Gowreis conspiracy A discourse OF THE unnatural AND vile conspiracy ATTEMPTED AGAINST THE KINGS majesties PERSON AT SANCT-IOHNSTOVN vpon Twysday the 5. of August. 1600. edinburgh Printed by Robert Charteris. 1600. cum PRIVILEGIO REGIO. A DISCOVRE OF THE VNNATVRALL AND vile conspiracy attempted against his majesties person at Sanct johnstoun vpon the 5. day of August being Tuysday, 1600. HIS majesty having his residence at Falkland, and being daily at the Buck-hunting, as his use is in that season, vpon the fifth day of August, being Twysday, he raid out to the Park, betwixt six and seven hours in the morning, the weather being wonderful pleasant and seasonable. But before his majesty could leap on horse-back, his highness being now come down by the Equerie: All the huntis-men with the hounds attending his majesty on the green, & the Court making to their horses, as his highness self was: master Alexander Ruthven, second brother to the late earl of Gowrie being then lighted in the town of Falkland, haisted him fast down to over take his majesty before his on-leaping, as he did. Where meeting his highness, after a very low courtesy, bowing his head under his majesties knee,( although he was never wont to make so low courtesy) drawing his majesty a-part, he begins to discourse unto him, but with a very dejected countenance, his eyes ever fixed upon the earth, how that it chanced him the evening before to be walking abroad about the fields taking the air, solitary alone, without the toū of Sanct Iohnstoū, where his present dwelling was with the Lord his brother, & there by accident affirmed to haue recountred a base like fellow, unknown to him, with a cloak cast about his mouth: whom at as he inquired his name, and what his errand was to be passing in so solitary a part being from all ways: The fellow become at the sudden so amazed, and his tongue so faultered in his mouth that upon his suspicious bohauiour he begouth more narrowly to look unto him and examine him: & perceiving that there appeared something to bee hide under h● cloak, he did cast by the laps of it, and so finds a great wide pot to be under his arm all full of coined gold in great pieces. Assuring his majesty that it was in very great quantity: vpon the sight whereof as he affirmed, he took back the fellow with his burden to the town, where he privately without the knowledge of any living took the fellow and band him in a privy derned house: and after lokking many durres upon him, left him there and his pot with him and had haisted himself out of Sanct-Iohnston that day ●y four houres in the morning, to make his majesty advertised therof, according to his ●ound duty. earnestly repuesting his majesty with all diligence and secrecy that his majesty might take order therewith, before any know thereof. Swearing & protesting that he had yet concealed it from all living: ●ea, from the earl his own brother. His majesties first answer was( after thanking ●im for his good-will) that it could not become his majesty to meddle any ways in that matter, since no mans treasure that is free and lawful subject can by the Lawe a● pertain unto the king, except it bee fou● hide under the earth, as this was not: Whe● unto he answered, that the fellow confess● unto him, that he was going to haue hid● under the ground, but could not take leasu● at that time to inquire any further of hi● Whereunto his majesty replied that the● was great difference betwixt a dead, and t● intention of a dead: his intention to haue h● it, not being alike as if it had been fou● already hide. master Alxanders answer w● that he thought his majesty over scrupulous in such a matter tending so greatly to h● majesties profit: and that if his majesty d●ferred to meddle with it, that it might b● that the Lord his brother and vther gre● men might meddle with it, and make his majesty the more ado. whereupon the ki● beginning to suspect that it had been so● foreign gold brought home by some Ies●tes or practising Papists( therewith to stur● up some new sedition as they haue oft●tymes done before) inquired of the said M. Alexander, what kind of coin it was, and what a fellow he was that carried it. His answer was, that so far as he could take leisure to see of them, that they seemed to bee foreign and uncouth stroke of coin, & although that the fellow both by his language and fashions seemed to bee a Scots fellow, yet he could never remember that he had seen him before. These speeches increased his majesties suspicion that it was foreign coin brought in by some practising Papists, and to bee distributed into the country, as is before said. And that the fellow that carried it, was some Scots Priest, or seminary so disaguysed, for the more sure transporting thereof. Whereupon his majesty resolved, that he would sand back with the said master Alexander a seruand of his own with an warrant to the provost and bailies of Sanct-Iohnstoun, to receive both the fellow and the money off master Alexanders ●and, and after they had examined the fellow, to re●aine him and the treasure, till his majesties further pleasure were known Whereat the said Maistet Alexander stirred meruelouslie: affirming and protestin● that if either the Lord his brother, or th● bailies of the town were put on the counsa● thereof: his majesty would get a very ba● count made to him of that treasure, swearing that the great love & affection he bar● unto his majesty had made him to preferr● his majesty in this case, both to himself, an● his brother. For the which service he humbly craved that recompense that his Maiest● would take the pains once to ride thither that he might bee the first seear thereof himself: which being done, he would remit to his majesties own honourable discretion how far it would please his majesty to consider vpon him for that service. His highness being stricken in great admiration both of the vncouthnes of the tale, & of the strange and stupid behaviour of the reporter: and the Court being already horsed, wondering at his majesties so long stay with that gentleman, the morning being so fair, the game already found, and the Huntismen so lo●● staying on the fields on his majesty: he was forced to break off, only with these words, that he could not now stay any longer from his sport, but that he would considder of the matter, & at the end of his chase give him a resolute answer, what order he would take therein. whereupon his majesty partend in hast from him towards the place where the game was. master Alexander parting from his majesty very miscontent, that indelaiedlie he raid not to Sanct-Iohnstoun as he desired him: Protesting that his majesty would not find every day such a choice of hunting, as he had offered unto him and that he feared that his majesties long delay and slowness of resolution, would breed leisure