Mawd called the empresse, daughter and heire to Henrie Beauclerke and
Mawd his wife, receiued homage of Dauid, brother to hir and to this
Alexander next king of Scots, before all the temporall men of England
for the kingdome of Scotland. This Mawd the empresse gaue vnto Dauid in
the marriage, Mawd the daughter and heire of Voldosius earle of
Huntingdon & Northumberland. And herein their euasion appeareth, by
which they allege that their kings homages were made for the earledome
of Huntingdon. For this Dauid was the first that of their kings was
earle of Huntingdon, which was since all the homages of their kings
before recited, and at the time of this mariage, & long after the said
Alexander his brother was king of Scots, doing the homage aforesaid to
Henrie Beauclerke son to the aforesaid ladie, of whome I find this
epitaph worthie to be remembred:
Ortu magna, viro maior, sed maxima partu,
Hîc iacet Henrici filia, sponsa, parens.
In the yéere of our Lord 1136, and first yéere of the reigne of king
Stephan, the said Dauid king of Scots being required to doo his homage,
refused it: for so much as he had doone homage to Mawd the empresse
before time; notwithstanding the sonne of the said Dauid did homage to
king Stephan.
[Sidenote: Henrie 2.]
Henrie called Fitz empresse, the sonne of Mawd the empresse daughter of
Mawd, daughter of Malcolme king of Scots, was next king of England. He
receiued homage for Scotland of Malcolme sonne of Henrie, sonne of the
said Dauid their last king. Which Malcolme after this homage attended
vpon the same king Henrie in his warres against Lewis then king of
France. Whereby appeareth that their French league was neuer renewed
after the last diuision of their countrie by Osbright king of England.
But after these warres finished with the French king, this Malcolme
being againe in Scotland rebelled: wherevpon king Henrie immediatlie
seized Huntingdon and Northumberland into his owne hands by confiscation,
and made warres vpon him in Scotland: during which the same Malcolme
died without issue of his bodie.
William brother of this Malcolme was next king of Scots, he with all the
[Sidenote: Because they were taken from him before.]
nobles of Scotland (which could not be now for anie earledome) did
homage to the sonne of Henrie the second, his father. Also the earledome
of Huntingdon was (as ye haue heard) before this forfeited by Malcolme
his brother, and neuer after restored to the crowne of Scotland.
This William did afterward attend vpon the same Henrie the second, in
his warres in Normandie against the French king (notwithstanding their
French league) and then being licenced to depart home in the tenth of
this prince, and vpon the fifteenth of Februarie he returned, and vpon
the sixtéenth of October did homage to him for the realme of Scotland.
In token also of his perpetuall subjection to the crowne of England, he
offered vp his cloake, his saddle, and his speare at the high altar in
Yorke: wherevpon he was permitted to depart home into Scotland, where
immediatlie he mooued cruell warre in Northumberland against the same
king Henrie, being as yet in Normandie. But God tooke the defense of
king Henries part, and deliuered the same William king of Scots into the
hands of a few Englishmen, who brought him prisoner to king Henrie into
Normandie in the twentith yeere of his reigne. But at the last, at the
sute of Dauid his brother, Richard bishop of saint Andrews, and other
bishops and lords, he was put to this fine for the amendment of his
trespasse; to wit, to paie ten thousand pounds sterling, and to
surrender all his title to the earldome of Huntingdon, Cumberland, &
Northumberland into the hands of king Henrie, which he did in all things
accordinglie, sealing his charters thereof with the great scale of
Scotland, and signets of his nobilitie yet to be seene: wherein it was
also comprised, that he and his successours should hold the realme of
Scotland of the king of England and his successours for euer. And
herevpon he once againe did homage to the same king Henrie, which now
could not be for the earledome of Huntingdon, the right whereof was
alreadie by him surrendered. And for the better assurance of this faith
also, the strengths of Berwike, Edenborough, Roxborough, and Striueling
were deliuered into the hands of our king Henrie of England, which their
owne writers confesse. But Hector Boetius saith, that this trespasse was
amended by fine of twentie thousand pounds sterling, and that the
erledome of Huntingdon, Cumberland, and Northumberland were deliuered as
morgage into the hands of king Henrie, vntill other ten thousand pounds
sterling should be to him paid, which is so farre from truth, as Hector
was (while he liued) from well meaning to our countrie. But if we grant
that it is true, yet prooueth he not that the monie was paid, nor the
land otherwise redéemed, or euer after came to anie Scotish kings hands.
