1567.
ONE the 29 day of Julay, in Ao 1567, as said is, was K. James the 6 crouned in Streueling churche, at 2 o’clocke in the afternoone; and one the second day of Agust therafter, proclamatione was made by the heraulds at Edinburgh crosse, of hes Maties coronatione, commanding all his subiects to liue in the feare of God, wnder his obedience.
One the 11 day of Agust, the Earle of Murray, the Regent, arriued saue at Leith from France, and in his companey a Frenche ambassador.
Lykwayes, one the 22 day of Agust, this same zeire, 1567, James, Earle of Murray, was proclaimed Regent of the realme, wntill the infant King should attein the age of 17 zeires compleit.
The 1 of September, this zeire, the Regent raisses ane armey, for reducing suche as wer refractarey to the Kings obedience; and this same day causses proclamatione to be made, that all betuix 60 and 16 shoulde be in readines wpone the nixt warning with 20 dayes prowisione.
This same day, also, the Lord Regent, by his proclamatione, ordaines pices of siluer to be coyned, with the suord one the one syde of it, and one the poynt of it the Scotts croune, withe this circumscriptione,
Pro me si, merior in me.
Sr James Balfoure of Burlie, quho all this tyme had keipt Edinbrughe castle for the Queine, was forced to take quarters of the Regent, and rander wpe the same in his hands; quho immediatly therafter placed captaine in it, William Kircaldey of Grange.
In this same mounth of September, also, Dumbar castle, wiche keipt out for the Duck of Orknay, was by the Regent reduced to the Kinges obedience, and ane order immediatly giuen by the estaits of the realme to demolishe it.
The Regent, in October this zeire, passes with some troupes of horsse and footte to Hawicke, (and ere they wer adwertissed of his coming, tooke and apprehendit) 34 of the most nottable thewis in all the borders, and some 15 more in Eusdaill and Annandaill; some of them he brought alonge with himselue in chaines to Edinbrughe, and ther committed them to prissone.
The Regent, by proclamatione, the 27 of Nouember, this zeire, inhibitts the wearing of guns and pistolls, wnder the paine of daith, by aney subiecte within the realme, the Kings gaurd onlie excepted.
The 15 of December, this zeire, to wich day the Regent calls a parliament of the estates of the kingdome to hold at Edinbrughe; at wich the Earle of Argyle did beare a suord, Huntly the scepter, and Angusse (a zouthe aboute the age of 14 zeires) the croune. At this parliament, that long lastinng debait betuix the tounes of Perth and Dundie anent the 2d place of precedincey amongest the burrowes, did begin. In this parliament, lykwayes, was the Earle of Murrayes regencey ratiffied; and James Hepburn, Duck of Orknay, Marquesse of Fyffe, Earle Bothuell and Lord Hailles, with the Laird of Ormestone, and diuers others of the Kings murthers, wer all forfaulted.
In this same mounthe of December, Robert Jacke, a merchant of Dundie, wes hangit and quartered for falls coynie, called Hard Heades, wich he had caussed coyne in Flanders, and brought home.
The Regent denayes Throgmorton and Ligneroll, the Englishe and Frenche ambassadors, of accesse to the Queine, now a prissoner in Lochleuin castle, in Fyffe.
1568.
The 3d of Januarij, this zeire, 1568, the Regent, the Earle of Murray, caussed execut to deathe Johne of Talo, zounger, Johne Hepburne of Boltone, Paris, a Frencheman, and one Dagleishe, seruants to the Earle of Bothuell, quho tooke it one ther soleme othe, at the gallows, that Bothuell had assurid them that Murray and Morton wer the authors of killing the King.
This rashe, precipitate and ouer haistey abdicatione and depriuatione of the Queine, and the ouer thuarte stubornes of the Regent touardes the ambassadors, in December last, both Queine Elizabeth and the French King tooke werey heighly, as a thing tending to the reproche of royall maiestie, (so was the Englishe ambassador pleassid to expresse his passion,) and begane outwardlie to fauor the Hamiltons, wiche stood for Q. Marey.
Pasquier, the Frenche ambassador in England, dealt with Queine Elizabeth that Q. Marey might be restored by force of armes; bot shoe thought it the better way to forbid the Scotts all trafeque in France and England, wntill shoe was deliuered; and so by that meaines the comons might be disioyned from the nobilitey and gentry, (quho, as it seimed, said shoe,) wer all wnitted in one conspiracey aganist Queine Marey.
In Marche, this zeire, the Regent held a justice courte at Glasgow, quherin wer 28 persons condemned and execut for diuers crymes.
One the 2d of Maij, this same zeir, Queine Marey made ane escape out of Lochleuin castle, by the meins of George Douglas, a zounger sone of the Laird of Lochleuins. After her escape, ther mett her the Lords Settone and Harreis, with the Archbis: of St. Andrewes, and conwayed her to Hamiltone, the place of randezwous of all that partied her. The Regent being at Glasgow, with all eppeditione raisses ane armey; during wich arming on both sydes, ther was a fast keipt at Edinbrughe for 8 dayes; and one the 13 day of this same mounth, being Thursday, both armies mett in batell vpone Gouen-Mure, neire to a hill called Langesyde. For the Queine was Argyle and the Hamiltons, quho led the auantguard of her armey. The Kings auantgaurd was led by the Lord Home. The Regent obteined the wictorey with the losse only of tuo men; and the Queine lost some 155. Shoe seinng herselue depriued of the day, fleies with the Master of Maxswoll, and his companey of Galloway men, quho escaped one ther fellows horsses that had endured the brunt of the batell.
Immediatly after the batell, thes same day, the keyes of Hamilton and Draphan castells wer deliuered to the Regent.
The 20 day of this same mounth, Queine Marey fled to Carleill, accompanied with the Lordes Fleminge, Leuingstone, and the Master of Maxswoll, and some few of her ancient domestique seruants, quho after her escape from Lochleuin had come to her.
In Junij, this zeire, the Regent, with 2000 shouldiours, goes to Biggare, and causses demolishe the castells of Skirling and Keanmure, belonging to the Lairds of Skirling and Lochinvar, being fled with the Queine to England.
In Aguste, the Regent comitts Sr James Balfour of Burlie to prisson in St. Andrewes castle, and Sr William Maitland of Lethingtone, zounger, to the castell of Edinbrughe, for the alledgit knawledge of the Kinges slaughter; bot finding them innocent, wer both shortlie therafter sett at liberty.
In this same mounthe, Sr William Steuarte, Lyone K. of Armes, was transported from Edinbrugh castle to Dunbrittone, and ther committed to closse prissone, for conspyring to take the Regents lyffe by socerey and necromancey, for wich he was put to death.
The 16 day of Agust, this zeire, the Regent held a parliament at Edinbrughe, at wich the Earle of Morton did beare the suord, Glencairne the scepter, and Mar the croune. Ther is no memorey extant of this parl: amongest the printed statutes of K. Ja: 6, nor aney mentione of it. At this parliament tyme, the toune of Edinbrughe commandit the parliament housse, all of them being armed; and such as wer by the Regent citted to compeire befor the parl: and did not, wer forfaulted, all of them, one Tuesday the 24 day of Aguste.
The 22 of Agust, being Sunday, Sr David Lindesay of Rathuleit, knight, wes solemly crouned Lyone K. of Armes, the Regent and most pairt of the nobilitey being present at the ceremoney.
In September, this zeire, the Regent went to Zorke, in England, the place appoynted by Queine Elizabeth, of meitting to heire quhat the commissioners of the infant King of Scotland could obiecte aganist Queine Marey. The Scotts commissioners wer:
Ja: Earle of Murray, Regent;
Ja: Earle of Morton;
Adam, Bis: of Orknay;
Patrick, Lord Lindesay;
Rob: Commendator of Dumfermling;
Lidingtone, Secretarey;
Mr Ja: Mackgill, Clerck Register;
Mr Henrey Balnaiwes, and
Mr John Wood, Senators of the Colledge of Justice.
The Englishe commissioners wer:
Thomas, Duck of Northfolk;
Tho: Earle of Sussex, President of the North;
Sr Ralphe Sadler, Knight.
Commissioners for Queine Marey wer:
Jo: Lesley, Bis: of Ross;
Will: Lord Leuingston;
Rob: Lord Boyde;
Gawin, Commendator of Kiluning;
Jo: Gordon; and
James Cochran.
They all of them mett one the 7 day of October; and shew eache others ther letters of commissione. Secretarey Lidingtone intreatted all the commissioners, both of the King and hes mother, to forbeare als muche as possible could be, in such a publick judiciall way, to defame the reputatione of ther once Queine, and still mother to ther Kinge, and that befor Englishe men, the professed enimnes of the Scotts nation. So after maney arguments and exagerations, pro and contra, that conference endit, after much debait, with the still keipinge Queine Marey more closse a prissoner. The Regent, the Earle of Murray, insinuatting to Q. Elizabeth, that Queine Marey had deuolu’d her right of England to the Duck of Aniow, and that the transscriptione was confirmed at Rome. He lykwayes shew Queine Elizabeth letters wrettin by Queine Mareyes auen hand, quherin shoe both charged Q. Elizabeth as that shoe had not wssed her accordinng to promisse, and braged of her hope of aide from some other persons, &c.
This put Queine Elizabeth in grate feare; zet could shoe not coniecture from quhome this her houpe should arraysse.
The ciuill warrs so incressinng in France this zeire, that the Bischope of Rhedon was sent wnto her to requyste her not to intermedle with the affairs of France; and the Duck of Alba, quho was come in the preceiding zeire to the Netherlands, with ample comissione to extirpat and rootte out the protestant religione, had inwolu’d himselue in a laborinth of troubells: bot all thir feares that the Regent Murray put in Queine Elizabeths head, did euidently appeire therafter in the negotiations and practisses of Robertus Ridolphus, a Florentine, the Popes agent, (becausse he could not send a nuntio to England,) sent this wnder the color of a merchant, to sturre vpe the Englishe papists to practize aganiste Queine Elizabeths lyffe; as also in the offers of the Bis: of Rosse and Lidingtone, at Zorke, to the Duck of Northfolke, of the marriage of Queine Marey to him; so that he wold not desert her, bot embrace her causse.
1569.
In Februarij this zeire, 1569, the Earle of Murray, Regent, returnid out of England, quher he had remained since the 21 of September, in the preceiding zeir. The Regent hauing layed a sure fundatione for the young King with Queine Elizabeth, and also lulled Q. Marey asleipe with houpes of her enlargement, that he might the more eassily catche her frindes, calls a conventione of the estaits of the realme, to meitt at Edinbrughe imediatly after his returne. Amongest the first comes the Duck of Chattewleroy, and the Lord Harries; them both he catches, and committs to closse prissone in the castell of Edinbrughe.
1570.
This zeire, 1570, begins with the quenchinng of the Englishe rebellione; Murray, the Regent of Scotland, labored diligently that Q. Marey might be deliuered in his handes, and for that causse he both offred hostages, and to restore wnto them the Earles of Northumberland and Vestmurland, and brought the matter to suche passe, that Lesley, Bischope of Rosse, as the cheiffe incendiarey of that rebellione, was comitted a prisoner to the custodey of the Bischope of London.