to the fellow who was lying bound, to cry or make such din, as would disappoint the secrecy of that whole purpose, & make both the fellow & the treasure to be meddled with, before any word could come from his majesty: as also that his brother would miss him in respect of his absence that morning, which ●s majesty had pleased to hast, he might haue prevented: arryuing there in the time of his brothers and the whole towns being at the sermon: whereby his majesty might haue taken such secret order with that matter, as he pleased before their outcomming from the Church. But his majesty without any further answering of him, leaping on horse-back, and riding to the Dogs, where they were beginning to hunt. The said master Alexander stayed still in that place where he left his majesty, and having two men with him appointed by the late earl his brother, to carry back unto him the certain news in al haist of his majesties coming, as hereafter more particularly shall in this same discourse be declared. he directed the one of them called Andrew Henderson, Chalmerlane to the said earl, to ride in all hast to the earl, commanding him as he loved his brothers honour, that he should not spare for spilling of his horse, and tha● he should advertise the earl that he hoped to move his majesty to come thither, and that he should not yet look for him the spac● three houres thereafter, because of his majesties hunting: adding these words: Pray my Lord my brother to prepare the denner for vs. But his majesty was no sooner ridden up to a little hil above the little wood, where the Dogs were laid on in hunting: but that notwithstanding the pleasant beginning of the chase, he could not stay from musing & wondering vpon the news. Whereupon, without making any body acquainted with this purpose, finding John Nesmith chirurgeon by chance riding beside him, his majesty directed him back to bring master Alexander with him: who being brought unto his majesty, and having newly directed as said is, one of his men that was with him back to my Lord his brother, his majesty unknowing or suspecting that any man living had come with him, then told him that he had been aduysing with himself, & in respect of his last words so earnest with him, he resolved to ride thither for that errand in his own person how soon the chase was ended, which was already begun: like as his majesty vpon the very ending of these words, did ride away in the chase, the said master Alexander ever following him at his back: no other living being with his Hienesse, but he, and John hamilton of Grange, one of his Maiestirs Maister-stablers, the rest of the Court being all before in the chase, his majesty only being casten back vpon the staying to speak with master Alexander, as is be foresaid. The chase lasted from seven hours in the morning until alleuen and more, being one of the greatest and sorest chaces that ever his majesty was at: all which time the said master Alexander was for the most part ever at his majesties back as said is. But there never was any stop in the chase, or so small a delay, that the said master Alexander omitted to round to his majesty, earnestly requesting him to haist the end of the hunting that he might ride the sooner to Sanct-Iohn stoun. So as at the death of the Buck, his majesty not staying upon the curie of the Deir, as his use is, scarcely took time to a▪ light, awaiting vpon the coming of a fresh horse to ride on, the greatness of the chase having wearied his horse. But the said master Alexander would not suffer the King to stay in the park where the Buck was killed, while his fresh horse which was already sent for, was brought out of the Equery to him, although it was not two flight shot of bounds betwixt the part where the buck was killed, and his majesties Equerie: but with very importunity forced his majesty to leap on again vpon that same horse, that he had hunted all the day vpon, his fresh horse being made to gallop a mile of the way to overtake him: his majesty not staying so much as upon his sword, nor while the Duke and the earl of Mar, with diverse gentlemen in his company had changed their horse. only saying unto them that he was to ride to Sanct-Iohnstou● to speak with the earl of Gowry, and that he would bee presently back again before even. Whereupon some of the court galloped back to Falkland als fast as they could to change their horse, and could not overtake his majesty while he come within four mile of Sanct-Iohnstoun. Others rai● fordward with their horses wearied as the were, whereof some were compelled to aligh● by the way, & if they had not both refreshe● their horses, bled them, and given them so● grass by the way, they had not carried then to Sanct-Iohnstoun. The cause of his Majesties seruands following so fast, vndesired b● him, being only grounded vpon a suspitio● they had conceived that his majesties in tention of riding, was for the apprehension of the master of Oliphant, one who had lat●lie done a vile and proud oppression in Angus. For repairing of the which, they thogh● that his majesty had some purpose for his apprehension. But the said master Alexander seing the Duke and the earl of Mar with diuers other of the court getting fresh horse● for following of his majesty, earnestly desired him that he would publish to his whole train, that since he was to return the same evening, as is before said, they needed not to follow him, especially that he thought i● meetest that his majesty should stay the Duke and the earl of Mar to follow him, & that he should only take three or four of his own mean seruands with him, affirming that if any noble man followed him, he could not answer for it, but that they would mar that whole purpose. Whereupon his majesty, half angerlie, replied that he would not mistrust the Duke nor the earl of Mar in a greater purpose nor that, and that he could not understand what hinder any man could make in that errand. But these last speeches of M. Alexanders maid the King to begin to suspect what it could mean: whereupon many diverse thoughts begouth to enter in the Kings mind. But that his majesty could never suspect any harm to be intended against his highness by that young gentle man, with whom his majesty had been so well acquainted▪ as he had not long before been in suit to be one of the Gentlemen of his chamber: so as the farthest that the Kings suspicion could reach to, was that it might bee that the earl his brother had handled him so hardly, that the young gentlem● being of a high spirit, had taken such displeasure, as he was become somewhat by himse● which his majesty conjectured as well b● his raised and uncouth stairing and contin● all selfishness all the time of the huntin● as likewise, by such strange sort of vnlykel● discourses, as is already mentioned. Whe● upon his majesty