Brutes bloud to this Maximian, and his neerest heire was next king of
Britaine; he immediatlie pursued the Scots with wars, and shortlie in
battell slue their king Dongard, in the first yeare of his reigne,
whereby he recouered Scotland out of their hands, and tooke all the
holdes thereof into his owne possessions. Vortiger shortlie after
obteined the crowne of Britaine, against whom the Scots newlie rebelled:
for the repressing whereof (mistrusting the Britons to hate him for
sundrie causes, as one that to auoid the smoke dooth oft fall into the
fire) receiued Hengest a Saxon, and a great number of his countriemen,
with whom and a few Britons he entred Scotland & ouercame them,
wherevpon they tooke the Iles, which are their common refuge. He gaue
also much of Scotland, as Gallowaie, Pentland, Mers and Annandale, with
sundrie other lands to this Hengest and his people to inhabit, which
they did accordinglie inioie. But when this Hengest in processe of time
thirsted after the whole kingdome of the south, he was banished, and yet
afterward being restored, he conspired with the Scots against
Aurilambrose the sonne of Constantine, the iust inheritor of this whole
dominion. But his vntruth and theirs were both recompensed togither, for
[Sidenote: Some thinke the Seimors to come from this man by lineall
descent and I suppose no lesse.]
he was taken prisoner by Eldulph de Samor a noble man of Britaine, and
his head for his traitorie striken off at the commandement of
Aurilambrose. In the field the Scots were vanquished: but Octa the sonne
of Hengest was receiued to mercie, to whome and his people this
Aurilambrose gaue the countrie of Gallowaie in Scotland, for which they
became his subiects. And hereby appeareth that Scotland was then againe
reduced into his hands.
Vter called also Pendragon, brother to Aurilambrose was next king of the
Britons, against whome, these sworne Saxons now foresworne subiects
(confederate with the Scots) newlie rebelled: but by his power assembled
against them in Gallowaie in Scotland, they were discomfited, & Albania
againe recouered vnto his subiection. Arthur the sonne of this Vter,
begotten before the mariage, but lawfullie borne in matrimonie,
succéeded next to the crowne of great Britaine; whose noble acts, though
manie vulgar fables haue rather stained than commended: yet all the
Scotish writers confesse, that he subdued great Britaine, and made it
tributarie to him, and ouercame the Saxons then scattered as far as
Cathnesse in Scotland: and in all these wars against them, he had the
seruice and obeisance of Scots and Picts. But at the last setting their
féet in the guilefull paths of their predecessors, they rebelled and
besieged the citie of Yorke, Howell king of the lesse Britaine cousine
to king Arthur being therein. But he with an host came thither and
discomfited the Scots, chased them into a marsh, and besieged them there
so long, that they were almost famished: vntill the bishops, abbats, and
men of religion (for as much as they were christened people) besought
him to take them to his mercie and grace, and to grant them a portion of
the same countrie to dwell in vnder euerlasting subiection. Vpon this he
tooke them to his grace, homage and fealtie: and when they were sworne
his subiects and liegemen, he ordeined his kinsman Anguisan to be their
king and gouernour, Vrian king of Iland, and Murefrence king of
Orkeneie. He made an archbishop of Yorke also, whose authoritie extended
through all Scotland.
Finallie, the said Arthur holding his roiall feast at Cairleon, had
there all the kings that were subiects vnto him, among which, Angusian
the said king of Scots did his due seruice and homage, so long as he was
with him for the realme of Scotland, & bare king Arthurs sword afore
him. Malgo shortlie after succéeded in the whole kingdome of great
Britaine, who vpon new resistance made, subdued Ireland, Iland, the
Orchads, Norwaie and Denmarke, and made Ethelfred a Saxon king of
Bernicia, that is, Northumberland, Louthian, and much other land of
Scotland, which Ethelfred by the sword obteined at the hands of the
wilfull inhabitants, and continued true subiect to this Malgo.
Cadwan succéeded in the kingdome of great Britaine, who in defense of
his subiects the Scots, made warre vpon this Ethelfred, but at the last
they agréed, and Cadwan vpon their rebellion gaue all Scotland vnto this
Ethelfred, which he therevpon subdued and inioied: but afterward in the
reigne of Cadwallo that next succeeded in great Britaine, he rebelled.
Whervpon the same Cadwallo came into Scotland, and vpon his treason
reseised the countrie into his owne hands, and hauing with him all the
vicerois of the Saxons, which then inhabited here as his subiects, in
singular battell he slue the same Ethelfred with his owne hands.