One the 23 of Januarij, this zeire, the Earle of Murray, the Regent, was killed in Linlithgow, with the shote of a harqubusse, from a vindow, by James Hamilton of Bothuellhaughe, quho immediatly fled out at a backsyde, and mountted a suifte horsse, wich the Hamiltons had ther waitting for him; and so he escapte, and presently shipt himselue for France.
One the 27 of this same mounthe of Januarij, Mathew Steuarte, Earle of Lennox, was declared Regent, and James Douglas, Earle of Morton, his lieutenant; heirvpone was ther much talke of the worthy Regent laitly killed, thoughe all Brittane, the most woundring at vaine matters, namely, the dreame of his mother, of the lyone and the dragon feightinng in her wombe, after that K. Ja: the 5 had had his pleasure off her. The Regent thus basslie killed, was, amongest the wysser sorte, commendit for abolishing the Roman religione in Scotland, the preseruatione of the King a chylde, the æquall ministratione of justice without partiality, as also his munificence and liberalitey touardes learned men; bot all the Englishemen, that loued the Duck of Northfolke, as a craftie and subtile pollitician.
In Agust this zeire, Mathew, Earle of Lennox, the Regent, held a parliament at Streuelinge, wich is not recordit amongest the printed statutes of this Kings rainge, quherin (the young King being present) the said Regent made ane speiche to the estaits of the realme ther present, during wich the King looked vpe, and espayed a hole in rouffe of the housse, by the laicke of some sklaitts, and after the Regent had endit his harrang, (he said,) I think ther is ane hole in this parliament. So that in effecte ere longe his Maiesties wordes wer found trew, for in this same mounthe, about the ending of the parliament, ther came to Streueling in the night, ere the nobilitey or toune knew, the Earle of Huntley, the Queines Leiuetenant, Claud Hamiltone, withe Lairdes of Buccleuche and Pherneyhirste, and ere day bracke, had possessid themselues of the toune, craying God and the Queine; so that thesse that wer for the King and his Regent, for the multitude of enimnes, could not come to a head, bot quher euer they could see aney that belonged to the Regent, him they killed without mercey; the Regent being takin prisoner by the Laird of Buccleuche, and horssed behind him, ane wicked fellow lifte wpe his jacke, and shote him troughe the bodey with a pistoll. The Earle of Lennox, the Regent, thus killed by a packe of wicked traitors, quho depairted the toune immediatly; and the Earle of Mar was declared Regent, and concludit the parliament. This was the holl wich the young King did see in the parliament, altho he meine nothing les.
About this same tyme, Pope Pius 5 had caused his bull declaratorey aganist Queine Elizabeth, (the pretendit Queine of England, as he named her,) and the heretiques, adheirinng to her, in wich impious parchement he absolued all her subiects from ther othe of fidelitey to her, and from all other deuties; and this infamous lybill wes fixed one the gaittes of the Bischope of Londons palace, in the night, by one Johne Feltone, quho was apprehendit, arrained, and execute neire the same place he had affixed it; wich acte he, Roman lyke, auerrid to be meritorious and just.
Heirvpone suspitions arosse in England, that some dangerous matters wer in working; and in the meane tyme, ane other rebellion, about to burst fourth in Northfolke, was discouered, anent the releiuing the Duck out of prissone; the warning was to be giuen by the blaste of a trumpett, bot this euanished.
The Duck of Norhtfolke was arrained at this same tyme for consentinng to marrey the Queine of Scotland, Marey, without Queine Elizabeths knowledge; bot was brought backe againe from the Touer to his auen housse, wnder the keiping of Sr Henrey Neuill.
Thir tymes wer full of conspiracies, for this same zeire, ther conspyred to deliuer Queine Marey out of prissone, Thomas and Eduard Stanleies, the younger sones of the Earle of Darby, by the daughter of Thomas, Duck of Northfolk, Thomas Gerard, Rolston, Hall, and diuers others in Darbyshyre; and Jo. Lesley, the Popische Bischope of Rosse, was againe committed to prissone, for that he had had secrett conference with the Earle of Southampton, one quholy addicted to the Roman religione.
Queine Elizabeths mynd fearing troubels after the publicatione of Pope Pius 5 his bull, and the insurrectione in Northfolk, shoe sends Cicill and Midelmay to the Queine of Scotland, Marey, quho then lay at Chatsworthe, in Darbyshyre, to consult and adwysse with her, by quhat meins the deuisione in Scotland might in the best maner be composed, shoe restored to her former estaite, and prowisione made for the securitey of Queine Elizabeth and the sauety of her younge sone; bot shoe, lyke a woman, deplores her auen estait, excusses the Ducke of Northfolke, and putts all her houpe in the benignitey of Queine Elizabethe: ther demands to her wer drawin vpe brifflie in 16 artickells, wiche, after shoe had thought one, some of them shoe wold haue granted, others shoe flatlie refussed; bot most of them seemed to the indifferent impossibilities to lay a prissoner too. Of thesse 16 artickells, Lesley, the bussie Bischope of Rosse, sent a just double of them to Pope Pius 5, to the Frenche King, and lykwayes to the King of Spaine, and shew them in plaine termes that to thesse artickells the Scottes Queine behoued to condescend, wnles they speeidely assisted her, both with adwysse and other necessarey ayde, and that werey shortley; wich he did most importunatlie requyste at ther handes, bot in waine, for they wer all bussies aboute other matters.
1571.
The 4 day of Appryle in this zeire, 1571, the castell of Dunbritton being keipt aganist the Kings authority by Jhone Hamilton, Archbischope of St. Andrewes, brother to the Ducke of Chatteleroy, and the Lord Fleiminge, capitane therof, quho escaped by a posterne, and shipte himselue for France; bot the Archbischope, the castell being randred, was takin prissoner, brought to Streuelinge, and ther, one the 7 day of the same mounthe, hangit one a gallows: one quhom one more zelous than charitable, wrotte,
Cresse diu fœlix arbor, semperq; vireto
Frondibus, vt nobis talia poma feras.
The 14 of Maij this zeire, ther was a parliament holdin in William Cockies housse in the Chanongait, neire St. Jhons Crosse, by such as manteined the kings authoritey; and ane other in the tolbuthe of Edinbrughe, by thesse that held for the depriued Queine, in wich parliaments, eache of them forfaulted ther enimnes and opposites. In the end of this tuo headit parlia: the Earle of Mortone, from Leith, marched towardes Edinbrughe, bot in his marche thither, he was rancountred by the Hamiltons and Homes, wich wer for the Queeine, neire to the Quarrell holls; he gaue them so feirce a charge, that he forcid them, with grate losse, to turne ther backes; maney of Huntley and Hamiltons best men being killed, the Lord Home was takin prisoner. The Englishe ambassador had labourit to draw them to some attoniment befor the armies joyned, bot could not; so Mortone carried the good fortune of the day to the Kings syde, and that with ane inteire victorey, sua that the lettinng of this blood cooled the hottest distempers of this zeire.
1572.
One the 16 of Januarij, 1572, Thomas Howard, Duck of Northfolke, wes arrained at Westminsterhall, befor George Talbote, Earle of Shrewsburrey, by commissione, Lord Heighe Steuard of England for that day, and execute one Touerhill of London, the 2d day of Junij therafter, at 8 o’clocke in the morninge.
Vpone the 14 day of Julay this zeire, was that creuell, bloody and inhumane massaker of the innocent protestants acted at Paris, and devysd by thesse 3 furries of hell, Q. Catherine of Medices, her sone K. Charles the 9, and the trecherous Ducke and Cardinall of Guize.
The 26 of Januarij this zeire, the Earle of Mortone, Regente, held a parliament at Edinbrughe.
The 28 of October, the Regent, the Earle of Mar, departed this lyffe, in quhosse place the Kings Leiuetenant, James, Earle of Mortone, was confirmed in the Regencey of the young King and his realme.
Within 10 dayes after the Ducke of Northfolks executione, William, Lord de la Ware, Sr Ralphe Sadleir, Thomas Vilsone, doctor of the lawes, and Queine Elizabethes sollicitor, and Thomas Bromley, wer sent to Marey, Queine of Scottes, (then full of sorrow and greiffe,) to expostulat criminally with her.
Imprimis, That shoe had wsurped the tytill and armes of the realme of England; and had not relinquished the bearning of them, and wsing them, according to the tretty of Edinbrughe.
2dly, That shoe had sought to marrey with the Ducke of Northfolke without the Queins priuitey; and to obteine the same with the better successe, and to deliuer the Ducke out of prissone, shoe had trayed alle meines and deuisses possible by her ministers and agents.
3dly, That shoe had raissed the rebellione in the northe.
4ly, That shoe had releiued the rebells, (after they wer put to flight,) in Scotland, and the Low Countries.
5ly, That she had made suit by the Italian, Ridolphe, from forraine helpe, from the Pope, the King of Spaine, and others, to inwade England.
6ly, That shoe had conspyred, with certaine Englishemen, to take her perforce out of prissone, and to proclaime her Queine of England.
7ly, That shoe had receauid letters from the Pope, quherin he promissed to cherisse her as the hen did her chikens; and to accompt them that stoode for her the trew children of the churche.
8ly, That shoe had procured the Popes bull aganist Queine Elizabeth.
9ly, That shoe had suffered herselue to be publickly called and named Queine of England by her seruants and ministers in forraine countries.
To thesse 9 artickells shoe ansuered with a protestatione, that shoe was a free Queine, and subiecte to none; and then, with a countenance full of courage and magnanimitie, shoe said, that to the
First, Shoe had not vsurped the tytill and armes of England; bot that the King of France, and her husband, imposed them vpone her, being werey younge, and wnder the directione of her husband, and therfor not to be layed to her charge; nather did shoe euer wsse or weare them after her husbands deathe; nather that shoe will acclaime them als longe as Queine Elizabeth and her children liued.
Secondly, That shoe neuer imagined aney hurte or detriment to the Queine by her marriage with the Duck of Northfolke, being persuadit that it wold be for the good of the comon wealthe; and that sho wold not renunce it, because shoe had giuen her faithe and treuth to him, and that shoe had willed the Duck, by some meins or other, to gett away out of danger and prissone, wich shoe did out of the deutey shoe aughte to him as her husband.
Thridly, That shoe had not raissed rebellione, nather was priuey to the same, but was allwayes redey to reueill aney attempts aganist the Queine, if shoe wold woschaffe to heir her.
Fourtly, That shoe neuer releiued the Englishe rebells; only that in her letters shoe recommendit the Countesse of Northumberland to the Ducke of Alua.
Fyfftly, That shoe wssed Ridolphe (quhome shoe knew to be heighly in the Popes fauor,) in maney matters, zet did not receaue anney letters from him.
Sextly, That shoe neuer moued aney to attempt her deliuerance; zet that shoe willingly gaue eare wnto them that offred ther leabor therin, and for that shoe communicated wnto Rolstone and Hall a priuat character.
Seuintly, That shoe had receaued letters from the Pope, werey pious and consolatorey, in wich wer no suche phrases of speiche.
Eightly, That shoe procured not the bull; and that shoe only saw the copey therof printed, and quhen shoe had read it ouer shoe brunt it.
