[Sidenote: The Scots alwaies desirous to shake off the English
subiection, have often made cruell & odious attempts so to doo,
but in vaine.]
It is possible that some of the Scotish nation, reading the former
chapter, will take offence with me for meaning that the principalitie
of the north parts of this Ile hath alwais belonged to the kings of
Lhoegres. For whose more ample satisfaction in this behalfe, I will
here set downe a discourse thereof at large, written by diuerse, and
now finallie brought into one treatise, sufficient (as I thinke) to
satisfie the reasonable, although not halfe enough peraduenture to
content a wrangling mind, sith there is (or at the leastwise hath
beene) nothing more odious among some, than to heare that the king of
England hath ought to doo in Scotland.
How their historiographers haue attempted to shape manie coloured
excuses to auoid so manifest a title, all men may see that read their
bookes indifferentlie, wherevnto I referre them. For my part there is
little or nothing of mine herein, more than onelie the collection and
abridgement of a number of fragments togither, wherein chéeflie I haue
vsed the helpe of Nicholas Adams a lawier, who wrote thereof (of set
purpose) to king Edward the sixt, as Leland did the like to king
Henrie the eight, Iohn Harding vnto Edward the fourth; beside thrée
other, whereof the first dedicated his treatise to Henrie the fourth,
the second to Edward the third, and the third to Edward the first, as
their writings yet extant doo abundantlie beare witnesse. The title
also that Leland giueth his booke, which I haue had written with his
owne hand, beginneth in this maner: "These remembrances following are
found in chronicles authorised, remaining in diuerse monasteries both
in England and Scotland, by which it is euidentlie knowne and shewed,
that the kings of England haue had, and now ought to haue the
souereigntie ouer all Scotland, with the homage and fealtie of the
kings there reigning from time to time, &c." Herevnto you haue heard
alreadie, what diuision Brute made of this Iland not long before his
death, wherof ech of his children, so soone as he was interred, tooke
seisure and possession. Howbeit, after two yeares it happened that
Albanact was slaine, wherevpon Locrinus and Camber raising their
powers, reuenged his death: and finallie the said Locrinus made an
entrance vpon Albania, seized it into his owne hands (as excheated
wholie vnto himselfe) without yéelding anie part thereof vnto his
brother Camber, who made no claime nor title vnto anie portion of the
same. Hereby then (saith Adams) it euidentlie appeareth, that the
entire seigniorie ouer Albania consisted in Locrinus, according to
which example like law among brethren euer since hath continued, in
preferring the eldest brother to the onelie benefit of the collaterall
ascension from the yongest, as well in Scotland as in England vnto
this daie.
Ebranke the lineall heire from the bodie of this Locrine, that is to
saie, the sonne of Mempris, sonne of Madan, sonne of the same Locrine
builded in Albania the castell of Maidens, now called Edenborough (so
called of Aidan somtime king of Scotland, but at the first named Cair
Minid Agnes. 1. the castell on mount Agnes, and the castell of
virgins) and the castell of Alcluith or Alclude, now called Dunbriton,
as the Scotish Hector Boetius confesseth: whereby it most euidentlie
appeareth, that our Ebranke was then thereof seized. This Ebranke
reigned in the said state ouer them a long time; after whose death
Albania (as annexed to the empire of Britaine) descended to the onelie
king of Britons, vntill the time of the two sisters sonnes, Morgan and
Conedage, lineall heires from the said Ebranke, who brotherlie at the
first diuided the realme betwéen them; so that Morgan had Lhoegres,
and Conedage had Albania. But shortlie after Morgan the elder brother,
pondering in his head the loue of his brother with the affection to a
kingdome, excluded nature, and gaue place to ambition, and therevpon
denouncing warre, death miserablie ended his life (as the reward of
his vntruth) whereby Conedage obteined the whole empire of all
Britaine: in which state he remained during his naturall life.
