n
&9B
V
'•£•*£*% . I
' :";/,;Kv>r I
IWfe
DA 750. BE NO 11 VI
CALL No.
DA 750 B2
no. 19 v.l
The Bannatyne miscellany.
THE LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
Date due
MAR
MAR
241975
KING PRESS NO. 3O3
THE
BANNATYNE MISCELLANY ;
-. .-•
CONTAINING
ORIGINAL PAPERS AND TRACTS,
CHIEFLY RELATING TO THE
HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF SCOTLAND.
VOLUME I.
PRINTED AT EDINBURGH : M.DCCC.XXVII.
AT a Meeting of the Committee of Management of the BANNAT YNE CLUB, held at Edinburgh, in the House of the PRESIDENT, on the 4th day of July 1823,
Resolved, That a Work, to be entitled THE BANNATYNE MIS CELLANY, containing a COLLECTION of TRACTS AND ORIGINAL PAPERS, RELATIVE TO THE HISTORY, LITERATURE, AND ANTI QUITIES OF SCOTLAND, be printed in fucceffive parts or numbers, under the joint fuperintendance of the PRESIDENT andSECRETARY ; and that Members be invited to communicate fuch original papers and documents in their poffeffion, as may appear to be peculiarly fuited to this Work.
DAVID LAING, Secretary.
THE BANNATYNE CLUB,
MDCCCXXIV.
SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM ADAM, LORD CHIEF
COMMISSIONER OF THE JURY COURT. SIR WILLIAM ARBUTHNOT, BART. JAMES BALLANTYNE, ESQ. SIR WILLIAM MACLEOD BANNATYNE. ROBERT BELL, ESQ. WILLIAM BLAIR, ESQ. GEORGE CHALMERS, ESQ. HONOURABLE JOHN CLERK, LORD ELDIN. HENRY COCKBURN, ESQ. ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE, ESQ. DAVID CONSTABLE, ESQ. J. T. GIBSON CRAIG, ESQ. ROBERT DUNDAS, ESQ. ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ. HENRY JARDINE, ESQ. THOMAS KINNEAR, ESQ. DAVID LAING, ESQ. REVEREND DOCTOR JOHN LEE. JAMES MAIDMENT, ESQ. THOMAS MAITLAND, ESQ. GILBERT LAING MEASON, ESQ.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF MINTO. JOHN ARCHIBALD MURRAY, ESQ. ROBERT PITCAIRN, ESQ.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR SAMUEL SHEPHERD, "LORD
CHIEF BARON OF SCOTLAND. ANDREW SKENE, ESQ. JAMES SKENE, ESQ. GEORGE SMYTHE, ESQ.
THOMAS THOMSON, ESQ. VICE-PRESIDENT. PATRICK FRASER TYTLER, ESQ.
THE BANNATYNE CLUB.
FEBRUARY M.DCCC.XXVIII.
SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART. [PRESIDENT.]
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM ADAM, LORD CHIEF
COMMISSIONER OF THE JURY COURT. SIR WILLIAM ARBUTHNOT, BAR*. 5 JAMES BALLANTYNE, ESQ. SIR WILLIAM MACLEOD BANNATYNE. 'THE RIGHT HONOURABLE VISCOUNT BELHAVEN. GEORGE JOSEPH BELL, ESQ. ROBERT BELL, ESQ.
10 WILLIAM BELL, ESQ.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD BINNING.
JOHN BORTHWICK, ESQ.
WILLIAM BLAIR, ESQ.
GEORGE BRODIE, ESQ. IS BRUDENELL J. BRUCE, ESQ.
THE BANNATYNE CLUB.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCCLEUCH AND QUEENSBEHRY.
JOHN CALEY, ESQ.
JAMES CAMPBELL, ESQ.
THE HONOURABLE JOHN CLERK, LORD ELDIN. 20 WILLIAM CLERK, ESQ.
HENRY COCKBURN, ESQ.
DAVID CONSTABLE, ESQ.
ANDREW COVENTRY, ESQ.
JAMES T. GIBSON CRAIG, ESQ. 25 WILLIAM GIBSON CRAIG, ESQ.
THE HONOURABLE GEORGE CRANSTOUN, LORD COHEHOUSE.
ROBERT DUNDAS, ESQ.
HENRY ELLIS, ESQ.
ROBERT FERGUSON, ESQ. 30 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR RONALD C. FERGUSON.
THE COUNT DE FLAHAULT.
JOHN FULLERTON, ESQ.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD GLENORCHY.
WILLIAM GOTT, ESQ. 35 SIR JAMES R. G. GRAHAM, BART.
ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD GRAY.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF HAMILTON AND BRANDON.
E. W. A. DRUMMOND HAY, ESQ. 40 JAMES M. HOG, ESQ.
THE BAN NATYNE CLUB.
JOHN HOPE, ESQ. DAVID IRVING, LL.D. JAMES IVORY, ESQ.
THE REVEREND JOHN JAMIESON, D. D. 45 ROBERT JAMESON, ESQ. SIR HENRY JARDINE. FRANCIS JEFFREY, ESQ. JAMES KEAY, ESQ. JOHN G. KINNEAR, ESQ. SO THOMAS KINNEAH, ESQ. [TREASURER.]
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF KINNOULL. DAVID LAING, ESQ. (.SECRETARY.]
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE. THE REVEREND JOHN LEE, D. D. 55 THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN. COLIN MACKENZIE, ESQ.
THE HONOURABLE J. H. MACKENZIE, LORD MACKENZIE. JAMES MACKENZIE, ESQ. JAMES MAIDMENT, ESQ. 60 THOMAS MAITLAND, ESQ.
GILBERT LAING MEASON, ESQ. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE VISCOUNT MELVILLE. WILLIAM HENRY MILLER, ESQ. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF MINTO. 05 SIR JAMES W. MONCREIFF, BAR*.
THE BANNATYNE CLUB.
JOHN ARCHIBALD MURRAY, ESQ.
WILLIAM MURRAY, ESQ.
MACVEY NAPIER, ESQ.
FRANCIS PALGRAVE, ESQ. 70 HENRY PETRIE, ESQ.
ROBERT PITCAIRN, ESQ.
JOHN RICHARDSON, ESQ.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF ROSSLYN.
ANDREW RUTHERFURD, ESQ.
75 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR SAMUEL SHEPHERD, LORD CHIEF BARON OF SCOTLAND.
ANDREW SKENE, ESQ.
JAMES SKENE, ESQ.
GEORGE SMYTHE, ESQ.
JOHN SPOTTISWOODE, ESQ. 80 THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUESS OF STAFFORD.
MAJOR-GENERAL STRATON.
SIR JOHN ARCHIBALD STEWART, BAR1.
THE HONOURABLE CHARLES FRANCIS STUART.
ALEXANDER THOMSON, ESQ. 85 THOMAS THOMSON, ESQ. [VICE-PRESIDENT.]
W. C. TREVELYAN, ESQ.
PATRICK FRASER TYTLER, ESQ.
THE CONTENTS.
PART FIRST.
A Propofal for Uniting Scotland with England, addrefied to King Henry VIII., by John Elder Clerke, a Redd- flianke. [1542.] 1
[MS. Bibl. Reg. British Museum, 18. A. 38.]
The Progrefs of the Regent of Scotland, with certain of his
Nobility, June 1568, 19
[MS. in the possession of Thomas Thomson, Esq.]
An Account of a Pretended Conference held by the Regent, Earl of Murray, with the Lord Lindfay, and Others, Ja nuary 1570, 31
[Richard Bannatyne's Journal, MS., University Library, Edinburgh.]
An Opinion of the Prefent State, Faction, Religion, and
Power of the Nobility of Scotland, 1583, ... 51
[MS. in the possession of Mr David Laing.]
Inflructions from Henry III, King of France, to the Sieur de la Mothe Fenelon, Ambafiador at the Court of Scot land, 1583, 73
[MS. Caldwwood. Advocates' Library, XLIII. M. 6. 8. No. 4.]
•riii THE CONTENTS.
Extracts from the Obituary of the Rev. Robert Boyd of Trochrig, Principal of the College of Edinburgh, 1609—1625, 283
[MS. Wodrow. Advocates' Library, Rob. III. 3. 5. No. 6.]
Poems by Sir Robert Ayton, 299
[From the different works enumerated in the Notes on the Poems.]
Letters of Florentius Volufenus, 325
[MSS. Cotton. British Museum. Calig. £. ir. fol. 44 and Nero, B. vi. fol. 20.]
Meditation faite par Marie Royne d'Efcofle et Dovairiere de France, 1572, 339
[Leslffii Scoti Episc. Rossen. Libri Duo, etc. Paris. 1574, 870.]
Letters of John Earl of Gowrye, 1595 349
[MS. Caldenrood. Advocates' Library, XLH. M. & 9. No. 32. &c.]
RULES OF THE BANNATYNE CLUB, AND LISTS OF THE MEMBERS. M.DCCC.XXIIL— M.DCCC.XXVII.
A PROPOSAL
FOR UNITING SCOTLAND WITH ENGLAND,
ADDRESSED TO KING HENRY VIII.
BY JOHN ELDER, CLERKE,
A REDDSHANKE.
PART FIRST.
THE introduction of the Reformation into England, soon spread the Protestant doctrine in the neighbouring kingdom ; and to such as embraced it, the authority of James V., who, for want of poli tical knowledge and education amongst the nobility, was unhap pily compelled to govern chiefly by the counsels of the churchmen of the old faith, became peculiarly obnoxious. These ministers became still more odious during the regency of Mary of Guise. We have in the following treatise, the project of an union betwixt England and Scotland, addressed to Henry VIII., who is therein counselled to invade his deceased nephew's kingdom, and is assured of conquest by aid of the disaffected Highland chiefs, who are re presented as so many " true hearts," devoted to the King of Eng land, from learning his beneficence towards the Irish, who resem bled them in language and manners. The scheme was as wild as treasonable, for the time was long past since the Reguli of the He brides and of Lome had affected independence of the Scottish crown, and made treaties with England in their own name. The policy of Robert Bruce, and his successors, in settling the Argyle and Gordon families, as well as others connected with the Low lands, in the Highland districts, had long since ruined the great sept of Macdougal, and divided and disunited that of Macdonald ;
nor did there exist any other clan of strength sufficient, if so mind ed, to have raised the banner of rebellion against the Scottish king.
This tract, which is printed from an original manuscript in the British Museum,1 forms a sort of introduction to a Plot, or Plan of of Scotland, setting forth the strength and weakness of the kingdom, for information of the English Monarch. The author, who proposed to get rid of Popery by sacrificing the independence of his country, was John Elder, a native, as he says, of Caithness, and a clergy man who had studied at the Universities of Saint Andrews, Aber deen, and Glasgow, for twelve years, and was now, probably on ac count of his religious profession, an exile in England.
The Plot, or Description of Scotland, to which this treatise ser ved as a preface, is not now known to exist ; nor, indeed, any other of the author's works,2 except a little volume of very uncommon rarity, entitled " The Copie of 'a Letter sent in to Scotlande."3 In this cu-
1 Bibl. Reg. MSS. 18 A. 38, 17 leaves iu 4to.
* Occasional notices concerning Elder, occur in our bibliographical writers ; which it may be sufficient in this place merely to indicate to the curious reader where they are to be found :— BALEI Script, illustr. Maj. Brit. etc. Basil. 1557, t'ol. xu. 75, p. Q5. PITSBUS de Rebus Anglicis, Paris. 1619, 4to. p. 866. DKMP- STKIII Historia Eccles. Gentis Scotorum, Bonon. 1627, 4to. p. 92. TANNEHI Bibl. Britaunica, Land. 1748. fol. p. 24, and likewise at p. 58 of the same work.
3 The full title of this tract is here copied from Herbert's edition of Ames's Typographical Antiquities, vol. I. p. 563. — " The Copie of a letter sent in to Scotlande, of the arival and landynge, and most o noble marryage of the must c II- lustre Prynce Philippe, Prynce of Spaine, to the most excellente princes Marye Quene of England, solemnisated in the Citie of Winchester : and howe he was re- cyeued and installed at Windsore, and of his triumphyng entries in the noble Citie of London. IT Wherunto, is added a brefe ouerture or openyng Of the legation of
nous tract is described the reception of Prince Philip of Spain, and an interesting account is given of the pageants and ceremonies used on occasion of his marriage with Mary, Queen of England. This letter is directed to Lord Robert Stuart, Bishop of Caithness, bro ther to the Earl of Lennox. It appears that Elder was at that time tutor to Lord Darnley. At the end of the letter, he says that he sends some verses and adages, written with the hand of " the Lorde Henrie Stuart, Lord Darnley, your nephew, I being with him then at Temple Newcome, in Yorkshire ;" and, continuing in praise of his young and noble pupil, as likely to prove " a witty, virtuous, and an active well-learned gentleman, — whose noble pa rents (he adds) are my singular good patrons." Nor is it to be conceal ed that the author, who, in addressing Henry VIII., expressed such a violent antipathy against the Popish clergy, had accommodated his sentiments too readily to existing circumstances, having uniformly avoided, as he says, to give offence on either side. In the opinion
the most reuerende father in God Lorde Cardinal! Poole, from the Sea Aposto- lyke of Rome, with the substaunce of his oracyon to the kyng and Queue's Ma- gestie, for the reconcilement of the Realme of Englande to the vnite of the Catho- lyke churche. With the very copye also of the supplycation exhibited to their highnesses by the three Estates assembled in the parliamente. Wherein they re presenting the whole body of the Realme and dominions of the same, haue submit ted themselues to the Pope's Holynesse." In small 8ro, black letter, contains F. in eights. ^It is said to l)e " Imprinted in Flete Strette, by John Waylande," no date, but apparently in 1555.
This letter is directed " to the ryght reuerend Father in God lord Robert Stuarde, Bishoppe of Cathenes, prouost of Dumbritane Colledge in Scotland." — From the citie London the 1st of January, 1555. By your Reuerende Lordeshippes humble oratour, John Elder."
6
of Anthony Wood,4 it is uncertain whether the author of this letter was the individual of the name of Elder who was incorporated in the University of Oxford, July 30, 1561.
The following letter to Henry VIII., contains some curious in formation regarding the Highlanders, and a minute account of the mode in which they acquired amongst their neighbours the name of Redshanks, from making buskins of the deer's hide. In other re spects, Elder shews considerable ignorance, as when he confuses the two distinct nations of Scots and Picts. The crouching and flat tering style which he uses to Henry, corresponds with the senti ments of an author who was desirous of laying the honour and in dependence of his native country at the foot of the English mo narch. It is true, that like a Scottish faction of the period, Elder assumes that this conquest was only to be made in consequence of an union betwixt Prince Edward and the young Queen of Scotland.
Conjuffium vocal — hoc prtetexit nomine culpain. 4 He is simply styled, "one Elder." — Fasti Oxoniensis, I. 90.; — new edit. p. 159-
To the mojost Noble, Victorius, and Redoubted Prynce, HENRY the Eight, by the grace of God, of Eng land, France, and Irland Kynge, Defender of the Christen Faithe, and in erth next vnto God, of the Churche of England and Irland Supreme hed, JOHNE ELDAR Clerk a Reddshank, wisseth all wealth, all honour, and triumphant victory ouer all his enymies.
ALBEIT that fere, for laick of leirnyng and witt (moost high, excel lent, and myghtie Prynce,) oftentymes persuadid me to withdraw my pene, from writting vnto your noble Grace : Yeit, neuer the les, per- ceaving emonges other thinges, in what miserable estate the realme of Scotland is presently in, for neid of a wyse gouernour, syns the soden death of our noble Prynce Kynge James the Fyfte, your Maiesties nephew, laite Kynge of the same, now after his decese, be ing reuled as it was in his tyme, be the advyse of the Cardinall, asso- ciatt with proud papistical! buschops, which euer allured our said noble Prynce in his daies, with their fals, flatteringe, and jugglinge boxes, from the natural! inclinacion, and loue, which he ought vnto your Maiestie, his moost myghtie and naturall Vncle. Consideringe also what ease and quiettnes, what wealth and ryches we shulde haue
8 ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII.
in Scotland in few yeares, yf now after our said noble Kynges de- cese, Prynce Edowarde, whom God preserue, your Maiesties natu- rall sonne and heare of the noble empyr of England, shuld, as he shall by the grace of God, marye our younge Queyne of Scotland ; by reason whereof, the forsaid buscheps, which be the Dewils convo- cacion, and the father of mischeif, Dauid Beton ther cardinall, with Beelzebubs flesmongers, the abbotes and all ther adherentes, beinge quyte expulsed and drywyne away, boithe the realmes of England and of Scotland may be joynede in one ; and so your noble Maies- tie for to be superiour and kynge. Furthermore, knowinge what trew faithfull hartes the moost part of the commons of Scotland, (yf they durst speke,) beyound the watir of Forth, haue to your highnes, and wold hartly and glaidly so continew, yf the said pestiferous Car dinall, and his blynd ignoraunt busschops, with certane other wylde, fals, craftie bores, which haue drunkyne the Frence kynges wynes, and taistide of his cwps, plainge leger de mane (as they say) with boithe haundes, wer tyied vp in ropis and halters. Moreouer, heringe and seinge what loue and fauour the valiaunt Yrishe lordes of Scot land, other wayes callid the Reddshankes, (excepte the Erll of Ar gyll, which is ravisshide onelye from the opinioun of the rest, be the Cardinall and his busscheps, becaus he is nourisshed and brought vp in ther bosomes, and lyis vnder ther wynges,) beris vnto your said Maiestie, of whois princely magnanimitie, Salomonicall wysdome and sapience, and hcroicall humanitie and beneuolence, now syns the death of our said lord naturall and Kynge, is euer ther communica tion, and euer ther reasonynge : Sene they heire and vnderstand^ how
ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII. 9
mercifully, how graciously, and how liberally your noble Grace haith vsed, orderide, and dealide with the lordes of Irland ther nyghboures, which haue continewidso many yeares rebellis ; perdonyng and forgy v- ing theame ther offences and trespasses ; creatinge of theame, some erlis, some lordes, and some barons ; rewardinge theame more lyke princis then erlis and lordis, with gold, siluer, and riches ; and sending theame home agane with gorgious indumentis, and riche apparell. Also, perceavinge what sedicion and variance, what dissension and in surrections, what theifte and extorcions, what dearth and misery, what pryde and hypocrisy, what invye and haterat we shall haue in Scot land, so long as this miserable, wretched Cardinall and his busscheps reagnethe and reulithe emonge ws ther, without your Highnes, by the prouision of God, hunt and drywe theame shortly fourth of the same with fyre and swerde : I can no les do, then offer this plotte of the realme of Scotland vnto your excellent Maiestie, wherein your Highnes shall perceaue and se, not onely the descripcion of all the notable townes, castels, and abbeis ther set fourthe, and situat in ther propir places, as they stand in euery countie and schyre, withe the situacion of all the principall yles marched with the same, callid Orknay and Schetland, and of the out yles, commonly namede the Sky and the Lewys : but also your noble Grace shall se the cost of the same, the dangers lying therby, with euery port, ryver, loigh, creke, and haven ther, so truely drawyn and set fourthe as my poore witt and lernynge can vttir and discerne. Which plotte, I haue not maide by relation of others ; but in so moche (and pleas your High nes) that I was borne in Caitnes, which is the northe part of the
PABT FIRST. B
10 ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII.
saide plotte, marched with the East yles of the same, callid Orknay ; educatt, and brought vp, not onely in the West yles of the same plotte, namede the Sky and the Lewis, wher I haue bene often tymes with my frendis, in ther longe galeis, arrywing to dyvers and syndrie places in Scotland, wher they had a do : but also, beinge a scholer and a student in the southe partis of it, callid Sanctandrois, Abirdene, and Glasgw, for the space of XIIth yeares, wher I haue tra- vailde, aswell by see as by the land, dyuers tymes ; by reason where of, knowinge all the notable places ther euery wher, with ther lordis and masters names, and from thens vnto the said countreth wher I was borne, I am the bolder (pardon cravide) to offer the saide plotte vnto your excellent Maiestie ; — wherein, becaus it bicommes not me, a wretch e destitude of all good lernynge and eloquence, to interturbe your noble Grace with theis my rude, barbourous, and fessious let- tres, in declaringe of the forsaide plotte in this litle boke, I haue written the principal erlis and lordis names in Scotlande, annext to ther common habitncion and duellinge place in the same ; with a breif declaracion of all the ryvers, loighis, and havens ther also, to the intent your noble Maiestie may perceaue, se, and reide the same ther, without any farther investigacion. And fforsomoche, and pleas your Grace, that I haue written the names of all the Yrische lordes of Scotland, commonly callit the Reddshanckes, and by historiogra- phouris, Pictis ; joyuede also to ther cuntreth and duellinge places, I will, be your Maiesties pardon, writ somethinge of theame heir, whois names, bicause they be Yrishe, and soundis not well to be in- terprete in Englis, I will declair theame to your Grace in Latyne.
ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII. 11
Therfor, if it pleas your excellent Maiestie, Scotland, a part of your Highnes empyre of England, bifor the iucummynge of Albanactus, Brutus secound soune, was inhabitede, as we reide in auncieut Yrische storeis, with gyauntes and wylde people, without ordour, ciuilitie, or maners, and spake none other language but Yrische, and was then called Eyryn veagg, that is to say, little Irland ; and the people wer callit Eyrynyghe, that is to say, Irlande men. But after the iucum mynge of Albanactus, he reducynge theame to ordour and ciuilitie,
they changed the forsaid name, Eyryn veagg, and callid it Albou, Albon, Scot land, Albonyghe, and their owne names also, and callid theame Albonyghe ; which too Scottis men,
drywyne from
Yrische wovdes, Albon, that is to say, Scotland, and Albonyghe, that -Albanactus. is to say, Scottische men, be drywyue from Albanactus, our first go- uernour and kynge. Which diriuacion (and like your Highnes) the papistical, curside spiritualitie of Scotland, will not heir in no maner of wyse, nor confesse that euer such a kyuge, namede Albanactus, reagnede ther. The which dirivacion, all the Yrische men of Scot land, which be the auncient stoke, can not, nor will not denye. For as Sanctus Columba, a Pict and a busshep, who in prechinge of Sanctus Colum-
ba, a Reddshank.
Goddis worde syncerly in Eyrische, in followinge of the holy apostlis in godlie imitacion, doctryne, and pouertie, excellid then, our proude Romische Cardinall and his bussheps now adaies in Scotlande, writ- tethe in his monumentis of the same, we haue our names of Alba nactus, and so haithe Scotlande also. But our said bussheps (and pleas your Grace) drywithe Scotland and theame selfes, from a cer- Scotland (as the tane lady, namede Scota, which (as they alledge) come out of Egipte, drywyne from
Scota.
a maraculous hote cuntreth, to recreatt hir self emonges theame in
12 ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII.
the colde ayre of Scotland, which they can not afferme be no proba ble auncient author. Now, and pleas your excellent Maiestie, the said people whiche inhabitede Scotland afoir the incummyng of the said Albanactus, (as I haue said,) beinge valiant, stronge, and coura- gious, although they wer savage and wilde, had strange names, as Morwhow .1. Mordachus; Gillecallum .1. Malcolmus ; Donyll .1.
Wherfor the
Evrische lordes Donaldus, and so fourth. Then ther sonnis followinge theame in
calhs theume-
selfes Makkis. manneicl and valiauntnes, callide theame selfes after this maner of wyse, leavinge ther propir names vnexpresside, Makconyll .1 . filius Donaldi; Makgillecallum .1. filius Malcolmi, etc*. : — and so they haue contenewide vnto this daye, and neuer expressis ther propir names, but whene they subscryue a lettir, as Donyll Mak Leode Lewis .1. Donaldus filius Ludouici de Levisia, etc". The Yrische lordis names in the saide plotte be theis, Mak Eoyn whanyghe .1. filius Joannis bellicosi ; Mak-kye .1. filius Hugonis; Mak Leode Lewis .1. filius Ludovici de Levisia ; Mak Leode ne Harr .1. filius Ludouici de Hartha insula ; Mak Yllean .1. filius Kellani ; Mak Kymmy .1. filius Kymmeci; Mak Kenny .1. filius Kennici; Mak Tossigh .1. filius Tossei; Mak Allan .1. filius Allani; Mak Neill Varray .1. filius Nigelli de Barra insula : — for Mak in Eyrische signifieth a sonne.
