Scotland from the earliest times to the present century

Front matter

V

W-B. CLARKE cn^ Booksellers^ w« s| Park St Church, Bostow

SCOTLAND

Preface

The Story of Scotland presents two classes of facts and incidents of varied and absorbing interest. First, the conflict of the chief tribes with each other ; the foundation of the Monarchy ; the gradual extension of the kingdom from its centre outward ; and the development of a distinct and intense nationality. Second, the struggles arising from the invasions and attacks of external enemies, which were commenced by the Romans, followed by the Danes and Norwegians ; and, finally, the long and unequal struggle with England. In all these conflicts for liberty and independence, the Scots made a heroic and memorable defence. Although often cruelly oppressed and driven to the greatest extremities of suffering and privation, at times almost conquered ; still in the face of all obstacles and against fearful odds they continued to resist and ultimately triumphed.

The subsequent internal struggles were political and religious. Owing to a series of events and circumstances the Scotch nobles for two centuries and a half were able to control the Crown and the Executive viii

PREFACE.

solely in their own interest. The religious contests connected with the Reformation, the conflict of the reformed clergy with the Crown ; the Covenanting struggle with its many stirring incidents — the Persecution, the Revolution, and the Disruption — which all present many features of surpassing interest.

After the Union, and the Risings of 171 5 and 1745, the progress and the development of the nation in almost every department of human activity have been marvellous. The limits of this volume only permitted a brief reference to some of the many important subjects of the latest period ; but it is hoped that what has been presented will prove interesting.

J. M.

Aberdeen, June% 1890.

Contents

Preface • • • vii

I. Early History i-ii

Reference to the Legends of the Nation, I — Result of recent Research, 2 — Arrival of the Celts ; their stage of Culture, 3 — Roman Invasion ; resistance of the Natives, 3 — Battle of Mons Grampius, 4 — Extent and result of the Roman occupation, 7 —The Chief Tribes ; Britons of Strathclyde, 8— ThePicts ; the Irish Scots ; arrival of the Saxons ; Battle of Dunnichin, 9— Conflicts of the various tribes ; original centre of the historic kingdom, 10 — Foundation of the Monarchy and its extent, 11.

II. Introduction of Christianity . . . 12-19

Influence of the new Religion on the People ; missionary efforts of St. Ninian, and St. Kentigern, their miracles, 12 — St. Columba ; early life, 15 — His missionary labours among the Northern Tribes, 16 — Encounter with evil spirits, 17 — His Institution of Iona, 17 — Influence of the Early Saints on the subsequent religious feelings of the Nation, 19.

X

CONTENTS.

III. State of the Country to the end of the

Eleventh Century . . . 20-25

The kingdom attacked by external enemies ; Danes and Norwegians ; long struggle with them, 20 — Gradual extension of the kingdom outward ; Edinburgh taken, 21 — Battle of Carham and Cession of the Lothians to Malcolm II., 22 — A contest for the Throne ; Macbeth slew Duncan and mounted the Throne ; death of Macbeth, 23 — Reign of Malcolm III., 23 — Contest for the Crown ; Edgar placed on the Throne ; Celts and Saxons, 24 — Reference to early Celtic Art, 25.

IV. The Nation in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries 26-43

Influx of Norman and Saxon Nobles ; Alexander I. and Earl David, 26 — Relation of the Church and the Crown, 27 — Reign of David I. ; risings in Moray and the North, 28 — David I. aspired to the Throne of England ; battle of the Standard, 29 — Policy of David I. ; reorganisation of the Church, 30 — Education and Literature of the period ; charters ; introduction of Legal Feudalism; its effects, 31 — Boroughs and Royal Charters ; Court of the Boroughs ; Code of Laws, 33 — Malcolm IV. ; Local Risings, 34 — William the Lion captured by the English ; sold the Independence of the Kingdom, 35 — Internal Conflicts ; progress of Feudalism, 36 — Alexander II. and King John ; adjustment of the Line of the Marches ; Internal Risings, 37 — Alexander III. ; characteristics of the Policy of the leading Nobles, 37 — Haco's Invasion ; its Failure, 39 — Cession of the Western Islands to Scotland ; settlement of the Succession ; death of Alexander III. ; project of Edward I. ; death of the Maid of Norway, 41.

