that some sudden plague was to fall upon him, if he did not repent
his wicked life; and that his own mouth did confess. For, after Sir
James Hamilton was beheaded, justly or unjustly we dispute not, this
vision came unto him, as he himself did declare to his familiars.
The said Sir James appeared unto him, having in his hands a drawn
sword. With this he struck both arms from the King, saying to
him, "Take that, until thou receivest a final payment for all thy
impiety." He showed this vision, with sorrowful countenance, on the
morrow; and shortly thereafter his two sons died, both within the
space of twenty-four hours; some say, within the space of six hours.
In his own presence, George Steel, his greatest flatterer, and the
greatest enemy to God that was in his Court, dropped off his horse,
and died without word, on the same day that, in open audience of
many, the said George had refused his portion of Christ's kingdom,
if the prayers of the Virgin Mary should not bring him there.
[29] Warnings.
Men of good credit can yet report a terrible vision the said Prince
saw, when lying in Linlithgow, on the night that Thomas Scott,
Justice Clerk, died in Edinburgh. Affrighted at midnight, or after,
he cried for torches, and raised all that lay in the Palace. He told
that Thomas Scott was dead; for he had been at him with a company of
devils, and had said unto him these words, "O woe to the day that
ever I knew thee or thy service; for, for serving thee against God,
against His servants, and against justice, I am adjudged to endless
torment." Of the terrible utterances of the said Thomas Scott
before his death, men of all estates heard, and some that yet live
can witness. His words were ever, "_Justo Dei judicio condemnatus
sum_"; that is, I am condemned by God's just judgment. He was most
oppressed for the delation and false accusation of such as professed
Christ's Evangel, as Master Thomas Marjoribanks and Master Hew Rigg,
then advocates, did confess to Mr. Henry Balnaves. These came to
him from the said Thomas Scott, as he and Mr. Thomas Bellenden were
sitting in St. Giles's Kirk, and in the name of the said Thomas
asked his forgiveness.
[Sidenote: George Buchanan: his Arrest and Escape.]
None of these terrible forewarnings could either change or mollify
the heart of the indurate, lecherous, and avaricious tyrant: still
did he proceed from impiety to impiety. In the midst of these
admonitions he caused hands to be put on that notable man, Master
George Buchanan to whom, for his singular erudition and honest
behaviour was committed the charge of instructing some of his
bastard children. But, by the merciful providence of God, Master
George escaped the rage of those that sought his blood, albeit with
great difficulty, and he remains alive to this day, in the year of
God 1566, to the glory of God, to the great honour of his nation,
and unto the comfort of those that delight in letters and virtue.
That singular work of David's Psalms in Latin metre and poesy,
besides many others, can witness the rare grace of God given to the
man whom that tyrant, by instigation of the Grey Friars and of his
other flatterers, would altogether have devoured, if God had not
provided to his servant remedy by escape.
This cruelty and persecution notwithstanding, these monsters and
hypocrites the Grey Friars, day by day, came further into contempt;
for not only did the learned espy their abominable hypocrisy, but
men, in whom no such grace or gifts were thought to have been, began
plainly to paint the same forth to the people....
When God had given unto that indurate Prince sufficient documents
that his rebellion against His blessed Evangel should not
prosperously succeed, He raised war against him, as He did against
obstinate Saul, and in this he miserably perished, as we shall hear.
[Sidenote: The broken Tryst.]
The occasion of the war was this. Harry the Eighth, King of England,
had a great desire to have spoken with our King; and with that
object he travailed long until he got a full promise made to his
ambassador, Lord William Howard. The place of meeting was to be
at York; and the King of England kept the appointment with such
solemnity and preparation as never, for such a purpose, had been
seen in England before. There was great bruit[30] of that journey,
and some preparation was made for it in Scotland: but in the end,
by persuasion of the Cardinal Beaton and others of his faction, the
journey was stayed, and the King's promise was falsified. Thereupon,
sharp letters of reproach were sent unto the King, and also unto
his Council. King Harry frustrated, returned to London; and, after
declaring his indignation, began to fortify with men his frontiers
fornent[31] Scotland. Sir Robert Bowes, the Earl of Angus, and his
brother, Sir George Douglas, were sent to the Borders. Upon what
other trifling questions, as, for example, the Debateable Land
and such like, the war broke out, we omit to write. The principal
occasion was the falsifying of the promise. Our King, perceiving
that the war would rise, asked the prelates and kirkmen what support
they would make to the sustaining of the same; for rather he would
yet satisfy the desire of his uncle than would he hazard war, when
he saw that his forces were not able to resist. The kirkmen promised
mountains of gold, as Satan their father did to Christ Jesus if He
would worship him. They would have gone to hell, rather than that he
should have met with King Harry: for then, thought they, farewell
our kingdom; and, thought the Cardinal, farewell his credit and
glory in France. In the end, they promised fifty thousand crowns
a year, to be well paid, so long as the wars lasted; and further,
that their servants, and others that appertained unto them and were
exempt from common service, should not the less serve in time of
necessity.
[30] Talk (common).
[31] Over against.
[Sidenote: War with England: 1542. Halden Rig.]
These vain promises lifted up in pride the heart of the unhappy
king: and so began the war. The realm was quartered, and men were
laid in Jedburgh and Kelso. All men, fools we mean, bragged of
victory; and in very deed the beginning gave us a fair show. For
at the first warden raid, which was made on St. Bartholomew's Day,
in the year of God 1542, the Warden, Sir Robert Bowes, his brother
Richard Bowes, Captain of Norham, Sir William Mowbray, knight, a
bastard son of the Earl of Angus, and James Douglas of Parkhead,
then rebels, with a great number of borderers, soldiers, and
gentlemen, were taken. The Raid was termed Halden Rig. The Earl of
Angus, and Sir George his brother, did narrowly escape. Our papists
and priests, proud of this victory, encouraged the King. There
was nothing heard but, "All is ours. They are but heretics. If we
be a thousand and they ten thousand, they dare not fight. France
shall enter the one part, and we the other, and so shall England
be conquered within a year." If any man was seen to smile at such
vanity, he was no more than a traitor and a heretic. And yet, by
these means, men had greater liberty than they had before, as
concerning their conscience; for then ceased the persecution.
[Sidenote: Fala Raid.]
The war continued until mid September; and then was sent down the
old Duke of Norfolk, with such an army as for a hundred years before
had not come into Scotland. The English were engaged in amassing
their forces, and setting forward their preparations and munitions,
which were exceeding great, until mid October, and after. Then they
marched from Berwick and tended to the west, ever holding Tweed upon
their one side, and never camping more than a mile from that river
during the whole time they continued in Scotland, which was ten or
twelve days. Day forays were run to Smailholm, Stitchel, and such
places near about, but many snappers[32] they got. They burned some
corn, besides that which the great host consumed, but they carried
away small booty. The King assembled his force at Fala, for he had
information that they had proposed to advance on Edinburgh. Taking
the muster all at one hour, two days before Halloween, there were
found with him eighteen thousand able men. Ten thousand men, with
the Earl of Huntly and Lords Erskine, Seton and Home, were upon the
borders, awaiting the English army. These were adjudged men enough
to hazard battle, albeit the enemy were estimated at forty thousand.
[32] Stumbles.
[Sidenote: The Lords plot against the Courtiers.]
While the King lay at Fala, waiting for the guns and for information
from the army, the Lords began to remember how the King had been
long abused by his flatterers, and principally by the pensioners
of the priests. It was at once concluded that they would make
some new remembrance of Lauder-bridge, to see if that would for
a season somewhat help the state of the country. But the Lords
amongst themselves could not agree upon the persons that deserved
punishment. Every man favoured his friend, and the whole escaped;
and, besides, the purpose was disclosed to the King, and by him
to the courtiers. After that, until they came to Edinburgh, the
courtiers stood in no little fear; but that was suddenly forgotten,
as we shall hear.
[Sidenote: The English Army retires.]
While time was thus protracted, the English army, for scarcity of
victuals, as was rumoured, retired over Tweed by night, and so began
to skaill.[33] The King, informed of this, desired the Lords and
Barons to assist him to follow them into England. With one consent,
answer was given that they would hazard life and whatsoever they had
to defend his person and the realm; but, as for invading England,
neither had they so just title as they desired, nor could they be
then able to do anything to the hurt of England, considering that
they had now been long absent from their houses, their provisions
were spent, their horses were wearied, and, greatest of all, the
time of year did utterly forbid. This answer seemed to satisfy
the King; for in words he praised their prudent foresight and
wise counsel. But the mint[34] made to his courtiers, and that
bold repulse of his desires given to him in his own face, wounded
his proud heart. Long had he governed as he himself chose, and he
decreed a notable revenge. This, no doubt, he would not have failed
to have executed had not God, by His own hand, cut the cords of
his impiety. He returned to Edinburgh; and the nobility, barons,
gentlemen, and commons dispersed to their own habitations. This was
on the second and third days of November.
[33] Disperse.
[34] Threat.
[Sidenote: The Courtiers and Priests plot against the Lords.]
Without delay, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a new Council was
convened, a Council, we mean, of the abusers of the King. There
accusation was laid against the most part of the nobility. Some
were heretics, some favourers of England, some friends to the
Douglases, and so could there be none faithful to the King, in
their opinion. The Cardinal and the priests cast faggots in the
fire with all their force. Finding the King wholly given over to
their devotion, they delivered unto him a scroll containing the
names of such as they, in their inquisition, deemed heretics. For
this was the order of justice kept by these holy fathers in damning
innocent men. Whosoever would delate any one of heresy was heard;
no respect or consideration was taken as to what mind the delater
bare to the person delated. Whosoever were produced as witnesses
were admitted, however suspicious and infamous they were. If two or
three had proven any point that by their law was holden heresy, the
delated person was a heretic. There remained no more to be done but
to fix a day for his condemnation, and for the execution of their
corrupt sentence. The world may this day consider what man could
be innocent where such judges were party. True it is that by false
judgment and false witnesses innocents have been oppressed from the
beginning. But never gat the Devil his freedom to shed innocent
blood except in the kingdom of Antichrist, "that the innocent should
die, and neither know accuser nor yet the witnesses that testified
against him." But how shall the Antichrist be known, if he be not
contrarious to God the Father and His Son, Christ Jesus, in law,
life, and doctrine. But this we omit.
[Sidenote: "An Answer worthy of a Prince."]
The Cardinal and prelates had once before presented the same scroll
unto the King, at the time of his return from the circumnavigation
of the Isles. But then it was refused by the prudent and stout
counsel of the Laird of Grange, who opened clearly to the King the
practice[35] of the prelates, and the danger that might ensue.
The King, being out of his passion, was tractable, and after
consideration gave answer in the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the
Cardinal and prelates, when they had uttered their malice and shown
what profit might arise to the crown if he would follow their
counsel. "Pack you, Jesuits; get you to your charges, reform your
own lives, and be not instruments of discord betwixt my nobility and
me; or else, I avow to God, I shall reform you, not by imprisonment,
as the King of Denmark does, nor yet by hanging and heading, as the
King of England does, but I shall reform you by sharp whingers[36]
if ever I hear such motion of you again." The prelates, dashed and
astonished by this answer, had ceased for a season to attempt, by
rigour against the nobility, to pursue their schemes any further.
[35] Intrigues.
[36] Hangers (small swords).
[Sidenote: Solway Moss: how it began.]
But now, being informed of all proceedings by their pensioners,
Oliver Sinclair, Ross, Laird of Craigie, and others who were
faithful to them in all things, they concluded to hazard once again
their former suit. This was no sooner proposed than it was accepted,
with no small regret made by the King's own mouth that he had so
long despised their counsel; "For," said he, "now I plainly see
your words to be true. The nobility desire neither my honour nor
continuance; they would not ride a mile for my pleasure to follow
my enemies. Will ye therefore find me the means whereby I may have
a raid made into England, without their knowledge and consent--a
raid that may be known as my own raid--and I shall bind me to your
counsel for ever." There concurred together Ahab and his false
prophets; there were congratulations and clapping of hands; there
were promises of diligence, closeness, and felicity.
Finally, conclusion was taken that the west border of England, which
was most empty of men and garrisons, should be invaded; the King's
own banner should be there; Oliver, the great minion, should be
general lieutenant; but no man should be privy of the enterprise,
except the council that was then present, until the very day and
execution thereof. The Bishops gladly took the charge of that raid.
