Volume I Part 63 (1/2)

[1020] In MS. G, ”beset;” in Vautr. edit. ”foreset.”

[1021] John c.o.c.kburn of Ormistoun has already been noticed, in the notes to pages 142, 215, 237, &c. In October 1559, he received at Berwick, from Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Crofts, 1000 sterling, in French crowns, for the present relief of the Lords of the Congregation; and also 200 crowns (or 63, 6s. 8d.) which was given to him for his own use. But the Earl of Bothwell, and some of the French troops, being informed of this booty, waylaid him near Dunpendar-law, in East Lothian, on the last of October, and robbed him of this treasure, wounding him severely.--(Wodrow Miscellany, vol. i. p. 70.) On the 5th November, Sadler and Crofts wrote to Secretary Cecil, with the information of the ”mishap” which ”hath chaunced to the saide Ormestoun, to our no little grief and displeasure.”--(State Papers, vol. i. pp.

528, 538, 542, 600.) c.o.c.kburn is introduced among the ”Scotish Worthies,” in a work written in verse, by Alexander Garden of Aberdeen, before the year 1620, but which seems never to have been printed, and the MS. unfortunately cannot now be traced. Garden calls him ”ane honourable and religious gentleman, very dilligent and zealous in the work of Reformation:”

”For perrels, promises, expense nor pains, From thy firm faith no not a grain weight gains.”

And, in reference to Bothwell's attack, he says,--

”Thy blood-shed sooth'd and taught this time, I know, When curtfoot Bothwell like a limmer lay, (A traytor try'd, yea, and a tirrant too,) And unawarrs did wound thee on the way.”

(MS. Hist. of the Family of c.o.c.kburn of Ormistoun, circa 1722.)

[1022] James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, succeeded his father, Patrick third Earl, in September 1556: see page 140. At this time he was in secret correspondence with the Reformers, and had professed attachment to their cause; but being gained over by the Queen Dowager, this spoliation of c.o.c.kburn of Ormistoun displayed the insincerity of his character. The Earl of Arran and Lord James Stewart proceeded with 2000 men ”to revenge the said injury, thinking to find the Earl Bothwell in Creichtoun; but a little before their coming to the said place, he was depairted,” &c.--(Wodrow Miscellany, vol. i. p. 70.)

[1023] Crichton Castle, now in ruins, was formerly a place of considerable strength, with an interior quadrangle. At this time it belonged to the Earl of Bothwell. It is situated in the parish of that name, in the east part of Mid-Lothian, about eleven miles from Edinburgh.

[1024] The name is left blank in all the MSS.

[1025] In Vautr. edit. ”The first departing of.”

[1026] In Vautr. edit. ”Bannantine;” in MS. G, ”b.e.l.l.e.n.den.” Sir John b.e.l.l.e.n.den has frequently been mentioned: see pages 358, 400.

[1027] Mr. Gawyn Hamilton: in MS. G. is added, ”Abbote of Kilwynning:”

see note 778.

[1028] Vautr. edit. makes this, ”of their infants losse.” It is the French phrase, ”Les enfans perdus d'une armee,” the forlorn hope of an army.

[1029] Lord Robert Stewart was the natural son of James the Fifth, by Euphemia Elphinstone. He had a grant of the Abbacy of Holyrood in 1539, while yet an infant; Alexander Myln, Commendator of Cambuskenneth, being administrator. He joined the Reformers, and approved of the Confession of Faith in 1560. In 1569, he exchanged his Abbacy with Adam Bothwell, Bishop of Orkney, for the temporalities of that Bishop.r.i.c.k. His lands in Orkney and Zetland were erected into an Earldom in his favour, 28th October 1581.

[1030] In MS. G, ”The Capitain of the Castell.” Vautr. edit. is the same as the text, in omitting these words.

[1031] In MS. G. and Vautr. edit. ”victorious souldiours,” or ”soldiers.”

[1032] In the MS. of 1566, ”pause.”

[1033] Or, ”I think you have bought it without money.”

[1034] Sir John Maxwell, who afterwards, in his wife's right, as co-heiress, a.s.sumed the t.i.tle of Lord Herries. See note 769.

[1035] Knox has here mistaken the particular days: Wednesday was the first, and Monday the sixth of November.

[1036] The persons here named were Ker of Cessfurd, and Ker of Pharnihurst.

[1037] Monday was the sixth of November: see above, note 1.

[1038] In MS. G, ”for keiping;” in Vautr. edit. ”keeping.”

[1039] In MS. G. and Vautr. edit. ”corner.”

[1040] In MS. G, ”neir.”