Ireland they Likwise your Maiesties subiectis, the lordes of Irland vnto this
called theame-
selfesOos. tyme, that your noble Grace haithe moost royally changede ther names, and creatide theame erlis and lordis, wer callide O Neill .1. nepos Nigelli ; O Bren J . nepos Bernardi ; O Conwhir .1. nepos Con- radi ; a degre forthir of, then the Eyrische lordes in Scotland, bicaus the sonnis of the forsaide Neill, Bren, and Conwhir, and so of the
ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII. IS
rest, chancede not to be so valiaunt in manhede and chiualre at the begynninge as ther ffathers, but ther nephiew. Therfor they wer callit O'Neill, O'Bren, O'Conwhir ; omittinge also ther propir names, and pleas your Highnes, but when they subscryuede a lettir, as Ewwyn O'Neill .1. Eugenius nepos Nigelli ; for O' in Eyrische sig- nifiethe a nephew. Moreouer, wherfor they call ws in Scotland Reddshaukes, and in your Graces dominion of England roghe footide wherfore the
• T»I • •»*••• i 11 f 11 i courtyours of
bcottis, Fleas it your Maiestie to vnderstande, that we 01 all people Scotland call
ws Redd-
can tollerat, suffir, and away best with colde, for boithe somer and shankis. wyntir, (excepte whene the froest is mooste vehemente,) goyuge alwaies bair leggide and bair footide, our delite and pleasure is not onely in hwntynge of redd deir, wolfes, foxes, and graies, wherof we abounde, and haue greate plentie, but also in rynninge, leapinge, swymmynge, shootynge, and thrawinge of dartis : therfor, in so moche as we vse and delite so to go alwaies, the tendir delicatt gentillmen of Scotland call ws Reddshankes. And agayne in wynter, whene the froest is mooste vehement (as I haue saide) which we can not suffir bair footide, so wherefor -m weill as snow, whiche can neuer hurt ws whene it cummes to our
girdills, we go a hwntynge, and after that we haue slayne redd deir, scottis.0" we flaye of the skyne, bey and bey, and settinge of our bair foote on the insyde therof, for neide of cunnynge shoemakers, by your Graces pardon, we play the swtters ; compasinge and mesuringe so moche therof, as shall retche vp to our ancklers, pryckynge the vpper part therof also with holis, that the water may repas when it entres, and stretchide vp with a stronge thwange of the same meitand aboue our saide ancklers, so, and pleas your noble Grace, we make our schoois :
14 ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII.
Therfor, we vsinge sucbe maner of shoois, the roghe hairie syde out- wart, in your Graces dominion of England, we be callit roghe footide Scottis ; which maner of schools (and pleas your Highnes) in Latyne Perones. be called perones, wherof the poete Virgill makis mencioun, savinee,
Verg. ^Ened. 7°. 3 B '
That the olde auncient Latyns in tyme of warrs vside suche maner of schoos. And althoughe a greate sorte of ws Reddshankes go af ter this maner in our countrethe, yeit ueuer the les, and pleas your Grace, wheue we come to the courte (the Kinges grace our great mas ter being alyve) waitinge on our Lordes and maisters, who also, for velvettis and silkis be right well araide, we haue as good garmentis as some of our fellowis whiche gyve attendaunce in the court euery daye. And howbeit the babilonicall busscheps and the great courtyours of Scotland repute the forsaide Yrishe Lordes as wilde, rude, and bar- bourous people, brought vp (as they say) without leminge and nour- tour, yeit they passe theame a greate deale in faithe, and honestie, in policy and witt, in good ordour and ciuilitie ; ffor wher the saide Yrische Lordes promises faithe they keipe it truely, be holdinge vp of ther formest fyngar, and so will they not, withe ther sealis and subscripcions, the holy Euangel twichide. Therfor, and pleas your Highnes, like as the saide bussheps and ther adherentis repute ws rude and barbourous people, euen so do we esteme theame all, (as they be,) that is to say, ffals, flatteringe, fraudelent, subtile, and co vetous. Your noble Grace haithe many good hartis emonges the forsaide Yrische Lordes of Scotland, bicaus they vnderstand and heire how mercifully and how liberally (as I haue saide) your Highnes haith orderide the Lordes of Ireland. Therfor I have written the
ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII. 15
saide Yrische Lordes names of Scotlande in the saide plotte, as your Grace may perceaue and se ; wherfor I moost humbly exhort your excellent Maiestie, of your royall huraanitie and gentilnes, to accepte and pardon my good will therein ; and wher I haue failide in my Cosmographie in drawing and settinge fourthe of the same, I shall not faille (willing God) in declaringe of all thinges therein contanide, to any to whom your Highnes shall pleas to apoint me so to do. What plotte, truely, (and pleas your Grace) I haue drawene for that same porpas and intent, that your Royal Maiestie shall not onely se and perceaue the similitude and ymage of the saide realme of Scot land in the same, which your Highnes haithe (all ambiguitie set apart) a thousand tymes bettir set fourthe, then my sclendir capaci- tie and witt is able to expres and declair heir : but also, yf thar be any thing in the saide plotte concerninge the land, wherein your Maiestie doubtis, and woll haue the treuthe of the same schawene and notifiede to your excellent Grace, that I (yf your royall Maiestie pleas to accepte and allowe my good will therin) maye declair the same, (as I haue saide) so farr, by the helpe of God, as my know ledge and vnderstandinge will vttir and serue ; wheron I shalbe al- wayes, and pleas your noble Grace, redy with hart and hand to wait and gyue attendance. For suerly, (moost humbly besechinge your Highnes heir of pardon) yf my dreade Soueraigne Lorde and Kinge, my liege Lorde, naturall and superiour, Kinge James the Fyfte, laite Kinge of Scotlande, and your Maiesties nephiew, wer alyve, whom soden deathe (allace,) haithe ravissede from ws for euermore ; or yf he hade lefte ws a Prynce lawfully begotten of his body, in whom,
16 ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII.
after his decese, our joye and comforte, our hope and felicitie, shulde haue bene affixt, I wolde in no maner of wise presume to shaw and declair the privities of Scotlande to no Prynce Christen. Therfor, in so moche as our saide noble Prynce (whom the Hewinly Kinge, I pray God the Father, superiour ouer all, mercifully receaue in his celestiall throne,) haithe lefte ws (the Lorde be thankede) as chaunce is, a Prynces, whom your excellent Maiestie moost godly desyres for to be mariede withe noble Prynce Edowarde, your Graces lawfull begotten sonne and heare of the empyre of England ; by reason wher- of, hypocrisy and supersticioun abolissede, and the Frence Kinge cleane pluckt out of our hartis, England and Scotland, and the pos- teritie of boith, may Hue for euer in peax, loue, and amitie ; which godly porpas and desire beiuge contrariede by a sortie of Papist preistis, according to their accustomed falshede and disceite, which allurede not onely our noble Prince in his daies from your Maiestie, whom his Grace vndoubtedly louede aboue all Pryncis mortall in his hart ; and hath provide so, yf the said traiterous preistis had not beue allwaies roundinge in his Graces eyris, which, as often as his Highnes porposede ametingewith your Maiestie, seduced and blindide him with ther boxis ; as often as he intendide to repair to your Grace, causide invasions and roddis ; and as often as he wolde speke of your High nes, allectide him with armonie, fables, and soiiges : but also now, by ther presumpcion, intendeth to drounde all Scotland in bloude, I can no les do, by Goddis law, mannis law, and all humanitie, then invent, declair, expres, notifie, labour, and studie for that thing vn- to your excellent Maiestie, (whom all honest stomakes in Scotland,
ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII. 17
presumption and arrogancy set asyde, shulde, with all ther hartis, loue for our noble Pryncis sake) whiche myght bringe the forsaid traiter- ous preistis of Scotland, if it wer possible, to mischeif and vttir ruyne : ffor ther is no people, and pleas your Grace, in no region in Europe, so perturbed, so molestide, so vexide, and so vtterly opprest withe bussheps, monckes, Rome-rykers, and preistis, and euir haue bene, a cardinal, a carlis-birde, a common-cluner, and a hen-kyller, some- tymes in France, now beinge ther capitane, as they which inhabite the real me of Scotland ; and so shall contenewe, without your Highnes, (who haith moost iuste caus and quarell, euery thinge considerit syns the reagne of your Maiesties nephiew, vnto this daye, to invade theame) by the help and assistance of God, hwnt, drywe, and smoyke the forsaide fals papisticall foxis, with all ther partakers, out of ther cavis, with bowis, billis, fyre, and swerde. At the which hwntinge, wold God that I and euerye haire in my head (I meane faithfully without any dissimulacion, I take God to recorde) wer a man with your noble Grace, havinge, as poetis feane, if it wer possible, Hercules strengh and fortitude to owerthraw and wressell with the saide Car- dinall and his chaplans ; Hectours manhede and chiualrie to fyght withe the fals, wylde, craftie boris, whiche have plaide bo peip withe bothe haundes ; and, finally, Achilles subtiltie and witt, to invent gyrnis and traps for the fals bussheps of Scotland and all ther adhe- rentis.
I keipe your Highnes to longe with my barbourous and rude talke, wherfor, mooste noble Prynce (pardon cravide) I will make an end, moost humbly exhortinge your excellent Maiestie to pardon and
PART FIRST. C
18 ELDER'S LETTER TO HENRY VIII.
accepte the forsaide plotte in gre, and not to regarde the rudenes ther- of, but rather the faithefulnes of me, your Maiesties poore oratour ; and for so moche as I know myself vnmeite to do any bodely seruice condigne to so noble and excellent a Prynce ; yeit, at the least, I shall gyve vnto your excellent Maiestie the thing which, as well the feble as the stronge may gyve, that is to say, hartie prayers to Al- myghtic God for the longe preseruacion of so mercifull, so faithefull, and so gentill a Kynge, to the settinge fourthe of his wordes to the comforte and joye of all thoise which loue your Highnes, and to the destruction and vttir ruyne of our high presumptuous Scottis Cardi- nall, his bussheps, and ther partakers, and death of all ther pryde and popery. Amen.
THE PROGRESS
OF THE REGENT OF SCOTLAND,
WITH CERTAIN OF HIS NOBILITY,
JUNE M.DLXVIII.
PART FIRST.
[COMMUNICATED BY THOMAS THOMSON, ESQ.]
THE following pages contain an account of the active and ener getic measures pursued by the Regent Murray against the Lords Herries, Maxwell, Fleming, and other chiefs of the Queen's party, which had been recently defeated at the battle of Langsyde.
In a collection of Original Letters recently purchased by the cu rators of the Advocates' Library, there is one from Sir William Drury to the Earl of Leicester, dated at Berwick, July 1, 1568, which had unquestionably formed the envelope of the copy from which this account of the Regent's Progress has been printed. They have been since restored to their original connection, and are now deposited together in the Advocates' Library. The Letter is as follows : —
" My dutie remembred unto your L. Being loth to lett flipp overmuch tyme without remembring your L. I have at this pre- fente appoynted theis advertizementis of Therle of Murreys maner of proceadingis in his laft jorney, to performe fome part of my dutie unto the fame ; praying your L. to accept as the tyme ferveth : And
I 22 ]
when anie thinke of woorthie preferment happeneth, I fall not fayle to guide unto your L. And fo praying God ever to kepe the fame in all happenes, I humblely take my leave ; ffrom Barwick, this firft July, 1568.
your L. humble affured,
at commandment,
WILL". DRURY."
" To the right honorable and my very good Lord the Erie of Leceftre, Maifter of the Quenis Majt-flies horde and of hir Privy CounfeV
It appears from the Rev. Mathew Crawford's collections,1 that another copy of this paper, (endorsed with Cecil's hand, " xi Junij 1568, — The Regent of Scotland's Progresse,") has been preserved in the State Paper office. The two copies differ chiefly in minute particulars of orthography, not necessary to be specified.
1 MS. Advocates' Library, W. 2. 21. fol. 223.
23
THE PROGRESSE OF THE REGENT OF SCOTLAND, WITH CERTEN OF HIS NOBILITIE, BEGYNNING THE Xlth OF JUNE, ANNO 1568.
IN primis the xviij"1 daye of Maye, anno 1568, the Regent of Scot land made a proclamation, that the Shires of Mernis, Angus, Fyf, Merse, Lowdyan, Kyll, and Gary eke shold provyde xvten dayes vic- tuallis, and to meete hym the Xth daye of June in Begger, to ryde in the sowthwest of Scotlande, for punyshinge of dysobedyent persons and theves.
The xj"1 daye of June, the Regent of Scotlande, with certen of his nobilitie, marched furth of Edenborough, and that night come to Begger, where they receaued the castle of Boghall, perteyninge to my Lord Flemynge ; they had cast that downe, but these reasons stopped them : First, he was in England, and at that present could gett no worde to them ; Secondly, he had the castle of Dumbarton in his hande, whiche they were in hope to receave, they sparinge his place. The armye jornyed this daye xx myles.
The xijth daye, the Regent caused cast dowue the castle and place of Skyrlinge, a notable buyldinge, vpon this consideracion, that others might heare and feare.1 And that night he marched forward to a
1 Skirling was treated with this severity, in all probability, because its owner, James Cockburn, was married to a sister of the Lady Herries.
24, THE PROGRESS OF
place called Crawford John, perteyninge to Sir James Hamylton, and receaued the castle therof, but cast it not downe because they hadde the man in their owne handis. They jornyed this daye x myles.
. The xiij01 daye of June, they marched to Sawcher [Sancher,2] and laye there all night, but cast not downe my Lords place, because he hath made a promysse to come in to the Regent to Edenborough at a daye, and sewertie found therefore. They jornyed that daye xij myles.
The xiiijth daye they marched forward to a valley called barbarusle the holme of Dawherny [Dalquherne,] where they remayned all the night, and toke some goodis there. This daye they sende the Lard of Wedderburne to the Larde of Lowinvar [Lochinvar,] to desyre hym to come in, who all vtterly refused. After they seude hym offers, that if he wold come in, and laye a pledge at Michel- mas nexte, that they wold do hym no injurye; and yf there were any chaunge of courtis betwene this and that tyme, that he should be at his advantage without reprofe ; but all their offers were refused by hym. This daye they jornyed xij myles.
The xv* daye they marched to a place called St John's clawan, [clachan,3] and remayned there, two myles from Lowinvar place, in hope of incommynge, for they wold not haue destroyed his place if they could haue gotten any appointement of hym ; but this night my Ladye Herrys wrote to hym not to go in to the Regent, and shewed
1 Sanquhair — belonging to Lord Sanquhair, ancestor of the Earls of Dumfries. 3 Saint John's Clachan, or Saint John's Church.
THE REGENT OF SCOTLAND. 25
hym that her husbande4 wold gett supporte ; the which lettre was a great stoppe to his incommynge. They jornyed this daye x myles.
The XVJ"1 daye they marched to Lowtkayn [Loch Ken,] foranenst Kenmvre. In the morninge there appeared about Ix men vpon an hill syde, but enterprysed nothinge. This daye the place of Kenmvre was destroyed and cast downe, and another proper place, also an ffreindis of Lowinvaris. They jornyed this daye two myles.
The xvij* daye they come to the water of Vr, to a gentlemans place, called Makneth, [Macnaught of Kilquhonnetie,] and re- mayned, where diuerse gentlemen come in and gaue obedyence, and were receaued thankefully. This daye they jornyed viij myles.
The xviij* daye they marched toward Dumfreis, and in march- inge forwardis toke certen robbers and villanes, and hanged. They jornyed this daye xiiij myles.
The xix01 daye they remayned in Dumfreis, and the castle therof was offred them, which apperteyneth to my Lord Maxewell. This daye sondrye of the Maxewellis, Johnstouns, Vrwins, Grahames, and Belis, come to the Hegent, and offred them selves, and was thanke fully receaved : for the Maxewellis, come in the goodman of Hillis ;5 for certen of the Johnstons, the Larde of Newbe ; for the Grahames, Fergus the Grahame ; for the Vrwins, Kirstie of Bonshawe,6 &c. My Lorde Maxewell, the Lorde of Johnston, Cowhill, Lowinvar,
4 The Master of Maxwell, created Lord Herries, eminent for his loyalty to the unfortunate Mary, was at this time in England on her behalf.
5 A strong castle, now ruinous, about three miles from Dumfries, belonging for merly to the Lords Maxwell, now to Mr Maculloch of Ardwell.
8 Christopher Irving, of Bonshaw.
26 THE PROGRESS OF
with them the noraber of a thowsande men, was in Dumfreis two dayes before, and spent all the meate and drinke that was readye, as also consulted what was best to be done agaynst the Regentis com- mynge. Yt was thought that my Lord Maxewell shold haue come in, yf Cowhill, Johnston, and Lowinvar had not stopped hym, and conselled hym to the contrarye. They jornyed this daye xiiij myles.
The xx* daye they marched ' toward Hoddome, a place of my Lord Harrys,7 the which was maynteyned by men of warre agaynst the Regent on Harrys behalfe, and was a stronge forte.8 This night they helde it, and shott many shott of greate ordynance furth of the place, and slewe one horse and man. This night the broken countries and theves gathered to the nomber of a thowsande men, and brake a chase after some of our men that was goynge furth of the campe ; the whiche when the Regentis men perceyved, sende furth a chase after them, and toke two or three, and one of them was the Lord Johnstons father brother. They laye within halfe a myle of the campe. This daye they jornyed x myles.
The xxj* daye the house was geuen over to the Regent, the
1 When the Regent was at Dumfries, he gave orders to pull down the house of Ter- reglis, the family mansion of Lord Herries ; " but the Laird of Drumlanrig, who was Lord Herries's uncle, and in favour with the Regent, told that Lord Herries would take it as a favour to ease him of pains in throwing it down himself, to be built in another place. The Regent swore, he scorned to be a barrow-man to his old walls, and so it was safe." — Abridgement of the Scottish History, by LOUD HERRIES, MS. 1656. In this MS., Hoddam Castle is said to hare held out for three days.
" Hoddam Castle is still entire and habitable, being the beautiful residence of General Sharpe. The arms of the Herries's, being three hedge-hogs, were carved above the stair-case, but are now destroyed.
THE REGENT OF SCOTLAND. 27
which they might haue holden longe ynoughe, yf they had ben good fellowes within it : and vpon this condicion only, that the men shold haue their lyres, and no more ; all bagge and baggesse to remayue in yt ; and yt was delyuered to the Lord of Dumlanarige to kepe, who is appointed Warden in those partis of Scotlande foranenst Englande. This daye my Lorde Regent sende furth a thowsande men with my Lorde Hewme8 and Morton, to haue drawen a chase on the theves and rebellis, but they fledde, and wold not preike. This daye, as also of before and after, there was a greate hunger in the campe ; for the Scottis pynte of wyne was at vijs Scottyshe, and no breadde to be hadde. Some dyed for hunger in the campe. This daye and before, they burnt diuerse gentlemens places about, that wold not come in nor obeye.
The xxij"1 daye the campe remayned, but the Regent, with a thowsand horsemen went to Annan, and receyved the castle therof, and put one Edwarde Vrwyn to kepe yt ; and there mett my Lorde Scroope of Englande, and talked with hym a longe while, and that night retorned to the campe to Hoddome. They jornyed this daye vj myles.
The xxiijth daye they marched to Lowchmaben, and receyved the castle therof, and gaue yt to Drumlanarige ; but some of the Maxe- wellis remayned in a closse house or volt within, and toke the house
9 Although the Earl of Home attended the Regent on this expedition, he after wards embraced the cause of the Queen. But the influence of Morton with Wed- derburn and others kept most of the name of Hume (Ferdinand of Broomhouse ex- cepted) on the King's side.
PART FIRST. D
28 THE PROGRESS OF
agayne, after the Regent was gone; and so they haue the house agayne.
That daye they receyved a place of the Larde of Johnston, called Lokat [Lochwood,] and another called Lowhouse [Lochhouse,10] but they cast them not downe, for he hath promysed to come in at a daye, and sewertie for the same founde. This daye, tpke many cat- tell and furnyshed the campe. This night also they slew two of the theves, by a shott of greate ordynance shott at threscore of them. This night they hanged one of the theves that was taken in the campe stealinge horses. This night they laye at a place called Mylton Holme. Jornyed x myles.
The xxiiij"1 daye they come to Pebles, and remayned all night ; and toke order with that countrie, for they come all in to the Re gent. They jornyed xxij myles.
The xxv01 daye the Regent went to Edenboroughe, and the rest of the armye to their owne countrie and boundis. They jornyed xij myles.
The nomber of the whole campe of horsemen in armour to fower thowsand; of harquebuzoiers and halbertmen one thowsand ; ofcariage horses with victuallis fower thowsand ; n of boyes and yonge men that kept horses three thowsand.
10 Lochwood, and Lochhouse, two strong castles belonging to the Johnstones, near Moffat. The former was the abode of Lord Johnstone himself, and being situ ated amongst woods, and in the middle of a morass, James VI. said, that " he who built it must have been a thief in his heart." According to the continuator of Ho- linshed, the two castles were " utterly spoiled and committed to the fire," by the Earl of Morton, Warden of the West Marches, in 1583.
11 The great disproportion between the fighting men and their attendants is worth observing.
THE REGENT OF SCOTLAND. 29
The Countries the Regent passed throughe. In primis, he passed through Cliddisdaill ; secondly, through Gal- lawaye ; thirdly, through Nyddisdaill ; ffourthly, through Anner- daill ; flyftely, through Tweddell.
The Order of his Armye.
Fyrst, Alexander Hewme of Manderston and Huton Hall went before all the armye a myle, with a cornett of two hundred men, and they were appointed to skewre the feildis.
Then followed them the vauntegarde, to witt, Hewme and Mor ton, with a thowsande men and mo.
Nexte after them came the caryage, and behinde the caryage the Regent selfe, with the rest of the armye ; and behinde the Re gent went the Larde of Cesfourde, with a cornett and a companye with hym. At euery side of the armye there went a cornett, to wete, on th' one side, the Lardis of the Marshe, on the other syde, the Larde of Buckclewghe.12
THUS KNDES THE PROGRESSE AND ORDER.
12 Sir Walter Scott of Buccleugh is shortly afterwards found among the keen ad herents of Queen Mary. Probably his near relation to Morton, whose niece he had married, or perhaps some clan quarrel with the Maxwells, brought him forward on this occasion.
AN ACCOUNT
OF A PRETENDED CONFERENCE
HELD BY THE REGENT, EARL OF MURRAY,
WITH THE LORD LINDSAY AND OTHERS ;
JANUARY, MD.LXX.
33
IN the year 15G8, when the talents and character of James Stuart, Earl of Murray, then Regent of Scotland, were considered as the chief obstacle to the re-establishment of Queen Mary, her partizans resorted to a literary fraud, in order to diminish his interest among the people, by representing that it was his object, and that of his principal followers, to dethrone the young King, and to usurp the royal seat and dignity, as he already possessed the real authority, of the monarch. This remarkable paper, which was entitled, " Aue Advertisement sent from the Court to a Friend of my Lordis," was not circulated till after the Regent's death, either because that event had anticipated the publication, or because it had been reserved for such a crisis by the author, or authors, who probably had a shrewd guess that the close of Murray's life was approaching.
" At this time," says the learned biographer of John Knox, " there was handed about a fabricated account of a pretended conference, held by the late Regent with Lord Lindsay, Wishart of Pitarrow, the tutor of Pitcur, James M'Gill, and Knox ; in which they were represented as advising him to set aside the young King, and to place the crown on his own head. The modes of expression peculiar to each of the persons, were carefully imitated in the speeches put into their mouths, to give it the greater air of credibility. The evident design of circulating it at this time was to lessen the odium of the murder, and the veneration of the people for the memory of Murray ;
34
but it was universally regarded as an impudent and gross forgery. The person who fabricated it was Thomas Maitland, a young man of talents, but corrupted by his brother, the Secretary, who before this had engaged himself to the Queen's party, and was suspected of ha ving a deep hand in the plot for assassinating the Regent."1
This curious dialogue is now printed for the first time, from a Manuscript of the Journal kept by Richard Bannatyne, secretary to John Knox, preserved in the Library of the College of Edinburgh, which contains a more perfect copy of that interesting work than the manuscript used by John Graham Dalyell, Esq. in his printed edi tion. Another copy of it, somewhat modernized, is inserted in Cal- derwood's Manuscript History of the Church of Scotland. After collating these, some obscurities still remain in the text, arising pro bably from the errors of transcribers.
The Dialogue is introduced into Bannatyne's Journal in the fol lowing terms : — " Immediatlie efter the murther, thair was a buik set fourth in forme of a letter, conteaning a counsall gevin be the Lord Lindsay, the laird of Pitarrow, Johne Knox, Mr Johne Wood, the tutor of Pitcure, and Mr James M'Gill. The wryter, or wryteris, (for it apeiris thair hes bene moe than ane,) laboures wonderfullie to counterfoute the countenance, the knawledge, and the affectiounes of sic as ar broght in to give counsall to the Regent. Bot the wryteris, Hum il tonnes, Maitlandis, or vtheris of thair factione, they ar impu dent liaris, or sones of the dewill."