took occasion to make th● Duke of Lennox acquainted with the wh● purpose, enquyring of him very earnestl● what he knew of that young gentlemans nature, being his brother in law, and if he ha● ever perceived him to be subject to any hig● apprehension, his majesty declaring his su●pition plainly to the said Lord Duke, tha● he thought him not well settled in his wit● always desiring my Lord Duke not to fai● to accompany him in to that house, whe● the alleged fellow and treasure was. Th● Lord Duke woundred much at that purpose and thought it very vnliklie: yet he affirme● that he could never perceive any such appearance in that gentlemans inclinatio● But master Alexander perceiving his majesties privy conference with the Duke, & suspecting the purpose, as it appeared, came to the King, requesting his majesty very earnestly that he should make none living acquainted with that purpose, nor suffer none to go with his majesty where he should convoy him, but himself only, until his majesty had once seen the fellow and the Treasure: whereunto his majesty halfe-laughing gave answer, that he was no good teller of money, and behoved therefore to haue some to help him in that errand: his reply was that he would suffer none to see it but his majesties self at the first, but afterward he might call in whom he pleased. These speeches did so increase his majesties suspicion, that then he begouth directly to suspect ●ome treasonable devise. Yet many suspicions and thoughts overwhelming every one ●n other in his mind, his majesty could ●esolue vpon no certain thing, but raid further on his journey betwixt trust & distrust, ●eeing ashamed to seem to suspect in respect of the cleannesse of his majesties own conscience, except he had found some greater ground. The said master Alexander still pressing the King to ride faster, although his own horse was scarcely able to keep company with the King for weariness, having ridden with him all the chase before. But a● the King was come two miles from Falk▪ land, the said master Alexander stayed a little behind the King in the way, and poste● away the other seruand Andrew Ruthven ● the earl his brother, advertising him how far the King was on his way to come thither. Then how soon soever the King com● within a mile to the town of Sanct-Iohnsto● he said to his majesty that he would poste● before to advertise the earl his brother ● his majesties coming: Who at his incomeing to him was sitting at the mids of h● Denner, never seeming to take knowledge of the Kings coming, while his brother to it him, notwithstanding of his two seruan● advertising him thereof of before. And i●mediatlie upon his brothers report rys● in hast from the board, and warning al the seruants and friends to accompany him to meet his majesty, met him to the number of three or four score at the end of the Insh, his majesties whole company & train not exceeding the number of sixteen persons, and al without any kind of armor, except swords, no not so much as Daggers or whingears. His majesty stayed an hour after his coming to the said earls lodging in Sanct-Iohnstoun, before his Denner come in. The longsomnesse of the prepairing of the same and badness of the cheer being excused vpon the sodainty of his majesties coming unlooked for there. During the which time his majesty inquired of master Alexander when it was time to him to go to that private house for that errand whereof he had informed him: whose answer was, that al was sure enough, but that there was no hast yet for an hour, while his majesty had dined at leisure. Praying his majesty to leave him, & not to be seen to round with him before his brother, who having missed him that morning might thereupon suspect what the matter could mean. Therfore his majesty addressed him to the earl, and disoursed with him vpon sundry purposes, but could get no direct answer of him, but half words, and imperfect sentences. His majesty being set down to the denner, the said earl stood very pensive, and with a dejected countenance at the end of his majesties table, oft rounding over his shoulder whiles to one of his seruants, and whiles to another: and oftentims went out & in to the chaber. Which form of behaviour he likewise kept before his Majesties sitting down to dinner. But without any welcoming of his majesty, or any other hartlie form of entertainment. The noblemen and gentlemen of the Court that was with his majesty standing about the table, and not desired to dine, as use is when his majesty is once set down, and his first service brought up, until the King majesty had almost dined. At the which time the earl conuoyed them forth to their dinner, bu● sat not down with them himself, as the common form is▪ but come back & stood silent at the end of the Kings table, as of before, which his majesty perceiving did begin to entertain the earl in an homely manner, wondering that he had not remained to dine with his guests, and entertain them there. In the mean time his majesty being ready to rise from the Table,, and his whole seruants being in the hall at their Dinner, the said master Alexander standing behind his majesties back, pulled quietly upon him, ●ounding in his majesties ear, that it was ●ime to go, but that he would haue fain ●ene quiter of the earl his brorher, wishing ●he King to sand him out to the hall to entertain his guests: whereupon the King called ●or a drink, and in a merry and homely manner said to the earl, that although the earl had seen the fashion of entertainment in other countries, yet he would teach ●im the scottish fashion, seeing he was a ●cottish man: and therefore since he had ●orgot to drink to his majesty, or to sit with ●is guests and entertain them, his majesty would drink to him his own welcome, desiring him to take it forth and drink to th● rest of the company, & in his majesties nam● to make them welcome. Whereupon as h● went forth his majesty did rise from th● table, and desired M. Alexander to bring S● Thomas Erskine with him, who desiring th● king to go forward with him, and promisin● that he should make any one or two follow him that he pleased to call for: desired his majesty to command publicly that none shul● follow him. And thus the King accompan●ed only with the said master Alexande● comes forth of the chamber, passes through the end of the hall where the noble men a● his majesties seruants were sitting at the● dinner, up a Turne-pyke, and through thr● or four high chambers, the said master Al●xander ever locking behind him every do● as he past, and then with a more rhyming c●tenance nor he had all the day before, eu● saying he had him sure and safe enough ke● until at last, his majesty passing through th● or four sundry houses, and all the doors lo●k behind him, his majesty entered into a little study, where his majesty did see