V

Disputed Succession : War of Independence — Wallace and Bruce ..... 44-73

Edward I. determined to settle the fate of Scotland ; the Scotch Nobles, Clergy, and Claimants for the Crown rccog-

CONTENTS.

x!

nised Edward's claim of Feudal superiority ; and he followed it up, 44— The issue lay between Bruce and Baliol ; Edward decided in favour of Baliol, 47 — Baliol crowned ; placed in a humiliating position, 48 — Alliance between France and Scotland ; commencement of the War of Independence, 49 — Edward's massacre of the Citizens of Berwick ; his march through Scotland ; Baliol deposed, and the Coronation Stone removed to London, 50 — The Nobles deserted the People ; Feeling of the Nation, 51 — Wallace appeared; organised an Army ; took the Castles ; Battle of Stirling Bridge, 52 — Wallace appointed Guardian ; difficulties of his position ; Edward I. again invaded Scotland ; tactics of Wallace ; Battle of Falkirk; Defeat and Resignation of Wallace, 55 — Continuation of the WTar ; surrender of the Government, 56 — Capture, Trial, and Execution of Wallace ; his Influence on the Nation, 59 — Bruce and Bishop Lamberton, 60 — Bruce's tragic meeting with Comyn, 60 — Bruce mounted the Throne of Scotland ; Edward I. proclaimed severe measures against him ; Bruce's small party defeated, and his followers captured and executed, 62 — Bruce reduced to great extremities ; but the tide turned, and step by step he retook the kingdom, 63 — Battle of Bannockburn, 66 — Attempts to make Peace ; Bruce Excommunicated ; an Address to the Pope, 70 — Raid into England ; Treaty of Northampton ; the Independence of Scotland acknowledged, 72 — Death and Character of Bruce, 73.

VI. State of the Nation to the Death of James I. 74-88

Accession of David II. ; Edward Baliol claimed the Throne ; English Invasions, 74 — Battle of Durham ; Capture of the King of Scots ; his Ransom ; Character of the King, 76 — Robert II. ; arrival of French Troops ; a Raid into England,

77— Robert III. ; the Earl of Fife ; the Wolf of Badenoch,

78 — State of the kingdom ; a Plot against the Duke of Rothesay ; imprisoned and murdered, 79 — Capture of Prince James by the English ; the Duke of Albany continued to rule ; his death ; regency of his Son, 82 — Return of James I. Reign of James I, ; the Duke of Albany and a number of Nobles seized and imprisoned ; Trial and Execution of Albany, his sons, and the Earl of Lennox, 83 — Parliament at Inverness ; seizure and Execution of Highland Chiefs, 85 — Policy iCli CONTENTS.

PAGB

and Legislation of James L, 85 — His Encroachments upon the Nobles ; they formed a plot against him, 86 — Murder of the King, 88.

VII. Conflicts between the Crown and the

Nobles 89-104

Struggle amongst the Nobles in the minority of James II. ; Execution of the young Earl of Douglas and his brother, 89 — Contest between the Crown and the head of the Douglas Family ; Murder of the Earl of Douglas, 92 — Civil War ; the Battle of Brechin ; the King hard pressed ; the new Earl of Douglas defeated, 93 — Minority of James III. ; faction of the Boyds, 94— Marriage of the King ; Fall of the Boyds, 95 — The Nobles seized and executed the King's servants, and then imprisoned him, 98 — Rebellion of the Southern Nobles ; Battle of Sanchie Burn; Death of James III., 99 — James

IV. ; Foreign Relations of Scotland ; Marriage of the King, 100— War with England ; Battle of Flodden, 102 — Reference to the Literature of the Nation ; Barbour's Bruce ; Winton's Original Chronicle ; Henry's Life of Sir W. Wallace ; James I. a poet ; Robert Henryson, 102 — Institution of Scotch Universities, 104.

