Within few years after martydome of M. Patrike Hamelton, one Henry
Forest, a yong man borne in Lithquow, who a little before, hand receyued
the orders of Benet and Colet (as they terme them) affirmed and sayd,
that M. Patrike Hamelton died a martyr, and that his articles were true:
for the which he was apprehended, and put in prison by James Beton,
Archbishop of Saint Andrewes. Who shortly after, caused a certaine Frier
named Walter Laing, to heare his confession. To whom when Henry Forest
in secret confession had declared his conscience how he thought M.
Patrike to bee a good man and wrongfully to be put to death, and that
his articles were true and not hereticall: the Frier came and vttered to
the Bishop the confession that he had hearde, which before was not
thoroughly known. Whereupon it followed that his confession beyng
brought as sufficient probation agaynst him, he was therfore conuented
before the councell of the clergy and doctors, and there concluded to
bee an hereticke, equall in iniquity with M. Patricke Hamelton, and
there decreed to be geuen to the secular indges to suffer death.
"When the day came of hys death, and that he should first be degraded,
and was brought before the cleargy in a grene place, beyng betwene the
castle of S. Andrews, and another place called Monymaill, as sone as he
entred in at the dore, and saw the face of the Clergy, perceiuing
wherunto they tended, he cryed with a loude voyce, saying: Fie, on
falshoode: Fye on false friers, reuealers of confession: after this day,
let no man euer trust any false Friers, contemners of God's word and
deceiuers of men. And so they proceding to degrade him of hys small
orders of Benet and Collet, he sayd with a loud voyce, take from me not
onely your owne orders, but also your owne baptisme, meaning thereby,
whatsoeuer is besides that which Christ hymselfe instituted, whereof
there is a great rablement in Baptisme. Then after hys degradation, they
condemned hym as an heretike equal with M. Patrike aforesaide: and so he
suffred death for his faythfull testimony of the truth of Christ, and of
hys Gospell, at the Northchurch stile of the Abbey church of S. Andrew,
to the entent that all the people of Anguishe [Angus] might see the
fire, and so might be the more feared from falling into the like
doctrine, whiche they terme by the name of heresie. _Ex Scripto
testimonio Scotorum_."
* * * * *
Foxe next proceeds to narrate the persecution of James Hamilton, brother
of Patrick, of Katherine Hamilton, their sister, and of a woman at
Leith. This must have occurred in 1534, as Hamilton was in England early
in 1535. See note 157; and the Rev. Christopher Anderson's Annals of the
English Bible, vol. ii. p. 471. Foxe joins with this an account of the
martyrdom of David Straton and Norman Gourlay, as follows:--
"JAMES HAMELTON. KATHERINE HAMELTON HIS SISTER. A WIFE OF LYETH,
PERSECUTED. DAUID STRATON, NORMAN GURLEY, MARTYRS.
Persecutors.
Iames Hay, bishop of Rose and commissioner of Iames Beton, Archbishop of
S. Andrewes. M. Iohn Spens, Lawyer.
Martyrs.
Iames Hamelton, brother to M. Patrike. Katherine Hamelton, A wyfe of
Lieth. Dauid Straton. M. Norman Gurlay.
The Causes.
Within a yere after the martirdom of Henry Forest, or there about, was
called James Hamelton of Kyntlitgow, hys sister Katherine Hamelton the
spouse of the captain of Dunbar, also an other honest woman of Leith,
Dauid Straton of the house of Lawristonne, and M. Norman Gurlay. These
were called the Abbey Church of Halyrowdhouse in Edenburgh by James Hay,
B. of Rose, commissioner to James Beton Archbishop, in presence of K.
James the V. of that name: who upon the day of theyr accusation was
altogether clad in red apparel. James Hamelton accused as one that
mainteaned the opinions of M. Patricke, hys brother.
To whome the Kyng gaue counsaile to departe, and not to appeare: for in
case he appeared he could not help him, because the Byshops had
persuaded him, that the cause of heresie did in no wise appertayne vnto
him, and so James fled and was condemned as an heretike, and all his
goods and landes confiscat, and disposed vnto others.