standing with a very abased countenance, not a bound-man, but a free man with a dagger at his girdle. But his majesty had no sooner entered into that little study, and master Alexander with him, but master Alexander lokked to the study door behind him, and at that instant changing his countenaoce, putting his hat on his head, & drawing the dagger from that other mans girdle, held the point of it to the kings breast, avowing now that the king behoved to be in his will, and used as he list: swearing many bloody oaths, that if the king cried one word, or opened a window to look out, that dagger should presently go to his hart. Affirming that he was sure that now the kings conscience was burdened for the murdering of his father. His majesty wondering at so sudden an alteration, and standing naked without any kind of armor but his hunting horn, which he had not gotten leisure to lay from him, betwixt these two traitors which had conspir● his life: the said master Alexander standing as said is, with a drawn dagger in his hand, and his sword at his side: but the other trembling and quaiking, rather like one condemned man, then an executioner of such an enterprise. His majesty begouth then to dila●● to the said master Alexander, howe horrible a thing it was to him to meddle with his majesties innocent blood, assuring him it would not be left unrevenged, since God had given him children and good subiectes▪ and if there were no more, God would raise up stocks and stones to punish so vile a dead▪ Protesting before God that he had no burden in his conscience for the execution o● his father: both in respect that at the time of his Fathers execution his majesty was but a minor of age, and guided at that time by a faction which overruled both his majesty, and the rest of the country▪ as also that whatsoever was done to his father, it was done by the ordinar course of Law and iustice. Appealing the said master Alexander vpon his conscience, how well he at al times since had deserved at the hands of al his race, not only having restored them to all their lands and dignities, but also in nourishing and vpbringing of two or three of his sisters, as it were in his own bosom, by a co●inual attendance vpon his M. dearest bedfellow in her privy Chamber. Laying also before him the terrors of his conscience, especially that he made profession according to his education of the same religion which his Maiest. hes ever professed: and namely his majesty remembered him of that holy man, M. Robert Rollock, whose scholar he was, assuring him that one day the said M. Roberts soul would accuse him, that he had never learned of him to practise such unnatural cruelty. His majesty promising to him in the word of a Prince, that if he would spare his life, and suffer him to go out again, he would never reveal to any flesh living what was betwixt them at that time, nor never suffer him to incur any harm or punishment for the same. But his majesties fear was, that he could hope for no spairing at his hand: having such cruelty in his looks, & standing so irreverently covered with his Hat on, which form of rigorous behaviour could prognosticat nothing to his majesty, but present extremity. But a● his majesties persuasive language, he appeared to bee somewhat amazed, and discovering his head again, swore and protested that his majesties life should be safe, if he would behave himself quietly, without making noyes or crying: & that he would only bring in the earl his brother, to speak with his majesty whereupon his majesty inquiring what the earl would do with him, sinc●( if his majesties life was safe according to promise) they could gain little in keeping such a prisoner. His answer only was, tha● he could tell his majesty no more▪ but tha● his life would be safe, in case he behaue● himself quietly, the rest the earl his brother whom he was going for, would tel hi● majesty at his coming. And with that ● he was going forth for his brother, as he a●med, he turned him about to the other m saying these words unto him, I make y● here the Kings keeper until I come back again, and look that ye keep him upon your own peril: and therewith says to his majesty, ye must content yourself to haue this man now your keeper until my back-comming. And with these words he passes forth lokking the door behind him, and leaving his majesty with that man he fand there before him. At whom his majesty then inquired, if he was appointed to be the murderer of him at that time, and how far he was vpon the counsel of that conspiracy, whose answer with a trembling & astonished voice and behaviour, was, that as the Lord should judge him he was never made acquainted with that purpose, but that he was put in ther perforce, and the door lokked behind him, a little space before his majesties coming as indeed all the time of the said master Alexanders menassing his majesty he was ever tremblinglie requesting him for Gods sake, and with many other attestations, not to meddle with his majesty, or to do him any harm. But because master Alexander had before his forth going made the king to swear that he should not cry nor open any of the windoes, his majesty commanded the said fellow to open the windo with his hand which he readelie did so that although he was put in there to use violence over the king, yet God so turned his hart at that time, as he become a slave to his prisoner. While his majesty was in this dangerous estate & none of his own seruants nor train knowing in what part of the world he was in as his majesties train was arising in the Hall from their Dinner, the earl of Gowry being present with them, one of the earl of Gowries seruants comes hastelie in, assuring the earl his master that his majesty was horsed & away through the Inshe, which the earl reporting to the noblemen and the rest of his majesties train that was there, they all rush out together at the gate in great hast: and some of his majesties seruants inquyring at the Porter when his majesty went forth? the Porter affirmed that the king was not yet forth, whereupon the said earl looked very angrily vpon him, and said he was but a liear: yet turning him to the Duke and to the earl of Mar, said, he would presently ●get them sure word where his majesty was. And with that ran through the close, & up the stair. But his purpose indeed was to speak with his brother, as appeared very well by the circumstance of the time, his brother having at that same instant left the king in the little study, and ran down the stair in great hast. immediately thereafter the earl cometh back running again to the gate where the noble men & the rest were standing in a maze, assuring them that the king was out ●ong since at the back gate, & if they hasted not them all the sooner, they would not get him overtaken, and with that cried for his