At the conclusion of the dialogue, Bannatyne continues : —
1 M'Crie's Life of Knox, Second Edition, vol. ii. p. 381.
[ 35 ]
" Who was the devyser and inventare of this most fals, sclandrous, and dewilish lie against the Regent, it was not at that tyme pub- lictlie knawiu. Yit it was suspected to be some of the brether of the house of Lethingtoun ; which was not far by : for afterwardis, it was plainelie affirmed, that it wes inventit be Mr Thomas Maitland, the younger brother of that house ; who, after, departit this life, gangand to Rome.
" Dauid Forester, called the generall, gaue the copie heirof to Alice Sandilandis, Ladie Ormistoun, a litill efter the cuming abroad thereof, or with the first of thame, which he affirmed to be trew. But the gude and vertuous lady (quha wad beleive na sic thing) brocht the copie ; ' and' shoe gave it to Mr Knox, which quhen he sawe, and af ter shoe had requyred the treuth thairof at him, he said, ye sail knaw my ansuer afterwards. And so the nixt day, when he preached, he echew the effect thairof in pulpet ; and declairit that the devile, the father of leyis, wes the cheif inventer of that letter, quha euir was the penner thairof. And this was his ansuer to the said guid ladie, quha was not a litill reiosed, quhen shoe hard the same reproved oppinly in the pulpet, which was inventit to bring the guid Regent in hatred with the nobilitie and vtheris guid men. Thairfoir, for an suer, it is said be the said Johne Knox, that the thingis be thame affirmed, and be vtheris beleived, ar als fals as God is true. And yit the Ducke eschames not to say, that he will gar men avow everie word in our faces." —
" To returne, quhairsoeuer the buik was forged, the Abbot of Kil* wynning send it to my Lord Argyle, and he send it bak to the Erie of Mar, who delyuered it to his brother Alexander Erskeine, who,
PART FIRST. E
C 36 ]
after the reiding thairof, said, heir ar the maist malitious lies that ever man invented ; and yit the man is a knawin Papist."
The substance of these remarks is repeated hy Calderwood, who mentions that Knox, after rehearsing " the purpose of this letter or advertisement" from the pulpit, " threatened that the contriver should die in a strange land, where he should not have a friend near him to hold up his head. The author, Mr Thomas Maitland, Lethington's brother, (he adds,) was present and heard, and, going out at the kirk door, confessed to his sister, the Lady Trabrowne, that he had forged that letter. But, as the servant of God denounced, it came to pass, for he departed out of this life in Italy, while he was going to Rome."
It is scarcely necessary to add, that the pamphlet, which imputes to the Regent Murray, and those nearest to his councils, the most desperate purposes of making good their authority, by exercising the utmost rigour against all who did not come into their measures, and even, according to the advice put into Knox's mouth, by dethroning the King himself, was calculated ingeniously to do them the greatest prejudice with the public. A good deal of talent is shewn, as well as some humour, in suiting the speeches to the persons of the drama, and contrasting the military rudeness of Lindsay with the hypocri tical cant ascribed to John Knox, and the worldly wisdom of Pitar- row and M'Gill. Although drawn in derision, or rather with the purpose of fraud and misrepresentation, the characters and language bear probably the same resemblance to the original, as the sketches of a caricaturist do to real portraits, and are therefore not without their value, when duly considered, as evidence of the temper and manners of the age.
THE COPIE OF ANE ADUERTEISMENT SENT FROM THE COURT TO A FREIND OF MY LORDIS.
EFTER most heartlie commendatioune, I promised to aduertise yow of the proceidingis heir in court, principal! as concerning my Lord your cousing. They will yow to vnderstand, that at this tyme thair is no hope of ony guid wayis ; for, and this I know, nocht onlie by diuerse report of courteouris, and sa meikill as I can perceave myself be my Lord Regentis awin speaking, but also, be ane discourse of counsall haldin verie secretlie, whairinto I traist no man in this realme is previe, but thai which namelie wer called thairto, and I who was covered.
About foure dayis since, in this toun, my Lord Regent went in ane previe chalmer, and with him thir six persones : my Lord Lindsay, the Laird of Pittarrow, Mr Johne Woud, Johne Knox, Mr James xhe Regent his M'Gill, and the Tutour of Pitcurre, which ar the men in the world he beleivis maist into. When thai war entered, he desyred thame to place thaimselues, for he wold reteane thame the space of thrie or four houris. It chanced that I was sleipand into ane bed within the ca- binate, so weill hid that no man micht perceave me ; and efter I was waikned be the bruite they maid at thair entrie, I mycht easilie heir
38 A PRETENDED CONFERENCE
everie word that thai spake. Then, first my Lord Regent sayis to thame, " I haue convened yow at this tyme, as the men of the world whome into I maist put my grittest confidence, and whome, I beleive, wald fainest haue my estaite standing, — to give me your faithful ad vise familiarlie, for my aduancement and standing. Ye sie how monie lyis out from me ; and inonic that wer with me in the beginning of this actione, ar miscontent with my proceidingis ; quhairfoir, I wald desyre yow to declaire to me your opiniones how I may best stand, and set foreward the purpose ye wot of." And after he had thus spokin, he commanded my Lord Lindsay2 to speike first — who said: Lord Lindsay's « My Lord, ye know of ould that I was moir rashe than wyse.
speiche.
J can nocht giue yow a verie wyse counsall, but I loue yow weill aneughe. To be schort, quhat should ye do, bot vse counsall, which ye will never do ; thairfoir I think mony tymes thedevill gart me mak yow Regent. My Lord, make us quite of thir Matchewillians and bangster lordis, that will circumvene yow with thair policie, and wraike yow with force. And when ye fall to thame, bourd ' not' with thame ; ffor be Godis breid, give ye take thaim in mowes, I will gange
* The Lord Lindsay of the day, a fierce and ready warrior, seems to have parta ken much of the genius of his ancestor mentioned by Pitscottie, who had great know ledge of the wars, but was otherwise of " rude and small ingine." His party appears, however, to have had considerable confidence in his personal prowess, of which he is here made to brag ; for when the Earl of Bothwell, at Carberry Hill, refused the single combat offered by Kirkaldy of Grange, under pretext of inequality of rank, Lord Lindsay was the person selected to meet him, and the Earl of Morton upon that oc casion is said by Godscroft to have made him a present of the sword with which his ancestor Belle-the-Cat slew Spens of Kilspindie. He died llth December, 1589.
WITH THE REGENT, EARL OF MURRAY. 39
to the Byiris and haike,3 as I did this last tyme at Striveling. Bot gar thame daunce heidles, and than ilke guidfellow may gat a lumpe of thair landis, which will gare them feght lyke swyne ; and vthir men wilbe suire of the spange of thair taill. And give thair be ony stout kairle that will fight, set me till him, and ye sail sie that I sail give him ane targate and strotchard.* And gif he be a hote man, I will lat him play him a while, syne take him a cupe darer,5 and he may die with gogeis6 as ye list. Gif we had this old craig7 in our handis, I wald lyke the materis the better. Ye knaw I will nocht
3 He would go to Byres, his estate in Fife, and idle away his time, — " Haike" signifying to play truant.
4 " Strotchard," an offensive weapon, probably some kind of sword to be used with the target. The derivation is perhaps from the Italian Slraciare, to slash or cut to pieces.
5 " Cupe darer," coup-d'arrest, or coup-d'arriere, a fencing term. In Cald. MS. the passage stands thus, " And if he be a hot man, I will lett him play him awhile, and syne tak him a cup darter, and when the principals are past, ye may doe with the gogeis what ye list."
6 " Gogeis." Gouge, in old French, signifies a silly wench. Here it is applied to the other sex. The meaning seems to be, " and he (the Regent) may do (northern, die) with simple fools as he pleases, I having disposed of the forward and active combatants."
7 " The Auld Craig," mentioned in this and in a subsequent passage, is certainly the Bass, the ancient inheritance of the Lauders. — It had long been an object with the Kings of Scotland to obtain this very strong island, in which they at length succeeded, but not without much reluctance on* the part of the original inheritors. It is said of James V., that when one of the Lauders had in due form made a resignation of his lands in order to obtain new infeftment, the King bid him pause, apd consider whether, among all the Baronies of Scotland belonging to the Crown, he could not point out one which he would accept instead of this barren rock. The Laird paused, hesitated, scratched his head, but ended by saying, " In troth your Majesty maun e'en gie me the Avid Craig back again."
40 A PRETENDED CONFERENCE
speake Grainge,8 but let him ly thair, while the principalis be dis patched. Than give him ane heill waige :9 bot yit, I thinke to be evin with him for taking the Erie of Rothes part aganis me."
Ye will nocht beleive quhen he pat on his bonat, how grit a lauch- ter was in the hous. And syne my Lord Regent sayis, " Yea weill, Sirs, for all his raschnes in speiking, he kenis weill ynoughe wherat he wald be." And than thai swore all with ane voice, " The devill speid thame but my Lord hath spoken weill."
Johne Knox. Nixt my Lord Regent caused Johne Knox to speike ; who, luiking up to the heaving, as gif he had bene begynand a prayer befoir the sermont, (for be ane hole, I micht behold thair countenances, and so sie what thai did ;) and efter he had keipit silence a guid space, he begynis with a stuir and brocken voice,10 and sayis, " I praise my God grittumlie that hes hard my prayer, which often tymes I powreth furth befoir the throne of his Majestic, in angwise of my hart, and that hes made his evangell to be preached with so notabill a succes, vndir so waike instrumentis ; which, indeid, could neuer bene done, except your grace had bene constitute a member over his churche, especiallie endewit with sic ane singular and ardent affectione to obey the will of God and voice of his ministeris. In respect whereof, I embrace, as the servand of God, your grace's guid will, and zeal to the promotione of Godis glorie, as Johne Knox favoris your grace
8 The celebrated Kirkaldy of Grange was already beginning to fall off from the Regent's party, and there was art in representing him as an object of secret male volence on the part of Murray and Lindsay.
' " Heill~tvage," — qu. Heitt-wage ? It may signify hail wage, — nothalfyears'swage.
10 This is a striking description of Knox's external manner.
WITH THE REGENT, EARL OF MURRAY. 41
better then ony man vpoun the face of the earth. Now, to explaue to your grace, my judgment concerning your awin standing, which being sa convenient with the standing and establishing of the churche ; yea, seing the weillfair of Godis kirke so dependis vpoun your grace, that ye circumvenit, it is nocht abill to endure ony long tyme : whair- foir it seimes to me necessar, both for the honour of God, the com fort of the poure bretherin, and vtilitie of this commone weill, that first your grace, nixt your estait, be preservit in a qualitie of tyme, and nocht to prescryve ane certane dyate, of xv or xvij yeiris, leuing more to the observatioun of publict lawis, then to the commone pro- batioune of eternall God. As I could neuer away with thair jolie wittis and polytick braines, which my lord Lindsay callis Match- vellis discipilis ;u swa wald I wische thai war out of the way, gif it wer possibill. And I trust suirlie, give first your grace, and syne the nobilitie of that confederatioune had passit to work with als grit magnanimitie, as I vttered my judgment simplie and assuiredlie in my sermondis, made expresslie for that purpose, the mater had bene farder advanced, nor it is, or salbe this long tyme, gif God send nocht better succes, nor my sorrowful hart persaues. Sicklike, thame of the nobilitie that wold hinder your grace's pretence, thought thai semid nocht so in the eyes of the blind world, I have preiched opinlie, and yit daylie craves of God, that thai may be coufoundit with that wicked woman, whome to thai cleave so obstinatlie ; and that thair posted tie may drinke of the cupe prepaired for the judgment and pu-
11 An allusion to Secretary Maitland, to whom the name of Machiavel is often assigned in Bannatyne's Journal and elsewhere.
42 A PRETENDED CONFERENCE
nissment of thair childreue. Heirin I agrie with ray lord Lindsay, that spake immediatlie befoir : hot me think to establishe true reli- gione, to obteine this, I say, we man haue a farder respect and consi- deratioune than this : ' that is' — That the governement be established in your persone sa lang as ye live, ffor when this bairne, whome we call now King, shal come to age, dois ony man think that he will leive all royall insolence, and suffer himself to be rewled according to the sim- plicitie of the evangell ? What guid hope can we haue of the child, borne of sic parentis ? I will nocht speike of the suspitione may be con cerning the man that was killed ; but thocht he be his, whois he is called, what can we luik for, but, as it wer, the heritage of the slaines lychtness, and the motheris iniquitie ? Gif John Knox counsall be followed, the estaite of the evangell and professouris thairof shall neuer be gevin ouer to such, be hasarde. Better it is to content with our selues, with him in whose majestic we haue guid experience, both in wealthe and truble, then to change frae the gravitie of ane aiged rewler, to the intemperancie of ane vnbridled childe. Your grace hes persavit how my blast of the trumpet against the regiment of weimen, is approved of all the godlie. I haue written in lyk man ner, and hes it reddie for the printing, a bouke, whairin I prove by sufficient reasones, that all kingis, princes, and rewleris, goes not be successione ; and that birth hes no power to promote, nor bastardry to seclude men from governement. This will waikin vtheris to pance moir deiplie vpoun the matter. Besydis this, we shall set fourth ane act, in theGenerall Assemblie, and bayth I and the rest of the brethe- rin shall ratifie the samyn, in our daylie sermondis, till that it be
WITH THE REGENT, EARL OF MURRAY. 43
moir than sufficientlie perswadid to the peipill. This beand solemp- nedlie done, the bulk of God opened and laid befoir the nobilitie, who will say the contrare, except he that will nocht feir the wechtie hand of the magistral stryking with the sword, and the censure of the churche, rejecting him as the scabbit scheip from the rest of the floke, be excommunicatioune ? This shall also seme, in eventure the King departit this lyfe, as we are all mortal!, to keip us fourth of the handis of Lennox andHammiltoun, whois imperfectiones are both no torious. Then, your grace being thus advanced be God, we doubt nothing but ye sail be thankful], in punishing but pitie all that dis pleases the churche, and provyde that the servandis of God be ho- norablie entreated12 with ane portione of this commone wealth, ac cording to thair calling." And so he held his peace.
Then my Lord Regent said, " Ye knaw I was neuer ambitious, Regentis answer. that I will nocht oppone myself to the will of God, revealed be yow, which ar his trew minister ; but Johne, heir ye, tell your opinione in ye pulpit !" — Which, when he had promised so to do, the Laird of Pittarrow 13 was desyred to speik, who said : —
" Sir, and it pleis your grace, that which your brother, Mr Knox, Pettarro. hes spoken, lies euer bene my opinione ; ffor, to be plane, vnless ye
12 ' Be honorablie intertained.' Cald. MS.
13 Sir John Wishart of Pitarrow, comptroller of the modification of the stipends of the clergy. He was, according to Sir John Scott, " a small friend to the minis ters, anent their stipends, being more careful to make up his own house than to fur nish them bread." (Staggering State, p. 144.) His character in this respect was so notorious, that it became a common saying, " The gude laird of Petarro was an er- nest professor of Christ, but the mekill devil receive the comptroller."
PART FIKST. F
44 A PRETENDED CONFERENCE
be so weill heaft in the authoritie that ye can nocht be taken fourth of it, I can nocht see how this commoune wealth can stand. But for bringing this matter to pas, besydis the furtherance that standis in the ministeris hands, ye man haue some vthir respect : that is, that ye have the strenthis in your handis. Stirling is weill, so long as ye and my Lord of Mar agries so weill together as ye doe : — bot I wald wis the King wer in your awin haudis, ffor your grace knowis, quhat guyding my Ladie hes of your vncle ; and ye know whois sister shoe is. Edinburgh, (sayis he, hyme, hyme, shakand his heid,) it wer better that both the housses wer in your brotheris handis, with the plenishing thairof, or some vther that loues yow weill as your brother dois. To get Dumbartan, I wald nocht stik for geir ; and albeit I shuld give als meikill as Sir James Balfour " gat. Ane kyng seikand treasone may find land. And ye list ye may ay get your hand beyond my Lord Flemyng. I heir say my Lord of Mortone15 is trafficquen to get the house of the Bass, which gif he dois, he will stope some
14 Sir James Balfour of Pittendreich, President of the Court of Session, had been appointed Deputy Governor of the Castle of Edinburgh, and was accessory to its being rendered up to the Earl of Morton, for which he received the lands of Strath- kinnes and Ballone. (Scott's Stagg. State, p. 117.) Although a party in all the differ ent factions of his time, he contrived to escape the fate which his treacherous and iniquitous practices justly entitled him to have received. During the regency of Morton, he was said to be his head and chief adviser ; but afterwards he appeared against him at his trial, and was instrumental to his accusation and condemnation. Well was it said of him, ' l/iat he could wag as the buss wagged,' when it was to serve his purpose.
15 It is here and elsewhere intimated, that the interest of Morton was not united and identified with that of Murray.
WITH THE REGENT, EARL OF MURRAY. 45
devyses your grace knowis : and thairfoir, wer I in your graces steid, I sould be betwixt the kow and the corne. I tell yow that auld craig is ane guid starting hole : at the least, it will serue to keip thaim that ye wald be suir of ; and gif thair be ony vthir grit strenthis within this realme, I wald haue that, be some moyen, in my handis. Bot besydis the strenthis, ye mon haue respect to some grit housses, that will neuer lat yow come to honour, sua far as thai may : Sic as Hammiltoun, Lennox, Argyle, Huntlie, that perteanis16 to the Crowne ; and vther men that hes over grit power in this cuntrie, as Morton, Athole, Hereis, Home, Pherniherst, Lethingtoun, Sir James Balfour, Tulibarden, and diuers vtheris, whome your grace hes in ticket. This I wald ye handled, as it hes oftymes bene de- vysed."
Nixt him spake the Tutore of Pitcurre 17 in this manner — " My Tutour of ntcu Lord, when Hannibald past to conqueis Italic, he made him selfe starke with men of wane, whairvnto he gave wages. Scipio, when he past to Africa, and to destroy Carthage, did the lyke ; evin so, my Lord, giue your lordship will do weill, make your selfe starke with waged men, both on horse and foute, and so I thinke with some strangeris, ye may easilie conqueis this cuntrie."
When he hes schortlie spoken to this effect, Mr John Woude 18 be- Johne Wood
his speiche.
16 That pretend to the crowne. — Cald. MS.
17 Mr Jaines Halyburton, of the ancient family of Halyburton of Pitcur, provost of Dundee, and coramendator of Pittenween. He was a zealous friend of the Regent, and continued steady in his opposition to the Queen's faction.
1 John Wood of Tilliedavy, one of the Extraordinary Lords of Session, was Se-
4.6 A PRETENDED CONFERENCE
gan and said — " My Lord, I trust my vprightnes in your seruice hes sufficientlie perswadit your grace, that I am no flatterer ; and in the vther part, addicted to no factione ; quhairthrow, both I will and may give your grace ane faithfull counsall for your behoufe, quhom I love inteirlie in my hart, both for your awin grace, guid natuire, and profeit of the commoune wealth : ffor, in guid faith, as I haue said oftymes, 'gif I knew that thair wer ony vice into yow, I should neuer seme yow. I wrote long since, a long discourse, how ye should behalfe your selfe ; off the which I will remember yow at this present of a few heidis, in stead of my counsall. Senephone, in ane litill prettie buike, intitulat Cyripadia, writes that ane captane that de- syris to vinqueis his enemies, shuld vse strenth, moyen, subtilitie, craft, deceit, leasingis, suith sayingis, oathes,liberalitie, andcrweltie. This precept I wald your grace should note. Secondlie, I haue euer said, that this natione can uocht be dantoned be babisnes : Propone to your self the Duck d'Alues example. Ye man come in thair, and be bawld amonges thaim ; and that will gar thair hartis trumbill, and thair hair stand widdirshynes. Thridlie, the prince can neuer do ane notabill enterpryse, except he be right polyticke. Ye man haue ane factione bothe within the cuntrie and without, to repose ' upon." And now to speik, how to put thir thingis in executioune. To speike of the last heid, the men ye ought to repose on, in Scotland,
cretary to the Earl of Murray, Regent. Sir James Melvill speaks of him as " a great ring-leader." Lesley, Bishop of Ross, informs us, that " within very few daies after [[the death of the Regent, Jan. 1569-70,]] his man, Mr John Wood, was also slaine in Fife." Anderson's Collections, vol. iii. p. 84.
WITH THE REGENT, EARL OF MURRAY. 47
ar the preceis protestantes and raiuisteris :19 ffor the nobilitie of thir be ane man, ar ane pack of fals greidie traytoris. Without the cuntrie, the Queine of England and Lady Caterenis factione : ffor quhat reckis yow, who bruik the croun of England, sua thai be your frends ? I wold nocht ye shuld cast away your self, for conquessing of kingdomes to the Queines sone. It is meit also, to be confederat with the Princes of Almany, that ar of the religione ; and the King of Denmarke : and, or ye faill, lat some of Scotland or Orknay slip with him, for ye get nocht meikle profeit of it. The best way to get siluer, is to caus the kingis rentis be lifted be a faithfull man to your behuise. I can nocht tell quhair ye will get one better nor my fathir, the Laird of Pittarow. Nixt, gar tak all the benefices to the croun, ffor why shuld these idle belleis bruike these rowmes, in the kirkes name ? And give the ministeris the thrid, and hald the twa part to yourself. The kirklandis that ar sellit,20 make yow to reduce thame all ; ffor that way, ye sail haue the whole fewis in your owin hands ; or get grit sowmes of money, in compositioune. And syne of thir noblemen that hes offendit, and riche burges carles, lat non pas without debursing of siluer. And I traist, and ye behaife your self wyselie, ye may get everie yeir some litill pot of wyne21 out of England, to pay your men of weir. Feid France with fair wordis,
19 This sentence in Cald. MS. reads, " To speak of the last head, the men ye are to repose on in Scotland, are the precise protestants, for the nobility and their bands of men, are a pack of false greedy traitors."
20 That ar fewit. Cald. MS.
21 Some small supply of money like the gratuity given to servants or the like, to buy them a pot of wine, as we would now say a pot of beer.
48 A PRETENDED CONFERENCE
and luike alsmeikill to the Adrairallis factione22 as ye may. As for the nobilitie, ye sie they ar divydit in tuo pairtis ; some ar grit men and puissant ; some ar feble and gogeis : Off the one sort ar thay that my father the Laird of Pittarrow hes reckned, and the rest that your grace hes in bills. Lat thea childer want the heidis ; which sail both make yow quite of thair cumber, (quia mortui non mordent,) and sail caus vtheris stand in awe. Make the simpill band a connyen- hous, and gar thame pay euerie yeir ane guid tribute. Moirover ye most change all the offices, both of Court and Sessioune ; and vther- wayis, in the cuntreis ; impute men of thair your creatioune. Feid the simpill with fair wordis ; boast the faint-harted ; dispatche the men of spreitis ; and make ane new forme in this cuntrie. As for the strenthis, my father hes spoken weill ellis. But I man speike this ane word, concerning the Laird of Grange. To trap him, caus Alexander Clerke, Mr Knox, Dauid Murray, and vtheris of his acquentance, both wryte and say, he is evill spoken of throw the cuntrie, for lying out from your grace, and that can nocht stand with his honour ; and able he will give credite : which give he doe, and get him out in your hands, ye know quhat is devysed. I neid to speik no farder. Gif ye will know vtheris thingis in speciall, tak the paine to reid my discours once agane ; and I sail come the morrow, to your rysing, and explane it poynt by poynt, that ye may be the moir resolute."
22 The Admiral Coligny, the great patron of the Protestants in France, who suf fered in the barbarous massacre of St Bartholomew's, by orders of Charles IX. and Katherine de Medicis.
WITH THE REGENT, EARL OF MURRAY. 49
And after he had done, my Lord Regent sayis — " Now, Clerk of Register, lat me heir yow ; becaus ye ar ane wylie child, we keipit yow to speike hindmest ; so speake plainelie, ffor sorrow a body heiris us, bot our selues, nor yit sail heir." — Bot I thocht, sorrow fall yow, and God saue me that lyis heir, and heiris weill aneughe all that is spoken.