From him the same lineallie descended to the onelie king of Britons,
vntill (and after) the reigne of Gorbodian, who had issue two sonnes,
Ferrex, and Porrex. This Porrex, requiring like diuision of the land,
affirming the former partitions to be rather of law than fauor, was by
the hands of his elder brother (best loued of queene mother) both of
his life and hoped kingdome béereaued at once. Wherevpon their
vnnaturall mother, vsing hir naturall malice for the death of hir one
sonne (without regard of the loosing of both) miserablie slue the
other in his bed mistrusting no such treason.
Cloten, by all writers, as well Scotish as other, was the next
inheritour to the whole empire: but lacking power (the onelie meane in
those daies to obteine right) he was contented to diuide the same
among foure of his kinsmen; so that Scater had Albania. But after the
death of this Cloten, his sonne Dunwallo Mulmutius made warre vpon
these foure kings, and at last ouercame them, and so recouered the
whole dominion. In token of which victorie, he caused himselfe to be
crowned with a crowne of gold, the verie first of that mettall (if
anie at all were before in vse) that was worne among the kings of this
nation. This Dunwallo erected temples, wherein the people should
assemble for praier; to which temples he gaue benefit of sanctuarie.
He made the law for wager of battell, in cases of murder and felonie,
whereby a théefe that liued and made his art of fighting, should for
his purgation fight with the true man whom he had robbed, beléeuing
assuredlie, that the gods (for then they supposed manie) would by
miracle assigne victorie to none but the innocent partie. Certes the
priuileges of this law, and benefit of the latter, as well in Scotland
as in England, be inioied to this daie, few causes by late positiue
laws among vs excepted, wherin the benefit of wager of battell is
restreined. By which obedience to his lawes, it dooth manifestlie
appéere, that this Dunwallo was then seized of Albania, now called
Scotland. This Dunwallo reigned in this estate ouer them manie yeares.
Beline and Brenne the sonnes also of Dunwallo, did after their fathers
death fauourablie diuide the land betweene them; so that Beline had
Lhoegres, & Brenne had Albania: but for that this Brenne (a subiect)
without the consent of his elder brother and lord, aduentured to
marrie with the daughter of the king of Denmarke; Beline seized
Albania into his owne hands, and thervpon caused the notable waies
priuileged by Dunwallons lawes to be newlie wrought by mens hands,
which for the length extended from the further part of Cornewall, vnto
the sea by north Cathnesse in Scotland. In like sort to and for the
better maintenance of religion in those daies, he constituted
ministers called archflamines, in sundrie places of this Iland (who in
their seuerall functions resembled the bishops of our times) the one
of which remained at Ebranke now called Yorke, and the whole region
Caerbrantonica (whereof Ptolomie also speaketh but not without
wresting of the name) whose power extended to the vttermost bounds of
Albania, wherby likewise appeareth that it was then within his owne
dominion. After his death the whole Ile was inioied by the onelie
kings of Britaine, vntill the time of Vigenius & Peridurus lineall
heires from the said Beline, who fauourablie made partition, so that
Vigenius had all the land from Humber by south, and Peridurus from
thence northwards all Albania, &c. This Vigenius died, and Peridurus
suruiued, and thereby obteined the whole, from whom the same quietlie
descended, and was by his posteritie accordinglie inioied, vntill the
reigne of Coell the first of that name. In his time an obscure nation
(by most writers supposed Scithians) passed by seas from Ireland, and
arriued in that part of Britaine called Albania: against whome this
Coell assembled his power, and being entred Albania to expell them,
one Fergus in the night disguised, entered the tent of this Coell, and
in his bed traitorouslie slue him.
