The history of Scotland written in Latin by George Buchanan ; faithfully rendered into English.

The Sixth BOOK.

AS I formerly called Fergusius the First, and, after him, Fergu∣sius the Second, with great reason, the Founders of the Scotish Kingdom, so I may justly reckon Kennethus, the Son of Alpinus, a Third Founder, also. Fergus the First, from a mean beginning, ad∣vanced the Affairs of the Scots to such an height, as that they were Envy'd by their Neighbours. Fergus the Second, when they were banished and dispersed into remote Countrys, and, in the Judgment of their Enemies, almost extirpated, did, as it were, recal them to Life, and, in a few years, reduced them to their Ancient Splendor. But Kennethus was so Couragious, as to accept of the Kingdom, when Matters were almost desperate; yea, when others thought, that the small remainder of Scots could hardly have been defended, or kept together; and not only so, but he brake the power of the Enemy, (tho' assisted with Foreign aid, and Triumphant also for his late Victory) in many sharp (yet prosperous) Fights; and, being thus weakned, he drave him out of Britanny, and took from him the King∣ly Name, which to this day he could never recover again. Tho' these were Great Atchievements, yet they were not the Greatest he performed; For, as he enlarged his Kingdom to double of what it was before; so he Governed it, both by making New Laws, and also by reviving the Old ones; That neither Licentiousness arising from War, nor Pride, the product of Victory, nor any footsteps of those Evils, which are wont to accompany Luxury and Ease, did appear, during his Life. Yea, the Affairs of Scotland seem'd to be supported for many Years after, by the Laws, called, by Posterity, the g Macalpin Laws, as much as by Arms. But to let pass these things; I shall proceed to relate his Noble Acts, as I have begun. Kennethus, having driven out the Picts, distributed their Lands a∣mongst his Soldiers, according to every ones Valour and Merit: whose Ambition put New Names on many Places and Countrys, cancelling and obliterating the Old. He parted h Horestia betwixt Two Brothers, Aeneas and Mern; one part of which, in Old Sco∣tish, is yet called i Aeneja, (they, who more affect the English Speech, call it Angus:) The other, k Mern. The Country adjoyning from Tay to the Forth, was called by the Ancients, Ross, i. e. Peninsule; there are some signs of the Name, yet remaining, as l Culross, a Town, which is, as it were, the Back or Hinder part of Ross; and m K••n∣ross, which signifies the Head of Ross. Now at this day, all that Country, is called Fife, from an Eminent Person, called, Fifus, whose Sirname they say, was Duffus; Barodunum, a Town in Lo∣thian, or, as some call it, D••nbar, was so called (as it is thought)

from a Great Man, named, Bar. Lothian had its name, not long ago, from Lothus King of the Picts. Cuningham is wholly a Danish Word; used, as I think, by the Danes, after the Death of Kennethus, who possessed that Country for some years, having driven the Scots beyond the Wall of Severus; for Cuningham signifys, in the Danish Language, the Kings House, or Palace. 'Tis also probable, That Merch was so called, by the Danes, because it was the Limits between both Kingdoms. As for Edinburgh, either by the gross Ignorance or perverse Ill-will of some, it is sometimes called, Vallis Dolorosa, i. e. The Dolesom Valley, and sometimes, Castrum Puellarum, Maiden-Castle; the Name in it self is not very obscure, tho' it be made so, by ill management. They borrowed those Names from the Gallick-Fables, which were devised within the space of 300 Years, last past. This is certain, That the Ancient Scots called it, Dunedinum; the Later, Edinburgum, wherein they follow the Country Custom in imposing of Names; whereas, that Castle in a middle Appellation between both, I think may be better named, Edinum. But enough in this place concerning the Old and the New Names of the Countrys, of which I have spoken more largely, before. To return then to Kennethus; Having enlarged his Kingdom, as I said before, and set∣tled wholsome Laws for the Government thereof; he endeavoured further to confirm his Royal Authority by mean and trivial Things, even bordering upon Superstition it self; There was a p Marble-Stone, which Simon Breccus is reported to have brought into Ireland out of Spain, which Fergus, the Son of Ferchard, is also said to have brought over into Scotish Albion, and to have placed it in Argyle. This Stone Keunethus removed, out of Argyle, to q Scone by the Ri∣vet Tay, and placed it there, included in a Chair of Wood. The Kings of Scotland were wont to receive both the Name and the Ha∣biliment of Kings, sitting in that Chair, till the days of Edward the First, King of England, of whom in his Place. Kenneth Translated the Episcopal See, which the Picts had placed at Abernethy, to Fanum Reguli, which after Ages called St. Andrews. But the Ancient Scots-Bishops, being chosen out of Monasteries, not then contending for Place or Honour, but for Sanctity and Learning,r did perform their Functions every where, occasionally, as opportunity was of∣fered without Envy or Emulation; no certain Diocesses being al∣lotted to them, in regard the Ecclesiastical Function was not yet made a matter of Gain. After this sort, Kennethus Reigned 20 Years. In the beginning of his Fifth year, he overthrew the Picts, as the Black Book of Pasley hath it. The other Sixteen years, after he had de∣stroyed the Government of the Picts, he lived in great Tranquil∣lity, having Peace at home, by reason of his just Government; and Peace abroad, by the Power of his Arms. He enlarged his Domi∣nions from the Orcades to the Wall of Adrian. A. C. 854.

Donaldus V. The Seventieth King.

DONALDVS, his Brother, was chosen King next, who quite altered the whole Publick Discipline, together with his own Demeanour. For, whereas, in the Life time of Alpinus, he made a shew of Temperance, and, by that means, had obtained the Love of the better sort; When his Brother was dead, as if he had been freed from all Fear and Restraint, he gave himself up wholly to a Pleasure. And, as if there had been no danger from any Enemy without, he neglected all Military Study, and kept almost none about him, but Hunters, Hawkers, and Inventors of new Pleasures. Upon these, he spent the Publick Revenue. The young Fry, who were prone to Pleasures, did extol the King to the Skies, as a No∣ble and Generous Prince; and scoffed at the Parsimony of former Times, as Rude and Illiberal. The Ancient Counsellors, seeing all things likely to run to Ruin in a very short time, came to the King, and put him in mind of his Duty; of his present Evils and Miscar∣riages; and of the Danger imminent thereupon. He, nevertheless, persisted in his slothful kind of Life, which gave opportunity to the Remainders of the b Picts (as if an hopeful Alarm had been given them, even from the very bottom of Despair) to address themselves to Osbreth and Ella, Two of the most potent and prevalent Kings of the English, (for then England was divided into many Kingdoms.) They bewail'd their misfortune to them; and craved earnestly their Assistance; promising, That they and all their Posterity would be∣come Feudataries to the English, in case they obtained the Victory over the Scots, which, they prejudg'd, would be an easy one, by rea∣son of the slothful Nature of Donald. The English were easily per∣suaded, and having setled things at home, they led out their Army into Merch, from whence they sent Heralds to Donaldus, requiring, that the Lands which the Scots had forceably taken away from the Picts, their Friends and Allies, might be restored, which, unless he would do, they would not neglect their old Confederates, who had now also newly cast themselves upon them. Donaldus, by the ad∣vice of the Estates, which, in this time of imminent Danger, he had (thô unwillingly) convened, Levied an Army, and met with the Enemy at Iedd, a River of Teviotdale, where he joyned Battel, and overthrew Osbreth,c enforcing him to fly to the next Mountains: From thence he marched on by Tweed unto the Sea side, recovered Berwick, which had been taken by the English, and again deserted by them, upon the ill news of the success of the Battel; where he took all the Ships riding in the Mouth of the River, and seized upon all the Enemies Provisions therein. There he got an opportunity to re∣new his, interrupted, Pleasures, and, as if his Enemies had been wholly overthrown, he drowned himself in all kind of Voluptuous∣ness. Whereupon, the English, who, in the last Fight were rather scatter'd than subdued, understanding, by their Spies, the Carelesness and Security of the Scots, gathered together what Force they could out of the Neighborhood, and by night set upon the Scots, who were laden with Wine, and fast asleep, making a great slaughter amongst

them; but they took the King, who was between sleeping and waking, Prisoner. From thence they followed the Course of their Victory, and to make their Ravage more compleat, they divided their Army into Two Parts, and so marched into the Enemies Coun∣try, Part of them when they came to the Forth, got Vessels, and essayed to pass over by Water into Fife, but a great Number of them were Shipwrackt, and drowned; and the rest, by the violence of the Storm, were forced back to the Shore, where they embarked; from whence, marching to Sterling, and joyning with the rest of their Army, they pass over the Forth, on a Bridge. The Scots, af∣ter their flight, gathered themselves into a Body thereabouts, having the bare show, rather than the strength, of an Army; and sent Am∣bassadors to the English for Peace; which they did not refuse, because their strength was weakened by the unsuccessful Battel of Iedd, and also by their own Shipwrack. The d English propounded hard Con∣ditions, yet such as the present State of Affairs made to seem tolera∣ble, As that, The Scots should yield up all the Land, which was within the Wall of Severus; That their Bounds should be beneath Sterling, the Forth; beneath Dunbarton, the Clyd; and between the Two Ri∣vers, the Wall of Severus. Amidst such hard Terms of Peace, yet this happened, as joyous, so unexpected, to the Scots, That no men∣tion was made concerning the Reduction of the e Picts. For the English and Britains divided the Lands, surrendred up, betwixt them; the River being a Boundary betwixt them both. There are some, who think, the Money yet called Sterling was then Coined there. The Lands being thus divided, the Picts, who thought to recover their own, being eluded of their hopes, passed over to the Cimbrians and Scandians, (i. e.) (as we now speak,) to Denmark and Norway. Those few of them, that staid in England, were all put to death by them, upon pretence, that they would attempt In∣novations by their soliciting of Forein Aid. Donaldus, after he had made Peace, upon his Return, was Honourably received, partly, out of Respect to his Ancestors, and partly in hopes of his Repentance. But he, persevering in his wonted Slothfulness, the Nobles fearing that so filthy and sluggish a Person, who would neither hearken to the Counsels of his Friends, nor be reclaimed by his own Calami∣ties, would lose that part of the Kingdom which remained, cast him into Prison; where, either for Grief in having his Pleasure re∣strained; or, for Fear to be made a Publick Spectacle of Scorn, he laid violent hands on himself, in the Sixth Year of his Reign. Others report, that This Donaldus performed many Noble Exploits, both at home and abroad; and that he dyed a natural death at Scone, in the Year of our Lord 858.

Constantinus II. The Seventy First King.

COnstantinus, the Son of Kennethus, undertook the Kingdom af∣ter him, at Scone; he was a Prince of a great Spirit, and highly Valorous. He was desirous to obliterate the Ignominy received un∣der Donaldus, and to enlarge his Kingdom unto the Bounds, left by his Father; but he was otherwise advised by his Nobles, because the greatest part of the Soldiery were slain under Donaldus; and the re∣mainder was grown so Corrupt, that it was not fit to put Arms in∣to their hands. And thereupon, the King first bent his care to amend the Publick Discipline; and so he reduced the Order of Priests to their Ancient Parsimony, by severe Laws, in regard they had left off Preaching, and had given up themselves to Luxury, Hunting, Hawking, and to Courtly-Pomp. He caused the Young Soldiers, who were effeminated with Pleasures, to lye on the Ground, and to Eat but once a day. f Drunkards he punished with Death. He forbad all sports, but those who served to harden both Body and Mind, for the Wars. By these Laws, the Soldiery of the Kingdom were reduced to a better pass. And presently upon, a certain Islan∣der, named Evenus, whom he himself had made Governour of Loch-Abyr, a Man of an unquiet Spirit, and Ambitious of Domini∣on, rose up in Arms; who, knowing, That the Youthful Fry of Soldiers could not well bear the Severity of these New Laws, First, gathered together a small Number, and then a greater, com∣plaining of the present State of Things. And when he found his Discourse was acceptable to them, he easily persuaded them to con∣spire for the Destruction of Constantine. But, being more active than cautelous in gathering strength to their Faction, they were betrayed by some of their Own, and slain, before they knew any Forces were gathered together against them. g Evenus, the head of the Conspi∣racy, was hanged. About this time it was, That the h Danes, then the most Potent and Flourishing Nation amongst the Germans, were solicited by the Picts against the Scots, and also by one Buernus, (or, as others write, Verna, whose Wife Osbreth had forceably Vitiated) which They, being over-stocked with Youngsters at home, easily as∣sented to, and so they transported themselves, in a great Navy, into Britain. Their first Descent was in Fife, there they slew all they met, without distinction, out of Hatred to the Christian Religion; and dividing their Army, they spoiled the Country two several ways. Constantinus drew forth against them, and first he set upon that Brigade, which Hubba, Brother to the Danish King, commanded; who, being hindred to joyn with their Fellows, by the sudden swel∣ling of the River Levin, were there easily overcome and slain, except a few of his Men, who could swim over the River, who fled to their other Commander, called Humber. Constantinus followed after them, as to a Prey, not a Battel, and overtook them not far from the Town of Carail, but not before they had well fortify'd their Camp. For the Danes, being very provident after their late unhappy Fight, had made a kind of Defensive Fortification, upon some small Winding Rocks, near the shore, by heaping up a parcel of Stones together,

which lay thereabouts. In that posture, Constantine assaulted them; where, by reason of the Incommodiousness of the place, and the De∣speration of the Danes, he paid dear for his Rashness; for he lost a great Part of his Army, he himself being taken Prisoner, and haled into a little Cave, hard by, was there slain. There are some Monuments of this Fight remaining to this day, as the Cave, the Circumference of their Camp, which was not cut out regularly, or by equal spaces, but turning and winding according to the Bending of the Rocks. Some lay the blame of this unlucky Accident upon the Picts, who, being admitted into Constantines Fealty and Army, were the first that ran away, and drew the greatest Part of the Army after them. The Danes gathered up the Spoils, and departed to their Ships. The Kings Body was found the day after, and carried to the Sepulchres of his Ancestors in the Island Icolumb-kil. He possessed the Kingdom sixteen Years, and died in the Year of our Lord 874.