And thus it appeareth that the earledome of Huntingdon was neuer
occasion of the homages of the Scotish kings to the kings of England,
either before this time or after.
This was doone 1175. Moreouer I read this note hereof gathered out of
Robertus Montanus or Montensis that liued in those daies, and was (as I
take it) "confessor to king Henrie. The king of Scots dooth homage to
king Henrie for the kingdome of Scotland, and is sent home againe, his
bishops also did promise to doo the like to the archbishop of Yorke, and
to acknowledge themselues to be of his prouince and iurisdiction. By
vertue also of this composition the said Robert saith, that Rex Angliæ
dabat honores, episcopatus, abbatias, & alias dignitates in Scotia, vel
saltem eius consilio dabantur, that is, The king of England gaue honors,
bishopriks, abbatships, and other dignities in Scotland, or at the
leastwise they were not giuen without his aduise and counsell."
At this time Alexander bishop of Rome (supposed to haue generall
iurisdiction ecclesiasticall through christendome) established the whole
cleargie of Scotland (according to the old lawes) vnder the iurisdiction
of the archbishop of Yorke.
In the yeare of our Lord 1185, in the moneth of August, at Cairleill,
Rouland Talmant lord of Galwaie, did homage and fealtie to the said king
Henrie with all that held of him.
In the two and twentith yeare of the reigne of king Henrie the second,
Gilbert sonne of Ferguse prince of Galwaie, did homage and fealtie to
the said king Henrie, and left Dunecan his sonne in hostage for
conseruation of his peace.
Richard surnamed C[oe]ur de Lion, because of his stoutnesse, and sonne
of this Henrie was next king of England, to whome the same William king
of Scots did homage at Canturburie for the whole kingdome of Scotland.
This king Richard was taken prisoner by the duke of Ostrich, for whose
redemption the whole realme was taxed at great summes of monie vnto the
which this William king of Scots (as a subject) was contributorie, and
paied two thousand markes sterling.
In the yeare of our Lord 1199, Iohn king of England sent to William king
of Scots, to come and doo his homage, which William came to Lincolne in
the moneth of December the same yeare, and did his homage vpon an hill
in the presence of Hubert archbishop of Canturburie, and of all the
people there assembled, and therevnto tooke his oth and was sworne vpon
the crosse of the said Hubert: also he granted by his charter confirmed,
that he should haue the mariage of Alexander his sonne, as his liegeman,
alwaies to hold of the king of England: promising moreouer that he the
said king William and his sonne Alexander, should keepe and hold faith
and allegiance to Henrie sonne of the said king Iohn, as to their chiefe
lord against all maner of men that might liue and die.
Also whereas William king of Scots had put Iohn bishop of saint Andrew
out of his bishoprike, pope Clement wrote to Henrie king of England,
that he should mooue and induce the same William; and if néed required
by his roiall power and prerogatiue ouer that nation, to compell him to
leaue his rancor against the said bishop, and suffer him to haue and
occupie his said bishoprike againe.
In the yeare of our Lord 1216, and fiue & twentith of the reigne of
Henrie, sonne to king Iohn, the same Henrie and the quéene were at Yorke
at the feast of Christmasse, for the solemnization of a marriage made in
the feast of saint Stephan the martyr the same yeare, betwéene Alexander
king of Scots, and Margaret the kings daughter, and there the said
Alexander did homage to Henrie king of England for all the realme of
Scotland.
In buls of diuerse popes were admonitions giuen to the kings of Scots,
as appeareth by that of Gregorie the fift and Clement his successor,
that they should obserue and trulie kéepe all such appointments, as had
béene made betwéene the kings of England and Scotland. And that the
kings of Scotland should still hold the realme of Scotland of the kings
of England, vpon paine of cursse and interdiction.
After the death of Alexander king of Scots, Alexander his sonne, being
nine yeares of age, was by the lawes of Edgar, in ward to king Henrie
the third, & by the nobles of Scotland brought to Yorke, and there
deliuered vnto him. During whose minoritie king Henrie gouerned
Scotland, and to subdue a commotion in this realme, vsed the aid of fiue
thousand Scotishmen. But king Henrie died during the nonage of this
Alexander, whereby he receiued not his homage, which by reason and law
was respited vntill his full age of one and twentie yeares.
