 tending upoun his destinat purpois, quhair 
 be chance he was constranit to stay a littell, 
 becaus the people on horsbak were in sa 
 gritt number befoir him, that for the nar- 
 rownes of that passage they could ryde bot 
 at leasure, and few in number ; so that his 
 oppurtunity was sa fyne, and he not willing 
 to lose any tyme, went sa quickly to work 
 that in continent he shott his hagbutt di- 
 rectit againes the regent's belt, quhair thair 
 enterita bullett of stell temperit, thatefter 
 it hade peircit him throw the bodye it peir- 
 cit alswa a hors nerely to the death. In- 
 continent thairefter he ran to the stabill 
 and lapp on horsbak and furth by the bak 
 way he went; diners gentillmen followit 
 him fearcily, bot he being upoun ane fyne
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 77 
 
 speedye hors, ouerun thame all, and escapit 
 the iminent dangers that were prepaired 
 againes him. The regent thus endit his 
 triumphand warldly dayes in sic suddainty 
 and sa tragically as ye haue heard. He 
 was the sone of a valiant King, James of 
 Scotland, the fyft of that name, quha as 
 he was somewhat luxurious in his youth, 
 and welle beloved of gentillwomen for his 
 courteus affability, sa were they alswa be- 
 louit of him, quhairby it fell out that he 
 begot mony children befoir his mariage 
 with famous ladies, of quhais number this 
 regent James was ane. In his maners very 
 courtious and affabill, of a fyne propor- 
 tioun of bodye, of a gude and amiable 
 vissage, of a guide knawledge in humane 
 sciences, bot was sa credulous that he was 
 broght to forgett his promeis, and conse- 
 quently his witt and honestie. His bodye 
 was buriet in the collegian kirke of (St 
 Geils at) Edinburgh, in ane speciall tomb 
 prepaired for that effect.
 
 78 
 
 Gif diuisiones and tumultis were great in 
 this regentis tyme, they were na less efter 
 his deceis, hot rather gritter and of a mair 
 difficultie to be pacified, for be his sud- 
 daine slaughter the ambassador of England 
 returnit without ansyr. George Lord Seatoun 
 past out of prisoun, the Earle of Northum- 
 berland (Westmorland) enterit in Scotland 
 fugitiuefrom his awin countrey as Northum- 
 berland (Westmorland) was, and addrest 
 himself to twa famous borderirs, to witt, 
 Balcleuche and Ferneherst; they at his 
 procurement convocat numbers of hors- 
 men and past daylie in England, burne- 
 and, destroyeand, and slayand the Queenes 
 and thair enemies tenentis and landis, 
 quhairby shoe thoght expedient to send a 
 new ambassador, desyring the subiects of 
 Scotland to be pacifiet and punisht, and 
 hir rebellious subiects reteerit in Scotland 
 to be sent hame to be recompencit as they 
 deserue, and withall gaue money to the 
 Lordis of the regentis factioun to conduce 
 souldiers for mentenance of thair caus
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 79 
 
 aganes the Queene of Scottis and hir fa- 
 vourer. 
 
 The Earle of Moirtoun being destitutt 
 of a fyne fauorer of his former actions and 
 estimatioun above the rest of the Lordis of 
 that factioun, he sent his letters to diuers 
 of the nobilitie, and cheefly to sic as he 
 knew haittit the Queene and hir caus, to 
 conveine in Edinburgh againe the twelf 
 daye of Februar nix to cum, thair to con- 
 sult upoun the electioun of a new regent, 
 that ather he might be electit himself, or 
 at least sic a ane as he myght comand at 
 all seasons. 
 
 The Queenes factioun was als bussi 
 on the uther pairt, and convenit in Hamil- 
 toun, with Archibald Earle of Argyll, my 
 Lord Flemyng, my Lord Livingstoun, and 
 the haill gentillmen of the Hamiltouns. 
 Thai directit a letter to the nobilitye then 
 conveint in Edinburgh, desyring thame in 
 the Queenes name to conclude nathing at 
 that conventioune, unto the tyme that the 
 rest of the nobilitye and they should con- 
 curr with thame at all, or at the least the
 
 80 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 moniest voiltes should serue for all the rest, 
 and the best reasoun should carrie all with 
 it. Uthenvayes gif they seeme then to 
 contempne and not allow this request, they 
 certifiet thame be that letter that they 
 would come uponn thame topersew thame 
 as enemies to the cornoun peace of the 
 countrey, and traitors to thair awin un- 
 doubtit soueraine prince,^ Queene Marie, 
 and that with fyre and sword, and wald 
 giue God the cans. 
 
 The Lord is read this letter, bot esteem it 
 the samin not worthie of an answere, bot 
 imediatlye thairefter publisht a proclama- 
 tioun to the people, quhairin was contenit, 
 That becaus a Hamiltoun hade slaine the 
 regent, and was reteeret to Hamiltoun ef- 
 ter that fact, quhair he was receauit and 
 allowit, they comandit all the King's trew 
 subiects to shawe thameselues profest ene- 
 mies to thame, utherwayes they should be 
 reputt as doers of that deed ilk ane of 
 thame. 
 
 Then the Secretarie Lethingtoun finding 
 his tyme comodious, delt sa with the Lordis
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 81 
 
 conveint in Edinburgh be intercession of 
 the capitaine of the castell, that he obtcnit 
 of thame quhat he wald. Sa that they all 
 in ane voite, voittit, declarit, and testifiet, 
 that as they nornane of thame knew thesaid 
 Secretarie to be culpabill of thesaid murther, 
 nor wald not accuse him of the samen, sa 
 they esteemit him innocently to be calum- 
 niat in tyme bygane in the said mater, 
 tending to the prejudice of the King's es- 
 tate and his trew subiectis, and thairfoir 
 acknowledges and recognosces him as ane 
 honest man, inocent of the said maters 
 quhairfoir heirtoloir he was saikleslie accu- 
 sit; accepting and receauing him in his 
 awin place againe. Lykas they acknow- 
 ledge him to haue bein ane gude and pro- 
 fitable instrument in this comonwealth, in 
 diuers great causes, for the furthering of 
 God's glorie, and repose and quietnes of 
 this countrey native. Subscry vit. 
 
 ATHOLE. LYJSJDSAY. 
 
 MOIRTOUN. CATHCART.
 
 82 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 CASSILLS. ADAMUS ORCHADEN. 
 
 MARK. DUNFERMLING. 
 
 GLENCAIRNE. CAMBUSKYNNETH. 
 
 MONTROIS. DRYBURGH. 
 
 BUCHAN. BALMERINOCHE. 
 
 RUTHVEN. PfTTINWEEME. 
 
 GLAMIS. TULLIBAIRDINE. 
 
 LOVET. COMPTROLLER. 
 
 VOCHILTRIE. JUSTICE CLERK. 
 METVEN. 
 
 This done, he was delyurit fra prisoun, 
 and with him my Lord Seatoun ; and the 
 Lordis past that day efter noone to the 
 castell of Edinburgh, and thair enquyrit 
 of the Duke of Chattelarault gif he knew 
 ony thing of the slaughter of the regent, 
 quha gaue his aithe that he knew nathing 
 of that purpois till it was told him that it 
 was done. 
 
 In the moneth of March the Lordis of 
 baythe factiouns compeirit in Edinburgh ; 
 the Queenes factioun ludgit thameselues 
 near the castell, and were call it be the 
 uther pairtie (in derisoun) the Lordis of the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 83 
 
 Meill markett, for the Secretaris nature, as 
 I told you afoir, was subtile, and was suffi- 
 cientlie instructit in the preceptis of Nico- 
 las Matchiavell. And heir it is to be no- 
 ted be the imprisounment of my Lord Sea- 
 toun, the Secretarie Lethingtoun, and my 
 Lord Duke of Chattelarault, the capitaine 
 of the castell of Edinburgh was dissuadit 
 from his former opinioun. Quhen thir 
 pair ties were conveinit in counsall, those 
 of the Queenes pairt proponit, That thair 
 Sovereigne should ather be restorit be the 
 plurality of voittes presente, or utherwayes 
 to be conveinit befoir they should dissolue, 
 or ells that be thair generall consentis sum 
 worthie Lieutennent or Viceroy should be 
 electit to reulle in hir place, foir quhas 
 mentenance every propertie or casuality 
 apperteining to the croun should be desig- 
 nit, and the rest to the Queene for supplie 
 of hir unlawfull detentioun. The uther 
 pairtie hearing that thair was na mentioun 
 maid of the King to regne be a tutor in
 
 84 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 soueraintie, bot that the Queene should be 
 preferrit, could not, nor wald not under- 
 stand thame, nor giue answere in that 
 ground without advysement ; and thairfoir 
 sent aduertisement to the Queene of Eng- 
 land desyring hir aduise in this purpois, as 
 in utheris afoir tending to this fyne, and 
 withall directit thair letters to Mathew 
 Earle of Lennox, grandfather to the young 
 King, desyring him to cum in Scotland, 
 and they wald preferr him to be regent to 
 the King, and defend him thairin, becaus 
 the place then vaikit be deceis of the for- 
 mer regent, quhairof alswa the Queene of 
 England was then privie. 
 
 The King of Fraunce directit alswa his 
 Idlers in Scotland be his ambassador Mon- 
 sieur Verac, and eurie nobillman in parti- 
 cular that favourit the Queene ; and efter 
 his arrivell, hir enemies in Scotland wraitt 
 to the Queene of England for hir sure de- 
 tentioun. Heir the mater began at sic 
 strytfe, that the haill realme of Scotland 
 was sa devydit in factiones that it was hard
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 8J 
 
 tor onie peaceabill man, as he recld out the 
 hie way, to profes himselfF opinly alher to 
 be a favorer of the King or Queene. All 
 the people were cassin sa louse, and were 
 become of sic dissoluit myndis and actiones, 
 that nane was in account bot he that wald 
 ather kill or ryve his nybour. All gude 
 pollice and law, iustice, andequiety was bu- 
 riet, as it becumes for themaist pairtof all 
 comonwealthes, yea even of the private fa- 
 milies, that when ather of thame are desti- 
 tutt of thair lawfull and ordinar heid or go- 
 uernor, ilk priuat persoun rewles as he list, 
 or may perforce, for his awin preferment 
 and comoditie, without regaird of right or 
 reasoun. 
 
 And as concerning Mathew Earle of 
 Lennox, quha was desyrit be the Lordis 
 foirsaid to return in Scotland, quha hade 
 sein sa meikle of the unstabill miserie thair- 
 of afoir, and hade sufficiently e sufferit in 
 his awin persoun, first be banishment, and 
 nixt by sorrow and distress of mynde, as 
 any father might haue hade for the died of
 
 86 
 
 sic a princely sone, could not tak hold of 
 onie of these motiones to conteine himselff 
 in England, quhair he lived in honor, 
 wealthe, and ease. Bot as warldly men 
 are foir the maist pairt addictit to warldly 
 pompe and glorie, as hes na respect to the 
 instabilitye of estaittes, sa was he, as the 
 progres of his lyfe was neuer in rest fra his 
 entres to this office quhilk he efterwards 
 obtenit, that euen the verrie day and hour 
 of his deathe was sa tragicall, that he end it 
 not without sorrow and extreme paine, as 
 shall be declairit heirefter. The Queene 
 of Scotland sent alswa the laird of Gairn- 
 tully from England with letters to the 
 Earle of Marr, desyring him to keepe hir 
 sone the prince from the handis of hir ene- 
 mies, and to be a meane to restoir hir to 
 hir place againe (as his dewtie was) uther- 
 wayes to assure hir enemies, that gif they 
 wald not speedilye be content and procure 
 hir returne, that the King of Fraunce wald 
 with all rigor be avengit on thame. He 
 broght uther wryttings to the rest of the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 87 
 
 nobillmen of hir pairt. They in the moneth 
 of March 1570 assemblit in great number 
 at Nidrie Seatoun, and thair deliberat to 
 meat in Linlithgow the 8 of Aprill nixt to 
 cum. The Lordis of the uther factioun 
 dreiding sum tumult to ensew, (for they 
 understude their aduersars to be greevit for 
 the lang detentioun of the Duke of Chat- 
 telarault in prisoun) they not only relaxt 
 him, bot alswa my Lord Heries, furth of 
 the castell of Edinburgh. 
 
 Thair conveinit in Linlithgow at the ap- 
 pointit day the ambassador of Fraunce, the 
 Duke of Chattelarault, the Earles of Argyll, 
 Huntlie, Atholl, Crawfurd, and Cassillis, 
 the Lordis Home, Fleyming, Boyd, Sea- 
 toun, Yester, Somervell, Olyphant, Ogil- 
 vie, Borthwick, and Herries, my Lord Ser- 
 cretarie and Sir James Balfur, twa banisht 
 Lordis of England, the Earle of Westmore- 
 land and my Lord Dakeris, and thair thai 
 hade advysit of a secret answere to be sent 
 in Fraunce for dispatche of the ambassa- 
 sador : they thoght not the toun of Lin-
 
 88 THE HISTORIC OF 
 
 lithgow sure for thair remaining togedder, 
 and giue they should dissolue, they fearit 
 that thair enemies, be assailzing thame in 
 particular, should soone mak thair pairtie 
 weaker. And thairfoir directit James Ha- 
 riot of Trabroun to the magistrates of the 
 toun of Edinburgh, desyring that thai 
 might be resauit thare, quhilk was graunt- 
 it upoun this conditioun, that nane of the 
 Lordis of England should be broght with 
 thame, and thus was receauit. Ahvaves 
 
 / 
 
 the Lordis were'sa myndfull of the saiftie 
 of the nobillmen of England, that my Lord 
 Home tuik exceeding great care on thame, 
 and convoyit thame quhair they list ; and 
 in end maid provisioun for a shipp, quhilk 
 with expeditioun and gude lucke convoyit 
 thame baith saflie to Flaunders. 
 
 The Queene of England was comovit 
 at this. the conventioun of the Lordis of 
 Scotland ; and fearing least this gude treat- 
 ment of thir hir rebellis should suscitat 
 sum new seditioun in England, and that 
 the Queene of Fraunce, by sending of hir
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 89 
 
 frequent ambassador to the Queene's fac- 
 tioun, should alswa mak a stronger pairtie, 
 shoe directit the Earle of Sussex in Scot- 
 land for twa cheef causes. The ane was 
 for the saiff convoy of Mathew Earle of 
 Lennox in Scotland, to fortifie, establishe, 
 and hald him in that regiment that was 
 offerred to him in Scotland, assuring hir- 
 selff, that he quha was sa lang nurisht 
 within her comonweell, wald attempt na 
 thing in Scotland ; hot ather she should 
 be maid privie with it, or giue her con- 
 sent thairunto, quhilk indeed was effectu- 
 ally accomplished. The vther caus was 
 to be really revengit upoun these of the 
 Queene's faction in Scotland, quha hade 
 resett hir rebellis, and invadit hir countrey 
 againes the comon peace. The Lordis of 
 the Queene's factioun wraitt unto him, de- 
 syring that he should not cum in Scotland, 
 for they should repay him of onie injurie 
 that he wald plaint of justice ; bot he re- 
 fusit. It was agriet be baith the factiouns 
 to putt thair mater in arbitrie. The men,
 
 90 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 place and tjme, appointit for the Queene's 
 pairt, were the Earle of Atholl, the Prior 
 of Coldinghame brother to the Secretaire, 
 and my Lord Boyd. For the uther pairt, 
 was James Earl of Moirtoun, and Robert 
 Comendator of Dunfermline. Quhen they 
 were conveinit in Dalkeith, ilk ane of the 
 pairties were sa wilfull and contrarious of 
 thair grounds, the ane contemning the so- 
 veranity of the King, the uther the lawfull 
 soveranities of the Queene, unlawful lie ba- 
 nished and imprisoned, that they neuer 
 condescendit upon a midds, quhilk of nane 
 of the pairtes was wisely considerit in re- 
 spect of the greatt desolatioun that the 
 comonweill was redactit into ; sa that this 
 purpois was left als debaittable as befoir. 
 Quhairupoun it followit, that ilk pairtie 
 drew to fencible defences, and the ambas- 
 sador of France was directit to his country, 
 and went to the castell of Dumbartane 
 with my Lord Flyming. The Earle of 
 Sussex enterit with his armie on the south 
 border of Scotland. He first brunt and
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 91 
 
 kaist down the hous of Phairnyhirst, the 
 hous of Branxholme ; he brunt alswa the 
 toun of Hawick, and did great outrage 
 in the Merss, and upoun the landis and 
 tenementis perlening to my Lord Home. 
 
 My Lord Duke of Chattlelarault was at 
 this foirsaid conventioun releavit from pri- 
 soun out of the castell of Edinburgh ; and 
 the Earle of Moirtoun hearing of sick ino- 
 vationes, and monie people to be conveint 
 in Edinburgh, was advysit to cum with a 
 number of enarmit men to that toun to 
 com pell the Duke, the Earle of Huntlie, 
 and the rest of that factioun, to reteere 
 thairfra perforce. And the captane of the 
 castell (as I said to you befoir) was alreddy 
 becum thair great friend. And he under- 
 standing this preparatioun, sett watches to 
 espye the samen of his approaching to the 
 toun. And as he was narr, the capitane 
 causit dilashe a peece of the great ordi- 
 nance among his company, that patt him 
 in sick affray, that nalher he nor ony uther
 
 92 THE HISTORTE OF 
 
 in that factioun presumit for a long tyme 
 to approache to Edinburgh. 
 
 The armie of England assailziet alswa 
 the castell of Home, quhilk imediatlie was 
 randerit and spuilziet. The Magistrals of 
 Edinburgh being crediblie informit that 
 the Earle of Moirtoun was past unto thame, 
 and appeirandlie wald solist thame to cum 
 foreward (against) the Lordis quhom they 
 hade harbored, went and desyrit thame, of 
 courtessie, to reteere to sum ather pairt, 
 for feare of the danger that might follow 
 unto the toun be thair presence, quhilk 
 wald not happen in thair absence. The 
 Lordis, becaus they were first willingly 
 receauit thair, thought gude to pleasure 
 thame in that caice, and so departed with 
 a number of souldiers that they hade pri- 
 uily conducet within a short space for thair 
 defence. And in the way passing to Lin- 
 lithgow, the Earle of Marr was cuming to 
 Edinburgh, the Duke, with his assistance, 
 placed his men in battell, of purpois to 
 haue fochin ; bot Marr being unprovydit,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 93 
 
 reteerit out of the way, and wald shaw na 
 defence at that tyme. The Lordis of the 
 uther factioun hearing of this, maid procla- 
 matiouns, that nane should assist sick tu- 
 rnultous persones under the pain of death, 
 with comand to Magistrates of burrowes, 
 giff they shal happin to cum within thair 
 boundes, to tak and apprehend thame. 
 On the uther pairt, proclamations were 
 maid in Linlithgow, chairging all subiects 
 in the Queene's name to accompanye the 
 Dnke of Chattelarault, the Earles of Ar- 
 gyll and Huntly, as chosin Lieuetennentis, 
 under the paine of death. The capitane 
 of the Edinburgh castell, behalding the ex- 
 tremities, and dreading that, be the in- 
 cuming of the Englishmen, he should be 
 trappit sum way, was deliberat to fortifie 
 the castell with all necessaris, as he did 
 with expeditioun. The Queene's enemeis 
 directit the Abbot of Dumfermline to Lun- 
 don requyring support of enaimit men for 
 defence of the King's caus, and suppressing 
 of these quha favorit the Queene, and in
 
 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 the meane tyme to send hame Mathew 
 Earle of Lennox. Thir petitions were 
 quicklie grauntit unto, upoun conditioun 
 that they should giue in sum nobillmen 
 and gentillmen pledges in England to re- 
 maine thair till hir souldiers should safflie 
 cum back againe. This was willinglye 
 grauntit unto ; for the Earle of Moirtoun 
 was sent Dowglas of Kilspindie, James 
 Erskine for the Earle of Marr, my Lord 
 Uchiltrie, James Lindesay of Pyestoun for 
 Lord Lindesay, Cunynghame of Water- 
 stoun for the Earle of Glencaime, Allaster 
 Ruthven for my Lord Ruthven. Thir be- 
 ing enterit in Berwicke upoun the tent day 
 of Maij, Sir Williame Drowrie governor of 
 Berwicke accompanyit Mathew Earle of 
 Lennox in Scotland, upoun the nynt day 
 of Maij 1570, with the number of a thou- 
 sand futemen and of light horsemen, and 
 demilances to the number of thrie hun- 
 drethe, with four peeces of ordinance, and 
 came to Edinburgh the thirteen t of Maij ; 
 and upoun the twentieth of Maij the Scottis
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 95 
 
 armie and Englis armie convenit at Hamil- 
 toun, and in the way demolish! the houses, 
 and waistit the cornes of all Hamiltounes, 
 without onie mercie. Finally, with force 
 of gunshott, efter that the castell of Ha- 
 miltoun was randerit unto thame, they 
 brunt the same, with the pallace and the 
 haill toune of Hamiltoun. Then they re- 
 turnit back, and brunt and destroyed all 
 the bounds perteining to my Lord Flyming 
 and my Lord Livings toun. Then they 
 came to Linlithgowshire, quhair first they 
 brunt my Lord Duke of Chattellarault's 
 ludging in Linlithgow. Nixt they brunt 
 the pallace of Kynneill, the housses of 
 Pardovan and Bynnie, Kincavill, and cha- 
 pel of Livingstoune. Thus done, they re- 
 turnit to Berwick, and the Scottis pledges 
 
 f o 
 
 were sent bak againe. The Abbot of Dum- 
 fermlyne returnit from England, and with 
 him Mr Randell, ambassador for the 
 Queene of England. Then the Earle of 
 Moirtoun, with sum uther few Lordis and 
 this ambassador, past to Stirline, quhair
 
 <)6 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 they conslitutt Mathew Earle of Lennox 
 Lieuetennent for the King, till the Queene 
 of England should be farder pleased. 
 
 In the moneth of Julij, Mathew Earle 
 of Lennox was electit Regent to King 
 James the Sext his realme and leadges, to 
 enjoy that office unto the tyme that the 
 king should be found abill to gouerne the 
 realme himselff, and that by speciall co- 
 mand, consent and assent, of the Queene 
 of England. This electioun was publisht 
 to the haill people, and sa monye capitall 
 burrowes quhair officials myght have ac- 
 cess, and by ministers and parochiners in 
 every parochine ; and about the end of 
 that moneth, as he was bound to repair to 
 Linlithgow, the Hamiltones gettand sure 
 knawledge thairof, addrest a number of 
 horsemen and futemen in the Callender- 
 woode, of purpois to haue trappit or killed 
 him ; bot he come not that way till he un- 
 derstude of the weariness of thair lang re- 
 maining, andAvere therefore reteerit, and 
 then he addrest him to his voyage. Quhill
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 lie is in Liulithgow, it is reportit unto him 
 that the Earle of Huntly is beseging Aber- 
 brothok, and hes alreddy inclosit George 
 Dowglas, callit George the Postulat, thair- 
 in. Quhairfore he directit the Earle of 
 Moirtoun, with a competent number of 
 horsemen, to releeve him ; and as he is cum 
 to Perthe, he desyrit, in the Regentis name, 
 the supplie of sum hagbutteris. This was 
 grauntit unto him. Then he addrest him- 
 selff to Breechine, quhair he understude 
 that the Earle of Crawfurde and my Lord 
 Ogilvie hade fortifiet, attending the cuming 
 of Huntly, and hade placitt certane men of 
 warre in the kirk. Bot the Lord is, under- 
 standing of his approch, removit thame- 
 selues, and left the souldiors behind thame. 
 And howsoone Moirtoun was cum to the 
 toun, they shott at him, and slew and hurt 
 diuers of his men. The Regent hearing of 
 this, addrest himselff to Breechine; and 
 eftcr he hade remainit a few days straitlye 
 invading the said kirk, it was at last ran- 
 derit. Thair was within to the number of 
 
 G
 
 98 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 ane hundrelh and fyftie men, and twa ca- 
 pitanes, tlie ane callit Cowets, quha with 
 his haill souldiers were hangit ; the utlier 
 Wymes, quha far payment of sowmes of 
 money for himselff and his men, were 
 saiffe. 
 
 In the meanetyme, the greatest pairt of 
 the people of the countrey grudget hea- 
 vilie at the promotion of this Regent, cal- 
 ling him a stranger, and sworne English- 
 man, and thairfore could na utherways 
 esteme of him, nor of that nation, quhilk 
 hes bein always esteemit the capitall ene- 
 mie of this countrey. At his returne from 
 Breechine, he assailziet the castell of Doun 
 in the province of Monteith, quhilk was ran- 
 derit at the first sumoning, with this provi- 
 so, that the hous should not be demolisht. 
 And in the meane tyme, the Earle of Sus- 
 sex, Lieuetennent for the Queene of Eng- 
 land, to performe the rest of his maistresses 
 revenge, and to make waike all the pairtie 
 that he myght hurt fauoring the Queene of 
 Scotland, enterit the wast border with four
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 99 
 
 thowsand men. He first brunt the towne 
 of Annan ; then he sent fyre in the town of 
 Drumfries, spuilziet the housses and the 
 bells of the kirk, took monie prisoners. 
 He caist down my Lord Maxwell's hous in 
 Drumfries, the caslell of Hodden, the cas- 
 tell of Annan, the house of Cowhill, the 
 castell of Carlavrok perteining to my Lord 
 Maxwell was demolisht, and destroyed with 
 poulder Cloisburne, Tynnell, Boneshaw, 
 and diuers utheris houss, and carried away 
 great spuilzie. 
 
 The King of Spaine on the uther pairt, 
 was not unmyndfull of the unlawfull deten- 
 tioun of the Queene of Scotland, being 
 daylie solicit be hir orator, Mr Johnne 
 Hamiltoun Parsoun of Dumbar, sent com- 
 mandement to his Viceroy of the Law 
 Countreys, the Duke of Alva, to send sick 
 supplie as he should think expedient in 
 Scotland to the Queenes Lieutennent ; and 
 he imediatlie directit the said orator with 
 twa gentillmen of credence be sea to the 
 Earle of Huntly Lieutennent in the North,
 
 100 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 with sum gold for the waging souldiours, 
 six hundrethe fyne hagbuttis, six hundrethe 
 murreonis, six hundrethe corslettis, and 
 thrie thowsand pickes, togidder with seuen 
 peece of ordinaunce, and great quantitye 
 of gun pulder : sa that efter these materi- 
 als were delyurit, they returnet bak be sea 
 againe. 
 
 The Lordis of Scotland for the Queenes 
 factioun, to congratulate this gude will, di- 
 rectit George Lord Seatoun to the Duke of 
 Alva, with thankes to the King and to him. 
 And he not content with this negotiatioun 
 onlie, thoght gude to extend the samen fur- 
 ther, and maid the Duke of Alva privie 
 thereto, that he wald pass amangs the 
 King's enemies, and talk with the Scottis 
 capitaines, baith to knaw of the interpryses, 
 and to sollicit thame to change from the 
 rebellious seruice of estattes to the Kins of 
 
 o 
 
 Spaine. This was very acceptabill to the 
 Duke, and thairfoir he gaue him a reason- 
 abill viaticum for performance of this fact. 
 Quhen he was cum amang the capitames.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 he used sick extreme diligence amang 
 thame, be banquitting and bribbis, that he 
 subborriit the best halfe under promeis of 
 great recompence. And withall hade send 
 diners adiiertisementis to the Duke, quhilk 
 he sent all in Spaine, quhairby the Lord 
 obtenit great favor. He labourit all to the 
 intent that he might haue obtenit ane ar- 
 mie of ten thousand men to haue landed 
 in Scotland, to invade England. Bot 
 quhen he hade exponit this purpois to the 
 Duke, it was refusit, becaus the King 
 could not obteine mene anew to 1 fortifie his 
 awin caus in Flaunderis, yet gif he pleasit 
 to accept of the Kings gude will in that 
 mater, it should be thoght reassonabill. 
 And this it was : That the King wald wil- 
 ly nglie, within the space of a moneth, pro- 
 vydit als muckle monie to be transported 
 be his awin veshellies in Scotland, as should 
 sustein ten thowsand men for the space of 
 six moneths, and na forder. Bot befoir he 
 could return answere to the Duke, sum of 
 these his practices were discovered, arid
 
 102 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 being examihat, he stude to a constant de- 
 ma 11 ; hot proofes were broght in againes 
 him, and avowit sum purpoises in his face. 
 My Lord replyit saying, that nather could 
 sick unhonest knaues as they were be ad- 
 mi uit witnes againes him, nor sick infamous 
 rebellis as thai were be judges to him, quha 
 was a ambassador for sick a nobill Princes 
 as his maistress the Queene of Scotland, 
 bot wald appeal to hir awin ordinar judge, 
 my Lord Conservator, quha was equall in 
 consideration of that place to onie of the 
 peares of the Law Countreys, quhilk could 
 not denie thameselues. 
 
 The judges of the toun quhair my Lord 
 Seatoun was halden captive, went togidder 
 to consult upoun this mater ; sum of thame 
 thoght gude to demitt him ather to the 
 Duke of Alva as he list, or to send him to 
 the Conservator, to the effect he should be 
 transportit with diligence in Scotland ; 
 uthris thoght that this counsall was gude, 
 bot first that it should be expedient to put 
 him to the proof of a torture without
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 103 
 
 harme, beleeving thairby he wald freely 
 confes sum of his negotiatoun for fear of 
 forder punishment, and that the fear of this 
 should sum thing abaitt him of his stout sto- 
 make : bot althogh he was laid upoun the 
 racke and his bodye extendit, his courage 
 was na less for all that, and baid thame do 
 gif thai durst. 
 
 The Scottis capitaines understanding of 
 this apperand severitie to be vsit, and al- 
 reddye in practice as they thoght, subor- 
 nit incontenent thair souldiors to be at 
 thair comands. Imediatlye they past with 
 a vote to the counsall, and desyrit that my 
 Lords should incontenent be sett at liber- 
 tie without onie skayth, utherwayes they 
 wald all remove from thair seruice at that 
 presente hour, quhairupoun it fell out that 
 my Lord was demittit to pas quhair he list, 
 and so escaipit that danger. Bot no for- 
 der proceedit in his negotiatoun for the 
 King, nather could the King be induced 
 againe to onie promeis of monie to be sent 
 in Scotland, the seruice of his awin affaires 
 grew sa hett in Flaunderis.
 
