Given in loving memory of 
 Stephen L. Lyons 
 1925-1980 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/shortabridgementOOgord 
 
A SHOET ABRIDGEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 BRITANE'S DISTEMPER. 
 
 IN FOUR BOOKES. 
 
ABERDEEN. PRINTED AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE, 
 BY WILLIAM BENNETT. 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 BRITANES DISTEMPER, 
 
 FKOM THE YEAEE OF GOD 
 
 M. DC. XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 BY 
 
 PATRICK GORDON 
 
 OF RUTHVEN. 
 
 ABERDEEN: 
 PRINTED FOR THE SPALDING CLUB. 
 M.DCCC.XLIV. 
 
ill T 
 
 BOSTC 
 CHEST 
 
 LIBRARY 
 ; ; 57 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Editor's Preface vii 
 
 Marginal Notes xix 
 
 A Short Abridgement of Britane's Distemper. 
 
 The First Booke 1 
 
 The Second Booke 59 
 
 The Third Booke 103 
 
 The Fourth Booke 149 
 
 Index 233 
 
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 '( (f^^.S^P HE history, now for the first time printed, is 
 
 dren from the hatred and implacable malice 
 Ss ^HiP' of their enemies." 
 
 the tribute of a devoted vassal to the me- 
 
 to be " to vindicate him and his noble chil- 
 
 Its author, Patrick Gordon of Ruthven, was of the family of 
 Cluny, who were among the most attached adherents of the house 
 of Huntly. We find his father, Sir Thomas, reserving his duty in 
 
 Earl was under ban as an open rebel ; 1 and the name of his eldest 
 brother, Sir Alexander Gordon, frequently occurs, in the annals of 
 the period to which our history relates, as the confidential agent of 
 the second Marquis, in many of the secret and dangerous enter- 
 prises of the time. 2 Little is known respecting Patrick Gordon. 
 Almost the only circumstance, indeed, which has been ascer- 
 
 1 Miscellany of the Spalding Club, vol. i., p. 8. 
 
 2 P. 14. Spalding's History, vol. i., pp. 99, 120, &c. Bannatyne Club ed. 
 
 all respects to his chief, the Earl of Huntly, at a, time when the 
 
viii 
 
 The Editor's Preface. 
 
 tained as to his history, occurs in connexion with his chief — he 
 having been, on the 23d of March, 1609, admitted a burgess of 
 Aberdeen, at the special request of the Lord Gordon, afterwards 
 Marquis of Huntly. ' He was the second son of Sir Thomas 
 Gordon of Cluny, by his first wife, Dame Elizabeth Douglas, sister 
 of the Earl of Angus ; and he married a daughter of Murray, the 
 laird of Cobairdy, a relative of his own. 2 Neither the date of 
 
 1 " Eodem die [23 tio Martii, 1609] Patricius Gordoun frater germanus Alexr' Gordoun 
 de Cluny ex speciali rogatu nobilis et potcntis dni Georgii Comes [sic] de Engzie dni 
 Gordoun et Badyenoche receptus fuit in liberum burgensem dicti burgi." — Town Council 
 Register of Aberdeen, vol. xliii., p. 908. 
 
 2 These facts are stated on the authority of a fragment of an old MS. Genealogical 
 Account of the Gordons, in the possession of John Stuart, Esq., Secretary of the Club. 
 The fragment commences with p. 31. Part of the account of the Cluny family has been 
 destroyed ; the portion remaining is as follows : — 
 
 ***** • *• 
 
 " The said Alexr. excambit the lands of Strathawin with the Lairdship of Clunny, and 
 reserved his oun lyferent and the heretable right of Blairfindie. 
 
 His eldest son, Alexr. Gordon, fiar of Strathawin, married the laird of Banff's daur, 
 Ogilby, with whom he begatt on daur, who married James Gordon of Birkenburn : he 
 depairted, without further succession. 
 
 His brother, John Gordon, succeeded to the laird thereof, Cluny. He married Thomas 
 Gordon of Auchinhife's daur, goodman of Cracullic, [married] Margaret Gordon, with 
 qm he begatt two sons and five daurs. His eldest son, Sir Thomas Gordon, and John 
 Gordon of Birsmoir. His eldest daur married the laird of Pittcappell, Leslie ; on the 
 laird of Coubardy, Murray ; on the laird of Craigcwar, Mortimer ; on married the laird 
 of Pittodry, Erskin ; and on married John Grant of Carron. Ther fayr, the said John 
 Gordon, laird of Cluny, builded the castell of Blairfindy, and dyed in peace yrin, 
 anno 1586. 
 
 His eldest son, Sr Thomas Gordon, laird of Cluny, married the Earle of Angus' sister 
 Dam Elizabet Dowglas, with whom he begatt six sons and a daur : his eldest son, Sir 
 Alexr. Gordon of Cluny, Barronett ; Patrick Gordon of Ruthvan ; William Gordon of 
 Cottonc ; Mr. Thomas of Pittendrich ; Mr. George and John Gordons; his daur married 
 James Cuming, laird of Altar. Yr fayr, the said Sr Thomas, married to his second wyfe 
 the E. of Atholl's sister, Grizall Stewart, with qm he begatt two daurs ; on married ye 
 laird of Carnousy, Ogilvy; the oyr the laird of Bog, Abercrombie. The forsd Sr 
 Thomas depairted in peace, in Cluny. 
 
 His eldest son, Sr Alexr. Gordon, Barronett, of Cluny, married the laird of Craiges- 
 
The Editor's Preface. IX 
 
 his birth nor of his death has been observed ; but, from numerous 
 passages occurring throughout the history, it is probable that the 
 latter event must have happened previous to the Restoration. At 
 its outset, after describing the rebellion and civil war as a distem- 
 
 toun's daur, (who was tutor of Cromartty,) Urquhart, with qm he begatt on son, Alexr. 
 Gordon of Cluny, [who] dyed in France. 
 
 Sr Alexr. Gordon of Cluny married to his second wyfe the laird of Newton's daur, 
 Lady Wardes. This Alexr. Gordon, fiar of Cluny, married the laird of Wardes' daur, 
 Leslie.. He dyed in France, wtout succession. 
 
 THE CADESTS OR SECOND SONS OF THE HOUSE OF CLUNY. 
 
 John Gordon of Birsmoir married the laird of Lesmoir's daur, who was first lady 
 Achintoull, and afterward lady Ballendalloch, with qm he begatt two sons : his eldest, 
 Patrick Gordon of Birsmoir; his second, John Gordon of [ ]. Ther fayr, the 
 
 said John Gordon of Birsmoir, was killed att the ride of Dornway, by ane shot from the 
 house, 1591. 
 
 His eldest son, Patrick Gordon of Birsmoir, married Jean Lesly, daur to the provest 
 of Aberdein, and has succession, viz. : Alexander Gordon of Birsmoir married [ 
 Patrick Lesly, Provest of Abdn, who made conquest of the lands of Eden ; his broyr 
 John Gordon, married [ ] and has succession. 
 
 Patrick Gordon of Ruthvan married the laird Cowdies daur, Murray, and has succession. 
 
 Wm, Gordon of Cotton married [ ] Gordon, and has succession. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Gordon of Pittendrich married the laird of Geyth's daur, Gordon, and has 
 succession. 
 
 George Gordon married the parson of Kinarnie's daur, Burnet. 
 
 Sr Thomas' youngest son, John Gordon, married ane captain's daur in Holland. 
 
 This Alexr. Gordon, who was first laird of Strathawin, hade two naturall sons, viz. : 
 George Gordon of Tombae, and William Gordon of Delmoir. 
 
 This George Gordon of Tombae married Janet Grant, and he begatt with her two 
 sons and a daur, viz. : Alexr. Gordon in Tombae, and James Gordon in Achdringe. 
 His daur married Alaster Grant in Inverrury. Yr fayr, George Gordon, dyed in peace 
 in Tombae. 
 
 His son, Alexr. Gordon in Tombae, married Janet Stewart, with whom he begatt 
 four sons : George Gordon in Tombae, John, Patrick, and Wm. Gordons. Yr fayr 
 dyed in peace. 
 
 James Gordon of Achdringe begatt on son, called Wm. Gordone. 
 
 This forsd Wm. in Delmoir married Issobell Grant, with whom he begatt four sons, 
 viz. : Alexr., who dwelt in Cruchles ; Thomas Gordon, in Neve ; John, in Inverurie ; and 
 Adam Gordon, in Achnastra. Ther fayr was killed by some of the Clanquhatton in 
 Delmoir. His four sons married, and hade succession, in Strathawin." 
 
The Editor's Preface. 
 
 per, with which the age had been smitten by Almighty God, on ac- 
 count of its corruption with all sorts of sin and vice, he says, " If 
 we then with unfeigned tears, and continual prayers pour forth our 
 griefs before Him, who knows nor He may shorten the time and 
 hasten the cure, restoring the body in health again to the head ; 
 that is, those once so happily united kingdoms to their one and 
 sole monarch by the free progress of the laws and perfect esta- 
 blishment of true religion ; till which time I am confident we 
 shall never have an end of the war." 1 And towards its close 
 he still holds the same language ; but the signs of better times 
 — for it is evident that the work was written at considerable 
 intervals — seem breaking in upon him. " And this" (that is, 
 the democratic and levelling principles of the Puritans,) " I 
 think the wisdom of our nobility begins to find out at length, 
 and therefore God begins to enable their hearts, and to rectify 
 their judgments. This was seen, when all the sermons, all the 
 persuasions, and all the threatenings of the General Assembly, 
 could not withhold thirty thousand Covenanters to show them- 
 selves for the relief of the King ; and, although they be persecuted 
 for it, yet stand they constant for re-establishment of monarchy. 
 And it is to be hoped for that God will, before it be long, change 
 the hearts of those great men, who stand as yet for the Puritan 
 faction, which now have not the third part of the kingdom 
 for them." 2 
 
 1 P. 4. 
 
 2 Pp. 227, 228. The only other notices of Patrick Gordon which the Editor has ob- 
 served arc the following: — A Bond, dated 13th November, 1606, granted by " ws Patrik 
 Gordoune brother jairmont to Alex' Gordounc of Cluny and Jane Gordoune my spouse, 
 as principal), and the said Alex' Gordoune of Cluny, W" Gordoune of Saquhan, and 
 Adam Gordoune in Bogholl," as cautioners to " Mr. Alex r Setoune, brother jairmont to 
 
The Editor's Preface. 
 
 xi 
 
 The immediate occasion of our author's writing his history, 
 appears to have been the publication of Bishop Wishart's famous 
 Memoirs of the Marquis of Montrose in 1647. That work, and 
 the numerous calumnies hatched by the Covenanters, seem to 
 have roused his jealousy for the reputation and honour of his 
 chief. Bishop Wishart's elegant and classical narrative had been 
 immediately dispersed over the continent ; and, by means of it, 
 Montrose's chivalrous and unparalleled exertions in behalf of his 
 s overeign — 
 
 . " in such noble 'ways 
 
 Was never heard before," 
 
 had arrested the attention of Europe. In the Relation of Mon- 
 
 George Setoune of Shethin, in name and behalf of Hellen and Agnas Setones his doch- 
 ters," for two thousand merks Scots. From this deed it appears that our author's lady 
 could not write even her own name. It is subscribed, " P. Gordone, wt my hand.' 
 •' Jeane Gordotjne, with my hand at the pen led be the notars underwrittin at my 
 comand, becaus I cannot wrt myself" — " scribere nescien.," as it is expressed in the tech- 
 nical attestation of the notaries. — Register of Deeds of Sheriff Court of Aberdeenshire, 
 Uth March, 1609. 
 
 Man, in the Introduction to his projected Memoirs of Scotish Affairs, states that 
 he found him mentioned, on 2d July, 1608, along with Alexander Murray in Cow- 
 bairdie, as curator of one Alexander Murray — Introduction to Memoirs of Scotish Affairs, 
 apud Gordon's Scots Affairs, vol. i., p. [xxxvii.] 
 
 He appears in another Bond, dated 5th June, 1609 : — " Patrick Gordoune brother ger- 
 mane to ane honorabill mane Alex r Gordoune of Clunnye " to John Settoune, for £40 
 Scots. One of the witnesses to this deed is " Williame Gordone brother to ye laird of 
 Clunye." — Register of Deeds of Sheriff Court of Aberdeenshire, 2d December, 1611. 
 
 The latest notice of him which has been observed occurs in a charter and precept of sa- 
 sine, in favour of George Forbes of Craigie, third lawful son of William Forbes of 
 Tolquhon, of the town and lands of Craigie, Tarves, where he is found as a witness. It 
 is dated " apud Aboyne decimo nono die mensis Septembris anno Domini millesimo sex- 
 centesimo vigesimo secundo coram his testibus Wilhelmo domino de Berridaill, Patricio 
 Gordone fratre germano domini de Clunie," etc. Et sic subscribitur " George Marques 
 of Huntlie. Berridell viitnes. P. Gordone witnes," &c. — Instrument of Sasine, in 
 the Charter Chest at Whitehaugh. 
 
xii The Editor's Preface. 
 
 trose's exploits, not only is the Marquis of Huntly, in comparison 
 thrown into the shade, but his conduct made the subject of 
 severe strictures, and his loyalty even called in question. Our 
 author, therefore, determined to vindicate for his chief his due 
 share of the fame of those noble, but unhappy, attempts 
 which were made to stem the tide of rebellion in Scotland. 
 Speaking of Wishart's work then, which was at first pub- 
 lished anonymously, he says, " I wonder how some author, 
 who conceals his name, durst be so bold and impudent as 
 to put in print so many calumnies and forged lies upon that 
 noble family, as by the sequel of this history shall appear, 
 wherein I set down nothing concerning the progress of their 
 actions but what I have approved by good authors and men of 
 quality." 1 And, again, "I cannot pass over that malicious author 
 of the first Relation, who seems to relate the history for no other 
 end but to build the fame and honour of Montrose upon the ruins 
 of Huntly's credit ; striving, with powerful persuasions, a high 
 style and flowing eloquence, for ever hereafter to darken and 
 eclipse the renowned worth of that family, by undervaluing both 
 him and his children. And surely as Montrose deserveth all 
 honour, so I am confident that the candour of his free and ge- 
 nerous disposition will think that his many virtues have made 
 but a small conquest, if they cannot be seen but through so many 
 false aspersions so unjustly blown forth against so noble and so 
 worthy a family." 2 Referring more generally to attacks, from 
 whatever quarter, on the Marquis of Huntly's reputation, he 
 thus states the design of his work : — " Their many and de- 
 
 • P. 109. 
 
 2 P. 178. 
 
The Editor's Preface. 
 
 xiii 
 
 testable calumnies, blown abroad even in print, will strive to 
 infect all posterity with a pestiferous and hateful odour of what 
 was both commendable and nobly intended. And, therefore, to 
 vindicate him and his so worthy children from such inveterate 
 malice, I have here related the truth sincerely, according to my 
 knowledge, as I shall do, God willing, in all the following his- 
 tory ; neither omitting the good nor concealing the evil of either 
 party, in so far as with discretion is required to be related. For 
 I like not the historian that speaks either through mere favour 
 or a prejudicate opinion, and strives not to inform posterity simply, 
 even for the truth's sake." 1 And he sums up with the assur- 
 ance that "the family of the house of Huntly cannot lose their 
 share of those great actions that hereafter we must relate." 2 
 
 A narrative written under such circumstances, and with such an 
 aim, can of course have little pretension to impartiality; and 
 throughout it there is certainly no attempt to disguise the writer's 
 strong bias. His abhorrence of the actions and designs of the 
 Scottish Covenanters and of the English Puritans is unfalteringly 
 expressed, on every occasion, while his attachment to his So- 
 vereign, and those high principles for which he suffered, is avowed, 
 
 1 P. 54. " He then that first did oppose himself against this master of confusion, or 
 instrument of all our calamity, [the Covenant] was the marquis of Huntly, a great prince 
 in his own country, yet but weak in comparison of this many headed hydra. And as he 
 hath in this deserved a glorious memory to all posterity, for that he gave so large ex- 
 pression of his faith and loyalty to his sovereign lord, so I am not ignorant how many as- 
 persions are blown abroad to taint his reputation ; nor could it be otherwise, since this one 
 action of his made him as many bitter and malicious enemies as there were Covenanters in 
 both kingdoms. And as I will not take upon me to clear him of all faults, since no mortal 
 man is without fault, so will I, in keeping the truth as near as my knowledge or intelli- 
 gence can lead me, strive to vindicate him from the hatred and implacable malice of his 
 enemies." P. 12. 
 
 2 P. 55. 
 
xiv 
 
 The Editor's Preface. 
 
 with equal ardour and devotion. But it is worthy of remark that, 
 how strong soever his language as to the designs and principles of 
 parties may be, he, in almost every instance, speaks of individuals 
 in a calm, subdued, and temperate tone. He even seems fre- 
 quently to go out of his way, for the purpose of pointing out any 
 circumstance which could be stated to the advantage of his ad- 
 versaries, and of suggesting excuses for their conduct. 1 It would 
 not have been the occasion of much surprise, if, writing as he did 
 under the feeling that laurels which ought to have adorned the 
 brow of his own chief had been appropriated to Montrose, our 
 author had sought to lower the merit of the achievements or dero- 
 gate from the high character and fame of that nobleman. Never- 
 theless, he uniformly does him ample justice. The only exception 
 to these remarks is to be found in his treatment of the historian of 
 Montrose's campaigns. Nothing can exceed the bitterness with 
 which he refers to him. He constantly speaks of him in such language 
 as the following : — " This railing author" 2 — " this evil demon, who 
 so maliciously strove to extenuate [Huntly's] worth, and, with a 
 wrested construction, to change all his virtues into vices — this sa- 
 tirist wormwood author — this bitter and invective relater haunts 
 him like a hobgoblin, seeking to poison all his ways with the 
 
 1 There is something quite irresistible in the way in which, at one place, he suggests 
 an apology for the conduct of the Marquis of Argyle. At the time when this despicable 
 politician, acting in concert with the General Assembly, was using every exertion to counter- 
 act the returning spirit of loyalty in Scotland, which for a time suddenly arose after the 
 surrender of the King into the hands of his murderers, our author, with grave simplicity, 
 sets up an excuse for the Marquis, by saying, " Argyle was forced in this to side with the 
 Assembly, being by their policy at first so deeply engaged as he knew not how to come 
 fairly off; nevertheless, when he sees a safe way, doubtless he will be no more a Puritan." 
 P. 206. 
 
 ■ P. 181. 
 
The Editor's Preface. 
 
 XV 
 
 venom of his corroding tongue" 1 — "like a malignant and evil- 
 disposed incendiary." 2 
 
 Notwithstanding, the history which our author has left us is 
 one of considerable interest and value. It is the account of a 
 contemporary who was the witness of part of the transactions, 
 and conversant with many of the actors in the eventful scenes of 
 which he speaks. And, although his pages may not reflect much 
 additional light on the period to which they relate, still it is be- 
 lieved that they will afford fuller details on several points, parti- 
 cularly as to Montrose and Huntly, and their proceedings, than are 
 furnished by any other contemporary narrative. 3 
 
 Something might have been here said as to the conduct of the 
 Marquis of Huntly in those unhappy affairs, which form the sub- 
 ject of this volume. Many of the particulars suggested by our 
 author furnish ample matter for remark. But such an examination 
 could not have been entered upon to any good purpose, without 
 overstepping the limits of a preface. 
 
 The history appears to have been written at intervals. At one 
 place the writer speaks of the Marquis of Montrose as still alive, 
 and appeals to him for the truth of assertions which he had just 
 made as to the amount of assistance rendered to him by the 
 Huntly family. " I am," says he, " confident in his nobleness, 
 that he will in this allow what I have said." 4 But, towards 
 the conclusion, in speaking of the Viscount Frendraught's return 
 to loyalty, he alludes to Montrose's last heroic attempt in such 
 
 1 P. 189. 2 p. 195 
 
 3 For instance, Patrick Gordon furnishes the most minute contemporary account of 
 Montrose's person and habits, pp. 76—78. Napier's Life of Montrose, p. 476. 
 * P. 109. 
 
 B 
 
xvi 
 
 The Editor's Preface. 
 
 a way as to infer that he was writing after the Marquis had shared 
 the fate of his royal master. At the same place, he also indi- 
 cates his having entertained a purpose of continuing his history 
 beyond the period where it is terminated. 1 
 
 In preparing the work for the press, it seemed unnecessary 
 in the case of a volume treating of a period of general history 
 which has been so frequently and thoroughly examined, to do 
 more, by way of annotation, than to print at the foot of the page 
 the passages of Bishop Wishart's Relation animadverted on by 
 our author. 
 
 The manuscript, from which these sheets have been printed, 
 is the only copy of Patrick Gordon's work known to exist. Of 
 its history nothing has been ascertained ; but, from its appear- 
 ance, it may be as old as the time of the author. A few cor- 
 rections on the manuscript, made in a contemporary hand, occur 
 here and there, which shew that it had been subjected to the 
 revision of some one at the time, possibly of the author him- 
 self. Three different hands have been employed in the tran- 
 
 1 Pp. 228, 229. James Man's character of the work is as follows : — " His Stile is 
 florid and copious ; his Characters somewhat strained and romantic, especially those of 
 Huntly and his Sons, to whom he has had a very particular Attachment. He is a little un. 
 happy in describing the Causes of the civil War, ascribing too much to foreign Influence, 
 particularly to that of the Planets. Yet his Narrations, allowing for some Sallies of 
 Passion and Imagination, and rhetorical Flourishes, are, for the most part, just and inge- 
 nuous. He treats the English with as much Indignation as Lord Clarendon does the 
 Scots with Contempt. Tho' it be his professed Design to vindicate his Chief from the Im- 
 putations cast upon him by the Author of the first Narration, as he calls him, meaning, I 
 suppose, Dr. Wishart, who writes the Life of Montrose ; and tho' the respective Friends 
 of Hamilton and Montrose speak not over favourably of Huntly's Conduct ; yet he fails not 
 to do justice to Montrose's Merit, every where extolling him as an Hero, and giving a 
 better Account of his Progress, and fuller in several particulars than any thing that has 
 hitherto appeared in Print." — Introduction to Memoirs of Scotish Affairs, apud Gordon's 
 Scots Affairs, vol. i., pp. [xxxvii] [xxxviii]. 
 
The Editor's Preface. 
 
 xvii 
 
 scription — a circumstance which will account for the more than 
 usually varying orthography occurring in this work, as each writer 
 follows his own system, or rather want of system. Throughout 
 the manuscript some blanks occasionally are found — for the most 
 part, the names of persons or places — having been left by the writer 
 apparently to be filled in at some subsequent period. In printing, 
 the manuscript has been exactly followed, with one or two ex- 
 ceptions, where corrections have been made too slight to require 
 special notice. A few notes are scattered along the margin, indi- 
 cating the principal matters treated of in the text. These notes 
 have been printed at the beginning of the present volume. 
 
 One of the pages of the manuscript has been lithographed, and 
 the facsimile is subjoined. 
 
 The Club have to render their thanks to William Henderson, 
 Esquire, M.D., Aberdeen, for the use of the manuscript, and for 
 liberty to print it. 
 
 JOHN DUNN. 
 
 St. Nicholas Lane, May 18, 1844. 
 
MARGINAL NOTES. 
 
MARGINAL NOTES. 
 
 THE FIRST BOOKE. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The flight at Turrefe 20 
 
 MarshelPs policie overreaches the Gordones . 21 
 
 The euill gouerned surpryse at Elgine 22 
 
 The treacherie of collonell Gune 24 
 
 A new presumption of Gune's treacherie „ 27 
 
 Johnestoune's chekeings at court of Gune 28 
 
 The pacification 29 
 
 The passe at Newburne gained by the Scotes 33 
 
 The earle of Strafforde arraigned 34 
 
 The kinge's indevoire to reclaime the Scotes 34 
 
 The Englishe grantes a treattie, but intends no pace 37 
 
 The queine showeth her constant lowe to hir huseband 39 
 
 The second armie sent in England 41 
 
 Huntly is adwised by some euill advissed freindes to take armes 48 
 
 A short character of Ardgyll 56 
 
 THE SECOND BOOKE. 
 
 Diuerse prodigies seene befor the intestine wares m 62 
 
 Ardgyll forces Alexander M'Donald to flie to Ireland 63 
 
 Generall Lesly reclaimes M'Donald ■ 64 
 
 M'Donald's second flight 64 
 
 M'Donald landes in Airdmurach and his Irishes „. 65 
 
 Ardgylle's policie the only cause of the intestine warre , 67 
 
 A Puritan's prediction 73 
 
 The battell of St. Jhonestoune 74 
 
 A character of Montrose 76 
 
 The lord Gordoune is ordained be the estates to resiste Montrose 79 
 
xxii 
 
 Marginal Notes. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The battell of Aberdeen 81 
 
 Lord Lewes maried . 88 
 
 The infall of Fyvie 91 
 
 Montrose his speaches to diswade the armie from mairching to ArdgylL 95 
 
 The major his ansuer to Montrose 95 
 
 A passe that no strenth was able to gaine . 96 
 
 Gode's prouidence is heire remarked . 97 
 
 The battell of Inverlochie 101 
 
 THE THIRD BOOKE. 
 
 The lord Gordoune joynes with Montrose. • 108 
 
 The relacion of a wonderfull vission 112 
 
 Dundie surprysed and lost again , 116 
 
 Aboyn's return from Carlyle 118 
 
 Hurrie is left be Seaforth and Innes to train the Royalists to Innernes— 121 
 
 They prepare at Innernes to trap ther the Royalists 1 22 
 
 The battell of Old Earn 123 
 
 The battell of Aford 129 
 
 My lord Gordoune slaine 131 
 
 A short character of the lord Gordoune 1 3 1 
 
 The first authore's false narration 1 37 
 
 THE FOURTH BOOKE. 
 
 Obserwation or degression on the Will of God 151 
 
 The Clandonald malecontents 152 
 
 Aboyne malecontents . 154 
 
 Aboyne and his forces returnes to the North 154 
 
 A suddaine reuolutione of fortoune's fauoures 155 
 
 Montrose his maine wictories makes him ouer confident 156 
 
 A sawage and inhumane crueltie vnworthie the name of Christianes 16() 
 
 Huntlie aids Montrose with new forces , 164 
 
 Mr. Cant and his Puritans the accusers and causers of Nathaniel Gor- 
 doune his death 168 
 
 Huntlie's offer to Montrosse wery reasonable 168 
 
 The malice of the first authore maintained with shamelesse lyes only 169 
 
Marginal Notes. xxiii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The third accusation , , 17 1 
 
 New jealousies betuixt the leaders 174 
 
 A new cause of jealousie 174 
 
 New forces send North by the Couenant , 175 
 
 Lathine randered , 177 
 
 New calumnies reased by the first author 178 
 
 The malice of the first author renewed with new fables , , 180 
 
 Montrose braks of all capitolation 182 
 
 Midlton makes hast to surprise Montrose befor Huntlie joyne with him- 184 
 
 More new fables invented by our former author 184 
 
 Aberdeen assalted by the marquise of Huntlie 188 
 
 Aboyn and his brother enters the towne 1 88 
 
 Lord Lues kills major Forbes . 188 
 
 Lord Lues enters the town, the third, and carries it 188 
 
 Heir againe the first authore goes one with being fables 189 
 
 The lower house intends to annul and put downe the uper house 191 
 
 The lower house buyes off the chiefe leiders of the kinge's forces 191 
 
 The lower house charges the Scots to rander back the northren counties 192 
 
 A hudge soum quicklie exhausted , 193 
 
 The Scots armie charged the second tym to remove 193 
 
 The king flies to the Scots for refuge 193 
 
 Montrose would keip up arms but Huntlie would not 194 
 
 The first author's malice renued _„ 195 
 
 The first motiones alwayes dangerous , 196 
 
 The king repents his coming to the Scots and lets Huntlie know it 196 
 
 Huntlie goes to arms again__ 196 
 
 He taks in Banff 196 
 
 Duck Hamilton set at libertie by the armie 197 
 
 A fearfull prodigie . 197 
 
 Huntlie's reasing of arms at this tym to releawe the king thee onlie cause 
 
 of his ruine 198 
 
 Bickerton comes to Banff in hop to drywe Huntlie thence , 198 
 
 Bickertoun reteirs with small credit 199 
 
 Huntlie reteirs to the heigh countrie 1 99 
 
 Midlton followes him in wew, not urging him to feight 199 
 
 Dauid Leslie takes in Huntlie and the Bog with small difficultie 199 
 
 Huntlie disbands his forces . 199 
 
 The Scots deals earnestlie and faithfully for the kinge 200 
 
 That the Inglish parliament might win som poynts the kinge most be de- 
 
 liwered . 200 
 
xxiv Marginal Notes. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Scots randers him not till they get conditiones that his lyf shall bee 
 saift and his croune, which the parliament had keipt, had not the armie 
 
 pre wealed against both . 201 
 
 The armie takes the king from the parliament 201 
 
 The king onvilling to go to the armie 201 
 
 The armie dalies with thee kinge, but threatens the parliament till they 
 
 obtaine all that they desyre . _ 202 
 
 The sectaries in their sermons threatens the kinge 202 
 
 The king conwoyes himself to the 111 of Wight 202 
 
 By the Glencamerone Midltone is invited to surpryse Huntlie 204 
 
 Huntlie taken , , , , 205 
 
 The armie forces all to flie the parliament house , . 206 
 
 A new lewie intended for the kinge's releife 206 
 
 The assemblie cannot get the lewie stayed 207 
 
 The want of ane expert general was thee ruine of the armie— 208 
 
 Duk Hamilton both accused and defended . 208 
 
 Lenrick got sufficient forces to a head , i 211 
 
 Ardgyll goes to rease forces, and bringes them to Stirling, where they 
 
 are surprysed by Monro 211 
 
 The Independants aids Ardgyll against Lenrick 211 
 
 The dook's letter forces Lenrick to lay doun armes 212 
 
 A proud threatninge of ane Inglish captain 212 
 
 A fit ansuear to so proud a threat 213 
 
 A braue retort of a Scots gentlman to ane Inglish braig 213 
 
 The upper house is desolued and ordained to be no more 214 
 
 They bringe the kinge from the 111 of Wight 214 
 
 The kinge arraigned by bas willians . 217 
 
 A woefull and lamentable separatione 218 
 
 Tlios masked are said to be Fairfax and Cromvel 219 
 
 Huntlie accused by his enimies 223 
 
 Huntlie's speach on the skafold — 224 
 
 The kinge and the marquise lyk to others in their dispositione— 231 
 
■^5 
 
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* 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 BRITANE'S DISTEMPER, 
 
 FROM THE YEARE OF GOD M.DC.XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE FIRST BOOKE. 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT OF BRITANE'S 
 
 DISTEMPER, 
 
 FROM THE YE ARE OF GOD M.DC.XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE FIRST BOOKE. 
 
 O D Almightie, by His infinit wisedome, admirable good- 
 nes, and all seeing prouidence, doeth with the bodie 
 politicke, or this inferior world, as the good phisitian 
 doeth with his patient, who, according to the qualitie of 
 his disease, applyeth his cuire ; which, ordinarly, most be 
 one of three, to witte, plebotomie, to purge the liuer and 
 waines ; a womite, for the stomake ; or a laxatiue, for 
 the bellie ; all diseasses, for the most part, proceeding from one of the thre. 
 Euin so the bodie politicke becometh diseased through plentie, pace, and 
 pleasure ; whilest the weight of our ingratitude, the forgetfull vnthankfulnes 
 for His benefites, and the barrennes of our spirit, through the cairelesse 
 neglect of His diuine worshipe, and the stupid obliuion of the end He send 
 ws vnto this world, hath so corrupted and poysoned the humane race of 
 mortalles with all sortes of sinne and wice, as this age lyeth sicke and des- 
 peratly diseased, not of one infirmitie only, nether of on particular member, 
 but the whole body beginneth to putrifie, rote, and turne vnto a generall 
 consumption, for the which a speedie cure is necessar. Wherefor this great, 
 profund, and all knawing Phisitiane sees it fit not only to open the waines 
 for purgeing of the liuer, but a bitter potion must be swallowed doune to 
 procuire a womite for clingeing of the stomake, whois bad wapoures mo- 
 lesteth the head extreamely ; and if, by that meanes, the bodie of the world 
 cannot be cuired, then, doubtlesse, He will, with a sharpe corroding clister, 
 purge the bellie also. Now, the thre sortes of phisickes wherwith our 
 
4 The distemper of the body politic, and its remedy. [B. I. 
 
 heauenly Phisitiane cuires the world, His patient, ar the sword, the pleague, 
 the famine. He hes begunne to purg the liuer, which ar the nobilitie and 
 gentrie of the land, by the sword ; the bellie, which ar the merchants, 
 treadsmen, and labourers, ar, by the pleague, dayly cast furth vnto the 
 draught ; and if this cannot cure our infirmitie, wee shall, after a reawenus 
 devastation, be sure to abid the last and most terrible cuire of famine, not 
 only of the body, but euen the famine of the spirit, depryweing ws of our 
 stomake ; I meane the trew pastoures that should feed ws with the heavenly 
 bread of trewe religion, as well as our mortall bodyes shall be depryued of 
 the staffe of bread. Neuerthelesse, let ws not dispaire, since we have so 
 great, so good a Phisitian ; but let ws suffer with patience, and let us follow 
 our Sauiour in such meekness, as both, in feruent zeall and trew humilitie, 
 we may offer wp our bodyes, our fortounes, and all our actiones to be dis- 
 posed of according to His diuyne will and most holy pleasure, acknawleadge- 
 ing our owen vnworthienes, His infinit mercie and vnsearcheable judge- 
 mentes. If we, then, with vnfayned teares, and continuall prayeres, powre 
 furth our greiwes before Him, who knowes nor He may shorten the tyme 
 and haisten the cuire, restoreing the body in health againe to the head ; that 
 is, those once so happily vnited kingdomes to ther one and soil monarch, by 
 the free progresse of the lawes, and perfect establishement of trewe reli- 
 gion ; till which tyme, I am confident, we shall neuer have ane end of the 
 warre. And I, whom God, for my sinnes, hes resereued for those wnhappie 
 tymes, hes fund ane wnwonted motion in my soule to leaue a memoriall to 
 posteritie of such obseruationes as I have noted of this dreadfull and neuer 
 to be matched distemper ; although I cannot but confesse my owen weaknes, 
 ther being so many judicious, learned, and able spirites who can and will 
 goe in hand with the bussiness. This only shall be my best incouragement, 
 that as I carry splen nor hatred to no man, so shall my relation goe all- 
 wayes accompanied with the trueth ; and, therefor, I could wish that it 
 were buried in obliuion till I ware in my graue, for weell I knaw that the 
 treuth shall neuere be gratious whilest the actores are on lyue ; and, there- 
 for, trewe histories ar vsuallie wreitten in succeeding ages, which makes 
 them often faultie in many and most weightie circumstance, for want of 
 trew information, haueing nether eye nor eare witnesses. 
 
 And as it is seldome or neuer seene but that the heavines, the starres, 
 the elementes, yea, and the sharpest wittes and deepest reatching judge- 
 mentes or indevores of mortall men, doth all contribute to the vnavoidable 
 
1639.] 
 
 Intrigues of the cardinal de Richelieu. 
 
 5 
 
 decries of Diuine Prouidence, when the great Lord, Maker and Ruller of 
 this all, intendes a revolutione, a ruine of kingdomes, a fall of high digni- 
 ties, or change of monarchies for punishment of sinnes. So was it seene 
 palpable at this tyme, partlie by the bad conjunctiones of Saturne and Mars, 
 called the infortounes amongest the planetes, whoes euill and mallevolent in- 
 flowence opposes the holy zeall of Jupiter, the grandour and royall gouerne- 
 ment of Sol, the sueetness and winning behauiour of Venus, with the jarreing 
 of the elementes : as if heaven, earth, and sea, or the great and durable 
 fabricke of the vniverse, had been shakine or hurled from its fixed polles. 
 
 Was not that old English prophecie now made pleine and cleare which 
 said, 
 
 Germanie beginnes a dance, that passes through 
 
 Italie, Spaine, and France, but England most pay the pyper. 
 
 Did not Tichobra, that learned, that most admired astrologer of our tymes, 
 set out in print his prediction vpon that fearfull and prodigeous comet that 
 appeared in sax hundreth and seavinteine, affirmeing that a ware sould 
 beginne then in Germanie, which, passeing ower all Europe, sould end in 
 Brittane ; and did not the Count Palatine the nixt yeare, 1618, take one 
 his head the croune of Bohemia, which began this ware that spread into 
 Italie, France, and Spaine, and now raiges so fearefullie in Brittane : 
 whoes people had liwed vnder tuo gratious princes, James the Saxt, and 
 Charles the First, in such pleasure, plentie, and pace till the 1639, as all 
 the rest of Europe stood astonished, and with great amazement looked on 
 there happines. But as I have said before, when Heaven intended to visite 
 this illand for our vnthankefullenes, not only the heavins and all the ele- 
 mentes contributes to His will, but men themselfes helpes forward their 
 owne ruine. For how soone the Puritanes begane to went there malcon- 
 tentes against king Charles, for seekeing to establish the English forme 
 of worshipe in Scotland by the Seruice Book ; when the Frenche kinge's 
 dareling, his minzione, by whoes adwise all was done, and without whom 
 nothing could be intended nor concluded, — that riche store house of state 
 policie, — cardinal Derissilles, his fare reatcheing projectes tooke hold of 
 this fite occasion that Brittane might also be a sufferer, and no longer a 
 beholder. To this end, there is ane ambassadour for England, to capi- 
 tulat with king Charles for establishement of a new lige, offensiue and 
 defensiue, with France ; which the king was tuo wayes to yeild vnto, 
 haweing receaved no injurie from his nighbour princes, nor had Spaine nor 
 
6 
 
 Intrigues of Richelieu : Sir Robert Murray. 
 
 the Austrian familie given him any just occasion to breacke the pace 
 alreadie concluded with them. Neuerthelesse, he promissed to prowe a 
 kynd and loweing freind to his brother of France if any prince of Christen- 
 dome incruitched vpon him or seeke his prejudice. Altho this was all that 
 could be looked for from so judicious a prince, yet could it not be satisfac- 
 tion to the cardinal, who sought but ane occasion to put fewall to that fyre 
 which was but newlie begunne to burne in Britane, by the headstrong and 
 neuer pleased Puritane faction. 
 
 Wherefore, choseing furth a man fite for his purpose amongst a great 
 many of the Scotes gentrie that haunted the Freinch court, (for by reason 
 of the ancient lige betuixt the French and them, they lowe alwayes to 
 breid themselfes in France,) he choses furth on sir Robert Murray, a 
 man indeweet with sundrie rare qualities, and a wery able man for the 
 cardinalle's projecte. After he had sounded the deipe of this mane's 
 mynd, and fynding that he was indifferent so he could make a fortoune 
 whither it ware with the king or the male contented Puritanes, he findes 
 no difficultye to persuade him that his lowe to the Scotes, by virtue of the 
 ancient lige, made him extreamely to lament there case ; for that (there 
 king was now in hand with) was not, as it was pretended, meerely for reli- 
 gion, but the cheife end both of the king and his cabinet counsell was to re- 
 duce Scoteland to a province, without which he was strongly persuaded that 
 he could neuer bring the whole illand to one intyre monarchic ; but if the 
 Scots, said they, will stand to there ancient freedome, France shall not be 
 wanteing in so just a cause. In end, this gentleman was so takin with 
 diuerse favours and courtesies, that the cardinall thrust upon him, as he 
 takes in hand to returne home and worke vpon this subjecte ; whairin he 
 aduanced so farre, as the nixt yeare after hee weint backe to giue ane 
 account of his indevoires ; and haveing (as it was fund by event) bund vp 
 a secret lige betuixe the cardinall and Argyle, who was then the head of 
 the Couenant, to show how well the cardinall was pleased, the erle of 
 Irwin, Argyle's brother, is chosin to have thee leading of tuo thousand 
 men, to be levied in Scoteland and send over to France, with many new 
 privieleagues, as that they sould be one of the first regementes of the garde, 
 that they sould have their preachers with them, and free vse of there 
 religion, with sundrie other favoures ; thee money is send, the regement 
 leauied, and sir Robert Murray maide lieutennant colonell. 
 
 It is certanelie reported by some noblemen, and thoes of thee ablest 
 judgement, and who had deipest insight of the most weightie affaires of 
 
1639.1 
 
 Richelieu, and Oxenstiern. 
 
 7 
 
 thoes tymes, that altho the cardinal] was the first of forenners that set his 
 hand to the advancement of those distempers in Britane, yet it seemed he 
 either thought himselfe not able to accomplishe it, or else he thought it fit 
 to make chuse of a helper, both that it might be the more strongly brocht 
 to passe, as also, if it did not succeed well, he might have on to beare a 
 part of the blame and helpe him to beare the burthine ; for the which cause, 
 he makes choise of the best and greatest politician in the world, nixt him- 
 selfe, and this was the rex chancellar of Sweden, called Oxinstarne, by 
 whoise subtill advisse and cunneing fallacies, his maister, Gustavus of 
 Swedine, had surmonted many difficulties in his wares of Germanie. 
 
 He convoyes the bussines so neatly, that, befor it could bee takine 
 notice of, he hes a priwate meeteing with him, in Philexeburge, in Ger- 
 manie, when the Swedes, after there kinges death, was there in a weake 
 posture ; whare they conclude to stryue, by all the meanes possible, to 
 remove the seat of the ware to Brittane, which of itselfe, and by the car- 
 dinalles procuirement, was alreadie well farre adwanced, to take hold and 
 accept of there indewoires. And that Oxinstarne might have some cullour 
 for this his intended malice, he sendes his sonne to the court of England ; 
 and, because he commanded and rulled all in Sweden, the young quein 
 being as yet but a chyld vnder his caire and gouernement, he sendes manv 
 complementes to the kinsr, and lookes that his sonne shall be receaued as 
 ane ambassadour. But this most wysse and forseeing prince, suspecting 
 the ambition of so powerfull a subiect, and being loth to giue vay to am 
 motion that might trinch vpon regall authoritie, refuses to receaue him as 
 ane ambassadour. This did so exasperat the chanceller, as, to be re- 
 veinged of this affront, he desyres a new meitteing of the cardinall, which 
 he had soone after ; and because the king of Brittane was now become 
 strong against his parlement, not only by the helpe of his ovne loyall 
 subjectes, but cheifely because the Denish king had raised a great power 
 for his assistance, which, if it should joyne with him, hee was able to 
 owermaster all his enemies. To prevent this, Oxinstarne offers, if the 
 cardinall can find meanes to free him from thee emperour, he doubted not 
 but to deuert the Denish forces, by giueing them ther handfull at home. 
 O what will not ambitious myndes adueuture on, to accomplish there 
 designes. The cardinall accordes to the chancellar, and findes meanes 
 shortlie after to giue the emperour worke eneugh, by reason of thee 
 Turkes against him ; and Oxinstarne sendes ane armie against the 
 
8 
 
 The true origin of 
 
 Denishe, vpon pretence that, howsoeuer they gaue it out that they intended 
 to aid the Britishe king, there designe was only against Sweden. Thus 
 was all king Charles' forces daished ; and now of force he must rely vpon 
 his loyall subjectes, when both himselfe and they ware impowerished, and 
 his enemies being inriched by his rewenues, fand the meanes soone after to 
 buy all the commanderes of his English forces. But let ws now returne to 
 Scotland, where the Puritane faction, which begane this fearfull ruptore 
 betuixt the king and his subiectes, ceased not dayly to augment it. 
 
 And heere I intreat on fauour of the courteous and gentle reader, that 
 he mistake me not, altho sometymes in my relatione I seeme sharpe and 
 bitter ; for heere I protest ingeniouslie that I haue nether malice in parti- 
 cular to any man, nor doe I intend to wrong the name, the fame, the 
 credit, or reputation, of any nobleman or gentleman that in this generall 
 and ever to be pitied distemper hes adhered to the Couenant ; for as I am 
 certane that they ar seduced and deceaued by thee Puritan faction, and, 
 whilest this combustion is now hote and neue, they ar not to be dealt with, 
 euen so am I confident, when tyme and experience hath cooled the heat of 
 there passion, that God Almightie will open there eyes, to see the fearefull 
 and dangerous precipices wherein a few Puritan preachers did bring them, 
 and that it was not, nether the reformation of church gouernement nor the 
 bringing in of the Roman Catholike, that begane or first set the Couenant 
 on foot. For if that had beene the only reasones whereby they moued the 
 nobilitie to take armes against there king, then had they beene appeased, 
 and content to lay doune armes, when the king had granted whatsoeuer 
 they required, as when he yeelded to put doune prelacie and set up press- 
 biterie ; and for his maiesties intention to tollerate or in any way to giue 
 way to the Romane Catholick, it proued a scandall, yea a scandall so 
 nialitious, as in the end they ware ashamed to owen it. And yet they cryed 
 it wp fearefully, so long as they could thereby insence the people against 
 there king. Nor could they accuse the king, nether of any other predo- 
 minant wice, but, on the contrare, they knew him to be one of the rarest 
 men fore wisedome and vertue that this or any former age had produced. 
 They knew him to be so constant, so zealous, and so deeply learned in the 
 Protestant religion, as he was not behind the best divines of his tyme for 
 knowledge and speculation ; haveing theoricke more perfect then many of 
 the best preachers, and for the practick it was well knowin that, if hee 
 had not bene a king, he could haue bene ane excellent preacher ; so deepe 
 
1639.] 
 
 the Puritanical rebellion. 
 
 9 
 
 was his knawledge in theologie, and so well could he governe that litle 
 stammer which he had in his speach. What then could be the reason 5 
 when he had satisfied them in all reason, and was so wise, so worthie, and 
 so excellent a prince, as he was to be wished and desyred of his people to 
 rigne ower them. 
 
 The trewe reason they concealled it till it could no longer be concealled 
 for them, and that was the putting doune of monarchie and the establishe- 
 ing of a confused anarchie ; for in this those Puritanes aggreed with the 
 English Independentes, and, therefor, let the king be another Saint Paul, 
 whilest they hate his function, they desyre to be red of his persone. This 
 will plainlie appeare heereafter, when yow shall see a Generall Assemblie 
 stand wp against a Parliament because they intended to relieue ther king, 
 whose death was concluded by the English sectaries ; and when they had 
 lead both the nobilitie and the gentrie, with there pretended zeall to reli- 
 gion, and the establishement of the lawes and liberties of the kingdome, 
 when they, I say, with this faire pretext, allured and moued the nobilitie 
 to take armes ; yet they dare not be plaine till they had brought them to in- 
 gage themselfes so deepe against the royall authoritie, as they knaw no way 
 how to come fairelie of ; and, then, it is well knowin how those fumie Puri- 
 tin preachers (for thee trewe Protestant preachers hold neuer with them in 
 this poynt) did cunneingly insinuat both in there ordinarie discowrse and 
 secret persuasions how a republicke was the best gouernement vnder heauen, 
 and how monarchie was condemned by Godes ovne mouth, when Hee told 
 Samuell that it was not him, but God Himselfe, whom the people refused, 
 when they desyred to have a king. How learned, howe wise, and judicious 
 was that great king, Jacobus Pacificus, who knew the art of rule better then 
 any prince of Europe in his tyme, and who hade beene brocht vp a Puritane 
 from his infancie ; yet, when he had passed his adolescencie, and was come 
 to haue rigned thirtie sex yeares, then did his farre and deipe reaching 
 judgement pearse the most hiddin secrets of the Puritans ; and, therefor, 
 he did euer hold this generall maxime, that it was vnpossible for any man 
 to be both a Puritane and a faithfull subject to his prince. 
 
 And I doe so much honour that worthie king, and reuerence his judgement, 
 as I shall neuer be persuaded but oure nobilitie sail be on day so fullie win from 
 off the Puritan faction, as they shall not only desyre to establish againe the 
 kinglie gouernement ; but they shall also hate and curse the Couenant, and 
 those turbulent spirites did first invent it, whan they shall see that those pre- 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 Republican character 
 
 tenders of a reformation of the kirk and state hes most miserablie de- 
 formed but not reformed ather of them. And, I doubt not, when the nobi- 
 litie and the whole bodie of the people shall looke back vpon the gouerne- 
 ment in the happie tyme of king James his rigne, and the twelve yeares 
 wherein the good king Charles rigned in pace, and there shall behold how 
 plentifull, how paceable, and how prosperous this illand was, and, lookeing 
 vpon the face of the gouernement, and of the whole land, as it is at this 
 day, how lamentable, how poore, and how miserable it lookes, and how this 
 monarchic of Britane was admired, feared, and reuerenced of all there 
 nighbours whilcst those good kinges gouerned them ; and now, since the 
 Couenant begane, we ar dispyssed, hated, and become a reproach to all 
 nationcs round about ws ; when this, I say, shall be grauely pondered 
 and adwised on by the great men of the land, without a prejudged opinion, 
 then shall they all with one consent call for a king, then shall they acknaw- 
 ledgc that kinges are godes on earth, and that the Lord directes them and 
 is there Counsellour ; and therefor hath the royal prophet said that God sate 
 in counccll among the godes ; the heart of the king is in the hand of God, 
 and He disposeth thereof according to his good pleasure ; it is the Lord 
 that scttcth vp kinges and establisheth there throne. Let our natione, 
 then, beware to set themselfes against there king, least they be fund to 
 feght against God. The ancient Romanes, when the tyrrany and pryd of 
 the Tarquines moued to desert monarchy, did so hate kinges that they 
 would haue the name of a king to be no more hard amongst them, till 
 there augureres told them that the name of king was so diuine that it was 
 a consecrat name and sacred vnto the gods ; wherefor the senat changes 
 there sentence, retaineing the name of a king, till they should sie how God 
 disposed of there estate, and, therefor, gaue the name of a king to there 
 arch flammin. 
 
 Whan God was pleased to raise the fourt monarchic, and had established 
 it in Augustus, that the Sauiour of this world might be borne, according to 
 Daniel's prophecie, then Augustus tooke on him the dignitie of arch flam- 
 min, that he might be honoured with the name of a king ; so sacred and 
 diuine hes that name beene accounted befor all other titles, and so did his 
 successoures after him. Nor shall our miseries haue ane end till the diuine 
 prouidence restore the heartes of our nobilitie to there king, and there 
 king to them. 
 
 God Almightie knoweth how my heart bloodeth, euen in the relation of 
 
1639.] 
 
 of the rebellion. 
 
 11 
 
 the sufferringes of our miserable and poore distracted countray, begune by 
 some turbulent spirites, [who] with a pretext of religion (as the most power- 
 full tye which mortalls can be bund with), did vnit, befor it was perceaued, 
 all sortes of people, growing to such a huge and strong bodie, as, lyke a 
 furious tempest, did beare doune befor them all opposition ; and, strikeing 
 at the root of monarchie and royall gouernement (altho in there ordinarie 
 discourse they seemed to pretend nothing lesse), they got in there handes 
 the helme of absolut rule ; and then prepareing for the worst, as it was 
 seene they intended, they export much wealth and great meanes by their 
 agentes abroad in forren countrayes, and import munition, armes, and mili- 
 tarie commanderes ; they raise euery day new taxes, subsedies, imposts, 
 exsysses, tentes, tuenties, leauie money, monthly mantinance, horse and foote 
 leauies, not leaueing to thee subjects the fyft part of there estate both to 
 sustaine themselfes and defray there debtes, forceing from them more then 
 foure for effecting there high projectes and vnlimited designes. 
 
 His royall majestie, whom for all this they could neuer taxe with in- 
 justice, auarice, tyrrany, or any other predominant wice, (except it ware 
 to much mercie and clemencie towards his vngrate subjects,) did modestly 
 beare all with such a calme and sereine patience, yet with so pius, so 
 deipe and vncontrolled a judgement, so vertuous and so laudable designes, 
 and with such a royall candor sought he to reclaime them, as to all suc- 
 ceeding ages shall approue him for the best of men and the paragon 
 of princes. 
 
 But it is not my intention to lay opin or ripe vp the misterie of this our 
 peace deuoreing Couenant, nor to show who ware the prime heades of 
 both nationes, where the priwat meetinges ware, nor how it was first 
 hatched in England, tho broched in Scotland. All those and many more 
 particulares I leaue to there graue judgementes, whose learned pennes and 
 perfect intelligence makes them more capable of such profund misteries. 
 My intention is only to beginne where those terrible and fearefull inunda- 
 tiones, that hes ouerflowed the whole monarchie of Great Brittane, midled 
 with its first resistance, I meane in the north of this kingdome ; for when 
 this high swelling tyde had flowed over the south, without any visible or 
 knowin opposition, first, it fand in the north a barre, or the refluction of 
 a contrarie tyde, which, altho but weake to resist such a mightie and 
 violent flood as the strenth of a whole kingdome, yet may the reader 
 obserue, by the threid of my historie, that euen in that weakenesse their 
 
12 
 
 The Covenant Jirst opposed by the 
 
 was euer a certane wigour, which, by Divine influence, seemed to prompe 
 it vp when it was almost brockin in peices by that heaven threating gyant, 
 our warre hatching Couenant. 
 
 He then that first did oppose himselfe against this maister of confusion, or 
 instruement of all our calamitie, was the marquisse of Huntly, a great prince 
 in his oven countray, yet but weake in comparison of this many headed 
 hidraes. And as he hath in this deserued a glorious memorie to all pos- 
 teritie, for that he gaue so large expression of his faith and loyaltie to his 
 soueraine lord, so I am not ignorant how many aspersiones ar blowen 
 abroad to tent his reputation ; nor cold it be otherwayes, since this 
 one action of his made him als many bitter and malitious enemies as 
 there ware Couenanters in both kingdomes. And as I will not take vpon 
 me to cleare him of all faultes, since no mortall man is without fault, so 
 will I, in keepeing the trueth als neir as my knawledge or intelligence 
 can lead me, strive to vindicat him from the hatred and vnplacable malice 
 of his enemies. 
 
 This noble man, from the first beginneing of the Couenant, did euer, 
 with such freedome, oppose it, as when they had gottin a hundreth thou- 
 sand handes (as they gaue out) to approwe it, nether he nor any of his 
 could be winne to allowe it in any sort whilest the king forbides it, altho 
 there ware large offers made to him, both for presedencie as the first in 
 place and dignitie amongst them, and for a high inlargement of his for- 
 tounes; so as, in the estimation of the grauest judgementes, had he beene 
 theres, he had not only beine the greatest among them, but they had gone 
 smothlie one without any opposition euen to the accomplishement of all 
 there designes ; where as his sinceire and faithfull alleagance to his souer- 
 aine was euer a maine barre to all there proceeding, did both hold and 
 take out huge soumes from there cofferes, which they stroue by all possible 
 meanes to fill ; a great presumption of ane intended warre, whareof they 
 knew that treasures ar the cheif sinoues. 
 
 Altho many tymes, such was the incomparable ods betwixt the vnited 
 bodie of a kingdome and his strenth alone, as he and all his freindes ware 
 by there cruell malice and powerfull tyrranie almost totally ruined, sustaine- 
 ing so great and greiueous losses, by the wasteing and spoyleing of the 
 countray, as an agee to come can hardly repaire. 
 
 And here I cannot omitte nor conceall Monroe, on who, in the beginning 
 of the Couenant, was come from the warres of Germanie, where he had 
 
1639.] 
 
 marquis of Huntly : his loyal declaration. 
 
 13 
 
 serued Gustavus of Sweden, the best pairt of whois armie ware Scottes ; 
 and comeing to London, where the court then was, and fyndeing no ap- 
 pearance of preferrement there, the king not dreameing of the insurrec- 
 tion, so secretly, but strongly, intended against him, — this colonell Monro, 
 I say, haueing offerred his service to his maiestie, who slighted him, be- 
 caus he looked not for any disturbance in his ovne dominiones, the gentle- 
 man retyres himselfe to his natiue countray of Scoteland, wheire he had 
 not beene six monthes when he was imployed for the Couenant. And be- 
 cause he knew the marquiesse of Huntly to be a strong pillare as might 
 keepe the whole north of the kingdome for his maiestie, he, in a private 
 discours, tells the erle of Rothes what a difficult taske it wold bee to goe 
 throw with the Couenant if they could not make Huntly to be there way, 
 or at least indifferent ; which Rothes haueing adwised with the rest of that 
 strong pairtie then joyned against the king, and surely informed that 
 Huntly resolued to stand for monarchic, they all with on consent, by the 
 earle of Rothes his adwise, sendes colonell Monro with a commission, 
 which he delyuered to the marquiesse in Straithbogie, alias Huntly, in 
 those termes, as both colonnel Monro and the marquisse confessed after- 
 wardes. Being come to the marquisse, and gratiously accepted as one 
 whoes forfatheres had beene followeres of his house, he, the nixt day, 
 finding the marquise in his gardin, takes the occasion to show him that he 
 had a commission to him, and for the loue and dewtie he owed him and his 
 house, he had takin it rather then ane other, who had not wisched him so 
 well, should delyuer it, and therefor desyred his lordsheepe to take it seri- 
 ously to his consideration ; which was this, that there was now so strong a 
 paritie combyned against the king, as all the kings freindes of both the 
 kingdomes was not able to resist, and if they sould aryse to joyne with the 
 king, they would fynd themselfes to weake, as being at most not one for 
 ane hundreth ; wherefor, if he would take pairt with them, hee should be 
 there cheife leadere, or, if he would not adhere to them, let him be but a 
 looker on and take part with nether, and they would defray his whole 
 debtes, which they knew to be neir a hundreth thousand pund sterling ; 
 and my lord, said he, if yow refuse this offer, the debt will sinke your 
 hous, and vnable yow to doe the king seruice, which yow might doe here 
 after, if the king prewaill, but for the present yow cannot. My lord 
 thanked him, and those who send him this aduyce, but told him planelie, that 
 as his hous had risen by kinges, and had stand for their fidelitie and seruice 
 
14 
 
 Huntly applies to the king for aid> 
 
 to kinges, so he was resolued to stand or fall with this king as his present 
 lord and souerane ; nor would he quyte the way of his predecessoures, but 
 would ohsolutly stand or fall with monarchie. 
 
 His predecessoures had euer heene mightie in former ages, of greatest 
 power of all he north the Graingebean mountanes, for they had often aug- 
 mented there greatnesse be taimeing the greatest insurrectiones in this 
 kingdome ; such was euer there faith and loyaltie to their prince ; but such 
 a huge falling away, or totall rebellione, as this was neuer heard of in this 
 illand befor. 
 
 At the first the king did but slight it, as a made furie of a head strong 
 and confused multitude, in teareing of the Seruice Booke and the stoneing 
 of the bishopes, and that in the metrapolitane and head citie of the king- 
 dome, from whom befor tyme the whole nation had euer receaued the 
 law. 
 
 But when the king would have punished this barbarous inormitie, as it 
 deserued, then did it appeare how it had beene hatched by the cleargie, 
 and by them both couertly and cuningly foemented, and insinuated in the 
 heades and heartes of the nobilitie ; for the kinges proclamationes was 
 alwayes followed with protestationes from the nobles and seditious sermones 
 from the preacheres, still rankleing but neuer cuireing the wound. 
 
 And then when thinges was lyke to growe to a generall insurrection, 
 then, I say, the marquiesse of Huntly begane more seriously to looke to it ; 
 and sending aduertisement to his majestie how matters went, and of his 
 loyaltie and willingnes to doe him seruice, he receaued a wery thankefull 
 answer, with a promise both of men, money, and armes, for his assistance, 
 when it sould be necessare. 
 
 It was not long befor all thinges in this kingdome was so out of frame 
 for the king, and so stronge a pairtie of all sortes vnited for the Cduenant, 
 that the marquiesse sendcs a neir coussine of his ovne, called sir Alex- 
 ander Gordoune of Clunie, to show his majestie that, since he resolwed to 
 keepe his allcageance to him in all fidelitie, he looked for nothing from the 
 Couenant but whatsoeuer there cruel malice could imagine ; wherefore, 
 according to his majesties former promisse, he desyred to haue the aid of 
 tuo or three thousand men, with armes for fyue thousand men more, (since 
 there long continowed pace had disfurnished the countray of armes,) with 
 a commission as leautcnnent generall of the North, which his predeces- 
 sors ware euer in vse to haue. The king most willingly and gratiously 
 
1639.] 
 
 Policy of the marquis of Hamilton. 
 
 15 
 
 yeeld to all those demandes, professeincr ingeniously how ranch he stood 
 ingadged to so loyall a subject, when the rest of the whole kingdome had 
 shaken of there yocke of obedience, or if there ware any in there heart yet 
 loyall, they dare not make profession of it. 
 
 But heere the marquiesse of Hamiltoune, on whose adwisse the kinjr 
 whollie relyed for all the affaires that concerned this kingdome, adwysses 
 his majestie to send the commission and the armes, but on no termes to 
 send the men ; for by that small aid he should bring the whole speite of 
 the Couenant vpon the marquiesse of Huntly, befor the kinges forces 
 who warre prepareing for Scotland could be neire the border to assist him. 
 This adwysse had a faire frontispeice ; and had the arme3 stayed also, it 
 seemed to be a wery saue one. But the comeing of the armes declared 
 sufficiently what he intended, and this brought the whole forces of the 
 Couenant vpon him. Nor could Hamiltoune, who was thought to be one 
 of the greatest politicianes in the Christian world, haue giuen this aduysse 
 on forsene how certane the danger was in sending the armes and with- 
 holding the aid ; for this adwysse proued the first step to the ruine of the 
 kinges cause and the only ouerthrow of the marquiesse of Huntlyes 
 whole desigrne, who by that aid had not only made himself maister of all 
 the north, but had lykewayes incouraged diuerse other noblemen, and the 
 greatest part of the hylanders ; many of those, by there letters to the 
 marquiesse, had assured him of their best asistance, how soone soever 
 the kinjres promissed aid was arryved. For had he gottin but tuo thousand 
 of the three which was promised, and had been sent if Hamiltoune his 
 adwysse had not prevailled, he had with there readie and prepared aid 
 saued the whole north, as they had beine all broght to the kinges syde, als 
 well those that would but durst not appeire for want of assistance, a3 those 
 who stood for the Couenant at that tyme but with a wauering resolution. 
 The comeing of the armes without the aid both discouered Huntlyes reso- 
 lution and incouraged the Couenanters suddenly to raise and hastin there 
 forces, whereby he was constrained to make the best of ane euill play ; 
 raiseing such forces as he could on the sudden, and many of those but 
 coldlie affected, and all of them, through a long continoued pace, ignorant 
 of all militarie discipline. When he had brought them to the randewowes, 
 and a counsell of ware hald tuo seuerall dayes, mo3t wotes caried it that 
 they sould dissolue for that tyme, and not to wrong the kinge3 cause vpon 
 vnequall termes to hazard a battell, being all vntrained men, without com- 
 
16 
 
 Huntly imprisoned by the Covenanters. 
 
 manderes (saue on leautennent-colonell Johnstoune), with diuers others 
 reasons, but cheifly the want of the promised aid. And that which made thee 
 marquiesse the rather to yeeld was a letter from the marquiese of Hamil- 
 toune, forbideing him on any termes to enter in blood, till his majestie 
 should first try what could bee done in a paceable way. 
 
 They ware no sooner dissolued when the enemie, being aduertised, 
 marched derectly north, altho, by some capitulation befor, they had offerred 
 to dissolue, so he would doe the lyke, whereunto when he had yeelded he 
 was confident they would performe it. 
 
 When they came, they threatned all the countray with fyre and sword, 
 wherevpon, both to saue his countray, his freindes, and followers, from pre- 
 sent mine, he was forced to parlee with them, and at his first meeting with 
 Montroes, who was generall for the Couenant in that expedition, haueing 
 generall Leslye joyned with him, they parted vpon equall termes, appoynte- 
 ing a second meitteing at Aberdene ; where the marquiese came but. with 
 his ordinarie traine, suspecteing no harme, for that Montroes was knawin 
 to be a noble and generouse gentleman ; yet such was the malice, or rather 
 the feare of the Forbesses, who, by there numbers, caried the sway in a 
 committie haldin there, that the marquiesse most neids goe south and make 
 his appoyntment with the Tables there, otherwayes, as they alleadged, 
 there was not liueing in the north for any that professed the Couenant. 
 such (as they said) was the grandour of the marquiesse of Huntly ; or 
 rather, if they had said, such was his loyaltie to his natiue prince. 
 
 Whan they had gottin him to goe south, and his eldest sonne, my lord 
 Gordoune, with him, his secound sonne, the wiscount of Aboyne, by the way 
 did schift himselfe away from them, returneing to his freindes, to there no 
 small contentment. He was no soonner come to Edinbrogh when he was 
 dealt with by all the nobilitie to joyne with them upon honourable termes, 
 which whan he and his sonne both refused to doe, they ware send to the 
 castell, where they remained till the pacification, and then followed the 
 king into England. 
 
 Whille he stayed in the castell, he marryed his three eldest daughteres ; 
 the first, to the lord Drummond, eldest sonne to the earle of Pearth : the 
 secound, to the lord Seatoune, eldest sonne to the earle of Wentoune ; 
 and the third daughter to the earle of Haddingtoune. 
 
 His second sonne haueing retyred to his freindes, as wee said befor, and 
 haueing consulted with them what was to be done, it was thought expe- 
 
1639-] 
 
 The marquis of Hamilton, and the viscount Aboyne. 
 
 17 
 
 dient that he should goe to the king (who by this tyme was come to 
 Beruicke) to procuire the three thousand men, with which, euen yet, it was 
 thought probable that the whole north could be easely reduced to there 
 alleadgeance. 
 
 The king had broght but small forces with him, such was the policie of 
 the English who fawoured the Scotes designes, with whom the major part 
 of that kingdome had priuatly conniued ; and yet was he so cairefull of his 
 promised assistance for the north, that hee had send tuo thousand men with 
 the marquiesse of Hamiltoune by sea to that effect, for the marquiesse 
 had the commandement of the royall nauie, and was come to the Firth 
 befor Leith. At Aboynes coming to the king he was gratiously accepted, 
 his majestie considereing how the not sending the promised aid had beene 
 to his great prejudice, and therefor he giues Aboyne a new power of 
 leautennandrie in his owne person (seaing his father and eldest brother 
 ware incarcerate), and a peremptor warrand to Hamiltoune for the delyuerie 
 of the men, and landing of them sawe at Aberdene. When Aboyne went 
 for the king, thee tuo thousand men ware in the fleit, and the reason and 
 cause of his journay made knowin to the admirall ; yet befor he could re- 
 turne, altho he was dispatched with great diligence, the men ware send 
 backe into Ingland. The former adwise he gaue the king, as yow heard 
 befor, to send the armes and retaine the aid till now, being secounded with 
 this, raised no small jealousie in the heartes of the wiser sort who lowed 
 the kinges cause, and the presumptions ware too apparent that he intended 
 to ouerthrow all designes of the house of Huntly for the kinges seruice ; 
 and howsoeuer it might be that he did not at that tyme conueine with the 
 Couenant, yet his slaue aduancement of all that is committed to his charge, 
 both at this tyme and at all tymes heireafter, togither with adwise to the 
 king, whereby he euer lingered the bussiness, and strowe to drawe it out 
 at lenth, is a presumption too euident that he desyred not as yet to haue 
 the Couenant dasht, for causses knowin to himselfe, which, by the appoynte- 
 ment of the Diuine Prouidence, will in tyme be broght to light, when he 
 shall be aither cleared of this aspersione, or else the world shall clearely 
 see what is yet wailled in a misterie. 
 
 Aboyne comeing to the fleit was wery gratiously accepted, and, by the 
 marquisse, in the admiralls shipe was royally feasted, with playeing of the 
 ordinance at euery health, and all this showe was sealled with many pro- 
 mises of a reall freind, which, by many complementes, procuired a firme 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 Colonel Gun : The Gordons assemble at 
 
 confidence that all was reall ; and now, because he could not give him the 
 aid, according to his majesties appoyntment, he sendes with him some 
 commanders, for of such he told him he wnderstood his countray was 
 whollie disfurnished. But one in particular, called collonell Gune, he 
 recommendes vnto him, as one whose worth, whose long experience in 
 warre, and whose judgement in the arte militarie, deserued a particular 
 regard, and therefore he obtaines of Aboyne that he should have the 
 leading of such forces as he could bring to the fieldes. Such was the inte- 
 grate of this young wiscount, who being but a child in yeares, nor had he 
 euer beene in action befor, much lesse had his innocent soule beene 
 acquanted with the subtill fallacies of state policie ; and therefor the free- 
 dome of his noble dispositione would not suffer him to bee jealous of 
 whatsoever the marquiesse adwyssed him too, and the rather for that they 
 ware so neire in blood as cussine germanes once remowed. 
 
 But this manes cariage, who was thus recommended vnto him, brought 
 furth another aspersion, or rather ane euident presumptione of Hammil- 
 tounes intensiones ; for he committed so many palpable erroures in the 
 execuitione of his charge, as could not be performed by a practised com- 
 mander, but of sett purpose to owerthrow the bussiness ; yea, they warre 
 blind who could not see how he, for the short tyme he commanded in the 
 north, did, as it seemed by premeditation, both weakin and cruish in 
 peices whatsoeuer was intended for the kinges seruice. 
 
 Whiles Aboyne was on his dispatch with the king and thee marquiesse, 
 the Gordounes and some other barrones, with them that fauoured the king, 
 was forced to looke to themselfes ; for the Forbesses, there old enemies, 
 being a great and numerous familie of braue and waliant gentlemen, for the 
 most part, with the Hayes, Keathes, Frasers, Crichtones, and thee whole 
 rest of the north, being all Couenanters, drew themselfes to a head, 
 haveing there randewoues at Turrefe, where there came numbers of 
 goodly gentlemen, well horsed, with a confident power of foot. Of this 
 preparation the Gordounes being advertised, repaires to Huntly, of some 
 called Straithbogie, and, after consultatione, being for the most part all 
 landed gentlemen, of equall qualitie, they could not condiscend vpon a 
 leader. Some would have had the marquiesse brother, lord Adame, but 
 his braines being craicted, aither through some distemper, or rather throue 
 a malignant humour of melancholicke blood, which rane in his waines from 
 his grandmother, duke Hamiltounes daughter, was not fitteing for the 
 
1639.] 
 
 Strathbogie to oppose the Covenanters. 
 
 19 
 
 charge ; then they talke of lord Lewes, the third sonne of the marquiesses, 
 but he was yet but a child at schoole, and had not attained to thretteine 
 yeares of age, and therefor too young for thee feildes, and his grand- 
 mother, the lady marquiesse, was loth to part with him ; yet erre it was 
 long he could not be restrained, for he secretly convoyed himselfe to the 
 hylandes, and tooke the guiding of the ruide hylanders vpon him, showe- 
 ing thereby what on day might be expected, and how this sparke was lyke 
 to growe to a great and ardent burneing flame. Then they resolue to chose 
 some on of the barrones that was there, and they pitch vpon the laird of 
 Banfe, but, because he was not of the name, they joyne to him the laird of 
 Haddoch ; and befor they could be readie to march there was a thing that 
 mightilie troubled them, which was, in whose name and for whom the ser- 
 uice sould bee done ; and this bread some delay, till the laird of Carnebor- 
 row, a learned, perfect, wisse, and discreit gentleman, told them that the 
 matter was of no small moment, and might come one day in agitation befor 
 his majestie, as it did indeed ; and, therefor, his adwise wass, that there 
 should be a band drawin vp that the seruice was don, first, in defence of 
 his majesties royall prerogatiue ; and, nixt, for the dewtie, honour, and 
 seruice they owe to the house of Huntly, and for the aduancement, preser- 
 uation, and grandour therof against all there enemies. This aduisse was 
 followed, the band dravin vp, and euerie mane of qualitie set his hand to it. 
 Then they began chearefullie to marche, resolueing to seeke out there ene- 
 mies, altho there number ware greatter then theres by very fare. They 
 would not stay for there comeing, but, marcheing all night, they came to 
 Turrefe in the morneing tuilight. 
 
 There enemies ware not a litle amased at this, who, being a great deall May 14,1639. 
 stronger then they, thought well to haue giuen, but neuer to haue receaued, 
 the assailt. Thus celeritie in ware hes euer beene a sure and happie ad- 
 uancer of the wictorie ; nor haue I euer read of a good and prosperous 
 leader who was not adorned with this vertue of celeritie and quicke dispatch 
 of action. He who is cairefull of intelligence in his enemies campe, and 
 can be the first aduertisser, befor he be looked for, shall seldome or neuer 
 faill of conquest, if he be not a mire athiest, attributing all his good for- 
 toune to his owne witte and policie, where he sould euer haue this maxime 
 in his heart and befor his eyes, in all his actiones, that God Almightie is 
 the God of battells. 
 
 Altho the Gordounes ware within tuo or three myles befor they knew, 
 
20 
 
 The trot of Turriff. 
 
 that neuer dreamed of there aduancement, yet there being many braue and 
 well resolued gentlemen among them, they hade quickly brought all there 
 horse and foote out of the toune ; and Delgatie, being there leader, drewe 
 them vp in order of battell, altho he was there against his will, being in his 
 heart Royalist. The Gordounes ware drawin vp byleautennent Jhonestoune, 
 a braue and valiant shouldier, and after they had discharged four feild 
 pieces, broght along with them from Huntly, they could not, by there 
 commanders, be restrained from a present charge wpon there enemies, not- 
 withstanding of there long and troublesome march all the night befor. 
 
 This charge they gaue with such vndoubted courage and resolution, as 
 the maine bodie of the foot battalion gaue backe, and loseing there ground, 
 could not be keepe in order, altho Delgatie, Ludquharn, and his sonne, 
 sir William Keith (one of the brawest gentlemen, and most accomplished 
 of this kingdome), all these three streive to incourrage them, first by there 
 faire persuasione, and then by threttings, to reallie them, but all in vaine, 
 a suddene puwant had so possesed them ; and the fearce charge of there 
 enemies did so quickly persue, and hold them to it, that there was no re- 
 turneing, which there horsemen seeing begane also to shrinke away, seeing 
 the Gordounes horsemen adwanceing to charge them. They ware but 
 fewe horsemen, nor ware they so well mounted as the Forbesses and there 
 allyaes ; nor would Jhonestoune suffer them to follow the chaise, feareing 
 there was some traine in it, as it was very like, they being so many, and so 
 well mounted, against a handfull, and therefor the lose was not great, ex- 
 cept the losse of the day ; and, which was for the victores greatest aduan- 
 tage, they ware both discouraged and dispersed, so as they could neuer 
 after be brought so well together againe. 
 
 This victorius tho small armie marched from thence to Aberdene, and 
 so to the Mairnes, wheire Donald Farquharsone raeete them with a thou- 
 sand footmen, all fyre lockes and archeres, brought from the neirest of the 
 marquiesse his hylanders, of the countray of Straithawon, Straithdye, 
 Glenmuicke, and Glentanner, nor could he haue raised that if lord Lewes 
 (a child, as wee haue said befor) had not priwatly convoyed himselfe from 
 his grandmother ; and, attyred himselfe in the habite of a hylander, with 
 some few attenders, he comes first to Straithawen, and then gaue knawledge 
 to the people by Donald Farquharsone, there bailzie, what he was. 
 
 How soone the countraymen hard the marquiesse his sonne was come to 
 be there leader, they came all chearefullie to the fields, as if they had by 
 
1639.] 
 
 The earl Marischal's policy over-reaches the Gordons. 
 
 21 
 
 some propheticke spirit forseine how walorous and brawe a cauelier that 
 youth would one day prowe. 
 
 They spoyll and waist all the Covenanters landes where they come, and 
 heareing how the armie, who had gott the victorie at Turrefe, was ad- 
 uanced to the Mairnes, they march directly to them ; with whom being 
 joyned, they ware now so stronge as the earle Marschell, who commanded 
 there, was not strong eneugh to resist them. "Wherefor he sends and 
 capitulates with them, promiseing from thence furth to stand with the 
 king. They being raishely and to soone satisfied with this promise, 
 returnes to Aberdeen. 
 
 In which appeared to much the want of practise and prouidence in there 
 eommanders or cheife leaders. At there returne to Aberdeen they licence 
 there foot, and all there horse except fyftie, to returne home. Marshell, 
 aduertised that they had dissolued there forces, raises all freindes and fol- 
 lowers, intending to surpryse them in the toune, and was come in view of 
 the toune befor they knew ; wherefor (had I wist comes euer to late) 
 forces them to retyre, and yet with so slaue a mairch, as being not abowe 
 sixtie horse, theyresolue to mairch at leasure, andneuer to Hie. The earle, 
 seeing he had missed to surprysse them, possessing the toune, he would 
 follow them no forder. 
 
 They retyre to Huntly, where they ware no sooner come, then they ar 
 aduertised how the earle of Seaforth, the lord Louate, the Dumbares of 
 Murray, with the lairds of Grant and Innes, and all the forces of tuo po- 
 pulus countrayes of Rosse and Murray, ware come to Elgine. Wherefor, 
 takeing such as could bee soonest readie of those two lordsheipes of Huntly 
 and Enzie with them, to the number of a thousand foot and three hundreth 
 horse, they mairch directly for Elgine ; and comeing to the Boge, where 
 my old lady marquiesse dualt, they refresched themselfes there ; and crosse- 
 ing Spey that night, mairches for Elgine, where they had surprysed the 
 enemies, who had dispersed their forces through the countray, and only the 
 men of qualitie and gentrie ware in the toune, without watch or ward, ex- 
 cept a light and carelesse watch that was not considerable. Heire they 
 had gottin ane vndoubted and easie wictorie of ane enemie, who was so 
 confident of there strength that they could hardly be persuaded to find them 
 so neir whom they came furth to seeke. 
 
 In this may the reader obserue, hou much in a waike armie celeritie pre- 
 vailleth against a strong ; as lykewayes, let him who intendes to be ather 
 
22 The Gordons surprise the Covenanters at Elgin. [B. I. 
 
 famous or fortunat in ware, take head to doe nothing of great consequence 
 without thee adwise of his counsell of warre ; as yow shall see by this. 
 