Then the Clerk Register23 said — " My Lord, I am ane ewill dis- Mr James
his speiche.
coursare, but I wald speir ane questiouue, Give ye wold saue zour awin lyfe and stait ?" — " Yes," quod my Lord Regent — " Then, my Lord, ye man put thame out of the way, that may, or hes desyre to hinder yow. The tyme hes bene, quhen I wald my Lord of Mortone had bene weill ; bot now, sene he traistis vther men, or his awin fantasie, better than me, and rinnis nocht your course, let him pas amonges the leave ; syne wyte the nifferraris. As to the strenthis, in guid faith ye man haue men of your awin impositioune. I grant, all thame that ar of Matchevelis doctrine will say, that thai haue done your grace guid seruice ; but the Clerk Blair said, Nay, Matcheivell is ane ewill buik, and I wold he had bene brunt sewin yeir syne, that be thair and heir be guid yeir. Remember ye what the old Bischope of Dumblane said, in the yeir of God Ivj, quhen I was commissioner at the bordour,21 ' Princes sould nocht be ' windie',' quod Mr Henry. — Alace, in guid faith, he was a guid companione,
23 James M'Gill, Clerk Register. He had been dismissed from office on account of his being concerned in the murder of Rizzio ; but was restored in the year 1567.
24 The commission alluded to was held for the settlement of Border matters, at the town of Dunse, in the summer, or rather autumn, of 1556. M'Gill, with
ansuer.
50 A PRETENDED CONFERENCE, &c.
could haue tauld yow my mynd. Thay say thai haue money agauis yow. Weill, I am als auld as thir folkis, and has seine the faschione of Scotland alsweill as ane vther : thocht thai haue the toung, I can tell the taill. Ye will get als mony to take your part, as the contrair wilbe against yow, and ane mae. Tak thair ane ansure, in a word." The Regent his When thai had all done, my Lord Regent said, " It was ane heavie burding that lay vpoun him, and that he wald vnderly the same als lang as he mycht, and depend vpoun thair counsallis allan- erlie ; prayand thame to aduerteis him quhene he keipit nocht all his kewis, for the thing thay spake he judged all to be trew."
Be this dayis taking, ye may judge what ismeant. I can nocht write all that was spocken, hot this was the effect, sa far as I remember. Suirlie materis are euill guydet heir, and I can perceave nothing but grit crueltie, disceat, and dissolutioune. Suppose I beir a fair coun tenance, and hes ane ressonabill dres in court, 1 mislyke very sair the thingis I saw, and wald wische all the nobilitie knew that I know concerning thair awin wracke. I traist thay suld nocht be so arche to put remedie to their inconvenientis. Aduerteis, my Lord, your cowsing of this, and desyre him to provyde for himself, for heir thair is nothing but geld him. — THUS FARE WEILL.
Richard Maitland of Lethington, and the Bishop of Dunblane, were Commissioners for Scotland. This was Bishop William Chisholm, who held the see from 1527 to about 1 564, although he seems to be called Henry in the text. The meaning of the Bishop's apothegm seems very obscure, unless we interpret the word tvindie to mean winding, or crooked in politics, when the sense is obvious enough. The transcriber of Bannatyne's Journal has left out the word, which is supplied from Calderwood.
SINCE the publication of the firft part of the prefent volume, we have been favoured, by the kindnefe of JAMES CHALMERS, ESQ., London, with a minute and careful collation of the preceding Iheets, with a copy of the Conference which is preferved among the Cottonian MSS. (Calig. B. ix. 172. fol. 326.)1 in the Britifh Mu- feum. As the two copies differ in many refpects, and as this pre tended Conference is a paper of confiderable intereft, we iliall in- fert the paffages of the Mufeum MS. which contain the moft ma terial difcrepancies with the printed text.
" THE COPEY OF ANE BILL OF ADUERTEISMENT, SEND BE ANE FKEIND OWT OF COURT TO ANE KYNISMAN OF THE ERLE
OF ARGILLIS, THE x. OF DECEMBER, 1569, DISCLOSAND THE
CONSALL OF SAX PERSONIS."
Page 38. — LORD LYNDSAY'S SPEECH.
MY Lord, ye knaw of the aid that I was evir mair rafhe nor wyfe. I can nocht gifF yow ane verray wittie confall, hot I luif yow weill aneughe. To he fchort, qohat luld ye do, bot vfe counfall, quhilk ye did nevir yeit ; thairfor, I think the devill cawfit men cheis yow to be ane Regent. Yet my Lord, mycht ye be quit of thir Machiwelliftes and thir baftard lordis, that will circum vein you with thair policie, and wrak yow with than- force, I wald have ane guid hoip of all materis. And qnhen ye fall to thame, bourd not with thame : ffor be Godis breid, and I perfave that, I will pals to the Byris and halk as I did the laft tyme at your being in Stre veling. Gif ye do will [[weill ?3 gar thame dance heidles ; and than ilk gnid fellow may get ane Inmpe of thair landis, quhilk will gar them fecht lyke fwyne ; and uthir men wilbe werer [[beware^ of the fpang £or laflT] of the taill. And gif thair be ony flout carle,
1 It is signed Finis Ha. Patersoun, who may probably have been the transcriber.
[ 48f ]
fet me till him, and I fall gif him ane callado with ane ftokado. And gif he be ane het man, I fall lat him play him ane quhyle, and fyne fall gif him, behind the hand, ane cowp de jarret, and lat him ly thair. And quhen the principallis ar this wayia difpefchit, ye may do with the gogie Lordis quhat yow lift. And CgiP] we had the auld Crage in our hands I wald lyk materis the bettir ; hot ye knaw I will nocht fpeik aganis Grange ; hot yet, I think I will be evyn with him, and gif him ane heill wage for takin part with the Erie of Rothes aganis me.
Page 40. — JOHNE KNOX'S SPEECH.
Nixt my Lord Regent caufit JohneKnox to fpeike ; qnha eftir he had keipit fylence ane goid quhile, he begynis with ane ftuir and kroken voce, and fayis, " I pryfs my God gretumlie that hes hard my prayer, quhilk oftymis I powrit furth befoir the throne of his Majeftie, in angwifs of my forowful hart, and that hes made his evangell to be prechit with fo notabill fucces, vndir so walk inftrumentis ; quhilk, indeid, cnld neuir haif bene done, except your grace had bene conftitute rewlar over this kirk, spcciallie endewit with ane fingular and ardent affectione to obey the will of God and voice of his minilleris. In refpect quhairof, I, as ane of the fervandis of God, imbrace your guid grace's zeil to the promotione of Godis glorie ; and as Johne Knox favoris your grace better nor ony man apon the face of the erth. Accordingly fall explane to your grace, my jugement concerning your awin f lauding, quhilk is fa conjunit with the eftabliihment of the kirk ; yea, the weillfair of Godis kirke fo dependis apone your grace, that gif ye fuccumbe, it is nocht poflible to it for to induir ony lang tyme : whair- foir it feimes to me maift neceflar, bayth for the honour of God, the comfort of the puir bretherin, and vtilitie of this commoun weill, that firft your grace's lyfe, nixt your eftait, be prefervit in equalitie of tyme, and nocht to prefcryve ane certane. dyat, of xvi or xvij yeiris, lyving mair to the conftitutioun of the politik lawis, than the fouer operationn of the eternall God. And as I neuer culd away yet with thir jolie wittis and polytick branis, quhilk my Lord Lindfay callis Machivilliftes ; fa wald I that thay war furth of the way, gif it war pofiibill. For I traift afluredly, gif firft your grace, and fyne the reft of the nobilitie of onre focietie had paffit to wark with als gret magnanimitie, as I vtterit my jugement (imply and fyncerly in my fermondis, maid purpofly for that cauls, the mater had beue forthir avancit, nor it is, or falbe this lang tyme, gif God grant na haftier fucces, nor my forrowfnl hart prejugis. Siclyk, tbame of the nobilitie, and utheris, that wald hinder your juft pretence, tliocht thay femu
[ 49f ] -
nocht fa in the eis of the blind world, I have prechit opinlie, and yit daylie craves of God, that thai may be confoundit with that wickit woman, quhome to thai cleiff fo obftinatlie ; and that thair pofteritie may drinke of the cowpe preparit for the iniqui- tie and punifment of thair forfathers. And heir I agre with my Lord Lindfay, that fpake immediatlie befoir ; hot men fuld, to eftablifhe the trew religioun, have ane for- ther refpect and confideratioun : that is, that the governement be establiihit in your perfone fa lang as ye leif, ffor qulien this barne, quhome we call King, fall cum to age, dois ony man think that he will leif off all his royall infolence, and fuffer himfelf to be rewlit according to the fimplicitie of the evangell ? Quhat guid hoip can we haue of the child, borne of fie parentis ? I will nocht fpeike of the fufpitioun concerning the man that was killit ; bnt thocht he be his quhois he is callit, quhat can we luik for, but, as it wer, the heritage of the fatberis lychtnef s, and iniquitie of the mother. Gif Johne Knox counfall be followit, the eftait of the evangell and profeflburis thairof fall nener cum under fuch ane haflarde. Better it is to content ourfelfis with him of quhais modeftie we have rycht gnid experience, baith in welthe and rubre, and not to change from that graftit and rowttit focietie, with the intemperance of ane unbri- dlit childe. Your grace hes perfavit quhow my blaft of the trumpet fet furth aganis the regiment of wemen, is apprevit of all the godlie. I haue wrettin in lyk manner, and hes it reddie for the prenting, ane bulk, quhairiu I preif by sufficient reflbnis, that all kingis, princes, and rewlaris, goes nocht be succeffioun ; nor that birth hes firynth to promote, nor yet baftardy to feclude men fra governement. This will walkin vtberis to pance mair deiplie upcun the mater.
Page 45. 1. 6. — THE LAIRD OF PETARRO'S SPEECH.
.... Bot befyd the firenthis ye man hae refpect to fum grit houfles that will neuer let yow cum till honour and quietnes, fa far as tliay may : Sic as Hammiltouu, Lennox, Argyle, Huntlie, that pretendis to the Crown ; and als to fie utheris as ar owr welthie and eftemes thamefelfis bangftars ; lykas Mortoun, Atholl, Hum, Hereis, Farnihurft, Tullibarne, Grange, Lethingtoun, Sir James Balfour, and divers utlieris, quhome your grace hes in ticket. Thir I wald war handlit, as hes bene oft devyfit.
Page 45. — THE TUTOR OF PITCUR'S SPEECH.
My Lord, when Hannibald geid to conquefs Italic, he maid him felf flark be men of weir, quhome to he gaif wagis : Scipio quhen he past in Affrik to deftroy Carthage, did the lyke ; cvin fo, my lord, gif your grace will do weill, mak your felf ftarke
[ 50f 3
with waget men, bayth on horl's and fat, and fync I tbinke with fome ftratagemis, ye may eafilie conqueis this cuntrie.
Page 46. 1. 6. — MR JOHN WOD'S SPEECH.
... In guid faith, as I haif faid oft tymes, and I had knawin ony notable rice in you, I fuld nener haif remanit in your fervice. I wreit lang tyme fyne ane ampill difcurfs quhow ye fuld behaif your felfe ; off the quhilk I will remember yow at this prefent of ane few heidis, infleid of my confall. Zenophon, in ane litill prettie buik, intitulat Cbiapatra [Cyropsedia], writtis that ane capitane quhilk defyris to vinqueifs his ene- meis, fuld haue ftrenthis, and ufe fubtilitie, craft, diflait, leiingis, fum fuith fayingis, aithis, liberalise, and crueltie. This precept I wald your grace fuld nocht forzeit. Secondlie, I hare ever faid to you that this natioun can nocht be dantit with bairne- lynes or meikbehawor, bot with vigour, as the Italian fayis, ' cum la Curia de la fpada :" And defyrit you, and yet defyris to propon to yourfelf the Duik of Alvas exempli], that is to cut fra the fcbulderis up for the firft fait, and that wil gar thame all trymbill, and thair hair turn widdirfhynes. Thridlie, Ane prince can nevir do na notabill en- terpryfs without riches. Ferdly, Ye man have ane factioun bayth within the cuntrey and without, that he may repoifs himfelf upon. Now to fpeik quhow ye fall put thir thingis to executioun. We fall begyne firft at the laft heid, the men quhome ye may credeit or put your confidence into in Scotland, ar the precifs Proteftantis, and rnini- fteris ; ifor as to the nobilitie and thir new ftartand men, ar bot ane pak of fals greidie traytoris. And without the cuntrey, the Queue of England and Lady Catherinis fac tioun ye man lippin to, for quhat rakis yow quha bruik the croun of England, fa thai be your freinds ? I wait nocht quhy ye fuld caft away yourfelf, for conqueffing of kyndomis to the Quenis fucceflioun
P. 48. . . For the libertinis, ye fe ar in twa fetts : fum ar gret men and puif- fant ; utheris ar febill, puir, and obftinat : Of the ane fort ar they quhilk my fader, the Lard of Pittarrow, hes raknit, and the reft quhilk your grace hes in bill, lat ther children want the heidis, quhilk fall baith mak yow queit of cumir, fed precepne quod inortoun non mordeat (fie in M.S.,) and fall caus vtheris to ftand in aw, mak the fim- pill band a cunzehoufs and gar thame pay euerie yeir ane guid tribut. Mair attour ye may of force change all the office men, als weill in Court and Seflion as utheris in the cuutray ; and imput men of your awin creatioun ; feid the iimpill men with fair wordis ; boift the faint-hartit, depefcbe the men of fpreit, and mak ane new form in this cuntray. As for the ftrenthis, my father hes fpoken weill ......
AN OPINION
OF THE PRESENT STATE, FACTION, RELIGION,
AND POWER OF THE NOBILITY
OF SCOTLAND.
M.D.LXXXIII.
PAUT FIRST.
THE English Princes, since the reign of Henry VIII., had made the important discovery, that they could more easily avoid the dan gers to be apprehended from Scotland, by supporting and encou raging a party within the kingdom itself, than by force of arms. The progress of the Reformation in Scotland tended greatly to fa vour this course of policy ; since the Protestant Nobles were easily induced to look to England for support, even at some risk of na tional independence, when they beheld the power of France exerted on the part of the Catholics. The following List, evidently made up by one of the English envoys or agents, is curious, as shewing the state of these two contending parties, and the respective influence of the Nobility, engaged in either faction, about the year 1583.
C 55 ]
A BREIFE OPINION OF THE STATE, FACTION, RELI GION, AND POWER OF THE SEVERALL NOBLE MENN IN SCOTLANDE, AS THEY DWELL, NOT PLACINGE THEM ACCORDINGE TO THEIR GREATNES, DEGREE, OR ANTIQUITIE, VNDER THE RAIGNE OF KINGE JAMES VI. ANNO DOMINI 1583.
DUKE OF LENNOX.
ESME STEWART, sonne to Esme Stewart, the late Duke, is an in fant, and remain eth yet in Fraunce. The lyuinge he hathe in Scot land, besydes that his father gott by the forfaitures of the Hamiltons, and Erie of Morton, is very small ; the whole propertie of the olde Erledome of Lennox beinge morgaged, dismembred, and brought in manner to nothinge ; and the reste like to breede him some treble with the Hamiltons and the Douglasses, if euer the tyme affourde them the oportunitie to recouer their owne. He is Shereife of Dum- bretoun, and hath the cheif commandement of that castell, beinge a place of principall strengthe amongest all the fortis of Scotlande.
56 PRESENT STATE OF THE
ERLES.
ORKENAY.
THE LORD ROBERT STEWARTE, base sonne of King James Vth- bathe possessed Orkenay and Zetlande since this Kinge was crown ed, beinge a cheife thinge of the Kinges propertie, and created into an Erldome, in Nouember, 1581. A man dissolute in lyef ; lyttle sure to any faction ; of small zeale in religion. His reuennu is greate ; and power suche as those countries can make. His wyef is daugh ter to the olde Erie of Cassills, and aunte to him that now lyuethe.
KATHNES.
GEORGE SINCLAIR, half brother to this Erie Bothuille by the mothers syde, is a youthe of xvij yeares of age, vnder the tutorie of therle of Gowrie, who hath his wardeshipp, (a cause of the late vnkindenes and harte burninge betwene him and Bothuile.) Of his religion and inclination their is yet lyttle tryall. His power extendes ouer the bondes of Cathnes, althoughe therle Marshall and the Lorde Oliphonte be porcioners with him of that countrye.
SUTHERLANDE.
ALEXANDER GORDON, a younge man within xxx yeres of age, a branch lately discended of the house of Hunteley, and hath ma- ried this Erie of Huntleys father's sister, that was diuorced from the
NOBILITY OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 57
late Erie Bothuill. He is in lyuinge poore ; in religion well affect ed ; but of no greate partie, nor enterprise. His mother was sister to Matthew, Erie of Lennox.
MURRAY.
JAMES STEWARTE, eldest sonne to the Lord of Down, begotten one this Erie of Argiles sister, styled of that Erledom in the right of his wyef, beinge theldest doughter of James, laste Erie of Murray and Regent. Is a yonge man of xvij yeres of age ; of a very tall sta ture, but lyttle proofe.
HUNTLEY.
GEORGE GORDON ; his mother was doughter to the Duke Ha milton ; himselfe aboute xxj yeres of age. In religion doubted, and in affection Frenche. He is contracted to marry with the Duke of Lennox doughter ; by whose meanes he obteyned the Kiuges fauor. His power and frendeshipp in the North is greate ; his estate as yet not fully restored since the forfaiture of his father ; and therfore slowe to engage himself in any faction, or quarrell of state, but at the Kinges pleasure, to whose humor and fauor he dothe wholy bende and apply himself.
BUCHANE.
JAMES DOUGLAS, an infante of three or four yeres olde. The sonne of Robert Douglas, seconde brother to this Lairde of Loche- leuin, who maried the heretrix. An Erledome that some now in
58 PRESENT STATE OF THE
courte are suspected to have aimed at, to the prejudice of this younge Erie.
ERROLL.
ANDROW HAY, Constable of Scotlande ; amaifof LV yeres olde ; of greate lyuinge and power ; but the man himself of lyttle valure and judgement.
MARSHALL.
GEORGE KEITH, Marshall ; a younge noble man of good com mendation ; his lynnige ancient, and reuennew greatest of any Erie in Scotlande. His mother was sister to this Erie of Erroll, and him self maryed to the LordHumes doughter, sister to him that now is. He was lefte very welthye ; and is estemed honest, religious, and fa- uoringe the best parte.
CRAUFOURDE.
DAUIDE LINDSF.Y, a younge man of an auncient house, of Erie of that surname. His mother was doughter to the Cardinall himself ; maryed to therle of Athols sister. His liuing and estate muche ruined. Himself in affection Frenche ; in religion vnsettled ; but his power tyed shorte, by the feude he hathe with the Master of Glamis and his frendes, for the slaughter of the last Lord Glamis, committed at Sterlinge.
ATHOL. JOHN STEWARTE ; his mother the Lord Fleminges doughter ;
NOBILITY OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 59
himself maryed to therle of Cowries doughter ; a man of lyttle va luer or accompte ; in religion suspected ; and that power he hathe is of Hilandmen, but not greate.
ROTHES.
ANDROWE LESLYE, a man of L yeres and vpwardes; noted to be wyse, but no open medler, or parte taker in any faction. He is of good welthe, power, and frendes. Himself maryed the Erie of Cowries sister, and his sonne the Lord Linsayes doughter.
MONTROIS.
JOHN GRAHAME, a man aboue xxx yeres of age ; borne of the same mother with therle of Atholl. His wyef the Lord Drumundes doughter. His power not greate ; in affection Frenche ; and in re ligion doubted. He seemes to depende on therle of Argile, the rather to fortyfie himself againste therle of Angus and his frendes, whose wyef he is charged to haue dishouered. The man is, for cou rage, and spirite, a principall man amonge the nobilitie of Scotlande.
MENTEITH.
WILLIAM [JOHN] GRAHAME, an infant; his mother was daugh ter to [Sir James] Douglas of Drumlangrige. His power is small, and that of Hylandmen dependinge one therle of Ergile, whose mother was therle of Menteiths daughter.
PART FIRST. H
60 PRESENT STATE OF THE
Here the Duke of Lennox is to be placed accordinge to his dwellinge.
MARCHE.
ROBERT STEWAUTE, vncle to the late Duke, brooking in ef- fecte but the title of therldome ; is a man paste LX ; simple, and of lyttle action or accompte. His repudiate wyef is now maryed to Stevvarte, the pretended Erie of Arrane. He is Bushop of Cathnes, and Prior of St Androwes.
GLENCARNE.
JAMES CUNNINGHAM, is a man aboue xxx yeres of age ; not well- thought of since the trebles in Scotlande, aboute the remouingc of the late Duke ; wherein he was suspected not to haue delte sin- cerely. He is of reasonable good lyvinge, if yt were freed of the morgages, wher [with] some of his auncestors haue entangled a good parte thereof. His power is reasonable greate, by his surname and frendes ; and in religion thought to be well affected.
EGLINGTON.
HEW MOXGOMERY ; a man about L yeres of age, inclyned to quiefnes, and of no greate action or capacitie. He is thought to fa- uor the [blank in M.S.], and deemed in affection, to be Frenche ; and in religion not throughly assured. His sonne hath maryed the Lorde Bwydes [Boyd's] dough ter.
NOBILITY OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 61
ARRANE.
JAMES STEWAKTE, seconde sonne to the Lord Vchiltree ; a man from nothinge sodenly raysed to the state he is in, by the fauor of the late Duke, for the good seruice he did, in accusinge and persecutinge the Erie of Moreton to the deathe ; a man of more wy tte than cou rage, but of no fayeth, conscience, or honestie ; insolent where he preuayleth, and of a restlesse and troblesome spiryte ; suspected of all men, and ueuer fauored or trustyd of any but his like ; of no power, frendes, or welth, but that he hathe by his vsurped Erledome of Arcane.
CASSILLS.
JOHN KENNED, an infant ; his mother was sister to the Lord Glannis. He possesseth a greate countrye, and hathe many frendes in Carrich and Gallowaye.
GOWRIE.
WILLIAM RCTHNEY, L. RUTHNEY, [Ruthuen,] Treasurer of Scotlande, lately created Erie of Gowrie ; a man whose courage and power hathe bene well tryed, bothe in former actions againste the Quenes partie, etc. ; and of late, the Erie of Ruthney against Len nox. He is greately hated by the Quene ; as well for his fathers ac tion in the slaughter of Dauid, as for his owne doughter suire againste her and her frendes. He is in religion well-affected ; inclyned to the amitie of Englande, but since his enterteyninge the frendshipp and
62 PRESENT STATE OF THE
seruice of Sir Robert Meluin, his vnder-treasurer, he is fallen into some jelousie with the better sorte.
MORETON.
JOHN MAXEWELL, Lord MAXEWELL, late created Erie, after the forfeiture of the laste Erie Moreton, and Regent, whose brothers doughter, sister to the Erie of Angus, he maryed ; his mother be- inge one of the three doughters of the olde Erie of Moreton, a fol lower of the late Duke of Lennox : A man vnsetled in religion ; Frenche in affection ; of reasonable power and frendis, vpon the bor ders, but of no greate gouernement or iudgement.
BOTHUILLE.
FRANCIS STEWARTE, the son of the Lord John, Prior of Col- disham, one of the base sonnes of King James the Vth., and of this laste Erie of Bothuille's sister. A man not paste xxj yeres of age, well trauayled, and of goode wytt and gouernement. His wyef is sister to therle of Angus, that was wydow to the Larde of Baucolugh, [Buccleugh,] by whome he hathe greate welthe. He is well geuen in religion, and in speciall frendeshippe with therles of Angus and Marr.
ARGILE.
COLINE CAMPBELL ; a man of fortie yeres and aboue ; of a greate house, lyuinge, and power, cheifely of Hilandmen. He is now Chauncellor, and by inheritaunce Cheife Justice. Religious, and of
NOBILITY OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 63
good nature, but weak in iudgement, and ouermuche ledd by his wyef ; a man very sickely, and not like to lyue longe.
ANGUS.
ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS ; a younge noble man, of an honest and curtuous nature ; religious, fauoringe the best parte ; and of greate power, and lyuinge in the heicher partis of Scotlande. Vnhappy in his mariage : his firste wyef was sister to therle of Marr, and dyed without issue ; his laste, a woman touched in her honor with therle of Mountrois, and therfore abondoned of her husbande: is doughter to therle of Rothes. Himself is the first Baron in their Parliament, Huntley the second, and Argile the thirde.
LORDES, OR BARONS OF PARLIAMENT.
LOUET.
HEW FRASSER, a childe of xij yeres of age ; sonne to her that is now Lady of Arrane, and auncient house, and of good power of Hi- landmen in the North.
SALTON.
