Britain, or A chorographicall description of the most flourishing kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the ilands adjoyning, out of the depth of antiquitie beautified vvith mappes of the severall shires of England: vvritten first in Latine by William Camden Clarenceux K. of A. Translated newly into English by Philémon Holland Doctour in Physick: finally, revised, amended, and enlarged with sundry additions by the said author.
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- Britain, or A chorographicall description of the most flourishing kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the ilands adjoyning, out of the depth of antiquitie beautified vvith mappes of the severall shires of England: vvritten first in Latine by William Camden Clarenceux K. of A. Translated newly into English by Philémon Holland Doctour in Physick: finally, revised, amended, and enlarged with sundry additions by the said author.
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- Camden, William, 1551-1623.
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- London :: Printed by F. K[ingston] R. Y[oung] and I. L[egatt] for George Latham,
- 1637.
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"Britain, or A chorographicall description of the most flourishing kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the ilands adjoyning, out of the depth of antiquitie beautified vvith mappes of the severall shires of England: vvritten first in Latine by William Camden Clarenceux K. of A. Translated newly into English by Philémon Holland Doctour in Physick: finally, revised, amended, and enlarged with sundry additions by the said author." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A17832.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 25, 2025.
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Page 3
SCOTLAND.
NOw am I come to SCOTLAND, and willingly I assure you will I enter into it, but withall light∣ly passe over it. For I remember well that said saw, In places not well knowne lesse while wee must stay: as also admonition of that [ C] Grecian, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: that is, Art thou a stranger? be no medler. And verily I should play an unadvised part, if I would insist long in that, wherein I am but little con∣versant. But yet seeing Scotland also joyeth in the name of BRITAIN, let it bee lawfull for me (reserving the due honour to the Scottish) according to my purpose, having boldly undertaken to illustrate BRITAIN, to proceed with their good favour, [ D] leave, and licence, and by drawing aside in some sort the curtaine of obscure an∣tiquity, to point out with my finger, if I shall be able, some places of ancient note and memory. Certes, I assure my selfe that I shall bee easily pardoned in this point, the people themselves are so courteous and well meaning, and the happinesse of these daies so rare and admirable, since that by a divine and hea∣venly oportunity is now fallen into our laps, which we hardly ever hoped, & our Ancestors so often and so earnestly wished: namely, that Britaine, so many a∣ges dis-joined in it selfe and unsociable, should all throughout, like one uniform [ E] City, under one most sacred and happy Monarch, the founder of perpetuall peace, by a blessed Union be conjoyned in one entire body. Who being through the propitious goodnesse of Almighty God, elected, borne, and preserved to the good of both nations, as he is a Prince of singular wisdome and providence, and fatherly affected to all his subjects, doth so cut off all causes and occasions of feare, of hope, of revenge, complaint, and quarrell; that the dismall DISCORD which hath set these nations (otherwise invincible) so long at debate, might be stifled and crushed for ever; and sweet CONCORD triumph joyously with end∣lesse comfort, when (as one sometimes sung this tenour) Jam cunctigens una [ F] sumus, that is, Wee all one Nation are this day, whereunto as a Chorus both nations resound, Et simus in aevum, that is, God grant we may be so for aye.
But before my pen commeth to Scotland, thus much I thinke it good to ad∣vertise the Reader aforehand, that I leave the first originall of the Scottish
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nation to their owne Historians: also the primitive derivation of their name [ A] to the learned among them, banishing all conjectures whatsoever of others, which either hasty credulity or carelesse negligence hath forged, as well in the late foregoing age, as in these our dayes. And according to the same order which I kept before in England, I will premise some few lines touching the division of Scotland, the States of the Kingdome, and the Tribunals or Courts of Iustice: then will I briefly touch the situations and Commodities of the soile in every severall Region: what places there be of greater fame [ B] and name, and what Families more noble and notable than the rest, have most flourished with the title and honour of Earles and Barons of the Parliament, so far forth as hitherto I could find by reading or enquiry: And that so circum∣spectly, with such an honest desire and sincere affection to truth, that I hope I shall not give offence to the malicious; and with so compendious brevity, that I will not prevent their curious diligence, who are in hand to set out these matters with a fuller pensill, and to polish the same with more lively and lasting colours. [ C]
[ D] [ E] [ F]Page 5
THE DIVISION OF SCOTLAND.
THe North part of the Island of Britaine, was of old time inha∣bited throughout by the Picts, who were divided into two Nations, the DICALIDONII, and VECTURIONES: of whom I have spoken already out of Ammianus Marcellinus. But when the Scots became Lords and Rulers over all this part, it was shared into seven parts among seven Princes, as we finde in a little ancient pamphlet touching the division of Scotland, in these words and old name.
- The first part contained Enegus and Maern.
- The second, Atheodl and Goverin.
- The third, Stradeern and Meneted.
- The fourth was Forthever.
- [ C] The fift, Mar with Buchen.
- The sixth, Muref and Ros.
- The seventh Cathanes, which Mound, a mountaine in the midst divideth, running on forward from the West sea to the East.
Then afterwards the same Author reporteth, according to the relation of An∣drew Bishop of Cathanes, that the whole Kingdome was divided likewise into se∣ven territories.
- [ D] The first from Frith, in the British tongue, called by the Romans Worid, now Scotwade, to the river Tae.
- The second to Hilef, according as the sea fetcheth a compasse, to a mountain in the North-east part of Strivelin, named Athran.
- The third from Hilef to Dee.
- The fourth from Dee to the river Spe.
- The fifth from Spe to the mountaine Brunalban.
- The sixth, Mures and Ros.
- The seventh, the kingdome Argathel, as it were [ E] the border and skirt of the Scots: who were so called of Gathelgas their Captaine.
Also according to the habitation of the people, Scotland is now divided into High∣land-men and Lawland-men:* 1.1 These being more civill, use the English language and apparrell: the other, which are rude and unruly, speak Irish, and goe apparelled Irish∣like, as I have already said.* 1.2 Out of this division I exclude the Borderers, because by reason of peace shining now upon them on every side, by a blessed and happy Union, they are to bee ranged and reckoned in the very heart and midst of the British Em∣pire, as who begin to be weary of wars, and to acquaint themselves with the delight∣full [ F] benefits of peace.
Moreover, according to the situation and position of the places, the whole King∣dome is divided into two parts: the South, on this side the river Tay, and the North beyond Tay; besides a number of Islands lying round about. In the South part these countries are more remarkable than the rest.
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- ...Teifidale.
- ...Merch.
- ...Lauden.
- ...Liddesdale.
- ...Eskedale.
- ...Annandale.
- ...N••ddesdale.
- ...Galloway.
- ...Carrick.
- ...Kyle.
- ...Cunningham.
- ...Arran. [ A]
- ...Cluydesdale.
- ...Lennox.
- ...Stirling.
- ...Fife.
- ...Strathern.
- ...Menteith.
- ...Argile.
- ...Cantire.
- ...Lorn. [ B]
In the North part are reckoned these Countries.
- ...Loquabrea.
- ...Braidalbin.
- ...Perth.
- ...Athol.
- ...Anguish.
- ...Mern.
- ...Marr.
- ...Buquhan.
- ...Murray.
- ...Rosse.
- ...Sutherland.
- ...Cathanes.
- ...Strathnavern. [ C]
These are subdivided againe according to their civill government, into counties, which they call Sherifdomes, Seneschalfies, commonly Stewarties, and Bailiwicks, or Bailerries.
- ...Edenburgh.
- ...Linlythquo.
- ...Selkirk.
- ...Roxburgh.
- ...Peblis.
- ...Berwick.
- ...Lanark.
- ...Renfrew.
- ...Dunfreis.
- ...Wightou.
- ...Aire.
- ...Bute.
- ...Argyle and
- ...Tarbet.
- ...Dunbarton.
- ...Perth.
- ...Clackmannan.
- ...Kinros.
- ...Fife.
- ...Kincardin.
- ...Forfaire. [ D]
- ...Aberd••ne.
- ...Bamff.
- ...Elgin.
- ...Forres.
- ...Narne.
- ...Innerness.
- ...Cromartie.
- ...Orknay and
- ...Shetland.
- ...Menteith.
- ...Strathern.
- ...Kircudbricht.
- ...Annandale.
- ...Kile.
- ...Carick.
- ...Cunningham.
Hadingtona Constablery.
* 1.3As touching the administration of that divine City and commonwealth, which we tearme the Church, like as the Bishops in all the world besides, had no certain di∣oeceses, before that Dionisius Bishop of Rome, about the yeere 268. did set out dioe∣ceses [ F] for Bishops: so the Bishops of Scotland executed their Episcopall functions in what place soever they came, indifferently and without distinction, untill the time of King Malcolm the third, that is, about the yeere of our redemption 1070 at which time the dioeceses were confined within their bounds and limits.
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[ A] Afterwards, in processe of time, this Hierarchie, or Ecclesiasticall government, was established in Scotland. Two Archbishops, one of Saint Andrews, the other of Glasco; whereof the former is counted Primate of all Scotland: under whom there be eight Bishoprickes.
- ...Dunkeld.
- ...Aberdon.
- ...Murray.
- ...Dunblan.
- ...Brechin.
- ...Rosse.
- ...Cathanes.
- ...Orkney.
Under the Archbishop of Glasco there be onely three.
- ...* 1.4 Candida Casa, or Galloway.
- Lismore, or Argile.
- ...The Iles.
THE STATES OR DEGREES OF SCOTLAND.
THe Republicke, or Commonwealth of the Scots, like as that of Englishmen, consisteth of a King, the Nobility or Gentry, and Commons.
The King, that I may use the words of their owne Record, is Di∣rectus totius Dominus, that is, The direct Lord of the whole Domain, or Dominion, and hath royall authority and jurisdiction over all the States and degrees, as well Ecclesiasticall as Lay or Temporall.
Next unto the King is his eldest sonne, who is called PRINCE OF SCOTLAND, [ D] and by a peculiar right Duke of Rothsay, and Seneschall or Steward of Scotland. But all the rest of the Kings children are named simply Princes.
Among the Nobles,* 1.5 the greatest and most honourable were in old time, The Thanes, that is, those who (if my judgement be ought) were ennobled onely by the office which they administred. For the word in the ancient English Saxon tongue signifieth, The Kings Minister. Of these, they of the superior place were called Ab∣thanes, the inferior, Under Thanes. But these names by little and little grew out of use, [ E] ever since that King Malcolm the third conferred the titles of Earles and Barons, af∣ter the manner received from the English, upon Noble men of good desert. Since when, in processe of time new titles of honours were much taken up, and Scotland as well as England, hath had Dukes, Marquesses, Earles, Vicounts, and Barons. As for the title of Duke, the first that brought it into Scotland was King Robert the third, a∣bout the yeere of Salvation 1400. like as the honourable titles of Marquesse and Vi∣count were first brought in by our most gracious Soveraigne, King James the sixth. These are counted Nobles of the higher degree, and have both place and voice in the Parliaments,* 1.6 and by a speciall name are called Lords, like as also the Bishops.
Among the Nobles of a lower degree, in the first place are ranged Knights, who [ F] verily are dubbed with greater solemnity than in any other place throughout all Europe,* 1.7 by taking of an oath, and are proclaimed by the publike voice of an Herald. Of a second sort are they, who are tearmed Lairds and Barons: among whom none were reckoned in old time, but such as held immediatly from the King, lands in Chef, and had jus furcarum, that is, power to hang, &c. In the third place are all such as being descended from worshipfull houses,* 1.8 and not honoured with any especiall dignitie, be termed Gentlemen. All the rest, as Citizens, Merchants, Artisans, &c. are reputed a∣mong the Commons.
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THE JUDICATORIES, [ A] OR COURTS OF JUSTICE.
* 1.9THe supreme Court, as well for dignitie as authoritie, is accoun∣ted the Assembly of the States of the Kingdome, which is cal∣led by the very same name as it is in England, A Parliament: & hath the same verie power as absolute. It consisteth of three [ B] States, of Lords Spirituall, namely, Bishops, Abbots, and Priors: and of Lords Temporall, to wit, Dukes, Marquesses, Earles, Vi∣counts, and Barons: and Commissioners for Cities & Burghs. Unto whom were adjoined not long since for everie Countie also two Commissioners. It is appointed and solemnly called by the King at his plea∣sure, at a certain set time, before it be holden. When these States abovesaid are assem∣bled, and the causes of their assembly delivered by the King or the Chancellour, the Lords Spirituall chuse out, apart by themselves, eight of the Lords Temporall. Sembla∣bly, the Lords Temporall make choise of as many out of the Lords Spirituall: then the same all jointly together nominate 8. of the Commissioners for the counties, & as ma∣ny [ C] of the Commissioners for the free Burghs regall, which make up in all the number of 32. And then these * 1.10 Lords of the Articles (so they are termed) together with the Chancellor, Treasurer, Keeper of the Privie Seale, Kings Secretarie, &c. do admit or reject everie bill proposed unto the States, after they have bin first imparted unto the King. Being allowed by the whole assembly of the States, they are throughly weigh∣ed and examined, and such of them as passe by the greater number of voices, are exhi∣bited unto the King, who by touching them with his Scepter, pronounceth that hee either ratifieth and approveth them, or disableth and maketh the same voide: But if any thing disliketh the King, it is razed out before.
The Second Court, or next unto the Parliament, is the Colledge of Iustice, or as they call it,* 1.11 The Session, which King James the fifth 1532. instituted after the forme [ D] of the Parliament of Paris, consisting of a President, 14. Senatours, seven of the Cleargie, and as many of the Laitie (unto whom was adjoined afterward the Chan∣cellor, who hath the chiefe place, and five other Senatours) three principall Scribes or Clerks, and as many Advocates as the Senatours shall thinke good. These sit and minister justice, not according to the rigour of law, but with reason and equitie, every day (save onely on the Lords day and Monday) from the first of November to the fifteenth of March; and from Trinitie Sunday unto the Calends of August. All the space betweene, as being the times of sowing and harvest, is vacation and intermissi∣on of all suites and law matters. They give judgement according to the Parliament Statutes and Municipall Lawes, and where they are defective, they have recourse to [ E] the Imperiall Civill Law.
There are besides in everie Countie inferiour civill Judicatories or Courts kept, wherein the Sheriffe of the shire, or his deputie, decideth the controversies of the in∣habitants, about violent ejections, intrusions, dammages, debts, &c. From which Courts and Judges, in regard of hard and unequall dealing, or else of alliance and par∣tialitie, they appeale sometime to the Session. These Sheriffes are all for the most part hereditarie. For the Kings of Scots, like as of England also, to oblige more surely unto them the better sort of Gentlemen by their benefits and favours, made in old time these Sheriffes hereditarie and perpetuall. But the English Kings soone perceiving the inconveniences thereby ensuing, of purpose changed this order, and [ F] appointed them from yeere to yeere. There be civill Courts also in everie regalitie, holden by their Bailiffes, to whom the Kings have graciously granted royalties: as also in free Burroughs, by the Magistrates thereof.
There are likewise Judicatories, which they call Commissariats, the highest whereof
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[ A] is kept at Edenburgh: in which before foure Judges, actions are pleaded concerning Wills and Testaments, the right of Ecclesiasticall benefices, Tithes, Divorces, and such other Ecclesiasticall causes. In every other severall part almost throughout the Kingdome, there sitteth but one Judge alone in a place about these matters.
In criminall causes,* 1.12 the Kings chiefe Justice holdeth his Court for the most part at Edenburgh (which office the Earles of Argile have executed now for some yeeres.) And he doth depute two or three Lawyers, who have the hearing and deci∣ding of capitall actions concerning life and death, or of such as inferre losse of limbs, or of all goods. In this Court the Defendant is permitted, yea in case of high treason, [ B] to entertaine a Counsellor or Advocate to pleade his cause.
Moreover, in criminall matters there are sometimes by vertue of the Kings com∣mission and authoritie, Justices appointed for the deciding of this or that particular cause.
Also the Sheriffes in their territories, and Magistrates in some Burghs, may sit in judgement of man-slaughter (in case the man-slayer be taken within 24. houres after the deed committed) and being found guiltie by a Jurie, put him to death. But if that time be once overpast, the cause is referred and put over to the Kings Iustice, or his Deputies. The same priviledge also some of the Nobilitie and Gentrie enjoy a∣gainst theeves taken within their owne jurisdictions. There bee likewise that have [ C] such Roialties, as that in criminall causes they may exercise a jurisdiction within their owne limits, and in some cases recall those that dwell within their owne limits and li∣berties from the Kings Justice, howbeit with a caution and proviso interposed, That they judge according to Law.
Thus much briefly have I put downe, as one that hath but sleightly looked into these matters, yet by the information of the judicious Knight, Sir Alexander Hay, his Majesties Secretarie for that kingdome, who hath therein given me good light. But as touching SCOTLAND, what a noble countrey it is, and what men it breedeth (as sometimes the Geographer wrote of Britaine) there will within a while more certaine and more evident matter be delivered, since that most high and mightie Prince hath set it [ D] open now for us, which had so long time beene shut from us. Meane while I will come unto the description of places, the project that I entended especially.
GADENI, or LADENI.
UPon the Ottadini, or Northumberland, bordered as next neighbours the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is GADENI, who also by the inversion or tur∣ning of one letter upside downe, are called in some Copies of Ptolo∣mee, LADENI, seated in that countrey which lieth betweene the [ E] mouth of the river Twede and Edenburgh Forth: and is at this day divided into many petty Countries: the chiefe whereof are Teifidale, Twedale Merch, and Lothien, in Latine Lodeneium, under which one generall name alone the Writers of the middle time comprised all the rest.
TEIFIDALE.
TEifidale, that is to say, the Vale by the river Teifie, or Teviat, lying [ F] next unto England, among the edges of high craggie hills, is in∣habited by a warlike nation, which by reason of so many en∣counters in foregoing ages betweene Scottish and English, are al∣waies most readie for service and sudden invasions. The first place among these that wee meet with, is Iedburgh, a Burrough well inhabited and frequented, standing neere unto the confluence
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of Teifie and Ied, whereof it took the name: also Mailros, a very ancient Monastery, [ A] wherein, at the beginning of our Church, were cloistered Monkes of that ancient or∣der and institution, that gave themselves to prayer, and with their hand-labour ear∣ned their living; which holy King David restored, and replenished with Cistertian Monkes.* 1.13 And more Eastward, where Twede and Teifie joine in one streame, Ros∣burg sheweth it selfe, called also Roxburg, and in old time MARCHIDUN, because it was a towne in the Marches; where stands a Castle, that for naturall situation and towred fortifications, was in times past exceeding strong. Which being surprised and held by the English, whiles James the second King of Scots encircled it with a siege, hee was by a peece of a great Ordnance that brake, slaine untimely in the [ B] very floure of his youth; a Prince much missed and lamented of his Subjects. As for the castle, it was yeelded; and being then for the most part of it layed even with the ground, is now in a manner quite vanished and not to bee seene. The territory ad∣joyning, called of it the Sherifdome of Roxburg, hath one hereditary Sheriffe out of the family of the Douglasses, who is usually called the Sheriffe of Teviot Dale. And now hath Roxburg also a Baron, Robert Kerr, through the favour of King James the sixth, out of the family of the Kerrs, a famous house, and spred into a number of bran∣ches, as any one in that tract: out of which the Fernhersts, and others inured in mar∣tiall feats, have been of great name.
Twede aforesaid runneth through the middest of a Dale, taking name of it, reple∣nished [ C] with sheepe that beare wooll of great request. A very goodly river this is, which springing more inwardly Eastward, after it hath passed, as it were, in a streight channell by Drimlar Castle, by Peblis a mercate towne, which hath for the Sheriff thereof Baron Zeister, like as Selkirk hard by hath another out of the family of Murray of Fallohill, entertaineth Lauder a riveret; at which appeareth Lau∣der, together with Thirlestan: where stands a very faire house of Sir John Mettellan, late Chancellor of Scotland, whom, for his singular wisdome, King James the sixth created Baron of Thirlestan. Then Twede beneath Roxburg, augmented with the ri∣ver of Teviot resorting unto him, watereth the Sherifdome of Berwick throughout; a great part whereof is possessed by the Humes (wherein the chiefe man of that fami∣ly [ D] exerciseth now the jurisdiction of a Sheriffe) and so passeth under Berwick, the strongest towne of Britain (whereof I have spoken already) where hee is exceeding full of Salmons, and so falleth into the sea.
MERCHIA, MERCH, or MERS.
MERCH, which is next, and so named because it is a march coun∣try, lyeth wholly upon the German sea. In this, first Hume Ca∣stle sheweth it selfe, the ancient possession of the Lords of Home, [ E] or Hume, who being descended from the family of the Earles of Merch, are growne to be a noble and faire spred family: out of which Alexander Hume, who before was the first Baron of Scotland, and Sheriff of Berwick, was of late advanced by James King of great Britaine to the title of Earle Hume.* 1.14 Neere unto which lieth Kelso, fa∣mous sometime for the monastery, which with thirteen others, King David the first of that name built out of the ground, for the propagation of Gods glory, but to the great empairing of the Crowne land.
