BEYNG NOVVE EN­forced to the warre, which we haue always hitherto so moch abhorred and fled, by our neighbour and Nephieu the kyng of Scottis, one, who, aboue all other, for our manyfold benefites towardis hym, hath most iust cause to loue vs, to ho­nor vs, and to reioise in our quiet: We haue thought good to notify vnto the world his doinges and behauour in the prouocation of this warre, and lykewyse the meanes and wayes by vs vsed to exchue and ad­uoyde it, and the iust and true occasions, wherby we be nowe prouoked to prosecute the same, and by vtte­rance and diuulging of that matier, to disburden som part of our inwarde displeasure and griefe, and the circumstaunces knowen, to lament openly with the worlde, the infelicitie of this tyme, in which thinges of suche enormitie do brest out and appere.

THE KYNG of Scottes our Nephieu and neigh­bour, whom we in his youth & tender age preserued and maynteined from the great danger of other, and by our authoritie and power conduced hym sauely to the reall possession of his estate, He nowe compelleth and forceth vs for preseruation of our honoure and right, to vse our puissaunce and power agaynst hym. The like vnkindenes hath ben heretofore shewed by other in semblable caces against goddis lawe, mans lawe, and al humanitie: but the oftener it chaunceth, the more it is to be abhorred, & yet in the persons of princis for the raritie of theym can so happen but sel­dome, [Page] as it hath nowe come to passe.

IT HATH ben very rarely and seldom seen before, that a king of Scottis hath had in mariage a doughter of England: We can not, ne wyll not reprehend the kynge our fathers acte therin, but lament and be sory it toke no better effecte. The kynge our father in that matier mynded loue, amitie, and perpetuall frendshyp betwene the posteritie of both, whiche how soone it fayled, the death of the kynge of Scottis, as a due punyshment of god for his iniuste inuasion in­to this our realme, is and shall be a perpetuall testi­monye to theyr reproche for euer, and yet in that pre­sent tyme coulde not the vnkyndenesse of the father extinguishe in vs the naturall loue to our Nephieu his sonne, being than in the myserable age of tender youthe: but we than forgettyng the dyspleasure that shulde haue worthily prouoked vs to inuade that re­alme, nurrished and brought vp our Nephieu to a­chieue his fathers possession and gouernemēt, where in he nowe so vnkyndly vseth and behaueth hym to­wardes vs, as he compelleth vs to take armour and warre agaynst hym.

IT IS specially to be noted, vpon what groundes, and by what meanes we be compelled to this warre, wherin among other is our chiefe griefe and displea­sure, that vnder a colour of faire spech and flattering woordes, we be in dedes so iniured contempned and dispised, as we ought not with sufferaunce to preter­mitte and passe ouer. Wordes writinges letters mes­sages, ambassiatis, excuses, allegations, coulde not [Page] more pleasantly, more gently, ne more reuerently be deuised and sente, then hath bene made on the kynge of Scottis behalfe vnto vs, and euer we trusted, the tree wold bryng forth good fruite, that was on thone partie of so good a stocke, and contynually in appa­rance put forth so fayre buddes: and therfore wolde hardely byleue or gyue eare to other, that euer alled­ged the dedes to the contrary, being neuerthelesse the same dedes so manyfest, as we muste nedes haue re­garded them, had we not haue ben so lothe to thinke euell of our Nephieu, whom we had so many wayes bound to be of the best sorte towarde vs. And there­fore hauynge a message sente vnto vs the yere paste from our sayde Nephieu, and a promisse made for the repayryng of the sayd kynge of Scottis vnto vs to Yorke, and after great preparation on our part made therfore, the same metyng was not onely disappoyn­ted, but also at our being at Yorke, in the lieu therof, an inuasion made by our said Nephieu his subiectes into our realme, declaryng an euident contempt and dispite of vs: We were yet gladde to impute the de­faute of the metynge to thaduyse of his counsaylle, and the inuasion to the lewdnes of his subiectes: and according thervnto gaue as benigne and gentyl au­dience to suche Ambassadours, as repayred hither at the Christmas afterwarde, as if noo suche causes of displeasure had occurred, specially consyderynge the good woordes, swete woordes, pleasant woordis, eft­sones proponed by the sayd Ambassadours, not only to excuse that was past, but also to perswade kindnes [Page] and perfect amitie to ensue. And albeit the kyng of Scottis hauynge contrary to tharticle of the leage of amitie, receyued and entreteigned suche rebelles, as were of the chief and principle, in sterringe the in­surrection in the North agaynst vs, with refusal be­fore tyme, vpon request made to restore the same: yet neuerthelesse vpon offer made by the sayde ambassa­dours, to sende commission to the bordures, to deter­mine the debates of the confinies in the same, with so great a pretence of amitie and so fayre woordes, as coulde be in speche desyred: we were contente for the tyme to forbeare to presse them ouer extremely in the matier of rebels, Albeit we neuer remitted the same, but desyrous to make triall of our sayde Nephieu in some correspondence of dedes, condescended to the sendyng of commissioners to the borders, whiche to our great charge we dyd, and the kynge of Scottes our said Nephieu the semblable. Where after great trauaile made by our Commissioners, this fruite en­sued, that being for our part chalenged a piece of our grounde, playnly vsurped by the Scottis, and of no great value, being also for the same shewed such eui­dence, as more substanciall, more autentique, more playne and euydent, can not be broughte fourthe for any parte of grounde within our realme. The same was neuerthelesse by them denied, refused, and the e­uidence only for this cause reiected, that it was made (as they alledged) by Englishemen. And yet it was soo auncient, as it coulde not be counterfaite nowe, and the value of the grounde so lytell, and of so smal [Page] wayte, as no man wolde haue attempted to falsifie for suche a matier. And yet this denyall being in this wyse made vnto our Commissioners, they neuer the lesse by our cōmandement departed as frendes, from the Commissioners of Scotlande, takyng order as hath ben accustomed for good rule vpon the borders in the meane tyme.

AFTER whyche theyr recesse, the lorde Maxwell, warden of the west marches of Scotland, made pro­clamation for good rule, but yet added therwith, that the bourderers of Scotlande shuld withdrawe their goodes from the bourders of England: And incon­tinentely after the Scottisshe men bourdurers, the fourth of Iuly, entred into our realme sodeynly, and spoyled our subiectes, contrarye to our leages, euen after suche extremitie, as it had bene in tyme of open warre. Wherat we moche meruayled, and were com­pelled therfore to furnishe our bourdour with a gar­rison for defence of the same. Whervpon the kyng of Scottis sente vnto vs Iames Leyrmouth, maister of his howseholde, with letters deuysed in the most pleasant maner, offerynge redresse and reformation of al attemptates. And yet neuerthelesse at the entre of the sayde Leyrmouth into England, a great numbre of the Scottis, than not loked for, made a forrey into our bourders, to the great annoyance of our subiectes, and to theyr extreme detriment, wherwith and with that vnsemely dissimulation, we were not a lyt­tell moued, as reason wolde we shulde. And yet dyd [...]e not fynally soo extremely persecute and continue [Page] our sayde displeasure, but that we gaue benigne au­dience to the sayde Leyrmouth, and suffered our selfe to be somewhat altred by his wordes and fayre pro­myses, tendyng to the perswasion that we euer desy­red, to fynde the kynge of Scottis suche a Nephieu vnto vs, as our proximitie of bloude, with our gra­tuitie vnto hym, dyd require.

IN THE meane tyme of these fayre woordes, the dedes of the borders were as extreme as myghte be, and our subiectes spoyled: and in a rode made by syr Robert Bowes for a reuenge therof, the same syr Ro­bert Bowes with many other taken prysoners, and yet deteyned in Scotlande, without puttynge them to fyne and raunsome, as hath ben euer accustomed. And beinge at the same tyme a surceaunce made on bothe sydes at the suite of the sayde Leyrmouth for a season: the Scottis ceassed not to make sundry inua­sions into our realme in suche wyse, as we were com­pelled to forgette fayre wordes, and onelye to consy­der the kyng of Scottes dedes, whiche appered vn­to vs of that sort, as they ought not for our duetie in defence of our subiectes, ne coulde not in respecte of our honour, he passed ouer vnreformed: and therfore put in a redynesse our army, as a due meane wherby we myght atteigne suche a peace, as for the safegard of our subiectes we be bounde to procure.

AFTER whiche preparation made, and knowlege had therof, the kyng of Scottis cessed not to vse his accustomed meane of fayre wordes, which in our na­tural inclination wrought eftsones their accustomed [Page] effect, euermore desirous to fynd in the king of Scot­tis such a regard and respect to be declared in dedes, as the correspōdence of naturall loue in the Nephieu to suche an Vncle, as we haue shewed our selfe to­wardes hym, dothe require. Wherfore vpon new re­quest and suite made vnto vs, we determined to stay our army at Yorke, appoynting the Duke of Norff. our lieutenaunt, the lorde priuy seale, the byshop of Dureham, and the master of our horses, there to cō ­men treate and conclude with the Ambassadours of Scotlande, for an amitie and peax vpon suche con­ditions, as by reason and equitie were indyfferent, wherby the warre might be exchued, being by sundry inuasion of the Scottis than open and manifest.

IN THIS communication betwene our and their commissioners, after diuers degrees of commission, shewed by the Scottis, and finally one, that was by our commissioners allowed, matiers were proponed for conclusion of amitie, nothing difficile or hard on our part, but so agreable to reason, as the commissio­ners of Scotlande sayd, they doubted not, but yf it myght ones be broughte to passe, that the kynge of Scottis our Nephieu might haue a meting with vs, all matiers shulde easyly be componed and determi­ned. Whervpon they lefte speakynge of any articles of amitie, and the ambassadours of Scotland made moche outward ioy in communication of a metinge, they shewed them selfe in wordis facion and behauor moche to delyte in it, to reioyce in it, and therewith thought it easy and facile to be concluded and accomplysshed, [Page] and for their parte they toke it then for a thing passed, a thing concluded, and most certayn to take effect, and only desyred .vi. dayes to obteigne an­swere from their maister, and our army for that tyme to stay and go no further. Whervnto our commissio­ners then agreed.

AFTER THESE syxe dayes was sent a commis­sion out of Scotlande, with power to conclude a me­tynge precisely at suche a place, as they knew wel we wolde not, ne coulde not in wynter obserue and kepe, wherwith whan our cōmissioners were myscontent, the ambassadours of Scotland to relieue that displesure, and to tempre the matier, wherby to winne more tyme, shewed forth their instructions, wherin liberty was gyuen to the ambassadours to excede their com­mission in the appoyntment of the place, and to con­sent to any other by our commissioners thought con­uenient, whiche maner of procedyng, when our com­missioners refused, alledging that they wold not con­clude a metynge with men, hauynge no commission thervnto, the ambassadours of Scotland vpon pre­tence to send for a more ample and large commission, agreable to their instructiōs for appoyntment of the place, obteined a delay of other .vi. days, to sende for the said ample cōmission without restraynt of place. And after those .vi. dayes they brought forthe a newe commission, made in a good fourme, and without ex­ception. But therwith they shewed also newe instru­ctions, conteynynge suche a restraynte as the former commission dyd conteyne, so as the libertie gyuen to [Page] the Commissioners in the commission was nowe at the last remoued and taken away by the instructiōs, with addition of a special charge to the ambassadors not to excede the same.

AND thus fyrste the ambassadours of Scotlande semed to haue wyll and desyre to conclude of a place semely and conuenient, whiche for want of commis­sion they myght not do, and at the laste myght haue concluded a metynge by vertue of theyr commission, and then for feare of the commandement in theyr se­cond instructions they durst not. And so they shewed theyr fyrst instructions partly to excuse theyr kynge, who shulde seme secretely to wyll more, than in the commission he dyd openly professe.

AND THAN with an ample commission from the kyng, they shewed theyr secret instructiōs for defence of them self, why they proceded not according to their commission, not carynge howe muche they charged therin their kyng, whose faulte they disclosed to dys­charge them self, trusting that by benefite of the win­ter approchyng, and the tyme lost in theyr communi­cation theyr maister shulde be defended agaynste our power for this yere, without doinge for theyr parte that by honour, right, lawe, and leages they be obli­ged and bounde to do. And in this meane tyme oure subiectes taken prisoners in Scotland coulde not be deliuered vpon any ransome, contrary to al custome and vsage of the border in the tyme of peax & warre. and in this meane tyme staied a great part of our ar­my alredy prested, and in our wages to go forwarde. [Page] In this tyme ambassadours (as ye haue herde) assembled to talke of an amitie and conclude it not. The treatyng of amitie was put ouer by communication of a metynge.

THE cōmunication of metyng was so handled by alteration of commyssion and instructions on theyr behalfe, as it appereth a playne deuise onely excogi­tate for a delay, whyche hath gyuen vs lyght, where vpon more certeinly to iudge the king of Scottis in­warde affection towardes vs, whose dedes and wor­des well wayed and considered, dothe vs playnely to vnderstande, howe he hath contynually laboured to abuse vs with swete and pleasant wordes, and to sa­tisfy the appetites of other at home and abrode with his vnkynde and displeasant dedes. In his wordes he professeth an indissoluble amitie, he alledgeth kinred, he knowlegeth benefites, onely the faulte is that he speaketh an other langage to all the worlde in de­des, and therby so toucheth vs in honour and dene­gation of iustyce, as we be inforced and compelled to vse the sworde, whiche god hath put in our hande as an extreme remedy, wherby to obteigne bothe quiete for our subiectes, & also that is due vnto vs by right, pactes, and leages.

WE HAVE paciently suffred many delusions, and notably the laste yere, when we made preparation at Yorke for his repaire to vs: But shuld we suffer our people and subiectes to be so ofte spoyled without re­medy? This is done by the Scottis what soo euer theyr wordes be. Shulde we suffer our rebelles to be [Page] deteyned contrary to the leages without remedye? This is also done by them what so euer theyr wordes be. Shuld we suffer our lande to be vsurped contra­ry to our most playne euidence, onely vpon a wylle, pryde, and arrogancye of the other partie? This is done by them what so euer theyr wordes be. And all these be ouer presumptuously done agaynste vs, and gyue suche signification of theyr arrogancy, as it is necessary for vs to oppresse it in the begynning, leste they shuld gather further courage to the greater dis­pleasure of vs and our posteritie hereafter. And yet in the entreatyng of this matier, if we had not eui­dently perceyued the lacke of suche affection as prox­imitie of bloudde shulde require, we wold muche ra­ther haue remitted these iniuries in respecte of proxi­mitie of bloud to our Nephieu, than we dyd hereto­fore the inuasion of his father. But consyderyng we be so surely ascertayned of the lacke therof, and that our bloud is there frorne with the cold ayre of Scot­lande, there was neuer prynce more vyolently com­pelled to warre then we be, by the vnkynde dealyng, vniust behauour, vnprincely demeanour of him that yet in nature is our Nephieu, and in his actes and dedes declareth hym selfe not to be moued therwith, ne to haue suche ernest regarde to the obseruation of his pactes and leages, ne such respect to thintreteyn­ment of the administration of Iustice, as naturall e­quitie byndeth, and conseruation of amitie dothe re­quire: whiche we muche lament and be sory for, and vse nowe our force and puissaunce againste hym, not [Page] for reuengeance of our priuate displeasure (being so often deluded as we haue ben) but for recouerye of our right, the preseruation of our subiectes from iniuries, and the obseruation of such leages as haue pas­sed betwene vs, firmely trusting, that almighty god, vnder whom we reigne, woll assist and ayde our iust procedinges herein to the furtherance and aduance­ment of the right, whiche we doubt not shal euer pre­uayle againste wronge falseheade deceipte and dissi­mulation.

¶ HITHERTO it appereth how this present warre hath not proceded of any demaund of our right of superioritie, which the kinges of Scottes haue alwais knowleged by homage and fealtie to our progeny­tours euen from the begynnynge: But this warre hath ben prouoked and occasioned vpon present ma­tier of displeasure, present iniury, present wrong my­nistred by the Nephieu to the Vncle most vnnaturally, and supported contrary to the desertes of our be­nefites most vnkindly. If we had minded the posses­sion of Scotland, and by the motion of warre to at­teyne the same, there was neuer kynge of this realme had more oportunity in the minority of our Nephieu Ne in any other realme a prince that hath more iuste title, more euident title, more certayn title, to any re­alme that he can clayme, than we haue to Scotland, not diuised by pretense of mariage, not imagined by couenaunt, or contriued by inuention of argument, but lineally descended from the begynnynge of that astate established by our progenitours, and recogni­sed [Page] successiuely of the kinges of Scotlande by dedes wordes actes & writinges cōtinually almost without interruption, or at the leest intermission, til the reigne of our progenitour Henry the, VI, in whose time the Scottis abused the Ciuile warre of this realme, to theyr licence and boldnes, in omitting of their dutie: whiche for the proximitie of bloudde bitwene vs, we haue ben slacke to require of them, being also of our selfe inclined to peace, as we haue euer been alwayes glad, rather without preiudice to omyt to demaunde our right, if it myght conserue peace, than by deman­dyng therof to be sene to moue war, specially against our neighbour, against our Nephieu, agaynst hym, whom we haue preserued from daungier, and in such a tyme as it were expedient for all Christendome to be vnite in peace, wherby to be the more able to resist the common ennemy the Turke.

BVT for what so euer considerations we haue o­mitted to speake hitherto of the matier, it is neuer the lesse true, that the kynges of Scottes haue always knowleged the kynges of Englande superior lordes of the realme of Scotlande, and haue done homage and fealtie for the same.

THIS appereth fyrst by historie, written by such as for confirmation of the trueth in memory, haue truly noted and signified the same. SECONDLY it ap­pereth by instrumentes of homage made by the kyn­ges of Scottis, and dyuers notable personages of Scotlande, at dyuers and sundry times sealed with theyr seales, and remaynynge in our Treasorye.

THIRDLY it appereth by regesters and recordes iudicially and autentiquely made, yet preserued for confyrmation of the same. So as the matier of title being most playne, is furnished also with all maner of euidences for declaration therof.

FYRST AS concernynge histories, whiche be cal­led witnesses of tymes, the lyghte of trueth, and the lyfe of memory, and fynally the conuenient way and meane, wherby thinges of antiquitie may be brought to mens knowlege, they shewe as playnly this mat­tier as coulde be wyshed or required, with such a con­sent of writers, as coulde not so agree vppon an vn­truth, conteynyng declaration of such matier as hath most euident probabilitie and apparance. For as it is probable and lykely, that for the better administrati­on of iustyce amonges rude people, two or mo of one astate might be rulers in one countrie vnite as this Isle is: so is it probable and lykely, that in the beginnyng it was so ordred for auoydinge discention, that there shulde be one superiour in righte, of whom the sayd astates shuld depende. According whervnto we rede howe Brutus, of whom the realme than callyd Brytayn toke fyrst that name (being before that tyme inhabited with gyauntes, people without order or ci­uilitie) had thre sonnes, Locrine, Albanact, and Camber, and determinyng to haue the whole Isle within the Occean sea to be after gouerned by them thre, ap­poynted Albanact to rule that nowe is called Scot­lād, Camber the parties of Wales, and Locrine that nowe is called Englande: vnto whom as beinge the [Page] elder sonne, the other two brothers shuld do homage recognisyng and knowleagynge hym as theyr supe­rior. Nowe consider if Brutus conquered all this I­lande, as the hystorye sayeth he dyd, and then in his owne tyme made this order of superioritie as afore: Howe can there be a title diuised of a more playne be­gynninge, a more iuste begynninge, a more conueni­ent begynninge for the order of this Ilande, at that tyme specially when the people were rude, which can not without continual strife and variaunce conteyne two or the rulers in all poyntes equall without any maner of superioritie, the inwarde conscience and re­morse of whiche superioritie shulde in some part dull and diminishe the peruerse courage of resistence and rebellion. The fyrst diuision of this Isle we fynde it writē after this sort without cause of suspection why they shulde wryte amysse. And accordynge herevnto we fynde also in hystory set forth by diuerse, howe for transgression against this superioritie, our predeces­sours haue chastised the kinges of Scottis, and some deposed, and put other in their places.

VVE wil here omyt to speake of the rudenes of the antiquitie in particularitie, which they cared not di­stinctly to cōmit to writing, but some authors, as An­thonius Sabellicus amonges other diligentely en­serchynge, what he might truely wryte of al Europe, Ened 10. Lib. 5. and the Ilandes adioynynge, ouer and besides that whiche he writeth of the nature maners and condy­tions of the Scottis, whiche who so lyst to rede, shal fynde to haue bene the very same in tymes paste, that [Page] we fynde them nowe at this present, he calleth Scot­lande part of Englande, which is agreable to the di­uision aforesaid, beinge in dede as in the lande con­tynuall without separation of the sea, so also by ho­mage and fealtie vnite vnto the same, as by particu­lar declarations shall most manifestly appere by the testimony of suche as haue left writing for proue and confirmation therof. In whiche matier passing ouer the deathe of kynge Humbre, the actes of Dunwald king of this realme, the diuisiō of Belin & Brene, the victories of king Arthure, we shal begyn at the yere of our lord, DCCCC, which is, DCXLII, yeres by past, a tyme of sufficient auncientie, from whiche we shall make speciall declaration and euidence of the execu­tion of our right and title of superioritie euermore contynued and preserued hytherto.

¶ EDVVARDE the fyrst before the conquest, sonne to Alured kyng of Englande had vnder his dominion and obedience the king of Scottis. And here is to be noted, that this matier was so notorious and mani­fest, as Maryon a Scot writing that storye in those dayes, graunteth confesseth and testifieth the same, and this dominion contynued in that state, XXIII, yere: At whyche tyme Athelstaine succeded in the crowne of Englande, and hauynge by battayle con­quered Scotlande, he made one Constantine kynge of that partie, to rule and gouerne the countray of Scotlande vnder him, adding this princely woorde, That it was more honour to hym to make a kynge, than to be a kyng.

XXIIII, yeres after that, whiche was the yere of our lorde, DCCCCXLVII, Eldred kynge our progeni­tour, Athelstains brother, toke homage of Irise then kinge of Scottis.

XXX, yeres after that, whiche was the yere of our lorde, DCCCCLXXVII, kyng Edgar our predecessor toke homage of Kynalde king of Scottis. Here was a lyttell trouble in Englande by the death of sayncte Edwarde kynge and martyr, distroyed by the deceite of his mother in lawe: but yet within memory.

XL, yeres after the homage done by Kynald to kyng Edgare, that is to say, in the yere of our lord, MXVII, Malcolme the kynge of Scottes dydde homage to Knute our predecessour. After this homage done the Scottis vttered some piece of theyr naturall disposi­tion, whervppon by warre made by our progenitour sainte Edwarde the confessour, XXXIX, yere after that homage done, that is to say, the yere of our lord, MLVI, Malcolme kynge of Scottis was vanquis­shed, and the realme of Scotlande gyuen to Mal­colme his sonne by our sayd progenitour saynte Ed­warde: vnto whome the sayde Malcolme made ho­mage and fealtie.

WITHIN, XI, yeres after that Wylliam Con­querour entred this realme, wherof he accompted no perfect conquest, vntyll he had lykewise subdued the Scottis, and therfore in the sayde yere, whiche was in the yere of our lord, MLXVIII, the sayd Malcolme kynge of Scottis dyd homage to the sayde William Conquerour, as his superiour by conquest kynge of [Page] Englande.

XXV, yeres after that, whiche was the yere of our Lorde, MXCIII, the sayde Malcolme dyd homage and fealty to William Rufus, sonne to the said Wil­liam Conquerour: and yet after that was for his of­fences and demerites deposed, and his sonne substi­tute in his place, who lykewyse fayled in his duetie, and therfore was ordeyned in that astate by the sayd William Rufus, Edgare brother to the laste Mal­colme, and sonne to the fyrste, who dyd his homage and fealtie accordingely.

VII, yeres after that, which was in the yere of our lorde, MC, the sayd Edgar kynge of Scottis, dydde homage to Henry the fyrste, our progenitour.

XXXVII, yere after that, Dauid kyng of Scottis did homage to Matilde the Emperatrice, as daugh­ter and heyre to Henry the fyrst. Wherfore beinge af­ter required by Steuen, then obteynynge possession of the realme, to make his homage, he refused so to do, bycause he had before made it to the sayde Ma­tilde, and thervpon forbare. After whiche Dauids deathe, whiche ensued shortely after, the sonne of the sayd Dauid made homage to the said kyng Steuen.

XIIII, yeres after that, whiche was in the yere of our lorde, MCL, William king of Scottis, and Da­uid his brother, with al the nobles of Scotlād made homage to HENRY the secondes sonne, with a reseruation of theyr dutie to Henry the second his father.

XXV, yeres after that, which was in the yere of our lorde, MCLXXV, Wylliam kinge of Scotlande, after [Page] moch rebellion and resistence, accordyng to their na­turall inclination, kyng HENRY the seconde, than being in Normandy, William then kyng of Scottis knowledged fynally his errour, and made his peace and composition, confirmed with his great seale, and the seales of the Nobilitie of Scotlande, makynge therwith his homage and fealtie.

WITHIN, XV, yeres after that, which was the yere of our lorde, MCLXXXX, the sayd Wylliam kyng of Scottes, came to our citie of Canturbury, and there dydde homage to our noble progenitour kynge RI­CHARDE the fyrst.

XIIII, yeres after that, the sayd William dyd ho­mage to our progenitour kynge IOHN, vpon a hyll besides Lincoln̄, makyng his othe vpon the crosse of Hubert than archbyshop of Canturbury, being there present a meruaylous multitude assembled for that purpose.

XXVI, yeres after that, whiche was in the yere of our lorde, MCCXVI, Alexander kyng of Scottis ma­ryed Margaret, the doughter of oure progenitoure HENRY the thyrde, at our citie of Yorke, in the feast of Christmas: at which tyme the said Alexander dyd his homage to our sayde progenitour: who reigned in this realme, LVI, yeres. And therfore betwene the homage made by the saide Alexander kyng of Scot­tes, and the homage done by Alexander, sonne to the sayd kyng of Scottis, to Edwarde the fyrst at his coronation at Westmester, there was about fyfty ye­res, at whyche tyme the sayde Alexander kynge of [Page] Scottis repaired to the sayde feaste of coronation, there dyd his duetie as is afore sayde.

WITHIN, XXVIII, yeres after that, which was the yere of our lorde, MCCLXXXII, Iohn̄ Baliol kynge of Scottis, made homage and fealtie to the sayde kynge Edwarde the fyrste, our progenitour.

AFTER THIS began Robert Bruse to vsurpe the crowne of Scotlande, and to moue sedition therfore, againste them of the house of Ballioll, whiche made for a season some interruption in the sayde homage: but yet no intermission without the termes of memo­ry. For within, XLIIII, yere after, whiche was the yere of our lorde, MCCCXXVI, Edwarde Baliol, af­ter a great victory in Scotlande agaynst thother fa­ction, and enioyenge the crowne of Scotland, made homage to our progenitour Edwarde the thyrde.

AND, XX, yeres after that, which was in the yere of our lorde, MCCCXLVI, Dauid Bruse, who was euer in the contrary faction, dyd neuerthelesse in the title of the crowne of Scotland, wherof he was then in possession, make homage to our sayde progenitour Edwarde the thyrde.

WITHIN, IX, yeres after, this Edward the thyrde, to chastise the infidelitie of the Scottis, made warre agaynst them: where after great victories, Edwarde Balliol hauyng the iust and ryght title to the realme of Scotlande, surrendred clerely the same to our said progenitour at the towne of Rokysbrough in Scot­lande: where our said progenitour accepted the same, and than caused hym selfe to be crowned kynge of [Page] Scotlande, and for a tyme enterteigned it, and en­ioyed it, as very proprietarye & owner of the realme, as on thone partie by confiscation acquyred, and on the other part by free wyll surrendred vnto hym.

AND then after the death of our sayd progenitour EDVVARDE the thirde, beganne seditions and in­surrections in this our realme, in the tyme of our progenitour RICHARDE the second, whiche was aug­mented by the alteration of the state of the sayd Ry­charde, and the deuolution of the same, to Henry the IIII, so as the Scottis had som leysure to play their vagues, and folowe their accustomed manier. And yet Henry the, V, for recouery of his right in France, commaunded the kyng of Scottis to attende vppon hym in that iourney. And in this tyme the realme of Scotlande being descended to the house of the Ste­wardes, of which our Nephieu directly cometh, Ia­mes Stewarde kyng of Scottis, in the yere of our lorde, MCCCCXXIII, made homage to Henry the, VI, at Wyndesour. Whiche homage was distaunt frome the tyme of the other homage made by Dauid Bruse LX, yeres and more, but farre within the fresshe me­mory of man.

ALL which homages and fealties as they appere by story to haue ben made and done at times and sea­son as afore: so do there remayne instrumentes made thervpon and sealed with the seales of the kynges of Scotlande testifyenge the same. And yet dothe it ap­pere by story, how the Scottis practised to steale out of our treasaury diuers of these instrumentes, which [Page] neuerthelesse were after recouered agayn. And to the intent ye may knowe of what fourme and tenour the sayde instrumentes be, here is inserted the effecte in worde and sentence as they be made, which we do, to mete with the cauellation and contriued euasion of the Scottes, alleaginge the homage to haue benne made for the Erldome of Huntyngton, whiche is as trewe as the allegation of hym that is burnte in the hande, to saye he was cut with a sikell. And therfore the tenour of the homage is this.

I Iohn N. kynge of Scottes shall be trewe and feythfull vnto you lorde Edward by the grace of god kynge of Englande, the noble and superior lorde of the kyngdome of Scotlande, and vnto you I make my fydelitie of the same kyngdome of Scotland, the whiche I holde, and clayme to holde of you: and I shall beare to you my feythe and fidelitie of lyfe and lymme and worldely honour agaynste all men, and feythfully I shall knowleage, and shal do to you ser­uice due vnto you of the kyngdome of Scotlande a­foresayd, as god so helpe me & these holy euangelies.

NOVVE FOR the thyrde parte touchinge recordes and regestres, we haue them so formall, soo autenti­quall, so seriously handeled, and with suche circum­staunces declarynge the matiers, as they be & ought to be a great corroboration of that hath ben in stories writen and reported in this matier. For amonges o­ther thynges we haue the solempne acte, and iudici­al processe of our progenitour EDVVARD the firste, in discussion of the title of Scotland, when the same [Page] was challenged by twelue competitiours: That is to say,

• Florentius comes Holandie.
• Patricius de Dunbar comes de Merchia.
• VVillielmus de Vesty.
• Villielmus de Ros.
• Robertus de Pinbeny.
• Nicholaus de Soules.
• Patricius Galightly.
• Rogerus de Mundeville.
• Ioannes Comyn.
• D. Ioannes de Hastinges.
• Ioannes de Balliolo.
• Robertus de Bruse.
• Ercius rex Norvvegie.

AND fynally after a great consultation & mature deliberation, with discussion of the allegatiōs proponed on all parties, sentence was gyuen for the title of Ballioll, according whervnto he enioyed the realme. But for confirmation of the duety of homage before that tyme obserued by the kynges of Scottis, it ap­pereth in those recordes, howe when those competi­tours of the realme of Scotland repaired to our said progenitour, as to the chiefe lord for discussion of the same, in as moche as the auctoritie of the iudgement to be gyuen depended thervpon: It was than orde­red, [Page] that the hole parliament of Scotland spirituall temporall and of all degrees assembled for that pur­pose, and consideryng vpon what ground and foun­dation the kynges of Scotlande had in tymes paste made the sayd homages and recognition of superyo­ritie, the sayd parlyament fynding the same substan­tiall good and true, shulde if they so demed it, yelde and geue place, and by expresse consent recognise the same. At whiche parlyamente was alledged vnto theym, as appereth in the same recordes, not onely these actes of the prynces before those dayes, and be­fore rehersed: but also besydes the testimonye of sto­ryes, the wrytinges and letters of foreyn princis, at that tyme recitynge and rehersynge the same. Wher­vppon the sayde parlyament dyd there agree to this our superioritie, and ensuynge theyr determination dyd particularly and seuerally make homage and fe­aultie with proclamation: That who soo euer with­drue hym selfe from doinge his duetie therin, shulde be taken and reputed for a rebel. And so all made ho­mage & fealtie to our progenitour Edwarde the first. The realme was in the tyme of the discussion of the title ruled by gardians deputed by him: all castels & holdes were surrendred to him as to the superior lord in the tyme of vacation, benefices, offices, fees, pro­motions passid in that tyme from the mere gift of our sayde progenitour, as in the right of this crowne of England, Sheriffes named and apoynted, writtis & preceptes made obeyed and executed: And finally al that we do now in the Duchy of Lancaster, the same [Page] dyd our progenitour for the tyme of contention for that title in the realme of Scotlande, by the consent and agrement of all astates of the realme assembled and consulted with for that purpose. At whiche tyme the byshoppes of saynt Andrewes and Glascoo were not as they nowe be archebyshoppes, but recognised the prouince of our archebishop of Yorke, whiche ex­tended ouer all that countrey.

NOVV if the Scottis wyl take exception to the ho­mages of theyr pryncis, as made in warre & by force whiche is not true: what wyll they say or can they for shame alledge agaynst their owne parlyament, not of some, but of all confirmed & testified by theyr wri­tynge and seales? whervnto nothing enforced them, but right and reason, being passed in peace and quiet without armour or compulsion. If they say they did it not, they speake like them selues: If they say they dyd it, then doo they nowe lyke them selfes, to with­drawe their duetie, not so moche to be blamed, as to be amended.

THVS APPERETH vnto you the begynnyng of the righte of superioritie, with a perpetuall conty­nuaunce, without intermission within memory, cer­tayne omission and forbearynge vpon the groundes and occasions before specified we deny not. Wherby they haue many tymes sought and taken theyr opor­tunities, to withdrawe the doinge of theyr duetie in knowlege of our superioritie ouer theym, whiche to auoyde, they haue not cared what they sayde or alle­ged, though it were neuer so vntrue: lyeng alwayes [Page] in awayte whan they myght annoy this realme, not without theyr owne great dangier peryl and extreme detriment. But as they detrected the doing of theyr duetie, so god euer graunted vnto this realme force to compell them thervnto within memory, not with­standyng any theyr interruption by resistence, which vnto the tyme of our progenitour Henry the, VI, ne­uer indured so longe as it made intermission within tyme of mynde, wherby the possession might seme to be enpaired, from the tyme of Henry the, VI, vnto the seuenth yere of our reigne, how our realme hath ben for a season lacerate and torne by diuersitie of titles, tyl our time and sins by warre outwardly vexed and troubled, The story is so lamentable for some parte therof, as were tediouse to reherse.

SITHENS THE deathe of our progenitour Hen­ry the, VI, our grandfather Edwarde the, IIII, rey­gned, who after great trauailes to atteyne quietnes in his realme, fynally in the tyme of preparation of warre against Scotlande, dyed.

RICHARDE the, III, than vsurped for a smalle tyme in yeres, whom the kynge oure father by the strength of goddis hande ouerthrewe in battail, and mooste iustly attayned the possession of this realme, who neuertheles after the great tempestious stormes fyndynge all matiers nat yet broughte to a perfecte quiete and reste, ceassed and forbare to require of the Scottis to do theyr duetie, thinkyng it policy rather for that time to assay to tame theyr nature by the ple­sant coniunction and conuersation of affinitie, then [Page] to charge them with theyr fault, and require duety of them, when oportunitie serued not, by force and feare to constrayne and compell them.

AND thus passed ouer the reygne of oure father, without demaunde of this homage. And being our reygne nowe, XXXIIII, yeres, we were, XXI, yere letted by our Nephieu his minority, being then more carefull howe to brynge hym out of daungier, to the place of a king, then to receyue of him homage when he had full possession in the same. Wherefore beinge now passed sithens the last homage made by the kin­ges of Scottis to oure progenitour Henry the, VI, CXXII, yere, at whiche tyme the homage was done at Wyndesor by Iames Stuard, then king of Scot­tis, as afore. LVI of these yeres the crowne of this realme was in contention, the trouble wherof engen­dred also some busynesse in the tyme of the kyng our father, whiche was, XXIIII, yere: And in our tyme XXI, yere hath passed in the minority of our Nephieu So as finally the Scottis resortynge to their onely defence of discontinuance of possession, can onely al­ledge iustly but, XIII, yere of sylence in the tyme of our reigne, beinge al the other tymes sythens the ho­mage done by Iames Steward, suche as the silence in them had they ben neuer so longe, coulde nat haue ingendrid preiudice to the losse of any right, that may yet be declared and proued due. For what can be im­puted to king Edward for not demanding homage, beinge in strife for that estate, whervnto the homage was due? What shulde Rycharde the, III. serche for [Page] homage in Scotlande, that had neither right ne ley­sure to haue homage done vnto hym in Englande? Who can blame our father, knowynge the Scottis nature, neuer to do their duetie but for feare, if he de­maunded not that of them, whiche they wold exchue if they might, being his realme not clerely than pur­ged from yll seede of sedition, sparkeled and scattered in the cruell ciuile warres before.

LAVVE AND reason serueth, that the passing ouer of tyme not commodious for the purpose, is not al­legable in prescription for the losse of any right. And the minoritie of the kyng of Scottis hath endured XXI, yeres of our reigne, whyche being an impedi­ment on their part, the hole prescription of the Scot­tis, if the matier were prescriptible, is thus deduced euidentely to, XIII, yere, whiche, XIII, yere with­out excuse we haue ceassed and forborne to demaunde our duetie, lyke as the Scottis haue lykewyse cessed to offer and tende the same. For whiche cause neuer­thelesse we do not enter this warre, ne mynded to de­maunde any suche matier: Nowe beinge rather desi­rous to reioyse and take comfort in the frendshyppe of our Nephieu, as oure neyghbour, than to moue matier vnto hym of displeasure, wherby to alienate suche naturall inclination of loue, as he shuld haue towarde vs. But such be the workes of god, superior ouer all, to suffre occasions to be minystred, whereby due superioritie may be knowen demanded and required, to the intent that according thervnto all thinges gouerned in due order here, we may to his pleasure [Page] passe ouer this lyfe, to his honour and glory, whiche he grant vs to do in such rest peace and tranquillitie, as shalbe mete and conuenient for vs.

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