Ethus, The Seventy Second King.

HIs Brother, Ethus, succeeded him, from the Swiftness of his Feet, Sirnamed Alipes, he was elected King upon no higher, or other, Account, but because he gathered together the Relicts of the Army, which was scattered by the Danes. Amongst the Prodi∣gies of his Time, they reckon those Sea-Fishes then appearing, which are seldom seen, and not after long Intervals of Time, but they never appear but in Sholes, nor without some unlucky Presage. The Common People call them a Monachi-marini, i. e. Sea-Monks; o∣thers give them the Title of Bassineti, i. e. Hooded, or Helmered, Fish. b Ethus, being unmindful both of his Brother and of his An∣cestors, giving up himself to all manner of Vices, and drawing the young Soldiers, easily seduceable, along with him, was taken Pri∣soner by a Combination of the Nobles, made against him; and, af∣ter all the flagitious Acts of his Life had been declared to the People, in a long Speech, he was forced to abjure the Government, in the second Year of his Reign. Three days after, he died in Prison, for Grief. That which chiefly offended the Martial Men, was, his sloth∣ful Unactiveness; because, that when the Danes were at War with the English, and many bloody Battels had been fought between them, yet he never bethought himself of the recovering the Country, he had lost; nor would he suffer himself to be put in mind thereof, by others. Some write, that he was not inforced to relinquish his King∣dom, but that he was wounded in a Combate by Gregorius, who was emulous of the Kingdom, and that he died Two months after▪ Anno Christ. 875.

Gregorius, The Seventy Third King.

GRegorius, the Son of Dongallus, was set up in his stead; a Man of a Royal Spirit, in whom no Virtue, requisite in a King, was wanting. First, he reconciled all those to him, who were against him in suing for the Kingdom; and then, he proceeded to compose the Discords of the Nobles amongst themselves; He so tempered the

Severities of his Government with Affability, that he did more with his Subjects by Love, than by Fear; He restored the Old Laws, con∣cerning the Immunity of the Ministers of the Church, (who were but in the nature of Slaves, under the Picts) or else he made New, to the same purpose. His first c Expedition was into Fife against the Picts, left there by the Danes, whilst they were employing their Arms against the English. He drove them not out of Fife only, but out of Lothian, and Merch, too. The Danes, when he came to Berwick, fearing, if they should have any Misfortune, the English also would be upon their backs, durst not join in a Field-fight with Gregory; but sent Part of their Forces over the River into Northumberland, commanding them to join with a small Brigade of their Country∣men, who had gathered themselves together, and were newly landed, there; The Rest of them enter'd Berwick to strengthen the Garison there. But the English, who were, but unwillingly, under the Command of the Danes, (as being Men of a different Religion from them) gave admission to the Scots in the night, by which means all the Danes were put to the Sword. From thence, Gregory marched into Northumberland, and fought a prosperous Battel against Hardnute, wherein he made so great a slaughter of them, that their Numbers, which were lately formidable to all Britain, were mightily diminished, partly by Gregory of Scotland, and partly by Alfrid of England. Gregory took in all Northumberland, and gave free leave to those English to depart, who were willing so to do; to the rest, he very courteously distributed Lands. The greatest part of the English staid behind, partly out of love to their native Soil, partly by reason of the Kings Bounty to them; and partly also, for fear of their Ene∣mies. For, seeing they had now, for many years, had several cruel Fights with the Danes, the Victory being many times uncertain, Many of the English chose rather to be under the Dominion of the Scots; who, though formerly Enemies, were yet Christians, than either to fall into the power of the Bloody Danes; or, to hope for un∣certain Aid from their own Countrymen; especially, since things were in such an hurly burly over all Britanny, that the English knew not which Party to succour, first. After he had so chastised the Danes, that he expected no more Trouble from them, he turned his Arms upon the Brittons, who, as yet, held some of the Scotish Do∣minions; with These also he made Peace, they restoring the the said ••ands, and promising to assist him against the Danes, if they did return; Whereupon, he disbanded his Army. But the Brittons, after their return home, repented of the Peace they had made; and entring Scotland again in an hostile manner, they were driving away a great Booty, but Gregory met them at Loch-Maban, and, after a bloody Fight, overthrew them, Constantine, their King, being also slain. The Brittons, having received this fruit of their ill Counsel, made Hebert, the Brother of Constantine, King, and then began to think, in what a dangerous Case they were, having the both the Scots and Danes their Enemies; and their Alliance with the English seldom long-lived. Hereupon, they sent Embassadors to the Scots for Peace, who would not hearken thereunto, unless d Cum∣berland and Westmorland were restored to them, which was done,

and the Peace made on those Conditions. About the same time, there came also Embassadors from e Alured of England; partly, to Congratulate the Victory over the Danes, which ought (said they) to be justly acceptable to all Christians; and partly, to enter into a new League against all the Enemies of the Christian Faith and Re∣ligion. Peace was concluded on these Conditions;

That they should oppose a Foreign Enemy with their joynt Forces, if they made a Descent into the Borders of either People; and that the Scots should quietly enjoy what they had got from the Danes:

Peace being con∣cluded, on those Terms, and a League made and Establish'd, word was brought Gregory upon his return, That the f Irish had made an Irruption into Galway. The Cause of the War was pretended to be, because the Men of Galway had hostilely seized upon, and Plundered some Galleys, driven on their Coasts, belonging to the Inhabitants of Dublin, a City in Ireland. The Irish, hearing of Gregory's coming, retired presently in fear with their Prey to their Ships; and Gregory, with a good Navy, and strong Army, as soon as he could with con∣veniency, transported himself into g Ireland also. Duncan, or Donatus, or rather Dunachus, was, at that time, their King; but being under Age, Brienus and Cornelius, Two of the powerfullest of the Nobi∣lity next to him, had divided the whole Land into Two Factions. But patching up a Truce at the Arrival of a Foreign Enemy, they pitched and fortify'd their Camps, apart, near the River Bann, a Place which seemed convenient enough for that purpose. Their End in so doing, was, to take off the Edge of Gregorys Valour by delay, and to force him to withdraw his Army from a Foreign harassed Country, for want of Provisions. Gregory smelt out their Design, and therefore, very secretly, in the Night, he sent part of his Army to seize upon an ••ill which was, as it were, over Brie∣nus's head. The Day after, when the Battel was joyned, in the Heat of the Fight, they threw down mighty Stones into his Camp, which crushed many of his Men to pieces, and so terrify'd the rest, that their Ranks were broken; and in a confused manner, they fled away. Cornelius, hearing of the Event of this Fight, withdrew his Army without striking a stroke into Places of greater safety. Brienus was slain in his Camp; the rest had Quarter given them, as much as might be, by Gregorys command. Whereupon, he marched over the Country without any Depopulation at all, which Lenity occasion'd many rather to submit themselves to the Mercy of the King, than to try it out by Force. The fortified Towns were strengthened with Garisons. Gregory reduced h Dundalk and Drog∣heda, Two strong places, made so both by Art and Nature; and then determined to march directly to Dublin. But, hearing that Cornelius, General of all the Irish Forces, was coming against him with a great Army, he turned aside, fought with, and overthrew, him, following the Chase as far as Dublin, which he besieged. But there was not Provision enough in the City for so many People, as had fled thither; so that, in a short time, it was surrendred to him by Cormachus, the Bishop of the City. Gregory, at his entrance into it, did no preju∣dice at all to any of the Inhabitants; but Visited King D••ncan, his Kinsman, & protested, that he came not thither out of an Ambitious

desire to take away the Kingdom from him, or to amass up Riches for himself; but only to revenge the Injuries he had received. Here∣upon he committed the Care of the Young King to such of his Old Counsellors, as he judged most faithful to him; and himself bore the Name of his Tutor or Guardian, till he came to be of Age: He also put Garisons into the Forts, and exacted an Oath from the No∣bility; That they should admit neither English, Dane, nor Britton into the Island, without his Permission: He appointed Judges in con∣venient Places, who were to judge betwixt Man and Man in matters of Controversy, according to the Laws of the Country; and re∣ceiving Sixty Hostages for the performance of these Conditions, he returned home in Triumph. The Fame of his Justice made the Peace firmer for the future, than any Terror of Arms could have done. Having thus managed Matters both at home and abroad, he departed this Life in the Eighteenth Year of his Reign, being no less eminent for his Justice and Temperance, than for his Valour: So that he was justly Sir-named, by his Countrymen, Gregory the Great. He died A. 892.

Donaldus VI. The Seventy Fourth King.

DONALD, the Sixth of that Name, the Son of Constantine, the Second, was made King, next after Gregory, having been recommended by Gregory, before his Death, to the Nobility. He deceived not the Opinion, which Men had conceived of him, i. e. That he was a very prudent Prince; for he Loved Peace no other∣wise, but that therein he always prepared for War. And when, for a long time, he had no Enemy to encounter with, yet he took care, that the Soldiery should not grow too Luxuriant, being corrupted by Ease & Rest; and so made inclineable to run into all manner of evil Practices. When a new Army of Danes drew near to the Coasts of Northum∣berland, and Anchored there for some days, without prejudicing any body, Donaldus gathered an Army together, and, being watchful over all opportunities, went to guard that Province. But, hearing, that the Danes had made a Descent upon the Country of the English, he sent Aid to King Alured, who fought a bloody Battel with the Danes. Yet, after the Battel, he was content to admit them into Part of his Dominions,i provided, they would turn Christians. Peace was made on those Terms, the Army disbanded, and a new home∣bred Commotion entertained Donaldus at his return. Their happen∣ed so great a Feud betwixt the Rossians, and the Merch-men, caused by some small Robberies at first, that more were slain by occasional Combats, than if they had met in a pitched Battel. Donald march∣ed thither, and, having slain the Heads of the Factions, restored Peace to the rest. Iohannes Fordanus, a Scotish Chronologer, says, That in this Expedition he dyed at Foress, not without the suspition of Poison; But Boetius affirms, that he return'd to Northumberland, to see, what would become of the Peace he had made with the Danes; of whom he was always suspitious; and that he dyed there, after he had Reigned Eleven years. His Memory was precious both to Rich and Poor. His Death was A.C. 903.

Constantine III. The Seventy Fifth King.

CONSTANTINE, the III. the Son of Ethus, was substitu∣ted King in his room; a man of no ill Disposition, and yet not constant in Good, neither. The Danes, who could incline Gre∣gory and Donald, the Two last Kings of the Scots, by no Promises or Persuasions, to take Arms against the English, which were then Chri∣stians; Now they easily wrought upon k Constantine by Gifts, and by the vain Hope of enlarging his Dominions, to make a League with Them, which lasted scarce Two years, but the Danes, deser∣ting the Scots, struck up a League with the English. This League had scarce continued Four years, before Edward of England gathered an Army speedily together, and spoiled the Danes Country; where∣by they were reduced to such 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that they were enforc'd to return to the Scots, whom they had lately deserted; To whom they Swore most Religiously, That they would for ever after observe the Amity, most inviolably, betwixt Them. This Second League is re∣ported to have been entered into with great Ceremony, in the Tenth Year of Constantines Reign. He gave, the same year, Cumberland to Malcolm, Son of the last King, which was as an honourable Omen to him, that he should Reign after him. And afterwards the same Custom was observed, by some succeeding Kings, to the manifest disanulling of the old way of Convening the Estates, whose Free Suffrages ought not to have been thus abridged; but this was like the Designation of the Consuls, by the Caesars, which put an end to the Roman Liberty. A War being now commenced between Edward, the Son of Alured, and the Danes; Constantine sent Aid to the Danes, un∣der the Conduct of Malcolm. He joyned his Army with the Danes, and being Superior in number, they harassed the adjoyning Coun∣tries of the English, and made great Devastation, wheresoever they came; to the end, that they might force the English, who had a far less numerous Army, to Fight: Yea, they were so arrogantly con∣fident of their Numbers, that, they thought, their Enemy would ne∣ver so much as look them in the Face; so that now, as secure of the Victory, they began to talk of dividing the Spoil. But, as Prosperi∣ty doth blind the Eyes of the Wise; so Adversity, and the foresight of Danger, is a good Schoolmaster, even to the weaker side; What the English wanted in strength, they supplyed in Cunning and Skill; Their Army was well seconded with Reserves, and so they began the Fight; the First Ranks, being commanded so to do, give ground, and pretend a Discomfiture and Flight; that so, their Enemies fol∣lowing them in disorder, they might again return upon them in that straggling posture: Athelstan, the Base-born Son of Edward, was General of all the English Forces, as our Writers affirm; and Graf∣ton also says the same thing: They make this Athelstan guilty of Parricide, for killing his Father, and his Two Brothers Edred and Edwin, whose Right it was immediately to succeed their Father, in the Kingdom: Fame doth increase the Suspicion, that Edward was violently put to death, because it accounts him a Martyr. For that Fact he was hat••d▪ and therefore, to recover the Favour of the