Nyntlie, That if aney forraine regions wreat or named her otherwayes then they ought to doe, lett them (said shoe) anssuer for it.
Shoe lykwayes subioyned to thesse 9 ansuers, that sho neuer by letters requyred aide of the Pope, or King of Spaine, to inwade England, bot only to be restored to her kingdome by ther meins, and that with the Queins priuitey; bot if aney doubt ore questione be made of thesse letteres, of effecting the marriage by force of armes, shoe requested, (since shoe was borne of the royall bloode of England,) that shoe might ansuer personally in the nixt parliament that was to be holdin.
This same zeire, after the leauge was concludit at Blois betuix England and France, the Duck of Montmorancey beinng sent wnto England to see the same suorne, in few wordes, in his masters name, desyred that als much fauor might be shewed to the Queine of Scotland, as was withoute danger, and that ane accord might be established in that kingdome by parliament, as also a cessatione off armes ther. It was anssuered him, that ther was more fauor showen to her then shoe deserued; and as for a cessatione of armes in that kingdome, shoe had laitly sent Dreurey, the marischall of Beruicke, with Crocus, the Frenche ambassador; and that shoe, by no persuasions, could bring Grange and the garisons in Edinbrughe castle to peace, being induced by hope of aide from France and the Low Countries, altho Huntley and the Lord of Arbrothe, (for the Ducke his father,) had bound themselues wnder ther hands to obserue the peace, and others of the Queins syde had giuen ther wordes also.
1573.
In the begining of this zeire, 1573, Q. Elizabeth, by Henrey Killigrew, drew Duck Hamiltone, and George, Earle of Huntley, quho stood for the Queine, to thesse conditions:
First, To accknouledge the religione established in Scotland.
2dly, To submitt themselues to the King, and to Mortone, his Regent, and to his successors in the gouerniment.
3dly, To renounce the authoritie of all others; and to accompt them traitors, by authority of parliament, that attempted aney thing aganist religion, the King, or Regent.
Lastly, That the sentence of parliament aganist the Hamiltons and Gordons should be repealled.
Bot thesse conditions the Lord Home, the Bischope of Dunkelden, Lidingtone, and William Kircaldey of Grange, and others, quho thought Q. Marey iniuriously wssed, wold vpone no tearmes admitt. They fortified the castle of Edinbrughe, of wich Grange was the capitane, (placed therin by the Earle of Murray quhill he was Regent,) looking for aide from France and the Ducke of Alua; bot Sr William Drurey was sent by Queine Elizabeth, with 20 pices of grate ordinance, and some forces, into Scotland to aide the Earle of Morton, the Regent, quho played the sedge so closse, that for laicke of wictualls the Laird of Grange was constrained to rander wpe the same to the King and his Regent, the 29 of May this zeire.
The Regent held a parliament at Edinbrughe the laste of Appryle, this same zeire.
The 3d of Aguste, William Kirkcaldey of Grange, quho had keipt the castell of Edinbrughe aganiste the King and hes Regent, was for the same hangett at the crosse of Edinbrughe.
Johne Lesley, Bischope of Ross, quho had serued Q. Marey werey faithfully, zet with the destructione of maney men, and danger of maney more, was releassed from prissone at this tyme, and commandit to depairt out of England. He went to France, quher, in behalffe of Queine Marey, his mistris, he left no wind wnsayled with the Pope, Emperour, Frenche, and Spanishe Kings, as also with the Popishe Princes of Germaney, to procure aide and assistance for her releiffe: all of them gaue him houpes, and faire wordes, bot performed nothing. And the Duck of Alua, in quhome he put his gratest truste, did at this tyme depairt out of the Low Countries, to the bischopes grate greiffe.
1574.
This zeire, 1574, K. Henrey the 3d, of France, and hes mother, Catherine of Medices, did all that they could, by secret practisses and deuices, to gett the young King of Scottes into France, and Mortone out of hes regency, sending secretly Scotts out of the Frenche gaurde for this purpois wnto Scotland; wich thinge Queine Marey desyred muche, being persuadit that if her sone wer in France, out of danger, that shoe and the papists in England should be the more myldly delt withall.
This zeire, also, the Countesse and Earle of Shreusburrey, for the alledgit working a marriage betuix the Lord Charles Steuarte, Earle of Lennox, wnckell to K. James the sext, and Elizabeth Candishe, the Countesse of Shrewsburries daughter of her first marriage, without Queine Elizabeths knowledge; for wich the mothers of them both were keipt vpe in closse prissone; and diuers suspitions dayley arryssing by ressone of this marriage, made Q. Marey be the more narrowlier lookit too; and Henrey, Earle of Huntingtone to be made president of the counsaill in the northe, with new and secrett instructions touching this matter.
1575.
This zeire, 1575, deyed James Hamiltone, Duck of Chatteawleroy and Earle of Arrane, quho was the grandchyldes sone of K. James the 2d, by his daughter, the tutor of Marey, Queine of Scotland, and Gouernour of the kingdome, and heire deseinged by parliament quhill shoe was in her minority. Not long after, in this same zeire, his sone, Lord Jhone Hamilton, ryding to Aberrothocke, accompanied onlie with his ordinarey traine, (for he held himselffe secured by the pacification,) was persewed by William Douglas of Lochleuin, quho did lay with a number in his way, of intention to kill him, as he was refreshing himselffe at Coupar; bot being adwertissed of the danger, he escaped to the housse of Darsey, quher he was receaued. Lochlewin belayed the housse all that night and to morrow, wntill a herauld of armes, from the counsell, sumond him to dissolue his forces; for wich insolencey, and refussing to keepe the peace, he excepting still the murther of his brother the Earle of Murray, the 1 Regent; bot he was comitted to the castle of Edinbrughe, quher he remained till surtey was giuen.
1576.
This zeire, 1576, the discontents of the country dayly incresse, by the Regents seuere proceidings aganist Adam Whyteford of Myelton. This gentleman was accussed as one sett on by Jhone, Lord Hamilton of Aberbrothocke, and Lord Claud, his brother, to haue killed the Regent; bot the troubles and discontents did spring from ane other fontaine, being only a nett to haue catched the Hamiltons in.
1577.
In the begining of this zeire, 1577, the Lord Glamis, Chanceler of Scotland, beinng in Streueling, was shote dead with a pistoll in the head; the Earle of Craufurde was bruitted at the first to be the murtherer, bot was found innocent; zet immediatly therafter, in companey of the Earle of Huntley, he went ouer sea to France.
The 10 day of Marche, this zeire, James, Earle of Mortone, quho had gouerned Scotland almost fyue zeires, most wortheley, perceauing new factions to grow amongest the nobilitie, quho much repynned (according to their wounted maner) that they had no hand in the gouerniment, voluntarily of himselue resinged the regencey; altho he had beine establisht therin by acte of parliament. Vpone quhosse dimissione ther wer 16 noblemen chossen some others, to be priuey counsellers to the King, and by quhosse adwisse he should gouerne.
This same zeire, also, Don Jhone, of Austria, had made a perpetuall edicte, at Gaunt, to giue satisfaction to the estaits of the Netherlands for ther griuances, wich the Prince of Orange wterly condemning, opportunly hard that Don Jhone intendit to marrey the Queine of Scotland; one wich he villinly layed hold, and furthwith adwertissed Q. Elizabethe, by Famier, therby to withdraw her mynd from peace; zet shoe, as one ignorant therof, by Daniell Rogers, shewed her gladnes of the perpetuall edicte of peace, thoughe shoe had now gottin certaine knowledge that Don Jhone, by the persuasione of the Earle of Westmureland and the Englishe fugitiues, ane fordward fauorer of the Pope and Guisses, had in houpe sualloued that marriage, and with all the kingdomes of Scotland and England; and had alredey appoynted to surprisse the Ile of Man, in the Irishe sea, as a fitt place to inwade England out of Irland, and the west borders of Scotland, quherin Queine Marey had maney assurid frinds, as also in the opposite syde of England, North Walles, Cumberland, Lancasshyre and Chesshyre, quher the most of the inhabitants wer earnist papists. Thesse proiects of Don Jhone wer descouered by Antonio Pereze, the Spanishe secretarey, and by the earnist solliciting of K. Philipe, by Don Jhons secretarey, Escouedo, for some heauins in Biscay to be granted him, from quhence he might inwade England with a nauey. Thesse heighe intentions of Don Jhons made hes brother neglecte him, as one too ambitious; so that he opinly discoured himselue to all the worlde, for quhilst he seimed to attend about the perpetuall edicte of peace, he brecke out suddainly into opin warre; and by pollicey gate into his handes maney citties and castells, and wreat wnto the King of Spaine, that he thought it best to subdew and conquer the Iylands of Zealand befor the inwarde prouinces, (and belieuing that wich he houped,) endeuored to persuade him, by Escouedo, his secretarey, that England was easier to be conquered then Zealand.
1578.
In the begining of this zeire, 1578, the Earles of Mortone and Mar, and ther frindes, surprissed the castell of Streueling, to haue had the King out of it, quho was detained ther as a prissoner by the capitane, quhosse sone was killed in the surprisse of it.
Morton hauing againe engrossed bothe King and gouerniment in his auen hand, not regarding his associatts and the forme of gouerniment sett doune formerly; so that hauinge the King within the castell of Streuelinge, shote out and excludit quhom he pleassed, and admitted others at his auen choysse, wherwith the other counsellers being moued, did make choysse of the Earle of Athole to be ther leader, and made a proclamatione, in the Kings name, that all men aboue sexteine and wnder 60 zeirs, should meitt in armes, with victualls for 15 dayes. Ther mett at the day appoynted, viz. the 18 of Agust, this same zeire, maney, and with displayed baner marched to Faukirke, quher Morton with his frinds mett them redey to fight; bot Robert Bowes, the Englishe ambassador, by intrettey, and moueing honest conditions, keipt them from ioyning at that tyme. They had depicted on ther ensinges, “Captiue I am, liberty I craue; our liues we shall losse, or that ze shall haue.”
About this same tyme, Ladey Margaret Douglas, Countesse of Lennox, neice to King Henrey the 8, by his eldest sister, widow of Mathew, Earle of Lennox, grandmother to King James the 6, ouerliuing her 8 children, depairted to the ioyes of heauin in the 63 zeire of her age, and was solemly interrid at Westminster; a matron of worthey piety, patience and charity.
I can not omiett how that the King did, by his auen authority, call a parliament to meitt at Edinbrughe, the 25 day of Julay, this same zeire, wiche was the first he held fred of a Regent. The first acte was a declaratione of the freedome of said parliament; the nixt was a ratificatione of the acceptatione of the regiment in the Kings auen persone; as also ane acte of the electione and nominatione of the Kings counsaill; and lykwayes ane acte of exoneratione was granted to the heires of wnquhile Johne, Earle of Mar, anent the kipinng of his maiesties persone within the castell of Striuilinge. In this parliament, ther was granted by the estaits 10,000 merkes for the reparatione of the bridge ouer Tay, and a commissione concerning recognitione of landes within brughe.
1579.
The 10 of Maij, this zeire the castell of Hamiltone was demolished and castine doune, 1579.