This Fergus was therfore, in reward of his great prowesse, made there
king, whervpon they sat downe in that part, with their wiues and
children, and called it Scotland, and themselues Scots: from the
beginning of the world, foure thousand six hundred and seauentéene
yeares after the Scotish accompt, which by iust computation and
confession of all their owne writers, is six hundred yeares lacking
ten, after that Brutus had reigned ouer the whole Iland, the same land
being inioied by him and his posteritie before their comming, during
two and fiftie descents of the kings of Britaine, which is a large
prescription. Certes this intrusion into a land so manie hundred
yeares before inhabited, and by so manie descents of kings quietlie
inioied, is the best title that all their owne writers can alledge for
them. But to proceed. Fergus herevpon immediatlie did diuide Albania
also among his capteins and their souldiers: whereby it most
euidentlie appeareth, that there were no people of that nation
inhabiting there before, in proofe whereof the same partition shall
follow.
The lands of Cathnes lieng against Orkneie, betwéene Dummesbeie and
[Sidenote: Out of Hector Boecius lib. 1.]
the water of Thane, was giuen vnto one Cornath, a capteine and his
people. The lands betwéene the water of Thane & Nes, now called Rosse,
being in bredth from Cromart to the mouth of the water of Locht, were
giuen to Lutorke, another capteine and his people. The lands betweene
Spaie and Nes, from the Almane seas to the Ireland seas, now called
Murraie land, were giuen to one Warroch and his people. The land of
Thalia, now called Boin Ainze, Bogewall, Gariot, Formartine, and
Bowguhan, were giuen to one Thalis and his people. The lands of Mar
Badezenoch, and Lochquhaber, were giuen to Martach and his people. The
lands of Lorne and Kintier, with the hilles and mounteins thereof,
lieng from Mar to the Ireland seas, were giuen to capteine Nanance and
his people. The lands of Athole were giuen to Atholus, another
capteine and his people. The lands of Strabraun, & Brawdawane lieng
west from Dunkell, were giuen to Creones & Epidithes two capteins. The
lands of Argile, were giuen to Argathelus a capteine. The lands of
Linnox & Clidisdale were allotted to Lolgona a capteine. The lands of
Siluria now called Kile, Carrike & Cuningham, were giuen to Silurth
another capteine. The lands of Brigance now called Gallowaie, were
giuen to the companie called Brigandes, which (as their best men) were
appointed to dwell next the Britons, who afterward expelled the
Britons from Annandale in Albania, whereby it is confessed to be
before inhabited by Britons. The residue of the land now called
Scotland, that is to saie: Meirnis, Angus, Steremond, Gowrie,
Strahern, Pirth, Fiffe, Striueling, Callender, Calderwood, Lougthian,
Mers, Teuedale, with other the Rement Dales, & the Sherifdome, of
Berwicke, were then enioied by a nation mingled in marriage with the
[Sidenote: Berouicum potiùs à Berubio promontorio.]
Britons, and in their obedience, whose capteine called Beringer
builded the castell and towne of Berwicke vpon Twede, & these people
were called Picts, vpon whome by the death of this Coell, these Scots
had opportunitie to vse wars, whereof they ceased not, vntill such
time as it pleased God to appoint another Coell king of Britons,
against whose name, albeit they hoped for a like victorie to the
first, yet he preuailed and ceased not his warre, vntill these Scots
were vtterlie expelled out of all the bounds of Britaine, in which
they neuer dared to reenter, vntill the troublesome reigne of Sisilt
king of Britons, which was the twelft king after this Coell. During
all which time the countrie was reinhabited by the Britons. But then
the Scots turning the ciuill discord of this realme, betweene this
Sisilt and his brother Blede to their best aduantage, arriued againe
in Albania, & there made one Reuther their king.
Vpon this their new arriuall, new warre was made vpon them by this
Sisilt king of Britons, in which warre Reuther their new king died,
and Thereus succéeded, against whome the warre of Britons ceased not,
vntill he freelie submitted himselfe to the said Sicill king of
Britons at Ebranke, that is Yorke, where shortlie after the tenth
yeare of his reigne he died. Finnane brother of Josine succeeded by
their election to the kingdome of Scots, who shortlie after (compelled
by the warres of the same Sicill) declared himselfe subiect, and for
the better assurance of his faith and obeisance to the king of
Britons, deliuered his sonne Durstus into the hands of this Sicill:
who fantasieng the child, and hoping by his owne succession to alter
their subtiltie (I will not saie duplicitie saith Adams) married him
in the end to Agasia his owne daughter.
[Sidenote: Durstus.]
This Durstus was their next king; but for that he had married a Briton
woman, (though indeed she was a kings daughter) the Scots hated him
for the same cause, for which they ought rather to haue liked him the
better, and therefore not onelie traitorouslie slue him; but further
to declare the end of their malice, disinherited (as much as in them
was) the issues of the same Durstus and Agasia. Herevpon new warre
sproong betwéene them and vs, which ceased not vntill they were
contented to receiue Edeir to their king, the next in bloud then
liuing, descended from Durstus and Agasia, and thereby the bloud of
the Britons, of the part of the mother, was restored to the crowne of
Albania: so that nature, whose law is immutable, caused this bond of
loue to hold. For shortlie after this Edeir attended vpon Cassibelane
king of Britons, for the repulse of Iulius Cæsar, as their owne author
Boetius confesseth, who commanded the same as his subiect. But Iulius
Cæsar, after his second arriuall, by treason of Androgeus preuailed
against the Britons, and therevpon pursued this Edeir into Scotland;
and (as himselfe saith in his commentaries) subdued all the Ile of
Britaine. Which though the liuing Scots denie it, their dead writers
confesse that he came beyond Calender wood, and cast downe Camelon,
the principall citie of the Picts. And in token of this victorie, not
farre from Carron, builded a round temple of stone, which remained in
some perfection vntill the reigne of our king Edward called the first
after the conquest, by whome it was subuerted: but the monument
thereof remaineth to this daie.
[Sidenote: Marius.]
Marius the sonne of Aruiragus, being king of all Britaine, in his time
one Roderike a Scithian, with a great rabble of néedie souldiours,
came to the water of Frith in Scotland, which is an arme of the sea,
diuiding Pentland from Fiffe: against whome this Marius assembled a
power, by which he slue this Rodericke, and discomfited his people in
Westmerland: but to those that remained aliue, he gaue the countrie of
Cathnesse in Scotland, which prooueth it to be within his owne
dominion.
[Sidenote: Coelus.]
Coell the sonne of this Marius had issue Lucius, counted the first
Christian king of this nation: he conuerted the three archflamines of
this land into bishopriks, and ordeined bishops vnto ech of them. The
first remained at London, and his power extended from the furthest
part of Cornewall to Humber water. The second dwelled at Yorke, and
his power stretched from Humber to the furthest part of all Scotland.
The third aboded at Caerleon vpon the riuer of Wiske in Glamorgan in
Wales, & his power extended from Seuerne through all Wales. Some write
that he made but two, and turned their names to archbishops, the one
to remaine at Canturburie, the other at Yorke: yet they confesse that
he of Yorke had iurisdiction through all Scotland: either of which is
sufficient to prooue Scotland to be then vnder his dominion.
[Sidenote: Seuerus.]
Seuerus, by birth a Romane, but in bloud a Briton (as some thinke) and
the lineall heire of the bodie of Androgeus sonne of Lud, & nephue of
Cassibelane, was shortlie after emperour & king of Britons, in whose
time the people to whom his ancestor Marius gaue the land of Cathnesse
in Scotland, conspired with the Scots, & receiued them from the Iles
into Scotland. But herevpon this Seuerus came into Scotland, and
méeting with their faith and false harts togither, droue them all out
of the maine land into Iles, the vttermost bounds of all great
Britaine. But notwithstanding this glorious victorie, the Britons
considering their seruitude to the Romans, imposed by treason of
Androgeus, ancestor to this Seuerus, began to hate him, whome yet they
had no time to loue, and who in their defense and suertie had slaine
of the Scots and their confederats in one battell thirtie thousand:
but such was the consideration of the common sort in those daies,
whose malice no time could diminish, nor iust desert appease.
[Sidenote: Bassianus.]
Antoninus Bassianus borne of a Briton woman, and Geta borne by a
Romane woman, were the sonnes of this Seuerus, who after the death of
their father, by the contrarie voices of their people, contended for
the crowne. Few Britons held with Bassianus, fewer Romans with Geta:
but the greater number with neither of both. In the end Geta was
slaine, and Bassianus remained emperour, against whom Carautius
rebelled, who gaue vnto the Scots, Picts, and Scithians, the countrie
of Cathnesse in Scotland, which they afterward inhabited, whereby his
seison thereof appeareth.
[Sidenote: Coill.]
Coill, descended of the bloud of the ancient kings of this land, was
shortlie after king of the Britons, whose onelie daughter and heire
called Helen, was married vnto Constantius a Romane, who daunted the
rebellion of all parts of great Britaine; and after the death of this
Coill was in the right of his wife king thereof, and reigned in his
state ouer them thirtéene or fourtéene yeares.
[Sidenote: Constantine.]
Constantine the sonne of this Constance, and Helen, was next king of
Britons, by the right of his mother, who passing to Rome to receiue
the empire thereof, deputed one Octauius king of Wales, and duke of
the Gewisses (which some expound to be afterward called west Saxons)
to haue the gouernment of this dominion. But abusing the kings
innocent goodnesse, this Octauius defrauded this trust, and tooke vpon
him the crowne. For which traitorie albeit he was once vanquished by
Leonine Traheron, great vncle to Constantine: yet after the death of
this Traheron, he preuailed againe, and vsurped ouer all Britaine.
Constantine being now emperor sent Maximius his kinsman hither (in
processe of time) to destroie the same Octauius, who in singular
battell discomfited him. Wherevpon this Maximius, as well by the
consent of great Constantine, as by the election of all the Britons,
for that he was a Briton in bloud, was made king or rather vicegerent
of Britaine. This Maximius made warre vpon the Scots and Scithians
within Britaine, and ceassed not vntill he had slaine Eugenius their
king, and expelled and driuen them out of the whole limits and bounds
of Britaine. Finallie he inhabited all Scotland with Britons, no man,
woman, nor child of the Scotish nation suffered to remaine within it,
which (as their Hector Boetius saith) was for their rebellion; and
rebellion properlie could it not be, except they had béene subiects.
He suffered the Picts also to remaine his subiects, who made solemne
othes to him, neuer after to erect anie peculiar king of their owne
nation, but to remaine vnder the old empire of the onelie king of
Britaine. I had once an epistle by Leland exemplified (as he saith)
out of a verie ancient record which beareth title of Helena vnto hir
sonne Constantine, and entreth after this manner; "Domino semper
Augusto filio Constantino, mater Helena semper Augusta, &c." And now
it repenteth me that I did not exemplifie and conueigh it into this
treatise whilest I had his books. For thereby I might haue had great
light for the estate of this present discourse: but as then I had no
mind to haue trauelled in this matter; neuerthelesse, if hereafter it
come againe to light I would wish it were reserued. It followeth on
also in this maner (as it is translated out of the Gréeke) "Veritatem
sapientis animus non recusat, nec fides recta aliquando patitur
quamcunque iacturam, &c."
About fiue and fourtie yeares after this (which was long time after
the death of this Maximius) with the helpe of Gouan or Gonan and
Melga, the Scots newlie arriued in Albania, and there created one
Fergus the second of that name to be there king. But bicause they were
before banished the continent land, they crowned him king on their
aduenture in Argile, in the fatall chaire of marble, the yéere of our
Lord, foure hundred and two and twentie, as they themselues doo write.
[Sidenote: Maximian.]
Maximian sonne of Leonine Traheron, brother to king Coill, and vncle
to Helene, was by lineall succession next king of Britons: but to
appease the malice of Dionothus king of Wales, who also claimed the
kingdome, he married Othilia eldest daughter of Dionothus, and
afterwards assembled a great power of Britons, and entered Albania,
inuading Gallowaie, Mers, Annandale, Pentland, Carrike, Kill, and
Cuningham, and in battell slue both this Fergus then king of Scots,
and Durstus the king of Picts, and exiled all their people out of the
continent land: wherevpon the few number of Scots then remaining a
liue, went to Argile, and there made Eugenius their king. When this
Maximian had thus obteined quietnesse in Britaine, he departed with
his cousine Conan Meridocke into Armorica, where they subdued the
king, and depopulated the countrie, which he gaue to Conan his
cousine, to be afterward inhabited by Britons, by the name of Britaine
the lesse: and hereof this realme tooke name of Britaine the great,
which name by consent of forren writers it keepeth vnto this daie.
After the death of Maximian, dissention being mooued betweene the
nobles of Britaine, the Scots swarmed togither againe, and came to the
wall of Adrian, where (this realme being diuided in manie factions)
they ouercame one. And herevpon their Hector Boetius (as an hen that
for laieng of one eg, will make a great cakeling) solemnlie triumphing
for a conquest before the victorie, alledgeth that hereby the Britons
were made tributaries to the Scots, and yet he confesseth that they
won no more land, by that supposed conquest, but the same portion
betwéene them and Humber, which in the old partitions before was
annexed to Albania. It is hard to be beléeued, that such a broken
nation as the Scots at that time were, returning from banishment
within foure yeares before, and since in battell loosing both their
kings, and the great number of their best men, to be thus able to make
a conquest of great Britaine; and verie vnlikelie if they had
conquered it, they would haue left the hot sunne of the south parts,
to dwell in the cold snow in Scotland. Incredible it is, that if they
had conquered it, they would not haue deputed officers in it, as in
cases of conquest behooueth. And it is beyond all beliefe, that great
Britaine, or any other countrie, should be woon without the comming of
anie enimie into it: as they did not, but taried finallie at the same
wall of Adrian, whereof I spake before.
But what need I speake of these defenses, when the same Boecius
scantlie trusteth his owne beliefe in this tale. For he saieth that
Galfride, and sundrie other authentike writers, diuerslie varie from
this part of his storie, wherein his owne thought accuseth his
conscience of vntruth: herein also he further forgetting how it
behooueth a lier to be mindfull of his assertion, in the fourth
chapter next following, wholie bewraieth himselfe, saieng that the
confederat kings of Scots and Picts, vpon ciuill warres betwéene the
Britons (which then followed) hoped shortlie to inioie all the land of
great Britaine, from beyond Humber vnto the fresh sea, which hope had
bene vaine, and not lesse than void, if it had béene their owne by
anie conquest before.
Constantine of Britaine, descended from Conan king thereof, cousine of
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
[Sidenote: Some thinke the Seimors to come from this man by lineall
descent and I suppose no lesse.]
recompensed togither, for 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
[Sidenote: To whome the marriage of the ward perteineth.]
lord of 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.
[Sidenote: Mawd.]
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
[Sidenote: Because they were taken from him before.]
the 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
[Sidenote: The Scots dreame that this was the stone whereon Jacob
slept when he fled into Mesopotamia.]
chanons 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.
Edward king of England, and Edward king of Scots, apparrelled their
people either of them in foure battels: and vpon Halidon hill, beside
Berwike, met these two hoasts, and there were discomfited of the Scots
fiue and twentie thousand and seauen hundred, whereof were slaine
eight earles, a thousand and thrée hundred knights and gentlemen. This
victorie doone, the king returned to Berwike, & then the towne with
the castell were yéelded vp vnto him. In the eight yeare of the reigne
of king Edward of England, Edward Balioll king of Scots came to
Newcastell vpon Tine, and did homage for all the realme of Scotland.
In the yeare of our Lord 1346, Dauid Bruse by the prouocation of the
king of France rebelled, and came into England with a great hoast vnto
Neuils crosse: but the archbishop of Yorke, with diuerse temporall
men, fought with him; and the said king of Scots was taken, and
William earle of Duglas with Morrise earle of Strathorne were brought
to London, and manie other lords slaine, which with Dauid did homage
to Edward king of England.
And in the thirtith yeare of the kings reigne, and the yeare of our
Lord 1355, the Scots woone the towne of Berwicke, but not the castell.
Herevpon the king came thither with a great hoast, and anon the towne
was yéelded vp without anie resistance.
Edward Balioll, considering that God did so manie maruellous and
gratious things for king Edward, at his owne will gaue vp the crowne
and the realme of Scotland to king Edward of England at Rokesborough,
by his letters patents. And anon after the king of England, in
presence of all his lords spirituall and temporall, let crowne
himselfe king there of the realme of Scotland, & ordeined all things
to his intent, and so came ouer into England.
Richard the sonne of Edward, called the Blacke prince, sonne of this
king Edward, was next king of England, who for that the said Iane, the
wife of the said king Dauid of Scotland was deceassed without issue,
and being informed how the Scots deuised to their vttermost power to
breake the limitation of this inheritance touching the crowne of
Scotland, made foorthwith war against them, wherein he burnt
Edenbrough, spoiled all their countrie, tooke all their holds, & held
continuallie war against them vntill his death, which was Anno Dom.
1389.
Henrie the fourth of that name was next king of England, he continued
these warres begun against them by king Richard, and ceassed not
vntill Robert king of Scots (the third of that name) resigned his
crowne by appointment of this king Henrie, and deliuered his sonne
Iames, being then of the age of nine yeares, into his hands to remaine
at his custodie, wardship and disposition, as of his superiour lord,
according to the old lawes of king Edward the confessor. All this was
doone Anno Dom. 1404, which was within fiue yeares after the death of
king Richard. This Henrie the fourth reigned in this estate ouer them
fouretéene yeares.
Henrie the fift of that name, sonne to this king Henrie the fourth,
was next king of England. He made warres against the French king, in
all which this Iames then king of Scots attended vpon him, as vpon his
superiour lord, with a conuenient number of Scots, notwithstanding
their league with France. But this Henrie reigned but nine yeares,
whereby the homage of this Iames their king (hauing not fullie
accomplished the age of one & twentie yeares) was by reason and law
respited. Finallie the said Iames with diuerse other lords attended
vpon the corps of the said Henrie vnto Westminster, as to his dutie
apperteined.
Henrie the sixt, the sonne of this Henrie the fift, was next king of
England, to whome the seigniorie of Scotland & custodie of this Iames
by right, law, and reason descended, married the same Iames king of
Scots to Iane daughter of Iohn earle of Summerset, at saint Marie ouer
Ise in Southwarke, and tooke for the value of this mariage, the summe
of one hundred thousand markes starling.
This Iames king of Scots at his full age, did homage to the same king
Henrie the sixt, for the kingdome of Scotland at Windsore, in the
moneth of Ianuarie.
Since which time, vntill the daies of king Henrie the seuenth,
grandfather to our souereigne ladie that now is, albeit this realme
hath béene molested with diuersitie of titles, in which vnmeet time
neither law nor reason admit prescription to the prejudice of anie
right: yet did king Edward the fourth next king of England, by
preparation of war against the Scots in the latter end of his reigne,
sufficientlie by all lawes induce to the continuance of his claime to
the same superioritie ouer them.
After whose death, vnto the beginning of the reigne of our souereigne
lord king Henrie the eight, excéeded not the number of seauen and
twentie yeares, about which time the impediment of our claime of the
Scots part, chanced by the nonage of Iames their last king which so
continued the space of one and twentie yeares. And like as his
minoritie was by all law and reason an impediment to himselfe to make
homage; so was the same by like reason an impediment to the king of
this realme to demand anie, so that the whole time of intermission of
our claime in the time of the said king Henrie the eight, is deduced
vnto the number of thirteene yeares. And thus much for this matter.
OF THE WALL SOMETIME BUILDED FOR A PARTITION BETWEENE ENGLAND AND THE
PICTS AND SCOTS.