Letters were sent to such as they would charge to meet the King, on
a day and at a place appointed. The Cardinal was directed to go with
the Earl of Arran to Haddington, to make a show against the east
border, when the others were in readiness to invade the west. And
thus neither counsel, practice, closeness, nor diligence lacked to
set forward that enterprise. And, among these consulters, there was
no doubt of a good success. So was the scroll thankfully received by
the King himself, and put into his own pocket, where it remained to
the day of his death, and then was found. In it were contained the
names of more than a hundred landed men, besides others of meaner
degree. Amongst these, the Lord Hamilton himself, then second person
of the realm, was delated.
It was bruited that this raid was devised by the Lord Maxwell; but
we have no certainty thereof. The night before the day appointed
for the enterprise, the King was found at Lochmaben. To him came
companies from all quarters, as they were appointed, no man knowing
of another. No general proclamation had been made; all had been
summoned by privy letters. Nor did the multitude know anything of
the purpose until after midnight, when the trumpet blew, and all men
were commanded to march forward, and to follow the King, who was
supposed to be with the host. Guides were appointed to conduct them
towards England, and these did so both faithfully and closely.
Upon the point of day, they approached to the enemies' ground; and
passed the water without any great resistance made unto them. The
foray went forward, fires rose, and herschip[37] might have been
seen on every side. The unprepared people were altogether amazed;
for, bright day appearing, they saw an army of ten thousand men, and
their corn and houses upon every side sending flames of fire unto
the heaven. To them it was more than a wonder that such a multitude
could have been assembled and convoyed, without knowledge thereof
coming to their wardens. They looked not for support, and so at the
first they utterly despaired. Yet began they to assemble together,
ten in one company, twenty in another; and, as the fray proceeded,
their troops increased, but to no number; for Carlisle, fearing to
have been assaulted, suffered no man to issue from the gates. Thus
the greatest number that ever appeared or approached before the
discomfiture, did not exceed three or four hundred men; and yet
they made hot skirmishing, for, on their own ground, they were more
expert in such feats.
[37] Plundering.
About ten o'clock, when fires had been kindled and almost
slokened[38] on every side, Oliver thought it time to show his
glory. Incontinently,[39] the King's banner was displayed; Oliver
was lifted up on spears upon men's shoulders, and there, with sound
of trumpet, he was proclaimed general lieutenant, and all men were
commanded to obey him, as the King's own person, under all highest
pains. The Lord Maxwell, Warden, to whom properly appertained the
regiment, in absence of the King, was present; he heard and saw
all, but thought more than he spake. There were also present the
Earls Glencairn and Cassillis, with the Lord Fleming, and many other
Lords, Barons, and gentlemen of Lothian, Fife, Angus, and Mearns.
[38] Quenched.
[39] Forthwith.
[Sidenote: The Rout at Solway Moss.]
In the meantime, the skirmishing grew hotter than it had been
before: shouts were heard on every side. Some Scotsmen were stricken
down; some, not knowing the ground, laired,[40] and lost their
horses. Some English horses were of purpose let loose, to provoke
greedy and imprudent men to prick at them: many did so, but found
no advantage. While disorder arose more and more in the army, men
cried in every ear, "My Lord Lieutenant, what will ye do?" Charge
was given that all men should alight and go to array; for they would
fight it. Others cried, "Against whom will ye fight? Yon men will
fight none otherwise than ye see them do, if ye stand here until the
morn." New purpose was taken that the footmen (they had with them
certain bands of soldiers) should softly retire towards Scotland,
and that the horsemen should take horse again, and follow in order.
Great was the noise and confusion that was heard, while every man
called his own slogan.[41] The day was nearly spent, and that was
the cause of the greatest fear.
[40] Stuck in the mire.
[41] Battle-cry.
The Lord Maxwell, perceiving what would be the end of such
beginnings, remained on foot with his friends, and, being admonished
to take horse and provide for himself, answered, "Nay, I will here
abide the chance that it shall please God to send me, rather than go
home, and there be hanged." And so he remained on foot and was taken
prisoner, while the multitude fled, to their greater shame. The
enemy, perceiving the disorder, increased in courage. Before, they
had shouted; but then they struck. They threw spears and dagged[42]
arrows where the companies were thickest. Some rencounters were
made, but nothing availed. The soldiers cast from them their pikes,
culverins, and other weapons of defence; the horsemen left their
spears; and, without judgment, all men fled. The tide was rising,
and the water made great stop; but the fear was such that happy was
he that might get a tacker.[43] Such as passed the water and escaped
that danger, not well acquainted with the ground, fell into the
Solway Moss. The entry to it was pleasing enough, but all that took
that way, either tint[44] their horses or else themselves and horses
both.
[42] Shot.
[43] Carrier.
[44] Lost.
To be short, a greater fear and discomfiture, without cause, has
seldom been seen. It is said that, where the men were not sufficient
to take the hands of prisoners, some ran to houses and surrendered
themselves to women. Stout Oliver was taken, without stroke,
fleeing manfully; and so was his glory (stinking and foolish pride
we should call it) suddenly turned to confusion and shame. In that
discomfiture were taken the two Earls foresaid, the Lords Fleming
and Somerville, and many other barons and gentlemen, besides the
great multitude of servants.
Worldly men may think that all this came but by misorder and
fortune, as they term it; but whosoever has the least spunk[45] of
the knowledge of God, may as evidently see the work of His hand in
this discomfiture, as ever was seen in any of the battles left to
us on record by the Holy Ghost. For what more evident declaration
have we that God fought against Benhadad, King of Aram, when he was
discomfited at Samaria, than that which we have that God fought
with His own arm against Scotland? In the former discomfiture, two
hundred and thirty persons in the skirmish, with seven thousand
following them in the great battle, did put to flight the said
Benhadad, with thirty kings in his company. But here, in this
shameful discomfiture of Scotland, very few more than three hundred
men, without knowledge of any back or battle to follow, did put to
flight ten thousand men without resistance made. There did every
man rencounter his marrow,[46] until the two hundred slew such as
matched them. Here, without slaughter, the multitude fled. There
those of Samaria had the prophet of God to comfort, to instruct,
and to promise victory unto them. England, in that pursuit, had
nothing. But God by His providence secretly wrought in these men
that knew nothing of His working, nor yet of the causes thereof; no
more than did the wall that fell upon the rest of Benhadad's army
know what it did. Therefore, yet again we say that such as behold
not in that sudden dejection the hand of God, fighting against pride
for the freedom of His own little flock, unjustly persecuted, do
willingly and maliciously obscure the glory of God. But the end was
yet more notable.
[45] Spark.
[46] Match.
[Sidenote: The Blow falls on the King.]
The King waited upon news at Lochmaben, and when the certain
knowledge of the discomfiture came to his ears he was stricken with
a sudden fear and astonishment, so that scarcely could he speak,
or hold purposed converse with any man. The night constrained him
to remain where he was, and so he went to bed; but he rose without
rest or quiet sleep. His continual complaint was, "Oh, fled Oliver!
Is Oliver ta'en? Oh, fled Oliver!" These words in his melancholy,
and as if he were carried away in a trance, he repeated from time
to time, to the very hour of his death. Upon the morn, which was
St. Katherine's Day, he returned to Edinburgh, as did the Cardinal
from Haddington. But the one being ashamed of the other, the bruit
of their communication came not to the ears of the public. The
King made inventory of his poise,[47] and of all his jewels and
other substance; and departed to Fife. Coming to Hallyards, he was
humanely received by the Lady Grange, an ancient and godly matron:
the Laird was absent. There were in his company only William
Kirkaldy, now Laird of Grange, and some others that waited upon
his chamber. At supper, the lady, perceiving him pensive, began to
comfort him, and urged him to take the work of God in good part. "My
portion of this world is short," he replied, "for I will not be with
you fifteen days." His servants, repairing unto him, asked where
he would have provision made for Yuletide, which then approached.
He answered with a disdainful smirk, "I cannot tell: choose ye the
place. But this I can tell you, ye will be masterless before Yule
day, and the realm without a King." Because of his displeasure,
no man durst make contradiction unto him. After he had visited the
Castle of Carny, pertaining to the Earl of Crawford, where was the
said Earl's daughter, one of his paramours, he returned to Falkland
and took to bed. No sign of death appeared about him, but he
constantly affirmed that, before such a day, he would be dead.
[47] Secret hoard of money.
[Sidenote: The Birth of Mary Stuart.]