VIII

Progress of the Reformation in Scotland to the Death of Cardinal Beaton . 105-122

The Era of Modern History ; Coronation of the Infant King ; his Mother named Regent, but she failed ; the Duke of Albany assumed the Government ; tried to curb the Nobles, but this was hopeless ; he threw it up and returned to France,

105 — The Earl of Angus seized the young King and ruled himself ; at last the King escaped and Angus fled to England,

106 — Policy of James V. toward the Nobles ; Causes of the Reformation, 107 — Introduction of Heretical Books ; Martyrdom of Patrick Hamilton ; Friar Airth's Sermon, 108 — James

V. remained faithful to Catholicism, and pursued his policy of curbing the Nobles, no — War with England; the Scotch Nobles decline to follow their King ; Disaster of Solway Moss; Death of James V., 112 — The Infant Queen Mary, 113

CONTENTS.

xiii

PAGE

— Scheme of Henry VIII. defeated, 115 — War proclaimed against the Scots ; Wanton destruction of life and property, 116 — A plot to murder Cardinal Beaton, 118 — Execution of Wishart the Preacher, 120 — The Cardinal seized in his own castle and murdered, 122.

IX

Reformation Movement to the Overthrow of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. ....... 123-136

The Assassins retained the Cardinal's Castle, and John Knox joined them ; the Castle taken ; the Garrison and Knox conveyed captives to France, 123 — Aggressive Policy of England; the Scots reduced to great extremities, 125 — Attempts of the Catholic Clergy to Reform the Abuses of the Church ; New Canons and Catechism, 125 — Trial and Execution of Adam Wallace for Heresy, 127 — Arran's regency terminated; Regency of the Queen's mother ; Advance of the Reformed Doctrines ; Efforts of Knox, 128 — A party of the Nobles formed a bond to advance the reform of Religion ; Braking of Images ; Influence of Sir David Lindsay's Writings on the Reform Movement, 130 — Execution of Walter Mill; the Chief Preachers summoned, 131 — Crisis; Knox's Sermon in Perth; Destruction of Monasteries ; Vehement Manifestoes, 132 — Civil War ; Death of Henry II. of France ; Arrival of French Troops to uphold Catholicism, 133 — The Reform Party reduced to great extremities ; they concluded a Treaty with England, and an English Army advanced to Leith ; Treaty of Edinburgh ; Peace Proclaimed, 134 — Death of the Queen Regent ; a New Confession of Faith adopted, the Roman Catholic Church abolished in Scotland, 136.

X

Arrival of Queen Mary ; she was placed in trying circumstances, 137 — Efforts of the Reformers to organise the new Church ; scheme of the Government disposing of the Revenue of the Church; Knox denounced ir, 139 — The Preachers declaimed against the amusements of the Court ; Interview between Knox and the Queen, 141 — The Queen's xiv

CONTENTS.

Marriage with Darnley ; Moray's party bitterly opposed it ; Revolted ; Proclaimed Rebels and fled to England, 142 — Darnley became the dupe of the Nobles ; a plot to murder Riccio and restore the banished Nobles ; Murder of Riccio, 145 — Return of the Nobles ; Flight of the Queen ; an army rallied round her and the rebellious Nobles again fled, 149 — Birth of James VI. ; Policy of the Scotch Aristocracy, 149 — A Plot to murder Darnley ; he became sick ; Visited by the Queen, and removed to Edinburgh ; Preparations ; Murder of Darnley, 1 50 — Excitement in Edinburgh ; Conduct of Bothwell ; his Mock Trial, 151 — The Nobles recommended Bothwell as a husband for the Queen, 153 — He seized Mary and married her; Troubles gathered around the Queen, 153 — A party of the Nobles seized Edinburgh and the Government ; Mary and Bothwell mustered an Army, but the Nobles faced it ; she surrendered and Bothwell fled, 155 — The Nobles imprisoned the Queen ; Deposed her ; Appointed the Earl of Moray Regent, and crowned the Infant King, 156.