ALEXANDER ABIRNETHIE, an auncient Baron, but no great lyuinge or pqwer ; a seldome curtier and medler in any faction.
64 PRESENT STATE OF THE
FORBES.
JOHN FORBES ; a man aged, betwixt whome and the house of Huntley hathe ben longe and greate feude. His landis and frendes lye cheifely in Abirdeneshire ; himself estemed to fauor religion, and encline to the beste parte.
INNERMYRE. [INNERMEATH.]
JAMES STEWARTE; aunciente, but nether of greate lyuinge, power, or enterprise.
GLANNIS.
JOHN LYON, an infant, vnder the charge of his Vncle, the Master of Glannis, [Glamis,] who mainteyneth the feude with therle of Craufourde, for the slaughter of his Lordis father : his liuinge, power, and frendis greate ; and the man his Vncle, a man religious, wise, and valiante.
GRAY.
PATRICQ GRAY, an aged man, estemed to come of English bloode, that came into Scotlande with the Lady Somerset, wyef to King James the Firste. In religion suspected ; of no greate power or frendes. His eldest sonne maryed therle of Cowries fathers sis ter, and his other, the doughter of Lord Glannis.
OGILUY. JAMES OGILUY ; a man of no greate lyuinge, but of a good num-
NOBILITY OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 65
her of landed men of his surname, which makes his power in Angus the greater. His sonne maryed therle of Cowries doughter. Himself was an earnest fauorer of the Duke, and is denied Frenche in affection ; and vnsettled in religion.
METHUEN.
HEXRY STEWARTE, an infant ; his father was slaine in the cy- uill warres, by the shott of a canon out of the Castle of Edenburgh. He is sisters sonne to therle of Gowrie. A new house, and of no great lyvinge or power.
OLIPHONT.
LAWRENCE OLIPHONT ; a man paste L ; an auncient Baron, and of greate lyvinge, but his landes lye dispersed. His sonne maryed Locheleuins doughter ; a younge gentelman of good valure and ac- compte. Himself maryed therle of Arroles sister.
; .>, ' DRUMMOUNDE.
DAUID DRUMMOUNDE, maryed the laste Erie of Craufourdes doughter, of an auncient house, and hathe a Hand of frendes in Stratherin. Himself vnhable in his hearinge, and is presentely in Fraunce.
LYNDSAY.
PATRICQ LINDSAY ; a very auncient , Baron, of good lyuinge, frendesbippe, and power, cheifely in Fife. A man that hath shew-
66 PRESENT STATE OF THE
ed himself stoute and constants in the cause of religion, and seruice of the Kinge againste his Mothers partie. His eldest sonne hath maryed therle of Rothes doughter.
SAINT CLAIRE.
HENRY SINCLAIR ; discended of the olde Erles of Orkenay ; a man of good nature, but of small lyuinge, and lyttle action.
ELPHINGSTON.
ROBERT Lord ELPHINGSTON, made Lord in the dayes of King James the iiij*, by the maryage of an English lady called Barlow, that came into Scotlande with his Queue. Himself not wyse : his sonne a proper younge gentelman, dependinge partely on therle of Huntley, and partely one therle of Marr, beinge nere cousin to them bothe. His lyuinge and power is not greate, and his religiou lyttle valued.
LEUINGSTON.
WILLIAM LEUINGSTON, a man of no great judgement, or ly uinge, but of an auncient house, and many frendis of his surname ; in religion outwardly well affected ; in affection Frenche. His sonne departed out of Scotland into Fraunce with the Duke.
FLEMINGE.
JAMES FLEMINGE ; a youth of xv yeres of age ; his house aun cient, his lyvinge small, and himself in muche debte and troble by his fathers doingis, whilest he held the Castell of Dumbreton.
NOBILITY OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 67
SOMERVILE.
HEW SOMERUILE ; an auncient house, but of no greate lyuinge or power. He maryed the Lord Setons sister, and dwelleth in Clud- desdale-
SIMPLE. [SEMPLE.]
ROBERT SIMPLE ; a youth of xvj yeres of age ; his lyuinge not greate, but of an auncient house. He hath lately maried therle of Eglintons doughter.
BOYDE.
ROBERT Lord BOYDE ; a man past LX yeres ; he is accompted wyse, and of good welthe and power. His auncestors were greate in the dayes of King James the Seconde. Himself hath putt of many stormes. He is a fauorer of the Douglasses, and alwayes hated of the house of Lennox.
VCHILTREE.
ANDROWE STEWARTE, the successor of the Lord of Auendale ; himself a man aged ; hauinge to his seconde sonne this Erie of Arrane, and some others of ill gouernment. His owne lyuinge and power of lyttle value.
CATHCARTE.
AL L AXE CATHCARTE ; an auncient name and house, and of some
PART FIRST. I
68 PRESENT STATE OF THE
good frendis. He is one of the Masters of housholde to the Kinge. His lyvinge and power not greatly valued.
HEREIS.
WILLIAM MAXEWELL; a younge man of xxvj yeres of age; he maried the Abbot of Newbottles dough ter. His mother was heretrix to tholde Lord Hereis : his father a man of good wytt and seruice ; himself of good reputation, but of no greate power.
HUME.
ALEXANDER HUME ; a younge man of xvij yeres of age ; of a greate lyuinge, and many frendes, althoughe they all follow him not. Himself of no very good gouernement or hope. His mother is doughter to the Lord Gray, and now wyef to the Master of Glannis. His sur name and power vpon the Borders is very greate.
BORTHUICH.
JAMES BORTHUICH ; a childe of xiiij yeres olde, yet maryed to the Lord Zester's doughter. An auncient name and house, but greately decayed, by the laste Lorde, who was of yll gouernement, and dyed in Edenburgh not past two yeres since, of the Frenche decease.
ZESTER.
WILLIAM HAY; a braunche of the house of Arroll; of good ly uinge and power, but no courtier, or partaker in any factions. His sonne maryed the Lord Hereis sister.
NOBILITY OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 69
SETON.
GEORGE SETON ; an auncient baron, and of reasonable lyuinge, which lyeth all in Lothian, within 6 or 7 miles of Edenburgh. His power is not greate, nor his frendis or followers many. He hath ben alwayes Frenche in affection, and is in harte a Papiste, thoughe he dare not aduowe it. Of a nature busye and curyous ; of more speche than iudgement ; a principall instrument [of the] Sc. Queue ; and a harbourer of Jesuitis, and fugitiues of a countrye/and enemye to a peace.
TORPHECHYN.
JAMES SANDELANDE, an infant ; brothers sonne and heire to the laste, and first Lord of that Barony, which being before the house of St Johns was erected into a temperall lordeshipp by the Quene that now lyveth. His mother is sister to Mr James Murray, and hath now maryed Mr John Graham, a seruante of therle of Argile, to the greif and mislike of her best frendes.
70 PRESENT STATE
THE PRINCIPALL OFFICERS OF THE STATE OF SCOTLAND.
ARGILE. The Chauncellor, and Cheif Justice, by in
heritance.
GOWRIE. The Lord Treasorer of Scotlande.
BOTHUILE. The Admirall.
ERROLL. The Constable of Scotland, by inheritance.
MARSHALL. The Erie Marshall.
LENNOX. The Create Chamberlaine. — The place was
hereditary to the house of the Lord Fle- minge, but translated from that name since his forfaiture.
WARDENS ON THE BORDERS.
Lord HUME. Warden one the Easte Marches.
Lord SESFURDE. Warden of the Middle Marche.
Larde of JOHNSTON. Warden of the Weste Marche, byprouision.
DCMFERMLING. Secretary of State.
FENTON. Comptroller of the Kinges housholde.
BLANTIRE. Lord Priuie Seale.
A. HAY. Clerk Register.
BALLANDINE. Justice Clerke.
DA. MACGILL. The Kinges Aduocate.
OF SCOTLAND, 1583. 71
PRINCIPALL FAUORITES, AND OF THE KINGES CHAMBER.
The Collonell Stewarte. The Prior of Blantire. Dauid Gllass.
THE LORDES OF THE SESSION. CHURCHMEN ORDINARY.
The Lord Prouane, President. Mr William Baillie.
The Bushope of Orkenay. Mr Adam Bothwell.
The Abbot of Dumfermling. Mr Robert Pretarie [Pitcarne.]
The Deane of Murray. Mr Alexander [Archd.] Dumbarre.
The Parson of Menny[Menmure.] Mr John Lyndesay.
The Abbot of Cullws [Culross.] Mr Alexander ColluUle.
The Parson of Win ton. Mr Patricqe Vass,Lard of Barneborrowe.
TheProvostof theQuenesColledg. Mr Robert Punt.
LAYMEN ORDINARY.
The Chauncellor. Therle of Argile.
The Larde of Ledingston. Sir Richarde Mateland.
The Larde of Segie. Mr James Meldrom.
The Larde of Quhittingham. [Wm.] Douglas, brother to Archibald.
The Larde of Ledingtons sonne. Mr John Mateland.
The Clerk Register. Mr Alexander Hay.
The Kinges Advocate. Mr Dauid Macgill.
Mr Thomas Ballandine.
72 PRESENT STATE, &c.
LAYMEN EXTRAORDINARY.
The Treasorer.
The Lord Bwyde [Boyd.]
KIRKEMEN EXTRAORDINARY.
The Abbott of Newbottle. The Abbott of Balmerinoch.
INSTRUCTIONS
FROM HENRY III. KING OF FRANCE,
TO THE SIEUR DE LA MOTHE FENELON,
AMBASSADOR AT THE COURT
OF SCOTLAND.
M.DXXXXIII.
PART FIRST.
COPIE DE CE QUE LE ROY TRESCHRESTIEN A COM- MANDE AU SIEUR DE LA MOTHE FENELON, L'EN- VOYANT EN ESCOSSK1
QU'IL ayt a faire de.la part de leur Majest^s treschrestiennes la plus lionorables salutation et visite au Serenissime Roy de Escosse, leur bon frere et nepueu et petit fils, qu'il luy sera possible.
Et luy bailler leur lettres qui sont in placart, et telles quelles luy escripuent de leur mains, auec grande expression de la parfaicte amitie et singuliere affection que leur dictes Majest6s luy portent, et d'en rapporter la response.
De regarder aux choses qui sont prez du diet Serenissime Roy,
1 La Mothe Fenelon arrived at Edinburgh, 7th January, 1583, as Ambassador from Henry III. King of France. The interest which Queen Elizabeth felt with regard to his mission, may be seen from her Letter, dated 1 3th January, to Bowes and Davidson, her Ambassadors at that time in Scotland, QMurdin's State Papers, p. 372 ;]] the latter of whom had been sent to accompany La Mothe, with the evident design to watch his motions, and counteract his proceedings as much as possible.
It appears that the real object of La Mothe's embassy to Scotland was to move King James " to accept of an association in the government, with the Queen his mother ;" although no hint to this effect is contained in these Instructions, the copy of which, as here printed, seems to have been that given to the persons who were appointed to confer with him, " and crave his demands in writing."
76 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AMBASSADOR
a ce que sa persone ny soyt en aulcun danger, mais tressongneuse- ment conseruee.
Et qu'il ne soyt empesch6 en 1'honeste libertd qu'il doibt auoir, ny enuirond d'autres plus grandes, ny plus estroittes gardes qu'il n'auoit accoustume'.
Qu'il ne soit pareillement empesch£ en I'authorit6 que Dieu luy a donnd du Roy et Prince Souerain sur sesdictes subiectes, pour pou- uoir ainsi librement ordonner et commander en ces affaires, et aux affaires de son royaulme, auec son Conseill ordinaire, comme il auoit accoustum6 de faire.
Que ceux de sa Noblesse, et de bonnes villes, et communaultez de son royaulme ayent tout libre acces a sa Serenissime Majeste", et sans que par crainte et soupe^on de plus grandes gardes, ou de plus de gens armes pres de sa personne que de coustume ils soyent intimides ou empescWz d'en approcher.
Que le diet Sieur de la Mothe Fenelon ayt faire dessus a parler librement et franchement au diet Serenissime Roy, et a ceulz de son Couseill, de requerir le restablissement de ce qui pourroit estre change" ou altere*.
Et qu'il sache si les principaulx de la Noblesse, et les aultres gens de bien des villes et communaultes de royaulmes, conviennent et sont contentes de la forme du present gouuernement qui est prez du diet Serenissime Roy, a fin que s'il y en auoit de malcontentez et diuises
OF HENRY III. KING OF FRANCE. 77
qu'il mette peine de les accommoder ensemble et les reunir et accorder, et qu'il ne s'en retourne' sans en rapporter certitude.
Et s'il entend qu'il y ait en aulcuns qui ne se soyent si reuerement port£s vers leur diet Serenissime Roy, leur souerain Seigneur, comme le debuoir de leur obeissance le requiert, qu'il prie de la part de la Majeste" treschrestienne le diet Serenissime Roy son bon frere et luy donne conseill d'entierement oublier, et qu'il les exhorte a eux de bien le rabbiller et luy porter doresnauant tout respect, auec Pobeissance et fidelle subiection qu'ilz luy doibuent.
Que si le diet Sieur de la Mothe Fenelon trouue le diet Serenis sime Roy soit en quelque estat plus contraint de sa personne, de son authorite, de sa liberte, et de la disposition de ses affaires, qu'il nc sentoit et qu'il ne conuient a sa dignit6 du Roy et Prince souerain d'estre, Qu'il mette peyne par toutz moyens decentz et honestes de le remetre, et qu'il y employe" ce que peut le credit de sa Ma- jeste treschrestienne vers la Noblesse et subiectes de ce royaulme, et que peut son nom, et le nom de sa couronne vers toute la nation la- quelle il aym et se confie d'elle comme des propres Francoys.
Et qu'il tesmoigne audict Serenissime Roy, et aux Sieurs de son Conseil, et a touts la Noblesse et aultres principaux personages du royaulme, comme sa Majest6 treschrestienne veut continuer de sa part en la tresancienne alliance et confederation qu'il a auec le diet Serenissime Roy son bon frere et son royaulme ; le priant, et ceux de sa Noblesse et ses principauls subiectes, d'en perseuerer de mesmes, et
78 INSTRUCTIONS, &c. -
de perseuerer en touts bonne intelligence et amitie auec luy, ainsy que de sa part il la leur veult inuiolablement garder.
Au surplus, entendant sa Majest6 treschrestienne que le Serenis- sime Roy son bon frere auoit agreable le Due de Lennox, et son ser- uice, le diet Sieur de la Mothe auoit charg£ de supplier sa Majest6 Serenissime, qu'il peut demeurer prez de luy a son contentement, Es- perant qu'il entretiendroit de tant plus volontiers les poinctes de 1'a- mytie et confederation d'entre leur Majestes et leur royaulmes, qu'il estoit tout subiect de toutes deux ; et s'il ne pouuoit demourer sans quelque alteration de la tranquillity de 1'estat, qu'il se peut retirer dans sa maison dans le diet royaulme, et y estre en seurt^, ou s'il vou- loit s'en retourner en France, qu'il le peut faire en seurte'.
Plaira a sa Majest6 Serenissime faire cesser les empeschement et difficultes qu'on a mis de nouueau a la frontier, a ce que les iiatu- relles Francoys puissent entrer librement au ce royaulme, comme ils auoyent accoustume'.
Et qu'il ne soit tenu propos diffamatoire, ny parle en aultres termes que bien honorables du Roy treschrestien, en ce royaulme, Ainsi qu'on ne parle si non bien honorablement du Serenissime Roy d'Es- cosse en France. "
* Calderwood, who inserts in his MS. History a translation of these Instructions, (which has been printed by Dr Robertson, in the Appendix to his History of Scot land,) remarks, that the French Ambassador " had another head to propone, which he concealed till a little before his departure, to wit, that the Queen, the King's mother, was content to receive her Son in associatione of the kingdom. By this, (says the his torian,) all things done since the King's corronation, aither in religion or policie, should have been shaken loose, and so whosoever had susteaned the King's cause should be holden as traitors." — Vol. III. p. 210.
THE HEADS OF
A CONFERENCE BETWEEN KING JAMES VI.
AND SIR FRANCIS WALSINGHAM,
AMBASSADOR TO THE QUEEN
OF ENGLAND,
SEPTEMBER, M.D.LXXXIII.
81
THE CHEIF HEADES OF THE CONFERENCE BETWIXT THE KINGS MAJESTffi AND SECRETARIE WALSING- HAM, AMBASSADOR TO THE QUENE OF ENGLAND.1
His Majestic assured him that he was resolved to harme no man, nor put at any man farther, in bodie, landes, or gudes, for the public fact at Ruthen, they behaving themselues as duetifull subjects here after, not having delt with na other priuie practises against our per son, wele, suertie, nor estate; The which we doubt not but the Quene, our dearest Sister, will both allow and assyst vs in trial! taking, and punishing of the same.
As for any put at presentlie upone just triall of their innocencie in others their priuie practises and dealings prejudiciall to vs, as saide is, they finding such noblemen cawsion and answerable for
1 This paper is indorsed on the back, " Chefe Heades of the Conference betwixt the K. and Sir Francis Walsingham, as the K. hath sett them downe, xv°. Sep- tcmbris, 1583." In the same volume is a paper, professing to contain " Suche Greenes, as Secretarie Walsingham, hir Majesties Ambassador to the King of Scotts, is directed to requier Satisfaction of, at the handes of his Hienes. September, 1583 ;"— the Answers to which, in the King's name, are preserved in Calderwood's MS. History. The nature of these Griefs are such as intimate the pretensions of Elizabeth to interfere in the most minute particulars of James's government. From a monarch of a more independent temper they would have received a very brief answer.
PART FIRST. L
82 CONFERENCE, &c.
them whom we can like of and trust into, that they and ilk ane of them salbe answerable to vs in doing their duetie and obedience, we will vse our former clemencie, as to our gude subjects.
We are content at our next Parliament, accordinge to our dearest Systers aduise, to assure all our guid subjects, that we mynd to call, accuse, nor harme na man herefter for the public causes by past, as the cyuell troubles taken vp by act of Pacification, as likewise the public fact at Ruthen, excepting allwaies the thre murders, and other priuie practises before mentioned, as they are or salbe tried herefter.
We haue resolued, at our next Parliament, efter our Estates haue proponed to vs ane nomber to chuse one, as salbe most meet to giue vs aduise and counsell, to elect suche as are best affected to Religion, suertie, and tranquillitie of our estate, and best likes of the amitie betwixt vs and our dearest Syster.
We require that the said Secretarie1 be ane gude instrument in balding forward the treatie for renewing of the peace betwixt both the Realmes, as also for Commissioners meting anempt the affaires of the Borders.
That there be such ane person chosen, whom by, their male at all tymes, priuie and sure intelligence passe betwixt vs and our dearest Syster, for the more full entertayning of amytie and gude loue amongst vs.
1 " Alwise Secretar Walsingham got hastie dispatch, and was weel pleased, the Lords of the Interprise expected that things would have fallen out otherwise than they did, but the end declared the Queen of England would not cast off the King for anie man's particular pleasure." — Calderwood, vol. iii. 259.
NOTES
PRESENTED BY MR JOHN COLVILLE,
TO LORD HUNSDON,
M.D.LXXXIV.
85
NOTES TO BE PRESENTIT TO MY SPECIALL GOOD LORD MY LORD HUNDSDON, ANE OF HIR MAJESTIES MOST HONORABILL PRIVY COUNSALE, BE HIS HONORS HUMBILL ORATOUR, MR COLVILE.1
FIRST, concerning the approbation of the Eaid of Ruth- ven, and declaratioun of his Majesties contentment and good lyiking of the actouris thairof.
His Majestie confirmit the same be Act of his Secreit Counsale, and be the Assembly of his Estatis ; his Grace causit the Ministeris declair his contentment wnto the pepill, for thair satisfaction, and proclamations wer publesit throuchout the hoill cuntre for that effect. To Sir Georg Gary also, hir Majesties ambassador, both secreitly and opinly ; his Majestie confirmit the same to Mr Robert Bowes and Mr William Davesone ; and Mr Colvile wes sent him allone to England, to certifie hir Hienes thairof. Lyik as Colonell Stewart, joynit with the said Mr Colvile, wes at ane other tyme directit to the same end. And thocht theis wer sufficient argumentis of his Majesties contentment, yit the moir to werifie the matter, his Grace
1 On the back of this paper, which is the scroll copy in Colville's hand, is written " Copy of my Notes, giffin to my Lord Hondsden, the xv. of Jvlij, 1584, quhen he passit to intreit with Arren in the Scottis matteris." Sir James Melville has given an account of this interview between the Earl of Arran and the Earl of Hunsdon, which took place on the Borders*— Memoirs, edit. 1735, p. 315.
86 NOTES TO LORD HUNSDON,
hes writtin sundry letters, all of his awin hand, confirming the same, bayth befor and efter the lait alteratioun at Sanct Andruss.
And for the pretendit allegiance of captivite. It may be ansuerit, that his Majestic wes nocht so captyve bot that he mycht ether half spokin or writtin with the said Sir Georg Gary, ambassador, with Mr William Davesoun, or Colonnell Stewart, at his awin plesor, gif ony miscontentment had bein in his hart. And quhair thai alleig that the Actis of Secreit Counsale, and of the Estatis, appro ving the interprys forsaid, is bot conditional!, the ansuer is, That gif thair be ony condition expressit in the said Actis, all sail be confessit trew that is objectit agans the distress! t.
Secondly, concerning Colonell Stewart legation and myne.
THE said Colonell at his camming to England semit weill content, bot efter he had insistit eirnistly for that .heritage quhiche apertenit to his Majesties grand-father, becaus sic ansuer wes nocht giffin as pie- sit him, (albeit the said ansuer wes moir nor in resone we culd haif wischit,) he changit purpos ; affirming, be the way, in our return, mony absurditeis, contrarius to the advancement of religion, his Ma jesties honor, and amite betuix the tuo Crownes, as in a speciall col lection I haif notit ; quhairunto, becaus I opponit myself, alleging him to be ane inprofitabill servand to his Majestic, our Maister, and wnfaithfull to the Estait of England, and to all the Nobill men that had best servit his Majestic in his youth, he consauit wrath agans me, and finally did so muche at his Majesties handis, that, without ony try all, I wes commit tit to vard, and so injustly vsit as never wes ony
PRESENTED BY MR COLVILLE. 87
subject in Scotland ; and eftervart, be degres the hoill nobill men, that ar this day distressit, \ver persequutit in suche sort as now to the varld is manifest.
Last, gif thair meaning be vpricht, your Honor will persaif be this tryall.
THAI say in generall thai will deill moir invartly with hir Majestic nor with ony other foren prince, and follow hir advys in governing thair estait.
Gif so be, lett thame declair quhat deling his Majestic hes with his Mother, quho ar the instruments, as weill in England as Scotland, that makkis intelligence betuix thame, and quhat privy moyen haif thai for convoying of thair letters to and fro. Lett the letters quhich passit betuix his Majestic and his Mother be producit. Of all theis thingis I knaw your Honor is resonabill weill informit, without thair knawleg ; gif thai dissimill with your Lordship in ony of thir pointis, then thair lait promises wilbe no surer nor the former.
Nixt, lett thame be vrgit to declair quhat privy deling thai haif with France ? quhat dois the Lord Setounis long abode thair signi- fie, and his frequent conferancis with the Bischopis of Glesgo and Ross, with the Spans ambassador, Popis nvntios, and Scottis Je- suitis ? quhairfor wes Sir John Seton his sone sent into Spain, and ane othir alredy agane directit thidder, or ellis to go verey schortly ?
And, in governing of thair estait gif thai will follow hir Majesties advys, then quhat is the caus moving his Majestie to promot and favor all thois that ar recommendit be his Mother, or ony foren
88 NOTES TO LORD HUNSDON.
Prince saving hir Majestic, howsoever thai half behavit or behavis thame selfe in religion, or othervyis ? and that thai quho ar recom- mendeit be hir Majestic can find no kynd of fauor, bot extrem per- sequution be dethe, imprisonment, or banisment ?