Catherine Hamilton hys Sister, appeared vpon the schaffold, and beyng
accused of an horrible heresie, to witte, that her owne workes could not
saue her, she graunted the same, and after longe reasoning betwene her
and M. John Spens the Lawyer, she concluded in this maner: Work here,
worke there: what kinde of workyng is al this? I know perfectly that no
kynde of workes can saue mee, but onely the workes of Christ my Lord and
Sauiour. The kyng hearing these wordes, turned hym about and laught, and
called her vnto hym and caused her to recant, because she was hys aunt,
and she escaped.
The woman of Leith was detected hereof, that when the mydwife in tyme of
her labour, bad her say our Ladye helpe mee: She cryed, Christe helpe
me, Christ helpe me, in whose helpe I trust. Shee also was caused to
recant, and so escaped, without confiscation of her goodes, because she
was maryed.
Maister Norman Gurlay, for that he sayd, there was no such thyng as
Purgatory, and that the Pope was not a Byshop, but Antichrist, and had
no Jurisdiction in Scotland.
Also Dauid Straton, for that he sayd, there was no Purgatorie, but the
Passion of Christe, and the tribulations of this world, and because
that, when M. Robert Lowson Vicare of Eglesgrig asked his tieth fishe of
hym, he dyd cast them to him out of the boate, so that some of them fell
into the Sea: therefore he accused him, as one that shoulde haue sayd,
that no tithes should be payed. These two, because after great
solicitation made by the kyng, they refused to abiure and recant, were
therefore condemned by thee Byshop of Rose as heretickes, and were
burned vpon the grene side, betwene Leith and Edenburgh, to the entent
that the inhabitaunts of Fiffe, seyng the fyre, might be stricken with
terrour and feare, not to fall into the lyke. _Ex eodem Scripto._
¶ And thus much touchyng those Martyrs of Scotland, whiche suffered
vnder James Beton, Archbishop of S. Andrewes. After whom succeded Dauid
Beton in the same Archbyshopprike, vnder whom diuers other were also
martyred, as hereafter (God willyng) in their order shall appeare."
"¶ THE HISTORIE TOUCHING THE PERSECUTION IN SCOTLANDE, WITH THE NAMES
AND CAUSES OF SUCHE BLESSED MARTYRS, WHICHE IN THE SAME COUNTREY
SUFFERED FOR THE TRUTH, AFTER THE TYME OF PATRICKE HAMELTON.
"Thus hauyng finished the tyme and rase of kyng Henry the Eight, it
remayneth nowe according to my promise made before, here to place and
adjoine so much as hath come to our handes, touchyng the persecution of
Scotland, and of the blessed Martyrs of Christ, whiche in that countrey
likewise suffred for the true religion of Christ, and testimony of their
fayth.
To proccede therefore in the history of these Scotlandc matters, next
after the mention of Dauid Straton and M. Nicholas Gurlay, with whom we
ended before, pag. 956, the order of tyme woulde require nexte to
inferre the memorye of Sir John Borthwike Knight, commonly called
Captayne Borthwyke. Who beyng accused of heresie (as the Papistes call
it) and cited therfore, an. 1540, and not appearyng, and escaping out
into other countreys, was condemned for the same, being absent, by the
sentence of Dauid Beaton Archbishop of Saint Andrewes, and other
prelates of Scotland, and all his goodes confiscate, and his picture at
last burned in the open market place, &c. But for so muche as the storye
of hym, with his articles obiected against hym, and his confutation of
the same, is already expressed sufficiently in the Firste edition of
Actes and Monuments, and because he being hapily deliuered out of their
handes, had no more but onely his picture burned, referring the reader
to the booke aboue mentioned, we wyll now (the Lord willing) prosecute
suche other as followed, begynnyng firste in order with Thom. Forret and
his felowes. Their story is this.
Persecutors.
Dauid Beton, Bishop and Cardinal of Saint Andrewes. George Creichton,
Bishop of Dunkelden.
Martyrs.
