was lost, called back his ambassador, and that with fearful
threatenings, as Edinburgh afterwards felt. He proclaimed war, made
our ships prizes, and our merchants and mariners lawful prisoners,
and this alone was no small hardship to the burghs of Scotland.
But the Cardinal and priests did laugh, and jestingly said, "When
we shall conquer England, the merchants shall be recompensed." The
summer and the harvest passed over without any notable thing. The
Cardinal and Abbot of Paisley parted the prey betwixt them: the
abused Governor bare the name only.
[Sidenote: The revolt of the Earl of Lennox.]
In the beginning of the winter the Earl of Lennox came to Scotland,
sent from France in hatred of the Governor, whom the King, by the
Cardinal's advice, promised to pronounce bastard, and so make the
said Earl Governor. The Cardinal further put the Earl in vain hope
that the Queen Dowager would marry him. He brought with him some
money, and more he afterwards received from the hands of La Broche.
But, at length, perceiving himself frustrated of all expectation
that he had either from the King of France, or yet from the promise
of the Cardinal, he concluded to seek the favour of England, and
began to draw a faction against the Governor.
In hatred of the other's inconstancy, many favoured him in the
beginning. At Yule there assembled in the town of Ayr, the Earls of
Angus, Glencairn, and Cassillis, the Lords Maxwell and Somerville,
the Laird of Drumlanrig, and the Sheriff of Ayr, with all the force
that they and the Lords that remained constant to England might
make. After Yule they came to Leith. The Governor and Cardinal,
with their forces, kept Edinburgh, for they were slackly pursued.
Men excused the Earl of Lennox in this matter, and laid the blame
upon some that had no good will towards the regiment of the Stuarts.
However it was, the said Earl of Lennox was disappointed of his
purpose, and narrowly escaped; and first got himself to Glasgow, and
after that to Dumbarton. Sir George Douglas was delivered to be kept
as pledge. The Earl his brother was taken at the siege of Glasgow in
the following Lent. It was bruited that both the brethren and others
with them would have lost their heads if, by the providence of God,
the English army had not arrived sooner.
[Sidenote: Cardinal Beaton stirs up Strife betwixt his Enemies.]
After the Cardinal had got the Governor wholly under his control,
and had obtained his desires concerning a part of his enemies,
he began to practise that such as he feared and therefore hated
should be set by the ears, one against another. In that, thought
the carnal man, stood his greatest security. The Lord Ruthven he
hated, by reason of his knowledge of God's Word: the Lord Gray
he feared, because at that time he sought the company of such as
professed godliness, and bare small favour to the Cardinal. Now the
worldly-wise man reasoned thus: "If I can put enmity betwixt those
two, I shall be quit of a great number of unfriends; for the most
part of the country will either assist the one or the other; and,
otherwise occupied, they will not watch for my displeasure." Without
long process, he found the necessary means; for he laboured with
John Charteris, a man of stout courage and many friends, to accept
the provostship of Perth, which he purchased[54] to him by donation
of the Governor, with a charge to the said town to obey him as their
lawful provost. Thereat, not only the said Lord Ruthven, but also
the town was offended. These gave a negative answer, alleging that
such intrusion of men into office was hurtful to their privilege and
freedom. This granted unto them free election of their provost from
year to year, at a certain time appointed, and this they could not
or would not prevent.[55]
[54] Procured.
[55] Anticipate.
The said John, offended hereat, said that he would occupy that
office by force, if they would not give it unto him of benevolence;
and so departed, and communicated the matter with the Lord Gray,
with Norman Leslie, and with other friends. These he easily
persuaded to assist him in that pursuit, because he appeared to
have the Governor's right, and had not only a charge to the town,
but also had purchased letters empowering him to besiege it and
to take it by strong hand, if any resistance were made unto him.
These letters made many favour his action. The other party made
for defence, and the Master of Ruthven (the Lord that afterwards
departed to England) undertook the maintenance of the town, having
in his company the Laird of Moncrieffe, and other neighbouring
friends.
[Sidenote: The Fight for the Provostship of Perth.]
The said John made frack for the pursuit; and upon the Magdalene's
day, in the morning, anno 1543, approached with his forces, the Lord
Gray taking upon him the principal charge. Norman Leslie, with his
friends, should have come by ship, with munition and ordnance, and
they were in readiness. But because the tide served not soon, the
other, thinking himself of sufficient force for all that were in
the town, entered by the bridge. They found no resistance until the
foremost were well within the Fish Gate, when the Master of Ruthven,
with his company, stoutly rencountered them, and so rudely repulsed
them that such as were behind gave back. The place of the retreat
was so strait, that men durst not fight, and could not flee at
their pleasure, for Lord Gray and his friends were upon the bridge.
The slaughter was great; for there fell by the edge of the sword
threescore men. The Cardinal had rather that the unhap had fallen on
the other side; but, howsoever it was, he thought that such trouble
was for his comfort and advantage. The knowledge of this came unto
the ears of the party that had received the discomfiture, and was
unto them no small grief. Many of them had entered into that action
for his pleasure, and thought they should have had his fortification
and assistance. Finding themselves frustrated, they began to look
more narrowly to themselves, and did not so much attend upon the
Cardinal's devotion, as they had been wont to do. Thus was a new
jealousy engendered amongst them; for whosoever would not play to
him the good valet was reputed amongst his enemies.
[Sidenote: Treachery of the Cardinal.]
The Cardinal drew the Governor to Dundee; for he understood that the
Earl of Rothes and Master Henry Balnaves were with the Lord Gray in
the Castle of Huntly. The Governor sent command to the said Earl and
Lord, with the foresaid Master Henry, to come unto him to Dundee,
and appointed the next day, at ten o'clock forenoon. This hour they
decreed to keep; and for that purpose assembled their folks at
Balgavie. They were more than three hundred men, and the Cardinal,
informed of their number, thought it not good that they should join
with the town, for he feared his own estate; and so he persuaded
the Governor to pass forth from Dundee before nine o'clock, and to
take the straight road to Perth. The Lords, perceiving this, began
to fear that they were come to pursue them, and so put themselves in
order and array, and marched forward of purpose to have bidden[56]
the uttermost.
[56] Abode.
The crafty fox, foreseeing that his security stood not in fighting,
ran to his last refuge, that is, to manifest treason; and
consultation was taken as to how the force of the others might be
broken. And at the first, the Laird of Grange and the Provost of St.
Andrews, knowing nothing of treason, were sent to ask, "Why they
molested my Lord Governor in his journey?" Thereto they answered
that "nothing was less their intention; for they had come at his
Grace's commandment, to keep the hour in Dundee appointed by him.
When they saw this prevented, and knew the Cardinal to be their
unfriend, they could not but suspect their coming forth of the town
contrary to previous arrangement. They had therefore put themselves
in order, not to invade, but to defend in case they were invaded."
This answer being reported, there was sent to them the Archbishop
of St. Andrews, Master David Panter, and the Lairds of Buccleuch
and Coldinknowes, to desire certain of the other company to talk
with them. This was easily obtained, for they suspected no treason.
After long communication, it was demanded whether the Earl and Lord
and Master Henry foresaid would not be content to talk with the
Governor, provided that the Cardinal and his company were off the
ground? They answered that the Governor might command them in all
things lawful, but that they had no will to be at the Cardinal's
mercy. Fair enough promises were made for their security. Then the
Cardinal and his band were commanded to depart; and, according to
the purpose taken, he did so.
The Governor remained, and another with him; and, without company,
the said Earl, Lord, and Master Henry came to him. After many fair
words given unto them all, protesting that he would have them agreed
with the Cardinal, and that he would have Master Henry Balnaves the
worker and instrument thereof, he drew them forward with him towards
Perth, whither the Cardinal had ridden. When it was too late, they
began to suspect, and desired to have returned to their folk. But it
was answered, "They should send back from the town, but they must
needs go forward with my Lord Governor." And so, partly by flattery
and partly by force, they were compelled to obey. As soon as ever
they were within the town they were apprehended, and upon the morn
all three were sent to Black Ness. There they remained so long as
it pleased the Cardinal's graceless Grace, and that was until bond
of manrent[57] and of service set some of them at liberty. Thus the
Cardinal with his craft prevailed on every side; so that the Scots
proverb was true in him, "So long runs the fox, as he foot has."
[57] Vassalage.
[Sidenote: The Persecution at Perth.]
We cannot affirm whether it was on this journey, or at another date,
that that bloody butcher executed his cruelty upon the innocent
persons in Perth. Indeed, we do not study to be curious; we travail
to express the actual facts, rather than scrupulously and exactly
to record day and date, although we do not omit these when we are
certain of them. The truth in regard to the cruel deed at Perth is
this. On St. Paul's Day, before the first burning in Edinburgh,
the Governor and Cardinal came to Perth, and there, upon envious
delation, a great number of honest men and women were called before
the Cardinal, and accused of heresy. Albeit they could be convicted
of nothing more than suspicion that they had eaten a goose upon
Friday, four men were adjudged to be hanged, and a woman to be
drowned; and this cruel and most unjust sentence was unmercifully
put into execution. The husband was hanged, and the wife, having a
sucking babe upon her breast, was drowned. "O Lord, the land is not
yet purged from such beastly cruelty; neither has Thy just vengeance
yet stricken all that were criminal of their blood. But the day
approaches when the punishment of that cruelty and of others will
evidently appear."
The names of the men that were hanged were James Hunter, William
Lamb, William Anderson, and James Ronaldson, burgesses of Perth.
At that same time there were banished Sir Henry Elder, John Elder,
Walter Pyper, Lawrence Pullar, and divers others whose names have
not come to our knowledge. That sworn enemy to Christ Jesus, and
unto all in whom any spunk of true knowledge appeared, had divers
persons in prison about that same time. Amongst these was John
Roger, a Black Friar--godly, learned, and one that had fruitfully
preached Christ Jesus, to the comfort of many in Angus and Mearns.
Him that bloody man caused to be murdered in the ground of the
Sea-Tower of St. Andrews, thereafter causing his body to be cast
over the crag, sparsing[58] a false bruit that the said John,
seeking to flee, had broken his own craig.[59]
[58] Spreading abroad.
[59] Neck.
[Sidenote: The English invade Scotland, and sack Edinburgh and
Leith.]
Thus Satan ceased not, by all means, to maintain his kingdom of
darkness, and to suppress the light of Christ's Evangel. But potent
is He against whom they fought; for, when the wicked were surest
of their triumph, God began to show His anger. On the third day of
May, in the year of God 1543, without knowledge of any of those in
Scotland who should have had the care of the realm, there was seen
a great fleet of ships approaching the Forth. Posts came to the
Governor and Cardinal, who both were in Edinburgh, informing them
of the multitude of ships seen, and of the course they took. This
was upon the Saturday, before noon. Some said there was no doubt
they were Englishmen and would land. The Cardinal scripped[60] and
said, "It is but the Island fleet: they are come to make a show,
and put us in fear. I shall lodge in my eye all the men-of-war that
shall land in Scotland." The Cardinal sat still at his dinner, as if
there had been no apparent danger. Men ran together to gaze upon the
ships, some to the Castle Hill, some to the Crags and other eminent
places. But no one asked what forces we had for resistance, if we
should be invaded. Soon after six o'clock at night, more than two
hundred sails were arrived and had cast anchor in the Road of Leith.
Shortly thereafter, the Admiral shot a fleet boat, and this sounded
the depth of water from Granton crags unto the east of Leith, and
then returned to her ship. Men of judgment foresaw what this meant.
But no credit was given to any that said, "They mind to land." And
so everybody went to bed, as if these ships had been a guard for
their defence.
[60] Mocked.
Upon the point of day, upon Sunday, the fourth of May, the fleet
made ready for landing, and arranged their ships so that a galley or
two laid their snouts to the crags. The small ships, called pinnaces
and light horsemen, approached as near as they could. The great
ships discharged their soldiers into the smaller vessels, and these,
by boats, set upon dry land, before ten o'clock, ten thousand men,
as was judged, and more. The Governor and Cardinal, seeing then what
they could not, or at least would not, believe before, after they
had made a brag to fight, fled as fast as horse would carry them;
nor did they afterwards approach within twenty miles of the danger.
The Earl of Angus and George Douglas were that night freed of ward
in Black Ness, and the said Sir George in merriness said, "I thank
King Harry and my gentle masters of England."
The English army entered Leith betwixt twelve and one, found the
tables covered, the dinners prepared, and abundance of wine and
victuals, besides other substance. The like riches within the like
bounds were not to be found, either in Scotland or England. Upon
the Monday, the fifth of May, there came to them from Berwick and
the Border, two thousand horsemen; and, after these had rested
somewhat, the army, upon the Wednesday, marched towards the town
of Edinburgh, spoiled and burnt the same, and also the Palace of
Holyroodhouse. The horsemen took the House of Craigmillar, and got
great spoil therein; for, it being judged the strongest house near
the town, other than the Castle of Edinburgh, men sought to place
their movables therein for safety. But the courageous Laird gave it
over without shot of hackbut, and for his reward was caused to march
upon foot to London. He is now captain of Dunbar and Provost of
Edinburgh.
The Englishmen seeing no resistance, hurled[61] cannons up the
causeway to the Butter-throne, or above, and hazarded a shot at the
fore-entry of the Castle. But that was to their own discomfiture;
for, without trench or gabion, they were exposed to the force of the
whole ordnance of the said Castle. This opened fire, and not all in
vain; for the wheel and axletree of one of the English cannons were
broken, and some of their men were slain. So, with small honour,
they left off that enterprise, which was taken in rashness rather
than of any advised counsel. When for the most part of the day the
English had spoiled and burned, they returned to Leith towards the
night; upon the morrow returning to Edinburgh, and executing the
rest of God's judgments for that time. When they had consumed both
towns, they laded the ships with spoil thereof, and returned to
Berwick by land, using the country for the most part at their own
pleasure.
[61] Wheeled.
This was a part of the punishment which God laid upon the realm for
the infidelity of the Governor, and for the violation of his solemn
oath. But this was not the end; for the realm was divided into two
factions: the one favoured France; the other the league lately
contracted with England. In nothing did the one thoroughly trust the
other. The country was in extreme calamity; for divers strongholds,
such as Carlaverock, Lochmaben, and Langholm, were delivered to the
English. And the most part of the borders were confederate with
England. Albeit Sir Ralph Evers and many other Englishmen were slain
at Ancrum Moor, in February, in the year of God 1544, and in the
year after some of the said strongholds were recovered, this was not
accomplished without great loss and detriment to the commonwealth.
[Sidenote: France comes to the Aid of Cardinal Beaton.]
In the month of June, in the year of God 1545, Monsieur de Lorge
Montgomery, with bands of men of war, came from France for a further
destruction to Scotland; and upon their brag was an army raised
and pushed forward towards Wark, even in the midst of harvest. The
Cardinal's banner was that day displayed, and all his dependents
were charged to be under it. Many had promised to follow the
standard, but in the issue it was left so bare that for shame it was
shut up in the pock[62] again, and after a show the army returned,
with more shame to the realm than scathe to their enemies. The
black book of Hamilton makes mention of great vassalage[63] done at
that time by the Governor and the French. But such as with their
eyes saw the whole progress knew that to be a lie, and do repute it
amongst the venial sins of that race, which is to speak the best of
themselves they can.
[62] Bag; case.
[63] Feats of valour.
The following winter so nurtured the French men that they learned to
eat, yea to beg, cakes which at their entry they scorned. Without
jesting, they were so miserably treated, that few returned to France
again with their lives. The Cardinal had then almost fortified the
Castle of St. Andrews, and he made this so strong, in his opinion,
that he regarded neither England nor France. The Earl of Lennox,
as we have said, disappointed of all things in Scotland, passed to
England, where he received protection from King Harry, who gave
him Lady Margaret Douglas to wife. Of her was born Harry,[64]
umquhile[65] husband to our Jezebel mistress.
[64] Henry, Lord Darnley.
[65] Late; deceased.
[Sidenote: John Hamilton, Abbot of Paisley.]
While the inconstant Governor was sometimes dejected and sometimes
raised up again by the Abbot of Paisley, who before was called
"chaster than any maiden," the latter began to show himself; for,
after he had by craft taken the Castles of Edinburgh and Dunbar, he
took also possession of his eme's[66] wife, the Lady Stenhouse.
The woman is and has been famous, and is called Lady Gylton. Her
Ladyship was holden always in property; but how many wives and
virgins he has had since that time in common, the world knows,
albeit not all, and his bastard birds bear some witness. Such is the
example of holiness that the flock may receive of the papistical
bishops.
[66] Kinsman's.
[Sidenote: Master George Wishart comes to Scotland.]
In the midst of all the calamities that came upon the realm after
the defection of the Governor from Christ Jesus, there came to
Scotland, in the year of God 1544, that blessed martyr of God,
Master George Wishart, in company of the commissioners before
mentioned. A man of such graces was never before him heard of within
this realm; yea, and such graces are yet rarely found in any man,
notwithstanding the great light of God that since his days has
shined upon us. He was not only singularly learned, as well in godly
knowledge as in all honest human science, but he was also so clearly
illuminated with the spirit of prophecy that he saw not only things
pertaining to himself, but also such things as some towns and the
whole realm afterwards felt. These he forespake, not in secret, but
in the audience of many, as in their own places shall be declared.
[Sidenote: He is driven from Dundee.]
He began teaching in Montrose. Thence he went to Dundee, where,
with great admiration of all that heard him, he taught the Epistle
to the Romans, until, by procurement of the Cardinal, Robert Mill,
then one of the principal men in Dundee, and a man that of old had
professed knowledge and for the same had suffered trouble, did, in
the Queen's and Governor's name, give inhibition to the said Master
George that he should trouble their town no more; for they would not
suffer it. This was said unto him in the public place. After musing
for some time, with his eyes bent to heaven, he looked sorrowfully
to the speaker and to the people, and said, "God is witness that I
never minded your trouble but your comfort. Yea, your trouble is
more dolorous unto me, than it is unto yourselves. But I am assured
that the refusal of God's Word and the chasing from you of His
messenger shall not preserve you from trouble; it shall bring you
into it. God shall send unto you messengers who will not be afraid
of horning,[67] nor yet of banishment. I have offered unto you the
Word of salvation, and at the hazard of my life I have remained
amongst you. Now ye yourselves refuse me, and therefore must I leave
my innocency to be declared by my God. If it be long prosperous with
you, I am not led by the Spirit of truth. But if trouble unlooked
for apprehend you, do ye acknowledge the cause, and turn to God,
for He is merciful. If ye turn not at the first, He shall visit you
with fire and sword." These words pronounced, he came down from the
preaching place.
[67] Outlawry.
[Sidenote: Master George goes to Kyle.]
The Lord Marischall and divers gentlemen were present in the kirk,
and these would have had the said Master George remain, or else have
gone with him into the country. But for no request would he any
longer tarry, either in the town or on that side of Tay. With all
possible expedition he passed to the west-land, where he began to
offer God's Word. This was gladly received by many, until Dunbar,
Archbishop of Glasgow, by instigation of the Cardinal, came with
his gatherings to the town of Ayr, to make resistance to the said
Master George, and did first occupy the kirk. The Earl of Glencairn
being informed of this, repaired with diligence to the town with his
friends, and so did divers gentlemen of Kyle (amongst whom was the
Laird of Leifnorris, a man far different from him that now liveth,
in manners and religion) of whom to this day many yet live, and have
declared themselves always zealous and bold in the cause of God.
When all were assembled, conclusion was taken that they would have
possession of the kirk. But Master George utterly repugned, saying,
"Let him alone; his sermon will not do much hurt. Let us go to the
Market Cross." This they did, and there he made so notable a sermon
that the very enemies themselves were confounded. The Archbishop
preached to his jackmen and some old bosses of the town. The sum of
all his sermon was: "They say that we should preach: why not? Better
late thrive than never thrive: hold us still for your Bishop, and we
shall provide better for the next time." This was the beginning and
the end of the Archbishop's sermon. With haste he departed from the
town, nor did he return to fulfil his promise.
The said Master George remained with the gentlemen in Kyle, until
he should get sure knowledge of the state of Dundee. He preached
commonly at the kirk of Galston and much in the Barr. He was
required to come to the kirk of Mauchline, and did so. But the
Sheriff of Ayr manned the kirk, for preservation of a tabernacle
that was there, beautiful to the eye. The persons that held the kirk
were George Campbell of Monkgarswood, who yet liveth, Mungo Campbell
of Brounsyde, George Reid in Daldilling, and the Laird of Templeland.