 They approach in sight of the toune about sune rysseing, which bread 
 among there enemies such a confusion, as thee most part of them prepares 
 for flight, yea, euen Seaforth, there generall, was readie to be gone ; such 
 adwantage doth celeritie bring with it, in great and desperat actions. 
 Banfe was the leader heir, Haddoch being absent ; and yet we cannot say 
 that in him alone was this vertue of celeritie ; for truely there was neuer a 
 barron, landed man, nor gentleman, in this small armie, which did not 
 chearefullie, and with alacritie, contribute to the quicke dispatch of this 
 expedition ; for had they beine desyreous to sheed the blood of there natiue 
 countraymen, that one day made apparent what assurance the Diuyne Pro- 
 uidence had giuen them of ane easie and vnresistable victorie. But our 
 merciefull God, who rulleth the heartes and actiones of men at His good 
 pleasure, suffered them to dispose of it otherwayes, for the cupe of His just 
 indignation for our sinnes was not yet full. 
 
 Wpon sawe conduct, the laird of Innes was send furth to parlie with 
 them ; who, at first, befor the laird of Banfe and Foverene, and some bar- 
 rones of the name of Gordoune, made a faire flourish, with many attesta- 
 tiones, that they intended no harme, but only in that turbulent tyme to 
 keepe there ovne countray from harme ; and, after whille, takeing Banfe 
 asyd, he pleased him so well as they drewe vp ane accord, not really in- 
 tended, but to giue present content, in those termes, that Seaforth, with all 
 the rest of Murray and Rose, sould presently dissolue there forces, and, by 
 there oath, should obledge themselfes in tyme comeing not to crose Spey 
 with any forces, not intend to any thing that might be a prejudice to the 
 house of Huntly, nor joyne with ther enemies. And to sie this performed, 
 the laird of Crombie and vther gentlemen was appoynted to goe to the 
 toune to sie it signed and send to them. When Innes drewe Banfe asyd, it 
 is reported that he dissuaded him from following that course any more ; and, 
 by the sequell, it is euident that he prewailled, for not only did he refuse to 
 stay the - armie befor the toune, and keepe them, as it ware, beleagred till 
 the cohditiones had beene performed, as in reason it ought to haue beene, 
 but he lets this armie presently to be dissolued ; nor did he euer after draw 
 his sword in the kinges cause, but also temporised till he got himselfe nobi- 
 litate, and a pensione of fyue hundreth pund sterling allowed him for his 
 loses. 
 
1639.] 
 
 Montrose besieges the castle of Gight. 
 
 23 
 
 This small armie dissolued with great miscontentment, when they con- 
 sidered both how this and the treatie had with Marsh ell, so great adwan- 
 tages ware let slip, which might have strenthened the kinges cause exceed- 
 inglye, or wackined, out quyte crushed all his enemies in the north. From 
 that day he is fund to be alienat from the seruice, for he retyred home, and 
 immediatly tooke shipe and went away by sea. But he was brought backe 
 by Aboyne, and fell sicke, being caried to Carnousie, where he lay a long 
 tyme. Altho he deserted the seruice from thencefurth, yet his cusine 
 germane, sir George Ogiluie of Carnousies, and his brother bairnes, who 
 had beene vpon the seruice alwayes hithertills, could never be drawn from 
 the royall pairtie, altho they ware both ruined by it ; and sir George in 
 speciall suffered so much for his loyaltie as all his fortounes ware extinguished, 
 his landes ruined and layed waist, himselfe and lady forced to flie the coun- 
 tray for a tyme, nor shall he be euer able by appearance to recouer the 
 great looses he hath sustained for being so constant and faithfull a Royalist. 
 But to returne where we leaft. 
 
 When Seaforth saue the Gordounes forces dissolued, he refused to per- 
 forme what was promised, and did laugh at there weakenes. We may, by 
 what hes passed, obserue how this small forces could haue performed great 
 matters, if they had beene lead by one of the house of Huntly, to whom 
 only they can willingly yeeld obedience. But the appoynted tyme was not 
 yet come. God had but euen begune to punish the land for oure sinnes, 
 which was not come to a hight, nor was we brought to a gratefull acknaw- 
 ledgement of our owne vnworthienes to so just and yet so merciefull and 
 gratious God. 
 
 No soonner ware they dissolued, when the earle of Montrosee cam north, 
 by the instigation and pitiefull regrait of the Forbesses, who went south 
 from the ouerthrow at Turrefe to that effect. He had no great forces with 
 him at this tyme ; yet seeing now non in the fieldes against him, he resolues 
 to take in all the houses, castelles, and fortes or strenthes of importance, 
 and aither to demolish or put garisons in them, as he fand it most expe- 
 dient, for preserueing the Couenanters from such future and apparent 
 danger. And to this end he lay doune befor the laird of Gight Gordoune 
 his castell ; and planting his ordinance conueniently munted, begane to 
 batter the house, which was weell defended by Gight himselfe and collonell 
 Jhonestoune ; so that befor he could make the place saltable, the lord 
 wiscount of Aboyne came befor Aberdeen with some shipes, and it was 
 
24 
 
 The treachery of colonel Gun. 
 
 giuen out that hee had three thousand men to land there, as the king had 
 formerly appoynted with his father ; this maid all the freindes he had with 
 him in great haist to drawe in to that toune. 
 
 Montrose, fyndeing himselfe too weake to encounter such forces as was 
 reported to be with him, raises his leager, and marches south to augment 
 his armie, since the Forbesses, on whois aide he came, afforded him but 
 small assistance. 
 
 All the name of Gordoune, with the tennentes and wassailles of the 
 house of Huntly, and some other barrones, came to Aberdeen, being 
 aboue fyue thousand horse and foote of all, which forces Aboyne gaue the 
 leading to collonel Gune ; and, after a counsell of ware, finding non to 
 appear against them in the north, it was thought fitt to march south 
 through the Mairnes and Anguse, where they had intelligence that the 
 barrones and gentrie would joyne with them, wpon that faire pretext that 
 otherwayes there countray should bee ruind and waisted by those 
 Royalistes ; and, howsoeuer, there mairch should keepe Montrose from 
 augmenteing his forces, and sould vndoubtedly crube the kinges enemies 
 in those pairtes, and could not faill to animat his freindes to joyne with 
 them. 
 
 Marshell and Montrose, at that tyme, had not aboue eight or nyne 
 hundreth horse and foot, and therefor they fortified themselfes strongly 
 in Stonehyue. 
 
 Aboyne, with this resolution, which was both sound and good, nor could 
 it haue failled of faire successe if the Dyvyne power had beene propitious, 
 they crose the ryuer of Die, holding one there mairch through the Mairnes, 
 nor would they seeke to discusse Marshell and Montrose, who ware so 
 strongly fortified that there was no possibilitie to drawe them furth vnlesse 
 the ruin of Marshells countray forced them to it. 
 
 But Gune who was now begune to play his prankes, finds this course too 
 saife and faire for a good successe, and resolues, most baisely, rather to 
 loose the estimation of a good leader then to put it in practise ; and this 
 did not a litle confirme the jealousie of the wysser sort that he had beene 
 scholed befor he came there, for, first, when he came neir Stonehyue, he 
 leaues the way they sould haue marched, and most idlie, ignorantly, or 
 rather, in plaine termes, treacherouslie (for he neuer could giue a reason for 
 it, but that he did it to hardine them to be cannon proofe,) he drawes them 
 all wp in battell, wpon the syd of a litle hill, that looked towardes the toune, 
 
1639.] 
 
 The Covenanters at Stonehaven. 
 
 25 
 
 from whence he was not able to doe them the least hearme in the world, 
 without great ordinance, but ware sure to receaue it, for he exposed them 
 all, both horse and foot, to the mercie of the cannon, so as, if they had 
 beene well stoered of good cannoneirs, they had brockin and defeat them all 
 with the deuoireing furie of the cannon only, without the force of men or 
 armes ; but it ware there good fortoune, as God would have it, the enemie 
 had but tuo cartetowes, and through want of skill in their cannoneir, 
 some balles went ouer them a great way, some fell short, and but one 
 lighted amongest them, wherby some ware hurt, and some slaine, but 
 not many. 
 
 When he had giuen the enemie this aduantage, and the day was neir spent 
 to no other purpose, the hylanderes (of whom their was more then a thou- 
 sand) seeing the leader expose them wittingly and villingly to the danger, 
 and that in such a postour as there owen walour and courage serued them 
 to no vse, without possibilitie to reuenge the injuries of there enemies, but 
 there most they stand, as sheepe broght furth to the slaighter, or as a 
 marke to shote at, they begane first to mutinie, and desyreth libertie to 
 depart. This motion pleased him well, being only that he sought for to 
 haue those forces weakned, being ashamed to have the charge of ane arniie 
 from which great maters might be hopt for, since he intended nothing lesse 
 then the aduancement of the kinges cause. Wherevpon this discontentment 
 of the hylanders, he takes the occasion to persuade my lord of Aboyne to 
 dissolue all the foote ; and with a campe wolant of horsemen he promisses 
 to doe great matters, and for that end adwisses him to returne to Aberdeen. 
 The young and vnexperienced nobleman beleiues him yet to be so reall, 
 that without the adwisse of the counsell of warre he licensed all the foot to 
 depart home, and with the horse returnes to Aberdeen. And now Gune, 
 haueing acted the first essay of his treacherie, he could not hope that the 
 enemie, seeing so farre ane aduantage offered, would be sure to take the 
 occasione, as indeed thev did. 
 
 Within few dayes, Montrose, seeing Aboynes forces dissolued, getts his 
 ovne easely augmented ; all the countray being by this foolish act incour- 
 aged, and there former terrour banished ; so that, he being stronge, at his 
 pleasure marches towardes Aberdeen. , 
 
 The Gordonnes being but six hundereth horse, without any foot at 
 Aberdeen, and heareing how Montrose mairched towardes them with a 
 considerable armie, beginnes now to consider there folie, and would haue 
 
 D 
 
26 
 
 Encounter between the Gordons and the 
 
 discharged Gune from his command. But Aboyne, who could not bee 
 induced to beleeue that so foule ane treacherie could enter the breast of ane 
 caualier, would not heare of depryueing him of command ; neuerthelesse he 
 sendes to raise his foot againe, but to no purpose, the whole countray being 
 disgusted with there commander, as not one man would come to serue 
 vnder him. 
 
 Yet those sex hunder gentlemen that stayed would not leaue there lord 
 in this danger, but, haueing the brige on the riuer of Die to hynder 
 there passage, they resolued to keepe the toune ; and, sending out some 
 parties beyond the. riuer, they ware meet with parties from Montrose 
 armie, but the Gordoune alwayes returned with adwantage ; and yet dis- 
 gust they had of the leader, and that they sawe the confidence my lord 
 put in him could not be remoued, this mad them daylie to shrinke away, 
 assureing themselfes that, since my lord would not follow no adwysse but 
 his, all would goe wrong ; and thus Aboynes forces ware daylie waikined, 
 and Montrose daylie augmented ; so as, when Montrose was within six 
 myles, Aboyne had not three hundreth horse. For want of footmen, 
 Aboyne was forced to take of the tounes men to mane the brige, intending 
 to keepe that passe till they had gottin his forces renewed, and therfore 
 appoynted that charge to collonell Jhonestoune, who was both a waliant 
 and faithfull gentleman. 
 
 Then arose a new occasione of jealousie towards Gune ; for my lord 
 had commanded Jhonestoune take some horsemen with him, and goe furth 
 to wieue the enemie, which hee did wery exactly, and when he returned 
 assures my lord that if he would giue him out a hundreth horse and fyftie 
 commanded muscatiers, he was sure to giue them such a commissado as 
 sould bring them all to confusion ; and, if he ware well secounded with the 
 rest of the horsemen, it might happilie gaine them ane intyre wictorie ; 
 yea, ife the worst should come, which could not come except the heauenly 
 prouidence had decreed it, he was sure, by God's grace, to make a faire 
 retreat : for at that tyme they lay at the Casie-munth, carelesse, and at 
 randone, as they could neuer haue a fairer and fitter occasion. And 
 trewelie this was not to be imputed to there leader, Montrose, who was 
 both walient and vigilant, and euer in action, and had giuen out his orders 
 werie carefullie. But they, for the most part, haveing neuer had expe- 
 rience of martiall stratagemes, and the vnder officers, being assured that 
 Almynes forces were dissolued, keepe nether watch nor ward, according 
 
1639-] 
 
 Covenanters, at the bridge of Dee. 
 
 27 
 
 to there ordoures. The viscount was wery willing to satisfie Jhonestoune, 
 according to his demand, yet would not seeme to slight Gune so much as 
 not to haue his approbation too it ; wherefor hee went himselfe to his 
 ludgeing, whom he fand allreadie in bed, as on that litle cared how the 
 bussines went, to whom he imparted Jhonestoune his offer, but fand him 
 so auerse from any such interprise, as he avoued if they would not be 
 rulled by him, nor follow his aduysse, he would quite his charge, returne 
 to his maiestie, leaueing them to beare there ovn burthen and blame. 
 
 This young and hopefull wiscount being yet vnder tuentie, and this 
 being the haruest, or first fruites, whereby he was to giue a proofe of his 
 loue and loyaltie to his maiesties seruice, would not directly oppose a 
 man of such knaven experience, to the no small griefe of manie that 
 ware there. 
 
 The nixt day Montrose marches vp hard to the bridge, and haueing con- 
 venientlie mounted his ordinance, and send furth a strong partie of foote, 
 begines furiously to assalt it ; but it was so waliantlee defended by Jhone- 
 stoune, and those fewe but brawe and well resolued fyre men of Aberdeen, 
 as, when he dyuers dayes attempted it in waine, he saw no meanes to gaine 
 that passage ; for Aboynes horsemen being euer readie to second there 
 foote, did much allay the courage of there foot souldiers. 
 
 Wherfor he resolues to try if he could traine the horsemen from that 
 place, and, ife he gained not the passe by that meanes, he would no 
 longer strugle against impossible meanes. To this end he sends his horse- 
 men wp thee riuer syd, as if they intended to crosse aboue, altho the 
 water was wnpassable, by reason of former raine. And heir, as if Gune 
 had knaven his meaneing, he resolues to doe him a courtesie ; for, 
 altho it was diuerse tymes told him that the riuer at tyme was vnpas- 
 sible, yet he would needes draw wp all the horse, nor would he leaue a 
 pairtie to secound the foote, but with them all marched directlie vp the 
 ryuer. Montrose, seeing his poynt wine as he desyred, sends a strong 
 partie, with captane Midletoune, one that afterward prowed a most braue 
 and well resolued souldiour, who charged the bridge more furiously and 
 with greater obstinacie then befor ; his shouldiours being incouraged by 
 the absence of the horsemen, and by the same reason was the defenderes 
 discourraged, as lykewayes the valiant commandere Jhonestoune wounded 
 in the lege with a muscat ball, is brought of, and caried to the toune. 
 Both the want of the horsemen and the want of there leader did so dis- 
 
28 
 
 Gun's treachery farther shown. 
 
 courage them, that they quite the passe to there enemies, and, befor the 
 horsemen returned, there was ane wholle regiment come ouer. Those the 
 wiscount wold haue charged, and had vndoutedly beaten then backe, but 
 Gune told him it was now in vaine, the tyme was passed, and that it was 
 but folie to ingadge a small troupe against there whole armie, who ware 
 readie to fall one ; and so he commanded them to march for the toune, 
 where haueing taken furth there bagage, they at great leasure marches 
 along to Huntly, there enemies neuer offering to perseue or follow them. 
 In this retreat they conceaued such indignation against Gun, that, if it 
 had not bene for the respect and reuerence they beare to there lord, they 
 hade cutt him in peices, whillest there countenance betrayed there splen. 
 On William Gordoune of Aradull tells him boldlie that it was in ane 
 vnluckie houre that he came north to be there leader, for it was neuer the 
 custome of the house of Huntlie to turne there backes to there enemies 
 one giuen them a tryall of there courage. But this from him, and sundrie 
 other affrontes from otheres, he ansuered with silence ; keeping himselfe 
 aluayes vpon my lordes left hand from that tyme furth, whose only presence 
 keeped him in securitie. 
 
 When they ware come to Huntlie, ray lorde resolues to muster all his 
 forces, and to try his ovne fortoune ; but when he had giuen ordour for it, 
 the pacification, concluded at Beruicke, is proclamed ouer all the kingdome, 
 so that armes was layed doune on all sydes, and then Gun takes but a short 
 fearewell of my lord, and haistes to be gone to some part where he might 
 find himselfe in more securitie ; whom Johnestoune finding afterward at 
 court, attending on the marquiesse of Hamiltoune, did challenge for those 
 so many oversightes and erroures, offering to pro we, with the pryce of the 
 dearest blood that rane in his vaines, that such grosse faultes could not fall 
 by chance, or by mistake, from one of knovin experience, but out of a 
 forthought determination, and of sett purpose. 
 
 For ansuer to this challenge he is fund missed at court, haueing con- 
 voyed himselfe secretlie ouer vnto Holland, not without diuerse surmises 
 and probable coniectures that he had gotten his dispach from a higher 
 power, least the agitation of those tender poyntes might discouer a malice 
 to the house of Huntly of a farr deipper reach. But to returne to the pa- 
 cification, I will only tuich so much thereof as may make cleare or facili- 
 tat to the reader the followeing historic 
 
 When the kings armie approached to the Border, the headstronge armie 
 
1639-] 
 
 The pacification at Berwick. 
 
 29 
 
 of the violent Couenant (for it consisted of the gentree, commanded by 
 noble men,) went boldlie to forbid this passage, well prepared, and readie 
 to resist there soueraine, who was ther natiue lord, borne and bread in this 
 kingdome, the last of a hundreth and eight kinges that, to there neuer 
 dieing fame, had not worne ane opine but a close croune, or monarchicall 
 diademe, because the shepter had neuer bene taken from there lyne, nor 
 there sword conqurred by there enemie. 
 
 Befor the armies drewe neir, ther passed diuerse small incounteres, in 
 which it did appeare that the Inglish did not with ane earnest indewore 
 mantaine the kinges quarrell, nor did the Scotes, with any shaw of malice, 
 shead the blood of the English, which the king could not but take notice of, 
 and therefor it was fit he sould looke too himselfe, and, with great forsight, 
 prosecut his intensiones. 
 
 The Scotes, altho they forbid the kinges entrie, yet, for good man- 
 ners, and to keepe decorum with there souerane, they desyre, with rao- 
 destie and great discretion, that his maiestie would be yet pleased to heare 
 them, which that wise kyng, after some rumination, was content to grant 
 them. 
 
 Then they send there commissioners and presents a supplicatione, which 
 he clementlie acceptes, so loth was he to imbrewe his handes in the blood 
 of his subjectes, how vngrait soever they seemed to bee; for this wordes 
 ware often hard to be repeated by him with a compassionat feilling, that 
 what syd soeuer hade the victorie or did wine the day, he was sure to 
 loose ; and since he was the head that joyned tuo nationes in one bodie, it 
 greiued him to giue posterie occasion to say that he had diuided or rent 
 that body asunder, so happily once vnited by his father, or that he, altho 
 he had justice on his syd, and a hynnous cause of offence giuen him, sould 
 be said to renew the ancient malice, or kendle a nationell quarrell. After 
 diuerse meitteings, and much disputation, a pace was concluded. But 
 because I intend to wreat a short abridgement, and not a generall historie, 
 I will intreat the reader, for a full satisfaction concerneing this pacification, 
 that he will read the declaration made by the king himselfe, and printed at 
 London by R. Young, R. Baidger, printers to the king and prince for 
 Scoteland in anno 1641, 1 where all that was done in the pacification which 
 
 1 [The Declaration referred to was printed in 1640. His Majesties Declaration, con- 
 cerning His proceedings with His Subjects of Scotland, since the Pacification in the Camp 
 neere Berwick. London, Printed by R. Young, His Majesties Printer for Scotland, and 
 
30 
 
 The Covenant in Scotland, and in England. 
 
 was in anno 1639, and vntill the parlement which was in anno 1641, (where- 
 vnto hee wouchsafed his gratious presens,) is most clearlie sett doune with 
 such graue and mature judgement, such a wise deliberation, as I am sure 
 will cleare the obscurest mist wherewith, in there pamphlets, they striue 
 with much eloquence to palliat there erroures, oppineing vp the cloudie 
 secrets of all there cunning wailled illusiones, and cannot but giue a lairge 
 and full contentment to all well meaneing subjects. And because I leave 
 the particular secrets, almost through the whole historie, to the more 
 learned, who, being admitted to be priuie to great mens cabinet counsells, 
 haue better information and surer intelligence of the cleargies intentiones 
 when they begane this worke, and the ambitious nobilitie there endes for a 
 larger freedome ; both the one and the other stryueing to turne a monorchie 
 vnto a republicke ; and the cleargie, by there ouer much libertie, falling all 
 in peices, as it ware a brockin mirrour, each portion representing in small 
 what the whole represented in grosse, growes in the end to so many sectes 
 and new modelles of religion, as they seeme to stryue not only to turne 
 trew wourship vnto meire atheisme, but lykewayes, by a new kynd of state 
 policie, they will haue monarchic turned to anarchic What will be the 
 end, the Diuine Providence onlie knawes ; and it shall suffice me to make 
 this small obseruation, that this antropaphagian or man-deworeing Coue- 
 nant haue equallie infected both nationes, did neuerthelesse worke itselfe 
 vnto full strenth, according to the seuerall geniouses of both nationes, in 
 tuo seuerall kynds or formes of proceedinges ; for in England it did se- 
 cretlie and slowelie stealle furth by faire allureing circumstances, with deipe 
 and moweing policie and plotes ; but here it leapes abroad to the opin view 
 as from its creation, allmost starke naiked, or at lest with lesse fearding, 
 but with a confidence more bold and dareing. There it slydeth furth 
 calmely, vpon streines of gold and siluer ; heere it blusters furth rudely, in 
 a storme of pickes and muscattes ; and yet it prewealleth both wayes, altho 
 in seuerall motiones ; for the craftie and malignant spirit of discord haueing 
 possessed both, worketh his affectes in both, according to the capacitie of 
 the seuerall geniouses, as yow may perceaue by that which followeth. For 
 as England goeth subtilie and secretlie on with a slawe pase, so Scotland 
 goeth on with a high hand, in a tyrranicall commanding way ; for notwith- 
 
 R. Badger, Printer to the Prince His Highnesse. m.dc.xl. Rushworth's Hist. Collection, 
 vol. iii., pp. 1018—1039. Nalson's Impart. Collection, vol. i., pp. 262—278.] 
 
1639.] 
 
 Insincerity of the Covenanters. 
 
 31 
 
 standing of the pace, the Couenant becomes daylie stronger, not by justice 
 and equitie, but by awe, feare, and strength of armes ; and in seemeing 
 pace they prepare for ware, raiseing euerie day new taxes and new subse- 
 dies wpon the whole kingdome, knaweing too well how to follow there de- 
 signes ; so as it did quicklie appeare to the paceable, honest, and well- 
 mynded subject how religion was not there only aime, but maine pretext of 
 this rebellion, wheirin the preachers, by there continuall and seditious ser- 
 mons, steirred vp the people to a generall reuolt ; for it was euident, when 
 the king had granted all they required, and yet vnlesse a kingly gouerne- 
 ment ware whollie abolished, there most no pace be expected. 
 
 Whille they looke for the king to giue them a parlement at Edinburgh, 
 they keepe tuo or three regiments in and about the toune, contrare to the 
 capitulation, whereby all forces ware to be dissolued ; and sufferes the com- 
 mon multitude to abuse some of the kinges servantes, and those that ware 
 estimed Royalists, in there quoitches vpon the streites, (of which Aboyne 
 was ane,) euin to the hazart of there lyues. 
 
 This made there intentions looke so euill, as the king was adwised not to 
 hazart his person amongest them at that tyme ; yet that nothing should be 
 wanteing which he had promised, that might contribute to a followeing 
 pace, he sendes the earle of Traquhar (whill himselfe return es into Eng- 
 land) as his commissioner, both for the generall assemblie and parlement. 
 Traquhar in both findes them to intrinsh mainely vpon the kinges royall 
 prerogatiue, (which was the only poynt he had in charge to beware of,) to 
 the great danger of monarchicall gouernement ; and therefor he durst not 
 sriue way too it unaquanted the king, wherevpon he is recalled. And so 
 ther was litle done in that parlement by lawfull authoritie. 
 
 England, out of there ordinarie deipe policie, thought it not tyme as yet 
 to shawe themselfes, for they seemed to syd with the king, and yet so 
 coldly, as the obedience that was in all that kingdome giuen to his com- 
 mandements, prowed but a showe, without any substance ; as appeired 
 soone after, when he send ane armie to resist the Scotes armie that entered 
 into England. 
 
 The kingr had for divers yeares befor denyed them a parlement, for many 
 weijrbtie reasones, but this was one, and not one of the least : so long as a 
 parlement sites in England, so long is the king a pupill vnder there charge, 
 except he be a tyrrant, as Hendrie the Eight was, who of all the kinges 
 since the conquest knew only how to curbe the parlement. 
 
32 
 
 The Covenanters march their army into England. 
 
 [B. L 
 
 To wine this poynt, of getting of parlement, they had couertly agried 
 with the Couenant to come with ane armie into England, and thereby they 
 could purchase ane parlement, they sould haue three hundered thousand 
 pund English. The Scotes agrie to enter England. They promise to the 
 king, if he will giue them a parlement, they will quicklie bring Scoteland 
 to his obedience ; yet he knawes the danger so well, by former experience, 
 that he resolues that shall be his remedie when nothing else can prevaill. 
 
 Fynding the king awerse from there desyre, they vrge the Couenant to 
 make haste ; promiseing, besides the soume agried vpon, that they wold 
 pay the armie so long as it stayed in England. 
 
 Our vnsatiable Couenant, being alreadie discontented that there avin 
 parlement had not succeeded to there mynd, yeldes to this motion, and 
 raiseing there armie mairches into England. 
 
 The king, aduertised heereof, acquantes his counsell with it ; but, alace, 
 this vnfortunat prince had nether subject, consellour, nor seruand in whom 
 he might put any confidence ; yea, euin those of his bed-chalmer ware pri- 
 uilie boght and sold ; there was non but the pure and innocent lady his 
 queene on whom he might rely. 
 
 His counsell stryues to persuad him that England wold neuer suffer a 
 forraine nation to enter armed in there kingdome without resistance, which 
 indeed was trewe, if they had not had a hand in it. The king, sending 
 ane army to resist the Couenant, being confident they will now feght, if 
 euer, aganst a nation that had bene so long and so vnreconsiliable ane 
 enemie of theirs, when they sawe them in armes to invade there countray. 
 
 Altho his maiestie begane to see how the most part of the nobilitie and 
 gentrie of England ware fomentares, if not actores, in this rebellion, for 
 that he saue such a generall disgust of Episcopacie, yet was he confident 
 of those to whom he had given the charge of the armie against the Co- 
 uenant, that as yet they retained there loyalty ; for weill he knew how the 
 Puritanes, Sectaries, and Separistes alledged, and that most trewly, 
 that the religion now professed in England was not jure diuino but jure 
 humano ; since it was euident and apparent to all the world that in king 
 Edward the Sixt his minoritie the English parlement would nether follow 
 Luther nor Caluines reformation, aledgeing the diuision and discord be- 
 twixt themselfes. But, in contempt of the pope, they wold reforme there 
 church, as the parlement thought fite, and therfor they erect bischopes, 
 ordeine there forme of woursheepe, and set furth there seruice booke ; 
 
1640.] 
 
 Lord Conway routed by the Scots at Newbum. 
 
 33 
 
 whairby, sayeth the Separistes, it plainely appeireth that the church and 
 religion thus planted cannot be prowen, by reason nor by any consequence, 
 to be the orthodox faith ; and yet the parlement euer since euen beene so 
 ambitious as to determine and giue the ecclesiastick law as well as the ciuil, 
 which the Presbiterians could never allow of. 
 
 But, neuerthelesse, the king hoppt weill of his armie, throw the con- 
 fidence he had in his leadders ; as also, that the bodie of the people of 
 which this armie was made vp was not yet infected, nether ware they 
 capable of those deipe misteries and high plots which, as strong and euer 
 rolleing wheilles, caried along this ingeine of the Couenant. But the ma- 
 litius influence of his vnluckie stares, or the hard fortune which had euer 
 followed so good a man, so pius, so mercifull a judge, and so wise and so 
 excellent a king, did in this action make knowin how he was deserted, yea, 
 and betrayed, euen of those in whom he had greatest confidence. 
 
 For altho the English be a waliant nation, and als good souldiours as beares 
 armes, yet in this expedition they gaue but small proofe of there carriage : 
 for whan there was a strong power both of horse and foot send from the 
 armie to keepe the passage of the riuer of Tyne on which Newcastle 
 standes, haueing takin and possessed the passe at Newburne, and being 
 all trained men, well armed, well horsed, yet they ware beat from it by a 
 partie of the Scotes, being vntrained men, and knew nether how to charge 
 in order, nor to keepe ranke nor fyll ; but confusedly, promiscuously, and out 
 of all order, they both charge them, defeates them, kills some and takes manv 
 prisoners, and gaines the passe. There ware about tua hundereth killed, 
 some alledges three hundereth, the rest put to flight ; and such gentlemen 
 as stood brauely to it, ware at lenth forced to yeeld themselves prisoneres. 
 
 This greiued the good king so extreamely, that vpon the instant 
 intreattie of the nobilitie, and large promises to sie all thinges redressed 
 to his full contentment, and the Couenanters exactlye punished, he 
 grantes them a parlement ; and because the sinceritie and candor of his 
 innocent soule could not harbour a thought, nor giue him libertie to be- 
 leeue, that vnder there many oathes and promisses of fidelitie there could 
 lurke any falshood or deceat, he grantes power to sitt ay and whill all things 
 ware fullie pacefied, and a perfyt establishment of gouernement in both 
 kingdomes satled ; which, it seemes, they had secretly concluded sould 
 neuer be in his tyme. 
 
 The parlement sits doune ; and the first thing they doe is to chose com- 
 
34 The earl of Strafford attainted and beheaded. [B. I. 
 
 missioners, who, with the Scotes commissioners chosen for that effect, 
 meetes at Ripone. They conclude one so many articles of pace, which is 
 drawin vp and sent to the king with great submission and humilitie, as it 
 seemed, on the Scotes commissioners part ; so that matters went on in a 
 faire way for a lasting pace, and therefor they hope for a parlement, pro- 
 misseing to make the king the most happie prince in the whole world. 
 
 Falling to worke for the affaires of that kingdome, the first thing they 
 take in hand is to arrest the lord depute of Irreland, one of the most actiue, 
 wise, and waliant gentlemen that England had produced in many ages be- 
 for, and the most sincere, the trewest, and most faithfull seruant that euer 
 the king had in England ; for the which, since nothing else could be prowin 
 against him, the Scotes commissioners joynes with the English parlement 
 in his accusation. It was long agitated in both houses of the nobilitie and 
 commones, but they could find no just cause which could take his lyffe, 
 except that which was mirely forged. Neuer prince stood for his seruant 
 more constantlie and noblie, than the king stood for this man ; yet all was 
 in waine : he was too trew a Royaliste to Hue ; whosoeuer was faithfull to 
 his soverane, that man is accountted nothing else but ane incendiarie ; and 
 to bee short, this nobleman, the earle of Straithfurd, and deputie of Irreland, 
 was the first that lost his lyffe, being beheaded for his faith and loyaltie to 
 his prince. 
 
 What the king did for him ; how he went from the parlement to Hamp- 
 toune Court, because he wold not allowe of there proceedings ; in this how 
 the lower house, much against the will of the nobilitie, had concluded his 
 death ; and how they send to the king to approue there sentence, with this 
 caueat, that if he refused, he sould remember how they sate there befor who 
 had disinthroned kinges. All this, and many moe particulares concerneing 
 England, I will pas ower, as not belongeing to my relation. 
 
 His maiestie, that wold leaue nothing vndone in such a dangerous dis- 
 temper, which might secure his throne, since the danger seemed more 
 terrible from that kingdome, as haueing beene so many ages separat from 
 his progenitores, with so long a continoved hatred that it might be termed 
 naturall to that nation, he resolues once more to try his natiue countray of 
 Scoteland by giueing them a parlement, at which himselfe intendes to be 
 present. He sees how the oathes and promises of the Inglishes hes ouer- 
 reached him, and how his throne begane to tremble and shake, throw the 
 violence of the storme and tempest threatned by tuo such valiant and 
 
1641.] 
 
 The church attached : The king's journey into Scotland. 
 
 35 
 
 warelyke nationes. He fyndes the English to incroitch vpon his preroga- 
 tiue with more obstinacie and less respect, which, vnlesse he can in tyme 
 preuent, may proue dangerous to his croune, fatall to himselfe, and both 
 ominous and vncureable to his posteritie ; wherefor he intendes to reclame 
 the Scotes, if by any meanes it be possible, from there ancient enemies 
 new freindshipe to a dewtifull alleagance towards there natiue king, whom 
 they had so vnnaturallie offended. After the deputies execution, which 
 he was constrained to take in patience, they fell to examen Episcopacie, 
 for that forme of church gouernement seemed to depend to much on the 
 royall throne ; but that secret as yet most not be so much as whispered, 
 they had other faultes besydes that could bryng them to their tryall, and 
 therefor the metrapolitane of Canterburie, or primate of England, is 
 arrested, and send to the tower. This was a prelat that of all otheres 
 seemed to haue the kinges eare, in priuate only, and, after the deputie, 
 was the nixte man of that nation who could doe most with him. And, 
 altho his place had not required it, yet by his confession on the scaffold, it 
 seemed that, according to his capacitie and knawledge, hee was not vn- 
 worthie of the trust the king reposed in him. 
 
 The Scotes armie, by adwise from the parlement, stayed in England 
 ] monthes, dewely payed by them, and the lordes of the Coue- 
 nant had to defray there charges, thre hundereth thousand pound sterling, 
 according to the priuat agreement, as yow haue hard befor. Nor was it 
 the least of there policie to keepe the Scottes armie in England whilles 
 the king had ane armie in the field ; but how soonne the kinges armie was 
 dissolued, then they ware content to be reade of them, as they ware, 
 how soonne the king went into Scoteland. The king came that way, they 
 being all drawin vp in battell, and, as he passed by, with a most humble 
 submission they lay doune there armes, and followes him paceablie to 
 Scoteland, where they ware licensed to dissolue. To be briefe, the king 
 is graciously receaued at Edinburgh, as he well deserueth ; for had they 
 beene alse reall and sincere internallie as there externall forme made showe 
 of, our miseries had quickly come to a periode. 
 
 The parlement sits doune ; his majestie, for the publick well, grantes 
 all they can demand, nor leaues any priuat interest onsatisfied ; he giues 
 honours, pensiones, offices, and the whole patrimonie of his croune, al- 
 most leaueing nothing to himselfe. So he might gaine the heartes of his 
 people, whom he had neuer wronged, he putes all courtesie vpon them, and 
 
36 
 
 Montrose attaches himself to the king. 
 
 courtes them as a cavelier courtes his lady ; and that with such generositie 
 and princely benevolence as might haue made there soules ashamed, and 
 heartes to blood, with the rememberance of there former injuries. 
 
 Resolueing that, this being his natiwe soyle, and those his naturall sub- 
 iectes, they could not heireafter prowe vngrait, and, if they did, he was 
 confident that the just Judge of all the world wold punish them, and the 
 bodie of the people could not but dispise them, and adhere to him, or such 
 as in his name sould seeke to reclame them. 
 
 Thus haueing leaft all thinges heire in a safe and paceable way, he 
 makes hast to returne for England, where there was more worke cutte out 
 for him then so just and gratious a king could expect from the sauages, or 
 a nation of mire barbarians. 
 
 Befor he tooke journey, he got Montroise set at libertie, who had beene 
 put in the castell vpon this occasion. 
 
 There had beene aboue tuentie of the nobilitie who had made a secret 
 band, whereby they seemed to defyne the meaneing of the Couenant, and 
 for there own part wold stand to it, in defence of there countray, there 
 liberties, and religion ; and whill the king intended no novation in aither 
 of those, they stand to him as loyall subjectes. And this band they made, 
 because they perceaued that religion was but a mire pretext, and not the 
 trewe cause of this rebellion. And because Montrose was the first that 
 motioned it, and mowed the rest to set there hands to it, therfor was he 
 censured, and put in the castell ; the whole Couenant beareing to him 
 such indignation as it had gone hard with him if the king had not set him 
 at libertie. This made him follow the king into England, to whom he was 
 euer after a loyall subject and seruant, and did him such seruice as shall 
 make him for euer worthie of eternall memorie. 
 
 When the benigne and gentle king had arriued at London, where the 
 parlement sat, he fand all thinges there contrarie to his expectation ; for, 
 haueing gottin to approwe a continowall parlement, they goe more roundly 
 to worke, vsurpeing all royall power, and leaues him but the beare title of 
 a king, and, for the power and regall authoritie, there ware so many kinges 
 as there were sitters in the parlement. 
 
 His maiestie desyres that such of the lawer house as he knew to be prime 
 instruementes and curious fomentars of this vnequalled insurrection might be 
 sequestered and censured, according to the ancient and established lawes of 
 that kingdome. But this he cannot obtaine at there handes. And yet, so 
 
1642.] 
 
 Abortive attempts at accommodation. 
 
 37 
 
 loth was this myld and mercifull prince to embroyll that land in ware and 
 blood, as he tryed all wayes possible for ane accomodatione. And, for 
 the two pretextes wherewith they vsed to possesse the peoples heartes, and 
 couer there pretensiones, to witte, the establishment of religion, with the 
 ancient lawes and liberties of the kingdome, he was content they sould 
 chose any of his predecessours regnes, yea, euin queine Elizabeth, whose 
 gouernement they cryed vp so much to be happie, florishing, prosperous, 
 and just, both in ecclesiasticall and ciuill affaires, and he hopit they sould 
 fynd nothing in his gouernement which was not consonant to hirs, yea, and 
 much surmounteing hers, for pace and plentie. 
 
 I intend not to middle with the historie of England, further then what 
 dependeth on our own by a necessare consequence ; therfor, not to wyrie 
 the reader, his maiestie put them to it with such pregnant and vnrefellable 
 arguments, as to giue the bodie of the people satisfaction (who began to 
 pitie the abussed and yet gratious king) ; they ware forced to yeeld to ane 
 treattie of accommodation, in which, neuerthelesse, there demands ware 
 so wnreasonable, as they ware sure they sould neuer be granted, vnlesse he 
 would quyt all his royall prerogatiue, whereby it appeared that there only 
 aime was to pull doun and quyt abolish monarchic, and setting vp of a re- 
 publicke, or rather anarchie, as it proued in end ; for as monarchic is but 
 on, so religion and law vnder it is but one, or else a certane secuire and 
 quiet pace ; but in a republicke where many rulleth, or in anarchie where 
 all confussedly rulle alyke, without the distinction of nobilitie, gentrie, or 
 commones, there christian libertie, misinterpretted, is so cryd vp, that all re- 
 ligions most be suffered or else no pace, only the Catholick Roman most be 
 excluded. Now, in the laver house satte the cheife plotters of the trans- 
 migration ; for in it ware all sort of sects or sorts of religion, and many, or 
 the most part, of the vpper house ware infected with the same disease, yea, 
 the most part of both houses ware compossed of Puritans, Separatistes, 
 Anabaptistes, Brunistes, Famelistes, Independentes, and Leuellers. Those 
 two last prevealled in end, as shall appeare. 
 
 And as experience had taught them that diuers and contrare opiniones 
 in religion could neuer prosper vnder the gouernement of one, therefore, 
 in diuerse treaties with the king, they resolue, for the peoples content, to 
 parle, but to make sure that it come to no good ishew, and therfor a pryme 
 man amongest them was hard to say that he hated the wery nam of 
 accommodation. And when in the vper house it was agitat what course 
 
38 
 
 The parliament tisurps the royal prerogatives. 
 
 they sould take to bring in so great a change of gouerneraent, and giue sa- 
 tisfaction to thee people, on of them, in a speach made to this effect, let 
 those wordes fall : Let ws goe on (said he) couragiously with what we 
 haue so prosperously begune, and when we can make the king lyke on of 
 vs, the work is at ane end. 
 
 But I leaue this and many other particulares and passages to a relation 
 by some of ther ovn nation, to whom I remitte also how they tooke posses- 
 sion of the royall nauie, the stronge castles, fortes, the kinges magasin of 
 armes, and all sortes of ammonition for ware ; the customes of the whole 
 kingdome, with the whole demeanes and rentes of the croune ; and then, 
 searching out some new way to quarrell with him, they suffer the prentisses 
 of London, or rather, by there agentes the preacheres, they steire them vp 
 to tumult, and those prentises comes in multitudes to his palice gettes, and 
 there doe vpbraid him, evin to his ovne heareing, till his serwants, haueing 
 long suffered it, with a brawe resolution beates them backe, dispersed and 
 scattered this confused rable, which otherwayes had entered the palice and 
 put his sacred person in danger. This being remonstrat to the parlement, 
 was slighted, and so passed ouer, tho such a bold and barbarus act was 
 neuer hard of in a ciuill and well gouerned kingdome ; wherefor this wyse, 
 myld, and vnimitable prince reteires himselfe to a place of more securitie, 
 when he could not command so much money as to pay for a daynner to 
 himselfe and his small trane. 
 
 And lastly, haueing placed ane admirall by sea, and a generall by land, 
 they cease vpon the militia ; and by that power they muster vp the trained 
 bands and able men for warre in euerie county, altho the militia, by all for- 
 mer actes of parlement, be alse dwe to the king as his croune, and had euer 
 beene to all former kinges his predecessores. 
 
 Now was it more nor tyme that he sould looke to himselfe ; for God 
 Almightie, Who was no doubt offended with this vnlawfull and neuer to be 
 equalled rebellion, as also pleased with this good kinges myld and patient 
 indurance, resolues for a tyme to raise him out of this dispised obscuritie, 
 tho not absolutly to free this iland from that greweous punishement which 
 our so long continowed iniquities had now "at lenth dravin doune from His 
 diuine justice. For our miseries did but heere beginne, whan Godcs all 
 seeing prouidence did for a tyme so miraculously protect this gratiouse 
 king, as in spyt of all there opposition (which themselfes esteemes invincible) 
 he becomes on a sudden so potent and powerfull, haueing nether militia, 
 
1642.] 
 
 The queen's exertions. 
 
 39 
 
 the navie, nor armes, nor treasure, that befor his enemies could thinke on 
 it, he had not only a considerable navie by sea, but ane, two, yea sume 
 tymes three armies by land ; and wheresoeuer he encounters them, he puts 
 them to the worst. 
 
 Nor can it be denyed that his loueing, constant, and faithfull queine (who 
 had made him fathere of a most princely and hopefull ishew both of sonnes 
 and daughters) did not a litle contribute to his good successe ; haueing 
 crossed the seas for that cause, and wineing by her gratious behauiour, 
 wittie indewoires, and princely courage, so much freindshipe abrod, as shoe 
 procured him aid of all thinges necessare for the wares, as armes, ammoni- 
 tion, and great soumes of money ; nor sparred shoe to make seall of all her 
 rich jowells and pleat, evin those that formerly shoe vas in vse to weare for 
 the lawfull ornament of her sacred person, in so much as shoe brought 
 home with her eight hunder thousand pound sterling, and three hunder 
 thousand that followed her, when prince Robert came with abundance of 
 great ordinance, and armes for sex thousand horse and foote. 
 
 But this patient, myld, and gratiouse king was so loth to imbroyll or wast 
 that kingdome, or sheed the blood of his subiectes, how vngraite soeuer, as 
 he refused all aid from forraine princes, who was most willing to lend him 
 assistance, seeing weell by him what a fearefull precedent this might growe ; 
 for as Lues, called the just and good king of France, said euen then, that 
 if this rebellion against his brother-in-law prewealled, no king of Europe 
 could be sure of his croune. And altho our king had afterwardes cause 
 exceedingly to repent him for the refusall of this aid, yet with that his 
 queine broght him, he fand so many of his ovne subiectes to arryse with him, 
 that the English parlement begane to feare the euent ; and therefor send 
 there agentes into Scoteland (with heavie regrates of there apparent and 
 neire approaching miserie) for there present aide, according to there former 
 combinatione, laying out befor the generall assemblie, and the estaites then 
 sitting' in Edinburgh in anno 1643, how vnable they ware to preweall 
 against the king, and how neir they ware to there vtter overthrow. 
 
 About this tyme, the count de [ ] is send ane ambassadoure from 
 
 France to mediate a pace betwixt the king and the parlement ; but he had, 
 in secret, from the cardinall, a command not to coole but kendle. 
 
 The estates, takeing this to there more serious consideration, they put 
 all this kingdome in posture of ware, the Couenant, which then rulled all, 
 was come by degrees to so great hight. 
 
40 
 
 The Scots join with the English parliament. 
 
 The king was carefull Scoteland sould rest in pace, and be but lookers 
 on ; and in this he was confident to preweall, because the marquis of Ha- 
 miltoune had takin in hand to cruish there designes, by pluralitie of wottes, 
 in a new parlement, so many of the nobilitie and gentrie stood yet for him. 
 But aither Hamiltoune did not reallie intend for the king, as he promised, 
 or else he was ouerreached by the Couenant, for, in that parlement, they 
 carryed it clearlie, by a great many wottes : whereas, if the king had send 
 but two thousand men, and forbiddin the parlement, he had so great as- 
 sistance as vndoubtedly the Couenant had not only failled of raiseing ane 
 armie, but his true subiectes had beine able to haue giuen him assistance. 
 Yet we most thinke that the Diuine Prouidence would haue it thus for our 
 sinnes, as yet deserueing not so mutch happines. 
 
 What a greife was now in Scoteland to all loyall subiectes, to sie them- 
 selfes forced to syd with ther ancient enemies against ther natiue king, and 
 to sie that most ancient kingdome, for ane enemie, so rent and torne in 
 peisses, lawes forbiddin, God's true woursheipe neglected, religion made 
 the strongest arme of rebellion, the nobilitie awed, the gentree slawed, the 
 poore oppressed, and all sortes, from the highest to the lawest, daylie 
 sunkin in wantes and miserable necessities, through this vnlawfull, ambi- 
 tious, and vncuireable combustion ; vncureable, since it seemes to feght 
 directly against the only compleat and heauin-imitateing rule of monarchic, 
 vnder which this kingdome hath been this nynteine hundereth yeares, for it 
 wanteth not thirtie of two thousand since Fergus the First brought the 
 fatall cheire out of Ireland hither wherein he was crouned ; and from him 
 a liniall and neuer-failleing succession, a glorious, royall, and vnconquered 
 chayne of kings, ar, without intromission or breach of blood, descended, 
 in number a hundreth and seauen, haueing with great wisedome euer 
 gouerned thir peoples, and with invincible courage protect them free and 
 still vnconquered libertie against all forrane invasiones ; and therefor it is 
 to be hopt for that the rich prouidence, the eternall wisedome, and all- 
 seeing eye of the King of kinges will not suffer the accomplishment of 
 such a monstruous and justly abhorred change, as that of so long es- 
 tablished, so well gouerned, and heauen ordained monarchic, vnto a 
 rauenus, deworeing, atheisticall, turbulent, and all confused anarchie. 
 But, as our former contempt of His diuine law, neglect of His diuine wour- 
 shipe in treue religion, and our other tryeing sinnes, hes procured His 
 diuine justice to suffer ourselfes to produce our owne punishment, so, by 
 
1643. J 
 
 They march a second army into England. 
 
 41 
 
 this punishment, when both the vices and vitious are rooted out, He will 
 againe turne His mercieful and loueing countenance towards vs. 
 
 According to the desyre of the Inglish agents, our armie is drawin to a 
 head, and marches into Iugland ; wherewith the king is so greiued, as he 
 repentes the followeing of Hamiltounes counsell and refusseing Montrose, 
 who aduyssed him not to suffer a parlement, but to send aid to his freindes, 
 who ware most willing to spend there Hues and fortounes in his seruice. 
 
 Hamiltoune comes vp from Scoteland to paliat his erroures, or to defend 
 himselfe against his accusers for moweing the king to giue way to a par- 
 lement. But Montrose and Aboyne, with some that adheired to them, 
 accuses him with such strong and powerfull assertiones, as he, being vnable 
 to cleare himselfe, is send prisoner to Pandinise castle in Cornewell, his 
 brother Lenricke put vnder arrest and in keeping also ; but he getts him- 
 selfe secretly convoyed away, and comes home and joynes himselfe to the 
 Couenant, who had been his maiesties secretare for Scoteland all this whille. 
 
 The comeing in of this armie, and joyneing with the English, did so 
 ouer ballance the royall partie there as the kings fortoune is changed. 
 
 Prince Robert is send with a considerable and well appoynted armie to 
 oppose them, and releaue Yorke, which they then beseiged ; he releaues 
 the toune, and could haue easely frustrat all there attemptes ; if he had but 
 lingered and dallied with them for a whill, they had grawin waiker dayly, 
 and he stronger, for all that countray and the whole north of England, till 
 then, stood loyally for the king. 
 
 They, forseeing the danger that most follow delay, bids him battell, 
 which he raishely, and (against the will and adwisse of the most expert com- 
 manders, and in speciall of that valiant and well experiensed Scotesman, 
 generall King,) accepts of, and looseing the day with great hazart, he there- 
 by loosses Yorke and all the north, which, till then, had euer stood for the 
 king ; nor his majestie euer after that day euer recouer it againe. 
 
 The reason why they had stand so long and firmely to the king was, be- 
 cause all the north and wast scheires of England ware for the most part Ca- 
 tholicke Romanes, and they looked for nothing but to be quite extinguished, 
 if the parlement prewealled ; and, therefore, at the queine's intreatie, on 
 whose patronage they depended, 6rst, they aduanced the king fyftie thousand 
 pound, when he stood in most necessitie thereof, vnder the name of his 
 vnknowin freindes ; and nixt, they offer to raise ane armie of tuantie 
 thousand, the third part horse, which alwayes sould be keeped intyre, and 
 
42 The policy of the king towards his Roman [B. I. 
 
 full by recries, so long as the ware continowed, and neuer cost him a 
 farthing. But this he refused, and not only deserted them, but, being a 
 most zealous, constant, and vnchangeable professor of the Inglish religion, 
 wherein he had bene bread and broght vp all his lyffe, he makes a solem 
 promisse when he gaue prince Robert his dispatch, that if he returned with 
 victory, and his enemies dispersed, he sould not leaue a Catholicke in all 
 England ; or as the subdean of Wailles relates it, in all his armies ; the 
 world sould sie how false that aspersion was which the parlement had sawen 
 abrod against him, that he was a Catholicke Romane in his heart, and 
 that he intended nothing else but the setting vp of the Roman religion. 
 
 The Catholickes of England heareing of this solem woue, and the re- 
 fusall of the aid they offerred him, became the lese cairefull of his prosperous 
 successe ; and euer after, altho sore against there hearts, they ware content 
 to follow the parlement. 
 
 And surely if we looke to the euent which folloued, we cannot but inge- 
 niously confesse that his maiestie, by this three erroures (if we may call 
 them errores) which he did mirely out of his zeall to the religion, and loue 
 to his people, did contribute to much to the vncuireable losse which after 
 folloued ; for whereas he first refused the aid of forraine princes, he did it 
 both to eshew the ruin and spoyll of his subjectes and countray by stran- 
 geres, and nixt, it was to be feared that if they prevealled, altho in his 
 defence against his enemie, they might doe as the Saxones had done to 
 king Wortigerne, who haueing broght in thos strangeres to his aid against 
 the Scotes and Pichtes, they satled themselfes so as they forced the 
 Brittanes into Wailles, and keeped England to this day. 
 
 Yet it was hard to know how they would dispose of their wictorie, if they 
 sould be absolut maisters ; and altho they could not proue so barbarous and 
 inhumaine, but as Christianes they would reinthrone him, yet it might be 
 with good reason presumed that they would haue the Catholick Roman faith 
 planted, or at least a full and free libertie for all such as pleased to professe it. 
 This politicke forsight, and mature consideration, might weryly detere him 
 from the acceptance of forraine aid. But to refuse from his ovne subjectes 
 ane armie of tuantie thousand, well payed, and yet not out of his cofferes, this 
 sould seeme not to bee wise policie, nor to haue proceeded from so judicious 
 and wise a prince. I know it may be replyed that he had reasone to be 
 jealous of this same armie, being aliant in religion, tho not by nature or 
 birth, that they would striue for the same prerogatiues, as indeed it might 
 
1643.] Catholic subjects : The battles of Edgehill and Newbury. 43 
 
 be they would serve for it, yet could they neuer intend it but be way of 
 petition as his subiectes ; nor is it to be thought otherwayes, but that he 
 could curbe them at his pleasure, haueing the whole kingdome, yea the 
 whole iland, to stand for him, and with him, in this poynt. 
 
 The third, that he should wou, the rooteing out or banishing of so many, 
 and so great a multitud of his subjectes ; this would seeme far from the 
 nature of so just, so myld, so mercifull, and so pious a prince, to rander so 
 hard a measure for so faithfull and constant adherance. 
 
 We may easely cleare him then from this designe as budding from his 
 oven naturall disposition ; and judgeing more reuerently of the sweitnes 
 and candor of so gratious a prince, we most say, as it was then by famous 
 authores certanely reported, that it was the diuins and chaplenes that 
 waited one him, who contryued the plott, and moued him to make this 
 solemne promisse, who was the more easely perswaded, because he was so 
 zealous and so religious a prince, as, if he had not bene a king, he could 
 haue beene a preacher. 
 
 But it is to be obserued, that before this, he had twyce beat his enemies 
 out of the feild, first at Eger hill, and nixt at Newberrie. In the first, he 
 was absolut victore, since he keepit the place of battell, and they returne, 
 and was not to be fund the nixt day. 
 
 In the second, prince Robert, with the horsemen, beat vp there 
 strongest quarteres, where, inuironed with ditches and haiges, there mus- 
 cates and pickes seemed invincible ; so as the nixt day, befor the twie light, 
 they made a dishonorable retreat to London, and would not hazart, with 
 there whole forces, to giue him battell. And yet in both thes, according 
 to there politicke custome, to keepe the body of the people in suspence at 
 least, they gawe it out that they prewailled in both, and was not ashamed 
 to informe there freindes in Scoteland that it was so. But, after those two 
 happie wictories, the king becomes maister of the most and best part of 
 the south and west of England ; so as if the north, which had ewer stood 
 constantly to him, had beine freed of the vnited armie of the Scotes and 
 English, at Yorke, by prince Robert, it was apparent the king hade beine 
 maister of all England. But prince Robert vnfortunatly lost that day, 
 and there became the decadencie or descent of the best of kinges his for- 
 tune, which neuer leaft rolling till he was rolled vnworthely in his enemies 
 handes ; whose tragicke end my penne haites to rehearse, and my hearte 
 bloodes to remember. 
 
44 
 
 Conference betivixt the king 
 
 And heire it is not to be omitted that he cam thereafter to Ragland 
 castell, his armies shrunke away, his treasure exhausted ; and the Catholickes, 
 vpon the heareing of this wowe, hade made there pace with the parlement, 
 altho vpon hard tearmes. That graive and good old marquis of Worcester 
 (to whom he came for the supplie of a litle money) spoke those wordes vnto 
 him, as it is related by Thomas Bayly, doctor of diuinitie and subdean of 
 Wailles, in his relatione of the conference betuixt the king and the mar- 
 quisse, wherein he was only admitted to be auditor. It was printed at 
 London, in 1649 ; a peice so well worth the reading, as I could wisch all 
 whom I loue, be he aither Romane Catholick or English Protestant, to 
 read it, by the which I am confident they sould find great satisfaction. 
 
 The marquiesse wordes to the king, concerneing his wowe, ware those ; 
 pag. 23 of the subdeanes relation : 
 
 " Sir, it is thus God expected a worke to be done by your handes, but 
 vow haue not ansuered His expectation nor His mercy towardes yow. 
 Whan your enemies had more cities and garisones then yow had priwat 
 families to take your part ; whan they had more canones than you had 
 muscates ; whan the people crawed to heape treasures against yow, whilest 
 your majesties freindes ware faine heire and there to make a gathereing for 
 yow ; when they had navies at sea, whilest your majestie had not so much 
 as a boat vpon the river ; whilest there odes in number against yow was a full 
 crope against a glenning ; then God wroght His miracle, in makeing your 
 glenning bigger then there vintage ; He put the power into your hand, and 
 made yow able to declare yourselfe a trew man to God, and gratefull to 
 your freindes. But, lyke the man whom the prophet makes mention of, 
 who bestowed great cost and paines vpon his vyneyard, and at last it 
 brought furth nothing but wyld grapes, so, whan God hade done all those 
 thinges for yow, and expected that yow should haue giuen His church some 
 respet to ther owergestiones, I hard say yow made voves that if God 
 blessed yow but that day of Nesbie field with victorie, you would not leaue 
 a Catholicke in all your armie ; for the which, I feare, the Lord is so 
 angrie with yow, that I am afrayed He will not giue yow another day 
 wheirin yow may so much as try your fortoune. Your majestie had forgot 
 the moneyes which cam vnto yow from vnknovin handes, and ware brought 
 vnto you by vnknovin faces, whan yow promissed yow would neuer forget 
 your vnknovin freinds. Yow have forgottin the miraculus blesseinges of 
 the Almightie vpon those begineings ; and how haue yow discountinanceit, 
 
1 643.] 
 
 and the marquis of Worcester. 
 
 45 
 
 distrusted, disregarded, yea and disgraced, the Catholickes all along ; and 
 at last woved ane extirpation of them. Doeth not your majestie sie 
 clearely, how that in the tuo great battells, the north and Nesbie, God 
 showed signes of His displeasure ; when, in the first, your enemies vas evin 
 at your mercie, confusion fell vpon yow, yow lost the day ; lyke a man 
 that so wound his enemie that he could scarcely stand, and afterward his 
 ovne sword sould flie out of the hilt, and leaue this strong and skilfull to 
 the mercie of his falling enemie. And in the second, (and I feare me the 
 last battell that euer yow will feght,) whilest your men ware cryeing vic- 
 torie, as I heare they had reason so to doe, your sword brake in the aire, 
 which made yow a fugitiue to your flieing enemies. Sir, I pray you pardon 
 my boldnes, for it is God's cause that makes me so bold, and no inclina- 
 tion of my ovne to be so. And giue me Hue to tell yow, that God is 
 angrie with yow, and will newer be pleased till yow haue taken new reso- 
 lutiones concerneing your religion, which I pray God direct yow ; or else 
 yee will fall from ought to worse, from thence to nothing." 
 
 Wheirin he seemed to be inspyred with some propheticke spirit, as the 
 sequell did show. 
 
 It is now more then tyme that we returne to Scoteland. When our armie 
 was readie to march for England, as yow haue hard befor, they consulted 
 what should be determined concerneing the marquiesse of Huntly, whom 
 they could neuer purchase to syd with them, and they knew it was a maxime 
 in state policie to leaue no enemie hehind them. 
 
 For altho the king had many of the nobilitie, who ware in there heartes 
 Royalistes, yet was non that opinly professed themselfes for the king but he 
 only ; for he esteemed it on of his greatest honoures, and wheirin he gloried 
 most, that there war neuer any of his predecessores who had leift him a re- 
 mission amongst his euidentes, since the familie of Huntlie, in all ages, from 
 the first beginneing, held euer for there soueraine lord ; and to signifie to all 
 posteritie there seruice to the croune, hath had lands with that reddendo in 
 the charter, for keeping the croune vpon the kinges head ; and surely this 
 marquiesse of Huntly might be weell said to haue yeelded to none of his 
 predecessores, but rather to haue surpassed them all in this, for there vas 
 neuer subiect sufferred more for his soueraigne then he hes done liweing 
 in such a malorous tyme ; as from the first plantation of this illand vnto 
 this day so generall and fearefull a rebellion was neuer hard of ; and all 
 succeiding tymes shall marke it with the not of incomparable, or incom- 
 
46 
 
 The marquis of Argyle, and 
 
 patible. And he sealled this his constant faith and loyaltie with the death 
 of his two sonnes in his maiesties seruice ; and, thirdlie, when he could not 
 prevaill, he signed this his constant faith with his ovne blood also. 
 
 The estates, as I haue said, remaineing on there ovn proiecte for Eng- 
 land, aduysseth hou, in ther absence, they might bee sure of him, that he 
 sould not mix there vine with water ; and therefor Ardgyll being esteemed, 
 as indeed hee was, the head of there Couenant, and haueing most interest in 
 Huntly, as being his brother in law, tooke vpon him to deall in this affaire ; 
 and knoweing that the marquiesse himselfe was not be drawin from his con- 
 stant loyaltie, he dealls with his nephew the lord Gordoune, and layes 
 befor him the danger ; for the estates had resolued to make it there first 
 worke to ruine and roote out him and his wholle familie, leauing no me- 
 morie of them to posteritie. Wherfor he, as haueing neir and deir interest 
 in him, would adwisse him to deall with his father, that they might at least 
 haue assurance of his paceable carriage in their absence ; and if he wold not 
 himselfe syd with them, yet at least he might winke at him to doe it, for that 
 was no new precedent, it being almost ordinarie amonges the nobilitie, at least 
 in Ingland, where witte and worldly policie flourishes, that if the father stood 
 for the king, the sonne was for the parliment ; and the caire hee had of him 
 as his nephew, and in him the standing of so noble a familie, had mowed him 
 thus to adwisse him for preuenting there apparent and vnavoidable ruine. 
 
 The braue and gallant youth, being the miracle of his tyme, for all 
 the excellencies both of body and mynd, and haueing naturallie a most 
 pregnant witte and solid judgement fare aboue his age, takes this to his 
 consideration, as being spoken from his vncle, who seemed euer to haue 
 him in great estimation, and causes some freindes to deall with his father, 
 that he would suffer him, in show at least, to syd with them, for prewenting 
 the present danger, since he was in effect as true a Royalist as his father ; 
 and whensoeuer the king was able to make a considerable partie in the king- 
 dome, he sould be most willing to leat the world see his vnchangeable affec- 
 tion to his maiesties seruice ; as he did afterward indeed, for he sealled this 
 resolution with his dearest blood. His father, nether by his persuasiones nor 
 ther threatinges, could be moued so much as in show, to consent that he 
 sould seeme theres ; wherefor, by the adwyse of his wysest freindes, he 
 veeldes to Argyll for the present, as the sauest way and course to awoid 
 the violence of this tempest ; and being confident that he had ane indulgent 
 father, whose favour and approbation he sould obtaine, when occasion 
 
1643.] 
 
 the lord Gordon. 
 
 47 
 
 should present him the opportunitie to discouer himselfe, then he doubted 
 not but to make a reall remonstrance what he was indeed. 
 
 Altho the estates was vehemently jealous that this his yeelding was but 
 in show, yet there ingaigement to the English did so presse them, as they 
 ware content to take a show for a substance, and not to omitt what micht 
 wine him to be reall, and the more to indeire him, they gaue him the com- 
 mandement of all the forces, both of horse and foot, that ware to be raised 
 in the north, where indeed without his helpe they could hardly haue raised 
 any ; for his father, who since the last parlement liued at home in a retyred 
 way, as if he had beene carelesse how the world went, imployeing himselfe 
 in nothing but planteing, building, and such lyke policie, would neuer suffer 
 any of his to pay there taxes, imposts, or subsedies, wherewith they filled 
 there coffers, as those who had long befor projected this ware, which they 
 now intend to prosecut in England for defence of there faction there, I meane 
 that kingdomes parleament against there souerane. But the marquiesse 
 of Huntly refusses to aid them with horse or men, money, or any thing else, 
 that could contribut to this vulawfull warre, made there leuies in the north 
 to litle or to no purpose, till the lord Gordoune set his hand to it, who 
 would not wrong himselfe so fare as to leaue anything vndone which be- 
 longed to the charge they had giuen him ; and altho he send them some re- 
 gementes of horse and foote, yet he neuer vent himselfe ; showeing by all 
 meanes not to showe himself in persone against his prince, altho the 
 danger of this vnhappie tymes forced him to conseall what he would haue 
 more glaidly made manifast. 
 
 This armie gon into England, and joyneing with the small forces which 
 the parliement could then raise, throw the euill gouernement as is alledged 
 of the marquiesse of Newcastell, and some other leadderes of the kinges 
 forces, which was then verie strong, and appoynted to resist the Scotes 
 entrie into England, which they did not ; and therefor prince Robert is send 
 with a more powerfull armie (as we said before), with whom, when New- 
 castell joyned, the prince assures himselfe of wictorie ; and being of a bold 
 and invincible courage, hee esteemed no danger too hard for him. Willfull 
 at that tyme without consideration, through the heat of his courage and 
 confidence, he accepts of battell, when they offer it, which he sould haue 
 refused ; but God would haue it so, Whose secret judgement who is able to 
 search or find out. 
 
 All the north of England being by this battell recouered for the parle- 
 
48 
 
 The marquis of Huntly urged to take up arms. 
 
 ment, the northerne counties, as bishopricke Northumberland, Cotnmerland, 
 and Westemuireland, is left in the Scotes there possession, till the charges 
 they war put to, in raiseing of that armie, war defrayed, and the great 
 souraes they had layed out for the payeraent of ten thousand, which, vnder 
 the command of colonell Monroe, they keepe in Ireland for the English 
 parlement, wherby they bad both gained and keeped all the north of Ire- 
 land to the parlementes deuotion. 
 
 Whille the armie was in England, the marquiesse of Huntly is wehe- 
 mently dealt with by some of his freindes to take armes, the tyme being then 
 so fitt, when not only the strenth of the Couenant was in England, but the 
 pryme heades of the nobilitie, who ware able to raise any forces, ware there 
 also, and it was most certain that there they sould haue ther hands full ; 
 wherefor he might now doe the king a most acceptable peice of seruice, 
 for he being once in the fieldes, all those of the south that favoured the 
 king would be glaid to shake of there slauerie and syd with the king. 
 
 But those that gaue this aduise were more bold then wise, haueing no 
 certane verities to build on, but mire presumptiones, that he might happilie 
 be aided in this kynd. The marquiesse being of a subtill and pregnant 
 witte as any that lived in his tyme, was to judicious to be persuaded to so 
 dangerous ane interprysse vpon mire presumptiones ; for, first, the strenth 
 he could raise was not considerable, in respect the greatest part of his 
 freindes went his sonnes way ; and for the noblemen in the south who 
 fauoured the king, he could haue no assurance from themselfes that they 
 would syd with him without a commission obtained from his maiestie to that 
 effect, and he had send on to the king to know his pleasure ; he looked 
 dayly for his returne, till which tyme he thought it not fit to sture. 
 
 The messenger being hendered by a tedious dispatch, and the danger 
 of his passage, they ceas not dayly to remoue ther foote, haueing young 
 Drum, who had lately maryed my lords fourt daughter, to assist them ; a 
 youth alse bold and adventurous as any, and extreamly bent to the kinges 
 seruice. When they fand him with such pregnant reasones to refuse there 
 motiones, as they ware vnable to resist, much lesse to answer, they tak 
 another course by the which they ware sure to ingage him ; for young 
 Drum and the laird of Haddach goes to Aberdeen with a hundreth horse 
 onlie, and enters the toune, a litle after the sonne ; leaues a gard vpon the 
 marcat place ; goes to the prouestes house, the comraisher general for the 
 estate, and some otheres, whom they knew to be most violent for the 
 
1644.] 
 
 Haddo's raid : Huntly takes the field. 
 
 49 
 
 Couenant (and who had forced the rest of the citicins against there will to 
 2oe there way), with forhammers they brake wp there gates, takes them 
 prisoners, and bringes them to Huntly, from whence they are send to the 
 strong castell of Auchindoune, and there detained. 
 
 This did much displease the marquiesse, but since it was done there was 
 no remedie, he most haue patience, his goodsonne and ane of the bar- 
 rones of his name, being actores, for it was this laird of Hadda and young 
 Gight that ware the maine contriueres of all this bussines. 
 
 They insist earnestly with him to take the fieldes befor there enemies 
 could come togither, and they would assure him of forces sufficient. 
 
 Altho he could not bee persuadit that he could effectuat any great matter, 
 wanteing his eldest sonne, and the greatest part of his friendes, yet he ap- 
 poyntes a randevowes, resolueing, that if his enemies was to strong for 
 him, then would he change countrays with them ; but neither could he per- 
 forme this, when it came to the poynt, for those that ware only and chiefe 
 instigatores of him to tak this course ware the first that leift him, discour- 
 rageing all the rest ; they ware soone after dissolued, for by changeing of 
 countrayes he resolued to wirie them euer till he might find a faire aduan- 
 tage or fit opportunitie to try his fortoune, or else looked for aid from the 
 king: or his commandementes what else could be done. 
 
 Befor he cam to the randewowes, the gentleman returnes from his 
 maiestie, assureing him of aid befor it war long. Montrois indeed had 
 gottin order for it, and was to receaue this aid from the marquiesse of New- 
 castle, but the aid he had gott was to waike for so mighty a bussiness ; yet, 
 had his good fortoune beene such as this aid (tho but small) beene sufferred 
 to joyne with him, he had gottin the most part of all benorth Tay to haue 
 raisine in armes for the king. My lordes second sonne, the viscount of 
 Aboyne, was comeing with Montroes, and therefor keepit the dispatch, sent 
 to his father, till he sould bring it himselfe. The tenour wherof was this : 
 that the king had apoynted prince Maurice as generall of all his forces in 
 Scoteland ; and besouth the Grangebeane montaines, Montrose was lieve- 
 tennant general, and for the north, the marquiesse of Huntly ; for altho 
 prince Maurice had the name of generall, yet was he not to come till the 
 bussines war forther aduansed, but Montroise in his absence was to com- 
 mand all in the south, and Huntlie in the north. 
 
 Montrose and Aboyne, with fyue hundreth horse, enters in Scoteland, 
 and was aduansed as fare as Dumfrees ; where, if they had not gottin tymely 
 
50 The marquis of Montrose forced to retire from Dumfries to Carlisle. [B. I. 
 
 aduertisement from my lord Jhonestoune, who was thought to be a 
 Royalist, they had been surprysed by Baeclough and otheres, who being 
 aboue sex thousand horse and foot, had beene vpon them before they could 
 expected them, but haueing gottin aduertisement befor, they retire backe to 
 Carlile, and there the English takes leiue of them. 
 
 Montrose acquantes Aboyne with his designe, which was to goe priuatlie 
 into Scoteland, aduiseing him to stay there till he hard howe matters went, 
 which he did, and sendes with him the commission giuen to his father for 
 the command of the north ; which was afterward the cause of much 
 jeolousie and grudge betuixt those tuo noblemen. The marquiesse of 
 Huntly, lookeing for Montrose, with his sonne and those horsemen 
 who ware forced to retyre, as you haue hard, he appoynted his rande- 
 wowes at Aboyne, where he fand his forces but waike, being not aboue 
 a thousand foote and two hundreth horse ; and yet the werie name of 
 his goeing to the field struke such a terrour in all the heartes of all 
 the northerne Couenanteres, as they did schift them out of way, some to 
 strong holdes, and some fled to the south, giueing timely aduertisement 
 to the tables ; from whence there was aduertisement send in all haist to 
 England. 
 
 After the battell of Yorke, the Scotes Couenanters had all the north of 
 England at there pleasure, only Newcastle stood for the king, which the 
 lord Crawford and the lord Rea, both Scottes men, defended valiantlie, 
 whill generall Lesly beseiged it. And, being now maister of the fieldes, 
 Ardgyll is send home with some regementes of horse and foot to appaise 
 the commotiones of the north ; and, in his mairch hither, he raises all the 
 countrayes and shyres where he comes, in armes, so as he became quickly a 
 stronge armie. 
 
 Huntly marches to Aberdeen, hopeing to augment his forces there ; but 
 as his vnvillingnesse from the beginneing did presaige some malour to- 
 wardes that interprysse, so at Aberdeen he receaueth intelligence how 
 Montrose, and his sonne the viscount, whom the king had then created 
 earle, had aduansed alse fare as Dumfrees for his assistance, but, by a 
 stronger partie, forced to retyre to Carlile. 
 
 This newes, with Ardgylles returne with a strong armie marching to- 
 wardes them, struke such a terrour in the heartes of the common souldioures, 
 that they shrunke daylie away ; so at his nixt randewowes, he was not fiue 
 hundreth foot, besydes his horse, who ware litle more then two hundreth. 
 
1644.] 
 
 Young Drum plunders the toivn of Montrose. 
 
 51 
 
 Those that ware so earnest with him in the beginneing became now so 
 vnresolued as they knew not what course to take. 
 
 Young Drum, being a brawe and most courageous youth, finding now, 
 altho to late, how they sould be forced to leaue the fieldes, resolwes to goe 
 south alse farre as Monrose, ware it but to try what the enemies ware 
 doeing, and to see if occasion would offer itselfe whereby he might giue ane 
 expression of his intension to doe his maiestie seruice. His good father 
 loth is to giue him way, feareing his vnexperienced youth, and rashe bold- 
 nes, throw to much hate of courage, which might imbarke him in such 
 danger, as thee handfull which they had at that present could not bee able 
 to make good ; yet, was the young gallant so importunat, as he giues him 
 vay on those termes that he sould try the earle of Airlie, and such as 
 fawoured the king there, what might be expected from them, or giue they 
 would giue him assurance to ryse, and joyne with him if he should come 
 forward. 
 
 Drum marches from Aberdeen with three or foure score horse, Natha- 
 niell Gordoune being commander vnder him ; and according as my lord had 
 ffiuen order, Donald Farquharsonne meetes him with three hunder foot, at 
 Northeiske. They march to Monrose, where they intend no harme, but 
 from thence to scute for intelligence, if they sould receaue them peaceablie ; 
 but the toune being extreamelie couenanted, and heareing that Ardgill was 
 comeing with a strong armie, stands to there armes and forbides there en- 
 trie ; wherevpon this young gallant charges them with such resolution and 
 violence, as in a short tyme he killes such as resisted ; and for there forther 
 punishement, giues his shouldiours ane hours plunder of the toune, whereby 
 they could not but suffer great losse. Yet was it not equall by many de- 
 grees to the calumnious and greiueous aspersiones which the Couenant gaue 
 out of it afterwards. This done, he marches to Cortachie, where the earle 
 of Airlie had his residence, and sendes a gentleman in to try what would be 
 his part, but Ardgyll being then entered in Anguis, and the whole countray 
 comeing in to him dayly in arms, no helpe was to be looked for there. 
 
 Now, as this action was both bold and aduenturus, being aboue threttie 
 mylles within his enemies countray without any forces to secund him ; and 
 had Ardgyll gottin but the least intelligence of his comeing, he could have 
 stoped his returne and inuironed him on all sydes ; so to giue him his dewe, 
 he was worthie of all praise, both in the couragious aduenture, quicke dis- 
 patch, resolued performance, and happie execuition of it with celeritie, and 
 
52 
 
 Huntbj retires from the field. 
 
 raakeing a saue retreate, for he left not a man sawe some stragleres who fol- 
 lowed the foot for pray ; and being lodin with plunder, and drunke with the 
 wine of Monrose, was fund sleepeing in a corne field the nixt day after. 
 
 The marquiesse being informed trewely that Ardgyll was too stronge for 
 him, and that on his march he became dayly stronger, adwised for that which 
 was fit to be done. To retyre to the hylandes seems now to no purpose, since 
 the aid from England was gone, and he could not expect elsewheire for any ; 
 in Aberdeen he could not stay because the towne was not fencible ; to goe 
 to the fieldes and there attend his enemie with a handfull, against a strong 
 and well appoynted enemie, non could approue that had trewe courage and 
 a perfect judgement. Wherfor, to make the best of ane euill play, he re- 
 solues to retyre to the mountaines, where his enemies, vnacquanted with thee 
 rouffh and dangerous passage, could not follow him, and if they did, he was 
 sure to caitch them at many aduantages, and so to wirie them out, as if for- 
 toune had failled to assist him, by some surprysse they sould be forced to 
 leaue him ; so should he preserue those he had for ahappie tyme; and surely 
 had this resolution beene put in practise he had been famous to all ages, for 
 the aid that came from Ireland had joyned with him. But the heauinly 
 prouidence had otherwayes dispossed of it, and his resolution was ouer- 
 throwin in this manner. From Aberdeen he marches to Banfe, hopeing 
 there to surprysse his sonne, and thereby strengthen his force, by the ad- 
 dition of the most part of his friendes, but he is gone before he comes 
 there. 
 
 At Banfe, the lairdes of Gight and Haddo, who war the only vrgers of 
 him to take the fields, being awerse from this retreat to the montaines, or 
 rather never solidly resolued on any course, agries priuatly betuixt them- 
 selfes, to retyre to their ovne castells, and haueing manned them, to stand 
 to there ovne defence, knoweing they should be streatly beligered and 
 famished, if noght else could do it ; but newer dreameing that there was no 
 hope to releiue them, so poore, and so woid of forsight, was this con- 
 discendance. It could not but extreamely greiue the marquies whan they 
 came to acquant him with this ther resolution, and he told them plainely, 
 that if they now leaft him, he would prognosticat that some of them would 
 smart for it befor it war long, and in this he was too trewe an augurer. 
 
 Whan they perceaued him to be so highly discontent, they promise that 
 they will only wictuall and man the housses ; and then they resolue to waite 
 vpon him at Huntly ; but, after they ware gone, they send him word 
 
1644.] 
 
 Argyle takes the castles of Kellie and Gight. 
 
 53 
 
 that they sould be forced, for diuerse reasones, to keepe there houses 
 themselfes. 
 
 The rest of his followers being discouraged by there departure, begane 
 that night to shrunke away, and shift for themselfes. Thus was he forced 
 to take a new resolution, retyreing himselfe to Auchindoune, the strongest 
 castell he had in those partes of the countray. 
 