Tho. Forret, priest. Fryer Iohn Kelowe. Fryer Benarage. Duncan Sympson,
priest. Rob. Foster, a gentleman, with three or foure other men of
Striuelyng, Martyrs.
The Causes.
Not long after the burnyng of Dauid Strutton, and M. Gurlay aboue
mentioned, in the dayes of Dauid Beaton Bishop and Cardinall of S.
Andrewes, and George Creichton Bishop of Dunkelden, a Canon of S. Colmes
Inche, and vicar of Dolone, called Deane Thomas Forret, preached euery
Sonday to his parishners, the Epistle or Gospel, as it fell for the
tyme: whiche then was a great noueltie in Scotlande, to see anye man
preach, except a Blacke fryer, or a gray frier: and therefore the Fryers
enuyed hym, and accused hym to the Bishop of Dunkelden (in whose Dioces
he remayned) as an heretike and one that shewed the mysteries of the
scriptures to the vulgare people in Englishe, to make the Clergie
detestable in the sight of the people. The Bishop of Dunkelden moued by
the Fryers instigation, called the sayde Deane Thomas, and saide to hym:
My joye Deane Thomas, I loue you well, and therefore I must geue you my
counsayle, how you shal rule and guide your selfe. To whom Thomas sayd,
I thanke your Lordship hartily. Then the Bishop begun his counsaile on
this manner.
My joy Deane Thomas, 1 am enfourmed that you preache the Epistle or
Gospell euery Sonday to your Parishners, and that you take not the kowe,
nor the vpmoste cloth from your Parishners, whiche thyng is very
preiudiciall to the Churche men: and therefore my joye Deane Thomas, I
would you tooke your kowe and your vpmost cloth, as other church men do,
or els it is too much to preach euery Sonday, for in so doyng you may
make the people think that we shoulde preache likewise. But it is enough
for you, when you finde any good Epistle, or any good Gospel, that
setteth foorth the libertie of the holy church, to preache that, and let
the rest be.
Thomas answeared: My Lorde, I thinke that none of my parishners wyl
complaine that I take not the kow nor the vpermost cloth, but wyll
gladly geue me the same together with any other thing that they haue,
and I wyll geue and communicate with them any thyng that I haue, and so
my Lord we agree right wel, and there is no discord among vs.
And where your Lordship sayth, it is too muche to preache euery Sonday:
in deede I thinke it is too litle, and also woulde wishe that your
Lordshyp dyd the like. Nay, nay, Deane Thomas (sayth my Lord) let that
bee, for we are not ordeyned to preache. Then said Thomas, when your
Lordship byddeth me preach, when I finde any good Epistle, or a good
Gospell, truely my Lorde, I haue readde the Newe Testament and the Olde,
and all the Epistles and the Gospels, and among them all I coulde neuer
finde any euyl Epistle, or any euyl Gospel: but if your Lordship wil
shewe me the good Epistle and the good Gospell, and the euyll Epistle
and the euyll Gospel, then I shall preache the good, and omyt the euyl.
Then spake my Lord stoutly, and said, I thanke God that I neuer knewe
what the Olde and Newe Testament was, (and of these wordes rose a
Prouerbe which is common in Scotland: Ye are like the Bishop of
Dunkelden, that knewe neither newe nor olde lawe:) therefore Deane
Thomas, I wyll know nothyng but my Portous and my Pontifical. Go your
way, and let be al these fantasies: for if you perseuer in these
erroneous opinions, ye wyl repent it when you may not mende it.
Thomas said, I trust my cause be iust in the presence of God, and
therefore I passe not muche what doo folowo thereupon, and so my Lorde
and he departed at that tyme. And soone after a Summons was directed
from the Cardinall of Saint Andrewes and the said Bishop of Dunkelden
vpon the said Deane Thomas Forret, vpon two blacke Fryers called fryer
John Kelow, and an other called Benarage, and vpon one priest of
Striueling called Duncane Sympson, and one Gentleman called Robert
Foster in Striuelyng, with other three or foure, with them of the towne
of Striuelyng: who at the day of their appearaunce after their
summonyng, were condemned to the death without any place of recantation,
because (as was alleged) they were heresiarkes or chiefe heretikes and
teachers of heresies, and especially because many of them were at the
bridal and marriage of a Priest, who was vicar of Twybodye beside
Striuelyng, and dyd eate fleshe in Lent at the said brydal, and so they
were altogether burnt vpon the castle hyll of Edenbrough, where they
that were first bounde to the stake, godly and marueylously dyd comfort
them that came behynde.