And gif it may pleis your good Lordship, heir my foolische opinion. Suirly I can nocht think that thai quho hes violat in tyme past pro- missis, handvrittis, and instruments meid in the vord of a Prince, ar so far chargit as to keip better in tyme cumming nor thai haif done heirtofor ; and supposing for a quhile thai suld keip promis, thair is no question the same is moir for perticular commodite to thair self nor for ony fauor thai haif to the estait of England, and rather to prolong tyme till thai may be strenthenit to work sum greter mischeif aganis your freindis in Scotland ; yea, and perhappis aganis your awin estait, nor for ony other good caus. I reid that fraudfull Hannibal maid farest offeris to the Romanis, quhen as he wes mak- and gretest preparation aganis thame ; and the vyis Grekis out- vardly pretendit lest hostilite aganis the Troians, quhen the fatall hors wes in preparation ; and the tratorus Siuon gaif smoothest wordis to the said Troians quhen he wes evin at point to vork thair ruin, quhiche the said Troians had escapit gif thai had nocht trustit the said Sinon. My Lord, I culd nominat to your Honor four or fyue deceitfull Sinous, werey neir his Majestic, quho ar as gret ene mies to the estait of England (quhiche I pray God to blis) as Sinon wes to Troy ; quhiche I dar, be Godis grace, affirm agans ony of thame ether be resone, or ony other vay that gentill men suld deill with otheris ; thairfor I pray God thai be not trustit, quhiche beand, thair Is no thocht or sourty to be had of thame.
THE MANNER AND FORM
OF THE EXAMINATION AND DEATH OF
WILLIAM, EAEL OF GOWKYE.
MAY, M.D.LXXXIV.
PAET FIRST. M
C 91
THE MANNER AND FORME OF THE EXAMINATIONS AND DEATH OF VMQUHILL WILLIAME, ERLE OF GOW- RYE, LORD RUTHUEN AND DIRLTOUN, AND GREAT THESSAURER OF SCOTLAND, THE 3 OF MAY, 1584.'
BEING upone the Thursday brought from Kinneill* to Stirling, he stayed before he was brought to Judgement thre dayes ; having con ference with soundry, depute be his Majestic to confer with him. Upone the Monenday very erlie, he was conveyed to the Lady Marr's
1 William, fourth Lord Ruthven, a nobleman of great power and influence, during the minority of James VI., was appointed Lord Treasurer of Scotland in 1571, and created Earl of Gowrye, 23d August 1581. He was the only person concerned in the .Raid of Ruthven who submitted to the King, and obtained remission, after James had escaped from the hands of the confederates in that enterprize. But the Earl soon had cause to regret a step which condemned himself and his associates as guilty of treason, and which excited the jealousy of his former friends, while it had no effect towards conciliating the King's affections, or securing to him any personal advantage.
This account of the trial and execution of William, Earl of Gowrye, is copied from a MS. in the Cotton Library, Calig. C. VIII., fo. 28. In the same volume is contained another account of the trial, which differs in many respects from the pre sent narrative, while it is full of gross blunders, owing to the illiterate person who has transcribed it. Several other copies of the same account are known, but the only one which approaches to accuracy, and from which we have supplied various correc tions, or omissions in the present copy, is preserved among the Harleian MSS. (No. 291, fol. 96,). It is indorsed, — " A Discourse of the Deathe of the Erie of Gowrie ;" but the title of the paper itself is nearly the same as above.
2 The introductory paragraph in the Harl. MS. is as follows : — " Beinge brought from Edinbrough with the armie, he was conveyed to Kinneile, be Sir William Steward
92 THE EXAMINATION AND DEATH
house ; and after the repaire of the Judge and noblemen who were upon his assyse, the clerk preceded to the proces in this maner : — " WILLIAME, ERLL OF GOWRYE,S you ar indyted of tresoune, treteruslie committed against his Majestie, notwithstanding the in numerable honorris you have received off his Highnes, as be the aug- mentatione off your rent, and also in challenging to be of his Ma- jestie's blood, is manifest ; and lykways be the remissione off yowr former tresoune, when ye deteaned his Majestie's persoun in your
of QHouston], knight. There he remained fyve dayes, till the tyme he was brought to Sterling ; and the fourth day thereafter, was accused in these words," &c. : —
After the Earl of Gowrye's seizure at Dundee, we are told he " was brocht to Ha- lyrondhouse upon the xviij day of Aprile, partlie by sea and partly by land," (Moy- sie's Memoirs, MS.); and from the Privy Council Record, 24th April, 1584, it ap pears that Gowrye was committed to the keeping of James Earl of Arran, " in the hons of Kynneil, the Castle of Blackness, or sic uther hous as the said Earl shall think nmist suir."
3 In the MS., the name is usually written " Gaury," but we have adopted the Earl's own method of writing his name. The following letter, written while the King was residing at Ruthven, " To the Layrde of Barnbawrache," is here printed from the original, in the possession of his descendant Lieut.-Col. P. Vans Agnew of Scheuchan and Barnbarrocli.
" Brother, eftir maist hertly commendationis. At last the Kingis Majestie, with auise of his counsall, hes resolvit upoun the balding fordward of the justice courtis in this tyme of vacance, appoynting to everie coramissioun, sic as he thinkis sail be maist hable for his seruice in that pairt, having a verie gude opinioun of your self, as a man affectionate to further the puneischment of offendouris, to quyet the cuntrey, and procure his hienes commodetie : And seing a pairt of the releif of my greit and wechtie burding consistis in your diligence and gudwill, I will effecteouslie requyre you to be mynd- full thairof ; and to be upoun a reddiness to pas ford wart to the jorney of the North, for balding of the courtis there agane sic tyme As my Lord of Thirlustane sail gif you adverteisment ; quha is presentlie tayreit upoun sum courtis, that the Duke haldis be commissioun, sua that I think you may spend ane greit pairt of this moneth in your
OF WILLIAM, EARL OF GOWRYE, 1584. 93
hous of Ruthene ; yet, notwithstanding of all this, you have entred in more dangerus and deiper tresounes sen syne." The clerk having ended, he answered, — " Forsamikle as be his Majesties licence, I was
awin effairis, befoir he can be reddy. Alwyis, I will pray you to be on a reddiness, as he adverteisis, for, as I put you to paynis, sua sail ye fynd me na lea reddy to do for you, quhairin my trawell and paynis may awiiill. The court of Drumfreis is con- tinewit to the xx of October, quhere my Lord of Arran is appoynted to be Lieutennent, sua that ye will have sufficient tyme to accompleis your jorney in the North, and re- turne thereto againe in convenient tyme. I ressaved nevir word fra you sen your hame passing, albeit I wrait laitlie fra Edenbrough with ane boy of your awin, bot I under- stude be the Clerk Register, that ye past to Drumfreis belt-Stand the court hald hadin there, quhereof I was sorie that ye suld have maid sic waist trawell. The Clerk Re gister sayis, that the lettre come ane moneth eftir the daiting thereof, to his handis. The Kingis Majestic is heir presentlie at my house, and pas heirfrom ane of thir tua dayis to Athoill to the hunting, and is to be ewiss they partis, and about Glasgw be foir the end of this moneth. All thingis heiraway continewis in gude quyet ; and SUB hertlie desyring to understand of your weilfair, I ceis for the present, committing you to God. At Ruthven, the sext of August 1582.
Another original letter from the Earl of Gowrye, written to the Lord Burghley soon after the Raid of Ruthven, and evincing his attachment to the English party, may likewise be here introduced : it is preserved among the Cotton MSS., (Calig. C. VII., f. 68.)
" My very gude Lord, Efter my very hartlie commendatioun, having gude oportu- nitie of this gentilman, directit to the Quenis Majestie be the King my Souverain, I am movit be the gude report quhilk I have alwayis hard of your Lordships vpricht
94 THE EXAMINATION AND DEATH
to depart out of this countrie, and resting to [in] Bundle to depart, I entered in shipp, as the ba^eis and publik notars of Dundie can record, but the wind being not in the way, I stayed. In the meane tyme was I assyled be a privat commissione, procured be my adver- sarie, writin be his own hand,4 I having his Majesties letter of pro- tectione "under the Great Seall. But now to answere : As for the Raid of Ruthene, I haid remissione for it ; and God is my witness,
meanyng to the contiuewance of the amitie betwix the contrayis, and now laitlie of that glide will and fauorable meane, quhilk ye have kythit to the forth setting of this godlie and gude purpos, quhilk we had heir in handis, to wishe and drawe on be the present, some gude occasioun and ouuerture, of a further acquentance and intelligence betwix ws in sic thingis, as may serue to the weill and standing of hail li our Souueranis aud their estatis. — Praying your Lordship verie hartlie not to weary of your wountit meanys and gude offices, quhereof baith the realmes have had sic happy pruiff, In- during your charge, and handling of effaris within that contray, and quhairas your Lordship sail heare of any craft or opin sorte, meanit in any part of Christindome, to the diuisioun of the countrayis, quhilk sa mony gude respectis hes knit vp in grade amitie and freindsbip, That it may be your Lordshipis pleasour to mak me in parti cular acquentit with it, that with commoun consale and concurrence we may the bet ter withstand it, and disapointe their practises, that sail pretende to worke that in convenient to any of the contrayis, As I sail be found ready to meit it with the lyke intelligence, quhair any sic occasioun sail fall out of my vnderstanding in thir partis, as I have willit the bearer to declair and certifie your Lordship at greater lenth ; quhome praying your Lordship to credite in my behalf, I commit your Lordship to Goddis protection]!. From Halyrudehouse, this xxix of December, 1582. Your Lordshipis richt asseurit freind at power,
GOWRYE.
4 In the Harl. MS. it is here added, — " And upon a sudden, my servants and freinds being from me departed, I was pursued, and beseged by all manner of hosti- litie, though I was under his Majesties protection, and having his great seal for my warrant. But to answer now to that whereof I am accused," &c.
OF WILLIAM, EARL OF GOWRYE, 1584. . 95
it was never mened against his estait, persone, or authoritie.5 sA touching the honors that I have receved of his Majestic, yow know what service I have done in his minoritie ; and, as in chalenging his blood,6 treulie, albeit I be not a Steward, nor a discever of this countrie, bringing nather the king nor his comonewell in hazerd ; yet, am I als neir in sibnes, and hath domie better and ofter service thane he who thrists for my blood, be this couerdlik revenge. Would to God this wer to be debated betuix me and my malicious adverfiar, bodie for bodie."7 — " Be patient," sayeth the Judge. The Erll sayd, " My Lord, I speak not this of any malice, but of my intent to defend my inocent lyf, which is unjustlie sought for." — " My Lord, (sayeth the Judge) yow sail heir the rest of the accu- satione : answere shortlie and derectlie, whome will your L. have prelector for yow ?" The Erll replyed, " I s£ none heir except the Advocat, who will excuse him self, for he is to accuse me. It [is] very hard for me, not being acquented with the feir [forme] of the law to dispute of [for] my lyf, with ane experimented and practysed advocat, the tyme being so short, and so sudden : yet, Justice-Clerk, I protest be this Instrument, thought yow be under the bound and yoke of the court, that my answeres be wreatin all atenticlie ; and
5 " But for his welfare," is added in the Harl. MS.
6 The Cotton MS. reads inaccurately, " as in ehanaling to be of blood."
7 Calderwood says, that " Gowrye was trained to the shambles ; for Arran craftily induced him to confesse diverse things under promise of pardoun." He adds, that " they had layn in wait before for his life, partly by poisone, which brake forth in fleeks, partly by violence, shrewdly threatened against him, when the King was at Saint Johnstoun, by Aubigny and his fellowes, howsoever after craftily they collouiv ed the matter." — MS. History, vol. iii. p. 340.
8 In the margin of the Harl. MS. it is said, " And these words he spake with an assured modestie."
96 THE EXAMINATION AND DEATH
yf they be informal!, extern it rather to have proceidit from the laik of experience and practyse of the law, then from the weiknes of my cause. Then, I say, I should not [have] bene accused this day, be cause whosoever is to be accused of any cryme is to be sommonded : yff for tresoune, upon fourtie days, yf for any uther cryme, upone fyfteine ; but it is so with me, that first I was apprehendit, and now accused, before ever I was sommonded." The Advocat replyed, " That the answer was not relevant ; for a theif stelling ridhand and actu ipso may be taken, without sommonds, meikill mair he in tre soune, when he is with ridhand of the cryme." The questione was referred to the Judge, Mr Jhone Gryme, and his assessionaris, the Mr. of Livynston, the Lard of Lochinwar, the Lard of Airth, who said, It Avas not sufficient which my Lord hade answered.
Thene they [the Clerk] proceidit, " Ye ar to be accused for the intercommuning with Mr David Home and Mr James Eskin,9 ser- vantes to the Erll of Angus ; and met undernyght, where ye devy- sed, for the better bringing your tresones to pass, it was most neces- sare that ather the toune of Sanct Jhonstoune or Sterling shuld be taken, or both." My Lord said, " I [see I] ame to be accused for
9 In March 1584, in order to bring about a change in affairs, a plan was concerted by the Earls of Angus, Marr, and the Tutor of Glamis, to surprise the castle of Stir ling. Doubtful, however, whether it was prudent to trust Gowrye in this affair, Da vid Hume of Godscroft was sent by the Earl of Angus, to confer with him, " that he might trie and sound his minde as narrowly as he could, and report to him what he found." Accordingly, having proceeded to Perth, where the Earl of Gowrye was, he found him " in words, in countenance, and in gesture, (says Godscroft,) greatly per plexed, solicitous for his estate, besides the affaires of the country, and greatly afraid of the violence of the courtiers. So that looking very pitifully upon his gallerie, where wee were walking at that time, (which he had but newly built, and decorated with
OF WILLIAM, EARL OF GOWRYE, 1584. 97
these thingis which I rewelled upone houpe of my lyf, and for the Kings Majesties promeis ; for ye, my Lords of Mountroes, Doun, Sir Jhone Maitland, Sir Robert Melvin, the Colnell, and the Captane of Dumbartane, came to me very oft, and urget me with the declara- tione of the treuth in this maner : my answere was to you, that I was not so baislye as to pane [pen] my awin accusatione ; nather would I. Ye replyed, that be this meane the King shuld be offend ed, and have the juster cause of wrath against me ; but for that tyme, other wayes ye could not persuade me to doe. At last, you come unto me, shewing me, that it stood not with his Majesties honor to capitulat with me, his subject, be writ ; ye left me, and thene come agane and suere unto me, that the Kings Majestie suare unto you, that he hade granted me my lyfe, yf I would disclose the truth of these thingis wheirof I was to be demandet off : I yeilded unto the condition, and wreat all these pointes,10 wherof I see my selfe now accused. Therfore, this mater shuld not be laid to my charge, in the respect of the promeis." The Advocat said, it was not in the noblemens pouer to promes lyf. " Yea, (says he) the King promissed unto them, which they avoued unto me be ther oath."
pictures,) he brake out into these words, having first fetched a deep sigh. — ' Cousin,' sayes he, ' Is there no remedie ? Et impius htec tarn culta novalia miles habebit 9 Barbaras has segetes f Whereupon he was perswaded of his upright meaning, and at his returne perewaded the Earl of Angus thereof also." — History of the House of Douglas and Angus, edit. 1644, p. 377.
10 Spotiswood says, that hopes were given to the Earl, that he should find favour if he would discover the conspiracy, and what the rebels had intended to do ; with the promise, that what he declared should not be made an indictment against himself. The confession " set down by himself in writing," is printed by Spotiswood, (History, edit. 1677, p. 331,) and by Crawfurd, (Lives of the Officers of State, p. 388.)
PART FIRST. N
98 THE EXAMINATION AND DEATH
" Ask them," sayes the Advocat. He inquired of theme, [but] they denyed that such promeis was maid be the King to them, or by them to his L. " What, my Lordis, ye will not say so ? ye maid fayth to me be your honors otherways : I refare it to your oath and conscience : ll I am assured ye will not deny it." They sware it was not so. " This is a strange mater, (says my Lord) that neither promise nor lawe availl ; yit, my Lords, I derect my speech unto yow all, I pray yow [go] to the Kynge, to know his mynd towardis me ;" which they refused, after consultatione. Then he prest every one severallie, and the Erll of Arran him self. He could not pre- vaill.
Then the clerk proceidit,12 accusing him, " That he [had] con- ferance with the Erll of Angus servant, the 7 of Apryll ; to whome he sent lykways his speciall dependant Mr Patrik Whytlaw : the end and some was to troble the countrie." " I deny it ! yea, I diswadit him, for I said, I knew they would bring no moe, than they would doe at the first instant. And yet, why is it not lawfull that the noblemen may assemble themselfs, they seing ther lyf and landis
11 One or two palpable errors in the MS. (such as ' conference' for ' conscience,' ' sare' for ' sware,' &c.) are here corrected.
12 In the Harl. MS. it is stated, that the clerk proceeded, asking first what an swer made he to the last accusation, he said, — " I denie it all, for I know not Mr David Hume." The following passage, in a letter from Mr P. Galloway, the King's Minister, to James Carmichael, dated from Newcastle, 21st Dec. 1584, evidently re fers to another David Hume, then the Laird of Godscroft, and may have been the person here alluded to. " As for news, David Hume, who was left be the Lords, captain in Stirline, is hanged for reading of a letter sent be one of this company to his tennents — his head is put on the Nether Bow, to the great wrath and out-crying pf the people,"
OF WILLIAM, EARL OF GOWRYE, 1584. 99
put at by them who ar gredie of both, alswell as the burgeissis ? they ar in no war cace than they."
The [clerk then] accused him to have keipt his hous in most feir- full and wairfull manner, thrie houres after the sight of the Kingis commissione. " My Lord, (said he) I thocht that a particular wret- ting procured and writtin by my enemie, was not of sufficient fors to derogat to the letter of protectione and the King's Great Seall ; and yet I obeyed. I hade bene long away before, yf I had not bene stayed be the King, who directed one [David Murray] over to cause the skipper found suertyes, under pane of ten thousand pounds, that he shuld not land ather in England, Irland, or Scotland, which he could not doe ; so, when the wind wes fare I was stayed, and when I could not mak saile I was aprehendit."
The clerk proceiding to the fyft point, accusing him for conceling the tresonable conspiracie, as he confesed him self, devysed against the Kings Majestie, and the Quene, his most deirest mother, for the distructione of theme both : His answere was, with this distinc- tione, " The concealing of it is no tresoune, but the revealing a benefeit ; and it concernes no nobleman, nor uther persone in this countre."
Then, " You ar accused for witchcraft, in conferring with sorse- reris."13 His answere was, (that he thoght they mened not to mew14 with him ; and shawin lykwyse that it was well knowen how he served his God.) " This is no just accusatioue, but a mali-
13 In tbe Harl. MS. he is said to have conferred with " one Macklene, a sorcerer." 11 That is, " They meaned not to jest with him."
100 THE EXAMINATION AND DEATH
cious slander, and I know be whom devysed. I will tell yow the truth : there come to me 'a tenand of myne, duellyng by Dunkell, who speak with a womane, asking him, How I did ? he ansuered, Well. No, sayes sche, ther is some ill fallen to him, that he knows not : the Kings fawor is withdrawin frome him, and be the Ladie of Arran ; and yet [there] may be remeid for it, yff my Lord list ; which I refused. Yff the woman war heir, I would be content sche wer brunt, and I would be the first would confess to it. Yff ther be any witchcraft used, I thynk it be more neir the court."
The Syse beyng called, and ther names read, sic as the Erll of Huntlie, whome he excepted because he was under xxv yearis ; Ar gyll, Crafourd, Arran, Montroes, Eglintone, Glancarne, Marshall, Doun, Saltoun, Ogilbye, . . ,15 Mr of Elphingston, and the lard of Tillieberne, he desyred them, to purge them selfis by oath that they gave no particular advyce or confirmatione to the King's Advocat to accuse him. Every one swere severallie they did not so ; then it befell the Erll of Arran to speak, [who, rising upon his feet, said,] " Though yor L. think the name of a sudert infamous, yet I think it great glorie to have bene one : I confess mair ; ye have bene a good frend to my fatheris hous, but in particular frendship, I have bene as gretful as ye have bene : I speak in presence of the gryt God, I loved yow alswell as my awin saull, and ye knew when ye [had] to doe against the lord Oliphant,16 how I counterfited the Kingis handwreat for the advancement of your cause. As for the
15 A blank in the MS.
16 The affair alluded to is thus mentioned in Calderwood's Manuscript, (Vol. ii. P- 643 :) — " In October, 1580, Lord Ruthren coming from Kincardin, where he had
OF WILLIAM, EARL OF GOWRYE, 1584. 101
wreating off that commissione to aprehend yow, I will not deny it, seeing it was donne be ray maisteris desyr : for his Majestie esteem ing more of me than of them of the commone sort, and reposing more fidelitie in me nor in them, he imployed me in that point ; and [who] thinkis that I have done more than my dutie in this, I ame to maintaine the contrary both be deidis of handis and word." So, after the purging him self, [he sware he informed] not, nor ever gave consell to the Kings Advocat in his contrare. He was admited to go on his assysse ; yet, before he arose to go to the innerchamer, with the rest of the Jurie, the Erll [of Gowrye] spak the Erll of Arran, de- syryng he would remember the good deed was done to him the last yeir, in his house. The uther ansuered, " It was not lawfull, for
been at the Erie of Marr's marriage, as he returned to Perth, hU way lying a litle from Duplin, a place belonging to the Lord Oliphant. The Lord Oliphant, offended that he sould ride so near his dwelling-place, inimitie standing betwixt them for a certain feud, the Master of Oliphant rushed furth, and chased the Lord Ruthven with a few horse, and some harquebussiers, the foremost flying, the rest followed in such misorder, that they could not be recalled be the Lord Rnthven's cry, whereupon he fled himself also. Alexander Stewart, a brother of the house of Traquare, his kins man, staying behind the rest, partly to conferre with them, and mollifie their rage with fair speeches, was shott with a harquebutt, and slaine by one that knew him not, to the great grief of the Master of Oliphant. The Lord Ruthven cites the Master before the Justice-General. He had married Margaret Dowglas, daughter to William Dow- glas of Lochlevin, therefore, now pursued of his life, was assisted be him. The Erie of Morton would gladely have reconsiled them, but could not effectual the agreement, and therefore was forced to assist the partie persued, whereupon the Lord Ruthven was not a little offended at the Erie of Morton. Mr John Matland, and Mr Robert Melvil, who depended upon him, blew the bellows. The Stewarts were no less of fended for assisting a man accused for the slaughter of a Stewart. The Erie of Len nox understood very well that he was jealous of his courses, which were generally suspected be all men to tend to the overthrow of religion."
102 THE EXAMINATION AND DEATH
my Lord, yow ar accused for tresoune, and I was no tratour ; be- sydes my lyf was saif." 17 The other smyled, and called for a drink. At the syse departour, when I hard him (being behend him) re quest a gentill man, cause his frendis conceall his death from his wyff 18 till scho were of mor strength ; being weakned through [her] child's last delyverie.
The Jurie re-entring, convicted him of four pointis, to the 2, 3, 4, and fyft, passyng from the first and last. His answere was, with a smylling countenance, " My Lordis, I am willing to losse my lyf to bring the King contentment, as I often before did hastored [hasard it] to do him service. But the noble men who were upone my syse in con demning [me], hasard ther awen saulls ; 19 and God [grant] that my
17 In the Harl. MS. this passage is, — " The other answered, ' The cause was not alike, for he came not to his house as traitor, although, my Lord, ye be accused of treason, and my life was safe or ever ye saw me." So that openly the Erie of Ar- raine denied his request," &c. Arran here alludes to the manner of his escape from the party who lay in wait to apprehend him, when on his way to the Earl of Gowrye's house, the day of the King's seizure by the nobility concerned in the Raid of Ruthven, the particulars of which may be found in Spotiswoode's History, (edit. 1677, p. 320.)
18 Calderwood relates, " That as the King and the Lords were going a-foot to the Tolbooth, (where the Parliament was held,) with the honours before him, the Lady Gowrie came to the King to hare spokea with him, and sat down on her knees, cry ing for grace to her, and her poor bairns, who never had offended his Grace. But Arran would not suffer her to come near unto the King, but thrust her down be force on the street, and hurt her back and her hand. She fell a soun, and lay in the higk gate till they were in the Tolbooth ; then was she taken up and carried to an house. She was in great perril of her life. This was the reward she got for saving Arran's life at the Raid of Ruthven." — MS. History, vol. iii. p. 527.