 Heire we may see how courage, without resolution, forsight, or mature 
 deliberation, may weell intend, but neuer performe great actiones ; and 
 surely the marquiesse of Huntly had often tymes beene taxed of his avin 
 freinds, as one that was euer confident, and presumed to much one his 
 ovne judgement. But in this had he done his ovne will, in not takeing 
 armes till the Irishes had landed, or, haueing taken vp armes, had thev 
 gon with him to thee hilles, and keeped the strong passes theirof, as he 
 resolued, he had been able, with the helpe of the Irishes, who came soonne 
 after, to beat them out of fieldes. But O how vnsearcheable ar the wayes 
 of the Lord, Who disposseth of humane actiones according to His infinit 
 good pleasure. 
 
 Ardgyll comeing north, and finding the fieldes faire, marches first to 
 Kellie, which Haddo had fortified, and, after he had beligered it certane 
 dayes, it was randered to him, not throw want of courage in the man, for 
 he had to mutch, but it was not tempered with forsight and wyse consider- 
 ation ; for, through the tiraerous and panicke feare of the shouldiours, they 
 resolue, if he did not rander the house, to rander him and it both. After 
 this, Ardgyll marches to Gight, which randered lykwayes ; and then he 
 sendes both this barrones, as the triumphe of his wictorie, prisoneres to 
 Edinburgh, leaueing garisones in both there houses. 
 
 This done, he sendes to the marquiesse of Huntly, ather to rander him- 
 selfe or come to some appoyntment ; but he, continueing constant in his 
 former loyaltie, scornes to treat of any appoyntment, much lese of yeeld- 
 ing ; and, altho the house he was in was strong, yet, because it wanted 
 water, being build vpon the tope of a rocke, and by reason of that want 
 could not hold out a long siedge, he causes a shiepe to be made readie, 
 and, goeing to sea, landes in Stranaver, my lord of Rea his countray. 
 My lord of Rea being in Newcastell, his sonne, who stayed at home, 
 being his neir cusine, receaues him joyfullie, and continued his faithfull 
 freind. 
 
 In this relation I have bene the more spatious and prolixe, because I know 
 
54 
 
 Argyle has possession of all the north. 
 
 "B. L 
 
 both the marquiesse, his childrine, and all that illustrious familie, shall 
 assuredlie suffer much calumnie, throw the malignant and inveterat malice 
 of his enemies. And indeid to hate them they mav be said to haue 
 reason, since his fidelitie to his prince, in standing constantly out against 
 them, was the only bar that keept them from the accomplishment of all 
 there designes in this kingdome, as I haue often hard the wrsest amongst 
 them confesse ; and therefor no doubt but there many and detestable ca- 
 lumnies, blawne abroad eyin in print, will strywe to infect all posteritie 
 with a pestiferous and hatefull odour of what was both commendable and 
 noblie intended. And therefor, to yindicat him and his so worthie 
 children from such inweterat malice, I haue heire related the trueth, sin- 
 cerelie, according to my knowledge, as I shall doe, God willing, in all 
 the followeing historie ; nether omitting the good nor concealling the euill 
 of either partie, in so far as with discretion is required to be related. For 
 I lyke not the historian that speikes either throw mire favour or a prejudi- 
 cat opinion, and strywes not to informe posteritie simplie, euin for the 
 truetbes sake. 
 
 Huntlie being gone, as you hawe heard, Ardgyll had all the north to 
 dispose of at his pleasure, who, (if it had not beine for my lord Gor- 
 dounes canape in this action.) had extincruised and rased out the memorie 
 of the name of Gordoune. Heire we sie how the Diuine Prouidence had 
 ordained the marquiesse of Huntly to be the first that did show himselfe 
 constant and reall in resisting that vnparalelled rebellion, and yet his hard 
 fortoune would not allow him the prosecution of it, altho he and his eldest 
 sonne sealled there loyaltie with there blood. They war after them to suc- 
 ceed who sould croune there actiones with constant perseuerance, or swime 
 throw or sinke vnder the burden. 
 
 It seemes not a worke for one familie, how great soeuer (if Prouidence 
 worke not miraculously beyond the power of nature), to bring to noght so 
 well wnited aud so general ane insurrection ; yet there forces, there walour, 
 and there constant adherreine to those the kin? sent afterwards, did much 
 contribut to the performance of this great work, that if the policie of there 
 seemeing freindes, but secret enemies, had not added fewell to some 
 jelousie, and that jelousies ingendered malice, and that malice awakit the 
 sleipeing passion of owerrulleing or incompatible ambition, (as heireafter 
 sail appeire truelie to the sight of worldlie judgement,) the worke had beene 
 at ane end. 
 
1644.] 
 
 Hatred of the Covenanters to the Gordons. 
 
 55 
 
 But hell send furth all her furies, and humane policie all her stratagems 
 and deuisses, neuer ceasseing till they had separat thes, who, whill they 
 stood vnited, ware invincible ; and altho it may be there was a breach on 
 both sides, whilest jeolousie, grudge, and ambition dominired, yet cannot 
 the familie of the house of Huntly lose there scheare of those great actiones 
 that heireafter we most relate, since there greatest enemies did evin then 
 esteeme them to be cheife instruements, and, therefor, against them onh 
 they wented there greatest malice. 
 
 This did well appeare in anno 1645, when the Couenant got so great a 
 dashe, as men did sie how God began to punish there wicked intensiones 
 and vnlawefull designes ; and when they saue how fortoune, in so many sett 
 battells, begane to froune wpon them, then being conueined at S. 
 Jhonstoune to there currant parlement, for from Edinburgh, Lithgoe, 
 Striwilling, and all other places, the plague had both chessed and fol- 
 lowed them, they consult what was best to be done ; and, feareing the 
 imminent danger of there fall, and lookeing backe from the begineing vpon 
 the house of Huntly, as the only familie that had stand against them, and 
 now had broght furth the greatest aid against them, with Montrose, there- 
 for they ordaine it to passe for ane act of parlement, in all tyme comeing, 
 that all those of the name of Gordoune who had shawin themselfes in the 
 fieldes against them, should forfalte not only their estates, moweables, and 
 landes, but there lyues also, wheresoeuer they could be apprehended. 
 And that ther might not so much bee leaft to posteritie as the memorie of 
 that name, they ordaine that the earle of Southerland and the lord Ken- 
 more, both cadentes of the house of Huntly, sould be constrayned (if they 
 did not willingly) change there names. This fawour they had, because 
 they had syded with the Couenant. 
 
 By this act alone the world may see there malice against that house, and 
 it is well knowin how they haue no other reason but because that house had 
 euer opposed them, and did now send furth the greatest part of that 
 strenth, wherewith they had beene so often beattin out of the fieldes. 
 Nor could the feare of there great power, the destroy eing and wasting of 
 all there landes and territories, and the cruell malice wherewith they did 
 still persecute them, be able to drawe them from there constant faith and 
 loyaltie ; which they did not, as many others, carie only priuately and in 
 secret to his maiestie, but oppinly in the sight of the world professed 
 themselfes to be such. This hes alreadie appeared by that which is 
 
56 
 
 A short character of Argyle. 
 
 passed, and shall more euidently be confirmed by that which doeth 
 follow. 
 
 All obstacles being remoued now out of the north, by reason of Huntly 
 his absence, and his sonne his profession of the Couenant, Ardgyll satles 
 a strong garrison in Aberdeen, and ordaines a committie to reside there, 
 with my lord Gordoune, for the leuies of hors and foot in the north, and 
 gathering in of the impositiones, taxes, and subsedies, which befor then 
 could neuer be effectuat, by reason of the marquiesse of Huntly his standing 
 out, whose grandour keeped all his countries freinds and followers from the 
 tvrrannie and oppression, from the heauie and all exhausting subsedies. 
 Thus was all the north leaft in a peaceable and yet constrained obedience 
 for the Couenant. 
 
 To speake trewly of this nobleman, the marquiesse of Ardgill, he had 
 many good and laudable partes, if the iniquitie of the tyme had not carried 
 him away with the maine currant. For altho he was disobledged by some of 
 the bishopes too exorbitant carriage, yet had not that prevailled, with his 
 cautilouse and wary disposition, if he had not beene wrought vpon by much 
 art and subtiltie, both by such of the cleargie as repyned at Episcopacie, 
 and by some of the wysest and most actiue of the nobilitie, who ware the 
 first, by the wehement instigation of the cleargie, that hatched this 
 monstrous egge of rebellion, he was, as it had beene by inchantment, 
 turned out of his ovn nature, and changed from his laborious disposition 
 and caire of worldlie thrift to ane ambitious desyre of supreame and 
 absolut rule, which he might weell hope for, being the most eminent and 
 the greatest among them, if the interprysse succeeded, as they had pro- 
 jected. Wherefor, haueing once diued vnder the wawes, and being most 
 deeplie drenched in the flood of this rebellion, he had so farre ingadged 
 himselfe to the prejudice of the royalle scepter, as his fault could not 
 fynd so safe a retreat, but aither the present or future regnant would reflex 
 vpon it, with a sharpe and deirefull remembrance to him or his posteritie. 
 And thus fynding no assured safetie in a retreat, he sufferred his best 
 qualities to be too much overrulled by Machewilles prince, which, by his 
 practisses in the most part of his followeing actiones, he seemed perfectly 
 to haue studied. 
 
 For his externall and outward disposition, he was of a homely carriage, 
 gentle, myld, and effable, gratious and courteous to speake too. Inter- 
 nallie, he had a large and vnderstanding heart, a jealous and a far reaching 
 
1644.] 
 
 A short character of Argyle. 
 
 57 
 
 apprehension, and yet his presence did showe him of such plaine and homely 
 aspect, as he seemed rather inclyned to simplicitie then any wayes tented 
 with a loftie and vnsatiable ambition, although he proued the deepest states- 
 man, the most craftie, subtill, and ouer-reacheing politician, that this age 
 could produce. 
 
 At the former parlement he had procured the king to conferre vpon 
 him the dignitie of a marquiesse, not out of any ambitious designe, for with 
 it he had but the same presedencie diu to him, befor the first earle, or last 
 marquiesse, being all one ; but it was thought he did it to euite a prediction, 
 or cuss in ane old prophecie, which had diuers agges agoe fortold of him by 
 siers or wisse men, whereof there are sundrie amongest the highlanders. 
 These had leaft in record, or by tradition, concerneing the rest of 
 M' Allanemore, for by that name they designe the earles of Ardgyll, that the 
 rede heired and squint eyed earle of Ardgyll sould be the last earle of 
 Ardgyll ; and this they had alwayes conceaued in the worst sence, by rea- 
 son of another prediction or prophecie, that said, so long as M' Allanemore 
 continued faithfull to his prince, so long sould that familie flourish in grand- 
 our, but howe Sonne they tooke armes against there soueraine, then sould 
 that familie be extinguished and come to noght. But of this I will leaue to 
 speake for whither it shall proue trewe or false the nixt age shall prowe 
 and know. 
 
 Returneing where we leaft : Ardgill returnes to Edinburgh, and then is 
 Gight and Haddow called to ane compt for there insurrection and rebel- 
 lion against the state. They made no answer, but that they had followed 
 there cheife, the marquiesse of Huntly, in defence of there natiwe prince, 
 his royal prerogatiue, in continuance of which they ware willing not only to 
 hazart or loose there fortoune, but to spend there dearest blood also. 
 
 It was demanded what warrand they had from his maiestie. Haddow 
 ansuered, that he had it vnder his maiesties hand, and he sate at table with 
 them who knew it to be trew, evin at the very present. At this wordes 
 they seemed to be scandalized, and demanded who it was. He poynted to 
 the earle of Lenricke, brother to the marquiesse of Hamiltoune, otherwayes 
 duke Hamiltoune, for the king had lately created him duke. Lenricke 
 rose vp and told them it was trewe, that being the kinges secretar then, he 
 would not refuse, but he had wreittin at his maiesties command such letters 
 which his maiestie had signed with his ovne hand. 
 
 This they tooke to heart, and with such indignation, as the nixt day this 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 Haddo beheaded by the Covenanters. 
 
 innocent gentleman is adjudged to lose his head, as hee did indeed ; although 
 there was ane other pretext giuen out, and that was for takeing of the 
 prouest and bailyies of Aberdone, or being a partner thereof, whill this 
 innocent blood cryed to the iust Judge of all the world for reuenge ; and 
 His Diuine Maiestie did quickly show how highlie He was offended with 
 there tyrranus, violent, and vsurped power of gouernement. 
 
 THE END OF THE FIRST BOOKE. 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 BRITANE'S DISTEMPER, 
 
 FROM THE YEARE OF GOD M.DC.XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE SECOND BOOKE. 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT OF BRITANE'S 
 
 DISTEMPER, 
 
 FROM THE YEARE OF GOD M.DC.XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE SECOND BOOKE. 
 
 EAUEN yeires had this terrible distemper of the vn- 
 paralelled Couenant rulled, or rather ouer rulled this 
 kingdome ; and such new, and newer before practissed 
 formes of gouernement that we might, with greiued 
 heartes say, trewlie, In those dayes there was no king in 
 Israeli ; but the rest of that sentence we could not fitly 
 apply, for it was not euery one, but some of the pryme 
 heades of the Couenant, that did whatsoeuer seemed good in there ovne 
 eyes. It was now growin to ane hight, and had cast this nation in a new 
 mold, for the lawes ware rolled vp in obliuion, the Colledge of Justice was 
 discharged from sitting, and ouer all the land the ordinarie seates of 
 judgement was no more frequented, only the priuat committies in euery 
 sheire and county ordained what they list, and must not be controlled, vnder 
 the paine of a fearefull plunder. Nor was it right nor wrong that most be 
 desyded by those committies, but greiueous exactiones and heauie subsedies, 
 with new stents almost euerie quarter of horse and foote leuies ; and thus a 
 free nation that neuer could be conquered by the sword of there enemies 
 was, by casting of there alledgeance to there lawfull [soueraine], brought in 
 most miserable bondage and slauerie by a fewe of there own peires. 
 
 But God Almightie, Who had suffered ws to be thus whipt for our folies, 
 and justly to be scurged for our former hyneous offences, committed so many 
 yeares, without repentance, against His Divine Majestie, thought it not tyme 
 as yet to remowe the punishement, but only to show His just indignation 
 against those who had gottin the libertie to punish vs, because they did, 
 without consideration, so cruellie scourge the land ; for so that they might 
 
62 
 
 Divers prodigies seen 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 fourthfill there designes, they nether regarded law nor conscience; the 
 poore was not pitied nor the rich respected ; the good man was not remem- 
 bered nor the vertuous man rewarded ; only, the shouldiour was in esteeme 
 and inriched, who could murther, kill, and oppress ; therefor, God, Who 
 loueth euer to carie mercie along with His justice, would let them find how 
 hatefull there inhumane dealling towards there brethren was in His eyes. 
 
 His wraith, being kendled lyke a consumeing fyre, was fortold by diuers 
 prodigies ; there was strange motiones seene in the aer, as of armed men in 
 battell rainged to feght. Upon the hill of Manderly, foure mylles from 
 Banfe, tuo armies ware seene to approach the one against the other, then 
 to joyne and feght ; the thundering of the shott and claisheing of armes 
 made such a fearefull noyes as the people round about hard ; and this vision 
 made such a reall show, as those that duelt in the touues neirest about the 
 hill caryed away there stuffe and ther best thinges to marishes and boges, 
 and there buried them vnder bankes of earth. 
 
 The sunne in diuerse partes was seene to shine with a fant beame, yeeld- 
 ing a dime and shaddow light ewen in a cleare heaven, and sometyme did 
 show lyke a deipe and large pound or leacke of blood. The beating of 
 drumes and sounding of trumpetes, with saluies of canones and muskeate, 
 was ordinarily hard in many places, as semeing to fortell the lairge lose of 
 blood that was sheed soonne after. There followed soone this some signes, 
 which the most curious heades ascriued to the change of gouernement 
 aither in church or state. 
 
 Att Ellen, in the countie of Buchan, the preacher of that toune, called 
 Mr. Dauid Leich (as I am informed), being forced, for the discharge of a 
 naturall bussines, to arise betuixt tuelue and one at night, did see the sune 
 to shine as if it had beene at midday, and, therefor, much astonished at so 
 fearefull a prodigie, called vp his bedell to sie it also ; and least the treuth 
 heirof sould not wine beleiff, he caused the same bedell to raise a number 
 of the neighboures from there bedes, all which did testifie the same when 
 the preacher was questioned about it by the comraittie sitting at Aberdene. 
 Heir I cannot forgete on preacher who presumed to diuine of this prodigous 
 omen in this sort. As the sune, said he, was seine to shine when the night 
 was at his deipest and greatest hight of darknesse, so when the obscurest 
 and darkest plottes of the Covenant shall reach their zenith or greatest 
 hight, God, piteing our extreame affiictiones, sail raise to ws the trewe 
 sune or light of trewe religion. 
 
1644.] 
 
 before the intestine tear. 
 
 63 
 
 At Retbine, in Buchan, there was about the tyme of morneing prayer, 
 for diuerse dayes togither, hard in the church a queire of musicke, both of 
 woces, organes, and other instruementes, and with such a rauisheing 
 sweetnes, that they ware transported which, in numbers, resorted to heire 
 it, with vnspeakable pleasure and neuer wiried delight. The preacher on 
 day being much takin with the harmonie, went, with diuerse of his pa- 
 risheners, in to the church, to try if there eyes could beare witnes to what 
 there eares had hard ; but they ware no sooner entred when, lo, the mu- 
 sicke ceassed with a long not, or stroke of a wioll de gambo ; and the sound 
 came from ane vpper lofte where the people vsed to heare seruice, but they 
 could sie nothing. 
 
 And yet those, and many other misterious omens seene in other partes of 
 the kingdorae, seemes but ordinaire in comparisone of the warneing piece 
 that was shote from heauin as the last and latest signall that should be 
 giuen ws of our neir approacheing punishement ; this I am sure the whole 
 kingdome can testifie, since the report that heauen mounted piece of ordi- 
 nance did ring in the eares of euerie man, woman, and child throughout 
 the whole kingdome, as if it had beene leuelled and shote at themselfes, as 
 well in the houses as in the fieldes, and in all the partes or corners of the 
 kingdome, not only in one day and one houre, but at one moment of tyme. 
 
 And it was remarkable, being obserued by diuerse, that in this moment 
 of tyme, when this warneing piece was hard from heauen in the eares of all 
 the kingdome, Alexander M'Donald landed in the Waste with his Irishes, 
 who ware the first that begane the ware that afterward opened all the waines 
 of the kingdome, and drewe furth oceanes of blood, whereby the vigour 
 and strenth of the Couenant was as much extenuat in one yeare as it 
 gathered strenth in seauin yeares befor, which, to spine out the threed of 
 our historie, fell out in this sort. 
 
 This Alexander M'Donald was one of the most braue and resolued gen- 
 tlemen in all the highlandes of Scoteland. He was the second or third 
 sonne of a gentleman of the clane Donalds, who had ane ancient possession 
 of his predecessoures of an illand on the wast sea, to the which it seemes 
 Ardgyll had some claime, for he had takin the old man, and tuo of his 
 sonnes, whom he keeped in straight prison. This Alexander, to show the 
 weight of his malice, who was to strong for him to contend with, had fled 
 ouer into Ireland ; whare, syding with that nation against the Inglish and 
 Scotes Couenanteres, he performed such notable pieces of seruice, as he 
 
64 Character of M' Donald : he takes service under the earl of Antrim. [B. II. 
 
 quicklv made himselfe known to be worthie of a great charge, and therfor 
 was soonne preferred. 
 
 When generall Lesly went ouer to Ireland, he fand that there was non of 
 the Irishe commanderes so much to be feared as this man for actiuitie and 
 strenth of bodie. He was of such extraordinarie strenth and agilitie as 
 there was non that equalled or came neire him. 
 
 Hee was of a graue and sullen carriage, a capable and pregnant judge- 
 ment, and in speciall in the art militarie, and for his wallour, all that knew 
 bim did relate wonders of his actiones in armes ; wherefor generall Lesly, 
 being well informed of his invincible courage, his great judgement in the 
 art militarie, and happie successe which did euer accompany his interpryses, 
 as lvkwayes how Ardgyll had takin the ancient possession of his forfatheres, 
 keeped his father and brethren in prison, and finallie had forced himselfe 
 to flie thither for refuge, he lyke a craftie warriour sends to him, and dealles 
 that he may serue his owne nation, and takes vpon him to pacifie Ardgyll, 
 to releaue his father and brethren, and to gett them restored to their ancient 
 inheritance. Vpon thes termes he returnes to Scoteland with the generall, 
 beinjr so generous as he would in no termes take seruice against the Irishes, 
 with whom he had once syded. 
 
 But being returned to Scoteland, Ardgill did much contemne and slight 
 the bussines, and could by no intreatie be moued to releasse the prisoners. 
 This affront he tooke so much to heart, as he returnes to Ireland woueing 
 to wreit his rewenge in blood, and did it indeed, as yee shall beire. 
 
 At his returne, he is gratiously receaued of the earle of Antrum, who gaue 
 him the command of fyfteine hundreth Irishes, and makes him generall major 
 of sex thousand more, which was presently to send for Scoteland, whereof the 
 earles brother was to be srenerall. And because the rest of the forces was 
 not readie that should be sheiped with the generall, his great heart could 
 not bruike delay, such was his desyre to requite the injurie Ardgyll had 
 done him. "Wherefor haueing his fyfteine hundreth readie and shippeing for 
 there transport, he obtaines to goe befor and make way to the rest ; and with 
 him is send the kings letters to Seaforth, and to such great men of the clane 
 Donald as was by Ardgills great power opprest and yet lowed the kinges 
 cause ; resoluing if the rest of the forces came not in tyme, and that be fand 
 not befor him a considerable partie to assist him their, he would only waist 
 Ardgylles countray, and returne to his generall. With this resolution he 
 shipes his men in three ships, tuo Fleemings which war mercenarie, and one 
 
1644.] He lands m Ardnamurchan, and wastes Argyle's country. 
 
 65 
 
 Irishe, commanded by a captane of that natione, being a bold and wenterus 
 fellow. 
 
 In this woyage he tooke tuo shipes send by the Couenant with wictualles 
 to Monroe for mantinance of there armie in Irland, wherof crouner Monroe 
 was commander. Those shipes war ladened with whyte, barly, and rye, 
 with some wynes. 
 
 He landed in Airdmurach, on of Ardgylles countrayes, and with fyre and 
 sword waisted abowe fourtie mylles of the continent. Hee forced the stronge 
 castell of Migarie by a desperate assailt with meir resolution, for they had 
 nether cannon to batter, nor pittard to blow vp, nor scalled ladders to as- 
 cend the walles, and yet, notwithstanding the incessant shoures of muscate 
 balles that came from the walles, with the continuall playeing of there 
 other ordinance, they regarded it no more then if they had beene snow 
 balles ; mairching and adwanceing speedily till they ware at the foote of 
 the wall, then fyreing the gates and heaping on all sortes of combustible 
 stuffe round about, they set fyre to the castell, mantaineing the fewall till 
 they within ware allmost chockit ; and to add more malour to those con- 
 founded defenders, the continuall thundering of muscate and cannon did so 
 shaike the rocke as there wall went dry, and haueing some punchiones of aill, 
 they ar forced to poure them doune aboue the gate where they ware most 
 infested with fyre : at lenth, finding no intermission, nor end of there ene- 
 mies assailt night nor day, thrist, watching, and wirrines forced them to 
 yeeld. This castell he maned, and wictualled for a yeare from the pryces 
 he had takin ; and after many dayes stay their, to refreshe his men, he 
 heares how Ardgyll is comeing towards him with a strong armie, wherefor 
 he takes ane illand that lay neir the cost and there putes his sheepes in a 
 strong and saiwe harbourie, being confident that if his generall came not in 
 tyme, by whose forces they might be able to giue battel], he should from 
 thence, in spight of his enemies, returne to Ireland. Vpon which resolu- 
 tion, esteemeing it nothing that was yet done, he returnes to the maine 
 land, burneing, destroyeing, and waisting all befor him for many dayes to- 
 gither, till he meetes with another castell called [ ], and this he 
 
 forces to rander also in the same manner ; he manned and wictualled this 
 castell too ; and such was the brauerie and vndanted resolution of this 
 cawalier, as he resolues to try the courage of his enemie if he can gett any 
 assistance. Wherefor he choises furth on of his captanes, called Mortimer, 
 ane Scotesman, and him he sends with the kinges letters to such powerfull 
 
 i 
 
66 
 
 Argyle cuts off his retreat by the sea. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 men of the clane Donald as lay neirest, as M'Oneill, M'Cleude, M'Cleine, 
 and M' Allen [wickeine], for there assistance. But such was the powerfull 
 strenth of the Couenant, and the auefull tyrranie of the great M'Allane, as 
 they could not be brought to the fieldes ; nor had he any hope of releefe if 
 his enemies great forces should besett him one all sydes. Wherefor haueing 
 stayed a month, waisting and spoyleing whersoeuer he came, he resolues to 
 returne to his shipes, least they might bloke him vp within that brunt and 
 waisted countray, where they might famish him with hunger or ouerwhelme 
 him with multitude. To preuent those and other his enemies slightes, he be- 
 gines to reture towards the illand, and yet not to leaue the maine till he 
 should sie his enemie and the worst of dangers. But his enemie is to 
 subtill to aduenture on such a desperate crew, whom, altho he was sure to 
 oppresse, yet he should gaine but a bloodie wictorie, and, therefor, he would 
 only barre their returne, and, takeing all the passes, would only blocke 
 them vp there, where they sould famish within the land which they had 
 waisted, or be forced to yeeld to his mercie. 
 
 To this end he sendes two ware shipes, gottin from the Inglishe parle- 
 ment, and these, or they lookt for, sets wpon his three shipes, who lay care- 
 lesse in the harbourie. The two Hollanders, being aliantes and hyrelinges, 
 yeeldes at the first summonds ; the Irishe standes out, and feghtes till all 
 his men were killed, his shipe fyred, nor would he yeeld till he was killed, 
 and his shipe brunt doune to the bottome. 
 
 Thus was this brawe leader and his fellowes blocket vp within the maine 
 lande, without all hope of succour or any releefe, which did much astonish 
 the whole Irishes. But he, being alse wise as waliant, and neuer knoweing 
 where feare duelt, did looke alse cheirefullie as euer, and both by his wordes 
 and courage did mightely incourage there deiected myndes ; then calling a 
 counsell of ware, he propones this way for them, to escape the danger 
 which vnawoidablie seemed to threattin them, which was to leaue the lawe 
 and habitable countray, slighteing and makeing no account of the waves 
 and passes, for, undoubtedly, they ware alreadie possessed be the enemie, 
 and comeing vp the rockes, betake themselves to the waist deserte, and 
 vnfrequented montaines, with all much in there knapsectes as they could by 
 or fitely carve with there armes ; and so, getting in to Lochaber, they might 
 mairch directly to thee marquiesse of Huntly, who stood for the king in all 
 this ware ; and if they could once wine to him, then was hee assured they 
 sould haue a powerfull patron and strong assistance, for, as he was secretly 
 
1644.] 
 
 M l Donald crosses the mountains to Lochaber. 
 
 67 
 
 informed, he hade takin the fieldes, lookeing dayly for aid from Ireland, 
 which the king assured him of. To this they all agreed, and sueir to follow 
 him wheresoeuer he went, aither to lyffe or death. 
 
 Resolued thus, they betake themselfes, as it ware, to wander throw those 
 vnaccessable mountaines, as a forlorne hope in a strange countray, in manie 
 great necessities, and in extreame want of all thinges, but in speciall of 
 wictualls, for they ware sure to find non in the wildernes, and wheresoeuer 
 they came they ware sure to sie non but there enemies. Ardgyll, who had 
 thus barred there returne, triumphed exceidingly, resolueing, without mercie, 
 to hunt them out whom he had thus cunneingly brought within his nette, 
 till there ware one of them aliue. 
 
 But heire may wee behold how the wisdome of man is but foolishnes 
 befor God, Whose insearcheable judgement and all comprehending proui. 
 dence can make that a meanes for our distruction which we proponed for 
 our greater securitie ; for, lo, this handfull, which seemed to be swallowed 
 vp by the cruell and deworeing proiectes of there enemies, did erre long 
 find such assistance, as all the Couenant had not only cause to mourne and 
 bewaill there infinit loose, but for euer to curse Ardgylls subtill plots, which 
 came so neir both to his and there destructione. 
 
 Alexander M'Donald and his Irishes keepeing those to be thought vn- 
 passable mountaines neir the sea cost, arryves in Lochaber, the first coun- 
 tray in the waist sea banke that belonges to the marquiesse of Huntly ; and 
 being informed there how the marquiesse, vnable to resist the whole strenth 
 of the Couenant, to whom his sonne and the most pairt of his freindes 
 ware bound vp, he had therefor dissolued his forces and leaft the countray, 
 to whom, had they beene joyned but one moneth soonner, he had beene 
 able to performe great actiones ; but he being gone, they knew not now 
 what course to take, yet there braue leader, whose courage no danger could 
 astonish, resolues to sell his lyffe and the lyffe of his followers at a deire 
 rate. 
 
 If he could find non that would stand for the king, and seing his hopes 
 in Huntly was gone, he changes his course and mairches towardes the 
 north waist, to try the earle of Seaforth, who, if his fidelitie to his prince 
 had equalled his power, he could with his assistance haue made all benorth 
 him of Rose, Southerland, and Caiteness for the king ; or if from the be- 
 gineing he hade joyned with Huntly, the kinges pairtie had vndoubtedly 
 prevailled, if God Almightie for our sines had not decried the contrare. 
 
68 
 
 The earl of Seaforth opposes his progress. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 When he was readie to enter Seaforth countray, he sends thee forsaid 
 captane Mortimer with the kinges letter to him, for of him the king was 
 confident, being assured by his letters and messages that he sould con- 
 stantly and faithfully continow his alleadgeance ; and that he might be the 
 more inabled, the king had granted him what he had sewed for, which was 
 to be cheife justice-generall of the illes. This Ardgyll had formerly an- 
 nexed to his office as justice-generall of the whole kingdome. 
 
 The kinges letters are receaued with many complementes, but hee ex- 
 cuses himselfe with the malignitie of the tyme ; and if they had come befor 
 Huntly had beene forced to dissolwe, the kinges bussines had gone well 
 without doubt, and hee might boldly hawe showin himselfe for his maiestie ; 
 but now the whole kingdome was become incorporat in the Couenant, and 
 for him to take there protection, without the assistance of the house of 
 Huntly, was but [to] ruine them and himselfe in a dangerous praecepice, to 
 there infallible destruction. At lenth the gentleman desyres that they 
 might in a peaceable manner haue passage through his countray. This he 
 takes to adwise with his freind ; sendes the gentleman backe with faire 
 promises, whereof the fruits that they fand ware that he had drawin vp all 
 his forces to a head, resolueing not only to deny them passage, but to beat 
 them backe from whence they came. Thus resolued, both armies drawes 
 vp in battell and is readie to joyne ; but Seaforth being a subtill man, and 
 perceaueing there desperate resolution aither all to die or make way to 
 themselfes, he thinkes it not fitt to tempt fortoune at such extremitie, and 
 therefor desyres a parlie, wherin, after some short treatie, it was accorded 
 on that they should haue free passage, with wictualles and other necessaries 
 for ther journey to Badenogh, ane other countray of Huntlyes, joyneing 
 with Lochaber towardes the east. Thither M'Donald with his regiment 
 mairches with so great celeritie through the mountaines, as he was within 
 the countray befor they knew that he was within the kingdome. Then this 
 wise and wigilant generall being prouided of guides that knew the countray, 
 choseing the nightes obscuritie to befrend there proiect, he sendes a pairtie 
 to euerie toune where the cheife men and heades of the countray dwelt, 
 and the nixt morneing they ar all brought to him prisoners. Hee showes 
 them his commission from his maiestie, and how he was come to aid to the 
 marquiesse of Huntly, and allthough it seemed he had come to late, yet he 
 hopt to mende what was amisse before it ware long ; and therefor he re- 
 quired there aid, which it was not tyme to capitulate vpon, naether for them 
 
1644.] 
 
 Dangerous situation of M'Donald. 
 
 69 
 
 to refuse, for he was resolued to haue it. Thus, partly hy constraint, and 
 partlie in good hopt to sie there lord made able to pay home to the injuries 
 he had receaued, they adde to this litle armie fyue hundreth good men. 
 This good beginning animats them all to forward ; and M'Donald resolues 
 still as he went to raise the marquiesse his highland countrayes befor him, 
 hopeing when he came to the walley countray, that the name of Gordoune 
 being animat by such supplies would shoue the loue they had euer hithertills 
 borne to his maiesties seruice, and the standing of that ancient and noble 
 house from which they ware all descendit. But he could not prosecut this 
 desigue ; for the laird of Grant, a great man in those partes to whom be- 
 longes the lairge countray of Straithspey, who had a great commandement, 
 and a powerfull kinred that followed him, he takes the passage of the riuer 
 of Spey, whose fall from Badenoch is strenthened by high mountaines one 
 euery syd, so as it can be keept by small forces against a great armie. 
 
 To aid the laird of Grant, all the gentlemen of Murray comes with their 
 whole forces both of horse and foote from Rosse. Also, came the Earle of 
 Seaforth with a thousand foote, so loth was he to giue the Couenant the 
 least occasion of jealousie. 
 
 The passage thus blockt vp so that M'Donald could not reach the north, 
 where he hopet to haue gottin Huntly recalled, altho the lord Gordoune 
 stood as yet for the Couenant, he was forced againe to change his course ; 
 and being now neir two thousand strong, he mairches directly south to Athole, 
 a countray that lykewayes loued the king ; but the earle being lately dead, 
 for want of a leader and a considerable partie, they ware forced to tem- 
 porise and yeeld to the mallour of the time ; and because the name of 
 M'Donald and his Irishes was now spread ouer all the nighboureiner coun- 
 tries, vpon his approach they went all to armes to forbide his passage throw 
 there countray, from thence went adwertisement to Strathearne, Saint 
 Jhonstoune, Fyfe, and Angusse, so as he was neuer till now in a laberinth 
 of difficulties, being the wery heart of the kingdome, inuironed on all sydes 
 with his enemies. To returne to the waist, there was Ardgylle with a 
 stronsre armie ; to the north, he could not wine, for Grant and those that 
 assisted him; to the east, Fyfe, Pearth, Anguse, was strongly groueing 
 to a head at Saint Jhonstoune ; and, to march south towards Lawthian and 
 Stireling, he was sure that way to find no end of his enemies countray, 
 being so lairge, so powerfull, and so well peopled, that he most resolue 
 for euerie dayes marche, to feght with a fresh armie, at least tripleino- his 
 
70 
 
 Montrose sets out for Scotland. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 strenth. All those considerations being seriously weighted, doeth mightely 
 afflict him, and breid a great perturbation in his courageus and vndanted 
 saule. He feared not death, for he resolued to die noblie, but it greiued 
 him that he sould haue brought so many braue and hardie men out of there 
 natiue countray to be heere, without hope of releife, swollowed vp by the 
 devoreing sword of there enemies, and yet could not his death nor thers 
 iraine so much as on foote of ground to his royal master. Whilest the tuo 
 armies stood vpon tuo hilles in battell, and some Badinoch men goeing 
 betuixt them, but could not bring them to ane accord, M'Donald, who 
 stood with some of his best commanders a litle from the bodie of his men, 
 in a deepe contemplation and profund silence, lifts up his eyes to heavin, 
 and with a short mental prayer (as he hath related often since) invocates 
 the aid of His Diuine Majesty, Whose almightie goodness is neuer wanting 
 to those who, haueing justice on ther syd without second endes, but mirely 
 intending His glorie, putes there confidence in Him ; this did well appeare 
 in this man, who with a greiued heart sought aid from Heaven in this ex- 
 treamity, and his petition was no sooner ended then it granted, as if it had 
 come by miracle. 
 
 Yow haue hard how Montroise was send by his majestie with some troops 
 of horse and foote to haue joyned with Huntly, and how he was forced 
 backe at Drumfriesse, retyreing to Carleill, where all the Inglishes left 
 him. 
 
 This generouse nobleman would not returne to the king, whose loose at 
 York had disabled him in the north to renew his supplie ; but such was his 
 lovaltie, loue, and noblenes, as he wold by this expression aither loose him- 
 selfe or indeir his souerane, for he resolues to hazart his persone among (I 
 may say) almost a whole nation of his enemies ; and thus swomeing through 
 the middest of a swalloweing gulfe of dangers, he wold attempt to try 
 whither there could yet be found any true and faithfull subiectes who would 
 with him hazart there fortoune for there soueraine. 
 
 It was nought fite that Aboyne should come with him in this woiage, but 
 to stay at Carleill, for it was sufficient for one of them to aduenture, and the 
 other to stay and see what could be done for his releife, if any mischeefe 
 should happin. 
 
 W herefor Aboyne sendes with him his father's commission as the leiue- 
 tennant generall of the north to be send to him with the first occasion ; and 
 thus puteing hiraselfe in disguise, he makes chose only of two of his com- 
 
1644.] 
 
 Difficulties of his position. 
 
 71 
 
 panie to accompanie him, the one a domesticke of his owne, called sir 
 William Rollocke, whose fidelitie he well knew, the other was one coronell 
 Sibbet, on whom his courtesies and other noble benevolencies had layed 
 hold with so many tyes as he could not expect ingratitude for so much 
 goodnes. 
 
 It may be thought that God Almightie send His good angel to lead the 
 way, for he went as if a cloud had invironed him through all his enemies, 
 being more hatted by all sort of people, (but in speciall by the clergie and 
 the pryme men of the nobilitie that adhered to the Couenant then any 
 other,) because he, haueing searched into the misterie of the Couenant, 
 and finding the vnlawfulnes of the designe, was the first that made a rup- 
 ture and brocke the cunneing and well wrought chaine of the Couenant. 
 
 Whan he had passed through the dailies, scheires, and counties of the 
 south, at last he arryues in Anguse, where his freindes, his owne land and 
 meanores, and the most pairt of his estate lay, he would not discouer him- 
 selfe to any, nay, not to his wyfe and childrin, till he should first make 
 tryall of his freindes (only to his cusine, Graham of Inchbraikie, he dis- 
 couered himselfe, and stayed with him, as being neir the mountaines and 
 woodes where he abode all day), and some others whom he knew to favour 
 the king ; to those he send letters, as if it had beene from Ingland, shaweing 
 he had a commissione to raise armes for the king, and if he should conclude 
 with it, what would be their part. But there answeres was so generall 
 and cold, as he fand but small hopes that way, and so was forced to keepe 
 the woodes and montaines, suffering diuerse great and hard necessities that 
 would seeme vnsupportable to one so noble borne, and who had beene euer 
 breid in plentie, delicacie, and delight ; while thus he liued lyke an outlaw, 
 his invincible spirit groweing stronger the more it was tread vpon or pressed 
 doune, his generous fortitude mounteing still higher, with a matchlesse re- 
 solutione to ouercome all difficulties, altho he saw nothing wheron his hopes 
 could take hold, yet constantly relyeing on the justnes of his cause, the 
 integritie of his own intentiones, and the all rulleing prouidence of the 
 Almightie. 
 
 As he was on day in Methwen woode stayeing for the night, because 
 there was no safe trauelling by day, he became transported with sadnes, 
 grreife, and pitie to see his natiue countray thus brought vnto miserable 
 bondage and slauerie, through the turbulent and blind zeall of some preach- 
 ers, and now persecute by the vnlawfull and ambitious endes of some of the 
 
72 
 
 Montrose joins M'Donald. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 nobilitie, and so farr bad they alreadie prewailled as the event was much to 
 be feared, and, for good patriotes, euer to be lamented, and, therfor, in a 
 deepe greife and vnvonted rauishement, he besought the Diuine Majestie, 
 with watrie eyes and ane sorrowfull heart, that His justly kendled indigna- 
 tion might bee appeased and His mercie extended, the curse remoued, and 
 that it might please Him to make him a humble instrument theirin, to His 
 holv and Diuine Majesties greater glorie. 
 
 Movses, his inward greife on the bank of the reed sea, may sufficiently 
 instruct ws how quickly the thoughtes of a greiued heart appeires befor the 
 mercie seat of the alknaweing allmightie, allworkeing and eternall King. 
 For allthough this be not a divine but a humane president, yet may it serue 
 to animat others as being neir the lyke instance. For whille he was in this 
 thought, lifteing vp his eyes he beholds a man comeing the way to St. 
 Johnestoune, with a fyrie crose in his hand, and, hastily stepping towards 
 him, he enquired what the matter meaned. The messenger told him that 
 collonel M'Gillespicke (for so was Allexander M'Donald called by the 
 hi^hlanderes), was entered in Atholl with a great armie of Irishes, and 
 threatened to burne the whole countray, if they did not arise with him 
 against the Couenant, and he was send to aduertise St. Johnestoune that 
 all the countray misrht be raised to resist him. 
 
 When the messenger was gone, this noble sparke of trewe walour and 
 worth, weiorheing what he had hard, and remembereing what his petition 
 to God was, and how this newes came, as if ane angell from God had 
 ansuered his demand, he takes for an happie augure, and haueing in his 
 heart randered all thankes to His Diuine Maiestie, and throweing away his 
 disguise, he calles vpon his two followers, takeing his journey presently for 
 Atholl, and the nixt day arryues at M'Donalds campe about the tyme that 
 he had ended his mental] prayer, as yow haue hard befor. And this rela- 
 tion I haue been the more bold to insert, because it came from the mouthes 
 of both the authores. 
 
 Montrose made himselfe quicklie knowin to M'Donald to whom he im- 
 parted his mynd freelv, shaweing him his commission, who was much re- 
 joy sed therewith, and reuerently randered thankes vnto God, acknaw- 
 ledgeing evin with astonishment His divine bountie, when he most feared 
 the event, and knoweing not what course to haue takin. 
 
 The joyfull newes of Montrose arryuall was quickly spread ower all the 
 campe, M'Donald imparteing it to all the captanes and commanders, so they 
 
1 644.] 
 
 A Puritan's prediction. 
 
 73 
 
 all villingly receaued him, and with a mightie shoute thrawes vp all there 
 capes in the aire, and with a saluie of a thousandes muscates reportes his 
 welcome throw the cloudes. The armie of Atholle being astonished with such 
 ane vnexpected storme of thunder and lighteing, betakes them to there 
 armes, and drawes themselfes vpe in battell expecting a present assault ; 
 but when the joyfull newes was brought them of Montrose his arriuall from 
 the king to be leader of those forces, they lykewayes salute him in the same 
 manner when he came to them, and with small difficultie yeeldes to aid him 
 with seauen hundreth good men. The nixt day he marches towardes Saint 
 Jhonestoune, where he had intelligence that a great armie of the Co- 
 uenanters was draweing to a head, and the longer hee delayed the stronger 
 would they bee. 
 
 By the way, his cousine and kinsman, the lord Kilpont, and Sir Johne 
 Drummond, sone to the earle of Pearth, meate him by accident, being send 
 furth be there two fatheres, the earle of Airth and the earle of Pearth, to 
 Saint Jhonestoune, to the randewowes there ; but fynding Montrose so weell 
 accompanied and strenthened with the kinges commission, they make no 
 difficultie to rander themselfes, and fyve hundreth with them, vnder his 
 command, for they had beene always, altho couertly, Royalists. 
 
 This armie, mounteing to three thousand and two hundreth, draues 
 neire to Saint Jhonestoune ; the Couenanting armie had takin the fieldes, 
 resolueing to feght, and being the more cruellie bent for the destruction of 
 that so small forces, because they hard how Montrose, whom the king had 
 newlie created marquise, was there leader, and hade an ample commission 
 from his maiestie for that end. 
 
 But there confidence was in there multitude, and it was no wonder, for 
 thev had sax thousand foote and a thousand horse, all gentlemen, with 
 there great ordinance and all thinges befitteing ane armie ; thus haueing so 
 great odes, both in there great numberes, there canon, and specially there 
 horsemen, they assured themselfes of ane easie wictorie ; whereof they ware 
 so confident, that whan the marquise send to them desyreing the battell 
 might be deferred till the nixt day, because that was the Sabboth, there 
 answere was, they had made chose of the Lordes day for doeing the Lords 
 worke ; and they war the more incouraged to this, because a holy Couenante- 
 ing minister, with whose seemeing sanctitie they ware much takein, esteeme- 
 ing all his sentences as diuine oracles, had promised to them in his sermones 
 chosen for that day ane famous and vndoubted victorie, and therefore this 
 
 K 
 
74 
 
 The battle of St. Johnston. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 oracle most be confirmed that verie day, feareing he would chose the 
 darke ni^ht for his retreat vnto the montaines ; but they ware much de- 
 ceaued, for he had to generous ane mynd to ludge so base ane resolu- 
 tion, nether was aduanced so farre without a solid and graue delibera- 
 tion, and wisely premeditat that his greatest danger was in delay, 
 which would make his enemie euerie day stronger, whill he knew of no 
 supplie, the marquise of Huntly being gone, in whose aid only he might 
 haue assurance. 
 
 Since they would needs feght, therefor he commands M'Donald draue 
 vp the Irishes for the maine bodie, and seviu hundreth of Atholl and fyue 
 hundreth of Banzenoch he drawes vp on ane higher ground on there right 
 hand, Kilpont and Sir Jhone Drummond on the leaft hand ; both these 
 winges made but three deepe, and drawin out in lenth, least the enemies, 
 takeing adwantage of their numbers, might encompasse them and so fall 
 vpon there rier. 
 
 But the Couenanteing armie being all composed of ontryed men, and 
 fresh water shouldiours, neuer before vsed to martiall discipline, ware at 
 the first encounter with the Irishes, played vpon with hotte alarumes and 
 continuall fyre, followed with such actiue and desperat resolution, as there 
 first and secound ranks ware fallin to the ground erre the third ranke re- 
 solued what to doe ; and with the same resolution, the Atholl and Ban- 
 zenoch men from the higher ground, descended couragiously, first, with 
 muskets, then with shoure of stones for want of more offensive armes, and 
 lastly, with there swordes assailed both horse and foote men so desperatly 
 as they fell first in confusion and disordour ; and then those of Atholl, with 
 the courageous, strong, and tall bodied men of Banzenoch, giueing them 
 no time to rely, forced them in this disordour to shift for tbemselfes ; there 
 cannon, haweing done litle harme, was wine by a squadron appoynted for 
 that purpose, and now turned and readie to be discharged wpon the whole 
 bodie, being in a disordered and confused heape, which had vndoubtedly 
 tome them in peeces ; but Montrose seeing there backes turned and the vic- 
 torie assured, stayed the dischargeing of the ordinances, but could not 
 keepe bis men, in special the Irishe, from persuit of there flight, for they 
 ware followed sex or seawin mvlles. 
 
 The horsemen, being all courageous gentlemen, but without practise, 
 ware ashamed of there foyle, and strowe to rely and put themselfes in better 
 posture to renew the feght, but the whole bodie of the foote was so dis- 
 
1644.] 
 
 Assassination of lord Kilpont. 
 
 75 
 
 ordered in there flight, as falling in amongst them they could not possibly 
 rely, but was forced to shift for themselfes. 
 
 In this battell there ware abowe tuo thousand killed, and a thousand 
 takin prisoners. It was fought the first of September, 1644. And after- 
 ward in cold blood, whan they began to reflect vpon the confident oracle 
 of there preacher which had made them so boldly, and evin with assurance, 
 to vndertake this action, they call sadly to rememberance how the Lord 
 punished the wickedness of Achabe, by sending furth a lyeing spirit in 
 the mouthes of the prophetes to deceiue him, that he might goe to battell. 
 
 After this happie beginneing of wictorie, Montrose stayed certane dayes 
 in St. Jhonestoune, where diuerse of his friends, and such as favoured the 
 king, came in to congratulate his happie fortoune, whilest many of the 
 other syd ware mightily cast doune. But by the more politick heades there 
 ware diuerse plotes contriued to be read of him, and a great soume of 
 money promised to them that would free them of such ane vnwelcome 
 guest ; many alleadges, haueing some great presumptione for it, that this 
 was the cause of Kilponts death, which fell furth thus. 
 
 Whilest they stayed in St. Jhonestoune, Killpont, one day, with many 
 other gentlemen, went to recreat themselfes in a faire greene feild vpon the 
 riuer syd, called the Inche ; heere he was called asyde by a gentleman of 
 the name of Stewart, on who of a long tyme had beene intyre with him, 
 and, after a long conference in priuate, he was hard to say to that gentle- 
 man that he would haue no middleing in that busines ; vpon which answer, 
 without any more wordes, the young noble man falls doune dead to the 
 ground, being by the other thrust through the heart with a dagger. It was 
 knowin this was no former quarrell, and therefor it was presumed that the 
 hundreth thousand markes offered for Montrose lyfe was the death of this 
 young gallant. He that did it schifted himselfe so quickly out of the way, 
 that altho he was followed by many, yet could he not be apprehendit. 
 
 By this and many other passages, which in the followeing historie may be 
 obserued, it seems in waine for humaine policie to striue against Heauines 
 just and vnavoidable decree. 
 
 For the politick bodie of the land was at that tyme so generally poisoned 
 with the malignant humour, or rather priuat erroures of some puritane 
 preachers, as the waines began to swaill with the hote and boyleing blood of 
 a distempered religion ; the cuire of which disease the Almightie had re- 
 solued, and therefor the land was to be purged by a generall phlebomie, 
 
76 
 
 Character of Montrose. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 and this noble marquisse was one of those whom Heauen had alloted for a 
 phisitian. 
 
 And it cannot be denyed but he was ane accomplished gentleman of many 
 excellent partes ; a bodie not tall, but comely and well compossed in all his 
 liniamentes ; his complexion meerly whitee, with flaxin haire ; of a stayed, 
 graue, and solide looke, and yet his eyes sparkling and full of lyfe ; of 
 speach slowe, but wittie and full of sence ; a presence graitfull, courtly, 
 and so winneing vpon the beholder, as it seemed to claime reuerence with- 
 out seweing for it ; for he was so affable, so courteous, so bening, as seemed 
 verely to scorne ostentation and the keeping of state, and therefor he 
 quicklie made a conquesse of the heartes of all his followers, so as whan he 
 list he could haue lead them in a chaine to haue followed him with cheare- 
 fullnes in all his interpryses ; and I am certanely perswaded, that this his 
 gratious, humane, and courteous fredome of behauiour, being certanely ac- 
 ceptable befor God as well as men, was it that wanne him so much renovne, 
 and inabled him cheifly, in the loue of his followers, to goe through so great 
 interprysses, wheirin his equall had failled, altho they exceeded him farre 
 in power, nor can any other reason be giuen for it, but only this that fol- 
 loweth. 
 
 Fre once that Inglish diuell, keeping of state, got a haunt amongest our 
 nobilitie, then begane they to keepe a distance, as if there ware some diui- 
 nitie in them, and gentlemen therefor most put of there shoes, the ground 
 is so holy whereon they tread ; but as he is ane euill bread gentlemen that 
 vnderstandes not what distance he should keep with a noble man, so that 
 noble man that claims his dewe with a high looke, as if it did best fitte his 
 noblenes to slight his inferiours, may well gett the cape and knie, but neuer 
 gaine the heart of a freborne gentleman : 
 
 If thou obtaine the heart, 
 
 Be sure the cape and knie, 
 With all the honoures of a prince, 
 
 Shall lykwayes follow thee. 
 
 It is true that in Ingland the keepeing of state is in some sorte tollerable, 
 for that nation (being so often conquired) is become slauish, and takes not 
 euill to be slawes to there superioures. 
 
 But our nation, I mean the gentre not the commones, haueing neuer 
 beene conquired, but alwayes a free borne people, ar only wine with courte- 
 
1644.] 
 
 Character of Montrose. 
 
 77 
 
 sies, and the humble, myld, chearefull, and affable behauioure of there su- 
 perioures, and therefore it is truelie said : 
 
 Who conquires not the heart shall neuer ryse, 
 Nor bring to end ane gloriouse interpryse. 
 
 And because they haue neuer beene brought to bowe there neckes vnder 
 the yocke of bondage, nor ware they euer slaued with the awefull tyrannie 
 of a conqueror, nor forced to yeeld respectes, as the Inglish doe, to him 
 that keepes, or rather seeke to keepe, great state, and will neither put on a 
 reserwed cariage, lookeing for observance so greedely as he cannot stay 
 till it is giuen him, but with a loftie looke claimeing as is dew his ane awe- 
 full reuerence from all ; this I say only, this our Scotes nation cannot in- 
 dure, but are euer fund with secret murmureing and priuat grudges to re- 
 pine at. And, therefor, altho ther leader he there cheife, there maister, of 
 whom they hold there landes or there being, yet was it neuer fund abroad 
 nor at home that a leader of such stately and reserued cariage could, with 
 our nation, performe any great interprysse. 
 
 This I could instance euin in those our vnhappy tymes to haue beene 
 the cause of the euill successe, the malehoures, and the hard fortounes hes 
 followed some of our great men to there grawes. And therefor wishe I 
 with a greiued heart, as God doeth beare me witnese, that our noble men, 
 who seemes to be borne for great actiones in the succeiding age may take 
 notice of it, 
 
 And learne to flie, to shune and hate, 
 This Inglish deuill of keepeing state. 
 
 But to returnc where I left. This seemed to be well knowin to this 
 noble man the marquise of Montrose, and therefor he did wisely apply 
 liimselfe to the naturall inclination of those whom he was to command, or 
 rather, I thinke, veralie he was naturally inclyned to humilitie, courtesie, 
 gentlenes, and freedome of cariage. He did not seeme to affect state, nor 
 to claime reuerence, nor to keepe a distance with gentlemen that ware not 
 his domestickes ; but rather in a noble yet courteouse way he seemed to 
 slight those vanisheing smockes of greatnes, affecting rather the reall posses- 
 sion of mens heartes then the frothie and outward showe of reuerence ; and 
 therefor was all reuerence thrust vpon him, because all did loue him, therfor 
 all did honour him and reuerence him, yea, haueing once acquired there 
 
78 
 
 Character of Montrose. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 heartes, they ware readie not only to honour him, but to quarrell with any 
 that would not honour him, and would not spare there fortounes, nor 
 there derrest blood about there heartes, to the end he might be honoured, 
 because they saue that he tooke the right course to obtaine honour. He 
 had fund furth the right way to be reuerenced, and thereby was approued 
 that propheticke maxime which hath neuer failed, nor neuer shall faille, be- 
 ing pronunced by the Fontaine of treuth ( He that exalteth himself e shall he 
 humbled ) ; for his winneing behauiour and courteous caryage got him more 
 respect then those to whom they ware bound both by the law of nature 
 and by good reason to hawe giuen it to. Nor could any other reason be 
 giuen for it, but only there to much keepeing of distance, and caryeing 
 themselfes in a more statlye and reserued way, without putteing a difference 
 betuixt a free borne gentleman and a seruille or base mynded slaue. 
 
 This much I thought good by the way to signifie ; for the best and most 
 waliant generall that euer lead ane armie if he mistake the disposition of 
 the nation whom he commandes, and will not descend a litle till he meete 
 with the genious of his shouldiours, on whose followeing his grandour and 
 the success of his interpryses cheifely dependeth, stryueing through a high 
 soireing and ower winneing ambition to drawe them to his byas with awe 
 and not with lowe, that leader, I say, shall neuer prewaill against his 
 enemies with ane armie of the Scotes nation. 
 
 But to our purpose. Montrose after the wictorie haueing stayed some 
 dayes in St. Jhonstoune, began to adwyse what course was best to be takin ; 
 for although he had giuen, by Gods assistance, ane great overthrow to the 
 kings enemies, yet could he not follow the wictorie for diuerse causes. One 
 was, his forces was but small, and ware all foote men, and these footmen all 
 muscatyres, which are soone brokin by horsemen, whan they want the 
 strenth of pickes, wherewith infantrie can only resist cavallrie. M ether 
 had he any cavallrie at all, nor defensiue nor offensiue armes, but swordes 
 and muscates ; though the Atholl and Banzenoch men had swordes, bowes, 
 and fyrelockes. But they ware vncertane wanting there ovne lordes and 
 maisteres, they could not be keepit longer than they ware loodin with 
 plunder, for they gott no other pay, and therefor could not be sworne to 
 there culloures. The Irish he only was sure of because they had no place 
 of retreat. 
 
 Heir he was invironed with the strenth of his enemies, not of vntrained 
 men as those whom he had lately defeat, but they had many regimentes of 
 
1644.] 
 
 Montrose marches for the north. 
 
 79 
 
 horse and foote, and those all well trained, well payed, and sworne to the 
 culloures ; and which was yet a greater advantage, they war commanded by 
 most expert captanes, that in forraine countrayes had winne both great 
 fortounes, and great fame, and reputatione, for there dexteritie and skill in 
 the art militarie ; and if they should loose one, two, or three, or more bat- 
 tells, they ware euer strong eneugh to renew there forces, but to him on 
 daves loose was vnrecouerable. All those considerationes being" well 
 weighed by that walorous, wise, and vigilant generall, by the adwyse in par- 
 ticular of the generall maior, a man of a grawe, solide, and profund judge- 
 ment, farre aboue his yeares, he resolues to march for the north, where he 
 knew the Couenant was weakest, by the resistance and opposition which 
 from the beginneing it had fund ther ; and although he was informed of the 
 marquise of Huntly his absence, and how my lord Gordoune as yet stood 
 for the Couenant, vnder whose protection the most part of the name had 
 there peace ; yet he knew some had suffered, some ware in prison, some had 
 turned outlawes, and all in generall ware male contentes, so as he hoped 
 they would be content to take a share of his fortounes, if he could but gaine 
 my lord Gordoune, of whom the Couenant had beene euer jealous, then he 
 could confident of good assistance, and in speciall of horsemen, without the 
 which he sould not be able to keepe the law countray, but most of force 
 retvre to the mountaines. 
 
 With this resolution he marches north through Anguse, and although 
 there ware many there that ware esteemed Royalists, yet non wold syd with 
 him, except the earle of Airly, a noble man that had suffered als much as 
 any besouth the mountaines ; for the royal fidelitie he bad euer borne to his 
 prince, his lands being waisted, and tuo of his principall houses demolished 
 by Ard<ryll, his eldest sonne my lord Ogiluie at that present a prisoner. 
 He brought his second sonne, sir Thomas Ogiluie, along with him, a brawe 
 and couragious youth, and some other gentlemen, so as with those, and 
 some of the marquise his ovn friends, he had about fourtie orfyftie horsemen. 
 
 The estates (for the name of king and counsell was now forgot) 
 being aduertised of Montrose mairch, sends ower a commission to thee 
 lord Gordoune to raise the north in armes to resist him ; and altho he had 
 no great mynd to vndergoe this charge, yet he appoyntes a randewowes 
 at Kindrimmie, where diuerse of his ovne friends came to him; but the 
 lord Forbes, and that whole kinred, the lord Fraser, the lord Chrichton, 
 and all the rest of the Couenanters betuix Spey and Die, refuses to follow 
 
80 
 
 The Covenanters raise the north in arms. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 him, aither because they suspected he was yet a Royalist in his heart, or 
 because they hoped to gaine the glory of the victorie by there ovne strenth 
 and valour, altho the house of Huntly, at such tymes, and whan greatest 
 dangers threatned, had euer beene commanders and leaders of the north, 
 not only because it was dewe to there place and presedencie, but also be- 
 cause there strenth and following with there wassales, kindred, and friendes, 
 was more considerable than all the rest besydes. 
 
 But this young lord, being a calm, wise, and well-resolued youth, did but 
 smyll at there arrogancie, and was nothing grieued that they had made the 
 first breach, and therby had ingadged him, in the poynt of honour, to let 
 them find the weight of there ovne folie ; for there was non there that he 
 could follow, the lord Forbese, and the best of those that tuike so much 
 vpon them, being but his followers and wassales, and had in former ages 
 bene but the followers of his house; and therefor, while they in a bodie by 
 thernselfes mairches to Aberdcne, he lets them goe, and then dissolueing 
 all his foot, he retains only thre hundreth horse of his ovne freindes about 
 him, and sondes his brother, the lord Lewes (but latly returned from his 
 trauells in forraine countrayes), with some auchteine or tuentie gentlemen 
 to attend him to Aberdene, where all the forces ware drawin to a head, 
 himselfe with a slaue mairch followeing after ; and this he did that nether 
 the estates nor his vncle of Ardgyll might haue any just exception against 
 him. When they ware all come togither, they ware ncere thre thousand, 
 accompteing the garrison and the citizens, with six hundreth gentlemen on 
 horse. It did repent them now, vpon second thoughtes, that they, through 
 there ovn fault, leift the best pairt of there strenth by disoblisheing my 
 lord Gordoune, and would haue villingly submitted againe to him, but 
 Montrose was come so neere as they sould [be] forced to feght befor there in- 
 treatie could prewaill with him to come forward; and yet, in some sort to 
 amend there errour, they offerred to the lord Lewes the command of there 
 armie ; but he refuses, seeing he was come there with so small a traine as a 
 priuat man, and his brother, to whom that charge was only dewe, most first 
 refuse, and nixt allow him to take it, before he would accept of it. 
 
 Montrose haueing crosed the Die, and makeing the passe of the brige 
 Bure behind him, drawee vp his armie within a myll of the toune ; but first, 
 be sends a drummer chargeing them to lay doune armes in his maiesties 
 name, and render there obedience to there natiue and lawfull, and vpon 
 thes termes he gaue them assurance they sould haue no harme ; but there 
 
1644.] 
 
 The battle of Aberdeen. 
 
 81 
 
 blind zeall to the Couenant did so haill them on to their own distinction, 
 that in place of ane wyse, discreet, and prudent ansver, and contrare to the 
 practise of all nationes and the law of armes, they pistoll the drummer after 
 the delyuery of his message. This did so incense the Royalistes, as the 
 toun of Aberdeene did dearely pay for it, and that, because for their sakes 
 in speciall the marquise had send this messaige, in respect they had euer 
 fauoured the king ; but the prouest, who was called Patrike Lesly, beincr a 
 wehement Couenanter at that tyme, forced the toune to take armes, and 
 march furth with the rest of the armie. 
 
 I haue told yow befor how I intend not to wreat a lairge historie of 
 those tymes, both because there are so many that haue takin that taske 
 in hand, as also that I cannot gett intelligence of euery particulare, neither 
 of all the praiseworthie actiones of commanderes and men of qualitie on 
 both sydes ; for as I would be loth to conceall any mans desertes, or defraud 
 him of the praise dew to his merites, so wold I be loth in any sort to be 
 taxed for any vntreuth, since what I wreat is from there relation who ware 
 actores on both sydes, and those of the best sort, and who haue euer re- 
 ported worthie of credit. Let my readeres, therefor, looke but for ane 
 abridgement, without prejudice to the well deseruing ; yet I am villing, and 
 will striue to be spareing euin to the malignant partie, hopeing that the 
 worthiest of them will on day sie there errour, and returne to be good 
 patriots and loyall subjectes. 
 
 Montrose armie mairched neere the toune, the Couenantingr pairtie comes 
 to the fieldes, and both armies drawin up in battell ; the leift wing of Mon- 
 trose armie, consisting of threttie horsemen, was commanded by colonell Na- 
 tbaniell Gordoune and colonell Hay, haueing with them on foot a hundreth 
 Irish muscatiers, led by captane Mortimer. After they had beat a partie 
 send from the enemie to make good a passe, consisting of some gairdens and 
 houses that lay betuixt the armies, whiche the Couenant had once made good, 
 and ware seconded by a troupe of lanciers ; but the Irishes, at a neere dis- 
 tance, gaue such continuall fyre as they fand that seruice too hote for them, 
 and therefor makes a retreat. This gaue courage to the Royalistes, for they 
 leift there lances behind them ; and there foule retreat makes there bodie of 
 horse, consisteing of three hundreth in that wing, to send forth a stronger 
 partie, consisteing of a hundreth horse, and with them also foure hundreth 
 foote. Those makeing a compasse about befor they ware perceaued, vines 
 the syd of a hill that lay to the north of this small winge of the Royalistes ; and 
 
 L 
 
82 
 
 The battle of Aberdeen. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 yet want of experience stayes them there, where they ware so fare adwanced 
 that, if they had charged roundly forward, they had gone neere to haue car- 
 rved that dayes wictorie to ouerthrow Montrose whole armie ; for they had 
 not only takin his canon, but the bodie of his maine battell was so farre 
 aduanced to joyne with there enemies, as they had fallin in there reire vpon 
 there backes directly. 
 
 But Mortimer, with his muscatyres, how soonne they sawe them, makes 
 a halt, playes vpon them lustelie ; and yet at a distance, being too weake 
 to mairch vp the hill, vntil Nathaniell Gordoune, aduertisseing the generall 
 of the danger, gets a hunder muscatieres more to second them, and those 
 joyneing with the few horse they hade, ascendes the hill, and routes them, 
 and cutes all there foote in pieces. 
 
 The right winge of the Royalistes was twyce charged by the lord Fraser, 
 who shewed himselfe lyke a brawe and valiant gentleman, with whom was 
 the lord Crichtone, but they ware repressed, not being seconded with the 
 horsemen tymely ; for the barrones of the name of Forbese, with those of 
 Buchan, stood of, not for want of good will to feght, but for want of ex- 
 perience, not knaweing that it was there tyme to charge ; and this errour 
 came cheifly for want of a generall commander, whose ordoures they should 
 obey. 
 
 The two full bodyes, or maine battels, adwanceing to joyne lord Lewes 
 Gordone, with those eighteine gentlemen he brought with him, was the first 
 that charged with their pistoles, dischargeing in rankes, and retyreing in 
 carracoll. Craigieware fell nixt to charge with his troupe, and it seimes for 
 emulation's saike, because this noble youth had breid himselfe vp in the feild 
 of Mars whilest he was abroad, would needes therefor goe beyond him in 
 chargeing through the bodie of there maine battell. But in this he did show 
 both his ovn weakenes and ignorance in militarie discipline ; for the Irishes, 
 throw whom he charged, being so well trained men as the world could afford 
 no better, oppins there rankes receiueing him, and closes againe immediatly 
 by commande of there worthie M'Donald, and then on all quarters giues 
 fyre vpon. Few or non of his troupe went backe that durst wenter with 
 him, nor ware they many ; himselfe being dishorsed, was takin prisoner, and 
 ane other gentleman, brother to the tutor of Petsligoe. By this the two 
 maine battells ware joyned, where it was disputed hard for a long space, 
 but in end the Royalistes prevailled. In the bodie of the maine battell all 
 the citizens and many of the garison ware killed. 
 
1644.] 
 
 The battle of Aberdeen. 
 
 83 
 
 The horsemen were so astonished whan they sawe Cragiewares troupe so 
 quickly swallowed vp within the bodie of the enemies maine battell, as they 
 knew not where nor in what more safe posture to giue a new charge ; for 
 altho they wanted not courage to performe it, there courage was vnvsefull 
 (haweing never beene tryed in a day of battell befor). All this could the 
 presence of a wyse generall hawe preuented, whose command no doubt but 
 they wold haue followed, aither in charging in dewe tyme in a full body, 
 strongly vnited, or in seuerall bragades, as he should see the aduantage, 
 aideing where he sawe yeelding, or chargeing where he sawe a reserue, to 
 mantaine and follow his point. This, and much more, belongeth to a vigi- 
 lant generall, whose actiue care, whose quick and apprehensiue judgement, 
 being carefully obeyed by the whole armie, sould quickly hawe learned them 
 practice. 
 
 This was the cause of there overthrow. For altho it [is] said that for want 
 of a generall, they put it vpon my lord Burly, yet I could neuer learne 
 that he tooke any charge vpon him that day ; and some of the best and most 
 ingenuus amongest them confessed afterwardes there errour, finding sensiblie 
 the great losse they had in wanteing the great aid my lord Gordoune could 
 haue brought them, as also in there arrogant confidence that without him 
 they ware able to haue done all. 
 
 Wee may trewlie say that God, Who would haue it thus, send amongest 
 them the spirit of diuision for punishment of our sinnes ; for the horsemen, 
 being almost compossed of lordes, barrones, and gentlemen of qualitie, 
 ware all diuided in seuerall opiniones, for want of a head, whose opinion 
 and order they ought to haue followed ; but, being all gentlemen, and, as it 
 ware, equalles, the generall resolution to recouer there loose, gaue way to the 
 priuat care of each ons particular sawetie, which brought them all to a tymely 
 flight, altho they stayed till they sawe the most part of the foot cute of. 
 
 All those the prouest send furth of citicens ware cute in peices ; the 
 garrison ware the last that stood in the maine battell, and, being miser- 
 able rent and tome, they, lyke bold and weell trained souldioures, 
 make there retreat in order, and too boldly resolues to march south, by 
 crosseing Die ; but the major generall, perceaueing there designe, takes 
 furth foure hundreth Irishes, and followeing them so rudly, falls in amongst 
 them, as few or none escheaped. The precedent Burly was more wise in 
 takeing flight, which he intended south, towardes the north, for, crosseing 
 at the brigge of Don, he went to Buchan. The Royalists loosed but 
 
84 
 
 Lord Lewis, Gordon. 
 
 seawen men, the Couenant men a thousand. It was foght vpon the thirteenth 
 of September, 1644, tualfe dayes after that of St. Jhonestoune. 
 
 The lord Lewes, that was send by his brother rather to be a looker one 
 then ane assister, did retyre towardes Kintore, where he hoped to meete his 
 brother ; for he had joyned at all with the bodie of the armie but esteemeing 
 himselfe ingadged in the point of honour to doe sumewhat ; seeing he \va? 
 there, this made him to giue the first charge, and then followed his brotheres 
 injunction, stayeing only to behold the event, for he was euer in his heart a 
 Royalist, and could neuer be induced to haue a good opinion of the Couenant. 
 
 To the end he might doe his king and countray seruice, hee went to 
 France, the troublesome Couenant being begune and well farr aduanced, 
 to which euin then he opposed himselfe, altho he was not come to his 
 adolescencie, but evin in his childhead, as yow haue heard in the First 
 Booke. Being arriued in France, how soone he had gottin the langwage, 
 he went not to bread himselfe in ane academie, as young noblemen are 
 accustomed to doe that would be delicatly bread for peace and pleasure, 
 and a courtly carriage, but he makes addrease directly for the French 
 armie, and begines his rudiments in the art militare by trailling of a picke ; 
 and haueing inabled himselfe by more than a yeares obedience, he passes the 
 decrees vpward, assureing himselfe that non could perfectly command who 
 had not learned to ubey. 
 
 After tuo or three yeares practice, being able to take charge and 
 command others, he returnes to his natiue countray, there to lend his 
 aid, and giue proofe of his abilities where nature and dewtie tyed him 
 too it. 
 
 He comes throw Ingland, where he stayed a whyll to giue his soueraine 
 a teast of his intension elsewhere to doe him seruice as a voluntyer. He 
 was at the batle of Xewberrie, where he gaue proofe of his worth, and, at 
 least with all those that knewe him, he gaue most noble testimonies of his 
 walour And longeing to see his natiue countray, which he could not doe 
 without the marquise of Ardgyll his connivance, who then was with the 
 Scotes armie that possessed all the north of Ingland ; to his vncle, the 
 marquise of Ardgyll, therefor, he made his addresse, who receaues him 
 most glaidly, in hope one day to make him a good Couenanter, and there- 
 for sendes him home to his brother, the lord Gordoune, with whom he 
 remained, longeing till gratious Heaven might offer him the occasion where- 
 by he might doe his king and countray seruice, and helpe his father to 
 
1644.] 
 
 Montrose marches to Strathspey. 
 
 85 
 
 recouer his looses, which the strength and cruell malice of the devoreing 
 Couenant had brought vnto him. 
 
 To the performance of this his just desyre, God Almightie did now 
 beginne to oppin a way in this sort. Montrose, after this happie victorie 
 at Aberdeene, purchassed with greatter honour, because with a greatter 
 difficultie, he remained certane dayes in thee toune ; whilest the estates, 
 that had before slighted the bissines, begane more seriously to looke to it ; 
 for now they sawe how Montroise, although he had but small forces, was 
 attended by a great fortoune, which, if it ware not preuented, might pull 
 them doune from the starne, and place himselfe in the cheare of gouerne- 
 ment, of whom they ware sure he would steire a queet contrarie course, to 
 the ouerthrow of all there plotes and former prosperous proceedinges ; 
 and therefor in all haist drawes there trained bandes togither, both of horse 
 and foote, and then, with a compleet and weell furnished armie, Ardgill is 
 send north to disperse this cloud, which they ware confident should be 
 blowen away with the breath of there nosethrilles, or the wery noise of 
 this strong preparation. But that braue noble man, whose courage was 
 not to be danted with threatninges of a storme, resolues not to tempt his 
 fortoune with too much confidence, nor to hazard what he had wine, with- 
 out forsight or dewe consideration, what might be the event ; he, therefor, 
 by the adwice of his commanderes, and, in speciall, of the earle of Airlie, 
 and the generall major, concludes that it shall be at his pleasure to giue or 
 take battell, and not att the pleasure of his enemies. 
 
 Vpon this resolution he leaues the law countray, and mairches vp to the 
 highlandes, throw Marre, Gerioch, Straithdone, Straithawine, and comeing 
 to Straithspey, he fund the Grantes and the countie of Murray in armes to 
 forbid his passage over that riuer ; but the treuth was, they had no inten- 
 tion to offend or tempt him to farr, and therefor had there agentes with him 
 dayly vpon termes of capitulation, assureing him that in there heartes they 
 ware Royalistes, and indeed the laird of Grant was thought to be really so ; 
 for his lady, the marquise of Huntly his sister daughter, and daughter to 
 James, the good earle of Murray, was euer constantly and wehemently set 
 for the king ; and, therefor, as a sweet charmeing nightinggall, did neuer 
 cease powerfullie to agent the justice of the kinges cause with her husband. 
 
 The courtesie that they desyred was, that they sould not be the first come 
 in, but that there neighbuores might first brake the ice, or at least come in 
 joyntly with them ; and in particulare, the earle of Seaforth. 
 
86 
 
 Argyle wastes the lordship of Huntly. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 This noble man held Montrose still in hope that he would stand for the 
 king ; but his delay was this, as was informed, the marquise of Huntlie had 
 a commission granted him for the whole north, which he would make vse 
 of, no doubt, if it came to his handes, and then he knew not which of them 
 to follow. But this was soone answered, for as Montrose his power was ab- 
 solute in the south, and all the subiectes most receaue orders from him 
 there, so, in the marquise of Huntlies absence, he might in the kings seruice 
 command the north also. 
 
 But the highlanders, in generall, ar a subtill and craftie people, full of 
 slightes and policie, yet there faire promises and humble submission fand 
 such a gentle, free, and noble humor in this marquise, as he was content at 
 this tyme to dispence with them, accepting of complementes in hope of more 
 reall performance heirafter, although ther was nothing lesse intended by 
 some of them, as shall appeare in end. 
 
 Ardgyll with his strong armie, accompanyed with the earle of Lowthian, 
 being come to the north, sets doune his campe at Huntly, and quarters his 
 horsemen round about him there, and stayes so many dayes, till he had 
 waisted all that lordship, containeing twalfe paroches, and haueing consumed 
 there victualls, eaten and destroyed there comes, killed there beastiall, 
 takin there horse, armes, and whatsoeuer they could make vse of, aither 
 for there defence or sustentation. Then he remoues to the lordshipe of 
 Enzie, and sitting doune at the Boge, another faire and pleasant duelling 
 house of Huntlyes, he waistes and destroyes that lordship in the same man- 
 ner, to the infinit prejudice of that noble familie, and to the vtter ruine of 
 there freindes and tennentes in those partes ; the Couenanters of the north 
 receaueing no prejudice at all. 
 
 By this extreame course the lord Gordoune finds in what scaills he was 
 weighed ; and, takeing it greiueously to heart, he complaines in manner of 
 expostulation with his vncle of this vnkynd and hostill manner of visitation. 
 It was in a calme and gentle manner told him that there was no remedie, 
 because the armie most of force march that way in persuite of the rebells ; 
 for so he was pleased to terme the Royalists. Whan my lord Gordoune re- 
 plyed, how his long stay made it appeare that it was rather the ruine of 
 him and his people which he intended, then the ouertakeing and fynding 
 furth of his enemie ; hee wanted not matter to excuise himselfe that his pre- 
 sent affaires required it, and the satleing of the north in securitie against 
 future invasion detained him in this sort, intreating him for the present to 
 
1644.] 
 
 His conduct towards the lord Gordon. 
 
 87 
 
 haue patience, and hee would be carefull to sett vp his losses, desyreing that 
 he might haue a not of the charges that the armie drew too, and the estate 
 should refound it to him evin to the last farthing. 
 
 My lord was too wysse thus to be satisfied, for hee knew this would prowe 
 but a mere complement, yet the present did so require that he most seeme 
 to be satisfied, although he told his vncle that all his freindes and followers 
 had stuke him yet hithertills, in hope that way to be secured from danger ; 
 and he prayes him to remember that if it had not been so, he had not 
 gote his father so easely out of the countray, with whom, if he had joyned, 
 it was wery apparent that he had gottin his handes full, desyreing his lord- 
 sheepe to take it to his consideration, and weighe with his best discretion, 
 what power in makeing this chose his lordshipe had over him, both as 
 nephew and his pupill ; and how those wayes of proceeding would leaue 
 him vnable to doe him seruice. His vncle with this imbraced him, and 
 prayes him againe to be confident that he would haue a care of him as of 
 his ovne sonne. 
 
 This forme of proceeding made it manifest that he feared nothing so much 
 as Huntly his joyneing with Montrose, for then he was sure if the lord 
 Gordonne and his father went one way, they sould be able to keepe the 
 feilds in despight of all opposition ; to preuent which he thought it fitte thus 
 to disable them peice and peice, and so by tyme insensiblie to vndermynd 
 and ouerthrow there grandoure. 
 