HERE FOLOWETH THE MANER OF PERSECUTION VSED BY THE CARDINALL OF
SCOTLAND, AGAINST CERTAINE PERSONS IN PERTH.
Persecutors.
Dauid Beton, Bishop and Cardinall of St. Andrewes.
Martyrs.
Robert Lambe. William Anderson. Iames Hunter. Iames Raueleson. Iames
Founleson. Hellen Stirke, his wyfe.
The Causes.
First there was a certayne Acte of Parlamente made in the gouernment of
the Lorde Hamleton Earle of Arran, and Gouernour of Scotlande, geuyng
priuilege to all men of the Realme of Scotlande, to reade the scriptures
in their mother tongue, and language, secluding neuerthelesse all
reasonyng, conference, conuocation of people to heare the scriptures
readde or expounded. Which liberty of priuate reading being graunted by
publike proclamation, lacked not his own fruit, so that in sundry partes
of Scotlande thereby were opened the eyes of the elect of God to see the
truth, and abhorre the papistical abominations. Amongst the which were
certane persons in Saint Johnston, as after is declared.
At this tyme there was a Sermon made by Fryer Spense, in Saint Johnston,
_alias_ called Perth, affirmyng prayer made to saintes to be so
necessarye, that without it there coulde be no hope of saluation to man.
Whiche blasphemous doctrine a Burges of the saide towne called Robert
Lambe, could not abide, but accused hym in open audience, of erroneous
doctrine, and adiured hym in Gods name to vtter the truth. The which the
Fryer beyng striken with feare, promised to do, but the trouble, tumult,
and sturre of the people encreased so, that the fryer could haue no
audience, and yet the saide Robert with great daunger of his life
escaped the handes of the multitude, namely of the women, who contrary
to nature, addressed them to extreme cruelty agaynst hym.
At this tyme in the yeare of our Lord, 1543, the enemies of the truth
procured John Chartuous, who fauoured the truth, and was Prouost of the
saide citie and towne of Perth, to be deposed from his office by the
sayd Gouernours authoritie, and a Papist called Master Alexander
Marbecke to be chosen in his roum, that they might bring the more easily
their wicked enterprise to an ende.
After the deposing of the former Prouost, and election of the other, in
the moneth of January the yeare aforesaid, on Saint Paules day, came to
Saint Johnston, the Gouernour, the Cardinall, the Earle of Argile
Justice, Sir John Campbel of Lunde knight, and Justice Depute, the Lord
Borthwyke, the bishop of Dunblane, and Orkney, with certeyne others of
the Nobilitie. And although there were many accused for the crime of
heresie (as they terme it) yet these persons were only apprehended vpon
the said Saint Paules day, Rob. Lambe, Wil. Anderson, James Hunter,
James Raueleson, James Founleson, and Hellen Stirke his wife, and cast
that night in the Spay tower of the said citie, the morowe to abide
judgement.
Upon the morow, when they appeared and wer brought forth to judgement in
the towne, was laid in general to all their charge, the violatyng of the
act of parlament before expressed, and their conference and assemblies
in hearing and expoundyng of scripture against the tenour of the saide
acte. Robert Lambe was accused in speciall for interruptyng of the fryer
in the pulpit: which he not only confessed, but also affirmed
constantly, that it was the dutie of no man, which vnderstood and knew
the truth, to heare the same impugned without contradiction, and
therfore sundry which there wer present in judgement, who hyd the
knowledge of the truth, should beare their burden in Gods presence for
consenting to the same.
The said Robert also with William Anderson, and James Raueleson, were
accused for hanging vp the image of Saint Fraunces in a corde, nailyng
of Rammes hornes to his head, and a Cowes rumpe to his taile, and for
eating of a Goose on Alhalow euen.
