MR. MICHAELL WALLACE, Provest of Air,[813]
JAMES LOCKART,[814]
WILLIAME MONTGOMERY,
JOHNNE CRAUFURD of Wolstoun,[815]
GLENCARNE,[816]
RO. BOYD,[817]
R. FAILFURD,[818]
MATTHEW CAMPBELL of Lowden, knyght,
ALLANE LORD CAYTHCART,
JOHNNE MURE in Wole,
HEW WALLACE of Carnell,
JAMES CHALMER of Gathgirth,
HEW MONTGOMERY of Hesheilhead,
JOHNNE FULLARTOUN of Dreghorne,
I WILLIAME CUNYGHAME, with my hand,
SKELDOUN,[819]
FARGUSHILL,[820]
MR. OF BOYD,[821]
JOHNNE LOCKART of Barr,
WILLIAME CUNYGHAME of Capringtoun younger,
ROBERT KER of Carsland,
ROBERT CRAWFURD,
DAVID CRAWFURD,
WILLIAME CUNYGHAME,
CHARLES CAMPBELL, Burgess of Air,
JAMES DALRYMPLE of Stayre,
MUNGO MURE,
JAMES REID,
JAMES KENNEDY, Burgess of Air,
GEORGE LOCKART, Burgess thair,
JOHNE CUNYNGHAME of Capringtoun,
CUNYNGHAMHEID,[822]
VCHILTRIE,[823]
GEORGE CRAUFURD of Lefnoreise,
JOHNE MURE of Rowallane,
HEW CUNYGHAME of Watterstoun,
ROBERT CUNYGHAME,
AKYNHARVYE,[824]
MYDDILTOUN,[825]
JOHNE WALLACE of Cragie,
JOHNE BOYD of Narstoun,
ROBERT CAMPBELL of Kingzeanclewcht,
GILBERT ECCLES,
THOMAS CAYTHCARTE, with my hand,
ALLANE CAITHCART of Clawance,[826]
ADAM REYD of Barskymming,
JOHNNE CAITHCART of Gibiszard,[827]
JOHNE REID, with my hand,
JOHNE ...[828]
ROBERT SCHAW, Burgess thair,
JOHNNE DUNBAR of Blantyre,
ROBERT CHALMER of Martnem,[829]
ROBERT HUNTAR of Huntarstoun,
ROBERT RANKIN,
ARCHIBALD BOYLE,
ALEXANDER NYSBETT,
JAMES LOCKART,
WILLIAME STEWART of Halrig,
HECTOUR DUNBAR of Clousting,
JAMES CAMPBELL of Louchley,
ADAM CAITHCART of Bardarocht,
GEORGE RYD of Chapellhouse,
HEW WALLACE of the Meanfurd,
ROBERT CAMPBELL of Cragdow,
ANDRO NEVEN of Monkredden,
WILLIAME CAITHCART,
DAVID CRAUFURD of the Kerse,
JOHNNE KENNYDYE of Ternganoche,
PATRIK KENNYDIE of Daljarocht,[830]
ALLANE CAITHCART of Carlton,
ROBERT BOYD of Pemont,[831]
WILLIAME CAMPBELL of Horsclewcht,[832]
WILLIAME CAITHCART, brother to the Lord Caithcart,
JOHNNE MACQUHIDAILL,
GEORGE CORRY of Kelwod,
WILLIAME KENNYDIE of Ternganocht,
JOHNNE KENNYDIE of Kirkmichaell,
THOMAS MACKALEXANDER of Corsclais.[833][834]
[813] The Provost of Ayr was, no doubt, Wallace of Holmstone, on the
south bank of the river, about a mile from the town.
[814] Probably Sir James Lockhart of Lee.
[815] Or Walston, parish of Tarbolton.
[816] Alexander fourth Earl of Glencairn.
[817] Robert fourth Lord Boyd: see page 259, note 7.
[818] Robert Cunningham, minister of Failfurd: see a subsequent note.
[819] William Campbell of Skeldon, in the parish of Dalrymple.
[820] John Fergushill of Fergushill, in the parish of Kilwinning.
[821] Robert Master of Boyd. He predeceased his father Lord Boyd.
[822] Sir William Cunningham of Cunninghamhead.
[823] Andrew second Lord Stewart of Ochiltrie.
[824] In the list this appears as a distinct name, but Robert
Cunningham was Laird of Auchinharvy.
[825] The Laird of Middleton was also a Cunningham.
[826] Or Clavanes, parish of Dundonald.
[827] Or Gibb's-yard.
[828] In all the copies of Knox this name is left blank, his
transcriber in 1566 apparently being unable to decypher it.
[829] Or Martinham, parish of Dalrymple.
[830] Or Daljarrock, parish of Colmonell.
[831] Or Piedmont.
[832] Or Horsecleuch, in the parish of Cumnock, a designation assumed
by the Campbells of Skerrington, although probably at first by a
distinct branch of the family.
[833] Or Corseclays, in the parish of Colmonell.
[834] In MS. G, at the end of this list of names is added, "With many
uther Gentilmen of worth, and Burgesses." In MS. L 4, the list is
dated, the 3d of September; but the names of the Subscribers of this
Bond are only partially given; but adding these words, "with an
hundreth more gentlemen," &c. Calderwood also gives a similar abridged
list. (Hist. vol. ii. p. 202.)
These thingis done at Ayr, the said Johne passed to Nethisdaill and
Galloway, whair, in conference with the Maister of Maxwell,[835] a man
of great judgment and experience, he communicat with him such thingis
as he feared; who by his motioun wraytt to the Erle Bothwell, to
behave himself as it became a faythfull subject, and to keape good
quyetness in the partis committed to his charge, and so wold his cryme
of the breaking of the ward be the more easelie pardoned. Johne Knox
wrait unto the Dukis Grace, and earnestlie exhorted him neather to
geve eare to the Bischope[836] his bastard brother, nor yit to the
persuasionis of the Erle of Huntley; for yf he did, he assured him,
that he and his House should come to a suddane ruyn.
[835] Sir John Maxwell of Terreglis, Warden of the West Marches: see
vol. i. p. 319.
[836] Giving ear to the Bishop, that is, John Hamilton, Archbishop of
St. Andrews.
By such meanis war the South partis keapte in reassonable quyetness,
during the tyme that the trubles war in brewing in the North. And yit
the Bischope and the Abbote of Corsraguell,[837] did what in thame lay
to have rased some truble; for besydis the fearfull bruytes that thei
sparsed abroad, (sometymes that the Quene was tacken; sometymes that
the Erle of Murray and all his band war slane; and sometymes that the
Quene had gevin her self unto the Erle of Huntley,--besydis such
bruites) the Bischope, to brek the countrey of Kyle, whair quyetness
was greatest, rased the Craufurdis against the Readis for the payment
of the Bischopis Pasche fynes; but that was stayed by the laubouris of
indifferent men, who favored peace.
[837] Quintin Kennedy was the fourth son of Gilbert second Earl of
Cassillis. As a younger son, intended for the church, he pursued his
studies at St. Andrews, and afterwards at Paris. He obtained the
Abbacy of Crossraguell in Ayrshire, in the year 1549. He died on the
22d August 1564. See notice of his life in the Wodrow Miscellany, vol.
i. p. 89.
[Sidenote: DISPUTATIOUN.]
[Sidenote: CROSRAGUELL OFFFRED HIM ANES TO PREACH.]
The Abbot of Crosraguell requyred disputatioun of Johne Knox for
mantenance of the Messe, which was granted unto him, and whiche held
in Mayboll thre dayis. The Abbot had the advantage that he requyred,
to wit, He took upoun him to prove that Melchisedeck offered bread and
wyne unto God, which was the ground that the Messe was builded upoun
to be a Sacrifice, &c. But in the travaill of thre dayis thair could
no prooff be produced for Melchisedeckis oblatioun, as in the same
disputatioun (which is to be had in print[838]) clearlie may appear.
The Papistis constantlie looked for a wolter, and thairfoir thei wold
maid some bragg of reassonyng. The Abbote farther presented him self
to the pulpit, but the voice of Maister George Hay[839] so effrayed
him, that efter ones he wearyed of that exercise.
[838] The Disputation referred to took place at Maybole in September
1562. Knox published a detailed account of it, under the title of "The
Copie of the Reasonyng which was betwix the Abbot of Crossraguell and
Johne Knox, in Maybole, concerning the Masse," &c. Printed at
Edinburgh by Robert Lekprevik, 1563, 4to. This, of course, will be
reprinted in a subsequent volume of his Works.
[839] Mr. George Hay was first minister of Eddilston, and in or before
1563, was appointed Commissioner of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Banff,
and also Minister of Ruthven. In August 1562, he had been appointed to
visit Ayrshire (see page 347); and Knox's allusion is evidently to
Hay's controversy with the Abbot at this time, which was published
under this title, "The Confutation of the Abbote of Crosraguells
Masse, set furth by Maister George Hay. Imprinted at Edinburgh, by
Robert Lekprewik, 1563," 4to; dedicated "To the Most Noble, Potent,
and Godly Lord James, Earle of Murray."
After that the Quene was somewhat satisfyed of hunting, and other
pastyme,[840] sche cam to Abirdene, whair the Erle of Huntley met hir
and his Lady, with no small tryne, remaned in Court, was supposed to
have the greatest credyte, departed with the Quene to Buchquhane, met
hir again at Rothymay, looking that sche should have passed with him
to Strabogye. But in the jorney certane word cam to hir that Johne
Gordoun had brocken promesse in not re-entering in ward; for his
father the Erie had promessed that he should enter agane within the
Castell of Stryveling, and thair abyd the Quenis pleasur. But whetther
with his fatheris knowledge and consent, or without the same we know
not, but he refused to enter; which so offended the Quene, that she
wold not go to Strabogye, but passed through Straythyla to Innerness,
whair the Castell thairof was denyed unto hir. The Capitane was
commanded to keape it, and looked for releaf, for so had Johne of
Gordoun promessed; but being thairof frustrat, the Castell was
randered, and the Capitane named Gordoun was executed; the rest war
damned, and the handis of some bound, but eschaiped.
[840] The following is a brief notice of the Queen's progress in the
North of Scotland. She set out from Edinburgh, on horseback, on the
11th August 1562, dined that day at Calder, and then reached the
Palace of Linlithgow. Next day, after dinner, at Lord Livingstone's,
in Callander House, she came to Stirling Castle, where she remained
till the 18th. She proceeded to Aberdeen, where she arrived on the
27th, and remained till the 1st of September. Having changed her
purpose of visiting the Earl of Huntley, she proceeded, stopping at
places not so well prepared for her reception, passed the Spey, and
reached Elgin on the 4th. On the 8th she passed forward to Kinloss
Abbey; on the following day to Tarnaway Castle, the chief mansion of
the Earldom of Murray, where a Privy Council was held on the 10th of
September; and Lord James Stewart having resigned the title of Mar,
produced his patent, and assumed the title of Murray. Next day the
Queen reached Inverness. On the 15th she set out on her return,
stopping at Tarnaway and Spynie Castle, recrossed the Spey at
Fochabers, and reached Aberdeen on the 22d, where the inhabitants
shewed their loyalty on occasion of her public entry. Here she
remained till the 5th of November, during which time the fatal
conflict at Corrichie took place, ensuring the triumph of Murray, and
the ruin of Huntley, which Chalmers and other writers assert was the
chief object in inducing the Queen to undertake this journey. In her
return she passed through Dunottar, Montrose, Dundee, Perth, and
arrived at Holyrood on the evening of the 21st of November, after more
than three months' absence. See Chalmers's Life of Queen Mary, vol. i.
sect. iv.
[Sidenote: SO WAS THE DUCK, THE ERLIS ERGYLE, MURRAY, AND GLENCARNE,
WITH ALL THAIR COMPANIES AFTER SERVED.][841]
[841] Being denounced rebels, in August and October 1565.--Some
letters in this marginal note, cut away by the binder, are supplied
from MS. G.
This was the begynning of farther truble; for the Erie of Huntley
thairat offended, began to assemble his folkis, and spaired not to
speak that he wold be revenged. But alwayes his Wyef bayre faire
countenance to the Quene; and it is verrely supposed, that no other
harme then the Quene hir self could easilie have stand content with,
was ment unto hir awin persone. But the hoill malice lay upoun the
Erie of Murray, Secreatarie Lethingtoun, and upoun the Lard of
Pittarro. Yitt the Quene begane to be effrayed, and by proclamatioun
caused warne Stryveling, Fyffe, Anguss, Mearness, and Straytherne,
charge all substantiall men to be in Abirdene the fyfth day of
October, thair to remane the space of twenty dayis. In hir returning
from Innerness, sche required the Castell of Fynlater, which was
lykewise denyed, and so was Auchendowne, which more inflammed the
Quein. The Erie of Huntley was charged to caus deliver the said
housses, under pane of treasson. To schaw some obedience, he caused
the keyis of boyth to be presented by his servand, Mr. Thomas Keyr.
But befoir had the Quene send young Capitane Stewarte, (sone to
Capitane James,[842] who to this day hes neather bein stout, happye,
nor trew,) with sex scoir of soldartis, to ly about the said place of
Fynlater. They lodged in Culane, nott far distant from the said place.
Upoun a nycht Johne Gordoun cam with a cumpany of horsemen, took the
Capitane, slew certane of the soldiouris, and disarmed the rest. This
fact, done (as the Quene alledged) under traist, so inflambed hir,
that all hope of reconciliatioun was past; and so the said Erle of
Huntley was charged, under pane of putting of him to the home, to
present him self and the said Johne befoir the Quene and Counsall
within sax dayis: whiche charge he disobeyed, and so was denunced
rebell. Whitther it was law or not, we dispute litill thairintill; but
it was a preparative to otheris that after war served with that same
measure. He was sought at his place of Strathbogye, but eschaped.
[842] Apparently Capt. Alexander Stewart, son of Capt. James Stewart
of Cardonald, who is mentioned at page 329. On the 29th October 1562,
there was paid by the Queen's speciale command "to Capitane Moffet
ensinge to Capitane Stewart for his trew service done and to be done,
£66, 13s. 4d."
[Sidenote: 1562.]
The evill encreased, for the Erle assembled his folk out of all partes
of the North. He martched forward towardis Abirdene, and upoun the
twenty-twa day of October, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir twa
yearis, cam to the Loch of Skein. His army was judged to sevin or
aught hundreth men. The Quenis army, boyth in nomber and manhead, far
surmounted his, and yitt he took no fear; for he was assured of the
most parte of thame that war with the Quene, as the ishew did witness.