People, by some eminent Undertaking, he determined to expiate the Blood of his K••nd••ed, by shedding That of his Enemies; And there∣upon, after he had fought stoutly a-while, he gave Ground, by little and little, but afterward in greater Fear and Confusion, as if he in∣tended absolutely to run away. The Danes and Scots, supposing them∣selves Conquerors, were unwilling to make any brisk pursuit, lest the Cowardliest of the Soldiers should enjoy all the Prey; and there∣fore, they returned to plunder their Camp. Hereupon, Athelstan gave a Signal, and the l Eng••ish, returning to their Ensigns, set upon them as they were scattered and laden with Booty, and killed them, like Dogs. The greatest part of the Scotish Nobility was lost in this Fight, who chose rather to dye on the spo••, than to undergo the Ig∣nominy of deserting their Companions. Malcolm, being much wounded, was carried off the Field, by his own Men, and sent the doleful Tidings of the loss of his Army to King Constantine; neither was the face of things more pleasant amongst the Danes. Athelstan, during this Astonishment of his Enemies, took m Cumberland and West∣merland from the Scots; and Northumberland, from the Danes. Con∣stantine, having not force enough neither to wage War, or to carry on matters in Peace, called a Convention of the Estates, at Abernethy, and willingly resigned the Kingdom, and betook himself to the Cul∣de••, (certain Hermits, so called, living in Cells) Worshippers of God, (for so the Monks of that Age were called) as into a Sanctuary, a∣mongst whom he lived the rest of his life at St. Andrews. Here the English Writers, who are profuse enough in their own Praises, do affirm, That Athelstan was the Monarch of all Britanny, and that the rest, who had the Names of Kings, in Albium, were but precariously so; and his Feudataries only, as taking an Oath of Fidelity to him, as the supreme Lord. And they introduce many ignoble English Au∣thors, as Favourers of that Opinion: And, to procure the greater Cre∣dit thereunto, they add also Marianus Scotus, an Illustrious Writer, indeed. But here I desire the Reader to take notice, that there is not the least mention of any such thing in that Edition of Marianus, which was Printed in Germany; but if they have another Marianus, diffe∣rent from him, who is publickly read, and interpolated or foisted by them, let them produce him, if they can. Besides, they, being Men generally unlearned, do not in some Places sufficiently understand their own Writers, neither do they take notice, That Bede, William of Malmesbury, and Geffrey of Monmouth do commonly call that part, Britain, over which the Britains ruled, i. e. That within the Wall of Adrian; or, when they stretched their Dominions furthest, within the Wall of Severus; so that, the Scots and Picts are oftentimes reckon∣ed by them to be out of Britain, and not seldom are called Transmarine People. And therefore, when they read, that the English sometime Reigned over all Britanny, they understand the Authors so, as if they meant all Britanny, i. e. Albium or Albion, whereas they do often Circumscribe Britanny within narrower limits, as I have said before; But of this I have spoken more largely, in another place. To return then to the Affairs of Scotland.

Malcolm I. The Seventy Sixth King.

COnstantine having retired himself into the Cloyster of the Monks. Malcolm, the Son of Donald, was declared King. Athelstan be∣ing dead, and his Brother Edward Reigning, Cumberland and West∣merland revolted from the English, and returned to their old Masters. Moreover, the Danes, who remained in Northumberland, sent for Avalassus, their Countryman, of the Royal Progeny, who was Ba∣nished into Ireland, to make him King; Edmund, foreseeing, what Clouds of War were gathering over his Head, yielded up Cumber∣land and Westmerland to Malcolm, upon this Condition, That he who should next succeed in the Scotish Kingdom, should take an Oath to the King of England, as the Lord Paramount of that Country. Af∣terwards, he easily reduced the Danes, who had been afflicted with so many Calamities: Neither did he long survive his Victory. The English chose his Brother Edred, King after him; against whom, the Danes, who possessed Northumberland, and never cordially observed any Peace made with the English, did rebel, and took from him many strong Places, whilst he was busied in other parts of his King∣dom, and principally, York; but he overcame them, by the assistance of 10000 Scots; Malcolm returning home, gave himself up wholly to the Arts of Peace; And, to cure the Inconveniencies occasioned by the Wars, especially Luxury and Bribery, he himself did ordinarily Visit all the Scots n Courts of Judicature, once in two years, and ad∣ministred Justice with great Equity. At length, whilest he was busie in punishing Robbers, and in restraining the lewd Manners of the younger sort, he was o slain by some Conspirators of Murray-Land, in the night, in the Fifteenth year of his Reign. The Per∣petrators of that Villany were, with great diligence, sought after, and found out by the Nobles, and, being apprehended, were put to several exquisite Deaths, according to every ones share of demerit, in committing the Parricide.

Indulfus, The Seventy Seventh King.

INdulfus Reigned after him, who, having setled things in Peace at home, lived seven years after in great Tranquillity: But in the Eighth year of his Reign, the Danes, taking it amiss, that the Alli∣ance with the English was preferred before Theirs, and that a perpe∣tual League was made between the two Kings against them, came with a Navy of 50 Ships into the Firth of Forth, when the Scots little expected any such thing, insomuch, that they had almost sur∣prized, and overthrown them, unawares. In such a sudden emer∣gency, all were full of fear and amazement, insomuch that some car∣ried their Goods into the midland Country, as a place of more safety; others came to the Sea-side, to hinder the Enemies Landing. Hago and Helricus were the two Admirals of the Fleet. They endeavour∣ed, first to Land in Lothian, and afterwards in Fife, but in vain; then they essayed to enter the Firth of the River Tay, but there also they were hindred from making any descent on Land; so that they

Coasted about the Sea-Coasts of Aeneia or Angus, of Mern, Marr, and Buchan, but, in all places, being hindred from Landing, they hoisted their Sails into the Main, as if they intended to return home. But within a few days, when all was secure, they came back again, and having gotten a convenient place in Bo••••, at the Mouth of the River Cullin, they there p landed their Men without opposition, be∣fore the Country People could give any alarm of their Arrival. When Indulfus heard of their landing, he marched towards them, before they could well have any notice of his coming; and first, he set upon the straggling Plunderers, and drove them to the rest of their Army, but made no great Slaughter of them, because the Camp of the Danes was near, for them to retreat to. When the Armies came in sight of each other, they both set the Battel in array, and fell to it with equal force and courage: Whilst they were thus fiercely fight∣ing, Grame and Dumbar, with some Troops of Lothian-Men, ap∣peared on the Rear of the Danes, which struck them into such a Pannick fear, that they all run away, some to their Ships, others to unknown places, whithersoever the Fear of the Enemy drove them: But a great part of them cast themselves into a Ring, in a Woody Vale, and there waited for an occasion of acting valorously, or dying resolutely. Indulfus, as if his Enemies had been wholly over∣come, rode up and down with a few Attendants, and, casually lighting on them, was there q slain, at the beginning of the Tenth year of his Reign. Some say, that he was slain with an Arrow▪ shot out of a Ship, having disarmed himself, that he might be more nimble in the pursuit, and press the more eagerly upon them, as they were going a Shipboard.

Duffus, The Seventy Eighth King.

AFter his Death, Duffus, the Son of Malcolm, got the Kingdom; in the beginning of his Reign he made Culenus, Son of King Indulfus, Governour of Cumberland, and sent him into the Ae••••dae, which were then in War and Disorder, by reason of the frequent Robberies committed there. For the young Soldiers of the Nobility, having got a great Pack of their Fellows about them, made the Com∣mon People tributary to them: imposing a pecuniary Mulct on every Family, besides Free-quarter; and yet Culen••s dealt not harmer with them, than with the very Governors themselves of the Island, who ought ••o have restrained such outrages. He commanded; That, for the future, They, by whose negligence, these disorders had happen'd, should make Satisfaction to the Commonalty, and also pay a Fine to the King. This Injunction strook such a Terror into these Idle paltry Fellows, that Many of them went over into Ireland; and there got their Living by their Daily labour. As this matter was acceptable to the Commons, so it was as offensive to the Noble Al∣lies of Those, who were Banished, and to many of the younger sort, who did approve that idle kind of Life. These Men, r in all their Meetings and Assemblies, First secretly, Afterwards in the presence of a Multitude of such as applauded them, began openly to revile their King; alleging, That he despised the Nobility, and was drawn

away, and seduced, by the Counsel of sorry Priests; That he put Men of Gentile Extraction, to Servile Offices; That he advanced the most abject of the People to the Highest Honours; That, in fine, he made such Medleys, as to turn all things Topsy-Turvy. They added farther, That, if things should continue at that pass, ei∣ther the Nobility must transport themselves into other Countrys; or else, must make them a new King, who might Govern the People, by those ancient Laws, whereby the Kingdom had arrived to that height, out of so small beginnings. Amidst these things, the King was assaulted with a new and unusual Disease, no evident cause thereof appearing, so that, when all Remedies had been tryed in vain, a Rumour was spread abroad, by I know not who, that he was be∣witched; the suspicion whereof arose, either from some Indications of his Disease, or else because his body did waste and pine away by continual sweating, and his strength was so much decay'd, that the Physicians, who were sent for far and near, knew not what to apply for his relief. Thus, no Common causes of the disease discovering its self, they had recourse to a Secret one. And whilst all were in∣tent on the Kings Malady, at last News was brought, That Nightly Assemblies and Conspiracies were made against him at Foress, a Town in Murray: The Report was taken for truth, there being no∣thing to contradict it: Whereupon, some faithful Messengers were sent to Donald, Governor of the Castle, in whom the King confided much, even in his greatest Affairs, to find out the truth of the mat∣ter. He, by the discovery of a certain Harlot, whose Mother was noted for a Wizard, detected and discovered the whole Conspiracy. For the Young Girl, having blabbed out, a few days before, some words concerning the Sickness and Death of the King; being appre∣hended, and brought to the Rack to be tortured, at sight thereof, presently discovered, what was designed against the Life of the King. Whereupon some Soldiers were sent, who found the Maids Mother and some other Gossips, Roasting the Kings Picture, made in Wax, by a soft Fire; Their design was, that, as the Wax did leisurely melt, so the King, being dissolved into a Sweat, should pine away by de∣grees; and when the Wax was quite consumed, then, his breath failing him, he should presently die; when this Picture of Wax was broken, and the Witches punished, in the same Month the King was freed from his Disease, as some say. These things I deliver, as I receiv'd them from our Ancestors: What to think of this sort of Witchcraft, I leave to the Judgment of the Reader, only minding him, That this story is found amongst our Ancient Archives and Records. Amidst these things, the fear of the King be••ng laid aside, because they hoped he would shortly die, many Robberies and Murders were committed, every where. Duffus, having recovered his strength, followed the Robbers thro' Murray, Ross, and Caithnes, and slew many of them, at occasional Onsets; but he brought the Chief of them to Foress; That so, their Punishment might be the more conspicuous, in that Town. There Donaldus, Governor of the Town and Castle, Peti∣tioned the King to pardon some of his Relations, who were of the Plot; but, being denied, he conceived great Indignation against the King, as if he had been highly wronged; whereupon, he was wholly

intent on Thoughts of Revenge; for he judged, That his deserts from the King were so great, that, whatever he asked of him, he ought not to be denied: And besides, the Wife of Donald, seeing some of her Kindred too, were like to suffer, did further inflame the, already disaffected, Heart of her Husband, by bitter words; Moreover exci∣ting him, to attempt the Kings Death, affirming, That, seeing he was Governor of the Castle, The Kings Life was in his Power; and, having that Power, he might not only perpetrate the Fact, but con∣ceal it, after it was committed: Hereupon, when the King, tired with business, was sounder asleep than ordinary, and his Attendants, being made Drunk by Donald, were in a Dead-sleep also; he sent in Assassins, no man being aware, and, after they had Murdered the King, they carried him out so cunningly, a back way, that not so much as a drop of Blood appeared; and so he was buried two Miles from the Abby of Kinloss, under a little Bridge, in a blind place, having Grassy-Turfs of Earth cast over him, that there might be no sign of any Ground, that was digg'd up. This seems a more likely story to me, than what others write, that the course of the River was turned, and so his Body was cast into a hole at Bottom; but when the Waters were returned again to their own Chanel, then his Grave, such as it was, was covered. Also the Actors of that bloody Fact were sent away, because there is an Opinion, recei∣ved from our Ancestors, which as yet obtains amongst the Vulgar, That blood will Issue from a dead Body, many days after the party was murdered, if the murderer be present, as if the fact had been but newly com∣mitted. The day after, when the Report was spread abroad, that the King was missing, and that his Bed was besprinkled with blood, Donald, as if he had been surpriz'd at the atrocity of the Fact, flys into the Kings Bed-Chamber; and, as if he had been mad with An∣ger and Revenge, he slew the Officers appointed to attend him; af∣ter that, he presently made diligent inquiry every where, if any dis∣covery of the dead Body might be made. The rest, being amazed at the Fact, and afraid too of their own selves, returned every one to his own house. Thus this Good King was wickedly slain, in the Flower of his Age, after he had Reigned 4 Years and 6 Months; and as soon, as they conveniently could, the Estates Assembled to create a New King.