Oswald was shortlie after by Cadwallos gift made king of Bernicia, and
he as subiect to Cadwallo, and by his commandement discomfited the Scots
and Picts, and subdued all Scotland. Oswie the brother of this Oswald,
was by the like gift of Cadwallo, made next king of Bernicia, and he by
like commandement newlie subdued the Scots and Picts, and held them in
that obeisance to this Cadwallow, during eight and twentie yeares. Thus
Cadwallo reigned in the whole monarchie of great Britaine, hauing all
the seuen kings thereof, as well Saxons as others his subiects: for
albeit the number of Saxons from time to time greatlie increased, yet
were they alwaies either at the first expelled, or else made tributarie
to the onelie kings of Britons for the time being, as all their owne
writers doo confesse.
Cadwallader was next king of the whole great Britaine, he reigned twelue
yeares ouer all the kings thereof, in great peace and tranquillitie: and
then vpon the lamentable death of his subiects, which died of sundrie
diseases innumerablie, he departed into little Britaine. His sonne and
cousine Iuor and Iue, being expelled out of England also by the Saxons,
went into Wales, where among the Britons they and their posteritie
remained princes. Vpon this great alteration, and warres being through
the whole dominion betwéene the Britons and Saxons, the Scots thought
time to slip the collar of obedience, and therevpon entred in league
with Charles then king of France, establishing it in this wise.
1 "The iniurie of Englishmen doone to anie of these people, shall be
perpetuallie holden common to them both.
2 "When Frenchmen be inuaded by Englishmen, the Scots shall send their
armie in defense of France, so that they be supported with monie and
vittels by the French.
3 "When Scots be inuaded by Englishmen, the Frenchmen shall come vpon
their owne expenses, to their support and succour.
4 "None of the people shall take peace or truce with Englishmen, without
the aduise of other, &c."
[Sidenote: _Nicholas Adams._]
Manie disputable opinions may be had of warre without the praising of
it, as onelie admittable by inforced necessitie, and to be vsed for
peace sake onelie, where here the Scots sought warre for the loue of
warre onelie. For their league giueth no benefit to themselues, either
in frée traffike of their owne commodities, or benefit of the French, or
other priuilege to the people of both. What discommoditie riseth by
loosing the intercourse and exchange of our commodities (being in
necessaries more aboundant than France) the Scots féele, and we
perfectlie know. What ruine of their townes, destruction of countries,
slaughter of both peoples, haue by reason of this bloudie league
chanced, the histories be lamentable to read, and horrible among
Christian men to be remembred: but God gaue the increase according to
their séed, for as they did hereby sowe dissention, so did they shortlie
after reape a bloudie slaughter and confusion. For Alpine their king,
possessing a light mind that would be lost with a little wind, hoped by
this league shortlie to subdue all great Britaine, and to that end not
onelie rebelled in his owne kingdome, but also vsurped vpon the kingdome
of Picts. Whervpon Edwine king of England, made one Brudeus king of
Picts, whom he sent into Scotland with a great power, where in battell
he tooke this Alpine king of Scots prisoner, and discomfited his people.
And this Alpine being their king found subiect and rebell, his head was
striken off at a place in Scotland, which thereof is to this daie called
Pasalpine, that is to saie, the head of Alpine. And this was the first
effect of their French league.
Osbright king of England, with Ella his subiect, and a great number of
Britons and Saxons shortlie after, for that the Scots had of themselues
elected a new king, entered Scotland, and ceassed not his war against
them, vntill their king and people fled into the Iles, with whome at the
last vpon their submission, peace was made in this wise.
The water of Frith shall be march betwéene Scots and Englishmen in the
east parts, and shall be named the Scotish sea.
The water of Cluide to Dunbriton, shall be march in the west parts
betwéene the Scots and Britons. This castell was before called Alcluide,
but now Dunbriton, that is to say, the castle of Britons, and sometimes
it was destroied by the Danes. So the Britons had all the lands from
Sterling to the Ireland seas, and from the water of Frith & Cluide to
Cumber, with all the strengths and commodities thereof: and the
Englishmen had the lands betwéene Sterling and Northumberland. Thus was
Cluide march betwéene the Scots and the Britons on the one side, and the
water of Frith named the Scotish sea, march betwéene them and Englishmen
on the other side, and Sterling common march to thrée people, Britons,
Englishmen, and Scots, howbeit king Osbright had the castle of Stirling,
where first he caused to be coined Sterling monie. The Englishmen also
builded a bridge of stone, for passage ouer the water of Frith, in the
middest whereof they made a crosse, vnder which were written these
verses:
I am free march, as passengers may ken,
To Scots, to Britons, and Englishmen.
