[716] There is no Sederunt of this date given in the Register.
Forsamekle as the Quenis Majestie, be the advise of the Lordis of hir
Secreat Counsall, directit hir Letteris commanding all and sindrie
Archbischoppis, Bischoppis, Abbottis, [Commendatouris,] Priouris,
Deanis, Archdeanis, [Subdeanis, Chantouris, Subchantouris,][717]
Personis, Vicaris, and[718] all utheris beneficit men, thair
factouris, fermoraris, and takkismen, to compeir befoir hir Hienes and
Lordis foirsaidis, at Edinburgh, or whair it shall happin thame to be
for the tyme, sa many as dwellis upoun this syde of the Month, the
xxiiij day of Januar instant; and thame that dwellis beyond the Month,
the tent day of Februar nixttocum; that the just availl of thair
Benefices may be knawin, sua that thairafter hir Grace mycht tack
ordour for the susteanyng of the Ministeris, of the Pure,[719] and
publict busynes of the Realme: And becaus the Quenis Majestie is
presentlie occupyed in other effairis, and may nocht attend hir self
upoun the ressait of the saidis Rentallis, Thairfoir hir Hienes hes
gevin and granted, and be thir presentis gevis and grantis, full power
and commissioun to Maister James Makgill of Rankeillour Neather Clerk
of Registre, Schir Johne Bellenden of Achinowle knycht Justice Clerk,
Thesaurar, Secretare, Advocat, and Laird of Pittarrow,[720] To call
befoir thame within the burgh of Edinburgh, All and sindrie Prelattis
and Beneficit men, quha are charged be vertew of the saidis letteris,
and now being in Edinburgh, or that heirafter shall happin to repair
thairto, thair factouris and fermoraris, and thar inquyre of thame the
Rentallis of thair benefices, and resave the samyn fra thame, to the
effect foirsaid: And siclyke that the saidis Commissionaris caus warne
all Superintendentis, [Ministeris,][721] Eldaris, and Deaconis, to
geve unto thame the names of the haill Ministeris of this Realme, that
the just calculatioun being considdered and maid be the saidis
Commissionaris, of the availl of the saidis Benefices, thai may
reporte the samyn to the Quenis Majestie, that hir Hienes may tak
ordour thairin; according to the [just][722] tennour of the first
Ordinance maid thairupon.
[717] The words enclosed within brackets are omitted in the Register.
[718] In MS. G, the words after "Abbottis," are omitted, and "&c."
added.
[719] In Knox it is, "the Ministerie of the Kirk."
[720] These officials, who are not named, were Mr. Robert Richardson,
Prior of St. Mary's Isle, Treasurer; William Maitland, Younger of
Lethington, Secretary; Mr. John Spens of Condie, Queen's Advocate, and
Sir John Wishart of Pittarrow, Comptroller.
[721] Omitted in the Register.
[722] Omitted in the Register.
APUD EDINBURGH, XIJ^O FEBRUARIJ, ANNO &C. LXJ^O.
[SEDERUNT.
Georgius Comes de Huntlie,
Archibaldus Comes Ergadie,
Jacobus Comes de Mar,
Willelmus Marescalli Comes,
Joannes Atholie Comes,
Alexander Comes de Glencarne,
Jacobus Comes de Mortoun,
Joannes Dns. Erskin,
Jo^{es}. Ballenden de Auchnowle miles Clericus Justiciarie.]
THE quhilk day, forsamekle as be Statute and Ordinance maid be the
Quenis Majestie and Lordis of Secreit Counsale, and her Hienes
letteris direct thairupoun, All and sindrie Archbischoppis,
[Bischoppis,][723] Abbottis, Commendatouris, Priouris, Archdeanis,
Deanis, Subdeanis, Chantouris, Subchantouris, Provestis, Personis,
Vicaris, and utheris beneficit men of this Realme, war charged to
exhibite and produce the Rentallis of thair benefices befoir hir
Majestie and Lordis foirsaids, in maner following: That is to say, the
saidis Beneficit men, [dwelling] on this syde of the Month, the xxiiij
day of Januar last bypast, and on the uther syd of the Month, the tent
of Februar instant, to that effect that ordour mycht be takin thairin
conforme to the said Ordinance; with certificatioun to thame, and thai
failzeit, the Quenis Majestie and Counsale [foirsaid] wald tak ordour
thairin, as the samyn Ordinance beiris: Notwithstanding the quhilk,
and that the Quenis Majestie and Counsale, and utheris appointed be
hir for resaving of the saidis Rentalles, hes continewallie, sen the
said xxiiij day of Januare, awaitted upoun the resaving thairof; yit
ane verray small nomber of thame hes produced the said Rentalles,
contepmnand thairthrow nocht onlie hir Grace's Ordinance and
Proclamatioun foirsaid, but als hir self and hir authoritie, like as
thai war princes and nocht subjectis, expresse aganis reassone,
equitie, and justice: For remeid quhairof, the Quenis Majestie
ordanis, be advise of the Lordis of hir Secreit Counsale, that
Factouris and Chalmerlanis be appointed to intromett, gaddir, uplift,
and receave to our Soverane Ladeis use, all and sindrie mailles,
fermes, teyndis, rentis, proventis, emolumentis, canis, proffeittis,
and dewities of whatsumevir Benefices, whairof the Rentallis ar nocht
produced, conforme to the said Ordinance: And gif ony Rentalle ellis
produced bearis not the just availl, but is fraudefullie maid, to
intromett and uptak samekle of the frutis and proffeittis of the
saidis benefices as ar omitted furth of the saidis Rentalle; and the
ingevaris of the Rentalles, and possessouris of the benefices thairof,
shall never haif actioun to craif, clame, or ressaif fra the tennantis
and possessouris, farther nor is contained in the saidis Rentallis
ellis produced be thame: and the saids tennandis and possessouris
shall na wyis be haldin to pay ony mair for thair rowmes to the
possessouris of the saidis benefices and ingevaris of the saidis
Rentalles, nor is conteyned in the samyn rentallis ellis produced, as
said is: And that the saidis Factouris and Chalmerlanis to be
appointed be the Quenis Majestie, shall have sufficient power to
intromett and uptak the fructis and proffeittis foirsaidis, siclyke as
gif speciall letteris of Factorie and Chalmerlanrie wer granted to
thame thairupoun. And ordanis the Lordis of Sessioun to direct furth
letteris at the said Factouris and Chalmerlanis instance, owther
horning or poinding, as shalbe thocht expedient, for causing of thame
to be ansuered of the fructis of the saidis benefices, to be
furthcumand to the Quenis Majesties behuif, whill forther ordour be
tacken thairintill.
[723] The words enclosed within brackets are not in the Register; and
in MS. G, the names after "Abbots," as in the preceding Act, are
omitted.
APUD EDINBURGH, XV^{TO} FEBRUARIJ, ANNO &C. LXJ^O.
[SEDERUNT.
Georgius Comes de Huntlie,
Archibaldus Ergadie Comes,
Jacobus Comes de Mar,
Joannes Atholie Comes,
Jacobus Comes de Mortoun,
Willelmus Marescalli Comes.]
THE quhilk day, forsamekle as the Quenis Majestie, be the advise of
the Lordis of hir Secreit Counsale, and otheris diverse of the
Nobilitie had of befoir, upoun the xxij day of December last bypast,
ordanit, that gif the Fourt parte of the fructis and rentis of all the
Benefices within this Realme war nocht sufficient for the support of
hir Majestie, and other particulare charges underwrittin, necessar to
be borne for the tranquillitie[724] of the country; then the Thrid of
the saidis fructis, mair or less, should be takin up, to the effectis
foirsaidis: And attour ordanit letteris to be direct, chargeing all
and sindrie beneficit men, on this syd of the Month, to produce thair
Rentallis upoun the xxiiij day of Januar last bypast; and the tent day
of Februar instant, was prefixt be the saidis letteris, for inbringing
of all rentallis of the benefices beyond the Month; with
certificatioun, that quha produced nott the saidis Rentallis[725] at
the dayis foirsaidis _respective_, the Quenis Majestie and hir
Counsale wald provide remeid: According to the quhilk certificatioun,
hir Hienes, with avyse of hir Counsale foirsaid, hes ordanit, that
thai quha hes nocht produced thair rentallis, haill and full
intromissioun shalbe had of thair fructis, be thame whom hir Majestie
shall direct thairto; and quha hes nocht gevin in thair just
Rentallis, quhatsumever part omitted in thair saidis rentallis shalbe
intromettit with in lyke maner: And further, having consulted ryplie
and diligentlie avysit upoun the commoun effairis and necessities
concernyng the Quenis Majestie, and charges to be borne, for the
commoun weill of the Realme, and sustentatioun of the Preachearis and
Readaris, conforme to the said Ordinance maid thairupoun of befoir,
hes fundin and declaired the haill Thrid partis of all Benefices
within this Realme, of the quhilkis the rentallis ar produced, to be
taken up be the person or personis to be nominat be hir Majestie, and
to begyn upoun this last crope of the year of God J^m V^c, and
threscoir ane yearis, the samyn to be employed to the effect foirsaid:
togitther with the haill fructis of the benefices whairof the
Rentallis ar nocht produced; and alsua of samekle as is omitted in the
rentallis produced: And that ordour be directit be the Quenis
Majestie, to the Lordis of Sessioun, that the auld Possessouris may be
ansuered of the remanent fructis of the saidis benefices; providing
that the Thrid part foirsaid be full and haill takin up, be the
personis to be deput to the up-taking thairof: And this ordoure to
continew and stand, ay and whill further ordouris be takin be the
Quenis Majestie, with advyse of hir Estaitis. Mairover hir Hienes, be
the advyse of hir Counsale foirsaid, hes statut and ordanit that all
annuellis, mailles, and dewities within free Burrowis, or utheris
townis of this Realme, alsweill pertenyng to Chapellanreis,
Prebendarijs, as to Freiris, togitther with the rentis of the Freiris
landis, quhairever thai be, setting and disponing thairupoun, be
intrometted with, and takin up be sik as hir Grace shall depute
thairto; for employing of the same be hir Hienes, to Hospitaliteis,
Scholes, and utheris godlie uses, as shall seme best to hir Hienes, be
the advise of hir Counsale: And knawing, that nathing is mair
commodious for the said Hospitalitie, nor the places of Freiris as
[ar] yitt standand undemolissed; as als to the intertenyng of Scholes,
Colleges, and utheris uses foirsaidis, Ordanis the Provest and
Baillies of Abirdene, Elgin in Murray, Innerness, Glasgow, and utheris
Burrowis of this Realme, quhair the samyn ar nocht demolished, to
interteny and uphald the saidis Freiris places standand in the saidis
Townis, upoun the commoun gudis thairof, and to use the samyn to the
Commoun-weall and service of the saidis Townis, ay and quhill the
Quenis Majestie be farther advysed, and tack finall ordour in sik
thingis, nochtwithstanding [of] ony other gift, titill, or interesse,
gevin to quhatsumever personis of the saidis places, with thair
yardis, orchardis, and pertinentis, be our Soverane Lady as of befoir.
[724] In MS. G, "for the weill."
[725] In MS. G, "that they quha hes not produced thair Rentales."
* * * * *
The names of the Nobilitie and Lordis that war present at the maiking
of the foirsaidis Actis[726] heirefter followis:--
[726] It will be seen at page 299, that this list corresponds with the
Sederunt of the Privy Council on the 22d December 1561.
James Duk of Chattelarault,
George Erle Huntlye,
Archibald Erle Ergyle,
Williame Erle Merschell,
Johne Erle Atholl,
Williame Erle Montrose,
James Erle Mortoun,
Alex^r. Erle of Glencarne,
James Commendator of Sanctandrois and Pettinweme,
Johne Lord Erskyne,
Johne Ballendyne of Auchnowll knyght Justice Clerk,
The Thesaurar,
The Cleark of Registre, and
The Secretar.[727]
[727] In MS. 1566, the above list is repeated in the following
paragraph, the transcriber having overlooked its being inserted in the
previous page of the MS. The only difference is the addition of the
Comptroller's name.