* 1.15Then is to be seene Coldingham, which Bede calleth the City Coldana, and the Ci∣ty of Coludum, haply COLANIA mentioned by Ptolomee, a place consecrated many [ F] ages since unto professed Virgins or Nunnes, whose chastity is recorded in ancient bookes. For that they, together with Ebba their Prioresse, cut off their owne noses and lips, choosing rather to preserve their virginity from the Danes, than their beau∣ty and favour: and yet for all that the Danes burnt their monasterie, and them with∣all. Hard by is Fast-castle, a castle of the Lords Humes, so called for their firmnesse
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[ A] and strength thereof, at the Promontory of the said Saint Ebbe, who being the daughter of Edilfria King of Northumberland, when her Father was taken prisoner, got hold of a boat in Humber, and passing along the raging Ocean, landed here in safety, became renowned for her sanctimony, and left her name unto the place. But this Merch is mentioned in the Historiographers, a great deale more for the Earles thereof, than for any places therein, who for martiall prowesse were highly renow∣ned, and descended from Gospatricke Earle of Northumberland, whom after he was fled from William Conqueror of England, Malcom Canmor, that is, With the great head, King of Scotland, entertained, enriched him with the castle of Dunbar, and honou∣red [ B] with the Earldome of Merch. Whose posterity, besides other goodly and faire lands in Scotland, held (as appeareth plainly in an old Inquisition) the Barony of Ben∣geley in Northumberland, that they should be Inborow and Utborow, betweene Eng∣land and Scotland. What the meaning should be of these tearmes let others ghesse, what my conjecture is I have said already. In the reigne of King James the first, George de Dunbar Earle of Merch by authority of Parliament, for his Fathers rebel∣lion lost the Propriety and possession of the Earledome of Merch, and the Seignorie of Dunbar. And when as hee proved by good evidences and writings brought forth, that his father had beene pardoned for that fault by the Regents of the Kingdome, he was answered againe, that it was not in the Regents power to pardon an offence [ C] against the State; and that it was expressely provided by the Lawes, that children should undergoe punishment for their fathers transgressions, to the end that being thus heires to their fathers rashnesse, as they are to their goods and lands, they should not at any time in the haughty pride of their owne power, plot any treason against Prince or country. This title of Earle of March, among other honourable titles, was given afterward to Alexander Duke of Albany, and by him forfaited. And in our re∣membrance, this title of honour was revived againe in Robert, the third brother of Mathew Earle of Lennox, who being of a Bishop of Cathanes made Earle of Lennox, resigned up that title soone after unto his nephew, then created Duke of Lennox: and he himselfe in lieu thereof received of the King the name and stile of the Earle [ D] of Merch.
LAUDEN, or LOTHIEN.
LOTHIEN,* 1.16 which is also called Lauden, named in times past of the Picts, Pictland, shooteth out along from Merch unto the Scottish sea, or the Forth, having many hils in it, and little wood; but for fruitfull corn-fields, for courtesie also and civility of man∣ners, commended above all other countries of Scotland. About [ E] the yeere of our salvation 873. Eadgar King of England (be∣tweene whom and Keneth the third, King of Scots, there was a great knot of alliance against the Danes, common enemies to them both) resigned up his right unto him in this Lothien, as Matthew the * 1.17 Flour-gatherer witnesseth: and to winne his heart the more unto him, He gave unto him many mansions in the way, wherein both he and his successours, in their comming unto the Kings of England, and in returne homeward might be lodged: which unto the time of K. Henry the second continued in the hands of the Kings of Scotland. In this Lothien, the first place that offereth it selfe unto our sight upon the sea side is Dunbar, a passing strong castle in old time,* 1.18 and the seat of the Earles of Merch aforesaid, who thereup∣on [ F] on were called Earles of Dunbar. A Peece many a time wonne by English, and as of∣ten recovered by the Scottish. But in the yeere 1567. by authority of the States in Parliament it was demolished, because it should not be an hold and place of refuge for rebels. But James King of great Britain conferred the title and honour of Earle of Dunbar upon Sir George Hume, for his approved fidelity, whom he had created be∣fore Baron Hume of Barwick, to him, his heires, and assignes. Hard by, Tine a little ri∣ver
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after it hath runne a short course, falleth into the sea; neere unto the spring-head [ A] whereof standeth Zeister, which hath his Baron out of the family of the Haies Earles of Aroll, who also is by inheritance Sheriffe of the little territory of Twedall, or Pe∣blis. By the same riveret, some few miles higher, is seated Hadington or Hadina, in a wide and broad plaine: which towne the English fortified with a deepe and large ditch, with a mure or rampire also without, foure square, and with foure bulwarkes at the corners, and with as many other at the inner wall: and Sir Iames Wilford, an Englishman valiantly defended it against Dessie the Frenchman,* 1.19 who with ten thou∣sand French and Dutch together fiercely assaulted it, untill that by reason of the plague, which grew hot among the garrison souldiers, Henry Earle of Rutland [ B] comming with a royall army, raised the siege, removed the French, and having laid the munitions levell, conducted the English home. And now of late, King James the sixth, hath ranged Sir Iohn Ramsey among the Nobles of Scotland, with title and honour of Vicount Hadington,* 1.20 for his faithfull valour, as whose RIGHT HAND was the DEFENDER OF PRINCE AND COUNTREY, in that most wicked conspi∣racy of the Gowries against the Kings person. Touching this Hadington thus hath Master I. Ionston versified.
Planities praetensa jacet prope flumina Tinae, Flumini•• arguti clauditur ista sinu. [ C] Vulcani & Martis quae passa incendia, fati Ingemit alterno vulnere fracta vices. Nunc tandem sapit icta. Dei praecepta secuta Praesidio gaudet jam potiore Poli. Before it lies a spacious plaine, the Tine his streame hard by, In bosome of that river shrill, this towne enclos'd doth lie. Which having suffered grievous smart of fire and sword by turnes, Grones under these misfortunes much, and for her losses mournes. But now at length selfe-harmes have made it wise, and by Gods lore Directed, helpe it hath from heaven, which steedeth it much more.[ D]
* 1.21Within a little of Hadington standeth Athelstanford, so called of Athelstane, a chiefe leader of the English, slaine there with his men about the yeere 815. But that he should be that warlike Athelstane, which was King of the West-Saxons, both the account of the times, and his owne death doe manifestly controlle it.
Above the mouth of this Tine, in the very bending of the shore, standeth Tantal∣lon Castle; from whence Archibald Douglas Earle of Angus, wrought James the fifth, King of Scots, much teene and trouble. Here by retiring backe of the shores on both sides, is roome made for a most noble arme of the sea, and the same well furnished with Ilands, which by reason of many rivers encountring it by the way, and the tides of the surging sea together, spreadeth exceeding broad: Ptolomee cal∣leth [ E] it BODERIA,* 1.22 Tacitus BODOTRIA, of the depth, as I guesse; the Scots The Forth, and Frith; we Edenburgh Frith; others the Fresian sea, and the Scottish sea, and the Eulogium,* 1.23 Morwiridh. Upon this, after you be past Tantallon, are seated, first, North-Berwick, a famous place sometime for an house there of religious Virgins: and then Dyrlton,* 1.24 which belonged in times past to the notable family of the Haliburtous, and now to S. Tho. Ereskin Captain of the guard, whom James K. of great Britain for his happy valour, in preserving him against the traiterous attempts of Gowrye, first created Baron of Dirlton, and afterward advanced him to the honourable title of Vi∣count Felton,* 1.25 making him the first Vicount that ever was in Scotland. Against these places there lyeth in the sea, not far from the shore, the Iland Bas, which riseth up as [ F] it were all one craggy rocke, and the same upright and steep on every side: yet hath it a Block-house belonging to it, a fountaine also and pastures: but it is so hollowed with the waves working upon it, that it is almost pierced thorough. What a mul∣titude of sea-foules, and especially of those geese which they call Scouts and Soland
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[ A] geese, flocke hither at their times (for, by report, their number is such, that in a cleere day they take away the sunnes light) what a sort of fishes they bring (for as the speech goeth,* 1.26 a hundred garrison souldiers that here lay for defence of the place, fed upon no other meat but the fresh fish that they brought in) what a quantity of stickes and little twigges they get together for the building of their nests, so that by their meanes the inhabitants are abundantly provided of fewell for their fire; what a mighty gaine groweth by their feathers and oyle, the report thereof is so incredible, that no man scarcely would beleeve it, but he that had seene it.
Then as the shore draweth backe Seton sheweth it selfe;* 1.27 which seemeth to have [ B] taken that name of the situation by the sea side, and to have imparted the same unto a right noble house of the Setons, branched out of an English family, and from the daughter of King Robert Brus: out of which the Marquesse Huntley, Robert Earle of Wentoun,* 1.28 Alexander Earle of Dunfirmling, advanced to honors by K. James the sixth, are propagated.
After this the river Eske dischargeth it selfe into this Frith,* 1.29 when it hath runne by Borthwic (which hath Barons surnamed according to that name, and those deriving their pedegree out of Hungary) by Newbottle,* 1.30 that is, The new building, sometimes a faire monasterie, now the Barony of Sir Mark Ker: by Dalkeith,* 1.31 a very pleasant habi∣tation of the late Earles of Morton, and Musselborrow, hard under which, in the yeere [ C] of our Lord 1547. when Sir Edward Seimor Duke of Somerset, with an army roy∣all had entred Scotland, to claime and challenge the keeping of a covenant made, concerning a marriage betweene Marie Queene of Scotland, and Edward the sixth King of England, there happened the heaviest day that ever fell, to the adven∣turous youth of the most noble families in all Scotland, who there lost their lives. Here I must not over-passe in silence this Inscription, which John Napier, a learned man, hath in his Commentaries upon the Apocalyps recorded to have beene here digged up, and which the right learned Knight Sir Peter Young, teacher and trainer of King James the sixth in his youth, hath in this wise more truely copi∣ed forth.
[ D]APOLLINI GRANNO Q. LUSIUS SABINIA NUS [ E] * 1.32 PROC AUG * 1.33 V.S.S.L.V.M
Who this Apollo Granus might bee,* 1.34 and whence hee should have this name, not one, to my knowledge, of our grave Senate of Antiquaries hitherto could ever tell: But if I might be allowed, from out of the lowest bench, to speak what I think, [ F] I would say that Apollo Granus amongst the Romans, was the same that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Apollo with long haire amongst the Greekes. for Isidor calleth the long haire of the Gothes, Grannos. But here I may seem to wander out of my way, and therefore will returne to it.
Lower yet,* 1.35 and neere unto the Scotish Forth, is seated EDENBUROUGH, which the Irish Scots call Dun Eaden, that is, the towne Eaden, or Eden Hill, and which no doubt is the very same that Ptolomee named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, The Winged Castle: for Adain in the British tongue signifieth a wing; and Edenborrow
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(a word compounded out of the British and Saxon language) is nothing else but [ A] The Burgh with wings. From Wings therefore wee must fetch the reason of the name: and fetched it may be, if you thinke good, either from the Companies of Horse∣men, which are called Wings, or else from those Wings in Architecture, which the great Master builders tearme P••eroma••••, that is, as Vetruvius sheweth, two Wall•• so rising up in heigth, as that they resemble a shew of Wings: which, for that a cer∣taine City of Cyprus wanted, it was called in old time (as wee read in the Geogra∣phers) Aptera, that is, Without Wings. But if any man beleeve that the name was de∣rived from Ebr••••k a Britaine, or from Heth a Pic••, good leave have he for me, I will not confront them with this my conjecture. [ B]
This Citie in regard of the high situation, of the holsome are and plentifull soile, and many Noble mens towred houses built round about it, watered also with cleere springing fountaines, reaching from East to West a mile out in length, and carrying halfe as much in bredth, is worthily counted the chiefe Citie of the whole King∣dome; strongly walled, adorned with houses as well publike as private, well peo∣pled and frequented, by reason of the opportunity from the sea which the neighbour haven at Leth affordeth. And as it is the seat of the Kings, so is it the oracle also, or closet of the Lawes, and the very Palace of Justice. For the high Courts of Par∣liament are here for the most part holden, for the enacting or repealing of Lawes: also the Session, and the Court of the Kings Justice, and of the Commissariat, where∣of [ C] I have spoken already, are here settled and kept.
On the East side, hard unto the Monastery of Saint Crosse, or Holy ruide, is the Kings palace, which King David the first built: over which, within a Parke stored with game, riseth an hill with two heads, called of Arthur the Britaine, Arthurs Chaire. On the West side a most steepe rocke mounteth up aloft to a stately heigth every way, save onely where it looketh toward the City: on which is placed a Castle with many a towre in it, so strong that it is counted impregnable, which the Britans cal∣led Castle Myned Agne••, the Scots, The Maidens Castle, and the Virgins Castle, of cer∣taine young maidens of the Picts royall blood, who were kept there in old time, and which may seeme in truth to have beene that Castrum Alatum, or Castle with A∣VVING, abovesaid. [ D]
How Edenborrow in the alternative fortune of warres was subject one while to the Scots, and another while to the English, who inhabited this East part of Scot∣land, untill it became wholly under the Scots dominion, about the yeere of our salva∣tion 960. what time the English Empire, sore shaken with the Danish wars, lay as it were gasping and dying.
How also, as an old booke Of the division of Scotland, in the Library of the right honourable Lord Burghley late high Treasurer of England,* 1.36 sheweth: Whiles Indulph reigned, the town of Eden was voided and abandoned to the Scots unto this present day, as what variable changes of reciprocall fortune it hath felt from time to time, the Hi∣storiographers doe relate, and out of them ye are to be enformed. Meane while read [ E] if you please these verses of that most worthy man Master I. Jonston, in praise of E∣denborrow.
Monte sub acclivi Zephyri procurrit in auras Hinc arx celsa, illinc Regia clara nitet. Inter utramque patet sublimibus ardua tectis Urbs armis animis, clara frequensque viris. Nobile Scotorum caput, & pars maxima regni, Penè etiam gentis integra regna suae. Rarae artes & opes, quod mens optaverit aut hîc [ F] Invenias, aut non Scotia tota dabit. Compositum hîc populum videas, sanctum que Senatum, Sanctáque cum puro lumine jura Dei. An quisquam Arctoi extremo in limite mundi
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[ A] Aut haec aut paria his cernere posse putet? Dic hospes, postquàm externas lustraveris urbes, Haec cernens, oculis credis an ipse tuis?Under the rising of an hill, Westward there shoots one way A castle high; on th'other side the Kings house gorgeous gay. Betweene them both the citie stands, tall buildings shew it well, For armes, for courage much renown'd, much people therein dwell. The Scots head citie large and faire, the kingdomes greatest part, [ B] Nay, even the nations kingdome whole well neere, by just desart. Rare arts and riches: what ones minde can wish is therein found, Or else it will not gotten be throughout all Scottish ground. A civill people here a man may see, a Senate grave, Gods holy lawes with purest light of Preachers here ye have. In parts remote of Northren clime would any person weene, That ever these, or such like things might possibly be seene? Say Travailer, now after that thou forraine towne hast knowne, Beholding this, beleevest thou these eyes that are thine owne?
[ C] A mile from hence lyeth Leth,* 1.37 a most commodious haven, hard upon the river Leth, which when Dessey the Frenchman for the securitie of Edenborrow had fortifi∣ed, by reason of manie men repairing thither, within a short time from a meane vil∣lage it grew to be a bigge towne. Againe, when Francis the second, King of France, had taken to wife Marie the Queene of Scots, the Frenchmen, who in hope and con∣ceit had already devoured Scotland, and began now to gape for England, in the yeere 1560. strengthened it with more fortifications. But Elizabeth Queene of England, solicited by the Nobles of Scotland that embraced the reformed religion to side with them, by her puissance and wisdome effected, that both they returned into France, and these their fortifications were laied levell with the ground, and Scotland ever [ D] since hath been freed from the French.
Where this Forth groweth more and more narrow,* 1.38 it had in the middest of it the citie Caer-Guidi, as Bede noteth, which now may seeme to be the Island named Inch-Keith. Whether this were that VICTORIA which Ptolomee mentioneth, I will not stand to prove: although a man may beleeve, that the Romans turned this Guidh into Victoria, as well as the Isle Guith or Wight into Victesis or Vecta: certes, seeing both these Islands bee dissevered from the shore, the same reason of the name will hold well in both languages. For Ninius hath taught us, that Guith in the British tongue betokeneth a separation. More within, upon the same Forth is situate A∣bercorn, in Bedes time a famous Monasterie, which now by the gracious favour of [ E] King James the sixth,* 1.39 giveth unto James Hamilton the title of the Earle of Abercorn: And fast beside it standeth Blacknesse Castle; and beneath it Southward, the ancient citie LINDUM, whereof Ptolomee maketh mention: which the better learned as yet call Linlithquo,* 1.40 commonly Lithquo, beautified and set out with a verie faire house of the Kings, a goodly Church, and a fishfull lake; of which lake it may seeme to have assumed that name: for Lin, as I have already shewed, in the British tongue sound∣eth as much as a Lake. A Sheriffe it had in times past by inheritance out of the fami∣ly of the Hamiltons of Peyle:* 1.41 and now in our dayes it hath for the first Earle, Sir A∣lexander Levingston, whom King James the sixth raised from the dignitie of a Baron, wherein his Ancestours had flourished a long time, to the honour of an Earle: like as [ F] within a while after he promoted Mark Ker,* 1.42 Baron of Newbottle aforesaid, to the ti∣tle of Earle of Lothien.
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SELGOVAE.
BEneath the GADENI, toward the South and West, where now are the small territories of Lidesdale, Eusdale, Eskdale, Annan∣dale, and Nidesdale, so called of little rivers running through them, which all lose themselves in Solway Frith, dwelt in anci∣ent [ B] times the SELGOVAE; the reliques of whose name seeme unto mee, whether unto others I know not, to remaine in that name Solway.
* 1.43In Lidesdale there riseth aloft Armitage, so called, because it was in times past dedicated to a solitarie life; now it is a very strong Castle, which belonged to the Hepburns,* 1.44 who draw their originall from a certaine Englishman a prisoner, whom the Earle of March, for delivering him out of a danger, greatly enriched. These were Earles of Bothwell, and a long time by the right of inheritance Admirals of Scotland. But by a filter of James Earle of Bothwel, the last of the Hepburns, married unto John Prior of Coldingham, base sonne to King James the fifth (who begat too too many [ C] bastards) the title and inheritance both came unto his son.* 1.45 Hard by is Brakensey, the habitation of the warlike family of Baclugh,* 1.46 surnamed Scot; beside many little piles or sorts of militarie men everie where.* 1.47 In Eusdale, I would deeme by the affinite of the name, that old UZBLLUM, mentioned by Ptolomee, stood by the river Euse.
In Eskdale some are of opinion that the HORESTI dwelt, into whose borders Iu∣lius Agricola, when he had subdued the Britans inhabiting this tract, brought the Ro∣man armie: especially if we read Horesci in stead of Horesti. For Ar-Esc in the British tongue betokeneth a place by the river Eske.* 1.48 As for Aesica in Eskdale, I have spoken of it before in England, and there is no cause wherefore I should iterate the same.
ANNANDALE.
* 1.49UNto this on the West side adjoyneth ANNANDALE, that is, The vale by the river Annan; into which the accesse by land is very difficult. The pla∣ces of greater note herein are these:* 1.50 a castle by Lough-Mahan, three parts whereof are environed with water, and strongly walled; and the towne Annandale, at the very mouth almost of the river Annan: which lost all the glo∣rie and beautie it had, by the English warre in the reigne of Edward the sixth. [ E]
In this territorie, the Ionstons are men of greatest name; a kinred even bred to warre: betweene, whom and the Maxwels there hath beene professed an open en∣mitie over long, even to deadly feud and blood-shed:* 1.51 which Maxwels by right from their ancestours, have the rule of this Seneschalsie, for so it is accounted. This vale Eadgar King of Scots, after hee was restored to his kingdome by auxiliarie forces out of England, gave in consideration and reward of good service, unto Ro∣bert Bruse or Brus Lord of Cliveland in Yorke-shire; who with the good favour of the King bestowed it upon Robert his younger sonne, when himselfe would not serve the King of Scots in his warres.* 1.52 From him flowered the Bruses Lords of Annandale, of whom Robert Brus married Isabel, the daughter of William King [ F] of Scots by the daughter of Robert Avenall: his sonne likewise, Robert the third of the name, wedded the daughter of David Earle of Huntington and of Gariosh: whose sonne Robert, surname The Noble, when the issue of Alexander the third King of Scots sailed, challenged in his mothers right the Kingdome of Scotland,
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[ A] before Edward the first King of England, (as the direct and superiour Lord of the Kingdome of Scotland (so the English give it out) or, an honourable Arbitratour (for to say the Scots) as being neerer in proximitie, in degree and blood, to King Alex∣ander the third and Margaret, daughter to the King of Norway, although bee were the sonne by a second sister: who soon after resigning up his own right, granted and gave over to his son Robert Brus Earle of Carrick, and to his heires (I speak out of the verie origi∣nall) all the right and claime, which he had or might have to the Kingdome of Scotland. But the action and suit went with John Balliol, who sued for his right, us descended of the eldest sister, although in a degree farther off: and sentence was given in these words, [ B] For that the person more remote in the second degree descending in the first line, is to bee preferred before a n••••erer in a second line, in the succession of an inheritance that cannot be parted. How beit, the said Robert, sonne to the Earle of Carrick, by his own vertue at length recovered the Kingdome unto himself, and established it to his posteritie. A Prince, who as he flourished notably in regard of the glorious ornaments of his no∣ble acts, so he triumphed as happily with invincible fortitude and courage, over for∣tune that so often crossed him.
NIDISDALL.
[ C] CLose unto Annandale on the West side lyeth NIDISDALE, su∣ficiently with corne-fields and pastures; so named of the river Nid,* 1.53 which in Ptolomee is wrongly written NOBIUS, for NODIUS or NIDIUS: of which name there bee other rivers in Britaine, full of shallow foords and muddie shelves, like as this NID is also. It springeth out of the Lake Logh-Cure, by which flourished CORDA,* 1.54 a towne of the Selgova. He taketh his course first by Sauqhuera Castle of the Creightons,* 1.55 who a long time kept a great port, as enjoying the dignitie of the Barons of Sauqhuer, and the authoritie besides of here∣ditarie [ D] Sheriffs of Nidisdale: then by Morton, which gave title of Earle to some of the family of Douglas: out of which others of that surname have their mansion and abiding at Drumlanrig, by the same river: neere unto the mouth whereof standeth Danfreys betweene two hills,* 1.56 the most flourishing towne of this tract: which hath to shew also an old Castle in it, famous for making of woollen clothes, and remarka∣ble for the murder of John Commin, the mightiest man for manred and retinew in all Scotland; whom Roberts Brus, for feare he should foreclose his way to the kingdome, ranne quite through with his sword in the Church, and soon obtained his pardon from [ E] the Pope, for committing that murder in a sacred place. Neerer unto the mouth, Solway, a little village retaineth still somewhat of the old name of Selgova. Upon the verie mouth is situate Caer Laverock,* 1.57 which Prolomee I supposed called CARBAN∣TORIGUM, accounted an imprenable sort, when King Edward the first, accompani∣ed with the floure of English Nobilitie, besieged and hardly wonne it: but now it is a weake dwelling house of the Barons of Maxwell, who being men of an ancient and noble linage, were a long time Wardens of these West matches, and of late ad∣vanced by marriage with the daughter one of the heires of the Earle of Morton; whereby John Lord Maxwell was declared Earle of Morson: as also by the daughter and heire of Hereis Lord Toricles, whom I a younger sonne took to wife, and obtai∣ned [ F] by the title of Baron Hereis.* 1.58 Moreover, in this vale by the Lake side lyeth Glencarn, whence the Cunninghams, of whom I am to write more in place conveni∣ent, bare a long time the title of Earle.
