His Royal Highness JAMES DUKE of Alban●, and York, only Brother to his sacred majesty, Lord High Comissioner of Scotlan●    

Medulla Historiae Scoticae: Being a Comprehensive HISTORY OF THE Lives and Reigns OF THE KINGS OF SCOTLAND, FROM FERGUS the First, to our Gracious Sovereign CHARLES' the Second.  
CONTAINING The most Remarkable Transactions, and Observable Passages, Ecclesiastical, Civil, and Military, with other Observations proper for a Chronicle; faithfully Collected out of Author's Ancient and Modern.  
To which is added, A brief Account of the Present State of Scotland, the Names of the Nobility, and Principal Ministers of Church and State, the Laws Criminal: A Description of that Engine with which Malefactors are Tortured, called the BOOT.  
LONDON, Printed for Randal Taylor, near Stationer's Hall, 1685.   

To the Most Noble JAMES Earl of Perth, Lord Drummond, and Stobhall, etc.  
Lord Justice General of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND, One of the Extraordinary Lords of the SESSION, and one of the Lords of His MAJESTY'S Most Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL in that KINGDOM.  
THIS Compendious History of the KINGS of Scotland, is Most Humbly Dedicated by  
Your Lordship's Most Humble, most Faithful, and most Obedient Servant, W. A.   

TO THE READER.  
I Shall not detain the Generous Reader with Flourishes upon the Grandeur, and Glory of the Scotish Crown, nor tell you that it may Vie Antiquity with the Ancientist Monarchy of the Universe, that I leave to your umpirage, when you have compared the following sheets with the Histories of other Nations. Only thus far I will assure you that Scotland will be found to be a Country Pregnant of Wonderful Changes, and Revolutions, a Theatre whereon Divine Providence has I Exhibited divers remarkable Instances, of its Peculiar Care over Crowned Heads, and where all Treason and Disloyalty has been pursued with utter ruin and Destruction. It can show a Race of Kings Unparalleled for their Bravery, and Gallantry in the Defence of their Country, and Protection of their Allies, and for their Heroicism in Assisting and redresing the Miserable and Oppressed. But I leave their own Acts, as represented in the following Mirror to make good my assertion, and shall proceed to offer something in my own Vindication, for I am liable to some Reprehension for Cramming so Large, so Bulky a History into so small a Volume, but if it be considered that all the Curious have neither the leisure to peruse nor the means to provide a larger, I hope I shall need no farther Apology upon that point, nor need I advocate much for differing much from many Authors, as to the Origin of our Nation, since I have followed the most Authentic, and have only varied from those whose writings are vanished with Monkery, and savour more of the Legend than true History. Besides the plain bomespun manner wherein all these matters are delivered, will disgust several who only delight in what is Flaunting and Tricked up with all the Ornaments and Gawdiness of Rhetoric and Elocution; but be it known I fitted my stile for the Capacities of Vulgar Readers, such as becomes a History, not a Panegyric, and what squars best with the Tongue of both Kingdoms, wherein there was never yet any Chronicle published of the Realm of Scotland; so as that those who were unacquainted with the Latin, were excluded from the knowledge of the Primitive state of so Illustrious a Kingdom. After having fitted this account for the Common use by divesting it of a Pompous Dress and a too Stately Dignity of stile, my Chief Care was to avoid Partiality, by a steady and Cauterous steering between Buchanan and Bishop Lesley, Seylla and Charybdis, where vast Funds of Wit and Learning might easily have wrought the shipwreck of an unwary Pilot; so that tho' a great part hereof is a translation of Eminent Authors, yet I left my Originals when I found 'em biased, and avoiding their Extremes bouled directly to the Block.   

THE Introduction,  
HIstory has been reckoned, one of the most Generous amusements of the greatest Personages, and the loftier the Subject, the more agreeable the Entertainment. Now for the Advantages, and Dignity of a Scotish Chronicle; I will not so much insist upon its Novelty, and the wonderful Vicissitudes it contains, as the Preeminency of that Crown, over all Commonwealths, Empires and Monarchies, which, by stating their several Claims and Pretences, will sufficiently be made appear. The Emperor Challenges the first Rank, as succeeding to the Roman Emperors, who are supposed to have been universal Monarches; the French King pretends also to it, upon the Account of his being Styled the most Christian King, with other such Pretences. The King of Spain also pleads it, as his Right; being the most Catholic King, and King of manyest Kingdoms.  
In this Debate of theirs, we are not a little concerned; our business therefore shall be to prove: First, that the King of Great Britain hath an unquestionable Right of Precedency to all the above named Princes: Secondly, that he hath it it as King of Scotland.  
First, he found'st his Precedency to them all, 1. Upon his being a absolute Monarch of the Isle of Great Britain, which was first Christian, 2. Upon his being one of the Quatuor nucti, which were before all other Kings, 3. That having Conquered France, he hath Right to all its Titles, by which he carries it clear from the Spaniard, or any other Competitor, and Lastly, that it was granted him, even as King of England by the Popes themselves, in the General Councils; so that had they not relinquished his Papacy, it is like his Holiness, had not as yet questioned their Title to it.  
II. His Majesty as King of Scotland, may justly claim the Precedency from all those Princes; it being by Lawyers declared the uncontroverted use of Precedency, That amongst those of equal Dignity, he who first attained to that Dignity, is to be preferred, This being a Rule among others Dignities, we see no reason, but that it should hold here.  
This being granted, I subsume that the King of Scotland, being equal in Dignity with the Kings of England, France and Spain, attained to that Dignity, before either of them, for the first King of Scotland Reigned about three hundred and thirty years before the birth of Christ: Whereas the English Historians Confess, that they cannot reckon higher than eight hundred years after Christ: Nor can either the French, or Spaniard come up to the English, for the French take the Origine from Hugh Capi, who Usurped that Crown, Anno. 987. And the Spaniards from Rudolphus King of the Romans, Elected 1273.  
But here it is objected by some, that the Kings of Scotland, were Vassals to the Kings of England, and did them Homage for the Crown of Scotland, and so can Claim no Precedency amongst any free Princes, far less amongst such as are of the first magnitude. This some English Historians do with great Confidence aver; but that their Ignorance, or Malice, or both may appear, we are Content to refer the matter, not only to the Respect the General Councils gave to the Representatives of the Kings of Scotland, which was only due to free Princes, together with the Judgement of Foreign Princes, Lawyers, and Historians about it; but also to the acknowledgement of the Kings of England themselves, (1.) King Henry of England, having entreated the Assistance of Alexander King of Scotland, against Simeon Earl of Leicester, did by Letters under his hand, publicly declare, that he did not crave this Assistance, as Superior, to which Superiority, he had no pretence, but to which is very Considerable, the King and Parliament of England, have treated with the Ambassadors of Scotland; whereas no Superior can Treat with his own Vassal, as a Foreigner.  
We freely Grant that the Kings of Scotland did hold the Lands of Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmoreland, in Capite of the Crown of England, which yet was no Disparagement to them; that being most ordinary amongst Sovereign Princes, for thus Henry King of England, and several others of their Kings, did Homage to the Kings of France, for the Provinces possessed by them in France; as the King of Spain also doth, this day to the Pope, for Naples and Sicily. And yet the Homage done for those Countries have been the occasion of an Ignorant mistake in some, and a malicious Pretence for others, to misrepresent it, as done for the Kingdom of Scotland.   

Advertisement.  
By reason of the Author's absence from the Press; several Faults have escaped, which the Reader is desired to amend.   

A List of the KINGS of SCOTLAND.  

1 FErgus.  
2 Ferithar.  
3 Main.  
4 Dornadill.  
5 Hothat.  
6 R●ther.  
7 Rutha.  
8 Thereus.  
9 Josine.  
10 Finnane.  
11 Durst.  
12 Even. 1  
13 Gill  
14 Even. 2.  
15 Eder.  
16 Even. 3.  
17 Metelan.  
18 Caratack.  
19 Corbred. 1.  
20 Dardan.  
21 Corbred. 2.  
22 Luctack.  
23 Mogald.  
24 Conar.  
25 Ethod. 1.  
26 Satrael.  
27 Donald. 1.  
28 Ethod. 2.  
29 Athirck.  
30 Nathalock.  
31 Findoch.  
32 Donald. 2.  
33 Donald. 3.  
34. Crathilinth.  
35 Fincormach.  
36 Romach.  
37 Angusian.  
38 Fethelmach.  
39 Ewen. 1.  
40 Fergus. 2.  
41 Ewen. 2.  
42 Dongard.  
43 Constantine. 1.  
44 Congall. 1.  
45 Goran.  
46 Ewen. 3.  
47 Congall. 2.  
48 Kinnatell.  
49 Aidan.  
50 Kenneth.  
51 Ewen. 4.  
52 Ferchard. 1.  
53 Donald. 3.  
54 Ferchard. 2.  
55 Maldwine.  
56 Ewen. 5.  
57 Ewen. 6.  
58 Amberkelleth.  
59 Ewen. 8.  
60 Mordach.  
61 Etfin.  
62 Ewen. 7.  
63 Fergus. 3.  
64 Solvat.  
65 Achaius.  
66 Congall. 3.  
67 Dongall.  
68 Alpine.  
69 Kenneth. 2.  
70 Donald. 5.  
71 Constantine. 2.  
72 Eth.  
73 Gregory.  
74 Donald. 6.  
75 Constantine. 3.  
76 Malcolm. 1.  
77 Indulf.  
78 Duff.  
72 Culen.  
80 Kenneth. 3.  
81 Constantine. 4.  
82 Grim.  
83 Malcolm. 2.  
84 Donald. 7.  
85 Macbeth.  
86 Malcolm. 3.  
87 Donald Bane.  
88 Duncan.  
89 Edgar.  
90 Alexander. 1.  
91 David. 1.  
92 Malcolm. 4.  
93 William.  
94 Alexander. 2.  
95 Alexander. 3.  
96 John Balliol.  
97 Robert Bruce.  
98 David. 2.  
99 Edward Balliol.  
100 Robert. 2.  
101 Robert. 3.  
102 James. 1.  
103 James. 2.  
104 James. 3.  
105 James. 4.  
106 James. 5.  
107 Henry Stewart, and Mary Stewart.  
108 James. 6.  
109 Charles. 1.  
110 Charles. 2.    

