State-worthies, or, The states-men and favourites of England since the reformation their prudence and policies, successes and miscarriages, advancements and falls, during the reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James, King Charles I.

Observations on the Life of Sir John Ramsey, Earl of Holderness, and Sir Tho. Ereskin Earl of Kelley.

BOth their preferment•• began on the same oc∣casion; both their natures were eminent for the same innocence and goodness; both their services tend to the same issue, and therefore both their Characters come under one observati∣on; which it's more proper to take in the word of their Countrey-man and Contemporary that knew them, than in the expression of a stranger that one∣ly heard of them. The whole story runs thus:

The name of Ruthen in Scotland was not notori∣ous, until Anno 1568. when Ruthen amongst o∣thers, Confederates, in those divided times of trou∣ble, laboured much for the imprisoning Queen Mary Mother to King Iames. In 1582. his son William was created Earl Goury, in the time of that King's minority, though the Father bore dead∣ly hatred to the King's prosperity. And in 1584. himself was in actual Rebellion, in which he suffered at Dondee. His eldest son Iohn, then in Travel in Italy,

returns home to inherit his lands and honours; but not one jot changed in disposition from the traiter∣ous ways of his Predecess••rs: For not long after he falls into this Conspiracy; which is not so ancient, but that many then and now living, can, and my self, have heard the repetition.

The house of Gowry were all of them much ad∣dicted to study Chymistry; and these more to practise it, often publishing (as such Professors usually do) more rare experiments then ever could be perform∣ed; wherein the King (a general Scholar) had little faith. But to infuse more credit to the pra∣ctice, Alexander Ruthen the second brother takes this occasion, and withal conspires with Gowry to assassinate the King; and taking opportunity in his hunting, not far from his house St. Iohnstone, in∣vites the King to be an eye-witness of his produ∣ctions. In their way Sir Thomas Erskin (after Lord Kelley) overtakes them and others, Demanding of the Duke of Lenox, then present, why Alexander had ingrossed the King's ear, to carry him from his Sports? Peace man, said the Duke, Wee's all be turn'd into gold. Not far they rid, but that the Earl Gowry made good by protestation his Brother's story. And thus was the King brought to be a Guest.

Neer the end of Dinner, at his Fruit, and the Lords and Waiters gone to eat, Alexander begs of the King, at this opportunity to withdraw, and to be partaker of his Production, to the view of that which yet he could not believe.

And up h•• leads the King into by-lodgings lock∣ing each door behind them, till they came into a Back-Room; where no sooner entered, but that A••exander claps on his Bonnet, and with stern coun∣tenance,

faces the Kin••, and says; Now Sir, you must know, I had a Father, whose blood calls for re∣venge, shed for your sake. The King amazed, deals gently with his fury, excuses the guilt of his death, by his then-Infancy. Advising him not to lay violent hands on the sacred Person of his Anointed Sove∣raign, Especially in a cause of his Innocency: Pleading the Laws of God and Man; which so much wrought upon him, that he said, Well, I will speak•• with my Brother; and so put the King into a Lobby Room next the Chamber; where no sooner entered, but that there appeared a fellow weaponed, ready for ex∣ecution, to whose custody the King is committed till his return.

Alexander gone down, the fellow trembles with Reverence, puts down his Sword, and craves pardon; which gave the King occasion to work up∣on that passion, and to ask him whether he resol∣ved to murther him? Being assured to the contra∣ry, the King gets leave to open a window, that looked into a back Court. When presently Alex∣ander returns, and tells the King that he must dye: But much affrighted at the Fellow's countenance, with his sword offers violence to the King; Which the fellow seemingly opposes, and between them be∣gan a scuffle, which gave advantage to the King to cry Treason at the Window, which looked into a back-Court, where Sir Thomas Erskin, and one Herries, were come in pursuit of the King, who was rumoured to be gone out the back-way to his hunt∣ing.

At the cry of Treason, and known to be the King's voice, they both hastened up a back-stair, called the Turn-pike, being directed by a servant of

the house, who saw Alexander ascend that way. And so forcing some doors, that found them a∣bove, panting with the fray; and up comes also at heels of them, Iohn Ramsey (after Earl of Holder∣ness:) by them Alexander was soon dispatch∣ed.

