History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland, Book 3
THE THIRD BOOK OF The Progresse of true Religion WITHIN The Realme of SCOTLAND.
AFter this our dolorous departing from Edinburgh, the fury and rage of the French increased, for then durst neither man nor woman that professed Christ Jesus within the Town be seen. The houses of the most honest men were given by the Queen to Frenchmen for a part of their reward.Proclamation against the Earl of Arran…. The Earle Bothwell by sound of Trumpet Proclaimed the Earle of Arrane Traitour, with other despightfull words, which all was done for the pleasure, and by the suggestion of the Queene Regent, who then thought the battell was wonne without further resistance. Great practising she made for obtaining of the Castle of Edinburgh. The French made their fagots with other preparations to assault the said Castle, either by force or else by Treason: But God wrought so mightily with the Captain, the Lord Erskin, at that time, that neither the Queen by flattery, nor the French by treason prevailed. Advertisement with all diligence past to the Duke of Guise, Re ….who then was King of France (as concerning power to command) requiring him to make expedition, if he desired the full conquest of Scotland; Who delayed no time, but with a new Armie sent away his brother Marquis Dalbuif, and in his company Marticks, promising that he himselfe should follow. But the righteous God, who in mercy looketh upon the affliction of those that unfainedly sob unto him, fought for us by his own out-stretched arm: For upon one night upon the coast of Holland were drowned of them eighteen Ensignes,The drowning of the French. Dominus pro nobis. so that onelyonly rested the Ship, in the which were two principals aforesaid, with their Ladies, who violently driven back to Deepe, were compelled to confesse, That God fought for the defence of Scotland.
From England returned Robert Melvin, who past in company to London with the Secretary, a little before Christmas, and brought unto us certain Articles to be answered, as by the contract that after was made, more plainely shall appeare. Whereupon the Nobility assembled at Sterlin, and returned answer with diligence; Whereof the French advertised, they marched to Linlithquow, spoiled the Dukes house, and wasted his lands of Kinneill, and after came to Sterlin, where they remained certaine dayes (the Duke, the Earles of Argyle and Glencarn, with their friends passed to Glasgow. The Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames passed to Saint Andrews. For charge was given to the whole Nobility Protestants, to keepe their owne bodies, till that God should send them further support.) The French tooke purpose first to assault Fyfe, for as it was their great indignation. Their purpose was to have taken and fortified the Towne and Abbey, with the Castle of Saint Andrews, and so they came to Culrosse, after to Dunfermeling, and then to Brunteiland, where they began to fortifie: but desisted there from, and marched to Kinghorn, upon the occasion as followeth. When certaine knowledge came to the Earl of Arrane and to Lord Iames, That the French were departed from Sterlin, they departed also from S. Andrews, and began to assemble their Forces at Cowper, and sent their men of War to Kinghorne, unto whom there resorted divers of the coast side, of minde to resist rather at the beginning, then when they had destroyed a part of their Townes. But the Lords had given an expresse commandment, That they should hazard nothing, till that they themselves were present. And for that purpose was sent unto them the Lord Ruthuen, a man of great experience, and inferiour to few in stoutnesse: In his company was the Earle of Sudderland, sent from the Earle of Huntly, as he alleadged, to comfort the Lord▪ in their affliction. But others whispered, That his principall Commission was unto the Queen Regent.The Earle of Sudderland shot Howsoever it was, he was hurt in the arme by the shot of an Haquebut, for the men of War and the rascall multitude, perceiving certaine Boats of French-men landing, which came from Leith, purposed to stop their landing, and so not considering the enemies that approached from Brunteiland: unadvisedly they rushed downe to the Pretticure (so is that Bay by West Kinghorne called) and at the sea coast began the skirmishing. But they never took heed to the enemy that approached by land, till that the horsemen charged them upon the backe, and the whole bands came directly in their faces, and so were they compelled to give back with the losse of six or seven of their men, and with the taking of some, amongst whom were two that professed Christ Jesus, one named Paul Lambert, a Dutch man, and a French boy, fervent in Religion, and clean of life, whom in despight they hanged over the Steeple of Kinghorne. Thou shalt revenge, O Lord, in thy appointed time. The cause that in so great a danger there was so small a losse, next unto the mercifull providence of God, was the sudden coming of my Lord Ruthuen; for even as our men had given back, he and his Company came to the head of the Bray, and did not onelyonly stay the French-men, but also some of ours brake upon their Horse-men, and so repulsed them, that they did no further hurt to our Foot-men. In that recounter was the Earle of Sudderland foresaid shot in the arme, and was carried back to Cowper. The French-men took Kinghorne, where they lay and wasted the Country about,Note the French favour to their friend… as well Papists as Protestants; yea, even those that were confederate with them, such as Seafield, Weames, Balmowto, Balwearie, and others, enemies to God, and traytors to their Countrey; of those (we say) they spared not the Sheep, the Oxen, the Kine, and Horses, and some say that their wives and daughters gat favour of the French Souldiers, and so did recompence the Papists in their own bosoms; for besides the defiling of their houses, as said is, two of them received more damage, then did all the Gentlemen that professed the Gospel within Fyfe, the Laird of Grange onelyonly excepted, whose house of the Grange the French-men overthrew with Gun-Powder. The Queen Regent proud of this Victory, burst forth into her blasphemous railing, and said, Where is now John Knox his God? my God is now stronger then his, yea even in Fyfe. She posted to her friends in France newes that thousands of the hereticks were slain, and the rest were fled, and therefore required that some Noble-man of her friends would come and take the glory of that Victory. Upon that information was Marticks with two Ships, and some Captains and Horses directed to come into Scotland, but little to their own advantage, as we shall after hear.