Culenus, The Seventy Ninth King.

CVlenus, the Son of Indulfus, being made King by the Assembly of the Estates; the next Thing, there done, was, the question∣ing the Murder of King Duffus; and they made the more haste to examine that Affair, because of some Prodigies, that had hapned, of which one seemed properly to respect the very Fact. An Hawk was slain, truss'd by an Owl, and his Throat cut by him; The other Pro∣digy was also referred to the same thing, in the interpretation of the Vulgar; For six whole months, after the Murder was committed, ex∣traordinary Fires appeared in the Element, the Air was agitated with extraordinary Winds; Yea, the Heavens were so coloured and enveloped with Clouds, that neither Sun, nor Moon, could be seen in Scotland, all that time. Hereupon, all Men were intent to revenge

the good Kings death▪ and, to that purpose, Culenus went into Mur∣ray, hoping to find some surer Discoveries of the Murder upon the place, where it was committed. Donald, hearing of his coming, and being conscious to himself of his Parricidal and Nofarious Cruelty, of which also his over-curious, and seemingly wild, Inquisitiveness, made in search after the Authors thereof, rendred him more suspected, procured a Ship at the mouth of the River Spey; wherein, with some others, he embarked himself, unknown even to his Wife and Chil∣dren. This he did out of fear, lest the Truth should have been ex∣torted from him, by the Rack. This his hasty flight, his dejected Countenance, (as it was observed) his few Attendants, his trem∣bling at his entrance into the Ship, which was but casually riding there, without any preparation for his Voyage; did raise so great a suspicion upon him in the minds of all, who were present, that they forbore not to vent all manner of Contumelies against him, calling him an Impious, Sacrilegious, Fellow, and a Paricide, and what other foul terms of reproach their inflamed anger could suggest. They ad∣ded also, That, though he had prevented the coming of the King, yet he could never avoid the Vindictive Providence and Judgment of Al∣mighty God. In a word, they followed him with all the Execrati∣ons, which the highest Indignation did offer to provoked Minds, even till the Ship was quite out of sight. When Culenus heard of his hasty flight, he speeded his march thither, where he apprehended the Wife of Donaldus, and his three Children; and, for fear of Torture, compelled them to discover the whole Series of the Conspiracy; as also how, by whom, and where the Body was buried; and that she her self was not only privy to the Murder, but also a fellow-actor in it, and a persuader of her Husband, thereunto. When the People heard this, (for she was publickly Tried) the Magistrates could hardly dissuade them from tearing her to pieces. The day after, Do∣naldus, having been tossed some days, with contrary Winds at Sea, was Shipwracked and cast ashore, and being brought to the King, he and all his underwent their most deserved punishments. They who brought him to the King were liberally rewarded, his Castle was burnt, and all that were therein were slain. And the Body of Duffus was honourably interred amongst his Ancestors. As these things did highly ingratiate Culenus to those who were good; so the remaining part of his Life did accumulate so much Odium on him, as never any King, before him, ever laboured under. For, whether induced by his own Nature, or urged for fear of Danger, (as he would have it thought) he suffered the severity of the Discipline, used under In∣dulfus and Duffus, to grow cold and remiss; and permitted the younger Tribe, being given up to unseasonable Debauchery, and Fo∣reign Delights, to run into those Licentious practices, which were forbid by the Laws; till, at last, they broke forth into open Violence and Robbery. And when he saw the greatest part of the young No∣bility addicted to those Vices, he also immerged himself in the same, so that he abstained not from vitiating Noble Matrons, and even Religious Nuns, (which, in that Age, on the account of their Cha∣stity, were had in great Veneration) no, nor from his own Sisters or Daughters, neither; nay, he kept Troops of other Harlots, hired

by his Panders, in his Court, as in a Brothel-house. When he was admonished, and put in mind of these things, by Wise and Prudent Persons; on the behalfe of the young Nobility, he answered, That something was to be indulged to their Age; and as for himself, thô he confessed, That, some things were amiss, yet he was forced, out of fear, to tolerate them: For, I remember, said he, what great Ca∣lamity the unseasonable Severity of the former King brought, not only on himself, but on the whole Kingdom also: That the Nobility were the Stay and Prop of the Throne; That it was not true, that the Martial Spirits of Men were always broken by this free kind of Life, or made low and abject; nor, That the Thoughts of Arms were so neglected by them in Peace, as if they expected, That there would never be any more War at all. 'Tis true, (proceeded he) The Luxury of Youthful Age is so far to be restrained, that it pro∣ceed not too far, that so the good Seed of Ingenuity might not be choaked (as it were) by overmuch jollity, in the very bud; yet, it is not wholly to be abridged, or taken away, lest the Seeds of Vir∣tue should be plucked up together with it. When the Nobles heard this his Defensatory Plea; and perceiving, they could do no good up∣on him, by their Persuasions, but rather create trouble to themselves, if they should use the same liberty of Speech to him in their Rejoyn∣ders, they withdrew themselves from the Court, fearing, lest they should be compelled to be Witnesses, yea, Partakers also, of these facinorous Practices, the sight and hearing whereof they did detest, and abhor. The King, being freed from such troublesom Interposers, gave up himself wholly to Wine and Women. He proposed Re∣wards to those, who could invent any new kind of Pleasure, thô ne∣ver so sordid and detestable; His Court was filled, Night and Day, with wanton Songs and the Huzza's of Drunkards; So that, Intempe∣rance and Impudence were as much praised by him, as Modesty and Chastity are wont to be esteemed by Good and Pious Princes. Those Evils, which, thô allowed, or connived at, by the Law, in other Men, yet are acted by Them in Secret, were here openly committed, with∣out Shame. The young Nobility, being thus Effeminated by Plea∣sure, and a Multitude of Parasites and Flatterers with them, extol the King to the Skies, as if he were the very First of their Kings, who had joyned Splendor and Magnificence with Authority; as tem∣pering the Severity of his Government with Lenity, and easing the burdens of Care and Labour, by some Relaxation of Spirit and Al∣lowance of Delight.

Now, to continue these Luxuriant courses, there was need of great Expence, and therefore the wealthier sort were Fined upon fained Accusations; and the Plebeians were suffered to be preyed upon, and harassed with all sorts of servile Offices. He that was not pleased with the present state of things, was accounted a barbarous Coun∣try-Clown; or, if he seemed to be of an higher Spirit than ordinary, he was presently accused by a company of Informers, as if he studi∣ed Innovation in the State. After 3 Years were spent in this flagiti∣ous Liberty, when Men were silent, out of Fear, or S••oth, Lux∣ury began to be a punishment to itself. For when the King's Strength was exhausted by immoderate Lust; and his Body had con∣tracted

Deformity by excessive Banquetings, those Diseases follow∣ed, which are wont to be Companions of such Vices; so that there remained nought but a rotten Carkass, fit for nothing but to ••ear the Punishment of his former mispent Life. The King being thus dis∣abled for all Functions of Life, the strength, both of his Body and Mind, being enervated, and weakened by Intemperance, and his Cour∣tiers also following the same practices, some A••••••••cious Fellows, being encouraged by hopes of Prey and Impunity, committed publick Robberies and Murders, regarding neither the Plebeians, as being Men of poor Servile Spirits; nor the Courtiers, as Persons enfee∣bled by Luxurious wickedness.

Hereupon, the founder Part of the Nobility, being encompassed with a double mischief, and therefore enforced to look to the Main, called an Assembly of the States at Scone. The King also was wil∣led to be there, That he might consult in common with the rest, in such a dangerous Juncture of Affairs, for the Publick Safety, He, be∣ing inwardly struck at this Summons, and, as it were, awakned from his drowzy Sloth, began to advise with his Confederates, What a Man, in such streights, were best to do? And, thô he knew not, how to make any Resistance, nor yet, how to fly away; and, thô his Mind also presaged no good to him, yet he resolved to go to the Assembly. And, as miserable Men are wont to flatter themselves in Adversity, so he did not altogether Despair, That he, either out of Pity, or out of Respect to his Fathers Memory, should procure some Favour, that he might not be suddenly cast down from so great a Dignity, to an Abyss of Misery. In his Journy to Scone, having a Train big enough, but unarmed, and dispirited, about him, he was slain at a Neighbour Village called Methvin. by the Thane, or Sheriff of that Country, because he had forceably vitiated his Daughter. When his Death was made known, thô all Men were well pleased to be freed from such a Monster, with less trouble than they supposed they should, yet the Perpetration of the Fact by Roharans, or Rodar∣dus, the Thane, was very much disliked by all People. He Reigned, as the former King did, 4 Years and 6 Months.

Kennethus III. The Eightieth King.

KENNETHVS, the Brother of Duffus, and Third of that Name, succeeded Culenus: He, being contrary to the former King, in his Disposition, Manners, and the whole course of his Life, used as much diligence in amending the Lives of the younger fort, as the other had done in corrrupting them; thô, herein his Task was the greater, in regard, Men are carried headlong to Vices, with a greater Propension of Mind; but the way to Virtue is by a s••eep Ascent. And indeed, This was the Thing, that gave the chief Occasion to the Opinions of some Philosophers, who contended, That Man was Naturally made to enjoy Pleasure, but that he was h••∣••ed to Virtue, as it were, violently, and against his own Inclination. I grant, Both parts of the Dilemma are false; but, perhaps, the Ori∣ginal of the mistake, was, from hence, That, seeing there is a dou∣ble Power of Nature in Man, One of his Body, the Other of his Mind;

the Vigour of the Body se••••s to exert itself, sooner and quicker than That of the Mind; And, as Plants do first send forth Stalks, Leaves, and Flowers, pleasant to behold, before the Seed begins to be formed in its proper Pod and Receptacle; but when the Seed ri∣pens, all those other things fade, and at last wither away; so our Bodies do grow Youthful, before the Virtue of our Mind, (which is yet but weak and tender) can exert its force, but as the Mem∣bers do grow Old by degrees, so the strength of Mind and Judg∣ment doth more and more disclose it self: And therefore, as in Corn, we restrain the Luxuriant growth thereof, either by causing it to be Eaten up, or by cutting its over-rank Blade down; so in Young Men the Law supposes, That the forwardness of Wit, which over∣hastens to shew it self, should be restrained by careful Culture, un∣til growing Reason may be able, of it self, to repress the Violence of the, now infirm, Body. But to return to Kennethus.

He, well knowing, That the Commonalty do usually comply with the Humour of their Prince, and do diligently imitate what he Loves, first, did form a good discipline in his own Court and Family, that so he might express in Deeds, what he commanded in Words; and, as he propounded his own Life to be an Example to his Houshold; so he would have the Manners of his Domesticks to be exemplary to others. He first purged his Court from all Ministers of Lust and Wickedness, that so he might more Justifiably do the same in other parts of his Kingdom: Whereupon, he resolved to travel over the whole Coun∣try, to Indict Assemblys, for the preventing and punishing of Thefts, Murders, and Robberies, for the encouraging of Men to Labour by Rewards, and for exhorting them to Concord by alluring Speeches, that, by this means, the Ancient Discipline might be restored. But, in the Execution of this his purpose, he found greater difficulty than he imagined, for the Major part of the Nobility, either had Guilty Consciences themselves, and so feared their own Personal Punish∣ments; or else, were Allyed in Blood to Those, who were Guilty; And therefore, the First Assembly being Indicted at La••erick, a Town of Clysdale. They, who were Summoned to appear, being forewarned of their Danger by their Kindred, some of them fled into the Aebudae Isles; Others, to other Parts, infamous for Robberies. The King, understanding the Cheat, and being not ignorant of the Authors of it, dissembled his Anger, and dissolved the Assembly; and so passed, with a few of his Confederates, into Gallway, as if he were to perform a Vow, he had made, to St. Ninian. Being come thither, he consulted with Those whom he judged most faithful to him, What was to be done, in such a case. The Result was, That a Convention of all the Nobility should, the next Year, be held at Scone, upon pretence of some considerable Matters to be advised upon, concerning the Good of the whole Nation, in General; That there the Heads of the Factions might be apprehended without any Tu∣mult; and when they were Imprisoned, their Clans and Tenants might be made to bring in the Malefactors to the King. This Project was judged most adviseable, but it was kept Secret, and communi∣cated but to few, until the meeting at Scone came. There the King had caused his Servants to prepare Soldiers, and to keep them pri∣vately