Within the toune thei stood in great fear; and thairfoir it was
concluded that thei wold assaile the uttermost upoun the feildis. The
Forbesses, Hayes, and Leslyes, took the vantgard, and promessed to
feght the said Erle without any other helpe. Thei passed furth of the
toune before ten houris. Thei putt thame selfis in array, but thei
approached not to the enemye till that the Erle of Murray and his
cumpanye war come to the feildis, and that was efter two at efter
none; for he was appointed with his cumpanye onlye to have beholden
the battell. But all thingis turned otherwyese then the most parte of
men supposed.
[Sidenote: THE ERLE OF HUNTLEYIS PRAYER.]
The Erle of Huntley was the nycht befoir determined to have retyred
him self and his cumpanye; but that mornyng he could not be walkened
before it was ten houres, and when he was up on foote his spreitis
failed him, (be reassone of his corpolencie,) so that rychtlie a longe
tyme he could do nothing. Some of his freindis, fearing the danger,
left him. When that he looked upoun boyth the cumpanyes, he said,
"This great cumpany that approcheth neyest to us will do us no harm,
thei ar our freindis. I only fear yonder small cumpayne that stand
upoun the hill-syd, yone ar our enemyes. But we ar anew for thame, yf
God be with us." And when he had thus spoken, he fell upoun his knees,
and maid his prayer in this forme. "O Lord, I have been a bloode
thristye man, and by my meanes hes mekle innocent bloode bein spilt;
but wilt thou geve me victory this day, and I shall serve thee all the
dayis of my lyef."--Note and observe, good Readar, he confessed that
be had bein a blood-thristy man, and that he had bein the cause of the
schedding of much innocent bloode: but yitt wold he have had victorye;
and what was that ellis, but to have had power to have schedd more,
and then wold he have satisfied God for all togetther. Wherein is
expressed the nature of hypocrytis, whiche neather farther feareth nor
loveth God then present danger or proffeitt suadeth. But to our
Historye.
[Sidenote: CORRECHY BURNE, OR FARA BANK.]
[Sidenote: THE TREASSONABLE FACT OF THE NORTH.]
[Sidenote: SECRETARIE LETHINGTOUN HIS ORISONE ATT CORRECHIE.]
The Leslyes, Hayes, and Forbesses, espying the Erle of Murray and his
to be lyghted upoun thair foote, maid fordwarde against the Erle of
Huntley and his, who stoode in Correchie Burne, (some call it Fara
Bank;)[843] but or thei approched, ney by the space of the schote of
ane arrow, they caist frome thame thair spearis and long weaponis, and
fled directlie in the faces of the Erle of Murray and his company. The
danger espyed, the Lard of Pettarro, a man boyth stout and of a reddy
wytt, with the Maister, now Lord Lyndsay, and Tutour of Pettcur,[844]
said, "Let us cast downe spearis to the formest, and lett thame nott
come amanges us, for thair is no doubt but that this flying is by
treassone." And so thei did: so that they that fled keapt thame selfis
apart frome the few nomber that war marching upoun foote in ordour.
The Erle of Huntley, seing the vantgard flie, said unto his company,
"Oure freindis ar honest men, they have keapt promesse: lett us now
rencounter the rest." And so he and his, as suyre of victorye,
martched fordwarte.
[843] The battle of Corrichie takes its name from the vale or small
stream so called, in the parish of Mid-Mar, about twenty miles west of
Aberdeen. The hill of Fare is computed to be 1793 feet above the level
of the sea.
[844] This veteran has been several times mentioned by Knox: see vol.
i. p. 317; vol. ii. pp. 56, 63. It may be added that at a later period
of life he obtained a grant of the Commendatorship of the Priory of
Pittenweem. As elsewhere mentioned he died in 1588, aged seventy. He
was buried in the church of Dundee, and the inscription on his
monument, which, I believe, is still preserved, was published by
Monteith, in his "Theater of Mortality." Edinb. 1713, 8vo.
The Secreatarie, in few wordis, maid a vehement orisoun, and willed
everie man to call upoun his God, to remember his deuitie, and nott to
fear the multitude; and, in the end, concluded thus: "O Lord, thou
that reullis the heavin and the earth, look upoun us thy servandis,
whose bloode this day is most unjustlie sought, and to man's judgement
is sold and betrayed: Our refuge is now unto thee and our hope is in
thee. Judge thou, O Lord, this day, betwix us and the Erle of Huntley,
and the rest of our ennemyes. Yf ever we have injustlie sought his or
thair destructioun and bloode, lett us fall in the edge of the sweard.
And, O Lord, yf thou knowest our innocencye, manteane thou and
preserve us for thy great mercyes saik."
[Sidenote: THE RESPONSE OF THE ERLE OF HUNTLEIS WYTTCHES.]
[Sidenote: 12 JUNIJ, 1566.][845]
[845] In MS. G, this marginal date is inserted in the text.
Schort after the speaking of these and the lyke wordis, the formar
rankis joyned, for Huntleyis cumpany maid great haist. They war
repulsed by the Maister of Lyndsay, and the cumpanyes of Fyffe and
Anguss. Some of thame that fledd returned, and followed the Erle of
Murray, but gave na straykis till that Huntleyis cumpanye geve back.
In the front thair war slane about eighteen or twenty-foure men, and
in the fleyeing thair fell ney a hundreth. Thair was tacken a
hundreth, and the rest war spaired. The Erle himself was tacken alyve;
his two sons, Johne foirsaid, and Adam Gordoun, war tacken with him.
The Erle, immediatlie after his tacken, departed this lyiff without
any wound, or yitt appearance of any strock, whairof death might have
enseued; and so, becaus it was laitt, he was cassen over-thorte a pair
of crealles, and so was caryed to Abirdene, and was laid in the
Tolbuyth thairof, that the response whiche his wyffis wyttches had
gevin mycht be fulfilled, whay all affirmed (as the most parte say,)
that that same nycht should he be in the Tolbuyth of Abirdene without
any wound upoun his body. When his Lady gatt knowledge thairof, sche
blamed hir principale witche, called Janet; but sche stoutlie defended
hir self, (as the devill can ever do,) and affirmed that she geve a
trew answer, albeit she spack nott all the treuth; for she knew that
he should be thair dead:[846] but that could nott proffeit my
Lady.[847] Scho was angrye and sorye for a seassone, but the Devill,
the Messe, and wyttches have als great credyte of hir this day as thei
had sevin yearis ago.
[846] In MS. L 4, all the words after "should be there dead," are
omitted.
[847] Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Robert Lord Keith, who with his
father William third Earl Marischal, was killed at Floddon in 1513.
The Erle of Murray send message unto the Quene of the mervalouse
victorye, and humblie prayed hir to schaw that obedience to God as
publictlie to convene with thame, to geve thankis unto God for his
notable deliverance. Sche glowmed boyth at the messenger[848] and at
the requeast, and skarselie wold geve a good worde or blyth
countenance to any that sche knew earnest favoraris of the Erle of
Murray, whose prosperitie was and yitt is, a verray vennoume to hyr
boldened harte, against him for his godlynes and uprycht plainess. Of
many dayes she bair no better countenance; whairby it myght have bene
evidentlie espyed, that sche rejosed nott greatlie of the successe of
that mater; and albeit sche caused execut Johne Gordoun and diverse
otheris, yitt it was the destructioun of otheris that sche sought.
[848] In MS. 1566, "message."
[Sidenote: THE LADY FORBES HIR WOURDIS.]
Upoun the morow after the disconfiture, the Lady Forbess, a woman
boyth wyese and fearing God, cam amangis many other to vesytt the
corps of the said Erle; and seing him ly upoun the cold steanes,
having onlye upoun him a doublat of cammoise, a pair of Scottishe gray
hoise, and covered with ane arrass-work,[849] she said, "What
stabilitie shall we judge to be into this world: thair lyeth he that
yesterday in the morneyng was holden the wyesest, the richest, and a
man of greatest power that was within Scotland." And in verray dead
sche lyed nott; for, in mannis opinioun, under a prince, thair was not
suche a one these thre hundreth yearis in this Realme produced. Bott
felicitie and worldlye wisdome so blynded him, that in the end he
perished in thame, as shall all those that dyspyse God, and trust in
thame selfis.[850]
[849] In MS. L 4, "an Yrish work."
[850] In MS. G, in this place there is a marginal note, "Let utheris
that yet live mark this."
Johne Gordoun,[851] at his death, confessed many horrible thingis,
devised by his father, by his brother, and by him self. Thair war
letteris found in the Erles pocket, that disclosed the treassone of
the Erle of Sutherland, and of diverse otheris. Mr. Thomas Keir, who
befoir was the hole counsallour to the Erle foirsaid, disclosed
whatsoever he understoode myght hurte the Gordones and thair freyndis:
and so the treassone planelie disclosed, whiche was, that the Erle of
Murray with certane otheris should have bene murthered in Strabogye;
the Quene should have bene tane, and keapt at the devotioun of the
said Erle of Huntley.
[851] See page 345, note 2.
[Sidenote: 1562.]
[Sidenote: MENIS JUDGEMENTIS OF THE QUENIS MARIAGE.]
These thingis (we say) reveilled, the Quene left the North,[852] and
cam to Dondye, Sanct Johnestoun, Stirveling, and then to
Edinburgh.[853] The Erle of Huntleyis body was caryed about in a
boat,[854] and laid without buriall in the Abbay of Halyrudhouse, till
the day of his forfaltour, as after shall be declaired.[855] The Duck
apprehended the Lord Gordoun[856] his sone in law, becaus that the
Quene had straitlie commanded him so to do, yf he repaired within his
boundis. Befoir he delivered him, the Erle of Murray laubored at the
Quenis hand for the saiftye of his lyeff, which hardly was granted;
and so was he delivered within the Castell of Edinburgh, the
twenty-aught day of November, whair he remaned till the aught of
Februare, when he was put to ane assise, accused, and convict of
treassone; but was restored agane, first to the Castell foirsaid, and
thairafter was transported to Dumbar, whair he remaned preasoner till
the moneth of August, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir fyve yearis,
as we will after hear.
[852] In MS. L 4, this sentence reads, "These thingis thus reveilled,
the Quene returned shortlie efter, leaving the Thesaurer, Mr. James
M^c Gill, Mr. John Spence of Condie, and the Laird of Pittarrow in
Aberdene, to compone for the eschetes of those who were in the fields
with the Erle of Huntlie." Calderwood (Hist. vol. ii. p. 200) copies
these words verbatim. The Treasurer in his Accounts from February
1561-2 to February 1562-3, charges himself with £3542, 6s. 8d., as the
composition of various persons in the North for assisting, &c. George
Earl of Huntley, "in Campo de Correchie, in mense Oct. ult." In
October £33 was paid to Archibald Earl of Argyle, Lord Justice, and
£62 to Sir John Bellenden, Justice Clerk, for the time they remained
in Aberdeen. "Item, to John Johnstoun, Clerk of the Secreit Counsel,
for his extraordinar wagis and ane servand, awaiting upoun the Quenis
grace and Lordis of hir Secreit Counsel, all the tyme fra hir Grace
departing furth of Edinburgh towart the North partis, fra the first
day of August, 1562 zeris, to the last day of November in the said
zeir, extending to 122 dayis, &c. £100."
[853] On the 21st November.
[854] The following payments in the Treasurer's Accounts, confirm this
notice of the Earl's contemplated forfeiture:--
1562, November, Item to Patrick Hume,
for the fraucht of his schip, of Abirdene
to Leith, £10
--for the carriage of ane kist, quhairin
wes contenit my Lord of Huntleis
bodie, of Leith to Edinburgh, 4s.
--for bandis for the same, 10s.
--to Robert Hendersone, chirurgen, for
expensis maid be him upoun spicis,
vinagre, acquavitie, pulderis, odouris,
and hardis, with sindrie utheris necessaris,
and for his laubouris in the
handeling of the said Erle of Huntleis
bodie that it suld nocht putrefie, as
compt gevin in be the said Robert,
beris £28, 3s. 4d.
[855] See _infra_, page 380.
[856] George Lord Gordon was the second son of the Earl of Huntley. He
succeeded his elder brother Alexander Lord Gordon, who died in 1553,
without issue. Alexander married Lady Margaret, the second daughter,
and George, Lady Anne, the third daughter of the Duke of
Chattelherault. On his father's death at Corrichie, George became
fifth Earl of Huntley. But being apprehended, he was convicted of
treason on the 8th February 1562-3, his estates forfeited, and he
himself sentenced to be executed. The latter part of the sentence
however being delayed, he was sent to Dunbar Castle, where he remained
a prisoner until August 1565. He was then restored to favour, and
adhered to the Queen's party. He was advanced to be Lord Chancellor in
March 1566, and after several changes of fortune, he died in 1576.
In this meantyme the trubles war hote in France; and the intelligence
and outward familiaritie betwix the two Quenis was great. Lethingtoun
was direct with large commissioun both to the Quene of England and
unto the Guisianes. The mariage of our Queyn was in all mannis mouth.
Some[857] wold have Spaine; some the Emperouris brother; some Lord
Robert Dudlye; some Duck de Nemours; and some unhappilie gessed at the
Lord Darnlye. What Lethingtounis credyte was, we know not; but schorte
after thair began much to be talked of the Erle of Levenox, and of his
sone, the Lord Darnlye. It was said that Lethingtoun spack the Lady
Margarete Dowglass,[858] and that Robert Melven[859] receaved ane
horse to the Secreatare's use, fra the Erle of Levenox, or from his
wyff. Howsoever it was, Maister Foullare, servand to the said Erle,
cam with letteris to the Quenis Grace, by the which, licence was
permitted to the Erle of Levenox to cum to Scotland, to travell in his
lauchfull busynes. That same day that the licence was granted, the
said Secreatarye said, "This day have I tacken the deadlie haiterent
of all the Hamyltonis within Scotland, and have done unto thame no
less displeasur than that I had cutted thair throttis."
[857] Of the five persons here named, who were proposed as husband to
Queen Mary, the first was Don Carlos, Infant of Spain, son of Philip
the Second, born in 1545, and died in 1568. The next was the Archduke
Charles, a younger son of the Emperor Ferdinand the First, and brother
of Maximilian the Second, born in 1540, and died in 1596. The third
was Lord Robert Dudley, the favourite of Queen Elizabeth, who created
him Earl of Leicester, born in 1532, and died in 1588. The fourth was
James (of the house of Savoy) Duke de Nemours, born in 1531, and died
in 1585. He was reckoned as "l'un des plus beaux Princes de son tems,
et des plus braves, fut liberal, magnifique, et sçavoit des langues."