Edward the first after the conquest, sonne of this Henrie was next king
of England; immediatlie after whose coronation, Alexander king of Scots,
being then of full age, did homage to him for Scotland at Westminster,
swearing (as all the rest did) after this maner.
"I. D. N. king of Scots shall be true and faithfull vnto you lord E. by
the grace of God king of England, the noble and superior lord of the
kingdome of Scotland, and vnto you I make my fidelitie for the same
kingdome, the which I hold and claime to hold of you. And I shall beare
you my faith and fidelitie of life and lim, and worldlie honour against
all men, faithfullie I shall knowlege and shall doo you seruice due vnto
you of the kingdome of Scotland aforesaid, as God me so helpe and these
holie euangelies."
This Alexander king of Scots died, leauing one onelie daughter called
Margaret for his heire, who before had maried Hanigo, sonne to Magnus
king of Norwaie, which daughter also shortlie after died, leauing one
onelie daughter hir heire, of the age of two yeares, whose custodie and
mariage by the lawes of king Edgar, and Edward the confessor, belonged
to Edward the first: whervpon the nobles of Scotland were commanded by
our king Edward to send into Norwaie, to conueie this yoong queene into
England to him, whome he intended to haue maried to his sonne Edward:
and so to haue made a perfect vnion long wished for betwéene both
realmes. Herevpon their nobles at that time considering the same
tranquillitie that manie of them haue since refused, stood not vpon
shifts and delaies of minoritie nor contempt, but most gladlie
consented, and therevpon sent two noble men of Scotland into Norwaie,
for hir to be brought to this king Edward, but she died before their
comming thither, and therefore they required nothing but to inioie the
lawfull liberties that they had quietlie possessed in the last king
Alexanders time.
After the death of this Margaret, the Scots were destitute of anie heire
to the crowne from this Alexander their last king, at which time this
Edward descended from the bodie of Mawd daughter of Malcolme sometime
king of Scots, being then in the greatest broile of his warres with
France, minded not to take the possession of that kingdome in his owne
right, but was contented to establish Balioll to be king thereof, the
weake title betwéene him, Bruse, & Hastings, being by the humble
petition of all the realme of Scotland c[=o]mitted to the determination
of king Edward, wherein by autentike writing they confessed the
superioritie of the realme to remaine in king Edward, sealed with the
seales of foure bishops, seuen earles, and twelue barons of Scotland,
and which shortlie after was by the whole assent of the three estates of
Scotland, in their solemne parlement confessed and enacted accordinglie,
as most euidentlie dooth appeare.
The Balioll in this wise made king of Scotland, did immediatlie make his
homage and fealtie at Newcastell vpon saint Stéeuens daie (as did
likewise all the lords of Scotland, each one setting his hand to the
composition in writing) to king Edward of England for the kingdome of
Scotland: but shortlie after defrauding the benigne goodnesse of his
superiour, he rebelled, and did verie much hurt in England. Herevpon
king Edward inuaded Scotland, seized into his hands the greater part of
the countrie, and tooke all the strengths thereof. Whervpon Balioll king
of Scots came vnto him to Mauntrosse in Scotland with a white wand in
his hand, and there resigned the crowne of Scotland, with all his right,
title, and interest to the same, into the hands of king Edward, and
thereof made his charter in writing, dated and sealed the fourth yeare
of his reigne. All the nobles and gentlemen of Scotland also repaired to
Berwike, and did homage and fealtie to king Edward, there becomming his
subiects. For the better assurance of whose oths also, king Edward kept
all the strengths and holdes of Scotland in his owne hands; and herevpon
all their lawes, processes, all iudgements, gifts of assises and others,
passed vnder the name and authoritie of king Edward. Leland touching the
same rehearsall, writeth thereof in this maner.
"In the yeare of our Lord 1295, the same Iohn king of Scots, contrarie
to his faith and allegiance rebelled against king Edward, and came into
England, and burnt and slue without all modestie and mercie. Wherevpon
king Edward with a great host went to Newcastell vpon Tine, passed the
water of Twéed, besieged Berwike, and got it. Also he wan the castell of
Dunbar, and there were slaine at this brunt 15700 Scots. Then he
proceeded further, and gat the castell of Rokesborow, and the castell of
Edenborow, Striuelin and Gedworth, and his people harried all the land.
In the meane season, the said king Iohn of Scots, considering that he
was not of power to withstand king Edward, sent his letters and besought
him of treatie and peace, which our prince benignlie granted, and sent
to him againe that he should come to the towre of Brechin, and bring
thither the great lords of Scotland with him. The king of England sent
thither Antonie Becke bishop of Durham, with his roiall power, to
conclude the said treatise. And there it was agreed that the said Iohn
and all the Scots should vtterlie submit themselues to the kings will.