 104 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 The regent, as he was re turn it to Edin- 
 burgh, hade directit a servand of his/eallit 
 : ~s 
 
 Johnne Mein, with letters to the Queeneof 
 England. This Johnne hade private talking 
 with diners gentillmen of the Queene of 
 Scotland's factioun, quha hade sent twa let- 
 ters with him to hir Grace, the ane from 
 the south of Scotland, the uther from the 
 nprthe, wretten in cyphers, subscryvit, be 
 thrie score and fourtein persouns ; and he 
 was execute in Edinburgh the penult day 
 of August 1570. And becaus Secretarie 
 Lethingtoun hade changit his opinioun fra 
 the Kings factioun to the Queenes againe, 
 
 O O ' 
 
 the regent thoght gude to dispose him of 
 that office, and disponit the samen to Ro^ 
 bert comendator of Dunfermlyne. 
 
 Thir enormities in the countrey, as they 
 were againes poliice and reasoun, sa Sathan 
 hade also possest the mynds of twa men to 
 comitt the abominabill vyce of Sodomje 
 within Edinburgh, for the quhilk they were 
 punisht in this maner ; first, they were de~ 
 tenit in prisoun for aucht dayes, upoun
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. . 105 
 
 b.ead and water, then they were placitt at 
 the market place, with the inscriptiourx of 
 thair fault written on thair foirhead. Ef- 
 ter that they were placitt in kirke, to re- 
 pent befoir the people thrie seueral Son- 
 dayes : forthlie they were dukit in a deepe 
 loche, ouer the head thrie seueral tymes, 
 and last of all thair bodies were consumit 
 with fire to the death. 
 
 The King of Fraunce on the uther pairt, 
 remembered his dewtie for the Queene of 
 Scotland, and sent in sum letters to the 
 npbilitie of hir factioun, be sending bak 
 againe of Monseour Verac to Dumbar- 
 toun be sea. And withall, sent sum provi- 
 sipun ( ofr bullettis and gun powdento the 
 said castell, quhair he maid his residence 
 for a lang tyme. And in the moneth of 
 September, the regent, to congratulate all 
 thinges done be the Earle Sussex, he sent 
 the Justice Clerk and Mr Archibald Dow- 
 glas unto him to talk of the stabilitye of 
 the King and the regents estaittes. 
 As afoir I maid mentioun of the busines
 
 106' . THE HISTORIC OF 
 
 of Sathan, sa now was he not unquiet, for 
 he had so inloxicate the heart and mynde 
 of a famous preacher, callit Mr Johnne 
 Kello, minister at Spot besyde Dunbar, 
 that he spairit not to murderis his awin 
 wyffe, a woman so loving of him and of his 
 estaitte as onie woman could haue bein 
 reportit to haue ; fauorit and obeyed hir 
 husband in all respectis : for he stranglit 
 hir in his awin chalmer, and thairefter 
 closit the ordinar durr that was within the 
 hous, quhairby he maid his passage, and sa 
 finelie seemit to culor that purpois efter 
 that he hade done it, that imediatlie he 
 past to the kirk, and in presence of the 
 people maid sermon as thogh he had done 
 na sic thing. And quhen he returnit hame, 
 he broght in sum nybour into his hous to 
 vissie his wyfe, and callit at the ordinar 
 durr without onie answere maid unto him ; 
 then he past to another passage with the 
 nybour, quhilk was found oppin, and shoe 
 hinging straught at the bak. Then with 
 admiratioun he cryed out as thogh he hade
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. . 107 
 
 knawin nathing of the purpois, and thai 
 for pittie in lyke maner cryed out. Bot in 
 end finding himself prickit with the judge- 
 mentis of God, of the greevous punishment 
 quhairwith transgressors haue bein plaigit 
 in tyme bygaine, he thoght gude tocomuni- 
 cate this fact to ane of his brither in office, 
 quha then was schoolmaster at Durnbarr, 
 to quhome he revealit the circumstance of 
 a dreame quhilk he hade dreamit of a short 
 tyme befoir. The dreame was sa fullie in- 
 terpret unto him, that thairby he receauit 
 sick satisfactioun in mynde, and resolutioun 
 in spirit, that he defferrit na langer tyme 
 with counsall and convoy of this wyse god- 
 lye man, that he imediatlie come to Edin- 
 burgh, and thair delaitit his turpitude to 
 the judge criminall and certaine uther 
 preachers, and how willing he was to suffer 
 punishment thairfoir. Breeflie be his awin 
 confessioun being clearly convict, he was 
 condemnit to be hangit, and his bodye to 
 be cassin in the fyre and brunt in ashes. 
 And so he depairtit this lyfe with ane ex-
 
 108 THE HISTORIE OT 
 
 treme penetent and contreit heart, baith 
 for this, and all uther his offences in gene- 
 rail, to the gude example and great corn- 
 forte of all the beholderis, upoun the 4 of 
 October 1570. 
 
 Efter this the Duke of Chattelarault, the 
 Abbot of Kilwynning, my Lord Secretarie 
 Lethingtoune, with his twa breether, the 
 Prior of Coldinghame, and Mr Thomas 
 Maitland, was denuncitrebellisto the King, 
 for noncompeirance befoir the regent. 
 Bot the Earle of Grawfuirde, quha befoir 
 hade sa lang remainit of the Queenes 
 factioun, maid his obedience to the regent 
 in the King's name, and the Earle of Moir- 
 toun was maid Sheriffe Principall of Edin- 
 burgh, and Gonstabull of Haldingtoun, 
 be the foirfaulter of the Duke of Orknay, 
 and imediatlie it was appointed be the 
 Queene of England that na hostility e 
 should be usit be ather of the pairties a- 
 gainst uther, directlye or indirectlye, to 
 l he xii day of N ovembir nix to cum. Bot 
 the regent wroght directlye in the contra-
 
 KING JAMES THE 8EXT. 
 
 rie, for first he directithishorsmenandfut- 
 men, to the number of thrie hundrethe, to 
 pas to Hamiltoun, and thair to mak penny 
 of the reddiest of the cornes, cattell, and 
 uther guids perteining to my Lord Duke 
 and uther gentillmen of his surname, and 
 bring the samen to him with diligence, and 
 sick lyke to the landis perteining to the Se- 
 cretarie Lethingtoun, and spulziet all for 
 the utilitye of the said regent. And the 
 Queene of England send in hir letters to 
 the regent, desyring him, with certaine 
 wyse men of Scotland, to repaire to Lundon 
 to talk with hir and hir counsall of all de- 
 baittable materis concerning the Queene 
 of Scotland. And quhen he had convenit 
 sick nobillmen as he thoght expedient, 
 they electit the Abbot of Dunfermlyne to 
 pass thair as ambassador to knaw of what 
 points should be talkit on. And for the 
 Queenes pairtt was chosen and sent the 
 Bishop of Galloway, the Lordis Living- 
 stoun and Boyd ; and on the uthrr pairt 
 were sent the Earle of Moirtoun and the
 
 110 THE IIISTORIE OF 
 
 Lord Glamis, and ane taxatioun maid on 
 the people to furnishe thair expenss's, avail- 
 ling the sowme of twell thowsand pundis 
 money of this real me. 
 
 This forme of proceeding was still so 
 ambiguous and doubtsoum, that nather 
 could the King of Fraunce perceaue ony 
 trew dealing in England for the Queene, 
 nather by her favorirs in Scotland that he 
 could perceaue. Thairfoir, to try all ma- 
 ters how they went in a pairt, he sent ad- 
 uertisement to all his customeris of the sea 
 coists of Fraunce to arrest all and quhat- 
 sumeuer shipps of Scotland that were not 
 fortified be the Queene of Scotland's co- 
 quett, and to confiscat thair guids. On 
 the uther pairt, the Queene of Scotland 
 being frustrat of hir lang expectatioun, 
 conceavit sa great greef of mynd, that 
 deadlie sicknes followit thairon. Bot lear- 
 nit men, weill experiment in physick, were 
 sent for out of Fraunce, quha came unto 
 hir, be quhois travells (and the providence 
 of God) at last shoe convaliseit, bot no li- 
 bertie ensewit for all that.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. Ill 
 
 Amidds all thir turnes, the capitaine of 
 the castell of Edinburgh was grown sa in- 
 solent, that he first directit certane of his 
 dommestick servands to Leithe, of set pur- 
 pois to kill ane Henrie Seatoun, quhilk 
 crueltye when they hade accomplished, 
 they bound to return to the castell ; be the 
 way ane of thame, call it James Fleeming, 
 was taken be the magistrates of Edinburgh 
 and put in preasoun thair. Bot that same 
 night at the hour of supper, the capitaine 
 directit furthe of the castell a resolute num- 
 ber of souldiors with sum gentillmen, all weill 
 enarmit, quha cum to the said preasoun and 
 violently brak up the same, and broght furthe 
 the prisoner with thame, without ather re- 
 sistance or impediment. And nyne short 
 dayes thairefter were expyrit, he waidgit 
 a hundrethe souldiors under the conduct of 
 Capitaine James Meluill, and ludgit thame 
 neir unto the castell, as alswa he cawsit 
 mak fortificatioun within the hous, and 
 gritt provissioun of wyne and uther ne- 
 cessers to be broght in, and sick lyke he
 
 112 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 fortifiet the capitall steepill of Edinburgh 
 with men of weire. 
 
 In this meane tyme the Hamiltounes 
 hade woun the abbey of Paislay fra my 
 Lord Scmpill and his men, and the regent 
 heiring of this, he addrest himself to Glas- 
 gow, and thair assemblit a number of gen- 
 tillmen and souldiors for recouerie of that 
 hous, quhilk within few dayes was randerit 
 unto him and the men in his mercie. 
 
 Bot becans he deferrit lang tyme in 
 shawing thairof, the Hamiltouns directit 
 sum euill to follow thairon. And thair- 
 foir Lord Claud Hamiltoun unbeset the 
 way with sum chosen men, and tuik -sun- 
 drie prisoners that were cumand and gang- 
 and to and frae the regent, and pat thame 
 in custodie within the castell of Draffen, 
 to the end that they might haue beine a 
 releef to the uther captives. And for all 
 this, these of Paisley were broght to Edin- 
 burgh, and upoun the comon gallows with- 
 out the toun were all hangit. 
 . As thir temporall lords were thus obsti-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 113 
 
 nat againes the authoretie of the Queene, 
 and these hir Lieutennents foirsaids in hir 
 place : Sa was the spiritualitye, quha al- 
 maist haillilye hade conjoynit thair opini- 
 ones with hir aduersars in sick sort, that 
 thai were not only contentit priuelye to 
 haue bein hir enemies, hot wald also de- 
 vulgat thair myndis to the people. 
 
 For first, Johnne Knox, cheeff preachor 
 at Edinburgh, at the end of his sermone 
 being remarkit to haue prayit for diuers 
 forraine princes, and for the young King 
 of Scotland, hade omittit to pray for his 
 ordinar princes Queene Marie, for the 
 quhilk he was rebuikit be a wrytting affixt 
 upoun his durr, and he not willing to ob- 
 scure ather his will or witt in that mater, 
 answerit publicklye in the kirke the next 
 convenient sermone daye, that shoe nather 
 was, is, or should be his Soveraine, and 
 therefoir he was not addebtit to pray for 
 hir. Thairefter the haill ministery conve- 
 nit, and thair it was concludit, that at na 
 tyme cuming shoe should be prayit for as 
 
 H
 
 114 THE HISTOR1E OP 
 
 unworthie of sick a benefeet, quhairin they 
 constantlye perseuerit, that nather persua- 
 sioun or reasoun could induce thame to 
 the contrarie. 
 
 The regent was alswa sua vigilant, that 
 he pretermittit na occasiouns of victorie. 
 That as the regent Murray was curious 
 to haue obtenit the castell of Dumbar* 
 toun be compositioun or slight, sa was 
 he ; for he exposit twa craftie explora- 
 tors with sum souldiors priuielie to sie. 
 how craftilie they might intercept that 
 hous, and efter lang tyme spent, at last they 
 found out ane Robesoun, quha hade some- 
 tyme bein a watchman within the hous, 
 and knew perfytelie all the passages thair- 
 of, baith strenthie and weake. This man 
 had alswa a sone in law, nae les experi- 
 mentit within the hous nor himself. To 
 these the Laird of Drumquhaissell and Ca- 
 pitane Crawfurde addrest thameselues, and 
 with promeis of gritt rewarde, and sum- 
 thing in hand, corruptit thame at last to 
 shawe thame the best places of advantage, 
 quhair they, with assistance of Capitane
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 115 
 
 Home with a hundrethe of his souldiors, 
 clam the rocke of that castell with lad- 
 deris and raipes till they came to the topp 
 of the wall. The first man that entrit was 
 ane Ramsay, bot at the first was a little re- 
 pulsit by thrie watchmen, quha hade na 
 uther thing to defend thameselues withal 
 but stanes, and he be drawing of his sword 
 at the first straike, strake ane of thame to 
 the death, and imediatlie ane uther of Ram- 
 say's followeris enterit the wall, and conse- 
 quentlie the thrid, and so the rest, quha in- 
 con tenent slew the uther watchmen. The 
 wall quhilk they clam was sumthing auld 
 and ruinous, so that be the frequent incum- 
 ing of the souldiors it fell, and fair braid 
 passage was maid to the rest. Quhen they 
 were all convenit they soundit the drum : a 
 with loud voices cryed a Darnlie, a Dam- 
 lie ! This great noyse of the drum pertur- 
 bit the Lord Fleyming, capitaine of the 
 castell, in sic sort from his morning sleepe, 
 that almaist half naiked he was compellit 
 to ryn aboit under the castell, and causit
 
 116 THE HISTORIC OP 
 
 himself to be transportit farr from that dan- 
 ger be the sea : Monseour Verac, ambas- 
 sador for the* king of Fraunce, Johnne 
 Archbishop of Sanctandrois, and Johnne 
 Fleyming of Boghall, were taken prisoneris 
 and convoyit to the castell of Stirline. The 
 regent not being far off quhen the castell 
 was wyn, the newes were sent to him with 
 all possible haist, sa that for glaidnes he ap- 
 proachit and dynit thairin, with great ioy, 
 that same day, at ten hor in the morning. 
 The regent usit the Ladie of Fleyming ver- 
 rie courteouslye, and sufferit hir to depairt 
 with all hir claithes and siluer veshell at 
 ease and leaser. This hapenit upoun the 
 second day of Aprill 1571 ; and upoun the 
 fyft day of that same moneth the Bishop 
 of St Androis was accusit of these four 
 pointes. 
 
 I. Inprimis, That he knew and was par- 
 ticipant of King Henrie's murther. 
 
 II. Item, That he conspyrit again es the 
 King's persoun at the murther of the first re- 
 gent ; intending to haue supprysit the cas-
 
 KING JAMES THE 8EXT. 117 
 
 tell of Stirline, and to haue bein maister 
 thairof at his pleasure. 
 
 III. Item, That he knew or was partici- 
 pant of the murlher of James Earle of 
 Murray, last regent. 
 
 IV. Item, That he lay in waitt at the 
 woode of Callender for the slaughter of 
 Mathew Earle of Lennox, now regent, jj* 
 
 As to the first, second, and last heads, 
 he denyit thame constantlye, bot to the 
 thrid head he answerit thus : That he not 
 only knew thairof, and wald not stopp it, 
 bot rather furtherit the deed thairof, quhilk 
 he repentit, and askit God mercie for the 
 same ; and for try all of the first head thair 
 was a certane proof frroght in againes him, 
 and that was a priest callit Mr Thomas Ro- 
 bensoun, quha in his presence affirmit that 
 ane Johnne Hamiltoun als Blakjohnne, 
 sumtyme servand to the Bishop, befoir his 
 depairture callit upoun the said priest, to 
 quhome, among uther articles, he confessit 
 that he was present at the King's murther 
 be comand of his maister, quhairof he
 
 118 THE HTSTORIE OF 
 
 askit God's mercie, and desyrit the priest to 
 pray for him. Bot the Bishop replyit, that 
 the priest synit dead lie to ley upoun him 
 quha knew nathing of mater, as also he sy- 
 nit to reveal anie confessioun. Alwayes the 
 judge criminall gaue suddaine sentence 
 againes him, that he should be hangit, 
 quhilk was quicklye put in pruife, and this 
 verse following affixit upoun the gibbet, 
 maid be a rediculous envious poet in deri- 
 sioun of the deed. 
 
 Cresce diufelix arbor, semperque vireto, 
 Frondibus, ut nobis taliapomaferas. 
 
 And that same nicht this uther verse, as 
 ane antidot to the first, affixt upoun the 
 kirk durr, and diuers uthers remarkabill 
 
 pairts of the toun. 
 
 Ijjjt't jjla wnjj'.muiji wimkil. -jut 
 
 Infelix pereas arbor, si forte virebis 
 Inprimis utinam carminis author eris. 
 
 t j) 
 
 Death remanit not lang unrevengit, as ye 
 shall heir. For first the Earle of Huntlye
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 119 
 
 with diligence repairit to Edinburgh, efter 
 him came Secretarie Lethingtoun, Mon- 
 
 O 7 
 
 seaour Verac ambassador for Fraunce, my 
 Lord Claud Hamiltoun, my Lord Heries, 
 and sundrie utheris. 
 
 During thir materis, the comissioneris for 
 Queene Marie, and the comissioneris for the 
 Regent, came all out of England, without 
 onie midds of peace or tranquillity con- 
 cludit amanges thame. This movet the 
 capitane of the castell of Edinburgh to 
 caus searche the comon hous of the toun, 
 quhair he fand certane peeces of ordinance, 
 pickes, and uther fencible weapounes, qu- 
 hilk he apprehendit, and cawsit the same 
 be transported to the castell. The com- 
 missioners for the Regent directit Capitane 
 Home and Capitane Ramsay to Leith, to 
 convocat numberis of wagit men, and to 
 convoy thame to Dalkeith. Thir twa capi- 
 tanes hade for thair convoy a hundreth and 
 fourtie horsemen, and came out of Dalkeith 
 upoun a Sonday, at ellevin hor before 
 noone, be the eist port of the toun, of a
 
 120 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 deliberat mynd to provok, pley, and de- 
 baitt. And be the way they shott in at 
 the portis, baith in thair passage and re- 
 turne, and hurt diuers of the tounes folkes. 
 The capitane of the castell perceaving this, 
 he sent out twa hundreth souldiors to per- 
 sew thame. Thair past furth at that tyme 
 the Earle of Huntlye, my Lord Home, my 
 Lord of Coldinghame, and my Lord of 
 Kilwynning on horsbak, ilk ane of thir ac-r 
 The Lowsie company et with twa horsmen onlie. They 
 fearciblye invadit the foirsaid capitanes at 
 a pairt of the Burrow mure callit the Pow- 
 burne ; bot being fewer in number, were 
 dung bak againe with great vigor to the 
 port of the toun, kallit the Kirk of Feeld. 
 The futemen pressit to stopp the retreat of 
 the twa capitanes ; bot diuers of thame 
 were hurt, and they debaittit valiantlye at 
 a part of the mure callit the Lowsie Law. 
 
 Heirefter the ciuill warres began, that 
 euerie man drew him to a factioun, sum for 
 the King, and utheris for the Queene, and 
 these that fauorit the Queene's laciioim.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 121 
 
 abode in Hamiltoun, and they for the Re- 
 gent drew to Leith, with sick fortification 
 as could be deveysit. 
 
 Thair sould ye haue sein almaist the 
 sone againes the father, and the bro- 
 ther againes the brother, sum for meare 
 defence of lawfull poweris, utheris for 
 gaine, to espye quhat the aduersar were 
 doing, to quhome he maid himselff sum- 
 quhat familiar, and the inhabitants of the 
 gude toun sa farr divydit in myndis, that 
 the spairt not to cum againes uther in op- 
 pin hostilitie, as it hade bein againes ane 
 forraine and auld enemie. 
 
 The Queene, for hir pairt, was not ob- 
 livious of her authoritie ; for, first, she sent 
 my Lord Boyd in Scotland, with comis- 
 sioun to establishe a Lieutennent ane or 
 twa in hir name, and efter him send the 
 Laird of Gairntully to confirme the same. 
 The Earle of Moirtoun perceaving sick 
 messages fra Fraunce on the a pairt, and 
 from England for the Queene of Scot- 
 land on the uther pairt, quhairby he es-
 
 122 THE HISTORIC OP 
 
 teemit his estatte (as the original enemie 
 to the Queene) to be in danger, he ad- 
 drest himselff to the Lord Boyd, quhair 
 they met at Glencroce, for sum appoint- 
 ment to be concludit, tending to ane uni- 
 versall peace. And he, not willing to giue 
 answere be himselff in sa great mater, with- 
 out the consent of utheris the Queene's fa- 
 uorirs, he went to the castell of Edinburgh, 
 and thair comunicat the Earle of Moir- 
 toun's propositioun unto thame. They 
 gaue him sum articles quhilk they willit 
 the Lords aduersars to the Queene to con- 
 descend unto, that were sa strict, that nay- 
 ther the a pairtie wald fald to the uther, 
 nor yet condescend to ony midds, as the 
 Romanes did in sick dangerous tymes, bot 
 caist all sa loose, as giff peace hade neuer 
 bein in price. 
 
 Then the Duke of Chattelarault repairit 
 to Edinburgh, accompanyet with thrie 
 hundreth horsmen, and a hundrethe hag- 
 butteris. Eftir him came the Earle of 
 Argyll, my Lord Arbroith, and my Lord
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 123 
 
 Boyd, and at that same tyme arryvitjurth 
 of Fraunce Sir James Kirkaldye with 
 tend thowsand crownes of gold, sum mur- 
 riownes, corslettis, hagbuttis and wyne, 
 quhilk was saflie convoyit from Leith to 
 the castell be the horsmen and souldiours 
 of the toun. With this gold were condu- 
 cit horsemen and futemen in greatter num- 
 ber than befoir. The portes, passages, and 
 walls of the toun were repaired and forti- 
 fied, capitanes with thair garisounes ap- 
 pointit to statioun places, the clerks and 
 writters to the Lords of Sessioun compellit 
 to rander the buicks of parliament unto 
 thame, and all men that fauorit not the 
 Queene comandit to reteere furth of the 
 toun. Magistrats of the toun sick as fa- 
 uorit the caus, were chosen. Johnne Knox 
 preacher fled the toun, and reteerit to St. 
 Androis. In his place preachit Alexander 
 Bishopp of Galloway, uncle to George 
 Earle of Huntlye, and uthers inferior ad- 
 ministrat the sacarament of baptisme and 
 manage. Bot as for the supper of the
 
 124 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Lord* it was then out of seasoun, be res- 
 soun tranquillity was banisht the land, and 
 violent dealing was maister of all. 
 
 On the uther pairt, the Regent come 
 to Leith, accompany it with James Earle 
 of Moirtoun. Thairefter they concludit 
 to hald a parliament in the Canongaitt, 
 within the freedome of Edinburgh, at a 
 place callit St Johnne's Croce ; and fear- 
 ing that the souldiers of the toune should 
 cum furth and perturb thame, they for- 
 tifiet twa places, the ane at the Dow 
 Craig, the uther at a hous perteining to 
 ane Lawsoun in Leithwynd, and thair 
 shott in violently at the eist port, and slew 
 sundrie souldiers and inhabitants of the 
 toun, quhilk lastit all the tyme of that par- 
 liament, quhairat were foirfaltit Secretarie 
 Lethingtoun, Johnne Comendator of Col- 
 dinghame his brother, and another brother 
 callit Mr Thomas Maitland, Gawen co- 
 mendator of Kilwynning, and Williame 
 Hamiltoune sone to the Bishopp of St. 
 Androis ; and then depairted to Leithe,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 125 
 
 Efter this, these of the toun sortit,, and 
 brunt diuers housses nar the toun walls, 
 quhair thair enemeis resortit. And as the 
 Regent and Earle of Moirtoun hade past 
 out of Leithe toward Stirline, the trowpes 
 of horsmen drew toward Corstorphen to 
 haue fochin with thame ; bot befoir they 
 could attaine to that place, the Regent 
 was depairted ; and thairfore they assailziet 
 Moirtoun, quha still gaue bak all that way 
 till he came to Dalkeith. This was upoun 
 the twentieth of Maij. 
 
 Then Moirtoun, for grief of this outsett, 
 cawsit his men lye in the way to stopp all 
 the victualles to be broght in to the toun, 
 and reft sundrie cariers baith of hors and 
 laides, without any restitutioun ; and for 
 revenge of this, the horsmen and futemen 
 sortit and marehit in order to Sheriffhall 
 mure, intending to haue assailziet Moirtoun 
 in Dalkeith, and to haue brunt the toun. 
 Bot Moirtoun sortit with men and hors, and 
 assailziet thame sa fearcely, that he gaue 
 thame the repuls to the verrie marche of
 
 126 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 the Burrowmure. Moirtoune's soldiours 
 followit sa fast, that they were hard upoun 
 the baks of the horsmen of Edinburgh, and 
 they perceaving advantage turned, slew 
 and hurt monie of thame, and last dang 
 thame back upoun thair horsmen. At this 
 conflict were taine the young Laird of Kirk- 
 michaell, Andro Halieburton, and Robert 
 Hepburne, with fyftie souldiors and four 
 men slaine. Off the uther pairt, Capitaine 
 Halkerstoun was prisoner, and uther thrie 
 horsmen, and a souldier slaine. This con- 
 flict hade bein greatter and of mair losse to 
 Moirtoun, giff ather the weather hade bein 
 fair, or the gun poulder haue seruit the 
 souldiers of Edinburgh, as was destinat for 
 ane of the capitanes of Edinburgh call it 
 James Meluill. As he was distributing the 
 same to his men, ane of thame be chaunce 
 hade a loose lunt, quhilk negligently fell 
 out of his hand amang the great quantity 
 of poulder, and brunt him and diuers u- 
 theris to the great terror of the rest, and 
 that was the caus of thair suddaine sinder- 
 ing.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 127 
 
 The Queene of England, quha all this 
 tyme preceeding seemit to shaw hirselff in- 
 different, and to be a composer of materis 
 under cullour of detentioun of the Queene, 
 and that shoe wald seeme to fauor hir caus 
 better than the caus of her rebellis, shoe 
 was sa instructit be the Lordis comissionars 
 for the Regent, without onie great impedi- 
 ment, that willinglye shoe thoght it not fitt 
 to send hir bak in hir countrey againe for 
 monie respectis, and thairfore opinly de- 
 clairit hirselff to be a profest enemie to hir, 
 hir actiones and faurors. To confirme this, 
 shoe send in Sir Williame Drowrie, mar- 
 shell of Barwick, to the Regent, and to 
 the capitane of the castell of Edinburgh, 
 to knaw of him whidder he held that cas- 
 tell on the Queene's name, or on the King 
 and Regentis name. Giff on the Queene's 
 name, he wald assure him, that the Queene 
 of England wald be his extreme enemie, 
 and that perforce ; and utherways, that 
 shoe would be his friend. He answerit 
 flatlie, that he acknawledgit the Queene's
 
 128 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 authority to be only lawfull in Scotland. 
 Then the Marshell declairit this answer to 
 the Regent, and he send him bak againe to 
 the castell, desyring him to rander the hous 
 to him in the King's name, and he with 
 all his conrsotis should be a pardonit for 
 by past offences, restoirit to thair rents and 
 possessiounes againe, and should soit with 
 bagg and baggage. This offer the capi- 
 tane refuisit. The Marshell heiring this, 
 consultit with Moirtoun, quhilk turnit 
 greatlie to the prejudice of the capitane 
 and the Queene's caus, as shall be mani- 
 festit shortlie. Heireftir all the inhabitants 
 of Edinburgh that profest enmitie to the 
 Queene, left thair awin housses and the 
 toun, and past to Leithe, and erectit ane 
 handsenzie of thair awin to invade the 
 toun quhair they frielie dwelt, and was 
 thair naturall birth place, nather intending 
 to spair thair ordinar nybour or kyndlie 
 kinsfolkes; and withall the preachers of the 
 toun so haittit thair awin parochiners, quha 
 newer declynit fra that established religi-
 
 KING JAMES THE 8EXT. 
 
 oun, na less nor they hade bein profest pa- 
 pistes, as in the awin place shall be shawin. 
 The Lordis of the Queene's factioun as- 
 semblit in Edinburgh for a parliament to be 
 haldin in the moneth of Junii, to mak the 
 Queene's authoritie as manifest ashir rebellis 
 maid hir infamous. There was redd a sup- 
 plicatioun directit from the Queene, mak- 
 and mentioun ; that it was not unknawin to 
 thame how she was maid captive be a cer- 
 tane of hir rebellious subjectis, and impris- 
 sonit by thame in the castell of Lochleven, 
 quhairin shoe was then constraint, for feare 
 of her lyfe, to subscryve a comissioun for 
 demitting of the crowne and authoritie roy- 
 all in favour of hir sone an infant, the prince 
 of Scotland. And being advertisit by Sr. 
 Nicolas Throgmoirtoun that giff shoe did 
 not the same shoe wald losse hir lyffe, hir 
 Maiestie(to eshew thair rage) accomplished 
 thair desyre. In consideration quhairoff, 
 shoe desyrit the nobilitye thair presente to 
 consider giff the comissioun than subscryvit 
 be hir, and thairby erecting Mathew Earle 
 of Lenox in hir place, was lawchfull or or- 
 
 i
 
 130 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 derly done, or was according to the law of 
 God, man, or nature ; and giff the said 
 Mathew Earle of Lennox was apt and able 
 to gouerne this comounwealth, quha hade 
 shawin his obedience to another forraine 
 prince, and hade not dischargit him of the 
 same, &c. 
 
 Eftir the reeding of the quhilk supplica- 
 tioun, the heads quhairoff being reassonit 
 and voitted, it was fund by the estaittes 
 foirsaid, that the Queene was compellit* 
 for fear of hir lyfe, to subscryve the said 
 comissioun ; and thairfore decernit the sa- 
 men, with all that followit or may follow 
 thairupounj to be of na availl, force nor 
 effect from the beginning, and to ceas 
 heireftir, and ordainit an act of parliament 
 to be maid thairupoun, quhilk was pub- 
 licklye proclamit at the mercat croce of 
 Edinburgh the thirteenth of Junij, and 
 thairwithall established hir authorise, that 
 all letters, coyne, proclamatiounes, and all 
 materis of state, should be done in hir 
 name ; the religioun now established to 
 liaue cours, and to be reverenced with all
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 131 
 
 men ; the ministers to pray for the weill- 
 fare of the Queene and the Prince hir sone, 
 and for the haill nobilitye. Bot befoir this 
 law was maid, the ministeris of Edinburgh 
 not onlie hade desistit to pray for the 
 Queene, bot alswa hade desistit ayther to 
 preach or pray at all thair. 
 
 The Regent's factioun were makand all 
 the preparatioun they could to fortifie thair 
 caus, and warying thair men ; for Moir- 
 toun hade conducet with ane Capitane 
 Michaell Weymes to bring him an hun- 
 drethe souldiors from Dundee ; and as he 
 was cum in Fyf, the Lords of Edinburgh 
 hade sick perfite intelligence thairof, that 
 they directit Sr. James Kircaldie and Capi- 
 tane Cullayne to perse w thame on the sea, 
 and for thair fortificatioun gaue them aucht 
 scoir souldiours, a shipp, and four boittes. 
 The Capitane hauing his hundreth men to 
 haue landit at Leith, was unbesett be thir 
 foirnamit with great defence, and persewing 
 on ather pairt. Ane of the capitanes boittes 
 was maid captiue, the uther escaipit. The 
 prisoners were broght to the castell of E-
 
 132 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 dinburgh saiflie ; bot or they could cum a- 
 land, Moirtoun awaittit to haue bein aven^ 
 git on tharae, bot was weariet at last and 
 depairted. The horsmen of the toun per- 
 ccaving Moirtoun thus to attend, assailziet 
 him, hurt sum of his companey, and chaisit 
 himselff to Leith, quhair he remanit for 
 certane dayes. 
 
 Moirtoun was sa comovit at this, that 
 he awaitit still how to be avengit, and find- 
 ing opportunitie, he marchit out of Leith 
 accompaniet with all the Regentis souldi- 
 ors, with a great number of his awin friends, 
 and the Laird of Drurnlangrig, he com to 
 a place at Restalrig castell, callit the Halk- 
 hill, and thair pate his folkes in array in 
 sight of the castell, to prouok the men of 
 Edinburgh to cum furth. The allarum 
 was incontinent soundit throw all. The 
 toun horsmen and futemen came all to the 
 portis in array. They ascendit a hill at 
 tiie toune end, and came to a place callit 
 the Quarrell Ploiles in sicht of thair enemie, 
 with twa feilding peeces of guns. Thair
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 133 
 
 was in the companye of Edinburgh the 
 Earle of Huntlye, the Lord Home, the 
 Lord Heries, the Lord of Paislay, the Lord 
 Kil wining, and the Lord Coldinghame. Sr. 
 Williame Drowrie was in the field with 
 Moirtoun that day, and desyrit that he 
 might haue libertie to pas and speak with 
 the Lordis of Edinburghe ; and quhen he 
 was cum unto thame, he desyrit thame to 
 reteere hame> and to talk of peace. Bot 
 the preede of thair mynds was so great, 
 that they said and answerit, they would 
 not depairt from the ground till Moirtoun 
 should first giue place, quha first came 
 to the feild to prouok the bargan. So 
 quhen he was rel urnit to Moirtoun to show 
 the caus and order of thair answere, and 
 withall hade espyit the order of the Lordis, 
 and aduertisit Moirtoun thairof, he imedi- 
 atlye brake at thame with a great noyse 
 and shout ting* that befoir he came to 
 thame, they turnit bakks directlie upoun 
 thair awin futemen, and ouer ran thame 
 all, for onie resistance they could ayther
 
 134 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 mak againes thame or their enemeis : he 
 persewit thame euin to the eist port of the 
 Canoungaitt. Be the way diuers were 
 struckin to the ground and slaine. Amongis 
 utheris persounes of renown, my Lord Kil- 
 wynning was ane ; and the number of 
 twentie four souldiers. There were takin 
 prisoners my Lord Home, Capitane Cul- 
 layne, Alexander Bog ansenzie bearer to 
 Capitane Dauid Meluill, with his ansenzie 
 and thrie scoir and ten souldiers, with sum 
 horsmen and the twa feilding peeces. On 
 Moirtoun's syde was slaine his new cum. 
 captaine, Michael Weymes, and a soldior 
 only. This conflect fell upoun the twentie 
 sixth Junij, on a Setterday, and for the 
 euill succes thairof was callit the Blak 
 The Biake Setterday be the people of Edinburghe. 
 
 Setterday. * 
 
 The Lord Home was imprisoned in the 
 castell of Thamtalloun ; and as Drumlang- 
 rig was bound hame, he was unbeset be 
 a gentillman callit Spence of Wormestoun, 
 and broght peforce bak to Edinburgh with 
 twa horsses, and was keepit captiue within
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 135 
 
 the castell. Thair was with him in com- 
 panye at this tyme, his sone and Apilgirth, 
 quha were chaist to Leith ; bot upoun the 
 25th of Julij, thair was interchange of thir 
 twa maid with consent of all pairties at the 
 gallowlee betuix Edinburghe and Leith; for 
 the Lord Home was thair restored to the 
 Lords of Edinburgh, and Drumlangrig to 
 Moirtoun at Leith. Thairefter Sir Wil- 
 liam Drowrie addrest himselff to the toun 
 and castell of Edinburgh, to intreat the 
 Lords for peace. Bot that propositioun 
 was na wayes than acceptabill unto thame, 
 albeit they remanit not lang of that opini- 
 oun. The Regent and his Lords consultit, 
 that the people of the con trey should cum 
 quarterly, and attend upoun him in Leith 
 to serue in the warres at all occasiouns of- 
 ferit, notwithstanding of his wagit souldi- 
 ours, and withall they repaired the auld 
 fortificatiouns of that toun. 
 
 And as England was bissie to encourage 
 the a$e pairtie, sa was Fraunce for the 
 uther; for in the moneth of Julij nixt,
 
 136* THE HISTOKIE OF 
 
 Monseour Verac, ambassador for the King 
 of Fraunce, was send in Scotland againe 
 with letters to the Lordis of Edinburgh, 
 and a letter to the Regent, desyring him 
 to restoir the guids aperteining to the King 
 that was takin in the castell of Dumbarton. 
 Thair was with him ane Jolmne Chesholme, 
 quha was sent in message for supplie, qu- 
 hilk he obtenit. The Regent understanding 
 of thair airy veil in the river of Forth, he 
 directit sum boittes to man the schipp, to 
 confiscat the guides, and to bring the pas- 
 sengers prisoneris to Leith. Johnne Chis- 
 holme befoir hand was landit with a great 
 sowme of gold, and hade delyuerit the sa- 
 men to the Abbot of St. Columbs in keep- 
 ing. The Lord Lindesay was directit to 
 searche him on the land syd, and he was 
 quicklie apprehendit. The ambassador 
 was seasit upoun, and quicklie carriet per- 
 force to Leith prisoner, without respect or 
 reverence, all his wreitts tane from him, 
 and himselff imprisonct. Thair was fund 
 amang his wreitts a minut of the gold de-
 
 KING JAMES THE 8EXT. 13? 
 
 lyuerit to Johnne Chisholme ; and he being 
 
 examinat, and the ticket shawm to confront 
 
 him, he was boistit with toirtour unles he 
 
 should tell quhair it was ; sa that for feare 
 
 he declairit, and the gold was gottin and 
 
 delyuerit to the Regent. In the shipp was 
 
 funden twa hundrethe hagbuttis, twa hun- 
 
 drethe corslettis, twa hundrelhe mur- 
 
 reownes, fyve hundrethe great bullettis, 
 
 and sum salt peter to mak gun poulder. 
 
 The ambassador was translaitit to St. An- 
 
 drois to remaine captiue thair; and the 
 
 Regent imediatlie cawsit the graith gottin 
 
 in the shipp to be transported be water to 
 
 the castell of Stirline ; bot be the way the 
 
 boit was assailziet be the gentillman Spence 
 
 of Wormestoun, the persounes being thair- 
 
 in were takin, the graith seizit upoun 
 
 and broght to land, sa mikle as guidlie 
 
 might be transported, and the rest was 
 
 caissen to the sea ground. 
 
 The pride of Moirtoun was sa great, that 
 he thoght the regent's mynde was sum thing 
 alienat from him, and he suspectit the Laird 
 of Drumquhaissel to be the cause of this.
 
 138 THE IIISTORIE OF 
 
 This gentillman was of a subtile spirit, and 
 a countreyman to the regent, borne within 
 the province of Lennox ; and thairfoir to 
 promoue himself he was deliberat to re- 
 moue that impediment be violence, and to 
 kill him. The regent hearing of this, caw- 
 sit the gentillman to be closlie keepit for a 
 certane dayes ; and Moirtoun, esteeming 
 that he was reseruit in contempt of him, 
 he decrettit to pas liame, and to leave the 
 Regent's company altogidder. Bot the 
 Regent finding him a man sa necessar for 
 the caus, thought expedient to talk with 
 him in that purpois, and refer all that ma- 
 ter to his own answere, and he desyrit 
 Drumquhaissel so to be dischargit the 
 court, that he should not be fund to cum 
 neir the Regent be ten myllis, under a great 
 pecuniall sowme. Quhat profile thir thrie 
 obtenit of violence, the maner of thair end- 
 ing shall declaire heirefter. At this same 
 tyme, Capitane Cullayne was hangit in 
 Leith ; and his death was haistit be Moir- 
 toun, to the end he might the more freely
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 139 
 
 enjoy the fauor of his faire wyff ; and a 
 band of men of warre were placit in the 
 palace of Halyrudhous, for stopping of pas- 
 sage to the toun of Edinburche. Thair 
 capitane was callit Andro Mitchell. 
 
 In the moneth of August, thair was a 
 parliament fencit in Edinburgh, to run for 
 sick a space as should be thought expedi- 
 ent. And at that verrie same seasoun, an- 
 other parliament was also fencit be the Re- 
 gent in Stirline, on that same maner. In 
 this moneth, great comuning was hade of 
 peace, bot nathing concludit: And the 
 Regent, finding equall forme of proceed- 
 ing be baithe the parties in maters of co- 
 mon law, and the Queene's factioun still 
 encreasing in Scotland, and of a mynd, 
 and subsidie day lie arryving unto thame, 
 thought expedient to corrupt the Earle of 
 Argyll and my Lord Boyd with great pro- 
 misses, to alienat their mynds from the 
 Queene ; and as lucre is and lies bein the 
 temptation of monie men, sa was shoe al- 
 swa the maistres of thir nobillmen's aifec-
 
 140 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 tiounes, and withdrew them from their 
 wounted dewtie. And withall the Lordis 
 of the Regentis pairt so assistit Argyll, that 
 he was pairtit from his lawfull wyff, and 
 adioynit himselff in mariage with a doch- 
 ter of this Robert Lord Boydis, and ilk ane 
 of thame obteint a fatt benefeece in recom- 
 pence of thair declyning. And as concern- 
 ing the effaires of Edinburche and Leithe, 
 they mustour almaist ilk day, in contempt 
 of uther, with monie invasiones on ather 
 syde. Capitane Hew Lawder was chosen 
 to be Seriand Major of the futebands in 
 Edinburgh. The rest of the capitanes were 
 these; Arthor Hamiltoun, James Bruce, 
 Dauid Meluill, and Gilbert Montgumrie. 
 They hade under thair charge the number 
 of fyve hundrethe men ; and besides thir, 
 there was a hundrethe horsmen in wage. 
 The names of the capitanes at Leith were, 
 Thomas Crawfuird, David Home, Andro 
 Lambie, Andro Mitchell, Johnne Chis- 
 holme, Walter Aikman, and Adame Ful- 
 lartoun. Thir hade under thair charge se-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 141 
 
 vin hundrethe futemen, and withall ane 
 Jmndrethe light horsmen. Thrie of tljir 
 capitanes were directit to the Canogaitt 
 with thair bands, to witt, Crawfuird, Home, 
 and Lambie, quhair they plan tit thair soul- 
 diors on ather syde of the street narr the 
 eist port of the toun, callit the Netherbow, 
 to attend thair quietlie upoun aduertise- 
 ment of the drum. The capitane devysit 
 to caus bring in sum laides of meill and 
 lyme to the mercat, and the conductor of 
 the horss should be sum craftie souldior, 
 that howsoone they were entrit the port, 
 they should immediatelie cast the laides of 
 the horsses in the verrie entrie, to close the 
 passage, that the port should not be gottin 
 closit. Bot as all thinges were reddy, thair 
 hapenit a certane man, callit Thomas Bar- 
 
 Barne 
 
 rie, messenger, to be walking in the street, 
 and he perceaving ilk entrie of the closses 
 in the Canongaitt to be stuft with men of 
 warre, lie came up softlie toward the port 
 of the toun, dissembling all the waye that 
 he sawe or perceavit thame, and aduertisit
 
 142 
 
 the keeper of that port quietly, and he im- 
 ediatlie, without one farder deliberatioun, 
 closit the port, quhairby thos capitanes and 
 thair souldiors were frtistrat of thair inter- 
 pryse. Thairefter, fearing least the lyk 
 devyse hade bein inventit for the Wast 
 port, he addrest him thair be the lyke fyne ; 
 and quhen this purpois was divulgat to 
 the Lordis, he was thankfullie rewardit as 
 apertenit. And for remied of the lyk de- 
 vyses to follow, they devysit a counter port 
 within the auld port, verrie strong, and the 
 entres was maid by a circuit, and at the 
 foirfront thairof, that directly luikit to the 
 auld port, were twa gunhoilles, quhairat 
 were plantit twa peeces of ordinance. 
 Thairefter Dauid Spence of Wormistoun 
 was directit to St. Androis, quhair he spak 
 with Monseour Verac, ambassador, and 
 convoyit him with diligence and saitty to 
 the castell of Edinburclie. Then parlia- 
 mentis were haldin on baith sydes; the 
 Regentis parliament was haldin at Stirline, 
 and the Queene's was haldin m Edin-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 143 
 
 burche. At the parliament in Stirline were 
 foirfaltit Duke Hamiltoun with his sonnes, 
 and all gentillmen of reputatioun of that clan 
 that fauorit the Queene and hir caus, the 
 Earle of Huntlie and his friends, whais names 
 were mair tedious then profitable to re- 
 hearse. And for recompence of this, the 
 Lordis of Edinburghe proceedit pari passu ; 
 and in thair parliament at that same sea- 
 soun they foirfaultit Mathew Earle of Len- 
 nox, the Earle of Moirtoun, and a number 
 of utheris whose names are at length set 
 down in uther places seuerally befoir. The 
 king being con vo jit to the parliament hous 
 at Stirline, and set at the burd, he fortounit 
 to espye a hoill in the burdclaith ; and as 
 young childer are alwayes unconstant and 
 restles, he preast to attaine to the hoill with 
 his finger, and desyrit of a Lord that sat 
 nar him to know quhat hous that was ; it 
 was answerit, the parliament hous. Then, 
 said he, this parliament hes a hoill into it. 
 Quhidder God inspyrit the babe with pro- 
 phecie at that tyme or not, I will not dis-
 
 144 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 pute. Bot in verrie deed, the cheefe lead- 
 er of that parliament was sloppit with sick 
 a hoill within fyue dayes eftir this saying, 
 that it conuoyit him even to the death ; for, 
 first, the souldiors of Edinburgh sa fearclie 
 invadit the souldiers at Leithe, and faught 
 with thame for the space of a haill day al<- 
 maist till the night came on. And notwith- 
 standing quhairof, they enterit the toun of 
 Leith with sick furie, that sundry inhabi- 
 tants, gentillmen and utheris, being won- 
 derful lie ternfiet, they withdrew thame- 
 selues to the shore, crying and shoutting 
 for boittes to resaue thame into for saiftie 
 of thair lyues, with exclamatioune of pro- 
 misses of great buddis and offeris, * sum a 
 hundrethe pounds, some fyftie, some twen- 
 tie for a boitt. In the meane tymej the 
 haill futemen of Leith were drawin furth 
 of Leith, and was almaist approacht to 
 Edinburgh, crying, under night, God and 
 the King ! the watches of the toun heir- 
 ing, ishewed out upoun thame with great 
 force, and dang thame bake. The horsmen,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 145 
 
 Edinburgh, efter this thick ryding throw 
 Leith, quhair they slew and hurt sundrie 
 that were returning bak to the toun, and 
 be the way espyit the souldiors of Leith 
 dispersit out of order, they ran upoun 
 thame, overran thame, slew thame, hurt 
 thame, and tuik a number of thame pri- 
 soners. The coronel of the futemen, callit 
 Mr James Hallyburtoun, was takin and ca- 
 riet prisoner to the castell of Edinburgh, 
 and wald haue bein hangit on the morne, 
 gin the haill capitanes of Edinburgh hade 
 not intercedit for thame. Thair was takin 
 with thame to the numbar of fyftie-a pri- 
 soners. Thair was slaine at this lang con- 
 flict t wen tie fyue persones only of these 
 were of Leith. Off the pairtie of Edin- 
 burgh were takin, Frauncis Tennent, sum 
 tyine Prouest of Edinburche, and utheris 
 burgesses to the number of nynleen : thair 
 was slaine to the number of ten or thair- 
 by. And becaus all things grew scant with- 
 in Edinburgh for sustentatioun of man, 
 the Laird of Howmains past furth to the 
 
 K
 
 146 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 land is of the Byres perteining to the Lord 
 Lindesay, and broght in thrie score kye 
 and oxen to the toun. 
 
 The Lordis of Edinburgh finding this 
 succes sa prosperous, and having a gude 
 opinioun of thair manheid, thoght gude to 
 prosecute the rest of thair fortune; and 
 becaus at thair parliament the regent and 
 his factioun were foirfaultit, they were de- 
 liberat to assailzie the toun of Stirline ; to 
 kill or lead away the regent and sa monie 
 uther nobillmen as were thair profest ene- 
 mies to Edinburgh, and thair to put end 
 to thame according to the lawes, as the re- 
 gent hade done with Bishopp Johnne Ha- 
 miltoun of befoir ; and withall to tak up the 
 esheitt guds of the said Lordis, in this ma- 
 ner following. 
 
 Upon thrid day of September, George 
 Earle of Huntlie, Lord Claud Hamil- 
 toun, the Laird of Bukcleuche, and the 
 Laird of Worm is toun, with thrie hun- 
 drethe chosen horsmen, and fourscore cho- 
 sen souldiors, past out of Edinburgh a six
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 147 
 
 hors at euen, of purpois (as it were) to haue 
 past to Jed hurt to compose materis thair 
 for behuife of the Laird of Phairnihirst. 
 The leaders of the futemen were, George 
 Bell, and George Calder. This Bell was a 
 borne man in Stirline, and knew all the se- 
 cret passages thairof, The Lordis with 
 this convoy at first past a littell southward, 
 sa lang as they were in sicht of the tounes 
 folkes, and quhen they were out of sicht at 
 the bak of a hill, they addrest thair iorney 
 westward. They wroght on this way for 
 secrecie, that thair interpryse should nather 
 be devulgat in the tonne nor outewith. 
 So they merchit directlie to Stirline, all the 
 souldiors weill mounted behind the hors- 
 men, and arry vit thair at thrie hours in the 
 morning, upoun the 4 of September. Bell 
 for the first point of his office, designit to 
 the Lordis all the ludgings in particular, 
 and the stables. At the ludgings chosen 
 men were plantit to ding up durres, and 
 bring out prisoneris : in the street were 
 plantit the futemen, quhashott indifferent-
 
 148 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 ] ye at all thame quhom the ather saw luik- 
 ing upoun thame, or that came in thair 
 waye, in great number ; and all these 
 shottis were sa deadlye, that few or nane 
 escapit alyve that was sa hurt. Utheris 
 were commandit to the stables, and thair 
 they spuilziet the finest horss that could 
 be hade, as a pairt of eschitt guids of the 
 foirfeitit Lordis, and drew thame all out at 
 the eist port. Thridly, as ilk company e hade 
 broken up durres depute unto thame, and 
 extractit sick prisonereis as they thought 
 convenient, and were all drawn in the 
 streattis reddye to be led away, thair 
 was twa impediments that hendrit this 
 purpois. The first was the strang hous that 
 
 Moirtoun was into, and his obstenacie to 
 
 i 
 
 yield, quhairby they were compellit to put 
 fyre in the hous, and this requyrit certane 
 space of leiser and tint time. The uther 
 impediment was gretter ; and that was be 
 the societie of sum border men, quhais 
 myndis at na tyme are ather martiall or 
 bellicous, but only givin to rieff and spuil-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 149 
 
 zie ; and they, not mindfull of honora- 
 bill prisoneris, addrest thameselues to mer- 
 cheand buithes and houss, quhilk they brak 
 up and spuilziet ; so as quhen the nobill- 
 men of Stirline, Regent, Moirtoun, and the 
 rest were all in handis, and almaist convoy- 
 it be thair leaders to the port, to haue 
 mounted on horsback for thair easie con- 
 voy, (and) the trumpet of retreat sound- 
 ed, the borderers could not be abstractet 
 from thair ordinar exercise ; quhairby it 
 followit, that the gentillmen of the castell 
 came furth enarmit with guns, and shott 
 at these robberis, and pat thame to flight. 
 The inhabitants of the toune assemblit fast 
 in armour, and persewit the haill troupe 
 sa furiously, that they were compellit to 
 quytt thair preasoneris: and David Spence 
 of Wormistoun, having the regent captiue 
 be the arme, promising still to saiff him, at 
 last Capitane Calder approached, and per- 
 ceauing the victorie to decline from thame, 
 he shott the regent, and so dispatcht him 
 with a deadlye hurt; quhairat Wormistoun
 
 150 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 was greevit, bot all for noght. The re- 
 gentis fauorers followitfast, and perceauing 
 him to bleed, and he crying still that he 
 was slaine, they killed Wormistoun out of 
 hand ; quhairat the regent was als greevit. 
 Thair was in Stirline at this parliament 
 convenit with the regent and Moirtoun, 
 the Earle of Argyll, the Earle of Cassillis, 
 the Earle of Glencairne, the Earle of Eg- 
 lintoun, the Earle of Montrois, the Earle 
 of Buchan, the Lordis Ruthven, Glamis, 
 Sempill, Ucheltree, Cathcart, and Meth- 
 ven, with uther barronnes of renowne and 
 thair friends, almaist to the number of fyve 
 thowsand men or thairby. In end, the 
 Edinburgh factioun were constraned ather 
 
 o 
 
 to quitt thair jyeasoneris or ellis to die 
 thair presentlie ; for the quhilk cans they 
 comandit their futemen to tak horss with 
 expeditioun, and they horsit thameselues 
 thairefter, and past away at laser without 
 onie great skayth. Thair was slaine of 
 thair pairtie six persounes onlie, and twen- 
 tie six persounes taken prisoneris, quhairof
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 151 
 
 Balcleuche, Bell, and Calder, were for the 
 maist remarkit. On the uther syde was 
 slaine the regent, quha died that same day 
 within twel hors after his hurt, Alexander 
 Stewart of Garlies, younger, George Ruth- 
 ven, brother to my Lord Ruthven, and 
 twentie four uther gentllemen, to the num- 
 ber of xxxiiii persounes, that were deadlie 
 shott, and neuer convalescit againe. 
 
 This was the succes of sick a hardie in- 
 terpryse; quhilk apperandlie waldhauebein 
 better giff the haill companye hade bein of 
 a magnanimitie martiall men as appertenit 
 in this caise : and is maist worthie of me- 
 morie, that sa few in number, daylie coistit, 
 invadit, and hurt in honor guids and fame, 
 (as ye may reed), bayth be % thair awin civill 
 enemies at hame, and be forranieris introdu- 
 cit in the contrey for thair exterminion, (as is 
 alreddy declarit, and shall be farder decla- 
 rit heirefter), to haue cum sa far oft' from 
 thair ordinar statioun on a night, bot refec- 
 tioun ; and in the midds of thair wearines 
 to haue invadit sick a strenthie toun, fur-
 
 152 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 nished with nob ills and gentillmen ; first to 
 haue led thame captiue ; and next to haue 
 sa violentlie debaittit thameselues againes 
 the furious assault, slaine thair capitall 
 enemie, the cheef ledger of the realme, 
 and to haue returnit sa far off in honor and 
 victorie, without onie perse wing that fol- 
 lowit thairupoun. So that for monie inju- 
 ries they hade befoir ressauit at this regents 
 hands, they esteemit thame all sufficientlie 
 revengit be the slaughter of this sa worthie 
 a persoun. And to conclude, this was that 
 reckles worde of you the pronouncit be the 
 young infant the King, fulfillit to the great 
 detriment of that caus for that tyme, and 
 thairfoir was worthily callit be the vulgar 
 people the Blak Parliament. 
 
 Bot befoir the regent depairted this lyfe, 
 for the small laser he hade to speak in re- 
 spect of the exceeding paine he sustenit of 
 his hurt, it is necesser to mak mentioun 
 thairof, and of the substance of it that he 
 usit to the nobilitie, quhilk he cawsit ime- 
 diatlie to be convenit in the castell for this
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 153 
 
 effect, to the end the posteritie may receaue 
 sum instructioun thairby. 
 
 THE EARLES NARRATIOUN. 
 
 It is not unknawin to your honors that The 
 
 of Lennox 
 
 my arryvill in Scotland was not of my own 
 accord or wishing, bot rather of yours, 
 quhome I supponit to fauor the revenge of 
 my sone the laitt King his death and mur- 
 ther, the weelfare of your naturall prince 
 my nevoy, and the tranquilitye of the es- 
 tate of this comonweel to be purgit from 
 wicked malifactiounes and perturberis of 
 the quietnes thairof. Ye knaw that for the 
 mentenance of this honest caus of the 
 King's I haue this day spent my blood, 
 and now am at point to finish my last 
 warldly tragedye. Quhairfoir I desire now 
 all hairtlye to pray for me, and that ye 
 will continew in that your wountit be- 
 nevolence to his Majestic, and in my place 
 to chuse a man fearing God, wyse and cir- 
 cumspect, baith for the weillfare of the
 
 154 THE HISTOR1E OF 
 
 King and your awin standing, and that ye 
 will be myndfull to recompence my trustie 
 servandis, quha as yet haue receauit na be- 
 nefeet at my hand. Farder I haue noght 
 to say, bot prayes the Lord to be mercifull 
 to my saull, that I may receaue pardoun 
 for all my sinnes : and so I comitt you all 
 in his eternall protectioun. Amen. 
 
 Quhen he hade thus endit, the Lordis 
 thair presente thoght maist expedient to 
 chuse another regent to succeed in his 
 place befoir he were buiriet ; and thairfore 
 electit Johnne Earle of Man* upoun the 
 5 of September ; quha first cawsit Bell 
 and Calder to be publickly punisht, brokin 
 upoun the roow, and thus pynit to the 
 death. And thairefter he come to Leith, 
 and thair he cawsit mak preparatioun for 
 the seadging of Edinburgh. He cawsit 
 ny ne peece of ordinance great and small to 
 be broght to the Cannongaitt, to haue as- 
 sailziet the eist pairt of the toun ; bot that 
 place was not thoght commodious, quhair- 
 fore the guns were transportit to a faux-
 
 KIXG JAMES THE SEXT. 155 
 
 burghe of the toun, callit Pleasance ; and 
 thairfore they laid to thair batterie, quhilk 
 began the tent day of September, and 
 shott at a platfurme, quhilk was erectit 
 upoun a hous head perteining to Adame 
 Fullertoun. And perceauing that that la- 
 bor did butt small profile, he cawsit shute 
 at the toun wall the 17 ; quhilk was all be- 
 stowit that way to the number of fourteine 
 scoir shott, and slappit the wall at twa pair- 
 ties. Bot the grounds within were so weill 
 fortified with ramperes and deepe seuches, 
 that they durst not mak assault, althogh 
 they lay at waitt for that purpois thrie 
 dayes ; and being thus frustrat, the haill 
 campe and ordinance reteerit to Leeth. 
 Alwa^es, this attemptat sa terrified a great 
 number of Edinburgh inhabitants, that 
 sum of thame reteerit to a pairt, and sum 
 to another. And the Prouiest perceauing 
 this, becaus thair was proclamatioun maid 
 befoir, that all these quha fauorit the re- 
 gent should remoue out of the toun, and 
 quha wald assist the Queene should re-
 
 156 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 maine, under the paine of confiscation!! of 
 thair guids ; quhairfore he thoght, by this 
 reasoun, he might lawfullie mak pray of 
 thair gudes, as he did indeed. And on the 
 uther pairt the regent finding sum difficul- 
 tie of the wyning of the toun be his small 
 forces, with advyse of Moirtoun he send to 
 England, desyring support of gunns and 
 men to fortifie the cans, and to repres the 
 King's rebells. And the walles of Edin- 
 burgh were repaired againe with diligence. 
 The Queenes Lieutennent Depute in 
 the North, Adame Gordoun Auchindowne, 
 was verrie vigilant in his functioun ; for 
 suppressing of quhom the Maister of For- 
 bes was directit with the regent's commis- 
 sioun. Bot at the first meeting, quhilk 
 was on the 9 of October, Auchindowne ob- 
 tenit sick victorie, that he slewe of the For- 
 bess's ane hundrethe and twentie persouns, 
 and lost verrie few* of his awin. His bro- 
 ther, George Earle of Huntlie, send him 
 sum supplie of men, efter this conflict, from 
 Edinburgh, under the conduct of Sir
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 15? 
 
 James Kirkaldie ; quha alsoone as he 
 hade exonerat himselff of the souldiors to 
 the Lieutennent, he sailliet immediatlie fra 
 Aberdeene to Flaunderis, and past in 
 Fraunce to aduerties the King of the 
 plaittis of England and Scotland, devyst to 
 supprise the Queenes trew subiectis, and 
 thairfore desyrit sum new supplie : quhat 
 succes this iorney hade, remaines as yit to 
 be declairit. In consideration n of this, the 
 regent directit Capitane Chesholme withe a 
 hundrethe hagbutteris to supplie the For- 
 bess's ; quhairby they thoght thameselues 
 sa weill fortified, being assisted with ano- 
 ther hundrethe hagbutteris under the con- 
 duct of an Capitane Wedderburne, and 
 six hundrethe horsmen, they thocht it na 
 difficultye to assailzie the Lieutennent 
 againe. And he being in Aberdeene, un- 
 derstude perfectlye that they were alreddy 
 past the bridge ; as they thoght they should 
 haue intercep tit him within the toun at un- 
 iwares : bot he, lyke a violent chiftane, ha- 
 ving alwayes his men in reddynes, and per-
 
 158 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 petuallic watching without to certifie the 
 approach of the enimie, assemblit his men 
 with frequent sound of trumpet and with 
 the sound of drum at ane instant, and cam 
 in sick order to a pairt callit the Crabstane ; 
 quhair it was fochin furiously on bayth 
 sydes for the space of ane houre, till at last 
 the victorie inclynit to the Lieutennent, 
 and the Forbess's put to sick a flight, that 
 the persule endurit four mylles of lenthe. 
 The Maister of Forbes was taken prisoner, 
 with twa hundrethe of his horsmen ; and he 
 lost be slaughter fyftein brave abill men of 
 his clan, with Capitane Chisholme, and al- 
 maist the haill souldiors. Thair perishitt at 
 this conflict the number of thrie hundrethe 
 persouns. The Lieutennent lost on his 
 syde the number of threttie, and thus end- 
 it. Bot quhat gloir and renowne he obte- 
 nit of thir twa victories, was all cassin doun 
 by the infamy of the next attempt : for 
 imediatlie efter this last conflict, he directit 
 his souldiers to the castell of Towie, desyr- 
 ing the hous to be randerit unto him in the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 159 
 
 Queenes name ; quhilk was obstinatlie re- 
 fuisit be the ladye, with certane injurious 
 words. And they being impatient, be the 
 comand of their leader. Capitane Ker, fyre 
 
 J Towie 
 
 was put to the hous, quhair shoe, and the brunt - 
 number of threttie seuen persounes, were 
 cruellye brunt to the death without mersie. 
 
 The Laird Parbroith also, being a gentle- 
 man fauorer of the Queene, wroght be sick 
 slight, that he wan the castell of Bruchtie c ra i g win 
 in the river of Tay, fra the hands of these 
 that held it for the regent. 
 
 The souldiors of Edinburgh being hun- 
 serit for scant of meatt and fire in the be- 
 
 o 
 
 ginning of the cauld dayes approaching, as 
 they were past furthe toward the Burrow- 
 mure, the horsmen and futemen of Leith 
 were lying at a wayt at the park of Hally- 
 ruidhous ; and espying thame in the plaine 
 fields, they set on thame, and tuik Capitane 
 James Halkerstoun prisoner, and the num- 
 ber of thrie scoir ten souldiours hurt and 
 takin. On the uthir pairt Capitane Mit- 
 chell, as he was ouer forward, was euill
 
 160 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 hurt at the Kirk of Feild Porte, and takin 
 prisoner. Thairefter the horsmen of Edin- 
 burgh cam within the fensible bounds of 
 Leith, and tuik prisoneris, and slewe the 
 obstinat persounes at pastyme that wald 
 not be takin. 
 Lord Max- At this tvme Johmie Lord Maxwell was 
 
 well's hand- 
 
 fasting. contractit in marriage with ane sister of 
 Archibald Earle of Angus. And Moirtoun 
 hade provydit for ane bankett to haue 
 bein maid in Dalkeith, for feasting of sum 
 nobill and gentlemen to that handfasting. 
 And as the wyne was kairtit in Leith to 
 haue bein caried to Dalkeith, with stoir 
 of venisoun and uther great provisioun, 
 the same was sa notified to the people of 
 Edinburgh, that thair horsmen sortit, ap- 
 prehendit the same in the way, with sum 
 siluer veshell, and broght the same saifly to 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 The Earle of Moirtoun having sustenit 
 
 ~ 
 
 this small lose, for recompence thairof, di- 
 rectit sum men of his to the lands pertein- 
 ing to the capitane of the castell of Edin-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. l6'J 
 
 burgh in Fyffe, quha brunt and distroyed 
 all his coirnes and housses, to his great 
 enorme lessioun. Bot the toun of Dal- 
 keith, apperteining to Moirtoun, that same 
 nyght sustenit and incurrit als mikle skayth 
 for that interpryse, be burning and slaugh- 
 ter ; quhilk was done upoun the 8 Febru- 
 ary 1571. 
 
 And befoir that moneth was endit, the 
 Lord Ruthven was directit to the south, to 
 annoy the Laird of Pherneherst and his 
 friends ; and as he was in his way, he inter- 
 ceptit some souldiours of Edinburgh, quha 
 were directit to Jedburghe for his supplie. 
 Thair leaderis were, Capitane Olyphant 
 and Serjand Smyth. He maid thame pri- 
 soneris ; bot upoun promeis that they 
 should enter againe -quhair they should 
 be requyrit, he demittit thame ; and within 
 few dayes thairefter, he destroyed the big- 
 gings of Pherneherst, the coirnes, and all 
 that he could be rnaister of ; quhilk was 
 sufficientlye revengit be the souldiors of 
 Edinburghe, quha imediatlye efter the re-
 
 162 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 port of the newes, addrest thameselues to 
 certane lands of the Lordshipp of Dal- 
 keith, quhair they destroyit the houss and 
 come be fyre, and in thair returne percea- 
 uit fyftie six horss passing from Dalkeith 
 to Leethe laiddit with aill ; they brak the 
 barrellis and maid pray of the horss's, and 
 withall broght unto Edinburghe mony key 
 and oxen furth of that Lordshipp to sup- 
 ply their presente necessitie. 
 
 By this tyme my Lord Seatoun was re- 
 turnit out of Flaunderis and cum to Edin- 
 burgh, and Moirtoun fearing least subsidie 
 should haue cum fra that pairt to the 
 Queenes fauoreris be his lang negotiatioun, 
 he assay it be all meanes ayther to get 
 knawledge thairof, or ellis to distroy the 
 messenger; and thairfore he intysit the 
 Lord Lindesay to desire talking with the 
 said Lord Seatoun ; and the aduertisement 
 being sent be Lindesay how willing he 
 was to talk with him, he condescendit to 
 sick tyme and place as should best please 
 to Lindesay. Bot as he was cum furtly
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. l6S 
 
 of Edinburgh simplie, not looking for onie 
 fraud to be usit, he was aduertist credibly 
 be the way, that thair was men lying in 
 ambuscaid to haue trappit him, and thair- 
 fore he considerit suddainlye the danger, 
 and resoluit to reteere back. Sa that ap- 
 peirant meeting was dissoluit, as I haue 
 told. 
 
 The Queene of England sent in hir am- 
 bassadours in Scotland ; the ane Mr Ran- 
 dell, to mak residence with the Regent ; 
 and the uther Mr Carie, Marishall of Ber- 
 wick, to talke with the capitane of the cas- 
 tell, and to insinuat himself in fauor as a 
 privat friend to that caus, that he might 
 in the meane tyme espye the fortifica- 
 tiounes of the hous gif it were possible ; 
 and for this caus he was friely permittit to 
 mak oft visitatiouns, quhilk the capitane 
 efter repentit. 
 
 , And as the horsmen of Edinburgh were 
 still bissie, and awaitting upoun chances 
 of victorie and revenge, they espy it the 
 Lord of Covcntoun ryding to Leith, and
 
 164 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 broght him bak prisoner. There was found 
 with him a ressonable gude purs of mo- 
 ney perteining to the Earle of Moirtoun, 
 quhair with he intendit to haue payit his 
 souldiors, bot was somewhat prevented this 
 way be men of greiter mister than he hade 
 for that tyme. 
 
 Thairefter, the parliament tyme of Leith 
 approaching, the horsemen and futemen 
 were come furth to prouok neir againes 
 Edinburgh in thair compleet number. 
 On the uther pairt they of the toun 
 marchit furth in order of battell, still keep- 
 ing their rankes within the priviledges 
 thairof, on the south side. Bot the hors- 
 men of Leith, to mak a forder brauado, 
 thoght meet to ryde about the toun and 
 castell to shaue thameselues braue. And 
 as they are rakeleslie cum to a place callit 
 Brochtoun, and assemblit in a troup, a 
 great canon of the castell was shott amanges 
 thame, quhair be chance a martiall nobill- 
 man, my ,ord Methven, with seven uther 
 horsmen, was killed ; bot befoir they went 
 hame they past toward the toun myllis, and
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 16\5 
 
 brak thame all doune, to the end they 
 should seme the inhabitants for na use, 
 and also to depryve thame of victuallis, 
 and withall pat in garisounes of souldiers 
 in the college kirk of Corstorphen, Reid- 
 hall, and Merchrestoun, Craigmillar, and 
 all uther feneibill places and houss's, to 
 empeshe all kynd of meat, and drink, fyre, 
 and uther necessaries to be broght in ; and 
 quhen any persounes were apprehended 
 with onie thing carrying to Edinburgh, 
 they broght to Leith, and thair they were 
 ather condamnit to the gallous, or to be 
 drownit, or to be brunt on the cheecke. 
 On the uther pairt, the Lordis of Edin- 
 burche placed garrisounes in the castell of 
 Nedrie Seatoun, at the castell of Blaknes, 
 and the Peill of Livingstoun, and isheet 
 out at diuers tymes, and gat diuers prayes 
 of cornes and cattell, quhilk they sent to 
 Edinburgh. Bot the Lordis of Leith 
 howsoone they apprehendit any horsmen 
 of Edinburgh, or souldiors that were takin 
 in the feeld at faire weires, they were not
 
 166 THE HISTORIE Of 
 
 ransomit or interchangit according to the 
 law of airmes, hot hangit without sentence 
 or mercie. In consideratioun quhairof, the 
 uther pairtie did the lyke with thair ene- 
 mies souldiors, even in thair sight. And 
 this continewit fra the sextein day of Au- 
 prille, 1572, to the aucht day of Junij, 
 that a law was maid by baith the pairties 
 in the contrare. 
 
 The Duke of Alva at this tyme, be 
 command of his prince, hade directit sum 
 gold in Scotland be a Frenchman callit 
 Sorvie, quhilk was convoyit to the castell 
 of Edinburgh in a freare of fegges, be 
 the moyan of Mr Archibald Dowglas, 
 Persoun of Dunglas, and his servand Tho- 
 mas Bynning, quha hade conspyrit the 
 death of the Earle of Moirtoun ; for he 
 hade comandit his servand to shute him 
 with a pistol], bot as he was about the ac- 
 complishment of his fact, his gun maid na 
 seruice ; quhairfore the Persoun was ward it 
 in the castell of Lochlevin, and the Mar- 
 shall of Baruick maid procurement for the 
 servand, and he was delyuerit unto him.
 
 JAMES fHE SEXT. 167 
 
 And notwithstanding of the great gouer- 
 nament and creddite that Moirtoun hade 
 in court, it was not, for all that, but certane 
 pointes of envey in all estaittes, and name- 
 ly in the kirk, and continewit sa unto the 19 A 
 
 1572. 
 
 end. For a certane minister hapnit to af- 
 firme that he defendit ane uniust caus, and 
 that he should repent quhen tyme should 
 not permit : this minister was apprehendit 
 and committit to prisoun ; and being de- 
 mandit, be whais comand, or at whais in- 
 stigatioun or persuasioun, he awitt these 
 wordes, he ansyrit that it was be persua- 
 sioun of na mortall creatour, bot only be in- 
 stigatioun of the holy spirite. Bot Moir- 
 toun not content with this answere, causit 
 put him to torture, quhairby he grew sa 
 waike, that he could not steire from his 
 bed ; notwithstanding quhairof, he causit 
 him to be borne to the gallous> quhair he 
 was hangit to the death. 
 
 Thairefter. it pleasit the counsall of the 
 Lords at Edinburgh to direct sum soul- 
 diors to the northe, to Adame Gordoun ;
 
 168 THE HISTORIE O9 , 
 
 and for thair saifF passage, directit thame 
 to goe to the castell of Blaknes, thair to be 
 shippit ; and the people of Leith getting 
 knawledge of this, directit sum horsmen to 
 intercept them ; and they, ouertaking the 
 futemen, charget upoun thame ; and the 
 futemen perceauing that they hade na res- 
 cew nor advantage, weredeliberat to rander. 
 Bot the horsmen of Leith, eftir they were 
 randerit in effect, and for security of thair 
 obedience, hade denudit thame of thair 
 weapons, they slew fyftein of the maist 
 abill and strong men of thame : they 
 hirit serjand Smyth, and maid a prisoner 
 of the Lieutennent; the remanent they 
 convoyit to Leith, quhair they were hangit 
 without farder process : and this forme of 
 dealing was callit the Dowglas Warres. 
 
 And the souldiours tain in Edinburgh 
 were acquite with that same forme of lawe, 
 in plane sight of thair enemies, baith be 
 thame that were preasoneris afoire, and for 
 these that were takin at a skirmishe at the 
 new brigg besyd Edinburgh on the west
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 169 
 
 hand. And besyde all this, they dischargit 
 the commissioners that were reteerit furth 
 of the toun, and they creat new justici- 
 ars in their rowmes ; and becaus fyre was 
 scant within the toun, they kaist doune 
 faire ludgings perteining to enemies that 
 hade left the toun, the defence thairof, 
 and the cans of the prence, and pat the 
 timber to the mercat to be sauld at the 
 darrest price be the weyght. And sicklyke 
 they ordainit ane officer, quha was callit 
 be the vulgar people the Captane of the 
 Chimnayes, to pas to the houss of the fu- 
 gatives to bring thame furth, ather upoun 
 compositioun as they should be esteemit 
 worthe, or ellis to be sauld in the mercat 
 place. This extreme dealling of rigor on 
 all handis bred sick terror in the heartis of 
 sum neutrall people of Edinburgh^ that 
 sum of thame, quhat for feare of the plague 
 of famine and pouertie, and quhat for feare 
 of punishment, they withdrew thameselues 
 to Leith, thinking to mak a forme of obe- 
 dience to the Regent ; bot Moirtoun cawsit
 
 170 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 a proclamatioun to be maid in the contra- 
 rie, that they should all reteere thairfra, 
 under the paine of deathe, thinking that 
 they were only reteerit to be spyes. 
 
 Then the nobillmen and gentlemen of 
 Edinburgh drew their forces toward Mer- 
 chestoun, to winn it ; bot it was sa strang- 
 lie keepit, that the souldiours of Edin- 
 burgh spoilziet the houss narr the great 
 towre, and thairefter raisit fyre round a- 
 bout, that the smoke should compell thame 
 to yeeld. Bot all was in vaine ; for the 
 men of Leith come furthe, and skaillit that 
 interpryse, and thairefter the men of Edin- 
 burgh raisit fyre at the Seynis of the Bur- 
 rowmure. 
 
 The Queene of England pat the King of 
 France and his courtiors in opinion, that 
 giff unitie could be contracted betuix the 
 subiectis of Scotland, shoe wald put the 
 Queene at libertie, and reponn hir to hir 
 awin place againe ; bot as hir thocht and 
 intentioun was in the purpois, sa were the 
 negociators electit : That is to say, as they
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 171 
 
 steemit baith littell of hir, of hir honor, 
 of hir place, and of hir calling, sa, for hir, 
 they directit sick men as were nayther of 
 noble blude, nobill rank, nobill place, and 
 nobill calling : And althogh the King of 
 France hade directit his ambassadour Mon- 
 seorLa Crok to England, first desyring that 
 the Queene should be set at freedome, and 
 that shoe wald direct ane ambassadour of 
 heirs to Scotland, conjunctlie with his am- 
 bassadour, to intreat peace amanges hirsub- 
 iectis ; shoe electitna worthier a man for this 
 purpois nor Sr. Williame Drowrie, marshall 
 ofBeruick,quhawas the speciall instrument 
 of the destructioun of the Queenes fauor- 
 ers, as was efterward provit in effect. The 
 Queene of England consentit to the a pairt 
 of the petitioun, to send ane ambassador 
 conjunct to Scotland for contracting of 
 peace, althogh shoe meanit littell in that 
 purpois in effect : Sa that Monseour La 
 Crok for France, and the Marshall of Bar- 
 uick for England, were sent hither heir in 
 the moneth of Iviaij, and were receauit be
 
 172 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 baith the pairties with great ioy. Thair* 
 efter, Monseour La Crok directit a trumpet 
 to Edinburgh, desyring Monseour Verac, 
 ambassador for Fraunce, to cum and talk 
 with him ; quhilk was permittit be baith 
 the pairties ; and they then past to Les- 
 tarig, quhair the ambassador of England 
 remained ; and thairefter all thrie retur- 
 nit to the castell of Edinburgh, quhair 
 they conferrit lang with the Lordis upoun 
 the xxi day of May for sum articles of 
 peace, bot neuer concludit any midds. 
 Quhairupoun it followit, that the ambas- 
 sador returnit to Leith that night. 
 
 Bot the souldiors of Leithe, euen as thair 
 maisters, hade na mynd of peace, bot tra- 
 uellit to corrupt the garrisoun that lay at 
 Nidrie Seatoun ; and in effect hade sa cor- 
 ruptit a perfite man, that he condescendit 
 to let thame haue entres in the nyght, and 
 a certane time was prefixt to this purpois. 
 Bot he not willing to keep promies unto 
 thame, aduerteist his capitane, and willit 
 him to invent sum remied againe that
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 173 
 
 tyme ; and the captane greatly praisit his 
 souldiour quha thus hade done, and re- 
 wardithim condignely; and againe the dis- 
 tinat nyght, pat that same souldiour upoun 
 the watche, and the capitane himself stude 
 by him, with the haill companie in thair ar- 
 mour, sa as quhen the men of Leith, quha 
 then lay at garisoune in Corstorphen, were 
 cum furth from thair tents, looking for na 
 uther thing bot, with ease of the expectit 
 falsett, to haue ladderit and winn the nous, 
 they were this way preuented. The capi- 
 tane of Nedrie causit prepare certane gritt 
 gests of aike, and caused thame to be mea- 
 sured according to the squaire of the toure 
 at all pairtes ; quhilk were hung a littell 
 ouer the wall, with reaps and cordes, that 
 same night at euen, and were readilye pre- 
 paired at all pairtes. And quhen the ene- 
 mie had put to thair ledderis, and callit on 
 the man quha maid the promeis, and he 
 maid ansuer, they montit with the better 
 will : the capten supponing the ledderis 
 to be full, causit immediatlie the cords to
 
 174 THE HISTORIE Ot 
 
 be cutt, quhairby the timber fell in sick 
 weyght upoun the assailzeantis, that it 
 crushett seventein of thame all in peeces, 
 and lamit fyfteine. Thairefter the capi- 
 tane ishett furth, and persewit the rest to 
 Corstorphen ; bot thai escaipit with great 
 speid of feet. 
 
 Then Moirtoun, as he was still equall 
 with the Regentis, or ellis aboue thame in 
 counsall and comanding, he cawsit print 
 a new kind of money in his castell of Dal- 
 keithe, of the price of half a merk and 
 the half; the same to haue course in the 
 contrey, be the Regent's proclamatioun. 
 And at this time was printed, in the cas- 
 tell of Edinburgh, certane especes of fyne 
 siluer, availling 30, 20, and ten shillings the 
 peece : these Moirtoun cawsit to be bro- 
 kin doune, to mak up his new coyne of 
 ley it money ; quhilk thairefter hade cours 
 for a lang seasoun. 
 
 Thairefter Johnne Lord Fleyming re- 
 turnit fra France with gude store of gold, 
 for payment of souldiours fies. He came
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 175 
 
 to Edinburgh upoun the 26 of Junij ; hot 
 upoun the 5 of July he was be accident 
 hurt in the kney be the shott of a hagbutt, 
 that brak sum stanes of the calsey, quhilk 
 reboundit againes him : and this hurt was 
 sa deadlie, that he died thairof upoun the 
 5 of September nixt following. 
 
 In the moneth of Maij, the Earle of Nor- 
 thumberland was randerit to the Queene 
 of England, furth of the castell of Loch- 
 levin, be a certane conditioun maid be- 
 tuix hir and the Earle of Moirtoun for 
 gold ; quhilk was thankfullie payit to Moir- 
 toun befoir that the prisoner was enterit 
 within Inglish ground, and he was behaidit 
 at hame lyke a traitor. This was unthank- 
 fullie rememberit; for quhen Moirtoun 
 was banisht from Scotland, he fand na sick 
 kynd man in Ingland unto him as this 
 Earle was. Bot how God payit him for his. 
 unthankfulness, shall be reported heirefter. 
 
 And the beginning of the next moneth, 
 the grittest number of the souldiours of
 
 176 ^HE HISTORII OF 
 
 Leith, baith horsmen and futemen, ad- 
 drest thameselues the second tyme to the 
 wyning of Wester Nidrie; and these of 
 Edinburgh, to withdraw thame from that 
 purpois, went to assaye the castell of Mer- 
 chestoun, with some peeces of ordinance, 
 quhairwith they pearcit the wallis thairof, 
 at sundrie tymes ; and the horsmen of E- 
 dinburgh in the meane tyme redd ouer the 
 south fields peacibly, and broght in four- 
 teen oxen. The futemen perse wing the 
 hous sa straitt with the guns, they enterit 
 in talking to rander; and in the meane 
 tyme thair came in thair syght a great 
 company e of contreymen, quha marvel- 
 lit mair at the noyse of the guns in the 
 faire feelds, then for ony intenlioun they 
 hade to impash ony great purpois : bot 
 the souldiours of Edinburgh conceivit sick 
 another opinion, that immediatlie they 
 sent hame the guns, and went thameselues 
 be a quiett way, to impish thair retreat ; 
 and come fordward their iorney in sight of 
 Leith. The Regent perceaving this,
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 ed furthe with some small companye in 
 thair faces, and withall hade sum uther of 
 his horsemen lying at a syde passage of that 
 same way, covertly ; and they spying thair 
 enemies, they chargit upoun thame sa furi- 
 ously, that they compellit thame to mak 
 thameselues lyght to escape the danger of 
 death ; sa that thair weaponis were for 
 the maist pairt cassin away at this chace ; 
 15 burges men of Edinburgh were takin 
 prisoneris, and led to Leith, and twa of 
 Merchestoun souldiors brought to Edin- 
 burgh, 
 
 And for all this, the garisoun of Nedrie 
 Seaton hade prepaired sum coirnes to be 
 sent into Edinburgh, quhilk they saiflie 
 convoyit ; bot at the bak cuming, the Laird 
 of Collingtoun and the Laird of Currie- 
 hill lay in waitt> and unbeset the carters* 
 and broght thame to Corstorphen, thair to 
 remaine captiues. The Lord Seatoun heir- 
 ing of this, montit on horsbak with certane 
 chosen men, and came to Curriehill hous, 
 broght him furth thairof perforce, and led 
 M
 
 168 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 him preasoner to Nedrie, and be the way he 
 encounterit uther fourtie horsmen pertein- 
 ing to the Laird of Lochnoreis, quhilk nom- 
 ber he led all with him, and laidit the hor- 
 ses with coirnes to be caried in Edinburgh. 
 Thairefter he demittit thame frielie to pas 
 quhair they list, with thankes. And becaus 
 the famine was so great within the toun, 
 the souldiours ushed out sundrie tymes to 
 certane rowmes weill provydit with coirnes, 
 and broght the same in for payment. 
 
 And becaus they hade sick store of gold 
 in Edinburgh, and thought thair pairtie 
 sufficientlye strang againes the Lordis of 
 Leith, they directit capitane Wauchop with 
 his band toward Aberdiene, be sea,toAdame 
 Gordoun, Lieutennent in the north for the 
 Queene, to supplie him in his addois. Bot 
 the stoir of thair victualles being daylie 
 scant, they directit, as afore, sum horsmen 
 to scour the fields for viuers ; and as they 
 were bringand hame sum oxen, and uther 
 comestable guides, the souldiours of Mer- 
 chistoun intercepted thair voyage ; and sum
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 horsmen of Leithe being abroad at that same 
 tyme, came pricking toward the noyse of 
 the hagbuttis : be that tyme the horsmen 
 of Edinburgh were lightet on fute, and 
 chargit upoun thair enemeis in sick sort, 
 that they slewe thair cheef ledderis, ane 
 of thame callit Patrick Home of Pol* 
 wart, and the uther Home of the Heuche, 
 with foure uther gentillmen, besyd monie 
 utheris hurt at that conflict, and diuers 
 preasoners takin. The great caus of this 
 victorie was the suddaine supplie sent from 
 Edinburgh, quhairby it fell out, that a on- 
 ly e horsman of Edinburgh was hurt, and a 
 suddart slaine be a shute from the toun of 
 Merchestoune ; and this was done upon 
 the penult day of Junij. 
 
 As thir materis fell prosperouslie furth of 
 the south, sa were they also in the north ; 
 for Adame Gordoun, Lieutennent thair, e- 
 ter he hade besedgit monie houss's of 
 strenthe, and broght thair maisters under 
 the Queene's obedience, ather be great 
 compositioun, be severitie or perforce ; at
 
 170 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 the last, he was lying at the castell of Glen- 
 bervie in Mearnes, with a reasonable ga- 
 risoun of souldiours, arid a fine trowpe of 
 chosen horsmen, quhen aduertisement came 
 unto him, that the Regent had directit sum 
 nobillmen and gentilimen to stop him of 
 forder doing, and to relieue the hous from 
 assault. And he that nyght tuik delibera- 
 tioun with the barrounes in quhom he 
 trusted ; quha thoght expedient, that rather 
 he should assalzie thame before thai cum 
 fordwart, then to lye thair attending thair 
 cuming: and, to the effect he should ac- 
 complish this with the gritter secrecie, they 
 thoght maist expedient that the haill fute- 
 men should lye still about the hous, in thair 
 trenches, and the horsmen to pas with him- 
 selff that same nyght, to be deuydit in twa. 
 Then ilk gentillman was priuely comman- 
 dit to haue his men in reddines montit, but 
 sound of trumpet, that na aduertisement 
 should be giuen to the hous of thair de- 
 pairture, nather yet any discouragement 
 to the souldiours. For this purpois was com-
 
 KING JAME$ THE SEXT. 171 
 
 municat to the capitanes secretlye ; so as 
 quhen they were all convenit, on a faire 
 nyght, and in a faire field far from the 
 campe, it pleasit the Lieutennent to de- 
 claire his purpois and intentioun unto 
 thame ; and with all raid in the hie way 
 toward Brechin, till thai came within twa 
 my His. Then he gaue command to thrie 
 hundrethe horsmen to pas ye ouerway, and 
 to cum in at the west end of the toun be a 
 priuey furde ; and he, with the rest of the 
 companye, should assailzie at the Brigg, 
 and that way. Bot these that were direc- 
 tit away, nather went to the appointit 
 place; they fulfilled na command; nor were 
 euer sein againe in a companye ; and he 
 thinking verily they hade fulfillit his com- 
 mand, maid him the more stoutely to as- 
 sail. Upoun the north syd of Brechin, 
 thair is a brigg, quhairat the Regentis 
 folkes had placit sum watches ; bot they, 
 fearing na euill nor invasioun, behauit 
 thameselues mair negligently nor becum 
 thame of thair functioun. And quhen the
 
 172 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Lieutennents scuireors fand thame in sick 
 estatte, they enterit upoun thame softlye* 
 and presently e slewe thame : so that, befoir 
 onie aduertisement could be giuen to the 
 Lord is within Brechin, the Lieutennents 
 trumpetis soundit with a great noyse at the 
 porte ; that befoir they could perfetly be 
 wakened, or draw to thair claithes or ar- 
 mour, they were the maist pairt haillily in- 
 teiceptit, 39 horsmen slaine, diuers hurt, 
 and a great nomber of people takin prea- 
 soneris. Thair was Robert Dowglas Earle 
 of Buchan, Lieutennent for the Regent, 
 chacit with 300 horsmen in his companye : 
 thair were takin prisoneris 9 scoire and 
 ten gentillmen or thairby. And this was 
 done upoun the fyft day of July, a littill 
 eftir middnyght. 
 
 Then he cawsit bring all the preasoneris 
 befoir him, and spake unto thame on this 
 manner. Gude contreymen, ye knaw that 
 all victorie lyes in the hand of God, to whais 
 holy name be all laud, praise, and honor for 
 euer. And albeit ye be now under the will of
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 173 
 
 your aduersar, yit rather mercie nor ven- 
 geance does becum a Christian. For albeit 
 ye haue thir dayes by gane stubburnly re- 
 sistit to the Queene's Maiestie's lawfull 
 pouer, and me hir Lieutennent, I will not 
 use onie seuerity againes you at this tyme, 
 for onie euill example offerit unto me be 
 the tyrannic usit be the Regent. But be 
 ye contrare, I will offer you all humani- 
 tye that I may, provyding that fra this 
 day furthe, ye will behaue yourselues as 
 dewtieful subiects to the Queene, and ne- 
 uer cum in the contrare : quhilk I beseek 
 you to do, and promeis this unto me, as 
 ye will answer to God. And they all, with 
 a joyful voyce and cheerful countenance, 
 be halding up thair handis, promittit faith- 
 fullie to do that, and presentlie ilk ane of 
 thame promittit to be gude for utheris, be 
 thair subscriptiounes then maid : and so he 
 demittit thame freely. 
 
 Thairefter he cum toward the toune of 
 Monrose, and pitched doune his campe in 
 the syght of the toun. And the Magistrattis
 
 174 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 fearing his invasioun, sent out twa honest 
 men to enquire of him, quhat he meant to 
 cum sa narr thair in warlyk manner ; and 
 giff he intendit to do thame onie skayth or 
 not. He ansrit, that he desirit simplie, that 
 first they should acknawledge him as the 
 Queene's Lieutennent be lettre patent, 
 quhilk he than shew unto thame : Second- 
 ly, that thai should neuer oppon thame- 
 selues in word or deed againes the Queene's 
 authoritie, but should fortifie and assist hir 
 and hir Lieutennent with all thair might : 
 Thridly, that for observing and acknaw- 
 ledging of thir promiess's, they should 
 giue in some of thair burgess unto him 
 to remaine with him as ostages : And last 
 of all, becaus they hade offendit in tyme 
 bygaine, that they should offer him a cer- 
 tane pecuniall sum in recompence of thair 
 remissioun to be grauntit for the same. 
 
 The twa men acceptit the petitiounes 
 verrie humlye as messengeris, and desyrit a 
 saife convoy from the campe to the toune, 
 that thai myght report the same to the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 175 
 
 counsall, and thaireftir to bring anser. 
 And quhen the magistrattis, with the assist- 
 ance of thair counsall, hade redd and con- 
 siderit the petitiounes, thai thoght glide, 
 for ishewing of the iminent present danger, 
 to accept of the Queene's authoritie ; to de- 
 sire the Lieutennent humblie and earnest- 
 lie that he wald not burden thame with os- 
 tages, seeing it was a thing not usit in this 
 comonweill, and how difficill a thing it were 
 for them toperforme; seing na man wald wil- 
 lingly graunt thairunto, and to send thame 
 bund, it should be thoght againes all Chris- 
 tian humanity e, quhilk they hopit his heart 
 did abhorre; and thaireftir, in respect of 
 the pouertie of the toun, that he wald no- 
 minat some small sowme unto thame, that 
 might be collected but harme of the pure. 
 Quhen thir answer were with all humilitie 
 and reuerence presentit unto him with mo- 
 nie words of pittie and lamentatioun, he 
 acceptit of thame in that same forme, and 
 tauld thame quhat a sowme he requyrit, 
 and this was quicklie broght unto him :
 
 176 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Quhairupoun he depairted with his campe 
 toward Glenbervie againe. >. . 
 
 The novallis of thir proceedings were 
 caryed to the Regent; and he turning 
 northward, maid his proclamatiouns, wil- 
 ling all men to follow him : and they be* 
 ing obleist to the Queene's Lieutennent 
 bot so laitlye of befoire, absentit thamet 
 selues at that tyme ; quhilk was the cheef 
 caus of his suddaine returne, quhairby the 
 said Lieutennent triumphit as he list, with- 
 out onie impediment. As aiswa, in the 
 southwest of Scotland, Lord Claud Ha- 
 miltoun being reft of his living and rentis 
 be the Lord Semple, quha then posses t the 
 Abbay of Paisley with a strong hand, as 
 he was upoun the 10 day of July pas- 
 sing furth to haue reft sum pure tennentes, 
 Lord Claud set on him, chaissit him bak, 
 slew 42 of his souldiors, tuik 15 of thame 
 as prisoneris, and thairefter layit men about 
 the hous sa lang, till a grit power was cum 
 forth of another pairt to persewe the Lord 
 Semple.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 177 
 
 ^.Asmateris of hostility e ran thus on all 
 pairts, the Laird of Pherneherst also shew 
 himself sum tyme severe againes the inha- 
 bitants of Jedburghe. For, in the moneth 
 of Julii, he tuik ten of thame and hangit 
 to the death ; and besyd all this, the pro- 
 vissioun that they hade collectit for to re- 
 sist the winter cauld, he cawsit all to be 
 brunt to ashes in the faire field. And that 
 same moneth, as I haue oft repetit afore, 
 the King of Fraunce was still willing of 
 peace to haue bein concludit in Scotland, 
 to the end that thairby the Queene myght 
 the more easily be reponit in hir awin 
 place againe. He directit his ambassador, 
 Monseour La Crok, in Scotland, upoun the 
 the xn day of July. In lyk maner, the 
 Queene of England directit hir ambassador 
 to talk of peace, bot not to that fyne that 
 the uther did. Baith thair petitiounes were 
 giuen in to the Regent, and to the Lordis 
 of the castell. Baithe the pairties gaue ane 
 uniforme anser, that as it should seeme 
 best to the King of Fraunce, and to the
 
 178 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Queene of England to desire thame to doe, 
 they should with all thair hartis performe 
 the same. Off this anser the ambassa- 
 dors were verrie glaid : and becaus the 
 mater was of na small importance, and 
 gritter than they thoght was efFeerand for 
 thair persounes, they sent ather of thame 
 aduertisement heirof to thair awin parents. 
 And because it wald be a lang seasoun, in 
 respect of the sea passage, to get intelli- 
 gence or anser from Fraunce, baithe the 
 ambassadors concurrit togidder, and desy- 
 rit of the pairties to condescend to ane ab- 
 stinence from all hostillity and warres, fra 
 that day till the full accomplishment of 
 the twa monethis, and that all men should 
 frielie pas and repas betuix Edinburgh 
 and Leith for that space ; and in the 
 meane tyme, that na man should be per^- 
 mittit to offend his nybour be deid or 
 countenance, under the paine of death; 
 quhilk was willingly grauntit and obeyit 
 be thame bayth. The ambassador also 
 requyrit all ordinances and great guns
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 placit upoun steeples, blokhousses, or u- 
 ther pairtes in or about the toun, for de- 
 fence thairof, should all be removit, in 
 hope of greatt concord to ensew. The lyk 
 was desyrit at Leith, and was presentlie 
 performit on both sydes. And to the effect 
 that their labor should not be obscurit, 
 bot maid patent to all the subiects of 
 Scotland, they concludit in these termes 
 following. 
 
 We the nobillitye and uther subiectis of e 
 
 Abstinence. 
 
 this realme of Scotland, at the instance 
 and exhortatioun of the ambassador of the 
 Maist Christiane King of Fraunce, and of 
 the Queene of England, maid unto us for 
 ourselues or assistairs, partakeris, and sick 
 as depends on us, be the tennor heirof, 
 promeisses an abstinence and cessatioun 
 from hostilitye betuix us and our aduer- 
 sars, that presentlie be in armes againes 
 us, thair assistars, partakers, and sick as 
 depends on thame ; to begin this presente 
 day, and endure quhil twa moneths be ful- 
 lilye outrun ; during the quhilk, we oblies 
 us and promiesses, that with all securitie
 
 180 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 the said abstinence from warre and cessa- 
 tioun from hostility e shall contenew. And 
 if it shal happin the nobilitye and estaittes 
 of this realme to convein at onie pairt to 
 aduise upoun general peace and gude or- 
 der, to be taine for the countrey ; that 
 in that cais, they with thair full companies 
 shall be in full suertie in thair cuming to 
 the place, remaining, or returning thairfra, 
 during the said space of twa moneths. 
 And to the effect that sa gude and neces- 
 sar a wark be not hinderit, we accord, 
 that during the trewes and abstinence, twa 
 thrie, four or fyve, ma or fewer, of ather 
 of the pairties, may communicat togidder 
 in all suritie, in sick place as shall be a* 
 greit upoun, to oppin up the meanes for 
 the mair facill atteening to a gude peace. 
 And if it shall chaunce (quhilk God forbid) 
 that the assemblie of the said nobillitye 
 and estaittes, the peace and reconcilia- 
 tioun may not be concludit, we, be the 
 tennor heirof, for our pairts, referris the 
 difference betuix us and our aduersars, to 

 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 181 
 
 the arbitrament of the maist Christian 
 King of Fraunce, and to the Queene of 
 England, and promeisses faythfullie, on 
 our honour, to accept all conditions con- 
 cerning the peace, quhilk thair maisteris 
 shall propoun unto us; provyding that the 
 persons following be subiect to the censure 
 of law, whensoever they may be apprehen- 
 dit, notwithstanding of this present abstin- 
 ence: That is to say, James Earle Both well, 
 Johnne Ormistoun of that Ilk, Patrik Hep- 
 burn of Beinstoun, Patrick Wilsoun, James 
 Hamiltoun of Bothuelhauche, Johnne Ha- 
 nliltoun his brother, with the haill theeues 
 and brokin men inhabiters of borders, and 
 heielands, disturbers of the public peace 
 betuix this realme and Ingland, and op- 
 pressors of the peaceable subiectis of the 
 realme ; and we promeis on our honor, 
 that we shall couer nane of thair faultis, 
 bot sick as lies bein directiie done in our 
 querrell. And giff, during the abstinence, 
 they shall happin to do wrang to anie man, 
 we all consent that they be punisht as ap-
 
 182 THE HISTOR1E OF 
 
 perteins, and sail seik na impunitie fof 
 thame for onie attempt done againes Eng- 
 land, hot understands that they shall b6 
 anserable to the same, conforme to the 
 lawes of the borders. And to the effect 
 that the haill subiects of this realme may 
 assure thameselues to be presently dischar- 
 git of the burdene of ware, and may with 
 the greatter desire embrace peace quhen 
 it shal please God to send it, We aggrie, 
 that during the said abstinence, all the 
 subiects of this realme, of quhatsoeuer qua- 
 litie and conditioun they be of (except be- 
 fore excepted), may friely and liberally re- 
 sort and haunt, speake and convein togidder, 
 ouer all the pairtes of this realme, untrou- 
 blit, molestit, or impishit, ather in bodye 
 or gudes, be word or deed, in the law or 
 besyd the lawe ; and takes our said aduer- 
 saries bearing armes againes us, thair assist- 
 airs and partakeris, and sick as depends 
 on thame, mutuallye in our protectioun, 
 consorting ane with another faithfullie, with- 
 out all murmor, that may be done be the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 193 
 
 ather of us, or ony that we promies for, of 
 be ony of thame that be enemies to peace. 
 Mourouer, we promitt to use all meynis 
 of peace, to haue familiar comunicatioun 
 and conversatioun ane with another, to the 
 effect that the heartis of offenderis and of- 
 fendit persounes may be molifiet, and indu- 
 cit to forgett thinges that are alreddye by- 
 past ; and thairefter to acknawledge that 
 we are members of a bodye, of a contrey, 
 and naturall Scottismen, na comunicatioun 
 shal be forbidden be ather of us to utheris, 
 bot promitts libertie ouer all places, tounes, 
 and bound is, quhaireuer it may be; provy- 
 ding that the toun of Edinburgh, first of 
 all, be set at libertie, and to be maid pa- 
 tent to euerie intrant ; sa that na place 
 thairof shal be fortified and withhalden 
 with garisounes, saving the castell and for- 
 tress, that of auld, and befoir the troubles, 
 hes bein accustomed to be fortified and 
 gairdit ; that by this meane, all men and 
 servandis, without feare of souldiours or 
 violence, may freelye enter and dwell in 
 
 1ST
 
 194 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 thair owne houss's as they pleas, induring 
 the saids trewes and abstinence. And be- 
 caus manye pearsonis within this realme, 
 during these troubles, are seasit upoun u- 
 theris lands, and the fruites thairof are pre- 
 sentlie to be collectit in, to the effect that 
 na stopp or impediment of peace may en- 
 shew thairon, we accord and aggrie, that 
 they wha hes the said landis shall not up- 
 lift the fruits and cornes thairof, bot shall 
 leaue the samen stackitt in graynges, or 
 upoun the fields, undisponit upoun onie 
 way, quhill the end of the said abstinence. 
 And for obseryving and fulfilling of all 
 these articles aboue specifiet, we obleis us, 
 upoun our faith and honor, and be our so- 
 lemne aithes, to keep for ourselues, and to 
 caus and compell all our adherentis to do 
 the lyke. In witness quhairof, we haue 
 subscryvit the same with our handis, at 
 Edinburgh and Leith, in presens of the 
 ambassadours foirsaids. 
 
 This was proclaimit in Edinburgh first, 
 and then in Leithe, to the great ioy of all 
 gude subiectis, and to the great releese and
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 comfort of many pure people, opprcst with 
 famine and exceeding scant. Bot althogh 
 by the articles of this pacificatioun, the 
 souldiours of ather pairtie were fullie dis- 
 chargit, and the gouernor and capitane of 
 Edinburgh fulfilled thair parties, and maid 
 the toun patent, yit it pleasit the fugitiues 
 of Edinburgh to giue example to utheris ; 
 for upoun the morn they marchit from Leith 
 with displayit bands to Edinburgh, and 
 plantit a gairdhous at the comon scamells ; 
 and the souldiours of Leith cam up in that 
 same maner, and plantit another gairdhous 
 at the kirk : they compellit the inhabi- 
 tants of Edinburgh to lay all armor fra 
 thame, althogh thameselues keepit swordis 
 all the day lang during the abstinence, and 
 behauit thameselues toward their nybours 
 rather lyk unto comanderis and maisteris 
 than ordinal* citizens. 
 
 On the nixt day, viz. the first of August, the 
 Regent and his Lordis came ryding to Edin- 
 burgh, and Duke Hamiltouri, with the Earle 
 of Huntlie, Lieutennents for the Queene, 
 depairted thairfra. And in the meane tyme,
 
 sick tyrannic was usit againes the inhabitan- 
 tis of Edinburgh, that fauorit the Queene, 
 remanit within the toun, and keepit thair 
 own houss's, that thai were so opprest 
 againes gude conscience and againes the 
 comon peace, that notwithstanding of the 
 great straitnes, pouertie, scant, hunger, and 
 famine, that they sustenit befoir the peace, 
 the haill garrisoun of the futemen of Leith 
 were placit in honest men's housses, to be 
 fedd and harberit upoun thair expenss's, 
 as a farder testimonie of thair ordinar ma- 
 lice usit againes the Queene, and the co- 
 mon repose of the countrey in tyme by- 
 gaine. Then the abstinence was concludit 
 to contenew till the first day of Januar ; 
 and thairfore, in hope of compleet concord 
 to continew, the ambassador of Fraunce, ef- 
 ter that all thinges were so weill begun, he 
 with fauor of both pairties, returnit hame. 
 Thairefter the nobillitye convenit in E- 
 dinburgh, and thair, upoun the xxvij. day 
 of September, quhhair all debetable ma- 
 teris were ressonit upoun. Bot as I told 
 you afore the nature of the Earle
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 197 
 
 toun, that he wald not be second unto the 
 regent, sa now his mjnd from unitye and 
 peace was so declynit, as be the effects 
 upoun his pairt, shall be forder declairit. 
 For albeit the Lord is of the Queenes fac- 
 tioun, quha then remanit within the cas- 
 tell for thameselfs, and the capitaine for 
 himself, gaue in thir articles following, 
 quhairunto the regent wald haue willinglye 
 haue condescendit ; bot be the contrarie, 
 Moirtoun not only be himself refuisit, bot 
 intysit all the rest of the counsall to dissas- 
 sent thairunto: quhairupoun it followit, 
 that the regent (being a man of a meike 
 and humane nature, inclynit to all kind of 
 quietnes and modestie) conceavit sick greef 
 of mynd, that he decreittit na langer to re- 
 maine in Edinburgh, and thairfore depairt- 
 ed to Stirline, quhair he died the xviij day 
 of October, to the great displeasure of all 
 the gude men of Scotland, and left the keep- 
 ing of the King's persoun, and the castell, to 
 his brother, Alexander Erskine, and to the 
 Laird of Tullybardine. Efter him dyed 
 Johnne Knox in that same moneth. Bot
 
 198 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 Moirtoun so handlit the mater, that he 
 buddit Tullybardin with the office of the 
 Comptroller, and thairefter maid him to 
 renounce his pairt ; and thairefter so hand- 
 lit Alexander Erskine, to haue debarrit 
 him and all the hous of Marr fra that of- 
 fice, as is odious to reherse; quhilk shal be 
 sufficientlie declarit in the owne place, to 
 the quhilk I remitt yow with patience. 
 
 THE ARTICLES ARE THESE. 
 
 All the person nes principallis now re- 
 maining within the castell, for thameselues, 
 the captens quha haue seruit, and now 
 serues, thair souldiors, and all utheris quha 
 haue taine pairte with thame, deseyris, that 
 be a declaratour in parliament, they may 
 be dischargit of all crymes comittit be 
 thame, or onie of thame, sen ye beginning 
 of the troubles ; and that all actis, decreetis, 
 sentences, or quhatsomeuer proces led a- 
 gaines thame, ather in parliament, in secret 
 counsall, befoir the iustice generall or his 
 deputtis and befoir onie uther judges, to
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 199 
 
 be declarit null, and of na effect ; and all 
 wryttings maid thairanent to be cancellit 
 and obliterat, and that to be retreattit pre- 
 sentlie, that they may be enterit to thair 
 rowmes, heritages, and possessiones ; and 
 that na persoun or persouns injure or sclaim- 
 der thame for onie caus or occasion by- 
 gane, under the paine of death. 
 
 Item, The Capitane desyres to mak 
 compt and restitutioun of all the princely 
 jewellis, and uther moueable gudis dele- 
 vyrit unto him at the acceptatioun of the 
 hous, ather to the Queenes Lieutennentes, 
 or sick uther persoun or persounes as the 
 nobility e now assemblit shall deceme, and 
 that he may haue a sufficiente dischairge 
 thairupoun be act of parliament ; as also a 
 dischairge of the guides of the people of 
 Edinburgh putt thair in custodie, pro- 
 vyding they craue restitutioun within a 
 moneth. 
 
 Item, They desire that the castell of 
 Blaknes, with sufficient ordinance, be gi- 
 ven in keiping to some condigne man of 
 thair companie, be consent of baith pair-
 
 200 THE HTSTORIE OF 
 
 ties, togidder with the rente annexet thair- 
 unto. 
 
 Item, That the aires of the Lord Flee- 
 ming, the Laird of Wormistoun, and uthe- 
 ris that were slaine, and depairted the lyffe 
 in the Queenes caus, may enter to thair he- 
 retages and rowmes as thogh they hade ne- 
 uer bein foirfaultit. 
 
 Item, That the castellis of Home, and 
 Falscastell, with the landis and maines 
 thairof, be restoired to my Lord Home, 
 and the abbay of Coldinghame, with 
 houss's, graynges, maynes, and all uther 
 pertinentis, be restored to Johnne Mait- 
 land, priour thairof, and that the Queene 
 of England shall promeis to mentein and 
 defend thame thairin. 
 
 Item, The capitane desires, in respect 
 he has contraclit great debtis in thir warres, 
 that he may haue the sum of twentie thow- 
 sand merks allowit to him for payment 
 thairof. 
 
 Item, The Capitane desires that my 
 Lord Morton shall resigne the superio-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 201 
 
 ritye of the landis of Grange, and uther 
 landis annixit thairto, in the King's handis, 
 to be haul din of the crowne at all tyme to 
 come. 
 
 Item, The Capitane desires, that ane of 
 his gentillmen may haue licence to pas in 
 England, to speak with the Queene of 
 Scotland. 
 
 Item, The Lordis within the castell de- 
 sires the hous to be consignit in the hands 
 of the Earle of Rothes, with the haill fur- 
 nishing and rent apperteining thairto, and 
 that licence and pasport may be grauntit 
 to thame to repaire to Fraunce, or to sick 
 uther pairt from Scotland as they shall 
 think maist convenient. And that the 
 Earle of Rothes may be sourtie for accom- 
 plishment of all thir promiss's. 
 
 Quhat the refuisall of thir articles wroght, 
 I haue told you in a part ; and the uther 
 was, that becaus amang all the factioun 
 that resistit the Queene, thair was fund na 
 man saabill, for ambitioun andfreindshipp,
 
 SOS THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 to double out the caus againes hir, and for 
 himself and thame quha were hir enemies, 
 as quha he was, he was chosen to succeed in 
 place of the last regent; and as he might haue 
 bein the first for his factious dealing, and 
 his continewence in guyding, comanding, 
 and counsalling all thame quha were sur- 
 rogaitt to be regentis befoir him, sa was he 
 also the last in order and number. And 
 sick thankfull seruice as he did to his 
 young King, rather for malice he bure to 
 the mother, nor for onie fauor that he at 
 onie tyme utterit toward the sone, saving 
 only that he wald haue hade his persoun 
 als mikle thrall to his affectionis within 
 Scotland, as he hade his mother thra.ll to 
 the imprisonment of England, for his im- 
 punitye of former trespass's ; ye shall knaw 
 how he was recompencit be that same 
 prince, to quhom he pretendit to haue done 
 best and maist thankfull seruice ; yea even 
 for that same verrie fault that he himself 
 accusit the Queene of Scotland of, in op- 
 pin audience at the counsall of England.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 203 
 
 Alwayes at the entrance of his office he 
 become seik, and Secretaire Lethingtoim 
 getting knawledge thairof, directit a letter 
 unto him for freindshipp, becaus, quhen he 
 was in great credence at court with the 
 Queene, he shew himself the regentis maist 
 s>eciall freind, and thairfoir it is maist re- 
 quisite now to haue a meetting. The re- 
 gent ansyrit, that quhat gude he hade 
 shawin to him then, it was recompencit 
 lang syne, bot to shew him freindshipp 
 now, he could not, becaus he fand him un- 
 worthie. 
 
 And the Queene of England for hir 
 pairt sent in Mr Killingraue to Scotland, 
 to requyre the Lordis of the Queenes fac- 
 tioun for a further abstienence ; and becaus 
 Monseour La Crok was befoir departit 
 hame, and my Lord Home, the capiten 
 of the castell of Edinburgh, with some 
 utheris, were withdrawn be Secretarie Le- 
 thingtoun from peace, belieuing that the 
 Earle of Moirtoun was not abill to annoy 
 thame, thair fell out sick a diuision a-
 
 204 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 mong thame, that albeit the nobill Lordis 
 befoir nominat, quha reteerit from Edin- 
 burgh, hade requyrit for peace, they of the 
 castell wald not condescend. 
 
 The ambassadour reportit this forme of 
 ansyr, first to the regent, and consequent- 
 lye to the Queene of England ; and the re- 
 gent wald na wayes condescend to farder 
 abstinence without a simple demissioun of 
 the castell of Edinburgh in his hands ; and 
 this was alluterly refuisit be the capitane. 
 Quhairupoun it followit, that my Lord 
 Lindesay, a suppost fauoror of him, quha 
 purposely was creat proueist of Edinburgh, 
 was moved to comand, that a fortres and 
 bulwarke should be erectit befoir the face 
 of the tolbuthe that looked to the castell, 
 in the straitt passage foiment the gold- 
 smyths shopp, to be as a defiance againes 
 all shottes of the castell that could annoy 
 the place of iustice ; and sick lyke, ano- 
 ther was erectit in the straitt passage foir- 
 nent the north durr of the capitall kirk, for 
 saiftie of thame that should either enter to
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 205 
 
 the kirk for deuotioun, or to the tolbuthe for 
 obteining of ryght, or for the defence of 
 wrang. And the abstinence being at this 
 tyme outrunn, and the Cap ten perceauing 
 these defiances laid againes him, and a 
 garrisoun of men of ware laid at the west 
 pairt of Edinburgh, to stopp all kynd of vi- 
 veris to cum to the hous, as also to stopp 
 the ishee and entrie, he on the uther pairt 
 declairit his defiance on the morne, be 
 shutting of sum cannons down in the toun, 
 directlie againes a new fish market ; quhair- 
 by a man was slaine, diuers hurt, and the 
 fishes blowne so hiche in the air, that they 
 were sein upoun the tops of hiche houss's, 
 and sum of thame to fall in the striets, in 
 great abundance. Heirby the ambassadour 
 was moued to depairt hame, and Sir James 
 Balfour remoued from the castell to seeke 
 peace, quhilk was grauntit be the regent 
 in sick sort, that he was presentlie restoired 
 to his haill houss's and rentis that he pos- 
 sessed of befoir. 
 
 And the Capitane perceauing this straitt-
 
 206 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 nes, made a proclamatioun on the castell 
 wall, commanding all the Queenes trew 
 subiectis to pas from the toun, or ellis to 
 reteere thame quietlie in thair awin habi- 
 tatiouns ; sicklyke comanding hir rebellis 
 to depairt from the toun within 3 dayes, 
 under the paine of danger that might en- 
 shew. The regent, on the uther pairt, per- 
 ceauing that the maist potent Lordis of 
 the Queenes factioun hade peciablye sub- 
 iected thameselues to the King of Fraunce 
 and Queene of England's arbitriment, and 
 they not willing onie wayes to declyne 
 from the common peace, he first comandit 
 that na man should injure another be word 
 or deid, for onie occasioun that lies bein in 
 thir tymes of troubles, sen the death of 
 King Henrie to that presente day, under 
 the paine of death : Secondly, proclaimit 
 ane parliament, first for the benefeete of all 
 the Queenes fauorers, that they should be 
 restorid to the Kings peace, and remittit 
 for all bygane offences that they haue com- 
 mittit be the Queenes seruice ; as, on the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 207 
 
 uther pairt, for punishment and utter exter- 
 minion of these quha wald not be pairtici- 
 pant of that peace : quhairby succeedit sa 
 greatt accidentis, and so contrarious in the 
 self, that I think the lyk has not bein wret- 
 tin of thir monie yeares befoir ; to the con- 
 sideratioun quhairof, according to the e- 
 vent of the consequences, I remitt yow. 
 
 Bot before the articles of peace were pro- 
 ponit, thair fell out a small accident wor- 
 thie of memory, that gifF the same hade 
 taine gude event, I think the peace should 
 not so suddainlye haue bein contractit. For 
 I told you afore how Sir James Kirkaldye 
 was directit to Fraunce, and he remanit sa 
 lang thair, that be permissioun of the 
 Queene of Scotland, and fauor of the King 
 of Fraunce, he obtenit a haill yeirs profile 
 of hir drowrie, quhilk he broght saifelye 
 unto the castell of Blaknes, upoun the xxvi 
 day of Januar : bot the capitane gaue up 
 the hous in the handis of the regent, and 
 also all the gold that was broght out of 
 Fraunce, and Sir James comandit to be
 
 208 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 emprisoned thair. Yet howsoone the capi- 
 tane was past furth out of the hous, Sir 
 James subbornit the souldiours to possess 
 the hous for him,quhilk they did upoun pro- 
 meis of reward, and layd handis first upoun 
 the capitanes brother, and all the rest of 
 the gentillmen, and band thame in yrons ; 
 thaireftir isheed out upoun the people of 
 the contrey, and broght in cornes and u- 
 ther prouisioun for sustentatioun of man, 
 thairby intending to haue keepit the hous 
 be htrang hand. Bot the regent devysit a 
 subtillitye in the contrair, and persuadit Sir 
 James his awin wyfe to betray him ; quhilk 
 shoe did upoun the tent day of Februar 
 thairefter, and came thair to vessie him ; 
 bot quhen shoe was willing to returne, shoe 
 could not content unless he with his soul- 
 diours should convoy hir a peece of the way 
 from the hous, alledging that Capten Lam- 
 bie was lyand in the way to spoill hir. Bot 
 that cap ten was so forseine of this strata- 
 gem, that he knew weill that Sir James 
 should be trained furth, and thairfore he
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 209 
 
 lay at the bak of a hill narr the castell, be- 
 haulding the tyme ; sa that howsoone he es- 
 pyit Sir James to be remouit from the hous, 
 he then immediately approached with his 
 souldiours ; and as Sir James was cum bak, 
 thinking of na impediment bot to haue 
 saiflye returnit to the castell, as he cam 
 furth, he fell in the hand is of Cap ten Lam- 
 bie perforce, and was led preasoner to the 
 pallace of Lynlythgow, quhair he remanit 
 till it pleasit the regent to caus him be 
 transported to Dalkeith. 
 
 Within twa days thairefter, the capten 
 of the castell of Edinburgh causit a great 
 distructioun to be executt againes the 
 toun; for in the night he exposit, at the 
 hor of supper, sum of his souldiors to 
 sum thak housses besyd the West Port, 
 in a windie nyght, and pat the same in 
 fyre. This fyre so ragit eistward, that 
 it extendit the self foirnent a chappel 
 callit the Magdalene : and in the meane 
 tyme, to the effect na impediment should 
 be maid thairunto, he cawsit ditashe sum 
 cannons in face of the fyre, to terifie the 
 
 o
 
 210 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 people to approach. This causeles cruel- 
 tye wroght na gude effect in the end ; for 
 baith people that fauorit him afoir, and 
 these quha were his perpetuall enemies, 
 sa cryit out with maledictiones, that he 
 was sain fra na man's cursing. 
 
 o 
 
 The regent ceasit not, in the meane 
 tyme, to trauell with Duke Hamiltoun, the 
 Earle of Huntlie, the Earle of Argyll, and 
 utheris of the Queenes fauoreris : and be- 
 caus Duke Hamiltoun was then growin 
 auld, seeklie, and waik, and impotent to 
 trauell, he directit furth his sone Lord 
 Johnne Hamiltoun, then Abbot of Air- 
 brothe, with sum utheris wyse men of the 
 clan of Hamiltouns in his companye, to 
 consult with the rest of the Lordis upoun 
 articles of peace. And be all thair con- 
 sentis the toun of Perth was nominat to 
 convei.n into. Thair came for the regent 
 certane comissioners with full power to 
 conclude in all materis of peace ; and him- 
 self promeist to be at Aberdour to attend 
 upoun their returne, and perfite conclu-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 211 
 
 sioun, as he did in effect. The sowme 
 quhairof, to the beniefeete of the posteri- 
 tie, I haue thoght gude to insert. 
 
 At Perth, the twentie thrie day of Fe- 
 bruare, 1572, the noble and mightie Lordis 
 underwrettin, they are to say, Archibald 
 Earle of Argyll, Lord Campbell and Lome, 
 Chauncellar and Justice Generall of this 
 realm, Johnne Earle of Montros, Lord 
 Grahame, Williame Lord Ruthven, The- 
 saurer to our Soueran Lord, Robert Lord 
 Boyd, Robert Commendator of Dunferm- 
 line,his hienes Secretar, and Sir Johnne Bal- 
 lenden Auchnoul knyght, Justice Clerk to 
 his majesty, comisionaries to his hienes, to 
 the effect underwrettin, speciallye consti- 
 tutt on the a pairt : And George Earle of 
 Huntlie, Lord Gordoun and Badyenogh, 
 himself, his kinn, friendis, and partakeris 
 now presently depending on him, and 
 Lord Johnne Hamiltoun, Commendator of 
 the Abbay of Arbroithe for himself, and 
 takand the burden on him for Lord Claud 
 
 tioun.
 
 212 fHE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Hamiltoun, his brother, and all utheris the 
 kin, freinds, and servandis and partakeris 
 now depending properlie on the Duke, his 
 grace of Chattelarault, thair father, and 
 the hous of Hamiltoun ; being convenit for 
 treatting and communing of the common 
 troubles and ciuill warres now presentely 
 in the realme, sa lang continewing thairin 
 to the displesure of God, the decay and 
 danger of the religion, the hurt and preju- 
 dice of our Souerane Lords auctority roy- 
 all, and to the confusioun of the lawes, 
 pollicy, and haill estate of this comon- 
 wealth ; hauing heirto the eirnest motioun 
 and solicitatioun of the QueeneS majestic 
 of England, narrest princes in the world to 
 his hienes, bayth be blude and habitatioun, 
 maid in hir hienes behalf be the ryght wor- 
 shippfull Mr Henrie Killingraue, hir ma- 
 jesties ambassadour : Eftir mature deli- 
 beratioun, and avysrnent to the pleasure of 
 Almightie God, (quha is the God of peace) 
 the relligioun of Jesus Christ, and of the 
 Royall persoun and auctoritie of our Soue-
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 213 
 
 raine Lord, and comon peace and quitnes 
 of this realme, are convenit, concordit, and 
 agriet, as eftir folio wes. 
 
 First, That all and quhatsumeuer per- 
 sounes quha wald clame the benefeet of 
 this pacificatioun, to be in our Soueraine 
 Lords fauor, to haue his pardoun to be 
 grauntit unto thame, sail acknowledge 
 and profes the relligioun now publickly 
 preachit and professit within the realm, 
 established be lawis and actes of parlia- 
 ment, the first yeir of our Souerane Lor- 
 dis regne ; and shall, to the uttermost 
 of their poweris, mentaine and assist the 
 preachers and professors thairof againes all 
 the gainestanderis of the same, of quhat- 
 sumeuer natioun, estate, or degree they be, 
 that hes assistit, or does assist, to set fore- 
 wart the decrees of the counsall of Trent, 
 (callit the League) maid againes the preach- 
 ers and professors of the evangell. 
 
 Item, That the Earle of Hun the, and 
 Lord Johnn Hamiltoun, for thameselues 
 and utheris their dependeris, now submit- 
 ting thame to the King's obedience, and
 
 214 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 acknowledging the gouernement of James 
 Earle of Moirtoun, now Regent, or onie 
 uthir Regentis to be lawfullie callit during 
 his hienes minoritie, for thameselues, their 
 aires, and successours, presentlie and all 
 tyme cuming, shall recognosce his hienes 
 auctoritie and regement foirsaid, and shall 
 acknowledge thame to be his debtfull sub- 
 iectis be aithes and subscriptiounes. 
 
 Item, They graunt and confes that all 
 thinges done, assistit unto be thame in 
 name of onie uther auctoritie nor the 
 King's, sen his coronatioun, againes onie 
 that profest his majesties obedience for 
 the tyme, hes bein unlawfull, and is of na 
 strenthe, force, nor effect, and shall haue 
 na executioun, for any tyme bygaines or 
 to cum. 
 
 Item, That it shall be statute and or- 
 dainit be ane act of parliament, that na 
 subiect of this realme shall ony way be 
 thameselues assist, fortifie, supplie, and 
 shaw fauor to ony of the subiectis of this 
 realme, or ony strangeris quha shall priue- 
 ly or oppinly practize onie treasonable fact
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 215 
 
 againes the religioun foirsaid, the royal 
 auctoritie and persoun of our Souerane 
 Lord, and this present Regent, in tyme 
 cuming, under the pain of law : And quha 
 does in the contrarie, and resists not the 
 attempts that shal happin to be comit- 
 tit, to the uttermost of thair power, that 
 the remissionis and pardounes presentlie 
 grauntit, or to be grauntit. shall be of na 
 availl, and the benefeete of the pacifica- 
 tioun shall not serue nor be extendit to 
 thair fauor heirefter. 
 
 Item, that all persounes dissposest dur- 
 ing the troubles shal be presentlie repos- 
 sest to thair housses, rentis, benefices, Ian- 
 dis, tak and cornes, as alswa to all gudes 
 mouable, except horss and armor : And 
 for executioun thairof, the King's lettres 
 shall be directit againes the deteeners, to 
 restore the awners within six hours eftir 
 the charge, under the paine of treasoun. 
 
 Item, that the castell of Spynie be ran- 
 derit to (he Regent within fyfteine dayes 
 efter it be requyred.
 
 216 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Item, that the Maister of Forbes, James 
 Glen of Bar, with his sone, and all utheris 
 preasoneris in the possessioun of Adame 
 Gordoun, brother to my Lord Huntlie, be 
 presentlie, with all possible diligence ef- 
 tir the publicatioun of this pacificatioun, 
 set at libertie ; and that the Lord SempilFs 
 band, and all uthir bands for entrie of 
 prisoneris, or bands or promeises for pay- 
 ment of ransome, in ony tyme bygaine pre- 
 ceeding the date heirof, be frielie dishargit 
 be virtew of this present pacificatioun. 
 
 Item, It is concludit, that the Earle of 
 Montros, the Lord Glamis, and Sr. Johnne 
 "Wishett of Pitarro, knyght, coniunctly, shal 
 be judges for restitutioun of all gudes reft 
 or spulziet, be virtue of thir troubles, be- 
 north the Walter of Forth ; and that ac- 
 cording to the sempill auaill, prouiding it 
 be crauet within yeir and day eftir the 
 publicatioun of thir articles of pacifica- 
 tioun; and that the lyk materis on the 
 south syde of Forth be judged be the Lord 
 Poyd, Marr, Comendater of Newbattell,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 217 
 
 and the Justice Clerk, and that na uthir 
 judges shall haue power to cognosce in 
 these niateris ; and in cas it shal happin 
 that the nominal judges will not accept of 
 this office, that utheris shal be chosen and 
 electit in thair place. 
 
 Item, that the Earle of Huntlie, and 
 Lord Johnne Hamiltoun, shall presentlie 
 dischairge thair souldiours, that ilk man 
 may returne to his awin dwelling peciably, 
 and without impediment. 
 
 And for the better assurance of the per* 
 sounes now returning to our Soverane 
 Lord's obedience, and for obsyruatioun of 
 the conditions aboue specifyit, pledges hes 
 bein requyrit of thame ; as also cautioners 
 and souerties, to be bund with thameselues 
 for thair dewtifull obedience in tyme cum- 
 ing ; the said Earle of Huntlie, and Lord 
 Johnne Hamiltoun, hes, at the sute and re- 
 quest of the Queene of England's ambassa- 
 dor foirsaid, referrit thameselff in the will 
 and discretioun of the Regent, for the en- 
 trie and delyuerance of the said pledges,
 
 218 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 under sick paines as the Regent shall rea- 
 sonably prescryve. 
 
 In respect of the quhilk conditiouns ag- 
 griet unto, and for the suertie to be maid 
 for performing thairof, it is accordit for the 
 suertie of the foirsaids persounes, upoun 
 wytie and gude consideratioun, tending to 
 the establishing of peace, quietnes, and 
 uniuersal obedience of his Hienes auctori- 
 tie, and for dew obedience and syruice to 
 be maid be thame in tyme cuming ; be act 
 of Parliament it shall be declairit and de- 
 cernit, that the sentences past be dome of 
 falfator in parliament, as any uther sentence 
 past befoir the iustice general and his de- 
 puttis,at particular dyetts and iustice courts, 
 and all that hes followit or may follow thair- 
 upoun, quhilk hes bein led and deducitt 
 againes the said George Earle of Huntlie, 
 Lord Johnne Hamiltoun, comendator of 
 Abirbrothok, Lord Claud Hamiltoun his 
 brother, now comendator of Paislay, Wil- 
 liame Bishopp of Aberdein, Alexander 
 Bishopp of Galloway, Sr. Adame Gordoun
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 219 
 
 of Auchindown, knyght, Sr. Andro Hamil- 
 toun of Goslingtoun, knyght, Johnne Ha- 
 miltoun of Stainehous, Alexander Hamil- 
 toun, Ineuerwek, George Barklay of Ilk, 
 James Hamiltoun of Ruchbank, James 
 Hamiltoun in Wodhall, Johnne Hamiltoun 
 of Drumry, Gawin Hamiltoun of Rop- 
 loche,' Robert Hamiltoun of Gayren, John- 
 ne Hamiltoun his brother, Robert Hamil- 
 toun younger of Daserff, Mr. Archibald 
 his brother, Mr James Hamilton of Neyl- 
 island, Andro Hamilton of Lichprewick, 
 Andro Hamilton Netherfeeld, Johnne Ha- 
 milton of Cothcatt, Arthure Hamiltoun of 
 Mureton, James Hamiltolfh of Munktoun- 
 mains, James Hamiltoun of Kincavill, 
 Mungo Hamilton of Pardivin, James Ha- 
 milton in Burnebrae, Archibald and Andro 
 Hamiltouns, sones to umquhill Andro Ha- 
 miltoun of Cothquhat, Thomas Hamiltoun 
 of Preistfield, James Hamiltoun of Pres- 
 toun, James Morheid of Lanchope, Alex- 
 ander Bailly of Littellgill, Williame Bailly 
 of Lormestoun, James Glen of the Bar, 
 Williame Glen his sone, or ony of the said
 
 220 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 persounes, befoir the iustice or his deputts, 
 or be the Regent or Lordis of secret coun- 
 sall, for ony crymes done in the common 
 cans, contrare the King or his authoritie, 
 sen the 15 day of Junij 1567> or for ony 
 uther cryme or causs contenit in the su- 
 monds of treasoun, sentences, and domes 
 foirsaids, led againes thame sen the said 
 15 day, shall haue na executioun, bot shall 
 be of na auaill, force, strenthe, nor effect 
 in all tyme cuming, without any uther de- 
 claratioun to follow; and this present ar- 
 ticle to extend to all uthir persounes foir- 
 faltit, properly comprehendit under this 
 pacificatioun, that thai shall haue alswa 
 the King's licence and fauor to reduce 
 thair foirfaultors, upoun sick causes and 
 considerations as they may libell. 
 
 Item, be act of parliament it shall be de- 
 clairit, that all persounes, quha, be foir- 
 faultor actis, or decretts of priuie counsall 
 or Sessioun, for crymes comittit in the said 
 comon caus or barratrie, sen the xv of 
 Junij 1567, hes bein dispossest of thair 
 lands or heretages, pensiounes of bene-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 feeces, heritabill offices, honors, takes, 
 steidingis, possessioun of land or teines 
 quhatsumeuer, shal be restoired effectu- 
 ally to thair possessiounes thairof, to thair 
 lands and honors, that they may injoy the 
 same als freely as they did at any time 
 heirtofore, and as giff the troubles by past 
 had neuer hapnit ; notwithstanding of onie 
 sentence or dome of foirfaultor past ather 
 in parliament, or before the iustice or his 
 deputts, at any particular tymes, or for 
 onie penalties that might haue followit 
 thairupoun, proceeding upoun the said co- 
 mon caus. And to the end ilk man may 
 be repossest to his hous, the King's lettres 
 shall be direct in his fauors againes the de- 
 
 o 
 
 teiner, to repossess the just awner within 
 six dayes, under the paine of treasoun ; and 
 that ilk persoun craiiing the benefeete of 
 this pacificatioun, shall first find cautioun, 
 and subscryve his obedience to the King 
 and his authoritie royall ; and then lettres 
 of the four formes shall be summarilie direct
 
 222 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 in his fauor, to invest him in all his rentis 
 againe. 
 
 Item, as touching that article, requyring 
 that ane act shall pas in the parliament, 
 declairing the saids persounes to be freely 
 remittit and dischairgit for all attempts, 
 crymes, treasounes, transgressiones, or of- 
 fences, for quhatsumeuer caus, sen the 1 5th 
 day of Junij 1567, againes all personis be- 
 ing in the contrarie syde, and professing an- 
 other auctoritie for the tyme (incest, witch- 
 craft, and thift exceptit) ; the same article 
 is agriet unto, saving that the same shall not 
 extend to the murtheris of umquhille the 
 Earle of Murray and the Earle of Lennox, 
 quhilk are materis of sick weyght and im- 
 portance, as the Regent cannot conveni- 
 ently of himselff remitt thame. Bot in re- 
 spect of the necessity of this presente paci- 
 ficatioun, it is aggriet, that iff the materis 
 of remissiounes be moued be the comitters 
 thairof to the Queene of England, that 
 quhatsoeuer shoe shall counsall in that ma- 
 ter, the Regent promieses to performe the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 223 
 
 same in Scotland be ane act of parliament ; 
 the quhilk, subscryvit be the clerk registre, 
 shall be als gude and sufficient to the said 
 persounes, and ilk ane of them, as giff re- 
 missiounes were past to thame under the 
 great seall in speciall, or they shall haue 
 the same remissiounes in dew forme under 
 the great seall, as best shall please thame. 
 And giff anie of thame desires remissioun 
 for any cry me preceeding the said 15 day 
 of Junij 1567 the same shall be grauntit 
 to thame, the persounes and crymes being 
 notified ; the murther of the King our Soue- 
 rane Lord's father, and all uther murtheris, 
 fyre raising, theft, resept of theft, incest, 
 and withchcraft, only excepted. 
 
 Item, all ciuill decrees past during the 
 troubles sen the said 15 of Junij 1567> 
 quhairwith the said persounes or onie of 
 thame finds themselues greev't or injurit, 
 shal be releeuit be the judges ordinars gi- 
 uers of the decreetis ; and the pairties, up- 
 oun thair supplicatiounes, shal be heird to 
 propon onie laufull defence that they might
 
 224 THE HISTORIC OF 
 
 haue usit the tyme of deductioun of the 
 proces, provyding they intend thair pre- 
 ceptis and supplicatiounes for that caus 
 within six moneths eftir the daitt heiroff. 
 
 Item, as for the fruitts or moueable gu- 
 des, ather perteining to the King or his 
 subiects, taine fra persounes professing his 
 obedience sen the 15 day of Junij Io67> 
 preceeding the penult day of July last by- 
 past, againes the pairtie with quhome they 
 then stude in contrauersie and debaitt ; be- 
 cause the mater is of sick weyght and im- 
 portance, it is accordit, that the same be- 
 ing mouit to the Queene of England, how- 
 soeuer shoe shall devyse and counsall thair- 
 anent, the Regent shall performe, fulfill, 
 and obserue the same with consent of par- 
 liament. The rentis, few fermes, and mealls 
 of the lands of Pendreith, and the thrid of 
 the benefice of Duffus in Murray, being a 
 pairt of our Souerane Lords propertie, in- 
 tromettit with and uplakin be my Lord 
 Hun die, or onie in his name, in tyme by- 
 gaine, is be this pacificatioun friely remit-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 225 
 
 tit and dischargit : And as, touching the 
 rentis of the thridds of benefeces, comon 
 kirks and freerlands, lykewayes intromittit 
 with be the said Earle of Huntlie and Lord 
 Johnne Hamiltoun, or onie in thair names 
 in tyme bygaine, the Regent shall mak 
 sute to the kirk, at the generall assemblie 
 thairof, to procure a remit t of the rentis 
 sick as may be hade, declaratioun being 
 first maid to the said Earle and Lord Johnn, 
 quhat is intromittit with and uptakin in 
 thair names. 
 
 Item, that all men comprehendit under 
 this pacificatioun, after the publicatioun 
 thairof, be indifferently receauit and em- 
 bracit as the remanent of our Souerane 
 Lord's leiges, ouer all partis of this realme. 
 And that nathing done, or that hes occur- 
 rit during the troubles in the said comon 
 caus, or onie thing depending thairupoun, 
 be comptit as deadlie fead in judgement, 
 or be any acceptatioun againes judge, pair- 
 tie, witnes, or utherwayes. 
 
 p
 
 226' 
 
 Item, that the aires and successors of 
 persounes foirfaltit, properly e comprehen- 
 dit under this pacificatioun, and now de- 
 pairted this ]yfe, shall be restoired and 
 maid law full to enter be breuies to thair 
 lands and possessions, notwithstanding of 
 the foirfaultor led againes thair fatheris or 
 predecessors, and as gift* they hade dyed at 
 our Souerane Lords faith and peace ; and 
 specially of Johnne Archbishop of St. An- 
 drois, Gawin Comendator of Kilwyning, 
 Andrew Hamiltoun of Lochnorth, Johnne 
 Hamiltoun his sone, and captaine James 
 Cullane. 
 
 Item, that the capitanes of men of warre 
 underwrittin, with the members of thair 
 cumpanies, shal be comprehendit in this 
 presente pacificatioun, as alswa all the 
 souldiours quha seruit under thair chairges 
 during the troubles, and before the last day 
 of July last bypast ; they are to say, capi- 
 tane James Bruce, Johnne Hamiltoune of 
 Albowye his Lieutennent, Jon Robiesoun 
 in Braid woodsyde his handsenzie, Capitane
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. S27 
 
 Thomas Ker, James Arbuthnot his Lieu- 
 tennent, Corporall Janet his handsenzie, 
 Robert Crawfurd, and James Olyphant. 
 
 Quhilk haill articles and conditiounes of 
 this presente pacificatioun, accordit unto in 
 maner aboue specifiet, the King's comis- 
 sionaris, and alswa the uther nobillmen 
 aboue wrettin, solemnlye promeis and 
 sweares the trew intentioun, faithful per* 
 formance and observatioun of the same in 
 tyme cuming, in presence of the Queene 
 of England's ambassador. In faith and 
 witnessing quhairof, they have subscryvit 
 this ratificatioun with thair handis, and his 
 Hienes comissionars lies delyruit to the said 
 Earle of Huntlie and Lord Johne Hamil- 
 toun, comendator foirsaid, thair remissi- 
 ounes, under the King's great seall ; and 
 the said Johnne Lord Hamiltoun promeises, 
 of his honor, that Lord Claud Hamiltoun 
 his brother shall also appro ue and sub* 
 scryve the articles and conditiones heirof 
 in all pointes.
 
 228 THE HISTOR1E OF 
 
 Subscryvit thus : 
 
 ARGYLL. RUTHVEN. 
 
 HUNTLIE. R. BOYD. 
 
 MoNTROSE. R. DUNFERMLINE. 
 
 ARBROTH. BELLENDEN. 
 
 In the meane tyme, Sr. Adame Gordoun, 
 Lieutennent in the north, heiring that my 
 Lord Lovat, the Master of Forbes, and Mal- 
 colme Toshe, were in Aberdein, he assail- 
 ziet thame in the nyght. The skirmishe 
 was great on baith sydes, dieuers slaine, 
 and sundrie hurt, and many preasoneris 
 taken. Among the rest, the Lieutennent 
 himselff was hurt ; and the Regent, accord- 
 ing to his promeis, repaired to Aberdour, 
 quhairmy Lord Huntlie met him, and thair 
 he assentit to all the articles foresaid, and 
 withall desyrit earnestly of my Lord Hunt- 
 lie that he should repaire hame to stay his 
 brother from farder hostillitye ; he directit 
 also diuers of his letters to the nobilitye of 
 Scotland, to con vein in Edinburgh the xv 
 day of March following. And becaus the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 22^ 
 
 ambassador of England, quha was pre- 
 sent at the ressoning and conclusion of 
 this foirsaid pacificatioun, hade percea- 
 uit sick appearance of the Lord is of the 
 Queenes factioun to peace, he thought 
 that the capitane of Edinburgh castell, 
 with the Lord Home and Secretarie Leth- 
 ingtoun, wald willingly condescend : bot 
 the contraire oppinioun was in thair 
 heads ; for quhen he came thither, and 
 shew thame be wreitt all the articles that 
 were condescendit unto, and desyrit thame 
 to subscry ve the same for thair pairtis, they 
 refuisit simply, unless they hade laser to 
 obtein the fauor of the King of Fraunce 
 and of the Qneene of Scotland to that pur- 
 pois. The ambassador, eftir the ressett of 
 this answere, returnit to the Regent, quhair 
 they consultit togidder for a suddaine re- 
 meid ; and that was, he obtenit the gude 
 will of the Queene of England to send ane 
 armie with all thair prouisioun for asseging 
 of the castell ; and this was done with sick 
 speid and order, that first the carpenters
 
 230 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 were sent to Leith upoun the first day of 
 April to forme some gabionis. When the 
 capitane got knawledge of this, he sent to 
 the Regent, desyring abstinence untill the 
 nynt of that moneth ; and in the meane 
 tyme, the Earle of Rothes and Robert 
 Lord Boyd trauellit and reasonit lang with, 
 to yeild for thair a win weilfare, becaus they 
 assurit thame that the armie of England 
 was deliberat to assaillie thame quhen it 
 should be no tyme of repentence ; bot they 
 on the uther pairt were so diffident of anie 
 sick accident to fall out againes us, they 
 wald not giue eare to anie danger that 
 myght enshew thairby, and gaue thame 
 absolute answer, that unless they could ob- 
 tein the graunt of thair articles givin in the 
 27 of August last, they wald not conde- 
 scend to the pacificatioun. 
 
 To the appointit conventioun came the 
 Earle of Atholl upoun the 6 January, quha 
 during all these troubles shew thame sa in- 
 different, that na man could tell quhais fac- 
 tioun he sustenit. Within twa dayes eftir
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 231 
 
 come an hundrelhe pyoneoris out of Eng- 
 land, for braking of ground, to prepare the 
 same for placing of canrionis, and to that ef- 
 fect, that thair remaining should not be up- 
 oun the Queene of England's expence, they 
 were placit, as the Regents souldiours were 
 afore, in the houses of certaine inhabitants 
 of Edinburgh quha fauorit the Queerie, ex- 
 press againes the nature of abstinence and 
 pacificatioun as afoire. Sum canons were 
 also broght be water from the castell of 
 Stirline for battery of Edinburgh castell. 
 Upoun the xi day the pyoneris, be advyse 
 of thair comanderis, begouth to cast thair 
 trenches, at sick appeerant pairts about 
 the castell quhair they thoght to anoy the 
 hous ; and the Earle of Athole, perceauing 
 the people of the castell sa obstinat from 
 all reasoun and peace, he depairted from 
 Edinburgh, and wald na langer attend up- 
 oun the conventioun ; bot as the pyoneris 
 hade trinchett in the castell hill of Edin- 
 burgh, and erectit a braid sconce to hyde 
 thame, the souldiours of the castell come
 
 232 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 furth to sett the sconce on fyre, and slew 
 diuers of the pyoneris. 
 
 Efter this enterit the Marishall of Bar- 
 wick in Scotland, with the rest of his armie 
 be land ; and the prouisioun of guns, bul- 
 lattis, and poulder be sea. In his armie 
 be land, he hade five hundrethe hagbutters, 
 and sevin score pykemen. The Regent di- 
 rectit the young Douglas of Kilspendye, 
 Johnne Cunyngham, sone to the Earle of 
 Glencairne, the Master of Ruthven, and 
 Johnn Sempill, to enter in England as 
 pledges for the armye and guns, unto the 
 tynie of thair returne. The armie of Eng- 
 land entrit to thair trenches the 25 of A- 
 prill. The haill number of thair guns 
 were these : 4 canon royall, 4 single ca- 
 nons, 9 gross culverings win at the battlle 
 of Flowden, with fiue uther smaller peeces, 
 quhilk they convoyit all in the nyght, in 
 the moneth of Maij, to thair trenches, 
 during all the quhilk tyme the castell 
 of Edinburgh did nayther persew thame 
 with men or shott. Thaireftir ane baner,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 233 
 
 denuncing warre and defiance, was set up- 
 on the cheef tour top. 
 
 And the Regent, according to thir ac- 
 tis of pacificatioun, held ane parliament 
 in Edinburgh. Duke Hamiltoun, with the 
 rest of his sonnes, and thair familie and 
 dependeris, whose names are wretten be- 
 foire, were restoired to thair rowmes, ren- 
 tis, honors, possessions, benefeces, and pen- 
 sionis. Bot how lang this endurit, I am 
 wearie to reherse ; for the Regent brak to 
 thame without caus that might be knawin 
 thaireftir at any time, as ye shal heir in the 
 awin place ; and on the uther pairt, all in- 
 habitants of the castell were foirfaultit in 
 respect of thair obstinacy : and forder, the 
 Inglis armie began thair battery upoun 
 Trinitie Sunday, at twa hors afternoone, 
 quhilk was the 3? of Maij, and shott per- 
 petually at all the circuit thairof, and that 
 endurit untill aucht hors at euen. In the 
 meane tyme, sum 'hagbuttis were shute 
 furth of the castell, that hurt and slew di- 
 uers Englishmen j and the battery conti-
 
 234 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 newit thus to the 22 day of the said mo- 
 neth, that thrie quarteris of the great tour, 
 callit Davies Tour, fell doun, and the haill 
 tour of the port cuilzies, with sum por- 
 tiones of the foir wall, and ane great quan- 
 titie of the back wall that lyes to the south 
 and south west, for scailling with ledderis ; 
 and on the 25 day. they assailziet the cas- 
 tell on the eist syd, quhilk was easily win ; 
 bot on the west syde they were repulsit fra 
 7 hors in the morning till 10. Mr Drowrie 
 tuik trewes, and the castell consentit. Bot 
 the Regent was discontent. On the nixt 
 day, the twa capitanes callit togidder, and 
 the capitane of Edinburgh desyrit as be- 
 foire the petitionis to be grauntit, ather be 
 the Regent, or be the Queene of England. 
 The uther shew this to the Regent ; bot he 
 wald nather condescend thairunto himselff, 
 nather wald he suffer any aduertisement be 
 sent to England ; and sa trews continewit 
 all the nixt day, during the quhilk tyme 
 they consultit within the castell quhat was 
 best to be done. The people drew to fac-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 235 
 
 tiounes ; some to hald, and utheris to giue 
 ouer ; and this pairtie was the grittest and 
 strangest ; and the cap ten perceauing his 
 partie to be weakest, was resoluit to ran- 
 der the hous in the Queene of England's 
 fauor, to hir Lieutenneut, hot not to the 
 Regent, and to rander thameselues in hir 
 will ; so that upoun the 29 day of Maij, 
 the captane came ouer the fallen wark, 
 and randerit himself to the Marshall of 
 Baruick : the rest of the nobillmen and no- 
 blewoemen were broght furth and placit in 
 the Marshalls ludging, and thairefter trans- 
 ported to Leyth : and albeit the sou Id i- 
 ours were conditional to cum furth with 
 bagg and baggage, they were notwithstand- 
 ing spulziet, and durst not find fault. Bots 
 all graithe perteining to the noblemen was 
 delyuerit unto thame be the Marshall, 
 without diminution. Within 8 dayes thair- 
 eftir, Secretarie Lethingtoun d.epairtit this 
 lyfe, quhair he fell seeke, and thaireftir 
 was transportit to his ludging, quhair he 
 depairtit upoun the 3 of September Io75.
 
 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 The aduertisement of this randering was 
 qvickly sent to the Queene of England ; 
 hot shoe sent word bak, and comandit all 
 the prisoneris to be restoired to the Re- 
 gent, to deall with thame as he should 
 think maist expedient. Then he seperat 
 the Lord Home from the rest, and patt 
 him captiue in the castell of Edinburgh, 
 the Bishopp of Dunkeld to the Blaknes, 
 and my Lord of Coldinghame in the cas- 
 tell of Callendare. Thaireftir the Inglis 
 armie returnit hame be land, sa monie as 
 were left alyue ; the canonis past be sea ; 
 and the pledges returnit from Berwick to 
 thair friendis. 
 
 Thaireftir, the Regent placitt a brother 
 of his, callit George Dowglas of Parkheid, 
 to be capitane of the castell of Edinburgh, 
 and causit masonis to begin to redd the 
 bruisit wallis, and to repaire the foirwark 
 to the forme of ane bulwark, platt and 
 braid aboue, for the resett and ryuing of 
 many canonis. The rest of the prisoneris 
 quha were takin in the castell, viz. the Ca-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 237 
 
 pitane, Sr. James Kirkaldie his brother, 
 James Mosman, and James Cockie, gold- 
 smyth of Edinburgh, were hangit upoun 
 the 3 day of August, and thair heads putt 
 upoun the wallis of the castell ; so that be 
 contractit peace and punishment, the ci- 
 uill warres tuik ane end for that tyme ap- 
 peirandly. And becaus the souldiours of 
 baith pairties hade na farder actioun at 
 hame, the capitaries receauit thair bands 
 haill, and sowme of thame past in Swaine, 
 some in Flaunderis, quhair they behauit 
 thameselues valiauntly. 
 
 And becaus the border men of Scotland, 
 during this ciuill dissentioun, hade bein in- 
 solent, and maid frequent incursiounes in 
 England, with great spuilzie, the Queene 
 of England directit Sr. Johnne Forrester, 
 warden of the middle marches, desyring 
 him to mak sum incursiounes againes the 
 borderers on the syde of Scotland, and 
 she should hald hand upoun hir syde that 
 they should not escape butt capitiuitye or 
 punishment, quhilk was baith grauntit and
 
 238 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 performit with great diligence ; sa that the 
 borderis, knawing of na refuge, were com- 
 pellit to send ostages to the Regent for sa- 
 tisfactioun of thair bygaine offences, and 
 promeis of keeping of good order in tyme 
 cuming, for the mutual peace of baith 
 the contreyis. 
 
 Quhen the Regent was returnit from the 
 borderis, and hade appeirandly pacified 
 all materis thair as they were among the 
 nobles, and all debaittes seasit and maid 
 an end, he bent his mind upoun twa pur- 
 posis ; for the first, the ane was to admini- 
 strat iustice to all men, and to punish the 
 trespasseris rather be his guds then be 
 death. The uther was, to keep up a gude 
 treasury of gold, howsoeuer it might be 
 obtenit. Under the cullor of the first, he 
 prosperit in effect verrie weill ; and he had 
 greatter luck to the uther, then any thrie 
 kings had befoire him. For, first, he col- 
 lectit all the Kings rentis to his awin pro- 
 fite ; for he so controllit the young King's 
 family e, that they were content of sick a
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 239 
 
 small pensioun as he pleasit to appoint. 
 Secondly, quhen any benefeces of kirk 
 vaikit, he keepit the proffite of thair rentis 
 sa lang in his awin hand, till he was urget 
 be the kirk to mak donatioun thairof, and 
 that was not but proffite for all that. And 
 becaus the wairdes of manages were also 
 accidental maters to the crowne, and fell 
 frequently e in these dayes, as comonly they 
 do, there was nane of thame bot he obte- 
 nit als great profite of thame as they were 
 of aueill ; and as to the gudes of these 
 quha were enie wayes disobedient to the 
 lawes, and that the same fell in the King's 
 hand, they escapit not bot payment in the 
 highest degree. And to this effect he hade 
 his interpreters, quha componit with all 
 pairties according to his awin directioun, 
 and he so appointed with thame for the 
 payment, that ather it should be maid in 
 fine gold or fine siluer. 
 
 I rehearisit afoire the envye of the ny- 
 bours of Edinburgh, and that nayther was 
 the abstinence nor this last pacificatioun
 
 240 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 obseryuit unto thame ; sa also at this tyme 
 of appeirand general peace, the nybors of 
 Edinburgh, quha hade seruit in Leith, de- 
 clarit to the Regent a great catalogoue of 
 thame, quha seruit in Edinburgh, and re- 
 quested him to punish thame in thair 
 gudes be the law, to the end that ane half 
 of the compositioun should redound to the 
 comodity of these nybors, quha hade thair 
 ludgings demolished in tyme of troubles ; 
 quhilk he willingly did, bot he convertit 
 all the money to his awin use. 
 
 The ministeris also, for thair pairt, causit 
 these same persounes mak satisfactioun to 
 thame in presens of the haill peopill, bair- 
 headit, set at the kirk durr, and on ane 
 imenent place of the kirk, cledd with ane 
 euill fauorit sackclothe as penetenceris, al- 
 thogh that nather hade they declynit from 
 the relligioun in onie point, or assotiat thair 
 causs with the papists, but only for hatred 
 that all bure againes the Queene, and 
 thair fault being only temporall againes 
 the King, and was frielie remittit be the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 241 
 
 pacificatioun, and thair compositiouns foir- 
 said maid to the Regent. Another shift 
 was, the punishment of people quha con- 
 travenit the law be eatting of fleshe in 
 lentroun ; as alswa, he maid lawes that na 
 merchand should bring wynes from France 
 without his licence ; bot how deere the li- 
 cence were to the merchands, I repoirt me 
 to thair purses ; as alswa, the licences 
 grauntit for transporting of cornes were 
 disponit as the rest : and becaus he under- 
 stude that Colene Earle of Argyll, and my 
 Lady Murray his wyfe, hade ane Jewell of 
 the Queene, he compellit him be law to 
 rander the same to him. 
 
 The Earle of Argyll, chauncellar, de- 
 pairtit this lyffe in the monthe of Septem- 
 ber: and in the nixt moneth my Lord 
 Glamis was electit in his place ; bot up- 
 oun the 17 day of Marche 1577, he was 
 shott in Stirline throw the head ; bot be 
 whome it is uncertaine. 
 
 As the Regent hade many shiftis to 
 Q
 
 242 THE HISTORJE OF 
 
 multiple his treasor, sa was thair ane un- 
 rehearsit as yit, and that was the halding 
 of iustice courts, called vulgarlie justice 
 aires. He began in Jedburgh, nixt in Had- 
 dingtoun, and sa consequentlye throw the 
 haill countrey. Bot it chauncit, that at his 
 being in Jedburgh, thair was some men 
 that aduertesit him of black Johnne Or- 
 mestoun ; and the Regent directit out the 
 Laird of Carmichaell to tak him, quhilk he 
 did, and was cariet to Edinburgh, quhair 
 he sufferit for knawledge of the King's 
 murder, upoun the 14th day of December, 
 and confest, that James Earle Bothwell 
 shew him a lettre subscryvit be the Earle 
 of Argyll, the Earle of Huntlie, the Se- 
 cretarie, and Sr. James Balfure, for thair 
 assistance to that purpois. 
 
 How the Queene was handlit in Eng- 
 land, that they meanit neuer to lett hir 
 at libertie, sa also they delt with hir ora- 
 tor Johnne Bishopp of Rosse, quhomc 
 they keepit lang in prisoim within the 
 toureof Lundon. They demittithim at last
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 243 
 
 in the moneth of December, and lie ime- 
 diatlie repaired toward France. 
 
 In the moneth of Julij the nixt yeir, 1574, 
 George Earle of Huntlie, as he was cum 
 to Edinburgh for his affaires in law, the 
 Regent causit him to pas and remaine in 
 the province of Galloway, in free ward, 
 during his will, and, in that mean tyme, 
 exposit Jairden of Apilgirth for his slauch- 
 ter. Bot howsoeuer, the knyght of Loch- 
 invarr gat intelligence thairof : he causit 
 his friends in great number mak gude at- 
 tendence on the Earle to saiff him from 
 danger. Then the Regent grauntit him a 
 relaxatioun in the moneth of November. 
 
 In the moneth of Januar, according to 
 the Romane calculi 1575, Duik Hamil- 
 toun depairtit this lyff, in his pallace of 
 Hamiltoun, upoun the 22 day of that mo- 
 neth. He was sum tyme gouernor of Scot- 
 land, during the minoritie of Queene Ma- 
 rie, in great honor ; a prince sa deboner as 
 any uther in all respectis, well beloued of 
 all the people of Scotland, and namely of
 
 244 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 the pure. He hade great respect to his 
 friends and kinsfolk, quhairby he purchest 
 thair fauor in the hiechest forme. 
 
 As the Regent was partiall in some for- 
 mes of iustice, quhilk ye may collect be 
 narratiues afoire tauld, sa was he generall 
 in utheris. As, for example, albeit he delt 
 partially againes the peace with the inha- 
 bitants of Edinburgh, and punisht thair 
 purses, besyd gude equitie, sa was he now 
 indifferent under coller of law ; for sum of 
 the chosen merchandis of wealthe, that 
 were in Edinburgh, he compellit thame to 
 be enterit in prisoun upoun thair own ex- 
 horbitant expenss, for allegit transporting 
 of gold and siluer furth of the countrey 
 contrarie the actis of parliament, to the 
 end also he might be annointed with some 
 superplus of thair gold. And to the effect 
 the haill gude gold and fyne money of 
 Scotland should be broght into his hands, 
 he receivit na kind of payment of the King's 
 rent of benefices that vaikit in his hands, 
 and of all the princes casualties that fell 
 unto him, bot of the best and fynest gold
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 245 
 
 and siluer; and as to the laik money print- 
 ed at his awin comand before he was Re- 
 gent, albeit the King's armes were on the 
 ane syde, yit a monument of his awin 
 airmes was on the uther syde extant in the 
 mids of the croce ; and as to the uther, he 
 causit tham be stampit with the mark of 
 ane heart and ane starne : And maire nor 
 all that, becaus the repairing of the cas- 
 tell of Edinburgh was sumquhat expen- 
 sive, he causit all the warkmen to be payit 
 with that base money ; and as a monu- 
 ment of his was thairon, sa causit he the 
 master masoun sett on the monument of 
 his armes upoun a new biggit port of the 
 castell, aboue the lyonn of Scotland, yit 
 extant to this day, behauld quha list, the 
 starne and the heart. And becaus the haill 
 quantitye of this base money was only in 
 the hands of the pure, and na uther bodye 
 interest be douncrying of thair prices bot 
 they only, they outcry it sa, odiously againes 
 the Regent and his counsellors, with exe- 
 crations and maledictions, as is odious to 
 reherse.
 
 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 During the ciuill warres, it fortunit a 
 gentleman, callit Johnestoun of Westraw, 
 to be slaine be the Hamiltouns ; and be 
 ressoun he was a depender unto the Earle 
 of Angus, Lord Johnne and Lord Claud 
 maid satisfactioun for the same at Haly- 
 ruid pallice to the Erie of Angus, be dely- 
 uerie of a sword be the point, according to 
 auncient custom. Thair is ane comon cus- 
 topie on the borderis, that the wardains of 
 England and Scotland doe convein moneth- 
 lie for peace and good ordor to be keepit, 
 for the eist border of Scotland was appoint-? 
 it to Sr. John Carmichaell to meet with 
 Sr. John Forrester, wardan of England. The 
 wardane of Scotland hade maid delyuer- 
 ance of his malefactors that day to the 
 wardaine of England ; but quhen as resti- 
 tution was in lyk maner crauit, and luikit 
 for on his pairt, he refusit, and gaue an- 
 swer, that thair was aneuche done for that 
 day. The warden of Scotland maid in- 
 stance for all that to be requyttit ; bot the 
 wardan of England still driflit, till in end
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 sum of the Scottis company hapnit to 
 speak sum lasciuious word, that so eomo- 
 vit the wardan of England, that he burst 
 out in these words, saying, That Sr. Johnne 
 Carmichaell could be no companion nor 
 equall unto him. It was ansrit sumquhat 
 rudely be the warden againe ; quhairupoun 
 it followit, a number of English bowmen 
 delashet some arrow es againes the Scotish 
 company, hurt and slew diuers of thame ; 
 and the Scottis, perceauand thair compa- 
 nye inferior to England, they gaue bakes Swyre 
 for the first face, and, befoir they hade 
 fled bot a littell, a number of the inhabi- 
 tants of Jedburgh mett thame in the face, 
 with quhome the wardan turned bak, and 
 maid sick a couragious onsett upon the 
 Inglishmen, that he disperst thame, chaisit 
 thame within thair awin borderis, and slew 
 Sr. George Herone, keepar of Riddisdaill, 
 and uther 24 persounes ; the wardan him- 
 selff was takin prisoner, Sr. Cuthbert Col- 
 lenwoode, and diuers utheris. They were 
 broght to Jedburgh that nyght, and on the
 
 248 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 morne to Dalkeithe, and presently to the 
 Regent, quha receauit and embracit thir 
 twa knyghts with great courtessie, and with 
 sick humanitye as uses to be done unto stran- 
 geris, bot not as prisouneris, as thameselues 
 diuers tymes haue confest during thair re- 
 maining, quhilk was bot only upoun thair 
 awin silence, without compulsion ; for na 
 uther gaird was putt to thame bot famous 
 gentlemen, to convoy thame quhair they 
 list : Nather was onie promeis taine of 
 thame for not escaping, as use is to be 
 taine of prisoneris ; bot it was demaundit 
 of thame, quhen they pleasit to depairt, they 
 should be freely demittit; sa that within 
 few dayes, be thair awin requisitioun, they 
 were freely demittit, als freely as thair 
 hairts could wishe. Off the Scottis com- 
 panye was slaine the Laird Mow, with 
 some utheris. This conflict was done at 
 the Reidswyre, upoun the 3 day of Maij 
 1575. Thairefter, the Queene of England 
 plaintit, and the Regent desyrit, that some 
 comissionaris might be sent to talk of the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 249 
 
 mater, that the pairtie maist offendit should 
 be repairit according to ressoun ; and shoe 
 sent in Mr. Henrie Killingrew in Scotland 
 for this same purpois, and the prissoners 
 were all delyuerit unto him, quha thaireftir 
 returnit all to England glaidly. Eftir 
 thame was sent Sr. John Carmichaell to of- 
 fer homage to the Queene, and shoe ac- 
 ceptit of him lovingly, eftir the trew report 
 of matter is, as of .a martiall - worthy man, 
 and demittit him back againe to his awin 
 contrey saiflye, besyd many mens expec- 
 tation of Scotland. 
 
 As the devyce was in a pairt againes 
 Huntlie, sa were thair als craftie a strata- 
 geme devysit againes Lord Johnne Hamil- 
 toun ; for upoun a day, as he was myndit 
 peaceably to haue past toward Arbroth, 
 and his capitall enerneis (to witt the Earle 
 of Buchan, the Earle of Moirtoun that 
 now is, George Dowglas thair brother, 
 George Bishopp of Murray, with fy ve hun- 
 drethe horsmen, accornpaniet with some 
 friends of my Lord Lindesay) having knaw-
 
 250 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 ledge of his cuming throw thair boundis, 
 they lay in his way of sett purpois to haue 
 killit him ; and the Lord bein repairit to 
 ane town call it of purpoise to refreshe 
 himselff, luiking for na danger in respect of 
 the pacificatioun ; be fortoun some of his 
 men espyit some gentlemen cled in armor 
 ryding in the toun, and laying about with 
 ane euill countenance, come imediatlie 
 and aduerteist my Lord, and he suddain- 
 lye horsit himselfT for saifftie of his lyffe, 
 and came furth of the village saiflye with 
 his company e ; bot suddainlye, being hot- 
 lie persewit and followit, ane of his com- 
 panie gaue him aduice to reteere from the 
 great troupe with some persoun till him- 
 selff, to the refuge of sum fyne hous. His 
 ressoun was gude ; becaus he houpit that 
 the persewars wald rather follow the great 
 troupp, beleeving my Lord should be thair 
 rather than otherwayes, as it fell out indeed 
 to my Lords great aduantage. Swa that 
 eftir my Lord was thus escaipit, the haill 
 persewaris neglectit to follow him, not
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 251 
 
 thinking that he wald comitt himselff to 
 sick a weak hazard, and followit the great 
 troup, quhairby my Lord obtenit sick ad- 
 uantage of the ground with some small 
 space of tyme, that he was imediatlye re- 
 leeuit in the hous of a worshipfull gentill- 
 man, callit Leirmont of Dairsye, quhair he 
 was strangly ressett and defendit to the ut- 
 termost, friendlie and manfully, to his great 
 releef at that tyme againes that furious, 
 fraudulent assault. The enemies, as I haue 
 said, followit the troup a gude pairt of the 
 way, and raid about thame, comprehend- 
 ing thame all within the boundis of thair 
 forces of horsmen, and tuik thame all pri- 
 soneris ; and finding that my Lord was not 
 thair, they comittit these few prissoneris to 
 custodye, and followit my Lord ; bot he 
 was housit beforehand, and the entress 
 sa fortified, and the hous manit in sick 
 sort, that they could giue no suddaine as- 
 sault ; and thairfore were compellit to re- 
 teere with shame; and this befell upoun the 
 26 day of July. Within few dayes eftir,
 
 252 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 they convenit againe of purpois to stopp 
 his outcuming to pas any way. My Lord, 
 on the uther pairt, send word to some of 
 his speciall freinds and fauorors to repaire 
 unto him for his supplie. Thair eonvenit 
 my Lord of Angus with his friends, with 
 the Regent's light horsmen at his speciall 
 comand, the Earle of Rothes, the Earle of 
 Erroll, and George Lord Settoun, with a 
 great number of the gentlemen of Hamil- 
 touns, pairtly to conduct my Lord to sick 
 a pairt as should pleas him, or ellis to sick 
 a revenge as should be thoght maist ex- 
 pedient. Bot thair meetting was stayit be 
 the great instance and intercessioun of the 
 Earle of Rothes, sa that the Dowglases 
 were separat that day, and my Lord was 
 counsallit to reteere to Hamiltoun, and in 
 effect come to the Queene's Feme to haue 
 taine shipping, as men beleeuit. Bot he 
 returnit that same nyght with his awin fa- 
 mily toward Arbrothe : and for all this the 
 Regent maid na redres, bot rayther, within 
 few years thaireftir, doublit his malice a-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 253 
 
 gaines that family, as shall be shortlie de- 
 clairit ; to the quhilk place I remitt the 
 reedar. 
 
 In the moneth of August certaine per- 
 sons quha accompaniet the Queene at 
 Langsyde, were sumoned to underly the 
 law, to the effect the Regent myght enioy 
 some of thair money, for a particular remis- 
 sion to ilk ane of thame, be ressoun he 
 could not punishe thair bodies, in respect 
 of the act of pacificatioun. Thairefter, 
 Robert Earle of Orknay was putt captiue 
 in the castell of Edinburgh. The caus of 
 his imprisonment was, becaus the Earle 
 hade directit a gentleman, callit Elphing- 
 stoun, with lettres to the King of Denmark, 
 quhairby he maid him a frie offer of the 
 restitution of the ysles of Orknay in his 
 possessioun, for some sick recompence as 
 they wald aggrie upoun. This was esteem- 
 it as treasoun ; and the Earle was in feare 
 of heiche punishment for the same. Bot 
 the Regent's oppinion was rather to fyne 
 some weyght of gold from him nor uther-
 
 254 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 wayes ; and befoir that yeir was end it, he 
 causit a new peece of gold to be imprint- 
 ed, of the weyght of ane unce, ordaint to 
 haue course in the contrey for the availl 
 of xx 1. money ; so that this is the sowme of 
 all speciall turnis done in that yeire, saving 
 that the Regent, for ingadering of money, 
 held iustice courts in Drumfries, quhair he x 
 was accompaniet with diuers nobles of 
 Scotland, and namlie with Lord Johnne 
 Hamiltoun, and his brother Lord Claud. 
 Thaire were niony broken men of the bor- 
 deris punisht be thair purs, ray ther then be 
 thair lives. Thair enterit many gentlemen 
 of England for to behold the Regents court, 
 quhair thair was great prouocatioun maid 
 for ryding of horses ; and be fortoun my 
 Lord Hamiltoun hade thair a hoi's sa weill 
 brydlit, and so speedy e, that allhogh he 
 was of a meaner stature from uther horses 
 that assay it thair speed, he ourcame thame 
 all a great way upoun Solloway sandis, 
 quhairby he obtenit great prais baith of 
 England and Scotland that tyme.
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 In the begining of the nixt yeir, certaine 1576. 
 striff and debaitt fell out betwix twa no- 
 billmen, to witt, the Earle of Argyll, and 
 the Earle of Atholl, twa men that were of 
 thair awin natur sa affable, plausable, and 
 inclynit to peace, as nane could say the 
 contrare. The caus of the debaitt was a 
 wicked man of the contrey off Argyll, cal- 
 lit Allaster Glass, als M'Cllellane, was ta- 
 kin in Atholl, and convict for thift, and 
 thairfore condemned to the death ; for 
 quhais releeff it pleasit the Earle of Ar- 
 gyll to requyre at the Atholl's hands the 
 restitutioun of the man, upon hope of a- 
 .mendment, quhilk he willingly grauntit* 
 Bot within short tyme thaireftir, as mony 
 men are for the maist part unthankfull and 
 unmyndfull of bypast benefites and per- 
 rellis, sa was this Allaster ; for in place of 
 thankes for sick a gude turne grauntit for 
 his releeff, he reeompencit the same be ane 
 euill turne ; for he enterit the contrey of 
 Atholl, quhair he brunt houses, slew mo- 
 nie people, and broght away ane great
 
 256 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 pray of horss and uthers gudes to Argyll. 
 The Earle of Atholl sent aduertisement 
 heirof till Argyll, and heirwitball desirit re- 
 stitutioim of that malefactor, to be punisht 
 for his demerittis according to iustice. 
 This sute Argyll refuisit ; and Atholl per- 
 ceauing that, convenit ane armie to haue 
 enterit in Argyll with fire and sword for 
 revenge. The uther also convenit for de- 
 fence; bot the Regent comandit thame 
 to stay, and to mak na invasioun againes 
 uther, under the paine of treasoun, till he 
 should tak cognitioun of the caus, and mak 
 assythment to be maid to the offendit pair- 
 tie. In the meane tyme, he hade conceivit 
 in mynd certane ressounes, and causes to 
 punish baith parties, be adnyce of some 
 men of law in Edinburgh, to the end that 
 be that way he might withdraw some mo- 
 ney from ather of thame for breaking of 
 the comon law of the contrie. His inten- 
 tioun was in this forme. 
 
 First, he directit to caus thame baith to 
 enter before him, to answer to sick matteris
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 257 
 
 as should be laid to thair charge, under the 
 paine of tresson. Nixt, giff they should 
 enter, he intendit to haue comittit thame 
 baith to prissoun. Thirdlie, he intendit to 
 haue accusit the Earle of Atholl for demit- 
 ting of the malefactor befoir namit tryit of 
 thift, and unpunisht for the same, the ne- 
 glecting quhairof importit a great punish- 
 ment be the law. 
 
 Item, he intendit to haue accusit the 
 Earle of Argyll for convocatioun of the 
 King's leiges in airmie, express againes the 
 act of parliament. Thir inventions were 
 so particularlie and seuerally notified to 
 the twa Earles, be sum friendly spyes that 
 they hade in court, and consultatioun thair- 
 by hade be wise men, quha intercedit be- 
 tuix thir twa nobles, that perfite and finall 
 agreement followit thairupoun in all points, 
 sa that they met face to face, and conferrit 
 so lovingly ane with ane uther, that be 
 thame baithe the fraud was tould, that the 
 Regent intendit againes them. Bot how- 
 
 R
 
 25S THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 soone the Regent gott knowledge of this thair 
 concord, he was sumquhat greeuit, and in 
 the end he causit thame to be warnit, to 
 compeir before the secret counsall, to an- 
 swer super inquirendis, quhilk they diso- 
 beyit, quhairat he was double greeuit. In 
 the end of this yeir the Earle of Huntlie 
 depairted this Jyff. 
 
 1577. As princes and gouernors haue the eyes 
 of many people bent toward thame, sum 
 for feare, sum for reuerence, dewty, and 
 love, utheris for envye, sa it became also 
 of this Regent : For, first, for his perpetuall 
 pollice and cullor of justice, quhairby he 
 punisht transgressors and uthers ; the greatr 
 test pairt of the people feared him, and 
 maist comonly unto feare invye is a great 
 companion : Secondly, becaus he forgett 
 many faultis againes men of riches and 
 great rentis, invye was the maire heapit 
 againes him, quhilk was the cans that his 
 deathe was conspyrit be some personis, and 
 namely be ane Johnne Sempill of Belcries. 
 This gentleman hade obtenit ane portioun
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 of fyne ground of Queene Marie for his 
 gude seruice, and for the gucle seruice of 
 .his ladie, Marie Livingstoun, perteining to 
 the croune, and that was given to thame 
 and thair aires, heretably, for payment of 
 ane small dewtie of few farme : and be res- 
 soun the Regent, as I tauld yow before, re- 
 ceauit the compt of the King's rent, and 
 fand this gudlie portioun of land comodi- 
 ous for himselff, he inventit a question, 
 That the King's land could not be disponit 
 from the croune, and thairfore that land 
 should returne to the prince againe. This 
 question was movet befoir the Senators of 
 the College of Justice, and was almaist 
 broght to this pas, that notwithstanding of 
 the perfite gift he hade obtenit thairof, un- 
 der the priue seall and great seall, he was 
 likely to losse it ; for the Regent himselff 
 sat in judgement for this caus, as he did 
 for mony utheris ; and the said Johnne per- 
 ceaving this inconvenient, was deliberat to 
 revenge his caus, be killing of the Regent, 
 quhairoff he gat perfite intelligence ; and
 
 <260 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 quhen the gentillman was broght to tryaL 
 of .this, he confessit the same, and thairef- 
 tir was tryit be his peires, and condemned 
 to death. Bot the regent, for quhat re- 
 spect it is uncertane, relaxit him at that 
 tyme. Thaire was alsa ane uther gentill- 
 man in suspicioun for the lyk fact, John- 
 ne Quhytfuird of Miltoun ; bot albeit he 
 was putt till extreme tortor, he confessit 
 nathing, and thaireftir was demittit : And 
 the Regent, finding his estate to be in 
 doubt, and manie nobillis of the land to 
 mislyk and contemne him, he was delibe- 
 rat to resigne his office in the King's han- 
 dis. Quhidder he did this upoun ane 
 plaine intentioun to denude himselff, or 
 upoun plaine hypocrisie, his consequent 
 warkis shall testifie heireftir. Alwayes he 
 repairit to Stirline upoun the xii day of 
 September, and that day eftirnoone the 
 King being come to the counsall-hous, it 
 pleasit the Regent to speak on this maner. 
 It will please your Majestic and the no- 
 billity heir presente, it is not unknawin tq
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 261 
 
 yow all quhat trauell, skayth, and dam- 
 nage, my predecessors in this office haue 
 sustenit; how they bein violently murtherit, 
 and that I haue sustenit, and am appeir- 
 andly to sustein the lyk : besyd all this, the 
 dew obedience is refuisit, becaus appeir- 
 andly your Maiestie is to embrace the go- 
 uernment upoun your awin persoun. Se- 
 condlie, thair is appeirance of great oppres* 
 gioun and rebellioun to fall in this realme. 
 Last of all, the age and weaknes of my 
 bodye is not able to suffer me to suppres 
 the proud rebellioun of your subiectis ; 
 and thairfore, since I perceaue increas of 
 wisdom to grow daylie in your Maiestie, 
 and that ye haue, praisit be God, the dew- 
 tieful fauor of all your subiectis at this 
 hour, I am most willing to demitt my 
 chairge in your Maiestie's awin hands pre- 
 sentlie, quhilk I beseek yow to accept, to 
 releeue my verrie age : As also, I beseeke 
 your honors heir presente to hald hand to 
 his Maiestie in this purpois. 
 
 The King ansyrit, that he was unable for
 
 262 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 age to that place of gouernment ; and giue 
 I were, I know not to quhat place I should 
 niak my resort. The Regent replyit and said, 
 that his Males tie wald be weill ludgitt in the 
 castell of Edinburgh, baith for the gude 
 situation of the hous, the pleasent sicht of 
 the feilds, and the sight of the sea and fre- 
 quencie of ships. The King said, that he 
 wald willingly condescende to that change, 
 provyding his keepars should haue the 
 mentenance of that castell: And farder, 
 that he should speedlye avyse upoun all 
 these purposses, and should giue him ane 
 competent answer ; so that on the morne, 
 the Regent returnit to Edinburgh, and 
 that same nyght of the counsall, the mat- 
 teris, as they went, they were cleiilye no- 
 tified to the Earles of Argyll and Atholly 
 quhilk movit thame baith, upon the xv 
 day, to repaire with diligence to Striuiling, 
 to salute his Maiestie, and to accept the 
 oppurtunite that they could, be theRegentis 
 offer, that they might be thair helping to 
 the performance of his petitiounin earnest,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 63 
 
 quhilk I suppoun he movit not upoun hope 
 that anye suddaine change should followit 
 thairupoun. And as they were enterit the 
 castell, it fell so out, that the King declairit 
 to thamc baith the motioun that the Re- 
 gent hade maid unto him to demitt his of- 
 fice, and askit thame quhat they thogtit 
 of the mater; and they baithe, without 
 farder avisement, being sufficientlie resol- 
 uit afore, they ansyrit to 'the King, That 
 in respect he hade done so gude seruice to 
 his Maiestie in tyme bygain, it was na 
 ressoun to refuise him of sick a laufull pe- 
 titioun ; and thairfore willit him with dili- 
 gence to wreitt to sick of the nobillitye as 
 they thoght expedient to repaire to his 
 Maiestie, in haist ; and therefore declaire 
 unto thame how willing he was for to ac- 
 cept the regiment upoun his awin persoun, 
 becaus of the Regent's demissioun. And 
 this was indeed sa quicklye performit, that 
 before the Regent could get intelligence, 
 they were all conspyrit in myndis and bo- 
 dies againes him, and voittit all that the
 
 264 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 King should accept the regiment ; and this 
 acceptatioun was devulgat in Edinburgh 
 to the people be Lyonn King of Armes, 
 and his brother the herauldis, with great 
 solemnitie, sound of trumpettisj and great 
 shottis from the castell. The Regent, at 
 this publication!), compeirit at the mercat 
 place, and thair protestit, that giff the 
 King acceptit upoun him the regiment, to 
 mak a substitute of onie persoun of the 
 contrey uther nor himselffj that his demis- 
 sioun should availl nathing ; and this was 
 done in the moneth of Marche of the nixt 
 yeir 1578. Then the King directit his co- 
 missionaris to the Senat to inhibite thame, 
 to proceed in onie maner of justice, or to 
 giue out lettres in name of the Regent, bot 
 in his Maiestie's awin name, and that fra 
 thynce furth they should acknawledge na 
 uther auctoritie bot of his Maiestie. Sick- 
 lyke he causit sumond the castell of Edin- 
 burgh to rander ; bot the keepars maid ob- 
 stacle, and intendit to fortifie the same ; 
 and as they were come furth at the port of
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 265 
 
 the toun to haue receauit sum drink and 
 utheris vivers, the magistratts stoppit thame, 
 quhairthrow sum of the toun folkes were 
 hurt, and sum slaine ; amang utheris, a 
 learnit gentillman, callit Mr Richard Law- 
 soun, was shott with a deadlie hurt ; bot 
 within few dayes thaireftir, the castell was 
 randerit to the persounof Campsie, be the 
 King's awin comand, and ane inventar 
 was taine of all the princely guids and 
 jewellis therein perteining to the King's 
 predecessors, according to ane old inven- 
 tare. 
 
 Thaireftir the Earle of Atholl was creat 
 Chauncellar. 
 
 In the nixt moneth of April], the Earle 
 of Moirtoun began to consider with him- 
 selff that he hade not done weill of his 
 suddaine demissioun, and thairfore entysit 
 ane factioun of his to come to the castell 
 of Striuiling, with force and slight, to 
 transport the King from the handis of his 
 keepars to Lochliven, quhair he intendit 
 to haue keepit him till his yeirs of perfec-
 
 266 tHE HISTORIE OF 
 
 tioun, or else for euer. As they were in ex- 
 ecuting of this purpose, it was sum thing 
 narrowly espyit, that a spetiall gentillman 
 of reputation was murdrest amang thame, 
 callit Erskene, besyd the hurt of diuers 
 uthers, and thair treasonabill enterpryse 
 was postponit ; for retnied quhairof it was 
 thoght expedient, that the nobles of the 
 land should be sent for, to avise upoun 
 the stabilitye and quietncs-of the comoun- 
 weill, quhilk was performit. The Earle of 
 Argyll was directit to talk with the Earle 
 of Moirtoun, and they cum togidder to 
 Striuiling, quhair Moirtoun was lovingly 
 ressauit of the King for the first face, 
 They concludit, all in ane voice, that ane 
 parliament should be hadin at Edinburgh 
 in the moneth of Junij, and then all men 
 depairted hame ; bot Moirtoun returnit 
 to Stirline castell, and thair remanit till 
 the appointit day of the parliament. And 
 albeit the parliament were fencit in Edin- 
 burgh the verrie appointit day, he causit 
 writings to be direct to the nobillitye to
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 267 
 
 compeir in Stirline, and the parliament to 
 be haldin thair, quhilk they refuisit. Bot 
 the Earle of Montrois, the Lord Lindesay, 
 and Bishopp of Orknay, protested thair in 
 presens of the King and four nobillis thair 
 convenit, that quhatsumcuer articles should 
 be concludit thair, should be of na availl, 
 force nor effect, in respect of the absence 
 of the maist pairt and best of the nobills 
 of Scotland ; qnhairfore they were all thrie 
 comandit to prisoun within that castell ; 
 bot Montrois escaipit and returned to Edin- 
 burgh with a priue commission of the Kings, 
 that the chauncellar and the rest of the 
 new chosen counsellors should with all 
 speid conduce souldiers, and convocat the 
 leiges for his releeff from Moirtoun's bond- 
 age ; bot on the contrair, Moirtoun com- 
 pellit the King to direct his lettres till E- 
 dinburgh, discharging all convocations, un- 
 der the paine of treasoun. The chauncel- 
 lar, on the uther pairt, causit ane lang pro- 
 clamation to be maid, declairing some of 
 Moirton's enormities, to insert the same
 
 268 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 ad longum, Sec. Thaireftir, he directit 
 commissioners to Striuiling, desyring the 
 King to be permittit to resort to the castell 
 of Edinburgh, according to Moirtoun's 
 first propositioun ; but this was retusit be 
 ane answer sent to Williame Lord Ruthven ; 
 in respect whereof, the Chauncellar came 
 suddainlie furth of Edinburgh with his for- 
 ces, and repairit to the Falkirk. The Earle 
 of Moirtoun and his factioun sortit from 
 Stirline to Callendar ; bot be intercessioun 
 of the ambassador of England, and my 
 Lord Lindesay, thair meetting was stay it 
 at that tyme ; and the King causit put 
 certane articles in forme for thair better 
 concord, the tenor quhairof follows : First, 
 That all hostillitye shall, without delay, 
 ceis, and all forces be dissoluit, saving some 
 bands of horsmen alreddye reteenit upoun 
 our chairges, quha shall only be employit 
 for the quietnes of our borderis and utheris 
 our effaires, and not againes the Lords 
 presently convenit at Falkirk, or onie of 
 thair adherencis in this laitt actioun.
 
 KINO JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 And forsamikle as we understand and are 
 throwlye perswaddit that the Lords con- 
 venit with the Chauncellar tuik armes on- 
 ly for the tender affectioun they bure us, 
 we allow and accept of the same, sen the 
 tent day of Junij last by past, as gude ser- 
 uice done. 
 
 We will, that the Earle of Argyll shall 
 remain with our counsall, and within our 
 castell of Stirline, with the lyk number as 
 uther nobillmen are ludget thairin, saving 
 the Earle of Marre, great capitane thairof, 
 and that the Earle of Atholl shall haue the 
 lyk acces. 
 
 We will also, that the Earle Montrois 
 and Lord Lindesay shall be addit to our 
 counsall, and another thrid persoun to be 
 nominal quhen we think tyme. 
 
 We will farder adde uther aucht nobill- 
 men to our counsall, be aduyce of the 
 Queene of England, that be thair aduyce 
 betuix and the first day of Maij nixt to 
 cum, we may tak ordour for reconciliatioun 
 of our nobillitye.
 
 270 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Item, that the presente keeparis and ca- 
 pitanes of Edinburgh and Dumbarton cas- 
 tellis shall enioy thair offices to that day. 
 
 Item, that the Earle of Angus shall re- 
 nounce his office oi Lieutennendrie. 
 
 Item, all prissoners, horsses, and armor, 
 takin at this meeting, shall be restoired. 
 
 In the moneth of Aprill, in the next yeir, 
 the nobills of Scotland convenit to the 
 King at Stirline with the Lord Chauncel- 
 lor, and the Earle of Moirtoun, and thair 
 ane dissimulat ordor was putt to. maters ; 
 and during thair remaining, the Earle of 
 Marr (quha as I tauld yow afore was sup- 
 posit for Mortoun in the conspiricie foir- 
 said) maid the bankett to the haill number, 
 quhair, whidder be advyce of Moirtoun, 
 or be the aulcl Countes of Marr, it is un- 
 certane, sick mighty poysoun was given to 
 the Chauncellour, that upoun the 4 clay 
 aftir the bankett he depairtit this lyfie, to 
 the great displeasure of all the gude sub- 
 iectis of Scotland. He was. buried in the 
 collegiall cheefe kirk of Edinburgh, the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 271 
 
 7 day of Julij, with great solemnitye : And 
 howsoone Mortoun hade obtenit this faire 
 victorie, he fearit least the rest of the 
 Chauncellor's factioun should haue broght 
 the Hamiltons in court, quhome he hade 
 so uncourteouslye handlit afore, and that 
 the young King now cuming to louse liber- 
 tie, should delyte in new faces and new 
 counsall, quha should haue respect to the 
 Queene of Scotland and hir caus. He 
 thoght gude to prevene occasioun and tyme 
 in this point ; and thairfore he sollicite the 
 Earle of Marr and sum uther of his friends 
 to sub borne the King, that the hous of 
 Hamiltoun are, and hes bein, his pernitious 
 enemies, quha had slaine twa of his Re- 
 gents before tyme, and quha, as yit, hade 
 not obtenit pardoun for the same ; and 
 thairfore, it was covenient for the King's 
 honor, that thair cheefe Lords should be 
 broght in to iustice, to suffer for thair de- 
 merittes : Quhilk wald caus the King be 
 renownit for all his dayes. Quhen this 
 motioun was maid to the King, he not
 
 272 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 knawing ayther quhat he did, or how he 
 did, he willinglye assentit, as it becumis of 
 all affairies of youthe for the most pairt. 
 Sa that Moirtoun, to perform his intentioun 
 newly conceavit, did priulie conduce some 
 souldiours. As also, he assemblit ane great 
 number of his friends for his convoy ; and, 
 with canons and uther fencible weapons, 
 he addrest him to the way. The comis* 
 sioun was grauntit to Archibald Earle of 
 Angus; quhome Mortoun, as a second, con- 
 voyit to the turne. Lord Johnne Hamil- 
 toun heiring of sick pernitious preparatiues, 
 laid againes thame be verrie short aduer- 
 tisement, they escaipit baith suddainlye 
 and priuili<3. Lord Johnne past throw all 
 England on fute quietlie, accumpaniet with 
 a servand only, and theirefra to Fraunce ; 
 quhaire he come to the toune of Pareis, and 
 was thankfullie and courteously receauit be 
 the Reverend Father James Archbishope of 
 Glasgow, Ambassador for Queene Marie in 
 Fraunce. Lord Claud lurkit a whyll in 
 Scotland; theirefter being diligently inquy-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 173 
 
 rit upon, he past in England, quhaire he 
 was first ressauit be a gentillman of North- 
 umberland, and last of all be the Queene. 
 Within few yeirs, Lord Johnne returnit in 
 England, be comissioun and oversicht of 
 the Queene, quhaire he remanit to the yeir 
 of God 1585, that he returnit to Scotland, 
 in sick maner arid forme as ye shall heire in 
 the awin place. The Earle of Angus as- 
 sedgit the castell of Hamiltoun. The kee- 
 paris renderit thameselues in the King's 
 will ; but Morton causit thame be brought 
 bund to Striuline, quhair Arthure Hamil- 
 toun of Muretoun, thair captaine, was hang- 
 it. The castell of Draffin was lykewayes 
 win. The Dutchess of Hamiltoun, and Lord 
 James Earle of Arrane, were transportit to 
 the pallaice of Linlithgow, and thairin putt 
 captiues in custodye of Capitaine Lambie, 
 a capital enemie and a tyrran againes all 
 Hamiltouns. The rest of the gentlemen of 
 Hamiltons were compellit to answer as law 
 wald. They come to Edinburgh, and payit 
 great sowmes of money for pardoun of sick
 
 274 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 faultis as ather actually they hade done, or 
 that could be allegitt againes thame. Their- 
 after the uther twa cheefe baneist lords 
 were summonit to compeire before the king 
 and secret counsall, under the paine of re- 
 bellion ; but as the invassioun was unjust 
 and unlawfull, sa was this warning out of 
 seasoun ; and for all that, ye shall heire 
 mair, how their saikles eldest brother was 
 also handlit. 
 
 In the moneth of Junij, the Queen of 
 Scotland, to congratulate the libertie of 
 hir sone, in respect of hir awin straitt keep- 
 ing, directit ane of hir secretaris in Scot- 
 land with business to his majestie, the su- 
 perscriptioun quhareof was in thir words 
 (To our loving son James, Prince of Scot- 
 land) : He brought with him also certane 
 Jewells and ornaments to his bodye : Bot 
 becaus, by the lettres, he was not intitulat 
 King, the counsall for that tyme wald na- 
 ther suffer the lettres to be openit, nor the 
 giftis to be ressauit ; and thairfore he was 
 demittit to turn bak as he came.
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 275 
 
 I have rehearsit diuers sortis of envye that 
 Mortoun hade sustenit before : And be- 
 syds them all, thair was a popular malice 
 suscitat againes him ; for twa poets of E- 
 dinburgh, perceauing his sinistruous deal- 
 ling, did publish the same to the people, 
 be a famous libell written againes him ; 
 and Mortoun heiring of this, causit the men 
 to be brought to Stirline, quhaire they were 
 baith hangit. The names of the men were 
 Walter Trumble scholemaister, and William 
 Scott. They were baith well belloued of 
 the comoun people for their comon offices. 
 And albeit, be this forme of banishment, 
 that was usit againes the Hamiltouns, and 
 incarceratioun of thair eldest brother, Moir- 
 toun esteemit himselff to lieue in security 
 from danger of any great enemies in Scot- 
 land, it pleasit some wyse forseing men to 
 consider of the waik estate of the King, 
 destitutt of sa mony noble friends, quhat 
 be the death of his father, his grandfather, 
 and the chauncellar, to call bak againe in 
 Scotland a gentillman in France, quha was
 
 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 descend it of the auld bluid of the noble hous 
 of Lennox, callit Aymie Steward, Monsieour 
 Daubeigney. This motion was comuni- 
 cat to the Queene of Scotland and to the 
 Duike of Guise in France, and was thoght 
 gude. The gentillman was counsellit in 
 Fraunce how to behaue himselff, and to 
 congratulate the young King's entrie to his 
 kingdome, in sick sort as he were not to re- 
 main bot to returne haine to his awin na- 
 tiue con trey of Fraunce. Bot quhen he was 
 cum in Scotland in the moneth of Septem- 
 ber, and hade aryvit at Leith, and was ho- 
 norablye ressauit be the magistrats of Edin- 
 burgh, he was imediatlye convoyit to Stir- 
 line, quhere, without ony difficultye, he 
 obtenit bly the presence and sick gude coun- 
 tenance of the King, that in short tyme he 
 was so preferrit in fauor with the young 
 King, that he obtenit large revenews baith 
 spirituall and temporall. And this matter 
 was sa prepaired and haistit, that before 
 the end of that monthe, the King addrest 
 him to his capital] toune of Edinburgh, to
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 mak the first entrie to his kingdome thair, 
 and the first parliament toune of his con- 
 trey, quhere the nobles and prelattis of the 
 colledge of iustice makes thair cheefe resi- 
 dence, quhere he was receauit with great 
 magnificence on this maner. At the West 
 Port of Edinburgh he was receauit be the 
 magistrates of the toune, under ane pom- 
 pous pale of purpor veluet. That port 
 presentit to him the wisdome of Solomon, 
 as it is written in the first chapter of the 3 
 buik of Kings ; that is to say, King Solo- 
 mon was presentit with the twa woemen 
 that contendit for the young child, and the 
 servand that presentit the sword to the 
 King with the child. And as he maid for- 
 der progress within the toune, in the street 
 that ascends to the castell, thair is ane an- 
 cient port, at the quhilk hang a curious 
 globe, quhilk opnit artificially as the King 
 come by, quherein was a young boy that 
 descendit craftilye, presenting the keyes of 
 the toune to his Maiestie, that were all 
 maid of massie siluer, and these were pre-
 
 278 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 sentlie receauit be ane of his honourable 
 counsall. During this, Dame Musick and 
 hir schollers exercised hir airte with great 
 melody. Then in his discence, as he come 
 foment the Colledge of Justice, there shew 
 thameselues unto him four gallant virtuous 
 ladies, to wit, Peace, Justice, Plentie, and 
 Pollice, and ather of thame had ane ora- 
 tiun to his Maiestie. Thairefter, as he come 
 toward the kirk, thair Dame Relligioun 
 show hirselff, desyring his presence, quhilk 
 he then obeyit, entering the kirk, quhere 
 the cheefe preacher for that tyme maid a 
 notable exhortatioun for the embracing of 
 relligioun and all hir cardinall virteous. 
 Thairefter he come furth, and went to the 
 mercat crose, quhere he beheld Bacchus 
 with his magnifick liberal itye and plentye, 
 distributing of sick liquor to all persons 
 passingers, in sick abundance as was plea- 
 sant to behald. A littill beneth is a mer- 
 catt place, quherein was erectit the geneo- 
 logieof the Kings of Scotland, and a number 
 of trumpettis sounding melodiouslye, and
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 279 
 
 crying with loud voice, weelfare to the 
 King. At the Eist Port was erectit the 
 conjunction of the planets, as they were 
 in thair degrees and places the tyme of his 
 Maies tie's happie natiuity, and the same 
 vively representit be assistance of King 
 Ptolomie, and with all the haill streettes 
 were spred with flowers, and the fore hous- 
 ses of the streettes, be the quhilk the King 
 passit, were all hung with magnifick tapes- 
 trie, with pain tit histories, and with effigies 
 of many noblemen and woemen; and thus 
 he past out of the toune of Edinburgh to 
 his pallice of Halyruidhous. 
 
 This thair pleasures being endit, ane Par- 
 liament was haldin at Edinburgh, quhair 
 the twa chiefe Lords of the Hamiltouns 
 were forfaultit, with many uther gentillmen 
 of that clan, and their teinds and rentis were 
 disponit to thair enemies. As also, these 
 quha were doers or forknowers of the slauch- 
 ter of the Earle of Lennox, or of the Earle 
 of Murray, regentis, were commandit to re- 
 moue from the King, be the space of 6
 
 280 THE HISTORIE OP 
 
 mylls, under the paine of deathe. And far* 
 der, MonsieourDaubigne was creat Earle of 
 Lennox and Abbot of Arbrothe. The Bi- 
 shopp of Caithnes was creat Earle of 
 Marche and Lord of Dumbarr. 
 1580. In the begining of the nixt yeir, the 
 King maid his progres be all the capitall 
 burrowes of this realme, and during all that 
 yier of the kings new entrance and accep- 
 tatioun of his kingdome, thair was na- 
 thing bot greitt quietnes and peace, sa- 
 ving only of some small hostillitye that 
 fell out betuix William Lord Ruthven, arid 
 Lawrence Lord Olyphant, with som small 
 slauchter quhilk was sooneappeasit. Bot be- 
 fore that yeir was perfectly endit, sum men 
 conferrit thair opinions togidder for exter- 
 mination of Mortoun, and to putt an end 
 to all former envye conceavit againes him. 
 The cheefe was the Earle of Gowrie and 
 sum uthers of that rank ; for upoun the last 
 day of December, as he then satt in coun- 
 sail, he was accusit be ane Capitane James 
 Steward, of foreknowledge of the kings
 
 KINO JAMES THE 8EXT. 281 
 
 murther, quhereunto he ansyril thus : For 
 samikle as it is not unknowne to your Ma- 
 jestie, and to the honorable Lords heir con- 
 venit, quhat thankfull and gude seruice I 
 haue done to the croune, sen your Majesties 
 coronatiun, and haue perseverit thairinto 
 till this day, and haue bein ane seveire per- 
 secuter againes all the committers of this 
 fact quhilk this day is laid to my charge ; 
 I wonder upoun quhat occasioun or proba- 
 bility this accusatioun is now movit againes 
 me, quha am inocent of the same : bot to 
 the effect na kind of suspiciounor euilopi- 
 nioun should be conceavit on my part, I 
 am presently reddy to giue acompt for 
 this and all uther things that may be laid 
 to my chairge, ather before the Lords heir 
 present, or ony uther iudge it shall pleas 
 your Majestic to appoint. Capitane James 
 sitting all this while on his knees said a- 
 gaine, that not only it pitied him to see sick 
 a corruptit member as Mortoun was, to be 
 upoun his Majesties priuie counsall, bot 
 also that their was another of that same fac-
 
 282 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 tioun and clan upoun the Sessioun, als cul- 
 pable of this odious cryme of tressoun as 
 he was, and that was Mr Archibald Dowglas. 
 Thairefter the pairties were remouet and 
 the counsall decernit Moirtoun to be putt 
 in captiuitye, to be keepit thare while he 
 were tryit, and directit furthe certeine cour- 
 teours for that tyme, priuilie to apprehend 
 Mr Archibald Dowglas, quha was then re- 
 sident with his ladye at the castell of Mor- 
 hame ; bot he was premonisht be the dili- 
 gence of a gentleman callit George Dow- 
 glas of Langnidrie, sa that he was escapit 
 before the captors could atteine to the 
 hous, and thus soght his refuge in England. 
 Moirtoun upon the third day thaireftir 
 was imprissonit within the castell of Edin- 
 burgh, quhair he remainit a feu days, and 
 then was transportit to the castell of Dum- 
 barton, quhilk was then keepit be the 
 now Earle of Lennox and his constable, 
 Sir Walter Steward of Traquair knyght, 
 quhair he was straitlye keepit till the latter 
 end of May. The nixt yier he was trans-
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 
 
 portit till Edinburgh, and upon the first of 
 January was accusit upoun diuers points, 
 and namely, that he foreknew the -king's 
 murther, and was thairof convict and con- 
 demned to be headit, quhilk was performit 
 upoun the second day of January in sick 
 sort that his head was cutt of and affixt u- 
 poun the maist emenent pairt of the tol- 
 buthe of Edinburgh. In this mean tyme, 
 the Earle of Angus and diuers of his spe- 
 ciall frinds and assisters were banisht 
 Scotland. ' Now haue ye hard at lenthe 
 baith the progress of Moirton's life, and 
 now last of his tragical end, quhilk for the 
 maist part is fatall in Scotland to men that 
 are in heiche degrie, becaus nayther are 
 the nobillmen haldin under sick obedience 
 as becomes, nayther is thair educatioun sa 
 gude as is covenient for thair birthe ; bot 
 are for the maist part licentiat to Hue a li- 
 bertine life in thair youth, quhair by they be- 
 come inconstant and variable in thair age ; 
 and these be twa great impediments to so- 
 lide wisdome. And howsoone the Earle
 
 284 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 of Moirtoun was first accusit, it pleasit the 
 counsell for that tyme to relieue Lord Ro- 
 bert Earle of Orknay, from captiuity out 
 of the castell of Edinburgh, notwithstand- 
 ing of the great caus that he was in suspi- 
 cion of, as is before reherst ; for indeed the 
 said Earle would have given large compo- 
 sitions to Moirtoun, being Regent, to haue 
 been freed ; and mair nor all that, he offerit 
 his eldest son in pledge for his releese, to 
 haue bein maried to any kins woman of Moir- 
 toun's gratis, without ony tocher; but nay- 
 ther of thir twa was acceptit at that tyme. 
 The Queene of England perceauing the 
 effairs of Scotland to be bruckle and un- 
 stable, shoe first sent in Mr Randall, hir 
 Ambassador, desyring the Earle of Lennox 
 expellit from Scotland ; and secondlye, the 
 leage betuix France and Scotland to be 
 broken ; thirdly, to restore Moirtoun, An- 
 gus, and thair friends to thair wontit liber- 
 tie, as also to restore the Hamiltouns con- 
 form to act of pacificatioun, and to con- 
 clude, desyring to ratifie the ancient peace
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. J85 
 
 and appointment, concludit of before be- 
 tuix Scotland and England. Thir articles 
 being discust amang the counsall, it was 
 fund that nane of thame was worthe of ane 
 answir or acceptatioun, saving only the 
 last, quhilk was grauntit unto, and the rest 
 refusit simpliciter. Secondlye, shoe hade 
 prepaired a number of men convenit at 
 Berwick and Northumberland, under the 
 conduct of the Earle of Huntingtoun and 
 the Lord Hunsdaill, to haue enterit Scot- 
 land with strang hand for the relieff of 
 Moirtoun, and pacifying of the estate of 
 the countrie to thair awn hairts desire. Bot 
 the king, with advyce of his counsall and a 
 great confluence of the nobilitye convenit 
 in Edinburgh, conducit a number of soul- 
 diors of hors and futemen, of sick number 
 brauity and bent myndis to resist that im- 
 menant force of England, that be the re* 
 port of the ambassador in his returne, the 
 armie scaillit and cam na farder ben for 
 that tyme. And thairfore to the end 
 the king should seeme to do na thing un-
 
 286 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 aduysedly in that purpois, he directit Sir 
 Johnue Setoun his ambassador toward 
 England to demand of the Queen whidder 
 she was my nd full to keepc the peace or to 
 break it ; bot quhen he com to Berwick, he 
 was retainit thair for ane seasoun, till the 
 Queen sould send word, bot he was admit- 
 tit na farder ; for quhat respect it was 
 done, ye may easilye judge. 
 
 Thaireftir Capitane James Steward was 
 constitut tutor of Arrane. 
 
 In the moneth of Marche, Monseour de 
 Croc was directit ambassador in Scotland 
 from the King of Fraunce, to desire the 
 King to work something for his mother 
 Queen Marie's libertie, bot it was thoght 
 prejudicial to his royall estate, and thair- 
 fore na maire was perform it of that pur- 
 pois at na tyme thaireftir, becaus it hes not 
 bein the custome of England to let louse 
 onie grip that they haue hade of Scotland 
 at ony tyme, without weyghtie causes tend- 
 ing alwayes to thair awin profite, as may 
 be collectit be the detentioun of King
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 287 
 
 James the First of Scotland, for the space 
 of 18 yiers. 
 
 During the banishment of Angus, eftir 
 the beheading of Moirtoun, he maid diuers 
 incursions in Scotland, for he enterit with 
 fyre and sword at the castell of Langholme, 
 and took the capitane prisoner ; he led him 
 captiue in England, he brunt diuers villages, 
 perteining to the Lord Maxwell, and caryet 
 away great prayes of gudes. Thairefter a 
 Parliament was haldin in the moneth Oc- 
 tober, quhair the Earle of Angus was foir- 
 fault, Lord Robert Stewart was creat Earle 
 of Orknay, Capitane James Steward creat 
 Earle of Arrane, William Lord Ruthven 
 creat Earle of Gowrie, and John Lord 
 Maxwell creat Earle of Moirtoun. Bot 
 befoir this Parliament, in the moneth of 
 August the Earle of Lennox was creat 
 Duik of Lennox, and publikly proclaimit be 
 herauldis,comandingall the king's (subjects) 
 sa to esteeme of him in all tyme cuming. 
 
 Capitane James being thus first creat 
 tutor of Arrane, was not content with this
 
 288 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 simple comodity, unless he were promouit 
 to heicher honors ; and therefore he maid 
 himselff first familiar with the wyfF of the 
 Earle of Marche, quha was great uncle to 
 the King ; whereby he obtenit sick fauor 9 
 that shoe was quickly gotten with child : 
 And, therefore, to cullor this adulterous fact, 
 a proces of diuorce was intentit be hir a- 
 gaines her husband for impotencie of his 
 persoune, quhilk was sa clearly provin, that 
 separatioun followit betwixt these twa per- 
 souns, and the new Earle of Arrane and 
 schoe were conjoynit in manage togedder. 
 Then he aspyrit to the honors of the Earle 
 of AiTane ; quhilk, againes all law and ius- 
 tice, was grauntit unto him, although the 
 lawfull Earle was neuer declairit culpable 
 of any notorious fact committit againes -the 
 persoun of the Prince, or the comoun weill. 
 In the meane time, peace and concord was 
 maid in England, in respect of the comon 
 miserie of exile betwixt the nobillmen of 
 Hamiltons and Douglass. At the end of 
 this parliament, sum debaitt fell out betwixt
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 289 
 
 the Earle of Arrane and the Duke Lennox. 
 This Earle was of a proud and arrogant 
 mynd, and thought himselff inferior to na 
 man ; for at the en trie of the pallice, as Sir 
 Johnne Setoun, quha was then ane of the 
 King's maister sta biers, was passing a lit- 
 tell before, the Earle strak his hors in the 
 face; bot that matter was soon pacifiet, and 
 the Duik was creat capitane of the King's 
 . gaird. On the next day of the parliament, 
 the Earle hade placet some folkes besyd 
 the knowledge of the Duke, quhilk was the 
 caus of sick a new greeff, as the Earle was 
 determined to haue slaine him giff he could 
 haue obtenit his intent; for it was then con- 
 stantly esteemit, that the Duke trauellit to 
 corrupt the young King's mynd from the 
 established religioun ; and therefore it was 
 thought that the Earle was spurrit a littill 
 to this purpois be some of the ecclesiasti- 
 call sort, be reassoun he was esteemit to be 
 sound in relligioun, as the sone of a sincere 
 professor of the ghospel, to wit, my Lord 
 Uchiltree. Quherefore the Duke came not
 
 290 THE HISTORIC OF 
 
 to the parliament that day, and this como- 
 vit the King in sick sort, that he maid the 
 Duke remove to Dalkeith, and the Earle 
 was commandit to absent hirnselff: Bot 
 quhen he sawe sick apparand disgrace, he 
 trauellit be some mediat persouns to mak 
 satisfactioun, and this was acceptit. So 
 that peace and concord was then maid be- 
 twixt thir twa nobills that was neuer bro- 
 ken heirefter ; quhereat the ministrie con- 
 ceavit sick hatred againes them baith that 
 could neuer thairefter be quenchet ; and to 
 ratifie the friendship on the Earle's ac- 
 compte, he desjrit the Duke to be his gos- 
 sop, arid thus they continewit in Christian 
 fauor. 
 
 At the begyning of the nixt year, becaus 
 the pollitick effaires were all at rest, it plea- 
 sit the members of Court to give eare to 
 certane informations maid againes a new 
 erectit societe of ministers, callit the Presbi- 
 terie ; sa that the moderators were sumo- 
 nit to compeir before the King and counsal, 
 to produce thair buik of minuts and actis,
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 291 
 
 to be seen and considerit ; quhilk was the 
 caus of a grit demissioun and uproare, as 
 fell out heireftir, that sa divydit the spiri- 
 tuall estate and temporaJl estate, as ather 
 of thame haittit uther deidly, as ye shall 
 heir in the awin place. 
 
 In respect of consanguinitye betwix the 
 King and the Duke of Guyse, and that he 
 delyttit in ryding and hunting, thair was 
 some fyne horses sent from France to his 
 maiestie, as princes uses for the maist part 
 to congratulat ane another, togidder with 
 gun poulder and bullettis for his housis of 
 strength, quhilk the King thankfullie re- 
 ceauit. Bot the ministers of Edinburgh 
 were heauilye ofFendit thairwith ; and not 
 only they for this caus, but many uthers 
 also ; and in particular againes the elec- 
 tioun and nominatiun of Mr Robert Mont- 
 gumrie to be Archbishop of Glasgow ; sa 
 that some of the ministrie were banisht, 
 and a certaine minister, at his sermone in 
 Glasgow, was pullit out of the pulpet, and 
 buffittet be the Lord of Minto, for bak- 
 bytting and sclaundering.
 
 292 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 Amang many honors, that the Duik of 
 Lennox was decorit withal! , and promo- 
 uet unto be greatt reattis, thare was ane 
 amang the rest prejudicial! to his estate, 
 for he was promouit to be greatt Chalm- 
 erlane of Scotland. Bot he consederit nott 
 that the maire men of honor be promouit, 
 ather be thair awn procurement or by in- 
 tysement of their counsellars, they are the 
 mair narr to ane great fall, becaus invye is 
 the great minister of popular heads : and 
 indeed this office of Chamerlane hes sick 
 comissoun to try the inferior estate of the 
 people, quhilk for the maist part is of great- 
 ter number and pure, and may the les suf- 
 fer anie kind of punishment in bodye and 
 gudes ; and thairfore this was one of the 
 special causses of envye conceavit againes 
 him amang many uthers ; besyd all this, 
 the ministrie, as I tauld you before, hade 
 conceauit ane oppinion, that he was a se- 
 ducer of the King from the establicht relli- 
 gion, and the nobillitye thoght that this 
 great credence and promotioun with the
 
 KING JAMES THE SEXT. 293 
 
 King and in the Court, was so prejudiciall 
 to thair estate, that as they haue bein extra- 
 ordinar correcters of Princes' enormities in 
 Scotland, rather for thair awin particulars 
 than for onie gude zeall they haue born to 
 the commonweiii, the nobillitye and kirk 
 concurrit in sick sort togidder, that the mi- 
 nisters first began aforehand to shaw the 
 youth of the King to thair audienze abusit 
 to the societie of insolent and godles stran- 
 gers. Secondly, that the same strangers 
 were un worthily promottitto dignitiesaboue 
 thair capacities and meritts, and thairby 
 likely to scourge the pure, quhilk has bein 
 ane odious thing in all cornon wealthes heir- 
 tofore ; bot as God, in tyme bygane, hade 
 punisht tyranous people to thair shame and 
 confusion, and hade disapointed all thair in- 
 tentions ; sa they doubtit not now of his 
 wountit mercye, bot he wald executt the 
 lyk in thir dangerous dayes. 
 
 Heirwithall certane unquiett people of 
 the nobillitye, were still devysing thair ma- 
 chinations againes the young King and the
 
 294 THE HISTORIE OF 
 
 new Duik of Lennox, and the new Earle 
 of Arrane, how they might shift thir three, 
 from utheriss seuerally. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 EDINBURGH : 
 
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 ane tiance, 1590 The Lamentatione of Lady Scotland, com- 
 pilet be hirself, 1570 The Testament and Tragedie of umqu- 
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 Decretum Dominorum Parliament!, 1522 Coronation of 
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 trated with Plates. Svo. 8s. boards. 
 
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 inclusive. 10 volumes, in numbers. 51. 5s. Or any volume 
 or number separate, at the original publication prices. 
 
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