In 1566, he married Anne d'Este, widow of Francis Duke de Guise.
(Anselme, Hist. Geneal. vol. iii. p. 512.) The last was Henry Lord
Darnley, eldest son of Matthew Earl of Lennox, born 1545, and whom she
afterwards married, 29th July 1565.
[858] See page 335, note 2.
[859] Robert Melvin or Melville, the second son of Sir John Melville
of Raith. In May 1555, "Robert Melville, servand to the Quenis Grace,
received be hir speciale command," the sum of £50; and in September
following, £75, as his pension for the Whitsunday term, that year. He
had long resided at the Court of France, during the reign of Henry the
Second; and was afterwards much employed in public affairs. He was
knighted in 1582, and was raised to the Peerage, by the title of Lord
Melville of Monimail, in 1616, having survived till 1621, when he died
at the very advanced age of 94.
The Erle Bothwell, who befoir had brocken ward, fearing apprehensioun,
prepared to pas to France; but by storme of weather was dryven into
England, whair he was stayed, and was offerred to have bein randered
by the Quene of England. But our Quenis ansuer was, "That he was no
rebell, and thairfoir sche requeasted that he should have libertie to
pas whair it pleiseth him."[860] And thairto Lethingtoun helped not a
litill; for he travailled to have freindis in everie factioun of the
Courte. And so obteined the said Erle licence to pas to France.
[860] In MS. G, "quhair he pleased."
[Sidenote: THE PREACHEOURIS RAILLED UPOUN OF THE COURTEOURIS.]
[Sidenote: THE PREACHERIS ADMONITIOUN AFTER THE DEATH OF THE ERLE
HUNTLEY.]
[Sidenote: HUNTLYE.][861]
[861] In MS. G, "mening of Huntlie."
[Sidenote: LET THE WARLDE JUDGE NOWE, 1571, FOR LETHINGTOUN THEN WAS
THE FATHER OF ALL MISCHEIF.[862]
[862] In MS. 1566, the marginal note at the top of the next page,
judging from the different hand and colour of ink, was evidently added
in 1571. The words "then was," refer to the year 1562-3. The note
occurs in MS. G, with this addition, "then was (as he is now)."
The wynter after the death of the Erle of Huntley, the Courte remaned
for the maist part in Edinburgh. The Preacheouris war wonderous
vehement in reprehensioun of all maner of vice, which then began to
habound; and especiallie avarice, oppressioun of the poor, excesse,
ryotouse chear, banketting, immoderat dansing, and hurdome, that
thairof enseuis. Whairat the Courteouris began to storme, and began to
pyck querrallis against the Preachearis, alledging that all thair
preaching was turned to raylling. Whairunto one of thame gave ansuer
as followeth: "It cumis to our earis that we ar called raillaris,
whairof albeit we wounder, yitt we ar not eschamed, seing that the
most worthy servandis of God that befoir us have travalled in this
vocatioun, have so bein styled. But unto you do I say, that that same
God, who from the begyning has punished the contempt of his word, and
hes poured furth his vengeance upoun such proude mockaris, shall not
spair you; yea, he shall not spair you befoir the eyis of this same
wicked generatioun, for the pleasur whairof ye dispyse all holsome
admonitionis. Have ye not sein ane greattar than any of you sitting
whair presentlie ye sitt, pyck his naillis, and pull down his bonet
ower his eyis, when idolatrie, witchecraft, murther, oppressioun, and
such vices war rebuked? Was not his commoun talk, When thei knaiffis
have railled thair fill, then will thei hald thair peace? Have ye not
heard it affirmed to his awin face, that God should revenge that his
blasphemy, evin in the eyis of such as war witnesses to his iniquitie?
Then was the Erle Huntley accused by you, as the manteanar of
idolatrie, and only hinderar of all good ordour. Him hes God punished,
evin according to the threatnyngis that his and your earis heard; and
by your handis hath God executed his judgementis. But what amendment
in any caise can be espyed in you? Idolatrie was never in greattar
rest: vertew and verteouse men war never in more contempt: vice was
never more bold, nor less feared punishement. And yitt who guydis the
Quene and Court? Who but the Protestantis? O horrible sclanderaris of
God, and of his holie evangell. Bettir it war unto you plainelie to
renunce Christ Jesus, then thus to expone his blessed Evangell to
mockage. Yf God punishe not you, that this same aige shall see and
behold your punishement,[863] the Spreit of rychteous judgement guydis
me not."
[863] In MS. G, is this marginal note, which cannot be attributed to
the author:--"The end declared thair words to be trew." Lethington, it
is well known, having adhered to the Queen's party, he remained in the
Castle of Edinburgh during the whole time of the siege by the English
troops in 1573, until its surrender, under promise that the Governor
and his associates should be favourably treated. But Queen Elizabeth
delivered them up to their implacable enemy the Regent Morton; and
Lethington was with Kirkaldy of Grange, and the other prisoners,
carried to Leith; but whether it was his own act, to save the disgrace
of a public execution, or that of others, he died, "not without
suspicion of poison," on the 9th June 1573.
[Sidenote: THE DEFENCE OF THE COURTEOURIS.]
This vehemence provocked the hatterent, not onlie of the Courteouris,
but also of diverse otheris against the speakar;[864] for such as be
in credyte never lack flatteraris. "Thair brethren of the Courte war
irreverentlie handilled. What was that, but to raise the heartis of
the people against thame? Thei did what thei myght; such speaking wold
cause thame do less." And this was the frute the Preachearis gatthered
of thair just reprehensionis.
[864] In MS. G, "the speaker, quhilk was John Knox."
[Sidenote: 1562.]
[Sidenote: THE QUENIS PRACTISE.]
The Generall Assemblie of the Churche,[865] holden the twenty-fyve of
December, the year of God 1562, approched, in the which, great
complentis war maid, that churches lacked Ministeris; that Ministeris
lacked thair stipendis; that wicked men war permitted to be
School-maisteris, and so to infect the youth; amongis whom one Maister
Robert Cumyn, school-maister in Aberbrothok, was compleaned upoun by
the Laird of Dun,[866] and sentence was pronunced against him. It was
farther compleaned, that idolatrie was erected in diverse partis of
the Realme; for redress whairof, some thought best, that new
supplicatioun should be presented to the Quenis Grace. Otheris
demanded, what ansuer was receaved of the formar? The Superintendent
of Lowtheane confessed the deliverance of it, "But," said he, "I
receaved no ansuer." It was ansuered for the parte of the Quene, (for
hir suppostis war ever thair,) "That it was weill knawin to the hoill
Realme what trubles had occurred since the last Assemblie; and
thairfoir, that thei should not wounder albeit that the Quene had not
ansuered: but betwix that and the Parliament which was appointed in
May, thei doubted not but that such ordour should be tacken, as all
men should have occasioun to stand content." This satisfyed, for that
tyme, the hoill assemblie: And this was the practise of the Quene and
of hir Counsall, with fair wordis to dryve tyme, as befoir we have
said.
[865] In MS. G, "of the Kirk."
[866] John Erskine of Dun, Superintendent of Angus and Mearns.
Calderwood repeats this notice, and says, that Cumming was accused
"for infecting the youth committed to his charge with idolatrie."
The Assemblie, nochtwithstanding, proceided fordward in establessing
of such ordouris, as whairby vice myght be punished, and vertew myght
be manteaned. And becaus that thair was a great sclander rissen upoun
Paule Meffen,[867] of whom mentioun is maid in the Secound Booke of
this Historie, commissioun and charge was gevin unto Johne Knox,
minister of Edinburgh, and unto certane of the eldaris of the Kirk of
Edinburgh, to pass to the toune of Jedburgh, whair the said sclander
was rased, and to be found thair the thrid of Januar nixt, for the
tryall to be tane in the sclander rased, and to hear the articules and
complaynt of the said Paule; and after the tryall, to report the
treuth to the Sessioun of the Churche of Edinburgh; to whom, with the
assistance of the Superintendent of Lowthiane, commissioun was gevin
to decern thairintill. The tryall and examinatioun of that cryme was
difficill. The sclander was universall in that toune and countrey. The
servand woman of the said Paule had betwix termes left his house; sche
had borne a child; no father to it could she fynd; but alledged hir
self to have bein oppressed late in ane evening. The said Paule
constantlie affirmed him self innocent, and wold have gevin his
publict purgatioun; but becaus that his accusatouris had tacken upoun
thame to prove thair accusatioun, that was denyed. Many witnesses war
produced, of whom some deponed so clearlie, that the Commissionaris
suspected that thei had bene suborned, and thairfoir thei requyred to
have inspectioun of the places, whair some said thei saw, and some
said thei heard thame in the verray act of iniquitie. The syght and
consideratioun of the places augmented greatlie the suspitioun. But
one thing was most suspitiouse of all otheris; for the wyiff of the
said Paull, ane auncient matron, was absent from him the space of
aucht or nyne weakis in Dundye; which tyme (or at least a great part
thairof) thei suspected, and he lay nyghtlie in ane house, without
other cumpany than a child of sevin or eight yearis of aige.
[867] Knox has previously mentioned Paul Methven as an active and
zealous preacher, (vol. i. p. 300.) The proceedings against him by
order of the Assembly, contained in the Book of the Kirk, consist of
extracts from Calderwood. Knox was appointed on the 30th December
1562, to proceed to Jedburgh, and on the 3d of January to take trial
of the slander raised against Methven. At the next General Assembly,
on the 25th June 1563, Knox reported that Methven had been removed
from his charge, and excommunicated.
[Sidenote: HEIR THE INIQUITIE OF PAULL MEFFEN WAS CLEARLIE PROVEN]
The Judges, notwithstanding these suspitionis, haveing a good opinioun
of the honestye and godlynes of the man, travalled what thei could
(conscience not hurte) to purge him of the sclander. But God, who wold
not that such vilanye should be clocked and conceiled within his
Churche, otherwyese had decreed; for he brought the brother of the
gyltie woman to the toune, having no mind of such materis, who being
produced by the accusatouris, as one that was prevey of the fact, and
knew the veritie with all circumstances: This witness, (we say,) which
could not be suspected, being produced, maid the mater so plane and
clear, that all suspitioun was removed; for he it was that convoyed
the woman away; he it was that caused the child to be baptised,
alledging it to be his awin: he it was that caryed frequent message
betwix thame, and from Paull caryed money and claythis diverse tymes.
How soon that ever the said Paule saw that man produced, as witnesse,
he withdrew himself, and left the toune, by that mean plainlie tacken
upon him the cryme; and so the Commissionaris with full informatioun
returned to Edinburgh, and notified the fact unto the Churche, who
caused publictlie summond the said Paull to hear the sentence
pronunced; who not compearing, in the end, for his odiouse cryme and
contumacye, was publictlie excommunicated, and depryved of all
functioun within the Churches of Scotland: and so left he the Realme.
For two causes we insert this horrible fact, and the ordour keapt in
punishment of the same: formar, To foirwarne such as travaill in that
vocatioun, that, according to the admonitioun of the Apostle, "Suche
as stand, tack head lest thei fall." No man in the begyning of the
Evangell was judged more fervent and more upryght, and yit we have
heard how far Sathane has prevailled against him. God grant that we
may hear of his reapentance.[868] Neather yitt aught his fall any
thing to prejudge the authoritie of the doctrin which he taucht; for
the doctrin of God have authoritie of no creature, but has the
assurance of God him self, how weak or imperfite that ever the
instrumentis be by whom it pleases God to publishe the same. The
treason of Judas, the adulterie of David, and the abnegatioun of
Petir, did derogat nothing to the glorie of Christis evangell, nor yit
to the doctrin which befoir thei had taught; but declaired the one to
be a reprobat, and the other to be instrumentis in whome mercy must
neadis surmount judgement. The other caus is, That the world may see
what difference thair is betwix light and darknes, betwix the
uprychtness of the Churche of God, and the corruptioun that ringes in
the synagoge of Sathan, the Papisticall rable; for how many of that
sorte hath bein, and still remane openlie knowin hooremongaris,
adulteraris, violataris of virgenis, yea, and committaris of such
abhominationis as we will nott name; and yit ar thei called and
permitted to be Bischoppis, Archbischoppis, Cardinallis, and Papis
thame selfis. For what synnes can unable the sworn servandis of
Simonye, and of his father the devill? For bragg what thei lyst of
Christ, of Petir, and of Paule, thair lyves and conversationis bearis
witnesse whom to they belong. But we return to our Historye of thingis
done in Courte.
[868] The writer of the Fifth or Supplemental Book of the present
work, notices Methven's contrition and public repentance; and his
earnest desire to be received again into church-fellowship. It does
not appear that he was permitted to resume his ministerial functions.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: CHATTELETT AND THE QUENE.]
[Sidenote: THE QUENIS DESYRE CONCERNYNG CHATTELETTIS DEATH.]
Amongis the monzeonis of the Courte,[869] thair was one named Monsieur
Chattelett,[870] a Frencheman, that at that tyme passed all otheris
in credytt with the Quene. In dansing of the Purpose, (so terme thei
that danse, in the which man and woman talkis[871] secreatlie--wyese
men wold judge such fassionis more lyke to the bordell than to the
comelynes of honest women,) in this danse the Quene chosed Chattelett,
and Chattelett took the Quene. Chattelett had the best dress. All this
wynter Chattelett was so familiare in the Quenis cabinett, ayre and
laitt, that scarslye could any of the Nobilitie have access unto hir.
The Quene wold ly upoun Chattelettis shoulder, and sometymes prively
she wold steall a kyss of his neck. And all this was honest yneuch;
for it was the gentill entreatment of a stranger. But the familiaritie
was so great, that upoun a nycht, he privelie did convoy him self
under the Quenis bed; but being espyed, he was commanded away. But the
bruyte arysing, the Quene called the Erle of Murray, and bursting
furth in a womanlie affectioun, charged him, "That as he loved hir, he
should slay Chattelett, and let him never speak word." The other, at
the first, maid promesse so to do; but after calling to mynd the
judgementis of God pronunced against the scheddaris of innocent
bloode, and also that none should dye, without the testimonye of two
or thre witnesses, returned and fell upoun his kneis befoir the Quene,
and said, "Madam, I beseak your Grace, cause not me tack the blood of
this man upoun me. Your Grace hes entreated him so familiarlie befoir,
that ye have offended all your Nobilitie; and now yf he shalbe
secreatlie slane at your awin commandiment, what shall the world judge
of it? I shall bring him to the presence of Justice, and let him
suffer be law according to his deserving." "Oh," said the Quene, "ye
will never let him speak?" "I shall do," said he, "Madam, what in me
lyeth to saiff your honour."
[869] The following account of Chastelard, in MS. L 4, is introduced
with a passage relating to "Danvill, son to Annas Montmorrencie,
Constable of France," who had accompanied "the Guises to Scotland;"
but the reference, "as Thuanus sayeth," clearly shews it to be a
subsequent interpolation. "When he (Danvill) departed, he left behind
him Monsieur Chattellet, nephew to the famous knyght Pierr Tertall, by
his daughter. Whill he is left a brocker between Danvill and the
Queen, he lauboured to conquist hir affection to himself. He passed
all others in credit," &c. See Cald. Hist. vol. ii. p. 211. It may be
added, in reference to this MS. L 4, that it corresponds very closely
with the MS. portion of Mr. M'Crie's copy of Vautrollier's edition;
and the latter was probably the copy that Calderwood the Historian
made use of, as his extracts correspond with it, and the MS. additions
resemble the handwriting of his amanuensis.
[870] The name of Chastelard, among other varieties by different
writers, occurs as Chatelar, Chastellet, Charterlet, Chatillon. But we
cannot well identify him with a person of nearly the same name who had
been attached to the household of the Queen Regent in 1555, as appears
from this entry in the Treasurer's Accounts, on the 7th
January:--"Item, Given to _Franschois Chattillihon_, kepar of the
Quenis Grace chalmer dur, be ane precept and speciale command at his
departing to Fransche--1 lb." (£50.)
Chastelard arrived in Scotland in 1561, as one of the suite of M. de
Damville. He returned with him to France; but in November 1562, he
again visited Scotland as the bearer of letters to the Queen. He
remained about the Court until the 12th of February 1562-3, the night
when he concealed himself in the Queen's bed-chamber in the Palace of
Holyrood. He followed her to Fife, and two days later, he was
discovered, as Knox relates, at Burntisland, and being arrested, he
was conveyed and tried at St. Andrews, where he was executed on the
22d February 1562-3. No account of his trial has been preserved, the
scroll Court-book of Justiciary, from May 1562 to May 1563, being
lost. (Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. i. p. 427.)
[871] In MS. G, "talketh."
Poor Chattelett was brocht back from Kinghorne to Sanctandrois,
examinat, putt to ane assise, and so beheaded, the twenty-twa day of
Februar, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir twa. He begged licence to
wryte to Fraunce the cause of his death, which, said he, in his toung,
was, "Pour estre trouvé en lieu trop suspect;" that is, "Becaus I was
found in a place too much suspect." At the place of executioun, when
he saw that thair was no remeady but death, he maid a godly
confessioun, and granted, that his declyning from the treuth of God,
and following of vanitie and impietie, was justlie recompensed upoun
him. But in the end he concluded, looking unto the heavenis, with
these words, "O cruelle Dame," that is, "Cruell Maistress."[872] What
that complaint imported, luvaris may devine. And so receaved
Chattelett the reward of his dansing; for he lacked his head, that his
toung should nott utter the secreattis of our Quene. "Deliver us, O
Lord, from the raige of such inordinat reullaris."
[872] Brantome has given a tolerably full account of Chastelard, and
says, he was a gentleman of Dauphinè, and grand-nephew on the mother's
side of the celebrated M. de Bayard. On the day of his execution, he
says, when brought to the scaffold, he took into his hands the hymns
of the French poet Ronsard, "et, pour son éternelle consolation, se
mit à lire tout entiérement l'hymne de la mort, _qui est tres-bien
fait, et propre pour ne point abhorrer la mort_; ne s'aydent autrement
d'autre livre spirituel, ny de Ministre, ny de Confesseur." He then
adds that Chastelard turned to the place where he supposed the Queen
to be, and cried aloud,--"Adieu, the most beautiful and the most cruel
Princess of the world." (Oeuvres, tome ii. p. 357.) Randolph, however,
says, "he died with repentance." (Tytler's Hist. vol. vi. p. 274)
[Sidenote: THE PUNISHMENT OF GOD FOR MANTEYNYNG AND ERECTING OF THE
MESSE.]
[Sidenote: DEARTH AND FAMYN IN THE NORTH.]
The year of God a thousand fyve hundreth threscoir thre yearis, thair
was ane universall dearth in Scotland. But in the northland, whair the
harvest befoir the Quene had travailled, thair was ane extreame famyn,
in the qubilk many dyed in that countrey. The dearth was great ower
all, but the famyn was principallie thair. The boll of wheat gave sax
pound: the boll of bear, sax markis and ane half: the boll of meill,
four markis: the boll of aittis, fyfty schillingis: ane ox to draw in
the pleuch, xx markis: a weddir, thretty schillingis. And so all
thingis apperteanyng to the sustentatioun of man, in tripill and more
exceaded thair accustomed prices. And so did God, according to the
threatnyng of His law, punish the idolatrie of our wicked Quene, and
our ingratitud, that suffered hir to defyle the land with that
abominatioun agane, that God so potentlie had purged, by the power of
his wourd. For the ryotouse feasting, and excessive banquetting, used
in Court and countrey, whair soevir that wicked Woman repaired,
provocked God to stryck the staff of braid, and to geve his
maledictioun upoun the fructis of the earth.[873] But, O allace, who
looked, or yit lookis to the very cause of all our calamities.
[873] Bishop Keith animadverts with some severity on Knox's language
in thus attributing this dearth and high price of provisions "as an
immediate punishment upon what he calls 'the idolatry of our wicked
rulers.'" (Hist. vol. ii. p. 193.) He also quotes an Act of Privy
Council, 11th February 1562-3, against eating flesh during the season
of Lent, because, as the Act bears, "The cattle had suffered much by
the tempestuous storms of the winter bypast."
[Sidenote: PASCH OR EASTER.]
Lethingtoun was absent, as befoir we have heard, in the Quenis
effairis.[874] The Papistis, at that Pasche,[875] anno lxiij^o, in
diverse partis of the Realme, had erected up that idoll, the Messe;
amongis whom the Bisshope of Sanctandrois, the Priour of
Whithorne,[876] with diverse otheris of thair factioun, wold avow it.
Besydis the first proclamatioun, thair had letteris past in the
contrair, with certificatioun of death to the contraveanar.
[874] On the 13th February 1562-3, "Williame Maitland apperand of
Lethingtoun, and Secretar to our Soverane Ladie, depairtit furth of
Edinburgh to France in ambassatorie, to quhat effect none knowis."
(Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 75.) Keith has printed from what he calls
"the Shattered MS.," the "Instructions by the Queen of Scots to her
Secretary, Mr. William Maitland, younger of Lethingtoun." (Hist. vol.
ii. p. 188.) They have reference, however, to his mission to Queen
Elizabeth, and not to the Court of France. The date, 12th February
1562-3, is confirmed by a letter quoted by Mr. Tytler, vol. vi. p.
275.
[875] Easter Sunday, 11th April.
[876] Whitehorn or Candida Casa, was a Priory in Wigtonshire, founded
in the reign of David the First, by Fergas, Lord of Galloway. The
Commendator here mentioned was Malcolm Fleming, supposed to be a
younger son of John second Lord Fleming, who died in 1524. Dns.
Malcolmus Flemyng Vicarius chori Glasg., was incorporated in the
University of Glasgow, 29th October 1519. He was Commendator and
Vicar-General of the Diocese of Galloway, in December 1541. His name
as Commendator occurs in February 1515-6, (Chalmers's Caledonia, vol.
iii. pp. 439, 419.) Also, in 1565, (ib. p. 432.) He died intestate in
the year 1568. John Lord Fleming being "decernit executor dative."
(Register of Confirmed Testaments.)
[Sidenote: THE STOUTNES OF THE PROTESTANTIS IN THE WEST.][877]
[877] This marginal note is omitted in MS. G.
The brethren universallie offended, and espying that the Quene, by hir
proclamationis, did but mock thame, determined to put to thair awin
handis, and to punishe for example of otheris. And so some Preastis in
the westland war apprehended, intimatioun maid unto otheris, (as unto
the Abbot of Crossraguell,[878] the Parsone of Sanquhair,[879] and
such,) that thei should nether complayne to Quene nor Counsall, but
should execute the punishment that God has appointed to idolateris in
his law, by such means as thei mycht, whairever thei should be
apprehended.
[878] Quintin Kennedy, Abbot of Crossraguell in Ayrshire, (see
_supra_, pp. 351, 352.)
[879] Mr. Robert Creichton was Parson of Sanquhar, in Dumfries-shire,
and Canon of Glasgow, in 1549. He was educated at the College of
Glasgow, being incorporated in 1521. He died 16th January 1570-1.
(Register of Confirmed Testaments.)
[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX SEND FOR BY THE QUENE.]
The Quene stormed at sick fredome of speaking, but she could not amend
it; for the Spreit of God, of boldness and of wisdom, had not then
left the most part of such as God had used instrumentis in the
begynyng. Thei war of one mynd to manteane the treuth of God, and to
suppresse idolatrie. Particularties had not divided thame; and
thairfoir could not the devill, working in the Quene and Papistis, do
then what thei wold; and, thairfoir, she began to invent a new craft.
She send for Johne Knox to come unto hir, whair she lay at
Lochleaven.[880] She travailled with him earnestlie two houris befoir
hir suppar, that he wold be the instrument to perswaid the people, and
principallie the gentilmen of the West, not to put handis to punishe
any man for the using of thame selfis in thair religioun as pleased
thame. The other perceaving hir craft, willed hir Grace to punishe
malefactouris according to the lawis, and he durst promesse quietness
upoun the part of all thame that professed the Lord Jesus within
Scotland. But yf hir Majestie thought to delude the lawis, he said, he
feared that some wold lett the Papistis understand, that without
punishement, thei should not he suffered so manifestlie to offend
Goddis Majestie.
[880] This interview is supposed to have taken place on the 13th April
1563. On the 15th of that month the Queen removed from Lochlevin to
Perth.
[Sidenote: REASSONYNG BETWIX THE QUENE AND JOHNE KNOX.]
" Will ye," quod sche, "allow that thei shall tack my sweard in thair
hand?"
"The Sweard of Justice," quod he, "Madam, is Goddis, and is gevin to
Princes and reuallaris for ane end, which, yf thei transgresse,
spairing the wicked, and oppressing innocentis, thei that in the fear
of God executis judgement, whair God hes commanded, offendis not God,
althought Kingis do it not; neather yitt synne thei that brydillis
kingis to stryek innocent men in thair raige. The examples ar evident;
for Samuell feared not to slay Agag, the fat and delicate king of
Amalech, whom king Saule had saved. Neather spaired Helias Jesabellis
fals propheittis, and Baallis preastis, albeit that king Achab was
present. Phyneas was no magistrat, and yit feared he not to stryek
Cosby and Zimbrye in the verray act of fylthie fornicatioun. And so,
Madam, your Grace may see that otheris then cheaf magistrattis may
lauchfullie punishe, and hes punished, the vice and crymes that God
commandis to be punished. And in this case I wold earnestlie pray your
Majestie to tack good advisement, and that your Grace should lett the
Papistis understand, that thair attemptatis will not be suffered
unpunissed. For power, be Act of Parliament, is gevin to all judges
within thair awin boundis, to searche mesmongaris, or the heareris of
the same, and to punishe thame according to the law. And thairfoir it
shalbe profitable to your Majestie, to considder what is the thing
your Grace's subjectis lookis to receave of your Majestie, and what it
is that ye aught to do unto thame by mutuall contract. Thei ar bound
to obey you, and that not but in God. Ye ar bound to keape lawis unto
thame. Ye crave of thame service: thei crave of you protectioun and
defence against wicked doaris. Now, Madam, yf ye shall deny your
dewtie unto thame, (which especialle craves that ye punishe
malefactouris) think ye to receave full obedience of thame? I feare,
Madam, ye shall not."
Heirwith, she being somewhat offended, passed to hir suppar. The said
Johne Knox left hir, informed the Erle of Murray of the hoill
reassonyng, and so departed of finall purpose to have returned to
Edinburgh, without any farther communicatioun with the Quene: But
befoir the sonne, upoun the morne, war two direct (Watt Melven was the
one[881]) to him, commanding him not to departe whill that he spack
the Quenis Majestie; which he did, and met hir at the halking[882]
be-weast Kynross. Whitther it was the nychttis sleape, or a deape
dissimulation lokked in hir breast, that maid hir to forget hir formar
anger, wyese men may doubt; but thairof sche never moved word, but
began diverse other purposses; such as the offering of a ring to hir
by the Lord Ruthven,[883] "Whome," said she, "I can not love, (for I
know him to use enchantment,) and yit is he maid one of my Privy
Counsall."
[881] In MS. G, "war two directed, (Walter Melvill was the
one.)"--Walter Melville, a younger son of Sir John Melville of Raith,
was in the Queen Regent's service, and at the time of her death
received £30. At this time he was in the Queen's service. He
afterwards became one of the gentlemen of the Earl of Murray's
chamber. His brother, Sir James Melville, in reference to him and
Kirkaldy of Grange, says, "Quhilk twa tint him sa schone (soon) as he
became Regent, and lykwise my self; for we had bene famyliar with him,
and had assisted him in all his troubles; but when he was Regent, wald
reprove, admonish, and tell his faltis, wherby we tint his favour. And
uthers that had ny bene in his contrair befoir, cam in and flatterit
him in his proceedings, and bekkit wery laiche to him, calling him
'Your Grace,' at ilk word, &c." (Memoirs, Bann. Club, edit. p. 260.)
[882] Hawking appears to have been a favourite pastime of the Queen.
In April 1562, Matthew Ker succeeded James Lindesay as "Maister
Falconar." In the same month £20 was paid to two persons, "passand of
Edinburgh to Scheitland for halkis."
[883] Patrick Lord Ruthven. His grandson, John second Earl Gowrye, was
also accused of dealing in magic.
"Whome blamis your Grace," said the other, "thairof?"
"Lethingtoun," said she, "was the haill cause."
"That man is absent," said he, "for this present, Madam; and thairfoir
I will speak nothing in that behalf."
"I understand," said the Quene, "that ye ar appointed to go to
Drumfreise, for the electioun of a Superintendent to be establessed in
thai countreys."
"Yis," said he, "those quarteris have great nead, and some of the
gentilmen so require."
"But I hear," said she, "that the Bischope of Athenis[884] wold be
Superintendent."
[884] In MS. G, "the Bishop of Cathenis;" (but the marginal note in
that MS. reads correctly "Bishop of Athens.") This error in the
printed copies has led Mr. Tytler and others into the mistake of
saying, that the Queen here referred to "the Bishop of Caithness." The
titular Archbishop of Athens, Alexander Gordon, afterwards Bishop of
Galloway, &c., (see page 259, note 10,) was undoubtedly the person
alluded to.
"He is one," said the other, "Madam, that is put in electioun."
"Yf ye knew him," said sche, "als weall as I do, ye wold never promote
him to that office, nor yit to any other within your Kirk."
"What he hes bein," said he, "Madam, I neather know, nor yitt will I
enquyre; for, in tyme of darkness, what could we do but grop and go
wrang evin as darkness caryed us? But yf he fear not God now, he
deceaves many ma then me. And yitt, (said he,) Madam, I am assured God
will not suffer his Churche to be so far deceaved as that ane unworthy
man shalbe elected, whair free electioun is, and the Spreit of God is
earnestlie called upoun to decyd betwix the two."
[Sidenote: THE QUENIS JUDGEMENT OF THE BISCHOPE OF ATHENIS.]
"Weall," says she, "do as ye will, but that man is a dangerouse
man."[885]
[885] In the proceedings of the General Assemblies, held between June
1562 and August 1575, (or less than three months of his death,) Bishop
Gordon's name frequently occurs. Having petitioned the Assembly in
June 1562, it was declared, the Assembly "cannot acknowledge him for a
Superintendent lawfully called for the present, but offered unto him
their aid and assistance, if the Kirks of Galloway shall suit
(solicit), and the Lords present;" and enjoins him to subscribe the
Book of Discipline, (although he seems actually to have done so in
1561: see page 258.) On the 29th December 1562, the Assembly nominated
for that office, "Mr. Alexander Gordon, entituled Bishop of Galloway,
and Mr. Robert Post, minister of Dunkell;" and ordered the
inauguration of the person elected to take place in the Parish Kirk of
Dumfries, "on the last Lord's day of April." The election, as Knox
intimates, did not take place. But Gordon was continued as
Commissioner for planting and visiting the churches of that diocese;
although there were frequent complaints made against him.
And thairintill was nott the Queue deceaved; for he had corrupted most
part of the gentilmen, not onlie to nominat him, but also to elect
him; which perceaved by the said Johne, Commissionare, delayed the
electioun, and left with the Maister of Maxwell, Mr. Robert Pont, (who
was put in electioun with the foirsaid Bischope,) to the end that his
doctrin and conversatioun mycht be the better tryed of those that had
not knawin him befoir. And so was the Bischope frustrat of his purpose
for that present. And yit was he, at that tyme, the man that was most
familliare with the said Johne, in his house, and at table. But now to
the formar conference.
When the Queue had long talked with Johne Knox, and he being oft
willing to tack his leave, she said, "I have one of the greatest
materis that have tweiched me since I cam in this Realme, to open unto
you, and I maun have your help into it." And she began to maik a long
discourse of hir sister, the Lady Ergyle,[886] how that sche was not
so circumspect in all thingis as that sche wisshed hir to be. "And
yitt," said sche, "my Lord, hir husband, whom I love, entreattis hir
not in many thingis so honestlie and so godlie, as I think ye your
self wold requyre."
[886] Lady Jane Stewart, a natural daughter of King James the Fifth,
and Elizabeth, daughter of John Lord Carmichael. Her marriage with
Archibald fifth Earl of Argyle took place in April 1554, and proved
unfortunate for both parties; but no separation ensued till about the
year 1564. She received from her sister, Queen Mary, a pension of
£150, in June 1565. She was one of the party at supper in Holyrood
Palace the night of Riccio's murder, 9th March 1566. She stood sponsor
for Queen Elizabeth at the baptism of James the Sixth. In 1567, (15th
November,) the Treasurer paid "to Dame Janet Stewart, Comptis of
Ergile," £133, 6s. 8d. The action of Divorce founded upon the
complaints of both parties, led to a lengthened litigation, of which
Mr. Riddell has furnished a detailed account in his most valuable work
on Peerage and Consistorial Law, vol. i. pp. 547-551. In 1569, the
Earl offered to adhere, and to receive her in his Castle of Dunoon,
but the Lady now refused. At length the Earl, on the 23d June 1573,
"obtained, (says Mr. Riddell,) a decree of divorce, _simpliciter_, by
the Commissaries of Edinburgh, adjudging her to have 'lost her tocher
_ad donationis propter nuptias_."' The Earl immediately availed
himself of this judgment, by forming an alliance with Lady Jane
Cunningham, daughter of Alexander Earl of Glencairn, in the month of
August. Having died within a month of his second marriage, 12th
September 1573, (see page 258;) his first wife soon afterwards raised
an action of Reduction of the Divorce, styling Lady Jane Cunningham,
as "pretendit spous of umquhil Archibald Erle of Argyle." She died in
the Canongate, 7th January 1586-7, and was interred in the Royal Vault
in the Abbey of Holyrood House. Her own settlement became the subject
of litigation. (Commissary Court Records, 11th March 1587)
"Madam," said he, "I have been trubled with that mater befoir, and
anes I put sick ane end to it, (and that was befoir your Grace's
arryvall,) that boith she and hir freindis seamed fullie to stand
content: And she hir self promessed befoir hir freinds, that sche
should never complain to creature, till that I should first understand
the controversie by hir awin mouth, or ellis [by an] assured
messinger. I now have heard nothing of hir part; and thairfoir I think
thair is nothing but concord."
"Weall," said the Quene, "it is war then ye beleve. But do this mekle
for my saik, as anes agane to put thame at unitie; and if sche behave
not hir self so as she aught to do, she shall find no favouris of me:
But, in any wyse, (said sche,) let not my Lord know that I have
requested you in this mater; for I wald be verray sorry to offend him
in that or any other thing. And now, (said sche,) as tueching our
reassonyng yisternycht, I promess to do as ye requyred; I sall caus
summond all offendaris, and ye shall know that I shall minister
Justice."
"I am assured then," said he, "that ye shall please God, and enjoy
rest and tranquillitie within your Realme; which to your Majestie is
more profitable than all the Papes power can be." And thus thei
departed.
* * * * *
This conference we have inserted to let the world see how deaplie
MARIE, QUENE OF SCOTLAND, can dissembill; and how that she could cause
men to think that she bare no indignatioun for any controversie in
religioun, whill that yitt in hir hearte was nothing but vennome and
destructioun, as short after did appear.
Johne Knox departed, and prepaired him self for his jorney, appointed
to Drumfreise; and from Glasgow, according to the Quenis commandiment,
he wraitt this Lettir to the Erle of Ergile, the tenour whairof
followis:--
"_The Lord cumith and shall not tarie, &c._
"AFTER commendatioun of my service unto your Lordschipe, yf
I had knawin of your Lordshipis suddane departing, the last
tyme it chaunsed me to see and speak you, I had opened unto
you somewhat of my greaf. But supposing that your Lordshipe
should have remaned still with the Quenis Grace, I delayed
at that tyme to utter any part of that which now my
conscience compelleth me to do. Your behaviour toward your
wyff is verray offensive unto many godlie. Hir complant is
grevouse, that ye altogetther withdraw the use of your body
from hir. Yf so be, ye have great nead to look weill to your
awin estait; for albeit that ye within your self felt no
more repugnance, than any flesche this day on earth, yitt by
promesse, maid befoir God, ar ye debttour unto hir, as
reassonablie ye shalbe requyred of hir. But yf that ye burne
on the one syd, (albeit ye do no worse,) and sche in your
defalt upoun the other, ye ar not onlie mensworne befoir
God, but also doeth what in you lyeth, to kendle against
your self his wraith and havie displeasour. These wordis ar
scharpe, and God is witnesse that in dolour of heart I
wraitt thame; but becaus thei ar trew, and pronunced by God
himself, I dar not but admonische you, perceaving you, as it
war, sleaping in synne. The proude stubburnes, whairof your
Lordship hath oft compleaned, will not excuise you before
God; for yf ye be not able to convict hir of one cryme, ye
aught to beir with other imperfectionis, and that ye wold
that she should bear with you, in the lyik. In the bowellis
of Christ Jesus, I exhort you, my Lord, to have respect to
your awin salvatioun, and not to abuse the lenitie and long
suffering of God: for that is a fearfull treasure that ye
heap upoun your awin head, whill that he calleth you to
reapentance, and you obstinatlie contineu in your awin
impietie; for impietie it is, that ye abstract your confort
and cumpany from your lauchfull wyff. I wrytt nothing in
defence of hir mysbehavour towardis your Lordship in any
sort; but I say, yf ye be not able to convict hir of
adulterie committed since your last reconciliatioun, which
was in my presence, that ye can never be excuissed befoir
God of this freammed and strange intreatment of your wyff.
And yf by you such impietie be committed, as is bruited,
then, befoir God, and unto your awin conscience I say, that
everie moment of that fylthie pleasure shall turne to you in
a yearis displeasur; yea, it shalbe the occasioun and caus
of everlasting dampnatioun, onless spedelie ye reapent: and
reapent ye can nott, except that ye desist from that
impietie. Call to mynd, my Lord, 'That the servand knawing
the will of his Lord, and doing the contrarie, shalbe
plagued with many plagues.' Syn, my Lord, is sweat in
drinkyng, but in digesting more bitter then the gall. The
Eternall move your heart earnestlie to considder, how
fearfull a thing it is ever to have God to be [ane] ennemye.
"In the end, I most heartlie pray your Lordship, not to be
absent from Edinburgh the nynetene of this instant, for sick
causses as I will not wraitt. This much onlie I foirwarne
your Lordship, that it will nott be profitable for the
commoun quyetness of this Realme, that the Papistis brag,
and that justice be mocked that day. And thus I cease
farther to truble your Lordship, whom God assist. In haist
from Glasgu, the 7. of May 1563. Your Lordships to command
in godlynes.
(_Sic subscribitur._)
"JOHNE KNOX."
This bill was not weall accepted of the said Erle; and yitt did he
utter no part of his displeasur in publict, but contrairrelie schew
him self most familiar with the said Johne. He keapt the dyett, and
sat in judgment him self, whair the Bischope and the rest of the
Papistis war accused, as after followis.
[Sidenote: ROBERT NORWALLIS FACT.]
[Sidenote: THE JUDGEMENT OF SOME.]
[Sidenote: HUNTLEY FOIRFALTED.]
The summondis war direct against the Messe-mongaris with expeditioun,
and in the streatest form. The day was appointed the xix of May, a day
onlie befoir the Parliament. Off the Papis knychtis[887] compeared the
Bischop of Sanctandrois,[888] the Priour of Whitthorne,[889] the
Parsone of Sanquhair,[890] Williame Hammyltoun of Camskeyth, Johne
Gordoun of Barskeoghe, with otheris diverse. The Protestantis convened
hoill to crave for justice. The Quene asked counsall of the Bischope
of Ross,[891] and of the old Laird of Lethingtoun,[892] (for the
youngar was absent, and so the Protestantis had the fewar unfreindis,)
who affirmed, "That she must see hir lawis keapt, or ellis she wold
get no obedience." And so was preparatioun maid for thair
accusationis. The Bischope, and his band of the exempted sorte, maid
it nyse to entyre befoir the Erle of Argyle who sat in judgement;[893]
butt at last he was compelled to entir within the barr. A meary man,
(who now sleapis in the Lord,) Robert Norwell, instead of the
Bischoppis croce, bair befoir him a steyll hammer; whairat the
Bischope and his band was not a lytill offended, becaus the Bischoppis
priviledges war nott then currant in Scotland, (which day God grant
oure posteritie may see of longar continuance then we possessed it.)
The Bischope and his fellowis, after much ado, and long dryft of tyme,
cam in the Quenis will, and war committed to warde, some to one place,
some to ane other. The Lady Erskin,[894] (a sweatt morsall for the
devillis mouth,) gatt the Bischoppis for hir part. All this was done
of a most deape craft, to abuse the simplicitie of the Protestantis,
that thei should not prease the Quene with any other thing concernyng
materis of religioun at that Parliament, quhilk began within two dayis
thairefter.[895] Sche obteined of the Protestantis whatsoever sche
desyred; for this was the reassone of many, "We see what the Quene has
done; the lyek of this was never heard of within the Realme: we will
bear with the Quene; we doubt not but all shalbe weill." Otheris war
of a contrarie judgement, and foirspak thingis, as after thei cam to
pas, to wit, that nothing was meant but deceat; and that the Quene,
how soon that ever Parliament was past, should set the Papistis at
freedome: and thairfoir willed the Nobilitie not be abused. But becaus
many had thair privat commoditie to be handilled at that Parliament,
the commoun cause was the less regarded.
[887] On the 15th of February 1562-3, proclamation had been made for
Parliament to assemble on the 20th March. It was delayed till the 26th
of that month: see next page, note 2.
[888] On the 19th of May 1563, John Archbishop of St. Andrews, and
forty-seven others, chiefly persons in holy orders, were tried before
the Court of Justiciary for celebrating Mass, and attempting to
restore Popery, at Kirk Oswald, Maybole, Paisley, and Congalton. Among
the pannels were the persons mentioned by Knox--Malcolm Prior of
Whitehorn, Robert Creichton, parson of Sanquhar, William Hamilton,
tutor of Cammiskeyth, and John Gordon of Barskcocht. Most of the
persons were committed to ward in Edinburgh, Dumbarton, and other
places. See Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. i. p. *427, and the
Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 75.
[889] See page 370, note 4.
[890] See page 371, note 3.
[891] Henry Sinclair, Bishop of Ross, and President of the Court of
Session.
[892] Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington. This venerable Judge was
born in 1496, and survived till 1586. His attachment to literature has
conferred an enduring celebrity on his name.
[893] Archibald Earl of Argyle, as hereditary Lord Chief Justice,
presided on such occasions.
[894] Daughter of Sir William Murray of Tullibardine: see page 128,
note 2.
[895] The meeting of Parliament took place on the 26th May 1563.
Randolph, on the 3d June, writes thus to Cecil: "The Parliament began
26th May, on which day the Queen came to it in her robes, and crowned;
the Duke carrying the crown, Argill the scepter, and Murray the sword.
She made in English an oration publiquely there, and was present at
the condemnation of the two Earles, Huntley and Sutherland." In like
manner, the Diurnal of Occurrents states, that "Upon the xxvj day of
the said moneth of Maij, the Quenis Majestie come to the Tolbuith of
Edinburgh, with the Lordis of Parliament, in the maist honourable
manner, and past thairin; and efter that she had maid hir proposition
and orisoun in Parliament, the Lordis chesit the Lordis of the
Articles," &c. (p. 76.)