 But Heaven's all-seeing Prouidence could not be thus withstood ; for as 
 his first plote in takeing and burneing of the shipes, wheirin the Irishes 
 wold haue returned for there countray, was the first and chiefe ground of 
 the calamities which afterward befell the whole kingdome, and him als much 
 as any, evin so this secund plote did so desperatly exasperat the name of 
 Gordoune, whose loyaltie and loue to there soueraine and there chiefe was 
 racked vp vnder the ashes of a constrained obedience, as the vigour of there 
 wonted affectione did soone after bracke furth in devoreing flames of a deire- 
 full and euer memorable reuenge. 
 
 When he had thus wasted and, as he thought, whollie allayed the forces 
 of the house of Huntly, he crosses the Spey, and intendes to march for 
 Bandenogh, whither Montrose was gone ; but he aduances with such a slaw 
 and lingering march, as gaue testimonie that, howsoeuer he was able by the 
 aduantage of his forces to ouerthrow, at the least suppresse, his enemie, yet 
 he showed to dispute the Cause, as they call it, with so well resolued and 
 such desperat pleaders. 
 
88 
 
 Marriage of lord Lewis Gordon. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 This did well appeare to be his intention when he diuided his forces, 
 sending his cusine, the laird of Laires, to Innernesse with a strong regiment 
 of horse. He makes Lairs gouernour of the toune and the countray 
 about it, altho the commandement thereof, and the castell and castell 
 landes, appertained heretablie to my lord Gordoune, and who was most 
 able of any to mantaine it. He excusses himselfe to his nephew for this 
 secund rube, that be had a warrand from the estates commanding him to 
 dispose of it in this manner. 
 
 My lord Gordoune and his brother, my lord Lewes, attended on there 
 vncle in this journey ; and I thinke it was neere about that tyme that this 
 young gallant, being wyried of attendans, resolued to be at libertie, to be 
 once fortunes familiar. To this end, be makes choise of one of the most 
 beautiefull ladies of the kingdome ; shoe was daughter to sir Jhone Grant 
 of Freuchnie, laird of Grant, one of the greatest barrones of the kingdome, 
 both for commandement and reuenewe, in aither of which he may, without 
 disparragement, carie the dignitie of ane earle, there being many earles in 
 the kingdome that, nether for antient standing, for great followeing, nor 
 for lairge territories and possessiones, may compaire with him. This 
 raire and matchless peice of diuine beautie, he made chose of befor he went 
 to his trauells, and her faire idea was of such inchanteing force, as it had 
 strongly mantained the possession of his soule against all the bewitcheing 
 allurementes of all home breid or forraine beauties whatsomeuer. 
 
 Therefor of hir only he makes chose to marry. Nor wold he deferre the 
 tvme ; but makeing a visite to hir mothers house, with whom shoe had still 
 remained after hir fathers death, he propones the match both to hir and hir 
 mother. Nor was it long a concluding. Only the consent of his father was 
 vanteing, one the which he had not the patience for to stay, so powerfull ware 
 the charmes of her eyes ; but he obtained it soone after, for there was no 
 disparaigement, but rather an aduancement of his dignitie to be preferred 
 to the marriage of hir, whom his elder brother, the earle of Aboyne, should 
 have married, if the violent malice of the Couenant had not forced him to 
 flie vnto Ingland. 
 
 It was no euill augure, but was obserued to be a most happie omen for 
 him that he was maryed so young, both his elder brothers being batchliers, 
 for they died both onmaryed. So as shoe was not only the fairest of 
 ladyes in hir tyme, whose matching had blest him thus, but hir saule was 
 internallie adorned with such worth and vertue as gaue assurance to the 
 world that shoe should prowe the happiest lady in hir tyme. 
 
1644.] Montrose in Badenoch and Athol : returns to Huntly. 89 
 
 -Montrose haueing marched from Bandenoch to Atholl, Ardgyll aduanced 
 to Bandenoch eight or ten dayes after ; and hauing waisted that whole 
 countray, as he did Straithbogie and Enzie, he would needes, for a parti- 
 cular punishment, burne to aises the whole landes, cornes, houses, guides, 
 and geare belongeing to those that had first ryssin to aid M'Donald, and 
 assisted Montrose at the tuo former battells, and was as yet with him ; but 
 this was as a great courtesie reserued for my lord, at whose intreatie this 
 cruell order was recalled. He stayed in Bendenoch so long as there was 
 victuall, corne, beastiall, or other prouision for the armie ; and when there was 
 non more to be fund, he marches to Atholl. Montrose haueing gone throw 
 the schyres of Pearth and Anguse, where he brunt some tounes of the most 
 violent and ricged Couenanters, returneing throw the Mairnes to the north, 
 chargeing all where he comes to rysse and joyne with him for the kinges 
 seruice, with certification of fyre and sword to follow vpon there refusall ; 
 and finding there puritanicall or rather malignant humour nothing softened, 
 after he had crossed the Die, the laird of Leyes Burnet giues him some 
 contentment and is spared. The rest being Forbesses that lay in his way 
 towardes Huntly, had there landes waisted and consumed with fyre. 
 
 Being come to Huntly, he stryues to haue such as duelled vpon my lordes 
 lands to joyne with him in there maisters absence, and indeed it did con- 
 serne him so to doe, for his forces ware vere waike ; because Alexander 
 M'Donald, the major generall, was gone to Ardgill, with fyue hunder 
 Irishes to victuall the tuo castells he had takin at his landing, being sore 
 stressed by the Cambelles ; those of Banzenoch and Atholl ware gone home ; 
 and tuo hundreth from Atholl, and ane hundreth from Banzenoch ware 
 come in there place, and so he had not aboue eight or nyne hundreth Irishes, 
 with thre hundreth from Atholl and Banzenoch. To those ware joyned, 
 although with some difficultie, because of Huntly his absence, tuo hunder 
 out of Huntly or Straithbogie, tuo hundreth out of Strathdie and Aboyne, 
 and a hundreth out of Straithawen, and this tuo hundreth out of Atholl, 
 and the Irishes excepted, the rest ware Huntly his followers ; for horsemen 
 he had non, but fyftie dragunns vnder collonell Gordoune. 
 
 I knaw how it is heire objected, that all tyme he had forgottin to send 
 Huntly his commission to him, which his sonne Aboyne had intrusted to 
 him, to be send to his father in all haist ; the not sending whereof bread 
 and beganne that jeolousie, which afterward was increased by wicked in- 
 cendiaries to that hight, that it crussed all there fairest hopes whan they 
 
 M 
 
90 
 
 yiontrose removes his camp to Fyvie. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 ware readie to be crouned with wreathes of eternall fame. He was but 
 sixteine or seavinteine hundreth, which could haue beeine doubled had he 
 send the commission, for want of which Huntly would not sture nor come 
 home. 
 
 And befor he could gett those small forces to a head, he is aduertissed 
 that Ardgyll, being blamed by the estates for his lingering, and sloue per- 
 suit, was come to Aberdeen, and from thence was setting forward on his 
 march to Huntly, wherefor he sendes furth some parties to bring him tymely 
 information. The returne of those parties not ansuering his expectation, 
 he takes with himselfe some thirtie horse, and goes towardes his enemies ; 
 although this his caire and currage deserues no commendation, for a gene- 
 rail ought not to hazard his person in priuat attempts, who should be caire- 
 fully reserued for the publick good, since the lyfe of the army consists in 
 the generall. 
 
 God and his good fortoune would so haue it, that goeing neere to the 
 skirtes of there enemie, he lightes vpon a partie send out from them also, 
 wherof some he kills, the rest flies, and tuo he bringes backe with him 
 prisoners, by whom he vnderstood how Ardgyll was were stronge, haueing 
 three thousand foote and eight hundreth horse ; and all the way as he came 
 north he had still augmented those with new leuies. 
 
 As his caire and diligence did happily light vpon intelligence, so his 
 pregnant witte and warrie disposition did, with much graue and wyse deli- 
 beratione, ponder and weigh what might be the consequence, if he should 
 hazart a battle vpon such vnequall termes ; his enemie being so strong and 
 he so weake. In end, he resolues not to hazart the kinges cause one such 
 termes of disaduantage, vnlesse he ware forced to it. 
 
 Vpon this resolution, haueing made a generall mouster, hee raisses his 
 eampe after the sunne was set, and marches from Huntly to Auchterlesse, 
 and from thence to Fyuie. This he did both to saue the lands of Huntly, 
 which was his surest retreat from the raweaige of a destroyeing enemie, as 
 also because the countray there was weill prouided of victuall for his armie ; 
 and if his army should intend ane surpryce, or force him to feght, the ground 
 was more aduantageus for the defendant than the assailzeant, hauing the 
 riuer of Ithen on his right hand, a woode on his left hand, and a deepe hol- 
 low bruike that ran befor him, which serued as a ditch or trinch to brake 
 the furie of an vnited charge of horsemen. 
 
 The nixt day Ardgyll haueing intelligence where he was gone, and being 
 
1644.] 
 
 Encounter with Argyle's army at Fyvie. 
 
 91 
 
 confident of a good successe by reason of his ouermatcheing forces, leaues 
 the way to Huntly, and mairches towardes him. 
 
 He had but on troupe of light horsemen, and thir ware gone to bring in 
 prouision for the campe whan Ardgyle was come in sight, who drawes vp 
 his armie vpon ane hill without distance of schote, and sendes first a regiment 
 of foote to force them, or draw them from there strenth. This regiment 
 wins a fald hard by them, and from thence beginnes to play vpon them. 
 But the marquies sends Donald Farquharsone, a braue and weill resolued 
 gentleman, with those of Straithaven and Straithdie, whom he commanded, 
 as being Huntlyes bailzie in those pairtes. This gentleman acted his pairt 
 so brauely, as he dryues them from their hold, and beates them backe 
 with great losse and discredit, and to the no small incouragement of the 
 Royalistes. 
 
 The nixt charge was by a regement of horse. Those are suffered by 
 Montrose to aduance, retyreing his men to a laue ground, where they 
 ware not seine by the horsemen ; and ceartanely of those horsemen there 
 had not a man escheaped, for they had beene invironed befor they had 
 knowin where they ware, and the deepe hollow ditch or bruike at there 
 backes. But the Athol men, who was vpon a wing, gaue them to soonne 
 notice, by giueing them a wolie shote at too large a distance ; and then 
 fynding the danger, they aduanced no further, but beginnes to retyre. 
 Wherefore the Royalistes, shaweing themselves, ware forced to fall on, 
 and diuerse of them ware leaft on the place ; for my lord Marshalls 
 brother, a brawe and hopefull youth, chargeing fordward with his troupe, 
 was slaine, and some fourtie gentlemen more. 
 
 They ware charged the third tyme by a ceartane regement of foote, and 
 some troupes of horse ; but they ware so brauely incountered, as, with the 
 losse of many men, they ware still forced to retyre to the body of there 
 armie, which the leader the marques of Argyle durst not ingage by reason 
 of the stronge ground wher they lay. But standing the wholl day imbat- 
 taled at a lairge distance, he reteires towards night thrie myles back, and 
 the nixt day was not sein to appear in the fields. 
 
 And soorly this, although it deserved not the name of a battell, being 
 performed by commanded parties sent out from the bodies of both armies, 
 yet that dayes work brought this great good to the Royalists, ever efter 
 they wer never affrayed to hazard with small forces against the great and 
 weell appoynted armies of ther enemies, being both hardned and incurraged 
 
02 
 
 Montrose marches back to Huntly ; 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 to all hazardes after that dayes successe ; and, by God's providence, it was a 
 maine helpe to banishe dowbts aud establishe confidence, which did mightily 
 contrebute to the manie victories they efterwardes obtained. 
 
 The nixt day ther cam to Montross his carape a gentlewoman, whose 
 husband was baillie of Huntly. She did assure Montross that the marques 
 of Huntly was landed in the Engzie, and that he would be in Huntly befor 
 they could com ther. This newes was so welcom to the generall and the 
 whole armie (for she assured him that the messinger who cam to her hous 
 had sein his lordship), as the camp was presently raised, and they marched 
 that day for Huntly, hopping by the assistance his presence might bring them, 
 not only to oppose Ardgyle, but to follow and seik him out with greater 
 celerittie then he had sought them. 
 
 When they wer com to Huntly, the intelligence proved fabolus ; for the 
 marques was not come, nor had he anie intention, becaus his honor and 
 credit was ingaded in it ; seing that the kinge had written to him that he 
 had send him a full comission, being keiped wp aither by his sonn, Aboyne's 
 negligence, or the pollutick draught of those who strove to have the honor 
 of the whole action. He was therefor resolved he would first know his 
 majesties will before he would yeild the presidencie, or receive ordores from 
 any benorth the Grangebean mountanies. 
 
 Montros being informed of this his resolution, it did much perplex him, 
 for now he saw by the experience of what was past, that, without the aid of 
 Huntly, he was not able to bring so great ane interpryse to so happie a con- 
 clussion, as was the reduceing of the whole kingdom to thir former obedi- 
 ence ; for although he had abillittie, and such singular excellencies, in his 
 owen person as could have performed matteres beyond all expectation, to 
 his eternall memorie, yet without a considerable armie and bodies of men 
 that wer bold and darring, he could not put in practice his noble designes. 
 
 Wherfor he fand it absolutly necessare to haue Huntlies assistance, 
 whose grandour and great following of the ablest and most choose and 
 hardie men of the kingdom, might iuable him to keipe the fieldes, and there- 
 for the commission, so long keipt wp, is now sent to him, with the baillie 
 of Huntly, and a courteous letter, intreatting his presence with promises of 
 much reall friendshipe. 
 
 Ardgyle being animat by this ther suddain retreit, which he attributes 
 to ther weaknes, and want of strength to oppose him, he marches the nixt 
 day efter them. 
 
1644.] 
 
 whither he is fottoiced by Argyle. 
 
 93 
 
 Both ther campes wer sett down att Huntly : Montros haveing the house, 
 the srardenes, and the villages, that ar joyned to it ; Argyle settes downe 
 his campe a myle and mor to the sowth ; and ther they stayed eight or ten 
 dayes, no day passing without hoot bickering of stronge commanded 
 parties from both armies ; and altho the Royalists wer alwayes the lesser 
 number, yet they came alwayes of with confessed advantage. 
 
 This drawing forth of tym and lingering of the war, makes Montros to 
 doubt that his enemie might have som secret designe or plott to sett on 
 work to his prejudice, for weell he knew him to be a profund mass of 
 pollicie, whose braine was neuer idle, but alwayes workeing and hammering 
 furth sum ingeine to compasse his designe; the consideration of this, as 
 also to spare the ruine of those countrayes who only ware his best freindes, 
 and to meete his major, for augmenteing his forces, he resolues to raise his 
 campe, and marches farther vp towardes the highlandes. 
 
 The nixt day, send his baggage before him, he rysses a litle befor the 
 day, and mairches to Bolwenie, wpwardes amongst the montaines, and 
 there he stayes some dayes to drawe Ardgyll after him, knoweing how 
 vnnecessare bis horses wold prowe to him. 
 
 Ardgyll, weel knoweing the danger, had no intensione to follow him, and 
 yet did not deceaue him concerneing the plotes he was jealus of, for he had 
 priuatly dealt with tuo of his best commanders, and by large promises, both 
 of great rewardes and high preferment, drew them to his syd ; for whan 
 Montrose armie beganne to mairche, they conwoy themselfes out of the 
 way, and went to Ardgyll. Those two warre colonell Gordoune, and 
 colonell Sibbet ; the first of which went not without consent, as thought of 
 his generall, some good and concluded one betwixt them, as it proued in 
 end, for he came backe with greatter credite then he went away with dis- 
 credit. At this tyme Craigieware Forbes taken at Aberdeene, conwayed 
 himselfe away, to the no small preiudice of his reputation ; for the generall, 
 wpon his word of honour, or wpon his paroll, as souldioures now call it, 
 gawe him libertie to goe to Ardgyll and deale for the change of a prisoner 
 for him, wheirin, if he failed, he promised to come backe and remain his 
 prisoner as before. He went, and effectuated nothing, altho it was weell 
 knowin that if he list he had prewailed, so much was he in esteeme 
 amongest ; but it seems he had resolued with Ardgyll what to doe, both in 
 schifteing for himselfe and others to beare him companie. He, returneing 
 and shaweing how he could hawe no releefe, randers himselfe the generalls 
 
94 Montrose is joined in Athol by part of the clan Donald. [B. II. 
 
 prisoner 5 who, noblie dischargeing his keepers, takes his owne word not to 
 goe without libertie, and was mynded to hawe giuen him a free passe whan 
 they ware come to Boluenie, vpon his paroll neuer to bear armes against the 
 king. 
 
 Altho he knew, as it seemed, yet would he not take this course, because 
 he intended nothing lesse than the performance of it. His companion 
 Largie, the tutor of Petsligo his brother, had gottin his libertie wpon the 
 same termes ; he, therefor, finding himselfe free from keeperes, wpon his 
 word, when the armie marched for Boluenie, conwoyes himselfe asyd, and 
 is quickly gone. 
 
 Montrose, haueing stayed certaine dayes at Boluenie, mairches to Ban- 
 zenoch, and from thence to Atholl, where M' Donald returnes backe to 
 him, and bringes M' Allan [wickeime,] of some called the captaine of the 
 clane Ranald, one of the greatest men amongest the clane Donald. This 
 man brought with him eight hundreth of the strongest and most waliant 
 men amongst the highlanderes, weell armed with habershones, muriones, 
 and targates ; for offensiue armes, they had gunes, bowes, swords, and 
 aixes, called of some Lochaber aixes. This supplie, with thee Irishes that 
 returned with the major, made him neere three thousand ; and because the 
 wintere drew one, he thought it fitte to retire to the lawe countree ; but 
 M' Allane[wickeane,] with all the clane Donald, had such a mynd to 
 reuenge the injuries and tyranus oppression wherewith Ardgyll, more then 
 any of his predecessoures, had insulted ower them, resolwes that, vnlesse the 
 generall make this his first worke to enter wpon the Cambelles and the 
 wholle countree of Ardgyll, they would goe no forder on, but would 
 againe retyre vnto there countree. He, whaes judgment in this poynt was 
 gouerned by reason and not by priuat malice, saue so many difficulties in 
 that interprysse, as he was loth to yeeld to ther desyre ; yet, least he should 
 seeme wanteing to any action that might aduance the kinges cause, and 
 free the trewe ledges from so powerfull ane oppressour, he calles a counsell 
 of ware, and resolwes to doe by there adwysse, haueing first made so many 
 of them his way as he had gained by his former courtesies, and in speciall 
 the laird of Ghight, younger, and diueres otheres of the name of Gordoune, 
 whom his winneing behauiour, and courteous freedome, had indeared to 
 him. Donald Farquharsone also, Huntlyes bailzie of Strathawin, haueing 
 three hundreth of Strathawin and Die syd whom he commanded there, 
 stood constantly to him whille [he] liwed. 
 
1644.] Proposal for ravaging Argyle opposed by Montrose. 95 
 
 It was long tossed amongest them what necessitie they might bring the 
 armie wnto. Montrose himself, speakeing, told them that Ardgyll was 
 separat from the rest of the continent by a continoved rigge of high craigie 
 and vnaccessable montaines, the straight passes whereof might be easely keept 
 by fyue hundreth against tuantie thousand ; and, if the Cambelles had but 
 the least notise of ther intention, as they could not but haue notice befor they 
 could passe Glenwrchie, they could both keepe the passes of the montaines, 
 cutte of from them all prouision, and, if they ware but of ordinarie witte and 
 policie, altho they wanted wallour, they could bloke them vpe in the waist 
 bouelles of those desertes till famyne had consumed them euery man. 
 
 Whan the generall had laid furth this, with many other difficulties, he 
 added, that if, by Godes assistance, they sould surmount all those difficulties 
 with courage and resolution, and enter the countray, it was from those 
 montaines evin wnto the sea, divided in so many peninsulaes by salt laikes 
 and armes of the ocean, lyke fretes or firthes, diuideing it like the teith of 
 a combe, as they could not march one day by land, on crossed ane arme of 
 the sea ; and, they might be weell assured, ther enemies would make vse 
 of that defence both to retyre themselfes, and there best commodities, as 
 also to withdraw there bootes, and pyne them wp betuine those frettes, 
 where, fynding nothing to exercise there wallour, they might meet 
 wnrecouerable wantes and ruine in those pairtes which they intended to 
 ruine. 
 
 It could not be denyed but all this was true, and therefor thee waight of 
 those reasons was of great consequence ; but the major in the meane tyme, 
 in name of the rest, made answer to the marquise, that as they knew the 
 countray, and the passes of the mountaines which should lead them to it, 
 so they knew the people to be of a shallow and blunt disposition, haueing 
 neither braines to forsee the danger, nor judgement to apprehend what was 
 fitteing for resistance. And becaus it was neuer hard in any age that ane 
 enemie had entered in Ardgyll, by reason of those difficulties, it should 
 therefor contribute to his greatter glorie that he was the first that should 
 both intend, and, by Godes grace, performe it ; yea, they ware confident he 
 should find the people sleeping in a cairelesse securitie, as being assured 
 that the great M'Allan was so wise as to forsee all danger, and so mightie 
 to oppose it, that they know not what it is to stand in feare of any invasion ; 
 and there securite, from age to age, was one of the maine reasones which 
 had made that people in generall become so stupid and doltish. 
 
96 
 
 The expedition into Argyle resolved on. 
 
 [B. IL 
 
 He prayed also to take along with him, with those considerations, M'Al- 
 lanmore his grandour, and how much it did importune the kinges seruice 
 to haue his winges cliped, for thereon did depend there future good suc- 
 eesse, since on him alon the Couenant relyed ; and his priuat ambition, 
 joyned to his present greatness, had more aduanced the present rebellion, 
 and keeped doune the kinges just interest, then the whole body of the 
 Couenant besydes ; and they could further assure his lordship, that if 
 M'Allanmore could once bee brought lowe, the whole highlanders with 
 one consent would take armes for the king. All tho e reasones being 
 meire presumptiones, could [not] moue the generall from his solid grounds ; 
 but being delyuered by the major, whois solid and subtill judgement was re- 
 uerenced with greatest authoritie amongest them, most wotes caryed it one 
 his syde, and the successe did shawe that it was a worke of God Allmightie, 
 and not of man ; for this so hard and difficulte ane interpyse begane that 
 trembling ague which brocht the most pairt of that great and flourisheing 
 name of Cambell to ther graue, and did shaike the grandour of M' Allan 
 with such terrible and shiuereing fittes, as that great oake did bow lyke a 
 reid befor the wind. 
 
 The interprysse thus resolued one by them all was concluded one by the 
 generall, who giues ordour for that effect ; and the nixt day they mairch 
 throw the Renach and Breadalbanie, waisteing with fyre and sword, as they 
 went, all Glenwrchie lands, on both sydes of Lochtay, and thence to Glen- 
 wrchie, the Cambelles fleeing befor them to strongholdes. 
 
 When they had with maine resolution surmounted many difficulties, and 
 gained many passes in the montaines, the strongest passe by the which they 
 most of necessitie enter Ardgyll, lay betwixt two high and rockie montaines, 
 the oppin or space betwixt them being filled wp with a lairge and deepe laike, 
 betwixt the craigie montaine and the laike. On the one hand was a narrow 
 passage, cute furth of the rocke ; and within the laike, wpon a strong and high 
 rocke, there stood a strong and weell fortified castell, within a pistoll shotte of 
 the land. This fortress was weell maned, and they had abundance of wictuall, 
 and some munition and weell mounted ordinances. They could, at there 
 pleasure, cute doune, rent, teire, and massacre all that should offer to come 
 that way, without any danger or prejudice that could be done to them. 
 Here the armie was at a none plus, and all there wittes ware at a bay, nor 
 i-ould they see by strenth nor by policie how to gaine the passage. 
 
 After they had long consulted vpon it, and knew not what course to take, 
 
1644.] 
 
 Montrose's march into Argyle. 
 
 97 
 
 the Heawinly Prouidence, Who had conducted them in all there former 
 interprysses, did not now forsaike them, beyond all expectation ; and it was 
 wonderfull to see how, being in dispare, and readie to turne backe, they 
 had the passage oppined to them in this manner. 
 
 There was a raice of people in those pairtes, called M'Nabes, or rather 
 M'Enabotes, there first dissent being from ane abote, and those M'Nabes, 
 for so by tyme and the corruption of language are they now called, for the 
 most pairt being wittie, bold, and actiue men, comes to the campe, and 
 offeres there seruice to the generall, as men that of old had possessed much 
 landes in those pairts, but the strenth and power of the Cambelles had dis- 
 possessed them. 
 
 The generall at first was not easie to wine as to giue full credit to 
 there relatione, newerthelesse, apprehending that God by them could wine 
 his poynt, he resolues to try them, and therefore tells them that he desyred 
 to haue a tryall of their fidelitie ; and if they would doe him a piece of 
 seruice, which he was to impose wpon them, they should fynd that he would 
 both mantaine them, restore them to there right, and besydes reward them 
 noblie. And the cheife man among them, with whom there ware come 
 twalfe or saxteine more, giues his lordship humble thankes, and telles him 
 they desyred nothing so much as to doe him seruice ; wherefor his lord- 
 ship should fullie haue a proofe if he would honour them with his com- 
 mandementes. In end, he impairtes his mynd to them concerneing this castell 
 of the laicke, whereof if they could make him maister, he would take it at 
 there handes as a singulare peice of seruice, and they should not want there 
 reward. They told him it was a taske so hard and difficult as they could 
 not promisse the performance of it, but they wold indeweire all that was 
 possible, and after adwysement, they tooke there leiue of him to goe about 
 it ; and comeing befor day to the syde of the laike, they call to the castell, 
 showeing who they ware, and desyreing to shute the bote, and send it for 
 them, because they had something to impairt that concerned them, and 
 they had letteres from M'Allanemore to the garisone. Misdoubteing 
 nothing from there owne countray people, as being all seruantes to one lord, 
 sendes there boite ashore, and bringes them in. They are no sooner landed 
 at the castell when they kill such as resistes, takes the captaine and some 
 otheres in there beddes ; so as in lesse then ane houre they are maisteres of 
 the castell, which the nixt day they rander to the marquis ; for which seruice 
 he giues them the castell and all the landes belongeing to it. 
 
 N 
 
98 
 
 Argyle ravaged. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 The passage thus obtained, they mairch in to Ardgyll. And first at In- 
 verrara, the principall seat of Macallan, they stay to refreshe theraselfes, and 
 because the generall thought it not worth his paines to waire out a linger- 
 ing seido-e for gaineingr of the castell, the toune and all the countray round 
 about is consumed with fyre ; for although out of a generous and merciefull 
 disposition, he would haue spared the people, yet the clan Donald whereso- 
 euer they fand any that was able to cary armes, did without mercie dis- 
 patch them. They stay in Ardgyll a good pairt of the vinter, where they 
 hade abundance of cues, sheip, and other prouision for the armie, but litle 
 drinke, except cold water, and whan they remoued from one pairt to ane 
 other, they brunt what they leaft behind them. 
 
 Whan they hade waisted Ardgyll, and leaft it lyke ane deserte, they 
 mairch to Lome ; but the Stewartes, who hade beine the ancient possessores 
 of that countray, although now wnder forced obedience to Ardgyll, comes 
 in to the generall promisseing from hencefurth to be good and faithfull sub- 
 jectes, as many others of good qualitie, wpon whose submission they ware 
 spared ; one of the which was M'Condachie Anrain, who, altho he was 
 Ardgylles wassail, for he had forced all the heritoures who formerly held of 
 the king to renunce there regall halding, and take there lands haldin of 
 him. This M'Condachie being secreetly a male content, as the rest ware, 
 dealt with Donald Farquharsonne, betwixt whom and him there had beene 
 long familiaritie and freindsheepe, that he would deall for his peace with the 
 generall, which he did, and fand the generall gratious, free, and merciefull 
 to all that would submitte, and become loyall subiectes ; but this man was 
 but a craftie and subtill dissembler, who with a forseeing and politicke 
 prouidence esteemes this but a wiolent tempest which should haue ane end, 
 and that Ardgyll would againe be maister of all ; whose fauour to obtaine, he 
 watches a fitte tyme whan a partie was sent out to bring in prouision for 
 the campe, and being double there number, sets wpon them whan they ware 
 separet, and dryueing in some heardes of cattelle. This partie was lead by 
 Donald Farquharsone, who could not be persuaded at the first that his freind 
 would intend any such treacherie till he sawe them commeing furiously to 
 charge him, who had but a small number about him ; yet seeing there was no 
 remedie, he with great courrage stands to his defence, till the reportes of the 
 muscates brought backe some of those who throw the hilles ware gathering 
 of there pray, defending himselfe waliantly till they returned ; at whose 
 comeing he charged forward so rudlye, as his enemies are forced to giue 
 
1645.] 
 
 The Covenanters send an army into Lochaber. 
 
 99 
 
 ground. M'Condachie himselfe is soire wounded, and not able to stand, 
 is caryed of with a sharaefull retreat, altho he was twyse there number. 
 
 After this his base proceeding, he thought it not safe to returne to 
 his owne house, but retyres to the strong castell of Dunstaffage, a place 
 that of old the kinoes themselfes had builded and duelt in. But after the 
 extermination of the Pichtes nation, they had chosin the hotter climate 
 towardes the south, and so Ardgylls predecessores had gottin the keepeing 
 of it as heretable constable. 
 
 After the armie had stayed in Ardgyll, Lome, and those westren coun- 
 trayes, till they had wasted with fyre and sword all that had any relation to 
 M £ Allanmore, they returne throw Glenco to Lochaber ; and the general Ire- 
 freshes his armie, stayeing longer then he intended, because he was informed 
 that Ardgyll, after his departure, was come, and had brought great forces 
 with him, and raised there a great armie; for the most pairt the strongest 
 men haid fled from the furie of the Royalistes, he being determyned to 
 reuenge that wnreparable lose. 
 
 And after the Royall armie had stayed certane dayes in Lochaber, and 
 yet no hope of the enemies comeing, the armie mairches towardes Murray, 
 being come alse farre as the head of Lochnes, where there came certane 
 intelligence that Ardgyll was entered Lochaber with three thousand men, 
 and had burned all such landes as M'Randell had in possession from the 
 marquisse of Huntly for his seruice. This M'Randell, and all his race, had 
 euer stood with ther lord for the kinges seruice, being aboue two hundreth 
 good men, and the most pairt of them was now in the armie. The certane 
 information of Ardgylles comeing mowes the generall to call a consule of 
 warre, where it is debated whither they shall goe forwards and see if they 
 could be maisters of Innernesse, and so of the rest of Murray, or returne 
 to Lochaber and discusse that armie first. 
 
 After some agitation, by way of argument, they resolue to returne, least, 
 according to his winted subtilitie, he should follow them at leasure, till he 
 hade raised before them Rosse, Sutherland, and Murray, with the garisone 
 of Invernesse, and incompass them one all sydes. Both for the respect 
 then, and to aid such as had suffered, and such as was lyke to suffer, as 
 M' Allen [wikeine] his countray, M'Collein, and Glengerrie, therefor they 
 resolue to turne and giue him battell ; and because it was to be feared that, 
 if he gotte intelligence of there comeing, he would shune the feight till he 
 might joyne with those forces forsaid, or to haue them readie to fall on at 
 
100 
 
 Montrose surprises Argyle's army* 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 one tyme with, therefor they returne ane other way then they came, and 
 that was throw the hilles, altho they ware at tyme couered with snaw. 
 
 They mairch tuo dayes throw the montaines, in great extremitie of cold, 
 want of wictualles, and in necessitie of all thinges, yet there great courage 
 and patience did brauely sustaine it. Nor ought there extreame sufferringes 
 at that tyme euer be forgottin ; for that day they foght, the generall him- 
 selfe, and the earle of Airely, who had stayed with him since the battell of 
 Saint Jhonestoune, those tuo noblemen (I say) had no more to brake 
 there fast befor they went to battell but a little mealle, mixt with cold water, 
 which, out of a hollow dishe, they did picke wp with there knyues for want 
 of spoones, and this was those noblemens best faire. One may judge what 
 wantes the rest of the armie most suffer. The most pairt of them had not 
 taisted a bitte of bread these tuo dayes, maircheing high montaines in knee 
 deepe snow, and widdeing brookes and riuers wp to there girdle. About 
 the shutteing in of the night, they fall wpon the skirtes of Ardgylles armye, 
 two or three myles from the castell off Inverlochie, where himselfe lay. 
 Those retyreing quickely, giues the alarum to the whole campe. 
 
 Montrose, by the aduice of his maior and otheres of his captanes, feareing 
 they would shune the tryall till they ware yet stronger, sendes out ane for- 
 lorne hope, who with continuall fyre and shote hold them sturreing so as 
 they gotte no tyme to resolue in this confusione. 
 
 In this confusion, the commanders of there armie lightes wpon this reso- 
 lution, not to hazart the marquisse owne persone ; for it seems not pos- 
 sible that Ardgylle himselfe, being a nobleman of such eminent qualitie, 
 a man of so deepe and profund judgement, one that knew so weell what 
 belongeth to the office of a generall, that any basse motion of feare, I say, 
 could make him so wnsensible of the poynt of honour as is generally 
 reported. Nether will I, for my owne pairt, belieue it ; but I am confident 
 that those barrones of his kinred, wha ware captanes and commanderes of 
 the armie, feareing the euent of this battelle, for diuers reasones ; and one 
 was, that Allan M'Collduie, ane old fox, and who was thought to be a seer, 
 had told them that there should be a battell lost there by them that came 
 first to seike battell ; this was one cause of there importunitie with him that 
 he should not come to battell that day ; for they sawe that of necessitie 
 they most feght, and would not hazart there cheife persone, urgeing him by 
 force to reteire to his galay, which lay hard by, and coramitte the tryall of 
 the day to them ; he, it is to be thought, with great difficultie yeelding to 
 
1645.] 
 
 The battle of Inverlochy. 
 
 there request, leaues his cusine, the laird of Auchinbreike, a most vralorous 
 and braue gentleman, to the generall commande of the armie, and takes 
 with himselfe only sir James Rollocke, his brother in lawe, sir Jhone 
 Wachope of Xithrie, Mr. Mungo Law, a preacher. It is reported those 
 two last was send from Edinburgh with him to beare witnesse of the ex- 
 pulsion of those rebelles, for so they ware still pleased to terme the 
 Royalistes. 
 
 Wpon Sonday, the second of Februarie, being Candlemasse day, anno 
 1645, about the sune rysseing, both the armies drawes wp in battell. 
 By Auchinbreike, as generall for that day, the two regimentes Ardgvll 
 had brought from Sterling ware placed in the right and leaft winges, and 
 some highlanders with them ; there wan was a strong battaillon of high- 
 landeres, with gunes, bowes, and axes ; in the reire or maine battail, ware 
 all there pryme men, and the greatest strenth of the armie, with two peice 
 of ordinance. 
 
 The marquisse of Montrose diuides his armie also in foure battelles, the 
 major, Alexander M'Donald, had the leading of the right winge ; colonell 
 Occaen had the leading of the leaft wing, both those ware Irishes ; the 
 Stewartes of Apine, with those of Atholle, Glenco, and Lochaber, had 
 the wane. Donald Farquharsone was gone to raise more forces in Ban- 
 zenoch and the rest of Huntlyes highlandes. M'Collein, the captane of 
 the clane Randell, and Glengerrie had the reire brought wp by collonell 
 James M'Coneil. The marquise had a reserue of Irishes and other high- 
 landers. It fell Occaen, with the leaft wing, to charge Ardgylles right 
 wing ; he commanded by the major not to giue fyre till he gaue it in 
 there breastes, and this course in the right wing he rightly obserues also : 
 and thus patiently receaueing there shote, without giueing fyre, till they 
 fyred there beardes, both winges make a cruell hauoke of the enemies ; 
 leapeing in amongst them with there swordes and targates, they quickly 
 put them to disorder, and disperses them ower all the fieldes. There wan, 
 by this, perceauing themselfes naked, and there winges brockin and dis- 
 persed that should flanked them, did hardly withstand the shoke of Mon- 
 trose wan, who charged them, and followed there charge in a close bodie, 
 with such strenth and furie as they ware forced to giue backe wpon there 
 reire ; who, instead of opineing there rankes to receaue them, and giue 
 the enemies a new charge, they queit there standing, brakes there ordour, 
 and flies confusedly towardes the castell, wheirin they had pleaced fyftie 
 
10-2 
 
 The battle of Inverlochy. 
 
 [B. II. 
 
 souldiours. Sir Thomas Ogiluie, with a troupe of horse, afrontes tuo 
 hundreth of them that made for the castell, and forced them to flie with the 
 rest wp the syd of the laike or firth. In this conflick, this brawe gentle- 
 man receaued a shote, whereof he died soonne after, to the no small re- 
 grait of the whole armie. 
 
 The marquisse of Ardgyll, standing of a litle in the sea, and had seene 
 this ouerthrow, to his great griefe no doubt, not stayeing to see his 
 enemies persewe the flight, which continowed for seauin or eight mylles ; 
 and if they had not beene wyried with a long mairch, standeing all the 
 night after in battell, and fanteing for want of food, there had few or non 
 eschaped. In this battell, the laird of Auchinbreeke was killed, with 
 fourteine barrones of the name of Cambell, tuo and tuantie men of qualitie 
 taken prisoneres, and seauinteine hundreth killed of the armie. 
 
 In the castell of Inverlochie there ware fvftie of the Sterling regiment, 
 with there commanderes, that got there lyues ; but of tuo hunder high- 
 landers, none eschaped the clane Donald furie. This happie and fortunat 
 leader, haueing set all thinges in order after the battell, retyres towardes 
 Murray with his small but wictorious armie. 
 
 THE END OF THE SECOND B00KE. 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 BRITANE'S DISTEMPER, 
 
 FROM THE YEARE OF GOD M.DC.XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE THIRD BOOKE. 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT OF BRITAXE'S 
 
 DISTEMPER, 
 
 FROM THE YE ARE OF GOD M.DC. XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE THIRD BOOKE. 
 
 HE marques of Montros, for all those victories, did weell 
 eonsidder of that which was don to be nothing in com- 
 parison of that which was now to be don ; for the Coue- 
 nant would now wndoubtedly wneit all ther forces, and 
 never give over till, with main strength, they had born 
 him down. 
 
 His greatest cair therfor was to sret the marques of 
 Huntly to joyn with him, hoping by the wneited forces of that family, to 
 resist, and, by God's grace, to team or danton ther greatest furrie. And 
 trewly, if ambittion, that pest and plaige of the bravest mynds, had not 
 seperatted those two noblemen, they had brought the whole kingdom back 
 to ther lawfull obedience. 
 
 For als long as this divelishe and ever to be dowbted passion had no 
 power over them, so loner the royal army prospered, and so long did God 
 Almighty blesse ther interprysses ; but how soon they becam jealous of on 
 ane other, stryveing for precedensie, then it was observed by manie that 
 Divyne Providence left them to themselves, and in on day, yea, even 
 in on hour, turned the course of all ther fortounes, which wer so great and 
 so prosperous befor, as filled the wholl world with astonishment. This 
 his resolution to gain the house of Huntly, was propped with a great 
 motive of incurragement, for he was no sooner arryved in Murray, when 
 colonell Gordon cam from my lord Gordon to shaw him that he intended 
 shortly to sie him ; he neided mak no appollogie for leaving the estates, 
 since these could never be indussed to trust, repossing mor in the meanest 
 barron of the north whom they knew of ther Covenant, then in him ; 
 
106 
 
 The royal cause tveakened by the 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 having in manie thinges dealt most ingraitly with him, so as they gave him 
 just occassion to leave them, and to give the world a reall demonstration both 
 what he was, and what a treasure in him ther waeward jelusies had slighted. 
 
 It may seam strange that in this age, mor then in many ages befoir, 
 this kingdom was mor abundantly stored with opulent and floorishing 
 nobillitie, whose active spirits, had they bein als loyall as generous in 
 all thinges eles, they could have effectuat matteres both great and good, 
 to ther etternall glorie, for the prosperittie and happy governament of so 
 pious and just a king : ther being so manie, not of the weakest, but of 
 the most powerfull sort of the nobilitie, who did sie clearly throw the 
 dazleing mist of the Covenant, and whose pregnant wites could never be 
 inchanted with the pretended glose of releigone, nor drawen by the charmes 
 of ane allooring fredom in anarchie, wherin they might be weell asured 
 ther greatnes and flowing should cut footh ther share in the lairgest 
 measure : when nether of these could atract them from the lawfull rule 
 of heaven ordained monarchies and yet that these noble men (wherof there 
 was aboue thirtie in the kingdorae) could fall so fare beneath themselfes as 
 to boue there knie to the Couenant, payeing all exactiones, and heauie, 
 yea intollerablc, subsedies layed wpon them and there people, and had not 
 so much as a wotte in it, the cabinet counsell being euer keepe wp from 
 them ; and thus, seeming to degenerat from there birth, blood and gentrie, 
 and greatnes, they patiently indur the slauerie laid wpon them, comportes 
 with the injurie offered to there lord and soueraine, beholds the lawes and 
 justice layed wp to sleipe, the commone weell of the kingdome, the tran- 
 quillitie and peace of the land banished, and the strong and weell satled 
 ordour of monarchic forbiddin, all gouernement must now yeeld to a head- 
 lesse combustion of confusion ; that the greatest pairt of the nobilitie, 
 altho they be awerse from the vnlawfull and laulesse cours of the new 
 coyned Couenant, yet this is strainge that they dare not so much as to say, 
 much lesse to professe themselfes loyall subjectes to there prince, nor true 
 patriotes to there oppressed countray ; whereas, one the other pairt, if they 
 would joyne and vnite themselfes in one body, they could be sufficiently 
 stronge against this owerfloweing invndation, and beate backe this stronge 
 current to his old channell, yea and force the streames to keepe within the 
 bankes of his wonted obedience. Then, what can be the reason of this 
 there leasie, dull, and wncapable kynd of cariage, as if there judgmentes, 
 there currage, and generous myndes ware fallin into a lithargie ; or hath 
 the bewitched charmes of the Couenant strucke there actiue spirites in 
 
1645.] 
 
 dissensions of the Scottish nobility. 
 
 107 
 
 such a dead palsie, as they cannot be made censible, nether of the present 
 calamitie, nor of the dewastatione nor ruine which it threatines to all pos- 
 teritie. Fare be it from me to alot or imagine so much bassenes in so noble 
 and hopefull spirits. 
 
 May it be then that they are waikened and keepe backe from so happie 
 ane vnion by the separation of there natiue homes, and dispersed ouer the 
 kingdome, there forces are disjoyned by there interleassing and winding 
 laborinthes of the Couenant that eueriewhere twyne about them lyke iuie 
 to the tree, not suffering them to spread. This indeed may be one reason, 
 altho it be but awaike one at least, when they sawe ane armie in the feildes, 
 which, altho but small, had made head against the Couenant, and, by Godes 
 prouidence, being still the waiker pairtie, had to there neuer dyeing honour, 
 prosperously prewailled, and carye the palme of wictorie wheiresoeuer they 
 went. 
 
 They could then, with mutuall consent, haue joyned themselfes to this 
 armie, as it went forwairdes ; and sure I am the generall is so reall for the 
 king, and so willing to performe the seruice, as he would have mairched to 
 euery schyre and countie of the kingdome to gett them to armes, and so to 
 haue theire assistance. But, alace, I am affrayed that this not yett the 
 true reason ; but they are withhold by a reason of a farre waiker conse- 
 quence, a stryueing for precedencie, a keepeing of state, or I know not 
 how to terme it. As they are all noblemen, they will be all free princes, 
 euerie one will command, non will they obey. They scorne to be fol- 
 lowers, or to receaue orders from on whom the king may appoynt to bee 
 generall. 
 
 This, allace, is the old and incurrable disease of our nobilitie. This hes 
 beene the owerthrow of many glorious actions often and so brauely intended 
 be our nation. 
 
 Was it not the pryd of the Comming that made the discention betwixt 
 the Stewart of Boote and that praiseworthie and euer renouned champion, 
 sir William Wallace ; and this was the losse of the battell of Falkirke. 
 
 Was it not the ambition for precedencie that made our nobilitie at Solon 
 Mosse to lay doune there armes without stroke of sword, choiseing rather 
 to yeeld themselfes prisoners to there enemies than to receaue orders from 
 him whom that lyfe of justice, that euer James, James the Fyft, had ap- 
 poynted for there generall. 
 
 Was it not a discenssion for precedencie, as is generallie reported, that 
 
108 
 
 The lord (t'ordon join* Montrose. 
 
 { B. MI. 
 
 wan i In' cause of that f • ■. 1 1 ■■lull and hloodic ouerthrow at Pinky, after the 
 1 1 1 ' ■ 1 1 1 1 wane was twyse beate hackc, and there maine hattell with the pro- 
 tector tooke adwysemcnt how they might make a saife retreat. To be 
 short, for would take wp a lairgc wolunie to relaite all that authored hes 
 memorised in that kynd in tin our wnhappic age. 
 
 Wan it not the pryde of the earle Marchelle, for he could not claiine 
 precedeneie, that made him refuse to come in to the marquise of Huntly at 
 \berdeen for the kinges Heruice ; and after diucrse capitulationes to that 
 end, his hint answer waH, that he refused to follow any subiect in the king- 
 dome, wnlesse the king, by a particularc, would desyre him ho to doe, 
 nut withstanding that he had promised the contrare the yeare before, when 
 they meitto at Keltic. 
 
 It is lamentable that this pettic interest, this least and worst of all ex- 
 cuses, this smoake, this buble, this meire scoimc of true honour, should 
 prewaile so fare with noble and generous spirites, as to keepc them backe 
 from so necessarie, so great, so glorioiiH actiones, wherein the wealth and 
 permanent greatnes of them ami posteritie, and the generall well of the 
 whole kingdome is so much concerned, lint, doubtlesse, Heaucn lies a hand 
 m it fur I lie punishment of our sinnes, and when it pleases His Diuinc 
 Majestic to banc compassion on our afilictioncs, then may we hoppe that 
 Me will oppin there eyes to see then; past foolie and amend there erroures. 
 This waine estimation of grandour, this chimera of greatnes, did not 
 possesse the noble lord (lordonne at this tyme, so requissed for the com- 
 mone good ; for he came in to Montroise with his friendes and followers, 
 being well content to submitte himsclfc to him whom the king had ap- 
 poyuted for generall, altho, in his father's absence, his forces and following 
 did fare exceed the forces of him whom he followed, and did ewer contri- 
 bute to make vp the greatest pairt of the armie. And when his father 
 came home to hawe his ownc place as leiuetennant generall of the north, 
 it is well kuowin he did not incroch wpon Montroise as leiuetennant gene- 
 rall, vndcr prince Maurice for the whole kingdome, but did cairefullye con- 
 tribute with him. Witness the three battelles which was after fochten, 
 when, in the name of (lordoune fore horsemen, and Huntly his foote forces 
 did alwayes make wp the best pairt of the armie, and by whom and by 
 whose walour those three battelles ware gained. Nor can it be denyed 
 but the marqueis of Montrose happie fortune and wise gouerncment 
 was the chiefc cause ; for his courtesie, humilitie, and voneing carriage 
 
164.5. ] 
 
 Loyully of the mari/uu of lluntly. 
 
 100 
 
 made such a conqueise of there heartea of his followers, as it seemed God 
 Almightie had appoynted him for that great worke. And altho the rnar- 
 queise of Huntly was not so affable, nor so winneing towardes his freindes, 
 to which may be attribute his hard successe in his brawest interprisses, yet 
 Montrose bad no reasone to complaine ; yea, I am conBdent in his BoMcBM 
 that he will in this allowe what I have said. 
 
 I wonder then how some author,' who concealles his name, durst be so 
 bold and impudent as to put in print so many calumnies and forced Hm 
 » pon that noble familie, as by the sequell of this historic shall appeare, 
 wherein I sett doune nothing concerneing the progresse of there aotiones 
 but what I haue approued by good authores and men of qualitie. 
 
 Huntly was so willing to haue the kinoes cause to prewaille, as he pro- 
 tested diuerse tymes that if his majestic had appoynted a gentleman of 
 meane qualitie to that place he had not repyned at it, but with a praisc- 
 worthie and laudable intentiones, wa3 re=olued one what.ioeuer termcs to 
 follow the adwancement of the seruice, being well assured that his OWM 
 deaerueinges and loyaltie should rnerite so much at his majesties bander, a.-, 
 he might expect from so just and so magnanirnius a prince, that the ad- 
 wancement of others sould be no prejudice to him ; and that thi.-. was his 
 resolution, h'13 following actiones did weell approue, till the fyre brandes of 
 dissentione sturred wp the furious passione of arnbitione, by reason of 
 jealousies, to make breach in this vnione, and the malice of the craftie in- 
 cendiaries did so farre prewaill, as my heart greweth, rny eyes weipetb. 
 and my liand trembleth to wrote it. 
 
 The lord Gordoune was no sooner come in to the generall, when his 
 example wa3 followed by Seaforth and Grant, who promised from thence- 
 forth to bee faithfull and loyall subiectes ; and for the more reall perform- 
 ance, they sett there handes to a generall band which wa.-. draw in wp for 
 that effect, altho some of them intended nothing lesse, as did appeare soone 
 after. 
 
 As the armie mairched throw Murray, sundrie gentlemen of that coun- 
 
 1 [B'ubop Wiahart's famous memoir* of the marquis of Montrose are intended. The 
 frrtt part of thi* work was published at Paris, in \('A7. — '' l.G. De rebus auhpicii* sere- 
 ■Mtmi, et potentissirni Caroli Dei irratia Magna: Britanniae, Franciae et Hibernian Regis, 
 etc. rob imperio illustrissirni Ja/.-obi Moritisrosarum Marchionis, Comitis de Kincardin, etc. 
 ropremi Scotia: gubematoris anno CI.OIOCXLIV, et duobus sequentibu* pratclare ge*ti«, 
 cooimentanus • Interpret* A. 8." Anno Domini CIO IOC XL VII.] 
 
110 
 
 Character of colonel Farquharson. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 trav came in, and in show gaue satisfaction. But the laird of Innes, who 
 for his witte and policie, was esteemed as ane oracle throw all that coun- 
 tray, refused to come in, and retyred himselfe, with Banadallach Grant, to 
 the strong castell of Spynie, belongeing formerly to the bischope of 
 Murray ; this castell he fortified and keepe out. 
 
 The generall thought it not fit to spend time wpon takeing of priuate 
 houses, but, after he had waisted all Innes landes, and his house of Innes, 
 with fyre, he crossed the Spay, and mairched throw the earle of Finlater's 
 boundes ; the earl himselfe was fled, and his lady, wpon some owertures 
 which shoe promised her huseband should performe, gott the landes spared. 
 But the lord Crichtones landes felt the mercilesse crueltie of the fyre, and 
 Boynes landes by the way ; from thence they went to Kintore, and there 
 stayed till the rest of my lord Gordoun's forces came in. 
 
 Some of the cawalyres, while they stayed there, went to Aberdeene with 
 collonell Gordoune, and collonell Farquharsone, who, out of Strathawin, 
 (where he was bailzie to Huntly), and Aboyn and Die syd, had alwayes a 
 standeing regiment. This manes affable, naturall, and weell composed 
 condition had so much oblidged all men that euer he was acquanted with, 
 as generallie he was beloued of all sortes of people, and could not be other- 
 wayes, for he was of such a harmelesse and innocent carriage, as there was 
 non alyue whom he could hate ; he was neuer seene to be angrie, nor knew 
 he what that wnrulie passion meaned, and yet he gawe proofe of alse much 
 true curraige as any man could ha we ; he was so farre from pryd and waine 
 slorie, as he was all mens' companion, not out of sillie simplicity, but out 
 of a gentle and myld freedome, in a nature which did alwayes dispose him 
 to a jowial alacritie ; for his conwersatione, evin in the sadest and most des- 
 perat tyme, was euer jocund and cheirefull. He was so litle ambitious of 
 honour, and so cairelesse to accumulate riches, as in both he strowe with 
 the Capussian, for there was no man more humble, no man, saue a pro- 
 digal, that cared lesse for to morrow. In all his lyfe, he was never fund 
 to disobledge any of his acquantance, in so much that only to his freindes 
 but vnto straungers, and those whom he had newer seene before. All his 
 actiones ware obledgements. He spent his patrimony, not lauishly, for he 
 was no prodigall, but with such freedome, and such a kynd of naturall 
 bountie, as one that knew that money was coyned for men, and not men for 
 money, and treuly he was only wanteing to himself in this poynt of good 
 husbandrie ; and therein only was esteemed faultie, if a liberall, courteous. 
 
1645.] 
 
 Character of colonel Farquharson. 
 
 Ill 
 
 and bountifull disposition, which in great men is called a wertue, in him 
 might be called a fault. But I should rather lay the fault on fate, or the 
 constellationes of his birth, that made not his fortoune equall to his merite : 
 vea, if the sade fate of his wntymely death had not brock the chaine of his 
 wertues, he had assuredly been als great as he was good, and he had 
 adorned nobilitie, nobilitie not him. He was upon a sax monthes stay 
 at court, so become so weell lyked of. and in so good grace with, his 
 soueraine lord, as he euer after called him his man ; and at the parlemenr 
 in Edinburgh, his majestie heareing of a fray, and how he, by some ma- 
 litious Couenanters, was threatned in it, became suddenly inflamed, alid 
 cryed out, " Who dars be so bold as to touch my man Donald Farqubar- 
 sone ?" This alone was a sufficient character of him, that a prince, superior 
 to all princes for wisedome and wertue, had him in such esteeme. He was 
 neuer hated for any action of his owne, but so generally well beloued, as 
 his serwants, with whom he was newer sein to be angTie, did not ther 
 service for fear of punishment or rewaird, but for meere love, altho it be 
 the nature of a slaue to serve best wher he is most awed, vet the calm sweet- 
 nes of his disposition did change the ruche and blunkt nature of a slaue. 
 that serves for hope of rewaird or fear of punishement, to a more subleam 
 obedience for love of vertue and goodnes. 
 
 In fine, nether is my judgment nor my experience able to give a true 
 cbarectore to the lyfe of this gentleman's singular and most commendable 
 parts ; only I can say, that as he never purchased ane enemy through his 
 owne procuremeut, so his faithfull adhearance to the king's cause, and his 
 constant following of the marques of Huntly from the besinin? in that 
 cause, procured som malicious Covenanters to tak this occasion of his 
 coming to Aberdein, that he might be taken out of the way, although he 
 had bein a great freind to that town at the late battell foughen ther : 
 yet was sir John Hurrie sent for, who, leiving the Covenanting armie at 
 Monrose, conveyes himselfe with a choosen troope of horse to Aberdein 
 wnder night. Collonel Gordon, and som that feared the worst, conveyed 
 themselves away ; som keipt their lodginges, and wer not sein wpon the 
 streats. Only collonel Farquharson stayed, who had done them so many 
 good offices, and had ever profesed such freindshipe towards them, and was 
 not conseous to himself that ever he had disobeleidged them. Wherefor. 
 wpon the allarum in the streat, he comes boldly forth, with som of his 
 freinds and servanda ; and seing a band of armed men, who, at his ap- 
 
112 
 
 Colonel Farquharson slain. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 proache, inquyres his name, least they might mistake, he, who hatted no 
 man, and therfor looked for hattred of no man, teles them plainly, be- 
 caus he had not yet learned to lie ; wpon the which they incompasse him 
 and his small train on all syds. They wer wnarmed, and had no wea- 
 pones but swords, which, when they drew, this neuer eneugh praised gentl- 
 man is shot dead with a pistole ; a neir cussing of his grievously wounded 
 and taken prisoner ; the rest they let go, having gotten him whom they 
 sought ; for this cruell assinat is constantly reported to be don by the pro- 
 curment of the provest, a most mallicious man against the Royalists in those 
 dayes. 
 
 When this newes cam to the camp, their was non that was not struck 
 with sadnes, sorrow, and extreim grief, for the losse of so brave a cave- 
 leire, so reall a freind, and so solatious a commrade. The generall 
 himselfe and my lord Gordon wer both very sensible of this loss. The 
 majore procured order for himselfe to tak a stronge partie with him, and 
 £oe for Aberdein, wher, they could not overtake the murderers, he might 
 sie him honorablely interred. Hurrie, forseing the danger, made no stay 
 in the towne but reteired back, who was followed, but could not be over- 
 taken. The major gave to this weell deserving gentleman the interment 
 of a soldger, with the trailling of pickes, and thundering vollie of muskets, 
 and then advanced towards the armie, which at that tym marched towards 
 the Mearnes, to get Marchell now at lenth to tak armes for the king. 
 But Cant, Row, and the rest of that puritant preachers, having reteired 
 themselves to that stronge hold of Dunnature, wher he dwelt, did so charme 
 him with ther flattering elloquence, as he stood out, cam to the waisting of 
 all his lands therabout with fyre. 
 
 This was a fearfull presaige of the fattall punishment which did hing over 
 the head of that noble farailie, fortold by a terrible vission to his grand- 
 mother, efter the sacraleidgious annexing of the abace of Deir to the house 
 of Marshell ; which I think not unworthie the rememberance, wer it bot to 
 adwyce other noblemen therby to bewar of meddling with the rent of the 
 Church, for in the first fundation therof they wer given out with a curse 
 pronunced in ther charector, or evident of the first erectione, in those 
 termes : Cursed be those that taketh this away from the holy rose wher- 
 wnto it is now dedicat ; and I wish from my heart that this curse follow not 
 this ancient and noble familie, who hath to their praise and never dieino- 
 honor conteinued ther greatness, mantained ther honor, and both piously 
 
1645.] 
 
 A vision of the ruin of the Marischal family. 
 
 113 
 
 and constantly hes followed forth the way of vertue, from that tym that the 
 valoure, worth, and happie fortoun of ther first predecessores planted them ; 
 and ever since the currage of his heart, strenth of his arme, and love of his 
 contrey, made him happily to resist the cruell Danes in that famous 
 field of [ ], wher he gained to his nation a nottable victorie, 
 
 to his contrey a following peace, and to his posteritie both riches and 
 dignitie, by that noble and high preferment to be marishell of the wholl 
 kingdom. 
 
 George, earle Marshell, a learned, wyse, and wpright good man, got 
 the abacie of Dier in recompence, from James the Sixt, for the honorable 
 chairge he did bear in that ambassage he had into Denmerk, and the wyse 
 and worthie acompt he gaue of it at his returne, by the conclusion of that 
 matche wherof the royall stock of Brittanes monarchic is descended. 
 
 This earle George his first wife, dochter to the lord Horn, and grand- 
 mother to this present earle, being a woman both of a high spirit, and of 
 a tender conscence, forbids her husband to leave such a consuming moch 
 in his house, as was the sacraledgeous medling with the abisie of Deir ; but 
 fourtein scoir chalderes of meill and beir was a sore tentatione, and he 
 could not weell indure the randering back of such a morsell. Vpon his 
 absolut refusall of her demand, she had this vission the night following. 
 
 In her sleepe she saw a great number of religious men in ther habit com 
 forth of that abbey to the stronge craige of Dunnotture, which is the prin- 
 cipall residence of that familie. She saw them also sett themselves round 
 about the rock to gett it down and demolishe it, having no instruments nor 
 toilles wherwith to perform this work, but only penknyves, wherwith they 
 follishly (as it seemed to her) begane to pyk at the craige. She smyled 
 to sie them intende so fruitles ane interpryse, and went to call her husband 
 to scuffe and geyre them out of it. When she had fund him and brought 
 him to sie these sillie religious monckes at ther foolish work, behold, the 
 wholl craige, with all his stronge and stately buildinges, was by ther pyn- 
 knyves wndermynded and fallen in the sea, so as ther remained nothing 
 but the wrack of ther riche furnitore and stufe flotting on the waves of a 
 rageing and tempestous sea. 
 
 Som of the wyser sort divining wpon this vission, attrebute to the pen- 
 knyves the lenth of tym befor this should com to pass, and it hath bein ob- 
 served by sundrie that the earles of that house befor wer the richest in the 
 kingdom, having treasure and store besyde them, but ever since the ad- 
 
114 
 
 Montrose marches south, and meets 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 dittion of this so great a revenue, theye have lessed the stock by heavie 
 burdenes of debt and ingagment. 
 
 The armie having stayed certain dayes at Stonhyve, till they had waisted 
 Marshel's lands, because he refused to com in, being induced therto by 
 Cant and his purritant preachers, the armie marches sowth, but mett 
 not with the Covenanting armie sent to oppose them ; for Montrose, by my 
 lord Gordon and his forces adjoyned to him, hade a considderable armie 
 of thrie thousand foot and above, with thrie hundreth horse. The armie 
 of the Covenant consisted of the lyk number of foot, but stronger in horse, 
 for they wer six or seiven hundreth, all weell horsed and weell trained, 
 having bein from the begining of the ware trained wp in England, from 
 whence they wer but lately brought, to this purpose only, that the Royalists 
 might be swyped out of the kingdom. They wer commanded by levtenant 
 generall Baillie, a wyse and vallient souldier, expert in millitarie affaires, 
 whereof he had given good proofe, both at hom and abroad. Sir John 
 Hurie had the leading of the horsemen wnder him, but it seems they had 
 no order to fight, the estates being loath to hazard another battell without 
 better assurance then they could now promise themselves, since the 
 Royalists wer becom stronger then ever they had bein befor, by my lord 
 Gordones aid, altho they wer wotrained. This did weell appear when the 
 Royall armie marched throw Mearnes and Angus. Ther enemy es that ever 
 befor did persew them, now fled befor them still, and yet in order of 
 battell : whersoever Montros went, Baillie went that same way, incamp- 
 ing neir to him ; but yet so as he should not be forced to fight. They 
 marched thuse wp throughe Angus and Perth shyre towards Dunkell, the 
 Royalists every day offering them battell. 
 
 On day wpon ther march to Cowpper of Angus, they wer to crose a river, 
 but Baillie appearing on the wther syde, drew wp his armie in battell as if he 
 intended to fight, but makes the passage of the river sure, that they should not 
 win over ; so that both the armies stood the most part of the night in battell. 
 
 The nixt day, the marques sends to him, desyring him that he 
 would aither reteir on myle back, and he will com over to him, 
 vtherwayes he should reteir two myles, and give him free passage, that 
 they might dispute their quarrell no longer with subtill shifts, but with true 
 valloure. Baillie seames to except this offer of ther retreat for two myles, 
 vpon which the marques reteires as he had promised, and, choosing a fair 
 plot of ground, drawes wp his armie. 
 
1645.] 
 
 the Covenanting army under Baillie. 
 
 115 
 
 But Baillie, either not meaning what he spok, or eles, vpon better advys- 
 ment, thought it not fitt to hazard vpon such equall termes, altho he was 
 mor then dowble there numberes in horse, as esteiming this a small ad- 
 vantage against so weell resolued opposseres, he reteires towards Fyfe, leav- 
 ing Montros the nixt day to march wher he list, who had keipt the fields all 
 that night, being still readdy to fight. 
 
 Then he marches to Dunkell. The highlanderes, and the most pairt of 
 the lowland forces, who had not bein wsed to the fatige of a camp vollant, 
 where they must march all day, and stand in battell all night, wer so wearried 
 and worn out with conteinuall toyle, that many of them shirunk dayly away, 
 and som gentlemen of the name of Gordon gott leave to com hom and re- 
 freshe them. Vtheres, altho they wer younge and lustie, seing no appear- 
 ance of fighting, but conteinuall watching and wnmeasurable travell, neces- 
 sities and want of provision, both for horse and man, they wearried, and 
 shirunk away dayly. And becaus my lord Lewes desyred a frie libertie to 
 returne for putting som affares to a poynt which his father by lettres had 
 intrusted to him, therefor is he presumed to be the man by whose secreit 
 conivance so many had reteired, and that he had don it by his fathers ap- 
 poyntment. But this was fund to be but a meere presumption efterwards : 
 for he and his train stayed still with the armie, and was with them at Dun- 
 die, wher he did good service, both in forceing the town and in aiding ther 
 small numbers to mak a saife retreat, when they being but as it wer a 
 commanded partie, Baillie's wholl armie persewing them. 
 
 And heir I wonder much how that author who hath passed the pre>^ 
 is not ashamed to taxe this younge nobleman, both of going hom, and 
 training, as it wer vpon a conspirracie with his father, so many of the armie 
 away with him, as he sayeth ; 1 and this was don when the armie cam to Dun- 
 kell. But how is it that he should efterward assist Montros at Dundie is so 
 
 1 [" Plures dies in hostium conspectu, elapsi sunt : nec hostibus in Montisrosanum copias 
 transmittentibus : nec illo sperante, transitum vi obtineri posse, prae equitum inopia. 
 Duncaledoniam ergo progressus, Tanm superare conabatur; cum inopinato malo tantum 
 non oppressus fuit. Ludovicus Gordonius Huntilsei filius, qui in acie, ad Aberdoniam 
 contra eum steterat, nobiiissimo fratre, Gordonio Regulo, sequestro, in fidem receptus fuerat. 
 Is seu veris, seu simulatis patris Uteris, ex latibulo suo datis, Gordonios ferme omnes, clam 
 ipso fratre, ad defectionem solicitatos abduxit : fratremq ; cum Montisrosano, imminente 
 hoste deseruit. Et sane utri infensior fuerit, inscertissima jactatur fama." Rer. Montisros. 
 Cap ix. fol. 96.] 
 
116 
 
 Montrose surprises Dundee. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 great a danger, as if it had bein but for that dayes service he deserved 
 rewaird of a noble cavellier in oppossing himselfe in person for bring- 
 ing wp of the rear in saiftie, and bearing of the stronge assaultes of the 
 enemie. 
 
 Efter they wer com to Dunkell, the generall being informed that Baillie 
 had crosed the Tey, sends his baggage to Athole, with the most pairt of 
 the Irrishes. He lets the highlanders goe hom, and such gentlmen as 
 had wearied both themselves and and ther horses, as Letterfurie and his 
 brother, and sundrie wtheres, whose names I have forgotten. 
 
 The marques then keipping for himselfe thre hundreth Irishes, and my 
 lord Gordon, his brother Lord Lewes choosing as many of ther footmen, 
 they sent the rest to stay for them at Breichen, and with those six hundrethe 
 foot and two hundreth horse they resolve to make ane atempt wpon Dundie, 
 which they hope to carie by suppryse ; but Baillie, lyke a wyse, experi- 
 mented, and subtill warrior, being cairfull to know ther designes, had his 
 spyes in ther campe when they made this divission and with that partie 
 marched for Dundie, whereof he is quickly informed, and with all cellerittie 
 marches efter them. Montros, with this commanded partie of eight hun- 
 dreth foot and horse, comes to Dundie, and if his intelligence had been 
 right of Baillies crossing of Tey, all had gon as they had wished befor he 
 could turne back to the town ; but altho ther intelligence failed them, his 
 espyse in ther campe gave him a trewer accompt of ther designes, wherby 
 we may sie how a generall ought cairfullie to mak choose of those whom he 
 appoints for intelligence. 
 
 Being com in the morning to Dundie, Montros at the west port, and my 
 lord Gordon at the north, assaultes the town suddainly, and both at on instant ; 
 they beat them from ther sconces, wines and brack oppen ther ports, efter they 
 had fyred the [ ], and in dispight of all resistance, marches wp to the mer- 
 cat place, wher the scouts they had left behind them comes with the allarum that 
 Baillie and his wholl armie was within less than two myles of the town. With 
 great deficultie could they get ther men drawen out of the town to a little hill 
 where they drew them wp, when the wholl armie of ther enemies wer com so 
 neir as they could have charged them, and had wndowbtedly overcom them 
 with ther multitude, had they bein weell resolued ; but as in all tymes passed, 
 God Almightie had ever stood for them, so in this the Heavinly Providence 
 was reallie sein. The judgment of ther enemies was so blinded, and ther 
 carriage so stuppified, as this small partie had tym to put themselves in 
 
1645.] 
 
 His retreat : He is joined by the earl of Aboyne. 
 
 117 
 
 order ; and leaving ther best men in the rear with lord Lues, they march 
 away at leasure, whill the wholl armie, both horse and foot, followes them 
 all that night and the most pairt of the nixt day, being ever beat back by 
 this weak but curageous reir, with ther expert and vallorus leader, to ther 
 main body, so as they never durst attempt to brek ther order, or with ther 
 wholl force to give them a sound charge. 
 
 When they wer thus, by ther wndoubted resolution and God's hollie 
 protection, cam to Glenesk, the enemie having left to follow them, then 
 they, efter advysment, resolues to seperate ; the marquis of Montros with 
 the Irishes, marches for Athole, and my lord Gordon and his brother for 
 the north, to tak order with all such as had com hom without leaue, and 
 to gather his forces again to a head, being weell assured ther enemyes 
 would not giue them leave to rest. 
 
 Whilest Montros in Atholl and Baquither was gathering such forces as 
 he could draw togither, they wer not considerable, to mak ane new expe- 
 dition, (so loath wer the people to hazard the present miserable peace which 
 they injoyed with so much slaverie and daylie exausting of ther fortounes), 
 to gain ther former fredom and tranquillitie ; the mightie power of the Co- 
 venant bred such terror and confussion in the heartes of all men, except 
 those generous, brave, and wndoubted spirits who had thus brauely inter- 
 prysed it, and, for the performance of so praiseworthie and so memorable 
 ane action, resolued to refuise no toyle, trauell, miserie, nor affliction, but 
 with a constant resolution and restles persuit, to lead fortoun cheaned to 
 there attempts, and to out brave all danger, yea, and death itselfe, till 
 they had accomplished ther just and lawfull designes in the re-establishment 
 of ther natiue prince, on his so weell deserved thron. 
 
 The generall was much afflicted that he could not move the people to 
 tak armes, nor to resent, or be senceible of ther present miseries : but, 
 lo, how gratious Heavin did comfort and animat him, by sending him 
 ane other stronge branche of that great oak of Huntly, whose strong 
 and weell imployed assistance should helpe to lighten his yock, and bear 
 part of his burthen. I mean that noble sparke the earle of Aboyn, who 
 hearing how brauely his two brothers behaued themselves at hom, and 
 how they wer both reall, and had shawed themselves for the kinges 
 service, he esteemed himselfe tyed to contrebut his best indevors for ther 
 assistance. In England he had stayed two yeares, and had served the 
 king in all the great expeditiones he had in that kingdom. Ther wer some 
 
118 
 
 The earl of Aboyne's 
 
 > III. 
 
 jelusies betuixt his eldest brother and him, by reason the father seemed 
 to preferr him somwhat too far in his affectiones, becaus the air of his 
 geneius went neirer to that of the father's, altho both in worth and vertue, 
 and each in his oven way, went even to the hight of perfection. The eyes 
 of that £rreat and nummerous family of Gordon wer fixed wpon thes two ; 
 wpon Abo%Tie, because of his great worth, and becaus the father seimed to 
 prefer him ; wpon the elder, as having by birth the precedencie, and by his 
 manv and incomparable pairts, but chiefly that he was so curteous, gentle, 
 and affable, nowayes reserued nor keiping distance, and this gott him a 
 great following, even when his father strove for the contrarie. The other 
 loued in som sort to keepe distance, fearing least the breacking in our 
 ijentrie might mak them over rich, and therfor loved to prefer the English 
 -teat, yet with such modestie, as he was never sein to err in that poynt of 
 making a distinction of those that wer fre borne, and therfor could not be 
 gained but by love ; a mersenarie way could never mak them bond men, 
 altho fortoun had quyte forsaken them. Thus both these noble youthes, 
 beine admirable in their kynd, did divyd the wholl name betuixt them, 
 which bred some emulation in them ; but so weell did ther rair judgments 
 governe them, ther discreet modestie did so temper ther passiones, and 
 naturall love prevailed so farr, as they wer never seen to jarr or fall full 
 togither ; but O, alace, they wer but two jeueles put forth by nature for 
 miracles, to be but once sein, and then lockt wp againe. 
 
 This generous younge earle could neuer be moved to be of the Cove- 
 nant, and therfor his prince had him in great estimation ; he came from 
 Carlyle, through ane vnknown mease of dangeres, and ane insnairing labo- 
 rinth of ditficulties ; for, at that tym, Carlyle was straightly beseidged by 
 the Covenant, and a little befor they had taken in Newcastle with the loss 
 of manie men, and the effusion of much blood, sending the earle of Crau- 
 furd and the lord Rea prisoneres to Edinburgh. These two had keipt it out 
 beyond all expectation, with such currage and resolution, as ther enemies 
 did much admire and praise their fidelitie. Aboyn, finding that efter the 
 surrender of Newcastle, Berwick, and all the north of England, wher the 
 king had no mor fitting but only in Carleyle, it could not long stand out, 
 he resolued desperatly rather to hazard his lyfe by ane escape, then to run 
 the hazard of Craufurd and Rae, for weell he knew that his enemies 
 thristed mor for his overthrow then for both the other, therfor his better 
 ailwisment found it not fitt to stand to ther curtesies ; and this it did con- 
 
1645.] 
 
 flight from Carlisle. 
 
 119 
 
 cern him to do on trenched wpon the poynt of honour, since he had put 
 himself in that town as a volunteir only, having no charge, but out of a 
 youthfull braverie to give the kinges enemies a proofe of his currage. 
 
 Being thus resolued, he takes with him sixten gentlemen, who did ther 
 attend vpon him, and issued out of the toun about the shooting in of the 
 night ; he passes by the court of guard, charges through the stronsre watche, 
 and being all weed mounted, makes himself away throw ther inner and wtteir 
 centries with a full gallope. You may imagine how this charge coming 
 at wnawares, bred divers apprehensions amongst them, and that with such 
 confusion, that he was passed ther reach befor they knew what he resolued 
 vpon. Efter him they sent forth a pairtie, but followed not farr, being 
 glaid they saw no hoopes of his returne, and therby was red of such mad and 
 desperat adventereres. "When God and His good angell had brought him 
 throwgh the first terror threattening dangeres in saiftie the malignant spirits, 
 that weell knew what a destroying tempest this man wold proue to the hell 
 hatched designes of the infernall Covenant, choysed the bad way and the 
 dark night to crose his lawdable pretentiones and highe erected projects ; for 
 lo, his horse fales wnto a deipe slough so wnhappily, as his shoulder bon is 
 crushed out, and quyt disioynted, and his coller bon extremly brused and al- 
 most tottalie brocken. His followeres heavily bewailling this wofull accident, 
 suffered with als much sorrow and greife as he had pain and torment, yet, get- 
 ting him again wpon horse, they advance wpon ther jorney, but at great lea- 
 sure, and that with such intollerable pain to him for want of a chirurgine to set 
 the bon again in his place, and by som meanes to allay the torment, that if 
 he had not suffered with a martyres patience and currage on imuttable, 
 he had fanted or moved by the way ; and then they had bein forced to 
 render both him and themselves to the mercie of ther enemies, at the first 
 house they had fund ; but he indured his torment with such patience, as no 
 expressione is able to mak ws senceible of. When they wer com to 
 Morpeth, in Annandaile, they hoopt ther to get his shoulder rectified, and 
 themselves and ther horses refreshed ; but all that town was so drowned over 
 head and eares in the Covenant, as they refuise them entrie, ringes the larum 
 bell, that both the toun and contrey about might go to armes ; so as he was 
 forced in this terrible extreamitie to march thre scor myles in twentie four 
 houres, never lighting from his horse till he cam to Craufurd neir Douglas ; 
 nor wold he show himselfe to the marques ther, whose lady was his father'.- 
 sister ; but efter som few houres refreshment, and binding wpe his shoulder 
 
120 
 
 Aboyne reaches Montrose's camp. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 as the tym wold permitt, he goes forward to Cardross, wher he crosed the 
 Forth ; and comming to the He of Monteith, the people ther that had sein 
 him, or at least suspected what he was, with secreit mallice invittes him to 
 alight, intending, if they could not tak him, to kill him ; but this ther treachery 
 being discovered to som of his companie in tym, and reveiled to him, he 
 depairteth thence, and jorneyd on still fyve dayes, without intermis- 
 sion. He arrives at Montros campe, who received him with wnspeak- 
 able joy for his saife arrivall, infuised new currage in the hearts of all the 
 Royalists. 
 
 Heir he refreshes himselfe sum few dayes, and his desyre to shaw himselfe 
 against the kinges enemies, did much contrebute to the recovery of his 
 health, for he wold not stay till he was perfectly wholl. Wherfor a councell 
 of war was called to advyse whether the armie should keipe the mountanes, 
 be reason of ther small numberes to incounter ther enemies, or stay ther 
 and stryve to augment ther forces ; but his advyce was followed to march 
 directly for the north, becaus ther and nowher els they should be sure of 
 supplie. My lord Gordon was with great cair and diligence arming and 
 drawing all his forces togither for his majesties service ; wherfor having 
 written to his brother for that effect, and to sundrie of his freinds, who, 
 hearing of his returne, he hooped they would be no more slaue, but would 
 bend all ther indevoures for the advancement of such a work, and so much 
 desyred of good men. The armie marches towards the north, shuning the 
 occation of incountering ther enemies till they had joyned with the lord 
 Gordon ; who, when they had crosed the Grangeben mountanes, mett them 
 on the bankes of the river Die at Aboyn, with forces farr exceiding theres, 
 and principallie of horsmen, who wer not ordinarie troopperes raised 
 amongst the common people, but they wer all brave, couragious, and weell 
 resolued gentlemen. Wherfor with much confidence they resolved no mor 
 to keipe the hiles, but in the champion contrey to seik out ther enemies, who 
 wer com north but a little befor, indussed by the vehement perswasion of the 
 northeren Covenanteres. Efter consultation, they fand themselves extremly 
 scanted of powder and ball ; whervpon the earle of Aboyn takes two or thre 
 troopes of horse, wherwith he suddainly surprysed Aberdein, so that he 
 brought from thence abundance for ther intended expedition. The Cove- 
 nanting armie that was com north was led by sir John Hurrie, who, heiring 
 of ther approach, reteired himselfe over Spey, and at Elgin had a meitting 
 with Innes, and then with Seaforth, who was again turned to the Covenant. 
 
