fl • YAlLE-'vmvEiasinnr- - iLiiiBiiyMsr • Bought with the income of the Edward Wells Southworth Fund, 1915 3IAIBIIILILIBBC1BWT D'UN DES SIX GARDES ESCOSSOIS PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE ROYAL GUARD OF SCOTTISH ARCHERS IN FRANCE. FROM ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. ¦v ELW fi'-e./UH, ue./c*t.i *'?v iMacciona'A PRINTED AT EDINBURGH. M.DCCC.XXXV. «2. 030 «** O EDINBURGH : PRINTED BY T. CONSTABLE. M.DCCC.XXXV. PRESENTED TO THE MAITLAND CLUB BY JAMES DUNLOP. THE MAITLAND CLUB. FEBRUARY, M.DCCC.XXXV. THE EARL OF GLASGOW, PRESIDENT. ROBERT ADAM, ESQ. JOHN BAIN, ESQ. ROBERT BELL, ESQ. SIR DAVID HUNTER BLAIR, BART. WALTER BUCHANAN, ESQ. THE MARQUIS OF BUTE. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, ESQ. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, ESQ. LORD JOHN CAMPBELL. JOHN DONALD CARRICK, ESQ. LORD COCKBURN. JAMES DENNISTOUN, ESQ. JAMES DOBIE, ESQ. RICHARD DUNCAN, ESQ. WILLIAM JAMES DUNCAN, ESQ. JAMES DUNLOP, ESQ. JOHN DUNLOP, ESQ. JAMES EWING, ESQ. KIRKMAN FINLAY, ESQ. THE MAITLAND CLUB. REV. WILLIAM FLEMING, D.D. WILLIAM MALCOLM FLEMING, ESQ. JOHN FULLARTON, ESQ. JOHN BLACK GRACIE, ESQ. RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS GRENVILLE. JAMES HILL, ESQ. LAURENCE HILL, ESQ. GEORGE HOUSTOUN, ESQ. JOHN KERR, ESQ. ROBERT ALEXANDER KIDSTON, ESQ. GEORGE RITCHIE KINLOCH, ESQ. JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART, ESQ. ALEXANDER MACDONALD, ESQ. WILLIAM MACDOWALL, ESQ. THE VERY REV. PRINCIPAL MACFARLAN, D.D. ANDREW MACGEORGE, ESQ. ALEXANDER MACGRIGOR, ESQ. DONALD MACINTYRE, ESQ. JOHN WHITEFOORD MACKENZIE, ESQ. GEORGE MACINTOSH, ESQ. ALEXANDER MACNEILL, ESQ. JAMES MAIDMENT, ESQ. THOMAS MAITLAND, ESQ. WILLIAM MEIKLEHAM, ESQ. WILLIAM HENRY MILLER, ESQ. WILLIAM MOTHERWELL, ESQ. WILLIAM MURE, ESQ. ALEXANDER OSWALD, ESQ. JOHN MACMICHAN PAGAN, ESQ. M.D. THE MAITLAND CLUB. WILLIAM PATRICK, ESQ. EDWARD PIPER, ESQ. ROBERT PITCAIRN, ESQ. JAMES CORBET PORTERFIELD, ESQ. HAMILTON PYPER, ESQ. PHILIP ANSTRUTHER RAMSAY, ESQ. JOHN RICHARDSON, ESQ. WILLIAM ROBERTSON, ESQ. ANDREW SKENE, ESQ. JAMES SMITH, ESQ. JOHN SMITH, ESQ. JOHN SMITH, YGST, ESQ. WILLIAM SMITH, ESQ. MOSES STEVEN, ESQ. DUNCAN STEWART, ESQ. SIR MICHAEL SHAW STEWART, BART. SYLVESTER DOUGLAS STIRLING, ESQ. JOHN STRANG, ESQ. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF SUSSEX. THOMAS THOMSON, ESQ. W. B. D. D. TURNBULL, ESQ. PATRICK FRASER TYTLER, ESQ. ADAM URQUHART ESQ. SIR PATRICK WALKER. WILSON DOBIE WILSON, ESQ. PREFATORY NOTICE. The early establishment of the Royal guard of Scottish Archers in France, the length of time during which they were maintained, and the numerous privileges conferred upon them, render their history curious and interest ing. They undoubtedly contributed in no small degree to promote those friendly relations, which subsisted between Scotland and France, from the age of fabulous story, till the independent existence of the former king dom merged in the British Crown. The nobles and gentlemen of Scot land enrolled themselves in that honourable corps, and were the means of attracting to the French service many of their countrymen, whose glory was sealed at Bauge, Verneuil, and other bloody fields, and of thereby cementing an alliance unparalleled in history. The documents here introduced have preserved many interesting par ticulars relating to the Scottish Guard. They are contained in the fiftieth volume of the Denmiln MSS. (Adv. Lib. A. 2. 