- 19 In the Harl. MS. we are informed that, ere he began, he was interrupted a little by the Judge, who said to him, " My Lord, the King's Majestie bath sent down his chaplein for the expedition of justice."—" Well, my Lords, since it is the King's coa-
OF WILLIAM, EARL OF GOWRYE, 1584.
blood be not wpone the Kingis head. The longer that I live I sould bene involved in the greater care, and wreiped in the more miseryes ; and now, fred from the firre ferryes of the court, whereof I would [have] acquyted my self langsyne, yf I could, I remit my adver- sars, and commit my revenge to God. My Lord Judge, the pointis whereof I am condemned ar but small oversightes, and so it will be knowin afterward ; I pray yow to mak not the mater so hay- nous, as to punishe it be the penalty of forfaltrie. My sones ar in my landes [manye yeares since ; and failing the eldest] the second is confirmed in all his rightes be the Kings Majestic." The Judge excusing himself because he was condemned of tresoune, so it be- huived him to pronounce the ordinarie punishment :JO which being pronounced, he said, " I pray God that my blood may satiat and extinguish the yre of the purseoures [courteours], and set this coun- trie at quyetness.:' So kissing his hand to these that were about him, and commending him to them all, called for the minister, and went to his privat prayers ; after to the scafold and place of executione, which was covered with lynnyng cloth, then sand, nixt cloth, then scarlet. After a litill pausing, he speak in this maner: " Bretherin, this spectacle is mor commone then plesant unto yow. I am condemned
tentment that I lose my life, I am as willing now to do it, as I was before sene oft to hazard it to do him service ; and the nobils who hath been upon my sise will know the matter better hereafter. And yet, in condemning me to die, they have hazarded their own soules, for I had their promise."
20 According to the Harl. MS. the form of the sentence pronounced was as follows : « In respect of these crymes, whereas WILLIAM ERLE OF GOWRIE is convict, it is given for dome, that he shall be taken to the Market-place of this brongh, and there his head striken from his shoulders."
102f THE DEATH OF WILLIAM, EARL OF GOWRYE.
to die ; and God is my witnes I never offendit his Majestic, nather do I ask Godis raercie for any offence that ever I did against him ; and the Lord condame me yf I was not mor cairfull of his welfare, than I was of my owinwyfand childrine." Then after his prayers, he adrest him to the pepill,21 saying, that he forgot something to speik to them, quhilk was, that ther wer [many] bruitis spred of him, that he shuld be the accuser of many noblemen : he prayed them not to believe such fals lyes : he accused none ; he knew of none, but such as had takene the fault upone them ; so badd the pe- peli feirwell, and lowsed his butones, knit with his owin handis the handkurscher about his eyes. He desyred Sir Robert Melvill to content the hangman for his clothes, and gave them to his page, so smylinglie pat his head under the aix; and his body and blood keiped in the scarlet was put in the chist, and conveyed to his ludging [and] his head thereafter set to his shulder. He was buryed bysydis my lord Chancelare my lord Glames, in Sterling ; borne be the Secretarie Sir Robert Mellving, the Justice- Clerk, and Sir Ro bert Stewartt of Traquhair, the third day after his executione, to his buriell.
11 A more correct and detailed account of the Earl of Gowrye's Declaration on the Scaffold, is given in Calderwood's MS. History, and is here annexed ; along with Queen Elizabeth's overture to King James in behalf of the Earl's " poor wife and thirteen fatherless children." The sentence of forfeiture was afterwards remitted by King James, and the estates and honours of the Earldom of Cowrie restored to the family by an Act of Parliament, dated the 10th of December, 1585.
In the Records of Privy Seal is an Act, dated at Falkland, 6th June, 1584, " To inbring and deliver the escheat guidis of William, sumtym Erll of Gowrie, to the Erll of Arran."
103
THE DECLARATION MADE BE THE EARLE OF COWRIE, UPON THE SCAFFOLD, THE 2D OF MAY, ANNO 1584.1
IN the first he gave his confession that he was an offender against God sundrie ways, for which his offences God did bring him to be cor rected and punished after this manner, the which he doubted not should be in his mercy, and not in his justice ; but protested that he had been a faithfull servant to his Prince, and had never offended against his Majestie, so that he deserved not to suffer death at his hand ; That he was innocent of any evil meaning towards the King's person, his estate and common weale, affirming, that ever he pre ferred his Majesties wellfare and standing to all things in the world, yea, to the care and wellfare of his wife and children ; and that, if he had been as carefull to advance God's glory as he was to wards the King's estate, he had not suffered that day, and therefore desired the whole people to learn, by his example, the instability of this unhappy world ; not to depend or put their confidence in kings or princes, or any worldly kingdom, power, or promotion, but only to depend and put their care upon God. He regrated that he, being
1 Sir James Melvill says, " At his death upon the scaffold he shewed himself a de vout Christian, and a resolute Roman, much regretted by all who heard his grave harangue, and did see his constant end."
104 THE EARL OF COWRIE'S
under the King's Majesties protection, was surprised craftily, and used beside all kind of good order and equity, the which he impu ted rather to the malice and invy of such as were about the King's Majestic, than to his Grace ; — which persons, he declared, he forgave them from his heart, committing always the revenge of his innocency unto God. And further declared, seeing it hath pleased God to grant unto him the benefit of life in this world, the which for sa meikle as it was the King's Majesties will to take it from him, that he was as willing and ready there to render the same unto God again, as ever he was joyfull to bruick it ; and that he feared not for the flesh, wishing at God as well that his innocent blood were not laid to his Majesties charge, as that the thirst and cruelty of the procurers thereof might be satiat and slakned therewith ; so that they attempted no further ; and herefor prayed to God to send the King's Majestic such a counsel as should be more carefull of God's glory, and of his Majesties standing, than of their own promotion, by seeking noblemens blood, whereof the practise they might see in his person. He requested all friends that were there to make intercession to his Majestic, to be good and favourable to his wife and children ; and through remembrance hereof, takeing himself somewhat altered in his stout countenance, and therefor desisting to speak hereof, further prayed his friends, in few words, to recommend him to them, desi ring all the people finaly to pray to God to be mercifull unto him. Moreover, in the end he called to mind this point following, preter- mitted almost as he said be him, namely, that concerning the accu sations laid to his charge, whereof the process will bear witness in
DECLARATION ON THE SCAFFOLD. 105
the examination of him thereanent, and confession given by him thereupon, he had delated nor slandered no person, erle, lord, barren, burgess, nor minister, to be guilty and participant of any point whereof his accusers had accused him : And therefore protested, that his declaration should stop the mouths of any thereafter that should otherways alledge in his name ; and so recommending himself to their prayers again, he humbled himself upon his knee, and made his prayer unto God, which he read upon a book, intituled, the Enemy to Atheism. And after that he had spoken with sundrie upon the scaffold with him, and had taken his leave from them, declareing constantly and stoutly that he was no ways feared for the flesh, or was affraid for the present death, — he then presented himself to the heading-stock, his eyes being covered with a napekine, or cloath, be the Justice-clerk, his sark neck removed be him, and doublet neck laid doun over from his shoulders, by the handling only of the Jus tice-clerk. Finaly, with prayer to God, he rendered up his life unto him at half hour to nine, or thereby.
106
OVERTURES FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH HER REQUEIST TO THE KING FOR THE HOUSE OF COWRIE, IN DECEMBER, 1584.
RIGHT High, &c — Understanding the long and faithfull service of old of your trusty cusine, umquhile William, some time Earle of Gowrie, who, as he was one of the chief instruments to put the royal crown upon your head, so did he constantly per sist, without shrinking, in maintaining of that cause, against the murtherers of your dearest father, grand father, and uncle, of noble memory ; and in prosecution whereof not only lost the Lord Methven, his brother-in-law, in the civil wars be twixt Leith and Edinburgh, and George, his brother-german, at Stirline, in res- cueing your grand father from the hands of George, umquhile Erie of Huntly, Claud Hamiltoun, and Pharnihirst, but also many other landed gentlemen of his kinsmen, and hazarded his own life and his friends at sundrie times; as he was al ways most ready to doe at your pleasure. We are the rather, of pity and conscience, moved to interpone our credite, earnestly to solicite that your ire, incensed against his poor wife and 13 fatherless children, may be aswaged with his own execution; and to extend your royal clemency and compassion towards them, whose offence, as it could not merit, so could not their innocency bear your indignation, nor their youth be thought worthy your wrath ; that they being restored to enjoy their fa ther's lands, rents, and possessions, under your obedience and protection, some mo nument of that ancient house may abide with the posterity, and that name be not rooted out from the face of the earth, through the private craft and malice of their privat adversaries, contrar your good nature ; for we would be very loath to hear your name slandered through satisfying with any part of his lands and goods, whose eyes could not otherways be satiat but by his blood and death, as natural affection to your own, tied so near by kindred and consanguinity to your self, and remembrance of their father's tedious travels in all your civil wars ; for maintaining whereof, and satisfying your creditours, at your command he did ingadge almost his whole lands, will be no hinderance to this our requeist. So, wee hope his earnest affection well known to the promoting of true religion, and good likeing to the continuance of the .•unit ic betwixt us both and the people, shall be no small furtherence to the accom plishing thereof, according to your good pleasure. So, reposing upon your gratious and favourable answer, we take our leave.
THE APOLOGY
OF MR PATRICK GALLOWAY,
MINISTER AT PERTH,
WHEN HE FLED TO ENGLAND,
MAY, M.D.LXXXIV.
109
PATRICK GALLOWAY was chosen to succeed Mr John Row, as minister of Perth, Nov. 14, 1580. By his mode of preaching he gave great offence to the courtiers, and especially to the Duke of Lennox, who, it is said, ' purchased' that " he sould he discharged the pulpit and toune of Perth, so long as the King was in the toune : but he avowed he would not remove till his flock refused him, hut would present himself into the pulpit untill they discharged him to come furth." In allusion to the free and bold manner in which he inveighed against the corruptions and the licentiousness of the Court, Montgomery, the well-known author of The Cherrie and the Slae, addressed him in the following Sonnet : —
Sound, Galloway, the trompet of the Lord !
The blissit brethren sail obey thy blast ; Then thunder out the thretnings of the word
Aganst the wicked, that away are cast. Pray that the (aithfull in the fight stand fast,
Suppose the Divill the wicked's hairts obdure, Yit perseveir, as in thy preichins past,
For to discharge thy conscience and cure. Quhat, justice sauld ! quhat, pilling of the pure !
Quhat, bluidy murthers ar for gold forgivin ! God is not sleipand, thoght he tholde, be sure :
Cry out, and he shall heir the from the Heuin. And wish the King, his court and counsel! clenge, Or then the Lord will, in his wrath, revenge.
The following paper contains his Apology, or statement of the causes which forced him to leave his pastoral charge, and seek for
PART FIRST. O
110
safety in England. But Galloway did not always continue thus sted- fast in ' the true faith ;' and it is matter for reflection, that he, who at this period was so closely connected with the first Earl of Gowrie, should have so easily credited, and so zealously entered on the sub ject of a conspiracy, which, in a few years after, proved so fatal to the House of Gowrie.
This change in Galloway's conduct may possibly be traced to his being brought more immediately in contact with King James, and his attendants. On the change of affairs, he returned to his charge at Perth, in November 1585. In June 1589, he was appointed one of the Ministers of the King's Household, and continued to offi ciate as such till June 1607, when he was translated to one of the churches of Edinburgh.
Ill
APOLOGIA M : P : G. MINISTRI PARTHENSIS.
VNDERSTANDING my selff to haiiF bene injustlie detractit and ca- lumniat be malicious persouns, and that som in thair wrytings, als- weill as in speachis, hes nocht sparit to traduce me, and to charge me with divers odious misraports, agans the trewth and thair awiii conscience ; I thocht meit to notifie, and mak knawin my innocencie in that behalff ; for better resolutioun off the godlie, and stopping of the mowthis off wikkit and godles persons, enemies to the trewth, and to the prechours and professours thairoff ; and to that effect hes, in this schort treatis, declarit the weritie.offall things, that euer at anie tyme touchit that mater quhairapon thir misraports ar pro- cedit.
First, in the yeir of God PVlxxxij, in the moneth off Junij, the Kings Majestic cam to the toun off Perth, quharin I was, be the apointment off the Generall Assemblie, at the earnest sute and de- syre of the Magistrals and haill Inhabitants of that towne, esta- blissit Pastour and Minister ; and in his Grace companie wer divers Nobilmen and Counselours, and amang others the vmquhill Duke off Lenox, quha than had the chieff steir and credit in court, pre- ferrit to all others in dignitie, autoritie, and rewle off the affaires off the realm ; quha professit nocht onlie the religioun with vs, bot sub-
112 THE APOLOGY OF
scryvit with his hand the Articlis of the Faith, and the publik forme set downe in Parliament, for obedience to the word, sacrements, and ecclesiastical! discipline ; and comunicat at the table off the Lord divers tymes, for better attcstatioun off his zeale and afFectioun to the trewth, professit and establissit in the countrey. At the tyme forsaid, he had in his companie Mr Robert Montgomrie, quha ha ving left his flok and congregatioun of Stirling destitut of a pas- tour, without advys off the Kirk, or of his awin flok, did accept the Bischoprik of Glasquo, the title quhairof the said Duke had pro- curit to him, that he having the name of Bischop, and aucht hundreth merks money for his living and sustentatioun, the haill rents, and other dewties off the said benefice, micht com to the Dukes vtilitie and behove. Quhilk being signifyed to the brethren off the Mi- nistrie, he was, according to the word off God and rewle off charitie, admonissit to desist from that office off a Bischop, quhilk was nocht lawfull to him to accept, becaus, be the apointment of the Generall Assemblie, he was placit minister to another congregatioun ; as als that the ordour and degrees of Bischops, as than they war vsit, war be publik and vnanime consent off the Generall Assemblie, off the haill Ministrie, commissioners of the Kings Majestic, schirrefdoms, and burrowis within the realm, apoynted to haiff na place nor aiito- ritie, but to expyre and to ceas ; to the quhilk the said Mr Robert Montgomrie him selff had nocht only consentit and subscryvit, bot in his sermonts had allowit and approvit the same act ; and efter his admonitioun had solemnitlie promisit, in presence of the haill As semblie, neuer to accept anie sik charge, or cure, as to be a bischop;
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 113
and did protest that he repentit, and was fra his hart sorie, that he had done agans his knawlege and conscience alredy, in consenting to the Duks desyre in that mater ; and tharfore, that he wald obey the censure and will of the rest of the Ministrie in that poynt. Quharthrow I, at his awin desyre, did sute at thair hands to bring him to thair favour, and my intercessioun avalit sa with thame that he was acceptit and admitted to his repentance.
Bot, nochtwithstanding off all thir promises maid to the Assembly, and the seuerall aithis and protestatiounis maid to my selff, he maks defectioun immediatelie, and agans his conscience, knawlege, and faith, accepts the same, and is efter the forme directit be the Duke, inaugurat his Bischop. For the quhilk defectioun and obstinat per sisting in his sin, without signe or will to amend, preaching erroni- ous doctryne, and wilfull refusing to submitt him selff to the censour of ecclesiasticall discipline, he was adjugit and ordanit, by decreit and act off the Generall Assemblie, to be excommunicat, quhilk sentence was, efter the dew ordour and forme prescryvit in the Buke of Discipline, pronuncit agans him, and he accursit, excommunicat, and cutt off from the societie off the Kirk of God, and of the faith- full members of the same. Quhilk being signifyed to the Kings hienes, and Lords of his Secreit Counsell, was contemnit be the Duke ; and the said excommunicat Bischop nocht onlie interteynit in his companie and hous, and placit nixt him selff at his table, bot in contempt and despyte off the religioun and professours tharoff, broucht in to the Kings hous, to his hall, and chalmer quhar his Majestic did eate, and to his privie chalmer to quyett conference.
114 THE APOLOGY OF
Quhilk quhen I had, according to the word of God, charitablie desyrit to be reformitt, it was promisit to be mendit, and that he sold nocht be admitted to haiff access to court, nor to his Hienes presence, nor resauit in his hous. Bot fynding that promis was nocht kepit, and that the Duke reteynit him still in his companie, and in the court, I spak agans the same divers tymes in pulpit ; and per- saving na signe nor apperance of amendment, I plainlie reprovit the same, as my dewtie was ; otherwys I cold nocht haiff dischargit my calling befor God, nor dewtye to his Majestic, nor to the auditour present, to haiff sufferit sa notorious ane abuse and enormitie vnre- provit.
Quharat, the Duke stormitt in sik sort, that I was callit, and chargit afore the Secreit Counsell ; and having comperit, was, efter resoning and conference, according to the word off God, dismissit, and na fait imput or found to me ; and promis maid that that abuse sold be reformit. Bot the Duke nocht contentit that I was thus lettin depart without trouble, insisting obstinatlie in his pro- cedings, thinking that quhat euer he did sold be comportit with, did interteyne his Bischop, and favourablie did use him, purchas- sing letters to cause him be obeyit off his Benefice, and mayn- tening him in his new vsurpit dignitie. Quhen I did speak agans the same, he did plainlie menas me in pulpit, and callit me pultron, vilain, meschant, with mony other injurious words, and threatnit to thrust me through with ane rapier, till his Majesties selff was com- pellit to lay his hand on his mowth, and to stay his furie and mali cious langage, hard of all that stude in his Hienes seate, and vtterit publiklie before the people.
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 115
And efter the sermont was endit, at his passing out at the kirk- dur, in plaine audience, laying his hand on his sword, bostit to haif my lyff, and vsit divers contumelious and reprochefull words off malice and despyte, and in na wyse cold be mitigat nor asswagit, except I war dischargit off preaching in my awin congregatioun during the Kings remayning thair ; quhilk he obteynit exped, and past be som off his favorers in the cabinet Counsell, and sa causit command me nocht to preache any more sa lang as the King taryed at Perth. Quhilk charge was nocht past, nor knawin to the Lords off Secreit Counsell, as I tryed seuerallie be tham selffis : And for farder declaratioun off his malice and hatred aganis me, he causit pen and reid ane infamous libell in the kirk, immediatelie efter the serrnont, for better vtteriug of his anger and wraith ; as the same yit extant, proper ts.
He perswadit his Majestic lykwys to consaiff' evill opiniouu of me, and to vow that he sold neuer heir me preache thairefter : and yit I obeyit the charge, and passed to Kynnowle and preachit.
Heirefter, in the samin moneth, his Majestic past to the Hieland huntes in Atholl, and the Duke passit to Dalkeith, to prepare for his Chalmerlayne-ayre in Edinburgh, and his Justice-ayre in Glasquo, at the quhilk alevin off the ministers thair sold haif bene put to death. And his Majestic, in the end of the moneth of August, did returne to Ruthven, quhair apon the xxiij day thairoff, the Erie of Mar, with his freynds, the Erie of Gowrie, and som others off the nobilitie, did place tham selffis abowt his Majestic, and causit apprehend the Erie off Arraue, quha was com thither, to haif convoyit his Majestic
116 THE APOLOGY OF
to Kynneill, quharin thair sold divers of the Nobilitie half bene ap- prehendit, that favorit the religioun, and the Kings weilfare and estait.
Bot this being preventit, as at length is declarit in the Apologie set out for the said Nobilmen,1 the Kings Majestic cam again to Perth ; and thair,inmy sermon t, I desyrit hisHienes to consider the dangerous estait quhairin he was of before ; and that he aucht to praise God that he was delyverit and fred off sik pernicious persons, as had bene about his Majestic this quhyle by past, quha socht iiathing bot the ouerthrow and subuersioun of his estate and religioun, with the trouble of the Comounwelth. I lykwyse exhortit the Nobilmen thair present to prosecute that guid and godlie cause with constancie, zeale, and feare of God ; and to studie, to the advancement of Gods glorie, the weilfare of the Kings Majestic, and quyetnes of the coun- trey ; — albeit his Hienes was nocht weill pleasit with this forme of doctryne at that tyme. Efterward I was send for to Stirling, quhair, in my sermonts, lykwyse, I gave the lyke admonitiouns and exhor- tatiouns ; and som quhat touchit the imperfectiouns of thaise quha hed misgovernit the estait in tyme bypast ; quhairthrow his Majestie did mislyk mair of me nor afore. Efter this his Majestie being com to Halerudhous, in my sermont preachit in the Abay-kirk, I did vse the lyke exhortatiouns, with earnest desyre to his Hienes, and
1 This was printed at the time under the title of " Ane Declaration! of the iust and necessar causes, moving vs of the Nobillitie of Scotland, vthers of ye Kings Maiesties faithful subiectis, to repair to his Hienes presence," &c. IT Derectit from Striuiling, with special! command and licence to be prentit. Anno M.D.LXXXII. 8vo, 16 leaves.
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 11T
the Nobilitie, to be cairfull for the avancement off Gods glorie, and mayntenance of vertew, with punissing of vice ; and I did speak aganis som abusis and enormities that had reignit in court, quhilk I wissit now to be amemlit ; bot that did miscontent his Majestic greatlie, being movit thairto be som ill persouns in his companie, quha sus- pectit me to haif knawin off the Raid of Ruthven, becaus I was Minister of Perth, quhairof the Erie off Cowrie was Provest.
The Erie off Arrane, efter his apprehensioun, being put in the place of Ruthven, to remayue, quhair he was honourablie and courteslie intreatit, at divers tymes entered into conference with me, and opnit to me the vnhappie deceincts and complots intentit and purposit to haiff bene practisit be the Duke off Lenox, for wrack off the religion, and of divers Nobilmen and Ministers ; and alteration!! off the present estait and governement off the realm : — quhilk at that tyme, with monie attestatiouns and solem aithis, he affirmit to me that he mislykit in his hart, as repugnant to Gods trew word, and to all humaine societie ; And becaus he knew that throw his behaviour bypast, he had maid him selff to be thoucht off a corrupt lyff and suspect religioun, he trauellit with me, and study- ed to perswade me, to deale publiklie and playnlie with the Kirk in his favour, to move thame to consaiff guid opinioun off him, and to lyke off his conversioun and zeale for the trewth : — and to remove anie ill lyking consaiffit of him afore, quhilk he sold in tyme cumming amend, and be a maist zealous favorer and advancer off Gods glorie and the trewth professit : — Bot I, being movit be monie guid reasouns nocht to give haistie and facile credit thairto,
PART FIRST. P
118 THE APOLOGY OF
thoucht it a mater hazardous to deal in, except I had seyne better prove nor his nakit wordis, quhilk oftymes, in tymes bygane, had bene accompanyed with few guid effects ; and thairfor, he persaving my slawnes to promis that quhilk he desyrit, he consaiffis agans me ane inward malice and hatred, quhilk than he did craftely dissemble, but hes sensyne maist evidentlie vtterit, as his procedings agans me beris record.
In the moneth of Julij, efter the alteratioun maid at Saint An- drois, be removing the Erles of Mar, Angus, Bothwell, and others, weill affectat to the religioun, out off his Majesties companie ; and others quha favorit Arran's proceedings, and consentit to ane vn- quyetnes and trouble off the religioun and countrey, being chieff courtiours ; the Kings Majestie directs his missive lettres to ane greit nomber off the brethren of the ministrie to com to Saint An- drois ; and ane lettre was send to me, ainang the rest, to that sam effect. Efter the resait quhairoff, another lettre was send to me, to com thither aucht dayis before the day apointed to the rest ; and, according to the will thairoff I obeyit ; and being com thither the Coronell, Sir Robert Melvin, and the lard off Segie, entrit in confe rence, giff they micht haiff entysit, or any wyse movit me, to disalow off the act of the Generall Assemblie, maid anent the subscryving of generall bands for mayntenance off the King's weilfare, religioun, and to the quyetnes of the countrey ; quhairin the haill Synodall conventioun had found, that the Nobilmen had done guid service to God, the King, and Realme, that had removit ill counsellours fra his Majestie, and had preventit the greit evillis that otherwys had fallin
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 119
out, giff thair pernicious intentiouns had nocht bene stayit, as the said act beris. Bot they could nocht move, nor induce me, in anie sort, to yeild to that thair purpose. Thairfore the Erie off Arrane thairefter, apon ane nicht, in his awin privie chalmer, enterit in con ference with me a lang space, to the same effect ; bot fynding me constantlie to abyde at the said act, and to dissent fra the rest off my brethren in na sort, he nocht onlie consaiffis a malicious hatred at me, bot movis his Majestic to alter his favour and countenance far aganis me ; in so mekle, that becaus I wald nocht applaud to the appetytes off thay pestilent counsellours, I was altogether mislykit, and out off favour off the court, partlie becaus the tyme forsaid, the yeir preceding, I had reprovit the abusis and enormities croppin in the court, and had spokin agans the vyces and imperfectiouns off thame quha bare chieff rewle ; and partlie becaus I wald nocht aganis my conscience agrie to the present procedings, quhilk tendit to the wrak of the religioun, corrupting of his Majesties tender yeris, and affable eare and inclinatioun ; and to the ouerthraw and ruine off all guid and godlie Nobilmen, and others that socht the advancement off God's glorie, weilfare off the King, and quyetnes of the comoun- welth ; quhairthrow I was altogether out of credit, and was brocht in malgrace of the courteours.