1645.] Montrose marches north after sir John Hurry. 121 
 
 Montros, with my lord Gordon and Aboyn, makes haist to follow Hume ; 
 who, having concluded with Seaforth and Innes to fight, reteires towards 
 Innerness, wher Seaforthes wholl forces attended Innes, and those of Murray 
 went thither befor him, and Laweres and Buchanan with the garison, both of 
 foot and horse, joyned with them, Sutherland, Lovet, and manie otheres ; 
 so as they wer thre to on at least that had combyned with Hurrie, and 
 met him at Innernes. 
 
 And so confident wer they at this tym to mak a finall end of the con- 
 troversies as Hurrie is left to train them on, least they might be in- 
 formed of ther great strength, and so might shun the fight ; but the 
 Royalists wer not so weell beloved in those quarteres, nor gott they 
 any intelligence of ther great preparation, so as they had bein surprysed 
 and all cutt in peices, if the blessed Lord of all goodnes had not made ther 
 enemies themselves to bewray themselves. Hurrey, that was left to draw 
 them on, did his pairt so weell, as he did show himselfe ane expert, subtill, 
 and craftie warriour ; for, drawing his horse and foot to a head, he stayes at 
 Elgin till they had crossed the Spey, being but fyve or six myles from him ; 
 then with a slow march he advances eight myles farther to Forres ; and 
 lingering ther again till they wer com in view, he leives his horsemen 
 in the reir to keepe them doing with light retreats, and chargeing at a 
 distance till his foot had gott the advantage of two or thre myles, and there 
 stayes till they beat wp his reir to his foot, and then, making a show as if 
 he would fight, they wer forced to halt till they might draw themselves wp 
 in battell. This wines him tym again to advance his foot, and then to follow 
 with his horse in good order, and so drawes them on to Old Earne, but ten 
 myles from Innernesse, being weell assured that the night's darknes would 
 force them to quarter at Old Earne, wher he intended to have accompt of 
 them befor the next sunn. In this retreat he left but fiftein or sixtein 
 horsemen, but not on of his foot. 
 
 The night forces the Royalists to stay at Old Earne, without intelligence, 
 for all that countrey wer ther enemies ; and altho they had generall know- 
 ledge that ther was a rendezvouze appoynted at Innernes, yet knew they 
 nothing that they wer alredy joyned, nor that they had ane intention to 
 surpryse them, never imagining that those whom they had that day chassed, 
 would returne so quickly, and so well provyded. And indeid it cannot be 
 refuised but the generall was to blame, who, drawing so neir to his ene- 
 mies, should not have bolded his confidence wpon a generall report, but 
 
 Q 
 
122 
 
 The Coveiianters attempt a surprise. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 above all things should have bein cairfull of intelligence, either by disguysed 
 espyeles, as sora choose subtill and darring men in beggeres weid, or wo- 
 menes apparrell, or a pairtie send forth to catche ane centrie, or bring in a 
 prisoner ; for want of which intelligence, if God had not prevented it beyond 
 all expectation, all ther throates had bein cutt. 
 
 It is true they sett forth a stronge watche, and centineles on all quar- 
 teres ; which don, never dreaming of ther enemies plots, they betook them- 
 selves to rest. Ther out most centinales had not gon far from the carape, 
 being too confident that ther was no danger, seiking out som shelter to 
 cover themselves from the raine which was very vehement all that night. 
 
 Seaforth, Bellnagauine, with those of Ross, Sutherland with his forces, 
 Lovet, or rather sir James, his brother, with the Fraseres, and those about 
 Innernes, Innes with the Dumbares, Cumminges, and all those of Murray, 
 Killruack, with the Roses, being joyned with Laweres, Buchanan, and 
 Hurrie, who had three regiments of expert and weell trained foot, with six 
 or seiven hundereth horse, — those being reddy to march when Hurrie cam, 
 he teles them that the kinges armie was com to Old Earne ; and if they would 
 marche presently he hopt they would gett them at rest, by reason of the 
 longe march and toyle he had put them to that day ; and that ther forces 
 was farr inferriore to thers, for they wer not above thre hundreth horse, and 
 aboue tuo thousand foot. This did mightiely incurrage them, who wer 
 above four thousand foot, and the least report which comes from themselves 
 \\ as three thousand foot and seaven hundreth horse ; and altho they exceid- 
 ed the Royalists, both in foot and horse, ther thre regiments being the best 
 trained men that Breatton could affbord, and ther horses, not only for 
 number but for strenth and goodnes, yet ther rydderes wer but trooppers 
 tain wpe of the common multitude ; wheras, the Royalists horsemen wer all 
 of the name of Gordon, all gentlemen, a hundreth wherof was, for currage, 
 valour, and resolutione, worth thre hundreth troopperes. 
 
 With this incurragment that Hurrie had given them at Invernes, the\ 
 marched all night, intending at the brek of day to charge them ; and had 
 fund them all at rest, and out of order, if God had not prevented it mi- 
 racolously. 
 
 When they began ther marche, the rain began also, and conteiuued the 
 wholl night. Wherefor when they wer com within four myles they halt, and 
 ailvvsed what shall be don with ther muskets, which they wer perswadded 
 the rain had poysoned. To draw the charge would spend too much tym ; 
 
1645.] 
 
 The battle of Auldearne. 
 
 123 
 
 wherefor they resolued to turne down to the seasyd, and ther discharge 
 them, being then fyve myles from ther enemie, and therefor confident that 
 the report of a musket could not be so far hard. They wer confident also 
 that the waters, as they wsuallie do, would carrie the sound from the land. 
 But the thundering report of this vollie, contrairie to ther expectation, was, 
 by a suddain changeing of the wynd, carried throw the aire wnto the eares 
 of fyve or six scouts, whom the major befor day had send forth, as God 
 would have it, and those gave quickly intelligence and alarum to the campe, 
 and certified the major ; who, for all his dilligence, could hardly get two 
 regiments drawen wpe, on of the Irishes, and on of Huntlie, when the 
 enemie wer com in sight, this wnlookt for charge bred such confusion in the 
 campe. 
 
 The major, with those two regiments, advanceth a little befor the town, 
 towards a marishe and som bushes, which was a stronge ground, and fen- 
 cible against horsmen, wher it fell him to receive the first charge of the 
 enemie, whill Montros gathered the rest of the foot ; and having the town 
 and som little hiles betuxt him and the enemie, drawes them wpe. My 
 lord Gordon and his brother quickly got the horsmen together, appoynting 
 the best men, and suche as they knew wold not leave them, to attend ther 
 owne persones. Cairnburrow being on whom my lord appoynted nixt his 
 person, whom he knew to be faithfull and trustie, as, besyds his currage, he 
 knew his wpright heart and intier love would never suffer him to leave him. 
 Arradoull was appoynted by Aboyne to attend nixt to his person. 
 
 Whill Montros drawes wp the foot to oppose the maine body of the 
 enemies battell, Aboyn drawes a hundreth horse to charge the right winge, 
 and my lord Gordon drawes forth so many to charge the left winge ; whill 
 M'Donell, who led the vane of the armie, is charged with a stronge re- 
 giment of foot, and two troopes of horse. So, efter a brave and long main- 
 tained resistance, he is forced a reteir to som yeards of the town, and from 
 thence to keipe them of with conteinuall shot, which a little quealed ther 
 force, and advanceth the secund tym, and with great currage and extream 
 vallour charges them ; but the ground wpon his left hand being all quag- 
 myre and bushes, was in this secund charge extreamly to his dissadvantage, 
 wher his men could nether advance in order, nor fynd sure footting to 
 stand, nor marche forward to helpe ther fellowes. The enemie, coming 
 wp two regiments in a full body, flanked with horsemen, did charge the 
 major in that deficult place; and the rest of ther maine battell following, 
 
124 
 
 The battle of Auldearne. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 on regiment still secunding ane other ; yet efter a stronge and obsteinat 
 resistance, he manteines his station with invinceible curage a long tym, till, 
 opprest with multitude, and charge wpon charge, he was forced to give 
 ground, and with great deficulty, befor he could reteir his people in good 
 order, or keipe them from confuised fleight ; and altho he was forced to quyt 
 his ground, yet this brave and valorous gentlman keipt his secund retreat 
 still in a pouster of defence. He was ever in the frount, and his strenth, 
 his curage, and dexterittie let his enemies sie, even with terror, wonderfull 
 feats of armes for his fellowes to imitate, his stronge arme cutting asunder 
 whatsoever or whosoever did him resist. He brack two swords ; and when 
 they had fastened a number of pickes in his tairge, wherwith they could have 
 horn down thre or four ordinarie men to the ground, they could not mak 
 him to shirink, or bow so much as on kne to the ground ; but with on blow 
 of his sword the strenth of his vallorous arme cute all the picks asunder 
 that stuck in his target, whill non durst approach within the lenth of his 
 weappon. When he had don what was possible, or rather what was wnpos- 
 sible to be don by any other but himselfe, so great wer the numberes of 
 trained men who did charge and weell ncir inviron those two regiments 
 which he led, the horsmen being wnable to assault him for the dycks of the 
 veards which he keipt for his retreit, but almost the wholl body of the foot 
 readdy to incompass him, then for griefe was he ready to burst, seing non 
 to secund him, and saw no hope of victorie, but all the simptoms of a dis- 
 astrous and dreadfull overthrow. Wherefor he called to those that wer 
 about him, " Ach, meseoures," said he, " sail our enemies by this on dayes 
 work be able to wreast out of our hands all the glorie that we have 
 formerly gained. Let it never be said that a basse flight shall bear witnes 
 of it, or that our actiones should seam to confesse so much ; but let ws 
 die bravely ; let it never be thought that they have triumphed over our 
 currage, nor the loayltie we ow to our soveraigne lord, and let ws hope 
 the best. God is stronge eneugh." 
 
 And whill he whispered those words, for he would not speak aloud, 
 least the enemies might imagine of yeilding, behold how gratious Heavin 
 and the Devyn Power did assist him. 
 
 My lord of Aboyn, that had gotten ane hundreth brave gentelmen about 
 him, perseveing the danger, and weell forseing that the discomfitore of the 
 infantre was the overthrow of the wholl armie, resolves, by a violent charge, 
 to change the fortoun of the day, or die by the way. Wherfor he fales in 
 
1645.] 
 
 The battle of Auldearne. 
 
 125 
 
 vpon the right winge, for from thence cam the greatest danger, and they 
 receive his charge with such a conteinuall giveing of fyre, as he semed, by 
 the thick smok throw which he went, to asalt a terrible cloud of thunder 
 and lightening ; but his charge was so brave and resolved, as if it had bein 
 a devowreing or swellowing gulfe, he had aither smothered it by going 
 throw it, or stopt it by leiping in ; as did that famous man who stopt the 
 gulf at Room, by leiping horse and man unto it ; for he with that small 
 body of horse, who stood to their lord and leidder as if they had bein 
 but on man, did, with ane violent fortitude, overcom all resistance, and 
 beats them out of order so soundly, that the best advysed amongst them 
 knew not wheron to resolve ; so furrious was the charge, so weell fol- 
 lowed, and so constantly manteind, as he did not only breck and disperse 
 them, but such as strove to keipe themselves togither, as if they intended 
 to ralley and raak head again. Thus, with a new charge, he did still 
 crushe in peices, following the task he had begun with such ane earnest 
 desyre to overcom, as whersoever he cam, they wer beatten down befor 
 him, so weell was he followed, and so closley did those gallent gentlemen 
 stick to him ; and when he followed those that fled till ther was non left 
 to resist him, he returned to sie what mor was to be don, his followeres, 
 loaded with cullore3 taken from ther vanquished enemies ; and those cullors 
 being four or fyve, wer evident witnesse that this on troope had beat so 
 many troopes of the enemies. 
 
 And it is said that the major cryed out when he saw this charge, so 
 tymlie intended, and so bravely followed forth : " Now," said he, " those 
 ar indeid the vallient Gordones, and worthie of that name which fame 
 hath caried abroad of them." 
 
 The main battell of the Covenant stood inteir all this tym, and haveing 
 twyse gained ground and forced the Royalists to reteir, whom M'Donell 
 had alwayes keipt in order, they hopt to have made it a certain victorie ; 
 but now ther right wing being thus wholly defate, and seing the danger 
 from thence of a new charge, without hope of being secunded, they began 
 to fear the event, wnles ther horsmen in the left wing could clear the field 
 befor them. 
 
 The marques of Montrose having at lenth gotten the body of the foot 
 togither, advances wp to M'Donell, to mak on body against the strenth of 
 ther enemies, who could have incompassed them if it had bein in a large 
 plain feild. My lord Gordon by this time charges the left winge, and that 
 
126 
 
 The battle of Auldearne. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 with a new form of fight, for he discharges all shootting of pistoles and 
 carrabines, only with ther swords to charge quyt throwgh ther enemies, 
 who wer so many in number, and so stronge and weell horsed, as if by a 
 desperat charge they got them not broken, it was too apparrent that they 
 might recover the day. But Aboyn having overthrowen the right winge, and 
 the main battell left bair on that syd, and seeing Montrose and M'Donell 
 joyned to give a new charge, the great body began to stagger, all their 
 hopes being in ther left winge ; and that my lord Gordon charges so 
 soundly, with swords only, as if they scorned to be resisted; they had all 
 sworn to go throw or dye. Nor did they stay heir, but having broken the 
 horsemen and sett them to run for ther lyfe, then wheeling about wher 
 Lawers with the thre trained regiments stood, nor knew they what it was 
 to turne ther back, nor could they be broken till now that my lord Gordon 
 pressed through them ; and then you should have sein how the infantrie of 
 the Royalists, keiping togither and following the charge of the horsmen, 
 did tear and cut them in peices, even in rankes and fyles, as they stood, 
 so great was the execution which they made efter the horse had shanken 
 and quyt astonished them, by perseing rudly throw them, as it was very 
 lamentable to behold. For that which made the slaughter mor cruell and 
 merciles, was the murthering of Donald Farquharson in Aberdein, and 
 James Gordoune of Rynie, in Murray, which had incensed them to a re- 
 uenge. How Donald Farquharsone was cruellie massacreed you haue hard 
 in the Second Booke; 1 and this James of Rynie, being eldest sonne to 
 George Gordoune of Rynie, a werie hopfull and gallant youth, was wound- 
 ed as they went throw Murray, beateing vp Hurries reire ; wherefor they leift 
 him in a labourer's house, and one to attend him, till they sould the nixt day 
 send for him ; but some of old Innes souldiours was send that night out of 
 Spynie, and cruellie murthered that wounded gentleman in his bed. Those 
 tuo cruell murtheres ware so deepely recented by the whole armie, as 
 whille they ware at the execution of there enemies, [to] the end that no quar- 
 teres might be granted, the word at this battell was, " Remember Donald 
 Farquharsone and James of Rynie." And this was the only cause of the 
 great slaighter ; for ther lay tuantie eight hundreth, many sayes three 
 thousand, dead one the place ; and of the Royalistes saxteine, whereof there 
 was fourteine of M'Donald's regiement, who had borne the first bout and 
 
 ■ [Book iii., pp. Ill, 112.] 
 
1645.] Montrose marches to meet Baillie, and the earl of Lindsay. 127 
 
 sorrest of the day. This battell was foghten the nynth of May, on a 
 Frvday, in the yeere 1645. Heere the gowernour Laires was slaine, whom 
 ray lord Gordoune caused to bee honorablie buried. 
 
 Seaforth, Southerland, young Innes, and the most part of the great com- 
 manderes, being weell mounted, gott themselfes saife away ; and Hurrie, 
 with tuo hundreth horse keepe for reserue, seeing the whole infantrie 
 totallie owerthrowin, thought it folie to ingaige those, and therefore retyres 
 with a full gallope to Inwernesse ; nor had he wine of so free, for my lord 
 Gordoune was adwanceing to haue charged him, but that culloures, takin 
 by Aboyn from the enemies, was not rolled wp, and this diuerted him, 
 seeing so many flieing culloures, to returne, whereby Hurry gott time to 
 wine of. 
 
 The marqueis of Montrose, my lord Gordoune, and his brother, after 
 the battell, resolues to take in Inwernesse, that there enemies should have 
 no place of retreat in that end of the land ; and if they had followed that 
 resolution, it had prewented much mischeife, which by that occasion fell 
 out afterwardes. But the suddene aduertisement of Baylzie, his comeing 
 north with a greater armie, and fare more considerable then the former, 
 made them change that resolution, and the nixt day they march to find him 
 furth. 
 
 Haueing crossed the Spey, therefor, they come to Bamfe, and there being 
 informed that Bailzie marched for Huntly, they make haist thither to af- 
 front him. But when they ware come there, and had drawin vp there men 
 in battell for a new feght, he could not be drawin out from his place of ad- 
 wantage ; wherefor after they had stand the whole day in battell, altho he was 
 a great deall stronger then they, both in horse and foote, they resolwe to 
 spaire the landes of Huntly from the rawaige of tuo armies, and mairches 
 the nixt day for Boluenie to try his resolution. 
 
 They ware no soonner gone, whan he arysses and followes them, but so 
 as he keepes still a dayes mairch behind them ; they mairch wp the south 
 syd of the Spey ; he crosses the riuer and mairches vp the north syd. 
 After many dayes ware spent in this sort to no purpose, they leaue him 
 and mairches directly south to Anguise, Montrose being aduertised from 
 thence that the earle of Lindsay was come that farre one his jowrnay with 
 a new armie. 
 
 Whan they ware gone, this craftie and subtille leader returnes backe to 
 Marre, waisteing and destroyeing the countray whersoeuer he came ; nor 
 
128 
 
 MwernenUi of liaillie urn), of M(/rUro»c 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 BHM Im any where but wpon the rnarrjui.se of Huntly his landes, or those 
 of his freindes and kindred. Montrose, with rny lord Gordoune, and his 
 brother, haueing sought out Lindsay, could not draw him to the field ; for, 
 wpon there approach from Straithhardle, Lindsay reteires to the stronge 
 passes about Newtylle, from thence he would not be brought without ex- 
 trearne hazart. Wherefor they returne to Mare, wheire they heare Bailzie 
 was ; and my lord Gordoune, and his brother, strentbening the arrnie againe 
 with new supplies, did execedinglie incurraige them to haue a new day of 
 it, being one Die syd in Cromare, and Bailzie beneath them on the same 
 riuer, at Drum ; and there hawcing made a generall muster of his forces, 
 shew hirnselfe inclyned, if occasion offer, to delay no longer, but to accept 
 of the battel), promiseing his shouldioures that they should be abundantly 
 inriched throwe the spoyle of there enemies, for he hard that the Royalistev 
 ware become exceeding riche throw the former wictories ; and whan hee 
 looked for a chearefull answer, the reid rerfiment, commonly called the reid 
 eottcs, with tuo old regiments more, on whose walour he most, relyed, told 
 him plaincly that they saue no just ejuarrell ; for Montrose and the Gor- 
 dounes ware the kinr/cs subjectes als well as they, and the Irishes, altho they 
 ware strangeres, ware the kinges subjectes, professeing to there obedience 
 to his maiestie als well as they, and all of them professed no other rpjarrell 
 but the rnantinance of the kinges royall prerogatiue, which he was no good 
 -ubject that wold refuse. 
 
 This ansuer did mightelie perplex there general!, altho for that tyrne his 
 wisedorne thought it fite to concealle it. But the earle of Lindsay cornrneth 
 north soone after with diuerse regirncntcs, both of horse and foote ; Bailzie 
 makes ane exchange of such regirnentes as he was jealous of, and strenthens 
 his armie with more troupes of horse, and Lindsay returnes to gaird the 
 -outh ; for Bailzie, now without him, esteernes hirnselfes strong eneu^h 
 against all his enemies. 
 
 Whille Bailzie was at Drum, the Gordounes being all gentlemen on 
 horseback, and well mounted, ware instant and dayly solisteing that they 
 would bring there enemies to battel), otberwayes they could not be keepe 
 longer togither, throw thee want and necessaties wherein both there horse 
 and themselfes ware dayley brought wnto ; but at that tyrne Montrose 
 refused it ; and yet to satisfie there importunities, he shawes them a 
 letter from his majestic, in the which there was order giwen that he 
 should let the tuantie foure of June passe befor he gawe thern battel], 
 
'Dtp. battU of A /fort/. 
 
 120 
 
 by reason of some owcrture mafic to his majestic by Home BoMmmb oi 
 the south, for ceartane reasones that, were wcry considerable, and was to 
 he performed hefor the said ; but it secrncth the policic of the Couenant 
 had only sought to delude the king with some faire show that they might 
 gain': tyme to strcnthen themselfcs, for they beganc to stand in some feare 
 of the royall armie. The tuantic fourc day being past, the Royalistc-* 
 goes to find out there enemies, whom they fand ; but he was willing to de- 
 cline the feght, and had takin a strong passe at Keith, wheire they could 
 doe nothing against him. Wherefor captane adjutant, Gordoune is serifl 
 to offer him battell, if he wold come out to the faire feildes, arid disput 
 the quarrel!, as a generous and noble cauelier in poynt of honour wan tyed 
 to doe. His answer was, that he was not to giue battell at his enemies in- 
 treatie, but whan it pleased hirnselfe. 
 
 Vhan they sawe that nothing could preuaill with him, and he seemed to 
 hawe no intention to feght, they rcturne towardes the south, mairchin;/ 
 directly as if they seemed to crossc the rnountaines, anrl to enter into 
 Anguse. This seemed to prewaill with him, who being sent north to over- 
 throw and beat thern, was ascharned both to refuse the feght and -.idler them 
 to goe south, there to beat arid ouerthrow his freindes. Wherefore he 
 raises his carnpe, and with a speed ie rnairch followes after thern ; and no 
 the nixt day, being the secound of Julie, unru/ lb4o, both arrni» % are in- 
 gadged att A ford in Marre. 
 
 Of the royall armie, the lord Gordoune commanded the right wing, 
 consisteing of a bunder gentlemen one horsebacke : all were fewe except 
 being of his owne name. A boy ne commanded the leift winge, being of the 
 lyke number, and of the same name. Also, both these winges ware flanked 
 with Irrishes, the rnaine battell consisteing of Huntlyes his hylanderes, and 
 of those of Strabogie. All those three battelles joyned with there enemies, 
 and it was couragiously foghten on both sydes for a long tyrne. 
 
 My lord Gordoune, to whom it fell to giue the first charge, did encounter 
 with Baccarasse and his horsemen, being three hundreth, and the strongest 
 regiement of the kingdorne ; but so headstrong and furious was the charge 
 of the lord Gordoune, as his enemies ware not able to gainestand him, but 
 ware all disordered and broken ; yet being ho many in number, and their 
 leader Baccaras being one of the brawest men of the kingdorne, he relyed 
 them diuerse tyrnes in squadroncs, standing' to it with such hardy and 
 walorous resolution*-, as ha/1 weell neere wronge backe the wictorie out of 
 
 ■ 
 
130 
 
 The battle of Alford. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 the Royalists' hands, if they had not called wp corronell M'Lachlen, who, 
 with braue regiment of Irrish foote, had order to secund them, colonell 
 Nathaniell Gordoune giueing him in charge to hogh there horses ; for they 
 ware so many, and so well mounted, as they still rely in one parte or other, 
 makeing so many new assayes as, notwithstanding all the waliant charges 
 they receaued by the hunder horse, who could not [be] brokin, but still 
 charged on all quarters where there was most dangeres ; yet could they 
 not be routted till colonell M'Lachlen fell to worke with there horses, where- 
 of there ware not ten or twelfe lamed when they tooke them to flight. 
 
 The lord Aboyne, with a fearelesse and hardie resolution, charged the 
 leift winge, which he, with invincible courage, but with lesse difBcultie, did 
 quicklie owerthrow, and leaft the most part of the execuition to Occaen 
 and colonell M'Doniell, with there Irrishes, who performed it with too litle 
 compassion, and to much crueltie, no quarters being granted to any whom 
 they could reach. 
 
 The maine body of the Royalist's battell was giwen to Inverray, called 
 James Farquharsonne, and was cusine germane to Donald, for that they 
 consisted for the most part of Huntlie's hylanders, a mane whom they both 
 lowed and wnderstood, for he had there langwage, and who weell deserued 
 to succeed in his cusine Donald his place, both for his lowe to the cause, 
 and that his father was a depender and a wassell of the house of Huntly ; 
 as also, for his owne meritte, being a gentleman of ane indefatigable dis- 
 position, euer readie to hazart, and full of currage and action. Some 
 alledges that the marquise joyned with him in command the generall quarter 
 maister, Balloch ; but if it was so, I thinke his part in command could not 
 be much, since he wanted the language, and for the most part was wnknowne 
 of all the hylanderes. 
 
 The marquisse himselfe, with the lord Neeper, commanded the reserue ; 
 but after the bodies of the tuo maine battells ware joyned, they got litle to 
 doe, with such absolute resolutione did the hylanderes besteire themselfes 
 to there newer dieing commendation ; for that dayes worke did weell shaw 
 and make manifest how there durable, strong, and lustie bodies was indewed 
 both with courage and walour. 
 
 In this maine battell there was tuo hundereth of Straithawine men, lead 
 by William Gordoune of Minimore, a waliant gentleman, who shew him- 
 selfe a loyall subject to his king, and a faithfull and constant follower of 
 the house of Huntly, in all the expeditiones, with three of his sonnes. 
 
1645.] 
 
 The lord Gordon slain. 
 
 131 
 
 Bailzie his armie being the greatter number, was, after a long disput, at 
 lenth totallie owerthrowen, leaueing saxteine hundreth, of there best men 
 dead upon the place. 
 
 But, alas, what ware all those in comparisone of that noble and magna- 
 nimius youth, that heauine dasleing sparke of treue nobilitie, that mi- 
 racle of men, the matchlesse lord Gordoune, who was there slaine, after 
 he had totallie defeate and routed Baccaras ; being shote by one behind 
 him, when he had adwanced to farre among his flieing enemies. He who 
 laved doune his lyfe in his prince's seruice, and of whom it may be trewlie 
 said that he feghteing died, and dieing, ouercame nature herselfe : and the 
 werie fabricke or store house of martiall excellencie seamed, by the judge- 
 ment of all that knew him, to suffer sensiblie in this losse ; for he was a man 
 in all perfection, altho he died befor time or nature had granted him the 
 ornament of a beard. In him there was nothing wrong, nothing wanteing ; 
 all excellencies, all that was to be admired in nature was budded, flourished, 
 and rypned in his rich soule, befor his faire and excellent bodie had at- 
 tained to the fulnes of his strength ; and yet, O wonder, the strenth of 
 that healthfull and well compossed bodie was in all thinges answerable to 
 the vigoure of his all comprehending spirit. In his complexion, the 
 elementes ware so dewely mixt, and meett furth in proportion, weight, and 
 measure, as they could breed no owerruleing passion : in him non was pre- 
 dominant, but each did mutuallie succeid in his course and ordour, and 
 therfor choller could not breed in him furie, rage, or the immoderate 
 passion of reuenge ; but a contempt of wice, a moderate anger, gouerned bv 
 reason : thus was the qualitie of fyre sweetly qualified. Dry, cold, and me- 
 lancholie earth reached neuer to lunaticke passiones, vncomportable or 
 vnpleasant sadnes, nor farr sought and straingly coyned chimeraes ; but in 
 him melancholie serued to foster a soleid and graiue judgement, a deipth 
 searcheing witte, and farre reacheing knawledge. Nor could the cold, 
 waterie, and phlegmaticke humour dull his spirites, or fill his bodie with 
 a heauie leasines and grosse humour, vnapt for actiones ; but in him the 
 waterie element serued to temper the heate of the fyre, and moysten the 
 drynesse of the earth, rarefieing the inward spirit, cleanseing and pu- 
 rifieing the outward bodie, till both ware maide nimblie, readie, and actiue 
 for all essayes. As for the sanguine humour, it neuer caried him to light 
 inconstancies, or a changeable, a wauering resolution in his actiones ; but 
 this transparent light and thine humour of aire breed agilitie of bodie, and 
 
132 
 
 Character o f the lord Gordon. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 did so subtilize the spirit, that it was inabled to comprehend all thinges 
 vnder the mooue, and in diuine conteraplationes and high raisteries to soire 
 aloft, and to be elewated farre aboue his equalles. And thus the beautie of 
 his cleire and bright complexion was the outward signe or cognizance of 
 this raire and singular compositione ; and, by demonstration, poynted furth 
 a cleire, pure, and innocent soule, that could neither forsaike justice nor 
 giue way to injurie. Trauell was not painefull to him, and actiones of 
 great importance seamed but recreationes. He was so fare from waine 
 glorie, ostentatione, or keepeing of state, as he euer placed himselfe beloue 
 the esteeme which euery where was had of him. He was euer at home, 
 neuer abroad, for his countenance was euer the same ; his presens was gra- 
 tious and delightfull to the beholders, as did euer promisse something that 
 was singulare, free from the perturbation of sudden and immoderat pas- 
 siones : his spirit was ever awaike, and therefor euer readie at all oc- 
 casiones. And as in all his vnparalelled perfectiones he was singular, so in 
 this he was matchlesse also, that his friendshipe was so constant, as it 
 could not be brockin, because his all seeing judgement could not erre in 
 the chose ; and therefor that man might esteeme himselfe truelie happie 
 that was once admitted to his fawour, for the fertilitie of his rich and his 
 bountiefull spirit fund furth at all tymes new occasiones to indeire and 
 ingadge his friends with new oblidgements ; so, with that good emperor 
 Titus, he counted that day lost wheirin he had not gained a friend, or done 
 good to some one. He hatted the extreames of awarice and prodiga- 
 litie, and was so moderatly frugall, as what belonged to the grandour of 
 his estate, aither in apparell, table, followeing, or attendance, the cairefull 
 prouidence of that was neuer seene to be wanteing in him. His ordinarie 
 weire was neat and handsome, not gorgeous nor costly. He loued to keepe 
 a table befitteing his estate, whereto his friendes ware euer welcome ; 
 and it was constantly such as, without addition of one dische, might at any 
 tyme giue intertainment to those of the best qualitie. He could freely re- 
 ward the merites of a friend without a lawish waste of his stocke ; and so 
 weell could he huseband it, as creditoures ware tymely appaised, necessar 
 dewely prowided, and serwandes never grudged for want of there wages ; 
 and yet could he restraine them with a watchfull eye, and a prouident caire 
 from excessiue lauishraent. In a word, he was too rich a jewell to adorne 
 so wnhappie ane age, and therefore Heaven fand it fit to recall him, and 
 leaue not only vs, but all posteritie to bewaill and lament so great a losse. 
 
1645.] 
 
 Character of the lord Gordon : His funeral. 
 
 133 
 
 His roome was so well for a whyle supplied by his brother Aboyne, as in 
 the laborinth of his raire wertues and difficult masse of his admirable pairtes, 
 he tread so right a path, that he leaft no emptie corner on filled with new 
 perfectiones. And if gracious Heawen had beene pleased to prolong his 
 life, he, in the estimation of all, had prowen a perfect modell of his most 
 perfect brother, and had giuen vnspeakeable contentment to all his freindes, 
 inlargement of honour to that familie, and to himselfe had builded a monu- 
 ment of eternall glorie. 
 
 The great good that this wictorie seemed to promisse, brought not so 
 great joy to the Royalistes, as the losse of this nobleman did greiue them. 
 Nor was it seene in the natiues, but the strangeres : the forraineres, I meane 
 the Irrishes, did so incessantly bewaill him, as they could not speake, heare 
 spoken, nor call him to memorie afterwardes, but they did reueir his obse- 
 quies with new plaintes and teares ; so generall was the conquest that his 
 noble wertues and courteous canape had made of all heartes. 
 
 His corps was brought to Aberdeen, and there with all solemnitie be- 
 fitteing his qualitie, and the inteirement of so noble a souldiour, he was layed 
 by his most worthie and wertuous mother, in the Cathedrall church : most 
 worthie indeid may shoe bee called, ware but for this alone, that shoe was 
 the happie mother of ten children, equallie sheared in both sex, as fyue 
 sonnes and fyue daughters, and such as are come to perfection can not be 
 paraleled, or at the least bettered in this age, for ought that as yet can be 
 decerned in them, the rest are so hopefull as they promisse a plentifulle sub- 
 ject for after ages both to eternize and imitat. 
 
 The marquisse of Montrose himselfe, with all or at the least the greater 
 part of the armie, did accompanie the corps to the inteirment. Nor did he 
 forbear to shaue himselfe the cheife murner, and indeid their was reason for 
 it ; for newer tuo of so short acquantance did euer lowe more dearelie. 
 There seemed to be a harmonious sympathie in there naturall disposition, so 
 much ware they delighted in a mutuall conuersation ; and in this the lord 
 Gordoune to goe beyond the limites which nature had allowed for his car- 
 riage in ciuill conuersatione, so reall was his affectione, and so great the 
 estimation he had of the other, that whan they fell into any familiar discours, 
 it was often remarked that the ordinarie air of his countenance was changed 
 from a serious listning to a certane rauishement or admiration of the other's 
 wittie expressiones. And he was often heard in publick to speake sin- 
 ceirly, and confirme it with othes, that if the fortoune of the present ware 
 
134 
 
 The lord Gordon. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 >ould prowe at any tyme so dismall as Montrose for safetie should be forced 
 to flie wnto the mountaines, without any armie or any one to assist him, 
 lie would Hue with him lyke an outlaw, and would prowe as faithfull a con- 
 sort to dryue away his malour, as he was then a helper to the adwancement 
 of his fortoune. 
 
 After the funerall obsequies ware ended, there ware many that wreitt 
 his praises, of whom I thought it not amisse heire to incerte on of whom he 
 seemed to lie the Mecenas, who leaft vpon his tombe those lynes followeincr : 
 
 O who can speake, or wreitt, or deuely praise, 
 Him whose great worth so farr outweyt his dayes ; 
 If Jowe's iust wraith had not uikendled beene, 
 Such ane wntymely lose we had not seene. 
 But Heaven would haue this great light to expyre, 
 That croun'd our hopes befor with vestall fyre. 
 In all perfection Heauin composed his frame, 
 Inlightened by a bright celestiall flame, 
 His grant saule, that such great worth contain'd 
 As by no mortall could be well contain'd. 
 
 O cursed earth ! and could it not suffice 
 Thy barren breest, that thou was droun'd in seas 
 Of humane blood ; but thou most lykways teast 
 That heauinly nectar, fit for Jowe's high feast, — 
 That sacred liquor which his saule sustaines, 
 Drawen by a cursed ball from his rich waines : 
 And at his back, — O cursed hand ! for this 
 Thy damn'd saule is depriued of endlese blisse. 
 Had his bright eye on thy intention fell, 
 His very looke had frighted the to hell. 
 
 But, O, rich mass of worth, whose euerie pairt 
 So matchlesse was ; whose great Herculean heart, 
 Whose martiall arme, whose Citherean eye, 
 Whose tongue Apollo's selfe did dignifie; 
 Whose saule, profund and deepe, did so extend, 
 All witt, art, judgment it did comprehend. 
 Noght was deficient ; we could wertue call 
 All was in the, and thou alone was all 
 That mortalles could be blest with ; but great Jowe 
 Fynding the malice of this age to grow 
 To such a hight, as worth from wice was fled, 
 And wickednes with wertue's robes was claid, 
 Sin's duskie cloud eclips'd those beams of thyne. 
 Then, with a thought, the Prouidence Diuine 
 
164.5.] 
 
 The lord Gordon. 
 
 135 
 
 Caught the aboue the cloudes, and leift in trust 
 That wee sould heire bewaill thy sacred dust. 
 And I, tho all ware silent euer most murne, 
 My joy to greife, my blesse to beill most turne. 
 Thou was my day that ischest penurius night, 
 The sunne that to my cloudie cause gaue light ; 
 My rich and fruitfull theme, with the my store 
 Is spent, my muse dryed vp, I'll wreitt no more ; 
 But with ane endless greife, my murnefull werse 
 Shall poure my plaintes in teares wpon thy hearse ; 
 Till waisted thus, with wnspent languishment, 
 My soule, unfitt for earth, be whollie spent. 
 
 Then to the Elisian sheids my course I'll tend, 
 
 And ther thy euer blist genious shall attend. 
 
 EPITAPHE. 
 
 Let thy rich soule for euer be blist, 
 Whose sacred aishes heir doth rest : 
 Since non can giue the thy due praise, 
 Let learned penns and poets' layes 
 Be silent now, and learne to wonder 
 That Joue's decree hes brocke asunder 
 The fabrick where pure wertue stood, 
 Perfectit heire in flesh and blood ; 
 
 To show ws that earthes greatest glorie, 
 
 Lyke lightening, is but transitorie. 
 
 To the Royalistes in this battell there ware but seauen in all slaine : 
 wherof there ware tuo with my lord Gordoune slaine, and those ware the 
 lairdes of Buchollie and Miltoune of Keith ; but there ware diuerse brawe 
 gentlemen hurt, as George Dowglase, sonne to the earle of Mortoune, who 
 carved his maiesties standard royall, sir William Hay of Dalgatie, knight, 
 the laird of Gight, younger, and collonell Nathaniell Gordone. Montrose 
 adwisseing with Aboyne what course ware fittest to take, they resolue to 
 cary the seat of the ware to the south ; and because he had intelligence that 
 the Couenant was about to raise a stronger armie then any of the former, 
 therefor Aboyne was of necessitie to raise a new recrewe, both of horse and 
 foote, but the horsemen ware most requisit. Montrose, with this small but 
 neuer conquered armie, was to march south, but adwyssed that by all 
 meanes possible he most shune to feght till the major ware returned, who 
 was gone to bring the clane Donald, and till Aboyne should strengthen 
 
136 
 
 Montrose marches south. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 him with more horsemen ; wntill such tyme the marquiesse taske was only 
 to stryue to disappoint there new leauies, and the sitteing doune of there 
 parlement at Saint Johnestoune, the plaige haueing chassed them from all 
 pairtes elswhere. 
 
 And thus Aboyne prepareing for his newe leauies, and Montrose 
 marcheing south, the major joynes with him in Anguise, haueing with 
 him M'Collein, Glengerrie, Inchbracow, and otheres, to the number of 
 fourteine hundreth good men. 
 
 With this supplie he crosseth the Tay ; wherewith the parlement at 
 Saint Johnestoune is in so great feare, that they got not libertie to confirme 
 there first act of rooteing out the house of Huntly from the face of the 
 earth, and ordaining all such of the name of Gordoune as stood for the 
 Couenant to change there name ; for that name was become so odious to 
 them, as it most be wnlawfull from thence furth to pronunce or retaine any 
 meinorie of that posteritie, as in the First Booke ye haue heard. 1 
 
 Being forced, be the approach of the royall armie, to delay there parle- 
 ment, they drawe wp there forces ; the horsemen retyres to gard the no- 
 bilitie within the toune, there foote retyres ouer the riuer Erne, there to 
 attend the stronge leauies that was dayly expected out of Fyffe. 
 
 Montrose, draweing neire the toune, drawes wp his men as if he intended 
 to storme it ; but being waike of horse, as haueing but one company of 
 fourscore, send by Aboyne, with him, wnder the leading of Nathaniell 
 Gordoune, he takes of his chosest foote, and mountes with such horses 
 as they could come by, to the number of a hundreth more, which serued 
 for light horsemen or dragoneires ; these wpon the winges, or right and 
 leift hand of his armie, makes a great showe, and terrifies them within the 
 toune for a whille, and makes them keepe within, and so at night he 
 retyres to Dipline. The estaites, after a true information of his waiknesse 
 in horse, findeing themselfes strong abundantly to giue him battell with- 
 out the strong leauies of Fyfe, mairches the nixt day with there whole 
 armie to Newtoune, betuixt him and Strivelling, lest he might bend his 
 course hither, from whence also they expected great leauies dayly ; they 
 ware alreadie fyue thousand, and he not fullie three, wherefor they by all 
 possible meanes striues to ingadge him in a battell befor Aboyne ware 
 come with his horsemen ; but he, with great care and diligence, shunned 
 
 1 [Book i., p. 55.] 
 
1645.] 
 
 He is reinforced by Aboyne. 
 
 137 
 
 there importunitie, resolueing on no termes to hazard with them till 
 Aboyne ware come ; and therefor, after much turneing too and froe, he 
 retyres to Dunkell, where the strength of the ground secured him from 
 there horsemen, and then sendes Aboyne word how it did import him to 
 make haist. 1 
 
 Aboyne was on the way, befor he gote his aduertisement, with foure 
 hundreth braue gentlemen well mounted, and eight hundreth, altho most 
 reportes call them a thousand, foote. 
 
 Heir I cannot but wonder at the malice of that author who will needes 
 both slight and extenuat this aid of Aboynes, concealleing the halfe of the 
 horse and the whole foote. 2 For what end he related it so vntreuely, 1 
 leaue to judge, but sure I am, had it not been cheifely, yea, I may say 
 only, by the pouerfull supplie of his brother of euer happie memorie, and 
 his owne, whom it seemes God had appoynted to be the two maine pillares 
 one whom the strength of the royall armie depended, the former actiones 
 had neuer sueceeded so well, yea, I am confident they had neuer beene in- 
 tended. 
 
 Aboyne finding by Montrose letter what neid the armie had of his pre- 
 sence to helpe his noble freind, he giues order to haue his foote brought 
 along the safest way throw the mountaines, and himselfe, with his horse- 
 men, mairches in all possible haist till he comes to Dunkell. The marquise 
 joyfully receawes, and then couragiously aduances towardes his enemies, 
 and so offering them battell, forces them to retyre ouer Erne ; and that 
 he might force them to it, he enters into Fyfe, to there no small admiration ; 
 and whan that nether could prewaill, he marches waistward towards 
 Striuelling, and in his way he burnes the land of castell Gloura, otherwayes 
 
 1 [" Et quia Aboinium cum suis nimis lentum, impaticnter ferine praestolabatur, misit 
 qui stimulos illi adderent, priusquam rei bene gerendae opportunitatem depcrderent. Ques- 
 tus etiam est, scd leni et blando sermone, tanquam apud fidissimum amicum, mora, et 
 cunctatione ejus factum esse, ut praeclarissima victoria, qua perduelles debellari potuisse 
 videbantur, de manibus dilaberetur. Quam tamen jacturam, celeritate ejus, et industria 
 pensari posse nullus dubitaret." Rer. Montisros. cap. xii., fol. 135.] 
 
 2 [" Tandem vero Aboinius, cum Nathaneele tribuno suos a septentrione Duncaledoniain 
 perduxit; numero quidem infra spem quam de se fecerant : robore tamen ct vera virtutt\ 
 longe^ supra numerum. Ducenti duntaxat equites erant, cum centum et vigititi sclopetariis, 
 qui et jumentis sarcinariis aut mannulis impositi erant : pedites ver6 alii milli." Rer. Mon- 
 tisros. cap. xii., fol. 139.] 
 
L38 
 
 The Covenantors recruit their forces. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 called castell Cambell, and crosseth the Forth as if he intended for Lau- 
 thian. 
 
 The suddane comeing of Aboyne, with so strong a supplie of horsemen, 
 which had beene so many, if the gentlemen of his name had not beene so 
 often befor spoyled waisted and ruined, nether horse nor any thing else 
 being leaft to them, yet this foure hundreth did much qualifie the hate and 
 pryd of there enemies ; shuning the feght now with alse great industrie as 
 Montrose had done before, till there recrewes from Fyfe ware come, con- 
 sisteine of tuo thousand foote and fvue hunder horse. 
 
 The royall armie, with the supply Aboyne had brought, ware neire 
 about four thousand foote, and fyue or sax hundereth horse ; for earle of 
 Airlie had brought fyftie or sixtie horsmen, all well mounted and braue 
 gentlemen. 
 
 The commones in the north are fund by experience (as our commanderes 
 in Holland doeth testifie) to be more courageous and martiall then those of 
 the south ; but this is to be wnderstood of the common people, who natu- 
 rallie, and by continuall custome, are borne slawes and boundmen ; there 
 ordinarie food also of pise and beanes, heaueine them vp with flesh, fatte, 
 and grose humores, as they are heawie, lumpish, and wnwildie. The 
 commones of the north being feid with the lenifieins substance of oates and 
 barly, hath greater bones, and are leane of flesh, and therefore there 
 blood hath in it more spirit, and consequently more courage and greater 
 action : altho in our gentrie only consisteth the strenth and walour of our 
 nation ; and hardly hath there beene fund in all Europe a people more 
 feiree, more darreing, more full of curraige and trewe valour, then the 
 gentrie of Scoteland. This in France has beene knawin euer since Carolus 
 Magnus his dayes, by there many and notable seruices done to that 
 croune. This hath beene weell knawin to our nighboures in England, when- 
 soeuer our gentrie, without our commones, had occasion to try them ; as in 
 the Bruce and Wallace there tymes, whan it was only the gentry that 
 arose, aither to withstand or remoue the miserie of there afflicted countrav, 
 throw the Baliol his basse proceedings. This was often made manifest by 
 the Douglas and the Percie, that tuo mightie families vpon the borders 
 of both kingdomes. And this, in our time, was well knowen to that 
 thundering scurge, that terrour of Germanie, the great and fortunat 
 Gustavus of Sweden, who did no great action whill he lived but the Scotes 
 theirin had euer the greatest sheare ; and in whose armies there ware fund 
 
1645.] 
 
 The battle 6f Kilsyth. 
 
 139 
 
 more commanderes of Scotes gentlemen then of all other nationes besydes, 
 aither Frenches, Germans, or of Sweedes themselfes. This did well ap- 
 peire in the beginneing of the Couenant, where there came home so many 
 commanderes of all gentlemen, out of forraine countrayes, as could haue 
 serued to command ane armie of fyftie thousand, and furnish them with all 
 sortes of officeres from a generall doune to a single sergeant or corporall. 
 This in part may be seene also by the fyue former victories, three whereof 
 had beene wine by the aid of the northren people, from those of the south ; 
 and this mad the generall with the greatter confidence to hazart, altho 
 they ware twyse his number. He was also informed how the earle of Len- 
 ricke, with the power of the Hamiltounes, ware come alse farre as Glascow 
 to joyne with his enemies ; and for the royall armie, it could be in no 
 better posture than it was at that tyme. 
 
 All those warre motives for him to desyre the feght : and the estates 
 haweing joyned to ther armie those of Fyfe, and doubled the number of 
 the Royalists, and ware both confident and earnest to haue it desyded befor 
 they sould suffer them to enter Lauthian, wherefor, giueing the commande- 
 ment to Bailzie, who hade giuen proofe of ane expert and waliant leader, 
 they adwance towardes them. Montrose and the royall armie being at 
 Kilsyth, and heareing by his scoutes that his enemies marched with such 
 sceleritie as they ware within three myles befor he knew of there approach, 
 he drawes his armie in battell ; after he had giuen order that, for there cog- 
 nisance, euery man should put one ane whyte shirt aboue his clothes, for 
 they ware not in vse of armour, nor would they hender there actiuitie with 
 the heauie weight of it, so litle cared they to preserue there lyues, and so 
 much did they preferre there honour. 
 
 So cairefull was the generall there [lest] the person of the lord of Aboyne 
 should be expossed to any danger, that, altho he had the commandement of 
 the horsemen, yet he would not suffer him to goe one with them ; but to leaue 
 for that day the charge theirof to Nathaniell Gordoune, and himselfe to choose 
 a select number for the gard of his person, and retyre some distance, where 
 he might see all, and send his adwise and ordour quhaire neid requyred it. 
 
 A strong partie from the estates armie was send before to ingadge 
 the Royalists ; and this partie consisted of three regiments, that of the 
 reide cottes, and other tuo, in the midle whereof ware placed tuo troupes of 
 horse, and one of lanciers to flanke them. 
 
 The horse troupes adwanceth befor the foot to gaine a high ground ; but 
 
140 
 
 The battle of Kilsyth. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 was sharply encountered by adjutant Gordoune, who was send befor the 
 armie to gaine that same high ground, and charged them so soundly as he 
 beat them backe againe within the bodie of ther foote ; and, followeing his 
 charge with too much wnadwissed courage, was in euident danger to be 
 lossed, for the armie yet had not begune to adwance, being not fullie in 
 ordour of battell. Those thre regimentes, without brakeing of there ordour, 
 lets them enter amongest them, and giueing fyre on all sydes, had well 
 noire encompassed them : wheirwpon M'Aleine, with his regiment, and 
 Glengerrie with his, who had taken ane higher ground, there being no more 
 of the foot as yet adwanced, and stood at so lairge a distance as they 
 could giue no aide to the adjutant thus ingadged, they cryed out that, if the 
 horsemen adwanced not more speedily, the losse of those troupes would 
 indangrer the whole armie. 
 
 Aboyne haueing taken with him his tualfe gentlemen to attend him, 
 and heareing how the hylanderes cryed for the horsemen's more speedie 
 adwancement, and coming forward to see the danger, he perceaues the 
 adjutant ingadged and ouer partied, by reason of which he and all that was 
 with him should be aither cute in peices, if they stood out, or if they for 
 refuge fled back to the main body, they might raise a powwant with such 
 confusion as might vndoubtedly hazard the losse of that day. Where- 
 for, being mightily discontented with the adjutant raish ingadgement, he 
 postes one backe to cause the horsemen adwance speedily, if the whole 
 armie ware not as yet readie ; and to show colonel Gordoune that himselfe 
 was ingadged, and therefor desyred the marquisse to make haist. When 
 he send this commission backe, his noble heart could not indure to see his 
 serwantes and kinsmen stand so brawely too it, and yet so ouer maistered 
 with power, as if they ware not secunded they ware all lost. Wherefor he 
 cryes to those fewe that followed him, " Let ws goe, monseours, and assist 
 these our distressed freindes, in so great hazart throw the foolish raishenes 
 of there commander. We shall, God willing, bring them of, at least in 
 some good order, so as they shall nether be all lost, nor indanger the armie 
 by there suddaine flight, whereto they may be forced." And thus he who in 
 all his resolutiones was dexterous, prompte, and readie, not stayeing for 
 answer, least they sould striue to detaine him from so dangerous a taske 
 with so small a number, he putes his horse to the gallope, and so tyed them 
 to follow. He charged wpon the lanciers, who flanked the reid regiment; 
 and they seing him so furiously to come wpon them, retyres to the leaft 
 
1645.] 
 
 The battle of Kilsyth. 
 
 141 
 
 hand, puteing the foot betwixt them and him. He, without stayeing, 
 charges forward wpon the foote, till, being come within pistoll shote, 
 he perceaues them fitte there pickes, for the front ware all pickemen. 
 Wherefor, with admirable dexteritie, and a nimble resolution, he raines his 
 horse a litle to the leift hand, and charges with such resolution and haist 
 wpon the flanke of the reid regiment, which ware all muscatyres, that, altho 
 they gaue him three wolies of shotte from the three first rankes, yet he 
 charged quyt throw them, till he came where his distressed freinds ware 
 inuironed both with horse and foote, whose ordour they could not gett 
 broke ; but being charged one all hands, was euin to call for quarteres, or 
 desperatly to bracke throw them, and flie backe to there armie : but his 
 comeing in good tyme makes them rely, and quickly to joine with his fol- 
 lowers, to whom he cryed, " Courrage, my heartes ; follow me, and let them 
 haue one sound charge." And this he gives with such braue and invincible 
 resolution, as he brackes, disperses, and discourages both foote and horse, 
 who seekes no more to persewe, but stryues to retyre in order, to the which 
 there commanderes often invites them, but in waine. They were once with 
 Aboyne his braue charge at first, and now with a stronger second charge, so 
 broken and disjoyned, that they begane to run for there lyues, while the con- 
 stant and noble earle of Airely is, by the generalles appoyntment, adwance- 
 ing; for when Aboyne's messenger came assureing the generall that, to relieue 
 the adjutant, Aboyne was ingadged, this inflamed so the currage of the horse- 
 men, as they could hardly be keipt in order, but would have rune headlonges 
 to the releefe of there lord, there cheife, and there commander. Yet Airely 
 adwances with his braue troupe of Ogilvies, all of his own kine and followers : 
 colonell Gordone is ordained to follow and second him with the whole bodie 
 of horse ; and altho noble Airly comes wp in so good tyme, as he makes sure 
 worke of that which Aboyne had luiccalie begune, brakeing the other tua 
 regrimentes which had stand intyre without chargeing or being charged till 
 now, with there horse troupes in such manner, that they stood as if they 
 had intended to make some resistence, but now giueing themselves for 
 wanquissed, throweing doune there armes, and runneing for there lyues. 
 By this tyme was colonell Gordoune come vp with ane intyre body of foure 
 hunder horse, so as the whole three regimentes, with there troupes, were so 
 wiolently beat backe wpon the bodie of there armie, not yet brought vp in 
 order, that they are all put to confusion, and so, without resolution, vnto ane 
 wntymely flight. 
 
142 
 
 The battle of Kilsyth. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 Heire, againe, the first printed copie, to keepe a formall methode in 
 his malice to the house of Huntly, doeth not so much as once remem- 
 ber Aboyne his name in all this ; 1 altho he alone was the cause of this 
 
 1 [" Ut ut sit, illucescente statim die, recta illi in Montisrosanura duxerunt. Quod cum 
 ille cerneret, accidisse ait. quod maxime expetebat; ut railitum paucitatem locorum op- 
 portunitate pensaret : priorq ; stationes occupare festinat. Suis insuper omnibus, equiti 
 juxta ac pediti imperat, ut positis molestioribus vestibus, et solis indusiis superne amicti, et in 
 albis emicantes, bostibus insultarent. Quod cum illi alacres laetiq ; fecissent ; expediti 
 paratiq ; stabant, certi aut vincere, aut raori. 
 
 " In campo pugnae destinato tuguria quaedam erant, hortuliq ; rustici ; in quibus Montis- 
 rosanus paucos praesidiarios commode locaverat. Et primus hostium conatus fuit, istos inde 
 proturbare ; sed frustra : ferociter enim aggressi, et non minus fortiter excepti ; ubi de 
 primo impetu paululiim remittere visi sunt, propugnatores eos pellunt, fugant caeduntq ; im- 
 pune. Quo velut omine, elati montanorum animi ; qui propius aberant, ne expcctato quidem 
 imperio, in collem, universis hostium copiis obnoxium temere se praecipitarunt. Montisrosanus, 
 licet, intempestiva suorum fiducia corumotior : non tamen prorsus destituendos judicavit. 
 Nec sane dictu facile est, hostiumne ignavia an subsidii celcritate, eote, eorum incolumitati 
 magis consultum fuerit. Montisrosanus, cum quingentis equitibus, peditum quatuor millia, et 
 quadringentos ducebat ; quorum mille, aut etiam plures sua culpa, hostibus sese exposuerant : 
 qui cum peditum millibus sex, et octingentis equitibus occurrebant. Verum qui ex extremo 
 hostium agmine erant, satis tarde procedebant, eorumq ; adventum, dum primi segniter 
 praestolantur ; facultatem fecerunt Montisrosano, maturum periclitantibus suis adferendi 
 auxilium. Tandem tamen tres equitum turmas, quos peditum duo millia sequebantur, in 
 temerarios istos, et ferme deperditos expediunt. Quos conspicatus Montisrosanus Arlaeum 
 Comitem (cum alii munus illud nimis indecore detrectarent) in hunc modum compellavit. 
 Vides inquit nobilissime Comes, nostros istos sua temeritate in ultimum discrimen adductos, 
 et illico ab hostili equitatu opprimendos, nisi mature eis subveniamus. In te ver6 omnium 
 oculi animiq ; intenti sunt, te unum tanta laude dignum judicant, qui pulsis hostibus com- 
 militones protegas. Et ut, quod juvenili eorum audacia peccatum est ; matura tua adul- 
 taq ; virtute corrigatur. Et ille rem, quamvis perdifficilem, lubentissime in se recepit ; 
 turmaq ; suorum stipatus (in qua Johannes Ogilvius Baldevius, in Suecia olim militum tri- 
 bunus, vir fortis, juxta ac peritus eminebat) recta in hostes duxit. Et illi quidem in 
 Ogilvios invecti, acriter paulisper decertavere : tandem tamen virtuti eorum impares, terga 
 dederunt. Quos Ogilvii tarn pertinaciter insequuti sunt, ut in pedites suos praecipites 
 egerint : eosdemq ; quasi uno impetu turbatis ordinibus, proculcaverint. Et hoc cgregio 
 ArUei, Ogilviorumq ; exemplo, Montisrosani milites magis magisq ; animati, detincri am- 
 plius non potuere ; quo minus, ingenti sublato clamore, quasi victoriam hactenus adepti, in 
 hostem irruerent. Nec sane pcrduellium equites, eorum congressum diu sustinuerunt ; sed 
 deserto pedite, in profusissimam fugam se conjecere : aut pedites deserti multum resti- 
 terunt ; verum abjcctis armis, inutili fuga salutem sibi quaesivere. Enimvero victores, 
 eos ad quatuor et decern milliaria persecuti trucidarunt. Adeo ut peditum, qui isti pra?lio 
 interfuerunt, vix centum evasisse credantur incolumes. Et ne equites quidem, impune 
 
1645. J 
 
 The battle of Kilsyth. 
 
 143 
 
 dayes wictorie : for had the armies got leiue to stay still till they had beene 
 all in order of battell, and then had adwanced with a prepared resolution, 
 and joyned bodie to bodie, if the Royalistes, who was so much inferiour to 
 the states both in horse and foote, had got the wictorie, it had assuredly 
 beene at a deare reite ; but this suddaine charge of Aboyne's broght the 
 whole bodie of the Royalistes horse to charge befor there foote was readie to 
 adwance, and beitt backe the estates wan before there maine bodie was 
 brought in order of battell, and thus they ware quickly ourthrowin : and 
 therefor the Royalistes had reason to thanke God that put this motion in the 
 generall's head to cause Aboyne retyre and take no charge ; for had he not 
 come vp to wieve the enemie, for that only was his intention befor aither 
 armie was readie to adwance, then had the adjutant been ouermaistered, 
 fallin backe in disorder vpon the Royalistes, befor they had beene in order, 
 and consequently they had fallin in the same premuneir that fell by Aboyn's 
 lucke to there enemies sheare ; it being Godes blessed will that he should 
 both haue the honour and the happienes to prewent so great a malhoure, 
 of both which this particular and prejudged wreitter would, by slightning or 
 concealleing, depriue him of. This is the true relation of those who ware 
 att this battell, being both men of great worth, and of great and eminent 
 qualitie ; which I was the more willing to incert, because immediatly after 
 the battell I had seene a copie published in print, wherin the author hes com- 
 mitted such grosse erroures, as it seemes to be done rather out of malice 
 then ignorance : for both in this battell and the former att Aford, he hes 
 made no mention of the lord Gordoune, who was the only man by whose 
 walour that at Afford was gained ; and this att Kilsyth, he hes not so much 
 
 elapsi sunt, quorum alii caesi, capti alii, alii alio fusi, sparsiq ; se receperunt. Impedimenta, 
 ansa, spolia victorious cessere; qui ex suis, duntaxat sex desiderarunt : quorum tres Ogilvii 
 erant, viri fortes, et generosi, qui strenue pugnantes, ad praeclaram victoriam, sanguine 
 suo, viam consignarunt. Conjurati proceres, qui frequentes isti prselio interfuerant, alii 
 Sterlinum oppidum, arcemq ; munitissimam, matura fuga, et equorum pernicitate obtinue- 
 runt. Alii ad Forthae sestuarium elapsi, naves anchoris alligatas, haud procul a littore 
 conscenderunt. In his Argathelius, jam tertio cymbam nactus, evasit in navem : nec 
 tamen se in tuto esse judicavit, quoad sublatis anchoris, procul terra, in alto se conspexit. 
 In capti vis erant Wilielmus Moravius eques, de Blebo, Jacobus Arnottus Burglaei Reguli 
 frater, Dicius quidam, Wallasiusq ; tribuni militum, et alii quam plurimi ; quos Mon- 
 tisrosanus in fidem receptos liberaliter habuit, et data fide, dimisit. Atq ; haec est insignis 
 ilia victoria ad Kilsytham parta, decimo septimo Kal. Sept. an. CIOOCXLV. qua sex millia 
 perduellium caesa traduntur." Rer. Montisros. cap. xiii., fol. 146 — 151.] 
 
144 
 
 The battle of Kilsyth. 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 as once remembered Aboyne his no less brane then fortunat charge, by 
 whom God Almightie gaue this wictorie to the Royalistes. If it was out 
 of ignorance, I pitie his waikenes, that should carefullie haue tryed the 
 treuth of euerie particulare, befor he hade published himselfe a foole in 
 print. If out of malice, it is hardly credible he should have done it ; for 
 those young noblemen had not seene so long a time as to disoblish any, 
 being but nowly come furth vpon the staige of this inferior world to act 
 there part. What could be his intention then, if not to make a diuision 
 betuixt the house of Huntly and that of Montrose, so happily wnited for 
 the good successe of the kinges seruice? But all good patriotes should 
 rather haue wished that the Omnipotent, in His diuine prouidence, had not 
 suffered the light and frothie policie of sicophants to make a separation of 
 these tuo, whose happie vnion hithertills, in despight of there enemies, had 
 so farre adwanced his majesties just cause ; for nether of them hithertills 
 had beene wanteing to the good and safetie of other. Nor is it to be be- 
 leeued, altho the malice of there enemies would haue it passe for current, 
 that this pamphlet was not set forth without Montrose connivance ; for all 
 indifferent judgements may easely perceaue that this ball of discord was 
 hatched amongest the hell breid inwentiones of the Couenant, and thrawen 
 abroad of there Machinian policie, that it might be banded betuixt those 
 tuo, to the ruine of the one or both of them, but principally to the ouer- 
 throw of the kinges cause. 
 
 I pray that Heauin may be more propitious, and that the ingenuitie of 
 there actiones, the candor and generositie of them both, may make it 
 manifest that nether of them intends basly to build wpon the ruines of the 
 otheres good deserueinges, but that they leaue so deipth ane impression 
 in the still book of fame as wertue shall never bee ashamed of, tyme 
 shall never outweire it, nor malice be euer able to deface it. From 
 this pamphlet it seemes he that hes sent this historie to the presse hes ta'me 
 his information. But O there is to much of this : then let vs returne 
 wheire we leift. The whole armie of the Royalists, both hors and foote, 
 followeing hardly wpon ther enemies in this confusion, made so great 
 a slaighter, after they had taken there cannon, as the account of those that 
 ware buried came to fyue thousand foure hundreth sixty nyne. The foote 
 armie had gottin litle to doe, being last in comeing vp, and therfor they did 
 most of the execution. 
 
 The cheife, by the earle of Aboyne and his horsemen, was followed to 
 
1645.] 
 
 The battle of Kilsyth. 
 
 145 
 
 Fawkirk, eight long mylles from the place of battell ; and by him had beene 
 farther followed, if he had not beene mowed to come backe to the generall, 
 who was so cairefull of his safety as he was not to be pacified till he re- 
 turned. 
 
 The estates, besydes the lose of so many good souldioures, lost there 
 whole stufe, the bagage, and three peice of ordinance, one whereof 
 they called Prince Robert, because it was takin from him at the battell 
 of Yorke, and they ware in wse to shoote this at there solemnities. This 
 battell was foght one Fryday the fifteenth of August, 1645. There ware 
 many prisoners taken, of colonelles, captaines, and other commanderes. 
 
 The noblemen seeing, by the suddaine returne of there wane and the 
 vnexpected persuite of the horsemen, that there maine bodie was pute to 
 a confusion, as there was no hope of a recouerie, did, prouidently and in 
 tyme, shift for themselfes : Ardgyll and generall Bailzie fled one way, 
 Lindsay and Baccaras severall wayes. At the Queines ferrie, Ardgill took 
 shippeing for Newcastall ; Lindsay fled to Berwicke ; Baccaras, generall 
 of the horse, to Waist Louthian, and came that night to Collintoune, with 
 ten or twalfe horsemen only. 
 
 Lenricke, lyeing at Glasgow, and being readie to marche, whan he 
 heares of this wictorie, leift his designe to joyne with the estates armie, and 
 dissolues his forces, and, as it was thought, he went over to Ireland : a 
 great part of the nobilitie resolueth to stand out no longer, and therefor 
 comes in dayly to the royall armie, as the marquisse of Douglase, the 
 earle of Queinsberrie, the lord Jhonstoune, the earle of Wigetoune, the 
 earle of Perth, his sonne my lord Drummond, the lord Erskine, the lord 
 Flemmeing, the earle of Airth, the lord Seaton, the lord Lintone, the 
 earle of Roxburgh, the earle of Hume, the earle of Traquhare, and many 
 otheres, in whose faire promisses the generall thought himselfe so 
 stronge, as he was persuaded to slight his old frindes, that had giuen him 
 the best assistance for obtaineing so many wictories. But woe worthe 
 them that thus adwyssed him, for he fand soone after what a chose 
 he had made when they leift him, evin whan he had most to doe. 
 Many lordes and great barrones came in, all whose names ware tedious 
 to repeat. 
 
 All the great tounes send in there exploratoures, promisseing from 
 hencefurth to become loyall subiectes; and in speciall, Edinburgh, Glasgow, 
 Lithgow, and other tounes. Wpon the command of the generall, all 
 
 T 
 
146 
 
 Results of the 
 
 [B. III. 
 
 persones ware sett at libertie both in Edinburgh and Blakeness ; as the 
 earle of Craufurd, the lord Rea, the lord Ogilvie, the lord Druramond, 
 the laird of Clunie Gordoune, the laird of Gight Gordoune, and otheres, to 
 the number of a hundereth and thirtie : they ware brought to the campe, and 
 lifted wp from the miseries of a dreedfull prison to the liberties of a trium- 
 phant armie. 
 
 The sheires of Fyfe, Lauthian, Straitherne, and otheres, offeres there 
 obedience, appoynteing ane day to come in, and professe there loyaltie to his 
 majestic 
 
 Some pairtes of the wast ware as yet in a litle distemper by reason of the 
 Hamiltoune's faction, and the earl of Eglintoune and Cassilles, who ware fled ; 
 but the marquisse send the major generall, with the halfe of the Irishes, and 
 so many highlanderes, to pacifie and bring in those countrayes. This noble 
 cavaleir was thought by all men worthie of a great reward from his majestie : 
 befor he went, he was thought most worthie of the honour of knighthead, 
 for his noble courage and activitie in armes, and this he receaued from the 
 hands of the generall. 
 
 About this tyme came letters from his maiestie to the generall, shaweing 
 he had send sir Jhone Belles with fyfteine hunder horse to joyne with 
 him wpon the borders, as also commission of more ample power then he had 
 befor ; wherefor he indytes a parlement to sitt at Glascow, (because the 
 plage did raige wiolently at Edinburgh), the [ ] day of September nixt. 
 And thus Heauen seemed to smyle againe wpon the land, 1 and to promise a 
 returne of our former peace and plentie ; for now there was non in the king- 
 dome that was fund to stand out against his maiesties royall prerogatiue. 
 The tounes had giuen satisfaction ; the greatest part of the nobilitie ware 
 come in, joyneing both themselves and there forces with the royall armie : 
 Hume and Roxbrugh had receaued letters from the king to joyne with him, 
 which they promised. 
 
 1 [" The case of that land is wonderfull evill I confess I am amazed, and cannot 
 
 see to my mind's satisfaction, the reasons of the Lord's dealing with that land. The sinns of 
 all ranks there I know to be great, and the late mercies of God, spirituall and temporall, to- 
 wards them to have been many ; but what means the Lord, so farr against the expectation 
 of the most clear-sighted, to humble us so low, and by his own immediate hand, I confess I 
 
 know not I hope the Lord will not destroy that nation in the very act of maintain- 
 
 ance of so good a cause. However, I believe since William Wallace's dayes, or rather since 
 Fergus the Second, our land wes never in the present condition." Baillie's Letters and 
 Journals, vol. ii., pp. 313, 314. Edin., 1841.] 
 
1645.] 
 
 battle of Kilsyth. 
 
 147 
 
 And thus all thinges seemed to contribute for the extinguisheing of re- 
 bellion, by planteing a firme and solide peace ; but heire may be obserued 
 the wyse sayeing of antient poet Ouidius Naso : 
 
 Ludit in humanis diuina potentia rebus. 1 
 Diuinitie laughs and playes with humane affaires. 
 
 For now the great and formidable successes of this worthie and waliant 
 and fortunat leader ware mounted to his zeinth, and being come to his meri- 
 dian, begins to discend ; and, in his decadencie, to sett alse law in the Occi- 
 dent of a few malhoures, as he arose in the orient of so many prosperous 
 actiones. 
 
 Thus human things, though great, at last 
 The Divin power does storme and blast. 
 
 1 [Epist. ex Ponto, lib. iv., ep. iii. 49.] 
 
 THE END OF THE THIRD BOOKE. 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 BRITANE'S DISTEMPER, 
 
 FROM THE YEARE OF GOD M.DC.XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE FOURTH BOOKE. 
 
» 
 
A SHORT ABRIDGEMENT OF BRITANE'S 
 
 DISTEMPER. 
 
 FROM THE YE ARE OF GOD M.DC. XXXIX. TO M.DC.XLIX. 
 
 THE FOURTH BOOKE. 
 
 OW the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and all the 
 creatures was theirin contained hath there forme, there 
 motion, and there being from the only Will of there om- 
 nipotent and eternal Creatore ; how all things hath there 
 operation, dependence, and subsistance in that Will only : 
 how man, the noblest of His creatures, as haueing a saule 
 conforme to His image, indewed with reason, and digni- 
 fied with free will, ought, neuerthelesse, without reseruation, exception, or 
 second endes, to submitte to that Will of God only ; how, in all our externall 
 actiones, we should submitte ourselfes to that Will, even from the lawest 
 and of least waliditie to the highest and of greatest importance ; how not only 
 our eateing, drinkeing, sleipeing, watcheing. the waves of our feete, the 
 workes of our bandes, and the wordes of our mouth should be at all tymes 
 whollie submitted and leaft to be directed by that Will, but ewen the inter- 
 nall motiones of our soule, and all the faculties thereof, ought only to haue 
 there consistance in that Will, so as we ought in all tbinsres to bequeath and 
 dedicat ourselfes to His only Will : and that His good pleasure may be only 
 done with vs, it concerns ws most neirly to offer the whole man, both spirituall 
 and temporall, both externall and internall, as a dayly oblation ; yea, not 
 only, but euerie houre ; yea, euery moment, we are bound to sacrifice our 
 all, or whatsoeuer we can be, to His holy Will, beseecheing His Diuine Ma- 
 iestie that His only Will may be performed in ws, or by ws, and nothing of 
 our will, but His Will only : all this we ought to know, to leame, and studie 
 to perfonne in all our actiones, and whatsoeuer belongeth to this mortall lyfe. 
 
152 
 
 A digression on the Divine Will. 
 
 [13. IV. 
 
 But to know how God in all His creatures, and how all thinges hath 
 there being, there motions, their existance, and subsistance in Him, and 
 how it can be that all those innumerable creatures, and that yet more 
 infinit and more innumerable actiones and passions, sould at one mo- 
 ment of tyme ; yea, in eurie moment, and in eurie place, and pairt of 
 the whole wniuerse be moued and haue there increase, there progresse, 
 and there regresse in Him ; there birth, there grouth, there maturitie, 
 there rypenes, there fall, there decadencie, and there finall annihilation in 
 Him : this, I say, and how this can be, we ought not to know, much lesse 
 to be curious in the search of the knawledge thereof ; for mane's heart is 
 not able to comprehend it, nor is all the faculties of a mane's soule capable 
 of so great a misterie. How deepe and profund are the judgements of the 
 Lord ! How admirable is He in all His actiones ! The wayes of the Lord 
 are vnsearchable. We may stand astonished, and with reuerence admire, 
 but it becometh vs not to search vnto them : and yet notwithstanding of 
 Gode's vbiquitie and incomprehensible workeing in all thinges, yet some- 
 thing we can doe wherin God is not ; for throw the pleasure of concu- 
 piscence our depraued will, intysed by the continowall assailties of the temper 
 to doe euill : and in thes only God is not. 
 
 This, in pairt, we may obserue both by what is passed, and that which 
 doeth follow in this our historie : for so long as the commanders of the 
 whole arraie submitted themselfes to reason, thankefullie acknawledgeing' 
 
 7 © © 
 
 God His admirable workes in there successe, and with mutuall loue and 
 charitie, without priuat endes and particulare aimes of there owne, did 
 adwance the kinge's cause, God wrought in them, by them, and with them ; 
 but being once induced, pairtly by the flatterie of there followers, pairtly 
 by some ambitious designes, wherewith the spirit of discord laid snares 
 to intrape them, then ware they leaft to themselfes ; for it is vnpossible 
 that the workes of God and Beliall can stand together. 
 
 All thinges now concurreing to the adwancement of the king his affaires, 
 all the tounes, scheires, and nobilitie gentrie and barrones, dayly cumeing 
 in and submitteing themselfes to his majesties generall ; the forces of Hamil- 
 toune, Eglintoune, and Cassles, being dispersed at the first heireing of 
 M'Donald's approach home ; Roxbrugh and Traquhare sending him dayly 
 letteres of their fidelitie, and that they would aryse and joyne with him how 
 soonne he aduanced towardes the borderes ; the marquisse of Douglasse, 
 takeing with him my lord Ogilvie, goes to Needsdaill and Annandaill to 
 raise new forces of* horsemen, as they did ; this putes the marquisse in such 
 
1645.] 
 
 Discontentment and desertion of the clan Donald. 
 
 153 
 
 assurrance and securitie that his old shouldioures, the clan Donald in par- 
 ticular, beginnes to shaw themselfes malecontents, as being slighted by the 
 generall in this manner, as they alledge : he had promised them in reward 
 of there service the plunder of Glascow, because that toune had syded with 
 Hamiltoune or his brother, Lenricke, Cassles, Eglintoune ; and therefor he 
 marches towardes the wast after the wictorie of Kilsyth, the clan Donald 
 mairches with him chearefully in hope of this reward ; but befor he came 
 neere the toune, there exploratores send to that effect agrees with him, 
 yeelding to all his demandes ; wherefor, to keepe his promise made to the 
 hylanderes, and yet to saue the toune vnplundered, he desyres them, in 
 fairenes, to accept of a thousand double peeces, which the toune was con- 
 tent to pay them. They seeing the generall insist earnestly, and that bis word 
 was alreadie passed to the toune, as content to accept of the thousand peeces : 
 wherefor he marches to the toune, and haueing stayed tuo nightes, retyres 
 some milles without to saue it from the insolencie of the souldioures : the 
 clan Donald vrges the payment of the money, wherevpon the generall being 
 forstalled as they alledge, aither by some new capitulation with the toune, 
 or else they had bought some of his followers, which is more lyke. 
 
 The nixt day calles them before him, to whom he mad a long speach, de- 
 syreing them to haue patience but a short tyme, and he would, vpon his 
 word of honour, giue them a better reward, for of necessitie hee was forced 
 to appoynt Glascow for the parlement to be haldin there. They ware to be 
 put to so great charges for decoreing and sustaineing the solemnitie which 
 so great and royall assemblie requyred, as he could not with a safe con- 
 science exact any thing from them at that tyme. 
 
 They made litle answer to this, but that night depairtes to there quar- 
 ters; and within tuo or three dayes they shrunke all away, so as there was 
 not one man, except some of the commanders to be fund ; who, being inquired 
 how this came to passe, told the generall, since the condition was twyce 
 changed, and the third tyme discharged, they ware not able to keepe them 
 from runneing away. The generall was much troubled with this, and told 
 them that he was now of power sufficient to mend the fait, and would amend 
 it to there contentment ; wherewith they seemed to be pacified, and promised 
 to doe there best to bring them backe againe, wherefor they got leiue to 
 returne, and the major was also send with them to cause them make haist ; 
 but he also being a male content stayed with them, and nether he nor they 
 euer returned againe. 
 
 u 
 
154 Aboyne and his forces return north in displeasure. [B. IV. 
 
 Thus he wanted tuo thousand of his best men, that had stand to him in 
 all the dangerous difficulties that he had ouerrune. 
 
 And now my lord Gordoune earle of Aboyne beginnes to be jealous, 
 esteemeing himselfe slighted since the comeing in of the nobilitie and gen- 
 trie in such numbers, that it seemed they esteemed themselfes able without 
 him to doe any thing that was now to be done : but that whereof he tooke 
 greatest notice was the printed pamphlet wherein his brother, himselfe, and 
 all there followeres, ware so wilipended and forgottin, as if they had done 
 nothing. This his distast he suffered indirectly to be told the generall, 
 who courteously purged himselfe that he knew nothing of it ; but it was nether 
 called in nor any other set furth for declaration of the trueth, but passed 
 ower in silence. This did rather agrauat then extenuat the fait, and rather 
 for that it was knawin, as they alledged, to be done by sir William Rollocke, 
 who was and had beene ane of the generall's most intyr favourites, and there- 
 for it might be presumed that he had not done it without acquainteing his 
 excellence with it ; but seeing there was no other reparation, but only in 
 a complementall way, Aboyne resolued to passe it ower in a complement, 
 and he would not for this desert the seruice of his prince, yet it made such 
 ane impression as could hardly euer after be cancealled. 
 
 The clan Donald being malecontent and gone, the armie marches from 
 Bothwell toward the east border, for there the generall had appoynted the 
 marquisse of Douglas to meite him with his new leauie, and Hume and 
 Roxbrugh had promised vpon his approach thither, to joyne with him. 
 Traquhare had send his sonne, my lord Lintoune, with a troupe of sex 
 score horses to attend his seruice, and all the rest of the nobilitie in the 
 south ware already with him, with there retinowes, so as he had forces 
 wery considerable if they had stood to him. Wherefor Aboyne, receauing 
 letters from his father, that was now vpon his returne, takes his leaue to 
 goe home. The generall at first seemed loath to part with him, but since 
 he most be gone to receaue his father, and prouide that there were no 
 new sture by the northeren Couenanteres, who were yet wery strong, he 
 yeeldes to his demandes, so tha this forces might stay ; but that could not 
 be, for they no soonner hard of his preparation to goe north, when they 
 make themselfes readie to attend him, and telles him plainely that they 
 would not stay behynd him ; and thus the most part, both of horse and 
 foot, returnes with him, except collonell Gordoune, whom, at the generalles 
 desyre, he leaues with him to attend his excellence. 
 