4.) and are six in number. The circumstances to which they refer happened about the years 1611-12, while Mary de Medicis, widow of Henry IV. was regent of France for her son Louis XIII. Numerous innovations upon the privileges of their body, and frequent causes of irritation which had occurred at this time, induced some of the Scottish Archers to lay their case before their own Sovereign, and to seek his mediation at the French Court in their behalf. b For this purpose the Statement, which is the first article subjoined, appears to have been drawn up. It is printed in 6 pp. quarto, and gives an account of the origin and immunities of the Scottish Guard. On the back is written, in a cotemporary hand, "wth SrTho. Edmond's lettre dated 1 of Febr. 1611." That letter follows, printed from the original of Sir Thomas, who seems to have been resident ambassador from James VI. at Paris. It is addressed to Robert Earl of Salisbury, Lord Treasurer of England, and contains particulars of the differences between the Archers and the French Court. There is next another letter of 30th March 1612, detailing the continued exertions of Edmondes in this matter, in concert with Lord Colville ; the name " the Due of Bouillon," which here occurs, (see p. 20) has been substituted by a different hand for the figures 25 in cypher. The latter part is filled with disputes as to precedence at the marriage of Princess Elizabeth of France to Philip IV. of Spain. The next document exhibits articles of complaint against the Archers, with answers on their part ; and may perhaps be the same as the " answeare to the information" mentioned in Sir Thomas Edmondes' second letter. Lord Colville, having been commissioned by James VI. to act with his am bassador in this affair, reports his diligence to the king in the next letter, of which the original is preserved. The last of the series seems to be the draught of a memorial from James VI. to the French king and council, insisting for the restoration of the Archers to their proper number and privileges ; or, should this be refused, discharging them from continuing embodied under the name of the Scottish Company. The history of the corps of Scottish Archers given in the first of these XI documents must be regarded as an ex parte statement, and other authori ties throw some doubt upon the pretensions to antiquity therein asserted. In Vol. II. p. 5. of L'Etat de la France, (Paris, 1727, five volumes, 12mo.) the subject is thus briefly, and not very accurately, discussed. " Le Roy " Charles VII retint a sa garde des Ecossois, tires du nombre de ceux que " les Comtes de Boucan, Douglas, et autres Seigneurs d'Ecosse, lui ame- " nerent pour chasser de la France les Anglois. Philippe de Commines " les appelle Orfaverises, a cause que leurs Hoquetons etoient couverts de " papillottes d'argent et d'orfevrie. lis ont eu un Capitaine de leur na- " tion, jusqu'au regne de Francois I, que Jacques de Lorge, Comte de " Montgomery, fut pourvu de cette charge. Les Ecossois n'en temoigne- " rent point de mecontentement, parcequ'ils le regardoient comme Ecos- " sois d'origine ; ce Seigneur sepretendant descendu des Comtes d'Egdland, " [Eglintoun] maison d'Ecosse. Gabriel de Lorge, Comte de Montgo- " mery, son fils, lui succeda. Ce fut lui qui, dans les tournois de la place " des Tournelles, blessa par malheur le Roy Henri II, qui en mourut. Le " Comte pris la fuite ; sa charge fut donnee a un Seigneur Francois, ce " qui a toujours continue depuis : on y a mis insensiblement des Francois " meles avec les Ecossois. Enfin cette compagnie, qui avoit encore un " Lieutenant Ecossois en 1660, est devenue toute Francoise, conservant " pourtant son premier nom de Gardes Ecossois, et ayant le pas sur tous " les autres." * * One of these gentlemen, the Sieur de Bonair, prohahly descended from a Scottish family, styles himself " Historiographe du Roi, et l'un des xxv Gentilshommes de la Garde Ecossoise," in a work which passed through two or three editions, hefore 1681, entitled "Sommaire XII In further illustration of the history of the Scottish Guard, and of the intimate connection which formerly subsisted between France and Scot land, there is added to the documents already mentioned, through the kindness of Mr. D. Laing, a reprint of a work published at Paris in 1 608 by A. Houston, containing a short account of the successive alliances be