The grounds & reasons of monarchy considered in a review of the Scotch story, gathered out their best authours and records / by J.H.

THE INSTANCE Out of the Scottish History, Which is the Second Part. (Book 2)

ANd now we come to our main businesse, which is the review of Story, wherein we may find such a direct and uninterrupted Se∣ries, such mutuall Endearments be∣tween Prince and People, and so many of them crowned with happy Reigns and quiet Deaths (two toge∣ther scarce dying naturally) that we may conclude, that they have not

onely the most reason, but a great deal of excellent Interest, who E∣spouse the Person and Quarrell of the hopefull descendant of such a Family; nor shall we be so injurious to the glory of a Nation, proud with a Catalogue of Names and Kings, as to expunge a great part of their number; though some who have done it affirm, There can be no probability that they had any other being then what Hector Boyes, and the black Book of Pasley (out of which Buchanan had most of his materials) bestow on them, there being no mention of the name of Scot in any Authentick Writer, till Four hundred years after Christ: No, we shall no more envy these old Heroes unto them, then their placing the red Lion in the Dexter point of their Eschutcheon: But though we might in justice reject them as Fabulous and Monkish,

yet since themselves acknowledge them, and they equally make a∣gainst them, we shall run them over like veritable History: The first of this blessed race was Fergus, first Generall, and afterward got him∣self made King, but no sooner cast away on the coast of Ireland but a contention arises about the validity of their Oath to him, and Uncles are appointed to succeed, which ar∣gues it Elective; so Feritharis Bro∣ther to Fergus is King, but his Ne∣phew enters a Conspiracy against him, forces him to resigne and flie to the Isles, where he died. Fori∣tharis dying soon after, was su∣spected to be poisoned: after him comes in Main (Fergus second sonne) who with his sonne Dorna∣dilla reigned quietly fifty seven years. But Reuther his sonne, not being of age, the people make his Uncle Nothat take the Govern∣ment,

but he misruling, Reuther, by the help of one Doualus, raised a party against him and beheads him; makes himself King with the indi∣gnation of the People that he was not elected, so that by the kindred of Nothat he is fought with, taken and displaced, but afterward makes a party and regains: His son Thereus was too young, so that his Brother Rhoutha succeeded, but af∣ter seventeen years was glad to re∣signe. Well, Thereus reigns, but after six years declines to such lewd∣nesse that they force him to flie, and govern by a Prorex after his death; Josina his Brother, and his Son Finan are Kings, and quietly die so.

But then comes Durst, one who slaies all the Nobility at a Banquet, and is by the People slain; after his death the validity of the Oath to Fergus is called in question,

and the elective power vindicated; but at length Even his brother is admitted, who though he ruled va∣liantly and well, yet he had Gillus a bastard Son, Vaser & Regni Cupidus: The next of the line are two Twins Docham and Dorgall (sons of Durst) they while they disputed of priority of age, are by the artifice of Gillus slain in a tu∣mult; who makes a strong party, and seizing of a Hold, sayes he was made Supervisor by his Father, and so becomes King, cuts off all the race of Durst, but is after forc'd out of the Kingdom, and taken by Even the second his Successor (who was chosen by the People) and by him put to death in Ireland: after Even comes Eder: after Eder, his son Even the third, who for making a Law, that the Nobility should have the enjoyment of all new married women before they were touched

by their husbands, was doomed to prison during his life & there stran∣gled; his Successor was his Kins∣man Metellan; after whom was elected Caratac, whom his brother Corbret succeeded; but then came Dardan (whom the Lords made take on him the Government, by reason of the nonage of Corbrets son) who for his lewdness was taken by the People and beheaded.

After him Corbret the second, whose Son Luctac for his lewdness was by the People put to death; then was elected Mogald, who following his vitious Predecessors steps, found his death like theirs, violent.

His Son Conar one of the Con∣spirators against him succeeded, but mis-governing, was clapt in Prison and there dyed.

Ethodius his Sisters son succe∣ded, who was slain in the night

in his Chamber by his Piper.

His Son being a Minor, Satrael his brother was accepted who seek∣ing to place the succession in his own line, grew so hatefull to the People, that not daring to come abroad, he was strangled in the night by his own servants, which made way for the youngest Bro∣ther

Donald, who out-did the others vices by contrary vertues; and had a happy raign of one and twen∣ty years.

Ethodiis the second, Son of the first of that name was next, a dull un-active Prince, Familiarum tu∣multu occisus.

His Son Athirco promised fair, but deceived their expectati∣ons with most horrid lewdness, and at length vitiated the daughters of Nathaloc a Nobleman, and caused them to be whipt before his eyes,

but seeing himself surrounded by Conspirators, eluded their fury with his own sword; his Brother and Children being forced to flie to the Picts. Nathaloc turning his injury into ambition made himself King, and governed answerably, for he made most of the Nobility to be strangled, under the pre∣tence of calling them to Councell, and was after slain by his own servants.

After his death, Athirco's chil∣dren were called back, and Findor his son, being of excellent hopes, accepted; who made good what his youth promised; he beat in sun∣dry Battels Donald the Islander, who seeing he could not prevail by force, sent two, as Renegadoes, to the King, who (being not ac∣cepted) conspire with his Brother, by whose means one of them slew him with a hunting spear when he was a hunting.

His brother Donald succeeds (the youngest of the three) who about to revenge his Brothers death hears the Islander is entred Murray: whom he encountring with unequal forces, is taken prisoner with thir∣ty of the Nobility, and whether of grief, or his wounds, dyes in Prison.

The Islander, that had before assumed the name, now assumed the power (the Nobles, by rea∣son of their kindred prisoners, being overawed) this man wanting no∣thing of an exquisite Tyrant, was, after twelve years Butcheries, slain by Cratherinth son of Findor, who under a disguise found address and opportunity. The brave Tyranni∣cide was universally accepted, and gave no cause of repentance, his Raign is famous, for a War begun between the Scots and Picts about a Dog (as that between the Tro∣jans

and Italians for a white Hart) and the defect on of Carausius from Dioclesian which happened in his time.

