Here, however, he exhibited his empty pride. He desired to have the rope exchanged for one of the silken cords of his own tent; but he was answered, that he was a traitor, and deserved no better. He was conducted to the bridge, and hanged above his companions. *

Sir John Ramsay of Balmain, a young man, was the only one of the King's favourites who escaped the indignant resentment of the peers. He leaped on the King's saddle, and clasped his person, and was saved at the earnest request of James himself, who pleaded for him on account of his extreme youth, he being only eighteen years of age. The genius and accomplishments of this youth had recommended him to James; and he was destined to be forfeited for his attachment to his master, after the disaster of Bannockburn or Sauchie. He was created Lord Bothwell by the King; and, in 1483-4, he sat in Parliament as a peer by that title. +

Having thus rid themselves of the odious favourites, the nobles proceeded to the King, whose

It is proper to mention, that the bridge of Lauder, at which this execution took place, is not the present one→→→ it having been erected within the last century. The piles of the old one may be observed at some distance.

†This nobleman was lineal ancestor of Sir Alexander Ramsay of Balmain, Bart. Member of Parliament for the county of Kincardine, who died without issue at his seat of Halley, in Yorkshire, Feb. 12. 1806, in the 90th year of his age, and was succeeded in the greater part of his English and Scottish estates, by his nephew Alexander Burnett of Strachan, second son of his sister Catherine Ramsay and Sir Thomas Burnett of Leys, Bart. Mr Burnett thereafter assumed the name of Ramsay, and was created a baronet of Great Britain in 1806.

The

person they resolved to secure, as all confidence between him and them was now ended. house in which James was seized is still standing.* He was conveyed to the Castle of Edinburgh, where he was placed under a respectful restraint, and the army dismissed, until he should give am. ple security that he would not revenge the death of his favourites, to which he evinced, for a considerable time, the most obstinate repugnance. †

Such was the issue of the campaign of the Scots against the English under Gloucester, which afforded an opportunity for the Scottish nobles to neglect the defence of their country for the gratification of their resentments. It was a boisterous ebullition of passion, similar instances of which are frequently to be found in the Scottish annals. But, at the same time, it must not be denied that the imprudence of James was great, and that, if he depended on his nobles for assistance against the common enemy, he ought to have removed his minions from the camp, and trusted to the valour of his army. It may be true, however, after all,

It was standing in 1819 when Principal Playfair published his Geographical and Statistical Description of Scotland, vol. i. p. 59.

+ It is asserted by some writers, that the King voluntarily dismissed his army, and shut himself up in the Castle of Edinburgh for security. But the imprisonment of James is certain, from Ruddiman's Notes on Buchanan, vol. i. p. 445, and the Preface by the same writer to Anderson's Diplomata; also, Lindsay of Pitscottie, p. 125, 126, and Sir James Balfour, vol. i. p. 206, 207. This tragedy acted," says the last writer, "the haill armey incontinent dislodges, and brings the King prissoner with them to Edinbrughe Castell, and committs him to the custodey of Johne, Earl of Athol."

that though he had done so, the campaign would still have terminated ingloriously. The partisans of Albany were numerous in the army, and the remembrance of the King's studied neglect might have induced them to yield the contest, and to have consented to terms not the most advantageous for their country. It was a remarkable instance of the power and influence which the aristocracy possessed over their followers, that the King was conveyed to the Castle of Edinburgh without a single murmur of the army.

The accusations against those favourites, for their trials were despatched in the most summary manner, were, 1. Of causing the King to execute his brother, John Earl of Mar. 2. That they had

excited the King against, and caused him to banish his brother, Alexander Duke of Albany. 3. That they had sowed dissensions between the King and his nobles. 4. That they had enticed him to superstition, witchcraft, and magic, to the offence of God, and dishonour of religion. And, lastly, that they had persuaded him to coin a certain kind of brass, of no value, which the people called black coin:-" which fact," observes Hume of Godscroft, "of all the others was the most odious to the vulgar; for hereupon had ensued great dearth of corn and victuals, while the owners did choose rather to suffer their grain to rot in their garners, than, under the name of selling, to give them to the buyers; for they thought it a gift, and not a sale."

CHAPTER III.

;

"Our hapless king that wears the crown,
Full boldly shall the battel bide
His banners shall be beaten down,
And have no hole his head to hide.
The starns three that day shall die
That bears the heart in silver sheen,
Nor riches, gold, nor silver fee,

Can lengthen his life one hour, I ween.

SIR THOMAS THE RYMER.

THE English army under Richard of Gloucester, and accompanied by Albany, marched to Edin burgh, having already obtained possession of Berwick. In that city they found affairs in confusion; the King a prisoner in the Castle, and the administration of the government assumed by a party of the peers. They encamped at Restalrig, in the vicinity of the city.

At Albany's request, Gloucester spared the citizens from being pillaged by the English army, and Albany himself was pardoned by the acting go, vernment, on returning to his allegiance. The approach of Gloucester to Edinburgh resembled a splendid triumph rather than an invasion. Instead of carrying the treaty between Edward and Albany into effect, which purported to place the latter on the throne, the conduct of the English is not a little mysterious. Gloucester demanded

from James the performance of his stipulations with England; but the King, being a prisoner, returned no answer. At length, however, a new treaty was concluded between James and Edward, and after a short residence in the Scottish metropolis, Gloucester returned to London. It was stipulated, that the marriage between the Duke of Rothsay and the Princess Cecilia, should still take place; and the citizens of Edinburgh, who had all along remained firm in their loyalty, became bound to repay Edward the dowry he had formerly given in contemplation. As the marriage eventually failed, the citizens honourably discharged their obligations. Berwick was perpetually surrendered to the English.

For nine months the King had been confined in the Castle of Edinburgh, where Albany, overcome by the importunities of the queen, resolved to set his brother at liberty. Accordingly, aided by the citizens of Edinburgh, the fortress was surprised, and the King released from his durance. For this service, a reconciliation was effected between James and the Duke, and the latter had the titles of Earl of Mar and Lord of Garioch conferred upon him, " as the reward of his loyalty, affection, and service." It was on this occasion, too, that Edinburgh received her most important charter from a grateful sovereign, confirming her ample privileges. The office of hereditary sheriff within the city, with complete jurisdiction, was conferred on the provost, with all the fines and forfeitures arising from the administration of that office. The magistrates and council were also empowered to make laws at pleasure for the welfare of the town; they were exempted from cer