LENNOX.
ALong the other side of the Cluyd, above Glascow, Levinia or Lennox, runs a long way Northward, amongst a continued se∣ries of hills; taking its name from the River Levin, Ptolemy's Lelanonius,* 1.1 which falleth into the Cluyde, out of Logh-lomund,* 1.2 a Lake, that dilates it self under the mountains, twenty miles long, and eight miles broad, excellently well stocked with fish, especially one sort peculiar to it,* 1.3 (they call it Pollac.) It hath likewise many Islands in it, concerning which there use to be many Traditional stories amongst the ordinary sort of people. As for the Floating-Island here, I shall not call the truth of it in question; for what should hinder a body from swimming, that's dry and hollow like a pinace, and lighter than ordina∣ry.* 1.4 Pliny tells us, that certain green Islands cover'd with reeds and rushes, float up and down in the lake of Vadimon. But I leave it to the Neighbours, that know the nature of this place, to be Judges, whe∣ther this old Distick of our Nech••m be true or no:
Ditatur fluviis Albania, saxea ligna Dat Lomund multa frigiditate potens. Scotland's enrich'd with Rivers, Timber thrown Into cold Lomund's waters, turns to stone.
There are many Fishermens Cottages round about upon the banks of the Logh; but nothing worth our notice, except Kilmoronock,* 1.5 a fine House of the Earl of Cassil, seated upon the East side; which hath a delicate prospect into the Logh. But at the influx of the Levin, out of the Logh into the Cluyde, stands Al-Cluyd,* 1.6 so called by the antients. Bede observes, that it signifies the Rock Cluyde, but I know not in what language. Ar-Cluid in the British certainly sig∣nifies upon Cluid, and Cluid in old English signify'd a Rock. Succeeding ages call'd it Dunbritton,* 1.7 that is, the Britains Town, (and corruptly by a transposition of letters,* 1.8 Dunbarton,) because the Britains held it a long time against the Scots, Picts, and Saxons. For both by nature and situation, it is the strongest Castle in all Scotland, fixt upon a craggy two-headed Rock, at the confluence of the Rivers, in a green plain. Upon one of its heads, stands a high Watch-Tower; on the other, which is somewhat lower, many strong Towers. It hath but one ascent to it, and that on the North-side, between the two heads; having scarce room enough to pass one by one, by steps cut out of the rock crosswise with a world of labour. Upon the West-side, the Levin; upon the South, the Cluyde serve instead of ditches. Eastward lies a Morass, which every Tide is wholly under wa∣ter. Towards the North it is very well secur'd by the steepness of its situation. Here some remains of the Britains, who (as Gildas writes) generally retreated for shelter, and entrench'd themselves upon the tops of craggy inaccessible mountains in thick Forrests, and Rocks upon the Sea shore, presuming upon the natural strength of the place, and their own Courage, defended themselves after the departure of the Romans, for 300 years, in the very midst of their Enemies. For in Bede's time (as he himself writes) it was the best fortify'd City the Britains had.* 1.9 But in the year 756. Eadbert King of Northumberland, and Oeng King of the Picts, with their joynt Forces shut it up on every side, and drove it to that extremity, that it was surrender'd upon Articles. Of this place, the Territory round about is called the Sheriffdom of Dunbarton, and hath long had the Earls of Lennox for Sheriffs, by inheri∣tance.
Now, as for the Earls of Lennox* 1.10 (not to mention those more antient) one Duncan was Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the 2. who died, and left two only Daughters behind him: One of which was mar∣ry'd to Alan Stewart,* 1.11 who was descended from Ro∣bert, a younger son of Walter the 2. High Steward of Scotland, and a Brother of Alexander Stewart the 2. founder of the royal line of Scotland. For this il∣lustrious Family took its name from that Honourable Office of High Steward of the Kingdom, that is, he that had the charge of the Revenues of the Crown. This Alan had issue John Earl of Lennox, and Robert made Captain of the Scotch Guard du Corps,* 1.12 (first rais'd by the French King, Charles the 6.) in recom∣pence of the good services that nation had done the Crown of France; as also Lord of Aubigny in Au∣vergne by the same King, as a reward of his valour. John had issue Matthew Earl of Lennox, who marry'd the daughter of James Hamilton by Mariona, daugh∣ter to King James the 2. by whom he had John Earl of Lennox; who taking up arms to deliver King James the 5. out of the hands of the Douglasses and Hamiltons, was kill'd by his Uncle the Earl of Arran. This John had issue, Matthew Earl of Lennox, who after many troubles in France and Scotland, found fortune more agreeable in England, by the favour of K. Henry the 8. when he bestow'd upon him his sister's daughter in marriage, with a large estate. The issue of this happy match were Henry and Charles; Henry, by Mary Queen of Scots, had James the 6. King of Great Britain,* 1.13 born by the propitious favour of heaven, at a most lucky juncture, to unite in one Imperial Body the British World, divided before as