This Nidisdale, together with Annandale, nourisheth a warlike kind of men, who have beene infamous for robberies and depredations: for they dwell upon Solway Frish, a fourdable arme of the sea at low waters, through which they made many times outrodes into England for to fetch in booties,* 1.59 and in which the inhabitants thereabout on both sides with pleasant pastime and delightfull sight on horse-backe
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with speares hunt Salmons, whereof there is abundance. What manner of cattaile∣stealers [ A] these be, that inhabite these vales in the marches of both kingdomes, John Lesley,* 1.60 himselfe a Scottish man, and Bishop of Rosse, will tell you in these words. They go forth in the night by troops out of there own borders, through desart by-waies, and ma∣ny winding crankes. All the day time they refresh their burses, and recreate their owne strength in lurking places appointed before band, until they be come thither as length, in the dark night, where they would be. When they have laid hold of a bootie, back again they returne home likewise by night, through blinde waies onely, and fetching many a compasse about. The more skilfull any leader or guide is, to passe through those wild desarts, crooked turnings, and steep downe-falls, in the thickest mists and deepest darknesse, hee is held in [ B] grea••••ter reputation, as one of an excelling wit. And so craftie and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these are, that sel∣dome or never they forgo their bootie, and suffer it to be taken out of their hands, unlesse it happen otherwhiles that they be caught by their adversaries following continually after, and tracing them directly by their footing, according as quick-senting Slugh-bounds doe lead them. But say they be taken, so faire spoken they are and eloquen, so manie sugred words they have at will, sweetly to plead for them, that they are able to move the Iudges and adversaries both, he they never so austere and severe, if not to mercie, yet to admira∣tion, amd some commiseration withall.
NOVANTES, [ C] GALLOWAY.
FRom Nidisdale as you goe on Westward, the NOVANTES inha∣bited in the vales, all that tract which runneth out far and wide to∣ward the West, between the sea and Dunbritain Frith, or Clyds∣forth: yet so indented and hollowed with nookes and creekes, that here and there it is drawne into a narrow roome: and then againe in the verie utmost skirt it openeth and spreadeth it selfe broad at more libertie: whereupon some have called it the [ D] CHERSOMESUS, that is, The Biland of the NOVANTES. But at this day their coun∣trey containeth Galloway, Carick, Kyle, and Cunningham.
* 1.61Galloway, in the Latine Writers of the middle time Gaelwallia and Gallovidia, so called of the Irish, who in times past dwelt there, and terme themselves short in their owne language Gael, is a countrey rising up everie where with bills, that are better for feeding of cattell than bearing of corne: the inhabitants practice fishing, as well within the sea lying round about them, as in little rivers, and the Loches or meeres in everie place standing full of water at the foot of the hills: out of which in Septem∣ber they take in Weeles and Weere-ners, an incredible number of most sweet and favourite eeles,* 1.62 whereby the make no lesse gain than others do by their little nagges, [ E] which for being well limmed, fast knit, and strongly made for to endure travaile, are much in request and bought from hence. Among these, the first place that offereth itselfe by the river DEA,* 1.63 mentioned in Prolomee, which keeping the name still full and whole,* 1.64 they call Dee, is Kircoubright, the most commodious port of this coast, & the second Stewartie of Scotland, which belongeth also to the Maxwels: then Cardines, a sort set upon a craggie and high rocke by the river Fleet, and fensed with strong walls. Neere unto it the river Ken, corruptly read in Ptolomee IENA, runneth into the sea: after it is Wigton, an haven towne with a narrow entrance unto it, between the two rivers, Bluidnoo and Crea, which also is counted a Sheriffdome, over which Agnew is Sheriffe.* 1.65 In times past it had for Earle Archibald Douglasse, renowned in [ F] the French warre, and at this day, by the favour of King James the sixth, John Lord Fleming, who deriveth his pedegree from the ancient Earles of Wigton.
* 1.66Neere unto this Ptolomee placed the Citie LEUCOPIBIA, which I know not, to say truth, where to seeke. Yet the place requireth that it should be that Episcopall seat of Ninian, which Bede calleth Candida Casa, and the English and Scottish in the
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[ A] verie same sense whit-berne: what say you then if Ptolomee after his manner transla∣ted that name in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.67 that is, white-houses (in stead whereof the * 1.68 Tran∣scribers have thrust upon us Leucopibia) which the Britans tearmed Candida Casa. In this place Ninia or Ninian the Britan, an holy man, the first that instructed the South-Picts in Christian saith, in the reigne of the Emperour Theodofius the younger, had his seat, and built a Church consecrated to the memorie of Saint Martin, after a manner unusuall among the Britans, as Bede saith, who wrote that the English in his time held this country, and when the number of the faithfull Christians multiplied, an Episcopall See was erected at this Candida Casa. A little higher there is a Bi-land [ B] having the sea insinuating it selfe on both sides with two Bayes, that by a narrow neck it is adjoined to the firme land: and this is properly called CHERSONESUS, and PROMONTORIUM NOVANTUM, commonly, the Mull of Galloway.
Beyond this Northward, there is a Bay taking a great compasse, and full of Ilands, into which very many rivers on everie side doe out-lade themselves. But first of all, from the verie cape or top of the Promontarie is ABRAVANUS, which being set lit∣tle out of his own place, is so called of Ptolomee, for Aber-Ruanus, that is, The mouth of Ruan. For at this day that river is named Rian, and the lake out of which it flow∣eth, Logh-Rian, exceeding full of Herrings and Stone-fishes.
This Galloway had in times past Princes and Lords over it:* 1.69 of whom the first re∣corded [ C] in Chronicles was Fergus, in the reigne of Henrie the first, King of England, who gave for his Armes, A Lion rampant Arg, crowned Or in a shield Azur: who af∣ter many troubles that he had stirred, was driven to this exigent by King Malcolm, that he gave his sonne Ucthred to the King for an hostage, and himselfe wearie of this world, tooke the habit of a Chanon at Holy Rood house in Edenburgh. As for Uc∣thred, Gilbert his younger brother tooke him prisoner in battaile, and when hee had cut out his tongue, and plucked his eyes forth of his head, he cruelly bereaved him both of life and inheritance. But within some few yeeres, when Gilbert was dead, Ucthreds sonne recovered his fathers inheritance, who of a sister of William Morvill Constable of Scotland,* 1.70 begat Alan Lord of Galloway, and Constable of Scotland: [ D] This Alan, by Margaret the eldest daughter of David Earle of Huntingdon, had Der∣volgilda wife to Iohn Balliol, and the mother of John Balliol King of Scotland, who contended with Robert Brus for the Kingdome of Scotland; and by a former wife, as it seemeth, hee had Helen, married to Roger Quincy Earle of Winchester, who thereby was Constable of Scotland; like as William Ferrars of Groby, the Nephew of the said Roger by a daughter and one of the heires. But these Englishmen soone lost their inheritance in Scotland, as also the dignitie of Constable: which the Com∣nins Earles of Bucquan, descended likewise from a daughter of Roger Quincie, obtai∣ned, until it was translated unto the Earls of Arroll. But the title of the Lords of Gal∣loway fell afterward to the family of the Douglasses.
[ E]CARRICTA. CARRICT.
NOw followeth Carrict upon Dunbritain Frith,* 1.71 faire to be seene with fresh pastures; supplyed both by land and sea with com∣modities abundantly. In this province Ptolomee placed RERI∣GONIUM a Creeke, and RERIGONIUM a Towne. For which BERIGONIUM is read in a verie ancient copie of Ptolomee, prin∣ted [ F] at Rome in the yeere 1480. so that wee cannot but verily thinke it was that which now is called Bargeney. A Lord it hath out of the family of the Kennedies, which came forth of Ireland in the reigne of Ro∣bert Brus, and is in this tract of high birth, spread into many branches, and of great power. The chiefe of which linage is Earle of Cassile: for this is the name of a Castle wherein he dwelleth by the river Dun: upon the banke whereof he hath also
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another Castle, named Dunnur: and he is the hereditarie Bailiffe of this Countrey. [ A] For this Carrict, together with Kyle and Cunningham, are counted the three Bailler∣ries of Scotland, because they that governe these with an ordinarie power and juris∣diction are called Ballives, by a tearme that came up in the middle times, and among the Greeks, Sicilians, and Frenchmen signifieth a Conservatour or Protector. But in the age aforegoing Carrict had Earles:* 1.72 for, to say nothing of Gilberts of Galloway, sonne unto whom King William gave all Carrict to bee possessed for ever, wee read that Adam of Kilconath was about the yeere 1270. Earle of Carrict, and died ser∣ving in the Holy-land: whose onely daughter Mariha fell extremely in love with Robert Brus, a beautifull young Gentleman, as she saw him hunting, and thereupon [ B] made him her husband, advanced him with the title of Earle, and with possessions: unto whom she bare Robert Brus, that most renowned King of Scots, from whom the royall line of the Kings is descended. But the title of the Earle of Carrict being left for a time to the younger sonnes of the family of Brus, afterwards among other honours encreased the stile of the Princes of Scotland.
KYLE.
* 1.73MOre inward from Clids-forth followeth KYLE, plentifull in all [ C] things, and as well inhabited. In Bedes Auctarium it is called Campus Cyel, that is, The Field Cyel, and Coil: where it is recor∣ded, That Eadbert King of Northumberland annexed this with o∣ther territories unto his owne Kingdome. In Ptolomees time there was known a place here named VIDOGARA, haply Aire, which is a Sherifdome, hath a townlet also of merchandise, and a well known port by a little river of the same name. Touching which I can thinke of no better thing to write, than these verses sent unto mee from Master Iohn Ionstoun.
[ E]AERA, sive AERIA. [ D]Parva urbs, ast ingens animus in fortibus haeret, Inferior nulli nobilitate virûm. Aeris è campis haurit purissima coelum, Incubat & miti mollior aura solo. Aeria hinc, non Aera priùs credo illa vocata est, Cum duris quid enim mollia juris habent? Infera cum superis quod si componere fas est, Aurea fors dici debuit illa priùs.A City small, but yet great mindes in valiant bodies rest, For noblenesse of Gentlemen matching the very best. Out of the fields what aire it drawes is right pure, fresh, and kinde, The soile is milde, and upon it there breathes a gentle winde. Hence I suppose AERIA first, not Aera call'd it was, For what have elements to doe with matters hard as brasse? But to compare low things with high if that I may be bold, Then haply well it should have beene nam'd AUREA of old.
Besides the river Aire there be other two riverets that water this little territorie, [ F] having many villages scattering along their bankes: namely, Longar, neere unto which the Caufords, and Cesnocke, by which the Cambels, families (in this tract) of good worship, dwell: upon the banke whereof standeth Uchiltre castle, the seat of the Stewarts that are of the blood royall, as who issued from the Dukes of Albanie;
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[ A] and thereupon are the Barons of Uchiltrey, out of which house was that noble Robert Stewart, who kept continually with the Prince of Condie, as an inseparable compani∣on, and was with him slain in France in battaile. The government of Kyle belongeth by an heritable right to the Cambells of Louden, as Bailiffe thereof.
CUNNINGHAM.
[ B] CUNNINGHAM adjoyning to Kyle on the East side and the North, butteth upon the same Forth so close, that it restraineth the breadth thereof, which hitherto lay out and spread at large. The name, if one interpret it, is as much as the Kings Habitation: by which a man may ghesse how commodious and pleasant it is. This territorie is watered with Irwin, that divideth it from Kyle: at the spring-head well neere whereof, Kilmarnock shew∣eth it selfe, the dwelling place of the Barons Boids: of whom in the reigne of James the first, Thomas, by a prosperous gale of Court favour, was advanced to the autho∣ritie of Regent or Vice-Roy, Robert his sonne to the dignitie of Earle of Arran, and marriage with the Kings sister. But soone after, when the said gale came about, and [ C] blew contrarie, they were judged enemies to the State: Robert also had his wife ta∣ken from him, and given unto James Hamilton; their goods were confiscate, fortune made a game of them, and when they had lost all they died in exile. Howbeit their posteritie recovered the ancient honour of Barons, and honorably enjoy it at this day. At the mouth of the river Irwin, standeth Irwin a Burrough, with an haven so barred up with shelves of sand, and so shallow withall, that it can beare none other vessels but small barkes and boates: Ardrossan also, a pile belonging to the Montgomeries, more above standeth higher over the Creeke: this is a verie ancient and famous fa∣miliy as any other, who have to shew for witnesse of their warlike prowesse, Poununy, a fort built with the ransome mony of Sir Henrie Percie, surnamed Hot-Spur, whom [ D] I. Montgomerie with his owne hand tooke prisoner in the battaile at Otterburne, and led away captive. Not farre from Ardrossan is Largis, embrued with the blood of the Norwegians by King Alexander the third. From whence, as you follow the shore bending and giving in, you meet with Eglington, a faire castle, which was the possession of certaine Gentlemen highly descended of the same surname: from whom it came by marriage unto the Montgomeries,* 1.74 who thereby received the title of Earles of Eglington. But whence the said surname should come, a man can hardly tell: this I know, that out of Normandie it came into England, and that divers families there were of the same name: but that in Essex, from which Sir Thomas Montgome∣rie, Knight of the order of the Garter, descended, in the reigne of Edward the fourth [ E] gave Armes a little different from these.
This noble linage is faire and farre spread, and out of those of Gevan was that Gabriel de Lorges, called Earl of Montgomerie, Captain of the guard of Scots (which Charles the fifth King of France instituted for defence of his owne person, and his successors, in testimonie of their fidelitie, and his love toward them) who in running at tilt slew Henrie the second King of France, by occasion that a broken splint of his speare, where the helmet chanced to be open, entred at his eye, and pierced into his brain; and afterwards in that civill war, wherein all France was in a broile, whiles he took part with the Protestants,* 1.75 he was apprehended and beheaded. But the Cunning∣hams in this tract are counted to be the greater and more numerous family, the chiefe [ F] whereof, enjoying the honour of Earle of Glencarn, dwelleth at Kilmauris, and fet∣cheth his descent out of England, and from an English Gentleman, who, together with other, killed Thomas Archbishop of Canterburie. How true this is I know not, but they ground it haply upon a probable conjecture, taken from an Archbishops pall, which the Cunninghams give in their coat of Armes.
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ISLE GLOTTA, OR ARRAN.
WIthin the sight of Cunningham, among sundry other Ilands, GLOTA, the Isle mentioned by Antonine the Emperour, bea∣reth [ B] up his head, in the very Forth and salt water of the river Glo∣ta, or Cluyd, called at this day Arran, of a castle bearing the same name. Inwardly it mounteth up altogether with high rising hills, at the bottome and foot whereof, along the shore it is well inha∣bited. The first Earle hereof, that I can read of, was Robert Boide,* 1.76 whose wife and Earldome together, when Boide was banished the realme, James L. Hamilton, as I said erewhile, obtained, and his posteritie enjoyed the same Earldome, saving that of late Sir James Steward, appointed guardian to James Ha∣milton Earle of Arran, when hee was so defective in understanding that he could not manage his estate, tooke this title in the right of being guardian.
Neere unto this standeth Buthe, so called of a little religious Cell which Brenda∣nus [ C] founded (for so is a little Cell tearmed in the Scottish tongue.) In this Iland is Rothsay Castle,* 1.77 which giveth the title of Dukedome unto the King of Scots eldest sonne, who is borne Prince of Scotland, Duke of Rothsay, and Seneschall of Scotland, since time that King Robert the third invested Robert his eldest sonne Duke of Roth∣say, the first in Scotland that ever was created Duke. With which title also Queene Marie honoured Henrie Lord Darly before she tooke him to be her husband. Then shew themselves Hellan, sometimes called Hellan Leneow, that it, as Iohn Fordon in∣terpreteth it, The Saints Ilands, and Hellan Tinoc, that is, The Swines Iland, with a great number of other Ilands of lesse note and reckoning in the same Forth.
DAMNII, CLUYDSDALE, &c.
BEyond the NOVANTES, more inward, by the river Glotta or Cluyd, and farther still even to the verie East sea, dwelt in times past the DAMNII, in those countries, if I have any judgement, (for in things so farre remote from our remembrance, and in so thick a mist of obscuritie, who can speake of certaintie?) which [ E] are now callled Cluydsdale, the Baronie of Renfraw, Lennox, Strivelinshire, Menteth, and Fife.
Neere unto the head of Cluyd in Crawford Moore, among the wilde wasts, certaine husbandmen of the countrey, after great store of violent raine, hap∣pened to finde certaine small peeces like scrapings of gold, which have this long time given great hope of much riches, but most of all in our dayes, since that Sir Beamis Bulmer undertooke with great endevour to finde out here a Mine of gold. Certes there is Azur gotten forth everie day, without any paines in manner at all. Now the Castle of Crawford,* 1.78 together with the title of the Earle of Crawford, was by Robert the second, King of Scots, given unto Sir James Lindesey, who by a [ F] single combate performed with Baron Welles an Englishman, won high commen∣dation for his valour. These Lindeseyes have deserved passing well of their country, and are of ancient nobilitie, ever since that Sir William Lindesey married one of the heires of William of Lancaster Lord of Kandale in England, whose neice in the third degree of lineall descent, was married into the most honourable family of Coucy in
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[ A] France. Cluyd, after hee hath from his spring head with much struggling got out Northward by Baron Somervils house,* 1.79 receiveth unto him from out of the West the river Duglasse or Douglasse, so called of a blackish or greenish water that it hath: which river communicateth his name both to have the vale through which hee runneth, called Douglasdale, and also to Douglasse castle therein: which name that castle like∣wise hath imparted unto the family of the Douglasses. Which I assure you is very an∣cient, but most famous ever since that Sir James Douglasse stucke verie close at all times as a most fast friend unto King Robert Brus, and was readie alwaies with sin∣gular courage, resolution, and wisdome, to assist him, claiming the kingdome in most [ B] troublesome and dangerous times: and whom the said King Robert charged at his death to carrie his heart to Jerusalem, that hee might bee discharged of his vow made to goe to the Holy-land. In memoriall whereof the Douglasses have inserted in their Coat of Armes a mans heart. From which time this family grew up to that power and greatnesse, and namely, after that King David the second had created William Earle of Douglasse, that they after a sort awed the Kings themselves. For at one time well neere there were sixe Earles of them, namely, of this Douglasse, of An∣gus, of Ormund, of Wigton, of Murray, and of Morton: among whom, the Earle of Wigton, through his martiall prowesse and desert, obtained at the hands of Charles the seventh king of France, the title of Duke of Tourain, and left the same to two Earles [ C] of Douglasse his heires after him.
Above the confluence of Douglasse and Cluyd is Lanric,* 1.80 the hereditarie Sheriffdom of the Hamiltons, who for their name are beholden unto Hamilton castle, which stan∣deth somewhat higher upon Cluyds banke, in a fruitfull and passing pleasant place; but they referre their originall, as they have a tradition, to a certaine Englishman surnamed Hampton, who having taken part with Robert Brus, received from him faire lands in this tract. Much increase of their wealth and estate came by the bounteous hand of King James the third, who bestowed in marriage upon Sir James Hamilton his own eldest sister, whom he had taken perforce from the Lord Boide her husband, together with the Earledome of Arran; but of honours and dignities by the States [ D] of the kingdome, who after the death of King James the fifth, ordained James Hamil∣ton grandsonne to the former James, Regent of Scotland, whom Henrie also the se∣cond, King of France, advanced to be Duke of Chasteau Herald in Poictou: as also by King James the sixth,* 1.81 who honoured his son John with the title of Marquesse of Ha∣milton, which honourable title was then first brought into Scotland.
The river Glotta or Cluyd runneth from Hamilton by Bothwell, which glorieth in the Earles thereof,* 1.82 namely, John Ramsey, whose greatnesse with King James the third was excessive, but pernicious both to himselfe and the King: and the Hepburns, [ E] whom I have already spoken of, & so streight forward with a readie stream through Glascow, in ancient times past a Bishops seat: but discontinued a great while, untill that King William restored it up againe: but now it is an Archbishops See, and an Universitie, which Bishop Turnbull, after hee had in a pious and religious intent built a colledge in the yeere 1554. first founded. This Glascow is the most famous town of merchandise in this tract: for pleasant site, and apple trees, and other like fruit trees much commended, having also a verie faire bridge supported with eight arches. Of which towne I. Ionstoun thus versified.
Non te Pontificum luxus, non Insula tantùm [ F] Ornavit, diri quae tibi caussa mali. Glottiadae quantùm decorant te, Glascua, Musae, Quae celsum attollunt clara sub astra caput. GLOTTA decus rerum, piscosis nobilis undis, Finitimi recreat jugera laeta soli. Ast Glottae decus, & vicinis gloria terris Glascua foe cundat flumine cuncta suo.
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The sumptuous port of Bishops great hath not adorn'd thee so, [ A] Nor mitre rich, that hath beene cause of thine accursed woe, As Cluyds Muses grace thee now, O Glascow towne: for why? They make thee beare thy head aloft up to the starrie skie. Cluyd the beautie of the world, for fishfull streame renown'd, Refresheth all the neighbour fields that lye about it round: But Glascow beautie is to Cluyd, and grace to countries nye, And by the streames that flow from thence, all places fructifie.