Not long after came the Earl Gowry (by his dou∣ble key) the first way, with a case of Rapiers, his usual weapons, and ready drawn. To whom Ers∣ki•• said, as to divert his purpose; What do you mean, my Lord? the King is kill'd: (for the King was shadowed, having cast himself upon a Re•• from his sight, and his Cloak was thrown upon the Bo∣dy of Alexander, bleeding upon the ground:) At which Gowry stops, sinking the points of his wea∣pons; when suddenly Herries strikes at him with a hunting Falchion. And Ramsey having his Hawk on his fist, casts her off, and steps in to Gowry, and stabs him to the heart; and forthwith more Com∣pany came up.

Not long after this Conspiracy, Herries dies well rewarded. Iohn Ramsey hath the Honour of Knighthood, with an additional bearing to his Coat of Arms, A Hand holding forth a Dagger, reversed proper, piercing a bloody Heart, The point crowned Emperial, with this Distick, Haec Dextra Vindex Principis & Patriae. Afterwards he was created Lord Haddington, and Earl of Holder∣n••ss.

Sir Thomas Erskin was afterwards created Earl of Kelly, Knight of the Garter, Captain of the King's Guard, and Groom of the Stool; and the Fellow designed for the Murtherer, had a large Pension confirmed by Act of their Parliam••nt.

And all these men (but Herries) were living, with other witnesses, at King Iames his journey, when he went from hence to visit Scotland, and met together by direction at the same house, with Ce∣remony; and all of them, with a number of Courti∣ers, ascended into the same Room, the blood yet r••maining, where the King related the Story, which was confirmed by them. And afterwards kneeling down, with tears of Contrition for his Sins to God, and thankfulness for this Mercy, using ma∣ry pi••us Ejaculations, embraced all these Actors in the former Tragedy; when the poor fellow also kist the King's hand.

These circumstances gave occasion then, that this whole story was freshly revived, to the common Satisfaction of the whole Countrey, and our English Courtiers. And in especial, unto the very reve∣rend Bishop, and nobly born, Iames Mountague, then present, to whom the King addressed himself in this Relati••n, and from whose Mouth saith the Relator, I received these particulars, at his return into Eng∣land.

And thus much we have by word of mouth: somewhat I shall add out of writings, for more sa∣tisfaction.

This Treason was attempted the fourth of Au∣g••st 1600. And though there followed sundry Sus∣••itions and Examinations of several other Persons, supposed Abettors and Contrivers; yet it lay un∣discovered, tanquam e post liminio, until eight years after, by the circumspection principally of the ••arl of Dunbar, a man of as great wisdom as those t••mes and that Kingdom could boast of, upon the ••e••son of on•• Geo••ge S••ro••, Notary-publick of

A••emouth in Scotland, from some words which at first he sparingly or unawares expressed, and also by some papers which were found in his house; where∣of being examin'd, with a little ado he confessed, and was condemned and executed at Edenburgh the 12th. of A••g. 1608.

A Relation I conceive not common, but in my hands to be produced, and written by that learned Gentleman William Hart, then Lord Iustice of Sco••land, and Principal in all the Acts of Judica∣ture herein.

Neither of these Lords professed any skil•• in Po∣liticks; yet neither wanted a strong judgment, which they could make good use of in time and place convenient, giving testimonies in those Em∣ployments they had, of a strict secrecy, a great mo∣deration, and a happy compliance with opportuni∣ty, Qualities exceedingly well lodged in men of Interest and Command, especially in these two, who neither too easily closed with others resolutions, nor too obstinately adhered to their own; one of which was alwayes to suspect men of new words, as much as men of new opinions, because to flye from proper School terms to vulgar conceptions, is a way seldome troden but by false Prophets, and Se∣ditious Orators—who have done this onely good in the world, that from their collition a considerable deal of light hath proceeded towards the clearing of several points in Philosophy and Religion— in the speculations whereof the men whose lives are so practical and involved in business, are not so distinct, being not at leisure to quest at every Lark which men spring in either; though other∣wise the best q••alified for s••ch undertakings, be∣cause

men of most judgement and experience; and of ••he least passion and prejudice, and by so much the less impetuous and censorious, by how much the more judicious and discreet; and by so much the more value in the Eyes of others, by how much the less they are in their own; who have this a••vant••ge in controversies, that their Religion is thoug••t as much better than their Adversaries, as their Charity and moderation is greater.