1570 Lindsay men; and thereafter came to the Duke's chamber to the collation. And after they had drunken their collation, and all men in their beds, the Duke and the Captain passed to the tables and played for the wine. The fire was hot and the wine was strong, and the Captain and his men became merry, till at the last the Duke perceived his time, and saw them merry, and made a sign to his chamber-child to be ready as he had instructed him, for the Duke was fully resolved either to do or to die; for he was surely informed by the French ship that he was to be beheaded on the morrow. So he thought best to preveine1 the time, and leaped from the board and struck the Captain with a whinger and slew him, and also sticked other two with his own hand. And in the meantime his chamber-child was very busy; and so they two overthrew five: that is, the Captain and four of his men and when they had done, cast them in the fire; and afterwards took out their tows and passed to the wall-head, at a quiet place where the watchmen might have no sight of them, and then stretched their cords over the wall-head, and the chamber-boy passed first; but the tows were short, and he fell and broke his thigh-bone. Then he cried to his master to make the tow longer, for he was gone. Then the Duke rived the sheets off his bed and lengthened the tow, and passed safely himself. And when he was come down and perceived his servant in point of death, he took him upon his back and carried him away as far as he might, and left him in a quiet place where he trowed he might be safe, and syne went to the Newhaven beside Leith, and made him a sign to the ship, who sent a boat to the land and received him in. But no man knew whether his servant went with him or not; but surely many gentlemen of Scotland wished themselves to have been with him, and, amongst the rest, Sir Alexander Jardine of Applegarth, knight, passed with him, and sundry other gentlemen. 1 Anticipate. But on the morn, when the watchmen perceived that Lindsay the tows were hanging over the walls, then ran they to seek 1570 the Captain to show him the matter and manner, but he was not in his own chamber. Then they passed to the Duke's chamber and found the door open, and a dead man lying in the chamber door, and the Captain and the rest burning in the fire, which was very dolorous to them; and when they missed the Duke of Albany and his chamber-child, they ran speedily and showed the King how the matter had happened. But he would not give it credence till he passed himself and saw the matter. Then he considered the whole cause how it stood, and caused the gates to be holden close, that no word should pass to the town, till he had searched all the place, to see whether the Duke of Albany was within or not. But when he could not find him, he caused horsemen to be sent forth in all parts to see if they could apprehend him in any place, and bring him to him again, and they should have great rewards therefor. But yet they could get no kind of trial1 of him, until at the last there came a man out of Leith and showed the King that there came a boat from the French ship and took in certain men, and thereafter pulled up her sails, and travished2 up and down the Firth, whom they judged to be the Duke of Albany, as it was true; for he passed to France incontinent, and got in marriage the Duchess of Boulogne. Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie. A THE KILLING OF DAVID BEATON FTER the death of this blessed martyr of God [George Wishart] began the people, in plain speaking, to damn and detest the cruelty that was used. Yea, men of great birth, estimation, and honour, at open tables avowed, that the blood of the said Master George should be revenged, or else they 1 Sign, news. 2 Sailed back and forward. Knox 1572 Knox should cost life for life. Amongst whom John Lesley, brother 1572 to the Earl of Rothes, was the chief; for he, in all companies, spared not to say, 'That same whinger (showing forth his dagger), and that same hand, should be priests to the Cardinal.' These bruits came to the Cardinal's ears; but he thought himself stout enough for all Scotland; for in Babylon, that is, in his new block-house, he was sure, as he thought; and upon the fields he was able to match all his enemies. And to write the truth, the most part of the nobility of Scotland had either given unto him their bonds of manrent,1 or else were in confederacy and promised amity with him. He only feared them in whose hands God did deliver him, and for them had he laid his nets so secretly (as that he made a full compt), that their feet could not escape, as we shall after hear; and something of his former practices we maun reaccompt. After the Pasche he came to Edinburgh to hold the seinzie2 (as the Papists term their unhappy assembly of Baal's shaven sort). It was bruited that something was purposed against him at that time by the Earl of Angus and his friends, whom he mortally hated, and whose destruction he sought. But it failed, and so returned he to his strength; yea, to his God and only comfort, as well in heaven as in earth. And there he remained without all fear of death, promising unto himself no less pleasure nor did the rich man, of whom mention is made by our Master in the Evangel; for he did not only rejoice and say, 'Eat and be glad, my soul, for thou hast great riches laid up in store for many days;' but also he said: 'Tush, a fig for the fead, and a button for the bragging of all the heretics and their assistance in Scotland! Is not my Lord Governor mine? Witness his eldest son, their pledge at my table? Have I not the Queen at my own devotion? (He meant of the mother to Mary that now mischievously reigns.) Is not France my friend, and I friend to France? What danger should I fear?' 2 Synod. 3 Stronghold. 1 Allegiance. 4 Feud. (?) And thus in vanity the carnal Cardinal delighted himself a little before his death. But yet he had devised to have cut off such as he thought might cumber him; for he had appointed the whole gentlemen of Fife to have met him at Falkland the Monday after that he was slain upon the Saturday. His treasonable purpose was not understanded but by his secret Council; and it was this: That Norman Lesley, Sheriff of Fife, and appearing heir to his father, the Earl of Rothes; the said John Lesley, father-brother to Norman; the Lairds of Grange, elder and younger; Sir James Leirmonth of Dairsye, and Provost of St. Andrews; and the faithful Laird of Raith; should either have been slain, or else taken, and after to have been used at his pleasure. This enterprise was disclosed after his slaughter, partly by letters and memorials found in his chamber, but plainly affirmed by such as were of the Council. Many purposes were devised how that wicked man might have been taken away. But all failed till Friday, the 28th of May, Anno 1546, when the foresaid Norman came at night to St. Andrews; William Kirkcaldy of Grange, younger, was in the town before, awaiting upon the purpose; last came John Lesley foresaid, who was most suspected. What conclusion they took that night it was not known but by the issue which followed. But early upon the Saturday, in the morning, the 29th of May, were they in sundry companies in the Abbey kirkyard, not far distant from the Castle. First, the gates being open, and the drawbridge letten down, for receiving of lime and stones, and other things necessary for building (for Babylon was almost finished)-first, we say, assayed William Kirkcaldy of Grange, younger, and with him six persons, and getting entrance, held purpose with the porter: 'If my Lord was waking?' who answered, 'No.' (And so it was indeed; for he had been busy at his compts with Mistress Marion Ogilvy that night, who was espyed to depart from him by the privy postern that morning; and therefore quietness, Knox 1572 Knox after the rules of physic, and a morning sleep was requisite Norman Lesley had taken his Castle. 1 Made. |