* 1.83Along the hithermore banke of Cluid yeth the Baronie of Reinfraw, so called of [ B] the principall towne, which may seeme to bee RANDVARA in Ptolomee, by the river Cathcart, that hath the Baron of Cathcart dwelling upon it, carrying the same sur∣name, and of ancient nobilitie: neere unto which (for this little province can shew a goodly breed of nobilitie) there border Cruikston, the seat in times past of the Lords of Darley, from whom by right of marriage it came to the Earles of Lennox, whence Henrie the Father of King James the sixth was called Lord Darly; Halkead, the ha∣bitation of the Barons of Ros,* 1.84 descended originally from English blood, as who fetch their pedegree from that Robert Ros of Warke, who long since left England, and came under the alleageance of the King of Scots:* 1.85 Pasley, sometimes a famous Monasterie founded by Alexander the second of that name, high Steward of Scotland, which [ C] for a gorgeous Church, and rich furniture was inferiour to few: but now, by the be∣neficiall favour of King James the sixth, it yeeldeth both dwelling place, and title of Baron to Lord Claud Hamilton, a younger sonne of Duke Chasteu Herald: and Sem∣pill, the Lord whereof Baron Sempill,* 1.86 by ancient right is Sheriffe of this Baronie. But the title of Baron of Reinfraw, by a peculiar priviledge doth appertaine unto the Prince of Scotland.
LENNOX.
[ D]ALong the other banke of Cluyd above Glascow, runneth forth Le∣vinia or LENNOX Northward, among a number of hills close couched one by another, having that name of the river Levin, which Ptolomee calleth LELANONIUS, and runneth into Cluyd out of Logh Lomund, which spreadeth it selfe here under the mountaines twenty miles long and eight miles broad, passing well stored with varietie of fish: but most especially with a pecu∣liar fish that is to be found no where else (they call it Pollac) as also with Ilands, con∣cerning which manie fables have beene forged, and those ri••e among the common people. [ E]
As touching an Iland here that floateth and waveth too and fro, I list not to make question thereof. For what should let, but that a lighter bodie, and spongeous with∣all in manner of a pumice stone, may swimme above the water? and Plinie writeth, how in the Lake Vadimon there be Ilands full of grasse, and covered over with rushes and reeds, that float up and downe. But I leave it unto them that dwell neerer unto this place, and better know the nature of this Lake, whether this old Distichon of our Necham be true or no:
Ditatur fluviis Albania, saxea ligna Dat Lomund multa frigiditate potens. [ F] With rivers Scotland is enrich'd, and Lomund there a Lake So cold of nature is, that stickes it quickly stones doth make.
Round about the edge of this Lake there bee fishers cottages, but nothing else memorable, unlesse it be Kilmoronoc, a proper fine house of the Earles of Cassiles on
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[ A] the East side of it, which hath a most pleasant prospect into the said Lake. But at the confluence where Levin emptieth it selfe out of the Lake into Cluyd, stand∣eth the old Citie called Al-Cluyd.* 1.87 Bede noteth that it signified (in whose lan∣guage I know not) as much as The rocke Cluyd. True it is, that Ar-Cluyd signifieth in the British tongue, upon Cluyd, or upon the rocke; and Cluyd in ancient English sounded the same that a Rocke. The succeeding posteritie called this place Dunbritton,* 1.88 that is, The Britans towne (and corruptly by a certaine transposi∣tion of letters, Dunbarton) because the Britans held it longest against the Scots, Picts, and Saxons. For it is the strongest of all the castles in Scotland by naturall situ∣ation, [ B] towring upon a rough, craggie, and two-headed rocke, at the verie meeting of the rivers in a greene plaine. In one of the tops or heads abovesaid, there standeth up a loftie watch-tower or Keep: on the other, which is the lower, there are sundrie strong bulwarks. Betweene these two tops on the North side, it hath one onely as∣cent, by which hardly one by one can passe up, and that with a labour by grees or steps, cut out aslope travers the rocke. In steed of ditches, on the West side serveth the river Levin; on the South, Cluyd; and on the East a boggie flat, which at everie tide is wholly covered over with waters; and on the North side the verie upright steepenesse of the place is a most sufficient defence. Certain remaines of the Britans, presuming of the naturall strength of this place, and their owne manhood, who, as [ C] Gildas writeth, gat themselves a place of refuge in high mountaines and hills, steep and naturally fensed, as it were, with rampires and ditches, in most thick woods and forrests, in rockes also of the sea, stood out and defended themselves here, after the Romans de∣parture, for three hundred yeeres, in the midst of their enemies. For in Bedes time, as himself writeth, it was the best fortified citie of the Britans. But in the yeere 756. Eadbert King of Northumberland, and Oeng King of the Picts, with their joint for∣ces enclosed it round about by siege,* 1.89 and brought it to such a desperate extremitie, that it was rendred unto them by composition. Of this place the territorie round about it is called the Sherifdome of Dunbarton, and hath had the Earles of Lennox this long time for their Sheriffes, by birth-right and inheritance.
[ D] As touching the Earles of Lennox themselves,* 1.90 to omit those of more ancient and obscure times, there was one Duncane Earle of Lennox in the reigne of Robert the second, who died and left none but daughters behinde him. Of whom one was married to Alan Steward,* 1.91 descended from Robert, a younger sonne of Wal∣ter the second of that name, High Steward of Scotland; and brother likewise to Alexander Steward the second, from whom the noblest and royall race of Scotland hath beene propagated. This surname Steward was given unto that most noble family, in regard of the honourable office of the Stewardshippe of the kingdome, as who had the charge of the Kings revenues. The said Alan had issue John Earle of Lennox,* 1.92 and Robert, Captain of that companie of Scottishmen at [ E] Armes, which Charles the sixth K. of France first instituted, in lieu of some recom∣pence unto the Scottish nation, which by their valour had deserved passing well of the kingdom of France; who also by the same Prince for his vertues sake was endow∣ed with the Seigniorie of Aubigny in Auvergne. John had a sonne named Matthew Earle of Lennox, who wedded the daughter of James Hamilton by Marion daugh∣ter to King James the second; on whom he begat John Earle of Lennox: hee taking armes to deliver King James the fifth out of the hands of the Douglasses and the Ha∣miltons, was slaine by the Earle of Arran his Unkle on the mothers side. This John was father to Matthew Earle of Lennox, who having sustained sundrie troubles in France and Scotland, found fortune more friendly to him in England, through the [ F] favour of King Henrie the eighth, considering that hee bestowed upon him in mar∣riage his Neice, with faire lands. By the meanes of this happie marriage were brought into the world Henrie and Charles.
Henrie,* 1.93 by Marie Queene of Scots, had issue JAMES the sixth, King of Britain, by the propitious grace of the eternall God, borne in a most auspicate and lucky houre, to knit and unite in one bodie of an Empire the whole Island of Britaine, divided as well in it selfe, as it was heretofore from the rest of the world, and (as we hope and
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pray) to lay a most sure foundation of an everlasting securitie, for our heires and the [ A] posteritie. As for Charles, he had issue one onely daughter Arbella, who above her sexe hath so embraced the studies of the best literature, that therein shee hath pro∣fited and proceeded with singular commendation, and is comparable with the ex∣cellent Ladies of old time. When Charles was dead, after that the Earledome of Lennox, whereof he stood enfeoffed, was revoked by Parliamentarie authoritie in the yeere of our Lord 1579. and his Unkle by the fathers side, Robert Bishop of Ca∣thanes, had some while enjoyed this title (in lieu whereof he received at the Kings hands the honour of the Earle of March) King James the sixth conferred the honou∣rable title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Steward, sonne to John Lord D'Aubigny, [ B] younger brother to Mathew aforesaid Earle of Lennox, which Lodowic Esme his son at this day honourably enjoieth.* 1.94 For since the time of Charles the sixth, there were of this line Lords of Aubigny in France, the said Robert before named, and Ber∣nard or Eberard under Charles the eighth & Lewis the twelfth, who is commended with great praise unto posteritie by P. Iovius, for his noble acts most valerously ex∣ploited in the warre of Naples, a most firme and trustie companion of King Henrie the seventh when he entred into England. Who used for his Emprese or devise, a Li∣on betweene buckles, with this Mot, DISTANTIA JUNGIT: for that by his meanes the Kingdomes of France and of Scotland, severed and dis-joined so farre in distance, were by a straighter league of friendship conjoyned: like as Robert Steward Lord [ C] D'Aubigny of the same race,* 1.95 who was Marshall of France under King Lewis the ele∣venth, for the same cause used the royall Armes of France, with buckles Or in a bor∣der Gueules: which the Earles and Dukes of Lennox have ever since borne quarterly with the Armes of Steward.
STIRLING Sheriffdome.
UPon Lennox North-eastward bordereth the territorie of STERLING, so named of the principall towne therein: for fruitfull soile, and numbers [ D] of Gentlemen in it, second to no province of Scotland. Here is that nar∣row land or streight, by which Dunbritton Frith and Edenborrough Frith (that I may use the termes of this our age) piercing farre into the land out of the West and East Seas, are divided asunder, that they meet not the one with the other.
Which thing Iulius Agricola, who marched hitherto and beyond, first observed; and fortified this space betweene with garrisons, so as all the part of Britaine in this side was then in possession of the Romans, and the enemies removed and driven, as it were, into another Island, in so much as Tacitus judged right truely, There was no other bound or limit of Britaine to bee sought for. Neither verily in the time ensuing, [ E] did either the VALOUR of Armies, or the GLORIE of the Romane name, which scarcely could be stayed, set out the marches of the Empire in this part of the world farther, although with in••odes they other whiles molested and endammaged them. But after this glorious expedition of Agricola, when himselfe was called backe, Bri∣taine, as faith Tacitus, became for-let, neither was the possession kept still thus farre: for the Caledonian Britans drave the Romans backe as farre as to the river Tine: in so much as Hadrian, who came into Britaine in person about the fortieth yeere after, and reformed many things in it, went no farther forward, but gave commandement that the GOD TERMINUS,* 1.96 which was wont to give ground unto none, should retire backward out of this place, like as in the East on this side Euphrates. Hence it is that [ F] S. Augustine wrote in this wise:* 1.97 God TERMINUS, who gave not place to Iupiter, yeel∣ded unto the will of Hadrianus, yeelded to the rashnesse of Iulian, yeelded to the necessi∣tie of Iovian. In so much as Hadrian had enough to doe, for to make a wall of turfe between the rivers Tine and Esk, well neere an hundred miles Southward on this side Edenborrough Frith.
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[ A] But Antoninus Pius, who being adopted by Hadrian bare his name, stiled thereup∣on TITUS AELIUS HADRIANUS ANTONINUS PIUS, under the conduct of Lollius Urbicus,* 1.98 whom he had sent hither Lievtenant, repelled the Northern enemies backe againe beyond BODOTRIA, or Edenborrough Forth, and that by raising ano∣ther wall of turfe, namely, besides that of Hadrianus, as Capitolinus writeth. Which wall, that it was reared in this verie place whereof I now speake, and not by Severus (as it is commonly thought) I will produce no other witnesses, than two ancient In∣scriptions digged up here: of which the one fastned in the wall of an house at Cader, sheweth how the second Legion Augusta, set up the wall for the space of three [ B] miles and more: the other, now in the house of the Earle Marshall at Dunotyr, which implieth, that a band of the twentieth Legion Victrix raised the said wall three miles long. But see here the verie inscriptions themselves, as Servatius Riheley, a Gentleman of Silesia, who curiously travailed these countries, copied them out for mee.
IMP. CAESARI T. AELIO HADRI∣ANO ANTONINO. [ C] AUG. PIO. P. P. VEXILLATIO LEG. XX. VAL. VIC. F. PER. MIL. P. III.
IMP. CAES. TIT.—IO AELIO HADRIANO ANTON. AUG. PIO. PP. LEG. II. AUG. PER. M. P. III. D. CIXVIS.
At Cadir, where this latter inscription is extant, there is another stone also erected by the second Legion Augusta, wherein within a Laurell garland, supported by two [ D] little images resembling victorie, are these letters.
LEG. II [ E] AVG. FEC.
And in a village called Miniabruch, out of a Ministers house there was removed [ F] this inscription into a Gentlemans house, which is there new built out of the ground:
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[ A]
D. M. C. JULI. MARCELLINI PRAEF. * 1.99 COH. I. HAMIOR: [ B]
But when the Northerne nations in the reigne of Commodus, having passed once over this wall, had made much wast and spoile in the countrey, the Emperour Seve∣rus, as I have alreadie said, repaired this wall of Hadrian. Howbeit afterwards the Ro∣mans brought eftsoones the countrey lying betweene, under their subjection. For Ninius hath recorded, that Carausius under Diocletian strengthened this wall ano∣ther time, and fortified it with seven castles. Lastly, the Romanes fensed this place (when Theodosius the younger was Emperour) under the conduct of Gallio of Raven∣na. Now, saith Bede, they made a turfe wall, rearing it not so much with stone as with [ C] turfes (as having no canning Artificer for so great a piece of worke) and the same to no use, betweene two Friths or Armes of the sea, for many miles in length: that where the fense of water was wanting, there by the helpe of a wall they might defend their borders from the invasion of enemies: of which worke, that is to say, a very broad and high wall, a man may see to this day most certaine and evident remaines.
This wall began, as the Scots in these dayes give out, at the river Aven, that go∣eth into Edenborrough Forth,* 1.100 and having passed over the riveret Carron, reacheth unto Dunbritton. But Bede, as I said erewhile, affirmeth that it beginneth in a place called Pen vaell, that is, in the Picts language, as much as The head of the wall; in the Britans tongue Pen-Gual, in English Penwalton, in Scottish Cevall: all which names [ D] no doubt are derived from Vallum in Latine: and he saith, That place is almost two miles from Abereurvig or Abercurving.* 1.101 And it endeth, as the common sort thinke, at Kirk-Patricke, the native soile (as some writeth) of Saint Patrick the Irish-mens Apostle, neere unto Cluyd; according to Bede, at Alcluid; after Ninius, at the Citie Pen Alcloyt, which may seeme all one.
* 1.102Now this wall is commonly called Grahams dyke; either of Graham a warlike Scot, whose valour was especially seene when the breach was made through it, or else of the hill Grampie, at the foot whereof it stood. The author of Rota Tempo∣rum calleth it the wall of Aber-corneth, that is, of the mouth of the river Corneth: where, in Bedes time, there was a famous monasterie standing, as he hath recorded, up∣on [ E] English ground, but neere unto that frith or arme of the sea, which in those daies seve∣red the lands of the English and the Picts.
Hard by this wall of turfe, what way as the river Carron crosseth this Sheriffdome of Sterling, toward the left hand are seene two mounts cast up by mans hand, which they call Duni pacis,* 1.103 that is, Knolles of peace: and almost two miles lower there is an ancient round building, foure and twentie cubits high, and thirteene broad, open in the top, framed of rough stone without lime, having the upper part of everie stone so tenanted into the nether, as that the whole worke still rising narrow, by a mutuall interlacing and clasping, upholdeth it selfe. Some call this the Temple of God TERMINUS,* 1.104 others Arthurs-Oven, who father everie stately and sumptuous thing [ F] upon Arthur. Others againe, Iulius Hoff, and suppose it to have been built by Iulius Caesar. But I would think rather that Iulius Agricola built it, who fortified this fron∣tier part, were it not that Ninius hath already enformed us, that it was erected by Carausius for a triumphall Arch. For hee, as Ninius writeth, built upon the banke of Caron, a round house of polished stone, erecting a Triumphall Arch in
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[ A] memoriall of a victorie: hee ree-dified also the wall, and strengthened it with seven Castles. In the middest space betweene Duni pacis and this building, on the right∣hand-banke of Carron, there is yet to be discerned a confused face of a little ancient Citie: where the vulgar people beleeveth there was sometimes a road for ships, who call it Camelot, by a name that is rife in King Arthurs booke; and they contend, but all in vaine, to have it that Camalodunum which Tacitus mentioneth. But it would seeme rather, by the name of the river Carron running underneath, to have beene CORTA DAMNIORUM,* 1.105 which Ptolomee mentioneth in this tract. And now take with you that which George Buchanan, that excellent Poet, wrote of the limit of the [ B] Roman Empire at Carron.
Roma securigeris praetendit maenia Scotis, Hîc spe progressus positâ, Carronis ad undam Terminus Ausonii signat divertia regni. 'Gainst warlike Scots with axes arm'd, a mightie frontier wall The Romans rais'd: and limit there, which TERMINUS they call, Neere Carron streame, now past all hope more British ground to gaine, Markes out the Roman Empires end, whence they to turne were faine.
[ C] In this territorie of Sterling on the East side,* 1.106 there sheweth it selfe Castle Callendar, belonging to the Barons of Levingston; and the family of the Barons Fleming dwel∣leth hard by at Cumbernald, which they received at the hands of King Robert Brus, for their service valiantly & faithfully performed in defence of their country: where∣by also they attained unto the hereditarie honour to be Chamberlaines of Scotland. And even very lately the favour of King James the Sixth hath honoured this house with the title of Earle,* 1.107 what time as he created I. Baron Fleming Earle of Wigton. In a place neere adjoining standeth Elpheingston, which likewise hath his Barons, advan∣ced to that dignitie by King James the fourth: And where Forth full of his windings and crooked crankes runneth downe with a rolling pace, and hath a bridge over him, [ D] standeth Sterlin, commonly called Strivelin, and Sterlin Burrough; where on the very brow of a steepe rocke there is mounted on high a passing strong Castle of the Kings, which King James the sixth hath beautified with new buildings, and where∣of this long time the Lords of Ereskin have been Captaines, unto whom the charge and tuition of the Princes of Scotland during their minoritie hath been otherwhiles committed. Whereas some there be, that would have the good and lawfull money of England,* 1.108 which is called Sterling money, to take the name from hence, they are much deceived: for that denomination came from the Germans, of their Easterly dwelling termed by Englishmen Esterlings; whom King John of England first sent for to re∣duce the silver to the due finenesse and puritie: and such monies in ancient writing are [ E] ever more found by the name of Esterling. But concerning Sterlin towne the verses that I. Jonston hath made shall supply all the rest.
Regia sublimis celsa despectat ab arce Pendula sub biferis maenia structa jugis. Regum augusta parens, Regum nutricula natis, Hinc sibi Regifico nomine tota placet. Hospita sed cuivis quovis sub nomine, amicus Sive es, seu non es, hospes an hostis item. Pro lucro cedit damnum. Discordia tristis [ F] Heu quoties procerum sanguine tinxit humum? Hoc uno infelix, at felix coetera, nusquam Laetior aut caelifrons, geniusve soli.A regall palace stately set, beholds from mount aloft, Towne wall, built hanging on the side of hill with double cost.
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The sacred mother unto Kings, of Kings babes eke the nource, [ A] Hence is it that she prides her selfe in Kings names and no worse. But entertaineth every one, by name it skils not what, A friend or foe, friend guest or no, she reckneth nought of that. In steed of gaine this turnes to losse. Besides, how oft alas, Hath discord foule with Nobles blood stain'd hence both ground and grasse? In this alone unhappie she, else not; nor shall ye finde, Else where the aire more mild and cleere, or soile of better kinde.
* 1.109About two miles hence the Banoc-bourn runneth between exceeding high banks on [ B] both sides, and with a verie swift streame in winter, toward the Forth: a bourn most famous for as glorious a victorie as ever the Scots had, what time as Edward the se∣cond King of England was put to flight, who was fain to make hard shift, and in great hast and feare to take a boat and save his life: yea and the most puissant armie which England had before sent out, was discomfited through the valiant prowesse of King Robert Brus; insomuch as for two yeeres after the English came not into the field a∣gainst the Scots.* 1.110 About Sterlin Ptolomee seemeth to place ALAUNA, which is either neere the little river Alon, that here entreth into the Forth; or else by Alway, an house of the Ereskins, who by inheritance are the Sheriffes of all this territorie without the Burgh. But I have not yet read of any one dignified by the title of Earle of Sterlin. [ C]
CALEDONIA.
WHat soever part of Britain lieth Northward beyond Grahames Dyke, or the wall of Antoninus Pius before named, and beareth out on both seas, is called by Tacitus CALEDONIA, like as the people thereof, Britans inhabiting CALEDONIA. Ptolomee divi∣deth them into many nations, as CALEDONII, EPIDII, VACO∣MAGI, &c. who were all of them afterward, for continuing their [ D] ancient manner and custome of painting their bodies, named by the Romans and the Provinciall people, PICTS: divided by Ammianus Marcellinus into two nations, the DICALEDONES and VECTURIONES, touching whom I have spoken already before. Howbeit in the approved and best writers they goe all under the name of Caledonians: whom I would think to have beene so called of Ka∣led, a British word that signifieth Hard, and in the plurall number maketh Kaledion: whence the word Caledonii may be derived, that is to say, hard, rough, uncivill, and a wilder kind of people, such as the Northren nations for the most part are: who by rea∣son of the rigorous cold of the aire, are more rough and fierce, and for their abun∣dance of blood more bold and adventurous. Moreover, beside the position of the [ E] climate, this is furthered by the nature and condition of the soile, which riseth up all throughout with rough and rugged mountaines: and mountainers verily all men know and confesse to be hardie, stout, and strong. But whereas Varro alledgeth out of Pacuvius, that Caledonia breedeth and nourisheth men of exceeding bigge bodies, I would understand the place rather of Caledonia the region of Epirus, than this of ours; although ours also may justly challenge unto it selfe this commendation. A∣mong this was the Wood CALEDONIA,* 1.111 tearmed by Lucius Florus, Salius Caledonius, that is, the forrest of Caledonia, spreading out a mightie way, and impassable by rea∣son of tall trees standing so thicke, divided also by Grampe hill, now called Grantz∣baine, that is,* 1.112 the crooked bending mountaine. That Ulysses arrived in Caledonia (saith [ F] Solinus) appeareth plainly by a votive altar with an inscription in Greek letters; but I would judge it to have been rather erected to the honour of Ulysses, than reared by Ulysses himselfe.* 1.113 Martiall the Poet likewise in this verse maketh mention of Cale∣donian beares.
Nuda Caledonio sic pectora praebuit urso.
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[ A] Thus yeelded he his naked brest To beare of Caledon forrest.