James Hunter being a simple man, and without learnyng, and a Fletcher by
occupation, so that he coulde be charged with no greate knowledge in
Doctrine, yet because he often vsed the suspect companye of the rest, he
was accused.
The woman Hellen Stirke was accused, for that in her chyldbed shee was
not accustomed to cal vpon the name of the virgine Mary, beyng exhorted
thereto by her neighbours, but onely vpon God, for Jesus Christes sake,
and because shee saide in like maner, that if shee her selfe had ben in
the tyme of the virgin Mary, God might haue loked to her humilitie and
base estate, as he dyd to the virgins, in making her the mother of
Christe, thereby meaning, that ther was no merites in the virgin, which
procured her that honor, to be made the mother of Christ, and to be
preferred before other women, but Gods only free mercy exalted her to
that estate. Which wordes were counted most execrable in the face of the
Clergie and whole multitude.
James Raueleson aforesaid building a house, set vpon the round of his
fourth stayre, the three crowned Diademe of Peter carued of tree, which
the Cardinal tooke as done in mockage of his Cardinals hat, and this
procured no fauor to the said James at their handes.
These forenamed persons vpon the morow after Saint Paules' day were
condemned and iudged to death, and that by an assise, for violatyng (as
was alleged) the act of parlament, in reasoning and conferring vpon
scriptures, for eatyng flesh vpon dayes forbidden, for interruptyng the
holy fryer in the pulpit, for dishonoring of Images, and blasphemyng of
the virgin Mary, as they alleged.
After sentence geuen, their hands were bound, and the men cruelly
entreated. Which thyng the woman beholding desired likwise to be bound
by the sergeantes with her husband for Christes sake.
There was great intercession made by the towne in the meane season for
the lyfe of these persons aforenamed, to the Gouernour, who of him self
was wyllyng so to haue done, that they might haue bene deliuered. But
the Gouernour was so subiect to the appetite of the cruel priestes, that
he could not do that which he would. Yea, they manaced to assist his
enemyes, and to depose hym, except he assisted their cruelty.
There were certaine priestes in the citie, who dyd eate and drinke
before in these honest mens houses, to whom the priestes were much
bounden. These priestes were earnestly desired to entreate for their
hostesse, at the Cardinalles handes: but they altogether refused,
desiryng rather their death then preseruation. So cruell are these
beastes from the lowest to the highest.
Then after, they were caryed by a great band of armed men (for they
feared rebellion in the towne, except they had their men of warre) to
the place of execution, whiche was common to al theeues, and that to
make their cause appeare more odious to the people.
Robert Lambe at the gallowes foote made his exhortation to the people,
desiryng them to feare God, and leaue the leauen of papistical
abominations, and manifestly there prophesied of the ruine and plague
whiche came vppon the Cardinall thereafter. So euery one comfortyng an
other, and assuring them selues to sup together in the kingdome of
heauen, that nyght commended them selues to God, and dyed constantly in
the Lord.
The woman desired earnestly to dye with her husband, but shee was not
suffered: yet folowyng hym to the place of execution, shee gaue hym
comfort, exhortyng hym to perseuerance and pacience for Christes sake,
and partyng from hym with a kysse, sayd on this maner: Husband, reioyce,
for we haue lyued together many ioyful dayes: but this day, in which we
must dye, ought to be most ioyful to vs both, because we must haue ioy
for euer. Therfore I wyll not byd you good night, for we shall
sodaynely meete with ioy in the kyngdome of heauen.
The woman after was taken to a place to be drowned, and albeit shee had
a chyld sucking on her breast, yet this moued nothyng the vnmerciful
hartes of the enemies. So after she had commended her children to the
neighbors of the towne for Gods sake, and the suckyng barne was geuen to
the nurse, shee sealed vp the truth by her death. _Ex Registris et
instrumentis a Scotia missis._"
No. VI.
NOTICES OF THE PROTESTANT EXILES FROM SCOTLAND DURING
THE REIGN OF KING JAMES THE FIFTH.