tween Scotland and France, from the time of Charlemagne and Achaius in 777, to the reign of James the VI. of Scotland. This Treatise is dedicated to Henry Prince of Wales, eldest son of James the VI. ; and besides alluding to the friendly intercourse between these kingdoms, which gave rise to the many privileges enjoyed by the Scottish nation, it gives a rather minute and interesting detail of the establishment and privileges of the Scottish Guard. The foreign wars of England, prior to the union of the Crowns, had chiefly for their object the subjugation of Scotland, and the recovery of her lost dominions in France. Exposed to the same dangers, France and Scotland naturally sought the assistance of each other, and formed alli ances for mutual defence against the common enemy. It thus became the obvious policy of France to secure the services of Scotland, by giving favour and protection to its subjects, and bestowing on them exclusive privileges ; and while it flattered the national vanity, by confiding the safety of its King to a guard composed of Scotchmen, it, at the same time, thereby created a body of soldiers capable of forming their country men, sent to assist France, into well disciplined and effective armies. Roial de l'Histoire de France, continuee depuis Pharamond jusques au Regne d'apresent. Avec les Portraits, Armes, et Devises de tous les Rois.'' XIII So early as the reign of Alexander the III. it is mentioned that Louis the IX. made a selection from the Scottish army serving in France of a certain number to remain day and night around his person in quality of guards, but the permanent formation of the Scottish Guard is not pro perly recognised till 1236. The motives which led to such close alliance ceased to exist at the union of the crowns, when, it is probable France felt desirous of getting rid of a body of men who could no longer afford effective assistance against England, and hence apparently arose those slights and neglects of which such frequent complaints appear to have been made in the documents now printed. The portrait of one of the Six Scottish Guards who at tended the ceremony of consecration of Louis XV. as here given, is en graved from " Le Sacre de Louis XV. Roy de France et de Navarre dans l'Eglise de Reims le dimanche xxv Octobre mdccxxh." A few extracts from the Records of the Privy Council of Scotland are perhaps the last attempts that were made in behalf of the Scottish Guard. These are here printed, and consist of a letter from King Charles I. to the Privy Council, authorising them to appoint some of their num ber " to deale with those who sail be warranted from our brother the French King," &c. and who accordingly issued their commission to Wil liam Earl of Lothian, to proceed to France for the purpose. Unluckily the result of his mission is not known, as the records after November 1643 are defective. XIV " Apud Edinburgh, 3 Novembris 1 642. " CHARLES R. His Majesties « Right trustie and right welbelouit Cousins and Counsellers, right trus- Missive anent ° ° ° of the Scots IT tie and right welbelovit Counsellors, We greit you well. By your letter France. of the first of this instant you represent to ws the sufferings and losses of our subjects by the infringement of these ancient priviledges and liberteis they formerlie (for verie good and honorable causis) injoyed in the king dom of France, We being most willing to have all our subjects of that our kingdome restored to their ancient priveledges, Doe heirby authorise and allow you to appoint such as you sail think most fitt to treate and deale with those who sail be warranted from our brother the Frenche King, that those our subjects of all conditions may be restored to thair saids priviledges, and injoy the same, without anie diminutioun in all time comming. So we bid you heartilie farewell, from our Court At Shrews- burie, the 10th of October 1642." " 1 Dec. 1 642. Commission to