in the next House to his Palace, the day before the States Assembled; and at the Opening of it, the Nobility, being very Nu∣merous, came, where they were courteously treated by the King: but upon a Sign given, they were immediately beset with Armed Men. They being surprized with Fear, at this sudden Change, the King encouraged them, by a gentle Speech, telling them, That they need not be afraid, for he intended no hurt to any good or innocent Man, and those Arms were not provided for their Destruction but Defence. He farther alleged, how they could not be ignorant, That all his endeavours, since he first came to the Crown, tended to This, That Wicked and De∣bauch'd Persons might be punished, and the Good enjoy the Estates, either left them by their Ancestors, or acquired by their own Industry; and be∣sides, might have the quiet enjoyment of those Rewards, which the King bountifully had bestowed upon them, according to every ones Worth and Desert; and that things might easily be brought to that pass, if they would lend their helping Hands: The last year, (said he) when I sum∣moned some o•• ••he Offenders to appear on a certain day, none at all came; that failure, (as he understood) was not made, so much out of Confi∣dence of their own strength, as of the Assistance of some of their Kindred and Friends, which, if it were true, was dangerous to the Publick, and also very reflective upon such Kindred. Now was the time, when they might redeem both Themselves from Crime, and the Kingdom from being molested by Robberies. This was easy to be done, if those, which were most powerful in every County, would cause the Malefactors to be apprehended and brought to condign punishment, where those Malefa∣ctors were, was visible to all. But if they made Excuses, and, having so fair Opportunity to merit well of their Country, were willingly defe∣ctive to improve it. The King, to whose Care the safety of the whole was committed, could not be excused, if he set them at Liberty, before the Offenders were brought to Punishment, and that This was the End, why he detained them in Custody: And if any one thought, his long du∣rance would be a trouble to him, he might thank himself, seeing it was in his own Power, not only to procure his Liberty, but also to obtain Ho∣nour, Reward, and the Praise of all Good Men into the bargain. The Nobles having heard this Harangue, unanimously answered, That they had rather assert their Innocency by Deeds, than Words. Where∣upon, they promised him their Assistance, and desired him to lay aside all Suspition, if he had conceived a sinister Opinion of any of them. Upon this their Solemn Engagement, the King told them the Names of the Offenders. The Nobles, by their Friends, made diligent search after them, and, in a short time, they were brought to the King, and punished according to Law. Whereupon, the Nobles were dismis∣sed, having received some Gifts, and many large Promises, from the King; and the Commonalty also pray'd heartily for their King.

Matters being thus composed at home, he faithfully observed the League, made by some former Kings with the English. But this great Tranquillity of all Britain was soon disturbed by the Danes, who appeared with a great Fleet, and Anchored near the Red-Pro∣montory, a Place in Aeneia, or Angus. They there staid some days in Consultation, Whether they should Land there, or direct their Course towards England, as they intended at first; Many of them were of

Opinion, That it was most adviseable to make for England, an opu∣lent Country, where they might have both Provision enough for their Army, and also some hopes of Auxiliaries and Recruits, in re∣gard that there many of the Danish stock were yet alive amongst them; and many others stood obliged to them for old Courtesys and Friendships; and that These, upon the first notice of their Arrival, would presently flock in to them, as of old they used always to do. But, as for the Scots, they were a fierce Nation and very hardy, as Those use to be, who are bred in Barren and Hungry Soiles; That they never attempted them, without some great and remarkable loss; and, in the present case, if they overcame them, it would hardly be worth their Labour: But if they were overcome by them, they must endure the utmost Extremity and Rigour: Others were of a different Opinion, alleging, That, if they made their Descent on the Coasts of England, then they should be obliged to Fight Both Nations at once; but if the Scots were First overcome, the War against the English would be easy, when they were bereft of Fo••••ign Aid, and also terrified with the Loss of their Friends. They further urged, That it was not the part of Great and Magnanimous Spirits, to be intent on Prey and Booty only, they should rather call to mind the Blood of their Kindred and Ancestors, who had been so often cruelly slain in Scotland: And that now especially, having a Great Army, and being furnished also with things necessary for War, they ought to take That Revenge, which might punish the Savage Cruelty of the Scots, according to their Deserts, and might also carry the ter∣ror of the Danish Name to all the Neighbouring Nations.

This last Opinion prevailed, so that they Sailed their Navy to the Mouth of the River of Eske; and there Landed their Forces. They Plundered the Towns, next to them, destroying all with Fire and Sword; as for the Castle, they Levelled it to the Ground. They slew, higly-pigly, all the Inhabitants of the Town, without distin∣ction of Age or Sex. The like Desolation they also made all over Angus, even to the Firth of the River Tay. The News hereof was brought to the King, then residing at Sterlin. Those, who had escaped the Fury of the Enemy, made things worse in their Rela∣tions, than they were indeed. He, by the Advice of those Nobles which were present, propounded a short Day to such as dwelt near, to come in to him. Those, who dwelt farther off, he charged, by Letters, to haste up with their Forces; but, with such Force as he had at present about him, he drew towards the Enemy, both to make what Discovery he could of their Posture; and also, to pre∣vent the Plundering of Stragglers, as much as he could. In a short time, a great Multitude came in to his Camp, which was pitched at the Confluence of the Rivers Tay and Earn. As he was there or∣dering his forces, News was brought him, That the Enemy had passed over the Tay, and were Besieging Perth. The King, being concerned at the Danger of a Town so near him, marches directly to it. As soon as the Danes were in sight, the Scots, eager of Re∣venge, made hast to fight them, and making choice of a convenient Place to Order their Army, they drew towards the Enemy. But the Danes having seated themselves on an opposite Hill, where they

could not, without much hazard, be attacqued; the Archers and Darts-men compelled them to come down, insomuch that a most Cruel Fight began at the bottom of the Hill; much Blood was spilt, and the Victory uncertain; when the Danes gave forth a Word, thro' their whole Army, That no man must ever hope to return again to their Camp, unless as a Conquerour. Whereupon, making a great shout, they made such a brisk Charge and Assault upon the Scots, that they routed Both their Wings, and eagerly followed the Pursuit. That day had been certainly most ruinous to the Scots, unless Aid had been afforded by One man, sent, as it were, from Heaven, in so desperate a Posture of Affairs! There was a certain Countryman, whose name was Hay, who was casually Plowing in the Field, over which the Scots-Runaways were a Flying, and his Two Sons with him; They were strong-bodied men, Stout and Courageous, and also great Lovers of their Country. The Father took a Yoke; the Sons what Instruments they could catch, and stood in a narrow Pass, where the thickest of the Fugitives were flying; there, First by Re∣proaches, Then by Threatnings, they endeavoured to stop them, but not prevailing thereby, they fell upon those that pressed on them, saying, That they would be as so many Danes to them, who thus ran away. Hereupon, Those, who were of more fearful Spirits, made an halt; and the Stouter, who fled rather for Company, than for Fear, joyned with Them, crying out Help was at hand, so that the whole Company turned back again on the Enemy, and forc'd the Danes to as fearful and hasty a flight, as they themselves had been lately guilty of. This trepidation of the Danes occasioned a great Shout among the Baggage men, and other Followers of the Army, as if a New Army had been coming; This Passage gave so great encouragement to the Scots, and struck such a terror to the Danes, That it raised up the Spirits of the former, who were almost upon the point of Desperation; and occasioned to the other a certain Overthrow, in∣stead of an hoped Victory. This is the Victory, obtained at the Vil∣lage Loncarty, celebrated for That, and some days after; and transmitted down to Posterity, with great Rejoycing. When the Con∣querors were dividing the Spoils, the Name of Hay was in all their Mouths; many creditable Persons affirmed, that they saw, where∣ever He or his Sons made an onset, there Our Ranks were restored, and the Danes broken; in fine, they all unanimously ascribed the Prey, the Victory, the Honour of the Day, and their own Lives, to Him. When Hay was brought to the King, he spake very mo∣destly of himself, and having Rich and Splendid Garments offered him, and his Sons, that He and They might be the more taken Notice of, at their Entrance into Perth, he refused them, only he wiped away the dust off his Coat, which he wore every day; and carried the Yoke, which he used in the Fight, and so he entred the City; a great Train being commanded by the King to follow him at a di∣stance, as well as some to go before him, such a Confluence of People there was at this new Spectacle, that He alone did almost take up the Solemnity of the whole day. After the departure of the D••nes, and so sudden and unexpected a calm, in an Assembly of the Estates, shortly after Indicted at Scone, the First thing agitated, was, What Honours

and Rewards should be bestowed on Hay and his Sons. Lands were allotted him, almost the fruitfulest in all Scotland, which his Poste∣rity enjoy to this day, and their Family is propagated

[illustration]

into many opulent Branches, and they were then taken out of the Class of the Plebeians, into the Order of the Nobility: And a Coat of Arms was assigned them ac∣cording to the custom of Noble Houses, viz. Ar. 3 Scut∣cheons Gules. Which Bearing shews, (in my opinion) That the publick Safety was procured by the Eminent Fortitude of those Three Persons, in that Fight.

After this Battel, Peace seemed to have been settled for many Years, when, behold, some troublesome matters at home did disturb this Calm: As for the Commotion of the Islanders, who, in a Plundering way, ranged over all Ross, That was quickly suppressed; some of the Robbers being slain in ••ight, some taken in pursuit, and after Executed. But Crathilinthus, the Son of Fenella, or (as some call her) Finabella, gave far greater disturbance: He was then the chief of all Mern, both in Descent and Wealth. Crathilinthus, his Grand∣father, by the Mothers side, was made Governor by the King, over that part of Angus, which lies between the Two Rivers, each of them having the Name of Eske, where he gathered up the Kings Taxes and Revenues; his Nephew, coming with a great Train to visit him, a sudden Quarrel arose amongst their Servants, so that two of Crathilinthus's Friends were slain: He complained thereof to his Grandfather, who laid the blame of the Tumult upon his Nephews rude Retinue and Company, and, after a sharp Reproof, he was dis∣missed by him, but not without Contumelies from his Servants and Domesticks: So that returning home, he in great Wrath, complain∣ed of the Affront to his Mother; who was so far from endeavouring to allay his Rage, and quiet the Mind of the incensed Youth, by grave and wholesome Counsel, that she importuned him to Revenge him∣self by force of Arms, even upon her own Father, and his Grandfa∣ther, too. Hereupon, not long after, Crathilinthus, having gathe∣red an armed Company together, fit for his purpose, comes by Night into Angus, to his Grandfathers Castle. He, with some few Follow∣ers were admitted in, without Suspicion, and being once entred, he gave the Word to the rest, who lay in Ambush, and let in them al∣so; so that he slew his Grandfather, with his whole Family, plunde∣red the Castle, depopulated the Country adjacent; and, as if he had done a Famous Exploit, he returned pompously with a great Booty into Mern. But the Angusians did not suffer this Injury to pass long Unrevenged: For, soon after, gathering a great many of their Fa∣ction together, they made great Havock in the District of Mern. From that time forward, Slaughters and Rapines were occasionally committed on both sides. Kennethus, hearing of it, published a Pro∣clamation, That the Chief of either Faction should appear at Scone, within Fifteen Days, to answer, What should be objected against them; for he feared, that if a greater number should resort to the Factions, further Tumults might arise; some few being terrified by this minatory Edict, made their appearance accordingly; but the greatest part, of whom Crathilinthus was Chief, being conscious of

their own Demerits, fled away, as every one thought most conveni∣ent. The King made diligent search after them, the greatest part of them were taken in Loch-Abyr, and some, elsewhere. Crathilinthus, and the Cheif of the Faction, were punished with Death; others, according to the Degree of their Crimes, had lesser Punishments, and those who were but a little Guilty, had none at all inflicted on them.

This Moderation and Temperament procured to the King Fear from the bad, but great Love from others; and settled Peace in all his Kingdom, till the Twenty first year of his Reign. Insomuch, That, if he had persisted in that course of Life, which he had begun, he might well have been reckoned amongst the Best of Princes; for, he so performed all the Offices both of Peace and War, that he got great Renown upon the account of his Equity, Impartiality and Valour. But the Excellency of his former Life was blurred by one Wicked Fact that he committed, which seemed, too, more aggrava∣ted in him, in regard it was incredible, and unexpected to proceed from his Disposition, who had before, so severely punished Grand Offenders. The Occasion of it was This: The King, being now grown somewhat ancient, had a Son named Malcolm, a Prince of great Ingenuity, but in point of Age, not yet mature to Govern so fierce a People, if his Father should die. Further, the Custom of our An∣cestors was then against it, that he should Reign next after his Fa∣ther. For, They were wont to choose not the next, but the fittest, of the deceased Kings Relations, provided, he were descended from Fergus the First, King of the Scots. Besides, the Favour of the No∣bility was another Obstacle, which did incline to another Malcolm, the Son of King Duffus, the most Praise-Worthy Prince of all the Scotish Royal Race: Moreover, he was then Governor of Cumberland, which County the Scots did hold as Feudataries of the Kings of Eng∣land, on such Terms, That the Government of Cumberland was al∣ways looked upon as previous to the Throne of Scotland; for it had been so observed, for some Ages past. The King, perceiving, That this Malcolm, for the Reasons aforementioned, would be an hindrance to his Design, not daring to do it openly, caused him privately to be made away by Poyson. Thus died that excellent young Man, much lamented and near to his greatest Hope; some Signs of Poison ap∣peared in his Body, but no Man ever dreamt of suspecting the King. Yea, his Deportment was such, as to avert all Suspicion; for he Mourned and Wept for his Death, and made an Honourable mention of his Name, when occasion was administred to speak of it; and caused him magnificently to be Interred, no Ceremony being omit∣ted, which could be invented for the Honour of the Deceased. But this superlative Diligence of the King, to remove the Suspicion from himself, gave a shrewd Jealousie to the more Sagacious. Yet, they forbore to speak out, for the Reverence all bore to, and had conceived of the Kings Sanctity. But soon after, the King himself scattred some Words abroad, to try the Minds of Men, How they would bear the abrogating of an old Law, and the enacting a new, concerning the Succession of their Kings, viz. That according to the Custom of many Nations, if a King died, his Son should succeed him; and if he were

under Age, then to have a Protector or Tutor assigned to him, so the Kingly Name might rest in the Child; but the Power of Government, in the Tutors or Guardians, till he came to Age. Though a great Part of the Nobles praised his Speech, as being willing to Gratifie him; yet, the Suspicion concerning the Death of Malcolm prevailed upon the Major part, and especially upon the Nobility, and Those of the Royal Stock, who were afraid of the King.

Mens Spirits being in this posture, Ambassadors came from Eng∣land, to comfort the King upon the loss of his Kinsman; and with∣al, desiring, That, in substituting another Governor, he would re∣member, That Cumberland being the Bond of Concord betwixt the Two Nations, he would set Such a Person over it, who might be an indifferent Arbiter of Peace, and that would maintain the ancient Alliance betwixt the Two Nations, for the Good of them Both; and, if any new Suspicions or Jealousies should arise, that he would la∣bour to extinguish them. The King judged this Embassy fit for his purpose; so, that having Convened the Nobility at Scone, he made a grave Harangue to them, against the ancient Custom of the Assem∣blies of Estates, in this Point; wherein he recited all the Seditions which had happened for that Cause; and with how great Impiety, some of the surviving Kindred had treated the Children of former Kings; and what Wars, Rapines, Slaughters, and Banish••••nts, had ensued thereupon. On the other side, he put them in Mind▪ How much more Peaceable, and less Turbulent, the Parliamen••••••y Assemblies of other Countries were; and what great Reverence was born to the Royal Blood; when, without convasing for Succession, Children succeeded their Parents in the Throne. Having thus spoken, he re∣ferred the matter to that Great Council, to determine something in this Case: He acquainted them also with the Demands of the English Ambassador; and, to give a greater Manifestation of his Condescen∣tion and Civility, whereas it was in the Kings Power alone, to ap∣point a Governor of Cumberland, he left it to them to nominate One; supposing, that by this his Moderation, he might the more easily obtain his Desire, concerning the Succession to the Crown: For, if he himself had Nominated his Son for a Governor, he thought, he should have prejudiced his other Request, because, as I said before, the Government or Prefecture over Cumberland was looked upon as the Designation of the Person, to be the next succeeding King of Scotland. Constantine, the Son of Culenus, and Grimus, the Son of Mogal, Brother to King Duffus, who were thought most likely to op∣pose both Requests, were first asked their Opinions, in the Case; who, partly for Fear of Danger; and partly, that they might not run cross to the Major part of the Nobility, who had been preposses∣sed and influenc'd by the King, gave their Vote, That it was in the Kings Power, to Correct and Amend Laws, which were inconvenient to the Publick; and also, to appoint what Governor he pleased over Cum∣berland. The rest, though they knew, that they had spoken contrary to their own Sense, yet Consented to what they said. And by this means, Malcolm, the Kings Son, though not of Age, but Immature for Government, was declared Governor of Cumberland; and also Prince of Scotland, which Title signifies in Scotland, as much as

Daulphin doth, in France; and Caesar, amongst the old Roman Empe∣rors; and the King of the Romans, amongst the Modern Germans; whereby the Successor to the preceding Magistrate is understood. Other Laws were also made, viz. That as the Kings Eldest Son should succeed his Father; so, if the Son died before the Father, the Nephew should succeed the Grandfather: That when the King was under Age, a Tutor or Protector should be Chosen, some Eminent Man for Interest and Power, to Govern in the Kings Name and stead, till he came to Fourteen Years of Age, and then he had Liberty to choose Guardians for Himself. And besides, many other Things were Enacted concerning the Legitimate Succession of Heirs, which ran in common to the whole Nobility, as well as to the King. The King having thus, by indirect and evil Practises, setled the Kingdom on his Posterity, as he thought; yet, his Mind was not at rest. For, though he were very Courteous to all, and highly Beneficial and Obliging to a great many; and withal, did so manage the Kingdom, that no one Part of a good King, was wanting in him; yet, his Mind being disqui∣eted with the guilt of his Offence, suffered him to enjoy no sincere or solid Mirth; but in the Day, he was vexed with the Thoughts of that foul Wickedness, which did inject themselves; and in the Night, terrible Apparitions disturbed his Rest. At last, a Voice was heard from Heaven, either a true one, as some think; or else, such an one, as his disquieted Mind suggested, (as it commonly happens to Guilty Consciences) speaking to him, in his Sleep, to this Sense. Dost thou think, That the Murder of Malcolm, an Innocent Man, se∣cretly and most impiously Committed by thee, is either unknown to me, or, That thou shalt go unpunished for the same: Nay, there are already Plots laid against thy Life, which thou canst not avoid, neither shalt thou leave a Firm and Stable Kingdom to thy Posterity, as thou think∣est to do, but a Tumultuous and Stormy one. The King being terrified by this dreadful Apparition, betimes in the Morning, hastned to the Bishops and Monks, to whom he declared the Confusion of his Mind, and his Repentance for his Wickedness. They, instead of prescribing him a true Remedy, according to the Doctrine of Christ, (being then degenerated, themselves, from the Piety and Simplicity of their Ancestors) enjoyned him those absurd and fallacious ones, which Evil and Self-minded Men had devised for their own Gain; and un∣wary People had as greedily received; which were, To bestow Gifts on Temples, and Holy Places; To visit the Sepulchres of Holy Men; To Kiss their Reliques; and to expiate his Sin by Masses and Alms; and withal, they enjoyned him to Respect and Reverence Monks and Priests, more than he had done heretofore. Neither did the King omit to perform all what they enjoyned him, thinking to be healed in his Conscience by these Mock-Plaisters. At length, when he came to Mern to Worship, and to do Reverence to the Bones of Palladius, an Holy Person; he turned aside to view a Neighbouring Castle; called Fethercarn, which was then, as 'tis reported, very pleasant with shady Grows and Piles of curious Buildings, of which, almost no Footsteps remain, at this day. The Lady of that Castle was called Fenella, of whom Mention is made before; who bore the King a grudge, not only for the Punishment of her Son Crathilinthus, but

also upon the account of her Kinsmen, Constantinus, and Grimus; who, by his New Law, were excluded from the Succession to the Crown. But, dissembling her Anger, she entertained the King ve∣ry splendidly, and with great Magnificence; and, after Dinner, she carried him out to view the Pleasantness of the Place, and the Stru∣cture of the Castle; and amongst the rest, she led him into a Privy Parlor, to see a Brass Statue, most Curiously and Artificially cast, which was made with so much Ingeniousness, as they say, That when a String or Cord, which was secretly bent therein, was re∣mitted and let go, it would shoot out Arrows, of its own accord; and, whilst the King was intent in viewing this Engine, an Arrow privily darted out therefrom, and slew him. Iohannes Major, and Hector Boetius, do Both say, That the King came thus to his End; though, in my Judgment, it be not very probable. For, it is not like∣ly, That, after the decay of Noble Arts amongst other Nations, so curious a Statue should be then made; and that, in the remotest part of Britain, too; though Iohn Major writes, That Edmond the Son of Eldred, was slain by the same Artifice; but Both Stories are Fabulous, as I suppose. Neither can I easily persuade my self, That all Scotland did possess so many Jewels, as Boetius affirms, that One Lady was owner of. And therefore, I rather incline to the Opinion of some others, (amongst whom is Winton) who write, That the King was slain by some Horse-men, placed in Ambush, at the Command of Fenella. He died in the Twenty fifth year of his Reign; a Prince eminent for all other Things, if the Murder of Malcolm, and his too great Affection to his Kindred, had not made such a foul Blot in his Escutcheon. He Reigned Twenty five years, and deceased in the Year of Christ 994.

Constantine IV. The Eighty First King.

AFTER Kenneth his Death, Constantine, the Son of Culenus, Sir∣named, The Bald, used so much Art and Canvasing, to get the Kingdom, as never any Man did, before him. For he insinuated himself into all sorts of People; complaining, That he and others of the Royal Blood, were circumvented by the Fraud of Kennethus, and so excluded from the hopes of the Kingdom, upon the pretence of a most unjust Law; to which, he, with others of the Blood, were forced, by Fear, to Consent. He further alleged, That the Inconvenience of the Law was very Manifest and Visible, in it self. For, What, said he, can be more Imprudent and Foolish, than to take away One of the greatest concerns in Government, from the Suffrage of the Wise, and to leave it to the Liberty of Fortune? And to bind themselves to Obey a Child, because casually born of a King, who, perhaps, might be ruled by some Woman; and, in the mean time, to exclude Brave and Virtuous Men, from sitting at the Helm? He added further, What if the Children of the King should have some Defect, either of Mind or Body, which made them unfit for Go∣vernment? If Children (proceeded he) had enjoyed the Kingdom, in those days, wherein we fought so many Battels, with the Ro∣mans, Britains, Picts, English, and Danes; the Question would not

then have been, Who should Rule over us? But rather▪ Whether we should have been any People at all, to be governed by any Body? Yea, What can border more upon Madness, than to bring That upon our selves by a Law, which God threatens as the severest Judgment to the Rebellious; and by this means, either to despise the Threat∣nings and Predictions of the Almighty; or, to run into them of our own accord? Neither (said he) is that True, which the Flatterers of Kenneth please themselves with in urging, i. e. That the Slaughters and Avarice of the Kings Kindred may be avoided hereby; for the Kings Children, whilst under Age, have as much Reason to fear the Frauds of their Guardians; as before they did the Plots of their Kin∣dred. And therefore, now the Tyrant is removed, let us valiantly recover the Liberty he took away; and, abrogating that Law, which was enacted by Force, and submitted to out of Fear, (if it may be called a Law, and not rather a publick Enslavement, and Prostitu∣tion of our Freedom:) Let us, I say, return to the ancient Institu∣tions and Customs, by which this Kingdom arose, almost out of No∣thing; and which, from small Beginnings, have advanced it to that Splendour, that it is inferiour to none of its Neighbours; Yea, and when it was at a low Ebb, have erected it again. And therefore, let us not neglect, or over-slip, this present Opportunity, which offers it self, lest, hereafter, we seek it Vain. By these, and the like Ha∣rangues, he cajolled some of the Nobles, and drew a Multitude of the Commons to his Party; who assembled at Scone, Twelve days after the Funeral of Kennethus, and declared him King.

In the mean time, Malcolm▪ who was busie about the Concern of his Fathers Funeral, hearing, that Constantine was made King, called his Friends together, to deliberate, what was fit to be done. Some were of Opinion, That, before he proceeded any further, he should found how the Minds of the Nobles stood affected, that so he might know, what strength he was able to raise against a popular Man, supported by so many Factions and Alliances; and then, ac∣cording to the Number of his Forces, to take a Resolution. But those who were young and head-strong, despised this Course, as slow and dilatory; alleging, That it was best to obviate the Danger at its first Rise, and to proceed against the Enemy, before he was set∣led in his new Kingdom. The King being young, embraced the la∣ter Opinion, as the more specious of the Two, and having gathered an Army of about Ten Thousand Men together, marches towards the Enemy. Neither was Constantine defective in his Preparations; for, in a short time, he levied so great an Army, that Malcolm, at the news of his Approach, disbanded his Soldiers, and retired himself into Cumberland. But Kennethus, his Natural Brother, begot on a Concubine, judging that course to be very Dishonourable, persuaded some of the most Valiant Troops to stay behind, and so to stop the Enemy at the River Forth near Sterling, which was the Boundary to both Armies. There both Camps lay idle on the high Banks of the River, which was Fordable but in few places; by which means, they were so afflicted with Pestilence and Famine, (both which Ca∣lamities did rage very much, that Year) that each Army was forced to Disband. Thus, the Kingdom being divided into Two Factions,

the Commonalty was miserably afflicted with Hunger, Pestilence, and frequent Robberies. In the mean time, during the absence of Malcolm, who, according to his League, was assisting the English against the Danes, Constantine, thinking he had now got a convenient Opportunity to subdue the Faction opposite to him, marches with great Forces into Lothian. Kennethus, who was left by his Brother to observe all Constantine's Motions, gave him an halt at the Mouth of the River Almon. And, because he was inferior in Number, he supplyed that defect by Stratagem, for he so ordered his Army, that he had the advantage both of the Sun and Wind; and besides, his Army was flanked, as much as it could, with the River, which was the chief Cause of his Victory. For the Constantinians, trusting to their Multitude, rushed violently into the Battel, having the Sun∣beams darting into their very Faces; and besides, a Storm, suddainly arising, drove so much Dust into their Faces and Eyes, that they could scarce lift up their Heads against their Enemies. A great Slaughter was made in both Armies, and both Generals themselves, upon a Charge, wounded and slew one another; after Constantine had invaded the Kingdom, an Year and Six Months.