Dr. M'Crie, in his Life of Knox, Appendix, vol. i., and the Rev.
Christopher Anderson, in his Annals of the English Bible, vol. ii., have
collected nearly all the information that can be gleaned respecting the
chief persons who became Exiles on account of their religious sentiments
at this early period. I shall, therefore, content myself with giving
little more than a simple enumeration of their names.
* * * * *
ALEXANDER ALESSE, (in Latin, ALESIUS,) as mentioned in a note to page
55, was a native of Edinburgh, born in the year 1500, and educated at
St. Andrews. The Rev. Christopher Anderson in his Annals of the English
Bible, has introduced a variety of interesting notices of Alexander
Alesse, with extracts from some of his earlier publications. According
to a statement in one of his works, he fled from Scotland in the year
1529, and his conversion was owing to his interviews with Patrick
Hamilton when under confinement. A collection of his writings, if
carefully translated, and accompanied with a detailed Memoir of his
life, would form a very suitable and valuable addition to the series of
the Wodrow publications. He became Professor of Divinity in the
University of Leipzig, where he died on the 17th of March 1565.
JOHN ELDER, according to his own information, was a native of Caithness,
and had spent twelve years as a student at the Universities of
Aberdeen, St. Andrews, and Glasgow. He fled to England probably in 1541
or 1542; and about two years later, he addressed a letter to Henry the
Eighth, with a Plan or Description of Scotland, containing a project for
the Union of the two Kingdoms. The letter written in 1543 or 1544,
contains a bitter invective against Beaton and "the proud papisticall
bishops" in Scotland. It was printed in the Bannatyne Miscellany, vol.
i., from the original MS. preserved in the British Museum. Elder was
patronized by the Earl of Lennox, and became tutor to Henry Lord
Darnley. In 1555, he published a "Letter sent into Scotland, &c.," on
occasion of the marriage of Philip and Mary. This very curious tract,
which is now of great rarity, he dedicated to Robert Stuard, Bishop of
Caithness. In 1561, he was in France, as we learn from a letter
respecting him, inserted in Stevenson's Illustrations of Scotish
History, (printed for the Maitland Club,) p. 101; and which mentions
that he had shewn to Queen Mary the hand-writing of Darnley, when eight
years of age. It ends with remarking of Elder, what was probably true
enough: "he hath wit to play the aspye (spy) where he listeth."
JOHN FYFE: see page 55, where it is noticed that he prosecuted his
studies under Gawin Logye, at St. Andrews. He may no doubt be identified
with the person styled JOANNES FIDELIS, a native of Scotland, who
obtained considerable academical distinction abroad. Bishop Burnet, and
other writers, state that Fyfe accompanied Alesse to Leipzig, where he
was professor; but, in reference to this statement, a passage in the
Acta Eruditorum, p. 386, Lipsiæ 1684, asserts, that the Registers of
that University having been carefully examined, no mention of his name
could be discovered. If we substitute Francfort instead of Leipzig, the
notice would be substantially correct, as Alesius had for a short time
been Professor there before his removal to Leipzig; and while there he
published amongst other tracts an Academical Oration, "De Restituendis
Scholis Oratio, habita in celebri Academiæ Francofordiana ad Oderam, An.
1540, Mense Iunio." The name of John Fidelis Scotus, as Professor of
Philosophy and Divinity, was inscribed in the Registers of the
University of Francfort, in 1547. He was created Doctor, and chosen
Rector in 1551; and he died on the 28th of March 1562, in the 72d year
of his age. (Notitia Universitatis Francofurtanæ, pp. 49, 56, folio.)
This notice does not confirm the report mentioned by Calderwood, that
Fyfe had returned to Scotland, and died at St. Leonard's, soon after the
Reformation, in 1560.
JOHN GAW has already been mentioned at page 504, as author of a rare
work entitled "The Richt Way to Hevin," which bears to have been printed
at Malmoe, (in Sweden,) in the year 1533. Many years ago, in passing
through that town, the seat of a University, I had the curiosity to
inquire in their Library if any copy of that volume was preserved--but
it was altogether unknown. The author appears to have attended the
University of St. Andrews; as we find the name of Johannes Gall,
(_Scotice_ Gaw,) among the Determinants, in the year 1510; but of his
subsequent history no information has been obtained.
JAMES HARRYSON, a native of the south of Scotland. The work mentioned
under a Latin title by Dr. M'Crie, (Life of Knox, vol. i. p. 374,) as
described by Bale, was written in English, and printed at the time under
this title--"An Exhortation to the Scottes to conform themselves to the
honorable, expedient, and godly Union betweene the two Realmes of
Englande and Scotlande. Lond. in aedibus Ric. Grafton, 1547," small 8vo.
The preface, dedicated to Edward Duke of Somerset, is signed "James
Harryson Scottyshman."
HENRY HENRYSON: see page 57, note 3.
WILLIAM JOHNSTONE, Advocate: see page 57, note 2. Dr. Patrick Anderson,
in his MS. History mentions Neill Johnstone, a brother of William
Johnstone, among the persons who were accused of heresy, 1536. Whether
the Advocate continued in his adherence to the Catholic faith may be
held doubtful; as after his death, we find, in the proceedings of the
General Assembly, 29th December 1563, that Mr. Andrew Johnstone,
brother-german _to umquhill Mr. William Johnstone_, required process for
reduction of the sentence pronounced by umquhill James [Beaton]
Archbishop of St. Andrews, against him and his brother for alleged
heresies. This request was referred to the Superintendent of Lothian and
the Session of Edinburgh to follow the same process as had been led in
previous cases. On the 27th December 1564, this matter was again brought
before the Assembly, when it was declared that the articles referred to
were not heretical, and the judges formerly appointed were ordained to
proceed to a final decision of the said action. (Booke of the Kirk, vol
i. pp. 41, 56.)
GAWIN LOGYE, Principal of St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews, from 1523
to 1534, has been noticed at page 36; of his subsequent history no
particulars have been discovered.
DR. JOHN MACALPYNE, who is best known by his Latin name MACHABAEUS, was
born before the close of the 15th century. It is unnecessary to repeat
the notices given by Dr. M'Crie, (Life of Knox, vol. i. p. 372.) He took
his Master's degree at one of the Universities, but I have not observed
his name either in the Registers of St. Andrews, or Glasgow. John
Macalpyne was Prior of the Dominican Convent at Perth, from 1532 to
1534. (Rev. James Scott's MS. Extracts, and Mr. Parker Lawson's Book of
Perth, p. 33.) His flight therefore to England may be placed in 1535
rather than in 1532. Spottiswood, (Hist. p. 661,) and Burnet, (Hist, of
Reform, vol. i. p. 294,) say he was liberally entertained by Nicholas
Shaxton, Bishop of Salisbury; and Myles Coverdale, some time Bishop of
Exeter, was his brother-in-law. After visiting Wittenberg, he received
an invitation to settle in Denmark, in the year 1542, and became
Professor in the University of Copenhagen, and one of the chaplains of
Christian the Second, King of Denmark. He assisted in translating the
Bible into that language, which was published in the year 1550. Some of
his writings are indicated in Nyerup's Dansk-Norsk Litteratur Lexicon,
vol. ii. p. 367. The Earl of Rothes having been sent as ambassador to
Denmark, in the spring of 1550; in the Treasurer's Accounts, among other
payments connected with this embassy, we find 7s. was paid on the 9th of
March that year, to "ane boy sent to Sanctandrois to my Lord of Rothes
thair, with writingis of my Lord Gouernouris, _to be given at his
arriving in Denmark to Maister Johne Makcalpyne_ and Alexander Lyell
there." Dr. Machabaeus, or Macalpyne, died at Copenhagen, 5th December
1557.
JOHN MACKBRAIR is mentioned by Spottiswood as "a gentleman of Galloway,
who forsaking the country for religion, became a preacher in the English
Church; in the time of Queen Marie's persecution he fled to Francford,
and served the English Congregation as Minister. Afterwards called by
some occasion to the charge of a church in the Lower Germany, he
continued there the rest of his days."--(History, p. 97.) It is very
certain, however, that Mackbriar was in Priest's orders before retiring
to the Continent. He was incorporated in St. Salvator's College, St.