And to the end the submission should be performed accordinglie, the king
of Scots laid his sonne in hostage and pledge vnto him. There also he
made his letters sealed with the common seale of Scotland, by the which
he knowledging his simplenes and great offense doone to his lord king
Edward of England, by his full power and frée will yeelded vp all the
land of Scotland, with all the people and homage of the same. Then our
king went foorth to sée the mounteins, and vnderstanding that all was in
quiet and peace, he turned to the abbeie of Scone, which was of chanons
[Sidenote: The Scots dreame that this was the stone whereon Jacob slept
when he fled into Mesopotamia.]
regular, where he tooke the stone called the Regall of Scotland, vpon
which the kings of that nation were woont to sit, at the time of their
coronations for a throne, & sent it to the abbeie of Westminster,
commanding to make a chaire therof for the priests that should sing masse
at the high altar: which chaire was made, and standeth yet there at this
daie to be séene."
In the yeare of our Lord 1296, the king held his parlement at Berwike:
and there he tooke homage singularlie of diuerse of the lords & nobles
of Scotland. And for a perpetuall memorie of the same, they made their
letters patents sealed with their seales, and then the king of England
made William Warreine earle of Surrie and Southsax lord Warden of
Scotland, Hugh of Cressingham treasurer, and William Ormesbie iustice of
Scotland, and foorthwith sent king Iohn to the Tower of London, and Iohn
Comin, and the earle Badenauth, the earle of Bohan and other lords into
England to diuerse places on this side of the Trent.
And after that, in the yeare of our Lord 1297, at the feast of
Christmas, the king called before him the said Iohn king of Scots,
although he had committed him to ward: and said that he would burne or
destroie their castels, townes, and lands, if he were not recompensed
for his costs and damages susteined in the warres; but king Iohn and the
other that were in ward, answered that they had nothing, sith their
liues, their deaths, and goods were in his hands. The king vpon that
answer mooued with pitie, granted them their liues; so that they would
doo their homage, and make their oth solenmelie at the high altar (in
the church of the abbeie of Westminster) vpon the eucharist, that they
and euerie of them should hold and keepe true faith, obedience, and
allegiance to the said king Edward and his heires kings of England for
euer. And where the said king of Scots saw the kings banner of England
displaied, he and all his power should draw therevnto. And that neither
he or anie of his from thencefoorth should beare armes against the king
of England or anie of his bloud. Finallie, the king rewarding with great
gifts the said king Iohn and his lords, suffered them to depart. But
they went into Scotland alwaie imagining (notwithstanding this their
submission) how they might oppresse king Edward, and disturbe his
realme. The Scots sent also to the king of France for succour and helpe,
who sent them ships to Berwike furnished with men of armes, the king of
England then being in Flanders.
In the yeare of our Lord 1298, the king went into Scotland with a great
host, and the Scots also assembled in great number, but the king fought
with them at Fawkirke on S. Marie Magdalens daie, where were slaine
thréescore thousand Scots, & William Walleis that was their capteine
fled, who being taken afterward, was hanged, drawen, & quartered at
London, for his trespasses.
After this the Scots rebelled againe, and all the lords of Scotland
[Sidenote: This was doone upon the nine & twentith of Ianuarie, 1306.]
chose Robert Bruse to be king, except onelie Iohn Commin earle of
Carrike, who would not consent thereto bicause of his oth made to the
king of England. Wherefore Robert Bruse slue him at Dumfrise, and then
was crowned at Schone abbeie. Herevpon the king of England assembled a
great hoast, and rode through all Scotland, discomfited Robert Bruse,
slue eight thousand Scots, & tooke the most part of all the lords of
Scotland, putting the temporall lords to deth bicause they were
forsworne.
Edward borne at Carnaruan sonne of this Edward, was next king of
England, who from the beginning of his reigne enioied Scotland
peaceablie, dooing in all things as is aboue said of king Edward his
father, vntill toward the later end of his reigne, about which time this
Robert Bruse conspired against him, and with the helpe of a few
forsworne Scots, forswore himselfe king of Scots. Herevpon this Edward
with Thomas earle of Lancaster and manie other lords made warre vpon
him, about the feast of Marie Magdalene, the said Bruse and his
partakers being alreadie accurssed by the pope for breaking the truce
that he had established betwixt them. But being infortunate in his first
warres against him, he suffered Edward the sonne of Balioll to proclame
himselfe king of Scots; and neuerthelesse held foorth his warres against
Bruse, before the ending of which he died, as I read.