horse, whereupon they rush altogether out at the gate, and makes towards the Inshe, crying all for their horses: Passing all( as it was the providence of God) under one of the windoes of that study, wherein his majesty was. To whom master Alexander very speedily returned, and at his incomming to his majesty, casting his hands abroad in a desperate manner, said, he could not mend it, his majesty behoved to die: and with that offered a garter to bind his majesties hand● with swearing he behoved to be bound. Hi● majesty at that word of binding said, he was born a free king▪ and should die a free king▪ Whereupon he gripping his majesty by the wrest of the hand to haue bound him, hi● majesty relieved himself suddenly of his grips: whereupon as he put his right hand to his sword, his majesty with his right han● seized vpon both his hand and his sword, & with his left hand clasped him by the throa● like as he with his left hand clasped the king by the throat, with two or three of his fingers in his majesties mouth to haue stayed him fr● crying. In this form of wrestling his majesty perforce drew him to the window which he had caused the other man befor● to open unto him, and under the which was passing by at the same time the kings train and the earl of Gowrie with them, as sai● is and holding out the right side of his hea● and right elbow, cried that they were murdering him there in that treasonable form: whose voice being instantly hard & known by the Duke of Lennox, the earl of Mar & the rest of his majesties train there, but the said earl of Gowrie ever asking what it meant: and never seeming any ways to haue seen his majesty or heard his voice, they all rushed in at the gate together, the Duke and the earl of Mar running about to come by that passage his majesty come in at But the earl of Gowrie and his seruants made them for an other way up a quiet turnpike which was ever condemned before, & was onclie then left open, as appeared for that purpose. And in this mean time his majesty with struggling and wrestling with the said master Alexander, had brought him out perforce out of that study, the door where of, for hast he had left open at his last incomming and his majesty having gotten with long struggling the said master Alexanders head under his arm, and himself on his knees, his majesty did drive him back perforce hard to the door of the same turn▪ pike, and as his majesty was throwing his sword out of his hand, thinking to haue stricken him therewith, and then to haue shott● him over the stair, the other fellow standing behind the kings back, and doing nothing but trembling al the time, Sir John Ramsay, not knowing what way first to enter, after he had heard the Kings cry, by chance finds that turnepik door open, & following it up to the head, enters in into the chamber, and finds his majesty and master Alexander struggling in that form, as is before said: and after he had twice or thrice strike master Alexander with his dagger, the other man withdrew himself, his majesty still keeping his grips, and holding him close to him: immediately thereafter he took the said master Alexander by the shoulders, and shot him down the stair: who was no sooner shot out at the door, but he was met by Sir Thomas Erskine and Sir hue Hereis, who there vpon the stair ended him: the said Sir Thomas Erskine being casten behind the Duk● and the earl of Mar that ran about the other way, by the occasion of his meddling with the said late earl upon the street, after the hearing of his majesties cry. For upon the hearing thereof, he had clasped the earl of Gowrie by the gorget, and casting him under his feet, and wanting a Dagger to haue stricken him with, the said earls men red the earl their master out of his hands: whereby he was casten behind the rest, as said is: and missing the company, and hearing the said Sir John Ramsayes voice vpon the Turn-pike head, ran up to the said chamber, and cried vpon the said Sir hue Hereis and another seruant to follow him: where, meeting with the said master Alexander in the Turne-pike, he ended him there, as said is: the said master Alexander onely crying for his last words, Allace I had not the wyte of it. But no sooner could the saids, Sir Thomas, Sir hue, and another seruant win in to the chamber where his majesty was, but that the said earl of Gowrie before they could get the door shut, followed them in at the back, having casten him directly to come up that privy passage, as is before said: who at his first entry, having a drawn sword in every hand, and a steil-bonet on his head, accompanied with seven of his seruants, every one of them having in like manner a drawn sword, cried out with a great oath, that they should all die as traitors. All the which time his Maiest▪ was still in the chamber, who seeing the earl of Gowrie come in with his sword in his hands, sought for M. Alexanders sword which had fallen from him at his out shutting at the door, having no sort of weapon of his own, as said is: but then was shot back by his own seruants that were there, into the little study, and the door shut upon him: who having put his majesty in safety, re-encountred the said earl and his seruants, his majesties seruants being only in number four: to wit, Sir Thomas Erskine, Sir hue Hereis, Sir John Ramesay, and one Wilsoun, a serunat of james Erskines, a brother of the said Sir Thomas, the said earl having seven of his seruants with him: Yet it pleased God after many stroke on all hands to give his majesties seruants the victory, the said ●arle of Gowrie being strike dead with a stroke through the heart, which the said Sir John Ramsay gave him, without once crying vpon God, and the rest of his seruants dung over the stair with many hurts as in like manner the said Sir Thomas Erskine, Sir hue Hereis, and Sir John Ramsay, were all three hurt and wounded. But all the time of this fight, the Duke of Lennox, the earl of Mar, and the rest of his Maiest train, were stryking with great hammers at the utter door, whereby his majesty past up to the chamber with the said master Alexander, which also he had lokked in his bycomming with his majesty to the chamber, but by reason of the strength of the said double door, the whole wall being likewise of boards, and yielding with the strakes: it did bide them the space of half an hour and more, before they could get it broken and haue entress. Who having met with his majesty, fand( beyond their expectation) his majesty delivered from so imminent a peril, and the said late earl the principal conspirator lying dead at his majesties feet. immediately thereafter his majesty kneeling down, on his knees, in the midst of his own seruants, and they all kneeling round about him, his majesty out of his own mouth thanked God of that miraculous deliverance and victory, assuring himself that God had preserved him from so despaired a peril for the perfecting of some greater work behind to his glory, and for the procuring by him the well of his people, that God had committed to his charge. After this the tumult of the town hearing of the slaughter of the said earl of Gowrie their provost, and not knowing the manner thereof, nor being on the counsel of his treasonable attempt, continued for the space of two or three houres there after, until his majesty by oft speaking out to thē at the windoes, and beakening to them with his own hand, pacifying them, causing the bailies and the rest of the honest men of the town to bee brought into the chamber, to whom having declared the whole form of that strange accident, he committed the house and bodies of the said traitors, brethren, to their keeping, until his majesties further pleasure were known. His majesty having before his parting out of that town, caused search the said earl of Gowries pockets, in case any letters that might further the discovery of that conspiracy, might bee found therein. But no thing was found in them, but a little close parchment bag, full of magical characters, and words of enchantment, wherein it seemed that he had put his confidence, thinking himself never safe with out them, and therefore ever carried them about with him: being also observed, that while they were vpon him, his wound whereof he died, bled not, but incontinent after the taking of them away, the blood gushed out in great abundance, to the great admiration of al the beholders. An infamy which hath followed and spotted the race of this house, for many descents, as is notoriously known to the whole country. Thus the night was far spent, being neir eight houres at evening before his majesty could for the great tumult that was in the town, depart out of the same. But before his majesty had ridden four miles out of the same towards Falkland, although the night was very dark and rainie: the whole way was clad with all sort of people▪ both on horse & foot, mee●ing him with great ioy and acclamation. The frequency and concourse of persons of all degrees to Falkland the rest of the week, and to Edinburgh the next, from al the quarters of the country, the testimony of the subjects hearty affection and ioy for his Maiest. delivery, expressed euerywher by ringing of bells, bonfires, shutting of guns of al sorts both by sea & land, &c. with all other things ensuing thereupon, I haue of set purpose pntermitted, as well known to all men, & impertinent to this discourse: contenting myself with this plain and simplo narration: adding only for explanation and confirmation thereof, the depositions of certain persons who vere either actors, and eie-witnesses, or immediat hearers of those things that they declare and testify: wherein if the Reader shall find any thing differing from this narration, either in substance or circumstance, he may understand the same to be uttered by the deponer in his own behoof, for obtaining of his majesties princely grace and favour. APVD FALKLAND 9. August. 1600. In presence of the Lord Chancellar, Lord Treasurer, Lord Secretare, Lord controller Lord Advocate, the Lord Incheffray, and Sir George Home of Spot Knight. james Weimis of Bogy of the age of xxvi. year or thereby, sworn and examined vpon the form and manner of behaviour of late John earl of Gowry, the time of his being with him at Strabran, or if he had heard the said earl make ony motion of the treason intended against his majesty, Depones that he neither heard nor saw any appearance of any such intention in the said earl. Demanded, if he was in any purpose with the said earl anent any matters of curiosity: Depones, that at their being in Strabran, some of their company found an Edder, which being killed, & knowledge therof coming to the earl, the earl said to this Deponer, Bogy if the Edder had not been slain, ye should haue seen a good sport: for I should haue caused her stand still, and she should not haue preissed away, by pronouncing of an hebrew word, which in Scottish is called Holinesse, but the Hebrew word the Deponer remembers not of: and that the earl said he had put the same in practise of before. And this Deponer enquyring at the earl where he did get the Hebrew word: the earl answered, in a Cabbalist of the Iewes, and that it was by Tradition: and the Deponer enquiring what a Cabbalist meaned? the earl answered, it was some words which the Iewes had by Tradition, which words were spoken by God to Adam in paradise, and therefore were of greater efficacy and force, nor any words which were excogitate since by Prophetes and Apostles. The Deponer inquyring if there was no more requisite but the word? The earl answered, that a firm faith in God was requisite and necessar: and that this was▪ no matter of marvel amongst Schollers, but that all these things were natural. And that the earl show to this Deponer that he had spoken with a man in italy, and first hearing by report that he was a necromancer, and thereafter being informed that he was a very learned man and a deep Theologue, he ent●red in further dealing with him anent the c●riosities of nature. Depones further that the said earl reported to him that he being at the music, h●e fel in company with another man, who stairing in the earls face, spoke to the rest of the company things of him, which he could never attain unto, nor be worthy of: & therefore that the earl reproached him, and desired him to forbear these speeches. And that he met again with the said man in alike company, who did begin with the same language which he had spoken before: & that the earl said to him, my friend, in case ye will not hold your peace from speaking lies of me I will make you hold your peace by speaking soothe of you: and said unto him within such a space he should be hanged for such a crime: and so it came to pass. This Deponer enquiring of the earl who told him that, he answered merely, that he spake it beguesse & it fe● out so. And that the earl said further, that it was nothing to make an herb flesh which would dissolve in flies: and that likewise it was possible that the seed of man & woman might bee brought to perfection otherwise then by the matrix of the woman: and that this Deponer counseled the earl to beware with whom he did communicate such speeches: who answered, that he would speak them to none, but to great schollers, & that he would not haue spoken them to this deponer, if he had not known him to bee a favourer of him, and a friend of his house, and would not reveal the same again, seeing he knew they would be evil interpnted amongst the common sort. Sic subscribitur, I Weimys of Degie. Apud Falkland 20. August. 1600. IN PRESENCE OF THE Lords Chancellar, Treasurer, Advocate: Sir George Home of Spot, Sir Robert Meluill, and, Sir james Meluill Knichts. master William rind sworn and examined, and demanded where he first did see the characters which were found vpon my Lord: Depones, that he having remained a space in Venice, at his returning to Padua, did find in my Lords pocket the Characters which were found upon him at his death: and the deponer enquiring of my lord where he had gotten them, my Lord answered that by chance he had copied them himself: and that the deponer knows that the Characters in latin are my Lords own hand writ, but he knows not if the hebrew Characters were written by my Lord. Depones further that when my Lord would change his clothes, the Deponer would take the Characters out of my Lords pocket, and would say to my Lord, wherefore serves these? and my Lord would answer, can ye not let them be, they do you no evil: and further the deponer declares, that sometimes my Lord would forget them until he were out of his chamber, and would turn back as he were in an anger, until he had found them, & put them in his own pocket: Depones further that he was sundry times purposed to haue brunt the Characters, were not he feared my Lords wraith and anger, seing when the Deponer would purposely leave them sometimes out of my Lords pocket, my Lord would bee in such an anger with the Deponer, that for a certain space he would not speak with him, nor could find his good countenance: and that to this deponers opinion, my Lord would never bee content to want the characters off himself, from the first time that the deponer did see them in Padua, to the hour of my Lords death. Being demanded for what cause my Lord kept the Characters so well? Depones, that to his opinion it was for no good, because he heard that in those parts where my Lord was, they would give sundry folks breeues. Depones further, that M. patrick gallovvay did let this Deponer see the Characters, since he came to this town of Falkland, and that he knows them to be the very same characters which my Lord had. Depones also, that upon Monday the 4. of August, the master, Andrew Hendersoun, & the Deponer remained in my Lords chamber until about ten houres at even, and after a long conference betwixt the Lord & the master, my Lord called for Andrew Hendersoun, and after some speeches with him, dismissed them. Denies that he knew of the Maisters or A●drew Hendersounsryding to Falkland, an● after Andrewes return from Falkland upo● the morrow, howbeit he did see him boote● yet he knew not that he was come from Falkland. Depones that my lord being at dinner wh● the master come in, the deponer heard m Lord say to the master, Is the King in th● Inshe? and with that he did rise, & said let us go. But the deponer knows not what the master said to my Lord. being demanded if he did see any kind of armor or weapons, except swords, in the Kings company, depones that he did see none. It being demanded how the deponer was satisfied with my Lords answer made to him concerning the Kings coming to Sanct-Iohnstoun, saying that he knew not how he come: declares that he thought that my Lord had dissembled with him, and that he behoved to haue known it, seeing his brother was come with his majesty befog that he demanded of him: and that he had conferred with my Lord privily. Depones that he knew no● that the master was ridden to Falkland, until after his majesties coming to Sanct-Iohnston, that Andrew Kuthwen told him, because the deponer enquired at Andrew Ruthwen where the master and he had been, & that Andrew answered they had been in Falkland: & that the master having spoken with the King, his majesty come forward with them, and that this conference betwixt the Deponer and Andrew Ruthwen was in the yard when my Lord was there. And Andrew Ruthwen show to the Deponer that Andrew Hendersoun was directed by the master to show my Lord that his majesty was coming. Depones also that in his opinion, the master could not haue drawn the King to my Lords house, without my Lords knowledge: and that when he heard the tumult, he was resolved in his heart the master had done his majesty wrong, and that no true christian can think otherwise, but that it was an high treason, attempted against his Hi●nesse by the master and the Lord: Depones also that to his opinion the king● whole company was within a dozen of men▪ Sic subscribitur. M. W. rind. 22. August. 1600. master William rind sworn and reexamined, if ever he heard the earl of Gowr● utter his opinion a●ent the duty of an wis● man in the execution of an high enterprise▪ Declares that being out of the country, he hes diverse times heard him reason in that matter: and that he was ever of that opinion that he was not an wise man, that having intended the execution of an high and dangerous purpose, communicate the same to any but to himself, because keeping it to himself, it could not bee discovered nor disappointed, which the deponer declared before vn-required to the controller, and M. William Cowper Minister at Perth: & hearing the depositions of Andrew Hendersoun red● & being inquired vpon his conscience wha● he thought of the fact that was committed against his majesty, declares that upon his salvation that he believes Andrew Hendersoun hes declared the circumstances truly. Sic subscribitur, M. W. rind. Apud Falkland 20. August. 1600. IN PRESENCE OF THE LORDS Chancellar, Treasurer, Aduocatt, controller: and Sir Grorge Home of Spot, Sir james Melvill Knights. ANdrew Hendersoun sworn and examined, and demanded what purpose was betwixt him and the earl of Gowrie▪ vpon Monday at night the fourth of this instant in the said earls chamber? Depones that the earl enquired of him what he would be doing vpon the morrow, and he answering that he was to ride to Ruthwen: the earl said to him, you must ride to Falkland with master Alexander my brother, and when he directs you back, see that ye return with all diligence, if he sand a letter or any other advertisement with you. Depones, that the master directed him to sand for Andrew Ruthwen to be in readiness to ride with them the morrow at four houres in the morning. Declares, that they coming to Falkland about seven hours in the morning, the master stayed in a ludging beside the Palice▪ & directed the deponer to see what the King was doing, and the deponer finding his majesty in the close coming forth, he past back & told the master, who immediately addressed himself to his highness, & spake with his majesty a good space beneath the Equerie: & after his majesty was on horse back, the master comes to the Deponer, & commands him to fetch their horses, and bade him hast him as he loved my Lords honour and his, and advertise my Lord that his majesty and he would be there incontinent, and that his majesty would be quiet, and the deponer inquyring at the master if he should go presently, he did bid him leap on and follow him, and not to go away until he spoke with the King: and the master having spoken with the King, at a breach of the Park wall he turned back & bade the deponer ride away. & the deponer making his return in al possible hast to Sanct-Iohnstoun, he fand my Lord in his chamber about ten houres, who left the company he was speaking with, and come to the deponer, & asked, hath my brother sent a letter with you? the deponer answered, no: but they will be all here incontinent, and bade the deponer desire my Lord to cause prepare the dinner. immediately thereafter my Lord took the deponer to the Cabinet, and asked at him, how his majesty took with the master his brother? the deponer answered, very well, and that his majesty laid his hand over the Maisters shoulder. Thereafter my Lord inquired if there was many at the hunting with the King? the deponer answered, that he took no heed, but they who were accustomend to ride with his majesty, and some Englishmen were there: and that my Lord enquired what special men were with his majesty, and that the deponer answered he did see none but my Lord Duke. And within an hour thereafter, when the deponer came in from his own house, the earl bade him put on his Secreit and Plait-sleeues, for he had an hey-land man to take, which the Deponer did incontinent: and about hove houres, when the deponer was going out to his own house to his dinner, the steward came to him and show him that George Craigingelt was not well, and was line down, desired him to tarry and take up my Lords dinner: and about half an hour after twelve my Lord commanded him to take up the first service. And when the deponer was commanded to take up the second service, the master and William Blair came in to the Hall to my Lord. The deponer remembreth himself, that Andrew Ruthwen came before the master a certain space, and spake with my Lord quyetlie at the table, but heard not the particular purpose that was amongst them. And so soon as the master came to the Hall, my Lord & the whole company raise from the table: and the deponer hearing the noyes of their foorth-going, supponed they were going to Makebreakes for Makilduy: and the deponer sent his boy for his gauntlet and steil-bonnet: and seeing my Lord pass to the Inshe and not to the show gate, the deponer did cast the gauntlet in the Pantrie, and caused his boy take his steil-bonnet to his own house: and he followed my Lord to the Inshe, and returning back with his majesty to the lodging, being directed to get drink. And the master came to the deponer, and did bid him cause master William rind sand him up the key of the gallery chamber, who past up and delivered the key to the master: and immediately my lord followed up, and did speak with the master, and came down again, and directed master Thomas Cranstoun to the deponer to come to his Lordship in his majesties chamber. And that my Lord directed him to go up to the gallery to his brother: and immediately my Lord followed up, and commanded the deponer to bide there with his brother, and to do any thing that he bade him. The Deponer inquired at the master what haue ye to do Sir? the master answered, ye must go in here, and tarry until I come back, for I will take the key with me. So he lokked the deponer in the round within the chamber, and took the key with him. shortly there-after, the master returned, & the Kings majesty with him to the said cabinet in the round: and the master opening the door, entered with the King into the said round: and at his very entry covering his head, pulled out the deponers Dagger, and held the same to his majesties breast, saying: Remember you of my fathers murder? ye shall now die for it: and minting to his highness heart with the dagger, the deponer threw the same out of the Maisters hand: and swore, that, as God shall judge his soul, if the master had retained the dagger in his hand the space that a man may go six steps, he would haue strike the King to the hilts with it: but wanting the Dagger, and the Kings majesty giuing him a gentle answer, he said to the Kings majesty with abominable oaths: that if he would keep silence no thing should ail him if he would make such promise to his brother, as they would crave of him & the kings majesty enquiring what promise they would crave: he answered that he would bring his brother. So he goes forth, and lokkes the door of the round upon his majesty and the deponer: having first taken the King sworn that he should not cry nor open the window. And his majesty enquiring at the deponer what he was? he answered a seruant of my Lords. And his majesty asking at the deponer, if my Lord would do any evil to him? the deponer answered, as God shall judge my soul, I shall die first. And the deponer preising to haue opened the window, the master entreed, and said: Sir there is no remedy By God you must die: and having a loose garter in his hand, preissed to haue bound his majesties hands, and the deponer pulled the garter out of master Alexanders his hand. And then the master did put one of his hands in his majesties mouth, to haue stayed him to speak, and held his other arm about his highness neck: and that this deponer pulled the Maisters hand from his Hienesse mouth, and opened the window: and then his majesty cried out thereat, whereupon his highness seruant came in at the gate, and this deponer did run and open the door of the Turne-pike head, where at John Ramsay entered: and the deponer stood in the Chamber until he did see John Ramsay give the master one stroke: and there-after privily conuoyed himself down the Turnpike to his own house: and the deponers wife enquiring of him what the fraie meaned? the deponer answered, that the Kings majesty would haue been twice stikked were not he relieved him. Sic subscribitur, Andrew Hendersoun with my hand. Further, the said Andrew Hendersoun Depones, that after his returning from Falkland vpon the fifth of this instant, master John Montcrief en quyring of him where he ●ad been? He answered, that he had been ●eyond the bridge of earn: and says that goody gave that answer to master John, because my Lord commanded him to let no man know that he was to ride to Falkland: and that my Lords direction to him, was, to come back with his brother master Alexanders answer, and to leave Andrew Ruthwen to await vpon the master. Sic subscribitur, Andrew Hendersoun with my hand. Further, the said Andrew Hendersoun Depones, that when he had taken the Maisters hand out of the Kings Maiest. mouth, & was opening the window, master Alexander said to him, Will thou not help? W● betide thee, thow will make us all die. Sic subscribitur, Andrew Henderso● with my 〈◇〉 PRINTED AT edinburgh BY ROBERT CHARTERIS. And are to be sold in his shop in the North side of the street, fornent the salt throne.