AN EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.  
THe Scots by the most judicious Writers, and by those who have most carefully studied, not only their own Antiquities, but those of other Nations are acknowleged (although they be not of the greatest) to be undoubtedly among the most ancient People in Europe. But to speak more particularly of their ancient Nation, we must know that the whole Island 〈◊〉, it is a part, was at first called Albion, or Albium: As Theophrastus, Ptolemy, Tacitus and Seneca tells us, which Name the true race of the ancient Scots retain to this day, calling the ancient Country Albin, and themselves Albinich, always keeping their primitive Name notwithstanding of the many different People, that have since inhabited it.  
The Etymology of this Name is disputed by many, but it seems to be really derived from Alb, or Alphonso, signifying a Hill or high place. The ancient Inhabitants of the Northern parts of this Island were called Scots, who were divided into two sorts, the one who were the first Possessors, and this Posterity doth inhabit it to this day, were called the Scoto-Brigantes. Some have taken upon them to be very accurate, in giving an Account of their descent, and the manner of their coming hither, even from the far ends of the Earth; but with so little appearance of Truth, that I will not put my Reader nor myself to the trouble to refute it. The most probable Conjecture, and that which carrieth most Evidence with it is, that these first Inhabitants came in Colonies from Spain to Ireland (nor is it improbable, that these Colonies were Originally from France) who either for want of Accommodation to live at home, or being thrust out by stronger hands came over to Ireland, where they continued long, for either themselves or their Children desirous of new Habitations, transported themselves to the north Islands, where they continued in an unsettled Course of Life for a long time; the time of their entering Albion, is said to have been from the Creation, about 3530 years. 
Pect. Boet. Ralph l. 306.  The first place they took Possession of was Argyle, they being divided into sundry Tribes, elected every Tribe their own Captain, to govern them in Peace and War, this very name they had in great Veneration.  
Then after, about 150 (as some write) a Germane, or as Beda saith, a Scythian Navy arrived upon the coast of Ireland; being as is probable, beat thither by a Tempest, having neither Wives or Children with them; the men were in want of every thing, having by tedious Sailing consumed all their Provision. They sent to the Inhabitants, desiring they might have a residence among which they told them, they could not afford in regard of the Barrenness of the place, and the multitude of Inhabitants that possess it already; but that there was a habitable Land called Albion, not far from them, whether they might go; it being for the most part, as yet un-inhabited, and such as did inhabit it, like to ruin one another by civil Discords  
Those men (afterward called Picts following their Advice, set Sail and came to that part of Albion that lies toward Germany; and having Landed, soon beat out the Inhabitants, and made them draw themselves within less bounds. Possessing themselves of Caithness, Ross, Murray, Merus, Angus, Fife and Lothian, together with Orkney, which some say was their first Habitation. They were a civil People, Ingenious and Crafty, both in Peace and War.  
Having fixed their residence, they sent Messengers to the Scots, desiring their Daughters in Marriage, alleging that if they condescended, it would highly conduce to the Welfare of both of them; being thereby made strong, for either an offensive or defensive War, with any of their Neighbour's. This message the Scots at first rejected, but upon mature Deliberation they condescended: So having agreed upon the Terms, which were that they should concur with all their Forces, when they were invaded, and as often as the Crown of Picts came to want an Heir, the next of the Woman's blood should succeed; the Scots gave their Daughters in Marriage to them: But the Britons who inhabited the South parts of the Island, suspecting that this affinity between the Scots and the Picts, might tend to their prejudice, sent Ambassadors to the Picts, persuading them to break with the Scots; by this means the Scots suffered extremely, many of their People who dwelled among the Picts, being surprised and cut off, in Compensation of which they cut off, as many of the Picts as they could catch; thus they for a long time wasted one another's Country with continual Incursions, at last they resolved to put it to the hazard of a General Battle. The Scots assembling in Argyle, consulted what was fit to be done, and considering that they had not only to do with the Picts, but with the Britons also; therefore it was agreed to send Ambassadors to Ireland, to have the Advice and Assistance of their old Friends, and Progenitors in this Affair, and finding that by having many supreme Captains, Sedition and Division increased amongst them, they resolve to elect one to have the supreem Government over the rest.  
Their Ambassadors arriving in Ireland, and representing their condition to Ferchard King of Scots, he was much concerned at the wrongs done them, therefore he sent his Son Fergus a wise and valiant Prince, accompanied with many gallant Soldiers; sending with him also the fatal Marble Chair for his encouragement: Upon his arrival he called a Council in Argyle, where having made an elegant Oration, he was by Unanimous Consent elected King of the Scots.  
1. Thus Fergus the first King of Scots, was Crowned in the fatal Marble Chair, which he brought with him from Ireland, in the year from the Creation 3641. before the coming of Christ 330. about the beginning of the fourth Monarchy, when Alexander the Great vanquished Darius the last Persian Monarch. Soon after the Picts assisted by the Britons, invaded the Country against them, the King most valiantly took the Field with his fierce Scots; when the two Armies approached one another, the Britons stood off in Battle Array, resolving that when the Scots and Picts had sufficiently weakened one another in Battle, to break in upon them, and destroy them both; this by a Fugitive briton was discovered to Fergus, whereupon he desired an interview with the King of Picts; wherein, representing the eminent hazard that both of them were in, by the Treachery of the Britons, after mature Deliberation; it was determined that they both should convert their Arms against the Britons, this resolution was most pleasing no doubt to the Picts Wives, to see their Husbands and their Fathers agreed. The Britons seeing this disappointment of their hopes break upon the Picts, pillaging and spoiling at their Pleasure, which when Fergus heard of, he went against them, and with the Assistance of the Picts, he totally routed them killing their King, his Name was Coil with many of his Nobles: Upon this Victory the Nobles and Subjects agreed, that Fergus and his Posterity, should inherit the Crown of Scotland for ever, whereupon Charters and Evidences were granted to them, ratifying the same.  
The Kingdom of Scotland being thus confirmed to Fergus and his Successors, he with Advice and Consent of his Council divided the whole Land, then inhabited by the Scots among his Nobles and Captains, making many Laws to repress Vice and Disorders: Not long after he was chosen Arbitrator, to determine some high Controversies amongst his Friends in Ireland; whereupon he went thither, accompanied with many of his Nobles, and settled all their Debates. But returning home, he was by a tempestuous Storm driven upon a Rock in the Sea, where he and all the Nobles in his Company perished, this Rock is called after his Name Carrib-Fergus: Thus died this brave and valiant Prince, in the five and twentieth Year of his Reign, to the unspeakable Grief and loss of his Subjects.  
2. Fergus being dead, left two Sons behind, him Ferlegus and Atainus, neither of which were capable presently to manage the Government, because of their tender years: Whereupon a Convention was holden by the Nobles, for electing of a King, wherein some were for choosing one of the late King's Children; alleging, that they were bound by Oath to continue the Crown in Fergus his Succession; others aggravated the Danger both at home and abroad, under the Government of a Child. At length, after a long Debate it was enacted, that when it happened their King should die, (the Heirs begotten of his Body, being Children) the nearest of the Royal Blood, being the best qualified for doing of Justice should succeed, and possess the Crown for his time; and after his Death, the former King's Son to succeed without any impediment, if he is found fit for Government. This Law was in Force till the Reign of King Malcom the third. Thus by this Law Feritharis Brother to Fergus the late King was chosen, who begun his Reign in the Year of the World 3666. before the coming of Christ 305 Years, from the beginning of the Reign of Scotland 26.  
Feritharis Reigned fifteen years with such Equity and Modesty, that his Subjects found him an excellent King, and his Nephews an excellent Tutor; but at length Ferlegus having an itching after the Government, and having got some loose young Men upon his side, went to his Uncle and boldly demanded the Kingdom from him, alleging that he enjoyed it, only by way of trust, during his Minority. Feritharis upon this called a Convention of the Nobles, where he willingly offered to resign the Kingdom, in Favours of his Nephew; but they being sensible how happy they had hitherto lived, under his Government, and knowing that the other was of a rude untractable disposition, by no means would hear of it; soon after there was a Conspiracy discovered against the King's Person, managed by Ferlegus and some others: Whereupon he was presently arraigned and found Guilty, but his Father's memory, his Uncle's desire to the Parliament, prevailed to have him pardoned, and committed only to the keeping of some, who were commanded to take special notice of all his Actions, but he found a way to deceive his Keepers, and make his escape; he first fled to the Picts, then to the Britons, where he spent the rest of his days in great Misery, within a Month after, Feritharis died, not without Suspicion of being poisoned by some of his Nephew's Accomplices, which so enraged the Nation against him, that his very Memory was hateful.  
3. Mainus Fergus his second Son, succeeded, in the Year of the World 3680. before Christ 291. After the beginning of the Reign forty one. He was a noble Prince, and a severe Justiciary, he renewed the old League, with Crinus King of Picts, he died peaceably the 29th. Year of his Reign.  
4. His Son Dornadill succeeded him in the Government in the Year of the World 3079. before Christ 262. after the beginning of the Reign seventy, he followed his Father's Footsteps in Equity and Justice, but was more given to Pastimes; especially Hunting; he is said to have made several Laws about Hunting, which the Ancient Scots observe to this day, he died peaceably the 28. year of his Reign.  
5. Dornadilles eldest Son, being yet a Child and not fit to Govern, the People set Hothat his Brother upon the Throne in the year of the World 3738. before Christ 233 after the beginning of the Reign 98. He proved a monstrous Tyrant, taking Pleasure in nothing more than in murdering his Nobility, and destroying his People by all the means that he could devise, till at last one Dowall a Gallaway man, having gathered together a Company of disaffected Persons came boldly to the King, telling him how grievous his Government was to the People, because of his Oppression, and therefore desired him to resign the Crown (which he was unfit to wear) to such as had a better Title to it; the King tho' surprised by his Enemy, yet no ways daunted, told him, that whatever was done by him during his Government, was done by Royal Authority, and if it was grievous to the Subjects, they had their own obstinacy to blame for it, hereupon Dowall presently fell upon, and killed him after he had Reigned twenty years.  
6. Rewther the Son of Dornadilles, was by Dowals' Faction made King without the People's Consent, in the year of the World 3758. before Christ 213. after the Reign 118. the Nobles took this very ill. And as for Hothat, tho' they knew that he deserved the worst kind of Death, yet they did not approve of this Fact, as being of bad Example; they knew also, that what Dowal did, was for his own ends, as afterward appeared. Hothats Relations taking the advantage of the People's dissatisfaction stirred them up by all means, to make War upon Dowall; at length, they draw to Arms under the Command of Ferguhort, Hothats Son-in-Law, and Captain of Kintire and Lorn. Dowall came against them with great Power, accompanied with the young King, the King of Picts, and many others of his Friends. There followed a most cruel Battle, where after two several Engagements in one day, Dowall was utterly defeated, himself, the King of Picts, together with all the chief of the Claws were killed upon the place. Reuther the young King was pursued, and taken at the Castle of Callender, but very civilly used.  
The consequences of this unhappy day, were most fatal both to Scots and Picts; not having Men enough left alive to inhabit the Realm, or to withstand their Enemies, upon which the Britons took occasion to invade them, but they no wise being in Case to resist them, after several bloody Skirmishes, were forced to betake them to the Mountains; the King of Scots went into Ireland, and the King of Picts to Orkney, whereafter twelve years' Misery, they resolved once more to try their Fortune, and returning home, the one from Ireland, the other from Orkney; they joined Battle with their old Enemies, the conflict was so terrible, that none of the parties could boast much of the Victory. However, the upshot of the matter was, a Peace was concluded, and the Scots, and Picts re-installed in their old Possessions. This King died in the twenty six year of his Reign, having left one Son begotten by Gethus the King of Picts his Daughter.  
7. But he being young and not fit to Reign, being scarcely ten years of age, Reutha his Father's Brother succeeded in the year of the World 3784. before Christ 187. after the beginning of the Reign 144. he instituted divers Laws, which are in Force among the old Inhabitants to this day; and having Reigned seventeen years with great applause, either for his want of Health, or Love of Solitariness, or for fear of Thereus, Reuthers' Son, whom he knew to have an itching after the Crown he resigned.  
8. Thereus succeeded in the year of the World 3799. before Christ 171. after the Reign 158. The first six months he Governed pretty moderately, but he suddenly broke lose, giving reins to all kinds of of wickedness, causing Slanders and Calumnies to be raised against his Nobles, and under this pretence cruelly Murdering them; but at last the people not able to endure his Tyranny, degraded him of all his Honours. Covan Captain of the Brigants, was made Governor, who Governed very wisely, about the space of eleven years, at which time being informed, that Thereus had died at York, he resigned the Government.  
9 Josina the King's Brother succeeded to the Crown, the year of the World 3818. before Christ 161. after the Reign 170. He was a peaceable and good King, it is observed of him, that he highly esteemed Physicians, being himself very expert in that Science, whence it came to pass that for many Ages after, the Heads of Families and Men of worth, were for the most part excellent Physicians: He died in a good Age, after he had Reigned twenty four years.  
10. To him succeeded his Son Finnan, in the year of the World 3834. before Christ 137. after the Reign 194. This Prince followed his Father's Footsteps, he studied nothing more than to gain the Hearts of his Subjects, and to maintain his Royal Dignity, more with Clemency than Force: That he might prove an effectual Enemy to Tyranny, he made a Law that Kings should command nothing of great weight, in the state without Advice of their Parliament, he died the thirtieth year of his Reign.  
11. Durstius his Son succeeded Finnan, A. M. 3864. before Christ 107. after the Reign 224. A Flagitious and wicked Tyrant, he banished his Father's Friends from the presence, because they advised him to leave off his lewd Courses. Having prostituted his Wife, who was Daughter to the King of the Britons to his Companions, he repudeated her. But soon after, it was discovered, that he was carrying on a Conspiracy against his Nobles, and knowing that he could have no shelter, either at home or abroad; having been so cruel, he feigned a sincere Repentance of his former wickedness, calling home his Queen, promising by Oath to his Nobles, that he would no longer follow his Irregular Courses; which they readily believing, forgot all former Injuries, but not long after having invited them, to make them merry with him, when he got them all together, he caused a Company of Ruffians to fall upon them and Murder them. The noise of this heinous Act going all abroad, stirred all the People to revenge, who killed him in Battle, after that he had Reigned nine years.  
12. It was hotly debated among the Nobles, whether the next in Blood to Durstius should succeed, some were against it, fearing lest the Successor, if he were in kin to him, might be tempted to revenge the Death: Others were for keeping up his ancient Custom according to the Oath sworn to Fergus, at length they condescended upon Ewen, Brother to Durstius, him they Crowned, A. M. 3873. before Christ 98. He is thought to have been the first, who caused his Subjects to give him their Oath of fidelity. He went with the Picts against the Britons, where there was so cruel a Battle fought, that Night drawing on both Parties retired, but the Scots and Picts understanding that the Britons had left the Field, they returned to their Camp, where they found great spoil, which they divided by Law of Arms, and returned home Victors, where Ewenus spent the rest of his days in Peace, he died the nineteenth of his Reign, and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
13. Durstius his two Sons, who were the nearest of the Royal Line, after Evenus his Death began to contend for the Crown, in the mean time Gillus, base Son to Evenus, having got together some Villains for his purpose, suppresseth them both, and Murders them, than sets himself upon the Throne, A. M. 3802. before Christ 79. after the Reign 252. But not thinking himself secure, so long as any of Durstius his Posterity, were extant resolved, to take off his three Nephews, who were in the Isle of Man; the eldest two he caught in his Snare, and killed, but the third was conveyed away by his Nurse, in the Night time and carried to Argyle, where she kept him for some years in a Cave for fear of the Tyrant, who was at last killed in Battle in Ireland, whether he had fled, by Caldebus the Captain of the Brigrands the second year of his Reign.  
14. Evenus the second King Finnans Nephew succeeded in the Government, A. M. 3894. before Christ 77. years; a good Institutor, he confirmed the Peace with the Picts, having married Gethus the third King of Picts his Daughter, he afterward overcame Belus King of Orkney in Battle, who finding no way to escape killed himself: He also built Innerlosher, and Innerness, he died in the seventeenth year of his Reign.  
15. Ederus Durstius his Brother's Son succeeded in the Year of the World 3911. before Christ 60. after the Reign 271. Bredus of the Isles, Cousin to Gillus the Tyrant, broke in upon the Country; the King went presently against him, and overthrew him and his followers, and burned their Ships; he afterward assisted the Britons against Julius Caesar in England, where by his means a Glorious Victory was obtained, he died in Peace the forty eight year of his Reign, and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
16. To him succeeded Evenus the third his Son, A. M. 3959. before Christ 12. This man came to such a height of Luxury, that not being content, that he took an hundred noble Women to be his Concubines; he made an Act, that every Man should keep as many Wives as he pleased, so that he had an Estate to maintain them, and another, that the King should have the first Night's enjoyment of a Noble man's Lady, allowing the Noble men the same privilege from their Inferiors: He was afterward taken in Battle and imprisoned, where he was killed by a young Child the seventh year of his Reign.  
17. Mettallan's Nephew to Ederus succeedeed, A. M. 3966. before Christ 4. after the Reign 326. A King universally beloved, because that in his time there was universal Peace abroad, and Tranquillity at Home; but yet he could not reduce his Nobles from the Riotous habit, that they acquired in his Predecessors time, he died Peaceably the thirty ninth year of his Reign.  
18. To him succeeded, Garratacus his Sister's Son, A. M. 4005. A. D. 35. He first composed some Tumults, that were in the Isles upon the late King's Death, than assisted his Neighbours against the Romans. Some report that in his time, Orkney was conquered by Claudius the Emperor, and the King and Queen of it sent in Triumph to Rome. After many bloody Battles fought with the Romans, he at last was desired by Vespasian to submit to them, and he should be reputed a Friend to the Senate, and enjoy great Honours, to which he answered, that the Kingdom of Scotland was as free to him, as the Kingdom of the Romans was to Caesar, he died Peaceably the twentieth year of his Reign.  
19 To him succeeded his Brother Corbred, A. M. 4025. after Christ 55. after the Reign 385. The Islanders, who almost in every Interregnum stirred up Sedition, hoping for a Change therein, divers expeditions quite subdued by him: He suppressed Thiefs, going frequently from place to place, doing Justice, he died in the tenth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
20. Corbred's Son being a Child, the Parliament choosed Dardan Nephew Metellan, A. M. 4042. after Christ 72. there were great hopes had of him at first, but within three years he degenerated, and became an odious Tyrant, murdering and destroying all the wisest, and best of his Councillors, and to complete his Villainies, hired a Ruffian to murder Corbred's two Sons, who were in the Isle of Man; but the Traitor being taken just ready to perpetrate the Villainy, was forced to discover the whole Plot: Whereupon the Nobles Unanimously resolved, to revenge the Treason, but the King absconding himself, and his Forces being defeated by the Nobles, was at last taken, and his Head struck off the fourth year of his Reign.  
21. Corbred the second, Surnamed Galdus cometh next to the Throne, after Christ 76. A Courageous and warlike Prince, in his days the Romans had greatly enlarged their Borders, for having quite routed the Britons, they went as far North, as the River Tay, and had probably gone further, had not that Valiant warrior Agricola been called home by Domitian, who envied his Success, he was no sooner gone, but Corbred came with an Army, and made a great slaughter among the Romans, pursuing them from one place to another; till at length they were glad to beg their Peace, which was granted upon very Honourable terms. Corbred having spent the rest of his days in Peace, died the thirty fifth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
22. Luctacus succeeded his Father Corbred, Anno Dom. 110. A most Flagitious man, given to all kinds of Lewdness and Cruelty; which his Nobles perceiving, at a Convention of the States, began to reprove him for his Wickness and Tyranny: He being enraged at this, commanded some of them to be put to Death; but instead of being obeyed, they fell upon him and his Complices, and killed them the third year of his Reign, he was buried in Dunstaffage.  
23. To him succeeded Mogald, Corbred the second Sister's Son, A. D. 113. the beginning of his Reign was fortunate, for he Governed most Prudently and Successfully. He discharged the Romans from approaching the Confines of his Kingdom, and defended the Picts from them, he defeated Lucus with his Romans in Westmoreland, and obtained a great Victory: In his time Adrian the Emperor came into Britain, where he built Adrian's Wall, from the mouth of Tyne, to the Flood of Esk fourscore miles in length, he was killed in the thirty third year of his Reign.  
24. Conar succeeded his Father Mogald, A. D. 149. Who became a cruei Tyrant, and was suspected to have had a hand in Conspiring his Father's Death, he did greatly dilapidate the Rents of the Crown by his Extravagancies, being forced to call a Parliament; he pressed mightily for Money, alleging that his Revenues was not answerable to his Charges, but his Nobles answered his demands in another manner, than he expected, for they presently degraded and imprisoned him. Ardgad Captain of Argyle made Governor: He died in Prison the fourteenth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
25. After, him Ethod the first Sister's Son to Mogad began to Reign, A. D. 163. He highly applauded Ardgad his Government, keeping him still in great Trust with himself. He sent him to the Isles, to allay some Tumults that were beginning to stir, which he did (as he thought) effectually, but he was not long gone, than they became worse than before; wherefore the King sent him thither again, where he was unfortunately killed, this so enraged the King that he went thither himself in Person, and made them sound smoke for their Insolency. Having composed his Affairs at home and abroad, he began to give himself to ease, but soon after he was killed in his Chamber by an Irish Harper, whom he kept to make Music to him, the thirty third year of his Reign.  
26. Ethod having no Sons ripe for the Government, his Brother Satrael succeeded him, A. D. 199. He was so cruel, that he made it his Work to cut off all the ancient Nobility, but was at length stabbed by one of his Courtiers the fourth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
27. His Brother Donald the first succeeded him, A. D. 199. A Prince famous for Princely Endowments, but especially, in that he was the first King, that embraced Christianity in Scotland, and gave it his Royal Sanction, tho' for several years before his time, the Gospel had its Professors, tho' not publicly owned; he with the Concurrence of his Nobles made what Reformation, he could, yet could he not during his Life, get the People weaned from their old Heathenish Superstitions: In his time Sevesus the Emperor came into Britain with a Prodigious Army, intending no less than to Conquer the whole Island. The Scots and Picts at his coming, betake them to the Hills, and draws him after them, but his Army suffered grievously, having as one Writes, 
* Dion.  lost 50000. Men in that expedition, at length they came to a Peace with him, after which he built a great Wall, reaching from Forth to Clyde: Peace being concluded abroad, Donald returned home, and passed the rest of his days in Peace, he died the eighteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
28. Ethodius the second Son to Ethodius the first, succeeded Donald, A. D. 216. A man of a foolish and cross Temper, unfit to Govern that fierce People; but his Nobles managed the Government prudently, he at last was killed in a Tumult, made by his Domestics the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
29. His Son Athircus is made King, A. D. 231. At first he gave great grounds of hope, that he should prove an accomplished Prince, but it proved quite contrary, he turned extremely profligate, prostituting Noble men's Daughters to his Companions: Upon which account one Hotholocus a Noble man conspired against him, which he perceiving, that there was no way to escape, killed himself the twelfth year of his Reign.  
30. Athircus being Dead, Hatholocus procured himself to be chosen King, A. D. 242. A cruel and lascivious Tyrant, being acquainted that Ethircus his Children were with the Picts, he called the chief of the Nobility, whom he knew to have been Athircus his Friends, pretending he wanted their Advice, in some matters of State; whent he had got them convened in one place, he caused them to be thrown in Prison, and soon after executed: Whereupon their Friends rebelled, and the King going about to gather an Army to subdue them, was killed by one of his Courtiers the eleventh year of his Reign.  
31. Hathalocus being thus dead, Athircus his children are called home and Findochus, the eldest of them set upon the Throne, A. D. 253. a wise and valiant Prince; his first Expedition was against Donald, of the Isles who under pretence of revenging the late King's death, had raised an Army, him he subdued forcing him to flee to his Ships, where being hotly pursued, he got into a small Boat which being over loaden immediately sunk, and he perished, yet his Son whose name was Donald, kept up the quarrel against him. Hindoch, went with an Army entering the Islands wasted them so that they were left almost quite desolate. Donald finding his weakness betakes him to treacherous courses, and striking in with Carance the King's brother, they instigated two Ruffians to Murder him, both which were tormented to death. The 11 th'. year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage.  
32. To him succeeded his youngest Brother Donald the 2 d A. D. 264. An excellent Prince, while he was preparing to revenge his Brother's death he heard that Donald of the Isles had made an inroad upon Murray, not in the quality of a Robber, but of a King. Where upon commanding the strength of the Kingdom to follow him, he went against him with those forces he had in readiness, which Donald hearing of, took such tedious marches that he was close upon the King's Camp before any was a ware, which obliged the King to fight, but the inequality of their number was such, that the King was defeated, most of his men killed, himself being wounded, with several of his Nobles were taken. He died the third day after, partly of his wounds and partly of Melancholy, the first year of his Reign, he was buried in Dunstaffage.  
33 Donald, Lord of the Isles usurped the Crown A. D. 265. excercising much cruelty, none dared to oppose him having so many of the Nobility his prisoners whom he threatened upon every provocation to kill. At length Crathelinth Son to King Findochus, who having lurked long with his Nurse, and was believed to be dead, having gathered a few subtle men together went directly to donald's Court, who dissembling both his name and quality became in a short time very intimate with him, but when he found his opportunity he put an end to the Tyrant's days, the 12 th' year of his Reign, conveying himself and his followers away undiscovered. There was all this time a sore Persecution of the Christians, under the Emperor Decius.  
34. Crathelinth was set upon his Father's Throne A. D. 277. A Valiant and religious King. He first caused all the late Tyrant's Race to be Razed to the foundation for preventing the mischief might follow, he also purged the Land of Superstitions, planting the true Christian Religion. This King having peace on all sides, he addicted himself much to hunting, one day as he was at his sport, one of the Picts stole away a Dog in which he greatly delighted; but the keeper of the King's dogs being informed where he was kept, went to take him and striving to take him by force was killed in the place, which was the beginning of a sad war, that lasted a long time; but at last by means of one Caransius a Roman, (who was afterward King of Britain.) they made peace. King Crathelinth passed the rest of his days in peace, and died the 24 year of his Reign, he was buried in Dunstaffage.  
35. To him succeeded his Cousin Germane Fincormach, A. D. 301. A Prince both Pious and Valiant, he Joined with the Britain's against the Romans, and after a most Bloody battle routed them, pursuing them as far as York. Having procured Peace abroad he wholly applied himself to the utter extirpating of Idolatry. In his days fell out the ninth Persecution under Aurelius, and the tenth under Dioclesian, which gave occasion to many Christians from divers parts of the Empire, now a second time to flee to Scotland, for refuge as they had done once before under Domitian. Among those Fugitives who fled thither for shelter, from the general Massacre were many excellent men in Piety and Learning, whom the King not only did kindly receive but also employed to assist him and his council in the further settling of Christianity in his Dominion, and in the total Extirpation of Idolatry out of it, which was so much the harder work because of the Druids, the principal false Prophets and Idolatrous Priests of those days who not only by their subtle Hypocrisy and sense pleasing Divine service but also by a cunning forecast having drawn into their hands the hearing and determining of Civel affairs, had so gained upon the spirits of the Poor and Simple people, that they could not imagine how to be without them and live. The resolute care and labour of this gracious King and his Council, together with the help of these Pious and Learned men, prevailed at last utterly to overthrow, and abolish the Groves with the Altars under the Oaks, and all Idol service; and to Establish the pure worship of God in all places of his Dominions, filling the Rooms of these false Prophets with Godly and Learned teachers among the people, which was done in all places throughout the Kingdom, but especially in the Islands which those Pious men took for their particular abode, as being most fit for a retired life and namely in the Isle of Man, the King caused a Church to be built to the honour of our Saviour, these Holy men were for their labouring so much in God's worship called Colidei or Culdees. This good King died in peace the 47 year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
36. Romach brother's Son to Crathelinth, after a hot debate, by the assistance of the Picts, possessed himself of the Throne, A. D. 348. But proving a cruel Tyrant he was killed by his Nobles the 3 d year of his Reign; in his time Christianity began in Ireland.  
37. Augustian Another of Crathelinth's Brothers sons succeeded, A.D. 351. a Valiant and peaceable King. The late King's associates, not thinking themselves secure fled to the Picts, whom they instigated to make War upon the Scots, in revenge of Romacks' death: Augustian hearing of their purpose sent to Hertanus the King of the Picts, acquainting him how dangerous, a War betwixt them at that time might prove; The Romans and Britain's being so apt to take advantage of them, when they are low; but all would not do, whereupon he went against them with his Forces and quite Defeated them, killing many of their Nobles. Afterward they renewed their strength, and came to the Wood of Camelon where the King of Scots with his Army lay, where they fought a most bloody battle on both sides, both the Kings were killed with many of their Nobles in the third year of his Reign. He was buried in Dunstaffage without Succession.  
38. Fethelmack The youngest of Crathelinths Brothers Sons Succeeded, A. D. 354. A Valiant Prince; he scarcely Reigned two years when having raised an Army he went against the Picts, and gave them a most fatal overthrow, killing their King in Battle, he was afterward Traitorously murdered in his bed, by two perfidious Picts, who insinuated themselves into his favour with the assistance of an Harper, the groans of the dying King being over heard by his Servants, they came rushing into the Room where they took the Villains in the very Act of their cruelty, who were afterward tormented to death. At this time St Andrews Church was built by the King of the Picts, at the request of St Rewell, he died the third year of his Reign, and was buried in Dunstaffage.  
39 To him Succeeded Ewin the first Son to Fincormach. A. D. 357. A Valiant, Just, and good King. In his time the Romans resolving to be Masters of the whole Island, and to destroy both Scots and Picts, first Communicate to the Picts, their purpose to Eradicat the Scots, and that if they would be assistant therein they should enjoy all their Lands, holding it of the Romans. They as a base ungrateful people accepted the proffer. So that the Scots had now to do with Romans, Britain's and Picts. In the first Battle the Romans and the others were worsted, but soon after the Romans renewing their strength, with all their Adherents Eugen, (or Ewen) upon the other hand convened all that could bear arms in his Dominions knowing they were to fight for no less than their Country, and Liberty. They engaged at the River Dun, the Battle was most bloody, with doubtful success for a while, but at last the Scots being over powered with fresh supplies from the Romans, were forced to fly, leaving the King and his Brother with fifty thousand of their men dead in the Field. They fled some to the Isles, some to Ireland and Scandia, they attempted several times to recover their Country but in Vain, till at length the King of Picts dying, the Roman Legate charged them that they should choose no other King but live under the Roman Government and by Roman laws, when they saw this they became some what sensible of their folly, and treachery to their best neighbours; resolving at length to call them home and Join forces them, that the one might recover their Country, the other their Liberty.  
40. Echadius the King's Brother (upon the late fatal defeat,) finding there was no shelter for him in his Country departed with his Son Hutha, and his Grandson Fergus to Scandia, there they were kindly entertained. In process of time Echadius and Hutha dying, Fergus became a most Valiant man, gained great fame in France, and Pannonia. To him the Picts sent Ambassadors inviting him home, promised there assistance toward the recovering of his Country, which he readily accepted of, and having arrived with a few Danes and Goths in his company (the Scots, likewise gathering to him,) he soon regained his Kingdom, being Victorious against the Romans in many Battles, at last he was killed in Battle by the Romans, the sixteenth year of his Reign, and was buried in Icolmkill, which was the burial place for the Kings till King Malhiscom Kanmors days; having left the Kingdom almost in as bad case as he found it.  
41. To him Succeeded his son Eugenius the second, A. D. 420. A Valiant and Victorious Prince; he managed the Government by the help of the Valiant Grame, (whose father was banished out of Scotland, with Ethod Brother to King Eugenius the first) who married a Virgin of the Blood Royal of Denmark, She brought forth a daughter to him which was married to Fergus the second, Eugenius his Father. this Grame being the King's Grandfather was mighty helpful to him against the Romans: for he pulled down the wall of Abercorn built by the Romans called afterward Grames Dick, as also Adrian's Wall, over against the Irish Seas▪ By his help the Kings of Scots and Picts passed with Fire and Sword through all the bounds between Tyne and Humber, here they fought a most bloody Battle in which there were 15000. Britain's killed, together with most of their Princes and Nobles, but few of the Scots: by which means they totally expelled the Romans out of Britain, and brought the Britain's under Contribution, reserving also to themselves the whole Land lying between Tyne and Humber. This Prince died the one and thirtyth year of his Reign, having the seventh year delivered his Country from the Romish Yoke, 496 years after that Julius Caesar brought them first under Tribute.  