Edward borne at Windsore sonne of Edward the second was next king of
England, at the age of fifteene yeares, in whose minoritie the Scots
practised with Isabell mother to this Edward, and with Roger Mortimer
earle of the March to haue their homages released: whose good will
therein they obteined, so that for the same release they should paie to
this king Edward thirtie thousand pounds starling, in three yeares next
following, that is to saie, ten thousand pounds starling yeerelie. But
bicause the nobilitie and commons of this realme would not by parlement
consent vnto it, their king being within age, the same release procéeded
not, albeit the Scots ceased not their practises with this quéene and
earle. But before those thrée yeares, in which their monie (if the
bargaine had taken place) should haue béene paied, were expired, our
king Edward inuaded Scotland, and ceassed not the warre, vntill Dauid
the sonne of Robert le Bruse (then by their election king of Scotland)
absolutelie submitted himselfe vnto him. But for that the said Dauid
Bruse had before by practise of the quéene and the earle of March,
married Iane the sister of this king Edward: he mooued by naturall zeale
to his sister, was contented to giue the realme of Scotland to this
Dauid Bruse, and to the heires that should be begotten of the bodie of
the said Iane (sauing the reuersion and meane homages to this king
Edward and to his owne children) wherewith the same Dauid Bruse was
right well contented, and therevpon immediatlie made his homage for all
the realme of Scotland to him.
Howbeit, shortlie after causelesse conceiuing cause of displeasure, this
Dauid procured to dissolue this same estate tailée, and therevpon not
onelie rebelled in Scotland, but also inuaded England, whilest king
Edward was occupied about his wars in France. But this Dauid was not
onelie expelled England in the end, but also thinking no place a
sufficient defense to his vntruth, of his owne accord fled out of
Scotland: whereby the countries of Annandale, Gallowaie, Mars, Teuidale,
Twedale, and Ethrike were seized into the king of Englands hands, and
new marches set betwéene England and Scotland at Cockburnes path &
Sowtrie hedge. Which when this Dauid went about to recouer againe, his
power was discomfited, and himselfe by a few Englishmen taken & brought
into England, where he remained prisoner eleuen yeares after his said
apprehension.
During this time, king Edward enioied Scotland peaceablie, and then at
the contemplation and wearie suit of his sorowfull sister, wife of this
Dauid, he was contented once againe to restore him to the kingdome of
Scotland. Wherevpon it was concluded, that for this rebellion Dauid
should paie to king Edward, the summe of one hundred thousand markes
starling, and thereto destroie all his holdes and fortresses standing
against the English borders, and further assure the crowne of Scotland
to the children of this king Edward for lacke of heire of his owne
bodie, all which things he did accordinglie. And for the better
assurance of his obeisance also, he afterward deliuered into the hands
of king Edward sundrie noble men of Scotland in this behalfe as his
pledges. This is the effect of the historie of Dauid, touching his
delings. Now let vs sée what was doone by Edward Balioll, wherof our
chronicles doo report, that in the yéere of our Lord 1326, Edward the
third, king of England, was crowned at Westminster, and in the fift
yeare of his reigne Edward Balioll right heire to the kingdome of
Scotland came in, and claimed it as due to him. Sundrie lords and
gentlemen also, which had title to diuerse lands there, either by
themselues, or by their wiues, did the like. Wherevpon the said Balioll
and they went into Scotland by sea, and landing at Kinghorne with 3000
Englishmen, discomfited 10000 Scots, and slue 1200, and then went foorth
to Dunfermeline, where the Scots assembled against them with 40000 men,
and in the feast of saint Laurence, at a place called Gastmore (or
otherwise Gladmore) were slaine fiue earls, thirtéene barons, a hundred
and thrée score knights, two thousand men of armes, and manie other; in
all fortie thousand: and there were slaine on the English part but
thirtéene persons onelie, if the number be not corrupted.
In the eight yeare of the reigne of king Edward, he assembled a great
hoast, and came to Berwike vpon Twéed, and laid siege therto. To him
also came Edward Balioll king of Scots, with a great power to strengthen
& aid him against the Scots, who came out of Scotland in foure batels
well armed & araied.