A general history of Scotland together with a particular history of the Houses of Douglas and Angus / written by Master David Hume of Godscroft.

Of Archbald the second, called The Grimme, the third Earle, and twelfth Lord of Douglas and Bothwell.

UNto James (slaine at Otterburn) succeeded his brother Arch∣bald, whom Hollinshed wrongfully calleth his Cousin. Hee was married to the daughter of Andrew Murray, sisters sonne to K. David Bruce, and Governour of Scotland: by her he got the Lordship of * 1.1 Bothwell, and many other lands; and she bare to him two sonnes, first William, who died a yeare before his father without children; and Arch∣bald, * 1.2 who succeeded to his father: also a daughter named Marjorie, mar∣ried to David Prince of Scotland. Concerning this Archbald the Grim, we finde not many particular acts of his recorded, besides those which he did in his fathers time, and in his brothers (of which we have already spoken) although certainly hee cannot but have done divers worthy of memorie, seeing he hath the name and reputation of a most worthy Cap∣taine, being so sterne and austere in carriage and countenance, that hee was termed, The Grimme Douglas, and by our Writers, Archbald the Grimme.

Now that we may the better understand the reasons of the Douglasses proceedings and actions, let us (as our manner is) take a generall view of the estate of the Countrey at this time. His succession to the Earledome by the death of his brother was (as we have said) not long before the death of King Robert the second, who died in the Castle of Dundonald in the yeare 1390. April 19. Before his death there was a Truce taken be∣tweene England and France for the space of seven yeares, wherein Scot∣land was also comprehended. By reason of this Truce partly, and partly for that his sonne John, who was afterward called Robert the third, was lame both of body and minde, and so no wayes fit for warre, there is no mention of any exploit done by this man: onely it is said of him, that when King Robert the third, in the year 1396. and the seventh of his reign, created divers Dukes, and would have made this Archbald one, he refused it as a noveltie and an empty title, not worthy of the accepting, seeing it * 1.3

was neither bestowed for merit, nor service done, nor had any reall ad∣vantage in it, save an airy show of appearing honour to please the humour of ambitious minds, of which he was none.

The next yeare following, Richard the second of England, was depo∣sed, and the Duke of Lancaster was made King in his roome, who was Henry the fourth: In the beginning of Henries reigne, the seeds of warre were sowen upon this occasion.

George Dumbarre, Earle of March had betrothed his daughter Elizabeth to David the Kings eldest sonne, and had payed a great part of their por∣tion before hand: But the Earle Douglas, alledging that the Kings private contracting of his sonne without the consent of the State, was not accor∣ding to the custome of the Kingdome, nor right and orderly done, caused the matter to be propounded by his Majestie to the Parliament, as former Kings had done, and as reason required, seeing the whole King∣dome hath interest in the matching of their Princes, and Kings children. There he handled the busines so, that the contract with Marches daughter was declared void and null, and his owne daughter Marjorie Douglas, * 1.4 was contracted to the said Prince David by consent of the Parliament; having offered a greater portion with her, then the Earle March had done with his daughter. He obtained for her joynture, all the rents and reve∣newes which belonged to the King on the south side of Forth. The way he tooke to bring this to passe, was by the means of the Kings bro∣ther Robert Earle of Fife, now made Duke of Albany, and Governour of the Countrey under the King, as he had been in their fathers time; who did also then even govern both King and Kingdome, and every thing as he listed: and Douglas and he were inward, and deare friends, as his bro∣ther James (slain at Otterburn) and he had ever been: now whether the Earle Douglas had that respect indeed to have matters of such importance to the Kingdome done by common advice of the Nobility chiefly, or if his chief end were his owne particular, because of the old emulation be∣twixt the Earles of March and Douglas, to hinder the growth of that house by this great advantage of aliance, or if hee had an eye to both, or to any thing else, I leave it to be judged of others.

The marriage was solemnized in the Church of Bothwel the yeare * 1.5 1400. with greater haste then good speed, or any comfort to either party that we heare of. For neither came this David ever to bee King, which was the thing that was expected, that thereby the house of Douglas might have been greatned: Neither did this aliance of Prince David with the Earle of Douglas, stand him in any stead: in that hee was most mise∣rably handled by his Uncle the Governour, who aspired himself to the Crowne, which makes me to wonder why hee did not rather hinder this marriage of his Nephew with the Earle Douglas, then thus further it; seeing in all likelyhood it might have been a great let and strong hinde∣rance to those his ambitious designes: But so are the secrets of things hid from us, that wee cannot finde out the causes and reasons of them by no means, being not observed, or not mentioned by the Writers of those times; hovvever this marriage bred great contention and enmity be∣tvveen the Earles of March and Douglas (though neare kinsemen) and

did also disturb the peace and quietnesse of the Kingdome: for March be∣fore the marriage was solemnized, did not stick to goe to the King, and upbraid him with breach of promise, which (he said) was neither just, nor Princely; craving also importunately, and roughly the restitution of his monywhich he had advanced for his daughters portion. The King having not answered him according to his mind, hee spared not to threaten that he should be avenged on that rufle and disgrace that he had put upon him and his daughter. And so retiring from Court, he fortefies his Castle of Dumbarre, and gives it in keeping to his Nephew Robert Metellan, he him∣selfe (having received leave of King Henry) went into England; where∣upon the Castle of Dumbarre was summoned in the Kings name by an Herauld of Armes, and was surrendered by the Captain thereof Robert Metellan into the hands of the Earle Douglas. The Earle of March re∣turned into Scotland, but being excluded out of his Castle at Dumbarre, went back again into England, taking his Lady and children along with him, together with the nearest of his kinsmen, and his chief friends ac∣companying him. There he joyned with Henry Percie (called hote spurre) a perpetuall enemy of the house of Douglas, and trusting to the favour and good will borne him by these who dwelt on the East Border or March of Scotland, most of which were his vassalls and dependers, many of them his kinsmen, and all of them tied to him by some relation, or ob∣ligation, he troubled the Merse chiefly and the Earle Douglas lands with frequent incursions and inroades. The King hereupon caused proclaime him rebell, and yet notwithstanding, sent to him a Herauld of Armes, with profer of pardon, and restitution, upon condition that hee would re∣turne and live peaceablely at home; and that he should receive all such sa∣tisfaction for any wrong he could justly complain of, as he desired. But when hee refused to embrace this offer, the Herauld passed on to King Henrie, and complained of the Earle of March, craving that hee might bee delivered according to the Articles of the truce. But hee was an∣swered by the King, that hee had given him his word, and could not breake it.

In the mean time Percie, and the Earle of March, being emboldned with divers successefull attempts upon the Borders, adventured with 2000. men to come into Lowthian, where they wasted the Countrey near unto Hadington, assaulted the Castle of Hales twice but in vain: burnt the townes of Hales, Trapren, Markill, and other adjacent villages. And while they encamped at Linton upon Tine, hearing of the Earle Douglas∣ses approach, who had raised sufficient forces, and was marching towards them, and was come as farre as Penkrake, they arose and fled in great haste, leaving behind them all their booty, together with their owne lug∣gage and carriage. The manuscript and black booke of Scone say clearly that the Earle Douglas followed them so quickly, that he overtooke them or they got to Berwick, and killed divers, having wrested an ensigne out of the hands of Sir Thomas Colbouth which he brought into Scotland with him. Boetius relates it not much otherwise. Other Histories make no mention hereof, but onely say, that the Earle returned to Edinburgh with great congratulation and joy of all men.

He died not long after of a burning fever the same yeare 1400, in the * 1.6 beginning of February: very unseasonably for his Countrey; which was destitute of able Commanders in warre, having lost divers others of good note not long before. He was buried in Bothwell with his Ladie. He was a man nothing inferiour to any of his Predecessours, or Succes∣sours of his house and name, in any kind of vertue, and in speciall of true and reall kindnesse to his friends and followers, as appeareth by a letter of his to the Earle of March in favour of the Laird of Ridpeth, a Gentle∣man in Lammer moore who was his follower, and was wronged by the Earle of March in the possession of some lands: but more in Marches re∣fusall to right him; he assembleth his forces, and dispossesseth the Earle of Marches sonne, and reponed Ridpeth in his right, and maintained him therein ever after, which his successours doe enjoy at this day. As for his valour and conduct in warre, hee is termed the best Captain of his time, and that in his person the splendour and glory of warrefare both stood and fell.

Others say that hee left behinde him an honourable memory of high Prowesse, and noble valour, shewed in many enterprises by him happily atchieved for the good of his Countrey. In Piety hee was singular through his whole life, and most religious according to those times. He did very much honour and reverence all religious persons; for whose use he founded the Colledge of Bothwell. Out of his zeal and sincerity * 1.7 he expelled the Nuns of the Abbacie of Lincloudon, and changed it into a Colledge of Clerks, because the Nuns (saith Boetius) kept not their insti∣tution of their order: and Major saith it is to be presumed, that they kept not their Chastitie, otherwise he could never have thrust them out. And in this he commendeth him, as having an eye to Religion, and a speciall care of the pure and sincere worship of God, as his onely end and inten∣tion. As for his prudence and providence, it appeareth that he did great∣ly encrease his Revenues, and enlarge his Dominions: hee was trusty and faithfull in his promises, and carried a minde free from all ambition, and vain glory: All vertues greatly to bee accounted of, and imitated of all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  His marriage.
• * 1.2

  His children.
• * 1.3

  He refused to be Duke.
• * 1.4

  His daughter Marjory con∣tracted to Prince David.
• * 1.5

  1400. Their marri∣age.
• * 1.6

  His death.
• * 1.7

  He founded the Colledge of Bothwell.