42. To him his Brother Dongard Succeeded. A. D. 451- A Prince fitted both for war and peace, in his time the Pelagian Heresy infested the Church, for curing of which Celestine Bishop of Rome sent one Paladius into Scotland; he is said to have been the first who Instituted Bishops there, for until that time the Church was governed by Monks▪ this King died the fifth year of his Reign.  
43. Constantine the first Succeeded to Dongard. A. D. 457. A man full of bad qualities, cruel to his Subjects, but fearful of his Enemies, given up also to all kind of Lasciviousness: the Picts seeing his unworthiness broke with him, his Subjects also were at the very nick of Rebellion. He was slain in the two and twentyth year of his Reign by a Noble man of the Isles, whose Daughter he had deflowered.  
44. To him Succeeded Congall the first, A. D. 479. His first work was to reduce his Subjects from the sottish and base customs to which his Father had enured them. The Britain's seeing him inclined to peace, persuaded Aurelius Ambrose, to demand restitution of Westmoreland from him, which he denying to do, they draw to Arms on both sides, but being better advised, they again agreed that things should stand as Constantine left them. During the Reign of Congall he had Wars with the Saxons, but no great action, In his time lived those two famous Prophets, Merlin and Gildas. He died the two and twentyth year of his Reign.  
45. His Brother Govan Succeeded him, A. D. 501. who governed the Kingdom with great discretion. In his time arrived in Britain Occa and Passentius the Sons of Hengist, with an Army of Germane Soldiers against whom came King Ambrose and fought and routed them, but with small reason to boast of his Victory, for he lost the prime of his Nobility in that engagement, he thereupon sent for the King of Scots and Picts to come to his assistance finding himself so much weakened Occa being advertised thereof, sent his Brother Passentius to Germany for assistance, who by contrary winds being driven upon the coast of Ireland, gathered a considerable number of Soldiers of fortune and returned home. In the mean time Ambrose was Poisoned by Occaes' means to him Succeeded the Valiant King Arthur, who by assistance of the Scots and Picts, obtained several great Victories against the Saxons. Govan having made peace with all his Neighbours returned home, He died the thirty fourth year of his Reign, not without suspicion of Treachery in which Donald Captain of Athlo had no small hand.  
46. Eugenius, (or Ewen) the third, Congallus the firsts Son Succeeded, A. D. 535. a wise and prudent Prince, he consulted with some of his Nobles about revenging the late King's death, but found by their Coldness and Unconcernedness in the matter ground of suspicion, that they themselves were not Innocent of it, which made him dread their designs against Himself. Yet he managed the Government so wisely, that he died in Peace the twenty third year of his Reign.  
47. To him Succeeded Congal the second his Brother, A.D. 558. A Prince of a very strict Life, contending even with the Monks themselves for Piety, he made many excellent Laws relating to Churches, and Churchmen. In his time lived these two Famous Men S. Colm and S. Mungo. He died in peace the eleventh year of his Reign.  
48. Kinnatill Succeeded his Brother Congall, A. D. 569. At which time Aidan Govans Son come to Scotland, who being ntroduced to the King by S. Colm, was Graciously received with assurance that he should be the man who should Succeed to the Crown. He died in peace the first year of his Reign.  
49. Aidan Accordingly Succeeds, A. D. 570. Soon after a Conspiracy being discovered, which some of his servants intended against his Person, the Conspirators fled to the Picts, who refusing to deliver them up to Justice when demanded, he quite broke with them, and Confederated with the Britain's against them, and the Saxons, routing them in several Battles. about this time his good Friend S. Colm died to his great grief. Soon after Augustine the Monk came into Britain, being sent by Pope Gregory, who created much trouble by his innovations, in matters of Religion. This Prince died in peace the thirty fifth year of his Reign.  
50. Kenneth the first, Congalls second Son Succeeded, A. D. 605. We have nothing Recorded of him worth noting, He died in peace the first year of his Reign.  
51. Ewen The fourth, Aidans second Son Succeeded, A. D 606. He was Educated by S. Colm, but slighted his Injunctions in one thing, for that he preferred War to peace, his hand was heavy upon the Rebellious and Stubborn, but yet a modest Conqueror, he died in peace the fifteenth year of his Reign.  
52. To him Succeeded his Son Ferchard the first, A. D. 621. A Vicious Tyrant, which his Nobility not being able to endure, called him to an account, but he refusing to submit was compelled; having laid before him how injurious he had been to his Country, and what an Enemy to Religion, abetting the Pelagian Heresy, with many such things, they degraded him, and put him in Prison, where soon after he killed himself.  
53. To him Succeeded his Son Donald the fourth, A. D. 632. He studied nothing more than to preserve and advance the Christian Faith, at home, and among his Neighbours, he sent some Learned Divines to Northumberland, to restore the Christian Faith, which was much decayed. He perished (as some write) in Lochtay, being there at fishing the fourteenth year of his Reign, but others affirm he died in his Bed.  
54. His Brother Ferchard the second Succeeded, A. D. 646. A wicked Tyrant Impious toward God, and cruel towards Man, having strangled his Wife, and Deflowered his Daughters, his Nobles resolved to call him to account, but were dissuaded by one Colmar a Religious Monk who told them that God's hand would soon be upon him which accordingly fallen out, For being at Hunting he was Bitten by a Wolf, which caused a dangerous fever of which he died, declaring his sorrow for his former Life, the eighteenth year of his Reign.  
55. To him Succeeded Malduin. Donald the fourth's Son, A. D. 664. A wise and Religious Prince. the Argyle and Lenox men much infested the Country by their Animosities between themselves; the Leaders of the Sedition he put to death; at this time the Plague had over spread all Europe, whereof infinite multitudes died every where, but the Scots and Picts were preserved from it. This good King was strangled by his Queen, upon suspicion of Adultery the twentyth year of his Reign. She and her Servants were the next day burned alive.  
56. Ewin The first Malduins Brother's Son Succeeded, A. D. 684. Edfried, King of Northumberland Invaded Scotland, having the assistance of the Picts, but they deserting him he was routed and ten Thousand of his men killed. The next year Edfried Invaded the Picts, they pretending to fly drew him upon an Ambush where he and all his Army were cut off. The Scots and Britain's also entering Northumberland, so afflicted that King that he was never able to recover his losses. Ewin died the fourth year of his Reign.  
57 Ewin the sixth, Ferchard the seconds Son Succeeded, A. D. 688. A Religious and Learned King, he had neither certain Peace nor certain War with his Neighbours. He died the ninth year of his Reign, It is said that in his time it reigned Blood for seven days over all Britain, that also the Milk Butter, and Cheese was turned into Blood.  
58. Amberkelleth Succeeded, A. D. 697. At first he appeared a Sober Prince, but he soon put of the Mask, turning to all kinds of wickedness, he was killed by the Shot of an Arrow in the night time, the second year of his Reign.  
59 To him Succeeded Ewin the seventh, his Brother, A. D. 699. He made peace with the King of Picts, and Married his Daughter, who within a year after (being with Child) was Murdered in her Bed instead of the King, by two Brothers of athol's, who had Conspired the King's death. He was a good and Religious King, he died the sixteenth year of his Reign.  
60. Ewin A little before his death recommended to the Nobles, Mordach Amberkeleths' Son, who was chosen A. D. 715. An Excellent Prince, he procured Peace over all Britain, he repaired many decayed Churches, and built the Monastery of Whitehorne. He died the sixteenth year of his Reign.  
61. To him Succeeded Etfin, Ewin the sevenths' Son, A. D. 730. A Religious King and severe Justitiar, being aged, after that he had Reigned 30 years, he elected four Regent's, viz. the Thanes of Argyle Athole Gallaway and Murray to govern his Subjects, but their Government was grievous. He died the thirty first year of his Reign.  
62. Ewin the Eighth Mordaches Son Succeeded A. D. 761. His first work was to put to death Donald, Lord of the Isles, and the Earl of Galloway, for their cruelty in the Late Kings latter days. But he himself afterward degenerating into all Vices, was killed by his Nobles the third year of his Reign.  
63. Fergus the third Etfins' Son Succeeded, A. D. 764. He Married Ethiolia, Daughter to the King of Picts, who having several times admonished him of his adulteries at last with the help of some of his familiar Servants strangled him, and being accused thereupon confessed the fact, and presently stabbed herself to the Heart with a Dagger. The King was buried in Icolmkill the third year of his Reign.  
64. Solwath Ewin, the Eighths' Son Succeeded A. D. 767, A Valiant Prince, He was much troubled with the Gout, of which Donald a Bane, Captain of the Isles. taking advantage proclaimed himself King of the Isles, breaking also in upon the Continent made great Havoc, but at length was by Duchal Captain of Argyle and Duchal Captain of Athol beset in a Wood, where their was no way to Escape, their he and all his followers were cut to pieces. This good King died of the Gout, the twentieth year of his Reign.  
65. Acaius Etfins Son Succeeded A.D. 787. He made a new peace with the English and Picts, finding that the Irish intended to make war against him, because of a slaughter that was committed in Kintire, upon some Irish Robbers, yet he sent Ambassadors to Ireland, showing how little ground they had to denounce war, and how little it would tend to their Honour to revenge the quarrel of a pack of Thiefs, but they not giving ear to his peaceable message, presently Rigged out a Fleet, which was not two Nights at Sea, when it was utterly ruined by a storm, which made the Irish now supplicate for a peace upon any terms, which the King readily granted. He soon after made a League with Charles the great King of France, and Emperor of Germany, which continues inviolated to this day. For the corroboration of which, Achaius sent his Brother William with Forty thousand Valiant warriors to assist the aforesaid Charles in his Wars, against the Infidels where he purchased great Fame, being commonly called by the Princes of France: The Knight without Reproach. Before this time also some Learned Men, passed from Scotland unto France, among which Johannes Scotus who was Charles' Tutor was singular for his Learning who together with Clemens another of his Country men, Founded the University of Paris. Achaius' Married Fergusian Sister to Hungus, King of the Picts, who bore to him one Son called Alpine who afterward Succeeded; to be King of Scotland, and Heir to the King of Picts; King Achaius died the thirty second year of his Reign.  
66. To him Succeeded Congal, his Cousin German, A. D. 819. He Governed peaceably for five years.  
67. Dongal Salvatius' Son Succeeded, A. D. 824. who having settled the peace at home, sent his Ambassadors to the Picts, demanding the right of Succession in the name of Alpin, Son to King Achaius, being there own King died without Succession, which they refusing to do; Dongal denounced war against them but he Unfortunatly Perished in a Boat as he was passing over the river of Spey, in the seventh year of his Reign.  
68 Alpin Acaius' Son succeeded, AD. 831. A Valiant Prince, he led the Army, which was raised by Dongall, against the Picts, to assert his Title to their Crown, wherein a most bloody Battle, he with his own hand slew Feredech their King; then they Elected Brudus his Son, who was killed the first year of his Reign, in a Tumult raised by his Subjects: His Brother Kenneth succeeded to him, who coming with an Army against the Scots, rend off his Coat of Armour and fled to the Mountains, where he was shamefully killed by a Country man (not knowing who he was) whereupon the Picts Elected Brudus, a fierce and valiant Prince to be their King, who sent his Ambassadors to Alpine desiring Peace; Alpine answered that he would make no Peace, until the Crown of the Picts were set upon his Head, as the Right inheritor of it. Brudus upon this raised a great Army, and came over the Bridge of Dunkell, marching to Augus, where Alpin with his Army did lie. The night before the Battle, he devised a cunning Stratagem; for having a great many Women in his Army, he caused them to stand in Battle Array, with linen Shirts above their clothes, ordaining some Horsemen to Command them; he drew them into a Wood, Commanding none of them to appear, till the Armies had joined Battle. King Alpin upon the Picts approach, presently led out his Men, and joined Battle with them, than the aforesaid reserve began to move from their Ambush: The Scots seeing them, apprehended them to be a fresh Army of Picts, whereupon they immediately fled. In this Battle King Alpine himself was taken, and beheaded the third year of his Reign.  
69. To him his Son Keneth the second succeeded, A. D. 834. Now the Picts fully resolve, to banish the Scots quite out of their Country, for which purpose they procure help from England. But when they were at their full strength, they divided amongst themselves to such a height, that Brudus was forced to disband his Army; he soon after died for Grief, Donsken his Brother succeeded, who made it his work to keep Peace on all hands. But Keneth after three years uncertain Peace, being desirous at any rate to revenge his Father's Death, and to recover the Crown, which by right did belong to him; Convened his Nobles, and consulted with them concerning the matter, but finding them not inclined to it, he invites them all to a great Feast, which he had prepared of purpose, where they were Royally entertained within his Palace until dark Night; after they had Liberally feasted, they were conveyed to several apartments within the Palace, and when deep sleep had seized upon them; the King caused some Men that he had ready for that end, to pass to their several Beds clad with Fish-skins, which did cast a dazzling light in the dark; each man having a Hunting Horn in his hand, through which he spoke. The Nobles being amazed at this sight, were desired by them, not to be terrified for that they were Angels sent from God, to the Princes and Nobles of Scotland, to cause them to obey the King's Order; it being very Just and Right, and that they needed not to fear the Success, for they should be Victorious. Their Speeches being ended, they in an instant vanished: This mightily astonished the Nobles, not knowing what to make on't. It was no sooner Day light, than they got up and enquired one for another; and having convened all together, every Man began to declare what appeared to him, which made them all presently conclude, that it was no Fancy, but a real Vision: The King also assured them, that the same Vision appeared to him at the same hour. Hereupon they Unanimously consented, that all who were able for Fight, should meet the King upon a day appointed, which they did as the Picts did also upon the other hand; they fought most Valiantly on both sides, but the Picts were routed in one, and quite ruined in another Battle; their King and all his Nobles being killed. And their City Camelon after a long siege utterly destroyed, and razed; and the Picts Men, Women, and Children put to the Sword; after they had Reigned in Albion 1181 years. King Keneth brought the fatal Chair from Argyle to Scone, adding the Picts Dominions to his own, he died the twentieth year of his Reign.  
70. Donald the fifth, Keneth the seconds Brother succeeded, having his Territories enlarged from the Orcadeses to Adrian's Wall: He was a vicious and luxurious Prince, which gave the Fugitive Picts some ground to Hope, that they might recover their Lands, whereupon they requested Osbred and Ella two great Princes in England, to restore them, promising to pay Homage to them, they accepted the offer invading Scotland, with great Forces where they were miserably routed in a pitched Battle. King Donald proud of this Victory, pursued them to the Water of Tweed with his Army; there he found two Ships laden with Wine, which he parted among his Soldiers, they not being much used to such Liquor drank of it, till they were not able to stir: Of which, when King Osbred was advertised, he came suddenly upon them, and killed 2000 of them, took the King himself, and carried him about in Derision. Osbred pursuing this Victory conquered great Lands in Scotland: So that Sterling-bridge was made the march between the Scots and the English. This Osbred Coined money in Sterling Castle, which was (as some think) the first beginning of Sterling money. King Donald being ransomed, was soon after taken by his Nobles, and put in Prison, where he desperately killed himself, the fifth year of his Reign.  
71. To him succeeded Constantine the second, who was Crowned in Scone. A. D. 859. Soon after Hunger and Hubba with a great Fleet of Danes Landed in Fife, to shun whose Cruelty, many religious Persons, with Adrian their Bishop fled into the Isle of May, where they were all Cruelly put to Death by the unmerciful Danes. Constantine with his Army met them at the River of Levin, where he overthrew them, pursuing them toward Caryl, where their Ships lay; but the Scots being proud of this Victory, became too secure: Whereupon the Danes rallied upon them, where followed a terrible Battle, at last the Scots were defeated; the King being taken, and dragged to a Cave was basely murdered, the fifteenth year of his Reign.  
72. To him succeeded Ethus his Son, Surnamed the Swift, A.D. 874. His wickedness and Cruelty, came to so great a height, that his Nobles were forced to imprison him, where within three days he died of Melancholy, the second year of his Reign.  
73. Gregory the Great Dungalls Son succeeded, A. D. 876. A Prince of a Kingly Spirit; he made a Law, that all ●ings hereafter, should at their Coronation, swear to defend the Christian Faith. His first expedition was into Fife, against the Picts and Danes which were left there, when Hunger went into En●land; them he expelled, not only out of Fife, but also out of Lothian, and the Mers. Coming to Berwick; the Danes durst not venture to Fight him; but leaving a Garrison in the Town, retired to Northumberland, to gather more Forces. But Gregory in the Night time, being Guided by some Englishmen entered the City, and put all the Danes to the Sword; thence he went to Northumberland, there he utterly routed the rest of them, which gave him occasion to enlarge his Dominions with Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmoreland; after which he entered in a League with the King of England, wherein his right to the foresaid Lands was ratified. His next expedition was against the Irish, who had Landed in Galloway, and committed great Insolences, but at his coming they retired back to their own Country. He with a great Army followed them, where at his Landing, he overthrew Brennius and Cornellius, who were Guardians to the young King of Ireland, with their Nobles taking several Forts and Castles, at last he laid Siege to Dublin, where their young King was; which after some resistance yielded. The King returning Conqueror from Ireland, died the eighteenth year of his Reign; by him the City of Aberdeen was built.  
74. Donald the sixth, Constantine the seconds Son succeeded, A. D. 894. He was a Religious and good King, fit for either War or Peace; he had some Engagements with the Danes, and sent Assistance to the King of England against them, toward the latter part of his days, he was troubled with Intestine broils, for the Murrays, and Rosses invading one another, committed great Insolences; to quench this Fire the King came upon them with a great Army, and taking the Leaders of the Faction, put them to Death for an Example to others. He died the eleventh year of his Reign.  
75. To him succeeded Constantine the third, Ethus' Son, A. D. 905. A Valiant, but unfortunate Prince; the perfidious Danes, having broken their League with him joined with the English, but within four years they met with such measures, as made them glad to return to the Scots: Whereupon followed a hot and cruel War, wherein Constantine found himself so unsuccessful, that he resigned his Crown, and betook himself to a Monastery, where he died the fortieth year of his Reign.  
76. Malcolm the first, Donald the sixths' Son succeeded, A. D. 943. A valiant Prince, and severe Justitiar. A Peace being made with England, wherein Cumberland and Westmoreland were annexed to the Crown of Scotland, to be holden in Fee of the Kings of England; this Prince passed the rest of his days, in executing of Justice, which he did with such strictness, that some Villains in Murrayland conspired against him, where he was Traitorously killed, the ninth year of his Reign.  
77. Indulf Constantine the thirds Son succeeded, A. D. 952. A brave Warrior, the Danes Landing in the North with a huge Army, he went against them, there in a pitched Battle, he routed them, but died himself in the Battle, the ninth year of his Reign.  
78. To him succeeded Duff. Malcolm the first's Son, A. D. 961. A Prince who much studied the Peace of his Country; he went about his Northern Circuits, where he kept his Courts, severely punishing Malefactors; coming at last to the Castle of Forress, suspecting no harm was Traitorously murdered by the Captain, and his Wife, who were afterwards apprehended and put to a cruel Death.  
79. To him succeeded Culen, Indulfs Son, A. D. 966. Who having revenged the late King's Death, soon after became a most Flagitious and wicked Prince, deflowering his own Daughters and Sisters: He was killed by Rodard a Noble man at Meffen, this Daughter he had deflowered the fourth year of his Reign.  
80. Keneth the third, Duffs Brother succeeded, A. D. 970. The beginning of his Reign, was good, executing of Justice severely, finding his Nobles averse, to deliver up their Friends and Vassals, who troubled the Peace, to Justice; he called a Convention of the States at Scone, where having Clandestinely conveyed, some Men in Arms, where the Nobles were convened, made them all Prisoners, telling them, that so it would be until they did give up those Rebels to Justice; they finding themselves thus hooked, sent to their Friends, to perform the Terms of their Liberation; thus in a short time he had five hundred notable Thiefs, delivered up, them he caused to be every one hanged upon Gibbets, close by the Castle of Birth. The Danes with a great Fleet of Ships Landing in Angus, destroyed all before them, till they came to Birth, where the King and his Army ran-countered with them; there followed a most bloody Battle, the Scots beginning to give Ground, were made to Rally by the means of one Hay and his two Sons, who hearing as they were at Ploughing, not far from the Field, that the Scots fled, came each of them with a Club in his hand, and renewed the Battle, putting the Danes to flight, there they were all cut off, the King amply rewarded him, giving him so much of the best Land in Scotland as a Falcon off a Man's hand, flew over, which was six miles in length, and four in breadth, this was the Original of the Noble and Ancient Surname of Hay. But that which darkened all this Noble King's Acts, was his causing Malcolm Prince of Scotland to be Poisoned; making a Law, that the Eldest Son, or Nephew of the deceased Prince of what age soever he be, shall succeed to the Crown, with divers others Laws of the like Nature: At last coming to the Castle of Felercarne, the Lady Grof had the King's Image in Brass, in the midst of the House with a Golden Apple in his hand; the King upon the Lady's desire, pulling the Apple out of the Images hand, was shot through the Body with an Engine, that was made in it for the purpose: He died the twenty fourth year of his Reign.  
81. To him succeeded Constantine the fourth, Surnamed the Bald, A. D. 994. He came to the Crown by Usurpation, he was killed in Battle at Cramond in Lonthian, the second year of his Reign.  
82. Grimus, Duffs Son Usurped the Crown, A.D. 996. Malcolm whose Right it was, sent to the Nobles, acquainting them how far he was wronged; which Grimus hearing of, caused the Messengers to be cast into Prison, which was like to have been, the beginning of a War; yet they were seemingly agreed for that time by one Horthadus a Bishop, but not long after his Vices being intolerable, Malcolm was brought home from England, who killed him in Battle, the eighteenth year of his Reign.  
83. Malcolm succeeded to the Crown, A. D. 1004. A Noble and Valiant Prince, in his time Sweno King of the Danes being banished his Country, and coming to Scotland, was converted to Christianity, and supplied with Men for reducing his Kingdom; yet to his great loss he soon after made War against Malcolm, who utterly routed his Army several times: This Prince was killed by a Conspiracy, of some of his Nobles in the Castle of Glames, the thirtieth year of his Reign, the Conspirators flying in the Night, chanced to pass over the Pool of Forfar upon the Ice, where the Ice breaking, they all miserably perished.  
84. Duncan the first, Malcolm the seconds Grandson, by his Daughter Beatrix succeeded, A. D. 1034. He was thought to be of too indulgent a Spirit, for Governing that fierce and untractable People: Bancho of whom are descended the Ancient and Royal name of Stewarts, was in his time Thane, or Earl of Lochaber: He was Traitorously murdered by his Cousin Makbeth, the sixth year of his Reign.  
85. To him succeeded Macbeth, Malcolm the seconds Daughter's Son, A. D. 1040. Although he came to the Crown by Treachery and Bloodshed, yet he Governed for a time pretty moderately, but at last broke out into all kind of Tyranny, and Cruelty, forcing his Nobles to the servilest of his Work; which they being not able to endure, Macduff Earl of Fife, Posts to England, where he found Malcolm the late King's Son, at King Edward's Court, whom he invited home to revenge his Father's Death, and possess the Crown which was his own by right: Malcolm suspecting Treachery, pretended several excuses to try Macduffs sincerity, but when he found him Cordial, he declared his Willingness: Whereupon getting assistance of Men from King Edward, he entered Scotland; Macbeth hearing of his arrival, went about to oppose him, but Macduff surprising him in his Castle of Dunfinnan, killed him with his own hand, the seventeenth year of his Reign.  
86. Malcolm Surnamed Kanmor, Son to Duncan the first succeeded, A. D. 1057. He was a worthy Prince, and in Compensation of their Service and Loyalty, in his Restauration created many Earls, Lords, Barons and Baronet's, commanding that their Lands should be called after their Names: He made also his Thanes Earls; many new Surnames began at this time, as Calder Lochbart, Gordoun, Seytown, Lander Kennethe, Meldrome, Schau, Liberton, Livermond, cargil, Strachan, Ratray, Dundass, Meazeis, Mertine, Cockbourn, Lesly, Abercromby: At this time also William Duke of Normandy conquered England, which was the occasion that these Surnames (being expelled their Country) came to Scotland. viz. Ramsay, Vans, Lindsay, Lownal, Towers, Preston, Bissat, Foules, Wandlaw, Maxwell, from France came the Names of Frazer, Sintcare, Boswel, Montray, Montgomry, Boys, Campbel, Beaton. At this time Walter Son to Fleance came to Scotland, who shortly after was created high Steward of the Kingdom. King Malcolm was killed at the siege of Anwick, by one Robert Mowbray, who came from the Castle upon a light horse holding in his hand a Lance, with the Keys of the Castle upon the point of it. King Malcolm looking steadfastly to the Lance, the other run him through the Eye with it, escaping to the next Wood: Whereupon King William changed this Moubrey's Name to Percy: King Malcolm died the thirty sixth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dunfermling.  
87. Donald the seventh, Surnamed Bane, being Malcolm Kanmores' Brother usurped the Crown, A. D. 1093. But within a year he was expelled by Duncan, base Son to the foresaid Malcolm.  
88 Duncan the second usurped the Crown, but did not enjoy it long, being killed by Macpendar Earl of Mearnes at Taich, by procurement of Donald the seventh, who after was Crowned King. He gave the North and West Isles, to the King of Norway for his assistance, to recover the Crown. He was taken Captive by Edgar his Successor, and put in Prison, where after some years he died miserably.  
89. Edgar, Malcolm, Kanmores' Son succeeded, A. D. 1098. He was the first anointed King, Governing with great Wisdom and Sobriety: He died the nineteenth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dumfermling.  
90. To him succeeded Alexander the first, Surnamed Fierce, A. D. 1107. Soon after his coming to the Throne, certain Traitors were by his Chamberlains means let in to his Chamber, intending to have killed him in Bed, but he being surprised at their noise, got out of Bed and caught a Sword in his hand, wherewith he killed the Chamberlain, and six of the other Traitors; the rest hasted away, but being pursued, and some of them overtaken Confessed, that divers of the Nobles were in the Conspiracy, them the King pursued, killing some and taking others: He died in Peace the seventeenth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dumfermling.  
91. To him succeeded his Brother David the first, A. D. 1124. He possessed Northumberland, and Cumberland, Huntingdon, and Westmoreland. He married Maud Daughter to the Earl of Northumberland, who died in the flower of her Age, for which the King took such Grief, that he resolved never to Marry again; but gave himself wholly to works of Charity. He purged his Court from all Vices, so that his whole Family were given to Virtuous Exercises, no Rioting nor Drunkeness, nor Lascivious, or wanton Songs were suffered: This Victorious and Religious King died in Carlyle, the twenty ninth year of his Reign, and was buried at Dumfermling; where King James the first visiting his Tomb, called him, a Sore Saint to the Crown.  
92. Malcolm the fourth (Surnamed the Maiden) next Heir after King David began his Reign, A. D. 1153. A just and mild Prince; in the beginning of his Reign, there was a great Famine in Scotland, whereof many died. Sumerled, Thane of Argyle, taking advantage of the present Calamity raised a Rebellion, purposing to make himself King; but he was soon crushed, his Friends killed, and himself forced to fly to Ireland; soon after, being invited to London, by King Henry of England, under pretence of confirming him in his Title, to Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmoreland; he carried him with him into France, where he had Wars for that time; he no sooner was returned home, than he made War with England, to the great loss of both Kingdoms: He died at Jedburgh, the twelfth year of his Reign.  
93. To him succeeded William his Brother, Surnamed the Lion, A. D. 1165. He demanded Northumberland, which by Right belonged to his Crown, to be re-delivered to him, which the King of England (being taken up with Wars in France) durst not altogether refuse; but condescended to let him have such parts of it, as his Grandfather possessed; but soon after he was by a Stratagem taken Prisoner at Alunick, and sent to France where the King of England was, whence not long after he was Ransomed with a sum of Money; being returned home, he expelled all the Murrays out of Murrayland, for that they were Seditious and Tumultuous in his absence: About this time the Pope sent to King William a Sword, with the Sheath and Hilts all of Gold, set about with precious Stones with a Hat, or Diadem, giving him the Title of the Defender of the Church. After this, he retired to Bertha, where he stayed not long, when by a sudden Inundation of two Rivers, Tay and Almond; the Towns Walls were beat down, the Castle demolished, the young Prince and his Nurse with several others drowned (the King himself narrowly escaping: He founded and built the City of Perth, granting to it several great and ample Privileges. He died the forty ninth year of his Reign, and was buried in Aberbrothick.  
94. His Son Alexander the second succeeded to him, A. D. 1214. Having pacified all Rebellions at home, he led his Army into England, where having made Peace with King John, he married his Sister: Afterward he went into France and renewed the old League with this Addition, that neither of them should receive, or protect the Enemies of the others Kingdom, nor Mary with any Stranger, without making one another privy thereto. In the mean time his Queen died without any Succession; within a year after he married Mary Daughter to Ingelram Earl of Coucy in France, who bore to him Alexander the third; in his time came Cardinal Egadius into Britain, to beg Money for the Holy War, of which he got a great deal, but going through France he spent it all, and told his Holiness, when he came to Rome, that he had been robbed by the way: Whereupon presently another Legate was sent to Britain. But the People hearing, how they were cheated of their Money by the last procured an Order, discharging this not to enter the Kingdom. King Alexander died in Peace, the thirty fifth year of his Reign, and was buried at Melross.  
95. Alexander the third succeeded his Father, A. D. 249. Being nine years of Age at his Coronation. Ambassadors were sent to England, demanding Margaret King Henry the third's Daughter in Marriage for King Alexander, which was granted; the next year, the two Kings had a meeting at York, where the Marriage was Solemnised. During his Minority the Realm was well Governed by his Nobles; taking the Government upon himself, his first work was to summon the Earls of Monterth, Athole and Buchan, and the Lord Strabogy, who were all of the Name of Cumings; they not daring to appear, were denounced Rebels: They being now afraid, thought nothing so much for their safety, as the having the King in their Power, which they got, and confined him in the Castle of Sterling; but the Earl of Athel, who was the head of the Party, dying, their Hearts failed them, and (every one of them getting his Remission) they set the King at Liberty; soon after the Danes with a great Army invaded the Country, the King with his Forces went against them, and routed them, killing twenty four Thousand of them; the King returned to Norway with only four Ships, which was all that was left of his whole Fleet. At this time Alexander Earl of Carrick, passed to the Holy-Land, having a Daughter who succeeded to his Estate; she Married Robert Rance, Lord of Annaudale, and bare to him, that noble and invincible Champion Robert Bruce King of Scotland: King Alexander had two Sons by his Queen, viz. Prince Alexander and David, and one Daughter Margaret, who was married to the King of Norway; she bore to him Margaret called the Maiden of Norway. The King and Queen going to London, to the Coronation of King Edward the first: David the second Son died in their absence; within a few years after the Prince died at Lundores, to the great Grief of the Nation, and not long after the King died by a fall from over a Rock at Kinghorn, the thirty seventh year of his Reign: Leaving none of his own direct Line to succeed him.  
The Nobility having met upon this so important occasion, they put the Kingdom into the hands of six Regent's; for the South side Robert Archbishop of Glasgow: John Cumine, and John the great Steward of Scotland. For the North, the Archbishop of S. Andrews, Macdiff Earl of Fife, and Cumine Earl of Buchan. Edward of England, sends to demand the Daughter Grandchild in marriage, as next Heir to the Crown, which was agreed too, but the Death of the Lady frustrated all that Negotiation, by which means great contention arose between Bourn, and John Baliol. Balliol managing the English, and Bruce the French interest, Balliol being in the second degree of relation and Bruce in the third; the one being David Earl of Huntington's Grand Child, the other his great Grand Child: matters standing thus, the whole was referred to King Edward, who coming to Berwick and calling Lawyers to his assistance, pretends all equity, but raised up eight other Competitors, the better to weaken the claim of the other two, and so handled the business that (Bruce having refused the Crown in Homage to England,) upon his aceptance of these conditions.  
96. John Balliol was declared King, A. D. 1293. In the fourth year of his Reign, an Appeal being made against him to King Edward, by Mac-Duff and he refusing to rise from his Seat to answer it. King Edward enters Scotland masters the Country, taketh Balliol and sends him Prisoner to London, and afterward to France, where he died long after in Exile. About this time Sir William Walace arose, who to his Honour did so Heroically defend his Country, in its low condition, as made it easily appear that if he had had as happy a fortune to advance, as he had to relieve, he might have been Commemorated for as great a man as ever was in any age; for having upon a quarrel Slain a Young English Gentleman, and enforced to lurk in the Hills for safety of his life, he became enured to such hardness, that awaking his natural Courage, he be came the Head of all the Malcontents, and filled both the Kingdoms with his terror so that having gleaned up to a tumultuary Army, he became Balliol's Viceroy; thus after some little skirmishes he reduced all beyond the Forts: after which he went to England, and Ranged up and down for some time, and returned without opposition; after which the English enters Scotland with a great Army, and finding the Scots disposed under three Leaders, (who disputed among themselves for Priority) quite routed them, but soon after they made a general insurrection, to oppose which, King Edward sent Ralph Conniers with a great army, who a by triple Victory were defeated at Kolkin.  
All this while Robert Bruce continued with King Edward, who weary of the King's delays and offputs, at last strikes in with John Cumin, Balliol's Cousin german, they agreed that Bruce should have the Kingdom, and Cumine all Bruces Lands. Cumine notwithstanding communicates this agreement to King Edward, Bruce hath notice, and by shooing his Horse backward escapes to Lockambban, there he finds Cumines Letters advising to cut him off, upon which he hastens to Dumforess, where he heard that Cumin was, and after his exprobrating his infidelity, Stabs him dead in the Franciscan Monastery. About the same time Walace was traitorously Betrayed by Sir John Monteits at Glasgow, and delivered to the English: and being brought to London was Cruelly executed in Smithfield, and his Limbs hung up in the most Eminent places.  