The Erle of Huntley, whose corps had lyn unburyed till that tyme, it
was brought to the Tolbuyth:[896] he was accused, his armes rent of,
him self, the Erle of Sudderland, and ellevin Baronis and Lairdis,
bearing Gordoun to surname, war that day foirfalted. The Lady Huntley
craftely protested, and asked the support of a man of law. In that
Parliament war restored the Laird of Grange in Fyff, Maister Henrie
Balnaves, Johne Lesly, and Alexander Whytlaw.[897]
[896] According to a barbarous custom, the body of a person deceased,
when accused of treason, was brought into Court. It will be seen from
the note at page 359, that Huntley's body, in the view of carrying
through his forfeiture, had been brought to Edinburgh in December
1562. And, "Upoun the xxviij day of the said moneth, [May 1563] the
Quenis Majestie come to the Tolbuith of Edinburgh and Lordis of
Parliament, at ane efternone, and foirfaltit George Erle of Huntlie,
_being in the said Tolbuyth in ane kist_, &c.; and als Alexander Erle
of Sutherland was foirfaltit, and the saidis Erlis armes reven and
deletit furth of memorie." (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 76.)
[897] The record of this Parliament is lost; and in the printed Acts
no mention is made of the forfeitures of Kirkaldy of Grange, Balnavis
of Halhill, Lesley of Parkhill, and Whytlaw of New-Grange, having been
rescinded.
[Sidenote: THE PRYDE OF WEMEN AT THAT PARLIAMENT.]
[Sidenote: FLATTERARES VNEW.]
Such styneken pryde of wemen as was sein at that Parliament, was never
sein befoir in Scotland. Thre syndrie dayis the Quene raid to the
Tolbuyth. The first day sche maid a paynted orisoun;[898] and thair
mycht have bene hard among hir flatteraris, "_Vox Dianæ!_ The voce of
a goddess, (for it could not be _Dei_,) and not of a woman! God save
that sweat face! Was thair ever oratour spack so properlie and so
sweitlie!"
[898] In MS. G, "an oration."
[Sidenote: WHY RELIGIOUN AND THE COMMOUNWEALTH WAR DOYTH NEGLECTED.]
[Sidenote: VARIANCE BETWIX THE ERLE OF MURRAY AND JOHNE KNOX.]
All thingis myslyking[899] the Preachearis, thei spack boldlie against
the tarejatting of thair taillies, and against the rest of thair
vanitie, which thei affirmed should provock Goddis vengeance, not
onlie against those foolishe wemen, but against the hoill Realme; and
especiallie against those that manteaned thame in that odiouse abusing
of thingis that mycht have bene better bestowed. Articles war
presented for ordour to be tacken for apperall, and for reformatioun
of other enormities; but all was scripped at. The Earldome of Murray
neaded confirmatioun, and many thingis war to be ratified that
concerned the help of friendis and servandis; and thairfoir thei
myght nott urge the Quene, for yf thei so did, she wald hald no
Parliament; and what then should become of thame that had melled with
the slaughter of the Erle of Huntley? Lett that Parliament pas ower,
and when the Quene asked[900] any thing of the Nobilitie, as sche most
do befoir hir mariage, then should the Religioun be the first thing
that should be establessed. It was answered, That the poetts and
paynteris erred nott altogether, that fayned and paynted Occasioun
with a bald hynd-head:[901] for the first, when it is offered, being
lost, is hard to be recovered againe. Thc mater fell so hote betwix
the Erle of Murray and some otheris of the Courte, and Johne Knox,
that familiarlie after that tyme thei spack nott togetther more then a
year and half; for the said Johne, by his letter, gave a discharge to
the said Erle of all further intromissioun or cayr with his effaires.
He maid unto him a discourse of thair first acquaintance; in what
estait he was when that first thei spack togetther in London;[902] how
God had promoted him, and that abuf manis judgement; and in the end
maid this conclusioun, "But seing that I perceave myself frustrat of
my expectatioun, which was, that ye should ever have preferred God to
your awin affectioun, and the advancement of his treuth to your
singular commoditie, I committ you to your awin wytt, and to the
conducting of those who better can please you. I praise my God, I this
day leave you victour of your enemyes, promoted to great honouris, and
in credytt and authoritie with your Soverane. Yf so ye long continew,
none within the Realme shalbe more glad than I shalbe: but yf that
after this ye shall dekay, (as I fear that ye shall,) then call to
mynd by what meanes God exalted you; quhilk was neather by bearing
with impietie, neather yitt by manteanyng of pestilent Papistis."
[899] In MS. G, "mislyked."
[900] In MS. G, "sall ask."
[901] In MS. G, is this marginal note, "Occasioun painted with a bald
hind-heid."
[902] This was probably in July 1552, Lord James having remained for
some time in London on his way to France, or upon his return in
December following. In 1556-7, he subscribed the letter sent to Knox
at Geneva, inviting him to return to Scotland. See vol. i. p. 267.
[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOXES DISCHARGE TO THE ERLE OF MURRAY.]
This bill and discharge was so pleasing to the flatteraris of the said
Erle, that thei triumphed of it, and war glad to have gotten thair
occasioun; for some invyed that so great familiaritie was betwix the
said Erle and Johne Knox. And thairfoir fra the tyme that thei gat
ones that occasioun to separat thame, thei ceassed nott to cast oyle
in the burnyng flambe, which ceassed nott to burne, till that God by
watter of afflictioun, began to slocken it, as we shall after hear.
But least that thei[903] should alltogetther have bein sein to have
foirsaikin God, (as in verray deid boyth God and his Word was far
frome the hearttis of the most parte of the Courteouris in that aige,
and a fewe excepted,) thei began a newe schift, to wit, to speak of
the punishement of adulterye, of witchcraft, and to seik the
restitutioun of the glebes and manses to the Ministeris of the Kirk,
and of the reparatioun of churches: and thairby thei thought to have
pleased the godlye that war hyghtlie offended at thair slackness.
[903] After the words, "least that they," in the margin of MS. 1566,
there was added, "Lethingtoun and his Companyons;" but this note was
afterwards deleted. At this Parliament, Lethington was not present.
Two or three slight corrections in the text of the MS. also occur in
this place.
The Act of Oblivioun passed, becaus some of the Lordis had intresse;
but the actis against adulterye, and for the mansses and gleibes, war
so modifyed, that no law, and such law mycht stand _in eodem
predicamento_; to speak plaine, no law and such Actis war boyth alyik.
The Actis ar in prynt:[904] lett wyese men read, and then accuse us,
yf without cause we compleane.
[904] The Acts of this Parliament were printed in a separate form at
Edinburgh by Robert Lekprewik, 1565, folio,--an edition of great
rarity. The Acts of 1563, are twenty-five in number, "extractit furth
of the buikis of Parliament," by Maister James Makgill, Clerk
Register. They are included in the collected edition of the Acts of
1424 to 1564, which issued from the same press in 1566, and in all the
subsequent editions.
[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX HIS SERMON.]
[Sidenote: [905]THE SPEAKAR WAS THE DEANE OF RESTALRIG.]
[905] Mr. John Sinclair, Dean of Restalrig, and afterwards Lord
President of the Court of Session.
In the progresse of this corruptioun, and befoir the Parliament
dissolved, Johne Knox, in his sermon befoir the most parte of the
Nobilitie, began to enter in a deape discourse of Goddis mercyes which
that Realme had felt, and of that ingratitude quhilk he espyed almost
in the hoill multitude, which God had marvelouslie delivered from the
boundage and tyrannye boyth of body and saule. "And now, my Lordis,"
said he, "I praise my God, throught Jesus Christ, that in your awin
presence I may powre furth the sorowis of my hearte; yea, your selfis
shalbe witnesse, yf that I shall maik any ley in thingis that ar
bypast. From the begyning of Goddis myghty wirking within this Realme,
I have bein with you in your most desperat tentationis. Ask your awin
consciences, and lett thame answer you befoir God, yf that I, (not I,
but Goddis Spirite by me,) in your greatest extremitie willed you nott
ever to depend upoun your God, and in his name promissed unto you
victorye and preservatioun from your ennemyes, so that ye wold only
depend uponn his protectioun, and preferr his glory to your awin lyves
and worldlie commoditie. In your most extreame dangearis I have bein
with you: Sanct Johnestoun, Cowper Mure, and the Craiggis of
Edinburgh, ar yitt recent in my heart; yea, that dark and dolorouse
nyght whairin all ye, my Lordis, with schame and feare left this
toune,[906] is yitt in my mynd; and God forbid that ever I forgett it.
What was (I say) my exhortatioun unto you, and what is fallen in vane
of all that ever God promised unto you by my mouth, ye your selfis
yitt lyve to testifie. Thair is nott one of you against whom was death
and destructioun threatned, perished in that danger: And how many of
your ennemyes hes God plagued befoir your eyis! Shall this be the
thankfulness that ye shall render unto your God, to betray his cause,
when ye have it in your awin handis to establesh it as ye please? The
Quene, say ye, will not agree with us: Ask ye of hir that which by
Goddis word ye may justlie requyre, and yf she will not agree with you
in God, ye ar not bound to agree with hir in the Devill: Lett her
plainelie understand so far of your myndis, and steall not from your
formar stoutness in God, and he shall prosper you in your interpryses.
But I can see nothing but such a reculling frome Christ Jesus, as the
man that first and most spedelie flyeth from Christis enseignzie,
holdeth him self most happy. Yea, I hear that some say, That we have
nothing of our Religioun establesshed, neather by Law or Parliament.
Albeit that the malitious wordis of sick can neather hurte the treuth
of God, nor yitt us that thairupoun depend, yitt the speakar for his
treasone against God committed, and against this poore Commounwealth,
deserves the gallowes. For oure Religioun being commanded, and so
establesshed by God, is accepted within this Realme in publict
Parliament; and yf thei will say that was no Parliament, we man, and
will say, and also prove, that that Parliament was also lauchfull as
ever any that passed befoir it within this Realme. Yea, yf the King
then lyving[907] was King, and the Quene now in this Realme be
lauchfull Quene, that Parliament can nott be denyed.
[906] After the skirmish of Restalrig, (see vol. i. pp. 460-463,) on
Monday the 6th November 1559, "the said day at evin in the nycht, the
Congregatioun depairtit furth of Edinburgh to Lynlithquo, and left
thair artailzerie void upon the calsay lyand, and the Toun [of
Edinburgh] desolute." (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 54.)
[907] This refers to Queen Mary's first husband, Francis the Second,
who was styled King of France and Scotland.
[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX HIS AFFIRMATIOUN.]
"And now, my Lordis, to putt end to all, I hear of the Quenis mariage:
Duckis, brethren to Emperouris, and Kingis, stryve all for the best
game; but this, my Lordis, will I say, (note the day, and beare
witnesse efter,) whensoever the Nobilitie of Scotland professing the
Lord Jesus, consentis that ane infidell (and all Papistis are
infidellis) shalbe head to your Soverane, ye do so far as in ye lyeth
to banishe Christ Jesus from this Realme; ye bring Goddis vengeance
upoun the countrey, a plague upoun your self, and perchaunse ye shall
do small conforte to your Soverane."
These wordis, and this maner of speaking was judged intollerable.
Papistis and Protestantis war both offended; yea, his most familiaris
disdained him for that speaking. Placeboes and flatteraris posted to
the Courte to geve advertisement that Knox had spockin against the
Quenis mariage. The Proveist of Lyncluden,[908] Dowglass of
Drumlangrik by surname, was the man that geve the charge that the said
Johne should present him self befoir the Quene: quhilk he did sone
after dennar. The Lord Ochiltrie, and diverse of the faythfull, bayr
him cumpany to the Abbay; but none past in to the Quene with him in
the cabinet but Johne Erskine of Dune, then Superintendent of Anguss
and Mearnes.[909]
[908] In MS. 1566, it was originally written "The Persone of
Dundrennan," but this is deleted, and "Proveist of Lyncluden, Douglas
of Drumlanrig by name," inserted. In the MS. the name Lyncluden
appears as if written Glyncluden; and this form of the name is
retained in the later MSS., adding an additional blunder, by writing,
"N. Douglas _of Lanerk_ by surname, &c."--Lincluden was a Priory or
Convent of Black Nuns, situated upon the water of Cluden a few miles
above Dumfries; but owing to their scandalous lives, the Priory had
been changed by the Earl of Douglas, in the reign of Robert the Third,
into a College or Provostry. (Keith's Catalogue, pp. 459, 470.)
According to the peerage writers, Mr. Robert Douglas, Provost of
Lincluden, (from whom the Douglasses of Burford are descended,) was
the second son of Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig, who was killed at
Floddon in 1513. But Chalmers has shown, that he was the natural son
of Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig, who succeeded to the estates in
1513, and died in 1578. Mr. Robert Douglas obtained letters of
legitimation, 8th October 1559, being twelve years after his
appointment as Provost of Lincluden, 16th September 1547. (Caledonia,
vol. iii. p. 309.) In December 1585, Mr. Robert Douglas still retained
his title as Provost of Lincluden, and the fruits of the benefice,
when a gift of the Provostrie was ratified by an Act of Parliament in
favour of William Douglas, lawful son to ---- Douglas of Drumlanrig.
(Acta Parl. Scot. vol. iii. pp. 415, 436.) About the same time he was
appointed Collector General and Treasurer of the New Augmentations: he
is so styled in deeds and Parliamentary proceedings between 1587 and
1594. William Douglas of Lincluden and Grenelaw, "the eldest son and
apparent heir of William Douglas of Baitford," was tried and executed
at Edinburgh in September 1610. (Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. iii.
p. 90.)
[909] This interview with the Queen must have been at the end of May
or beginning of June, as Knox says it was immediately after a sermon
he had preached before Parliament was dissolved.
[Sidenote: THE QUENIS FUME AGAINST JOHNE KNOX.]
The Quene, in a vehement fume, began to cry out, that never Prince was
handled as she was. "I have," said sche, "borne with you in all your
rigorouse maner of speaking, bayth against my self and against my
Uncles; yea, I have sought your favouris by all possible meanes. I
offered unto you presence and audience whensoever it pleassed you to
admonishe me; and yitt I can nott be quyte of you. I avow to God, I
shalbe anes revenged." And with these wordis, skarslie could
Marnock,[910] hir secreat chalmer-boy, gett neapkynes to hold hyr eyes
drye for the tearis; and the owling, besydes womanlie weaping, stayed
hir speiche.
[910] Evidently the same person with Marna, whose name occurs among
the "gentilhomes servans," in the "Menu de la Maison de la Royne,
faict par Mons. de Pinguillon," 1562; as the names of persons, in this
curious record, are very incorrectly written. A few copies were
printed for private circulation, by Thomas Thomson, Esq., in 1818,
4to.
