The Earl of Eglintoun, ‘a young nobleman of a fair and large stature’
(_Moy._), was murdered by Cunningham of Robertland.
Montgomery and Cunningham were the Montague and Capulet of Ayrshire
in the sixteenth century. The feud had sprung up nearly a hundred
years before the above date, in consequence of the Earl of Glencairn
disputing the title of the Earl of Eglintoun to the bailiery of the
district of Cunningham. There had been attempts at a stanching of
the feud, and even a marriage had been proposed by way of fixing the
parties in amity; but at a time when peace had nearly been effected,
enmity was renewed in consequence of a Montgomery killing a Cunningham
in self-defence.
[Sidenote: 1586.]
‘The Cunninghams, being grieved hereat, made presently a vow that they
should be avenged upon the fattest of the Montgomeries (for these
were their words) for that fact. This vow was sae acceptable to them
all, that a band was concludit, subscrivit with the chiefest of their
hands, to slay the young Earl [of Eglintoun] by whatsoever mean could
be devisit, and that whasoever wald take the turn in hand, and perform
it, he sould not only be sustenit upon the common expenses of the rest,
but sould also be maintenit and defendit by them all from danger and
skaith. At last ane Cunningham of Robertland took the enterprise in
hand, whilk he accomplished in this manner:
‘Twa year before his treasonable attempt, he insinuate himself in
familiarity and all dutiful service to the said young earl, whereby he
movit him to take pleasure without ony suspicion, till he conqueist
[acquired] sic favour at his hand, that neither the gold, money,
horses, armour, clothes, counsel, or voyage was hid from him, that this
same Robertland was made sae participant of them all, even as though
they had been his awn; and besides all this, the confidence and favour
that the earl shew unto him was sae great, that he preferrit him to
be his awn bedfellow. Hereat Lord Hugo, auld Earl of Eglintoun, took
great suspicion, and therefore admonist his son in a fatherly manner
to beware of sic society, whilk, without all doubt, wald turn to his
skaith; for he knew weel the nature of these Cunninghams to be subtle
and false, and therefore willit him to give them nae traist, but to
avoid their company altogether, even as he lovit his awn life or wald
deserve his fatherly blessing. To this counsel the son gave little
regard; but that was to his pains; and the domestic enemy was sae
crafty indeed, that he wald attempt naething during the life of the
father for many respects. But within short time thereafter [the father
died June 1585], as the noble earl was passing a short way in pastime,
accompanied with a very few of his household servants, and evil horsit
himself, Robertland, accompanied with sixty armed men, came running
furiously against him on horseback; and the earl, fearing the thing
that followit, spurrit his horse to have fled away. His servants all
fled another way, and he was left alone. The horsemen ran all upon him,
and unmercifully killed him with shots of guns and strokes of swords.
[Sidenote: 1586.]
‘The complaint of this odious murder being made to the king, he causit
the malefactors to be chargit to a trial. But they all fled beyond
sea. Robertland, wha was the first to make the invasion, passed to
Denmark, where he remainit at court till the king came to Queen Anne.
And because nane of the rest could be apprehendit, the king ordainit
their houses to be renderit to the earl’s brother, to be usit at his
arbitrament, either to be demolishit or otherwise; and he swore the
great aith, that he sould never pardon any of them that had committit
that odious murder. Yet, how soon his majesty was arrivit in Denmark,
his pardon was demandit of the queen for the first petition, and the
same was obtenit, and he was receivit in grace there in presence of
them all. Thereafter he came hame in the queen’s company, and remains
as ane of her majesty’s master stablers.’--_H. K. J._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: MAY.]
The persecution of the Protestants in France at this time drove a vast
number to England, where great sacrifices were made for their due
entertainment. Scotland, with comparatively limited means, but perhaps
warmer feeling, also made collections of money for the distressed
people. According to James Melville, ‘all the Protestants in France
were chargit off France within sic a day, under pain of life, lands,
gudes, and gear; sae that the number of banished in England were sae
great, and the poor of them sae many, that they were compelled to seek
relief of us for the same ... in the poor bounds I had under charge at
the first beginning of my ministry, we gathered about five hunder merks
for that effect.... The sum of the haill collection whilk the French
kirks gat, extended but till about ten thousand merks.’ A considerable
number of the exiles, including Pierre du Moulin, the minister of
Paris, came to Edinburgh, where the magistrates gave them the common
hall of the university for their worship, along with a stated allowance
of money for support of their clergy. It cannot be doubted that the
sight of these poor French exiles would deepen the feeling of dread and
antipathy towards popery and papists, which was already strongly rooted
in Scotland.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: MAY 26.]
A singular collusive trial took place this day, for the purpose of
clearing Mr Archibald Douglas, parson of Glasgow, of his concern in
the murder of Darnley. He had been in exile or in hiding ever since,
except during the regency of Morton, whose cousin he was. But now it
was thought he might prove useful in advancing the king’s prospects in
England; so, with the most barefaced contempt for the very forms of
justice, he was tried by a packed jury, and acquitted.