"The Lordis of Secreat Counsall that war present at votting and
maiking of these foirsaid Actis, war James Duck of Chattellarault,
George Erle of Huntley, Archibald Erle of Ergyle, William Erle
Merchell, John Erle Atholl, William Erle Montrose, James Erle Mortoun,
Alexander Erle of Glencarne, James Commendatar of Sanctandrois, Johne
Lord Erskin, the Thesaurar, the Cleark of Registre, Justice Cleark,
Secreatarie, and Comptrollar."
The paragraph is also repeated in MS. A; but it is omitted in MS. G.
After the first Act,[728] the Erle of Huntley said, jestinglie, "Good
day, my Lordis of the Twa parte."
[728] It may here be added, that the Register of the Privy Council
contains another long minute of a meeting held at Edinburgh, on the
last of February 1561-2, relating to the Thirds of Benefices. The
Sederunt at this meeting: George Earl of Huntley, James Earl of
Mortoun, Archibald Earl of Argyle, William Earl Mareschal, and James
Earl of Mar.
The Council directed Letters of Proclamation to be issued, ordaining
the fruits of benefices to remain undelivered to the old possessors,
or their collectors, "unto the tyme thai be charged of new be letters
past be deliverance of the Lords of Session, dated after the 1st of
March."
The hoill Rentallis being gathered, the sowme of the Thrid, according
to thair awin calculatioun, was found to extend to....[729]
[729] In all the copies of Knox, the sum is left blank.
[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX HIS JUDGEMENT OF THE THRIDDIS.]
The Ministeris, evin in the begynnyng, in publict Sermonis opponed
thame selves to suche corruptioun, for thei foirsaw the purpose of the
Devill, and clearlie understood the butt whairat the Quene and hir
flatteraris schot; and so in the stoolle of Edinburgh, Johne Knox
said, "Weill, yf the end of this ordour, pretended to be tacken for
sustentatioun of the Ministeris, be happy, my judgement failleth me;
for I am assured that the Spreit of God is nott the auctor of it; for,
first, I see Twa partis freely gevin to the Devill, and the Thrid maun
be devided betwix God and the Devill: Weill, bear witnes to me, that
this day I say it, or it be long the Devill shall have Three partis of
the Thrid; and judge you then, what Goddis portioun shalbe." This was
ane unsaverie saying in the earis of many. Some eschamed nott to
affirme, "The Ministeris being susteaned, the Quene will nott gett at
the yearis end to by hir a pair of new schoes." And this was
Secreatarie Lethingtoun.
[Sidenote: LET THIS BE NOTTED]
Thair war appointed to modifie the Ministeris stipendis,[730] the
Erles Ergyle, Murray, and Mortoun, Lethingtoun, the Justice Cleark,
and Cleark of Registrie. The Laird of Pittarro was appointed to pay
the Ministeris stipendis, according to thair modificatioun. Who wold
have thought, that when Joseph reulled Egypt, that his brethren should
have travailled for vittallis, and have returned with empty seekis
unto thair families? Men wold rather have thought that Pharao's pose,
treasure, and garnallis should have bene diminished, or that the
houshold of Jacob should stand in danger to sterve for hungar.
[730] Among the Public Records, there are several volumes of Accounts
of the Collectors General of the Thirds of Benifices, commencing in
the year 1561.
[Sidenote: ANE PROVERBE.]
But so busy and circumspect war the Modificatouris, (becaus it was a
new office, the terme must also be new,) that the Ministeris should
nott be ower wantoun, that ane hundreth markis was sufficient to a
singill man, being a commoun minister. Thre hundreth markis was the
hiest that was appointed to any, except unto the Superintendentis, and
unto a few otheris. Schortlie, whitther it was the nygartnesse of
thair awin heartis, or the cayre that thei had to enryche the Quene,
we know nott; but the poor Ministeris, Readaris, and Exhortaris cryed
out to the heavin, (as thair complaintis in all Assemblies do
witnesse,) that neathor war thei able to lyve upoun the stipendis
appointed, neather could thei gett payment of that small thing that
was appointed. So fayne wold the Comptrollare have played the goode
vallett,[731] and have satisfyed the Quene, or ellis his awin
proffeitt in everie point, that he gatt this dicton and proverbe, "The
good Laird of Pittarro[732] was ane earnest professor of Christ; but
the mekle Devill receave the Comptrollar, for he and his Collectouris
ar become gready fectouris."[733]
[731] In MS. L 3, this word is left blank.
[732] John Wishart, Laird of Pittarrow in Forfarshire, son of Sir
James Wishart, Justice Clerk, was an early and active supporter of the
Reformation. At the Parliament in August 1560, he was one of the
number selected for the government of the State; and some time after
Queen Mary's arrival in Scotland, he was appointed Comptroller, in
which office he was succeeded by Sir William Murray of Tullibardine,
in 1563-4. Upon occasion of the marriage of Lord James, Earl of
Murray, (see notes to page 314,) Wishart was one of ten gentlemen who
had the honour of Knighthood conferred. He was advanced to be an
Extraordinary Lord of Session, 19th November 1567, and accompanied the
Regent Murray to York in the following year. He died 25th September
1576.
[733] In MS. G, "gredie Fectours."
To put ane end to this unpleasing mater: when the Brethren compleaned
of thair povertie, it was disdanfullie ansuered of some, "Thair ar
many Lordis have not so much to spend." When men did reassone that the
vocatioun of Ministeris craved of thame bookis, quyetnesse, studye,
and travell, to edifye the Kirk of Jesus Christ, when that many
Lairdis war waitting upoun thair worldly busyness; and thairfoir, that
the stipendis of Ministeris, who had none other industrye, but to lyve
upoun that which was appointed, aught nott to be modifyed according to
the lyvingis of[734] commoun men, who mycht, and did daily augment
thair rentis by some other industrie. When suche reassonis war laid
befoir thame, thei gat none other ansuer, but "The Quene can spair no
greattar soumes." Oft was it cryed into thair earis, "O happy
servandis of the Devill, and miserable servandis of Jesus Christ; yf
that after this lyef thair war nott hell and heavin." For to the
servandis of the devill, to your dum dogges and horned bischoppis, to
one of those idill bellies (I say) ten thousand was nott yneuch; but
to the servandis of Christ that painefullie preache his evangell, a
thousand pound; how can that be susteaned?
[734] In MS. G, "the living of uther."--MS. L 4, corresponds with the
text.
One day, in reassoning of this mater, the Secretar burst out in a pece
of his cholere, and said, "The Ministeris have this much payed unto
thame by year, and who yitt ever bad the Queyn 'grand-mercies' for it?
Was thair ever a Minister that gave thankis to God for hir Majesties
liberalitie towards thame?" One smyled and ansuered, "Assuredlye, I
think, that such as receave any thing gratis of the Quene, are
unthankfull yf thei acknowledge it not, boyth in heart and mouth. But
whitther that the Ministeris be of that rank or not, I greatlie doubt.
Gratis, I am assured, thei receave nothing; and whitther thai receave
any thing at all fra the Quene, wyese men may reassone. I am assured
that neather Thrid nor Twa part ever apperteaned to any of hir
predecessouris within this Realme these thousand yearis bypast,
neather yitt hes the Quene bettir title to that whiche sche usurpes,
be it geving to otheris, or in tacken to hir self, then suche as
crucifyed Christ Jesus had to devide his garmentis amonges thame. And
yf the treuth may be spoken, sche hes nott so good titill as thai had;
for such spoyle use to be the reward of such men: And in that point
these soldiouris war more gentle than the Quene and hir flatteraris,
for thai parted not the garmentis of our Maister till that he him self
was hung upoun the croce; but sche and her flatteraris do part the
spoyle, whill as poore Christ is yet preaching amangis you. But the
wisdome of our God tackis tryall of us by this meane, knowing weall
yneuch what sche and hir factioun hes purposed to do. Lett the
Papistis, who have the Twa partis, some that have thair Thriddis free,
and some that have gotten Abbacies and few landis, thank the Quene,
and syng, _Placebo Dominæ_. The poore preachearis will not yit
flatter, for feading of thair bellye." These wordis war judged proud
and intollerable, and engendered no small displeasur to the speakar.
This we put in memorie, that the posteriteis to cum may know that God
ones maid his treuth to triumph; but becaus that some of oure selfis
delyted more in darknes than in lyght,[735] God hath restreaned our
fredome, and putt the hoill body in bondage. Yea, the greatest
flatteraris have not eschaiped so free as thai supposed; yea, the
latter plagues appear yit to be worse than the first. "Be mercyfull to
us, O Lord, and entreat us nott according to our deservingis; but look
thou to the equitie of the cause which thou hast put into our handis,
and suffer not iniquitie to oppresse thy treuth, for Thy awin nameis
saik, O Lord."
[735] Randolph in his letter to Cecil, 7th December 1561, furnishes a
remarkable instance of profanity at this time. Referring to the
Marquis d' Elbeuf, he says, "We fell in talk of the pastimes that were
the Sunday before, where the Lord Robert, the Lord John, and others
rang at the ring, six against six, _disguised and apparelled, the one
half like women_, the other like strangers, in strange masking
garments. The Marquis that day did very well; _but the women, whose
part the Lord Robert did sustain, won the ring_. The Queen herself
beheld it, and as many others as listed."
[Sidenote: MARRIAGE OF THE ERLE OF MARE][736]
[736] In MS G, "Erle of Murray."
In this meantyme, to wit, in Februar, the year of God J^m V^c
threscoir ane,[737] was Lord James first maid Erle of Marr,[738] and
then maryed upoun Agnes Keyth, dowghter to the Erle Merschell. The
mairiage was publict in the Church of Edinburgh[739]. In the marriage
thai boyth gat ane admonitioun to behave thame selves moderatlie in
all thingis; "For, (said the preachear[740] to him,) unto this day the
Kirk of God hath receaved confort by you, and by your laubouris; in
the which, yf heirafter ye shalbe found fayntar then that ye war
befoir, it wilbe said that your Wyeff hath changed your nature." The
greatness of the bancquett, and the vanitie used thairat, offended
many godly. Thair began the masking, which from year to year hath
continewed since. Maister Randolph, agent for the Quene of England,
was then, and sometyme after, in no small conceat with our Quene; for
his Maistres saik, she drank[741] to him [in] a coupe of gold, which
he possessed with greattar joy, for the favour of the gevar, then of
the gift and valew thairof; and yit it was honourable.
[737] That is, 1561-2. The Earldom of Murray was first taken from the
Earl of Huntly, and granted to Lord James Stewart, by a charter, dated
30th January 1561-2. On the 7th of February following, the Earldom of
Mar being conferred on him he publicly assumed this title, until it
was restored, _per modum justiciæ_, to John Lord Erskine. Lord James
then resumed the title by which he is chiefly known to posterity as
the Earl of Murray.
[738] In MS G, "first maid Erle of Murray" In MS L 4, the commencement
of this paragraph is thus amplified--"The Quene this winter preceding
made Lord James Erle of Mar, as some thought to conciliat his good
will quhom she had found in absence offendit. At this time he married
also Agnes Keith, daughter to the Erle Marchell. Soone efter the
Erledome of Murray was bestowed upon him instead of the Erledome of
Mar. Lord Erskin had an old right to the Erldome of Marr."
[739] The marriage of Lord James Stewart with Agnes Keith, daughter of
William Earl of Marischel, was celebrated on the 8th of February
1561-2, in the Church of St. Giles, Edinburgh, "with sik solemnitie as
the lyk hes not bene sein befoir; the haill Nobilitie of this Realme
being thair present, and convoyit thame doun to the Abbay of
Halyrudhous, quhair the banket wes maid, and the Quenis Grace
thairat." (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 70) The same authority mentions
the rejoicings on that occasion, and that the Queen conferred the
honour of Knighthood on Wishart of Pittarrow, Lermonth of Dairsy,
Kirkaldy of Grange, Stewart of Traquair, Murray of Balvaird, and five
others.
[740] That is, John Knox.
[741] "At this notable marriage, (says Randolph to Cecil,) one thing
there was which I must testify with my own hand, which is, that upon
Shrove Tuesday, at night, sitting among the Lords at supper, in sight
of the Queen, and placed for that purpose, she drank unto the Queen's
Majesty (Elizabeth,) _and sent me the cup of gold_, which weighed
eighteen or twenty ounces." (Letter, 12th February 1561-2, quoted by
Mr Tytler, vol. vi. p. 258.)