Not manie yeares after this, Hinguar and Hubba, two Danes, with a great
number of people, arriued in Scotland, and slue Constantine, whom
Osbright had before made king: wherevpon Edulfe or Ethelwulfe, then king
of England, assembled his power against Hinguar and Hubba, and in one
battell slue them both; but such of their people as would remaine and
become christians, he suffered to tarie: the rest he banished or put to
death, &c.
This Ethelwulfe granted the Peter pence, of which albeit Peter & Paule
had little need and lesse right: yet the paiment thereof continued in
this realme euer after vntill now of late yeares. But the Scots euer
since vnto this daie haue, and yet doo paie it, by reason of that grant,
which prooueth them to be then vnder his obeisance.
Alured or Alfred succéeded in the kingdome of England, and reigned
noblie ouer the whole monarchie of great Britaine: he made lawes, that
persons excommunicated should be disabled to sue or claime anie
propertie; which law Gregour, whome this Alured had made king of Scots,
obeied; and the same law as well in Scotland as in England is holden to
this daie, which also prooueth him to be high lord of Scotland.
This Alured constreined Gregour king of Scots also to breake the league
with France, for generallie he concluded with him, and serued him in all
his warres, as well against Danes as others, not reseruing or making
anie exception of the former league with France.
The said Alured, after the death of Gregour, had the like seruice and
obeisance of Donald king of Scots with fiue thousand horssemen, against
one Gurmond a Dane that then infested the realme, and this Donald died
in this faith and obeisance with Alured.
Edward the first of that name called Chifod sonne of this Alured
succéeded his father, and was the next king of England: against whome
Sithrijc a Dane and the Scots conspired; but they were subdued, and
Constantine their king brought to obeisance. He held the realme of
Scotland also of king Edward, and this dooth Marian their owne
countrieman a Scot confesse: beside Roger Houeden, and William of
Malmesberie.
In the yeare of our Lord 923, the same king Edward was president and
gouernour of all the people of England, Cumberland, Scots, Danes, and
Britons.
King Athelstane in like sort conquered Scotland, and as he laie in his
tents beside Yorke, whilest the warres lasted, the king of Scots feined
himselfe to be a minstrell, and harped before him onelie to espie his
ordinance and his people. But being (as their writers confesse)
corrupted with monie, he sold his faith and false heart together to the
Danes, and aided them against king Athelstane at sundrie times. Howbeit
he met with all their vntruthes at Broningfield in the west countrie, as
is mentioned in the ninth chapter of the first booke of this
description, where he discomfited the Danes, and slue Malcolme deputie
in that behalfe to the king of Scots: in which battell the Scots
confesse themselues to haue lost more people than were remembred in anie
age before. Then Athelstane following his good lucke, went throughout
all Scotland and wholie subdued it, and being in possession thereof,
gaue land there lieng in Annandale by his deed, the copie wherof dooth
follow:
"I king Athelstane, giues vnto Paulam, Oddam and Roddam, als good and
als faire, as euer they mine were, and thereto witnesse Mauld my wife."
By which course words, not onelie appeareth the plaine simplicitie of
mens dooings in those daies: but also a full proofe that he was then
seized of Scotland. At the last also he receiued homage of Malcolme king
of Scots: but for that he could not be restored to his whole kingdome,
he entered into religion, and there shortlie after died.
Then Athelstane, for his better assurance of that countrie there after,
thought it best to haue two stringes to the bowe of their obedience, and
therefore not onelie constituted one Malcolme to be their king, but also
appointed one Indulph sonne of Constantine the third, to be called
prince of Scotland, to whome he gaue much of Scotland: and for this
Malcolme did homage to Athelstane.
Edmund brother of Athelstane succéeded next king of England, to whome
this Indulph then king of Scots not onelie did homage, but also serued
him with ten thousand Scots, for the expulsion of the Danes out of the
realme of England.
[Sidenote: Some referre this to an Edward.]
Edred or Eldred brother to this Edmund succéeded next king of England:
he not onelie receiued the homage of Irise then king of Scots, but also
the homage of all the barons of Scotland.