97. Robert Bruce was (after he had stayed for the Pope's absolution for defiling the Monastery, with the murder of Cumine) Crowned at Scone 1306. a Valiant and Heroic Prince, he had many Enemies both at home and abroad, which Edward taking advantage off, with the assistance of the Cumines, quite Routed him, forcing him to the Hills where he endured great Misery, to the great ruin and Slaughter both of his Family and Friends, but making to gether some little force, he took Carrick and Innerness, by surprisal, and by this means augmented his Train, so that he was in case to withstand Edward, having obtained a considerable Victory (though sick and forced to be held on horse back) this gave him time to take in the remaining strength, but they were within a year retaken from him, which encouraged Edward the second to enter with a great Army to Scotland, but had a great defeat at Bannokburn, which occasioned the loss of Berwick, and Bruces confirmation in Parliament; some few years after were spent in light Skirmishes, and Incursions. Robert having some rest convened his Nobles intending to determine the right of Inheritances, which some had unlawfully kept in these unsettled times; this begat a Conspiracy, which being detected, a meeting was held at Perth, there by their own Papers many were Convicted, and Executed but some Pardoned.  
In the mean time a Legate came from Rome, armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See, to threaten the Scots into a Peace with England; but missing of his Errand, the Scots followed him with an Army, and marched as far as Stainmore; Edward in revenge raiseth a most powerful Army, Robert therefore considering that his force would not be in case to resist so great a Power, caused all the cattle to be carried unto the Avious retreats of the Hills, that they might not be serviceable to the Enemy, whereupon the English for want of Victuals were forced to retire, Bruce pursues them as far as York, there he obtained a great Victory. About this time the family of the hamilton's took their rise, one of them killing an English Gentleman, fled to Robert for Protection, who gave him lands which retain the name to this day. Bruce now having subdued his enemies, begins to compose himself to the cares of Peace, and by Act of Parliament settles the Crown upon his Son, (though a Child) and in case of his decease, to Robert Stewart his Grandchild by his Daughter, soon after Thomas Randolph, and James Dowglas were sent with a flying party of horse into England, from whence they returned without any considerable action, saving only that Dowglas with two hundred horse beat up the English quarters, cutting two ropes of the King's Tent with his Sword, and made a good retreat, Bruce finding himself wasted with Age, retired to the Abbey of Kilross, leaving these three Counsels behind him. First not to let one man Solely command the Ebudae. Secondly never to put all their strength at one Hazard with the English. Thirdly never to make long Truces with them. Thus he died leaving Charge with the Valiant Dowglas, to go to Jerusalem (whither himself designed an Expedition) which the Dowglas performing, he afterward Joined with the Christian Princes against the Turks and Saracens, where he obtained several great Victories. He purposing to return home was driven by a Tempest upon the Coast of Spain, where he joined with the King of Arragon against the Saracens, and obtained great Victories, at last he was killed by an Ambushment that was laid for him of purpose, thus ended the Noble and Valiant Dowglas, one of the most renowned warriors that lived in his days; It is said that he was thirteen times Victorious against the Turks and Saracens, and fifty seven times against the English. In the preceding age there was a Gate in Danzig called the Dowglas port, in memory of this Dowglas. King Robert died at Cardross the twenty fourth year of his Reign, and was buried in Dumfermling.  
98 To him Succeeded his Son David Bruce A. D. 1330. Being seven years of age, Thomas Randal who was continued Governor, kept the country in entire peace and prosperity, which King Edward hearing of, hired a Monk to kill Randal by poison, the Monk giving out that he had great skill in curing the Stone (where with the Government was sore troubled) came to be in favour with him, which gave him opportunity to perpetrate his Villainy, how ever the Poison did not take effect at first, but the Monk returned home and told King Edward that he had done his business, who immediately raising a great Army came to the border, of which the Governor being advertised presently marched against him, (himself not being able to ride nor go, was carried in a litter; when King Edward heard that the Governor was there, in person, he sent an Herald under pretence of seeking peace, whom the Governor received with a very austere countenance, when Edward was by the Herald certified of the truth of his being alive, he returned home and burnt the Monk alive. The Governor returning home died at Musselbrough, after his death the Earl of March and the Earl of Marr were chosen Governors, in which they were scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Balliol was seen in the Fryth with a formidable Fleet, his Army consisted of both English and Scotch, the Earl of Stafford with divers other English men of note were with him, the Governors raised two great Armies to oppose the Balliol, he came near the water of Hone, where he pitched his Tents, the Earl of Marr also encamped within view of him, but he slighting the smallness of their number took little care of himself, the Balliol in the night time passed the water of Erne, having intelligence of the Ford by a stake set up for that purpose, and entering the Earl of Marrs Camp, killed him in his Bed, with many other Noble men and Gentlemen; namely the Earl of Carrick, Sir William Hay Constable of Scotland, Alexander Frazier, also Robert Keith, Lord Marshal, Balliol passed immediately and besieged Perth and soon overcame it. The Earl of March being encamped at Ochterarder, and hearing of the Earl of Marrs death, and the taking the Town of Perth marched thither and besieged it, but after he had filled the Ditches, and put himself in a case to make an assault, he most shamefully left it thereupon.  
99 Balliol usurped the Crown at Scone, A. D. 1332. coming from thence to Perth, they that adhered to David, Bruce besieged him and his party, upon the other hand his adherents wasted and destroyed the besiegers country, Perth being well fortified, was by the King committed to the Earl of Fife as Governor of it, but the Sons of them who were killed with the Earl of Marr at Duplin, besieged and took it committing the Governor to the Castle of Killdrummie. Andrew Murry of Tullibardin, was Executed for fastening the stake in the Ford of the River Erne, whereby Balliol and the Englishmen were directed the Night wherein they Surprised the Earl of Marre. Therefore John Kandal Earl of Murry, and the Earl of Galloway gathered a great Army and came against Balliol and quite routed him, killing many of his Nobles and taking many Prisoners, the Kingdom being thus divided the one part for Balliol, the other for Bruce, the King of England thinking it a fit time for him to make a full Conquest of Scotland, raised a great Army and besieged Berwick, mean while Archibald Dowglass raised an Army and entering the Borders, Burnt all before him to divert the King of England from the Siege, King Edward advertised of this, sent a Messenger to Sir Alexander Setonn, who was Governor, telling him that if he did not presently render he would hang his two Sons, whom he had in his hands, which he refusing to do the two Young Gentlemen were presently hanged then the Governor came with an Army to Northumberland where a most Bloody battle was fought on Halidown-hill, and the Governor himself with many Nobles killed, thereupon Berwick was rendered, and Edward Balliol Established King, who sought by all means to have gotten Robert Stewart in his hands, for he knew that (next to King David) his Title was best to the Crown. Soon after King Edward prepared an Army both by Sea and Land, to enter into Scotland, but the most part of his Ships Perished in Forth. The King returning with Balliol into England, left Cumin Earl of Athol Governor who seized upon all the Lands pertaining to Robert Stewart and his Friends, but Robert Stewart took the Castle of Dunne, and killed all the Englishmen therein▪ at this time the Earl of Murray came from France, who together with Robert reduced much of the Country to the obedience of King David chase the Governor and his Followers to the Mountains, but the English entered with a great Army and (though a great part of their Army was routed) took Perth, but their Fleet being harassed at Sea, were forced to retreat, and the rather in design of a French War, but some of the Nobles still standing out, the English landed in Murray, and reduced all, and leaving Balliol returned home, the next year the English besieged Dunbar, and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford who were both routed, yet the siege continued, at last they were forced to raise the siege, also having received great loss by the Valour of Robert Stewart.  
Murray in the mean time dying, Stewart was created Viceroy till David's return, who having the first year gained some Victories, did the next year take Perth, Sterling and the Castle of Edinburgh, the Scots gaining all their ground except Berwick. In the year 1336. David resolves upon an expedition into England, though much dissuaded by his council, Making John Randolph General, himself going disguised, Soon after a peace for two years was treated of, which David would not accept without the consent of France, whereupon marching as far as the County of Durham, had his Army quite routed and himself taken Prisoner, his Kingdom also in a manner Depopulated with the Plague: by this time John of France was also made Prisoner in England; the Scots after eleven years' Captivity, ransomed their King, who at his return punished some of those who had deserted him at Durham, and endeavoured to remove the Succession of the Crown from Robert Stewart, to whom he was some years after reconciled; he spent the last five years of his Reign in composing Domestic feuds, Queen Jane daughter to Edward the second of England dying, he Married Margaret Logy, Daughter to Sir John Logy, than he purposed to have passed to Jerusalem, having provided all necessaries for his Voyage, but he fell sick of a fever in the Castle of Edinburgh, whereof he died in the fortyth year of his Reign, without Succession, and was buried in Holyrood-house.  
100 Robert Stewart the first King of that Name, succeeded his mother's Brother, A. D. 1378. A Valiant and worthy Prince, he Married Eupham Daughter to the Earl of Ross, who bore to him David, Earl of Strathern, Walter Earl of Athol, Alexander Earl of Marr, with several Daughters. After her Death, he marries Elizabeth Moor his own Concubine, the better to Legitimate Children he had by her, he honoured them with Titles, and declared them his Successors, two years after an Attempt is made upon Berwick▪ and Sir John Lilbourn, and 〈…〉 grave Captains of it taken 〈…〉 After this, the Earl of Douglass came with twenty thousand Men, to the Fair of Pennire within England, spoiling all the Goods there; but carried away the Pestilence with him, whereof many died. To revenge this, the English came with a great Army over Solway, destroying all before them, mean while the Scots gathered together about five hundred Men. and lay in Ambush, till the English returned back; then with a sudden noise and Clamour, as they passed by they set upon them, forcing them back, till many were drowned in Solway. Not long after, Edward King of England died; whereupon the Duke of Lancaster came into Scotland, entreating to have a Peace for three years, which Peace being expired: My Lord of Galloway, laid siege to the Castle of Lochmaban, and made himself Master of it; defeating a strong party of English, who were coming from Carlyle to its relief: King Richard fearing of it, sent the Baron of Graystock with a Body of Men, to fortify Roxburgh, who being within a mile of it, he was taken by the Earl of March, and carried to Dunbar; the same year, the strengths of Teviotdale were by the Earl of Douglas recovered out of the English hands, soon after which he died. His Son James succeeding to him, went by the King's Order with an Army into England, whence he was presently after Counter-manded home, where he found the Admiral of France with two hundred and forty Ships well Man'd, come to their Assistance, with them they passed into England and took the Castles of Warkford, and Corwal. And laying siege to Roxburgh, and Carlyle; the Scots and French could not agree, in whose Names the strengths should be kept if they were won, which brought the business to nothing: Whereupon King Richard in revenge enters Scotland with a great Army, and marching through the Mers and Louthian, did much hurt. But the Earls of Fife, Douglas and Galloway followed him into England, and secretly passing the Water of Solway, came to Cokermouth; where in three days time they spoilt the whole Country about, and returned safely with great Booty. In the year 1388. The King past again into England with an Army, at which time the Irish taking their advantage, entered Galloway, destroying all before them: Whereupon William the Lord of Galloways Son pursued them to Ireland, and burned the Town of Carlingfoord, and finding sixty Ships in several Harbours, loaded fifteen of them with the spoil of the Town, and burned the rest: Returning home, he spoilt the Isles of Man. The next year, the King of England sent an Army into Scotland, which did much hurt in the Mers, revenging this affront: King Robert sent two Armies into England, the one under the Command of the Earl of Fife, entered Cumberland; the other led by the Earls of Douglass, and March entered Northumberland; the two Armies met within two miles of Newcastle. The Earl of Douglass chose out ten thousand Men to besiege Newcastle, wherein was the Earl of Northumberland with his two Sons, Henry Hotspur, and Ralph. Henry Challenged the Earl of Douglass to fight with him, which Douglass accepted off, so being mounted upon two starely Horses, they assaulted one another desperately, at last Douglass beat Peircy out of his Saddle, but he was presently rescued and brought into the Town. Immediately Douglass assaulted the Town, but it was so well defended by the English, that he was forced to retire and encamp at Otterburn, whither Henry Peircy immediately followed, there they fought a bloody Battle, until the darkness of the Night parted them, but when the Moon began to appear, they joined again with more Fierceness than before, Victory inclining sometime to one side, and sometimes to another; till at last Patrick Hepburn came with fresh Men to the Scots: Whereupon the English retreated, leaving eighteen hundred of their Men dead in the place, and a hundred and forty taken Prisoners; among which were the two Peircies above mentioned. But the Valiant Earl of Douglass died in this Battle, being thrice run through the Body, and Mortally wounded in his Head, which was a greater loss and Grief to his Nation, than the gain of this Victory could balance. The next year a Parliament was called at Perth, wherein Robert Earl of Fife, the King's second Son was elected Governor, the King himself by reason of his great Age, not being able to Govern. He was a Valiant, Victorious and fortunate Prince in all his Wars, for his Governors and Captains returned always with Victory. He was very constant, and a great justitiar, hearing patiently the Complaints of the Poor; causing all wrongs to be redressed. He died peaceably in the Castle of Dun-Donald, the seventy fifth year of his Age, and the nineteenth year of his Reign.  
The same year John his eldest Son was called to succeed, who thinking that Name ominous to Kings (and there wanted not Examples) as of him of England, and him of France, and thinking something of the Felicity, of the two former Roberts, was Crowned by the Name of,  
101. Robert the third, A. D. 1390. He was more remarkable, for his Peaceableness and Modesty, then for any other Virtue; the first seven years of his Reign were passed in Peace, by reason of his Truce with England, but not without some fierce Fiends among his Subjects; especially, the Clankays, and Clanchattes, the King seeing the Difficulty of reducing them, made this Proposition to them, that three hundred of each side should try it by Dint of Sword before the King; the Conquered to be pardoned, and the Conqueror advanced, this being agreed to, a place was appointed upon the North-side of Perth; but when the Clans presented themselves, there was one of one side missing, whom then his party could not supply: A Tradesman steps out, and for half a French Crown, and promise of Maintenance during his Life, filled up the Company. The first was furious, but none behaved himself more furiously, than the other Mercenary Champion, who was the greatest cause of the Victory, for of his side their remained ten grievously wounded, the other party had but one left; who not being wounded, yet being unable to sustain the stroke of the other, threw himself in the Tay, and escaped with his Life: By this means the fiercest of the two Clans, being cut off, the remainder being Headless were quiet: Two years after, the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes, which was the first time that Title, was known in Scotland. Next year Richard the second of England, being forced to resign, Henry the fourth succeeded, in the beginning of his Reign, tho' the Truce was not expired; yet the Seeds of War began to bud, upon this occasion, George Earl of March betrothed his eldest Daughter to David the King's eldest Son, Archibald Earl of Douglass incensed at this, got a Vote of Parliament to revoke this Marriage, and giving a greater sum of Money, got a Marriage confirmed in Parliament, betwixt David and Mary his Daughter. The Earl of March nettled at this, demands Redress, but not being heard, he leaves the Court; and with his Family and Friends goes into England, to the Lord Percy, who with his Assistance did much hurt to the Lands of the Douglasses; the Scots declare the Earl of March an Enemy, and sends to demand him of the English, which they refusing, several Incursions happened upon both sides, till at length Piercy was defeated by the Douglass' at Lynton-bridge. At this time, David Earl of Crauford, and the Lord Welles in England, engaged to run certain Courses on Horseback, with sharp Spears for Life and Death upon London-bridge, which they performed most gallantly. The People Perceiving the Earl of Crauford to sit so stiffly, cried, the Scotch man was locked in his Saddle; he hearing this, leapt out of the Saddle upon the Ground, and presently mounted again, to the great wonder of the Beholders: The second time they run without any hurt, but the third time the Lord Welles was beat out of his Saddle, and sorely hurt with the fall. By this time the Queen dying, her Son David, who for his Extravagancies was by her means kept under restraint, broke out into his former disorders, and committed all kind of Rapine, and wickedness; complaint being brought to his Father, he committed him to his brother Robert (this Design was to root out all that Offspring) the business was so ordered, as that the young man was shut up in Faulkland Castle to be starved; which yet was for a while delayed, one Woman thrusting in some Oaten Cakes at a Chink, and another giving him Milk out of her Breasts, through a Trunk; but both these being discovered, the Youth being forced to tear his own Flesh died of a multiplied Death, which Murder being whispered to the King, he was so abused by the false Representations of his Brother; that Grief and Imprecations was all the relief that he had left him, and being now retired sickly, to Boot Castle, and unable to punish him. The King therefore Solicitous to preserve James his youngest Son, is resolved to send him to Charles the sixth of France: And having taking shipping at the Bassas, he passed by the Promontory of Flambrough; and whether he was forced by a Tempest, or that he was Sea-sick, he was forced to Land there, he was taken by the English, and detained Prisoner, notwithstanding the eight years' Truce; and tho' it came to be debated at the Council Table, yet his Detention was carried in the Affirmative: But the News so struck his aged Father, that he had almost presently died; but being carried to his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and Sorrow: He died within three days, the sixteenth year of his Reign, and was buried in Pasley.  
Upon this, the Parliament confirm Robert for Governor; about four years after, Donald of the Isles enters Ross as his pretended Inheritance, with ten thousand Men, which he easily subdued; thence he went to Murray and Mastered it also, and so went on to Aberdeen; to stop this Torrent, Alexander Earl of Marr, followed by most of the Nobility, met him at Harlaw, where they joined in so bloody a Battle, and lost so many noble and considerable Persons, that tho' Night parted them, neither could pretend to the Victory, to this year, the University of S. Andrews owes its Rise: The English being taken up with a War with France, nothing considerable was acted between them and the Scots, for ten years after, at which time Robert the Governor dies, and Murdoch his Son (a very unfit Person,) was put in his place; who suffered his Sons to come to that petulancy, that they were not only offensive to the People, but with all disobedient to their Father; who having a brave Falcon, which his Son Walter had often begged, but in vain, he snatched it out of his Father's hand, and wrung off her Neck, for which his Father being angry Well says he, Since I cannot Govern thee: I will bring one shall Govern us both: And from that day, he ceased not to further the Redemption of the King, he Governed four years.  
102. But the Nobles weary under this form of Government, the Governor being also irritated by the Misdemeanour of his Children, all Unanimously determine without longer delays, to work the deliverance of their Native Prince James, fourth of England, which at length was effected, Anno. Dom. 1424. Having Ransomed him for the sum of forty hundred thousand Marks. He married Jane Daughter to the Duke of Somerset, Son to John of Gaunt, who bore to him two Sons, Alexander who died shortly after, and James the second who succeeded to him.  
The King having passed the Solemnities of Hasterat Edinburgh: He with his Queen came to Perth, and from thence to Scone; where he was Crowned in the twenty seventh year of his Age, after he held a Parliament at Perth, where the Tax was laid on to pay the sum promised to England for his Ransom, from thence he went back to Edinburgh, where he called such as were Concerned with the Crown Rents together; he understood by their Accounts, that the most and best part of the Crown Lands were alienated, and wasted by the late Governor, and his Sons, whereat he was exceedingly incensed; yet that time he smothered, and put a fair Countenance upon his Passion. But soon after, pregnant Accusations were brought in against some of the Nobility; especially, the Governors' Friends, upon which some of them were made Prisoners, which occasioned much discontent and Jealousy on both sides, yet the King securing the Body of this Estate on his side, resolved to go on; and having Arrested the Governor, with two of his Sons, and several others his Friends, they were all committed to several Prisons: Whereupon James the Governors' youngest Son, in a desperate rage accompanied with a number of Outlaws, came to Dumbarton, and set on Fire, and killed John Stewart the King's Uncle, with thirty others. This Insolency of the Son, quite diverted the King's Clemency from his Father and Brethren: Whereupon he calleth a Parliament at Sterling, where the Governor with his two Sons, and his Father-in-Law the Duke of Lenox, were Arraigned and Condemned, and soon after Executed; this highly perplexed some other Lords and Gentlemen, who were Prisoners at the same time, fearing that they should also meet with the same measures; yet the King like a wise Physician, being not willing to take away more Blood, than he thought would take away the Disease of the Body, in a short time set them all at Liberty. The Wars continuing between France and England, the French sent an Ambassador to renew the ancient League with Scotland: But his main business was, to carry on a match between Lewis the Dauphin, tho' then very young; and Margaret Daughter to King James, this match the English neglected, but afterward most earnestly sued for it.  
The South parts of the Kingdom, being brought under Obedience, the King resolved to have the North follow their Example, for which end he went thither himself in Person, to keep his Courts: When he came there, he found things in a strange Condition, all going by strength of hand; the stronger overthrowing the weaker. The King not knowing well how to go about the taming of these rude Villains, seemed to give small Faith to what he heard of them, allowing such of them, as seemed to come and see him a great deal of seeming Favour, till at length he got forty of their Chiefs all at once, within the Castle of Innerness, whom he presently surprised, making them close Prisoners: Within a few days after, the King was convinced of this wickedness; Alexander Macrory, and John Macherter were hanged; John Campbel for murdering John of the Isles, was beheaded: The Earl of Ross being taken in this Trap, was brought by the King to Perth, where he was accused of Oppression and other things; yet the King pardoned him, and freely dismissed him, taking his Oath of Fidelity. But as soon as he went home, he gathered together a Rabble of Outlaws, who came towards Innerness, burned both Town and Castle to the Ground: Whereupon the King himself went with his Forces against him, at whose approach all the Rebels fled: Alexander thus abandoned of his Forces, fled to the Isles; but finding that he was waylaid on all hands, and had no way left him to escape, he came disguised to Edinburgh: Whereupon Yesterday the King being at Church, he came wrapped in a mourning Garment and fell down at his Feet, beging his Life, which at the Queen's request was granted; but to keep him from any more mischief, the Earl of August was appointed to take him into Custody, within Tanutallon Castle.  
Donald Balloth Cousin-german to the Earl of Ross raised a great number of outlaws and invaded Lochaber, and in a Bloody Battle overthrew the Earls of Marr and Caithness at Innerlochy, the news coming to the King he came with a great Army to Dunstaffage, which when the Clans heard of, they tendered their Submission to the King, promising to break Balloth and his party, which the King accepted of, Balloth fled to Ireland where he was taken and his head chopped off and sent to King James.  
Notwithstanding of the many Acts of Justice that were done upon these disorderly outlaws, yet nothing frighted one Macdonald, who was Famous for all sorts of Villainies; among other Cruelties he is said to have nailed Horseshoes to the Soles of a Widow, because that she swore to delate him to the King being taken with twelve of his associates, and brought to Perth, the King caused them to be shooed in the same manner as he had served the woman, draging him about for a Spectacle to the people for three days, than all of them were put to death. In this year A. D. 1430. the first of June was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun, at three of the clock in the afternoon, the day turning black for the space of half an hour, as though it had been night, which was afterward called by the common people The black Hour. The King having settled the Country, begins to look to his own affairs, and having advisedly perused all evidences and Charters belonging to the Crown, he recalls all such Lands as had been either alienated from it, or wrongfully usurped, about this time there came Ambassadors from the King of Denmark requiring of King James a Yearly Tribute, due to him as King of Norway for the western Isles, the Ambassador was honourably entertained, and the old League renewed with Denmark; soon after the French Kings Ambassadors came to have Margaret already betrothed to Lewis the Dauphin, delivered to them and conveyed to France, where they found the Lord Scroop earnestly dealing with the King, that he must bestow his daughter upon King Henry the sixth of England, promising that if he would agree thereto, that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered into the hands of the Scots, with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Redcross in in Richmondshire, the French Ambassadors also proffered great and tempting things, withal putting the King in mind how true they have been to him for so many years, since the first making of the League.  
The King and his Council after mature deliberation, declare they will not break the Ancient League with France, whereupon the English Ambassadors turned from Prayers to threatenings, and being denied friendship denounced War. But the King no wise moved hereat presently prepared his Ships, and with a company of able and skilful Mariners set his Daughter to Sea, and having escaped the English Fleet that waited for her, safely arrived at the Rochel, A. D. 1430.  
The English to revenge this supposed affront invades Scotland both by Sea and Land; against their forces commanded by Henry Piercy of Northumberland, went James Dowglass Earl of Angus, with several Gentlemen, their numbers were much about one, the lists of their meeting was Popperden, Adam Hepburn of Hales, and Alexander Elphinston led the Vanguard of the Scots, Sir Richard Piercy and Sir John Ogle of the English, Sir Alexander Ramsey of Dalehouse, and Henry Clidsdale kept the Rears, no sooner came they within distance of Joining but the sounds of Drums and Trumpets, was out noised by the shouts of the Assailants; Guns being about this time invented were here first practised between the Scots and English in an open field, than the fight with equal order had been long maintained on both sides, now the Scots then the English yielding ground, many of the Commanders at length began to fall, most of the English, then was the Piercy at once constrained to be both Commander and Soldier, but all would not do, at last Victory declared herself altogether for the Scots, two hundred Gentlemen and Common Soldiers of the Scots were slain here. Of the English died Sir Henry Cliddsdale, Sir John Ogle, Sir Richard Piercy with fifteen hundred Gentlemen and Common Soldiers, and four hundred taken prisoners, of which forty were Knights; King James resolving to prosecute this War raised an army, and cometh to Roxburgh, beseigeth the Castle defended by Sir Ralph Grace; But when he came so near his design that they within were driven to terms to Surrender: The Queen in great haste cometh to the Camp representing to her Husband a Conspiracy, which if not suddenly prevented would endanger his person and Crown, this put the King in great astonishment, not knowing what to do, at last after many doubtful resolutions and conflicts in his thoughts, raiseth the siege, disbandeth the Army, and accompanied with some chosen bands of his most assured friends, Perplexed Pensive and Sad returned to Perth, stayed in the Convent of the Dominicans, endeavouring so secretly as was possible to find out the Conspiracy, but his close practising was not unknown to the Conspirators, which made them hasten the mischief before trial, or remedy could be thought upon.  
The Conspirators were Robert Graham, Robert Stewart Nephew to Waller Earl of Athole, and one of the King's sworn Domestics, but he who gave motion to all was the Earl of Athole, he himself the King's Fatthers' Brother; this quarrel was no less than a pretended Title to the Crown, and being animated by the Oracle of a Soothsayer, who assured him that he would be Crowned in a solemn Assembly before his death, never doubted of success. These having associated unto them the most audacious, whom hope of preferment might entice.  
Thus Graham and Stewart which were accomplices guided with resolution, and guarded with the darkness of the Night, came to the Blackfriars of Perth, and having the way made open to them, entered the Gallery before the King's chamber door, where they attended some of their Confederates, who should have stole away the bar by which means they might enter the chamber, but before their coming the occasion was put in their hands, for Walter Streater one of the King's Cup bearers came forth of the Chamber and finding armed men, rushing rudely to force their entry, with a loud voice gave the alarm of Treason, while they were working his death a Maid of Honour got to the Door, and essayed to shut it, but the bar which should have made it fast was gone, she thrust in her Arm in the place of it but that easily broken, the conspirators rush into the Chamber, and slaying all such of the waiters as made defence, they at last struck down the King, (whom while the Queen by interposing her body sought to save, she received two wounds) and he with twenty eight most toward the heart was left dead. The report of this Murder being spread abroad, wrought incredible Sorrow and Grief in the Hearts of his Subjects of all sorts, the Nobles of their own accord and motion Assembled to Edinburgh, and directed Troops of Armed men through all the quarters of the Kingdom, to apprehend the Murderers; such diligence was used that within forty days all were taken and put to Ignominious Deaths: the common sort of the Conspirators were hanged upon Gibbits, the punishment of Athol was continued for three days, the first day he was Stripped naked to his shirt, and by a Crane fixed in a Cart often hoist aloft and thus dragged along the great street of the Town, on the second day he was mounted upon a Pillar in the Marketplace, and crowned with a Diadem of burning Iron with this Inscription, the King of all Traitors, thus was his Oracle accomplished, the third day he was laid naked upon a Scaffold, his belly ripped, his Heart and Bowels taken out and thrown in a Fire before his eyes, lastly his Head was cut of and fixed in the most Eminent place of the Town, his Body sent in quarters, to the most populous Cities of the Kingdom, to remain a Trophy of Justice. His Nephew was not altogether so vigorously handled, being only hanged and quartered.  
But it being notorious, that Graham had embrued his hands in the King's Blood, a Gallows being raised in a Cave, he had his Right hand nailed to it, and as he was dragged along the Streets, Executioners with burning Pincers, tearing the most Fleshy part of his Carcase; being thus torn and flayed, his Heart and entrails were thrown into a Fire, his Head set up, and his Quarters sent among the Towns, to satisfy the wrath and sorrow of the injured People: Being asked during his Torture, how he durst imbrue his hand in his Prince's blood, he made answer, that having Heaven and Hell before him, he dared leap from Heaven into Hell; an answer worthy for such a Villain.  
Dueas Silvius then Legate in Scoltand, from the Pope; having seen this sudden and Terrible revenge, being a Witness of the Execution: Said he could not tell, whether he should give them greater Commendations, that revenged the King's Death, or brand them with a sharper Condemnation, that distained themselves with so Heinous a parricide. Thus died this Noble and Wise Prince, in the thirteenth year of his Reign: He was buried in the Charter-house of Perth, which he himself had founded.  
103. The three Estates of the Kingdom, set the Crown upon the Head of James the second at Holy-rood-house; while yet a Child in the sixth year of his Age, A. D. 1437. The Government is entrusted to Alexander Levingston of Calandre, and the Custody of the King's Person, to Sir William Crichtoun: Whereupon Archibald Earl of Douglass, grudging that these Honours had been conferred upon Men far below himself, retired home and gave Orders, that none of his Vassals should acknowledge the present Government; also he used all means to weaken the hands of the Chancellor, and Governor, sowing (by his Instruments) the Seeds of Division between them, which accordingly answered Expectation, they begin to cross and Counter-act one another, which made them at length that neither of them was obeyed, the Country, having usurped a Licentious Liberty, doing what he thought best.  
The Queen seeing things thus mis-managed betwixt them, and finding that the Chancellor was mostly to blame, she at last resolves to change the Game of State. To effect her design, she came to Edinburgh; and with fair Speeches prevailed with the Chancellor, to let her enter the Castle▪ and delight herself some days in the Company of her Son; after some days staying, where having fixed every thing for her purpose, she puts the King into a Trunk, as if he had been some Fardel of her Apparel, and conveys him by water to Sterling, presently after Proclamations are made against the Chancellor, and he Commanded to render the Castle, which he refusing to do, he is presently besieged. But the two Rulers being better advised, considering that Douglass waited to see them undo one another, come to an agreement.  
Much about this time, the Queen Dowager married James Stewart's Son, to the Lord of Lorn, the Governor fearing what might follow upon the Novation, committed them both to the Castle of Sterling, than the Queen began to repent her, of her former Courtesies to the Governor, resolving once more to Face about; which the Chancellor observing, lays hold upon the Opportunity, and strikes in with her presently, they contrived how to take the Prince out of the Governors' hands, which they after effected thus, the King being one Morning hunting in the Park (the Governor being at Perth) the Chancellor coming to him by the Queen's assistance, prevails with him to go to Edinburgh, and take the Government upon himself; which when the Governor hears of, he very calmly came to Edinburgh, where the Chancellor and he becometh Friends.  
The great Confusions that were in the Country, did necessitate the the calling of a Parliament, where many grievous Complaints were brought against several Oppressors; and among the rest William Earl of Douglass, Son to Archibald; was represented as the Source, whence the Miseries of the Country sprang: The Parliament resolve to proceed against him, by way of Rigour, but the Governor and the Chancellor advise them rather to write a fair Letter to him, and invite him by fair means to come in and submit, which was accordingly done, and wrought so effectually upon him, that he resolves presently to obey; hoping thereby to get himself set up: He upon his arrival, was together with his Brother David, and Sir Malcolm Flyming of Cummerald, with great Ceremony conducted by the Governor to the Castle of Edinburgh, where the King was; at this Table he was set to Dine, this so elevated his Heart, that he Blessed himself with the Expectation of other Favours.  
But amidst these Entertainments (behold the Instability of Fortune) near the end of the Banquet, the Head of a Bull (which was the sign of present Death in those days) is set down before him: At which sudden Spectacle, he leapt from the Table all aghast, but he is presently seized upon by armed Men, who led him to the outer Court of the Castle, and notwithstanding the Tears and Cries of the young King, that they might spare his Life, he together with his Brother and Flyming, had their Heads cut off: This Act left Grief and Terror in the Hearts of the People, who ever after hated the Actors of the Tragedy.  
The King's Nonage being now near expired, he takes the Government upon himself, and finding the two Rulers being so long settled in the Government; not to be Ambitious and Headstrong, he resolves to entertain another Faction more powerful than they: So setting his thoughts upon William Earl of Douglass Son to the Baron of Abercon, him he received into Favour. This sudden change of Court, moved the two Rulers to withdraw, after which they were both removed from their Offices; and at last summoned before the King, to answer such things as they should be Legally accused of. They finding that there was a design upon them, did not appear: Whereupon they were both forfeited.  