XI. Conflict of the Nation to the Union of the Crowns 158-1

State of Parties ; Moray assumed the Government, 158 — Mary's escape from prison ; Battle of Langside ; Flight of Mary to England, 159 — Moray struggled to maintain order, but he was shot, 159 — The Factions of the King and Queen fought bitterly ; the Regent Lennox slain, 1 60 — The Earl of Morton elected Regent ; the Queen's Party subdued, 16 1 — Death of Knox ; his Work, 162 — Efforts of the Clergy to improve the organisation of the Church ; Morton's enemies closing around him ; the King's Favourites ; Trial and Execution of Morton, 163 — The King's Favourites supreme ; a plot against them ; the Raid of Ruthven ; the King a captive, 164 — Escape of the King ; Flight of the Nobles ; Execution of the Earl of Gowrie, 164 — Contest of the Clergy with the Crown ; Andrew Melville before the Council ; Despotic Acts ; a number of the Clergy fled, 165 — Return of the Banished Nobles, 167 — Legal Establishment of Presbyterianism, 168 — Rebellion of the Catholic Earls ; Battle of Gl^nlivet ; Advance of the Royal Army ; Flight of the Catholic Earls, 168— Their Return alarmed the Clergy ; Vehement Speeches ; a Tumult

CONTENTS.

XV in Edinburgh ; the King enraged, 169 — The King intent on changing the Polity of the Church ; Gowrie Conspiracy, 172 —Accession of the King to the Throne of England, 173 — Literature of the Period, 174.

Result of the Union of the Crowns on Scotland 177-184

Increased power of the Crown used to crush Liberty and Freedom ; the King summoned the leading Presbyterian Ministers to London, 177 — His attempts to Establish Episcopacy, 178 — Charles I. ; Act of Revocation alarmed the Nobles ; a Compromise ; Tithes adjusted, 180 — Charles's visit to Scotland ; a New Liturgy and Book of Canons promulgated and the People commanded to conform ; the National Sentiments opposed to them, 181 — Great Tumults in Edinburgh, 183.

XIII. Covenanting Conflict 185-206

Charles I. misunderstood the National Sentiments ; Petitions against the Liturgy; the King's Answer, 185 — Tumultuous Proceedings, 188 — Energy of the Opposition ; their Committees assumed the Functions of Government, 189 — Their demands, 190 — The King resolved to force the Liturgy upon the People, 192 — Crisis ; the Covenant adopted ; enthusiastic assemblage of the People, 193 — Copies of the Covenant circulated throughout the Kingdom ; Embarrassment of the Government, 194 — The Marquis of Hamilton's Mission failed ; the Covenanters demanded a Free Assembly, 195 — Meeting of the Assembly ; the Royal Commissioner dissolved it, but it continued to sit and completed its work ; the Liturgy and Episcopacy condemned ; Presbyterianism restored, 197 — The Covenanters appeared in arms ; the King faced them ; a Compromise, but Charles trifled with them, 198 — A Committee of Parliament assumed the Government, and the Covenanting Army crossed the Tweed, 199 — The King temporised ; visited Scotland and sanctioned the proceedings of Parliament, 201 — Solemn League and Covenant adopted ; the Scotch Army again crossed the Tweed, 202 — Career of Montrose, 204 — xvi

CONTENTS.

The King's Cause failing ; he fled to the Scotch Army ; Dispute between the English and Scots touching the pay of the Scotch Army, 204 — The Long Parliament compelled the Scots to surrender the King ; Execution of Charles I., 205.

XIV

Charles II. The Kingdom under Cromwell 207-211

Charles II. proclaimed King ; he signed the Covenant, and landed in Scotland, 207 — Cromwell invaded Scotland, and defeated the Scots, 208 — The King crowned ; Scotland subdued, 209 — Cromwell's Government of Scotland, 210 — Death of Cromwell ; Departure of the English Army ; the King recalled, 211.

