The numberless feuds standing between gentlemen-neighbours throughout
the country, were usually dealt with in one simple way. The parties
were summoned to appear personally before the Council, and give
assurances for keeping the peace towards each other for a certain time.
When the time had nearly expired, the parties were again charged to
appear and give renewal of the assurances. Thus things went on from one
period to another, while any hatred remained between the parties. At
the date noted, Harie Wood of Bonnytoun and Francis Ogilvy of Newgrange
were summoned to appear and renew the former standing assurances; and
meanwhile the Council ordered them ‘to observe our sovereign lord’s
peace, and to keep good rule and quietness in the country, and that
they nor nane of them invade or pursue ane another, for whatsomever
deed, cause, or occasion, otherwise nor by order of law, and inflict
ather of them, under the pain of three thousand merks.’ It is evident,
from the Record of the Privy Council, that sanguinary quarrels amongst
the upper classes, though not lessened in number, were not in general
carried to such ferocious extremes as formerly. In April of this
year, we find an aged statesman congratulating the king on the great
improvement which he noted in the social state of Scotland. The person
alluded to is Sir Robert Melville, the friend and servant of Mary, and
who had been a grown man at the time of Pinkie field. Now advanced to
near the ninetieth year of his age, this venerable person had lately
been created a peer under the title of Lord Melville. He thus writes
to the king: ‘All the said years [namely, in his younger days], we was
destitute of the true religion, our country being full of barbarity,
deadly feids, and oppressions. Since the time your majesty took the
management of the affairs of your princely dominions in your awn
hand, all your hieness’s countries has been peaceable and quiet; and
specially this country, where the true religion flourishes, and justice
[is] sae weel ministrat by your election of faithful officiars, as I
may be bauld to affirm that no country is in ane mair happy estate,
and has better occasion to be thankful to God and faithful to your
majesty.’[361]
Stephen Atkinson, an Englishman, heretofore noticed as concerned in
various mining adventures, was this day licensed by the Privy Council
to search for gold, and ‘the Saxeer, the Calumeer, and the Salyneer
stanes,’ in Crawford Muir, on the condition of his bringing all the
gold to be coined at the Scottish mint, and giving a tenth of the
product to the king.
It is not likely that much, if anything at all, was done by Atkinson
in consequence, as in 1621 another similar licence to one Dr Hendlie
speaks of the Crawford gold-field as having been lying for some years
neglected.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: JUNE 13.]
A book called _God and the King_, ‘shewing that his sacred majesty
being immediately under God within his dominions, doth rightly and
lawfully claim whatsoever is required by the aith of allegiance,’
was now proclaimed as a book of instruction for youth in schools and
universities, ‘whereby, in their tender years, the truth of that
doctrine may be bred and settled in them, and they thereby may be the
better armed and prepared to withstand any persuasion that in their
riper years may be offered and usit towards them for corrupting of them
in their duty and allegiance.’--_P. C. R._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: JUNE 30.]
[Sidenote: 1616.]
This day, being Sunday, Sir Robert Crichton of Cluny went to attend
morning-service at St Cuthbert’s Kirk, near Edinburgh, and had sat
there a considerable time quietly, when he observed a boy belonging
to the Earl of Tullibardine come to the door and look in. As the earl
had before this time ‘sought both his land and life,’ he judged the
boy to be a spy, and apprehended that some evil was designed to him.
He therefore rose to go out, hoping peaceably to convey himself beyond
the earl’s reach; but no sooner had he done so, than three men of the
king’s guard--all, be it remarked, bearing the name of _Murray_, being
that of the earl--rose from a seat behind, and shewed a warrant for
taking him. By their own confession, they had come to church for the
purpose of lying in wait to take Sir Robert, though intending not to
meddle with him till the end of the service. They now told him that
they were willing to wait for him till the dismissal of the people,
keeping him meanwhile in a chamber adjoining to the church, whereas if
he went forth by himself he might get skaith, as there were several of
the earl’s ‘folk’ in the kirk-yard. Sir Robert, however, disdained to
submit to this ignominious treatment; so he and his son, drawing their
swords, prepared to offer resistance. Of course, a tumult took place
in the church, ‘to the scandal of religion, and the great grief of the
haill parochiners and others convenit at the sermon.’
The three guardsmen were ordered, for this offensive affair, to appear
in the place of repentance in the church, and crave forgiveness of
God and the people, while Sir Robert was committed to ward in the
Tolbooth.--_P. C. R._
A few years later (December 18, 1623), we find the Council issuing a
strict order against the using of captions in churches.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: JUNE.]
Mr Peter Blackburn, bishop of Aberdeen, departed this life, after he
had lain a long time little better than benumbed. He was little of a
zealot on the Episcopal side, and studying to please the Presbyterians,
made himself ungracious to both parties. Calderwood alleges, ‘He was
more mindful of a purse and 500 merks in it, which he kept in his
bosom, than anything else.’
* * * * *
[Sidenote: JULY 11.]
Commissioners from a number of the burghs met to deliberate on
a proposal of the king for working up, within the country, the
whole wool produced in it, ‘in stuffs, plaids, and kerseys.’ They
expressed themselves as content that the exportation of wool should
be prohibited, in order that a trial should be made; but they could
undertake no burden in the matter ‘anent the home-bringing of
strangers,’ or for assurance that his majesty’s ends would be attained.
A prohibition for the exporting of wool was soon after issued.--_P. C.
R._
[Sidenote: 1616.