This produced great Confusion in the State, all being divided into Factions, and Parties: Whereupon followed much Effusion of Blood; especially, between the Layndsays, and the Ogletives. Douglass to keep himself high, did much abett these Broils, making his own use of them; yet not long after, the Chancellor notwithstanding Douglass' power, and Policy, is restored to his Fortune and Dignity.  
The King being settled upon the Throne, married Mary Daughter to the Duke of Gnilders, soon after, the Peace with England expired, and the Borders of both Kingdoms, break and mutually invade each other, which issued in a Truce for seven years. But this Truce stood not long, both Nations being equally inclined to break it: Whereupon after several Incursions on both sides, at last they came to a Battle. The Scots were Commanded by the Earl of Ormond, the English, by the Earl of Northumberland, Magnus' Red-beard; a man trained from his Youth in the Wars of France, who is said to have required no more for his Service to the Crown of England, then that by his own Valour, he must Conquer of Scotland. Here it is valiantly fought for a long time, with doubtful Victory, till at length Magnus being killed, it inclined to the Scots, the loss of the English was great, many brave Men being killed and taken Prisoners, upon their side, but the Scots lost few of any Note, except Craggy Wallace: This Battle brought on a Truce for three years.  
This Victory no sooner was obtained, and thereby Peace abroad, but presently they fall out at home; this Douglass being always the first mover of strife: But now finding himself overpowered by Adversaries, both at Court and in the Country; he leaveth the Kingdom and goeth to Rome, he was not long gone, but by the means of his Enemies, he is cited to appear before the Council upon several days together, with his Brother and Vassals, to answer such things as should be objected against them; and upon not appearing, are all denounced Rebels: the Earl of Douglass hearing of this unexpected News at Rome, takes a Journey, and comes to the Borders of Scotland; whence he sent his Brother to Court to know the King's mind towards him. The King promised upon his Submission, to accept of him, which he performed, making him for his further Encouragement Lieutenant General of his Forces: But he stood not long privately in his Prosperity, for going to the Court of England upon some design, the King was highly dissatisfied with him, yet upon his humble Submission he is pardoned, but divested of all public employment within the Kingdom.  
Thus being degraded from his Honnours, he gives himself wholly to study revenge, and that he might the more successfully effect his Design; he gets the Earls of Cranford, Ross-Murray, the Lord Balveny, with many other Barons and Gentlemen, to enter in a Confederacy, both offensive and defensive with him, after they broke out in unsufferable Insolences; spoiling and plundering the Lands of such as were not of their Faction, and killing, and destroying such as offered to oppose them.  
The King begins to be apprehensive of their Design; therefore thinks it high time to look to himself and his Country: Whereupon he sent for Douglass, to come and speak with him at Sterling, which he at first feared to do, but upon second Thoughts, he accompanied with many of the Confederates went to Court, where the King very Graciously received him; the day being far spent, the Gates of the Castle shut, all removed except some of the Council, and the Guards, the King takes the Earls apart very friendly, and remembered him of Favours received, and wrongs forgotten: Taxing him with the exorbitant abuses of his followers, than he told him of a Covenant, which he heard was made betwixt him and some of the other Nobility, and desired to know what he had to say. Douglass answered in plain terms, it was so, but that the Covenant was made for his own safety, the King further expostulated with him to break it, which he refusing to do, the King with his Dagger ended the Quarrel, killing him in the place.  
About the end of this Tragedy, a pair of Spurs between two Platters, is directed to Sir James Hamilton, as a part of the King's Banquet: Whereupon he and the rest takes the Alarm, and setting Fire to divers places of the Town, they make their escape; the King to vindicate himself, emits Declarations, showing all his good Subjects the Reasons that moved him to take Douglass' Life, that it was not a fit of Passion, nor an Act of private revenge, but merely to save the State from utter Ruin: Yet the Mobile were diversely affected some justifying the Fact, as Noble and Just, but others (as the greater number) as boldly Condemned it, as Inhuman and Cruel; these of the League missing no Opportunity that was for their Interest, made it their work to sow Sedition and Discord, and to encourage all Breaches and Contempt of the Laws, which increased their number, so that the King was reduced to a very low condition, till at last Cranford one of the Confederates being routed, by the Earl of Huntly, he recovered some strength, and having called a Parliament at Edinburgh, summoned the Confederate Lords to appear before, which they scornfully refused to do: Whereupon the King levying an Army, forced them to retire; yet the Country suffered sadly, by their unbridled Fury. At length after much loss on both sides (the King daily prevailing, the Earl of Cranford submitted himself to his mercy, as several others did afterward. Whereupon the Earl of Douglass fled to England, there having gathered together several desperate Men, he made several inroads upon the Border.  
The King having with much difficulty recovered the Royal Authority of his Ancestors, (England in the mean time being at the point of utter ruin by the contest of Henry the sixth, and the Duke of York,) was much solicited by both of them, but he told the Ambassadors that he had more reason to look to his own concerns, then to assist either of them which he intended to do, thereupon raising a Powerful Army he passed the Tweed, and besieged Roxburgh, where having applied his battery to the Castle, he began to storm it, but by the space of an overcharged Piece the King's thigh bone being broken was struck immediately Dead, the twenty Fourth year of his Reign, having left three sons James who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany, and John Earl of Marre, and was buried at Holy-Rood house. After his death the Queen with her Son came to the siege and encouraged the Nobles, who took and demolished the Castle, and also the Castle of Work.  
104. To him Succeeded his Son James the third, A. D. 1460. A good Prince corrupted by wicked Courtiers, who with advantage of his years being but seven years of age when he began to Reign, his education is entrusted to his Mother, the Government of the Kingdom to the Earls of Anaudale Castle, Orkney and the Lords, Boyd and Graham, the Bishops of St. Andrews, Glasgow and Dnubek.  
In this Prince's Nonage great confusions increased both at home and abroad, at home by the Islanders who extremely infested the country, and came as far as the Blairth of Athole and burnt S. Bride's Church, where the Earl and his Lady took Sanctuary, carrying them to the Island Ila, from whence as these Savages were going further, they were all miserably destroyed by a tempest. Nor was it better abroad, England being in a flame by the Civil Wars, Henry being taken and released again by his Queen, flees to Scotland desiring their assistance against his Enemies, and that he might be the better heard caused the Town of Berwick to be delivered to the Scots; thereupon the Queen who managed the War getting some supply, marched (taking the King with her) into England, but was soon overthrown at Durham.  
A. D. 1466. the Queen of Scots died having left many sound and profitable instructions to the King her Son, who now coming to fifteen years of age, is by his Regent's committed to the Lord Boyds Brother to be Educated in the Excercise of Chivalry, by which means the Boyds became to darken all others in the State, nothing being done without them, the Kenedies who had been the King's best Friends, seeing things go thus left the Court, after which the Glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse. The Lord Boyde to be yet higher gets the sole Government settled upon himself, which laid the Foundation of his ruin, and not satisfied with this, he obtains his Son to be Married to the King's eldest Sister, this highly displeased the rest of the Nobility that his ambition should be so boundless, which gave matter to his former Enemies to work upon, all oppression and violence is winked at on purpose at last they procure Complaints from all parts of the Kingdom against the Boyds, which made the King's affection begin to turn away from them.  
A. D. 1468. A match being proposed and agreed upon between the King and Margaret Daughter to the King, of Denmark, the Boyds Enemies procures the Earl of Arran who had Married the King's Sister to be sent to bring home the Queen; he was no sooner gone then his Interest at Court began to fall, for a Parliament being called; the Lord Boyd and his Brother Sir Alexander are summoned to appear thereupon he distrusting this Case fled to England, but his Brother was taken and Arraigned, the Earl of Arran also though absent is declared a Rebel. The Queen arriving with her fleet arriving in the Ferth, My Lady Arran went aboard in disguise and informed her Husband of the calamity of his House, persuaded him to do for himself, whereupon he hoist Sails and returned with his Lady to Denmark. The King sendeth Letters full of promises and threatenings to move his sister to return to Scotland, which when she did she was constrained to be divorced from her Husband, and to Marry James Lord Hamilton; not long after the Earl of Arran died in great misery at Antwerp.  
Queen Margaret the third year after her Marriage brought forth a Son who was named James, the King of Denmark to Congratulate the happy delivery of his Daughter, released all his claims to the Isles of Orkney and Sherland, but in the midst of this calm a cloud begins to overcast the King's Splendour, for his Brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless spirits they set themselves altogether to study Novelties, and to bring him into contempt with his Subjects, to this end they had drawn away many of the young Nobility and Gentry to follow them. The King was Naturally Superstitious, giving much head to divinations which gave also his Brother's occasion to vilify him, and incense his people against him, yea the Earl of Marre became so Insolent that in the Kings own presence, he began to rail against the Government of the state and Court, which the King highly resenting, caused to Imprison him where he fell in a high Fever whereof he died. The Duke of Albany imputed the death of his Brother to the Court party, but while he was keeping his Cabals in order to an Insurrection, he was surprised and Imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh out of which he soon after made his escape to France, thence he came to England, and began to tamper with King Edward, revealing to him the weakness of the Kingdom of Scotland, and how easily it might be subdued, the Nobility not respecting the King but much affecting a change in the Government, which by his assistance might easily be effected, he promised also to settle a correspondence with the Nobles of Scotland which he did, then that they might get their design wrought, gives way for the breaking loose of the Borders, fierce incursions are made by the English upon Scotland and by the Scots upon the English, and the discontented Nobility blame the King for all, thereupon pretending the necessity of the times and the danger the Kingdom was in, they entered into a Bond of association after which they enter the King's bed chamber, where they seized some of his Servants in his presence and put them to death, as incendiaries in the state.  
About this time the Duke of Gloucester set forward toward Scotland with two and twenty thousand men, finding Berwick two strong for him he marches directly to Edinburgh, there by public writings at the Market places he gave out high demands, all which King James being shut up in Edinburgh Castle answered with silence, the disatisfied Lords having obtained what they chiefly aimed at, wished the English at home again therefore they desire a peace with them, which the Duke of Gloucester granted upon condition that all his demands were satisfied (one of which was to reinstall the Duke of Albany) which after much debate was granted and he with his Army returned home.  
The Duke of Albany having recovered his Estate and Honours, his first work was to restore the King to his Prerogatives, reconciling him to his discontented Lords; but he himself stood not long in his favour, for by the advice of some of his Enemies about the King a Plot is resolved upon to bring the Duke within compass of Law, which he being aware of fled to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester his grievancies, in his absence he is convinced of many points of Treason whereupon he and the Lord Crightton his Associate are both forfeited, which when he heard he presently caused to give up the Castle of Dunbar, whereof he was Lieutenant, to King Edward, who immediately put a Garrison in it. Not long after the said King Edward died, and his Brother Richard Duke of Gloucester Succeeded.  
The Duke of Albany obtains five hundred Horse from King Richard with which he came with the old Earl of Douglass to Lochmabban to surprise a Fair which was held there, whereupon the Laird of Johnston who was warden dispatched Posts about for supply of men with which he Encountered the Duke, here it is most Couragously fought on both sides but at last the English are quite routed, the Duke hardly by swiftness of his Horse escaped, but the Earl of Dowglass is taken and brought in Triumph to Edinburgh where the King adjudged him to perpetual confinement, soon after followed a Truce with England for three years, but before the time was expired Henry Earl of Richmond came with some Companies out of France, (of which that Famous warrior, Bernard Stewart, Lord Albany Brother to the Lord Darnly had the leading,) which by the resort of his Country men turned into an Army and Rencountred Richard at Bosworth where he was killed, and Henry Proclaimed King of England.  
King James taking advantage of this change besieged Dunbar, which was soon surrendered upon Articles. After this King Henry sent Ambassadors to King James, to agree if possible upon a lasting, and firm Peace between the two Crowns, at length after some difficulty they agree upon a Truce for seven years.  
The King having settled a Peace with England, betakes himself to the Exercise of Religion, having founded a College for divine Service in the Castle of Sterling▪ he endeavoured to annex the Priory of Goldingham to it. The Priors of this Convent, having for many years been of the Name of Humealedged, that they were wronged of their Right: First they began to Petition, but finding this uneffectual, they began to associate with their Neighbours, giving it out that the King was a mere Tyrant, not to be trusted, by which means many of the Hearts of the Subjects were alienated from the King. The King understanding how things stood he made choice of a Guard to defend his Person, resolving to live beyond the River Ferth; of which, when the Lords of the Insurrection were certified, they surprise the Castle Dunbar, and tumultuously overrun the Countries, besouth the Ferth: Thus coming to Lithgow, they resolved to make the Duke of Rothesay the Kings own Son their Head, whom having corrupted his Keepers with Bribes, they constrained to go with them.  
But the King losing neither Courage, nor Council passeth the Ferth, near Blackness with his Forces, before his arrival at this place, the Earls of Montross, Gleancan, Lords, Maxwel, Ruthwen with others, being advertised by Letters came to him, they of the Association, having the Prince with them, to add Authority to their Quarrel. Gathered from all Quarters, the two Armies being in readiness to decide their Quarrel by Battle; the Earl of Athole the King's Uncle, so traveled between the Lords of either Party, that the King had a Suspension of Arms agreed on. The Earl rendering himself a pledge for the Accomplishment of the King's part, of the Reconcilement to Lord Hails. Thus the King lost a good opportunity, the like of which was never again in his offer, for the Lords notwithstanding that was agreed upon, continued very troublesome to the Country, the Town of Edinburgh, is pestered with Troops of armed Men. The King warned of his danger, fortifies the Castle of Edinburgh for his defence; then he sent to the Lords, to understand their Intentions, and what they meant, they finding their offences flew higher than hope of pardon could reach, answered that nothing could secure them, nor the Kingdom until he had divested himself of all the Government of the Kingdom, and resigned the Crown in Favour of his Son. But he resolving to hazard all rather, then condescend to this, was advised by some of his Friends, to retire to the Castle of Sterling, where his Forces might have more easy Access to him, but this proved a a fatal advice for coming thither, the Treacherous Constable denied him entrance, in the mean time News came to him, that the Confederates were within six miles of him at Falkirk. The King to make a Virtue of necessity, resoves to put all upon the hazard of a Battle; the Confederates were encamped near the Torwood. The King set forward with his Army upon the other side of the Torwood. Both drew up in a plain field near Bannock-burn, and engaged most desperately: The first Charge is valiantly given, and Lance meeting with Lance, the Vanguard of the Lords began to yield ground. But the next Charge being given by Anandale Men, the middle of the King's Army is beat back to the main Battle, notwithstanding of which it is fought a while with great obstinacy on both sides, until the Standard Royal was beaten down; then began the King's Army to bow the Horsemen, obeying no Orders, begun to turn their backs. In this rout and Confusion of Horse and Foot, the King seeking to retire towards the River Ferth, by the fall of his Horse in leaping a Ditch, being sore bruised, was carried by such, who knew him not, to a Well at Bannock-burn; where he was killed in cold Blood, by Borthwick a Priest with some others, the twenty ninth year of his Reign, and was buried at Kambush-Kenneth.  
105. To him succeeded his Son James the fourth, who was Crowned at Edinburgh, A. D. 1489. Being about sixteen years of age, a noble and Courageous Prince, and Godly; the beginning of his Government was most uneasy, the Death of the late King, being yet recent, his followers resolve to have it revenged. In the North, Alexander Lord Forbs displayed the Bloody shirt of the murdered King upon a Lance in Aberdeen, and other places of the North, inviting the Country as by an Herald to the revenge of his Murder. In the West, the Earl of Lennox hath the same resolution; also the Earl of Marshad, Lords, Goodore and Lyle, with the Confederates in other parts of the Kingdom. But the Lord Drumond routed the Earl of Lennox at Telliemoss, and also Sir Andrew Wood, obtained a considerable Victory over the English (who pretended to revenge the late King's death) at the mouth of Ferth. The Rumour of these Victories, so amazed Forbs and his Confederates, that they laid down their Arms, and put themselves into the King's mercy, and were all received into Favour.  
The Lords rejoiced greatly, that they had brought things to this pass, but the King gave no sign of Joy; yea upon the contrary, to give a Testimony to the World, of the Agony of his mind, for the Death of his Father; and that Remorse and Anguish he suffered for the Faults of those, who brought him to the Field against him, he girded himself with an Iron Chain, to which every third year thereafter, he added some Rings and weight, so long as he lived, and though this might threaten no good to some, yet they pass it by, not daring to Attempt aught against the common Peace.  
Amidst this Grief and Sorrow of the Kings, Andrew Forman Secretary to Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome, arrived in Scotland, with Instructions to the Clergy, in a Letter, from his Master, to the King and Nobles, exhorting them to the mutual Duties of their Stations, after this some Headstrong Nobility dying, the Country enjoyed a great calm of Peace, the Seeds of Dissension, seeming to be quite taken away. But the Borders keeping up their old feuds by new Accessions, make daily Incursions one upon another, which came at last to open Hostility: Whereupon King James enters England, and spoils all the North parts, and returns home without any considerable Action, not long after Ambassadors came from England, desiring a Peace; which is granted, and the Commissioners for both sides met at Edinburgh, where many Articles and conditions of the peace were hotly disputed, one of the Englishe's demands was an Interview between the two Kings at Newcastle, which being referred to King James his own arbitrement, he answered, that he meant to treat of a Peace, but not to go a Begging for it.  
Much being said at last they conclude upon a Peace for some Months following; after which followed a match between King James of Scotland with Lady Margaret the King of England's Eldest Daughter, which was consummated at Edinburgh. King Henry bringeth his Daughter as far as Cokebiston in the way, and then resigning her to the Earl of Northumberland, who with a great train of Lords and Ladies brought her to Edinburgh to the King her Husband, where they for some days, were taken up with nothing but Banqueting, masks, and Tilting, with such other exercises; by this means the King wasted his Treasures greatly; then some of them set their wits a-work, to squeeze the Subjects for Money, which occasioned great murmurings among the Poor.  
A. D. 1507. James Prince of Scotland and the Isles, was born at Holy-Rood-house the one and twentyth of January but he soon after died at Sterling, the year following, the Queen brought forth another Son named Arthur, but he died also in the Castle of Edinburgh. Then she brought forth her third Son at Linlithgow, who Succeeded to the Crown and was named James.  
About the same time Bernard Stewart came to Scotland, entreating that King James would make War with King Henry of England, to keep him from molesting France, which at last he obtained: then began they to go to their old work of making incursions one upon another, till at last it breaks out to an open War. Whilst King James stayed at Linlithgow attending the gathering of an Army, now ready to set forward, as he was at his Devotion an Ancient man came in, in a very strange and Majestic manner, and of a comely and reverend aspect, who having enquired for the King, he intruded himself Press, passing through till he eme to him with a Clounish Simplicity, leaning over the Canon's Seat where the King Sat: Sir (said he) I am sent hither to entreat you for this time to delay your expedition, and to proceed no farther in your intended Journey. For if you do, you shall not prosper in your Enterprise, nor any of your Followers. I am further Charged to warn you, if you be so Refractory as to go forward, not to use the Acquaintance, Company, or Council of Women, as you tender your Honour, Life and Estate. Having delivered his Commission, he withdrew himself among the crowd, but could never be seen again; the Queen also did greatly shake his resolutions with her Tears and Prayers, acquainting him with the Visions and affrightments of her sleep, but he laughed at all these fancies, thinking them to be only the contrivance of such as hated the French and loved the English faction, so he gave present Orders to his Army to March over the Tweed, not staying till his whole Forces came to him, though they were upon their March, yet for all his haste when once he had passed the River, he trifled away his time so idly, that many of his Soldiers wanting necessary provision returned home, which the Nobility seeing, advised the King to return also: having spoiled that Country sufficiently already, but he would hear no such advice, though at last his Army was brought so low that he had none almost left but the Nobility and their Attendants. The English Army Commanded by the Earl of Surrey consisting of twenty eight thousand men, were come by this time within three miles of the place, where the Scotish army was encamped, which made them draw to their arms. The Earl of Surrey's Vanguard, passed the water of Till at Twysel Bridge, King James seeing them pass the water imagineth that they intended to gain a hill between his Camp and them. To prevent which, he removed to another Hill; whilst the Scotish Army was removing, the English advance to the foot of Flondon Hill.  
The fatal hour of the two armies approaching one another, the English draw up in good order in two Battles, one of which was equal in number to the whole Scotish army, the Scots by their fewness of number, not being able to Order many Battalions, Marshal themselves in four, three of which to enter the Fight, and the fourth to attend for supply: the King commanded the middle, or main Battle; the Earl of Huntly, the Right wing, and the Earls of Cranford, and Montross the left; the third Battalion was commanded by the Earl of Lennox, and the Earl of Argyle, and the reserved, by the Earl of Bothwel.  
The Earl of Huntly making down the Hill, where they encamped, encountered a wing of the English Van, led by Sir Edmund Howard; which after a furious and long Fight, he put to flight, the Battalion led by the Earls of Lennox & Argyle (being High-Land Men) encouraged with this glance of Victory losing their Ranks, broke furiously upon the Enemy, invading them in the Face of them; they were not only valiantly received, but Hedged in on all hands, and miserably destroyed. The main Battle which the King led, being joined by the Earl of Bothwel, fought it out courageously Body against Body, and Sword to Sword; great numbers falling upon both sides, till the darkness of the Night, as it were by mutual Consent, forced a Retreat; neither of them knowing unto whom Victory pertained.  
Many brave Scots did here fall, esteemed to be above five thousand of the Noblest and worthiest Families of the Kingdom; neither was the loss of the English less in number, but most part of them being common Soldiers, was thought little of: About the dawning of the next Morning, the Lord Dacres with his Troops, taking a view of the Field, and seeing the Brazen Ordnance of the Scots, not carried off, sendeth speedy Advertisement to the pensive Army, inviting all to the setting up of Trophies.  
What the King's fate was, is uncertain, the English hold, that he was killed in this Battle; the Scots, that many in like Arms, with the like Guards, were killed, every one of which was taken for the King: Among others, Alexander Lord Elphingston, one of his Favourites, being not unlike the King in Face and Stature, and representing him in his Armour in the Field, with the Valiantest, and most Courageous of the Army fought it out, and Acting heroically his part as a King, was killed, heaps of dead Bodies environing his. In the search, where the fight was, the number, Tallness, and the Furniture of the dead Bodies being observed, their Faces, and Wounds viewed, His Body as if it yet breathed Majesty, was amidst the others selected, thought to be his Master, brought to Berwick and imbalmed. That it was not the King's Body, his Iron Chain which he always wore, and was not there found about him, gave Testimony.  
Others have recorded, that the Fortune of the day inclining to the English; four Tall men mounted upon lusty Horses, wearing upon the tops of their Lances for Cognizance, Streamers of Straw, mounting the King upon a Sorrel Hackney, conveyed him far from the place of fight, and after that he was seen beyond the Tweed, between Kelso and Dunce, after which, what became of him was uncertain. Many think, that he was killed in the Castle of Hume, either by Intelligence, between the English and the Humes, or in hopes of great Fortunes, which would follow Innovations, and Confusions in the State. To this is added, that one Carbreth in the time of John Duke of Albanies' Government, vaunted, that however the Governor wronged the Humes, yet he was one of those who had abated the Insolency of King James, and made him know that he was a Mortal, all which, increased the Suspicion of many. The Governor not long after, cut off the Heads of the Earl of Hume and his Brother, without any known cause. This noble Prince was lost the twenty fifth year of his Reign.  
106. The fatal overthrow of the King and Nobility, filled the remnant of the State with great sorrow and perplexity; the Heads and fairest parts, which Majesty, Authority and Wisdom had made eminent, were cut off, and nothing but some turbulent Churchmen, Orphan-Noblemen, and timorous Citizens, left to fill their Room. In this maze of perplexity, James the Prince is set upon the Throne, A. D. 1514. And is committed to the Tutelage of his Mother, together with the Government of the Realm.  
But the Government of a Woman and a Child, over a Headstrong People, could not stand long firm: A hot Contest arose among the Clergy for the Archbishopprick of S. Andrews; three being put in at one time, one by the Pope, another by the Queen, and a third by the Chapter; the State was in as bad Case; Alexander▪ Lord Gordon usurping almost a Royal Authority, over the Country's benorth the Ferth, as the Lord Hume also did, upon the Southside. The Queen seeing her Authority contemned, privately, Marries the Earl of Angus; looking upon him, as one who could Protect her, and hers in Extremity; but this Match instead of heightening, weakened her Interest; the Nobility dividing in two Factions, the one pleading for the Earl of Douglass, and the other opposing him (thinking him too high already) made choice of the Earl of Arran, but a third party steps in, of whom the Lord Chamberlain was Chief, who carried the choice from both; pitching upon John Duke of Albany: When King Henry heard, that this Gentleman was like to carry the Day, he writes to Scotland, remonstrating to them, how dangerous this choice might prove to their State: Yet notwithstanding of all that could be said, they adhered to their choice, and sent to France to call home the Duke of Albany, who furnished with all necessaries by the French King, with eight well Rigged Ships, takes the Seas, and in the Month of May, arrived upon the West-coasts of Scotland, from whence with a great retinue of the Nobles and Barons of the Country, by easy Journeys, the Queen meeting him, he came to the Town of Edinburgh, where he is restored in Parliament, to his Father's inheritance.  
At the Presence of this new Governor, the Face of the State turned more beautiful; Oppression is restrained, Justice sincerely executed; the Governor not willing to listen to every man's Advice, gave himself to follow the Council of John Hepburn Prior of S. Andrews; this man being of a subtle mind, Malicious and Crafty, represented to him things as he pleased, representing the Factiousness of the Nobility, naming several, whom he said the Kingdom could not bear. Among others, he gave out, the Lord Chamberlain to be a man unpolished, Stubbornly Stout, mighty in Riches, and Power, of a working Mind, and vehement Spirit▪ that he spoke against the Chamberlain, etc. The Governor did presently lay hold on this, and changed in his affection toward him, which the Chamberlain perceiving, could not but reflect upon the Governors' ingratitude; wherefore he resolved to Face about, and striking in with the Queen and her Husband, became very intimate with them, he represented to them what hazard the Prince was in, the Governor being a man of such an unsatiable Spirit, that nothing but the Crown could set bounds to his Ambition: Advising the Queen to think of a way to prevent it; they concluded at last, that their only safety would be, that the Queen would transport her Son to England.  
But as privately as the business was managed, it came to the Governors' ears, who presently sent a Troop of Horse, who surprised the Castle of Sterling, and in it the Queen with her two Sons. The Prince and his Brother are sequestered from their Mother, and committed to the keeping of four Noblemen: Whereupon the Queen, her Husband, and the Chamberlain, with many others mis-trust-ing the Governor, fly to England; their sudden departure perplexed the Court exceedingly, which moved the Governor to write to King Henry, representing to him, how little reason they had from him to depart the Kingdom; earnestly declaring his respects to the Queen; and that if she, and all that were with her should please to return, she should be very welcome; they hoping that they were sincere, at last were moved to yield to his desires, but when once he had got them within the Country, he resolved to be revenged upon them; this bred new Confusions, for some of the Lords being imprisoned, their Friends break very loose, the Country is daily pestered and impoverished, by Incursions and Inroads, till at last after great loss on both sides, they come to an Agreement, which was followed with the renewing of the Truce with England for some Months.  
All things being thus seemingly calmed, both at home and abroad, the forementioned Prior of S. Andrews, begins to persuade the Governor, that all his endeavours to settle the Realm, would prove vain, so long as the Earl of Hume was alive, whom neither rewards could soften, nor Honours and preferments make constant, upon this the Governor begins to contrive how to get the Earl secured; wherefore he came to Edinburgh, and called a Convention of the states, having entreated the Earl of Humes Friends, that he would not fail to be there, the matters to be determined, concerned him dearly.  
The Earl of Hume with his brother David came to Edinburgh, the Night, before the Day appointed, who were received by the Governor with great Ceremonies, and with more than ordinary Favours entertained, and shortly after, both imprisoned, and a day appointed for their Trial: The first thing laid to their Charge, was the death of the late King, whom several Witnesses proved to have been seen coming to the Castle of Hume, from Flondon; this not being proved by pregnant Evidences, he was accused of several other points of Treason, of which he not being able to clear himself to their satisfaction; the Judges prepared and directed by the Governor; pronounce him and his Brother guilty, and Condemn them to have their Heads chopped off; which Sentence was the next day put in Execution, and their Heads fixed upon the most Conspicuous places of the City. This Calamity of the Family of the Humes, bred Terror and Astonishment in many of the Noblemen of the Kingdom, and greatly estranged their Hearts from the Governor.  
Ambassadors being sent from France, to renew the Ancient League between the two Countries: The Governor was chosen by the Nobility of Scotland, to pass into France for accomplishing this solemn Action. He was no sooner gone, but the Queen after she had stayed a year in England, Honourably dismissed by her Brother came to Scotland: Sir Anthony Darcy, being by the Governor made Warden of the Mers, and Lothian, was slain by Sir David Hume of Wedderburn, coming to Dunce, to hold a Justice Court: Whereupon the Earl of Arran was declared Supreme Warden, of the Marches, who sound revenged Darcies Death upon the Humes.  
The Kingdom now began to be sensible of the offence of the Governor; Factions increasing daily, the Nobility and Gentry deciding their Rights by their Swords; insomuch, that the Earl of Arran, who was Provost of Edinburgh, having been with the Prince at Dalkeith upon his return had the Gates shut upon him; the Citizens pretending that, he intended to invade their Privileges: Whereupon followed a Tumult in the City, which continued all Night, where a Deacon of the Crafts was killed by one of the hamilton's, which did quite alienate the Citizen's affection, from the Earl of Arran; and made them incline to the Earl of Angus; this made the Earls of Arran, and Angus begin to cross each other: Whereupon followed much Confusion in the Country, and much Bloodshed between the Douglasses and the hamilton's; at last having encountered one another with their followers, at Edinburgh they fight most desperately in the Street, till at length the hamilton's were forced to retire, having left above fourscore of their number dead upon the Street. These broils coming to the Governors' ears in France, he made all the haste he could home; coming to Edinburgh, he set himself to amend the Enormities, committed in his absence: a Parliament is called, to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen are cited to appear and answer, but some fearing the Event appeared not: Whereupon their Estates are forfeited; several fled into England, among which were the Humes, and the Cockburns, who were the Authors of Darcies' death, others submitted and were pardoned.  
The King of England being informed of the Condition of Scotland, sent thither an Ambassador requiring the Duke to avoid the Country, according to the Articles agreed upon, between him, and the King of France in their last Truce. To which he answered, that what the Kings of France and England agreed upon in their Treaties of Peace, was to him uncertain, but of this he was most certain that neither the King of England nor France, had Power to Banish him (a Foraigner over them where Authority did not reach,) his Native Country, like over like having no Jurisdiction.  
Whereupon King Henry gathered a great Army to Invade Scotland. Now they draw to Arms on both sides, the Governor marches with his Army to Carlisle, where he pitched his Camp upon the River Esk, this struck great Terror to the Citizens of Carlisle, who offered him divers presents for their safety of the Town, which were rejected, but the Nobility refusing to go upon English ground (suspecting that the Governor only played the Game of the French) he was forced to come to a Truce. However the Governor resolving to be revenged upon England, went to France where he obtained from the King, Three Thousand Pikes, and One Thousand Lances, with which he returned home, and having raised an Army with them he Marches to England, and Besieges Wark, but is Repulsed; whereupon much against his will, a Truce for some Months is concluded on.  
Soon after, the Administration of the Government was put upon the Prince himself, the Thirteenth Year of his age; the Governor returning to France, after which he never returned to Scotland. A Parliament is called, wherein a Peace is concluded with England, and eight Lords appointed to have the Custody of the King's Person quarterly. Ambassadors were sent to England, to treat for a Marriage between the King, and the King of England's Daughter, which came to nothing. The State began of New to be tossed with the troublesome factions of the Queen, and the Earl of Angus; the Queen's Faction accused Angus of High Treason, for detaining the King against his will: to which the Earl moved the King to give an answer, showing that he was not kept against his will. But with all sent another Letter secretly, desiring by any means he might be removed from the Earl; upon this advertisement, the Queen, and they of her Faction Assemble what Forces they could raise, and with great expedition marched from Sterling to Edinburgh. The Earl of Angus, with the Citizens of Edinburgh, and the King (though against his will) Marched out against them, when the Leaders of the Queen's Forces understood, that the King himself was in Person in the advers Army they would advance no farther, but retired back again to Sterling, where they Disbanded, and returned every man to his own dwelling place; presently after the Queen sues for a Divorce from the Earl of Angus, which the Archbishop of S. Andrews granted with the Earls own consent.  
The King wearied of his confinement in the Earl of Angus his custody, consults with the Lord of Buccleugh, and some Borderers, how he might be set at Liberty; they Essayed it by Arms at Melross, but were put to the worst, than the Earl of Lenox undertook it, and raised some Forces for that end, but the Earl of Angus having gotten the assistance of the Earl of Arran, with several others, quite routed him near Costerphin where he was killed in cold Blood.  
Now, the Earl of Angus thinks himself secure enough, having put all things in (as he thought) to rights, he takes a progress to Lothian, leaving the King at Faulkland. Now the King amidst his Solitary walks in his Park, bethinks himself what a fair opportunity he had, resolved to essay by stratagem what the Factions of his Nobles could not perform by Force, thereupon he directeth the Forester of the Park to advertise such Gentlemen about as kept Hounds, to attend him next Morning, for he would have his Sport early; he Suppeth sooner than he used, Commanding all to their rest; the waiters all shifted, and the Court hushed, shutting his Camber door, in the Apparel of one of his Grooms, unperceived, he passed the Guards to the stable, where with two who attended him with ready Horses, he posted to Sterline, where many of the Nobility and Gentry flocking to him, he discharged the Earl of Angus from all Public Offices, whereat he was so exasperated, that he and his Friends, followed very extravagant Courses, but the King pursued them so, that after much misery at home, they were constrained to fly into England, where they were Charitably received, and Honourably entertained by King Henry.  
The next year the King visited the Borders, holding Justice Courts, and executing Justice upon all Oppressors, Thiefs, and Outlaws there in Ewsdale; He caused eight and twenty famous Robbers to be Hanged, others he brought with him to Edinburgh, for more public Execution and Example; yet the Borders were nothing the more Peaceable, for by the means of the Earl of Angus, the English make daily Incursions, and Spoils the Country; the Scots likewise serving the English with the same Sauce, till at last, by the Mediation of the French King, a Peace is concluded on, during the Prince's Lives, and one Year after the Decease of him who should Die first.  
About this time the Pope's Power began to Totter in England, King Henry having renounced all Subjection to him, because he would not Grant him a Divorce from his Queen Katherine, who had been before Married to his Brother, Prince Arthur, and then (by a Dispensation from the Pope) to him. The Pope finding King Henry peremptory in his purpose, did, together with the Emperor, deal with King James to make War with England, and to this end sent an Ambassador privately to Scotland: King Henry went on with his Affairs in England, and Executed John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, for asserting the Pope's Supremacy in England: Upon this, the whole Conclave stirred up the Pope against King Henry, wherefore he sent another Ambassador to Scotland, most invectively Exclaiming against the King of England's Cruelty, and humbly desiring King James' assistance against him.  
King James (to try his Uncle's Mind) send an Ambassador to England, to acquaint him with the Emperors and Pope's Embassage. King Henry presently dispatched William Lord Howard to Scotland, who made such hasty Journeys, that he prevented the News of his coming; he found the King at Sterline, a part of his Ambassage was, That the two Kings must have an interview at York; this so startled the Churchmen, fearing, that his Uncle might infect the King with the Opinions of the new Reformers, that they opposed it with all their might: Yet the King and his Council proposed, that the Meeting might be at Newcastle, which the Lord Howard would, in no wise, hear of, but departed in a chafe.  
King James having so many great Matches in his offer, now resolves to accept of some one or other; wherefore Sailing from Kirkaldie in ten days, he arrived at Diep in Normandy, and from thence to Vandosme, where the Lady Mary of Bourbon was; but upon some considerations he settled not his Affections upon her, though a great Beauty, but went to Paris, where he fell in Love with Magdalen, Daughter to King Francis, with her he was Married in the Church of Nostradam, with great Solemnity; and soon after Returned with her to Scotland, but to his great Grief; she Died within a few Months after, and was Buried at Holyrood-House.  
Not long after, the King (desirous of Succession) sendeth David Beaton, and the Lord Maxwel to France, to propose Marriage in his Name, to Mary of Lorraine. In the mean time, two Plots against his Life are discovered at Court, one by John, Eldest Son to the Lord Forbes, who thereupon was put to Death; yet the King was much Grieved afterward, finding great probability, that he was accused through Malice: The other was Jane Doughlass, with her Husband Archbald Campbel of Keepneeths, who, in the thoughts of many, were as groundlessly Accused as the first, yet both were found Guilty, and Died for it.  
The King's Marriage with the foresaid Lady, being Concluded, they are Married by Proxy, and she Arrived in Scotland, A. D. 1538. Soon after the Queen Dowager Died at Methwen, and was Buried in the Charter-House of Perth.  
Now began the Kingdom to be divided in Matters of Religion, the Reformation breaking in upon them, which perplexed the King exceedingly, not knowing what course to take: His Council was against violent Courses to be followed, but the Prelates, who had most his Ear, gave him a quite contrary Advice; after which, most vigorous Inquisitions are established, and Punishments denounced against all such as departed from Popery; whereupon some are Burnt alive, others Banished, and many Imprisoned; amongst which, was that famous Poet and Historian, Master George Buchanan, who whilst his Keepers Slept, escaped by a Window of the Prison, the Muses holding the Rope.  
The King of England, having by this time, so Irritated the Pope, that he was Excommunicated, sendeth again to his Nephew King James, desiring an Interview at York; the Nobility were clearly for it, but the Churchmen fearing their Bacon, was as much against it, pretending, the hazard that his Person and Kingdom would be liable to. After long reasoning upon both sides, it was agreed, That the King should not altogether refuse to meet his Uncle, but adhere to the first offer proposed to his Ambassador, concerning this Interview; which the King of England, rather than his Suit should take no effect, accepts: But an Incursion, which happened upon the Borders, made him that he lost all heart to the Interview; hereupon he sendeth many Letters, excusing his stay, also representing his many Grievances and Wrongs; thus were the Seeds of Discord again sown amongst them.  
The reformed Religion, by this time, begins to be professed by many; for the curbing of which, the Prelates presents Sir James Hamilton, natural Son to the Earl of Arran, to be Supreme Judge of the Inquisition, which turned to his own Ruin; for while he is vigorously Persecuting all such as were suspected of the reformed Religion, having many in Jails, and multitudes in Scrolls, to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process, the Supreme Providence Arresteth himself: For having a Process against James Hamilton, Sheriff of Lithgow, his own Cousin; the said James Accuses him of High Treason, for which (notwithstanding all that the Prelates could do in his Favour) he was Tried, Condemned, and put to Death.  
Not long after, divers of the Nobility became to Favor the Protestant Religion, which so perplexed the King, that he knew not what to do; he became very sullen and retired, that he would scarce suffer his own Domestics to come near, to add to his perplexity, (as he lay in the Palace of Lithgow) in the midst of the Night he leapt out of his Bed, and called for Lights, commandeth his Servants to search for Thomas Scot, his Justice Clerk, who (he said) stood by his Bedside loaden with great Weights, cursing the time that ever he Served him; for by too much Obedience to him, he was by the Justice of God condemned to everlasting Torments. Soon after, News came, That the said Thomas Scot Died at Edinburgh, much about the same Hour of the Night. Another Instance of the same nature was, Sir James Hamilton, a little after his Death, seemed to the King, to have appeared to him in a ghastly manner, with a Sword in his hand, with which he thought he cut off both his Arms, advertising him, he would come again shortly, and be more fully revenged. The next day after the Vision, word came, that both his Sons were departed this Life almost in one hour.  
King Henry finding himself disappointed, by his Nephew, of their Meeting, and understanding the Churchmen to have been the occasion of it, maketh Prizes of all the Scottish Ships that his Fleet could meet with by Sea, and Incursions with his garrisoned Soldiers by Land. King James directeth James Lermonth of Darsie to his Uncle, to give sufficient Reasons for his not meeting him at Newcastle, and to demand Restitution of his Ships. King Henry not only refuseth to restore the Ships, but also delaying the Answer of the Scottish Ambassador to gain time, sendeth Sir Robert Bows, seconded with the Earl of Angus, and Sir George Douglass, in hasty manner, to invade Scotland: These to the number of Three Thousand, Burn and Destroy all before them, till at last the Earl of Huntly, with some Borderers, meeting them at a Place called Valldanrigg, quite routed them, Killed many, and took some Prisoners.  
The next Summer King Henry sent the Earl of Norfolk towards Scotland with an Army of Forty Thousand Men, accompanied with a great many of the English Nobility. King James advertised of their coming, Mustered an Army of Thirty Thousand Men on Falla-moor, to Oppose them. When the Duke of Norfolk understood that he was resolved to give him Battle, choosing rather to make an honourable Retreat, than give a doubtful Charge, he retireth off the Scottish ground: Whereupon King James encouraged his Nobility and Army to follow them, and revenge old Quarrels: The Nobles answered, That to defend their Prince and Country, they would hazard their Lives, or whatever was dear to them. If the Enemy had stayed upon Scottish Ground, they would either make them retire, or Dung the Field with their Carcases. But to Invade England, they did not think their Quarrel just enough, neither had they Ammunition enough to Engage with so strong an Enemy in his own Country; that they thought it enough, that upon their approaching, they made the English retire, if not fly; for whether they did fly or retire, they had suffered as much Wrong as they had done. The King finding them thus obstinate, returneth with his Army to Edinburgh, where he immediately Disbanded them; he begins most bitterly to reflect upon the Noble men's refusing to Invade England, which was aggravated and abetted by Cardinal Beat●n, Oliver Sinclave, and others. The Lord Maxnel seeing the King so highly Offended, desired His Majesty to give him Ten Thousand men, and he would engage his Honour, to effect something to the King's Satisfaction; the King thanketh him for his Offer, appointeth a Rendezvous upon the West Marches: No Proclamations are divulged for the levies of Men, but close Letters sent. The Cardinal, and the Earl of Arran, March towards Haddingtoun, and the East Borders; and several Earls, Lords, and Barons, accompanied with the King's Domestic Servants, ride to the West Borders: The Night before they road, the King himself came to Lochmabban to attend the Event.  
Sir Thomas Wharton, Warden of the Marches, much troubled at such a frequent Assembly of the Scottish Riders; raising the Power of the Country, placeth them by a Hill, where he might take a view of the Forces. The Scottish Lords beholding the English putting themselves in a Fight posture, desire to know the King's Lieutenant-General; whereupon Oliver Sinclave is mounted upon crossed Pikes, and the Commission read, wherein he is designed to be Lieutenant, and all Commanded, in the King's Name, to follow him. No sooner began the Commission to be read, but such a Tumult, and confused Clamour arose in the Army, that there was no Order kept; every thing running in Confusion. The English taking advantage of the Disorder, broke in among them; while they stand in Amaze, doubting whether to Fly or Stand. Here is a general Surprise, most part willingly rendering themselves to the English, without any show of Defence; many of the Nobility and Gentry were taken and carried Prisoners to London, where they remained till after the King's Death.  
The certainty of this voluntary Defeat coming to the King at Lockmabban, so Stupefied and Astonished him, that he had neither Council nor Resolution what to follow; apprehending by this and their former Actions, that the Nobility had Conspired his overthrow. After which he came to Faulkland, where he gave himself over to Sorrow: Now are his Thoughts busied with Revenge, as also with rage against his Nobility. Long Watchings, continual Cares and Passions, abstinence from Food and Recreation, had so extenuated his Body, that pierced with Grief, Anguish, Impatience, Despair, he remained affixed to his Bed. To Comfort him, Letters came from Lithgow to him, That his Queen was delivered of a Daughter; when he heard it was a Daughter, he turned his Face from them that read the Letter, and Sighing a Farewell to the World: It will end as it began (says he) the Crown came by a Woman, and it will go with one. The Cardinal put some blank Papers in his hand, of which they Composed a Letter-Will, which, whether he Subscribed or not, is uncertain: After which he spoke not many Words that could be understood; he Died the Thirteenth of December, Anno Dom. 1542. in the Thirty-Third Year of his Age, and Thirty-Second of his Reign; not without Suspicion of having got an Italian Posset by the Cardinal's means.  
The King was no sooner Dead (leaving his young Daughter, who was afterward called Mary, to Succeed) then the Cardinal proclaimed his Last Will, wherein were expressed four Protectors or Regent's, of whom himself was the First and Principal, and with him were joined the Earls of Huntly, Argyle, and Murry. But within a Week after, the Chase was turned: For the Earl of Arran being advised by the Lord of Grange, who was Treasurer, and Master Henry Balneaves, with some others, caused to Assemble the Peers of the Realm, representing to them his undoubted Title to the Government of the Kingdom, during the Minority of her, to whom, by Line, he should Succeed, if she want Succession of her own body. The Cardinal opposed himself, and all his Interest against Arran, but it was carried by many Voices; whereupon Arran was declared Governor, and with public Proclamation invested in his Office.  
A Parliament soon followed, wherein the Clergy most violently pressed, That severe Edicts might be Published against those they called Heretics: But others Propounding in Parliament, whether such, of the People, as could not speak Latin, might not have the Word of their Salvation in the Language they understood, as Lawfully as they that understood Latin, must have it in that Language; it was Voted Affirmative, and at last, after much debating, it passed into an Act, That it was free for all Men and Women to Read the Scripture in their own vulgar Tongue; and all Acts made to the contrary were rescinded.  
King Henry (before the Parliament was ended) sent an Ambassador to Scotland, whose Embassage was to Contract a perpetual League and Amity between the Two Kingdoms; and that all Occasions of Wars might be taken away, a Match was proposed, by the Ambassador, between young Prince Edward, and the Queen of Scotland; which was by the Governor and Parliament Accepted; whereupon they sent their Ambassadors to England, where things came so far, that both Parties declared their Agreement in all Particulars, except the time when the young Queen should be delivered to the English.  
The Papists foreseeing what would probably follow, if the Queen should be put in their Enemy, the King of England's hand; begin, with all their might, to Oppose it: about this time the Governors base Brother, John Hamilton, came from France, who was very helpful to his brethren the Papists, in carrying on all their Affairs. At last, partly by few promises of great Things, and partly by Threatening to declare him an Enemy to Holy-Church, if he complied not, they make him Condescend to break with England; whereupon ensued great and bloody Wars between the Two Kingdoms; for King Henry immediately sent a strong Army to Scotland, who came as far as Edinburgh, committing great Hostilities. In compensation of which, the Scots enter England: Burning and Destroying all before them, returning again with great Spoil.  
Mr. George Wishart, being by Cardinal Beaton, burnt Alive for the Protestant Religion; the said Cardinal was surprised by Norman Loslie Master of Rothes, William Kirkaldie of Grange, and John Loslie of Park-Hill, in his Castle of St. Andrews, and put to Death; Possessing themselves of the Castle for their Security, knowing that now they were to have many and powerful Enemies, which accordingly fallen out; for the Papists procure an Army from France, under the conduct of Monsieur Deosel, who besieged the Castle, and soon after took it.  
King Henry being now Dead, his Son King Edward sent an Army of Ten Thousand Men to Scotland: The Popish Party there procures the like number from France; these two Armies grievously infested the Country. The next Year the Queen was at Six years of Age Transported by the West Seas into France (escaping the English Fleet, that watched for her about Calais) and soon after Married to the Dauphin.  
However, the Reformation goes on, notwithstanding the Queen-Mother, who is now styled Queen-Regent her opposition. She was Assisted in her Designs by the French (as the Reformers were also by the English) but her Death put a stop to the Persecution; which gave the Protestants opportunity of putting things in order, relating to the Worship of God. Great Preparations were making in France, for invading of Scotland, and root out the Reformed Religion: This terrified the Reformers mightily; but while they were in a Consternation, not knowing what to do, the King of France Dyed, and their Queen remained a Widow; this was a great Deliverance to them, for by his Death the intended Invasion came to nothing.  
Soon after, the Queen comes Home, and sets up Mass in her Chapel, which the Reformers opposed. This bred much confusion in the State; but the Queen finding that the Body of the People, with most part of the Nobility were against her Way, she became a little more calm, condescending that some Maintenance might be settled upon the Ministers.  
About this time, the Earl of Huntly breaks out in a Rebellion in the North; to oppose which, the Queen went herself in Person, and Routed him, near Aberdeen, his Sons, and many of his Friends being Slain, himself also Dying in the place without any Wound.  
The Easter following, Mass began to be very public at Edinburgh, which so incensed the Lords and others, That they Imprisoned several Priests: The Queen began to Storm at this, but they told her, That what they did was according to Law, and they would Justify it in Parliament.  
In July 1564. The Earl of Lenox, with his Son Henry Stewart, Lord Darly, return from England, and were very graciously received by the Queen, who took such Affection to Darly, that she Posts away Lethington to Queen Elizabeth, showing her, That she meant to Marry him: Queen Elizabeth (pretending her disliking of such Contracts of Princes with Subjects) labours to dissuade her from it; but underhand promotes it for her own ends. The Queen (with some difficulty) gets her intended Marriage ratified in Parliament, which was afterward Proclaimed by name, Henry and Mary, King and Queen of Scotland, and Solemnised the Twenty-Seventh of July, 1565.  
This procures great Alterations in the State; for several Lords and Gentlemen of the Reformation, being Summoned to Appear before the King and Queen; and upon Non-appearance, were declared Rebels: Whereupon, the King and Queen presently take Arms; the Lords, with their Intention, fled into England, where they stayed a while under Queen Elizabeth's Protection, who afterward dismissed them, writing to the King and Queen in their Favours; at length they came to an Agreement, which yet continued not long.  
For the King beginning to be jealous of the daily resort of Frenchmen to Court, and of their great Favour with the Queen, caused one of them, called Rizio, who from a Musician, was advanced to be the Queen's Secretary for French, to be seized in her Chamber, and presently put to Death; and finding that this Action brought him under the odium of the Papists, he made a show of turning Protestant, calling home several of the Banished Lords and others: But however, from that day he began to be despised by the Queen, and Bothwel is advanced.  
The Nineteenth of June, 1566. The Queen, at Edinburg, was Delivered of a Son, to the great Joy of all the Kingdom; he was Baptised at Sterlin, December the Seventeenth, and called James; the Witnesses were the Earl of Bedford for Queen Elizabeth, who in her Name presented a Font of pure Gold, valued at Three Thousand Crowns; the Count de Briance for the French King, and an Ambassador for the Duke of Savoy.  
The King finding himself daily slighted by the Queen, repaired to his Father at Glasgow, where, by the way, he was taken very Ill with a Pain in his Stomach; when he came to Glasgow his Body breaks out in bluish Blisters, which when the Physicians saw, they knew him to have been Poisoned; but with their Antidotes, and his own vigorous Youth, he Recovered. Not long after, the Queen Visited him at Glasgow, and prevailed with him to come to Edinburg; he Lodged in the Kirk-Field for his Health (as was pretended): But many suspected that the Earl of Bothwel had a Design upon him, but few durst adventure to tell him of it: Yet the Earl of Orkney told him, That if he retired not hastily out of that Place, it would cost him his Life; this Advertisement moved the Earl of Bothwel to hasten forward his Enterprise, laying a Train of Powder under the House where the King lay, which in the Night time did Blow it up; but it was said, That the King was taken forth, and brought▪ Alive to a Stable, where a Napkin was stopped in his Mouth, and he therewith Suffocated.  
Presently after, Bothwel obtains a Divorce from the Pope, to free him of his Wife, and was Married to the Queen, May the Fifteenth, 1567. Whereupon the Lords take Arms (the Queen and Bothwel being at Dumbar) resolving to call him to an Account for what was passed: the Queen also, and he, sent to their Friends to come to their Defence; the two Armies Faces each other at Seaton: Then Bothwel steps out upon Horseback, between the Armies, offering to Fight with any that durst Charge him with that foul Aspersion of Murdering the King: James Murray offers the Combat, but he is refused, as not equal in Honour; then his Brother, the Laird of Tully-Bardine, Accepts the Challenge; him he refuseth, because he was not a Nobleman; then the Lord Lyndsay presents himself, telling him, That he was his Equal every way: but the Queen recalled Bothwel, and would not suffer them to Fight. In fine, the Queen finding the Confederates resolute, and their Number exceeding her own, she desires Bothwel to shift for himself, for that she would put herself in their Hands; which accordingly she did, and was by them conveyed to Edinburgh, and after to the Castle of Lochlevine. The Queen of England sends her Ambassador to the Lords, desiring, That the Queen might have her full Liberty; and that the Prince might be sent to England to be Educated: At length Matters were wrought to that point, that she must of necessity resign the Crown to her Son  
108. This young Prince was Crowned at Sterline, the Twenty-fourth of July, Anno Dom. 1567. at thirteen Months and eight days old. The Earls of Morteun and Hume, taking the Coronation Oath for him: Master Knox also Preached the Coronation Sermon. The Earl of Murray is, within a Month after, created Regent; he presently Summons a Parliament, wherein divers are Executed, as having Accession to the late King's Murder; which occasioned many Factions in the State, and much hatred to the Regent.  
In the mean time the Queen was conveyed out of Lochlavin, by George Douglass the Governors' Brother, my Lord Seaton, and divers of the House of Hamiltone, with their dependers waited to receive her, and conveyed her to Hamiltoun: The Regent being at Glasgow, draws together what men he could so suddenly command, and with them Marches to Langsidemoor, where it was Fought most Briskly; but the Queen, though being more in number, was worsted; after which she lost all courage, never resting till she was in England: The Regent returned Victor, and distributed the Spoil among his Friends and Dependants.  
The Queen of England sends Ambassadors to the Regent, desiring him to send Commissioners to her, to give her a reason of their thus proceeding against their Queen, upon which he himself went to Berwick for that purpose: After long reasoning, they parted without concluding any thing. The Regent returning home, did not sit long Idle; for the Earl of Hamilton pretending a right to the Regency, conveins his friends at Glasgow, the Regent presently went against him. He finding himself disappointed of many that he expected to come to his Assistance, submitted himself, and is made prisoner, Queen Mary, being by the Queen of England's order conveyed to Carlisle. The Duke of Norfolk in hopes to get her in Marriage, became mighty forward to procure her liberation; which made Queen Elizabeth begin to grow jealous of him; whereupon he is committed to the Tower, a Conspiracy being discovered, which he managed for reliewing the Queen of Scots.  
The Regent having brought things to some order at home, the Hamiltons' seeing it impossible for them now to contend with him, Killed him most Treacherously and Basely, as he was passing through Lithgow, having shot him with a Hakbut, out at a Window, January the 22 d. 1569. About three Months after Lennox, the King's Grandfather is chosen Regent. Hamilton being by all refused, he marches with 5000 to Lithgow, to suppress the Queen's Faction, they intended to call a Parliament; there great Confusion follows over all the Kingdom.  
A Parliament being summoned by the Regent at Sterling, they began to reform abuses, which are very many; but they thinking themselves secure, took no care to keep Guards: Whereupon one George Bell marches from Edinburgh, in the Night time as guide to the Earl of Huntly; he commanded five hundred men, they surprised them all in their Beds, some escaped, and others were taken Prisoners; but the Regent himself was killed in the Tumult.  
Those who were for the King, chose the Earl of Mar Regent; about this time the Duke of Norfolk was arraigned, and found guilty of Complotting with Queen Mary against Queen Elizabeth, and within four Months after had his Head chopped off upon Tower-Hill, where he confessed all the indictment: Mar about a year after being chosen Regent, dies at Sterline; to succeed whom, Mortoon was without controversy Elected.  
The King was committed to the keeping of Alexander Arskine, and Mr. George Buchanan made his Tutor, none of the Queen's Party being permitted to come near him. The Factious had by this time become very unnatural; the Mother against the Son, and the Son against the Mother. Edenburg Castle, which Kirkaldie of Grange kept for the Queen, is besieged and taken by the Regent, and the Governor, with his Brother Hanged. The Regent proud of his Success, began to be somewhat extravagant, which was a forerunner of his downfall, which his Enemies improved to his disadvantage: Whereupon he is deposed.  
The King seeing that things were turning from bad to worse, took the Sceptre in his own Hand, having the Assistance of twelve Noblemen, whereof M●rtoun was one: A Parliament soon after is called at Edingburgh, where the King appeared to his People, being yet but twelve years Old. In this Parliament was ratified that Confession of Faith inserted in the late Test in Scotland.  
Anno Dom. 1582. Fell out the Road of Ruthwen, where the King was Seized by some of his Nobles, and carried to Edinburg, upon pretence, That he was Misled by bad Councils: They kept him under a sort of Restraint for above a Year; but at last, being at St. Andrews, he was Relieved by Colonel Stewart Captain of the Castle; for as the King had entered the Gate, the Colonel presently shuts it, and by this means shuts out the company that attended the King: Soon after, many of them are Imprisoned, but all obtain a Pardon, except the Earl of Goury, who was Arraigned, Condemned, and Executed, Anno Dom. 1584.  
About which time there is a Plot discovered in England, to set the Queen of Scots at Liberty; in which the Lord Pag●t Throgmorton and others were concerned, who accordingly suffered for it. But the Suspicion of all reflected upon Queen Mary, which hastened her ruin: Whereupon she was removed from her Fifteen Years Imprisonment under the Earl of Shrewsberry, to Sir Amias Pawlet, and Sir Drew Drury in Fothrengam Castle, on purpose to put her upon extremities of Redress against their extreme Imprisoning: Whereupon she deals with the Pope and Spain to hasten the means of her Relief, but it proved the hastening of her destruction.  
The Council of England after long deliberation what to do with Queen Mary, at last resolved to proceed against her upon Act 27. Eliz. Against Plotters or Contrivers of the Queen's Death. To which purpose a Commission under the Great Seal issued out, Impowering twenty-four Noblemen and others therein, who came to the Castle the 11th. of Octob. 1536. to Try her. The manner of her Trial was thus. A Chair of State was set, as for the Queen of England, at the upper end of the Presence Chamber. Beneath against it was placed a Chair for the Queen of Scots; close to the Walls on both sides of the Cloth of Estate, seats were made for the Lords; next to these were the Knights, Privy Councillors. Forward before the Earls, sat the two Chief Justices, and on the other side, other two Justices. At a Table in the midst sat the Attorney General, the Solicitor, a Sergeant at Law, the Clerk of the Crown, and two Notaries.  
The Indictment being read, she declined their Jurisdiction, being a free Princess, and not a Subject to the Crown of England; to which it was Answered, That her declinator was in vain, for whosoever offends the Laws of England in England must be subject to the same, and accordingly examined and Judged. So they proceeded to examine the Evidence, and after a long Trial, and much spoken on both sides, she is found guilty. Not many days after a Parliament was called, wherein Queen Elizabeth was besought, that the Sentence against the Queen of Scots, might be put in Execution. The Queen desired that some other methods might be consulted for safely, and that poor distressed Queen spared; but they answer, What no other satisfaction▪ Whereupon the Sentence was Proclaimed throughout London and all the Kingdom▪ King James hearing of his Mother's condition, writ several Letters to Queen Elizabeth, passionately desiring, that the Sentence might be reversed; but all to no purpose: for soon after she signed a Warrant for a Mandate fitted for the Great Seal for her Execution, which was performed upon Wednesday, the 8th. of February, 1586.  
Queen Elizabeth immediately after Writes a Letter full of Apologies, and fair promises to King James; yet notwithstanding in great discontent, he calls home his Ambassadors from the Court of England. The States of Scotland urge him to a revenge: The King of Spain also, and the Pope promise him great assistance, if he would undertake it; but he thought fit to delay for a time, which made England the more suspicious of his Designs. Wherefore an Ambassador was sent to him, earnestly desiring him to take off his adherence from Foreign Friendship, assuring him that his Mother's fate would be no prejudice to his right of Succession, which was a powerful Argument with him.  
The next Year, the King's Marriage with the King of Denmark's Daughter was agreed upon. In the mean time, the Popish Lords, such as Huntly, Cranford and A●rol, make a Rebellion in the North; to suppress which, the King himself went in Person; at his coming, the Rebels disperse; the Headers of them submitted to the King's Mercy, and are committed close Prisoners, and not long after Tried and found Guilty; but the Sentence was delayed to an indefinite time, which at last turned to a Pardon.  
The King hearing that his Marriage was consummated at Denmark by Proxy, and the Queen at Sea, was soon after surprised with the News, that her Navy was beat into Norway by a Storm: He presently resolves to go thither, and meet Her, which he does very privately; leaving the Government of the Kingdom to his Council. Within five days he arrives at Norway, where he was solemnly Married the next Sunday. From thence he went with his Queen to Visit the Queen Mother of Denmark; where they stayed till April following: Then having sent for Shipping to return, they Landed at Leith the 20 th'. day of May, Anno Dom. 1590. and a little after the Queen was solemnly Crowned at Holy-Rood-House.  
Though the King made severe Laws against Feuds, yet were they not quite suppressed, for by reason of a quarrel between the Earls of Huntly, and Murray the North broke very loose, as did the Kers also in the South; but they were soon suppressed, till Bothwel afterward (being Imprisoned, for consulting with Witches to take away the King's Life, and having escaped, made an attempt upon the King's Lodgings, and was repulsed;) being suspected to have been with Murray, the Earl of Huntly procures a Warrant to take him; and coming to Dunnibirsle, where Murray was, firing the House, Murray attempting to make his Escape was Barbarously Murdered.  
Bothwel having so often been disappointed of his designs, at last having got some of the Lords on his side, he came in by the Postern-gate, under disguise of attending my Lady Athole, with another of his Companions armed, to the very Bedchamber; where he forced the King to grant him a Pardon, which was the next day repealed in Council, and Bothwel and his Associates forced to fly.  
Anno Dom. 1593. The Queen was delivered of her first Born in Sterli●g, where he was Christened in the Chapel Roval, by the Name of Henry Frederick. Two Years after, Princess Elizabeth was born at Edinburgh.  
The King resolving to bring the Church of Scotland to a Conformity in Government, and Ceremonies, did occasion much confusion; for the Ministers strong opposed; having also a great part of the Nobility on their side. The Popish Lords and others unable to stand out any longer, submitted to the Censure of the Church. The next Year a Parliament is called, wherein the King will have some of the Ministers sit as representing the Church; being Church Affairs, as well as Affairs of State are handled there.  
Anno Dom. 1599 John Earl of Goury, and his Brother Alexander, attempt to kill the King at Perth; but both of them died in the attempt, and had all their Lands seized for the King's use. In commemoration of which, the 5th. of August is annually celebrated.  
The 26 th' of February, 1600. Prince Charles was born at Domfermling, which afterward was King of Great Britain, etc. The Jesuits having no hope of Toleration in Scotland, all their Politics having failed them, they went the old way to work. One Mowbray at the Court of Spai●, undertook to kill King James, but as he was upon his way to London, he was discovered by an Italian, who accused him of his intended Murder; whereupon they were both taken, and sent to Scotland. Mowbray was committed to the Castle; where having found a way to break the Iron Grates of the Prison window, thought to have let himself down by a Rope; which proving too short, he fell from the precipice, and dashed out his brains upon a Rock.  
Queen Elizabeth's health beginning to decay, by reason of her age, and the great troubles she had undergone, removes from London to Richmond, where she daily became weaker and weaker. The Lord Admiral, Lord Keeper, and Secretary Cecil came from the Council to know her pleasure concerning her Successor. She answered, My Throne is for a King, none oth●● shall Succeed me. Cecil asked her, What King? She said, What other King, than my Kinsman the King of Scots: Then after some time not stirring, she leisurely turned her head about and died, the Seventyeth year of her Age, the 24th. of March. 1602.  
Her eyes being shut, the same day the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Assembled, proclaimed her death, and declared King James her Successor: Presently Posting Letters to him, acquainting him with the Queen's Death, and (being a Body without a Head) humbly desiring his Majesty to hasten to them, how soon, and in what manner he pleaseth. The King having communicated these Letters to his Privy-Council; returns them his acknowledgement of their dutiful Affection.  
The King sets out for England, ordering the Queen to follow Twenty days after, the Princes Henry, Charles, and Princess Elizabeth at further Pleasure. He was most magnificently Entertained all the way, having a Gallant train of Scottish Noblemen and other Gentlemen, to convey him to Berwick, where he was most magnificently received by the English, and accompanied with Shouts and Acclamations of Joy by all ranks, in his Journey through England, till he came to London. His first Reception was in the Charter-House, where he stayed four days, having conferred the Honour of Knighthood upon 80 Gentlemen. On St. Jameses' day the King and Queen were Crowned at Westminster in the Fatal Marble Chair.  
Secretary Elphingston was within a few years after accused by the King, for Writing Letters to the Pope in his Name; which he confessed, and was thereupon committed, but soon after pardoned.  
The King was not allowed to enjoy the pleasure of his new Title with Peace, for soon after followed the Treason of the Lord Cobham and Grace, with Sir Walter Rawley, and others; for which, some of the number being condemned to die, and brought to the very Block, obtained a Pardon.  
His Majesty took upon him the Title of Great Britain, to take away every thing that might be occasion of discord amongst the Subjects of the two Kingdoms, and to that effect were sundry of his Majesty's Chief Officers of Estate, sent for to England by Commission; viz. The Earl of Mo●●rose Great Chancellor of Scotland. Francis Earl of Errol, Lord great Constable, Alexander Lord Urquhart and Fyve Precedent. Sir Thomas Hamilton Advocate, the Lords, Lithgow and Roxburgh; with sundry others of the Nobility, with Sir John Sharp, and Sir Thomas Craig, Learned Lawyers. These meeting with the Chancellor, Treasurer, Secretary, had many Learned Orations, Conferences, and Speeches, wherein the King assisted himself sometime in person. This great meeting was dissolved without any great business done.  
At this time came to England Don John de Velasco great Constable of Castille, and Extraordinary Ambassador from the King of Spain, to take Oath of the King for observation of the Articles of Peace concluded between these two Kings. Like as Baron Howard of Essingham, and Earl of Nottingham, and High Admiral of England, was sent into Spain, to take the King of Spain's Oath for observation of Peace. Like as Edward Baron of Beauchamp and Earl of Hartford, were sent into the low Countries for the same purpose. The Earl of Rutland was sent into Denmark, and sundry Noblemen and Gentlemen, to sundry Kings and Princes, and Commonwealths, his Confederates and Allyances. Thomas Percy, Robert Catesbee, Thomas Winter, by the instigation of some Jesuits, having intended to Overthrow the King, His Queen, and Posterity, at one blow, intended that most inhuman and barbarous Treason, called, The Powder-Plot; and to that effect, associating themselves with Sir Edward Dick●ee, Ambrose Rockwood, John Grant, the two wright's, with sundry others fell to digging of the Vault, where after long travail, hearing that the Cellars were to Let, Hiring the Cellars which were under the Parliament House, to the use of Mr. Thomas Piercie one of the King's Gentlemen Pensioners, and one of the chief Plotters; where conveying in the said Cellars under the Parliament-House, a great quantity of Gunpowder, with Billets and Faggots, with sundry other combustible stuff, the principle Plotters removed themselves to Warwickshire, under pretence of a Match Hunting, and at that time to surprise Lady Elizabeth, then in the custody of the Lord Hadington, whom they meant to proclaim Queen, and in her Name to enter into Arms. But there is an eye in Heaven, that seeth men's actions, and lays them open to the view of the World, by weak means, and weak instruments: All things succeeding thus happily, as they thought; and leaving Faukes, alias Johnstoun to give Fire to the Train in the Night time by Torch: The Lord Monteagle going along in his Coach, an unknown Fellow presents him with a Letter: The tenor whereof was to withdraw his Lordship from that session of parliament, wherein there was something to be done against the Catholics, but there was a terrible blow to be given, and no man should know who should be the giver of it, and when the Letter was burnt, the Peril was ended. My Lord Monteagle, in Religion Popish, notwithstanding delivereth the Letter to Salisbury, who acquainting my Lord Chamberlain, and after my Lord Admiral, and the Earls of Worster, and Northampton, who not finding out the meaning of the Letter, and knowing that the KING was well seen in such hid mysteries, present it to his MAJESTY in the privy Gallery: The King Reading it over, and over again, Salisbury told him that he thought some Mad Fellow had written it: his Majesty ask the reason of Salisbury: He replied, because he writ there was a terrible blow to be given, and no man should know who should be the giver: His Majesty answered, that the last sentence made the other more clear: That the Letter being burnt, the Peril was ended, which the burning of the Letter could make to no purpose to hinder the Peril. The King assured him that is was some blowing up of powder, and therefore desired that his houses might be surveyed. After examination, Wh●ngard, keeper of the Parliament House, told that he had let the House to Mr. Thomas Perci●; & after some pains taken that same night, by the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Knevet, Mr. Doublede, found the foresaid Faukes with a Dark Lantern, ready to enter the House, but he being apprehended, the Blow was prevented; where swift fame carrying it down to the Country, the principal Plotters knew not where to flee to hide their heads. They surprise Warwick Castle, where being affrighted with drying of Gunpowder, and other strange Dreams, seeing Castles and Towers blown up in the Air, they were at last besieged in the Castle of Warwick where Percy and Catesbee were both Shot with one Musket, shot back to back, the rest were apprehended and brought to London, where after the Confession of all for the most part, and penitence and contrition in some, craving pardon of his Majesty and Country, for such an horrible and inhuman Fact, Catesbee, Grant, Winter, and Bates were Executed at the West of Paul's; as also, Winter, the two wright's, and Faukes, and Ambrose Rockwood at Westminster. So here we see the God of light brought the deed of Darkness to light, and as they said by their Confession, to cast the aspersion and Gild of the Action upon the Puritans, so the God of Heaven would have it to fall upon the Plotters themselves.  
After this followed the Nuptial of that Noble Lady, Lady Elizabeth, matched with the Prince Palatine of the Rhine. At which time that Noble Prince, Prince Henry▪ a prince so complete of all Virtues, that Europe could not show his second, a Prince so Mars-like, and so beloved of all military men, and so beloved of them; that true Moecenae of Virtue, and Learning; as appeared by his Valiant, his Active, and his Princely prize, wherein he entitled himself by the Name, Moeliades, Lord of the Isles; challenging the Gentry of Great Britain; which was performed in the Hall of Whitehall by Torch Light; the challengers were with him, the Duke of Lennox, the Earls of Arundal, Southampton, Pembr●ke, Sir Thomas Somerset, and Sir Richard Preston; where before the King, the Queen, the Peers of the whole Island, with the concurrence of all Foreign Ambassadors, where he gave testimony of his Activeness, Agility and Quickness, which cannot be expressed to the Life, how every thing was done in the Action, and performed, and the prizes given to the defendants, where the challengers and defendants were most Royally Feasted the next day, as the prize and reward of their Virtue and Valour, given by the Noblest Lady of Britain, according to the Tenor of the challenge; and was given by Lady Elizabeth his sister, viz. 1. Philip Earl of Montgomerie. 2. Thomas Dearsie, son to the Lord Dearsie. 3. Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar. This Triumph being ended to his no small Honour. Much more might be said of this great Prince, who was taken away in the prime of his Years, (to the great grief of all his Majesty's most loving subjects) to eternal happiness: for our sunset, ensued no night, by arising of the day star of our Britain, CHARLES our hope, who long may reign over us.  
His Majesty being possessed with a longing desire to see his Ancient native Kingdom; made Progress in Anno 1617. and did so much by easy journey, till he came to Berwick upon Tweed; where he reposed himself two or three days. From thence he came to the Bound-Rod: The Earl Hume hereditary Sheriff of the Mers, welcomed his Majesty with a gallant train of Gentlemen, being three thousand well mounted. His Majesty alighted at the Rod, and received the Dukes of Lennox and Buckingham, the Earls of Arundale, Rutland, Pembroke, Southampton, Montgomery, and Carlisle, with many others of his Court, very Royally, making them welcome; and mounted his Horse again: He road to Dunglasse the Earl of Hume his residence, where he was bountifully entertained. The next day he removed to Seaton, the residence of the Earl Winton, where he was most Royally entertained. The next day he road forward towards Edinburgh, where compassing the Town, riding the way of the Long-gate, he entered the West Port, where the Provost, Bailiffs and Counsel attended him in their bounds; where Mr. John Hay, in name of the town, made an eloquent Oration, welcoming His Majesty, and was delivered to him a fair Basin with a thousand Pieces of Gold. Riding along to the high Church, being conducted by the Trained Bands of the Town, being clad in Velvet and Satin with Partizadoes in their hands; and entering there he heard a Learned Sermon, by the Right Reverend Father in God the Archbishop of St. Andrews; where after Sermon, he mounted his Horse and going toward the Abbey, where at St. John's Cross, the Provost taking leave of him, his Majesty Knighted him. And within few days his Majesty road to his Parliament, with his Peers, Prelates, Barons, and Burgesses, and thereafter was most sumptuously feasted by the Town of Edinburgh. It is needless to set down in particulars what was done, because I intent Brevity. His Majesty removed to Linlithgow, and so to Striviling; where he was feasted by the Earl of Marre: Thereafter he went to Dunfermling, Faulkland, Scone, etc. Where by the way he was feasted at Dearcie the Arch-Bishops residence. It were tedious to rehearse the Learned Orations, Poetical Poems, which were presented to His Majesty and are extant in a Book, called, The Muse's Welcome. His Majesty crossing Tay to Angus, had every where most Royal Entertainment; and returning the same way to Sterling, and so to Glasgow, where he was received by the Town: Thereafter he went to Lochlowmount, where he hunted, and slew many Deer; and crossing the River of Clyde to Pasiey, where he was Entertained three days together by the Earl of Abercorne: From thence to Hamilton Palace, where he was Honourably Entertained by the Marquis: From thence to Sanquihair, and so to Dumfries: Thereafter crossing the River of Eske, he went to Carlisle, where he kept his fifth Day of August. And so taking along the West Sea Bank, through the Countries of Cumber, Westmoreland, Lancashire, and Cheshire, and so crossing through the middle of England, he returned to London in health, with great joy and content of His Majesty's loving Subjects; where he lived a long time after in great Tranquillity and Peace with the Christian Princes his Neighbours, balancing the affairs of Europe, and labouring the peace and quiet of all Christendom. His Piety, Religion, Learning, Bounty and Mercy, would of itself take a Volume, but every one of these lives after him, and speaks for him, as may appear by many excellent Poems he writ, as some part of David's Psalms, some part of Du Bartus Divine weeks, Lepanto, his Basilicon doron, his Book of Demonology, his premonition to Christian Princes, his Book against Conradus Vorstius, etc. are all sufficient of themselves to testify of him, and need no other blazing. He went to England the 36. of his Age, and brought with him his Queen, with a Goodly and Royal Progeny, bringing with him Kingdoms, Unity, Peace and Plenty, and ending his Pilgrimage (being full of days) at his House in Theobalds' the 59th. Year of his Reign, upon the Sabbath, to the everlasting Sabbath, where he rests. He was buried at Westminster.  
This Illustrious Monarch having died in a good old Age, left the Diadem of Three Kingdoms, in Succession, to his Son Charles, the first of that Name, who was immediately Proclaimed, being on a Sunday morning, when Doctor Laud then Bishop of St. David's, was in the Pulpit at White-Hall, and broke off his Sermon upon the first Notion of the Father's Death. He was set upon the Throne, A. M. 5682. Anno Dom. 1624. He Married Henrietta-Maria, Daughter to the French King, Henry the Fourth; and Sister to Lewes the Thirteenth, of the Family of the B●urbones, whom he had formerly seen, as he passed through France into Spain: Having gone to meet her at Dover, his first Compliment to her, was, That he desired to be no longer Master of himself, than he was Servant to her, which he made good to the full.  
He called his first Parliament at Westminster, which Assembled the Fifteenth of June following, Anno Dom. 1624., wherein the King declared his want of Money, and the great Charge he was like to be put to, upon several Accounts, both at Home and Abroad; especially to maintain the Army which was listed for recovering the Palatinate.  
The Parliament having several Petitions, which were presented to King James a little before his Death, un-answered; Petitioned his Majesty to Redress those Grievances which concerned Religion and Privilege, without which they could come to no Conclusions for raising of Money; whereupon the King gave them full Assurance of all their Demands; so they immediately Granted two Subsidies from Protestants, four from Papists, and three from the Clergy.  
After this the Parliament did not Sat long; for the last Subsidies not being enough to defray the King's necessary Charges, he urges the Parliament for more; but they, instead of answering his Just Demands, fall foul upon his Servants, who managed his Revenues, especially the great Duke of Buckingham: This came to such a Height in the Houses, that they came to the Canvasing his Commings in, his great Revenues of Crown Demeans, which they would Revoke, and Resume to supply the King's Wants; which made the King, in great Regret, resolve to give an end to their Sitting; and accordingly the next day Dissolved them. The City of London was at this time much wasted with a long Plague, which was the occasion of removing Michaelmas Term to Redding. There was another Parliament called soon after, but they began where the former left; present Grievances, and impeach: Buckingham.  
Upon May the Nineteenth, 1630. The Queen was Delivered of a Son at Saint James', who was Christened Charles, and Preserved by Providence, to Succeed his Father, to the Royal Sceptres of Three Kingdoms; the King of France, and the Prince Elector Palatine, represented by the Duke of Lennox, and the Marquis of Hamilton were his Godfathers'; and the Queen-Mother of France, represented by the Duchess of Richmond his Godmother.  
The King in the Year 1633. made a Journey to Scotland, attended with a splendid Train of the Nobility of both Kingdoms; and upon June the Eighteenth, was solemnly Crowned King at Edinburgh; which Solemnity being over, his Majesty called a Parliament, and in which he passed an Act, for Ratification of the old Acts; some suspecting, that the Confirmation of Episcopacy was by it intended, with all their Strength opposed it, but in vain.  
Not long before his Majesty went to Scotland, being desirous (if possible) to have it prevented, he Writ to a Lord, who had the Trust of the Crown, to bring it to England, that he might be Crowned there: But the Lord answered, That he durst not for his Life do it; but if his Majesty would be pleased to accept of it in its proper place, he should find his People there ready to yield him the highest Honour; but if he should put it off much longer, it might tend to his Majesties and their great Loss; neither could they be long without some to Govern them.  
In the Year 1633. October the Thirteenth, the Queen brought forth her second Son, who was Baptised James, and entitled, Duke of York: Much about this time the Discontents in Scotland began to increase; some of the Nobility siding with the Malcontents; of which the Lord Balmirreno, the chief Secretary of State was one, who was thereupon Arraigned by his Peers, and found Guilty; but obtained the King's Pardon.  
December the Twenty-Eighth, 1635. the Lady Elizabeth was Born; and now great Differences arose about Church-matters, chiefly occasioned by Archbishop Laud's zealous enjoining of Ceremonies, as placing the Communion-Table at the East end of the Church upon an Ascent, with Rails Altar-wayes, with many other things not formerly insisted on by the Church, but now obstinately opposed by many, which brought things into great confusion.  
His Majesty earnestly desiring an Uniformity in Religion in Scotland (a thing attempted before by King James) enjoined the Scots the use of the Liturgy and Surplice, with all the English Ceremonies, and began first in his own Chapel; Proclamation being made, That the same Order should be kept in all Churches: The Bishops were satisfied with it, but the Ministers and People was so discontented, that when the Dean of Edinburgh began to read the Common-Prayer, the Women began to grumble; upon which, the Bishop of Edinburgh steps up into the Pulpit to command Silence; but this did but augment their Fury to such a height, that they Assaulted him; some with Cudgels, others with Stones, and others (for want of better Weapons) were forced to pelt him with the Stools upon which they sat, to the great hazard of his Life: The Archbishop of of St. Andrews (being then Lord Chancellor) interposing, was like to have been served with the same sauce: The like Disturbance happened in several other places; whereupon the Council emitted Proclamations to prevent Tumults; which was so little regarded by the multitude, that the Bishop of Galloway, going the next day to the Council, was by them pursued to the Council Chamber. They Seized also the City Magistrates, that they might not join with the Council to curb them. The Lords of the Council having at length, with fair words, in some measure, pacified them, they presently emit Proclamations to keep the Peace, but produced no such Effect; for they stiffly petitioned against the service-book; which incensed the King extremely: Thus matters went in the Year 1637.  
The next Year the Scots hearing, That the King was making preparations in England, to reduce them by force, they entered into a Covenant, to defend the Religion they professed; whereupon, they sent for General Lesly, and other Officers from beyond Sea, putting themselves in a posture of Defence: But the Duke of Hamilton obtained a Declaration from the King, discharging the use of the service-book, & the five Articles of Perth for a time; consenting also, that Church-matters may be ordered by general Assemblies. This Declaration▪ being published, and a general Assembly convened at Glasgow; the Bishops are summoned to appear there as Guilty persons; but in answer to the Summons, the Bishops sent in a Protestation against their Assembly; which the Covenanters, for a while, would not vouchsafe to Read, until they had dispatched what business they pleased: The King, having notice of their Proceedings against the Bishops, ordered their Assembly to be dissolved, which accordingly was done; but the Covenanters presently emit a Protestation against it. In this Assembly they quite abolished Episcopacy: Whereupon, the King raises an Army in England, with which he marched in Person against the Scots; but while his Majesty stayed at York, by the mediation of some persons, a Treaty of Peace was agreed upon; wherein it was agreed, That the King should publish a Declaration, ratifying, what his Commissioners had promised in his name: That a general Assembly, and a Parliament be held at Edinburgh within a short time: And lastly, That upon disbanding their Forces, and restoring the King to his Forts and Castles; the King was to recall his Fleet and Forces, and make Restitution of their Goods since the Breach.  
The King not finding the Scots punctual to their Articles, returned to England, and Nullified the agreement resolving now to try other courses: Whereupon, the Scots apprehending their danger, prepared for their own defence. The King resolves upon a War; and with some difficulty compleateth his Army, whereof himself was Generalissimo. He began his march to the North, July the Twentieth, 1640. by which time the Scottish Army was upon the Border: Wherefore the King sent the Lord Conway with Twelve Hundred Horse, and Three Thousand Foot, to secure the Passes upon the River Tyne. General Lesly being advanced thither, desired Leave to pass to the King with their Grievances, which was denied; whereupon he commands his Horse to take the Water (the Foot to their no small hazard following) and force their Passage; which they did, and put the Lord Conway to a disorderly Retreat. Soon after, they took Newcastle, and then Durham.  
At last, His Majesty condescends to Treat with them, and to that end, receives a Petition from them, containing their Grievances; for redressing of which, it was agreed, That sixteen English Lords should meet with as many Scots. Rippon was a place appointed for the Treaty; here they appointed another Treaty to be held at London for composing all differences.  
Much about this time Montross fell off from the Covenanters, having by several private Letters tendered his service to the King, which came all to be discovered by the means of some that were about His Majesty. However, the Treaty went on at London, and at last was concluded: Whereupon the Scots, after five months' abode in England, returned home.  
By this time a Parliament was called at Westminster; wherein the breach was so far from being healed, that it was made wider. Divers of the King's Favourites were impeached; amongst which, Archbishop Laud was one, and soon after him the Earl of Strafford.  
This Year 1641. His Majesty went towards Scotland, where he was entertained with great Demonstrations of Affection; and confirmed the Treaty between the two Nations, by an Act of Parliament, which he summoned himself during his abode there. In the mean time, the horrid Rebellion in Ireland broke out; wherein those cruel Butchers, did most barbarously murder about 200000. Protestants, Men, Women and Children. The King being then in Scotland, moved the Parliament to send thither Sir George Monroe with 2500. men to reduce the Rebels.  
The King being returned from Scotland, (the Parliament then sitting at Westminster) the breach daily grew wider; wherefore the Scotish Commissioners interposed between the King and Parliament, for composing their differences, which were now grown to such a height, that the King not long after left London, and returned to York.  
Now began the Calamity of a sad War; for which they began Vigorously to make preparations on both sides. The Scots finding (as they pretended) that the King was refractory to an Agreement with his Parliament; and giving ear to those vile Libels that were spread abroad, which accused His Majesty of conniving at the Papists both in England and Ireland (being called by the Parliament to their assistance) entered England, Jan. 16. 1643. their Army being in number 18000. Foot, and 2000 Horse.  
In the mean time matters are fitting in Scotland, by James Earl (afterward Marquis) of Montross; who having received the King's Commission by Sir Robert Spotswood, to be General Governor of Scotland, passed into the heart of the Kingdom; where he raised what men he could for the King's Service, resolving with them to divert the Covenanters. They upon the other side raised an Army to oppose him. Their first Rencounter was near Perth; where the Covenanters under the Command of the Lords Elcho, Tullibardine, and Drumond were quite routed; here the Atholmen and Irishmen, of which he had 1500. did him good service. From thence he marched Northward, to Aberdeen; where at the Bridge of Dee, he defeated another Body of the Covenanters, under the Lord Burleighs command.  
After this Victory, he went about most of the Northern Countries, and brought a great many of them under Subjection, though himself and his Army were reduced to great straits by reason of the coldness of the weather, and scarceness of Victuals, yet he would not give over his enterprise. From thence he marched into Argileshire, where he burned & destroyed all before him, and returned back again to Lochabor. He stayed not long there; when hearing that Argile was coming against him, and was already the length of Innerlochy, He resolves (finding his men bend for't) to fight him, which accordingly he did, and quite worsted him. Not long after, he had an absolute Victory over General Major Hurry at a place in the Highlands, called Aldearn, which did very much weaken the Covenanters. And Baily resolving revenge, at Alford was served with the same sauce himself.  
The next Victory that this Valiant Champion obtained, was at Kilsyth; a fatal day it was to the Covenanters: for here they lost a great many Gentlemen of Quality, besides a vast number of common Soldiers: yea, such of their Leaders as escaped this bout, finding (as they thought) their strength quite gone, fled some to England, others to Ireland, and some also came in, and Submitted to Montross upon Mercy. Thus things being, in humane probability, brought to great order, Montross receives Orders from the King at Oxford, to march Southward with his Army: Where His Majesty promised to send him some recruit of Horse to fight Sir David Lesly, who was coming from England against Montross: But L●sly preventing the King's recruits, surprises Montross at Philiphaugh, where he quite routed him. Thus the wheel of Fortune turns now upon this gallant Nobleman, who was Conqueror hitherto, and forces him with a very few followers to shift for himself, leaving many of his Friends dead in this fatal place. Montross by this loss, being brought very low, he marched toward the North with the few men he had; and after many endeavours to make up his Army again, he is surprised by a Message from His Majesty, Commanding him to lay down his Arms, and go into France, where he should stay till further Orders; which accordingly he did, though with great reluctancy, in the Year 1646.  
But to return to the Scots Army in England: They after they had served the Parliament upon several occasions, and particularly at Marston-Moor, where they helped them to obtain a Victory against Prince Rupert, retired to Newcastle. The King being brought so low, that he was hardly able to keep any thing of an Army in the Field, came thither in disguise, acquainting the Scotish-General, That he would now commit himself to him; looking upon him as a man of Honour, that would do nothing but what is Just and Loyal, in a matter of such weight; The General answered His Majesty, He would with all his heart serve him, and that the most effectual service that he thought he could do him, was to mediate a Peace between His Majesty and His Parliament.  
The Parliament being Advertised, that the King was in the Scotish Army; sent their Messengers thither, to know upon what account they detained the King of England in their Camp; who were only called in to assist the Parliament, but not to Act by themselves: Telling them further; That if the King were in Scotland, as he was then in England; they would not presume to keep him up from his Subjects there, as the Scots did in England; the Committee of the Army answered, That they knew very well the People of England's Right to the King to be as good as theirs; neither did they detain His Majesty from them, but that he was with them as their King; in no wise under restraint, but at full Liberty as became his Majesty to be. And further, that it was their earnest desires to see a well-setled Peace between His Majesty and his two Houses. Presently after, they had another message, desiring them to return home; for that the Parliament had no further service for them; thanking them withal for the Service they had done. The Committee replied, that they came not to England without the Parliaments call, and that the Terms upon which they were invited thither, were not fulfilled by the Parliament, their Army wanting almost 500000 l. of their Arrears: That upon payment of it, they would go home. At last it was agreed, that the Scots should have 200000 pound of their Arrears in hand, and the rest should afterward be sent after them. So that within— weeks after, they would draw the Army out of England. As for the King's Person, it was agreed, That he should be kept by the English in Honour and Splendour suitable to his Royal Dignity, and that nothing should be transacted in England concerning His Majesty, without the Advice and Consent of the Scots. Thus were they befooled by perfidious men, which brought a great reproach upon Them and their Posterity. Though it be false that they Sold him, yet it is a sad truth, that His Majesty told them, that the English would no longer stand to their Agreement, than they thought it for their Interest.  
His Majesty being now in the English's hands, they at first carried themselves somewhat respectfully to him; but they began soon after to appear like themselves; having purged the House of Commons of all such as they thought would oppose them, they began to keep His Majesty almost a close prisoner in the Isle of Wight.  
The Scots hearing how the King was thus (contrary to the promise and engagement) abused by the English, sent their Commissioners to London, to put the Parliament in mind of the agreement at Newcastle; but before they came, the Game was altered (the Parliament being purged by the Army) the barbarous Juncto prove unexorable; wherefore the Commissioners return home, and acquainted the Nobility how matters stood: Whereupon an Army is presently listed under the Duke of Hamilton, with which he marches to England, but is unfortunately overthrown at Preston; most of the Soldiers being killed, and himself taken prisoner, and brought up to London; where, not long after, he, together with the Earl of Holland, and Lord Capel, were Executed on Tower-hill.  
Within a few days, his Majesty is brought from the Isle of Wight to Windsor; during his abode there, the Officers of the Army, and the Members they left in the House, proceeded to that height of Insolence, as to bring the King to a Trial. Which, when it was Voted, and passed in the pretended House of Commons, they proceeded to make an Act for the Trial of his Sacred Majesty; which they entitled, An Act of the Commons of England, assembled in Parliament, for Erecting of an High Court of Justice, for Trying and Judging Charles Stewart King of England.  
This Terrible form of proceeding against his Majesty, struck great terror to the hearts of all sober and good men; yea, the Presbyterian Ministers, who before were against him, now declare themselves both in their Pulpits, and by earnest Petitions to the Parliament, to be zealous abhorrers of the King's Death, and every where make public Protestations against the Trial; yet nevertheless the Juncto goes on: And upon Friday January the 19 th'. 1648. his Majesty was brought by a strong Guard of Horse from Windsor to St. James', and from thence to Westminster, where he was Tried, and found Guilty, contrary to the Laws of God and Man: And upon January the 30 th'. about two a Clock in the Afternoon, he submitted his Royal Neck to the Fatal stroke, upon a Scaffold Erected between White-Hall Gate, and the Gate leading to the Gallery to St. James': The 24 th' year of his Reign he was Interred, in St. George's Chapel at Windsor.  
His sacred Majesty that now Reigns, being at this time in France, with the Queen Mother, is by Unanimous consent of all his Subjects in Scotland, proclaimed at Edenburg, Charles the Second, by the Grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, etc. and presently after, they sent their Commissioners to treat with His Majesty, who was then in the Isle of Jerzey: After much debating on both sides, at last, Breda in Holland is agreed upon, as a fit place for a solemn Treaty. Here the Commissioners from the Church and State, met the King, and delivered the Propositions. During the Treaty, the abovementioned Marquis of Montross was seized in Scotland, and Executed, which troubled his Majesty so much, that it went nigh to break the Treaty; but at length, through the urgency of Affairs, it was concluded. And being brought to Edinburgh, it was agreed, that another Message should be sent to invite the King over, to take Possession of the Crown, which was his own by an unquestionable Title; but the English Parliament replied, If they could hinder it, it should not be so. Wherefore they prepare an Army to invade Scotland, under the command of their General Oliver Cromwell. However, the Scots no wise daunted at the Storms threatened from England, resolved to adhere to his Majesty, (though upon their own terms).  
The King arriving at the mouth of Spey, in the North, several Lords were sent to accompany him to Edinburgh; but in the mean time, Cromwell was advanced as far as Haddington against him. Sir David L●sly, sent Sir John Brown with a Party of Horse, which continued skirmishing for some while, but produced no great Effect: The next Rencounter was at Dumbar, where the Scots had a Bloody Overthrow from Cromwell; which did exceedingly strengthen his Interest in Scotland.  
The first work that the Scots went about after this disaster, was the Coronation of the King, which was done at Scone; with as great Solemnity, as the state of Affairs could allow: The Ceremony being over, His Majesty removed to Sterling, resolving to debate his right to Cromwell, where people of all ranks flocked to him; insomuch, as in a short time, he had an Army of 22000 Men; but they dividing amongst themselves, gave Cromwell opportunity to pass over; & forthwith defeating a part of the King's Army at Innerkething, possessed himself of the whole Country: His Majesty seeing (after the defeat) that Cromwell was like to Conquer all Scotland, makes choice of his most faithful Friends, to venture with him into England; where he might with more safety and advantage hazard three Kingdoms, than in a Field; wherefore with 16000 men he privately marched to England, by the way of Carlyle; and without any considerable opposition, came to Lancashire; where at Warrington Bridge, some considerable Forces of the Parliament were ready to cut down the Bridge, but the Scots were with them so suddenly, that they prevented the breaking down of the Bridge, & forced their way over the Planks. Hence his Majesty marched to Worcester in very good order. Cromwell hearing of his motions, sends Lamb●rt with a select Party of Horse; after him the Parliament also raised numerous Forces in most Countries in England; all which marched to Worcester against the King. In the mean time Lambert gained a most Advantageous Pass at Hop●on, by a desperate attempt, having caused some of his Troopers to swim the River on Horseback, carrying their Houlsters and Pistols in their hands, to save them from wet; whereby they put Major General Massey, and his men, to the retreat: So that the Parliamentarians had a fair opportunity to make a Bridge over the River, over which Cromwell passed, and joined the rest of the Army; which put the King upon a necessity of Fight, (the City being attacked on all sides): Whereupon his Majesty marched out of the City with horse and foot against them. Where followed a most desperate engagement; insomuch that his Majesty's Horse was twice shot under him; every man resolving to die in the Bed of Honour, rather than to have their Prince and Country thus trod upon by the base Usurpers: But the Enemy still advancing with fresh supplies where there was need of them, so over powered the King's Forces, that they were forced at last to give ground, after twice Rallying, to retreat to the City.  
His Majesty seeing that all was lost, was forced to Retreat to the City by the same Gate he came out at, having left the Duke of Hamilton, Sir John Douglass, Sir Alexander Forbes, with many other Valiant Gentlemen behind him. His Majesty was exceedingly troubled for the loss of Duke Hamilton; for that he did see him behave himself so Valiantly, and Fight so desperately, even when he was encompassed with the Enemy's Horse and Foot. It being impossible for His Majesty to keep the City long, the whole Nation almost being in Arms against him, he resolves to retire: Accordingly, with some few Attendants, he marched out at twelve a Clock at Night; and thinking their Number might discover them, ordered every Man to shift for himself: Only with three or four in his Company, he came to a place called Boscobel, where he disrobed himself; and for want of Scissors, had his Hair cut off with a Knife; and so with the company of one Careless (who brought him Provision) he betook himself to a Wood, where he lodged in that Famous Royal-Oak: The Soldiers hunting about for him, and a Thousand Pounds promised to any that would take Him, either Dead or Alive.  
Soon after, His Majesty road from Bently to Bristol before Mistress Lane (she having a Pass for herself and her Servants) whence He returned, and absconded a while in Sommersetshire, Wiltshire, and Hampshire; and at last came to Briggemstone in Sussex, where He took Shipping, about the end of October, 1651. and was Safely wafted over to a Creek in Normandy, whence he went to Diep, and there provided himself of such Necessaries as served him until He came to his Mother, who was at the French Court.  
Cromwell hearing of Iretons Success in Ireland, and of Lieutenant General Monks Success in Scotland, makes a Motion, That for the Security of the Commonwealth (as it was then called) the Parliament should be turned out, as a parcel of Drunkards, Whoremasters, and Oppressors; which was accordingly done, and then a new Convention is called, July, 1653. where the Government is put upon Oliver's Shoulders, by an Instrument delivered to him, by their Speaker Mr. Rouse.  
In this Year and the next, were Five Bloody Engagements at Sea, between the English and the Dutch; the English for the most part having the Victory. In the Year 1656. Cromwell calls another Parliament, which he had so far secured for his Interest, that they invite him to take the Imperial Crown of this Realm; which he, as a cunning Fox (knowing that this step of his Advancement would hasten his Ruin) with pretended modesty declined, contenting himself with being Lord-Protector, which he was made three Years before. Then they Petitioned him to accept of Three-Hundred Thousand Pounds a Year for his Support; to have a New House of Lords; to name his own Successor: All which (with much ado) he accepted of.  
But when Fortune had set him so High, that all the World that heard of it were Astonished: Behold, in the midst of his Triumph he is snatched away by Death, upon September the Third, 1658. He lay in State, at White-Hall, about six Weeks, and then was, in great Splendour, Interred in Westminster Abbey, among the Princes of the Royal Blood: His Son Richard was presently Installed in his Place, wherein he had hardly time to look about, when Fleetwood and Lambert, with the rest of the Army thrust him out, calling the Long-Parliament again; this Revolution was followed by another; for soon after, several Gentlemen in Cheshire, under the conduct of Sir George Booth, rose for the Defence of their Privileges, but were defeated by Lambert; he immediately after turned out the Long-Parliament, and erected a Committee of Safety.  
His Majesty's Friends looked on with some Hope all this while, seeing all these Metamorphosing of Government, might tend to the opening a Door for His Majesty's entering General Monk hearing in Scotland, how matters went in England, drew his Army towards the Borders: Against him Lambert marched as far as Newcastle, resolving to Fight him; but his men had no heart to the Work, which forced him to give way. In the mean time the remainder of the Long-Parliament, had again Convened with some difficulty, and Dissolved the Committee of Safety; inviting General Monk to march with his Army to London, which he accordingly did; and to requite their kindness, gets them Dissolved.  
In the Year 1660. Another Parliament was called at Westminster, where, by unanimous Consent, His Majesty was invited Home; and accordingly, the Twenty-ninth of May following, His Majesty accompanied with the Dukes of York and Gloucester, and attended with a Gallant Train of Lords and Gentlemen, Arrived at Dover, whence He was conducted through London, in great State to White-Hall; where, by a Lineal Legal Succession, He possesses the Imperial Crown of Scotland, for almost Two Thousand Years: So that, for Royal Extraction, and Long Line of Just Descent, His Majesty may Reckon with any Monarch in the Christian World.   

AN APPENDIX To the Present STATE of SCOTLAND,  

SECT. I. Of its Climate, Dimension, Division, Air, Soil, Commodities.  
SCotland is one of the Two Kingdoms that divides the great Island of Britain, being bounded on the East by the Germane Ocean, on the North, by the Dewcalledon Sea; on the West, by the Irish Sea: And divides itself from England, by the Rivers Tweed and Solway, and the Cheviot Hills.  
Clim. Edinburgh is Situated between the Degrees of Latitude 56 d. 2 minutes, of Longitude 3 d. 0 min. from London West. Longest Day, 17 hours 27 min. Aberdeen 57 d. 10. min. of Latitude; 2. d. 20. min. Longitude; the most Northernly parts of Scotland, is Dunsby-head, whose Latitude is 58 d. 5 min.  
Dimensions. It's Length is about 480. Miles; its breadth is very disproportionable, there being no place in it that is above 70. Miles distant from the Sea.  
Division. The Country is divided according to its Inhabitants; into Highland and Low-land. The Highlanders live in the North and West Parts, or in some out Islands; being a bold and hardy People, much given to Warlike Exercises; being always in readiness, when ever Commanded by their Chief: Their Weapons were commonly Bows and Arrows, but not so much used now as formerly; they are a People that can endure as much hardships of War, as any People in the World. The Lowlanders bordering upon the East and South, are as civil, as any other People; their Language much like the English, differing only in the Accent.  
Air. The Air is very wholesome; the cold in Winter towards the North is very sharp; but there being great plenty of Firing, the Inhabitants do not suffer by it. The heat is less scorching in Summer, than in some other parts of the Continent.  
The Soil is pleasant and healthful, abounding with Springs and Rivers; towards the North it is Mountainous, yet not wanting fruitful Valleys apt to bear any Grain.  
Commodities. The Country every where affordeth plenty of Sheep, Oxen, Coneys and fallow Deer; as also abundance of Geese, Ducks, Hens, Turkeys, Pigeons, Partridges, Sea-Plover, Herons, Quails and Larks, etc. with great plenty of Fish, such as Salmonds, Pikes, Carp and Trout; also Herrings, Oysters, Cockles, Mussels, Turpots and Lobsters. Fruits. As Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Peaches and Apricocks. Corn, Barley, Rye, Beans, Pease and Oats. Also it produceth a great quantity of Tin, Led, Copper, Allom, Salt, Hops; with several Silver-Mines. It is accounted Richer under ground, than above, by reason of their Mines, which when tried, yield much in their quantities of Ore.   

SECT. II. Of the Laws of Scotland.  
THey are made of the Municipal and Civil Laws; the Municipal consists either of Acts of Parliament, or of the Customs and Practices of the College of Justice; and when neither of these contradict, the Civil Law is of force.  
All the Rights and Evidences of the Subject, are committed to Registers; by which means men are sure not to be cheated in buying, or conveying Estates. For first, no man can have a right to an Estate but by his being seized of it, which is done by delivering Earth and Stone; upon which an Instrument is made, called a Seizing, and this within sixty days after must be Registered, else it is of no force; by which means all secret Conveyances are cut off. Next, all Bonds have a Clause in them for inserting them in the public Registers; and they being Registered without any further Action upon a charge of six days, the Debtor must make payment. A Third Instance is, that any Creditor may serve a Writ on his Debtor, called Letters of Inhibitione, by which he can make no disposition of his Goods or Estate, till the Party be satisfied; if these Letters be returned Registered, within twenty-one days after they are served, otherwise they have no force. Many such Instances may be produced, by which it appears how securely the Subject may enjoy that he hath, or may purchase.   

SECT. III. Of the Chief Officers of State, of the Parliament, of the Privy Council, of the College of Justice, of the Justice Court, and of the Exchequer.  
THe King administers the Government of the Kingdom by his Officers of State, who are Eight in number: The first is the Lord Chancellor, who is Keeper of the Great Seal, and Precedent of all Courts, except the Exchequer. This Office is in the Person of John Earl of Perth. The second is the Lord Treasurer, who manages the Revenue, and presides in the Exchequer, who is at present the Marquis of Queensbury. The third is the Lord Privy Seal; which Office the Marquis of Athole enjoys. The fourth is the Lord Secretary, who is at present Alexander Earl of Murray. The fifth Officer is the Lord Clerk of the Registers, who has the charge of all the public Records; this Office is executed by Sir George Mikenzie, of Tarbet. The sixth is the King's Advocate; he is commonly a Judge, except in cases where the King is concerned; and then he pleads for the King: The present Lord Advocate is, Sir George Mikenzie of Rosehaugh: The seventh Office is, the Lord Treasurer Deputy; which Office was Executed by Sir Charles Maitland, of Hattoun, now Earl of Lauderdale. The eighth is the Lord Justice Clerk, who assists the Lord Justice General in criminal Causes. The present Justice Clerk is, Richard Maitland, Esquire.  
Par. The Parliament is made up of three Estates: The first is Ecclesiastical, consisting of Arch-Bishops, and Bishops: The second Estate is, The Nobility and Barons: The third is, The Burroughs.  
Upon the first day of each Parliament, there are such solemnities, and magnificent Shows, as is not observed in any Kingdom upon such occasions. For all the members of Parliament according to their degree, Riding (as it were) in Procession from the King's Palace to the Parliament House. The Commissioner Riding last: The Crown, the Sword, and the Sceptre, with the rest of the Honours being carried before him; they return in the same order back again to the Palace. Sometimes the King makes use of a Convention of Estates, which can make no Laws; only by this meeting impositions are laid upon the Subjects.  
The Parliament being the supreme Court, it is not impertinent to give a List of the Nobility with their Precedency and Surnames, which is as follows.  

Dukes.  
His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany.  
  Surnames. The Dukes of Hamilton Hamilton. Buccleauch Scot Lenox Lenox.  
 Marquis' Surnames. The Marquis of Huntley Gordone. Douglas Douglas. Montross Graham. Athol Murray. Queensbury Douglass.  
 Earls Surnames The Earls of Crawford Lindsey. Errol Hay. Marishall Keith. Southerland Southerland Marr Ereskine Airth Grahame. Morton Douglass. Buchan Ereskine. Glencairn Cunninghame. Eglinton Montgomery. Casstles Kennedy. Murray Stewart. Caithness Sinclare. Nithifdale Maxwell. Wintoune Seatoune. Linlithgow Livingstone. Hume Hume. Pearth Drummond. Dumfermling Seatoune. Wigtoun Fleming. Strathmore Lyon. Abercorn Hamilton. Roxborough Ker. Kelly Ereiskine. Haddingtoun Hamilton. Galloway Stewart. Seaforth Mac. Kenzy. Lowthian Ker. Kinnoule Hay. Loudon campbel. Dumfriess Creighton. Sterling Alexander. Elgine Bruce. Southesk Carnaigy. Traquair Stewart. Ancram Ker. Weimes Weimes. Dalhousy Ramsey. Airly Ogilvy. Callender Levingstone. Carnwath Dalziel. Finlator Ogilvy. Levin Lesley. Annandale Johnstone. Dysert Murray. Panmuire Mauld. Tweddale Hay. Northesk Carnaigy. Kinkardin Bruce. Forfar Douglass. Balcarres Lindsay. Middleton Middleton. Aboyne Gordone. Terrace Scot Newburgh Levingstone. Kilmarnock Boyd. Dundonald Cochraine. Dumbarton Douglass. Kintore Keith. Broad Albyne campbel. Aberdeen Gordone.  
 Viscounts Surnames. The Viscounts of Faulkland Carey. Dumbarr Constable. Stormont Murray. Kenmure Gordone. Arbuthnet Arbuthnet. Frendaret Creightone. Kingston Seatoune. Oxenford Macgill. Kilsyth Levingstone. Irwing campbel. Dumbiane Osborne. Preston Grahame. Newhaven Sheen.  
 Lords Surnames The Lords of Forbes Forbes Saltone Frazier Grace Grace. Ochiltry Stewart Cathcart Cathcart. Sinclare Sinclare. Mordington Douglass. Semple Semple. Elphingstone Elphingstone. Oliphant Oliphant. Lovat Frazier. Borthwick Borthwick. Rosse Rosse. Torphighen sandiland's. Spyne Lindsey. Lindoris Lesley. Balmerinoch Elphingstone. Blantyre Stewart. Cardrosse Ereskine. Burghly Balfour. Maderty Drummond. Cranstone Cranstone. Melvil Melvil. Neaper Neaper. Cameron Fairfax. Cramond Richardson. Rae Macky. Forester Bailzy. Petsl●go — Kirkudbright Mac-cleland. Frazier Frazier. Bargany Hamilton. Bamf Ogilvy. Elibank Murray. Dunkeld Galloway. Halcarton Falconer. Belhaven Hamilton. Abercromby sandiland's. Carmichael Carmichael Rollo Rollo. Colvil Colvil. Duffus Southerland. Ruthven Ruthven. Mack-Donald Mackdonald. Rutherford Rutherford. Balanden Balanden. Newark Lesly. Burntisland Weimes. Strathard Nairne.  
His Majesty's Privy Council is chiefly employed about Public Affairs; the Power of it hath been mostly raised since King James came to the Crown of England; by reason of which, being necessitated to be absent from Scotland himself, he lodged much of his power in the Lords of His Privy Council; we cannot (by reason of the late alterations) give an exact List of the present Lords of the Council: Wherefore we shall forbear.  
The Supreme Court of Judicature, about the property of the Subject, is called the College of Justice. It consists of fourteen Judges, who are called Senators of the College of Justice, and a Precedent. This Court sits from the first of November, till the last of March.  
The Justice Court being the next Supreme Court, where Criminals are tried, consists of a Lord Justice General, and a Lord Justice Clerk who is his Assistant. All Trials for Life, are in this Court; where every Subject, as well Peers as Commoners are tried; Peers by a Jury or Assize of Peers; and Commoners, by a Jury of Commoners.  
The next Supreme Court is the Exchequer, which consists of, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Treasurer's Deputy, and some Assistants called the Lords of the Exchequer: Here all the King's Grants, Pensions, Gifts of Wards, and such like are passed.    

SECT. IV. Of Sheriff-Courts; also an account of the Shires of Scotland, with their Sheriffs who are (most of them so) by Inheritance.  
THere are beside the Supreme Courts of the Nation, other inferior Courts; the most considerable of which, is the Sheriff's Courts, where Thefts, and all lesser Crimes are Judged; as also Murders, if the Murderer be taken in hot blood. The Sheriffs in this Nation are (most of them) so by Inheritance; wherefore it may not be impertinent here to give a List of the Shires of Scotland, with their Sheriffs.  

Shires of Scotland, with their bounds and Sheriffs.  Shires Sheriffs The Shire of Edinburgh containeth Middle Lothian. The Earl of Lau●erdale. The shire of Berwick containeth Mers. Earl of Home. The shire of Peeblis containeth Tweddail. Earl of Tweddail. The shire of Shelkirk containeth the Forest of Etterick. — Murray. The shire of Roxburgh containeth Tiviotdale, Lidisdale, Eshdail, Eusdail. Duke of Buckleugh. The shire of Dumfreis containeth Nithisdail, and Anandail. Marquess of Queensbury. The shire of Wigton containeth the West parts of Galloway. Sir Patrick Agnew of Lochnaw. The shire of Air containeth Kyle, Carrict, and Cunninghame. Earl of Dumfreis. The shire of Renfrew containeth the Barony of Renfrew. Earl of Eglington. The shire of Lanerick containeth Clidsdail. Duke Hamilton. The shire of Dumbritton containeth Lenox. Duke of Lenox. The shire of Bute containeth the Isles of Bute and Arran. Sir James Stewart of Bute. The shire of Innerara containeth Argile, Lorn, Kintyre, with the most part of the West Isles. — The shire of Pearth containeth Athol, Goury, Glenshee, Strath-Ardell, Broadalbine, Ramach, Balhider, Glenurqhuay, Stormont, Menteith, and Strath-Yern. Marquess of Athol. The shire of Striveling lieth on both sides the River Forth. Earl of Marr. The shire of Linlighgow, West Lothian. — Hope of Hoptoun. The shire of Clackmanan containeth a part of Fife, lying upon the River Forth, towards Striveling. Bruce of Clackmanan. The shire of Kinross containeth so much of Fife, as lieth between Lochleiven, and the Ochell Hills. Earl of Morton. The shire of Couper containeth the rest of Fife. Earl of Rothes. The shire of Forfar containeth Angus, with its pertinents. Earl of Southesk. The shire of Kinkardin containeth Mernis. Earl of Kincardin. The shire of Aberdeen containeth Mar, with its pertinents, also the most part of Buchan, Forumarten, and Strathbogie. Sir— Campbel of Caddel. The shire of Bamf containeth a small part of Buchan, Strath-Dovern, Boyn, Enzy, Strathawin and Balveny. Sir James Baird of Auchmedden. The shire of Elgine containeth the Eastern part of Murray. Robert Dumbar of— The shire of Nairn containeth the West part of Murray. — The shire of Innerness containeth Badenoch, Lochabyr, and the South part of Ross. Earl of Murray The shire of Cromarty containeth a small part of Ross, lying on the South side of Cromarty Firth. — The shire of Ta'en containeth the rest of Ross, with the Isles of Sky, Lemes, and Harrigh. Earl of Seaforth The shire of Dornoch containeth Southerland. & Strath-Naver. Earl of Southerland. The shire of Weik containeth Cathness. Earl of Cathness. The shire of Orkney containeth all the Isles of Orkney and Schetland. — The Constabulary of Haddington containeth East Lothian and Lauderdale. Earl of Lauderdale. Stewartries. Stewards. The Stewartry of Strathern. Earl of Pearth. The Stewartry of Monteith. Earl of Monteith. The Stewartry of Annandate. Earl of Annandale. The Stewartry of Kirkudbright containeth the East parts of Galloway. Earl of Nithisdale. Baileries Bailiffs. Kyle. — Carrict. E. of Cassiles. Cunninghame. E. Eglington.  
We should in the next place have spoken somewhat of the Ecclesiastical Government of the Kingdom; but it being done already by so many Learned Pens, especially Archbishop Spotswood, to which we refer the Reader: We shall now pass to   

SECT. V. Of the Universities of Scotland.  
In Scotland there are four Universities.  

St. Andrews.  
Glasgow  
Aberdeen.  
Edinburgh.   

Of the University of St. Andrews.  
This University was founded by Bishop Heawardlaw A. D. 1412 the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews are perpetually Chancellors thereof; the Rector is chosen yearly, and hath the same Power with the Vicechancellor of Oxford and Cambridge.  
There are in this University three Colleges, viz. St. Salvator, St. leonard's, and St. mary's, St. Salvators College was founded by Bishop Kennedy who endued it with very sumptuous and costly Ornaments; and provided sufficient maintenance for the masters and professors. St. leonard's College was founded by Prior, John Hepburn, A. D. 1525. Persons endowed are Principal, four Professors of Philosophy, Eight Poor Scholars.  
St. Mary's College was founded by Archbishop Beaton, no Science is here taught but Theologie, which is done gratis, the Schools being open to receive any to be instructed.   

Of the University of Glasgow.  
This University was founded by King James the second, and augmented with ample Privileges by King James the Sixth. King Charles' the First did ratify all the old Privileges, and bestowed money for repairing the Fabric, also King Charles the second by consent of Parliament bestowed a considerable sum of money upon it.   

Of the University of Aberdeen.  
There were in this place an associated company of Students of Divinity, and the Canon and City Laws in the times of King Alexander the second, but it was by King James the Fourth made an University in A. D. 1494, it was founded with as ample Privileges as any University in Christendom. In it both Philosophy, Divinity, Physic, and Law, are very accurately taught.   

The University of Edinburgh.  
King James the Sixth, Anno. Dom. 1580. founded this University upon the supplication of the Magistrates of the City; granting them under the great Seal an University with all the privileges and immunities that any University within the Kingdom could pretend to.  
Persons endowed, were, a Principal, a Professor of Divinity; a Professor of Philosophy, a Professor of Humanity; to which is since added a Professor of Hebrew.     

A Postscript. Of the Laws of Scotland for Torturing Criminals; and of that Torture in particular called the Boot.  
THe Laws of Scotland, according to a late Learned Writer, Sir G. Mace●zy in his Criminals, allow not Tortures but in case of Obstinacy in the criminal, where there is great presumption of guilt, and therefore it is not allowed to any, but to the Council or Justices to use torture in any case.  
It is a ruled case in Law, that Torture being adduced, purges all former presumptions, which preceded the Torture, if the person Tortured be constant in his denial; and therefore Torture is called, Probatio Vltima. Neither can a Person sentenced to die, be Tortured, when Sentence is passed against him, for Post condemnationem judices functi sunt Officio. Minors also have this as one of their Privileges, by the Scottish Laws, that they cannot be Tortured lest the tenderness both of their Age and Judgement make them fail.  
The most ordinary way of Torture in Scotland is, by an Iron Engine called the Boot, the manner thus. The Criminal is called to be examined before the Council, and upon Obstinacy is threatened with the Boot, and then dismissed for that time; with certification, that if within so many days he do not confess, he shall be Tortured: When this day comes, if he continue obstinate, he is called before the Council, or a Quorum of them, where the Executioner attends with the Boot; there he is again examined by the Judges; if he do not confess, than they order the Executioner to put his Leg in the Boot with some Iron Wedges; then they examine him again; if he continue refractory, than the Executioner is commanded to drive one of the Wedges, and then another, till the Criminal either confess, or the Judges are satisfied he hath nothing to confess.  
FINIS.   

Books Lately Printed and Sold by William Benbridge.  
THE second part of the Weeks Preparation for the Sacrament. Consisting of Soliloquies, Prayers, Hymns, Ejaculations, Thanksgiving and Examination, for Sunday Evening, (after the Celebration of the Holy Communion.) As also for Morning and Evening on every day of the Week following. Together with Directions to lead an Holy Life.  
The Style of Exchanges, containing both their Law and Custom, as practised now in the most considerable place of Exchange in Europe. Unfoulding divers Mysteries, and directing every Person, howsoever concerned in a Bill of Exchange, to what he ought to do and observe, in any case, in order to his own security. Translated out of Low and High-Duch, French and Italian-Latine Authors. The whole Methodically digested into Chapters and Sections, that by the help of an Index any particular Case many readily be found. By John Scarlett, Merchant of the Eastland Company, The second Edition.  
Lucian's Works, Translated from the Greek. By Ferrand Spence. 1. Volume. 2. Volume. 3. Volume.  
The History of the Bucan●ers: being an Impartial Relation of all the Battles, Sieges, and other most Eminent Assaults committed for several years upon the Coasts of the Westindies by the Pirates of Jamaica and Tortuga, both English, and other Nations. More especially the Unparallelled Achievements of Sir H. M. Made English from the Dutch Copy: Written by J. Esquemeling, one of the Bucaniers, very much Corrected from the Errors of the Original, by the Relations of some English Gentlemen, that then resides in those Parts.  
Scanderbag Redivivus. An Historical Account of the Life and Actions of the most Victorious Prince John the III. King of Poland: Containing an Exact and Succinct Series of Affairs from his Cradle, to this present day; With a particular Account of the many Great and Signal Victories obtained by Him against the Turks, from the time he was first made Crown-General, and afterwards Elected King of Poland.  
The Exact Englishman: Or, the complete London Scholar, A new Spelling Book. Beginning with a Choice and Methodical Collection of all Monosyllable, or Words of one Syllable, (turned into English Metre;) And Proceeding to those of two, three or more Syllables, digested into an Order and Method never before extant. With Graces and Prayers. Useful not only for English-Schoolmasters in teaching Children to Spell and Read, but may be serviceable to the Elder Learners, and to Strangers, as a Repertory or Treasury of English Words to be used on occasion. By S. N. Schoolmaster in London.  
The Parliament of Women: Or, A Complete History of the Proceedings and Debates, of a particular Junto, of Ladies and Gentlewomen, With a design to alter the Government of the World. By way of satire.  
Pandaemonium: Or, The Devil's Cloister. Being a further blow to Modern Sadduceism, proving the Existence of Witches and Spirits. In a discourse deduced from the fall of the Angels, the Propogation of Satan's Kingdom before the Flood: The Idolatry of the Ages after, greatly advancing Diabolical Confederacies, With an Account of the Lives and Transactions of several Notorious Witches, some whereof have been Popes: Also a Collection of several Authentic Relations of Strange Apparitions of Daemons and Spectres, and Fascinations of Witches, never before Printed. By Richard Bovet Gent.  
FINIS.