Grimus, The Eighty Second King.

GRimus, the Son of King Duffus, or, as others say, of his Bro∣ther Mogallus, after Constantine's death, was brought to Scone, and there, by the Men of his own Faction, was made King. He, perceiving, that some Nobles of his Party were already corrupted by Messengers sent from Malcolm; and More of them were solicited by him, to a Defection; took some of those Messengers and commit∣ted them to Prison: Malcolm, being much inceased at the Imprison∣ment of his Embassadors, as being done against the Law of Nations, breaks forth into open War. As Grimus was making head against him, a suddain Rumor was dispersed through all Malcolm's Army, of the Vastness of the Army coming against them, so that all Malcolm's Measures were disturbed thereby; many of his Soldiers ran privily away; and many others, making frivolous pretences, did publickly desire to be dismissed. The Fear first arose from the Merchants, who, preferring their Private Concerns before the Publick Good, scatter∣ed the Report throughout the whole Army. And besides, there were Some among them, who privately favoured Grimus his Party; for indeed, there were many things in him very attractive of the Vulgar, as the Talness of his Stature, his great Beauty, accompani∣ed with a singular Courtesie, and a comely Meen in all his Actions; Besides, as there was occasion, he was severe in punishing Offenders, and he managed Matters with great Celerity and Prudence, so that many promised themselves an Happy and an Honourable Calm, un∣der his Government. In this Diversity and Combustion of Mens Spirits, Malcolm, not daring to commit any thing to an hazard in Battel, by the Advice of his Friends, dismissed the greatest part of his Army, and, with some select Troops, resolved to stop the Ene∣mies passage over the Forth.

In the mean time, the Bishop of that Diocess, Forthadus by Name, of whom all had an high Opinion for his Sanctimony, endea∣voured, by his Authority, to compose Matters, and passing to and fro betwixt both Parties, at length he brought Matters to this pass, That a Truce was made for Three Months; Grimus being to go into Angus; and Malcolm into Cumberland: And also Arbitrators were to be chosen by both Parties, by Consent, who were to determine the main Controversie in Dispute. Neither did Forthadus give over his Endeavours, till Peace was made by them on these Conditions;

That Grimus should retain the Name of King, as long as he lived: And, that, after his Decease, the Kingdom should return to Malcolm; And, for the future, the Law of Kennethus, for establishing the Suc∣cession in the King's Children, should be observed as Sacred and In∣violate. In the mean time, the Wall of Severus was to be the Boundary to them Both. That which was within the Wall was to belong to Malcolm; and That without, to Grimus. Both of them were to be contented with those Limits, Neither being to invade each other, or to assist the Enemies of one another.

Thus Peace was made, to the great Joy of all Men, which was Religiously observed for almost Eight Years. Grimus was the first Occasion of the Breach, for where∣as, since the beginning of his Reign, in turbulent Times, he had car∣ried himself as a good Prince, his Industry being slackened by the Quiet he enjoyed, he wholly plunged himself in voluptuous Courses; and that kind of Life, being, as usually it is, a Life of Expence, he was reduced to some Necessity, and was thereby enforced to pretend Crimes against the Richer sort, that so, out of Covetousness, he might enjoy their Estates. Being told of the danger of this Course, he was so far from Reforming it; or, from abating any thing of his former Vileness, That he resolved to put his Monitors in Prison, that so others, being terrified by their Punishment, might not use the like freedom, in reproving Kings. In order whereto, he invited them kindly to his Court, but they, having notice of his Design, by their Friends, withdrew themselves; at which, Grimus was so enraged, that he gathered a Band of Men together, and made after them, spoiling their Lands more than any Foreign Enemy could have done; he spared neither Men, Houses, Cattle nor Corn, and That which he could not carry away, he spoiled, That so it might be rendred useless to the Owners. Thus he made a promiscous Havock of all things, (whether Sacred or Prophane) by Fire and Sword. Com∣plaint hereof being made to Malcolm, who was then busie in helping the English against the Danes, he presently returned home; for he was incensed, not only at the undeserved Sufferings of so ma∣ny brave and innocent Persons, but much more, at the Indignity of∣fered him by Grimus; who, knowing that the Lands were shortly to pass over to another, without any Respect to future Times, had swept away the Fruits thereof, as if it had been an Enemies Coun∣try. There was a great Resort to Malcolm, at his return, inso∣much, that, thô Grimus had for a time been Dear to, and Beloved of, the People; yet now the greatest part of the Nobles forsook him. Notwithstanding, with what Forces he could make, he made Head against his Enemy. When their Camps were near one another,

Grimus, knowing that Malcolm would Religiously observe As••ensi••n-day, resolved then to attaque him, hoping to find him unpr••pared. Malcolm, having notice of his Design, kept his Men in Arms, and thô he did hope well, as to the Victory, in so good a Cause; yet he sent to Grimus, to advise him to defer Fighting for that day, that so They, being Christians, might not pollute so Holy a Day, with shedding the Blood of their Countrymen; Yet he was, nevertheless, resolved to Fight, alleging to his Soldiers, That the Fear the Enemy was in, thô pretended to be out of Reverence to so Holy a Feast, was a good Omen of their Victory. Hereupon, a fierce and eager Fight began; wherein, Grimus, being forsaken of his Men, was wounded in the Head, taken Prisoner, and soon after had his Eyes put out. Insomuch, that, in a short time, out of Grief, as well as his Wounds, he Dyed in the Tenth Year of his Reign. Malcolm carried it Nobly towards the Conquered, and caused Grimus to be interred in the Sepulchres of his Ancestors. The Faction, which followed him, he received into his Grace and Favour, laying aside the Memory of past Offences; Then going to the Assembly of Estates at Scone, before he would undertake the Government, he caused the Law made by his Father, concerning the Succession to the Crown, to be publickly Ra∣tified by the Votes of the whole Parliament.

Malcolm II. The Eighty Third King.

AT the entrance into his Government, he laboured to restore the State of the Kingdom, which was sorely shaken by Factions. And as he forgave all former Offences to himself, so he took care that the Seeds of Faction and Discord amongst all different Parties might also be rooted out. After this, he sent Governors, chosen out of the Nobility, into all Provinces, (Just and Pious Men) to restrain the Licentiousness of Robbers; who, in former times, had taken great Liberty to themselves to Steal and Plunder. By Them also the Com∣mon People were encouraged to Tillage and Husbandry; so that Pro∣visions grew cheaper, Commerce between Man and Man safer, and the publick Peace was better secured. Amidst these Transactions, Sueno, the Son of Harald, King of the Danes, being banished from home, came into Scotland. He was oftentimes overcome, made Pri∣soner by, and Ransomed from, the Vandals; and having sought for Aid in vain from Olavus, King of the Scandians, and Edward King of England, at last he came into Scotland, and being turned Christian, of whom before he was a most bitter Enemy, there he received some small assistance, and so returned into his own Country; from whence soon after he passed over with a great Army into England. First, he overthrew the English, alone; and afterwards, he had the same Success against them, when the Scots assisted them, whom he grie∣vously threatned, because they would not forsake the English, and return into their own Country. Neither were his Threatnings in vain, for Olavus of Scandia, and Enecus, General of the Danes, were sent by him with a great Army into Scotland; They ranged over all Murray, killed whomsoever they met, took away all they could catch, whether Sacred or Prophane; at last, gathering into a

Body, they assaulted Castles, and other strong Places. While they were Besieging these Fortresses, Malcolm had gathered an Army to∣gether out of the Neighbouring Countrys, and pitch'd his Camp not far from them. The day after, the Scots, perceiving the Multi∣tude of the Danes, and their Warlike Preparations, were struck with great Terrour; The King endeavoured to encourage them, but to small purpose; at last, a Noise was raised in the Camp, by those who were willing to seem more valiant than the rest; and when it was raised, others received, and seconded it; so that presently, as if they had been wild, they ran in upon the Danes, without the Command of their Leaders, and rushed upon the points of their Swords, who were ready to receive them. After the forwardest were slain, the rest fled back, faster than ever they came on. The King was Wounded in the Head, and had much ado, to be carried off the Field into an adja∣cent Wood, where he was Horsed, and so escaped with his Life. Af∣ter this Victory, the Castle of Narn was surrendred to the Danes, the ••arison being dismayed at the Event of the unhappy Fight; yet they put them to Death, after the surrender. They strongly fortified the Castle, because it was seated in a convenient Pass; and, of a Penin∣sule, made it a convenient Isle, by cutting through a narrow Chanel, for the Sea to surround it; and then they called it by a Danish Name, Burgus. The other Castles, which were Elgin and Foress, were deserted, for fear of the Cruelty of the Danes. The Danes upon this good Success, resolved to fix their Habitations in Murray, and sent home their Ships to bring over their Wives and Children, in the mean time exercising all manner of cruel hardships over the Captived Scots.. Malcolm, in order to prevent their further Progress, gathered a stronger, and more compact, Army together; and when they were gone into Marr, he met them at a place called Mortlich, both Ar∣mies being in great fear; the Scots being afraid of the Cruelty of the Danes; and the Danes fearing the Places, which they did not know, (as being far from the Sea, and fit for Ambushes) more than their Enemies. In the beginning of the Fight, the Scots were much dis∣couraged at the Slaughter of Three of their Valiant Worthies, viz. of Kennethus, Thane of the Islands; of Grimus, Thane of Strathearn; and of Dumbar, Thane of Lothian, who all fell, presently one after another; so that they were forced to retreat, and to retire into their old Fastness, which was behind their backs: There, fencing their Camp with a Trench, Ditch, and huge Trees, which they cut down, in a narrow place, they fronted, and stopped, the Enemy; yea, they slew some, who, as if they had fully gotten the Victory, did care∣lesly assault them, amongst whom, Enecus, one of their Generals, fell. His Loss, as it made the Danes less forward to fight; so it ad∣ded Alacrity to the Scots, who were crest-fallen, before. So that, al∣most in a moment of time, the Scene was quite altered; The Danes were put to flight, and the Scots pursued them. Olavus, the other of their Generals, got some to guide him, and bent his Course, that night, towards Murray. Though Malcolm knew it, yet, having slain the forwardest of his Enemies, and wounded many more, he desisted from following the Chase. When News of this Overthrow was brought to Swain, in England, he bore it undauntedly; and sent

some of his old Soldiers, and some that were newly come to him from his own Country, under Camus, their General, to recruit his old and shattered Army, in Scotland. He first came into the Firth of Forth, but being hindred by the Country (who observed all his Motions) from Landing, he set Sail, and made for the Red-Promontory of An∣gus. There he landed his Men, and attempted to take in some Places, but, being disappointed, he fell a plundering. Having pitched his Tents at Balbridum, i. e. the Village of St. Bride, word was brought him by his Spies, that the Scots Forces were scarce two miles distant from him; whereupon both Generals, according to the Exigence of the time, exhorted their Men to fight; and the next day, they were all ready at their Arms, almost at one time. The third day, they fought with so great eagerness and fury, as either new Hope, or old Hatred, could occasion and suggest; At last, the Scots prevailed, and Camus, endeavouring to secure the Remainders of his Army, by flying to the Mountains towards Murray, before he had gone two miles, was overtaken by the Pursuers, and he and all his Men cut off. There are Monuments extant of this Victory, in an Obeliske, and a Neighbouring Village, which as yet retains the Memorable Name of Camus. Another Band of them were cut off not far from the Town of Breichin; where also another Obeliske was erected; The Re∣mainder, being few in Number, under the Covert of the night, made to their Ships; These last were tossed up and down several days in the raging Sea, by cross Winds, at length coming to the inhospita∣ble Shore of Buchan, they rode there so long at Anchor, till they were necessitated, for want, to send about 500 of their Men ashore, to get some Relief, out of the Neighbouring Country; Mernanus, the Thane of the place, stopp'd them from returning to their Ships, and compelled them to retire, to a steep Hill, where, being assisted by the Conveniency of the place, they defended themselves with Stones, and slew many of the Scots, who rashly attempted them: At last, the Scots encouraged one another, and in several Parties, in great Numbers, got up the Hill, and put every Man of the Danes to the Sword. There also, as well as at Bambreid, when the Wind blows up the Sand, there are Bones discovered of a greater Magni∣tude, than can well suit with the Stature of the Men of our Times.

Yet Sueno was not discouraged, no not with this Overthrow also, but sent his Son Canutus, with new Levies, into Scotland. He land∣ed his Souldiers in Buchan, and so preyed upon the Country. Mal∣colm, though he had yet hardly recovered his Loss, sustained in for∣mer Battels, yet made head against him, and being not willing to ha∣zard all by fighting a pitched Battel, he thought it best to weary the Enemy with light Skirmishes, and to keep him from plundering; for, by this means, he hoped, in a short time, to reduce him to great want of Provisions, as being in an Enemies Country, almost quite wasted and desolated by the Miseries of War, before. He followed this Counsel for some days, but, at last, when the Scots had got a full understanding of their Enemies Strength, they less diffided their Own; and both Armies, being equally pressed with Want, did unani∣mously crave a Signal to the Battel, pretending, unless it were given, they would fall to it, even, without the Consent of their Generals.

Hereupon, Malcolm set the Battel in array, which was fought with such desperate Rage and Fury, that neither Party came off in Tri∣umph. And though the Victory did nominally rest on the Scots side, yet a great part of their Nobility being slain, and the rest, wearied and discouraged in their Spirits, returned to their Camp, giving the Danes liberty to retreat, without any pursuit; The next day, when both Parties mustered their Men, they found so great a Slaughter to have been made, that they willingly admitted some Priests to be In∣tercessors of Peace between them. Whereupon, Peace was made on these Conditions, That the Danes should leave Murray, and Buchan, and depart; and that as long as Malcolm and Sueno lived, neither of them should wage War with one another any more, nor help one anothers Enemies; That the Field in which the Battel was fought, should be set apart, and Consecrated for the Burial of the Dead. Upon this, the Danes withdrew, and Malcolm took Order for the Interment of the slain.

A while after, he called an Assembly of Estates at Scone; and, that he might reward those who had deserved well of their Country, he divided all the King's Lands between them: On the other side, the Nobility granted to the King,

That when any of them died, their Children should be under the Wardship and Tutelage of the King, till they arrived at the Age of 21 Years; and, that the King should receive all their Revenue, except what was expended for the Edu∣cation of the Ward; And besides, that he should have the Power to give them in Marriage; Or, otherwise to dispose of them, when they were grown up, and should also receive their Dowry.

I judge, this Custom came rather from the English and Danes; because it yet continues throughout all England, and in part of Normandy, too. Afterwards, the King bent his Thoughts to repair the Damages su∣stained by the War; he re-edified many Temples, and Sacred Places, demolished by the Enemy; he built New Castles, or else repaired the Old, in every Town. Having thus restored Peace to the King∣dom by his great Valour, he endeavoured further to adorn it with good Institutions and wholsom Laws; and, in order thereunto, be erected New Names for Magistrates, (I believe, such, as he borrowed from his Neighbours) which served rather for vain Ambition, than for any real Use. For, in former times, there was no Name superior in Honour to that of a Knight, except that of Thane, i. e. Governor, or Sheriff, of a Province or Country; which Custom, as I hear, is yet observed amongst the Danes. But, now a days, Princes keep no Mean, in instituting New Names, or Titles, of Honour; though there be no use at all of those Names, but the bare Sound. Thus Malcolm, having finished his Toilsom Wars, Reigned some Years in great Splendor and Glory. But, in the Progress of his Age, he sullied the Beauty of his former Life with the blot of Covetousness. That Vice, being incident to Old Men, partly grew up in him with his Age, and partly arose from that Want, which his immoderate Largesses had driven him to. So that those Lands, which he had unadvisedly distributed amongst the Nobility, he did as unjustly and wickedly labour to resume; by which means, he put some of them to Death, and reduced others to great Penury. Hereupon, the pre∣sent

sense of suffering, though sometimes just, drowned the Memory of all former Courtesies; so that, the Injury reaching to a few, but the Fear to many, the Friends and Kindred of those which were slain and impoverished, bent all their Thoughts to revenge Them, and to secure Themselves. And at last, b••••bing the King's Domesticks at Glammes, in Angus, they were admitted at Night into the King's Bed-Chamber, and slew him. When they had committed the Fact, those bribed Domesticks, together with the Parricides, took Horse, which they had ready bridled and saddled for all Events; and, be∣ing not able to find the way, in regard the Snow covered all the Track, they were confounded, and arrived at a Lake, by the Town of Forfar; where, endeavouring to pass ov••r, the Ice being not very firm, they sunk with their Weight, and were all drowned. Their Bodies lay undiscovered for a season, by reason the Ice closed again; but when a Thaw came, they were found, and hung upon Gibbets in the High-ways, there to rot for the Terrour of the Li∣ving; and in Reproach to them, after they were dead. This is the common Report about Malcolm's End; though some write, that he was slain by an Ambush, laid by the Kinred of Grimus and Constan∣tinus, the former Kings, after a bloody B••ttel joyned and fought be∣twixt them. Others say, that he was killed by the Friends of a No∣ble Virgin, whom he had forceably vitiated; but all agree, that he came to a violent Death. Malcolm Reigned so justly above Thirty Years, that, unless Avarice had corrupted his Mind in's Old Age, he might well have been numbered amongst the Best of Princes. The Year, in which he died, was a Prodigious One, for, in the Winter, the Rivers did mightily overflow; and in Spring there were great Inundations of the Sea. And moreover, a few Days after the Summer Solstice, there were very pinching Frosts, and mighty Snows, by which means, the Fruits of the Earth being spoiled, a great Fa∣mine did ensue.

Notes

• Kennethus compared with both the Fer∣gus's, and rec∣koned the Third Founder of the Scotish Kingdom.
• g

  The whol∣some Laws, made by Ken∣neth, called Mac-Alpin-Laws, because he was the Son of Alpin.
• h

  The Coun∣try l••ing be∣tween the Tay and Dee.
• i

  Aeneia, all one with An∣gus.
• k

  The Mearns lie alongst the East-Sea, be∣tween D••e and North-Esk.
• l

  It stands on the North-side of Forth, in P••rthshire.
• m

  A Town ly∣ing on the be∣ginning, or head of a point of Land, that runs into the West-side of Loc•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Otherwise called the She∣ri••fdom of B••••wick.
• Edinburgh hath several Names.
• p

  The Story of the Marble Stone, on which the Scotch Kings were anciently Crowned.
• q

  An Abby on the North-side of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a Mi••e above Perth.
• r

  The Ancient Scots Bishops, not Diocesa••s.
• a

  Donaldus's Licentiousness.
• b

  It gives op∣portunity to the Picts to solicite Aid from Osbreth in England.
• c

  Osbreth overthrown by the Scots; but his Men rallying, over∣come the Scots, when se∣cure, after their Victory.
• d

  Peace grant∣ed upon hard Terms to the Scots.
• e

  The Picts driven out of Albium, and never recalled.
• Sterling Money.
• Donald cast into prison, where he dies.
• Ecclesiasticks Reformed by Constantine.
• f

  Drunkenness Punished with Death.
• g

  Evenus put to Death, for conspiring against Con∣stantine.
• h

  The Danes Invade Scot∣land, are wor∣sted at first; yet, afterwards, overthrow Con∣stantine, who was slain by them.
• On the East-point of Fife.
• a

  Sea-Monks, a prodigious sort of Fish, swimming in Sholes, always portending some Evil.
• b

  Ethus, for his Vicious∣ness, forced to abjure the Go∣vernment.
• c

  Gregory over∣comes the Picts and Danes,
• In Annan∣dale.
• d

  And the Brittons also, causing them to restore Cumberland and Westmor∣land.
• e

  Peace made between A••••∣red of Eng••and and the Scots.
• f

  The I••ish break in upon Galway in Scot∣land.
• g

  Which cau∣ses Gregory to follow them into 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• h

  Where he takes Dundalk, Tredagh, and Dublin, and then makes Peace with the Irish, and re∣turns.
• i

  The Danes Fight a bloody Battel with the English, and afterward turn Christians.
• A Town in Murry-land, not far from E••gin.
• k

  Constantine▪ taketh part with the Danes against the English.
• The Ancient Liberty of the Sub••ect inva∣ded.
• l

  The Scots and Danes are o∣vercome by the Policy of Athelstan of England.
• m

  Who reco∣vers from them Westmer∣land, Cumber∣land, and Nor∣thumberland, which yet soon after re••o••t to th•••••• old Ma∣st••••s.
• Constantine resigns the Kingdom.
• Culde••s (per∣haps, contract∣ed from Cul∣tores Dei) or Kelds, Who?
• n

  Malcolm, sometimes f••••s in Courts of Justice, him∣self.
• o

  He is slain.
• p

  The Danes Land in Scot∣land.
• q

  Indulfus Slain in a Fight with the Danes.
• r

  Murmurings against King Duffus.
• 〈…〉〈…〉 King Duffus, Ho••, and by Whom?
• A Tour in Murry-land, 〈…〉〈…〉▪
• King Duffus treacherously Murdered by Donald and his Wife.
• In Murry-land.
• A Traditi∣onal Opinion, still obtaining; Especially, if the Murtherer touch the Mur∣dered Body.
• Prodigies, upon the Mur∣der of Duffus, awaken the Estates to re∣venge it.
• The Mur∣derers of Duf∣fus apprehend∣ed and exe∣cuted.
• Culen. le••s loose the rein•• to Vo∣luptnousness, and indeavours to justifie it in h••mself, and the young No∣bility.
• His Intempe∣rance enfeebles his Body.
• Lust, a pu∣nishment to itself.
• Culenus Sum∣moned to ap∣pear at Scene.
• Or Meffen, lying on the River A••mond, Two Miles above its Con∣fluence with T••••, Three Miles above Perth.

  He is slain by a Thane, for Vi∣tiating his Daughter.
• Th••••e was a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Dig∣nity amongst the Old Scots, and Picts be∣fore them, e∣qual with a Baron, now: Mr. Selde•• judges it to come from a Saxon roo••. His Office was, like that of a Sheriff a∣mongst us, to gather up the King's Revenu, Or, as an Un∣der-Steward, to pay it in to the Lord High Steward, who was called Ab∣••hane.
• Th••••e was a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Dig∣nity amongst the Old Scots, and Picts be∣fore them, e∣qual with a Baron, now: Mr. Selde•• judges it to come from a Saxon roo••. His Office was, like that of a Sheriff a∣mongst us, to gather up the King's Revenu, Or, as an Un∣der-Steward, to pay it in to the Lord High Steward, who was called Ab∣••hane.
• Illustrating 〈◊〉〈◊〉, up∣on Philosophi∣cal 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• The right Method for Publick Refor∣mations, is, for Princes to begin at home, as K. Kenneth the 3^d did.
• On the Banks of Clyd, 5 Miles above Hamilton.
• Kenneth poli∣tickly circum∣vents his Nobi∣lity at Scone, and causes them to Re∣form their Clandships.
• Red-Head.
• A Danish Fleet appears upon the Coast,
• Which Lands in Scotland.
• Kenneth fights with the Danes, and is worsted at First.
• The Day reco∣vered by the Valour of Hay and his Son••.
• The Danes ••e∣ceive a mighty overthrow.
• Standing 2 Miles West from the con∣fluence of Al∣mond and Ta••, in Pe••••••shire.
• St. Iohn∣stons, called Perth, because built on a Gen∣tlemans Land, named Perth.
• Crathilinthus ••••••ses a distur∣bance in Scot∣land.
• But is sup∣pressed, and put to Death
• Kenneth em∣brues his Hands in the Blood of the hopeful Prince, and his Kins∣man 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• Kenneth III. endeavours to alter the old Law, concern∣ing Succession of the Crown, and to make it Hereditary.
• And carries the Point.
• Kenneth trou∣bled in Con∣science for his Murder of Malco••m.
• An Apparition and Vo••••e, to Kenneth.
• Mock-Plaisters applied to Kenneth's wounded Con∣science, by S••∣perstitious Ec∣clesiasticks.
• Situate at the Foot of Clermont in Mern.
• A strange Mechanical Statue or En∣gine.
• Kenneth slain by Fenella.
• Constantine inveighs a∣gainst the Law made by Ken∣neth, about the Hereditary Succession to the Crown, with his Rea∣sons to back his Opinion.
• Malcolm, Competitor with Constan∣tine for the Crown.
• Or Almond-water, dividing Mid-Lothian, from West-Lo∣thian, or Lin∣lithgoshire.
• Constantine slain.
• An Agree∣ment made be∣tween Mal∣colm and Gri∣mus, con••ern∣ing the Crown.
• Grime, ha∣ving broken the Agreement with Malcolm, is overthrown by him in Battel.
• The Law concerning Hereditary Succession to the Crown Confirmed.
• Sueno, or Swain, com∣ing into Scot∣land, obtains Aid there a∣gainst Eng∣••and.
• S••edes, Danes, Laps, and Norts, were anciently so called.
• The Danes enter Scotland, and overthrow King Malcolm in Battel.
• A Burgh, or Burough.
• A Village on the West of the River F••ddick near Balvany.
• The Danes overthrown by the Scots, and their Genera••▪ Ene••••s, sl••••n.
• Called Red∣head, Ridhead, or Reedhead.
• B••mbreid in the midway between Dun∣dee and Aber∣brothock.
• The Danes, under their General Ca∣mus, receive another over∣throw from the Scots.
• On the River South-Esk, in Angus.
• Canutus sent by Swain, into Scotland.
• A Third desperate Bat∣tel between the Danes, under Canutus their General, and the Scots▪
• Which pro∣duceth Condi∣tions of Peace between Them.
• The Origi∣nals of Ward∣ships.
• New Titles of Honour.
• About four Miles South of Forfar.
• King Mal∣colm Murder∣ed.
• The Chief Town of Angus.
• K. Malcolm's Murderers drowned in their Flight.
• Prodigies.