One the 8 of September, this zeire, the Lord Esme Steuarte arriued in Scotland, and landit at Leith, to wisit his cousin, the Kings maiestie. He was the sone of Johne Steuarte, the brother of Mathew, Earle of Lennox, quho was the Kings grandfather. He was Lord of Obigney, a toune in Berrey, wich, longe since, Charles the 7, King of France, had giuen to the Lord Jhone Steuarte, of the familey of Lennox, Constable of France, quho did most walliantly defait the Englishe at Baugy; since wiche tyme it hathe euer belonged to the zounger sonnes of the housse of Lennox. To returne then to the Lord Esme, him the King receaued and welcomid with all the demonstrations and expressions of kyndnes, made him of his priuey counsaill, Grate Camberlaine of Scotland, and first created him Earle and therafter Duck of Lennox. This extraordinarey fauor of the Kings to him, made him the maine obiecte of enway and wsuall discoursse of the courte; quho daylie murmured that he was a fauorer of the Guisses, and of the Roman religione, and sent purposlie to Scotland, by secret and hid meins, to ouerthrow the protestant religione. The suspitione was much incressed, that he was familiar with the aduersaries of Morton; and dealt to haue Thomas Ker of Pherneyhirste recalled from exyle home, quho was of all others the most assurid frind to Queine Marey, wich Morton by all meins opposed.
This same zeire, the 8 of Junij, Monseur Lay-noy, a Frenchman, and Nicolas Throgmorton, are denayed all accesse to the King, being sent to him from his mother, and they ar forced to returne wnhard.
The 29 of October, this zeire, the King held a parliament at Edinbrughe, quherin ther was maney good lawes enacted, both for aduancement of the gospell, liberty of the churche, and prosperity of the kingdome. In this parliament was his maiesties reuocatione of the earldome of Lennox made to the Lord Charles Steuarte, his vnckell, father to the Ladey Arabella, ratified.
1580.
One the first of Januarij, this zeire, 1580, James Douglas, Earle of Morton, sometyme Regent of Scotland, was imprissoned in Edinbrughe castell. The alledgit causse was the conceilling the murther of the Kings father; and aboute the end of this same mounthe, he was remoued thence to the castell of Dunbritton.
James Steuarte, of the family of Ochiltry, capitane of the guard, by the practisse of the nobility and ministers, raissed to grate fauor with the King, only to affront the Duck of Lennox; bot the King did reconceill them. Quhen this way serued not, then did they procure him als much heatred at home as could be; for, first they accusse him to Queine Elizabeth, as one sent couertly into Scotland by the Guizes to shater the stait of religione, to procure the liberty of the imprissoned Queine, and to dissolue the amety betuix Scotland and England. He cleired himselue of all thesse imputations, by his letters wrettin with his auen hand to Queine Elizabeth, and he opinly professed the protestant religion; bot of thire matters Q. Elizabeth earnistly debaitit with her priuey counsaill. The result of that debait was, that Robert Bowis, thesaurer for the garisone of Beruicke, came to Scotland, from his mistris, to charge and challenge the Duck of Lennox with thesse things, befor the King and his counsaill, and to admonishe them to be warre of thesse imminent eiuells that threttned ther estait. He requyred first (being in presence of the King and his counsaill) the Duck of Lennox to be remoued, wiche was denayed; and he requyred to show his instructions, wich he denayed to doe, saue to the King ore aney tuo more, and that priuatley: so he returned one hard.
To excusse the not giuing audience to the Englishe ambassador, Alexander Home was sent to Queine Elizabethe, quho was denayed accesse to her; only he was put ouer to the Lord Burleighe, quho with a werey laconicke and patheticke speiche showed him, that the Queine did not thinke it good to admitt him to her speiche or presence, not that shoe did neglecte him, quhom shoe had trayed to be sound in religione, and a man cairfull for the good of his prince and countrey, and tranquillitey of bothe the realmes; bot out of a just greiffe that her maiestie, and the crydit of her ambassador, quho was so contemptuosly wssed, quho had keipt himselue within the compasse and bounds of his ambassade, and had beine commandit to show his commissione (wich was a thing neuer hard offe). Bot he caste all the faulte on the new counsellers, and excussed the King, quho wanted experience, through his young zeires, and wished that he wold giue eare wnto the quholsome and profitable aduices of Queine Elizabeth, quho did beare a trew motherly mynd wnto him; and not to make lesse accompte of her then he did of his Frenche cousin, and subiecte to the French Kinge, matched with a Frenche woman, and a papist in religion, and quho perhapes doeth seike, (said he,) the Hamiltons being at this tyme banishte, to be deseingd 2s presone to the King; bot lett your King know (said he) that ther is no affection more vehement then ambitione, and lett the Scottes remember quhat broyles the Frenchemen had made in Scotland, if the Queine by her prudence and power had not prewented them.
So Home was sent back without audience; and all thesse thinges ware done a purpois to put the King in feare offe, and to make him beleiue that the Duck of Lennox had undertakin dangerous deuices and plotts aganiste him and his realme.
1581.
Queine Elizabethe, in the begining of Januarij, this zeire, 1581, sent her postmaster general, Sr Thomas Randall, to Scotland, with instructions to conserue the religione and amitey with England; and to labor all he could that no wiolence should be offred to Morton; to remoue Lennox out of Scotland, and to comforte the noblemen of the Englishe faction. He made earnist and diligent intretty for Morton, alledging his meritts towardes the Kinge, the honor of Queine Elizabeth, (if shoe so weill deseruing should have a repulsse,) and the enuay of his accussers.
The King anssurd him modestlie, that he could not, out of his princelie deutie, bot bring to trayell a man impeached of tressone; and he did by experience accknouledge the Queins good will, and that he wold not doe anney thing that might justlie displease her by aney meines.
Zet notwithstanding of the Kinges smouthe anssuer to the Englishe ambassador, Randolphe, wpone the 9 of Maij, this same zeire, James, Earle of Morton, was brought out of Dumbartan castle to Edinbrughe, and being accussid for conceilling the Kinges murther, by an assisse of his peeirs, he was found guiltey, and receaued sentence to losse his head at Edinbrughe crosse; wich wes execut the 2d day of Junij, this same zeire.
The 23 day of October, this same zeire, the King calld a parliament, wich held at Edinbrughe; quherin, amongest maney statutes for the weill of churche and stait herin enacted, the contrauersey betuix the tounes of Perth and Dundie, anent the place of precedencey in parliament was remitted by the estaits to the decissione of the royall broughes. This parliament lykwayes granted a commissione for composing all debaittable matters betuix the Gordons and Forbesses; as also, the parliament granted a preuilidge of silk makinng to Robert Dicksone.
1582.
The 23 of Aguste this zeire, 1582, the Kings maiestie, being in the castell of Ruthuen, was keipt ther, contrair his will, by William, Lord Ruthuen, and certaine other noblemen, his complices, and wes constraind, by a warrand wnder his hand, after they had conducted him thence to Streuelinge, to charge the Ducke of Lennox, then at Edinbrughe, to depairt therfra, ather to the castell of Dalkeith or of Aberbroth, within 20 dayes to passe fourth of Scotland to France, wnder the paine of tressone. One this charge, the Ducke depairted to Glasgow, from thence to Dumbartane, and then throughe England to France; quher it was thought he had gottin poysone, by the lingring working of it, wich procurid his death in the mounth of Maij in the following zeire, 1583. After he came to France, nather the King of France, nor zet the nobility ther, nay not hes auen Ladey, gaue him any respecte, in that he had ioyned himselue to the protestant religion in Scotland, and had communicat with them.
Thesse that had detained the King at Ruthuen, and made him exyle the Duck of Lennox, of the nobility wer thesse esspecially:
Jo: Earle of Mar;
Will: Earle of Gourey, Thesaurer;
Jo: Earle of Athole;
And: Earle of Rothes;
Ja: Earle of Glencairne;
Lord Lindesay;
Master of Glamisse;
Abbot of Drybrughe;
Abbot of Cambuskenethe;
Abbot of Pasley: with ther frindes and followers.
For the King, to liberat him from ther hands, were of the nobility:
Earle of Huntley,
Earle of Craufurd,
Earle of Argyle,
Earle of Marishall,
Earle of Montrois,
Earle of Sutherland,
Earle of Cathnes,
Lord Home,
Lord Settone,
Lord Ogiluey,
Lord Maxswoll,
Lord Harries,
Lord St. Claire,
Lord Leuingstone,
Lord Newbotle;
withe the quholl gentrey of Mersse and Louthean. Thesse noblemen that had takin the King and detained him at Ruthuen and Stirlinge, at the same tyme tooke Capitane James Steuart, the Earle of Arrane, (as he wold haue himselue called,) and committed him prissoner to the castle of Dupleine.
1583.
This zeire, 1583, Queine Elizabeth sent her principall secretarey, Sr Francis Walshinghame, ambassador to K. James the 6, quho was then at St. Andrews; he came to Edinbrughe weill attendit by diuersse Englishe noblemen. He depairted Edinbrughe, the 15 of September, to Perth, quher he hade audience of the king, and remained some 8 dayes ther, and then tooke his leiue of his Maiestie to returne home for England. That wich came to light of this ambassie, was anent thesse artickells proposed by the Englishe Queine and counsaill, to be ratified befor Queine Marey could be sett at liberty; bot after Walshinghame had priuily expostulat the bussines with the King, thesse propositions did quyte euanishe, and her enlargement turned to smoke.
This zeire, came Lodouick Steuarte, eldest sone to Amatus, Duck of Lennox, from France, and landit at Leithe, the 13 day of Nouember, and immediatly after his home cominge, Archbald, Earle of Angus, was confyned a prissoner to Inuernesse.
This same zeire, lykwayes, diuersse of the nobilitie, the principall of quhome wer:
Ar: Earle of Angus,
Jo: Earle of Mar,
Will: Earle of Gourey,
Mr. of Glamisse,
Commend: of Dryburghe,
Commend: of Cambuskeneth,
and maney others, with ther adherents, tooke the toune and castell of Streuelinge, and fortified the same with men and amunitione aganist the King; to suppresse wich rebellione, he raisses ane armey, and marches towardes Striueling; bot befor the King approched, they abandoned the toune, and fled touards England, the Kings cauallrey hauing them in chaisse al the way, wntill they wer past the border, bot could not reache them.
1584.
In the begining of the spring this zeire, 1584, some of thesse that had fled wnto Irland, returned vpon a pacte betuix them and the Earle of Gourey, quho had a new againe conspyred to take the King; bot the King heiring therof, sent Colonell Steuarte to apprehend the Earle of Gourey, quho lay at the heauin of Dundie, as if he had beine going out of the land; quho, after he had defendit himselue ane houre or tuo in his housse, he was takin and led to prisone; and one the 4 day of Maij, this same zeire, wes arrainid at Streuelinge befor his peeirs on thesse poynts:
1. That he intendit and begane a new conspiracey aganist the King, quhom he also had keipt prissoner in his housse befor tyme.
2. That he conferrid by night with the seruants of Angus, to seasse vpone the touns of Perth and Streuelinge.
3. That he resisted the Kings authoritie at Dundie, and had conceaued a conspiracey aganist the lyffe of the King and his mother.
4. That anent the euent of his conspiracey and interprysses, he had consulted with one Maclina, a witche.
He being found guiltey by his peeires, was sentenced to losse his head, wich sentence was put in executione in the eiuning, a little benethe the castell wall of Streueling. His seruants did sow his head to the bodey, and incontinently burried the same.
The 8 of Aguste, this zeire, was Capitane James Steuarte, by the King, contrarey the oppinion of most of the Lords of his priuey counsaill, made capitane of Edinbrughe castell.
About this same tyme, the conspiracies of Thomas, Lord Pagett, Francis Throgmorton, and Charles Arrundaill, wer detected; tuo of them fled to France, and immediatly therafter Henry, Earle of Northumberland, and Philipe, Earle of Arrundaill, wer commandit to keipe ther housses. Ther charge was communicatione with the Scotts Queine, Marey, by letters, how to inwade England, by strangers, to liberat her, alter religione, and kill Q. Elizabeth.
At this same tyme, the hotte headit Spanishe ambassador, Bernardino de Mendosa, was commandit to depairt England, for wiolating the rights of ane ambassador, and partaking too deiplie in thesse conspiracies aganist the Queine. He departed to France, complaining that violence had beine offred to him in England, aganist the preuilidge of ambassadors, and law of nations.
This same zeire, also, the King calls a parliament, to be holdin at Edinbrughe, the 22 of Maij, quherin wer acted a ratificatione of the declaratione tuoching the proceidings aganist the King at Ruthuen; also a ratificatione of the prosecutione and punishment of the said rebellion, and a ratificatione of his maiesties reuocatione, with a commissione to coyne neu pices of gold; and ane approbatione of the lait lay money, coyned by acte of counsell, aganist wich the people murmured extremly.
The King calls a parliament to be haldin at Edinbrughe, the 22 day of August, this same zeire, lykwayes, quherin is forfaulted:
Archbald, Earle of Angus;
Johne, Earle of Mar;
Agnes Drumond, Countesse of Mar, zounger;
Tho: Lyone, Mr. of Glamis;
Dauid, Com: of Drybrughe;
Adam, Com: of Cambuskeneth;
Villiam, Com: of Pasley;
Jo: Carmichell, younger of the same;
Heu Carmichell, hes sone;
Patrick Drumond, zounger of Carnocke;
Jo: Lesley of Balquhaine;
Mr Ja: Erskyne, brother to Litle Sauchie;
George Douglas of Parkhead;
Ja: Douglas, his eldest sone;
George Douglas, his 2d sone;
Ja: Douglas of Todhills;
Vill: Carmichell of Renton Croce;
Jo: Douglas of Glaspen;
Jo: Lyone, younger of Cossins;
Ja: Lyone of Easter Ogle;
Vill: Lyone of Batgyllie;
Heu Nisbet, sone to Patricke of Rasthill;
Patrick Home of Argailles;
Jo: Lesley of Largey;
Vill: Douglas of Julie;
Rob: Hamilton of the Croce;
Artur Hamilton of Myrtoun;
Ja: Murray of Perdua;
Mr Jo: Coluell, Chanter of Glasgow;
Mr Pat: Whytelaw of Newgrange;
Jo: Arbuthnot, sone to Lentuske;
Ja: Rosse of Pittheulesse;
D. Dorethy Steuarte, Countesse of Gourey;
D. Joane Lyone, Countesse of Cassiles.
1585.
Claude Hamiltone, Lord Arbrothe, quho had liued an exyle in England about 13 zeires, and hade returned home in Nouember this laste zeire, by the practisses of James Steuarte, (called the Earle of Arrane) was chargit by ane herauld to depairt the kingdome, wnder the paine of tressone, this zeire, 1585; and one the 3d day of Maij, he shipt at Dumbartane for France.
In the mounth of Junij, this zeire, ther came to the Kings maiestie, beinng then at Edinbrughe, ane ambassador from Denmarke, attendit by diuersse noblemen of that countrey; his ambassie tendit to the negotiatting a marriage betuixe K. James and Anna, daughter to the Danishe King; wich, if it wer refussed, then was he instructed to demand the Iles of Orknay and Zetland, conforme to a reuersione granted to the Kinges of Denmark by K. James the 3d.
About this same tyme, the plauge of pestilence raged extremily in Scotland, quherof maney thousands of people deyed; no shyre, citey, toune or willage being free of it.
The 27 of Julay, this zeire, Sr Francis Russell, sone to the Earle of Bedford, was killed one the border of Scotland, by the Laird of Pherniehirst, Warden of the Scotts Marches.
This same zeire, also, the banisht Lordes returnd from England, and with them Claud Hamilton, Lord of Arbrothe, quho had liued ane exyle now almost 14 zeires. Thir Lordes, with the assistance of ther frinds heir, which wer,
Geo: Earle of Huntley,
Jo: Earle of Morton, Lord Maxswoll,
Francis, Earle of Bothuell,
Jo: Earle of Athole,
Lord Home,
Lord Zester,
they leuied ane armey of 5000 men, and one a suddaine marched to Streueling, and surpryssed bothe the toune and castle quherin the King was, and detained him prisoner. Ther pretext was, to put from the King the proud and ambitious Earle of Arrane, James Stewarte, quho by his extraordinarey crydit and pouer with the King, had caussid banishe and forfaulte thesse lordes, barrons and gentlemen. Arrane was present with the King quhen the Lordes tooke it; bot he narrouly escapt by sea to France. He no souner gone, bot incontinent therafter, the castele of Edinbrughe, quherof he was capitane, committed to the custodey of the Laird of Coldingknowes, was randred. The Lordes immediatly conwayed the King to the toune of Linlithgow, quher they remained wntill the King call’d a parliament; quherin the haill banisht Lordes, with ther frinds and followers, had the acte of ther forfaultry repealled, and themselues againe restored to ther honors, dignities and reuenews. This was done at the humble suit of almost the quholl estaites of the realme, a purposse to separat the King from his ambitious and leud minion, the Earle of Arran, and his ladey, a lasciuious viccked woman, and one blunderd of witchcrafte, and had made the King to neglecte and vilipend his nobility; for he so quholly possesed the King, that nothing was done in courte bot by him and his ladey; wich did heighly exasperat the nobilitey, to see the King possesit by tuo such musroomes, that had arrissen bot zesterday almost from the earthe, quho sought only ther auen preferment, and that with the ruine of the comonwealthe.
Q. Elizabeth, this zeire, held a parliament at Westmister, quherin the haill members of parliament tyed themselues in a band and othe of associatione, to manteine with ther liues and fortuns ther Queine, and the reformid protestant religione.
The King calls a parliament to be holdin at Linlithgow, the 10 day of December, this zeire, quherin, amongest maney other actes, all leauges and bonds made without the Kings consent are declared null; also the reuocation of the Kings propertie is ratified, and ane acte of assent granted by the estaits to his maiestie, for concluding of ane leauge with Elizabeth, Queine of England, offensiue and defensiue, aganist all the enimies of the reformed protestant religione.
1586.
One the 13 day of Januarij, this zeire, 1586, beinng Wednisday, Marey, Queine of Scotland, the Kings mother, wes beheadit at Fodringhame castle in England, after shoe had remained 18 zeires a prissoner in that kingdome.
One the 15 day of Maij, this zeire, the King being at Holyrudehous, conueind his haill nobility that had aney quarrell one at ane other, quher he solemly composed all ther differences, and in his presence made them imbrece one ane other, and drinke togider; and to that end, that the haill realme might take the better notice that this was his maiesties auen proper worke, he caussed them walke tuo and tuo, in others handes, from Holyrudhousse palace to the croce of Edinbrughe, and the King himselue with them, quher they satt themselues doune at a long table, to a banquett prepared for them by the citey; at wich ther was soleme expressions of ioy and reconciliatione, with mutuall embraces of one ane other; and his matie, to croune that dayes worke, dranke to them all peace and happines. This reconciliatione of the nobilitey and diuersse of the gentrey, was the gratest worke, and happiest game that the King had played in all his rainge heithertills.
1587.
The King calls a parliament this zeire, 1587, to begin at Edinbrughe, the 29 day of Julij, in wich was a quholl colume of actes and lawes enacted for gouerniment of churche and stait, forby thesse in fauors of particular persons. The first acte was ane declaratorey acte, that the Kings maiestie was 21 zeirs compleit, and so of perfyte age by the lawes of the land.
The aduersaries of the trew protestant religione wer ordainid to be trayed and punished; and the sellers and wenters of popishe bookes should be ordred according to former lawes; and all molesters, troublers of kirke and kirke men should be seuerly punished.
In this parliament was the temporalities of all churche benefices anexed to the croune, with some reseruations in fauors of particular persons; and the Kings generall reuocation ratified and made a law; and the Lords of the Sessione made judges to the interpretatione of the law of obliuione.
This parliament ordainnd all cheiffs of clans both in the Borders, Heighlands and Iles, to find sufficient catione to the King and his priuey counsaill, befor the first of October in this same zeire, for ther deportment and ciuill carriage, and peace of the countrey; and that all heighelanders and borderers returne to place quher they wer borne; and that it shall not be lesum in tymes coming to ane Scotts borderer to marrey with ane wther in England.
The pryme commissiones that issewes from this parliament wer, first, a commissione for ane taxatione anent the Kings marriage; a commissione anent cunzie; and ane commissione anent the establishing of ane vniversall mesure and waight throughe the haill kingdome; and lastly, a commissione anent the priority of places and wotting in parliament.
1588.
In Maij this zeire, 1588, the Earles of Huntley, Craufurd and Bothuell, wer accussed of tressone, for conspyring aganiste the Kings persone; bot by the soleme cleiring of themselues, thesse flashes did euaporat.
The 30 day of Julay, this same zeire, Francis, Earle of Bothuell, killed Sr William Steuart, in Edinbrughe.
This zeire, K. Philipe the 2d, of Spaine, hauing for diuersse zeires prepared a grate nauey of grate and small shipes, weill furnishd with men, victualls, and all sortes of prouisions for warr, commandit by the Duck of Medina Sydonia, wich was called the Inuincible Armado, quherwith he intendit to inwade the Iland of Brittane, (wich in conceit he had alredey deuored); this mightie and formidable nauey was, by the pouerfull assistance of the Most Heighe assisting the English fleeite, ouerthrowen, to the losse and astonishment of Spaine, and terror of Rome.
1589.
The 18 of Junij, this zeire, 1589, George, Earle Marishall, was sent ambassador to Denmarke, for the Kings marriage. He was weill accompanid in his ambassie, and by the Kings procuratione, the bussines was endit in the mounth of Julay therafter; and in September following, the ambassador, with the Queine and all her traine, shipt in Denmark for Scotland, bot by contrarey winds wer forced to land in Ypsto sound, in Norway, quher the frost did constraine them to vinter. Bot the King, impatient of his Queins stay, tooke shipe at Leithe, the 23 day of Nouember, this same zeire, and sauely arriu’d in Norway, quher the Queine was; quho both shortley after ther meitting, went backe to Denmarke, and ther was the marriage solemly consumat, with grate feasting and triumphe; quher he stayed wntill the mounth of Maij therafter. During his absence, by his commissione, Lodouick, Duck of Lennox, and Francis, Earle of Bothuell, wer appoynted gouernours of the realme till his returne, by adwisse and consent of the Lordes of his maiesties priuey counsaill.