His Kinsman Fyncormach suc∣ceeded, worthy of memory for litt∣le but the piety of the Culdys (an order of Religious men of that time overborn by others succeeding) hee being dead, three sonnes of his three brothers contended; Romach as the eldest strengthned by his al∣liance with the Picts, with their as∣sistance seized on it, forcing others to fly, but proving cruell, the No∣bility conspired and slew him.

Angusian, another pretender, succeeds who being assailed by Ne∣ctam King of the Picts, who came to revenge Romach, routed his Ar∣my in a pitcht battel, but Nectham coming again he was routed and both he and Nectham slaine.

Tethelmac, the third pretender

came next, who beating the Picts, and wasting their fields; Hergust when he saw there could be no ad∣vantage by the sword, suborned two Picts to murther him, who drawing to conspiracy, the Piper that lay in his Chamber (as the manner was then) he at the ap∣pointed time admitted them, and there slew him.

The next was Even son of Fin∣cormac, who was slain in a Battell with the Picts, to the almost extir∣pation and banishment of the Scots; but at the last the Picts taking di∣staste at the Romans entred into a secret League with the Scots, and agreed that Fergus, (whose, Uncle the last King was) being then in banishment, and of a Militari breeding and inclination should be chosen King: with him the Danes maintained a long War with the Romanes, and pulled down the

Picts wall, at last he and the King of Picts were in one day slain in a battell against them; This mans ac∣cess to Government was strange, ignotus Rex ab ignoto populo accer∣situs, and may be thought temera∣rious; he having no Land for his People, and the Roman Name ini∣micall, yet founded he a Monar∣chy, there having been Kings ever since; and we are to note, this is the first man that the sounder writ∣ers will allow to be reall and not fabulous. Him succeded his son Engenius (whose Grandfather Gra∣hame had all the power) a War∣like Prince whom some say slain, some dead of a disease. After him his Brother Dongard, who after the spending of five superstitious years, left the Crown (as they call it) to his youngest Brother Constantine; who from a good private man turned a lew Prince, and was slain

by a Nobleman, whose daughter he had ravished; he was succeeded by Congall Constantines son, who came a tolerable good Prince to a loose people, and having spent some two and twenty years in slight ex∣cursions against the Saxons, left the rule to his Brother Goran, who notwithstanding he made a good League against the Brittains, which much conduced to his and the Peo∣ples settlement, yet they in requi∣tal, after thirty four years, made away with him; which brought in Eugenius the third of that name, the son of Congall, who was strong∣ly suspected to have a hand in his death, insomuch that Gorans wi∣dow was forced to flie into Ireland with her children: This man in thirty three years time did nothing but Reign, and make short incur∣sions upon the Borders; he left the rule to his Brother Congall, a Mo∣nastical,

Superstitious and unactive Prince, who Reigned ten years. Kynnatell his Brother was desi∣gned for Successor, but Aydan the son of Goran laid his claime, but was content to suspend in re∣spect of the age and diseases of Kynnatell, which after fourteen moneths took him out of the world and cleared the Controversie, and Aydan by the consent of Columba (a Priest that Governed all in those dayes) came to be King; a man that after thirty four years turbulently spent, being beaten by the Saxons and struck with the death of Columba dyed of grief.

After him was chosen Kenneth, who hath left nothing behinde him but his name. Then came Eugenius the fourth, son of Aydan (so irre∣gular is the Scots succession that we see it inverted by usurpation or cross elections in every two or three

Generations) this man left an am∣biguous fame, for Hector, sayes he was peaceable, the Manuscript im∣placably severe, he Reigned sixteen years, and left his sonne Ferchard Successour, who endeavouring to heighten the Prerogative by the dis∣sentions of the Nobility, was on the contrary impeached by them, and called to an account, which he de∣nying was clapt in Prison, where he himself saved the Executioner a la∣bour: So that his Brother Donald succeeded, who being taken up with the Piety of those dayes, left no∣thing memorable, save that he in Person interpreted Scots Sermons unto the Saxons: He was follow∣ed by his Nephew Ferchard, sonne of the first of that name, a thing like a King in nothing but his exor∣bitancies, who in hunting was woun∣ded by a Wolf, which cast him into a Feaver, wherein he not observing

the imposed Temperance, brought upon himself the lowsie disease, upon which discomforted, he was by the perswasion of Colman (a Religious man) brought out in his bed cove∣red with Hair-cloth, where he made a publick acknowledgement to the People, and soon after died. Mald∣win, Donalds son followed, who af∣ter a twenty years ignoble Reign was strangled by his Wife. Euge∣nius the Fift succeed, son (they say) of King Dongard, though the Chronologie seem to refute it: This man spent five years in slight incur∣sions, and was succeeded by Euge∣nius the Sixt, son of Ferchard: This man is famous for a little learning, as the times went; and the prodigie of raining of bloud seven dayes, all Lacticinia turning into bloud. Amberkelleth nephew to Eu∣genius the Fift, succeeded this rude Prince, while he was discharging

the burden of Nature, was slain by an arrow from an unknown hand. Eugenius the Seventh followed, who being attempted by Conspira∣tours, had his new-married Wife slain in bed beside him; for which he being accused produced the mur∣derers before his triall, and was ac∣quitted, and so ended the rest of his 17. years in peace, recommending unto the People Mordack, son of Amberkelleth, who continuing a blank raigne, or it may be a happy one, in regard it was peaceable, left it to Etfyn, son of Eugenius the se∣venth; the first part of his reigne was peaceable; but Age obliging him to put the Government into the hands of four of his servants, it hapned to him, as it doth to other Princes, whose fortunes decay com∣monly with their strength, that it was very unhappy and turbulent: Which miseries, Eugenius the