Edgar the sonne of Edmund, brother of Athelstane, being now of full age,
was next king of England: he reigned onelie ouer the whole monarchie of
Britaine, and receiued homage of Keneth king of Scots for the kingdome
of Scotland, and made Malcolme prince thereof.
This Edgar gaue vnto the same Keneth the countrie of Louthian in
Scotland, which was before seized into the hands of Osbright king of
England for their rebellion, as is before declared. He inioined Keneth
their said king also once in euerie yéere at certeine principall feasts
(whereat the king did vse to weare his crowne) to repaire vnto him into
England for the making of lawes: which in those daies was doone by the
noble men or péeres according to the order of France at this daie. He
allowed also sundrie lodgings in England, to him and his successours,
whereat to lie, and refresh themselues in their iourneies, whensoeuer
they should come vp to doo their homages: and finallie a péece of ground
lieng beside the new palace of Westminster, vpon which this Keneth
builded a house, that by him and his posteritie was inioied vntill the
reigne of king Henrie the second. In whose time, vpon the rebellion of
William king of Scots, it was resumed into the king of Englands hand.
The house is decaied, but the ground where it stood is called Scotland
to this daie.
[Sidenote: Lawfull age and wardship of heires.]
Moreouer, Edgar made this law, that no man should succéed to his
patrimonie or inheritance holden by knights seruice, vntill he
accomplished the age of one and twentie yéeres: because by intendment
vnder that age, he should not be able in person to serue his king and
countrie according to the tenor of his deed, and the condition of his
purchase. This law was receiued by the same Keneth in Scotland; and as
well there as in England is obserued to this daie: which prooueth also
that Scotland was then vnder his obeisance.
In the yeere of our Lord 974, Kinald king of Scots, and Malcolme king of
Cumberland, Macon king of Man and the Iles, Duuenall king of Southwales,
Siferth and Howell kings of the rest of Wales, Jacob or James of
Gallowaie, & Jukill of Westmerland did homage to king Edgar at Chester.
And on the morrow going by water to the monasterie of saint Iohns to
seruice, and returning home againe: the said Edgar sitting in a barge,
and stirring the same vpon the water of Dée, made the said kings to row
the barge, saieng that his successors might well be ioifull to haue the
prerogatiue of so great honour, and the superioritie of so manie mightie
princes to be subiect vnto their monarchie.
Edward, the sonne of this Edgar, was next king of England, in whose time
this Keneth king of Scots caused Malcolme king of Scotland to be
poisoned. Wherevpon king Edward made warre against him, which ceased not
vntill this Keneth submitted himselfe, and offered to receiue him for
prince of Scotland, whome king Edward would appoint. Herevpon king
Edward proclamed one Malcolme to be prince of Scotland, who immediatlie
came into England, and there did homage vnto the same king Edward.
Etheldred, brother of this Edward succeeded next ouer England, against
whome Swaine king of Denmarke conspired with this last Malcolme then
king of Scots. But shortlie after, this Malcolme sorrowfullie submitted
himselfe into the defense of Etheldred: who considering how that which
could not be amended, must onelie be repented, benignlie receiued him.
By helpe of whose seruice at last Etheldred recouered his realme againe
out of the hands of Swaine, and reigned ouer the whole monarchie eight
and thirtie yéeres.
Edmund surnamed Ironside, sonne of this Etheldred, was next king of
England, in whose time Canutus a Dane inuaded the realme with much
crueltie. But at the last he married with Emme sometime wife vnto
Etheldred and mother of this Edmund. Which Emme, as arbitratrix betweene
hir naturall loue to the one, and matrimoniall dutie to the other,
procured such amitie betwéene them in the end, that Edmund was contented
to diuide the realme with Canutus: and keeping to himselfe all England
on this side Humber, gaue all the rest beyond Humber, with the
seigniorie of Scotland to this Canutus. Wherevpon Malcolme then king of
Scots (after a little accustomable resistance) did homage to the same
Canutus for the kingdome of Scotland. Thus the said Canutus held the
same ouer of this Edmund king of England by the like seruices, so long
as they liued togither. This Canutus in memorie of this victorie, and
glorie of his seigniorie ouer the Scots, commanded Malcolme their king
to build a church in Buchquhan in Scotland, (where a field betweene him
and them was fought) to be dedicated to Olauus patrone of Norwaie and
Denmarke, which church was by the same Malcolme accordinglie performed.
Edward called the Confessour, sonne of Etheldred, and brother to Edmund
Ironside, was afterward king of England: he tooke from Malcolme king of
Scots his life and his kingdome, and made Malcolme sonne to the king of
Cumberland and Northumberland king of Scots, who did him homage and
fealtie.
This Edward perused the old lawes of the realme, and somewhat added to
some of them: as to the law of Edgar for the wardship of the lands
vntill the heire should accomplish the age of one and twentie yeeres. He
added, that the marriage of such heire should also belong to the lord of
[Sidenote: To whome the marriage of the ward perteineth.]
whom the same land was holden. Also, that euerie woman marrieng a
freeman, should (notwithstanding she had no children by that husband)
enioie the third part of his inheritance during hir life: with manie
other lawes which the same Malcolme king of Scots obeied, and which as
well by them in Scotland, as by vs in England be obserued to this day,
and directlie prooueth the whole to be then vnder his obeisance.
By reason of this law, Malcolme the sonne of Duncane next inheritor to
the crowne of Scotland, being within age, was by the nobles of Scotland
deliuered as ward to the custodie also of king Edward. During whose
minoritie, one Makebeth a Scot traitorouslie vsurped the crowne of
Scotland. Against whome the said Edward made warre, in which the said
Mackbeth was ouercome and slaine. Wherevpon the said Malcolme was
crowned king of Scots at Scone, in the eight yeere of the reigne of king
Edward aforesaid. This Malcolme also by tenor of the said new law of
wardship, was married vnto Margaret the daughter of Edward sonne of
Edmund Ironside and Agatha, by the disposition of the same king Edward,
and at his full age did homage to this king Edward the Confessour for
the kingdome of Scotland.
[Sidenote: Edward the Confessour.]
Moreouer, Edward of England, hauing no issue of his bodie, and
mistrusting that Harald the son of Goodwine, descended of the daughter
of Harald Harefoot the Dane, would vsurpe the crowne, if he should leaue
it to his cousine Edgar Eatling (being then within age) and partlie by
the petition of his subiects, who before had sworne neuer to receiue
anie kings ouer them of the Danish nation, did by his substantiall will
in writing (as all our clergie writers affirme) demise the crowne of
great Britaine vnto William Bastard, then duke of Normandie, and to his
heires, constituting him his heire testamentarie. Also there was
proximitie in bloud betwéene them: for Emme daughter of Richard duke of
Normandie was wife vnto Etheldred, on whom he begat Alured and this
Edward: and this William was son of Robert sonne of Richard, brother of
the whole bloud to the same Emme. Whereby appeareth that this William
was heire by title, and not by conquest, albeit that partlie to
extinguish the mistrust of other titles, and partlie for the glorie of
his victorie, he chalenged in the end, the name of a conquerour, and
hath béene so written euer since the time of his arriuall.
[Sidenote: William Bastard.]
Furthermore, this William, called the Bastard and the Conquerour,
supposed not his conquest perfect till he had likewise subdued the
Scots. Wherfore to bring the Scots to iust obeisance after his
coronation, as heire testamentarie to Edward the Confessour; he entred
Scotland, where after a little resistance made by the inhabitants, the
said Malcolme then their king did homage to him at Abirnethie in
Scotland for the kingdome of Scotland, as to his superiour also by meane
of his late conquest.
[Sidenote: William Rufus.]
William surnamed Rufus, sonne to this William called the Conquerour,
succéeded next in the throne of England, to whome the said Malcolme king
of Scots did like homage for the whole kingdome of Scotland. But
afterward he rebelled, and was by this William Rufus slaine in plaine
field. Wherevpon the Scotishmen did choose one Donald or Dunwall to be
their king. But this William Rufus deposed him, and created Dunkane
sonne of Malcolme to be their king, who did like homage to him.
Finallie, this Dunkane was slaine by the Scots, and Dunwall restored,
who once againe by this William Rufus was deposed; and Edgar son of
Malcolme, and brother to the last Malcolme, was by him made their king,
who did like homage for Scotland to this William Rufus.
[Sidenote: Henrie I.]
Henrie called Beauclerke the sonne of William called the Conquerour,
after the death of his brother William Rufus, succéeded to the crowne of
England, to whome the same Edgar king of Scots did homage for Scotland:
this Henrie Beauclerke maried Mawd the daughter of Malcolme K. of Scots,
and by hir had issue Mawd afterward empresse.
Alexander the sonne of Malcolme brother to this Mawd was next king of
Scots, he did like homage for the kingdome of Scotland to this Henrie
the first, as Edgar had doone before him.