[Sidenote: ANSURE.]
The said Johne did patientlie abyde all the first fume, and att
opportunitie answered, "Trew it is, Madam, your Grace and I have bein
att diverse controversies, into the which I never perceaved your Grace
to be offended at me. Butt when it shall please God to deliver you fra
that bondage of darknes and errour in the which ye have been
nurisshed, for the lack of trew doctrin, your Majestie will fynd the
libertie of my toung nothing offensive. Without the preaching place,
Madam, I think few have occasioun to be offendit at me; and thair,
Madam, I am nott maister of my self, but man obey Him who commandis me
to speik plane, and to flatter no flesche upoun the face of the
earth."
"But what have ye to do," said sche, "with my mariage?"
"Yf it pleise your Majestie," said he, "patientlie to hear me, I shall
schaw the treuth in plane wordis. I grant your Grace offered unto me
more than ever I requyred; but my answer was then, as it is now, that
God hath not sent me to await upoun the courtes of Princesses, nor
upoun the chamberis of Ladyes; but I am send to preache the Evangell
of Jesus Christ, to such as please to hear it; and it hath two
partes, Repentance and Fayth. And now, Madam, in preaching
reapentance, of necessitie it is that the synnes of men be so noted,
that thei may know whairin thei offend; but so it is, that the most
parte of your Nobilitie ar so addicted to your affectionis, that
neather God his word, nor yitt thair Commounwealth, ar rychtlie
regarded. And thairfoir it becomes me so to speak, that thei may know
thair dewitie."
"What have ye to do," said sche, "with my mariage? Or what ar ye
within this Commounwealth?"
[Sidenote: LETT PAPISTIS JUDGE THIS DAY, 1567.]
"A subject borne within the same," said he, "Madam. And albeit I
neather be Erle, Lord, nor Barroun within it, yitt hes God maid me,
(how abject that ever I be in your eyes,) a profitable member within
the same: Yea, Madam, to me it apperteanes no lesse to foirwarne of
suche thingis as may hurte it, yf I foirsee thame, then it does to any
of the Nobilitie; for boyth my vocatioun and conscience craves
playness of me. And thairfoir, Madam, to your self I say that whiche I
speak in publict place: Whensoever that the Nobilitie of this Realme
shall consent that ye be subject to ane unfaythfull husband, thei do
as muche as in thame lyeth to renunce Christ, to banishe his treuth
from thame, to betray the fredome of this Realme, and perchance shall
in the end do small conforte to your self."
At these wordis, owling was heard, and tearis mycht have bene sein in
greattar abundance than the mater requyred. Johne Erskin of Dun, a man
of meak and gentill spreit, stood besyd, and entreated what he could
to mitigat hir anger, and gave unto hir many pleasing wordis of hir
beautie, of hir excellence, and how that all the Princes of Europe
wold he glaid to seak hir favouris. But all that was to cast oyle in
the flaming fyre. The said Johne stood still, without any alteratioun
of countenance for a long seasson, whill that the Quene gave place to
hir inordinat passioun; and in the end he said, "Madam, in Goddis
presence I speak: I never delyted in the weaping of any of Goddis
creatures; yea, I can skarslie weill abyd the tearis of my awin boyes
whome my awin hand correctis, much less can I rejoise in your
Majesties weaping. But seing that I have offered unto you no just
occasioun to be offended, but have spocken the treuth, as my vocatioun
craves of me, I man sustean (albeit unwillinglie) your Majesties
tearis, rather then I dar hurte my conscience, or betray my
Commounwealth through my silence."
[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX HIS TALK AMONGIS THE QUENIS LADYIS.]
Heirwith was the Quene more offended, and commanded the said Johne to
pass furth of the cabinet, and to abyd farther of hir pleasur in the
chalmer. The Laird of Dun taryed, and Lord Johne of Coldinghame cam
into the cabinet, and so thei boyth remaned with hyr neyr the space of
ane houre. The said Johne stood in the chalmer, as one whom men had
never sein, (so war all effrayed,) except that the Lord Ochiltrie
bayre him companye: and thairfoir began he to forge talking of the
ladyes who war thair sitting in all thair gorgiouse apparell; whiche
espyed, he mearelie said, "O fayre Ladyes, how pleasing war this lyeff
of youris, yf it should ever abyd, and then in the end that we myght
passe to heavin with all this gay gear. But fye upoun that knave
Death, that will come whitther we will or not! And when he hes laid on
his areist, the foull wormes wilbe busye with this flesche, be it
never so fayr and so tender; and the seally sowll, I fear, shalbe so
feable, that it can neather cary with it gold, garnassing, targatting,
pearle, nor pretious stanes." And by suche meanes procured he the
cumpany of women; and so past the tyme till that the Laird of Dun
willed him to departe to his house quhill new advertisement. The Queue
wold have had the censement of the Lordis of Articles, yf that such
maner of speaking deserved not punishement; but sche was consailled to
desist: and so that storm quiettit in appearance, but never in the
hearte.
[Sidenote: THE BISCHOPPE OF SANCTANDROIS SETT AT LIBERTIE.]
[Sidenote: LEDINGTHONIS PRACTISES.]
Schort after the Parliament, Lethington returned frome his
negotiatioun in England[911] and France. God, in the Februare befoir,
had strycken that bloody tyrane the Duke of Gueise,[912] which somwhat
brak the fard of our Quene for a seassone. But schort after the
returnyng of Lethington, pryde and malice begane to schaw thame selfis
agane. Sche sett at libertie the Bischope of Sanctandrois, and the
rest of the Papistes that befoir war put in preasone for violating of
the lawis. Lethingtoun, at his returnyng, shew him self nott a litill
offended, that any bruit should have rissen of the Quenis mariage with
the King of Spane; for he took upoun him that suche thing never
entered in hir hearte: but how trew that was we shall after hear. The
end of all his acquittance and complaynt was to discreditt Johne Knox,
who had affirmed, that such ane mariage was boyth proponit, and, upoun
the parte of our Quene, by the Cardinall accepted.[913] Lethingtoun,
in his absence, had run intill ane verray evill bruite among the
Nobilitie for too muche serving the Quenis affectionis against the
Commounwealth; and thairfoir had he, as one that lacketh no worldly
wisdome, maid provisioun boyth in England and in Scotland: For in
England he travailled for the freedome of the Erle Bothwell, and by
that meane obteaned promesse of his favour. He had thair also tacken
ordour for the hamecuming of the Erle of Levenox, as we shall after
hear. In Scotland he joyned with the Erle of Atholl: him he promoted,
and sett fordwart in Courte; and so began the Erle of Murray to be
defaced. And yitt to the said Erie, Lethingtoun at all tymes schew a
fayre countenance.
[911] Lethington returned from England towards the end of June. Keith
says, "The Secretary was not in Council on the 18th of June, but he
was present next Council-day, viz. 8th July."
[912] Francis de Lorraine succeeded his father as Duke de Guise, in
1550. He died 24th February 1562-3, having been assassinated by one of
his own gentlemen, named Poltrot, while besieging the city of Orleans,
which was defended by the Protestants. In the following month, the
Grand Prior, (see page 268, note 7,) another of the Queen's uncles,
was slain at the battle of Dreux.
[913] The Cardinal de Lorraine, in August 1563, had actually proposed
the Archduke Charles of Austria to Queen Mary for a husband; but she
declined such an overture.
[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX HIS ANSURE TOWARDIS HIS PRAYER.]
The rest of that Sommer the Quene spent in hir progresse throught the
West countrey, whair in all tounes and gentilmennes places she had her
Messe.[914] Which cuming to the earis of Johne Knox, he began that
forme of prayer which ordinarlie he sayeth after thankis-giving at his
table: "1. Deliver us, O Lord, from the boundage of Idolatrie. 2.
Preserve and keap us from the tyranny of strangearis. 3. Continew us
in quyetnesse and concord amangis our selfis, yf thy good pleasur be,
O Lord, for a seassone," &c. Whille that diverse of the familiaris of
the said Johne asked of him why he prayed for quyetnesse to continew
for a seassone, and nott rather absolutlie that we should continew in
quyetness? His answer was, "That he durst nott pray but in fayth; and
faith in Goddis word assured him, that constant quietness could nott
continew in that Realme whair Idolatrie had bene suppressed, and then
was permitted to be erected agane."
[914] Knox, in a letter to Cecil on the 6th October 1563, (quoted by
Mr. Tytler,) expresses this same feeling in regard to the Queen's
progress, when he says, "the carrying of the Mass through those
quarters which longest had been best reformed, had dejected the hearts
of many, and caused him to disclose the plainness of a troubled
heart." (Hist. vol. vi. p. 286.)
From the West countrey, the Quene past in Ergyll[915] to the hunting,
and after returned to Striveling. The Erle of Murray, the Lord Robert
of Halyrudhouse,[916] and Lord Johne of Coldinghame, past to the
Northland. Justice Courtis war halden; thevis and murtheraris war
punished; twa witches war burnt, the eldest was so blynded with the
Devill, that sche affirmed, "That na Judge had power ower hir."
[915] Randolph, on the 13th June 1563, informs Cecil that "The Queen,
the Parliament now ended, hath made her Highland apparel for her
journey into Argile." The absence of the English ambassador from
Scotland during the next three months, has deprived us of much minute
information. Keith states that the Queen "sat in Council at Glasgow on
the 8th of July, after which day both she and the Earl of Argyle were
not in Council until the 19th of August at Dumfries."
[916] See vol. i. p. 458; vol. ii. pp. 271, 321.
[Sidenote: THE LAST COMMENDATIOUN OF LORD JOHNE TO THE QUENE.][917]
[917] In the MS. 1566, these words, "quhairof more is spoken after,"
form part of this note, but are deleted, probably when the additional
passage was inserted: see next note.
That same tyme Lord Johne of Coldinghame[918] departed this lyfe in
Innerness. It was affirmed, that he commanded suche as war besyd him
to say unto the Quene, "That onless she left hir idolatrie, that God
wold nott fail to plague hir. He asked God mercy, that he had so far
borne with hir in hir impietie, and had manteaned hir in the
same:[919] And that no one thing did him more regreat then that he had
flattered, fostered, and menteyned hir in hir wickednes against God
and his servandis." And in verie deid great cause had he to have
lamented his wickednes; for besydes all his other infirmities, in the
end, he, for the Quenis plesour, became enemie to verteu and all
verteous men, and a patrone to impietie to the uttermost of his power:
yea, his vennome was so kendled against God and his word, that in his
rage he bursted forth thir wordis: "Or I see the Quenis Majestie sa
trubled with the railing of thir knaves, I shall have the best of
thame sticked in the pulpett," What farther villanie came fourth of
baith their stinking throttes and mouthes, modestie will not suffer us
to wryte; wherof, yf he had grace to unfeynedlie repent, it is no
small document to Godis mercyes. But howsoever God wrought with him,
the Quene regarded his wordis as wynd, or ellis thocht thame to have
been forged be otheris, and not to have proceaded from him self; and
affirmed plainlie, that they wer devysed be the Laird of Pettarro and
Mr. Johne Wode, whome sche both hated, because they flattered hir not
in hir danceing and other doinges.[920] One thing in plane wordis she
spak, "That God tuik alwyse from hir thay persounes in whome sche had
greatest pleasour:" and that she repented; but of farther wickednes no
mentioun.
[918] Lord John Stewart, Commendator of Coldingham: see page 320, note
5. By his marriage with the sister and sole heir of James Hepburn Earl
of Bothwell, his family inherited a reversion of that lordship; and
his son, Francis Stewart, in 1587, obtained the dignity of Earl of
Bothwell.
[919] The remaining portion of this paragraph is added in the MS.
1566, upon a separate slip of paper, written in a hand very like
Knox's own; and there is written as a marginal direction to his
amanuensis, "_Tak in this that is sewed in this place quhar it is
scraped out_." The words that are so scored through to be deleted,
are: "When such thingis war schawin unto the Quene, thei war but
mocked at, sche affirmyng that thei war devised by Maister Johne Woode
and by the Laird of Pettarrow; as we sall after more planelie heare."
See fac-simile.
[920] In MS. G, "uther things."
Whill the Quene lay at Striveling, with hir idolatrie in hir chapell,
in the Palice of Halyrudhouse war left certane dontybouris, and
otheris of the Frenehe menzie, who raised up thair Messe more
publictlye then they had done at any tyme before. For upon those same
Sundayes that the Church of Edinburgh had the ministration of the
Lordis Table, the Papistis in great number resorted to the Abbay, to
thair abomination. Which understand, dyverse of the brethren, being
sore offended, consulted how to redress that inormitie; and so war
appoynted certane of the most zelous, and most upryght in the
religion, to await upon the Abbay, that thai myght note such persones
as resorted to the Messe. And perceaving a great number to enter into
the chapell, some of the brethren burst also in; whereat the Preist
and the Frenche dames being affrayed, made the schout to be sent to
the town; and Madame Raylie,[921] maistres to the Quenis dontiboures,
(for maides that Court could not then beare,) posted on with all
diligence to the Comptrollar, the Laird of Pettarro, who then was in
Sanct Gelis Kirk at the sermon; and cryed for his assistance, to save
hir lyfe, and to saif the Quenis Palice: Who, with greattar haist then
nead requyred, obeyed hir desyre, and tuik with him the Provest, the
Baillies, and a great part of the faithfull. But when they came where
the feare was bruted to have bene, they fand all thingis quyet, except
the tumult they broght with thame selves, and peaceable men luiking to
the Papistis, and forbidding thame to transgress the lawis. Trew it
is, a zelous brother, named Patrick Cranstoun, past into the chapell,
and fynding the altar covered, and the Preast reddye to go to that
abomination, said, "The Quenis Majestie is not heir: how dar thou then
be so malepart, as opinlie to do against the law?" No farther was done
nor said, and yit the bruit heirof was posted to the Quene, (with such
information as the Papistis could give; which fand such credit, as
thair heartis could have wished for,) which was so haynous a cryme in
hir eyes, that satisfactioun for that syn was there none without
bloode. And therfore, without delay was summoned Andro Armstrang[922]
and Patrik Cranstoun, to fynd suyrtie to undirlie the law, for
forethought, fellonie, hamesukkin, violent invation of the Quenis
Palice, and for spoliation of the same.
[921] In MS. G, "Madame Baylie."--This Madame Raylie was the wife of
Mons. Raullet or Roullet, the Queen's private Secretary. The
disturbance which is here alluded to, happened on Sunday the 15th of
August 1563. Roullet is frequently mentioned in Queen Mary's
correspondence. He was sent to Flanders with letters of credit from
the Queen, addressed to the Cardinal de Granville, in January 1564-5.