William Earle of Lothian, Lord New- bottle, &c. givand, grantand, and committand to him full power and com mission to repaire to the kingdom of France, and there to treate and deale with suche as sail be warranted be the Frenche King anent the restoiring of the subjects of this kingdome, of all conditions, to the pri viledges and liberteis formerlie injoyed be them and their predecessors in the said kingdom of France, and for preserving the same inteir, without anie diminutioun, in all time coming," &c. &c. &c. XV " 8 Dec. 1642. Precept for the soume of twa thousand punds sterline money, to be gevin to the said Earle for defraying of his expensis in this imployment," &c. &c. " 9 Nov. 1 643. The Answers of the Counsell of Scotland to the Propositions givin in to them be Monsieur Bousivons from the King of France. " To the first, when the Counsell sail receave ane accompt from the Earle of Lothian of his proceedings in his imployment to France, they will then, according to their power, give such ane respective answer as may shew their willingness to interteane and confirme the ancient alli ance betuix the kingdoms of Scotland and France. " To the secund, the Counsell can give no other ansuer, then that the conserving of peace betuix the two kingdoms of Scotland and England is remitted be his Majestie and Estaitts of Parliament to a Commission appointed for that effect, and that the late Convention of Estats having receaved some propositions from Commissioners of both houssis of the part of England, for the further securing of religion and peace of their king- domes, they have entrusted the consideratioun therof to ane Committee of thair owne number, who (the Counsell are confident) will proceed in these affaires as becometh them in dutie and conscience towards God, in loyaltie to the King, and with respect to the good of the kingdoms," &c. "As the Counsell have answered these principall propositions according to their power, and in such sort as can give no just occasioun of offence to the King of France, being willing inviolablie to keep that amitie, quhilk XVI hes beene so religiouslie observed these manie ages, and are confident that the Queene Regent and those who have the charge of the King of France and his affairs in his nonage, will be better advised then to make these particulars ane occasioun of breach with his ancient allyes, whom his royall predecessors, in their greatest difficulties, have found to be thair readiest and surest freinds ; So when anie other propositioun sail be made unto them by Monsieur Bousivons, they will returne such ane an- suer thereto as apperteaneth." " The Propositions (translated out of French in English) which Monsieur Bousivons sent from the Most Christian King is commanded to make to the Lords of Counsell of Scotland. " That according to the instructions which the Lords of the Counsell of Scotland hes gevin to my Lord the Earle of Lothian, their depute in France, with consent of the King of Great Britain, the saids Lords (so far as their power doth reach) ar to confirme the ancient alliances betuix France and Scotland. " That for this effect the Scots, directlie nor indirectlie, enter not in amies in England, whether under pretext of serving the King of Great Britain, or under pretext of serving religioun without expresse commis- sioun from the King their master ; and forasmuch as this article is of present concernment, the most Christiane King desires a punctuall and speedie ansuer," &c. LE FACTUM POUR LA COMPAGNIE DES GARDES ESCOSSOISES. X 'ALLIANCE entre la France et l'Efcofle fignifiee par la double bor- dure de Fleur de Lys qui eft allentour du Lyon en l'efcu des armes du Roy d'Efcoffe, fut contra&e entre Charlemagne et Achayus, fan f'ept cens quatre vingt et neuf, et continuee par quarante et vng Roys de France, et quarante fix Roys d'Efcoffe par huift, cens et vingt ans. En vertu de cette alliance plufieurs notables fecours ont efte donnez par les EfcofTois a la France, car Achaius fecourut Charlemagne de quatre mille EfcofTois conduitz par fon Frere Guillemer qui luy feruirent en fes guerres d'ltalie, Hongrie, Allemagne, et Efpagne, et de quelques fcauans EfcofTois pour les Vniuerfitez fondees par luy. Malcolme troifiefme en uoya a Huges, frere de Philippe premier, deux mille EfcofTois pour le voy age de Hierufalem qu'il fit auec Godefroy de Bouillon, Alexandre deuxi- efme enuoya trois mille EfcofTois a Sainft, Louys conduitz par Patrik de Dombar, Conte de la Marche, pour fon voyage de leuant, Alexandre troi fiefme enuoya deux mille EfcofTois, conduitz par les Contes de Carift et 2 SCOTTISH ARCHER GUARD 1612. Athole au mefme Sainft Louys pour fon voyage d'Affrique, Dauid le Bruce, enuoya trois mille EfcofTois au Roy lean, conduitz par Guillaume, Conte de Douglas, qui furent tuez a la bataille de Poiftiers, Robert de Stuart, Gouuerneur d'Efcoffe, Oncle de Iacques premier, enuoya fept mille Efcof fois a Charles Dauphin, commandez par fon filz le Conte de Bouchan, et Archebald de Douglas, Conte d'Oui&on, et beaufrere du Conte de Bou chan, qui gaignerent la bataille de Bauge, fon filz Murdacque aufli Gou uerneur d'Efcoffe, enuoya dix mille EfcofTois au mefme Charles, eftant Roy feptiefme de ce nom, conduitz par fon frere le fufdift Conte de Bou chan, et Archebald de Douglas, di6t le borgne Conte de Douglas, Pere du Conte de Ouifton, et beaupere du Conte de Buchan, qui moururent la plus grande part a la bataille de Vernoeil, fan mil quatre cens vingt quatre. Et lean de Stuart, Conneflable d'Efcoffe, fan mil quatre cens vingtz cinq, amena quatre mil EfcofTois . au mefme Roy Charles, oultre plufieurs bandes commandees par Dauid de Pitulot. Depuis lequel temps les EfcofTois, comme tefmoignent les hiftoires de deux Nations, ont randu de bons feruices a ceft Eftat, foubz les charges de Robert, Bernard, vn autre Robert, et lean de Stuart, fieurs Daubigny, Alexandre Due d'Albanie, et lean fon filz, conte de Boulongne, durant les reignes de Louys vnziefme, Charles hui&iefme, Louys douziefme, Francois premier, et Henry fecond. Et non contans d'auoir affifte les Francois felon leur pouuoir, en la France, tafchant de diuertir la Tempefte de la France, Ilz ont attire forage fur eux mefme au pais d'Ecoffe, car de cefte facon Dauid le Bruce fut blefle, pris prifonnier, auec la perte de plus de dix mil EfcofTois, a la ba taille de Durham. Iacques quatriefme faifant la guerre de mefme facori a fon Beaufrere Henry huiaiefme, fut tue a la bataille de Flaudun, auec 1612. IN FRANCE. 3 prefque toute fa Nobleffe, et quatorze mil EfcofTois. Son filz Iacques cinquiefme faifant la guerre a fon Oncle Henry hui6tiefme pour fon Beau- pere, Francois premier, receut fi grand defplaifir du mauuais fuccedz de fon Armee, commandee par fon fauory Oliuier de S. Cler, que fans autre maladie eftant en la fleur de fon aage il mourut hui6t jours apres. Sa fille et heritiere d'Efcoffe, Marie de Stuart, eftant promife par les trois Eftatz d'Efcoffe, en Mariage a Edouard fixiefme d'Angleterre du viuant de fon pere Henry hui6tiefme, a efte neantmoings enuoyee et mariee en France, de quoy ledit Edouart yrrite, enuoya fon Oncle le Due de Somerfette auec vne Armee en Efcoffe, qui gaigna la bataille de Pinque, en laquelle mou- rurent 15000 EfcofTois. A fes fecours, feruices, et pertes receues pour la France, faut adioufter pour comble de cefte Alliance, les affinites et Manages mutuels des Princes des deux Royaumes, car Louys vnziefme eftant Dauphin de France, ef- poufa Marguerite fille de Iacques premier Roy d'Efcoffe. Auquel temps comme tefmoignent nos hiftoires, le fang des deux Nations fut fort mefle, car il y eut lors comme ilz difent cent quarante, que Dames que Damoi- felles Efcoffoifes, Mariees en France : duquel nombre furent les deux fceurs de la Royne Dauphine, dont l'vne efpoufa le Due de Bretagne, et l'autre le Conte de