1645.J The earl of Aboyne, and the earl Marischal. 155 
 
 In his returne to the north, he comes by Haccartoune, wher, by chance, 
 the earle Marchell, with some barrones of the Mairnes, ware conwened : 
 and because Marchell had nether with himselfe, nor send any ouertoures 
 of peace, he thought it fitt to carry him along ; which he could with small 
 difficultie haue done, haweing well neire four hunder horse with him (the 
 foot he send home befor him a neirer way), and befor Marchell and his 
 freindes ware aware, diuerse of Aboyne's men ware gott within the gates, so 
 as he was maister of the house ; but Morphie Graham and some other bar- 
 rones dealt courteously with him, not to put ane affront vpon the nobleman, 
 who, as they persuaded him, was come there to a meeteing of his freindes, 
 with them to consult how he sould deall for his peace, and in what sort he 
 sould come in. 
 
 Aboyne, being naturallie of generous and courteous disposition, was con- 
 tent to be intreated for that tyme, wpon his word of honour that he would 
 come into Aberdeen at a particular day assigned be them both to that 
 effect. And because Marchell did not performe his promise, there was im- 
 puted by such of the royall armie afterwardes as inwyed the grandour of 
 Huntly, to a great errour, yea, it was termed a weaknes in him, that hawe- 
 ing so prime a nobleman in his handes, would let him goe vpon his word 
 of honour ; and yet being considered by those who speakes not with a preju- 
 dicat opinion, it doth show but a free, generous, and courteous disposition, 
 that strowe rather in courtesie to bring him in without constrent, then 
 that the world sould take notice that he would seeme to insult wpon one 
 of his owne qualitie, or seeke to triumphe ouer his weikenes in that kynd. 
 
 But lo, when all men lookes for a rectified forme of gouernement, a free 
 passage of the lawes, and ane end of these fearefull combustiones be the 
 returne of a sweet and flourisheing peace, behold the deirefull influence of 
 some malignant stare to thuart the aspeckes and withhold the conjunction of 
 the more happie planetes ; shaueing ws that Heauen's euer changeing revo- 
 lution leaues nothing ceartane beneath the moone, but one assured incer- 
 tantie and wicissitude in all our humane actiones. 
 
 The lord Gordoune is no soonner gone home to receaue his father, and 
 with him to satle the affaires of the north, and ather by faire and peaceable 
 persuasiones, or by strong and powerfull constraint, to rectifie those tur- 
 bulent spirites, who keepe all thinges there as yet in a wiolent way, and new 
 motiones of distemper, when as the subtille and craftie policies of some euer 
 workeing and implacable spirites, was sure to take this ball at the bund 
 
156 
 
 Montrose becomes over confident, and 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 and bandie it ouer the ball : for there was present aduertisement sent to 
 Newcastell whare Ardgyll was, assureing him that, if he would make haist, 
 he should fynd it ane easie taske to change the ballance, and aither force 
 Montrose to quytte the fields, or else to dispoise of him at his pleasure ; for 
 all the clan Donald was gone home malecontent and was not to returne ; 
 Aboyne, with all his horsemen and foote forces, were returned to the north, 
 with grudgeing and great discontentment ; and Montrose had non in whom 
 he might repose, but only Airely, and three or foure score of his followers, 
 and about fyue hunder Irrishes : the nobilitie and gentrie that ware laitly 
 come in to him ware not yet fullie confirmed, many of them being his for 
 the present, and that rather in shaw then in substance. 
 
 It is thought this aduertisement was sent by Traquhare, and not without 
 the aduise of Roxburgh and Hoome, of whose fidelitie Montrose was so con- 
 fident, as it was the maine cause of his ouerthrow ; there priuate interest, 
 or rather secret grudgeinges and invye of his prosperitie, preuealling more 
 with them then aither the common peace of the kingdome, or the dewetie to 
 God and there king. 
 
 This was the greatest errour that Montrose had committed since the be- 
 ginneing of the warre, that he proceeded after the wictorie with too much 
 confidence, and trusted too much, as it seemes, to his happie fortoune ; and 
 the more to bring his cairefull vigilance asleipe, he had a secret assurance 
 come from those that ware to be the chiefe actores in that surprysse (which 
 was so suddanely and with such secrecie practissed), that they would not 
 lift there hand against him. 
 
 As he marched towardes Hume and Roxburgh, of whose aid he was con- 
 fident, he comes to Sellkirke, assureing himselfe that his enemies could not 
 come from Ingland that way, but sould haue intelligence from one or both 
 of the noble men, whom his maiestie had so much indeired, by many royall 
 fauoures, that, befor the world, they ware asshamed to profess anything but 
 the duetifull alleadgeance they did awe him. The marquise haueing assur- 
 ance by there frequent letteres, assures himselfe of tymely intelligence ; but 
 Lesly aduanceing took them prisoneres, by there owne adwise as was al- 
 leadged. 
 
 He had gottin information that Ardgyll was to returne with Dauid 
 Lesly, and the whole horse the Couenant had in Ingland ; but hauing no 
 intelligence from those tuo noblemen, he looked not for them in haist, nor 
 would beleiue whan it was often told him, that they ware already come. For 
 
1645.] 
 
 is betrayed by his new friends. 
 
 157 
 
 when he came to Sellkirke they keeped the seacoast, and came to Lawthian, 
 within six milles to Edinburgh, being loath to hazart with him till thev 
 might ouermatch him with multitude, raising all them where they came : 
 and when theire forces amounted to fyue or sex thousand, being secretly in- 
 formed that he was not aboue a thousand horse and fyue hundreth Irish 
 foote, then they make haist towards him ; and yet when they ware within 
 foure mylles of Sellkirke, he would not belieue it. 
 
 This is surely to be lamented, that a man so fully accomplished with all 
 those wertues that are laudable, and who had brought with incredible caire 
 and paine so great a worke to ane prosperous end, and being now readie to 
 repossesse his soueraine lord to the throne of this his ancient and natiue 
 kingdome : that this nobleman being euin at the last period of perfyteing 
 and consumateing this great worke, sould be ouerreached throw ane vn- 
 wonted confidence and assurance, which he would neides put in those whose 
 greatnes made them disdaine to follow him, and who ware so inwardly 
 cheined to the designes of the Couenant, as there former cariage could haue 
 made a man of weker abilities and lesse judgment capable, or at least caire- 
 full, not whollie to stand to there courtesie ; for had he so much as but 
 once suspected that they might deceaue him, and that this susspition, or 
 rather warrie disposition, had gottin the former possession in his saule but 
 twantie foure houres befor the surpryse, he could haue easely evited the 
 dauger by keepeing a campe volant ; whereby all his forces, both of horse 
 and foote, had beene in one bodie alwayes vpon occasion readie to remove 
 to stronge groundes, and to gaird the passis, that he might aduance or 
 retyre in order, wherethrow he could have it in his chose to give or take 
 battell at his pleasure. Those and many other exploytes of warre was not 
 vnknown vnto him, if his former good fortounes had not breed to much as- 
 surance, and the present confidence of assured intelligence from those 
 noblemen had not stopt his eares to all other aduertisementes. 
 
 Traquhaire had retyred his sonne foure dayes before, vnder pretence, with 
 his troupe, to force the countray about him to aryse, whereto they seemed 
 loath, but he promised both himselfe and his sonne sould wait vpon him 
 soone after ; but haueing gottin his sonne off, he nether intended the raise- 
 ing of forces, nor the returne of aitber of them. 
 
 The very day befor the enemie fell on, he gott diuerse aduertisementes, 
 that his enemies warre entered the countray ; but he esteemed those as flee- 
 ing rumoures and false alarumes, nor could they wine so much credit as to 
 
158 
 
 The battle of Philiphaugh. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 put him on his gaird. He sendes out Purie Ogiluie, with some eight or 
 ten horsemen, to wiue the fieldes, and bring him certane intelligence if 
 there warre appeirance of the approach of ane enemie. Purie returnes 
 befor night, assureing him there was not ane enemie within ten mylles 
 round about him, being deceaued by the countray people, who concealled 
 the place where they lay quyet, invironed with woodes in a deepe wallay. 
 This confirmed the generall's former opinion, that there was no enemie neire 
 him. 
 
 About the shootteing in of the night, Hempsfeild, a barron, with his 
 troupe, ware beat out of there quarters at Sunderland, four mylles from 
 Sellkirke, eleuen of this troupe slayin, the rest yelding themselfes pri- 
 soneres. Only Hempsfeild himselfe and tuo with him escaped, and ware 
 come to informe him ; but they warre esteemed to haue brauled among 
 themselfes in a drunken fray. Yet the generall considereiug that from so 
 many alarumes and aduertisementes, there was something to follow, resolues 
 vpon a generall randewoues the nixt morneing, to which end he sendes pre- 
 sently orderes to all quarteres that they sould meet him vpon a hauch 
 beneath the toune, called Philipeshauch, by daylight ; and hauing sent 
 out scutes againe to viwe the fieldes, he goes to rest, for he had watched 
 the night befor in the dispatch of a packet to his majestie ; and befor he lay 
 doune, he resolues, if the enemie ware so neire, that, after the randeuowes, 
 he would find them out, and aither giue them battell, or, if they ware to 
 stronge, he sould, in despight of there greatest malice, be able to make a 
 sawe retreat, haueing weill neire tuall hundreth horse, all gentlemen, bar- 
 rones, and noblemen, gallantly mounted. But his hope was in waine, and 
 did miserablie deceaue him ; for the nixt morneing, as he sat at brakefast 
 that he might goe to the randeuowes, captane Bleikketter returnes (who was 
 the last that was sent to scutt), with his men, in a great fright, assureing 
 him that a great armie of his enemies ware aduanceing, and allreadie 
 within a myll of the toune. 
 
 The tyme was to short, and the danger vnavoidable, which a little befor 
 had beene easely amended, if his will had not owerruled his witte ; neuerthe- 
 lesse he goes quickly to horse, being confident to find all his forces readie. 
 But this deceaued him also, for the suddane appeireing of so great ane armie 
 so danted the heartes of those that ware but newlie come in, as they vpon 
 hilles and knowes seuerallie by themselfes musters heir fyftie, there sixtie, 
 her a hundreth, there tua hundreth, without the reach of the enemie, and in 
 
1645.] 
 
 The battle of Philiphaugh. 
 
 159 
 
 the reire of Montroise, at so large a distance as it was in waine for him to 
 expect them, who had resolued they would no forther ingadge till they saw 
 how it went, since they had roome left as yet to make there peace. In this 
 disasterous tyme, and confused meddly of misfortunes, he drawes vp the 
 Irrishes, whom he fand readie to die and Hue with him, as they had beene 
 from the beginneing ; and of all his tualfe hundreth horse, he fand only his 
 old souldioures, Airly his troupe, and Collonell Gordoune, both which 
 amonted not to a hundreth and fyftie ; with those Crawfurd, Ogilvie, and 
 some other noble cauelyres, being nyne or ten in number, did rainge them- 
 selfes vpon the generalles right hand, the foot on the leift, and a ditch be- 
 for them : they all resolue to raantaine the place till a noble death in the 
 feild of Mars sould guie testimonie of there courrage and walour. 
 
 The enemie charges that small handfull of horse with a full regiment of 
 horse, consisteing of foure hunder, but they are braulie repulsed ; and a 
 stronger pairtie being sent furth the secound tyme, is also gallantly beate 
 backe even to ther maine body. 
 
 In this second charge, so willing ware they to prewaill or die, as a hunder 
 of them followeing there enemies, leape the ditch ; and haueing gone so fare 
 as they could not returne without the disgracefull name of flight, and find- 
 ing there enemies aboue tua thousand horse, in three diuisiones, and there 
 greatest strength to the leift hand, in such sort as they barred there re- 
 treat, therefor they turne to the right hand, hopeing that way to winne backe, 
 but to attempt to returne that way they fand soone that lykewayse in waine, 
 since there was non to second them ; wherefor they desperatly charges there 
 enemies, and followes there charge with such resolution, as they made way 
 and fought themselfes throw. The lord Oprilwie and colonell Gordonne ware 
 the pryme men that followed this charge so brawly. And O how much it 
 is to be regrated that they wanted there old commeraddes to second so brawe 
 attemptes ; for altho they wane themselfes free of there enemies, yet both 
 those and other noble gentlemen ware soonne after forced to rander them- 
 selfes prisoners to the countray people. 
 
 Montrosse had now but fourtie or fyftie horse with him ; and perceaueing 
 the whole body of his enemies to adwance wpon them, he findes it no wise- 
 dome to stay, but retyres with a soft gallope ; and makeing ane account that 
 there enemies could not chose but follow them, haueing so faire ane oppor- 
 tunitie and so great ane adwantage, they separate themselfes in three seuerall 
 ways : the generall takes one wave and so many with him, the marquise of 
 
160 
 
 77(c battle of Philiphaugh. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 of Dowglase and Airlie ane other waye, Crawford a third way, and all three 
 the nixt day meitt saifly againe. Of all the southerne forces and nobilitie, 
 the marquise of Douglase had only stayed, whose levies had schifted for 
 theraselfes and had leeft him. 
 
 The enemies followed them not one mill when they returned, moued 
 therto (it may be), throw awarice ; for they set vpon the baggage which 
 they knew to be wery rich : and in this preposterous intension God Al- 
 mightie did fawour them, not guieing that expert enemie, a wise resolution 
 to follow him in whose ouerthrow there intyre victorie consisted. 
 
 Thus letting the horsemen goe, they fell vpon three hundreth of the 
 Irrishes, who had stand togither, whereof haueing killed tua hunder and 
 fyftie, the rest randeres there arraes, upon promise of sawe quarters ; but it 
 was not keept. There two excellent commanders, M'Lauchlen and Occaen, 
 ware then taken, and being caryed to Edinburgh, ware soone after execuite. 
 The fyftie that remained was murthered by the way at Lithgoe. 
 
 With the whole baggage and stufe, which was exceiding rich, there re- 
 mained now but boyes, cookes, and a rable of rascalles, and woemen with 
 there childrin in there armes, all those without commiseration ware cutte 
 in peices : whereof there ware three hundreth woeman, that being natuies 
 of Ireland, ware the maryed wyfes of the Irishes ; there ware many bigge 
 with child, yet non of them ware spared, but all were cutte in peices with 
 such sauage and inhumane crueltie, as nether Turke nor Scithean was euer 
 hard to haue done the lyke. For they ript vp the bellies of the woeman 
 with there swordes, till the fruit of there wombe , some in the embrion, some 
 perfectly formed, some crouleing for lyfe, and some readie for birth, fall 
 doune vpon the ground, waltering in the gorie blood of there mangled mo- 
 theres. O impietie, O horrible crueltie, which Heauen doutlese will re- 
 uenge befor this bloodie, vnjust, and vnlawfull ware be brought to ane end. 
 
 And surely in this surprysse, altho the losse of men was not great, for 
 they lost but three hundreth of the souldiarie, yet the effectes thereof proued 
 fearefull to the Royalistes, and euident demon stratione that God was justly 
 incensed : and altho His mercies be wonderfull aboue all His workes, yet He 
 leaueth not to be just, and to punish sinne in the elect for there chastise- 
 ment, aud in the reprobat for there confusion ; so as in a God so infinitly 
 irood, so infinitly just, so infinitly merceifull for those that seeke him the 
 right way, wee may hope that this punishment of the Royalistes was but a 
 gentle chastisement, to bring them to the acknowledgment of His former mi- 
 
1645.] 
 
 Excesses of the Royalist army. 
 
 161 
 
 raculus assistance and there vnthankefulnesse, togither there lewd and liber- 
 tine lyffe. Miraculus I may well call His assistance, for that it hath seldome 
 or neuer beene hard befor, that ane armie, still the waiker and lesser num- 
 ber, sould feght sex sett battelles, against sex sundrie armies, euer stronger 
 than themselfes, better practised souldioures, and more expert captanes, and 
 in all those battells not to losse ane hundreth of there men ; there being 
 killed of there enemies aboue fyfteine thousand. This, indeed, from mortall 
 men to the immortall God deserueth a great daill of thankfullnesse, not only 
 from the internall spirit, but also in outward confession and externall action, 
 that God may be glorified befor the world ; which it seemes they ware not 
 carefull eneugh to performe, ascryueing to much to there owne merites, as 
 if a man ware able to lift vp his arme against ane enemie, if God worke not 
 with him. This also could not but offend the Holie of Holies, that, when 
 God had giuen there enemies into there handes, the Irishes in particulare 
 ware too cruell ; for it was eueriewhere obserued they did ordinarely kill all 
 they could be maister of, without any motion of pitie, or any consideration of 
 humanitie : ney, it seemed to them there was no distinction betuixt a man 
 and a beast ; for they killed men ordinarly with no more feilling of compas- 
 sion, and with the same carelesse neglect that they kill ane henn or capone 
 for ther supper. And they were also, without all shame, most brutishlie 
 giuen to vncleannes and filthie lust ; as for excessiue drinkeing, when they 
 came where it might be had, there was no limites to there beastly appe- 
 tites ; as for godlesse awarice, and mercilesse oppression, and plundering of 
 the poore laborer. Of those tuo cryeing sinnes the Scotes ware alse giltie 
 as they. There commanderes, in a sort, may be blamed for this, because 
 they ware not carefull eneugh to restraine them ; altho it was impossible to 
 get the euill perfectly cured, since indeed they could not exact seuere 
 punishment from the souldiour that had neuer receaued pay, and therefor 
 could not be sworne to the culloures ; so as being well considered, they ware 
 but ane armie of woluntyres, and there chastissement, or too stricke disci- 
 pline, might mowe them to disband or mutinie. 
 
 But in this small surpryse the hand of God did mightily punish them, 
 euen the leaderes I meane, for altho they had made a saue retreat, and was 
 not persued by there enemies, yet could they not keepe themselfes togither ; 
 so did God Almightie in this blow beat there courrage that He did clearely 
 show how the punishment came from Him, and it is wreittin : They shall goe 
 furth against there enemies one icay, and shall flie seawen wayes befor them : 
 
162 
 
 Movements of the Covenanters. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 they fleid, indeid, seauen waves. The fewest number followed the generall. 
 Euerie noble man tooke his owne way, and being dispersed, the countray 
 people fell vpon them, invited therto by there Puritane preacheres ; and in 
 diuerse partes of the countray there ware taken eight and tuantie or thirtie 
 of the best sort for noblemen, knightes, and gentlemen of qualitie : amongst 
 whom was my lord Ogilwie, my lord Drummond, my lord Johnstoune, 
 collonell Gordoune, sir Johne Spoteswood, sir William Rollocke, the laird 
 of Inuerwharitie, Ogiluie, William Murray, second sonne to the earle of 
 Tillibardine, and diuerse otheres of lyke qualitie. 
 
 Dauid Leslie, whom Ardgyll had brought in, was the leader of those 
 forces, and did not a litle truiraphe in the good successe of this surpryse ; 
 as, indeed he had reason, since by that meanes the whole of Scoteland was 
 brought backe, and made to bowe there knee to the Couenant. 
 
 He marches forward with his armie till he came to St. Andrewes, and from 
 thence send collonell Midletoune to the north, with eight hundreth horse, 
 hopeing, with the aid of the Couenanteres there, to bring the Gordounes 
 at lenth to subjection. Midletoune comes to Aberdeen, hopeing there to 
 gett assistance both of horse and foote, that from the countray should have 
 come in to him, but he was deceaued of his expectatione. 
 
 Those that came in to Montrose, after Killsyth, ware to be tane order 
 with, but they ware all young noble men ; and the subtille heades of the 
 Couenant thought not a sawe way by phlebomie to purge so strong and 
 ouerruleing humoures, which thus had threatned the ruine of there politicke 
 body ; but they goe with a calmer course, more smothly to worke, causeing 
 there fathers, who had winked at there sonnes courses, to recall there sonnes 
 wnder sawe protectiones : of which number the earle of Marre recalled his 
 sonne, the lord Erskin ; Wigtoun recalled his sonne, the lord Fleemeing ; 
 Wentone his sonne, the lord Seaton ; Pearth his sonne, the lord Drum- 
 mond ; the earle of Anguse recalled [by] his father, the marquise of Dow- 
 glase ; the lord Jhonestoune recalled by his father, and all the rest in lyke 
 manner ; who, being come in, was, notwithstanding of the sawe protection, 
 put in ward, and carefullie garded, that they sould no more follow the royall 
 partie. As for Ogilwie, Johnestone, and some knightes and barrones, they 
 had gone so farre, as nothing bwt there blood could satisfie there enemies; 
 and for that effect, and for the reastablishment of there former gouernement, 
 they ordine there parlement to be holdin at St. Andrewes. 
 
 Montrose, with those small remainder that for there sawetie in such a 
 
1645.] Jealousies between Huntly and Montrose. 163 
 
 desperate tyme sought to him, comes to Athole, and with great difficultie 
 getts there a new recrewe, so as he comes to the north, his last refuge in all 
 his extremities, with eight hunder foot and about tuo hunder horse. 
 
 Aboyne resolueing, alltho Montrose had slighted him, and by all inderect 
 waves had sought his brothers and his actiones to [be] wrapped vp in 
 obliuion ; and that the priuat pamplets send abroad did manifestly shaw, that 
 howsoeuer the aid of the house of Huntly had beene of so great import- 
 ance as without it he had neuer been able to keepe the fieldes, yet he stroue 
 to haue the world or after ages to thinke otherwayes. 
 
 When Aboyne had imparted all this to his father, they resolue neuerthe- 
 lesse neuer to be wanteing to the kinges cause ; hopeing that tyme and there 
 actiones would bring the trueth to light, and make there enemies ashamed 
 by cruiked wayes to climbe aboue them, as if there owne vertues could not 
 shine bright eneugh, vnlesse there nighboures ware darkened and cancealled. 
 And heere the first authore inwentes a lie, that Huntly resolued to quytte 
 Montrose, and do all by himselfe, 1 altho the sequelle proues the contrare. For 
 
 1 ["Jamq; Huntilaeus Marchio, cum annum et aliquot menses delituisset, nescio utrum 
 tot victoriarum, ac recuperati a Montisrosano regni fama excitatus, an sideris alicujus fallaci 
 aspectu commotus, ad suos redierat. Vir infelix juxta ac inconsultus, qui ut ut Regis 
 studiosissimus videri vellet, aut sane esset ; prava tamen, et occulta invidia, Montisrosani 
 gloriam imminuere magis, quam aemulari nitebatur. Quod cum apud suos (utpote tarn prae- 
 clarae virtutis testes, et conscios) palam profiteri erubesceret ; ne alienati a Rege animi 
 aliquod profeiret indicium : jactitabat tamen ; seipsum deinceps fore illis militiae ducem 
 contra perduelles. Adeoq ; clientibus imperabat, amicos vero vicinosq ; nec sine minis, 
 hortabatur : ne sub aliis, quam suis signis militarent. Regerentibus autem, quid nobis 
 ergo ad Montisrosani mandata respondendum erit, qui vicarius Regni administrator, cum 
 copiarum summo imperio, a Rege renunciatus est ? responsum dabat, se quidem Regi mi- 
 nime defuturum : interim tam eorum, quam suo honori conducere, ut Regi, aliisq; omnibus 
 manifestum fiat, quas illi copias viresq ; contulerint ; quod aliter fieri nequiret, nisi seorsim 
 militarent. Magnifice insuper, potentiam suam praedicare ; Montisrosani vero imminuere. 
 Res a majoribus suis (viris sane cum omni laude mernorandis) praeclare gestas, immodice 
 extollere : formidabilem a multis retro saeculis Gordoniorum potentiam vicinis fuisse, atq ; 
 etiamnum esse. Iniquissimum fore, ut eorum virtute et sanguine parta, in alterius (Montis- 
 rosani videlicet) honorem, gloriamq ; cedant. Se in posterum rationem initurum, ut nec 
 Rex, Gordoniorum opera ; nec illi debita laude, gratia, et mercede fraudentur. 
 
 " zEqua omnind, et honorifica imperitioribus dixisse videbatur : at quotquot inter eos 
 erant cordati, et qui penitius ejus ingenium noverant, animum plus aequo exacerbatum, et 
 a Montisrosano prorsus alienatum viderunt : nec alio tendere, quam ut quotquot posset 
 ab illo abstraheret ; in maximum, non Regis, Regniq ; modo, sed et suum malum et per- 
 niciem : quod, proh dolor, tristis perdocuit eventus. Nec defuere in illis, viri prudentes et 
 
164 
 
 Aboyne joins Montrose again. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 how soone Aboyne had receiued letters from Montrose desyreing his aid, 
 the marquise resolues to grant it ; prouiding there first worke be to cleire 
 the north of Midletoune, and his forces who impouerished and oppressed the 
 whole countray. 
 
 Aboyne therefor, by his fatheres appoyntment, meets Montrose with 
 fyfteine hunder foot, and fyue hunder horse, which his brother the lord 
 Lewes commanded wnder him ; there randewowes being att Kintore, Aboyn e 
 declares his fatheres will that they sould first discusse Midletoune. 
 
 Montrose, fyndeing himselfe now stronge eneugh to giue his enemies a 
 day, resolues to south, and at Glascow to hold the parlement he had indicted; 
 and therefor seekes to wine Aboyne rather to that course ; and to giue his 
 father some satisfaction, he is content that Huntlies opinion and his be dis- 
 cussed by a counsell of warre. The counsell was called the nixt day, wherein 
 the matter was long in disputt, the most pairt thinkeing it most necessare to 
 discusse Middletoune, being so able to performe it ; but the generall was so 
 bent for Glascow, as he could not be satisfied vnlesse that only ware there 
 interpryse. Aboyne, who had been bread vp a courteour, desistes from the 
 motion, and is content to complye with Montrose ; but lord Lewes, being 
 of another straine, whose forward and free disposition had not learned the 
 court way of temporizeing, told the ganerall roundly that it was most neces- 
 sare to put Midletoun first to a poynt, which, if he did not, he would gett 
 
 futurorum providi ; qui consilium ejus, ut imprudens, intempestivum, et ipsi etiam exitiosum 
 damnarent. Obversabatur enim eorum animis, nihil unquam ab illo attentatum fuisse, cui 
 non ratio, vel fortuna defuisset. Rem jam a Montisrosano, melioribus auspiciis geri ; nee 
 secedendum esse, vano praereptae gloria? praetextu. Si enim junctis cum Montisrosano 
 consiliis, viribusq ; ageret, nihil impedire, quo se non tantum ab injuriis tutarentur ; sed 
 et hostes etiam in ordinem cogerent, cum aeterna vindicatae majestatis laude : seditionem 
 verd non probrosam modo, sed et perniciosam fore. Montisrosanum quidem absq ; eorum 
 ope et opera, multas, easq ; insignes reportasse victorias : ipsos sine illo, nihil dum memo- 
 rabile gessisse. Enixe ergo rogare, ut vicario Regio constanter adhaereat ; quod, ut Regi 
 non minus gratum quam utile, et bonis omnibus laudandum : sic et ipsi honorificum foret. 
 Nec dubitarunt quidam ultro profiteri ; se vel cum bonorum et vitae discrimine, operam et 
 obsequium Montisrosano praestituros, si ille pertinaciter in sua persisteret sententia : quod 
 fideliter, sancteq ; fecerunt. At ille, repudiatis amicorum consiliis, cum Montisrosano 
 semper contrariis sententiis pugnabat: nec quidquam hie tarn aequum, honestum, pulchrum. 
 aut utile suasit, quod Huntilseus non perverteret, vel rejiceret. Et si quando ad ejus sen- 
 tentiam accederet (quod saepiuscule, et consultd fecit) illico ille in diversum rapiebatur : 
 Montisrosano, coram aliquando facilis, absenti semper contrarius ; nec sibi satis con- 
 stans." Rer. Montisros., cap. xvii., fol. 190 — 193.] 
 
1645.] 
 
 Montrose resolves to march for Glasgow. 
 
 165 
 
 fewe to followe him south. And to say the treuth, he had all the reason in the 
 world for him : first, because it was against all the practicke of former and 
 present tymes to adwance out of the countray, and leaue there enemie be- 
 hynd ; besydes, it was against all the maximes of militarie discipline to let 
 slipe so faire ane adwantage, for the beare hope of a designe wherein there 
 was such incertantie. The general was obstinate, and could not be drawen 
 from this designe ; alltho lord Lewes would needes goe furth with a partie 
 to vieue the fieldes towardes the enemies quarter, and Crawfurd would needes 
 accompany him, they fell vnaworse vpon a pairtie which Midletoune had 
 sent out, to try what his enemies intended. Lord Lewes and Crawfurd re- 
 solues to charge this, but befor they came within distance, they betooke 
 them to flight ; when they had folloued tuo or three mylles, they returned to 
 Kyntore. Lord Lewes findeing the generalles resolution contrare to his 
 fatheres, would goe no forder, but returnes to his father. 
 
 Midletoune at the same tyme was lyeing at Turreffe, and that in a great 
 perturbation ; Montrose and Aboyne being at Kintore betwixt him and the 
 south, whose forces he knew to be farre superior to his, as if they sould ad- 
 wance towardes him, he was nether able to giue them battell, nor knew he 
 of a sawe retreat ; and there was such a pouwant amongest his troupes, 
 as many of them spared not to say, since the northerne Covenanteres had 
 fleid them, if the enemie came to charge them they would lay doune there 
 armes and rander themselfes prisoneres. There had beene many false alarumes 
 giuen them, so as they gett litle or no rest, and being that day drawen vp 
 without the toune when the pairtie whom Crawfurd and Lewes had routed 
 came backe, assureing them that the enemie was adwanceing and approache- 
 ing, they ware all so resolued vpon flight, so that Midletoune, being a most 
 gallant and couragious gentleman, knew not what course to take. Findeing 
 that his men would not feight, altho he ware neuer so willing, at lenth he 
 resolues to retyre to Bamfe ; but it was a foule and confussed retreat, for 
 they could not be keept in order, but run in tuoes, threes, and tuanties, till 
 they ware at the toune ; so as if two hunder horse had beene readie to haue 
 charged them, thev had beene totallie defeate and ouerthrowen. 
 
 The slichteing of this so faire ane occasion breid a new discontentment 
 and jarreing betwixt the tuo marquises ; for the marquise of Montrose, with 
 this considerable arinie, resolues to goe forward, hopeing to relieue his pri- 
 soneres, and to hold his word in setting doune his parlement at Glascow. 
 O ambition, O selfe will, how miserable and detestable enemies are yow to 
 
166 
 
 The earl of Aboyne recalled by his father. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 a happie fortoune in high attemptes, and how many generous spirites haue 
 yow brought to ruine : for heire it cannot be excuissed, being most ap- 
 pareant, that if he had first discussed Midletoune, he had so weakened 
 Leslie, as he had not beene able to haue keeped the fields, till he had got- 
 ten new forces ; and therefor he send in haist, and recalled Midletoune : by 
 whose ouerthrew, if God had not preuented it, Montrose had payed them 
 soundly home for his losses at Philipeshaugh, and with the recouerie of 
 his credit, had incouraged allmost all those who for feare of their fortounes 
 had leift him ; he had also carryed Aboyne and all the northerne forces 
 south with him; and thus, by all humane judgement, he had made good 
 heire what his confidence at Philipeshaugh had routted the happie for- 
 toune which so long had attended him. 
 
 The marquise of Huntlie, seeing so faire ane occasion lost, and that Mon- 
 trose had turned his backe vpon his enemies, recalles his sonne, resoluing 
 with his ownejforces, to cleire the north of Midletoune. And this is the true 
 reason why he recalled his sonne ; and that which the former authore heire 
 alledges, that Huntlie recalled his sonne for the inwye of the otheres worth 
 and fortunat endeauoures, or I know not what ; for he makes Huntly to be 
 of such a shallow and wnsatled judgement, as Drum being send to him, he 
 knew not what to make of his answeres — this is such a light and frothie 
 
 1 [" Ubi vero tertiis castris, ad Alfordiam ventum fuit, observatum est Aboinii milites 
 ad conventum tardos, lentos in itinere, raris, et incompositis ordinibus incedere ; et singulis 
 t'erme noctibus, castra deserere turmatim ; tandemq ; dux ipse Aboinius veniam mis- 
 sionemq ; petere non erubuit. Mirantibus omnibus, et poscentibus, quaenam esset, mutati 
 tam subito consilii, ratio ? regerebat ille paterna mandata ; quibus sibi omnind obsequendum 
 t'oret. Nec patrem ejus sine justa causa mandata ejusraodi dedisse : copias enim hostiles, in 
 inferiori Marria considere, adeoq ; suis imminere cervicibus, si suorum pracsidio destituere- 
 tur : insipiens plane fore, si milites suos alio traduceret, cum ipse in praesenti versaretur 
 periculo. Montisrosanus ad ista ; satis constare aliquot tantum hostium turmas apud 
 Aberdoniam se continere ; pedites plane nullos : pauculos istos equites, nihil audere aut 
 posse. Nec dubitandum esse quin prima adventus sui fama, et illi etiam ad inferiora Regni 
 tutanda a ducibus suis accersantur. Longe vero melius Huntilaei rebus consultum iri, si 
 bellum in hostilem agrum transferatur, quam si in ejus geratur ditione. Eoq ; magis ad 
 meridiem festinandum, ut molem belli a septentrione avertant. Addidit insuper copias 
 auxiliares indies cxpectari ab Anglia ; quas sibi adjungere nulla ratione possent, nisi cis 
 Fortliam illis iretur obviam. Multadcniq: cum iniserationc captivorum statum exposuit 
 (quorum non pauci, ipsius erant Huntilaei affines, amici, et consanguinei) omnes nimirum, 
 inhumane trucidandos, nisi mature eis subveniretur. Quibus, cum Aboinius quod respon- 
 dent, non habcret: rem totam ad patrem deferri rogat, impetratq;. Missi ad Huntilaeum 
 
1645.] 
 
 The Covenanters occupy Glasgou: 
 
 167 
 
 accusation as it needes no answer ; Huntly being weell knowen to be one of 
 the pryme of wittes in his tyme, and had neuer his answer to seeke in the 
 weightiest cause that euer was put furth to him : which breid the only fault 
 wheirwith he was charged, which was, that he trusted to much to his owne 
 judgement, and made him sticke too willfullie to his owne opinion : and yet 
 in all thinges that concerned the kinges seruice, he would not suffer his will 
 to rule him, so carefull was he to haue that succeed weell ; being only willfull 
 concerneing himselfe or his owne effeires ; which he said, and perhappes nott 
 without reason, that he vnderstood what concerned himselfe better then any 
 vther that could adwisse him. 
 
 This second jarre of these tuo pryme men breid a great dealle of pre- 
 judice to the Royalistes; for Leslie heareing how Montrose marched for 
 Glascow, and findeing himselfe too waike to withstand him, all his auxili- 
 aries being disbanded, and a pairt of horsemen being seint backe to lug- 
 land, so as without Midletoune he had beene forced to quyte the fieldes, 
 therefor in all haist he send for Midletoune ; and being joyned with him, 
 he putes himselfe in Glascow ; Montrose, throw the want of Aboyne and 
 his forces, being vnable to bender him. About this tyme it was that Occaen 
 and M'Lauchlane was put to death in the castell of Edinburgh : and to 
 shaw how much they dispysed the natione, they would not allow them that 
 death that is accounted more honourable for gentlemen as they ware, but 
 with towes about there neckes, hanged them ower the way of the castell. 
 
 At Glascow, they put to death Innerwharetie, a brave and hopefull young 
 sentleman of eighteine yeares of age only ; with him sir Philipe Nisbet, sir 
 
 qui ill! gratissimi videbantur, Donaldus Resius Regulus, in cujus agro delituerat ; et Alex- 
 ander Iruinius junior de Drumma : qui non ita pridem Huntilaei filiam matrimonio sibi 
 junxerat. Uterq ; etiam Montisrosano, recenti recuperatae libertatis beneficio, devinctis- 
 simus. Resius, verecundia repulsae commotus, et ille reverti erubuit, Iruinius (adolescens 
 generosus, et fortis, qui postea Montisrosanum nunquam deseruit) nihil quam literas so- 
 ceri incertas et ambiguas retulit. Interrogatus vero quid de ejus voluntate sentiret ; libere, 
 et ingenue respondit ; nihil certi ab illo renunciatum esse : nec a prava sententia dimoveri 
 posse arbitrabatur. Aboinius se plane invitum a Montisrosano divelli praefatus : oportere 
 tamen charissimo patri, eidemq ; valetudinario morem gerere, adeoq ; enixius Gubernatoris 
 veniam postulare : paucorum dierum moram tolerandam esse, quoad patris animum emol- 
 liret. Sancte insuper pollicitus est, ante elapsas duas hebdomadas ; se cum longe majoribus 
 copiis subsequuturum. Cumq ; data sponte fide, illud se facturum saepius confirmasset : a 
 Montisrosano multum renitente, et admodum invito, missionem ad prasdictum tempus ob- 
 tinuit." Rer. Montisros. cap. xvii., fol. 195 — 197.] 
 
168 
 
 Royalists executed by the Covenanters. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 William Rollocke : and those three were beheaded. The lord Ogilwie, the 
 Lord Jhonestoune, sir Robert Spotswood, and colonell Gordoune, and some 
 others, ware carried to St. Andrewes, whither criminall processe was lead 
 befor the parlement. The lord Ogiluie, hauing many great freinds, was 
 powerfullie dealt for, and was put in hope of his lyfe, so he would passe 
 from all pleadeing, and absolutlie referre himselfe to the parlement ; which, 
 whan he had done, they went one more roundlie with his processe, this 
 being done only to insnare him ; and therefor, by means of my lady Drum- 
 mond, who prowed a reall and faithfull freind to him, who was adwysed to 
 shift for himselfe. Wherefor, by the helpe of his mother, and his sister, 
 the lady Leithintie, being of a wittie and masculine spirit, he eschapes the 
 danger ; for this young lady, leaueing her mother in the vtter roome to hold 
 the keeperes in discours, desyres leiue to goe in and see her brother, who 
 feined himselfe seeke ; and in her habit he came furth, leaving her to repre- 
 sent the person till he ware out of danger, by which meanes he was con- 
 woyed away, and set at libertie. 
 
 Colonell Gordoune's processe was nixt, who, altho there was many offeres 
 made for his lyfe and his banishment, vnder lairg soumes of money vnder- 
 taken, of so great worth was this brawe gentleman, and so generallie weell 
 belowed, euen amongest his enemies, that there was no mercie to be fund for 
 him ; because they could not see how they could [ ] him trewely theires 
 haweing nothing with which they might justly convict him, sawe that he was 
 too walourous a cauelyre to serue a king, whose authoritie they streiwe to 
 extinguishe : Mr. Cant and the Puritane preacheres being both the accu- 
 sares and incessant agentes, till they gott him execute ; and after him sir 
 Robert Spotswood, William Murray, and Mr. Andrew Guthrie. Whiles 
 those matter ware in agitation, the marquise of Montrose findeing by Midle- 
 toune's joyneing with Leslie (which he might haue hendered to therecouerie 
 of all his losses), that he was so stronge as he had put himselfe in Glascow, 
 and therefor frustrat his designe of a parlement ; as also, he sawe how the 
 whole south of Scotland, dispaireing of his recouerie, was fallen backe againe 
 to the Couenant, and that the small forces which he had was not consider- 
 able, wherefor he returnes to the north ; and, leaueing his forces at Keith, 
 makes a visite to the marquise of Huntlie, who then lay at his pleasant 
 meanour of the Bogge. He was receaued very courteously ; and after 
 tosseing of the present bissines, Huntlie intreates that the north might be 
 be leaft to his care, according to his majesties appoyntment and commission 
 
1645.J 
 
 Interview between Huntly and Montrose. 
 
 169 
 
 giuen him to that end, and that he would take order with the south accord- 
 ing to his charge ; and as for forces to perform it, he had infantrie sufficient, 
 so longe as those of Atholl and the clan Donald would follow him ; and 
 being onlie waike in cauallrie, he would supplee him with fyve hundreth 
 horse, that sould still attend him ; as, lykwayes, he was so willing to bend all 
 his indewoures to seme his soueraine, as whan he had pacified the north, 
 which he hopt to doe quickly, if there assistance from the south failled them, 
 then would he carry all his assistance to him ; and those besouth the mon- 
 tance would receaue his ordours, according to the power the king had giuen 
 him, but he did not conceaue that any in the north had power to command 
 but himselfe. 
 
 This would seeme very reasonable, and I hope may perswad ane indif- 
 ferent judge that Huntly was not so malitious, nor of so currish and fro- 
 ward a nature as the first author's narration would haue him for heire he 
 
 1 [" Tandem ergo xu. Kal. Dec. Montisrosanus Levinia digressus, per Taichiae 
 montes aids nivibus coopertos, saltusq ; lacusq ;, quorum nomina nobis haud occurrunt, 
 emenso Iernae tractu, et trajecto Tao, in Atholiam demum reversus est. Obvios hie ha- 
 buit, Ogilvium, et Nesbittum centuriones, quos cum mandatis Eegiis, ad Hunntaum 
 legaverat. Et ill i virum contumacem, et inexorabilem renunciant ; qui nullam eis fideni 
 habuerit, Regisq ; mandata exponentibus, fastidiose responderat ; omnia Regis, sibi, quam 
 illis, aut ipsi Gubernatori perspectiora : nec se, aut filios suos ullam cum eo societatem ini- 
 turos. Amicos insuper clientesq ;, qui Montisrosano sponte operam locaverant, acerbe, et 
 rainaciter increpare : duriusq ; cum illis quam perduellibus agere. Quae tamen omnia dis- 
 simulanda, tolerandaq ; existimavit Gubernator ; dumq ; cum Atholiis de ratione militia? 
 istius provincias transigit, ad Huntilaeum denuo, Johannem Dalyellium Equitem, quasi 
 magis idoneum amicitiae internuncium transmisit : qui de Regis, Regniq ; discrimine, adeoq ; 
 ipsius et omnium fidelium subditorum praesenti periculo doceret : et oculis ejus subjiceret 
 non alius quam sua, filiorumq ; culpa accidisse, quum quod auxiliarios a Rege missos in Sco- 
 tiam non intulissent, turn quod captivi, viri fortes et fidi, crudeliter fuissent mactati : superesse 
 adhuc plures, ipsi Huntilaeo conjunctissimos, et quosdam etiam primae nobilitatis viros, quos 
 perduelles eodem plane modo trucidaturi essent, nisi jam tandem subveniretur. Rogare 
 deniq ; et obtestaii, ut ad amicum saltern colloquium cum Regio Gubernatore descendat : et 
 spondere, eum illi abunde satisfacturum. 
 
 " Huntilaeus, cum ad alia Dalyellio solita pervicacia respondisset, omnium maxime, a col- 
 loquio abhorrebat : utpote tanti hominis (quam quod ad ejus argumenta, rationesq ; respon- 
 deret, non haberet) praesentiam, fiduciam, et prudentiam extimescebat. At Montisrosanus, 
 rebus in Atbolia constitutis, ne quid intentatum relinqueret, quod aliquando eum ad sanio- 
 rem reduceret mentem : dissimulatis injuriis, et coacervatis officiis, beneficiisq ; occupare 
 ilium, et vel cum invito gratiam inire ; et de his, quae in rem Regias Majestatis facerent, 
 transigere decrevit. Mense ergo Decembri aegre admodum aranes, torrentesq;, gelu qui- 
 
 Y 
 
170 
 
 Differences of Huntly and Montrose. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 accuseth him of scurrilous and reproachfull terms guien to the messengers 
 send by Montrose to deall with him ; and makes a great of bissines how he 
 
 dem constrictos, sed nondum tantopere concretos, ut ferendis corporibus pares essent ; 
 inontium juga, prseruptasq ; rupes, et altissimas nives eluctatus est : et peragrata Angusia, 
 superatoq ; Grampio, copias in septentrionem traduxit. Et tantum non improvisus, cum 
 paucis in Strathbogiam, ubi Huntilaeus degebat, contendit. At ille inexpectato ejus ad- 
 ventu perculsus, ubi priraum de eo nuncium accepit, ne invitus ad colloquendum pertra- 
 heretur ; illico ad Bogiam arcem suam, juxta Spaeae ostium sitam, transfugit ; quasi amnem 
 trajecturus esset, et suis auspiciis in Moravia adversus conjuratos gesturus bellum. 
 
 " Animum jam subit, paucis indagare, unde tanta adversus Montisrosanum contumacia 
 incesserit Huntilaeo, nulla ab eo injuria ; sed e contra omni honore, et officiis plerumq ; in- 
 debitis lacessito. Nec sane aliud quidquam, t'ama traditum, vel conjectura assequi possum 
 praeter impotentem tam eximiae gloriae non aemulationem, sed invidiam. Neutiquam enim 
 alienatum ejus a Rege, sed inimicum Montisrosano animum dixerim ; cujus injusto accensus 
 odio, se in tot absurdos pra±cipitaverit errores : adeo ut omnia perditum iri, quam Montis- 
 rosani opera, et cum ejus laude restitui maluerit. Jamq ; flagrantem impotenti superbia 
 mentem, plus nimis accendebat conscientia injuriarum, et contumeliarum, quibus liactenus 
 eum affecerat : eaq ; principalis causa (nisi ego fallor) fuit, quod illius adspectum toties 
 evitaverit. Praeter enim ea quae nobis antehac commemorata sunt, nec pauca, nec levia in 
 Regium Gubernatorem pater, filiiq ; peccaverant ; quorum pauca percensere, ab instituto 
 nostro non erit alienum. 
 
 " Majora bellica tormenta, quae superiore anno a Montisrosano humo condita meminimus ; 
 illi inconsulto eo, effbssa, triumphantibus similes, in arcibus suis disposuerant, quasi detracta 
 hostibus spolia ; nec postea repetita reddidere. Atqui vero ilia in Perthensi, et Aber- 
 donensi pugna acquisiverat Montisrosanus ; quarum priori, nullus ex ea familia interfuerat : 
 in altera vero, Ludovicus cum suis adversa in acie militaverat. Pulverem deinde tormen- 
 tarium, arma, aliaq ; belli instrumenta hostibus direpta ; et in arcibus suae potestatis, 
 tanquam in locis tutis, et idoneis deposita ; sic sibi vindicarunt, ut nec minima? partis co- 
 piam reposcenti fecerint. Ad haec Aboinius in reditu post victoriam Kilsythinam, Kethum 
 Comitem, supremum Scotiae Mareschallum (ut loquuntur) Arbuthnotum Vice-comitem, 
 aliosq ; insignes in hostibus viros, in potestatem suam redactos ; in consulto Regni Guber- 
 natore, et multum refragrante Drummio juniori, leviro suo (qui forte aderat) liberos dimi- 
 serat. Quibus conditionibus id fecerit, incertum est ; hoc tamen certo constat, praeter 
 contumeliam Gubernatori factam, arcisq ; Dunotriae, sane munitissimae, et magni ad illud 
 bellum momenti, jacturam, aliaq ; emolumenta militia- insuper habita : nunquam ausuros 
 fuisse conjuratos tam crudeliter in captivos grassari, si istos saltern in custodia detinuisset. 
 Privata insuper authoritate sua, tributa, vectigalia, et subsidia exigebat (quod Gubernator 
 ipse nunquam fecerat) specie quidern promovendae militiae; reipsa tamen longe alios in 
 usus, et in maximum causae Rcgiae detrimentura. (Deniq ; quod omnium maxime deplo- 
 randum est) captivos ex hostibus superioribus in septentrione victoriis acquisitos, et in 
 arcibus suis custodiae mandatos ; alios hostili prece, alios exiguo admodum pretio libertate 
 donarunt. Nec eos Montisrosano permisere, quos ipse bello captos, in eum omnino finem 
 
1645.] 
 
 Differences of Huntly and Montrose. 
 
 171 
 
 fled from Montrose comeing to visite him, as being affrayed to accost him 
 for the many erroures he had committed. And there he is not aschamed to 
 lay three crymes to his charge : first, that Aboyne had the earle Marchell 
 at libertie, and that without the gouernoures consent, and thereby had 
 lost the strong fort of Dunnottare ; whereas, Merchell was not a prisoner, 
 nor had Dunnottare euer beene in there handes. If Drum was offendit 
 because Aboyne hopit in courtesie to moue Merchell to come in, and vpon 
 his word of honour to meet him in Aberdeen, and there to giue him satis- 
 faction, wherefor he thought fit not to fall foule with him, and those bar- 
 rones that ware with him, as you haue hard before, it was not wonder that 
 Drum, being Merchell's professed enemie, streiue to haue the house of 
 Huntlie dipe in blood with him, which they most haue done befor they 
 could haue gottin him in a way so much to his discredit. This first accu- 
 sation, then, is knowen of all men to be a fable forged by this author of 
 meere malice. The second is of raiseing the canones buried in the wilder- 
 nes, betuixt Straithdon and Straithawen : which all the Couenanters of the 
 north knew ; and when the armie of the Couenant came north, it was 
 thought fitte rather to take them away then let the Couenant sease wpon them ; 
 yea, if Montrose had beine curious to haue them, he had gotten them as is 
 weell knowen : and this is but a sorie schift, nor doeth it much import the 
 marquise of Huntly, it being done befor he came home. As for the prisoneres, 
 I thinke Aboyne or his father might liberat any taken by them, and taken 
 in the north where they only had command : and yet if Montrose had de- 
 syred them to be keepe, they ware neuer so refractorie in matters of greatter 
 consequence then that ; for it may be presumed they would not have refused 
 
 servaverat ut hominum meritissimorum capita, illorum commutatione redimeret. Quorum 
 omnium conscientia agitatus, Montisrosani congressum, non aliter, quam pestem aversabatur 
 semper Huntilaeus. 
 
 *' At ille nihilominus, neglectis injuriis, rebusq ; aliis omnibus posthabitis, in promovendo 
 Regis negotio totus erat. Et in eum finem colloquium extorquere vel invito, amicitiam 
 quibuscunq ; inire legibus, in omnibus consentire, et nihil non indulgere statuit ; quo 
 aegrum Huntilaei animum posset emollire. Copiis ergo in stationibus relictis, cum paucis 
 equitibus summo mane Bogiam advolavit ; omnemq ; fugae, aut sese occultandi rationem, 
 improvisa celeritate praevenit. Ubi vero congressi sunt, Montisrosanus praeteritorum im- 
 memor, leni et blanda oratione, ad belli societatem pro Regis, Regniq ; incolumitate 
 invitavit ; illiq ; tam abunde in omnibus satisfecit ; ut quasi tandem victus, manus tendere 
 visus fuerit. Nec sane copias modo suas ; sed et seipsum illis ducem fore pollicitus est, et 
 primo quoq ; tempore adfuturum." Rer. Montisros., cap. xviii., fol. 203 — 210.] 
 
172 
 
 They propose to act in concert. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 him a matter of so small moment. As for Huntly his leaueing Straith- 
 bogie vpon Montroise approach, that is but a forged cawill, for the Bogge 
 being his winter dwelling, he was retyred thither befor Montrose came. 
 Thus is there nothing in this occasion that could afright ane ordinare gen- 
 tleman to shewe his face to the generall, much lesse to terrifie his equall 
 from a faire capitulation. 
 
 But now where we leaft : Montrose would not accept of the fywe hun- 
 dreth horse, but haueing passed that offer ower in silence, maide diuerse 
 faire and courteouse offeres to Huntly, as that he should haue the com- 
 mand of the whole armie his day about ; that he sould intend and do 
 nothing without his adwyse ; and that it was fit they sould joyne first to 
 bring in the north ; which done, if he pleased to aid him in the south, 
 he would honour him not only as his equall, but as his father. Huntly 
 his chiefe aime being to serue his prince, and redeeme the countray 
 from apparrent danger or ruine, was content to joyne with him in this or 
 whatsoeuer else, so that presedencie which might touch him in the poynt of 
 honour might be layd asyd, and goe one in a mutuall friendshipe, without 
 prejudice of whatsoeuer the king conferred vpon aither of them. Both ac- 
 corded to this, and then resolues to beginne with Murray, and the northerne 
 counties of Southerland and Cathnes. The marquise, as leivtennant gene- 
 rall of the north, resolues to mairch throw Murray, and first to make that 
 countray conforme, if he could. Wherevpon Montrose, to second him (if 
 occasion required), mairches vp the riuer, to crosse at Bollacastell. It weill 
 concluded, if it had beine alse weill obserued, to reduce the north, and 
 purge it from the rebellious malisfnancie of the Puritane spirit, haueing fund 
 by experience, that whosoeuer was infected, or rather possessed therewith, 
 could neuer be in quyet, nor cease to poyson or inflame the heartes of the 
 people with new and euer turbulent perturbationes, tending to ane indepen- 
 dencie, leuelling, by way of equalitie, all degrees of honoures, dignities, and 
 orders of superior rule, aither in church or state : and this they term Chris- 
 tian libertie ; for they raantaine that all most be vnited as memberes of one 
 bodie, whereof Christ is the Head ; therefor there ought to be no degrees 
 of honour, but all brethren in the Lord. This tenet of independencie was 
 first taught by Broune and the Brounists that followes him, being ane heresie 
 latly sprung vp in Ingland, and gott his inlargement and increase in Hol- 
 land ; but now it beginnes eueriewhere to be followed by the Puritanes, and 
 so they will haue no superior order nor Pra*lacie in the ecclesiasticall bodie. 
 
1645.] 
 
 Huntlifs operations in Murray. 
 
 173 
 
 They intend by tyrae to drawe the ciuile bodie to that same equalitie, not 
 
 admitteing of a distinctione betwixt the commones, gentrie, noblemen, or 
 
 princes, no, nor of kinges, or of ruleing monarchie. 
 
 The foure northerne counties of Murray, Rose, Southerland, and Cath- 
 nesse, being all or the greatest pairt of them Couenanted, and infected with 
 
 this Puritane spirit, it is thought most expedient by the tuo marquises, that 
 they sould first be brought backe to there former obedience ; and therefor 
 the marquise of Huntly, as you haue hard, haweing the command of the 
 north, lookes that Montrose will second him only as a helper, a freind, or 
 ane allya, which he hopes to remunerat when his effaires shall occure 
 in the south, and there to give him his dewe, and acknawledge his 
 power ; but, as gouernour of the kingdome, Montrose had nothing to shaw, 
 till he had obtained a new patent, for that which was giuen him after Kilsyth 
 was lost at Philipeshauch. 
 
 Huntly therefor, crosseing the Spey at the Bogge, enters into Murray, 
 with fourteine bunder foote, and sex hunder horse. Montrose crosses at 
 Bellachastell, with eight hunder foote, and tuo hunder horse, to assist him, 
 if occasion should so require. In his mairch throw Murray, Huntly takes 
 in the castells of Burgie, Moynes, and some otheres, that willing randeres to 
 him ; Rothes being taken by his second sonne, lord Lues : with whom he 
 leaues a pairtie to blocke wp the strong castell of Spynie, which the laird of 
 Innes had leaft in the keepeing of young Ballandallach Grant ; with whom 
 this young [ ] had diueres boutes : and once awaitteing his tyme, when 
 lord Lewes was gone to Elgine to refreshe himselfe, the winter being werie 
 sharpe, and he had long waitched in the feild, where the extremitie of the 
 weather had somewhat distempered him ; Bellandallach, by his espyalles, 
 findeing his absence, issues with a pairtie of horse, and at wnaworse charges 
 there quarters, from the which he had almost beaten them ; but this hardie 
 and aduenterous youth being aduertised, quicklie retyres, and beates him 
 backe so soundlie, that he hardly recouered his strenth, and neuer after dares 
 to aduenture vpon so actiue a commander. 
 
 Huntly haueing non in Murray that stood out but this, and Leithin, 
 haueing leaft his sonne there, mairches forward himselfe to Leithin ; 
 passeing by Tarneway, the earle of Murray his cheife house, one done any 
 harme there, becaus be was his sister sonne, but chiefly that he knew him to 
 fawour the king. The laird of Brodie, and his wncle, the [ 
 being Couenanters and Puritanes of the strickest ordour,'had retyred them- 
 
174 
 
 Hunt/i/'s operations in Murray. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 selves to Leithin, being veill prouided of wictualls, men, and all sort of 
 prouision, so as it was thought lost labour to spend tyrae vpon it; yet 
 since there was nocht else in all Murray that stood out, but only that and 
 Spynie, Huntly thought his paines weill spent, if he could make Murray 
 sure, which, by gaineing of those two, might be effectuat. 
 
 This house, by reason he had no peices for battrie, no ingeneires for 
 invnding, cost him three monethes trauell befor he could be maister of it; 
 and togither with this, to the end he might doe somewhat else, he sendes 
 Straloches third sonne, Mr. William Gordoune, ane wery able and vnder- 
 standing gentleman, to Seaforth, both with ample commission and letters, 
 to sie if by any possible meanes he could once made sure for the king, 
 since he was loth to enter in hostille manner, vnlesse he forced him to it. 
 
 Mr. William dealt with him wery pouerfully, inducing him by all the 
 arguments and reasones that could persuad a man of capable judgement ; 
 but he could gett nothing but faire promises, and in the end fand furth the 
 reason, for he was preoccupied : Montrose had dealt with him, to whom he 
 had allreadie passed promise ; and since they ware both for the king, he 
 hoped my lord would not take it euill that he went to Montrose. For some 
 pregnant reasons which vrged him to it, Mr. William told him that Huntly 
 and Montrose ware agreed in all thinges, and that Montrose had promised 
 to midle with nothing that was within the compasse of Huntly his com- 
 mission, which was to command as leidtennant generall, wnder the king, all 
 beneath the Grangebey mountaines, as his predecessoures had euer done 
 before him. Seaforth could giue no satisfactorie ansuer to this ; but he 
 hopted the tuo marquises would agree betuixt themselfe, since both there 
 indewoures was to serue the king ; and, besydes, he vnderstood that Mon- 
 trose, as gouernour of the whole kingdome, might command them both. 
 
 By this ansuer, he perceaued what art it came from ; and so takeing his 
 leaue returned to his maister, who was extreamleie moued with it, seeing it 
 was a playeing in his play, and against that which was concluded at there 
 last meeteing, yet wysely he resolues to dispence with it ; but it was not long 
 befor this rube was hurried forward with another, which, altho it was but a 
 presumption, yet it sawoured of wnkynd dealleing ; and thus it was. There 
 was one captane Hay, that come from Montrose armie, and feigneing some 
 bissines of his owne about Elgine, it was fund, after he had stayed some 
 dayes there, that he had a secreet meeteing with Ballandallach ; to what end 
 no man knawes, but he staved till he arott that meeteinff ; and as if his affaires 
 
l645.] 
 
 Disagreement between Huntly and Montrose. 
 
 175 
 
 had beine by that meanes expede, he returned immediatly. It was al- 
 ledged that Ballandallach after that was fund more obstinat, and would 
 heare of no conditiones. This also was a new tinder that did quickly 
 fyre the puluer of discention, which blew wp the bulwarke of this once 
 so hopefull and so happie a freindshipe, and rankled the old wound, and 
 brought it anew a blooding ; for Huntly said then he could looke for no 
 lesse then all the rubes they could dewyse, who had keepe vp his commission 
 a whole yeare, and he was sure it had not beine yet send, if the seruice 
 could haue beene done without him. 
 
 Whilest he lay at Leithin, and Montrose at Inuernesse, there went diuerse 
 messages betuixt them ; but jealousie and priuat interest, prompt by a streame 
 of ambition in both, made the sinceritie of both there intentions doubtfull to 
 aither, so as the one was euer readie to make a wrong construction on the 
 others meaneing ; and therefore there was small appearance that those 
 treaties could draw to a faire conclusion. Montrose desyred that Huntly 
 would adwance to Invernesse that they might togither blooke vp that towne, 
 for what they ware now doeing was but to spend the time idly. Huntly his 
 answer was, that if he would begine with the most important affaire for 
 the which they came thither, that was to reduce the northerne counties 
 of Rose, Sutherland, and Catenesse, he would leaue whatsoeuer he had in- 
 tended, and wait vpon him ; as for Inverness, it would assuredly spend too 
 much tyme, and cost a long linggering ligger ; whereas, if they sould joyne 
 to the reduceing of Rose and the earle of Seaforth alone, Innernesse would 
 then be randered with small difficultie, haueing no assistance but the 
 Frasers of Louet, and some small barrones, as Caddell and Kilraacke, who 
 most of necessitie yeeld if Seaforth ware come in ; and therefor the course 
 being taken, he was readie presently to raise his campe and crose the ferrie, 
 altho he wanted but that house, whereat he now lay, to bring all Murray to 
 obedience. But Montrose being confident to gett in Inverness without 
 hostilitie, and by his owne procurement, without Huntly his assistance, did 
 still vrge the beliggering of Invernes. And whille the tyme was thus trifled, 
 the Couenant makes themselfes strong in the north, first sendeing over to 
 Aberdeen Crouner Barklay, with a thousand, or as themselfes confesse, 
 seaven hundreth horse and fyue hundreth foote ; who choseing Aberdeen 
 for their retreat as a garisone toune, they waist the haill countray round 
 about with theire exhorbitant taxes of corne, hay, meall, malt, beife, mut- 
 tone, foules ; and besydes all this, so much money euery weeke, as being 
 
176 
 
 The Covenanters occupy Aberdeen. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 continowed but a short whille, sould quickly ruine and lay waist the haill 
 countray. 
 
 Altho there was no forces leift betuixt Die and Spey to opposse those 
 forces send by the Couenant, yet war theire quarters beat vp now and then, 
 I meane such as ware without the toune, or came out for prouision. 
 Fywie being fortified by the earle of Aboyne, and a strong garisone leift 
 in it vnder the command of captane Jhone Gordoune, he had intelligence 
 that they had send furth a pairtie to Meldrum. Thither he send a fewe 
 horsemen, with a fewe commanded muscatiers. Those ouertakeing them 
 at Parkake, takes there commanders, and eight more, with there whole 
 baggage, and the prouision they carryed for the toune, puteing the rest 
 to flight. 
 
 The youDg laird Drume with a troupe of horse, and William Far- 
 quharsone of Inuerray, with tua hundreth foote, beates vp their quarters 
 one Die syd, within sex myles of Aberdeen ; takes threescore ten prison- 
 ers, with all there horses, there baggage, and prouision for the toune. This 
 makes them to retyre there quarters, and retrinch themselfes within the 
 toune, wheire many of there horses ware lost for want of prouender, 
 themselfes ware famished for want of wiuers, and pestered for want of 
 ludgeing. 
 
 The garisone of Fywie, with captane Blackater, killed at Eslement 
 thirtie sex of them, and brought away ther horses and armes, with such 
 other stufe as they had. To reweng this and such other affrontes, they send 
 furth sex hundreth to surpriyse Crawfurd, and two hundreth and fourtie 
 with him, withe the lairdes of Ghight, elder and younger, captane M'Doneill, 
 captane Mortimer, and captane Gordoune of Arradull. They ware 
 quartered in Bamfe, and those sexe hundreth horse was brought furth to 
 surprysse them, by Doctor Dowglasse, provest of Banfe, and some others, 
 who throw there zeall to the Couenant had send for them, showeing what 
 ane easie prey they might haue of those who lay secuirly and dreamed not of 
 any danger ; and surely they had gottin them wnprouided if they had not 
 killed two or three of there waitch, who lay in a litle willage called Doune, 
 on the other syd of the riuer, where they ware carruseing, and tooke no 
 care to wieue the fieldes, according to the ordour giuen them by there com- 
 manderes. This brought the alarum to Banfe in so good tyme as they had 
 leasure to send away there baggage, and Crawfurd with the brauest caue- 
 leires stayeing in the reire, made such a braue retreat, as they lost not one 
 
1646.] 
 
 Montrose resolves to besiege Inverness. 
 
 177 
 
 man. Nor did there enemie gaine anything by this surprysse, saue that 
 the lesser pairtie at great leasure retyred and leaft there quarter to a 
 greater pairtie, whom they ware not strong eneughe to resist : Crawfnrd 
 with this went vp Spey syd, and crosseing high vp, went to Montrose. 
 The Couenant finding that Barclay with his forces breed them but small 
 comfort in the north, sendes ouer generall major Midletoune, vpon whom 
 that place was conferred, when Kalender had refused it. Midletoune 
 brought with him sex hundreth horse and eight hundreth foot ; vniteing the 
 former forces to those, he was so strong as he did what he list. 
 
 But befor his comeing, a second pairtie is send furth to Banfe to possesse 
 that toune and keepe it in garrisone, taxeing the whole people about for 
 there pay, ther prouision and mantinance, to the extreame impouerishing 
 of the whole countray, who most of necessitie come in with whatsoeuer was 
 was layd to there charge, wnder the paine of plunder, and vnsufferable paine 
 both to the poore and rich. 
 
 They had satled themselfes in Banfe, and looked for nothing but to do- 
 mineir, when the countray being, cruellie opprest with those who haited the 
 Royalists, lets furth a false rumour that lord Lewes had crossed the Spey, 
 and was comeing towardes them with three hundreth horse. This put them 
 in such a terrible fright, the people alwayes seconding the report of sett pur- 
 pose, that the darke night being set, they could not stay for ordour to mairch, 
 but went away in such a confusione that three of [them] ware drouned in the 
 riuer when they crossed ; and comeing to Torraw befor day, they had not 
 courrage to stay there for the taxe which the people was appoynted to bring 
 in by sune ryseing, but mairch from thence to Aberdeen in that disorderly 
 confusione, being two hunder horse, nor stayed they there till they came to 
 Aberdeen. 
 
 Montrose secritare, master James Kenadie, being taken by thos of 
 Caddell, and sent a prisoner to Invernes, he resolues to beseidge that toune, 
 altho they send the prisonere be sea to Edinbroughe ; and therefor he sends 
 againe to Huntlie to advance, who had now taken Lathin : and altho it was 
 reported that there was great riches in it, yit wpon Brodie and his wncles 
 giueinge of suretie for tuantie thousand pound that from thencefurth they 
 should be loyall and faithfull subjects to his majestie, altho by the law of 
 armes, all that was in it was at his disposall, yit would he not touch, nor 
 suffer to be touched any thinge of moneyes nor other rich stuff, but left them 
 as the kinges new subjects from hencefurth to possesse theire owne in 
 
 z 
 
178 
 
 Huntlifs operation* 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 peace ; and then he sends word to Montrose that Midltone being wnited to 
 Barclay begane to oppress and ruine all his countrie, and all his frinds and 
 followers. Wherefor he adwysed him to leaue Inverness till they had beat 
 there enimies out of the north, and then would he joyn with him for puting 
 ane end to that bussiness ; but for the present he was forced to go and help 
 his frinds and tenents that they ware not altogither ruined and ondone. 
 
 Heir I cannot pass ouer that malicious authore of the first relatione, who 
 seims to relat the historie for no other end but to build the fame and honor 
 of Montrose upon the ruines of Huntlies credit ; stryueinge, with powerfull 
 persuationes, a heigh styll and flowinge eloquence, for ewer heirafter to 
 darken and ecclipes the renouned worth of that familie, by under walueing 
 both him and his children. 
 
 And surely as Montrose deserueth all honor, so I am confident that the 
 candor of his frie and generous dispositione will think that his many wertues 
 hes mad but a small conquest, if they cannot be sein but through so manie 
 false aspersiones so unjustlie blowen furth against so noble and so worthie a 
 familie. But let us brieflie and lightlie hear what he sayeth in this place : 
 that Huntlie, triflinge away the tym to no purpose but for meir awarice, 
 sought to gaine some turets and obscure castels, where he was informed the 
 . ountrie people had hourded up all their gold and monies, Burgie, Moynes, 
 and Are, the thrie best houses in Murray, except Tarnway and Spinie ; 
 and had he bein master of Spynie, as he was of thos thrie, he could haue 
 bein master of Murray. 1 What trifling business is heir. As for his awarice, 
 the world knowes he was rather inclyned to the contaire extream of prodi- 
 tfalitie. At last, sayeth this authore, after the loss of the most pairt of the 
 best of his men, and ten weikes tym spent, he was forced to rease his seidge 
 with dishonour, and was never the neirer. 2 This shameless and forged ca- 
 
 1 [" Huntilaeus vero, cui nihil minus in animo fuit, quam quod praesenti Montisrosano 
 promiserat, trajecto Spaea, Moravian! ingressus, procul Innernesso, tempus tantummodo, 
 viresq ; inutiliter, et indecore terebat. Enimverd praedae, spoliisq ; niraium intentus, cum 
 agros esset populatus ; incerta fama accepit, provinciates aurum, argentum, et pretiosiora 
 quaeq ; in quibusdam turriculis, et obscuris arcibus condidisse. Quas dum ille frustra op- 
 pugnat, nec ullis mandatis, precibusve ab instituto dimovetur : hostes immisso commeatu, 
 (qua parte arcere illos in se susceperat) Innernessum, rerura omnium copia confirmarunt. Quod 
 si ille impediisset, ut cum Montisrosano pactus fuerat ; praesidiarii, brevi spatio, fuissent ad 
 deditionem compulsi." Rer. Montisros. cap. xx., fol. 227-] 
 
 2 [" Cumq ; jam nuncium accepisset Montisrosanus Midltonium hostilis exercitus prae- 
 fectum cum equitibus sexcentis, et peditibus octingentis Aberdoniam usq ; venisse; et Hun- 
 
1646.] 
 
 in Murray. 
 
 179 
 
 lumnie neids not ane ansuear ; since both the house and thos that keiped it 
 ware randered to his mercie, and he could haue put a garison in it, and 
 brought them along with him : but as you haue heard, he sought nether their 
 gold, their siluer, nor other harm wnto them, but onlie to bring them bak 
 to their soweirane, without tirranie or oppressione; which if Burgie, Moynes, 
 and thos last tuo had not sworne and bound themselfes by wreit to perform, 
 he had garisoned their houses; there being non in Murray that stood out but 
 thos onlie, and Innes, the shirreff of Murray ; Alter, and others that ware 
 of anie account, ware knowen to preferr the kinges cause, and had suffered 
 for it. 
 
 As for the loss of all his best men, for ought that I could learne from 
 manie of thos gentlemen of good account, that ware with him all the tym, 
 he lossed but ten commone souldiours, and not one man of qualitie. Now, 
 that he scorned the offer Montrose mad him of returninge to joyne with him 
 for beatinge of the Covenant's forces out of the north, it seims to be but a 
 fable ; for, to my owne knowledge, there was diwerse messages betwixt 
 Montrose and himself efter he was returned bake over Spey, and in all ca- 
 pitulationes his demand was ewer that Montrose would returne and once 
 help to remoue their enimies, and then he would go with him where he 
 pleased ; and it was also certaine that the last who ware sent by Montrose 
 to him, being thos sir John Daziell, and tuo whose names I haue forgoten, 
 promised in Montrose name that he should come, and they assured his lord- 
 ship that he might expect him with all heast possible, and he was so confi- 
 dent of it, as he assured diwerse of his friends, that he was coming to his 
 aid, desyring them to be all in readiness : and to this end he sent his son to 
 the hylands to bringe doune his hyland forces, who after the taking in of 
 Lathine, had gotten leaue to go home, knowing weil that it concerned them 
 to vnit all ther strength befor they should hazard ane battell ; for major 
 Midltone, with the forces he brought north, and the horse and foot gari- 
 
 tilaei, Gordoniorumq ; agris populandis imminere : Wilielmum Stuartum, militura tribunum 
 ad Huntilaeum misit, qui eum denud ad Innernessi obsidionem, secundum pactam fidem, in- 
 vitaret. Sin hoc illi minus arrideret, propter vicinum agris suis hostem ; persuaderet sal- 
 tern, ut junctis cum eo copiis, una in ilium confestim tenderent : quem levi discrimine de- 
 bellandum fore non dubitaret. Ad quae ille contemptim respondit ; se rebus suis consultu- 
 rum; nec ad arcendos finibus suis hostes, opera, aut auxilio Montisrosani indigere. Post 
 decern deniq ; hebdomadas, in obscurae cujusdam turriculae obsidione consumptas, promp- 
 tissimo quoq ; suorum militum desiderato, re infecta, obsidionem solvere cum summo dede- 
 core coactus fuit." Iter. Montisros. cap. xx., fol. 227, 228.] 
 
ISO 
 
 Proceedings of 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 sone of Aberdeen, would mak thrie thousand, wherof they would be fiftein 
 hunder horse, besyds the great aid their factione in the north was able to 
 giue them. This was his intention, and thus was he preparing to joyne with 
 Montrose against their eniraies. All which this malicious author passes 
 by, and shifts in, according to his wonted forme, these forged lies, that 
 Huntlie, not so much in contempt of Montrose as of the kinges majestie, 
 returnes bake ower Spey, giueing so bad ane exemple thereby as to speak 
 in his terms, thos that ware coming in thick and thriefold, with great egger- 
 ness to the kinges partie ; as the earl of Seaforth, and the lord Ross, 
 and sir James M'Donell, M'Cleine, Glengleagare, the captaine of the 
 M'Ronalds, and manie more ; yea of thos alreadie counted, some ar not in 
 rerum natura : and, sayeth this authore, finding the revolt of so great a man, 
 some of them began to withdraue, some to steal away, others to raak excuses 
 for ther delay, which mad Montrose to cast about ane other way, since he 
 could do no crood with waine light and waweringe and inconstant men, mein- 
 inge Huntlie and his children ; therefor, sayeth he, Montrose resolues, 
 since his gentleness and good offices could not preweall, to reduce them to his 
 obedience by his authoritie, the strenth of arms and seweir penalties, and 
 force both the hyland men (meaning M'Cleins, Glengerie, and the Glen- 
 ronalds), and the northern men (which must be Huntlie), to take up armes 
 bv mearching amongst them with a considerable pairtie : nor did he ques- 
 tione, sayeth he, but the most powerfull of the Gordones, being wiried of 
 there lords miscarriage, would doe him the best service they could. 1 
 
 1 [" Nec tam in Montisrosani, quam Regiae Majestatis contumeliaro, ad Spaeam amnem, 
 nec consulto. nec conscio Gubernatore, retroeessit : pessimo omnibus exemplo, qui fre- 
 quentes, noc sine anirai ardore, ad partes Regias sese accingebant. 
 
 " Inter quos, opibus, potentia, et satellitum, clientumq ; multitudine eminebant Seafor- 
 ditis Comes, Resius Regulus, et ah ultimis insulis Jacobus Makdonaldus Eques, potentis- 
 simae in montanis, antiquissimaeq ; familiae princeps, Maklenius, Glengarius, Makranaldorum 
 (ut illi loqui amanf dux, aliiq ; plurimi ; qui hactenus in Montisrosani castris, alii cum copiis 
 suis erant, alii suas accersiverant, Atq ; adeo ante elapsum mensem Martium in inferiora 
 Kegni descendere potuisset Montisrosanus, cum longe majoribus copiis, quam hominum 
 memoria eduxissent Scoti. Verum insperata tanti viri defectio, non minus animos per- 
 duellibus ad perseverandum in rebcllione addidit : quam > iris probis, et in Regem pronis, 
 offendiculo fuit, ac terrori : unde factum est, ut illi quorum copiae in castris jam crant. clam 
 se subducere, caeteri vero moras, causasq ; nectere inceperint. Quae quidem omnia, Mon- 
 tisrosanum ad nova redegerunt consilia. Statuerat enim (quando lenitate, et officiis apud 
 homines plerosq : vanos. leves, incertos, nec sibi satis constantes, parum proficeret) authori- 
 
1646.] 
 
 Huntbj and Montrose. 
 
 181 
 
 All this and morr doeth this railing author fancie to himself, as if Mon- 
 trose had resolued it. But how Huntlie was forced to returne, for the releife 
 of his distressed countrie, you haue heard, and how those two noblemen 
 
 tate, vi armorum munita, et pcenarum severitate, ad obsequium pertrahere : et in eum finem, 
 cum fidissima, et promptissimorum militum expedita manu, montanos omnes, et septentrion- 
 ales, vel invitos ad militiam cogere. Plurimos enim provinciarura praefectos, principe3 fa- 
 miliarum, ducesq ; sibi obnoxios habebat; quibus pergratum fore hoc consilium probe nove- 
 rat. Nec dubitavit Gordoniorum praecipuos, potentissimosq ; viros, utpote patroni sui per- 
 taesos ; operam sibi locaturos, vel contra Huntilsei sententiam, si res ita postularet. Mitiora 
 tamenquaeq; experiri prius statuit ; quam severum illud, et ultimum adhiberet remedium.' 
 — Rer. Montisros. cap. xx., fol. 228 — 230. 
 
 " Statuerat Gubernator in Huntilaeum tanquam in publicum hostem animadvertere, nisi 
 resipisceret ; verum mitiora omnia prius experiri, si qua ratione ad saniorem mentem reduci 
 posset. Quem in finem, assumpta ad custodiam corporis, unica duntaxat equitum turma ; 
 quam celerrime confectis viginti milliaribus, ad Bogiam ejus arcem contendit. Et in itinere 
 praemisit, qui eum de suo admoneret adventu ; certioremq ; faceret, non alia de causa illuc 
 sine copiis advolare quam ut plurimam illi impertiret salutem : et de summa eorum quae ad 
 rem Regiam facerent, cum eo consilia communicaret ; quod eo desiderar'et vehementius, quia 
 recentes Oxonia literas a Rege accepisset, quas illi erat explicaturus. At vero Huntilaeus 
 primo adventantis Montisrosani nuncio perculsus, usq ; adeo tanti hominis praesentiam per- 
 horruit, ut dicto citius, cum unico comite equum conscenderit, et aufugerit qua sese offerret 
 via : nec hospitio quidem, aut colloquio, vicarium Regis Gubernatorem dignatus. Quod, ubi 
 rescivisset Montisrosanus eadem viginti milliaria remensus, eodem die vi. Kal. Junii ad suos 
 est reversus : inq ; hoc magis, magisq ; incubuit, ne tam pertinax Huntilaei contumacia in- 
 notesceret, aliisq ; noceret exemplo. Sed frustra haec fuere, Gordonii enim ipsi, aliiq ; ejus 
 amici, viri pleriq ; probi, et omnino generosi, cum iudignatione, et diris in ejus caput, omnia 
 propalaruut : quo sic indigni flagitii infamiam a seipsis amolirentur. 
 