Andrews, in 1530, and became a Determinant in 1531. On the 16th July
1550, John Lokart of Bar, and two others were denounced rebels, &c., for
assistance rendered, in May last, to Mr., _alias_ Sir John M'Brair,
formerly Canon of Glenluce, in breaking ward of the Lord Governor's
Castle of Hammiltoune, where he was imprisoned, being charged for sundry
great and odious crimes, Heresies, &c., and conducting him to the House
of Bar.--(Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. i. p. 352*.) This addition to
his name signifies an uncertainty whether he had taken his degree as
Master or only that of Bachelor of Arts. Archbishop Hamilton, in a
letter, without date, but probably in 1551, refers to his having
expelled from the house of Ochiltree the apostate Macbraire, and
inflicted heavy fines on his followers. The name of John Makebray is
included in the list of the principal persons who escaped from England
to the Continent, in 1553, after the accession of Queen Mary. In 1554,
he appears from the "Discourse of the Troubles begun at Frankfort," to
have taken an active share in the proceedings of the English
Congregation there. He afterwards became Pastor of a Congregation in
Lower Germany, and according to Bale, he wrote an account of the
formation and progress of that Church. On the accession of Queen
Elizabeth, Mackbrair returned to England and officiated as a preacher;
and on the 13th of November 1568, he was inducted to the vicarage of St.
Nicholas, in Newcastle. He survived for many years, and was buried on
the 16th of November 1584.--(See M'Crie's Life of Knox, vol. i. p. 374,
and the authorities there quoted.)
JAMES MACKDOWELL: see page 55, note 4.
ROBERT RICHARDSON studied in St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews, where
he became, in 1520, a Canon Regular and Sacrist of the Holy Cross; and
in 1530, a Canon of the Abbey of Cambuskenneth. In that year he
published at Paris a Latin work, an Exegesis on the Rule of St.
Augustine. There is no reason to doubt that he was the same person as
the Sir Robert Richardson, a priest, mentioned in 1543 by Sadler,
(Letters, vol. i. p. 217.) Sadler, in a letter to Henry VIII, dated 16
November 1543, again commends Richardson who had been forced to flee
from Scotland for fear of persecution, having "done very honestly and
diligently in his calling," "in the setting furth and true preaching of
the word of God."--(State Papers, vol. i. p. 344.) But this Priest must
be distinguished from his namesake, the Prior of St. Mary's Isle, who
has been noticed at page 372; and who took his degree as Master of Arts
at St. Andrews, in 1533.
JAMES WEDDERBURN, the eldest son of James Wedderburn, a merchant in
Dundee, was one of a family distinguished by their poetical genius. He
was educated at St. Andrews, being incorporated in that University in
1514. In Calderwood's History, vol. i. p. 141, will be found an
interesting account of his life, and notices of his writings, of which
unfortunately there are none preserved.
JOHN WEDDERBURN, a younger brother, was also educated at St. Andrews,
being a Determinant, in 1526, and a Licentiate in 1528. He was appointed
Vicar of Dundee. At a later period, having been licensed of heresy, the
escheat of the goods belonging to Mr. John Wedderburn, "convict. de
certis criminibus heresieos," was granted to his brother Henry
Wedderburn, for a composition of 40s. in 1538 or 1539, (M'Crie's Life of
Knox, vol. i. p. 358.) In March 1538-9, a pursuivant was directed to
pass to Dundee and search James Rollokkis gudes, and Maister John
Wedderburn, (ib. p. 359.) John Wedderburn is said to have gone to
Germany, where he became acquainted with Luther and Melanethon. While
residing abroad he translated some of their works or "dytements" into
Scotish verse; and the metrical version of various Psalms, included in
the volume of "Gude and Godly Ballates:" see page 139. It is also
stated, that after the death of James the Fifth, he returned to
Scotland, but was again compelled to expatriate himself; and that he
died in England, in 1556.--(Calderwood's Hist. vol. i. p. 14.)
No. VII.