The thingis that then war in handilling betwix the two Quenes, whairof
Lethingtoun, Secreatarie Cycill, and Maister Randolph, war ministeris,
war of great weight, as we will after hear.
This wynter, the Erle Bothwell, the Markques Delabuf, and Lord Johne
of Coldingham, played the ryote in Edinburgh, mysordoured the hoill
toune,[742] brack Cuthbart Ramsayis[743] yettis and durris, sought his
house for his good-dowghter Alisone Craik: And this was done in
dispyte of the Erle of Arrane, whose hoore the said Alison was
suspected to have been. The horrour of this fact, and the raritie of
it, heyghlie commoved all godlie heartis.[744] The Assemblie, and also
the Nobilitie, for the most parte war in the toun; and so thei
concluded to crave justice, as that thei did, as by this subsequent
Supplicatioun doeth appear.
[742] Randolph, in a letter to Cecil, dated 27th December 1561, has
given a somewhat similar account of this riot or "disorder which was
of late in this town." The letter is printed in Keith's History, vol.
ii. p. 128.
[743] In June 1571, Cuthbert Ramsay was elected one of the Magistrates
of Edinburgh. He joined the Queen's adherents in defending the Castle,
under Sir William Kirkaldy of Grange, in 1573; and on the 3d of June,
when the Castle was surrendered, Ramsay was one of the prisoners who
were conducted by the English forces to Leith; but he appears to have
escaped the ignominious fate awarded by Queen Elizabeth to the gallant
chief, and his brother Mr. James Kirkcaldy, who were hanged for
treason on the 3d of August 1573.
[744] It would appear that a General Assembly or Convention was
sitting at Edinburgh, towards the end of December 1561, when this
occurence took place; and it was resolved to present the Supplication
to the Queen:
"The whilk day, tuiching the slander takin be the horrible fact and
impietie committed within this burgh under silence of night, be
Marques Dalbuiff and his colleagues, in breaking up of Cuthbert Ramsay
his zets and doores, and searching and seiking his dochter-in-law to
oppresse her, as appeirit; it is thought good be the haill Kirk, that
a Supplicatioun be made and given in to the Quenis Majestie, in the
name of the Professors of the Evangell, and the personis before
nominat present the samein, to seik the answer thairof." (Booke of the
Universal Kirk, vol. i. p. 11.)
TO THE QUEYNIS MAJESTIE AND HIR SECREAT AND GREAT COUNSALL,
HIR GRACE'S FAYTHFULL AND OBEDIENT SUBJECTIS, THE
PROFESSOURIS OF CHRIST JESUS HIS HOLY EVANGELL, WISHES THE
SPREIT OF RYGHTEOUSE JUDGEMENT.
The feare of God conceaved of his holy worde, the naturall and
unfeaned luif we bear unto your Grace, the dewtie whiche we aw to the
quyetness of our countrie, and the terrible threatnyngis which our God
pronounces against everie Realme and Citie in the quhilk horrible
crymes ar openlie committed, and then be the committars obstinatlie
defended, compell us, a great parte of your subjectis, humblie to
crave of your Grace upryght and trew judgement aganis sick personis as
have done what in thame lyes, to kendle Goddis wrayth against this
hoill Realme. The impietie be thame committed is so haynous and so
horrible, that as it is ane fact most vyle and rair to be heard of
within this Realme, and principallie within the bowells of this Citie,
so should we think oure selfis gyltie in the same, gif negligentlie,
or yitt for warldlie feare we pass it ower with silence: And thairfoir
your Grace may nott think that we requyre ony thing (whill that we
crave open malefactouris condignelie to be punished) but that quhilk
God hes commanded us to crave, and hes also commanded your Grace to
geve to everie ane of your subjectis; for be this lynk hes God knytt
togitther the prince and the people, that as he commandis honour,
feare, and obedience to be gevin to the poweris established by him, so
does he in expressed wordis command and declair what the prince aweth
unto the subjectis, to witt, that as he is the Minister of God,
bearing his sweard for vengeance to be tackyn on evill doaris, and for
the defence of peceable and quyett men, so aucht he to draw the same
without all parcialitie so oft as in Goddis name he is requyred
thairto: Seing so it is, (Madam,) that this cryme so recentlie
committed, and that in the eyes of your hoill Realme now presentlie
assembled, is so haynous, for who heirtofore have heard within the
bowellis of Edinburgh, yettis and durris under silence of nycht burst
up, housses ryped, (and that with hostilitie,) seaking a woman as
appeared to oppresse hyr; seing we say that this cryme is so haynouse,
that all godlie men fear nott onlye Goddis soir displeasur to fall
upoun you and your hoill Realme, but also that sick libertie brede
contempt, and in the end seditioun, yf remeady in tyme be not
provided,[745] quhilk in our judgement is impossible, yf sevir
punishement be nott executed for the cryme committed: Thairfoir, we
maist humblye beseik your Grace, that all affectioun sett asyd,[746]
ye declair your self so uprycht in this caise, that ye may geve
evident demonstratioun to all your subjectis, that the fear of God,
joyned with the luif of the commoun tranquillitie, have principall
seat and dominioun in your Grace hearte. This farther, Madam, of
conscience we speik, that as your Grace in Goddis name does crave of
us obedience, (whilk to render in all thingis lauchfull we ar most
willing,) so in the same name do we, the hoill Professouris of
Christis Evangell within this your Grace Realme, crave of you and of
your Counsall scharpe punishement of this cryme; and for performance
thairof, that without all delay the principall actouris of this most
haynous cryme, and the persewaris of this pretended vilanye, may be
called befoir the Cheaf Justice of this Realme, to suffer an assise,
and to be punished according to the lawes of the same: And your
Grace's answer maist humilie we beseik.
[745] In the Book of the Kirk, "gudlie provydit."
[746] In the Book of the Kirk, "laid asyde."
* * * * *
[Sidenote: THE MASK OF ORLEANCE.]
This Supplicatioun was presented by diverse gentilmen. The flatteraris
of the Courte at the first stormed, and asked, "Who durst avow it?" To
whom the Maister, now Lord Lyndesay answered, "A thousand gentilmen
within Edinburgh." Otheris were eschamed to appone thame selfis
thairto in publict; but thei suborned the Quene to geve a gentill
answer unto such tyme as the Conventioun was dissolved. And so sche
did; for sche lacks no craft, boyth to cloik and to manteane impietie
(and hurdome in especiall.) Sche alledged, "That hir Uncle was a
strangear, and he had a young cumpany; but sche should putt suche
ordour unto him, and unto all otheris, that heareafter thei should
have no occasioun to compleane." And so deluded sche the just
petitioun of hir subjectis; and no wounder, for how shall sche
punische in otheris that vice, which in France is free without
punishement, and which Kingis and Cardinallis use most commonlie, as
the mask and dansing of Orleance can witness, whairin virgenis and
menis wyeffis war maid as commoun to King Harie and Charles, the
Cardinallis, unto thair Courte and pages, as commoun harlottis of the
bordell ar unto thair compainzeonis. The maner was thus:
At the entrie of King Harie of France, in the towne of Orleance, the
matrones, virgenis, and menis wyiffis, war commanded to present thame
selfis in the Kingis palice at nycht, to daunse: and thei obeyed; for
commounlie the Frenche natioun is not hard to be entreated to vanitie.
After fidling and flyngyng, and when the Cardinall of Lorane[747] had
espyed his pray, he said to the King, "_Sire, la primiere est vostre,
et faut que je suis[748] le second_." That is to say, "Sire, the
first choise is youris, and I man be the secound." And so the King gat
the preeminence, that he had his first electioun. Bot becaus
Cardinallis ar companeonis to Kingis, the Cardinall of Lorane had the
nixt: And thairafter the torches war putt out, and everie man
commanded to provid for him self the best he myght. What cry was thair
of husbandis for thair wyeffis; of wyiffis, for thair husbandis; of
auncient matronis, for thair dochteris; and of virgenis for thair
freindis; or for some honest man to defend thair pudicitie, Orleance
will remember mo kingis dayis then one.
[747] The Cardinal Charles de Lorraine, Archbishop and Duke of Rheims,
was the second son of Claude Duke de Guise. He was born 17th February
1524. He obtained the See of Rheims in 1538, and was consecrated in
1545, when twenty-one years of age. We need not refer to Protestant
writers for his character, or to the work entitled the Legend of his
Life, as it is admitted that to avarice and inordinate pride, he
joined cruelty, want of faith, and licentiousness. Brantome admits
that the Cardinal was no ornament to the Church, when he says, "qui,
quoique mauvais Chrétien, etait, pour le temps, tres-bon Catholique."
He died 24th December 1574, aged 49.
In addition to note 4, page 267, it may be noticed that Calderwood
says, when the Queen was preparing to return to Scotland, "In the
meanetyme, Charles Cardinal of Lorraine, counselled her to leave
beside him her apparell and household stuffe, till it was seene what
was the successe of her voyage. She being acquainted with his nature,
answered, she could not see wherefore she should be more carefull of
her stuffe and apparell nor of her owne persone." (Hist. vol. ii. p.
131.)
[748] In MS. G, "que je soy."
[Sidenote: OURE QUENIS EDUCATION.]
This horrible vilanay, a fruet of the Cardinall of Lorane's religioun,
we shortlie tueche, to lett all the world understand, what subjectis
may looke of suche magistratis; for such pastyme to thame is but
joyousitie, whairin our Queyn was brocht up.[749] We call hir nott a
hoore, (albeit hir deame heard more then we will wrytt,) but sche was
brought up in the company of the wyldast hooremongaris, (yea, of such
as no more regarded incest, then honest men regard the company of
thair lauchfull wyeffis;) in the company of such men, (we say,) was
our Queyn brought up. What sche was and is, her self best knowis, and
God, (we doubt nott,) will farther declair.
[749] Henry the second of France succeeded to the throne in 1547, and
died in 1559. This incident is not recorded in the Histories of the
time, but may be referred to the later period of his reign. As noticed
in a previous note (page 269,) the extreme profligacy that prevailed
at the Court of France is but too manifestly exhibited in the pages of
Brantome: a more unfortunate place could not have been chosen for the
young Scotish Princess to have received her education.
[Sidenote: [G]OD HES NOW [D]ONE IT, 1567.][750]
[750] This marginal note does not occur in MS. G, and seems to have
been added in MS. 1566, subsequently to the transcription of this
portion of the text. It contains an evident allusion to the Queen's
imprisonment after her surrender at Carberry Hill in July 1567: see
vol. i. p. 218, note 4.
[Sidenote: THE HAMMYLTONIS AGAINST BOTHWELL AND THE MARQUESS.]
But punishement of that enormitie and fearfull attemptat we could gett
none: but more and more thei presumed to do violence, and frequented
nyghtlie masking. Some, as Roboyn Craige's house, becaus his dowghter
was fair, delyted thairin: otheris lamented, and began to bear the
mater verray heavelie. At lenth the Lord Duck his freindis assembled
upoun a nycht upoun the calsey.[751] The Abbott of Kylwyning,[752]
(who then was joyned to the Churche, and so, as we understand, yitt
abydeth,) was the principall man at the begyning. To him repaired many
faythfull; and amangis otheris cam Andro Stewart, Lord Ochiltree, a
man rather borne to maik peace, then to brag upoun the calsey, and
demanded the querrall; and being informed of the formar enormitie
said, "Nay, sick impietie shall nott be sufferred so long as God shall
assist us. The victorye that God in his mercy hath gevin us, we will
by his grace manteane." And so he commanded his sone, Andro Stewart,
then Maister,[753] and his servandis to putt thame selfis in ordour,
and to bring furth thair spearis and long weaponis; and so did
otheris. The word cam to the Erle Bothwell and his, that the
Hammyltonis war upoun the gaitt.[754] Vowes war maid, "That the
Hammyltonis should be doung, not onlie out of the towne, but also out
of the countrey." Lord Johne of Coldinghame[755] had maryed the said
Erle Bothwellis sister, (a sufficient woman for such a man;)--allia
drew the Lord Roberte;[756] and so they joyned boyth with the said
Erle Bothwell. But the stoutness of the Marquess Le Beuf,
(D'Elbuf[757] thei call him,) is most to be commended; for in his
chalmer, within the Abbay, he starte to ane halbart, and ten men war
skarse able to hald him; but as hap was, the inner yett of the Abbay
keapt him that nycht; and the danger was betwix the Croce and the Salt
Trone;[758] and so he was a large quarter of myle from the schote and
sklenting of boltis. The Maister of Maxwell, gave declaratioun[759] to
the Erle Bothwell, "That yf he steired furth of his lodgeing, he, and
all that wold assist him, should resist him in the face;" whose wordis
did somwhat beat doon that blast. The Erles of Huntley and Morray,
being in the Abbay whair the Marques was, cam with thair cumpanyes,
send fra the Quene to stay that tumult, as that thei did; for Bothwell
and his war commanded, under pane of treassone, to keap thair
lodgeingis.[760]
[751] On the 19th of December 1561, (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 70.)
[752] Gawin Hamilton, Abbot of Kilwinning, was the fourth son of James
Hamilton of Raploch. In 1521, James the eldest son on his marriage
with the heiress of Stenhouse, resigned the fee of the lands of
Raploch, and upon the death of the next two brothers, Gavin succeeded
to the property in 1559. He had been educated for the Church; and
obtained the Deanery of Glasgow, which he exchanged in 1550 for the
Abbacy of Kilwinning. In 1555, he was raised to the bench. He was a
steady adherent of Queen Mary, and distinguished himself in several
skirmishes; but was mortally wounded, and died at Leith, on 16th June
1571.
[753] Andrew, second Lord Stewart of Ochiltree: see page 260, note 19.
His eldest son Andrew died in the year 1578, having predeceased his
father, Master of Ochiltree, here mentioned.
[754] In MS. G, "upoun the streat."
[755] Lord John Stewart, Prior of Coldingham, an illegitimate son of
James the Fifth, by Elizabeth, daughter of John Lord Carmichael. His
sister became the first wife of Archibald fifth Earl of Argyle.
Randolph in a letter to Cecil, 24th October 1561, mentioning the
leading persons at Court, says, "The Lord John of Coldingham hath not
least favour with his leaping and dancing: he is like to marry the
Lord Bothwell's sister." His marriage with Jean only daughter of
Patrick third Earl of Bothwell, was solemnized at Seton, in presence
of Queen Mary: see following note.
[756] Lord Robert Stewart, see page 271. Randolph in the letter
referred to in the previous note, says, "The Lord Robert consumeth
with love for the Earl of Cassillis sister." This was Lady Jane
Kennedy, eldest daughter of Gilbert third Earl of Cassilis. In another
letter, 27th December 1561, he says,--"The Lord Robert was married on
Sunday was eight days to the Earl of Cassillis sister; and my Lord
John upon Sunday next to the Earl of Bothwell's sister: I mean not
here, in the Court, but where the women are in their friends' houses."
According to this intimation, the marriages took place on the 14th and
28th of December respectively.
[757] René de Lorraine, Marquis d'Elbeuf: see note 8, page 268. He had
a natural son born in Scotland, "de Marguerite Chrestien, demoisselle
Ecossoise." According to one authority, d'Elbeuf remained in Scotland
till the end of February 1561-2:--"Upoun the penult day of Februar,
the zeir of God 1561 zeiris, [the] Marques departit furth of
Halyrudhous fra the Quenis Grace to Fraunce." (Diurnal of Occurrents,
p. 71.) But in June 1562, there was paid, "be the Quenis Graces
speciale command to Mons^r Marques at his departing furth of this
realme to France, as his acquittance, &c. £500." (Treasurer's
Accounts.)
[758] Betwixt the Cross and the Salt-Trone; that is, in the High
Street, near the present Trone Church, where the Trone or beam for
weighing merchandize formerly stood.
[759] In MS. G, "The Maister of Maxwell, (thairafter maid Lord
Herries,) gave declaration, &c.:" see vol. i. p. 319.
[760] Randolph says, that the day after the tumult, both the Duke and
Bothwell were sent for to the Court, the former being "convoyed with
all the Protestants that were in this town; the other with the
Papists. It was concluded, that for avoiding of cumber, the Earl
Bothwell should leave the toun till the 8th of January." According to
the Diurnal of Occurrents, (p. 70,) the Earl of Bothwell, on the 21st
December, "depairtit with his freindis furth of Edinburgh, at the
Quenis command."
It was whispered of many, that the Erle of Murray's displeasur was as
much sought as any haitterant that the Hammyltonis bayr against the
Erle Bothwell, or yitt he aganist thame. And in verray deed, eather
had the Duck verray fals servandis, or ellis by Huntley and the
Hammyltonis, the Erle of Murray his death was ofter conspyred than
ones: the suspitioun whairof burst furth so far, that upoun a day the
said Erle, being upoun horse to have come to the sermon, was charged
by one of the Duckis awin servandis to returne and abyd with the
Queyn. The bruyt thairof spred over all. What ground it had we cane
nott say; but schorte thairafter the Duck and some of the Lordis
convened at Glasgow; thair conclusioun was nott knowen. The Erle of
Arrane came to Edinburgh, whair the Erle Bothwell lay. The Quene and
the Court war departed to Fyff, and remaned sometimes in Sanctandrois
and sometimes in Falkland.[761]
[761] From about the end of March till the beginning of May 1562.
[Sidenote: THE ERLE BOTHWELL HIS COMMONYNG WYTH JOHNE KNOX.]
The Erle Bothwell, by the meanes of James Barroun,[762] burges, and
then merchant of Edinburgh, desyred to speak with Johne Knox
secreatlie; which the said Johne glaidlie granted, and spack him upoun
a nycht, first in the said James's lodgeing, and thairafter in his
awin study. The summe of all thair communication and conference
was:--The said Earle lamented his formare inordinate lyef, and
especiallie that he was provocked by the entysmentis of the Quene
Regent to do that which he sore reapented, alsweall against the Laird
of Ormestoun,[763] whose blood was spilt, albeit not in his defalt:
But his cheaf dolour was, that he had misbehaved him self against the
Erle of Arrane, whose favouris he was most willing to redeame, yf
possible it war that sa he mycht; and desyred the said Johne to geve
him his best counsall, "For (said he) yf I mycht have my Lord of
Arrane's favouris, I wald await upoun the Court with a page and few
servandis, to spair my expensis, whare now I am compelled to keap, for
my awin saifty, a number of wicked and unprofitable men, to the utter
destructioun of my living that is left."
[762] Knox has previously mentioned Barron, (vol. i. p. 268); and in
1556, (ib. p. 246,) he gives an account of the death of his first
wife, Elizabeth Adamson. Baron for several years filled the office of
one of the magistrates of Edinburgh, and was returned as one of the
Commissioners to the General Assembly, from 1560 till the year of his
death, which took place in September 1569. His will was made at
Kynnaird in Fyfe, 21st September 1569, having married for his second
wife Helen Leslie, "gud-wyf of Kynnarde," by whom he left several
daughters. (Register of Conf. Test.) This lady, who survived him,
appears to have married again, first to Mr. James Kirkaldy, brother of
Sir William Kirkaldy of Grange, by whom she had a son and a daughter;
and after his death in 1573, (see page 315, note 2,) to Mr. James
Beaton. There was granted to Patrick Halket of Petferren, the escheit
of 18 scoir pundis auchtand to vmquhile James Barroun, burgess of
Edinburgh and to Helen Leslie his spous.... Now spousit in marriage
with Maister James Kirkcaldy, brother-german to Sir William Kirkcaldy
of Grange knycht,--the said Mr. James hir spouse, "being denounced
rebell, &c., penult September 1571." (Register of Signatures, vol.
iii. fol. 102.) In the confirmation of her own Testament, mention is
made of her two children by her second husband; and she is described
as now spousit to Mr. James Beaton, parson of Old Roxburgh. She died
in June 1577. (Register of Confirmed Testaments.) In 1580, George
Baroun paid a composition, as son and heir of Helen Leslie of
Kynnaird. Sir Robert Sibbald, among the eminent men of Fife, says,
"The learned Doctors of Divinity, John and Robert Baron, were cadets
of the Lairds of Kinnaird, in this shire, of that name."
[763] John Cockburn of Ormiston: see vol. i. pp. 142, 455.
To the which the said Johne ansuered, "My Lord, wold to God that in me
war counsall or judgement that mycht conforte and releave you. For
albeit that to this hour it hath nott chaunsed me to speik with your
Lordship face to face, yit have I borne a good mynd to your house; and
have bene sorry at my heart of the trubles that I have heard you to be
involved in. For, my Lord, my[764] grandfather, goodsher, and father,
have served your Lordshipis predecessoris, and some of thame have died
under thair standartis; and this is a part of the obligatioun of our
Scotishe kyndnes: but this is not the cheaf. But as God hes maid me
his publict messinger of glaid tydings, so is my will earnest that all
men may embrase it, which perfytlie thei can not, so long as that
thair remaneth in thame rancour, malice, or envy. I am verray sorry
that ye have gevin occasioun unto men to be offended with you; but I
am more sory that ye have offended the Majestie of God, who by such
meanes oft punishes the other sinnes of man. And thairfoir my counsall
is, that ye begyn at God, with whom yf ye will enter in perfyte
reconciliatioun, I doubt not but he shall bow the heartis of men to
forget all offenses. And as for me, yf ye will continue in godlynes,
your Lordship shall command me als boldlie as any that serves your
Lordship."
[764] This allusion of Knox to his own family is interesting, as it
furnishes the only information that can be relied upon respecting his
ancestors.
The said Lord desyred him that he wold tempt[765] the Erle of Arrane's
mynd, yf he wold be content to accept him in his favouris, which he
promessed to do; and so earnestlie travaled in that mater, that it was
ones brought to such an end as all the faythfull praysed God for that
aggrement. The greatest stay stood upoun the satisfactioun of the
Laird of Ormestoun, who, besyde his formare hurte, as is before
declared, was evin in that same tyme of the commonyng, persewed be the
said Lord[766] Bothwell, his sone Maister Alexander Cockburne[767]
tacken by him, and caryed with him to Borthwick; but gentillye yneuch
send back agane.
[765] In MS. G, "wold attempt."
[766] In MS. G, "the said Erle."
[767] He was the eldest son of John Cockburn of Ormiston. In the
following page 331, Knox mentions him as conveying the message from
the Queen, which led to the communing there detailed. He died in 1564:
and in early life he had been a pupil of Knox: see vol. i. p. 185,
note 3.
[Sidenote: RECONCILIATIOUN BETWIX THE ERLE OF ARRANE AND ERLE
BOTHWELL, ETC.]
That new truble so greatlie displeased Johne Knox, that he almost geve
ower farther travalling for amytie. But yit, upoun the excuse of the
said Erle, and upoun the declaratioun of his mynd, he re-entered in
laubouris, and so brought it to pass, that the Laird of Ormestoun
referred his satisfactioun in all thingis to the judgments of the
Erles of Arrane and Murray, whom to the said Erle Bothwell submitted
him self in that head, and thairupoun delyvered his hand wryt. And so
was convoyed by certane of his friends to the loodgeing of the
Kirk-of-Feild, whair the Erle of Arrane was with his friendis, and the
said Johne Knox with him,[768] to bear witnesse and testificatioun of
the end of the aggrement. As the said Erle Bothwell entered at the
chalmer dore, and wold have done those honouris that freyndis had
appointed, (Maister Gavin Hammyltoun[769] and the Laird of
Rikchartoun,[770] war the cheaf freindis that communed,) the said Erle
of Arrane gentillye passed unto him, embrased him, and said, "Yf the
hearttis be uprycht, few ceremonyes may serve and content me."
[768] See page 327, note 2.
[769] In MSS. G, and L 4, "Mr. Gawin Hammyltoun, Abbot of Kilwynning"
[770] Henry Drummond of Riccarton succeeded his father, who is
mentioned as slain at the siege of Leith in 1560. But see note to vol.
i. p. 376. In 1574 he was succeeded by his brother of the same name,
and probably the issue of a second marriage. (House of Drummond, p.
292.)
The said Johne Knox, in audience of thame boyth, and of thair
freindis, said, "Now, my Lordis, God hath brought you to gitther be
the laubouris of semple men, in respect of such as wold have
travailled thairin. I know my laubouris ar alreaddy tacken in ane
evill parte; but becaus I have the testimonye of a good conscience
befoir my God, that whatsoever I have done, I have done it in his
fear, for the proffeit of you boith, for the hurt of none, and for the
tranquillitie of this Realme: seing (I say) that[771] my conscience
beareth witnesse to me, what I have sought and continewallie seak, I
the more patientlie bear the mysreporttis and wrangouse judgementis of
men. And now I leave you in peace, and desyres you that ar the
freindis to study that amitie may increase, all formar offenses being
forgett." The freindis on eather partie embrased other, and the two
Erles departed to ane wyndo, and talked by thame selfis familiarlie a
reasonable space. And thairafter the Erle Boithwell departed for that
nycht: and upoun the nixt day in the mornyng returned, with some of
his honest freinds, and came to the sermoun with the Erle foirsaid;
whairat many rejoised. But God had ane other work to wyrk then the
eyes of men could espy.
[771] In MS. G, "Seeing therefore that."
The Thurisday nixt[772] they dyned togetther; and thairafter the said
Erle Boithwell and Maister Gawane Hammyltoun raid to my Lord Duckis
Grace, who then was in Kynneill. What communicatioun was betwix thame,
it is not certanelie knowne, but by the reporte which the said Erle of
Arrane maid to the Quenys Grace, and unto the Erle of Murray, by his
wryttingis. For upoun Fryday, the ferd day after thair reconciliatioun,
the sermon being ended, the said Erle of Arrane cam to the house of
the said Johne Knox, and brought with him Maister Richart Strang[773]
and Alexander Guthre,[774] to whom he opened the greaf of his mynd
befoir that Johne Knox was called; for he was occupyed, (as commounlie
he useth to be after his sermonis,) in directing of writtingis. Whiche
ended, the said Erle called the thre togetther, and said, "I am
treasonablie betrayed;" and with these wordis began to weape. Johne
Knox demanded, "My Lord, who hes betrayed yow?" "Ane Judas, or other
(said he); but I know it is but my lyef that is sought: I regard it
not." The other said, "My Lord, I understand not such dark maner of
speaking: yf I shall geve you any ansuer, ye maun speik moir plane."
"Weill, (said he,) I tack you three to witnesse that I oppen this unto
you, and I will wryt it unto the Quene: Ane act of treassone is laid
to my charge; the Erle Bothwell hes schawin to me in counsall, that he
shall tack the Quene, and put hir in my handis in the Castell of
Dumbertane; and that he shall slay the Erle of Murray, Lethingtoun,
and otheris that now mysgyde hir: and so shall I and he reull all.
But I know that this is devised to accuse me of treassone; for I know
that he will inform the Quene of it: But I tack you to witnes, that I
oppen it hear unto you; and I will pas incontinent, and wryte to the
Quenis Majestie, and unto my brother the Erle of Murray."
[772] The 26th March, 1562.
[773] Mr. Richard Strang was an Advocate. His name occurs in the
proceedings of the General Assembly as one of the three Procurators
who were appointed in 1567, "to defend and pursue all actions
pertaining to the Kirk."
[774] Alexander Guthrie held for many years the office of Town Clerk
of the City of Edinburgh.
Johne Knox demanded, "Did ye consent, my Lord, to any part of that
treassone?" He ansuered, "Nay." "Then, (said he,) in my judgement, his
wordis, albeit thei war spoken, can never be treassone unto you; for
the performance of the fact dependis upoun your will, whairto ye say
ye have disassented; and so shall that purpose evanise and dye by the
self, onless that ye waiken it; for it is not to be supposed that he
will accuse you of that which he him self [hes] devised, and whairto
ye wold not consent." "O, (said he,) ye understand not what craft is
used against me: It is treassone to conceall treassone." "My Lord,
(said he,) treasson maun importe consent and determinatioun,
quhilk[775] I hear upoun neather of your partis. And thairfoir, my
Lord, in my judgement it shalbe more suyre and moir honorable to you
to depend upoun your [awin] innocencye, and to abyde the injust
accusatioun of ane other, (yf any follow thairof, as I think thair
shall not,) then ye to accuise, (especiallie after so lait
reconciliatioun,) and have none other witnesses but your awin
affirmatioun." "I know, (said he,) that he will offer the combatt unto
me; but that wold not be suffered in France; but I will do that which
I have purposed." And so he departed, and took with him to his
loodgeing the saidis Alexander Guthery and Mr. Richart Strang; from
whense was dyted and written a letter to the Quenis Majestie,
according to the formar purpose, which letter was direct with all
diligence to the Quenis Majestie, who then was in Falkland.
[775] In MS. G, "of the quhilks."
The Erle him self raid after to Kynneill, to his father, the Duckis
Grace.[776] How he was entreated, we have but the commoun bruyte; but
from thense he wrait ane other letter with his awin hand, in sypher,
to the Erle of Murray, compleanyng upoun his rigorous handelling and
entreatment by his awin father, and by his freindis; and affirmed
farther, that he feared his lyef, in case that he gat not suddane
reskew. But thairupoun he remaned not, but brack the chalmer whairin
he was put, and with great pain past to Striveling, and from thense he
was convoyed to the Hallyardis,[777] whair he was keapt till that the
Erie of Murray cam unto him, and convoyed him to the Quene, then beand
in Falkland, who then was sufficientlie instructed of the hoill mater;
and upoun suspitioun conceaved, had caused apprehend Maister Gawan
Hammyltoun and the Erle Bothwell foirsaid; who knowing nothing of the
formar advertismentis, cam to Falkland,[778] which augmented the
formar suspitioun.
[776] "Upon the 25th day of March 1562, my Lordis of Arrane, quha was
eldest sone to James Duke of Chattellarault, and Bothwill, wer aggreit
be Johne Knox minister, and thairefter raid and spak with the Duke."
(Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 71.) "And upoun the 29th day of March, my
Lord of Arrane come furth of the Palice of Kynneill, in ane franysy,
in the nycht, at ane heich wyndo, and past to the Quenis Grace at
Falkland, and sayd to her that my Lord Duke his fader, and my Lord
Bothwill, and Gawin Commendatare of Kilwynning, had conspirit aganis
the Quenis Grace and Lord James." (Ib. p. 71.)
[777] Hallyards, in the parish of Auchertule in Fifeshire. Sir Robert
Sibbald, in 1710, speaks of "Hallyairds, the residence of a gentleman
of the name of Skeen: a great building, surrounded with gardens, large
enclosures and planting: having large meadows to the west, and a loch
fertile of fish to the east." (Hist. of Fife, edit. 1710, App. p. 3.)
At the time referred to by Knox, it belonged to Sir William Kirkaldy
of Grange: see vol. i. p. 90.
[778] "Upon the last day of March (1562,) my Lord Bothwill and the
Commendatare of Kilwynning wer commandit in ward, in the Palice of
Falkland." Diurnal, p. 71.)
But yit the letteris of Johne Knox maid all thingis to be used more
circumspectlie; for he[779] did planelie foirwarne the Erle of Murray,
that he espyed the Erle of Arrane to be stricken with phrenesy, and
thairfoir willed not oure great credytt to be gevin unto his wordis
and inventionis. And as he advertised, so it cam to pass; for within
few dayis his seaknes increased; he devised of wonderouse signes that
he saw in the heavin; he alledged that he was bewitched; he wold have
bene in the Quenis bed, and affirmed that he was hir husband; and
fynallie, he behaved him self in all thingis so foolishelie, that his
phrenesy could not be hyd. And yit war the saidis Erle Bothwell and
Abbott[780] of Kylwynning keapt in the Castell of Sanctandrois, and
conventit[781] befoir the Counsall, with the said Earl of Arrane, who
ever stoode ferme, that the Erle Boithwell proponed to him suche
thingis as he advertissed the Quenis Grace of; but styflie denyed that
his Father, the said Abbote, or freindis, knew any thing thairof,
eathir yit that thei intended any violence against him; but alledged,
that he was enchanted so to think and wryte. Whairat the Quene,
heghlie offended, committed him to preasone, with the other two, first
in the Castell of Sanctandrois, and thairafter caused thame to be
convoyed to the Castell of Edinburgh. James Stewarte of
Cardonall,[782] called Capitane James, was evill bruited [of], for the
rigorous entreatment that he schew to the said Erle in his seaknes,
being appointed keeper unto him.
[779] It is a peculiarity in Knox's chief amanuensis, always to write
"he" as "hie."
[780] In MS. G, "Mr. Gawin, Abbot," &c.
[781] In MSS. G, and L 4, "conveened."
[782] James Stewart of Cardonald, about two miles from Paisley, in the
county of Renfrew. In a letter dated 7th September 1561, Randolph
says, "James Steward's admission to be Captain of the garde, stayett
upon the Lord of Lidington's retorne, to certifye whether he be sworne
Englishman." (Wright's Queen Elizabeth, vol. i. p. 74.) On the 4th May
1562, "Capitane Stewart, capitane of the Quenis gard," with 24
horsemen, convoyed Arrane, Bothwell, and the Abbot of Kilwinning from
St. Andrews to Edinburgh. (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 72.)
To consult upoun these accusationis, the hoill Counsalle was assembled
at Sanctandrois, the 18 day of Aprile, in the year of God J^m V^c, and
threscoir twa yearis;[783] in which it was concluded, that, in
consideratioun of the formar suspitioun, the Duck his Grace should
render to the Quene the Castell of Dumbartane,[784] the custodie
whairof was granted unto him by appointment, till that lauchfull
successioun should be sein of the Quenis body: But will prevailled
against reassone and promisses, and so was the said Castell delivered
to Capitane Anstrudour, as having power fra the Quene and Counsall to
receave it.[785]
[783] In the Acts of the Privy Council, there is no minute of any
meeting held on the 18th of April 1562. But the records of that time
are not very entire. In the Diurnal of Occurrents it is stated, that a
Convention was appointed to be held at St. Andrews, on the 15th of
that month, "for taking tryell of the matter above written, and thair
compeirit certane Lordis to the samyne;" and that, on the 18th of
April, "My Lord Duke raid to the Quenis Grace in Sanctandrois,
quhairintill he purgit himself of the conspiracie foirsaid in hir
presens."
[784] "Upon the xxvij day of April (1562) the Castell of Dumbartane
wes deliverit be my Lord Duke to Capitane Anstruther, in the name and
behalf of the Quenis Grace." (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 72.) Captain
Robert Anstruther, in the previous year, had the command of the
fortified island of Inchkeith, in the Frith of Forth, with "40
hagbutteris, remanand within the said Inche," (Treasurer's Accounts.)
[785] At the end of this paragraph, the transcriber of MS. L 4, has
added, "Thus farr Mr. Knox in the Fourth Booke of his Historie. Let
the Reader compare this relation with Buchanan's, and follow his own
judgement." In like manner Calderwood (Hist. vol. ii. p. 177,) says,
"Thus I have related this part of the Historie, as Knox hath sett it
down in the Fourth Booke of his Historie. Mr. Buchanan, his relation,
is somewhat different. He writeth," &c. Instead of quoting this
passage, the reader may be referred to Buchanan's own work, in which
he ascribes a plot to murther the Earl of Murray, as having been
devised by the Earl of Bothwell, upon finding that he would not join
Bothwell in his first design against the Hamiltons.
[Sidenote: PSAL. 2.]
Thingis ordoured in Fyfe, the Quene returned to Edinburgh,[786] and
then began dansing to grow hote; for hir freindis began to triumph in
France. The certantie heirof came to the earis of Johne Knox, for
thair war some that schew to him, from tyme to tyme, the estait of
thingis; and amangis otheris, he was assured, that the Queyne had
daunced excessivelie till after mydnycht, becaus that sche had
receaved letteris that persecutioun was begun agane in France, and
that hir Uncles war begyning to steir thair taill,[787] and to truble
the hoill Realme of France. Upoun occasioun of this text, "And now
understand, O ye kingis, and be learned, ye that judge the earth," he
began to taxt the ignorance, the vanitie, and the dyspyte of princes
against all virtue, and against all those in whom haitterent of vice
and love of vertew appeired.[788]
[786] Queen Mary returned from her journey and residence in Fife, to
Edinburgh, early in May. Knox probably confounded this absence from
Edinburgh, with the Queen's more protracted progress in the North in
Autumn, (see page 381,) which may account for his mistaking the
precise time of his second communing with the Queen, which actually
took place in December: see next page, note 2.
[787] In MS. G, "taills."
[788] Randolph, in a letter to Cecil, dated 16th December 1562, says,
"upon Sunday last he (Knox) inveighed sore against the Queenis
dancing, and little exercise of herself in vertue and godliness. The
report hereof being brought unto her ears, _yesterday she sent for
him_. She talked long time with him: little liking there was between
them, of the one or the other, yet did they so depart as no offense or
slander did rise thereon." We thus learn, that Knox's sermon was
delivered on the 13th, and that the interview occurred on the 15th
December.
[Sidenote: THE SECOUND COMMONYNG OF JOHNE KNOX WITH THE QUENE]
The reporte heirof maid unto the Quene, the said Johne Knox was send
for. Mr. Alexander Cockburne,[789] who befoir had bone his scolare,
and then was very familiare with him, was the messinger, who geve him
some knowledge both of the report and of the reportairis. The Quene
was in hir bed-chalmer, and with hir, besydis the Ladyes and the
commoun servandis, war the Lord James, the Erle of Mortoun,
Secreatarie Lethingtoun, and some of the garde that had maid the
report. He was called and accused, as are that had irreverentlie
spoken of the Quene, and that travailled to bring hir in haitterent
and contempt of the people, and that he had exceaded the boundis of
his text: And upoun these three headis, maid the Quene hir self a long
harangue or orisoun;[790] whairto the said Johne ansuered as
followis:--
[789] In MS. L 4, "Patrick Cockburne." See page 324, note 3.
[790] In MS. G. "oratioun."
"Madame, this is often tymes the just recompense which God geveth to
the stubburne of the world, that becaus thei will nott hear God
speaking to the conforte of the penitent, and for amendment of the
wicked, thai are oft compelled to hear the fals report of otheris to
thair greatter displeasur. I doubt not but that it cam to the earis of
proud Herode, that our Maister Christ Jesus called him a fox; but
thai told him not how odiouse a thing it was befoir God to murther ane
innocent, as he had laitlie done befoir, causing to behead Johne the
Baptiste, to reward the dansing of a harlottis doughtter. Madam, yf
the reportaris of my wordis had bene honest men, thai wold have
reaported my wordis, and the circumstances of the same. But becaus
thai wold have credyte in Courte, and lacking vertew worthy thairof,
thai mon haif somewhat to pleise your Majestie, yf it war but
flatterye and lyes. But such pleasour (yf any your Grace tack in suche
personis) will turn to your everlasting displeasour. For, Madam, yf
your awin earis had heard the hoill mater that I entreated; yf thair
be into you any sparckle of the Spreit of God, yea, of honestie or
wisdome, ye could not justlie have bene offended with any thing that I
spack. And becaus that ye have heard thair report, please your Grace
to hear my self reherse the same, so neyr as memory will serve." (It
was evin upoun the nixt day after that the sermon was maid.) "My text,
(said he,) Madam, was this, 'And now, O kings, understand; be learned,
ye judges of the earth.' After, Madam, (said he,) that I had declaired
the dignitie of kingis and reullaris, the honour whairinto God lies
placed thame, the obedience that is dew unto thame, being Goddis
lievtennentis, I demanded this questioun,--But, O allace! what compte
shall the most part of princes maik befoir that Supreme Judge, whose
throne and authoritie so manifestlie and schamefullie thai abuse? That
the complaynt of Salomon is this day most trew, to wit, 'That violence
and oppressioun do occupy the throne of God here in this earth:' for
whill that murtheraris, blood-thrystie men, oppressouris, and
malefactouris dar be bold to present thame selfis befoir kingis and
princes, and the poor sanctis of God are banisshed and exyled, what
shall we say, But that the devill hath tacken possessioun in the
throne of God, which aught to be fearfull to all wicked doiris, and a
refuge to the innocent oppressed. And how can it otherwyse be? For
princes will not understand; thai will nott be learned as God
commandis thame. But Goddis law thei dispyse, His statutis and holy
ordinances thei will not understand; for in fidling and flynging thei
ar more exercised then in reading or hearing of Goddis most blessed
word; and fidlaris and flatteraris (which commonlie corrupt the youth)
are more pretious in thair eyes then men of wisdome and gravitie, who
by holsome admonitioun mycht beat doun into thame some part of that
vanitie and pryde whairintill all are borne, but in princes tack
[deepe] roote and strenth by wicked educatioun. And of dansing, Madam,
I said, that albeit in Scripturis I fand no praise of it, and in
prophane wryttaris, that it is termed the jesture rather of those that
ar mad and in phrenesye then of sober men; yitt do I not utterlie
dampne it, provyding that two vices be avoided: the formare, That the
principall vocatioun of those that use that exercise be not neglected
for the pleasur of dansing; Secoundly, That they daunse not, as the
Philisteanis thair fatheris, for the pleasur that thai tack in the
displeasur of Goddis people. For yf any of boyth thai do, as thai
shall receave the reward of dansaris, and that willbe drynk in hell,
onless thai spedilie repent, so shall God turn thair myrth in suddane
sorow: for God will not alwayes afflict his people, neither yitt will
he alwayes wynk at the tyranny of tyrantis. Yf any man, Madam, (said
he,) will say that I spack more, let him presentlie accuse me; for I
think I have nott only tueiched the somme, but the verry wordis as I
spack them." Many that stood by bair witnesse with him, that he had
recyted the verray wordis that publictlie he spack.
The Queyn looked about to some of the reaportaris, and said, "Your
wourdis ar scharpe yneuch as ye have spocken thame; but yitt thei war
tald to me in ane uther maner. I know (said sche) that my Uncles and
ye ar nott of ane religioun, and thairfoir I can nott blame you
albeit you have no good opinioun of thame. But yf ye hear any thing of
my self that myslyikis you, come to my self and tell me, and I shall
hear you."
"Madam," quod he, "I am assured that your Uncles ar enemyes to God,
and unto his Sone Jesus Christ; and that for manteanance of thair awin
pompe and worldlie glorie, that thei spair not to spill the bloode of
many innocents; and thairfoir I am assured that thair interpryses
shall have no better successe then otheris haif had that befoir thame
have done that thei do now. But as to your awin personage, Madam, I
wold be glade to do all that I could to your Graces contentment,
provided that I exceed nott the boundis of my vocatioun. I am called,
Madam, to ane publict functioun within the Kirk of God, and am
appointed by God to rebuk the synnes and vices of all. I am not
appointed to come to everie man in particular to schaw him his
offense; for that laubour war infinite. Yf your Grace please to
frequent the publict sermonis, then doubt I nott but that ye shall
fullie understand boyth what I like and myslike, als weall in your
Majestie as in all otheris. Or yf your Grace will assigne unto me a
certane day and hour when it will please you to hear the forme and
substance of doctrin whiche is proponed in publict to the Churches of
this Realme, I will most gladlie await upoun your Grace's pleasur,
tyme, and place. But to waitt[791] upoun your chalmer-doore, or ellis
whair, and then to have no farther libertie but to whisper my mynd in
your Grace's eare, or to tell to you what otheris think and speak of
you, neather will my conscience nor the vocatioun whairto God hath
called me suffer it. For albeit at your Grace's commandiment I am
heare now, yitt can not I tell what other men shall judge of me, that
at this tyme of day am absent from my book and wayting upoun the
Courte."
[791] In MS. G, "to cum to waitt."
"You will not alwayis," said sche, "be at your book," and so turned
hir back. And the said Johne Knox departed with a reasonable meary
countenance; whairat some Papistis offended said, "He is not
effrayed." Which heard of him, he answered, "Why should the pleasing
face of a gentill woman effray me? I have looked in the faces of many
angrie men, and yit have nott bene effrayed above measure." And so
left he the Quene and the Courte for that tyme.
In this meanetyme, the negotiatioun and credytte[792] was great betwix
the Quene of England and our Soverane: letteris, curreouris, and
postis ran verray frequent.[793] Great bruyt thair was of the
interview and meating of the two Quenes at York, and some preparatioun
was maid thairfoir in boyth the Realmes. But that failed upoun the
parte of England, and that be occasioun of the trubles moved in
France, (as was alledged,) which caused the Quene and hir Counsall
attend upoun the Sowth partes[794] of England, for avoyding of
inconvenientis.
[792] In MS. G, "and credytte," are omitted.
[793] Various letters written by Queen Mary to Queen Elizabeth at this
time are contained in the Prince A. Labanoff's collection: "Lettres,
Instructions et Mémoires de Marie Stuart, Reine d' Ecosse," &c.
Londres, (Paris) 1844, 7 vols. 8vo. See also Keith's History.
[794] In MSS. M and L 4, the words after "Sowth partes" are omitted,
and the following sentence interpolated. "Duke D'Awmall had opened up
the English Ambassaders letters, who was then lying at Court, as wes
reported; and by his procurement an English schip quhairin another
Ambassador did fair, wes spoiled. There being appearance of warres
betwix England and France, the Quene came from St. Andrews to
Edinburgh, at what tyme she committed the Earl of Arran to ward in the
Castell of Edinburgh." Calderwood has copied these words verbatim.
(History, vol. ii. p. 182.)
That symmer, thair cam ane Ambassadour from the King of Swaden,
requyring marriage of our Soverane to his Maister the King.[795] His
intertenment was honorable; but his petitioun lyked our Quene nothing;
for such a man was too base for hir estait; for had nott sche beyn
great Queyn of France? Fye of Swaden! What is it? But happy was the
man that of suche a one was forsaken. And yitt sche refuised nott one
far inferiour to a vertouse King.[796]
[795] The Swedish Ambassador, "Herr Peter Groif," arrived in Leith on
the 24th April, where he remained till the 9th of May, when the Queen
came from Fife. In Edinburgh "he logeit in Mr. Harie Lawder's
lodgeing, quhairto he was conveyit honorabill," and departed on the
1st of June, "with his answer, and imbarkit that nycht at ten houris
at nicht, and obtanit ane fair wynd." (Diurnal of Occurrents, pp. 72,
73.)
[796] The King of Sweden referred to was Eric XIV., who was born in
the year 1533. He was educated in the Protestant faith, and succeeded
to the throne on the death of his father Gustavus Vasa, 29th September
1560. He was unfortunate in his projected alliances, and also in the
latter part of his career, having been forced to abdicate in 1568; and
he died of poison in 1578.
The Erle of Levenax and his wyff[797] war committed to the Towre of
London for trafiquin with Papistis. The young Lard of Barr[798] was a
travaler in that busines, and was apprehended with some letteris,
which war the cause of his and thair truble.
[797] Matthew, fourth Earl of Lennox, succeeded his father in 1526. He
married Lady Margaret Douglas, the daughter of Archibald Earl of
Angus, by his wife, Margaret Queen of Scotland, widow of James the
Fourth, and sister of Henry the Eighth. Their son Henry Lord Darnley,
who married Queen Mary of Scots, was born in 1545. The Earl of Lennox
was elected Regent of Scotland 11th July 1570, but was slain 4th
September 1571. The Countess of Lennox died 9th March 1577, in the 62d
year of her age.
[798] John Lockhart, son of John Lockhart of Barr in Ayrshire. He was
served heir of his father, 10th May 1575.
[Sidenote: HAWICK RAIDE.]
The Erle of Murray maid a privey raid to Hawick upoun the fayre-day
thairof, and apprehended fyftie theaffis; of which nomber war
sevintene drowned;[799] otheris war executed in Jedburght. The
principallis war brought to Edinburgh, and thair suffered, according
to thair merittis, upoun the Burrow Mure.[800] The Quene was nothing
content of the prosperitie and gude successe that God gave to the Erle
of Murray in all his interprysses, for sche hated his uprycht
dealling, and the image of God which evidently did appear into him;
but at that tyme sche could not weall have beyn served without him.
[799] The disturbed state of the Borders called for this summary act
of justice. According to Randolph's letter, dated 7th July 1562, there
were eighty-three persons apprehended at Hawick, "of the which twenty
were acquitted by the assize; the rest condemned; of the which
twenty-two were presently drowned there, for lack of trees and
halters; six hanged at Edinburgh, yesterday being Monday," &c.
(Chalmers' Queen Mary, vol. iii. p. 360; Tytler's Hist. vol. vi. p.
259. But Chalmers dates this letter 7th June; Tytler, the 8th July.)
[800] The Borough or Common Muir, about a mile to the south of
Edinburgh, was of great extent, stretching from the Pleasance westward
to beyond Merchiston Castle. The place where the old wooden gallows
stood for the execution of criminals, according to Maitland, was "on
the west side of the Dalkeith road, where it is left by the way to
Musselburgh." The position was afterwards changed: see his History of
Edinburgh, p. 176, chap. 177, respecting the Borough Muir.
[Sidenote: SCHARPE LEFT PREACHING AND TOOK HIM TO THE LAWES.]
[Sidenote: ANNO 1566 IN MAIJ.]
The Assemblye of the Kyrk at Mydsymmer, the [29th] of Junij,[801] anno
1562, approached, in the which war many notable headis entreated
concernying good ordour to be keapt in the Churche; for the Papistis
and the idolatrie of the Queyn began to truble the formar good
ordouris. Some ministeris, suche as Maister Johne Scharpe,[802] had
left thair charges, and entered into other vocationis more profitable
for the belly; against whom war actis maid, althought to this day thei
have nott bene putt in executioun.
[801] In MS. 1566, "the 24;" in MS. L 4, "the penult of Junij;" in MS.
M, "the penult of Julie." The General Assembly met at Edinburgh on the
penult or 29th of June 1562. See the Booke of the Universall Kirk of
Scotland, vol. i. p. 13. It should no doubt be, in "Mr. Henry Lawder's
lugeing," instead of "Mr. _Hendrie Lands_ house," (ib. p. 14,) where
the Assembly was held.
[802] Mr. John Scharp was educated in St. Leonard's College, St.
Andrews, having taken his Bachelor's degree in 1555; and he became a
licentiate or Master of Arts in 1557. At the Reformation he appears to
have occasionally exercised himself in the office of the ministry,
without being appointed to any particular church. The want of
efficient preachers to supply the vacant charges rendered the General
Assembly more anxious to secure the services of qualified persons. On
the 2d July 1562, the Assembly "finding him able to preach the word
and minister the sacraments, as he had done before times, charged him
to re-enter to the ministry, the place where he should minister being
reserved to farther deliberation." And on the 4th July, "It was
concludit that Mr. John Scharp should re-enter in the ministrie, and
to serve in the kirk whilk the Superintendent of Lothian should
appoint; and if he refused, that the censures of the Kirk be execute
against him." Scharp, however, according to the above marginal note,
became an Advocate, and long practised at the bar with great success.
Mr. John Scharp, Advocate, had a charter of the lands of Houston, in
the shires of Edinburgh and Linlithgow, 25th March 1576. His name
occurs in an Act of Parliament, in July 1604, as "Maister John Scharp
of Houston, Lawer." (Acta Parl. Scot. vol. iii. p. 264.) He was one of
five persons connected with Scotland who were knighted by King James
at Whitehall, on the 17th December 1604.
The tennour of the Supplicatioun redd in oppen audience, and approved
by the hoill Assemblye to be presented to the Quenis Majestie, was
this:--
TO THE QUENIS MAJESTIE, AND HIR MOST HONORABLE PRIVEY
COUNSALL, THE SUPERINTENDENTIS AND MINISTERIS OF THE
EVANGELL OF JESUS CHRIST WITHIN THIS REALME, TOGETHER WITH
THE COMMISSIONARIS OF THE HOILL CHURCHES,[803] DESYRE GRACE
AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WITH
THE SPREIT OF RYCHTEOUSE JUDGEMENT.
[803] In the Booke of the Kirk, "of the haill Kirk."
HAVING in mynd that fearfull sentence, pronunced by the Eternall God
against the watchemen that see the sweard of Goddis punishement
approche, and do not in plane wordis foirwarne the people, yea, the
Princes and Reularis, that thei may repent, we can not but signify
unto your Hienes, and unto your Counsall, that the estait of this
Realme is sic for this present, that onless redress and remeady be
schortlie provided, that Goddis hand can not long spayr in his anger,
to stryck the head and the taill; the inobedient Prince and synfull
people: For as God is unchangeable and trew, so must he punische in
these our dayis, the grevouse synnes that befoir we read he hes
punished in all aiges, after that he hes long called for reapentance,
and none is schawin.
[Sidenote: THIS[804] CAUSES THE QUENIS RELIGIOUN TO HAVE MANY
FAVOURARIS.]
[804] In MS. G, "These cause;" MS. L 4, "This causethe."
And that your Grace and Counsall may understand what be the thingis we
desyre to be reformed, we will begyn at that quhilk we assuredlie know
to be the fontane and spring of all other evillis that now abound in
this Realme, to wit, That idoll and bastard service of God, the Messe;
the fontane, we call it, of all impietie, not only becaus that many
tack boldnes to syn be reassone of the opinioun which thei have
conceaved of that idoll, to wit, That by the vertew of it, thei get
remissioun of thair synnes; but also becaus that under the cullour of
the Messe, are hoores, adulteraris, drunkardis, blasphemaris of God,
of His holy Word and Sacramentis, and such other manifest
malcfactouris, manteaned and defended: for lett any Messesayare, or
earnest manteanar thairof be deprehended in any of the foirnamed
crymes, no executioun can be had, for all is done in haiterent of his
religioun; and so are wicked men permitted to live wickedlie, clocked
and defended by that odious idoll. But supposing that the Messe war
occasioun of no such evillis, yit in the self it is so odiouse in
Goddis presence, that we can not cease with all instance to desyre the
removing of the same, alsweall frome your self as from all otheris
within this Realme, tacking heavin and earth, yea, and your awin
conscience to record, that the obstinat manteanance of that idoll
shall in the end be to you destructioun of saule and body.
Yf your Majestie demand, why that now we ar more earnest then we have
bein heirtofoir; We ansuer, (our formar silence no wiese excused,)
becaus we fynd us frustrat of our hope and expectatioun; quhilk was,
that in processe of tyme, your Grace's heart should have bein
mollifyed, so far as that ye wold have heard the publict doctrin
taught within this Realme; by the quhilk, our farther hope was, that
Goddis Holy Spreit should so have moved your hearte, that ye should
have suffered your religioun (quhilk befoir God is nothing but
abominatioun and vanitie) to have been tryed by the trew tueich-stone,
the writtin word of God; and that your Grace fynding it to have no
ground nor fundatioun in the same, should have gevin that glorie unto
God, that ye wold have preferred his treuth unto your awin
preconceaved vane opinioun, of what antiquitie that ever it hes bene.
Whairof we in a parte now discoraged[805] cane no longer keape
silence, onless we wold mack our selfis criminall befoir God of your
blood, perisheing in your awin iniquitie; for we plainlie admonishe
you of the dangearis to come.
[805] In MS. G, "discharged." In the Book of the Kirk, and MS. L 4,
"disappointed."
[Sidenote: GRUDGEING OF THE NOBILITIE ONE AGAINST OTHER]
The Secound that we requyre, is punishement of horrible vices, sic as
ar adultery, fornicatioun, open hurdome, blasphemye, contempt of God,
of his Word, and Sacramentis; quhilkis in this Realme, for lack of
punishement, do evin now so abound, that syne is reputed to be no
syne. And thairfoir, as that we see the present signes of Goddis wrath
now manifestlie appear, so do we foirwarne, that he will stryck, or it
be long, yf his law without punishement be permitted thus manifestlie
to be contempned. Yf any object, that punishementis can nott be
commanded to be executed without a Parliament; We answer that the
eternall God in his Parliament has pronounced death to be the
punishement for adulterye and for blasphemye; whose actis yf ye putt
not to executioun, (seing that Kingis ar but his lieutennentis, having
no power to geve lyefe, whair he commandis death,) as that he will
reputt you, and all otheris that foster vice, patronis of impietie, so
will he nott faill to punishe you for neglecting of his judgementis.
Our Third requeast concerneth the Poore, who be of thre sortis: the
poore lauboraris of the ground; the poore desolat beggaris, orphelyns,
wedoes, and strangaris; and the poore ministeris of Christ Jesus his
holie evangell, quhilk ar all so crewallie entreated by this last
pretended Ordour tacken for sustentatioun of Ministeris, that thair
latter miserie far surmonteth the formar. For now the poore lauboraris
of the ground ar so oppressed by the creualtie of those that pay thair
Thrid, that they for the most parte advance upoun the poore,
whatsoever they pay to the Quene, or to any other. As for the verray
indigent and poore, to whome God commandis a sustentatioun to be
provided of the Teyndis, they ar so dyspised, that it is a wonder that
the sone geveth heat and lycht to the earth, whair Godis name is so
frequentlie called upoun, and no mercy (according to his commandiment)
schawin to his creaturis. And also for the Ministeris, thair lyvingis
ar so appointed, that the most parte shall lyve but a beggaris lyef.
And all cumeth of that impietie, that the idill bellies of Christis
ennemyes mon be fedd in thair formare delicacie.
We dar nott conceall frome your Grace and Honouris our conscience,
quhilk is this, That neather by the law of God, neather yitt by any
just law of man, is any thing dew unto thame, who now most creuellie
do exact of the poore and riche the Two partes of thair Benefices, as
they call thame: And thairfoir we most humblie requyre, that some
other Ordour may be tacken with thame, nor that thei be sett up agane
to impyre above the people of God, eathir yitt above any subject
within this Realme. For we fear that sic usurpatioun to thair formar
estaite be neather in the end pleasing to thame selfis, nor profitable
to thame that wold place thame in that tyrannye. Yf any think that a
competent lyving is to be assigned to thame, we repugne not, provided
that the Lauboraris of the ground be nott oppressed, the Poore be nott
utterlie neglected, and the Ministeris of the word so scharplie
entreated as now thay ar. And, finallie, that those idill bellies, who
by law can crave nothing, shall confesse that thei receave thair
sustentatioun, nott of debt, but as of benevolence. Our humble
requeast is thairfoir, that some suddane ordour may be tacken, that
the poore Lauboraris may fynd some releaf, and that in everie
parochine some portioun of the Teyndis may be assigned to the
sustentatioun of the Poore within the same; and lykwise that some
publict releaf may be provided for the Poore within Broughtis; that
collectouris may be appointed to gatther, and that scharpe comptis may
be tacken, alsweall of thair receat as of thair deliverance. The
farther consideratioun to be had to our Ministeris, we in some parte
remitt to your Wisdomes, and unto thair particular complayntis.
Oure Fourt petitioun is for the mansses, yardis, and gleibes, justlie
apperteanyng to the Ministeris, without the quhilkis it is unpossible
unto thame quyetly to serve thair chargeis; and thairfoir we desyre
ordour to be tacken thairinto without delay.
Oure Fyft concerneth the inobedience of certane wicked personis, who
not onlie truble, and have trubled Ministeris in thair functioun, but
also disobey the Superintendentis in thair visitatioun; whairof we
humblye crave remeady; which we do not so much for any fear that we
and our Ministeris have of the Papistis, but for the love that we bear
to the commoun tranquillitie. For this we can not hyd from your
Majestie and Counsall, that yf the Papistis think to triumphe whair
thai may, and to do what thai list, whair thair is not a partie able
to resist thame, that some will think, that the godlie mon begyn whair
thai left, who heirtofoir have borne all thingis patientlie, in hope
that Lawes should have brydilled the wicked; whairof yf thai be
frustrat, (albeit that nothing be more odiouse to thame then tumultis
and domesticall discord,) yit will men attempt the uttermost, befoir
that in thair awin eyes thai behold that House of God demolisshed,
quhilk with travaill and danger God hath within this Realme erected by
thame.
Last, We desyre that sick as have receaved remissioun of thair
Thriddis be compelled to susteane the Ministerie within thair boundis,
or ellis we foirwarne your Grace and Counsall, that we fear that the
people shall reteane the hoill in thair handis, unto sic tyme as thair
ministery be sufficientlie provided. We farther desyre the kirkis to
be repared according to ane Act set furth by the Lordis of Secreat
Counsall, befoir your Majesties arryvall in this countrey: That Judges
be appointed to hear the causes of divorsement; for the Kirk can no
longare sustean that burthen, especiallye becaus thair is no
punishement for the offendars: That sayeris and heararis of Messe,
prophanaris of the Sacramentis, such as have entered in [to] benefices
by the Papis bulles, and such otheris transgressouris of the Law maid
at your Grace's arryvall within this Realme, may be seveirlie
punished; for ellis men will think that thair is no treuth ment in
macking of sick Lawis.
Farther, We most humblye desyre of your Grace and Honorable Counsall,
a resolut ansuer to everie ane of the headis foirwritten, that the
same being knawin, we may somewhat satisfie such as be grevouslie
offended at manifest iniquitie now manteaned, at oppressioun under
pretext of Law done against the poor, and at the rebelliouse
disobedience of many wicked personis against Godis word and holy
ordinance.
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, so reull your heartis, and
direct your Grace and Counsallis judgementis by the dyttament and
illuminatioun of his Holy Spreit, that ye may ansuer so as that your
consciences may be absolved in the presence of that rychteous Judge,
the Lord Jesus; and then we doubt nott but ye your selfis shall fynd
felicitie, and this poor Realme, that long hes bene oppressed by
wicked men, shall enjoy tranquillitie and rest, with the treu
knowledge of God.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: ESAI.]
[Sidenote: ANSUERE TO LETHINGTON.]
These thingis redd in publict Assernblie,[806] as said is, war
approved of all, (and some wissed that moir scharpness had bene used,
becaus that the tyme so craved,) but the monzeoris of the Court, and
Secreatarie Lethingtoun abuf otheris, could not abyd such hard
speiking; "For who ever saw it writtin (said he) to a Prince, That God
wold stryck the head and the taill: That yf Papistis did what thei
list, men wold begyn whair thei left." But abuf all otheris that was
most offensyve, that the Quene was accused, as that sche wold raise up
Papists and Papistrie agane. To put that in the people's head was no
less then treassone; for oathes durst be maid[807] that sche never
ment such thing. To whom it was ansured, "That the Prophete Esaias
used such manor of speiking; and it was no doubt but he was weill
acquented in the Court; for it was supposed he was of the Kingis
stock. But howsoever it was, his wordis mack manifest, that he spack
to the Court and Courteouris, to Judges, Ladies, Princes, and
Preastis: And yit, (sayes he,) "The Lord shall cut away the head and
the taill," &c. "And so," said the first wryttar, "I fynd that such
phrase was ones used befoir us. And yf this offend you, that we say,
'Men maun begyn whair thei left,' in case that Papistis do as thei do;
we wold desyre you to teache us, not so much how we shall speak, but
rather what we shall do, when our Ministeris ar strycken, our
Superintendentis disobeyed, and a plane rebellioun decread against all
good ordour." "Complean," said Lethingtoun. "Whom to?" said the other.
"To the Quenis Majestie," said he. "How long shall we do so?" quod the
whole. "Till that ye get remeady," said the Justice Cleark: "geve me
thair names, and I shall geve you letteris." "Yf the shepe," said one,
"shall compleane to the wolf, that the wolves and whelpis hes devoured
thair lambis, the compleanar may stand in danger; but the offendar, we
feare, shall have libertie to hunt after his prey." "Sic
comparisonis," said Lethingtoun, "are verray unsaverie; for I am
assured, that the Quene will neather erect, nor yit manteane
Papistrie." "Let your assurance," said ane other, "serve your self,
but it can not assure us, for hir manifest proceadings speakis the
contrair."
[806] At the 6th Sess., 4th July.
[807] In MS. G, "wer maid."
After sick tanting reassonyng of boyth the sydis, the multitude
concluded, that the Supplicatioun, as it was conceaved, should be
presented, onless that the Secreatarie wold forme one more aggreable
to the present necessitie. He promest to keap the substance of ouris,
but he wold use other termes, and ask thingis in a mair gentill maner.
The first writtar ansured, "That he served the Kirk at thair
commandiment, and was content, that in his dictament should men use
the libertie that best pleased thame, provided that he was not
compelled to subscryve to the flatterie of such as more regarded the
personis of men and wemen, then the simple treuth of God." And so was
this formar Supplicatioun gevin to be reformed as Lethingtounis
wisdome thought best. And in verray deid he framed it so, that when it
was delivered by the Superintendentis of Lotheane and Fyfe, and when
that sche had redd somewhat of it, sche said, "Here ar many fair
wordis: I can not tell what the heartis ar." And so for our paynted
oratorye, we war termed the nixt name to flatteraris and dissemblaris.
But for that Sessioun the Kirk receaved none other ansuer.
[Sidenote: JOHNE GORDOUN AND OGILBY.]
Schort after[808] the conventioun of the Kirk, chansed that unhappy
persuyt whilk Johnne Gordoun, Laird of Fynlater,[809] maid upoun the
Lord Ogilby,[810] who was evill hurt, and almost yit abydis mutilat.
The occasioun was, for certane landis and rights, quhilkis old
Fyndlater had resigned to the said Lord, which he was perseuing, and
was in appearance to obteane his purpose. Whairat the said Johne and
his servandis war offended, and thairfoir maid the said persuyt, upoun
a Setterday, at nycht, betwix nyne and ten. The freindis of the said
Lord war eather not with him, or ellis not weall willing to feght that
nycht; for thei took straikis, but geve few that left markis. The
said Johne was tane, and put in the Tolbuyth, whair he remanent
certane dayis, and then brack his warde, some judged, at his fatheris
commandiment; for he was macking preparatioun for the Quenis cuming to
the North, as we will after hear.
[808] As mentioned in the previous page 337, Knox has mistaken the
time when the General Assembly met, and in this way he probably
committed the mistake of saying, "Schort after," instead of "Short
before the Conventioun." The meetings of the Assembly were from Monday
the 29th June, till Saturday the 4th July 1562. The above conflict
took place on Saturday the 27th June. The Magistrates having
apprehended and imprisoned Gordon of Finlater, and ordered two of the
Ogilvies to be kept in ward, they sent a messenger to the Queen, who
was then in Stirling, to obtain her instructions. The Queen's letter,
dated penult of June, is preserved in the Council Register, and is
printed by Keith. (Hist. vol. ii. p. 156.) But Sir John Gordon, as
Knox mentions, soon afterwards made his escape to the North.
[809] Sir John Gordon was third son of George fourth Earl of Huntley.
Alexander Ogilvy of Ogilvy, in 1545, having disinherited his son James
Ogilvy of Cardell, settled his estates of Finlater and Deskford upon
John Gordon, who assumed the name of Ogilvie, which was the occasion
of the animosity that existed between the two families. James Ogilvy
of Cardell had been in France, and was Master of the Household of
Queen Mary. He was now endeavouring to recover possession of his
father's estates. The claim between the rival families of Gordon and
Ogilvy having at length been referred to arbitration, the estates of
Deskford and Finlater, in 1566, were affirmed to James Ogilvy, the
ancestor of the Earls of Finlater; and this award was ratified in
Parliament, 19th April 1567.
[810] According to most accounts James sixth Lord Ogilvy of Airly was
so severely wounded in this conflict, on the 27th June 1562, that his
life was considered to be in imminent danger; but he recovered and
survived till the year 1606.
The interview and meating of the two Quenis, delayed till the nixt
year, oure Soverane took purpose to visyt the North, and departed from
Striveling in the moneth of August. Whitther thair was any secreat
pactioun and confederacye betwix the Papistis in the South, and the
Erle of Huntley and his Papistis in the North; or, to speak more
planelie, betwix the Quene hir self and Huntley, we can not certanlie
say.[811] But the suspitionis war wounderous vehement, that thair was
no good will borne to the Erle of Murray, nor yit to such as depended
upoun him at that tyme. The History we shall faythfullie declair, and
so leave the judgement free to the readaris.
[811] In MS. G, "certanely affirme."
That Johne Gordoun brack his ward, we have already heard, who
immediately thairafter reapared to his father George, then Eric of
Huntley;[812] and understanding the Quenis cuming, maid graite
provisioun in Strabogye, and in other partis, as it war to receave the
Quene. At Aberdene the Quene and Court remaned certane dayis to
deliberat upoun the affaires of the countrey; whair some began to
smell, that the Erle of Huntley was under gatthering, as heirefter
shalbe declaired.
[812] George fourth Earl of Huntley succeeded his grandfather in 1524.
He became a favourite of King James the Fifth, with whom he had been
educated. He was admitted a Privy Councillor in 1535, and was
constituted Lieutenant-General of the North in 1540. In 1546 he
succeeded Cardinal Beaton as Lord Chancellor. He obtained in 1549 a
grant of the Earldom of Murray, but this he was forced to resign in
1559. The estates and dignities of Mar and Murray having afterwards
been conferred upon Lord James Stewart, this served to encrease those
fatal dissensions which ultimately led to the Earl's death, at
Corrichie, on the 28th October 1562.
[Sidenote: BOTHWELL BRAKE WARDE.]
[Sidenote: THE FALS BISHOPE AND HIS TRAFIQUE]
Whill thingis war so wyrking in the North, the Erle Bothwell brack his
ward, and cam furth of the Castell of Edinburgh, the 28th of August.
Some say that he brack the stancheour of the wyndo; utheris whispered,
that he gat easye passage by the yettis. One thing is certane, to wit,
The Quene was litill offended at his eschaiping. Thair passed with him
a servand of the Capitane's, named James Porterfield. The said Erle
schew him self not verray affrayed, for his commoun residence was in
Lowthean. The Bischope of Sanctandrois and Abbot of Crosraguell keapt
secreat conventioun that same tyme in Paslay, to whom resorted diverse
Papistis; yea, the said Bischope spack the Duck, unto whom also cam
the Lord Gordon from the Erle of Huntley, requyring him "to putt to
his handis in the South, as he should do in the North; and so it
should not be Knoxis crying nor preaching that should stay that
purpose." The Bischope, be he never so close, could not altogether hyd
his mynd, but at his awin table said, "The Quene is gone into the
North, belyke to seak disobedience: sche may perchance fynd the thing
that sche seikis." It was constantlie affirmed, that the Erle Bothwell
and the said Lord Gordon spack together, but of thair purpoise we
heard no mentioun.
[Sidenote: COMMISSIONARIS.]
That same year, and at that instant tyme, war appointed Commissionaris
by the Generall Assemblie to Carryk and Cunighame, Maister George Hay,
who, the space of a moneth preached with great fruct in all the
churches of Carryk. To Kyle, and to the partis of Galloway was
appointed Johnne Knox, who besyde the doctrine of the evangell schawen
unto the commoun people, foirwarned some of the Nobilitie and Baronis
of the dangearis that he feared, and that war appearing schortlie to
follow; and exhorted thame to put thame selfis in sic ordour as that
thei mycht be able to serve the authoritie, and yit not to suffer the
ennemeis of Goddis treuth to have the upper hand. Whairupoun a great
part of the Baronis and Gentilmen of Kyle and Cunynghame and Carrik,
professing the treu doctrine of the evangell, assembled at Ayre; and
after exhortationis maid, and conference had, subscrivit this Band.
The tennour whairof followis:--
WE, whais Names are underwrittin, do promesse, in the
presence of God, and in the presence of his Sone our Lord
Jesus Christ, that we, and everie ane of us, shall and will
manteane and assist the preaching of his holy Evangell, now
of his mear mercy, offered unto this Realme; and also will
manteane the ministeris of the same against all personis,
power, and authoritie, that will oppone the self to the
doctrin proponed, and by us receaved. And farther, with the
same solempnitie, we protest and promesse, that everie ane
of us shall assist otheris; yea, and the hoill body of the
Protestantis within this Realme, in all lauchfull and just
actionis, against all personis; so that whosoever shall
hurt, molest, or truble ony of our body, shalbe reaputed
ennemye to the hoill, except that the offendar wilbe content
to submit him self to the judgement of the Kirk, now
establisshed amangis us. And this we do, as we desyre to be
accepted and favored of the Lord Jesus, and reaccompted
worthy of credyte and honestie in the presence of the
godlie. At the Brough of Air, the ferd day of September, the
year of God J^m V^c threscoir twa zeiris.