[Sidenote: 1586.]
It is difficult to say to what extent the king was personally concerned
in absolving one of his father’s murderers. Perhaps he was not
over-squeamish about murders of old date. On this point an anecdote may
be quoted, though it stands somewhat under question on the score of
authority. ‘When Bothwell-haugh returned from France, whither he had
fled upon the murder of the Regent, it is reported that he fell down
at the king’s feet, told who he was, and implored pardon. On which the
king said, raising him up: “Pardon you, man; pardon you, man! Blest
be he that got you! for had you not shot that fellow, I had never been
king.”’[135]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: JUNE 3.]
Sundry persons of the name of Burne, dwelling in the middle march of
Scotland, had appointed a day of combat with several persons residing
in the opposite country within England, ‘upon some light purpose
unknown to his majesty, and without licence cravit of his majesty or
of his dearest sister [Elizabeth] or of her officers, as aucht to be
in sic case.’ It was much to be feared that amongst the many persons
assembled, a very small accident might be sufficient to rekindle old
feuds, and that thus serious evils would arise. The Council, therefore,
forbade all assembling at the place and day appointed, under pain of
treason.--_P. C. R._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: JULY.]
While the southern and more populous parts of Scotland were, as we see,
sufficiently barbarous, the Highland districts were as the comparative,
and the Hebrides as the superlative degree in the same quality. The
king, in the first edition of his _Basilicon Doron_, tells his son
to think no more of the Islanders than as ‘wolves and wild boars.’
Probably, when the reader has perused the following narrative, he will
think the epithet not unjustly applied, although his majesty afterwards
dropped it in reprinting his book. The tale is of a commotion betwixt
Angus M‘Connel, Lord of Kintyre, and Maclean, Lord of Islay. ‘This
Angus had to his wife the sister of Maclean, and although they were
brether-in-law, yet the ane was always in sic suspicion with the other,
that of either side there was sae little traist, that almaist sendle
[seldom] or never did they meet in amity, like unto the common sort
of people, but rather as barbares upon their awn guard, or by their
messengers. True it is that thir Islandish men are of nature very
proud, suspicious, avaritious, full of deceit and evil intention [each]
against his neighbour, by what way so ever he may circumvent him.
Besides all this, they are sae cruel in taking of revenge, that neither
have they regard to person, age, time, or cause; sae are they generally
all sae far addicted to their awn tyrannical opinions, that in all
respects they exceed in cruelty the maist barbarous people that ever
has been sin’ the beginning of the warld; ane example whereof ye sall
hear in this history following:
[Sidenote: 1586.]
‘Angus M‘Connel, understanding, by divers reports, the gude behaviour
of Maclean to be sae famous, that almaist he was recommended and
praised by the haill neutral people of these parts above himself; whilk
engendered sic rancour in his heart that he pretermitted nae invention
how he might destroy the said Maclean. At last he devised to draw on
a familiarity amang them, and inveited himself to be banqueted by
Maclean; and that the rather, that Maclean should be the readier to
come over to his isle with him the mair gladly, either being required,
or upon set purpose, as best should please him. And when Angus had sent
advertisement to Maclean, that he was to come and make gude cheer, and
to be merry with him certain days, Maclean was very glad thereof, and
answered to the messenger: “My brother shall be welcome,” said he,
“come when he list.” The messenger answered, it wald be to-morrow. So
when Angus arrived in effect, he was richt cheerfully welcomed by his
brother-in-law, wha remained there by the space of five or sax days.
And when it was perceived that Maclean’s provision was almaist spent,
Angus thought it then time to remove. Indeed, the custom of that people
is sae given to gluttony and drinking without all measure, that as
ane is inveited to another, they never sinder sae lang as the vivers
do last. In end, Angus says: “Because I have made the first obedience
unto you, it will please you come over to my isle, that ye may receive
as gude treatment with me as I have done with you.” Maclean answered
that he durst not adventure to come to him for mistrust; and Angus
said: “God forbid that ever I should intend or pretend any evil against
you; but yet, to remove all doubt and suspicion frae your mind, I will
give you twa pledges, whilk shall be sent unto you with diligence; to
wit, my eldest son and my awn only brother-german: these twa may be
keepit here by your friends till ye come safely back again.” Maclean,
hearing this offer, whilk appeared unto him void of all suspicion, and
so decreeted to pass with him to Kintyre; and further to testify that
baith he simply believed all to be true, and that upon hope of gude
friendship to continue, he thought expedient to retein ae only pledge,
and that was Angus’s brother, and wald carry with him his awn nevoy,
the son of Angus. Whether he did this to save himself frae suspicion
of danger, as apparently of the event he did it, or gif he brought him
back again upon liberal favour, I will not dispute; because I have
tauld you afore the perfect nature and qualities of these islands
people; yet, because Maclean’s education was civil, and brought up in
the gude lawis and manners of Scotland from his youth, it may be that
he has had double consideration, ane by kind, and another by art of
honest dissimulation.
[Sidenote: 1586.]