Eighth, son of Mordack restrained; but he it seems, having a nature fit∣ter to appease tumults, then to enjoy rest, at the first enjoyment of peace, broke into such lewdnesse, that the Nobility at a meeting stabb'd him, and made way for Fergus the sonne of Etfyn, one like his Predecessour in manner, death, and continuance of reigne, which was three years; the onely dissimilitude was, that the latter's Wife brought his death; for which, others being impeached, she stept in and confessed it, and to elude punishment, punished her self with a knife. Soluath, son of Eugenius the Eighth, followed him, who though his gout made him of lesse Action, yet it made his prudence more visible, and himself not illaudable, his death brought in Achaius the son of Etfyn, whose reign was innobled with an Irish War, and many learned men, besides the

assistance, lent Hungus to fight a∣gainst the Northumbrians, whom he beat in famous battell, which (if I may mention the matter) was presignified to Hungus in a dream; Saint Andrew appearing to him, and assuring him of it, and in the time of the battell, a white Crosse, (that which the Heraulds call a Sal∣tier, and we see commonly in the Scots Banners) appeared in the Sky; and this I think to have been the occasion of that bearing, and an order of Knights of Saint An∣drew, sometimes in reputation in Scotland, but extinguished for ought I can perceive, before the time of James the Sixth, though the Collar and Pendent of it are at this day worn about the Scots Arms. To this man Congal his Cousin suc∣ceeded, who left nothing behind him but five years to stretch out the account of time. Dongal the son of

Soluath came next, who being of a nature fierce and insupportable, there was an endeavour to set up Alpine son of Achaius, which de∣signe by Alpine himself was fru∣strated, which made the King wil∣linger to assist Alpine in his pre∣tension to the Kingdome of Picts, in the which attempt he was drown∣ed, and left unto Alpine that which he before had so nobly refused, who making use of the former raised an Army, beat the Picts in many signall Victories; but at last was slain by them, leaving his name to the place of his death, and the Kingdome to his son Kenneth. This man seeing the People broken with the late War, and unwilling to fight, drew on by this subtilty, invites the No∣bility to dinner, and after plying them with drink till midnight, leaves them sleeping on the floor (as the manner was) and then

hanging Fish-skins about the wals of the Chamber, and making one speak through a trunk, and call them to Warre: they waking, and half asleep, supposed something of Divinity to be in it, and the next morning not onely consented to War, but (so strange is deluded imagination,) with unspeakable courage fell upon the Enemy, and put them to the rout: which being confirmed by other great Victories, utterly ruined the Pictish Name. This man may be added to the two Ferguses, and truly may be said to be the Founder of the Scots Em∣pire, not onely in making that the middle of his Dominion, which was once the bounds: But in con∣firming his acquests with good Laws, having opportunitie of a long peace which was Sixteen years, his whole time of Government be∣ing Twenty. This was he that pla∣ced

that Stone, famous for that illu∣sory Prophesie, Ni fallat fatum &c. (which first was brought our of Spain and Ireland, and from thence to Argyle) at Scown; where he put it in a Chair, in which all his Suc∣cessours (till Edward the First brought it away) were crowned, and since that, all the Kings of England, till the happinesse of our Common-wealth made it uselesse. His Brother Donald was his Succes∣sour, a man made up of extreamities of virtues and vices, no man had more bravery in the field, nor more vice at home, which increasing with his years, the Nobility put him in prison, where either for fear or scorn, he put an end to his dayes, leaving behind him his brother Constantine, a man wanting nothing of him but his vices, who struggling with a po∣tent Enemy, (for the Picts had cal∣led in the Danes) and driving them

much into despair (a bravery that hath not seldome ruin'd many ex∣cellent Captains) was taken by them, put into a little Cave, and there slain. He was succeeded by Ethus his brother, who had all his eldest brothers vices, and none of his seconds virtues; Nature it seems, making two extremes, and a middle in the three Brethren: This man vo∣luptuous and cowardly, was forced to resigne; or, as others say, died of wounds received in a Duell from his Successour, who was Gregory son of Dongal, who was not onely an excellent man, but an excellent Prince, that both recovered what the others had lost, and victoriously traversed the Nothern Counties of England, and a great part of Ire∣land, whose King a Minor, and in his power, he generously made no advantage of, but setled his Coun∣trey, and provided faithfull and a∣ble

Guardians for him. These things justly yield him the name of Great: Donald son of Constantine the second by his recommendation, succeeded in his power and virtues, notwithstanding some say he was removed by poyson: Next was Constantine the third, son of Ethus, an unstable person, who assisted the Danes, which none of his Predeces∣sours would do, and after they had deserted him basely, yet yielded them succours, consisting of the chief of the Scots Nobility, which with the whole Danish Army were routed by the Saxons; this struck him so, that he retired amongst the Culdys (which were as the Greek Caloyers, or Romish Monks at this day) and there buried himself alive: After him was Milcom, son of Donald the third, who though a good Prince, and well skill'd in the arts of peace, was slain by a Con∣spiracy

of those to whom his virtue was burthensome: His Successour was Judulf (by what title I find not) who fighting with the Danes, that with a Navy unexpectedly came into the Frith, was slain: Duffe his son succeeds, famous for an acci∣dent, which if it be true, seems near∣ly distant from a fable; He was suddenly afflicted by a sweating disease, by which he painfully lan∣guish'd, yet no body could find the cause, till at last a Girl, that had scattered some words after torments, confessed that her mother and some other women, had made an Image of wax, whirh, as it wasted, the King should waste, by sweating much; the place being diligently searched, it was found accordingly; so the Image being broke, he in∣stantly recovered: That which di∣sturbed his five years Reign, was the turbulency of the Northern peo∣ple,

whom, when he had reduced and taken, with intent to make ex∣emplary punishment, Donald the Commander of the Castle of For∣resse, where he then lay, interceded for some of them, but being repulst, and exasperated by his wife, after he had made all his servants drunk∣en, flew him in his bed, and buried him under a little bridge, (lest the cutting of turfs might bewray a grave) near Kilross Abbey; though others say, he turned aside a River, and after he had buried him, suffer∣ed it to take its former Channel: Culen the son of Induffe, by the E∣lection of Parliament, or Conven∣tion of People succeeded, good onely in this one Action of inqui∣ring and punishing his Predeces∣sours death, but after, by the neg∣lect of Discipline, and the exquisit∣nesse of his vices, became a monster, and so continued three years, till

being weakned and exhausted in his body, and vext with perpetuall dis∣eases he was summoned by the Par∣liament, and in the way, was slain by a Thane (so they then called Lieutenants of Counties) whose daughter he had ravished.

Then came Kenneth, brother to Duff (though the forepart of his Keign was totally unlike his) who being invaded by the Danes, beat them in that famous battel, which was won by three Hays, husband∣men (from whom all the Hays now give three shields gules) who with their Sythes reinforced the lost bat∣tel, but in his latter time he lost this reputation, by poysoning Milcolm sonne of Duff, to preserve the Crown for a son of his name, though of lesse merit (for sayes Bucanan, They use to choose the fittest, not the nearest) which being done, he got ordained in a Parliament, that the

Succession should be lineall, the Son should inherit, and be called Prince of Scots; and if he were a minor, be governed by some wise man (here comes the pretence of Succession, whereas before it was clearly Elective) and at fifteen, he should choose his Guardian him∣self; But the Divine vengeance, which seldome, even in this life, pas∣ses by murther, overtook him; for he was insnared by a Lady, whose son he had caused to be executed, and slain by an arrow out of an ambush she had laid. Constantine the son of Culen, notwithstanding all the artifice of Kenneth, by his reasoning against the Act, perswa∣ded most of the Nobility to make him King, to that Milcolm the son of Kenneth and he made up two factions, which tore the Kingdome, till at length Milcoms Bastard Bro∣ther (himself being in Englaend as∣sisting

the Danes) fought him rout∣ed his Army, and with the losse of his own life, took away his, they dying of mutuall wounds. Grime, of whose birth they do not certain∣ly agree, was chosen by the Constan∣tinians, who made a good party, but at intercession of Forard (an accounted Rabbi of the times) they at last agreed, Grime being to enjoy the Kingdome for his life, after which Milcolumb should succeed, his fathers Law standing in force; but he after declining into lewdnesse, cruelty and spoil (as Princes drunk with greatnesse and prosperity use to do) the people called back Mil∣columb, who rather receiving battel then giving it (for it was upon A∣scention day, his principall Holy∣day) routed his Forces, wounded himself, took him, pulled out his eyes, which altogether made an end of his life, all factions and

humours being reconciled.

Milcolumb, who with various Fortune fought many signall Battels with the Danes, who under their King Sueno had invaded in his latter end he grew to such Covetousness and Oppression, that all Authours agree he was murthered, though they disagree of the manner; some say, by Confederacy with his ser∣vants; some, by his Kinsmen and Competitours; some, by the friends of a maid, whom he had ravished. Donald his Grandchild succeeded, a good natur'd and unactive Prince, who with a stratagem of sleepy drink, destroyed a Danish Army that had invaded and distressed him, but at last being insnared by his Kinsman Mackbeth (who was pricked forward by Ambition, and a former vision of three women of a Sour-humane shape, whereof one saluted him, Thane of Angus, ano∣ther

of Murray the third King) he was beheaded.

The severity and cruelty of Mackbeth was so known, that both the sons of the murthered King were forced to retire, and yield to the times, whilest he courted the Nobi∣lity with largesses: The first ten years he spent virtuously, but the re∣mainder was so savage and Tyran∣nicall, that Macduff Thone of Fife fled into England to Milcolm, son of Donald, who by his perswasions, and the assistance of the King of England, enterd Scotland, where he found such great accessions to his party, that Mackbeth was forced to fly, his death is hid in a such a mist of Fables, that it is not cer∣tainly known.

Milcolumb, the third of that name, now being quietly seated, was the first that brought in those gay inventions and distinctions of Ho∣nours,

Dukes, Marquesses (that now are become so ayery, that some carry them from places, to which they have as little relation as any, as Island in America, and other from Cottages and Dovecoats) his first trouble was Forfar Mackbeths son, who claimed the Crown, but was soon after cut off: some war he had with that William, whom we call falsly the Conquerour, some with his own People, which, by the Intercession of the Bishops, were taken up: At length, quarrelling with our William the second, he laid Siege to Alnwick Castle, which be∣ing forced to extremity, a Knight came out with the Keys on a Spear, as to present them to him, and yield the Castle, but he not with due heed receving them, was runne through the eye and slain; some from hence derive the name of Piercy (how truly I know not) his

sonne and Successour Edward fol∣lowing his revenge too hotly, recei∣ved some wounds, of which, within a few dayes, he died.

Donald Bane (that is white) who had fled into the Isles for fear of Mackbeth, promised them to the Kings of Norway, if he would pro∣cure him to be King, which was done with ease, as the times then stood, but this Usurper being hated by the People, who generally loved the memory of Milcomb, they set Duncan Milcombs Bastard a∣gainst him, who forced him to re∣tire to his Isles; Duncan a Military man, shewed himself unfit for Go∣vernment, so, Donald waiting all advantages, caused him to be be∣headed, and restored himself; but his Reign was so turbulent, the Islanders and English invading on both sides, that they called in Ed∣gar sonne of Milcolmb, then in

England, who, with small assistan∣ces, possest himself, all men desert∣ing Donald, who being taken and brought to the King died in Prison. Edgar secure by his virtues, and strengthened by the English alli∣ance, spent nine years virtuously and peaceably, and gave the People leave to breathe and rest after so much trouble and bloudshed. His Brother Alexander, sirnamed A∣cer, or the fierce, succeeded, the be∣ginning of whose Reign, being di∣sturbed by a Rebellion, he speedily met them at the Spay, which being a swift River, and the Enemy on the other side, he offered himself to foard on horse-back but Alexander Car taking the imployment from him, foarded the River with such courage, that the Enemy fled, and were quiet. The rest of his Reign some say he had the name of Acer, for that some Conspiratours

being by the fraud of Chamberlain, admitted into his Chamber, he casu∣ally waking first, slew the Cham∣berlain, and after six of the Con∣spiratours, not ceasing to pursue the rest, till he had slain most of them with his own hands, this with the building of some Abbeys, and se∣venteen years Reign, is all we know of him.

His Brother David succeeded, one whose profuse prodigality upon the Abbeys brought the revenew of the Crown (so prevalent was the superstition of those dayes) almost to nothing, he had many battels with our Stephen about the title of Maud the Empresse, and having lost his excellent wife and hopefull Sonne in the flower of their dayes, he left the Kingdome to his Grand∣children, the eldest whereof was David a simple King, baffled, and led up and down into France by

our Henry the second, which brought them to such contempt, that he was vext by frequent Insur∣rections, especially them of Mur∣ray, whom he almost extirpated; the latter part of his Reign was spent in building of Monasteries, he himself tyed by a Vow of Cha∣stity, would never marry, but left his Successor his brother William, who expostulating for the Earldom of Northumberland gave occasion for a War, in which he was surpri∣zed and taken, but afterwards re∣least upon his doing Homage for the Kingdom of Scotland to King Henry, of whom he acknowled∣ged to hold it, and puting in Cau∣tion the Castles of Roxborough (once strong, now nothing but ruins) Barwick, Edinburgh, Ster∣ling, all which notwithstand∣ing was after released by Ri∣chard Ceur de Lyon, who was then

upon an expedition to the Holy War, from whence returning, both he, and David Earl of Huntington, brother to the King of Scots were taken Prisoners: the rest of his Reign (saving the rebuilding of Saint Johnstone, which had been destroyed by the waters, whereby he lost his eldest Son;) and some Treaties with our King John was little worth the memory; only you will wonder that a Scottish King could Reign fourty nine years and dye in peace.

Alexander his sonne succeeded, famous for little, save some Expe∣ditions against our King John, some Insurrections, and a Reign two years longer then his Fathers. His sonne was the third of that name, a boy of eight years old, whose Minority was infested with the tur∣bulent Cumins, who at riper age, being called to accompt, not onely

refused, but surprized him at Ster∣ling, governing him at their plea∣sure; but soon after he was awaked by a furious Invasion of Acho King of Norway (under the pre∣tence of some Islands given him by Mackbeth) whom he forced to accept a Peace and spent the latter part amidst the turbulencies of the Priests (drunk at that time with their wealth and ease) and at last having seen the continued funerals of his Sons, David, Alexander, his wife, and his daughter, he him∣self with a fall from his horse broke his neck, leaving of all his race, onely a Grand-childe by his daugh∣ter, which dyed soon after.

This mans family being extin∣guished, they were forced to run to to another Line, which that we may see how happy, expedient, imme∣diate Succession is for the Peace of the Kingdom, and what miseries it

prevents; I shall as briefly and as pertinently as I can, set down.

David, brother to King Wil∣liam, had three daughters. Mar∣garet marryed to Allan, Lord of Galloway, Isabell marryed to Ro∣bert Bruce, Lord of Annadale and Cleveland; Ada marryed to Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntington now Allan begot on his wife Dorna∣dilla married to John Baliall after King of Scotland, and other two daughters, Bruce on his wife Ro∣bert Bruce, Earle of Carick, (ha∣ving married the heretrix thereof,) as for Huntington he desisted his claime; The question is, whether Balial in right of the eldest daugh∣ter, or Bruce being come of the se∣cond (but a man) should have the Crown, he being in the same de∣gree, and of the more worthy sex; the Controversie being tost up and down, at last was referred to Ed∣ward

the first of that name of En∣gland he thinking to fish in these troubled waters, stirs up eight other Competitors, the more to entangle the business, and with twenty four Councellors, half English, half Scots, and abundance of Lawyers, fit enough to per∣plex the matter, so handled the bu∣siness, after cunning delayes, that at length he secretly tampers with Bruce (who was then conceived to have the better right of the busi∣nesse) that if he would acknow∣ledge the Crown of him, he would adjudge it for him, but he gene∣rously answering that he valued a Crown at a less rate, then for it to put his Countrey under a Forraign yoke; he made the same motion to Baliall, who accepted it; and so we have a King again, by what right we all see, but it is good rea∣son to think that Kings, come they

by their power never so unjustly, may justly keep it.

Baliall having thus got a Crown as unhappily kept it, for no sooner was he Crowned, and had done ho∣nage to Edward, but the Aberne∣thys having slain Macduffe Earl of Fife, he not onely pardoned them, but gave them a peice of land in controversie, whereupon Macduffs brother complainis against him to Edward, who makes him rise from his seat at Parliament and go to the bar, he hereupon enraged, denyes Edward assistance against the French, and renounses his homage, Edward hereupon comes to Ber∣wick takes and kils seaven thosand, most of the Nobility of Fife and Lowthian, and after gave them a great defeat at Dunbar, whose Castle instantly surrendred: After this, he marched to Montrosse, where Baliall resined himself and

Crown, all the Nobility giving Homage to Edward, Baliall is sent prisoner to London, and from thence after a years detention into France. Whilest Edward was pos∣sest of all Scotland, one William Wallace arose, who being a pri∣vate man, bestirred himself in the Calamity of his Countrey, and gave the English severall notable foyles. Edward coming again with an Army, beat him (that was over∣come with envy and emulation as well as power, upon which he laid by his Command, and never acted after, but slight Incursions) but the English being beaten at Roslin, Edward comes in again, takes Sterling, and makes them all ren∣der homage; but at length Bruce, seeing all his promises nothing but smoak, enters into League with Cumen to get the Kingdome; but being betrayed by him to Edward,

he stabbed Cumen at Drumfreis, and made himself King. This man though he came with disadvan∣tage, yet wanted neither patience, courage, nor conduct; so that af∣ter he had miserably lurk'd in the mountains, he came down, and ga∣thering together some force, gave our Edward the second such a de∣feat near Sterling, as Scotland ne∣ver gave the like to our Nation, and continued war with various for∣tune with the Third, till at last, age and Leprosie brought him to his grave. His son David a Boy of eight years, inherited that which he with so much danger obtained, and wisdom kept; In his minority he was governed by Thomas Randolf Earl of Murray, whose severity in punishing was no lesse dreaded then His valor had been honoured, but he soon after dying of poyson, and Edward Balial, son of John, com∣ing

with a Fleet, and strengthend with the assistance of the English, and some Robbers, the Governour the Earl of Mar was put to the rout, so that Balial makes himself King, and David was glad to retire into France; Amidst these parties (Edward the third backing Balial) was Scotland pitifully torn, and the Bruces in a manner extinguished, till Robert (after King) with them of Argyle and his own Familie and Friends, begin to renew the Claim, and bring it into a War again, which was carried on by Andrew Murray the Governour, and after by himself; that David after nine years banishment durst return, where making often Incursions, he at length in the fourth year of his return, march'd into England, and in the Bishoprick of Durham was routed, fled to an obscure Bridge, shewed to this day by the Inhabi∣tants,

where he was by Iohn Cop∣land taken prisoner, where he con∣tinued nine years, and in the thirty ninth yeare of his Reigne died.

Robert his sisters son, whom he had intended to put by, succeeds, and first brought the Stewarts (which at this day are a plague to the Nation) into play: This man after he was King, whether it were age or sloth, did little; but his Lieu∣tenants and the English were perpe∣tually in Action; he left his King∣dom to John his Bastard Son by the Lady More his Concubine, whom he married, either to Legit∣timate the three Children (as the manner was then) he had by her, or else for old acquaintance (his Wife and her Husband dying much about a time) this John would be Crown∣ed by the name of Robert (his own they say, being unhappie for Kings) a wretched unactive Prince,

lame, and onely governed by his brother Walter, who having Da∣vid the Prince, upon the complaint of some exorbitancies, delivered to him to take care of, made him to be starv'd; upon which the King in∣tending to send his Son James into France, the Boy was taken at Flamburgh, and kept by our Henry the Fourth; upon the hearing of which, his Father swounded, and soon after died: His reign was me∣morable for nothing, but his break∣ing with George Earl of March, to whose daughter, upon the pay∣ment of a great part of her portion (which he never would repay) he had promised his Son David for an husband: to take the Daughter of Douglas who had a greater, which occasioned the Earl of March to make many in-rodes with our Henry Hot-spur; and a famous Duel of three hundred men a piece,

whereof of the one side ten remain∣ed, and of the other one, which was the onely way to appease the dead∣ly Feuds of two Families: The Inter-reign was governed by Ro∣bert, who enjoying the power, he had too much coveted, little mind∣ed the libertie of his Nephew, one∣ly he sent some Auxiliaries into France, who, they say, behaved themselves worthily; and his sloth∣full Son Mordac, who making his Sons so bold with indulgence, that one of them kill'd a Faulcon on his fist, which he denied to give him; he in revenge procured the Parlia∣ment to ransom the King, who had been eighteen years prisoner. This James was the first of that Name, and though he was an excellent Prince, yet had a troublesom Reign; first in regard of a great Pension raised for his Ransome, next for Domestick

Commotions, and lastly for raising of money, which though the Reve∣nue was exhausted, was called Co∣vetousnesse, which having offended Robert Graham, he conspired with the Earl of Athol, slew him in his Chamber, his Wife receiving two wounds, endeavouring to defend him.

This James left the second, a boy of six years, whose infancy by the mis-guidance of the Governour, made a miserable People, and be∣trayed the Earl Douglas to death, and almost all that great Family to ruine; but being supplanted by ano∣ther Earl Douglas, the King in his just age suffered minority under him, who upon displeasure rebelled, and was kill'd by the Kings own hand; afterwards having his middle years perpetually molested with Ci∣vill broils, yet going to assist the Duke of York against Henry the

Sixth, he was diverted by an Eng∣lish Gentleman, that counterfeited himself a Nuncio (which I menti∣on out of a Manuscript, because I do not remember it in our Stories) and broke up his Army: soon after besieging Roxburgh, he was slain by the bursting of a Cannon in the twenty ninth year of his Age.

James the Third left a Boy of seven years, governed by his Mo∣the, afterwards the Boyds through the perswasions of Astrologers and Witches to whom he was strongly addicted, he declined to Cruelty, which so inraged the Nobility, that headed by his son, they conspired a∣gainst him, routing his Forces near Sterling, wherein he flying to a Mill, and asking for a Confessor, a Priest came, who told him, that though he was no good Priest, yet he was a good Leech, and with that stabb'd him to the heart: A Parli∣ament

approved his death, and or∣dered Indemnities to all that had sought against him.

James the Fourth, a Boy of fif∣teen years, is made King, Governed by the murtherers of his Father, a prodigall vain-glorious Prince slain at Floddon Field or as some suppose at Kelsey, by the Humes, which (as the Manuscript alledges) seems more probability, in regard that the Iron Belt (a Ring to which he added e∣very year) which he wore in repent∣ance for the death of his Father, was never found, and there were ma∣ny the day of the Battell habited like him. His Successor was his son, James the Fifth of that Name, a Boy of not above two years of age; under whose minority, what by the Mis-government of Tutors, what by the factions of the Nobi∣lity, Scotland was wasted almost in∣to famine and solitude, yet in his

just age, he proved an industrious Prince, but could not so satisfie the Nobility but he and they continued in a mutuall hate, till that barbarous execution of young Hamilton, so fill'd him with remorse, (he dream-that Hamilton came and cut off his Arms, and threatned after to cut off his Head) and displeased the people. that he could not make his Army fight with the English then in Scot∣land, whereupon he dyed of grief, having heard the death of his two sons, who dyed at the instant of his Dream, and leaving a Daughter of five dayes old, whom he never saw.

This was that Mary, under whose minority (by the weaknesse of the Governour, and ambition of the Cardinall) the Kingdome felt all those woes that are threatned to them whose King is a Child. Till at length the prevalency of the English

Arms (awakes for her Cause) brought the great designe of send∣ing her into France to perfection, so at five years old she was t••ansport∣ed, and at fifteen married to the Daulphin Francis, after King, (whilest her mother, daughter of the Guise, in her Regency, exercised all Rage against the Professours of the pure Religion then in the dawn) who after two years, left her a childlesse Widow, so that at eigh∣teen she returned into Scotland to succeed her Mother (then newly dead) in her exorbitoncies.

This young Couple in the trans∣port of their Nuptiall solemnities, took the Arms and Title of Eng∣land; which indiscreet Ambition we may suppose first quickned the jealousie of Elizabeth against her, which after kindled so great a flame.

In Scotland she shewed what a

strange influence loose education hath upon youth, and that weaker Sex, all the French effeminacies came over with her, the Court lost that little severity which was left. David Rize was the onely Fa∣vourite, and it too much feared, had those enjoyments which no woman can give, but she that gives away her honour and chastity.

But a little after, Henry Lord Darnly, coming with Matthew Earl of Lenox his father into Scot∣land, she cast an eye upon him, and married him. Whether it were to strengthen her pretension to Eng∣land, he being come of Henry the Sevenths Daughter, as we shall tell anon, or for to colour her Adulte∣ries, and hide the shame of an im∣pregnation, (though some have whispered, that she never concei∣ved, and that the son was supposi∣titious) or some Phrenzy of affe∣ction

drew her that way; certain it is she soon declined her affection to her husband, and encreased it to David (he being her perpetuall Companion at Board, and man∣aging all Affairs, whilst the King with a contemptible train was sent away) insomuch that some of the Nobility that could not digest this, entred a Conspiracy, which the king headed, and slew him in her Cham∣ber.

This turn'd all the neglect of her Husband into rage, so that her chiefest businesse was to appease her Favorites Ghost with the slaughter of her Husband; poyson was first attempted, but it being (it seems) too weak, or his youth overcoming it, that expectation failed. But the Devil and Bothwel furnish'd her with another that succeeded, she in∣tices him being so sick, that they were forc'd to bring him in an horse∣litter

to Edenburgh, where she che∣risht him extreemly, till the credu∣lous young man began to lay aside suspition, and hope better; so she puts him in a ruinous House near the Palace, from whence no news can be had, brings in her own bed, and lyes in the House with him; and at length when the Designe was ripe, causes him one Sunday night, with his servant, to be strangled, thrown out of the window, and the House blown up with Gun-powder, her own rich bed having been before se∣cretly conveyed away. This and o∣ther performances made her favour upon Bothwel so hot, that she must marry him, the onely obstacle was, he had a Wife already; but she was compell'd to sue for a Divorce, which (so great Persons being con∣cern'd) it was a wonder, was in granting so long as ten dayes. Well, she marries but the more honest no∣bilitie

amazed at those exorbitances, gather together, and with arms in hands begin to expostulate: The new-married people are forc'd to make back Southwards, where find∣ing but slender assistances, and the Queen foolishly coming from Dun∣bar to Leith, was glad at last to de∣lay a parley till her Dear was esca∣ped and then (clad in an old totter∣ed coat) to yield her self a pri∣soner.

Being brought to Edenburgh, and used rather with hate of her former enormities, then pity of her fortune, she received a message, that she must either resign the Crown to her son James (that was born in the time of her marriage with Darnby) or else they would proceed to ano∣ther Election, and was forc'd to o∣bey: So the Child then in his Cra∣dle was acknowledged James the Sixth, better known afterwards

by the Title of Great Brittain.

The wretched mother flying af∣ter into England, was entertained (though with a Guard) by Queen Elizabeth, but after that being sub∣orned by the Papists, and exaspera∣ted by the Guizes, she entered into plots and machinations, so inconsi∣stent with the safety of England, that by an Act of Parliament she was condemned to death, which she after received by an hatchet at Fo∣thering-gay Castle.

The infancy of her son was at∣tended with those Domestick evils that accompany minority of Kings: In his youth he took to wife the Daughter of Denmark (a woman I hear little of, saving that Chara∣cter Salust gives Sempronia, she could saltare elegantius quam nec∣esse est probae) with whom he sup∣posing the Earl Gowry too much in League, caused him and his

brother to be slain at their own House whither he was invited, he giving out, that they had an intent to murther him, and that by miracle, and the assistance of some men (whom he had instru∣cted for that purpose, and taught their tale) he escap'd. For this De∣liverance (or to say better assa∣sination) he Blasphemed God with a solemne Thanksgiving once a year all the remainder of his life.

Happy had it been for us, if our fore fathers had laid hold of that happy opportunity of Elizabeths death (in which the Teuthors took a period) to have performed that which (perchance in due punish∣ment) hath cost us so much blood and sweat, and not have bowed under the sway of a Stranger, (disdained by the most generous and wise at that time, and one∣ly supported by the Faction of some

and sloth of others) who brought but a slender title, and (however the assentation of the times cryed him up a Solomo) weak commen∣dations for such an advancement.

The Former stood thus, Marga∣ret, eldest daughter to Henry the Seventh, was married to James the Fourth, whole Son, James the Fifth, had Mary the Mother of James the Sixth. Margaret after her first Husbands death, martyrs Archibald Douglas, Earl of An∣gus, who upon her begot Marga∣ret, wife of Matthew Earl of Le∣nox, and Mother of that Henry Darnly, whose Tragical end we just now mentioned. Now upon this slender Title, and our internal dis∣sentions (for the Cecilians and Es∣sezians, for several ends, made per∣petual applications) got Jammy from a Revenew of 30000. li. to one of almost two Millions, though

there were others that had as fair pretences (what else can any of them make) the Statute of 25. Ed. 3 expresly excluding Forreigners from the Crown? and so the Children of Charls Brandon by Mary the Se∣cond Daughter, Dowager of France, being next to come in. And the Lady Arbella, being sprung from a third Husband, (the Lord Stewart) of the said Margaret, and by a Male Lyne, carried surely a formidable pretention (it should seem) that even that iniquitie which was personally inherent to her, made her dayes very unhappy and most part captive, and her death ('tis thought) somewhat too early, so cruel are the Persecutions of cow∣ardly minds, even against the weak∣est and most unprotected innocence.

And indeed his right to the Crown was so satisfactorie even to the most judicious of those days;

that Tobie Matthew having a suit about some priviledges which he claimed to his Bishoprick (which was then Durham) wherein the King opposed him; having one day stated the Case before some of his friends, and they seeming to approve of it; yes, sayes he, I could wish he had but half so good a Title to the Crown; and 'tis known that some speeches of Sir Walter Rawley, too generous and English for the times, was that which brought him to Trial and Condemnation for a feigned crime, and afterwards so fa∣cilitated that barbarous design of Gundamar, to cut of his head for a crime, for which he was condemned fourteen years before, and which by the Commissions he after received (according to the opinion of the then Lord Chancellour, and the greatest Lawyars) was in Law par∣doned.

This may besides our purpose, but we could not sever this Consi∣deration, unless we would draw him with an half face, and leave as much in umbrage as we expressed. That which most solemnized his Person, was, first the consideration of his adhering to the Protestant Religion, whereas we are to consi∣der that those slieght velitations he had with Bellarmine and the Ro∣manists, tended rather to make his own Authoritie more intrinsecally intense, and venerable, then to con∣fute any thing they said, for he had before shakt them off, as to For∣reign Jurisdiction, and for matter of Poperie, it appeared in his latter time that he was no such enemie to it, both by his own Compliances with the Spanish Ambassadours, the design of the Spanish Match (in which his Son was personally im∣barkt) and the slow assistances sent

to his Daughter, in whose safetie and protectiod Protestantism was at that time so much concerned.

For his knowledge, he had some glancings and niblings, which the severitie of the excellent Buchanan, fore'd into him in his younger time, and after conversatian somewhat polisht, but though I bear not so great a contempt to his other works, as Ben. Johnson did to his Poetrie, yet if they among many o∣thers were a going to the fire, they would not be one of the first I should rescue, as possibly expecting more severe and refin'd judgement in many other. And knowing that he that had so many able Wits at command, might easily give their their Oracles through his mouth: but suppose the things generous and fit to live (as I am not yet convin∣ced) yet what commendations is this to a King (who should have o∣ther

ausinesse then spinning and weaving fine Theories, and enga∣ging in School Ciquaneries) which was well understood by Henry the fourth, who hearing some men cele∣brate him with these Attributes; yea (answers he very tartly) He is a fine King, and writes little Books.

'Tis true, he was a good droll, and possibly after Greek Wine somewhat factious. But for sub∣stantiall and Heroick Wisdome, I have not heard any great instances; he himself used to brag of his king∣craft, which was not to felicifie his People, and prosecute the ends of a good King; but to scrue up the Pre∣rogative, divert Parliaments from the due disquisition and prosecution of their freedoms, and to break them up at pleasure, and indeed his rendition of the Cautionary Towns of the Low Countreys, and that for

so small a sum, shewed him a person not so quick-sighted, and unfit to be overreach'd.

For his peaceable Reigne, Ho∣nourable and just Quarrels he want∣ed not, but sloth and cowardize withheld him, and indeed the ease and luxury of those times, foment∣ed and nourished those lurking and pestilent humours, which afterwards so dangerously broke out in his Sons Reign.

We shall not trouble his ashes with the mention of his Personall faults, onely, if we may compare Gods Judgements with apparant sinnes; we may find the latter end of his life, neither fortunate nor com∣fortable unto him, His wife distast∣ed by him, and some say, languish∣ing of a foul disease; his eldest son dying, Nimis apertis indiciis, of Poyson, and that as is feared by a hand too much allied: His second

(with whom he ever had a secret Antipathy) scarce returned from a mad and dangerous voyage; His daughter (all that was left of that sex) banish'd, with her numerous issue, out of her husbands Domi∣nion, and living in miserable exile; and lastly, himself dying of a vio∣lent death (by poyson) in which his Son was more then suspected to have an hand, as may be infer'd by Buckinghams Plea, that he did it by the Command of the then Prince; his own dissolution of the Parlia∣ment that took in hand to examine it; and lastly, his indifferency at Buck∣inghams death (though he pretended all love to him alive) as glad to be rid of so dangerous and so conside∣rable a Partner of his guilt; yet the Mitred Parasites of those times, could say, one went to Heaven in Noahs Ark, the other in Eli∣sha's chariot, he dying of a pretend∣ed

Feaver, she (as they said) of a dropsie.

Charles having now obtain'd his Brothers inheritance, carried himself in managing of it, like one that gain'd it as he did. The first of his Acts, was that glorious attempt upon the Isle of Rhee. The next that Noble and Christianly betray∣ing of Rochell, and consequently in a manner the whole Protestant in∣terest in France. The middle of his Reign was heightening of Prero∣gative and Prelacy, and conform∣ing our Churches to the pattern of Rome; till at last just indignation brought in his Subjects of Scotland into England, and so forc'd him to call a Parliament; which though he shamelesly say in the first line of the Book (call'd his) was out of his own inclination to Parliaments, yet how well he lik'd them may appear by his first tampering with

his own Army in the North, to sur∣prize and dissolve them, then the Scots (who at that time were Court-proof) then raising up the Irish Rebellion, which hath wasted Millions of lives; and lastly, open secession from Westminster, and ho∣stility against the two Houses, which maintain'd a first and second sharp War, which had almost ruined the Nation, had not Providence in a manner immediately interposed and rescued us to liberty, and made us such signall Instruments of his vengeance, that all wicked Kings may tremble at the example.

In a word never was man so resolute and obstinate in a Tyrannie, never people more strangely besotted with it, to paint the Image of David with his face, and Blasphemously para∣lel him with Christ, would make one at first thought think him a

Saint: But to compare his Prote∣stations and actions; his actions of the day, his actions of the night, his Protestant Religion, and his Court∣ing of Pope, and obedience to his wife, we may justly say, he was one of the most consummate in the Arts of Tyranny that ever was. And it could be no other then Gods hand that arrested him in the heighth of his Designs and greatnesse, and cut off him and his Familie, making good his own Imprecations upon his own head.

Our Scene is again in Scotland, who hath accepted his Son, whom for distinction sake, we will be con∣tent to call Charls the Second. Cer∣tainly these People were strangely blind as to Gods judgement perpe∣tually poured out upon a Familie, or else to their own interest, to ad∣mit the spray of such a stock; one that hath so little to commend him,

and so great improbabilitie for their designs and happiness, a Popish (or very near it) education, if not Reli∣gion too (however for the present he may seem to dissemble it, France, the Jesuites and his Mother good means of such improvement) the dangerous Maxims of his Father, (besides the revenge he ows his death, of which he will never total∣ly acquit the Scots) his hate to the whole Nation, his sence of Mon∣trosse his death; his backwardnesse to come to them till all other means failed (both his Forreign begg'd Assistances, his Propositions to the Pope, and Commissions to Mon∣trosse) and lastly, his late running away to his old friends in the North; so that any man may see this his Compliance to be but Hi∣strionical and forc'd, and that as soon as he hath led them into the snare, and got power into his own

hands, so as he may appear in his own visage; he will be a scourge up∣on them for their gross hypocrisie, and leave them a sad instance to all Nations, how dangerous it is to espouse such an interest, which God with so visible and severe a hand fights against, carried on by, and for the support of a Tyrannizing Nobi∣litie and Clergie, and wherein the poor People are blindly led on by those affrighting (but false and un∣grounded) pretensions of perfidy and perjury, and made instrumen∣tall with their own estates and bloud, for the enslaving and ruining themselves.