1590.
K. James the 6 and hes Queine, Anna, sauely arriued from Denmarke at Leithe, the first of Maij this zeire, 1590, with a fleeit of 16 shipes, accompanied with sundrey of the nobles, and grate ladyes of Denmarke; and one 6 day of the same monthe, the King and Queine cam to the palace of Holyrudhouse from Leith, with ther haill traine; and one the 17 day of the same mounthe, Anna was crouned Queine of Scotland, with all requisite solemnity, in the abbey churche ther, by the Duck of Lennox and the Lord Hamilton: and one the 19 day of Maij, shoe made her entrey wnto the toune of Edinbrughe, accompanied with all thesse that attendit her from Denmarke, quher they wer royally feasted by the citey; and one the 26 day of the same mounth, the Danes that had accompanid the Queine theither, take ther liue of ther maiesties, (quho bestoued maney jewells and riche presents one them, according to ther seuerall qualities,) and tooke shiping for Denmarke.
1591.
This zeire, 1591, ther wer many apprehendit for witchcrafte, and put to diuers sortes of trialls; and therafter sentenced to be brunt in diuersse pairts of the kingdome.
The 22 of Junij, this same zeire, Francis, Earle of Bothuell, quho had beine prissoner in Edinbrugh castell some 20 dayes, escaped from thence. The ressones of his imprisonement wer, that he had consulted with witches, especially with one, a notorious diuell, called Richard Grhame, to destroy the King and Queine. Immediatly after his escape, he was declared rebell, and all his maiesties subiects, wnder the paine of tressone, inhibit to receaue him, or giue him aney mantinence.
This zeire, ther was a new coyne ordanid by acte of counsaill and proclamatione, 6 of Sept: of foure merke pices, merke and halffe merke, of siluer, for seruing the countrey.
The traitor Bothuell, one the 27 of September, this zeire, besetts the palace of Holyrudhousse, to haue takin the King, and kill WIlliam Shaw, master of his maiesties horsses, bot failled of his maine interprysse; 8 of hes followers wer apprehendit, and hangit at the Girth Crosse, aganist the palace gait, the nixt day, without aney assisse; wich tumult the Kings maiestie, one the 28 of December this same zeire, with the trecherey of Bothuell, he declared in St. Geills churche in Edinbrughe, to all his subiects present. This tumult was called the 1 Road of the Abbey.
1592.
The 7 of Februarij this zeire, 1592, the Earle of Murray was creuelly murthered by the Earle of Huntley, at his housse in Dumbrissell, in Fyffeshyre, and with him Dumbar, Shriffe of Murray; it giuen out and publickly talked that the Earle of Huntley was only the instrument of perpetratting this facte, to satiffie the Kinges jelosie of Murray, quhom the Queine, more rashlie then wyslie, some few dayes before had commendit in the Kings heiringe, with too maney epithetts of a proper and gallant man. The ressons of thesse surmisses proceidit from a proclamatione of the Kinges, the 18 of Marche follouing, inhibitting the younge Earle of Murray to persew the Earle of Huntley for his fathers slaughter, in respecte he being wardit in the castell of Blacknesse for the same murther, was willing to abyde his trayell; auerring that he had done nothing bot by the Kings maties commissione; and so was naither airt nor pairt of the murther.
A parl: haldin at Edinbrughe, the 12 day of Julay, this zeire, not mentioned amongest the printed statutes of this King, quherin Francis, Earle of Bothuell, with his quholl followers, wer forfaulted.
On the 17 of the mounthe of Julay, the forfaulted Earle of Bothwell intendit to haue surprissed the Kinge at Falkland; bot that deseuing failled him; for the palace wes walliantlie keipt aganist him, till the neighbouring tounes coming to the Kings reskew, the traitor betooke himselue to flight; and 18 of his men being takin neire to Cadermure, wer brought to Edinbrughe and hanged. The King, some dayes therafter, did publickly, in ane eloquent speiche to the people, in the grate churche of Edinbrughe, show the madnes of the traitor Bothuell in this Read of Falkland.
The warious accidents of stait, this zeire, wer both maney, and some of them memorable; the most remarkable wer, that the Countesse of Bothuell was receauid to the Kings fauor, the 17 of Nouember; and one the 23 of this same mounthe, ther was emitted a stait proclamatione, inhibiting all his Maiesties subiects to receaue, harbour, intertaine or wsse the society of the Countesse of Bothuell, wnder the paine of death.
About this tyme, also, Francis, Earle of Erole, was imprissond for poperey, the last of Julay; and one the 18 of October follouing, the Earle of Angus imprissond for the same causse also.
The last of Nouember, this same zeire, Johne Colquhoune was beheadit at the crosse of Edinbrughe, for murthering the Laird of Lusse, his brother.
Capitane James Steuart (quho called himselue Earle of Arran) returnd from exyle, 2d of December, this zeire, hauing beine out of the countrey some 8 zeires, euer since the Read of Streuelinge.
On the 17 day of December, this zeire, the ministers of Edinbrughe raissed the people in a tumult aganst some courteours, for wich the King deperted the toune to Perth, and ther citted the ministers and magistrats of Edinbrughe to compeir; bot the Kinges goodnes, and the comon pursse of Edinbrughe, pasified that storme.
About the end of December, this zeire, Mr George Ker was apprehendit at Calder, and brought to Edinbrughe, and ther comitted to closse prissone, for carying letters from the Popishe Lordes in Scotland to the Pope, K. of Spaine, and Prince of Parma, then Gouernour of the Netherlands.
1593.
In the begining of this zeire, 1593, the Earle of Angus was comitted to closse prissone in Edinbrughe castle, one Mr George Kers depositione, for crauinge ayde of forraine princes aganist the King and stait, 1 Januarij.
At this tyme, ther was a couenant, or mutuall band for defence of the reformed protestant religione, aganist Rome and all its adherents, ordannd by the King and his priuey counsaill to be subscriued by all his subiects, 3d of Januarij.
The 8 of Februarij, this zeire, the Earles of Huntley and Erole, both popishly affected, being citted to compeire befor the King and his counsaill, and not giuing obedience, war denunced rebells.
The 15 of Februarij, the Earle of Angus, quho had remained in Edinbrughe castle a closse prissoner since he was attached one Mr George Kers depositions, escaped from thence; wich made Dauid Grhame of Fintry faire the worsse, quho was also a prissoner for the selue same facte, to losse his head at Edinbrughe crosse, the 17 day of this same mounthe.
This zeire, in Marche, his maiestie made a progresse to the north, with some companies of souldiours, and did demolishe the castells of Slaines, Strathbolgie, Neuton, Burnhousse and Craige, belonging to the chieffe recusants of that countrey, viz. Huntley, Erole, Sr Walter Lindesay and Sr Johne Ogiluey.
The 21 of Julay, this zeire, the King halds a parliament at Edinbrughe, quherin the forfaultrey of Francis Steuarte, Earle of Bothuell, was againe ratified and confirmed by the 3 estaits, quho bot laitly, in the begining of this same werey mounth, had beine by appeirance bot newly reconceilld to the Kings fauor, (for he had forced his auen peace) by taking the King at Holyrudhousse palace; wich by the comons was called the second Road of the Abbey. In this parliament, also, the forfaultrey of Johne Lindesay of Wauchope was repealled, and he againe restored. The Queine had the 3d of the abbey of Dumfermling ratified to her, and the Ducke of Lennox the superiorities of the bischopericks of St. Andrews and Glasgow.
The 11 of October, this zeire, the Popishe Lordes wer reconceilled to the Kings fauor; and the acte of abolitione made in ther fauors proclaimed at Edinbrughe crosse by a pursuewant, 27 of Nouember.
This zeire endit with the Lord Maxswolls slaughter by the Laird of Jhonston, the 6 of this mounth of December; and the Laird of Cesfurdes combat with the traitor Bothuell, quho fought tuo aganist 2, the 11 day of this same mounthe.
It is to be remembred hou muche inconstancey appeird in gouernment of the stait this zeire, quhen as the 4 penney plackes were be oppin proclamatione wer ordained to haue coursse, and one the morrow they wer altogider discharged; wich shew a werey feckell tyme.
This zeire is most obseruable, in respecte the King was tossed like a tinnes ball betuix the preceisse ministers and the treacherous papists, in respecte quhen as he had cast done and demolisht some of ther housses, and committed other some of them to prisone, and exyled others; and in effecte doune all that lay in him to doe; zet Mr Robert Bruce, a minister, told him to his face, out of the pulpit, “that God wold raisse more Bothuells aganist him nor one;” that was, more enimes then Bothuell, giue he did not reuenge Gods quarrell aganist the papists, befor his auen particular; and repented him not of his auen tresspasses and iniquities.
1594.
In Appryle, this zeire, Bothuell comes to Leith with 500 horsse, and the King raisses the toune of Edinbrughe, to apprehend him; bot he fleies by the way of Dalkeith.
Diuers wer hangit this zeire, for resaittinng and entertaining of him; as William Heggie, 29 Appryle; Allane Orme, brother to the Laird of Mugdum, the 17 of September; Jhone Gibsone and James Cochrane, the 24 of this same mounth; lykwayes as also the Capitane of Blacknesse, the 15 of October, for the same causse.
In a parliament haldin at Edinbrughe, the 8 of Junij, this zeire, quherin maney lawes wer enacted aganist heirers of messe, papists, and aganist erections after the acte of annexatione.
In this same parliament, the Earles of Huntley, Erole and Angus, with the Lairdes of Mack-len, Mack-oneill and Achindoune, wer all forfaulted, for ther tressonable practisses to bring in the Spaniard, to betray the countrey to strangers, and to alter religion established by the lawes of the land.
One the 30 day of Agust, this zeire, the prince was christned in the chapell royall of Streueling, by the Bischope of Aberdeine, and called Henrey. His godfathers wer the Danishe King, the Duck of Meckelbrughe, and the Estaits of the Netherlands, by ther commissione sent by ther ambassadors. Queine Elizabeth of England was his godmother, by her ambassador, the Earle of Sussex.
Grate commotions did begin to threttin the publicke peace of this kingdome, in October this zeire, by the forfaulted Earles of Huntley and Erole, quho, with ther adherents and frindes, raisse in armes aganist the Kings leiuetenant, Archbald, Earle of Argyle, and faught a batell in the north neir Strathbolgie, at a place called the Ledderfootte, wich by some was called Belrinnesse, by others Glenliuett; in wich Sr Patrick Gordon of Achindoune, with diuers others of Huntlies frinds wer killed; the Earle of Erole hurte. Argyles armey wes totally routted, and maney of his iles-men killed. After this defait of his leieutenant, the King himselue marches north with a good armey aganist the rebellious Earles, casts doune ther housses, and chaisses them to ther lurking holes in Cathnes; this woyage of the Kinges was called, the 2d Read of Strathbolgie.
This zeire endit with the hanging of Capitane Raulley, for counterfitting the Kings grate seall aganist the merchants.
1595.
In Januarij this zeire, 1595, George Mure was hangit for killing of tuo ministers; and in the mounthe of Februarij therafter, Hercules Steuarte was hangit, with one Johne Syme, for intertaining his auen brother, the forfaulted Earle of Bothuell: and one the 23 day of this same mounthe, the said Earle was solemly excommunicat.
One the 4 day of October, this zeir, Johne Maitland, Lord Thirlestaine, Chanceler of Scotland, departed this lyffe; a resolute, learnid, wysse man, as aney in his tyme, quho had beine Chanceler of the realme some 10 zeires, from the parliament of Linlithgow 1585, to this zeire.
Amongest the constancies of the courte this zeire, one was remarkeable, that at Glasgow, in September, the King receauid the Countesse of Bothuell to his fauor the 22 day at night; and one the 3d of December againe proscriued and exyled her, wnder the paine of death: zet gaue her a letter of protection wnder his auen hand, within 6 dayes therafter.
The first grate pryces that euer victuall gaue in Scotland, in memorey of aney then liuing, was this zeire, and then at the tyme quhen the corns should haue beine chepest, in the moniths of October, Nouember, and December. Whyte was sold, and malte, at 20 lib. ootte meall 10 lib. and peasse meall at 7 lib.
1596.
I find not aney thing memorable this zeire, 1596, saue only that the prices of cornes continued still deir; and altho that aboue 60 shipes ladin with cornes and graine of all sortes came into the realme this zeire, zet the ootte meall was sold at 10 lib. 13 sh. 9 d. the boll, and peasse meall at 8 lib. 16 sh., and the Galloway boll was 20 lib. Bot I find Clement Cur and Robert Lumsdaine, hes sone in law, notted for baying the Earle of Marches wictuall of all sortes for 33 sh. 4 d. the boll, in the begning of the zeire, and therafter to haue solde it for the pryces aforsaid. The ministers throughe all the shyre pronuncid the cursse of God aganist them, as the grinders of the faces of the poore; wich cursse too manifestly lighted on them befor ther deathes.
In the mounthe of Januarij, this same zeire, a proclamatione was published at Edinbrughe crosse, by a herauld, anent the constitutione of the Octauians, for reuling the Kings rents and exchequer; they wer:
Sr Alex: Seattone of Pluscardey,
Sr Walter Steuarte of Blantyre,
Mr Jo: Lindesay of Menmure,
Mr Tho: Hamilton of Drumcairne,
Mr Ja: Elphingston of Barntone,
Mr Jo: Skeeine of Currigill,
Mr Da: Carnegy of Killaby,
Mr Peiter Younge of Seatton.
The Kings maiestie, in ane eloquent speiche had by him to the Generall Assembley this zeire, solemly promisses to correcte all faults, bot especially thesse of his auen houssholde; and to causse to be planted with ministers, the 400 kirks wich wer then vnplanted, and to see them prowydit to competent mantinence.
In the mounthe of Appryle, this zeir, the Laird of Buccleuche went to the castell of Carleill, and by a fyne stratageme releassed out of prisson William Kinmont.
Not withstanding of the Kings edict, and the publicatione of a perpetuall peace betuix the kingdomes of Scotland and England, in Januarij this zeire; zet in Julay, the borders bracke out in opin hostility.
The 15 of this same mounthe, Earles of Angus and Huntly wer receaued to the Kings fauor, and admitted to kisse his hand at Falkland.
The 19 day of Agust, this zeire, Queine Anna was brought to bed of a daughter, christned with grate solemity Elizabethe.
The King, in the begining of September this zeire, creats Colonell Stewarte his leiuetenant aganist the rebells in the Iles; quho departes from Glasgow with a nauey of 12 shippes, and 5 regiments of footte.
The 17 day of December, this zeire, a grate tumult was raissed in Edinbrughe, by the factious ministers and comons, aganist the Octauians. Some poore courtiers, for effectuatting ther auen ends, sturs vpe the ministers, quhom they had informed that the Octauians had counselled the King to countenance the Popische Lordes, and such as wer Romishly disposed; then, without more, was the Blue Blankit aduanced, and a factious citizen, named Eduard Jhonston, becomes leader to the rable multitude, and crayes, the suord of God and Gedeon, aganist the courteours, enimes to his treuth. This tumult in Edinbrughe moued the King to remoue thence all the seatts of justice, and inhibit the exercisse therof in that toune, by his proclamatione, the 18 of this same mounth. The King sumonds the prouest and balzies of Edinbrughe to take and apprehend ther preachers and ministers, and exhibet them to justice, and causses diuers noblemen gaurd the ports of the citey.
1597.
The Kings matie, by 3 seuerall proclamations, the 10 of Januarij this zeire, 1597, commands the Session to sitt at Perthe, the first of Februarij, and the prouest, balzies, deacons of crafts of Edinbrughe, to enter ther persons in vard in Perth, that same day, ther to abayde trayell for ther tumultuos behauiours the 17 of December last; and that aney minister that spekes aganist the King and his priuey counsaill, be pulled out of the pulpit, and punished; and the heirs that does not put this same proclamatione in practisse aganist them, to forfault to the King lyffe, landes and gudes. Bot for all thesse courte bosts, and proclamations of the Kinges, zet by ane other proclamatione, the 4 of Februarij, the Sessione was commandit to sitt in Leithe; and the 10 day of Marche, the haill counsaill and communitie of Edinbrughe wer denuncit rebells, becausse William Maule compeired not at Perth with the rest; and one the 22 day of this same mounth, the toune of Edinbrughe wer relaxed from the horne, and receauid to the Kinges fauor, and the Sessione ordained to sitt ther the 15 of Maij therafter. This tumult cost them 30,000 merkes.
In Appryle, this same zeire, the ministers of Edinbrughe wer relaxed from ther rebellion also, one promisse of ther modest behauiour in tyme coming.
The 25 of Maij, this zeire, the custome of all Englishe commodities was heighted 30 d. one the pound, wiche, with the former, extendit to the 8 penney. This same day, ther was publisht a proclamatione, inhibitting all his maiesties leidges to take aboue 10 per cent. for aney money borroued or lent, or victuall according to the same, wnder the paine of confiscatione of the soumes lent.
The 7 of October, this zeire, the Laird of Buccleuche, to satisfie Queine Elizabeth for his takning William Kinmont out of Carleill castle, was by the King sent to England, to obey his will and pleasure; shoe wssed him courteously, and dismissed him honorably.
In Nouember, this zeire, the Earle of Cassiles married the vidow of Chanceler Maitland.
The 19 day of December, this zeire, K. Ja: 6 held a parliament at Edinbrughe, quherin the acte of forfaultrey of the Earles of Angus, Huntley and Erole was repealld, and they restored to honors and estaits; and one the last day of this parliament, Angus did beare the croune, Huntley the scepter, and Erole the suord, from the parl: before the King, to the palace of Holyrudhousse. In this parl: the estaits granted to the King, to helpe to defray his charge in sending ambassadors to forraine princes, 200,000 merkes, to be payed befor the first of Appryle in the follouing zeire; to be payed as followes: 100,000 merkes to be payed be the spirituall estait and clergie, 6,666 and sex merkes, 8 sh. 10d. be the barrons and freehalders, and 33,333 merkes, 4 sh. 6 d. be the burrowes.
1598.
The 17 of Februarij this zeire, 1598, was that memorable ecclips of the sune, comonly called the Black Saterday, quheron people of all sortes rane to the churches to deprecat Gods wrath, supposing then the worlds last period to be at hand.
The 12 of Marche, this zeire, the memorable Generall Assembly begud at Dundie, during wich the Queins brother, the Duck of Holsteine, arriued at Leith; and in Maij therafter, he was solemly feasted by the toune of Edinbrughe; and one the 3d of Junij therafter, he shipt at Leith for his returne home, with a voley of 100 grate shote of canon from the bulwarkes of Leith.
On the 26 of Junij, this zeire, the Kings maiestie conweind the estaits of the realme at Edinbrughe, in wich conventione I find only thesse 8 actes to be concludit:-
Imprimis, That all deadly feads be reconceilld and aggried.
2d. Anent thesse that wer denuncit his maiesties rebells for slaughter.
3d. Acte in fauors of the 9 barrons that had takin the Iles in few from his matie.
4. That Monday be a day of recreatione free from worke.
5. That no man speake for the Laird of Jhonston, nor haue aney dealling or communicatione with him.
6o. The Earle of Angus made Leiuetenant of the Borders.
7o. That the debt auen be his maiestie to Thomas Fowills, be payed in sex zeirs, viz. 30,000 merkes zeirlie.
8o. The Bischope of Glasgow restored to his liuing of the Archbischoperick of Glasgow, and to the temporality therof.
In the mounthe of Agust, this zeir, at a hunting one the borders, the Englishe inwadit the Scotts, killed 6, and tooke 40 gentlemen prissoners.
A conventione of the estaits holdin at Edinbrughe, the last of October this zeire, in wich it was resolued by the estaits:-
First, That none presume to resait nor intertaine Jesuitts.
2do. Aganist such as wer at feeid with others, and wold not communicat, bot made that ther pratext to esschew the sacrament.
3o. That a table and roll of the contemptuous horners and rebells, be fixed one the mercat crosse of the head brugh of eache shyre.
4o. Forraine coyne inhibit to haue coursse as it formerlie had within this kingdome; viz. the Frenche croune at 3 lib. 4 sh.; the Englishe teston at 13 sh. 4 d.; the Spanishe reall of 8, at 43 sh. 4 d.
1599.
This zeire, 1599, begins with the nuptialls of tuo of the Lord Elphingstons daughters; one of them married to Johne, Earle of Sutherland, and the other to the Lord Forbes, at Edinbrughe, in the mounth of Februarij.
In the General Assembly haldin at Montrois, this zeire, the 20 of Marche, sex ministers wer chosen to be one the secret counsaill, and to haue woyce in parliament.
In Julay, this zeire, Kinkead of Warristone, a gentleman neire Edinbrughe, was murthered by his wyffe, for wich shoe was beheadit at the Cannowgat crosse; and her nursse was brunt at the same tyme, quha was ane actor in the bussines.
About this same tyme, the Laird of Carmichell, quho was Warden of the Borders, was murthered the 16 of Junij, by the Armestranges and Carleills.
The 5 day of Agust, this zeire, the Kings maiestie escaped the trecherous and bloodie handes of Jhone, Earle of Gourey, and of hes brother Alexander, quho had inwitted him to Perth to se a grate tressure they had found; they wer both killed by Jhone Ramsay, one of his maiesties pages, and Thomas Erskyne, and the innocent King preserued. Newes of this conspiracey coming to Edinbrughe one the morrow, the 6 day, that the King had escaped this bloodie plot, ther was grate expressions of ioy amongest all sortes of people, by shotting of canons, ringing of bells and bonefyres; and the
Earle of Montrois, L. Chanceler,
Lord Elphinston, Thesaurer,
Sr Ja: Elphingston, Secretarey,
Sr Dauid Murray, Comptroller,
Sr Jo: Prestone, Collector,
with a grate maney of the nobility, senators of the Colledge of Justice, and priuey counsellers, went all of them to Edinbrughe crosse, and hard Mr Dauid Lindesay declair the bussines to the people in a werey eloquent oration; wich no souner finished, bot all of them, one ther kneeis, with lifted vpe handes to heauin, gaue God humble and hearty thankes for his maiesties health, sauetey and deliuerey out of so grate danger.