‘To conclude, to Kintyre he came, accompanied with forty-five men of
his kinsfolk and stout servants, in the month of July 1586; where,
at the first arrival, they were made welcome with all humanity, and
were sumptuously banqueted all that day. But Angus in that meantime
had premonished all his friends and weel-willers within his isle of
Kintyre to be at his house that same night at nine of the clock, and
neither to come sooner nor later; for he had concluded with himself
to kill them all the very first night of their arrival, fearing that
gif he should delay any langer time, it might be that either he sould
alter his malicious intention, or else that Maclean wald send for
some greater forces of men for his awn defence. Thus he concealed his
intent still, till baith he fand the time commodious and the very place
proper; and Maclean being lodged with all his men within a lang house,
that was something distant frae other housing, took to bed with him
that night his nevoy, the pledge afore-spoken. But within ane hour
thereafter, when Angus had assembled his men to the number of twa
hundred, he placed them all in order about the house where Maclean then
lay. Thereafter he came himself and called at the door upon Maclean,
offering to him his reposing drink, whilk was forgotten to be given
to him before he went to bed. Maclean answered, that he desired nae
drink for that time. “Although so be,” said the other, “it is my will
that thou arise and come forth to receive it.” Then began Maclean to
suspect the falset, and so arase with his nevoy betwixt his shoulders,
thinking that gif present killing was intended against him, he should
save himself sae lang as he could by the boy; and the boy, perceiving
his father with a naked sword, and a number of his men in like manner
about, cried with a loud voice, mercy to his uncle for God’s sake;
whilk was granted, and immediately Maclean was removed to a secret
chalmer till the morrow. Then cried Angus to the remanent that were
within; sae mony as wald have their lives to be safe, they should come
forth, twa only excepted, whilk he nominate; sae that obedience was
made by all the rest, and these twa only, fearing the danger, refused
to come forth. Angus, seeing that, commanded incontinent to put fire to
the house, whilk was immediately performed; and thus were the twa men
cruelly and unmercifully burnt to the death. These twa were very near
kinsmen to Maclean, and of the eldest of his clan, renowned baith for
counsel and manheid. The rest that were prisoners of the haill number
afore-tauld, were ilk ane beheaded the days following, ane for ilk
day, till the haill number was ended; yea, and that in Maclean’s awn
sight, being constrained thereunto, with a dolorous advertisement to
prepare himself for the like tragical end howsoon they should all be
killed. And when the day came that Maclean should have been brought
forth, miserably to have made his tragical end, like unto the rest, it
pleased Angus to lowp upon his horse, and to come forth for joy and
contentment of mind, even to see and behald the tyrannical fact with
his awn eyes. But it pleased God, wha mercifully deals with all men,
and disappoints the decrees of the wicked, to disappoint his intent
for that day also, for he was not sae soon on horseback, but the horse
stumbled, and Angus fell off him, and brake his leg, and so was carried
hame.’--_H. K. J._
The personages of this well-told tale were properly designated Angus
Macdonald of Islay, and Lachlan Maclean of Dowart; the latter is
described by Mr Tytler as ‘an island Amadis of colossal strength and
stature,’ ‘by no means illiterate,’ ‘and possessing, by the vigour of
his natural talents, a commanding influence over the rude and fierce
islesmen.’ Angus of Islay was step-son to the Irish Earl of Tyrone, and
much mixed up with the troubled politics of the north of Ireland in
that age. There was an old feud regarding land between Angus and his
brother-in-law Maclean. In 1585, it received fresh excitement from an
outrage on the laws of hospitality committed by Maclean’s people upon
the retinue of Donald Mor of Sleat, when that chief chanced to take
shelter from a storm in the isle of Jura. Angus of Islay, having gone
to visit Maclean soon after, was seized and imprisoned along with his
followers; and he was not liberated till he had agreed to renounce the
disputed lands. Such, in reality, was the nature of the visit which the
annalist has described as prompted by deceit on the part of Angus. With
one of the two hostages exacted from Angus on this occasion, Maclean
soon after went to Islay to see after the recovered lands; with strange
simplicity, he complied with an invitation of Angus to visit him at
his house of Mullintrea, though not till he had received repeated
protestations that no harm was intended to him. Here it was that the
barbarous circumstances related by our annalist took place.[136]
[Sidenote: 1586.]
By the intervention of a royal message, and the interference of the
acting head of the clan Campbell, Angus rendered up Maclean, ‘on
receiving a promise of pardon for his crimes, and on eight hostages
of rank being placed in his hands by Maclean, for the performance
of certain conditions which the latter was forced to subscribe. To
complete this singular picture of barbarism, Lachlan was no sooner
free, than he ravaged Islay with fire and sword; in requital of
which, Angus ravaged the isles of Mull and Tiree, killing every human
inhabitant and every beast that fell into his hands.
The various clans siding with their respective friends in this contest,
it became the cause of a general war throughout the islands and West
Highlands, which lasted some time, notwithstanding every effort of the
government to put it down.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1586.