Flandre. Alexandre Due Dalbanye frere du Roy Iacques troifiefme d'Efcoffe, efpoufa la conteffe de Boulogne : et courant en lice contre Louys Due D'orleans, fut d'vn efclat de lance bleffe, dont il mourut bien toft apres, de ce Mariage nafquit lean de Stuart Due d'Al- banye, Conte de Boulongne, et gbuuerneur d'Efcoffe, durant la minorite de Iacques cinquiefme. Ce Iacques cinquiefme efpoufa en premieres nopce Magdalaine fille aifnee de Francois premier, et en fecondes Marie de Lorraine douairiere de Longeuille, et fceur du Due de Guife. Sa fille 4 SCOTTISH ARCHER GUARD 1612. Marie de Stuart Royne d'Efcoffe efpoufa Francois Dauphin, et depuis Roy de France, deuxiefme de ce nom. Les Roys de France efmeuz de ces fecours, feruices, pertes, et affinitez des Roys, et autres de la nation d'Efcoffe, ont tafche de leur cofte de monftrer combien ils les auoyent aggreables, en honorant plulieurs de cefte nation des plus honorables charges de leur Royaume, car Charles feptiefme crea le Conte de Buchan conneftable de France, et l'annee en fuiuant le Conte de Douglas Due de Touraine (lequel Duche a demeure a luy et a fon filz, et a fon petit filz, durant leurs vie, et les reignes de Charles huiftiefme, et la plus part de ce luy de Louys vnzieme) et marefchal de France, lean de Stuart Conte de Dreux, et feigneur de Comcrefault en Berry, Robert de Stuart lieur Daubigny, Marefchal de France, Dauid de Pitulo capitaine de fes gardes, et apres fa mort l'honora d'vne ftatue qu'il luy feit dreffer en la falle de fon Pallais, Bernard de Stuart lieur Daubigny, et Marefchal de France, du temps de Louys vnziefme, viceroy de Naples fouz Charles hui&iefme, fon frere gouuerneur de Millan fouz Louys douziefme, et luy mefme lieutenant general des armies defdits Roys en Italie, comme aufli en celle qui fut enuoyee en Angleterre au fecours de Henry feptiefme contre Richard troifiefme, fon fils Robert capitaine des gardes, et Mare fchal de France du temps de Francois premier, et fon heritier lean de Stuart capitaine de la compagnie des genfdarmes EfcofTois, comme auffi des gardes du corps du temps du mefme Roy, lean de Hamilton Conte d'Aran gouuerneur d'Efcoffe durant la minorite de Marie de Stuart Royne d'Efcoffe, fut cree Due de Chaftelleraut, et fon filz aifne capitaine de la compagnie des genfdarmes EfcofTois entretenuz en France : plufieurs au tres tant Ecclefiaftiques que lays ont tenu et exerce de grandes dignitez et charges en France, que pour briefuete iobmetz. 1612. IN FRANCE. 5 Et ne fe contentans pas de remunerer les feruices des grands, mais ayant efgard a la valleur et fidelite de la nation Efcoffoife et pour d'auan- tage confirmer l'alliance, ils ont erige quelques compagnie de cefte nation, leur donnant de grands priuileges. Sainft Louys en fon voyage du leuant ordonna que 24 EfcofTois euffent la garde de fon corps iour et nuit, lequel honneur a demeure a eux fefpace de 140 annees durant le reigne de 8 Roys de France pour le moins, Charles cinquiefme accreut le nombre de foixante et feize archers, laiffant aux vingt-quatres premiers les preroga- tiues par deffus les autres, qui leurs font demeurez iufques au iourd'huy afcauoir que deux de leur nombre aflifteront a la meffe, fermon, vefpres, et repas ordinaire du Roy de France, vn a chafque cofte de fa chaife, et que les iours des grandes feftes, les ceremonies des touchemens des Roys^ et creation de cheualliers de l'ordre du Roy, reception des ambaffadeurs extraordinaires, entree de villes, il y auroit fix de leur nombre plus proches de la perfonne du Roy, trois de chafque cofte de fa Maiefte, et que les corps des Roys feroient par eux feuls portez par tout ou les ceremonies le requerroient, et fon effigie accompagnee par eux. La compagnie Efcof foife a demeure la feulle garde du Roy, plus de foixante et dix ans, car ee fut Charles feptiefme qui erigea la premiere compagnie Francoife des gardes du corps, comme Louys vnziefme la feconde, et Fran