Plutarch also hath written, that Beares were brought out of Britaine to Rome, and had there in great admiration; whereas notwithstanding Britaine for these ma∣ny ages past hath bred none. What Caledonian monster that should bee, whereof Claudian wrote thus,
—Caledonio velata Britannia monstro, With monster Caledonian Britaine all attired,to tell you truth,* 1.114 I know not. Certes, it nourished in times past a number of white [ B] wilde buls, with thicke manes in manner of Lions (but in these dayes few) and those verie cruell, fierce, and so hatefull of mankinde, that for a certaine time they abhorre whatsoever they had either handled or breathed upon: yea, they utterly scorne the forcible strength of dogges; albeit Rome in times past wondered so much at the fiercenesse of Scottish dogges, that it was thought there, they were brought thither within yron grates and cages. Well, this tearme and name CALEDONII grew so rife with Roman writers, that they used it for all Britaine, and for all woods of Bri∣taine whatsoever. Hereupon L. Florus writeth, that Caesar followed the Britans un∣to the Caledonian woods, and yet he never saw them in his life: Hence also Valerius Flaccus writeth thus to Vespasian the Emperour,
[ C] —Caledonius postquam tua carbasa vexit Oceanus: that is, the British Ocean.
Hence likewise it is that Statius versified thus unto Crispinus, sonne of Vectius Vola∣nus Propretour of Britaine about the time of Vitellius.
Quanta Caledonios attollet gloria campos, Cùm tibi long aevus referet trucis incola terrae? Hîc suetus dare jura parens, hoc cespite turmas Affari, ille dedit, cinxitque baec moenia fossâ: [ D] Belligeris haec dona deis, haec tela dicavit, Cernis adhuc titulos: hunc ipse vacantibus armis Induit, hunc regi rapuit thoraca Britanno. How much renowned shall the fields of Caledonia bee, When as some old inhabitant of that fierce land to thee Shall in these tearmes report and say? Behold, thy father oft Was wont in judgement here to sit: upon this banke aloft To th'armed troups to speak; also 'twas he that wall'd this fort, That built thus strong, and it with ditch entrenched in this sort. By him to gods of warre these gifts and armes were consecrate, [ E] The titles (lo) are extant yet; himselfe this brave brest-plate In time of battaile did put on, this cuirace, finally, In fight he pluckt by force of armes from King of Britannie.
But in these, as in other things, I may say,
Crescit in immensum facunda licentia vatum. Poeticall licence is boundlesse.
[ F] For neither Caesar, nor Volanus so much as ever knew the Caledonians. In Plinies time, as himselfe witnesseth, thirtie yeeres almost after Claudius, the Romanes with all their warlike expeditions, had discovered no farther in Britaine than to the vici∣nitie of the Caledonian wood. For Iulius Agricola under Domitian, was the first that entred Caledonia:* 1.115 whereof at that present Galgac was Prince (who is named Galauc ap Liennauc in the book of * 1.116 Triplicites, among the three worthies of Britain) a man
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of a mightie spirit and stout stomack: who having put to flight the ninth Legion, in [ A] exceeding heat of courage joyned battaile with the Romans, and most manfully de∣fended his country so long, untill fortune rather than his owne valour failed him. For then, as he saith, These Northern Britans, beyond whom there was no land, and beside whom none were free, were the utmost nation verily of this Iland, like as Catullus cal∣led the Britans the utmost of all the world, in that verse unto Furius.
Caesaris visens monumenta magni, Gallicum Rhenum, horribiles & ulti∣mosque Britannos. [ B] Great Caesars monuments to see in his memoriall, The Rhene in Gaul, and Britans grim, the farthest men of all.
* 1.117In the daies of Severus, as we read in Xiphilinus, Argetecox a pettie Prince reigned over this tract; whose wife being rated and reviled as an adulteresse by Iulia the Em∣presse, frankly and boldly made this answer: We Britaine Dames have to doe with the bravest and best men, and you Roman Ladies with everie leud base companion secretly.
FIFE. [ C]
* 1.118IN this large countrey of the Caledonians, beyond the Ter∣ritorie of Sterlin, whereof I wrote last, and two countries or Sheriffedomes of lesse note, Clackmans, over which a Knight named de Carsse; and Kinros, over which the Earle of Morton are Sheriffes, FIFE, a most goodly Bi∣land, wedged, as it were, betweene the two Armes of the Sea, Forth and Tau, shooteth out farre into the East. This land yeeldeth plentie of corne and forage, yea and of pit coales: the sea, besides other fishes, affordeth Oisters and [ D] Shell-fish in great abundance: and the coasts are well bespred with prettie townlets, replenished with stout and lustie mariners. In the South side hereof by Forth, first appeareth Westward Cul-ros, which giveth the title of a Baronie to Sir I. Colvill: then standeth Dunfermling,* 1.119 a famous monasterie in old time, both the building and buriall place of King Malcolm the third. But now it giveth both name and honour of an Earle unto Sir Alexander Seton a most prudent Counsellor, whom lately James King of great Britain worthily raised from Baron of Fivie to be Earle of Dunferm∣ling,* 1.120 and Lord Chancellour of the realme of Scotland. Then Kinghorne standeth hard upon the Forth, from which place Sir Patrick Lion, Baron Glamys, lately recei∣ved at the bountifull hand of King James the sixth the title and honour of an Earle. [ E] After this,* 1.121 there is upon the shore Disert, situate on the rising of an hill, from whence there lieth an open Heath of the same name, where there is a good large place which they call the Cole-plot, that hath great plentie of an earthie Bitumen, and part∣ly burneth, to some damage of the inhabitants. Unto it adjoineth Ravins-Heuch, as one would say, The steepe hill of Ravens, the habitation of the Barons Seincler. A∣bove it the river Levin hideth himselfe in the Forth:* 1.122 which river running out of the Lake Levin, wherein standeth a Castle of the Douglasses now Earles of Morton, hath at the verie mouth of it Wemmis Castle,* 1.123 the seat of a noble family, bearing the same surname: which King James the sixth hath of late honoured with the dignity of a Ba∣ron. [ F] From hence the shore draweth backe with a crooked and winding tract unto Fif-nesse,* 1.124 that is, The Promontorie or Nose of Fife. Above it Saint Andrews an Archie∣piscopall Citie hath a faire prospect into the open maine sea. The more ancient name of the place, as old memorials witnesse, was Regimund, that is, Saint Regulus mount: in which we read thus, Oeng or Ung King of the Picts, granted unto God and
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[ A] Saint Andrew, that it should be the chiefe and mother of all Churches in the Picts King∣dome. Afterward there was placed here an Episcopall See, the Bishops whereof, like as all the rest within the Kingdome of Scotland, were consecrated by the Archbi∣shop of Yorke, untill at the intercession of King James the third, by reason of so ma∣ny warres betweene the Scottish and Englishmen, Pope Sixtus the fourth ordained the Bishop of Saint Andrewes to be Primate and Metropolitane of all Scotland; and Pope Innocentius the eighth bound him and his successours to the imitation and pre∣cedent of the Metropolitane of Canterburie,* 1.125 in these words: That in matters concer∣ning the Archiepiscopall state, they should observe and firmely hold the offices, droits, and [ B] rights of Primacie, and such like Legacie, and the free exercise thereof, the honours, charges, and profits: and that they should endevour to performe inviolably the laudable customes of the famous Metropolitane Church of Canterburie, the Arch-bishop whereof is Legatus natus of the Kingdome of England, &c. Howbeit before that, Laurence Lundoris and Richard Corvel, Doctors of the Civill law, publikely professed here good literature, laid the foundation of an Universitie: which now, for happie en∣crease of learned men, for three Colledges and the Kings Professours in them, is be∣come highly renowned. In commendation whereof Master Ionston, the Kings Pro∣fessour there in Divinitie, hath made these verses.
[ C] FANUM REGULI, SIVE ANDREAPOLIS.Imminet Oceano paribus descripta viarum Limitibus, pingui quàm benè septa solo! Magnificis opibus, staret dum gloria prisca Pontificum, hîc fulsit Pontificalis apex. Musarum ostentat surrecta palatia coelo, [ D] Delicias hominum, deliciasque Deûm. Hîc nemus umbriferum Phoebi, Nymphaeque sorores, Candida quas inter praesitet Uranie. Quae me longinquis redeuntem Teutonis oris Suscipit, excelso collocat inque gradu. Urbs nimium felix, Musarum si bona nôsset Munera, & aetherei regna beata Dei. Pelle malas pestes urbe, & quae noxia Musis Alme Deus, coeant Pax pietásque simul.[ E] SAINT REGULUS, OR S. ANDREWS.Seated it is hard by the sea, at even and equall bounds Of streets, how well enclosed besides with fat and fertile grounds! Whilom, when Prelates state was great and glorious withall, There flourish'd here in sumptuous port a See Pontificall. Now Schooles it shewes and Colledges, both Gods and mans delight, [ F] To Muses which be dedicate, and built to stately height. Here Phaebus hath his shadie grove, here dwell the Sisters nine, And chiefe of them the Ladie bright, Uranie divine. Who when I was returned from farre coasts of Germanie, With welcome kinde here did me place in chaire of high degree.
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Most happie towne, wist it what were the gifts of learning true, [ A] The blessed Kingdome, if withall of God in heaven it knew. All plagues, good God, all nocive things to Muses hence repell, That in this Citie Godlinesse and Peace may jointly dwell.
Hard by there loseth it selfe in the sea Eden or Ethan, a little river, which sprin∣ging up neere unto Falkland (belonging in times past to the Earles of Fife,* 1.126 but now a retyring place of the Kings, verie well seated for hunting pleasures and disports) run∣neth under a continued ridge of hills, which divide this countrey in the midst, by Struthers (a place so called of a Reedplot) a Castle of the Barons Lindsey;* 1.127 and by [ B] Cupre,* 1.128 a notable Burrough, where the Sheriffe sitteth to minister justice. Concerning which the same I. Ionston hath thus versified.
CUPRUM FIFAE.ARVA inter nemorísque umbras & pascua laeta, Lenè fluens vitreis labitur Eden aquis. Hûc veniat si quis Gallorum â finibus hospes, Gallica se hîc iterum fortè videre putet. Anne etiam ingenium hinc & fervida pectora traxit? [ C] An potiùs patriis hauserit illa focis? By rich corne fields, by shadie woods and pastures fresh among, The river Eden glideth soft with chrystall streame along. Hither to come from coasts of France if any stranger chance, Here haply may he thinke he hath a sight againe of France. What? drew this place from thence their wit and spirit hot trow yee? Or rather had the same at first by native propertie?
Now where the shore turneth inward a front Northward, hard by the salt water of Tau, there flourished in old time two goodly Abbyes, Balmerinoch, built by [ D] Queene Ermengard, wife to King William, daughter of Vicount Beaumont in France. But lately King James of great Britaine advanced Sir Iames Elphinston to the honour of Baron Balmerinoch:* 1.129 and Lundoris, founded among the woods by David Earle of Huntington, and at this day the Baronie of Sir Patrick Lesley: betweene which stan∣deth Banbrich, the habitation of the Earle of Rothes, strongly built castle wise. But as touching the townes of Fife planted along the sea side, have here now, if it please you, these verses of Master Ionston.
Oppida sic toto sunt sparsa in littore ut unum Dixeris, inque uno plurima juncta eadem: [ E] Littore quot curvo Forthae volvuntur arenae, Quotque undis refluo tunditur orasalo. Penè tot hîc cernas instratum puppibus aequor, Urbibus & crebris penè tot ora hominum. Cuncta operis intenta domus, foeda otia nescit, Sedula cura domi, sedula curaforis. Quae maria, & quas non terras animosa juventus Ah! fragili fidens audet adire trabe? Auxit opes virtus, virtuti dura pericla Iuncta etiam lucro damna fuere suo. [ F] Quae fecêre viris animos, cultumque dedêre, Magnanimis prosunt damna, pericla, labor. Who sees how thicke townes stand upon this coast, will say anone, They are but one, and yet the same all joyned in that one. How many sands on crooked shore of Forth are cast by tides,
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[ A] Or billowes at the seas returne beat hard upon bankes sides. So many ships well neere you may here see to saile or ride, And in those townes so thicke, almost as many folke abide. In everie house they ply their worke, no idle drones they are: Busie at home with diligence, busie abroad with care. What seas or lands are there to which a voiage for to make, In brittle barkes will not their youth courageous undertake. By valour be they growne to wealth, yet valour meet with paines, And perils too; some losses too have they had with their gaines. [ B] These things have made them valiant, civill withall and courteous: Losse, perill, painfull toile availe all such as be magnanimous.
The Governour of this province, like as of all the rest in this Kingdome, was in times past a Thane, that is, in the old English tongue, The Kings Minister: as it is also at this day in the Danish language: but Malcolm Canmore made Macduffe, who be∣fore was Thane of Fife,* 1.130 the first hereditarie Earle of Fife; and in consideration of his good desert and singular service done unto him, granted that his posteritie should have the honour to place the King, when hee is to be crowned, in his chaire; to lead the Vant-guard in the Kings armie; and if any of them should happen by casualty to [ C] kill either Gentleman or Commoner, to buy it out with a peece of money. And not farre from Lundoris there is to bee seene a Crosse of stone, which standing for a li∣mit betweene Fife and Strathern, had an inscription of barbarous verses, and a cer∣tain priviledge of Sanctuarie, that any Man-slaier allied to Macduffe Earle of Fife within the ninth degree, if he came unto this Crosse, and gave nine kine with an * 1.131 hei∣••er, should bee quit of manslaughter. When his posteritie lost this title I could never yet find: but it appeareth out of the Records of the kingdome, that K. David the se∣cond gave unto William Ramsey this Earldome, with all and everie the immunities and law which is called Clan-Mac-Duffe: and received it is for certaine, that the linage of the Wemesies and Douglasse, yea and that great kinred Clan-Hatan, the chiefe [ D] whereof is Mac-Intoskech, descended from them. And the most learned I. Skerne Clerke of the Kings Register of Scotland, hath taught mee in his significations of words, that Isabel daughter and heire to Duncane Earle of Fife, granted upon cer∣taine conditions unto Robert the third King of the Scots, for the use and behoofe of Robert Stewart Earle of Menteith, the Earldome of Fife: who being afterwards Duke of Albanie, and affecting the Kingdome, with cruell ambition caused David the Kings eldest son to be most pitifully famished to death, which is highest extremitie of all miserie.* 1.132 But his son Murdac suffered due punishment for the wickednesse both of his father, and his owne sonnes, being put to death by King James the first for their violent oppressions, and a decree passed, that the Earldome of Fife should be u∣nited [ E] unto the Crown for ever. But the authoritie of the Sheriffe of Fife belongeth in right of inheritance to the Earle of Rothes.* 1.133
STRATHERN.
AS farre as to the river Tau, which boundeth Fife on the North∣side, Iulius Agricola, the best Propretour of Britaine under Do∣mitian the worst Emperour, marched with victorious armes in [ F] the third yeere of his warlike expeditions, having wasted and spoiled the nations hitherto. Neere the out-let of Tau, the no∣table river Ern intermingleth his waters with Tau:* 1.134 which river beginning out of a Lake or Loch of the same name, bestoweth his owne name upon the countrey through which he runneth: For it is called Straith Ern, which in the ancient tongue of the Britans, signifieth the Vale along Ern. The
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banke of this Ern is beautified with Drimein Castle, belonging to the family of the [ A] Barons of Dromund,* 1.135 advanced to highest honours ever since that King Robert Stew∣art the third took to him a wife out of that linage. For the women of this race have for their singular beautie and well favoured sweet countenance won the prize from all others, insomuch as they have beene the Kings most amiable paramours. Upon the same banke Tulibardin Castle sheweth it selfe aloft,* 1.136 but with greater jollitie, since that by the propitious favour of King James the sixth, Sir Iohn Murray Baron of Tu∣libardin, was raised to the honour and estate of Earle of Tulibardin. Upon the other bank,* 1.137 more beneath, Duplin Castle, the habitation of the Barons Oliphant, reporteth yet what an overthrow (the like to which was never before) the Englishmen that came [ B] to aide King Edward Balliol, gave there unto the Scots; insomuch as the English writers in that time doe write, that they won this victorie not by mans hand, but by the power of God: and the Scottish writers relate, how that out of the family of the Lindeseies there were slaine in the field fourescore persons, and that the name of the Haies had bin quite extinguished, but that the chiefe of that house left his wife be∣hind him great with child. Not farre from it standeth Innermeth, well knowne by reason of the Lords thereof, the Stewarts out of the family of Lorn. Inch-Chafra, that is in the old Scottish tongue, the Isle of Masses, hereby may bee remembred when as it was a most famous Abbey of the order of Saint Augustin, founded by the Earle of Strathern about the yeere 1200. [ C]
When Ern hath joined his water with Tau in one streame, so that Tau is now be∣come more spatious, hee looketh up to Aberneth seated upon his banke, the royall seat in old time of the Picts, and a well peopled Citie: which, as we read in an anci∣ent fragment, Nectane King of the Picts gave unto God and S. Brigide untill the day of Doom, together with the bounds thereof, which lye from a stone in Abertrent, unto a stone nigh to Carfull, that is, Loghfoll, and from thence as farre as to Ethan. But long after it became the possession of the Douglasses Earles of Anguse, who are called Lords of Aberneth; and there some of them lye enterred.
* 1.138The first Earle of Strathern, that I read of, was Malisse, who in the time of King Henrie the third of England married one of the heires of Robert Muschamp, a po∣tent [ D] Baron of England. Long afterward Robert Stewart, in the yeere 1380. Then, David a younger sonne of King Robert the second, whose onely daughter given in marriage to Patricke Graham begat Mailise or Melisse Graham, from whom King James the first tooke away the Earledome as escheated, after that he understood out of the Records of the Kingdome, that it was given unto his mothers grandfather, and the heires males of his bodie. This territorie, as also that of Menteith adjoining, the Barons Dromund governe hereditarily by Seneschals authority, as their Stewarties.
* 1.139Menteith hath the name of Teith, a river which also they call Taich, and thereof this little province they tearme in Latin Taichia; upon the banke of which lieth the Bishopricke of Dunblan,* 1.140 which King David the first of that name erected. At Kirk∣bird, [ E] that is, Saint Brigids Church, the Earles of Menteith have their principall house, or Honour: as also the Earles of Montrosse comming from the same stocke, at Kin-Kardin not farre off. This Menteith reacheth, as I have heard, unto the mountaines that enclose the East side of the Logh or Lake Lomund.* 1.141 The ancient Earles of Men∣teith were of the family of Cumen, which in times past being the most spred & migh∣tiest house of all Scotland, was ruinated with the over-weight and sway thereof: but the latter Earles were of the Grahams line, ever since that Sir Mailise Graham attai∣ned to the honour of an Earle.
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ARGATHELIA, OR ARGILE.
[ B] BEyond the Lake Lomund and the West part of Lennox, there spreadeth it selfe neere unto Dunbriton Forth the large countrey called Argathelia, & Argadia in Latin, but commonly ARGILE, more truely Argathel, and Ar-Gwithil, that is, Neere unto the I∣rish; or, as old writings have it, The edge or border of Ireland: For it lyeth toward Ireland, the inhabitants whereof, the Bri∣tans tearme Gwithil and Gaothel. The countrey runneth out in length and breadth, all mangled with fishfull pooles, and in some places with ri∣sing mountaines, very commodious for feeding of cattell; in which also there range up and downe wilde kine and red Deere: but along the shore it is more unpleasant in sight, what with rockes, and what with blackish barraine mountaines. In this part, as Bede writeth, Britain received after the Britans and Picts, a third nation of Scots, in [ C] that countrey where the Picts inhabited: who comming out of Ireland under the leading of Reuda, either through friendship, or by dint of sword, planted here their seat amongst them,* 1.142 which they still hold. Of which their leader they are to this very day called Dal∣reudini: for in their language Dal signifieth (a part). And a little after, Ireland (saith hee) is the proper Countrey of the Scots, for, being departed out of it, they added unto the Britans and Picts a third nation in Britaine. And there is a very great Bay or arme of the sea, that in old time severed the nation of the Britans from the Picts, which from the West breaketh a great way into the land, where standeth the strongest Citie of all the Britans even to this day, called Alchith. In the North part of which Bay, the Scots a∣foresaid when they came, got themselves a place to inhabite. Of that name Dalreudin, [ D] no remaines at all, to my knowledge, are now extant; neither finde wee any thing thereof in Writers,* 1.143 unlesse it bee the same that Dalrieta. For, in an old Pamphlet, touching the division of Albanie,* 1.144 wee read of one Kinnadie (who for certaine was a King of Scots, and subdued the Picts) these very words; Kinnadie two yeeres before hee came into Pictavia (for so it calleth the countrey of the Picts) entred upon the Kingdome of Dalrieta. Also in an historie of later time there is mention made of Dalrea in some place of this tract, where King Robert Brus fought a field unfortu∣nately.
That Justice should be ministred unto this Province by Justices Itinerant at Perth, whensoever it pleased the King, King James the fourth by authoritie of the States of [ E] the Kingdome enacted a law. But the Earles themselves have in some cases their roi∣alties, as being men of very great command and authoritie, followed with a mightie traine of retainers and dependants: who derive their race from the ancient Princes and Potentates of Argile, by an infinite descent of Ancestours, and from their castle Cambell tooke their surname: but the honour and title of Earle was given unto them by King James the second, who, as it is recorded, invested Colin Lord Cambell, Earle of Argile, in regard of his owne vertue, and the worth of his family. Whose heires and successours standing in the gracious favour of the Kings, have bin Lords of Lorn, and a good while Generall Justices of the Kingdome of Scotland,* 1.145 or, as they use to speake, Iustices ordained in Generall, and Great Masters of the Kings royall house∣hold.
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CANTIRE.
* 1.146LOgh Fin, a lake breeding such store of herrings at a certaine due season, as it is wonderfull, severeth Argile from a Promontorie, which for thirtie miles together growing still toward a sharpe point, thrusteth it selfe forth with so great a desire toward Ire∣land (betwixt which and it there is a narrow sea, scarce thir∣teene miles over) as if it would conjoine it selfe. Ptolomee [ B] termeth this,* 1.147 the Promontorie EPIDIORUM, betweene which name, and the Islands EBUDAE lying over against it, there is, in my conceit, some affinitie. At this day it is called in the Irish tongue (which they speake in all this tract) CAN-TYRE, that is, The lands Head; inhabited by the Mac-Conells, a family that here swayeth much, howbeit at the pleasure and dispose of the Earle of Argile: yea and otherwhiles they make out their light pinnaces and gallies for Ireland, to raise booties and pillage, who also hold in possession those little provinces of Ireland, which they call Glines and Rowts. This Promontorie lyeth annexed to Knapdale by so thin a necke (as being scarce a mile broad, and the same all sandie) that the mariners finde it the neerer way to convey their small vessels over it [ C] by land.* 1.148 Which I hope a man may sooner beleeve, than that the Argonauts laid their great ship Argos upon their shoulders, and so carried it along with them five hundred miles, from Aemonia unto the shores of Thessalia.
LORN.
SOmewhat higher toward the North lyeth LORN, bearing the best kinde of barley in great plentie, and divided with Leaue a vast and huge lake:* 1.149 by which standeth Berogomum a castle, in which sometime was kept the Court of Justice, or Session: [ D] and not farre from it Dunstafag, that is, Stephens Mount, the Kings house in times past: above which Logh Aber, a Lake in∣sinuating it selfe from out of the Westerne sea, windeth it selfe so farre within land, that it had conflowed together with Nesse, another Lake run∣ning into the East sea, but that certaine mountaines betweene kept them with a verie little partition asunder. The chiefest place of name in this tract is Tarbar in Logh Kinkeran, where King James the fourth ordained a Justice and Sheriffe, to admini∣ster justice unto the Inhabitants of the out Islands. These countries and those beyond them,* 1.150 in the yeere of our Lords Incarnation 655. the Picts held: whom Bede cal∣leth the Northern Picts, where hee reporteth, that in the said yeere Columbane a [ E] Priest and Abbat, famous for his Monkish profession and life, came out of Ireland into Britaine, to instruct these in Christian religion, that by meanes of the high rough ridges of the mountaines were sequestred from the Southerne countries of the Picts: and that they, in lieu of a reward, allowed unto him the Iland Hii, over against them, now called I-Comb-Kill, of which more in place convenient. The Lords of Lorna in the age aforegoing were the Stewarts: but now, by reason of a female their heire, the Earles of Argile; who use this title in their honourable stile.
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BRAID ALBIN, or ALBANY.
MOre inwardly, where the uninhabitable, loftie, and rugged ridges of the Mountaine Grampius begin a little to slope and settle downeward,* 1.151 is seated BRAID-ALBIN, that is, The highest part of Scotland: for they that are the true and right Scots indeed, [ B] call Scotland in their mother tongue Albin; like as that part where it mounteth up highest, Drum Albin, that is, the Ridge of Scotland. But in an old booke it is read Brun Albin, where wee finde this written: Fergus filius Eric, &c. that is, Fergus the sonne of Eric was the first of the seed or line of Chonare, that entred upon the Kingdome of Albanie, from Brun-Albain unto the Irish sea and Inch-Gall. And after him the Kings descended from the seed or race of Fergus reigned in Brun-Albain or Brunhere unto Alpin the sonne of Eochall.
But this Albanie is better knowne for the Dukes thereof,* 1.152 than for any good gifts that the soile yeeldeth. The first Duke of Albanie that I read of, was Robert Earle of Fife, whom his brother King Robert the third of that name advanced to that ho∣nour: [ C] yet he (ungratefull person that he was) pricked on with the spirit of ambition, famished to death his sonne David, that was heire to the crown. But the punishment due for this wicked fact, which himselfe by the long-sufferance of God felt not, his son Mordac, the second Duke of Albanie, suffered most grievously, being condemned for treason and beheaded, when hee had seene his two sonnes the day before execu∣ted in the same manner. The third Duke of Albanie was Alexander, second sonne to King James the second, who being Regent of the Kingdome, Earle of March, Marr, and Garioth, Lord of Annandale and of Man, was by his own brother, King James the third outlawed, and after hee had beene turmoiled with many troubles, in the end, as hee stood by to behold a Justs and Tourneament in Paris, chanced to bee woun∣ded [ D] with a peece of a shattered launce, and so died. His sonne John, the fourth Duke of Albanie, Regent likewise and made Tutour to King James the fifth, taking contentment in the pleasant delights of the French Court, after hee had wedded there the daughter, and one of the heires of John Earle of Auverne and Lauragveze, died there without issue: Whom in a respective reverence to the bloud royall of the Scots, Francis the first King of France gave thus much honour unto, as that hee allowed him place betweene the Archbishop of Langres,* 1.153 and the Duke of Alenson, Peeres of France. After his death there was no Duke of Albanie untill that Queene Marie in our memorie conferred this title upon Henrie Lord Darly, whom within some few daies after shee made her husband, like as King James the sixth granted [ E] the same unto his owne second sonne Charles being an Infant, who is now Duke of Yorke.
There inhabite these regions a kinde of people, rude, warlike, readie to fight, que∣rulous, and mischievous:* 1.154 they bee commonly tearmed High-landmen, who being in deed the right progenie of the ancient Scots, speak Irish, & call themselves Albinich; their bodies be firmely made and well compact, able withall and strong, nimble of foot, high minded, inbread and nuzzeled in warlike exercises, or robberies rather, and upon a deadly feud and hatred most forward and desperate to take revenge. They goe attired Irish-like, in stript or streaked mantles of divers colours, wearing thicke and long glibbes of haire, living by hunting, fishing, fowling, and stealing. In [ F] the warre their armour is an head-peece or Morion of iron, and an habergeon or coat of maile: their weapons bee bowes, barbed or hooked arrowes, and broad backe-swords: and being divided by certaine families or kinreds, which they terme Clannes, they commit such cruell outrages, what with robbing, spoiling, and killing, that their savage crueltie hath forced a law to bee enacted, whereby it is lawfull, That if any person out of any one Clanne or kinred of theirs hath tres∣passed
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ought and done harme,* 1.155 whosoever of that Clanne or linage chance to bee ta∣ken, [ A] he shall either make amends for the harmes, or else suffer death for it; when as the whole Clan commonly beareth feud for any hurt received by any one member thereof, by execution of lawes, order of justice, or otherwise.
PERTHIA, OR PERTH Sheriffdome. [ B]
* 1.156OUt of the very bosome of Mountaines of Albany, Tau the grea∣test river of all Scotland issueth: and first runneth amaine through the fields, untill that spreading broad into a lake full of Islands, hee restraineth and keepeth in his course. Then gathe∣ring himselfe narrow within his bankes into a channell, and wa∣tering Perth, a large, plentifull and rich countrey, he taketh in un∣to him Amund, a small river comming out of Athol.
* 1.157This Athol, that I may digresse a little out of my way, is infamous for witches and [ C] wicked women: the countrey, otherwise fertile enough, hath vallies bespread with forrests:* 1.158 namely, where that WOOD CALEDONIA, dreadfull to see to for the sun∣drie turnings and windings in and out therein, for the hideous horrour of dark shades, for the burrowes and dennes of wild bulls with thicke manes (whereof I made men∣tion heretofore) extended it selfe in old time farre and wide everie way in these parts. As for the places herein, they are of no great account, but the Earles thereof are ve∣ry memorable.
Thomas, a younger sonne of Rolland of Galloway, was in his wives right Earle of Athol,* 1.159 whose sonne Patricke was by the Bissets his concurrents murdered in feud, at Hadington in his bed-chamber, and forthwith the whole house wherein hee lodged [ D] burnt, that it might be supposed he perished by casualtie of fire.
* 1.160In the Earldome there succeeded David Hastings, who had married the aunt by the mothers side of Patricke; whose sonne that David surnamed of Strathbogie may seeme to be, who a little after, in the reigne of Henrie the third King of England, being Earle of Athol, married one of the daughters and heires of Richard, base sonne to John King of England, and had with her a verie goodly inheritance in England. She bare unto him two sonnes, John Earle of Athol, who being of a variable disposition and untrustie, was hanged up aloft on a gallowes fiftie foot high; and David Earle of Athol, unto whom by marriage with one of the daughters and heires of John Comin of Badzenoth, by one of the heires of Aumar de Valence Earle of Penbroch, there [ E] fell great lands and possessions. His sonne David, who under King Edward the se∣cond was otherwhiles amongst English Earles summoned to the Parliaments in Eng∣land, and under King Edward Balliol made Lord Lievtenant Generall of Scotland, was vanquished by the valerous prowesse of Andrew de Murray, and slaine in bat∣taile within the Forrest of Kelblen in the yeere of our Lord 1335. And his sonne Da∣vid left two young daughters only, Elizabeth wedded unto Sir Thomas Percie, from whom the Barons of Burrough are descended: and Philip, married to Sir Thomas Halsham an English Knight. Then fell the title of Athol unto that Walter Stewart, sonne to King Robert the second, who cruelly murdered James the first, King of Scotland, and for this execrable crueltie suffered most condigne punishment accor∣dingly: in so much as Aeneas Sylvius, Embassadour at that time in Scotland from [ F] Pope Eugenius the fourth, gave out this speech: That hee could not tell whether hee should give them greater commendations that revenged the Kings death, or brand them with sharper censure of condemnation, that distained themselves with so hainous a par∣ricide.
After some few yeeres passed betweene, this honour was granted unto John Stew∣art
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[ A] of the family of Lorne, the sonne of James, surnamed The Black Knight, by Joan the widow of King James the first, daughter to John Earle of Somerset, and Niece to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, whose posteritie at this day enjoy the same.
Tau bearing now a bigger streame, by receiving Almund unto him, holdeth on his course to Dunkelden,* 1.161 adorned by King David with an Episcopall See. Most writers grounding upon the signification of that word, suppose it to be a towne of the Caledonians, and interpret it, The Mount or hill of Hazeles, as who would have that name given unto it of the Hazel trees in the wood Caledonia. From hence the Tau goeth forward by the carkasse of Berth,* 1.162 a little desolate Citie, remembring well [ B] enough what a great losse and calamitie hee brought upon it in times past, when with an extraordinarie swelling flood, hee surrounded all the fields, layed the good∣ly standing corne along on the ground, and carried headlong away with him this poore Citie, with the Kings childe and infant in his cradle, and the inhabitants there∣in. In steed whereof in a more commodious place,* 1.163 King William builded Perth, which straightwaies became so wealthy, that Necham, who lived in that age, versifi∣ed of it in this manner:
Transis ample Tai per rura, per oppida, per Perth, Regnum sustentant istius urbis opes. [ C] By villages, by townes, by Perth, thou runn'st great Tay amaine, The riches of this Citie Perth doth all the realme sustaine.
But the posteritie ensuing called it of a Church founded in honour of Saint John, Saint Iohns towne:* 1.164 and the English, whiles the warres were hot betweene the Bru∣ses and the Balliols, fortified it with great bulwarks, which the Scots afterwards, for the most part overthrew, and dismantled it themselves. Howbeit it is a proper pre∣tie Citie, pleasantly seated betweene two Greenes: and for all that some of the Churches be destroyed, yet a goodly shew it maketh; ranged and set out in such an uniforme maner, that in everie severall street almost there dwell severall artificers by [ D] themselves, and the river Tau bringeth up with the tide sea commodities by lighters: whereupon J. Jonston, so often now by me cited, writeth thus.
PERTHUM.Propter aquas Tai liquidas, & amoena vineta, Obtinet in medio regna superba solo. Nobilium quondam regum clarissima sedes, Pulchra situ, & pinguis germine dives agri. Finitimis dat jura locis, moremque modumque, [ E] Huic dare, laus illis haec meruisse dari. Sola inter patrias incincta est moenibus urbes, Hostibus assiduis ne vaga praeda foret. Quanta virûm virtus, dextrae quae praemia, nôrunt Cimber, Saxo ferox, & genus Hectoridum. Felix laude novâ, felix quoque laude vetustâ, Perge recens priscum perpetuare decus.PERTH.[ F] Neere to the waters cleere of Tay, and pleasant plaines all greene, In middle ground betweene them stands Perth proudly like a Queene. Of noble Kings the stately seat and palace once it was, Faire for the site, and rich with all for spring of corne and grasse. To neighbour places all it doth lawes, customes, fashions give, Her praise to give; theirs to deserve the same for to receive.
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Of all the Cities in these parts walled alone is she, [ A] Lest she to foes continuall a scambling prey might be. What Knights she bred, and what rewards they won to knighthood due, Danes, Saxons fierce, bold Britans eke the Trojans off-spring knew. Happie for praises old, happie for praises new of late, New as thou art, thine honour old strive to perpetuate.
* 1.165And now of late King James the sixth hath erected it to the title of an Earldome, ha∣ving created James Baron Dromund Earle of Perth.
* 1.166Unto Perth these places are neere neighbours, Methven, which Margaret an Eng∣lish [ B] Ladie, widow unto King James the fourth, purchased with readie money for her third husband Henrie Steward descended of the royall blood, and for his heires; and withall obtained of her sonne King James the fifth for him the dignitie of a Baron. More beneath is Rethuen,* 1.167 a castle of the Rethuens, whose name is of damned memo∣rie, considering that the three states of the kingdome hath ordained, that whosoever were of that name, should forgoe the same, and take unto them a new; after that the Rethuens, brethren in a most cursed and horrible conspiracie, had complotted to murder their soveraigne King James the sixth, who had created William their fa∣ther Earle of Gourie, and afterward beheaded him being lawfully convicted, when he would insolently prescribe lawes to his soveraigne. But of men condemned to per∣petuall [ C] oblivion I may seeme to have said overmuch, although it concerneth poste∣ritie also for a Caveat, that wicked generations be notified, as well as noisome weeds and venemous plants.
* 1.168As for the countrey Gourie aforesaid, famous for the corn-fields, and singular ferti∣litie of the soile, it lyeth more plaine and flat along the other banke of Tay. In this tract over against Perth,* 1.169 on the farther side of Tay, standeth Scone, a renowned mona∣sterie in old time, and of reverend respect for the coronation therein of the Kings of Scotland: since that time K. Keneth having hard by put the Picts for the most part to the sword, placed a stone here enclosed within a chaire of wood for inauguration of the Kings of Scotland, that had beene transported out of Ireland into Argile: which [ D] stone Edward the first King of England, caused to bee conveied unto Westminster. Touching which I have put down this prophesie, so rise in everie mans mouth, since it hath now proved true and taken effect, as verie few of that sort doe.
Ni fallat fatum, Scoti quocunque locatum Inveniunt lapidem, regnare tenentur ibidem. Except old sawes be vaine, And wits of wisards blind, The Scots in place must raigne, Where they this stone shall finde.
* 1.170But now Scone giveth title of Baron of Scone to Sir David Murray, whom K. James for his good service advanced lately to that honour. [ E]
* 1.171Where Tay now growne bigger enlargeth himselfe, there appeareth over it Ar∣rol, the habitation of the noble Earles of Arrol, who ever since the Bruses daies have beene by inheritance the Constables of Scotland: and verily they deduce an anci∣ent pedegree from one Hay, a man of exceeding strength and excellent courage; who together with his sonnes, in a dangerous battaile of Scots against the Danes at Long∣cartie, caught up an Oxe yoke, and so valiantly and fortunately withall, what with fighting, and what with exhorting, re-enforced the Scots at the point to shrinke and recule, that they had the day of the Danes, and the King, with the States of the king∣dome, ascribed the victorie and their owne safetie unto his valour and prowess. Whereupon in this place, the most battle & fruitfull grounds were assigned unto him [ F] and his heires; who in testimony hereof have set over their coat a yoke for their crest, over their Armes,* 1.172 Three Escotcheons Geules in Argent. Touching Huntley castle, that joyneth unto it, I have nothing to write, but that it hath given title to a very potent, great, and honourable family, whereof I am to speake hereafter.
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ANGUSIA, or ANGUS.
BY the out-let or mouth of Tay, and more within, beside the river North-Eske, Anguis called by the naturall and true Scots Ae∣neia, lyeth extended with goodly fields bearing wheat and corne of all kinds plentifully, with large hills also and pooles, forrests, pastures, and meadowes, and also garnished with many [ B] forts and castles. In the very first entry into it from Goury, standeth Glamis,* 1.173 a castle, and the Baronie of a family surnamed Lions, which arose to honour and reputation, ever since that Sir I. Lion standing in the high favour of King Robert the Second, received this and the dignity of a Baron with the Kings daughter, for her marriage portion, and therewith, as I finde writ∣ten, the surname of Lion: with a Lion in his Armes, within a Treassure Floury, as the Kings themselves doe beare, but in different colours: like as Sir Patrick Lion, Lord Glamis, who now liveth, was advanced very lately by King James the Sixth of that name to the honour of the Earle of Kinghorn.
Not farre hence standeth Forfare,* 1.174 where for the administration of justice, the [ C] Barons Greies are hereditary Sheriffs, who being descended from the Greies of Chil∣lingham in the county of Northumberland, came into Scotland with King James the first, at his returne out of England: upon the first of whom named Andrew, the King of his bounteous liberality bestowed the Seigniorie of Foulis, together with Helen Mortimer in marriage for his advancement.
Hard by the mouth of Tay is situate Dundee,* 1.175 sometimes called Alectum: others tearme it in Latin Taodunum; a towne verily of great resort and trade, and the Con∣stable whereof by a speciall priviledge is Standard-bearer to the King of Scots. He∣ctor Boetius, who was here born, expoundeth this name Dundee by way of allusion, to Donum Dei,* 1.176 that is, Gods gift. This Hector, in the reflourishing time of learning, [ D] wrote the Scottish historie elegantly, and that out of such hidden and farre fetched monuments of antiquitie, that Paulus Iovius wondered in his writings, there should be records extant for above a thousand yeeres, of these remote parts of the world, Scotland, the Hebrides, and the Orcades: considering that Italy, the nource of fine wits, for so many ages after the Goths were cast out, was defective of writers and re∣cords. But of this place Master Ionston, borne not farre from it, writeth thus.
TAODUNUM, OR DEIDONUM.[ E] Quâ Notus argutis adspirat molliter auris, Hâc placidè coeunt Taus & Oceanus. Hîc facili excipiens venientes littore puppes Indigenis vasti distrahit orbis opes. Saepè dolis tentata, & belli exercita damnis, Invictis animis integra praestat adhuc. Fama vetus crevit cum Relligione renatâ, Lucis & hinc fulsit para nitela aliis. [ F] Alectum dixêre priùs; si maxima spectes Commoda, fors Donum dixeris esse Dei. Tu decus aeternum genrisque urbisque Boeti, Caetera dic patriae dona beata tuae.
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DONDEE, or DUNDEE. [ A]Where South wind with his whistling blasts aloft doth mildly blow, There Tay with streame, and sea with tide doe friendly meet below. And here Dundee, ships under saile harbring in gentle road, The wide worlds wealth to Inlanders both sells and sends abroad. By wiles betraied, by force assailed oft times like to have beene, With heart undaunted to this day it stands sound to be seene. With new spring of religion her old fame more did grow: [ B] Hence shone pure light, hence to the rest cleere beames full bright did show. At first Alectum clep'd it was: but if you marke withall Her gifts so great, perhaps you will it * 1.177 Donum Dei call. Thou Boeth now, this peoples praise, and Cities joy for aye, The blessings all besides of thine owne native place shalt say.
* 1.178From hence standeth within sight Brochty-cragge, a good fortresse, which the Eng∣lish garrison souldiers manfully defended and made good for many moneths toge∣ther, what time as in their affectionate love to a perpetuall peace, they desired and wished for a marriage betweene Marie, heire apparent of Scotland, and Edward the sixth King of England; and upon promise thereof, demanded it by force of armes: [ C] and in the end, of their owne accord abandoned the said piece. Then there lieth full against the open Ocean Aberbroth,* 1.179 short Arbroth, a place endowed with ample re∣venues, and by King William dedicated in old time to Religion, in honour of Tho∣mas of Canterburie; beside which the * 1.180 Red-head shooteth into the deepe sea, and is to bee seene a farre off: Hard by South Eske voideth it selfe into the Ocean; which river flowing amaine out of a lake, passeth by Finnevim Castle, well knowne by reason of the Lindeseies Earles of Crawford keeping residence there; of whom I have alreadie written.* 1.181 Then upon the said river standeth Brechin, which King David the first adorned with a Bishops See;* 1.182 and at the very mouth thereof Mont-rose, as one would say the Mount of Roses; a towne in times past called Celurca, risen by the fall of [ D] another towne bearing the same name, which is seated betweene the two Eskes, and imparteth the title of Earle to the family of the Grahams. Concerning which towne Ionston hath these verses.
CELURCA, five MONS ROSARUM.Aureolis urbs picta rosis, mons molliter urbi Imminet, hinc urbi nomina facta canunt. At veteres perhibent quondam dixisse Celurcam, [ E] Nomine sic prisco & nobilitata novo est. Et prisca atque nova insignis virtute, virumque Ingeniis, patriae qui perperere decus.MONT-ROSE.With Roses gay the towne is deckt, an easie Mount withall Stands neere the same, and hence they say MONT-ROSE folke did it call. In former times by ancient name Celurca men it knew, Ennobled thus you see it is by name both old and new: [ F] Both old and new renowne it hath for prowesse and for wit, Of men that have their countrey grac'd and honour won to it.
* 1.183Not farre from hence is Boschain, belonging to the Barons of Ogiluy, of very ancient nobilitie, lineally descended from Alexander Sheriffe of Angus, who was slaine in the bloodie battaile at Harley against the Mac Donald of the out Isles.
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[ A] As touching the Earles of Angus;* 1.184 Gilchrist of Angus, renowned for his brave ex∣ploits under King Malcolm the fourth, was the first Earle of Angus that I read of. About the yeere 1242. Iohn Comin was Earle of Angus, who died in France; and his widow (haply inheritrice to the Earldome) was married to Sir Gilbert Um∣franvill an Englishman. For, both hee and his heires successively after him, were summoned to the Parliaments in England (untill the third yeere of King Richard the second) by the title of Earles of Angus. Howbeit the Lawyers of England refused in their Brieves and instruments to acknowledge him Earle, for that Angus was not within the kingdome of England, untill hee had brought forth openly in the face of [ B] the Court, the Kings writ and warrant, wherein he was summoned to the Parliament by the name of Earle of Angus. In the reigne of David Brus, Thomas Stewart was Earle of Angus, who by a suddaine surprise won Barwicke, and streightwaies lost it; yea, and within a while after died miserably in prison at Dunbritton. But the Douglas∣ses, men of haughtie mindes and invincible hearts, from the time of King Robert the third have beene Earles of Angus (after that George Douglasse had taken to wife the Kings daughter) reputed the chiefe and principall Earles of Scotland, and to whom this office belongeth, to carrie the regall Crown before the Kings at all the solemne assemblies of the kingdome. The sixth Earle of Angus out of this stocke, was Ar∣chebald, who espoused Margaret daughter to Henrie the seventh K. of England, and [ C] mother to James the fifth King of Scots, by whom he had issue Margaret wife to Matthew Stewart Earle of Lennox; who after her brothers decease, that died child∣lesse, willingly resigned up her right and interest in this Earldome, unto Sir David Douglasse of Peteindreich, her unkles sonne by the fathers side, and that with the con∣sent of her husband and sonnes; to the end that she might binde the surer unto her selfe, by the linke also of a beneficiall demerite, that family, which otherwise in bloud was most neere; what time as Henrie her son went about to wed Marie the Queen: by which marriage King JAMES our Soveraigne, the mightie Monarch of great Bri∣taine, was happily borne to the good of all Britaine.
[ D] MERNIS.
THese regions were in Ptolomees time inhabited by the VERNI∣CONES, the same perhaps that the VECTURIONES mentio∣ned by Marcellinus. But this their name is now quite gone, un∣lesse wee would imagine some little peece thereof to remaine in Mernis. For many times in common speech of the British tongue, V. turneth into M.
This small province Mernis abutting upon the German O∣cean, [ E] and of a rich and battle soile, lieth very well, as a plaine and levell Champion. But the most memorable place therein is Dunnotyr,* 1.185 a Castle advanced upon an high and unaccessible rocke, whence it looketh downe to the underflowing sea; well fensed with strong walls and turrets, which hath beene a long time the habitation of the Keiths, of an ancient and verie noble stock;* 1.186 who by the guidance of their vertue be∣came hereditarie Earles Mareschals of the kingdome of Scotland, and Sheriffes of this province. In a porch or gallerie here, is to bee seene that ancient inscription which I mentioned even now, of a companie belonging to the twentieth legion, the letters whereof the right noble and honourable Earle now living, a great lover of an∣tiquitie, caused to be guilded.* 1.187 Somewhat farther from the sea standeth Fordon, gra∣ced [ F] in some sort and commendable in regard of John de Fordon; who being borne here, diligently and with great paines compiled Scoti Chronicon, that is, The Scottish Chronicle: unto whose laborious studies the Scottish Historiographers are very much indebted: but more glorious and renowned in old time, for the reliques of St. Palladius,* 1.188 bestowed and shrined sometime, as is verily thought, in this place; who in the yeere 431. was by Pope Caelestinas appointed the Apostle of the Scottish nation.
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MARRIA, or MAR.
FRom the sea in the mediterranean or inland parts above Mernis, MAR enlargeth it selfe, and runneth forward threescore miles, or thereabout: where it lieth broadest Westwards, it swelleth up with mountaines, unlesse it bee where the rivers Dee, which Ptolomee calleth DIVA, and Done make way for themselves, and enfertile the fields.* 1.189 Upon the bank of Done, Kildrummy stan∣deth [ B] as a faire ornament to the countrey, being the ancient seat of the Earles of Marre: and not farre distant from it the habitation of the Barons Forbois,* 1.190 who being issued from a noble and ancient stocke, assumed this surname; whereas before time they were called Bois, after that the heire of that family had manfully killed a savage and cruell Beare. But at the very mouth of this river, there be two townes that give greater ornament, which of the said mouth, that in the British tongue they call Aber, borrowing one name, are divided asunder by one lit∣tle field lying betweene: the hithermore of them, which standeth neerer to Dee mouth, is much ennobled by an Episcopall dignitie (which King David the first translated hither from Murthlake a little village) by faire houses of the Canons, an [ C] Hospitall for poore people, and a free Grammar schoole; which William Elphinston, Bishop of the place in the yeere 1480. consecrated to the training up of youth, and is called New Aberdon: The other beyond it, named Old Aberdon, is most famous for the taking of Salmons.* 1.191 But J. Ionston, a native hereof, in these his verses depainteth Aberdon thus.
ABERDONIA.Ad Boream porrecta jugis obsessa superbis, Inter connatas eminet una Deas. Mitior algentes Phoebus sic temperat auras, [ D] Non aestum ut rabidum, frigora nec metuas. Faecundo ditat Neptunus gurgite, & amnes Piscosi: gemmis alter adauget opes. Candida mens, frons laeta, hilaris, gratissima tellus Hospitibus: morum cultus ubique decens. Nobilitas antiqua, opibus subnixa vetustis, Martiaque invicto pectore corda gerens. Iustitiae domus, & studiorum mater honoris Ingenio ars, certant artibus ingenia. Omnia ei cedunt, meritos genetricis honores [ E] Pingere non ulla Ars, ingeniumvè valet. Beset with loftie tops of hills, and Northward lying spread, Among her sister-townes alone she beareth up her head. The warme sun-beames such temper give to sharpnesse of the aire, That neither scorching heat you need, nor pinching cold to feare. The sea, the fishfull rivers eke, with plenteous gulfes and streames, Make this place rich, and one of them enriches it with gemmes. Plain-hearted men, of lightsome lookes, and cheerfull, passing kind To strangers: decent everie thing and neat you shall there finde. Their noble gentrie ancient, their livings ancient were [ F] And their demesnes: undaunted hearts and martiall mindes they beare. The Justice Hall, as mother kinde, she honours due doth daigne Professions all; art strives with wit, and wit with arts againe. All short of her. But praises all of this my genitresse That she deserves, no wit nor art is able to expresse.
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[ A] It is almost incredible what abundance of * 1.192 Salmons as well these rivers, as others also in Scotland on both sides of the realme, doe breed. This fish was altogether un∣knowne unto Plinie, unlesse it were that Esox of the Rhene: but in this North part of Europe passing well known, shining and glittering (as he saith) with his red bowels. In Autumne they engender within little rivers, and in shallow places for the most part, what time they cast their spawne, and cover it over with sand: and then are they so poore and leane, that they seeme to have nothing else in a manner but their small bones. Of that spawn in the spring next following there comes a frie of render little fishes, which making toward the sea, in a small time grow to their full bignesse: and [ B] in returning backe againe to seeke for the rivers wherein they were bred, they strive and struggle against the streame: and looke whatsoever lyeth in their way to hinder their passage, with a jerke of their taile, and a certaine leape (whence haply they had their name Salmons) to the wonder of the beholders, they nimbly whip over; and keepe themselves within these rivers of theirs untill they breed. During which time it is enacted by law they should not bee caught; namely, from the feast of the As∣sumption of our Ladie, to the feast of Saint Andrew in winter. And it should seeme they were reputed among the greatest commodities of Scotland, when likewise it was ordained that they should not be sold unto Englishmen, but for English gold, and no other contentation. But these matters I leave for others.
[ C] To come now unto the Earles of Marre.* 1.193 In the reigne of Alexander the third, William Earle of Marre is named among those that were sore offended and displea∣sed with the King. Whiles David Brus reigned, Donald Earle of Marre, Protector of the Kingdome, was before the battaile at Dyplin murdered in his bed, by Edward Balliol, and the Englishmen that came to aide him: whose daughter Isabel King Robert Brus tooke to be his former wife, on whom he begat Marjorie mother to Ro∣bert Stewart King of Scots. Under the same David there is mention also made of Thomas Earle of Marre, who was banished in the yeere 1361. Likewise in the reign of Robert the third, Alexander Stewart is named Earle of Marre, who in the battell at Harley against the Ilanders lost his life, in the yeer 1411. In the daies of King James [ D] the first we read in Scoto-Chronicon thus:* 1.194 Alexander Earle of Marre died in the yeere 1435. the base son of Alexander Stewart Earle of Bucquan, sonne to Robert the second King of Scots; after whom, as being a bastard, the King succeeded in the inheritance. John the second sonne of King James the second afterwards bare this title; who being convict for attempting by art magicke to take away the King his brothers life, was let blood to death. And after him Robert Cockeran was promoted from a Mason to this dignitie by King James the third, and soon after hanged by the Nobilitie. Since which time this honourable title was discontinued, untill that Queen Marie adorned therewith James her bastard brother: and not long after, when it was found that by ancient right the title of Earle of Marre appertained to John Lord Ereskin, in lieu of [ E] Marre she conferred upon him the honour of Earle Murray, and created Iohn Eres∣kin, a man of ancient and noble birth Earle of Marre; whose sonne bearing the same Christian name, now enjoieth also the same dignity, and is in both realmes one of the Kings Privie Councell.
BUCHANIA OR BUQUHAN.
[ F] THe TAIZALI mentioned by Ptolomee, in ancient times inhabited where now Buquhan, in Latin Boghania and Buchania, above the ri∣ver Done beareth forth toward the German sea. Some derive this latter name a Bobus, that is, From Oxen and Kine; whereas notwith∣standing the ground serveth better to feed sheepe, whose woole is highly commended. Albeit the rivers in this coast everie where
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breed great store of Salmons,* 1.195 yet doe they never enter into the river Ratra, as Bu∣chanan [ A] hath recorded. Neither let it be offensive if I cite his testimonie, although his bookes by authoritie of Parliament in the yeere 1584. were forbidden: because many things in them contained are to be dashed out.* 1.196 Who also hath written, That on the banke of Ratra there is a cave neere unto Stangs Castle, the nature whereof seemeth not to be passed over. The water distilling by drops out of a naturall vault, presently tur∣neth into Pyramidall stones, and were not the said cave or hole otherwhiles rid and clean∣sed by mans labour, the whole space as far as up to the vault would in short time be filled therewith. Now the stone thus engendred is of a middle nature betweene yee and hard stone: for it is brittle and easie to crumble, neither groweth it ever to the soliditie and [ B] hardnesse of marble.* 1.197 Concerning those Claik-geese, which some with much admira∣tion have beleeved to grow out of trees, both upon this shore & elsewhere, and when they be ripe to fall downe into the sea, it is scarce worth the labour to mention them. That there be little birds engendred of old and rotten keeles of ships, they can beare witnesse, who saw that ship wherein Francis Drake sailed about the world, standing in a docke neere the Tamis; to the outside of the keele whereof a number of such lit∣tle birds without life and feathers stuck close. Yet would I gladly thinke that the ge∣neration of these birds, was not out of the logges of wood, but from the very Ocean, which the Poets tearmed the Father of all things.
* 1.198A mightie masse likewise of Amber, as bigge as the bodie of an horse, was not ma∣ny [ C] yeeres since cast upon this shore. The learned call it Succinum, Glessum, and Chry∣so-Electrum: and Sotacus supposed that it was a certaine juice or liquor which distil∣leth out of trees in Britain, and runneth downe into the sea, and is therein hardned. Tacitus also was of the same opinion, when he wrote thus: I can verily beleeve, that like as there be trees in the secret and inward parts of the East,* 1.199 which sweat out frankin∣cense and balme, so in the Ilands and other countries of the West, there bee woods and groves of a more fattie and firme substance, which melting by the hot beames of the Sunne approching so neere, runneth into the sea hard by, and by force of tempest floateth up to the shores against it. But Serapio, and the Philosophers of later times write that it ariseth out of a certain clammie and bituminous earth under the sea, and by the sea side; and [ D] that the billowes and tempests cast up part thereof a land, and fishes devoure the rest: But I digresse extravagantly, I will into my way againe, and since I acknowledge my fault, let my confession purchase pardon.
* 1.200In the reigne of King Alexander the second, Alexander Comin rose up to the ho∣nour of Earle of Buquhan, who married the daughter and one of the heires of Roger de Quincie Earle of Winchester in England, and his Niece by a sonne brought the same title unto Henrie de Beaumont her husband: for he, in King Edward the third his daies had his place in the Parliament of England, by the name of Earl of Buquhan. Afterwards, Alexander Stewart, sonne to King Robert the second, was Earle of this place; unto whom succeeded John, a younger sonne of Robert Duke of Albanie, [ E] who arriving in France with seven thousand Scottishmen to aide Charles the seventh King of France, bare himselfe valiantly, and performed singular good service against the Englishmen, and that with so great commendation, as having victoriously slaine Thomas Duke of Clarence brother to Henrie the fifth King of England at Baugie, and discomfited the English,* 1.201 he was made Constable of France. But in the third yeere following, when the fortune of warre turned, hee, with other most valiant Knights, to wit, Archibald Douglasse Earle of Wigton, and Duke of Touraine, &c. was vanqui∣shed at Vernoil by the English, and there slain. Whom notwithstanding, as that Po∣et said,
—aeternum memorabit Gallia cives [ F] Grata suos, titulos quae dedit & tumulos. France thankfully will ay recount, as citizens of her owne, On whom both titles glorious, and tombes she hath bestowne.
Certes, whereas under the K.K. Charles the sixth and seventh France was preser∣ved, and Aquitain recovered, by thrusting out the English, the Frenchmen cannot
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[ A] chuse but acknowledge themselves much beholden to the fidelitie and fortitude of the Scottish. But afterwards King James the first gave the Earldome of Buquhan un∣to George of Dunbar, moved thereto upon pitie and commiseration, because hee had deprived him before of the Earldom of March by authority of Parliament, for his fa∣thers crime: and not long after, James the sonne of James Stewart of Lorn, surnamed the Black Knight, whom he had by Q. Joan sister to the Duke of Somerset, and wid∣dow to King James the first, obtained this honour, and left it to his posteritie: but for default not long since of heires male, it came by a daughter married to Robert Doug∣las, a younger brother of Douglas of Lochlevin, to the family of the Douglasses.
[ B] From Buquhan, as the shore bendeth backward and turneth full into the North, lieth Boena,* 1.202 and Bamff a small Sherifdome, also Ajuza a little territorie of no especiall account, and Rothamay castle, the dwelling place of the Barons of Salton, surnamed A∣bernethy. Beneath these lieth Strath-bolgy, that is, the vale by Bolgy, the habitation in times past of the Earls of Athol, who of it assumed their surname; but now the princi∣pall seat of Marquesse Huntly.* 1.203 For this title K. James the sixth conferred upon George Gordon, Earle Huntly, Lord Gordon and Badzeneth, a man of great honour and reputa∣tion for his ancient noblenesse of birth, and the multitude of his dependants and fol∣lowers: whose ancesters descended from the Setons, by Parliamentarie authoritie took the name of Gordon (when as Sir Alexander Seton had taken to wife the daughter [ C] of Sir Iohn Gordon Knight, by whom he had a large and rich inheritance) and received the honour of the Earle of Huntly at the hands of King James the second, in the yeere 1449.
MORAVIA, or MURRAY.
THe VACOMAGI,* 1.204 remembred by Ptolomee, anciently inhabited on the fur∣ther side of Crantz-baine-mountain, which, as it were in a continued range, by hills hanging one by another, driveth out his ridge with many a win∣ding [ D] as far as to Murray frith, where now lieth Murray, in Latin Moravia, celebrated for the fertilitie, pleasant site, and commoditie of fruitfull trees. By this Province,* 1.205 Spey a famous river maketh his issue into the sea, wherein he lodgeth, when hee hath watered Rothes Castle, whence the family of the Lesleys tooke the title of Earle, ever since that K. James the second conferred the honour of Earle of Rothes upon Sir George Lesley. Concerning this Spey our Poet Necham hath thus written.
Spey loca mutantis praeceps agitator arenae, Inconstans certas nescit habere vias. Officium lintris corbis subit, hunc regit audax Cursus labentis nauta fluenta sequens. [ E] Spey raising heaps of sand amaine, that shift oft times their place, Inconstant he doth change eftsoones, and keeps no certaine race. A panier serves here for a boat, some ventrous swaine it guides, Who followeth still the rivers course, while downe the streame it glides.
The river LOXA mentioned by Ptolomee,* 1.206 which now is called Losse, hideth him∣selfe in the sea hard by, neere unto which Elgina appeareth, in which and in Forres adjoining I. of Dunbar of Cumnock, descended from the stock of the Earles of March, hath his jurisdiction as Sheriff by inheritance. But where it is now readie to enter in∣to the sea, he findeth a more plaine and soft soile, and spreadeth abroad into a Meere full of swans, wherein the herbe Olorina plentifully groweth, hee hath Spiny Castle [ F] standing upon it,* 1.207 whereof now the first Baron is Alexander, of the linage of the Lind∣seys; like as Kinlosse also a neighbour by, sometime a famous Monasterie (some call it Kill-flos, of certaine flowers miraculously there springing up on a sudden, when the carkase of King Duff, murdred and hidden in the same place, was found) hath also for the Lord thereof Edward Brus, M. of the Rolls in England, & of the Kings Majesties Privie Counsell,* 1.208 whom King James the sixth created Baron Brus of Kinlosse.
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Thus much for the shore. More inward, where now standeth Bean Castle (thought [ A] to bee BANATIA that Ptolomee mentioneth)* 1.209 there was found in the yeere 1460. a vessell of marble artificially engraven, and full of Roman coine. Hard by is Nardin, or Narne,* 1.210 an hereditable Sherifdome of the Cambels of Lorne; where there stood within a Biland, a fortresse of a mightie heighth, built with wonderfull bulwarks, and in times past defended by the Danish forces against the Scottish. A little off is Logh-Nesse, a very great Lake,* 1.211 as reaching out 23. miles in length; the Water whereof is so warme, that even in this cold and frozen climate it never freezeth: from which, by a verie small Isthim or partition of hils, the Logh Lutea or Louthea, which by Aber let∣teth it selfe forth into the West sea, is divided. Neere unto these Loghs, there stood [ B] in old time two notable fortifications,* 1.212 the one named Innernesse, the other Innerlo∣thea, according to the names of the said Loghs. Innernes hath for Sheriffe thereof by right of inheritance the Marquesse Huntly, who is of great command hereabout. But have here what M. Jonston hath written jointly of these two.
INNERNESSUS, & INNERLOTHEA.Imperii veteris duo propugnacula quondam, [ C] Prim••que regali moenia structa manu. Turribus oppositis adverso in limine spectat Haec Zephyrum, Solis illa orientis equos. Amnibus hinc atque hinc cincta, utra{que} piscibus amnes Faecundi, haec portu perpete tuta patet. Haec fuit, at jacet heu, jam nunc sine nomine tellus, Hospita quae Regum, est hospita facta feris. Altera spirat adhuc tenuis sufflamina vitae, Quae dabit & fati turbine victa manus. Dic ubi nunc Carthago potens? ubi Martia Roma? Trojáque, & immensae ditis opes Asiae? Quid mireris enim mortalia cedere fatis [ D] Corpora? cùm videas oppida posse mori.INNERNESSE, AND INNERLOTHEA.Two mightie forts and holds these were in ancient kingdomes daies, The first wall'd fences, as they say, that hand of Kings did raise. Affront with towres oppos'd they stand, for one of them regards The Westerne winde, but th'other looks the Sun-rising towards. [ E] On both sides they their rivers have, and rivers full of fish: One hath an haven frequented aye, and safe as heart can wish. Such was it once; but now alas to wast and desart fields Is turn'd, and that which lodged Kings to wild beasts harbour yeelds. The other yet draw's breath, though deepe, and shewes that it doth live, But over match'd, to destinie at length doth bucklers give. What's now become of Carthage great? where is that martiall Rome? Where Troy? of wealthie Asia the riches all and some? No marvaile now that mortall wights to death be subject, why? Because you plainly see that Townes and Cities great may dye. [ F]
* 1.213Under the reigne of Robert Brus, Thomas Randolph his sisters sonne, who in his Countries behalfe undertooke exceeding great paines, and most grievous quar∣rels, was highly renowned by the title of Earle of Murray. Under King Robert the Second, John of Dunbarre tooke to wife the Kings daughter, to make amends
Page 51
[ A] for her devirgination, received this Earldome of Murray with her in marriage. Un∣der King James the second William Creichton Chancelour of the Realme, and Archebald Douglas grew to great variance and eagre contention about this Earle∣dome, when as against the lawes and ancient customes, Douglas who had married the younger daughter of James of Dunbar Earle of Murray, was preferred to the Earldom before Creighton who had wedded the elder, and that through the power∣full authoritie that William Earle Douglasse had with the King; which was so great that he advanced not onely him to the Earldom of Murray, but also another brother to the Earldome of Ormund; and made two cousins of his Earles, the one of Angus, [ B] and the other of Morton. But this greatnesse of his, not to be trusted upon because it was excessive, turned soone after to his owne confusion. Under King James the fifth, his own brother, whom he appointed his Vicegerent in the government of the Kingdome, enjoied this honour: and within our remembrance, James the base sonne of King James the fifth received this honour of Queene Mary his sister: but he re∣quited her basely, when conspiring with some few of the Nobilitie, he deposed her from her Royall estate and kingdome; a foule president, and prejudiciall to all Kings and Princes. Which notwithstanding was revenged, for shortly after hee was shot through with a bullet. His onely daughter brought this title unto her husband Sir James Stewart of Downe, who was also of the blood royall from the Dukes of Al∣bany: [ C] who being slain by his concurrents left his sonne James to succeed him in this honour.
LOQHUABRE.
WHatsoever beyond the Nesse bendeth to the West coast, and ad∣joineth to the Lake Aber, is thereupon called Loghuabre, that is in the ancient tongue of the Britans, The mouth of the Lakes, as what lieth toward the North is commonly called Rosse.
[ D] Loqhuabre is full of fresh pastures and woods, neither is with∣out yron mines, but not so free in yeeld of corne; but for most fishfull pooles, and rivers scarce inferiour to any country therea∣bout. At Logh-Lothey,* 1.214 Innerlothey, fensed with a fort, and well frequented with Mer∣chants, was of great name and importance in times past, but being razed by the pi∣racies and warres of Danes and Norwegians, it hath lien for these many ages so for∣let, that there remaineth scarce any shew of it; which those verses that I alledged even now doe imply. Loqhuabre hath had, so farre as I have read, no Earles: but about the yeere of our salvation 1050. there was a Thane over it of great fame,* 1.215 and much spoken of, named Banqhuo, whom Macbeth the bastard, when with murder & blood∣shed [ E] he had usurped the crowne, being fearfull and suspicious, caused to bee made a∣way; for that he had learned by a Prophesie of certaine wise women, that his poste∣ritie, when the line of Macbeth was expired and extinct, should one day obtaine the Kingdome, and by a long successive descent reigne in Scotland. Which verily hath fallen out accordingly. For Fleanch the sonne of Banqhuo, who unknowne in the darke escaped the traines laid for him, ••led into Wales, where for a time hee kept himselfe close: and having taken to wife Nesta the daughter of Griffith ap Lewellin Prince of North-wales, begat Walter; who returning into Scotland, with so great fame of his fortitude repressed the rebellion of the Ilanders, and with as great wis∣dome managed the Kings revenewes in this tract, that the King made him Senes∣chall, [ F] whom they commonly call Stewart of the whole Kingdome of Scotland. Whereupon this name of Office imposed the surname Stewart unto his posteritie:* 1.216 who spreading throughout all parts of Scotland into a number of noble branches, after many honours heaped upon them, have flourished a long time, and from out of them, three hundred yeeres agoe and thirtie, Robert Stewart by Marjorie his mother, daughter to King Robert Brus, obtained the Kingdome of Scotland:
Page 52
and now lately James Stewart of that name the sixth King of Scots, by Margaret his [ A] great grandmother, daughter to King Henrie the seventh (the divine power of that most high and almightie Ruler of the world so disposing) is ascended with the gene∣rall applause of all nations, to the height of Monarchicall majestie over all Britaine, and the Isles adjacent.
ROSSIA.
THe Province ROSSE, so called by an old Scottish word, which [ B] some interpret to be a Promontorie, others a Biland, was inhabi∣ted by the people named CANTAE (which terme in effect impli∣eth as much) in the time of Ptolomee.* 1.217 This extendeth it selfe so wide and large, that it reacheth from the one sea to the other. What way it beareth upon the Vergivian or Western Ocean, by reason of huge swelling mountaines advancing their heads aloft, and many woods among them, it is full of stagges, roe buckes, fallow Deere, and wilde foule: but where it butteth upon the German sea, it is more lovely bedect with corne fields and pastures, and withall much more civill. In the very first entrance into it Ardmanoch,* 1.218 no small territorie, whereof the second sonnes of the Kings of [ C] Scotland beare the title, riseth up with high mountaines, that are most trustie preser∣vers of snow.* 1.219 As touching their height, some have reported unto me strange won∣ders: and yet the ancient Geometers have written, that neither the depth of sea, nor height of hills exceed by the plumbe line ten stadia, that is, one mile and a quarter. Which notwithstanding, they that have beheld Tenariffe, amongst the Canarie I∣lands, which is fifteene leagues high, and sailed withall the Ocean neere unto them, will in no wise admit for truth. In this part standeth Lovet Castle, and the Baronie of the worthy family of the Frasers, whom for their singular good service for the Scot∣tish kingdome, King James the second accepted into the ranke of Barons: and whom the Clan-Ranalds, a most bloodie generation, in a quarrell and braule between [ D] them, had wholly destroied every mothers sonne, but that by the providence of God, fourescore of the principall persons of this family left their wives at home all great with child, who being delivered of so many sonnes, renewed the house, and multipli∣ed the name againe. But at Nesse mouth there flourished sometimes Chanonrie, so called of a rich Colledge of Chanons, whiles the Ecclesiasticall state stood in pro∣speritie, in which there is erected a See for the Bishop of Rosse. Hard by is placed Cromartie, where Urqhuart, a Gentleman of noble birth, by hereditarie right from his ancestours, ministreth justice as Sheriffe to this Sheriffdome: and this is so commo∣dious and safe an harbour for any fleet, be it never so great, that both Sailers and Geographers name it PORTUS-SALUTIS,* 1.220 that is, The Haven of safetie. [ E]
Above it is LITTUS ALTUM, whereof Ptolomee maketh mention, called now, as it seemeth, Tarbarth: for there indeed the shore riseth to a great height, enclosed on the one side with Cromer a most secure and safe haven; and on the other with CELNIUS,* 1.221 now Killian the river: and thus much of the places toward the East Oce∣an. Into the west sea the river LONGUS, mentioned in Ptolomee, at this day named Lough Longus, runneth: then the CERONES anciently dwelt where now is Assin∣shire, a countrey much mangled with many inlets and armes of the sea in bosoming it selfe with manifold commodities.
* 1.222As for the Earls of Rosse, it is full of difficulty to set them down in order successively out of writers. About foure hundred yeers past, we read that Ferqhuard flourished & [ F] enjoied this title: But for default of issue male, it came by a daughter to Walter Le∣sley, who for his noble feats of armes courageously atchieved under Lewis the Em∣perour, was worthily named The Noble Knight: he begat Alexander Earle of Rosse, and a daughter married unto Donald Lord of the Islands Hebrides. This Alex∣ander had issue one onely daughter, who made over by her deed all her owne title
Page 53
[ A] and right unto Robert Duke of Albany: whereat the said Donald of the Islands be∣ing highly enchafed and repining, stiled himselfe in the reigne of James the third, King of the Islands, and Earle of Rosse, having with fire and sword laied waste his na∣tive country far & neere. At length, the said K. James the third by authoritie of Par∣liament, in the yeere 1476. annexed the Earldome of Rosse to the crowne, so as it might not be lawfull for his successours to alienate by any meanes from the crowne, either the Earldome it selfe, or any parcell thereof; or by any device to grant the same unto any person, save onely to the Kings second sonnes lawfully borne: whence it is that Charles the Kings second sonne, Duke of York, at this day holdeth an en∣joieth [ B] the title of Earle of Rosse.
SUTHERLAND.
BEyond Rosse, Sutherland looketh toward the East Ocean; a land more meet to breed cattell than to beare corne: wherein there be hills of white marble (a wonderfull thing in this so cold a cli∣mate) but of no use almost,* 1.223 considering excesse in building, and that vain ostentation of riches, is not yet reached to these remote [ C] regions. Here is Dunrobin,* 1.224 a castle of very great name, the prin∣cipall seat of the ancient Earles of Sutherland, descended, if I be not deceived,* 1.225 out of the family of Murray. Among whom, one William under King Robert Brus is most famous, who married the sister of the whole blood to K. David, and had by her a son, whom the said David declared heire apparant of the crown, and compelled his Nobles to sweare unto him alleageance: but he within a little after de∣parted without issue, and the Earldome in the end came by a daughter and heire here∣ditarily unto A. Gordon, one of the line of the Earles of Huntly.
CATHANES.
[ D]HIgher lieth CATHANES, butting full upon the said East sea bending inward with a number of creakes and compasses, which the waves as it were indent: In which dwelt in Ptolomees time the CATINI,* 1.226 but written falsly in some copies CARINI, among whom the selfe same Ptolomee placeth the river Ila, which may seem to be the Wifle at this day. The inhabitants of this province raised their greatest gaine and revenues by grazing and raising of cattell, and by fishing. The chiefe castle therein is called Girnego, in which the Earls [ E] of Catnesse for the most part make their abode. The Bishops sea is in Dornock, a little meane town otherwise; where also King James the fourth appointed the Sheriffe of Catnesse to reside, or else at Wik, as occasions should require, for the administration of justice.
The Earles of Catnesse in ancient times were also Earles of the Orcades,* 1.227 but at last they became distinct, and by the eldest daughter of one Malise given in marriage to William Seincler the Kings Pantler, his heires successively came to be Earls of Cat∣nesse, and doe still enjoy the same honour.
STRATH-NANERN.
[ F]THe utmost and farthest coast of all Britaine, which with the front of the shore looketh full against the North point, and hath the midst of the grea∣ter Beares taile, which, as Cardan was of opinion, causeth translations of Empires,* 1.228 just over head, was inhabited, as wee may see in Ptolomee, by the CORNABII, among whom he placeth the river NABEUS, which names are of so
Page 54
neere affinitie; that the nation may seeme to have drawne their denomination from [ A] the river that they dwelt by: neither doth the moderne name Strath-Navera, which signifieth the Valley by Navern, jarre altogether in sound from them. The country it selfe is for the soile nothing fertile, and by reason of the sharpe and cold aire, lesse in∣habited; and thereupon sore haunted and annoied with most cruell wolves.* 1.229 Which in such violent rage not only set upon cattell, to the exceeding great dammage of the inhabitants, but also assaile men with great danger; and not in this tract onely, but in many other parts likewise of Scotland, in so much as by vertue of an act of Parlia∣ment, the Sheriffes and inhabitants in every countrey, are commanded to goe forth thrice a yeere a hunting, for to destroy the wolves and their whelpes. But (if in this [ B] so Northerly a countrey this be any comfort to speak of) it hath of all Britain again the shortest night,* 1.230 and the longest day. For, by reason of the position of heaven here distant from the Aequinoctiall line 59. degrees and fortie minutes, the longest day containeth 18. houres and 25. scruples: and the shortest night not above five houres and 45. scruples. So that the Panegyrist is not true in this, who made report in times past, That the sunne in manner setteth not at all, but passeth by, and lightly glanceth upon the Horizon: haply relying upon this authoritie of Tacitus, for that the extreme points, and plaine levels of the earth, with their shade so low raised up no darknesse at all. But more truely Plinie (according to true reason) where hee treateth of the longest dayes, according to the inclination of the sunnes circle to the Horison. The longest [ C] daies (saith he) in Italy are 15. houres, in Britaine 17. where the light nights doe prove that undoubtedly by experience, which reason forceth credibly, that in Midsummer daies, when the sunne approacheth neer to the Pole of the world, the places of the earth under the Pole have day 6. months, though the light having but a narrow compasse, the night contra∣riwise when he is farre remote in middle winter.
In this utmost tract, which Ptolomee extendeth out farre East, whereas indeed it beareth full North (for which Roger Bacon in his Geography taxed him long since) where Tacitus said, That an huge and enorme space of ground running still forward to the farthest point, groweth narrow like a wedge. There run out three Promontories, mentioned by the old writers,* 1.231 namely BERUBIUM, now called Urdehead, neere to [ D] Bernswale a village:* 1.232 VIRVEDRUM, now Dunsby, otherwise named Duncansby, which is thought to be the most remote promontorie of Britain: ORCAS, now named How∣burn, which Ptolomee setteth over against the Islands Orcades, as the utmost of them all:* 1.233 this also in Ptolomee is called TARVEDRUM, and TARVISIUM, and so named, if my conjecture faile me not, because it is the farthest end of Britaine: for Tarvus in the British tongue hath a certaine signification of ending. With which I accordingly will end this booke, purposing to speake of the out-Isles, Orcades, Hebudes or He∣brides, and of Shetland, in their due place.
[ E]THus have I briefly run over Scotland, and verily more briefly than the worth of so great a kingdom requireth: neither doubt I but that some one or other will set it forth more at large, and depaint it (as I said) with a more flourishing pensill, in greater certainty, and upon better knowledge; when as our most mighty Monarch now ope∣neth those remote places, hitherto fore-closed from us. Meane while, if I have at any time dropt asleepe (for the most watchfull may sometimes bee taken napping) or if some errour in this unknowne tract hath misled mee from the truth (as nothing is more rife and easie than errour) I hope the courteous Reader will pardon it upon my acknowledgment; and of his kindnesse recalling me from errour, direct me in the right way to the truth.[ F]
Notes
-
* 1.1
Highlandmen Lawlandmen.
-
* 1.2
Borderers.
-
* 1.3
Bishopricks.
-
* 1.4
Whiterne.
-
* 1.5
Thanes.
-
* 1.6
Knights.
-
* 1.7
Lairds.
-
* 1.8
Gentlemen.
-
* 1.9
Parliament.
-
* 1.10
Domini pro articulis.
-
* 1.11
The Session.
-
* 1.12
Courts of cri∣minall matters.
-
* 1.13
Roxburg.
-
* 1.14
Earle Hume. Kelso.
-
* 1.15
Coldingham. Colania.
-
* 1.16
Lauden▪
-
* 1.17
Florilegus.
-
* 1.18
Earles of Dun∣bar.
-
* 1.19
1548.
-
* 1.20
Vicount Ha∣dington.
-
* 1.21
Athelstanford.
-
* 1.22
Bodotria.
-
* 1.23
Tantallon.
-
* 1.24
Dyrlton.
-
* 1.25
Vicount Fel∣ton.
-
* 1.26
Soland Geese, which seeme to be Plinies Picarinae.
-
* 1.27
Seton.
-
* 1.28
Earle of Wen∣toun.
-
* 1.29
Borthwick.
-
* 1.30
Newbottle.
-
* 1.31
Dalkeith. Musselborrow.
-
* 1.32
Procurator.
-
* 1.33
Votum susce∣ptum solvit lu∣bens merito.
-
* 1.34
Apollo Gran∣nus.
-
* 1.35
Edenborrow.
-
* 1.36
Oppidum Eden.
-
* 1.37
Lyth.
-
* 1.38
Caer Guidi.
-
* 1.39
Earle of Aber∣corn. Black-nesse.
-
* 1.40
Linlithquo.
-
* 1.41
Earle of Lin∣lithquo.
-
* 1.42
Earle of Lo∣thien.
-
* 1.43
Liddesdale.
-
* 1.44
Hepburnes Earles of Bothwell.
-
* 1.45
Brakensey.
-
* 1.46
Backlugh.
-
* 1.47
Eusdale. Uzbllhum.
-
* 1.48
Eskedale. Horesci.
-
* 1.49
Annandale.
-
* 1.50
Lough Maban.
-
* 1.51
The Stewartie of Annandale.
-
* 1.52
The Bruses.
-
* 1.53
The river Nid
-
* 1.54
Corda.
-
* 1.55
Creightons Barons de Sauquer. Earles of Mor∣ton.
-
* 1.56
Dunfreis.
-
* 1.57
Caer Lave∣rock.
-
* 1.58
Barons Hereis, Clencar.
-
* 1.59
Salmons.
-
* 1.60
The behaviour of Scottish burderers.
-
* 1.61
Galloway.
-
* 1.62
Galloway nagges.
-
* 1.63
The river Dee.
-
* 1.64
Kircoubright.
-
* 1.65
Earles of Wig∣ton.
-
* 1.66
Leucopibia.
-
* 1.67
Herna house or habitation.
-
* 1.68
Or Copiers.
-
* 1.69
Lords of Gal∣loway.
-
* 1.70
Constables of Scotland.
-
* 1.71
Berigonium, Bargenie.
-
* 1.72
Earles of Car∣rict. Book of Mal∣rosse.
-
* 1.73
Anno 750.
-
* 1.74
Montgomeri•• Earles of Eg∣lington.
-
* 1.75
Cunningham Earls of Glen∣carne.
-
* 1.76
Earles of Ar∣ran.
-
* 1.77
Rothsay Duke∣dome.
-
* 1.78
Earles of Crawford.
-
* 1.79
Baronie So∣mervils. Douglasse.
-
* 1.80
Sheriffdome o Lanric.
-
* 1.81
Marquesse H••∣milton.
-
* 1.82
Earles of Bot¦well.
-
* 1.83
Reinfraw Ba∣ronie.
-
* 1.84
Barons de Ros.
-
* 1.85
Pasley.
-
* 1.86
Baron Sempill.
-
* 1.87
Al-Cluyd.
-
* 1.88
Dunbritton. Britannodu∣num.
-
* 1.89
R. Hoveden.
-
* 1.90
Earles of Len∣nox.
-
* 1.91
Steward.
-
* 1.92
A troupe of Scots in France.
-
* 1.93
James King of Britaine.
-
* 1.94
Lords of Au∣bigny or O∣bigny.
-
* 1.95
Paradine.
-
* 1.96
God Termi∣nus.
-
* 1.97
Aug. de Civ. Dei l. 4. c. 29.
-
* 1.98
The wall of Antoninus Pi∣us.
-
* 1.99
Cohors pri∣ma Hamiorum.
-
* 1.100
Ninius.
-
* 1.101
Abercorn.
-
* 1.102
Grahams dyke.
-
* 1.103
Duni pacis.
-
* 1.104
Arthurs oven.
-
* 1.105
Coria Damni∣orum.
-
* 1.106
Callendar. Barons Le∣vingston.
-
* 1.107
Fleming Earle of Wigton.
-
* 1.108
Sterling mony▪
-
* 1.109
Banocbourn.
-
* 1.110
Alauna.
-
* 1.111
Caledon for∣rest.
-
* 1.112
Ulysses his Altar.
-
* 1.113
Caledonian Beares.
-
* 1.114
Caledonian buls.
-
* 1.115
Galgacus the Britan.
-
* 1.116
Triadum.
-
* 1.117
Argetecoxus.
-
* 1.118
Clarkmans.
-
* 1.119
Dunfermling.
-
* 1.120
Earle of Dun∣fermling. Earle of King∣horn.
-
* 1.121
Disert.
-
* 1.122
River Levin.
-
* 1.123
Wemmis.
-
* 1.124
Saint Andrews. Saint Regulus.
-
* 1.125
Ex Camera A∣postolica lib. 24. fol. 24.
-
* 1.126
Falkland.
-
* 1.127
Studer.
-
* 1.128
Cuper.
-
* 1.129
Balmerinoch. Lundoris.
-
* 1.130
Earles of Fife.
-
* 1.131
Coplindas••▪
-
* 1.132
1424.
-
* 1.133
Earles of Rothes.
-
* 1.134
The river Ern.
-
* 1.135
Barons of Dromund.
-
* 1.136
Earles of Tuli∣bardin.
-
* 1.137
Duplin. Baron Oli∣phant.
-
* 1.138
Earles of Stra∣thern. Fines 35 H. 3. n. 1.
-
* 1.139
Menteith Stewartie.
-
* 1.140
Dunblan.
-
* 1.141
Earles of Men∣teith.
-
* 1.142
Dalreudin•• Dal.
-
* 1.143
Dalrieta▪
-
* 1.144
Dalrea.
-
* 1.145
Earles of A¦gile.
-
* 1.146
Logh Fin.
-
* 1.147
Epidium.
-
* 1.148
Plinius.
-
* 1.149
Berogomum.
-
* 1.150
1503. Lib. 3. cap. 4.
-
* 1.151
Albanie.
-
* 1.152
Dukes of Al∣banie.
-
* 1.153
Tillet.
-
* 1.154
High-land∣men.
-
* 1.155
Parliament. 1581.
-
* 1.156
The river Tau.
-
* 1.157
Athol.
-
* 1.158
Caledon wood.
-
* 1.159
Earles of A∣thol.
-
* 1.160
Chroniron Vailrosse.
-
* 1.161
Dunkelden.
-
* 1.162
Berth.
-
* 1.163
Perth.
-
* 1.164
Saint John Towne.
-
* 1.165
Earle of Perth.
-
* 1.166
Baron Meth∣wen.
-
* 1.167
Rethuen, or Reuven.
-
* 1.168
Gourie.
-
* 1.169
Scone.
-
* 1.170
Baron of Scone.
-
* 1.171
Arrol. Earls of Arrol.
-
* 1.172
Huntly castle.
-
* 1.173
Barons Gla∣mys.
-
* 1.174
Forfar Sher¦dome.
-
* 1.175
Jo. Skene de Verbor. signi
-
* 1.176
Hector Boet¦us.
-
* 1.177
Gift of God.
-
* 1.178
Brochtie Crag. 1547.
-
* 1.179
Arbroth.
-
* 1.180
Red-head, a Promontorie.
-
* 1.181
Brechin.
-
* 1.182
Mont-Rose.
-
* 1.183
Boschain.
-
* 1.184
Earles of gus.
-
* 1.185
Dunotyr.
-
* 1.186
Keith. Earles Mar. shall.
-
* 1.187
Fordon. Sherifdome Kinkerdin, Mernis.
-
* 1.188
St. Palladius
-
* 1.189
Kildrummy.
-
* 1.190
Barons For∣bois.
-
* 1.191
Salmons.
-
* 1.192
Bede, and oui writers called them in Lati•• Isicii.
-
* 1.193
Earles of Mar.
-
* 1.194
Scotochronicon lib. 12. cap. 33.
-
* 1.195
River Ratra.
-
* 1.196
An admirable water.
-
* 1.197
Claik-geese.
-
* 1.198
Amber.
-
* 1.199
Concerning the manners of the Germans.
-
* 1.200
Earles of Bu∣quhan.
-
* 1.201
The valour of Scots in the wars of France.
-
* 1.202
Boen. Barons of Sal∣ton. Strathbolgy.
-
* 1.203
Marquesse Huntly.
-
* 1.204
Vacomagy. Murray bay. Sinus Vararis.
-
* 1.205
The river Spey. History of John Lesley Bishop of Rosse.
-
* 1.206
The river Loxa.
-
* 1.207
Baron of Spi∣ny.
-
* 1.208
Baron Kinlos.
-
* 1.209
Banatia.
-
* 1.210
Narne Sherif∣dome.
-
* 1.211
Logh-Nesse.
-
* 1.212
Innernesse.
-
* 1.213
Earles of Mur∣ray.
-
* 1.214
Innerlothe.
-
* 1.215
Thane of Lo∣qhuabre. Banqhuo.
-
* 1.216
The beginning of the Stewarts family.
-
* 1.217
The people Cantae.
-
* 1.218
Baron of Ard∣manoch.
-
* 1.219
The height of hils, and depth of sea.
Plutarch. in Pub. Aemilius, concerning O∣lympus.
-
* 1.220
Portus Salutis. Littus Altum.
-
* 1.221
-
* 1.222
Earls of Rosse.
-
* 1.223
Mountains of white marble.
-
* 1.224
Dun-robin.
-
* 1.225
Earles of Su∣therland.
-
* 1.226
Catini a people.
-
* 1.227
Earles of Cathnesse.
-
* 1.228
Cornabii. The river Nabe.
-
* 1.229
Wolves.
-
* 1.230
The longest daies.
-
* 1.231
Berubium.
-
* 1.232
Virvedrum. Orcas.
-
* 1.233