The 11 day of Agust, being Monday, the King came to Leith, quher he was mett by multitudes of people in armes, quho attendit him to Edinbrughe, with grate acclamations of ioy, and sett him doune at the croce, wich wes richly couered with cloth of gold, and hard a sermon, prechead by Mr Patrick Galloway; his text was out of the 124 Psal: quherin he at lenth declared the haill circumstances of Gouries tresson, from poynt to poynt; wich relatione of his, the Kings maiesty testified by hes auen mouthe and wordes, to all the people to be most trew. Only 5 ministers, viz:
Mr Robert Bruce,
Mr James Balfour,
Mr William Vatsone,
Mr Valter Balconquell,
Mr Jhone Hall,
quho wold not beliue and affirme the Kings declaratione of Gouries conspiracey, altho they had hard from his maiesties auen mouthe; they wer, wnder the paine of death, discharged to preache, or to come neir Edinbrugh, or within 10 myles to his maiesties courte, and that by oppin proclamatione at the crosse of Edinbrughe.
By proclamatione, the 13 day of Agust, the haill name of Ruthuen wer inhibit to come neire the King or court, within 10 myles, wnder the paine of tressone; and on the 23 of this same mounth, thre of the Earle of Gouries seruants wer execute at Perth, Mr Thomas Cranston, George Craigingelt, and one Barrone; lykwayes the haill frindes, tutors, curators and children, pretending aney right to the earledome of Gourey, wer sumond to compeir befor the parliament, calld to the first of Nouember, this zeire.
In September, this zeire, his maiestie commandit the 5 day of Aguste, for euer heirafter to be keipt as ane holy day, with preaching and prayer, and thankes giuing for hes maiesties preseruatione from the tressone of Gourey, his brother and complices. This was followed by a proclamatione of the 9 of October, charginng all them of the name of Ruthuen to passe out of the countrey, in especiall, Alexander, wnckell by the father to the said Earle of Gourey, and his tuo brothers; and one the 15 day of Nouember, they, with ther seruants and dependers, wer all forfaulted; and the same day, Sr Thomas Erskyne was created Lord of Dirltone, Jhone Ramsay and Heu Harreis knighted, and Sr Thomas Erskins footeman made a gentleman; and, to conclud the last acte of all this tragidey, the 19 of this same mounthe the bodies of Gourey and his brother wer draged throughe the streitts of Edinbrughe, to the gallows, and hangett and boulled, and ther heads sett on tuo iron pins one the pinackells of the comon jayle of Edinbrughe, with this sentence, ther to stand till the wind did blow them offe.
The 20 day of Nouember, the Queine was brought to bed of a sone at Dumfermlinge; he was christned Charles, the 23 of December follouing; and one the day of his christning, by the King his father, he was created Lord of Ardmanoche, Earle of Ross, Marques of Ormond and Duck of Albaney. And within sex dayes therafter, his maiestie made a grate feast to his nobility and Lords of his priuey counsaill; and to honor the feast the more, he created the Lord Leuingstone, Earle of Linlithgow; the Lord Setton, Earle of Vinton; and the Lord of Cessfurd, Earle of Roxbrughe; and sundrey gentlemen he knighted: and after the banquett was serued in, the haill canons of the castell wer tuo seuerall tymes discharged.
1600.
The Kings maiestie, by the adwisse of his counsaill, by proclamatione of the 15 Januarij this zeire, 1600, ordannid 12 d. Scottes to be payed to the King one eurey pynt of wyne sold in tauerns.
A conuentione of the estaits holdin at Edinbrughe, the 12 day of Februarij, this zeire, quherin the estaits granted 20,000 crounis for defraying the Earle of Marrs charges, quho was sent by his maiestie extraordinarey ambassador to Elizabeth, Queine of England, with a werey grate traine.
2d. That no wooll be transported by merchants off the countrey.
3o. That no cloth made of wooll, no hattes nor stokings be imported be aney merchant.
4o. The acte of counsaill anent the payment of 12 d. one the pynte of wynne to his maiestie solde in tauerns, ratified.
The 27 of Appryle, James Woode, eldest sone to the Laird of Bonnetoune, in Angusshyre, was beheadit at the crosse of Edinbrughe, for brecking opin the gattes of the housse of Bonetone, and taking thence hes fathers charter kist.
The 15 of Maij, this zeire, in the Generall Assembley haldin at Brunt-Iyland, the Kings maiestie, after ane eloquent oratione had to them, in presence of God, and befor them all, he solemly woued to doe justice to all his subiectes withoute respecte of persons, of quhatsomeuer degree or qualitey.
The snow couered the face of the ground, this zeire, from the 1 of Nouember in the preceiding zeire, till the 1 day of Maij this zeire.
1601.
The 18 day of Februarij this zeir, 1601, the Queine was brought to bed of her 3d sone at Dumfermling, and wes christned, the 2d day of Maij, Roberte. The King his father that same day created him Lord of Annerdaill, Earle of Carrick, Marques of Vigtone and Duck of Kintyre. He departed this lyffe at Dumfermling, the 27 day of Maij, and was interrid ther.
The 18 day of Nouember, this zeir, the King, by his proclamatione, commandit that all ofe the surname of Ruthuen should change ther surnames, and that none of them should approche neirer his persone or courte than 10 myles, wnder the paine of treassone.
1602.
The Lord Maxswoll, that had beine a prisoner in the castle of Edinbrughe, made hes escape from thence, the 12 of Januarij this zeire, 1602; and one the 17 day of the same mounth, ther issewed furth a proclamatione after him, inhibitting all his maiesties leidges to resaitt, harbour, or giue aney intertainiment to him, wnder the paine of tressone.
The 9 of Februarij, this same zeire, the Laird of Mack-gregor, with 400 of his name and kinred, enters the countrey of Lennox, spoyles it, and kills aboue 200 men, woomen and children; vsing all the actes of hostilitey that a merciles and barbarous enimey could doe.
The 13 day of this same mounth, the Marques of Huntley was reconceilled to the Earle of Argyle and Murray, and ther freindes.
1603.
One Thursday the 24 of Marche this zeire, 1603, about tuo a clocke in the morninge, deyed that famous and renouned Queine, Elizabeth, Queine of England, France and Irland, at her manor of Richmond, in Surrey, about the age of 70 zeires; after shoe had rainged 44 zeires and 5 mounthes, with some odde dayes. Her corps was priuiley conuayed to Whithall, and ther remained till the 23 day of Appryle; and then wer royally interred at Vestminster.
This same day that Queine Elizabeth departed this lyffe, the nobility and priuey counsellors of England proclaimed James the 6, King of Scotland, King of England, France and Irland, Defender of the Faith, &c. at eleuin a clocke at Whytehall, and in the citey of London, at Cheapesyde Crosse.
The 27 of this monnth, being Saturday, the porters sone of Beruicke cam to his matie at Holyrudhousse, with the keyes of Beruicke.
The last of Marche, the most pairt of the nobilitey, with sewin noblemen of England, and his maiesties secretarey of estait, the Lord Balmerinoche, came to Edinbrughe croce, the Secretarey read, and Sr Dauid Lindesay of Mont, knight, Lyone King of Armes, proclaimed K. James the 6, King of Scotland, England, France and Irland, Defender of the Faithe.
The 3d of Appryle this zeire, being the Sabath day, his maiestie came to the grate kirke of Edinbrughe, quher he made a speiche to the people, in presence of the noblemen of England that wer present at that tyme, and ther solemley promissed, that since he neides behoued to leaue them and goe to England, zet he wold not faill euerey three zeirs once to wisit them, and hes wther good subiects of Scotland.
The 5 day of Appryle this zeire, being Tuesday, his maiestey tooke hes iorney for England, with the teares and lamentations of his people, and entred Beruick the 6 of this same mounthe, quher he stayed 3 dayes, and so forward by eassier jorneyes. He entred London the 7 day of Maij, this same zeire. His progress is at lenth sett doune by Stow in his Analls.
The 10 day of Junij, this zeire, Queine Anna, togider with her eldest sone, Prince Henrey, tooke ther iorney for England; and the day after them, the Princesse Ladey Elizabethe tooke iorney. The Lordes of the priuey counsell of England had sent to attend the Queine at Beruicke, and accompaney her to London:
The Earle of Sussex;
The Earle of Lincolne;
The Lord Comptone;
The Lord Norris;
Sr George Carew, President of Momister;
Sr Jhone Bucke, knight;
The Countesse of Worchester;
The Countess of Kildare;
Ladey Anna Herbert, daughter to the Earle of Pembrocke;
Ladey Scroupe, Lo: Scroupes wyffe;
Ladey Riche, Lo: Riche wyffe;
Ladey Walsinghame.
About this tyme, the Lord Mount-ioy returnes from Irland, and with him the famous rebell (that keipt England so longe worke) Heughe Oneale, Earle of Tyrone, quho was admitted to the Kinges fauor, by the Lord Deputies meins, and pardoned, and proclamatione of the 7 of Junij, the said Earle of Tyrone was restored, and order giuen for his honorable wssage.
In this mounth of Junij, diuers ambassadors from forraine princes cam to his maiestie, to congratulat his acces to the croune of England; namlie, from the Prince Elector Palatyne; from the Estaits of Holland cam Secretarey Barnewelt; from the Archduck Albert, and from the Frenche King came Monseur de Rosney, Grate Thesaurer of France.
King James, at this same tyme, sends the Earle of Rutland ambassador to Denmarke, to assist at the christning of the said Kinges sone; and to present the said King with the order of the Garter.
The 25 of Julay, being Monday, K. James and Queine Anna wer togidder solemley crouned and anoynted at Westminster, (by John Whytegift, Archbischope of Canterburrey,) K. and Queine of England, France and Irland.
The 2d of October, this zeire, the notorious theiffe and rebell, Allaster Mack-gregor, Laird of Glenstrae, quho had escaped the Laird of Arkindlesse handes, was taken by Archbald, Earle of Argyle, quho (befor he wold zeild) had promissed to him to conwoy him saue out of Scotts ground; to performe wich promisse, he caused some seruants conwey him to Berwicke, and be southe it some mylles, and bring him backe againe to Edinbrughe, quher he was hangit, with maney of his kinred, the 20 day of Januarij, in the following zeire, 1604.
In Nouember, this zeire, the Lord Cobhame, the Lord Gray, Sr Walter Raleighe, Gerwasse Markehame, with the 2 prists, Watsone and Clercke, ther tressone was discouered, and they apprehendit, indicted and arrainid at diuers places. The heads quherone they wer accussed was cheifflie,
1. Conspyring to kill the King;
2. To raisse rebellione;
3. To alter religione;
4. To subwert the estait;
5. To procure inwasione by strangers.
All of them hauing receaued sentence of death, and being in the place of executione, redey to lay doune ther heades, receued pardon and mercey from the King, except the tuo prists, Watsone and Clerck, ringleaders of that conspiracey, quho wer execut 29 Nouember; and George Brooke, the Lord Cobhames brother, was beheadit the 5 day of December, at Winchester.
4 thoughts on “James, Sixth of that Name (1567-1603), Kinge of Scotland and Therafter of England, France and Irland, &c., pp.340-416.”