The Kings Majestic having reteirit him selff fra Fyff to Stir ling, and thairfra to Edinburgh, to mak his residence all that wyn- ter, did assemble ane conventioun off the Estaits, quhairin the alter- atioun at Ruthven was found treasoun, and sik as was thairat, apointed to tak remissiouns for the same, as a cryme of lese-majestie
120 THE APOLOGY OF
and haynous conspiracie ; quhilk off before, was found in aue mair ample conventioun, guid and necessair service, for the weilfare of his Hienes awin estait, the religioun, and countrey ; and be this new act, all men war broucht in ane vnsurtie and dispair of thair estait ; and all promises, in effect, war brokin, that of before war maid to the nobilitie and the ministrie. The Erie of Gowrie, resident at Perth, access to court being denyed him, because his Lordship re- sortit daylie to my sermonts ; Arrane had som of his flatterars and pyke-thanks present thair to note my teaching and his Lordship's behaviour ; quha nocht onlie send daylie advertisments to court, falslie and calumniouslie agans the trewth, and thair awin conscience concerning his Lordship, bot did maliciouslie lie of my selff, and in- ventit fals raports, quhilk I neuer spak or mentioned ; that I sold haiff exhortit his Lordship and the people, to mak insurrectioun agans his Majestie ; and that I affirmitt they micht justlie tak ar mour on thame ; and that his Hienes had declynit fra the trewth ; and that I neuer prayed for his Majestie att my sermonts. Althocht in presence of God thay did manifestlie lie of me, and spak agans the trewth and thair awin knowlege, yit thir misraports beinge thus brocht to his Hienes eare, did daylie move his mislyking to increas agans me ; becaus the reporters war nocht knawin, bot suspectit be me, and onavowit ; sa that I cold nocht haiff the moyen, to bring my innocence to tryell.
And thairfore in the moneth of December, quhen his Majestie di- rectit the Erie of Rothes, the Lards of Caprintoun, Coluthie, and Mongo Graham, to Perth, in commissioun to the Erie of Gowrie,
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 121
to command him, in his Majesties name, to tak a remissioun for that alteratioun at lluthvcn, and to condem that fact as treason : The said commissioners had in speciall directioun, to enter with my selff concerning the forsaids reports, as they did ; to quhom I decla- rit my innocencie in that matter, and the malice of thay Hers, quha had thus surmysit aganst me, and durst nocht avow the same. They had directioun to trye the same be the Erie of Gowrie, quha nocht onlie assurit thame off the contrare, bot be his letter, and be som gentilmen off guid credit, send to his Hienes, resoluit him that thair was na sik thing trew, and preassit to haiff that mater tryed ; bot it cold nocht be had. Yit Arrane persisting in his malice, and having na way, bot be misreports and lies, to mak me odious to the King, he movis his captours still secreitlie to insist in thair former lies and advertisments ; and he raports thair as trewth to his Hienes, nocht onlie for my harme, bot to accumulat hatred and mal-grace to the said Erie of Gowrie, then absent fra court ; sa that his Ma jestic did account thay raports trew, and was mindit to haiff causit charge me to compeir before the Secreit Counsell for the same. Bot Arraue knawing my innocence, and that the tryell thairoff wald turne to his awin schame, stayed that; and thocht in the moneth off Merche thairefter, quhen I cam to Edinburgh for som of my awin particular affaires, to haiff causit apprehend and imprison me without tryell, war nocht I, being advertisit thairoff be freynds, reteyrit my selff hame, and so eschewit that present inconvenient.
Thus his Majestie having bene movit be the Erie of Arrane and sik others his adherents, as war in his Majesties companie, to tak
122 THE APOLOGY OF
up a cours, repugnant to that quhilk be act off Conventioun of the Estaits in the moneth off [October,] anno 1582, was establissit, and found guid service ; and be the act off the Generall Assemblie, was on the sam maner allowit and approvit. Becaus nobilmen, and manie others, quha favorit the religioun, war thair throw brocht in ane un- surtie ; and impietie and daylie vyce began to abound in the court and realm ; — as the text ministrit occasioun, sora ministers did re prove the enormities that reigned, and thairfore war nocht onlie mis- lykit off and hatit, bot captours war privelie apointit in everie no table congregatioun, to advert quhat was prechit and taucht toward the abus and misgovernment off the country ; and som off our brethren was commandit silence, others war banissit fra thair flocks, and som war chargit afore their Secreit Counsell, and, amang others, that no table instrument in the kirk of God, quhais lerning and qualities ar manifestlie approvit and knawin, Mr Andro Melvin, was com mandit to prison to the Blackness ; fra quhilk he sold haiff bene brocht to his death ; quhairoff he being secreitlie advertisit, accord ing to the rewle prescry vit be our Maister, Christ, for saiftie off his lyff, he was forsit to eschew thair hands, and flie out of the coun- trey ; quhairat Arran and his associats consaivit sik rage and pas- sionat wrath, that they procurit an act to be maid, that thairefter thair sold neuer ane minister be chargit be lettres to compeir before the Secreit Counsell, but sold be apprehendit, and hands laid on thame, to be brocht and presentit to justice for thair doctrine, or any other mater, that pleasit the court lay to thair charge. Thair was, besyde the publik and manifest contempt off the word
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 123
off God, and the prechours and professours thairoff, a manifest and daylie testimonie off Atheisme, and evill, vngodlie, and licentious lyff, gevin be thara that had the rewle in court. For, nocht onlie war sik in credit, and brocht in favour, that had bene enemies to the Kings autoritie, and war cheiff favorers off the papisticall and bludie counsell of Trent ; bot, avowit papists, and sik as, for papist- rie, had bene, and remaynit still excommunicat and accursit, war brocht in to his Majesties company, privie chalmer, and war in favour, and guid estimatioun, and held swey and steir in maters off estait, to the greit greiff and grudge off the ministrie, and all other godlie and zealous servants off God.
The greit hasard off the Kings Majesties persouu, estait, and re- ligioun, and off the comouuweill, being thus vnderstand, forseyne, and cleirlie persaiffit be dyvers Nobilmen, the preachours and pro fessours of the trewth, to thair greit grieff and regrait, thair appeirit daylie occasioun off greter sorow to all faithfull hearts ; for that apostat, Mr Patrik Constyne,2 Bishop of Saint Androis, being in Ing- land Embassadour, be all possible diligence studyed to invent and
* Patrick Adamson, Archbishop of St Andrews. Robert Setnple, in his satirical poem, the Legend of the Bishop of Saint Androis, alludes to Adamson, who was the son of a baker in Perth, having changed his name, which originally was Coustan, or Constyne, and afterwards Constantyne. He speaks of him as
Ane baxters sone, ane beggar borne, That twyse his surnaime hes mensuome ; To be called Constene he thocht schame, He tuke up Cons famine to name. . . . — He changed his surname ouer agane ; Now Doctour Adamsone at last, Quhairthrow he ower to Paris past. . . .
124 THE APOLOGY OF
practise trouble and scisme to be brocht in into the kirk of God ; and was diligent to bring to pas sik instructiouns as he resavit fra Ar- rane and other godles courteours, as the effect sensyne hes sufficient- lie testified ; quhilk, becaus it is mair nor notorious to all the warld, for brevitie I omitt.
The Erie off Gowrie likwys, in the moneth of Apryle, (a pearle and patron of godliness, policie, lerning, and all notable ver- tewis,) was tresouablie, be the craft of the Erlis of Arran, Montros, Crawfurd, and Coronell Stewart, surprysit and apprehendit iu Don- die, and brocht to Edinburgh to be put to death, apon simulat causis, to the greit sorow and lamentable grief off all guid men, and to the evident parrel off the religioun. fSom off the Nobilitie, apon the xviij of the said moneth, assemblit in Stirling for redress of the saids enormities, and saiffetie of his Hienes persoun, religioun, and coun- trey, from the imminent evillis that hang ouer thair heads, and be thair proclamatiouns made publik attestatioun of that thair inten- t Advise gift' this tioun as maist godlie, necessare, and proffi table, for the estait and
pertikle salbe omit- .
tit or nocht.t realm.f
The Erie of Gowrie being taue, and the enemies off God and his trewth thus trywmphaud, and rewland all things at thair plesour, and abusing his Majesties eare and flexible inclinatioun, I knawing thair devilis purposis and intentiouns, quhilk daylie mair and mair vtterit the selff, prayit to God in my secreit meditatioun for redres heiroff ; and apon Sonday the xix of Apryle, following in my ser- mont my ordiner text, quhairin becaus the word ministrit apt occa- sioun thairto, I did open to my flock quhat parrell the religioun and
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 125
estait of the trewth was in, and provit, be divers arguments, that thay menit nathing hot subuersiouu and wrak off the same.
And becaus I am traducit and misreportit of for that sermont, I haiff insert it here word be word, as I preachit it ; sa that my ad- versaris can nocht say that I haif in anie thing alterit anie part thairoff; quhairby all indifferent reidars may consider how justlie, in the feare of God, without anie spot of treasoun, I haiff dischargit my conscience according to his word, and how wrangouslie I am calum- niat without cause. The sermont followis.3
Into this moneth off Aprile thair was ane Synodall Assemblie off the ministrie apoynted to be in Saint Androis, for som affaires off the ecclesiasticall policie, to the quhilk divers off the best lernit and maist qualifyed of that professioun being convenit, I cam thither lykwyse. Quhair luking that in quyetnes sik things sold haiff bene handlit and treatit, as servit for avancement off Gods glorie, Mr Johnne Graham, Justice-deput, was directit fra court, weill stuffit and replenissit with Arran's informatiouns ; and nocht onlie vtteris in presence off the brethren thair convenit, menassing language and words off reproche agans vs all, with a plaine discharge of our Assem blie, and that he wald nocht onlie be moderator, but commander thairin ; bot in particuler schew me quhat ill opinioun and mislyking was had off me in speciall ; and having prevelie ane commissioun to
3 The Sermon alluded to is not preserved with the MS. The Apology was evi dently intended for publication, and the Sermon in that case would have been in troduced.
PART FIRST. Q
126 THE APOLOGY OF
apprehend Mr James Lowsoun, Mr Dauid Lindsay, Mr Andro Hay, [a blank in the MS.], and my selff. Becaus of Mr Andro Hais absence, (quhom he lukit for to haiffresortit thair that nicht,) he de fers the executioun of his intentioun that nicht, that he micht haiff trappit vs all together ; bot I being certifyit and warnit thairoff, withdrew that same nicht out of Saint Androis, and cam to Perth to my awin flok on Satterday the xxv of Aprile, and prechit on Sonday the xxvj thairoff, before none and efter none, opening, according to the word of God, my mynd, and discharging my conscience to my auditours, willing thame to convert richtlie to God, and with all hu- militie to pray for avoyding the perrillis and plaigis that hang on that countrey and every pairt thairof. Bot I was immediatlie thair- efter maid foreseyue that thair was another charge, direct to the Bailyies of Perth, and commissioun send to apprehend me.
Quhairof being advertisit, I past to Dondie to visit som freynds, and eschew that surpryse that was devysit agans me ; and quhen I had nocht remaynit twa dayis thair, another commissioun was send to the Magistrats thair, to apprehend me, in lyk maner. For eschew ing quhairoff I past to ane freynds hous saxtene mylis distant thairfra, to Robert Guthrie off Lownans dwelling, quhair I had nocht abiddin aboue two or three dayis, quhen the fourt commissioun was send to the Schirreff off the schyre, the Master of Gray elder, to ap prehend me, quhilk with all obedience he wald not refuse, bot send xviij horse thither for that effect ; bot God, quha neuer leavis his awin in thair distres, was cairfull for me, sa that I was certifyit thairoff; and being thus vnnaturallie, and agans ordour off law, hun-
MR PATRICK GALLOWAY. 127
tit vp and downe, was at last forsit to caire for my awin saffetie and relieff, and be Gods providence escapit thair bludie and crewell hands.
Immediatelie efter my departour out of Saint Johnestoun, my wyff remayning thair desolat and solitair, my hous was maist narowlie socht for me, my servants examined with rigorous words, and threat- nit to tell quhair I was ; and the beds off my house stoggit with swords, to haiff bereft my lyff giff I had nocht thus eskapit. Thair- efter, they pat sa extremelie at my wyff,4 that sho was compellit to by my escheat fra thair thesaurer, and to depurs mair money thair- fore (onlie for saiftie off my buks) nor the comoun custome of sik merchandris was wont to be valewit at, albeit I had bene ten tyraes richer nor I was.
Besydis this rude and barbarous dealing, thair was all kynd off rigour vsit aganis Robert Guthrie off Lownan, ane gentilman off guid calling, quha fearis God with his hart, to quhais house T cam, and remaynit two or three dayis, I neither being chargit nor sum- mound privatlie, nor publiklie, nor put to the home. And yit, agans the law of God, of natour, and the comoun law of the coun-
4 Patrick Galloway, who died in 16*24, left by his wife, (Mary, daughter of Mr James Lawson, minister of Edinburgh,) a son, Sir James Galloway of Carnbie, who, after holding various high offices in the state, under James VI. and Charles I., was created Lord Dunkeld, in 1645. His grandson, James, third Lord of Dunkeld, followed the fortunes of James VII., and having been outlawed after the battle of Killicranky, in 1689, became a field-officer in the French army, and was killed. His only son, the last Lord Dunkeld, died a lieutenant-general in the French service, and his only daughter died in a nunnery.
128 THE APOLOGY, &c.
trey, he was thairfore callit to thair law, put out of his hous ; and the Master of Gray, younger, causit his brother tak his escheat ; sa that to rid him selff out off that trouble, he behovit to pay four hundreth merks, besyde his trouble, and sicknes, and the spolyie of his hous.
FINIS.
RELATION
BY THE MASTER OF GRAY,
CONCERNING THE SURPRISE
OF THE KING AT STIRLING.
NOVEMBER M.D.LXXXV.
131
A CHANGE of administration, which, in more peaceful countries, is attained by political intrigue, was in Scotland always carried through by force of arms. James Stewart, created Earl of Arran, the un worthy, but favourite, minister of James VI., had been once before driven from the King's presence and counsels, by the insurrection, called the Raid of Ruthven, in August, 1582. The following under taking, which took place in November, 1585, had the more perma nent effect of depriving him for ever of power and consequence.
Patrick, Master of Gray, whose narrative is now first printed, was one of the ' friends at court,' who were most instrumental in bringing about this change. " He was," says Godscroft, " a near kinsman to the late Earl of Gowry, and of the ancient nobility, who did hate Arran, for that he had been author of the death of his dear friend, seized on his lauds, and did presumptuously take upon him to govern the whole country alone, being but newly raised to be noble. There \vas also Sir Lewis Ballantine, of kin likewise to Gowry, an ancient depender on the house of Angus, and Mr John Maitland, Secre tary, who had indeed been an enemy to the Earl of Morton, and was well contented that Arran should be employed to work his ruin ; but he could not away with his peremptory and absolute domi neering. These were the actors and great instruments of his fall : Gray directly, and of purpose, the other two by conniving and being
132
conscious to the plot, yet so as they would have seemed not to know of it ; and they did rather give way to it than work it."1
By a contemporary writer/ the Master of Gray is spoken of " as a practising papist," — who, when he came out of Scotland, professed himself a Catholic, and would have been excommunicated for his obstinacy in popery, " if the state of the kirk had not been troubled ;' but now, the same writer adds, when he is sent to England as am bassador, he giveth himself out for a protestant ; no doubt finding it his interest to profess himself " a protestant of the King's religion." But, as Wotton, the English ambassador — himself a bold and dark intriguer, wrote to her Majesty, that at this time, " there was no thing but double dealing and deceit in this court ;" and Elizabeth, speaking of the Earl of Arran, and the Master of Gray, said, " that they were two cozening knaves."
The Master of Gray was afterwards a prime agent in procuring the execution of Queen Mary, encouraging Queen Elizabeth to the perpetration of that iniquity, by assurances that James would not attempt to revenge the fact when once committed, though decency obliged him to make an apparent opposition.
1 Hume of Godscroft's History of the House of Douglas. 12mo. edit. 1743, voK ii. p. 357.
2 Letter of James Carmichael to the Earl of Angus, 4th December, 1584, in Cal- denvood, vol. iii. p. 633.
133
THE RELATION OF THE MASTER OF GRAVE, CONCERN ING THE SURPRIZE OF THE KING AT STERLING.
FOR the reformation of matters out of order, both in the Court par ticularly, and the Government generally, of Scotland, and the remo ving of some bad instruments (namely, the Earle of Arrane, by whose credite the King was running a course that this state might not suffer,) from the King, it was at last thought expedient to let loose, and turne downe the Lords banished and abiding in London to the Borders.1
But before they should go down, a partye was first provided for them on the Borders, to joine with them, and secret friends wrought for them in the court, against they should come forward ; the chief whereof was the Master of Gray, opposite enemy to Arrane, and as great a favourite of the King as he. These things being rype, the ambassador retyreing himself at the instant, it so fell out, that he arryving at Barwick the xvj. of the last moneth, the Lords were come downe to the Borders the next day after.
1 Meaning the lords after named, who were exiled from Scotland on account of their concern with the conspiracy called the Raid of Ruthven. PART FIRST. R
134 RELATION CONCERNING THE SURPRIZE
The Lords tearmed the Lords of the faction, or banished lords, were these — the Earles of Angus and Marr, the Master of Glamis, the Lords of Arbroth, Pashley, Cambuskenneth, and Dryburgh, and others. The opposite were, the Earles of Arrane, Montrosse, Craw ford, Collonell Steward, Sir William Steward, Arrane's brother, and the Lord of Downe, &c.
The first meeting of the banished Lords together was at Kelso,
Here all were like with"1 the midle Marches, and thence divided themselues thus —
reason of the Lor/ Angus and his company, the better to gather friends, went to Pebles,
ing. not farre from Edinburgh ; Arbroth and his company went to Dum-
freys, to joyne with the Lord Maxwell, that had been in urines all
the summer before, for a particuler against Johnston, the King's
Warden ;2 and so being severed, apppincted for a general rendevous,
or -meeting-place, Faukirk, xij miles from Sterling, the last of the
moneth ; where they met together, and were to the number of 8000
horse and footmen.
The Master of Gray in this tyme was gone from the Court to ga ther friends, and meant to surprise Saint Johnstone, being secretly friends for the Lords of the faction, but pretended to levy all that he
8 The Johnstons and Maxwells had been long divided by a deadly feud. The Johnstones had obtained considerable interest at Court, in consequence of their ser vices in pursuing the Lords concerned in the Raid of Ruthven. The Lord Johnstone, having obtained the Wardenry of the West Marches, was sufficient reason to Lord Maxwell (although a Catholic) to join with the opposite faction. He scandalized his new Protestant allies by assigning the words, Saint Andrew, for the watch-word, which was thought, said Godscroft, to smell of his superstitious disposition. But it was rather privately cavilled at than openly reproved.
OF THE KING AT STERLING. 135
did for the King, that then purposed to make a rode upon the Lord Maxwell, commanding all men from sixty to sixteen, to go with him. All this tyme Arrane lay at his house at Kenneil, so commanded by the King upon suspicion of the Lord Russell's slaughter ;3 but under standing of Mr Wotton's4 secret retyre, and the comeing of the ba nished Lords, whom he tearmed rebells to the Borders, he repaired to the court, enformeing the King of all that he heard, persuadeing him that all this was done with the Master of Grayes privity and knowledge ; and therefore desirous that the King should take his life from him, drew him for to send for the Master of Gray with dili gence. The Master being sent for, (he was then assembling his friends in the Fife shyre,) was doubtfull what to do, being privily adverti sed that his life was sought for by Arrane ; yet fearing least his ab sence should overthrow the whole plot, and by giving place to Ar rane, hazard the cause, adventured and came to the King, whom he
3 Sir Francis Russell, eldest son of the Earl of Bedford, was killed at a fray which arose at a Border meeting on the Middle Marches of England. Elizabeth insisted that the slaughter was intentional on the part of Sir Thomas Ker of Fairuihirst, the Scottish Warden, at the instigation of Arran, to involve the two kingdoms in war. The King, on hearing that the Lord Russel was slain, said, " It had not grieved him so much if ten thousand men had entered in the country, and spoiled till Edinburgh." To appease Queen Elizabeth, James commanded Arran to ward in Saint Andrews, and Ker in Aberdeen. The former seems to have obtained leave of returning to Kinneil, a house near Linlithgow, being a part of the spoils of the Hamilton family, with which he had invested himself.
* At this period, Wotton was concerned in a plot for seizing James's person. Sir Robert Melville informed the King of the plot ; and one of the parties implicated having stoutly denied the charge, Melville offered to verify it by the combat. So soon as the English ambassador heard of this discovery, he fled " in great haste, and without taking leave."
136 RELATION CONCERNING THE SURPRIZE
found gracious, andbeleived all that the Master had said in his purga tion ; which when Arrane and his complices saw, they determined to kill him in the King's presence amongst themselves, or at the least, within the castell.
But whilest they were thus occupyed in court, word came that the Lords were marched and come within a mile of Sterling, which gave Arrane and them cause to bethink themselves of defending the townc ; and all the night, the first of November, with Montrosse and the rest, he watched on the walles himself in person.
The next morning, the 2 of November, the Lords marched to wards the towne, with purpose to scale the same. But Arrane, know ing all this storme to be bent only at his head, and suspecting false hood in fellowship and his own deserts, with one man fled secretly out of the towiie, over the bridge. The rest seeing him slipt away, retyred all into the castell,5 where the King, and Master of Gray, and other secret friends to the Lords were.6
The towne thus abandoned made small resistance, but gave entrance to the Lords, who forthwith made themselves masters thereof, by seazing of the Market-place and the Earle of Marr's house.
4 Colonel Stewart made some skirmishing with about fifty horse. The town of Stirling was severely used by the South-country men, who broke even the iron gra tings -of the windows. — JONSTONI Historia Rerum Brilt. p. 102. They plundered the houses of both parties, says Godscroft, sparing neither friend nor foe.
6 A very full and interesting account of the taking of the Castle of Stirling, which is here so briefly passed over by the Master of Gray, occurs in Calderwood's unpublished history. A similar account is given by Hume of Godscroft, in his His tory of the House of Douglas and Angus.
OF THE KING AT STERLING. 137
After the breaking into the towne, they went streight and sett up their banners before the sparre of the castell, that was ramde full in a manner of great personages, with the King, some friends, some enemys.
The King the next morning sends out the Secretary and Justice- clerk, to take assurances for such as should come to parle with them.
Which done, the Master of Gray, was sent to them from the King, to demand the cause of their coming ; and after an houres com- moning returnes, and makes an honourable report of their dutifull submission and desire to see his Majesty, and kiss his hands.
The King, reteyning a fear that Arrane had put him in of them, sent them word that if they would have their lands and livings and depart, he would give them all.
They insist still upon entring the castell to see his Majesty, whose favour they sought more then their livings. Whereat the King re turning the Master againe to them, propounded three things to them ; viz. the safety of his own person ; no innovation in the state ; and the assurances of the lives of such as he should name.
They made for answere, that for the King's person they never meant harme unto it, but would dye in defence of it. They desired no innovation. But for the third proposition, seeing they were the men that had for so long a tyme bene injured ; they desired rather for their suretye hereafter, the persons, as they knew to be then enemys, might be deli vered into their guard and hands, together with the fourts and strengths of the realme.
About these two points there was much adoe, and a day spent
138 RELATION CONCERNING THE SURPRIZE
in debating : yet, at length, what with the want of victualls for so great a number, the castle, together with the goodwill of the medi ator's necessity, enforced to yield unto it, and so were the gates open ed, the Lords let in, and admitted to the King's presence.7
The first thing after their entry, was the delivery of the persons of Montrosse, Crawford, Rothes, (Earles,) Collonell Steward, Sir Wil liam Steward, the Lord of Downe, and others ; Arrane being fled, as said is before.
Immediatly after was Arrane proclaymed traytor at the marquet- place, in the King's name. The King's guard altered, and in the af- ternoone of the same day, a pacification and remission proclaymed in the Lords behalfe, all faults forgiven, and all things reputed as done for the King's service.
The castle of Dombritton assigned to Arbroth, the chiefe of the house of the Hamiltons, and of right Earle of Arrane. The castle
7 Melville has given us an interesting account of James's behaviour on this occa sion, which shews his anxiety, in yielding to circumstances to preserve at least his kingly dignity, and give way, with due decorum, to the sturdy petitioners whom he could not repulse : —
" The Lords, when they came into his Majesty's presence, fell down upon their knees, humbly begging pardon, adding, That the hard handling by Arran, and other partial persons about his Majesty, had compelled them, upon plain necessity, and for their last refuge, to take the boldness to come in arms, for the surety of their lives