XV

Sentiments associated with the Restoration ; State of the Scotch Nobles, 213 — Public Meetings prohibited ; the Grand Achievement of the New Parliament, 214 — Trial and Execution of the Marquis of Argyle, Rev. James Guthrie, and Johnston of Warriston, 215 — The Privy Council invested with new powers ; Reproduction of Episcopacy ; Characteristics of the new Hierarchy, 216 — Presbyterian Ministers ejected, 217 — Oppressive Acts of Parliament and the Privy Council ; Severe Persecution, 217 — Rising of 1666; Defeat of the Insurgents; Treatment of the Prisoners, 218 — An Army enforcing Religious Conformity, 219 — Attempt to assassinate Archbishop Sharp, 220 — Field Meetings increased ; the soldiers ordered to kill all who resisted ; a Body of Special Sheriffs commissioned to try Religious Offenders ; Murder of Archbishop Sharp, 221 — Great Meeting on Loudon Hill ; Skirmish with the Troops ; Spread of the Insurrection ; Battle of Bothwell Bridge ; Defeat of the Insurgents ; Treatment of the Prisoners, 222 — Duke of York in Scotland ; Trial and Escape of tho Earl of Argyle, 224 — Continuation of the Persecution ; Death of Charles II. ; Accession of the Duke of York, 226 — Failure of Argyle's attempt against the Government, 227 — The King's Scheme of reintroducing Roman Catholicism, 228 — Crisis approaching ; Prince of Orange's Declaration ; Great Excitement in Scotland ; the Bishops, 229 — Orange assumed the Government and

CONTENTS.

xvii summoned a Convention, 230 — Meeting of the Convention in Edinburgh ; Letters from the Prince of Orange and King James, 231 — Flight of Viscount Dundee to the North ; intense excitement in the Convention ; the Covenanters called to arms, 232 — The Throne declared vacant ; the Claim of Right, 233.

XVI

Conflicting Convictions and Parties ; King William's Difficulties ; Carstairs, 235 — Movements of Viscount Dundee and the Jacobites ; Battle of Killiecrankie ; Consternation, 237 — Presbyterian Polity restored ; Means employed by the Government to subdue their Opponents, 240 — Pacification of the Highland Chiefs ; Massacre of Glencoe, 241 — Progress of Elementary Education, 243 — Rise of a Commercial Spirit ; the Darien Scheme ; its tragic end raised intense indignation in Scotland, 246 — Attempts to form a Union, 250 — Meeting of Parliament ; a Series of alarming Acts passed, and the Nation assumed a determined attitude, 251 — The English Parliament authorised a Treaty to be negotiated ; this placed before the Scotch Parliament, and after long and vehement debate it authorised the appointment of Commissioners to treat with the English, 252 — The Treaty of Union drawn ; placed before the Scotch Parliament and the Articles read and debated, 254 — A vehement Debate before the Vote was taken on the Pirst Article, 256 — Many Petitions presented against the Union ; the last great effort of the Jacobi'es to defeat the Union ; Animated Debates ; Protests and Counter-protests ; — Treaty of Union carried, 259.

XVII

The Jacobites encouraged disaffection ; other causes of irritation, 261 — Mar's connection with the Highland Clans ; Rising of 1715 ; Arrival of the Pretender; Collapse of the Rising ; Prisoners, 263 — Measures to secure peace in the Highlands ; Causes of the Rising of 1745, 264 — Landing of Prince Charles ; Mustering of the Clans ; Advance on Edin-

CONTENTS.

burgh ; Battle of Preston, 265 — March to Derby ; Retreat of the Prince's Army, 267 — Battle of Culloden ; Cruel Treatment of the People, 269 — Jacobite Ballads and Songs, 272,

XVIII. General Result of the Operation of the Union 274-289

Commercial advantages of the Union, 274 — Moral advantages, 277 — Some of its advantages and disadvantages in Political and Legislative Relations 277 — Fiscal and Excise Arrangements ; Malt-Tax ; Determined opposition to it ; Disturbance ; the Military called out ; Excessively raised in 1803, 278 — Scotch Whisky ; Smuggling ; Quantities of Whisky produced and consumed in Scotland, 282 — Forfeited Estates ; Emigration ; Making of Canals, Roads, and Bridges, in the Highlands, 284 — no Popular Representation in the last century ; Suppression of all attempts of Reform ; Effect of changed conditions, 287.

XIX

Theocratic conception of the Church and State, 290 — Historic Polity of the Church of Scotland ; Election of Ministers, 291 — Internal Struggles of the Church, 292 — Disruption ; Causes and Character of the Movement, 295 — The Assembly of 1843 > the Final Scene, 303.