(Labanoff, Recueil, &c., vol. i. pp. 197-206, vol. vii. p. 291.) He
died 30th August 1574, as the Queen informs Beaton, Archbishop of
Glasgow, in a letter dated Sheffield, 4th September, (ib. vol. iv. p.
216.) The Earl of Shrewsbury took this occasion to search his coffers
in the hope of discovering letters or papers that might implicate his
Royal Mistress, the unfortunate Queen of Scots. (Chalmers's Life, &c.,
vol. ii. p. 68.) In 1586, in the list of the Queen's attendants, one
of the "gentlewomen of her chamber," was Renee Rallay _alias_
Beauregard. (Labanoff, Recueil, &c., vol. vii. p. 252.)
[922] Andrew Armstrong and George Rynd, burgesses of Edinburgh, on the
1st October, found surety "to underly the law," on the 24th of that
month, for breaking the Queen's proclamation, "in carrying sundry
pistollets, and for convocation of the lieges at the Palace of
Holyrood, and invading sundry of the Queen's domestick servants
therein." The case was postponed to the 13th November, when Patrick
Cranston was commanded to appear. (Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. i.
p. *434.) No account of the subsequent proceedings has been preserved.
At the same time Christian Pinkerton, spouse of James Rogers, and
twenty-one other persons, of whom eight were females, were impannelled
for being present at the celebration of Mass, in the Chapel of
Holyrood, on the 8th August.
These letteris divulged,[923] and the extremitie feared, Brethren (the
few that war within the town) consulted upon the next remedie; and in
the end concluded, that Johne Knox (to whom the charge was geven to
mak advertismentis whensoever daunger sould appear) should wryte to
the Brethren in all quarteris, geving information as the matter
stoode, and requyring thair assistance: which he did in tennour[924]
as heir followes:--
[923] In MS. 1566, "devulgat."
[924] In the MS. 1566, the transcriber has written thirteen lines of
the paragraph at page 397, beginning, "The Brethren advertissed," &c.,
preceded with the words, "as after we shall heare." Having obtained a
copy of his own letter, all this is deleted; the words "as heir
followes" are added, and the paragraph itself repeated, after the
letter: see p. 397.
[Sidenote: THE SUPERSCRIPTIOUN.]
"_Wheresoever two or thre are gathered together in my
name, thare am I in the middest of thame._
[Sidenote: MR. ROBERT PONT STRIKKEN IN THE HEAD WITH A QUHINGAR BE
CAPTANE LAUDER.][925]
[925] This marginal note is omitted in MS. G; but it occurs in MS. L
4; and in MS. L 3, it forms part of the text.--The name of Captain
Robert Lauder occurs in the Treasurer's Accounts for 1561, and at
other times. Captain Robert Lauder had a charter of the lands of
Straegthrow, in Forfarshire, 20th July 1566. Parliament, in 1578,
passed an Act of Pacification in his favour. (vol. iii. p. 111.) In
March 1566-7, we find the names of "Capitanes Robert and Hew Lauderis,
Alexander Stewart, and James Culane." (This Stewart was probably the
person mentioned at p. 354.)
"IT is not unknawen unto yow, deare Brethren, what conforte
and tranquillitie God gave unto us, in tymes most dangerous,
by our Christian assemblies, and godly conferences, as oft
as any danger appeared to any member or members of oure
bodye; and how that since we have neglected, or at the least
not frequented our conventionis and assemblies, the
adversaries of Christ Jesus his holie Evangill have
interprysed, and boldened thame selves publictlie and
secretlie, to do many thingis odious in Goddis presence, and
maist hurtfull to the libertie of trew religion, now of
Goddis great favour granted unto us. The holie Sacramentis
are abused be profane Papistis. Messes have bein (and yit
are) opinlie said and manteyned. The bloode of some of our
dearest ministeris has bein shed, without fear of punishment
or correction craved be us. And now last, are two of our
dear brethren, Patrik Cranstoun and Andro Armstrang,
summoned to underly the law, in the town of Edinburgh, the
24th of this instant October, 'For forethought fellonie,
pretended murther, and for invading the Quenis Majesties
Palice of Halyrudhouse, with unlauchfull convocatioun, &c.'
This terrible summonds is direct against owre Brethren,
because that they with two or thre more, passed to the Abbey
upon Sunday, the 15th of August, to behald and note what
persones repared to the Messe; and that because that the
Sunday before, (the Quenis Grace being absent,) there
resorted to that idole a rascall multitude, having opinlie
the least devillissh ceremonie (yea even the conjuring of
thair accurssed watter) that ever they had in the tyme off
greatest blyndnes. Becaus, (I say,) our said Brethren
passed, and that in maist quyet maner, to note sick
abusearis, thir fearfull summondis ar directed against
thame, to mak (no doubt) preparation upon a few, that a door
may be opened to execute creweltie upon a greattar
multitude. And yf so it come to pass, God, no doubt, has
justlie recompanced oure formare negligence and ingratitude,
towardis hym and his benefittis receaved in oure awin
bosoms. God gave to us a most notable victorie, of his and
our ennemies: he brak thair strength, confounded thair
counsailles: he sett us at fredome, and purged this Realme
(for the maist part) of oppin idolatrye; to the end, that
we, ever myndfull of so wounderous a deliverance, should
have keapt this Realme clean from sick vyle filthiness, and
dampnable idolatrie. But we, alace! preferring the pleasour
of flesche [and blude,] to the pleasour and commandement of
our God, have suffered that idoll, the Messe, to be erected
agane, and therfore justlie sufferis he us now to fall in
that danger that to luke to ane idolatour, going to his
idolatrie, salbe repute a cryme lityll inferiour to
treasone. God grant that we fall not farther. And now I,
whom God has of his mercye made one amangis many to travell
in setting fordward of his trew religion within this Realme,
seing the same in danger of ruin, can not but of conscience
crave of you, my Brethren, of all estaitis, that have
professed the treuth, your presence, comfort, and
assistance, at the said day, in the Town of Edinburgh, even
as that ye tender the advancement of Goddis glorie, the
saiftie of your brethren, and your awin assurance; togedder
with the preservatioun of the Kirk in thir appearing
daungers. It may be, perchance, that persuasions be made in
the contrarie, and that ye may be informed, that either your
assemblie is not necesser, or ellis that it will offend the
uppar poweris: But my gude hope is, that nether flatterie
nor feare sall mak you sa far to declyne fra Christ Jesus,
as that, against your publict promise and solempned band, ye
will leave your brethren in sa just a cause. And albeit
there ware no great daunger, yet cannot oure assemblie be
unproffitable; for many thingis requyre consultation,
quhilkis can not be had, onles the wysest and godliest
convein. And thus, doubting nothing of the assistance of
owre God, yf that we uniformlie seik his glory, I cease
farther to trouble you, committing you heartlie to the
protection of the Eternall.
"JOHNE KNOX.
"Fra Edinburgh, the 8th of October 1563."
[Sidenote: THE MINISTER OF FAILL, AND BISHOPE OF ROSSE.]
THE Brethren, advertissed be this bill, prepaired thameselves, so many
as war thocht expedient for everie town and province, to keap the day
appoynted. But by the meanis of false brethren, the letter came to the
handis of the Quene; and the maner was this: It was read in the town
of Ayre, whare wes present Robert Cunyghame, minister of
Faillfurde,[926] who then was halden an earnest professor of the
Evangell; who (be what meanes we knaw not) gat the said letter, and
send it with his token to Maister Hendrie Sinkclare, then President
of the Seat and College of Justice, and styled Byshope of Ross, ane
perfyct hypocrite, and ane conjured ennemye to Christ Jesus,[927]
whome God after straik according to his deservingis. The said Mr.
Hendrie being ennemie to all that unfeynedlie professed the Lord
Jesus, but cheiflie to Johne Knox, for the libertie of his toung; for
he had affirmed, as ever still he doth affirme, that a Bischope that
receaves proffit, and feidis not the flock, even be his awin labouris,
is boith a theif and a murderare: The said Mr. Hendrie, we say,
thinking him self happie that had found so gude occasion to trouble
him, whose life he hated, posted the said letter, with his counsaill
to the Quene, who then lay in Striveling.[928]
[926] Failfurd, the seat of a convent of Red Friars, in the parish of
Torbolton, Ayrshire, was founded in 1252. "The chief who ruled this
convent," says Chalmers, "was styled _Minister_. The _Minister_ of
Failfurd was Provincial of the Trinity Order in Scotland. From being
the head of the Order, he appears to have had a seat in Parliament."
(Caledonia, vol. iii. p. 492.) In 1540, Robert Cunningham, a natural
son of William Earl of Glencairn, at the age of twenty-two, was
appointed _Minister_; and he sat in Parliament among the clergy in
1546; and also in 1560. "William Wallace, brother to John Wallace of
Cragy, had a letter of presentation to the benefice of the ministrie
of Failfurde, vacant be deceis of umquhile Robert Cunnynghame, last
minister thairof," dated 18th April 1576. (Register of Signatures.)
[927] Mr. Henry Sinclair, (see vol. i. p. 274,) was successively
Rector of Glasgow and a Lord of Session in 1537, Abbot of Kilwynning
in 1541, Dean of Glasgow in 1550, and President of the Court of
Session in 1559. The Queen Regent, on the 27th March 1560, had written
in his favour, to be advanced to the See of Ross, then vacant, by the
death of David Panter, as mentioned by the French envoys De la Brosse
and the Bishop of Amiens, in their letter of that date, to the
Cardinal de Lorraine, and the Duko de Guise:--"La Royne Douugere vous
escript pour les expeditions de l'Evesché de Rosse en faveur du Doyen
de Glascou, qui est President de la Session. Son age, et fort bonne
vye, et emynent scauoir le recommendent assez; et n'avons voulu
faillir a vous en porter sa tesmoignage, et vous dire qu'il est bien
affectioné et bien necessaire pardeça. L'Evesché est encores entièr."
(Stevenson's Illustrations, &c. p. 80.)
[928] Calderwood says, that Sinclair "was a speciall enemy to Mr.
Knox, becaus he still affirmed, that a Bishop receiving profite, and
not feeding the flock by his owne labours, is a theefe and a
murtherer." (Hist. vol. ii. p. 233.) Knox employs no measured terms in
also speaking of his brother John Sinclair, who became Bishop of
Brechin, and his successor as President, "as ane perfyte hypocrite,"
(vol. i. pp. 265.) Queen Mary, on the 20th February 1563-4, applied to
Queen Elizabeth for a safe conduct "unto our traist Counsalour. Henry
Bischop of Ross, (quhom we haif licent to pas to the partes of France,
to seke cure and remedie of certane maladyis quhairwith he is
presentlie diseasit,") &c. (Labanoff, Recueil des Lettres, &c., vol.
vii. p. 293.) On the 18th September 1564, the Queen applied for a safe
conduct to "oure weil belovit Clerk, Maister Johne Sinclair, Dene of
Restalrig, being in the partes of France, and willing to returne
hamewart in this oure Realme." (Ib. vol. i. p. 227.) In the above
passage Knox evidently alludes to the disease of which the Bishop of
Ross died, at Paris, on the 2d January 1564-5. (Diurnal of Occurrents,
pp. 77, 79.)
The letter being read, it was concluded be the Counsale of the
Cabinet, that is, be the maist Secreat Counsale, that it imported
treason: wherof the Quene was not a little rejoised, for she thoght
anes to be reveanged of that hir great ennemie. It was concluded that
the Nobilitie sould be written for, that the condampnation sould have
the greatter authoritie. The day was appointed about the middest of
December; which was keapt of the hoill Counsale, and of dyvers
utheris, such as the Maister of Maxwell, the auld Laird of
Lethingtoun, and the said President.
[Sidenote: THE MAISTER OF MAXWELIS DISCHARGE TO JOHNE KNOX.]
In the meane tyme, the Erle of Murray returned from the North, to whom
the Secretary Lethingtoun opened the matter as best pleased him. The
Master of Maxwell[929] gave unto the said Johne, as it had bene, a
discharge of the familiaritie which before wes great betwix thame,
onles that he wald satisfie the Quene at hir awin syght.
[929] In MS. G, "the Maister of Maxwell, efter maid Lord Herries." In
a previous note, (vol. i. p 319,) it will be seen that Sir John
Maxwell, whose name occurs repeatedly in Knox, married the eldest
daughter and co-heiress of Lord Herries of Terreglis. Sometimes he is
styled the Master of Maxwell, as presumptive heir of the title. He was
much employed in public affairs, and was long Warden of the West
Marches. Having joined himself with the Lords of the Congregation, on
the 2d February 1559-60, he was one of the ambassadors sent by them to
England. He was generally known as Sir John Maxwell of Terreglis; and
this barony, in 1566, was erected into a Lordship, and Sir John took
his seat in the Parliament 1567, as Lord Herries. In the latter period
of his life, he became one of the most constant and zealous adherents
of Queen Mary.
[Sidenote: REASSONYNG BETWIX YE MAISTER OF MAXWELL AND JOHNE KNOX.][930]
The answer[930] [of Johne Knox] was, "He knew no offence done be him
to the Quenis Majestie, and therfoir he wist nocht quhat satisfactioun
to mak."
[930] The portion of the MS. which bears internal evidence of having
been transcribed in 1566, terminates with the commencement of this
paragraph. In what follows, having the marginal note 3 as a kind of
title at the head of the page, and extending in all to twenty-nine
leaves, the transcription could not have been earlier than December
1571, (yet during Knox's life.) This concluding portion is hastily
written, more like a scroll copy from dictation, than an accurate
transcript--many of the words are omitted or inaccurately written.
Various minute corrections, chiefly in orthography, have therefore
been adopted from MS. G. It may further be added, that from the
irregular manner of the writing, the marginal notes have suffered so
much in the binder's hands, that some of them can scarcely be
deciphered; but the Glasgow MS. fortunately serves to supply such
deficiencies.
"No offence!" said the uther. "Haif ye not writtin letteris desyring
the Bretherin from all pairts to convene to Andro Armstrang and Patrik
Cranstounis day?"
"That I grant," said the uther; "but thairin I acknawledge no offence
[done be me."
"No offence,"][931] said he, "to convocat the Quenis liegis?"
[931] The words inclosed within brackets are supplied from MS. G.
"Not for sua just ane cause," said the uther; "for grytter thingis wer
reput no offence within thir two yeiris."
"The time," said he, "is now uther; for than our Soverane wes absent,
and now sche is present."