The Lords of the Congregation offended at the foolishnesse of the rascall multitude, called to themselves the men of War, and remained certaine dayes at Cowper, unto whom repaired Iohn Knox, and in our greatest desperation Preached unto us a most comfortable Sermon: his Text was,John 6. The danger wherein the Disciples of Christ Iesus stood when they were in the midst of the Sea, and Iesus was upon the mountain. His Exhortation was,Exhortation of Iohn Knox. That we should not faint, but that we should still row against the contrarious blasts, till that Jesus Christ should come; for, said he, I am assuredly perswaded that God will deliver us from this extreme trouble, as that I am assured, That this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which I preach unto you this day. The fourth watch is not yet come, abide a little, the Boat shall be saved, and Peter, which hath left the Boat, shal not drown. I am assured, That albeit I cannot assure you by reason of this present rage, God grant that ye may acknowledge his hand, after that your eyes have seen his deliverance. In that Sermon he comforted many, & yet he offended the Earl of Arran; for in his discourse upon the manifold assaults the Church of God sustained,Note. he brought for example the multitude of strangers that pursued Iehosaphat after he had reformed Religion. He spake of the fear of the people, yea, and of the King himself at the first. But after he affirmed, that Iehosaphat was stout; and to declare his courage in his God, he comforted his people and his Souldiers; he came forth in the midst of them, he spake lovingly unto them. He kept not himselfe (said he) enclosed in his chamber, but frequented the multitude, and rejoyced them with his presence, and godly comfort. These and the like sentences took the said Earle to be spoken in reproach of him, because he kept himself more close and solitary then many men would have wished. After these things, determination was taken, That the Earle of Arrane, and Lord Iames, with men of War, and some Companies of Horse-men, should go to Disert, and there lie to wait upon the French, to stop them from destroying the Sea-coast, as they intended utterly to have done. The said Earle, and Lord Iames did as they were appointed, albeit their Company was very small; and yet they did so valiantly, that it passed almost credit; for twenty and one dayes they lay in their clothes, their Boots came never off: They had skirmishing almost every day, yea, some days from morning to night. The French were four thousand Souldiers, besides their favourers and faction of the Countrey. The Lords were never together five hundred Horse-men, with an hundred Souldiers, and yet they held the French so busie, that for every horse was slain to the Congregation, they lost four French Souldiers. William Kirkcaldie of Grainge, the day after that his house was cast down, sent his defiance to Monsieur Dosell, and unto the rest, declaring that to this hour he had used the French favourably, yea he had saved their lives, when that he might have suffered their throats to have been cut; but seeing they had used him with that rigour, let them not look for the like favours in time to come. And unto Monsieur Dosell he said, He knew that he should not get him in skirmishing, because he knew he was a very coward: but it might that he should quite him a common either in Scotland, or else in France. The said William Kirkcaldie, and the Master of Lindsay, escaped many dangers. The Master had his horse slain under him; and William was almost betrayed in his house at Halyards. But yet they never ceased, for night and day they waited upon the French: They laid themselves in a secret place with some Gentlemen before the day to wait upon the French, who used commonly to issue in Companies to seel… their prey: And so came forth one Captain Batu with his hundred, and began to spoyle; whom the Master, after Lord Lindsay, and William suffered, without declaration of themselves, or of their Company, till that they had them more then a mile from Kinghorne, and then began the horse-men to break; which perceived, the French altogether drew to a place called Glames house, and made for debate; some took the house, other defended the Court and Yards: The hazard appeared very unlikely, for our men had nothing but Spears, and were compelled to light upon their feet: The other were within ditches, and every man had a Culverin; the shot was fearfull to many, and divers were hurt, amongst whom was Robert Hamilton, and David Kirkcaldie, brother to the said Laird, who both were supposed to have been slain: the said Laird perceiving men to faint, and begin to recule, said, Fie, let us never live after this day, that we shall recule for French scybalds and rascals. And so the Master of Lindsay and he burst in at the gate, and others followed. The Master struck with his Spear at la Bartu, and glasing upon his harnesse, for fear stumbled upon his knees; but recovering suddenly, he fastned his Spear, and bare the said Captain backward, who because he would not be taken, was slain, and fifty of his Company with him. Those that were in the house, with some others, were saved, and sent to Dundie to be kept. This mischance to the French-men,The slaughter of a French Captain, with his Band. made