 " Nec dictu sane facile est, quantum ejus viri exemplum septentrionales alios concusserit. 
 Seafordius Comes, segerrime, et serd ad partes pertractus, vacillare putabatur : nec desunt 
 qui dicant, ilium nondum satis confirmatum, consilia etiam tunc clam agitasse, de ineunda 
 cum faederatis amicitia ; quod tamen equidem non crediderim. Ipse etiam Alexander Mak- 
 donaldus, nescio quid causatus, quamvis multum serioq ; invitatus; de die in diem, nihil 
 quam ingratas nectebat moras. Quae quidem res, et dubiam de eo ancipitemq j evulgavit 
 fa mam : utpote ilium, quamvis infensissimum Argathelii hostem ; Hamiltoniorum tamen 
 amicitia, et patrocinio fretum, Makdonaldorum res privatas impendio curasse ; de publico 
 parum solicitum. Quae quidem cum Montisrosanus animo volveret, sine ulteriore cuncta- 
 tione statuit ; cum promptissima et expeditissima manu, regiones omnes montanas, et sep- 
 tentrionales praesens obire, milites conscribere, obsequentes animare ; renitentes vero, seve- 
 ritate legum, et praesentibus pcenis ad officium pertrahere : et quod valetudinariis infantulis 
 fieri solet, vel invitis et reluctantibus salutem impertire. Nec deerant idonei ministri, qui 
 ad hoc suam deferrent operam ; eumq ; impensius hortarentur." Her. Montisros. cap. xx., 
 fol. 234—236.] 
 
182 
 
 Proceedings of 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 ware agried by a secreit treatie to joyne against their enimies, you have 
 heard also. As for those of the clan Donell, whom he names, they nether 
 came in, nor mynded to come : and it is manifest that, altho Montrose him- 
 self be a most worthie man, yit, by his owne following, he was not able to 
 force thos hylanders, nether yit thos northerne men to his obedience ; and 
 therfor it may justlie be presumed that so discreit, so wyse, so understanding 
 a noblemen knew nothing of this, nor durst he mak him privie to such 
 foolish chimerais, nor such false and feaned aspersions. 
 
 Whill Huntlie was drawing his lowland forces to a head, and had sent his 
 son Aboyne to bringe doune his hyland forces, that they might joyne with 
 Montrose, whom they lookt for, according to the promise mad in his name 
 by Sir John Dazeall, who was returned to him, behold a new change and 
 reuolutionc of all thinges, and so faire ane expectatione dashed onhap- 
 pillie by some malignant planet in this maner. 
 
 Montrose haueing lost his patent at Philipshauch, as youe haue heard, 
 whereby he was governour of the kingdome, thought it fit to haue it 
 renewed both to reduce, by wertue of the royall authoritie, the clane 
 Donell, who ware falne away from following him, as also, therby to make 
 Hountlie to discend from the confidence he had in his oune commissione, 
 and yeild him the precedencie alse weill in the north as in the south : for 
 this cause he had sent for a new patent, not onlie as governour, but as ob- 
 solut generall of the wholl kingdome. 
 
 This patent being returned befor those commissioners returned from 
 Huntlie, and Seaforth being moued to come in, the rather for that he was 
 certified of this new power ; by the addition of his forces Montrose estimed 
 himself stronge enouch to be master of Inverness, haueing a greater mynd 
 to gain that toune then to frie Huntlie and his frindes from the present 
 danger. This was the persuatione of some malicious counsellors about him ; 
 for it is not to be thought that so constant a man in all his resolutiones 
 would haue bein so changeable of his oune inclinatione, but that they per- 
 suaded him how that it was fitt Hountlie should find the prejudice of the 
 want of his presence at that tyme ; and therefor he lyes doune befor Inver- 
 ness, resolueinge to have it befor he went : and the more to gall Huntlie, 
 and to make him waill his bonnet, he not onlie refuses to come and joyne 
 with him, but sendes him a copie of his new commissione, as governour and 
 generall of the kinges wholl forces, and chairges him, by wertue thereof, 
 to come in all heast, and without delay, with his wholl forces to Inverness, 
 
1646.] 
 
 Huntly and Montrose. 
 
 183 
 
 and there from him to receaue further ordours, as he will ansuear it upon 
 his alleadgance. 
 
 This at one blow burst all the chaines of former inoraigment ; and 
 draweing the courtein of modestie, frindship, and ciwill behaviour, dis- 
 couered in them both that monster of ambitione who had shot up the 
 princelie faculties of humilitie, courtesie, affable conversatione, and tract- 
 able generositie, darkening the faculties of their souls, and eommande- 
 inff and ouerrulincr the passiones of their mvndes. Now there wa^ 
 nothing with Montrose but he would haue Huntlie to bow and yeild ob- 
 solut obedience to all his commandes in the south and in the north also. 
 Wpon the other syd, Huntly could not indure to be a slaue to his equall, 
 and one of whom he and all his predecessors had ever gotten the pre- 
 cedencie. Whatsoever had passed befor he could haue easily disgisted, as 
 being but flashes of ambitione, and darts shot at preferrment and dominirins 
 rule, for he knew thos flashes and thos darts ware for the most pairt onse- 
 parable attendants upon invinceible and heigh erected spirits ; but thus to 
 be forced to bov his neck, nolens volens, to the yock of obedience vas 
 so hard and so onsaworie a morsell, as it could not go doune without loath- 
 ing and abhorssione of the stomack, evin to the casting up almost of lawfull 
 obedience to his prince, vhom he had serued so faithfullie, to the ruine of 
 his fortoune, the waikning of his familie, the loss of his eldest son, and the 
 daylie adventureing both of himself and the rest of his children for the man- 
 tenance of the royall prerogative. Thos and manie other struggling pas- 
 siones (whilst the messinger or herald of armes was importunat for ane 
 ansuear) mad warre in his noble breast, stryueing to pull doune from the 
 throne of his heart that quein of faith and loyaltie, who had so long and 
 constantlie possessed it against all the raiging stormes and thundering 
 tempests of disasterous fortones. At lenth, reason grew deliberatione, and 
 bis onconquered fidelitie getts the wictorie, and he calmlie ansuears the mes- 
 senger, that how soon his son returned with the forces he had send him for, 
 he should attend the governour, or generall, or both ; and for obedience 
 to his soweraine lord's commandements, altho his oune apparant ruine, and 
 the ruine of all his frinds and followers was unavodably threatined in that 
 march. 
 
 Thus being resolued to obev his prince, he gathers such forces as he 
 could gett to a head, and wreits to Bandenoch, where his sone was, that he 
 should meit him at Kinennonie, wpon Spey, that he might there crose the 
 
184 
 
 Middleton advances to Inverness. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 riuer and march to Inverness ; and haueing appointed his generall ran- 
 devous at Kinermonie, the third day efter he goes there with such as he 
 could haue for the present, to attend his sones coming. 
 
 Midltone being come to Banff with eight or nyne hundereth horse, and 
 there hauing gotten intelligence that Huntlie was gone to the hylands to 
 joyne with his son, and then to inarch to Inverness, makes the greater heast 
 upon ane expeditione for the releife of Inverness ; and that he might per- 
 forme this before Huntlie should be readie to joyne with them, he marches 
 speedilie, and crosses the Spey at the Garmoch, where Montrose had 
 placed captaine Mortimer and captaine M'Donell, with tuo troupes of 
 horse, either to imped there landing, or to giue him tymlie advertisment if 
 the enimie should make any attemp upon him that way. 
 
 This tuo troupes being too negligent of intelligence beyond the riuer, 
 ware themselfes almost surprised, manie of Midltones horsemen being got 
 over befor they ware awar. Wherefor they are forced to reteir ; the one, 
 M'Donell, taking theneirest way for Inverness, and Mortimer, keiping sight 
 of the river, comes to Rothes ; showing lord Lues (who keipt that castell) 
 that Midltone had crossed the river, with a great armie of horse, and hau- 
 ing sent captain M'Doneill the nearest way to advertise Montrose, he was 
 come that way to giue him advertisment that he might be prepared against 
 the snaires of a subtile enimie. My lord inquired what way the enimie 
 merched, but he could not resolue him, for thev ware but croseing the river 
 when he came away : wherefor my lord sends out some horsemen to uew 
 the feilds; and seeing M'Doneill was gone by Elgin for Inverness, Mortimer 
 thought not amiss to stay a litle and learne by thos my lord had sent out 
 what way their enimies took ; being confidient that they could merch no 
 further then Elgin that night, since their last quarters was at Banff, sextein 
 mylls beyond the river. He stayed not aboue ane houre at Rothes to re- 
 fresh his horse, which he most have done in some place, for he had yit aboue 
 thretie mylls thither, and then mad he all heast for Inverness ; hauing gotten 
 intelligence that Midltone was gone for Elgin, where he could not but stay 
 that night, and thus he mad account befor he reased his quarters from 
 thence he should be at the generall, who might advvyse what to doe befor 
 his enimies could merch tuantie eight mylls ; for so much it is from Elgin to 
 Inverness. 
 
 Heir againe our former authore takes occasione to raill, and, ac- 
 cording to his wonted form, to adde so egregiuslie, as the trueth can 
 
1646.] 
 
 Lord Lewis Gordon. 
 
 185 
 
 hardlie be found amongest such a heap of inventiones. First, he makes 
 thrie troupes wher there ware but two ; and nixt he makes lord Lues Gor- 
 done (thos are his words) to play a more shamfull prank then ever he 
 did befor. And what was this prank, forsooth ? To goe and inveit thos cap- 
 taines to his castell, where he had prepaired a feast for them, giuing them 
 assurance that there was no enimie to crose the Spey at all, and persuaded 
 them vho took him for a faithfull freind to let alon there neidles srairdes, 
 and goe with him to his castell and refresh themselues, and with many com- 
 plements inveits them to his feast ; whill they had no more wit then to trust 
 bim and goe : then he makes a great deall a doe about their daintie fare, 
 there wyne, there strong waters, and I know not what ; but he detears 
 them, sayeth this author, with jolatie and ceremonious curtesies till Midltone 
 (who had no foot at all), with a great armie of horse and foot was got ouer 
 the Spey ; and then he dismisses them, for his wale jeirs them with this, 
 that their generall now shall haue a surer bout then he had at Sellkirk. 1 
 
 All this longe discours, wherin he stryues to raak this younge nobleman 
 so cuninglie to play the traitor, may neuertheless by anie ordinarie jud?- 
 
 1 [" Quoniam vero, Innernessum erat totius septentrionis presidium, maximi ad bellum mo- 
 menti ; portusq ; excipiendis auxiliis externis commodissimus : nihil aeque in votis habebat, 
 quam ut illud in suam redigeret potestatem : Cum copiis igitur, quas apud se habebat, obsi- 
 dione illud cinxit. Hostilis enim exercitus sub Midltonii imperio, supra octoginta milliaria 
 aberat ; et Huntilaeus, Gordoniiq;, in medio itinere, sub signis interjecti erant. Montisro- 
 sanus propterea denud cum Huntilaeo egit, ne tempus inutiliter tereret : sed prout convenerat. 
 ad obsidendum Innernessum, copias cum suis jungeret: vel saltern non procul a Spaea conti- 
 neret, qua hostibus trajiciendum foret, eosq ; transitu arceret, si ad solvendam obsidionem 
 progrederentur, aut ubi trajecissent, junctis secum viribus, eosdem debellaret. Ad omnia 
 ille, usq ; adeo contumeliose respondit, ut Gubernator omnem de eo spem ponere coactus 
 fuerit : cautiusq ; sibi prospiciendum censuerit, ne tandem ab eo proderetur. Enimverd 
 Huntilaeo diffisus, turmas equitum tres, ad vada Speae remisit ; qui hostes sedulo observa. 
 rent, et si adventarent, frequentes certosq ; mitterent nuncios. Et illi sane occupatis ad 
 speculandum commodissimis stationibus, diligenter invigilarunt : quoad Ludovicus Huntilaei 
 filius, qui Rothusiam arcem cum praesidio tenebat, facinus, omnibus quae hactenus patrasset, 
 magis pudendum, commentus est. Praefectis equitum illorum, quos ad observanda Spaeae 
 rada Montisrosanus collocaverat, fidem fecit hostes quam longissime dissitos, nihil minus 
 in animo habere, quam ad solvendam obsidionem amnem transmitter : atq ; adeo eis (qui 
 amicissimum ilium, fidissimumq ; putarent) persuasit, ut posthabita, ad quam destinati erant, 
 inutili speculatione, ad arcem suam, reficiendb corporibus se reciperent : et ad convivium, 
 quod in eorum gratiam instmxerat, blandissimis verborum lenociniis invitavit. Et illi qui- 
 dem male creduli ad eum profecti sunt. Quos prolixa benignitate prosequutus, praeter ni- 
 
 2 A 
 
186 
 
 Montrose retires before Middleton. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 ment be decerned to be forged, ware it but for this, that he should forget 
 himself his breiding, his birth, his place and qualitie, his love to the kinges 
 seruice, and the hatred he professed to his enimies, and thus to become a 
 steal to intrap his frinds and thereby to put a curtesie upon his enimies ; 
 that he went himself to inveit them who ware so farr beneath his statione to 
 his house, hauing men of alse good qualitie that followed him, and might haue 
 bein the raessingers, that he should make such extraordinarie faire for them 
 and ply them so hard with wine and stronge water ; and, lastlie, that he 
 should dissmise them with such a jeir as might discouer that he had secret 
 intelligence with Midletone, his profest enemie, to cutt the throats of his 
 frinds and the kinges faithfull subjects ; all this considered, I say anie man 
 of ordinare judgment may truely esteim him worthie to be jeired who hath 
 patched up so manie inventiones, and would thus cussing the world to 
 went tliem for faithfull relatione or a true historie. 
 
 But now to follow furth our narratione : Midltone his curriag, his resolutione, 
 and celeritie, preuented Mortimer his expectatione, vho hoped to be at his 
 lord befor he reased his quarters from Elgin ; for he stayed no longer there 
 then he had refreshed his men and horses, marching so hard that whol night, 
 that he was at Inverness not thrie houres behind Mortimer, nor four or fiwe 
 behind M'Doneill ; so as the generall had not tym sufficient to rease his 
 liger and crose the river when he was come up so neir, as he send a stronge 
 partie after them to crose the river. But Montrose leawes Craford to man- 
 tean the passage of the river, with seavintie or aughtie of his brauest men, 
 such as the laird of Delgatie, younge Gight, Hearthill, and some others ; 
 who manteined the pass with invinceible resolutione, till the generall with 
 his armie had win the hills, and ther reteirs ; and as the report goeth, they 
 left als manie of the enimies dead one the place as of themselves, not loss- 
 ing on man of qualitie. 
 
 Montrose being thus onfortunatlie surprysed the second tyme, not through 
 his owne fait, but through the negligence of thos who had the charge, to be 
 -ure of intelligence beyond the river, which they never sought efter, but 
 
 mis opiparas dapes, vinura, et quam vocicant, vitae aquam large promi jussit. Multisq ; 
 t'acetiis, et operosa humanitate, tantisper detinuit, quoad Midltonius cum validissimo equi- 
 tum, peditumq ; exercitu, Spaeam transmisit, longeq ; penetravit in Moraviam. Quod cum 
 rescivisset, eos tandem dimisit, et cum chacinno his verbis valedixit ; Ite, inquit, ad im- 
 peratorem vestrum Montisrosanum, ferocius nunc, quam in clade Selkirkana invadendum." 
 Rer. Montisros. cap. xi., fol. 230—232.] 
 
1646.] 
 
 Huntly marches for Aberdeen. 
 
 187 
 
 stayed at the Garmoch, the wholl arraie was readie to crosse the river befor 
 they knew that they ware in the countrie. Montrose armie, in merching to 
 the hills, becam still waiker : the most pairt of Seaforthes people shrunk 
 away, and himself also. 
 
 It may be presumed that Montrose was now sorie he had disobleidged 
 Huntlie, whom he had in such a menassing maner charged to come and re- 
 ceaue his ordours ; as, lykwayes, it could not but repent him that he had 
 not returned according to his first resolutione, and joyned with him for re- 
 mouing of their enimies out of the north, for then had not this onhappie 
 ewent so onluckily succeided ; yea, it was most apparant that, if he had 
 followed that course, he had put that affront, if not worse, wpon his enimies 
 which they now put upon him. 
 
 Huntlie, staying for his forces at Kinermonie, is certainlie informed by 
 his sonne, Lord Lues, that Midltone had crossed the Spey at Garmoch, and 
 was merched for Inverness. This makes him change his resolutione, since 
 their difference would be discussed before he could advance the half of the 
 way. Wherefor he resolues to be master of Aberdeen if he can, by re- 
 moueing that strong garisone, to lighten the countrie, with his frinds and 
 follouers, of that greivous burthen wherewith they ware daylie tormented 
 and oppressed. Wreiting therefor, and sending ane other messinger to 
 Aboyne, he intreats him to mak hast and tak the nearest way to Aberdeen, 
 appointing him such a day when he should meit him at Inverourie; and 
 with such forces as he had readie, being horsemen for the most pairt, over 
 whom he puts his sonne Lord Lues to command, he causeth buti-sal to be 
 sounded, and merches presentlie for the towne. 
 
 His messinger meits Aboyne, who brought with him neir two thousand 
 foot ; and taking the nearest way, keipt his father's appointed randevous at 
 Inverrourie. The garisone of Aberdeen consisted of fyue hundered horse 
 and a thousand foot, besydes a number of braue and valiant gentlmen, who. 
 hearing of Huntlie's merching that way, came in to assist them ; as sir 
 William Keith of Ludquharne, the laird of Elsik Benerman, Craigie- 
 warr Forbess, and diuerse others. The garisone was so confident of ther 
 abilatie to keep out the towne, that they send out a pairtie of horse to braue 
 or temp them befor they came neir. This pairtie comes to Kintor, within 
 two mylls to Inverrourie, where my lord with the bodie of his armie 
 quartered ; and finding at Kintor some of the armie who advanced that 
 farre to be the better quartered, and being cairless of their watch, are sur- 
 
 « 
 
188 
 
 Huntly assaults and 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 prysed before the day was light, and tuelf, some sayes fourtein, of them was 
 killed. This partie, reteiring to the towne, triumphed that they had gotten 
 the first blood, and so had quailed the Gordons curradge, as they hoped 
 they would advance no further. 
 
 But this did so exasperat Hun the and his sonnes, as they merch presentlie 
 to the towne ; which being summoned, and refusing to rander, my lord, with 
 the wholl bodie, draues within a neir distance, and sends two strong pairties 
 of hylanders, one to the Justice Port towards the east, ane other to the Grein 
 towards the wast, to fyr the towne, and the third pairtie he setts to the 
 Gallowgett Port : and at that port, the foot hawing won it, Aboyn and his 
 brother enters, with tuo troupes of horse, beating their enimies horsmen 
 befor them in that narrow streit, till they cam to the Broadgett, whereon 
 major Forbes, a curagious gentleman, meits them with a fresh supplie ; but 
 their charge was so resolued and bold as they are forced to giw ground. 
 This gallant gentleman, major Forbes, being upon the head of his troup, 
 incounters with Lord Lues, who, finding him to make so braue resistance, 
 did inwardlie favor him, and, out of a generous dispositione, offers him 
 quarters ; which scornfully refused, randering for his curtesie reproachfull 
 terroes, wherewith the nobleman being incensed, asalts him with such curadg 
 and wallour, as he pairted not from him till he left him dead on the ground, 
 whose gallantrie was much bewailed of all that knew him. Upon his death, 
 his troup, discuraged, began to reteirr ; when lo the gowernour of the towne, 
 called Crouner Mongummrie, adwances with a strong pairtie of thrie or 
 foure troupes, by the which, being overpairtied, the Gordones are forced 
 to reteir, and with maine strenth are forced to quyt the towne. 
 
 This young nobleman would not yit giwe it ower, but enters the towne 
 two sewerall tymes efter, and with stronge resistance are both the tymes 
 repulsed. Whereupon the marquis, fearing to hazard his childring thus des- 
 peratlie, where there was so small hop to preweall, the toune being so 
 strong and weil provyded both of horse and foot, intends no more that way, 
 but by fyre to force them ; yit could he not that way neither preweall, if 
 they could keip themselves togither. Wherefor Lord Lues, being both 
 ashamed to leaue it thus, and inraged when he calls to mynd that their eni- 
 mies would be sure to insult over his father's reputatione, whom they had 
 alwayes esteimed infortunat in all his interpryses, he resolves therefor once 
 againe to try his owne fortone ; and choosing furth such of the best resolued 
 i>entlmen as would willinglie hazard with him, and commanding a strong 
 
1646.] 
 
 takes Aberdeen. 
 
 189 
 
 pairtie of commanded muscateirs to enter at such a pairt of the toune wher 
 he appoints them, to second him, and the hylanders having fyred the toune 
 in thrie sundrie places, he advances, against his father's will, with thos lustie 
 gallants, whom he knew would not leaue him ; and entering the toune, 
 despiratlie, driwes his enimies befor him, with such ane asalt as it was but 
 one continued charge ; never giuing over, nor halting, nor suffering his 
 enemies to rest, till the governour, dispairing of longer keiping out, flies by 
 the way of the Keyhead with fourscore of the brauest gentlmen ; and 
 therfor, crosing the water where it was never seen to be crosed befor, in 
 danger of there Hues, if they had not been admirablie weill mounted, they 
 gained the other shoare, and so got unto the south. 
 
 The exicutione was not great, being betuixt tuo or thrie hundereth that 
 ware slaine. The rest of the common shouldiors randered their arms. 
 A number of the gallantest gentlmen maned the thrie strongest houses in 
 the Castellgait, which ware March ell's house, Petfodell's house, and the 
 Steat house or Tollboath. From thence, eftera parlie, they came furth, and 
 randered themselues prisoners. 
 
 The marquis enters the towne, and to suche as had bein upon the service 
 he grants them tuo houres plunder upon such merchants and tounes men as 
 ware Covenanters onlie ; and such as ware Royalists, or ware known to fawor 
 their kinge, ther doors, ther gets, and ther shop dors ware marked, and they 
 could not complaine they had goten anie the least harme. The common soul- 
 diours being disarmed, he dismist upon ther oathes never to bear armes 
 anie more in that cause, nor against the king. 
 
 Crouner Barclay, and some other commanders, upon their parroll and 
 word of honour, in the same nature were set at libertie ; the lairds of Cragi- 
 ware, and Pettodrie, and Kermuck are send prisoners to Achindoune ; sir 
 William Keith and Elsick went with the governour. 
 
 I did make account that Huntlie had bein once read fairly of the ewill 
 demon who so maliciouslie stroue to extenuat his worth, and, with a wrested 
 constructione, to change all his wertues into wyces ; since in this actione of 
 Aberdeen there was nothing done that concerned Montrose, nor anie thinge 
 that could offend him, nor did he himselfe ever tak exceptione against this 
 actione, which was both intended and performed for the kinges serwice and 
 the common weill of the countrie ; and yet this satirist worm wood authore, 
 this bitter and invectiue relator, hants him lyk a hobgobline, seikinge to 
 poisione all his wayes with the wenom of his corroding tongue. For heir he 
 
190 
 
 Hnntly's assault on Aberdeen. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 can accuse him of nothinge but mercie, curtesie, and justice ; and yet so 
 oruell is his ondeserued malice (for the nobleman never did injurie to him), 
 that he metamorphosis all those wertues unto wyces. 1 
 
 In his first preludium, then, he most dyue unto the secret counsel of this 
 nobleman his heart, and from thence draues his internall conceat and the 
 intensione of this actione ; which, sayeth he, was done, that he might be said 
 to doe some thin^e bv his owne conduct without the asistance of Montrose ; 
 whose asistance he never had in that kynd, for they ware never in field 
 toffither against the enimie : then he will haue the taking in of the toune 
 to be with greater loss to him then to the enimie ; whereas the enimie lost 
 near thrie hundereth, and he lost not one : then he gaue, saves he, the 
 hylanders leaue to pillage the citie ; but what fait thos innocent men had 
 done that had ever loued the kinge so weill let the world judge, for all 
 of them ware eminent for there obserued loyaltie. Heire his justice and 
 clemencie most be turned to injustice and crueltie : for it was but justice 
 that the souldiour should haue tuo houres plounder ; and it was clemencie, 
 mixt with justice, that mad him send gairds, giue protectiones, and mark 
 the gretts and doores of all the Royalists, so as it was but rebells and the 
 kinges enemies that ware plundered. 
 
 As for collonell Barclay, and thos whom he sett at libertie out of a gener- 
 ous and noble dispositione, because they ware souldiours of fortowne, and 
 serued the Covenant but for pay, and would more willinglie haue serued 
 the kinge in the same tearmes ; this noble courtesie, which by all good men 
 will be commended, is by this satyrist attribut to a bass timerous fear, as he 
 lookt fauning upon them, sayes he, rather lyk a petitioner than a conqueror: 
 
 1 [" Dum ista ad Innernessum gerebantur, Huntilseus, ne nihil uoquam suis auspiciis, et 
 sine Montisrosano gessisse videretur, Aberdoniam, quam praesidio quingentorum militum 
 Midltonius tenebat, expugnavit quidem ; sed cum suorum majore, quam hostium damno. 
 Praeter enim, non exiguam militum fortissimorum jacturam ; civium bona montanis suis di- 
 ripienda permisit. Atqui vero, ecqua parte, de Rege, et de ipso Huntilaeo, innocui illi Aber- 
 donenses male meruerint, judicent illi, qui plerosq ; omnes noverint, fidei, et obsequii in 
 Regem nomine, inter aequales eminuisse. Hostes vero armis, belloq ; captos, qui et multi, 
 et in suis erant melioris notae viri; supplici blandientiq ;, quam victori similior, intactos, et 
 integros, sine ullius pacti lege, aut conditione dimisit. Nec, cum plures militum tribunos, 
 et equestris ordinis viros, qui forte fortuna Aberdoniae fuere, in potestate sua haberet ; vel 
 hoc unum curavit, ut suorum quemvis redimeret, quorum non pauci arctissimis vinculis erant 
 onerati in Scotia; vel in Anglia durissimam serviebant servitutem ; semper scilicet ille hos- 
 tihus, quam amicis gratificari paratior." Her. Montisros., cap. xx., fol. '236, 237.] 
 
1646.] Ascendancy of the Independents in England. 191 
 
 and yet this authore was not there to obserue the forme of his countenance, 
 but it seems his familiar lying spirit had brought him this informatione. 
 
 As for the manie collonells, knights, and men of qualitie ; collonell Bar- 
 clay and som few vnder officers most represent all thos colonells, knights, 
 and men of qualitie, for whom he sayes he should exchange his owne frindes 
 that were prisoners either in Scotland ore Ingland ; whereas at that tyme 
 he had never aue frind a prisoner in either of the kingdomes : and then he 
 concluds that this was ever his humour, to be more readie to do good for his 
 enimies then his frindes; and yit his frindes complaines not of the good he 
 omitted to doe them ; and to complaine of the other, is too audaciouslie to 
 impuDge ane evangelick counsell, so that this authore condemninge what 
 Christ hath bidden ws doe, he may justlie be suspect for no sound christian. 
 
 Since the unfortunat battell at York, his majesties affairs in Ingland 
 went still towards a decadencee. And now the stream of the Independants 
 arose with such a heigh and swellinge tyd as it began to overfloue the wholl 
 kingdome, not onlie the bodie of the people, but the kinge and parlament ; 
 for the lower house being mad up of that sect, after they had banished from 
 amongest them such as stuck to the Inglish Protestant religione, and 
 fawored the king his pairtie, then they resolue to clyp the winges of the 
 upper house, and, if they could, to extinguish the power and authoritie of 
 the nobilitie ; for the upper house, who began to be jealous, and to fear 
 this chainge, listned more gentlie to the kinge his just demands then they 
 had done at the begininge. The lower house did quicklie apprehend this, 
 and yit seimed to tak no notice of it, but, with a yielding consent, seimed to 
 complie with the lords, till they got the command of the armie established 
 in Fairfax, Mancester, and Cromwell ; all thrie being wehementlie set for 
 the advancement of this new Puritane sect ; haueing mad this sure that they 
 might cutt of the delayes and lingering of the work which had bein pro- 
 longed by the wyse conduct of the commanders of the kinges forces ; with 
 whom, since they saw that men could not preweall, they resolue that angells 
 should. 
 
 And thus privatlie, and with great secretie before it was longe, they 
 bought off the best and most pairt of them, who, with many fained excuses, 
 fell of: some grew cold; some would haue no more charge ; and some left 
 the countrie. 
 
 And that we both consider how onfortunat this good prince was, and be- 
 wail the onlucklie fate that followed all his just and laudable intentiones ; 
 
192 
 
 The Scottish army charged to remove from England. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 altho the most pairt of his forces ware broken, dispersed, and could never 
 againe be brought togither efter Nesbie feild, lost by prince Robert; yit 
 the armie, which his sonne, the young prince, had in Cornweall, consistinge 
 of the thrie thousand foot, and foure thousand and sex hundereth horse, 
 was so considerable as they ware able to keip the fields till the kinge had 
 come, whose presence had much strenthened them with new recrues ; but 
 there divisione enteres wher God is not pleased. For behold the prince no 
 sooner receaues this armie, takine up by a Cornish knight called sir Ritchard 
 Greinfeild, a well resolued, braue, and waliant gentleman, when he is dis- 
 charged from his command ; and sir Ralph Hobton, called the lord Hobtone, 
 is placed as generall ower them. The knight who had so well execut his 
 commissione in levieing those forces, takes this in so ewill pairt as he quyts 
 his charge with much discontent, and reteirs himself to his owne home. 
 Nor would Hobtone quyt the charge he had goten ; whereupon the armie 
 begines to mutine, refusing to follow any but there first leader; and in fiue 
 or sex dayes both horse and foot shrinkes away in such numbers as, of eight 
 or nyne thousand, there ware not thrie thousand to be found : wherof Fair- 
 fax and Cromvell being advertised, merches night and day with a great 
 armie, and comes in wew befor they knew what to doe. Hobtone, therfor, 
 puts the prince out of the way, sending him by sea to ane island caled Sillie ; 
 and then takes such quarters as he might haue for those that remained, 
 which was to saue there Hues, they joyning themselfes to this armie, a few 
 excepted, who got leaue with Hobtone to follow there prince to the isle of 
 Sillie, and from thence to his mother in France. 
 
 The parlament's armie growes daylie stronger as the kinges forces are 
 deminished; and when they fand themselues so stronge that Fairfax, as 
 generall, could command thretie thousand foot, and betuixt eightein and 
 tuantie thousand horse, they resolue, since Ingland now was all at there 
 command, they most have the Scots remoued, who possessed the north of 
 Ingland ingaiged for the monies was resting them. The parlament charges 
 them to rander back the countries of Cumber and Northumberland, with 
 the tounes of Neucastell, Berwick, and Carleill. 
 
 The Scots demands first to be payed of fifteine hunder thousand pound 
 lnglish for the charges of the warr they had mad in Ingland, and the armie 
 of ten thousand they had keipt in Irland. 
 
 The lnglish being proud and confident in there great strength, and in- 
 tending to overreatch them either by subtiltie or might, ansuears the com- 
 
1646.] 
 
 The king flees to the Scots for re fuge. 
 
 193 
 
 raissioners thene attending the parlament, first, that those thrie tounes ware 
 not exprest in their indentore, but onlie the northren counties, and there- 
 for the tounes most be randered ; nixt, the wholl soume was alreadie ex- 
 hausted in ther extraordinarie expences : to their commanders so many 
 thousand pounds for seek and sugar ; so many thousand for braking doune of 
 hedges ; so many thousand for spiling of plewed grounds with their horse 
 feit ; and a wholl rableof such lyke, which most be allowed for peyment, ther 
 wholl soum being exhausted. But the trueth was, they ware so stronge as 
 they had no more neid of their help, and therefor most be redd of them; 
 and thus the second tym the parlament sends and charges the Scots armie 
 to reraoue out of Ingland befor such a day, or they will force them to be 
 gone. 
 
 And after Fairfax had taken, with his mightie armie, the new work of 
 Trent and diverse other tounes that stood out for the king, who had no armie 
 in the feilds, this proud and insolent armie, after a great and generall ran- 
 dewous, cryes out with one woice : " No king, no Scot, no Presbyteriall 
 ffovernament." 
 
 The Scots commissioners procures from the parlament at lenth their 
 finall ansuear ; which was, that altho the soumes ware alreadie exhausted, 
 as yow haue hard, yet they ware content to giwe them, the 6rst day they 
 began their merch, fiftie thousand pound, and the last day, wpon the bor- 
 ders of Scotland, other fiftie thousand ; and this was all they most expect 
 [for] that great soum which was due to them for the great frindship was 
 showen them in anno 1643, when their commissioners did so often and 
 so humblie beg ther aid from the parlament and assemblie then holden 
 at Edinburghe. 
 
 The kinge was now so waik, haueing nether toune, fort, nor armie, 
 and Oxford being a waik and onfortified toune, from whence he looked 
 davlie to be taken perforce, he therefor resolues to cast himself into the 
 arms of the Scots ; who, being his natiue people, and of late so ongratfullie 
 dealt with by the Inglish, he hoped their particular credit, and the credit 
 of the wholl natione depending thereupon, they would not baslie rander 
 him to the Inglish. In this confidence he secretlie leaues Oxford, and 
 comes to Dauid Leslie, leiutenent generall of the Scots cauillarie, who 
 conuoyes him to Newcastell ; and being receaued there by generall Leslie, 
 crovernour, and diverse others of the nobilitie which sat there att ane or- 
 dinarie committie, and which seemed to be exceiding joyfull that he had 
 
 2 B 
 
194 
 
 The Royalists in Scotland 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 put so much trust in them, promising faithfullie that they would not de- 
 ceaue his expectatione. Yet it is thought he took not this resolutione of 
 himself alon, altho it was giuen out that he came to the Scots without 
 anie conditione ; for the French agent, Montrool, both by the adwyce of the 
 queen, and the quein regent of France, dealt secretlie for his coming to 
 the Scots ; and he awoues that they ware so willinge to haue him, as they 
 sought but the present church government to be established, and they would 
 both receaue him for his re-establishment in Ingland, and as their ondouted 
 prince and soveraine also. But this was not performed, and the agent 
 aleadges that the reasone was because they got thrie hunder thousand, for 
 the on hundereth which was offered befor they had him. Whether this as- 
 sertione be true or not, I will not awerr, but truely I cannot think they 
 would with premeditatione commit ane act of such injustice, and so much 
 to the prejudice both of themselfes who had the manadgeinge of the king- 
 domes affaires at that tyme, as also to the perpetuall infamie of the wholl 
 natione. 1 
 
 The nixt day efter his comeing to Newcastell, they petitione him that 
 ordours may be given for the laying doune of arms in Scotland, which he 
 was moued to grant both in hope of their amendment, and for fear to offend 
 at such a tyme. 
 
 Ther was particular ordours sent to Montrose, to Huntlie, and to sir 
 Alexander M'Doneill ; for each of them had a severall armie. 
 
 Montrose would haue keeped up armes till the conditiones of peace had bein 
 bettered, being persuaded that this ordour was wroungge onwillinglie from 
 his majestie ; and indeid, if we look to the sequell, it would seim to haue bein 
 the saifest course : but Huntlie was abstinat, and would neids, in obedience 
 to his majesties coramandement, lay doun arms ; and to that commandement 
 may be added the affront offered him by Montrose last messaig being so 
 rescent in his memorie, as it did no doubt contribut much to his determina- 
 tion e. 
 
 Montrose knowing that, without Huntlie joyned with him to keip up 
 armes, he could not affectuat any thinge, resolues to mak one wiset more to 
 him ; but coming neir the Boge wher he duelt, he sends one befor to shoue 
 him off his coming, who being a male content in the heighest degrie, he took 
 
 1 [" We treated for honourable terms for the King, but unhappily, I must say, the ar- 
 ticle anent the arrears deu to the army was put in, in that treaty." Wodrow's Analecta. 
 vol. i., pp. 18, 19.] 
 
1646.] 
 
 ordered by the king to lay down arms. 
 
 195 
 
 this wiset in so ewill part that he went presentlie to horse, heirby to let him 
 know that complements could not cuir the injuries that ware passed. 
 
 This passage also the first author will not lett pass onplayed upon, and 
 lyk a malignant and ill disposed incendaire, doeth indiscretlie, yea I may say 
 foolishlie awerr, 1 that Huntlie being affrighted with the news of his approach, 
 could not abyd the presence of so gallant a man. But such a capritious and 
 ondecent phraise of speach deserues not ane ansuear, for I am confident that 
 anie discreit and judicious reader will but lauch at such onbeseiming and 
 onreverent foly. And where he says that the Gordones and all Huntlie his 
 frindes told this, with a great deall of indignatione and detestatione of 
 Huntlie, that they might by that means be acquit from the aspertione of so 
 onworthie ane act, cuninglie going about by praising them first to mak them 
 suallie the injurie put upon their chief by so bass a man ; nor will that con- 
 tent him, but he must also haue them accessorie to it by their detestatione 
 of him as he alleadgeth ; but they are knowen to be no such foolls as to con- 
 demne their chiefe, whom they know to haue so large and understanding a 
 soull, as they reverenced his judgment and confessed that he could not 
 choise, but rescent the former wronges. And yit not to speak with a pre- 
 judged opinion of him, as this author doeth in all his relations of this kynd, 
 it may be said that Huntlie did not weill in absenting himself, for I am con- 
 fident that Montrose did ingeniouslie repent he had used him so harshlie, in 
 changing his resolutione to come and aid him, when ther was both so great 
 necessatie and so great reason for it, and in charging him so unkyndlie to 
 
 1 [Rer. Montisros., cap. ix., fol. 234, 235. Book iv., p. 181. 
 
 " Nobiles ergo, familiarum principes, et Equestris ordinis viros, in unum cogere decrevit 
 Montisrosanus ; ut arduum illud negotium, et quod omnium intererat, communi consensu 
 transigeretur. Quern in finem, insuper habitis tot injuriis, Joannem Urraeum, Johannem 
 Innesium Equites, eminentissimos in exercitu suo viros, eosdemq; Huntilaeo, ut arbitrabatur, 
 gratissimos, ad eum ablegat ; qui ilium ad tarn seriam consultationem invitarent : dici vero, 
 lociq ; praestituendi Huntilaeo deterrent potestatem : et prasterea adderent, paratum esse 
 Montisrosanum, ad ejus arcem se conferre, si hoc ille cuperet. Respondit Huntilaeus, Re- 
 gis literas ejusdem argumenti ad se quoque perlatas esse ; quibus omnino obtemperare 
 statuerit : mandata Regis ejus generis esse, ut secundas non admittant cogitationes, nee 
 superesse amplius consultationi locum. Regerentibus vero illis, eundem forsan esse Montis- 
 rosani animum, promptissimam quidem Regis mandatis, sed liberis, exhibere obedientiam ; 
 interim tamen omnium plane interesse, ut mature incolumitati suae, et suorum prospiciant. 
 Majori fama, et authoritate apud ipsos etiam hostes fieret, si in commune consulerent ; ille 
 non aliud respondit, quam se sibi hactenus consuluisse ; cum aliis nihil esse negotii." Rer. 
 Montisros., cap. xxi., fol. 238, 239.] 
 
196 
 
 Huntly takes up arms again. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 come and follow him as his superior ; and it may be presumed that he 
 mad this wiset upon better thoughts, hoping by some fair excusses to pacifie 
 and remoue his hard conceaued opinion : so as we may sie by that which 
 passed at this tym how the first motiones of the mynd are alwayes danger- 
 ous ; for we may seaflie and with charitie judge, that if Huntlie, being of 
 such a pregnant witt, had not bein so suddenlie surprysed, but had gotten 
 tym to adwyse maturlie, he had not so abruptlie shuned the meiting ; but 
 being taken at onawars, without premeditatione, the injurie yit onexcused 
 had mad so deip impressione as passione ecclipsed the eie of reasone, and 
 moderat patience yielded to jealous impatiencie ; for his desir to be freed 
 from the other's ambitious and insulting rule as he esteimed it, being 
 mad more laufull by this command now send him from the king, mad him to 
 lay doun arms, altho it should turn to his prejudice ; and it is to be wished 
 that this wiolent passione had, upon second thoughts, gotten tym to be more 
 calme and moderat : but they are not of the shallouest judgments who 
 esteimed this plot to haue reatched from Pendennes castell to the farrest 
 north corneres of the illand. 
 
 The king hauing granted the Scots Covenanters all that they could de- 
 sire, and arms being laid doune in Scotland, and Montrose sent in exyll, he 
 findes nevertheless that onless he will satisfie the Inglish parliament also, he 
 most be randered back to them, he begins to repent that he had so confi- 
 dentlie, and without anie assurance, thurst himself unto their custodie : and 
 by a secret messaige lets Huntlie know, that if he could put any consider- 
 able forces together he would, if it ware possible, convoy himself from them 
 and com to the north, where he hoped to be in more securitie ; hoping that 
 those whom he knew to be yet weill affected towards him, when they saw 
 himself in the fields, would show themselues als reall as they seimed to be 
 loyall. This advertisment was sent by his majestie with Robin Leslie, 
 Dauid's brother. 
 
 Wpon this secret advertisment he draues his forces again to a head ; 
 and keiping foure or fyw hundereth horse, and fyftein hundereth foot 
 togither, lets him know that he was readie to attend his seruice ; and be- 
 cause if he could mak ane escape it most of necessitie be by sea, therfor he 
 should find him at Banff, a sea toune, which, to that end, he resolues to be 
 master of. He merches therfor to that toune, and hauing seased upon it, 
 and hauing manned the castell, quarters all his horse and foot in and near 
 about the toune, where he stayed all that winter, with hope and inward joy, 
 
1646.] 
 
 Liberation of the duke of Hamilton. 
 
 197 
 
 expecting the hapiness once more to see his prince, in whose defence he 
 resolues to lay doune his fortone, his lyf, and whatsoever was dearest unto 
 him. Fairfax, Cromwell, and the commanders of the Inglish armie, being 
 extreamlie grieued that the king was lyk to be randered to the parliament ; 
 forsieing therin that hauing him they had all Ingland in peace ; and they 
 knew be was a prince of so myld a dispositione, that he might be moued to 
 come over to them in the most important conditiones that they ware now to 
 demand ; and so the armie should be dissolued, Presbiteriall government 
 established, and the strength of the Independant pairtie should be quicklie 
 dashed : for a great pairt of the lower house stood yit for the Presbiterians, 
 and the most pairt of the upper house was not onlie that way sett, but they 
 began to fear their oune standing ; seeing it was a tenet onfalible amongest 
 thos sectaries that both monarchie and nobilitie most goe doune togither, 
 and all estats most be leuelled to equalitie. 
 
 The parliament therfor resolues to keip up monarchie, but so as whosoeuer 
 shall be inthroned most be but their pupill from hencefurth. 
 
 The first thing therfor the armie resolued on was, to sett duck Hamil- 
 toune at libertie, knowing him to be of a restless and working spirit, in hope 
 that he would either change the king's resolutione, upon whom his counsell 
 had ewer wrought with a powerfull influence, or els he would giue the Scot* 
 somwhat els to doe then to medle with affairs in Ingland ; they send, ther- 
 for a warrand to Pandinise castell, and sets him at libertie. He comes 
 to Neucastell soon efter, and hauing kissed the kinges hand, had a long-e 
 and privat conference with him : and it was obserued that, in the werie mo- 
 ment when he took leaue of the kinge, a flash of lightening seimed to fill the 
 wholl roume, efter which folloued a terrible cract of thunder, the lyk wherof 
 was newer heard of in the island ; for as it beganne there at that werie in- 
 stant, so it spreid from thence to the south and the north, ower all the ill, 
 continowing without intermissione not onlie the rest of that day, but the 
 wholle night, and the nixt day till tuelf accloak. It was esteimed a fearfull 
 prodigie, for in those cold climats so near the north poll, never are thunder 
 heard to continue over ane houre or tuo at the most, and that in the heat 
 of the day, but never upon the night ; and this did some learned men esteime 
 as a bad omen, and if credit may be given to thos deviners, the event prowed 
 malorous soone efter for them both, and for the wholl illand also. 
 
 But let us return to the marquis of Huntlie, who hauing long and in 
 vain expected his prince, and being now out of hope to recover him ; who is so 
 
198 
 
 Huntly retires to the Highlands, 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 stronglie garded, and so neirlie lookt too, as he had given over that designe of 
 his escape which was once weill advanced, but it could not be carried throue, 
 so stronge ware the gards and so cairfullie attended by the commanders. 
 
 Wherefor Huntlie was put to a great extremitie, being accused of the 
 steat as ane unjust and perfidious man, when all the conditiones of the 
 peace ware ratefied, approwed, and obserued punctuallie to him, and yit 
 he had broken the peace without any just occasione ; therfor they re- 
 solue to proceid against him in extremitie, and with all rigor, nor could 
 anie thin^e but his blood apease them, onless he could give them a law- 
 full reasone for this so haynous a brech. He resolues rather then his 
 prince (whose sacred persone was yit in their power) sould suffer the least 
 prejudice, to tak the fait upon himself and all that could followe theiron : 
 and, indeid, the long continued hattred and malice which they had borne 
 him from the begininge, was poured furth under the collour of this their 
 just procedour, as they called it, nor could their wrath be extinguished but 
 with his blood. 
 
 He was euer confident that in so just a cause the kinge would at lenth 
 preweall, and till then if he could not help him, he would to all the world 
 si^nifie his loue and loyaltie by suffering with him ; and as on the on pairt 
 he would not giwe them a reasone why he took up arms, so one the other 
 pairt he resolues to absteane from all acts of hostilitie, both that bis master 
 might not suffer, on whose account his falts might be scored up ; and lyk- 
 waves he thought it fitt to abstaine from enterringe anie further in blood 
 with them, if with his honour he could eweit it, that the fait which he was 
 now to tak upon him might seem the less if by misfortoune it should come to 
 hearing. 
 
 His enimies did with all malice temp him to change this resolutione soon 
 efter ; for Crounner Bickertoune, with all the horse and foot the Covenant 
 had in the north, with the assistance almost of all the Covenanters there, 
 merches to Bamff with great assurance to driue him from thence. He was 
 about to aryse and begon befor they intended to come, but hearing of there 
 preparatione, he would not sturre ; for as he had resolued to giue them no 
 occasione of offence, nether would heshune the opportunitie (that they being 
 the nrst brakers) he might retort injuries with injuries. When Bickertoune 
 had come to Bamff with his forces of horse and foot, he fand him so weill 
 prepared and readie to receaue him, as he stayed two or thrie dayes with- 
 out distance of muscat shot ; and seeing both horse and foot readie to re- 
 
1646.] 
 
 and disbands his forces. 
 
 199 
 
 ceawe them, altho he might be ashamed to pley the polls courser in coming 
 so farre for nothing, yit he thought it not fit to temp them too farre ; and 
 so the third day reteired with such disordour, as the marquise could not set 
 his horsemen restrained, but som of them followed him, beating up his rear 
 a good way from the toune ; and it was ewidentlie knowen, and confessed 
 also by diverse captains of Bickertoun's armie, that if the marquise had bein 
 willing to tak the advantage he had over them at that tym, all his men both 
 horse and foot ware so braue and walerous, their horsemen being but 
 troupers latlie taken up, and their foot but the scumes of the people, as he 
 had both routed and totalie overthroven them. 
 
 He stayed efter they ware reteired manie dayes, and hauing put gari- 
 sones in Huntlie and the Bog, he merches at great leasour towards the 
 high countrie, where he intended to liw as ane outlaw ; for he heard how 
 the steat was to send their leiutennent generall, Dauid Leslie, with fyw 
 thousand foot and tuelue hundereth horse, to sease wpon him and tak 
 in his strenghts, and so mak ane end of the trouble he had so often put 
 them to. 
 
 Midlton. the major generall, cam befor the leiutennent with fyw or sex 
 hundereth horse, and followed the marquise in weue each of other all the 
 way as he merched to the hills ; but he fand it not fit to be the first that 
 should giue the charge to such braue and weill resolued defenders. 
 
 When the marquise was once entered within the montains, Midlton left, 
 and returned. 
 
 Dauid Leslie hauing in charge to tak in his castells and strengths, he 
 also resolues not to follow him, but lyes down befor Huntlie, which, upon 
 condisciones, was sooner randered then was expected. The Bog also was 
 randered with small difficultie. Onlie Aboyn's fortificatione, within the Loch 
 Candor, stood out certain dayes, till they got honorable conditones, captain 
 agitant Gordon being the commander. 
 
 The leiutennant generall puts garrisones in all thos thrie ; and then is re- 
 called to merch into the wast, for taking lyk ordour with sir Alexander 
 M'Doneill, who keipt ArdgvlTs frinds and countrie in great subjectione. 
 He leaues Midltoune, with a competent pairt of his forces, to follow Huntlie ; 
 and takes diverse gentlemen of the nam of Gordone as prisoners south with 
 him ; as old Xewtowne, Lett erf urie, his brother Thomas, "William Gordone 
 of Minimor, and Jhon Gordone of Farnachtie, and captain Mortimer. 
 
 The marquise, when he came up to Badenoch, disbands his forces, re- 
 
200 
 
 The Scots deliver up the 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 seruiug onlie a lyfguaird for himselfe and his sonne ; showinge them that he 
 whs resolued to live ane outlaw, till Prouident Heaven should be pleased to 
 change the kinges fortoune, upon whos commandements his Jyfe and his 
 fortoune should alwayes depend. 
 
 It was lord Lues his good fortoune at this tyra that there was a litle jar 
 betuixt his father and him for his prowisione ; which he alleadged was too 
 litle to maintaine the rank and qualitie which his birth and place obleidged 
 him to carie ; so as he was not at this taking wp of arms, and so had not 
 broken the peace ; wherfor he was the more myldlie dealt with, for his 
 sentence was onlie to leaue the countrie for a certaine tyme, which he was 
 forced to obey. 
 
 Whill affairs went thus in Scotland, the Scots commissioners set all there 
 wits on edge to make a final agriment betuixt the king and his two houses of 
 parlament And truly it seems they dealt therin werie sincerely and faith- 
 fullie ; and there enemies in this poynt hath laid a werie false and grievous 
 aspertione upon them, wenting abroad in forraine nationes and countries 
 that they sold their kinge, which their dealing at this tym seems abound- 
 antle to clear them off : for they brought him to yeild to manie thinges which 
 befor be would never consent too ; and they got the parliament to yeild in 
 many thinges to the kinge ; so as he granted to pass from Episcopacie, pro- 
 uiding they would adwyse him if his oath could lawfullie be dispensed with, 
 and thereupon he yeilded to Presbiteriall government. He referred all 
 other ecclesiasticall discipline also to the devines that sould sit at Weast- 
 minster. For thrie years to come, he promised to confirme all their acts 
 against Papists. And the militia, which was the main difference, he granted 
 for ten years to such a choisen number as the parliament and he could agrie 
 upon ; onlie he stood at that poynt, that efter those years it sould returne 
 to the croune ; and he had all reasone for it, seing the croune and the scepter 
 serued him to litle or no use, if he wanted the power of the sword, without 
 the which he could nether giue justice to his subjects, nor exact it from 
 them, nor could he defend himself or them from forraine nationes or enemies, 
 and so there was nothinge but the bear title of a kinge left him. 
 
 The two houses desyred that the militia might be in the hands of the 
 parliament onlie for ten or tuantie years, and there-efter the kinge sould 
 dispose upon it by their adwyse onlie ; and it was hoped that the kinge 
 being delivered to them, they might better the conditiones at the least for 
 their owne tym, wherefor that they might wine their poynt, 
 
1647.] 
 
 king to the English Parliament. 
 
 201 
 
 The Scots ware content to rander him, but wpon this conditione obso- 
 lutlie, that they sould not tuich his sacred person, nor offer him injurie upon 
 any terms ; but still to acknowledge him as their kinge, and that nether he 
 nor his airs should be depryued of the croune of Ingland : in which they 
 dealt honourablie, and no doubt but meaned sincerlie ; nor had it ewer bein 
 called in questione, if the parliament had continued in their full strenth, for 
 they ware readie to haue brought him up to Londoune, that they might there 
 treat more freelie with him, when anew revolutione overthrew all in this sort. 
 
 The armie being still informed from those of the lower house that ware 
 of their oune professione, I mean Independents, that the parliament and the 
 kinge ware lyk to agrie, and that the Presbiteriall pairtie, to whom the kinge 
 had yeilded, was lyk to beare them doune, and how the wpper house was 
 mainlie set to haue the king at Londoune, and had concluded now that the 
 king being in their custodie, and all Ingland at their obedience, the armie 
 must be dissolued. This informatione came to the generall, and Cromwell, 
 leiutennet general, within a short whyll efter the king had bein randered to 
 the custodie of the parliament, and was conwoyed to Humblby house ; and 
 the Scots commissioners who left not off to deall betwixt them ware still 
 putting in commissione for the same end. When, lo, there came from the 
 armie fvftein or sextein hunder horse to the castell, and sending in some 
 commissioners to the king, they humblie intreat him that he would be pleased 
 to goe with them to the armie which intended so much good towards his 
 majestie, as they ware readie with reverence, respect, and duetie, to honour, 
 follow, and serue him as their soverraine, and had resolued to place him 
 agraine on the throne of his kingdome. 
 
 His majestie was exceiding loath to yield to their desyrs, for he weill 
 knew that both the leadders ware Independants ; and the wholl body of the 
 armie was composed and mad up of sectaries of all sorts, so as his pregnant 
 judgment did quicklie perceaue how it was but to work their owne ends with 
 him ; and thos faire offers could not be reall, since one of their tenets was, 
 that monarchic most be abolished and anarchie established : for their abo- 
 minable errours, in speciall of the Brunists, could never prosper nor increase 
 under a weill governed monarchic This was knowen to this much knowing 
 king, and therfor, and because he was so near a poynt with his parliament, 
 gladlie would he haue shuned them, till they told him plainlie that their was 
 no remedie, all was intended for his majesties weill, and goe he must. 
 
 Thus was he brought to the armie : and altho it doeth plainlie appeare 
 
 2 c 
 
202 
 
 The king seized by the army : escapes to the 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 that this was a plot laid doune by the generall and the commanders, yit 
 when he was come, they cuninglie refused that they knew of that parties 
 going furth to that end ; neuertheless since he was come, they did both joy- 
 fullie accept of his majestie, and would from hencefurth acknowledge them- 
 selues to be his armie, and would beseich his majestie that he would take 
 them for his oune, and call them his, and they would obey him and doe him 
 all thos good offices that was due from subjects to their soveiraine. 
 
 Soon efter they brought him in great triumph to Hamptoune Court ; 
 and began to menace the parliament that they would haue it discharged, 
 and his majestie was to haue a new parliament, wherein himself most 
 sitt in persone ; that they most count for all the kinges and churches 
 rents since their intromissione ; that they most giw ane account of tuantie 
 millions they borroued from the citie, besyds the heavie taxis and excyse 
 was laid wpon the land, except so much as had bein deburssed for pey- 
 ment of the armie ; that the queine most be sent for, and restored to all 
 thos privileidges of religione and others promised at hir marriadge ; that 
 the armie most be presentlie peyed of all their arreirs, and prepara- 
 tione mad for the king and his armie to enter the citie againe such a day. 
 Thos great and glorious brags, with many more neidless to repeat, had 
 they been sinceire and reallie intended, had contribut much to a succeid- 
 insi' peace. But their intensiones ware far from the good serwice they 
 mad show of to the king ; all their designs was to mak the parliament com- 
 ply with them, and both to desert the kinge and to discharge the present 
 treatie, which soon efter they obtained : and then when they had accorded 
 with the parliament in all thinges, they began in publict sermones to raill 
 against the kinge, and because his only demand (for he would nether adwyse 
 them to doe any thinge nor demand anie thinge saue that) was, that he 
 might haue his chaplains restored to him, and libertie for him and his ser- 
 uants to profess their owne religione. This they took so to heart, that they 
 dispaired of ewer winning him to be thers, or to purchease from such a 
 jealous prince and preceise Protestant so much as a tolloratione for their 
 confused medley of sects ; wherefor there sermones from thencefurth ware 
 alwayes invectiue against him, and the souldiours begane to look soure 
 and discontented : so much influence hath noveltie and new dewysed opinions 
 of religione upon the hearts of men. 
 
 The king being advertised ewin by some of the armie, who had so much 
 goodness in them as to bewaill the injuries offered to so much innocence, 
 
1647.] Isle of Wight. Dispersion of the Scottish Royalists. 203 
 
 desyring him to look to himself, for there was no good intended towards 
 him ; upon this advertisment he findes the means to conway himself secretlie 
 away, and befor it was knowen, he was gotten into 111 of Wiaht, resoluing 
 to stay there, for if he had not so resolued, he might haue gone from thence 
 into France. But being once so near a finall agriement with his parliament, 
 he was content to be areasted there, hoping that God would be pleased, efter 
 this disasterous intermission e, to bring the treatie of this so much desyred 
 peace to a happie end, for he was confident that what the parliament had 
 done at this tym to satisfie the armie, they ware forced to it. In May, in 
 anno 1646, he came to Newcastell, and in anno 1647, he came to the HI of 
 Wight, where the Scots commissioners came to him, and ceased not with 
 cairfull diligence to renew the treatie of peace ; but the armie was so for- 
 midable to the parliament, that, altho they ware willing, it was dangerous 
 to be sein to giue ear to it ; yit the treatie went one but werie coldlie. 
 and at great leasoure, with diwerse fitts and intermissiones, wntill the armie 
 reaped a second storme. 
 
 But whill matters thus passed in Ingland, the Covenant was not idle at 
 home. Dauid Leslie went with a strong power of horse and foot to Ardgrll 
 and Kintyr; from thence he forced sir Alexander M'Doneill to flie wnto 
 Irland, haueing surprysed a number of his men that keeped the pass or 
 entrie to Kintyre. He killed all thos almost that keeped the pass efter thev 
 had gotten in a strength, where he overcame them, and killed the most 
 pairt of them, but lost manie of his best men. 
 
 The Divyne Providence hauing decried that the sad disasters, the mal- 
 lorous events, the murnfull and traject end of this so worthie, so gracious, 
 and so good a king sould be a sharp and fearfull warning to all kinges. 
 and ane astonishment to the profoundest judgments, it seims the heavins, 
 the starrs, the eliments, the wholl frame of the wniwerse, and all the 
 powers of nature ware united to marre whatsoewer was weill intended, and 
 to lay innocencie onder the feit of injustice ; for what way soever he sought 
 to make his just clem apparent, or whatsoever his faithful subjects did in 
 defence of his royal prerogatiue, all was crossed, all was marred, and he and 
 they must suffer unjustlie by the cruell hand of his vnjust enemies. 
 
 The Inglish parliament, when they begane to sie their former errour, and 
 went about to restor him, were crushed by the armie. Montrose, whose 
 happie fortone had almost perfeited what was given him in charge, was 
 exylled out of the countrie ; M'Doneill was forced to flie into Irland, when 
 
204 The marquis of Huntly betrayed by the clan Cameron. [B. IV. 
 
 thos that followed him ware killed and dispersed ; and, lastlie, the marquise 
 of Huntlie, whose deip judgment forsawe the event, and therefor had for- 
 borne his enimies dywerse tyms when he was able to have crushed them, 
 was, nevertheless, with obstinancie and relentless malice, persecuted, so as 
 they never left to follow him, till they got him in their hands : and therefor, 
 befor he died, he repented that he had so often withheld his sons, and so 
 manie braue and walient men as followed him, from taking of thos advan- 
 tages which was so often offered them. 
 
 Maior Midltone, according to the ordour giuen him, followed Huntlie to 
 Badenoch, and from thence to Lochaber, where, by the treacherie of the 
 Glencameronne, he was sett out to Midltone. For altho that race had 
 nothing but what they had of him, and they and all their predecessours 
 had ewer bein serwants and followers of the house of Huntlie, yit in this 
 rebellione they followed Ardgyll, for the which they saw themselues in smal 
 grace with him, and therefor resolued to betray him. He had with him but 
 two or thrie hundereth, and manie of thos ware gentleman of good sort : 
 they alwayes keept the feilds, and their litle campe was in such a stronge 
 ground, as their enimies, without the conduct and aid of the countrie people, 
 could never doe them harme. 
 
 The Glencamerone, with their chief, privatlie agries with the major, that 
 if he would let them haue the baggadge and the stufe, they would bring him 
 and leid him such a way as he should be upon them befor they knew of 
 his coming : and altho in this they proued traitours to their master, yit ware 
 they as good as their word, hopeinge in the baggadg to get all his gold and 
 monie ; for whersoewer he came he took nothinge but what he cost ; and 
 there went a rumore amongest them that he had in gold as much as might 
 sustein him for thrie years. 
 
 Midltone, by their conwoy, being brought both with his horse and foot 
 wpon them befor they could stand to their arms, they, with great difficultie, 
 got my lord and his sonne to horse ; and, that he might get tyme to be 
 out of their reich, fourtie of their best men stayes in the reir with such cur- 
 radge and walour, and obstinat resolutione, as if the clan Camerone, climing 
 over the rocks, had not incompassed them, they had mad the pass good in 
 spight of all their enimies. This pairtie was commanded by Hearthill, a 
 youth of tuantie years, or litle more, but of such admirable walour, curradge, 
 and dexteritie in arms, as he was amongest his enimies the most redouted 
 man that followed the marquise at that tyme. 
 
1647.] He is apprehended and carried to Edinburgh. 205 
 
 Being thus incompassed, many of them ware slaine; few wane away. 
 Hearthill himself was taken, and Invermarkie Gordone, with young New- 
 tone, who, altho he wan frie at that tyme, yit by means of the Forbeses, his 
 grandam's kine, he was surprysed soon efterwards ; and both Hearthill and 
 he, being about one age and dear commerads, ware soon efter had to 
 Edinburghe, where they ware both execute, for no cause but standing in 
 defence of their soverain lord's prerogatiue. Had they preserued the Hues 
 of thos two youths, they could haue done their natione more honour and 
 more acceptable service against a forraine enimie then a thousand common 
 souldiours. 
 
 The marquise being escaped the danger, devyds himself from his sonne, 
 to the end one of them might be frie from such snares heirefter. And it was 
 not longe befor himself was surprysed by ane other pairtie, which he could 
 haue shuned, being both advertised and adwysed too it. But this was euer 
 his predominant, yea, I may say, his onlie fait, that he was ower much in- 
 clyned to follow his owne opinione, which mad him to underwalue the ad- 
 wyss which was given him, tho it had come from his nearest and dearest 
 frinds ; and this his willfull and onconsulable dispositione was thought to 
 be the cause of that hard success which folloued manie of his interpryses 
 so worthielie intended, and in end was the onluckie cause of his apprehen- 
 sione, and so of his death. His sonne Aboyne efter himself was taken, 
 could hardlie escape being cairfullie and narrowlie searched for by his enimies, 
 but he fand the means to gett himself, and two or thrie seruants, conwoyed 
 unto France ; nor did he ever returne, for there he dyed of ane ague about 
 ane year efter, to the no small prejudice of the king's cause, and the great 
 regrat of all his frinds. 
 
 Efter the marquise was apprehended and sent to Edinburghe, the Puritane 
 preachers ware so violent for his lyfe, that they strowe to haue his entrie to 
 the toune to be to the scaffold ; which altho it was not granted at that tyme, 
 yit their cruell and ondeserued malice was such, as they ceased not to follow 
 their suit till they obtained it : nor would his enimies wotchafe his imprison- 
 ment in the castell, where noblemen ware in use to be put, but he was put 
 in the common jayall ; hauing only two roms aloued for himself and his ser- 
 wants. 
 
 Fairfax and Cromwell, with their Independent armie in Ingland, finding 
 both houses of parliament yit too strong for the Presbiterians, and weill 
 inclyned to restore the king, resolues with force and with a stronge hand 
 
•206 
 
 The Scottish parliament takes arms in defence 
 
 "B. VI. 
 
 to plant their sects. The first thinge they doe, therefor, is to sett furth a 
 declaratione, wherein they most injustlie and most maliciouslie accuse his 
 majestie as the onlie ground and cause of all the warr, and are not affray ed 
 to account him worthie of death. 
 
 The nixt thinge they doe was, in one day, to force ane hundereth in the 
 lower house to flie for fear of their hues, and some others they imprisone, so 
 as their was non that sat in the lower house but thos of their owne sect ; 
 nor could the upper house be able to prewent it, both because the armie was 
 master of the feilds, as also because dywerse of themselues being of that 
 same sect, did priuatle fawore the armies proceidinss. 
 
 The wyse, gentle, and good king, to preuent this danger of his oune lyf, 
 and owerthrow of all gouernment, which by their wiolent procedoure was 
 so fare advanced, deals with the Scots commissioners, who all his tyme had 
 trauelled so cairfullie for the peace, to go home and deall with the estats 
 in tyme to prewent their designes ; or els they might assuredlie look for to 
 haue the lyk confusione both of laues and religione thruste wpon themselues, 
 if thos Independants prewealed by getting of his person once red out of the 
 way. 
 
 The commissioners returnes ; they declair the kinges will, and showes 
 what a fearfull cloud of lightening and consuming fyre was lyk to aryse 
 from that armie to the confusione and utter destructione of the whole illand, 
 and the abolishing of lawe and religione. Wherewpon there was a parlia- 
 ment called, and hauing taken the matter grawlie to consideratione, they 
 resolue to oppose arms with arms, and giues speidie warrands for a present 
 lewie. Ardsyll, with the Puritan factione, in a generall assemblie, stroue 
 raisrbtilie to owerthrow the designe : for altho it was chieflie intended for 
 reliefe of the kinse, and to withstand the planting of thos new antichristiane 
 sects, yit they stood against it which ware the ministrie ; and the marquise 
 of Ardgyll and his factione alleadged they ought not to take arms against 
 Insrland, first, because of the Lidge and Covenant agried upon uni- 
 formlie by the consent of both nationes ; nixt, that the king had not as yit 
 ratified or approued the Covenant. Ardgyll was forced in this to syd with 
 the assemblie, being by their policie at first so deiplie ingadged as he knew 
 not how to com fairlie off ; nevertheless when he sies a saiff way, doubtless 
 he will no more be a Puritan ; but at this tym he stands to them for his 
 owne saiftie, alleadging the kinge had not givin them satisfactione concern- 
 ing the church government. But for thos and other reasones ( which I leaue 
 
] 648.] of the king : opposed by Argyle and the general assembly. 207 
 
 because I intend bot ane abregimen) it seims that their was a deiper mis- 
 terie, ouer which thos reasones had but drauen the curtain ; and if euer 
 it come to light, all good men ought to wish that it sawor not of independ- 
 ancie, and to pray that God Almightie's all seing prouidence may prevent it. 
 
 And in on word for their exceptione against the king, his answear to the 
 articles of the Inglish parliament might giue them full satisfactione ; for 
 their hauing yeilded to the establishment of church government, and in spe- 
 ciall Presbiteriall, he concluds thus : and if the Scots will require the lyk, I 
 am willing to grant it. 1 That they would thus stand out then when his lyff 
 was in so great danger, knowing how good a king he was, how sincer a 
 Protestant, and how he had in all thinges given contentment concerning re- 
 ligione as it was presentle established by the Inglish parliament ; when non 
 of thos, I say, could moue them to yeild, that the present danger wherein 
 his lyf was might be prevented, surely they most haue some second end 
 that tends to the overthrow of monarchic, or the reasing of independancie, 
 or both ; since it may be said that now we can hardlie haue on without the 
 other. All that they and Ardgyll both can doe could not gett the lewie 
 hindered, that ane armie might merch into Ingland, for the kinges releife : 
 for now the hearts of the nobilitie and gentrie ware become more plyable to 
 reasone, they ware not carried away with a wiolent and headstronge passione 
 as in the begining of the Covenant, when they could not sie the just de- 
 signes, the ingenuity, and the candor of so gracious a prince ; for the zeall 
 wherewith the Puritane spirit had clouded their judgments, and inflamed their 
 hearts with a vehement desyre of change, was become more moderat and 
 calme ; insomuch, as in this lewie, which was quicklie reased, they brought 
 to the randewous tuantie thousand foot and sex thousand horse, besyds 
 fiue thousand of their old and weill trained souldeours brought out of Irland ; 
 and so fare ware the hearts of the people changed from the furious and 
 madde rage wherewith that woefull and ever to be lamented Covenant had 
 first lead them, that of all this armie of aboue thretie thousand, their was 
 not a nobleman, nor gentlman, which had not bein a wehement Covenanter, 
 and had gon twyse to aid Ingland against their natiue kinge, and now they 
 goe chearfullie to aid their natiue kinge against Ingland. 
 
 When the parliament had concluded to prewent the miseries and malours 
 which the Inglish sectaries was lyke to bring wpon the iland, and to releiue 
 
 i [Rushworth's Hist. Collection, vol. vii., pp. 880—883.] 
 
L','5 
 
 The duke of Hamilton chosen general. 
 
 "B. VL 
 
 the kinff, whose lyf was in danger through the sawadge and inhumane 
 crueltie of that maliffnant armie, then they ware to make choise of a gene- 
 rail. But, O maloure ! there began our miserie. The Devyne Majestie 
 was not content with us ; we must be better humbled ; and, therefore, God 
 suffered them to err in this, that they mad choise of the greatest man of 
 the kin^dome, and thought to be the wysest man, the most profound man, 
 the greatest steatsman and deipest politiciane, not onlie of the thrie king- 
 domes, but of all Christendome : in this only he was defectiue, that he had 
 never practised the airt militarie. He was fitter for a cabinet counsell nor 
 for a counsell of warre ; he could haue bein precedent in the grauest seuat 
 that euer sat in the Vatican, yit knew he not what belonged to the leadinge 
 of ane armie. And, truely, that he was ignorant in this airt would seim 
 to be his best excuse, there being so many of that opinione that he was 
 never reall for the king ; yit, in this expeditione, to condemne him for 
 ought that is yit probable sould seim to proceid rather of malice then from 
 reasone, seing he geue his lyff for it. His enimies accuses him how he 
 sould be so instant seting all his wits one edge to haue the leading of this 
 armie, that he might thereby bring the kinges extreamest refuge and last 
 hopes to nothinge, and wpon this fundatione of his master's ruine to build 
 his ambitione and work his owne ends. This is but conjecturall, and hath 
 no solid ground to build wpon : let us rather excuse him thus, that he was 
 instant to haue the leading of that armie, because the king did so desyre 
 it, and he had his letter wpon it for his warrand. Their nixt presumptione 
 that accuses him is, that he went not about it lyke himself, that is, so capa- 
 ble, so judicious ; that in all the projects that ever he undertooke he left 
 nothing for ane other to amend, no circumstance was omitted in the sight 
 of humane judgment for future repentance, or had I wist, which comes 
 ever too leat : but in this he shew waikness as was not to be lookt for 
 from so able a man, and so wigilant and circumspect in all his waves. 
 And this waikness was that he carried ane armie into Insrland for the kinf 
 his releif, but left his antogonist behind him at libertie, to set new plots on 
 foot, and cut furth more work for his master ; whereas he sould, befor he 
 had gone, mad them all sure whose pouer and greatness was lyk to oppose 
 him. This is, indeid, a misterie to me, and I desyr not to wyd in the 
 secret of it ; yit this much may be said for his excuse, that he left his 
 brother, Lenrick, a man both of ane able judgment, upright in all his 
 waves, and wanted no curradge nor actione to performe, to oppose, or ap- 
 
1648.] An examination of his conduct in the enterprise. 209 
 
 pease whatsoewer new sturrs sould aryse. He left him, indeid, say they, 
 but left not readie forces to attend him, either to smother insurrectiones in 
 their bud, or to force obedience from rebellious subjects. He caried, 
 sayeth those accusers, this armie into Ingland so oncircumspectlie, and with 
 so shallowe a judgment, as might weil bewray that he had second ends ; for 
 he left the third pairt of the armie, but newlie reased, in the north, without 
 ordour where they sould come to him, or when they should come to him ; 
 that fyue or sex thousand, come from Irland, which was the onlie strength 
 of all his infantrie, being so weil disciplined and old trained souldiours, 
 thos he left behind, nor would he stay for them : and thus he merched to 
 meit his enimies with the half of his forces, whereas, if he had united them 
 all in one bodie, he had bein able for one day to haue given battell to all 
 Ingland. But the reasone of his sudden merch, with the half of the armie, 
 was sir Marmaduck Langley his ceaseles and continuall solistationes to ad- 
 wance, promising great matters ; for he was gone befor with some thousands 
 of the Inglish Royalists, to showe his love, his faith, and loyaltie to his 
 master. The rest of their accusationes, as that ther was thrie score inylls 
 betuixt the wan and the reir of his armie ; that if ewin thos whom he had 
 with him, if they had bein keipt in one bodie, was strong enouch to haue beat 
 Cromwell out of the feilds, but he had separated them in foure or fyue devi- 
 siones, and that so farre distant as one of them could not second ane other ; 
 to this may be ansueared his laik of experience. And, therefor, it seims the 
 earle of Calendare can more hardlie be excused for thos errours, who, from 
 his youth, had bein bred wp in the best accademie that the world could 
 afford for the airt militarie, that was onder the command of that Mars of 
 men, the prince of Orange, onder whom he had bein a commander in chiefe, 
 and he had also many years, to the inlargment of his honour, followed the 
 warrs in Germanie, and had gotten much experience there ; and yit 
 further to cleir him of this poynt, in a counsell of warre, he was heard to 
 sav, that altho the parliament had done him the honour to mak him the 
 leader of that armie, yit he could not but ingeniouslie confess that he 
 wanted experience for so great a charge, and therefor he desyred both to 
 be adwysed and reuled by thos that knew what belonged too it. 
 
 But heir to giue you a relatione how that expedition was miscaried, and 
 that so braue, so considerable, so weil accomplished, and so martiall ane 
 armie, without strok of sword, was overthrowen, or so much as drauing of 
 blood on either syd ; except thrie or foure hundereth killed where Merchell 
 
 2 D 
 
210 
 
 Hamilton's army dispersed. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 and Chrichtone, with tuo regiments, ware; there being both a river and a 
 great distance of rayls betuixt them and the general his quarter, and it was 
 their onluckie fortowne to be charged where horsmen could doe no serwice, 
 they being all horsmen, invironed with hedges and ditches, so as efter a longe 
 disput at such disadwantadg, they ware forced to quyt the feild and reteir, 
 rather than yeild themselues prisoners. As for Bailzie, who had fiue thou- 
 sand foot in ane other divisione, diwerse mylls from the generall, that he 
 and all thos wpon the first summonds laid doune their arms, and randered 
 themselues prisoners, their excuse for this is, that they had nether pudder nor 
 ball. The generall, when he gew them ordour to goe there, gew them assur- 
 ance also that pudder and ball in abundance sould meit them there ; but their 
 came non, and that might be their fait that had charge of the magasine. 
 
 But how the general yeilded himself prisoner, and so many braue and 
 walient cavaleirs, without strok of sword, for altho they ware surprysed, the 
 generall's intelligence hauing failed him, who took the enimie to be foure 
 score mylls distant when they ware within uew, yet I say they had tym 
 to goe to their horse : and Calendare, as is reported, desyred to know the 
 generall's mynd whether he would feight or no, and hauing his ansuear 
 that he would yeild and not feight, Calendar had efter that ansuear as 
 much as to reteir with foure or fiwe troups of horse, whom he caried cleir 
 away with him, and throw many dangers and a world of difficulties, brought 
 them saife wnto Waills. 
 
 Altho all this be reported by credible authors, it is neverthelesse re- 
 ported that the duck would haue foghten, and Calendar would not, so as 
 it is hard to giue the true relatione ; onlie this is certain, that Cromwell 
 took the generall, with many other braue gentlmen, and weill neir ten 
 thousand, prisoners, the rest of the armie being dispersed without feight- 
 ing ; and altho it be most lyk that it was by surpryse, yit tym may bringe to 
 light all that can be said in the contraire. 
 
 This onfortunat expeditione being intended for the releif of so good and 
 yit so onfortunat a kinge, Ardgyll, and all thos that ware against it, began 
 to tak arms ; and generall Leslie, from whom the duck had taken the 
 castell, possessed himself againe with it ; that being one of the duck's over- 
 sights that nether left he a considerable number to gaird it, nor gew it 
 in custodie to any, but only desyred the toune of Edinburghe to haue a cair 
 of it. The warrand being so cairlesslie giuen, they becam cairlesse of it, 
 and so without oppositione the generall repossessed it. 
 
1648.] Movements of Argyle and the Scottish rebels. 211 
 
 Lenrick, with Lindsay, Roxbrogh, and Hoom, and some others, had 
 a meiting, where they adwysed how Ardgyll and his factione misrht be 
 resisted ; and, since the generall and Dauid Leslie had alreadie taken the 
 feilds, they most doe some thinge of necessitie, or els suffer them to ruel 
 all, of whom they expected small courtesie ; therefor, efter some difference 
 who sould haue the leading of their forces, it is put upon Lenrick, althn 
 Roxbrogh seimed awers from that way of hostilitie. 
 
 Lenrick sends for Monro, who, not hauing adwanced further then the 
 border of Ingland, was not lange from him ; and with thos and such forces 
 as he could draue togither, he was stronge enouch for his opposits. 
 
 But they possess with themselues the toune and castell of Edinbrough, 
 whill Ardgyll goes to rease forces ; and fearing that Lenrick sould be 
 too stronge for them, they post one to the Independant armie for their 
 asistance, Ardgyll returning with some forces by Stirling, intending to 
 make that toune sure, and to merch for Edinbrough. Monro being at 
 Lithgo, and haueing intelligence of Ardgyll's merching for Stirlinge, he 
 takes a stronge pairtie, which he appoynts to follow him. Onlie with sir 
 William Keth of Ludquharne and one troup he merches so spidilie for 
 Stirling, that, being the first advertisers, they come suddenlie wpon the 
 Cambells, who had the gaird of the bridge ; they beat them from it, and 
 kills diwerse of them, takes manie prisoners, and forces the rest to turne 
 home, both with loss and discredit. 
 
 Efter this fair begining, Lenricke his forces daylie increasinge by such as 
 returned out of Ingland, and some that came from the north, of that lewie 
 which sould haue gone with the duck, so as this younge, gallant, curragious 
 earll would willinglie haue giwen his enimies a tryall of his walour, but they 
 would not hazard with him till ther ansuear from Ingland ; which was, that 
 Cromwell came doune with foure thousand horse, and mad no stay till he 
 came within tuelue mylls of Edinbrough. By this aide Ardgyll was made 
 both stronge and confident. And Lenrick receauing letters from his brother, 
 showing him that if he laid not doune arms his head and all the rest of the 
 prisoners' heads must pay for it ; thos letters greiwed him extreamlie, for 
 he was a man full of curadge, of ane excellent temper, and was thought to 
 haue a soule more wertueously inclyned then his brother ; for his way was 
 more free and plaine, squaring furth his actiones rather by the ruel of reasone 
 and justice, then by the secreit and obscure way of dark and dissemblinge 
 policie, which it was thought his brother was too much inclyned too : but 
 
212 
 
 Cromwell comes to the aid of Argyle. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 this younge and gallant earle was of such a frie and gentle dispositione, as 
 he was both beloued of his friends and feared of his enemies. 
 
 Iff thos letters had not com, he had not yeilded so easelie to a treatie of 
 peace, wherin all those of this last ingagment wes to be takin order with in 
 the nixt parliment ; but ther was no remedie, quhatsoeuer they soght most 
 be en-anted, that the prisoners might be releiued. And altho it be con- 
 stantly reported that Lindsay caused privatlie the captains and commanders 
 of his forses to steil away, and rander themselues to Ardgyll, it caries no 
 apperance of trueth, for he continued still Lenrick's frind, a faworer of 
 the kinges pairtie, and was persecuted by the other factione. 
 
 Cromwell and his armie of cawillrie dominired in all pairts where thev 
 came, and in speciall about Edinbrough, and in East Louthian. The good 
 earle of Wenton, to whose well furnished table all noblemen and gentlemen had 
 ewer bein wellcome, was pittiefullie abused by them ; his fair house of Seatone 
 mad a common ins ; himself threatned to be killed, iff they had not whatsoewer 
 thev called for ; his rich furniture and stuff plundered ; and all the enormi- 
 ties that could be offered by Jews or Turks to Christians, he suffered daylie : 
 and when he complained to thos of our nobilitie, who now rule all, he got 
 no redress, but ordoure with patience to giue them whatsoewer they called for. 
 
 Their generall, Cromwell, stayed in Edinbrough, a steatlie ludging being 
 appoynted for him. He went not to their churches ; but it is constantle re- 
 ported that ewerie day he had sermons in his oune ludginge, himself being 
 the preacher, whensoewer the spirit came upon him ; which took him lyk the 
 fitts of an ague, somtyms twise, sometyms thryse in a day. 
 
 On of his commanders being quartered with one of the magistrats of the 
 citie, that he might be used with the more rewerence, and intertained with 
 the more gracefull respect, the master of the house brought the preacher of 
 the parish, a discreit and modest man, to accompanie him, whose conversa- 
 tione he hoped would be pleasing to him. This preacher efter he had 
 blissed the table, accordinge to our Scots custome, prayed for the continu- 
 ance and prosperous success of the Couenant ; which did so offend the 
 Inglish captaine and thos gentlemen that attended wpon him, as the 
 preacher was threatned and abused most beastlie, for presuming in their 
 presence to extoll their rotten Covenant (as he termed it) ; and with manie 
 reproachfull terms told the preacher that they had in Ingland trodden his 
 Covenant under their feit, and they hoped befor it ware longe to consume it 
 in Scotland with fyre, and with disgrace to extinguish the memorie theirof. 
 
1648.] 
 
 Cromwell in Edinburgh. 
 
 213 
 
 The preacher would haue ansueared, but he durst not, that then their new 
 sects might be termed a viperous brood, since the Covenant could not un- 
 justlie be said to haue hatched them ; for it is so well knowen that they 
 durst not looke out of their lurking holls till they ware emboldened to creip 
 first abroad under the winges of the Covenant, and therefore God's divine 
 justice had mad them the scurge of their parent. 
 
 In the tyme that the Inglish stayed, there ware daylie and continuallie 
 complents given in ; the people being unable to indure their insolent cariage, 
 so as their ware manie braules, feighting, and killing in priuat corners, 
 where the Scots might be their masters. And one day in Edinbrough, wpon 
 the Heigh streit, and befor the greneraH's ludg'eing', where the Inglishes ware 
 alwayes goeing furth and in at the gat, one of their officers was come furth ; 
 and going to his horse in a great cheaf, because he had complained of ane 
 great injurie done to some of his troup, by the Scots, where they ware quar- 
 tered, and not being justlie satisfied with the general's ansueare, when he had 
 munted his horse, he spak aloud those words, "With my owne hands I killed 
 that Scot which ought this horse and this cass of pistolls, and who darre say 
 that in this I wronged him." "I darre say it," said one standinge by, "and 
 thus shall rewenge it" ; and with the word, pulling furth his sword, thrust him 
 quyt through the body ; and with a prompt celeritie, as if it had bein all 
 on motion, just as he strok him (who was alreadie falling to the ground), 
 and munting the horse, reds the way with a feirce gallop, and winning the 
 port, goes to the feilds, and by ane honorable flight fries himself from all 
 danger. 
 
 Cromwell being migbtilie displeased with thos affronts (and yit knew not 
 how to mend them) makes the more heast ; and haueing concluded with 
 Ardgyll how matters efterwards sould be disposed of, he returns into 
 Ingland, where he was longed for, because he was a man of great actione. 
 And the armie being now fred from the feare they conceaued of the 
 Scots, resolues quicklie to goe throwe with their transmigratione ; and to 
 make it the more dreadfull, they resolue to beginne with that onparaleled 
 and never to be matched tragedie, of sheddinge the innocent blood of their 
 kinge, that wyse, worthie, and ewer onimitable prince. And, first, they be- 
 gine their new kynd of reformatione in abolishing both the present and all 
 future parliaments, which most be subscriwed throwe out the kingdome 
 onder the notione of ane agriemeut of the commones, and the wholl bodie of 
 the people ; which they had declared in their former Remonstrance, in 
 
•214 
 
 The commons resolve to sit in judgment on the king. [B. IV. 
 
 Nouember 1(5, 1648, (paige 67.)' And now to establish this their reforma- 
 tione, which was indeid a deformatione, they threaten those noblemen of the 
 wpper house who seimed to fawore the kinge, that they most all be arraigned 
 eriminallie wpon their life [before] this new judicatorie called the commons 
 of Ingland ; which judicatorie they establish, and ordains to sitt at West- 
 minster. Such of the nobilitie as perceaued their liues in danger, conwoyes 
 themselves away, and deserts the parliament : such as ware of their oune 
 sect are content to qwyt their dignities, only their rents reserued, and to 
 come and joyne with the commons, that all esteats might be lewelled and 
 mad equall from hencefurth. 
 
 Being this farre aduanced, they send leiutenent collonell Cobet with his 
 regiment to the 111 of Weight, and brings the kinge from thence to Lon- 
 don, that he might be the first that sould be centensed by this their new 
 established judicatorie. 
 
 This sueit and innocent prince comes patientlie with this gaird ; but 
 knowing befor what their cruel malice had prepared for him, he sets doune 
 under his oune hand a declaratione, by the which, altho he tuiches no par- 
 ticular, yit doeth he pouerfullie windicat himself, and with such raire ex- 
 pressiones followes the poynt in clearinge of his innocensie, as he showes 
 himself a kinge to rule over nationes by his judgment and justice, yea, 
 worthie to sit one the throne of ane impyre as a second Solomone ; and, 
 lastlie, to proceid Cicero and all rethoricians that ewer went befor him, not 
 onlie as a prince, but as the kinge of orators ; his espressiones leauing such 
 impressiones wpon the soules of the hearers, as they are powerfull and all 
 sufficient both to wound and winne the hearts of all good men with loue 
 and admiratione, and for ewer to lament and bewaile the losse of the richest 
 jewall that ewer nature produced of humaine kinde in a mortall bodie : and, 
 therefor, that vow may haue a teast of his sweit deliuerie, I haue here set 
 doune, ami insert his apologie, remonstrance, or declaratione, as it came 
 from his owne hand, and by him commanded to be dispersed abroad, for the 
 clearer satisfactione of all his loyal) subjects : 
 
 " HIS DECLARATION E, SENT FROM THE ILL OF WIGHT, WHEN HIS MAJESTIE 
 WAS CAR1EI1 AS A DELINQUENT FROM THENCE TO LONDONE. 
 
 " When large pretences prowes but the shaddowesof waik performances, 
 then the greatest labours produces smallest effects, and when a period is 
 
 1 [Rushworth's Hist. Collection, vol. vii., pp. 1331, 133?. 1359—1361. 1367.] 
 
1648.] The king's Declaration sent from the Isle of Wight. 215 
 
 put to ane work of greatest consequence, al men (doe as it ware) hunger 
 till they be satisfied in their expectations. Hes not this distractable natione 
 groned this longe tyra wnder the burden of tirranie and oppressione ? and 
 hes not all the blood that hes been spilt, thes seavin years bygone, bein cast 
 upon my head, who am the greatest sufferer, tho the least guiltie, and was 
 it not requisit to indewoure the stoppinge of that flux, which, if not stoped, 
 will bring ane absolut distructione to this natione ? and what more speadie 
 way was there to consumat thes distractiones, then by a personall treatie, 
 agried wpon be my two houses of parliament and condiscended unto bv 
 me ? And I most declaire, that I haue conceaued it had bein the best 
 phisick, had not the opperatione bein hindered by this imperious annie, who 
 was so audacious as to styll me in their unparraleled remonstrance their 
 capital enimie. But let the world judge whither my intensiones haue not 
 bein garded with realtie in this leat treatie, and whither I was not as readie 
 to grant as they ware to aske ; and yit all this is not satisfactione to them, 
 who pursue their oune ambitious ends more then the weilfaire of ane miser- 
 able land. 
 
 " Ware not the dying hearts of my poore distressed people much 
 reuiued with the hopes of ane happie issue from this treatie, and yet how 
 suddenlie are they frustrat of their expectatione. Haue not I bein for- 
 merlie condemned for yeilding too litle to my two houses of parliament, 
 and now shal I be condemned for yeilding too much ? Haue not I former- 
 lie bein imprisoned for making warre, and sail I now be imprisoned for 
 making peace ? Haue I not formerlie ruled as ane kinge, and sail I now 
 be ruled lyke a slaue ? Haue not I formerlie injoyed the societie of my 
 deare wyfe and children in peace and quietness, and sail I now nether in- 
 joye them nor peace ? Haue not my subjects formerlie obeyed me, and sail 
 I now be obedient to my subjects ? Haue not I bein condemned for de- 
 taining ewill consulers, and sail I now be condemned for haueing no con- 
 suler but God ? 
 
 " These are intolerable miseries, that the more I indewoure for peace, 
 the less my indewors are respected ; and sail I know heirefter what to grant 
 when ye yourselues knowes not what to ask. I referr it to your con- 
 science whether I haue not satisfied your desirs in ewerie particulare since 
 the treatie. If ye find that I haue not, let me beare the burdinge of that 
 fait ; but I haue giuen you ample satisfactione, as my heart tells me I haue, 
 then ye ar bound to windicat me from the furie of thos whose thoughts are 
 
216 The king's Declaration sent from the Isle of Wight. [B. IV. 
 
 filled with blood ; tho they pretend zeall, yit they are but wolphes in sheeps' 
 cloathinge. I most declair, further, that there is nothinge that can more 
 abstruct the longe hoped for peace of this natione then the illegall pro- 
 ceidinges of them who persue from seruants to become masters, and laboure 
 to bring in democricie and abolish monarchie : neids most this total altera- 
 tione of the fundamentall be not onlie destructiue to others but inclusiue to 
 themselues ; for they that indewoure to rule by the sword wil at last fall by 
 it, for factione is the mother of ruine ; and it is the honour of their wider- 
 cock lyk dispositione to loue nothinge but mutabilitie ; nether will that 
 please them, but onlie pro tempore, for too much varietie doeth but con- 
 found their senses, and makes them haue a folie, and fall in loue on with 
 one other. Tyme is the best cuire for factione, for it will at lenth, lyke 
 ane leprosie, infect the wholl bodie of ane kingdome, and is so odious that 
 at last they will hate themselfs for loueing of that, and lyke the fish, for loue 
 of the baite, will be catched with the hooke. 
 
 " I once declaire more to all my subjects, and God knowes whither or 
 not this may be my last, that I haue earnestly laboured for peace, and that 
 my thoughts ware sinceir, and absolutlie without any senistruous end, and 
 there was nothinge undone by me that my conscience would permite me 
 to doe ; and I call my God to wittness that I doe firmlie perceaue that the 
 interpositione of this armie (that cloud of malice) hath altogither ecclipsed 
 the glorie of that peace which begane againe to shine in this land. And 
 let the world judge whether it be expedient for ane armie to contradict 
 the wotis of ane kingdome, and to indevor, for pretending of laws and 
 liberties, to subuert both : such actiones as thes most neids produce 
 strange consequences, and set oppin the flood gats of ruine to overfloue this, 
 kingdome in a moment. Had this treatie bein onlie my owin seeking, then 
 they wold haue had fairer pretences to haue stoped the counsell of it ; 
 but I, being importuned by my two houses of parliament, and they, by 
 the most pairte of the kingdome, could not but with a great deall of ala- 
 critie concurre with them in their desyrs for the performance of so good a 
 work ; and I hope by this tyme, that the hearts and eies of my people are 
 oppined in so much that they plainlie discover who are the wndermynders of 
 this treatie. For my pairt, I here protest befor the face of Heaven, that 
 my afflictiones (tho they neid no additione) afflicts me not so much as my 
 people's sufferings, for I know what to trust too alreadie, and they know not. 
 God comfort both them and me, and proportione our patience to our suf- 
 
1 648.] 
 
 The king is brought to Westminster. 
 
 217 
 
 ferings ; and when the malice of myne enimies is spune out to the smallest 
 threed, lets them knowe that I will, by the grace of my God, be as content 
 to suifer, as they are actiue to advance my sufferings ; and my owne soule 
 tells me, that the tyrae will come when the werie clouds shall drop doune 
 wengeance wpon the heads of thos that barricade themselues against 
 the proceidings of peace, for God hath proclaimed a blissinge to the peace 
 makers : neids most the peace brakers draue doune a curse on their oune 
 heads. 
 
 " I thank my God I haue armed myself against their furie ; and now let 
 the arrows of their invy flie out at me, I haue ane breast to receaue them, 
 and patience to sustaine them ; for God is my Rock, and my Sheild, therefor 
 I will not feare what man can doe unto me. I will expect the worst ; and if 
 anie other thinge happin beyond my expectation, I will giue God the glorie, 
 for wain is the help of man." 
 
 When they had brought him to London, they conwoy him to Whythall, 
 and there places him in a bass and low roum, that befor had serued for 
 grooms and porters. O warious and changable fortoune ; he who befor in 
 that place had bein sett so often onder a steat, had not now so much as a 
 fyre to expell the foggie mists which the earth evaparats, who befor in that 
 palice had fourtein hunder fyrs kendled daylie for him and his attendants. 
 
 The Scots commissioners that all this tym had dealt cairfullie, with all 
 indewoure to frie the kinge from this eminent danger, and had given in the 
 petitions to the lower house (for now the upper house was now ewanished), 
 and ware so perempture in their demands, that according to agriement, 
 when he went from Neucastell, they requyre the artickles to be performed ; 
 which ware that his majestie in his persone sould not be indangered, nor 
 his nor his heirs right to the croune of Ingland infreinged ; and if those 
 articles ware not keept in all poynts, they told them plainlie that the king- 
 dome of Scotland would ondowtedlie recent it, and therefor desyred them 
 to look to it in tym. But they could gett nothinge from the lower house but 
 delayes ; and seing the armie, without adwyse of the parliament, had brought 
 him to London, they tooke it wpon them to giue the law. They went 
 therefor to Fairfax and Cromwell, hopinge to obtaine some tyme of relent- 
 ment, till a matter of so heigh a consequence might be more maturlie dis- 
 geasted ; but thos two did alwayes absent themselues, and evin that verie 
 day that he was areigned, they ware not to be found. 
 
 He was brought by a gaird of souldeours to Westminster, and there his 
 
 2 E 
 
218 
 
 The king adjudged to death. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 bill of indytment was read, where he was often called a tirrant, a traeture, 
 a rebell, a murtherer ; at all which injurious calumnies be did but smyll ; for 
 since they ware so weil knowen by all the world to be lies, he thought him- 
 self the less concerned in it. For this new judicatorie, how they could be 
 lawfullie established without his authoritie, who was their lauefull kinge, he 
 desyred to knowe, but could haue no satisfactione, onlie the lower house had 
 constitute them in name of the commons of Ingland. He told them that the 
 lower house, neither by the lawes of God, nor man, nor by anie of the 
 knowen lawes of Ingland, had any power to constitute them, or establish a 
 new judicatorie without the consent of the peirs, and ratefied by the kinge : 
 wherefor, unless he would wronge himself, the croune, and his succeidinge 
 heirs, he could not submit himself to their judgment ; yea, in submitting, he 
 sould wronge the libertie of the commons also, for whose libertie he had 
 ever stood more firmlie [than] themselues had ever done ; for if a new 
 judgment seat might be sett wp by force and a stronge hand, as that was 
 presentlie, he knew not what gentlman of Ingland could possess any thinge 
 pertaining to him as his owne from hencefurth. Thos, and manie other 
 reasones he gaue, ware so stronge and onansuearable, as they would not 
 wouchafe him the hearing ; but, after thryse compeirance, without convince- 
 ing him in reasone, or without the least fait or error that they could find to 
 accuse him off, lyke miscreants, athiests, and proud, perjured, and faith- 
 less people, they giue out sentance of death against him : not knowing, or 
 els they would not seem to know, that the great Judge of all the world 
 never faills to punish the onrighteous judges, and bring their false judg- 
 ment upon their owne head ; and this, no doubt, Ingland will find befor it be 
 longe. 
 
 Their ware letters come from his other half, his dear and loulie quein, 
 which they intercepted ; he was desirous to sie them, but that poor curtesie 
 was denyed him. That day that he was to suffer, they suffered his two 
 children, which was then in Ingland, to come to him, to witt, the dook of 
 Glocister, a child, and ladie Elizabeth, but werie younge also. Whillest 
 he intertained thos sueit pledges of his chast loue, befor he had bidden 
 them fairweill, or giuen them his blissinge, ten souldiours enter rudelie, and 
 tells him he most goe to executione. He desires first to make ane end, and 
 take leave of his children ; but those sawages, thos base and brutish tigers, 
 pulls him furth by the shoulders, and draues and thurst him rudelie for- 
 wards, till they come to the banqueating house, not suffering him to go at 
 
1649-] 
 
 The acts of his death. 
 
 219 
 
 leasour, whill his great heart was seen to throb and pant for greif, for pas- 
 sione, and for shame, to be thus abused and beastlie used by rude and un- 
 ciwill rascalls. 
 
 When they had thrust him into the banquetting house, there two men, 
 in disguise, with maskes on their faces, meits him, and carries him to ane 
 wper gallerie ; where a great window being opened, they lead him furth 
 wpon the scaffold, where the bishope, sometym of London, meits him, and 
 begins, with passaiges of scripture, to confirme him in patience and com- 
 fort. But the kinge, recollected now, showes himself so weil prepared, as 
 he seemed rather to preach to the divine then the divine to him ; and when 
 he had closed his discourse, he desires the [ ] chapter of Job to 
 
 be read : and after a speach to the people, which could not be heard for the 
 height of the scaffold, but this onlie was heard, that he died a Protestant, 
 and he hoped a martyr for that religione he was bread and brought wp in, 
 which was that of the Church of Ingland ; and, after his death, it would be 
 sein houe he had suffered for seiking to preserue the lawes and liberties of 
 the kingdome, and friedome of his subjects, who ware never in thraldome 
 till now that by his death they thought themselues frie. And after his death 
 they fand his predictione to be a true oracle. 
 
 After he had taken the ordour of St. George from his neck, and de- 
 liuered it to the bishop of Londone to be giuen to his Sonne, with his blis- 
 singe, he throwes away his hatt, and puting one ane night cape, which it 
 seemed he had put in his pocket onlie for that purpose, he putts all his syd 
 haire neatlie wp onder it, that the sword might haue no hinderance ; and 
 then knelling doune, and humblie commending his soule into the hands of 
 his Creator, he myldlie submits his neck to the stroke. 
 
 Thus died the best of kinges by the inhumaine and barbarous crueltie of 
 the worst of nationes ; thus, so farre beneath his royall birth, his princelie 
 breiding, and continued habit of reuerence and steat which had ever befor 
 been yeilded wnto him, is he heir brought low, used with contempt, and 
 forced to suffer a violent death by the unjust sentance of a number of bass 
 rascalls ; whilest there was not so much curradge in the nobilitie, nor so 
 much generous resolutione in the breasts of the gentrie, as to doe one act 
 or speak one word in defence of their soweraine lord's so oncomparable 
 worth, wertue, or innocencie. O how truelie might that old adaige be now 
 applyed, that the impreour is kinge of kinges, his subjects, the Germane 
 princes, being kinges within themselues ; the kinge of France? kinge of 
 
220 
 
 Observations on 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 asses, for he layes what burthens he pleases on his people, and they most 
 bear it ; the kinge of Spaine is kinge of gold, for he commands the Indies ; 
 the kinge of Scots is kinge of men, both because he is not intituled efter 
 the countrie as other kinges, but efter the natione, as lykwayes it is not his 
 wealth or great reuenues that mantains his royall dignitie, and so longe 
 continuance of his throne, but the resolutione, the curradge, and the wa- 
 lour of his subjects ; and the kinge of Ingland is kinge of diwells ; for as it 
 was pryde that made diwells of angells, so their pryde makes them hatefull 
 to all nationes, in so much as both in their actiones, in their daylie and or- 
 dinarie discourses, vow may hear them underwalue all other nationes of the 
 world, ewer building their oune praises on the dispraise of others. And it 
 was this onfortunat, great, and good kinges onlie fait, that he had nothinge 
 of a tirrant in him ; for they ware never so submissiue, nor obedient, as to 
 their tirrant kinges. Henrie the Eight, who played the tirrant ower them, 
 and whose werie presence mad their parliament to tremble, him they rever- 
 ence, him they fear, him they obey, and ewin to this day they acknowledge 
 him for one of their best kinges. They haue disinthroned many of their 
 kinges, but thos ware found to be myld, gentle, and benigne. But 
 William Rufus, Ritchard Crookbak, William the Conqueror, whos will 
 was a law, they ware obeyed, they ware reuerenced. And this hard 
 hearted, this proud, this stubborne, and this onplacable natione, who 
 could never be ruled but by aw and tirranie, sail yit be brought onder, 
 and humbled by the sword, and cruel tirranie, when God sail be pleased to 
 wiset them, for the most inhumaine and most onjust murther of this their 
 admirable, most worthie, and soveraine lord. And it doeth concerne all 
 the kinges in Christendome, to look in tyme to this onheard of presedent, 
 for if this succeid well, if this pass onpunished, it is no wonder, nay it is 
 rather assurredlie to be lookt for, that nowe in the latter dayes, when men's 
 inclinationes groweth still worse and worse, least all nationes, I say, strywe 
 to shak off the yoak of rule and governament ; that they may liwe as they 
 list, by paritie and lewelling of all esteats, as it is now in Ingland, which 
 as God is [in] Heaven most bringe them ondoubtedlie to confusione. 
 
 But heir I most relate a prodegious accident which fell furth in the towre, 
 a few dayes after the kinges death, which seimed both to pleid for the in- 
 nocence of so good, so great, and so worthie a prince, and to accuse the 
 bloodie, cruell, sawage, and inhumaine proceidings of his onjust accusers. 
 
 It is constantlie related by all, nor could I ewer find it contradicted by any, 
 
1649.] 
 
 the king's death. 
 
 221 
 
 that some litle tyme after the kinges death, their ware sevin or eight gen- 
 tlmen that went in to the towre of London to sie the lyons ; for that there 
 the kinges wsed to hawe lyones keept, because the bearers of their arms 
 ware lyons : and those lyons ware in more request after kinge James coming 
 to the crowne of Ingland, because it was obserued that ane hie lyone, the 
 first year after kinge James coronation, had ingendered one a she lyone 
 (no bodie knowing by what means, for they are kept in diwerse caiges), and 
 had brought furth younge lyons, the lyk accident hawing never bein 
 heard off befor in this illand ; and therefor it was holden for a good omen 
 that the joyneing of those two kingdomes [was] from Heaven, sieino- 
 the hie lyone is the arms of the Scots kinge, and the she lyone is the 
 bearer of the arms of Ingland. And that this is true I darre awerr it, for 
 besid manie that related it eweriewhere, I heard it from the mouth of that 
 matchless pargone of wertue, my ladie marquise of Huntlie, sister to the 
 first marquise of Ardgyll, and wyfe to George, second marquise of Huntlie ; 
 who being then younge ladie, was made choise off when the kinges children 
 went to Ingland, that she might be one of the first that should attend one 
 ladie Elizeabath, afterwards queine of [ ] ; who told me that one 
 
 of thos younge lyons wase brought to ladie Elizabath, who brought it wp 
 lyke ane [ ] doge, and she had often tyms dandled it in hir lap ; till it 
 became so bigge, that one day the princess findinge it with hir oune hand, 
 the whelp, as it was wont, begane to lick hir hand, whose tounge was now 
 become so rough, as it licked the skine of hir hand from the bon, and then 
 it was taken away from hir. 
 
 But to returne where we left. Those seavin or eight gentlemen that went 
 to the towre to sie the lyons, was brought by the keiper near to their caiges, 
 that they might looke in throw the barrs and sie them ; whan wpon a sudden 
 the old Harie, (a lyone called so after Henrie the Eight, because he had 
 brought him their), began to blow, to snort, and to brissell his haire, and 
 then to roare with such a terible and furious countenance, tearing the grats 
 with his paws, as if he would hawe dewored or torne them all in peices ; 
 which mad all to recooll bak, much affrighted, the keeper telling them seri- 
 ously that he had never done the lyk befor, altho all sorts came daylie and 
 saw him, and therefore he was perswaded that some on of them had done 
 him ane injurie. They all swore they had not come near the grats of his 
 cabin by more then a yeare ; wherefor, sieing him still to roare, to bray, and 
 to become more furious, the keeper tells them that they most all goe furth, 
 
222 The prince of Wales proclaimed king by the Scottish Parliament. [B. IV. 
 
 and he would call them in one by one, to sie if that way he could find furth 
 the reasone. This was done ; and behold, when they ware all gone, he 
 groaned a little whill, and then was peacable. Wherefor the keiper would 
 neids try this conclusione ; he bringes first in one of them and leids him to 
 the grats, whereat the lyon made no sturre, till one gentleman came in, 
 whom he no sooner espyes, when he begines againe to raige, and become 
 more furious then befor ; wherefor, the keiper, with an angrie countenance, 
 beseeches him to tell what he had done. The gentleman awoueing his 
 owne innocencie, was yit much counfounded to sie that terrible beast angrie 
 with non but him ; and hawing ruminate much within himself of his former 
 lyfe, at last he tells the keiper that he knew himself guiltie of nothinge ex- 
 cept that he was one the skafold when the kinge was execute, and had dipt 
 ane handkirtcheff in his blood, which he had yit in his pocket ; and drawing 
 it furth, giwes it to the keiper, who threw it in to the lyone ; and he no 
 sooner gets it, when, leawinge his former roaring, he takes it betuixt his 
 former feit, and fallinge growfflings to the ground, he laid his head on it, 
 and never rose from that posture till hee died, which was the third day 
 after. This discourse, because it seemed so onprobable, I kepit wp two 
 years, before I would insert it my abreidgement, yit could never find anie 
 that opposed the trueth of it, but ewerie man awoued it to be reallie true. 
 But leauing that natione till Dewine Prowidence shaw the world what is 
 decried concerning them, let us sie. 
 
 Our Puritaine preachers of Scotland, to show the Independants how they 
 did approwe their proceidings, comes next to act their pairt, altho it was not 
 in so heigh a degrie as to put hand on the Lord's annoynted. 
 
 In Scotland, the parliament was sett doune to take ordour with thos that 
 had gon with the dooke to Ingland, and had theirby sought to dissolue and 
 brake the Ligg and Covenant ; all which was, by this parliament, made 
 oncapable of anie office or governament in the kingedom, and deposed from 
 such offices as they held presentlie, till they had mad such satisfactione as 
 the parliament and assemblie thought fitt to impose. They proclaime the 
 prince of Wealls kinge, as lawfullie succeiding to his father ; 'and sends 
 commissioners to him who then stayed in Haland, makeing great prepara- 
 tione to make warre wppon Ingland, the kinges and all the princes of 
 Europe frielie promiseing him their aide to that end. 
 
 The commissioners had diwerse articles to be confirmed, and allowed [by] 
 the now kinge ; at one whereof he tooke great exceptione, which was, that he 
 
1649-] 
 
 The marquis of Huntly capitally prosecuted. 
 
 223 
 
 would confirme and stand to the Ligg and Covenant betwixt the two king- 
 domes ; so as there ware manie messiages too and fro, and much tyme de- 
 layed, before they could come to agriement. 
 
 Whill this was in agitatione, the most preceise Puritane preachers, for 
 there ware manie Protestant preachers that still fawored the Royall pairtie, 
 thos Puritains gewe in their accusationes against the marquise of Huntlie ; 
 whom they accused as worthie of death, who from the begining had been 
 awers from the Covenant, and throw his constant and obstinate standinge 
 out had been the cause of all the mallours and the bloodshedd in this kino-e- 
 dome since the first takinge wp of arms. This accusatione was so lyke to 
 that of his master's in Ingland, that he did rather rejoice in it then plead 
 non guiltie ; for since the death of the kinge, he was so owercome with me- 
 lancholie, greife, and discontentment, that there was no possibilitie of giwe- 
 ing him comfort. He gew such way to his sorrowes, as he sought rather 
 to inweit then expell them ; and to all that came to comfort him, as their 
 came manie nobleman, and his sister, his daughters, and his sonnes in law, 
 to all thos he was plaine, that, since his master was gone, he desyred not 
 to liwe ; and he assurred them that, altho he he heard how his enimies had 
 gone on with a criminall proses to hawe his lyfe, he was so farre from 
 pleading in his owne defence, altho they had nothinge justlie to accuse 
 him off, that he sould take it at the parliament's hand as a great curtesie to 
 read him of that lyfe, which was now become loathsome to him. Nor had 
 he a greater felicitie in this world then that was, that he hoped, within few 
 dayes, to follow his master, whom he would attend in the other world als 
 joyfullie as he had heir serued him faithfullie. 
 
 The parliament had no mynd to tak his lyfe ; and in speciall the nobilitie, 
 who thought the prepratiwe might prowe werie dangerous if noblemen sould 
 suffer for puttinge the kinges commissione to executione, or if a nobleman 
 sould die for obeying his prince, who could liwe securelie onder a kinge heir- 
 efter ; but the Puritaine factione being yit stronge amongest the borrowes 
 and commissioners of shyres, they being daylie solisted by the preachers, 
 yeilds to it at length. Whareby the noblemen finds that they ware not able 
 to carrie it by wots ; and therefor the day that was assigned for the conclu- 
 sione of his proses and finall sentance, they absent themselues, nor was 
 there anie of the first and greatest ranks of the nobilitie that satt in parlia- 
 ment when the sentance of death was pronounced against him, sawe onlie 
 the chansler. 
 
224 
 
 Execution of the marquis of Huntly. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 He was become so extenuat and waik through excessiwe griefe, and a 
 sad and disconsolate heart, as the radicall huraore that maintains the witall 
 spirits was dryed wp, and all the witall powers ware waisted, so as the ex- 
 pulsiue facultie remaineinge waik, and onable to expell the ewill humors, 
 and the retentiwe facultie quyt gone, he took a discentre, whereby phisi- 
 tians esteimed him lost, and that he could not indure manie dayes, and 
 farre less monthes or yeirs. 
 
 His sister, my ladie marquise of Douglase, with his thrie daughters of 
 Drummond, Seaton, and Hathintowne, went to the marquise of Ardgyll on 
 their knies, and beged the lyfe of their father ; but all in vaine. What the 
 parliament had concluded, he would not midle with. When they sawe they 
 could not prewaile anie thing for his lyfe, then they besought his lordshipe 
 but for a few dayes respite, that his lyfe might expyre by a naturall infir- 
 mitie, and not by violence ; but ewin that small courtesie was lykwayes 
 refused them. He had been remoued from the tolbooth to the castell befor 
 the armie went to Ingland, and could haue been sett at libertie if the dook 
 had been als reall to him as he expected, but it was not done ; which in the 
 opinione of manie did confirm what was befor but presumptiones. 
 
 The appoynted day of his executione being come, he came downe from 
 the castell to the scaffold with als cheirfull a countenance as if he had gon 
 to a weddinge, notwithstandinge of his discentrie, which had so waikned 
 him as he was fitter for his bed than for the streat. He was cloathed in 
 murninge, nor had he anie thinge wpon him but murning to signifie that 
 both he murned inwardlie for his sinnes, and outwardlie for his master's death. 
 
 There ware some of the ministrie sent to him, accordinge to the custome, 
 to animate him against the fear of death, and to sie if he desyred to be fried 
 from ther sentance of excommunicatione ; but he refused to speak with 
 them, or to haue comfort from them, since he was resolued with His God 
 before he came there ; and for their sensors, he walued them not, neither did 
 he fear them, insinuating thereby that the Puritaine tenets ware not poynts 
 of his faith. After he had mounted the skaffold, and earl of Wenton, the 
 lord Drummond, and some other of his frinds about him, he made a short 
 speache to the people in thos terms. 
 
 " I hawe been led hither to undergoe the executione of a decrie against 
 my lyfe, for hauing spent some little (altho indeid too litle) tyme thereof 
 in demonstratinge my obedience and indewouringe to hawe done some serwice 
 to owr sacred soweraine, according to his majesties just commands. 
 
1649.] 
 
 His speech on the scaffold. 
 
 225 
 
 " I am not the first that hath suffered in this kynd ; but by God's assist- 
 ance, and my owne innocencie, this pretended cryme, I hope, shall be a 
 reall comfort to me, for washing off from my imaginatione the ugliness of 
 death, with these poor streams (in relatione to the cause thereof) whereon 
 it floweth towards me. I intreat yow so to look so wpon the mortall pairt 
 that I am brought to act, as that instead of being affrighted thereby from 
 that obedience to his majesties commands, which both divine and humane 
 precepts oblidges yow too, yow may rather be incuradged to stepp (for that 
 cause) wnto a skaffold, as wnto a theater of honor in this world, and a 
 heavinlie leather whereby to mount wnto that blissed kingdome of eternall 
 rest. 
 
 " I acknowledge a christian duetie now incumbent to me for acquyting 
 all persones whatsoewer (not exceptinge the contrywers of my death) of all 
 thinges they haue done against me ; but withall I crawe your charitable and 
 just constructions consideringe the cause thereof. So as not onlie my owne 
 conscience beareth me wittness, but also the werie process led against me by 
 these contrywers may be a testimonie sufficient to all upright mynded men, 
 that (how guiltie soewer I acknowledge myself to be in other effects of my 
 owne frailtie), nether hawe I commited anie sinne, nor wiolat the lawes of 
 Scotland in doeing that which I hawe bein adjudged to suffer for ; which 
 moweth me (without recenting this prejudice of myne), to prefer ane ex- 
 hortatione to yow ewin from this staige, which is : That yow will not anie 
 more permite yourselues to be seduced by the erronious doctrein or example 
 of what man soewer from giwing that obedience which is due to the com- 
 mands of our sacred soweraine ; that yow will remember how this king- 
 dome bloods alreaddy, and that yow will not drawe more mischeaf to it, by 
 your adheringe to any onjust or illegall procedure of this present kirk or 
 steat, which are (both of them I feare) merchinge too farre in a wronge way. 
 
 " I dout not but the most pairt of you hawe these same intensiones that I 
 purpose ; wherefor I sail only crawe, in my behalfe, the prayers of those 
 amongest yow who are of this opinione, without desyringe thos of anie others 
 whose spirits peradventure are otherwayes inclyned. 
 
 " Peace and prosperitie be with the true Catholick and ordoctiall Church, 
 and with his sacred majestie : and for my opinione of that Church I remit 
 yow to be informed be Mr. Androw Ramsay, in priwate, and at some other 
 tym, in regaird that now some persones may perchance be present, whom I 
 am onwillinge to giwe anie satisfactione to. 
 
 2 F 
 
226 
 
 Developement of the levelling 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 The 20 " I resigne my soule into the hands of my Creator who fraimed it, and 
 
 Merch, 1649. m ^ ^ 0( jj e to ^ e b ur ; ec i a t the discretione of my frindes. 
 
 " I desyre my sonns may fear God and humblie obey the commands of 
 ther sacred soweraine, or anie who sail be intrusted with the manadgment 
 of his affairs, as they desyre to merit their father's blessinge, otherwayes 
 they may expect the fruits of a sad curse against them : and desyres all ther 
 frinds to contribut their best indewours for their assistance." 
 
 After he had thus bid fairwell to the people, he called for paper and 
 wrate some few lynes, which seimed to be his adwice to his children, and 
 namlie to his sonne the lord Lues, who was now to succeid him ; and then 
 recommending his soule wnto his Redeimer, he, with patience and alacritie 
 of spirit laid downe his neck to the block. And thus the cruell and merciless 
 Covenant sweipt away this faithfull and constant Royalist to follow his master. 
 
 In whos death their malice was come to the height : for now the Puritaine 
 preachers who first invented this Covenant, and had for the space of ten yeirs 
 lead both the nobilitie, the gentrie, and almost the wholl natione after them, 
 by this unhappie ty, was no longer able to preweall ; God of His infinit 
 mercie, taking compassione on our sufferinges, reraoued the waile where- 
 with they had obscured their intensions, and both the nobilitie and the gen- 
 trie began to sie how it was not, as they pretended, for the lawes and liber- 
 ties of the kingdome, the reformatione of the governament, and establish- 
 ment of religione : since nether the lawes and governament ware bettered, 
 but all thinges ware in a worse estait, the countrie impowerished, the sub- 
 jects oppressed, the lawes never putt to executione, manie thousands hawing 
 died by the sword, yit was it not knowen wherefor they died ; it was not in 
 defence of their lawes and liberties, for that was never impeded ; it was not 
 to deliwer them from the oppressione of a tyrranous governament, for the 
 kinges greatest enimies could never accuse him of tyrranie ; nether was it for 
 reformation of religione, since the religione remained still the same, onlie 
 Presbitrie was sett in place of Episcopacie, whereunto the king had yealded : 
 and yit they could not be satisfied, nor could they desire anie thinge which 
 the kinge had not most willinglie granted them, nor knew they what more 
 to requyre of him, and yit they could not be contented ; and when no man 
 could perceaue what more they would haw had, then it did beginne to ap- 
 pear the kinges lyf was in hazart, the wholl parliament concludes to send 
 ane armie to his releife, being forced to use that extream remedie when all 
 other means had failed. But what was the Puritains' pairt who ruled the 
 
1649-] 
 
 designs of the Puritans. 
 
 227 
 
 rest of the cleargie at their pleasure ? Their pairt forsooth was this : they 
 call a generall assemblie ; they oppose themselues to the reasing of ane armie 
 for releife of the kinge ; they giwe such reasons as cannot satisfie anie ordi- 
 narie judgement, since he had offered to perform all which they aleadge was 
 not yit performed ; nor stood the performance at him, but at them. And yit 
 they stand so obstinate against his releif, the wholl kingdome begins to sie 
 what they aimed at in the broaching of the Covenant, and in their continuall 
 fomentinge of all means to wphold it, tho they sawe the wholl kingdome in 
 generall, and all estaits in particulare, ruined by it ; they hoped by this Cove- 
 nant, which they walue at so heigh a reat, to put downe monarchic That is 
 their designe, and that hes ewer been the concealed tenet which all Puritans 
 from the begining hes ewer held for the maine maxime of their ecclesiasti- 
 call steat policie ; there most be a paritie in all esteats, all most be brother 
 in the Lord ; and therefor as in the Bodie of the Church we are all mem- 
 bers, and Christ is our head, — no superior, no prelat ; so in the civill and 
 politick bodie, — no superior, no absolut monarch. This tenet is well knowen 
 to hawe been ewer held in priwate amongest Puritans, till master Browne, 
 ane Inglish Puritaine preacher, did boldlie went it abroad, and that with 
 some additione, that monarchic was not onlie onlawfull, but magistracie also ; 
 yea, he went further, teaching that there was no degries of places or per- 
 sones, as gentlemen, esquyres, knights, lords, earls, and so furth of dookes, 
 princes, kinges, and monarchs ; all are men, no difference of persones 
 befor God, where all thinges are in perfectione ; and therefor no difference 
 of persons heir, where we are bound to strywe for perfectione. 
 
 This is the chief tenet that all the Brounists and Independants at this day 
 holds all their new errors upon : and how fair soewer the Puritaine preachers 
 in this kingdome caries themselues, they are not Protestants in this poynt, 
 but meir Brunists ; for they allowe of all that master Broune taught concern- 
 ing this paritie, and lewelling all degries to the degrie of the commone 
 people onlie. 
 
 And this I think the wisdome of our nobilitie beginns to find out at length, 
 and therefor God beginnes to inable their hearts, and to rectifie their 
 judgments. This was sein when all the sermons, all the perswasions, and 
 all the threatnings of the generall assemblie could not withhold thretie 
 thousand Covenanters to show themselues for the releife of their kinge ; 
 and, altho they be persecute for it, yit stand they constant for reastablish- 
 ment of monarchie ; and it is to be hoped for that God will, befor it be 
 
228 
 
 The lord Crichton becomes a Royalist. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 longe, change the hearts of thos great men who stands as yit for the Pu- 
 ritaine factione, which now hath not the third pairt of the kingdom for 
 them. Amongest thos noblemen that began to find furth the errors of the 
 Covenant, the lord Crichtoune was one : a noble man of so manie laudable 
 pairts, as I am not able to giwe yow his character to the lyfe ; for he was 
 graue and wyse, he was modest in his carrige, and of a majestick, yit 
 courteous and wining behawiour ; his word and promise was als sure as 
 the strickest band or obligatione ; to whom he shawed himselue a frind, 
 thos might build on him as on a stronge rock of defence ; to whom he was 
 ane enemie, he was dangerouslie to be feared, for altho his genius and myld 
 dispositione mad him easie to be found at the first acquentance, yit, being 
 once lost, he was werie hardlie recovered againe. 
 
 He being taken with the first alureing beats of the Covenant, wherein, 
 he was so forward and so zealous as to maintaine the cause, he was ewer 
 in the feilds with the formest, nor was he ewer found to be sparing, but 
 rather prodigall, both of lyf and fortoune, for maintaining of that cause ; 
 and altho he had, in maintaining of garisons, and bringing forces to the 
 feilds, spent a great deall of treasure, and murgaiged a pairt of his esteat, 
 yea, when the Royall armie was master of the feild, he, for the constant 
 loue he bear to the Covenant, suffered his wholl countrie to be burned, and 
 his wholl lands and tenants to be spoyled and weasted, yit would he not 
 forsake that which they then called the good cause. But when his eies 
 ware onsyled, when the falacies of the Covenant beganne to appear, when 
 he sawe that their chiefe aime was not to reform, nor to astablish religion, 
 but to pull down monarchie, and with the wyght of its fall beat doune no- 
 bilitie to the rank of commone people, then did he quicklie recollect him- 
 selfe, and was one of the first that went with dook Hatniltone to the In- 
 gaigment, which cost him a huge deall of moneys also. When that great 
 actione was onluckilie owerthrowne, he would not leaw the kinges cause, 
 as manie others had done ; but, hearing of the aide that forraine princes 
 had promised, he shiped himself, and went to Germanie, never resting till 
 he fand furth Montrose, who was apoynted generall of thos forces. 
 
 When the promises of forraine aide was wanished into smoak, yit so 
 firme was the loue he had contracted to his lawfull soweraine, as he returns 
 with Montrose, whose hopes ware despirat ; and spent the dearest blood that 
 ranne in his weins, to the great heazart of his lyf, to signifie to the world 
 that he was now a faithfull subject, and that no disaster was able to brangle 
 
1649-] 
 
 Character of the marquis o f Huntly. 
 
 229 
 
 his loyall and constant resolution, whereof he gawe proofe diverse tyms 
 thereafter ; as yow sail heare by a more particular recitall in this relatione 
 when occasione serueth. 
 
 But now let us retwrne to Huntlie, thus cruellie put to death for his 
 loyaltie to his prince ; and, for a conclusione, to say some thinge of this 
 nobleman, whom thos Puritaine preachers had so onjustlie depryued of his 
 lyfe, and to leaw nothing onsaid whereof his enimies can accuse him. He 
 was of a singular dispositione, mad up both of good and bad qualities ; as 
 the best men that ewer liued ware not without falts, so had he his owne im- 
 perfections ; but as the good ware superlatiwe good, both for himself and 
 others, so the ewill wrought onlie his own prejudice, as hauing no further 
 reach then to giue himself content. For as his greatest fait was a self will 
 and obstinate opinione, which made him cairlesse of counsell, so had he such 
 a nimble and apprehensiue witt, as he could find reasons for whatsoewer he 
 did, evin to convince reasone itself. And from this abstinancie, or self 
 willed opinion, proceided all his mallours. He was both constant and reall 
 in his frindship to whom he professed it ; nor could anie threatnings or fair 
 persuasiones be able to alter or change him ; but if fortoune frouned, or 
 the world went against him, he was in this onlie lyke other noblemen, not 
 aboue them. Seruice don, and not to doe, was forgotten, and old seruants, 
 for whom there was no use, most be brusht or rubt off as spots from cloathes ; 
 so as this fait, if it may be tearmed a fait, was truelie a noble one, for it 
 attendeth allwayes on nobilitie ; and yit the hard constructione which was 
 mad of this did more harm to himselfe then to thos castawayes, for it did, 
 by litle and litle, insensiblie alienate the hearts of his followers : whereof he 
 had a proofe when his antagonist Montros and he ware to joyne in the 
 kinges serwice ; for then this slightening of his followers bred him great 
 prejudice, because, with a certaine kynd of reserued inclinatione, he seemed 
 desyrous to keip a distance with his inferiours, without distinctione of 
 qualitie ; for frinds and followers ware equalled with domestickes and common 
 obseruance, onless his affaires required it, and then could he be both fami- 
 liare and obsequious. This gott him but an outward and constreaned obe- 
 dience ; which soon appeared when they saw eane other lyk to contend with 
 him, whose courteous and humble fredome, whose affable and kynd inter- 
 tainment, without ostentatione of grandour or affectatione of estat, did quick- 
 lie make a conquest of there libertie. And as he is not to be allowed in this 
 his austeir reseruedness, the more to sett furth his grandour, so ought they 
 
230 
 
 Character of the marquis of Huntly. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 to haue passed ower, or at least keept up in silence, this one fait, rather then 
 to haue deserted him to whom they had so manie obleidgments ; but when 
 this occasione was offered some of the wyser sort reteired themselues, fol- 
 lowing nether of them, and that way choised to let him know howe they 
 resented his carriadg ; others, that ware not of ablest judgments, tho sum 
 of them ware of the prymest qualitie, did openlie auow their attendance on 
 the other, and their deserting of him. Thus we may see how farre the 
 inward tie of the heart prewealeth against the stronge bond of nature, or 
 the duetie they ought to their cheife, or obedience to their lord and master 
 or superior ; and this truelie should be a warning to our nobilitie, letting 
 them see how great an antipathe there is betuixt the genius of our natione 
 and the Inglish keiping of steat. And for his excuse, I darre auowe, that 
 this his reseruedness, his keiping of distance, and the proud show of affect- 
 ing steat, was no pairt of his naturall inclinatione ; he was knowen to be 
 both affable, courteous, and sociable befor he was called to court ; his breid- 
 ing in Ingland, the habit and longe custom he gott there, owercam and 
 whollie changed his naturall inclinatione, so as it was the Inglish breiding, 
 and not his naturall inclinatione, that had imped and ingraffed this error. 
 
 He was so upright and so just in all his wayes, as no man could complaine 
 of anie wronge or injurie ewer done by him, altho his power and greatness 
 gawe him strength to wronge or oppress all his neighbours. He was 
 so mercifull, yea, so naturallie inclined to that, altho with a bitter invec- 
 tiue he would showe that he could resent an injurie, yit if the rewenge 
 could not be mad up to the missour of the injurie without death, or the 
 ruine of their fortoune, there he would rather forgiwe then rewenge ; building 
 on that Divine precept ( Leane thy rewenge to Me, sayeth the Lord ) i and 
 yit his malicious enimies would attribute this to the want of actione, which 
 accompanieth a soft spirit. 
 
 It is said of him by thos that are bitter and too seweir in their censure, 
 that in all his lyf, he never spok a wronge word, nor intended ane actione 
 that succeaded right ; and this was not because his actiones ware ewill 
 grounded, or not wyslie pretended in reasone ; but if it fell furth sometyms 
 to be so, for it was not always so, then the reasone might be because the 
 contemplatiwe facultie did so farre exceid the actiwe, as the manie and 
 warius changes of so fertill and flowinge [ ] did internallie extend 
 
 itself to new motions of better appearances, which mad the following furth 
 of the externall act becom more slowe and lasie, through want of a constant 
 
1649.] King Charles I. and the marquis of Huntly compared. 231 
 
 and satled resolutione, and thus growing cold, it died befor it gott the lyf 
 of rectefied approbatione ; and therefor his enimies of the Covenant would, 
 for their better incuradgment, often say (in the begining, when others 
 ware forced to temporise, and he stood still out), that they had but two 
 to deall with, and those ware the kinge and the marquise of Huntlie, and 
 both ware unfortunate. And this altho it was spoken in malice, and could 
 not be imputted to anie wice in either of them, yit it prowed indeid true ; 
 for in the kinge his too indulgent and credulous dispositione breid to him 
 much harme, giwing credit and following their counsell who seemed to ad- 
 wyse him in loue, and he did onhapilie light often one those that in secret 
 ware his enimies. The marquise his onluckie fortune proceided from the 
 other extream ; for as the king was ower plyant, and too easie of access, 
 so the marquise was too obscure, too much reserued, and keiped so larg 
 a distance, as he could not be win, evin by his dearest frindes, to follow their 
 adwyse, or change his resolutione : and thus, if it be lawfull to compar a 
 subject with his soweraine, as both ware alyk in following those extreams, 
 so both in their lyf and death fell alyk in misfortuns. 
 
 Never two liwed in on age that went neirer to be one in abilities, both of 
 bodie and mynd ; they ware both near about one pitch, of one stature, of 
 one strength, of one actiuitie, of one constitutione, both melancholians, borne 
 under Saturn, that giueth grauitie, wisdome, and deip onderstanding, but 
 often and for the most pairt hanted with a greiwous and hard fortune. 
 
 For the faculties of their mynd, they ware the two wysest and of most 
 accurrat judgments that ware in the thrie kingdomes, this king and his ser- 
 want : the king was one of the justest and most upright men that liued in 
 his tym, and so was his serwant ; the king was one of the most mercifull men 
 that Christian world could produce, and so lykwayes was his seruant ; all 
 the kinges paths tread ewer in the way of wertue, nor could the enimies of 
 his serwant conwince him of a predominant wyce ; all the king's designs 
 ware ever accompanied with reasone and justice ; all his serwant's designs 
 moued ever in the same circle, tho in a lower sphear. 
 
 The king never intended anie thing for applouse of waine glorie, ambi- 
 tione, gaine, or anie onlawfull end ; nether could his serwant be ever justlie 
 apprehended for waine glorie, for ambitione, for gaine or awarice, or anie 
 unlawfull act. 
 
 Andyitfalsod preuealed against their justice; deceat overcam their up- 
 right deallinges ; gross errors and obsurd follie gott the masterie over their 
 
232 
 
 The sovereign and his servant compared. 
 
 [B. IV. 
 
 wysest and most pregnant resolutiones ; savaige and inhumaine crueltie tri- 
 umphed over their meikness, myldness, and Heavin approwed mercie. Thus 
 we sie how wisdome hes yeilded to folie, justice to injustice, mercie to 
 crueltie; and in end, as this superlatiue kinge, and his onparaleled serwant, 
 liued in wertue, without the least tinctur of wyce, they died, massacred by 
 the witious, the innocent death of martyrs : and why the just Judge, in His 
 Divin Prouidence, hes permited this, I am confident that the nixt age sail 
 assuredlie know. 
 
 THE END OK THE FOURTH BOOK. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 2 G 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Aberdeen, 16, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 48, 
 50,51,52, 56,58,80, 81,82, 83,90, 
 108, 110, 111, 115, 120, 133, 155, 
 162, 166, 170, 175, 177, 187. 
 
 Aberdeen, cathedral of, 133. 
 
 Aboyne, viscount, 16, 17, 18, 23, 25, 31, 
 49, 70, 88, 92, 117, 118, 119, 120, 
 123, 126, 127, 129, 130, 135, 137, 
 139, 140, 141, 143, 155, 163, 164, 
 170, 176, 182, 205. 
 
 Aboyne, 50, 89, 110, 120. 
 
 Airlie, earl of, 51, 79, 100, 138, 141, 
 156, 159, 160. 
 
 Airth, earl of, 73, 145. 
 
 Alford, 129, 143. 
 
 Angus, 89, 114, 127, 129, 136. 
 
 Angus, earl of, 162. 
 
 Annandale, 152. 
 
 Antrim, earl of, 64. 
 
 Arbuthnot, viscount, 170. 
 
 Ardnamurchan, 65. 
 
 Are, 178. 
 
 Argyle, earl of, 6, 46, 50, 51, 53, 54, 56 ; 
 marquis of, 57, 64, 65, 67, 79, 80, 
 84, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 
 95, 98, 99, 102, 145, 156, 206, 213. 
 
 Argyle, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99. 
 
 Athol, 69, 72, 89, 101, 116, 117. 
 
 Auchterless, 90. 
 
 Auchinbreck, laird of, 101, 102. 
 
 Auchindown, castle of, 49, 189. 
 
 Auldeame, 121 ; the battle of, 123, 126. 
 
 Badenoch, 68, 87, 89, 94, 10L 
 Baillie, lieutenant-general, 114, 116, 
 
 127, 128, 139, 145. 
 Balcarras, lord, 129, 145. 
 
 Baliol, 138. 
 
 Balloch, general quartermaster, 130. 
 
 Balquhither, 117. 
 
 Balvenie, 93, 94, 127. 
 
 Banff, 52, 127, 165, 176, 184, 196, 198. 
 
 Banff, laird of, 19, 22. 
 
 Bannerman of Elsick, 187, 189. 
 
 Barclay, crouner, 175, 177, 189. 
 
 Bayley, Dr. Thomas, 44. 
 
 Bellachastell, 172, 173. 
 
 Belles, sir John, 146. 
 
 Bellnagauine, 122. 
 
 Berwick, pacification of, 29. 
 
 Berwick, 118, 145. 
 
 Bickertoune, crouner, 198. 
 
 Blackness, 146. 
 
 Breadalbanie, 96. 
 
 Brechin, 116. 
 
 Bleikketter, captain, 158, 176. 
 Bothwell, 154. 
 Boyne, laird of, 110. 
 Brodie, the laird of, 173, 177. 
 Brownists, 172, 201, 227. 
 Bruce, king Robert, 138. 
 Buccleuch, 50. 
 Buchanan, captain, 121, 122. 
 Buchollie, laird of, 135. 
 Burgie, castle of, 173, 178. 
 Burnet of Leys, 89. 
 Burly, lord, 83. 
 
 Cameron, clan, 204. 
 Campbells, the, 89, 94, 95, 96, 97, 
 102. 
 
 Campbell, castle, 138. 
 
 Cant, Andrew, 112, 114, 168. 
 
 Cardross, 120. 
 
236 
 
 Index. 
 
 Carlisle, 50, 70, 118. 
 
 Carnousie, 23. 
 
 Casie-munth, 26. 
 
 Cassilis, earl of, 146, 152. 
 
 Charles I., 29, 33, 35, 39, 111, 191, 
 
 200, 202, 206, 814 ; his death, 218, 
 
 219, 231. 
 Cobet, lieutenant-colonel, 214. 
 Collintoun, 145. 
 Cortachie, 51. 
 
 Covenanters, oppression by the, 11 ; im- 
 prison the marquis of Huntly, 16; 
 insincerity of, 31 ; march their ar- 
 my into England, 32 ; they disband 
 their army, 35 ; join the English 
 rebels, 40 ; march a second army 
 into England, 41 ; oppression by, 61 ; 
 are defeated at St. Johnston, 73; 
 encounter the Royalists at Aberdeen, 
 81 ; send an army into Lochaber, 
 99 ; are routed at Inverlochy, 101 ; 
 movements of the Covenanting ar- 
 mies, 114 — 122; are defeated at 
 Auldearne, 123; at Alford, 130; 
 and at Kilsyth, 145 ; surprise Mon- 
 trose at Philiphaugh, 158 ; occu- 
 py Glasgow, 167 ; proscription of 
 Royalists by, 167, 168; occupy Aber- 
 deen, 176 ; are driven out by the 
 marquis of Huntly, 189 ; the king 
 flees to them for refuge, 193 ; they 
 deliver him up to the English sec- 
 taries, 201 ; oppose the raising of 
 an army by the Scottish parliament, 
 206 ; developement of their level- 
 ling designs, 226, 227. 
 
 Crawford, lord, 50, 118, 146, 159, 160, 
 164, 176, 177, 186. 
 
 Crawfurd 119. 
 
 Crichton, lord, 79, 82, 110, 210, 228. 
 Cromar, 128. 
 Crombie, laird of, 22. 
 Cromwell, Oliver, 191, 197, 201, 205, 
 210, 211, 212, 217. 
 
 Cupar of Angus, 114. 
 
 Dalyell, sir John, 169, 179, 182. 
 Danes, the, 113. 
 Dee, the, 120. 
 
 Dee, bridge of, encounter between the 
 Royalists and the Covenanters at, 
 26, 27. 
 
 Deer, abbacy of, 113. 
 
 Delgatie, laird of, 20, 186. 
 
 Donald, clan, 94, 102, 135, 153, 
 169. 
 
 Douglas family, 138. 
 
 Douglas, Dr., provost of Banff, 176. 
 
 Douglas, George, son of the earl of 
 
 Morton, 135. 
 Douglas, marquis of, 145, 152, 154, 160, 
 
 162. 
 
 Douglas, marchioness of, 224. 
 Drum, 128. 
 Drum, laird of, 51. 
 Drum, young, 48, 51, 166, 170, 176. 
 Drummond, lord, 16, 145, 146, 162, 
 224. 
 
 Drummond, lady, 168. 
 Drummond, sir John, 73. 
 Dumfries, 49, 50, 70. 
 Dunbar, 122. 
 Dundee, 115, 116. 
 Dunkeld, 114, 115, 137. 
 Dunnottar, 112, 113, 170, 171. 
 Dunstaffnage, 99. 
 Dupplin, 136. 
 
 Edgehill, battle of, 43. 
 Edinburgh, 16, 35, 55, 145, 146, 210. 
 211. 
 
 Eglinton, earl of, 146, 152. 
 
 Elgin, 21, 120, 121, 173, 174. 
 
 Ellon, 62. 
 
 Enzie, 92. 
 
 Erne, the, 136, 137. 
 
 Erskine, lord, 145, 162. 
 
 Esslemont, 176. 
 
Index. 
 
 237 
 
 Fairfax, general, 191, 193, 197, 205, 
 
 217. 
 Falkirk, 143. 
 Falkirk, battle of, 107. 
 Farquharson, colonel Donald, 20, 51, 91, 
 
 94, 98, 101, 110; his character, 
 
 110, 112, 126. 
 Farquharson, James, of Inrerray, 130. 
 Farquharson, William, of Inverray, 176. 
 Fergus II., 146. 
 Fife, 115, 137, 138. 
 Finlater, earl of, 1 10. 
 Fleming, lord, 145, 162. 
 Forbes of Craigievar, 82, 83, 93, 187, 
 
 189. 
 
 Forbes, lord, 79, 80. 
 Forbes, major, 188. 
 Forres, 121. 
 Forth, the, 120, 138. 
 Foveran, laird of, 22. 
 Fraser, lord, 79, 82. 
 Fraser, sir James, 122. 
 Fyvie, 90, 176. 
 
 Gaeioch, 85. 
 
 Glasgow, 139, 145, 146, 153, 164, 167. 
 Glenco, 99, 101. 
 Glenesk, 117. 
 
 Glengarie, captain of the M'Ronald's 
 180. 
 
 Glengarry, 99, 101, 136, 140. 
 Glenorchie, 95, 96. 
 Gloucester, duke of, 21%. 
 Glowm, castle, 137. 
 
 Gordon, lord, 16, 46, 54, 56, 79, 80, 
 83, 84, 66, 68, 105, 106, 109, 110, 
 112, 114, 116, 117, 120, 123, 126, 
 127, 129; slain at Alford, 131 ; his 
 character, 131, 135, 143. 
 
 Gordon, lord Adam, 18. 
 
 Gordon, lord Lewis, 19, 20, 60, 62, 64, 
 88, 115, 116, 117, 164, 170, 184. 
 188, 200, 226. 
 
 Gordon of Arradoull, 28, 123, 176. 
 
 Gordon of Caimborrow, 19, 123. 
 Gordon, sir Alexander, of Cluny, 14, 1+6. 
 Gordon of Farnachtie, 199. 
 Gordon of Gight, 23, 49, 52, 53, 57, 135, 
 146, 176. 
 
 Gordon of Gight (younger,, 94, 176, 166. 
 
 Gordon of Haddo, 19, 48, 49, 52, 53, 57, 
 
 Gordon of Invermarkie, 205. 
 
 Gordon of Letterfourie, 199. 
 
 Gordon, William, of Minimore, 130, 199. 
 
 Gordon of Newton, 199, 205. 
 
 Gordon, George, of Rhynie, 126. 
 
 Gordon, James, of Rhynie, 126. 
 
 Gordon, colonel Nathaniel, 51, 81, 62, 
 89, 93, 105, 110, 130, 135, 136, 
 137, 139, 140, 141, 154, 159, 162, 
 168. 
 
 Gordon, captain John, 176. 
 Gordon, captain adjutant, 129, 199. 
 Gordon, Mr. William (Straloch's third 
 son,, 174. 
 
 Gordons, the, proscribed by the Scottish 
 
 parliament, 55. 
 Graham of Inchbraikie, 71. 
 Graham of Morphie„ 155. 
 Grant of Ballandalloch 110, 173, 174. 
 Grant of Freuchnie, 88. 
 Grant, laird of, 21, 69, 109. 
 Greenfield, sir Richard, 192. 
 Gun, colonel, 18, 24, 28. 
 Gustavus of Sweden, 138. 
 Guthrie, Andrew, 168. 
 
 Haccabtoun, 155. 
 Haddington, earl of, 16. 
 Haddo's raid, 48, 49. 
 Hamilton, 15, 17, 18, 41, 57, 152, 197, 
 208. 
 
 Harthill, laird of, 166, 205. 
 Hay, captain, 174. 
 Hay, colonel, 81. 
 
 Hay, sir William, of Delgatie, 135. 
 Hempsfield, 156. 
 Henry VIII., 220. 
 
238 
 
 Index. 
 
 Hobton, general lord, 192. 
 Home, lord, 113. 
 
 Hume, the earl of, 145, 146, 154, 156, 
 211. 
 
 Huntly, marquis of, first opposes the 
 Covenant, 12 ; his loyal declara- 
 tion, 13; offers to maintain the 
 north for the king, 14; his loyal 
 purpose defeated by the policy of 
 the marquis of Hamilton, 15 j is 
 imprisoned by the Covenanters, 
 16; urged to take up arms, 48; 
 takes the field, 49 ; lieutenant-ge- 
 neral for the north, 49, 50 ; retires 
 from the field, 52, 53, 54, 66, 68, 
 79, 86, 92, 99, 105, 108 ; his loyal- 
 ty, 109, 154 ; jealousies between 
 Huntly and Montrose, 163, 166, 
 168 ; they propose to act in concert, 
 172 ; Huntly 's operations in Mur- 
 ray, 173, 174, 1/7, 178; the mar- 
 quis of Huntly's conduct defended, 
 180 — 183 ; assaults and takes Aber- 
 deen, 187 — 190; lays down arms, 
 194; takes up arms again, 196; 
 retires to the Highlands, 1 98 ; be- 
 trayed by the clan Cameron, 204; 
 his trial and sentence, 223 ; his 
 speech on the scaffold, 224—226 ; 
 his character, 229—232. 
 
 Huntly (Strathbogie,, 13, 18, 21, 28, 49, 
 86, 89, 90, 92, 93, 127, 170, 172, 
 199. 
 
 Hurry, sir John, 111, 112, 114, 120, 
 122, 127. 
 
 Inchbracow, 136. 
 
 Innerwhartie, laird of. 162, 167. 
 
 Innes, laird of, 21, 22, 110, 120, 121, 
 
 122, 127, 173. 
 Innes sheriff of Murray , 179. 
 Inverary, 98. 
 
 Inverlochie, battle of, 100, 102. 
 Inverlochy, castle of, 102. 
 
 Inverness, 88, 99, 121, 122, 127, 175, 
 182. 
 
 Irvine, earl of, 6. 
 
 James V., 107. 
 James VI., 113. 
 
 Johnston, lieutenant-colonel, 16, 20, 23, 
 26. 
 
 Johnston, lord, 50, 145, 162, 168. 
 
 Kalendar, earl of, 177, 209, 210. 
 Keith, 129, 168. 
 
 Keith, sir "William, of Ludquharn, 20, 
 
 187, 189, 211. 
 Kellie, 53, 108. 
 Kenmore, lord, 55. 
 
 Kennedy, Mr. James ^Montrose's se- 
 
 cretaix, 177. 
 Kermuek, laird of, 189. 
 Kildrummy, 79. 
 Killruack, 122. 
 Kilpont, lord, 73, 75. 
 Kilsyth, the battle of, 139, 147, 170. 
 Kinermonie, 183, 187. 
 King, general, 41. 
 Kintore, 84, 110, 164, 165, 187. 
 
 Langley, sir Marmaduke, 209. 
 Lanrick, earl of, 41, 57, 139, 145, 208, 
 
 211. 
 Largie, 94. 
 Laud, archbishop, 35. 
 Law, Mungo, 101. 
 Lawers, laird of, 88, 121, 122, 126. 
 Leithen, 173, 174, 177. 
 Leslie, Patrick, provost of Aberdeen, 81. 
 Leslie, Robin, 196. 
 
 Leslie, general, 16, 50, 64, 156, 162, 
 
 166, 167. 193, 199, 203, 210. 
 Lethentie, lady, 168. 
 Letterfourie, laird of, 116. 
 Lindsay, earl of, 127, 128, 145, 211. 
 Linlithgow, 55, 145. 
 Linton, lord, 145, 154. 
 
Index. 
 
 239 
 
 Lochaber, 66, 67, 68, 99, 101. 
 Lochtay, 96. 
 London, bishop of, 219. 
 Lome, 98, 99. 
 Lothian, 139. 
 Ludquharn, laird of, 20. 
 Lovat, lord, 21, 121, 122. 
 Lowthean, earl of, 86. 
 
 M'Allan-more, 57, 66, 95, 96, 97, 98. 
 
 M'Allen[wickeine^, 66, 94, 99, HO. 
 
 M'Clean, 66, 180. 
 
 M'Cleod, 66. 
 
 M'Collduie, Allan, 100. 
 
 M'Collein, 99, 101, 136. 
 
 M'Condachie, Aurain, 98. 
 
 M'Donald, Alexander, 63, 65, 66, 67, 
 68, 69, 72, 74, 82, 89, 94, 95, 
 96, 101, 112, 123, 124, 125, 126, 
 130, 146, 152, 176, 181, 184, 199, 
 203. 
 
 MT>onell, sir James, 180. 
 M'Gillespick. See M'Donald, Alex, 
 ander. 
 
 M'Lachlen, colonel, 130, 160, 167. 
 M'Xabs, the, 97. 
 M'Oneill, 66. 
 
 M'Oneil, colonel James, 101. 
 M'Randell, 99. 
 Manchester, earl of, 191. 
 Marischal, George, earl, 113. 
 Marischal, earl of, 21, 91, 108, 112, 
 
 113, 155, 170, 209. 
 Mar, 85, 127, 128. 
 Mar, earl of, 162. 
 Maurice, prince, 49, 108. 
 Mearns, 89, 112, 114. 
 Meldrum, 176. 
 
 Middleton, captain, 27, 162, 164, 167, 
 
 177, 178, 179, 184, 199, 204. 
 Milton, laird of, 135. 
 Mingarry, 65. 
 
 Monro, colonel, 12, 13, 48, 65, 211. 
 Monteith, isle of, 120. 
 
 Montrose, earl of, serves under the Co- 
 venanters, 16 ; besieges the castle 
 of Gight, 23 ; marches south, 24 ; 
 returns north towards Aberdeen, 
 25 ; and encounters the Royalists 
 at the Bridge of Dee, 26, 27 ; the 
 Band, 36; attaches himself to the 
 king, 36 ; made lieutenant general 
 south the Grampians, 49 ; resolves 
 to go privately into Scotland, 50, 
 55 ; sets out for Scotland, 70 ; diffi- 
 culties of his position, 71; joins 
 M'Donald in Athol, 72 ; defeats 
 the Covenanters at St. Johnston, 
 73, 74 ; character of Montrose, 
 76 — 78 ; marches for the north, 
 79 ; encounters the Covenanters 
 at Aberdeen, 80 — 84 ; marches to 
 Strathspey, 85; thence to Badenoch 
 and Athol, 87, 89 ; returns to 
 Huntly, 89 ; encounters Argyle's 
 army at Fyvie, 90, 91 ; marches 
 back to Huntly, followed by Ar- 
 gyle, 92 — 94; marches into, and 
 ravages Argyle, 95 — 98 ; surprises 
 and routs Argyle's army at Inver- 
 lochy, 100 — 102; is joined by the 
 lord Gordon, 108 ; marches south, 
 and meets the Covenanting army 
 under Baillie, 114, 115; surprises 
 Dundee, 116 ; retreats to Athol, 
 117 ; is joined by the earl of 
 Aboyne, 117 — 120; marches north 
 after Sir John Hurry, 121 ; defeats 
 the Covenanters at Auldearne, 
 122 — 126; marches south to meet 
 Baillie and the earl of Lindsay, 
 127 ; defeats Baillie at Alford, 
 129, 130 ; his affection for the lord 
 Gordon, 133, 134; marches south 
 through Angus and Perth, 136, 
 137 ; routs the Covenanters at 
 Kilsyth, 139 — 147 ; is deserted by 
 the clan Donald, 153 ; and by the 
 
240 
 
 Index. 
 
 earl of Aboyne, 154 ; is betrayed by 
 pretended friends, 156, 157 ; is sur- 
 prised and defeated at Philiphaugh, 
 158 — 160 ; jealousies between 
 Montrose and Huntly, 163; is 
 again joined by Aboyne, 164; re- 
 solves to march for Glasgow, 165; 
 returns north, and has an interview 
 with the marquis of Huntly, 169 ; 
 their differences, 170, 171; they 
 propose to act in concert, 172 ; they 
 disagree, 175; Montrose resolves 
 to besiege Inverness, 177; the 
 operations of Huntly and Montrose 
 examined, 178 — 183 ; Montrose 
 retires before Middleton, 186 ; 
 Montrose endeavours to persuade 
 the marquis of Huntly to keep up 
 arms, 194, 195 ; is sent into exile, 
 196—203 ; is joined by the lord 
 Crichton in Germany, 228. 
 
 Montrose, 51, 111, 114. 
 
 Montgomerie, crouner, 188. 
 
 Montreuil, French agent, 194. 
 
 Morpeth, 119. 
 
 Mortimer, captain, 65, 68, 81, 82, 176, 
 
 184, 199. 
 Moynes, castle of, 173, 178. 
 Murray, bishop of, 110. 
 Murray, sir Robert, 6. 
 Murray, earl of, 85. 
 Murray, William, 162, 168. 
 Murray, 99, 102, 105, 109. 
 
 Napier, lord, 130. 
 Naseby, battle of, 44. 
 Ness (loch), 99. 
 
 Newburn, the king's forces defeated 
 at, 33. 
 
 Newbury, battle of, 43, 84. 
 Newcastle, marquis of, 47, 49. 
 Newcastle, 50, 118, 145, 156, 193. 
 Newtyle, 128. 
 Nisbet, sir Philip, 167, 169. 
 
 Nithsdale, 152. 
 Northesk, 51. 
 
 Occaen, colonel, 101, 130, 160, 167. 
 Ogilvie, lord, 79, 146, 152, 159, 162, 
 168. 
 
 Ogilvie of Purie, 158. 
 
 Ogilvie, sir George, of Carnousie, 23. 
 
 Ogilvie, John, 142. 
 
 Ogilvie, sir Thomas, 79, 102. 
 
 Oxenstiern, 7. 
 
 Oxford, 193. 
 
 Parliament, English, 33, 34, 35, 36, 
 38, 191, 193, 200, 201, 203, 214. 
 
 Parliament, Scottish, 35, 40, 55, 146, 
 164, 206, 222. 
 
 Pendenness castle, 197. 
 
 Percie, 138. 
 
 Perth, earl of, 16, 73, 145, 162. 
 Perthshire, 89, 114. 
 Picts, the, 99. 
 Pinkie, 108. 
 
 Philiphaugh, battle of, 158, 160. 
 Pittodrie, laird of, 189. 
 Prodigies seen, 62, 63. 
 
 Queensberry, earl of, 145. 
 
 Rae, lord, 50, 53, 118, 146. 
 Ramsay, Mr. Andrew, 225. 
 Ranald, clan, 94, 101. 
 Rathen, 63. 
 Renach, 96. 
 Richard III., 220. 
 
 Richelieu, cardinal, intrigues with the 
 
 Puritans, 5, 6. 
 Ripon, 34. 
 
 Robert, prince, 39, 41, 42, 43, 47. 
 Rollock, sir James, 101. 
 Rollock, sir William, 71, 154, 162, 
 168. 
 
 Roman Catholics, the king's policy to- 
 wards, 41, 45. 
 
Index. 
 
 241 
 
 Ronie, 125. 
 Eoses, the, 122. 
 Ross, 99, 122. 
 Ross, lord, 180. 
 Rothes, castle of, 173. 
 Rothes, earl of, 13. 
 Row, 112. 
 
 Roxburgh, the earl of, 145, 146, 154, 
 
 156, 211. 
 Rufus, William, 220. 
 
 Seaforth, earl of, 21, 22, 64, 67, 68, 69, 
 85, 109, 120, 121, 122, 127, 174, 
 180, 182. 
 
 Seatoun, lord, 16, 145, 162. 
 
 Selkirk, 156, 158. 
 
 Sibbet (Sibbald), colonel, 71, 93. 
 
 Solway Moss, 107. 
 
 Spey, 21, 69, 87, 110, 120, 121, 127, 
 
 170, 184. 
 Spottiswoode, sir John, 162. 
 Spottiswoode, sir Robert, 168. 
 Spynie, castle of, 110, 126, 173, 174, 
 
 178. 
 
 St. Andrews, 162, 168. 
 
 Stewarts of Appin, 101. 
 
 Stewart of Ardvoirlich, 75. 
 
 Stewart of Bute, 107. 
 
 Stewarts of Lome, 98. 
 
 Stewart, William, 179. 
 
 St. Johnston, 55, 72, 73, 78, 100, 136. 
 
 Stonehaven, 24, 114. 
 
 Stirling, 55, 101, 143, 211. 
 
 Strafford, earl of, beheaded, 34. 
 Straithhardle, 128. 
 Stranaver, 53. 
 
 Strathaven, 85, 89, 90, 94, 110, 171. 
 Strathbogie. See Huntly. 
 Strathdee, 89, 90. 
 Strathdon, 85, 171. 
 Strathspey, 69, 85. 
 Sutherland, 99. 
 
 Sutherland, earl of, 55, 121, 122, 127. 
 
 Tarneway, 173, 178. 
 Tay, the, 116, 136. 
 
 Traquair, earl of, 31, 145, 152, 154, 156, 
 
 157. 
 Trent, 193. 
 
 Turreff, 18, 19; trot of, 20, 165, 177. 
 Tycho-Brahe, 5. 
 
 Vortioern, 42. 
 
 Wales, prince of, 222. 
 
 Wallace, sir William, 107, 138, 146. 
 
 Wauchope, sir John, of Niddry, 101. 
 
 Wigton, 145, 162. 
 
 William the Conqueror, 221. 
 
 Winton, earl of, 16, 162, 212, 224. 
 
 Wishart, bishop, 109. 
 
 Worcester, marquis of, 44. 
 
 York, 41, 50,70, 145. 
 Ythan, the, 90. 
 
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