them to be more circumspect in straying and wandring abroad into the Countrey, and so the poor people gat some relief. To furnish the French with Victualls, was appointed Capt. Culan, with two ships, who travelled betwixt the South shore and Kinghorne for that purpose: For his wages he spoyled Kinghorne, Kirkcaldie, and so much of Disert as he might. For remedy whereof, were appointed two Ships from Dundie, Andrew Sands, a very stout and fervent man in the Cause of Religion, was the principall. This same time arrived Martickes, who without delay landed himself, the Coffers, and the principall Gentlemen that were with him, at Leith, leaving the rest in the Ships till better opportunity: But the said Andrew and his company striking Sayl,Note. and making as they would cast Ankor hard beside them, boarded them both, and carried them to Dundie: in them were gotten some horses, and much harnesse, with some other trifles, but of money we heard nought. Hereat the French offended, avowed the destruction of Saint Andrews and Dundie, and so upon a Munday in the morning, the thirteenth of Ianuary, they marched from Disert, and passed the water of Levin, ever keeping the Coast, by reason of their Ships and Victualls, as said is: about noon they espied Ships (which were seen that morning by us that were upon the land, but were not known) Monsieur Dosell affirmed them to be French Ships, and so the Souldiers triumphed, shot their Volley for a salve, and marched forward to Kingcraig, fearing no resistance. But shortly after, the English Ships met with Captain Culen, and seized upon him and his Ships, which made them a little to muse. Then suddenly came M. Alexander Woode, who had been upon the Admirall, and assured Monsieur Dosell that they were English men,The arrivall of the English Ships. and that they were the forwarners of a greater number that followed, who were sent for support of the Congregation. There might have been seen pulling of beards for anger, and might have been heard such despight as cruell men use to spue forth when God bridleth their fury.Note. Wearinesse and the night constrained them to lodge there: They supped scarcely, because their Ships were taken, in the which were their victualls and Ordnance, which they intended to have placed in Saint Andrews. They themselves durst not stray abroad to seek, and the Laird of Wemes carriages, which likewise was coming with furnishing unto them, were stayed. And therefore betimes in the morning they retired towards Kinghorne, and made more expedition in one day in returning, then they did in two in marching forward. The storm which had continued neer the space of a monethmonth, brake in the time of their returning, whereby many thought that they should have been stayed, till that reasonable company might have been assembled to have foughten with them. And for that purpose did William Kirkcaldie cut the Bridge of Tullibody:The Bridge of Tullibody. But the French, expert enough in such feats, took down the Roof of a Parish Church, and made a Bridge over the same water called Donane, and so they escaped, and went to Sterlin, and thereafter to Leith; yet in their returne they lost divers, amongst whom there was one whose miserable end we may rehearse. As the French spoyled the Countrey in their returning, one Captaine or Souldier, we cannot tell, but he had a red Cloke, and a gilt Murriow, entred upon a poor woman that dwelt in the white side, and began to spoyle. The poore woman offered unto him such bread as she had ready prepared, But he in no wise therewith content, would have the Meale, and a little salt Beef which the poore woman had to sustain her owne life, and the lives of her poor children; neither could tears, nor pitifull words, mitigate the mercilesse man, but he would have whatsoever he might carry.Note the death of a plunderer. The poore woman perceiving him so bent, and that he stooped downe in her Tub, for the taking forth of such stuffe as was within it, first coped and turned up his heels, so that his head went downe. And thereafter, whether by her self, or if any other company come to help her, but there he ended his unhappy life, God so punishing his cruell heart, who could not spare a miserable woman in that extremity. Let all such Souldiers receive such reward, O Lord, seeing that thou onelyonly art the revenger of the oppressed.
And now, because that from this time forward frequent mention will be made of the comfortable support that we in our greatest extremity received by Gods providence from our neighbours of England, we thinke it expedient simply to declare by what instruments that matter was first moved,Remark the Scots acknowledgement of the English help. and by what means it came to passe that the Queen and Councel of England, shewed themselves so favourable unto us.
As Iohn Knox had fore-warned us by his Letters from Geneva, of all dangers that he foresaw to ensue our enterprise; so when he came to Deipe, mindefull of the same; and resolving with himself, what remedy God would please to offer, he took boldnesse to write to Sir William Cecil, Secretary of State in England, with whom the said Iohn had been before familiarly acquainted, intending thereby to renew acquaintance, and so to open further of his minde. The tenor of his first Letter follows: